Advanced oxidative processes (AOP) have been consolidated as an efficient treatment technique to degrade persistent contaminants. In addition to them, biosorption also emerges as a technique capable ...of removing both pollutants and intermediate products generated by other treatments such as AOP. Thus, this work evaluated the degradation and removal of the mixture of dyes Direct Red 23 and Direct Red 227 in aqueous solution (50 mg·L
of each). Preliminary tests showed that the photo-Fenton system under sunlight radiation was the most efficient, reaching a degradation ≥93%. For the adsorptive process using chicken eggshell, preliminary tests indicated that the ideal dosage of adsorbent was 8.0 g·L
. For this process, a factorial design indicated the best working conditions, which demonstrated from the system adjusted well to the Elovich (kinetic) model and to the Freundlich and Sips models (equilibrium). When associating the two processes, AOP followed by adsorption achieved a total degradation/removal of ≈98% (for all λ) in a time of 60 min. Thus, the feasibility of the combined treatment is indicated.
•Huffing, HFOO, PEP and volume-based techniques were the most prescribed.•Important regional differences were found across the country.•Age influences the recommendation of techniques.
Respiratory ...therapy is a part of the treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). However, there is no information about the main factors influencing the recommendation of the use of different techniques or devices by physical therapists from different specialized centers.
To determine the respiratory therapy techniques recommended for the treatment of patients with CF seen in specialized treatment centers in Brazil.
This is a descriptive study including a sample of Brazilian CF specialized treatment centers. Data on demographics, spirometric variables, and recommended respiratory therapy treatment techniques were collected.
Twelve specialized treatment centers with a total of 974 patients were included (13.5±11.3 years old and FEV1 (%) 75.7±27.9). The most recommended techniques were huffing (61.1% of patients), high frequency oral oscillation (HFOO) (52.0%), and positive expiratory pressure (PEP) (45.3%). Most often, recommendation was to perform treatment once (54.8% of patients) or twice (34%) a day. There was great variability in the recommendation among the different states. When data were separated by age, there was a predominance of performing conventional and manual techniques in infants and preschool children. There were no significant variations according to pulmonary function. Based on the literature, techniques based on volume, huffing, and PEP were most prevalently performed in international centers.
The most recommended treatment techniques for patients with CF in Brazil are huffing, HFOO, and PEP, followed by volume-based techniques. There were geographical variations in the preferred treatment techniques, as well as based on patient age, but not based on the level of pulmonary function.
This study describes the purification of Bixa orellana L. leaf lectin (BoLL) and the evaluation of its antimicrobial activity and in vivo toxicity. BoLL was isolated from saline extract of leaves ...through protein precipitation with ammonium sulfate (60% saturation) followed by ion exchange (CM-Sephadex) and size exclusion (Sephadex G-75) chromatographies. The lectin was characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions (SDS-PAGE), stability towards heating and pH variation, as well as influence of ions on its hemagglutinating activity (HA). HA inhibition assay by different carbohydrates and glycoproteins was also performed. The antimicrobial activity of BoLL was investigated against pathogens for humans and plants. In vivo acute toxicity in mice was assessed using a dose of 100 mg/kg per os or i.p. BoLL was isolated with high specific HA (purification fold: 53.89) and showed a single 19-kDa polypeptide band in SDS-PAGE. BoLL SHA increased in the presence of 20 mM Mg2+ ions, was resistant to heating at 100 °C, and stable at acidic pH range. HA inhibition was detected especially by glycoproteins, but also by monosaccharides. BoLL showed bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects against Escherichia coli minimum inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal (MBC) concentrations of 400 and 800 μg/mL, respectively and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC and MBC: 400 μg/mL), as well as bacteriostatic effect against Bacillus megaterium and Micrococcus luteus (MIC: 18.2 and 800 μg/mL, respectively). No changes were observed in hematological, biochemical, and behavioral parameters in the acute toxicity test. However, animals treated with BoLL at 100 mg/kg per os or i.p. showed histopathological alterations in the liver, spleen, and kidneys. In conclusion, our data add new biotechnological value for B. orellana leaves, since they contain a thermostable lectin with antibacterial activity, which stimulate future studies aiming at its biomedical application. However, caution should be considered in future studies due to some signs of toxicity in mice.
•A protocol for purification of a lectin from Bixa orellana leaf (BoLL) was defined.•BoLL showed a single 19-kDa polypeptide band in SDS-PAGE.•Hemagglutinating activity of BoLL increased in the presence of Mg2+ ions, was resistant to heating at 100 °C, and stable at acidic pH range.•BoLL showed bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects•BoLL (100 mg/kg per os or i.p.) did not cause the death of Swiss mice.
Neste ensaio teórico buscou-se refletir sobre como ações emergenciais e estratégicas do Sistema Único de Saúde de enfrentamento ao novo coronavírus podem alicerçar a reconstrução da economia no ...pós-pandemia. Tomou-se como base neste exercício a Região Administrativa da Ceilândia, no Distrito Federal (DF): região mais populosa do DF, de renda média/baixa, com economia baseada em serviços, foi bastante afetada economicamente com as medidas de isolamento social e apresentou grande número de casos e mortes por COVID-19. A Ceilândia tem recebido investimentos importantes em novos leitos hospitalares e mais profissionais para o nível terciário, embora a Atenção Primária à Saúde seja sabidamente mais custo-efetiva para a organização de sistemas de saúde e capaz de economizar preciosos recursos das famílias com gastos em saúde no setor privado, sobretudo num cenário de grande retração da massa salarial. Conclui-se que investimentos na qualificação da rede primária já instalada e sua expansão são estratégias potentes para o desenvolvimento econômico da Ceilândia no pós-pandemia.
This theoretical essay sought to reflect on how emergency and strategic actions of the Brazilian health system to face the novel coronavirus can underpin the post-pandemic economic reconstruction. The Administrative Region of Ceilândia, in the Federal District (Distrito Federal- DF), Brazil, was taken as the basis for this exercise: the most populous region of the DF, with medium / low income, with a service-based economy, which was greatly economically affected due tothe social isolation measures and presented a high number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Ceilândia has been receiving important investments in new hospital beds and more professionals for the tertiary level, although Primary Health Care is known to be more cost-effective for the organization of health systems and capable of saving precious resources of families with health expenses in the private sector, above all in a scenario of a large retraction in the wage bill. It is concluded that investments in the qualification of the primary care network already installed and its expansion are potent strategies for the economic development of Ceilândia in the post-pandemic period.
Este ensayo teórico buscó reflexionar sobre cómo las acciones de emergencia y estratégicas del Sistema Único de Salud para enfrentar el nuevo coronavirus pueden apuntalar la reconstrucción de la economía en la pospandemica. La Región Administrativa de Ceilândia, en el Distrito Federal (DF), Brasil, se tomó como base para este ejercicio: la región más poblada del DF, con ingresos medios / bajos, con una economía de servicios, que se vio muy afectada económicamente con las medidas de aislamiento social y que presentó un gran número de casos y muertes por COVID-19. Ceilândia ha estado recibiendo importantes inversiones en nuevas camas hospitalarias y más profesionales para el nivel terciario, aunque se sabe que la Atención Primaria de Salud es más rentable para la organización de los sistemas de salud y capaz de ahorrar valiosos recursos de las familias con gastos de salud en el sector privado, especialmente en un escenario de gran retracción de la masa salarial. Se concluye que las inversiones en la calificación de la red primaria ya instalada y su expansión son estrategias potentes para el desarrollo económico de Ceilândia en la pospandemia.
Familial colorectal cancer type X (FCCTX) is a heterogeneous colorectal cancer predisposition syndrome that, although displays a cancer pattern similar to Lynch syndrome, is mismatch repair ...proficient and does not exhibit microsatellite instability. Besides, its genetic etiology remains to be elucidated. In this study we performed germline exome sequencing of 39 cancer-affected patients from 34 families at risk for FCCTX. Variant classification followed the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants were identified in 17.65% of the families. Rare and potentially pathogenic alterations were identified in known hereditary cancer genes (CHEK2), in putative FCCTX candidate genes (OGG1 and FAN1) and in other cancer-related genes such as ATR, ASXL1, PARK2, SLX4 and TREX1. This study provides novel important clues that can contribute to the understanding of FCCTX genetic basis.
•We describe 33 patients with recurrent COVID19 and a positive PCR.•Recurrence is associated with working as a healthcare professional, blood-group A, and low IgG response to infection.•Evidence from ...differential virus sequencing between the first and second episode supports de novo reinfection.•Recurrent episodes tended to be more severe, with one fatal infection.
There is growing concern about individuals reported to suffer repeat COVID-19 disease episodes, these in a small number of cases characterised as de novo infections with distinct sequences, indicative of insufficient protective immunity even in the short term.
Observational case series and case-control studies reporting 33 cases of recurrent, symptomatic, qRT-PCR positive COVID-19. Recurrent disease was defined as symptomatic recurrence after symptom-free clinical recovery, with release from isolation >14 days from the beginning of symptoms confirmed by qRT-PCR. The case control study-design compared this group of patients with a control group of 62 patients randomly selected from the same COVID-19 database.
Of 33 recurrent COVID-19 patients, 26 were female and 30 were HCW. Mean time to recurrence was 50.5 days which was associated with being a HCW (OR 36.4 (p <0.0001)), and blood type A (OR 4.8 (p = 0.002)). SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were signifcantly lower in recurrent patients after initial COVID-19 (2.4 ± 0.610; p<0.0001) and after recurrence (6.4 ± 11.34; p = 0.007). Virus genome sequencing identified reinfection by a different isolate in one patient.
This is the first detailed case series showing COVID-19 recurrence with qRT-PCR positivity. For one individual detection of phylogenetically distinct genomic sequences in the first and second episodes confirmed bona fide renfection, but in most cases the data do not formally distinguish between reinfection and re-emergence of a chronic infection reservoir. These episodes were significantly associated with reduced Ab response during initial disease and argue the need for ongoing vigilance without an assumption of protection after a first episode.
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Knee pain is an imprecise marker of radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis (OA). These patients are more likely to develop central sensitisation to pain, a risk factor for chronic pain.
The aim of ...this study was to examine the associations among radiographic evidence of OA, self-reported pain, pressure pain thresholds (PPT), and superficial knee temperature in individuals with knee OA.
This cross-sectional study enrolled 25 patients with knee OA with clinic and radiographic diagnosis of bilateral OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grading scale 1-4 in X-ray images), but symptoms of pain and discomfort in only one of the knees, with pain perception in the symptomatic knee equal to or above 4 in a visual analogue scale. Volunteers underwent an evaluation including demographic data, superficial knee temperature (infrared thermography, mean superficial temperature of the region of the knee) and PPT (digital algometry at longus adductor, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and tibialis anterior muscles, patellar tendon, and centre of the patella).
Comparisons between symptomatic and asymptomatic knees revealed no differences regarding Kellgren-Lawrence classification, knee superficial temperature, or PPT. Significant weak and moderate associations were found between radiographic classification of OA and PPT of both knees in almost all sites evaluated. Nonetheless, superficial temperature of the knee was not associated with PPT or Kellgren-Lawrence grading scale.
Patients with bilateral knee OA presented no differences in symptomatic and asymptomatic knees regarding radiographic evidence, knee temperature, and PPT, indicating that central sensitisation may be present in them. Radiographic classification of OA was significantly associated with PPT in both knees.
Background
Telomeres are structures located at the ends of chromosomes associated with a protein complex, known as the shelterin complex. In individuals with obesity, excess adipose tissue plays a ...key role in inducing a chronic and systemic inflammatory state, which can cause TL shortening. In this context, bariatric surgery is one of the most effective treatment modalities in improving metabolic control.
Aim
Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate how a short postoperative period of gastric bypass affects TL and expression of
POT1
,
TRF1
and
TRF2
genes.
Methods
Forty-eight women submitted to RYGB were evaluated before and after 6 months of the surgical procedure. Anthropometric measures of body weight and height (BMI), abdominal circumference (AC), body composition, food intake and blood collection for biochemical evaluation, TL analysis (DNA), and gene expression (RNA) were collected at each moment.
Results
There was a reduction of weight, BMI, AC, FM and FFM as well as of glycemia, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides after gastric bypass. No difference in energy intake and macronutrients consumption was observed. There was no significant change in TL, but there was a significant increase of
POT1
and
TRF1
gene expression after surgery, while
TRF2
expression did not change.
Conclusions
Despite bariatric surgery is not capable of increasing telomere length in a short-term period, no reduction is observed; additionally, we found a correlation between serum triglycerides concentration and TL. The increase of
POT1
and
TRF1
gene expression may explain the maintenance of the TL after 6 months postoperative period.
Graphical Abstract
We report SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance results between Belo Horizonte, Brazil’s third and fourth case waves. Samples were obtained through a routine university monitoring COVID-19 program from the ...9th to the 22nd epidemiological weeks (March and June 2022). We identified ten samples from the BA.1 clade (BA.1, BA.1.1, and BA.1.14.1 lineages) and 45 samples from the BA.2 clade (BA.2, BA.2.56, BA.2.9, BA.2.62, BA.2.23, BA.2.81, and BA.2.10). We observed progressive replacement of the BA.1 by the BA.2 clade. Furthermore, two XAG recombinants were found in the 22nd week. Diversification of the omicron variant seems to have contributed to the resurgence of cases in Belo Horizonte, similarly to what has been reported in South Africa.
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