BACKGROUND: Studies evaluating sputum quality and Xpert® MTB/RIF positivity in the context of active case finding are scarce. We aimed to determine whether sputum quality is associated with Xpert ...positivity and whether the association differed according to demographic
and clinical characteristics.METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis using data from a mass screening programme in Brazilian prisons was conducted from 2017 to 2021. We administered a standardised questionnaire, obtained a chest X-ray and collected a spot sputum sample for Xpert testing.
Sputum quality was classified as 'salivary', 'mucoid/mucopurulent' or 'blood-stained'. We used log binomial regressions to estimate the relationship between sputum quality and Xpert positivity, assessing interactions with participant characteristics.RESULTS:
Among 4,368 participants for whom sputum quality was assessed, 957 (21.9%) produced salivary specimens, 3,379 (77.4%) had mucoid/mucopurulent sputum and 32 (0.7%) had blood-stained sputum. Xpert positivity was higher among those with mucoid/mucopurulent sputum than
among those with salivary samples (12.0% vs. 3.7%). Mucopurulent sputum independently predicted Xpert positivity among individuals with and without symptoms, current smoking and abnormal chest radiographs on CAD4TB.CONCLUSIONS: In our study, sputum appearance independently
predicted Xpert positivity, and could be used together with chest X-ray and symptom screening to inform use of Xpert in individual or pooled testing.
Eating disorders are associated with the highest rates of morbidity and mortality of any mental disorders among adolescents. The failure to recognize their early signs can compromise a patient's ...recovery and long-term prognosis. Tooth erosion has been reported as an oral manifestation that might help in the early detection of eating disorders.
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to search for scientific evidence regarding the following clinical question: Do eating disorders increase the risk of tooth erosion?
An electronic search addressing eating disorders and tooth erosion was conducted in eight databases. Two independent reviewers selected studies, abstracted information and assessed its quality. Data were abstracted for meta-analysis comparing tooth erosion in control patients (without eating disorders) vs. patients with eating disorders; and patients with eating disorder risk behavior vs. patients without such risk behavior. Combined odds ratios (ORs) and a 95% confidence interval (CI) were obtained.
Twenty-three papers were included in the qualitative synthesis and assessed by a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Fourteen papers were included in the meta-analysis. Patients with eating disorders had more risk of tooth erosion (OR = 12.4, 95%CI = 4.1-37.5). Patients with eating disorders who self-induced vomiting had more risk of tooth erosion than those patients who did not self-induce vomiting (OR = 19.6, 95%CI = 5.6-68.8). Patients with risk behavior of eating disorder had more risk of tooth erosion than patients without such risk behavior (Summary OR = 11.6, 95%CI = 3.2-41.7).
The scientific evidence suggests a causal relationship between tooth erosion and eating disorders and purging practices. Nevertheless, there is a lack of scientific evidence to fulfill the basic criteria of causation between the risk behavior for eating disorders and tooth erosion.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Summary
This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) identified significant effects of whole body vibration (WBV) on bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine ...(in the sensitivity analysis and seven subgroup analyses), femoral neck (in one subgroup analysis), and trochanter (four subgroup analyses) in postmenopausal women, but not other measurements of BMD.
Introduction
Interventions using WBV training have been conducted in postmenopausal women, aimed at increasing BMD; however, the results are contradictory. Our objective is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs examining WBV effect on BMD.
Methods
RCTs were considered eligible, with follow-up ≥6 months, which verified the effects of WBV on the BMD of postmenopausal women. The calculations of the meta-analysis were performed through the weighted mean difference between the WBV and control groups, or the WBV and combined training, through the absolute change between pre- and post-intervention in the areal bone mineral density (aBMD) or trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMDt).
Results
Fifteen RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. No differences were observed in the primary analysis. WBV was found to improve aBMD compared with the control group, after exclusion of studies with low quality methodological (lumbar spine), when excluding the studies which combined WBV with medication or combined training (lumbar spine), with the use of low frequency and high magnitude (lumbar spine and trochanter), high frequency and low magnitude (lumbar spine), high cumulative dose and low magnitude (lumbar spine), low cumulative dose and high magnitude (lumbar spine and trochanter), with semi-flexed knee (lumbar spine, femoral neck, and trochanter), and side-alternating type of vibration (lumbar spine and trochanter).
Conclusions
Despite WBV presenting potential to act as a coadjuvant in the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis, especially for aBMD of the lumbar spine, the ideal intervention is not yet clear. Our subgroup analyses helped to demonstrate the various factors which appear to influence the effects of WBV on BMD, contributing to clinical practice and the definition of protocols for future interventions.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The current manuscript describes the role and importance of catalysis and solvent effects for the Biginelli multicomponent reaction. The overwhelming number of new catalysts and conditions recently ...published for the Biginelli synthesis, including in some manuscripts entitled “catalyst-free” and/or “solvent-free” have incentivized controversies and hot debates regarding the importance of developing new catalysts and reaction conditions to perform this very important multicomponent reaction. These so-called “catalyst-free” reports have generated much confusion in the field, requiring urgent elucidations. In this manuscript, we exemplify, demystify, and discuss the crucial role of catalysis, solvent effects, mechanisms, kinetics, facts, presumptions, and myths associated with the Biginelli reaction aiming to avoid current and future confusion and to stimulate new approaches.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
This paper describes the use of common Lewis acids supported in imidazolium-based ionic liquids as the catalysts to promote the Biginelli reaction. The ionic liquid effect and the reaction mechanism ...are discussed on the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and theoretical calculations. Indeed, the results showed that the ionic medium plays a fundamental role in the synthesis of biologically active dihydropyrimidinones due to the stabilization of the charged intermediates proposed in the mechanism. When conducted in an ionic liquid as solvent, the reaction mechanism is more complex than in other Lewis acid catalyzed Biginelli reactions.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Treatment of spinal cord injury is dependent on neuronal survival, appropriate synaptic circuit preservation, and inflammatory environment management. In this sense, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) ...therapy is a promising tool that can reduce glial reaction and provide trophic factors to lesioned neurons.
Lewis adult female rats were submitted to a unilateral ventral funiculus cut at the spinal levels L4, L5, and L6. The animals were divided into the following groups: IA (intramedullary axotomy), IA + DMEM (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium), IA + FS (fibrin sealant), IA + MSC (10
cells), and IA + FS + MSC (10
cells). Seven days after injury, qPCR (n = 5) was performed to assess gene expression of VEGF, BDNF, iNOS2, arginase-1, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-4, IL-13, and TGF-β. The cellular infiltrate at the lesion site was analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry (IH) for Iba1 (microglia and macrophage marker) and arginase-1. Fourteen days after injury, spinal alpha motor neurons (MNs), evidenced by Nissl staining (n = 5), were counted. For the analysis of astrogliosis in spinal lamina IX and synaptic detachment around lesioned motor neurons (GAP-43-positive cells), anti-GFAP and anti-synaptophysin immunohistochemistry (n = 5) was performed, respectively. Twenty-eight days after IA, the gait of the animals was evaluated by the walking track test (CatWalk; n = 7).
The site of injury displayed strong monocyte infiltration, containing arginase-1-expressing macrophages. The FS-treated group showed upregulation of iNOS2, arginase-1, proinflammatory cytokine (TNF-α and IL-1β), and antiinflammatory cytokine (IL-10, IL-4, and IL-13) expression. Thus, FS enhanced early macrophage recruitment and proinflammatory cytokine expression, which accelerated inflammation. Rats treated with MSCs displayed high BDNF-positive immunolabeling, suggesting local delivery of this neurotrophin to lesioned motoneurons. This BDNF expression may have contributed to the increased neuronal survival and synapse preservation and decreased astrogliosis observed 14 days after injury. At 28 days after lesion, gait recovery was significantly improved in MSC-treated animals compared to that in the other groups.
Overall, the present data demonstrate that MSC therapy is neuroprotective and, when associated with a FS, shifts the immune response to a proinflammatory profile.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
In this work, an in silico study and evaluation of the cytotoxicity of 4-(4-chlorophenyl)thiazole compounds against mouse splenocytes and the chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain ...are reported. The in silico results showed that the compounds have important pharmacokinetic properties for compounds with potential drug candidates. Regarding cytotoxicity assays against splenocytes, the compounds have low cytotoxicity. In addition, they were able to promote activation of these cells by increasing nitric oxide production without promoting cell death. Finally, they were able to promote cell proliferation. Regarding the in vitro anti-P. falciparum activity assays, it was observed that the compounds were able to inhibit the parasite's growth, presenting IC50 values ranging from 0.79 to greater than 10 µM. These results are promising when compared to chloroquine. Therefore, this study showed that 4-(4-chlorophenyl)thiazole compounds are promising candidates for antimalarials.
Low-level laser therapy treatment (LLLT) is widely used in rehabilitation clinics with the aim of accelerating the process of tissue repair; however, the molecular bases of the effect of LLLT have ...not been fully established. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the exposure of different doses of LLLT on the expression of collagen genes type I alpha 1 (COL1α1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the fibroblast cells of mice (L929) cultivated in vitro. Fibroblast cells were irradiated with a Gallium-Arsenide laser (904 nm) every 24 h for 2 consecutive days, stored in an oven at 37 °C, with 5 % CO
2
and divided into 3 groups: G1—control group, G2—irradiated at 2 J/cm
2
, and G3—irradiated at 3 J/cm
2
. After irradiation, the total RNA was extracted and used in the complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis. The gene expression was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The cells irradiated in G2 exhibited a statistically significant growth of 1.78 in the expression of the messenger RNA (mRNA) of the COL1α1 gene (
p
= 0.036) in comparison with G1 and G3. As for the VEGF gene, an increase in expression was observed in the two irradiated groups in comparison with the control group. There was an increase in expression in G2 of 2.054 and G3 of 2.562 (
p
= 0.037) for this gene. LLLT (904 nm) had an influence on the expression of the genes COL1α1 (2 J/cm
2
) and VEGF (2 e 3 J/cm
2
) in a culture of the fibroblast cells of mice.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Phytochemical studies of the species Pavonia glazioviana were performed. Quercetin, kaempferol, acacetin, and trimeth oxylated flavonoid compounds (which present biological activity) were isolated. ...We aimed to evaluate the in silico, in vitro, and ex vivo toxicity of flavonoid 5,7-dihydroxy-3,8,4'-trimethoxy (Pg-1) obtained from P. glazioviana through chemical structure analyses, toxicity assessment, and predictive bioactive properties, using human samples in in vitro tests. In silico analysis suggested that Pg-1 presents a good absorption index for penetrating biological membranes (for oral bioavailability), while also suggesting potential antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hemorrhagic, and apoptosis agonist bioactivities. Assessment of hemolytic and genotoxic effects revealed low hemolysis rates in red blood cells with no cellular toxicity in oral mucosa cells. The reduced cytotoxic activity suggested the safety of the concentrations used (500–1000 mg/mL), and demonstrated the varied interactions of Pg-1 with the analyzed cells. The data obtained in the present study suggested potential therapeutic application, and the non-toxic profile indicated viability for future studies.
In this study, we investigated the effect of diet supplementation with sodium butyrate
(5% w/w), a short-chain fatty acid produced by the intestinal microbiota, on metabolic
parameters, body ...adiposity, hepatic and pancreatic lipid accumulation, beta cell
function/mass as well as on the structure and function of the tight junction-mediated
intestinal epithelial barrier in both normal and obese/prediabetic C57 mice fed a regular
(control) or high-fat diet for 60 days, respectively. Butyrate treatment significantly
inhibited all the high-fat-induced metabolic dysfunctions evaluated, i.e. significantly
reduced the weight gain and body adiposity as well as the insulin resistant state,
hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, without changing food intake. In addition,
high-fat-fed mice treated with this short-chain fatty acid displayed no compensatory
hyperplasia of pancreatic beta cells nor marked hepatic steatosis as seen in prediabetic
mice after high-fat diet only. Isolated pancreatic islets from high-fat-fed mice treated
with butyrate showed improvement of the insulin secretion, which was associated with a
significant decrease in lipid accumulation within the pancreas. Butyrate enhanced the
intestinal epithelial barrier, as revealed by the FITC-Dextran permeability assay, which
was accompanied by a significant increase in the junctional content of the tight
junction-associated claudin-1 in intestinal epithelia of jejunum, ileum, and colon of both
control and high-fat mice. In conclusion, our results showed that diet supplementation
with butyrate inhibits the deleterious effects of high-fat diet intake on metabolic
parameters and structure/function of several tissues/organs associated with type 2
diabetes mellitus in a mouse model, suggesting a potential use of this short-chain fatty
acid in the treatment of this endocrine-metabolic disorder.
Impact statement
Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid produced by the intestinal microbiota through the
fermentation of non-absorbable carbohydrates and proteins (e.g. fibers). Sodium butyrate
incorporated into the diet displayed a protective action on metabolic, hepatic,
pancreatic and intestinal alterations induced by high-fat diet in mice, resulting in
significant inhibition of the development of a prediabetic state. Thus, our data suggest
that butyrate may have a potential therapeutic use in the treatment of type 2 diabetes
and related disorders.
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