The piranha gut microbiome provides a selective lens into river water biodiversity.

Advances in omics technologies have enabled the in-depth study of microbial communities and their metabolic profiles from all environments. Here metagenomes were sampled from piranha (Serrasalmus rhombeus) and from river water from the Rio São Benedito (Amazon Basin). Shotgun metagenome sequencing was used to explore diversity and to test whether fish microbiomes are a good proxy for river microbiome studies. The results showed that the fish microbiomes were not significantly different from the river water microbiomes at higher taxonomic ranks. However, at the genus level, fish microbiome alpha diversity decreased, and beta diversity increased. This result repeated for functional gene abundances associated with specific metabolic categories (SEED level 3). A clear delineation between water and fish was seen for beta diversity. The piranha microbiome provides a good and representative subset of its river water microbiome. Variations seen in beta biodiversity were expected and can be explained by temporal variations in the fish microbiome in response to stronger selective forces on its biodiversity. Metagenome assembled genomes construction was better from the fish samples. This study has revealed that the microbiome of a piranha tells us a lot about its river water microbiome and function.

Thyroid Function, Reverse Triiodothyronine, and Mortality in Critically Ill Clinical Patients.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the association of thyroid hormones changes, including increased reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) level, with critically ill clinical patients´ mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study analyzed the observational data prospectively collected over 8 months (2018) in an adult intensive care unit (ICU) in Brasilia, Brazil. All consecutive ICU-admitted clinical patients were included. Thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine (fT4), triiodothyronine (T3), free triiodothyronine (fT3), rT3, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were collected within 48 hours of ICU admission. Patients with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism who were previously diagnosed were excluded. RESULTS: Of 353 included patients, age was 68.5 ± 19.0 years, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score was 3.3 ± 2.9, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) was 17.1 ± 7.9. ICU mortality was 17.6% (n = 62). Non-survivor patients had a higher incidence of increased rT3 (69.3 vs 59.2%, p = 0.042), lower incidence of low T4 (4.8 vs 9.7%, p = 0.045), and increased age (75.2 ± 16.3 years vs 67.1 ± 19.3 years, p = 0.001), SOFA (3.0 ± 0.4 vs 2.8 ± 2.6, p <0.001), and APACHE II (23.5 ± 7.5 vs 15.7 ± 7.2, p <0.001). Alterations in other thyroid hormones did not show association with mortality. Increased rT3 [odds ratio (OR): 2.436; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.023-5.800; p = 0.020] and APACHE II (OR: 1.083, 95% CI: 1.012-1.158; p = 0.044) were associated with ICU mortality in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Increased rT3 was independently associated with increased ICU mortality. In contrast, other thyroid hormone alterations did not show an association with mortality. Determining rT3 levels may be a helpful test to identify an increased risk for ICU mortality in clinical patients. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: da Silveira CDG, de Vasconcelos FPJ, Moura EB, da Silveira BTG, Amorim FFP, Shintaku LS, et al. Thyroid Function, Reverse Triiodothyronine, and Mortality in Critically Ill Clinical Patients. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(10):1161-1166.

Novel complex of cosmetic ingredients with promising action in preventing hair loss and follicular aging through mechanism involving enrichment of WNT/signaling, mitochondrial activity, and stem cells maintenance.

BACKGROUND: Mechanisms involved in hair metabolism are diverse, and the availability of ingredients that normalize dysfunctions or mitigate the effects of extrinsic stress suffered daily is greatly desired by consumers to improve the aesthetic appearance of hair. AIMS: In this work, we carried out a preclinical exploratory approach to evaluate the effects of a complex of nanoencapsulated active ingredients (AcPi), as well as a cosmetic formulation containing AcPi (ShPi and HtPi) in mechanisms involving hair loss and follicular aging. METHODS: Human hair follicle dermal papilla cells and human scalp culture were treated with AcPi, ShPi, or HtPi and stimulated with UV radiation or testosterone for further measurement of mitochondrial biogenesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), ß-catenin, dyhidrotestosterone (DHT), collagen XVIIα1 (COL17A1), and cutaneous permeation. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that AcPi prevents oxidative stress and balances mitochondial activity disturbed by exposure to UV radiation. AcPi also promoted an enrichment of WNT/ß-catenin signaling pathway, stimulating hair growth, and lengthening the anagen phase of hair cycle. ShPi and HtPi were able to prevent hair aging, minimizing the excessive degradation of COL17A1 in hair follicle exposed to UV radiation, in addition to controlling androgenic metabolism by reducing DHT production. CONCLUSION: The integral effects of AcPi have not been completely elucidated; however, these results, associated with clinical evidences, allow us to infer that this ingredient prevents follicular aging, miniaturization, and consequently hair loss by mechanisms involving energetic homeostasis maintenance, antioxidant, and anti-androgenic actions.

Increased strength of the scapular stabilizer and lumbar muscles after twelve weeks of Pilates training using the Reformer machine: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to analyze muscle strength in Pilates novices who used the Reformer equipment during twelve training sessions. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy young female volunteers, who were non-smokers and did not exercise regularly, were split into a control group (mean age 28 ± 4 years and BMI 24.55 ± 3.21 kg/m2) and a training group (mean age 29 ± 4 years and BMI 22.69 ± 2.87 kgm2). The data were checked for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and were then analyzed using the t-test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: After the training sessions, there were statistically significant differences between the groups for the scapular stabilizer muscles (p = 0.0263) and the lumbar muscles (p = 0.0001). For the scapular stabilizers, the initial/final values were 14.69 ± 2.80/14.79 ± 2.89 (control group) and 15.99 ± 3.54/17.44 ± 2.88 (Pilates group). The corresponding values for the lumbar muscles were 53.83 ± 11.66/53.28 ± 11.14 (control group) and 54.75 ± 10.27/64.80 ± 10.20 (Pilates group). CONCLUSION: After twelve sessions of Pilates with the Reformer equipment, there were improvements in lumbar extensor and scapular stabilizer strength. Several benefits are reported by practitioners of Pilates, but until now, there has been limited scientific evidence of the improvement of strength in the trunk and limbs after application of the technique.

Nanoencapsulation of Rose-Hip Oil Prevents Oil Oxidation and Allows Obtainment of Gel and Film Topical Formulations.

The rose-hip oil holds skin regenerating properties with applications in the dermatological and cosmetic area. Its nanoencapsulation might favor the oil stability and its incorporation into hydrophilic formulations, besides increasing the contact with the skin and prolonging its effect. The aim of the present investigation was to develop suitable rose-hip-oil-loaded nanocapsules, to verify the nanocapsule effect on the UV-induced oxidation of the oil and to obtain topical formulations by the incorporation of the nanocapsules into chitosan gel and film. The rose-hip oil (500 or 600 µL), polymer (Eudragit RS100®, 100 or 200 mg), and acetone (50 or 100 mL) contents were separately varied aiming to obtain an adequate size distribution. The results led to a combination of the factors acetone and oil. The developed formulation showed average diameter of 158 ± 6 nm with low polydispersity, pH of 5.8 ± 0.9, zeta potential of +9.8 ± 1.5 mV, rose-hip oil content of 54 ± 1 µL/mL and tendency to reversible creaming. No differences were observed in the nanocapsules properties after storage. The nanoencapsulation of rose-hip oil decreased the UVA and UVC oxidation of the oil. The chitosan gel and film containing rose-hip-oil-loaded nanocapsules showed suitable properties for cutaneous use. In conclusion, it was possible to successfully obtain rose-hip-oil-loaded nanocapsules and to confirm the nanocapsules effect in protecting the oil from the UV rays. The chitosan gel and film were considered interesting alternatives for incorporating the nanoencapsulated rose-hip oil, combining the advantages of the nanoparticles to the advantages of chitosan.

Acute auditory stimulation with different styles of music influences cardiac autonomic regulation in men.

BACKGROUND: No clear evidence is available in the literature regarding the acute effect of different styles of music on cardiac autonomic control. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of classical baroque and heavy metal musical auditory stimulation on Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in healthy men. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, HRV was analyzed regarding time (SDNN, RMSSD, NN50, and pNN50) and frequency domain (LF, HF, and LF / HF) in 12 healthy men. HRV was recorded at seated rest for 10 minutes. Subsequently, the participants were exposed to classical baroque or heavy metal music for five minutes through an earphone at seated rest. After exposure to the first song, they remained at rest for five minutes and they were again exposed to classical baroque or heavy metal music. The music sequence was random for each individual. Standard statistical methods were used for calculation of means and standard deviations. Besides, ANOVA and Friedman test were used for parametric and non-parametric distributions, respectively. RESULTS: While listening to heavy metal music, SDNN was reduced compared to the baseline (P = 0.023). In addition, the LF index (ms(2) and nu) was reduced during exposure to both heavy metal and classical baroque musical auditory stimulation compared to the control condition (P = 0.010 and P = 0.048, respectively). However, the HF index (ms(2)) was reduced only during auditory stimulation with music heavy metal (P = 0.01). The LF/HF ratio on the other hand decreased during auditory stimulation with classical baroque music (P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Acute auditory stimulation with the selected heavy metal musical auditory stimulation decreased the sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation on the heart, while exposure to a selected classical baroque music reduced sympathetic regulation on the heart.

Auditory stimulation with music influences the geometric indices of heart rate variability in men.

BACKGROUND: Chronic classical music was reported to increase parasympathetic activitywhen evaluating heart rate variability (HRV). It is poor in the literature investigation of the acute effects of baroque and heavy metal styles of musical auditory stimulation on HRV. In this study we evaluated the acute effects of relaxant baroque and excitatory heavy metal music on the geometric indices of HRV in healthy men. METHOD: The study was performed in 12 healthy men between 18 and 30 years old. We excluded persons with previous experience with music instrument and those who had affinity with the song styles. We analyzed the following indices: RRtri, TINN and Poincaré plot (SD1, SD2 and SD1/SD2 ratio). HRV was recorded at rest for ten minutes. Subsequently they were exposed to relaxant baroque or excitatory heavy metal music for five minutes through an earphone. After the first music exposure they remained at rest for more five minutes and them they were exposed again to Baroque or Heavy Metal music (65-80 dB). The sequence of songs was randomized for each individual. RESULTS: The RRTri and SD2 indices were reduced during the heavy metal musical auditory stimulation (p < 0.05). No changes were observed regarding TINN, SD1 and SD1/SD2 ratio (p > 0.05).The qualitative Poincaré plot analysis indicated that during relaxant classical baroque music there was observed a higher beat-to-beat dispersion of RR intervals compared with no music exposure and during excitatory heavy metal musical auditory stimulation, showing higher HRV. CONCLUSION: We suggest that excitatory heavy metal music acutely decreases global HRV.

Real-time PCR in HIV/Trypanosoma cruzi coinfection with and without Chagas disease reactivation: association with HIV viral load and CD4 level.

BACKGROUND: Reactivation of chronic Chagas disease, which occurs in approximately 20% of patients coinfected with HIV/Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), is commonly characterized by severe meningoencephalitis and myocarditis. The use of quantitative molecular tests to monitor Chagas disease reactivation was analyzed. METHODOLOGY: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of kDNA sequences, competitive (C-) PCR and real-time quantitative (q) PCR were compared with blood cultures and xenodiagnosis in samples from 91 patients (57 patients with chronic Chagas disease and 34 with HIV/T. cruzi coinfection), of whom 5 had reactivation of Chagas disease and 29 did not. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: qRT-PCR showed significant differences between groups; the highest parasitemia was observed in patients infected with HIV/T. cruzi with Chagas disease reactivation (median 1428.90 T. cruzi/mL), followed by patients with HIV/T. cruzi infection without reactivation (median 1.57 T. cruzi/mL) and patients with Chagas disease without HIV (median 0.00 T. cruzi/mL). Spearman's correlation coefficient showed that xenodiagnosis was correlated with blood culture, C-PCR and qRT-PCR. A stronger Spearman correlation index was found between C-PCR and qRT-PCR, the number of parasites and the HIV viral load, expressed as the number of CD4(+) cells or the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio. CONCLUSIONS: qRT-PCR distinguished the groups of HIV/T. cruzi coinfected patients with and without reactivation. Therefore, this new method of qRT-PCR is proposed as a tool for prospective studies to analyze the importance of parasitemia (persistent and/or increased) as a criterion for recommending pre-emptive therapy in patients with chronic Chagas disease with HIV infection or immunosuppression. As seen in this study, an increase in HIV viral load and decreases in the number of CD4(+) cells/mm(3) and the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio were identified as cofactors for increased parasitemia that can be used to target the introduction of early, pre-emptive therapy.