HCA and HML represent lectins isolated from the red marine algae Hypnea cervicornis and Hypnea musciformis, respectively. Hemagglutination inhibition assays suggest that HML binds GalNAc/Gal substituted with a neutral sugar through 1-3, 1-4, or 1-2 linkages in O-linked mucin-type glycans, and Fuc(a1-6)GlcNAc of N-linked glycoproteins. The specificity of HCA includes the epitopes recognized by HML, although the glycoproteins inhibited distinctly HML and HCA. The agglutinating activity of HCA was inhibited by GalNAc, highlighting the different fine sugar epitope-recognizing specificity of each algal lectin. The primary structures of HCA (9193 6 3 Da) and HML (9357 6 1 Da) were determined by Edman degradation and tandem mass spectrometry of the N-terminally blocked fragments. Both lectins consist of a mixture of a 90-residue polypeptide containing seven intrachain disulfide bonds and two disulfide-bonded subunits generated by cleavage at the bond T 50 -E 51 (HCA) and R 50-E 51 (HML). The amino acid sequences of HCA and HML display 55% sequence identity (80% similarity) between themselves, but do not show discernible sequence and cysteine spacing pattern similarities with any other known protein structure, indicating that HCA and HML belong to a novel lectin family. Alignment of the amino acid sequence of the two lectins revealed the existence of internal domain duplication, with residues 1-47 and 48-90 corresponding to the N-and C-terminal domains, respectively. The six conserved cysteines in each domain may form three intrachain cysteine linkages, and the unique cysteine residues of the N-terminal (Cys46) and the C-terminal (Cys71) domains may form an intersubunit disulfide bond.

Aim:  Initial colonization of the tooth surface by streptococci involves the attachment of these bacteria to adsorbed salivary components of the acquired pellicle. In dental biofilm this adhesion may also involve lectin‐like components, present on the surface of the organisms, which bind to complementary carbohydrates on the surface of the tooth. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the potential of six lectins, extracted from seeds of Leguminosae family members, to inhibit the adherence of five streptococci species to acquired pellicle in vitro. Methods and Results:  The lectins used in this work were extracted from Canavalia ensiformis, Canavalia brasiliensis, Dioclea violacea, Dioclea grandiflora, Cratylia floribunda and Vatairea macrocarpa. Fluorescence micrography was employed to visualize the ability of FITC‐labeled lectins to attach to acquire pellicle. Adherence inhibition was performed on saliva‐coated microtiter plates at which lectins solutions were previously incubated followed by incubation with the oral streptococci. Glucose‐mannose specific lectins attached to acquired pellicle with high intensity, while galactose specific lectins, from V. macrocarpa, exhibits low intensity attachment. Conclusions:  All lectins were able to inhibit the adherence of the microorganisms tested (p < 0·01). Significance and Impact of the Study:  Our results suggest that lectins may be useful in anti adhesion therapeutics.

The aim of this study was evaluate the spread of CTX-M-type extended-spectrum β-lactamase variants in microorganisms involved in both hospital- and community-acquired infections in different regions of Brazil to determine their epidemiology and identify areas for further research. Thirty-six studies were included and analyzed. Most of the studies were conducted in the southeastern (66.7%, 24/36), southern (22.2%, 8/36), and northeastern (8.3%, 3/36) regions of Brazil. No study was conducted in the northern or midwestern region. CTX-M-producing bacteria were isolated exclusively from humans in both hospital and community environments. The microorganisms that were most commonly associated with the presence of the blaCTX-M gene were Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. The β-lactamases of the CTX-M family that were most frequently identified in Brazil were CTX-M-2 and CTX-M-15, especially in the southeast where these variants are often detected. In this systematic review, the microorganisms that were most commonly associated with the presence of the blaCTX-M gene were K. pneumoniae and E. coli. CTX-M-2 and CTX-M-15 were the most dominant variants of the CTX-M family, followed by CTX-M-8, CTX-M-9, and CTX-M-59. A higher frequency of CTX-M variants was found in the southeastern region, especially in the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where CTX-M-2 and CTX-M-15 are predominant.

HO-1/BVD/CO pathway activation provides anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects on the zymosan-induced TMJ hypernociception in rats.

O Centro de Especialidades Odontológicas Regional de Sobral (CEO-R), no Ceará, possui características que o tornam único: tem abrangência regional, é administrado por um Consórcio intermunicipal de Saúde (totalizando 24 municípios) e funciona juntamente com o Curso de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do Ceará - Campus Sobral, congregando no mesmo espaço serviço e academia. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a acessibilidade à atenção especializada nesta região após a implantação do CEO-R Sobral. Foi realizado um estudo exploratoìrio-descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, por meio da coleta e análise de dados secundários de oferta e utilização desse serviço, além da aplicação de entrevista semiestruturada aos Coordenadores de Saúde Bucal dos 24 municiìpios consorciados. Os resultados evidenciaram que o CEO-R está preparado para atender à demanda. Contudo, foram encontradas barreiras geográficas, financeiras e organizacionais que explicam as baixas taxas de aproveitamento de marcação de consultas e de utilização do serviço e a alta taxa de faltosos, causando um importante impacto financeiro para os municípios consorciados.