Menopause Representations Questionnaire: development and validation with Portuguese women.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and validate a Portuguese version of the Menopause Representations Questionnaire (MenoSentations-Q), a self-report measure to assess cognitive appraisal of menopause, based on cognitive components of the Self-Regulation Model and the results from a previous Portuguese qualitative study. METHODS: A total of 309 Portuguese women, aged 45-65 years, completed the questionnaire. Factorial, convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity, as well as reliability and psychometric sensitivity, were studied. RESULTS: MenoSentations-Q has demonstrated acceptable factorial, convergent, and discriminant validity, as well as good values of sensitivity and reliability for the four factors (i.e. identity; positive consequences; negative consequences; and control, awareness, and cause). Criterion validity was only obtained for two factors. CONCLUSIONS: MenoSentations-Q, a brief measure of menopausal representations, in this sample of Portuguese women provides information to inform interventions that might include challenging unhelpful menopausal representations. This instrument could be used in both clinical and community settings.

Miniature transport respirator performance evaluation for ventilatory support

Abstract. In the face of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), in hospital and emergency units, there is low availability of mechanical respirator for patients in need of this support, greatly improving the survival rate. In these situations, there is a need for simpler equipment, easy access, low cost, and fast manufacturing. In this study, a 3D prototype transport respirator was developed using as a model the Takaoka 600 Mini Respirator, national technology from the 1950s. The influence of adjustable parameters of the respirator was evaluated to understand it is functioning: maximum and minimum lung pressure; respirator intake pressure; respiratory rate; inspiratory and expiratory time according to the sensitivity of the mini respirator; and pressure and flow of O2 line intake. The increase in sensitivity led to an increase in maximum and minimum pulmonary pressure, decreased inspiratory and expiratory time, with margins of 1/1, 1/2, 1/3 inspiratory/expiratory time ratio (I/E ratio). The intake flow of O2 varied proportionally with the pressure of air intake into the respirator, with its increase leading to an increase in respiratory rate, without major influences on lung pressure and the I/E ratio. The O2 line intake pressure without major influences on lung pressure, showing and I/E ratio >1 in values below 3.5 kPa x 100. In conclusion, it was possible to obtain a pulmonary ventilator-dependent only on positive O2 flow, compact and effective for patient transport, and in cases of emergencies with control of maximum pressure and respiratory rate offered to the patient. Among the parameters evaluated for this respirator, an line pressure of O2 from 3.5 kPa x 100, sensitivity between 3 and 5, a flow of 5 to 15 L/min is recommended.

Self-regulation model applied to menopause: a mixed-methods study.

Objectives: Considering that bio-psycho-sociocultural variables influence menopause, this research aimed to assess the suitability of the self-regulation model in explaining the menopausal experience, and to explore differences among participants with different characteristics (e.g. health, sexual related) regarding menopause representations.Methods: Overall, 27 Portuguese women aged 40-65 years were assessed for sociodemographics, health, and sexual activity, as well as menopausal status and symptoms. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted. A directed content analysis was performed, and the qualitative data presented. Afterward, the frequencies of the categories were analyzed through quantitative methods (Mann-Whitney U tests).Results: Aging was the most frequently mentioned feature regarding menopause Identity, whereas vasomotor symptoms were the most mentioned regarding Negative Consequences and menses cessation regarding Positive Consequences. Features related to Cause (hormonal changes) and Control (need for acceptance) of menopause were also identified. No differences were found in the frequency of menopause representations between women with different characteristics (e.g. with higher vs. lower vasomotor symptom severity).Conclusion: The suitability of the self-regulation model to explain these women's menopause experience was confirmed and the representations did not vary among participants with different characteristics. This research might help professionals and researchers in developing comprehensive interventions, based on this theoretical model.

Hypogammaglobulinemia: a diagnosis that must not be overlooked.

Humoral immunological defects are frequent and important causes of hypogammaglobulinemia, leading to recurrent infections, autoimmunity, allergies, and neoplasias. Usually, its onset occurs in childhood or during the second and third decades of life; however, the diagnosis is made, on average, 6 to 7 years afterwards. As a consequence, antibody defects can lead to sequelae. Here we describe the clinical-laboratory characteristics, treatment, and prognoses of patients with hypogammaglobulinemia. An observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective study of patients attending the recently established outpatient group of Clinical Immunology between 2013 and 2018 was carried out. Patients with IgG levels below 2 standard deviations from the mean values for the age and/or impaired antibody response were included. Eight patients (3 F and 5 M; median age=41 years (16-65), average symptom onset at 25 years (1-59), and time to diagnosis of 10 years were included. The main infections were: sinusitis in 7/8, pneumonia in 6/8, otitis in 2/8, tonsillitis and diarrhea in 2/8, and diarrhea in 2/8 patients. Hypothyroidism was identified in 4/8 (50%) patients. Rhinitis was found in 7/8 (87.5%) and asthma in 3/8 (37.5%) patients. The tomographic findings were consolidations, atelectasis, emphysema, ground glass opacity, budding tree, bronchial thickening, and bronchiectasis. Immunoglobulin reposition was used between 466 and 600 mg/kg monthly (514.3 mg·kg-1·dose-1). Prophylactic antibiotic therapy was included in 7/8 (87.5%) patients. Airway manifestations prevailed in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia. There is a need for educational work to reduce the time of diagnosis and initiation of treatment, avoiding sequelae.

Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH), masculinity and relationship and sexual satisfaction: are sexual symptoms of LOH mediators of traditional masculinity on relationship and sexual satisfaction?

Background Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is characterised by significant changes in the male life cycle, and may increase the likelihood of experiencing sexual difficulties. Further, it is assumed that traditional gender roles (masculinity) can affect the experience of sexual difficulties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of masculinity on sexual symptoms of LOH, as well as on sexual and relational satisfaction. METHODS: A community sample of 460 Portuguese men aged between 40 and 91 years (mean (± s.d.) 51.64 ± 8.03 years) was collected. Correlation and moderation analyses were conducted to investigate relationships among the variables being studied. RESULTS: There was an association between the sexual symptoms of LOH, masculinity and sexual and relationship satisfaction. Moderation analysis revealed direct relationships between masculinity and sexual and relationship satisfaction, as well as direct relationships between sexual symptoms of LOH and sexual and relationship satisfaction. However, sexual symptoms of LOH did not significantly moderate the relationships between masculinity and sexual and relationship satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate the existence of a direct effect of both masculinity and sexual symptoms of LOH on sexual and relational satisfaction, although masculinity did not have an effect on sexual symptoms of LOH. The implications of these findings are discussed. Instrumentality as an indicator of masculinity was associated with relational and sexual satisfaction, suggesting the importance of involving a man's partner in sexual dysfunction interventions.

Hypogammaglobulinemia: a diagnosis that must not be overlooked

Humoral immunological defects are frequent and important causes of hypogammaglobulinemia, leading to recurrent infections, autoimmunity, allergies, and neoplasias. Usually, its onset occurs in childhood or during the second and third decades of life; however, the diagnosis is made, on average, 6 to 7 years afterwards. As a consequence, antibody defects can lead to sequelae. Here we describe the clinical-laboratory characteristics, treatment, and prognoses of patients with hypogammaglobulinemia. An observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective study of patients attending the recently established outpatient group of Clinical Immunology between 2013 and 2018 was carried out. Patients with IgG levels below 2 standard deviations from the mean values for the age and/or impaired antibody response were included. Eight patients (3 F and 5 M; median age=41 years (16-65), average symptom onset at 25 years (1-59), and time to diagnosis of 10 years were included. The main infections were: sinusitis in 7/8, pneumonia in 6/8, otitis in 2/8, tonsillitis and diarrhea in 2/8, and diarrhea in 2/8 patients. Hypothyroidism was identified in 4/8 (50%) patients. Rhinitis was found in 7/8 (87.5%) and asthma in 3/8 (37.5%) patients. The tomographic findings were consolidations, atelectasis, emphysema, ground glass opacity, budding tree, bronchial thickening, and bronchiectasis. Immunoglobulin reposition was used between 466 and 600 mg/kg monthly (514.3 mg·kg-1·dose-1). Prophylactic antibiotic therapy was included in 7/8 (87.5%) patients. Airway manifestations prevailed in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia. There is a need for educational work to reduce the time of diagnosis and initiation of treatment, avoiding sequelae.

A review on fibrous scaffolds in cardiovascular tissue engineering

It has been long and widely known that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are among the leading causes of the death worldwide. Thecurrent treatments have come a long way to reduce mortality and improve life quality of those affected, but they still presentdrawbacks and limitations, and that is why cardiovascular tissue engineering is thought to be the great promise for the future.Fibrous scaffolds have been a trendy topic in tissue engineering (TE) for years now, and several techniques have been developed andoptimized to produce fibers of various biomaterials – a microstructure that is particularly important for valvular and vascular tissuesdue to their unique composition and organization. This review aims to explain the rationale behind the use of fibrous scaffolds incardiovascular TE, the main biomaterials and techniques that have been employed to produce such scaffolds and how close they areto clinical applications...

Microfluidic converging/diverging channels optimised for homogeneous extensional deformation.

In this work, we optimise microfluidic converging/diverging geometries in order to produce constant strain-rates along the centreline of the flow, for performing studies under homogeneous extension. The design is examined for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional flows where the effects of aspect ratio and dimensionless contraction length are investigated. Initially, pressure driven flows of Newtonian fluids under creeping flow conditions are considered, which is a reasonable approximation in microfluidics, and the limits of the applicability of the design in terms of Reynolds numbers are investigated. The optimised geometry is then used for studying the flow of viscoelastic fluids and the practical limitations in terms of Weissenberg number are reported. Furthermore, the optimisation strategy is also applied for electro-osmotic driven flows, where the development of a plug-like velocity profile allows for a wider region of homogeneous extensional deformation in the flow field.

Menopause Symptoms' Severity Inventory (MSSI-38): assessing the frequency and intensity of symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: Menopausal instruments usually assess the frequency or intensity of symptoms. The present study develops and validates an inventory to assess the severity of menopausal symptoms through the measurement of their frequency and intensity, and explores the differences between women with different menopausal status. METHODS: A community sample of 992 Portuguese women in pre-, peri- and postmenopause completed the proposed inventory with 47 items. Factor exploratory and confirmatory analyses, and comparative statistics for paired and independent samples, were applied using PASW Statistics v.19 and AMOS v.18 software. RESULTS: The final structure with 38 items organized in 12 factors showed overall good psychometric properties (in terms of factor analysis, convergent, discriminant and criterion validity, as well as regarding reliability, sensitivity, and measure invariance in two different and independent samples). The Wilcoxon test confirmed significant differences between frequency and intensity of symptoms. Moreover, peri- and postmenopausal women in this community sample presented low symptom severity (ranging from 0.4 to 1.4 in a scale from 0 to 4). Although postmenopausal participants presented higher levels (when compared with their perimenopausal counterparts), the two groups only diverged significantly in some physical symptoms (namely, aches and pain, vasomotor symptoms, numbness, skin and facial hair changes, urinary and sexual symptoms). CONCLUSION: This research emphasizes that severity measurement of symptoms should account for both frequency and intensity. Moreover, it contributes a fully validated 12-dimension inventory for menopausal symptoms, the Menopause Symptoms' Severity Inventory-38. Regarding differences between peri- and postmenopausal women, the increment in symptoms only happens in physical symptoms, although the severity levels are not exacerbated.

Infecção por cestóides proteocefalídeos em tucunaré Cichla sp. (Osteichthyes: Cichlidae), no Rio Paraná, São Paulo / Proteocephalid cestode infection in tucunaré Cichla sp. (Osteichthyes: Cichlidae) from Paraná River, São Paulo

The occurrence of proteocephalid cestodes in tucunaré Cichla sp., captured monthly, between August 2000 and August 2001, in Paraná River, Presidente Epitácio, SP, was evaluated. From 128 specimens, 71 (55.6 percent) were parasitized by Proteocephalus macrophallus (Diesing, 1850) and/or P. microscopicus (Woodland, 1935). Total mean abundance and intensity were 157.08 and 223.41, respectively. The highest prevalence (90 percent) mean abundance (1,122.4) and intensity indexes (1,247.11) occurred in February 2001, while in September 2000 there were no observed animals infected by cestodes. No relationship between the sex of the host and parasitological indexes was found.

Avaliou-se a ocorrência de cestóides proteocefalídeos em tucunaré Cichla sp., capturados mensalmente, entre agosto de 2000 e agosto de 2001, no rio Paraná, em Presidente Epitácio, SP. Um total de 128 espécimes foram analisados, dos quais 71 (55,6 por cento) estavam parasitados por Proteocephalus macrophallus (Diesing, 1850) e/ou P. microscopicus (Woodland, 1935). A abundância e intensidade média total foram de 157,08 e 223,41, respectivamente. A maior prevalência (90 por cento), juntamente com os maiores índices de abundância (1122,4) e intensidade média (1247,11) ocorreram no mês de fevereiro 2001, enquanto no mês de setembro 2000 não foram observados animais parasitados por cestóides. Não houve relação entre o sexo do hospedeiro e os índices parasitológicos.

Avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana do extrato etanólico bruto da casca da sucupira branca (Pterodon emarginatus Vogel) - Fabaceae / Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of crude ethanol extract from the bark of "sucupira branca" (Pterodon emarginatus Vogel) - Fabaceae

Pterodon emarginatus Vogel (Fabaceae) é uma árvore do Cerrado conhecida popularmente como "sucupira branca, faveiro, fava de sucupira e sucupira lisa" e utilizada na medicina popular em preparações anti-reumáticas, antiinflamatórias, analgésicas e antiinfecciosas. Esse trabalho teve por objetivo fazer a triagem fitoquímica do pó e avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana do extrato etanólico bruto das cascas da P. emarginatus contra bactérias Gram-positivas, Gram-negativas e o fungo Candida albicans. O extrato etanólico bruto foi obtido a partir das cascas dessecadas e pulverizadas. A concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) do extrato bruto foi determinada utilizando-se o inoculador de Steers. Os testes fitoquímicos detectaram a presença de flavonóides, heterosídeos saponínicos, resinas e traços de esteróides e triterpenóides. As CIM do extrato etanólico foram de 0,18 mg mL-1 para as bactérias Gram-positivas Rhodococcus equi ATCC 25923, Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341, Micrococcus roseus IPTSP/UFG e para as bactérias Gram-negativas Serratia marcescens ATCC 14756 e Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027; de 0,37 mg mL-1 para a Enterobacter cloacae FT 505 LEMC/EPM/UFG e de 0,74 mg mL-1 para as demais bactérias testadas e para o fungo C. albicans. O presente estudo abre perspectivas para o uso da cascas da P. emarginatus como antimicrobiano.

Pterodon emarginatus Vogel (Fabaceae) is a Cerrado tree popularly known as "sucupira branca", "faveiro", "fava de sucupira" and "sucupira lisa" and has been used in folk medicine as antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-infective. The aim of this work was to perform the phytochemical screening of the powder and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of crude ethanol extract from P. emarginatus barks against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and the fungus Candida albicans. The crude ethanol extract was obtained from desiccated and pulverized barks. Its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by using Steers inoculator. The phytochemical tests detected the presence of flavonoids, saponin heterosides, resins and traces of steroids and triterpenoids. Ethanol extract MICs were 0.18 mg mL-1 for the Gram-positive bacteria Rhodococcus equi ATCC 25923, Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341 and Micrococcus roseus IPTSP/UFG, and for the Gram-negative bacteria Serratia marcescens ATCC 14756 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027; 0.37 mg mL-1 for Enterobacter cloacae FT 505 LEMC/EPM/UFG; and 0.74 mg mL-1 for the remaining tested bacteria and for the fungus C. albicans. This study opens perspectives for the use of P. emarginatus barks as an antimicrobial drug.

[The association between self-rated health and health care utilization in retired]. / Autopercepção do estado de saúde em reformados e sua associação com o uso de serviços de saúde.

OBJECTIVE: This article attests the association between self-rated health and health care utilization in a retired population by a narrative review. METHOD: A systematic review was carried out from 1967 to 2007 to identify studies on self-rated health, in the databases MEDLINE, LILACS e SCIELO. The OVID software was used to Medline research. Contacts with experts were used. The key words retirement, self-rated health, health care utilization and narrative review were used in Portuguese, Spanish and English versions. Al the abstracts were analyzed, but only trials that associated self-rated health in retirement and health care utilization were fully analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty one out of 443 abstracts were selected to be fully analyzed. Current data indicates that health deterioration, poor self-rated health and increased health care utilization are associated with early retirement, due to disability, but not with individuals who worked until retirement by age. CONCLUSION: Retirement is probably associated with increased public expenses and increased health care utilization in retired with a poor self-rated health.

Genetic heterogeneity of Escherichia coli strains isolated from raw milk, Minas Frescal cheese, and food handlers / Heterogeneidade genética de cepas de Escherichia coli isoladas de leite cru, queijo Minas Frescal e manipuladores

From February 2004 to March 2005, 140 samples of food handlers - hands and nostrils - (92), raw milk (24), and minas frescal cheese (24) were analyzed for the presence of Escherichia coli in a dairy processing plant of Goiás State. Forty-seven E. coli strains were obtained and compared by DNA macrorestriction patterns obtained from pulsed-field gel electrophoresis following XbaI restriction in order to investigate the possible sources of cheese contaminations. Based on PFGE genotyping, one strain isolated from food the hands of a handler and five strains isolated from raw milk were identical or closely related to six strains from cheese suggesting, in these cases, the probable source of E. coli contamination in cheeses. No strain isolated from the nostrils was related to those found in cheeses or milk strains. The results showed high diversity among the strains, demonstrating a lack of predominance of an endemic clone in the dairy plant. This paper highlights the usefulness of PFGE as an epidemiological tool for determining the source of E. coli contamination in the food industry.

Durante um ano, de fevereiro de 2004 a março de 2005, 140 amostras retiradas das mãos e das narinas de manipuladores de alimentos (92), do leite cru (24) e do queijo-de-minas frescal (24) foram analisadas para a presença de Escherichia coli, em um laticínio do Estado de Goiás. As 47 cepas obtidas foram comparadas por macrorrestrição do DNA com enzima XbaI, seguida de eletroforese em gel em campo pulsado (PFGE), a fim de investigar as possíveis fontes de contaminação do queijo. Baseado na genotipagem pelo PFGE, uma cepa obtida do leite cru e cinco cepas obtidas dos manipuladores mostraram similaridade maior que 80 por cento com seis cepas isoladas do queijo, denotando forte correlação genética entre elas e sugerindo, nestes casos, a fonte provável de contaminação do produto final. Nenhuma cepa isolada do nariz foi relacionada às isoladas do queijo ou do leite. Os resultados mostraram grande diversidade entre as cepas, demonstrando ausência de um clone endêmico no laticínio avaliado. Este estudo destaca a utilidade do PFGE como uma ferramenta importante em investigações epidemiológicas e na determinação de possíveis fontes de contaminação por E. coli na indústria de alimentos.

Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum isolated from relevant clinical sites of infection: a human pathogen overlooked in emerging countries.

AIMS: To examine the occurrence of and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum among patients with bacterial infections at a teaching hospital. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 113 Coryne. pseudodiphtheriticum strains identified by conventional biochemical methods and API-Coryne System were recovered from patients from different age groups: 65.48% adults (18 to < or =59 years old), 9.73% aged (> or =60 years old); 14.15% infants (<18 years old); 4.42% newborns (0-7 days). Micro-organisms were mostly related to infections in the urinary (29.2%) and respiratory tracts (27.45%) and intravenous sites (18.6%). Clinical samples were obtained only from 32.7% patients (26 adults, four aged, four infants and three newborns) presenting at least one of the predisposing conditions: end-stage renal disease; renal transplant; AIDS and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection; cancer, hepatic cirrhosis; haemodialysis and catheter use. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests identified multiresistant phenotypes. Most strains (>50%) were resistant to oxacillin, erythromycin and clindamycin. CONCLUSIONS: Despite significant differences in age and functional status of patients Coryne. pseudodiphtheriticum may be implicated as a cause of respiratory and nonrespiratory human infections. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Data are valuable for practitioners indicating the occurrence of multiresistant phenotypes and the possibility of severe infections due to Coryne. pseudodiphtheriticum, a pathogen usually overlooked in emerging countries.

Análise da atividade antimicrobiana das folhas de Davilla elliptica St.-Hil. (Dilleniaceae) / Investigation of antimicrobial activity of Davilla elliptica St.-Hil. leaves (Dilleniaceae)

Davilla elliptica St.-Hil. (Dilleniaceae) é um arbusto,usado popularmente como adstringente, tônico, sedativo, diurético, no tratamento de hemorróidas, hérnia e em aplicações tópicas como anti-séptico na limpeza de ferimentos. O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliara atividade antimicrobiana dos extratos etanólicos brutos das folhas de D. elliptica coletadas em Alexânia e Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil. Os extratos etanólicos brutos foram obtidos, por maceração a frio, a partir das folhas dessecadas e pulverizadas. A atividade antimicrobiana foi avaliada utilizando 25 cepas de microrganismos (Gram-negativos, Gram-positivos e levedura) através da determinação da Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) utilizando-se o inoculador de Steers. Os extratos obtidos de plantas coletados nas duas localidades inibiram o crescimento de todas as cepas avaliadas. O extrato da amostra coletada em Alexânia apresentou atividade antimicrobiana com CIM variando de 0,371 mg/mL a 0,743 mg/mL. O extrato da amostra coletada em Goiânia apresentou CIM variando de < 0,023 mg/mL a 11,9 mg/mL. Os extratos etanólicos brutos das folhas de D. elliptica foram mais ativos contra as bactérias Gram-positivas do que para as bactérias Gram-negativas.

Davilla elliptica St.-Hil.(Dilleniaceae) is a shrub, whose leaves are traditionally used in Brazilian popular medicine as an astringent, tonic, sedative and diuretic and to treat hemorrhoids and hernia and it is applied a topical antiseptic to clean wounds. The aim in this study was to assess the antimicrobial activity of crude ethanol extracts of D. elliptica leaves collected in the towns of Alexânia and Goiânia, state of Goiás, Brazil. The crude extracts were obtained by cold maceration, of the dried and pulverized leaves in ethanol. Antimicrobial activities against 25 strains of microorganisms (Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria and a yeast) were tested determining by the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) in agar plates inoculated with using a Steers replicator. Extracts of from inhibited the growth of all strains evaluated. The extract of the sample collected in Alexânia showed antimicrobial activity with MICs ranging from 0.371 mg/mL to 0.743 mg/mL, while that collected in Goiânia showed MICs ranging from <0.023 mg/mL to 11.9 mg/mL. The D. elliptica crude leaf ethanol extracts evaluated were more active against Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria.

Avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana das partes aéreas (folhas e caules) e raízes de Richardia brasiliensis Gomez (Rubiaceae) / Assessment of antimicrobial activity of aerial parts (leaves and stems) and roots of Richardia brasiliensis Gomez (Rubiaceae)

Richardia brasiliensis é uma planta utilizada popularmente como expectorante, emética, diaforética, vermífuga e para o tratamento de hemorróidas. O presente estudo objetivou realizar a prospecção fitoquímica e avaliar a ação antimicrobiana do extrato bruto das partes aéreas e raízes de R. brasiliensis. O extrato etanólico bruto foi obtido a partir do material botânico dessecado e pulverizado. O pó das partes aéreas e raízes foram submetidos à triagem fitoquímica. A atividade antimicrobiana foi realizada contra bactérias Gram-positivas esporuladas e não esporuladas, Gram negativas e a levedura Candida albicans através da determinação da concentração inibitória mínima por diluição em ágar empregando-se o inoculador de Steers. A triagem fitoquímica evidenciou a presença de esteróides, triterpenóides, cumarinas, resinas, alcaloides e flavonóides. A CIM do extrato das partes aéreas variou de 0,37 a 0,74 mg/mL e das raízes de 0,74 a 11,9 mg/mL. Concluiu-se que tanto o extrato etanólico bruto das partes aéreas quanto das raízes apresentaram atividade antimicrobiana.

Richardia brasiliensis is a neotropical perennial her bused in Brazilian popular medicine as an expectorant, emetic, diaphoretic, vermifuge and to treat hemorrhoids. This paper reports the phytochemical screening and the antimicrobial activity of crude ethanol extracts of the aerial parts and roots of this plant. The crude ethanol extracts were prepared from dried, pulverized botanical material. The aerial parts and roots powder was screened for classes of phytochemicals. The antimicrobial activity was tested against spore-forming and non-sporing Gram-positive bacteria, Gramnegative bacteria and Candida albicans by the agardilution method, inoculating the series of plates at multiple points with a Steers replicator to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each organism. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of steroids, triterpenes, coumarins, resins, alkaloids and flavonoids. The MIC of the extract of aerial parts varied from 0.37 to 0.74 mg/mL and that of the roots from 0.74 to 11.9 mg/mL. It was concluded that the crude ethanolic extracts of both the aerial parts and the roots showed antimicrobial activity.

Potential pathogenic role of aggregative-adhering Corynebacterium diphtheriae of different clonal groups in endocarditis.

Invasive diseases caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae have been described increasingly. Several reports indicate the destructive feature of endocarditis attributable to nontoxigenic strains. However, few reports have dealt with the pathogenicity of invasive strains. The present investigation demonstrates a phenotypic trait that may be used to identify potentially invasive strains. The study also draws attention to clinical and microbiological aspects observed in 5 cases of endocarditis due to C. diphtheriae that occurred outside Europe. Four cases occurred in female school-age children (7-14 years) treated at different hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All patients developed other complications including septicemia, renal failure and/or arthritis. Surgical treatment was performed on 2 patients for valve replacement. Lethality was observed in 40% of the cases. Microorganisms isolated from 5 blood samples and identified as C. diphtheriae subsp mitis (N = 4) and C. diphtheriae subsp gravis (N = 1) displayed an aggregative adherence pattern to HEp-2 cells and identical one-dimensional SDS-PAGE protein profiles. Aggregative-adhering invasive strains of C. diphtheriae showed 5 distinct RAPD profiles. Despite the clonal diversity, all 5 C. diphtheriae invasive isolates seemed to display special bacterial adhesive properties that may favor blood-barrier disruption and systemic dissemination of bacteria. In conclusion, blood isolates from patients with endocarditis exhibited a unique adhering pattern, suggesting a pathogenic role of aggregative-adhering C. diphtheriae of different clones in endocarditis. Accordingly, the aggregative-adherence pattern may be used as an indication of some invasive potential of C. diphtheriae strains.

Potential pathogenic role of aggregative-adhering Corynebacterium diphtheriae of different clonal groups in endocarditis

Invasive diseases caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae have been described increasingly. Several reports indicate the destructive feature of endocarditis attributable to nontoxigenic strains. However, few reports have dealt with the pathogenicity of invasive strains. The present investigation demonstrates a phenotypic trait that may be used to identify potentially invasive strains. The study also draws attention to clinical and microbiological aspects observed in 5 cases of endocarditis due to C. diphtheriae that occurred outside Europe. Four cases occurred in female school-age children (7-14 years) treated at different hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All patients developed other complications including septicemia, renal failure and/or arthritis. Surgical treatment was performed on 2 patients for valve replacement. Lethality was observed in 40 percent of the cases. Microorganisms isolated from 5 blood samples and identified as C. diphtheriae subsp mitis (N = 4) and C. diphtheriae subsp gravis (N = 1) displayed an aggregative adherence pattern to HEp-2 cells and identical one-dimensional SDS-PAGE protein profiles. Aggregative-adhering invasive strains of C. diphtheriae showed 5 distinct RAPD profiles. Despite the clonal diversity, all 5 C. diphtheriae invasive isolates seemed to display special bacterial adhesive properties that may favor blood-barrier disruption and systemic dissemination of bacteria. In conclusion, blood isolates from patients with endocarditis exhibited a unique adhering pattern, suggesting a pathogenic role of aggregative-adhering C. diphtheriae of different clones in endocarditis. Accordingly, the aggregative-adherence pattern may be used as an indication of some invasive potential of C. diphtheriae strains.