SiO2-Ag Composite as a Highly Virucidal Material: A Roadmap that Rapidly Eliminates SARS-CoV-2

COVID-19, as the cause of a global pandemic, has resulted in lockdowns all over the world since early 2020. Both theoretical and experimental efforts are being made to find an effective treatment to suppress the virus, constituting the forefront of current global safety concerns and a significant burden on global economies. The development of innovative materials able to prevent the transmission, spread, and entry of COVID-19 pathogens into the human body is currently in the spotlight. The synthesis of these materials is, therefore, gaining momentum, as methods providing nontoxic and environmentally friendly procedures are in high demand. Here, a highly virucidal material constructed from SiO2-Ag composite immobilized in a polymeric matrix (ethyl vinyl acetate) is presented. The experimental results indicated that the as-fabricated samples exhibited high antibacterial activity towards Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) as well as towards SARS-CoV-2. Based on the present results and radical scavenger experiments, we propose a possible mechanism to explain the enhancement of the biocidal activity. In the presence of O2 and H2O, the plasmon-assisted surface mechanism is the major reaction channel generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). We believe that the present strategy based on the plasmonic effect would be a significant contribution to the design and preparation of efficient biocidal materials. This fundamental research is a precedent for the design and application of adequate technology to the next-generation of antiviral surfaces to combat SARS-CoV-2

Diretriz sobre Diagnóstico e Tratamento da Cardiomiopatia Hipertrófica – 2024

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a form of genetically caused heart muscle disease, characterized by the thickening of the ventricular walls. Diagnosis requires detection through imaging methods (Echocardiogram or Cardiac Magnetic Resonance) showing any segment of the left ventricular wall with a thickness > 15 mm, without any other probable cause. Genetic analysis allows the identification of mutations in genes encoding different structures of the sarcomere responsible for the development of HCM in about 60% of cases, enabling screening of family members and genetic counseling, as an important part of patient and family management. Several concepts about HCM have recently been reviewed, including its prevalence of 1 in 250 individuals, hence not a rare but rather underdiagnosed disease. The vast majority of patients are asymptomatic. In symptomatic cases, obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) is the primary disorder responsible for symptoms, and its presence should be investigated in all cases. In those where resting echocardiogram or Valsalva maneuver does not detect significant intraventricular gradient (> 30 mmHg), they should undergo stress echocardiography to detect LVOT obstruction. Patients with limiting symptoms and severe LVOT obstruction, refractory to beta-blockers and verapamil, should receive septal reduction therapies or use new drugs inhibiting cardiac myosin. Finally, appropriately identified patients at increased risk of sudden death may receive prophylactic measure with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation.La miocardiopatía hipertrófica (MCH) es una forma de enfermedad cardíaca de origen genético, caracterizada por el engrosamiento de las paredes ventriculares. El diagnóstico requiere la detección mediante métodos de imagen (Ecocardiograma o Resonancia Magnética Cardíaca) que muestren algún segmento de la pared ventricular izquierda con un grosor > 15 mm, sin otra causa probable. El análisis genético permite identificar mutaciones en genes que codifican diferentes estructuras del sarcómero responsables del desarrollo de la MCH en aproximadamente el 60% de los casos, lo que permite el tamizaje de familiares y el asesoramiento genético, como parte importante del manejo de pacientes y familiares. Varios conceptos sobre la MCH han sido revisados recientemente, incluida su prevalencia de 1 entre 250 individuos, por lo tanto, no es una enfermedad rara, sino subdiagnosticada. La gran mayoría de los pacientes son asintomáticos. En los casos sintomáticos, la obstrucción del tracto de salida ventricular izquierdo (TSVI) es el trastorno principal responsable de los síntomas, y su presencia debe investigarse en todos los casos. En aquellos en los que el ecocardiograma en reposo o la maniobra de Valsalva no detecta un gradiente intraventricular significativo (> 30 mmHg), deben someterse a ecocardiografía de esfuerzo para detectar la obstrucción del TSVI. Los pacientes con síntomas limitantes y obstrucción grave del TSVI, refractarios al uso de betabloqueantes y verapamilo, deben recibir terapias de reducción septal o usar nuevos medicamentos inhibidores de la miosina cardíaca. Finalmente, los pacientes adecuadamente identificados con un riesgo aumentado de muerte súbita pueden recibir medidas profilácticas con el implante de un cardioversor-desfibrilador implantable (CDI).A cardiomiopatia hipertrófica (CMH) é uma forma de doença do músculo cardíaco de causa genética, caracterizada pela hipertrofia das paredes ventriculares. O diagnóstico requer detecção por métodos de imagem (Ecocardiograma ou Ressonância Magnética Cardíaca) de qualquer segmento da parede do ventrículo esquerdo com espessura > 15 mm, sem outra causa provável. A análise genética permite identificar mutações de genes codificantes de diferentes estruturas do sarcômero responsáveis pelo desenvolvimento da CMH em cerca de 60% dos casos, permitindo o rastreio de familiares e aconselhamento genético, como parte importante do manejo dos pacientes e familiares. Vários conceitos sobre a CMH foram recentemente revistos, incluindo sua prevalência de 1 em 250 indivíduos, não sendo, portanto, uma doença rara, mas subdiagnosticada. A vasta maioria dos pacientes é assintomática. Naqueles sintomáticos, a obstrução do trato de saída do ventrículo esquerdo (OTSVE) é o principal distúrbio responsável pelos sintomas, devendo-se investigar a sua presença em todos os casos. Naqueles em que o ecocardiograma em repouso ou com Manobra de Valsalva não detecta gradiente intraventricular significativo (> 30 mmHg), devem ser submetidos à ecocardiografia com esforço físico para detecção da OTSVE.   Pacientes com sintomas limitantes e grave OTSVE, refratários ao uso de betabloqueadores e verapamil, devem receber terapias de redução septal ou uso de novas drogas inibidoras da miosina cardíaca. Por fim, os pacientes adequadamente identificados com risco aumentado de morta súbita podem receber medida profilática com implante de cardiodesfibrilador implantável (CDI)

Uso de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA) na promoção do crescimento de mudas de pinheira (Annona squamosa L., Annonaceae) Use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to promote the growth of sugar apple seedlings (Annona squamosa L. Annonaceae)

Os fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA) podem ser usados na formação de mudas frutíferas, porém o seu efeito na pinheira não é conhecido. Foi investigado o papel de dois isolados de FMA (Acaulospora longula e Gigaspora albida) na promoção do crescimento de mudas de pinheira. O delineamento experimental foi tipo inteiramente casualizado em seis tratamentos: 1) Controle não inoculado em solo; 2) Controle não inoculado em solo adubado; 3) Inoculado com A. longula em solo; 4) Inoculado com A. longula em solo adubado; 5) Inoculado com G. albida em solo; 6) Inoculado com G. albida em solo adubado, em quatro repetições, totalizando 24 unidades. Plântulas com duas folhas foram inoculadas na região das raízes com solo-inóculo fornecendo 200 esporos de G. albida ou de A. longula. Após 140 dias em casa de vegetação avaliou-se: altura, número de folhas, diâmetro do caule, área foliar, massa fresca e seca da parte aérea e radicular, colonização micorrízica e produção de esporos de FMA. Em solo não adubado, os benefícios da micorrização foram evidenciados nas mudas formando simbiose com G. albida. Em solo com vermicomposto, a micorrização não incrementou o crescimento da mudas. A micorrização com G. albida pode ser alternativa para produção de mudas de pinheira, dispensando a fertilização.<br>Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can be used to promote seedling growth of fruit trees, but their effect on sugar apple is not known. We investigated the role of two isolates of AMF (Acaulospora longula and Gigaspora albida) in promoting the growth of sugar apple seedlings. The experimental design was completely randomized with six treatments and four replicates (totaling 24 units): 1) uninoculated control; 2) uninoculated control in fertilized soil; 3) inoculated with A. longula in soil, 4) inoculated with A. longula in fertilized soil, 5) inoculated with G. albida in soil; 6) inoculated with G. albida in fertilized soil. Seedlings with two leaves were inoculated in the region of the roots with soil-inocula with 200 spores of G. albida or A. longula. After 140 days in a greenhouse the height, leaf number, stem diameter, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, root colonization and production of spores were evaluated. The seedlings benefited from G. albida mycorrhiza when grown in unfertilized soil. Mycorrhizal inoculation did not increase the growth of seedlings in soil with vermicompost. The use G. albida is an alternative in the production of sugar apple seedlings, instead of fertilizers

Bioactive Ag3PO4/Polypropylene Composites for Inactivation of SARS-CoV?2 and Other Important Public Health Pathogens

The current unprecedented coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is increasingly demanding advanced materials and new technologies to protect us and inactivate SARS-CoV-2. In this research work, we report the manufacture of Ag3PO4 (AP)/polypropylene (PP) composites using a simple method and also reveal their long-term anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. This composite shows superior antibacterial (against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and antifungal activity (against Candida albicans), thus having potential for a variety of technological applications. The as-manufactured materials were characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, AFM, UV–vis spectroscopy, rheology, SEM, and contact angle to confirm their structural integrity. Based on the results of first-principles calculations at the density functional level, a plausible reaction mechanism for the initial events associated with the generation of both hydroxyl radical •OH and superoxide radical anion •O2– in the most reactive (110) surface of AP was proposed. AP/PP composites proved to be an attractive avenue to provide human beings with a broad spectrum of biocide activity

Polypropylene Modified with Ag-Based Semiconductors as a Potential Material against SARS-CoV‑2 and Other Pathogens

The worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and other emerging infections are difficult and sometimes impossible to treat, making them one of the major public health problems of our time. It is noteworthy that Ag-based semiconductors can help orchestrate several strategies to fight this serious societal issue. In this work, we present the synthesis of α-Ag2WO4, β-Ag2MoO4, and Ag2CrO4 and their immobilization in polypropylene in the amounts of 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0 wt %, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the composites was investigated against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, and the fungus Candida albicans. The best antimicrobial efficiency was achieved by the composite with α-Ag2WO4, which completely eliminated the microorganisms in up to 4 h of exposure. The composites were also tested for the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 virus, showing antiviral efficiency higher than 98% in just 10 min. Additionally, we evaluated the stability of the antimicrobial activity, resulting in constant inhibition, even after material aging. The antimicrobial activity of the compounds was attributed to the production of reactive oxygen species by the semiconductors, which can induce high local oxidative stress, causing the death of these microorganisms

V diretriz da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia sobre tratamento do infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnível do segmento ST

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V diretriz da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia sobre tratamento do infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnível do segmento ST

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