Rutin-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes: molecular docking, physicochemistry and cytotoxicity in fibroblasts

Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) have been functionalized with rutin through three steps (i. reaction step; ii. purification step; iii. drying step) and their physicochemical properties investigated with respect to morphological structure, thermal analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and cytotoxicity. The molecular docking suggested the rutin-functionalized MWCNT occurred by hydrogen bonds, which was confirmed by FTIR assays, corroborating the results obtained by thermal analyses. A tubular shape, arranged in a three-dimensional structure, could be observed. Mild cytotoxicity observed in 3T3 fibroblasts suggested a doseeffect relationship after exposure. These findings suggest the formation of aggregates of filamentous structures on the cells favoring the cell penetration.The authors acknowledge Classius Ferreira da Silva, from the Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, for the scanning electron microscopy analyses.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Microbiota of Vibrio sp. in the hepatopancreas of cultured white pacific shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

ABSTRACT Objective. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of vibrios in the hepatopancreas of cultured shrimp. Materials and methods. Vibrios from the hepatopancreas of fifteen samples of five specimens each, of apparently healthy Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) were isolated, identified and quantified. Results. The vibrio density ranged from 430 to 2,400 MPN g-1 (rs MPN cm-1=-0.114; rs MPN g-1 = 0.211). Thirty isolations were obtained, most of which belonged to the species V. cholerae (n=11) and V. parahaemolyticus (n=7). Conclusions. The outcomes of the present study suggest that, even in the absence of symptoms of vibriosis, the microbiota of the hepatopancreas of cultured shrimp may include sucrose positive and negative vibrios

Diagnosis methods for COVID-19: A systematic review

At the end of 2019, the coronavirus appeared and spread extremely rapidly, causing millions of infections and deaths worldwide, and becoming a global pandemic. For this reason, it became urgent and essential to find adequate tests for an accurate and fast diagnosis of this disease. In the present study, a systematic review was performed in order to provide an overview of the COVID-19 diagnosis methods and tests already available, as well as their evolution in recent months. For this purpose, the Science Direct, PubMed, and Scopus databases were used to collect the data and three authors independently screened the references, extracted the main information, and assessed the quality of the included studies. After the analysis of the collected data, 34 studies reporting new methods to diagnose COVID-19 were selected. Although RT-PCR is the gold-standard method for COVID-19 diagnosis, it cannot fulfill all the requirements of this pandemic, being limited by the need for highly specialized equipment and personnel to perform the assays, as well as the long time to get the test results. To fulfill the limitations of this method, other alternatives, including biological and imaging analysis methods, also became commonly reported. The comparison of the different diagnosis tests allowed to understand the importance and potential of combining different techniques, not only to improve diagnosis but also for a further understanding of the virus, the disease, and their implications in humans

Avaliação funcional pré e pós-programa de exercício físico de pacientes em hemodiálise

Model Study: An experimental study Introduction: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) refers to a syndromic diagnosis which leads to a progressive and irreversible loss of renal function. A hemodialysis patient may have limitations in functional capacity, pulmonary function and respiratory musclular strength impacting in quality of life. Objective: To evaluate the effects of an exercise program on pulmonary function, functional capacity, quality of life and pain in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methodology: The study included 28 patients of both genders, women and men aged between 40 and 60 years undergoing dialysis at the Kidney Institute, Santa Casa de Misericordia in Presidente Prudente-SP. Primary outcomes included respiratory muscular strength measurements assessed by manovacuometry. The functional capacity was evaluated by a six minute walking test. A life quality questionnaire was applied to evaluate quality of life (SF36-KDQOL). Lung function was evaluated by spirometry. Pain was assessed by a visual analogue scale. The exercise program consisted of training 3 times a week for 40 minutes on hemodialysis during eight weeks. At the end of the program all patients were reassessed. Results:There was no significant difference in the values of FVC and FEV1 before and after the exercise program as well as the index Tiffenau. The value of post MIP was significantly higher than the value obtained in the pre program. For variable MEP no significant difference was found. Functional capacity evaluations showed that there were no significant differences (p> 0.05). The evaluation of quality of life, about the domains of specific areas of CKD showed statistical significance when comparing the list of symptoms and problems with overloading of renal disease and professional role. Indicators related to pain were significantly reduced after the program (P <0.05). Discussion: A chronic kidney patient faces complex situations of physical, social and financial aspects. Although no statistically significant results were found in all variables, the study corroborates to others found in the literature, which suggests that an exercise program can be positive for this population. Conclusion: Although lung capacity and functional capacity did not submit changes to the end of the study, reduced levels of pain, fatigue and dyspnea suggest improvement in functional performance after exercise programs.Modelo do estudo: Estudo experimental. Introdução: A Doença Renal Crônica (DRC) refere-se a um diagnóstico sindrômico de perda progressiva e irreversível da função renal. O paciente submetido à hemodiálise pode apresentar limitações na capacidade funcional, função pulmonar e força muscular respiratória, com consequentes prejuízos na qualidade de vida. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos de um programa de exercício físico sobre a função pulmonar, capacidade funcional, qualidade de vida e dor, em pacientes que realizam hemodiálise. Metodologia: Participaram do estudo 28 pacientes de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 40 e 60 anos, em programa de hemodiálise no Instituto do Rim da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Presidente Prudente-SP. A força muscular respiratória foi avaliada pela manovacuometria, a capacidade funcional, pelo TC6', a qualidade de vida, pelo questionário KDQOLSF, a função pulmonar, pela espirometria e a dor, pela EVA. Após as avaliações, os pacientes iniciaram o programa de exercícios, que foi desenvolvido três vezes por semana, durante 40 minutos em hemodiálise, por oito semanas. Ao final do programa, os pacientes foram reavaliados. Resultados: Não houve diferença significativa dos valores da CVF e VEF1 pré e pós-programa de exercícios, assim como do Índice de Tiffenau. O valor da PImax pós-programa foi significativamente maior que o obtido na avaliação pré-programa. Para a variável PEmax, não foi encontrada diferença significativa. As avaliações da capacidade funcional inicial e final não apresentaram diferenças significativas (p>0,05). A avaliação da qualidade de vida, quanto aos domínios das áreas específicas da DRC, mostrou que houve significância estatística, ao comparar a lista de sintomas e problemas com a sobrecarga da DRC e papel profissional. Os indicadores relativos à dor foram reduzidos, após o programa (p<0,05). Discussão: O DRC enfrenta situações complexas de dependência física, social e financeira. Apesar de não apresentar resultados estatisticamente significativos em todas as variáveis avaliadas, este estudo, corroborando outros encontrados na literatura, sugere um programa de exercício físico, com aspectos positivos para essa população. Conclusão: Embora a capacidade pulmonar e a capacidade funcional (TC6') não tenham apresentado alterações ao final do experimento, os níveis reduzidos de dor, cansaço e dispneia sugerem melhora do desempenho funcional, após programas de exercício físico para DRC

"Mushroom cloud": a giant left ventricular pseudoaneurysm after a myocardial infarction due to myocardial bridging – a case report

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is an uncommon complication after transmural myocardial infarction, occurring when a free wall rupture is contained by adhesions of the overlying pericardium preventing acute tamponade. In this report, an unusual case of a 61 year-old male with a giant apical left ventricular pseudoaneurysm after an unnoticed myocardial infarction is presented. On coronary angiogram myocardial bridging of the distal left anterior descending artery was judged to be the infarct related lesion. The echocardiographic diagnosis allowed for a timely surgical intervention which resulted in the patient's full recovery