Spatial analysis of a case of reverse logistics of medicines in community pharmacies in Brazil - a preliminary study

Background: The reverse logistics of medicines consists of the logistical procedure of collection, transport, storage, treatment and final disposal of post-consumer or expired waste. Medicines can be toxic to the environment and affect the health of citizens of the territory. Community pharmacies, as a health facility, play a key role in this process. Objectives: Define the spatial analysis and cases of reverse logistics of medicines in community pharmacies in Brazil. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, and the research covered the medicines collected by 400 community pharmacies in the period from 2020 to 2022. To obtain the data, the medicines were collected, weighed, segregated and the weight released on a dedicated waste management platform. All regions of Brazil subject to georeferencing were processed using the free software Geographic Information System (QGIS). Data were expressed as median and range or as frequency of occurrence. Chi-square t-test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare variables. The accepted significance level was 5%. Results: Of the five existing regions in Brazil, only three had records of reverse medication logistics. 4,519.74 Kg of products were collected, and the North region of Brazil was responsible for 69.1% of the collection. In the spatial analysis, it was possible to perceive a difference between the areas of concentration of the RDL, that is, locations where collections were carried out in the period from 2020 to 2022. Conclusion: The present study preliminarily analyzed the reverse logistics of medicines in Brazil. The data obtained can contribute to the knowledge of this area and to the strengthening of the process. Thus, these places must exercise a task force for the educational process of the population about the risks of incorrect disposal of medicines and that this could harm the environment, economic aspects of society, food and the entire context that involves health and well-being. of citizens (AU)

Performing rapid metabolite tests (IgG-IgM) for SARS-CoV-2 infection in community pharmacies: A cross sectional-study from Brazil

Background: Immunochromatographic rapid tests in pharmacies allow the discovery of specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 or viral antigens and provide a broader and more effective screening of the virus. However, in many countries, this process is still not well defined. In this sense, the perception of pharmacists about these screening practices presents an overview of how the service is being carried out in the country. Objective: This study was to evaluate the performance of rapid immunochromatographic tests and their clinical results in community pharmacies in northern Brazil. Method: A retrospective study was carried out between May 2020 and December 2021 in community pharmacies in the northern region of Brazil. Participants were 18 years of age or older, of both sexes, who spontaneously sought the SARS-CoV-2 rapid testing service at pharmacies located in the municipality of Belem and who had had close contact with the virus or symptoms infection-related. Data were expressed as median and range or as frequency of occurrence. Chi-square t-test and Fisher’s exact test were used to compare variables. The accepted significance level was 5%. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (number: 4,865,206). Results: A total of 78,849 patients were recruited into the study. Most patients, 37,847 (48%), were tested antibody positive for SARS-CoV-2. There were no severe signs and symptoms of the disease. The results showed the great demand for carrying out the rapid test in pharmacies and these places could contribute to the understanding of this health establishment, to curb the speed of SARS-CoV-2 dissemination. (AU)

Probiotic bacilli incorporation in foods: is really so easy?

Foods containing probiotic bacilli spores are becoming more and more popular because of their resistance to acidic pH, low water activity, and, most importantly, heat processes. Even though spores may engage in some functions, such as immunomodulation, the majority of the beneficial characteristics are unique to vegetative cells. As matter of fact, the development of foods fortified with spores ought to even ensure the germination of the spores along the gastrointestinal tract. In this perspective, vegetative cells derived from spore germination were separately counted on a minimal medium because the traditional approach is based on the use of complex media that allows the spores to germinate independently by stimuli arising from processing or digestion. In more detail, three Bacillus spp. cultures with claimed probiotic properties were added to two entirely unrelated foods (pasta and croissants), and tolerance, as well as germination, was monitored before and after exposure to simulated GIT, as well as at the beginning and end of the products shelf life. For the first time, potential probiotic bacilli were included in a frozen ready-to-bake product. Germination appears to be prevented in this instance, and the impact of baking, matrix and cold storage on spores was examined independently. All of the parameters appeared to contribute, although further research is needed due to the unpredictable behavior exhibited by spores during freezing.

Análisis descriptivos a partir del rotulo nutricional: calcio y facilitadores de su absorción en bebidas vegetales procesadas / Descriptive analysis based on nutritional label: calcium and absorption facilitators in processed vegetable beverages

Introducción: El calcio es el mineral más abundante e importante en el organismo. Los factores dietéticos que aumentan la absorción del calcio son: vitamina D, lactosa, lípidos, aminoácidos y citratos. Dado los escasos estudios en relación con los componentes facilitadores de la absorción del calcio en bebidas vegetales procesadas elaboradas a partir de leguminosas, cereales, coco, y frutos secos se pretendió conocer la cantidad, el tipo de calcio y los componentes facilitadores de su absorción en estas bebidas. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo y descriptivo a partir de una muestra de 49 bebidas vegetales presentes en las 3 cadenas de supermercados en la ciudad de Montevideo. Se estudiaron las variables cantidad y tipo de calcio adicionado, cantidad y tipo de facilitadores (proteínas, lípidos, vitamina C y D), declarados en el rotulado nutricional y en la lista de ingredientes respectivamente. Se calculó media, desvío estándar, coeficiente de variación para analizar los datos, test de Student, ANOVA, ANOVA Post Hoc, y correlación de Pearson. Resultados: El 31% de las bebidas vegetales procesadas en estudio se adicionaron con calcio (valor promedio: 120 mg). Predomina en la muestra el carbonato de calcio adicionado. Los componentes facilitadores están presentes en todas las bebidas muestra, siendo las de soja las que presentaron los cuatro facilitadores. Se observó diferencia significativa en el contenido de vitamina D en bebidas vegetales con adición y sin adición de calcio. Existe correlación positiva para el contenido de lípidos y vitamina D. El aporte de calcio y vitamina D de las BV adicionadas con calcio en una porción (200ml) representa el 26 % y 20% de la ingesta diaria recomendada respectivamente. Conclusiones: Conocer la composición nutricional de las bebidas vegetales procesadas según el contenido mineral y facilitadores de la absorción es relevante para la recomendación de este tipo de alimentos

Introduction: Calcium is the most abundant and important mineral in the body. Dietary factors that increase calcium absorption are: vitamin D, lactose, lipids, amino acids, and citrates. In view of the scant studies on the components that facilitate calcium absorption in processed vegetable beverages made from legumes, cereals, coconut, and nuts, our intention was to determine the amount and type of calcium and of the components that facilitate its absorption in these beverages. Materials and methods: A quantitative and descriptive study was conducted from a sample of 49 vegetable drinks present in the three supermarket chains in Montevideo. The variables studied: amount and type of calcium added, and amount and type of facilitators (proteins, lipids, vitamin C and D), as declared in the nutritional labels and lists of ingredients, respectively. Mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation were calculated to analyze the data, Student test, ANOVA, ANOVA Post Hoc, and Pearson correlation. Results: 31% of the processed vegetable beverages studied had calcium added (average value: 120 mg). Added calcium carbonate predominates in the sample. Facilitating components are present in all the vegetable beverages in the sample, with soy drinks presenting all four facilitators. A significant difference in vitamin D content was observed in vegetable beverages with and without calcium addition. There is a positive correlation for lipid content and vitamin D. The contribution of calcium and vitamin D of the BV with added calcium in one portion (200ml) represents 26% and 20% of the recommended daily intake respectively. Conclusions: Knowing the mineral content and the absorption facilitators in the nutritional composition of processed vegetable drinks is relevant when recommending this type of food

Childcare and follow-up of children exposed to syphilis or notified with congenital syphilis / Puericultura y seguimiento de niños expuestos a sífilis o notificados con sífilis congênita / Puericultura e seguimento de crianças expostas à sífilis ou notificadas com a sífilis congênita

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze childcare and follow-up of children exposed to or notified with congenital syphilis in Primary Health Care. Method: a descriptive study carried out in Fortaleza, Ceará, whose population was made up of children exposed to syphilis or notified with congenital syphilis in 2017 and 2018. The data were collected from notification forms and the children's medical records. Sociodemographic variables of the mother and childcare were analyzed. For this purpose, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 22, was used. Results: a total of 715 children took part in the study. The mothers' age varied from 14 to 42 years old, 436 (61%) had Complete Elementary School, 276 (38.6%) had a steady or occasional partner, 97 (13.6%) had a paid job and 23 (3.2%) used drugs. A total of 712 (99.6%) attended prenatal care and 134 (18.7%) were treated for syphilis. In relation to the children, 50 (7.0%) attended only one childcare consultation and a considerable loss was observed in follow-up over the months. Ten (1.4%) completed all eight consultations recommended by the Ministry of Health. No child underwent the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory at one, three, six, 12 and 18 months. Conclusion: childcare and follow-up of children exposed to syphilis or notified with congenital syphilis do not meet the guidelines recommended by the Ministry of Health. There is a significant follow-up loss among the children.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la puericultura y el seguimiento de niños expuestos a sífilis o notificados con sífilis congénita en Atención Primaria de la Salud. Método: estudio descriptivo realizado en Fortaleza, Ceará, cuya población estuvo conformada por niños expuestos a sífilis o notificados con sífilis congénita en 2017 y 2018. Los datos se recolectaron de los formularios de notificación y de las historias clínicas de los niños. Se analizaron variables sociodemográficas de las madres y de la puericultura de los niños. Para tal fin se utilizó el Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), versión 22. Resultados: un total de 15 niños participaron en el estudio. La edad de las madres varió entre 14 y 42 años, 436 (61%) tenían escuela primaria completa como nivel de estudio máximo, 276 (38,6%) tenían pareja estable o eventual, 97 (13,6%) poseían alguna actividad remunerada y 23 (3,2%) consumían drogas. Un total de 712 (99,6%) acudió a las consultas prenatales y 134 (18,7%) recibieron tratamiento para la sífilis. En relación con los niños, 50 (7,0%) solo acudieron a una consulta de puericultura y se observó una considerable pérdida en el seguimiento a lo largo de los meses. Diez (1,4%) completaron las ocho consultas recomendadas por el Ministerio de Salud y ningún niño se sometió al Venereal Disease Research Laboratory de uno, tres, seis, 12 y 18 meses. Conclusión: la puericultura y el seguimiento de niños expuestos a sífilis o notificados con sífilis congénita no cumplen con las directrices recomendadas por el Ministerio de Salud; además, se registra una importante pérdida en seguimiento de los niños.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a puericultura e o seguimento de crianças expostas ou notificadas com sífilis congênita na atenção primária em saúde. Método: estudo descritivo realizado em Fortaleza, Ceará cuja população foi composta por crianças expostas à sífilis ou notificadas com a sífilis congênita nos anos de 2017 e 2018. Os dados foram coletados nas fichas de notificação e nos prontuários das crianças. Foram analisadas variáveis sociodemográficas da mãe e da puericultura da criança. Para isso, utilizou-se o programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), versão 22. Resultados: participaram do estudo 715 crianças. A idade das mães variou de 14 a 42 anos, tinham até o ensino fundamental completo 436 (61%), parceiro fixo ou eventual 276 (38,6%), atividade remunerada 97 (13,6%) e fazia uso de drogas 23 (3,2%). Frequentaram o pré-natal 712 (99,6%) e foram tratadas para sífilis, 134 (18,7%). Em relação às crianças, 50 (7,0%) receberam somente uma consulta de puericultura e observa-se perda considerável no seguimento ao longo dos meses. Dez (1,4%) completaram o quantitativo de oito consultas recomendado pelo Ministério da Saúde. Nenhuma criança fez o Venereal Disease Research Laboratory de um, três, seis, 12 e 18 meses. Conclusão: a puericultura e o seguimento de crianças expostas à sífilis ou notificadas com a sífilis congênita não atendem às diretrizes recomendadas pelo Ministério da Saúde. Há importante perda de seguimento das crianças.

Analysis of the clinical practice of the pharmacist in a community pharmacy: A Cross-sectional Study from Brazil.

Background: The pharmaceutical profession has experienced renewals over time. In community pharmacies, pharmaceutical services contribute to the public health system in Brazil. The development of these tasks, in collaboration with professionals from the multidisciplinary team, demonstrates the involvement with the well-being, health and improvement of the patient's life. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the professional practice of pharmacists, their understandings and attitudes towards clinical practice in community pharmacies in northern Brazil. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study, based on a questionnaire carried out with pharmacists for seven months in the municipality of Belém, in the state of Pará. Data were expressed using descriptive statistics and the results were shown as a percentage. Results: 182 pharmacists participated. Females were predominant (80.2%) and the average age of participants was 34.2 years. 77.4% graduated from private institutions and 59.3% already have a specialization. 38.4% hold the position of technical director. 50.5% of respondents say that community pharmacies have a reserved place for service. The most used clinical services were pharmacotherapy review (89.5%), health education (60.9%), dispensing (34%), therapeutic monitoring (25.8%) and pharmacotherapeutic follow-up (4.9%). In the study, it was realized that community pharmacies should not be seen as a commercial place but rather as a health care facility. Conclusions: Therefore, these establishments must adapt at a structural and professional level, to meet an increasingly growing demand of a population in need of services offered with quality health care.

Late blowing defect in Grottone cheese: detection of clostridia and control strategies.

"Grottone" is a pasta filata hard cheese produced in Campania region from cow's milk and characterized by holes formation due to CO2 development by Propionic Acid Bacteria. The contamination of raw milk with butyric acid-producing spore-forming clostridia represent a major concern for cheese producers since clostridia outgrowth may lead to the cheese late blowing defect during ripening. Detection of clostridial endospores in milk before processing and the use of antimicrobial compounds may represent an important control strategy. The present study is aimed to point out the most suitable procedure for the determination of clostridial spores in dairy samples, and to assess the inhibitory activity of several antimicrobial compounds against Cl. sporogenes. Based on results, MPN counts on Bryant and Burkey medium and CFU on RCM proved to be the most suitable protocols for routine testing. By using these procedures clostridial spores were detected in 10 out 13 milk samples and in all cheeses with late blowing defect. Within antimicrobial compounds, sodium nitrate is still the best choice for preventing late blowing, nevertheless a protective culture of Lacticaseibacillus casei proved to be a promising alternative. Nevertheless, the use of this protective culture in six Grottone cheese productions carried out at farm level, led to unsatisfactory results. Holes' development was hampered likely for an inhibition of the PAB starter and the expected 'Grouviera-type' taste was not perceived by panellists. Based on results, the use of protective cultures needs to be contextualized and interactions with starters needs to be evaluated case by case.

Cuidado lúdico pela enfermagem em pediatria: conhecimento e dificuldades para sua utilização / The playful care for nursing in pediatrics: knowledge and difficulties for its use / Cuidado lúdico por enfermería pediátrica: conocimientos y dificultades para su uso

Objetivo:Identificar o conhecimento relacionado ao cuidado lúdico e as dificuldades para sua utilização pela equipe de enfermagem em pediatria. Método:Estudo exploratório, com abordagem qualitativa, junto a enfermeiros de hospitais de Belém, Pará, Brasil, em abril de 2021. A coleta de dados ocorreu através de entrevistas semiestruturadas. Aplicou-se a análise de conteúdo. Resultados:Entre os doze enfermeiros participantes, emergiram as seguintes categorias: interação e ressignificação de traumas; utilização de brinquedos; brincar espontâneo; utilização de jogos; sobrecarga de trabalho; indisponibilidade de recursos materiais; transferência de responsabilidade; ausência de protocolo e capacitação; indisposição e desmotivação profissional e cuidado lúdico na assistência de enfermagem. Considerações finais:Os enfermeiros percebem a importância do cuidado lúdico na assistência, porém a sobrecarga de trabalho, ausência de protocolos e capacitação, indisponibilidade de materiais, indisposição e desmotivação profissional, impossibilitam a utilização do lúdico como instrumento no cuidado à criança.

Objective:To identify the knowledge related to ludic care and the difficulties for its use by the pediatric nursing team. Method:exploratory study, with a qualitative approach, with nurses from hospitals in Belém, Pará, Brazil, in April 2021. Data collection took place through semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was applied. Results:Among the twelve participating nurses, the following categories emerged: interaction and re-signification of traumas; use of toys; spontaneous play; use of games; work overload; unavailability of material resources; transfer of responsibility; lack of protocol and training; professional indisposition and demotivation and ludic care in nursing care. Final considerations:Nurses realize the importance of playful care in assistance, but the work overload, lack of protocols and training, unavailability of materials, unwillingness and professional demotivation, make it impossible to use play as a tool in child care.

Objetivo:Identificar los conocimientos relacionados al cuidado lúdico y las dificultades para su utilización por el equipo de enfermería pediátrica. Método:estudio exploratorio, con abordaje cualitativo, con enfermeros de hospitales de Belém, Pará, Brasil, en abril de 2021. La recolección de datos ocurrió a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas. Se aplicó el análisis de contenido. Resultados: Entre los doce enfermeros participantes, emergieron las siguientes categorías: interacción y resignificación de traumas; uso de juguetes; juego espontáneo; uso de juegos; sobrecarga de trabajo; falta de disponibilidad de recursos materiales; transferencia de responsabilidad; falta de protocolo y formación; Indisposición y desmotivación profesional y cuidado lúdico en el cuidado de enfermería. Consideraciones finales:Los enfermeros perciben la importancia del cuidado lúdico en asistencia , pero la sobrecarga de trabajo, la falta de protocolos y capacitación, la falta de disponibilidad de materiales, la falta de voluntad y la desmotivación profesional, imposibilitan el uso del juegocomo herramienta en el cuidado del niño.

Analysis of the clinical practice of the pharmacist in a community pharmacy: A Cross-sectional Study from Brazil

Background: The pharmaceutical profession has experienced renewals over time. In community pharmacies, pharmaceutical services contribute to the public health system in Brazil. The development of these tasks, in collaboration with professionals from the multidisciplinary team, demonstrates the involvement with the well-being, health and improvement of the patient’s life. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the professional practice of pharmacists, their understandings and attitudes towards clinical practice in community pharmacies in northern Brazil. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study, based on a questionnaire carried out with pharmacists for seven months in the municipality of Belém, in the state of Pará. Data were expressed using descriptive statistics and the results were shown as a percentage. Results: 182 pharmacists participated. Females were predominant (80.2%) and the average age of participants was 34.2 years. 77.4% graduated from private institutions and 59.3% already have a specialization. 38.4% hold the position of technical director. 50.5% of respondents say that community pharmacies have a reserved place for service. The most used clinical services were pharmacotherapy review (89.5%), health education (60.9%), dispensing (34%), therapeutic monitoring (25.8%) and pharmacotherapeutic follow-up (4.9%). In the study, it was realized that community pharmacies should not be seen as a commercial place but rather as a health care facility. Conclusions: Therefore, these establishments must adapt at a structural and professional level, to meet an increasingly growing demand of a population in need of services offered with quality health care. (AU)

Sarcopenia and Mortality in Patients With Chronic Non-dialytic Renal Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of prospective studies on the presence of sarcopenia and its association with cardiovascular events and mortality in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic renal disease. METHODS: This study used the PRISMA protocol for systematic review. The systematic review and meta-analysis protocol was recorded in the prospective record of systematic reviews by PROSPERO International: CRD42019120391. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and LILACS from December 2018 to April 20, 2019, with the survey results updated in January 2021. DATA ANALYSIS: Random effect models were calculated to compare the results due to high heterogeneity identified. RESULTS: The survey identified 951 studies. Of these, 392 were removed by duplicates and 559 references were selected for analysis. In the stage of evaluating titles and abstracts, 555 articles were excluded because they did not include inclusion criteria related to the population and study design, leaving 4 articles that were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. A meta-analysis identified that the presence of sarcopenia increased the risk of mortality by 143%. CONCLUSION(S): The meta-analysis identified the influence of sarcopenia on mortality in non-dialysis-dependent chronic renal disease.

Demographic and Clinical Donor Characteristics as Predictors of Total Nucleated Cell Concentrations in Harvested Marrow Products.

Successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) relies significantly on adequate allograft cell composition to achieve sustained engraftment, and a minimum of 2 × 108 total nucleated cells (TNCs) per kilogram of recipient body weight has been identified as the prerequisite cell dose for successful engraftment of marrow-derived products. To meet this minimum requirement, marrow harvest volumes are estimated based on anticipated TNC concentrations of 18.3 × 106/mL. However, there is considerable variability in marrow TNC concentrations. Thus, an algorithm that incorporates baseline donor characteristics to predict TNC concentrations could optimize outcomes for both donors and recipients. For this study, donor baseline characteristics and corresponding unstimulated marrow products harvested between 2004 and 2017 at a single large-volume donor center were collected. Multivariable analysis was used to identify significant predictors of TNC concentration. Two models-ordinary least squares (OLS) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression-were compared for their fitness to the data and their utility in predicting TNCs. Donors with higher body mass index, younger age, male sex, white race/ethnicity, smaller harvest volumes, lower preharvest hematocrit, higher preharvest platelet count, and higher preharvest WBC count predicted significantly higher TNC concentrations in marrow products. When comparing predictive models that incorporate these characteristics, the cross-validated LASSO and bootstrapped OLS provided the best fit. We now supply these formulas to be validated in other datasets before clinical use. TNC concentration in marrow products can be predicted using donor characteristics, most of which are readily available during the donor clinical assessment. The ability to predict marrow allograft TNC concentrations can optimize collection volumes during a harvest.

Quality of Telehealth Services in Primary Care in the State of Minas Gerais.

Objective: Telemedicine is seen as an important tool to face contemporary health challenges. The factors that help improve quality in these services must be studied. The objective of this work was to assess the quality of telehealth primary care services offered in the State of Minas Gerais -Brazil, based on the ISO 13131 standard. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study with a quantitative approach was conducted in the cities in the state of Minas Gerais that use telehealth services. A stratified sample composed of 385 cities was used. A questionnaire, based on ISO 13131 on the quality of telehealth services, was prepared, used, and verified for its consistency. Quality levels in telehealth were built from the data. To analyze the quality of care, data from the Ministry of Health's quality improvement program were used, involving 366 surveyed cities. Logistic regression was performed to verify the association between quality of telehealth and quality of care. Results: The research identified that 64% of the cities had records of telehealth activities, and 51% of cities had high quality telehealth services. There was no association between quality of telehealth and quality of care; only the dimensions of Quality and Risk Management were associated with quality of care. Conclusion: The developed instrument enabled the quality of telehealth actions to be verified. The State of Minas Gerais has high-quality telehealth services.

First report of a livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST126 harbouring the mecC variant in Brazil.

Staphylococcus aureus is a versatile and highly adaptable pathogen associated with a wide range of infectious diseases in humans and animals. In the last decades, concern has increased worldwide due to the emergence and spread of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains shortly after this drug became a therapeutic option. In this study, we report the genomic features of the first mecC-mediated, ß-lactam resistant MRSA strain associated with livestock in Brazil and in the American continent. Three clonally related phenotypic MRSA isolates originated from a dairy herd were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction as mecC-harbouring MRSA isolates. Whole-genome sequencing was performed by Illumina Miseq platform. Downstream analyses showed that the strain was identified as the sequence type 126 (ST126) and spa type t605. In silico analysis revealed a mecC homolog gene in the orfX region associated with different penicillin-binding proteins. Moreover, genes encoding for efflux pump systems (arlR, mepR, LmrS, norA and mgrA), and antibiotic inactivation enzymes (blaZ and FosB) were also detected. Virulence analyses revealed that the strain harbours genes encoding for exoenzymes (aur, splA, splB and splE), toxin (hlgA, hlgB, hlgC, lukD and lukE) and enterotoxin (sea). The epidemiologic and genomic information provided by this study will support further epidemiological and evolutionary investigations to understand the origin and dissemination of mecC-MRSA among animals and its impact on public health.

Antimicrobial activity of polypyrrole nanoparticles and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera against Staphylococcus spp. carriers of multi-drug efflux system genes isolated from dairy farms.

Our objectives were to identify genes of the multi-drug efflux system and to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of polypyrrole nanoparticles (PPy-NPs) and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera against Staphylococcus spp. isolated from dairy farms in Northeast Brazil. Initially, 162 Staphylococcus spp. isolates were subjected to in vitro antimicrobial sensitivity tests. Of these, 35 presented antimicrobial multi-drug resistance phenotypes. These 35 isolates were then referred for the detection of norA, norB, norC, msrA, mgrA, tet-38, and lmrS genes, all of which feature in multi-drug efflux systems. In the isolates carrying the genes, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of PPy-NPs and Moringa oleifera aqueous extract were determined. In the molecular analysis of the 35 isolates norA, norC, tet-38, and msrA genes were detected and for the other genes norB, lmrS and mgrA there was no amplification. Antimicrobial activity was verified of PPy-NPs and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera in Staphylococcus spp. carrying multi-drug efflux system genes. We concluded that there are multi-drug efflux system genes present in the Staphylococcus spp. from the agricultural environment in Northeast Brazil, and that aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera and PPy-NPs show bactericidal activity against these isolates.

MiR-4668 as a Novel Potential Biomarker for Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

INTRODUCTION: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a clinico-pathological diagnosis characterized by esophageal dysfunction and eosinophilic infiltration of the esophagus. Demonstration of esophageal eosinophilia (more than 15 eosinophils/hpf) in biopsy specimen obtained by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) continues to be the gold standard for diagnosis and monitoring of response to therapy. There is a growing necessity for non-invasive biomarkers that can accurately diagnose this condition and assess response to therapy. While microRNAs (miRNA) are being investigated in allergic diseases, including EoE, not many studies have explored the role of salivary miRNAs in EoE. MiR-4668-5p is a particularly interesting candidate, as it is predicted to regulate TGF-beta signaling and has not previously been identified as a target in any allergy disease. We sought to further investigate the role of miR-4668 as a biomarker to characterize and monitor response to treatment with swallowed topical glucocorticoids. METHODS: After IRB approval, twenty-two adult patients with EoE were randomly enrolled to provide a saliva sample before and after 2 months of swallowed fluticasone therapy. Differences of miRNA expression before and after treatment were analyzed by paired T-test. A significance cutoff of <0.05 was used for all analyses. RESULTS: Expression of miR-4668 was higher in EoE vs. non-EoE subjects. The level of miR-4668 decreased in all subjects except one, with a mean fold change 0.49 ± 0.25. There was an association between miRNA expression and number of positive aeroallergens. The miR-4668 high group had a higher number of positive aeroallergen tests, while the miR-4668 low group had a greater number of subjects with drug allergies. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we identified that salivary miRNAs may serve as biomarkers to characterize EoE and response to topical corticosteroids. We specifically identified miR-4668 as a novel potential biomarker, which was not previously discovered as a target in EoE or any other allergic disease.

Surveillance of cutaneous leishmaniasis in clinical samples: distribution of Leishmania guyanensis in the state of Amapá, Brazil, 2018. / Vigilância da leishmaniose cutânea em amostras clínicas: distribuição da Leishmania guyanensis no estado do Amapá, 2018.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate Leishmania species in a series of autochthonous cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) cases in Amapá State, Brazilian Amazon. METHODS: this was a descriptive ecological study carried out from January-October/2018 at a reference center for CL diagnosis in Amapá; individuals with CL receiving care from January-May/2018 were recruited; clinical data and skin biopsies were obtained; from extracted DNA (phenol-chloroform) we amplified the hsp70-234 gene region (PCR) for nucleotide sequencing (Applied Biosystems: ABI3500XL). RESULTS: 38 individuals were interviewed, examined and diagnosed; men predominated (28/38; mean age=32.5±11.3); lesions (most ulcers: 37/38) measuring 0,4-10mm (34/38) and ≥11mm (4/38) were multiple in 20/38 individuals; diagnosis of L. braziliensis (1), L. naiffi (1), L. infantum (1), L. (Viannia) sp. (1), L. amazonensis (2) and L. guyanensis (32); individuals infected with L. guyanensis (32/38) lived in 9/10 municipalities represented in the sample, and 17/32 of these had multiple lesions. CONCLUSION: presence of Leishmania guyanensis predominated and was frequently associated with multiple lesions.

Can marine-derived fungus Neosartorya siamensis KUFA 0017 extract and its secondary metabolites enhance antitumor activity of doxorubicin? An in vitro survey unveils interactions against lung cancer cells.

Doxorubicin (Dox) is one of the most successful anticancer drugs in use. However, chemoresistance is one of the main limitations that patients face. Therefore, development of new strategies to improve the efficacy of Dox is needed. Marine-derived fungi are especially promising sources of new anticancer compounds. In this work, antitumor activity of crude ethyl extract of the cultures of the marine-derived fungus Neosartorya siamensis KUFA 0017 (NS), combined with Dox, was evaluated in six cancer cell lines. To evaluate possible mechanisms involved in the eventual improvement of Dox's cytotoxicity by NS extract, effects on DNA damage, cell death, ultrastructural modifications, and intracellular accumulation of Dox were assessed. The NS extract demonstrated a significant enhancement of Dox's cytotoxic activity in A549 cells, inducing DNA damage, cell death, and intracellular accumulation of Dox. Additionally, the cytotoxic effect of eight compounds, isolated from this extract, that is, 2,4-dihydroxy-3-methylacetophenone-(C1), nortryptoquivaline-(C2), chevalone C-(C3), tryptoquivaline H-(C4), fiscalin A-(C5), epi-fiscalin-C (C6), epi-neofiscalin A-(C7), and epi-fiscalin A-(C8), alone and combined with Dox was also evaluated in lung cancer cells. The cytotoxic effect of Dox was potentiated by all the isolated compounds (except C1) in A549 cells. Therefore, we concluded that NS extract potentiated cytotoxicity by inhibiting cell proliferation, increasing intracellular accumulation of Dox, and inducing cell death (possibly by an autophagic process). The isolated compounds also enhanced the activity of Dox, supporting the potential of this sort of combination. These data call for further studies to characterize drug interactions and underlying mechanisms.

Maternal anemia and birth weight: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between maternal anemia and low/insufficient birth weight. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study of pregnant women who underwent prenatal care at the healthcare units in a municipality of northeast Brazil together with their newborn infants was carried out. The pregnant women were classified as having anemia when the hemoglobin level was below 11 g/dl. Infants who were born full term weighing less than 2500 grams were classified as low birth weight, and those weighing between 2500 and 2999 grams were classified as insufficient weight. The occurrence of maternal anemia and its association with birth weight was verified using crude and adjusted Relative Risk (RR) estimates with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). RESULTS: The final sample was comprised of 622 women. Maternal anemia was considered a risk factor for low/insufficient birth weight, after adjusting the effect measurement for maternal age, family income, urinary infection, parity, alcoholic beverage consumption during pregnancy and gestational body mass index: RRadjusted = 1.38 [95% CI: 1.07 to 1.77]. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal anemia was associated with low/insufficient birth weight, representing a risk factor for the gestational outcomes studied.