The Development of a One-Step RT-qPCR for the Detection and Quantification of Viable Forms of in Açai Samples from Areas at Risk of Chagas Disease through Oral Transmission.

Currently, approximately 70% of new cases of Chagas disease (CD) in Brazil are attributed to oral transmission, particularly through foods such as açaí, bacaba, and sugarcane juice, primarily in the northern and northeastern regions of the country. This underscores the imperative need to control the spread of the disease. The methods utilized to conduct quality control for food associated with outbreaks and to assess the potential for the oral transmission of CD through consuming açaí primarily rely on isolating the parasite or inoculating food into experimental animals, restricting the analyses to major research centers.

Piranhea trifoliata extracts ameliorate muscular decline in Drosophila melanogaster exposed to Paraquat.

In this study, we have demonstrated, for the first time, the muscular protective effects of Piranhea trifoliata bark extract against Paraquat (PQ)-induced oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster. Exposure of D. melanogaster (Canton Special) to PQ caused oxidative stress, as evidenced by protein carbonyl and elevated acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity levels.