The Biflavonoid Agathisflavone Regulates Microglial and Astrocytic Inflammatory Profiles via Glucocorticoid Receptor.

Nuclear receptors such as glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) are transcription factors with prominent regulatory effects on neuroinflammation. Agathisflavone is a biflavonoid that demonstrates neurogenic, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and pro-myelinogenic effects in vitro. This study investigated whether the control of glial reactivity by agathisflavone is mediated by GRs.

The Flavonoid Agathisflavone Attenuates Glia Activation After Mechanical Injury of Cortical Tissue and Negatively Regulates Both NRLP3 and IL-1β Expression.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a complex and multifactorial pathology and is a major cause of death and disability for humans. Immediately after TBI, astrocytes and microglia react with complex morphological and functional changes known as reactive gliosis to form a glial scar in the area immediately adjacent to the lesion, which is the major barrier to neuronal regeneration. The flavonoid agathisflavone (bis-apigenin), present in Poincianella pyramidalis leaves, has been shown to have neuroprotective, neurogenic, and anti-inflammatory effects, demonstrated in vitro models of glutamate-induced toxicity, neuroinflammation, and demyelination.

Agathisflavone Inhibits Viability and Modulates the Expression of miR-125b, miR-155, IL-6, and Arginase in Glioblastoma Cells and Microglia/Macrophage Activation.

Glioblastomas (GBM) are malignant tumours with poor prognosis. Treatment involves chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy; however, there is currently no standard treatment for recurrence, and prognosis remains unfavourable. Inflammatory mediators and microRNAs (miRNAs) influence the aggressiveness of GBM, being involved in the communication with the cells of the tumour parenchyma, including microglia/macrophages, and maintaining an immunosuppressive microenvironment.

Parasitic contamination in vegetables for human consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The study conducted a review of the parasitological profile of vegetables from 2001 to 2021, considering the type, consumption, and cultivation, globally. The databases searched included MEDLINE, SciELO, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Scopus using the terms "Detection OR Prevalence OR Incidence OR occurrence OR contamination AND vegetable OR fruit AND Helminth OR egg OR Parasite OR cysts OR protozoa". A total of 16,600 articles were found, 117 of which were reviewed.

The Phytochemical Agathisflavone Modulates miR146a and miR155 in Activated Microglia Involving STAT3 Signaling.

MicroRNAs (miRs) act as important post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression in glial cells and have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we investigated the effects of agathisflavone, a biflavonoid purified from the leaves of (Tul.), on modulating the expression of miRs and inflammatory mediators in activated microglia.

Flavonoid Rutin Presented Anti-Glioblastoma Activity Related to the Modulation of Onco miRNA-125b Expression and STAT3 Signaling and Impact on Microglia Inflammatory Profile.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and treatment-resistant brain tumor. In the GBM microenvironment, interaction with microglia is associated with the dysregulation of cytokines, chemokines, and miRNAs, contributing to angiogenesis, proliferation, anti-apoptosis, and chemoresistance. The flavonoid rutin can inhibit glioma cell growth associated with microglial activation and production of pro-inflammatory mediators by mechanisms that are still poorly understood.

Occurrence of zoonotic enteric parasites in fecal samples from dogs in shelters, parks, squares and public roads, and the dog guardians' perception of zoonoses as for the risk to public health in the city of Guarapuava, Paraná, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of zoonotic enteroparasites in the feces of dogs from public shelters, squares, parks, and public roads in the city of Guarapuava, Paraná, Brazil, and to evaluate the perception of dog guardians regarding zoonoses and their risk to public health. Fecal samples were collected, coproparasitological examinations were performed to detect zoonotic enteroparasites, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp.

The Flavonoid Agathisflavone Directs Brain Microglia/Macrophages to a Neuroprotective Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant State via Regulation of NLRP3 Inflammasome.

Agathisflavone, purified from (Tul.) has been shown to be neuroprotective in in vitro models of glutamate-induced excitotoxicity and inflammatory damage. However, the potential role of microglial regulation by agathisflavone in these neuroprotective effects is unclear.

Monocrotaline induces acutely cerebrovascular lesions, astrogliosis and neuronal degeneration associated with behavior changes in rats: A model of vascular damage in perspective.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are secondary plant metabolites playing an important role as phytotoxins in the plant defense mechanisms and can be present as contaminant in the food of humans and animals. The PA monocrotaline (MCT), one of the major plant derived toxin that affect humans and animals, is present in a high concentration in Crotalaria spp. (Leguminosae) seeds and can induce toxicity after consumption, characterized mainly by hepatotoxicity and pneumotoxicity.

Neuroimmunomodulatory Properties of Flavonoids and Derivates: A Potential Action as Adjuvants for the Treatment of Glioblastoma.

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are tumors that have a high ability to migrate, invade and proliferate in the healthy tissue, what greatly impairs their treatment. These characteristics are associated with the complex microenvironment, formed by the perivascular niche, which is also composed of several stromal cells including astrocytes, microglia, fibroblasts, pericytes and endothelial cells, supporting tumor progression. Further microglia and macrophages associated with GBMs infiltrate the tumor.

Epidemiological study of toxoplasmosis outbreaks in Brazil.

In Brazil, notification of toxoplasmosis outbreaks and epidemiological investigation is a mandatory activity of health surveillance. We investigated the risk factors for toxoplasmosis during outbreaks, notifications of outbreaks by the health secretary and reports in the literature. Other factors related to the municipalities were determined through the Institute of Geography and Statistics portal.

Parasites in road-killed wild felines from North of Paraná state, Brazil.

This study aimed to identify the intestinal parasites of road-killed wild felines in the North Central and North, Paraná state, southern Brazil. The animals were monitored by sampling previously established transects. The places where the felines were run over were mapped, the animals were identified, and the gastrointestinal tract was evaluated.

Cannabis roots: Pharmacological and toxicological studies in mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: There are many studies and therapeutic properties attributed to the flowers and leaves of the Cannabis species, but even with few pharmacological studies, Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabaceae) roots presents several therapeutic indications in folk medicine.

Aim Of The Study: This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic effects as well as the toxicological profile of the aqueous extract of Cannabis sativa roots (CsAqEx) in mice.

Reverted effect of mesenchymal stem cells in glioblastoma treated with agathisflavone and its selective antitumoral effect on cell viability, migration, and differentiation via STAT3.

Glioblastoma is the most lethal tumor of the central nervous system, presenting a very poor prognostic, with a survival around 16 months. The interaction of mesenchymal stem cells and tumor cells has been studied, showing a bias in their role favoring or going against aggressiveness. Natural products such as flavonoids have showed their anticancer properties and the synergic potential with the activation of microenvironment cells to inhibit tumor progression.

Molecular diagnosis of the curly lettuce parasitic contamination from hydroponic cultivation from supermarkets.

The consumption of vegetables has increased in recent years due to the search for a healthier diet that is rich in fiber and has fewer calories. To assess the parasitic contamination of lettuce sold in markets, a survey of parasites was carried out from a supermarket chain in the city of Londrina, Paraná. A total of thirty samples of lettuce were purchased in the ten markets visited, three in each, of which ten were conventionally cultivated, ten were hydroponically cultivated, and ten were organically cultivated.

Neuroimmunomodulatory and Neuroprotective Effects of the Flavonoid Apigenin in Models of Neuroinflammation Associated With Alzheimer's Disease.

Neurodegenerative disorders (ND) are characterized by the progressive and irreversible loss of neurons. Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most incident age-related ND, in which the presence of a chronic inflammatory compound seems to be related to its pathogenesis. Different stimuli in the central nervous system (CNS) can induce activation, proliferation, and changes in phenotype and glial function, which can be modulated by anti-inflammatory agents.

Spatiotemporal Determinants of Urban Leptospirosis Transmission: Four-Year Prospective Cohort Study of Slum Residents in Brazil.

Background: Rat-borne leptospirosis is an emerging zoonotic disease in urban slum settlements for which there are no adequate control measures. The challenge in elucidating risk factors and informing approaches for prevention is the complex and heterogeneous environment within slums, which vary at fine spatial scales and influence transmission of the bacterial agent.

Methodology/principal Findings: We performed a prospective study of 2,003 slum residents in the city of Salvador, Brazil during a four-year period (2003-2007) and used a spatiotemporal modelling approach to delineate the dynamics of leptospiral transmission.

Flavonoids suppress human glioblastoma cell growth by inhibiting cell metabolism, migration, and by regulating extracellular matrix proteins and metalloproteinases expression.

The malignant gliomas are very common primary brain tumors with poor prognosis, which require more effective therapies than the current used, such as with chemotherapy drugs. In this work, we investigated the effects of several polyhydroxylated flavonoids namely, rutin, quercetin (F7), apigenin (F32), chrysin (F11), kaempferol (F12), and 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone (F2) in human GL-15 glioblastoma cells. We observed that all flavonoids decreased the number of viable cells and the mitochondrial metabolism.

Prospective study of leptospirosis transmission in an urban slum community: role of poor environment in repeated exposures to the Leptospira agent.

Background: Leptospirosis has emerged as an urban health problem as slum settlements have rapidly spread worldwide and created conditions for rat-borne transmission. Prospective studies have not been performed to determine the disease burden, identify risk factors for infection and provide information needed to guide interventions in these marginalized communities.

Methodology/principal Findings: We enrolled and followed a cohort of 2,003 residents from a slum community in the city of Salvador, Brazil.

Evaluation of four whole-cell Leptospira-based serological tests for diagnosis of urban leptospirosis.

Four serologic assays for leptospirosis had sensitivities of 72 to 88% and specificities of 88 to 100% in the setting of highly endemic urban transmission, indicating that assays using enzyme-linked immunosorbency and rapid formats may be used as alternatives to the microscopic agglutination test for diagnosing urban leptospirosis. Testing a second sample will be required in cases with an initial negative result, since sensitivity was low (46 to 68%) during the first week of illness.