Tenebrio molitor as a model system to study Staphylococcus spp virulence and horizontal gene transfer.

Invertebrates can provide a valuable alternative to traditional vertebrate animal models for studying bacterial and fungal infections. This study aimed to establish the larvae of the coleoptera Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) as an in vivo model for evaluating virulence and horizontal gene transfer between Staphylococcus spp. After identifying the best conditions for rearing T. molitor, larvae were infected with different Staphylococcus species, resulting in dose-dependent killing curves. All species tested killed the insects at higher doses, with S. nepalensis and S. aureus being the most and least virulent, respectively. However, only S. nepalensis was able to kill more than 50% of larvae 72 h post-infection at a low amount of 105 CFU. Staphylococcus infection also stimulated an increase in the concentration of hemocytes present in the hemolymph, which was proportional to the virulence. To investigate T. molitor's suitability as an in vivo model for plasmid transfer studies, we used S. aureus strains as donor and recipient of a plasmid containing the gentamicin resistance gene aac(6')-aph(2″). By inoculating larvae with non-lethal doses of each, we observed conjugation, and obtained transconjugant colonies with a frequency of 1.6 × 10-5 per donor cell. This study demonstrates the potential of T. molitor larvae as a reliable and cost-effective model for analyzing the virulence of Staphylococcus and, for the first time, an optimal environment for the plasmid transfer between S. aureus carrying antimicrobial resistance genes.

Inter e intra-variability of the best ranked teams: A network analysis in male high-level volleyball.

The present research objective was to analyze the offensive phase from Complex I in high-level male volleyball teams in a macro- and micro-level view, through the inter e intra-team variability analysis of eight best teams of the 2018 Men's Volleyball World Championship over the social network analysis and eigenvector centrality. The sample consisted of 22 matches and 2,743 offensive actions, resulting in 8 sub-networks with 368 nodes and 6221 edges. The results showed from macro view the variables that presented highest centrality values were Attack Zone 4 (range 0.56-0.90), Attack Tempo 2 (0.65-0.87), Power Attack (0.62-0.94), No Touch Block (0.61-1), Attack Effect Continuity (0.59-0.94), and Middle Blocker Centralized (0.60-0.95). In a micro view, Reception Effect, Play Position, Reception Zone, and Block Composition showed high variability in each sub-network. The intra- and inter-team variability presented the importance of to respect each team idiosyncrasies and to consider the different approaches to the game and success.

Conhecimento dos cirurgiões ­ dentistas que atuam em unidades básicas de saúde frente aos abusos e maus-tratos infantis / Knowledge of dentists who work in basic health units regarding child abuse and mistreatmently

Objetivo: Avaliar o conhecimento dos cirurgiões-dentistas que atuam nas ESFs do município de Montes Claros - MG, frente aos abusos e maus-tratos infantis, bem como a necessidade de educação permanente acerca do tema. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, transversal e quantitativo no qual a população foi constituída por cirurgiões-dentistas da rede pública de Montes Claros, Minas Gerais. Os dados obtidos foram analisados pelo programa estatístico SPSS 20. Resultados: 82,3% dos cirurgiões-dentistas relataram possuir conhecimento sobre violência contra a criança e 58,1% responderam estarem aptos a suspeitar no diagnóstico diferencial ou sinal clínico de maus-tratos, mas 54,8% disseram não saber agir frente a um caso de violência infantil. Conclusão: A maioria dos entrevistados desconhecem os aspectos legais e práticos relacionados à notificação de violência contra menores. Percebe-se a necessidade de abordagem do tema no contexto da academia, e em forma de educação permanente promovida pela gestão municipal a qual o cirurgião dentista está inserido.

Objective: To assess the knowledge of dentists working in ESFs in the municipality of Montes Claros - MG, regarding child abuse and maltreatment, as well as the need for continuing education on the subject. Methodology: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative study in which the population consisted of dentists from the public health system of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais. The data obtained were analyzed using the statistical program SPSS 20. Results: 82.3% of the dental surgeons reported knowing violence against children and 58.1% said they were able to suspect the differential diagnosis or clinical sign of maltreatment, but 54.8% said they did not know how to act when faced with a case of child violence. Conclusion: Most of the interviewees are unaware of the legal and practical aspects related to the notification of violence against minors. We realize the need to address the issue in the context of academia, and in the form of continuing education promoted by the municipal management in which the dental surgeon is inserted.

17ß-Estradiol protects against lung injuries after brain death in male rats.

BACKGROUND: Brain death elicits microvascular dysfunction and inflammation, and thereby compromises lung viability for transplantation. As 17ß-estradiol was shown to be anti-inflammatory and vascular protective, we investigated its effects on lung injury after brain death in male rats. METHODS: Wistar rats were assigned to: sham-operation by trepanation only (SH, n = 7); brain death (BD, n = 7); administration of 17ß-estradiol (280 µg/kg, iv) at 60 minutes after brain death (BD-E2, n = 7). Experiments were performed 180 minutes thereafter. Histopathological changes in the lung were evaluated by histomorphometry. Gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and endothelin-1 was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Protein expression of NO synthases, endothelin-1, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), BCL-2, and caspase 3 was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Cytokines were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Treatment with 17ß-estradiol after brain death decreased lung edema and hemorrhage (p < 0.0001), and serum levels of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1; p = 0.0020). iNOS (p < 0.0001) and VCAM-1 (p < 0.0001) also diminished at protein levels, while eNOS accumulated (p = 0.0002). However, gene expression of iNOS, eNOS, and endothelin-1 was comparable among groups, as was protein expression of endothelin-1, ICAM-1, BCL-2, and caspase 3. CONCLUSIONS: 17ß-Estradiol effectively reduces lung injury in brain-dead rats mainly due to its ability to regulate NO synthases. Thus, the drug may improve lung viability for transplantation.