Automatic mapping of high-risk urban areas for Aedes aegypti infestation based on building facade image analysis.

BACKGROUND: Dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, whose viruses are transmitted mainly by Aedes aegypti, significantly impact human health worldwide. Despite the recent development of promising vaccines against the dengue virus, controlling these arbovirus diseases still depends on mosquito surveillance and control. Nonetheless, several studies have shown that these measures are not sufficiently effective or ineffective. Identifying higher-risk areas in a municipality and directing control efforts towards them could improve it. One tool for this is the premise condition index (PCI); however, its measure requires visiting all buildings. We propose a novel approach capable of predicting the PCI based on facade street-level images, which we call PCINet. METHODOLOGY: Our study was conducted in Campinas, a one million-inhabitant city in São Paulo, Brazil. We surveyed 200 blocks, visited their buildings, and measured the three traditional PCI components (building and backyard conditions and shading), the facade conditions (taking pictures of them), and other characteristics. We trained a deep neural network with the pictures taken, creating a computational model that can predict buildings' conditions based on the view of their facades. We evaluated PCINet in a scenario emulating a real large-scale situation, where the model could be deployed to automatically monitor four regions of Campinas to identify risk areas. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: PCINet produced reasonable results in differentiating the facade condition into three levels, and it is a scalable strategy to triage large areas. The entire process can be automated through data collection from facade data sources and inferences through PCINet. The facade conditions correlated highly with the building and backyard conditions and reasonably well with shading and backyard conditions. The use of street-level images and PCINet could help to optimize Ae. aegypti surveillance and control, reducing the number of in-person visits necessary to identify buildings, blocks, and neighborhoods at higher risk from mosquito and arbovirus diseases.

Physical training attenuates systemic cytokine response and tissue damage triggered by apical periodontitis.

Apical periodontitis (AP) is a condition characterized by inflammatory and infectious components in the tooth canal. AP affects periradicular tissues and has systemic repercussions. Physical exercise is a structured activity that requires cardiorespiratory function, and can modulate the inflammatory profile in pathological conditions. As a result, this study aimed to determine the effects of aerobic physical training (PT) on the alveolar bone with and without AP, and its systemic inflammatory repercussions. AP was induced in the mandibular first molars, and PT was performed on a treadmill for five consecutive days over four weeks, with progressive increases in speed and activity time. Blood samples were collected to determine serum cytokine levels using immunoassays, and alveolar bone samples were collected for histopathological evaluation, lesion volume and microarchitecture assessment using computed microtomography. Animals with AP had increased pro-inflammatory cytokines levels compared to those without AP; however, these levels were attenuated or restored by PT. Compared to the AP group, the AP + PT group had a smaller lesion volume and greater preservation of the bone trabeculae in the remaining alveolar bone surrounding the lesion. In overall, PT minimized the severity of AP proving to be a valid strategy for individuals undergoing endodontic treatment.

Improved L-Asparaginase Properties and Reusability by Immobilization onto Functionalized Carbon Xerogels.

Enzyme immobilization can offer a range of significant advantages, including reusability, and increased selectivity, stability, and activity. In this work, a central composite design (CCD) of experiments and response surface methodology (RSM) were used to study, for the first time, the L-asparaginase (ASNase) immobilization onto functionalized carbon xerogels (CXs). The best results were achieved using CXs obtained by hydrothermal oxidation with nitric acid and subsequent heat treatment in a nitrogen flow at 600 °C (CX-OX-600). Under the optimal conditions (81 min of contact time, pH 6.2 and 0.36 g/L of ASNase), an immobilization yield (IY) of 100 % and relative recovered activity (RRA) of 103 % were achieved. The kinetic parameters obtained also indicate a 1.25-fold increase in the affinity of ASNase towards the substrate after immobilization. Moreover, the immobilized enzyme retained 97 % of its initial activity after 6 consecutive reaction cycles. All these outcomes confirm the promising properties of functionalized CXs as support for ASNase, bringing new insights into the development of an efficient and stable immobilization platform for use in the pharmaceutical industry, food industry, and biosensors.

Extending the computational and experimental analysis of lipase active site selectivity.

Molecular docking is an important computational analysis widely used to predict the interaction of enzymes with several starting materials for developing new valuable products from several starting materials, including oils and fats. In the present study, molecular docking was used as an efficient in silico screening tool to select biocatalysts with the highest catalytic performance in butyl esters production in a solvent-free system, an eco-friendly approach, via direct esterification of free fatty acids from Licuri oil with butanol. For such purpose, three commercial lipase preparations were used to perform molecular docking studies such as Burkholderia cepacia (BCL), Porcine pancreatic (PPL), and Candida rugosa (CRL). Concurrently, the results obtained in BCL and CRL are the most efficient in the esterification process due to their higher preference for catalyzing the esterification of lauric acid, the main fatty acid found in the licuri oil composition. Meanwhile, PPL was the least efficient because it preferentially interacts with minor fatty acids. Molecular docking with the experimental results indicated the better performance in the synthesis of esters was BCL. In conclusion, experimental results analysis shows higher enzymatic productivity in esterification reactions of 1294.83 µmol/h.mg, while the CRL and PPL demonstrated the lowest performance (189.87 µmol / h.mg and 23.96 µmol / h.mg, respectively). Thus, molecular docking and experimental results indicate that BCL is a more efficient lipase to produce fatty acids and esters from licuri oil with a high content of lauric acid. In addition, this study also demonstrates the application of molecular docking as an important tool for lipase screening to achieve more sustainable production of butyl esters with a view synthesis of biolubricants.

Experimental and Computational Analysis of Synthesis Conditions of Hybrid Nanoflowers for Lipase Immobilization.

This work presents a framework for evaluating hybrid nanoflowers using Burkholderia cepacia lipase. It was expanded on previous findings by testing lipase hybrid nanoflowers (hNF-lipase) formation over a wide range of pH values (5-9) and buffer concentrations (10-100 mM). The free enzyme activity was compared with that of hNF-lipase. The analysis, performed by molecular docking, described the effect of lipase interaction with copper ions. The morphological characterization of hNF-lipase was performed using scanning electron microscopy. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy performed the physical-chemical characterization. The results show that all hNF-lipase activity presented values higher than that of the free enzyme. Activity is higher at pH 7.4 and has the highest buffer concentration of 100 mM. Molecular docking analysis has been used to understand the effect of enzyme protonation on hNF-lipase formation and identify the main the main binding sites of the enzyme with copper ions. The hNF-lipase nanostructures show the shape of flowers in their micrographs from pH 6 to 8. The spectra of the nanoflowers present peaks typical of the amide regions I and II, current in lipase, and areas with P-O vibrations, confirming the presence of the phosphate group. Therefore, hNF-lipase is an efficient biocatalyst with increased catalytic activity, good nanostructure formation, and improved stability.

Does waiting for surgery matter? How time from diagnostic MRI to resection affects outcomes in newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

OBJECTIVE: Maximal safe resection is the standard of care for patients presenting with lesions concerning for glioblastoma (GBM) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Currently, there is no consensus on surgical urgency for patients with an excellent performance status, which complicates patient counseling and may increase patient anxiety. This study aims to assess the impact of time to surgery (TTS) on clinical and survival outcomes in patients with GBM. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 145 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed IDH-wild-type GBM who underwent initial resection at the University of California, San Francisco, between 2014 and 2016. Patients were grouped according to the time from diagnostic MRI to surgery (i.e., TTS): ≤ 7, > 7-21, and > 21 days. Contrast-enhancing tumor volumes (CETVs) were measured using software. Initial CETV (CETV1) and preoperative CETV (CETV2) were used to evaluate tumor growth represented as percent change (ΔCETV) and specific growth rate (SPGR; % growth/day). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were measured from the date of resection and were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: Of the 145 patients (median TTS 10 days), 56 (39%), 53 (37%), and 36 (25%) underwent surgery ≤ 7, > 7-21, and > 21 days from initial imaging, respectively. Median OS and PFS among the study cohort were 15.5 and 10.3 months, respectively, and did not differ among the TTS groups (p = 0.81 and 0.17, respectively). Median CETV1 was 35.9, 15.7, and 10.2 cm3 across the TTS groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Preoperative biopsy and presenting to an outside hospital emergency department were associated with an average 12.79-day increase and 9.09-day decrease in TTS, respectively. Distance from the treating facility (median 57.19 miles) did not affect TTS. In the growth cohort, TTS was associated with an average 2.21% increase in ΔCETV per day; however, there was no effect of TTS on SPGR, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), postoperative deficits, survival, discharge location, or hospital length of stay. Subgroup analyses did not identify any high-risk groups for which a shorter TTS may be beneficial. CONCLUSIONS: An increased TTS for patients with imaging concerning for GBM did not impact clinical outcomes, and while there was a significant association with ΔCETV, SPGR remained unaffected. However, SPGR was associated with a worse preoperative KPS, which highlights the importance of tumor growth speed over TTS. Therefore, while it is ill advised to wait an unnecessarily long time after initial imaging studies, these patients do not require urgent/emergency surgery and can seek tertiary care opinions and/or arrange for additional preoperative support/resources. Future studies are needed to explore subgroups for whom TTS may impact clinical outcomes.

Intraoperative Performance with the Exoscope in Spine Surgery: An Institutional Experience.

BACKGROUND: Exoscope use in spinal neurosurgery has become a promising surgical option providing enhanced operative field visibility and ergonomics. However, data on its use in spine surgery are underreported in the literature. We aimed to assess the intraoperative outcomes in exoscope-assisted spine surgery compared with similar procedures performed using the operative microscope. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all spinal surgeries performed using an exoscope and, subsequently, an equal number of operative microscope cases performed by 2 senior surgeons at a single institution from 2016 to 2023. The variables included demographics, clinical presentation, surgical treatment, and operative outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 123 exoscope spinal surgeries were performed on 116 unique patients with a mean age of 67 ± 14 years, of whom 60 (52%) were women. The microscope group included 126 surgeries on 120 unique patients with a mean age of 62 ± 14 years, of whom 53 (45%) were women. The mean blood loss (28 mL vs. 132 mL; P = 0.0009), operative time (83 minutes vs. 103 minutes; P = 0.006), and length of stay (1.04 days vs. 1.73 days; P = 0.02) were significantly less for the exoscope group than for the microscope group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the exoscope resulted in a shorter operative time, less blood loss, a shorter length of stay, and favorable clinical outcomes compared with the use of the operative microscope. Neurosurgeons should consider this seemingly efficacious and ergonomically favorable visual technology for spinal surgeries.

Antifungal potential of the new copper(II)-theophylline/1,10-phenanthroline complex against drug-resistant Candida species.

Candida spp. are the commonest fungal pathogens worldwide. Antifungal resistance is a problem that has prompted the discovery of novel anti-Candida drugs. Herein, 25 compounds, some of them containing copper(II), cobalt(II) and manganese(II) ions, were initially evaluated for inhibiting the growth of reference strains of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Eight (32%) of the compounds inhibited the proliferation of these yeasts, displaying minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 31.25 to 250 µg/mL and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFCs) from 62.5 to 250 µg/mL. Drug-likeness/pharmacokinetic calculated by SwissADME indicated that the 8 selected compounds were suitable for use as topical drugs. The complex CTP, Cu(theo)2phen(H2O).5H2O (theo = theophylline; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), was chosen for further testing against 10 medically relevant Candida species that were resistant to fluconazole/amphotericin B. CTP demonstrated a broad spectrum of action, inhibiting the growth of all 20 clinical fungal isolates, with MICs from 7.81 to 62.5 µg/mL and MFCs from 15.62 to 62.5 µg/mL. Conversely, CTP did not cause lysis in erythrocytes. The toxicity of CTP was evaluated in vivo using Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor. CTP had no or low levels of toxicity at doses ranging from 31.25 to 250 µg/mL for 5 days. After 24 h of treatment, G. mellonella larvae exhibited high survival rates even when exposed to high doses of CTP (600 µg/mL), with the 50% cytotoxic concentration calculated as 776.2 µg/mL, generating selectivity indexes varying from 12.4 to 99.4 depending on each Candida species. These findings suggest that CTP could serve as a potential drug to treat infections caused by Candida species resistant to clinically available antifungals.

Exoscope Efficacy and Feasibility in Pediatric Spinal Neurosurgery: A Single-Institution Cohort Case Series.

BACKGROUND: The exoscope has emerged as an efficacious microscope in adult spinal neurosurgery providing improved operative field visibility and surgeon ergonomics. However, outcome data and feasibility are underrepresented in the pediatric literature. We present the largest case series aimed at assessing operative and clinical outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing various exoscope-assisted spinal surgeries. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on all consecutive pediatric (age <18 years) spinal surgeries performed with the use of an exoscope by 3 senior surgeons at a single institution from 2020-2023. Demographics and clinical and operative outcomes were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-six exoscope-assisted pediatric spine surgeries were performed on 89 unique patients, 41 (42.7%) of which were male. The mean age at surgery was 12 (±5.3) years. Spinal cord detethering (55.8%) was the most common procedure performed. The overall mean operative time for all procedures was 155 (±86) minutes, and the mean estimated blood loss was 18 (±41) mL. The mean length of stay was 5.4 (±6.5) days. There were 14 (14.6%) patients with complications in this cohort. At final follow-up, 64 (83.1%) of symptomatic patients reported neurologic symptom improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Using the exoscope in a variety of pediatric spinal surgeries resulted in an acceptable average operative time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, and rate of neurologic symptom improvement. The exoscope appears to be an efficacious option for pediatric neurosurgical spinal procedures.

Psychometric properties of the Providers Survey in the Brazilian context of mental health: a validation study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Precisely determining the aspects related to an instrument's validity and reliability measures allows for greater assurance of the quality of the results. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the psychometric properties of The Providers Survey in the Brazilian context of mental health services. DESIGN AND SETTING: The instrument validation study was conducted in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: The validation study was conducted using the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments checklist to analyze its validity and reliability. RESULTS: A committee of expert judges performed content validation after which the Content Validity Index was calculated. Construct validation took place through Exploratory Factor Analysis using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Test criterion and Bartlett's Sphericity Test. Reliability was verified using test-retest reliability. The significance level adopted for the statistical tests was 5% (P < 0.05). The final instrument comprised 54 questions. The Content Validity Index was 97%. Exploratory Factor Analysis identified a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin index of 0.901 and Bartlett's Sphericity Test with P < 0.001. We obtained a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.95 and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.849. CONCLUSIONS: The Providers Survey, translated and adapted into Portuguese, was named the Work Assessment Instrument for the Recovery of Mental Health. It presented adequate psychometric properties for evaluating work-related practices for the recovery of psychosocial care network users.

Controlling supramolecular structures in iron tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine films through pH variation: implications for thin-film device performance.

Improving the performance of thin film-based devices is a crucial factor for their successful application, mainly for organic electronic semiconductors. The adjustment of supramolecular structuring of thin films plays a role in the optical and electrical properties. In this sense, we investigated how various pH values, such as 2.5, 6.0, and 9.0, of the solutions influenced the growth of iron tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (FeTsPc) Layer-by-Layer (LbL) films and their respective supramolecular structures as well as their electrochemical properties. The supramolecular structures were evaluated via UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), micro-Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cyclic voltammetry. The different pH values of the solution induce different degrees of molecular aggregation for FeTsPc (monomer, dimer, and aggregate formation). For instance, the higher the pH, the higher the aggregation. Films produced at pH 2.5 were organized preferentially with the molecules perpendicular to the substrate, while films at pH 6.0 and 9.0 were organized preferentially with the molecules parallel to the substrate. Besides, the film produced at pH 2.5 results in higher film thickness, higher stability, and better electrocatalytic behavior for the electrochemical detection of catechol. The results presented here enhance the understanding of nanostructured films, helping to harness supramolecular organization to improve the performance of thin-film devices.

Vaccination coverage in children under one year of age and associated socioeconomic factors: maps of spatial heterogeneity.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze vaccination coverage spatial distribution in children under one year old and the socioeconomic factors associated with meeting the recommended goals in Minas Gerais. METHODS: an ecological study, carried out in 853 municipalities in the state. Pentavalent, poliomyelitis, meningococcal conjugate, yellow fever, rotavirus, and 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccination coverage were analyzed. Scan statistics and multiple logistic regression were performed to identify spatial clusters and factors associated with meeting coverage goals. RESULTS: spatial analysis revealed clusters with risk of low coverage for all vaccines. Number of families with per capita income of up to 1/2 wage, Minas Gerais Social Responsibility Index and percentage of the poor or extremely poor population were associated with meeting the established goals. CONCLUSIONS: the results are useful for designing interventions regarding the structuring of vaccination services and the implementation of actions to increase vaccination coverage in clusters with less propensity to vaccinate.

Psychometric properties of the Providers Survey in the Brazilian context of mental health: a validation study.

BACKGROUND: Precisely determining the aspects related to an instrument's validity and reliability measures allows for greater assurance of the quality of the results. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the psychometric properties of The Providers Survey in the Brazilian context of mental health services. DESIGN AND SETTING: The instrument validation study was conducted in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: The validation study was conducted using the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments checklist to analyze its validity and reliability. RESULTS: A committee of expert judges performed content validation after which the Content Validity Index was calculated. Construct validation took place through Exploratory Factor Analysis using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Test criterion and Bartlett's Sphericity Test. Reliability was verified using test-retest reliability. The significance level adopted for the statistical tests was 5% (P < 0.05). The final instrument comprised 54 questions. The Content Validity Index was 97%. Exploratory Factor Analysis identified a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin index of 0.901 and Bartlett's Sphericity Test with P < 0.001. We obtained a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.95 and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.849. CONCLUSIONS: The Providers Survey, translated and adapted into Portuguese, was named the Work Assessment Instrument for the Recovery of Mental Health. It presented adequate psychometric properties for evaluating work-related practices for the recovery of psychosocial care network users.

Factors Associated with Unfavorable Clinical Presentations in Patients with Ruptured BrainArteriovenous Malformations.

BACKGROUND: Rupture of brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs) carries potentially devastating consequences. For patients presenting with ruptured bAVMs, several clinical grading systems have been shown to predict long-term patient morbidity and may be taken into consideration when making clinical decisions. Unfortunately, use of these scoring systems is typically limited to their prognostic value and offer little to patients in therapeutic benefit. Tools are needed not only to predict prognosis for patients experiencing ruptured bAVMs but to gain insight into what characteristics predispose patients to poor long-term outcomes before they rupture. Our objective was to find clinical, morphologic, and demographic variables that correlate with unfavorable clinical grades on presentation in patients with ruptured bAVMs. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of patients with ruptured bAVMs. Linear regression models were used to test whether Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Hunt-Hess scores on presentation(outcomes) were associated with patient and arteriovenous malformation (AVM) characteristics (predictors) individually. RESULTS: GCS and Hunt-Hess were assessed following bAVM rupture for 121 brain cases. The median age at rupture was 28.5 years, and 62 (51%) were female. Smoking history was associated with worse GCS; current and past smokers had GCS scores 1.33 points lower on average than nonsmokers (95% confidence interval [CI] -2.59 to -0.07, P = 0.039) and had worse Hunt-Hess scores (0.42, 95% CI 0.07-0.77, P = 0.019). Associated aneurysms were associated with worse GCS (-1.60, 95% CI -3.16 to -0.05, P = 0.043) and trended towards worse Hunt-Hess scores (0.42 points, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.86, P = 0.057). CONCLUSIONS: Patient smoking status and presence of an AVM associated aneurysm were shown to have modest correlations with unfavorable clinical grades (Hunt-Hess, GCS) on presentation, with unfavorable clinical grades being associated with long-term patient prognosis following bAVM rupture. Further investigation using AVM-specific grading scales and external data are needed to determine the utility of these and other variables in clinical practice for patients with bAVM.

Active Cu(II), Mn(II) and Ag(I) 1,10-phenanthroline/1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione/dicarboxylate chelates: effects on Scedosporium.

Background: Scedosporium/Lomentospora species are human pathogens that are resistant to almost all antifungals currently available in clinical practice. Methods: The effects of 16 1,10-phenanthroline (phen)/1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione/dicarboxylate chelates containing Cu(II), Mn(II) and Ag(I) against Scedosporium apiospermum, Scedosporium minutisporum, Scedosporium aurantiacum and Lomentospora prolificans were evaluated. Results: To different degrees, all of the test chelates inhibited the viability of planktonic conidial cells, displaying MICs ranging from 0.029 to 72.08 µM. Generally, Mn(II)-containing chelates were the least toxic to lung epithelial cells, particularly [Mn2(oda)(phen)4(H2O)2][Mn2(oda)(phen)4(oda)2].4H2O (MICs: 1.62-3.25 µM: selectivity indexes >64). Moreover, this manganese-based chelate reduced the biofilm biomass formation and diminished the mature biofilm viability. Conclusion: [Mn2(oda)(phen)4(H2O)2][Mn2(oda)(phen)4(oda)2].4H2O opens a new chemotherapeutic avenue for the deactivation of these emergent, multidrug-resistant filamentous fungi.

Metals have been used to treat microbial infections for centuries. In this context, the effects of 16 metal-based compounds against the human pathogens Scedosporium apiospermum, Scedosporium minutisporum, Scedosporium aurantiacum and Lomentospora prolificans were tested. All the 16 metal-based compounds were able to interfere with the viability of these fungal pathogens to different degrees. Among the 16 compounds, a manganese-containing compound presented the best activity against the fungal species and it presented the least toxicity to a human lung cell line. In addition, this manganese-containing compound reduced the ability of fungal cells to come together and form a type of community called biofilm. In conclusion, the manganese-containing compound presents a promising option against the multidrug-resistant filamentous fungi species belonging to the Scedosporium/Lomentospora genera.

Omphalocele: clinical and epidemiological profile of patients born in a tertiary care center in Rio de Janeiro.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this paper is to describe the clinical and epidemiological profile and the early outcomes of patients with omphalocele born in a fetal medicine, pediatric surgery, and genetics reference hospital in Rio de Janeiro - Brazil. To determine its prevalence, describe the presence of genetic syndromes, and congenital malformations, emphasizing the characteristics of congenital heart diseases and their most common types. METHODS: Using Latin-American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (ECLAMC) database and records review, a retrospective cross-sectional study was performed, including all patients born with omphalocele between January 1st, 2016, and December 31st, 2019. RESULTS: During the period of the study, our unity registered 4,260 births, 4,064 were live births and 196 stillbirths. There were 737 diagnoses of any congenital malformation, among them 38 cases of omphalocele, 27 were live born, but one was excluded for missing data. 62.2% were male, 62.2% of the women were multiparous and 51.3% of the babies were preterm. There was an associated malformation in 89.1% of the cases. Heart disease was the most common (45.9%) of which tetralogy of Fallot was the most frequent (23.5%). Mortality rate was 61.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed a good correspondence with the existing literature. Most patients with omphalocele had other malformations, especially congenital heart disease. No pregnancy was interrupted. The presence of concurrent defects showed a huge impact on prognosis, since, even if most survived birth, few remained alive and received hospital discharge. Based on these data, fetal medicine and neonatal teams must be able to adjust parents counseling about fetal and neonatal risks, especially when other congenital diseases are present.

Peptidases Are Potential Targets of Copper(II)-1,10-Phenanthroline-5,6-dione Complex, a Promising and Potent New Drug against Trichomonas vaginalis.

Trichomonas vaginalis is responsible for 156 million new cases per year worldwide. When present asymptomatically, the parasite can lead to serious complications, such as development of cervical and prostate cancer. As infection increases the acquisition and transmission of HIV, the control of trichomoniasis represents an important niche for the discovery and development of new antiparasitic molecules. This urogenital parasite synthesizes several molecules that allow the establishment and pathogenesis of infection. Among them, peptidases occupy key roles as virulence factors, and the inhibition of these enzymes has become an important mechanism for modulating pathogenesis. Based on these premises, our group recently reported the potent anti-T. vaginalis action of the metal-based complex [Cu(phendione)3](ClO4)2.4H2O (Cu-phendione). In the present study, we evaluated the influence of Cu-phendione on the modulation of proteolytic activities produced by T. vaginalis by biochemical and molecular approaches. Cu-phendione showed strong inhibitory potential against T. vaginalis peptidases, especially cysteine- and metallo-type peptidases. The latter revealed a more prominent effect at both the post-transcriptional and post-translational levels. Molecular Docking analysis confirmed the interaction of Cu-phendione, with high binding energy (-9.7 and -10.7 kcal·mol-1, respectively) at the active site of both TvMP50 and TvGP63 metallopeptidases. In addition, Cu-phendione significantly reduced trophozoite-mediated cytolysis in human vaginal (HMVII) and monkey kidney (VERO) epithelial cell lineages. These results highlight the antiparasitic potential of Cu-phendione by interaction with important T. vaginalis virulence factors.

Designing protein nano-construct in ionic liquid: a boost in efficacy of cytochrome C under stresses.

Herein, we present a simple approach to fabricate protein nanoconstructs by complexing cytochrome C (Cyt C) with silk nanofibrils (SNF) and choline dihydrogen phosphate ionic liquid (IL). The peroxidase activity of the IL modified Cyt C nanoconstruct (Cyt C + SNF + IL) increased significantly (2.5 to 10-fold) over unmodified Cyt C and showed enhanced catalytic activity and stability under harsh conditions, proving its potential as a suitable protein packaging strategy.

Alcoholic liver disease and intestinal microbiota in an experimental model: Biochemical, inflammatory, and histologic parameters.

OBJECTIVES: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the leading cause of alcohol-related deaths worldwide. Experimental ALD models are expensive and difficult to reproduce. A low-cost, reproducible ALD model was developed, and liver damage compared with the gut microbiota. The aims of this study were to develop an experimental model of ALD, through a high-fat diet, the chronic use of ethanol, and intragastric alcohol binge; and to evaluate the composition of the gut microbiota and its correlation with markers of inflammatory and liver disease progression in this model. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were randomized (N = 24) to one of three groups: control (standard diet and water + 0.05% saccharin), ALC4 and ALC8 (sunflower seed, 10% ethanol + 0.05% saccharin for 4 and 8 wk, respectively). On the last day, ALC4/8 received alcoholic binge (5 g/kg). Clinical, nutritional, biochemical, inflammatory, pathologic, and gut microbiota data were analyzed. RESULTS: ALC4/8 animals consumed more alcohol and lipids (P < 0.01) and less total energy, liquids, solids, carbohydrates, and proteins (P < 0.01), and gained less weight (P < 0.01) than controls. ALC8 had lower Lee index scores than controls and ALC4 (P < 0.01). Aminotransferases increased and albumin diminished in ALC4/8 but not in the control group (P < 0.03 for all). Glucose and aspartate transaminase/alanine aminotransaminase ratios were higher in the ALC8 rats than in the controls (P < 0.03). Cholesterol was higher in ALC4 and lower in ALC8 compared with controls (P < 0.03). Albumin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower in ALC8 (P < 0.03). Hepatic concentration of triacylglycerols was higher in ALC8 than in ALC4 and controls (P < 0.05). ALC4/8 presented microvesicular grade 2 and 3 steatosis, respectively, and macrovesicular grade 1. No change in the gene expression of inflammatory markers between groups was seen. ALC4/8 had lower fecal bacterial α-diversity and relative abundance of Firmicutes (P < 0.005) and greater Bacterioidetes (P < 0.0007) and Protobacteria (P < 0.001) than controls. Gut microbiota correlated with serum and liver lipids, steatosis, albumin, and aminotransferases (P < 0.01 for all). CONCLUSION: The model induced nutritional, biochemical, histologic, and gut microbiota changes, and appears to be useful in the study of therapeutic targets.