KCL TEST: an open-source inspired asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 surveillance programme in an academic institution.

Rapid and accessible testing was paramount in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our university established KCL TEST: a SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic testing programme that enabled sensitive and accessible PCR testing of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in saliva. Here, we describe our learnings and provide our blueprint for launching diagnostic laboratories, particularly in low-resource settings. Between December 2020 and July 2022, we performed 158277 PCRs for our staff, students, and their household contacts, free of charge. Our average turnaround time was 16 h and 37 min from user registration to result delivery. KCL TEST combined open-source automation and in-house non-commercial reagents, which allows for rapid implementation and repurposing. Importantly, our data parallel those of the UK Office for National Statistics, though we detected a lower positive rate and virtually no delta wave. Our observations strongly support regular asymptomatic community testing as an important measure for decreasing outbreaks and providing safe working spaces. Universities can therefore provide agile, resilient, and accurate testing that reflects the infection rate and trend of the general population. Our findings call for the early integration of academic institutions in pandemic preparedness, with capabilities to rapidly deploy highly skilled staff, as well as develop, test, and accommodate efficient low-cost pipelines.

Evidence-based Interventions Targeting Remand Prisoners: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis / Intervenciones basadas en la evidencia dirigidas a reclusos en prisión preventiva: revisión sistemática y meta-análisis

Background/Aim: Official data show that nearly three million people are awaiting trial in prison. Despite this group representativeness, few interventions have been developed and assessed for these prisoners, even though literature has been showing that they present specific vulnerabilities. Nevertheless, no previous literature review had covered this topic. Considering this, the present review aims to gather evidence on the programs focused on this population, analyzing their intervention targets and their effectiveness. Method: The search identified a total of 7,143 studies. After removing the duplicates, 2,199 were screened using the title and abstract, according to the inclusion criteria. The full-text screening comprehended 45 articles, of which 37 were excluded. This resulted in 8 studies for inclusion in the final analysis, of which four were pharmacological studies. Results: Overall, meta-analysis results exhibited that treatment of remand prisoners (RPs) has an extraordinarily large positive effects, exceeding 92%. Our study confirmed that RPs would benefit from treatment, and therefore intervention programs should be established. Conclusions: Besides, our findings underlined the scarce resources to address the difficulties of the remand population, reinforcing the importance of assessing these individuals’ needs to develop effective responses to them. (AU)

Introducción/Objetivo: Los datos oficiales muestran que casi tres millones de personas se encuentran en prisión a la espera de juicio. A pesar de la representatividad de este grupo, se han desarrollado y evaluado pocas intervenciones para estos presos, a pesar de que las publicaciones científicas han venido demostrando que presentan vulnerabilidad específica. Sin embargo, ninguna revisión anterior de la literatura había abordado este tema. Teniendo esto en cuenta, la presente revisión pretende reunir evidencias sobre los programas dirigidos a esta población, analizando sus objetivos de intervención y su efectividad. Método: La búsqueda identificó un total de 7,143 estudios. Tras eliminar los duplicados, se seleccionaron 2,199 mediante el título y el resumen, de acuerdo con los criterios de inclusión. El cribado del texto completo comprendió 45 artículos, de los cuales 37 fueron excluidos. Esto dio lugar a 8 estudios para su inclusión en el análisis final, de los cuales 4 eran estudios farmacológicos. Resultados: En general, los resultados del meta-análisis mostraron que el tratamiento de los presos preventivos tiene enormes efectos positivos, superiores al 92%. Nuestro estudio confirmó que los presos preventivos se beneficiarían del tratamiento, por lo que deberían establecerse programas de intervención. Conclusiones: Los resultados subrayan los escasos recursos que hay para abordar las dificultades de la población en prisión preventiva, reforzando la importancia de evaluar las necesidades de estos individuos para desarrollar respuestas efectivas a las mismas. (AU)

Disentangling the roles of aneuploidy, chromosomal instability and tumour heterogeneity in developing resistance to cancer therapies.

Aneuploidy is defined as the cellular state of having a number of chromosomes that deviates from a multiple of the normal haploid chromosome number of a given organism. Aneuploidy can be present in a static state: Down syndrome individuals stably maintain an extra copy of chromosome 21 in their cells. In cancer cells, however, aneuploidy is usually present in combination with chromosomal instability (CIN) which leads to a continual generation of new chromosomal alterations and the development of intratumour heterogeneity (ITH). The prevalence of cells with specific chromosomal alterations is further shaped by evolutionary selection, for example, during the administration of cancer therapies. Aneuploidy, CIN and ITH have each been individually associated with poor prognosis in cancer, and a wealth of evidence suggests they contribute, either alone or in combination, to cancer therapy resistance by providing a reservoir of potential resistant states, or the ability to rapidly evolve resistance. A full understanding of the contribution and interplay between aneuploidy, CIN and ITH is required to tackle therapy resistance in cancer patients. However, these characteristics often co-occur and are intrinsically linked, presenting a major challenge to defining their individual contributions. Moreover, their accurate measurement in both experimental and clinical settings is a technical hurdle. Here, we attempt to deconstruct the contribution of the individual and combined roles of aneuploidy, CIN and ITH to therapy resistance in cancer, and outline emerging approaches to measure and disentangle their roles as a step towards integrating these principles into cancer therapeutic strategy.

The Effectiveness of Psychological Treatment in Adult Male Convicted for Sexual Offenses Against Children: A Systematic Review.

Child sexual abuse is a public health problem of global magnitude with profound and negative consequences for the victims and society. Thus, psychological intervention with individuals who sexually offended against children is crucial for reducing recidivism. Numerous reviews and meta-analyses have shown the effectiveness of psychological interventions in individuals who sexually offended, but few reviews have been done on this subtype of offenders. This article reviews evaluation studies of intervention programs designed to treat individuals who sexually offended against children, providing a more detailed account of treatment procedures. Articles were identified from peer-reviewed databases, bibliographies, and experts. Following full-text review, 12 studies were selected for inclusion by meeting the following criteria: quantitative or qualitative research studies published in English from 2000 to 2020 with titles or abstracts that indicated a focus on treatment effectiveness, detailing the psychological treatment procedures on adult, male individuals convicted for child sexual abuse. Cognitive-behavioral therapy with a relapse prevention approach was the most frequent modality found in child sexual offending treatment. Besides, different criminogenic and non-criminogenic factors emerge as targets for intervention. Study design, study quality, and intervention procedures shortened the accumulation of evidence in treatment effectiveness.

The Psychological Impact of Restorative Justice Practices on Victims of Crimes-a Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Restorative justice emerges as a theoretical-practical approach to the criminal legal system, in which the reparation of damage of the victim is a central point. However, the growing empirical production referring to the effects of this approach on victims is sometimes shown to be weakened or dispersed, focusing mainly on their satisfaction. OBJECTIVE: The present work intended to systematically evaluate the empirical production of the restorative justice field, to aggregate and examine information in the literature regarding the psychological impacts on victims who participated in restorative practices. METHODS: A search was made using electronic databases to identify quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies, published between January 2000 and December 2020 that reported psychological impacts on real victims of crimes, who participated in mediations/conferences victim-offender. RESULTS: 35 studies were identified as focusing on the psychological impacts on victims resulting from restorative practices. These studies have shown effects on post-traumatic symptomatology, on the emotions and emotional needs resulted from victimization, as well as on the victims' perceptions of their offenders. CONCLUSIONS: The present research showed that restorative justice practices have a positive psychological impact on victims, who are frequently forgotten in conventional justice, and that some of these impacts persist over time.

Using the algorithm of the Fetal Medicine Foundation to determine the cutoff point for prediction of pre-eclampsia in a Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND: To use the algorithm of the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) to determine the cutoff point for prediction of preeclampsia (PE) in a Brazilian population. METHODS: Randomized clinical trial with 274 nulliparous patients at gestational age between 11 and 13 weeks and 6 days. To calculate the risk of PE, the algorithm available at the website of the FMF (http://fetalmedicine.org/research/assess/preeclampsia/first-trimester) was used. Among the patients, 138 did not use preventive measures (100 mg/day aspirin [ASA]). Youden's criteria were used to calculate the cutoff point. To test the effectiveness of 100 mg/day ASA in preventing PE, the patients were divided into two groups - at risk above and below the cutoff point. RESULTS: In the group comprising the 135 patients that did not take ASA, the median age was 22 years, the Body Mass Index (BMI) was 59.3 kg/m2, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was 73.3 mmHg, and the mean pulsatility index of uterine artery Doppler was 1.71. The median gestational age at delivery was 39.3 (38.1-40.3) weeks. The prevalence of PE was 11.1%. In our sample, the use of 100 mg/day ASA reduced total PE by 36.3% (prevalence of PE in the group above the cutoff point was 19% and 12.1% when ASA and placebo were used, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The cutoff point defined for prediction of PE was 1:155 with sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 57.5%, positive predictive value of 19.1%, and negative predictive value of 95%, which should help to select patients that will benefit from prophylactic ASA.

The prognostic value of delta-lactate in critically ill children.

AIM: This study aimed to test delta-lactate (ΔL) as a short-term risk stratification method in critically ill children. METHODS: An exploratory study of patients admitted to paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) was conducted. ΔL was calculated as the difference between the maximum lactate concentrations on Days 1 and 2. According to the ΔL cutoff, two groups were considered: low mortality risk (LMR) - ΔL ≥ 0.05 mmol/L - and high mortality risk (HMR) - ΔL < 0.05 mmol/L. RESULTS: Mortality, both during PICU stay and at 28 days, was statistically associated with elevated serum lactate on D1 and D2, per se. For the 93 cases with elevated lactate on Day 1, and a ΔL cutoff of 0.05 mmol/L, the area under the ROC curve was 0.698 (95% confidence interval, 0.47-0.93). HMR patients scored higher PIM3, were not discharged home until 28 days, counted fewer ventilation-free days and needed renal replacement therapy more often. CONCLUSION: Elevated lactate levels at admission, as well as applying the optimal cutoff for ΔL, allowed to predict short-term mortality: if an increase or minimal decrease in lactate maximum levels occurred from D1 to D2, death was almost eight times more probable. In critically ill children, delta-lactate predicts short-term outcome.

Trophic niche changes associated with the eradication of invasive mammals in an insular lizard: an assessment using isotopes.

Invasive species are a major threat to island biodiversity, and their eradications have substantially contributed to the conservation of island endemics. However, the consequences of eradications on the trophic ecology of native taxa are largely unexplored. Here, we used the eradication of invasive black rats Rattus rattus and European rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus from the Berlenga Island, in the western coast of Portugal, as a whole-ecosystem experiment to investigate the effects of the eradication of invasive mammals on the trophic niche and body dimensions of the island-restricted Berlenga wall lizard Podarcis carbonelli berlengensis over a 2-year period. Our results suggest an expansion of the isotopic niche and an intensification of the sexual dimorphism of the lizard following mammal eradication. Additionally, we found considerable variability in isotopic niche across the island and detected evidence of sex-specific and season-modulated nutritional requirements of this threatened reptile. Our findings support that the eradication of 2 of the planet's most problematic invasive vertebrates led to changes in the lizard trophic niche and sexual dimorphism in just 2 years. This suggests that the ecological pressures-for example, prey availability and habitat structure-to which lizards are exposed have substantially changed post-eradication. Our study emphasizes the scientific value of island eradications as experiments to address a wide range of ecological questions and adds to the increasing body of evidence supporting substantial conservation gains associated with these restoration interventions.

Population wide testing pooling strategy for SARS-CoV-2 detection using saliva.

SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has forced frequent testing of populations. It is necessary to identify the most cost-effective strategies for the detection of COVID-19 outbreaks. Nasopharyngeal samples have been used for SARS-CoV-2 detection but require a healthcare professional to collect the sample and cause discomfort and pain to the individual. Saliva has been suggested as an appropriate fluid for the diagnosis of COVID-19. We have investigated the possibility of using pools of saliva samples to detect SARS-CoV-2 in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Two hundred and seventy-nine saliva samples were analyzed through RT-PCR of Envelope, Nucleocapsid and Open Reading Frame 1ab genes. Reproducibility assays showed an almost perfect agreement as well as high sensitivity (96.6%), specificity (96.8%), positive predicted value (96.6%), and negative predicted value (96.8%). The average Cycle Threshold of the genes detected was 29.7. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were detected when comparing the cycle threshold average of two consecutive reactions on the same positive saliva samples. Saliva samples have a higher median viral load (32.6) than in nasopharyngeal samples (28.9), although no significant differences were detected (p > 0.05). Saliva-pool samples allowed effective SARS-CoV-2 screening, with a higher sensibility (96.9%) on 10-sample pools than in 20-sample pools (87.5%). Regardless of pools size specificity was high (99.9%) and an almost perfect agreement was observed. Our strategy was successfully applied in population wide testing of more than 2000 individuals, showing that it is possible to use pooled saliva as diagnostic fluid for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Measuring Self-Serving Cognitive Distortions with Special Reference to Juvenile Delinquency: A Validation of the "How I Think" Questionnaire in a Sample of Portuguese Adolescents.

The present study aims to test the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the "How I Think" (HIT) questionnaire. The HIT questionnaire is a self-report measure of self-serving cognitive distortions. Our sample was comprised of 442 Portuguese-speaking adolescents and young adults (254 males and 188 females), aged between 12 and 20 years. Of the total 442 participants, 351 were recruited from a Portuguese school and 91 from four Portuguese detention centers for juvenile delinquents. Data analysis provided evidence supporting the original six-factor model solution, composed of a four-category typology of self-serving cognitive distortions (i.e., Selfcentered, Blaming Others, Minimizing/Mislabeling, and Assuming the Worst), an Anomalous responding, and one Positive filler factor. Further, results showed satisfactory internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. In conclusion, this article provides Portuguese researchers and practitioners with a valid measure of self-serving cognitive distortions.

Low-dose acetylsalicylic acid does not modify maternal vascular reactivity in nulliparas.

OBJECTIVE: To assess if the low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) would be capable of modifying endothelial function throughout pregnancy in nulliparous patients. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial with 277 were included. A total of 139 were orally administered 100 mg/day of ASA, and 138 received placebo. Endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the brachial artery before the start of medication (11-14 weeks) and 20-24 and 30-34 weeks of gestation. The intervention was maintained until 34 weeks. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the placebo and ASA groups. The comparison of FMD during pregnancy was performed using the Friedman test. RESULTS: The groups (ASA and placebo) were similar regarding to age, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) (p > .005). The comparison of values of FMD (%) between placebo vs. ASA at 11 and 14 weeks (8.9 vs. 9.7%, p: .253), 20 and 24 weeks (8.8 vs. 10.7%, p: .152), and 30 and 34 weeks (10.7 vs. 9.8%, p: .314) did not show significant changes throughout pregnancy. We observed a significant prevalence of PE in the placebo regarding to ASA group [14 (10.2%) vs. 8 (5.8%), p: .171]. CONCLUSION: Acetylsalicylic acid did not modify the endothelial function assessed by FMD of the brachial artery during pregnancy in nulliparous women.

Acute heart failure: on the track of a rare disease.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis is an antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated small vessel vasculitis with cardiac involvement in more than 60% of cases. Authors describe the case of a 48-year-old woman who presented with progressively worsening asthenia, dyspnoea and macular, non-painful, non-itchy cutaneous lesions. She had signs of congestion on clinical examination and a history of asthma and nasal polyps. Blood tests showed eosinophilia (11.2%), positive troponin I (9698 µg/L), elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (2047 pg/mL) and positive C reactive protein (6.68 mg/dL). Echocardiogram displayed moderate left ventricular enlargement, left ventricular ejection fraction of 28% and mild pericardial effusion. Levosimendan relieved the congestion. Additional testing confirmed positive antinuclear antibodies with ANCA-negative autoimmune pattern. Cardiac magnetic resonance showed severely depressed systolic function due to diffuse hypokinesia. Cardiac biopsy had intercellular oedema and eosinophilic infiltrate. Treatment with prednisolone and cyclophosphamide was started. This is a case of a rare disease presenting with life-threatening cardiac involvement.

Increased antibacterial properties of indoline-derived phenolic Mannich bases.

The search for antibacterial agents for the combat of nosocomial infections is a timely problem, as antibiotic-resistant bacteria continue to thrive. The effect of indoline substituents on the antibacterial properties of aminoalkylphenols was studied, leading to the development of a library of compounds with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) as low as 1.18 µM. Two novel aminoalkylphenols were identified as particularly promising, after MIC and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) determination against a panel of reference strain Gram-positive bacteria, and further confirmed against 40 clinical isolates (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, and Listeria monocytogenes). The same two aminoalkylphenols displayed low toxicity against two in vivo models (Artemia salina brine shrimp and Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation (on human keratinocytes and human embryonic lung fibroblast cell lines) of the same compounds was also carried out. They demonstrated a particularly toxic effect on the fibroblast cell lines, with IC50 in the 1.7-5.1 µM range, thus narrowing their clinical use. The desired increase in the antibacterial properties of the aminoalkylphenols, particularly indoline-derived phenolic Mannich bases, was reached by introducing an additional nitro group in the indolinyl substituent or by the replacement of a methyl by a bioisosteric trifluoromethyl substituent in the benzyl group introduced through use of boronic acids in the Petasis borono-Mannich reaction. Notably, the introduction of an additional nitro moiety did not confer added toxicity to the aminoalkylphenols.

Screening the dermatological potential of plectranthus species components: antioxidant and inhibitory capacities over elastase, collagenase and tyrosinase.

A series of Plectranthus spp. plant extracts (aqueous, acetonic, methanolic and ethyl acetic) obtained from eight different species, and previously isolated compounds (ranging from polyphenols, diterpenes and triterpenes), were assayed for in vitro inhibition of the skin-related enzymes tyrosinase, collagenase and elastase, and for studying their antioxidant properties. The ethyl acetic extracts of P. grandidentatus and P. ecklonii registered the highest antioxidant activity, whereas acetonic, methanolic and ethyl acetic extracts of P. ecklonii, P. grandidentatus, P. madagascariensis and P. saccatus concerning the enzymatic inhibition assays revealed high anti-tyrosinase and anti-collagenase activities. From the isolated compounds tested, abietane diterpenes and triterpenes were highly active against tyrosinase and elastase activity. Overall, the experimental results showed the powerful antioxidant and inhibitory action on skin-related enzymes tyrosinase, collagenase and elastase of Plectranthus spp. extracts and/or isolated compounds, supporting their further research as bioactive metabolites against skin sagging and hyperpigmentation in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.

Influence of evening/night-time birth on maternal/perinatal outcomes in a low-risk population

Objective: To compare maternal and perinatal outcomes between day-time and evening/night-time births in a low-risk population. Material and Methods: The present study had a retrospective and cross-sectional design. The study recruited 421 pregnant women admitted for spontaneous or induced labor, with singleton, full-term pregnancy, without comorbidities, and with birthweight between 2,500 and 4,499 g. Maternal data, including severe bleeding, need for blood transfusion, puerperal infection, and admission to the intensive care unit, and neonatal data including birthweight, Apgar scores at first and fifth minute, oxygen administration, resuscitation, admission to the neonatal care unit, infection, and blood transfusion, were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analysis and calculation of the prevalence ratio (PR) were performed with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: There were no differences in factors of maternal morbidity between delivery times. Newborns delivered during the evening/night-time had a higher prevalence of infection (15.3% vs 7.9%, p=0.019, PR: 2.11, CI 95% 1.13-3.93) and hospitalization in the neonatal care unit (25.8% vs 10.4%, p<0.001, PR: 2.99, CI 95% 1.76-5.10). There was no difference in other perinatal morbidities examined. Conclusion: Evening/night-time births were associated with a higher prevalence of infection and the need for admission to an intensive care unit.

In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Isopimarane-Type Diterpenoids.

The antimicrobial evaluation of twelve natural and hemisynthetic isopimarane diterpenes are reported. The compounds were evaluated against a panel of Gram-positive bacteria, including two methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains and one vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) strain. Only natural compounds 7,15-isopimaradien-19-ol (1) and 19-acetoxy-7,15-isopimaradien-3ß-ol (6) showed promising results. Isopimarane (1) was the most active, showing MIC values between 6.76 µM against S. aureus (ATCC 43866) and 216.62 µM against E. faecalis (FFHB 427483) and E. flavescens (ATCC 49996). Compound (6) showed moderated activity against all tested microorganisms (MIC between value 22.54 and 45.07 µM). These compounds were found to be active against the methicillin-sensitive strains of S. aureus (CIP 106760 and FFHB 29593), showing MIC values of 13.55 (1) and 22.54 (6) µM. Both compounds were also active against vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis (ATCC 51299) (MIC values of 54.14 and 45.07 µM, respectively). In addition, the cytotoxicity of nine compounds 7,15-isopimaradien-3ß,19-diol (2); mixture: 15-isopimarene-8ß-isobutyryloxy-19-ol and 15-isopimarene-8ß-butyryloxy-19-ol (3); 3ß-acetoxy-7,15-isopimaradiene-19-ol (5); 19-acetoxy-7,15-isopimaradiene-3ß-ol (6); 3ß,19-diacetoxy-7,15-isopimaradiene (8); 15-isopimarene-8ß,19-diol (9); 19-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside-7,15-isopimaradiene (10); lagascatriol-16-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (11) and lagascatriol-16-O-α-d-mannopyranoside (12) was evaluated in the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. Isopimarane (2) was the only compound showing some cytotoxicity. The IC50 value of compound (2) was 15 µM, suggesting a mild antiproliferative activity against these breast cancer cells.

Genetic Subtyping, Biofilm-Forming Ability and Biocide Susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes Strains Isolated from a Ready-to-Eat Food Industry.

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen of special concern for ready-to-eat food producers. The control of its presence is a critical step in which food-grade sanitizers play an essential role. L. monocytogenes is believed to persist in food processing environments in biofilms, exhibiting less susceptibility to sanitizers than planktonic cells. This study aimed to test the susceptibility of L. monocytogenes in planktonic culture and biofilm to three commercial food-grade sanitizers and to benzalkonium chloride; together with the genetic subtyping of the isolates. L. monocytogenes isolates were collected from raw materials, final products and food-contact surfaces during a 6-year period from a ready-to-eat meat-producing food industry and genetically characterized. Serogrouping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed genetic variability and differentiated L. monocytogenes isolates in three clusters. The biofilm-forming ability assay revealed that the isolates were weak biofilm producers. L. monocytogenes strains were susceptible both in the planktonic and biofilm form to oxidizing and ethanol-based compounds and to benzalkonium chloride, but not to quaternary ammonium compound. A positive association of biofilm-forming ability and LD90 values for quaternary ammonium compound and benzalkonium chloride was found. This study highlights the need for preventive measures improvement and for a conscious selection and use of sanitizers in food-related environments to control Listeria monocytogenes.

In Vitro Assessment of Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Properties of Saccharin-Tetrazolyl and -Thiadiazolyl Derivatives: The Simple Dependence of the pH Value on Antimicrobial Activity.

The antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of a series of saccharin-tetrazolyl and -thiadiazolyl analogs were examined. The assessment of the antimicrobial properties of the referred-to molecules was completed through an evaluation of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts. Scrutiny of the MIC and MBC values of the compounds at pH 4.0, 7.0, and 9.0 against four Gram-positive strains revealed high values for both the MIC and MBC at pH 4.0 (ranging from 0.98 to 125 µg/mL) and moderate values at pH 7.0 and 9.0, exposing strong antimicrobial activities in an acidic medium. An antioxidant activity analysis of the molecules was performed by using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method, which showed high activity for the TSMT (N-(1-methyl-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-N-(1,1-dioxo-1,2-benzisothiazol-3-yl) amine, 7) derivative (90.29% compared to a butylated hydroxytoluene positive control of 61.96%). Besides, the general toxicity of the saccharin analogs was evaluated in an Artemia salina model, which displayed insignificant toxicity values. In turn, upon an assessment of cell viability, all of the compounds were found to be nontoxic in range concentrations of 0-100 µg/mL in H7PX glioma cells. The tested molecules have inspiring antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that represent potential core structures in the design of new drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases.

An Evaluation of the DNA-Protective Effects of Extracts from Menyanthes trifoliata L. Plants Derived from In Vitro Culture Associated with Redox Balance and Other Biological Activities.

Menyanthes trifoliata L. is a valuable medical plant found in Europe, North America, and Asia, which grows on peat bogs and swamps. It has long been used in folk medicine as a remedy for various ailments. This is the first report to demonstrate the protective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of aqueous methanolic extracts derived from the aerial parts (MtAPV) and roots (MtRV) of in vitro grown plants on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). It describes the influence of the tested extracts on the expression of antioxidant (HO-1, NQO1, NRF2, kEAP1, and GCLC) and inflammation-related genes (IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) in cells stimulated with H2O2 or LPS, respectively. In addition, M. trifoliata extracts were found to moderately affect the growth of certain bacterial and fungal pathogens, with the strongest antibacterial effect found against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis. M. trifoliata extracts demonstrated protective effects against mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA) damage caused by ROS, decreasing the numbers of mtDNA lesions in the ND1 and ND2 genes and nDNA damage in the TP53 and HPRT1 genes and reducing cleavage in PARP1- and γ-H2A.X-positive cells. The root extract of in vitro M. trifoliata (MtRV) appears to have better anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and protective properties than the extract from the aerial part (MtAPV). These differences in biological properties may result from the higher content of selected phenolic compounds and betulinic acid in the MtRV than in the MtAPV extract.

[Antibiotic Prescribing in Ambulatory Care of Pediatric Patients with Respiratory Infections]. / Prescrição Antibiótica no Ambulatório em Doentes Pediátricos com Patologia Respiratória.

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory tract infections represent the most frequent conditions in pediatric clinical practice that motivate antibiotic prescribing. The objective was to identify the frequency and pattern of antibacterial prescribing in respiratory diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over a period of two years (divided by the presentation of the clinical guideline standards) data was collected from clinical records of children with respiratory disease. Chi-square tests or Fisher's exact test were used to test associations between variables, statistical significance p < 0.05. RESULTS: There were 547 visits (mean age 6 years ± 5.3, 55% male gender). Analysis for Group A Streptococcus of the oropharynx was most frequently requested by pediatric residents (p = 0.005). Chest x-rays were more frequently requested by the Family Physician (p = 0.033). An antibiotic was prescribed in 87% of pneumonias, 84% acute otitis media, 68% acute tonsillitis, 25% laryngitis, 17% upper respiratory infections, 16% acute bronchiolitis. The Family Physician prescribed antibiotics more often than the Pediatrics resident in acute tonsillitis (p = 0.003) and in acute otitis media (p = 0.013). The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was amoxicillin (61%). There were no significant differences between the two periods studied regarding the number of prescriptions and antibiotic choice of the conditions studied. DISCUSSION: Antibiotic prescribing in pediatric acute respiratory infections was high and the choice of antibiotic therapy could be adjusted. We found no difference in antibiotic prescribing after the presentation of the clinical guideline standards. CONCLUSION: An improvement in the antibiotic prescription in children and adolescents in the outpatient clinic is considered necessary.

Introdução: As infeções do trato respiratório são das patologias que mais frequentemente motivam a prescrição antibiótica em idade pediátrica. Os objetivos deste estudo foram identificar a frequência e padrão de prescrição de antibacterianos na patologia respiratória. Material e Métodos: Durante dois anos (divididos pela apresentação das normas de orientação clínica), os dados foram obtidos através da consulta de processos clínicos de crianças com patologia respiratória. Utilizaram-se os testes qui-quadrado ou teste exato de Fisher para testar associações entre variáveis, assumindo-se significado estatístico quando p < 0,05. Resultados: Realizaram-se 547 consultas (idade média de seis anos ± 5,3, 55% do género masculino). A pesquisa do antigénio do Streptococcus do grupo A na orofaringe foi realizada mais frequentemente por internos de Pediatria (p = 0,005). A radiografia de tórax foi mais pedida pelo especialista de Medicina Geral e Familiar (p = 0,033). Prescreveu-se antibiótico em 87% pneumonias, 84% otites médias agudas, 68% amigdalites, 25% laringites, 17% infeções respiratórias superiores e 16% bronquiolites agudas. O especialista de Medicina Geral e Familiar prescreveu mais antibiótico que o interno de Pediatria na amigdalite aguda (p = 0,003) e na otite média aguda (p = 0,013). O antibiótico mais prescrito foi amoxicilina (61%). Não houve diferenças entre os dois períodos estudados quanto ao número de prescrições e escolha de antibiótico das patologias estudadas. Discussão: A prescrição de antibióticos foi elevada e numa proporção significativa a antibioterapia poderia ser ajustada. Realça-se que não houve diferenças na prescrição após a apresentação das normas de orientação clínica. Conclusão: Considera-se necessária uma melhoria da prescrição antibiótica pediátrica no ambulatório.