To our knowledge this is the first report that shows the circulation of the Asian lineage in Angola and the first report of a congenital Zika syndrome in continental Africa.

Molecular epidemiological studies have identified several risk factors linking to the genes and external factors in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. In this sense, genetic instability caused by DNA damage and DNA repair inefficiencies are important molecular events for the diagnosis and prognosis of therapies. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze correlation between sociocultural, occupational, and lifestyle risk factors with levels of genetic instability in non-neoplastic cells of breast cancer patients. Total 150 individuals were included in the study that included 50 breast cancer patients submitted to chemotherapy (QT), 50 breast cancer patients submitted to radiotherapy (RT), and 50 healthy women without any cancer. Cytogenetic biomarkers for apoptosis and DNA damage were evaluated in samples of buccal epithelial and peripheral blood cells through micronuclei and comet assay tests. Elder age patients (61–80 years) had higher levels of apoptosis (catriolysis by karyolysis) and DNA damage at the diagnosis (baseline damage) with increased cell damage during QT and especially during RT. We also reported the increased frequencies of cytogenetic biomarkers in patients who were exposed to ionizing radiation as well as for alcoholism and smoking. QT and RT induced high levels of fragmentation (karyorrhexis) and nuclear dissolution (karyolysis) and DNA damage. Correlations were observed between age and karyorrhexis at diagnosis; smoking and karyolysis during RT; and radiation and karyolysis during QT. These correlations indicate that risk factors may also influence the genetic instability in non-neoplastic cells caused to the patients during cancer therapies.

Anacardium occidentale L. is a tree native to Brazil, which is rich in phenolic lipids. Nowadays, the cashew bark (Cashew Nut Shell Liquid) has received great attention in the pharmaceutical industry, due to its economy, abundance and important chemical compounds. Net of cashew nut shell is classified according to the method of production of: (1) net of the shell of natural cashew nut (60-65% anacardic acid; 15-20% cardol and 10% of cardanol) and (2) liquid from the technical cashew nut shell (60-65% of cardanol, 15-20% cardol and 10% of polymeric material). This work aims to report the pharmacological properties of liquids from cashew nut shells. Results suggest that both liquids have antifungal, antibacterial, antiparasitic, anti-tumor, antiulcerogenic, molluscicides, antimutagenic and antioxidant activities. Natural cashew nut liquid is non-genotoxic, whereas technical liquid is genotoxic in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, although there is no evidence of their mutagenic effects on eukaryotic cells. In conclusion, the excellent antioxidant and non-mutagenic activities of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) provide opportunities for CNSL in the cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical industries, but continuous study is needed to allow safe and efficacious preparations.

The present study evaluated the antioxidant capacity of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Cynara scolymus on Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, proficient and deficient in antioxidant defenses, and by in vitro methods with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•), 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6sulfonic acid (ABTS• +), inhibition of hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation, formation of nitric oxide, and removal of the hydroxyl radical. A simultaneous quantitative analysis to total phenolics, flavonoids and hydrolysable tannin was also performed, and according to the results obtained, phenolic compounds (661.15 ± 20.11 mg GAE/g of E), flavonoids (123.96 ± 11.47 mg R/g of E) and hydrolysable tannin (14.25 ± 3.18 mg GAE/g of E) were detected in the aqueous extract of C. scolymus. The aqueous extract at study showed high antioxidant capacity in all antioxidant methods in vitro and exhibited significant antioxidant capacity to protect strains of S. cerevisiae from oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide. The analysis of the correlation made between the content of phenolic compounds and the different antioxidants in vitro methods, indicated that these compounds are mainly responsible for the antioxidant capacity of the aqueous extract of C. scolymus. Therefore, this study suggests that the aqueous extract of leaves of C. scolymus is a great natural source of compounds with antioxidant capacity.

Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) can damage DNA. The study evaluated the genotoxic profile and repair indicatives of DNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes of health workers exposed occupationally to IR by adopting comet assay. Biomonitoring was done with ninety individuals; among them 45 were health professionals and the rests were non-professionals. Blood samples were collected after 48 h (2 d; non-exposed) and 168 h (7 d; exposed). The 7 d IR exposed group significantly increased in the rates and frequency of damage, while 2 d unexposed group exhibited more than 20% of DNA repair as compared to the respective control groups. The DNA damage was observed in more significant to the younger workers (18-27 y). However, the hematological abnormalities were not observed, despite of their positive correlation in genotoxic profile. Significant and positive correlations were observed in relation to the used medicaments, low consumption of vegetables as well as the type and place of work. In conclusion, biomarkers involved in comet assay can be applied in biomonitoring of genetic instability, including IR induced phenomena.

A dengue é uma doença, cuja disseminação rápida atraiu atenção das autoridades públicas do Brasil na década de 1990. Os arbovírus transmitidos por mosquitos do gênero Aedes, como Aedes aegypti, estão associados a epidemias sérias de doenças febris nas regiões tropicais do mundo. Este vírus se tornou um preocupante problema de saúde pública, devido elevada incidência anual. As infecções são geralmente assintomáticas e quando sintomáticas, evoluem para uma situação de cura ou de quadros hemorrágicos/neurológicos. Este trabalho objetivou verificar a prevalência da transmissão da Dengue através do vetor Aedes aegypti nos anos de 2015 a 2019 no Piauí. A pesquisa é do tipo descritiva, de caráter quantitativo, retrospectivo e transversal. Coletaram-se os dados no Sistema Nacional de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN). Com base nos dados coletados foram notificados 28.219 casos de Dengue, sem diferenças significativas de percentuais em relação ao gênero, mas quanto à faixa etária, houve prevalência de pessoas de 20 a 39 anos. Em relação à classificação, a maioria das notificações não especificou o sorotipo. Identificou-se predomínio de casos de cura, com alguns campos de notificação não preenchidos. Conclui-se que a suscetibilidade ao vírus da Dengue seja universal, com um valor de prevalência de 8,57/000 habitantes, cabendo estudos e discussões dos dados epidemiológicos e reforço da prevenção. Apontam-se reflexões para sensibilização dos profissionais na realização das notificações das Doenças de Notificação Compulsória no SINAN propondo obrigatoriedade no preenchimento de todos os campos da ficha.

Objetivo: Verificar a presença de contaminação microbiológica em provadores de maquiagens presentes em lojas da zona sudeste da cidade de Teresina-Piauí. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo observacional transversal, conduzido a partir da análise de dezenove (19) amostras de provadores de maquiagens. Os cosméticos foram avaliados através do método de esgotamento por estrias nos meios de cultura ágar sangue, macconkey e cetrimide, e sabouraud, confirmadas através das análises macroscópicas, microscópica e testes bioquímicos. Resultados: Das dezenove (19) amostras analisadas, três (03) apresentaram crescimento microbiológico, verificando a presença das espécies klebsiella sp, Kocuria Kristinae e Aspergillus niger. As amostras não apresentam sérios riscos para pessoas saudáveis, entretanto pode causar patologias em indivíduos inumodeprimidos. Conclusão: As maquiagens analisadas nesse estudo, em sua maioria não possuíam contaminação microbiológica. Entretanto, ressalta-se a necessidade de maior cuidado com a utilização desses cosméticos.

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