Acetylcholinesterase purification from human erythrocytes using magnetic nanoparticles containing procainamide.

This work presents a magnetic purification method of human erythrocyte Acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7; AChE) based on affinity binding to procainamide (Proca) as ligand. Acetylcholinesterase is an acetylcholine-regulating enzyme found in different areas of the body and associated with various neurological disorders, such as Parkinson, Alzheymer and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. AChE from human erythrocyte purification has been attempted in recent years with low degree of purity. Here, magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) were synthesized and coated with polyaniline (PANI) and procainamide (PROCA) was covalently linked to the PANI. The extracted human erythrocyte AChE formed a complex with the MNP@PANI-PROCA and an external magnet separated it from the undesired proteins. Finally, the enzyme was collected by increasing the ionic strength. Experimental Box-Behnken design was developed to optimize this process of human erythrocyte AChE purification protocol. The enzyme was purified in all fifteen experiments. However, the best AChE purification result was achieved, about 2000 times purified, when 100 mg of MNP@PANI-PROCA was incubated for one hour with 4 ml hemolysate extract. The SDS-PAGE of this preparation presented a molecular weight of approximately 70 kDa, corroborating with few previous studies of AChE from erythrocyte purification.

The effect of light irradiation on a nitro-ruthenium porphyrin complex in the induced death of lung cancer cells in two- and three-dimensional cultures: Insights into the effect of nitric oxide.

Efforts to find compounds selectively affecting cancer cells while sparing normal ones have continued to grow. Nitric oxide (NO) is critical in physiology and pathology, including cancer. It influences cellular processes like proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. The intricate interaction of NO with cancer cells offers innovative treatment possibilities, but its effects can vary by concentration and site. Ruthenium complexes capable of releasing NO upon stimulation show for this purpose. These versatile compounds can also enhance photodynamic therapy (PDT), a light-activated approach, which induces cellular damage. Ruthenium-based photosensitizers (PSs), delivering NO and producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), offer a novel strategy for improved cancer treatments. In this study, a nitro-ruthenium porphyrin conjugate: {TPyP[Ru(NO2)(bpy)2]4}(PF6)4, designated RuNO2TPyP, which releases NO upon irradiation, was investigated for its effects on lung cells (non-tumor MRC-5 and tumor A549) in 2D and 3D cell cultures. The findings suggest that this complex has potential for PDT treatment in lung cancer, as it exhibits photocytotoxicity at low concentrations without causing cytotoxicity to normal lung cells. Moreover, treatment of cells with RuNO2TPyP followed by light irradiation (4 J cm-2) can induce apoptosis, generate ROS, promote intracellular NO formation, and has anti-migratory effects. Additionally, the complex can modify tumor cell structures and induce photocytotoxicity and apoptosis in a 3D culture. These outcomes are attributed to the internalization of the complex and its subsequent activation upon light irradiation, resulting in NO release and singlet oxygen production.

Disability-adjusted life years from bone and joint infections associated with antimicrobial resistance: an insight from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study.

PURPOSE: Bone and joint infections, complicated by the burgeoning challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), pose significant public health threats by amplifying the disease burden globally. We leveraged results from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) to explore the impact of AMR attributed to bone and joint infections in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), elucidating the contemporary status and temporal trends. METHODS: Utilizing GBD 2019 data, we summarized the burden of bone and joint infections attributed to AMR across 195 countries and territories in the 30 years from 1990 to 2019. We review the epidemiology of AMR in terms of age-standardized rates, the estimated DALYs, comprising years of life lost (YLLs) and years lived with disability (YLDs), as well as associations between DALYs and socio-demographic indices. RESULTS: The GBD revealed that DALYs attributed to bone and joint infections associated with AMR have risen discernibly between 1990 and 2019 globally. Significant geographical disparities and a positive correlation with socio-demographic indicators were observed. Staphylococcus aureus infections, Group A Streptococcus, Group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter-related bone and joint infections were associated with the highest DALYs because of a high proportion of antimicrobial resistance. Countries with limited access to healthcare, suboptimal sanitary conditions, and inconsistent antibiotic stewardship were markedly impacted. CONCLUSIONS: The GBD underscores the escalating burden of bone and joint infections exacerbated by AMR, necessitating urgent, multi-faceted interventions. Strategies to mitigate the progression and impact of AMR should emphasize prudent antimicrobial usage and robust infection prevention and control measures, coupled with advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.

Hepatogenic photosensitization in lambs supplemented with different levels of extruded urea in Brachiaria spp. pastures in the Brazilian Cerrado: Case report.

The aim was to report cases and risk factors for hepatogenous photosensitization in lambs kept on Brachiaria spp. pastures and supplemented with levels of extruded urea (EU). The herd consisted of 69 Texel crossbred lambs with known parentage (fathers and mothers adapted to the consumption of forage of the genus Brachiaria), randomly divided into 5 groups and distributed in individual paddocks for each group. The animals were supplemented with increasing levels of EU (Amireia® 200S): 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 g of EU per 100 kg-1 of body weight (BW). The concentration of protodioscin was estimated in the mixed pastures of Brachiaria spp. (cv. Marandu and cv. Basilisk), structural components (leaf, stem, and dead material), samples of each cultivar, and in the months of December (2018), February, and April (2019). The animals were examined daily, and when behavioral changes were identified, they underwent clinical examinations and anamnesis. Weighing was performed every 14 days, followed by necropsy and serum biochemical analysis, including gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). The highest concentrations of protodioscin (p < 0.0001) were found in the pastures used by animals supplemented without extruded urea (7.07 ± 0.56), in the Basilisk cultivar (11.35 ± 0.06), in the leaf blade components (2.08 ± 0.05), and thatch (2.20 ± 0.00), and in the month of April (7.34 ± 0.29) (the month with the lowest rainfall), respectively. Fourteen (20.29%) cases of photosensitization were observed in lambs, of which six recovered, and eight died. Serum GGT levels ranged from 42.2 to 225 IU/L; however, in animals that died, values ranged from 209.4 to 225 IU/L. The use of levels 12 g and 18 g per 100 kg-1 of body weight of extruded urea may contribute to the lower occurrence of photosensitization, as the animals selected pastures with lower protodioscin content, presenting a smaller number of cases.

Consensus of the Brazilian association of hematology, hemotherapy and cellular therapy on patient blood management: Preoperative Clinical and Laboratory Assessment of the Patient.

The preoperative clinical and laboratory evaluations of the patient is an essential step to ensure the safety and success of any surgical procedure. This assessment aims to identify any underlying medical conditions and risk factors and determine suitability for surgery. With this step, the medical team can adapt the care plan to meet each patient's specific needs, increasing the chances of a successful procedure. Good clinical assessment and comprehensive laboratory testing, when integrated into a Patient Blood Management approach, are invaluable in promoting safety of care, reducing transfusion risks, improving surgical outcomes, and optimizing resource utilization. This approach not only elevates the quality of care, but is also aligned with evidence-based practice and patient-centered principles, making it an essential component of the perioperative process.

Consensus of the Brazilian association of hematology, hemotherapy and cellular therapy on patient blood management: Assessment and management of coagulation in the preoperative period.

Managing coagulation disorders and potential bleeding risks, especially in the context of anticoagulant medications, is of immense value both clinically and prior to surgery. Coagulation disorders can lead to bleeding complications, affecting patient safety and surgical outcomes. The use of Patient Blood Management protocols offers a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that effectively addresses these challenges. The problem is to find a delicate balance between preventing thromboembolic events (blood clots) and reducing the risk of bleeding. Anticoagulant medications, although crucial to preventing clot formation, can increase the potential for bleeding during surgical procedures. Patient blood management protocols aim to optimize patient outcomes by minimizing blood loss and unnecessary transfusions.

Consensus of the Brazilian association of hematology, hemotherapy and cellular therapy on patient blood management: Preoperative Phase - Preoperative management of the patient's anemia.

Managing anemia before surgery is extremely important as it is a clinical condition that can significantly increase surgical risk and affect patient outcomes. Anemia is characterized by a reduction in the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin levels leading to a lower oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Proper treatment requires a multifaceted approach to ensure patients are in the best possible condition for surgery and to minimize potential complications. The challenge is recognizing anemia early and implementing a timely intervention to correct it. Anemic patients are more susceptible to surgical complications such as increased infection rates, slower wound healing and increased risk of cardiovascular events during and after surgery. Additionally, anemia can exacerbate existing medical conditions, causing greater strain on organs and organ systems. To correct anemia and optimize patient outcomes, several essential measures must be taken with the most common being identifying and correcting iron deficiency.

Acceptability and Usability of Self-Sampling for the Detection of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Transgender Women: The TransOdara Multicentric Study in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The effective testing of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) requires sampling from potential infection sites. This study aimed to assess the choice, satisfaction, and performance of self-collected samples (SCS) from potential infection sites for STI testing among transgender women in Brazil. METHODS: TransOdara was a multicentric, cross-sectional STI prevalence study conducted in 5 Brazilian cities. Using respondent-driven sampling, 1317 transgender women 18 years or older were recruited. Participants completed interviewer-led questionnaires and provided swab samples from multiple sites (anorectal, oropharyngeal, genital) for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. Participants were given a choice of SCS or provider-collected samples (PCS) at each site. RESULTS: Most participants selected SCS for anorectal (74.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 72.4-77.3) and genital (72.7%; 95% CI, 70.2-75.1) sites, whereas fewer chose for oropharyngeal samples (49.8%; 95% CI, 47.0-52.6). For future testing, most participants expressed a preference for SCS for genital (72.2%; 95% CI, 69.5-74.7) and anorectal (70.2%; 95% CI, 67.6-72.7) sites. There was no significant difference in the positive test results for CT and NG between SCS and PCS at anorectal and oropharyngeal sites, or for HPV at anorectal and genital (penile or neovaginal) sites. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a high level of acceptability and usability of self-sampling for STI testing among transgender women. A preference for SCS was evident at the anorectal and genital sites, and the results of SCS were comparable to those of PCS. The findings suggest that multisite STI testing utilizing self-collection methods as a provided option can be effectively integrated into sexual health services for transgender women.

Clinical and epidemiological features of mpox in a Brazilian reference center for HIV and sexually transmitted infections: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The 2022 mpox outbreak has affected disproportionately people living with HIV (PLWH) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate factors associated with laboratory diagnosis of mpox among suspected cases, and access differences between PrEP users and PLWH with confirmed diagnostic. Results: 394 mpox suspected cases were analyzed, 309 (78.4%) confirmed. Most patients with mpox were PLWH (54.4%) and 99 (32%) PrEP users. Mpox cases were likely to be between 25 and 39 years old (aOR=2.8; p=0.042), men who have sex with men/bisexual or transgender women (aOR=17.2; p< 0.001) and to have fever (aOR=4.7; p< 0.001), adenomegaly (aOR=7.2; p< 0.001) and multiple vesicular lesions (aOR=4.2; p< 0.001). Comparing PrEP users to PLWH with confirmed mpox, PrEP users had lesions predominantly with exclusive genital involvement (p=0.016); while PLWH had higher extragenital involvement (p=0.018). Conclusions: PrEP users and PLWHA were the main epidemiological groups in our cohort. Recognizing the differences between vulnerable populations can contribute to the development public policies to control mpox in settings with reduced access to vaccines.

Performance of collagen-based matrices from Nile tilapia skin: A pilot proteomic study in a murine model of wound healing.

Full-thickness cutaneous trauma, due to the lack of dermis, leads to difficulty in epithelialization by keratinocytes, developing a fibrotic scar, with less elasticity than the original skin, which may have disorders in predisposed individuals, resulting in hypertrophic scar and keloids. Biomedical materials have excellent characteristics, such as good biocompatibility and low immunogenicity, which can temporarily replace traditional materials used as primary dressings. In this work, we developed two dermal matrices based on Nile tilapia collagen, with (M_GAG) and without (M) glycosaminoglycans, using a sugarcane polymer membrane as a matrix support. To assess the molecular mechanisms driving wound healing, we performed qualitative proteomic analysis on the wound bed in an in vivo study involving immunocompetent murine models at 14 and 21 days post-full-thickness skin injury. Gene Ontology and Pathway analysis revealed that both skins were markedly represented by modulation of the immune system, emphasizing controlling the acute inflammation response at 14 and 21 days post-injury. Furthermore, both groups showed significant enrichment of pathways related to RNA and protein metabolism, suggesting an increase in protein synthesis required for tissue repair and proper wound closure. Other pathways, such as keratinization and vitamin D3 metabolism, were also enriched in the groups treated with M matrix. Finally, both matrices improved wound healing in a full post-thick skin lesion. However, our preliminary molecular data reveals that the collagen-mediated healing matrix lacking glycosaminoglycan (M) exhibited a phenotype more favorable to tissue repair, making it more suitable for use before skin grafts.

Gelatin Carbon Dots Interaction with Nitrosyl Ruthenium Complex: Fluorescence Quenching and Chemiluminescence Mechanisms.

Carbon dots (CDs) exhibit luminescence, biocompatibility, and higher water solubility. This material has been developed for biological applications, specifically in bioimaging. In this work, the gelatin carbon dots (CDg) was obtained from commercial gelatin using a hydrothermal method in domestic microwave, and the suppression fluorescent mechanism were enhanced by the addition of the [RuII(bdq)(NO)(tpy)]3+ (Rubdq-NO+) complex ion. After purification through a dialysis bag, the resulting CDs (CDg) exhibit fluorescent emission at 400 nm and maintained fluorescence stability in an aqueous solution (pH = 7) for 30 days under 5 ◦C. Fluorescence quenching studies revealed an electrostatic interaction between the negative charge from CDg (δ = - 20 mV) and the positively charged nitrosyl (NO+) ligand of the ruthenium complex (Rubdq-NO+), resulting in quenching of the CDg fluorescence due to the inner filter effects (IFE). The chemiluminescence reaction of CDg and Rubdq-NO-CDg in presence of norepinephrine (NOR) were evaluated. NOR in PBS are liable to undergo spontaneous oxidation to quinone form (NOR-quinone). CDg are believed interact with NOR-quinone and an electron transfer occur obtained CDg+ accompanied to green emission fluorescence (520 nm). While for Rubdq-NO-CDg in presence of NOR, the green emission occurs accompanied by NO0 release using DAF-2 probe.

Synergic Action of Systemic Risedronate and Local Rutherpy in Peri-implantar Repair of Ovariectomized Rats: Biomechanical and Molecular Analysis.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis and poor dietary habits can lead to overweightness and obesity. Bisphosphonates are the first-line treatment for osteoporosis. However, some studies show that they may increase the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw. Considering the antimicrobial, angiogenic and vasodilatory potential of nitric oxide, this study aims to evaluate the local activity of this substance during the placement of surface-treated implants. Seventy-two Wistar rats were divided into three groups: SHAM (SHAM surgery), OVX + HD (ovariectomy + cafeteria diet), and OVX + HD + RIS (ovariectomy + cafeteria diet + sodium risedronate treatment), which were further subdivided according to the surface treatment of the future implant: CONV (conventional), TE10, or TE100 (TERPY at 10 or 100 µM concentration); n = 8 per subgroup. The animals underwent surgery for implant installation in the proximal tibia metaphysis and were euthanized after 28 days. Data obtained from removal torque and RT-PCR (OPG, RANKL, ALP, IBSP and VEGF expression) were subjected to statistical analysis at 5% significance level. For biomechanical analysis, TE10 produced better results in the OVX + HD group (7.4 N/cm, SD = 0.6819). Molecular analysis showed: (1) significant increase in OPG gene expression in OVX groups with TE10; (2) decreased RANKL expression in OVX + HD + RIS compared to OVX + HD; (3) significantly increased expressions of IBSP and VEGF for OVX + HD + RIS TE10. At its lowest concentration, TERPY has the potential to improve peri-implant conditions.

Dark-Chocolate-Coated BRS Clara Raisins: Phenolic Composition and Sensory Attributes.

Dark chocolate dragée confectionary was made with BRS Clara raisins pre-treated with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). The evaluation of the changes in the phenolic composition (flavonols, hydrocinnamic acid derivatives (HCADs), stilbenes and flavan-3-ol monomers, dimers, and proanthocyanidins (PAs)) resulting from the covering process showed that the chocolate coating was responsible for an increase in the concentrations of flavan-3-ols and PAs when compared to just the raisins. For the flavonols and HCADs, a reduction in the total concentration of compounds was observed when comparing the dragées to the raisins. Furthermore, there was a strong influence of chocolate in the qualitative profile with the emergence of new compounds (quercetin-3-pentoside, kampfterol-3-rutinoside, p-coumaric acid, and caffeoyl-aspartate). The combination of these ingredients (raisins and chocolate) resulted in a dark chocolate coated raisin (DC) with good sensory acceptance and a more complex phenolic composition that may positively contribute to its functional quality.

Navigating the Multidimensional Impact of Living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa: An In-Depth Netnographic Study on Social Media Platforms.

INTRODUCTION: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin condition causing considerable distress. It impacts mobility, social interaction, and quality of life. In Brazil, there is a notable gap in epidemiological data and patient experiences regarding HS. METHODS: This study, spanning 2019 to 2022, employed netnography to probe the experiences of Brazilian patients with HS. This approach gleans insights from online interactions, offering a direct view into patients' lives. RESULTS: Notably, the data illuminated the challenges patients face, such as difficulties in obtaining a diagnosis and the complexities involved in managing a chronic, and often debilitating, condition. Furthermore, patients' experiences with various treatments, encompassing antibiotics, biologic agents, lifestyle alterations, surgical procedures, and alternative remedies, were also examined. CONCLUSION: By undertaking a longitudinal analysis of patient interactions, the study aimed to offer a richer understanding of HS, from its diagnosis to its treatment. It underscores the necessity for a more patient-centered approach when managing this condition. We hope that this enhanced understanding can facilitate better care for those affected by HS.

Requirements for Brazilian Outpatient Centers of Excellence in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Consensus Co-Creative Study.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin condition. Its complexity and impact on patients highlight the need for multidisciplinary care that can address the physical, psychological, and social aspects. Centers of excellence can ideally provide the necessary infrastructure, resources, and expertise to effectively treat HS. However, there are still no consolidated models of centers of excellence in HS, and establishing their foundations is an intricate research challenge. Purposely, design and co-creation as innovation techniques are helpful approaches to this type of research. Methods: In this study, we conducted a co-creation with consensus among HS specialists to propose the criteria and requirements to establish outpatient centers of excellence of HS in Brazil. We followed a linear process with mixed methods in 6 stages. Results: The process resulted in 10 categories for establishing outpatient centers, including their respective requirements, rationale, and classification. The categories include onboarding and welcoming; infrastructure and procedures; infusion therapy; flows and referrals; staffing; disease management; metrics during diagnosis; metrics during treatment; awareness and advocacy; research and education. Discussion: The idealized outpatient centers can play a role in the complete multidisciplinary treatment for HS and advancing the science of healthcare services by providing a focus for research, training, and translation of findings into practice.

Phenolic Composition of Brazilian BRS Carmem (Muscat Belly A × BRS Rúbea) Grapes: Evaluation of Their Potential Use as Bioingredients.

The BRS Carmem grape was developed as an alternative for processing juices and wines. This study aimed to determine the phenolic compounds (PC) in the edible parts of this grape from two harvests-one harvested at ideal maturation time and another when the grapes were still immature-using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. Student's t-test was used (α = 0.05) to evaluate differences in the PC content between the edible parts and between the harvests. Both skins showed a predominance of flavonols, anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids derivatives (HCAD) and stilbenes, with higher concentrations for harvest 1 than harvest 2. For both harvests (harvest 1 and harvest 2), the HCAD (mg of caftaric acid•kg fruit-1) was higher in whole grapes (383.98 and 67.09) than in their skins (173.95 and 21.74), with a predominance of trans-caffeic acid for all samples; the flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins (mg of (+)-catechin•kg fruit-1) presented higher concentrations in the seeds (flavan-3-ols: 203.20 and 182.71, proanthocyanidins: 453.57 and 299.86) than in the skins (flavan-3-ols: 1.90 and 4.56, proanthocyanidins: 37.58 and 98.92); the stilbenes concentration (µg 3-glc-resveratrol•kg fruit-1) was higher for the seeds from harvest 2 (896.25) than those from harvest 1 (48.67). BRS Carmem grapes contain a phenolic composition complex, and still have a relevant concentration of flavonols, anthocyanins and stilbenes, even when immature.

A Comparative Evaluation of the Photosensitizing Efficiency of Porphyrins, Chlorins and Isobacteriochlorins toward Melanoma Cancer Cells.

Skin cancer is one of the cancers that registers the highest number of new cases annually. Among all forms of skin cancer, melanoma is the most invasive and deadliest. The resistance of this form of cancer to conventional treatments has led to the employment of alternative/complementary therapeutic approaches. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) appears to be a promising alternative to overcome the resistance of melanoma to conventional therapies. PDT is a non-invasive therapeutic procedure in which highly reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated upon excitation of a photosensitizer (PS) when subjected to visible light of an adequate wavelength, resulting in the death of cancer cells. In this work, inspired by the efficacy of tetrapyrrolic macrocycles to act as PS against tumor cells, we report the photophysical characterization and biological assays of isobacteriochlorins and their corresponding chlorins and porphyrins against melanoma cancer cells through a photodynamic process. The non-tumoral L929 fibroblast murine cell line was used as the control. The results show that the choice of adequate tetrapyrrolic macrocycle-based PS can be modulated to improve the performance of PDT.

Extruded urea levels in lamb supplementation in rainy tropical savanna conditions: the triad host-gastrointestinal nematodes-environment.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of increasing levels of extruded urea (EU, Amireia®) in the diet of lambs naturally infected by gastrointestinal nematodes on the interactions in the host-pasture-soil components in edaphoclimatic conditions of the tropical rainy savanna. A total of 60 Texel lambs with a mean initial weight of 20.7 ± 0.87 and mean age of 2.5 ± 0.70 months were distributed in a completely randomized design, in five treatments consisting of different levels of EU supplementation viz., 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 g 100 kg-1 live weight (LW). The performance of lambs, parasitological variables, gastrointestinal nematodes (NGIs), and larvae recovery in pasture and soil were evaluated. The highest animal performance was observed in animals that received 0 to 18 g kg-1 LW (146.0 g day-1) and the lowest in animals supplemented with 24 g kg-1 LW (81.0 g day-1) of EU. The body condition score (BCS) was similar in the animals (P > 0.05). Parasitic infection did not differ as a function of EU level (P > 0.05). Eggs of Haemonchus spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Cooperia spp., and Oesophagostomum spp. were found. The largest amount of larvae in the L1/L2 and L3 stages was recovered in the pastures occupied by the animals that received supplementation 0 g kg-1 LW of EU (750 larvae), the smallest in those that the animals received 6 g 100 kg-1 LW of EU (54 larvae). The presence of larvae in the L1/L2 stages changed significantly (P < 0.05) in the soil; in the other stages, it did not differ in the soil. Increasing levels of extruded urea do not influence the eggs per gram of feces (EPG) count. The 0 to 18 g 100 kg-1 LW level maintains animal performance, BCS and FAMACHA©. There is less dispersal of NGI larvae in pasture and soil when EU levels increase in the edaphoclimatic conditions of the rainy tropical savannah, which suggests that this supplement can be implemented in the diet of beef lambs, in addition to to be a lower cost nitrogen source.

The degradation of chicken feathers by Ochrobactrum intermedium results in antioxidant and metal chelating hydrolysates and proteolytic enzymes for staphylococcal biofilm dispersion.

The increase in the generation of chicken feathers, due to the large production of the poultry industry, has created the need to search for ecologically safer ways to manage these residues. As a sustainable alternative for recycling keratin waste, we investigated the ability of the bacterium Ochrobactrum intermedium to hydrolyze chicken feathers and the valorization of the resulting enzymes and protein hydrolysate. In submerged fermentation with three different inoculum sizes (2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg of bacterial cells per 50 mL of medium), the fastest degradation of feathers was achieved with 5.0 mg cells, in which a complete decomposition of the substrate (96 h) and earlier peaks of keratinolytic and caseinolytic activities were detected. In the resulting protein hydrolysate, we noticed antioxidant and Fe2+ and Cu2+ chelating activities. ABTS scavenging, Fe3+-reducing ability and metal chelating activities of the fermentative samples followed the same trend of feather degradation; as feather mass decreased in the media, these activities increased. Furthermore, we noticed about 47% and 60% dispersion of established 7-day biofilms formed by S. aureus after enzymatic treatment for 5 h and 24 h, respectively. These findings highlight the potential use of this bacterium as an environmentally friendly alternative to treat this poultry waste and offer valuable products.

Influence of nitro ruthenium isomerization on photochemically induced nitric oxide release: Vasorelaxant activities.

We have synthesized cis-[Ru(bpy)2(NO2-κN)Ln-](n-1) and cis-[Ru(bpy)2(NO2-κO)L n-](n-1) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; k = indication of the coordinated center to Ruthenium; L = pyridine type ligand) by reacting cis-[Ru(bpy)2(H2O)Ln-](n-2) with sodium nitrite or conducting basic cis-[Ru(bpy)2NO(Ln-)](n-3) hydrolysis. Photolysis at the metal-ligand charge transfer band (MLCT) of the isomers yielded nitric oxide (NO) as determined by NO measurement. The NO photorelease rates obtained upon 447 nm laser irradiation of the ruthenium complexes showed that cis-[Ru(bpy)2(NO2-κO)Ln-](n-1) released NO three times faster than cis-[Ru(bpy)2(NO2-κN)Ln-](n-1). We investigated endothelium-dependent vasodilation induced by cis-[Ru(bpy)2(4-pic)(NO2-κN)]+ and cis-[Ru(bpy)2(4-pic)(NO2-κO)]+ (4-pic = 4-picoline) in isolated 3 mm aortic rings precontracted with L-phenylephrine. Maximum vasodilation was achieved under 447 nm laser irradiation of 0.5 µMol.L-1 ruthenium complexes for 100 s.