Association between vitamin D deficiency and heart failure risk in the elderly.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between vitamin D deficiency and risk of heart failure in elderly patients of cardiology outpatient clinics.

Methods And Results: A cross-sectional study with an analytical approach was employed. Clinical data were collected from the elderly from August 2015 to February 2016.

Ultrastructural analysis of Leishmania infantum chagasi promastigotes forms treated in vitro with usnic acid.

Leishmaniasis is considered by the World Health Organization as one of the infectious parasitic diseases endemic of great relevance and a global public health problem. Pentavalent antimonials used for treatment of this disease are limited and new phytochemicals emerge as an alternative to existing treatments, due to the low toxicity and cost reduction. Usnic acid is uniquely found in lichens and is especially abundant in genera such as Alectoria, Cladonia, Evernia, Lecanora, Ramalina, and Usnea.