Boroxine benzaldehyde complex for pharmaceutical applications probed by electron interactions

The authors acknowledge Professor Pedro M. P. Gois for support and constructive discussions, from the iMed.ULisboa – Institute for Medicines and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa. M.M., A.N., R.R. and F.F.S. acknowledge the Portuguese National Funding Agency FCT‐MCTES through research grant PTDC/FIS‐AQM/31215/2017. L.C. acknowledges financial support from São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), under grant N.2020/04822‐9. This work was also supported by Radiation Biology and Biophysics Doctoral Training Programme (RaBBiT, PD/00193/2012); UID/FIS/00068/2020 (CEFITEC). Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.Rationale: 2,4,6-Tris(4-formylphenyl)boroxine (TFPB) is a substituted boroxine containing a benzaldehyde molecule bonded to each boron atom. Boroxine cages are an emerging class of functional nanostructures used in host–guest chemistry, and benzaldehyde is a potential radiosensitizer. Reactions initiated by low-energy electrons with such complexes may dictate and bring new fundamental knowledge for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. Methods: The electron ionization properties of TFPB are investigated using a gas-phase electron–molecule crossed beam apparatus coupled with a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer in an orthogonal geometry. Ionization and threshold energies are experimentally determined by mass spectra acquisition as a function of the electron energy. Results: The abundance of the molecular precursor cation in the mass spectrum at 70 eV is significantly lower than that of the most abundant fragment C7H5O+. Twenty-nine cationic fragments with relative intensities >2% are detected and identified. The appearance energies of six fragment cations are reported, and the experimental first ionization potential is found at (Formula presented.) eV. Moreover, eight double cations are identified. The present results are supported by quantum chemical calculations based on bound state techniques, electron ionization models and thermodynamic thresholds. Conclusions: According to these results, the TPFB properties may combine the potential radiosensitizer effect of benzaldehyde with the stability of the boroxine ring.publishersversionpublishe

Chitosan microparticles loaded with essential oils inhibit duo-biofilms of Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans

Oral candidiasis is a common fungal infection that affects the oral mucosa, and happens when Candida albicans interacts with bacteria in the oral microbiota, such as Streptococcus mutans, causing severe early childhood caries. C. albicans and S. mutans mixed biofilms are challenging to treat with conventional antimicrobial therapies, thus, new anti-infective drugs are required. Objective: This study aimed to test a drug delivery system based on chitosan microparticles loaded with geranium and lemongrass essential oils to inhibit C. albicans and S. mutans mixed biofilms. Methodology: Chitosan microparticles loaded with essential oils (CM-EOs) were obtained by spray-drying. Susceptibility of planktonic were performed according CLSI at 4 to 2,048 µg/mL. Mixed biofilms were incubated at 37ºC for 48 h and exposed to CM-EOs at 256 to 4,096 µg/mL. The antimicrobial effect was evaluated using the MTT assay, with biofilm architectural changes analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. RAW 264.7 cell was used to evaluate compound cytotoxicity. Results: CM-EOs had better planktonic activity against C. albicans than S. mutans. All samples reduced the metabolic activity of mixed C. albicans and S. mutans biofilms, with encapsulated oils showing better activity than raw chitosan or oils. The microparticles reduced the biofilm on the slides. The essential oils showed cytotoxic effects against RAW 264.7 cells, but encapsulation into chitosan microparticles decreased their toxicity. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that chitosan loaded with essential oils may provide an alternative method for treating diseases caused by C. albicans and S. mutans mixed biofilm, such as dental caries

Social distancing, mask use, and transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Brazil, April–June 2020

We assessed the associations of social distancing and mask use with symptomatic, laboratory-confi rmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in Porto Alegre, Brazil. We conducted a population-based casecontrol study during April–June 2020. Municipal authorities furnished case-patients, and controls were taken from representative household surveys. In adjusted logistic regression analyses of 271 case-patients and 1,396 controls, those reporting moderate to greatest adherence to social distancing had 59% (odds ratio [OR] 0.41, 95% CI 0.24– 0.70) to 75% (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.15–0.42) lower odds of infection. Lesser out-of-household exposure (vs. going out every day all day) reduced odds from 52% (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.29–0.77) to 75% (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.18–0.36). Mask use reduced odds of infection by 87% (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.04–0.36). In conclusion, social distancing and mask use while outside the house provided major protection against symptomatic infection

Recombinant Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite surface protein allelic variants: antibody recognition by individuals from three communities in the Brazilian Amazon

Circumsporozoite protein (CSP) variants of P. vivax, besides having variations in the protein repetitive portion, can differ from each other in aspects such as geographical distribution, intensity of transmission, vectorial competence and immune response. Such aspects must be considered to P. vivax vaccine development. Therefore, we evaluated the immunogenicity of novel recombinant proteins corresponding to each of the three P. vivax allelic variants (VK210, VK247 and P. vivax-like) and of the C-terminal region (shared by all PvCSP variants) in naturally malaria-exposed populations of Brazilian Amazon. Our results demonstrated that PvCSP-VK210 was the major target of humoral immune response in studied population, presenting higher frequency and magnitude of IgG response. The IgG subclass profile showed a prevalence of cytophilic antibodies (IgG1 and IgG3), that seem to have an essential role in protective immune response. Differently of PvCSP allelic variants, antibodies elicited against C-terminal region of protein did not correlate with epidemiological parameters, bringing additional evidence that humoral response against this protein region is not essential to protective immunity. Taken together, these findings increase the knowledge on serological response to distinct PvCSP allelic variants and may contribute to the development of a global and effective P. vivax vaccine

Avaliação do conhecimento de cirurgiões-dentistas sobre emergências médicas: uma revisão da literatura / Evaluation of dentists' knowledge about medical emergencies: a literature review

Objetivo: O objetivo dessa revisão foi buscar evidências científicas sobre o conhecimento de cirurgiões-dentistas sobre emergências médicas. Trata-se de uma revisão da literatura, constituída de 20 artigos originais Métodos: A busca dos estudos realizada nas bases de dados PubMed, Medline e Scielo utilizando os seguintes descritores, de forma isolada ou combinada: emergências médicas, cirurgiões-dentistas e emergências em odontologia. Os estudos foram analisados quanto ao periódico e ano de publicação e resultados encontrados. Os critérios de inclusão foram: pesquisas desenvolvidas somente com cirurgiões-dentistas atuantes em ambulatório, publicadas nos últimos 10 anos, em língua portuguesa ou inglesa e que apresentassem alinhamento com o objetivo dessa revisão. Foram excluídos artigos com disponibilidade apenas do resumo, que não abordavam o cirurgião-dentista em exercício pleno da profissão, além dos que possuíam graduandos na amostra. Resultados: Dentre as pesquisas avaliadas, 16 observaram predominância de insegurança do cirurgião-dentista perante uma emergência médica, além disso, a maioria destes, afirmaram não se sentirem preparados e seguros para atuar nessas situações. Conclusão: A literatura demonstra existir necessidade de melhorias na formação de cirurgiões-dentistas para que possam atuar com mais segurança e eficiência em situações de emergência

Immunogenicity of PvCyRPA, PvCelTOS and Pvs25 chimeric recombinant protein of Plasmodium vivax in murine model

In the Americas, P. vivax is the predominant causative species of malaria, a debilitating and economically significant disease. Due to the complexity of the malaria parasite life cycle, a vaccine formulation with multiple antigens expressed in various parasite stages may represent an effective approach. Based on this, we previously designed and constructed a chimeric recombinant protein, PvRMC-1, composed by PvCyRPA, PvCelTOS, and Pvs25 epitopes. This chimeric protein was strongly recognized by naturally acquired antibodies from exposed population in the Brazilian Amazon. However, there was no investigation about the induced immune response of PvRMC-1. Therefore, in this work, we evaluated the immunogenicity of this chimeric antigen formulated in three distinct adjuvants: Stimune, AddaVax or Aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) in BALB/c mice. Our results suggested that the chimeric protein PvRMC-1 were capable to generate humoral and cellular responses across all three formulations. Antibodies recognized full-length PvRMC-1 and linear B-cell epitopes from PvCyRPA, PvCelTOS, and Pvs25 individually. Moreover, mice’s splenocytes were activated, producing IFN-γ in response to PvCelTOS and PvCyRPA peptide epitopes, affirming T-cell epitopes in the antigen. While aluminum hydroxide showed notable cellular response, Stimune and Addavax induced a more comprehensive immune response, encompassing both cellular and humoral components. Thus, our findings indicate that PvRMC-1 would be a promising multistage vaccine candidate that could advance to further preclinical studies

Reuse of treated domestic sewage for biquinho pepper cultivation

This study aimed to evaluate the reuse of treated domestic sewage in biquinho pepper (Capsicum chinense L.) cultivation under different irrigation regimes. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in a randomised block design with a 3 x 4 factorial scheme, with four replications. Forty-eight pepper plants were subjected to three treated domestic sewage concentrations (0, 50, and 100%) and four irrigation depths (75, 100, 125, and 150% of the crop evapotranspiration - ETc). Data for ETc estimation were obtained from an automatic meteorological station, which was installed in the greenhouse. The results showed that irrigation depths corresponding to 125 and 150% of the ETc at a concentration of 100% treated domestic sewage resulted in higher plants. Moreover, longer fruits were obtained when plants were subjected to 100% ETc at 100% treated domestic sewage. The studied irrigation depths influenced pepper fruit total weight and yield. No treated domestic sewage concentrations significantly influenced the variables analysed. Treated domestic sewage reuse can constitute an alternative for quality water saving and for chemical fertilisation of biquinho pepper crop. Highlights: The growing of beak pepper with domestic sewage treated can bring benefits in terms of providing nutrients to the crops; Adequate levels of water replacement with domestic sewage treated may promote good crop development. The use of treated domestic sewage can be an alternative to reduce the use of better quality water and chemical fertilization in the growing of beak pepper. Reduction of environmental impact may be possible with the replacement of chemical fertilizer by domestic sewage treated in the growing of beak pepper.This study aimed to evaluate the reuse of treated domestic sewage in biquinho pepper (Capsicum chinense L.) cultivation under different irrigation regimes. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in a randomised block design with a 3 x 4 factorial scheme, with four replications. Forty-eight pepper plants were subjected to three treated domestic sewage concentrations (0, 50, and 100%) and four irrigation depths (75, 100, 125, and 150% of the crop evapotranspiration - ETc). Data for ETc estimation were obtained from an automatic meteorological station, which was installed in the greenhouse. The results showed that irrigation depths corresponding to 125 and 150% of the ETc at a concentration of 100% treated domestic sewage resulted in higher plants. Moreover, longer fruits were obtained when plants were subjected to 100% ETc at 100% treated domestic sewage. The studied irrigation depths influenced pepper fruit total weight and yield. No treated domestic sewage concentrations significantly influenced the variables analysed. Treated domestic sewage reuse can constitute an alternative for quality water saving and for chemical fertilisation of biquinho pepper crop. Highlights: The growing of beak pepper with domestic sewage treated can bring benefits in terms of providing nutrients to the crops; Adequate levels of water replacement with domestic sewage treated may promote good crop development. The use of treated domestic sewage can be an alternative to reduce the use of better quality water and chemical fertilization in the growing of beak pepper. Reduction of environmental impact may be possible with the replacement of chemical fertilizer by domestic sewage treated in the growing of beak pepper

Evidence for 3XMM J185246.6+003317 as a massive magnetar with a low magnetic field

3XMM J185246.6+003317 is a transient magnetar located in the vicinity of the supernova remnant Kes\,79. So far, observations have only set upper limits to its surface magnetic field and spindown, and there is no estimate for its mass and radius. Using ray-tracing modelling and Bayesian inference for the analysis of several light curves spanning a period of around three weeks, we have found that it may be one of the most massive neutron stars to date. In addition, our analysis suggests a multipolar magnetic field structure with a subcritical field strength and a carbon atmosphere composition. Due to the time-resolution limitation of the available light curves, we estimate the surface magnetic field and the mass to be $\log_{10} (B/{\rm G}) = 11.89^{+0.19}_{-0.93}$ and $M=2.09^{+0.16}_{-0.09}$~$M_{\odot}$ at $1\sigma$ confidence level, while the radius is estimated to be $R=12.02^{+1.44}_{-1.42}$ km at $2\sigma$ confidence level. They were verified by simulations, i.e., data injections with known model parameters, and their subsequent recovery. The best-fitting model has three small hot spots, two of them in the southern hemisphere. These are, however, just first estimates and conclusions, based on a simple ray-tracing model with anisotropic emission; we also estimate the impact of modelling on the parameter uncertainties and the relevant phenomena on which to focus in more precise analyses. We interpret the above best-fitting results as due to accretion of supernova layers/interstellar medium onto 3XMM J185246.6+003317 leading to burying and a subsequent re-emergence of the magnetic field, and a carbon atmosphere being formed possibly due to hydrogen/helium diffusive nuclear burning. Finally, we briefly discuss some consequences of our findings for superdense matter constraints.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables. Accepted for publication in Journal of High Energy Astrophysics (JHEAP

VITILIGO: UMA ANÁLISE MULTIDISCIPLINAR SOBRE AS CAUSAS E O TRATAMENTO DESSA DOENÇA AUTOIMUNE

Vitiligo is an acquired disease of unknown cause, in which there is selective destruction of melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) and is characterized by depigmented patches that can vary in number, size, shape and location. Vitiligo is a multifactorial disease that has genetic, autoimmune and environmental hypotheses regarding its etiopathogenesis, with the autoimmune hypothesis being the most accepted (Furtado, Oliveira & Muller, 2017). The site of onset of depigmented lesions and their distribution tend to reach more frequently the region of the head, limbs and trunk, respectively, and the least affected are the mucous membranes. The average age of disease onset is around the second to third decade of life (Nunes & Esser, 2011). Vitiligo is divided into two groups, which are non-segmental and segmental. The non-segmental type comprises focal, mucosal, acrofacial, common and universal forms. The segmental group has only the segmental clinical type, which generally affects only one hemibody and has a slower response to non-surgical treatment than the non-segmental type. Regarding the diagnosis of the disease, it should be noted that the patient's history and physical examinations form the basis of the investigation. A method that helps in the diagnosis is the cutaneous biopsy that reveals the absence of melanocytes in the affected areas, another fundamental exam is the exam carried out with a Wood lamp in patients with white skin, for a better detection of the affected areas (LOPES, 2006). The treatment of vitiligo is to prevent the disease from progressing, in addition to stimulating pigmentation. Topical corticosteroids in monotherapy constitute the first line in the treatment of localized unstable vitiligo, with recent lesions and lesions on the face showing the best response. Furthermore, calcineurin inhibitors proved to be effective and safe in the treatment of vitiligo in both children and adults, in addition to phototherapy and Excimer laser, which showed good results in the treatment of vitiligo.O vitiligo é uma doença de causa desconhecida adquirida, na qual ocorre a destruição seletiva das células produtoras de melanina (melanócitos) e é caracterizado por manchas despigmentadas que podem variar de número, tamanho, formas e local. O vitiligo é uma doença multifatorial que possui hipóteses genéticas, autoimunes e ambientais quanto a sua etiopatogenia, sendo a hipótese autoimune a mais aceita (Furtado, Oliveira & Muller, 2017). O local de início das lesões despigmentadas e a sua distribuição costuma-se atingir com mais frequência a região da cabeça, membros e tronco, respectivamente e os menos afetados são as membranas mucosas. A média de idade de início da doença é em torno da segunda até a terceira década de vida (Nunes & Esser, 2011). O vitiligo se divide em dois grupos, que são eles o não segmentar e o segmentar. O tipo não segmentar compreende as formas focal, mucosal, acrofacial, comum e universal. Já o grupo segmentar tem apenas o tipo clínico segmentar, que afeta geralmente apenas um hemicorpo e tem uma resposta mais lenta ao tratamento não cirúrgico do que o tipo não segmentar. Sobre o diagnostico da doença, cabe ressaltar que o histórico do paciente e exames físicos constituem a base da investigação. Um método que auxilia no diagnostico é a biopsia cutânea que revela a ausência de melanócitos nas zonas afetadas, outro exame fundamental é o exame feito com lâmpada de Wood nos pacientes com pele branca, para a melhor detecção das áreas acometidas (LOPES, 2006). O tratamento do vitiligo é fazer com que a doença não progrida, além de estimular a pigmentação.  Os corticoides tópicos em monoterapia constituem a primeira linha no tratamento do vitiligo instável localizado, sendo as lesões recentes e as lesões da face as que apresentam melhor resposta. Além disso, os inibidores de calcineurina mostraram‐se eficazes e seguros no tratamento do vitiligo tanto em crianças quanto em adultos, além da fototerapia e do Excimer laser que apresentaram bons resultados no tratamento do vitiligo

INSUFICIÊNCIA NUTRICIONAL A LONGO PRAZO APÓS PROCEDIMENTO CIRÚRGICO BARIÁTRICO: REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA

  Bariatric intervention is recognized as the most effective tool for controlling and managing severe obesity. However, individuals undergoing this procedure face an increased risk of manifesting nutritional deficiencies due to the restriction in the absorption and consumption of various nutritional elements. This study aimed to elucidate the factors involved in long-term nutritional deficiencies following bariatric surgery. A meticulous analysis of articles on the subject over the last ten years was carried out using search platforms such as BVS, LILACS, PubMED and others, as well as books and websites on the subject with the Descriptors Surgical intervention, Overweight, morbid obesity, nutritional deficiency and postoperative phase; all with studies that identified some type of deficiency, with special emphasis on iron, zinc and B vitamins deficiencies. It is recommended that individuals undergoing gastroplasty incorporate multivitamin and mineral supplementation as a preventative measure in their therapeutic plan.A intervenção bariátrica é reconhecida como a ferramenta mais efetiva no controle e manejo da obesidade grave. No entanto, os indivíduos submetidos a esse procedimento enfrentam um risco aumentado de manifestar carências nutricionais devido à restrição na absorção e consumo de diversos elementos nutritivos. Este estudo objetivou elucidar os fatores implicados nas deficiências nutricionais em longo prazo após cirurgia bariátrica. Realizou-se uma análise meticulosa de artigos pertinentes ao tema nos últimos dez anos através de plataformas de busca com BVS, LILACS, PubMED entre outras, além de livros e sites sobre o tema com os Descritores Intervenção cirúrgica, Excesso de peso, obesidade mórbida, deficiência nutricional e fase pós-operatória; todos com estudos que identificaram algum tipo de deficiência, com ênfase especial em carências de ferro, zinco e vitaminas do complexo B. É recomendado que os indivíduos que passam pela gastroplastia incorporem a suplementação de polivitamínicos e minerais como medida preventiva no plano terapêutico