Impact of sporulation temperature on germination of Bacillus subtilis spores under optimal and adverse environmental conditions.

Bacillus subtilis spores are important food spoilage agents and are occasionally involved in food poisoning. In foods that are not processed with intense heat, such bacterial spores are controlled by a combination of different hurdles, such as refrigeration, acidification, and low water activity (aw), which inhibit or delay germination and/or growth. Sporulation temperature has long been regarded as a relevant factor for the assessment of germination in chemically defined media, but little is known about its impact on food preservation environments. In this study, we compared germination dynamics of B. subtilis spores produced at optimal temperature (37 °C) with others incubated at suboptimal (20 °C) and supraoptimal (43 °C) temperatures in a variety of nutrients (rich-growth medium, L-alanine, L-valine, and AGFK) under optimal conditions as well as under food-related stresses (low aw, pH, and temperature). Spores produced at 20 °C had a lower germination rate and efficiency than those incubated at 37 °C in all the nutrients, while those sporulated at 43 °C displayed a higher germination rate and/or efficiency in response to rich-growth medium and mostly to L-alanine and AGFK under optimal environmental conditions. However, differences in germination induced by changes in sporulation temperature decreased when spores were activated by heat, mainly due to the greater benefit of heat for spores produced at 20 °C and 37 °C than at 43 °C, especially in AGFK. Non-heat-activated spores produced at 43 °C still displayed superior germination fitness under certain stresses that had considerably impaired the germination of the other two populations, such as reduced temperature and aw. Moreover, they presented lower temperature and pH boundaries for the inhibition of germination in rich-growth medium, while requiring a higher NaCl concentration threshold compared to spores obtained at optimal and suboptimal temperature. Sporulation temperature is therefore a relevant source of variability in spore germination that should be taken into account for the accurate prediction of spore behaviour under variable food preservation conditions with the aim of improving food safety and stability.

B-Cell Epitopes-Based Chimeric Protein from SARS-CoV-2 N and S Proteins Is Recognized by Specific Antibodies in Serum and Urine Samples from Patients.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus underscored the crucial role of laboratorial tests as a strategy to control the disease, mainly to indicate the presence of specific antibodies in human samples from infected patients. Therefore, suitable recombinant antigens are relevant for the development of reliable tests, and so far, single recombinant proteins have been used. In this context, B-cell epitopes-based chimeric proteins can be an alternative to obtain tests with high accuracy through easier and cheaper production. The present study used bioinformatics tools to select specific B-cell epitopes from the spike (S) and the nucleocapsid (N) proteins from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, aiming to produce a novel recombinant chimeric antigen (N4S11-SC2). Eleven S and four N-derived B-cell epitopes were predicted and used to construct the N4S11-SC2 protein, which was analyzed in a recombinant format against serum and urine samples, by means of an in house-ELISA. Specific antibodies were detected in the serum and urine samples of COVID-19 patients, which were previously confirmed by qRT-PCR. Results showed that N4S11-SC2 presented 83.7% sensitivity and 100% specificity when using sera samples, and 91.1% sensitivity and 100% specificity using urine samples. Comparable findings were achieved with paired urine samples when compared to N and S recombinant proteins expressed in prokaryotic systems. However, better results were reached for N4S11-SC2 in comparison to the S recombinant protein when using paired serum samples. Anti-N4S11-SC2 antibodies were not clearly identified in Janssen Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19-vaccinated subjects, using serum or paired urine samples. In conclusion, this study presents a new chimeric recombinant antigen expressed in a prokaryotic system that could be considered as an alternative diagnostic marker for the SARS-CoV-2 infection, with the potential benefits to be used on serum or urine from infected patients.

Comparative study on the impact of equally stressful environmental sporulation conditions on thermal inactivation kinetics of B. subtilis spores.

Control of bacterial spores continues to be one of the main challenges for the food industry due to their wide dissemination and extremely high resistance to processing methods. Furthermore, the large variability in heat resistance in spores that contaminate foods makes it difficult to establish general processing conditions. Such heterogeneity not only derives from inherent differences among species and strains, but also from differences in sporulation environments that are generally ignored in spores encountered in foods. We evaluated heat inactivation kinetics and the thermodependency of resistance parameters in B. subtilis 168 spores sporulated at adverse temperatures, water activity (aw), and pH, applying an experimental approach that allowed us to quantitatively compare the impact of each condition. Reduction of incubation temperature from the optimal temperature dramatically reduced thermal resistance, and it was the most influential factor, especially at the highest treatment temperatures. These spores were also more sensitive to chemicals presumably acting in the inner membrane. Reducing sporulation aw increased heat resistance, although the magnitude of that effect depended on the solute and the treatment temperature. Thus, changes in sporulation environments varied 3D100°C values up to 10.4-fold and z values up to 1.7-fold, highlighting the relevance of taking such a source of variability into account when setting heat processing conditions. UV-C treatment and sodium hypochlorite efficiently inactivated all spore populations, including heat-resistant ones produced at low aw.

Antioxidant Therapy Reduces Oxidative Stress, Restores Na,K-ATPase Function and Induces Neuroprotection in Rodent Models of Seizure and Epilepsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by epileptic seizures resulting from neuronal hyperexcitability, which may be related to failures in Na,K-ATPase activity and oxidative stress participation. We conducted this study to investigate the impact of antioxidant therapy on oxidative stress, Na,K-ATPase activity, seizure factors, and mortality in rodent seizure/epilepsy models induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), pilocarpine (PILO), and kainic acid (KA). After screening 561 records in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Scopus databases, 22 were included in the systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines. The meta-analysis included 14 studies and showed that in epileptic animals there was an increase in the oxidizing agents nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA), with a reduction in endogenous antioxidants reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SO). The Na,K-ATPase activity was reduced in all areas evaluated. Antioxidant therapy reversed all of these parameters altered by seizure or epilepsy induction. In addition, there was a percentage decrease in the number of seizures and mortality, and a meta-analysis showed a longer seizure latency in animals using antioxidant therapy. Thus, this study suggests that the use of antioxidants promotes neuroprotective effects and mitigates the effects of epilepsy. The protocol was registered in the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) CRD42022356960.

Evaluation of oxidative stress markers in subtypes of preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Studies about oxidative stress biomarkers revealed different phenotypes between early and late preeclampsia (PE). Despite that, there is extensive evidence of oxidative stress in investigations that combinate forms different of preeclampsia. This study reviews the oxidative stress profile in the PE subtypes and evaluates which markers are altered in the blood and placental tissue. A search was conducted in databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and Web of Science without restricting the year and language of publication. The quality of the studies was evaluated by the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and Joanna Briggs Institute for analytical Cross-Sectional Studies. After 13,319 screened records, 65 were included in the systematic review. The markers of stress oxidative of damage and reactive species were those selected, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid peroxide, advanced protein oxidation products, carbonyl protein, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, total oxidant status, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide (NO). We described the antioxidant activity, including the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase, free glutathione, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). We results demonstrated that oxidative stress is related to pathophysiology of PE, there were increased lipid peroxidation in the blood and placenta, and in blood a reduction of NO levels and of TAC, like lower enzymatic activity of GPx, CAT in PE, and SOD in mild PE. In addition, altered levels of MDA in the placenta and blood show that placental changes have repercussions on the clinical syndrome and are related to the severity of the disease.

Tracking of risk factors for non-communicable diseases in young shooters, Ituiutaba, MG

The aim of this study was to detect early hypertension, diabetes and obesity, as well as their risk factors, in 105 young shooters from Tiro de Guerra 11-002 in the city of Ituiutaba-MG. This is a cross-sectional mixed study. A semi-structured questionnaire that contained questions related to the sociodemographic context, health status, lifestyle, eating habits, and psychosocial variables was applied. Blood pressure, anthropometric indexes, and lipid and glycemic profiles were measured. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson's correlation test and Spearman's coefficient, considering significative value (p < 0.05). The shooters had an average of 18.9 years old, most educated and brown. Anthropometric indices indicated a mainly eutrophic population, and normotensive and desirable lipid and glycemic profiles. However, overweight, high blood pressure, and self-declaration of family history for chronic diseases were identified. In addition, most shooters affirmed to ingest alcoholics beverages, to have insufficient time of physical activity, and to be aware of their levels of stress, pressure and anxiety and a few hours of sleep. Overall, the shooters showed good anthropometric and biochemical indicatorsof blood. Risk behavior, such as drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking, low level of physical activity and self-perception of stress, anxiety and pressure were also noted.

A equoterapia como recurso fisioterapêutico junto a indivíduos com diagnóstico de paralisia cerebral / Equine-assisted therapy as a physiotherapy research next to individuals with diagnosis of cerebral paralysis

Introdução: A equoterapia é um método terapêutico utilizado na reabilitação e educação de pessoas com necessidades especiais e/ou portadoras de deficiência, caracterizado pelo uso do cavalo e por uma abordagem multidisciplinar, voltada ao desenvolvimento biopsicossocial do indivíduo. Objetivo: Compreender as repercussões biopsicossociais da equoterapia na reabilitação de indivíduos diagnosticados com paralisia cerebral, tomando como eixo de análise os ganhos físicos, sociais e psicológicos. Métodos: Estudo exploratório, observacional e descritivo, com delineamento quanti-qualitativo, realizado no Centro Interdisciplinar de Equoterapia (CIEQ-PA), em Belém/PA, mediante a aplicação de questionários com 10 responsáveis/acompanhantes, 6 profissionais da equipe multiprofissional e 1 fisioterapeuta. Os dados foram analisados com estatística descritiva simples e através da organização das respostas por categorias empíricas. Resultados: A pesquisa revelou que a equoterapia trouxe benefícios físicos, psicológicos e sociais às pessoas com diagnóstico de PC, com destaque para a melhora da postura e equilíbrio, bem como das interações sociais, o que reflete sua importância como uma estratégia para potencializar a inclusão social desses indivíduos. Conclusão: Os achados demonstram que se trata de uma modalidade terapêutica transversal e um campo de atuação da fisioterapia com impactos positivos na reabilitação biopsicossocial e no desenvolvimento global dos indivíduos. (AU)

Introduction: Equine therapy is a therapeutic method for the rehabilitation and education of people with special needs and/or disabled, using the horse in a multidisciplinary approach, focused on the biopsychosocial development of the individual. Aim: To understand the biopsychosocial repercussions of equine therapy in the rehabilitation of individuals diagnosed with cerebral palsy, taking physical, social and psychological gains as their axis of analysis. Methods: An exploratory, observational and descriptive study was carried out with a quantitative-qualitative design, held at the Interdisciplinary Center for Equine Therapy (CIEQ-PA), in Belém/Pará, through the application of questionnaires with 10 responsible/accompanying persons, 6 professionals from the multiprofessional team and 1 physiotherapist. The data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and by organizing the answers by empirical categories. Results: The research revealed that equine therapy is an important therapeutic strategy that brings physical, psychological and social benefits to PC patients, with emphasis on improved posture and balance, as well as social interactions, which reflects its importance as a strategy for enhancing social inclusion of these individuals. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that this is a cross-sectional therapeutic modality and a field of physical therapy with positive impacts on biopsychosocial rehabilitation and overall development of individuals. (AU)

Uso da membrana de polímero de mamona em regeneração óssea guiada em defeitos ao redor de implantes osseointegrados / Use of membrane of mamona polymer in guided bone regeneration in defects around of endosseous implantation

Foi realizado um estudo clínico com o objetivo de analisar o comportamento de uma membrana de polímero poliuretana derivada do ácido ricinolêico (mamona-Ricinus communis), aplicada sobre defeitos ósseos ao redor de implantes osseointegrados, através da técnica de regeneração óssea guiada (R.O.G.). Foram selecionados 3 (três) pacientes de um total de 78 que apresentaram defeitos ósseos ao redor de implantes com indicação para utilização da técnica de R.O.G. No mínimo, após 3 meses da colocação da membrana, os casos foram reabertos cirurgicamente para adaptação dos cicatrizadores epiteliais. Nessa oportunidade foram feitas observações clínicas dos locais tratados. Os resultados da observação clínica, mostraram-se satisfatórios. A membrana de polímero da mamona foi eficiente na manutenção do espaço criado entre o osso e a membrana, promovendo a regeneração do tecido ósseo ao redor dos implantes. As membranas que ficaram expostas ao meio bucal não ofereceram nenhum risco à infecção, devido à propriedade bacteriostática na superfície da membrana de polímero da mamona. O tecido gengival ao redor das membranas expostas apresentaram aspectos de cor e textura normais, sem sinais clínicos de inflamação