Distribution of Legionella Species and Serogroups Isolated by Culture in Patients with Sporadic Community-Acquired Legionellosis: An International Collaborative Survey

This international collaborative survey identified culture-confirmed legionellosis in 508 patients with sporadic community-acquired legionellosis. Legionella pneumophila constituted 91.5% of the isolates. Serogroup 1 was the predominant serogroup (84.2%), and serogroups 2-13 (7.4%) accounted for the remaining serogroups. The Legionella species most commonly isolated were L. longbeachae (3.9%) and L. bozemanii (2.4%), followed by L. micdadei, L. dumoffii, L. feeleii, L. wadsworthii and L. anisa (2.2% combined). L. longbeachae constituted 30.4% of the community-acquired Legionella isolates in Australia and New Zealan

Metabolic frailty in malnourished heart failure patients

Muscular wasting (MW) and cardiac cachexia (CC) are often present in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). Aim: To identify whether MW and CC are due to malnutrition or impairment of protein metabolism in HF patients. Material and Method: In 78 clinically stable HF patients (NYHA class II-III), aged from 32 to 89 years, we measured anthropometrical parameters and nutritional habits. In the identified 35 malnourished patients, we also measured: insulin resistance, gluconeogenetic amino acids blood concentration and nitrogen balance. Results: Seventy-five patients had eating-related symptoms. However we found significant nutritional impairment in 35 patients only. In addition, these 35 patients had: 1) significant increase of blood Alanine independently from both presence of insulin resistance or food intake reduction and 2) positive nitrogen balance. Conclusion: Food intake is not impaired in CHF patients. In spite of normal food intake, 35 of 78 patients had nutritional impairment with reduced anthropometric parameters and increased blood Alanine. These findings show alteration of proteins metabolism with proteolysis. We believe that specific physical training with nutritional supplement can be an additional therapy able to prevent protein disarrangement in CHF patients

Capsicum baccatum red pepper prevents cardiometabolic risk in rats fed with an ultra-processed diet

Metabolic syndrome is a serious health condition reaching epidemic proportions worldwide and is closely linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. The lack of appropriate treatment paves the way for developing new therapeutic agents as a high priority in the current research. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of Capsicum baccatum red pepper on metabolic syndrome scenarios induced by an ultra-processed diet in rats. After four months, the ultra-processed diet increased central obesity, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol plasma levels, and impaired glucose tolerance. The oral administration of C. baccatum concomitantly with the ultra-processed diet avoided the accumulation of adipose tissue in the visceral region, reduced the total cholesterol and LDL fraction, and improved glucose homeostasis, factors commonly associated with metabolic syndrome. The data presented herein reveal an important preventive action of C. baccatum in developing metabolic disorders among animals fed a hypercaloric diet, significantly reducing their cardiometabolic risk. Allied with the absence of toxic effects after chronic use, our study suggests C. baccatum red pepper as a secure and enriched source of bioactive compounds promising to protect against pathological processes associated with metabolic syndrome

Possibilidade de inserção do cuidado cultural congruente nas práticas de humanização na atenção à saúde

This essay aims to reflect upon the coherency of insertion of cultural care within basic nursing practice, following the Health Ministry Humanization Policy. Therefore, looks for an insertion of Culture and Humanization in Health Care practice in force. It considers the possibility of development of culture coherency, being necessary the professional responsibility and compromise. A viewpoint that would promote one’s integrity and autonomy. Key words: Community Health Nursing; Humanization of Assistance; Culture. Este ensayo tiene como objetivo reflexionar sobre la inserción del cuidado cultural congruente, dentro de las prácticas de enfermería en la atención básica, teniendo en consideración la Política de Humanización pregonada por el Ministerio de Salud. En este sentido se busca contextualizar la Cultura, la Humanización y las prácticas de salud vigentes. Se considera posible desarrollar abordajes culturalmente congruentes siendo necesarios una responsabilización y un comprometimiento de los profesionales, una abertura en el mirar (contemplar) que promueva la integralidad y la autonomía de los sujetos. Palabras clave: Enfermería en Salud Comunitaria; Humanización de la Atención; Cultura.Este ensaio tem como objetivo refletir sobre a inserção do cuidado cultural congruente, dentro das práticas de enfermagem na atenção básica, tendo em vista a Política de Humanização preconizada pelo Ministério da Saúde. Neste sentido, busca-se contextualizar a Cultura, a Humanização e as práticas em saúde vigentes. Considera-se possível desenvolver abordagens culturalmente congruentes, sendo necessários uma responsabilização e comprometimento dos profissionais, uma abertura de olhar que promova a integralidade e a autonomia dos sujeitos

Possibilidade de inserção do cuidado cultural congruente nas práticas de humanização na atenção à saúde

Este ensaio tem como objetivo refletir sobre a inserção do cuidado cultural congruente, dentro das práticas de enfermagem na atenção básica, tendo em vista a Política de Humanização preconizada pelo Ministério da Saúde. Neste sentido, busca-se contextualizar a Cultura, a Humanização e as práticas em saúde vigentes. Considera-se possível desenvolver abordagens culturalmente congruentes, sendo necessários uma responsabilização e comprometimento dos profissionais, uma abertura de olhar que promova a integralidade e a autonomia dos sujeitos. Palavras chave: Enfermagem em Saúde Comunitária; Humanização da Assistência; Cultura

A Proteína S100B e o exercício físico

Protein S100B has been used as a peripheral biochemical marker of brain injury and/or activity. However, recent studies have demonstrated that this protein is also increased in serum after physical exercise, although the interpretation of this finding remains controversial. Although predominantly released by astrocytes in the central nervous system, extracerebral sources of protein S100B have been suggested to contribute to the increase in serum levels of this protein. However, in the case of exercises that have an impact on the brain such as boxing, elevated levels are clearly associated with brain damage. More recently, some studies have proposed that protein S100B might be released by activated adipocytes and by damaged muscle cells. If confirmed experimentally, protein S100B might be potentially useful in sports training. We are currently investigating the potential role of serum protein S100B as an indicator of muscle damage. Therefore, the objective of this review was to discuss the current knowledge about the relationship between physical exercise and serum protein S100B and its possible leakage from muscle cells injured by exercise.A proteína S100B cerebral tem sido utilizada como um marcador periférico de injúrias do sistema nervoso central (SNC). Entretanto, estudos recentes demonstraram que a S100B também aumenta após o exercício físico, embora o significado desse aumento ainda não esteja bem claro. Apesar de ser liberada, principalmente, por astrócitos, no sistema nervoso central, fontes de produção extracerebral de S100B durante o exercício podem estar implicadas no aumento sérico desta proteína. No entanto, exercícios que implicam impacto ao cérebro como o boxe, por exemplo, o aumento é claramente associado à lesão cerebral. Assim, trabalhos propõem que o aumento da S100B após o exercício estaria relacionado à secreção ativa por adipócitos e músculos lesados. Uma vez que a liberação da S100B pelo músculo lesado seja confirmada experimentalmente, o uso desta proteína poderia ser aprofundado, principalmente, no treinamento esportivo. Atualmente, estamos desenvolvendo protocolos na direção de avaliar o potencial valor da S100B como indicador de lesão do músculo esquelético. Portanto, o objetivo da presente revisão é apresentar o atual estado de conhecimento sobre a relação entre a proteína S100B e o exercício físico, discutindo os possíveis mecanismos envolvidos e propondo novas abordagens

Elevated glutamate and lactate predict brain death after severe head trauma

Objective: Clinical neurological assessment is challenging for severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients in the acute setting. Waves of neurochemical abnormalities that follow TBI may serve as fluid biomarkers of neurological status. We assessed the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of glutamate, lactate, BDNF, and GDNF, to identify potential prognostic biomarkers of neurological outcome. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a total of 20 consecutive patients (mean [SD] age, 29 [13] years; M/F, 9:1) with severe TBI Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 and abnormal computed tomography scan on admission. Patients were submitted to ventricular drainage and had CSF collected between 2 and 4 h after hospital admission. Patients were then stratified according to two clinical outcomes: deterioration to brain death (nonsurvival, n = 6) or survival (survival, n = 14), within 3 days after hospital admission. CSF levels of brain-derived substances were compared between nonsurvival and survival groups. Clinical and neurological parameters were also assessed. Results: Glutamate and lactate are significantly increased in nonsurvival relative to survival patients. We tested the accuracy of both biomarkers to discriminate patient outcome. Setting a cutoff of >57.75, glutamate provides 80.0% of sensitivity and 84.62% of specificity (AUC: 0.8214, 95% CL: 54.55–98.08%; and a cutoff of >4.65, lactate has 100% of sensitivity and 85.71% of specificity (AUC: 0.8810, 95% CL: 54.55–98.08%). BDNF and GDNF did not discriminate poor outcome. Interpretation: This early study suggests that glutamate and lactate concentrations at hospital admission accurately predict death within 3 days after severe TBI

Efeitos de dietas hiperlipídicas sobre a oxidação da glicose em tecido adiposo : participação da adenosina

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Efeitos do hipotireoidismo e hipertireoidismo durante a lactação sobre a atividade da enzima ALA-D em sangue e fígado de ratos wistar

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