Abstract An endophytic bacterium inhibiting pathogenic bacteria was isolated and the strain was genetically identified as Paenibacillus polymyxa. Biochemical characterization of fermentation broth indicated the presence of peptidic antimicrobial molecules. Liquid-liquid partition resulted in an organic fraction (OF) and an aqueous fraction (AF). OF presented a broad spectrum of activity against a panel of pathogenic bacteria and a fungus whereas the AF was active only against Gram-negative bacteria. AF was sequentially submitted to ion-exchange, desalting and reverse phase (RP) chromatography. A molecule with an RT of 2.45 min exhibited activity against all Gram-negative pathogenic strains tested beside P. mirabilis. The primary structure of the molecule, named AMP-Pp, was determined as Gly-Glu-Hyp-Gly-Ala by N-terminal sequencing. The molecular mass and amino acid sequence were confirmed by MS/MS. With a molecular mass of 463 Da, AMP-Pp is one of the smallest active natural peptides reported, yet. RP chromatography of OF resulted in four peaks. The first three peaks corresponded to known antimicrobials. MS analysis of peak 4 revealed the presence of an ion with m/z 3,376.4 Da, whose proposed molecular formula is C182H321N29O29. The compound, named polycerradin, showed a spectrum of activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria (beside P. mirabilis) and a fungus.

ABSTRACT Bone turnover markers (BTMs) are product of bone cell activity and are generally divided in bone formation and bone resorption markers. The purpose of this review was to structure the available information on the use of BTMs in studies on small ruminants, especially for monitoring their variations related to diet, exercise, gestation and metabolic lactation state, circadian and seasonal variations, and also during skeletal growth. Pre-clinical and translational studies using BTMs with sheep and goats as animal models in orthopaedic research studies to help in the evaluation of the fracture healing process and osteoporosis research are also described in this review. The available information from the reviewed studies was systematically organized in order to highlight the most promising BTMs in small ruminant research, as well as provide a wide view of the use of sheep and goat as animal models in orthopaedic research, type of markers and commercial assay kits with cross-reactivity in sheep and goat, method of sample and storage of serum and urine for bone turnover markers determination and the usefulness and limitations of bone turnover markers in the different studies, therefore an effective tool for researchers that seek answers to different questions while using BTMs in small ruminants.

As técnicas imagiológicas são o método convencional para a avaliação dos processos de cicatrização das fraturas. No entanto, estes métodos não são talvez totalmente confiáveis para a deteção precoce de complicações, as mais frequentes destas sendo o atraso da união e a não-união. Um diagnóstico eficaz destas desordens poderia prevenir a dor e a incapacidade prolongada do paciente. Esforços devem ser dirigidos no sentido do desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias para melhorar a exatidão no diagnóstico de complicações após fraturas ósseas. A variação nos níveis dos marcadores do turnover ósseo (BTMs) têm sido avaliados com vista à sua capacidade para prever o comprometimento da cicatrização das fraturas numa fase inicial, no entanto, as conclusões de alguns estudos não são consensuais. Neste artigo os autores fizeram uma revisão do potencial dos BTMs como fatores de previsibilidade precoce do prognóstico em doentes adultos que apresentavam fraturas ósseas traumáticas mas que não sofriam de osteopenia ou osteoporose pós-menopausa. A informação disponível nos diferentes estudos realizados neste campo foi sistematizada com vista a evidenciar-se os BTMs mais promissores para a avaliação da evolução da cicatrização das fraturas.

Imaging techniques are the standard method for assessment of fracture healing processes. However, these methods are perhaps not entirely reliable for early detection of complications, the most frequent of these being delayed union and non-union. A prompt diagnosis of such disorders could prevent prolonged patient distress and disability. Efforts should be directed towards the development of new technologies for improving accuracy in diagnosing complications following bone fractures. The variation in the levels of bone turnover markers (BTMs) have been assessed with regard to there ability to predict impaired fracture healing at an early stage, nevertheless the conclusions of some studies are not consensual. In this article the authors have revised the potential of BTMs as early predictors of prognosis in adult patients presenting traumatic bone fractures but who did not suffer from osteopenia or postmenopausal osteoporosis. The available information from the different studies performed in this field was systematized in order to highlight the most promising BTMs for the assessment of fracture healing outcome.