Many Clostridium species are found as commensal members of the intestinal microbiota. However, imbalances of the microbiota may lead to certain infections caused by these microorganisms, mainly Clostridium butyricum, Clostridium difficile, and Clostridium perfringens. In many cases, infection recurrence can occur after antibiotics, indicating the need for novel therapeutic options that act on the pathogens and also restore the microbiota. Herein, the in vitro antimicrobial activity and probiotic potential of clinical and reference strains of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were investigated against Clostridium species. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the agar spot test and inhibition of gas production. Then, the probiotic potential of selected strains was assessed by analyzing their coaggregation ability, adhesive properties to host cells and mucin, tolerance to acidic pH and bile salts, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles. Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 was the most promising strain based on its inhibitory activity against Clostridium spp. Also, this strain met criteria to be considered a probiotic based on its coaggregation ability, adhesive properties, and tolerance to harsh pH and bile acid salt conditions. The results indicate that among the studied strains, L. plantarum ATCC 8014 presents probiotic potential for controlling infections induced by the studied Clostridium species and should be further evaluated in in vivo animal models.

Lectins are a large group of proteins found in animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria that recognize specific carbohydrate targets and play an important role in cell recognition and communication, host-pathogen interactions, embryogenesis, and tissue development. Recently, lectins have emerged as important biomedical tools that have been used in the development of immunomodulatory, antipathogenic, and anticancer agents. Several lectins have been shown to have the ability to discriminate between normal cells and tumor cells as a result of their different glycosylation patterns. Furthermore, the specific binding of lectins to cancer cells has been shown to trigger mechanisms that can promote the death of these abnormal cells. Here, we review the importance of lectins-carbohydrates interactions in cancer therapy and diagnosis. We examine the use of lectins in the modification of nanoparticles (liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles and other polymers) for anticancer drug delivery. The development of drug delivery systems (liposomes, alginate/chitosan microcapsules, alginate beads) carrying some antitumor lectins is also discussed. In these cases, the processes of cell death induced by these antitumor lectins were also showed (if available). In both cases (lectin-conjugated polymers or encapsulated lectins), these new pharmaceutical preparations showed improved intracellular delivery, bioavailability and targetability leading to enhanced therapeutic index and significantly less side effects.

A busca por alimentos saudáveis e nutritivos tem estimulado o setor de laticínios a desenvolver diferentes sabores de iogurtes, para atender as demandas de consumo da população. Adicionar polpa ou pedaços de frutas regionais é uma das estratégias utilizadas pela indústria alimentícia, com isso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver iogurtes sabor sapoti e avaliar sua aceitabilidade e intenção de compra. Para tanto, foram desenvolvidas duas formulações de iogurte, com leite integral (F1) e leite desnatado (F2). As formulações, foram então, submetidas a análises microbiológicas para investigar presença de coliformes totais, fecais e microrganismos patogênicos, além de análise sensorial e intenção de compra, ambas através de Escala Hedônica. Foi calculado o Índice de Aceitabilidade para o atributo qualidade global. Na análise estatística os resultados foram submetidos ao teste “t” de Student (p<0,05) à nível máximo de significância de 5%. As formulações apresentaram condições higiênico-sanitárias adequadas. Na avaliação sensorial foram consideradas bem aceitas (≥70%) no índice de aceitabilidade, sendo que as amostras se diferiram estatisticamente (p< 0,05) em todos os atributos avaliados (aroma, cor, sabor, textura e qualidade global),porém, a F1 obteve médias maiores em relação a F2. Desta forma, concluiu-se que as duas formulações de iogurte utilizando sapoti, obteviveram avaliações favoráveis por parte dos provadores, representando ótimas alternativas de consumo e aproveitamento do fruto.

Community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the leading cause of child death worldwide. Viruses are the most common pathogens associated with CAP in children, but their incidence varies greatly. This study investigated the presence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, human rhinovirus (HRV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), human coronavirus (HCoV‐OC43 and HCoV‐NL63), and influenza A virus (FluA) in children with CAP and the contributing risk factors. Here, children with acute respiratory infections were screened by pediatrics; and a total of 150 radiographically‐confirmed CAP patients (aged 3 months to 10 years) from two clinical centers in Sao Luis, Brazil were recruited. Patient's clinical and epidemiological data were recorded. Nasopharyngeal swab and tracheal aspirate samples were collected to extract viral nucleic acid. RSV, adenovirus, rhinovirus, FluA, HMPV, HCoV‐OC43, and HCoV‐NL63 were detected by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The severe CAP was associated with ages between 3 and 12 months. Viruses were detected in 43% of CAP patients. Rhinovirus infections were the most frequently identified (68%). RSV, adenovirus, FluA, and coinfections were identified in 14%, 14%, 5%, and 15% of children with viral infection, respectively. Rhinovirus was associated with nonsevere CAP (P = .014); RSV, FluA, and coinfections were associated with severe CAP (P < .05). New strategies for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory infections, mainly rhinovirus and RSV infections, are necessary.

Introduction: Asthma is a disease that has been associated with the presence of different genetic and socioenvironmental factors. Objective: To identify and evaluate the seasonality of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human rhinovirus (RV) in asthmatic children and adolescents in tropical climate, as well as to assess the socio-economic and environmental factors involved. Methods: The study was conducted in a referral hospital, where a total of 151 children were recruited with a respiratory infection. The ISAAC protocol and a questionnaire were applied, and a skin prick test was performed. The nasal swab was collected to detect RV and RSV through molecular assay. INMET database was the source of climatic information. Results: The of socio-environmental characterization of asthmatic children showed that the family history of allergy, disturbed sleep at night, dry cough, allergic rhinitis, individuals sensitized to at least one mite. We identified RV in 75% of children with asthma and 66.7% of RSV in children with asthma. There was an association between the presence of RV and the dry season whereas the presence of the RSV was associated with the rainy season. Contributing to these results, a negative correlation was observed between the RSV and the wind speed and the maximum temperature and a positive correlation with precipitation. Conclusions: The results suggest a high prevalence of RV and RSV in asthmatic children and the seasonality of these viruses were present in different climatic periods. This has significant implications for understanding short- and long-term clinical complications in asthmatic patients.