Brazilian Red Propolis Presents Promising Anti-H. pylori Activity in In Vitro and In Vivo Assays with the Ability to Modulate the Immune Response.

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic, curved-rod, flagellated bacterium commonly found in the stomach mucosa and associated with different gastrointestinal diseases. With high levels of prevalence worldwide, it has developed resistance to the antibiotics used in its therapy. Brazilian red propolis has been studied due to its biological properties, and in the literature, it has shown promising antibacterial activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-H. pylori from the crude hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian red propolis (CHEBRP). For this, in vitro determination of the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration (MIC/MBC) and synergistic activity and in vivo, microbiological, and histopathological analyses using Wistar rats were carried out using CHEBRP against H. pylori strains (ATCC 46523 and clinical isolate). CHEBRP presented MIC/MBC of 50 and 100 µg/mL against H. pylori strains (ATCC 43526 and clinical isolate, respectively) and tetracycline MIC/MBC of 0.74 µg/mL. The association of CHEBRP with tetracycline had an indifferent effect. In the stomach mucosa of rats, all treatments performed significantly decreased the number of H. pylori, and a concentration of 300 mg/kg was able to modulate the inflammatory response in the tissue. Therefore, CHEBRP showed promising anti-H. pylori in in vitro and in vivo assays.

Galectin-3 plays a protective role in Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis infection.

Leishmania (L.) amazonensis is one of the species responsible for the development of cutaneous leishmaniasis in South America. After entering the vertebrate host, L. (L.) amazonensis invades mainly neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells. Studies have shown that gal-3 acts as a pattern recognition receptor. However, the role of this protein in the context of L. (L.) amazonensis infection remains unclear. Here, we investigated the impact of gal-3 expression on experimental infection by L. (L.) amazonensis. Our data showed that gal-3 plays a role in controlling parasite invasion, replication and the formation of endocytic vesicles. Moreover, mice with gal-3 deficiency showed an exacerbated inflammatory response. Taken together, our data shed light to a critical role of gal-3 in the host response to infection by L. (L.) amazonensis.

Cutaneous horn occurring on the oral tissues: report of a case and review of literature / Corno cutâneo nos tecidos orais: relato de caso e revisão da literatura

ABSTRACT The aim is to describe the clinical-pathological and treatment data of a patient with a cutaneous horn (CH) arising on oral tissues and to compare this with a literature-review. This case affects the lower-lip of an 86-years-old female. After excisional biopsy, the histopathological examination revealed a CH associated with actinic cheilitis. Only 23 similar cases have been reported in literature. At this site CH mainly affects the lower-lip of white males in a wide-age range. Excision should be the treatment of choice to enable pathological examination of the underlying lesion, since most cases were associated with pre-malignant/malignant lesions.

RESUMEN El objetivo es describir los datos clinicopatológicos y de tratamiento de una paciente de 86 años con un cuerno cutáneo (CC) en los tejidos orales (labio inferior) y compararlos con una revisión de la literatura. Tras la biopsia escisional, el examen histopatológico reveló un CC asociado a queilitis actínica. Solo se han informado 23 casos similares en la literatura. El estudio ha revelado que el CC afecta principalmente al labio inferior de los hombres blancos en un amplio rango de edad. La escisión debe ser el tratamiento de elección para permitir el examen patológico de la lesión subyacente, ya que la mayoría de los casos se asociaron con lesiones premalignas/malignas.

RESUMO O objetivo deste relato é descrever os dados clinicopatológicos e de tratamento de uma paciente, 86 anos, com corno cutâneo (CC) nos tecidos orais (lábio inferior) e compará-los com outros estudos publicados, fazendo uma revisão da literatura. Após biópsia excisional, o exame histopatológico revelou CC associado a queilite actínica. Apenas 23 casos semelhantes já foram relatados. Durante nossa pesquisa, verificamos que o CC afetou principalmente o lábio inferior de homens brancos em uma ampla faixa etária. A excisão deve ser o tratamento de escolha, pois ela possibilita a realização de exame histopatológico da lesão subjacente, já que a maioria dos casos foi associada a lesões pré-malignas/malignas.

Experimental evidences that P21 protein controls Trypanosoma cruzi replication and modulates the pathogenesis of infection.

P21 is a protein secreted by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Previous studies have shown a spectrum of biological activities performed by P21 such as induction of phagocytosis, leukocyte chemotaxis and inhibition of angiogenesis. However, the activity of P21 in T. cruzi infection remains unknown. Here, we reported the role of P21 in mice harboring late T. cruzi infection. Treatment with recombinant P21 protein (rP21) reduced parasite load and angiogenesis, and induced fibrosis in the cardiac tissue of infected mice. In addition, rP21 reduced the growth of epimastigotes, inhibited intracellular replication of amastigotes and modulated the parasite cell cycle. Our data suggest that P21 controls parasite replication in the host, supporting the survival of both parasite and host.

Experimental evidences that P21 protein controls Trypanosoma cruzi replication and modulates the pathogenesis of infection

P21 is a protein secreted by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Previous studies have shown a spectrum of biological activities performed by P21 such as induction of phagocytosis, leukocyte chemotaxis and inhibition of angiogenesis. However, the activity of P21 in T. cruzi infection remains unknown. Here, we reported the role of P21 in mice harboring late T. cruzi infection. Treatment with recombinant P21 protein (rP21) reduced parasite load and angiogenesis, and induced fibrosis in the cardiac tissue of infected mice. In addition, rP21 reduced the growth of epimastigotes, inhibited intracellular replication of amastigotes and modulated the parasite cell cycle. Our data suggest that P21 controls parasite replication in the host, supporting the survival of both parasite and host.

Experimental evidences that P21 protein controls Trypanosoma cruzi replication and modulates the pathogenesis of infection

P21 is a protein secreted by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Previous studies have shown a spectrum of biological activities performed by P21 such as induction of phagocytosis, leukocyte chemotaxis and inhibition of angiogenesis. However, the activity of P21 in T. cruzi infection remains unknown. Here, we reported the role of P21 in mice harboring late T. cruzi infection. Treatment with recombinant P21 protein (rP21) reduced parasite load and angiogenesis, and induced fibrosis in the cardiac tissue of infected mice. In addition, rP21 reduced the growth of epimastigotes, inhibited intracellular replication of amastigotes and modulated the parasite cell cycle. Our data suggest that P21 controls parasite replication in the host, supporting the survival of both parasite and host.

Squamous cell carcinoma at maxillary sinus: clinicopathologic data in a single Brazilian institution with review of literature.

Squamous cell carcinoma arising at maxillary sinus is a rare neoplasm, characterized by aggressive growth pattern and glooming prognosis. There are no studies describing specifically its epidemiology in the South America. The aim of the current paper is to characterize a Brazilian maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma sample and to compare such data with others worldwide relevant series. The records of the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (1997-2006) were gathered and plotted. Additionally, an extensive literature review was carry out using electronic database (PUBMED/MEDLINE and LILACS) over a period of 54 years. A descriptive statistics and univariate survival test (log rank) were employed. Maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma was the commonest malignancy of sinonasal epithelium found. It affected mainly mid-age white men and most of them were diagnosed at advanced stage. Surgery combined with radiotherapy was the most therapeutic modalities given. The overall mortality rate in our sample was of 65.5%. Overall 1-, 2- and 5-year survival rate was 57.9%, 44.8%, and 17.7%, respectively. Maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma is an aggressive tumor normally diagnosed at the advanced stage and most patients present an unfavorable prognosis and reduced survival rate.