Effect of prednisolone in a kindling model of epileptic seizures in rats on cytokine and intestinal microbiota diversity.

Epilepsy is a neurological disease characterized by spontaneous and recurrent seizures. Epileptic seizures can be initiated and facilitated by inflammatory mechanisms. As the dysregulation of the immune system would be involved in epileptogenesis, it is suggested that anti-inflammatory medications could impact epileptic seizures. These medications could potentially have a side effect by altering the structure and composition of the intestinal microbiota. These changes can disrupt microbial homeostasis, leading to dysbiosis and potentially exacerbating intestinal inflammation. We hypothesize that prednisolone may affect the development of epileptic seizures, potentially influencing the diversity of the intestinal microbiota and the regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in intestinal tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of prednisolone treatment on epileptic seizures and investigate the effect of this drug on the bacterial diversity of the intestinal microbiota and markers of inflammatory processes in intestinal tissue. We used Male Wistar rat littermates (n = 31, 90-day-old) divided into four groups: positive control treated with 2 mg/kg of diazepam (n = 6), negative control treated with 0.9 g% sodium chloride (n = 6), and the remaining two groups were subjected to treatment with prednisolone, with one receiving 1 mg/kg (n = 9) and the other 5 mg/kg (n = 10). All administrations were performed intraperitoneally (i.p.) over 14 days. To induce the chronic model of epileptic seizures, we administered pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) 25 mg/kg i.p. on alternate days. Seizure latency (n = 6 - 10) and TNF-α and IL-1ß concentrations from intestinal samples were measured by ELISA (n = 6 per group), and intestinal microbiota was evaluated with intergenic ribosomal RNA (rRNA) spacer (RISA) analysis (n = 6 per group). The prednisolone treatment demonstrated an increase in the latency time of epileptic seizures and TNF-α and IL-1ß concentrations compared to controls. There was no statistically significant difference in intestinal microbiota diversity between the different treatments. However, there was a strong positive correlation between microbial diversity and TNF-α and IL-1ß concentrations. The administration of prednisolone yields comparable results to diazepam on increasing latency between seizures, exhibiting promise for its use in clinical studies. Although there were no changes in intestinal microbial diversity, the increase in the TNF-α and IL-1ß cytokines in intestinal tissue may be linked to immune system signaling pathways involving the intestinal microbiota. Additional research is necessary to unravel the intricacies of these pathways and to understand their implications for clinical practice.

Systematic Review of Hansen Disease Attributed to Mycobacterium lepromatosis.

In 2008, bacilli from 2 Hansen disease (leprosy) cases were identified as a new species, Mycobacterium lepromatosis. We conducted a systematic review of studies investigating M. lepromatosis as a cause of HD. Twenty-one case reports described 27 patients with PCR-confirmed M. lepromatosis infection (6 dual M. leprae/M. lepromatosis): 10 case-patients in the United States (7 originally from Mexico), 6 in Mexico, 3 in the Dominican Republic, 2 each in Singapore and Myanmar, and 1 each in Indonesia, Paraguay, Cuba, and Canada. Twelve specimen surveys reported 1,098 PCR-positive findings from 1,428 specimens, including M. lepromatosis in 44.9% (133/296) from Mexico, 3.8% (5/133) in Colombia, 12.5% (10/80) in Brazil, and 0.9% (2/224) from the Asia-Pacific region. Biases toward investigating M. lepromatosis as an agent in cases of diffuse lepromatous leprosy or from Mesoamerica precluded conclusions about clinicopathologic manifestations and geographic distribution. Current multidrug treatments seem effective for this infection.

A dual-role for IL-10: From leukemogenesis to the tumor progression in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer in the world, and accounts for 25% of all childhood cancers among children under 15 years of age. Longitudinal studies have shown that children with ALL are born with a deregulated immune response that, together with postnatal environmental exposures, favor the onset of the disease. In this context, IL-10, a key cytokine in the regulation of the immune response, presents itself as a paradoxical mediator, initially influencing the development of ALL through the regulation of inflammatory processes and later on the progression of malignancy, with the increase of this molecule in the leukemia microenvironment. According to the literature, this cytokine plays a critical role in the natural history of the disease and plays an important role in two different though complex scenarios. Thus, in this review, we explore the dual role of IL-10 in ALL, and describe its biological characteristics, immunological mechanisms and genetics, as well as its impact on the leukemia microenvironment and its clinical implications.

Estimation of the availability of iron in the school meals of Municipal Centers for Early Childhood Education of a capital city in northeastern Brazil.

The final stage of Fe deficiency is Fe deficiency anaemia, with repercussions for human health, especially in children under 5 years of age. Studies conducted in Brazilian public daycare centres show high prevalence of anaemia. The present study aims to evaluate the availability of Fe in the meals of the Municipal Centers of Early Childhood Education in Maceió. The experimental design comprises selection of algorithms, menu evaluation, calculation of the estimates, comparison between the estimates obtained and the recommendations, and analysis of correlation between meal constituents, and of the concordance between the absorbable Fe estimates. Four algorithms were selected and a monthly menu consisting of 22 d. The correlation analysis showed a moderate positive correlation to animal tissue (AT) v. non-heme iron (r = 0·42; P = 0·04), and negative to AT v. Ca (r = -0·54; P = 0·09) and Ca v. phytates (r = -0·46, P = 0·03). Estimates of absorbable Fe ranged from 0·23 to 0·44 mg/d. The amount of Fe available, unlike the total amount of Fe offered, does not meet the nutritional recommendations on most school days. The Bland-Altman analysis indicated that the Monsen and Balinfty and Rickard et al. showed greater agreement. The results confirm the need to adopt strategies to increase the availability of Fe in school meals.

Handgrip force and bite force in dentulous and edentulous individuals.

BACKGROUND: The literature is unclear about bite force (BF) and handgrip force (HF) in a specific group of different ages and dentate conditions, or even a predictive model for each specific group, using BF and HF as factors. OBJECTIVE: To establish the correlation between HF and BF in female participants with distinct ages and dentate conditions; also create a predictive model of BF as a function of HF. METHODS: Participants were divided into three groups (GI: young natural dentate women, n = 65; GII: adult natural dentate women, n = 67; and GIII: edentulous women users of bimaxillary complete dentures, n = 67) and subjected to an HF measurement test using a digital dynamometer. Subsequently, BF was measured using a digital gnathodynamometer in the molar region. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and multivariate analysis of variance (α = 0.05) were performed, and simple linear regression was used to obtain a model to predict BF from HF for each group separately (α = 0.05). RESULTS: All groups presented moderate and strong correlations among the variables (GI: r = 0.838; GII: r = 0.714; GIII: r = 0.646). A significant difference in BF was observed (GI > GII > GIII; p < .05). GIII presented a significantly lower HF than the other groups (p < .05). Besides, three equations predicting BF, using HF, were obtained for use in young/adult dentate and edentulous women. CONCLUSION: All groups found a positive and significant correlation between BF, HF and groups. HF can be a simple and efficient method for predicting BF using the predictive models developed for women with good health.

Masticatory efficiency in complete denture and single implant-retained mandibular overdenture wearers with different occlusion schemes: A randomized clinical trial.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: How the masticatory function of complete denture wearers is influenced by the positioning and occlusion of posterior teeth or by the presence of a single mandibular implant is unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this randomized crossover clinical trial was to evaluate the masticatory efficiency of wearers of bimaxillary complete dentures and of wearers of maxillary complete denture and single implant-retained mandibular overdentures, both with bilateral balanced occlusion and lingualized occlusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Participants received 2 sets of complete dentures with interchangeable teeth in the mandibular prosthesis to allow a change in the occlusion scheme. Subsequently, 1 implant was placed in the mandibular symphysis region, and the mandibular complete dentures were converted to overdentures. The masticatory efficiency was measured by the sieve method for both occlusal schemes. RESULTS: Repeated measures ANOVA showed no statistically significant difference in the masticatory efficiency with the 2 occlusal schemes for conventional complete dentures (P=.707) or overdentures (P=.407). When comparing the type of prosthesis, statistical differences were found for masticatory efficiency (P=.012), with improved mastication for the overdentures. CONCLUSIONS: A mandibular single implant improved the masticatory efficiency of patients with complete dentures, but the occlusal scheme did not influence this factor.

Gut microbiota modulation by prednisolone in a rat kindling model of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure.

The gut microbiota is a complex community composed by several microorganisms that interact in the maintenance of homeostasis and contribute to physiological processes, including brain function. The relationship of the taxonomic composition of the gut microbiota with neurological diseases such as autism, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, anxiety, and depression is widely recognized. The immune system is an important intermediary between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system, being one of the communication routes of the gut-brain axis. Although the complexity of the relationship between inflammation and epilepsy has not yet been elucidated, inflammatory processes are similar in many ways to the consequences of dysbiosis and contribute to disease progression. This study aimed to analyze the taxonomic composition of the gut microbiota of rats treated with prednisolone in a kindling model of epilepsy. Male Wistar rats (90 days, n = 24) divided into four experimental groups: sodium chloride solution 0.9 g%, diazepam 2 mg/kg, prednisolone 1 mg/kg, and prednisolone 5 mg/kg administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 14 days. The kindling model was induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) 25 mg/kg i.p. on alternate days. The taxonomic profile was established by applying metagenomic DNA sequencing. There was no change in alpha diversity, and the composition of the gut microbiota between prednisolone and diazepam was similar. The significant increase in Verrucomicrobia, Saccharibacteria, and Actinobacteria may be related to the protective activity against seizures and inflammatory processes that cause some cases of epilepsy. Further studies are needed to investigate the functional influence that these species have on epilepsy and the inflammatory processes that trigger it.

Four new cycloartane-type triterpenoids from the leaves of Combretum mellifluum Eichler: assessment of their antioxidant and antileishmanial activities.

The beneficial pharmacological actions including antioxidant effects as an antileishmanial, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiviral, and analgesic of compounds isolated from Combretum mellifluum Eichler (Combretaceae) are well established. The aim of the present study was to determine the phytochemistry as well as assess the antioxidant and antileishmanial activities of the leaves from Combretum mellifluum Eichler (Combretaceae). Analysis of ethanolic extract resulted in isolation and identification of two epimeric mixtures of four previously unknown cycloartane-type triterpenoids, methyl quadrangularate M and methyl 24-epiquadrangularate M, and 2α,3ß,24ß-trihydroxy-cycloart-25-ene and 2α, 3ß, 24α-trihydroxy-cycloart-25-ene, and eight known compounds. Their structures were using one-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (1D NMR), 2D NMR and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HRESIMS) analysis. Further, the extract and fractions were tested for antioxidant potential. The ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity against 2,2-dipheny-1-picrylhydrazl (DPPH) free radicals, which correlated directly with total flavonoid content. All extracts and fractions from C. mellifluum Eichler were assessed for antileishmanial activity. The supernatant fraction exhibited highest potential, inhibiting the growth of Leishmania amazonensis with IC50 value 31.29 µg/ml. Our findings provide information on the chemical composition of C. mellifluum and the potential beneficial therapeutic usefulness as an antioxidant agent in various diseases.

Review of Delayed Reactions to 15 Hyaluronic Acid Fillers.

BACKGROUND: Delayed-onset reactions are increasingly relevant given the growing use of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. There is poor understanding of the phenomenon's etiology and incidence. OBJECTIVE: To highlight differences between the dermal filler products with an emphasis on delayed-onset reaction incidence, pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment. METHODS: A literature review was performed for delayed-onset reactions following hyaluronic acid dermal filler injection using PubMeb and Embase. Articles were included based on relevance, quality, and the predetermined definition of "delayed-onset reaction" (>30 days post injection). A total of 28 studies were included in the data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 13,136 subjects from 28 studies treated with 15 filler types were included in the analysis. VYC-15L dermal filler injections carried the highest risk of delayed reaction with a mean incidence of 3.83% ( n = 46/1,202), followed by VYC-20L (0.92%) and VYC-17.5L (0.88%). The mean incidence of delayed reactions among all filler types was 1.13%. CONCLUSION: Incidence of delayed reaction to hyaluronic fillers ranges from 0% to 3.83% (mean = 1.13%) and varies by filler type. The exact etiology of these delayed reactions remains disputed. Future studies should report reaction description, precise timeline, and posttreatment immunologic history to better delineate the incidence of delayed-onset hypersensitivity reactions.

Production of Bioactive Peptides from Baltic Herring (Clupea harengus membras): Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitory, Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Properties.

This study aimed to produce bioactive protein hydrolysates from undervalued fish, namely Baltic herring, and its filleting by-products. Protein hydrolysates were produced with Alcalase and Flavourzyme to achieve effective hydrolysis. The hydrolysates were evaluated for chemical composition, molecular weight distribution, antioxidant capacity, dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitory activity, effects on cell proliferation and surface hydrophobicity. The protein content of the hydrolysates was high, from 86% to 91% (dm), while the fat content was low, from 0.3% to 0.4% (dm). The hydrolysates showed high DPP4 inhibition activities with IC50 values from 5.38 mg/mL to 7.92 mg/mL. The scavenging activity of the hydrolysates towards DPPH was low, but an intermediate Folin-Ciocalteu reducing capacity and Cu2+ chelating ability was observed. The solid phase extraction with Sep-Pak C18 cartridges increased the DPP4 inhibition activity and antioxidant capacity, indicating peptides' crucial role in the bioactivities. The cytotoxicity of the hydrolysates was evaluated on the HCT8, IMR90, and A549 cell lines. The hydrolysates inhibited cell growth in the cancer and normal cells, although they did not reduce cell viability and were not lethal. Overall, our results indicate that protein hydrolysates from Baltic herring have potential as health-promoting foods and nutraceuticals, especially for enhancing healthy blood glucose regulation.

Bioactive Natural Products for Chemical Control of Microorganisms: Scientific Prospecting (2001-2021) and Systematic Review.

The inappropriate use of synthetic antibiotics has become a global public health problem. Therefore, the study of new alternatives for the treatment of infectious diseases is relevant and natural bioactive products are on the rise. This study conducted a scientific prospection of bioactive natural products with promising applications in the chemical control of microorganisms. A systematic review of the most recent articles was performed according to the following three steps: (i) eligibility assessment, (ii) screening, and (iii) inclusion of articles and information extraction. There has been an increase in the number of scientific publications on bioactive natural products for microbial control in the CAPES and SciELO databases (2001-2021). Seventeen relevant articles were included, most of which focused on extracts. Ascorbic acid, chlorogenic acid, chrysin, and quercetin were the most cited compounds. Natural products were shown to be effective in inhibiting more than 30 microorganisms. A discussion was presented on the research trends.

Immersive Virtual Tasks With Motor and Cognitive Components: A Feasibility Study With Young and Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of immersive virtual tasks. METHODS: The authors recruited 11 young adults and 10 older adults. The participants performed three virtual reaching tasks while walking on a virtual path. The descriptive analysis and comparison between participants were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test for nonparametric and nominal variables, respectively. The authors also used analysis of variance for a between-groups comparison for normal variables. RESULTS: Twenty percent of older adults and 81.8% of young adults completed all three tasks (chi-square test; p = .005). Both groups reported minor symptoms, with no significant differences. The older adults were more motivated to practice the tasks (Mann-Whitney U test; p = .015) and would be more likely to suggest them to others (chi-square test; p = .034). CONCLUSION: All three tasks were feasible for young adults. All participants, except for one, had cybersickness. The symptoms were mostly mild and subsided once the interaction was complete.

Cervical-thoracic necrotizing fasciitis of odontogenic origin in a diabetic patient: a case report.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a severe bacterial infection with rapid and aggressive progression. The infection generally affects individuals with comorbid conditions that lead to immunologic and microvascular deficiencies. It is characterized by necrosis of tissues, mainly in the extremities, trunk, and perineum, and is rarely found in the head and neck. This case report describes the course of NF in a 55-year-old man, highlighting diagnosis, surgical treatment, drug therapy, and supportive measures. The patient, who had chronic alcoholism, systemic arterial hypertension, a smoking habit, and decompensated diabetes (glucose level of 490 mg/dL), was admitted to the hospital with a volume increase in the cervical and thoracic areas with a duration of about 7 days. He presented with fever, dyspnea, and inflammatory signs bilaterally in the submandibular, submental, and superior thoracic regions as well as severe trismus. The patient underwent a surgical procedure to drain the infectious process and to place drains. The patient developed cutaneous necrosis in the cervical and superior thoracic regions, diagnosed as NF. Surgical debridement of all affected tissue was performed. After resolution of the infection, the patient underwent skin grafting with a satisfactory outcome.

α-Tocopherol in breast milk of women with preterm delivery after a single postpartum oral dose of vitamin E.

We evaluated the effect of maternal vitamin E supplementation on the α-tocopherol concentrations of colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk of women who had given birth prematurely. This longitudinal randomised-controlled trial divided eighty-nine women into two groups: a control group and a supplemented group. Blood and breast milk were collected from all the participants after delivery. Next, each woman in the supplemented group received 400 IU of RRR-α-tocopheryl acetate. Further breast milk samples were collected 24 h after the first collection, as well as 7 and 30 d after delivery. α-Tocopherol concentrations were determined by HPLC. The baseline α-tocopherol concentrations in the maternal serum of the two groups were similar: 1159·8 (sd 292·4) µg/dl (27·0 (SD 6·8) µmol/l) for the control group and 1128·3 (sd 407·2) µg/dl (26·2 (SD 9·5) µmol/l) for the supplemented group. None of the women was vitamin E deficient. Breast milk α-tocopherol concentrations increased by 60 % 24 h after supplementation in the intervention group and did not increase at all in the control group. α-Tocopherol concentration of the transitional milk in the supplemented group was 35 % higher compared with the control group. α-Tocopherol concentrations of the mature milk in both groups were similar. Maternal supplementation with 400 IU of RRR-α-tocopherol increased the vitamin E concentrations of the colostrum and transitional milk, but not of the mature milk. This study presents relevant information for the design of strategies to prevent and combat vitamin E deficiency in the risk group of preterm infants.

Florid Cemento-Osseous Dysplasia Simultaneous the Chronic Suppurative Osteomyelitis in Mandible.

INTRODUCTION: The florid cemento-osseous dysplasia is an uncommon condition nonneoplastic, of unknown cause with higher prevalence in melanodermic women, limited the maxillary bones, is characterized by the presence of dispersed and diffuse radiopaque calcifications, constituted of bone and dense cemento; however, when the bone is infected it induces the suppuration and formation of osseous sequestra, thus resulting in an osteomyelitis frame. CLINICAL REPORT: The patient was attended in a Dental Specialties Center in the state of Alagoas, Brazil, presenting on clinical examination edema and extra oral fistula with pus drainage in hemiface submandibular of the right side. Radiographically it was possible to observe area of sclerosis and osseous sequestra involving the right side region of the mandible body, and it increases zones of the bone density. In association with clinical data and complementary diagnosis examinations, the option of treatment adopted was the complete removal of the bone fragment, followed by adaptation and plate fixation and titanium screws to reduce the risk of mandibular fracture. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present paper was to relate a clinical patient of florid cemento-osseous dysplasia simultaneous the chronic suppurative osteomyelitis, highlighting their clinical, radiographic, and histological characteristics, as well as their diagnosis and treatment.

Amazonian dark Earth and plant species from the Amazon region contribute to shape rhizosphere bacterial communities.

Amazonian Dark Earths (ADE) or Terra Preta de Índio formed in the past by pre-Columbian populations are highly sustained fertile soils supported by microbial communities that differ from those extant in adjacent soils. These soils are found in the Amazon region and are considered as a model soil when compared to the surrounding and background soils. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of ADE and its surrounding soil on the rhizosphere bacterial communities of two leguminous plant species that frequently occur in the Amazon region in forest sites (Mimosa debilis) and open areas (Senna alata). Bacterial community structure was evaluated using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and bacterial community composition by V4 16S rRNA gene region pyrosequencing. T-RFLP analysis showed effect of soil types and plant species on rhizosphere bacterial community structure. Differential abundance of bacterial phyla, such as Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Firmicutes, revealed that soil type contributes to shape the bacterial communities. Furthermore, bacterial phyla such as Firmicutes and Nitrospira were mostly influenced by plant species. Plant roots influenced several soil chemical properties, especially when plants were grown in ADE. These results showed that differences observed in rhizosphere bacterial community structure and composition can be influenced by plant species and soil fertility due to variation in soil attributes.

Bridging the gap in antioxidant activity of flavonoids: Correlating the oxidation of human plasma with chemical and cellular assays.

Traditional antioxidant screening relies on chemical assays to assess compounds' potential in combating oxidative processes. However, translating chemical antioxidant activity to complex biological systems poses challenges. In this study, the antioxidant potential of fruit-derived phenolic compounds, hyperoside (HP), epicatechin (EC), and phlorizin (PZ), and their combinations in a specific ratio were investigated using a simplex-centroid design of experiments. The research included in vitro antioxidant assays, plasma protection against oxidation tests, and cytotoxicity assessments in human cell lines. The results revealed the complex relationship between chemical antioxidant activity and its relevance to cellular oxidative and antioxidative processes. HP and EC exhibited significant antioxidant activity, with HP outperforming EC in multiple assessments. Cytotoxicity assay confirmed that these compounds did not induce cell death or hinder proliferation, even at higher concentrations (>100 µmol/mL). In the cell antioxidant activity (CAA) test, HP and EC exhibited higher CAA, while PZ displayed lower antioxidant activity. In conclusion, a synergistic effect emerged when HP, EC, and PZ were combined, particularly in plasma protection, suggesting protective effects and potential health benefits. This research emphasized the need for a nuanced understanding of the interplay between chemical assays and cellular behavior in comprehending the relationship between chemical-based, human plasma oxidation, and CAA.

Piroxicam reduced the intensity of epileptic seizures in a kindling seizure model.

Introduction: The close relationship between inflammatory processes and epileptic seizures is already known, although the exact pathophysiological mechanism is unclear. In this study, the anticonvulsant capacity of piroxicam, an anti-inflammatory drug, was evaluated. A rat pentylenetetrazole kindling model was used.Methods: Male Wistar rats, 8-9 weeks old, received piroxicam (0.15 and 0.30 mg/kg), diazepam (2 mg/kg) or saline for 14 days, and PTZ, on alternate days. Intraperitoneal was chosen as the route of administration. The intensity of epileptic seizures was assessed using a modified Racine scale. The open field test and object recognition analysis were performed at the beginning of the study to ensure the safety of the drugs used. At the end of the protocol, the animals were euthanized to measure the levels of inflammatory (TNF-a and IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines in the cortex, hippocampus, and serum.Results:There were no changes in the open field test and object recognition analysis. Piroxicam was found to decrease Racine scale scores at both concentrations. The reported values for IL-6 levels remained steady in all structures, whereas the TNF-alpha level in the cortex was higher in animals treated with piroxicam than in the saline and diazepam subjects. Finally, animals treated with the anti-inflammatory drug presented reduced IL-10 levels in the cortex and hippocampus.onclusions: Using inflammation as a guiding principle, the anticonvulsant effect of PIRO could be associated with the hippocampal circuits, since this structure showed no increase in inflammatory cytokines.

Molossusmelini Montani et al. 2021 (Chiroptera, Molossidae) in Brazil: new insights for distribuition, morphology and genetics.

Background: The species M.melini has been observed in both the Pampa and Spinal ecoregions of Argentina. Researchers have underscored that distinguishing M.melini from other species within the same genus relies primarily on craniometric and molecular analyses. Morphological measurements alone do not offer a clear differentiation between M.melini and other members of this genus.This study aims to document the presence of M.melini within the Brazilian ecoregion, focusing on its morphological, morphometric and genetic characteristics. By undertaking a comprehensive examination, we seek to contribute valuable insights into the distribution and differentiation of M.melini in this region. New information: Molossusmelini specimens exhibited a forearm length ranging from 39.9 to 40.08 mm. The average intraspecific divergence was 1.2%, with specimens from the Argentine Pampas clustering in the same clade with a 98% bootstrap support and a posterior probability of: Regarding dorsal colouration, the specimens displayed fur with two bands-a Snow White base colour and apex colours ranging from Olive Brown, Broccoli Brown, Wood Brown to Yellowish-Brown. This marks the first record of M.melini in Brazil, expanding its distribution 1,300 km northeastwards into the Curitiba, Paraná, Atlantic Forest Ecoregion. The findings contribute valuable information on the distribution, morphology, morphometrics and genetics of this species.

High-throughput synchronous erythrocyte cellular antioxidant activity and protection screening of phenolic-rich extracts: Protocol validation and applications.

Oxidative/nitrosative damage takes part in chronic disease development, which generates an urgent need for intervention and better therapies to manage them. The scientific community has demanded easy-to-run, cheap, and reliable methods for cellular antioxidant activity assays. This work standardised and validated an erythrocyte cellular antioxidant activity and membrane protection/injury (HERYCA-P) protocol to study food-derive extracts. The method measures intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lipoperoxidation, and haemolysis induced by 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride. Quercetin decreased ROS generation by 50.4% and haemolysis by 2.2%, while ascorbic acid inhibited lipid peroxidation by 40.1%. Total phenolic contents of teas were correlated with decreased ROS generation (r = -0.924), lipoperoxidation (r = -0.951), and haemolysis (r = -0.869). The erythrocyte ROS generation and lipoperoxidation were also associated with CUPRAC (r = -0.925; r = -0.951) and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (r = -0.936; r = -0.949). The precision rates of antioxidant standards and tea samples were below 15%. HERYCA-P is feasible as a complementary antioxidant assay for food matrices.