Development of optical and electrochemical immunodevices for dengue virus detection.

Dengue virus (DENV) is the most prevalent global arbovirus, exhibiting a high worldwide incidence with intensified severity of symptoms and alarming mortality rates. Faced with the limitations of diagnostic methods, an optical and electrochemical biosystem was developed for the detection of DENV genotypes 1 and 2, using cysteine (Cys), cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots, and anti-DENV antibodies. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to characterize the immunosensor. The AFM and SPR results demonstrated discernible topographic and angular changes confirming the biomolecular recognition. Different concentrations of DENV-1 and DENV-2 were evaluated (0.05 × 106 to 2.0 × 106 PFU mL-1), resulting in a maximum anodic shift (ΔI%) of 263.67% ± 12.54 for DENV-1 and 63.36% ± 3.68 for DENV-2. The detection strategies exhibited a linear response to the increase in viral concentration. Excellent linear correlations, with R2 values of 0.95391 for DENV-1 and 0.97773 for DENV-2, were obtained across a broad concentration range. Data analysis demonstrated high reproducibility, displaying relative standard deviation values of 3.42% and 3.62% for Cys-CdTe-antibodyDENV-1-BSA and Cys-CdTe-antibodyDENV-2-BSA systems. The detection limits were 0.34 × 106 PFU mL-1 and 0.02 × 106 PFU mL-1, while the quantification limits were set at 1.49 × 106 PFU mL-1 and 0.06 × 106 PFU mL-1 for DENV-1 and DENV-2, respectively. Therefore, the biosensing apparatus demonstrates analytical effectiveness in viral screening and can be considered an innovative solution for early dengue diagnosis, contributing to global public health.

Implementation and evaluation of a remote geriatric assessment and intervention program in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a remote geriatric assessment (GA) and implementation (GAIN) program in Brazil. The authors also explored the effect of this program on health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) outcomes 3 months after initiating treatment. METHODS: This is a longitudinal study enrolling older adults (65+ years), diagnosed with any type of solid tumor, scheduled to initiate chemotherapy in a networked Brazilian cancer center. The GA was performed through telehealth. We assessed the feasibility of the remote GA, acceptability to patients, and changes in patient-centered outcomes (HR-QOL, mood, function) from baseline to month 3. Linear mixed model analysis was done, adjusting for age, gender, race, income, and disease stage. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients completed all intended assessments. Notably, the threshold of feasibility was 70% and there was 92% complete adherence. Average age was 76 years old (SD = 7.2). Most patients were female (57%), married (59%), and had a college degree (46%). The most common diagnoses were gastrointestinal (39%) and gynecological cancers (18%); most were diagnosed at an advance disease stage (77%). A total of 32 patients were referred to a remote appointment and 86% followed this recommendation(s). Significant improvement in Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General FACT-G (mean difference, 6.04; p < .001), Geriatric Depression Scale (mean difference, -0.86; p = .008), and instrumental activities of daily living ratio (mean difference, 0.17; p < .001) were found. CONCLUSION: Remote GAIN is feasible and acceptable to older adults with cancer receiving treatment in Brazil. The authors also found significant improvement in HR-QOL outcomes over time. Notably, this GAIN program could guide early detection of chemotherapy toxicity and improving patient-reported outcomes in low-resource environments.

Immobilization of fibrinolytic protease from Mucor subtilissimus UCP 1262 in magnetic nanoparticles.

This work reports the immobilization of a fibrinolytic protease (FP) from Mucor subtilissimus UCP 1262 on Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) produced by precipitation of FeCl3·6H2O and FeCl2·4H2O, coated with polyaniline and activated with glutaraldehyde. The FP was obtained by solid state fermentation, precipitated with 40-60% ammonium sulfate, and purified by DEAE-Sephadex A50 ion exchange chromatography. The FP immobilization procedure allowed for an enzyme retention of 52.13%. The fibrinolytic protease immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs/FP) maintained more than 60% of activity at a temperature of 40 to 60 °C and at pH 7 to 10, when compared to the non-immobilized enzyme. MNPs and MNPs/FP did not show any cytotoxicity against HEK-293 and J774A.1 cells. MNPs/FP was not hemolytic and reduced the hemolysis induced by MNPs from 2.07% to 1.37%. Thrombus degradation by MNPs/FP demonstrated that the immobilization process guaranteed the thrombolytic activity of the enzyme. MNPs/FP showed a total degradation of the γ chain of human fibrinogen within 90 min. These results suggest that MNPs/FP may be used as an alternative strategy to treat cardiovascular diseases with a targeted release through an external magnetic field.

Purification and characterization of fibrinolytic protease from Streptomyces parvulus by polyethylene glycol-phosphate aqueous two-phase system.

Fibrinolytic proteases are a promising alternative in the pharmaceutical industry, they are used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, especially thrombosis. Microorganisms are the most interesting source of fibrinolytic proteases. The aim of this study was the production of fibrinolytic protease from Streptomyces parvulus DPUA 1573, the recovery of the protease by aqueous two-phase system and partial biochemical characterization of the enzyme. The aqueous two-phase system was performed according to a 24-full factorial design using polyethylene glycol molar mass, polyethylene glycol concentration, citrate concentration and pH as independent variables. It was analyzed the effect of different ions, surfactants, inhibitors, pH and temperature on enzyme activity. The best conditions for purifying the enzyme were 17.5% polyethylene glycol 8,000, 15% Phosphate and pH 8.0, it was obtained a partition coefficient of 7.33, a yield of 57.49% and a purification factor of 2.10-fold. There was an increase in enzyme activity in the presence of Fe2+ and a decrease in the presence of $\beta$-Mercaptoethanol, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and Iodoacetic acid. The optimum pH was 7.0 and the optimum temperature was 40 ºC. The purified protease exhibited a molecular mass of 41 kDa. The fibrinolytic protease from Streptomyces parvulus proved to be a viable option for the development of a possible drug with fibrinolytic action.

We report performance status in oncology-but not nutritional status?

Performance status (PS) scales are used routinely in clinical oncology to evaluate functional status and help direct treatment decisions. PS is also used to determine research protocol eligibility, indicate treatment response, and evaluate toxicity in oncology clinical trials. Malnutrition (like poor PS) is associated with adverse outcomes such as lower tolerance to anti-tumor treatment, poor quality of life, and decreased survival. Nutritional status is therefore arguably as important as PS for cancer outcomes. Despite well-documented adverse consequences for patients, malnutrition also often goes undiagnosed until severe depletion is evident. If the predictive importance of nutritional status is comparable to PS, why is nutritional status not routinely used along with PS to guide treatment decisions? There is compelling evidence to support the predictive abilities of both PS and nutritional status in cancer outcomes and treatment decision-making. Perhaps, PS may be a proxy for nutritional status. Nutritional status might also serve as an effective tool for patient selection and stratification in oncology trials. Together with PS, it might provide important and distinct prognostic information; we propose both should be routinely included in outcome studies. The extent to which impaired PS may be a surrogate for malnutrition warrants investigation. Given its comparable importance to PS, it is inexcusable that nutritional status is not given the prominence it deserves as a key patient-reported outcome.

Efeito da soja e sorgo no índice glicêmico, na ingestão alimentar e na palatabilidade do suco de melancia em adultos saudáveis / Effect of soy flour and sorghum in the glycemic index, food intake and palatability of watermelon juice in healthy adults

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da adição de farinhas de soja e sorgo no índice glicêmico (IG) e na palatabilidade do suco de melancia e determinar seu impacto sobre a ingestão calórica, em adultos saudáveis. Foi um estudo em crossover e randomizado, envolvendo a participação de 25 adultos saudáveis, de ambos os gêneros. Após jejum noturno de 10-12h, os participantes compareceram ao laboratório e fizeram a ingestão de uma das seguintes bebidas: suco de melancia puro, suco de melancia com farinha de soja e suco de melancia com farinha de sorgo. Cada bebida testada continha 25g de carboidrato disponível. Do total de voluntários, 10 participaram dos testes de determinação do IG das bebidas testadas. A palatabilidade das bebidas foi avaliada, utilizando uma escala hedônica de nove pontos. A ingestão calórica habitual e aquela nos dias de testes foram avaliadas por meio de registro alimentar. O suco de melancia adicionado de soja apresentou IG significativamente menor (IG = 13 ± 4) do que os valores de IG apresentados pelos sucos de melancia puro (IG = 32 ± 4) e de melancia adicionado de farinha de sorgo (IG = 49 ± 8). Entretanto, o suco de melancia adicionado de soja foi considerado menos palatável que os demais. A ingestão calórica não foi afetada pelas bebidas testadas. Concluiu-se que a adição de soja em outras preparações de consumo habitual pode contribuir para a redução do IG das mesmas.

Ocorrência de cárie dentária e fatores associados em crianças de 24 a 60 meses residentes em áreas cobertas pelo Programa Saúde da Família, em Salvador - BA, 2008 / Occurrence of dental caries and associated factors in children from 24 to 60 months living in areas covered by the Family Health Program, Salvador - BA, 2008

Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência, a gravidade e os fatores do contexto familiar associados à cárie dentária em crianças pré-escolares, em áreas do Programa Saúde da Família de Salvador - BA. Metodologia: Estudo de corte transversal, realizado em cinco áreas cobertas pelo Programa Saúde da Família, de julho a outubro de 2008, com crianças de 24 a 60 meses de idade. A coleta foi realizada através de entrevista com as mães e exame bucal dos respectivos filhos. Análises descritivas exploratórias de potenciais fatores associados à cárie foram realizadas. Resultado: Das 472 crianças examinadas, 52% pertenciam ao gênero feminino. A prevalência de cárie foi 38,02%, sendo o ceo-d igual a 1,15. Características socioeconômicas e comportamentais apresentaram associação estatisticamente significante com a cárie (p < 0,05). Nenhuma das alterações psicossociais maternas associou-se com a cárie (p > 0,05). Conclusão: A ocorrência da cárie dentária é frequente em crianças de pouca idade em Salvador e relaciona-se ao modo de vida da família.

Objective: To determine the prevalence, severity and family environmental factors associated with dental caries in preschool children in areas covered by the Family Health Program in Salvador - BA. Methodology: A cross-sectional study in five areas covered by the Family Health Program, carried out from July to October 2008 with children from 24 to 60 months of age. Data were collected through interviews with mothers and oral examination of their children. Descriptive exploratory analysis of potential factors associated with caries were carried out. Result: Of 472 children examined, 52% were female. The prevalence of caries was 38.02% and dmf-t was 1.15. The socioeconomic and behavioral characteristics of the family had a statistically significant association with caries (p < 0.05). None of the maternal psychosocial alterations associated with caries (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The occurrence of dental caries is still frequent in young children in Salvador, and it?s related to the family way of life.