Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, there has been a significant increase in the number of histoplasmosis cases in Ceará, a state in north-east Brazil. The lack of epidemiological data on the ...genotypes circulating in the north-east region shows the importance of more detailed studies on the molecular epidemiology of Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum in this region. Different molecular techniques have been used to better characterize the genetic profile of H. capsulatum var. capsulatum strains. The aim of this study was to analyse the genetic diversity of H. capsulatum var. capsulatum isolates in Fortaleza, the capital of Ceará, through the sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1-5.8S-ITS2 region, and establish the molecular profile of these isolates, along with strains from south-east Brazil, by RAPD analysis, featuring the different clusters in those regions. The isolates were grouped into two clusters. Cluster 1 included strains from the south-east and north-east regions with separation of isolates into three distinct subgroups (subgroups 1a, 1b and 1c). Cluster 2 included only samples from north-east Brazil. Sequencing of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region allowed the detection of two major clades, which showed geographical correlation between them and their subgroups. Therefore, it can be concluded that the H. capsulatum var. capsulatum isolates from Ceará have a high degree of genetic polymorphism. The molecular data also confirm that populations of this fungus are composed of different genotypes in Brazil and worldwide.
It has been suggested that prophages in the ST398 S. aureus clone are responsible for expanding ST398's spectrum of action and increasing its ability to cause human infections. We carried out the ...first characterization of the various prophages carried by 76 ST398 bloodstream infection (BSI) isolates obtained over 9 years of observation.
Whole-genome sequencing of 22 representative isolates showed (1) the presence of the φ3-prophage and diverse genetic features typical of animal-associated isolates (i.e., SCCmec XI element, Tn916 transposon and non φ3-prophages) in a majority of BSI isolates, (2) one BSI isolate devoid of the φ3-prophage but otherwise similar to an animal-infecting isolate, (3) 35 prophages carrying numerous genes previously associated with virulence or immune evasion in animal models of staphylococcal infections. The analysis of prophage content in all 76 BSI isolates showed an increasing prevalence of polylysogeny over time. Overall, over the course of the last 10 years, the BSI isolates appear to have acquired increasing numbers of genetic features previously shown to contribute to bacterial adaptation and virulence in animal models of staphylococcal infections.
We hypothesize that lysogeny has played a significant role in increasing the ability of the ST398 clone to cause infections in humans. Our findings highlight the risk that the ST398 lineage will increase its threat to public health by continuing to acquire virulence and/or multiple antibiotic-resistance genes from hospital-associated clones of Staphylococcus aureus.
Preterm birth (<37 weeks), low birth weight (LBW,<2500g), and small for gestational age (SGA,<10th centile of birth weight for gestational age and sex) are markers of newborn vulnerability with a ...high risk of mortality. We estimated the prevalence of phenotypes combining these three markers and quantified the mortality risk associated with them.
Population-based cohort study using routine register-based linked data on all births and deaths in Brazil from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2018. We estimated the prevalence of preterm, LBW, and SGA individually and for phenotypes combining these characteristics. The mortality risk associated with each phenotype: early neonatal, late neonatal, neonatal, post-neonatal, infant, 1-4 years, and under five years was quantified using mortality rates and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models.
17,646,115 live births were included. Prevalence of preterm birth, LBW and SGA were 9.4%, 9.6% and 9.2%, respectively. Neonatal mortality risk was 16-fold (HR=15.9; 95% CI:15.7–16.1) higher for preterm compared to term, 3 times higher (HR=3.4; (95% CI:3.3–3.4) for SGA compared to adequate for gestational age (AGA), and >25 times higher for LBW (HR=25.8; (95% CI:25.5-26.1) compared to normal birth weight (NBW). 18% of all live births were included in one of the small vulnerable newborn phenotypes. Of those 8.2% were term-SGA (4.7%NBW, 3.5%LBW), 0.6% were term-AGA-LBW, 8.3% preterm-AGA (3.8%NBW, 4.5%LBW) and 1.0% preterm-SGA-LBW. Compared to term-AGA-NBW, the highest mortality risk was for preterm-LBW phenotypes (HR=36.2(95%CI 35.6-36.8) preterm-AGA-LBW, HR=62.0(95%CI 60.8-63.2) preterm-SGA-LBW). The increased mortality risk associated with vulnerable newborn phenotypes was highest in the first month of life, with attenuated but continued high risk in the post-neonatal period and 1-4 years of age.
Our findings support the value of using more detailed phenotypes to identify those at highest risk. More granular data can inform care at the individual level, advance research, especially for prevention, and accelerate progress towards global targets such as the Sustainable Development Goals.
Wellcome Trust
The standard (
p
∘
=
0.1
MPa
) molar enthalpies of formation of 2,4,6-trichloronitrobenzene, 2,3,5,6-tetrachloronitrobenzene, and pentachloronitrobenzene, in the crystalline state, at
T
=
298.15
K, ...were derived from the standard massic energies of combustion, in oxygen, at
T
=
298.15
K, measured by rotating-bomb combustion calorimetry.
The standard molar enthalpies of sublimation, at
T
=
298.15
K, of 2,4,6-trichloronitrobenzene and pentachloronitrobenzene, were determined from the dependence with the temperature of the vapour pressures, measured by the Knudsen mass-loss effusion method, whereas for 2,3,5,6-tetrachloronitrobenzene, the Calvet drop microcalorimetric technique was used.
-
Δ
c
U
m
∘
(
cr
)
/(kJ
·
mol
−1)
-
Δ
f
H
m
∘
(
cr
)
/(kJ
·
mol
−1)
Δ
cr
g
H
m
∘
/(kJ
·
mol
−1)
2,4,6-Trichloronitrobenzene
2663.5
±
1.1
58.6
±
1.3
86.7
±
1.1
2,3,5,6-Tetrachloronitrobenzene
2537.1
±
1.7
67.0
±
1.9
91.3
±
2.5
Pentachloronitrobenzene
2387.4
±
2.4
98.6
±
2.5
94.5
±
0.4
The experimental values are also compared with estimates based on G3(MP2)//B3LYP computations, which have also been extended to all the isomers of the trichloro- and tetrachloronitrobenzene that were not studied experimentally.
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) carriage by pregnant women is the primary risk factor for early-onset GBS neonatal sepsis. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) can prevent this transmission route, ...and two main approaches are recommended to base the selection of pregnant women to be submitted to IAP: the risk-based and the culture-based strategies. In Brazil, compliance to such recommendations is poor, and not much is known about GBS carriage. In the present study, 3,647 pregnant women living in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, were screened for GBS anogenital colonization, over a period of 8 years (2008-2015). GBS was detected in 956 (26.2%) of them, and presence of vaginal discharge was the only trait associated with a higher risk for GBS colonization. Serotypes Ia (257; 37.3%) and II (137; 19.9%) were the most frequent among 689 (72.1% of the total) GBS isolates evaluated, followed by NT isolates (84; 12.1%), serotype Ib (77; 11.1%), V (63; 9.1%), III (47; 6.8%) and IV (24; 3.5%). Estimated coverage of major serotype-based GBS vaccines currently under clinical trials would vary from 65.2% to 84.3%. All 689 isolates tested were susceptible to ampicillin and vancomycin. Resistance to chloramphenicol, clindamycin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, and tetracycline was observed in 5% (35), 2% (14), 14% (97), 5% (35) and 86% (592) of the isolates, respectively. No significant fluctuations in colonization rates, serotype distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were observed throughout the period of time investigated. The culture-based approach for IAP recommendation showed to be the best choice for the population investigated when compared to the risk-based, since the first did not increase the number of pregnant women submitted to antibiotic therapy and covered a larger number of women who were actually colonized by GBS. The fact the not all isolates were available for additional characterization, and serotype IX antiserum was not available for testing represent limitations of this study. Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge, this is the largest investigation on GBS carriage among pregnant women in Brazil up to date, and results are useful for improving GBS prevention and treatment strategies.
Sporotrichosis is a subacute or chronic subcutaneous infection, caused by the fungus Sporothrix schenkii complex, occurring in human and animal tissues. Potassium iodide and itraconazole have been ...used as effective therapy for first-choice treatment, while amphotericin B may be indicated for disseminated infection. However, the adverse effects of potassium iodide and amphotericin B or the long duration of therapy with itraconazole often weigh against their use, leading to the search for alternatives for the treatment of severe infections. Terpinen-4-ol and farnesol are components of essential oils present in many plant species and have been described to have antifungal activity against microorganisms. In this study, 40 strains of Sporothrix spp. were tested for the susceptibility to terpinen-4-ol and farnesol. Changes in cytoplasmic membrane permeability were also investigated. Terpenes inhibited all Sporothrix strains with MIC values ranging from 87.9 to 1,429.8 μg/ml for terpinen-4-ol and from 0.003 to 0.222 μg/ml for farnesol. The MFC values ranged from 177.8 to 5,722.6 μg/ml and from 0.027 to 0.88 μg/ml, respectively, for terpinen-4-ol and farnesol. Farnesol was the most active compound for the Sporothrix strains. Significant loss of 260 and 280 nm-absorbing material did not occur after treatment with concentrations equivalent to the MIC and sub-MIC of the tested terpenes, when compared to corresponding untreated samples. The failure of terpenes to lyse Sporothrix cells suggests that their primary mechanism of action is not by causing irreversible cell membrane damage. Thus, new studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms involved in the antifungal activity.
Smoothies are blended beverages that could contain fruit pulp, fruit juice, vegetables, yoghurt, milk, or honey. These beverages are typical examples of the food industry reply to the increase ...awareness of consumers for healthier foods with simple ingredients and clean labels. As emerging products, different profiling studies are needed to ensure their claimed properties. Accordingly, different physicochemical parameters, bioactive compounds, as well as the antioxidant activity, were assessed in commercial smoothies along different shelf storage periods. ANOVA, HCA and LDA statistical tools were used to allow a suitable comprehension of the obtained results. Some significant differences were found at initial time, which might be associated to smoothies’ composition. On the other hand, the physicochemical and chromatic parameters were stable during the shelf storage, while the content in bioactive compounds and the antioxidant activity indicators were significantly affected (independently of the applied thermal treatment). Nevertheless, none of the assayed formulations or packing types showed to be more susceptible to undergone specifically relevant changes during shelf storage. Overall, the results advice in favor of an earlier consumption of these products (far from the expiring date) in order to obtain the desired health effects.
•Different smoothies' formulations and packing types were assayed along shelf storage.•Physicochemical parameters did not show overall trends for the assayed periods.•Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity decreased with shelf storage.•Formulation and packing type did not seem to correlate with the detected differences.•The results advice in favor of consuming smoothies at the earlier shelf-life stages.
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Deep eutectic solvents (DES) can be formed by bioactive compounds or pharmaceutical ingredients. A therapeutic DES (THEDES) based on ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ...(NSAID), and menthol was synthesized and its thermal behavior was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A controlled drug delivery system was developed by impregnating a starch:poly-ϵ-caprolactone polymeric blend (SPCL 30:70) with the menthol:ibuprofen THEDES in different ratios (10 and 20wt%), after supercritical fluid sintering at 20MPa and 50°C. The morphological characterization of SPCL matrices impregnated with THEDES was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Drug release studies were carried out in a phosphate buffered saline. The results obtained provide important clues for the development of carriers for the sustainable delivery of bioactive compounds.
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