Morinda citrifolia, also known as noni, is commonly used in popular medicine in Brazil. Many parts of the noni tree are utilized in such practices, including the roots, leaves and seeds. Through a search of online databases, the present article reviews 92 research studies on the biological actions of M. citrifolia. The paper will discuss the therapeutic effects of noni and its compounds in a variety of forms of presentation, focusing on studies that support its traditional use. A large and diverse number of properties were identified, which were divided into immunostimulatory, antitumor, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, antibacterial and anti-septic, antifungal, antiviral, leishmanicidal, antiinflammatory, antinociceptive and analgesic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, wound healing, antiallergic, antiangiogenic, antiemetic and anti-nausea, anti-gastric ulcer and oesophagitis, anthelmintic, antimutagenic, antipsychotic, anxiolytic, photoprotective, anti-wrinkle and periodontal tissue regeneration activities. While it was concluded that although M. citrifolia is widely and successfully used for the treatment or prevention of various diseases, it should be consumed carefully, and only after exhaustive studies into its chemical constituents and mechanisms of action, both in in vitro and in vivo models, as well as clinical trials. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Complete dentures acts as a reservoir for microbial colonization, which may lead to systemic infections. Microwave irradiation has been used as an efficient method of denture disinfection. Even though current methods eliminate denture-base microorganisms, a recurrence rate of denture stomatitis (DS) is still observed among denture-wearing patients. It was hypothesized that microwave disinfection kills microorganisms but do not remove dead bacteria from the denture surface. To test this hypothesis, the biofilm found in the dentures of 10 patients with DS was evaluated. In addition, the effects of microwave irradiation plus brushing (MW+B) on the denture biofilm and the combination of denture cleanser with microwave irradiation and brushing (MW+DC+B) for the removal of denture-accumulating microorganisms were investigated. Microbiological data were analyzed statistically by nonparametric analysis (Friedman/Wilcoxon, α=0.05). MW+B and MW+DC+B were effective in reducing the rate of microorganisms (99.2% and 99.5% respectively), but without significant difference between them (p=0.553). However, it was observed that the complete removal of microorganisms from denture surface was only possible when all regimens were combined (MW+DC+B). Microwave irradiation in combination with soaking in denture cleanser and brushing effectively disinfected the dentures and removed denture biofilm.

BackgroundCanine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is endemic in São Luís Maranhão/Brazil and it leads a varied clinical picture, including neurological signs.ResultsHistopathological evaluation showed that 14 dogs exhibited pathological alterations in at least one of the analyzed areas. Of these, mononuclear inflammatory reaction was the most frequent, although other lesions, such as hemorrhage, chromatolysis and gliosis were also observed. The presence of L. infantum amastigotes was confirmed in eight dogs, identified in four regions: telencephalon, hippocampus, thalamus and caudal colliculus, but only one presented neurological signs. Polymerase chain reaction results detected the DNA of the parasite in 11 samples from seven dogs. The positive areas were the telencephalon, thalamus, hippocampus, cerebellum, caudal and rostral colliculus.ConclusionThese results reveal that during canine visceral leishmaniasis, the central nervous system may display some alterations, without necessarily exhibiting clinical neurological manifestations. In addition, the L. infantum parasite has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier and penetrate the central nervous system.

Objetivou-se avaliar o nível de conhecimento dos alunos do primeiro ao nono período do Curso de Medicina Veterinária acerca dos termos Biotecnologia, bioética e biossegurança. Para composição da amostragem, setenta e cinco alunos participaram da atividade proposta, sendo avaliados com um questionário contendo 10 perguntas fechadas. Como resultados obtivemos que na questão 01 houve um maior número de acertos no segundo período sobre temas relacionados à bioética. Na questão 02 (Q2) 78,67% responderam sim e 21,33% não ao termo bioético relacionado ao bem-estar animal, demonstrando haver diferença estatística quando comparadas as respostas; na questão 03 (Q3) ao avaliar o ensino de bioética na universidade, houve diferença entre os períodos analisados; para a questão 04 (Q4) 73,33% responderam sim quanto à existência de alguma disciplina relacionada e 26,67 % responderam não, com diferença entre os períodos. Ao analisar a questão 05 (Q5) não houve diferença estatística comparando-se as médias obtidas de cada período sobre os temas explorados. A questão 06 (Q6) sobre o conhecimento de patentes, 80% admitiram não ter conhecimento e 20% que sim, havendo diferença ao comparar as médias obtidas entre as linhas sim e não; a 07 (Q7) 53,33% assinalaram não conhecer sobre o princípio dos 3R´s e 46,67% que conhecem. Em relação à questão 08 (Q08) sobre a percepção de biotecnologia, demostrou haver diferença entre os períodos; ao avaliar a questão 09 (Q09) 66,67% disseram que participaram de alguma prática de experimentação, dentre estes 8% colocaram que não houve a aplicação da prática de biossegurança e 33,33% não participaram; o último quesito 10 (Q10) sobre biotecnologia, não houve diferença estatística comparando-se as médias obtidas. Os alunos do curso de Medicina Veterinária apresentam conhecimento abaixo do desejado acerca dos termos bioética, biossegurança e biotecnologia.Palavras chave: Bioética, bem-estar animal, biossegurança e biotecnologia Knowledge of students of the veterinary of the state university of Maranhão about biotechnology, bioethics and biosafety

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Bovine neosporosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Neospora caninum, which is one of the main pathogens that cause abortions in cattle worldwide. It is responsible for large losses in dairy and beef cattle, especially with regard to the expenses associated with decreased productivity and increased discard. In the State of Maranhão, the occurrence of this parasite has already been confirmed in the dairy cattle of three microregions that make up the state’s dairy industry and in small ruminants of the municipalities of Amarante do Maranhão and Buritirana. This fact justifies the importance of determining the presence of N. caninum in cattle slaughtered in the slaughterhouses of the Island of São Luís, to help control the parasitic cycle in the cattle production system of the region under study, and the importance of its diagnosis. The objective of the research was to conduct a histopathological and immunohistochemical characterization of bovine placentas infected with N. caninum collected in slaughterhouses. Sixteen placenta samples from cows were randomly selected at the slaughterhouses of the city of São Luís for histological analysis and immunohistochemistry. Results showed that 31% of the placentas presented histopathological changes such as: inflammatory process, edema, hemorrhage and presence of hemosiderin. All slides with histopathological changes showed immunolabeling for N. caninum.