Aleurites moluccana (L.) Willd.: características gerais, farmacológicas e fitoquímicas

Aleurites moluccana, belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, is native to Indo-Malaysia but has been introduced in several countries and in Brazil it has adapted well to the South and South-west. It is popularly known by several names, such as: “Castanha Purgativa”, “Castenheira”, “Nogueira da Índia” and “Noz-da-Índia”. As for its morphology, it is considered a medium sized tree and contains  fruits with large seeds of rough and oily aspect. Its favorable climate is tropical, however, it also develops in subtropical and semiaridregions, as the soil is able to settle in muds, sandy, slopes and even ravines. The adaptation of this plant to various conditions is one of the explanations of its wide geographical distribution. A. moluccana leaves, bark, trunk, sap and seeds are traditionally used for food, ornamentation and housing. In addition, A. moluccana has great prominence in folk medicine, being used in the treatment of ulcers, conjunctivitis, inflammation, cicatrization and analgesia. In this sense, this plant has become the objective of studies on its chemical components in order to find these secondary metabolites that have these pharmacological activities.Aleurites moluccana, pertencente à família Euphorbiaceae, é natural da Indo-Malásia, mas se introduziu em diversos países e no Brasil, adaptando-se bem ao Sul e ao Sudoeste. É conhecida popularmente por diversos nomes, como: “Castanha Purgativa”,” Castenheira”, “Nogueira da Índia” e “Noz-da-Índia”. Quanto à sua morfologia, é considerada uma árvore de porte médio e contém frutos com sementes grandes de aspecto áspero e oleoso. Seu clima favorável é o tropical, no entanto, desenvolve-se também em regiões subtropicais e semiáridas, e quanto ao solo é capaz de se estabelecer em solos barrosos, arenosos, encostas e até em barrancos. A adaptação dessa planta a diversas condições é uma das explicações da sua ampla distribuição geográfica. As folhas, cascas, tronco, seiva e sementes da A. moluccana são tradicionalmente utilizados para alimentação, ornamentação e habitação. Além disso, a A. moluccana tem grande destaque na medicina popular, sendo utilizada no tratamento de úlceras, conjuntivite, inflamação, cicatrização e analgesia. Nesse sentido, essa planta tem se tornado objetivo de estudos sobre seus componentes químicos a fim de encontrar esses metabólitos secundários que possuem tais atividades farmacológicas

Antimicrobial activity of bleached cattail fibers (Typha domingensis) impregnated with silver nanoparticles and benzalkonium chloride

Typha domingensis (Cattail) fiber is a significant natural resource, abundant in cellulose. The study reports the useful utilization of T. domingensis fiber for physicochemical impregnation of silver nanoparticles and benzalkonium chloride, in the development of a material with antimicrobial activity. The fibers were pre-treated with alkaline hydrogen peroxide (bleaching) for partial removal of lignin, pectin and waxes. Subsequently treated in a solution of different concentrations of benzalkonium chloride and Tollens' reagent. The new materials obtained were carefully investigated for their structure and thermal stability, morphology and susceptibility to antimicrobials (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimuruim, and Salmonella enteritidis). Fourier transform infrared spectra showed the presence of benzalkonium chloride. The morphology analysis showed the silver nanoparticles on the surface of the bleached fibers. The susceptibility profile to antimicrobials was confirmed by the formation of inhibition halos (¿11.26¿mm). Based on the properties of the materials obtained, it can be concluded that the modified cattail fibers have the potential to be used as a functional filler, or coating, in the development of antimicrobial compositesPostprint (published version

Conformal Electrodeposition of Antimicrobial Hydrogels Formed by Self-Assembled Peptide Amphiphiles

The colonization of biomedical surfaces by bacterial biofilms is concerning because these microorganisms display higher antimicrobial resistance in biofilms than in liquid cultures. Developing antimicrobial coatings that can be easily applied to medically-relevant complex-shaped objects, such as implants and surgical instruments, is an important and challenging research direction. This work reports the preparation of antibacterial surfaces via the electrodeposition of a conformal hydrogel of self-assembling cationic peptide-amphiphiles (PAs). Hydrogels of three PAs are electrodeposited: C16K2, C16K3, and C18K2, where Cn is an alkyl chain of n methylene groups and Km is an oligopeptide of m lysines. The processing variables (electrodeposition time, potential, pH, salt concentration, agitation) enable fine control of film thickness, demonstrating the flexibility of the method and allowing to unravel the mechanisms underlying electrodeposition. The electrochemically prepared hydrogels inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in agar plates, and prevent the formation of biofilms of Acinetobacter baumannii and P. aeruginosa and the formation of A. baumannii colonies in solid media. C16K2 and C16K3 hydrogels outperform the antimicrobial activity of those of C18K2 while maintaining good compatibility with human cells

Fatores associados a bacteremia por Klebsiella spp. em Hospital Universitário

O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar a ocorrência de infecções da corrente sanguínea causadas por Klebsiella spp. e a produção de ß-lactamases de espectro ampliado, bem como os fatores de risco associados à bacteremia nos pacientes internados no Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS. Foi desenvolvido um estudo retrospectivo por meio da análise de prontuários dos pacientes internados no período de janeiro de 2008 a setembro de 2009. Foram identificados 22 casos de bacteremia causados por Klebsiella spp., sendo 68,2%  produtores de enzimas  β-lactamases de espectro ampliado. Constatou-se que 91% dos pacientes estavam internados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva e 45,5% eram crianças menores de um ano de idade. Entre os casos da bacteremia, 22,7% evoluíram à óbito. Os procedimentos invasivos como flebotomia, traqueostomia e cirurgias foram os fatores que mais se relacionaram com a ocorrência de infecções na corrente sanguínea por Klebsiella spp. Em relação à resistência bacteriana, 86,3% dos isolados de Klebsiella apresentaram resistência a mais de 10 antibióticos. Imipenem foi o mais eficaz, pois 86,3% dos isolados foram sensíveis a este antibiótico. Klebsiella produtora de β-lactamases de espectro ampliado é um importante patógeno causador de infecção de corrente sanguínea em pacientes internados neste hospital, principalmente naqueles em unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica. A detecção de bactérias multirresistentes em hemoculturas e a avaliação de seu perfil de suscetibilidade fornecem dados importantes para a racionalização da terapia antimicrobiana, redução das taxas de mortalidade e auxilia no controle das infecções hospitalares. Palavras-chave: Infecção hospitalar. Klebsiella. Bacteremia

Design, Biological Evaluation, and Computer-Aided Analysis of Dihydrothiazepines as Selective Antichlamydial Agents

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) causes the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial disease in the United States. The lack of drug selectivity is one of the main challenges of the current antichlamydial pharmacotherapy. The metabolic needs of CT are controlled, among others, by cylindrical proteases and their chaperones (e.g., ClpX). It has been shown that dihydrothiazepines can disrupt CT-ClpXP. Based on this precedent, we synthesized a dihydrothiazepine library and characterized its antichlamydial activity using a modified semi-high-throughput screening assay. Then, we demonstrated their ability to inhibit ClpX ATPase activity in vitro, supporting ClpX as a target. Further, our lead compound displayed a promising selectivity profile against CT, acceptable cytotoxicity, no mutagenic potential, and good in vitro stability. A two-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship (2D QSAR) model was generated as a support tool in the identification of more potent antichlamydial molecules. This study suggests dihydrothiazepines are a promising starting point for the development of new and selective antichlamydial drugs

In Vitro

The roots of Cochlospermum regium, popularly known as “algodãozinho-do-cerrado,” are used for the treatment of genitourinary infections. However, the removal of their subterranean structures results in the death of the plant, and the use of the leaves becomes a viable alternative. Therefore, the antimicrobial activity of Cochlospermum regium leaf’s ethanolic extract and its action on the biofilm formation of microorganisms associated with urinary infection were evaluated. The total phenolic compounds, flavoids, and tannins were quantified using the reagents Folin-Ciocalteu, aluminum chloride, and vanillin, respectively. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the broth microdilution method and the effect of the extract in the biofilm treatment was measured by the drop plate method. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by the method based on the reduction of MTS and the mutagenicity by the Ames test. The ethanolic extract of C. regium leaves presented 87.4 mg/EQ of flavonoids, 167.2 mg/EAG of total phenolic compounds, and 21.7 mg/ECA of condensed tannins. It presented reduction of the biofilm formation for E. coli and C. tropicalis and antimicrobial action of 1 mg/mL and 0.5 mg/mL, respectively. The extract showed no cytotoxicity and mutagenicity at the concentrations tested. This study demonstrated that C. regium leaves are a viable option for the treatment of genitourinary infections and for the species preservation

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat