COVID-19-Associated Cognitive Biases on Pneumonia Differential Diagnosis.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic favors cognitive biases such as anchoring and availability biases. The first refers to overvaluing some of the initial information and establishing a diagnosis too early, with resistance to future adjustments. The latter happens when diagnoses more frequently considered are regarded as more common in reality.

Association between neuronal degeneration and supraphysiological doses of two types of anabolic steroids in rat brain.

The anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are natural compounds that are precursors or derivatives of testosterone and, as a consequence of indiscriminate use, cause irreversible neuronal effects. For this study, 70 brain samples were used from male Wistar rats, separated into 14 groups, divided into: control, sedentary, and exercise groups; in the concentrations: 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg. Two different AAS were used: Testosterone Cypionate (TC) and Nandrolone Decanoate (ND).

Endpoints as human biomarkers in exposure assessment of triazoles fungicides.

Potential endpoint biomarkers were evaluated in the assessment of exposure to triazoles, in the southern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Volunteers were divided into three groups: occupationally exposed and rural residents (n = 21), non-occupationally exposed and rural residents (n = 35) and non-occupationally exposed and urban residents (n = 30). Of all endpoints evaluated, plasma concentration of androstenedione (p < 0.

Protective effect of flavonoids from Passiflora edulis Sims on diabetic complications in rats.

Objectives: This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of flavonoids present in leaves of Passiflora edulis fruit on complications induced by diabetes in rats.

Methods: The extract of P. edulis leaf was obtained by 70% ethanol maceration.

Curcumin, Alone or in Combination with Aminoguanidine, Increases Antioxidant Defenses and Glycation Product Detoxification in Streptozotocin-Diabetic Rats: A Therapeutic Strategy to Mitigate Glycoxidative Stress.

Both oxidative stress and the exacerbated generation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have crucial roles in the onset and progression of diabetic complications. Curcumin has antioxidant and antidiabetic properties; its combination with compounds capable of preventing the advanced glycation events, such as aminoguanidine, is an interesting therapeutic option to counteract diabetic complications. This study is aimed at investigating the effects of treatments with curcumin or aminoguanidine, alone or in combination, on metabolic alterations in streptozotocin-diabetic rats; the focus was mainly on the potential of these bioactive compounds to oppose the glycoxidative stress.

Development of a chitosan hydrogel containing flavonoids extracted from Passiflora edulis leaves and the evaluation of its antioxidant and wound healing properties for the treatment of skin lesions in diabetic mice.

This study aimed to develop a chitosan-based hydrogel containing a mixture of flavonoids isolated from the leaves of Passiflora edulis Sims and to evaluate its stability, antioxidant properties, and wound healing effects on cutaneous lesions in diabetic rats. in vitro studies were carried out to evaluate the biocompatibility and flavonoid release from the chitosan hydrogel. in vivo wound healing studies were conducted on male Wistar rats, where the injured tissue was removed for histological analysis and determination of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase activity, and glutathione peroxidase activity.

Sesquiterpene lactone potentiates the immunomodulatory, antiparasitic and cardioprotective effects on anti-Trypanosoma cruzi specific chemotherapy.

We investigated the immunomodulatory, antiparasitic and cardioprotective effects of a sesquiterpene lactone (SL) administered alone or combined with benznidazole (Bz), in a murine model of Chagas' disease by in vitro and in vivo assays. Antiparasitic and cytotoxic potential of tagitinin C (SL) and Bz were tested in vitro against T. cruzi epimastigotes and cardiomyocytes.

Passiflora edulis Leaf Extract: Evidence of Antidiabetic and Antiplatelet Effects in Rats.

Different Passiflora species have been appointed as a promising herbal medicine due to antioxidant properties; however, their effect on oxidative process induced by diabetes is still controversial. We aimed to evaluate effects of hydroethanolic extract 70% from P. edulis leaf on biochemical blood markers, collagen glycation, production of oxidant species and platelet aggregation in diabetic rats.

Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Activities of Oil from Baru Almonds ( Vog.) in a Preclinical Model of Lipotoxicity and Dyslipidemia.

The oil obtained from baru ( Vog.) almonds exhibits high energy value and is reported in popular medicine for the treatment of rheumatic diseases and reproductive disturbances. Although baru oil is used in domestic cuisine, the chemical characterization of this oil and its effects on lipid metabolism are still poorly understood.

Aminoguanidine treatment increased NOX2 response in diabetic rats: Improved phagocytosis and killing of Candida albicans by neutrophils.

In this study, we show that aminoguanidine (AMG), an inhibitor of protein glycation, increases the NOX2 (phagocyte NADPH oxidase) response and microbicidal activity by neutrophils, regardless of diabetic status. The non-enzymatic glycation of proteins, yielding irreversible advanced glycation end products (AGEs), is involved in the development of diabetes complications, including alterations of signaling pathways and the generation of reactive oxygen species by phagocytes. The phagocytes produce ROS (reactive oxygen species) through activation of the NOX2 complex, which generates superoxide.

Myeloperoxidase in human peripheral blood lymphocytes: Production and subcellular localization.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an important enzyme in the front-line protection against microorganisms. In peripheral blood, it is accepted that MPO is only produced by myeloid-lineage cells. Thus, MPO presence is unexpected in lymphocytes.

Composition and antiproliferative effect of essential oil of Origanum vulgare against tumor cell lines.

Cancer is a leading cause of death and is responsible for one in eight deaths worldwide. The use of herbs as complementary medicine for cancer, especially advanced cancer, has recently increased. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro, the antiproliferative effect of Origanum vulgare against human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29).

Prevalence of paracoccidioidomycosis infection by intradermal reaction in rural areas in Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of paracoccidioidal infection by intradermal reaction (Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity, DTH) to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in rural areas in Alfenas, Southern Minas Gerais (MG) State, Brazil, and to assess risk factors (gender, occupation, age, alcohol intake and smoking) associated with infection. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study using intradermal tests with gp 43 paracoccidioidin in 542 participants, who were previously contacted by local health agents and so spontaneously attended the test. Participants underwent an interview by filling out a registration form with epidemiological data and were tested with an intradermal administration of 0.

The effects of the decaffeination of coffee samples on platelet aggregation in hyperlipidemic rats.

The effect of coffee on cardiovascular diseases is still controversial. It is known that the process of decaffeination may influence the chemical constitution and, therefore, the biological effects of coffee. This study thus evaluated the effects of decaffeination on the levels of total phenols and chlorogenic acids in Coffea arabica L.

Intracellular localization of myeloperoxidase in murine peritoneal B-lymphocytes and macrophages.

Generation of hypochlorous acid (HOCl), an important microbicidal agent, is considered to be the main function of myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme present in phagocytes. High amounts of MPO are present in neutrophil azurophilic granules, which are mobilized into the phagolysosome vacuole during phagocytosis. MPO is also present in monocytes and macrophages, although to a lesser degree than in neutrophils.

Neutrophil dysfunction induced by hyperglycemia: modulation of myeloperoxidase activity.

Our data suggest that impaired activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) may play an important role in the dysfunction of neutrophils from hyperglycemic rats. Neutrophil biochemical pathways include the NADPH oxidase system and the MPO enzyme. They both play important role in the killing function of neutrophils.

Effects of the consumption of caffeinated and decaffeinated instant coffee beverages on oxidative stress induced by strenuous exercise in rats.

Many authors attribute the antioxidant activity of brewed coffee to its caffeine content. In addition, caffeine intake has been associated with increased performance during physical exercise. This study analyzed the in vivo effects of drinking caffeinated and decaffeinated instant coffee (8%, w/v) on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity in the anterior tibialis muscles of rats subjected to intense exercise.

Identification of alkyl carbazoles and alkyl benzocarbazoles in Brazilian petroleum derivatives.

Carbozoles are important compounds in crude oils, as they may be used as geochemical tracers, being the major type of nitrogen compounds in petroleum. At the same time, they are regarded as undesirable due to the problems they may cause in the refining process, such as catalyst poisoning, corrosion, gum or color formation in final products. As separation and identification of carbazoles are challenging goals, this work presents a chromatographic method, made of a pre-fractionation on neutral alumina followed by the separation and identification of two classes of carbazoles using FeCl(3)/Chromossorb W and gas chromatograph with mass spectrometer (GC/MS) (SIM-single ion monitoring mode) analysis.

Superoxide-dependent oxidation of melatonin by myeloperoxidase.

Myeloperoxidase uses hydrogen peroxide to oxidize numerous substrates to hypohalous acids or reactive free radicals. Here we show that neutrophils oxidize melatonin to N(1)-acetyl-N(2)-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AFMK) in a reaction that is catalyzed by myeloperoxidase. Production of AFMK was highly dependent on superoxide but not hydrogen peroxide.

Oxidation of melatonin and its catabolites, N1-acetyl-N2 -formyl-5-methoxykynuramine and N1-acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine, by activated leukocytes.

N(1)-acetyl-N(2)-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AFMK) and N(1)-acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AMK), two melatonin catabolites, have been described as potent antioxidants. We aimed to follow the kinetics of AFMK and AMK formation when melatonin is oxidized by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated leukocytes. An HPLC-based method was used for AFMK and AMK determination in neutrophil and peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures supernatants.

Chemical composition and extraction yield of the extract of Origanum vulgare obtained from sub- and supercritical CO2.

In this work sub- and supercritical CO(2) were used to obtain extracts from two origanum samples, one commercial, and another cultivated under agronomic control. The experiments were performed in the temperature range of 293-313 K and from 100 to 200 bar in pressure, employing around 26 g of origanum samples. Results show that the commercial sample provides a higher yield of extract if compared to the other sample.

The effects of temperature and pressure on the characteristics of the extracts from high-pressure CO(2) extraction of Majorana hortensis Moench.

The aim of this work is to assess the influence of temperature and pressure (solvent density) on the characteristics of the essential oil obtained from high-pressure carbon dioxide extraction of marjoram (commercial marjoram samples available in the free market and Majorana hortensis Moench, cultivated in South Brazil under rigorous agronomic conditions). The extracts were analyzed in terms of the liquid yield (extract/raw material, wt/wt) and distribution of volatile chemical components. The experiments were performed in a laboratory-scale unit using the dynamic method in the temperature range of 293.

Interferon-gamma independent oxidation of melatonin by macrophages.

Mononuclear phagocytes appear to synthesize kynurenine-like products from the oxidation of biologically active indole compounds including melatonin, catalyzed by interferon (IFN)-gamma-inducible enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Concanavalin A (Con A) is a plant lectin that induces interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production by T cells. In this study we investigated whether Con A-primed peritoneal macrophages are able to oxidize melatonin to N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AFMK).

Macrophage activation includes high intracellular myeloperoxidase activity.

Macrophages recovered from the peritoneum of mice, 48 h after concanavalin A administration, are primed and have a higher content of myeloperoxidase (MPO) than resident cells. The increase in MPO content is accompanied by an increased capability of macrophages generate hypochlorous acid and increased peroxidase activity. Contrary to the common sense, neutrophils is not the source of the MPO activity found in primed macrophages since macrophages recovered from mice treated with antigranulocyte antibody preserve the peroxidase activity.