Immunomodulatory activity of ouabain in Leishmania leishmania amazonensis-infected Swiss mice

Ouabain is a cardiotonic steroid identified as an endogenous substance of human plasma, being produced by the adrenal, pituitary, and hypothalamus. Despite the studies demonstrating the ability of ouabain to modulate inflammation and other aspects of the immune response, the effects of this substance in Leishmaniasis is unknown. The purpose of this work was to understand the immunomodulatory activity of ouabain in experimental Leishmaniasis in Swiss mice. It was demonstrated that ouabain reduced total cell numbers in the peritoneal cavity as a reflex of the inhibition of neutrophil migration induced by Leishmania (L.) Amazonensis. Furthermore, ouabain reduced TNF-α and IFN-γ levels, without cytotoxicity against peritoneal macrophages. These data showed the anti-inflammatory role of ouabain in the early events of the immune response triggered by Leishmania (L.) Amazonensis infection in murine model.

The α2 Na+/K+-ATPase isoform mediates LPS-induced neuroinflammation

Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase is a transmembrane ion pump that is essential for the maintenance of ion gradients and regulation of multiple cellular functions. Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase has been associated with nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) signalling, a signal associated with lipopolysaccharides (LPSs)-induced immune response in connection with activated Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signalling. However, the contribution of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase to regulating inflammatory responses remains elusive. We report that mice haploinsufficient for the astrocyte-enriched α₂Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase isoform (α₂^+/G301R mice) have a reduced proinflammatory response to LPS, accompanied by a reduced hypothermic reaction compared to wild type litter mates. Following intraperitoneal injection of LPS, gene expressions of Tnf-α, Il-1β, and Il-6 was reduced in the hypothalamus and hippocampus from α₂^+/G301R mice compared to α₂^+/+ littermates. The α₂^+/G301R mice experienced increased expression of the gene encoding an antioxidant enzyme, NRF2, in hippocampal astrocytes. Our findings indicate that α₂Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase haploinsufficiency negatively modulates LPS-induced immune responses, highlighting a rational pharmacological target for reducing LPS-induced inflammation.

Surveillance of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in flies (Diptera) in Rio de Janeiro city

Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria were isolated from muscoid dipterans collected at five different areas of Rio de Janeiro city, in proximity to hospitals. Extracts obtained by maceration of flies were diluted and used as inocula for different culture media, with or without antibiotic (ceftriaxone 1 mg/L) supplementation. Purified isolates were submitted to antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). Bacterial identification was performed by MALDI TOF Microflex LT (Bruker Daltonics). A total of 197 bacterial strains were obtained from 117 dipterous muscoids. Forty-two flies (35.9%) carried bacteria resistant to at least one antimicrobial, while 7 insects (5.9%) carried multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR), which were all members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Among 10 MDR bacteria (5%), 5 strains (2,5%) were positive by PCR for one or more of the following antibiotic resistance genes: aac(6')-Ib, bla_TEM-1, bla_CTX-M-15, bla_KPC-2 and bla_NDM-1. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and cluster analysis compared the number of resistant isolates per collection point and showed that a single location was statistically different from the others with regard to resistance. Although there are still no criteria to determine the environmental contamination by resistant bacteria the fact that they have been isolated from flies is an indication of a disseminated contamination. As such, these insects may be useful in monitoring programs of antibiotic resistance in non-hospital environments, where they could function as sentinels.

Caudal epidural anesthesia in awake premature neonates for inguinal herniorrhaphy

Postoperative apnea (PA) occurs between 12 and 40% in premature infants, varying inversely in postconceptual age (risk is greater if age is less than 44 weeks). It can appear as late as 12 hours after the end of the surgical anesthesia (7). In a recent article (1), the author related the occurrence of PA in an ex-premature infant submitted to inhalation anesthesia The use of regional blockings is pointed out as one of the solutions for the problem (9,5). This paper is about the use of caudal epidural anesthesia in a premature neonate, submitted to bilateral inguinal herniorraphy.

Floral Morphometry and Sexual System Determination in Pink Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia - Anacardiaceae)

The increasing global importance of pink peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia, Anacardiaceae) as a high-value commercial crop and its potential for expansion in production demand appropriate management due to uncertainties regarding its sexual system. This study focused on evaluating the morphology of sterile and fertile floral whorls, as well as analyzing the sexual system of pink pepper in two populations in northeastern Brazil. The results revealed no significant differences in the morphological characteristics of the flowers between the studied areas, suggesting that the species possesses notable adaptability to environmental conditions. However, a significant difference in the proportion of staminate individuals was observed in both areas, representing over 88% and 72%, respectively. A correlation was observed between the size of the stamens and the presence of apparently atrophied pistils (r=0.275; df=178; p<0.001), along with the occurrence of fruits in these hermaphroditic plants. In this context, the species should be considered gynodioecious due to the presence of plants with hermaphroditic flowers and plants with pistillate flowers. However, further research is essential to elucidate the role of pollinators, especially bees and wasps, and to better understand the fruiting process in hermaphroditic flowers. These insights have the potential to significantly enhance management aiming for efficient fruit production, promoting its economic and ecological relevance.