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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether colchicine treatment was associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We present a post hoc analysis from a double-blinded placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial (RCT) on the effect of colchicine for the treatment of COVID-19. Serum levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome products-active caspase-1 (Casp1p20), IL-1ß, and IL-18-were assessed at enrollment and after 48-72 h of treatment in patients receiving standard-of-care (SOC) plus placebo vs. those receiving SOC plus colchicine. The colchicine regimen was 0.5 mg tid for 5 days, followed by 0.5 mg bid for another 5 days. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients received SOC plus colchicine, and thirty-six received SOC plus placebo. Colchicine reduced the need for supplemental oxygen and the length of hospitalization. On Days 2-3, colchicine lowered the serum levels of Casp1p20 and IL-18, but not IL-1ß. CONCLUSION: Treatment with colchicine inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, an event triggering the 'cytokine storm' in COVID-19. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: RBR-8jyhxh.

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To evaluate the prognostic factors in adult cancer patients with pneumococcal bacteremia, describe episode features and the phenotypic characteristics of the isolated strains. We evaluated the episodes in patients admitted to a cancer hospital between 2009 and 2015. The outcomes were defined as 48 h mortality and mortality within 10 days after the episode. The variables evaluated were: age, sex, ethnicity, ECOG, Karnofsky score, SOFA, cancer type, metastasis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, neutropenia, previous antibiotic therapy, community or healthcare-acquired infection, comorbidities, smoking, pneumococcal vaccination, infection site, presence of fever, polymicrobial infection, antimicrobial susceptibility, serotype and treatment. 165 episodes were detected in 161 patients. The mean age was 61.3 years; solid tumors were the most prevalent (75%). 48 h and 10-day mortality were 21% (34/161) and 43% (70/161) respectively. The 48 h mortality- associated risk factors were SOFA and polymicrobial bacteremia; 10-day mortality-associated risk factors were fever, neutropenia, ECOG 3/4, SOFA and fluoroquinolones as a protective factor. Pneumococcal bacteremia presented high mortality in cancer patients, with prognosis related to intrinsic host factors and infection episodes features. Fluoroquinolone treatment, a protective factor in 10-day mortality, has potential use for IPDs and severe community-acquired pneumonia in cancer patients.

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Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel belongs to the Apocynaceae family and the latex from its trunk bark (Hd) is known as "janaguba milk". This latex is widely used in Northeast Brazil, mainly in the Cariri region, for its gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. The objective of this study was to investigate a triterpene-rich fraction (FJNB) from H. drasticus latex on acute models of nociception and inflammation and to clarify its mechanisms of action. Wistar rats or Swiss mice were subjected to the carrageenan-induced paw edema test or the formalin test, respectively, after the acute oral treatment with FJNB. The inflamed paws from the carrageenan-induced paw edema and formalin tests were processed for histological and immunohistochemical assays, respectively. The results were analyzed by ANOVA and considered significant at P<0.05. FJNB (10 mg/kg) decreased the paw edema by 25% at the 3rd h after the carrageenan injection. Indomethacin, used as reference, inhibited the paw edema by 59% at the same time-point. In the formalin test, FJNB inhibited the 1st phase by 27, 49, and 52% and the 2nd phase by 37, 50, and 67%, at the doses of 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg, respectively. In addition, FJNB significantly inhibited the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. The histone deacetylase (HDAC) expression and the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa (NF-kB) were also inhibited at the same doses. In conclusion, the FJNB inhibitory actions on iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, HDAC, and NF-kB could be involved with the drug anti-inflammatory activity.

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RESUMO

Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel belongs to the Apocynaceae family and the latex from its trunk bark (Hd) is known as "janaguba milk". This latex is widely used in Northeast Brazil, mainly in the Cariri region, for its gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. The objective of this study was to investigate a triterpene-rich fraction (FJNB) from H. drasticus latex on acute models of nociception and inflammation and to clarify its mechanisms of action. Wistar rats or Swiss mice were subjected to the carrageenan-induced paw edema test or the formalin test, respectively, after the acute oral treatment with FJNB. The inflamed paws from the carrageenan-induced paw edema and formalin tests were processed for histological and immunohistochemical assays, respectively. The results were analyzed by ANOVA and considered significant at P<0.05. FJNB (10 mg/kg) decreased the paw edema by 25% at the 3rd h after the carrageenan injection. Indomethacin, used as reference, inhibited the paw edema by 59% at the same time-point. In the formalin test, FJNB inhibited the 1st phase by 27, 49, and 52% and the 2nd phase by 37, 50, and 67%, at the doses of 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg, respectively. In addition, FJNB significantly inhibited the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. The histone deacetylase (HDAC) expression and the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa (NF-kB) were also inhibited at the same doses. In conclusion, the FJNB inhibitory actions on iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, HDAC, and NF-kB could be involved with the drug anti-inflammatory activity.

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Abstract The aim of this study was to monitor the population density of Lymnaea columella, an intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica, in various aquatic habitats and in drinking water in the area of the Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Espírito Santo, on Caparaó Microregion, municipality of Alegre, state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Monthly samplings were performed at certain points between drainage areas and drinking water in cattle and goat production systems during the years 2010 to 2013. The mean temperature, precipitation and the frequency of samples of L. columella were analysed graphically according the monthly average during the study period. A total of 2,038 molluscs were collected, 1558 of which were L. columella, that predominated in all sampled points. The highest average of specimens observed for L. columella was in the years 2010 and 2013 (51.0), and occurred decreased in 2011 (19.8). The temperature and precipitation averaged is 23.7 °C and 141 mm/year, respectively. Rainfall peak occurred in March (2011, 2013) and November (2012), during these periods the population of L. columella growth. There was no significant difference in the relationship between the specimens observed with seasons (dry-wet), thus the population of L. columella remained stable and can be found throughout the year.(AU)

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi acompanhar a variação da densidade populacional de Lymnaea columella, hospedeiro intermediário de Fasciola hepatica, em diferentes tipos de coleções hídricas e bebedouros na área do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Espírito Santo, na microrregião do Caparaó, município de Alegre, estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil. Foram realizadas coletas mensais em pontos determinados entre áreas de drenagem e bebedouros de animais nos setores de bovinocultura e caprinocultura durante os anos de 2010 a 2013. As médias de temperatura, precipitação e a frequência de exemplares de L. columella foram analisadas graficamente de acordo com a média mensal ao longo do período avaliado. Foram coletados 2.038 moluscos, sendo 1558 de L. columella, espécie predominante em todos os pontos amostrados. A maior média de espécimes observadas para L. columella foi nos anos de 2010 e 2013 (51,0), ocorrendo um decréscimo em 2011 (19,8). A temperatura apresentou média de 23,7°C e precipitação de 141 mm/ano. Picos de precipitação ocorreram em Março (2011, 2013) e Novembro (2012), nestes períodos foi observado aumento populacional de L. columella. Não houve diferença significativa na relação entre as espécimes observadas com as estações do ano (seca-chuvosa), dessa forma, a população de L. columella se mostrou estável, podendo ser encontrada durante todo ano.(AU)

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Abstract The aim of this study was to monitor the population density of Lymnaea columella, an intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica, in various aquatic habitats and in drinking water in the area of the Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Espírito Santo, on Caparaó Microregion, municipality of Alegre, state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Monthly samplings were performed at certain points between drainage areas and drinking water in cattle and goat production systems during the years 2010 to 2013. The mean temperature, precipitation and the frequency of samples of L. columella were analysed graphically according the monthly average during the study period. A total of 2,038 molluscs were collected, 1558 of which were L. columella, that predominated in all sampled points. The highest average of specimens observed for L. columella was in the years 2010 and 2013 (51.0), and occurred decreased in 2011 (19.8). The temperature and precipitation averaged is 23.7 °C and 141 mm/year, respectively. Rainfall peak occurred in March (2011, 2013) and November (2012), during these periods the population of L. columella growth. There was no significant difference in the relationship between the specimens observed with seasons (dry-wet), thus the population of L. columella remained stable and can be found throughout the year.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi acompanhar a variação da densidade populacional de Lymnaea columella, hospedeiro intermediário de Fasciola hepatica, em diferentes tipos de coleções hídricas e bebedouros na área do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Espírito Santo, na microrregião do Caparaó, município de Alegre, estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil. Foram realizadas coletas mensais em pontos determinados entre áreas de drenagem e bebedouros de animais nos setores de bovinocultura e caprinocultura durante os anos de 2010 a 2013. As médias de temperatura, precipitação e a frequência de exemplares de L. columella foram analisadas graficamente de acordo com a média mensal ao longo do período avaliado. Foram coletados 2.038 moluscos, sendo 1558 de L. columella, espécie predominante em todos os pontos amostrados. A maior média de espécimes observadas para L. columella foi nos anos de 2010 e 2013 (51,0), ocorrendo um decréscimo em 2011 (19,8). A temperatura apresentou média de 23,7°C e precipitação de 141 mm/ano. Picos de precipitação ocorreram em Março (2011, 2013) e Novembro (2012), nestes períodos foi observado aumento populacional de L. columella. Não houve diferença significativa na relação entre as espécimes observadas com as estações do ano (seca-chuvosa), dessa forma, a população de L. columella se mostrou estável, podendo ser encontrada durante todo ano.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The aim of this study was to monitor the population density of Lymnaea columella, an intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica, in various aquatic habitats and in drinking water in the area of the Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Espírito Santo, on Caparaó Microregion, municipality of Alegre, state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Monthly samplings were performed at certain points between drainage areas and drinking water in cattle and goat production systems during the years 2010 to 2013. The mean temperature, precipitation and the frequency of samples of L. columella were analysed graphically according the monthly average during the study period. A total of 2,038 molluscs were collected, 1558 of which were L. columella, that predominated in all sampled points. The highest average of specimens observed for L. columella was in the years 2010 and 2013 (51.0), and occurred decreased in 2011 (19.8). The temperature and precipitation averaged is 23.7 °C and 141 mm/year, respectively. Rainfall peak occurred in March (2011, 2013) and November (2012), during these periods the population of L. columella growth. There was no significant difference in the relationship between the specimens observed with seasons (dry-wet), thus the population of L. columella remained stable and can be found throughout the year.

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Ottonia martiana Miq., Piperaceae, conhecida na medicina popular brasileira como "anestésia", é um arbusto característico da Floresta Atlântica. Devido à ação anestésica sobre a mucosa oral, raízes e partes aéreas são popularmente utilizadas em dores de dente, na forma de alcoolaturas (bochechos) ou pela mastigação de fragmentos de partes da planta. Como os microrganismos estão adquirindo resistência aos antibióticos tradicionais, a procura por novos agentes antimicrobianos, a partir de plantas, vem sendo intensificada. Nesta perspectiva, avaliou-se o efeito antimicrobiano do extrato bruto etanólico dos órgãos totais desta espécie (EBEtOH) frente às bactérias Enterococcus faecium (ATCC 6569), Enterobacter aerogenes (ATCC 13048) e Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), utilizando-se os métodos de difusão em ágar e bioautografia. Os resultados obtidos por difusão em ágar mostraram que o EBEtOH de O. martiana apresenta potencial antibacteriano contra E. faecium, evidenciado pelo aparecimento de zonas de inibição de crescimento no respectivo bioautograma e não demonstraram ação antimicrobiana contra as outras cepas testadas.

Ottonia martiana Miq., Piperaceae, known in Brazilian folk medicine as "anestésia", is an herbaceous shrub found in Atlantic Tropical Forest. Due to its anesthetic action on the mucous membranes of the mouth, roots and aerial parts are commonly used to relief toothache, usually as alcoholic macerates (mouth washing) or by chewing parts of the plant. As most microorganisms are acquiring resistance to traditional antibiotics, the search for new antimicrobials agents, specially from plants, is being intensified. Based on this, the activity of the crude ethanolic extract from roots and aerial parts (EBEtOH) of O. martiana against Enterococcus faecium (ATCC 6569), Enterobacter aerogenes (ATCC 13048) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442) was evaluated using the agar difusion and bioautographic methods. Results from the agar diffusion assay showed that O. martiana EBEtOH has a potencial effect against E. faecium, which was corroborated by the presence of inhibition zones in the bioautographic test, whereas no inhibitory action against the other assayed bacteria was observed.

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The importance of enterococci as a nosocomial etiologic agent is well documented; however, enterococci are also capable of causing a variety of community-acquired infections. Vancomycin resistance in a clinical Enterococcus isolate was first reported in 1986, and since then vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have been reported world-wide. This report describes a case of E. faecium with the VanA phenotype, isolated from meningitis in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Two E. faecium strains were isolated. One strain showed VanA phenotype, and the molecular characterization of the VanA gene was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. The other strain was susceptible to vancomycin and teicoplanin. The authors would like to call the attention of the scientific community to this first identification of a VRE case in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

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