Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium in ruminants and observation of natural infection by Cryptosporidium andersoni in sheep from Paraná, Brazil

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify Cryptosporidium species found in cattle and sheep in Paraná, southern region of Brazil. Individual fecal samples from 458 bovines and 101 sheep were submitted for molecular analysis by PCR and nested PCR using specific primers for sequences of the 18S ribosomal unit (rRNA). Positive samples were analyzed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), followed by genetic sequencing for species confirmation. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium was 11.27% (63/559). The highest occurrence was detected in lambs (12/59, 20.33%). From the 63 positive samples, it was possible to identify the species in 58 of them by RFLP and genetic sequencing. Five species of Cryptosporidium were identified: Cryptosporidium andersoni, Cryptosporidium bovis, Cryptosporidium ryanae, Cryptosporidium xiaoi, and Cryptosporidium parvum. The most prevalent species was C. andersoni (41.38%) and the least predominant was C. parvum (10.34%). The most abundant species of Cryptosporidium in dairy calves were C. andersoni (11/25) and C. ryanae (6/25). Of the 17 positive sheep, nine (52.94%) were infected with C. andersoni. This finding is the first report on the occurrence of C. andersoni in naturally infected sheep in Brazil and the first observation of a high absolute occurrence of this Cryptosporidium species in sheep

Antifungal Activity of Decyl Gallate against Several Species of Pathogenic Fungi

This work aims to demonstrate that the gallic acid structure modification to the decyl gallate (G14) compound contributed to increase the antifungal activity against several species of pathogenic fungi, mainly, Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp., Paracoccidioides spp., and Histoplasma capsulatum, according to standardized microdilution method described by Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) documents. Moreover this compound has a particularly good selectivity index value, which makes it an excellent candidate for broad-spectrum antifungal prototype and encourages the continuation of subsequent studies for the discovery of its mechanism of action

O Largo da Banana e a presença negra em São Paulo

The Largo da Banana relates to the history of the black population in São Paulo. Acknowledged as one of São Paulo’s “cradle” of samba, samba musicians are its main spokespersons. Largo da Banana used to be located near the former Barra Funda Railway Station. From the first decades to around half the Twentieth century, informal laborers in the railway logistics used to gather together in that space. Within a precarious and unsteady daily life, they used to play samba and tiririca. In the fifties, the municipality built the Pacaembu Viaduct in that area, aiming to extend the homonym avenue beyond the railway road. In the sixties, samba musician Geraldo Filme wrote two songs in which he paid homage to Largo da Banana and regrettedits disappearance after the viaduct’s inauguration. In these and other of his songs, the artist recorded his perceptions on the life conditions of São Paulo’s blacks and samba musicians, their sociabilities, and also the urban changes he witnessed. Considering that his artistic work contributes to enlighten aspects of social reality, I analyze some of his songs to interpret the sociabilities at Largo da Banana, as well as the urban intervention in that location.O Largo da Banana está associado à história da população negra em São Paulo. Reconhecido como um dos “berços” do samba paulista, é sobretudo através dos próprios sambistas que essa história pode hoje ser conhecida. Localizado junto à antiga estação da Barra Funda, desde as primeiras décadas até meados do século passado, aquele espaço concentrou trabalhadores informais vinculados às atividades da ferrovia. Em meio a um cotidiano precário e instável, essa população realizava rodas de samba e de tiririca. Nos anos 1950, foi construído naquele local o Viaduto Pacaembu, que prolongava a avenida homônima para além davia férrea. A partir da década de 1960, o sambista negro Geraldo Filme compôs duas canções em que homenageava o Largo da Banana e lamentava seu desaparecimento após a inauguração do viaduto. Nessas e em outras composições, o artista registrou suas percepções sobre as condições de vida da população negra e sambista na cidade, suas sociabilidades, bem como sobre as transformações urbanas que testemunhou. Considerando que sua obra artística contribui para iluminar aspectos da realidade social, ela é adotada como fonte para analisar as formas de sociabilidade no Largo da Banana e a intervenção urbanística naquele local

Tannins, Peptic Ulcers and Related Mechanisms

This review of the current literature aims to study correlations between the chemical structure and gastric anti-ulcer activity of tannins. Tannins are used in medicine primarily because of their astringent properties. These properties are due to the fact that tannins react with the tissue proteins with which they come into contact. In gastric ulcers, this tannin-protein complex layer protects the stomach by promoting greater resistance to chemical and mechanical injury or irritation. Moreover, in several experimental models of gastric ulcer, tannins have been shown to present antioxidant activity, promote tissue repair, exhibit anti Helicobacter pylori effects, and they are involved in gastrointestinal tract anti-inflammatory processes. The presence of tannins explains the anti-ulcer effects of many natural products

Database Survey of Anti-Inflammatory Plants in South America: A Review

Inflammation is a complex event linked to tissue damage whether by bacteria, physical trauma, chemical, heat or any other phenomenon. This physiological response is coordinated largely by a variety of chemical mediators that are released from the epithelium, the immunocytes and nerves of the lamina propria. However, if the factor that triggers the inflammation persists, the inflammation can become relentless, leading to an intensification of the lesion. The present work is a literature survey of plant extracts from the South American continent that have been reported to show anti-inflammatory activity. This review refers to 63 bacterial families of which the following stood out: Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Apocynaceae and Celastraceae, with their countries, parts used, types of extract used, model bioassays, organisms tested and their activity

An updated checklist of decapod crustaceans (infraorders Astacidea, Thalassinidea, Polychelida, Palinura, and Anomura) from the northern and northeastern Brazilian coast

Coelho, Petrônio Alves, Almeida, Alexandre Oliveira De, Bezerra, Luis Ernesto Arruda, Souza-Filho, Jesser Fidelis De (2007): An updated checklist of decapod crustaceans (infraorders Astacidea, Thalassinidea, Polychelida, Palinura, and Anomura) from the northern and northeastern Brazilian coast. Zootaxa 1519 (1): 1-16, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1519.1.1, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1519.1.

ANTIFUNGAL AND ANTIBIOFILM ACTIVITY OF 2-BROMO-N-PHENYLCETAMIDE AGAINST CRYPTOCOCCUS NEOFORMANS

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal and antibiofilm of 2-bromo-N-phenylacetamide (A1Br) against Cryptococcus neoformans in vitro. Methods: The compound was characterized by infrared and 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry data. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the plate dilution method and biofilm formation inhibition of the crystal violet assay. Results: A1Br inhibited the growth of C. neoformans with MIC of 0.25 and 0.5 μg/ml and has good antibiofilm activity MIC ×4, with ≥80% inhibition growth. Conclusions: Thus, A1Br shows potential antifungal and antibiofilm agents for the treatment of infections caused by C. neoformans, as well as the eradication of cryptococcal colonization of medical prosthetic devices