Comparison of Physical and Chemical Properties of Green and Brown Brazilian Propolis Collected in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Among the 13 types of propolis classified in Brazil according to their physicochemical properties, green propolis and brown propolis are the most commonly found and used. In this work, a comparison of the physicochemical properties of green and brown propolis produced in Minas Gerais, Brazil was performed according to the methodology established by the Brazilian legislation. And, the content of 9 bioactive compounds in the samples was determined by RP-HPLC.

Sporotrichosis: In silico design of new molecular markers for the Sporothrix genus.

Background: Sporotrichosis, a cosmopolitan mycosis caused by dimorphic fungi of the Sporothrix complex, affects humans and animals. This study aimed to develop new molecular markers for Sporothrix genome detection in biological samples using PCR.

Methods: A specific region of DNA sequences from the Sporothrix genus, publicly available in GenBank, was chosen for primer design.

Correlations among neck circumference and anthropometric indicators to estimate body adiposity in people living with HIV.

Introduction: Neck circumference (NC) and anthropometric data of people living with HIV (PLWH) are correlated.

Methods: Socioeconomic, NC, body mass index (BMI), tricipital skinfold thickness (TSF), mid-arm circumference (MAC), mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) data of 72 PLWH were correlated.

Results: Higher adiposity was observed in NC (40.

Study and Development of an Anthroposophical Formula Based on and for Onychomycosis´s Treatment.

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail plate or nail bed that leads to the gradual destruction of the nail. The main difficulties in the treatment of onychomycosis refer to the duration of treatments and their side effects. Thus, it becomes relevant to look for new therapeutic alternatives in the treatment of such common diseases that are efficient without causing the undesirable side effects on the patient's body.

Biological Activities of Red Propolis: A Review.

Background: The red propolis (RdProp) is a resin produced by Apis mellifera bees, which collect the reddish exudate on the surface of its botanic source, the species Dalbergia ecastophyllum, popularly known in Brazil as "rabo de bugio". Considered as the 13th type of Brazilian propolis, this resin has been gaining prominence due to its natural composition, rich in bioactive substances not found in other types of propolis.

Objective: This review aims to address the most important characteristics of RdProp, its botanical origin, the main constituents, its biological properties and the patents related to this natural product.

Disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis prediagnosticated as neoplasm: An important challenge in diagnosis using rt-PCR.

This paper presents a case of disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis in a 62-year-old male patient, who lives in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. The patient was hospitalized with icteric syndrome of cholestatic pattern and weight loss, with loss 30 kg in 5 months. The imaging of the abdomen showed lesion of infiltrative pattern, affecting gallbladder and intrahepatic bile ducts, suggesting neoplasia of malignant behavior, besides to presenting the yellow nail syndrome.

A Case of Subcutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis Associated with Leprosy.

Background: Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis is an infection caused by melanized fungi and is increasingly reported among immunosuppressive patients. The most commonly cited etiologic agent is Exophiala jeanselmei, followed by Alternaria spp. We present a case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis in a 48-yearold woman, with a history of lepromatous leprosy, using corticosteroid in immunosuppressive doses due to a type 2 repetitive reaction leprosy outbreak.

Physicochemical Characteristics of Brazilian Green Propolis Evaluated During a Six-Year Period.

Background: Propolis has been used as a natural health product mainly due to the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic aldehydes, amino acids, vitamins and others bioactive constituents. To this natural substance are attributed different biological and pharmacological properties which are influenced by its chemical composition and organoleptic properties. The aim of this work was to evaluate the physicochemical properties and parameters of green propolis collected during a period of six years (2008-2013) in the state of Minas Gerais, located at the southeastern region of Brazil.

An 8-Year Retrospective Study of Human Visceral Leishmaniasis.

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zooanthroponosis affecting both rural and periurban areas, and can also spread into urban areas. VL has emerged in many countries in the world, presenting new cases in new countries of occurrence. Thus, studies concerning epidemiological aspects in different world regions are very meaningful.

Green Propolis: Thirteen Constituents of Polar Extract and Total Flavonoids Evaluated During Six Years through RP-HPLC.

In order to verify the chemical qualities of polar extract of Green Propolis produced in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, was analyzed by means of RP-HPLC, the concentration of eleven flavonoids, Artepillin C and p-coumaric acid were analyzed by means of RP-HPLC. Samples were collected in the months of February, March, May, July, September, and October, during a period of six years (2008 to 2013) and the results compared with purchased standards. Artepillin C was the main constituent (80-90%) found in all samples.

New Approaches on Leishmaniasis Treatment and Prevention: A Review of Recent Patents.

Leishmaniasis is considered a neglected tropical disease having a worldwide distribution. The disease is caused by protozoa belonging to the genus Leishmania, being clinically divided into visceral leishmaniasis (VL), cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL). Domestic dogs are the main parasite reservoir and effectively participate in the protozoa transmission.

The antioxidant properties of organosulfur compounds (sulforaphane).

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a molecule within the isothiocyanate (ITC) group of organosulfur compounds. SFN is a phytochemical commonly found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts and cabbages. It has been widely studied in order to evaluate its chemopreventive properties and some of those have already been established by means of animal and human models.

Immunomodulatory properties of green propolis.

Propolis is a resinous material collected by honeybees from numerous plants and serves as a defense against intruders. Because of its relevant curative properties, it is now gaining popularity in health foods and in cosmetic products. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of phytochemicals has become a good strategy in bioprospection for new anti-inflammatory compounds.

Histoplasmosis outbreak in Tamboril cave-Minas Gerais state, Brazil.

In this study, we report four cases of Histoplasma capsulatum infection in eight biologists who made an expedition to determine the prevalence of this fungus in a cave localized in the northwest of Minas Gerais state, Brazil. This case report demonstrates the importance of evaluating the H. capsulatum presence in Brazilian caves before opening to public visitations.

Cerebral macroabscess caused by Candida albicans in an immunocompetent patient: A diagnostic challenge.

We describe the history of a 24-year-old immunocompetent man with an expansive lesion in the brainstem that, after many misdiagnoses, was found to be caused by a Candida albicans abscess. One year after surgery and 3 months of fluconazole treatment, the patient was asymptomatic and all image and laboratory tests were normal.

The anti-oxidant properties of isothiocyanates: a review.

Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and watercress, have been studied extensively aiming to evaluate their chemopreventive properties. Some of them have already been established using animal models. The ITCs induce Phase II enzymes related to detoxification processes of chemical carcinogens to prevent the start of carcinogenesis.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in HIV-infected patients treated or not with antiretroviral drugs and their correlation with factors related to cardiovascular risk and HIV infection.

Aims: To compare high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in HIV-infected patients treated or not with antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and to correlate hsCRP levels with traditional cardiovascular risk factors and parameters of HIV infection.

Methods: One hundred and seventy-one HIV-infected patients were included (129 ARV-treated and 42 ARV-naïve). Evaluations included anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, laboratory tests, ultrasonographic measurement of fat thickness and impedance analysis.