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The traditional use of plants of the Cinnamomum genus dates back to traditional Eastern medicine for millennia and they have also been used in Western integrative medicine practices, especially for their anti-inflammatory activity. In the context of chemical diversity, the absolute majority of species in this genus have cinnamaldehyde as the majority component, which in turn holds the title of the active ingredient, whose biological effect profile has already been demonstrated in numerous experiments in acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. In this context, the objective of this research was to investigate how cinnamaldehyde can influence inflammatory phenomena. To this end, the data search was carried out in Pub- Med, SciELO, and LILACS databases using the following descriptors: "cinnamaldehyde OR cinnamaldehyde" and "inflammation". Next, the methodological quality of the selected articles was checked, excluding repeated studies, which were purely in silico and not relevant to the construction of this research. The findings showed cinnamaldehyde to modulate the inflammatory response by inhibiting pro-inflammatory mediators and important signaling trajectories, including NF-κB, NLRP3 inflammasome, TGF-β/Smads, and the NRF2/ARE antioxidant pathway. Cinnamaldehyde's scope of investigation also involves aspects of translational science, exhibiting therapeutic effects in human models, which suggests that it may have clinical relevance. The data support that cinnamaldehyde is a promising candidate for development as a treatment in inflammatory pathologies., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

The acute toxicity and hypokinetic activity induced by menthofuran on the gastrointestinal tract of rodents were investigated in the present study. An absence of acute toxicity was observed. Menthofuran delayed gastric emptying at oral doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg in the experimental model of phenol red, as well as it reduced the intestinal transit at oral doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Interestingly, a scopolamine-similar hypokinetic effect was observed for menthofuran. In the experimental model of castor oil-induced intestinal hypermotility, menthofuran (50 and 100 mg/kg) reduced the number of loose stools as observed for the normal group. Additionally, menthofuran induced a marked concentration-dependent relaxation in rat ileum segments precontracted with KCl (EC 50  = 0.059 ± 0.008  μ g/mL) or carbachol (EC 50  = 0.068 ± 0.007  μ g/mL). These results suggest the possible decrease of calcium influx underlying the effects of menthofuran on the gastrointestinal tract, which opens the door for further study regarding this potential application for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, noting possible limitations of its use due to adverse effects in children., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interests regarding the publication of this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Railson de Sousa Santos et al.)

Menthofuran is a monoterpene present in various essential oils derived from species from Mentha genus, and in Brazil, those species are widely used in treating gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders. Considering the wide pharmacological potential of monoterpenes, including their antioxidant activity, this study aimed to evaluate menthofuran-gastroprotective activity, as well as the involvement of antioxidant mechanisms in this effect. The acute toxicity was evaluated according to the fixed dose method. The antiulcerogenic activity was investigated by using experimental models of gastric ulcers induced by ethanol, indomethacin, and ischemia/reperfusion in rats. The antisecretory gastric activity, the catalase activity, and the gastric wall mucus were determined in pylorus ligated rats. Gastric wall nonprotein sulfhydryl (NPSH) group content, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were evaluated in ethanol-induced the gastric ulcer model. Menthofuran (2 g/kg) presented low acute toxicity and showed gastroprotective activity against ethanol-, indomethacin-, and ischemia/reperfusion-induced ulcers. Moreover, menthofuran presented antisecretory activity, reduced the total acidity, and increased pH of gastric secretion. On the other hand, a decrease in mucus content of gastric wall without alteration of gastric juice volume and catalase activity was observed. Interestingly, menthofuran increased NPSH levels and reduced MDA levels and MPO activity. Gastroprotective effects of menthofuran appear to be mediated, at least in part, by the NOS pathway, endogenous prostaglandins, reduced gastric juice acidity, increased concentration of the NPSH groups, and reduced lipidic peroxidation. These findings support the menthofuran as an effective gastroprotective agent, as well as the marked participation of antioxidant mechanisms in this response., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Naira Moura Alves et al.)

Neoglaziovia variegata (Arruda) Mez (Bromeliaceae) is a medicinal plant popularly known as "caroá." The leaves are made up of highly resistant fibers, which is of great commercial value to the handicraft and textile industry. Some studies have demonstrated that ethanolic extract of N. variegata have gastroprotective properties. This study aimed to investigate the gastroprotective activity and cytoprotective mechanisms of ethyl acetate (Nv-AcOEt), hexane (Nv-Hex), and chloroform (Nv-CHCl 3 ) fractions of N. variegata leaves. The gastroprotective activity of Nv-AcOEt, Nv-Hex, and Nv-CHCl 3 was evaluated using the ethanol and ethanol/HCl-induced gastric injury model. To elucidate the gastroprotective mechanisms, the functions of prostaglandins (PGs), nitric oxide (NO), and K ATP channels were evaluated. In addition, the nonprotein sulfhydryl groups and the mucus content in the gastric tissues were analyzed. All fractions of N. variegata leaves at oral doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg significantly decreased ethanol and ethanol/HCl-induced gastric lesions, leading to gastroprotection, accompanied by an increase in reduced glutathione (GSH) and gastric mucus. Gastroprotective activity of Nv-AcOEt was inhibited after pretreatment with ibuprofen and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG). Gastroprotective effect of Nv-Hex and Nv-CHCl 3 was also inhibited after pretreatment with L-NOARG and with glibenclamide. The results indicate that N. variegata (Arruda) Mez exhibits promising gastroprotective activity with the possible participation of NO, PGs, mucus, sulfhydryl groups, and K ATP .

Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire (Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for treatment of gastric ulcer. This study evaluated the ulcer-healing activity of the hydroalcoholic fraction of C. macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire leaves ( Cm -FHA) and the tea of the leaves of C. macrophyllum ( Cm -tea), as well as the possible action of Cm -FHA, through in vitro models. Leaves of C. macrophyllum were dried and powdered to obtain the Cm -FHA. Subsequently, the Cm -FHA was characterized phytochemically and biologically. Besides, Cm -tea was prepared. The gastric healing effects of Cm -tea and Cm -FHA were analyzed using the model of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats. The human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cell line was employed as an in vitro model. Cm -tea promoted a protective effect against gastric ulcers induced by absolute ethanol. Cm -FHA or Cm -tea (100 mg/kg/7 days) exhibited a significant healing effect on ulcers induced by acetic acid. In the histological analysis, gastric mucosa treated with Cm -FHA or Cm -tea advanced restoration of the mucosal epithelium. In vitro , lower concentrations of Cm -FHA stimulated cell proliferation in the BrdU assay and cell migration. Cm -tea and Cm -FHA present a significant gastric healing effect in in vivo and in vitro models.

Diarrhea is a condition in which the individual has about three or more daily bowel movements, followed by changes in stool consistency. It is currently considered as one of the worst public health problems due to the number of cases and deaths involved and difficulty of treatment. Thus, the use of natural products is an alternative for new treatments. Among these possibilities is Farnesol (C 15 H 26 O), a sesquiterpene found in different herbal species that has known biological activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antidiarrheal activity of Farnesol (FOH). Initially, FOH activity was evaluated in models of diarrhea and enteropooling induced by castor oil and PGE 2 . To evaluate motility, the opioid and cholinergic pathways were studied. In addition, the effect of FOH was investigated in the secretion model in intestinal loops treated with cholera toxin. FOH was evaluated for the ability to absorb fluids in intestinal loops and interact with GM1 receptors using the ELISA method and molecular docking. The dose of 50 mg/kg of FOH showed the best results in all antidiarrheal activity tests with castor oil and PGE 2 , being considered as the standard dose, reducing motility by anticholinergic mechanisms. There was a reduction in fluid secretion when FOH interacted directly with GM1 receptors; cholera toxin and molecular docking showed strong interaction between farnesol and these targets. In view of the results presented, the antidiarrheal activity occurs through anticholinergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-secretory action, making farnesol a potential candidate for the development of a new drug to treat diarrheal diseases., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Abstract: The dispersion capacity is fundamental to establish a biological control program with parasitoids. This information is used to determine the efficiency and the number of release points. Thus, the objective of this work was to determine the dispersion and to estimate the number of release points of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), in sweet corn, cucumber and cabbage in the Ceará State. The experiments were carried out in areas of maize with four leaf pairs (V4) and eight leaves pair (V8), stacked and cabbage. Unviable eggs of an alternative host were distributed in concentric circles of radius 2.5; 5.0; 9.0 and 12.0 m. Mean dispersal distance in the V4 stage maize was 4.7 m with a dispersion area of 48.6 m2, parasitism index of 18.4%, requiring 206 points/ha. In the V8 stage maize, the mean distance was 5.9 m, dispersion area of 60.3 m², mean parasitism index of 22.7% and 166 release points/ha. For the cucumber culture the mean distance was 6.0 m, dispersion area 62.2 m², mean parasitism index of 21.1% and 161 release points/ha. For cabbage the mean distance was 5.6 m, dispersion area of 56.8 m², mean parasitism index of 22.1% and 176 release points/ha.

Background and Aim: Simaba ferruginea A.St.-Hil. Popularly known as "calunga," is a typical Brazilian cerrado plant whose rhizomes are popular for treating diarrhea., Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the spasmolytic activity and the antidiarrheal effect of the ethanolic extract obtained from S. ferruginea (Sf-EtOH)., Methods: Ileal segments (1-2 cm) from male Wistar rats were mounted in isolated organ baths and connected to a force transducer, and then to an amplifier which was connected to a computer (AVS Projetos/São Paulo-SP). After stabilization for 60 min, under tension (1 gf), two submaximal contractions were induced with KCl 40 mM or carbachol 10 -6  M on ileal segments. During the third tonic and sustained contraction, Sf-EtOH was added in cumulative concentrations to the organ bath. Incubations with L-NAME (10 -4  M), ODQ (10 -5  M), TEA + (5 or 1 mM), glibenclamide (10 -5  M), or apamine (100 nM) were prepared (n = 5), separately and used to verify the involvement of the nitric oxide synthase, guanylate cyclase, and potassium channels in the relaxing effect. The results were expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean and were statistically evaluated using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test, when necessary *p < 0.05., Results: Sf-EtOH promotes relaxation on rat isolated ileum pre-contracted with CCh and KCl in a concentration-dependent manner. Sf-EtOH also inhibited ileum contractions against cumulative concentrations of carbachol (CCh), KCl, and CaCl 2 , shifting the curves to the right in a non-parallel manner with an E max reduction. In the presence of potassium channel blockers, Sf-EtOH shifted the curves to the right with a reduction of E max , suggesting the involvement of BK Ca , K ATP , and SK Ca in its spasmolytic effect. In the presence of L-NAME or ODQ, the relaxation curves were shifted to the right, suggesting the involvement of this pathway in Sf-EtOH spasmolytic effect., Conclusions: Sf-EtOH acts in a concentration-dependent manner, involving the positive modulation of K + channels and NO pathway.

The gastroprotective property of (-)-myrtenol, a monoterpenoid, has been demonstrated previously against acute gastric ulceration induced by ethanol. However, the healing property of (-)-myrtenol in a chronic gastric ulcer model remains to be verified. This study evaluated its healing efficacy and the mechanism involved using the rat model of chronic gastric ulcer induced by serosal injection of 80% acetic acid in vivo, and human gastric adenocarcinoma cells (AGS) in vitro. The results showed that compared to vehicle-treated ulcer controls, oral administration of (-)-myrtenol (50 and 100 mg/kg/day) for 7 days promoted ulcer healing, as indicated by significant decreases in ulcer area and volume. The macroscopic and microscopic findings confirmed the healing potential of (-)-myrtenol. The ulcer healing activity was also associated with significant increases in gastric mucin content, collagen deposition, number of cells with positive marking for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and by changes in the expression of the inflammatory parameters tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, as well as a decrease of metalloproteinases (MMP-9 and MMP-2) activity. Furthermore, in vitro assays using the AGS cultures revealed that (-)-myrtenol favors wound healing activity via stimulation of cell proliferation and migration without altering the cell viability. Taken together, these findings indicate that (-)-myrtenol has gastro-cytoprotective and ulcer healing properties that can be further explored to develop a new therapeutic agent from a natural source for the treatment of gastric ulcer., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Diosgenin is a phytoestrogen and a constituent of Dioscorea. It has several biological effects, and some of them are anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antitumor, and vasodilatory. The present study investigated both the vasorelaxing and antioxidant mechanisms of diosgenin in isolated rat aortic rings. Female rats weighing 200-220 g were subjected to sham or OVX operations at 8 weeks of age. Ovariectomy was performed for menopause induction after anesthesia. Diosgenin (10 -9 M-3 × 10 -4 M) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation in aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine (1 μM), exhibiting Emax value of 55.34% ± 7.7% (in endothelium-intact rings) and Emax value of 30.30% ± 5.7% (in endothelium-denuded rings). In the endothelium-intact rings, the vasorelaxing effect of diosgenin was reduced by NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (100 μM), atropine (1 μM), indomethacin (10 μM), 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) (10 μM), 4-aminopyridine (1 mM), tetraethylammonium (3 mM), glibenclamide (10 μM), apamin (10 μM), and Tiron (1 μM). Diosgenin (10 -5 M) inhibited the contractions induced by cumulative addition of phenylephrine (10 -9 -10 -5 M). The 28-days treatment with diosgenin (50 mg/kg, v.o.) did not imply changes in the myeloperoxidase parameter, but increased significantly, levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and nitric oxide, as well as reduced the concentration of malondialdehyde related to lipid peroxidation. Our results suggest that diosgenin induced relaxation in aortic rings via an endothelium-dependent pathway, which involves the EDRF, the opening of potassium channels and antioxidant action.

Terminalia fagifolia Mart. & Zucc. (Combretaceae) is a plant commonly found in the regions of the Brazilian cerrado, popularly used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. There are no reports in the literature on the use of T. fagifolia for the treatment of the cardiovascular system conditions. Nevertheless, plants of the same genus, such as Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn and Terminalia superba Engler & Diels, present cardioprotective, hypotensive and vasodilatating effects. In light of this, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the ethanolic extract (Tf-EE) and of its aqueous (Tf-AQF), hexanic (Tf-HEXF) and hydroethanolic (Tf-HAF) partition fractions obtained from the stem bark of T. fagifolia Mart. & Zucc. The effects of the extract and partition fractions of T. fagifolia were evaluated on isometric tensions in the thoracic aorta rings of Wistar rats (250-300 g). Tf-EE, Tf-HEXF and Tf-HAF presented a concentration-dependent vasorelaxant effect, and Tf-AQF presented a vasorelaxant effect that was more potent in the presence of endothelium. The relaxation curves of the aorta promoted by the fraction investigated were attenuated in the presence of the following pharmacological tools: L-NAME, ODQ or PTIO. The vasorelaxant effect of the aorta promoted by Tf-AQF was attenuated in the presence of TEA and 4-AP. Tf-EE induced a concentration-dependent and endothelium-independent vasorelaxation. Tf-HAF and Tf-HEXF presented concentration-dependent and vascular-endothelium-independent vasorelaxation, but did not obtain 100% of relaxation. On the other hand, Tf-AQF presented concentration-dependent vasorelaxation that was more potent in aorta rings with vascular endothelium. The relaxant mechanism induced by the Tf-AQF involves the NO/sGC/cGMP pathway and channels Kv., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2019. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

Setting: Information about the sputum cells of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients is scarce. The analysis of sputum cells using optical microscopy (OM) is a well-established method, but it has some serious limitations., Objective: To establish a new flow cytometry (FC) protocol for the leucocyte evaluation of sputum samples from PTB patients., Design: A new FC protocol using 0.1% dithiothreitol and 0.5% paraformaldehyde was developed to fluidise sputum samples and kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis, respectively, to allow the analysis of sputum samples collected from TB patients. The protocol was validated by comparing it with OM, and the cellularity of 30 sputum samples from patients with PTB was evaluated., Results: The comparison between leucocyte subsets analysed using OM and FC showed agreement. Immunophenotyping of leucocytes from sputum samples showed that neutrophils (95.7%) comprised the largest proportion of sputum cells, followed by monocytes/macrophages (2.6%) and lymphocytes (1.6%). Among the total T-lymphocytes (100%), 12.3% were T-helper cells, 24.1% were cytotoxic T-cells and 62.9% were gamma/delta T; none of the T lymphocytes had the CD4+/CD8+ phenotype., Conclusion: FC is a useful method for evaluating the different subtypes of leucocytes present in the sputum samples of PTB patients.

Background: Flow cytometric immunophenotyping is deemed a fundamental tool for the diagnosis of B-cell neoplasms. Currently, the investigation of novel immunophenotypic markers has gained importance, as they can assist in the precise subclassification of B-cell malignancies by flow cytometry. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the expression of CD307a during normal B-cell maturation and in B-cell malignancies as well as to investigate its potential role in the differential diagnosis of these entities., Methods: CD307a expression was assessed by flow cytometry in normal precursor and mature B cells and in 115 samples collected from patients diagnosed with precursor and mature B-cell neoplasms. CD307a expression was compared between neoplastic and normal B cells., Results: B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases exhibited minimal expression of CD307a, displaying a similar expression pattern to that of normal B-cell precursors. Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) cases showed the lowest levels of CD307a among mature B-cell neoplasms. CD307a expression was statistically lower in MCL cases than in chronic B lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) cases. No statistical differences were observed between CD307a expression in neoplastic and normal plasma cells., Conclusion: These results indicate that the assessment of CD307a expression by flow cytometry could be helpful to distinguish CLL from MCL, and the latter from MZL. Although these results are not entirely conclusive, they provide a basis for further studies in a larger cohort of patients. © 2018 International Clinical Cytometry Society., (© 2018 International Clinical Cytometry Society.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Pilosocereus gounellei Cactaceae), popularly known as "xique xique", is a species native from Caatinga region of Northeast Brazil, which is used by traditional communities in folk medicine for a variety of health problems, especially inflammatory processes and gastritis., Aim of the Study: The present study investigates the possible gastric antiulceractivity of ethanol extracts obtained from the cladodes and roots of Pilosocereus gounellei (EECPG and EERPG, respectively) and mechanisms of action underlying this effect., Materials and Methods: Mice were used for the evaluation of the acute toxicity, and mice and rats to study the gastroprotective activity. The gastroprotective action of EECPG and EERPG was analyzed in the absolute ethanol in mice, ischemia-reperfusion and cold restraint stress in rats. In the investigation of the gastroprotective mechanisms of EECPG and EERPG, the participation of the NO and prostaglandins, the levels of the non-protein sulfhydril groups (NP-SH) and the catalase activity using the ethanol-induced gastric mucosa lesion model and the quantification of the gastric mucus and the antisecretory activity through pylorus ligature model in rats were analyzed., Results: The animals did not present any signs of acute toxicity for the EECPG and EERPG, and it was not possible to calculate the DL50. EECPG and EERPG (200 and 400 mg/kg) exhibited a significant gastroprotective effect in absolute ethanol, ischemia-reperfusion-induced and cold restraint stress gastric lesion models. Gastroprotection of EECPG and EERPG (200 mg/kg) was significantly decreased in pre-treated mice with L-NAME. Our studies revealed that EECPG and EERPG (200 mg/kg) prevented the decrease of the non-protein sulfhydril groups (NPSH) and increased the catalase levels in ethanol-treated animals. However, the gastric secretion parameters (volume, [H+], pH) did not show any alteration., Conclusions: Our results indicate that the ethanolic extract from the cladodes and roots of Pilosocereus gounellei exhibits a significant gastroprotection, because it inhibits the formation of gastric lesions using different models. The participation of the nitric oxide, prostaglandins, the non-protein sulfhydril groups (NP-SH), catalase seem to be involved in the gastroprotection activity of the EECPG and EERPG. Nevertheless, this activity does not seem to be related to antisecretory mechanisms., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Rosmarinus officinalis L. is an aromatic plant with a number of biological properties. Recently, has been studied regarding its therapeutic potential. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review on R. officinalis essential oil for its pharmacological properties and biotechnological applications., Areas Covered: The databases were searched for articles (Science Direct, Pub Med and Web of Science) and patents (INPI, WIPO and EPO) with publications on R. officinalis and associations with essential oil (EO-Ro), cardiovascular system, hypertension and cyclodextrin. We selected 305 articles on EO-Ro in the most diverse subjects and six articles with of R. officinalis associated with hypertension. 59 patents were analyzed. The results demonstrate how extensive the studies are on the biological activities with the extract and EO-Ro. These have shown effects antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and other. The properties exhibited by EO-Ro reinforce the use of this plant as a phytotherapeutic agent., Expert Opinion: Although there are several pharmacological properties, studies on the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular diseases with EO-Ro are scarce, especially to evaluate the antihypertensive activity of EO-Ro. It has also become clear that EO-Ro can be exploited in different commercial products as supplement, cosmetics and new formulations.

Background: B cell lymphomas' (BCL) current diagnosis is usually based on a combination of morphology, immunophenotype, recurrent cytogenetic aberration and clinical features. However, even with these diagnostic tools, a definitive diagnosis can be difficult to achieve. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the profile of CD39, CD43, CD81, and CD95 expressions in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL), and Burkitt lymphoma (BL) cases., Methods: To address this issue, we investigated the expression of CD39, CD43, CD81, and CD95 by eight-color flow cytometry in retrospective cases from 2014 to 2016., Results: The study included 27 adult patients diagnosed with DLBCL, FL, and BL during the study period. Four patients were diagnosed with germinal center B cell-like DLBCL (GCB DLBCL), seven with non-GCB DLBCL, nine with FL, and seven with BL. CD39 seems to be especially relevant to differentiate non-GCB DLBCL from BL and from FL. BL showed stronger expression of CD43 when compared to FL and GCB DLBCL. Moreover, CD43 may help to distinguish non-GCB DLBCL from GCB DLBCL. CD81 expression was much stronger in BL when compared to the other three groups of patients. Lastly, CD95 may also help to distinguish BL from the other subtypes, as BL cells expressed this antigen at low levels., Conclusions: In combination, CD39, CD43, CD81, and CD95 expressions appear to be helpful to distinguish CD10 + BCL, particularly BL. Phenotypic distinction between FL and GCB DLBCL remains challenging and requires further studies. © 2017 International Clinical Cytometry Society., (© 2017 International Clinical Cytometry Society.)

In 2010, new monoclonal antibodies were submitted to the 9th International Workshop on Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens, and there are few studies demonstrating normal expression patterns of these markers. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the normal patterns of cell expression of CD86, CD210a, CD261, CD262, CD264, CD358, and CD361 in peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) samples by flow cytometry. In the present study, CD86 was expressed only in monocytes and B lymphocytes in PB and in monocytes and plasma cells in BM. Regarding CD210a expression, in PB samples, monocytes and NK cells showed weak expression, while neutrophils, B and T lymphocytes, and basophils showed weak and partial expression. In BM samples, expression of CD210a was observed in eosinophils, monocytes, and B and T/NK lymphocytes. Weak expression of CD210a was also observed in neutrophilic cells and plasma cells. All B cell maturation stages had weak expression of CD210a except for immature B cells, which did not express this marker. In the present study, no cell type in PB samples showed positivity for CD261 and, in BM samples, there was very weak expression in neutrophilic series, monocytes, and B lymphocytes. Conversely, plasma cells showed positivity for CD261 with a homogeneous expression. For CD262, there was weak expression in monocytes, neutrophils, and B lymphocytes in PB samples and weak expression in monocytes, B lymphocytes, and plasma cells in BM samples. The evaluation of CD264 showed very weak expression in B cells in PB samples and no expression in BM cells. Very weak expression of CD358 was observed in neutrophils, monocytes, and B lymphocytes in PB and BM samples. In addition, in BM samples, plasma cells and T lymphocytes showed weak expression of CD358. In relation to the maturation stages of B cells, there was weak expression in pro-B cel, pre-B cell, and mature B cell. In the present study, it was possible to observe expression of CD361 in all cell types analyzed in PB and BM samples. The analyzed markers presented varied profiles of expression and, in some cases, these profiles were different from those observed in other studies. Further studies are needed to evaluate these molecules, mainly in relation to a possible application in the diagnosis of hematological malignancies or as new therapeutic targets for the treatment of hematological neoplasms or autoimmune diseases., (Copyright © 2017 European Federation of Immunological Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: In 2012, the WHO estimated that 6 million new cases of syphilis per year would occur worldwide, including 937 000 in Brazil. Early diagnosis and treatment of syphilis are essential to reduce morbidity and prevent transmission. The availability of rapid tests (RTs) for this diagnosis means that testing can be performed more quickly, as a point-of-care test, even in non-laboratory environments and requires only simple technical training to antibodies detection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and operational aspects of seven commercially available RTs for syphilis in Brazil., Methods: Seven rapid treponemal tests were evaluated for sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and Kappa value, according to a panel composed of 493 members. The operational performance of the assay was also determined for these tests., Results: The seven RTs showed sensitivity ranging from 94.5% to 100% when compared with the reference tests and specificity of between 91.5% and 100%. All the RTs evaluated presented good operational performance, and only one failed to present the minimum specificity as defined by Brazil's Ministry of Health., Conclusion: All the tests presented good operational performance, and the professionals who performed them considered them to be easy to use and interpret. This evaluation is important for making informed choices of tests to be used in the Brazilian Unified Health System., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.)

Myrtenol is a bicyclic monoterpene with anti-inflammatory properties. However, the mechanisms involved are partially unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of myrtenol during experimental chronic arthritis and the possible modulating activity of oxidative stress and neutrophil migration. Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)-sensitized rats were treated with vehicle (1 mL/kg, po), myrtenol (12.5, 25 or 50 mg/kg, po), indomethacin (10 mg/kg, po) or dexamethasone (0.4 mg/kg) followed by intra-articular injection of CFA (0.5 mg/mL, 50 μL per joint). Then, paw edema and articular incapacitation (paw elevation time) were evaluated for 14 days. On the last day, a blood concentration superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitrite was determined. In another experimental setting, human neutrophils were incubated with vehicle (sterile saline, 1 mL) or myrtenol (10-100 ng/mL) and the in vitro chemotaxis to N-formylmethionine-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) (10 -7  M/well) was evaluated. In addition, antiinflammatory effect of myrtenol was investigated in carrageenan-induced peritonitis. We found that CFA induced a prominent paw swelling and incapacitation of the joint, which were significantly prevented by myrtenol (P < 0.05). In addition, blood accumulation nitrite was attenuated by myrtenol when compared with vehicle-treated CFA group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, plasma levels of SOD were significantly increased by myrtenol versus vehicle-treated CFA group (P < 0.05). Moreover, fMLP-triggered neutrophil chemotaxis and carrageenan-induced peritonitis were markedly prevented by myrtenol (P < 0.05). Therefore, myrtenol showed anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects on experimental chronic arthritis, which seems to be related to the direct modulation of neutrophil migration and antioxidant activity., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Orofacial pain is associated with diagnosis of chronic pain of head, face, mouth, neck and all the intraoral structures. Carvacrol, a naturally occurring isoprenoid with diverse class of biological activities including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antitumor and antioxidant properties. Now, the antinociceptive effect was studied in mice pretreatment with carvacrol (CARV) and β-cyclodextrin complex containing carvacrol (CARV-βCD) in formalin-, capsaicin-, and glutamate- induced orofacial nociception. Mice were pretreated with vehicle (0.9% Nacl, p.o.), CARV (10 and 20mg/kg, p.o.), CARV-βCD (10 and 20mg/kg, p.o.) or MOR (10mg/kg, i.p.) before the nociceptive behavior induced by subcutaneous injections (s.c.) of formalin (20μl, 2%), capsaicin (20μl, 2.5μg) or glutamate (20μl, 25μM) into the upper lip respectively. The interference on motor coordination was determined using rotarod and grip strength meter apparatus. CARV-βCD reduced the nociceptive during the two phases of the formalin test, whereas CARV did not produced the reduction in face-rubbing behavior in the initial phase. CARV-βCD (20mg/kg, p.o.) produced 49.3% behavior pain while CARV alone at 20mg/kg, p.o, produced 28.7% of analgesic inhibition in the second phase of formalin test. CARV, CARV-βCD and Morphine (MOR) showed a significant reduction against nociception caused by capsaicin or glutamate injection. Thus the encapsulation of carvacrol in β-cyclodextrin can acts as a considerable therapeutic agent with pharmacological interest for the orofacial pain management., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Conflito de interesse: Os autores declararam não haver conflitos de interesse que precisam ser informados.

Background and Objectives Hemoglobin screening is one of the requirements before donating blood, which is performed on all donors. Hemoglobinometer devices are one of the conventional methods for performing this screening in blood transfusion centers. The purpose of study is to evaluate the quality control of a hemoglobinometer device produced by a knowledge enterprise company before being used in blood transfusion centers. Materials and Methods In this cross sectional study, venous and capillary blood samples from donors referred to the Blood Transfusion centers of Tehran, Qazvin, Alborz and Fars were used to measure hemoglobin. A comparative evaluation of the study device with Reference was performed on 135 samples. Then a comparative evaluation of study device with hemoglobinometer devices was done on 194 samples. Bland-Altman analysis, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, accuracy and ICC were evaluated by R.4.4.1. Results The mean and standard deviation of hemoglobin concentration with reference and study device were 12.55 ± 2.32 and 12.42 ± 1.60 g/dL, respectively, Based on the Bland-Altman curve, no significant difference was observed between the readings of the two study device and the reference devices (p= 0.1) and the ICC between the two devices showed an almost complete agreement with a confidence factor of 95% (0.8˂ICC˂0.89). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of the study device compared. Conclusions According to the results of this study and examination with a Reference, the knowledge enterprise device can be used to screen the hemoglobin of blood donors according to the permissible range of blood donation in blood transfusion centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The p53 protein, encoded by the TP53 gene, serves as a critical tumor suppressor, playing a vital role in maintaining genomic stability and regulating cellular responses to stress. Dysregulation of p53 is frequently observed in hematological malignancies, significantly impacting disease progression and patient outcomes. This review aims to examine the regulatory mechanisms of p53, the implications of TP53 mutations in various hematological cancers, and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting p53. We conducted a comprehensive literature review to synthesize recent findings related to p53's multifaceted role in hematologic cancers, focusing on its regulatory pathways and therapeutic potential. TP53 mutations in hematological malignancies often lead to treatment resistance and poor prognosis. Current therapeutic strategies, including p53 reactivation and gene therapy, show promise in improving treatment outcomes. Understanding the intricacies of p53 regulation and the consequences of its mutations is essential for developing effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in hematological malignancies, ultimately enhancing patient care and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The circulatory peripheral immune system is the most convenient approach for determining an individual's immune status. Due to various reasons, while previous studies have addressed the critical impact of age, most individual studies did not analyze immunosenescence in a systemic manner, which complicates the possibility of building a reference range for age-dependent immune profiles for effective immune monitoring. To address this gap, this study analyzed a group of healthy individuals to establish age-specific reference ranges of the healthy circulatory immune profile, and a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to validate the findings and create generalizable immune cell reference ranges. Results: Our study recruited a total of 363 healthy Taiwanese adults (median age 42 years [IQR 30, 62], age range 21 to 87 years, 43.3% male), including 158 under 40 years old, 127 between 40–64 years old, and 78 over 64 years old. Significant age-related alterations were observed in both adaptive and innate immune cell subsets. CD8 + T cells decreased and CD4/CD8 ratio increased, with notable increases in NK cells. CD4 + T cells were less impacted by aging, while CD8 + T cells significantly lost CD28 and increased CD31 expression with age. A clear reverse trend in naïve and memory subsets of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells was observed. Detailed reference ranges for immune cell subsets in healthy Taiwanese adults were established. A systematic review included 7,425 adults and a meta-analysis of 12 eligible studies confirmed our findings in Taiwan, enhancing generalizability. Conclusions: Combined with previous studies and original data through a systematic review and meta-analysis, we highlighted and quantified significant immune profile differences between older and younger individuals. The sex and age-specific reference ranges for peripheral immune cell subsets can serve as a basis for effective immune monitoring of various aging-related illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effect of immune cells on autoimmune diseases (ADs) complicated by non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has been widely recognized, but a causal relationship between regulatory T cell (Treg) immune traits and ADs complicated by NHL remains debated. Methods: Aggregate data for 84 Treg-related immune traits were downloaded from the Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) catalog, and GWAS data for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL; n=315243), follicular lymphoma (FL; n=325831), sjögren's syndrome (SS; n=402090), rheumatoid arthritis (RA; n=276465), dermatopolymyositis (DM; n=311640), psoriasis (n=407876), atopic dermatitis (AD; n=382254), ulcerative colitis (UC; n=411317), crohn's disease(CD; n=411973) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; n=307587) were downloaded from the FinnGen database. The inverse variance weighting (IVW) method was mainly used to infer any causal association between Treg-related immune traits and DLBCL, FL, SS, DM, RA, Psoriasis, AD, UC, CD and SLE, supplemented by MREgger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode. Moreover, we performed sensitivity analyses to assess the validity of the causal relationships. Results: There was a potential genetic predisposition association identified between CD39+ CD8br AC, CD39+ CD8br % T cell, and the risk of DLBCL (OR=1.51, p<0.001; OR=1.25, p=0.001) (adjusted FDR<0.1). Genetic prediction revealed potential associations between CD25++ CD8br AC, CD28-CD25++ CD8br % T cell, CD39+ CD8br % CD8br, and the risk of FL (OR=1.13, p=0.022; OR=1.28, p=0.042; OR=0.90, p=0.016) (adjusted FDR>0.1). Furthermore, SLE and CD exhibited a genetically predicted potential association with the CD39+ CD8+ Tregs subset. SS and DM were possibly associated with an increase in the quantity of the CD4+ Tregs subset; RA may have reduced the quantity of the CD39+ CD8+ Tregs subset, although no causal relationship was identified. Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of our findings. Conclusions: There existed a genetically predicted potential association between the CD39+ CD8+ Tregs subset and the risk of DLBCL, while SLE and CD were genetically predicted to be potentially associated with the CD39+ CD8+ Tregs subset. The CD39+ CD8+ Tregs subset potentially aided in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of SLE or CD complicated by DLBCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Rapid syphilis testing plays a crucial role in global health strategies, addressing the urgent need for prompt and accurate diagnostics, especially in settings with limited resources. Despite their practical utility, these tests often lack thorough validation, leading to concerns about their efficacy and reliability. This study aims to evaluate two prototypes of the Onsite Syphilis Ab Combo Rapid Test (Fd and Ff) and compare their performance with the established chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) method. Employing a reverse algorithm approach, the study analyzed 450 serum samples, including those from syphilis patients, healthy individuals, and cases with potential cross-reactions. Results of the rapid test kit were then correlated with CMIA findings, RPR, and TPPA titers. The results showed that prototype Fd exhibited a sensitivity of 100.0%, specificity of 98.8%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 8.4%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 100.00% and accuracy of 98.8%. Similarly, prototype Ff exhibited sensitivity of 100.0%, but with a slightly higher specificity of 99.6%, PPV of 21.5%, NPV of 100.0% and accuracy of 99.6%. Moreover, both prototypes Fd and Ff of the Onsite Syphilis Ab Combo Rapid Test demonstrated significant efficacy diagnostic tool, offering clear and straightforward interpretation for clinicians in varied CMIA, RPR and TPPA titer scenarios. The Onsite Syphilis Ab Combo Rapid Test prototypes, Fd and Ff, demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, comparable to CMIA methods. The effectiveness highlights their suitability for syphilis screening, particularly in non-laboratory settings or situations requiring immediate results. The validation of these prototypes supports their integration into current syphilis diagnostic algorithms, potentially contributing to improved public health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the leprosy cases have fallen dramatically, the incidence of leprosy has remained stable over the past years, indicating that multidrug therapy seems unable to eradicate leprosy. More seriously, the emergence of rifampicinresistant strains also affects the effectiveness of treatment. Immunoprophylaxis was mainly carried out through vaccination with the BCG but also included vaccines such as LepVax and MiP. Meanwhile, it is well known that the infection and pathogenesis largely depend on the host's genetic background and immunity, with the onset of the disease being genetically regulated. The immune process heavily influences the clinical course of the disease. However, the impact of immune processes and genetic regulation of leprosy on pathogenesis and immunological levels is largely unknown. Therefore, we summarize the latest research progress in leprosy treatment, prevention, immunity and gene function. The comprehensive research in these areas will help elucidate the pathogenesis of leprosy and provide a basis for developing leprosy elimination strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Although most modern techniques and analysis methods in multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) allow for increased dimensionality for the characterization and quantification of cell populations, most MFC applications depend on flow cytometers measuring relatively small (<16) numbers of parameters. When more markers than the available parameters need to be acquired, these are commonly distributed over multiple independent measurements that include a backbone of common markers. Several methods have been proposed to impute values for combinations of markers that were not measured simultaneously. These imputation methods are frequently used without proper validation and knowledge of their effects on data analysis. We evaluated the performance of existing imputation software (Infinicyt, CyTOFmerge, CytoBackBone, and cyCombine) in approximating known measured expression data in terms of similarity in visual appearance, cell expression, and gating in different datasets by splitting MFC samples into separate measurements with partially overlapping markers and re‐calculating missing marker expression. Out of the assessed packages, CyTOFmerge showed the most accurate approximation of the known expression in terms of similar expression values and concordance with manual gating, with a mean F‐score between 0.53 and 0.87 when retrieving cell populations in different datasets. Performance remained inadequate for all methods, with only limited similarity at the cell level. In conclusion, the use of imputed MFC data should take such limitations into account and include independent validation of results to justify conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Licania rigida Benth., a Brazilian endemic plant, has been traditionally used for treating inflammation and stomach pain. This work investigates the anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activities of the ethanolic extract from L. rigida seeds (EELr) by in vitro and in vivo methods. The phytochemical profile was determined and the in vitro antioxidant activity was investigated by radical scavenging and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances methods. The ovalbumin denaturation method was used with sodium diclofenac as standard for the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity assessment. Acetylsalicylic acid was used to induce gastric ulcers in male mice and then to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic gastroprotective effect of EELr, using omeprazole as the reference drug. The extract exhibited relevant amount of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, in particular, demonstrating in vitro antioxidant capacity. EELr was able to inhibit almost 60% of ovalbumin denaturation at a concentration considered low. It also prevented the decrease of biochemical markers for oxidative stress such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the stomach and SOD and catalase (CAT) in the liver. EELr also significantly decreased the number of lesions as well as reduced the ulcerated area when used as therapy. The observed effect may be due to its phenolic compounds, such as chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and tannins, as previously reported. EELr is a potential source of compounds with anti-inflammatory activity, protects the liver from oxidative damage and improves healing of aspirin-induced ulcers. This work contributes to the knowledge of L. rigida species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alpha-pinene (α-pinene) is a monoterpene with gastroprotective activity. We evaluated the gastroprotective effect of α-pinene in the gastric damage model with ethanol. Methods: We evaluated the macroscopic evaluation of the stomach cavity, alteration in pH, mRNA expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2- related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels, and histopathological changes. Results: Pretreatment with α-pinene (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.) before oral administration of ethanol reduced gastric mucosal damage by increasing the percentage of ulcer inhibition. Alpha-pinene also increased gastric pH similar to omeprazole. In addition, the histopathological examination showed that in the groups pretreated with α-pinene 50 and 100 mg/kg, and omeprazole20 mg/kg, the lesions were less than the control group. Moreover, α- pinene 10, 50, 100, and omeprazole 20 mg/kg upregulated the NRF2 and HO1. Conclusions: Our results show that pretreatment with α-pinene is effective in reducing ethanol-induced gastric damage through regulation of Nrf2/HO-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti) is an endoparasitoid and promising fruit fly control agent. The objective of the study was to determine the spatial (horizontal and vertical) and temporal dispersion of D. areolatus in the field. To evaluate the horizontal and temporal dispersion, two peach orchards were selected. In each orchard, 50 points were marked at different distances from the central point, from where 4,100 couples of D. areolatus were released. Four hours after release, parasitism units (PU) (3 per point) were fixed to the trees at a height of 1.5 m from the ground. The PUs were composed of ripe apples artificially infested with second instar larvae of Anastrepha fraterculus (30 larvae/fruit). For the evaluation of vertical dispersion, in an olive orchard six points were selected (trees of ≈4 m in height). Each tree was divided into three heights in relation to the ground (1.17, 2.34, and 3.51 m). Doryctobracon areolatus was able to disperse horizontally at a distance >60 m from the release point. However, the highest parasitism rates [15–45% (area 1); 15–27% (area 2)] were observed up to 25 m. Higher percentages of parasitism and of recovered offspring occur in the first days after the release of the parasitoid (2 DAR). As for vertical dispersion, D. areolatus parasitized A. fraterculus larvae up to the highest attachment height of the evaluated PUs (3.51). The results showed the potential use of D. areolatus in the management of fruit flies in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death and require treatment and prevention. Lichens are symbiotic organisms that are known to produce unique secondary metabolites and have been used as folk medicines. The aim of the study is to emphasize the importance of lichens in improving heart health, with the objective of investigating protocetraric acid, a lichen metabolite, for its antioxidant and cardioprotective potential by using in vitro and in silico techniques. Protocetraric acid (PRC) was isolated, characterized, and tested for antioxidant properties using six assays. In cardiovascular investigations, hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzymeA reductase (HMGCR), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory, and fibrinolytic capacities, along with enzyme inhibitory kinetics studies, were carried out. In silico toxicology and molecular docking analysis were done to determine the binding sites on target proteins. The cytoprotective ability of PRC was evaluated by H 2 O 2 -induced toxicity in H9c2 rat heart cells. Out of six lichens, the extract of F. caperata showed comparatively stronger antioxidant activity in terms of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazil (DPPH), scavenging of nitric oxide (SNO), and ferric reducing potential (FRAP) equivalent values. PRC showed significant antioxidant properties, and with respect to cardiovascular studies, PRC exhibited 86% HMGCR and 82% ACE inhibition, while 57% fibrinolysis at 320 µM concentration. Inhibitory kinetic tests of PRC showed competitive and uncompetitive HMGCR and ACE inhibition types respectively. PRC showed minimum binding energies of - 7.9, - 8.9, and - 9.0 kcal/mol with 1HWK, 1O8A, and 4BZS. The H9c2 cell line pre-treated with PRC was found to reduce H 2 O 2 toxicity as well as increase cell viability. Protocetraric acid is a potent compound that has been experimentally shown to have hypocholesterolemic, hypotensive, and cardioprotective properties for treating cardiovascular diseases., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

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Low-molecular weight solid acid, [(DETA-(SO3H)2], was synthesized and fully characterized by FTIR, XRD, TGA, XPS, 1H-NMR and elemental analysis. The prepared solid acid exhibited high strong acid density (7.6 mmol H+/g), much higher than most of other solid acids. The solid acid was used for the extraction of diosgenin from the saponins in Dioscorea zingiberensis C. H. Wright. Diosgenin is a very medical intermediate for the synthesis of various kinds of steroidal drugs. To improve the diosgenin yield, the optimal conditions of the extraction reaction were investigated by single-factor experiments. Under the optimized conditions, the diosgenin yield catalyzed by the solid acid was much higher than those obtained by the catalysis of other solid acids or conventional sulfuric acid. Importantly, no waste liquid was discharged in the approach as the reaction medium can be recycled. The alcoholysis approach for the production of diosgenin has a great potential application in the industry. A novel low-molecular weight solid acid was synthesized and fully characterized. The solid acid showed excellent catalytic activity for the catalytic alcoholysis of saponins from D. zingiberensis C. H. Wright (DZW), the catalyst can be recycled and the whole extraction process is green and efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minute insects such as parasitic micro-wasps have high basic and applied importance for their widespread use as biocontrol agents. Their dispersal is a phenotype of particular interest. Classically, it is evaluated using field releases, but those are time consuming, costly, and their results highly variable, preventing high-throughput and repeatability. Alternatively, dispersal can be studied using small-scale assays, but those neglect important higher-scale processes. Consequently, proper evaluation of dispersal is often complicated or lacking in academic studies and biocontrol breeding programs. Here we introduce a new method, the double-spiral maze, that allows the study of spatial propagation of groups of micro-wasps at relevant scales (several hours and meters), retaining high throughput and experimental power. The method records the location of every individual at every time, enabling accurate estimates of diffusion coefficients or other dispersal metrics. We describe this affordable, scalable, and easy-to-implement method, and illustrate its application with a species of agricultural interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Lichen secondary metabolites have been suggested to play a great diversity of roles in lichen biology by acting as UV screens, antimicrobials, herbivore deterrents or allelopathic compounds. However, evidence is also beginning to accumulate that in addition to these roles, even faintly pigmented or unpigmented lichen substances can reduce photoinhibition caused by high levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Here we used an acetone rinsing technique to remove lichen substances from four common epiphytic Afromontane macro lichens, Parmelia perlata, Ramalina celastri, Usnea dasaea, and Heterodermia leucomela. Results showed that lichen substances can increase the tolerance of lichens to the photoinhibition of PSII of their photobionts when hydrated, apparently by increasing reflectance. However, in the field, lichens may suffer more photoinhibition when fully or partially desiccated. Here we show for the first time that, except for the atranorin-containing Heterodermia, lichen substances can also protect desiccated lichens. Interestingly, removal of substances has no effect on reflectance when lichens are dry, suggesting that lichen substances protect photobionts in other ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Phenotyping sputum-resident leukocytes and evaluating their functional status are essential analyses for exploring the cellular basis of pathological processes in the lungs, and flow cytometry is widely recognized as the gold-standard technique to address them. However, sputum-resident leukocytes are found in respiratory samples which need to be liquefied prior to cytometric analysis. Traditional liquefying procedures involve the use of a reducing agent such as dithiothreitol (DTT) in temperature-controlled conditions, which does not homogenize respiratory samples efficiently and impairs cell viability and functionality. Methods: Here we propose an enzymatic method that rapidly liquefies samples by means of generating O2 bubbles with endogenous catalase. Sputum specimens from patients with suspected pulmonary infection were treated with DTT, the enzymatic method or PBS. We used turbidimetry to compare the liquefaction degree and cell counts were determined using a hemocytometer. Finally, we conducted a comparative flow cytometry study for evaluating frequencies of sputum-resident neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes and their activation status after liquefaction. Results: Enzymatically treated samples were better liquefied than those treated with DTT or PBS, which resulted in a more accurate cytometric analysis. Frequencies of all cell subsets analyzed within liquefied samples were comparable between liquefaction methods. However, the gentle cell handling rendered by the enzymatic method improves cell viability and retains in vivo functional characteristics of sputum-resident leukocytes (with regard to HLA-DR, CD63 and CD11b expression). Conclusion: In conclusion, the proposed enzymatic liquefaction method improves the cytometric analysis of respiratory samples and leaves the cells widely untouched for properly addressing functional analysis of lung leukocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is identified by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia Nigra pars compacta (SNpc), and is correlated to aggregates of proteins such as α-synuclein, Lewy's bodies. Although the PD etiology remains poorly understood, evidence suggests a main role of oxidative stress on this process. Lippia grata Schauer, known as "alecrim-do-mato", "alecrim-de-vaqueiro", "alecrim-da-chapada", is a native bush from tropical areas mainly distributed throughout the Central and South America. This plant species is commonly used in traditional medicine for relief of pain and inflammation conditions, and that has proven antioxidant effects. We evaluated the effects of essential oil of the L. grata after its complexed with β-cyclodextrin (LIP) on PD animal model induced by reserpine (RES). Behavioral assessments were performed across the treatment. Upon completion the treatment, the animals were euthanized, afterwards their brains were isolated and processed for immunohistochemical and oxidative stress analysis. The LIP treatment delayed the onset of the behavior of catalepsy, decreased the number of oral movements and prevented the memory impairment on the novel object recognition task. In addition, the treatment with LIP protected against dopaminergic depletion in the SNpc and dorsal striatum (STRd), and decreased the α-syn immunoreactivity in the SNpc and hippocampus (HIP). Moreover, there was reduction of the oxidative stability index. These findings demonstrated that the LIP treatment has neuroprotective effect in a progressive parkinsonism model, suggesting that LIP could be an important source for novel treatment approaches in PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Zataria multiflora Boiss (Lamiaceae) essential oil (ZME) is believed to be a bactericide herbal medicine and might alleviate negative effects of infection. This study evaluates the effects of an ointment prepared from ZME (ZMEO) on infected wounds. A full-thickness excisional skin wound was surgically created in each mouse and inoculated with 5 × 107 suspension containing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The BALB/c mice (n = 72) were divided into four groups: (1) negative control that received base ointment (NCG), (2) positive control that daily received Mupirocin® (MG), (3) therapeutic ointment containing 2% ZMEO and (4) therapeutic ointment containing 4% ZMEO, for 21 days. Wound contraction, total bacterial count, histopathological parameters, antioxidant activity, qRT-PCR analysis for expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, VEGF, IGF-1, TGF-β, IL-10, and FGF-2 mRNA levels were assessed on days 3, 7, and 14 following the wounding. Topical administration of ZMEO significantly decreased the total bacterial count and wound area and also expression of IL-1β and TNF-α compared to the control groups (p < 0.05) in all days. This could also increase significantly the expression of TGF-β, IL-10 IGF-1, FGF-2, and VEGF, and also angiogenesis, fibroblasts, fibrocytes, epithelialization ratio, and collagen deposition and improve antioxidant status compared to the control group (p < 0.05). ZMEO accelerated the healing process of infected wounds by shortening the inflammatory factors and increasing proliferative phase. Applying ZMEO only and/or in combination with chemical agents for the treatment of wound healing could be suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to analyze the chemical composition and evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of the essential oil obtained from the leaves of Lantana montevidensis (OEFLM) in mice. The chemical composition of the OEFLM was analyzed by GC–MS, and its effects on the central nervous system were determined by the open field and rotarod tests. The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory screenings were conducted using the formalin test, as well as the acetic acid-induced abdominal contortion assay. The antinociceptive activity was assessed by the tail-flick and hot plate tests. The systemic anti-inflammatory activity was determined using models of paw edema induced by carrageenan, dextran, histamine, or arachidonic acid. The effects of the essential oil on vascular permeability and granuloma formation were also investigated. The chemical composition of the OEFLM revealed the presence of valencene (17.93%), bicyclogermacrene (16.35%), trans-caryophyllene (12.84%) and germacrene D (12.18%). The administration of OEFLM at the dose of 2000 mg/Kg caused no evident toxicity. While OEFLM (25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) did not present significant anxiolytic-loke or sedative effects, it showed promising antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. The results of this study indicate that the OEFLM has analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in animal models by inhibiting acute and chronic inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]