Aiming to identify new sources of bioactive secondary metabolites, we isolated 82 endophytic fungi from stems and barks of the native Brazilian tree Caesalpinia echinata Lam. (Fabaceae). We tested their ethyl acetate extracts in several in vitro assays. The organic extracts from three isolates showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli [minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) 32-64 μg/mL]. One isolate inhibited the growth of Salmonella typhimurium (MIC 64 μg/mL) and two isolates inhibited the growth of Klebsiella oxytoca (MIC 64 μg/mL), Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis (MIC 64-128 μg/mL). Fourteen extracts at a concentration of 20 μg/mL showed antitumour activities against human breast cancer and human renal cancer cells, while two isolates showed anti-tumour activities against human melanoma cancer cells. Six extracts were able to reduce the proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, indicating some degree of selective toxicity. Four isolates were able to inhibit Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and one isolate inhibited Trypanosoma cruzi by at least 40% at 20 μg/mL. The trypanocidal extract obtained from Fusarium sp. [KF611679] culture was subjected to bioguided fractionation, which revealed beauvericin as the compound responsible for the observed toxicity of Fusarium sp. to T. cruzi. This depsipeptide showed a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 1.9 μg/mL (2.43 μM) in a T. cruzi cellular culture assay.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different additives on the aerobic stability of sugarcane, preserved as silage in laboratory silos. The dry matter (DM), ethereal extract (EE), mineral matter (MM), crude protein (CP), pH and aerobic stability of the silage treated with urea, NaOH and ground corn, were determined. A completely randomized design, with four repetitions, was used to evaluate the following treatments: sugarcane without additives, sugarcane + 4 % ground corn, sugarcane + 1 % urea, sugarcane + 1% urea + 4 % ground corn, sugarcane + 1 % NaOH, and sugarcane + 1 % NaOH + 4 % ground corn. The silages treated with urea had a higher percentage of EE. In the presence of urea and NaOH, the addition of ground corn significantly increased the CP. The NaOH increased the MM percentage. The DM losses caused by gases were significantly higher in the silages that did not receive chemical additives. There were significant differences in the production of CO2 at different times of exposure to air. It is concluded that the additives improved the chemical characteristics, except the DM content, and reduced the loss by gases in anaerobic fermentation.

El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar el efecto de diferentes aditivos en la estabilidad aeróbica de la caña de azúcar, conservada como ensilaje en silos de laboratorio. Se determinó la materia seca (MS), el extracto etéreo (EE), la materia mineral (MM), la proteína bruta (PB), el pH y la estabilidad aeróbica del ensilaje tratado con urea, NaOH y maíz molido. Se utilizó un diseño completamente aleatorizado, con cuatro repeticiones, para evaluar los siguientes tratamientos: caña de azúcar sin aditivos, caña de azúcar + 4 % de maíz molido, caña de azúcar + 1 % de urea, caña de azúcar + 1 % de urea + 4 % de maíz molido, caña de azúcar + 1 % de NaOH, y caña de azúcar + 1 % de NaOH + 4 % de maíz molido. Los ensilajes tratados con urea tuvieron un mayor porcentaje de EE. En presencia de urea y NaOH, la adición de maíz molido aumentó significativamente la PB. El NaOH incrementó el porcentaje de MM. Las pérdidas de MS causadas por gases fueron significativamente mayores en los ensilajes que no recibieron aditivos químicos. Hubo diferencias significativas en la producción de CO2 en diferentes tiempos de exposición al aire. Se concluye que los aditivos mejoraron las características químicas, excepto el contenido de MS, y redujeron la pérdida por gases en la fermentación anaeróbica.

ObjetivoDescribir la prevalencia de transtornos mentales comunes según sociodemograficas caracteristicas y las de enfermedades crónicas entre los ancianos residentes en las zonas urbanas de Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil. Materiales y MétodosEstudio transversal de una muestra de 562 ancianos que viven en la cuidad de Feira de Santana, el 69,6% mujeres y 30,4 % varones con una edad media de 68,93±7,05 años. Se utilizó un formulario con información sociodemografica, las enfermedades, la detección de trastornos mentales comunes (TMC). Para el análisis estadístico, la regresión logística, con el cálculo de las tasas de prevalencia, intervalos de confianza (95 %) y el nivel de significación p ≤ 0,05. ResultadosLa prevalencia global de CMD fue del 32,1 %. El análisis de datos reveló que las características sociodemográficas (edad e ingresos) se asociaron con una mayor prevalencia de TMC (p≤0,05). ConclusionesEl estudio permitió estimar la prevalencia de CMD en la población de ancianos residentes en un municipio situado en el nordeste de Brasil e identificar las características asociadas con el TMC que puede interferir con la salud mental de la población. En este sentido, la política de atención de salud mental en el municipio debe articularse la política de ingresos mínimos a la población anciana.

ObjectiveDescribing the prevalence of commonly occurring mental disorders, according to sociodemographic characteristics and the presence of chronic disease, amongst elderly residents living in urban areas of Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil. Materials and MethodsThe study involved a cross-sectional sample consisting of 562 individuals living in the city of Feira de Santana (69.6 % female, 30.4 % male: 68.93±7.05 years old mean age). A questionnaire asking for pertinent sociodemographic information was used, such as diseases, screening for common mental disorders (CMD) using the self-reporting questionnaire. Logistic regressionwas used for statistical analysis; the prevalence ratio, confidence interval (95 %) and p≤0.0 5significance level were calculated. ResultsOverall CMD prevalence was 32.1 %. Data analysis revealed that sociodemographic characteristics (age and income) were associated with higher CMD prevalence. ConclusionThis study estimated CMD prevalence in elderly people residing in a municipality in north-eastern Brazil and identified the characteristics associated with CMD which could interfere with the population’s mental health. The city’s mental healthcare policy should be coordinated with minimum income policy for the elderly population.

ObjetivoDescrever a prevalência de transtornos mentais comuns segundo características sociodemograficas e presença de doenças crônicas entre residentes idosos de áreas urbanas de Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil. Materiais e MétodosEstudo transversal com amostra constituída de 562 indivíduos residentes idosos no município de Feira de Santana, 69,6 % do sexo feminino e 30,4 % do sexo masculino com média de idade de 68,93±7,05 anos. Foi utilizado um formulário contendo informações sociodemograficas, doenças referidas, triagem para Transtornos Mentais Comuns (TMC) utilizando o Self Reporting Questionnaire. Para análise estatística foi utilizado à técnica de regressão logística, com o cálculo das razões de prevalência, intervalo de confiança (95 %) e nível de significância p≤0,05. ResultadosA prevalência global de TMC foi 32,1 %. A análise dos dados revelou que características sociodemograficas (idade e renda) estavam associadas à maior prevalência de TMC. ConclusãoO estudo permitiu estimar a prevalência de TMC na população de idosos residentes em um município localizado no nordeste do Brasil e identificar características associadas aos TMC que podem interferir na saúde mental da população estudada. Neste sentido, as políticas de atenção à saúde mental do município devem estar articuladas a políticas de renda mínima para a população idosa.

Cardiac damage is a frequent manifestation of Chagas disease, which is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient, the deficiency of which has been implicated in the development of cardiomyopathy. Our group has previously demonstrated that Se supplementation prevents myocardial damage during acute T. cruzi infection in mice. In this study, we analyzed the effect of Se treatment in cases of T. cruzi infection using prevention and reversion schemes. In the Se prevention scheme, mice were given Se supplements (2 ppm) starting two weeks prior to inoculation with T. cruzi(Brazil strain) and continuing until 120 days post-infection (dpi). In the Se reversion scheme, mice were treated with Se (4 ppm) for 100 days, starting at 160 dpi. Dilatation of the right ventricle was observed in the infected control group at both phases of T. cruzi infection, but it was not observed in the infected group that received Se treatment. Surviving infected mice that were submitted to the Se reversion scheme presented normal P wave values and reduced inflammation of the pericardium. These data indicate that Se treatment prevents right ventricular chamber increase and thus can be proposed as an adjuvant therapy for cardiac alterations already established by T. cruziinfection.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação entre demanda psicológica e controle sobre o trabalho e a ocorrência de distúrbios psíquicos menores entre trabalhadoras de enfermagem. MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal, incluindo 502 trabalhadoras de enfermagem de um hospital público de Salvador, Bahia. O Modelo Demanda-Controle, de Karasek, foi utilizado para avaliar as dimensões psicossociais estudadas. Para mensuração de distúrbios psíquicos menores (DPM), utilizou-se o SRQ-20. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de DPM foi 33,3%, variando de 20,0% entre enfermeiras a 36,4% entre auxiliares. Observou-se nítido gradiente tipo dose-resposta de associação positiva entre demanda psicológica e DPM, e associação negativa entre controle sobre o trabalho e DPM. A prevalência de DPM foi mais elevada (RP=2,6; IC95%: 1,81-3,75) no quadrante de trabalho em alta exigência (alta demanda, baixo controle), quando comparado às profissionais em trabalho de baixa exigência (baixa demanda, alto controle), depois de ajustado, num modelo de regressão logística múltipla, por potenciais confundidores. CONCLUSÕES: Os achados reforçam a relevância da adoção de medidas de intervenção na estrutura organizacional, de modo a elevar o controle sobre o trabalho e redimensionar os níveis de demanda psicológica.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between psychological demand and job control and demand with psychological distress among nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional study included 502 female nurses working in a public hospital at the city of Salvador, state of Bahia, Brazil. The Demand-Control Model proposed by Karasek to evaluate the association between job control-demand and psychological distress was adopted. The SRQ-20 was used to measure psychological distress. RESULTS: The prevalence of psychological distress was 33.3%, ranging from 20.0% among lady nurses to 36.4%, among nurse assistants. Strong dose-response gradients were observed between demand and psychological distress and the negative association between job control and psychological distress. Prevalence of psychological distress was higher (PR=2.6; 95% CI: 1.81-3.75) among professionals in high-strain jobs (high demand, low control) when compared to professionals in low-strain jobs (low demand, high control), after adjustment by potential confounders in a logistic multiple regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings reinforce the relevance of intervening in the organizational structure in order to increase control upon job and adjust the levels of psychological demands.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação entre demanda psicológica e controle sobre o trabalho e a ocorrência de distúrbios psíquicos menores entre trabalhadoras de enfermagem. MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal, incluindo 502 trabalhadoras de enfermagem de um hospital público de Salvador, Bahia. O Modelo Demanda-Controle, de Karasek, foi utilizado para avaliar as dimensões psicossociais estudadas. Para mensuração de distúrbios psíquicos menores (DPM), utilizou-se o SRQ-20. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de DPM foi 33,3%, variando de 20,0% entre enfermeiras a 36,4% entre auxiliares. Observou-se nítido gradiente tipo dose-resposta de associação positiva entre demanda psicológica e DPM, e associação negativa entre controle sobre o trabalho e DPM. A prevalência de DPM foi mais elevada (RP=2,6; IC95%: 1,81-3,75) no quadrante de trabalho em alta exigência (alta demanda, baixo controle), quando comparado às profissionais em trabalho de baixa exigência (baixa demanda, alto controle), depois de ajustado, num modelo de regressão logística múltipla, por potenciais confundidores. CONCLUSÕES: Os achados reforçam a relevância da adoção de medidas de intervenção na estrutura organizacional, de modo a elevar o controle sobre o trabalho e redimensionar os níveis de demanda psicológica.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between psychological demand and job control and demand with psychological distress among nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional study included 502 female nurses working in a public hospital at the city of Salvador, state of Bahia, Brazil. The Demand-Control Model proposed by Karasek to evaluate the association between job control-demand and psychological distress was adopted. The SRQ-20 was used to measure psychological distress. RESULTS: The prevalence of psychological distress was 33.3%, ranging from 20.0% among lady nurses to 36.4%, among nurse assistants. Strong dose-response gradients were observed between demand and psychological distress and the negative association between job control and psychological distress. Prevalence of psychological distress was higher (PR=2.6; 95% CI: 1.81-3.75) among professionals in high-strain jobs (high demand, low control) when compared to professionals in low-strain jobs (low demand, high control), after adjustment by potential confounders in a logistic multiple regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings reinforce the relevance of intervening in the organizational structure in order to increase control upon job and adjust the levels of psychological demands.