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Background: The antimicrobial activity of essential oils has been reported in hundreds of studies, however, the great majority of these studies attribute the activity to the most prevalent compounds without analyzing them independently. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the antibacterial activity of 33 free terpenes commonly found in essential oils and evaluate the cellular ultrastructure to verify possible damage to the cellular membrane. Methods: Screening was performed to select substances with possible antimicrobial activity, then the minimal inhibitory concentrations, bactericidal activity and 24-h time-kill curve studies were evaluated by standard protocols. In addition, the ultrastructure of control and death bacteria were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Results: Only 16 of the 33 compounds had antimicrobial activity at the initial screening. Eugenol exhibited rapid bactericidal action against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (2 h). Terpineol showed excellent bactericidal activity against S. aureus strains. Carveol, citronellol and geraniol presented a rapid bactericidal effect against E. coli. Conclusions: The higher antimicrobial activity was related to the presence of hydroxyl groups (phenolic and alcohol compounds), whereas hydrocarbons resulted in less activity. The first group, such as carvacrol, l-carveol, eugenol, trans-geraniol, and thymol, showed higher activity when compared to sulfanilamide. Images obtained by scanning electron microscopy indicate that the mechanism causing the cell death of the evaluated bacteria is based on the loss of cellular membrane integrity of function. The present study brings detailed knowledge about the antimicrobial activity of the individual compounds present in essential oils, that can provide a greater understanding for the future researches.

We analyze the trade-offs between health and the economy during the period of social distancing in São Paulo, the state hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. We use longitudinal data with municipal-level information and check the robustness of our estimates to several sources of bias, including spatial dependence, reverse causality, and time-variant omitted variables. We use exogenous climate shocks as instruments for social distancing since people are more likely to stay home in wetter and colder periods. Our findings suggest that the health benefits of social distancing differ by levels of municipal development and may have vanished if the COVID-19 spread was not controlled in neighboring municipalities. In turn, we did not find evidence that municipalities with tougher social distancing performed worse economically. Our results also highlight that estimates that do not account for endogeneity may largely underestimate the benefits of social distancing on reducing the spread of COVID-19.

The present study aimed to investigate whether the visceral adiposity index (VAI) is an effective predictor to identify unhealthy metabolic phenotype by comparing normal-weight and overweight individuals. A population-based cross-sectional study. Data were collected by interviews, anthropometric evaluation, dietetic, clinical and laboratory tests. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) and prevalence ratio (PR), obtained from Poisson regression, were used to compare the predictive capacity of the obesity indicators evaluated (VAI, BMI, waist and neck circumference, waist-to-height and waist-to-hip ratios) and their association with the unhealthy metabolic phenotype. All analyses were stratified by sex and by nutritional status. Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.ParticipantsA total of 854 Brazilian adults (20-59 years old) of both sexes. VAI was the best predictor for unhealthy metabolic phenotype among men (AUC = 0·865) and women (AUC = 0·843) at normal weight. VAI also had the best predictive capacity among overweight women (AUC = 0·903). Among overweight men, its accuracy (AUC = 0·830) was higher than that of waist-to-hip ratio. In the adjusted regression models, VAI was the indicator most strongly associated with the unhealthy metabolic phenotype, especially among those with normal weight (PR = 6·74; 95 % CI 3·15, 14·42 for men; PR = 7·14; 95 % CI 3·79, 13·44 for women). VAI has better predictive capacity in detecting unhealthy metabolic phenotype than conventional anthropometric indicators, regardless of nutritional status and sex.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different anthropic landscape profiles on the diversity and distribution of mosquito species in a rural settlement of the Brazilian Amazon. Eight field collections were conducted at 18 sampling points interspersed throughout 2020–2021. Plastic containers, bamboo internodes, and tires were used as traps to capture immature mosquitoes in three distinct habitats: forest, forest edge, and peridomicile. A total of 15,547 individuals, distributed in 26 species of culicids, were collected. The most abundant species were Culex urichii (8,376 specimens), Culex ( Melanoconion ) (2,473 specimens), and Aedes albopictus (1,252 specimens). Forest habitat showed the highest abundance, and forest edge showed the highest species richness. Different types of environments influenced both the abundance and richness of mosquitoes. The species composition was also significantly different between the analyzed sites, mainly between forest and peridomicile environments. The change in species dominance could largely explain this change in mosquito community composition. Haemagogus janthinomys , an important sylvatic arbovirus vector, was found in peridomicile habitats and Ae . albopictus , a vector associated with human environments, was found in forest habitats, thus providing evidence of species spillover. Our results indicated that landscape changes affect mosquito communities, influencing their richness and abundance. These changes may have implications for future arboviral outbreaks in this rural settlement due to the possible establishment of sylvatic vector species in anthropic environments.

Context: Orange Jessamine [Murraya paniculata L. (Rutaceae)] has been used worldwide in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and analgesic.Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the in vitro antioxidant, cytotoxic, antibacterial and antifungal activity and the time-kill curve studies of orange jessamine essential oil and β-caryophyllene, as well as the chemical composition of the essential oil.Material and methods: The cytotoxic activity of M. paniculata and β-caryophyllene (7.8–500 μg/mL) was evaluated using the MTT assay on normal fibroblasts and hepatoma cells. The minimal inhibitory concentration and time–kill curves (24 h) were evaluated against those of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Enterococcus faecallis, Aspergillus (niger, fumigates and parasiticum) and F. solani by the broth microdilution method. The antioxidant activity was measured by the DPPH and ABTS assays. Chemical composition was evaluated by GC/MS analyses.Results: GC/MS analyses identified 13 compounds, with β-caryophyllene as the major compound. The oil exhibited moderate antibacterial activity (MIC <1.0 mg/mL) and strong antifungal activity. Time–kill curve studies showed that either the essential oil or β-caryophyllene presented rapid bacterial killing (4 h for S. aureus) and fungicidal effect (2-4 h for F. solani); however, both displayed weak free radical scavenger capacity. The cytotoxic activity exhibited a prominent selective effect against hepatoma cancer cells (IC50 value =63.7 μg/mL) compared with normal fibroblasts (IC50 value =195.0 μg/mL), whereas the β-caryophyllene showed low cytotoxicity.Discussion and conclusion: The experimental data suggest that the activities of M. paniculata essential oil are due to the synergistic action among its components.

IntroductionPatients that undergo Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) experience a dramatic change in food consumption; however, it is unknown whether food consumption changes in relation to the level of food processing.ObjectiveThe aim of this work was to evaluate the relationship between ultra-processed food intake, dietary antioxidant capacity, and cardiometabolic risk factors in patients who underwent RYGB.MethodsThis study included 58 obese patients who underwent RYGB bariatric surgery. Data collection was done pre-operatively and at 3 months post-surgery. The foods consumed were documented using a 3-day 24-h dietary recall, and food intake was classified based on NOVA and dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Anthropometric and biochemical data as well as information on body composition were also collected. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was classified in accordance with the International Diabetes Federation.ResultsUltra-processed foods amounted to 27.2% and 19.7% of the total calories consumed during pre- and post-surgery periods, respectively. Regarding post-surgery, the caloric contribution of unprocessed or minimally processed foods increased, from 55.7 to 70.2% (p = 0.000). The TAC of foods consumed is inversely proportional to that of ultra-processed foods. Obvious changes were observed in all the anthropometric variables, lipid profile, glycemia, insulin resistance, and MS.ConclusionOur results indicate that bariatric surgery is able to promote improvement in the diet quality of patients, reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods and increasing the intake of unprocessed foods. The TAC of foods consumed is inversely proportional to that of ultra-processed ones.

Abstract Low bone health is associated with vitamin D deficiency in older individuals; however, this association is not well established in adults. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and bone health in adults by systematic review and meta-analysis. The search was carried out in the LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect databases from March 2017 to October 2018 with adult individuals (20-59 years). Bone health was evaluation performed through dual X-ray absorptiometry and serum concentrations of 25(OH)D. The random effect model was used to analyze data from bone mineral content and bone mineral. Random effects models were used and the sources of heterogeneity were explored by means of meta-regression. Thirty-five articles were selected. There was positive correlation between vitamin D and bone health in most of the evaluated sites. Correlation was observed in the analysis of subgroups for lumbar spine among men. When stratified, the studies presented high heterogeneity, which was explained by the sample size, mean serum vitamin D levels and risk of bias. Vitamin D is positively correlated to bone health in adult individuals. Resumo A baixa saúde óssea está associada à deficiência de vitamina D em indivíduos mais velhos; no entanto, isso não está bem estabelecido em adultos. O estudo objetivou-se analisar a associação entre concentrações séricas de 25-hidroxivitamina D e baixa saúde óssea em adultos por revisão sistemática e metanálise. A pesquisa foi realizada nas bases LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect de março de 2017 a outubro de 2018 com indivíduos adultos (20-59 anos). A avaliação da saúde óssea foi realizada através da absorciometria dupla de raios X e concentrações séricas de 25(OH)D. O modelo de efeito aleatório foi utilizado para analisar dados do conteúdo mineral ósseo e densidade mineral óssea. Modelos de efeitos aleatórios foram utilizados e a heterogeneidade foi explorada por meio de meta-regressão. Trinta e cinco artigos foram selecionados. Houve correlação positiva entre a vitamina D e a saúde óssea na maioria dos locais avaliados. Observou-se correlação na análise de subgrupos da coluna lombar entre homens. Quando estratificados, os estudos apresentaram alta heterogeneidade, explicada pelo tamanho da amostra, pelos níveis séricos médios da vitamina e pelo risco de viés. A vitamina D está positivamente correlacionada com a saúde óssea em indivíduos adultos.

PurposeLand use change (LUC) is a critical process in the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of agricultural products and Brazil is a major exporter of these. This work had the objective of integrating refined and regionalized datasets of LUC in Brazil into the ecoinvent database, to better represent its dynamics and heterogeneity. We present the adaptations needs for having it suitable for crops, pasture and forestry in state-level and impacts of modelling assumptions and uncertainties.MethodsAdaptation and integration were based in ecoinvent version 3 guidelines and the database requirements to LUC modelling. BRLUC, a method for Brazilian LUC accounting, was the main data source. The workflow for the integration process consisted in identifying necessary adaptations in both sources to allow a better representation of Brazilian LUC. Four new reference products and 27 geographies were added in the database.Results and discussionA total of 566 new datasets were integrated into ecoinvent version 3.6, allowing the incorporation of LUC in Brazilian products in state, regional and national level. GHG emissions reduced, being 42.2% and 99.9% lower to soybean and sugarcane than in ecoinvent v3.5. Four improvements were the main causes: (i) state-level LUC modelling with national official data; (ii) regionalizing carbon stocks; (iii) including pasture and forestry land use categories; (iv) and considering sugarcane as a perennial crop. The way to calculate national-level results based on subnational data was an important source of difference in emissions too. Uncertainties specifically associated with land use substitution patterns were not incorporated, and they can potentially have impacts as large as the uncertainties of all the remaining processes combined.ConclusionsResults showed that small changes in data sources and premises have large impacts on emissions associated with LUC in agricultural products. It also showed the large impacts of uncertainties of LUC patterns. Improving current models in better representing regional LUC patterns, regional carbon stocks and uncertainty accounting could reduce these impacts. Nonetheless, efforts in reducing the complexity of LUC accounting methods could enhance transparency and effectiveness.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of dyslipidemia and its association with an adequate intake of carbohydrates, saturated, monounsaturated, trans, and omega-3 fats among adults living in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study with 884 adults aged 20 to 59 years. Sociodemographic, food intake, anthropometric, and biochemical data were collected. Associations between study variables were investigated by the chi-square test. There was a high prevalence of dyslipidemia in the study population (64.25%), with most individuals having abnormal levels of at least one serum lipid component. Inadequate intakes of saturated, trans, and monounsaturated fats and carbohydrates were predominant. It is noteworthy that omega-3 intake levels were adequate in most individuals. Eutrophic adults showed a higher prevalence of excessive intake of saturated and trans fats. It was found that 38.7% of individuals with low levels of High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) had an excessive intake of saturated fat. Most individuals with high triglyceride levels or high triglyceride/HDL-c ratios had an insufficient intake of monounsaturated fat. Further studies are needed to evaluate other factors that may influence dietary patterns.This study aimed to assess the prevalence of dyslipidemia and its association with an adequate intake of carbohydrates, saturated, monounsaturated, trans, and omega-3 fats among adults living in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study with 884 adults aged 20 to 59 years. Sociodemographic, food intake, anthropometric, and biochemical data were collected. Associations between study variables were investigated by the chi-square test. There was a high prevalence of dyslipidemia in the study population (64.25%), with most individuals having abnormal levels of at least one serum lipid component. Inadequate intakes of saturated, trans, and monounsaturated fats and carbohydrates were predominant. It is noteworthy that omega-3 intake levels were adequate in most individuals. Eutrophic adults showed a higher prevalence of excessive intake of saturated and trans fats. It was found that 38.7% of individuals with low levels of High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) had an excessive intake of saturated fat. Most individuals with high triglyceride levels or high triglyceride/HDL-c ratios had an insufficient intake of monounsaturated fat. Further studies are needed to evaluate other factors that may influence dietary patterns.

SCD is a hereditary disorder caused by genetic mutation in the beta-globin gene, resulting in abnormal hemoglobin, HbS that forms sickle-shaped erythrocytes under hypoxia. Patients with SCD have endocrine disorders and it was described that 7% of these patients have clinical hypothyroidism. Recent studies have shown that mature erythrocytes possess TSH receptors. Thus, we aimed to assess the effects of TSH on SCD erythrocytes. The experiments were conducted using different concentrations of TSH (1, 2, 3, and 5 mIU/L). In HbS polymerization assay, erythrocytes were exposed to TSH in hypoxia to induce polymerization, and measurements were taken for 30 minutes. The deformability assay was made using Sephacryl-S 500 columns to separate deformable from nondeformable cells. Static adhesion test utilized thrombospondin to assess erythrocyte adhesion in the presence of TSH. TSH at all contractions were able to reduce polymerization of HbS and increase deformability. The static adhesion of erythrocytes at the lowest concentrations of 1 and 2 mIU/L were increased, but at higher contractions of 3 and 5 mIU/L, static adhesion was not modulated. The results suggest that TSH has potential involvement in the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease by inhibiting HbS polymerization, positively modulating deformability and impacting static adhesion to thrombospondin.