Antimycobacterial activity of Brazilian Amazon plants extracts

Tuberculosis (TB) is one infectious disease responsible for more than 2 million of deaths worldwide. The increase of TB cases resistant to drugs normally used in treatment has reinforced the necessity of development of new antimicrobials, which should be active to resistant strains and latent bacilli, further it should reduce the treatment duration. Thus fifty-six plants extracts obtained from Brazilian Amazon forest were tested in three strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, being one pan-susceptible strain (H37Rv), one isoniazid resistant and one rifampicin resistant. Twenty-nine plants extracts were active against pan-susceptible strain, twenty-four against isoniazid resistant and thirteen against rifampicin resistant. These results indicate the potential of the Brazilian Amazon plants products as source of new antimicrobials

MiR-3168, miR-6125, and miR-4718 as potential predictors of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in patients with head and neck cancer.

BackgroundNo biomarker is available for identifying cancer patients at risk of developing nephrotoxicity when treated with cisplatin.MethodsWe performed microRNA (miRNA) sequencing using plasma collected 5 days after cisplatin treatment (D5) from twelve patients with head and neck cancer with and without nephrotoxicity (grade ≥ 2 increased serum creatinine). The most differentially expressed miRNAs between the two groups were selected for quantification at baseline and D5 in a larger cohort of patients. The association between miRNAs and nephrotoxicity was evaluated by calculating the odds ratio (OR) from univariate logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were used to estimate the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity.ResultsMiR-3168 (p = 1.98 × 10- 8), miR-4718 (p = 4.24 × 10- 5), and miR-6125 (p = 6.60 × 10- 5) were the most differentially expressed miRNAs and were further quantified in 43, 48, and 53 patients, respectively. The baseline expression of miR-3168 (p = 0.0456, OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00-1.06) and miR-4718 (p = 0.0388, OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.03-2.46) were associated with an increased risk of nephrotoxicity, whereas miR-6125 showed a trend (p = 0.0618, OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 0.98-3.29). MiR-4718 showed the highest AUC (0.77, 95% CI: 0.61-0.93) with sensitivity of 66.76 and specificity of 79.49.ConclusionsWe have provided evidence of baseline plasmatic expression of miR-3168, miR-6125, and miR-4718 as potential predictors of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity

Association between plasmatic oxidative stress and thrombosis in primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

Antiphospholipid antibodies induce a pro-inflammatory and hypercoagulable state that lead to increased risk of thrombosis. Whether oxidative damage contributes thrombosis risk is a matter of debate. We evaluated the association between oxidative stress and thrombosis in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (t-PAPS). Plasma total antioxidant capacity and the levels of malondialdehyde (TBARs), carbonyl protein, and 8-isoprostane in plasma were determined in a group of patients with t-PAPS and in individuals without a history of thrombosis (controls) using commercial ELISA assays. The levels of these plasma markers of oxidative stress were compared between t-PAPS and controls using Mann-Whitney test. A total of 70 patients with t-PAPS and 74 controls were included. Overall, measurements of all plasma oxidative stress markers were similar between t-PAPS patients and controls. In a subgroup analysis, patients with t-PAPS and arterial thrombosis had a higher antioxidant capacity as compared to controls. Thrombotic PAPS was not associated with increased levels of oxidative stress markers, in comparison with individuals without thrombosis. Even though it is not possible to rule out that a mild oxidative damage, not detected by plasma markers, occurs in t-PAPS, our results suggest that measuring plasma oxidative stress markers has limited clinical relevance in t-PAPS

Performance of surveillance cultures at different body sites to identify asymptomatic Staphylococcus aureus carriers

The objective was to evaluate the performance of surveillance cultures at various body sites for Staphylococcus aureus colonization in pregnant women and newborns (NB) and the factors associated with nasal colonization. For NB, 4 sites were evaluated: nares, oropharynx, perineum, and umbilical stump (birth, third day, and weekly). For pregnant women, 4 sites during labor: anterior nares, anus, perineum, and oropharynx. Nasally colonized patients were compared with colonized only extranasally. Colonization was 53% of 392 pregnant women (methicillin-resistant S. aureus [MRSA]: 4%) and 47% of 382 NB (MRSA: 9%). For newborn patients, the best body site was the umbilical stump (methicillin-susceptible S. aureus [MSSA]: 64%; MRSA: 68%) and the combination of nares + umbilical (MSSA: 86%; MRSA: 91%). Among pregnant women, the best body site was the anterior nares (MSSA: 59%; MRSA: 67%) and the combination of nares + oropharynx (MSSA: 83%; MRSA: 80%). A smaller number of household members were associated with MRSA carriage in pregnant women (2.2 +/- 0.6 versus 3.6 +/- 1.8; P = 0.04). In conclusion, multiple culture sites are needed. Control programs based on surveillance cultures may be compromised. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de 530 PauloFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de 530 Paulo [FAPESP-2009/08206-1]FAPESP [2009/10596-2, 2010/19829-7]FAPESPConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico [CNPq 373195/2010-9]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologic

Orientação sexual para jovens adultos com deficiência auditiva Sexual orientation for young adults with hearing impairments

o estudo investigou o tema da sexualidade junto a 14 jovens adultos com deficiência auditiva de 18 a 35 anos de idade, no Centro de Distúrbios da Audição Linguagem e Visão (CEDALVI) que faz parte do HRAC-USP/Bauru. Os objetivos foram: identificar quais as necessidades de informação no que diz respeito à sexualidade; intervir, através de um programa de orientação sexual, informando e discutindo sobre temas referentes à sexualidade e verificar a aquisição de informação obtida com o programa de orientação sexual. Para tal, foi realizado um programa de orientação sexual, com três encontros abordando os seguintes temas: Órgãos sexuais e relações de gênero, Relacionamento afetivo e Gravidez, doenças sexualmente transmissíveis e auto-estima. Utilizou-se para a coleta dos dados um questionário inicial, questionários com questões fechadas, falso e verdadeiro, tipo pré e pós-teste no início e ao final de cada encontro e uma entrevista de avaliação processual, ao final do programa. Observou-se que o termo sexualidade continua sendo reduzido ao ato sexual ou as formas de prevenção de doenças ou métodos contraceptivos por grande parte dos jovens e a fonte de informação mais citada foi a mídia. O tema de maior número de acertos no pós-teste foi Órgãos sexuais e relações de gênero e todos, em geral, avaliaram positivamente a participação no programa. Concluiu-se que é necessário que a sexualidade seja cada vez mais incluída em programas de reabilitação, garantindo o acesso a informação e a discussão do tema, tão importante na vida desses jovens.<br>the study investigated the theme of sexuality among 14 hearing impaired young adults, aged 18 to 35 years, at the Center for Hearing, Language and Visual Disturbances (CEDALVI), a service of the HRAC-USP/Bauru. The aims were: to identify what kinds of information on sexuality were needed; to intervene through a sexual orientation program, so as to inform and discuss themes related to sexuality and to assess the information obtained by means of the sexual education program. To this end, a sexual orientation program was set up with three sessions concerning the following themes: Sexual organs and gender relationships, Caring relationships and Pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and self-esteem. Data was collected through a first time questionnaire, with closed true and false questions, with pre and post-tests applied at the beginning and the end of each meeting, followed by interviews to evaluate the whole process at the end of the program. The results showed that most young adults still view the term sexuality as restricted to sexual intercourse or to prevention of sexually transmitted diseases or to contraceptive methods and the media was cited as the main source of information. In the post-test, the greatest number of correct responses occurred for the theme Sexual organs and gender relationships; in general, all participants offered positive reviews for participation in the program. The conclusion was that it is paramount to include sexual orientation in rehabilitation programs, guaranteeing access to information and promoting discussion of such subjects in these young people's lives

Non-Multidrug-Resistant, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a Neonatal Unit

Background: in the last decade, non-multiresistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (NM-MRSA) has been described as an important agent in bloodstream infections in our hospital.Methods: This prospective cohort study, conducted from February 2009 through January 2010 in the neonatal unit, evaluated 403 newborns (NB), their 382 mothers and 148 health care workers (HCW).Results: Approximately 217 NB (54%), 187 mothers (48%) and 87 HCW (59%) were colonized by S. aureus (SA). MRSA colonization was greater among NB (15%) than mothers (4.7%) and HCW (3.4%). Although mother-to-NB transmission occurred, in most cases mothers were not responsible for NB colonization. There were 2 predominant PFGE patterns among the NB and some mothers and HCW became colonized by them. Factors significantly associated with MRSA carriage by NB were lower level of maternal schooling (risk factor: odds ratio: 2.99; 95% confidence interval: 1.10-8.07) and maternal rhinosinusitis (protective factor: odds ratio: 0.33; 95% confidence interval: 0.12-0.88). Among NB who remained hospitalized for more than 72 hours, breast feeding was protective (odds ratio: 0.22; 95% confidence interval: 0.05-0.98). All the isolates were NM-MRSA, carried few virulence factors and SCCmec types IVa and type IVd predominated.Conclusions: Although there were no cases of infection, nosocomial transmission of MRSA clearly occurred in the neonatal unit, and this highlights the need for infection control practices such as hand hygiene to prevent cross-dissemination. Other healthcare practices, which are very basic but also ample in scope, may play a role, such as general education of women and breast feeding.Fundacao de Auxilio a Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloUniv São Paulo, Hosp Clin, Dept Infect Dis, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Hosp Clin, LIM 54, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Hosp Clin, Dept Infect Control, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Dept Pediat, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Fac Publ Hlth, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Dept Obstet, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Inst Med Trop São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilFundacao de Auxilio a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo: 2009/08206-1Fundacao de Auxilio a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo: 2009/07746-2Fundacao de Auxilio a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo: 2009/10595-2Fundacao de Auxilio a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo: 2009/19829-7Web of Scienc