Effect of antifungal agents on non-Candida albicans Candida species enzymes secretion

The infective ability of Candida species depends on specific virulence mechanisms that confer the ability to colonize host surfaces, to invade deeper host tissue or to evade host defences. During the pathogenic process many virulence attributes may be involved including, production of extracellular proteases and haemolytic activity. Nevertheless, in vitro studies have indicated that antifungal agents could be able to influence the enzymatic activity of Candida species. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to investigate the action of antifungals on proteinase and haemolytic activity of Candida species. This study was conducted with C. albicans (1), C. glabrata (4), C. parapsilosis (5) and C. tropicalis (6) recovered from different body sites (blood, oral, vaginal and urinary tract). Four reference strains of C. albicans ATCC 90028, C. glabrata ATCC 2001, C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019 and C. tropicalis ATCC 750 were also examined. The susceptibility to fluconazole and amphotericin B was determined by the microdilution test in order to allow the determination of the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the maximum antifungal concentration (MAC). Then, the proteinase and hemolytic activity was determined for yeasts grown at MIC and MAC. It was observed that all Candida species assayed were sensible to both antifungal agents. Concerning the antifungal effect on enzymatic activity of Candida species, C. parapsilosis from candiduria presented a decreased proteinase and haemolysin activity for both MIC and MAC of both antifungal agents. Moreover, the other species presented differences in terms of production of proteinase and haemolysin at MIC and MAC. Candida albicans reference strain presented lower proteinase activity at MIC of fluconazole (46.7%) but presented higher activity for MAC (61.9%) in comparison to the control (60%). Furthermore, regarding haemolysin activity there were isolates that expressed high levels of enzymes in the presence of both antifungals such as: C. glabrata from urine and from vaginal tract; and C. tropicalis from urine. Conversely, some clinical isolates, presented low levels of enzymatic activity after contact with the antifungal agents, such as: C. albicans (oral isolate); C. glabrata (oral isolate and vaginal isolate); C. parapsilosis (from urine) and also all C. tropicalis except one urinary isolate. It was possible to conclude that the proteinase and haemolysin activities were strain and species dependent and no correlation was found among activity profile and the site of isolation. Moreover, fluconazole and amphotericin B were able to influence the tested Candida species enzymatic activity

Effect of itraconazole on Candida glabrata biofilm matrix

The emergence of non-Candida albicans Candida (NCAC) species as a common cause of fungal infection is often associated with the increasing number of immunocompromised patients, the widespread use of indwelling medical devices and the decreased susceptibility to azoles. The ability of Candida species to adapt to a variety of different habitats and to form biofilms is also of major contribution to this increased incidence. Thus, the aim of this work was to study the influence of the antifungal agent itraconazole on the matrix composition of Candida glabrata biofilms. Biofilms of Candida glabrata vaginalstrain 534784 were formed in 6-well plates for 24h. Then, fresh RPMI1640/ MOPS medium (control biofilms) and itraconazole (256μg/mL) were added to the previously formed 24h biofilms. After 48h of exposure to these components, biofilms were scraped from the 6-well plates and the extracellular matrix extracted by sonication. The protein and carbohydrate content of the biofilm matrix were determined using a BCA kit and the Dubois method, respectively. The analysis of matrix composition of biofilms exposed to itraconazole showed an increase in both protein and carbohydrate content comparatively to the control. The results indicate that the presence of itraconazole leads to an increase in the production of extracellular matrix components in Candida glabrata biofilms

The role of antifungals agents on Candida glabrata biofilms matrix composition

Candida glabrata was considered, for years, a relatively non-pathogenic saprophyte of the normal flora of healthy individuals and as no causative agent of serious infection in humans. However, its high mortality rate and its quick spread confirm the opposite. In fact, due to the widespread and increased use of immunosuppressive therapy together with broad-spectrum antifungal treatments, the frequency of mucosal and systemic infections caused by C. glabrata has increased significantly. Furthermore, biofilms are described as surface associated communities of microorganisms within an extracellular matrix, generally composed of carbohydrate and proteins. Biofilm formation is an important virulence factor for a number of Candida species, as it confers significant resistance to antifungal therapy by limiting the penetration of substances through the matrix and protecting cells from host immune responses. Moreover, little is known about the role of antifungals on C. glabrata biofilms. Thus, the aim of this work was to study the role of fluconazole, itraconazole and amphotericin B on 24 h pre-formed C. glabrata biofilms and specially on their matrix composition. A total of 3 C. glabrata strains isolated from oral, urinary and vaginal tract were used, as well as a reference strain from ATCC (C. glabrata 2001). Biofilms were formed on 12-well plates on RPMI 1640, during 24h at 37ºC and 120 rpm. Then, the antifungal agents (fluconazole, amphotericin B and itraconazole) were added to the previously formed biofilms. After 48 h of action of each antifungal agent, the biofilms were evaluated in terms of total biomass by crystal violet staining and number of viable cells by colony forming units (CFUs). The role of itraconazole on biofilms of the clinical vaginal isolate (C. glabrata 534784) was also examined in terms of matrix composition. For this, biofilms were formed in 6-well plates during 24h and, after 48h of exposure to itraconazole, were scraped from the wells and the extracellular matrix was extracted by sonication. Biofilm matrix contents in proteins and carbohydrates were determined using the BCA kit and the Dubois method, respectively. The results showed that, amphotericin B and fluconazole were able to cause a significant decreased on total biomass and CFUs of C. glabrata. However, itraconazole was not able to affect biofilms, except for the clinical vaginal isolate (C. glabrata 534784) at 256 µg/mL point concentration, which presented an increase in total biofilm biomass. Candida glabrata 534784 biofilms matrix exposed to itraconazole (256 µg/mL) presented an increase in proteins content but not in carbohydrate comparatively to the control. In summary, fluconazole and amphotericin B were able to significantly decrease the pre-formed biofilms of C. glabrata strains. Furthermore, the highest amount of total biofilm biomass of the vaginal isolate seems to be due to the increased protein content in its matrix

Aspectos Imagiológicos da Abordagem Mini- Invasiva Percutânea da Necrose Pancreática Infectada

A infecção da necrose pancreática é a complicação mais temida da pancreatite aguda, constituindo indicação formal para tratamentocirúrgico. Classicamente é efectuado desbridamento do tecido necrótico porlaparotomia, sendo frequentemente necessário proceder a necrosectomias repetidas. Dado que esta técnica está associada a elevada mortalidade(aproximadamente 50%), recentemente têm vindo a ser desenvolvidas e aperfeiçoadas técnicas minimamente invasivas, com resultados favoráveis (mortalidade inferior a 20%). Nos casos de colecções fluidas peripancreáticas procede-se à drenagem percutânea, que poderá ser terapêutica definitiva em algumas situações. Nos casos de sequestros sólidos infectados está indicada a técnica de mini-marsupialização.Estas técnicas conferem uma aparência imagiológica característica, com a qual o radiologista deve estar familiarizado para poder avaliar correctamente a sua evolução.Neste artigo os autores demonstram os achados típicos da necrose pancreática infectada submetida a técnicas percutâneas denecrosectomia minimamente invasiva, destacando os aspectos característicos da minimarsupialização

A randomized clinical trial of cavity liners after selective caries removal: one-year follow-up

Alternatives for the treatment of caries disease, such as minimally invasive approaches, have been developed in recent years. Objective: To carry out clinical and radiographic evaluations of three cavity liners after selective caries removal. Methodology: Thirty-six primary molars with deep occlusal caries lesions without pulp involvement (from children of both genders, aged between 5 and 8 years) were randomly divided into the following groups: calcium hydroxide cement (CHC) group; mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) group and Portland cement with added zirconium oxide (PCZ) group. The following-up period was 6- and 12-month. The clinical and radiographic success rates were evaluated through chi-square test. The radiographic measurements were compared by ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (p<0.05). Results: Thirty-six patients were included, but thirty-four returned for 12-month follow-up. The overall success rate of the therapy for the three groups was 94.11% and no statistically significant differences occurred in the comparison among groups (p>0.05). Nineteen radiographs were selected to measure the dentin barrier thickness. The intragroup comparison presented a statistically significant increase of the dentin barrier for all groups, at 12-month follow-up. However, the MTA group showed increase of the dentin barrier, over time, 6- to 12-month follow-up. The intergroup comparison revealed no statistically significant differences (p>0.05). Conclusion: The clinical and radiographic data showed that all cavity liners provided effective treatment of primary teeth after selective caries removal

Estabilidade de geleias de maçã e pétalas de rosa durante o armazenamento / Stability of apple and rose petals jams during storage

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a estabilidade de geleias com 85% de maçã e 15% de pétalas de rosa durante o armazenamento à temperatura ambiente. A cada dois meses, as seguintes análises foram realizadas: pH, acidez titulável, sólidos solúveis, atividade de água, valor L*, ângulo hue, diferença de cor (?E*) e quantificação de bolores e leveduras. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições e seis tempos de análise (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 e 10 meses). As geleias de maçã e pétalas de rosa não apresentaram alterações no pH, acidez titulável e sólidos solúveis durante o armazenamento, porém tiveram redução linear na sua atividade de água. Em relação à coloração, o valor L* manteve-se constante e houve perda da cor avermelhada. A contagem de bolores e leveduras atendeu aos padrões estabelecidos pela legislação vigente. Conclui-se que as geleias de maçã e pétalas de rosa apresentaram boa estabilidade física, química e microbiológica durante os dez meses de armazenamento à temperatura ambiente. 

Portuguese recommendations for the use of ultrasound in rheumatology

© 2001-2021 Sociedade Portuguesa de Reumatologia.Introduction: Ultrasound (US) is a relatively cheap, easily available and reliable method to improve the care of rheumatic patients. However, its use in rheumatology practice is very heterogeneous and needs to be standardized. Objectives: To develop recommendations for the use of US in rheumatic diseases endorsed by the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology. Methods: A systematic literature review of the available recommendations on the use of ultrasound in rheumatic diseases was performed and presented in a Portuguese Society of Rheumatology meeting to a subgroup of rheumatologists and rheumatology trainees with special interest in the subject. The most important topics to be addressed were selected and assigned to subgroups for literature review and draft recommendations. Following an iterative process of consensus, the final recommendations were developed, and their level of agreement voted anonymously online. A recommendation was approved when the average level of agreement was ≥ 7.5 in a 10-point Likert scale. Results: Fourteen recommendations were produced regarding nine rheumatology topics: rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, connective tissue diseases, polymyalgia rheumatica, vasculitis, crystal-deposition diseases, soft tissue rheumatism, osteoarthritis and ultrasound-guided procedures. Conclusion: We developed an up-to-date guidance in the form of recommendations for the use of US in nine different areas of rheumatology. As ultrasound is an important imaging modality with increasing use in the rheumatology setting, and there are frequent technological advances in the ultrasound machines and probes, in parallel with continuous associated research, these recommendations should be regularly updated.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Práticas artísticas no ensino básico e secundário

A matéria-prima de que trata esta revista é base de trabalho para um ensino artístico alargado, estendendo-se fora dos limites da aula, transgredindo os limites formais dos curricula, implicando património e riqueza cultural, sensibilizando para o imaterial, criando públicos apreciadores e também agentes criadores. É toda uma comunidade que se interliga através dos valores imateriais que sempre foram os da arte. A tarefa do educador é muito alargada: exige-se que esteja à altura deste desígnio humanista, que é também um desafio ao destino da humanidade: pela educação artística constroem-se futuros, e sem arte há intolerância, materialismo, indiferença, alienação, morte. Os tempos que se vivem são exigentes. As questões da pós modernidade estão muito acesas, desde as que nos obrigam ao desassossego, como a sustentabilidade e a poluição, como as que nos implicam politicamente, como a justiça, os direitos civis, a desigualdade. Tudo isto é matéria com a qual se amassa um barro que pode ser mais ou menos criativo: trata-se de extrair a matéria-prima com que se pode fazer os blocos que constroem o futuro. Aos profissionais da educação e do ensino, esta consciência, ao mesmo tempo desamparada – os cortes da economia neoliberal transformaram a arte em indústria, e a sua educação em criação de consumidores – e ao mesmo tempo vigilante e interventiva. Os artigos que responderam a esta chamada, respondem, cada um a seu modo, a este desassossego, a este desconforto, a este mal-estar contemporâneo. Dispuseram-se segundo uma sequência que se articula com base em temas afins que se podem descrever sucintamente: Todos os que participaram neste número mostraram a sua matéria-prima, a sua reação à falta que a arte nos faz. A chamada soa, e ressoa, e é necessário que seja por todos ouvida, em todos os países. É simples: as artes estão em perigo. Perigo porque há menos horas, menos professores, menos opções, menos conhecimento. As reduções no horário, a eliminação de disciplinas tão importantes como a história da arte, fazem de cada professor um agente da resistência, um ser mais implicado na sobrevivência da chama da criação. Matéria-prima: matéria para resgatar a verdade humana, a arte, a expressão mais valiosa da sua vaidade. Resgatar o homem que Michel Foucault (1988: 412) vê ameaçado, como um rosto na areia, desenhado à beira-mar.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in P ortugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with 26% of all species being includedin the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associatedwith habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mam-mals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion formarine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems func-tionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is cru-cial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS INPORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublishedgeoreferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mam-mals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira thatincludes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occur-ring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live obser-vations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%),bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent lessthan 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrowsjsoil moundsjtunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animaljhairjskullsjjaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8),observation in shelters, (9) photo trappingjvideo, (10) predators dietjpelletsjpine cones/nuts, (11) scatjtrackjditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalizationjecholocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and100 m (76%). Rodentia (n=31,573) has the highest number of records followedby Chiroptera (n=18,857), Carnivora (n=18,594), Lagomorpha (n=17,496),Cetartiodactyla (n=11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n=7008). The data setincludes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened(e.g.,Oryctolagus cuniculus[n=12,159],Monachus monachus[n=1,512],andLynx pardinus[n=197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate thepublication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contrib-ute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting onthe development of more accurate and tailored conservation managementstrategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite thisdata paper when the data are used in publications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mammals in Portugal: a data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in Portugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with ~26% of all species being included in the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associated with habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mammals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion for marine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems functionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is crucial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublished georeferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mammals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira that includes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occurring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live observations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%), bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent less than 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrows | soil mounds | tunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animal | hair | skulls | jaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8), observation in shelters, (9) photo trapping | video, (10) predators diet | pellets | pine cones/nuts, (11) scat | track | ditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalization | echolocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and 100 m (76%). Rodentia (n =31,573) has the highest number of records followed by Chiroptera (n = 18,857), Carnivora (n = 18,594), Lagomorpha (n = 17,496), Cetartiodactyla (n = 11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n = 7008). The data set includes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened (e.g., Oryctolagus cuniculus [n = 12,159], Monachus monachus [n = 1,512], and Lynx pardinus [n = 197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate the publication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contribute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting on the development of more accurate and tailored conservation management strategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications