Effect of the Enzymatic Fungal Extract of Pochonia chlamydosporia on the Viability of Fasciola hepatica eggs

Hepatic fasciolosis has been implicated as one of the most important parasitic diseases affecting the sanity of cattle and sheep, reflecting in significant economic losses besides being an important anthropozoonotic disease. The eggs of Fasciola hepatica are eliminated with the feces of these hosts, and under the influence of extrinsic and intrinsic factors may remain in the environment for months until they find favorable conditions for embryogenesis. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the viability of Fasciola hepatica eggs exposed for 60 minutes at different concentrations of the enzymatic extract of Pochonia chlamydosporia (Pc-10). Subsequently, they were sedimented and placed on 24-well plates containing the extract of P. chlamydosporia (Pc-10) at concentrations of 500 μL (10%), 400 μL (8%), 300 μL (5%), 200 μL (2%), 100 μL (1%) and distilled water (control group). The experiment was carried out in triplicate, using a total of 900 eggs. After the experimental exposure to the enzyme extract of the fungus (Pc-10), 98% of the eggs exposed to the enzymatic solution demonstrated significant ultrastructural alterations in their respective teguments, when observed in scanning electron microscopy and transmission. The ultrastructure showed a collapse of the internal walls of the egg, interfering in the opening of the operculum. The use of the enzymatic extract of P. chlamydosporia (Pc-10) compromised both the external tegument, breaking it and pasting it, as well as vital structures of the embryonic activity of the F. hepatica eggs

HPLC-DAD analysis, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of the ethanolic extract of Hyptis umbrosa in mice

Hyptis umbrosa (syn. Mesosphaerum sidifolium) (Lamiaceae Family) has been used to treat several conditions such as gastrointestinal disorders, skin infections, nasal congestion, fever and cramps. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, analgesic and anti-inflammatory profiles of ethanol extract from leaves of Hyptis umbrosa (EEB). HPLC-DAD was used to determine the fingerprint chromatogram of the extract. Male Swiss mice were orally pretreated with EEB (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg; 60 min before initiating algesic stimulation) and antinociceptive activity was assessed using the acetic acid-induced writhing model, formalin test and hyperalgesia induced by glutamate or capsaicin. Also, peritonitis was induced by the intrathoracic injection of carrageenan to quantify the total number of leukocytes. The presence of phenolic compounds in the extract was confirmed using HPLC-DAD. The treatment with EEB, at all doses, produced a significant analgesic effect against acetic acid-induced antinociceptive activity. In the formalin test, only the 400-mg/kg-dose of EEB had a significant effect in the first phase. However, all doses tested were able to reverse nociception in the second phase. The effect of all doses of EEB also showed a significant antinociceptive effect in the glutamate and capsaicin tests and inhibited the carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity. The present study suggests that the EEB possesses peripheral analgesic action and showed potential in reducing the spreading of the inflammatory processes. Also, it seems to be related with vanilloid and glutamate receptors

Cyclodextrin-complexed Ocimum basilicum leaves essential oil increases fos protein expression in the central nervous system and produce an antihyperalgesic effect in animal models for fibromyalgia

O. basilicum leaves produce essential oils (LEO) rich in monoterpenes. The short half-life and water insolubility are limitations for LEO medical uses. β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) has been employed to improve the pharmacological properties of LEO. We assessed the antihyperalgesic profile of LEO, isolated or complexed in β-CD (LEO/β-CD), on an animal model for fibromyalgia. Behavioral tests: mice were treated every day with either LEO/β-CD (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg, p.o.), LEO (25 mg/kg, p.o.), tramadol (TRM 4 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle (saline), and 60 min after treatment behavioral parameters were assessed. Therefore, mice were evaluated for mechanical hyperalgesia (von Frey), motor coordination (Rota-rod) and muscle strength (Grip Strength Metter) in a mice fibromyalgia model. After 27 days, we evaluated the central nervous system (CNS) pathways involved in the effect induced by experimental drugs through immunofluorescence protocol to Fos protein. The differential scanning analysis (DSC), thermogravimetry/derivate thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) and infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR) curves indicated that the products prepared were able to incorporate the LEO efficiently. Oral treatment with LEO or LEO-βCD, at all doses tested, produced a significant reduction of mechanical hyperalgesia and we were able to significantly increase Fos protein expression. Together, our results provide evidence that LEO, isolated or complexed with β-CD, produces analgesic effects on chronic non-inflammatory pain as fibromyalgia

Gestão laboratorial do pronto atendimento de Laranjal do Jari-Amapá na pandemia do Coronavírus

O objetivo do presente estudo é Evidenciar a eficácia da gestão laboratorial na unidade de pronto atendimento (UPA) de Laranjal do Jari, estado do Amapá durante a pandemia por Covid-19 no período de abril de 2020 á março de 2022. Método: Trata-se de um estudo bibliográfico  juntamente com histórico de dados da gestão laboratorial da UPA do municipio e assim evidenciar o modelo de gestão adotado durante a pandemia. Resultados: Durante o período da pandemia o Laboratório de Análises Clínicas da UPA 24h de Laranjal do Jari vivenciou diversas dificuldades na gestão laboratorial, dentre elas a falta de profissionais na equipe, falta de materiais e insumos para atendimentos em seus serviços, bem como a ausência de sistema na obtenção de dados dos pacientes atendidos. Conclusão: Apesar de toda demanda atendinda durante o periodo nota-se através do estudo que por falta de instrumentos e pessoal de trabalho, a gestão enfrentou diversos problemas gerenciais com investimentos na equipação laboratorial, bem como na aquisição de materiais e profissionais visando melhorar o atendimento os pacientes desta unidade de saúde

Effect of seasonality on chemical profile and antifungal activity of essential oil isolated from leaves Psidium salutare (Kunth) O. Berg

Medicinal plants play a crucial role in the search for components that are capable of neutralizing the multiple mechanisms of fungal resistance. Psidium salutare (Kunth) O. Berg is a plant native to Brazil used as both food and traditional medicine to treat diseases and symptoms such as stomach ache and diarrhea, whose symptoms could be related to fungal infections from the genus Candida. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of seasonal variability on the chemical composition of the Psidium salutare essential oil, its antifungal potential and its effect on the Candida albicans morphogenesis. The essential oils were collected in three different seasonal collection periods and isolated by the hydrodistillation process in a modified Clevenger apparatus with identification of the chemical composition determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The antifungal assays were performed against Candida strains through the broth microdilution method to determine the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). Fungal growth was assessed by optical density reading and the Candida albicans dimorphic effect was evaluated by optical microscopy in microculture chambers. The chemical profile of the essential oils identified 40 substances in the different collection periods with γ-terpinene being the predominant constituent. The antifungal activity revealed an action against the C. albicans, C. krusei and C. tropicalis strains with an IC50 ranging from 345.5 to 2,754.2 µg/mL and a MFC higher than 1,024 µg/mL. When combined with essential oils at sub-inhibitory concentrations (MIC/16), fluconazole had its potentiated effect, i.e. a synergistic effect was observed in the combination of fluconazole with P.salutare oil against all Candida strains; however, for C. albicans, its effect was reinforced by the natural product in all the collection periods. The results show that the Psidium salutare oil affected the dimorphic transition capacity, significantly reducing the formation of hyphae and pseudohyphae in increasing concentrations. The results show that P. salutare oil exhibits a significant antifungal activity against three Candida species and that it can act in synergy with fluconazole. These results support the notion that this plant may have a potential use in pharmaceutical and preservative products

Nycthemeral and Monthly Occupation of the Fish Assemblage on a Sheltered Beach of Baía Norte, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil

Interpreting fish community records is challenging for several reasons, including the lack of past ichthyofauna data, the cyclical temporal variations in the community, and the methodology employed, which usually underestimates fish assemblages. The objective of this study was to describe short-scale and meso-scale (nycthemeral period and months, respectively) temporal variations in the ichthyofauna composition and structure of a sheltered beach of Baía Norte (Florianópolis, Santa Catarina state, Brazil), using a capéchade net. Samples were collected monthly for a period of 48 hours. During the period from December 2010 to November 2011, a total of 19,302 individuals belonging to 89 species and 39 families were captured. The number of individuals that were sampled during the day and/or night was dependent on the sampling month. On average, the daytime assemblage was more abundant and different in structure and composition than the nighttime assemblage. Of the eight species that had the highest Index of Relative Importance (%IRI), five had higher variations (ANOVA F) between the day and night than between the months. This finding reinforced the need for sampling during both the day and night. The capéchade net effectively captured demersal and pelagic individuals in a broad range of sizes