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Wood is rich in organic compounds; thus, it is susceptible to attacks by several deteriorating agents because they acknowledge such attacks as a necessary energy supply. Fungi stand out among these agents since they can attack the wood in trees (before felling) and in several post-felling stages. Fungi are biological agents that use organic compounds as food sources, and that is the reason why they degrade most chemical components found in wood. Wood attacked by fungi suffers significant value loss, since these degrading agents affect their mechanical and aesthetic properties. Fungi — which are classified as staining, molding and rotting — are one of the main responsible for the biggest losses in the timber industry. Wood can be virtually used in a whole range of environments, a fact that makes it susceptible to attacks by different fungal species, since the ideal conditions for fungal development change from species to species. In other words, the fact that one or more fungal species are capable of deteriorating wood is directly related to conditions wood is subjected to. Thus, it is essential knowing how to evaluate fungal attacks, symptoms to be taken into consideration at the time to identify the type of attacking organism and the attack stage, as well as the control and prevention measures to be applied to these organisms. RESUMO: Rica em compostos orgânicos, a madeira é suscetível ao ataque de diversos agentes deterioradores por ser reconhecida como suprimento necessário de energia. Entre esses agentes, destacam-se os fungos, cujo início de ataque pode se dar ainda na árvore, antes do abate e nas diversas fases posteriores. Os fungos são agentes biológicos que necessitam de compostos orgânicos como fontes de alimento e, por essa razão, degradam grande parte dos componentes químicos da madeira. As madeiras, quando atacadas por fungos, sofrem grandes perdas de valor, afetando suas propriedades mecânicas e estéticas. Os fungos são considerados um dos principais responsáveis pelos maiores prejuízos na indústria madeireira e são classificados como manchadores, emboloradores e apodrecedores. Praticamente, a madeira pode estar em uso em uma variedade de ambientes; sabendo-se que as condições ideais de desenvolvimento de um fungo são diferentes para cada espécie, a madeira ficará suscetível ao ataque por diferentes espécies de fungos. Ou seja, o fato de uma ou mais espécies de fungos serem encontradas deteriorando a madeira está diretamente relacionado às condições em que ela se encontra. Dessa forma, torna-se importante saber como avaliar os ataques feitos por fungos, os sintomas a serem considerados para identificar o tipo de organismo e o estágio do ataque, bem como as medidas de controle e prevenção desses organismos.

Azadirachtin (Aza) is a promisor biopesticide used in organic production and aquaculture. Although this compound is apparently safe, there is evidence that it may have deleterious effects on fish. Behavioral and hematological tests are grouped into a set of parameters that may predict potential toxicity of chemical compounds. Here, we investigate the effects of Aza, in the commercial formulation Neenmax™ , on carp (Cyprinus carpio) by defining LC50 (96 h), and testing behavioral and hematological parameters. In our study, LC50 was estimated at 80 μL/L. We exposed carp to Aza at 20, 40, and 60 μL/L, values based on 25, 50, and 75% of LC50 , respectively. At 60 μL/L, Aza promoted significant changes in several parameters, increasing the distance traveled and absolute turn angle. In addition, the same concentration decreased the time spent immobile and the number of immobile episodes. Hematological parameters, such as hematocrit, hemoglobin, hematimetrics index, and red cell distribution, were decreased at 60 μL/L Aza exposure. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that 60 μL/L Aza altered locomotor activity, motor pattern, and hematological parameters, suggesting potential toxicity to carp after acute exposure. In addition, this is the first report that evaluates the actions of a chemical contaminant using automated behavioral tracking of carp, which may be a useful tool for assessing the potential toxicity of biopesticides in conjunction with hematological tests. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1381-1388, 2016.

This study investigated the δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) activity in whole blood as well as the parameters of oxidative stress, such as reactive species (RS) levels in serum, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, as well as total thiols (T-SH) and non-protein thiols (NPSH) levels in platelets. Moreover, the content of vitamin C and E in plasma and serum, respectively, in lung cancer patients was also investigated. We collected blood samples from patients (n=28) previously treated for lung cancer with chemotherapy. Patients were classified as stage IIIb and IV according to the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). Results showed a decrease of 37% in δ-ALA-D activity in patients with lung cancer when compared to the control group. RS and TBARS levels were 8% and 99% higher in the patient group, respectively. The activity of SOD and CAT as well as the vitamin C content were 41%, 35% and 127% lower in patients when compared with controls, respectively. However, T-SH and vitamin E levels were 27% and 44% higher in lung cancer patients, respectively. Results show that the overproduction of reactive species in patients with lung cancer may be interfering with the activity of δ-ALA-D. Likewise, the decrease in the activity of this enzyme may be contributing for the oxidative stress.

Ethnopharmacological relevance The Ashaninkas, indigenous people of Peru, use cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) to restore health. Uncaria tomentosa has antioxidant activity and works as an agent to repair DNA damage. It causes different effects on cell proliferation depending on the cell type involved; specifically, it can stimulate the proliferation of myeloid progenitors and cause apoptosis of neoplastic cells. Neutropenia is the most common collateral effect of chemotherapy. For patients undergoing cancer treatment, the administration of a drug that stimulates the proliferation of healthy hematopoietic tissue cells is very desirable. It is important to assess the acute effects of Uncaria tomentosa on granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (CFU-GM) and in the recovery of neutrophils after chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, by establishing the correlation with filgrastim (rhG-CSF) treatment to evaluate its possible use in clinical oncology. Materials and methods The in vivo assay was performed in ifosfamide-treated mice receiving oral doses of 5 and 15 mg of Uncaria tomentosa and intraperitoneal doses of 3 and 9 μg of filgrastim, respectively, for four days. Colony-forming cell (CFC) assays were performed with human hematopoietic stem/precursor cells (hHSPCs) obtained from umbilical cord blood (UCB). Results Bioassays showed that treatment with Uncaria tomentosa significantly increased the neutrophil count, and a potency of 85.2% was calculated in relation to filgrastim at the corresponding doses tested. An in vitro CFC assay showed an increase in CFU-GM size and mixed colonies (CFU-GEMM) size at the final concentrations of 100 and 200 μg extract/mL. Conclusions At the tested doses, Uncaria tomentosa had a positive effect on myeloid progenitor number and is promising for use with chemotherapy to minimize the adverse effects of this treatment. These results support the belief of the Ashaninkas, who have classified Uncaria tomentosa as a ‘powerful plant’.

Objectives To evaluate the oxidative status and antioxidant defense in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Design and methods We measured concentrations of plasmatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), serum protein carbonylation, whole blood catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, as well as the plasmatic and erythrocyte thiol levels and serum vitamin E concentration. This study was performed on 80 children with ALL divided into 4 groups: just diagnosed, remission induction, remission maintenance and out-of-treatment. Results TBARS levels and serum protein carbonylation were higher in ALL patients than in controls and reduced levels of antioxidants were found in these patients. Conclusion These findings may indicate a possible link between decreased antioxidants and increased levels of cells alterations due to oxidative damage, supporting the idea that there is a persistence of oxidative stress in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Ethopharmacological relevance Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. (Rubiaceae) (Ut), also known as cat's claw, is a woody liana widely spread throughout the Amazon rainforest of Central and South America, containing many chemical constituents such as oxindole alkaloids, which are responsible for various biological activities. Since ancient times, the indigenous people of Peru have used it as a bark infusion for the treatment of a wide range of health problems gastric ulcers, arthritis and rheumatism. Recently, Ut is distributed worldwide and used as an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory herbal remedy. Additionally, U. tomentosa also has antitumural activity. However, little is known about the action of U. tomentosa on the purinergic system mechanisms, which is involved in tumor progression. Aim of the study Considering the pharmacological properties of U. tomentosa, we sought to evaluate the hydroalcoholic extract U tomentosa is able to influence the purinergic system in breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231. Through the activity and expression of ectonucleotidases (NTPDase – CD39; Ecto-5′-nucleotidase – CD73) and purinergic repceptores (P2X7 and A1). Materials and methods A hydroalcoholic extract was prepared in two concentrations, 250 and 500 μg/mL. (Ut250; Ut500). The effect of these concentrations on the activity and expression of ectonucleotidases, as well as on the density of purinergic receptors were investigated in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Cells were treated with the hydroalcoholic extract of Uncaria tomentosa and/or doxorubicin (Doxo 1 μM; Ut250+Doxo; Ut500+Doxo) for 24 h. Results Although the results were not significant for the hydrolysis of the ATP, they presented an increase in the ADP hydrolysis in the Ut500+Doxo group when compared to the control group. Additionally, the activity of 5′-nucleotidase was inhibited in all groups when compared with the untreated group of cells. Inhibition of the enzyme was more evident in groups with U. tomentosa per se. The expression of CD39 was increased in the Ut250 and Ut250+Doxo groups when compared to the control group. No changes were found in the CD73 expression. Furthermore, a reduction in the density of the P2X7 receptor in all treated groups was detected. On the other hand, the density of the A1 receptor increased in all groups compared to the control group, with the exception of the Ut500+Doxo group. Conclusion Therefore, we conclude that hydroalcoholic extract of U. tomentosa may be responsible for the reduction of adenosine levels in the extracellular medium, which accelerates tumor progression. Interestingly, the dysregulation of A1 and P2X7 receptors in the MDA-MB-231 cells exacerbate the proliferation of this cells and U. tomentosa treatment may be stimulate the antitumor activity of adenosine A1 receptor and control the P2X7 effects. Our study demonstrates the significant participation of purinergic pathway in the regulation of MDA-MB-231 progression; additionally, U. tomentosa treatment alone or combined with chemotherapy may favor the action of doxorubicin.

The aim of this study was to assess whether α-tocopherol administration prevented alterations in the ectonucleotidase activities and platelet aggregation induced by high-fat diet in rats. Thus, we examined four groups of male rats which received standard diet, high-fat diet (HFD), α-tocopherol (α-Toc), and high-fat diet plus α-tocopherol. HFD was administered ad libitum and α-Toc by gavage using a dose of 50 mg/kg. After 3 months of treatment, animals were submitted to euthanasia, and blood samples were collected for biochemical assays. Results demonstrate that NTPDase, ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase, and 5′-nucleotidase activities were significantly decreased in platelets of HFD group, while that adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity was significantly increased in this group in comparison to the other groups (P

Breast cancer is the most frequent neoplasm affecting women worldwide. Some of the recommended treatments involve chemotherapy whose toxic effects include leukopenia and neutropenia. This study assessed the effectiveness ofUncaria tomentosa(Ut) in reducing the adverse effects of chemotherapy through a randomized clinical trial. Patients with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma—Stage II, who underwent a treatment regimen known as FAC (Fluorouracil, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide), were divided into two groups: the UtCa received chemotherapy plus 300 mg dry Ut extract per day and the Ca group that only received chemotherapy and served as the control experiment. Blood samples were collected before each one of the six chemotherapy cycles and blood counts, immunological parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and oxidative stress were analyzed.Uncaria tomentosareduced the neutropenia caused by chemotherapy and was also able to restore cellular DNA damage. We concluded that Ut is an effective adjuvant treatment for breast cancer.

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is one of the most common inherited bleeding diseases caused by a qualitative or quantitative deficiency of the von Willebrand factor (FvW). FvW is a multimeric glycoprotein synthesized by megakaryocytes and endothelial cells and it is present in the subendothelial matrix, blood plasma, platelets, and endothelium. This glycoprotein plays an important role in thrombus formation by initiating platelet adhesion to sites of injury as well as platelet aggregation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activities of enzymes that hydrolyze adenine nucleotides in platelets, ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation (RIPA), and polymorphisms of the alpha2 gene of alpha2beta1 integrin from VWD patients. Platelet nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (NTPDase), 5'-nucleotidase, and ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase (E-NPP) activities were verified in 14 VWD patients. For RIPA determination, a final concentration of 1.25 mg/ml of ristocetin was used. Polymorphisms of the alpha2 gene were analyzed through PCR. Platelet NTPDase and E-NPP were decreased in VWD patients. 5'-Nucleotidase activity was not statistically significant between controls and VWD patients. RIPA was significantly reduced, with an allelic frequency of 78.57% for 807C in VWD patients. Our results indicated reduced platelet NTPDase and E-NPP activities which might be related to the low platelet adhesiveness. The prevalence of the 807C allele might account for the variability in bleeding in VWD.

Background Cervical cancer is a major cause of morbidity among women. We investigated the treatment effect on oxidative status from patients submitted to radiotherapy or conization surgery to high-grade SIL (squamous intraepithelial lesion) treatment, and oxidative profile from patients newly diagnosed for uterine cervix cancer, without treatment. Methods We determined the catalase activity in blood, reduced glutathione (GSH) in plasma, TBARS and protein carbonyl content from serum samples of the patients. Results The catalase activity, GSH levels, TBARS and protein carbonyl content had no statistical differences related to the controls, neither when the 2 treatments were compared, possibly because the antioxidant defense may be acting in the first period of the neoplasic transformation, and maybe indicating a possible arrest of the tumor cells caused by the efficiency of the treatments. In the non-treated patients, TBARS and protein carbonyl contents, GSH levels and catalase activity were shown to be increased comparing with the treated patients and compared with the controls indicating an tumor effect on oxidative profile, and the antioxidant activity been increased in the beginning of the tumor development. Conclusions We suggest that the treatments were efficient in arrest of the tumor.