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Salvinia auriculata Aublet is a floating aquatic plant, capable of absorbing the excess of nutrients and water contaminants and can be used in effluent treatment plants. The ability to survive in degraded areas may be related to the association with beneficial bacteria capable of promoting plant growth. However, little is known about the microbiota associated with this aquatic plant and its potential application to the aquatic environment. In this sense, this work aims to identify bacteria associated with S. auriculata that could be able to promote plant growth. Eighteen bacterial strains were identified by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, belonging to the genera Agrobacterium , Bacillus , Curtobacterium , Enterobacter , Pseudomonas , Siccibacter , and Stenotrophomonas . All isolates produced indole compounds, 12 fixed N 2 , and 16 solubilized phosphate. A new strain of Enterobacter (sp 3.1.3.0.X.18) was selected for inoculation into S. auriculata . For this purpose, 500 mL of nutrient solution and 1 g of the plant were used in the control and inoculated conditions. Enterobacter inoculation promoted a significant increase ( p ≤ 0.05) in fresh plant biomass (17%) after 4 days of cultivation. In summary, the present study characterized 18 plant-growth-promoting bacteria isolated from S. auriculata with potential for biotechnological application, such as the production of bioinoculants or biomass resources, to protect or improve plant growth under conditions of stress.

Objective: This study evaluated the effect of administration of trans-resveratrol-containing orodispersible tablets on the protein composition of the AEP and on blood plasma trans-resveratrol concentrations., Methods: Ten volunteers participated in two crossover double-blind phases. In each phase, after dental prophylaxis, they received a trans-resveratrol (15 mg) orodispersible tablet, or a placebo tablet (without actives). The AEP formed after 120 min was collected with electrode filter papers soaked in 3 % citric acid. Blood samples were collected 30, 45, 60 and 120 min after the use of the tablet. After protein extraction, AEP samples were analyzed by shotgun labelfree quantitative proteomics and plasma samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)., Results: Eight hundred and two proteins were identified in the AEP. Among them, 336 and 213 were unique to the trans-resveratrol and control groups, respectively, while 253 were common to both groups. Proteins with important functions in the AEP had increased expression in the trans-resveratroltreated group, such as neutrophil defensins, S100 protein isoforms, lysozyme C, cystatin-D, mucin-7, alphaamylase, albumin, haptoglobin and statherin. Trans-resveratrol was detected in the plasma at all the times evaluated, with the peak at 30 min., Conclusions: The administration of trans-resveratrol in sublingual orodispersible tablets was effective both to increase the bioavailability of the polyphenol and the expression of antibacterial and acid-resistant proteins in the AEP, which might benefit oral and general health., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) have reduced muscle capillary density. Walking training (WT) is recommended for PAD patients. The goal of the study was to verify whether WT promotes angiogenesis in PAD-affected muscle and to investigate the possible role of miRNA-126 and the vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) angiogenic pathways on this adaptation. Thirty-two men with PAD were randomly allocated to two groups: WT ( n = 16, 2 sessions/week) and control (CO, n = 16). Maximal treadmill tests and gastrocnemius biopsies were performed at baseline and after 12 weeks. Histological and molecular analyses were performed by blinded researchers. Maximal walking capacity increased by 65% with WT. WT increased the gastrocnemius capillary-fiber ratio (WT = 109 ± 13 vs. 164 ± 21 and CO = 100 ± 8 vs. 106 ± 6%, p < 0.001). Muscular expression of miRNA-126 and VEGF increased with WT (WT = 101 ± 13 vs. 130 ± 5 and CO = 100 ± 14 vs. 77 ± 20%, p < 0.001; WT = 103 ± 28 vs. 153 ± 59 and CO = 100 ± 36 vs. 84 ± 41%, p = 0.001, respectively), while expression of PI3KR2 decreased (WT = 97 ± 23 vs. 75 ± 21 and CO = 100 ± 29 vs. 105 ± 39%, p = 0.021). WT promoted angiogenesis in the muscle affected by PAD, and miRNA-126 may have a role in this adaptation by inhibiting PI3KR2, enabling the progression of the VEGF signaling pathway.

Background: Cancer is one of the diseases causing society's fears as a stigma of death and pain. Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is a group of malignant neoplasms of different locations in this region of the human body. It is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Brazil, because these malignant neoplasias, in most cases, are diagnosed in late phases. Surgical excision, chemotherapy and radiotherapy encompass the forefront of antineoplastic therapy; however, the numerous side effects associated with these therapeutic modalities are well known. Some treatments present enough potential to help or replace conventional treatments, such as Magnetic Hyperthermia and Photodynamic Therapy. Such approaches require the development of new materials at the nanoscale, able to carry out the loading of their active components while presenting characteristics of biocompatibility mandatory for biomedical applications., Objective: This work aims to make a bibliographical review of HNSCC treatments. Recent techniques proven effective in other types of cancer were highlighted and raised discussion and reflections on current methods and possibilities of enhancing the treatment of HNSCC., Methods: The study was based on bibliometric research between the years 2008 and 2019 using the following keywords: Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Photodynamic Therapy, and Hyperthermia., Results: A total of 5.151.725 articles were found, 3.712.670 about cancer, 175.470 on Head and Neck Cancer, 398.736 on Radiotherapy, 760.497 on Chemotherapy, 53.830 on Hyperthermia, and 50.522 on Photodynamic Therapy., Conclusion: The analysis shows that there is still much room for expanding research, especially for alternative therapies since most of the studies still focus on conventional treatments and on the quest to overcome their side effects. The scientific community needs to keep looking for more effective therapies generating fewer side effects for the patient. Currently, the so-called alternative therapies are being used in combination with the conventional ones, but the association of these new therapies shows great potential, in other types of cancer, to improve the treatment efficacy., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Walking is recommended for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). It has been shown that patients with PAD present sharper increases in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) during maximal walking when compared with healthy subjects. Additionally, women with PAD present a worse physiological profile, and it is possible that they may present higher cardiovascular load during and after a bout of maximal walking than men. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare cardiovascular and autonomic responses during and after maximal walking between men and women with PAD and intermittent claudication (IC)., Methods: Forty patients with PAD and IC (20 men and 20 women) underwent, in random order, 2 sessions: control (standing on treadmill) and exercise (maximal treadmill walking test with Gardner's protocol). During the exercise, HR and BP were measured. Before and after the sessions, cardiovascular variables (BP HR, cardiac output, peripheral vascular resistance, and stroke volume) and autonomic modulation (HR and BP variabilities and baroreflex sensitivity) were assessed. In addition, an ambulatory BP monitoring was recorded after each session., Results: Men and women presented similar maximal walking capacity. During the walking test, HR and systolic BP increased similarly in men and women. After the maximal walking, cardiovascular and autonomic responses did not differ between the genders. In addition, postintervention ambulatory BP parameters were also similar in men and women. Therefore, in men and women, maximal walking similarly reduced clinic systolic BP and stroke volume, and increased HR and total power of HR variability during the recovery period., Conclusions: Men and women with PAD and IC present similar cardiovascular and autonomic responses during and after maximal walking., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The Cerrado biome in the Sete Cidades National Park, an Ecological Reserve in Northeastern Brazil, has conserved its native biodiversity and presents a variety of plants found in other savannas in Brazil. Despite this finding the soil microbial diversity and community structure are poorly understood. Therefore, we described soil bacterial diversity and distribution along a savanna vegetation gradient taking into account the prevailing environmental factors. The bacterial composition was retrieved by sequencing a fragment of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. The bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were assigned to 37 different phyla, 96 classes, and 83 genera. At the phylum level, a core comprised by Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobia and Planctomycetes, was detected in all areas of Cerrado. 'Cerrado stricto sensu' and 'Cerradao' share more similarities between edaphic properties and vegetation and also present more similar bacterial communities, while 'Floresta decidual' and 'Campo graminoide' show the largest environmental differences and also more distinct bacterial communities. Proteobacteria (26%), Acidobacteria (21%) and Actinobacteria (21%) were the most abundant phyla within the four areas. All the samples present similar bacteria richness (alpha diversity) and the observed differences among them (beta diversity) were more related to the abundance of specific taxon OTUs compared to their presence or absence. Total organic C, N and P are the main abiotic factors structuring the bacterial communities. In summary, our findings show the bacterial community structure was clearly different across the Cerrado gradient, but that these environments share a bacterial phylum-core comprising Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia and Planctomycetes with other Brazilian savannas.

Increased oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to impaired walking capacity and endothelial dysfunction in patients with intermittent claudication (IC). The goal of the study was to determine the effects of oral treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on walking capacity, leg postocclusive reactive hyperemia, circulating levels of inflammatory mediators, and whole blood expression of angiogenic mediators in patients with IC. Following a double-blinded randomized crossover design, 10 patients with IC received NAC (1,800 mg/day for 4 days plus 2,700 mg before the experimental session) and placebo (PLA) before undergoing a graded treadmill exercise test. Leg postocclusive reactive hyperemia was assessed before and after the test. Blood samples were taken before and after NAC or PLA ingestions and 5 and 30 min after the exercise test for the analysis of circulating inflammatory and angiogenic markers. Although NAC increased the plasma ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione, there were no differences between experimental sessions for walking tolerance and postocclusive reactive hyperemia. Plasma concentrations of soluble vascular cell adhesion protein-1, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and endothelin-1 increased similarly following maximal exercise after PLA and NAC (P < 0.001). Whole blood expression of pro-angiogenic microRNA-126 increased after maximal exercise in the PLA session, but treatment with NAC prevented this response. Similarly, exercise-induced changes in whole blood expression of VEGF, endothelial nitric oxide synthase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase R2 were blunted after NAC. In conclusion, oral NAC does not increase walking tolerance or leg blood flow in patients with IC. In addition, oral NAC prevents maximal exercise-induced increase in the expression of circulating microRNA-126 and other angiogenic mediators in patients with IC., (Copyright © 2015 the American Physiological Society.)

Transesterification has proved to be the best option for obtaining biodiesel and, depending on the type of alcohol used in the reaction, the type of biodiesel may be methyl ester or ethyl ester. Leaking biodiesel can reach water bodies, contaminating aquatic organisms, particularly fish. The objective of this study was to determine whether the soluble fraction of biodiesel (Bd), produced by both the ethylic (BdEt) and methylic (BdMt) routes, can cause cytotoxic, biochemical and genotoxic alterations in the hepatocyte cell line of Danio rerio (ZFL). The metabolic activity of the cell was quantified by the MTT reduction method, while genotoxic damage was analyzed by the comet assay with the addition of specific endonucleases. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant/biotransformation enzymes activity also were determined. The results indicate that both Bd increased ROS production, glutathione S-transferase activity and the occurrence of DNA damage. BdMt showed higher cytotoxicity than BdEt, and also caused oxidative damage to the DNA. In general, both Bd appear to be stressors for the cells, causing cytotoxic, biochemical and genetic alterations in ZFL cells, but the type and intensity of the changes found appear to be dependent on the biodiesel production route., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Rupture of the spleen can be classified as spontaneous, traumatic, or pathologic. Pathologic rupture has been reported in infectious diseases such as infectious mononucleosis, and hematologic malignancies such as acute and chronic leukemias. Splenomegaly is considered the most relevant factor that predisposes to splenic rupture. A 66-year-old man with acute myeloid leukemia evolved from an unclassified myeloproliferative neoplasm, complaining of fatigue and mild upper left abdominal pain. He was pale and presented fever and tachypnea. Laboratory analyses showed hemoglobin 8.3g/dL, white blood cell count 278×10(9)/L, platelet count 367×10(9)/L, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) ratio 2.10, and international normalized ratio (INR) 1.60. A blood smear showed 62% of myeloblasts. The immunophenotype of the blasts was positive for CD117, HLA-DR, CD13, CD56, CD64, CD11c and CD14. Lactate dehydrogenase was 2384U/L and creatinine 2.4mg/dL (normal range: 0.7-1.6mg/dL). Two sessions of leukapheresis were performed. At the end of the second session, the patient presented hemodynamic instability that culminated in circulatory shock and death. The post-mortem examination revealed infiltration of the vessels of the lungs, heart, and liver, and massive infiltration of the spleen by leukemic blasts. Blood volume in the peritoneal cavity was 500mL. Acute leukemia is a rare cause of splenic rupture. Male gender, old age and splenomegaly are factors associated with this condition. As the patient had leukostasis, we hypothesize that this, associated with other factors such as lung and heart leukemic infiltration, had a role in inducing splenic rupture. Finally, we do not believe that leukapheresis in itself contributed to splenic rupture, as it is essentially atraumatic., (Copyright © 2014 Associação Brasileira de Hematologia, Hemoterapia e Terapia Celular. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: MicroRNA (miRNA)-126 is angiogenic and has two validated targets: Sprouty-related protein 1 (Spred-1) and phosphoinositol-3 kinase regulatory subunit 2 (PI3KR2), negative regulators of angiogenesis by VEGF pathway inhibition. We investigated the role of swimming training on cardiac miRNA-126 expression related to angiogenesis., Methods: Female Wistar rats were assigned to three groups: sedentary (S), training 1 (T1, moderate volume), and training 2 (T2, high volume). T1 consisted of 60 min·d of swimming, five times per week for 10 wk with 5% body overload. T2 consisted of the same protocol of T1 until the eighth week; in the ninth week, rats trained for two times a day, and in the 10th week, rats trained for three times a day. MiRNA and PI3KR2 gene expression analysis was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction in heart muscle. We assessed markers of training, the cardiac capillary-fiber ratio, cardiac protein expression of VEGF, Spred-1, Raf-1/ERK 1/2, and PI3K/Akt/eNOS., Results: The cardiac capillary-fiber ratio increased in T1 (58%) and T2 (101%) compared with S. VEGF protein expression was increased 42% in T1 and 108% in T2. Cardiac miRNA-126 expression increased 26% (T1) and 42% (T2) compared with S, correlated with angiogenesis. The miRNA-126 target Spred-1 protein level decreased 41% (T1) and 39% (T2), which consequently favored an increase in angiogenic signaling pathway Raf-1/ERK 1/2. On the other hand, the gene expression of PI3KR2, the other miRNA-126 target, was reduced 39% (T1) and 78% (T2), and there was an increase in protein expression of components of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway in the trained groups., Conclusions: This study showed that aerobic training promotes an increase in the expression of miRNA-126 and that this may be related to exercise-induced cardiac angiogenesis, by indirect regulation of the VEGF pathway and direct regulation of its targets that converged in an increase in angiogenic pathways, such as MAPK and PI3K/Akt/eNOS.

Objectives: Clinical and neurobiological findings suggest that cannabinoids and their receptors are implicated in schizophrenia. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotomimetic compound of the Cannabis sativa plant, has been reported to have central therapeutic actions, such as antipsychotic and anxiolytic effects. We have recently reported that spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) present a deficit in contextual fear conditioning (CFC) that is specifically ameliorated by antipsychotics and aggravated by proschizophrenia manipulations. These results led us to suggest that the CFC deficit presented by SHR could be used as a model to study emotional processing impairment in schizophrenia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of CBD and rimonabant (CB1 receptor antagonist) on the contextual fear conditioning in SHR and Wistar rats (WR)., Methods: Rats were submitted to CFC task after treatment with different doses of CBD (experiment 1) and rimonabant (experiment 2)., Results: In experiment 1, SHR showed a decreased freezing response when compared to WR that was attenuated by 1 mg/kg CBD. Moreover, all CBD-treated WR presented a decreased freezing response when compared to control rats. In experiment 2, SHR showed a decreased freezing response when compared to WR that was attenuated by 3 mg/kg rimonabant., Discussion: Our results suggest a potential therapeutical effect of CBD and rimonabant to treat the emotional processing impairment presented in schizophrenia. In addition, our results reinforce the anxiolytic profile of CBD.

Purpose: Cardiac aldosterone might be involved in the deleterious effects of nandrolone decanoate (ND) on the heart. Therefore, we investigated the involvement of cardiac aldosterone, by the pharmacological block of AT1 or mineralocorticoid receptors, on cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis., Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomized into eight groups (n = 14 per group): Control (C), nandrolone decanoate (ND), trained (T), trained ND (TND), ND + losartan (ND + L), trained ND + losartan (TND + L), ND + spironolactone (ND + S), and trained ND + spironolactone (TND + S). ND (10 mg·kg(-1)·wk(-1)) was administered during 10 wk of swimming training (five times per week). Losartan (20 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) and spironolactone (10 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) were administered in drinking water., Results: Cardiac hypertrophy was increased 10% by using ND and 17% by ND plus training (P < 0.05). In both groups, there was an increase in the collagen volumetric fraction (CVF) and cardiac collagen type III expression (P < 0.05). The ND treatment increased left ventricle-angiotensin-converting enzyme I activity, AT1 receptor expression, aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2), and 11-β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11β-HSD2) gene expression and inflammatory markers, TGFβ and osteopontin. Both losartan and spironolactone inhibited the increase of CVF and collagen type III. In addition, both treatments inhibited the increase in left ventricle-angiotensin-converting enzyme I activity, CYP11B2, 11β-HSD2, TGFβ, and osteopontin induced by the ND treatment., Conclusions: We believe this is the first study to show the effects of ND on cardiac aldosterone. Our results suggest that these effects may be associated to TGFβ and osteopontin. Thus, we conclude that the cardiac aldosterone has an important role on the deleterious effects on the heart induced by ND.

Eleven cases of zygomycosis (mucormycosis) observed throughout an eighteen year period (1982-2000) have been reviewed. The most important demographic and clinical data of seven patients were tabulated. The remaining four are related as illustrative cases. Seven patients presented with the pulmonary form of the disease; two patients presented with the pulmonary manifestation associated with sinusitis; and two patients presented with the rhinocerebral form. Predisposing conditions, in decreasing order of frequency, were diabetes mellitus (6), renal transplantation (2), associated with pancreas-kidney transplantation and diabetes (1), bone marrow aplasia (1), and chronic obstructive lung disease treated with corticosteroids (1). The diagnoses were based on the detection of characteristic zygomycetous hyphae in tissue. The causative organim was isolated and identified in only four cases; three were due to Rhizopus arrhizus, and one to Absidia corymbifera. In addition the Brazilian literature on zygomycosis is reviewed.

Formalin and mercuric chloride-based low-viscosity polyvinyl alcohol (LV-PVA) are widely used by most diagnostic parasitology laboratories for preservation of helminth eggs and protozoan cysts and trophozoites in fecal specimens. Concerns about the toxicity of formalin and the difficulty of disposal of LV-PVA are powerful incentives to use alternate preservatives. Such alternatives have been marketed by several companies and are often presented as one-vial, non-mercuric chloride fixatives that aim at performing the same role as formalin and PVA combined. We compared five, one-vial commercial preservatives, two from Meridian Diagnostics, Inc. (Ecofix and sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin), and one each from Scientific Device Laboratories, Inc. (Parasafe), Alpha Tec Systems, Inc. (Proto-fix), and Streck Laboratories, Inc. (STF), with 10% formalin and LV-PVA. Fecal specimens obtained from patients in a Brazilian hospital were aliquoted within 12 h of collection into the seven preservatives mentioned above and were processed after 1 month at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Direct and concentrated permanent smears as well as concentrates for 20 positive specimens (a total of 259 processed samples) were prepared, stained according to the manufacturers' instructions, examined, and graded. Positive specimens contained one or more parasites with stages consisting of eggs, larvae, cysts, and a few trophozoites of Giardia intestinalis. Criteria for assessment of the preservatives included the quality of the diagnostic characteristics of helminth eggs, protozoan cysts, and trophozoites, ease of use, and cost. Acceptable alternatives to formalin for wet preparations were found. Ecofix was found to be comparable to the traditional "gold standard" LV-PVA for the visualization of protozoa in permanent stained smears. This study suggests that more acceptable alternatives to the traditional formalin and LV-PVA exist.