This study aimed to develop a chitosan-based hydrogel containing a mixture of flavonoids isolated from the leaves of Passiflora edulis Sims and to evaluate its stability, antioxidant properties, and wound healing effects on cutaneous lesions in diabetic rats. in vitro studies were carried out to evaluate the biocompatibility and flavonoid release from the chitosan hydrogel. in vivo wound healing studies were conducted on male Wistar rats, where the injured tissue was removed for histological analysis and determination of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase activity, and glutathione peroxidase activity. From the histological analysis and macroscopic evaluation of the contraction of the wounds, it was observed that the formulation presented wound healing properties. In addition, treatment of the wound with the formulation stimulated the antioxidant defense system, suggesting a beneficial effect during the treatment of skin lesions in diabetic rats, especially in the first few days after wounding. According to these results, we can conclude that the chitosan hydrogel containing the flavonoid analyzed in this study has potential use as dressings in the treatment of wounds. K E Y W O R D S antioxidant, chitosan, flavonoid, hydrogel, Passiflora edulis, wound healing

No abstract

A COVID-19 é uma doença infecciosa causada pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2, o qual pertence à nova cepa do coronavírus, identificado na China no início de dezembro de 2019. Essa infecção apresenta sintomas leves e graves, podendo levar à Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave. Dessa forma, a necessidade de um perfil hematológico laboratorial da infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2 e seu monitoramento, torna-se de grande valia para auxiliar no prognóstico e tratamento da doença. Esta revisão sistemática tem como objetivo traçar o perfil hematológico decorrente da infecção pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2, identificando as principais alterações encontradas no leucograma, eritrograma e plaquetograma. Para a elaboração deste estudo foi realizada uma busca eletrônica em diversos bancos de dados. As alterações hematológicas mais frequentemente encontradas foram linfopenia, leucopenia, neutrofilia associada à leucocitose, eosinopenia, redução de hemoglobina, trombocitopenia e agregação plaquetária, além das alterações morfológicas. A anemia não foi observada de forma notável, mas a redução da hemoglobina foi evidente em relação a pacientes saudáveis. Os fatores de coagulação associados à redução de plaquetas assim como a sua hiper ativação foram alterados em pacientes graves. Essas alterações demonstram o estado de hipercoagulabilidade presente em pacientes graves com COVID-19, resultando em quadros de microtrombos em vários órgãos, sendo esta uma das complicações mais graves da COVID-19. Sendo assim, a contagem de plaquetas e as alterações dos parâmetros associados às plaquetas são atualmente uma preocupação. Contudo, com o levantamento realizado, fica evidente que a inflamação associada a um dano oxidativo elevado irá comprometer a hemostasia e fisiologia leucocitária de pacientes com COVID-19.

Introduction: Since the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic there has been widespread concern regarding the possible delay in the diagnosis/treatment of cancer patients. We aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of patients with digestive cancer. Methods: This was a retrospective study including patients with an inaugural digestive cancer diagnosis discussed for the first time at our center during the weekly digestive oncology reunion (DOR) meeting. The study group was enlisted from March to August 2020, and a control group was sourced from the equivalent period of 2018. Patients with a previous digestive cancer diagnosis/discussion in the DOR were excluded. The following data were collected: demographics, referral origin, tumor staging, first DOR discussion timing, treatment, and outcome. Results: A total of 235 patients were included: 107 in the study group (65.4% male, mean age 71.59 years); 128 in the control group (54.7% male, mean age 68.16 years). The mean number of clinical discussions per week was higher in 2018 (13.65 vs. 10.67, p = 0.040), without a difference in the mean number of patients discussed for the first time (inaugural diagnosis) between groups (p = 0.670). In the 2020 study group, more patients were referred to DOR from the emergency room (ER), fewer from the outpatient clinic/hospital wards (p < 0.001), and more were referred after urgent surgery (p = 0.022). There was no difference in the mean waiting time from diagnosis to first DOR discussion (p = 0.087). Tumor staging in colorectal, gastric, and esophageal cancer was not significantly different between the groups (p = 0897, p = 0.168, and p = 0.717). More patients in the study group presented with stage IV pancreatic cancer (p = 0.043). There was no difference in the time span from DOR until the beginning of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.680) or elective surgery (p = 0.198), or from surgery until adjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.396). Also, there was no difference in 30-day mortality from the first DOR date between the groups (p = 0.742). Conclusion: During the COVID-19 era there was a reduced number of clinical discussions in the DOR, but the number of debated patients with an inaugural digestive cancer diagnosis was similar. In the study group more patients were referred to DOR from the ER, and were referred after urgent surgery, suggesting a delayed demand for clinical attention. Study group patients were not significantly affected by the pandemic regarding timely DOR discussion, beginning of treatment, or 30-day mortality, reflecting the maintenance of the quality of care for digestive cancer patients.

Twig cavities are microhabitats that may be used by different ant species for nesting and colony expansion. However, ants do not colonize all twigs available in the leaf litter, pointing to the existence of environmental or twig-related filters. In this study, we analyzed which environmental and twig attributes affected twig occupation by ants. We surveyed seven plots in six Atlantic forest sites in southeastern Brazil. To characterize the environmental filters, we quantified canopy cover and leaf litter moisture and depth. At the twig level, we measured twig length and diameter and the area and circumference of all holes in each twig. Ant colonies occupied 13.42% of the 4,805 twigs surveyed, and we recorded a total of 52 twig-nesting ant species. Brachymyrmex admotus was the most frequent species. Ant species richness increased with canopy cover and leaf litter moisture and with the relative number of occupied twigs. In addition, we found that ant species richness increased with length and diameter of the twigs, and that twigs with smaller holes were more frequently occupied by ants, regardless of the availability of larger diameter holes. Our work demonstrates that both environmental characteristics and twig morphology can structure occupation of twigs by ants. In addition, we demonstrated that certain species show a preference for certain twig types. We highlight the importance of twigs for maintaining ant diversity and for colony expansion of arboreal species and species inhabiting the leaf litter.