Publications by authors named "Ana Paula de Souza"

The study aimed to evaluate the in vitro anthelminthic and antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against Dactylogyrus minutus and Aeromonas hydrophila, pathogens of Cyprinus carpio Koi. Gill arches of the fish were removed and placed into six-well plates containing 10 mL of tank water with varying concentrations of AgNPs: 100, 400, 500, 600, and 800 mg/L, along with control groups using tank water and distilled water. Each group was tested in triplicate.

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Objective: To estimate original wild-type BNT162b2 effectiveness against symptomatic Omicron infection among children 5-11 years of age.

Methods: This prospective test-negative, case-control study was conducted in Toledo, southern Brazil, from June 2022 to July 2023. Patients were included if they were aged 5-11 years, sought care for acute respiratory symptoms in the public health system, and were tested for SARS-CoV-2 using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

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The galls can offer shelter, protection, and an adequate diet for the gall-inducing organisms. Herein, we evaluated the structure of Manihot esculenta leaves and galls induced by Iatrophobia brasiliensis in order to identify metabolic and cell wall composition changes. We expected to find a complex gall with high primary metabolism in a typical nutritive tissue.

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Background: Evidence regarding effectiveness of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine against Omicron in Latin America is limited. We estimated BNT162b2 effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 in Brazil when Omicron was predominant.

Methods: This prospective test-negative, case-control study was conducted in Toledo, Brazil, following a mass COVID-19 vaccination with BNT162b2.

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Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes that has spread rapidly across all continents in recent years. There are four distinct but closely related serotypes of the virus that causes dengue (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4). In the present study, we evaluated temporal spreading and molecular evolution of dengue virus (DENV) serotypes.

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Purpose: To assess the association between acute disease severity and 1-year quality of life in patients discharged after hospitalisation due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study nested in 5 randomised clinical trials between March 2020 and March 2022 at 84 sites in Brazil. Adult post-hospitalisation COVID-19 patients were followed for 1 year.

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In freshwater, saxitoxins (STX) are produced by different cyanobacteria genera, including Raphidiopsis. Data regarding cytogenotoxicity effects of STX on human cells are scarse, this merit further studies of its toxicology. This study assessed the cytotoxicity and the chromosome instability of STX on SHSY-5Y human cell line.

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Article Synopsis
  • Niobium (V) oxide nanoparticles (NINPs) are increasingly used in health and industrial applications, prompting a closer examination of their potential toxicity.
  • The study found that both crystalline and amorphous NINPs can induce DNA damage and chromosome instability in cultured CHO-K1 cells, particularly at higher concentrations.
  • Results indicated significant cytotoxic effects and increased micronucleus frequencies, highlighting the need for safety guidelines regarding NINPs in various applications.
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Myricitrin (MYR), a flavonol consumed in the leaves and fruits of plants of the family, presents anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant properties in humans. However, there are few studies regarding the cyto-genotoxicity and the chemopreventive potential of MYR. Using the Micronucleus test, the cytostasis, mutagenicity, and modulatory effect of MYR in CHO-K1 cells were assessed.

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The methylation and expression of DNA repair system genes has been studied in several tumor types. These genes have been associated with resistance to chemotherapy treatments by epigenetic regulation. Studies have yet to show the effects of combined therapy using an epigenetic drug (5-aza-2CdR) and cisplatin (CDDP) on DNA repair genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

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Objective: Fatty acid synthase levels are associated with aggressiveness, prognosis, and risk of metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinomas. This enzyme contains seven catalytic domains and its inhibition by synthetic or natural drugs has antineoplastic properties such as C75, which is a synthetic inhibitor of the β- ketoacyl synthase domain, the antibiotic triclosan, ligand of the enoyl reductase domain, and the antiobesity drug orlistat, which inhibits the thioesterase domain. Here, we sought to investigate and compare the in vitro effects of C75, triclosan, and orlistat on malignant phenotypes of the cell line SCC-9: proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, adhesion, migration, and invasion.

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Direct-acting antivirals have revolutionized the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Sofosbuvir and simeprevir are prescribed worldwide. However, there is a scarcity of information regarding their genotoxicity.

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Introduction: The long-term effects caused by COVID-19 are unknown. The present study aims to assess factors associated with health-related quality of life and long-term outcomes among survivors of hospitalization for COVID-19 in Brazil.

Methods: This is a multicenter prospective cohort study nested in five randomized clinical trials designed to assess the effects of specific COVID-19 treatments in over 50 centers in Brazil.

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Article Synopsis
  • The treatment strategies for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) differ based on the cancer's stage, with surgery and radiotherapy for early stages and chemotherapy for advanced cases.
  • Research focused on the effects of the demethylating drug 5-aza-CdR on SCC9 OSCC cells showed that this treatment altered the methylation of key tumor-related genes.
  • The study found that 5-aza-CdR effectively demethylated the MGMT gene and increased the expression of important tumor suppressor genes while lowering the expression of c-Myc, with lower concentrations (0.3μM) proving more effective than higher concentrations (2μM).
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Nickel-based nanoparticles (NPs) are new products with an increasing number of industrial applications that were developed in recent years. NiO NPs are present in several nanotechnological industrial products, and the characterization of their genotoxic potential is essential. The present study assessed the genotoxicity of NiO NPs in vivo and in vitro using the somatic mutation and recombination test in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster (SMART), the cytokinesis - block micronucleus assay (CBMN), and the comet assay in a V79 cell line.

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  • Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) that utilize auditory selective attention can benefit paralyzed users by allowing them to operate devices without physical movement or eye tracking.
  • The study explores and compares two types of classifiers—contralateral and a new modular classifier—for enhancing BCI performance using auditory signals.
  • Results showed the modular classifier significantly improved accuracy and information transfer rates, achieving a hit rate of 91.67% with specific EEG channels and stimulus parameters.
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Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens are based on the use of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), which are the main drugs used by patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The use of NRTIs combinations has afforded clear clinical benefits to patients undergoing HAART. However, the combination of two NRTIs may increase the risk of genomic instability in comparison with the drugs administered individually.

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  • * A study on rats revealed that prolonged high blood sugar levels impaired cognitive function by affecting brain signaling and promoting neurotoxicity.
  • * The findings suggest that improving body weight and metabolic health could potentially reverse cognitive impairment and lower the risk of brain diseases later on.
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Ribavirin is an important component of the treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and, in combination with the new direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents, comprises the major current therapeutic regimens. This study evaluated the cytotoxicity and chromosomal instability induced by ribavirin using the in vitro cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMN-Cyt) assay in two cell lines with different expression levels of drug-metabolizing enzymes: human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells. HepG2 cells were treated with nine concentrations (from 15.

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Article Synopsis
  • Metal complexes like carboplatin and oxaliplatin are commonly used for treating tumors, but there is limited data on their mutagenic potential.
  • A study tested these drugs on CHO-K1 cells and found that both increased the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities, with oxaliplatin causing more issues at lower concentrations compared to carboplatin.
  • Both drugs also reduced cell proliferation rates significantly, indicating their cytostatic effects, especially at higher concentrations.
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Chronic periodontitis (CP) is a chronic inflammatory disease independently associated with higher incidence of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the molecular mechanism responsible for this increased incidence is unknown. Here we profiled the DNA methylome of CP patients and healthy controls and compared to a large set of OSCC samples from TCGA.

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Arrabidaea chica Verlot (Bignoniaceae) has been used as a medicinal herb to treat anemia, hemorrhage, inflammation, intestinal colic, hepatitis, and skin infections in the Brazilian Amazon region. Studies have demonstrated the healing properties of extracts obtained from A. chica leaves, which contain anthocyanins and flavonoids.

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It is evident that the accumulation of periodontal pathogens over the teeth surface triggers periodontitis; however, its aggravation and severity depend on other elements such as environmental factors, systemic health and the host genetic and/or epigenetic background. To address this issue, we investigated the association of two genetic polymorphisms placed on promoter region of SOCS1 gene with chronic periodontal disease. SOCS1 regulates Jak/Kinase signaling pathway and changes in its mRNA expression have been related to different types of cancer and chronic inflammation, including chronic periodontitis.

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Cell adhesion plays an important role in neoplastic transformation. Thus, anchorage-independent growth and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which are features associated to anoikis-resistance, are vital steps in cancer progression and metastatic colonization. Cell attachment loss may induce intracellular oxidative stress, which triggers DNA damage as methylation changes.

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