Bibliometric Review on New Possibilities of Antimycobacterial Agents: Exploring Siderophore Desferrioxamine's Applications as an Antimicrobial Agent.

Mycobacteria cause tuberculosis and other serious diseases. Understanding their mechanisms of resistance to our immune system and exploring novel drugs are critical strategies to combat infections. A bibliometric analysis was performed to identify publication trends and critical research areas in the field of the antimicrobial activity of desferrioxamine. A total of twenty-four publications on the topic, from 2012 to 2023, were retrieved from databases including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Embase, using specific keywords. The quality of the publications was assessed using impact and productivity metrics, with an average annual publication rate of 2.1 articles. The United States emerged as the most productive country, with medicine (23.4%, 11 publications) and biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology (21.3%, 10 publications) as the top research fields. The five most cited publications accounted for 672 citations, with a relatively low h-index (11:11). In conclusion, there has been a lack of publications on this topic in the last decade. The United States dominates production and publication in this area, and there appears to be limited exchange of knowledge, ideas, and technology within the field. Therefore, fostering international cooperation through funding is essential to facilitate further research and development of desferrioxamine-related studies.

Short-Term Intake of Theobroma grandiflorum Juice Fermented with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 9595 Amended the Outcome of Endotoxemia Induced by Lipopolysaccharide.

Endotoxemia is a condition caused by increasing levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) characterized by an impaired systemic response that causes multiple organ dysfunction. Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 9595 is a strain with probiotic potential which shows immunomodulatory properties. The incorporation of this bacterium in food rich in bioactive compounds, such as cupuaçu juice (Theobroma grandiflorum), could result in a product with interesting health properties. This work evaluated the effects of the oral administration of cupuaçu juice fermented with L. rhamnosus on the outcome of LPS-induced endotoxemia in mice. C57BL/6 mice (12/group) received oral doses (100 µL) of saline solution and unfermented or fermented cupuaçu juice (108 CFU/mL). After 5 days, the endotoxemia was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg). The endotoxemia severity was evaluated daily using a score based on grooming behavior, mobility, presence of piloerection, and weeping eyes. After 6 h and 120 h, the mice (6/group) were euthanized for analysis of cell counts (in peritoneal lavage and serum) and organ weight. L. rhamnosus grew in cupuaçu juice and produced organic acids without the need for supplementation. The bacteria counts were stable in the juice during storage at 4 °C for 28 days. The fermentation with L. rhamnosus ATCC 9595 changed the metabolites profile of cupuaçu juice due to the biotransformation and enhancement of some compounds. In general, the administration of L. rhamnosus-fermented juice allowed a significant improvement in several characteristics of endotoxemic status (weight loss, hypothermia, severity index, cell migration). In addition, treatment with fermented juice significantly reduced the weight of the spleen, liver, intestine, and kidneys compared to the saline-treated endotoxemic group. Taken together, our data show that short-term intake therapy of cupuaçu juice fermented with L. rhamnosus ATCC 9595 can reduce systemic inflammation in an experimental model of LPS-induced endotoxemia in mice.

Ocorrência de enteroparasitas antes e durante a pandemia da COVID-19 em Nina Rodrigues, Maranhão - Brasil / Occurrence of enteroparasites before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nina Rodrigues, Maranhão, Brazil

Parasitoses intestinais são infecções no trato gastrointestinal, por protozoários e/ou helmintos e representam um agravo à saúde pública, mas apesar dessa problemática, foram notificadas menos do que seria esperado devido a pandemia da COVID-19. O objetivo desse estudo foi verificar a ocorrência de enteroparasitas antes e durante a pandemia da COVID-19 em pacientes atendidos no laboratório do hospital de Nina Rodrigues, Maranhão. Foi realizado um estudo tranversal, descritivo e quantitativo, sendo analisados os exames dos anos de 2019 e 2020, coletados do banco de informações do hospital em agosto de 2021. Os dados foram inseridos no programa STATA 14.0 para análise. Em 2019 foram realizados 632 exames, e 2020 um total de 161, as mulheres e os adultos de meia idade (31-59 anos) foram os que mais realizaram exames, em relação aos laudos positivos, 18,51% e 26,09% apresentavam pelo menos um tipo de parasita em 2019 e 2020, respectivamente. O parasita mais ocorrente foi Entamoeba coli e 66,48% dos laudos tinham a presença de mais de um parasita, sendo a associação mais observada E. coli + Entamoeba histolytica. Nota-se que apesar do período pandêmico de 2020 ter sido realizado menos exames parasitológicos de fezes em comparação o período de 2019, é possível constatar que há uma ocorrência razoável de enteroparasitas na população de Nina Rodrigues, com um alto índice de indivíduos com biparasitismo. Assim, torna-se necessário a implementação de medidas que visem o diagnóstico e o tratamento dos infectados, e medidas de prevenção para minimizar a transmissão.

Intestinal parasites are infections in the gastrointestinal tract, by protozoa and/or helminths and represent a public health problem, but despite this problem, less were reported than would be expected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to verify the occurrence of enteroparasites before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in patients treated at the laboratory of the Nina Rodrigues hospital, Maranhão. A cross-sectional, descriptive, and quantitative study was carried out, analyzing the exams from the years 2019 and 2020, collected from the hospital's information bank in August 2021. The data were entered into the STATA 14.0 program for analysis. In 2019, 632 exams were performed, and in 2020 a total of 161, women and middle-aged adults (31-59 years old) were the ones who most underwent exams, in relation to positive reports, 18.51% and 26.09% had at least one type of parasite in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The most frequent parasite was Entamoeba coli and 66.48% of the reports had the presence of more than one parasite, the most observed association being E. coli + Entamoeba histolytica. It is noted that despite the 2020 pandemic period, fewer fecal parasitological tests were performed compared to the 2019 period, it is possible to verify that there is a reasonable occurrence of enteroparasites in the population of Nina Rodrigues, with a high rate of individuals with biparasitism. Thus, it is necessary to implement measures aimed at diagnosing and treating those infected, and preventive measures to minimize transmission.

Avaliação parasitológica e microbiológica de areia de praias de São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil / Parasitological and microbiological evaluation of sand from beaches in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil

O Brasil é um país que possui um litoral onde se deparam grandes cidades e com grande fluxo de atividades humanas, o que pode levar a contaminação por microrganismos e parasitos. Diante desse contexto, o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a ocorrência parasitária e microbiológica em areia de praias de São Luís, Maranhão. Para tal, foram coletadas quatro amostras de três praias, totalizando assim 12 amostras, cada área foi dividida em quatro faixas distintas, sendo duas secas e duas úmidas, e para cada amostra foram introduzidos coletores estéreis na areia com profundidade de 20 centímetros. As amostras foram identificadas e colocadas em caixa de isopor e foram conduzidas ao laboratório para análises, a parasitológica foi através do método de sedimentação espontânea e centrifugação e para a microbiológica utilizou-se o kit COLItest® para determinação de coliformes totais e termotolerantes (Escherichia coli). As areias, 100% (12/12) encontravam-se positivas para helmintos e/ou protozoários, sendo que o helminto e protozoário de maior ocorrência foram: 100% (12/12) Trichuris trichiura e 83,3% (10/12) Giardia lamblia, respectivamente. As análises microbiológicas, apresentaram 66,6% (8/12) com contaminação por coliformes totais, e 58,3% (7/12) para Escherichia coli, o ponto de coleta 3 da areia seca da praia de São Marcos (Sm3S) apresentou a maior contaminação por Escherichia coli (4,33x102 UFC/mL). As praias da orla marítima chamada Litorânea em São Luís estão contaminadas por parasitas como também por bactérias oriundas de fontes que entraram em contato com fezes seja de animais ou de humanos. Assim, aumenta-se a probabilidade de indivíduos que frequentem esses ambientes de adquirirem infecções.

Brazil has a coastline with large cities and a great flow of human activities, which can lead to contamination by microorganisms and parasites. Given this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the parasitic and microbiological events in the sand of beaches in São Luís, Maranhão. Therefore, four samples were collected from three beaches, thus totaling 12 samples. Each area was divided into four distinct segments, two dry and two wet, and for each sample, sterile collectors were inserted into the sand at a depth of 20 centimeters. The samples were identified, placed in a Styrofoam box, and taken to the laboratory for analysis. The parasitological analysis was performed through spontaneous sedimentation and centrifugation, while the microbiological analysis used the COLItest® kit to determine total and thermotolerant coliforms (Escherichia coli). All the sand samples were positive (100%) for helminths and/or protozoa, and the most frequent helminth and protozoan were Trichuris trichiura (100%; n=12 ) and Giardia lamblia (83.3%; n=10), respectively. Microbiological analyses showed that 66.6% (8/12) were contaminated by total coliforms and 58.3% (7/12) by Escherichia coli. Collection point 3 of dry sand from São Marcos beach (Sm3S) showed the highest contamination by Escherichia coli (4.33x102 CFU/mL). The beaches on the seafront called Litorânea in São Luís are contaminated by parasites and fecal bacteria from animals or human sources on the beach. Thus, the probability of acquiring infections increases among individuals visiting these environments.

Molluscicidal and cercaricidal activities of the essential oil of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants: Implications for the control of schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis is one of the most important tropical diseases. A fundamental strategy to control its spread is the use of natural products against its vectors, which are snails of the genus Biomphalaria. The present study evaluated the chemical composition, the molluscicidal and cercaricidal effects, and the ecotoxicity of the essential oil from the aerial parts of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants (DAEO). The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Molluscicidal and cercaricidal activities were determined by the immersion method. Environmental toxicity was assessed from bioassays using Artemia salina larvae and Danio rerio fish. DAEO presented a 0.8% yield. The GC-MS analysis revealed the predominance of hydrocarbon monoterpenes in the oil. A total of 32 constituents was identified, with α-terpinene (50.69%) being the major compound, followed by p-cymene (13.27%) and ascaridole (10.26%). DAEO was active against adult Biomphalaria glabrata snails and demonstrated lethal effect against Schistosoma mansoni cercariae, with LC50 values of 25.2 (22.7-27.8) and 62.4 (61.8-62.9) µg/mL, respectively. Regarding toxicity to non-target aquatic organisms, the oil showed LC50 values of 86.9 (84.7-87.6) and 18.6 µg/mL (15.5-22.8) for A. salina and D. rerio, respectively. DAEO proved to be a promising natural product for the control of schistosomiasis, acting on both the vectors and the etiological agent of the disease. However, the use of the oil is safer in transmission sites where there are no non-target organisms, as it has showed toxicity to D. rerio fish.

Unplanned Pregnancy and Depressive Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This is a cross-sectional study conducted with pregnant women who underwent prenatal care at basic health units in São Luís City, Maranhão State, Brazil. The authors used a semistructured questionnaire to assess the socioeconomic, demographic, and clinical characteristics of pregnant women as well as the Edinburgh Scale to investigate depressive symptoms. In order to assess the association between the explanatory variable and the outcome variable, Poisson logistic regression was performed with statistical significance at p < 0.05. A total of 205 women were interviewed, most aged between 18 and 29 years (66.83%). Of this total, 74.63% had not planned their pregnancy and 26.67% had depressive symptoms. The variables unplanned pregnancy (PR = 1.41; CI = 0.99−2.00; p = 0.05) and not undergoing psychological counseling (PR = 1.42; CI = 0.51−0.83; p ≤ 0.01) correlated with depressive symptoms during pregnancy. It is thus possible to link the variables unplanned pregnancy (p > 0.05) and not undergoing psychological counseling (p = 0.001) to depression. Therefore, it is important to monitor the mental health of pregnant women, especially in situations of vulnerability.

Prevalence and factors associated to dysphonia and laryngeal lesions: a study among teachers in a region of the Brazilian Legal Amazon / Prevalência e fatores associados à disfonia e lesões laríngeas: um estudo entre professores de uma região da Amazônia Legal Brasileira

Objective: to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with dysphonia and laryngeal lesions at elementary public school teachers in a region of the Amazonian region. Methodology: cross-sectional study with collection of sociodemographic, occupational, environmental, and clinics variables. Dysphonia and laryngeal lesions were evaluated using three methods: self-perceptions, diagnostic criteria and video-assisted laryngoscopy. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated. Results: the prevalence of self-reported dysphonia was 68.9%, diagnosed dysphonia was 59.1% and laryngeal lesions, 53.3%. There was association between selfreported dysphonia and respiratory problems (OR=3.00; CI95%=1.25-7.22), use of drugs (OR= 2.31, CI95%= 1.19-4.49) and noise in the internal environment (OR= 2.43; CI95%=1.24-4.73). Easy access to water was a protection factor against self-reported dysphonia (OR=0.09; CI95%: 0.01-0.79). We found a significant association between dysphonia diagnosed and digestive problems (OR= 5.35; CI95%=2.39-11.96), external noise (OR=4.89, CI95%=1.87-12.78) and inadequate ventilation (OR=3.56; CI95%=1.46-8.62). The variables associated with higher chance of laryngeal lesions in dysphonic teachers were lighting (OR=3.74; CI95%=1.15-12.14%), acoustics (OR= 4.14; CI95%=1.32-12.95) and inadequate room size (OR= 3.76; CI95%=1.29-10.91). The use of drugs (OR=0.34; CI95%=0.12-0.92), respiratory problems (OR=0.21; CI95%=0.06-0.76) and easy access to water (OR= 0.12; CI95%=0.04-0.38) were protection factors for laryngeal lesions. Conclusion: occupational environmental factors aggravated the vocal health of this professional category. Access to water in the work impacted positively.

Objetivo: investigar a prevalência e fatores associados à disfonia e lesões laríngeas em professores do ensino fundamental de um município da Amazônia Legal. Metodologia: estudo transversal com coleta de variáveis sociodemográficas, ocupacionais, ambientais e clínicas. Disfonia e lesões laríngeas foram avaliadas com a utilização de três métodos: autopercepção, critérios diagnósticos e laringoscopia assistida por vídeo. Utilizou-se modelo de regressão logística para determinação dos fatores associados. Resultados: a prevalência da disfonia autorreferida foi 68,9%, da disfonia diagnosticada foi 59,1% e das lesões laríngeas, 53,3%. Houve associação entre disfonia autorreferida e problemas respiratórios (OR=3,00; IC95%=1,25-7,22), uso de medicamentos (OR=2,31; IC95%=1,19- 4,49) e ruído interno no ambiente (OR=2,43; IC95%=1,24-4,73). Teve associação protetora entre disfonia autorreferida e facilidade do acesso à água (OR=0,09; IC95%=0,01-0,79). Encontrou-se associação significativa entre disfonia diagnosticada e problemas digestivos (OR=5,35; IC95%=2,39-11,96), ruído externo (OR=4,89; IC95%=1,87-12,78) e ventilação inadequada (OR=3,56; IC95%=1,46-8,62). As variáveis associadas à maior chance de lesões laríngeas em docentes disfônicos foram iluminação (OR=3,74; IC95%=1,15-12,14), acústica (OR=4,14; IC95%=1,32-12,95) e tamanho da sala inadequados (OR=3,76; IC95%=1,29-10,91). Uso de medicação (OR=0,34; IC95%=0,12-0,92), problemas respiratórios (OR=0,21; IC95%=0,06-0,76) e facilidade de acesso à água (OR=0,12; IC95%=0,04-0,38) mostraram-se fatores de proteção para lesões laríngeas. Conclusão: fatores ambientais ocupacionais agravaram a saúde vocal desta categoria profissional. O acesso à água no ambiente de trabalho impactou positivamente.

Construção e validação de checklist para sala operatória como dispositivo de segurança do paciente / Construcción y validación de una lista de verificación para el quirófano como dispositivo de seguridad del paciente / Construction and validation of a checklist for operating room as a patient safety device

RESUMO Objetivo: construir e validar checklist para organização de salas operatórias. Método: estudo metodológico, desenvolvido entre junho e dezembro de 2018, em um hospital privado no estado do Maranhão - Brasil. Composto pelas seguintes etapas: revisão da literatura para construção do checklist, elaboração do instrumento e validação do conteúdo. O conteúdo foi validado pela avaliação de 74 componentes da equipe cirúrgica. Utilizou-se teste de confiabilidade pelo coeficiente Alfa de Cronbach e grau de consistência interna ≥ 0,70. Resultados: elaborou-se um instrumento com três itens (funcionalidade dos equipamentos/acessórios fixos e móveis da sala operatória; cirurgia; anestesia) e 33 subitens. O alfa de Cronbach total foi de 0,956. Conclusão: o checklist apresenta alta confiabilidade, boa consistência interna e adequação à organização na montagem das salas operatórias. Contribui na gestão de incidentes, na assistência cirúrgica segura e em subsídios para novos estudos.

RESUMEN Objetivo: construir y validar la lista de verificación para organización de quirófanos. Método: estudio metodológico, desarrollado entre junio y diciembre de 2018, en un hospital privado del estado de Maranhão - Brasil. Se compuso de los siguientes pasos: revisión de la literatura para la construcción de la lista de verificación, elaboración de un instrumento y validación del contenido. El contenido fue validado por la evaluación de 74 componentes del equipo quirúrgico. Se utilizó la prueba de fiabilidad mediante el coeficiente Alfa de Cronbach y el grado de consistencia interna ≥ 0,70. Resultados: se elaboró un instrumento con tres ítems (funcionalidad de los equipamientos/accesorios fijos y móviles en el quirófano; cirugía; anestesia) y 33 sub-ítems. El alfa de Cronbach total fue de 0,956. Conclusión: la lista de verificación presenta una alta fiabilidad, buena consistencia interna y adecuación a la organización en el montaje de los quirófanos. Contribuye a la gestión de incidentes, a la seguridad de la atención quirúrgica y a las subvenciones para nuevos estudios.

ABSTRACT Objective: To construct and validate a checklist for the organization of operating rooms. Method: Methodological study conducted from June to December 2018 in a private hospital in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. It consisted of the following steps: literature review for the construction of the checklist, elaboration of the instrument and content validation. Seventy-four (74) members of the surgical team made assessments to validate the content. Reliability test by Cronbach's alpha coefficient and degree of internal consistency ≥ 0.70 were used. Results: An instrument with three items (functionality of fixed and mobile equipment/accessories in the operating room; surgery; anesthesia) and 33 sub-items was developed. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.956. Conclusion: The checklist has high reliability, good internal consistency and is suitable to the organization of the preparation of operating rooms. It contributes to a better management of incidents, safe surgical care and support for new studies.

Essential oils as molluscicidal agents against schistosomiasis transmitting snails - a review.

This review aims to describe essential oils with bioactivity on adult snails of the genera Bulinus and Biomphalaria, which are intermediate hosts of schistosomes, and brings together information relating to the importance of molluscicides and the chemical composition and toxicity of such oils for other aquatic species. Analysis of the data of original articles revealed that 50 essential oils obtained from 46 plant species were evaluated for molluscicidal activity against the genera cited. More than 80% of the volatile oils studied were active, according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (LC90 or LC100 ≤100 µg/mL or LC50 <40 µg/mL), and most of the oils came from plants belonging to the Rutaceae, Lamiaceae and Pinaceae. Around 37% of the surveyed plant species were obtained in Brazil and 88% of these plants were collected in the northeast of the country, a region with a high prevalence of schistosomiasis mansoni. The essential oils with the highest toxicity against host snails had high levels of hydrocarbon monoterpenes and oxygenated monoterpenes, which may be responsible for the molluscicidal activity. Some volatile components were subjected to molluscicidal evaluation, and the monoterpene compounds exhibited a significant molluscicide effect. This review confirmed the importance of essential oils as a promising alternative for the development of natural molluscicide products. However, in order to be safe for use at sites where schistosome intermediate hosts are found, information on ecotoxicity is required and, to date, few oils have been tested against non-target aquatic species.

Evaluation of functional disability after Chikungunya infection.

INTRODUCTION: Chikungunya (CHIK) is caused by the Chikungunya virus, which is an Alphavirus of the Family Togaviridae transmitted to humans through female mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving the administration of a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic and health variables and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire on general pain to patients with CHIK in the City of Imperatriz, Brazil, between January and December 2017. RESULTS: Data of a total of 130 patients were evaluated. The mean age was 52 years (standard deviation=13.3); majority of the patients were female (n=120) with a prevalence of 38.0% for functional disability. Statistical differences were noted for marital status (p=0.037), presence/absence of comorbidities (p=0.050), and the use of medications prior to the diagnosis of CHIK (p=0.050), use of methotrexate (p=0.030), use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (p≤0.035), and use of nonhormonal anti-inflammatory drugs (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients in the chronic phase of CHIK present functional disability, thus alerting healthcare professionals to the importance of implementing actions aimed at an adequate treatment in all phases of the disease, mainly related to pain treatment and motor rehabilitation.

Evaluation of functional disability after Chikungunya infection

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Chikungunya (CHIK) is caused by the Chikungunya virus, which is an Alphavirus of the Family Togaviridae transmitted to humans through female mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving the administration of a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic and health variables and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire on general pain to patients with CHIK in the City of Imperatriz, Brazil, between January and December 2017. RESULTS Data of a total of 130 patients were evaluated. The mean age was 52 years (standard deviation=13.3); majority of the patients were female (n=120) with a prevalence of 38.0% for functional disability. Statistical differences were noted for marital status (p=0.037), presence/absence of comorbidities (p=0.050), and the use of medications prior to the diagnosis of CHIK (p=0.050), use of methotrexate (p=0.030), use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (p≤0.035), and use of nonhormonal anti-inflammatory drugs (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS Patients in the chronic phase of CHIK present functional disability, thus alerting healthcare professionals to the importance of implementing actions aimed at an adequate treatment in all phases of the disease, mainly related to pain treatment and motor rehabilitation.

Molluscicidal effect of Euphorbia umbellata (Pax) Bruyns latex on Biomphalaria glabrata, Schistosoma mansoni host snail.

Euphorbia umbellata (Pax) Bruyns is an easily cultivated shrub, with occurrence in the tropical regions of the American and African continents. Chemical studies have revealed that the latex of this plant is rich in terpene compounds, which are highly toxic to snails Biomphalaria glabrata (Basommatophora: Planorbidae). The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and molluscicidal activity of the latex produced by E. umbellata, as well as the safety of its application in aquatic environments. The concentration of latex that killed 90% of the exposed snails after 24 h exposure (LC90) was 3.69 mg/L. Toxicity bioassays using Danio rerio (zebrafish) revealed that these animals were less susceptible to latex than planorbids. However, it is important to perform other toxicity tests to ensure the feasibility of using latex to control populations of mollusks that contribute to schistosomiasis transmission. A phytochemical screening performed with the E. umbellata latex identified the triterpenoid and coumarin class. Further studies are warranted to isolate, identify, and test the active compounds of E. umbellata latex in B. glabrata.