Evaluation of Simultaneous Growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes in Ground Beef Samples in Different Growth Media.

Several multiplex approaches for the simultaneous detection of pathogens in food have been developed in recent years, but the use of a single enrichment medium remains a problem. In this study, six enrichment broths (five non-selective media, tryptic soy broth (TSB), brain heart infusion broth (BHI), buffered peptone water (BPW), universal pre-enrichment broth (UPB), no. 17 broth, and a selective, Salmonella Escherichia Listeria broth (SEL)), were studied for the simultaneous detection of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and L. monocytogenes, to validate the suitable enrichment broth to be used for the detection methods. Different ratios of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and L. monocytogenes were used. Almost all non-selective broths evaluated in this study showed similar growth parameters and profiles among each other. The only selective enrichment broth under analysis (SEL) showed distinct growth features compared to the non-selective media, allowing for a slower but balanced growth of the three pathogens, which could be beneficial in preventing the overgrowth of fast-growing bacteria. In addition, when tested in ground beef samples, SEL broth seems to be the most distinctive medium with a balanced growth pattern observed for the three pathogens. Overall, this study is intended to provide the basis for the selection of suitable enrichment broths according to the technology detection to be used, the desired time of enrichment, and the expected balanced concentration of pathogens.

A meta-analysis on the role of sonication in the diagnosis of cardiac implantable electronic device-related infections.

Introduction: One of the biggest obstacles in diagnosing Implant-Associated Infections is the lack of infection criteria and standardized diagnostic methods. These infections present a wide range of symptoms, and their diagnosis can be hampered by the formation of microbial biofilms on the surface of implants. This study aimed to provide insight into the performance of sonication in the diagnosis of infections associated with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices, to help define a consensus on the algorithm for the microbial diagnosis of these infections. Methods: We carried out a systematic review with meta-analysis. The PRISMA methodology guidelines were followed, and an advanced search was carried out in PubMed and Web of Science, which enabled 8 articles to be included in the review, in which a meta-analysis was also carried out. QUADAS-2 was used to assess the risk of bias and effect measures were calculated to assess publication bias. Results: The overall sensitivity of the method was 0.823 (95% CI: 0.682-0.910) and the specificity was 0.632 (95% CI: 0.506-0.743). Discussion: These results suggest that sonication may offer advantages in diagnosing these infections. However, it is essential to approach these findings carefully and take into account the recommendations provided in the EHRA 2019 guidelines. This study highlights the importance of more effective diagnostic approaches for implantable medical device-associated infections to improve the quality of treatment and minimize the risks associated with these challenging medical conditions.

Emerging Approaches for Mitigating Biofilm-Formation-Associated Infections in Farm, Wild, and Companion Animals.

The importance of addressing the problem of biofilms in farm, wild, and companion animals lies in their pervasive impact on animal health and welfare. Biofilms, as resilient communities of microorganisms, pose a persistent challenge in causing infections and complicating treatment strategies. Recognizing and understanding the importance of mitigating biofilm formation is critical to ensuring the welfare of animals in a variety of settings, from farms to the wild and companion animals. Effectively addressing this issue not only improves the overall health of individual animals, but also contributes to the broader goals of sustainable agriculture, wildlife conservation, and responsible pet ownership. This review examines the current understanding of biofilm formation in animal diseases and elucidates the complex processes involved. Recognizing the limitations of traditional antibiotic treatments, mechanisms of resistance associated with biofilms are explored. The focus is on alternative therapeutic strategies to control biofilm, with illuminating case studies providing valuable context and practical insights. In conclusion, the review highlights the importance of exploring emerging approaches to mitigate biofilm formation in animals. It consolidates existing knowledge, highlights gaps in understanding, and encourages further research to address this critical facet of animal health. The comprehensive perspective provided by this review serves as a foundation for future investigations and interventions to improve the management of biofilm-associated infections in diverse animal populations.

Molecular characterization and virulence profile of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca isolated from ill cats and dogs in Portugal.

Klebsiella spp. are important pathogens of humans and companion animals such as cats and dogs, capable of causing severe life-threatening diseases. The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular and phenotypic properties of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca isolated from ill companion animals by whole genome sequencing, followed by in vitro assessment of biofilm formation and in vivo pathogenicity using the Galleria mellonella model. Two LPS O-types were identified for all the K. pneumoniae isolates tested (O3B and O1/O2v2) and only one for K. oxytoca isolates (OL104), and the most common STs found were ST11 and ST266. Furthermore, a high diversity of K-locus types was found for K. pneumoniae (KL102; KL105; KL31, and KL13). Within K. pneumoniae, one specific O/K/ST-types combination (i.e., KL105-ST11-O1/O2v2) showed results that were of concern, as it exhibited a high inflammatory response at 12 h post-infection in G. mellonella with 80% of the larvae dead at 72 h post-infection. This virulence potential, on the other hand, did not appear to be directly related to the biofilm-forming capacity. Also, virulence and resistance scores obtained for this set of strains did surpass score 1. The present study demonstrated that Klebsiella spp. isolated from companion animals belonging to STs that can cause human infections and present virulence on an invertebrate model. Thus, this study underscores the role of dogs and cats as reservoirs of resistant Klebsiella spp. that could potentially be transmitted to humans.

A New Peptide Nucleic Acid Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization Probe for the Specific Detection of Salmonella Species in Food Matrices.

Salmonella spp. is among the most central etiological agents in foodborne bacterial disorders. To identify Salmonella spp., numerous new molecular techniques have been developed conversely to the traditional culture-based methods. In this work, a new peptide nucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization (PNA-FISH) method was developed for the specific detection of Salmonella species, allowing a faster analysis compared with the traditional methods (ISO 6579-1: 2017). The method was optimized based on a novel PNA probe (SalPNA1692) combined with a blocker probe to detect Salmonella in food samples through an assessment of diverse-rich and selective enrichment broths. Our findings indicated that the best outcome was obtained using a 24-h pre-enrichment step in buffered peptone water, followed by RambaQuick broth selective enrichment for 16 h. For the enrichment step performance validation, fresh ground beef was artificially contaminated with two ranges of concentration of inoculum: a low level (0.2-2 colony-forming units [CFUs]/25 g) and a high level (2-10 CFUs/25 g). The new PNA-FISH method presented a specificity of 100% and a detection limit of 0.5 CFU/25 g of food sample, which confirms the great potential of applying PNA probes in food analysis.

The Role of Flagellum and Flagellum-Based Motility on Salmonella Enteritidis and Escherichia coli Biofilm Formation.

Flagellum-mediated motility has been suggested to contribute to virulence by allowing bacteria to colonize and spread to new surfaces. In Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli species, mutants affected by their flagellar motility have shown a reduced ability to form biofilms. While it is known that some species might act as co-aggregation factors for bacterial adhesion, studies of food-related biofilms have been limited to single-species biofilms and short biofilm formation periods. To assess the contribution of flagella and flagellum-based motility to adhesion and biofilm formation, two Salmonella and E. coli mutants with different flagellar phenotypes were produced: the fliC mutants, which do not produce flagella, and the motAB mutants, which are non-motile. The ability of wild-type and mutant strains to form biofilms was compared, and their relative fitness was determined in two-species biofilms with other foodborne pathogens. Our results showed a defective and significant behavior of E. coli in initial surface colonization (p < 0.05), which delayed single-species biofilm formation. Salmonella mutants were not affected by the ability to form biofilm (p > 0.05). Regarding the effect of motility/flagellum absence on bacterial fitness, none of the mutant strains seems to have their relative fitness affected in the presence of a competing species. Although the absence of motility may eventually delay initial colonization, this study suggests that motility is not essential for biofilm formation and does not have a strong impact on bacteria's fitness when a competing species is present.

Predicting Insulin Resistance in a Pediatric Population With Obesity.

OBJECTIVES: Insulin resistance (IR) affects children and adolescents with obesity and early diagnosis is crucial to prevent long-term consequences. Our aim was to identify predictors of IR and develop a multivariate model to accurately predict IR. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of demographical, clinical, and biochemical data from a cohort of patients attending a specialized Paediatric Nutrition Unit in Portugal over a 20-year period. We developed multivariate regression models to predict IR. The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: a model group for developing the predictive models and a validation group for cross-validation of the study. RESULTS: Our study included 1423 participants, aged 3-17 years old, randomly divided in the model (n = 879) and validation groups (n = 544). The predictive models, including uniquely demographic and clinical variables, demonstrated good discriminative ability [area under the curve (AUC): 0.834-0.868; sensitivity: 77.0%-83.7%; specificity: 77.0%-78.7%] and high negative predictive values (88.9%-91.6%). While the diagnostic ability of adding fasting glucose or triglycerides/high density lipoprotein cholesterol index to the models based on clinical parameters did not show significant improvement, fasting insulin appeared to enhance the discriminative power of the model (AUC: 0.996). During the validation, the model considering demographic and clinical variables along with insulin showed excellent IR discrimination (AUC: 0.978) and maintained high negative predictive values (90%-96.3%) for all models. CONCLUSION: Models based on demographic and clinical variables can be advantageously used to identify children and adolescents at moderate/high risk of IR, who would benefit from fasting insulin evaluation.

Chemical Constituents, Anticancer and Anti-Proliferative Potential of Limonium Species: A Systematic Review.

Limonium species represent a source of bioactive compounds that have been widely used in folk medicine. This study aimed to synthesize the anticancer and anti-proliferative potential of Limonium species through a systematic review. Searches were performed in the electronic databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Scielo and via a manual search. In vivo or in vitro studies that evaluated the anticancer or anti-proliferative effect of at least one Limonium species were included. In total, 942 studies were identified, with 33 articles read in full and 17 studies included for qualitative synthesis. Of these, 14 (82.35%) refer to in vitro assays, one (5.88%) was in vivo, and two (11.76%) were designed as in vitro and in vivo assays. Different extracts and isolated compounds from Limonium species were evaluated through cytotoxic analysis against various cancer cells lines (especially hepatocellular carcinoma-HepG2; n = 7, 41.18%). Limonium tetragonum was the most evaluated species. The possible cellular mechanism involved in the anticancer activity of some Limonium species included the inhibition of enzymatic activities and expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which suggested anti-metastatic effects, anti-melanogenic activity, cell proliferation inhibition pathways, and antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. The results reinforce the potential of Limonium species as a source for the discovery and development of new potential cytotoxic and anticancer agents. However, further studies and improvements in experimental designs are needed to better demonstrate the mechanism of action of all of these compounds.

Flavonoid as possible therapeutic targets against COVID-19: a scoping review of in silico studies.

OBJECTIVES: This scoping review aims to present flavonoid compounds' promising effects and possible mechanisms of action on potential therapeutic targets in the SARS-CoV-2 infection process. METHODS: A search of electronic databases such as PubMed and Scopus was carried out to evaluate the performance of substances from the flavonoid class at different stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS: The search strategy yielded 382 articles after the exclusion of duplicates. During the screening process, 265 records were deemed as irrelevant. At the end of the full-text appraisal, 37 studies were considered eligible for data extraction and qualitative synthesis. All the studies used virtual molecular docking models to verify the affinity of compounds from the flavonoid class with crucial proteins in the replication cycle of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (Spike protein, PLpro, 3CLpro/ MPro, RdRP, and inhibition of the host's ACE II receptor). The flavonoids with more targets and lowest binding energies were: orientin, quercetin, epigallocatechin, narcissoside, silymarin, neohesperidin, delphinidin-3,5-diglucoside, and delphinidin-3-sambubioside-5-glucoside. CONCLUSION: These studies allow us to provide a basis for in vitro and in vivo assays to assist in developing drugs for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19.

Swine Colibacillosis: Global Epidemiologic and Antimicrobial Scenario.

Swine pathogenic infection caused by Escherichia coli, known as swine colibacillosis, represents an epidemiological challenge not only for animal husbandry but also for health authorities. To note, virulent E. coli strains might be transmitted, and also cause disease, in humans. In the last decades, diverse successful multidrug-resistant strains have been detected, mainly due to the growing selective pressure of antibiotic use, in which animal practices have played a relevant role. In fact, according to the different features and particular virulence factor combination, there are four different pathotypes of E. coli that can cause illness in swine: enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that comprises edema disease E. coli (EDEC) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Nevertheless, the most relevant pathotype in a colibacillosis scenario is ETEC, responsible for neonatal and postweaning diarrhea (PWD), in which some ETEC strains present enhanced fitness and pathogenicity. To explore the distribution of pathogenic ETEC in swine farms and their diversity, resistance, and virulence profiles, this review summarizes the most relevant works on these subjects over the past 10 years and discusses the importance of these bacteria as zoonotic agents.

Microstructured Polymer System Containing Proanthocyanidin-Enriched Extract from Limonium brasiliense as a Prophylaxis Strategy to Prevent Recurrence of Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Periodontal diseases are a global oral health problem affecting almost 10% of the global population. Porphyromonas gingivalis is one of the main bacteria involved in the initiation and progression of inflammatory processes as a result of the action of the cysteine proteases lysin- and arginine-gingipain. Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles containing a lyophilized proanthocyanidin-enriched fraction from the rhizomes of Limonium brasiliense, traditionally named "baicuru" (ethyl acetate fraction), were manufactured. The ethyl acetate fraction was characterized by UHPLC by the presence of samarangenins A and B (12.10 ± 0.07 and 21.05 ± 0.44%, respectively) and epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (13.44 ± 0.27%). Physiochemical aspects of Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles were characterized concerning particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, ethyl acetate fraction release, and mucoadhesion. Additionally, the presence of the ethyl acetate fraction-loaded microparticles was performed concerning potential influence on viability of human buccal KB cells, P. gingivalis adhesion to KB cells, gingipain activity, and P. gingivalis biofilm formation. In general, all Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles tested showed strong adhesion to porcine cheek mucosa (93.1 ± 4.2% in a 30-min test), associated with a prolonged release of the ethyl acetate fraction (up to 16.5 ± 0.8% in 24 h). Preincubation of KB cells with Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles (25 µg/mL) resulted in an up to 93 ± 2% reduced infection rate by P. gingivalis. Decreased activity of the P. gingivalis-specific virulence factors lysin- and arginine-gingipain proteases by Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles was confirmed. Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles decreased biofilm formation of P. gingivalis (97 ± 2% at 60 µg/mL). Results from this study prove the promising activity of Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles containing ethyl acetate fraction microparticles as a prophylaxis strategy to prevent the recurrence of P. gingivalis.

Teores de polifenóis totais e de umidade em amostras de rizomas de Limonium brasiliense / Total polyphenols and moisture contents in samples of Limonium brasiliense rhizomes / Polifenoles totales y contenido de humedad en muestras de rizomas de Limonium brasiliense

O Limonium brasiliense (Boiss.) Kuntze (Plumbaginaceae), chamado popularmente de baicuru ou guaicuru é uma erva perene presente em todo litoral sul do Brasil, sendo indicada tradicionalmente para síndrome pré-menstrual e distúrbios menstruais. Essas atividades são atribuídas à presença dos polifenóis concentrados em seus rizomas, que também apresentam atividades bacteriostáticas, antioxidantes, antivirais e anti-inflamatórias. No desenvolvimento de formulações feitas a partir da droga vegetal são necessários testes de controle de qualidade durante todo o processo a fim de garantir a segurança, eficácia e qualidade da matéria-prima até sua formulação final. As metodologias utilizadas no desenvolvimento deste trabalho foram de análises físico-químicas para o controle de qualidade, análises quantitativas para determinação do teor de polifenóis totais e, por fim, uma análise comparativa entre os resultados obtidos no ano da coleta do material vegetal (2010) e das mesmas características após 13 anos da coleta, utilizando amostras do L. brasiliense com a presença de fungos ou sem nos rizomas. Sendo assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar o controle de qualidade comparativo dos rizomas de Limonium brasiliense coletados em 2010 em relação ao teor de polifenóis totais e de umidade em 2023. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram a produção de polifenóis pelos fungos na amostra contaminada, além de mostrarem a qualidade de armazenagem da droga vegetal. Com isso, foi possível concluir que o teor de polifenóis totais da amostra com fungo aumentou após 13 anos da coleta, e que neste interim não houve mudanças no teor de umidade da amostra sem fungo, garantindo sua qualidade no desenvolvimento de formulações ou pesquisas futuras.

Limonium brasiliense (Boiss.) Kuntze (Plumbaginaceae), popularly called baicuru or guaicuru, is a perennial herb present throughout the southern coast of Brazil, traditionally indicated for premenstrual syndrome and menstrual disorders. These activities are attributed to the presence of polyphenols concentrated in its rhizomes, which also have bacteriostatic, antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities. When developing formulations made from plant-based drugs, quality control tests are necessary throughout the process to ensure the safety, efficacy and quality of the raw material until its final formulation. The methodologies used in the development of this work were physical-chemical analyzes for quality control, quantitative analyzes to determine the total polyphenol content and, finally, a comparative analysis between the results obtained in the year the plant material was collected (2010) and the same characteristics after 13 years of collection, using samples of L. brasiliense with or without the presence of fungi in the rhizomes. Therefore, this work aimed to carry out comparative quality control of Limonium brasiliense rhizomes collected in 2010 in relation to the content of total polyphenols and moisture in 2023. The results obtained showed the production of polyphenols by fungi in the contaminated sample, in addition to show the storage quality of the plant drug. With this, it was possible to conclude that the total polyphenol content of the sample with fungus increased after 13 years of collection, and that in the meantime there were no changes in the moisture content of the sample without fungus, guaranteeing its quality in the development of formulations or future research.

Limonium brasiliense (Boiss.) Kuntze (Plumbaginaceae), popularmente llamada baicuru o guaicuru, es una hierba perenne presente en toda la costa sur de Brasil, tradicionalmente indicada para el síndrome premenstrual y trastornos menstruales. Estas actividades se atribuyen a la presencia de polifenoles concentrados en sus rizomas, que también tienen actividades bacteriostáticas, antioxidantes, antivirales y antiinflamatorias. Cuando se desarrollan formulaciones elaboradas a partir de medicamentos de origen vegetal, son necesarios ensayos de control de calidad durante todo el proceso para garantizar la seguridad, eficacia y calidad de la materia prima hasta su formulación final. Las metodologías utilizadas en el desarrollo de este trabajo fueron análisis físico- químicos para control de calidad, análisis cuantitativos para determinar el contenido de polifenoles totales y, finalmente, un análisis comparativo entre los resultados obtenidos en el año de recolección del material vegetal (2010) y el mismas características después de 13 años de colecta, utilizando muestras de L. brasiliense con o sin presencia de hongos en los rizomas. Por lo tanto, este trabajo tuvo como objetivo realizar un control de calidad comparativo de los rizomas de Limonium brasiliense recolectados en 2010 en relación al contenido de polifenoles totales y humedad en 2023. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron la producción de polifenoles por hongos en la muestra contaminada, además de mostrar la calidad de almacenamiento de la droga vegetal. Con esto se pudo concluir que el contenido total de polifenoles de la muestra con hongos aumentó después de 13 años de colecta, y que mientras tanto no hubo cambios en el contenido de humedad de la muestra sin hongos, garantizando su calidad en el desarrollo. de formulaciones o investigaciones futuras.

Uso da medicina popular na prevenção da Covid-19 / Use of folk medicine in the prevention of Covid-19 / Uso de la medicina popular en la prevención del Covid-19

A procura pela medicina popular tem sido recorrente, em que plantas medicinais são consumidas como agentes terapêuticos na prevenção de diversos sintomas e doenças. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a utilização de produtos naturais da medicina popular durante a pandemia, na prevenção da infecção e dos sintomas da COVID-19. Foi feito um estudo observacional transversal descritivo. Utilizou-se como processo de amostragem o método de recrutamento consecutivo de participantes (Snowball), por meio de um questionário distribuído nacionalmente pelas mídias sociais para a população acima de 18 anos de idade, no período de setembro de 2021 a março de 2022. Para as análises estatísticas foi utilizado o teste Qui-quadrado de Pearson e/ou o exato de Fisher, considerando intervalos de confiança de 95% e nível de significância de 5% (p < 0,05). Participaram do estudo 1022 pessoas. Variáveis como sexo, escolaridade, idade, área de residência e região geográfica influenciaram significativamente a busca e o consumo de produtos a base de plantas medicinais. A maioria da população utilizou produtos naturais a base de plantas medicinas no período, sentiu melhora da saúde ao consumi-los e indica o uso para a prevenção da COVID-19 e de sintomas associados. No entanto, merece atenção o risco de toxicidade proveniente do uso incorreto e de interações medicamentosas, sendo necessários mais estudos.

The demand for popular medicine has been recurrent, in which medicinal plants are consumed as therapeutic agents in the prevention of various symptoms and diseases. The objective of this study was to analyze the use of natural products from popular medicine during the pandemic, in the prevention of infection and symptoms of COVID-19. A descriptive cross-sectional observational study was carried out. The method of consecutive recruitment of participants (Snowball) was used as a sampling process, through a questionnaire distributed nationally on social media for the population over 18 years of age, from September 2021 to March 2022. Pearson's chi-square test and/or Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis, considering 95% confidence intervals and a significance level of 5% (p < 0.05). A total of 1022 people participated in this study. Variables such as gender, education, age, area of residence and geographic region significantly influenced the search for and consumption of products based on medicinal plants. The majority of the population used natural products based on medicinal plants in the period, felt an improvement in health when consuming them and indicated their use for the prevention of COVID-19 and associated symptoms. However, the risk of toxicity from incorrect use and drug interactions deserves attention, requiring further studies.

Ha sido recurrente la demanda de la medicina popular, en la que se consumen plantas medicinales como agentes terapéuticos en la prevención de diversos síntomas y enfermedades. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el uso de productos naturales de la medicina popular durante la pandemia, en la prevención de la infección y síntomas del COVID-19. Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo transversal. Se utilizó como proceso de muestreo el método de reclutamiento consecutivo de participantes (Bola de Nieve), a través de un cuestionario distribuido a nivel nacional en medios sociales para la población mayor de 18 años, de septiembre de 2021 a marzo de 2022. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó la prueba de chi cuadrado de Pearson y/o la prueba exacta de Fisher, considerando intervalos de confianza del 95% y un nivel de significancia del 5% (p < 0,05). Un total de 1022 personas participaron en este estudio. Variables como el sexo, la educación, la edad, la zona de residencia y la región geográfica influyeron significativamente en la búsqueda y el consumo de productos a base de plantas medicinales. La mayoría de la población utilizó productos naturales basados en plantas medicinales en el periodo, sintió una mejora de la salud al consumirlos e indicó su uso para la prevención de la COVID-19 y los síntomas asociados. Sin embargo, el riesgo de toxicidad por el uso incorrecto y las interacciones farmacológicas merecen atención, requiriendo estudios adicionales.

Swine enteric colibacillosis: Current treatment avenues and future directions.

Enteric colibacillosis is a common disease in nursing and weanling pigs. It is caused by the colonization of the small intestine by enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli (ETEC) that make use of specific fimbria or pili to adhere to the absorptive epithelial cells of the jejunum and ileum. Once attached, and when both the immunological systems and the gut microbiota are poorly developed, ETEC produce one or more enterotoxins that can have local and, further on, systemic effects. These enterotoxins cause fluid and electrolytes to be secreted into the intestinal lumen of animals, which results in diarrhea, dehydration, and acidosis. From the diversity of control strategies, antibiotics and zinc oxide are the ones that have contributed more significantly to mitigating post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) economic losses. However, concerns about antibiotic resistance determined the restriction on the use of critically important antimicrobials in food-producing animals and the prohibition of their use as growth promoters. As such, it is important now to begin the transition from these preventive/control measures to other, more sustainable, approaches. This review provides a quick synopsis of the currently approved and available therapies for PWD treatment while presenting an overview of novel antimicrobial strategies that are being explored for the control and treatment of this infection, including, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, organic acids, bacteriophages, spray-dried plasma, antibodies, phytogenic substances, antisense oligonucleotides, and aptamers.

Hydrophilic Scaffolds Containing Extracts of Stryphnodendron adstringens and Abarema cochliacarpa for Wound Healing: In Vivo Proofs of Concept.

The present work aimed to evaluate the healing effect of hydrophilic polymeric resorbable biomembrane scaffolds containing plant extracts obtained from two different species, both popularly known as Stryphnodendron adstringens or Barbatimão. The hydrogel-based scaffolds were characterized and submitted to biological tests using Wistar rats to evaluate their healing capacity. The wound retraction index and the evaluation of the inflammatory process and tissue collagenization were recorded. The extracts showed antioxidant activity with IC50 between 10 and 20 µg/mL (DPPH assay) and 4-6 mmol Trolox/g (FRAP assay). The extract of Stryphnodendron adstringens (SA) presented gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, and O-methylpigalocatechin, while the extract of Abarema cochliacarpa (AC) presented catechin, dimers of procyanidins, di-O-hydroxide, O-deoxyhexosi-hexoside, and epicatechin. The membranes containing SA extract (GELSA) were more rigid, with a more intense color, but less thick, with a more compact structure and few pores. The membranes containing AC extract (GELAC) presented a mechanical profile like the gelatin membrane (GEL), with greater permeability to water vapor. The GELAC and GELSA membranes showed similar thermal degradation profiles. The wounds treated with the membranes containing the extracts obtained high levels of retraction of the wounds with values around 60% and 80% in three and seven days, respectively. These data indicate that the compounds of both species have promising biological activities in the repair process, showing that the extracts accelerated the healing process due to the lower intensity of the inflammatory reaction and the presence of compounds such as catechin and epigallocatechin.

Bioactive compounds as potential angiotensin-converting enzyme II inhibitors against COVID-19: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: The current study aimed to summarize the evidence of compounds contained in plant species with the ability to block the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-II), through a scoping review. METHODS: PubMed and Scopus electronic databases were used for the systematic search and a manual search was performed RESULTS: Studies included were characterized as in silico. Among the 200 studies retrieved, 139 studies listed after the exclusion of duplicates and 74 were included for the full read. Among them, 32 studies were considered eligible for the qualitative synthesis. The most evaluated class of secondary metabolites was flavonoids with quercetin and curcumin as most actives substances and terpenes (isothymol, limonin, curcumenol, anabsinthin, and artemisinin). Other classes that were also evaluated were alkaloid, saponin, quinone, substances found in essential oils, and primary metabolites as the aminoacid L-tyrosine and the lipidic compound 2-monolinolenin. CONCLUSION: This review suggests the most active substance from each class of metabolites, which presented the strongest affinity to the ACE-II receptor, what contributes as a basis for choosing compounds and directing the further experimental and clinical investigation on the applications these compounds in biotechnological and health processes as in COVID-19 pandemic.

Bacteriocin Production by Escherichia coli during Biofilm Development.

Escherichia coli is a highly versatile bacterium ranging from commensal to intestinal pathogen, and is an important foodborne pathogen. E. coli species are able to prosper in multispecies biofilms and secrete bacteriocins that are only toxic to species/strains closely related to the producer strain. In this study, 20 distinct E. coli strains were characterized for several properties that confer competitive advantages against closer microorganisms by assessing the biofilm-forming capacity, the production of antimicrobial molecules, and the production of siderophores. Furthermore, primer sets for E. coli bacteriocins-colicins were designed and genes were amplified, allowing us to observe that colicins were widely distributed among the pathogenic E. coli strains. Their production in the planktonic phase or single-species biofilms was uncommon. Only two E. coli strains out of nine biofilm-forming were able to inhibit the growth of other E. coli strains. There is evidence of larger amounts of colicin being produced in the late stages of E. coli biofilm growth. The decrease in bacterial biomass after 12 h of incubation indicates active type I colicin production, whose release normally requires E. coli cell lysis. Almost all E. coli strains were siderophore-producing, which may be related to the resistance to colicin as these two molecules may use the same transporter system. Moreover, E. coli CECT 504 was able to coexist with Salmonella enterica in dual-species biofilms, but Shigella dysenteriae was selectively excluded, correlating with high expression levels of colicin (E, B, and M) genes observed by real-time PCR.