ABSTRACT
Co-infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, present in 20% in Latin America, is a public health problem due to a lack of adequate diagnosis. These microorganisms are capable of forming biofilms, mainly in immunocompromised patients, which can lead to death due to the lack of effective treatment for both diseases. The present research aims to show for the first time the formation of mixed biofilms of M. tuberculosis and P. brasiliensis (Pb18) in vitro, as well as to evaluate the action of 3'hydroxychalcone (3'chalc) -loaded nanoemulsion (NE) (NE3'chalc) against monospecies and mixed biofilms, the formation of mixed biofilms of M. tuberculosis H37Rv (ATCC 27294), 40Rv (clinical strains) and P. brasiliensis (Pb18) (ATCC 32069), and the first condition of formation (H37Rv +Pb18) and (40Rv + Pb18) and second condition of formation (Pb18 + H37Rv) with 45 days of total formation time under both conditions. The results of mixed biofilms (H37Rv + Pb18) and (40Rv + Pb18), showed an organized network of M. tuberculosis bacilli in which P. brasiliensis yeasts are connected with a highly extracellular polysaccharide matrix. The (Pb18 + H37Rv) showed a dense biofilm with an apparent predominance of P. brasiliensis and fragments of M. tuberculosis. PCR assays confirmed the presence of the microorganisms involved in this formation. The characterization of NE and NE3'chalc displayed sizes from 145.00 ± 1.05 and 151.25 ± 0.60, a polydispersity index (PDI) from 0.20± 0.01 to 0.16± 0.01, and zeta potential -58.20 ± 0.92 mV and -56.10 ± 0.71 mV, respectively. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) results showed lamellar structures characteristic of NE. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 3'hidroxychalcone (3'chalc) range from 0.97- 7.8 µg/mL and NE3'chalc from 0.24 - 3.9 µg/mL improved the antibacterial activity when compared with 3'chalc-free, no cytotoxicity. Antibiofilm assays proved the efficacy of 3'chalc-free incorporation in NE. These findings contribute to a greater understanding of the formation of M. tuberculosis and P. brasiliensis in the mixed biofilm. In addition, the findings present a new possible NE3'chalc treatment alternative for the mixed biofilms of these microorganisms, with a high degree of relevance due to the lack of other treatments for these comorbidities.
Subject(s)
Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Paracoccidioides , Biofilms , Humans , Microbial Sensitivity TestsABSTRACT
Objective: To estimate the concern for a healthy diet and the nutrition knowledge of undergraduate students of a pharmacology and biochemistry program and their associations with the variables of interest. Methods: This cross-sectional study administered the Nutrition Knowledge Scale and the How is your diet? questionnaire to 381 students. The associations between concern for a healthy diet and nutrition knowledge and between these two factors and the demographic variables were measured by the chi-square test (χ2 ) or Fishers exact test. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: The mean age of the students was 20.6 (standard deviation [SD] = 2.7) years; 78.2% were female students; their mean body mass index was 22.6 (SD = 3.7) kg/m²; and 73.5% had an appropriate body mass indexrelated nutritional status. Most students fell within the category 'pay attention to your diet' (77.1%) and 'moderate nutrition knowledge' (79.7%). Concern for a healthy diet was significantly associated with program year (p = 0.024), socioeconomic class (p = 0.012), and physical activity (p < 0.001). Concern for a healthy diet was not associated with nutrition knowledge (p = 0.808). Conclusion: Physically inactive, first-year students from socioeconomic class B (US$ 1,046 - 1,872) were less concerned with a healthy diet. Such concern was not related to the students nutrition knowledge (AU)
Objetivo: Estimar la preocupación por una alimentación sana y el conocimiento de la nutrición de los estudiantes de un título de grado en Farmacia y Bioquímica y su asociación con variables de interés. Métodos: Este estudio transversal. Participaron 381 estudiantes. Fue utilizado como instrumentos de medición a 'Escala El conocimiento nutricional' y '¿Cómo está la comida?'. Se realizó un estudio asociación entre la preocupación por una alimentación sana y el conocimiento nutricional y aquellos con las variables demográficas mediante el uso de la prueba de chi-cuadrado (χ2 ) o Fisher. Hemos adoptado un nivel de significación del 5%. Resultados: La edad promedio de los estudiantes fue de 20,6 (SD = 2,7) años, el 78,2% eran varones femenina. El índice de masa corporal (IMC) fue de 22,6 (SD = 3,7) kg/m2 y 73,5% se presentaron con un estado nutricional adecuado para este indicador. La mayoría de los alumnos evaluados fueron categorizados como 'estad atentos con la comida' (77,1%) y 'el conocimiento nutricional moderado' (79,7%). Se han observado asociaciones significativas entre la preocupación por una alimentación sana y año del curso (p = 0,024), la clase económica (p = 0,012) y la actividad física (p < 0,001). El conocimientos nutricionales sólo se asoció con el año del curso (p < 0,001). No se encontró asociación significativa entre la preocupación por una alimentación saludable y conocimientos sobre nutrición (p = 0,808). Conclusión: Los estudiantes de primer año por supuesto, pertenecen a la clase económica B y no físicamente activos mostraron una menor preocupación por una alimentación saludable. Esta preocupación no se estaba relacionado con el conocimiento nutricional presentado por los estudiantes (AU)
