Evaluation of miR-15a, miR-16-1, ZAP-70, Ang-2, and Bcl-2 as potential prognostic biomarkers in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a blood cancer characterized by the accumulation of clonal B-lymphocytes. This study evaluated the mRNA gene expression of miR-15a, miR-16- 1, ZAP-70, and Ang-2 by qPCR, as well as the plasma levels of Bcl-2 by Elisa immunoassay, in CLL patients and healthy controls. Significant differences were observed when comparing patients and controls regarding miR-15a (p < 0.001), miR-16-1 (p < 0.001) mRNA, Ang-2 gene expression, and Bcl-2 plasma levels (p < 0.001). When stratified by risk, differences were maintained with a significantly reduced expression in high-risk patients. A positive correlation was observed between miR-15a and platelets (R2 = 0.340; p = 0.009) as well as between Bcl-2 and leukocytes (R2 = 0.310; p = 0.019). Conversely, negative correlations were observed between ZAP-70 and platelets (R2 = - 0.334; p = 0.011), between miR-15a and lymphocytes (R2 = - 0.376; p = 0.004), as well as between miR-16-and lymphocytes (R2 = - 0.515; p = 0.00004). The data suggest that a reduction in miR-15a and miR-16-1 expressions, in addition to an overexpression of Bcl-2, are associated with the reduction in apoptosis and, consequently, to a longer survival of lymphocytes, thus contributing to lymphocyte accumulation and aggravation of the disease. By contrast, Ang-2 expression was significantly higher in A than in B + C Binet groups. This context leads to the speculation that this biomarker should be investigated in more robust studies within populations with a still relevantly indolent form of the disease in an attempt to identify those patients with a greater potential for an aggravation of the disease

Atividade antifúngica das folhas de Cissus verticillata (L.) Nicolson & C. E. Jarvis subsp. verticillata frente a Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis e Candida tropicalis / Antifungal activity of the leaves of Cissus verticillata (L.) Nicolson & C. E. Jarvis subsp. verticillata against Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis

A espécie vegetal Cissus verticillata (L.) Nicolson & C. E. Jarvis subsp. verticillata é conhecida como "Insulina vegetal" eutilizada na medicina popular no tratamento da diabetes mellitus. O paciente diabético tem maior risco de infecções urinárias e Candida spp. é o principal gênero envolvido. Avaliou-se a atividade antifúngica do extrato hidroalcoólico e de suas frações frente aCandida albicans ATCC 18804, Candida krusei ATCC 6258, Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019 e Candida tropicalis ATCC 750. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que folhas de C. verticillata verticillata têm potencial antifúngico promissor nas frações diclorometano e clorofórmio, com concentração inibitória mínima de 125 μg/mL em C. krusei e em C. tropicalis respectivamente. São necessários novos testes com constituintes químicos isolados dessas frações, buscando atividade superior na inibição do crescimento de Candida spp.

The specie Cissus verticillata (L.) Nicolson & C. E. Jarvis subsp. verticillata is known as "Vegetable insulin" and is used in popular medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The diabetic patient has a greater risk of urinary infections, and Candida spp. is the main gender involved. Was evaluated, the antifungal activity of the hydroalcoholic extract and its fractions against Candida albicans ATCC 18804, Candida krusei ATCC 6258, Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019 and Candida tropicalis ATCC 750. The results indicated that leaves of C. verticillata verticillata has promising potential antifungal in fractions diclormetano andchloroform, with minimum inhibitory concentration of 125 μg/mL in C. krusei and C. tropicalis respectively. We need new tests with chemical constituents of these fractions isolated, seeking higher activity in inhibiting the growth of Candida spp.