Therapeutic Potential of Punica granatum and Isolated Compounds: Evidence-Based Advances to Treat Bacterial Infections.

Punica granatum Linn has been known for its nutritional and medicinal value since ancient times and is used in the treatment of various pathologies owing to its antibacterial properties. This review reports the results of the most recent studies on the antibacterial effects of P. granatum and its isolated compounds on bacteria of clinical interest. A search in the PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science) databases was performed, which included articles that evaluated the antibacterial activity of P. granatum extracts and excluded articles that analyzed other microorganisms or nonpathogenic bacteria, as well as theses, dissertations, duplicate articles, and those not fully available. The literature suggests that P. granatum extracts can act on bacteria, such as methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In addition, fruit peel was the most commonly used pharmacogen and methanol, ethanol, and water were the most common solvents for the extraction of bioactive compounds. The antibacterial potential of the methanolic extract of pomegranate peel could be attributed to the presence of active compounds, such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, punicic acid, gallic acid, and punicalagin. Thus, there is evidence that these plant extracts, having high polyphenol content, can disrupt the bacterial plasma membrane and inhibit the action of proteins related to antimicrobial resistance. P. granatum shows antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with great potential against multidrug-resistant strains. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanism of action related to this biological activity and investigate the isolated substances that may be responsible for the antibacterial effects.

Immunomodulatory Activity of Probiotics in Models of Bacterial Infections.

As resistance to conventional antibiotics among bacteria continues to increase, researchers are increasingly focusing on alternative strategies for preventing and treating bacterial infections, one of which is microbiota modulation. The objective of this review is to analyze the scientific literature on the immunomodulatory effects of probiotics in bacterial infections. This is an integrative review of the literature based on systematic steps, with searches performed in the databases Medline, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and ScienceDirect. The most prevalent bacterial genera used to evaluate infectious processes were Salmonella, Escherichia, Klebsiella, and Streptococcus. Lactobacillus was the most commonly used probiotic genus, with Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus is the most frequently used species. In most studies, prophylactic treatment with concentrations of probiotics equal to or greater than 8 log CFU/mL was chosen. However, there was considerable heterogeneity in terms of effective treatment duration, indicating that the results cannot be generalized across all studies. This review found that probiotics interact with the immune system through different mechanisms and have a positive effect on preventing different types of bacterial infections.

Therapeutic potential of Punica granatum in wound healing: An overview

SUMMARY Objective: This review aim to report the results of the most recent research and applications of different extracts of P. granatum in the in vivo wound healing process. Methods: For the survey of articles in literature, a search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science) databases. Results: Punica granatum is a plant native to Iran and adjacent regions widely used worldwide as a food and medicinal source. Its healing property is closely linked to the presence of phenolic compounds, tannins and flavonoids, and its concentration in treatment formulations seems to be determinant for the acceleration of tissue repair, although few data on the standardization and stability of these formulations are available. Studies on experimental models were able to demonstrate the repair potential of P. granatum; however, human studies are still scarce. Conclusions: This contribution summarizes the use of P. granatum extracts in healing different types of lesions, emphasizing its effects on inflammatory, prolif-erative, and remodeling phases.

Objetivo: Relatar los resultados de investigaciones y aplicaciones más recientes de diferentes extractos de P. granatum en el proceso de cicatrización de heridas in vivo. Métodos: Para encuesta de artículos en la literatura, se realizó búsqueda en las bases de datos PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct y Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science). Resultados: Punica granatum es una planta originaria de Irán y regiones adyacentes, ampliamente utilizada en todo el mundo como fuente alimenticia y medicinal. Su propiedad cicatrizante está íntimamente ligada a la presencia de compuestos fenólicos, taninos y flavonoides, y su concentración en las formulaciones de tratamiento parece ser determinante para aceleración de la reparación tisular, aunque se dispone de pocos datos sobre estandarización y estabilidad de estas formulaciones. Estudios sobre modelos experimentales pudieron demostrar el potencial de reparación de P. granatum; sin embargo, los estudios en humanos aún son escasos. Conclusiones: Este aporte resume el uso de extractos de P. granatum en la curación de diferentes tipos de lesiones, enfatizándose sus efectos en las fases inflamatoria, proliferativa y remodeladora.

Objetivo: Relatar os resultados de pesquisas mais recentes e aplicações de diferentes extratos de P. granatum no processo de cicatrização in vivo. Métodos: Para levantamento de artigos na literatura, realizou-se busca nas bases de dados PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct e Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science). Resultados: Punica granatum é uma planta nativa do Irã e das regiões adjacentes, amplamente utilizada em todo o mundo como alimento e fonte medicinal. A propriedade cicatrizante está intimamente ligada à presença de compostos fenólicos, taninos e flavo-noides, cuja concentração nas formulações de tratamento parece ser determinante para aceleração do reparo tecidual, embora poucos dados sobre a padronização e estabilidade dessas formulações estejam disponíveis. Estudos em modelos experimentais foram capazes de demonstrar o potencial de reparo de P. granatum. No entanto, estudos em humanos ainda são escassos. Conclusões: Esta contribuição resume o uso de extratos de P. granatum na cicatrização de diferentes tipos de lesões, enfatizando os efeitos nas fases inflamatória, proliferativa e remodelação.

Trend in infant mortality rate caused by sepsis in Brazil from 2009 to 2018.

Sepsis is the organ dysfunction resulting from an infection associated with an unregulated host inflammatory response, which generates high mortality rates in Brazil. The aim of this stydy was to analyze the trend of early, late and post-neonatal mortality rates due to sepsis in Brazilian regions, from 2009 to 2018. This is an ecological study of time series. The trend of infant mortality from sepsis was analyzed using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD10) according to the place of residence (North, Northeast, Southeast, South and Midwest). Death Certificate data were collected from the Mortality Information System database. The temporal trend was analyzed using the Prais-Winsten estimate, interpreted as increasing, decreasing or stable, through the dependent variable (logarithm of mortality rates) and interdependent variables (years of the historical series). The Stata 14.0 statistical software was used. There were 39,867 infant deaths due to sepsis (78.67% for unspecified bacterial sepsis of the neonate ). Most of the children were male, had mixed ethnicity (black and white) , were born preterm with low birth weight and most mothers were 20-34 years old. There were decreasing trends in mortality rates from 2009 to 2018: early neonatal, in the Southeast (-3.57%), North (-3.33%) and South (-2.91%); late neonatal, in the South (-4.12%), Southeast (-4.53%), North (-4.55%) and Midwest (-6.21%); and post-neonatal, in the Northeast (-1.84%), North (-3.62%), Southeast (-3.83%) and Midwest (-5.81%). The Northeast showed a stable trend in early and late neonatal mortality rates. It was concluded that most regions showed a decreasing trend in mortality rates from sepsis in all age components, despite regional differences.

Congenital syphilis in Brazil: distribution of cases notified from 2009 to 2016.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital syphilis is considered a severe public health problem because it accounts for approximately 40% of the perinatal mortality rates, 25% of stillbirths, and 14% of neonatal deaths, in addition to causing severe consequences for the fetus. This study aimed to describe the rates of congenital syphilis in children under one year of age in Brazilian capitals from 2009 to 2016. METHODS: Ecological time series study, using rates of congenital syphilis in children under one year of age and living in Brazilian capitals. The Prais-Winsten regression model was used to assess the trend. RESULTS: A total of 44,056 cases of congenital syphilis in children under one year of age were reported in Brazilian capitals between 2009 and 2016. The highest rate of congenital syphilis in children under one year of age occurred in 2016 in Porto Alegre (31.07/1,000 live births). The Northeastern capitals showed high rates, particularly the capital Recife (23.67/1,000 live births). CONCLUSIONS: Congenital syphilis represents a major challenge for public policies. The need for improvements in the quality of prenatal care is highlighted, as it is essential to reduce the alarming rates.

Association between the FTO gene polymorphism and obesity in Brazilian adolescents from the Northeast region / Relação do polimorfismo do gene FTO com a obesidade em adolescentes do nordeste brasileiro

Abstract Objective: To investigate the association between the FTO gene polymorphism with obesity in Brazilian adolescents from the Northeast region. Method: This was a case-control study with adolescents aged 18 to 19 years. The case group consisted of 378 obese individuals and the control group of 378 non-obese individuals. Obesity was measured by percentage of body fat using the air displacement plethysmography technique. The study variables included data on socioeconomics, demographics, lifestyle, physical activity, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and body mass index. To identify the rs9939609 polymorphism of the FTO gene, blood samples were obtained for genomic DNA extraction by the real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technique. Categorical variables were compared between the groups by the chi-squared test. The normality of the anthropometric measurements body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and percentage of body fat was evaluated by the Shapiro-Wilk test. Comparison of the anthropometric measurements, stratified by the polymorphism genotypes, was performed by the Kruskal-Wallis test. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was calculated. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: The variables gender, age, and physical activity showed significant differences between the groups (p < 0.001). The samples of obese and non-obese adolescents were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p = 0.0515). There was no significant difference between the genotypic (p = 0.719) and allelic frequencies (p = 0.812) regarding the case and control groups. When comparing the anthropometric measurements according to the genotypes (AA, AT, and TT), no significant difference was observed for body mass index (p = 0.337), waist circumference (p = 0.3473), percentage of body fat (p = 0.7096), and waist-to-height ratio (p = 0.2584). Conclusion: The excess adiposity of the study adolescents was not influenced by their genotype.

Resumo Objetivo: Investigar a relação do polimorfismo do gene FTO com obesidade em adolescentes no Nordeste brasileiro. Método: Estudo caso-controle realizado com adolescentes de 18 a 19 anos. O grupo caso foi formado por 378 indivíduos obesos e o controle por 378 não obesos. Obesidade foi medida pelo percentual de gordura corporal pela técnica de pletismografia por deslocamento de ar. Variáveis em estudo englobam dados socioeconômicos, demográficos, hábitos de vida, atividade física, circunferência da cintura, razão cintura-estatura e índice de massa corporal. Para identificação do polimorfismo rs9939609 do gene FTO foram obtidas amostras de sangue para extração do DNA genômico pela técnica de PCR em tempo real. Variáveis categóricas foram comparadas entre os grupos pelo teste qui-quadrado. Normalidade das medidas antropométricas índice de massa corporal, circunferência da cintura, razão cintura-estatura e percentual de gordura corporal foram avaliados pelo teste Shapiro-Wilk. Comparação das medidas antropométricas, estratificadas pelos genótipos do polimorfismo, foi realizada pelo teste Kruskall-Wallis. Calculou-se o equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg. Nível de significância adotado de 5%. Resultados: As variáveis sexo, idade e atividade física apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os grupos (p < 0,001). As amostras dos adolescentes obesos e não obesos estavam em equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg (p = 0,0515). Não houve diferença significante entre as frequências genotípicas (p = 0,719) e alélicas (p = 0,812) em relação aos grupos caso e controle. Quando comparadas as medidas antropométricas segundo os genótipos (AA, AT e TT), não foi observada diferença significante do índice de massa corporal (p = 0,3337), circunferência da cintura (p = 0,3473), percentual de gordura corporal (p = 0,7096) e razão cintura-estatura (p = 0,2584). Conclusão: O excesso de adiposidade dos adolescentes em estudo não foi influenciado pelo genótipo.

Association between the FTO gene polymorphism and obesity in Brazilian adolescents from the Northeast region.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the FTO gene polymorphism with obesity in Brazilian adolescents from the Northeast region. METHOD: This was a case-control study with adolescents aged 18 to 19 years. The case group consisted of 378 obese individuals and the control group of 378 non-obese individuals. Obesity was measured by percentage of body fat using the air displacement plethysmography technique. The study variables included data on socioeconomics, demographics, lifestyle, physical activity, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and body mass index. To identify the rs9939609 polymorphism of the FTO gene, blood samples were obtained for genomic DNA extraction by the real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technique. Categorical variables were compared between the groups by the chi-squared test. The normality of the anthropometric measurements body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and percentage of body fat was evaluated by the Shapiro-Wilk test. Comparison of the anthropometric measurements, stratified by the polymorphism genotypes, was performed by the Kruskal-Wallis test. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was calculated. The significance level was set at 5%. RESULTS: The variables gender, age, and physical activity showed significant differences between the groups (p<0.001). The samples of obese and non-obese adolescents were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p=0.0515). There was no significant difference between the genotypic (p=0.719) and allelic frequencies (p=0.812) regarding the case and control groups. When comparing the anthropometric measurements according to the genotypes (AA, AT, and TT), no significant difference was observed for body mass index (p=0.337), waist circumference (p=0.3473), percentage of body fat (p=0.7096), and waist-to-height ratio (p=0.2584). CONCLUSION: The excess adiposity of the study adolescents was not influenced by their genotype.

Congenital syphilis in Brazil: distribution of cases notified from 2009 to 2016

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Congenital syphilis is considered a severe public health problem because it accounts for approximately 40% of the perinatal mortality rates, 25% of stillbirths, and 14% of neonatal deaths, in addition to causing severe consequences for the fetus. This study aimed to describe the rates of congenital syphilis in children under one year of age in Brazilian capitals from 2009 to 2016. METHODS: Ecological time series study, using rates of congenital syphilis in children under one year of age and living in Brazilian capitals. The Prais-Winsten regression model was used to assess the trend. RESULTS: A total of 44,056 cases of congenital syphilis in children under one year of age were reported in Brazilian capitals between 2009 and 2016. The highest rate of congenital syphilis in children under one year of age occurred in 2016 in Porto Alegre (31.07/1,000 live births). The Northeastern capitals showed high rates, particularly the capital Recife (23.67/1,000 live births). CONCLUSIONS: Congenital syphilis represents a major challenge for public policies. The need for improvements in the quality of prenatal care is highlighted, as it is essential to reduce the alarming rates.