Virulence Determinants in Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium vanA Isolated from Different Sources at University Hospital of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil

Flávia Imanishi Ruzon,Suelen Balero de Paula,Renata Lumi Kanoshiki,Jussevania Pereira-Santos,Gilselena Kerbauy,Renata Katsuko Takayama Kobayashi,Lucy Megumi Yamauchi,Márcia Regina Eches Perugini,Sueli 한국미생물학회 2010 The journal of microbiology Vol.48 No.6

Enterococcus faecium, especially those showing multidrug resistance, has emerged as a significant cause of healthcare-associated infections worldwide. However, relatively little is known about the virulence and pathogenesis of this species. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of four putative virulence determinants of E. faecium and to correlate them with phenotypic traits. Using forty E. faecium vanA-type isolates from hospitalized patients and their environmental vicinity, we determined the following: the antimicrobial susceptibility profile, occurrence of the genes cylA, efaA, esp, and gelE, hemolytic and gelatinase activities, capacity to form biofilm and in vitro adhesion to epithelial cells. All isolates were shown to be resistant to vancomycin and teicoplanin, as well as to two or more other antimicrobials. All isolates harbored at least one putative virulence marker, and the prevalence was as follows: esp, 87.5%; efaA, 82.5%; gelE, 70%;and cylA, 65%. The presence of 4 genes was observed in 32.5% isolates. The presence of the efaA was associated with the presence of esp, regardless of the source of the isolates. A positive association with the presence of cylA and hemolytic activity in the sheep blood agar assay was observed. No association was found for gelE and gelatinase production in the agar plate assay, for efaA and LLC-MK2 cell adhesion, and for esp and biofilm formation on polystyrene surface. These results show the presence of putative virulence genes in multiple antimicrobial resistant E. faecium isolates from different sources in a hospital setting.

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) as a Cognitive Screening Tool in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Flá,via Nardes,Alexandra Prufer de Queiroz Campos Araú,jo,Má,rcia Gonç,alves Ribeiro,Maí,ta Bittar,Hanid Fontes Gomes 대한소아신경학회 2020 대한소아신경학회지 Vol.28 No.2

Purpose: Given that intellectual disability affects 15% to 63% of boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), it is relevant to evaluate if the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a reliable test for screening in these cognitively impaired boys. Methods: A descriptive study of 74 DMD boys was performed. Age, years of schooling, genotype, and performance in the MMSE and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC)-IV were verified. Results: Sixty-seven patients, with a mean of age 12.1±3 years were enrolled. Verbal comprehension (76.9±13.9) and working memory (71.2±16.7) indexes showed the highest impairment. Correlation between the MMSE (20.3±6.1) and WISC-IV (74.4±15.6) was moderate (r=0.556). Conclusion: The MMSE is a good cognitive screening test for DMD patients of 9 years and older, particularly in countries where the public health system does not provide expensive neuropsychological batteries, and has 78% accuracy and 82% sensitivity for scores ≤21. Subtests of the MMSE with better discriminatory power (for orientation, attention, and calculation) can help educators, teachers, and families to develop simple activities or academic games that enhance such mental skills.

Specific IgG and IgA Antibody Reactivities in Sera of Children by Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay and Comparison With <italic>Giardia duodenalis</italic> Diagnosis in Feces

Flávia Thamiris Figueiredo Pacheco,Silvia Souza de Carvalho,Samara Alves Santos,Gisele Maria Trindade das Chagas,Mariana Conceição Santos,Jéssica Gleide Souza Santos,Hugo da Costa-Ribeiro Júnior,Terez 대한진단검사의학회 2020 Annals of Laboratory Medicine Vol.40 No.5

Background: Giardia duodenalis is conventionally diagnosed in fecal samples using parasitological methods. However, sensitivity is poor when only a single sample is analyzed, due to intermittent excretion of cysts in feces. Alternatively, the serum antibodies to G. duodenalis can be used for parasite diagnosis and epidemiological studies to determine previous exposure. We compared the rate of G. duodenalis infection between serum anti-Giardia IgG and IgA antibodies and fecal examination in Brazilian children. Methods: Fecal and serum samples were tested from 287 children at a clinical laboratory and from 187 children at daycare centers. Fecal samples were processed using conventional parasitological methods and coproantigen detection for Giardia diagnosis. Serum samples were tested using an in-house ELISA for detection of anti-Giardia IgG and IgA. Results: G. duodenalis was found in 8.2% (N=39) of the 474 children analyzed. The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA were 80.0% and 90.0% for IgG and 80.0% and 83.3% for IgA, respectively. The total positivity rate of anti-Giardia IgG and IgA in the sera was 13.9% (N=66) and 23.6% (N=112). The agreement between the positivity of specific antibodies and the detection of G. duodenalis in feces was moderate for ELISA-IgG, kappa index (95% CI)=0.543 (0.422–0.664), and mild for ELISA-IgA, kappa index (95% CI)=0.283 (0.162–0.404). Among the children infected with other enteroparasites, 11.6% (N=10) and 24.4% (N=21) showed reactivity to anti-Giardia IgG and to IgA, respectively. This cross-reactivity was more frequent in samples from children infected with Endolimax nana and Entamoeba coli. Conclusions: The higher frequency of specific antibody reactivity compared with G. duodenalis diagnosis in feces could reflect continuous exposure of children to G. duodenalis infection, resulting in long-lasting immunological memory and/or cross-reactivity with other intestinal amoebas.

Alchornea glandulosa Ethyl Acetate Fraction Exhibits Antiangiogenic Activity: Preliminary Findings from In Vitro Assays Using Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Flávia Cristine Mascia Lopes,Ana Rocha,Ana Pirraco,Luis O. Regasini,Janaina R. Siqueira,Dulce H.S. Silva,Vanderlan S. Bolzani,Iracilda Z. Carlos,Raquel Soares 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.10

Alchornea glandulosa has traditionally been used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of immune-inflammatory diseases and as an antiulcer agent to heal gastric ulcer and gastritis. Angiogenesis is a complex multistep process that consists of proliferation, migration, and anastomosis of endothelial cells and has a major role in the development of pathologic conditions, such as inflammatory diseases. To investigate a possible link between the anti-inflammatory activities and antiangiogenic effects of A. glandulosa ethyl acetate fraction (AGF), this study examined which features of the angiogenic process could be disturbed by this fraction. The antiangiogenic activity of AGF was determined in vitro by using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and capillary-like structures formation were addressed. To elucidate the mechanism of action, nuclear factor κB (NFκB), a transcription factor implicated in these processes, was also evaluated in HUVEC incubated with AGF. A significant decrease in proliferation, a relevant increase in apoptosis, and a strong reduction in invasion capacity (as assessed by bromodeoxyuridine, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling, and double-chamber assays, respectively) were observed. AGF also led to a drastic reduction in the number of capillary-like structures formed when HUVEC were cultured on growth factor–reduced Matrigel–coated plates. In addition, incubation of HUVEC with AGF resulted in reduced NFκB activity. These findings emphasize the antiangiogenic potential of AGF and support its therapeutic use for disorders that involve excessive angiogenesis, such as chronic inflammation and tumor growth.

Bacterial Structure and Characterization of Plant Growth Promoting and Oil Degrading Bacteria from the Rhizospheres of Mangrove Plants

Flávia Lima do Carmo,Henrique Fragoso dos Santos,Edir Ferreira Martins,Jan Dirk van Elsas,Alexandre Soares Rosado,Raquel Silva Peixoto 한국미생물학회 2011 The journal of microbiology Vol.49 No.4

Most oil from oceanic spills converges on coastal ecosystems, such as mangrove forests, which are threatened with worldwide disappearance. Particular bacteria that inhabit the rhizosphere of local plant species can stimulate plant development through various mechanisms; it would be advantageous if these would also be capable of degrading oil. Such bacteria may be important in the preservation or recuperation of mangrove forests impacted by oil spills. This study aimed to compare the bacterial structure, isolate and evaluate bacteria able to degrade oil and stimulate plant growth, from the rhizospheres of three mangrove plant species. These features are particularly important taking into account recent policies for mangrove bioremediation,implying that oil degradation as well as plant maintenance and health are key targets. Fifty-seven morphotypes were isolated from the mangrove rhizospheres on Bushnell-Haas (BH) medium supplemented with oil as the sole carbon source and tested for plant growth promotion. Of this strains, 60% potentially fixed nitrogen, 16% showed antimicrobial activity, 84% produced siderophores, 51% had the capacity to solubilize phosphate, and 33% produced the indole acetic acid hormone. Using gas chromatography, we evaluated the oil-degrading potential of ten selected strains that had different morphologies and showed Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) features. The ten tested strains showed a promising degradation profile for at least one compound present in the oil. Among degrader strains, 46% had promising PGPR potential, having at least three of the above capacities. These strains might be used as a consortium,allowing the concomitant degradation of oil and stimulation of mangrove plant survival and maintenance.

Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire Fraction Leaves Stimulate Gastric Healing in Rats and Human Cell Cultures

Ana Flávia Seraine Custódio Viana,Hélio B Fernandes,Mariana H Chave,Daniel A Viana,Verlane G Santos,Ariadne C A Silva,Miriam T.P. Lopes,Rita de Cássia M Oliveira 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.3

Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire (Leguminosae–Caesalpinioideae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for treatment of gastric ulcer. This study evaluated the ulcer-healing activity of the hydroalcoholic fraction of C. macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire leaves (Cm-FHA) and the tea of the leaves of C. macrophyllum (Cm-tea), as well as the possible action of Cm-FHA, through in vitro models. Leaves of C. macrophyllum were dried and powdered to obtain the Cm-FHA. Subsequently, the Cm-FHA was characterized phytochemically and biologically. Besides, Cm-tea was prepared. The gastric healing effects of Cm-tea and Cm-FHA were analyzed using the model of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats. The human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cell line was employed as an in vitro model. Cm-tea promoted a protective effect against gastric ulcers induced by absolute ethanol. Cm-FHA or Cm-tea (100 mg/kg/7 days) exhibited a significant healing effect on ulcers induced by acetic acid. In the histological analysis, gastric mucosa treated with Cm-FHA or Cm-tea advanced restoration of the mucosal epithelium. In vitro, lower concentrations of Cm-FHA stimulated cell proliferation in the BrdU assay and cell migration. Cm-tea and Cm-FHA present a significant gastric healing effect in in vivo and in vitro models.

Purification and Characterization of the α-Glucosidase Produced by Thermophilic Fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus CBMAI 756

Ana Flávia Azevedo Carvalho,Maurício Boscolo,Roberto da Silva,Henrique Ferreira,Eleni Gomes 한국미생물학회 2010 The journal of microbiology Vol.48 No.4

Αn α-glucosidase enzyme produced by the fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus CBMAI 756 was purified by ultra filtration, ammonium sulphate precipitation, and chromatography using Q Sepharose, Sephacryl S-200, and Superose 12 columns. The apparent molecular mass of the enzyme was 83 kDa as determined in gel electrophoresis. Maximum activity was observed at pH 4.5 at 70°C. Enzyme showed stability stable in the pH range of 3.0-9.0 and lost 40% of its initial activity at the temperatures of 40, 50, and 60°C. In the presence of ions Na+, Ba2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Al3+, Zn2+, Ca2+ this enzyme maintained 90-105% of its maximum activity and was inhibited by Cr3+, Ag+, and Hg2+. The enzyme showed a transglycosylation property, by the release of oligosaccharides after 3 h of incubation with maltose, and specificity for short maltooligosaccharides and α-PNPG. The Km measured for the α-glucosidase was 0.07 μM, with a Vmax of 318.0 μmol/min/mg.

Gastroprotective Activity of Neoglaziovia variegata (Arruda) Mez. (Bromeliaceae) in Rats and Mice

Kamila Lopes de Lira,Flávia Danniele Frota Machado,Ana Flávia Seraine Custódio Viana,Irisdalva Sousa Oliveira,Francilene Vieira da Silva,Hélio de Barros Fernandes,Jackson Roberto Guedes da Silva Almei 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.10

Neoglaziovia variegata (Arruda) Mez (Bromeliaceae) is a medicinal plant popularly known as “caroá.” The leaves are made up of highly resistant fibers, which is of great commercial value to the handicraft and textile industry. Some studies have demonstrated that ethanolic extract of N. variegata have gastroprotective properties. This study aimed to investigate the gastroprotective activity and cytoprotective mechanisms of ethyl acetate (Nv-AcOEt), hexane (Nv-Hex), and chloroform (Nv-CHCl3) fractions of N. variegata leaves. The gastroprotective activity of Nv-AcOEt, Nv-Hex, and Nv-CHCl3 was evaluated using the ethanol and ethanol/HCl-induced gastric injury model. To elucidate the gastroprotective mechanisms, the functions of prostaglandins (PGs), nitric oxide (NO), and KATP channels were evaluated. In addition, the nonprotein sulfhydryl groups and the mucus content in the gastric tissues were analyzed. All fractions of N. variegata leaves at oral doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg significantly decreased ethanol and ethanol/HCl-induced gastric lesions, leading to gastroprotection, accompanied by an increase in reduced glutathione (GSH) and gastric mucus. Gastroprotective activity of Nv-AcOEt was inhibited after pretreatment with ibuprofen and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG). Gastroprotective effect of Nv-Hex and Nv-CHCl3 was also inhibited after pretreatment with L-NOARG and with glibenclamide. The results indicate that N. variegata (Arruda) Mez exhibits promising gastroprotective activity with the possible participation of NO, PGs, mucus, sulfhydryl groups, and KATP.

Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum): much more than a condiment

Sandra Maria Barbalho,Flávia Maria Vasques Farinazzi Machado,Jaqueline dos Santos Rodrigues,Tiago Henrique Pereira da Silva,Ricardo de Alvares Goulart 셀메드 세포교정의약학회 2012 셀메드 (CellMed) Vol.2 No.1

Ocimum basilicum belongs to the family Lamiaceae and can be found in tropical Asia, Africa, Central America and South America. It is widely cultivated commercially as a condiment or for the production of essential oil. In this review, this plant is accredited with important effects on health, in addition to being a condiment. In folk medicine it is used to treat vomiting, intestinal colic and diarrhea, menstrual pains and to improve kidney function. Some studies have demonstrated that it can be used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and also that it has antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and vasodilator properties as well as hepatoprotective effects. In view of its broad range of effects, further studies should be conducted to ascertain the possible use of this plant in clinical trials, not only for prevention but also as an adjuvant in the treatment of different diseases.

Pressuring of acupoints as a complement to the stifle diseases diagnosis in horses

Luiza P.R. Mariani,Flávia Sampaio,Andressa B. Silveira,Luis F. Bastos,Saulo H. Weber,Pedro V. Michelotto 사단법인약침학회 2019 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.12 No.5

Diseases of the stifle joint remain a challenge for veterinarians. The objective of this study was to achieve a valuable acupuncture suggestive diagnosis to be considered for stifle joint diseases in horses. Thirty-nine nonlame horses involved in different activities were assessed. Acupuncture was independently performed by two evaluators. Reactions of the animal when pressurizing the point suggestive of stifle disease (PSSD), Bladder-20 and/or Bladder-21, were considered as the inclusion criteria for inclusion in the stifle group (SG, n Z 31), and the animals with no reactions were assigned to the control group (n Z 8). Radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations were performed and evaluated by two independent professionals blinded to the group allocation. Thermographic examination of the PSSD and stifles was also performed, after acclimatization. The ultrasound scores and radiographic findings were higher in the SG than in the control group. Thermography evidenced increased temperature in the PSSD and stifles in the SG. The minimum acupuncture diagnostic criteria for stifle joint disease had a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 57.0%, and the addition of the acupoints Gallbladderedorsal tuber coxae, Gallbladder-27, and Spleen-13 to the minimum diagnostic criteria improved sensitivity and specificity. In conclusion, assessing the reaction at the demonstrated acupoints can facilitate a diagnosis of a potential stifle lesion.