Non-disulfide-Bridge peptide 5.5 from the Scorpion Hadrurus gertschi Inhibits the growth of mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massiliense

Multi-drug resistant microorganisms have been a growing concern during the last decades due to their contribution in mortality rates worldwide. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are broad spectrum antimicrobial agents that display potent microbicidal activity against a wide range of microorganisms. AMPs generally have a rapid mode of action that reduces the risk of resistance developing among pathogens. In this study, an AMP derived from scorpion venom, NDBP-5.5, was evaluated against Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massiliense, a rapidly growing and emerging pathogen associated with healthcare infections. The minimal bactericidal concentration of NDBP-5.5, AMP quantity necessary to stop bacteria visible growth, against M. abscessus subsp. massiliense was 200 μM, a concentration that did not induce hemolysis of human red blood cells. The therapeutic index was 3.05 indicating a drug with low toxicity and therefore good clinical potential. Treatment of infected macrophages with NDBP-5.5 or clarithromycin presented similar results, reducing the bacterial load. M. abscessus subsp. massiliense-infected animals showed a decrease in the bacterial load of up to 70% when treated with NDBP-5.5. These results revealed the effective microbicidal activity of NDBP-5.5 against Mycobacterium, indicating its potential as an antimycobacterial agent

Análise prospectiva com ênfase científica e tecnológica do tucum (Bactris setosa Mart) como possível bioadsorvente

Os bioadsorventes à base de biomassa são de baixo custo e apresentam excelentes resultados para remoção de contaminantes orgânicos. O tucum (Bactris setosa) é uma alternativa promissora para aplicação como bioadsorvente, especialmente, pela larga disponibilidade e baixo custo. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo mapear as produções científicas e tecnológicas relacionadas à B. setosa, avaliando suas potencialidades. Foi realizada uma busca nas principais bases de dados de patentes e periódicos científicos nacionais e internacionais, nos últimos 20 anos. A busca encontrou 74 patentes e 49 artigos. O maior número de patentes depositadas foi em 2019. EUA apareceu como o maior depositante, seguido pela Coréia e China. A área de Agricultura é que mais publica sobre o tema, o Brasil foi o país com mais publicações, seguido pelo Reino Unido. Em 2018 e 2019 houve intensa produção sobre o tema. Os resultados evidenciaram a potencialidade tecnológica e científica da espécie para a indústria farmacêutica

Use of phthalocyanine-derived mouthwash as a protective factor for COVID-19: a community trial

Aim: In a population profile corrected for sociodemographic factors, the aim of this study was to examine sociodemographic the protective effect of a phthalocyanine-derived mouthwash (APD) before infection with SARS-CoV-2, in addition to analyzing the survival of the at-risk population and the confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Methods: For individuals from the Uru municipality, a structured questionnaire consisting of two parts was completed before the distribution of APD. Subsequently, subjects received two bottles containing 600 mL of APD and were instructed to rinse/gargle with 3 mL of the solution o 5 times per day for 1 min for 2 months. Data were obtained from the electronic system of the municipal health center, organized in a spreadsheet, and analyzed using multiple linear regression and Cox regression analysis. Results: The study included 995 participants with the following sociodemographic data: 98/995 individuals (p<0.002) who did not complete high school used the APD 66.30 times more than did individuals with higher education. The results in terms of survival were meaningful in relation to the duration of APD use. The protective factor for COVI9 was 14.1%. Conclusion: Daily use of a solution containing phthalocyanine derivatives provided a higher protection factor against COVID-19 infection, predominantly in individuals without a school-completion certificate

Dental caries experience in preschool children of Bauru, SP, Brazil

Aim: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate dental caries experience and prevalence in three to six-yearold preschool children from three public kindergartens of the city of Bauru, SP, Brazil. Methods: The sample comprised 283 children (142 boys; 141 girls) aged 3 to 6 years old. For data analysis, the dmft (decayed, missing and filled teeth), Significant Caries Index (SiC Index), percentage of caries-free children, Gini Coefficient and Care Index were determined. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used with 5% significance. Results: The mean (SD) dmft index was 1.40 (2.63). Among the examined children, 63.25% were caries-free. The decayed component comprised 77.28% of the dmft. The Care Index was 19.70%, indicating limited utilization of dental treatment by children. The SiC index was 4.11 and the Gini Coefficient was 0.78 in the survey. The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of the disease between the ages and between males and females. Conclusions: Dental caries experience and prevalence in preschool children were considered low in this study and the occurrence of polarization of the disease was identified

Structural Insights into Plasticity and Discovery of Flavonoid Allosteric Inhibitors of Flavivirus NS2B&ndash;NS3 Protease

Flaviviruses are among the most critical pathogens in tropical regions; they cause various severe diseases in developing countries but are not restricted to these countries. The development of antiviral therapeutics is crucial for managing flavivirus outbreaks. Ten proteins are encoded in the flavivirus RNA. The N2B&ndash;NS3pro protein complex plays a fundamental role in flavivirus replication and is a promising drug target; however, no flavivirus protease inhibitors have progressed to the preclinical stage. This study analyzed the structural models and plasticity of the NS2B&ndash;NS3pro protein complex of five medically important non-dengue flaviviruses (West Nile, Rocio, Ilh&eacute;us, yellow fever, and Saint Louis encephalitis). The flavonoids amentoflavone, tetrahydrorobustaflavone, and quercetin were selected for their exceptional binding energies as potential inhibitors of the NS2B&ndash;NS3pro protein complex. AutoDock Vina results ranged from &minus;7.0 kcal/mol to &minus;11.5 kcal/mol and the compounds preferentially acted non-competitively. Additionally, the first structural model for the NS2B&ndash;NS3pro protein complex was proposed for Ilh&eacute;us and Rocio viruses. The NS2B&ndash;NS3pro protease is an attractive molecular target for drug development. The three identified natural flavonoids showed great inhibitory potential against the viral species. Nevertheless, further in silico and in vitro studies are required to obtain more information regarding NS2B&ndash;NS3pro inhibition by these flavonoids and their therapeutic potential

Valores, Altruísmo e Comportamentos de Ajuda: Comparando Doadores e Não Doadores de Sangue

Helping behavior and altruism are actions for the wellbeing of others, which vary in degree of delivery and are fundamental to interpersonal relationships. Therefore, knowing what motivates such behaviors might contribute to the understanding of human nature and to develop interventions that promote pro-social behaviors. This study aimed to know to which extent human values correlate with these constructs in groups of donors and non-donors of blood. Participants were 142 people from the general population (age: M=27, SD=19.93; 60.6% female), equally composing both groups (donors and non-donors). Through an ANOVA, the extent to which the scores of these groups differ from each other was evaluated. It was observed that donors are more altruistic and present a greater amount of helping behavior, besides presenting significant correlations to values that characterize a universal orientation. These findings are discussed based on the functional theory of human values.Os comportamentos de ajuda e altruísmo consistem em ações em prol do bem-estar do outro, variando quanto ao grau de entrega e sendo fundamentais para as relações interpessoais. Portanto, saber o que motiva tais comportamentos pode contribuir para compreender a natureza humana e desenvolver intervenções fomentando condutas pró-sociais. Este estudo objetivou conhecer em que medida os valores humanos se correlacionam com estes construtos em grupos de doadores e não doadores de sangue. Participaram 142 pessoas da população geral (idade: M=27, DP=19,93; 60,6% mulheres), compondo, equitativamente, os dois grupos (doadores e não doadores). Por meio de ANOVA avaliou-se em que medida as pontuações destes diferiam acerca dos construtos avaliados. Observou-se que os doadores são mais altruístas e apresentam mais comportamentos de ajuda, além destes construtos terem apresentado correlações com valores que caracterizam uma orientação universalista. Discutem-se estes achados à luz da teoria funcionalista dos valores humanos.Las conductas de ayuda y el altruismo corresponden a acciones en favor del bienestar del otro, variando con respecto al grado de entrega y siendo fundamentales para las relaciones interpersonales. Por lo tanto, saber qué motiva estas conductas puede contribuir para comprender la naturaleza humana y desarrollar intervenciones que promueven conductas prosociales. Este estudio ha tenido como objetivo conocer en qué medida los valores humanos se correlacionan con estos constructos en grupos de donantes y no donantes de sangre. Participaron 142 personas de la población general (edad: M=27, DT=19.93; 60.6% mujeres), divididas por igual en dos (donantes y no donantes). Por medio de un test de ANOVA se evaluó en qué medida las puntuaciones de estos grupos se difieren con respecto a los constructos estudiados. Se observó que los donantes son más altruistas y presentan más conductas de ayuda, y que sus puntuaciones en estos constructos se correlacionaron con valores que caracterizan una orientación universalista. Se discuten estos hallazgos teniendo en cuenta la teoría funcionalista de los valores humanos

Rocio Virus: An Updated View on an Elusive Flavivirus

Rocio virus (ROCV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus and human pathogen. The virus is indigenous to Brazil and was first detected in 1975 in the Sao Paulo State, and over a period of two years was responsible for several epidemics of meningoencephalitis in coastal communities leading to over 100 deaths. The vast majority of ROCV infections are believed to be subclinical and clinical manifestations can range from uncomplicated fever to fatal meningoencephalitis. Birds are the natural reservoir and amplification hosts and ROCV is maintained in nature in a mosquito-bird-mosquito transmission cycle, primarily involving Psorophora ferox mosquitoes. While ROCV has remained mostly undetected since 1976, in 2011 it re-emerged in Goiás State causing a limited outbreak. Control of ROCV outbreaks depends on sustainable vector control measures and public education. To date there is no specific treatment or licensed vaccine available. Here we provide an overview of the ecology, transmission cycles, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment options, aiming to improve our ability to understand, predict, and ideally avert further ROCV emergence

Dental caries experience in preschool children of Bauru, SP, Brazil

e main purpose of this study was to evaluate dental caries experience and prevalence in three to six-yearold preschool children from three public kindergartens of the city of Bauru, SP, Brazil. Methods: The sample comprised 283 children (142 boys; 141 girls) aged 3 to 6 years old. For data analysis, the dmft (decayed, missing and filled teeth), Significant Caries Index (SiC Index), percentage of caries-free children, Gini Coefficient and Care Index were determined. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used with 5% significance. Results: The mean (SD) dmft index was 1.40 (2.63). Among the examined children, 63.25% were caries-free. The decayed component comprised 77.28% of the dmft. The Care Index was 19.70%, indicating limited utilization of dental treatment by children. The SiC index was 4.11 and the Gini Coefficient was 0.78 in the survey. The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of the disease between the ages and between males and females. Conclusions: Dental caries experience and prevalence in preschool children were considered low in this study and the occurrence of polarization of the disease was identified