Lycorine alkaloid and Crinum americanum L. (Amaryllidaceae) extracts display antifungal activity on clinically relevant candida species

Candida species are the main fungal agents causing infectious conditions in hospital patients. The development of new drugs with antifungal potential, increased efficacy, and reduced toxicity is essential to face the challenge of fungal resistance to standard treatments. The aim of this study is to evaluate the in vitro antifungal effects of two crude extracts of Crinum americanum L., a rich alkaloid fraction and lycorine alkaloid, on the Candida species. As such, we used a disk diffusion susceptibility test, determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and characterized the components of the extracts using Electrospray Ionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS). The extracts were found to have antifungal activity against various Candida species. The chemical characterization of the extracts indicated the presence of alkaloids such as lycorine and crinine. The Amaryllidaceae family has a promising antifungal potential. Furthermore, it was found that the alkaloid lycorine directly contributes to the effects that were observed for the extracts and fraction of C. americanum

Influence of occupational stress on the body mass index of hospital workers : a systematic review

This systematic review aimed to identify the influence of occupational stress on the body mass index of hospital workers. After registering the protocol at PROSPERO (CRD42022331846), we started this systematic review following a search in seven databases, gray literature, as well as manual search and contact with specialists. The selection of studies was performed independently by two evaluators following the inclusion criteria: observational studies evaluating adult hospital workers, in which occupational stress was considered exposure and body composition as a result. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal checklist. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation to grade the certainty of the evidence. Qualitative results were presented and synthesized through a qualitative approach, with simplified information in a narrative form. A total of 12 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included. This review comprised 10,885 workers (2312 men; 1582 women; and 6991 workers whose gender was not identified). Ten studies were carried out only with health workers, and two included workers from other sectors besides health workers. This review showed a relationship between occupational stress and changes in body mass index in hospital workers. However, most studies presented a moderate or high risk of bias and low quality of the evidence. These findings can be useful for clinical practice, administrators and leaders and provide insights for future research in the field of worker health in the hospital setting.Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde (FS)Departamento de Nutrição (FS NUT)Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição Human

Lycorine Alkaloid and Crinum americanum L. (Amaryllidaceae) Extracts Display Antifungal Activity on Clinically Relevant Candida Species

Candida species are the main fungal agents causing infectious conditions in hospital patients. The development of new drugs with antifungal potential, increased efficacy, and reduced toxicity is essential to face the challenge of fungal resistance to standard treatments. The aim of this study is to evaluate the in vitro antifungal effects of two crude extracts of Crinum americanum L., a rich alkaloid fraction and lycorine alkaloid, on the Candida species. As such, we used a disk diffusion susceptibility test, determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and characterized the components of the extracts using Electrospray Ionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS). The extracts were found to have antifungal activity against various Candida species. The chemical characterization of the extracts indicated the presence of alkaloids such as lycorine and crinine. The Amaryllidaceae family has a promising antifungal potential. Furthermore, it was found that the alkaloid lycorine directly contributes to the effects that were observed for the extracts and fraction of C. americanum

Influence of Occupational Stress on the Body Mass Index of Hospital Workers: A Systematic Review

This systematic review aimed to identify the influence of occupational stress on the body mass index of hospital workers. After registering the protocol at PROSPERO (CRD42022331846), we started this systematic review following a search in seven databases, gray literature, as well as manual search and contact with specialists. The selection of studies was performed independently by two evaluators following the inclusion criteria: observational studies evaluating adult hospital workers, in which occupational stress was considered exposure and body composition as a result. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal checklist. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation to grade the certainty of the evidence. Qualitative results were presented and synthesized through a qualitative approach, with simplified information in a narrative form. A total of 12 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included. This review comprised 10,885 workers (2312 men; 1582 women; and 6991 workers whose gender was not identified). Ten studies were carried out only with health workers, and two included workers from other sectors besides health workers. This review showed a relationship between occupational stress and changes in body mass index in hospital workers. However, most studies presented a moderate or high risk of bias and low quality of the evidence. These findings can be useful for clinical practice, administrators and leaders and provide insights for future research in the field of worker health in the hospital setting

Liver and blood cytokine microenvironment in HCV patients is associated to liver fibrosis score: a proinflammatory cytokine ensemble orchestrated by TNF and tuned by IL-10

Submitted by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2016-07-14T14:21:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ve_Cruz_Soriane_Liver_CPqRR_2016.pdf: 2084473 bytes, checksum: 910c70a6f8fd89b1c9a65a31601f6660 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2016-07-14T14:28:13Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 ve_Cruz_Soriane_Liver_CPqRR_2016.pdf: 2084473 bytes, checksum: 910c70a6f8fd89b1c9a65a31601f6660 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-14T14:28:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ve_Cruz_Soriane_Liver_CPqRR_2016.pdf: 2084473 bytes, checksum: 910c70a6f8fd89b1c9a65a31601f6660 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada. Manaus, AM, Brasil/Fundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas. Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa. Manaus, AM, Brasil.Universidade do Estado do Amazonas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical. Manaus, AM, Brasil/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado.Manaus, AM, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada. Manaus, AM, Brasil/Fundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas. Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa. Manaus, AM, Brasil.Fundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas. Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa. Manaus, AM, Brasil/Universidade do Estado do Amazonas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical. Manaus, AM, Brasil/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado. Manaus, AM, Brasil.Fundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas. Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa. Manaus, AM, Brasil.Fundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas. Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa. Manaus, AM, Brasil.Fundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas. Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa. Manaus, AM, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Rene Rachou. Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil/Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Rene Rachou. Laboratorio de Biomarcadores para Diagnostico e Monitoramento. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Uberlandia. Laboratorio de Bioinformatica e Analise Molecular. Patos de Minas, MG, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Uberlandia. Laboratorio de Bioinformatica e Analise Molecular. Patos de Minas, MG, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Rene Rachou. Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil/Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Rene Rachou. Laboratorio de Biomarcadores para Diagnostico e Monitoramento. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Rene Rachou. Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil/Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Rene Rachou. Laboratorio de Biomarcadores para Diagnostico e Monitoramento. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.Universidade do Estado do Amazonas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical. Manaus, AM, Brasil/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado. Manaus, AM, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada. Manaus, AM, Brasil/Fundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas. Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa. Manaus, AM, Brasil.Background: In this study, we have evaluated the immunological status of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients aiming at identifying putative biomarkers associated with distinct degrees of liver fibrosis. Peripheral blood and tissue T-cells as well as cytokine levels were quantified by flow cytometry. Results: Data analysis demonstrated higher frequency of circulating CD8+ T-cells and Tregs along with a mixed proinflammatory/IL-10-modulated cytokine pattern in HCV patients. Patients with severe liver fibrosis presented lower frequency of circulating CD8+ T-cells, higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines, but lower levels of IL-10, in addition to the higher viral load. Despite the lower frequency of intrahepatic T-cells and scarce frequency of Tregs, patients with severe liver fibrosis showed higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF and IFN-γ). The tissue proinflammatory cytokine pattern supported further studies of serum cytokines as relevant biomarkers associated with different liver fibrosis scores. Serum cytokine signature showed that mild liver fibrosis is associated with higher IL-10 serum levels as compared to severe liver disease. There was a clear positive connection of IL-10 with the TNF node in patients with mild liver fibrosis, whereas there is an evident inverse correlation between IL-10 with all other cytokine nodes. Conclusions: These results suggest the absence of modulatory events in patients with severe liver damage as opposed to mild fibrosis. Machine-learning data mining pointed out TNF and IL-10 as major attributes to differentiate HCV patients from non-infected individuals with highest performance. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that HCV infection triggers a local and systemic cytokine ensemble orchestrated by TNF and tuned by IL-10 in such a manner that mirrors the liver fibrosis score, which highly suggests the relevance of these set of biomarkers for clinical investigations