Dequalinium chloride effectively disrupts bacterial vaginosis (BV) Gardnerella spp. biofilms

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most frequent vaginal infection worldwide. It is caused by the overgrowth of anaerobic vaginal pathogens such as Gardnerella spp. BV has been associated with the occurrence of dense multispecies biofilms on the vaginal mucosa. Treatment of biofilm-associated infections such as BV is challenging. In this study, we have tested the role of a quaternary ammonium compound, dequalinium chloride (DQC), in the eradication of Gardnerella spp. biofilms. The effects of the test substance on the biomass and the metabolic activity of the biofilm of Gardnerella spp. were assessed in vitro using a microtiter plate assay. In addition, the effect of DQC on the Gardnerella spp. biofilm was further assessed by using scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results showed that DQC was particularly effective in the destruction of BV-associated Gardnerella spp. biotypes, impacting both their biomass and metabolic activity. In addition, the disruption of biofilm architecture was evident and was probably caused by multiple mechanisms of action. We conclude that DQC is an antibiofilm agent and is able to efficiently destroy Gardnerella spp. BV-associated biofilms. Therefore, it is a valid option for BV therapy and has the potential to prevent BV recurrences.This work was supported by national funds from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal (Project UIDB/00709/2020), and by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), under the Portugal 2020 Program, through the Regional Operational Program of the Center (Centro2020), through the Project with the reference UIDB/00709/2020. C. Gaspar was supported by fellowship SFRH/BDE/112920/2015 from FCT; J. Rolo was supported by fellowship SFRH/BPD/115145/2016 from FCT. The human resources, consumables, and reagents, as well as publication charges, were partially funded by Medinova, Switzerland. All the results achieved are reported in this document (including negative results), and no member of Medinova interfered in the experimental design or discussion of results.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Juvenile hormone downregulates vitellogenin production in Ectatomma tuberculatum (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) sterile workers

In the ant Ectatomma tuberculatum (Olivier 1792), workers have active ovaries and lay trophic eggs that are eaten by the queen and larvae. Vitellogenins are the main proteins found in the eggs of insects and are the source of nutrients for the embryo in the fertilized eggs and for adults in the trophic eggs. In social insects, vitellogenin titres vary between castes and affect reproductive social status, nursing, foraging, longevity, somatic maintenance, and immunity. In most insects, vitellogenin synthesis is mainly regulated by juvenile hormone. However, in non-reproductive worker ants, this relationship is poorly characterized. This study determined the effects of juvenile hormone on vitellogenin synthesis in non-reproductive E. tuberculatum workers. Juvenile hormone was topically applied onto workers, and the effect on vitellogenin synthesis in the fat body and vitellogenin titres in the haemolymph were analysed by ELISA and qPCR. Juvenile hormone downregulated protein synthesis and reduced vitellogenin titres in the haemolymph, suggesting that in workers of E. tuberculatum, juvenile hormone loses its gonadotrophic function

In Vitro Anti-Candida Activity of Lidocaine and Nitroglycerin: Alone and Combined

The aim of this work was to study the anti-Candida activity of lidocaine and nitroglycerin alone and in combination. Ten Candida strains were included, corresponding to 1 collection type strain (ATCC 10231) and 9 clinical isolates: 4 C. albicans, 2 C. glabrata, 1 C. tropicalis, 1 C. krusei, and 1 C. parapsilosis. The CLSI reference M27-A3 micromethod was used to determine the anti-Candida activity of the drugs alone; minimal inhibitory and lethal concentrations were determined. The classic checkboard technique was used to determine the activity of combined drugs. Lidocaine fungicidal effect was dosedependent. Nitroglycerin exhibited a higher effect. The drugs combination resulted in a reduction of the inhibitory concentration, corresponding to an additive effect. In conclusion, both drugs exhibited an interesting anti-Candida activity. The combination of lidocaine with nitroglycerin was shown to have an additive effect against Candida spp., predicting the interest to include, in the future, these drugs in a new delivery system for the treatment of mucocutaneous candidosis

As narrativas da contemporaneidade a partir da relação entre a escalada da abstração de Vilém Flusser e as pinturas rupestres da Serra da Capivara

The contemporary narratives would be undergoing a simplifying process, specially noted in the digital media. The present paper makes use of the Czech-Brazilian philosopher Vilém Flusser escalade abstraction concept to point out that this process is not new in the Communication History. Based on field research evidences, collected in 2006 at the Serra da Capivara National Park, the authors analyze the abstraction growth on the rupestrian paintings of the Serra da Capivara National Park, located at Piauí (Brazil) and suggest that the communication synthesis is a common trend that could also be found in pre-historic human groups as they get familiar with the media platform used. Key words: communication, Vilém Flusser, Serra da Capivara National Park rupestrian paintings.As narrativas da contemporaneidade estão sofrendo um processo de simplificação, sobretudo as que compõem o universo eletrônico/ digital. O presente trabalho, que usa, como apoio teórico principal, a escalada da abstração de Vilém Flusser, indica que esse processo não é novo na história da Comunicação. Por meio de pesquisa de campo realizada no Parque Nacional da Serra da Capivara, em 2006, analisa-se o crescimento da abstração observada nas pinturas rupestres piauienses e sugere-se que a síntese comunicacional é uma tendência encontrada em grupos humanos, conforme estes se familiarizam com a plataforma mediática utilizada. Palavras-chave: comunicação, Vilém Flusser, pinturas rupestres do Parque Nacional da Serra da Capivara

UBERIZAÇÃO DO TRABALHO SOB A ÓTICA DO CONCEITO DE SUBORDINAÇÃO ESTRUTURAL

No contexto da reestruturação produtiva do capital, da chamada era globalizada, surgem diferentes condições de reestruturação também do mundo do trabalho. Ao tratar do contexto globalizado, é possível salientar duas questões centrais, o embricamento das economias, acarretando uma interdependência econômica das nações, e os avanços tecnológicos, considerado uma das molas propulsoras do referido processo. Como uma das consequências efetivadas pela mundialização do capital, as inovações tecnológicas, ao mesmo tempo em que promovem uma modernização sem precedentes em vários setores da sociedade, também acarretam liberação de mão-de-obra, por meio do chamado desemprego estrutural. Diante desse cenário, surgem novas formas de trabalho, dentre elas a empresa de transporte denominada UBER. O denominado sistema UBER acarretou o surgimento de diferentes papéis sociais possibilitando um novo mercado de trabalho, não mais atrelado à legislação trabalhista ou às condições contratuais.  Com base na via interpretativa jurisprudencial, os dispositivos que regem a definição da relação de emprego e seus pressupostos devem ser analisados em busca da finalidade concreta de tutela almejada pelas normas trabalhistas. Para tanto, faz-se necessário compreender a relação de trabalho surgida do processo de uberização sob a ótica da subordinação estrutural, que permitirá oferecer aos trabalhadores envolvidos as proteções oferecidas pelo Direito do Trabalho, na medida que enfrentará a dinâmica reestruturante, demonstrando a continuidade da relação e emprego, em especial pelo elemento subordinação, que permanece existente.

Vaginal sheets with Thymbra capitata essential oil for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: design, characterization and in vitro evaluation of efficacy and safety

We aimed to incorporate Thymbra capitata essential oil (TCEO), a potent antimicrobial natural product against bacterial vaginosis (BV)-related bacteria, in a suitable drug delivery system. We used vaginal sheets as dosage form to promote immediate relief of the typical abundant vaginal discharge with unpleasant odour. Excipients were selected to promote the healthy vaginal environment reestablishment and bioadhesion of formulations, while the TCEO acts directly on BV pathogens. We characterized vaginal sheets with TCEO in regard to technological characterization, predictable in vivo performance, in vitro efficacy and safety. Vaginal sheet D.O (acid lactic buffer, gelatine, glycerine, chitosan coated with TCEO 1% w/w) presented a higher buffer capacity and ability to absorb vaginal fluid simulant (VFS) among all vaginal sheets with EO, showing one of the most promising bioadhesive profiles, an excellent flexibility and structure that allow it to be easily rolled for application. Vaginal sheet D.O with 0.32 µL/mL TCEO was able to significantly reduce the bacterial load of all in vitro tested Gardnerella species. Although vaginal sheet D.O presented toxicity at some concentrations, this product was developed for a short time period of treatment, so this toxicity can probably be limited or even reversed when the treatment ends.This work supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology within the research project PTDC/BIA-MIC/28271/2017 under the scope of COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01- 0145-FEDER-028271) including an individual scholarship and general funding. This work was also developed within the scope of the CICS-UBI projects UIDB/00709/2020 and UIDP/00709/2020, financed by national funds through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology/MCTES.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Predictive Elements of Obstructive Urolithiasis in Sheep*

Background: Urolithiasis is an economically important disease that has considerable significance for sheep farming. With the tissue and biochemical changes resulting from the development of this disease, metabolic disorders and immune response are established. Hemogasometric evaluation allows the identification of systemic acid-base imbalances quickly. Acute phase proteins (AFP) have in the last two decades become the biomarkers of choice in human and veterinary medicine. To date, no biomarker studies have been published for sheep with obstructive urolithiasis. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the hemogasometric kinetics in obstructive urolithiasis in sheep and the AFP that can be used as early biomarkers in this disease.Materials, Methods & Results: In this study, 14 healthy male Santa Inês sheep, aged approximately 90 days, fed on calculogenic diet for 120 days. The animals were examined weekly, including observation of clinical signs, and blood and urine analysis were performed. For comparative analysis purposes, at the end of the experiment, sheep that developed obstructive urolithiasis were extracted from the initial experimental group D1 (without urolithiasis) and became part of the second experimental group D2 (with urolithiasis). In the pre-experimental period and on the day of slaughter, venous blood samples were harvested for hemogasometric tests, with a maximum time of 15 minutes between collection and analysis, to ensure the reliability of the results obtained. The pH, pCO2, pO2, EB, tCO2, HCO3-, stHCO3-, tHb, sO2 and Hct, Na+, K+ and Ca2+ ions were quantified. To identify and measure immunoglobulins (A and G) and AFP, samples from sheep that developed obstructive urolithiasis (D2) were analyzed. Blood samples were harvested weekly until the clinical manifestation of the disease, totaling 16 samples, when IgA, IgG, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, albumin, α1-antitrypsin, haptoglobin and α1-acid glycoprotein concentrations were measured. Elevation of pCO2 was observed between D1 and D2, but there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) only in the final moments (FMs). Although EB, tCO2, HCO3-, stHCO3- increased between moments in the same group and between groups at the same time, significant differences were recorded only in the FMs. Higher values were observed for Na+, K+ in the FMs. The AFP of sheep that developed the disease oscillated between moments, however, significant difference (P < 0.05) over time was observed only in haptoglobin and transferrin.Discussion: The disease occurred in five of the 14 animals studied, demonstrating the effectiveness of the formulated diet in inducing the disease. Through the analysis of blood gases, plasma bicarbonate concentration and excess base or deficit it was possible to diagnose disturbances in acid base balance, characterizing a picture of metabolic alkalosis in animals with urolithiasis. Mean pH was not significantly different between groups, but sheep that developed urolithiasis had alkalosis. Final values of tCO2 and HCO3- indicate the compensatory organic response, which, together with the analysis of the averages of HCO3- and EB, reflect the metabolic alkalosis picture. The AFP have different responsiveness among them. Haptoglobin and transferrin were the most reliable biomarkers among the studied AFP to predict obstructive urolithiasis, with transferrin showing atypical behavior, characteristic of positive AFP

Análise espacial de viagens em transporte público na Região Metropolitana de Campinas-SP

A alta dependência do uso do transporte individual e a ausência de planejamento da mobilidade têm se mostrado insustentáveis para o meio urbano e para a qualidade de vida da população. Na busca pela mitigação destes problemas e promoção de uma mobilidade mais sustentável, indicadores de mobilidade sustentável se mostram excelentes ferramentas de gestão. O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar a distribuição espacial do indicador de viagens realizadas em transporte público da Região Metropolitana de Campinas (RMC), a partir de dados levantados pela Pesquisa Origem Destino de 2011, coordenada pela Secretaria de Transportes Metropolitanos do Estado de São Paulo. Foram utilizadas técnicas de econometria espacial que permitiram avaliar a distribuição espacial do indicador “viagens realizadas em modos coletivos”. Os resultados alcançados identificaram valor significativo para o I de Moran (0,485). A zona com maior uso do transporte público coletivo, apresentou 1,13 viagens per capita, já a zona com menor uso, apresentou 0,18 viagens per capita, confirmando o baixo uso do transporte público em toda a região metropolitana

Implicações biológicas da plasticidade fenotípica no modelo Schistosoma mansoni - Nectomys squamipes

The water-rat Nectomys squamipes is mostly important non-human host in schistosomiasis mansoni transmission in Brazil, due to its susceptibility, high abundance and water-contact pattern. During experimental infection of N. squamipes with Schistosoma mansoni, adult worms show phenotypic plasticity. This finding led us to investigate whether biological behavior is also affected. This was assessed comparing the biological characteristics of four S. mansoni strains: BE (State of Belém do Pará), CE (State of Pernambuco), CMO (State of Rio Grande do Norte) and SJ (State of São Paulo) using laboratory-bred N. squamipes. The infection was monitored by determination of the pre-patent period, fecal egg output, egg viability, intestinal egg count and, infectivity rate. No biological modification was observed in these parameters. Overall results highlight that N. squamipes was susceptible to several S. mansoni strains, suggesting that it might contribute to the maintenance of schistosomiasis mansoni in Brazil.O rato d´água Nectomys squamipes é importante transmissor não-humano da esquistossomose. Durante a infecção experimental em N. squamipes, os vermes adultos apresentam plasticidade fenotípica. Esses achados levaram-nos a investigar se os aspectos biológicos também são afetados. Foram comparadas as características biológicas de quatro cepas de S. mansoni: BE (Estado de Belém do Pará), CM (Estado de Pernambuco), CMO (Estado do Rio Grande do Norte) e SJ (Estado de São Paulo), utilizando como modelo experimental N. squamipes criados e mantidos em laboratório. A infecção foi monitorada para a determinação do período pré-patente, eliminação de ovos nas fezes, viabilidade dos ovos, contagem de ovos retidos no intestino e infectividade. Nenhuma modificação biológica foi observada nesses parâmetros. Os resultados sugerem que o N. squamipes é susceptível a várias cepas de S. mansoni, contribuindo para a manutenção da esquistossomose no Brasil

Presence of Gardnerella vaginalis in healthy portuguese women: a pilot study

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) has an important position worldwide, as the leading vaginal disorder in women, and affects 30-50% of African women and 10-20% of White women of reproductive age. This condition although not mortal causes great discomfort and may lead to other complications such as pre-term labour or increase susceptibility for HIV infection. During BV occur a decrease of Lactobacillus spp. present in the vaginal epithelium and an increase in the number of anaerobic microorganisms like Gardnerella vaginalis, Pretovella spp., Mobilincus spp.; Mycoplasma hominis and Atopobium vaginae. Gardnerella vaginalis is also responsible for the formation of a biofilm in the vaginal epithelium in sick women’s. However, the direct correlation between the pathology and the causing agent (or agents) has not been clearly established. Currently there is only one article in PubMed (Guerreiro et. al, 1998) referring to the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in Portugal and we aim to extend the research in this field specifically to the portuguese population. As part of this effort one of our aims it to characterise the bacterial population of portuguese women both healthy and diagnosed with BV. As such we collected swab samples of vaginal fluids from protuguese women with the help of health professionals and using self collection. The swabs were collected and treated within 24 hours at the University of Minho for the characterization of the bacterial population present, by using conventional microbiological growth techniques, PNA-FISH microscopy and 16S PCR. It was found that about 20% of the samples tested possessed G. vaginalis and all possessed Lactobacillus spp. using all 3 identification techniques described. This result is consistent with previous reports of G. vaginalis prevalence althought slightly lower, and shows that traditional microbiological techniques, microscopy and molecular methods were consistent in terms of results