Phytochemicals and Their Antifungal Potential against Pathogenic Yeasts

The rate of fungal infections is increasing rapidly, and pathogenesis of their species is poorly understood. Among fungi, Candida species are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and thus represent a serious threat to public health. In addition, Cryptococcus spp. are yeasts responsible for serious lung infections and meningitis. Polyenes, fluoropyrimidines, echinocandins, and azoles are used as commercial antifungal agents to treat fungal infections. However, the presence of intrinsic and developed resistance against azole antifungals has been extensively documented. The re-emergence of classical fungal diseases has occurred because of the increment of the antifungal resistance phenomenon. In this way, the development of new satisfactory therapy for fungal diseases persists as a major challenge of present-day medicine. The urgent need includes the development of alternative drugs that are more efficient and tolerant than those traditional already in use. The identification of new substances with potential antifungal effect at low concentrations or in combination is also a possibility. This chapter briefly examines the infections caused by Candida and Cryptococcus species and focuses on describing some of the promising alternative molecules and/or substances that could be used as antifungal agents, their mechanisms of action, and their use in combination with traditional drugs

Enzyme loading dependence of cellulose hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse

The enzymatic hydrolysis of steam-pretreated sugarcane bagasse, either delignified or non-delignified, was studied as a function of enzyme loading. Hydrolysis experiments were carried out using five enzyme loadings (2.5 to 20 FPU/g cellulose) and the concentration of solids was 2% for both materials. Alkaline delignification improved cellulose hydrolysis by increasing surface area. For both materials, glucose concentrations increased with enzyme loading. On the other hand, enzyme loadings higher than 15 FPU/g did not result in any increase in the initial rate, since the excess of enzyme adsorbed onto the substrate restricted the diffusion process through the structure

Transdisciplinarity of vulvovaginal candidiasis from a social-environmental education perspective

Vulvovaginal candidiasis stems from the imbalance between the fungus, woman, and environment. This study aimed to describe the genital infection in an ecological vision to identify the risk factors and socio-environmental prophylactic education measures. This descriptive study employed the qualitative and bibliographical methods used in selected scientific articles. The descriptors used were biomedical model, ecological triad, natural history of the disease, systemic model, vaginal ecosystem, and women's disorders. The holistic approach broadens the knowledge of pathogenesis, characterizes risk factors, and identifies the links in the chain of events where prophylactic measures may be applied

Isolation of Cryptococcus spp. from several environmental niches in São Luís, MA

Cryptococcosis is an invasive mycosis triggered by a complex of fungal pathogens present in various environmental niches. Cryptococcus neoformans, C. gattii, and emerging pathogens such as C. laurentii and C. albidus are found in aged excreta of Columba livia (pigeon), its natural disseminator. As the pigeon population has increased in São Luís, the objective of this research was to demonstrate the presence of Cryptococcus spp. in the excreta of C. livia in public environments. Twenty-three samples were collected at 14 sites, dispensed into conical tubes, homogenized with saline and chloramphenicol, and allowed to rest until processing. Twenty-four hours after collection, aliquots were distributed in a fungal culture medium and incubated. The macromorphological examination revealed levaduriform, mucoid, bright, isolated colonies compatible with Cryptococcus spp. In the micromorphological examination, 11 of the 23 samples (42.85%) showed the presence of cells with a thick, refringent capsule and mucopolysaccharide around the blastoconidia, typical of Cryptococcus spp. fungi. The other samples (57.14%) were negative for the fungus. The environmental isolation of this fungus in public areas is relevant to public health since the growing pigeon population in São Luís increases the risk of exposure and infection by dispersion of infectious propagules in the environment

Fatores associados ao suicídio de idosos em autópsias psicológicas: uma revisão integrativa / Factors associated with the suicide of elderly people in psychological autopsies: an integrating review

A Organização Mundial de Saúde afirma que a cada 40 segundos uma pessoa morre por suicídio no mundo. Nesse contexto, os idosos constituem o grupo de maior risco. A relação entre transtornos depressivos e envelhecimento se torna o elemento causal mais associado ao suicídio nesta faixa etária, embora acometimentos no desempenho ocupacional sejam apontados como fatores de risco. Com a finalidade de identificar as circunstâncias que levam os idosos ao suicídio, foi realizada uma revisão integrativa nas bases de dados Web of Science, PubMed e PsycINFO, incluindo estudos que utilizaram como método a autópsia psicológica em idosos. O percurso metodológico baseou-se na recomendação PRISMA e os artigos selecionados foram avaliados a partir do instrumento CASP, além de terem sido submetidos à estratégia bola de neve. Os resultados apontam que o prejuízo funcional ocasionado por doença física foi precursor potencial para o agravamento de transtornos mentais outrora controlados. Corroborando com outras literaturas, o suicídio de idosos foi identificado como consequência de uma série de fatores, tornando inviável apontar uma causa primária única. Sugere-se que novos estudos assumam caráter preventivo com esta população, identificando as características precursoras do suicídio antes ou durante a fase de ideação, quando há maior possibilidade de remissão da dor emocional

Applications of platelet- and leukocyte-rich fibrin (L-PRF) in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Introduction: Oral and maxillofacial surgery plays a crucial role in the reconstruction and restoration of facial structures, seeking to improve both aesthetics and function. The use of platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) represents a notable advance, accelerating healing and improving surgical outcomes. Materials and Methods: This review covers 710 studies from various electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct and Google Scholar). The aim is to thoroughly investigate the applications of platelet- and leukocyte-rich fibrin (L-PRF) in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology. Results: The analysis reveals that L-PRF stands out as an effective autologous therapy in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Its application shows remarkable potential for accelerating the healing process, contributing significantly to the effectiveness of procedures. Discussion: L-PRF has emerged as an excellent choice in oral and maxillofacial surgery and traumatology, improving both the aesthetic and functional aspects of facial reconstructions. This highlights the relevance of this autologous therapy and its benefits in surgical practice. Conclusion: The applications of platelet and leukocyte-rich fibrin (L-PRF) in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology are fundamental and promising. This advance represents not only a means of accelerating healing, but also a significant contribution to better aesthetic and functional results in surgical procedures in this area.Introduction: Oral and maxillofacial surgery plays a crucial role in the reconstruction and restoration of facial structures, seeking to improve both aesthetics and function. The use of platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) represents a notable advance, accelerating healing and improving surgical outcomes. Materials and Methods: This review covers 710 studies from various electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct and Google Scholar). The aim is to thoroughly investigate the applications of platelet- and leukocyte-rich fibrin (L-PRF) in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology. Results: The analysis reveals that L-PRF stands out as an effective autologous therapy in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Its application shows remarkable potential for accelerating the healing process, contributing significantly to the effectiveness of procedures. Discussion: L-PRF has emerged as an excellent choice in oral and maxillofacial surgery and traumatology, improving both the aesthetic and functional aspects of facial reconstructions. This highlights the relevance of this autologous therapy and its benefits in surgical practice. Conclusion: The applications of platelet and leukocyte-rich fibrin (L-PRF) in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology are fundamental and promising. This advance represents not only a means of accelerating healing, but also a significant contribution to better aesthetic and functional results in surgical procedures in this area

comparação entre processos em SHF e em SSF de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar para a produção de etanol por Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In this work, four different process configurations, including three simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) schemes and one separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) scheme, were compared, at 8% water-insoluble solids, regarding ethanol production from steam-pretreated and alkali-delignified sugar cane bagasse. Two configurations included a 16 h lasting enzymatic presaccharification prior to SSF, and the third one was a classical SSF without presaccharification. Cellulose conversion was higher for the delignified bagasse, and higher in SSF experiments than in SHF. The highest cellulose-to-ethanol conversion (around 60% in 24 h) and maximum ethanol volumetric productivities (0.29-0.30 g/L.h) were achieved in the presaccharification-assisted SSF

Recombinant vaccines of a CD4+ T-cell epitope promote efficient control of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis burden by restraining primary organ infection

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is an infectious disease endemic to South America, caused by the thermally dimorphic fungi Paracoccidioides. Currently, there is no effective human vaccine that can be used in prophylactic or therapeutic regimes. We tested the hypothesis that the immunogenicity of the immunodominant CD4+T-cell epitope (P10) of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis gp43 antigen might be significantly enhanced by using a hepatitis B virus-derived particle (VLP) as an antigen carrier. This chimera was administered to mice as a (His)6-purified protein (rPbT) or a replication-deficient human type 5 adenoviral vector (rAdPbT) in an immunoprophylaxis assay. The highly virulent Pb18 yeast strain was used to challenge our vaccine candidates. Fungal challenge evoked robust P10-specific memory CD4+T cells secreting protective Th-1 cytokines in most groups of immunized mice. Furthermore, the highest level of fungal burden control was achieved when rAdPbT was inoculated in a homologous prime-boost regimen, with 10-fold less CFU recovering than in non-vaccinated mice. Systemic Pb18 spreading was only prevented when rAdPbT was previously inoculated. In summary, we present here VLP/P10 formulations as vaccine candidates against PCM, some of which have demonstrated for the first time their ability to prevent progression of this pernicious fungal disease, which represents a significant social burden in developing countries. © 2017 Holanda et al

Recombinant vaccines of a CD4+ T-cell epitope promote efficient control of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis burden by restraining primary organ infection

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is an infectious disease endemic to South America, caused by the thermally dimorphic fungi Paracoccidioides. Currently, there is no effective human vaccine that can be used in prophylactic or therapeutic regimes. We tested the hypothesis that the immunogenicity of the immunodominant CD4+T-cell epitope (P10) of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis gp43 antigen might be significantly enhanced by using a hepatitis B virus-derived particle (VLP) as an antigen carrier. This chimera was administered to mice as a (His)6-purified protein (rPbT) or a replication-deficient human type 5 adenoviral vector (rAdPbT) in an immunoprophylaxis assay. The highly virulent Pb18 yeast strain was used to challenge our vaccine candidates. Fungal challenge evoked robust P10-specific memory CD4+T cells secreting protective Th-1 cytokines in most groups of immunized mice. Furthermore, the highest level of fungal burden control was achieved when rAdPbT was inoculated in a homologous prime-boost regimen, with 10-fold less CFU recovering than in non-vaccinated mice. Systemic Pb18 spreading was only prevented when rAdPbT was previously inoculated. In summary, we present here VLP/P10 formulations as vaccine candidates against PCM, some of which have demonstrated for the first time their ability to prevent progression of this pernicious fungal disease, which represents a significant social burden in developing countries. © 2017 Holanda et al

REVISÃO DE LITERATURA: CARCINOMA ADRENOCORTICAL (ADRENOCORTICAL CARCINOMA)

O carcinoma adrenocortical é uma das lesões neoplásicas que acometem o córtex da glândula adrenal ou suprarrenal. São tumores malignos que podem ser funcionantes e secretar hormônios (cortisol, aldosterona e esteróides sexuais). Tem distribuição da faixa etária bimodal, acometendo ambos os casos. Podem estar ligados a síndromes genéticas como síndrome de Li-Fraumeni, neoplasia endócrina múltipla do tipo 1, entre outras. O diagnóstico de carcinoma adrenocortical é realizado através da avaliação laboratorial conforme a síndrome apresentada. Segue com avaliação, principalmente, da produção de cortisol independente do estímulo hipofisário e o hiperaldosteronismo primário. Exames de imagem são necessários para identificar as lesões e possíveis metástases em pulmão, rim e fígado, na maioria dos casos. A tomografia computadorizada e a ressonância nuclear magnética são bons exames para distinguir as lesões benignas e malignas. A biópsia por punção é contra-indicada, devido o risco de romper a cápsula tumoral, só é utilizada em casos inconclusivos. O tratamento de escolha é a ressecção cirúrgica que pode ser complementada com terapia adjuvante com o mitotano ou radioterapia, pois diminui o índice de recidiva e melhora a sobrevida dos pacientes.