Genome-wide association study analysis of single nucleotide variants in associated with IL-6 inflammatory response in visceral leishmaniasis.

Elevated levels of IL-6 in plasma are associated with the severity of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The clinical manifestations of VL vary among patients, influenced by host factors and the virulence of the parasite. Considering that severe VL may result from an exaggerated inflammatory response, this study investigated whether IL-6 could serve as a biomarker to identify pro-inflammatory virulence factors.

Psychological traits of extreme sport participants: a scoping review.

Background: Extreme sports have increased in popularity, particularly over the past two decades. Theories explaining participation in extreme sports tend to focus on risk. Consequently, extreme sports participants are often characterized by an accentuated desire for risk and abnormal personal traits, but the positive aspects of extreme sports are often neglected in the literature.

New Drugs and Promising Drug Combinations in the Treatment of Chagas Disease in Brazil: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Chagas disease (CD) is a parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae). Benznidazole (Bz) has a limited ability to interfere with the pathogenicity of the parasite, which manages to overcome host defenses.

Aim: This study aimed to conduct a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to understand and describe the drugs and their combinations, as well as new promising compounds used in the treatment of CD in Brazil.

Folk medicine, biological activity, and chemical profiles of Brazilian Acanthaceae (Lamiales) - A review.

Introduction: The botanical family Acanthaceae (order Lamiales) potentially comprises 4900 species in 191 genera with extensive morphological, habit and habitat diversity. The family is widely distributed throughout the world but is especially rich in tropical and subtropical regions. Many of its species have great ornamental importance and are broadly used for medicinal purposes in several countries of Asia and Africa.

Validation of a Portuguese version of the Groningen radiotherapy-induced xerostomia questionnaire.

Background: The aim of this study was to validate and determine at pretest level the reliability of the Portuguese version of the Groningen radiotherapy-induced xerostomia questionnaire.

Material And Methods: This study employed 37 head and neck cancer patients. Each patient signed an informed consent and responded to the Portuguese version of the questionnaire in the form of an interview.

Development and Evaluation of Formulation for Cutaneous Wound Healing.

In regions adjacent to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, Virola oleifera (VO) resin extract has been popularly used for decades as a skin and mucosal healing agent. However, this antioxidant-rich resin has not yet been investigated in wound healing, whose physiological process might also be aggravated by oxidative stress-related diseases (e.g.

S-values for radium-223 and absorbed doses estimates for RACL using three computational phantoms.

Radium-223 dichloride (RaCl2), approved by FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in 2013 and in Brazil by ANVISA (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária) in 2016, offers a new therapeutic option for bone metastases from castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The advantages of radionuclide therapy for bone metastases include the simultaneous treatment of multiple lesions at the same time. The activity prescription is based on the patient's body weight, disregarding the absorbed dose limit of 2 Gy in the organ at risk: bone marrow.

Relationship Between Markers of Chronic Inflammation and Copper Nutritional Status in Obese Women.

Adipose tissue dysfunction causes the development of metabolic complications, such as low-grade chronic inflammation, which may to alter copper homeostasis in obese individuals. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between markers of chronic inflammation and copper nutritional status in obese women. Cross-sectional study involved women aged 20-50 years, divided into two groups: case (BMI > 35 kg/m) and control (18.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELENIUM NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND MARKERS OF LOW-GRADE CHRONIC INFLAMMATION IN OBESE WOMEN.

Low-grade chronic inflammation is one of the main disorders that characterize adipose tissue dysfunction in obesity and is an important element in the pathogenesis of several comorbidities. In this context, selenium is an essential micronutrient that exerts important anti-inflammatory functions, and the role of selenium in controlling inflammation associated with obesity is not well defined. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between markers of the nutritional status of selenium and low-grade chronic inflammation in obese women.

Using machine learning and an electronic tongue for discriminating saliva samples from oral cavity cancer patients and healthy individuals.

The diagnosis of cancer and other diseases using data from non-specific sensors - such as the electronic tongues (e-tongues) - is challenging owing to the lack of selectivity, in addition to the variability of biological samples. In this study, we demonstrate that impedance data obtained with an e-tongue in saliva samples can be used to diagnose cancer in the mouth. Data taken with a single-response microfluidic e-tongue applied to the saliva of 27 individuals were treated with multidimensional projection techniques and non-supervised and supervised machine learning algorithms.

Performance evaluation of segmentation methods for assessing the lens of the frog Thoropa miliaris from synchrotron-based phase-contrast micro-CT images.

Purpose: In the context of synchrotron microtomography using propagation-based phase-contrast imaging (XSPCT), we evaluated the performance of semiautomatic and automatic image segmentation of soft biological structures by means of Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) and volume quantification.

Methods: We took advantage of the phase-contrast effects of XSPCT to provide enhanced object boundaries and improved visualization of the lenses of the frog Thoropa miliaris. Then, we applied semiautomatic segmentation methods 1 and 2 (Interpolation and Watershed, respectively) and method 3, an automatic segmentation algorithm using the U-Net architecture, to the reconstructed images.

Comparison of spectra and mean glandular dose (MGD) with tube voltage used in digital mammography for simulated, metrological and clinical cases.

Mammography has a crucial role in breast cancer detection. The National Cancer Institute (INCA) estimates that 29.7% of the cancer cases in Brazil are related specifically to the breast.

Early reflector localization improves the accuracy of localization and excision of a previously positive axillary lymph node following neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer.

Purpose: Clipped axillary lymph node (CALN) localization after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for axillary node positive breast cancer can be difficult due to significant shrinkage or disappearance of the CALN after NAC. This study compares wire localization to a radar-based localization system utilizing a reflector that can be placed before or during NAC, in the months before definitive surgery, to facilitate accurate localization and excision of the CALN.

Methods: Between 2016 and 2019, women with T0-4 N1-3 M0 breast cancer who underwent NAC followed by axillary surgery with planned excision of a biopsy positive or clinically suspicious axillary node via wire or reflector localization were identified.

Development of a non-invasive method for monitoring variations in salt concentrations of seawater using nuclear technique and Monte Carlo simulation.

In the oil production industry, water is used as a fluid injected into the well to raise the oil when the well is depressurized. Water thus produced presents variations in the concentrations of dissolved salts, as there is a mixture of different types of water, related to its origin (such as connate water, sea water). Because it is reused in oil production, water needs to be monitored to maintain the standard suitable for its use as it can be hypersaline, contributing to the encrustation of pipes and contamination of underground water reservoirs.

Mechanism of the lethal effect of Riparin E against bacterial and yeast strains.

Riparins are alkamides naturally found in the fruits of Aniba riparia (Nees) Mez, but currently synthetic molecules as Riparin E (Rip-E) can be obtained. Potential biological of Rip-E as schistosomicidal agent against Schistosoma mansoni worms, as well as against Staphylococcus aureus strains has already been described. However, the mechanism of action related to antimicrobial activity of Rip-E against bacterial or fungi species has not yet been reported.

Effect of ortho- and para-chlorine substitution on hydroxychlorochalcone.

This work describes a comparative molecular structure of two hydroxychlorochalcones with an emphasis on their planarity. Hirshfeld surface analysis investigates the effect of ortho- and para-chlorine substitution on supramolecular arrangement and physical chemical properties. The molecular conformation of 2'-hydroxy-4',6'-dimethyl-2-chlorochalcone and 2'-hydroxy-4',6'-dimethyl-4-chlorochalcone chalcones was obtained through DFT with the exchange-correlation functional M06-2X and the 6-311++G(2d,2p) basis set, and the results were compared with the experimental X-ray data in order to get insights on the effect of ortho- and para-chlorine substitution.

Alpha-Terpineol as Antitumor Candidate in Pre-Clinical Studies.

Background: Alpha-terpineol is monoterpene alcohol with anti-tumor activity against different tumor cell lines (lung, breast, leukemias and colorectal) through blockage of NF-kB expression, which play an important role in tumor cells growth.

Objective: Evaluate the antitumor activity of alpha-terpineol in murine Sarcoma 180 cell line.

Methods: For the tests, different cytotoxic and genotoxic assays were used, including Trypan blue, cytokinesis- blocked micronucleus assay, comet assay, agarose gel DNA fragmentation, flow cytometry and cell viability using fluorescence.

COMPARISON OF SPECTRA AND MEAN GLANDULAR DOSE WITH TUBE VOLTAGES USED IN DIGITAL BREAST TOMOSYNTHESIS FROM SIMULATED, METROLOGICAL AND CLINICAL CASES.

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is a screening and diagnostic modality that acquires images of a breast at multiple angles during a short scan. The Selenia Dimensions (Hologic, Bedford, Mass) DBT system can perform both full-field digital mammography and DBT. The system acquires 25 projections over a 15° angular range (from -7.

Synchrotron microtomography applied to the volumetric analysis of internal structures of Thoropa miliaris tadpoles.

Amphibians are models for studying applied ecological issues such as habitat loss, pollution, disease, and global climate change due to their sensitivity and vulnerability to changes in the environment. Developmental series of amphibians are informative about their biology, and X-ray based 3D reconstruction holds promise for quantifying morphological changes during growth-some with a direct impact on the possibility of an experimental investigation on several of the ecological topics listed above. However, 3D resolution and discrimination of their soft tissues have been difficult with traditional X-ray computed tomography, without time-consuming contrast staining.

Antiproliferative and Genotoxic Action of an Underexploited Organoteluran Derivative on Sarcoma 180 Cells.

Background: The search for novel metallic chemical compounds with toxicogenic effects has been of great importance for more efficient cancer treatment.

Objective: The study evaluated the cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic activity of organoteluran RF07 in the S-180 cell line.

Methods: The bioassays used were cell viability with 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazole)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test, evaluation of apoptosis and necrosis using fluorescence and flow cytometry, cytokinesisblock micronucleus test and comet assay.

preADMET analysis and clinical aspects of dogs treated with the Organotellurium compound RF07: A possible control for canine visceral leishmaniasis?

Tellurium compounds have been described as potential leishmanicides, bearing promising leishmanicidal and antimalarial effects. Therefore, the present study investigated the pharmacological potential of the organotellurane compound RF07 through preADMET parameters, such as absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. After studying the pharmacokinetic properties of RF07, studies were carried out on dogs naturally infected with visceral leishmaniasis after the administration of RF07, in order to assess pathophysiological parameters.

Modeling of a neutron irradiator using Monte Carlo.

The Nuclear Engineering Department of the Military Institute of Engineering (SE/7-IME) is designing and simulation a neutron irradiator with 1 Ci of Am-Be source. The objective of this irradiator is to generate a flux of neutrons to be used in research and teaching maintaining, for purposes of radiological protection, the rate of ambient dose equivalent, H*(10), below 10 μSv/h at 30 cm from the surface. This paper presents the proposed irradiator, values of H*(10) at different distances from the irradiator and the neutron flux in different points of the beam irradiation, all calculated using the MCNPX code.

Renal Progenitor Cells Have Higher Genetic Stability and Lower Oxidative Stress than Mesenchymal Stem Cells during In Vitro Expansion.

In vitro senescence of multipotent cells has been commonly associated with DNA damage induced by oxidative stress. These changes may vary according to the sources of production and the studied lineages, which raises questions about the effect of growing time on genetic stability. This study is aimed at evaluating the evolution of genetic stability, viability, and oxidative stress of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCBMsu) and renal progenitor cells of the renal cortex (RPCsu) of swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) in culture passages.

Shielding implications on secondary radiation doses in prostate cancer treatment.

Medical linear accelerators (linacs) require a physical structure designed to provide adequate structural support which ensures the safety of patients, operators and the general public. During a radiotherapy session, healthy tissues are exposed to radiation, even with these safety guarantees. This unwanted exposure may increase the likelihood of developing secondary cancer.