Title: Synergism between Fluconazole and Terminalia catappa Extract and its Use in the Treatment of Candida-infected Tenebrio molitor Larvae / Título: Sinergismo entre Fluconazol e o Extrato de Terminalia catappa e seu uso no tratamento de larvas de Tenebrio molitor infectadas com Candida

The increase of Candida infections in the last few decades is alarming and the resistance development to antifungals, especially fluconazole, the most widely used drug for treatment, enhances the importance of these infections. Thus, identifying new substances and provide the pharmaceutical industry with the most effective drugs is imperative. Goals were to show the antifungal, anti-biofilm, and synergistic actions between fluconazole (FLZ) and hydroalcoholic extract of Terminalia catappa (TcHE) against Candida vaginal isolates. TcHE was analyzed for anti-Candida activity by agar diffusion and microdilutions assays. Totoxicity was evaluated by the hemolytic test and in larvae of Tenebrio molitor. The effect of TcHE on Candida cells was evaluated by flow cytometry analysis and interference of TcHE on biofilms by MTT assay. In vivo Candida infection and treatment with TcHE was analysed in T. molitor larvae. TcHE showed antifungal activity against all strains tested. The extract was not cytotoxic among concentrations of 3 to 100 mg/mL. Moreover, combinations of TcHE with FLZ have considerably increased the anti-yeast activity (FICI ? 0.5). Our findings indicated that TcHE promoted cell membrane instability probably causing plasma membrane damage in C. albicans, resulting in increased cell membrane permeability. These results could also explain the synergistic activity observed between TcHE and fluconazole. TcHE exhibited anti-biofilm properties against C. albicans strains. The antifungal activity and the low cytotoxic potential demonstrated by TcHE reveal that it is promising for development as a new antimycotic

Addition of orange, pineapple and beet juices as extenders for cryopreservation of ram semen

Searching for improvements in semen cryopreservation, natural substances are commonly studied focusing to improve the sperm quality. The aim of this study were evaluated the effect of adding orange, pineapple, and beet juices in different concentrations and combinations to the ram semen cryopreservation extender. Five ejaculates from five adult rams were used. The semen pool was diluted in egg yolk-based extender and mixed with the following 15 treatments (at a final concentration of 400.10⁶ sptz/mL): orange 10% (O10) and 15% (O15); pineapple 10% (P10) and 15% (P15); beet 10% (B10) and 15% (B15); pineapple + orange 10% (PO10) and 15% (PO15); pineapple + beet 10% (PB10) and 15% (PB15); beet + orange 10% (BO10) and 15% (BO15); pineapple + beet + orange 10% (PBO10) and 15% (PBO15); and the control group (CON). Post-thaw in 0.25 mL straws semen quality analysis of cryopreserved semen was performed by CASA and flow cytometry. Analysis of variance (PROC GLM) was carried out and the averages were compared using the SNK test. Pearson's correlation test was also performed. No effect was noted in the addition of juices to the semen extender prior to cryopreservation. Post-thawed, although, statistically similar to the control group, the total motility of the B10 group reached acceptable standards of total motility. In addition, B10 group showed the highest values (p<0.05) of progressive motility than control group or other treatments. The addition of 10% beet juice to the ram semen extender can improve the cryopreservation of sperm motility. Keywords: antioxidant; freezing; sperm; semen extender

Evaluation of the serum biochemistry and histopathology of kidney and bladder of dogs with Leishmania sp. in their urine

The visceral establishment of Leishmania infantum in dogs may result in kidney and bladder tissue injury, with L. infantum ending up in urine. This study therefore aimed at investigating the presence of Leishmania sp. in urinary sediments, and correlating the results with those from renal and bladder serum biochemistry and histopathology. Thirty dogs with negative Nested-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for E. canis were used in the experiment, and were divided into three groups: control group (10 dogs), neither leishmaniasis nor clinical changes; group I (15 dogs), leishmaniasis but no Leishmania sp. in urine; and group II (5 dogs), leishmaniasis, as well as Leishmania sp. in urine. All animals were submitted to clinical, serological, and parasitological diagnosis for leishmaniasis, biochemical exams, and kidney and bladder histopathology. The parasite was also detected in the bladder imprint of one group II dog. Group II dogs presented with very low albumin concentrations, low albumin/globulin ratios, and kidney and bladder lesions. In the kidneys, hydropic degeneration, thickened Bowman's capsule, and thickening of the tubular capsule were detected in all dogs with positive urinary sediment. However, no significant difference in these renal changes was observed between groups. The intensity and distribution of bladder inflammatory infiltrates were significantly (p-value < 0.05, Kruskal-Wallis’ and Dunn’s tests) higher in group II dogs, compared with those of the other groups. The presence of Leishmania sp. in the urine of infected dogs appeared to be related to low serum albumin concentrations and more severe bladder lesions

Avaliação da eficácia da radiocirurgia estereotáxica no tratamento de metástases cerebrais: análise retrospectiva de resultados clínicos

Introdução: As metástases cerebrais representam uma complicação frequente em pacientes com câncer, influenciando substancialmente a morbi-mortalidade e a qualidade de vida. A radiocirurgia estereotáxica (SRS) tem emergido como uma modalidade terapêutica eficaz para o tratamento destas lesões, oferecendo altas doses de radiação de forma precisa e focalizada, enquanto preserva os tecidos adjacentes. Contudo, a heterogeneidade dos estudos disponíveis e a necessidade de avaliar consistentemente seus desfechos clínicos motivaram esta análise retrospectiva. Objetivo: Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática e uma análise retrospectiva dos estudos recentes que investigaram a eficácia, segurança e desfechos clínicos da SRS no contexto das metástases cerebrais. Metodologia: Foram selecionados 14 estudos prospectivos e retrospectivos que abordaram a utilização da SRS para tratamento de metástases cerebrais. Os critérios de inclusão foram aplicados, considerando desfechos primários como controle local da doença, sobrevida global dos pacientes e incidência de complicações. Uma análise estatística detalhada foi conduzida para identificar fatores prognósticos e preditivos associados aos resultados do tratamento. Resultados: Os resultados revelaram taxas de controle local das lesões consistentemente elevadas, variando entre 80% e 90%, com melhora significativa na sobrevida global, alcançando uma mediana de 10,8 meses. A análise dos fatores prognósticos e preditivos destaca a influência do tamanho e localização das lesões, bem como o status do tumor primário, na resposta ao tratamento com SRS. Conclusão: Esses achados reforçam a posição da SRS como uma ferramenta valiosa no arsenal terapêutico para o tratamento das metástases cerebrais, oferecendo uma combinação única de eficácia, segurança e sobrevida prolongada. A identificação e consideração desses fatores prognósticos são essenciais para a seleção adequada de pacientes e a otimização dos resultados clínicos

Checklist of the dipterofauna (Insecta) from Roraima, Brazil, with special reference to the Brazilian Ecological Station of Maracá

Roraima is a Brazilian state located in the northern portion of the Amazon basin, with few studies regarding its biodiversity. The Ecological Station of Maracá (Brazil, state of Roraima) harbors the third largest Brazilian pluvial island and is composed of a transitional landscape of savanna and Amazon rainforest components. Despite its ecological importance and strategic localization, few studies covered the dipterofauna of this locality. An updated checklist addressing 41 families of true flies (Diptera) occurring in Roraima is presented based on the literature and the specimens collected during a field expedition that occurred in 2015. This checklist brings several improvements such as new records of 165 taxa to the state of Roraima, 29 taxa to Brazil, and 259 morphotypes, mostly likely representing undescribed species

Erratum to: The study of cardiovascular risk in adolescents – ERICA: rationale, design and sample characteristics of a national survey examining cardiovascular risk factor profile in Brazilian adolescents

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