Açai (Euterpe oleracea, Mart.), an Amazonian fruit has antitumor effects on prostate cancer cells

Açai (Euterpe oleracea, Mart.) is fruit broadly consumed in the world. From its chemical matrix is possible that açai could has some cytotoxic effect against prostate cancer (PCa). To test this hypothesis using an in vitro PCa model DU145 cell. Additionally, potential synergism between açai and docetaxel (DO), a chemotherapic drug used to treat advanced PCa was also evaluated. Cells were exposed an açai hydro alcoholic extract at different concentrations (1 to 1000 μg/mL) and its effect on viability, apoptosis and cellular proliferation was determined by MTT assay, growth cell, clonogenic assays and cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry. Differential modulation of Bcl-2 and BAX genes was also determined by Pcr quantitative in real time (qRT-PCR) analysis. Açai at lower concentrations (1-10 μg/mL) presented significant cytotoxic and antiproliferative action against PCa cells decreasing frequency of S phase cycle. Probably, this effect was associated with its strong down-regulation of Bcl-2 gene. However, açai did not contribute to improve Docetaxel effect´s on PCa cells. Açai’s PCa antitumor effects could be related to elevate concentrations of orientin plus vitexin, p-coumaric acid, apigenin and catechins present its chemical matrix, which are molecules with antitumor effect previously described in the literature

<bold>Interaction between Pyridostigmine Bromide and Oxidative Stress</bold>

In this chapter the following topics will be addressed: (1) actions of the cholinergic system in the nervous system, commenting on acetylcholine metabolism and acetylcholinesterase metabolism; (2) acetylcholinesterase inhibitors as subtitle in this topic: pharmacological characterization of pyridostigmine bromide, mechanism of action, and therapeutic effect of the drug; (3) use of pyridostigmine bromide in Persian Gulf War; and (4) potential effect of pyridostigmine bromide in oxidative stress, addressing as subtitle the influence of pyridostigmine bromide on the superoxide-hydrogen peroxide imbalance model. Studies indicate that the interaction between pyridostigmine bromide and stressors could trigger genotoxicity, the mechanism associated with the induction of oxidative stress that leads to this side effect of this drug; however, this discussion needs to be better elucidated and may be more discussed as there is interaction between the pyridostigmine bromide and an endogenous oxidative imbalance caused by it or even by the possible interaction of this with genetic variations present in the antioxidant metabolism

The hepatoprotective effect of jaboticaba peel powder in a rat model of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus involves the modulation of thiol/disulfide redox state through the upregulation of glutathione synthesis

Jaboticaba peel powder (JPP) is rich in bioactive compounds, mainly soluble and insoluble polyphenols with great antioxidant properties. ,e aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of JPP supplementation on the oxidative stress and hepatic damage in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Diabetic rats received vehicle or JPP at 2.7 (JPP-I), 5.4 (JPP-II), or 10.8 (JPP-III) g/L in drinking water during 8 weeks. JPP-III attenuated hyperglycaemia and dyslipidemia increased by 86% the liver content of nonprotein thiol groups and by 90% the GSH/GSSG ratio by activating glutathione synthesis. Accordingly, JPP supplementation prevented the loss of activity of the sulfhydryl-dependent enzyme δ-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase and attenuated hepatic injury assessed by the reduction of serum aspartate aminotransferase activity and liver hypertrophy. Our results support that JPP supplementation to T2DM rats decreases hepatic damage most likely by increasing glutathione synthesis and modulating the thiol/disulfide redox balance

Acute Bisphenol-A exposure triggers superoxide-nitric oxide imbalance and immunocompetence impairment of Eisenia fetida earthworm

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting molecule associated with the risk of several non-transmissible chronic diseases. We postulated that BPA triggers oxidative alterations, altering immunocompetence and contributing to physiological dysfunction. To evaluate the effects of BPA on the oxidative and immune system, Californian earthworms were reared in a culture medium containing different BPA concentrations for 24 and 72 h. Coelomocytes were used to evaluate the effects of BPA on oxidative markers, cellular proliferation, and apoptosis, and immunocompetence effects were investigated by yeast-exposure assay and the modulation of genes related to immune response. Low BPA concentrations induced coelomocyte proliferation, imbalanced superoxide/NO levels, higher micronucleus frequency, and apoptosis. BPA also induced Amp1 gene overexpression and a low efficiency of dead yeast capture. The association between DNA damage and changes in innate immune metabolism could be related to the action of BPA, which is associated with the risk of physiological disturbances and non-transmissible chronic diseases

Erythrina velutina Willd. alkaloids: Piecing biosynthesis together from transcriptome analysis and metabolite profiling of seeds and leaves

Introduction: Natural products of pharmaceutical interest often do not reach the drug market due to the associated low yields and difficult extraction. Knowledge of biosynthetic pathways is a key element in the development of biotechnological strategies for plant specialized metabolite production. The scarce studies regarding non-model plants impair advances in this field. Erythrina spp. are mainly used as central nervous system depressants in folk medicine and are important sources of bioactive tetracyclic benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, which can act on several pathology-related biological targets. Objective: Herein the purpose is to employ combined transcriptome and metabolome analyses (seeds and leaves) of a non-model medicinal Fabaceae species grown in its unique arid natural habitat. The study tries to propose a putative biosynthetic pathway for the bioactive alkaloids by using an omic integrated approach. Methods: The Next Generation Sequencing-based transcriptome (de novo RNA sequencing) was carried out in a Illumina NextSeq 500 platform. Regarding the targeted metabolite profiling, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to a micrOTOF-QII, High Resolution Mass Spectrometer, were used. Results: This detailed macro and micromolecular approach applied to seeds and leaves of E. velutina revealed 42 alkaloids by metabolome tools. Based on the combined evidence, 24 gene candidates were put together in a putative pathway leading to the singular alkaloid diversity of this species. Conclusion: These results contribute by indicating potential biotechnological targets Erythrina alkaloids biosynthesis as well as to improve molecular databases with omic data from a non-model medicinal plant. Furthermore, they reveal an interesting chemical diversity in Erythrina velutina harvested in Caatinga. Last, but not least, this data may also contribute to tap Brazilian biodiversity in a rational and sustainable fashion, promoting adequate public policies for preservation and protection of sensitive areas within the Caatinga

Erythrina velutina Willd. alkaloids : piecing biosynthesis together from transcriptome analysis and metabolite profiling of seeds and leaves

Introduction: Natural products of pharmaceutical interest often do not reach the drug market due to the associated low yields and difficult extraction. Knowledge of biosynthetic pathways is a key element in the development of biotechnological strategies for plant specialized metabolite production. Erythrina species are mainly used as central nervous system depressants in folk medicine and are important sources of bioactive tetracyclic benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs), which can act on several pathology-related biological targets. Objectives: In this sense, in an unprecedented approach used with a non-model Fabaceae species grown in its unique arid natural habitat, a combined transcriptome and metabolome analyses (seeds and leaves) is presented. Methods: The Next Generation Sequencing-based transcriptome (de novo RNA sequencing) was carried out in a NextSeq 500 platform. Regarding metabolite profiling, the High-resolution Liquid Chromatography was coupled to DAD and a micrOTOF-QII mass spectrometer by using electrospray ionization (ESI) and Time of Flight (TOF) analyzer. The tandem MS/MS data were processed and analyzed through Molecular Networking approach. Results: This detailed macro and micromolecular approach applied to seeds and leaves of E. velutina revealed 42 alkaloids, several of them unique. Based on the combined evidence, 24 gene candidates were put together in a putative pathway leading to the singular alkaloid diversity of this species. Conclusion: Overall, these results could contribute by indicating potential biotechnological targets formodulation of erythrina alkaloids biosynthesis as well as improve molecular databases with omic data from a non-model medicinal plant, and reveal an interesting chemical diversity of Erythrina BIA harvested in Caatinga

Beyond trees: Mapping total aboveground biomass density in the Brazilian savanna using high-density UAV-lidar data

Tropical savanna ecosystems play a major role in the seasonality of the global carbon cycle. However, their ability to store and sequester carbon is uncertain due to combined and intermingling effects of anthropogenic activities and climate change, which impact wildfire regimes and vegetation dynamics. Accurate measurements of tropical savanna vegetation aboveground biomass (AGB) over broad spatial scales are crucial to achieve effective carbon emission mitigation strategies. UAV-lidar is a new remote sensing technology that can enable rapid 3-D mapping of structure and related AGB in tropical savanna ecosystems. This study aimed to assess the capability of high-density UAV-lidar to estimate and map total (tree, shrubs, and surface layers) aboveground biomass density (AGBt) in the Brazilian Savanna (Cerrado). Five ordinary least square regression models esti-mating AGBt were adjusted using 50 field sample plots (30 m × 30 m). The best model was selected under Akaike Information Criterion, adjusted coefficient of determination (adj.R2), absolute and relative root mean square error (RMSE), and used to map AGBt from UAV-lidar data collected over 1,854 ha spanning the three major vegetation formations (forest, savanna, and grassland) in Cerrado. The model using vegetation height and cover was the most effective, with an overall model adj-R2 of 0.79 and a leave-one-out cross-validated RMSE of 19.11 Mg/ha (33.40%). The uncertainty and errors of our estimations were assessed for each vegetation formation separately, resulting in RMSEs of 27.08 Mg/ha (25.99%) for forests, 17.76 Mg/ha (43.96%) for savannas, and 7.72 Mg/ha (44.92%) for grasslands. These results prove the feasibility and potential of the UAV-lidar technology in Cerrado but also emphasize the need for further developing the estimation of biomass in grasslands, of high importance in the characterization of the global carbon balance and for supporting integrated fire management activities in tropical savanna ecosystems. Our results serve as a benchmark for future studies aiming to generate accurate biomass maps and provide baseline data for efficient management of fire and predicted climate change impacts on tropical savanna ecosystems

A EQUIPE MULTIPROFISSIONAL E O DEBATE ACERCA DO ATENDIMENTO HUMANIZADO

The provision of health services permeates the interaction between professionals from different areas, highlighting the importance of the multidisciplinary team. Humanized care emerges as a crucial element in this context, aiming to provide a patient-centered approach, respecting their individuality and promoting comprehensive care. This study seeks to analyze the relationship between the performance of the multidisciplinary team and the implementation of humanized care, exploring the available literature to understand the practices, challenges and benefits associated with this approach in the healthcare setting. The methodology adopted consists of an integrative literature review, allowing a comprehensive analysis of relevant studies on the intersection between the multidisciplinary team and humanized care. The search and selection of articles were carried out systematically in scientific databases. The results reveal that the integrated action of the multidisciplinary team is essential to promote humanization in health care. The exchange of knowledge and collaboration between different professionals contribute to a more holistic and effective approach, meeting the physical, emotional and social needs of patients. Discussions address challenges faced by the multidisciplinary team, such as interdisciplinary communication and overcoming hierarchical barriers. Furthermore, the benefits of humanized care stand out, including greater patient satisfaction, improved adherence to treatment and strengthening of the therapeutic bond. This study highlights the importance of the multidisciplinary team in the context of humanized care, highlighting the need for policies and practices that encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. Promoting an organizational culture that values ​​humanization in care contributes to the quality and effectiveness of health services.A prestação de serviços de saúde permeia a interação entre profissionais de diversas áreas, destacando a importância da equipe multiprofissional. O atendimento humanizado emerge como um elemento crucial nesse contexto, visando proporcionar uma abordagem centrada no paciente, respeitando sua individualidade e promovendo a integralidade do cuidado. Este estudo busca analisar a relação entre a atuação da equipe multiprofissional e a implementação do atendimento humanizado, explorando a literatura disponível para compreender as práticas, desafios e benefícios associados a essa abordagem no cenário da saúde. A metodologia adotada consiste em uma revisão integrativa da literatura, permitindo a análise abrangente de estudos relevantes sobre a interseção entre a equipe multiprofissional e o atendimento humanizado. A busca e seleção dos artigos foram realizadas de forma sistemática em bases de dados científicas. Os resultados revelam que a atuação integrada da equipe multiprofissional é fundamental para promover a humanização no atendimento em saúde. A troca de conhecimentos e a colaboração entre diferentes profissionais contribuem para uma abordagem mais holística e eficaz, atendendo às necessidades físicas, emocionais e sociais dos pacientes. Discussões abordam desafios enfrentados pela equipe multiprofissional, como a comunicação interdisciplinar e a superação de barreiras hierárquicas. Além disso, destacam-se os benefícios do atendimento humanizado, incluindo maior satisfação do paciente, melhoria na adesão ao tratamento e fortalecimento do vínculo terapêutico. Este estudo ressalta a importância da equipe multiprofissional no contexto do atendimento humanizado, evidenciando a necessidade de políticas e práticas que incentivem a colaboração interdisciplinar. A promoção de uma cultura organizacional que valorize a humanização no cuidado contribui para a qualidade e efetividade dos serviços de saúde