Lactobacillus curvatus UFV-NPAC1 and other lactic acid bacteria isolated from calabresa, a fermented meat product, present high bacteriocinogenic activity against Listeria monocytogenes

Bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can be considered as viable alternatives for food safety and quality, once these peptides present antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens and spoilage bacteria. Fermented foods, such as artisanal sausages and cured meats, are relevant sources of LAB strains capable of producing novel bacteriocins, with particular interest by the food industry.Three LAB strains (firstly named as Lactobacillus curvatus 12, L. curvatus 36 and Weissella viridescens 23) were obtained from calabresa by presenting promising bacteriocinogenic activity, distinct genetic profiles (rep-PCR, RAPD, bacteriocin-related genes) and wide inhibitory spectrum. Among these strains, L. curvatus 12 presented higher bacteriocin production, reaching 25,000 AU/mL after incubation at 25, 30 and 37 °C and 6, 9 and 12 h. Partially purified bacteriocins from L. curvatus 12 kept their inhibitory activity after elution with isopropanol at 60% (v/v). Bacteriocins produced by this strain were purified by HPLC and sequenced, resulting in four peptides with 3102.79, 2631.40, 1967.06 and 2588.31 Da, without homology to known bacteriocins.LAB isolates obtained from calabresa presented high inhibitory activity. Among these isolates, bacteriocins produced by L. curvatus 12, now named as L. curvatus UFV-NPAC1, presented the highest inhibitory performance and the purification procedures revealed four peptides with sequences not described for bacteriocins to date

Evaluation of the oxidative profile of critical patients hospitalized in adult intensive care unit

The objective of this work was to evaluate and correlate the oxidative stress in patients with uncontrolled blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia) hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU). This was a cross-sectional study, performed with 26 patients in an ICU of a hospital in the Zona da Mata in Minas Gerais. Patients with uncontrolled blood glucose levels were evaluated in two moments: on the day of admission (T0) and one day after the uncontrolled glycaemia (DG1). The evaluation of the oxidative profile was determined by the dosage of serum total antioxidant capacity, based on the ability of ferric reduction, determination of enzymatic activity of Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase and Glutathione S-Transferase, lipid peroxidation products and carbonylated proteins. The levels of ferric reducing ability decreased significantly, whereas the activity of the Superoxide Dismutase enzyme increased significantly after uncontrolled glycaemia in relation to the initial time. Although the lipid peroxidation did not change between the times evaluated, the damage marker significantly reduced, shown by carbonylation of proteins after the uncontrolled glycaemia. The critical patients evaluated in this study present altered oxidative profile after the uncontrolled glycaemia, a common problem that imposes the worst prognoses

Effect of supplementation with extract of white bean flour in murine model

Common bean supplementation (Phaseolus vulgaris) "in natura" causes loss of body weight associated with a deficiency in nutrient absorption and histopathological changes. This effect has been attributed to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) present in high concentrations in red and white beans. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the safety of white bean flour as a dietary supplement. Animals were treated for 14 days with extract of white bean flour (WBFE) at doses of 2.65g/kg and 5.30g/kg. A significant reduction in body weight was observed, accompanied by the reduction of mean values of glycemia, in both groups in relation to the control group. Significant structural changes were also observed in the intestinal epithelium. Additionally, mice treated with WBFE 5.30g/kg presented mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate in the lamina propria of the intestinal mucosa accompanied by a dose-dependent increase in the dosage of chemokine MCP-1 and nitric oxide, although without causing intestinal and hepatic oxidative and oxidative damage.  The deleterious effects resulting from the use of the WBFE are not permanent since the treated animals after 14 days without WBFE stimuli. In conclusion, commercial bean flour did not prove to be safe as oral dietary supplementation at the dosages used because of the antinutritional and immunomodulatory effects.

Evaluation of the oxidative and inflammatory profile of patients with migraine

Among one of the most commonly seen and primary headaches is migraine. Oxidative stress and inflammation is discussed to be implicated in the pathogenesis of migraine. However, further knowledge about this issue is necessary because data are in part controversial and the possible underlying mechanisms remain inconclusive to date. To evaluate and compare the oxidative and inflammatory profile of patients with migraine 47 volunteers were divided into 3 groups: 15 women with chronic migraine (WCM); 17 women with episodic migraine (WEM) and 15 men with migraine (MM) and enrolled in this study.Total antioxidant status; the enzymatic activity of the antioxidant agents Catalase (CAT), Glutathione S-transferase (GST) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD); oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonylated proteins; blood count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio; uric acid, c-reactive protein and cholesterol total and fractions were determined in pacients with migraine in the interictal phase. The group male participants (MM) displayed a reduction in total antioxidant status, as well as a lower value for antioxidant enzymes, but had no significant alterations in markers related to damage by oxidative stress compared to women. These findings suggest that there is a difference in the oxidative profile between the sexes among migraine patients. This may allow a better understanding of patients profile with different migraine phenotypes and identify new markers that might help understanding the pathophysiology and migraine patient management

Evaluation of inflammatory and oxidative profile in patients with recurrent wheezing

Wheezing is a clinical expression of numerous respiratory-related conditions. Although asthma is the leading cause of wheezing during childhood. The present study aims to evaluate the inflammatory and oxidative profile of pediatric patients with recurrent wheezing. Seventy-eight volunteers were divided into three groups according to their age (≤ 36, 36 to 72 and ≥ 73 months). Blood was collected for hematological evaluation, serum detections of total immunoglobulin E (IgE), and C-reactive protein (PCRus). The oxidative profile was evaluated by total antioxidant capacity (FRAP), malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonylated protein markers. There was no significant difference in the IgE and PCRus levels among the three groups evaluated. However, a significant positive correlation was observed for PCRus with total leukocyte and with neutrophils for the group of patients ≥ 73 months of age. The intermediate age group presented significantly reduced FRAP values in the serum, while significant values of oxidative damage markers were observed in the group of patients ≥ 73 months of age. When determining the correlation between inflammatory and oxidative markers, only the ≥ 73 months group showed significant. The group ≥ 73 months stands out with significant alterations of the oxidative stress markers and their correlations with the inflammatory profile

ATIVIDADE ANTIBACTERIANA DE Brassica oleracea var. capitata EM MODELOS EXPERIMENTAIS IN VITRO

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/223613086427The ability of microorganisms, especially bacteria become resistant, has been widelydiscussed in various publications, and plants are one source to search for new drugs that each dayhas become more necessary. This work aimed to evaluate different ways of preparing extracts ofBrassica oleracea var. capitata and test them fronts strain of Staphylococcus aureus using the teston solid medium by diffusion in agar and in liquid medium in the ELISA plate. Tests revealed thatextracts obtained by solvent extraction and decoction hydroalcoholic acid have greater appeal tothe search for new drugs with activity against S. aureus, and the latter fractions obtained by liquidliquidpartition relating to solvents ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and hydroalcoholic remainingfraction showed more efficient. As for the solid medium, there was a lack of antibacterial activityof hydroalcoholic extract. However, a strong antibacterial activity was observed when analyzed inthe same extracts in liquid medium. Ethanolic extracts with concentrations of 50 and 70% showedbetter results when evaluated for 8 h of incubation. Different results were observed when theperiod was bent where the concentrations became more expressive of the 70 and 80%. The resultsdemonstrate that the species is a potential source of antibacterial agents. However, the choice ofsolvent, the extraction method and the bacterial growth medium should be considered. The datashown here motivates further studies for the isolation and identification of the active principlesresponsible for the antibacterial activity that can be used in the pharmaceutical industry, becauseof the large number of resistance to existing antibacterial drugs.http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/223613086427A capacidade dos microrganismos, em especial, das bactérias se tornarem resistentes, tem sido amplamente abordada em diversas publicações, e as plantas são uma das fontes para busca de novos medicamentos, que a cada dia vem se tornando mais necessário. Este trabalho, teve por objetivo avaliar diversas formas de preparação de extratos de Brassica oleracea var. capitata e testá-las frentes a cepa de Staphylococcus aureus utilizando ensaio em meio sólido por difusão em ágar, e em meio líquido em placa de ELISA. Os testes revelaram que extratos obtidos por decocção e extração em solvente hidroalcoólico ácido possuem maior apelo para a busca de novos fármacos com atividade frente a S. aureus, sendo que deste último as frações obtidas por partição líquido-líquido referentes aos solventes acetato de etila, diclorometano e a fração hidroalcoólica remanescente apresentaram mais eficientes. Já para o meio sólido, verificou-se uma ausência de atividade antibacteriana do extrato hidroalcóolico. Entretanto, uma considerável atividade antibacteriana foi evidenciada nos mesmos extratos quando analisados em meio líquido. Os extratos com concentrações etanólica de 50 e 70% revelaram melhores resultados quando avaliados por 8h de incubação. Resultados diferentes foram observados quando o período foi dobrado, onde as concentrações mais expressivas passaram a ser as de 70 e 80%. Os resultados demonstram que a espécie é uma potencial fonte de agentes antibacterianos. Entretanto, a escolha do solvente, o método de extração e o meio de crescimento bacteriano devem ser considerados. Os dados aqui evidenciados motiva posteriores estudos para o isolamento e identificação dos princípios ativos responsáveis pela atividade antibacteriana que podem ser usadas na indústria farmacêutica, visto o grande número de resistência às drogas antibacterianas já existentes

Aspectos Químicos e Atividade Antibacteriana de Piptadeniagonoacantha (fabaceae)

Este trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar os aspectos fitoquímicos e antibacteriano de Piptadeniagonoacantha. Primeiramente, realizou-se uma padronização dos extratos das folhas de P. gonoacantha e sua caracterização fitoquímica foi analisada, onde as principaisvariáveis avaliadas foram: método de extração (maceração e banho de ultrassom), solvente (água, álcool e misturas hidroalcoólicas), temperatura de extração (30, 40 e 50°C) e influência do pH (2 a 12) sobre o coeficiente de extinção (absorbância) das mesmas. Além disto, foi realizada uma prospecção fitoquímica e a quantificação de polifenóis totais na amostra. Umaavaliação da atividade antibacteriana in vitro foi realizada através da adaptação do método de difusão em meio sólido com perfuração do ágar frente a Staphylococcus aureus e Escherichia coli. Por meio da avaliação química identificou-se a maneira mais eficiente de promover a extração dos seus constituintes devendo esta ser realizada por ultrassom, a 40°C, utilizando etanol 80% (v/v). O pH, promoveu modificações  estruturais (deprotonação/protonação) dos constituintes químicos em extratos com valores de pH acima de 8. Além disso, a quantificação de fenóis totais indicou que grande proporção dos extratos é constituída por compostos incluídos nesta classe, sendo confirmada pela prospecção fitoquímica onde pôde ser evidenciada a presença de flavonóides, taninos, cumarinas e antraquinonas. O extrato desta espécie apresentou atividade antibacteriana, especialmente com etanol 80% (v/v), tendo eficiente capacidade de inibir o crescimento da bactéria S. aureus. Os dados obtidos sugerem que a espécie P. gonoacantha possui compostos promissores como fonte para obtenção de novos medicamentos no combate a microrganismos resistentes

Antimicrobial and Synergistic Activity of 2,2′,4-Trihydroxybenzophenone Against Bacterial Pathogens of Poultry

In poultry farming, the spread of bacterial pathogens results in disease outbreaks causing significant economic losses to this industry. Many of these pathogenic bacteria are zoonotic and have a substantial impact on public health. Antimicrobials are essential for the prevention and treatment of these bacterial infections. However, the indiscriminate use of these agents provides favorable conditions for selection, propagation and persistence of bacteria and development of antimicrobial resistance. We developed a new antimicrobial candidate that could be used alone or in synergy with research protocols for therapeutic, prophylactic and growth promoter uses in the poultry industry. The present study aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial activity of the synthetic compound 2,2′,4-trihydroxybenzophenone against pathogenic bacteria that cause important diseases in poultry and public health. We tested the hemolytic effect of this compound, studied its synergistic effect with conventional antimicrobials and analyzed the site of action on the bacteria. The results of our study showed antimicrobial activity of benzophenone against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with a similar effect in ATCC (American type culture collection) and field isolates. This compound was non-hemolytic. 2,2′,4-trihydroxybenzophenone acted on the bacterial cell wall. We identified the synergistic effect between 2,2′,4-trihydroxybenzophenone and bacitracin, this effect indicate that antimicrobial synergism may be useful for the treatment of necrotic enteritis in poultry. This compound may also be used as a growth promoter by reducing the dose of bacitracin and thus decreasing the pressure of bacterial resistance in poultry which would circumvent the development of cross-resistance in humans

Beneficial effects of physical activity in an HIV-infected woman with lipodystrophy: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Lipodystrophy is common in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy, and presents with morphologic changes and metabolic alterations that are associated with depressive behavior and reduced quality of life. We examined the effects of exercise training on morphological changes, lipid profile and quality of life in a woman with human immunodeficiency virus presenting with lipodystrophy.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 31-year-old Latin-American Caucasian woman infected with human immunodeficiency virus participated in a 12-week progressive resistance exercise training program with an aerobic component. Her weight, height, skinfold thickness, body circumferences, femur and humerus diameter, blood lipid profile, maximal oxygen uptake volume, exercise duration, strength and quality of life were assessed pre-exercise and post-exercise training. After 12 weeks, she exhibited reductions in her total subcutaneous fat (18.5%), central subcutaneous fat (21.0%), peripheral subcutaneous fat (10.7%), waist circumference (WC) (4.5%), triglycerides (9.9%), total cholesterol (12.0%) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (8.6%). She had increased body mass (4.6%), body mass index (4.37%), humerus and femur diameter (3.0% and 2.3%, respectively), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (16.7%), maximal oxygen uptake volume (33.3%), exercise duration (37.5%) and strength (65.5%). Quality of life measures improved mainly for psychological and physical measures, independence and social relationships.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These findings suggest that supervised progressive resistance exercise training is a safe and effective treatment for evolving morphologic and metabolic disorders in adults infected with HIV receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy, and improves their quality of life.</p

T Helper 1–Inducing Adjuvant Protects against Experimental Paracoccidioidomycosis

Immunostimulatory therapy is a promising approach to improving the treatment of systemic fungal infections such as paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), whose drug therapy is usually prolonged and associated with toxic side effects and relapses. The current study was undertaken to determine if the injection of a T helper (Th) 1–stimulating adjuvant in P. brasiliensis–infected mice could have a beneficial effect on the course of experimental PCM. For this purpose, mice were infected and treated with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), a well-established Th1 experimental inductor, or incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA - control group) on day 20 postinfection. Four weeks after treatment, the CFA-treated mice presented a mild infection in the lungs characterized by absence of epithelioid cell granulomas and yeast cells, whereas the control mice presented multiple sites of focal epithelioid granulomas with lymphomonocytic halos circumscribing a high number of viable and nonviable yeast cells. In addition, CFA administration induced a 2.4 log reduction (>99%) in the fungal burden when compared to the control group, and led to an improvement of immune response, reversing the immunosuppression observed in the control group. The immunotherapy with Th1-inducing adjuvant, approved to be used in humans, might be a valuable tool in the treatment of PCM and potentially useful to improve the clinical cure rate in humans