Sônia Maria de Figueiredo

The Anti-Oxidant Properties of Isothiocyanates: A Review

Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and watercress, have been studied extensively aiming to evaluate their chemopreventive properties. Some of them have already been established using animal models. The ITCs induce Phase II enzymes related to detoxification processes of chemical carcinogens to prevent the start of carcinogenesis. They also exhibit antitumor activity at post-initiation phase, suggesting their additional role(s) in cancer prevention. Sulforaphane is the most extensively studied isothiocyanate, focused in its anti-tumoral activity and it is mainly found in great amounts in broccoli and other cruciferous. In a dose dependent manner, ITCs inhibit the cell viability of human cervical cancer cells, human pancreatic cancer cells, human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, human ovarian cancer cells, and have antiinflammatory properties in the treatment of human T-cell leukemia cells. This protective effect may be due to improved antioxidant status. Although the health effects of diet in humans are generally considered promising, there are definite challenges and limitations of the current data in better understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for this effect, together with the possible interactions between different dietary constituents. The survey of relevant patents on the use of isothiocyanates such as sulforaphane for cancer and cardiovascular diseases treatments is also included in this review.

Histoplasmosis outbreak in Tamboril cave—Minas Gerais state, Brazil

In this study, we report four cases of Histoplasma capsulatum infection in eight biologists who made an expedition to determine the prevalence of this fungus in a cave localized in the northwest of Minas Gerais state, Brazil. This case report demonstrates the importance of evaluating the H. capsulatum presence in Brazilian caves before opening to public visitations.

New Approaches on Leishmaniasis Treatment and Prevention: A Review of Recent Patents

Leishmaniasis is considered a neglected tropical disease having a worldwide distribution. The disease is caused by protozoa belonging to the genus Leishmania, being clinically divided into visceral leishmaniasis (VL), cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL). Domestic dogs are the main parasite reservoir and effectively participate in the protozoa transmission. The human leishmaniasis treatment is based on a selection of therapeutic compounds, but the available drugs are toxic, presenting adverse side effects. The decision to treat or not to treat seropositive dogs is under discussion in some countries, because treatment is even more toxic to animals and, also, can generate drug resistant strains. Therefore, very few treatment choices have reached the clinic for this disease and there is an urgent need of new chemotherapy for both humans and animals. This study presents a review of new patents related to treatment and prevention of Leishmania infections. Some of these patents are related to new vaccine formulations for combating leishmaniasis. Likewise, the inventions related to the cream formulations for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis are very important, avoiding the side effects of drugs during the treatment. Furthermore, anti leishmaniasis products that are extracted from nature has increasingly been patented each year, demonstrating the importance of bioprospection studies to improve the armamentarium of anti leishmaniasis drugs.

Physicochemical Characteristics of Brazilian Green Propolis Evaluated During a Six-Year Period

BACKGROUND Propolis has been used as a natural health product mainly due to the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic aldehydes, amino acids, vitamins and others bioactive constituents. To this natural substance are attributed different biological and pharmacological properties which are influenced by its chemical composition and organoleptic properties. The aim of this work was to evaluate the physicochemical properties and parameters of green propolis collected during a period of six years (2008-2013) in the state of Minas Gerais, located at the southeastern region of Brazil. METHODS The methodology were in accordance with Brazilian legislation on the identity and quality standards of propolis. The evaluated parameters of hydroalcoholic from green propolis were total flavonoids, antioxidant activity - DPPH method, oxidation index, wax content, humidity and insoluble impurities. RESULTS Propolis samples collected in different seasons during the years 2008 to 2013 presented mean values of total flavonoids (3.4 ± 0.11 mg/g), antioxidant activity DPPH (4.76 ± 0.16 μg/mL), oxidation index (3, 4 ± 0.33 seconds) and wax (15.14 ± 0.78% m/m), which are in accordance with Brazilian legislation. CONCLUSION Green propolis did not show abrupt seasonal changes during the six years of investigation, and may be considered as an adequate functional ingredient.

Avaliação do treinamento de manipuladores de alimentos de restaurantes comerciais pelo ensaio ATP-bioluminescência

Training programs designed for food handlers are an effective way to spread the knowledge and to promote improvements on the hygienic conditions of food establishments. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of a training course on good handling practices for food handlers of selected restaurants in the region of Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil, by using ATP-bioluminescence assay. This test was used to quantify the organic load, measured by “Relative Light Units – RLU”, in samples collected from workers hands, surfaces of work benches and utensils, which were randomly selected in each restaurant. After training, a significant improvement in the hygienic conditions was observed, as evidenced by the decrease in the RLU values in samples from all restaurants. Despite the decreased RLU values, some surfaces did not reach the recommended value for surfaces samples in the satisfactory hygienic conditions. The ATP-bioluminescence test showed to be effective for evaluating the training success, and could be a powerful tool when applied in training programs at food services, and in association with the conventional microbiological methodologies. In spite of the reduction in RLU values, indicating improvements in hygienic conditions, the training and monitoring programs should be continued.

Disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis prediagnosticated as neoplasm: An important challenge in diagnosis using rt-PCR

This paper presents a case of disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis in a 62-year-old male patient, who lives in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. The patient was hospitalized with icteric syndrome of cholestatic pattern and weight loss, with loss 30 kg in 5 months. The imaging of the abdomen showed lesion of infiltrative pattern, affecting gallbladder and intrahepatic bile ducts, suggesting neoplasia of malignant behavior, besides to presenting the yellow nail syndrome. Dermatological examination presented erythematous-infiltrated plaques in the occipital region. Also, the patient presented tegumentary lesions on the scalp and lumbar region from which the histopathological examination was carried out, which evidenced yeasts cells. The drug of choice for therapy was Liposomal Amphotericin-B. At the end of the antifungal treatment, liver enzyme dosages were normalized and there was improvement of the general condition of the patient, as well as the skin lesions. Here, we demonstrate the importance of molecular biology to confirm the diagnosis. Especially in cases of difficult diagnosis.

A Case of Subcutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis Associated with Leprosy

BACKGROUND Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis is an infection caused by melanized fungi and is increasingly reported among immunosuppressive patients. The most commonly cited etiologic agent is Exophiala jeanselmei, followed by Alternaria spp. We present a case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis in a 48-yearold woman, with a history of lepromatous leprosy, using corticosteroid in immunosuppressive doses due to a type 2 repetitive reaction leprosy outbreak. RESULT AND DISCUSSION The diagnosis was confirmed by fine-needle aspiration of the secretion, with subsequent direct mycological observations, culture and molecular analysis. The species agent was identified by culture and nucleotide sequences of ribosomal DNA as Exophiala dermatitidis.

An 8-Year Retrospective Study of Human Visceral Leishmaniasis

BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zooanthroponosis affecting both rural and periurban areas, and can also spread into urban areas. VL has emerged in many countries in the world, presenting new cases in new countries of occurrence. Thus, studies concerning epidemiological aspects in different world regions are very meaningful. METHODS With this purpose, this study analyzed 89 cases of VL, treated between June 2006 and June 2014 at Eduardo de Menezes Hospital (HEM), a Reference Center of Infectious Diseases situated in Belo Horizonte, in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. RESULTS According to the results, it was observed that males are mostly infected (84%/n=75) and the most affected age range was 20-49 years old (83%/n=74). The treatment liposomal amphotericin B (33%/n=29) was mostly used. Recurrences were more frequent in patients treated with Glucantime® (17%/n=9). No side effects were reported among the 29 patients treated with liposomal amphotericin B. On the other hand, there were 23 cases related to the occurrence of acute renal failure (ARF) and the use of conventional amphotericin B, both when it was administered alone or in combination with other drugs. Additionally, we observed a close relationship between the VL and HIV infection, observing a coinfection rate of 28.1% (n=25). CONCLUSION From the survey data, it was possible to conclude that the majority of VL patient treated at HEM is male, classified as brown racial group, economically active, and may be drug addicts, chronic alcoholics and/or smokers. They may present some Non-communicable diseases (NCD), such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and/or obesity and, predominantly present a great chance of being a carrier of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, associated or not with tuberculosis. As symptoms, these patients possibly will present hepatosplenomegaly, fever and pronounced weight loss.

Diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis: Application of Polymerase Chain Reaction Techniques (PCR) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detection of Galactomannan (EIA-GM®)

Introduction: invasive aspergillosis (AI) is a serious fungal infection caused by species of the genus Aspergillus that primarily affects leukemic and diabetic patients and those recipients of stem cell transplants, which have neutropenia. The fungi spores that colonize the lung epithelium may invade the endothelial cell lining and vascular access and thus, spread to other organs through the blood. The high mortality of the disease is related to severe immunosuppression, rapid infection progression, and especially lack of an early and efficient diagnosis. Therefore, the diagnosis in the initial infection phase is beneficial, providing a more effective therapy that can reduce the disease’s mortality rate. Objective: this study aimed at evaluating the applicability of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis: Application of Polymerase Chain Reaction Techniques (PCR) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detection of Galactomannan (EIA-GM) Alisson Brandao Ferreira1, Claudia Barbosa Assuncao2, Thamara Thascila Silva Silveira2, Raquel Acaiah2, Antonio Tarcisio Faria Freire3, Jorge Luiz Saliba3, Sonia Maria de Figueiredo4, Fabiana Rocha-Silva5, Rachel Basques Caligiorne6 1 Farmaceutico. Mestre em Biomedicina. Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte – IEP/SCBH. Belo Horizonte, MG – Brasil. 2 Biologa. Bolsista de Iniciacao Cientifica. IEP/SCBH. Belo Horizonte, MG – Brasil. 3 Medico. Coordenador do Servico de Controle de Infeccao Hospitalar – SCBH. Belo Horizonte, MG – Brasil. 4 Nutricionista. Doutora pela Pos-Graduacao em Biomedicina do IEP/SCBH. Belo Horizonte, MG – Brasil. 5 Biologa. Mestre em Biomedicina. IEP/SCBH. Belo Horizonte, MG – Brasil. 6 Biologa. Doutora em Ciencias. IEP/SCBH. Belo Horizonte, MG – Brasil. Apoio: CNPq – Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Cientifico e FAPEMIG – Fundacao de Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais. Diagnostico da aspergilose invasiva: Aplicacao das Tecnicas de Reacao em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) e Ensaio Imunoenzimatico de Deteccao da Galactomanana (EIA-GM®) DOI: 10.5935/2238-3182.20150076

Cerebral macroabscess caused by Candida albicans in an immunocompetent patient: A diagnostic challenge.

We describe the history of a 24-year-old immunocompetent man with an expansive lesion in the brainstem that, after many misdiagnoses, was found to be caused by a Candida albicans abscess. One year after surgery and 3 months of fluconazole treatment, the patient was asymptomatic and all image and laboratory tests were normal.