Changing Patterns of Malignant Neoplasm Notifications in Brazil during the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Seasonal Analysis / Mudança nos Padrões de Notificação de Neoplasias Malignas no Brasil Durante a Pandemia de COVID-19: uma Análise Sazonal

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused delays in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with malignant neoplasms (MN). To analyze the distribution pattern of MN cases in Brazil, we collected data in August 2022, provided by the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, from 2013 to 2021. The data were organized in Microsoft Excel, the analysis and presentation of the data were made using ggplot and Reshape packages, and temporal patterns and forecast models were obtained by ARIMA method together with aTSA. The results show that the COVID-19 pandemic did not directly impact the notifications of MN cases, but changed the profile of notifications, as in 2018 there was an increase in the diversity of notified neoplasms, and a change in the number of cases in 2019 and 2020. In addition, the distribution between the evaluations of neoplasms was not proportional, showing conversion in 12 (32.4%), decrease in 24 (64.9%) and increase in 1 neoplasm (2.7%). The findings help to understand the new behavior of notifications, demonstrating a pattern similar to the seasonal forecast model, with random or linear trending patterns. This distribution, with a seasonal pattern, shows variability in certain periods of the year, providing important information for early diagnosis and better planning. Data from this research reinforce the need for active screening methods and incentives for preliminary screening for better detection and management of this malignancy. (AU)

A pandemia de COVID-19 causou atrasos no diagnóstico, tratamento e acompanhamento de pacientes com neoplasias malignas (NM). Para analisar o padrão de distribuição dos casos de MN no Brasil, coletamos dados em agosto de 2022 disponibilizados pelo Departamento de Informática do Ministério da Saúde do Brasil de 2013 a 2021. Os dados foram organizados no Microsoft Excel, a análise e apresentação dos dados foram feitas usando os pacotes ggplot e Reshape, e os padrões temporais e modelos de previsão foram obtidos pelo método ARIMA junto com o aTSA. Os resultados mostram que a pandemia de COVID-19 não impactou diretamente nas notificações dos casos de NM, mas mudou o perfil das notificações, pois em 2018 houve aumento na diversidade de neoplasias notificadas, e mudança no número de casos em 2019 e 2020. Além disso, a distribuição entre as avaliações das neoplasias não foi proporcional, mostrando conversão em 12 (32,4%), diminuição em 24 (64,9%) e aumento em 1 neoplasia (2,7%). As descobertas ajudam a entender o novo comportamento das notificações demonstrando um padrão semelhante ao modelo de previsão sazonal, com padrões de tendência aleatórios ou lineares. Essa distribuição com padrão sazonal, apresenta variabilidade em determinados períodos do ano, fornecendo informações importantes para o diagnóstico precoce e melhor planejamento. Os dados desta pesquisa reforçam a necessidade de métodos de triagem ativa e incentivos à triagem preliminar para melhor detecção e manejo dessa malignidade. (AU)

Protective Effects of Flavonoid Rutin Against Aminochrome Neurotoxicity.

Causes of dopaminergic neuronal loss in Parkinson's disease (PD) are subject of investigation and the common use of models of acute neurodegeneration induced by neurotoxins 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), 6-hydroxydopamine, and rotenone contributed to advances in the study of PD. However, the use of study models more similar to the pathophysiology of PD is required for advances in early diagnosis and translational pharmacology. Aminochrome (AMI), a compound derived from dopamine oxidation and a precursor of neuromelanin, is able to induce all the mechanisms associated with neurodegeneration. Previously, we showed AMI is cytotoxic in primary culture of mesencephalic cells (PCMC) and induces in vitro and in vivo neuroinflammation. On the other hand, the effect of rutin in central nervous system cells has revealed anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and neuroprotective potential. However, there have been no data studies on the effect of rutin against aminochrome neurotoxicity. Here, we show that rutin prevents lysosomal dysfunction and aminochrome-induced cell death in SHSY-5Y cells, protects PCMC against aminochrome cytotoxicity, and prevents in vivo loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNPc), as well as microgliosis and astrogliosis. Additionally, we show that rutin decreases levels of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) mRNA and increases levels of glia-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and nerve-derived neurotrophic factor (NGF) mRNA. We evidence for the first time the protective effect of rutin on PD aminochrome-induced models and suggest the potential role of the anti-inflammatory activity and upregulation of NGF and GDNF in the mechanism of rutin action against aminochrome neurotoxicity.

Tannic Acid Attenuates Peripheral and Brain Changes in a Preclinical Rat Model of Glioblastoma by Modulating Oxidative Stress and Purinergic Signaling.

Glioblastoma (GB) is a highly aggressive and invasive brain tumor; its treatment remains palliative. Tannic acid (TA) is a polyphenol widely found in foods and possesses antitumor and neuroprotective activities. This study aimed to investigate the effect of TA on oxidative stress parameters and the activity of ectonucleotidases in the serum, platelets, and lymphocytes and/or in the brain of rats with preclinical GB. Rats with GB were treated intragastrically with TA (50 mg/kg/day) for 15 days or with a vehicle. In the platelets of the animals with glioma, the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) hydrolysis and the catalase (CAT) activity decreased. Besides, the adenosine diphosphate (ADP) hydrolysis, adenosine (Ado) deamination, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrite levels were increased in glioma animals; however, TA reversed ROS and nitrite levels and AMP hydrolysis alterations. In lymphocytes from animals with glioma, the ATP and ADP hydrolysis, as well as Ado deamination were increased; TA treatment countered this increase. In the brain of the animals with glioma, the ROS, nitrite, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels increased and the thiol (SH) levels and CAT and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were decreased; TA treatment decreased the ROS and TBARS levels and restored the SOD activity. In the serum of the animals with glioma, the ATP hydrolysis decreased; TA treatment restored this parameter. Additionally, the ROS levels increased and the SH and SOD activity decreased by glioma implant; TA treatment enhanced nitrite levels and reversed SOD activity. Altogether, our results suggest that TA is an important target in the treatment of GB, as it modulates purinergic and redox systems.

Antidepressant Effect and Modulation of the Redox System Mediated by Tannic Acid on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Depressive and Inflammatory Changes in Mice.

Depression is an emotional disorder that causes mental and physical changes, and has limited pharmacotherapy. Tannic acid (TA) is a polyphenol with previously described antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of TA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depressive-like behavior, as well as oxidative stress parameters and TNF-α levels in the brains of mice. Animals were pretreated once daily, with TA (30 or 60 mg/kg), fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) or vehicle for 7 days. On the 7th day, the animals received a single injection of LPS (830 µg/kg). After 24 h, open field, forced swimming, tail suspension, and splash tests were conducted. The endotoxin induced depressive-like behavior in these mice and this was attenuated by TA. In the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and striatum, LPS increased lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species production, and this was also prevented by TA administration. TA treatment also prevented a decrease in catalase activity within the striatum. Further, LPS administration caused increased levels of TNF-α in all brain structures, and this was prevented in the cortex by TA treatment. In conclusion, TA shows many neuroprotective properties, with demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant effects in this animal model of acute depressive-like behavior. Therefore, this compound could provide an alternative therapeutic approach for the treatment of depression.

Análise da marcação de células da linhagem C6 de glioma com as lectinas vegetais CPL, WGA, e Con A / cell marking analysis of C6 glioma line with plant lectins CPL, WGA and Con A

Introdução e objetivos: O glioblastoma multiforme é um glioma de alto grau que apresenta um prognóstico ruim. O diagnóstico definitivo é estabelecido pela avaliação histológica, porém este pode apresentar conflitos na classificação, com isso surge à necessidade de ferramentas que auxiliem o patologista em sua análise. Atualmente, maior ênfase tem sido dada a alterações na glicosilação, pois estão associadas a neoplasias, e a descoberta da capacidade de lectinas em reconhecer tais alterações fez destas, ferramentas aplicáveis para o diagnóstico biomédico. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a marcação das lectinas CpL, WGA e Con A em células da linhagem C6...

Introduction and objectives: Glioblastoma multiforme is a high-grade glioma that has a poor prognosis. The definitive diagnosis is established by histological assessment. However, this can present conflicts in grading gliomas, which justifies new tools to assist the pathologist in his analysis. Currently, it is known that there are changes in glycosylation pattern of molecules associated with cancer, and the discovery of the ability of lectins to recognize these changes made these tools applicable for biomedical diagnosis. Thus, the aim of this study is to analyze the labelling of C6...