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OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate five harmonized healthy aging indicators covering functional ability and intrinsic capacity among older women and men from Brazil and England and evaluate their association with loneliness. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. METHODS: We used two nationally representative samples of men and women aged ≥60 years from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) wave 2 (2019-2021; n = 6929) and the English Longitudinal Study of Aging wave 9 (2018-2019; n = 5902). Healthy aging included five separate indicators (getting dressed, taking medication, managing money, cognitive function, and handgrip strength). Loneliness was measured by the 3-item University of California Loneliness Scale. Logistic regression models stratified by sex and country were performed. RESULTS: Overall, age-adjusted healthy aging indicators were worse in Brazil compared with England for both men and women. Considering functional ability, loneliness was negatively associated with all indicators (ranging from odds ratio [OR] = 0.26, [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13-0.52] in English men regarding the ability to take medication to OR = 0.49 [95% CI 0.27-0.89] in Brazilian women regarding the ability to manage money). Considering intrinsic capacity, loneliness was negatively associated with a higher cognitive function (OR = 0.72; 95% CI 0.55-0.95 in English women) and a higher handgrip strength (OR = 0.61; 95% CI 0.45-0.83 in Brazilian women). Lonely women demonstrated lower odds of a higher number of healthy aging indicators than men in both countries. CONCLUSIONS: Country-specific social environments should be targeted by public policies to decrease loneliness and promote healthy aging later in life.

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The Curtobacterium genus is a member of the family Microbacteriaceae, and Curtobacterium species are recognized as plant pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate a dubious result of species identification for an infection located on a catheter tip of a patient with Covid-19. A strain isolated from a catheter tip sample, identified by VITEK® 2 as Cronobacter spp., was submitted to polyphasic analysis: Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) using VITEK® MS, real-time polymerase chain reaction targeting dnaG gene, and 16S rRNA full gene Sanger sequencing analysis for confirmation. The strain presented negative result using qPCR and could not identified by MALDI-TOF MS. 16S rRNA full gene Sanger sequencing analysis identified the strain as Curtobacterium spp. The Gram-variable characteristic (Gram-negative instead of Gram-positive) of the isolated strain was the responsible for the misidentification by VITEK® 2 and VITEK® MS did not identify the strain. 16S rRNA full gene sequencing analysis identified the strain as Curtobacterium genus, but other complementary techniques are necessary to identify at species level.

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BACKGROUND: There has been a significant increase in number of patients seeking neuropsychological rehabilitation months after the acute phase of COVID-19 infection. OBJECTIVE: Identify the cognitive and psychiatric disorders in patients with long COVID or Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID (PASC) and explore the association between disease severity during the acute phase and persistent neuropsychological manifestations. METHODS: 614 adults were assessed an average of eight months post-infection. Participants were, on average, 47.6 y.o., who sought rehabilitation for neuropsychological problems. Patients were evaluated using the Barrow Neurological Institute Screen for Higher Cerebral Functions (BNIS), Phonemic Verbal Fluency and Clock Drawing tests (NEUPSILIN) for executive functions, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: The BNIS score was significantly below reference values in all subscales, especially affect and memory. Verbal Fluency and Clock Drawing subtest results were also lower. Patients with PASC tested high for anxiety/depression, but there was no statistically significant relationship between HADS and BNIS scores. Neuropsychological evaluations showed no differences in cognitive or psychiatric profiles between hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients. CONCLUSIONS: Neuropsychological results suggest executive function problems and high incidence of anxiety/depression, irrespective of acute-phase severity, underscoring a need for neurorehabilitation programs while providing data for public policy initiatives.

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OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the time for peak exercise heart rate to return to resting heart rate after the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) can predict cardiac events in patients with heart failure (HF) within 2 years. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: HF outpatient facility at a tertiary teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-six patients with HF, New York Heart Association functional classification II and III, and left ventricular ejection fraction <50% MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients used a heart rate monitor to measure the time for peak exercise heart rate to return to resting heart rate after the 6MWT. Data were analysed using Polar Pro-Trainer 5 software (Kempele, Finland). Patients were followed for >2 years for cardiac events (hospitalisations and death). RESULTS: Thirty-four patients had cardiac events during the 2-year follow-up period. There was a significant difference in time to return to resting heart rate between the groups with and without cardiac events {with 3.6 [standard deviation (SD) A] vs without 2.8 (SD B) minutes; mean difference C; 95% confidence interval (CI) of the difference D to E; P=0.003}. No significant differences between patients with and without cardiac events were found for mean walking distance, mean heart rate recovery at 1 minute and mean heart rate recovery at 2 minutes. The receiver operating curve discriminated between patients with and without cardiac events (área under the curve 0.71, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.81; P< 0.001). Using logistic regression analysis, prolonged time to return to resting heart rate (≥3 minutes) independently increased the risk for cardiac events 6.9-fold (95% CI 2.34 to 20.12; P< 0.001). The Kaplan­Meier curve showed more cardiac events in patients with prolonged time to return to resting heart rate (P=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged time to return to resting heart rate (≥3 minutes) after the 6MWT was an independent predictor of cardiac events in patients with HF.

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OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the time for peak exercise heart rate to return to resting heart rate after the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) can predict cardiac events in patients with heart failure (HF) within 2 years. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: HF outpatient facility at a tertiary teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-six patients with HF, New York Heart Association functional classification II and III, and left ventricular ejection fraction <50%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients used a heart rate monitor to measure the time for peak exercise heart rate to return to resting heart rate after the 6MWT. Data were analysed using Polar Pro-Trainer 5 software (Kempele, Finland). Patients were followed for >2 years for cardiac events (hospitalisations and death). RESULTS: Thirty-four patients had cardiac events during the 2-year follow-up period. However, there was a significant difference in the time to return to resting heart rate between the groups with and without cardiac events {with 3.6 (SD 1.1) vs without 2.8 (SD 1.1) minutes; mean difference of 0.79 (95% confidence interval (CI) of the difference 0.28 to 1.28; P=0.003}. No significant differences between patients with and without cardiac events were found for mean walking distance, mean heart rate recovery at 1minute and mean heart rate recovery at 2minutes. The receiver operating curve discriminated between patients with and without cardiac events (área under the curve 0.71, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.81; P<0.001). Using logistic regression analysis, prolonged time to return to resting heart rate (≥3minutes) independently increased the risk for cardiac events 6.9-fold (95% CI 2.34 to 20.12; P<0.001). The Kaplan-Meier curve showed more cardiac events in patients with prolonged time to return to resting heart rate (P=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged time to return to resting heart rate (≥3minutes) after the 6MWT was an independent predictor of cardiac events in patients with HF.

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This study aimed to evaluate glutamine supplementation effects on variables of growth performance, body composition, intestinal morphology and enzymatic aspects of juvenile Arapaima gigas. Research was conducted at the Fish Nutrition and Feeding Laboratory, where 60 examples of pirarucu (initial average weight of 82.12g) were distributed over 15 polyethylene tanks (310L), in a completely randomized design, with five treatments and three repetitions (four fish per experimental unit). Experimental diets were prepared containing five inclusion levels of the amino acid glutamine (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%), supplied three times a day for 45 days. Quadratic effect was observed for the variables of growth performance, weight gain, food consumption, food conversion, and specific growth and protein efficiency rates. A significant effect was observed on intestinal villi at the height of the anterior portion and on activity of the enzyme's alkaline proteases, lipase, amylase and aspartate aminotransferase. However, glutamine supplementation had no significant effect on survival rate. Inclusion of 1.02% of glutamine in the diets of juvenile pirarucu improved growth performance and influenced intestinal villi height and activity of important digestive enzymes, favoring nutrient digestion and absorption.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da suplementação com glutamina sobre variáveis de desempenho produtivo, composição corporal, morfologia do intestino e aspectos enzimáticos de juvenis de Arapaima gigas. O experimento foi conduzido no Laboratório de Nutrição e Alimentação de Peixes, onde 60 exemplares de pirarucu (peso médio inicial de 82,12g) foram distribuídos em 15 tanques de polietileno (310L), em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e três repetições (quatro peixes por unidade experimental). As dietas experimentais foram confeccionadas contendo cinco níveis de inclusão do aminoácido glutamina (0,0; 0,5; 1,0; 1,5 e 2,0%), fornecidas três vezes ao dia, ao longo de 45 dias. Foi observado efeito quadrático para variáveis de desempenho produtivo: ganho de peso, consumo alimentar, conversão alimentar, taxa de crescimento específico e taxa de eficiência proteica. Observou-se ainda efeito significativo sobre a altura das vilosidades da porção anterior do intestino e a atividade das enzimas: proteases alcalinas, lipase, amilase e aspartato aminotransferase. Entretanto, a suplementação com glutamina não influenciou significativamente a sobrevivência dos animais. A adição de 1,02% de glutamina nas dietas para juvenis de pirarucu melhorou o desempenho produtivo e influenciou a altura das vilosidades intestinais e a atividade de enzimas digestivas importantes, favorecendo a digestão e a absorção de nutrientes.(AU)

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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Experience in the region shows that in some countries there is very good surveillance of Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in health services, but there is no national data consistently in all countries. Therefore, we set to estimate the total burden of HAIs and antimicrobial use in acute care hospitals in Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, and Colombia using the one-day point prevalence methodology. METHODS: The survey was conducted between June and July 2016. In each ward or unit, HAIs and antimicrobial use data were collected on a single day by a trained team of researchers. Also, for each patient, we collected data on risk factors for infections. RESULTS: One out of ten individuals surveyed had at least one healthcare-associated infection (HAI). Pneumonia and surgical site infections were the most relevant among the surveyed countries. Most of the surveyed participants, regardless of their HAI status, received antibiotics except the individuals managed in Brazil. Carbapenems and third-generation Cephalosporins were among the most frequently used antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Our results add to WHO's recent efforts to understand HAIs prevalence and antibiotic consumption in low and middle-income countries, of which we studied three that were not included in their last report.

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AIM: The aim of this research was to create a work scheme for the isolation of the different micro-organisms commonly found in hydrogen-producing reactors and to test its effectiveness. METHODS AND RESULTS: Methods were selected to isolate anaerobic spore-forming fermenters, anaerobic fermenters that do not form spores, facultative aerobic fermenters and lactic acid bacteria. The methods were tested in two samples taken from a hydrogen-producing reactor fed with cheese whey. 16S rRNA gene sequences from isolates were compared with pyrosequencing analysis from the same samples. The isolates represented more than 88% of the abundance detected by pyrosequencing. Organisms from the genera Clostridium, Rahnella, Megasphaera, Lactobacillus, Propionibacterium, Bifidobacterium, Chryseobacterium and Acetobacter were isolated. Hydrogen-producing capacity was confirmed for the Clostridium, Rahnella and Megasphaera isolates. Coculture experiments indicate that Megasphaera prevented the total inhibition of Clostridium by Lactobacillus. CONCLUSION: The work scheme proposed was effective to isolate most of the micro-organisms detected by pyrosequencing analysis. Physiological studies suggested a key role of Megasphaera. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: We showed the high culturability of the microbial communities from hydrogen-producing bioreactors. The isolates can be used to perform physiological studies to understand the H2 -producing process.

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Archeological records attest the early association of Sitophilus with stored cereals from the beginning of agriculture on Asia. The maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) became particularly damaging to maize, a cereal crop domesticated on Mesoamerica. We investigated the late evolutionary history of the maize weevil to gain insights on its origin, timing of association with maize, and genealogical relationship to the almost morphologically indistinguishable rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae). Two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase subunit I and cytochrome oxidase subunit II) and the nuclear ribosomal gene region were partially sequenced. Analyses showed that the maize weevil shared no haplotypes with the rice weevil; instead, each species exhibited distinct mitogroups and ribogroups. The two weevil species likely split about 8.7 million years ago (95% highest posterior density: 4.0-15.0). Microsatellite data analyses sorted the 309 specimens from 15 populations of the maize weevil into three genotypic groups, which displayed low genetic differentiation and widespread occurrence worldwide. The maize weevil and the rice weevil are each a distinct species; both of which emerged prior to the onset of agriculture. The maize-maize weevil association took place after maize became widespread as a global crop. The maize weevil populations lack spatial genetic structure at the regional, continental, and intercontinental scales.

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In this study, we investigated the ability of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) to characterize the lipid contents of canine spermatozoa. For that, samples of pure semen were analysed. Indeed, quite comprehensive lipid coverage was observed, and the most abundant phospholipid ions detected were from four phosphatidylcholines, that is those of m/z 760.6; 782.6; 808.6; and 830.6 and one of m/z 725.6 from a sphingomyelin. In conclusion, MALDI-MS was found to offer an easy, fast, accurate, and sensitive analytical method for lipid profiling in canine spermatozoa and could be used as a tool to select sires by assessing the relationship between sperm lipid profiles and variables such as age and breeding history as well as to study the effects of cryopreservation on lipid contents.

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