Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of Eucalyptus radiata essential oil against Escherichia coli strains isolated from meat products.

The present study sought to evaluate the antimicrobial and anti-adherent potential of Eucalyptus radiata essential oil against food-borne strains of Escherichia coli. The study was performed using the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). In addition, the disk diffusion technique was used to evaluate the association of Eucalyptus radiata essential oil with synthetic antimicrobials. The Minimum Inhibitory Adherence Concentration (MIC) was also performed. The results revealed that E. radiata showed antimicrobial activity against the E. coli strains tested, with MIC values ranging from 500 µg/mL to 1000 µg/mL and MBC values ranging from 500 µg/mL to 1,024 µg/mL. As for the associations, it was observed that E. radiata oil exhibited a synergistic effect for some antibiotics, especially Ceftriaxone, with greater interference from the essential oil. Furthermore, it was effective in inhibiting the adherence of bacterial strains of E. coli, showing a more significant antibiofilm effect than the antibacterial agent 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate. In summary, the essential oil of E. radiata showed antimicrobial potential against strains of E. coli of food origin, and can therefore, through in-depth studies, be used alone or in association with synthetic antimicrobials to combat infections caused by this pathogen.

Mental disorders in pregnancy and 5-8 years after delivery.

BACKGROUND: Even though mental disorders represent a major public health problem for women and respective children, there remains a lack of epidemiological longitudinal studies to assess the psychological status of women throughout pregnancy and later in life. This epidemiological cohort study assessed the relationship between mental disorders of 409 Brazilian women in pregnancy and 5-8 years after delivery. METHODS: The women were followed from 1997 to 2000 at 17 health services, and subsequently from 2004 to 2006 at their homes. Mental disorders were investigated by the Perceived Stress Scale-PSS, General Health Questionnaire-GHQ and State-Trait Anxiety Inventories-STAI. The relationship between scores of the PSS, GHQ and STAI 5-8 years after delivery and in pregnancy was assessed by multivariate linear regression analysis, controlling for the following confounders: maternal age, education, per capita income, family size, work, marital status and body mass index. RESULTS: Scores of the PSS, GHQ and STAI 5-8 years after delivery were positively associated with scores of the PSS, GHQ and STAI in the three trimesters of pregnancy, and inversely associated with maternal age and per capita income (adj. R2 varied from 0.15 to 0.37). PSS, GHQ and STAI scores in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy were positively associated with scores of the PSS, GHQ and STAI in the 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy (adj. R2 varied from 0.31 to 0.65). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study reinforce the urgency to integrate mental health screening into routine primary care for pregnant and postpartum women.

High sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations, birthweight and cardiovascular risk markers in Brazilian children.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and low birthweight have emerged as predictors of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In studies involving adults, higher concentrations of hs-CRP have been associated with low birthweight. This study assessed the relationship between hs-CRP and birthweight, and other risk markers for CVDs in childhood. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 459 Brazilian children aged 5-8 years were included in the study. hs-CRP was measured by particle-enhanced immunonephelometry. The nutritional status of the children was assessed by BMI and waist circumference. Total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides and glucose were measured by enzymatic methods. Insulin sensitivity was determined by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) method. Blood pressure was measured by the HDI/Pulse Wave CR-2000 equipment (Hypertension Diagnostics, Eagan, MN, USA). A multivariate linear regression analysis investigated the association between hs-CRP and birthweight, and risk markers for CVDs. RESULTS: There were positive associations between hs-CRP and gender (P=0.001), waist circumference (P<0.001) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P=0.03), and negative associations between hs-CRP and age (P<0.001), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (P=0.005) (R²=0.14). Abnormal values of hs-CRP, waist circumference, HDL-c and SBP, respectively, were observed in 27.7, 26.4, 14.4 and 34.7% of the children. CONCLUSIONS: Opposite to studies involving adults, there was no association between hs-CRP and birthweight, implying that time may strengthen the relationship, considering that hs-CRP-concentration-associated metabolic changes increase from childhood to adulthood. The associations between hs-CRP and waist circumference, HDL-c and SBP in very young ages is a matter of concern, especially in females, in view of the large number of children with abnormal values of these measurements.

Maternal stress and distress and child nutritional status.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between maternal stress and distress in pregnancy and 5-8 years postpartum and child nutritional status. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Longitudinal cohort study carried out in Jundiai city, Southeast Brazil, involving 409 women followed throughout pregnancy to 5-8 years postpartum, and respective children. Measures of stress and distress were obtained three times in pregnancy (at gestational ages lower than 16 weeks, from 20 to 26 weeks and from 30 to 36 weeks) and 5-8 years postpartum by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventories (STAI). The nutritional status of the children was assessed by the World Health Organization body mass index (BMI) z-score for age. The relationship between child BMI z-score for age and scores of the PSS, GHQ and STAI was evaluated by multivariate linear regression, controlling for confounding variables. RESULTS: BMI z-score for age of the children was negatively associated with maternal scores of the PSS 5-8 years postpartum and scores of the GHQ in the second trimester of pregnancy. BMI of the children was positively associated with maternal BMI and birthweight (R(2)=0.13). There was -0.04 (confidence interval -0.07 to -0.9 × 10(-2)) decrease in child BMI per score unit of the PSS increase, and -0.09 (confidence interval -0.18 to -0.6 × 10(-3)) decrease in child BMI per score unit of the GHQ increase. CONCLUSIONS: This study detected a relationship between maternal mental and nutritional status and child nutritional status, implying that if the mother is not physically or mentally well, her capacity for caring for her child may be impaired.