Detection and Quantification of Leptospira interrogans in Hamster and Rat Kidney Samples: Immunofluorescent Imprints versus Real-time PCR

A major limitation in the clinical management and experimental research of leptospirosis is the poor performance of the available methods for the direct detection of leptospires. In this study, we compared real-time PCR (qPCR), targeting the lipL32 gene, with the immunofluorescent imprint method (IM) for the detection and quantification of leptospires in kidney samples from the rat and hamster experimental models of leptospirosis. Using a virulent strain of Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni, a chronic infection was established in the rat model, which were euthanized 28 days post-infection, while the hamster model simulated an acute infection and the hamsters were euthanized eight days after inoculation. Leptospires in the kidney samples were detected using culture isolation, qPCR and the IM, and quantified using qPCR and the IM. In both the acute and chronic infection models, the correlation between quantification by qPCR and the IM was found to be positive and statistically significant (P<0.05). Therefore, this study demonstrates that the IM is a viable alternative for not only the detection but also the quantification of leptospires, particularly when the use of qPCR is not feasible

Structural, vibrational and electrochemical analysis and antibacterial potential of isomeric chalcones derived from natural acetophenone

Background: Chalcones are part of a family of small phenolic compounds that are being extensively studied for presenting a diversity of molecular structures and biological activities. In this paper, two chalcones, (E)-1-(2-hydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-3-(3-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (1), (E)-1-(2-hydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (2), were synthesized by Claisen-Schmidt condensation. Methods: The molecular structures of these chalcones were determined by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and characterized by infrared, Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical analysis at room temperature. Vibrational wavenumbers were predicted using Functional Density Theory (DFT) calculations, and their normal modes were analyzed in terms of potential energy distribution (PED). Besides this, DFT calculations were performed to obtain the molecular orbitals and their quantum descriptors. The UV-Vis absorption spectrumof the synthesized chalcones was measured and compared with each other. In addition, analyses of antimicrobial activity and modulation of antibiotic resistance were carried out to assess the antibacterial potential of these chalcones. Results: The vibrational spectra of polycrystalline chalcones obtained by ATR-FTIR, FT-Raman and DFT calculations allowed a complete assignment of the vibrational modes, and revealed the quantum chemical parameters. Both chalcones did not show good responses when associated with the antibiotics Ciprofloxacin and Cephalexin against S. aureus 10 and E. coli 06 strains. However, a significant potentiating of the Gentamicin activity against S. aureus 10 and E. col 06 strains was observed for chalcone 2. On the other hand, when associated with Norfloxacin, an antagonistic effect was observed. The results found for EtBr suggest that, although the tested chalcones behave as eux pump inhibitors, probably inhibiting other eux pumps, they were not able to inhibit NorA. Thus, these synthetic chalcones are not recommended for use in association with Norfloxacin against strains of S. aureus 1199-B that overexpress the NorA gene. Conclusions: Spectroscopic data confirmed the structure of the chalcones, and chalcone 2 showed potential as an adjuvant in antibiotic therapy.This research was funded by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico-CNPq, Grant number nº: 305719/2018-1

Evaluation of risk factors in superobese patients submitted to conventional Fobi-Capella surgery Avaliação dos fatores de risco em pacientes superobesos submetidos a cirurgia de Fobi-Capella convencional

BACKGROUND: Obesity is one of the world’s greatest health problems. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the gold standard treatment for severe obesity. Surgery in obese patients has an acceptable level of morbidity and mortality. The superobese patient, a subcategory of severe obese patients with a high surgical risk has not yet been analyzed as a group. METHODS: A retrospective and prospective cohort study was conducted enrolling 135 patients submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for treatment of severe obesity at the " Hospital das Clínicas" , Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil, between November 1997 and September 2003. The independent variables were possible risk factors of adverse outcomes: age, gender, weight, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, sleep apnea, cardiopathy/coronariopathy, pneumopathy or any other co-morbidity. The dependent variables were major complications, minor complications and death. RESULTS: Diabetes (RR = 1.6 and CI = 1.02-2.40) and sleep apnea (RR = 1.8 and CI = 1.18-2.64) were associated to minor complications. Cardiopathy/coronariopathy were associated with major complications (RR = 5.42 and CI = 1.22-2.40) and death (RR = 16.25 and CI = 3.00-87.95). BMI >55 kg/m² was associated with minor complications (RR = 1.58 and CI = 1.04-2.40), major complications (RR = 3.17 and CI = 1.03-9.80) and death (P = 0.007). After logistic regression, the body mass index >55 kg/m² remained as a strong risk factor of death (OR = 3.6 and CI = 1.05-12.32). CONCLUSIONS: The body mass index >55 kg/m² was the main risk factor for severe complications and death. Other risk factors affecting the outcome were diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea and cardiopathy/coronariopathy.<br>RACIONAL: A obesidade é um dos grandes problemas de saúde mundial. A gastroplastia em Y-de-Roux é o padrão-ouro para o tratamento do obeso severo. Cirurgia em pacientes obesos tem aceitáveis índices de morbidade e mortalidade. O paciente superobeso, subgrupo de obesos graves, apresenta risco cirúrgico elevado, ainda não avaliado. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo e prospectivo envolvendo 135 pacientes superobesos submetidos a gastroplastia em Y-de-Roux para tratamento de obesidade severa no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, no período de novembro de 1997 até setembro de 2003. As variáveis independentes foram possíveis fatores de risco: idade, sexo, peso, índice de massa corpórea, diabetes, hipertensão, hipercolesterolemia, apnéia do sono, cardiopatia/coronariopatia, pneumopatia ou qualquer outra co-morbidade. As variáveis dependentes foram as complicações graves, complicações leves e óbito. RESULTADOS: Diabetes (RR = 1.6 and CI = 1.02-2.40) e apnéia do sono (RR = 1.8 and CI = 1.18-2.64) foram associados a complicações leves. Cardiopatia/coronariopatia foram associadas a complicações graves (RR = 5.42 and CI = 1.22-2.40) e óbito (RR = 16.25 and CI = 3.00-87.95). Índice de massa corporal >55 kg/m² foi associado a complicações leves (RR = 1.58 and CI = 1.04-2.40), complicações graves (RR = 3.17 and CI = 1.03-9.80) e óbito. Após regressão logística, o índice de massa corporal >55 kg/m² permaneceu como forte fator de risco para óbito (OR = 3.6 and CI = 1.05-12.32). CONCLUSÃO: O índice de massa corporal >55 kg/m² foi o principal fator de risco para complicações severas e óbito. Outros fatores de risco que afetaram os resultados foram: diabetes, apnéia do sono e cardiopatia/coronariopatia

Ajuste social em pacientes com transtorno afetivo bipolar, unipolar, distimia e depressão dupla Social disability in patients with bipolar and unipolar affective disorders, dysthymia and double depression

OBJETIVOS: Dados internacionais mostram que os transtornos afetivos têm uma prevalência de, aproximadamente, 11,3% da população. Além disso, são uma das doenças que mais geram perdas sociais e nos relacionamentos familiares. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o ajuste social e familiar de pacientes com transtornos afetivos (bipolar, unipolar, distimia e com depressão dupla), comparando o resultado entre as categorias diagnósticas, além de verificar quais variáveis estão associadas e conduzem ao pior ajuste. MÉTODOS: Foram feitos a caracterização socioeconômica e demográfica e um levantamento dos dados de evolução e de história da doença por meio de um questionário elaborado para essa finalidade. Para a avaliação de ajuste social, utilizou-se a Escala de Avaliação da Incapacitação Psiquiátrica (DAS/OMS, 1998). O relacionamento familiar foi avaliado pelo Global Assessment of Relational Functioning Scale (GARF/APA, 1994). Foram estudados 100 pacientes em tratamento, por pelo menos seis meses, no Ambulatório de Psiquiatria da Faculdade de Medicina Unesp, Botucatu, SP. RESULTADOS/CONCLUSÕES: Com predomínio de mulheres, a maioria dos pacientes tinha no mínimo dois anos de seguimento, idade acima de 50 anos, baixa escolaridade e nível socioeconômico baixo. Não houve diferença estatística significativa quanto aos dados socioeconômicos e demográficos. Na análise de regressão logística, o diagnóstico e o relacionamento familiar tiveram papel significativo no resultado de ajustamento social. Os pacientes unipolares e os distímicos tiveram melhores resultados no ajustamento social e no relacionamento familiar do que os bipolares e aqueles com depressão dupla.<br>OBJECTIVES: International data show that affective disorders have a prevalence of 11.3% in the general population. Besides that, they are responsible for social dysfunctioning and family relationship distress. The aim of this study was to assess social and family disability in affective disorder patients (bipolar and unipolar disorders, dysthymia, and double depression); and then compare the results among diagnostic groups to identify variables associated with an increased level of disability. METHODS: Socioeconomic and demographic data as well as evolution, outcome and disease history data were collected using a specific questionnaire. To assess social disability, the Disability Assessment Scale (DAS-WHO, 1988) was used. Family relationship distress was assessed through the Global Assessment of Relational Functioning Scale (GARF-APA, 1994). A hundred patients who were under treatment for at least 6 months at the university outpatient clinic were studied. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients were females, 50 years old or more, had at least 2 years of follow-up, and low educational and socioeconomic level. There was no statistical significant differences among demographic and socioeconomic levels and different diagnostic categories. Logistic regression analysis showed an important impact in social functioning due to the diagnosis and family relationship. Unipolar and dysthymic patients had better outcome in social and family functioning than bipolar and double depression ones