Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of highly soluble polypyrrole against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

AIMS: The purpose was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of highly soluble polypyrrole (Hs-PPy), alone or combined with oxacillin, as well as its antibiofilm potential against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. Furthermore, the in silico inhibitory mechanism in efflux pumps was also investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ten clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and two reference strains were used. Antimicrobial activity was determined by broth microdilution, and the combination effect with oxacillin was evaluated by the checkerboard assay. The biofilm formation capacity of MRSA and the interference of Hs-PPy were evaluated. The inhibitory action of Hs-PPy on the efflux pump was evaluated in silico through molecular docking. Hs-PPy showed activity against the isolates, with inhibitory action between 62.5 and 125 µg ml-1 and bactericidal action at 62.5 µg ml-1, as well as synergism in association with oxacillin. The isolates ranged from moderate to strong biofilm producers, and Hs-PPy interfered with the formation of this structure, but not with mature biofilm. There was no in silico interaction with the efflux protein EmrD, the closest homolog to NorA. CONCLUSIONS: Hs-PPy interferes with biofilm formation by MRSA, has synergistic potential, and is an efflux pump inhibitor.

Action of crude ethanol extract of Hymenaea martiana leaf, gallic acid, and polypyrrole (PPy) against Aeromonas hydrophila.

Pisciculture represents one of the industries with the fastest growth rates worldwide. However, it presents obstacles to its development, such as bacteriosis, which is conventionally treated with antibiotics. The indiscriminate and inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to bacterial resistance, thus alternatives to the use of antibiotics have been researched. The study aimed to analyze the potential of crude ethanol extract (CEE) from Hymenaea martiana leaf, gallic acid (GA), and polypyrrole (PPy) against Aeromonas hydrophila. Tests were performed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the compounds individually and in synergy (checkerboard) against A. hydrophila and in silico tests between the compounds evaluated. The CEE of H. martiana leaf and PPy were effective against A. hydrophila with MBC results of 3125 µg/mL for the CEE of H. martiana and 125 µg/mL for PPy. Evaluating the GA, a MIC and MBC of 125 µg/mL was obtained. In the interaction tests (checkerboard, using PPy/CEE and PPy/GA), there was a significant reduction in individual introductions. Thus, for the PPy/CEE tests, we had a reduction of MIC/MBC to 1.95 and 781.25 µg/mL, and for the synergy tests between PPy/GA to 7.8125 and 31.125 µg/mL, respectively. The synergy tests are encouraging, and it is possible to verify a decrease of up to 98% in the introduction of PPy, 75% in CEE for H. martiana and 75.1% for GA, when compared to their individual tests. The tests with GA are encouraging due to GA's effectiveness as an antimicrobial agent and high synergy with polypyrrole, both in vitro results and molecular docking experiments showed the actions at the same activation site in A. hydrophila. In vivo tests evaluating isolated components of CEE from H. martiana in synergy with PPy should be performed, to verify the quality of the interactions and the improvement of the immune responses of the animals. It was evidenced that gallic acid, a substance isolated from the extract, tends to have more promising results. This is relevant since the industry has been developing these compounds for different uses, thus providing easier access to the product. Thus, the present study indicates an efficient alternative in the use of bioactive compounds as substitutes for conventional antimicrobials.

Varied frequencies of resistance alleles to Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac among Brazilian populations of the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.).

BACKGROUND: Brazil is the largest grower of the world's 26 million ha of sugarcane, Saccharum officinarum. Pest damage mainly by the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), is a great challenge to the sugarcane industry. To control D. saccharalis, Brazil launched the world's first commercial use of Bt sugarcane in 2017. As part of the resistance management programs for Bt sugarcane planting, 535 F2 isoline families of D. saccharalis collected from three major sugarcane planting states (Goiás, Minas Gerais and São Paulo) in Brazil during 2019-2020 were screened for resistance to two Bt sugarcane varieties: CTC20BT expressing Cry1Ab and CTC9001BT expressing Cry1Ac. Here we report the results of the first study related to Bt resistance in a sugarcane cropping system. RESULTS: Larval survivorships of these families in an F2 screen on CTC20BT were highly correlated with their survival on CTC9001BT, whereas the Cry1Ac tissues exhibited greater insecticidal activities than Cry1Ab. Resistance allele frequencies (RAFs) for populations from Goiás and Minas Gerais were relatively low at 0.0034 for Cry1Ab and 0.0045 to Cry1Ac. By contrast, RAFs for São Paulo populations were considerably greater (0.0393 to Cry1Ab, 0.0245 to Cry1Ac). CONCLUSIONS: RAFs to Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac varied among Brazilian D. saccharalis populations. Prior selection resulting from an intensive use of single-gene Bt maize under low compliance of refuge planting could be a main factor contributing to the high RAF in São Paulo. The results suggest that mitigation measures including sufficient non-Bt maize refuge planting, effective resistance monitoring, and use of pyramided Bt sugarcane traits should be implemented promptly to prevent further increase in the RAF to ensure the sustainable use of Bt sugarcane in Brazil. MINI ABSTRACT: To control Diatraea saccharalis, Brazil launched the world's first commercial use of Bt sugarcane in 2017. As part of the resistance management programs for Bt sugarcane planting in Brazil, 535 F2 isoline families of D. saccharalis collected from three major sugarcane planting states (Goiás, Minas Gerais and São Paulo) in Brazil during 2019-2020 were screened for resistance to Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac sugarcane plants Resistance allele frequencies (RAFs) for the populations from Goiás and Minas Gerais were relatively low at 0.0034 for Cry1Ab and 0.0045 to Cry1Ac. By contrast, RAFs for the São Paulo populations were considerably greater (0.0393 to Cry1Ab, 0.0245 to Cry1Ac). Prior selection resulting from an intensive use of single-gene Bt maize under low compliance of non-Bt maize refuge planting could be a main factor contributing to the high RAF in São Paulo. The results suggest that effective mitigation measures including sufficient non-Bt maize refuge planting, effective resistance monitoring and use of pyramided Bt sugarcane traits should be implemented promptly to prevent further increase in the RAF to ensure the sustainable use of Bt sugarcane in Brazil. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Supervisors' perceptions on errors of nursing students in clinical clerkship: a qualitative research.

OBJECTIVES: to compare pedagogical supervisors' and clinical supervisors' perceptions about the errors made by nursing students in clinical clerkship. METHODS: a qualitative exploratory-descriptive study developed with 105 participants. Data collection was performed with a questionnaire with open-ended questions. Content analysis performed according to the conceptual model of student errors in clinical teaching. RESULTS: pedagogical supervisors perceive, in descending order, errors in transversal competencies, in the execution of care and medication. Clinical supervisors perceive, in descending order, the execution of care, medication, and transversal competencies. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: there was coincidence and complementarity in clinical supervisors' and pedagogical supervisors' perceptions, although not in the same order, regarding the errors made. This study presents contributions related to the existing knowledge in relation to medication errors, which are not the most perceived, and those of transversal competencies, which take on a prominent position.

Supervisors' perceptions on errors of nursing students in clinical clerkship: a qualitative research / Percepciones de los supervisores sobre los errores de los estudiantes de enfermería en prácticas clínicas: una investigación cualitativa / Percepções dos supervisores sobre erros dos estudantes de enfermagem em estágio clínico: uma pesquisa qualitativa

ABSTRACT Objectives: to compare pedagogical supervisors' and clinical supervisors' perceptions about the errors made by nursing students in clinical clerkship. Methods: a qualitative exploratory-descriptive study developed with 105 participants. Data collection was performed with a questionnaire with open-ended questions. Content analysis performed according to the conceptual model of student errors in clinical teaching. Results: pedagogical supervisors perceive, in descending order, errors in transversal competencies, in the execution of care and medication. Clinical supervisors perceive, in descending order, the execution of care, medication, and transversal competencies. Final Considerations: there was coincidence and complementarity in clinical supervisors' and pedagogical supervisors' perceptions, although not in the same order, regarding the errors made. This study presents contributions related to the existing knowledge in relation to medication errors, which are not the most perceived, and those of transversal competencies, which take on a prominent position.

RESUMEN Objetivos: comparar la percepción de los supervisores pedagógicos y supervisores clínicos sobre los errores cometidos por los estudiantes de enfermería en práctica clínica. Métodos: estudio cualitativo exploratorio-descriptivo, desarrollado con 105 participantes. Recolección de datos realizada con un cuestionario con preguntas abiertas. Análisis de contenido realizado según el modelo conceptual de errores del alumno en educación clínica. Resultados: los supervisores pedagógicos perciben, en orden decreciente, los errores en las competencias transversales, en la ejecución de los cuidados y la medicación. Los supervisores clínicos perciben, en orden decreciente, la ejecución de cuidados, medicación y habilidades transversales. Consideraciones Finales: hubo coincidencia y complementariedad en las percepciones de los supervisores clínicos y los supervisores pedagógicos, aunque no en el mismo orden, sobre los errores cometidos. El estudio presenta aportes relacionados con el conocimiento existente en relación a los errores de medicación, que no son los más percibidos, y los de habilidades transversales, que asumen un lugar destacado.

RESUMO Objetivos: comparar a percepção de supervisores pedagógicos e de supervisores clínicos sobre os erros cometidos por estudantes de enfermagem em estágio clínico. Métodos: estudo qualitativo exploratório-descritivo, desenvolvido com 105 participantes. Coleta de dados realizada com questionário com perguntas abertas. Análise de conteúdo realizada segundo modelo conceptual de erros de estudantes em ensino clínico. Resultados: os supervisores pedagógicos percebem, em ordem decrescente, os erros nas competências transversais, na execução de cuidados e de medicação. Os supervisores clínicos percebem, por ordem decrescente, a execução de cuidados, de medicação e as competências transversais. Considerações Finais: verificou-se coincidência e complementaridade nas percepções de supervisores clínicos e de supervisores pedagógicos, embora não na mesma ordem, em relação aos erros cometidos. O estudo apresenta contribuições relativas ao conhecimento existente em relação aos erros de medicação, que não são os mais percebidos, e os de competências transversais, que assumem posição de destaque.

[Project evidência [evidence]: research and education about accessing scientific databases in Azores]. / Projeto Evidência: investigação e formação sobre acesso a bases de dados de informação científica nos Açores.

Project Evidência [Evidence] intends to promote the use of scientific databases among nurses. This study aims to design educational interventions that facilitate nurses' access to these databases, to determine nurses' habits regarding the use of scientific databases, and to determine the impact that educational interventions on scientific databases have on Azorean nurses who volunteered for this project. An intervention project was conducted, and a quantitative descriptive survey was designed to evaluate the impact two and five months after the educational intervention. This impact was investigated considering certain aspects, namely, the nurses' knowledge, habits and reasons for using scientific databases. A total of 192 nurses participated in this study, and the primary results indicate that the educational intervention had a positive impact based not only on the increased frequency of using platforms or databases of scientific information (DSIs) s but also on the competence and self-awareness regarding its use and consideration of the reasons for accessing this information.

Projeto Evidência: investigação e formação sobre acesso a bases de dados de informação científica nos Açores / Project evidência [evidence]: research and education about accessing scientific databases in Azores / Proyecto evidencia: investigación y formación sobre acceso a bases de datos de información científica en las Azores

O projeto Evidência visa estimular os enfermeiros na utilização das bases de dados de informação científica. Este estudo teve por objetivos desenhar uma intervenção formativa facilitadora do acesso a essas bases de dados por parte dos enfermeiros, efetuar avaliação de diagnóstico relativamente aos hábitos dos enfermeiros quanto a esse tipo de ferramenta e determinar o impacto de uma intervenção formativa sobre essas matérias entre os enfermeiros residentes nos Açores. Em termos metodológicos, foi desenhado um projeto de intervenção e realizado um estudo quantitativo, do tipo descritivo, para avaliar esse impacto aos dois e cinco mêses após a formação, em dimensões como o conhecimento, hábitos e objetivos de utilização. No projeto participaram 192 enfermeiros, e os resultados apontam para um impacto positivo dessa formação, não só no aumento da frequência de utilização das bases de dados de informação científica, como na autopercepção de competência na sua utilização e motivos invocados para explorar esse tipo de informação.

Project Evidência [Evidence] intends to promote the use of scientific databases among nurses. This study aims to design educational interventions that facilitate nurses' access to these databases, to determine nurses' habits regarding the use of scientific databases, and to determine the impact that educational interventions on scientific databases have on Azorean nurses who volunteered for this project. An intervention project was conducted, and a quantitative descriptive survey was designed to evaluate the impact two and five months after the educational intervention. This impact was investigated considering certain aspects, namely, the nurses' knowledge, habits and reasons for using scientific databases. A total of 192 nurses participated in this study, and the primary results indicate that the educational intervention had a positive impact based not only on the increased frequency of using platforms or databases of scientific information (DSIs) s but also on the competence and self-awareness regarding its use and consideration of the reasons for accessing this information.

El proyecto Evidencia procura estimular al enfermero a utilizar bases de datos de información científica. Se objetivó ejecutar una intervención formativa para facilitar el acceso a tales bases por parte de enfermeros, efectuar evaluaciones de diagnóstico relativas a hábitos del enfermero respecto de dichas herramientas y determinar el impacto de una intervención educativa sobre el tema entre enfermeros residentes en las Azores. En términos metodológicos, fue diseñado un proyecto de intervención y realizado un estudio cuantitativo y descriptivo, para evaluar ese impacto a los dos y cinco meses luego de la formación, en dimensiones como conocimiento, habitualidad y objetivos de utilización. Participaron 192 enfermeros. Los resultados expresan un impacto positivo de la formación, no sólo en el aumento de frecuencia de utilización de bases de datos, sino también en la autopercepción de competencia en el uso y motivos expresados para abordar este tipo de información.

Occurrence of Dinarmus basalis in Callosobruchus analis in stored soybean in São Paulo, Brazil

Callosobruchus analis (F.) is considered an important pest in several countries in Africa, Asia and Oceania. It has been observed infesting seeds belonging to 15 Leguminosae genera, including peanut, bean, chickpea, pea, cowpea, and soybean. One of its main natural enemies is the parasitoid Dinarmus basalis (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), whose control efficiency has already been demonstrated in several studies. This paper records the occurrence of C. analis and its parasitoid, D. basalis, in stored soybean of the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Callosobruchus analis (F.) é uma praga de expressão econômica em diversos países da África, Ásia e Oceania. Já foi observado infestando sementes de espécies de leguminosas pertencentes a 15 gêneros, incluindo-se culturas como amendoim, grão-de-bico, feijão, ervilha, caupi e soja. Um de seus inimigos naturais mais importantes é o parasitóide Dinarmus basalis (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), cuja eficiência de controle já foi demonstrada em vários estudos. Neste trabalho registra-se a ocorrência de C. analis e de seu parasitóide, D. basalis, em grãos armazenados de soja no estado de São Paulo.

Occurrence of Dinarmus basalis in Callosobruchus analis in stored soybean in São Paulo, Brazil

Callosobruchus analis (F.) is considered an important pest in several countries in Africa, Asia and Oceania. It has been observed infesting seeds belonging to 15 Leguminosae genera, including peanut, bean, chickpea, pea, cowpea, and soybean. One of its main natural enemies is the parasitoid Dinarmus basalis (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), whose control efficiency has already been demonstrated in several studies. This paper records the occurrence of C. analis and its parasitoid, D. basalis, in stored soybean of the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Callosobruchus analis (F.) é uma praga de expressão econômica em diversos países da África, Ásia e Oceania. Já foi observado infestando sementes de espécies de leguminosas pertencentes a 15 gêneros, incluindo-se culturas como amendoim, grão-de-bico, feijão, ervilha, caupi e soja. Um de seus inimigos naturais mais importantes é o parasitóide Dinarmus basalis (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), cuja eficiência de controle já foi demonstrada em vários estudos. Neste trabalho registra-se a ocorrência de C. analis e de seu parasitóide, D. basalis, em grãos armazenados de soja no estado de São Paulo.

Bioatividade da erva-de-santa-maria, Chenopodium ambrosioides L., sobre Sitophilus zeamais Mots. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) / Bioactivity of the mexican-tea, Chenopodium ambrosioides L., towards Sitophilus zeamais Mots. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influência do pó e do extrato aquoso de Chenopodium ambrosioides L. sobre o comportamento e a sobrevivência do gorgulho-do-milho, Sitophilus zeamais Mots. As plantas de C. ambrosioides foram cultivadas na área experimental do Departamento de Entomologia, Fitopatologia e Zoologia Agrícola da ESALQ/USP. Foram obtidos pós de folhas, ramos, frutos e da planta inteira (com frutos), quando a planta estava no estágio de frutificação. Os insetos utilizados nos ensaios foram obtidos de criação mantida em grãos de trigo. Foi avaliado o efeito do pó das diferentes estruturas vegetais e da planta inteira (com frutos) sobre o comportamento (atratividade e/ou repelência) e atividade inseticida nos adultos. Foi avaliado também o potencial inseticida do extrato aquoso das diferentes estruturas e da planta inteira (com frutos) sobre as fases imatura e adulta de S. zeamais. Os resultados obtidos foram: a) pós de frutos, ramos e folhas de C. ambrosioides não apresentaram repelência para adultos de S. zeamais; b) os pós de frutos e da planta inteira (com frutos) apresentaram atividade inseticida sobre adultos de S. zeamais; c) os extratos aquosos dessas estruturas vegetais não afetaram a sobrevivência e a emergência de adultos de S. zeamais.

This work deals with the influence of the powder and aqueous extracts of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. on behaviour and survival of the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Mots. The powders tested were obtained from leaves, branches, fruits and the whole plant (with fruits), when the plant was in the fructification period. The insects were obtained from a population reared on wheat grains. The effect of the powders from the different vegetal structures and from the whole plant (with fruits) was evaluated concerning the insect behavior (attractiveness and/or repellence) and insecticide activity on the adult phase. The insecticide activity of the aqueous extract from the different structures and from the whole plant (with fruits) was evaluated on immature and adult S. zeamais. The results were as follows: a) powders from fruits, branches and leaves of C. ambrosioides were not repellent to S. zeamais adults; b) powders from fruits and whole plant (with fruits) presented insecticide activity against S. zeamais adults; c) the aqueous extracts from these structures did not affect survival and adult emergence in S. zeamais.

Fístulas crânio-nasais do líquido céfalo-raquiano. Estudo de 17 casos / Cerebrospinal fluid cranio-nasal fistulae. Report of 17 cases

Os autores estudam uma série de pacientes com fístula do líquido céfalo-raquiano (LCR). Analisam as etiologias mais comuns desse tipo de fístula e as classificam didaticamente em dois grandes grupos: espontâneas e traumáticas. O objetivo deste estudo é discutir a conduta terapêutica e chamar a atenção para as principais dificuldades no diagnóstico dessas lesões.