Publications by authors named "A Cecilia A Roque"

Introduction: Simvastatin is an antilipidemic drug that has already demonstrated antibacterial activities on oral and non-oral microorganisms. Silver nanoparticles also exhibit antimicrobial properties, particularly for coating implant surfaces. In this study, we evaluated the effects of combining simvastatin with silver nanoparticles on the formation and viability of biofilms consolidated on titanium discs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The Trypanosomatidae family encompasses around 24 genera of unicellular protozoans, many of which are transmitted by various hematophagous arthropods, particularly members of the Orders Diptera and Hemiptera. Fleas and ticks-an understudied group of ectoparasites-have been shown to be hosts of a wide and crescent variety of trypanosomatid species. Further, fleas and ticks of companion animals have been particularly neglected in trypanosomatid surveillance despite the proximity to human populations and the anthropophagous habits of many of these arthropods, which can potentially act as vectors of zoonotic trypanosomatids.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Non-human primates (NHPs) in Brazil were studied to investigate the infection rates of Trypanosoma minasense, with a focus on how landscape composition and forest fragmentation affected these rates.
  • Sapajus nigritus showed the highest positivity for T. minasense in blood samples (60.9%), while other species like Callithrix spp. and Alouatta guariba clamitans had lower rates, but molecular analysis indicated significant infections in all groups.
  • The study found a correlation between T. minasense infections and environmental factors: higher forest fragmentation led to increased infection rates in NHPs, suggesting that habitat loss may drive disease prevalence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Astrocytes respond to neurotransmitters by increasing their intracellular Ca2+ concentration (Ca2+ signals). While glutamate released by neurons trigger Ca2+ signals through IP3- and glutamate transporter-dependent mechanisms, dopamine released in distant sites activates astrocytes via dopaminergic receptors. However, little is known about the modulatory effects of dopamine on glutamate-evoked astrocytic activity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF