Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in high and low-risk cohabitants, in Loures and Odivelas, Portugal

Background

Effective contact tracing, vaccination, and isolation of cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection and their high-risk contacts constituted measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. In Portugal, in October 2021, low-risk cohabitants were lifted the obligation to isolate. The aim of this study was to estimate the relative risk of infection for close contacts, regarding the type of close contact and being cohabitants.

Methods

A descriptive longitudinal study, with an analytical component was performed. Sociodemographic and epidemiologic data from close contacts and confirmed cases in Loures and Odivelas, between October and November 2021, was collected from a regional database and from Trace COVID-19 platform. We performed a descriptive analysis and estimated the relative risk of SARS-CoV-2 positive test, stratified by type of contact and cohabitation, with 95% confidence level.

Results

We identified 200 confirmed cases and 428 people who were close contacts, corresponding to 502 different close contacts (59 people had contact with more than a case). From 502 close contacts, 268 were classified as low-risk and 230 as high-risk. Full time cohabitation was present in 310 of close contacts. Between contact tracing day and the next 4 weeks, 58 (10.9%) of close contacts tested positive. Risk of high-risk contacts testing positive was 2.7 [1.5-4.6], compared with low-risk contacts. Risk of cohabitants testing positive was 3.5 [1.6-7.7], compared with non-cohabitants. Risk of a high-risk cohabitant testing positive was 2.2 [1.1-4.4], compared with low-risk cohabitants. There was no higher risk of high-risk cohabitants testing positive compared with high-risk non-cohabitants. Same was true for low-risk cohabitants and non-cohabitants.

Conclusions

These results allow us to understand how to better stratify close contacts and apply isolation measures, according to the risk of testing positive. Further studies should be developed to assess the impact of other variables.

Key messages

• We identified an increased risk of testing positive in high-risk contacts, and in cohabitants.

• Cohabitants could be stratified regarding being high or low-risk, with different measures being applied.

Hidden role of gut microbiome in mental health

Introduction

The recent literature indicates that the gut microbiota may affect brain functions through endocrine and metabolic pathways, antibody production and the enteric network while supporting its possible role in the onset and maintenance of several neuropsychiatric disorders, neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative disorders.

Objectives

The aim of this work is to discuss the role of probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics as a potential treatment for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Methods

Pub Med database was searched using following key words: “probiotics”, “prebiotics”, “mental disorders”, “psychological disorders”.

Results

Although the exact mechanism is unknown, there is a link between the gut and mood disorders. Psychosocial factors, such as quality of life or well-being, are greatly influenced by gut function and there is a strong correlation between psychosocial features and gastrointestinal disorders. Elevated stress, anxiety, and depression are linked to intestinal dysbiosis and mood disorders are disproportionately high in patients with functional gut disorders. So, psychobiotics may provide benefit when used in conjunction with current antidepressant medications. Probiotics may exert their therapeutic benefits by restoring microbial balance in the gut, and also by minimizing gastrointestinal complaints, allowing for the effects of antidepressant medication to not be reduced. Stress and immune responses were improved following psychobiotic intervention in stressed adults. Psychobiotics offer potential alternative treatment options in mood disorders and their accompanying symptoms.

Conclusions

Pro and prebiotics can improve mental health and psychological function and can be offered as new medicines for common mental disorders. However, more clinical studies are required to support the clinical use of probiotics.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Salivary proteome and glucose levels are related with sweet taste sensitivity in young adults

Sweet taste plays a critical role in determining food preferences and choices. Similar to what happens for other oral sensations, individuals differ in their sensitivity for sweet taste and these inter-individual differences may be responsible for variations in food acceptance. Despite evidence that saliva plays a role in taste perception, this fluid has been mainly studied in the context of bitterness or astringency. We investigated the possible relationship between sweet taste sensitivity and salivary composition in subjects with different sucrose detection thresholds. Saliva collected from 159 young adults was evaluated for pH, total protein concentration and glucose. One- and bi-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) were performed and protein profiles compared between sweet sensitivity groups, with proteins that were differently expressed being identified by MALDI-FTICR-MS. Moreover, Western blotting was performed for salivary carbonic anhydrase VI (CA-VI) and cystatins and salivary amylase enzymatic activity was assessed in order to compare groups. Females with low sensitivity to sweet taste had higher salivary concentrations of glucose compared to those with sensitivity. For protein profiles, some differences were sex-dependent, with higher levels of α-amylase and CA-VI in low-sensitivity individuals and higher levels of cystatins in sensitive ones for both sexes. Body mass index was not observed to affect the association between salivary proteome and taste sensitivity. To our knowledge, these are the first data showing an association between sweet taste and saliva proteome.

Self-reported quality care for knee osteoarthritis: comparisons across Denmark, Norway, Portugal and the UK

Objectives

To assess and compare patient perceived quality of osteoarthritis (OA) management in primary healthcare in Denmark, Norway, Portugal and the UK.

Methods

Participants consulting with clinical signs and symptoms of knee OA were identified in 30 general practices and invited to complete a cross-sectional survey including quality indicators (QI) for OA care. A QI was considered as eligible if the participant had checked ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, and as achieved if the participant had checked ‘Yes’ to the indicator. The median percentage (with IQR and range) of eligible QIs achieved by country was determined and compared in negative binominal regression analysis. Achievement of individual QIs by country was determined and compared using logistic regression analyses.

Results

A total of 354 participants self-reported QI achievement. The median percentage of eligible QIs achieved (checked ‘Yes’) was 48% (IQR 28%, 64%; range 0–100%) for the total sample with relatively similar medians across three of four countries. Achievement rates on individual QIs showed a large variation ranging from 11% (referral to services for losing weight) to 67% (information about the importance of exercise) with significant differences in achievement rates between the countries.

Conclusions

The results indicated a potential for improvement in OA care in all four countries, but for somewhat different aspects of OA care. By exploring these differences and comparing healthcare services, ideas may be generated on how the quality might be improved across nations. Larger studies are needed to confirm and further explore the findings.

Identification and quantitative analysis of human transthyretin variants in human serum by Fourier transform ion-cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

Transthyretin (TTR) is a homotetrameric protein involved in thyroid hormone transport in blood and in retinol binding in the central nervous system. More than 80 point mutations in this protein are known to be associated with the formation of amyloid deposits and systemic amyloidotic pathologies. Age at onset varies according to the mutation but considerable variations also occur for subjects carrying the same mutation. Moreover, wild-type TTR forms amyloid deposits in systemic senile amyloidosis, a geriatric disorder. An accurate diagnostic and the choice of therapeutic options depend on the identification of the specific mutation. Previous characterization of TTR variants by mass spectrometry required the use of antibodies for sample enrichment. We developed a novel assay based on ultra high-resolution mass spectrometry to identify human TTR variants. The method, requiring a very low sample amount, is based on SDS-PAGE fractionation of human serum, followed by peptide mass fingerprinting by MALDI-FTICR-MS (matrix assisted laser desorption ionization coupled to Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry). Moreover, it is possible to perform a relative quantification of wild type and mutant TTR forms by mass spectrometry. The method was tested and validated with the V30M mutant, involved in familial amyloidotic neuropathy of Portuguese type.

Anti-glycation defences in yeast

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an outstanding cellular model for metabolic studies in glycation. Due to its high glycolytic activity, it produces methylglyoxal, a highly reactive intracellular glycation agent, at a rate of approx. 0.1% of the glycolytic flux. We investigated methylglyoxal metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, using haploid null mutants. Growth studies showed that the most sensitive strains to 2-oxoaldehydes were the null mutants for GSH1 and GLO1, coding for glutathione synthase I and glyoxalase I respectively. The GRE3 null mutant, lacking aldose reductase activity, is as sensitive as the control strain. Kinetic modelling and computer simulation of this type of experiment were also performed, and we concluded that the most important parameters for controlling the intracellular concentration of methylglyoxal are the activity of glyoxalase I and the GSH concentration. Moreover, our model predicts an intracellular steady-state concentration of methylglyoxal of approx. 2 μM. Our results show that the glyoxalase pathway is the main detoxification pathway for 2-oxoaldehydes in yeast, and is likely to be the key enzymatic anti-glycation agent in these cells.

Comparison of whole-blood glutathione peroxidase activity, levels of serum selenium, and lipid peroxidation in subjects from the fishing and rural communities of "Rabo de Peixe" village, San Miguel Island, the Azores' Archipelago, Portugal

The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), serum selenium (Se), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured in the whole blood of 148 healthy adults aged 20-60 yr from the fishing and rural communities of "Rabo de Peixe," The Azores, Portugal. The subjects did not live in the same household and had different socioeconomic profiles and dietary habits. The serum lipid profile and selected life habits were also considered in this study. No significant differences in the activity of GSH-Px were found in the interpopulation or intrapopulation analyses, classified by age or lipid profile. An age-dependent GSH-Px increase was noted in the younger male (M) subgroups (20-39 yr). The Se levels were higher in fishers (f) of both genders (M, F) than in subjects living in the rural (r) environment: 110+/-25 microg/L (f, M), 89+/-20 microg/L (f, F), 88+/-22 microg/L (r, M) and 80+/-17 microg/L (r, F). In the fishers, but not in the rural population, Se was higher in the males, but it did not show significant variation with age. The levels of TBARS were lower in the f than in the r male group. The Se level was lower and TBARS higher in the hyperlipemic women in the f group, compared to the corresponding controls. Our results suggest that the fishers (mainly men) show a better antioxidant status than that of their rural counterparts, due to differences in dietary habits between the study populations and between genders.

In situ kinetic analysis of glyoxalase I and glyoxalase II in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The kinetics of glyoxalase I [(R)-S-lactoylglutathione methylglyoxal-lyase; EC 4.4.1.5] and glyoxalase II (S-2-hydroxyacylglutathione hydrolase; EC 3.1.2.6) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was studied in situ, in digitonin permeabilized cells, using two different approaches: initial rate analysis and progress curves analysis. Initial rate analysis was performed by hyperbolic regression of initial rates using the program HYPERFIT. Glyoxalase I exhibited saturation kinetics on 0.05-2.5 mM hemithioacetal concentration range, with kinetic parameters Km 0.53 +/- 0.07 mM and V (3.18 +/- 0.16) x 10(-2) mM.min(-1). Glyoxalase II also showed saturation kinetics in the SD-lactoylglutathione concentration range of 0.15-3 mM and Km 0.32 +/- 0.13 mM and V (1.03 +/- 0.10) x 10(-3) mM.min(-1) were obtained. The kinetic parameters of both enzymes were also estimated by nonlinear regression of progress curves using the raw absorbance data and integrated differential rate equations with the program GEPASI. Several optimization methods were used to minimize the sum of squares of residuals. The best parameter fit for the glyoxalase I reaction was obtained with a single curve analysis, using the irreversible Michaelis-Menten model. The kinetic parameters obtained, Km 0.62 +/- 0.18 mM and V (2.86 +/- 0.01) x 10(-2) mM.min(-1), were in agreement with those obtained by initial rate analysis. The results obtained for glyoxalase II, using either the irreversible Michaelis-Menten model or a phenomenological reversible hyperbolic model, showed a high correlation of residuals with time and/or high values of standard deviation associated with Km. The possible causes for the discrepancy between data obtained from initial rate analysis and progress curve analysis, for glyoxalase II, are discussed.

Antibacterial efficacy of gentamicin encapsulated in pH-sensitive liposomes against an in vivo Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium intracellular infection model

Encapsulation of gentamicin in liposomes can be used to achieve intracellular delivery and broaden the clinical utility of this drug. We have previously described a novel, rationally designed, pH-sensitive liposomal carrier for gentamicin that has superior in vitro efficacy against intracellular infections compared to the efficacies of both free gentamicin and non-pH-sensitive liposomal controls. This liposomal carrier demonstrated pH-sensitive fusion that was dependent on the presence of unsaturated phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and the pH-sensitive lipid N-succinyldioleoyl-PE. The pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of the free and liposomal gentamicin were examined in mice bearing a systemic Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection. Encapsulation of gentamicin in pH-sensitive liposomes significantly increased the concentrations of the drug in plasma compared to those of free gentamicin. Furthermore, the levels of accumulation of drug in the infected liver and spleen were increased by 153- and 437-fold, respectively, as a result of liposomal encapsulation. The increased accumulation of gentamicin in the liver and spleen effected by liposomal delivery was associated with 10(4)-fold greater antibacterial activity than that associated with free gentamicin in a murine salmonellosis model. These pH-sensitive liposomal antibiotic carriers with enhanced in vitro activity could be used to improve both in vivo intracellular drug delivery and biological activity.

Glyoxalase II in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: in situ kinetics using the 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) assay

The determination of glyoxalase II (S-(2-hydroxyacyl)glutathione hydrolase, EC 3.1.2.6) activity is usually accomplished by monitoring the decrease of absorbance at 240 nm due to the hydrolysis of S-d-lactoylglutathione. However, it was not possible, using this assay, to detect any enzyme activity in situ, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae permeabilized cells. Glyoxalase II activity was then determined by following the formation of GSH at 412 nm using 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid). Using this method we characterized the kinetics of glyoxalase II in situ using S-d-lactoylglutathione as substrate and compared the results with those obtained for cell-free extracts. The specific activity was found to be (4.08 +/- 0.12) x 10(-2) micromol min-1 mg-1 in permeabilized cells and (3.90 +/- 0.04) x 10(-2) micromol min1 mg-1 in cell-free extracts. Kinetic parameters were Km 0.36 +/- 0.09 mM and V (7.65 +/- 0.59) x 10(-4) mM min-1 for permeabilized cells and Km 0.15 +/- 0.10 mM and V (7.23 +/- 1.04) x 10(-4) mM min-1 for cell-free extracts. d-Lactate concentration was also determined and increased in a linear way with permeabilized cell concentration. gamma-Glutamyl transferase (EC 2.3.2.2), which also accepts S-d-lactoylglutathione as substrate and hence could interfere with glyoxalase II assays, was found to be absent in Saccharomyces cerevisiae permeabilized cells.

Intracellular delivery and antibacterial activity of gentamicin encapsulated in pH-sensitive liposomes

Cell membranes are relatively impermeable to the antibiotic gentamicin, a factor that, along with the toxicity of gentamicin, precludes its use against many important intracellular bacterial infections. Liposomal encapsulation of this drug was used in order to achieve intracellular antibiotic delivery and therefore increase the drug's therapeutic activity against intracellular pathogens. Gentamicin encapsulation in several dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and pH-sensitive dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE)-based carrier systems was characterized. To systematically test the antibacterial efficacies of these formulations, a tissue culture assay system was developed wherein murine macrophage-like J774A.1 cells were infected with bacteria and were then treated with encapsulated drug. Of these formulations, DOPE-N-succinyl-DOPE and DOPE-N-glutaryl-DOPE (70:30;mol:mol) containing small amounts of polyethyleneglycol-ceramide showed appreciable antibacterial activities, killing greater than 75% of intracellular vacuole-resident wild-type Salmonella typhimurium compared to the level of killing of the control formulations. These formulations also efficiently eliminated intracellular infections caused by a recombinant hemolysin-expressing S. typhimurium strain and a Listeria monocytogenes strain, both of which escape the vacuole and reside in the cytoplasm. Control non-pH-sensitive liposomal formulations of gentamicin had poor antibacterial activities. A fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay indicated that the efficacious formulations undergo a pH-dependent lipid mixing and fusion event. Intracellular delivery of the fluorescent molecules encapsulated in these formulations was confirmed by confocal fluorescence microscopy and was shown to be dependent on endosomal acidification. This work shows that encapsulation of membrane-impermeative antibiotics in appropriately designed lipid-based delivery systems can enable their use in treating intracellular infections and details the development of a general assay for testing the intracellular delivery of encapsulated drug formulations.

In vitro mutational and inhibitory analysis of the cis-acting translational elements within the 5' untranslated region of coxsackievirus B3: potential targets for antiviral action of antisense oligomers

The 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) RNA forms a highly ordered secondary structure that has been implicated in controlling initiation of viral translation by internal ribosomal entry. To test this hypothesis, synthetic bicistronic RNAs, with all or part of the 5'UTR in the intercistronic space, were translated in rabbit reticulocyte lysates. In the presence of an upstream cistron, the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene, designed to block ribosomal scanning, the CVB3 5'UTR was capable of directing the internal initiation of translation of the downstream reporter gene (P1), confirming the presence of an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES). This finding was further supported by the data on predicted secondary structures within the 5'UTR. Of special note, analysis of various deletion mutants demonstrated that the IRES of CVB3 is located roughly at stem-loops G, H, and I spanning nucleotides (nt) 529 and 630. The region from nt 1 to 63 (stem-loop A) also appears important, and it may be an essential binding site for translation initiation factors. Based on these findings, in vitro translation inhibition assays using RNA fragments of the 5'UTR as inhibitor were performed. Both antisense and sense RNA segments transcribed from these two cis-acting regions and the surrounding sequence of the initiation codon AUG showed strong inhibition of viral protein synthesis. Antisense molecules may inhibit translation by blocking ribosome and initiation factor binding within the 5'UTR via specific hybridization to their viral RNA target sequences, while sense sequences may function by competing with viral RNA for ribosomes and/or translation initiation factors. These cis-acting translational elements may serve as potential targets for the antiviral action of oligomers.

Mitral valvuloplasty with a new prosthetic ring. Analysis of the first 105 cases

From October 1987 to March 1993, 105 patients were studied who have undergone valvuloplasty with an open ring. They ranged from 5 to 79 years (mean 30); 33 (31.4%) were under 16. All patients had mitral insufficiency, alone in 62 (59.0%) and associated with mitral stenosis (double mitral lesion) in 43 (41.0%). In the majority of the cases, the aetiology was rheumatic (78.1%); active in 10 (9.5%) patients. Three patients (2.9%) were in class II, 42 (40.0%) in class III, 57 (54.3%) in class IV and 3 (2.9%) in class V. Ten patients (9.5%) had isolated ring implantation while the remaining underwent associated procedures on the leaflets, chordae and papillary muscles. There were two (1.9%) hospital deaths, and six patients (5.7%) had to be reoperated. On the 30th (mean) postoperative day, 75 (71.4%) patients were reevaluated by catheterization, echo Doppler or both to confirm the effectiveness of the techniques employed. The mitral valve was functioning normally or with mitral regurgitation + in 63 (84.0%) patients, mitral regurgitation + + in 2 (2.7%), mitral regurgitation + + + in 5 (6.7%), mitral stenosis + in 4 (5.3%), and mitral stenosis + + in 1 (1.3%) patient. The results were therefore considered excellent in 63 (84.0%) patients with either normal mitral valve or mitral regurgitation +, good in 6 (8.0%) patients with mitral regurgitation + + and/or mitral stenosis +, and poor in 6 (8.0%) patients with mitral regurgitation + + + and/or mitral stenosis + +. Two deaths (1.9%) occurred within the first 7 months of follow-up. Patients were evaluated clinically 1-67 months postoperatively (mean 27):90 (85.7%) were in class I, 4 (3.8%) in class II, 4 (3.8%) in class III and 1 (1.0%) in class IV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterization of Giardia duodenalis isolates from a waterborne outbreak

Isolates were retrieved from drinking water and from animal and human sources associated with a waterborne outbreak of giardiasis. This is the first report of water-source and epidemic-associated Giardia isolates being adapted to in vitro propagation. Outbreak-associated, non-out-break-associated, and reference isolates were characterized using isoenzyme electrophoresis and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). All outbreak-associated and 2 other isolates were in one of eight zymodemes. The chromosomal complement of the outbreak-associated isolates was relatively homogeneous; this PFGE karyotype was distinguishable from other karyotypes. Overall results of both characterization methods were similar, although PFGE appears to be a more discriminating biotyping technique. Banding patterns of the outbreak-associated Giardia isolates remained the same even though the parasite passed through different hosts during the outbreak. Heterogeneity of isolates was also demonstrated for the first time within a single community not associated with the outbreak.