Antifungal activity of amphotericin B conjugated to nanosized magnetite in the treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis

This study reports on in vitro and in vivo tests that sought to assess the antifungal activity of a newly developed magnetic carrier system comprising amphotericin B loaded onto the surface of pre-coated (with a double-layer of lauric acid) magnetite nanoparticles. The in vitro tests compared two drugs; i.e., this newly developed form and free amphotericin B. We found that this nanocomplex exhibited antifungal activity without cytotoxicity to human urinary cells and with low cytotoxicity to peritoneal macrophages. We also evaluated the efficacy of the nanocomplex in experimental paracoccidioidomycosis. BALB/c mice were intratracheally infected with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and treated with the compound for 30 or 60 days beginning the day after infection. The newly developed amphotericin B coupled with magnetic nanoparticles was effective against experimental paracoccidioidomycosis, and it did not induce clinical, biochemical or histopathological alterations. The nanocomplex also did not induce genotoxic effects in bone marrow cells. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that amphotericin B coupled to magnetic nanoparticles and stabilized with bilayer lauric acid is a promising nanotool for the treatment of the experimental paracoccidioidomycosis because it exhibited antifungal activity that was similar to that of free amphotericin B, did not induce adverse effects in therapeutic doses and allowed for a reduction in the number of applications

A História da Alimentação: balizas historiográficas

Os M. pretenderam traçar um quadro da História da Alimentação, não como um novo ramo epistemológico da disciplina, mas como um campo em desenvolvimento de práticas e atividades especializadas, incluindo pesquisa, formação, publicações, associações, encontros acadêmicos, etc. Um breve relato das condições em que tal campo se assentou faz-se preceder de um panorama dos estudos de alimentação e temas correia tos, em geral, segundo cinco abardagens Ia biológica, a econômica, a social, a cultural e a filosófica!, assim como da identificação das contribuições mais relevantes da Antropologia, Arqueologia, Sociologia e Geografia. A fim de comentar a multiforme e volumosa bibliografia histórica, foi ela organizada segundo critérios morfológicos. A seguir, alguns tópicos importantes mereceram tratamento à parte: a fome, o alimento e o domínio religioso, as descobertas européias e a difusão mundial de alimentos, gosto e gastronomia. O artigo se encerra com um rápido balanço crítico da historiografia brasileira sobre o tema

PREEXERCISE URINE SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND FLUID INTAKE DURING ONE-HOUR RUNNING IN A THERMONEUTRAL ENVIRONMENT - A RANDOMIZED CROSS-OVER STUDY

Urine specific gravity is often used to assess hydration status. Athletes who are hypohydrated prior to exercise tend to ingest more fluid during the exercise, possibly to compensate for their pre exercise fluid deficit. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of additional fluid intake on fluid balance and gastrointestinal tract comfort during 1h running in a thermoneutral environment when athletes followed their habitual fluid and dietary regimes. Sixteen men and sixteen women ingested a 6% carbohydrate-electrolyte solution immediately prior to exercise and then every 15 minutes during two runs, with a consumption rate of 2 mL.kg-1 (LV, lower volume) or 3 mL.kg-1 (HV, higher volume) body mass. Urine specific gravity and body mass changes were determined before and after the tests to estimate hydration status. During exercise subjects verbally responded to surveys inquiring about gastrointestinal symptoms, sensation of thirst and ratings of perceived exertion. Plasma glucose, heart rate and blood pressure were also evaluated. Men had higher preexercise urine specific gravity than women (1.025 vs. 1.016 g·mL-1 HV; and 1.024 vs. 1.017 g·mL-1 LV) and greater sweat loss (1.21 ± 0.27 L vs. 0.83 ± 0.21 L HV; and 1.18 ± 0.23 L vs. 0.77 ± 0.17 LV). Prevalence of gastrointestinal discomfort increased after 45 min. No significant differences on heart rate, rate of perceived exertion, blood pressure or glycemia was observed with the additional fluid intake. From these results it appears that additional fluid intake reduces body mass loss and thirst sensation. When compared to the men, however, preexercise euhydration was more common in women and an increased fluid intake increases the risk of body mass gain and gastrointestinal discomfor

Tratamento da leishmaniose cutanea difusa (LCD) com a associacao antimoniato-N-metilglucamina (Glucantime®) e sulfato de paramomicina (Gabbrox®)

Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) is a rare form of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) and 350 cases have been reported world wide. Presently in Brazil, there were 31 cases reported corresponding to 8.9% of the world cases. The state of Maranhao contributed with ten cases (32.3%) of national reports. Recently the authors had opportunity to follow two new cases of DCL, both from the countryside of that state totaling 12 cases. The parasite Leishmania L. amazonensis was incriminated in the disease, confirming the available data as being the unique species to produce DCL in this state. The therapy associating meglumine anthimoniate with paramomicine sulphate (Gabbrox®) during 90 days, showed good tolerance and favorable response, being another option for fills form of DCL that constituted a challenge to science so far

Clinical cure in diffuse cutaneous Leishmaniasis (DCL) in Brazil

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2015-03-18T17:24:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Saldanha A C R Cura clinica....pdf: 132719 bytes, checksum: 91aa63cb99c05a70112516e255bed6ce (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2015-03-18T17:24:55Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Saldanha A C R Cura clinica....pdf: 132719 bytes, checksum: 91aa63cb99c05a70112516e255bed6ce (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2015-03-18T18:03:34Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Saldanha A C R Cura clinica....pdf: 132719 bytes, checksum: 91aa63cb99c05a70112516e255bed6ce (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-18T18:03:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Saldanha A C R Cura clinica....pdf: 132719 bytes, checksum: 91aa63cb99c05a70112516e255bed6ce (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilUniversidade Federal do Maranhão. Núcelo de Patologia Tropical e Medicina Social .São Luís, MA, BrasilUniversidade Federal do Maranhão. Núcelo de Patologia Tropical e Medicina Social .São Luís, MA, BrasilMinistérioda Saúde do Brasil. Secretaria de Vigilância Sanitária. SVS. Brasília, DF, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilLeishmaniose cutânea difusa (LCD) é uma forma rara da leishmaniose tegumentar (LT), encontrada em alguns países das Américas e África. No nosso continente é causada pelo complexo Leishmania (espécies – Leishmania mexicana, L. pifanoi e L. amazonensis) transmitida no Brasil pela picada do inseto Lutzomyia flaviscutellata, sendo caracterizada por lesões cutâneas, múltiplas e progressivas em extensa área do corpo. O tratamento medicamentoso produz remissão transitória, os freqüentes fracassos no tratamento são observados com reflexos na ausência de parâmetros de cura. Objetivo: Descrever a ocorrência da cura clínica em 4 (40%) pacientes de um total de 10 pacientes com LCD acompanhados no estado do Maranhão, Nordeste do Brasil. Material e Métodos: Foram analisadas, variáveis relacionadas ao tempo de doença, tipo e distribuição de lesões, esquemas terapêuticos que os pacientes foram submetidos, e o tempo de evolução de cura clínica. Resultados: Observou-se diferenças quanto ao gênero, havendo predomínio do masculino no grupo do curados. Em relação à diferença entre a idade do começo da doença e a idade de inclusão do estudo, a maior média foi observada no grupo de pacientes curados. As hipóteses foram discutidas quanto às peculiaridades clínicas, tratamentos específicos instituídos e a possível correlação de ocorrência de cura. Conclusões: Os autores enfatizam a importância de futuros estudos visando definir os critérios de cura na LCD, e as dificuldades no manejo clínico que permanece como um desafio da prática médica.Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) is a rare form of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL), being scattered in some countries in America and Africa. In our continent is caused by Leishmania complex (Leishmania mexicana, L. pifanoi and L. amazonensis) transmitted in Brazil by the bite of Lutzomyia flaviscutellata mosquito. It is caracterized by multiple and progressive cutaneous lesions in extensive segment of body surface. Chemoterapy produces only transitory remission, frequent treatment failures are observed with reflect in absence of cure parameters. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the occurrence of clinical cure in 4(40%) patients of a total of 10 patients with DCL followed in the state of Maranhão, Northeast of Brazil. Materials and Methods: There were analysed variables relationed to the time of disease, type and distribution of the lesions, therapeutic schemes to which they were subjected and time of evolution of clinical cure. Results: Differences were observed regarding the sex gender, when the male is predominating in the cured group and the female thing in the not cured group. Other data concern the differences between the age of beginning of the disease and age of inclusion in the study, which bigger average was observed in the group of cured patients. Hypotheses are discussed for the clinical observed peculiarities, the specific registered treatments and factors with possible correlation to the occurrence of cure. Conclusions: The authors emphasize the importance of future studies turned to the definition of cure in this way of the TL, which clinical handling represents a great challenge for the medical practice

Assessment of oxidation of leaves of Ilex paraguariensis (St. Hil)

This work aimed to study the oxidation of leaves of Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil, in a process similar to the oxidation of Camellia sinensis, with the purpose of developing new products based on yerba maté. So far, no previous systematic study about the oxidation of yerba maté has been found elsewhere. A Plackett-Burman experimental design was used for the screening of the significant parameters that affected the oxidation. The oxidation was indirectly quantified by following the changes in the product color, water activity, and pH with the time of processing. The factors that most influenced the process were the age of the leaves and the relative humidity of the oxidation chamber. The differences between the treatments were more evident after 3, 6 12 and 24 h of oxidation. The results could contribute to the developing of new products based on I. paraguariensis St. Hil, increasing the profitability of cultivation of this native species