Eco-friendly and effective antimicrobial Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil Pickering emulsions stabilized with cellulose nanofibrils against bacteria and SARS-CoV-2.

Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil (MaEO) is a green antimicrobial agent suitable for confection eco-friendly disinfectants to substitute conventional chemical disinfectants commonly formulated with toxic substances that cause dangerous environmental impacts. In this contribution, MaEO-in-water Pickering emulsions were successfully stabilized with cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) by a simple mixing procedure. MaEO and the emulsions presented antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Moreover, MaEO deactivated the SARS-CoV-2 virions immediately. FT-Raman and FTIR spectroscopies indicate that the CNF stabilizes the MaEO droplets in water by the dipole-induced-dipole interactions and hydrogen bonds. The factorial design of experiments (DoE) indicates that CNF content and mixing time have significant effects on preventing the MaEO droplets' coalescence during 30-day shelf life. The bacteria inhibition zone assays show that the most stable emulsions showed antimicrobial activity comparable to commercial disinfectant agents such as hypochlorite. The MaEO/water stabilized-CNF emulsion is a promissory natural disinfectant with antibacterial activity against these bacteria strains, including the capability to damage the spike proteins at the SARS-CoV-2 particle surface after 15 min of direct contact when the MaEO concentration is 30 % v/v.

Thyroid tissue analysis through Raman spectroscopy.

The diagnosis of thyroid pathologies is usually made by cytologic analysis of the fine needle aspiration (FNA) material. However, this procedure has a low sensitivity at times, presenting a variation of 2-37%. The application of optical spectroscopy in the characterization of alterations could result in the development of a minimally invasive and non-destructive method for the diagnosis of thyroid diseases. Thus, the objective of this work was to study the biochemical alterations of tissues and hormones (T3 and T4) of the thyroid gland by means of molecular vibrations probed by FT-Raman spectroscopy. Through the discriminative linear analysis of the Raman spectra of the tissue, it was possible to establish (in percentages) the correct classification index among the groups: goitre adjacent tissue, goitre nodular region, follicular adenoma, follicular carcinoma and papillary carcinoma. As a result of the comparison between the groups goitre adjacent tissue versus goitre nodular region, an index of 58.3% of correct classification was obtained; this percentage was considered low, and it was not possible to distinguish the Raman spectra of these groups. Between goitre (nodular region and adjacent tissue) versus papillary carcinoma, the index of correct classification was 64.9%, which was considered good. A relevant result was obtained in the analysis of the benign tissues (goitre and follicular adenoma) versus malignant tissues (papillary and follicular carcinomas), for which the index was 72.5% and considered good. It was also possible, by means of visual observation, to find similar vibrational modes in the hormones and pathologic tissues. In conclusion, some biochemical alterations, represented by the FT-Raman spectra, were identified that could possibly be used to classify histologic groups of the thyroid. However, more studies are necessary due to the difficulty in setting a standard for pathologic groups.

Tratamento cirúrgico da escoliose idiopática com o uso do instrumento de Cortel-Dubousset / Surgical treatment of idiopathic scoliosis using the Cotrel-Dubousset system

Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo de 32 pacientes com escoliose idiopática, submetidos à correção da deformidade com instrumental de Cotrel-Dubousset, seguidos por tempo médio de 4,4 anos. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar aspectos clínicos pré e pós-operatórios, correção angular da deformidade no plano frontal (método de Cobb), correção da rotação vertebral (método de Nash e Moe), perda de correção no período pós-operatório tardio e as complicações pós-operatórias. Houve correção da deformidade e melhora do aspecto estético nos 32 pacientes. A correção da deformidade no plano frontal teve como valor médio 52,78 por cento (desvio padrão de 24,66 por cento) e a perda média de correção foi de 19,20 por cento (desvio padrão de 25,34 por cento). As complicações observadas foram: soltura de ganchos inferiores na convexidade em sete pacientes, descompensação da curva inferior em um paciente, perda importante da correção em um paciente, fratura da lâmina de T12 em um paciente e infecção pós-operatória em três pacientes. Não foram observadas quebra dos componentes do sistema de fixação ou complicações neurológicas.

Distribution of Mayaro virus RNA in polysomes during heat shock.

Mayaro virus (alphavirus) infection of Aedes albopictus cells results in inhibition of cell protein synthesis and viral proteins are preferably synthesized. When infected cells are heat shocked, however, there is also an inhibition of viral protein synthesis, and there is preferential synthesis of heat shock proteins. Based on these observations, the distribution of Mayaro viral RNA in polysomes and the association of p34 (capsid protein) with ribosomal fractions of the cells under such conditions have been analyzed. During infection, the viral RNA is mainly observed in light polysomes (60% of total viral RNA in the cell) and also in heavy polysomes (13%). However, when infected cells are heat-shocked, the viral RNA is strongly mobilized from heavy polysomes to the light polysomes fraction and an enrichment in the unbound fraction can be noticed. The amount of p34 associated with the ribosomal fraction was also shown to be decreased in the heat shocked cells. These data lead to the suggestion that two mechanisms could be involved in the inhibition of Mayaro virus protein synthesis in response to heat shock: (1) mobilization of Mayaro virus RNA from heavy to light polysomes; (2) a decrease in the amount of the p34 within the ribosomal fraction.

To Rio and beyond: the case of Brazil.

PIP: Even though gender issues are important in guidelines generated by UN agencies, Brazilian national projects related to the environment mostly ignore gender issues. Only 7 projects are affected by the inclusion of gender-related programs. The government approach to environmental degradation focuses on preservation and conservation of nature. State policies and programs also do not specifically mention the inclusion of women. Women form the core of the "babacus" or coconut picking and breaking work group. This subsistence activity has recently been altered by political and economic forces aimed at changing economic productivity in favor of pasture land and maximizing profits for a few. Women, such as Paula Frassineti, head environmental organizations devoted to helping the poor and preserving natural resources. Paraiba's Association of the Friends of Nature has been successful in halting a government development project for creating a tourist attraction out of legally protected areas and stopping construction of high-rise buildings along the shoreline. Environmental problems have grown along with the growth of women in the labor force. Environmental impacts on humans have affected mostly women and children. Nongovernmental organizations will play an important role in promoting women's awareness of the issues and mobilizing women for self gain and protection of resources. Since the 1990s, the environmental movement has been better coordinated nationally, has merged with other Brazilian social movements, and has allied with international environmental networks. The by-product was a report to the UN Conference on the Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro.^ieng