Joicy Cortez de Sá Sousa

Sepsis is a life‐threatening condition characterized by severe organ dysfunction resulting from an uncontrolled host response to infection. Sepsis treatment poses a challenge due to its complexity and the need for effective therapeutic approaches. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory and antimicrobial effects of exopolysaccharides (EPS) from Auricularia auricula in a murine model of lethal sepsis. Our findings demonstrated that treatment with EPS significantly enhances the proliferation of circulating lymphocytes and granulocytes, which is associated with improved host defense mechanisms. Additionally, EPS administration effectively mitigates sepsis‐induced pulmonary damage, as evidenced by preserved lung function. Furthermore, EPS treatment significantly reduces microbial translocation to the bloodstream, maintaining a lower colony‐forming unit (CFU) count and thereby restricting systemic infection. The polysaccharides also prevent the development of thrombocytopenia in septic animals, thereby preserving platelet homeostasis. The compound modulates serum cytokine profiles, contributing to a more regulated inflammatory response. The interactome analysis reveals that the Dectin‐1 → Syk pathway activates NF‐κB/AP‐1 and involves p38 MAPK, thereby explaining the observed cytokine modulation. The presence of Nod2/Ripk2 suggests that the EPS primes leukocytes to effectively combat both fungi and bacteria, leading to a reduced bacterial load and increased survival. Collectively, these data indicate that EPS, a prebiotic agent, represents a novel therapeutic strategy with potential for modulating immune responses, controlling microbial proliferation, and improving survival outcomes in a model of severe sepsis.

Objective: To investigate the antimicrobial activity, surface roughness, and biocompatibility of conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) modified with 1% graphene oxide (GO). Material and Methods: GIC samples (8 mm x 1 mm discs) were prepared with and without 1% GO incorporated into the powder via mechanical agitation. The samples were exposed to Streptococcus mutans UA 159 suspensions (OD600: 1.6 ± 0.05, diluted 1:500 in BHI + 1% glucose medium) for 24 hours to evaluate their antimicrobial activity. Surface roughness was measured before and after biofilm formation. Biocompatibility was investigated by inoculating polyethylene tube implants with GIC or GIC+GO on the backs of Wistar rats. Results: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the presence of GO in the GIC. The materials did not alter biofilm formation or the acidification profiles of the supernatant. However, GIC+GO exhibited significantly lower surface roughness and greater resistance to biofilm-induced wear compared to unmodified GIC. Histological analysis revealed increased fibroblast and blood capillary proliferation in the GIC+GO group. Conclusion: The incorporation of 1% graphene oxide improved the surface stability and biocompatibility of glass ionomer cement under the tested conditions. These findings suggest potential benefits for restorative applications. Nonetheless, further studies involving multispecies biofilms and long-term evaluations are needed to confirm these effects and support clinical translation.

Escherichia coli is a common intestinal microorganism that can cause a variety of diseases in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of fish oil rich in omega-3 against intestinal infection caused by enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC). Minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations were determined, along with toxicity assays using HT-29 intestinal cells and Tenebrio molitor larvae. Swiss mice infected with EAEC 042 were used to assess the in vivo therapeutic potential of fish oil. Histological analyses of the liver, kidney, and colon were conducted to identify tissue alterations such as inflammation and necrosis. Fish oil exhibited a bacteriostatic effect on E. coli and was non-toxic to HT-29 cells at concentrations up to 50 mg/mL. It also enhanced survival in treated larvae. In infected mice, bacterial colony counts were significantly lower in the fish oil-treated group. Histological evaluation showed reduced inflammatory infiltrates in the liver and colon, and no progression of hepatic hydropic degeneration was observed in treated animals, unlike in the untreated infected group. These findings indicated that fish oil rich in omega-3 possesses antimicrobial activity against E. coli, is non-toxic to both cells and animal models, and effectively reduces intestinal infection and associated tissue damage in mice. This suggests its potential as a supportive therapeutic agent for infections caused by pathogenic E. coli.

Objective: The objective is to analyze the completeness of the notification forms in the Notifiable Diseases Information System for visceral leishmaniasis in the city of São Luís. Method: A quantitative descriptive study was carried out based on data analysis from DataSUS, where the essential fields and mandatory fields were considered to evaluate the completeness of the forms. Results and Discussion: 642 notifications were evaluated during this period. Of the essential fields, only "area of residence" showed very low completeness (27.7%), the others showed completeness above 95%. Among the mandatory fields, "HIV co-infection" was the least complete (94.6%) and the others were above 95%, with the variables "sex", "age group" and "diagnosis confirmation criterion" having the best completeness of all, reaching 100%. Research Implications: Most of the fields were very complete, but there is still a need for more attention to be paid to the "area of residence" field, as it provides data on the regions that are most affected, and is important for targeting and improving epidemiological control actions for visceral leishmaniasis.

Objective: Analyze the completeness of the mandatory and essential fields that must appear in Sinan regarding visceral leishmaniasis, in the years 2019 to 2022 of the Health Region – Açailândia (Region XIV), Maranhão, Brazil. Theoretical Framework: In Brazil, it is compulsory to report, requiring complete data for effective monitoring. Maranhão, especially Açailândia, faces a high incidence due to deforestation and precarious conditions, making it urgent to implement integrated public health control and prevention strategies. Method: Quantitative descriptive study based on data analysis from DataSUS, where essential fields and mandatory fields were considered to evaluate the completeness of the forms. Results and Discussion: During the study period, 48 notifications were computed and evaluated, in the essential fields, the “residence area” was the one with the lowest completeness categorized as “Poor” with 0%, the other variables presented good completeness, with more than 95% and the “Race/color” variable is the only one with 100%. Of the mandatory variables, “Coinfection with HIV” and “Type of entry” were the only ones that achieved lower completeness (87.5% and 93.75%, respectively) and the variables “sex”, “age group” and “diagnosis confirmation criteria” reaching 100% completeness. Research Implications: Research has important implications for improving Epidemiological Surveillance, Formulating Public Policies and Training Health Professionals, making screening and combating visceral leishmaniasis more efficient.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Calcium Hydroxyapatite (HaCa) on tissue repair process in Wistar rats. Theoretical Framework: Collagen is a fundamental element produced by the extracellular matrix during the wound healing process. In the beauty market, there are collagen biostimulators based on HaCa. Method: Wounds were created in the dorsal region of 16 female rats, divided into 2 groups with 8 animals each. In the case group, 0.2ml of HaCa was injected around the wounds, while the control group received no product. The animals were analyzed for 30 days. During this period, the wounds and their characteristics during the tissue repair phases were observed both macroscopically and histologically. Results and Discussion: The reduction of wounds in both the case and control groups was greater between the 5th and 10th day. There was no significant difference between the groups. Microscopically, the skin fragment removed for analysis showed the same characteristics in both groups, with complete re-epithelialization, deposition of collagen fibers, and no signs of exacerbated inflammation. Research Implications: It was observed that HaCa does not interfere with the tissue repair process, without causing adverse reactions such as inflammation, showing that the collagen biostimulator is a biocompatible material. Originality/Value: This was the first study to investigate the application of a collagen biostimulator in the tissue repair process, demonstrating that HaCa is harmless to the animals' cutaneous tissues and presents good durability when injected into the subcutaneous tissue.

A Leishmaniose Tegumentar Americana (LTA) é classificada pelo Ministério da Saúde como uma doença de notificação compulsória. Objetivo avaliar a completude de dados das fichas de notificação presentes no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação da LTA no municipío de São Luís, Maranhão, no período de 2019 a 2022. É um estudo epidemiológico quantitativo, que utilizou os dados secundários disponibilizados no SINAN. Para avaliar a completude dos dados foram analisadas 11 variáveis, quatro de preenchimento essencial e sete obrigatórias. A análise das variáveis de preenchimento essencial obtiveram um escore classificado com “Bom”, mas a variável zona de residência apresentou escore “muito baixa”. Com relação às de preenchimento obrigatório, apenas uma variável apresentou escore “muito baixa”, a “classificação epidemiológica”. A completude das fichas de registros de notificação dos casos de LTA em geral foi considerada como boa, porém duas variáveis apresentaram completude muito baixa ou incompletas, demonstrando assim que pode ocorrer mais melhorias na qualidade de informações relacionadas a LTA.

This study analyzed the antifungal potential of 16 bacterial strains isolated from mangrove sediment. Bacterial selection was conducted in a solid medium. This was followed by the production and extraction of metabolites using ethyl acetate to evaluate chitinase production, antifungal activity, and toxicity toward Allium cepa and Tenebrio molitor. Bacterial strains B8, B11, and B13 produced the largest inhibition halos (>30 mm) toward Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, and Rhizoctonia solani fungi. Strains B1, B3, B6, B8, B11, B13, B14, and B16 produced chitinases. In assays using liquid media, B8 and B13 produced the largest inhibition halos. Exposing the fungal inocula to metabolic extracts of strains B6, B8, B11, B13, B14, B15, and B16 caused micromorphological alterations in the inocula, culminating in the inhibition of R. solani sporulation and spore germination. Toxicity tests using Allium cepa and Tenebrio molitor revealed that the metabolites showed low toxicity. Six of the bacterial strains were molecularly identified to species levels, and a further two to genus level. These included Serratia marcescens (B8), which exhibited activity in all tests. Mangroves provide a useful resource for the isolation of microorganisms for biocontrol. Among the isolates, Serratia marcescens and Bacillus spp. showed the greatest potential to produce metabolites for use as biocontrol agents in agriculture.