Effects of the juçara fruit (Euterpe edulis Martius) pulp and lyophilized extract on NRF2, KEAP1, SOD1, and GPX2 expression in human colorectal cancer cell lines

We investigated the effects of the juçara fruit (Euterpe edulis Martius) pulp and lyophilized extract on the expression of cytoprotective genes nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (NRF2), kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), superoxide dismutase (SOD1), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX2) in human colorectal cancer cell lines (HT-29 and Caco-2). Cells were cultured for 24 h in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium containing juçara fruit pulp (5, 10, or 50 mg/mL) or lyophilized extract (0.05, 0.1, or 0.5 mg/mL), and gene expression was quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. All studied genes showed significant variation in gene expression among different concentrations of pulp or lyophilized extract. Overall, the expression of the selected genes decreased in both cell lines following exposure to the pulp or lyophilized extract in a dose-dependent manner for most of the concentrations studied. In summary, our study showed that the compounds in juçara fruit inhibited the expression of cytoprotective genes associated with the antioxidant response and that, although not cytotoxic at the concentrations studied, they could potentially block the activation of the NRF2/KEAP1 pathway.

Outcomes from patients with presumed drug resistant tuberculosis in five reference centers in Brazil

Background: The implementation of rapid drug susceptibility testing (DST) is a current global priority for TBcontrol. However, data are scarce on patient-relevant outcomes for presumptive diagnosis of drug-resistanttuberculosis (pDR-TB) evaluated under field conditions in high burden countries.Methods: Observational study of pDR-TB patients referred by primary and secondary health units. TB referencecenters addressing DR-TB in five cities in Brazil. Patients age 18 years and older were eligible if pDR-TB, culturepositive results for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and, if no prior DST results from another laboratory were used by aphysician to start anti-TB treatment. The outcome measures were median time from triage to initiating appropriateanti-TB treatment, empirical treatment and, the treatment outcomes.Results: Between February,16th, 2011 and February, 15th, 2012, among 175 pDR TB cases, 110 (63.0%) confirmed TBcases with DST results were enrolled. Among study participants, 72 (65.5%) were male and 62 (56.4%) aged 26 to45 years. At triage, empirical treatment was given to 106 (96.0%) subjects. Among those, 85 were treated with firstline drugs and 21 with second line. Median time for DST results was 69.5 [interquartile - IQR: 35.7–111.0] days and,for initiating appropriate anti-TB treatment, the median time was 1.0 (IQR: 0–41.2) days. Among 95 patients thatwere followed-up during the first 6 month period, 24 (25.3%; IC: 17.5%–34.9%) changed or initiated the treatmentafter DST results: 16/29 MDRTB, 5/21 DR-TB and 3/45 DS-TB cases. Comparing the treatment outcome to DS-TBcases, MDRTB had higher proportions changing or initiating treatment after DST results (p = 0.01) and favorableoutcomes (p = 0.07).Conclusions: This study shows a high rate of empirical treatment and long delay for DST results. Strategies tospeed up the detection and early treatment of drug resistant TB should be prioritized.

Floristic and phytosociology in dense “terra firme” rainforest in the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant influence area, Pará, Brazil / Florística e fitossociologia de um trecho de Floresta ombrófila densa de terra firme na área de influência da Usina Hidrelétrica Belo Monte, Pará, Brasil

Abstract The objective of the present study was to characterise the floristic and phytosociological composition on a stretch of dense “Terra Firme” rainforest located in the Belo Monte hydroelectric plant area of influence, located in the state of Pará, Brazil. All trees with DAP >10 cm situated in 75 permanent plots of 1 ha were inventoried. 27,126 individuals trees (361 ind.ha-1), distributed in 59 botanical families, comprising 481 species were observed. The families with the largest number of species were Fabaceae (94), Araceae (65) and Arecaceae (43), comprising 43.7% of total species. The species Alexa grandiflora (4.41), Cenostigma tocantinum (2.50) and Bertholletia excelsa (2.28) showed the highest importance values (IV). The ten species with greater IV are concentrated (22%). The forest community has high species richness and can be classified as diverse age trees, heterogeneous and of medium conservation condition.

Resumo O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a composição florística e fitossociológica de um trecho de Floresta Ombrófila Densa de terra firme na área de influência da Usina Hidrelétrica Belo Monte, Pará, Brasil. Foram inventariadas todas as árvores com DAP > 10 cm em 75 parcelas permanentes de 1 ha. Foram observados 27.126 indivíduos arbóreos (361 ind.ha-1), distribuídos em 59 famílias botânicas, perfazendo 481 espécies. As famílias com maior número de espécies foram Fabaceae (94), Araceae (65) e Arecaceae (43), perfazendo 43,7% do total de espécies amostradas. As espécies Alexa grandiflora (4,41), Cenostigma tocantinum (2,50), Bertholletia excelsa (2,28), apresentaram os maiores valores de importância (VI), sendo que nas dez espécies com maiores IV, estão concentrados 22%. A comunidade florestal apresenta elevada riqueza florística e pode ser classificada como multiâneas, heterogêneas e com médio estado de conservação.

Floristic and phytosociology in dense terra firme rainforest in the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant influence area, Pará, Brazil

Abstract The objective of the present study was to characterise the floristic and phytosociological composition on a stretch of dense Terra Firme rainforest located in the Belo Monte hydroelectric plant area of influence, located in the state of Pará, Brazil. All trees with DAP >10 cm situated in 75 permanent plots of 1 ha were inventoried. 27,126 individuals trees (361 ind.ha-1), distributed in 59 botanical families, comprising 481 species were observed. The families with the largest number of species were Fabaceae (94), Araceae (65) and Arecaceae (43), comprising 43.7% of total species. The species Alexa grandiflora (4.41), Cenostigma tocantinum (2.50) and Bertholletia excelsa (2.28) showed the highest importance values (IV). The ten species with greater IV are concentrated (22%). The forest community has high species richness and can be classified as diverse age trees, heterogeneous and of medium conservation condition.

Resumo O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a composição florística e fitossociológica de um trecho de Floresta Ombrófila Densa de terra firme na área de influência da Usina Hidrelétrica Belo Monte, Pará, Brasil. Foram inventariadas todas as árvores com DAP > 10 cm em 75 parcelas permanentes de 1 ha. Foram observados 27.126 indivíduos arbóreos (361 ind.ha-1), distribuídos em 59 famílias botânicas, perfazendo 481 espécies. As famílias com maior número de espécies foram Fabaceae (94), Araceae (65) e Arecaceae (43), perfazendo 43,7% do total de espécies amostradas. As espécies Alexa grandiflora (4,41), Cenostigma tocantinum (2,50), Bertholletia excelsa (2,28), apresentaram os maiores valores de importância (VI), sendo que nas dez espécies com maiores IV, estão concentrados 22%. A comunidade florestal apresenta elevada riqueza florística e pode ser classificada como multiâneas, heterogêneas e com médio estado de conservação.