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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of respiratory illness. While most attention is paid to childhood infection, the RSV burden in adults ≥60 y should also be considered. In Brazil, this is generally underrecognized, where greater focus is toward other respiratory pathogens. This article presents insights from a multidisciplinary panel gathered to review epidemiologic data and current diagnostic approaches to RSV in Brazil (and their limitations) and develop communication strategies to improve knowledge and awareness. National surveillance data indicate a steady increase in cases of RSV-related severe acute respiratory illness (RSV-SARI) in those aged ≥60 y in recent years, with high fatality rates (>30%). Routine RSV testing in older individuals with respiratory symptoms is relatively low. Educational activities targeted toward health-care professionals and the general public are critical to raising awareness of the importance of RSV in older individuals, particularly as protective vaccines are now available.

Assuntos

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Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a major public health challenge affecting millions in Latin America and worldwide. Although significant progress has been made in vector control, no vaccine exists to prevent infection or mitigate disease pathogenesis. We developed a rationally designed chimeric protein vaccine, N-Tc52/TSkb20, incorporating immunodominant epitopes from two T. cruzi antigens, the amino-terminal portion of Tc52 and the TSkb20 epitope derived from trans-sialidase. The objectives of this study were to construct and characterize the antigen and evaluate its protective potential in an immunoprophylactic murine model of T. cruzi infection. The N-Tc52/TSkb20 protein was recombinantly expressed in E. coli and its identity was confirmed using mass spectrometry and Western blotting. Immunization with the chimeric protein significantly controlled parasitemia and reduced the heart, colon, and skeletal muscle parasite burdens compared to non-vaccinated mice. Protection was superior to vaccination with the individual parental antigen components. Mechanistically, the vaccine induced potent CD8+ T-cell and IFNγ responses against the incorporated epitopes and a protective IgG antibody profile. A relatively low IL-10 response favored early parasite control. These results validate the promising multi-epitope approach and support the continued development of this type of rational vaccine design strategy against Chagas disease.

Assuntos

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The aim of the present study was to compare the performance of a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) and a real-time PCR based on the amplification of the HlyA gene from Listeria monocytogenes using a plasmid DNA standard. Nested PCR was developed with an internal amplification control (IAC). Both techniques were validated in soft cheese samples by comparing their results with the results of the microbiological reference method ISO 11290-1:2017. Cheese samples artificially contaminated with 3.5 to 3,500 UFC/25 g were processed by ISO 11290-1:2017 and, at several times of culture, DNA samples were extracted. All cheeses contaminated with L. monocytogenes were positive for the microbiological method 96 h post contamination and for nPCR and real-time PCR 48 h post contamination. At this time, the HlyA gene was amplified in all contaminated samples. Both molecular techniques showed the same sensitivity, 30 copies/reaction or 3.5 UFC/25 g, when plasmid DNA standard or artificially contaminated cheese samples were used. Finally, eighty soft cheese samples obtained from local retail stores and tested by three methods were negative, indicating a 100% concordance in results. The development of an nPCR with IAC reinforces the reliability of the negative results without increasing the costs of the reaction. Besides, nPCR showed less sensitivity to the presence of inhibitory substances in the reaction. The use of one of these molecular techniques could be easily coupled to the microbiological method, serving as a screening method in the food industry for hygiene monitoring and early identification of contaminated foods.

Assuntos

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The development of novel biotechnologies that promote a better use of N to optimize crop yield is a central goal for sustainable agriculture. Phytostimulation, biofertilization, and bioprotection through the use of bio-inputs are promising technologies for this purpose. In this study, the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria Pseudomonas koreensis MME3 was genetically modified to express a nitric oxide synthase of Synechococcus SyNOS, an atypical enzyme with a globin domain that converts nitric oxide to nitrate. A cassette for constitutive expression of synos was introduced as a single insertion into the genome of P. koreensis MME3 using a miniTn7 system. The resulting recombinant strain MME3:SyNOS showed improved growth, motility, and biofilm formation. The impact of MME3:SyNOS inoculation on Brachypodium distachyon growth and N uptake and use efficiencies under different N availability situations was analyzed, in comparison to the control strain MME3:c. After 35 days of inoculation, plants treated with MME3:SyNOS had a higher root dry weight, both under semi-hydroponic and greenhouse conditions. At harvest, both MME3:SyNOS and MME3:c increased N uptake and use efficiency of plants grown under low N soil. Our results indicate that synos expression is a valid strategy to boost the phytostimulatory capacity of plant-associated bacteria and improve the adaptability of plants to N deficiency. KEY POINTS: • synos expression improves P. koreensis MME3 traits important for rhizospheric colonization • B. distachyon inoculated with MME3:SyNOS shows improved root growth • MME3 inoculation improves plant N uptake and use efficiencies in N-deficient soil.

Assuntos

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BACKGROUND: Exaggerated lung strain and stress could damage lungs in anesthetized children. The authors hypothesized that the association of capnoperitoneum and lung collapse in anesthetized children increases lung strain-stress. Their primary aim was to describe the impact of capnoperitoneum on lung strain-stress and the effects of an individualized protective ventilation during laparoscopic surgery in children. METHODS: The authors performed an observational cohort study in healthy children aged 3 to 7 yr scheduled for laparoscopic surgery in a community hospital. All received standard protective ventilation with 5 cm H2O of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Children were evaluated before capnoperitoneum, during capnoperitoneum before and after lung recruitment and optimized PEEP (PEEP adjusted to get end-expiratory transpulmonary pressure of 0), and after capnoperitoneum with optimized PEEP. The presence of lung collapse was evaluated by lung ultrasound, positive Air-Test (oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry 96% or less breathing 21% O2 for 5 min), and negative end-expiratory transpulmonary pressure. Lung strain was calculated as tidal volume/end-expiratory lung volume measured by capnodynamics, and lung stress as the end-inspiratory transpulmonary pressure. RESULTS: The authors studied 20 children. Before capnoperitoneum, mean lung strain was 0.20 ± 0.07 (95% CI, 0.17 to 0.23), and stress was 5.68 ± 2.83 (95% CI, 4.44 to 6.92) cm H2O. During capnoperitoneum, 18 patients presented lung collapse and strain (0.29 ± 0.13; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.35; P < 0.001) and stress (5.92 ± 3.18; 95% CI, 4.53 to 7.31 cm H2O; P = 0.374) increased compared to before capnoperitoneum. During capnoperitoneum and optimized PEEP, children presenting lung collapse were recruited and optimized PEEP was 8.3 ± 2.2 (95% CI, 7.3 to 9.3) cm H2O. Strain returned to values before capnoperitoneum (0.20 ± 0.07; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.22; P = 0.318), but lung stress increased (7.29 ± 2.67; 95% CI, 6.12 to 8.46 cm H2O; P = 0.020). After capnoperitoneum, strain decreased (0.18 ± 0.04; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.20; P = 0.090), but stress remained higher (7.25 ± 3.01; 95% CI, 5.92 to 8.57 cm H2O; P = 0.024) compared to before capnoperitoneum. CONCLUSIONS: Capnoperitoneum increased lung strain in healthy children undergoing laparoscopy. Lung recruitment and optimized PEEP during capnoperitoneum decreased lung strain but slightly increased lung stress. This little rise in pulmonary stress was maintained within safe, lung-protective, and clinically acceptable limits.

Assuntos

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PURPOSE: To obtain evidence of the clinical validity of the nursing diagnosis (ND) risk for disturbed maternal-fetal dyad in high-risk pregnancy. METHOD: Causal validation of the ND through a case-control study performed in a university hospital with 155 high-risk pregnant women: 31 cases and 124 controls. A causal association was found between the ND etiological factors and the occurrence of disruption of the symbiotic maternal-fetal dyad; an association was verified when the etiological factor presented a p-value <0.05 and odds ratio >1. FINDINGS: The risk factor absent-inadequate prenatal care; populations at risk, such as young-advanced maternal age and economically disadvantaged pregnant women; and association conditions, such as maternal conditions and compromised fetal oxygen transport, increased the outcome likelihood. The associated condition maternal illnesses appeared as a protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of clinical validity of the ND risk for disturbed maternal-fetal dyad was obtained, and an association between etiological factors and disruption of the symbiotic maternal-fetal dyad was found. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The results contribute to advance scientific knowledge in nursing teaching, research, and practice and support the nursing process in high-risk pregnancies.

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AIMS: To summarise the evidence on barriers to and facilitators of population adherence to prevention and control measures for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other respiratory infectious diseases. METHODS: A qualitative synthesis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis and the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care: Qualitative Evidence Synthesis. We performed an electronic search on MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO from their inception to March 2023. RESULTS: We included 71 studies regarding COVID-19, pneumonia, tuberculosis, influenza, pertussis and H1N1, representing 5966 participants. The measures reported were vaccinations, physical distancing, stay-at-home policy, quarantine, self-isolation, facemasks, hand hygiene, contact investigation, lockdown, infection prevention and control guidelines, and treatment. Tuberculosis-related measures were access to care, diagnosis and treatment completion. Analysis of the included studies yielded 37 barriers and 23 facilitators. CONCLUSIONS: This review suggests that financial and social support, assertive communication, trust in political authorities and greater regulation of social media enhance adherence to prevention and control measures for COVID-19 and infectious respiratory diseases. Designing and implementing effective educational public health interventions targeting the findings of barriers and facilitators highlighted in this review are key to reducing the impact of infectious respiratory diseases at the population level.

Assuntos