Somuncurins: Bioactive Peptides from the Skin of the Endangered Endemic Patagonian Frog .

The skin glands of amphibian species hold a major component of their innate immunity, namely a unique set of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Although most of them have common characteristics, differences in AMP sequences allow a huge repertoire of biological activity with varying degrees of efficacy. We present the first study of the AMPs from (Anura: Leptodactylidae: Leiuperinae).

Seasonal change in main alkaloids of jaborandi (Pilocarpus microphyllus Stapf ex Wardleworth), an economically important species from the Brazilian flora.

Pilocarpus microphyllus Stapf ex Wardleworth (jaborandi, Rutaceae) is one of the most important Brazilian medicinal species owing to its content of pilocarpine (PIL), an alkaloid used for treating glaucoma and xerostomia. This species contains another alkaloid, epiisopiloturine (EPI), which has demonstrated effectiveness against schistosomiasis. The aim of this work was to assess seasonal changes of PIL and EPI in three populations of cultivated P.

Anthelmintic, Antibacterial and Cytotoxicity Activity of Imidazole Alkaloids from Pilocarpus microphyllus Leaves.

Pilocarpus microphyllus Stapf ex Wardlew (Rutaceae), popularly known as jaborandi, is a plant native to the northern and northeastern macroregions of Brazil. Several alkaloids from this species have been isolated. There are few reports of antibacterial and anthelmintic activities for these compounds.

Angry posture.

Postural abnormalities can affect the emotions and vice-versa. The aim of the present study was to investigate the existence of a relationship between subjective anger and body posture in 28 women, aged between 20 and 39 years, with a normal body mass index (or underweight) and an absence of neurological, psychiatric or musculoskeletal disorders. The postural parameters photographed were the inclination of the shoulders, protrusion of the head, hyperextension of the knees and shoulder elevation.

Peptide isolated from Cry1Ab16 toxin present in Bacillus thuringiensis: Synthesis and morphology data for layer-by-layer films studied by atomic force microscopy.

The peptide PcL342-354C was obtained from the Cry1Ab16 toxin present in Bacillus thuringiensis ("Computational Modeling Deduced Three Dimensional Structure of Cry1Ab16 Toxin from B. thuringiensis AC11" (Kashyap, 2012) [1]). In this data article, we report the synthesis and characterization of the PcL342-354C peptide by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry.

Acetylated cashew gum-based nanoparticles for transdermal delivery of diclofenac diethyl amine.

Nanoprecipitation and dialysis methods were employed to obtain nanoparticles (NPs) of acetylated cashew gum (ACG). NPs synthesized by dialysis showed greater average size compared to those synthesized by nanoprecipitation, but they presented improved stability and yield. NPs were loaded with diclofenac diethylamine and the efficiency of the drug incorporation was over 60% for both methods, for an ACG:NP a weight ratio of 10:1.

Yoga increased serum estrogen levels in postmenopausal women-a case report.

Objective: This case report aimed to evaluate 4 months of yoga practice on the quality of life (QOL) and estradiol levels of two postmenopausal women.

Methods: Participants were clinically healthy postmenopausal women, with follicle-stimulating hormone levels greater than or equal to 30 mIU/mL and a body mass index lower than 30 kg/m. The participants practiced yoga for 4 months in two 1-hour sessions per week.

Layer-by-layer films containing peptides of the Cry1Ab16 toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis for potential biotechnological applications.

Cry1Ab16 is a toxin of crystalline insecticidal proteins that has been widely used in genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to gain resistance to pests. For the first time, in this study, peptides derived from the immunogenic Cry1Ab16 toxin (from Bacillus thuringiensis) were immobilized as layer-by-layer (LbL) films. Given the concern about food and environmental safety, a peptide with immunogenic potential, PcL342-354C, was selected for characterization of the electrochemical, optical, and morphological properties.

Anxiolytic Effect of Citrus aurantium L. on Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

The bone marrow aspiration procedure is used in hematological diseases and consists of a painful, invasive procedure causing anxiety-associated symptoms. The present study assessed the effect of Citrus aurantium L. essential oil on the treatment of anxiety, in the moment that precedes the collection of medullary material in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Yoga and compassion meditation program improve quality of life and self-compassion in family caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Aim: To investigate the effects of the practice of yoga in combination with compassion meditation on the quality of life, attention, vitality and self-compassion of family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Methods: A total of 46 volunteers were randomly allocated to two groups, the yoga and compassion meditation program group (n = 25), and the control group (CG) that received no treatment (n = 21). The program lasted 8 weeks, and comprised three yoga and meditation practices per week, with each session lasting 1 h and 15 min.

A Novel Vasoactive Proline-Rich Oligopeptide from the Skin Secretion of the Frog Brachycephalus ephippium.

Proline-rich oligopeptides (PROs) are a large family which comprises the bradykinin-potentiating peptides (BPPs). They inhibit the activity of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) and have a typical pyroglutamyl (Pyr)/proline-rich structure at the N- and C-terminus, respectively. Furthermore, PROs decrease blood pressure in animals.

Delivery system for mefenamic acid based on the nanocarrier layered double hydroxide: Physicochemical characterization and evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potential.

Purpose: The anionic form of the drug mefenamic acid intercalated into the nanocarrier layered double hydroxide (LDH-Mef) was evaluated by anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive assays.

Methods: The LDH-Mef material was characterized by a set of physicochemical techniques, which was supported by Density Functional Theory calculations. The pharmacological effects of LDH-Mef (40 wt% of drug) were evaluated by hemolytic, anti-inflammatory activity and antinociceptive assays.

Effect of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) leaf extract on resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation and Schistosoma mansoni worms.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: There are ethnopharmacological reports supporting the use of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) leaf against bacterial and worm infections. However there is a lack of studies about its effect on bacterial biofilm formation and Schistosoma mansoni worms.

Antidiarrheal activity of cashew GUM, a complex heteropolysaccharide extracted from exudate of Anacardium occidentale L. in rodents.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae) is commonly known as the cashew tree. It is native to tropical America and extracts of the leaves, bark, roots, chestnut net and exudate have been traditionally used in northeast Brazil for the treatment of various diseases.

Involvement of Cholinergic and Opioid System in γ-Terpinene-Mediated Antinociception.

The literature shows that the monoterpenes are great candidates for the development of new drugs for the treatment of various pathological processes, including painful conditions. The gamma terpinene (γ-TPN) is a monoterpene present in plant species that have multiple pharmacological properties and has structural similarity to antinociceptive monoterpenes, such as limonene and alpha-phellandrene. The γ-TPN molecular mass was evaluated by mass spectrometry and showed a pseudomolecular ion with m/z 137.

Gastroprotective properties of cashew gum, a complex heteropolysaccharide of Anacardium occidentale, in naproxen-induced gastrointestinal damage in rats.

Long-term use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug is associated with gastrointestinal (GI) lesion formation. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective activity of cashew gum (CG), a complex heteropolysaccharide extracted from Anacardium occidentale on naproxen (NAP)-induced GI damage. Male Wistar rats were pretreated with vehicle or CG (1, 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg, p.

Anthelmintic activity in vivo of epiisopiloturine against juvenile and adult worms of Schistosoma mansoni.

Schistosomiasis is a serious disease currently estimated to affect more that 207 million people worldwide. Due to the intensive use of praziquantel, there is increasing concern about the development of drug-resistant strains. Therefore, it is necessary to search for and investigate new potential schistosomicidal compounds.

In silico peptide prediction for antibody generation to recognize 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) in genetically modified organisms.

For the prospective immunorecognition of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (CP4-EPSPS) as a biomarker protein expressed by transgenic soybean, an extensive in silico evaluation of the referred protein was performed. The main objective of this study was the selection of a set of peptides that could function as potential immunogens for the production of novel antibodies against CP4-EPSPS protein. For this purpose, the protein was in silico cleaved with trypsin/chymotrypsin and the resultant peptides were extensively analyzed for further selection of the best candidates for antibody production.

Medical students and controversial ethical issues: results from the multicenter study SBRAME.

Background: Medical students(MS) will face ethical issues throughout their lives as doctors. The present study aims to investigate medical students' opinions on controversial ethical issues and factors associated with these opinions.

Methods: SBRAME (Spirituality and Brazilian Medical Education) is a multicenter study involving 12 Brazilian medical schools with 5950 MS.

Nanostructured layer-by-layer films containing phaeophytin-b: electrochemical characterization for sensing purposes.

This paper reports the study and characterization of a new platform for practical applications, where the use of phaeophytin-b (phaeo-b), a compound derived from chlorophyll, was characterized and investigated for sensing purposes. Modified electrodes with nanostructured phaeo-b films were fabricated via the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique, where phaeo-b was assembled with cashew gum, a polysaccharide, or with poly(allylamine) hydrochloride (PAH). The multilayer formation was investigated with UV-Vis spectroscopy by monitoring the absorption band associated to phaeo-b at approximately 410 nm, where distinct molecular interactions between the materials were verified.

Differences and similarities in postural alterations caused by sadness and depression.

The present study investigated the existence of a relationship between depression and body posture in 40 women, aged between 20 and 30 years, who had normal body mass indices (or were underweight) and absence of neurological, psychiatric, or musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the existence of a relationship between sadness, depression and the posture represented by the angle of Tales, head inclination, shoulder inclination, and forward head and shoulder protrusion. The degree of depression was rated on analogue scales representing current and usual depression and current and usual sadness and by the Beck Depression Inventory.

Decrease in blood pressure and improved psychological aspects through meditation training in hypertensive older adults: A randomized control study.

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of Zen meditation on blood pressure (BP) and quality of life in elderly subjects.

Methods: A total of 59 volunteers (21 men and 38 women), aged ≥60 years with systolic BP between 130 and 159 mmHg and diastolic BP between 85 and 99 mmHg, were randomly divided into a meditation group (MG), n = 28 and a control group (CG), n = 31. The MG meditated twice a day for 20 min for 3 months, and the CG remained on a waiting list.

Collagen-based silver nanoparticles for biological applications: synthesis and characterization.

Background: Type I collagen is an abundant natural polymer with several applications in medicine as matrix to regenerate tissues. Silver nanoparticles is an important nanotechnology material with many utilities in some areas such as medicine, biology and chemistry. The present study focused on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) stabilized with type I collagen (AgNPcol) to build a nanomaterial with biological utility.

Gastric antiulcerogenic and hypokinetic activities of Terminalia fagifolia Mart. & Zucc. (Combretaceae).

The acute toxicity, the antioxidant activity, and the pharmacological activity on the gastrointestinal tract of rodents of the ethanolic extract (TFEE) from the bark of Terminalia fagifolia Mart. & Zucc. (Combretaceae) and of its aqueous (TFAqF), hydroalcoholic (TFHAF), and hexanic (TFHEXF) partition fractions have been evaluated.