The Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Neuroregeneration and Neuroprotection: A Review.

Neurogenesis is a high energy-demanding process, which is why blood vessels are an active part of the neurogenic niche since they allow the much-needed oxygenation of progenitor cells. In this regard, although neglected for a long time, the "oxygen niche" should be considered an important intervenient in adult neurogenesis. One possible hypothesis for the failure of numerous neuroprotective trials is that they relied on compounds that target a highly specific neuroprotective pathway. This approach may be too limited, given the complexity of the processes that lead to cell death. Therefore, research should adopt a more multifactorial approach. Among the limited range of agents with multimodal neuromodulatory capabilities, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing secondary brain damage in various brain injury models. This therapy functions not only as a neuroprotective mechanism but also as a powerful neuroregenerative mechanism.

Oropharyngeal Hemorrhage and Difficult Airway Management: A Decision Not to Intubate.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding in the upper airways is an important cause of airway-related death. A higher incidence of airway management failure and complications after intubation attempts in the emergency department (ED) had been suggested. Airway management of patients with active oropharyngeal hemorrhage may be challenging, leading the clinician to modify the approach. CASE REPORT: A 57-year-old woman presented to the ED with oropharyngeal hemorrhage after an extensive invasive dental procedure. She was on long-term warfarin therapy due to aortic and mitral valve replacement, which she suspended 5 days prior and restarted the day after the procedure. Besides the active bleeding, swelling, and hematoma of the face, the patient had other signs of "difficult airway," so there were serious questions on when and how to manage the airway. Several strategies to address the airway were considered, the main point being an early versus later intubation. As the patient remained clinically stable, she was conservatively managed with local hemostasis and coagulopathy reversal. The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit, where she remained stable and was successfully discharged after restart on warfarin. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: When faced with an oropharyngeal hemorrhage, emergency physicians may be compelled to secure and protect the airway. This could be achieved by planning several strategies. Nevertheless, in selected patients, and considering the circumstances, not addressing the airway is a reasonable and justifiable alternative.

3-Substituted Coumarins Inhibit NorA and MepA Efflux Pumps of Staphylococcus aureus.

Coumarins are compounds with scientifically proven antibacterial properties, and modifications to the chemical structure are known to improve their effects. This information is even more relevant with the unbridled advances of antibiotic resistance, where Staphylococcus aureus and its efflux pumps play a prominent role. The study's objective was to evaluate the potential of synthetic coumarins with different substitutions in the C-3 position as possible inhibitors of the NorA and MepA efflux pumps of S. aureus. For this evaluation, the following steps took place: (i) the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC); (ii) the association of coumarins with fluoroquinolones and ethidium bromide (EtBr); (iii) the assessment of the effect on EtBr fluorescence emission; (iv) molecular docking; and (v) an analysis of the effect on membrane permeability. Coumarins reduced the MICs of fluoroquinolones and EtBr between 50% and 87.5%. Coumarin C1 increased EtBr fluorescence emission between 20 and 40% by reinforcing the evidence of efflux inhibition. The molecular docking results demonstrated that coumarins have an affinity with efflux pumps and establish mainly hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Furthermore, C1 did not change the permeability of the membrane. Therefore, we conclude that these 3-substituted coumarins act as inhibitors of the NorA and MepA efflux pumps of S. aureus.

Comparative Antibacterial and Efflux Pump Inhibitory Activity of Isolated Nerolidol, Farnesol, and α-Bisabolol Sesquiterpenes and Their Liposomal Nanoformulations.

The efflux systems are considered important mechanisms of bacterial resistance due to their ability to extrude various antibiotics. Several naturally occurring compounds, such as sesquiterpenes, have demonstrated antibacterial activity and the ability to inhibit efflux pumps in resistant strains. Therefore, the objective of this research was to analyze the antibacterial and inhibitory activity of the efflux systems NorA, Tet(K), MsrA, and MepA by sesquiterpenes nerolidol, farnesol, and α-bisabolol, used either individually or in liposomal nanoformulation, against multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. The methodology consisted of in vitro testing of the ability of sesquiterpenes to reduce the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and enhance the action of antibiotics and ethidium bromide (EtBr) in broth microdilution assays. The following strains were used: S. aureus 1199B carrying the NorA efflux pump, resistant to norfloxacin; IS-58 strain carrying Tet(K), resistant to tetracyclines; RN4220 carrying MsrA, conferring resistance to erythromycin. For the EtBr fluorescence measurement test, K2068 carrying MepA was used. It was observed the individual sesquiterpenes exhibited better antibacterial activity as well as efflux pump inhibition. Farnesol showed the lowest MIC of 16.5 µg/mL against the S. aureus RN4220 strain. Isolated nerolidol stood out for reducing the MIC of EtBr to 5 µg/mL in the 1199B strain, yielding better results than the positive control CCCP, indicating strong evidence of NorA inhibition. The liposome formulations did not show promising results, except for liposome/farnesol, which reduced the MIC of EtBr against 1199B and RN4220. Further research is needed to evaluate the mechanisms of action involved in the inhibition of resistance mechanisms by the tested compounds.

Working conditions and mental health of community health workers in the COVID-19 pandemic. / Condições de trabalho e saúde mental de agentes comunitários de saúde na pandemia de COVID-19.

This study examined the prevalence of anxiety and depression associated with Community Health Workers' (CHWs') working conditions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study was carried out in the north of Minas Gerais, Brazil by applying a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic conditions, command of technologies and working conditions during the pandemic, as well as the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Patient Health Questionnare-9 (PHQ-9). Descriptive and multiple Poisson regression analyses were performed with robust variance, to a 5% level of significance (p < 0.05) for the final model. A total of 1,220 CHWs from 36 municipalities participated in the study. Prevalences were 41.8% and 31.6% for anxiety and depression, respectively, while 22.5% of the group displayed symptoms of both conditions. Being female, up to 40 years old, having more than 500 users registered for monitoring, and inadequate supply of personal protective equipment were associated with anxiety and depression among the CHWs. Prevalence of anxiety and depression was high among CHWs during the pandemic and working conditions figured prominently among the associated factors.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a prevalência de ansiedade e depressão associada às condições de trabalho dos agentes comunitários de saúde (ACS) no contexto da pandemia de COVID-19. Estudo transversal, realizado no norte de Minas Gerais. Foi aplicado um questionário que abordava condições sociodemográficas, domínio de tecnologias e condições de trabalho durante a pandemia, além do Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado e do Patient Health Questionnare-9 (PHQ-9). Foram realizadas análises descritivas e de regressão múltipla de Poisson com variância robusta, considerando um nível de significância de 5% (p < 0,05) para o modelo final. Participaram do estudo 1.220 ACS de 36 municípios. A prevalência foi de 41,8% e 31,6% para ansiedade e depressão, respectivamente, e 22,5% para ambas as condições. O sexo feminino, idade até 40 anos, ter mais de 500 usuários cadastrados para acompanhamento e oferta inadequada de equipamentos de proteção individual estiveram associados à ansiedade e à depressão. Registrouse uma elevada prevalência de ansiedade e depressão entre ACS no período da pandemia, com destaque para as condições de trabalho entre os fatores associados.

Condições de trabalho e saúde mental de agentes comunitários de saúde na pandemia de COVID-19 / Working conditions and mental health of community health workers in the COVID-19 pandemic

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a prevalência de ansiedade e depressão associada às condições de trabalho dos agentes comunitários de saúde (ACS) no contexto da pandemia de COVID-19. Estudo transversal, realizado no norte de Minas Gerais. Foi aplicado um questionário que abordava condições sociodemográficas, domínio de tecnologias e condições de trabalho durante a pandemia, além do Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado e do Patient Health Questionnare-9 (PHQ-9). Foram realizadas análises descritivas e de regressão múltipla de Poisson com variância robusta, considerando um nível de significância de 5% (p < 0,05) para o modelo final. Participaram do estudo 1.220 ACS de 36 municípios. A prevalência foi de 41,8% e 31,6% para ansiedade e depressão, respectivamente, e 22,5% para ambas as condições. O sexo feminino, idade até 40 anos, ter mais de 500 usuários cadastrados para acompanhamento e oferta inadequada de equipamentos de proteção individual estiveram associados à ansiedade e à depressão. Registrouse uma elevada prevalência de ansiedade e depressão entre ACS no período da pandemia, com destaque para as condições de trabalho entre os fatores associados.

Abstract This study examined the prevalence of anxiety and depression associated with Community Health Workers' (CHWs') working conditions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study was carried out in the north of Minas Gerais, Brazil by applying a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic conditions, command of technologies and working conditions during the pandemic, as well as the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Patient Health Questionnare-9 (PHQ-9). Descriptive and multiple Poisson regression analyses were performed with robust variance, to a 5% level of significance (p < 0.05) for the final model. A total of 1,220 CHWs from 36 municipalities participated in the study. Prevalences were 41.8% and 31.6% for anxiety and depression, respectively, while 22.5% of the group displayed symptoms of both conditions. Being female, up to 40 years old, having more than 500 users registered for monitoring, and inadequate supply of personal protective equipment were associated with anxiety and depression among the CHWs. Prevalence of anxiety and depression was high among CHWs during the pandemic and working conditions figured prominently among the associated factors.

Design and development of new inhibitors against breast cancer, Monkeypox and Marburg virus by modification of natural Fisetin via in silico and SAR studies.

The natural Fisetin and its derivatives have been shown to have effective bioactivity and strong pharmacological profile, which is continuously drawing the interest of therapeutic applications to the development of new biomolecules against Breast cancer and Monkeypox, and Marburg viral infection, while computational approaches and the study of their structure-activity relationship (SAR) are the most eloquent and reliable platform for performing their hypothetical profile renovation. So, the main perspective of this investigation is to evaluate dual function of Fisetin and its derivatives against both virus and cancerous target. First and foremost, the prediction of activity spectra for materials (PASS) valuation has provided preliminary data on the antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic, and anti-cancer possibilities of the mentioned compounds. According to the evidence, PASS predicted scores were shown to perform better in antineoplastic and antiviral than antibacterial, and antiparasitic efficiency; as evidenced by their higher PASS scores in antineoplastic and antiviral drug tests. Breast cancer, Monkeypox, and Marburg virus have been selected as targeted pathogens, and different in silico studies were conducted to determine the dual function of mention derivatives. The "Lipinski five rules," on the other hand, has been subjected to extensive testing for drug-like characteristics. Molecular docking against Breast cancer, Monkeypox, and Marburg virus have been accomplished after confirmation of their bioactivity. The molecular docking evaluation against targeted disease displayed re-markable binding affinity and non-bonding engagement, with most of the results indicating that derivatives are more effective than the FDA approved standard antiviral, and antineoplastic drugs. Finally, the ADMET characteristics have been computed, and they indicate that the substance is suitable to use and did not have any chance to produce adverse effects on aquatic or non-aquatic environment, as well as having a highly soluble capacity in water medium, high G.I absorption rate, with outstanding bioavailability index. Therefore, these mentioned Fisetin derivatives could be suggested as potential medication against Breast cancer and newly reported Monkeypox, and Marburg virus, and may further proceed for laboratory experiment, synthesis, and clinical trials to evaluate their practical value.

Consumer acceptability and fragrance quality differentiate on of Mogiana coffee types using the Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) method.

Coffee, one of the most produced and consumed beverage in the world, has a range of variability in its quality. The aim of this work was to evaluate the consumer capacity to perceive the coffee quality through their fragrance and to verify the influence of previous information about quality on this perception using hedonic scale and Check All That Apply (CATA) sensory tests. The sensory tests were performed in two stages, one without and the other with quality related information of Mogiana coffee samples (Rio, Hard and Soft), and a traditional coffee sample. CATA attributes frequency of occurrence shows that samples discrimination could be done with specific attributes. For Soft coffee the attributes with more occurrence were sweet, caramel, brown sugar, and smooth. The Hard coffee sample was described by the attributes peanut, buttery, and chocolate. While for Rio coffee, the descriptive attributes most often mentioned were strong and burnt. The traditional sample stood out among consumers for its characteristics of old, medicine, sour, burnt, unpleasant and spicy. Therefore, the use of coffee powder fragrance can be alternative to differentiate the quality of the product and its function can be enhanced by passing on information on quality attributes to consumers.

Análise dos indicadores de prazer e sofrimento no trabalho associados a ansiedade e depressão entre agentes comunitários de saúde / Analysis of indicators of pleasure and suffering at work associated with anxiety and depression among community health agents

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar os indicadores de prazer e sofrimento no trabalho associados a depressão e ansiedade entre agentes comunitários de saúde (ACSs). Métodos Estudo transversal, no qual variáveis dependentes foram a presença de sintomas de ansiedade e depressão, avaliadas com o Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) e com o Inventário de Ansiedade de Traço-Estado (IDATE). As variáveis independentes foram avaliadas com um questionário sociodemográfico e a Escala de Indicadores de Prazer e Sofrimento no Trabalho (EIPST) do Inventário do Trabalho e Riscos de Adoecimento (ITRA). As associações entre as variáveis foram testadas com o uso de regressão logística multinominal. Resultados Participaram do estudo 675 ACSs, sendo a maioria mulheres (83,7%), com até 40 anos (51,3%). As chances de apresentar sintomas de ansiedade foram maiores entre ACSs efetivos (1,61 [1,10-2,36]), e avaliações críticas ou graves nos fatores realização (Crítica 1,87 [1,30-2,68]; Grave 4,16 [2,06-8,40]) e esgotamento profissional (Crítica 2,60 [1,78-3,80]; Grave 3,97 [2,53-6,21]). Sexo feminino (2,12 [1,03-4,40]), idade de até 40 anos (1,741 [1,05-2,89]), tempo de serviço superior a cinco anos (1,88 [1,18-2,99]), avaliações crítica ou grave nos fatores realização (Crítica 2,53 [1,55-4,10]; Grave 6,07 [2,76-13,38]), esgotamento profissional (Crítica 5,21 [2,30-11,80]; Grave 15,64 [6,53-37,44]) e falta de reconhecimento (Crítica 1,93 [1,13-3,28]) estiveram associados a maiores chances de sintomas depressivos. Conclusões Apesar de se tratar de estudo transversal, que não permite inferir causalidade, os achados sugerem importante associação entre aspectos laborais dos ACS e os sintomas de ansiedade e depressão. Sexo feminino e possuir 40 anos ou menos também mostraram relação com o aumento dos sintomas de depressão.

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze indicators of pleasure and suffering at work associated with depression and anxiety among community health workers (CHW). Methods Crosssectional study in which the dependent variables were the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms, assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The independent variables were evaluated using the Scale of Indicators of Pleasure and Suffering at Work (EIPST) of the Inventory of Work and Risks of Illness (ITRA). Associations between dependent and independent variables were tested using multinomial logistic regression. Results 675 CHW participated in the study, the majority being women (83.7%), aged up to 40 years (51.3%). The chances of presenting anxiety symptoms were higher among effective CHW (OR=1.61; 95%CI: 1.10-2.36), and critical or severe assessments in the achievement factors (Critical OR=1.87; 95%CI: 1.30-2.68; Severe OR=4.16; 95%CI: 2.06-8.40) and professional exhaustion (Critical OR=2.60; 95%CI: 1.78-3.80; Severe OR=3.97; 95% CI: 2.53-6.21). Female gender (OR=2.12; 95%CI: 1.03-4.40), age up to 40 years (OR=1.74; 95%CI: 1.05-2.89), length of service greater than five years (OR=1.88; 95%CI: 1.18-2.99), critical or severe ratings on achievement factors (Critical OR=2.53; 95%CI: 1.55-4.10; Severe OR= 6.07; 95%CI: 2.76-13.38), professional exhaustion (Critical OR=5.21; 95%CI: 2.30-11.80; Severe OR=15.64; 95%CI: 6.53 -37.44) and lack of recognition (Critical OR=1.93; 95%CI: 1.13-3.28) were associated with greater chances of depressive symptoms. Conclusions Despite being a cross-sectional study, which does not allow inferring causality, the findings suggest an important association between the work aspects of the CHW and the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Female gender and being 40 years old or younger also showed a relationship with increased symptoms of depression.

Hepatozoon species infecting domestic cats from countries of the Mediterranean basin.

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are caused by pathogens of human and veterinary concern representing a major public health issue worldwide. Although feline medicine has progressed much in the recent decades, data on feline TBDs (FeTBDs) remain scant. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of apicomplexan parasite infections, associated risk factors and clinical-hematological abnormalities in domestic feline populations from countries of the Mediterranean basin. Blood and serum samples from cats (n = 600) living in France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Portugal and Spain were collected along with animal data (i.e., age, sex, breed, housing conditions and geographical origin), clinical signs and laboratory blood test parameters. Cats were grouped according to their age as kitten (up to one year), young (between one and six years), mature (between seven and ten years) and senior (older than ten years). Blood samples were tested for Hepatozoon spp. and piroplasmids by conventional PCR targeting 18S rRNA gene. The overall prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. infection was 14.5%, being significantly higher in cats from Greece (30%) and Portugal (23%), followed by Spain (15%), Israel (15%) and France (4%). Cats from Italy scored negative. Hepatozoon felis was identified in 86 animals, with three different sequence types and H. silvestris was detected in one shelter cat from Portugal. No piroplasmid DNA was amplified. The risk of Hepatozoon spp. infection was related to feline geographical provenience, housing condition and age. No statistical correlation was reported with any clinical signs, while increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was the only laboratory abnormality significantly associated (p = 0.03) with the infection. Data suggest a high circulation of H. felis, and only occasionally of H. silvestris, within domestic feline populations in the Mediterranean basin, mainly in shelter or free roaming and young cats with asymptomatic or subclinical infection.

Antibiotic-Potentiating Activity of the Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi Essential Oil against MDR Bacterial Strains.

Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus are the primary bacteria that cause clinical infections, such as urinary and intestinal infections, pneumonia, endocarditis, and sepsis. Bacterial resistance is an innate natural occurrence in microorganisms, resulting from mutations or the lateral exchange of genetic material. This serves as evidence for the association between drug consumption and pathogen resistance. Evidence has demonstrated that the association between conventional antibiotics and natural products is a promising pharmacological strategy to overcome resistance mechanisms. Considering the large body of research demonstrating the significant antimicrobial activities of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, the present study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and antibiotic-enhancing effects of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi essential oil (STEO) against the standard and multidrug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. The STEO was extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type vacuum rotary evaporator. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the STEO was assessed by the microdilution method to evaluate the antibacterial activity. The antibiotic-enhancing activity of the essential oil was assessed by determining the MIC of antibiotics in the presence of a sub-inhibitory concentration (MIC/8) of the natural product. The GC-MS analysis revealed alpha-pinene (24.3%), gamma-muurolene (16.6%), and myrcene (13.7%) as major constituents of the STEO. The STEO potentiated the enhanced antibacterial activity of norfloxacin and gentamicin against all the strains and increased the action of penicillin against the Gram-negative strains. Therefore, it is concluded that although the STEO does not exhibit clinically effective antibacterial activity, its association with conventional antibiotics results in enhanced antibiotic activity.

Characterization and Proteomic Analysis of Plasma EVs Recovered from Healthy and Diseased Dogs with Canine Leishmaniosis.

Dogs are highly valued companions and work animals that are susceptible to many life-threatening conditions such as canine leishmaniosis (CanL). Plasma-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), exploited extensively in biomarker discovery, constitute a mostly untapped resource in veterinary sciences. Thus, the definition of proteins associated with plasma EVs recovered from healthy and diseased dogs with a relevant pathogen would be important for biomarker development. For this, we recovered, using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), EVs from 19 healthy and 20 CanL dogs' plasma and performed proteomic analysis by LC-MS/MS to define their core proteomic composition and search for CanL-associated alterations. EVs-specific markers were identified in all preparations and also non-EVs proteins. Some EVs markers such as CD82 were specific to the healthy animals, while others, such as the Integrin beta 3 were identified in most samples. The EVs-enriched preparations allowed the identification of 529 canine proteins that were identified in both groups, while 465 and 154 were only identified in healthy or CanL samples, respectively. A GO enrichment analysis revealed few CanL-specific terms. Leishmania spp. protein identifications were also found, although with only one unique peptide. Ultimately, CanL-associated proteins of interest were identified and a core proteome was revealed that will be available for intra- and inter-species comparisons.

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.

Validação da Escala de Medo da COVID-19 para Agentes Comunitários de Saúde / Validation of the COVID-19 Fear Scale for Community Health Agents

A pandemia da COVID-19 definiu uma nova dinâmica social, devido à intensificação de sentimentos de medo, especialmente o medo de se infectar e de infectar pessoas queridas, o que impôs novos desafios à Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) e ao trabalho do Agente Comunitário de Saúde (ACS), evidenciando a necessidade de um instrumento para avaliar o medo e seus impactos nos aspectos físico-emocionais e na realidade laboral desses profissionais. Assim, o objetivo desse trabalho foi desenvolver e validar uma escala para avaliação do medo da COVID-19 para os ACS. Estudo metodológico desenvolvido junto aos ACS da macrorregião de saúde Norte de Minas Gerais, no período de julho a outubro de 2020. A elaboração dos itens foi realizada pelos autores a partir de construtos de sentimentos de medo e escalas de avaliação de medo e ansiedade identificadas na literatura. Foi feita a análise fatorial exploratória e confirmatória, a fim de verificar a validade de construto do instrumento. A escala apresentou índices satisfatórios de ajustes nas análises realizadas, demonstrando adequação dos dados para a realização da validade de construto. Dois indicadores refutaram a unidimensionalidade da escala. A escala elaborada e validada poderá subsidiar a definição de estratégias direcionadas aos ACS, de modo orientar o trabalho junto à comunidade, além de atuar preventivamente na identificação de problemas de saúde mental no contexto de pandemia.

The COVID-19 pandemic defined a new social dynamic, due to the intensification of feelings of fear, especially the fear of getting infected and of infecting loved ones, which imposed new challenges upon Primary Health Care (PHC) system and the work of the Community Health Agent (CHA) program, highlighting the need for an instrument to assess fear and its impacts on the physical-emotional aspects and on the work reality of these professionals. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop and validate a scale for assessing the fear of COVID-19 among CHAs. This methodological study was developed with the CHAs of the northern Minas Gerais health macro-region, from July to October 2020. The elaboration of the items was carried out by the authors based on constructs of feelings of fear and the anxiety and fear assessment scales identified in the literature. An exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was performed in order to verify the validity of the constructed instrument. The scale showed satisfactory levels of adjustment in the analyses carried out, demonstrating adequacy of the data for the achievement of construct validity. Two indicators refuted the one-dimensionality of the scale. The elaborated and validated scale will be able to subsidize the definition of strategies directed to the CHA program, in order to guide their work within the community, in addition to acting preventively in the identification of mental health problems in the context of a pandemic.

Serological and Molecular Survey of Leishmania infantum in a Population of Iberian Lynxes (Lynx pardinus).

Leishmania infantum, the sand fly-transmitted protozoan parasite responsible for leishmaniasis in humans, dogs, and cats, is endemic in the Iberian Peninsula. However, the impact of L. infantum infection on the conservation of the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is unknown. Herein, we describe for the first time the occurrence of L. infantum infection among a population of reintroduced and wild-born L. pardinus living in the Portuguese Guadiana Valley Park. The presence of infection was addressed by molecular detection of Leishmania kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) in 35 lynxes, with further confirmation of L. infantum species performed by an internally transcribed spacer (ITS)-1 sequencing. Eight blood samples were positive for kDNA, and ITS-1 sequencing confirmed the presence of L. infantum in two of those samples. Exposure to Leishmania was screened in a group of 36 lynxes using an immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and a multi-antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using SPLA, rK39, and CPX as Leishmania-specific antigens. Four animals presented a positive IFAT at a dilution of 1:40. Eight samples were considered seropositive to all ELISA Leishmania-specific antigens. Agreement between PCR, IFAT, and all ELISA antigens was found for 1 in 27 samples. These results highlight the susceptibility of autochthonous L. pardinus to L. infantum infection. Further investigation is required to assess the impact of L. infantum infection on this wild species conservation.

The role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of radiation lesions

Introduction Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with 50–60% of patients requiring radiotherapy during the course of treatment. Patients’ survival rate has increased significantly, with an inevitable increase in the number of patients experiencing side effects from cancer therapy. One such effect is late radiation injuries in which hyperbaric oxygen therapy appears as complementary treatment. With this work we intend to divulge the results of applying hyperbaric oxygen therapy among patients presenting radiation lesions in our Hyperbaric Medicine Unit.Materials and methods Retrospective analysis of clinical records of patients with radiation lesions treated at the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit assessed by the scale Late Effects of Normal Tissues—Subjective, Objective, Management, Analytical (LENT-SOMA) before and after treatment, between October 2014 and September 2019 were included. Demographic characteristics, primary tumor site, subjective assessment of the LENT-SOMA scale before and after treatment were collected and a comparative analysis (Students t test) was done. Results 88 patients included: 33 with radiation cystitis, 20 with radiation proctitis, 13 with osteoradionecrosis of the mandible and 22 with radiation enteritis. In all groups, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.005) in the subjective parameter of the LENT-SOMA scale. Discussion Late radiation lesions have a major influence on patients’ quality of life. In our study hyperbaric oxygen therapy presents as an effective therapy after the failure of conventional treatments. Conclusion Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an effective complementary therapy in the treatment of refractory radiation lesions. (AU)

Marine Macrolides to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis has become a major health problem globally. This is worsened by the emergence of resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis showing ability to evade the effectiveness of the current antimycobacterial therapies. Therefore, the efforts carried out to explore new entities from many sources, including marine, are critical. This review summarizes several marine-derived macrolides that show promising activity against M. tuberculosis. We also provide information regarding the biosynthetic processes of marine macrolides, including the challenges that are usually experienced in this process. As most of the studies reporting the antimycobacterial activities of the listed marine macrolides are based on in vitro studies, the future direction should consider expanding the trials to in vivo and clinical trials. In addition, in silico studies should also be explored for a quick screening on marine macrolides with potent activities against mycobacterial infection. To sum up, macrolides derived from marine organisms might become therapeutical options for tackling antimycobacterial resistance of M. tuberculosis.

Assessment of Immune and Clinical Response in Patients with Mucosal Leishmaniasis Treated with Pentavalent Antimony and Pentoxifylline.

Mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) is a severe form of tegumentary leishmaniasis associated with a persistent inflammatory response. High levels of TNF, IFN-γ, CXCL9 and CXCL10 are found in ML patients, and the association of pentoxifylline with antimony is more effective in decreasing the healing time in ML patients when compared to antimony alone. The present study aimed to investigate the existence of a correlation between cytokine and chemokine production and ML severity and evaluate the potential value of cytokine and chemokine production as marker of therapeutic response in ML patients. This prospective study included 86 subjects in an area of endemic Leishmania braziliensis transmission. Patients diagnosed with ML were classified into clinical stages ranging from I to V according to disease severity. TNF, IFN-γ, CXCL9 and CXCL10 levels were quantified in the supernatant of the mononuclear cell cultures by ELISA before and after treatment with antimony alone or antimony plus pentoxifylline. The median TNF level in the group with mild disease (Stages I-II) was 1064 pg/mL (142-3738 pg/mL), while, in the group with moderate or severe disease (Stages III-V), it was 1941 pg/mL (529-5294 pg/mL) (p = 0.008). A direct correlation was observed between ML clinical severity and levels of TNF production (r = 0.44, p = 0.007). Patients who were treated with antimony and pentoxifylline healed significantly faster than those treated with antimony alone (52 vs. 77 days, hazard ratio = 0.60; 95% confidence interval = 0.38-0.95, p = 0.013). Therapeutic failure was higher in the group that received antimony alone (25% vs. 7%; p = 0.041). There was a significant decrease in CXCL9 after therapy of ML in both groups (p = 0.013; p = 0.043). TNF levels are associated with the severity of mucosal diseases, and pentoxifylline associated with antimony should be the recommended therapy for ML in countries where liposomal amphotericin B is not available.

Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Different Vegetable Sprouts and Their Potential Role in the Formulation of Functional Foods against Various Disorders: A Literature-Based Review.

In this review, we discuss the advantages of vegetable sprouts in the development of food products as well as their beneficial effects on a variety of disorders. Sprouts are obtained from different types of plants and seeds and various types of leafy, root, and shoot vegetables. Vegetable sprouts are enriched in bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, antioxidants, and vitamins. Currently, different conventional methods and advanced technologies are used to extract bioactive compounds from vegetable sprouts. Due to some issues in traditional methods, increasingly, the trend is to use recent technologies because the results are better. Applications of phytonutrients extracted from sprouts are finding increased utility for food processing and shelf-life enhancement. Vegetable sprouts are being used in the preparation of different functional food products such as juices, bread, and biscuits. Previous research has shown that vegetable sprouts can help to fight a variety of chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Furthermore, in the future, more research is needed that explores the extraordinary ways in which vegetable sprouts can be incorporated into green-food processing and preservation for the purpose of enhancing shelf-life and the formation of functional meat products and substitutes.

Pectin: A Bioactive Food Polysaccharide with Cancer Preventive Potential.

Pectin is an acidic heteropolysaccharide found in the cell walls and the primary and middle lamella of land plants. To be authorized as a food additive, industrial pectins must meet strict guidelines set forth by the Food and Agricultural Organization and must contain at least 65% polygalacturonic acid to achieve the E440 level. Fruit pectin derived from oranges or apples is commonly used in the food industry to gel or thicken foods and to stabilize acid-based milk beverages. It is a naturally occurring component and can be ingested by dietary consumption of fruit and vegetables. Preventing long-term chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease is an important role of dietary carbohydrates. Colon and breast cancer are among the diseases for which data suggest that modified pectin (MP), specifically modified citrus pectin (MCP), has beneficial effects on the development and spread of malignancies, in addition to its benefits as a soluble dietary fiber. Cellular and animal studies and human clinical trials have provided corroborating data. Although pectin has many diverse functional qualities, this review focuses on various modifications used to develop MP and its benefits for cancer prevention, bioavailability, clinical trials, and toxicity studies. This review concludes that pectin has anti-cancer characteristics that have been found to inhibit tumor development and proliferation in a wide variety of cancer cells. Nevertheless, further clinical and basic research is required to confirm the chemopreventive or therapeutic role of specific dietary carbohydrate molecules.