Effects of Euterpe oleracea Mart. extract on Candida spp. biofilms.

PROBLEM OF RESEARCH: Candida spp. biofilms are complex microbial communities that have been associated with increasing resistance to clinically available antifungal drugs. Hence, novel pharmacological approaches with ability to inhibit biofilm formation have been investigated. AIM OF STUDY: The aim was to analyze in vitro antifungal activity of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açaí berry) extract on biofilm strains of Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis that were formed on abiotic surfaces. REMARKABLE METHODOLOGY: Biofilms of C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis were grown in vitro. They were then treated with E. oleracea Mart. extract at different concentrations (7.8, 15.6, 31.2, 62.5, 125, 250, 500, and 1000 µg/mL) for evaluation of both biofilm removal and anti-biofilm activity. REMARKABLE RESULTS: All Candida species analyzed formed biofilms on abiotic surfaces. Yet, increased biofilm formation was displayed for C. tropicalis in comparison with the other two species. E. oleracea Mart. extract was shown to inhibit biofilm formation at all concentrations used when compared to no treatment (p < 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: In the current study, the extract of E. oleracea Mart. demonstrated antifungal activity against Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis biofilms, regardless of the dose utilized. These results are important to evaluate a natural product as antifungal for Candida species.

Role of HPV 16 variants among cervical carcinoma samples from Northeastern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer affecting women globally. In Brazil, it is the third most frequent type of cancer in women and HPV is present in approximately 90% of cases. Evidence suggests that variants of HPV 16 can interfere biologically and etiologically during the development of cervical cancer. METHODS: Cervix tumor fragments were collected, their DNA was extracted, and nested PCR was used to detect HPV. Positive samples were sequenced to determine the viral genotype. To characterize the HPV 16 strains, positive samples PCR was used to amplify the LCR and E6 regions of the HPV 16 virus. RESULTS: Data from 120 patients with cervical cancer were analyzed. Most women were between 41 and 54 years of age, had schooling until primary school, a family income between 1 and 2 times the minimum wage and were married/in a consensual union. There was no statistically significant association between HPV or socio-demographic variables and risk factors for cervical cancer (P <  0.05). HPV was present in 88 women (73%). The most prevalent types were HPV 16 (53.4%), HPV 18 (13.8%), HPV 35 (6.9%) and HPV 45 (5.7%). Of the 47 HPV 16 positive cases, variant A (49%) was present in 23 samples, followed by variant D in 20 cases (43%), and variants B and C in 2 cases each (4%). The most prevalent histological type of HPV 16 tumors was squamous cell carcinoma, followed by adenocarcinoma. There was a statistically significant association between HPV 16 variants and the tumors' histological types (P <  0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of HPV 16 variants will provide data on their influence on the pathological and oncogenic aspects of cervical lesions.

Osteoporosis in primary care: an opportunity to approach risk factors.

INTRODUCTION: Climacteric women are susceptible to a number of changes, among them osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and susceptibility to fracture. Currently, this disease is a public health issue, being necessary to recognize its risk factors. OBJECTIVES: Identify risk factors related to osteoporosis in women attending PROPIS/PROEX/UFMA, tracing a socio-demographic characterization and considering community lifestyles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a transversal retrospective clinical with a quantitative approach study conducted between March and June 2013 in São Luís-MA with 107 women treated at the Programa de Práticas de Integralidade em Saúde (PROPIS - Integrality Health Practice Program). The study was approved by the University Hospital Ethics Committee of UFMA under opinion no. 362/07. Data were tabulated and analyzed in the epidemiological Epi-Info(®) software, version 3.4.1. RESULTS: The brown color was predominant, consensual relationships proved to be a protective factor and low education was a risk factor. The average age of the group with menopause was 54.1 years and without menopause was 31.3 years (p<0.0001). The average age of menopause was 43.7 years. The irregular menstrual cycle was a protective factor. The average number of pregnancies was 4.56 for the group with menopause and 2.45 for the group without menopause, with most births occurring normally (p<0.0001). Smoking, physical inactivity and caffeine intake were risk factors, while the absence of alcoholism and of soda intake were protective factors for the disease. CONCLUSION: The patients followed the socioeconomic and demographic profile of Maranhão. Most had menarche and menopause in appropriate periods, showed no positive family history of osteoporosis, did not usually drink alcohol, were sedentary and the caffeine intake was high.