Zika virus (ZIKV) is involved in the etiology of serious nervous system pathologies. Currently, there are no specific and effective vaccines or antiviral drugs to prevent the diseases caused by ZIKV. ...This study aimed to assess the activity of flavonoids present in crude hydroethanolic extract (CHE) and fractions obtained from B. holophylla leaves against ZIKV. O-glycosylated flavonoids were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS). The cytotoxic concentration and the effective concentration for 50% of the cells (CC50 and EC50, respectively) were determined, and the selectivity index (SI) was calculated. Molecular networks were constructed based on the chemical composition of the samples and global antiviral activity data using the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) platform. Protein–ligand docking was performed in the NS2B-NS3 protease, NS3 helicase, and NS5 methyltransferase of the ZIKV. CHE showed greater antiviral activity at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1.0, with an EC50 of 11.93 µg/mL, SI = 13.38, and reduced cytopathic effects. Molecular networks indicated that O-glycosylated flavonoids are responsible for the activity against ZIKV, being quercetin-O-deoxyhexoside more selective and effective. Molecular docking confirmed the inhibitory activity of quercetin-O-deoxyhexoside, which showed an affinity for the tested targets, especially for NS2B-NS3 protease. The results showed that B. holophylla has flavonoids with potential for future therapeutic applications against ZIKV.
Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expressions of PD1, CD4
+
, and CD8
+
in premalignant lesions (OPML) that were transformed into oral squamous cell carcinoma ...OSCC (OPML-OSCC), in OSCC and also in premalignant lesions that were not transformed into OSCC (OPML-NOSSC).
Materials and methods
Retrospective analyses were performed in order to verify the demographic characteristics of the patients. CD4, CD8, and PD1 IMH studies were carried out on OPML and OSCC samples from 11 patients with OPML-OSCC and OPML, together with samples from 14 patients with OPML-NOSCC. The differences between OPML-OSCC and OPML-NOSCC were analyzed.
Results
Non-homogenous leukoplakia, together with the related oral subsite, and the lack of an exposure to tobacco, were all associated with malignant transformations. There were no statistical differences in the PD1 expression and the CD4
+
cells in OPML-OSCC and OPML-NOSCC. A significant increment in the CD8
+
cells was noted in the OPML that evolved into carcinomas when compared with OPML-NOSCC (
p
= 0.05), whereas there were higher CD8
+
cells levels in the carcinomas when compared with the OPML that evolved into carcinomas (
p
= 0.027).
Conclusions
CD8
+
cells infiltrate more in OPML-NOSCC than in OPML-OSCC. Carcinoma is more infiltrated by CD8
+
cells than its associated OPML.
Clinical relevance
Understanding immunological factors associated with malignant transformation of oral premalignant lesions can open a new way to treat this disease.
Cancer of the head and neck is a group of upper aerodigestive tract neoplasms in which aggressive treatments may cause harmful side effects to the patient. In the last decade, investigations on ...natural compounds have been particularly successful in the field of anticancer drug research. Our aim is to evaluate the antitumor effect of
Aubl. extracts on a panel of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines. Analysis of secondary metabolites classes in fractions of
was performed using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Mutagenicity effect was evaluated by Ames mutagenicity assay. The cytotoxic effect, and migration and invasion inhibition were measured. Additionally, the expression level of apoptosis-related molecules (PARP, Caspases 3, and Fas) and MMP-2 was detected using Western blot. Heterogeneous cytotoxicity response was observed for all fractions, which showed migration inhibition, reduced matrix degradation, and decreased cell invasion ability. Expression levels of MMP-2 decreased in all fractions, and particularly in the hexane fraction. Furthermore, overexpression of FAS and caspase-3, and increase of cleaved PARP indicates possible apoptosis extrinsic pathway activation. Antiproliferative activity of
extract in HNSCC cells lines suggests the possibility of developing an anticancer agent or an additive with synergic activities associated with conventional anticancer therapy.
This study evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of type I (COL I) and III (COL III) collagens during the healing process of skin treated with leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (LP-PRP). ...Seven healthy gelding crossbred horses aged 16 to 17 years were used. Two rectangle-shaped wounds were created surgically in the right and left gluteal regions. Twelve hours after wound induction, 0.5 mL of the LP-PRP was administered in each edge of the wounds of one of the gluteal regions. The contralateral region was used as control (CG). Three samples were obtained: after wound induction (T0), 14 days (T1) of healing process, and after complete closure of the skin (T2). The normal skin (T0) showed strong staining for type III and I collagen in papillary and reticular dermis, respectively. In the scar of the treated group, COL III showed important (p<0.05) increase in immunoreaction in T2 compared with T1. The administration of a single dose of LP-PRP 12 h after induction of wound in horses does not influence formation of collagens I and III. However, the intense labeling for COL III suggests that the tissue was still weak during the macroscopic closure of the wound, demonstrating that healing was not completely finished.
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Dressings should protect wounds, promote healing, absorb fluids, and maintain moisture. Bacterial cellulose is a biopolymer that stands out in biomaterials due to its high ...biocompatibility in several applications. In the area of dressings, it is already marketed as an alternative to traditional dressings. However, it lacks any intrinsic activity; among these, the need for antimicrobial activity in infected wounds stands out. We developed a cationic cellulose film by modifying cellulose with 1-(5-carboxypentyl)pyridin-1-ium bromide, enhancing its wettability (contact angle: 26.6°) and water retention capacity (2714.37 %). This modified film effectively retained oxacillin compared to the unmodified control. Liposomal encapsulation further prolonged oxacillin release up to 11 days. Both oxacillin-loaded films and liposomal formulations demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Our findings demonstrate the potential of chemically modified cellulose as a platform for controlled anionic antibiotics and/or their formulations delivery in wound care.
Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an arbovirus endemic to the Amazon region, which comprises the states of the North and Midwest region of Brazil and encompasses the largest tropical forest in the world, the ...Amazon Forest. The confirmation of its potential transmission by Aedes aegypti and recent cases in Brazil, mainly in large centers in the northern region, led to the classification of Mayaro fever as an emerging disease. Traditional medicine is commonly used to treat various diseases, mainly by local riverside populations. Some species of the genus Maytenus, which have similar morphologies, are popularly used to treat infections and inflammations. In this context, our research group has studied and confirmed the antiviral activity of several plant-derived compounds. However, several species of this same genus have not been studied and therefore deserve attention.
This study aimed to demonstrate the effects of ethyl acetate extracts of leaves (LAE) and branches (TAE) of Maytenus quadrangulata against MAYV.
Mammalian cells (Vero cells) were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the extracts. After cell infection by MAYV and the treatment with the extracts, we evaluated the selectivity index (SI), the virucidal effect, viral adsorption and internalization, and the effect on viral gene expression. The antiviral action was confirmed by quantifying the viral genome using RT-qPCR and by analyzing the effect on virus yield in infected cells. The treatment was performed based on the effective concentration protective for 50% of the infected cells (EC50).
The leaves (LAE; EC50 12.0 μg/mL) and branches (TAE; EC50 101.0 μg/mL) extracts showed significative selectivity against the virus, with SI values of 79.21 and 9.91, respectively, which were considered safe. Phytochemical analysis revealed that the antiviral action was associated with the presence of catechins, mainly in LAE. This extract was chosen for the subsequent studies since it reduced the viral cytopathic effect and virus production, even at high viral loads MOI (multiplicity of infection) 1 and 5. The effects of LAE resulted in a marked reduction in viral gene expression. The viral title was drastically reduced when LAE was added to the virus before infection or during replication stages, reducing virus production up to 5-log units compared to infected and untreated cells.
Through kinetic replication, MAYV was not detected in Vero cells treated with LAE throughout the viral cycle. The virucidal effect of LAE inactivates the viral particle and can intercept the virus at the end of the cycle when it gains the extracellular environment. Therefore, LAE is a promising source of antiviral agents.
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•Leaf (LAE) and branch (TAE) ethyl acetate extracts of Maytenus quadrangulata against Mayaro virus.•No significant cytotoxicity was observed for LAE and TAE.•LAE has selective and dose-dependent antiviral activity.•LAE has potent virucidal activity, indicating direct action on the viral particle.•First report of antiviral activity of the M. quadrangulata against an arbovirus.
No contexto do aumento significativo do número de casos de dengue, zika e chikungunya no Brasil e com a circulação simultânea dessas três doenças transmitidas pelo Aedes aegypti, torna-se necessária ...a implementação de estratégias educativas para prevenção e controle dessas doenças. Esse projeto de extensão teve como objetivo promover atividades de conscientização dessas arboviroses para estudantes do ensino médio em escolas públicas e particulares de Divinópolis-MG. Devido à situação de distanciamento social e cancelamento das atividades presenciais nas escolas em virtude da pandemia de COVID-19, foi criado um formulário no Google Forms contendo dois questionários e um vídeo elaborados pela equipe do projeto. Após o aceite de participação da escola por parte da direção, o formulário foi enviado via e-mail ou WhatsApp para o professor de biologia responsável que encaminhou o mesmo para os alunos. Um total de 1.486 alunos de 10 escolas de Divinópolis-MG participaram. Após a realização da atividade, foi elaborado um folder digital com informações sobre as arboviroses para o público-alvo e enviado para as escolas participantes. No questionário aplicado antes e após a apresentação do vídeo com perguntas sobre o tema, um aumento significativo no número de acertos foi observado em todas as perguntas. Em relação à avaliação pelo aluno sobre a atividade proposta, foi ressaltada a importância da apresentação do conteúdo e a qualidade metodológica. Nessa perspectiva, apesar dos desafios causados pela pandemia e pela situação de distanciamento social, a abordagem implementada foi considerada eficiente e apresentou importantes resultados no público-alvo, mostrando a importância da educação em saúde no ambiente escolar.
Purpose
Questionnaires are indispensable tools in epidemiologic studies and clinical surveys. Many questionnaires focusing on sleep disorders have been described in the literature. This ...cross-sectional study is aimed to assess the consistency and reliability of the Brazilian Portuguese Version of the Mini-Sleep Questionnaire (MSQ-BR).
Methods
Self-administered questionnaires were given to a sample of 1,108 undergraduate students. The variables collected were age, gender, socioeconomic level, and MSQ-BR scores. A subgroup of 53 students was randomly chosen to test the test–retest reliability of the instrument. Internal consistency of total MSQ-BR and its subscales (i.e., insomnia and hypersomnia) was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient.
Results
Our results showed good internal consistency of total MSQ-BR score, with a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.770. The insomnia subscale had an adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha, 0.749). On the other hand, the hypersomnia subscale had moderate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha, 0.624). The test–retest analysis showed good reliability of the instrument using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
Conclusions
The MSQ-BR has adequate internal consistency and test–retest reliability. The MSQ-BR insomnia has adequate internal consistency for use as a separate application. However, the MSQ-BR hypersomnia demonstrated only moderate internal consistency for use as a separate application. Our intention was not to introduce modifications to the questionnaire, but to evaluate the reliability of total MSQ-BR and its subscales. Others studies are needed to assess the consistency of MSQ compared to other instruments.
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