Obesity is believed to be a risk factor for COVID-19 and unfavorable outcomes, although data on this remains to be better elucidated.
To evaluate the impact of obesity on the endpoints of patients ...hospitalized due to SARS-CoV-2.
This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients hospitalized at a tertiary hospital (Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP) from March to December 2020. Only patients positive for COVID-19 (real-time PCR or serology) were included. Data were collected from medical records and included clinical and demographic information, weight and height, SAPS-3 score, comorbidities, and patient-centered outcomes (mortality, and need for mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, or vasoactive drugs). Patients were divided into categories according to their BMI (underweight, eutrophic, overweight and obesity) for comparison porpoise.
A total of 2547 patients were included. The mean age was 60.3 years, 56.2% were men, 65.2% were white and the mean BMI was 28.1 kg/m
. SAPS-3 score was a risk factor for all patient-centered outcomes (HR 1.032 for mortality, OR 1.03 for dialysis, OR 1.07 for vasoactive drug use, and OR 1.08 for intubation, p < 0.05). Male sex increased the risk of death (HR 1.175, p = 0.027) and dialysis (OR 1.64, p < 0.001), and underweight was protective for vasoactive drug use (OR 0.45, p = 0.027) and intubation (OR 0.31, p < 0.003).
Obesity itself was not an independent factor for worse patient-centered outcomes. Critical clinical state (indirectly evaluated by SAPS-3) appears to be the most important variable related to hard outcomes in patients infected with COVID-19.
An increase in the incidence of arboviral, microbial and parasitic infections, and to disorders related to oxidative stress has encouraged the development of adjuvant therapies based on natural ...formulations, such as those involving plant extracts. Thus, to expand the repertoire of the available therapeutic options, this study aimed to describe the versatility of Tephrosia toxicaria (Sw.) (Pers., 1807) extracts for the control of arbovirus vectors, as well as their antioxidant, antileishmanial, and antimicrobial potential. Among the aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts obtained, the hydroethanolic extract from roots (RHA) was identified as the most active larvicide extract demonstrating, respectively, the lowest lethal concentration (mg/mL) for 50%, 90% and 99% of Aedes aegypti (L., 1762) and Aedes albopictus (S., 1894) larvae, observed at 24 h (0.33, 0.84 and 1.80; 0.32, 0.70 and 1.32) and 48 h (0.17, 0.51 and 1.22; 0.26, 0.47 and 0.78) post-exposure. Field assays revealed that RHA (0.84 mg/mL) is a potential oviposition deterrent, reducing egg-laying by approximately 90%. RHA (0.1 mg/mL) also exhibited antioxidant activity for the following tests: total antioxidant capacity (286.86 mg AAE/g), iron (87.16%) and copper (25.64%) chelation, and superoxide scavenging (10%). In the cell culture assays, RHA (0.1 mg/mL) promoted regeneration of metabolic activity (92% cell viability) in cells exposed to oxidative stress. Furthermore, RHA displayed weak antileishmanial activity (IC50 = 3.53 mg/mL) against Leishmania amazonensis and not exhibit antimicrobial activity. The extraction favored the concentration of carbohydrates in RHA, in addition to lectins and protease inhibitors, with molecular masses estimated between 10 and 24 kDa. Cytotoxicity and phytotoxicity analyses of RHA suggested its biosecurity. Thus, RHA is a multivalent extract with insecticide and antioxidant properties at low and safe concentrations. However, others studies on its indirect toxic effects are ongoing to ensure the complete safety of RHA.
Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an emerging arbovirus member of the
family and
genus. MAYV infection causes an acute febrile illness accompanied by persistent polyarthralgia and myalgia. Understanding the ...mechanisms involved in arthritis caused by alphaviruses is necessary to develop specific therapies. In this work, we investigated the role of the CCL2/CCR2 axis in the pathogenesis of MAYV-induced disease. For this, wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J and CCR2
mice were infected with MAYV subcutaneously and evaluated for disease development. MAYV infection induced an acute inflammatory disease in WT mice. The immune response profile was characterized by an increase in the production of inflammatory mediators, such as IL-6, TNF, and CCL2. Higher levels of CCL2 at the local and systemic levels were followed by the significant recruitment of CCR2
macrophages and a cellular response orchestrated by these cells. CCR2
mice showed an increase in CXCL-1 levels, followed by a replacement of the macrophage inflammatory infiltrate by neutrophils. Additionally, the absence of the CCR2 receptor protected mice from bone loss induced by MAYV. Accordingly, the silencing of CCL2 chemokine expression
and the pharmacological blockade of CCR2 promoted a partial improvement in disease. Cell culture data support the mechanism underlying the bone pathology of MAYV, in which MAYV infection promotes a pro-osteoclastogenic microenvironment mediated by CCL2, IL-6, and TNF, which induces the migration and differentiation of osteoclast precursor cells. Overall, these data contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of MAYV infection and the identification future of specific therapeutic targets in MAYV-induced disease.IMPORTANCEThis work demonstrates the role of the CCL2/CCR2 axis in MAYV-induced disease. The infection of wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J and CCR2
mice was associated with high levels of CCL2, an important chemoattractant involved in the recruitment of macrophages, the main precursor of osteoclasts. In the absence of the CCR2 receptor, there is a mitigation of macrophage migration to the target organs of infection and protection of these mice against bone loss induced by MAYV infection. Much evidence has shown that host immune response factors contribute significantly to the tissue damage associated with alphavirus infections. Thus, this work highlights molecular and cellular targets involved in the pathogenesis of arthritis triggered by MAYV and identifies novel therapeutic possibilities directed to the host inflammatory response unleashed by MAYV.
After successful invasions in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, lionfish (Pterois spp.) have recently invaded another important biogeographical region —the Brazilian Province. In this article, we ...discuss this new invasion, focusing on a roadmap for urgent mitigation of the problem, as well as focused research and management strategies. The invasion in Brazil is already in the consolidation stage, with 352 individuals recorded so far (2020–2023) along 2766 km of coastline. This includes both juveniles and adults, including egg-bearing females, ranging in length from 9.1 to 38.5 cm. Until now, most of the records in the Brazilian coast occurred in the equatorial southwestern Atlantic (99%), mainly on the Amazon mesophotic reefs (15% of the records), northeastern coast of Brazil (45%), and the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (41%; an UNESCO World Heritage Site with high endemism rate). These records cover a broad depth range (1–110 m depth), twelve protected areas, eight Brazilian states (Amapá, Pará, Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, and Pernambuco) and multiple habitats (i.e., mangrove estuaries, shallow-water and mesophotic reefs, seagrass beds, artificial reefs, and sandbanks), indicating a rapid and successful invasion process in Brazilian waters. In addition, the lack of local knowledge of rare and/or cryptic native species that are potentially vulnerable to lionfish predation raises concerns regarding the potential overlooked ecological impacts. Thus, we call for an urgent integrated approach with multiple stakeholders and solution-based ecological research, real-time inventories, update of environmental and fishery legislation, participatory monitoring supported by citizen science, and a national and unified plan aimed at decreasing the impact of lionfish invasion. The experience acquired by understanding the invasion process in the Caribbean and Mediterranean will help to establish and prioritize goals for Brazil.
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•Records from 2020 to 2023 (at least 352 animals) show that the lionfish invasion is accelerating.•Lionfish was reported in eight Brazilian states, multiple habitats, and 11 marine protected areas.•Records comprise mature and large lionfish individuals (∼38 cm) never previously detected.•The slow and ineffective actions contribute to a fast uncontrolled scenario and escalation of impacts.•A management plan is needed for controlling the spread of lionfish in the Brazilian coast.
Lionfish (
Pterois
spp.) evolved in the Indo-Pacific with predators and prey and invaded regions (e.g., the Caribbean Sea and Mediterranean) where no such balance yet exists. In 2020, four lionfish ...were recorded on mesophotic reefs of the Amazon offshore Coast and Fernando de Noronha Archipelago. However, until now, there were no records of invasive lionfish in Brazilian nearshore waters or even such a high number of individuals. In this article, we report the continuing invasion process along the Brazilian Province by multiple sightings (72) of lionfish from March to May 2022 in estuaries, seagrass beds, and artificial and natural reefs across 240 km of the Brazilian coast. These are the first records of lionfish in coastal northeast Brazil and the shallowest records (1–16 m) from South Atlantic tropical waters. The largest simultaneous records of lionfish in breakwaters, fishing weirs, and
marambaias
(artificial reefs used as fishing grounds) on the Brazilian Northeastern coast indicate that these man-made structures are suitable habitats for this species. Most of the lionfish (58%) were recorded in artificial reefs and fishing weirs. Moreover, the detection of invasions in marginal reefs, estuaries, and two marine protected areas characterized by moderately turbid water and high sedimentation rates highlights the adaptability of the lionfish, making it extremely difficult for divers and fishers to capture them. We call for an urgent management plan considering that the invaded tropical region hosts a high level of endemism, and rare and/or cryptic taxa, which increases the risk of impacts since these are primary lionfish prey.
Soursop (Annona muricata L.) is a tropical fruit grown in the semi-arid region of Brazil, where problems of quantitative and qualitative scarcity of water for irrigation are frequent. Using ...alternative water sources, such as fish farming effluents, can increase water availability; however, it presents risks due to its high salinity levels. We aimed to evaluate the effect of irrigation with saline fish farming effluent and NPK doses on soursop seedlings’ ecophysiology. We conducted a greenhouse experiment using a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 5 factorial scheme. The factors consisted of two irrigation water sources (local supply water with 0.5 dS m−1 and fish farming effluent with 3.5 dS m−1) and five doses of NPK (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, and 125% of the fertilizer recommendation of 100:300:150 mg dm−3 of N:P2O5:K2O for soil). The soursop seedlings showed the best growth results for plant height, stem diameter, and shoot dry mass when irrigated with low-salinity water at 95% of the recommended NPK dose. However, under saline stress, the soursop seedlings showed optimal growth when fertilized with 69% of NPK dose. We recommend the following NPK fertilization for soursop seedlings: 95:285:143 mg dm−3 of N:P2O5:K2O for those irrigated with low-salinity water and 69:207:104 mg dm−3 for those irrigated with fish farm effluent. Irrigating with fish farm effluent can be a practical option for soursop seedlings as it can help save fertilizers and promote environmental sustainability.
Abstract The cocoa cabruca is as an agroforestry system with a density of trees equal to or greater than twenty individuals of native species per hectare cultivated in association with native or ...exotic trees in a discontinuous and random way in the Atlantic Forest biome.It is difficult to separate areas of cabruca cacao from the Dense Ombrophilous Forest by existing satellite imaging techniques.The study was developed in the southern region of Bahia, on two properties in the municipalities of Ilhéus and Uruçuca.The image processing methodology involved the Agisoft Photoscan software, with the multiresolution algorithm, the analysis of digital image data was performed to extract the objects and with the Feature Space Optimization tool, the set of variables that presented the best separation between land use classes.The use of UAVs was effective in classifying the mapped areas, and its use was proposed as an auxiliary tool in the application of the Decree.
Autoimmune diseases (AID), such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SS), are complex conditions involving immune system dysregulation. Diagnosis is challenging, requiring ...biomarkers for improved detection and prediction of relapses. Lipids have emerged as potential biomarkers due to their role in inflammation and immune response. This study uses an untargeted C18 RP-LC-MS lipidomics approach to comprehensively assess changes in lipid profiles in patients with SLE and SS. By analyzing whole blood and plasma, the study aims to simplify the lipidomic analysis, explore cellular-level lipids, and compare lipid signatures of SLE and SS with healthy controls. Our findings showed variations in the lipid profile of SLE and SS. Sphingomyelin and ceramide molecular species showed significant increases in plasma samples from SS patients, suggesting an atherosclerotic profile and potentially serving as lipid biomarkers. Phosphatidylserine species in whole blood from SLE patients exhibited elevated levels supporting previously reported dysregulated processes of cell death and defective clearance of dying cells in this AID. Moreover, decreased phospholipids bearing PUFA were observed, potentially attributed to the degradation of these species through lipid peroxidation processes. Further studies are needed to better understand the role of lipids in the pathological mechanisms underlying SLE and SS.
The use of surface electromyography (sEMG) to evaluate muscle activation when executing whole body vibration exercises (WBVE) in studies provide neuromuscular findings, in healthy and diseased ...populations.
Perform a systematic review of the effects of WBVE by sEMG of lower limbs in non-healthy populations.
The search using the defined keywords was performed in PubMed, PEDRo and EMBASE databases by three independent researchers. Applying the PRISMA statement several studies were selected according to eligibility criteria and organized for the review. Full papers were included if they described effects of WBVE for the treatment of illnesses, evaluated by sEMG of lower limbs independently on the year of the publication; in comparison or associated with other treatment and evaluation techniques.
Seven publications were selected; two in spinal cord injury patients, one in Friedreich's ataxia patients, three in stroke patients and one study in breast cancer survivors. Reported effects of WBV in were muscle activation by sEMG and also on strength, blood flow and exercise resistance; even in paretic limbs.
By the use of sEMG it was verified that WBVE elicits muscle activation in diseased population. These results may lead to the definition of exercise protocols to maintain or increase muscular activation. However, due to the heterogeneity of methods among studies, there is currently no consensus on the sEMG signal processing. These strategies might also induce effects on muscle strength, balance and flexibility in these and other illnesses.
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