Molecular analysis of the prevalence of Acinetobacter baumannii in hospitals and the surrounding environments: a cross-sectional study

Acinetobacter baumannii is widely recognized in clinical environments due to its infectious capacity, antimicrobial adaptability, and lethality. Analyzing the prevalence of this agent in intra- and extra-hospital environments may reveal target indicators for appropriate management interventions. In this observational cross-sectional study, we evaluated the prevalence of A. baumannii within hospitals with intensive care units and in their external surroundings in a macro-health region of Brazil. Samples of Columba livia (pigeon) droppings from the external environment of four hospitals (n = 40), from floor surfaces (n = 20), and door handles (n = 20) of different hospital wards were collected based on random sampling, all of which were evaluated for the presence of A. baumannii using polymerase chain reactions (PCR). The sensitivity and specificity of the technique was verified after the collected samples were contaminated with clinical samples positive for A. baumannii. We detected a significantly higher A. baumannii prevalence (87.50%, CI = 71.29­100.00) in samples collected within the hospital environment compared with those obtained from the external environment (12.50%, CI = 0.00­28. 71) (p = 0.003). In addition, samples collected from floor surfaces contained bacterial densities (181.3 ± 11.58) that exceeded those in environmental (93.32 ± 1.56) and door handle (142.70 ± 17.14) samples by 94% and 78.71%, respectively. The findings of this study will enhance our understanding of the spatial distribution of A. baumannii and additionally, validate the efficiency of PCR for diagnosis of this infectious agent.

Rheumatoid arthritis-increased gene expressions in muscle atrophy are restored back to control as a response to acute resistance exercise / Estímulo agudo de musculação promove regulação de genes alterados pela atrofi a muscular

This study had as objective to analyze the acute eff ects of resistance exercise (RE) on the mRNA levels of the following genes (MyoD, myogenin, IGF-1, atrogin-1, MuRF-1, and myostatin) in rheumatoid arthritis (experimental arthritis). Therefore, 26 females rats were randomly allocated into four groups, control (CT, n=7), exercise (Ex, n=6), rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n=6) and RA with exercise (RAEx, n=7). Met-BSA was injected into the tibiotarsal joint in the RA and RAEx groups. After 15 days from injection, the animals were submitted to an acute bout of RE and six hours post protocol the animals were euthanized. We evaluated the joint thickness, infl ammation score, cross-sectional area (CSA) of gastrocnemius muscle fi bers and mRNA expression of the IGF-1, MyoD, myogenin, myostatin, MuRF-1, atrogin-1 and GAPDH. It was observed that the joint thickness and score strongly increased in arthritic rats (p <0.001) while the CSA decreased (p ≤ 0.05). Increased mRNA levels of IGF-1 (2.0 fold), myostatin (4.5 fold), atrogin-1 (2.5 fold), MyoD (3.7-fold) and myogenin (5 fold) were observed in muscle of arthritic rats. The mRNA expression of myostatin, atrogin-1, MyoD and myogenin decreased in the RAEx group. In this way, we can conclude that experimental arthritis-increased gene expressions in muscle atrophy myostatin, atrogin-1, MyoD and myogenin) are restored back to control as a response to acute RE....(AU)

O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar o efeito agudo do Exercício com pesos sobre os níves de mRNA de genes envolvidos no anabolismo ou catabolismo muscular em um modelo experimental de Artrite Reumatóide. Para tanto, 26 ratas fêmeas foram randomicamente alocadas em quatro grupos, controle (CT, n=7), Exercício (Ex, n=6), Artrite Reumatóide (AR, n=6) e Artrite Reumatóide com exercício (AREx, n=7). Uma substância contendo Albumina bovina metilada foi injetada na articulação tíbio-tarsal nos grupos AR e AREx para indução da Artrite Reumatóide. Após 15 dias da injeção, os animais foram submetidos a um estímulo agudo de treinamento com pesos e 6 horas após o exercício os animais foram eutanasiados. Nós avaliamos a espessura da articulação, escore de infl amação, a área de secção transversa (AST) das fi bras do músculo Gastrocnêmio e a mRNA de IGF-1, MyoD, Myogenina (genes envolvidos no anabolismo muscular), e MuRF-1, atrogina-1 (genes envolvidos no catabolismo muscular), além do gene controle , GAPDH. Foi observado que a espessura articular e o escore de infl amação aumentaram fortemente nas ratas induzidas a Artrite Reumatóide (p <0,001), enquanto a AST reduziu (p ≤ 0,05). Um aumento nos níveis de mRNA de IGF-1 (2,0 vezes), miostatina (4,5 vezes), atrogina-1 (2,5 vezes), MyoD (3,7 vezes) e miogenina (5 vezes) foi observado no músculo das ratas induzidas a Artrite Reumatóide. mRNA de miostatina, atrogina-1, MyoD e miogenina reduziu no grupo RAEx. Desta forma, podemos concluir, que o modelo experimental de Artrite Reumatóide induziu um aumento da expressão de genes durante a atrofi a muscular (myostatin, atrogin-1, MyoD and myogenin) e que estas alterações foram reguladas pelo Exercício com peso....(AU)

Efecto del zinc aminoquelado y el sulfato de zinc en la incidencia de la infección respiratoria y la diarrea en niños preescolares de centros infantiles / Effect of zinc amino acid chelate and zinc sulfate in the incidence of respiratory infection and diarrhea among preschool children in child daycare centers

Introducción. El déficit de zinc es común en niños de poblaciones en desarrollo. La deficiencia de zinc altera el sistema inmunológico y la resistencia a las infecciones. Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto de dos compuestos de zinc en la prevención de la infección respiratoria y la diarrea agudas. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un ensayo comunitario triple ciego en 301 niños entre dos y cinco años de edad de centros infantiles de Medellín. Fueron seis conglomerados distribuidos aleatoriamente en tres grupos de intervención que recibieron zinc aminoquelado, sulfato de zinc y placebo durante cinco días de la semana a lo largo de 16 semanas. Se evaluaron diariamente los síntomas de infección respiratoria, diarrea aguda y efectos secundarios. Resultados. La incidencia de la infección respiratoria fue menor con el zinc aminoquelado (1,42 por 1.000 días-niño) comparado con el sulfato de zinc (1,57 por 1.000 días-niño) (RR=0,90, IC 95% : 0,382 a 2,153 , p=0,999) y con el placebo (3,3 por 1.000 días-niño) ( RR=0,43, IC 95% : 0,196 a 0,950 , p=0,049). La incidencia de diarrea aguda con el zinc aminoquelado (0,15 por 1.000 días-niño) fue menor que con el sulfato de zinc (1,18 0,78 por 1.000 días-niño) (RR=0,20, IC 95% : 0,0043 a 1,662, p=0,361) y que la del grupo placebo (0,49 por 1.000 días-niño) (RR=0,32, IC 95% : 0,006 a 3,990 , p=0,346). Conclusiones. El zinc aminoquelado tuvo mejor efecto en la disminución de la incidencia de la infección respiratoria y la diarrea agudas en niños preescolares comparado con los otros grupos de estudio.

Introduction: Zinc deficiency is common in children among populations in developing areas. Zinc deficiency alters the immune system and the resistance to infections. Objective: To evaluate the effect of two zinc compounds in the prevention of acute respiratory infection and acute diarrhea. Materials and methods: Randomized triple-blind community trial with 301 children between 2-5 years of age from six child daycare centers in Medellin, Colombia. Children were distributed in three groups receiving zinc amino acid chelate, zinc sulfate and placebo five days a week for 16 weeks. Daily symptoms of respiratory infection, acute diarrhea and side effects were evaluated. Results: The incidence of respiratory infection was lower with zinc amino acid chelate (1.42 per 1,000 child-days) compared with placebo (3.3 per 1,000 child-days) (RR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.196 to 0.950, p=0.049) and with zinc sulfate (1.57 per 1,000 child-days) (RR=0.90, 95% CI 0.382 to 2.153, p=0.999). The incidence of acute diarrhea with zinc amino acid chelate (0.15 per 1,000 child-days) was lower than with placebo (0.49 per 1,000 child-days) (RR=0.32, 95% CI 0.006 to 3.990, p=0.346) and with zinc sulfate (0.78 per 1,000 child-days) (RR=0.20, 95% CI: 0.0043 to 1.662, p=0.361). Conclusions: Zinc amino acid chelate had a better effect in reducing the incidence of acute respiratory infection and acute diarrhea in preschool children when compared with the other groups.

Eficacia del hierro aminoquelado en comparación con el sulfato ferroso como fortificante de un complemento alimentario en preescolares con deficiencia de hierro, Medellín, 2011 / Effectiveness of iron amino acid chelate versus ferrous sulfate as part of a food complement in preschool children with iron deficiency, Medellín, 2011

Introducción. La disminución de los depósitos de hierro constituye el primer eslabón de la cadena conducente a la deficiencia de hierro, la carencia nutricional más prevalente y principal causa de anemia en todo el mundo, situación que puede prevenirse mediante la fortificación de alimentos. Objetivo. Comparar la eficacia del hierro aminoquelado con el sulfato ferroso como fortificante de un complemento alimentario en preescolares con deficiencia de hierro. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un ensayo clínico triple ciego con distribución aleatoria de grupos. Se analizaron 56 preescolares con deficiencia de hierro (ferritina menor de 24 ng/ml) a los que se les dio diariamente 13 g de leche con 12,5 mg de hierro,. Después de dos meses se midieron los niveles de hemoglobina, hematocrito y ferritina sérica. Resultados. En el grupo con sulfato ferroso la concentración de ferritina sérica aumentó de 18,8 a 24,1 ng/ml, mientras que dicha variación fue de 18,4 a 29,7 ng/ml con el hierro aminoquelado, en ambos casos con diferencias significativas. El nivel de ferritina final difirió según el grupo de estudio, siendo mayor en el grupo con hierro aminoquelado (p=0,022). La hemoglobina y el hematocrito no variaron después de la intervención. Las reacciones adversas en el grupo con sulfato ferroso fueron de 35,7 %, en contraste con el 42,9 % en el grupo con hierro aminoquelado; cinco niños presentaron infección de las vías respiratorias, sin diferencias estadísticas. Conclusiones. Los dos compuestos aumentan los niveles de ferritina, siendo mayor el aumento entre quienes toman leche con hierro aminoquelado. No fue diferente la incidencia de reacciones adversas o de infecciones entre los grupos.

Introduction: Iron depleted deposits are the first link in the chain of events leading to iron deficiency which is the most prevalent nutritional shortage and main cause of anemia worldwide. This situation can be prevented through food fortification. Objective: To compare the efficacy of amino acid chelate iron with ferrous sulfate as fortifier of a dietary complement in preschoolers with iron deficiency. Materials and methods: This study was a blinded clinical trial with randomized groups. We analyzed 56 preschoolers with iron deficiency (ferritin < 24 ng/ml) that received 13 g of milk with 12.5 mg of iron, either amino acid chelate or in the ferrous sulfate form. After two months, hemoglobin, hematocrit and serum ferritin concentrations were measured. Results: In the ferrous sulfate group, ferritin concentration increased from 18.8 ng/ml to 24.1 ng/ml, while the variation was of 18.4 ng/ml to 29.7 ng/ml in the amino acid chelate group, with statistically differences in both cases. Serum ferritin was different between groups, being higher in iron amino acid chelate group (p=0.022). Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels did not change after the intervention. Adverse reactions in the ferrous sulfate group were 35.7%, compared with 42.9% in the iron amino acid chelate group; 5 children had respiratory tract infection, without statistical differences. Conclusions: Both compounds increased serum ferritin concentration, with a higher increase in those who were given milk with iron amino acid chelate. There were no differences in the adverse reactions and infections incidences between the groups.

15d-PGJ2 modulates acute immune responses to Trypanosoma cruzi infection

The acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection is associated with a strong inflammatory reaction in the heart characterised by a massive infiltration of immune cells that is dependent on the T. cruzi strain and the host response. 15d-PGJ2 belongs to a new class of anti-inflammatory compounds with possible clinical applications. We evaluated the effects of 15d-PGJ2 administered during the acute phase of T. cruzi infection in mice. Mice were infected with the Colombian strain of T. cruzi and subsequently treated with 15d-PGJ2 repeatedly for seven days. The inflammatory infiltrate was examined by histologic analysis. Slides were immunohistochemically stained to count the number and the relative size of parasite nests. Infection-induced changes in serum cytokine levels were measured by ELISA. The results demonstrated that treatment with 15d-PGJ2 reduced the inflammatory infiltrate in the skeletal muscle at the site of infection and decreased the number of lymphocytes and neutrophils in the blood. In addition, we found that 15d-PGJ2 led to a decrease in the relative volume density of amastigote nests in cardiac muscle. T. cruzi-infected animals treated with 15d-PGJ2 displayed a statistically significant increase in IL-10 levels with no change in IFN-ã levels. Taken together, we demonstrate that treatment with 15d-PGJ2 in the acute phase of Chagas disease led to a controlled immune response with decreased numbers of amastigote nests, as measured by the volume density.

Hábitos alimentarios de la mayupa (sternopygus macrurus bloch & schneider, 1801) en el río Sinú, Colombia / Feeding habits of mayupa (sternopygus macrurus bloch & schneider, 1801) in the Sinu river, Colombia

Objetivo. Estudiar los hábitos alimentarios de la Mayupa (Sternopygus macrurus Bloch & Schneider, 1801) en el río Sinú, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. El contenido estomacal se evaluó con el coeficiente de vacuidad, grado de llenado, grado de digestión, frecuencia de ocurrencia, frecuencia numérica, gravimetría, indice de importancia relativa (IIR) y la relación longitud intestinal (LI)-longitud total (LT). Resultados. Solo pocos estómagos se encontraron vacíos (CV =6.9%) y el 60.0% de las presas se encontraron frescas. Se identificaron cuatro ítems alimentarios: peces, crustáceos, material vegetal y otros. Peces fue el ítem más frecuente (76.9%), abundante (48.3%), con mayor composición por peso (81.9%) y con mayor importancia relativa (63.2%). Conclusiones. Los resultados obtenidospermiten inferir que la Mayupa es un pez de hábitos alimentarios carnívoros, con preferencia por los peces.

Papel do óxido nítrico no desenvolvimento de lesões cardíacas na fase aguda da infecção experimental pelo Trypanosoma cruzi / Role of nitric oxide in the development of cardiac lesions during the acute phase of experimental infection by Trypanosoma cruzi

A doença de Chagas é causada pelo Trypanosoma cruzi e o coração é o órgão mais acometido. O óxido nítrico apresenta importante ação anti-Trypanosoma, porém, com pouca evidência de seu papel no mecanismo de lesão tecidual. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a contribuição do óxido nítrico no desenvolvimento da inflamação e da fibrose cardíaca na fase aguda da infecção experimental por cepas Y e Colombiana do Trypanosoma cruzi. A inflamação foi significativamente maior nos animais infectados pela cepa Colombiana, comparada com os infectados com a cepa Y, tanto nos animais C57BL/6 (3,98x1,87 por cento; p=0,004) quanto nos animais C57BL/6 deficientes na sintase do óxido nítrico induzível (3,99x2,4 por cento; p=0,013). O parasitismo cardíaco dos animais C57BL/6 deficientes na sintase do óxido nítrico induzível infectados pela cepa Colombiana foi significativamente maior que o destes mesmos animais infectados com a cepa Y (2,78x0,17 ninhos/mm²; p=0,004) assim como, os animais C57BL/6 infectados com a cepa Colombiana (2,78x1,33 ninhos/mm²; p=0,006) ou cepa Y (2,78x0,53 ninhos/mm²; p=0,005). Os dados reforçam o papel do óxido nítrico no controle do parasitismo e sugerem seu papel na proteção tecidual, controlando a inflamação e potencialmente diminuindo lesões cardíacas durante a fase aguda na doença de Chagas experimental.

Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and the heart is the organ most affected. Nitric oxide has notable anti-Trypanosoma action, but with little evidence regarding its role in the mechanism for tissue injury. The objective of this study was to analyze the contribution of nitric oxide towards the development of inflammation and cardiac fibrosis during the acute phase of experimental infection by Y and Colombian strains of Trypanosoma cruzi. The inflammation was significantly more intense in animals infected with the Colombian strain, compared with those infected with the Y strain, both in C57BL/6 animals (3.98 vs 1.87 percent; p = 0.004) and in C57BL/6 animals deficient in inducible nitric oxide synthase (3.99 vs 2.4 percent; p = 0.013). The cardiac parasite load in inducible nitric oxide synthase-deficient C57BL/6 animals infected with the Colombian strain was significantly greater than in those infected with the Y strain (2.78 vs. 0.17 nests/mm²; p = 0.004), and also significantly greater than in the C57BL/6 infected with both the Colombian strain (2.78 vs 1.33 nests/mm²; p = 0.006) and Y strains (2.78 vs 0.53 nests/mm²; p = 0.005). The data confirm that nitric oxide has a role in parasite load control and suggest that it has a role in tissue protection, through controlling inflammation and potentially reducing cardiac lesions during the acute phase of Chagas disease.

Valores de referência de parâmetros bioquímicos no sangue de duas linhagens de camundongos / Reference values for blood-based biochemical parameters in BALB/C and C57BL/6 wild-type mice

INTRODUÇÃO: Conhecer os parâmetros bioquímicos individuais de animais de laboratório utilizados na experimentação é importante, pois eles servirão como parâmetros para avaliar alterações funcionais em órgãos e como base para estabelecer valores de referência. OBJETIVO:Estabelecer valores de referência bioquímicos do sangue em camundongos das linhagens BALB/c e C57BL/6 selvagens do Biotério da Disciplina de Biologia Celular da Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM). Materiais e métodos: Foram utilizados 30 camundongos (BALB/c e C57BL/6 selvagem). Os exames realizados foram glicose, triglicérides, colesterol, proteínas totais, albumina, amilase, ácido úrico, uréia, fosfatase alcalina (kits Wiener), e as determinações foram realizadas no equipamento BIOPLUS-2000. RESULTADOS:Entre os nove analitos observou-se que quatro (albumina, glicose, proteínas totais e colesterol) apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre as linhagens. Padronizamos como valores de referência para os camundongos os valores do intervalo de confiança (IC). Nos analitos em que houve diferença significativa entre as linhagens (p < 0,05) adotamos os valores do IC de cada linhagem; para os que não apresentaram diferenças foram utilizados os valores mínimos e máximos do IC entre as duas linhagens. CONCLUSÃO:Ao final da análise, acreditamos que os resultados obtidos sugerem a padronização de intervalos de referência próprios de cada biotério, pois refletem a condição da população para os quais os testes serão aplicados no dia-a-dia.

INTRODUCTION: Identifying individual biochemical parameters of laboratory animal species is important inasmuch as they may be used in the evaluation of functional changes in organs and in the establishment of reference values. OBJECTIVE: To establish biochemical reference values for blood tests in BALB/c and C57BL/6 wild-type mice from the Vivarium of the Department of Cellular Biology at the Federal University of "Triângulo Mineiro". MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty wild-type mice of the lineages BALB/c and C57BL/6 were used to evaluate the serum levels of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, amylase, uric acid, urea and alkaline phosphatase. The determinations were performed in a BIOPLUS-2000 analyzer. Results: Four out of the nine analytes (albumin, glucose, total proteins and cholesterol) showed significant statistical differences between the strains. Confidence interval (CI) values were standardized as reference values. In those analytes in which there was significant difference between strains (p < 0.05), confidence interval values of each lineage were adopted, whereas in those ones in which there were no differences, the minimum and maximum values of confidence interval from both lineages were applied. CONCLUSION: The results show the need for reference interval standardization of each Vivarium inasmuch as it reflects the conditions of the population in which the tests will be routinely performed.

Morphometric study of the fibrosis and mast cell count in the circular colon musculature of chronic Chagas patients with and without megacolon

A morphometric study of the circular colon musculature was performed, in which the mast cell count was determined and the connective fibrous tissue in this layer was measured. The objective was to gain better understanding of Chagas megacolon morphology and contribute towards the knowledge of fibrosis pathogenesis in Chagas megas. An evaluation was made of 15 distal sigmoid rings from Chagas patients with megacolon (MCC), 15 without megacolon (CSMC) and 15 non-Chagas patients (NC). The rings were fixed in formol, embedded in paraffin, and 7mm thick sections were cut and stained using Azan-Heidenhain and Giemsa. The mast cell count and fibrosis were greater in the MCC group than in the CSMC and NC groups (p < 0.05; Kruskal-Wallis test) and there was no significant difference between the latter two. The fibrosis and increased mast cell count in the colon musculature of the MCC group possibly indicates that there is a relationship between mastocytosis and fibrosis, as has already been demonstrated in other pathologies