β-carbolines RCC and C5 induce death of Leishmania amazonensis intracellular amastigotes

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is caused by Leishmania spp., and its treatment is limited. The β-carbolines have shown activity against kinetoplastids. Aim: To evaluate the activity and effects of the β-carbolines, N-{2-[(4,6-bis(isopropylamino)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]ethyl}-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-β-carboline-3-carboxamide (RCC) and N-benzyl-1-(4-methoxy)phenyl-9H-beta-carboline-3-carboxamide (C5), against L. amazonensis intracellular amastigotes and to suggest their mechanism of action. Methods: We analyzed the activity and cytotoxicity of β-carbolines and the morphological alterations by electron microscopy. Mitochondrial membrane potential, production nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, lipidic bodies, autophagic vacuoles and ATP were also evaluated. Results & conclusion: The results showed that RCC and C5 are active against intracellular amastigotes and were able to induce oxidative stress and ultrastructural alterations such as accumulation of lipid bodies and autophagic vacuoles, leading to parasite death.

The Future of Stem Cells and Their Derivates in the Treatment of Glaucoma. A Critical Point of View

This review focuses on the clinical translation of preclinical studies, especially those that have used stem cells in the treatment of glaucoma, with an emphasis on optic nerve regeneration. The studies referred to in the review aim to treat optic nerve atrophy, while cell therapies targeting other sites in the eye, such as the trabecular meshwork, have not been addressed. Such complex and varied pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to glaucoma may explain the fact that although stem cells have a high capacity of neuronal regeneration, the treatments performed did not have the expected results and the promise offered by animal studies was not achieved. By analyzing the facts associated with failure, important lessons are to be learned: the type of stem cells that are used, the route of administration, the selection of patients eligible for these treatments, additional therapies that support stem cells transplantation and their mode of action, methods of avoiding the host’s immune response. Many of these problems could be solved using exosomes (EV), but also miRNA, which allows more targeted approaches with minimal side effects.

The Potential of Acetylfuran and Furfural from Tamarindus indica as Lipoxygenase Inhibitor: In Silico Study

Background: Tamarindus indica is a type of plant sub-family Caesalpinioideae, which is predicted to have anti-inflammatory properties. When inflammation occurs, arachidonic acid will undergo metabolism, the LOX pathway will release 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX). Objective: This study aimed to analyze the potential of acetylfuran and furfural compounds on LOX action. Methods: The compound Acetylfuran (CID 14505), Furfural (CID 7362) were downloaded from the PubChem database. The 5-LOX protein was obtained from PDB (6N2W), preparation by removing ligands and molecules that bind to Discovery Studio V19.1.0.18287. Compound and protein interactions have interacted with the Vina autodock software integrated into the PyRX software and analyzed by Discovery Studio V19.1.0.18287. Results: The results showed that the content of Acetylfuran and Furfural compounds in Tamarindus indica is predicted to have the potential as an inhibitor of the LOX gene on different amino acid residues, namely 3 amino acid residues and 4 amino acid residues, respectively and produce binding energy. In addition, van der Waals forces, hydrogen and hydrophobic bonds were found, giving the strength of the bonds formed. Conclusion: Bioactive acetylfuran and furfural have the potential as a drug to curve inflammation in the human body.

ONLINE PSYCHODRAMA AND ACTION METHODS: THEORIES AND PRACTICES

This article is a study of psychotherapy and sociotherapy practices developed in virtual environments during the Covid-19 pandemic. Online action methods were applied, among them: psychodramas, sociodramas, spontaneous theaters and dramatic games. As an objective, we sought to understand the specifics of these methods. Methodologically, analyzes of the information and of the socodynamics of these encounters were conducted, where we confirm or refute hypotheses related to the therapeutic specificities and effects of online practices. From the analysis some phenomena were found, which were defined theoretically and practically, such as hyper-supplementary reality, interconnecting scenes, virtual tele, virtual therapeutic bond, condensed corporality, speech-action, dynamic sociocultural matrix, and virtual psychodramatic role.

Immunonutrition Hope? Oncoxin as Cancer Treatment Supplement. Scoping Review

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of Oncoxin as an antitumoral supplement, and to describe its mechanism of action. Methods: We performed this scoping review according to the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute and included patients older than 18 years-old who have any kind of tumor and receive Oncoxin as a supplement. We focused on the efficacy in terms of antitumoral properties, quality of life and survival, safety in terms of adverse events, and the mechanism of action. We did not limit for language or setting. We searched MEDLINE (Pubmed), EMBASE (Scopus), LILACS, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from inception to nowadays. Results: We found a promising increment of survival when taking Oncoxin as a supplementary treatment. Additionally, the quality of life increased in terms of Karnofsky and EORTC scales. Regarding the mechanism of action, studies suggest it modifies inflammatory mediators’ expression, as evidenced by the reduction of COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12, and IFN-γ. Besides, it promotes an arrest in the progression of cells from G1 into S, along with an increase in p27 and a decrease in cyclin D1 and pRb. Conclusions: We found promising complementary effects of Oncoxin to the standard treatment of cancer patients in diverse scenarios, with putative robust mechanisms of action. In addition to clinically relevant impacts verified in clinical trials, as well as it decreases the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, it can also decrease cytokines with antitumor activity such as IFN-γ, which should be further explored in larger trials and the long term.

Possible mechanisms of action of cannabidiol in the epilepsies: a review

Background: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound of Cannabis Sativa plant that has been studied since the 1970s for its effectiveness in the treatment of refractory epilepsies. With the discovery of the endocannabinoid system, most recent studies have been dedicated to elucidating its mechanisms of action. Objective: To review scientific articles in order to enlightening the antiepileptic cannabidiol’s mechanisms of action. Methods: Literature review on both PubMed and Google Scholar searching for the terms: “epilepsy”, “cannabidiol” and “mechanism of action”. Results: We found that cannabidiol has a lot of mechanisms of action which can explain its effectiveness, among which stand out: endocannabinoid system facilitation, by inhibition of recaption and hydrolysis of anandamide as well as by the facilitation of its synthesis and release. These processes must result in the indirect activation of CB1 and CB2 receptors. Furthermore, CBD promotes the activation of mTOR and PI3K proteins intracellular pathway, with subsequent reduction of glutamatergic release. Conclusions: The general hypothesis is that cannabidiol has antiepileptic effectiveness, even in cases of refractory epilepsies, precisely for showing several mechanisms of action. We emphasize, however, the necessity of more researches in this area for further enlightenment of theses possible mechanisms of action and the applicability in the treatment of epilepsies.

Sociometric Assessment and Written Psychodramatic Interventions in Individual Social Work Practice

The application of sociometry assessments and written psychodrama interventions within one-to-one social work settings is the focus of this chapter. Interventions covered include the social atom, the role atom, modified role atoms, clinical timelines, psychodramatic journaling, and psychodramatic letter writing. Step-by-step instructions are provided for clinicians new to these techniques. Practice examples and clinical processing are offered with depictions of the social atom and role atoms. These tools are presented individually with supporting theory but are often employed together or as a warm-up for a psychodrama enactment. Novice psychodramatists or those less experienced in action methods will find these approaches as a good starting point for beginning to integration sociometry and psychodramatic interventions into their clinical practice with individuals. Though these tools will be presented for individual work, they are also applicable tools for group work and community settings.

Pandemia, controllo digitale e democrazia: un’esperienza DaD di Filosofia e Media education

This article presents the teaching experience Pandemic, digital control and democracy conducted in the 5th AU and 5th BU classes of the “G. Bianchi Dottula” of Bari in the months of March and April 2020, in the lockdown period due to the Covid-19 health emergency. The path, based on the combination of research-action methods, consisted in the discussion of philosophical issues in a transversal perspective through a targeted DaD approach (with the help of Padlet, Google Classroom, Google Meet, Screen-cast-o-matic, Rai Scuola and many others), in view of the State Exams. In a historical moment in which the discussion on the present is of extreme urgency and the awareness of the processes in progress is decisive, the narration of this good practice could contribute to the sharing of didactically effective experiences in consideration of the next DDI.

Spasmolytic effect of Acmella oleracea flowers extract on isolated rat ileum

Introduction: Acmella oleracea has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of asthma, sore throat, haemorrhoids and toothache. However, whether A. oleracea has gastrointestinal functions, such as regulation of intestinal contractions, has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of A. oleracea flowers extract (AFE) on rat ileum contractions and the possible mechanism(s) of its action. Methods: The extract was prepared using the Soxhlet apparatus with 95% ethanol. Ileum was removed from male Wistar rats and mounted in an organ bath containing Krebs solution. The tissue contractions were recorded by an isotonic transducer under 1 g tension.Results: The cumulative concentrations of the AFE (0.01–1 mg/mL) reduced the ileum contractions induced by KCl (80 mM) (n = 6, P < 0.05). AFE (1 mg/mL) attenuated the contractions induced by cumulative concentrations of CaCl2 (1–20 mM), while the spasmolytic effects of the extract were not reduced after tissue incubation with N (ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (100 μM, 20 minutes).Conclusion: These results suggest that AFE inhibits ileum contractions without involving the nitric oxide pathway, which is possibly mediated via blockade of voltage-dependent calcium channels. A. oleracea may be useful in gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhoea.

Nanobulges: A Duplex Nanosystem for Multidimensional Applications

Background: Nanoparticulate systems like nanospheres, nanocrystals, and nanofluids show immense advancement in the fields of nanoelectronic and agriculture. Nanobulges are duplexed nanoparticles comprising the interaction of two nanoparticles for the formation of a curved bulge on the surface of the nanoparticle. Objective: This review focuses on properties, mechanism of action, methods of preparation and applications of nanobulges in optoelectronic devices and controlled release of fertilizers. Methods: Mostly pulsed laser deposition and multilayered palladium-catalysts fabrication with nanobulges structure are used to prepare nanobulges. Results: Nanobulges are advantageous over the conventional nanoparticles due to their high electrical density, improved catalytic drug loading and good electronic conductivity. Conclusion: In the near future, nanobulges will emerge as a promising material for commercial preparation of bioanalytical sensors and microfluidic systems.