Urine and serum-based ELISA using a recombinant protein and synthetic peptide for the diagnosis of tegumentary leishmaniasis.

The diagnosis of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) presents problems by the variable sensitivity and specificity of the tests, and the biological samples used are also invasive. Here, ELISA experiments were performed using paired TL patient urine and serum samples in reaction against the recombinant LiHyS protein, a predicted B cell epitope and parasite antigenic extract (SLA). Two hundred and five paired samples were used, which were provided by TL patients, healthy controls and patients with Chagas disease, leprosy, malaria or HIV-infected.

Identification of microRNAs expressed in an animal model of periodontal disease and their impact on pathological processes.

MicroRNAs represent a class of small RNAs that act to silence genes post-transcriptionally by inhibiting the translation of target messenger RNAs, and this study aimed to understand how miRNAs influence the set-up of periodontal disease. Periodontitis was induced by inserting a ligature into the left first mandibular molar in a rat model, which was kept for the entire 56 days-time of experiment. After 56 days post-periodontitis induction, the histopathological analysis showed an apical extension of the junctional epithelium, with areas of hyperplasia, exocytosis, and a mixed inflammatory infiltrate with a predominance of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and eventual plasma cells in the deeper layers.

Non-invasive urine-based ELISA using a recombinant Leishmania protein to diagnose tegumentary leishmaniasis.

The diagnosis of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) is hampered by variable sensitivity and/or specificity of the tests. Serological assays are suitable to diagnose visceral leishmaniasis (VL); however, they present low performance for the detection of TL cases. Additionally, blood collection to obtain patient serum represents a challenge, as it is an invasive and uncomfortable procedure, requiring laboratorial infrastructure and trained professionals.

New Chalcogen-Functionalized Naphthoquinones: Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation, and , against Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Due to the growth in the number of patients and the complexity involved in anticancer therapies, new therapeutic approaches are urgent and necessary. In this context, compounds containing the selenium atom can be employed in developing new medicines due to their potential therapeutic efficacy and unique modes of action. Furthermore, tellurium, a previously unknown element, has emerged as a promising possibility in chalcogen-containing compounds.