Nanocomposite of Ag-Doped ZnO and AgO Nanocrystals as a Preventive Measure to Control Biofilm Formation in Eggshell and Salmonella spp. Entry Into Eggs.

Salmonella spp. is an important foodborne agent of salmonellosis, whose sources in humans often include products of avian origin. The control of this bacterium is difficult especially when Salmonella spp. is organized into biofilms. We hypothesized that the novel nanocomposites of ZnO nanocrystals doped with silver (Ag) and silver oxide (AgO) nanocrystals (ZnO:Ag-AgO) synthesized by the coprecipitation method could control or prevent the formation of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) and Salmonella Heidelberg (SH) biofilm and its entry into turkey eggs. The diffraction characteristics of ZnO and AgO showed sizes of 28 and 30 nm, respectively. The Zn to Ag substitution into the ZnO crystalline structure was evidenced by the ionic radius of Ag+2 (1.26 Å), which is greater than Zn+2 (0.74 Å). For the SE analyses post-biofilm formation, the ZnO:Ag-AgO was not able to eliminate the biofilm, but the bacterial load was lower than that of the control group. Additionally, SE was able to infiltrate into the eggs and was found in both albumen and yolk. For the SH analyses applied onto the eggshells before biofilm formation, the ZnO:Ag-AgO treatment prevented biofilm formation, and although the bacterium infiltration into the eggs was observed in all treated groups, it was significantly smaller in ZnO:Ag-AgO pre-treated eggs, and SH could not reach the yolk. There was no difference in pore size between groups; therefore, the inhibition of biofilm formation and the prevention of bacterium entry into the egg were attributable to the use of ZnO:Ag-AgO, which was not influenced by the egg structure. Although the amount of Ag and Zn in the shell of the ZnO:Ag-AgO group was greater in relation to the control, this difference was not detected in the other egg components. In the search for new measures that are effective, safe and viable for controlling microorganisms in poultry farming, the application of a nanocomposite of Ag-doped ZnO and AgO nanocrystals appears as an alternative of great potential to prevent Salmonella sp biofilms in eggshells and other surfaces.

Impact on the quality of life of women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in public and private care.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the general quality of life of women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in a public and a private institution. METHODS: Longitudinal observational study including 115 women with breast cancer in an outpatient chemotherapy treatment at two health institutions, one public and one private, in the city of Curitiba (Brazil). The Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 and the Quality of Life Questionnaire - Breast Cancer Module instruments were applied at three moments of treatment (onset, 40-50 days, and 85-95 days after initiation). RESULTS: Women's global health status was affected in both groups since the first phase of chemotherapy (76.2 points in the private institution and 74.6 points in the public institution, considering 100 points = maximum health). In both groups there was worsening of quality of life over time, which was lower in women in the private institution (second phase = 75.0 and third phase = 74; p=0.47), compared to those in the public institution (second phase = 71.5 and third phase 69.1; p=0.02). Regarding the type of institution, the most committed functions were the emotional and social in the private, and physical and pain in the public. CONCLUSIONS: The global quality of life of women with breast cancer deteriorated as a result of chemotherapy in both institutions, and it was lower in those receiving private care. Nursing should consider the type of institution responsible for women's care in order to provide comprehensive care that considers the functions affected at each phase of treatment.

Compromiso de la calidad de vida de mujeres con cáncer de mama sometidas a quimioterapia en la atención pública y privada / Comprometimento da qualidade de vida de mulheres com câncer de mama submetidas a quimioterapia no atendimento público e privado / Impact on the quality of life of women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in public and private care

Objective. To compare the general quality of life of women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in a public and a private institution. Methods. Longitudinal observational study including 115 women with breast cancer in an outpatient chemotherapy treatment at two health institutions, one public and one private, in the city of Curitiba (Brazil). The Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 and the Quality of Life Questionnaire - Breast Cancer Module instruments were applied at three moments of treatment (onset, 40-50 days, and 85-95 days after initiation). Results. Women's global health status was affected in both groups since the first phase of chemotherapy (76.2 points in the private institution and 74.6 points in the public institution, considering 100 points = maximum health). In both groups there was worsening of quality of life over time, which was lower in women in the private institution (second phase = 75.0 and third phase = 74; p=0.47), compared to those in the public institution (second phase = 71.5 and third phase 69.1; p=0.02). Regarding the type of institution, the most committed functions were the emotional and social in the private, and physical and pain in the public. Conclusion. The global quality of life of women with breast cancer deteriorated as a result of chemotherapy in both institutions, and it was lower in those receiving private care. Nursing should consider the type of institution responsible for women's care in order to provide comprehensive care that considers the functions affected at each phase of treatment.(AU)

Compromiso de la calidad de vida de mujeres con cáncer de mama sometidas a quimioterapia en la atención pública y privada Objetivo. Comparar la calidad de vida general de mujeres con cáncer de mama sometidas a quimioterapia en una institución pública y otra privada. Métodos. Estudio observacional longitudinal en el que participaron 115 mujeres con cáncer de mama en tratamiento ambulatorio de quimioterapia en dos instituciones de salud, una pública y una privada, de la ciudad de Curitiba (Brasil). Los instrumentos Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 y Quality of Life Questionnaire - Breast Cancer Module se aplicaron en tres momentos del tratamiento (inicio, 40-50 días y 85-95 días post-inicio). Resultados. La calidad de vida global de las mujeres ya estaba afectada en ambos grupos desde la primera etapa de la quimioterapia (76.2 puntos en la privada y 74.6 puntos en la pública, siendo 100 puntos el equivalente de máxima salud). También se pudo apreciar que, aunque en ambos grupos hubo empeoramiento de la calidad de vida con el tiempo, este fue menor en las mujeres en la atención privada (segunda etapa = 75.0 y tercera etapa = 74; p=0.47), comparadas con las que recibieron atención pública (segunda etapa = 71.5 y tercera etapa 69.1; p=0.02). Según tipo de institución, las funciones más comprometidas fueron la emocional y la social en la privada, y la física y el dolor en la pública. Conclusión. La calidad de vida global de las mujeres con cáncer de mama se deterioró como consecuencia de la quimioterapia en las dos instituciones, siendo menor en las que recibieron atención privada. Enfermería debe también considerar el tipo de institución responsable de la atención de la mujer, con el fin de brindar un cuidado integral que tenga en cuenta las funciones afectadas en cada fase da tratamiento.(AU)

Objetivo. Comparar a qualidade de vida geral de mulheres com câncer de mama submetidas a quimioterapia em uma instituição pública e outra privada. Métodos. Estudo observacional, longitudinal, em que participaram 115 mulheres com câncer de mama em tratamento ambulatorial de quimioterapia em duas instituições de saúde, uma pública e uma privada, na cidade de Curitiba (Brasil). Os instrumentos Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 e Quality of Life Questionnaire ­ Breast Cancer Module foram aplicados em três momentos do tratamento (início, 40-50 dias e 85-95 dias após o início). Resultados. A qualidade de vida global das mulheres foi afetada em ambos os grupos desde a primeira fase da quimioterapia (76.2 pontos na privada e 74.6 pontos na pública, sendo 100 pontos o equivalente ao máximo de saúde). Também foi possível observar em ambos os grupos que houve piora na qualidade de vida ao longo do tempo, esta foi menor nas mulheres em atendimento privado (segunda etapa = 75.0 e terceira etapa = 74; p=0.47), comparadas com aquelas que receberam atenção pública (segunda etapa = 71.5 e terceira etapa 69.1; p=0.02). De acordo com o tipo de instituição, as funções mais comprometidas foram a emocional e a social na privada, e física e a dor na pública. Conclusão. A qualidade de vida global das mulheres com câncer de mama deteriorou-se em consequência da quimioterapia nas duas instituições, sendo esta menor naquelas que recebem atenção privada. A enfermagem deve considerar o tipo de instituição responsável pelo atendimento das mulheres, a fim de fornecer um atendimento integral que leve em consideração as funções afetadas em cada fase do tratamento.(AU)

Probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from water-buffalo mozzarella cheese.

This study evaluated the probiotic properties (stability at different pH values and bile salt concentration, auto-aggregation and co-aggregation, survival in the presence of antibiotics and commercial drugs, study of ß-galactosidase production, evaluation of the presence of genes encoding MapA and Mub adhesion proteins and EF-Tu elongation factor, and the presence of genes encoding virulence factor) of four LAB strains (Lactobacillus casei SJRP35, Leuconostoc citreum SJRP44, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus SJRP57 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides SJRP58) which produced antimicrobial substances (antimicrobial peptides). The strains survived the simulated GIT modeled in MRS broth, whole and skim milk. In addition, auto-aggregation and the cell surface hydrophobicity of all strains were high, and various degrees of co-aggregation were observed with indicator strains. All strains presented low resistance to several antibiotics and survived in the presence of commercial drugs. Only the strain SJRP44 did not produce the ß-galactosidase enzyme. Moreover, the strain SJRP57 did not show the presence of any genes encoding virulence factors; however, the strain SJRP35 presented vancomycin resistance and adhesion of collagen genes, the strain SJRP44 harbored the ornithine decarboxylase gene and the strain SJRP58 generated positive results for aggregation substance and histidine decarboxylase genes. In conclusion, the strain SJRP57 was considered the best candidate as probiotic cultures for further in vivo studies and functional food products development.

Leuconostoc mesenteroides SJRP55: A Bacteriocinogenic Strain Isolated from Brazilian Water Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese.

The production of bacteriocins by Leuconostoc mesenteroides represents an important opportunity for exploration of their potential use for industrial purpose. The antimicrobial compounds produced by L. mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides SJRP55 strain were characterized and purified. Cell-free supernatant of Leuc. mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides SJRP55 produced antibacterial compounds against Listeria spp. strains and not inhibiting against Lactobacillus spp. The antimicrobial substances were stable at high temperatures (100 °C for 2 h and 121 °C for 20 min) and low pH (pH 2-4) values, but sensitive to proteolytic enzymes and resistant to α-amylase, lipase and catalase enzymes. The optimal temperature for active peptides production was 25 °C. The antimicrobial compounds were purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, affinity column and reverse-phase chromatography. Mass spectrometry and amino acids analyses showed that the bacteriocins were identical to mesentericin Y105 and B105. The producer strain's DNA analysis revealed presence of open reading frames possibly coding for virulence factors, such as enterococcal surface protein (esp), collagen adhesion (ace) and intrinsic vancomycin resistance (vanA); however, biogenic amines encoding genes were not observed. Leuc. mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides SJRP55 is a promising biopreservative culture in fermented milk, and the purified bacteriocins can also be applied in food preservation.

[Smear test from the point of view of women who undergo it]. / O exame colpocitológico sob a ótica da mulher que o vivencia.

This research is the result of my experience with women in cervical cancer prevention at the Gynecology and Obstetrics National Health Clinic of the Federal University of Minas Gerais. I tried to understand what it means to women who are submitted to a smear test. To achieve this, I have used a qualitative research, in a phenomenological approach. I gathered the data from interviews about the main subject. The analysis of those eleven interviews have helped me to build three analytical categories that are the located structure of the phenomenon, as follows: A--The preventive cervical cancer examination: a woman as a human being conscious of the world; B--Facing the smear test: manifestation of the existence; C--Working with the health professional during the examination: as interfaces of the attendance.