Typhoid Fever and Non-typhoidal Salmonella Outbreaks: A Portrait of Regional Socioeconomic Inequalities in Brazil.

Typhoid fever occurs in an endemic form in Brazil and is a serious public health problem in some regions. In this scenario, further research is urgently needed to identify the associations between socioeconomic factors and typhoid fever, contributing to guiding policy decisions in the country. We aimed to investigate the influence of socioeconomic disparities on the prevalence of typhoid fever and non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) in Brazil. A search for data from 2010 to 2019 was carried out with the national health and human development agencies. As milk and derivatives are the fourth food incriminated in food outbreaks in Brazil, analyses for detecting Salmonella spp. in commercial dairy products allowed us to assess whether the outbreaks associated with these foods are due to inadequacies in sanitary control in dairy establishments or whether they are mainly home-based outbreaks. Predictive models validated by the bootstrapping method demonstrate an association of NTS prevalence reduction with improvements in the Sanitation Service Index (Rv ≥ -8 0.686; p ≤ 0.01) and Municipal Human Development Index - MHDI - (Rv = -0.789; p ≤ 0.02). In the North, typhoid fever prevalence had seasonal variability with the rainfall, while sanitation services (Rv ≥-0.684; p ≤ 0.04) and MHDI (Rv ≥-0.949; p ≤ 0.003) directly influenced Northeast and South Brazil. Thus, the unequal distribution of investments in the sanitation sector contributed to disparities in typhoid fever prevalence among Brazilian regions. The absence of Salmonella spp. in commercial samples ratified the collected data that the outbreaks of Salmonella spp. in the Brazilian population occur mainly at residences. These findings show that implementing public health education and increasing investments in sanitation in regions with poor service can control outbreaks of Salmonella spp. in Brazilian endemic areas.

[Spatial-temporal distribution of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil from 2007 to 2020Distribución espaciotemporal de la leishmaniasis visceral en Brasil en el período 2007-2020]. / Distribuição espaço-temporal da leishmaniose visceral no Brasil no período de 2007 a 2020.

Objective: To analyze the dynamics of the spatial and temporal distribution of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil from 2007 to 2020. Method: This ecological study focused on the spatial pattern of visceral leishmaniasis cases in Brazil from 2007 to 2020 using data from the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN). The variables analyzed were the incidence rate of visceral leishmaniasis and the visceral leishmaniasis composite indicator (VLCI), from which triennial thematic maps were constructed. The global Moran index was calculated to assess the existence of spatial autocorrelation, and the local Moran index was used to identify areas with higher and lower risk of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. Results: During the study period, there were 48 705 cases of visceral leishmaniasis, with an incidence rate of 25.53 cases per 100 000 population. There was spatial autocorrelation in all triennial blocks, with municipalities in the North and Northeast regions having an incidence equal to or greater than 50 cases per 100 000 population. Regarding the VLCI there was an increase in the number of municipalities classified as low risk for transmission, and a growing presence of state capitals with a classification of very high risk. Conclusion: The incidence of visceral leishmaniasis varied over the trienniums. The border region between the states of Tocantins, Maranhão, and Pará, along with the state of Ceará, stood out in the spatial distribution of the disease incidence and risk stratification by VLCI. These areas should be a priority for surveillance and control efforts for the disease.

Objetivo: Analizar la dinámica de la distribución espaciotemporal de la leishmaniasis visceral en Brasil en el período 2007-2020. Métodos: En este estudio ecológico del patrón de distribución espacial de los casos de leishmaniasis visceral ocurridos en Brasil en el período 2007-2020 se utilizaron datos del sistema de información de enfermedades de declaración obligatoria (SINAN). Las variables analizadas fueron el coeficiente de incidencia de leishmaniasis visceral y el índice compuesto de leishmaniasis visceral, a partir de los cuales se construyeron mapas temáticos trienales. Se calcularon el índice general de Moran para verificar la existencia de autocorrelación espacial, y el índice local de Moran para delimitar las zonas de mayor y menor riesgo de leishmaniasis visceral en Brasil. Resultados: En el período estudiado, hubo 48 705 casos de leishmaniasis visceral, con una incidencia de 25,53 casos por 100 000 habitantes. En todos los bloques trienales hubo una autocorrelación espacial, en la cual varios municipios de las regiones norte y nordeste registraron una incidencia de 50 casos por 100 000 habitantes o una tasa superior. En relación con el índice compuesto de leishmaniasis visceral, se observó un aumento del número de municipios considerados de riesgo bajo de transmisión y una tendencia ascendente del número de ciudades capitales con clasificación de riesgo muy alto. Conclusión: La incidencia de leishmaniasis visceral varió a lo largo de los períodos trienales. La región fronteriza entre Tocantins, Maranhão y Pará, junto con el estado de Ceará, se destacó en términos de la distribución espacial de la incidencia de la enfermedad y la estratificación del riesgo según el índice compuesto de leishmaniasis visceral. Es preciso dar prioridad a estos lugares en lo referente a las medidas y los servicios de vigilancia y control de esta enfermedad.

A novel family of non-secreted tridecaptin lipopeptide produced by Paenibacillus elgii.

Bacteria from the genus Paenibacillus make a variety of antimicrobial compounds, including lipopeptides produced by a non-ribosomal synthesis mechanism (NRPS). In the present study, we show the genomic and phenotypical characterization of Paenibacillus elgii AC13 which makes three groups of small molecules: the antimicrobial pelgipeptins and two other families of peptides that have not been described in P. elgii. A family of lipopeptides with [M + H]+ 1664, 1678, 1702, and 1717 m/z was purified from the culture cell fraction. Partial characterization revealed that they are similar to tridecaptin from P. terrae. However, they present amino acid chain modifications in positions 3, 7, and 10. These new variants were named tridecaptin G1, G2, G3, and G4. Furthermore, a gene cluster was identified in P. elgii AC13 genome, revealing high similarity to the tridecaptin-NRPS gene cluster from P. terrae. Tridecaptin G1 and G2 showed in vitro antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia (including a multidrug-resistant strain), Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Tri G3 did not show antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and C. albicans at all tested concentrations. An intriguing feature of this family of lipopeptides is that it was only observed in the cell fraction of the P. elgii AC13 culture, which could be a result of the amino acid sequence modifications presented in these variants.

Evidence for seasonal cycles in deep-sea fish abundances: A great migration in the deep SE Atlantic?

Animal migrations are of global ecological significance, providing mechanisms for the transport of nutrients and energy between distant locations. In much of the deep sea (>200 m water depth), the export of nutrients from the surface ocean provides a crucial but seasonally variable energy source to seafloor ecosystems. Seasonal faunal migrations have been hypothesized to occur on the deep seafloor as a result, but have not been documented. Here, we analyse a 7.5-year record of photographic data from the Deep-ocean Environmental Long-term Observatory Systems seafloor observatories to determine whether there was evidence of seasonal (intra-annual) migratory behaviours in a deep-sea fish assemblage on the West African margin and, if so, identify potential cues for the behaviour. Our findings demonstrate a correlation between intra-annual changes in demersal fish abundance at 1,400 m depth and satellite-derived estimates of primary production off the coast of Angola. Highest fish abundances were observed in late November with a smaller peak in June, occurring approximately 4 months after corresponding peaks in primary production. Observed changes in fish abundance occurred too rapidly to be explained by recruitment or mortality, and must therefore have a behavioural driver. Given the recurrent patterns observed, and the established importance of bottom-up trophic structuring in deep-sea ecosystems, we hypothesize that a large fraction of the fish assemblage may conduct seasonal migrations in this region, and propose seasonal variability in surface ocean primary production as a plausible cause. Such trophic control could lead to changes in the abundance of fishes across the seafloor by affecting secondary production of prey species and/or carrion availability for example. In summary, we present the first evidence for seasonally recurring patterns in deep-sea demersal fish abundances over a 7-year period, and demonstrate a previously unobserved level of dynamism in the deep sea, potentially mirroring the great migrations so well characterized in terrestrial systems.

As migrações dos animais são importantes para a ecologia global pois fornecem mecanismos para o transporte de nutrientes e energia entre diferentes locais. Em grande parte do oceano profundo (>200 m de profundidade), a exportação de nutrientes da superfície para os ecossistemas do fundo marinho é uma fonte de energia crucial, mas que varia entre estações. Consequentemente, calcula-se que ocorram migrações sazonais de animais no fundo marinho, mas tal nunca foi reportado. Neste estudo, nós analisamos dados fotográficos do observatório do fundo marinho DELOS colhidos ao longo de 7.5 anos, para determinar se existem indícios de comportamentos migratórios sazonais (intra-anuais) na comunidade de peixes de profundidade na costa oeste africana ao largo de Angola e, se se confirmar, tentar identificar o que desencadeia este comportamento. Os resultados obtidos mostram que há uma correlação entre as alterações intra-anuais da densidade de peixes demersais a 1,400 m de profundidade e as estimativas de produção primária obtidas por satélite. A densidade de peixes atinge o seu máximo no final de Novembro, com um pico menos acentuado em Junho, aproximadamente quatro meses após os respectivos picos de produção primária na superfície. As alterações na densidade de peixe ocorreram de uma forma tão rápida que não podem ser explicadas por recrutamento ou mortalidade, e como tal devem só podem ser geradas por uma alteração do comportamento. Dado a recorrência do padrão observado, e importância da estrutura trófica fundo-topo em ecossistemas do oceano profundo, nós colocamos a hipótese de que uma fracção grande da comunidade de peixes faz migrações sazonais nesta região, e propomos que a variação sazonal da produção primária na superfície esteja na sua origem. Este controlo trófico poderá levar a alterações na densidade de peixes no fundo marinho via, por exemplo, a produção secundária de presas e/ou disponibilidade de corpos em processo de decomposição. Resumindo, nós apresentamos aqui a primeira evidência de padrões sazonais recorrentes na densidade de peixes demersais de profundidade ao longo de um período de sete anos, e provamos existir um nível de dinamismo nunca dantes observado no oceano profundo, que poderá espelhar as grandes migrações comummente observadas em sistemas terrestres.

N-Acetylcysteine Reduced Ischemia and Reperfusion Damage Associated with Steatohepatitis in Mice.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a pharmacological alternative with great potential for reducing the deleterious effects of surgical procedures on patients with steatohepatitis. We evaluated the effect of NAC on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in C57BL/6J mice, 8 weeks-old, weighing 25-30 g, with steatohepatitis induced by a methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet. Groups: MCD group (steatohepatitis), MCD-I/R group (steatohepatitis plus 30 min of 70% liver ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion), MCD-I/R+NAC group (same as MCD-I/R group plus 150 mg/kg NAC 15 min before ischemia), and control group (normal AIN-93M diet). Liver enzymes and histopathology; nitrite and TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) levels; pro-inflammatory cytokines; antioxidants enzymes; Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2) expression; and apoptosis were evaluated. In the group treated with NAC, reductions in inflammatory infiltration; AST (aspartate aminotransferase), nitrite, and TBARS levels; GPx (gutathione peroxidase) activity; cytokines synthesis; and number of apoptotic cells were observed while the GR (glutathione reductase) activity was increased. No differences were observed in Nfr2 expression or in SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), and GST (glutathione S-transferase) activities. Thus, it may be concluded that NAC exerts beneficial effects on mice livers with steatohepatitis submitted to I/R by reducing oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and cell death.

Amphotericin B-Loaded Emulgel: Effect of Chemical Enhancers on the Release Profile and Antileishmanial Activity In Vitro.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a neglected parasitic disease. Treatment is preferably performed with pentavalent antimony associated or not with amphotericin B (AmB). This study aimed to develop an emulgel with different chemical enhancers of cutaneous release. Initially, AmB emulsions were obtained with the chemical promoters, oleic acid and geraniol and without promoter, then for the evaluation of the formulations, a preliminary stability study was carried out where the formulations were submitted to centrifugation, before and after the freeze-thaw cycle and analyzed appearance, color, pH, spreadability, viscosity, conductivity, droplet size, assay, in vitro release study, in vitro antileishmania activity in Leishmania major promastigotes, and macrophage toxicity in the MTT test. The emulsions were yellowish, with no signs of instability after the centrifugation test. The pH range corresponded to that of the skin, which is 4.6 to 5.8, before and after the freeze-thaw cycle, the formulations had good spreadability and did not present significant viscosity differences before and after the freeze-thaw cycle, presenting a non-Newtonian characteristic. AmB content was within the kinetic model of zero order release, the formulation of 3% AmB and 5% oleic acid (formulation 1) was chosen to proceed with the antileishmania activity test and showed potential activity against the in vitro parasite with significant reduction of cytotoxicity on murine macrophages, indicating that the formulation is promising for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Proteolysis, NaOH and ultrasound-enhanced extraction of anticoagulant and antioxidant sulfated polysaccharides from the edible seaweed, Gracilaria birdiae.

The sulfated polysaccharides (SP) from the edible red seaweed, Gracilaria birdiae, were obtained using five different extraction conditions: Gracilaria birdiae 1 (GB1)-water; GB1s-water/sonication; GB1sp-water/sonication/proteolysis; GB2s-NaOH/sonication; and GB2sp-NaOH/sonication/proteolysis. The yield (g) increased in the following order: GB2sp>GB1sp>GB2s>GB1s>GB1. However, the amount of SP extracted increased in a different way: GB2sp>GB1>GB1sp>GB1s>GB2s. Infrared and electrophoresis analysis showed that all conditions extracted the same SP. In addition, monosaccharide composition showed that ultrasound promotes the extraction of polysaccharides other than SP. In the prothrombin time (PT) test, which evaluates the extrinsic coagulation pathway, none of the samples showed anticoagulant activity. While in the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) test, which evaluates the intrinsic coagulation pathway, all samples showed anticoagulant activity, except GB2s. The aPTT activity decreased in the order of GB1sp>GB2sp>GB1>GB1s>GB2s. The total capacity antioxidant (TCA) of the SP was also affected by extraction condition, since GB2s and GB1 showed lower activity in comparison to the other conditions. In conclusion, the conditions of SP extraction influence their biological activities and chemical composition. The data revealed that NaOH/sonication/proteolysis was the best condition to extract anticoagulant and antioxidant SPs from Gracilaria birdiae.

Is the 5-Minute Time-Trial Cycling Test a Valid Predictor of Maximal Oxygen Uptake? An External Cross-Validation Study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to cross-validate a recently proposed equation for the prediction of maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) in cycling exercise by using the average power output normalized by the body mass from a 5-minute time trial (RPO5-min) as the independent variable. Further, the study aimed to update the predictive equation using Bayesian informative prior distributions and meta-analysis. METHODS: On different days, 49 male cyclists performed an incremental graded exercise test until exhaustion and a 5-minute time trial on a stationary cycle ergometer. We compared the actual V˙O2max with the predicted value obtained from the RPO5-min, using a modified Bayesian Bland-Altman agreement analysis. In addition, this study updated the data on the linear regression between V˙O2max and RPO5-min, by incorporating information from a previous study as a Bayesian informative prior distribution or via meta-analysis. RESULTS: On average, the predicted V˙O2max using RPO5-min underestimated the actual V˙O2max by -6.6 mL·kg-1·min-1 (95% credible interval, -8.6 to -4.7 mL·kg-1·min-1). The lower and upper 95% limits of agreement were -17.2 (-22.7 to -12.3) and 3.8 (-1.0 to 9.5) mL·kg-1·min-1, respectively. When the current study's data were analyzed using the previously published data as a Bayesian informative prior distribution, the accuracy of predicting sample means was found to be better when compared with the data combined via meta-analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed equation presented systematic bias in our sample, in which the prediction underestimated the actual V˙O2max. We provide an updated equation using the previous one as the prior distribution, which could be generalized to a greater audience of cyclists.

Nursing work: challenges for health management in the northeast of Brazil.

AIM: Social exchange theory is used as the framework to examine the interaction between supervisor-subordinate relationships, training and affective commitment for Northeast Brazilian public sector nursing professionals. BACKGROUND: There are continuing challenges to nursing management worldwide in terms of the supply of nursing professionals, their work relationships, nurse training and commitment to their employing organisations. The interplay between these factors for nurses in the Northeast of Brazil has not been well understood. METHOD: Quantitative data were collected from 550 nursing professionals using a cross-sectional, survey-base design. Qualitative data were collected from 25 participants using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. RESULT: Using path analysis, and the ordinary least squares approach, the findings demonstrated a significant, but weak, linkage between supervisor-subordinate relationships, training and organisational commitment. The qualitative data suggest that contracting out may be a causative factor. CONCLUSION: Healthcare managers in Brazil need to create more positive environments to strengthen supervisor-nurse relationships, improve the provision of training and to strengthen organisational commitment. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Healthcare policy-makers in hospital can make significant contributions to improving organisational commitment by reducing multiple job holding, improving the ratio of registered nurses to nursing technicians/assistants and beginning nurse supervision training in effective people management.

Pelgipeptins, a Nonribosomal Lipopeptide Family, Show Larvicidal Activity against Vectors Transmitting Viruses.

Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus are vectors of numerous diseases of worldwide public importance, such as arboviruses and filariasis. The main strategy for controlling these vectors is the use of chemicals, which can induce the appearance of resistant insects. The use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and Lysinibacillus sphaericus (Ls) with larvicidal activity against arboviral-transmitting insects has been successful in many studies. In contrast, the use and knowledge of peptides with insecticidal activity are so far scarce. In this work, 25 peptides and 5 strains of each bacterial species were prospected individually or together regarding their insecticidal activity. Initially, in vitro assays of cellular cytotoxicity of the peptides against SF21 cells of Spodoptera frugiperda were performed. The peptides Polybia-MPII and pelgipeptin caused 69 and 60% of cell mortality, respectively, at the concentration of 10 µM. Thus, they were evaluated in vivo against second-stage larvae of the two Culicidae. However, in the in vivo bioassays, only pelgipeptin showed larvicidal mortality against both larvae (LC50 6.40 µM against A. aegypti, and LC50 1.22 µM against C. quinquefasciatus). The toxin-producing bacterial strain that showed the lowest LC50 against A. aegypti was Bt S8 (LC50 = 0.71 ng/mL) and against C. quinquefasciatus, it was Ls S260 (LC50 = 2.32 ng/mL). So, the synergistic activity between the association of the bacterial toxins and pelgipeptin was evaluated. A synergic effect of pelgipeptin was observed with Ls strain S260 against C. quinquefasciatus. Our results demonstrate the possibility of synergistic or individual use of both biologically active larvicides against C. quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti.

Clinical validation of the nursing diagnosis "Ineffective health self-management" in people living with HIV.

OBJECTIVE: Check diagnostic accuracy of the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis "Ineffective health self-management" in people living with HIV. METHODS: Methodological study conducted in a specialized public service for people living with HIV in Northeastern Brazil, between February and April 2021, with a sample of 203 people. Latent class analysis was used to calculate the accuracy measurements of the defining characteristics, as well as the sensitivity and specificity values with their respective 95% confidence intervals. The likelihood ratio test (G2 ) was applied to evaluate the adequacy of the fit of the models obtained (p > 0.05). RESULTS: The prevalence of Ineffective health self-management estimated through the latent class model was 67.5%. "Exacerbation of diseases symptoms," "failure to take action that reduces risk factor," "exacerbation of diseases signs," and "ineffective choices in daily living for meeting health goal" had the highest sensitivity values (0.80-0.9429). "Exhibits disease sequelae," "inattentive to diseases signs," and "inattentive to disease symptoms" had the highest specificity values (0.9999-1.0000). CONCLUSIONS: The useful characteristics for discriminating PLHIV with and without diagnosis are "exacerbation of diseases symptoms," "failure to take action that reduces risk factor," "exacerbation of diseases signs," and "ineffective choices in daily living for meeting health goal." The diagnosis can be confirmed by the indicators "exhibits disease sequelae", "inattentive to diseases signs," and "inattentive to disease symptoms." IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICES: The study demonstrates the levels of importance of the defining characteristics of "Ineffective health self-management" in people living with HIV contributes to suspicion and accurate diagnostic identification of nurses and researchers.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a acurácia diagnóstica das características definidoras do Diagnóstico de Enfermagem "Autogestão Ineficaz da Saúde" em pessoas vivendo com HIV. MÉTODOS: Estudo metodológico realizado em um serviço público de atendimento para pessoas que vivem com HIV no Nordeste brasileiro, entre fevereiro e abril de 2021 com amostra de 203 indivíduos. A análise de classe latente foi utilizada para calcular as medidas de acurácia das características definidoras, bem como os valores de sensibilidade e especificidade com seus respectivos intervalos de confiança a 95%. O teste da razão de verossimilhança (G2 ) foi aplicado para avaliar a adequação do ajuste dos modelos obtidos (p>0,05). RESULTADOS: A prevalência da "Autogestão Ineficaz da Saúde" estimada pelo modelo de classe latente foi de 67,5%. "Exacerbação dos sintomas da doença", "Falha em tomar medidas para reduzir os fatores de risco", "Exacerbação dos sinais da doença" e "Escolhas ineficazes na vida diária para cumprir a meta de saúde" tiveram os mais altos valores de sensibilidade (0.803-0.9429).  "Exibir sequelas da doença", "Desatento aos sinais da doença" e "Desatento aos sintomas da doença" obtiveram os mais altos valores de especificidade (0.9999-1.0000). CONCLUSÕES: As características úteis para discriminar pessoas vivendo com HIV com e sem o diagnóstico são: "Exacerbação dos sintomas da doença", "Falha em tomar medidas para reduzir os fatores de risco", "Exacerbação dos sinais da doença" e "Escolhas ineficazes na vida diária para cumprir a meta de saúde". O diagnóstico também pode ser confirmado pelos indicadores "Exibir sequelas da doença", "Desatento aos sinais da doença" e "Desatento aos sintomas da doença". IMPLICAÇÕES PARA AS PRÁTICAS DE ENFERMAGEM: Estudo demonstra os níveis de importância das características definidoras de "Autogestão Ineficaz da Saúde" em pessoas vivendo com HIV, contribui para suspeição e identificação diagnóstica acurada de enfermeiros e pesquisadores.

Colony Age of Trichoderma azevedoi Alters the Profile of Volatile Organic Compounds and Ability to Suppress Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Bean Plants.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the most important crops in human food production. The occurrence of diseases, such as white mold, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum can limit the production of this legume. The use of Trichoderma has become an important strategy in the suppression of this disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by Trichoderma azevedoi CEN1241 in five different growth periods on the severity of white mold in common bean. The in vitro assays were carried out in double-plate and split-plate, and the in vivo assays, through the exposure of the mycelia of S. sclerotiorum to the VOCs of T. azevedoi CEN1241 and subsequent inoculation in bean plants. Chemical analysis by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry detected 37 VOCs produced by T. azevedoi CEN1241, covering six major chemical classes. The profile of VOCs produced by T. azevedoi CEN1241 varied according to colony age and was shown to be related to the ability of the biocontrol agent to suppress S. sclerotiorum. T. azevedoi CEN1241 VOCs reduced the size of S. sclerotiorum lesions on bean fragments in vitro and reduced disease severity in a greenhouse. This study demonstrated in a more applied way that the mechanism of antibiosis through the production of volatile compounds exerted by Trichoderma can complement other mechanisms, such as parasitism and competition, thus contributing to a better efficiency in the control of white mold in bean plants.

Evaluation of Alveolar Bone Dimensions and Root Positioning of Anterior Teeth in the Maxilla.

Buccal bone walls present significant resorption after tooth extraction, possibly related to the smaller bone thickness, length, and the sagittal position of the root, as well as the bone morphology. The goal of the present study was to measure the thickness of the cortical bone of the vestibular and palatal walls in the anterior maxilla by means of CBCT images. Measurements were taken from CBCT scans of 300 maxillary anterior teeth from 50 patients (25 women, 25 men) aged 18 to 30 years. The parameters evaluated included the thickness of the buccal and palatal cortical bone in the cervical, apical, and middle thirds of the root, as well as six specific angular measurements from each tooth. The lateral incisors showed a significant difference in thickness between each of the buccal and palatal thirds, and measurements were also significantly smaller than the central and canine incisors. Bone anatomy is tooth-and location-specific, and thus the sagittal root position within the alveolus influences the regional bone morphology and may explain the gingival zenith position in the anterior maxilla. These specific buccal and palatal anatomic parameters should be carefully taken into consideration for surgical planning and intervention in the esthetic area.

Microgramma vacciniifolia Frond Lectin: In Vitro Anti-leishmanial Activity and Immunomodulatory Effects Against Internalized Amastigote Forms of Leishmania amazonensis.

PURPOSE: The treatment of leishmaniasis, an anthropozoonosis caused by Leishmania protozoa, is limited by factors, such as adverse effects, toxicity, and excessive cost, which has highlighted the importance of novel drugs. In this context, natural products have been considered as sources of antileishmanial agents. This study investigated the leishmanicidal activity of Microgramma vacciniifolia frond lectin (MvFL) on promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis. METHODS: The effects of MvFL on promastigote proliferation and macrophage infection by amastigotes were evaluated and mean inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were calculated. As a safety assessment, the hemolytic capacity of MvFL (6.25-200 µg/mL) against mouse and human erythrocytes was determined. Additionally, the ability of MvFL (6.25-100 µg/mL) to modulate lysosomal and phagocytic activities and the nitric oxide (NO) production by murine peritoneal macrophages was also investigated. RESULTS: After 24 h, MvFL inhibited the proliferation of L. amazonensis promastigotes, with an IC50 of 88 µg/mL; however, hemolytic activity was not observed. MvFL also reduced macrophage infection by amastigotes with an IC50 of 52 µg/mL. Furthermore, treatment with MvFL reduced the number of amastigotes internalized by infected murine peritoneal macrophages by up to 68.9% within 48 h. At a concentration of 25 µg/mL, MvFL stimulated lysosomal activity of macrophages within 72 h, but did not alter phagocytic activity or induce NO production at any of the tested concentrations. CONCLUSION: MvFL exerts antileishmanial activity and further studies are needed to assess its therapeutic potential in in vivo experimental models of leishmaniasis.

Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Neem Oil to the Endoparasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae).

Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare and LaSalle 1993 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and neem oil are two control alternatives for the integrated management of defoliating lepidopterans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute and chronic toxicity of neem oil compared to the synthetic insecticide deltamethrin, on the endoparasitoid P. elaeisis, in generations F0, F1, F2, and F3. Females of P. elaeisis were exposed to neem solutions at concentrations of 0, 1.87, 3.75, 7.50, 15.00, 30.00, and 60.00 mg ml-1, to determine the dose-response relationship and estimate the neem LC50. The sublethal effects on the parasitoid P. elaeisis in generations F0 to F3 were evaluated with these same concentrations of neem and 0.033 mg ml-1 of deltamethrin. The neem LC50 was estimated at 3.92 mg ml-1. The LC50 for P. elaeisis is 3.83 times lower than that recommended by the neem manufacturer for pest control, demonstrating high acute toxicity to this natural enemy. The chronic toxicity of both the commercial dose and those below it to P. elaeisis caused low sublethal effects. The correct concentration of neem oil in pest control is important, and its use should be performed with caution in integrated pest management programs using the endoparasitoid P. elaeisis to avoid causing interference between the two pest control techniques.

Effects of respiratory physiotherapy interventions on pulmonary mechanics of newborns: a protocol for a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Although respiratory physiotherapy techniques may reduce respiratory load in newborns, manual contact with the ribcage may interfere with pulmonary mechanics. Therefore, this systematic review aims to evaluate the effects of conventional and non-conventional respiratory physiotherapies on pulmonary mechanics of newborns. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Central and Web of Science databases. Searches will be conducted from September 2022. We will include randomised clinical trials reporting thoracoabdominal synchrony, lung volumes and capacities, respiratory discomfort and pain in newborns aged between 1 hour and 28 days and admitted to neonatal intensive care units. We will exclude studies not fully available or incomplete and studies conducted with newborns presenting structural alterations. Two independent researchers will perform the study selection, data extraction and quality assessment. After consensus, one reviewer will proceed with the process. We will include studies published in English or Portuguese, without publication date restriction. An overview of the included studies and extracted information will be reported and the quality of studies will be assessed. A meta-analysis will be conducted if data regarding between-group comparisons are available. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval is not required for this systematic review. Results will be presented in journals and national and international conferences, and findings will be shared on social media using accessible language. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021266729.

Food and Nutrition Surveillance System: temporal trend of coverage and nutritional status of adults registered on the system, Brazil, 2008-2019. / Sistema de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional: tendência temporal da cobertura e estado nutricional de adultos registrados, 2008-2019.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the temporal trend of Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SISVAN) coverage and nutritional status of adults undergoing follow-up in the Brazilian Primary Health Care, 2008-2019. METHODS: This was an ecological time series study using data on Brazilian macro-regions. The annual percent change in the classification of nutritional status and total coverage was estimated using the Prais-Winsten regression model. RESULTS: A total of 115,034,534 records were identified in the period. Coverage increased from 5.0% in 2008 to 10.6% in 2019, with an annual change of 8.4%, 95% confidence interval (95%CI 6.7;10.0). Obesity and overweight showed a rising trend between 2008 and 2019, with an annual change of 6.4% (95%CI 5.3;7.3) and (1.8%; 95%CI 1.2;2.5) respectively, while underweight (-7.0%; 95%CI -8.0;-6.1) and eutrophy (-3.8%; 95%CI -4.1;-3.4) decreased in the period. CONCLUSION: There was an improvement in SISVAN coverage, with an increase in overweight and obesity among the population studied.

Heterofucan from Sargassum filipendula induces apoptosis in HeLa cells.

Fucan is a term used to denominate a family of sulfated polysaccharides rich in sulfated l-fucose. Heterofucan SF-1.5v was extracted from the brown seaweed Sargassum filipendula by proteolytic digestion followed by sequential acetone precipitation. This fucan showed antiproliferative activity on Hela cells and induced apoptosis. However, SF-1.5v was not able to activate caspases. Moreover, SF-1.5v induced glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) activation, but this protein is not involved in the heterofucan SF-1.5v induced apoptosis mechanism. In addition, ERK, p38, p53, pAKT and NFκB were not affected by the presence of SF-1.5v. We determined that SF-1.5v induces apoptosis in HeLa mainly by mitochondrial release of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) into cytosol. In addition, SF-1.5v decreases the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and increased expression of apoptogenic protein Bax. These results are significant in that they provide a mechanistic framework for further exploring the use of SF-1.5v as a novel chemotherapeutics against human cervical cancer.

Update on Cervical Hernia Treatment: Conservative Management and Indications of Different Surgical Techniques.

Cervical and root pain due to herniated disc is one a common cause of a visit to an orthopedic surgeon. It is important to know how to diagnose, treat and initially. What are the best options to treat a herniated disc nowadays? The present article reviews the literature and updates on the clinical and surgical treatment of cervical disc herniation.

Quantification of Global DNA Methylation in Canine Mammary Gland Tumors via Immunostaining of 5-Methylcytosine: Histopathological and Clinical Correlations.

Mammary tumors are the most prevalent neoplasms in non-neutered female dogs, with genetic and epigenetic alterations contributing to canine mammary carcinogenesis. This study quantified global DNA methylation in 5-methylcytosine (5mC)-immunostained canine mammary tumor samples and established histopathological and clinical correlations. A total of 91 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded mammary tumor samples from female dogs were retrospectively selected and subjected to immunohistochemistry using an anti-5mC mouse monoclonal antibody. We evaluated 5mC+ stained nuclei of neoplastic epithelial cells in canine mammary glands to obtain semiquantitative histoscores based on staining intensity. Survival rates were estimated based on owners' or veterinary records. Histological samples comprised 28 and 63 benign and malignant canine mammary gland tumors, respectively. Results revealed significant differences between global DNA methylation patterns when mammary samples were categorized as benign or malignant (p = 0.024), with hypomethylated patterns more prevalent in malignant tumors and those with higher relapse behavior (p = 0.011). Of note, large diameter (>5 cm) tumors revealed a lower methylation pattern (p = 0.028). Additionally, we found non-statistically significant differences when tumors were grouped by histopathological characteristics, clinical parameters, or survival. These findings propose global DNA methylation assessment as a promising tool for detecting canine mammary tumors with relapse propensity.