ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to study lactic fermentation as a biostrategy to enhance the antioxidant activity of oats. The adaptability of 31 strains of lactic bacteria (LB) in an oats/water system (OWS/SAA) was evaluated, measuring growth, acidification and fermentation activity (impedimetric method; detection time [DT], maximum rate of conductance change [MRCC/VMCC] and percentage of conductance change [PCC]). Moreover, the content of phenolic compounds (PC) was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method (gallic acid equivalents [GAE]), free peptides and amino acids and free radical scavenging activity (DPPH•and ABTS•+methods) of methanolic and aqueous extracts obtained from fermented OWS/SAAs (fOWS/SAAf) were determined. Six strains have shown the best adaptability to SAA, with high values of VMCC (0.34-0.47 μS/min) and PCC (53.6-66.6%), and low values of DT (≤ 3 h). In these f/OWS/SAAf the chemical composition was also modified (PC concentration, peptides and free amino acids) with strain-dependent behavior. The PC content in f/OWS/SAAf using these six strains (29.1-36.9 μg GAE/ml) was higher than the control content in OWS/SAA control (17.1 ± 1.9 μg GAE/ml). An increase (9-25.5%) in antioxidant activity in f/OWS/SAAf methanolic extracts was detected using both methods. Minor modifications were observed in the peptide and free amino acid content of SAA and their antioxidant activity. Our results show LB ability to adapt to oat as fermentation substrate and increase the content of its antioxidant compounds.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la fermentación láctica como bioestrategia para potenciar la actividad antioxidante de la avena. Se evaluó la capacidad de 31 cepas de bacterias lácticas (BL) para adaptarse a un sistema de avena/agua (SAA) mediante la determinación del crecimiento, la acidificación y la actividad fermentativa (método impedimétrico; tiempo de detección [DT], velocidad máxima de cambio de conductabilidad [VMCC] y porcentaje de cambio de conductabilidad [PCC]). Además, se determinó el contenido de compuestos fenólicos (CF) mediante el método de Folin-Ciocalteu (equivalentes de ácido gálico [EAG]), así como de péptidos, de aminoácidos libres y de actividad antirradicalaria (métodos DPPH•y ABTS•+) de los extractos metanólicos y acuosos obtenidos a partir de los SAA fermentados (SAAf). Seis cepas mostraron la mejor adaptabilidad al SAA y produjeron altos valores de VMCC (0,34-0,47 μS/min) y PCC (53,6-66,6%), con bajos valores de DT (≤ 3 h). Estos cambios fueron acompañados por modificaciones en la concentración de CF, péptidos y aminoácidos libres, los cuales fueron dependientes de la cepa. Se evidenció un incremento de la concentración de CF en los SAAf de las seis cepas (29,1-39,85 μg EAG/ml) con respecto al SAA control (17,1 μg EAG/ml). Además, hubo un incremento (9-25,5%) en la actividad antioxidante de los extractos metanólicos de SAAf medida por ambos métodos. Respecto del contenido en péptidos/aminoácidos libres de los SAAf y de su actividad antioxidante, se encontraron modificaciones de menor magnitud. Los resultados muestran que las BL son capaces de adaptarse a la avena como sustrato de fermentación e incrementar su contenido de compuestos antioxidantes.

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the clinical and epidemiological profile of adult intensive care units in Brazil. Methods: A systematic review was performed using a comprehensive strategy to search PubMed®, Embase, SciELO, and the Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde. The eligibility criteria for this review were observational studies that described the epidemiological and/or clinical profile of critically ill patients admitted to Brazilian intensive care units and were published between 2007 and 2020. Results: From the 4,457 identified studies, 27 were eligible for this review, constituting an analysis of 113 intensive care units and a final sample of 75,280 individuals. There was a predominance of male and elderly patients. Cardiovascular diseases were the main cause of admission to the intensive care unit. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was the most widely used disease severity assessment system. The length of stay and mortality in the intensive care unit varied widely between institutions. Conclusion: These results can help guide the planning and organization of intensive care units, providing support for decision-making and the implementation of interventions that ensure better quality patient care. Registration PROSPERO: CRD4201911808.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar o perfil clínico e epidemiológico das unidades de terapia intensiva adulto no Brasil. Métodos: Foi realizada revisão sistemática, por meio de estratégia abrangente nas bases de dados PubMed®, Embase, SciELO e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde. Os critérios de elegibilidade para esta revisão foram estudos observacionais que descreveram o perfil epidemiológico e/ou clínico de pacientes críticos, internados em unidades de terapia intensiva brasileiras e publicados no período entre 2007 e 2020. Resultados: Do total de 4.457 estudos identificados, 27 foram elegíveis para esta revisão, constituindo análise de 113 unidades de terapia intensiva e amostra final composta de 75.280 indivíduos. Observou-se predominância de pacientes do sexo masculino e idosos. As doenças cardiovasculares foram a principal causa de internação na unidade de terapia intensiva e o Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II foi o sistema de avaliação de gravidade da doença mais utilizado. O tempo de permanência e a mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva mostram grande variação entre as instituições. Conclusão: Estes resultados são relevantes para direcionar o planejamento e a organização nas unidades de terapia intensiva, promovendo subsídio para a tomada de decisões e implementações de intervenções que garantam melhor qualidade da assistência ao paciente. Registro PROSPERO: CRD4201911808.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by filamentous fungi with high impact Lactic acid bacteria; in food safety due to its toxicity. In the last decade, the presence of OTA was widely reported in different foods. In this study, the ability of Lactobacillus (L.) plantarum CRL 778 to control growth and OTA production by Aspergillus (A.) niger 13D strain, at different water activity (a w) values (0.955, 0.964, 0.971, 0.982, and 0.995) was determined in vitro. Both parame ters were significantly (p<0.05) reduced by the lactobacilli and the effect depended on a w. Greatest growth rate inhibition (46.9%) was obtained at a w = 0.995, which is the most suitable value for growth and production of antifungal metabolites (lactic acid, acetic acid, phenyllac-tic and hydroxyl-phenyllactic acids) by L. plantarum CRL 778. Besides, morphological changes and inhibition of melanin synthesis were observed in colonies of A. niger 13D in presence of L. plantarum CRL 778 at a w ranged between 0.971 and 0.995. In addition, maximum reduction (90%) of OTA production took place at a w = 0.971, while inhibition of fungi growth was more evident at a w =0.995. These findings suggest that L. plantarum CRL 778 could be used for control of ochratoxigenic fungal growth and OTA contamination in different fermented foods with a w values between 0.971 and 0.995.

Ocratoxina A (OTA) es una micotoxina producida por hongos filamentosos con un alto impacto en la seguridad alimentaria debido a su toxicidad. En la última década se ha reportado ampliamente a nivel mundial, la presencia de OTA en diversos alimentos. En este estudio se evaluó in vitro, la capacidad de Lactobacillus (L.) plantarum CRL 778 de controlar el crecimiento y la producción de OTA por Aspergillus (A.) niger 13D, a diferentes valores de actividad de agua (a w): 0.955, 0.964, 0.971,0.982 y 0.995). La cepa láctica redujo significativamente (p <0.05) ambos parámetros, siendo el efecto dependiente del valor de a w. La mayor inhibición del crecimiento (46.9%) se obtuvo a a w =0.995, valor más adecuado para el crecimiento y producción de metabolitos antifúngicos (ácido láctico, ácido acético, ácidos fenil-láctico e hidroxi-fenil láctico) por la cepa láctica. Además, se observaron cambios morfológicos en las colonias de A. niger 13D, crecidas en presencia de L. plantarum CRL 778 a valores de a w de 0.971 y 0.995. El porcentaje máximo de reducción en la producción de OTA (90%) por la cepa láctica se observó a un valor de a w = 0.971, mientras la inhibición del crecimiento fúngico fue mayor cuando a w = 0.995. Estos hallazgos sugieren que L. plantarum CRL 778 podría emplearse para el control de la contaminación por hongos ocratoxigénicos en alimentos con valores de aw comprendidos entre 0.971-0.995.

Abstract The aim of this work was to select strains of LAB autochthonous from Santiago del Estero to formulate a starter culture for making spreadable goat cheese. Four strains were selected: CRL1799 (Lactobacillus fermentum with high acidifying activity), CRL1803 (Lactobacillus fermentum with high proteolytic activity), CRL1808 (Lactobacillus rhamnosus with production of exopolysaccharide) and CRL1785 (Enterococcus faecium with diacetyl-acetoin production). The selected strains showed qualities that make them useful as starter culture in the elaboration of spreadable cheese. This starter culture is an alternative that allows obtaining differentiated products. The inclusion of CRL1808 strains seems to improve the rheology and texture, excluding the use of additives.