Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Oncological Surgeries: CORONAL Study

BACKGROUND

The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on postoperative recovery from oncology surgeries should be understood for the clinical decision-making. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the postoperative cumulative 28-day mortality and the morbidity of surgical oncology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients consecutively admitted to intensive care units (ICU) of three centres for postoperative care of oncologic surgeries between March to June 2019 (first phase) and March to June 2020 (second phase). The primary outcome was cumulative 28-day postoperative mortality. Secondary outcomes were postoperative organic dysfunction and the incidence of clinical complications. Because of the possibility of imbalance between groups, adjusted analyses were performed: Cox proportional hazards model (primary outcome) and multiple logistic regression model (secondary outcomes).

RESULTS

After screening 328 patients, 291 were included. The proportional hazard of cumulative 28-day mortality was higher in the second phase than that in the first phase in the Cox model, with the adjusted hazard ratio of 4.35 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.15-8.82). The adjusted incidences of respiratory complications (odds ratio [OR] 5.35; 95% CI 1.42-20.11) and pulmonary infections (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.08-2.17) were higher in the second phase. However, the adjusted incidence of other infections was lower in the second phase (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.67-0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical oncology patients who underwent postoperative care in the intensive care unit during the COVID-19 pandemic had higher hazard of 28-day mortality. Furthermore, these patients had higher odds of respiratory complications and pulmonary infections. Trials registration The study is registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials under the code RBR-8ygjpqm, UTN code U1111-1293-5414.

In vitro bioprospecting of rhizospheric fungi associated to cactus (Opuntia cochenillifera) to plant growth promotion

This study aimed to evaluate in vitro the plant growth promotion capacity of rhizospheric fungi from Opuntia cochenillifera. The isolates were submitted to phosphate solubilization, acetic acid-3-indole (AIA) production, antagonism against phytopathogens, and growth under water activity. All test results were subjected to statistical analysis. The studied isolates were able to solubilize phosphate, being F04 (Aspergillus sp.) and F05 (Coprinellus radians) the ones that presented the highest solubilization indices. As to produce AIA, F02 (Penicillium sp.) and F07 (Aspergillus sp.) were the most promising. All isolates could inhibit the growth of Colletotrichum sp. and Fusarium sp. Water restriction provided mycelial growth for all isolates. Therefore, these characteristics confer characteristics as growth promoters in plants.

Bacterial biofilm production and water stress resistance by rhizobacteria associated to sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) Linnaeus (POACEAE)

ABSTRACT: The water restriction is a limiting factor in agricultural production. Some rhizobacteria, to live in symbiosis with the plant, can benefit plant growth. Among the skills of micro-organisms is the ability to survive in extreme environments, such as water stress, as well as having the biofilm production ability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of four bacterial isolates from sugarcane rhizosphere as resistance to water restriction and biofilm production. A qualitative and other quantitative assay to produce biofilm was conducted. The qualitative assay was based on colorimetry with crystal violet. The qualitative test was developed by the violet colorimetric ratio of technical and optical density at 540 nm. Bacterial growth testing in low water activity was developed by inoculating the bacterial isolates in the TSA culture medium (10%) supplemented with sorbitol (405 gL-1) at 28 °C, yielding the corresponding Aw value 0.919. All strains were able to produce biofilms in both tests however isolated Bacillus subtilis was most effective, with the greatest biofilm production ratio. All isolates were also skilled in the growing culture medium with low water activity. KEYWORDS: plant protection, rhizobacteria, plant gowth promotion, symbiosis.

Diagnóstico e etiologia de mastite subclínica em caprinos leiteiros

A caprinocultura é uma atividade com relevante importância socioeconômica para a região Nordeste brasileira, sendo praticada, principalmente, por pequenos produtores e em propriedades características de agricultura familiar. A quantidade e qualidade do leite é influenciada por parâmetros zootécnicos, especialmente por meio da sanidade dos animais. Assim, aspectos microbiológicos são importantes para com a prevenção e controle de enfermidades como a mastite subclínica. Diante disso, objetivou-se por meio desse trabalho o diagnóstico da etiologia de mastite subclínica em caprinos leiteiros no Estado de Alagoas. Foram colhidas de forma aleatória, 200 amostras de leite procedentes de 100 cabras em diferentes estágios de lactação oriundas de uma propriedade leiteira do município de Coité do Nóia no estado de Alagoas, Brasil. Os animais eram da raça Saanen, Toggenburg, Parda Alpina e mestiços, em diferentes graus de sangue criados de forma intensiva. Para o diagnóstico da mastite subclínica foi aplicado o <em>California Mastitis Test</em> (CMT). Para o exame microbiológico foram coletados individualmente dos antímeros mamários um volume de 10 ml em frascos com tampa rosqueável, esterilizados e previamente identificados com o número do animal. O isolamento bacteriano foi realizado através de plaqueamento em Ágar base acrescido de sangue ovino a 5%. Por meio das análises foi observado que <em>Staphylococcus</em>spp. foi o micro-organismo predominante como agente etiológico de mastite subclínica.<p> </p>