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PURPOSE: This study aims to describe the clinical and laboratory outcomes of patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) presenting multifocal choroiditis secondary to Cryptococcus sp. infection. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records of AIDS patients diagnosed with cryptococcal multifocal choroiditis at the Laboratory of Infectious Disease in Ophthalmology, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, from January 2022 to March 2024. Patients meeting the criteria of typical fundus appearance associated with disseminated cryptococcosis laboratory diagnosis were included. Data collected included age, gender, symptoms, plasma HIV viral load, serum T-CD4+ cell count (cells/mm3), initial visual acuity (VA), laboratory methods for cryptococcosis diagnosis, treatment, and final VA. All patients underwent multimodal evaluation including spectral domain optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography (FA), and indocyanine green angiography (ICG). RESULTS: Six patients were evaluated, comprising five males (83%) and one female (17%), with a mean age of 36.5 years (standard deviation, SD: 10,46). Five patients (83%) presented with meningeal syndrome. Mean HIV plasma viral load was 262.959 copies/mm3 (SD: 209.469), and the mean serum T-CD4 count was 13.33 cells/mL (SD: 14,63). All patients tested positive for serum cryptococcal antigen (CRAG). Four patients (67%) had positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and CRAG. Treatment included intravenous Amphotericin B and oral Fluconazole. Among twelve eyes (100%), four (33%) achieved visual recovery, while eight (67%) maintained initial VA. Lesions were more numerous and distinct on ICG compared to fundus examination and FA. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the importance of clinical, laboratory, and multimodal evaluations in AIDS patients presenting with cryptococcal multifocal choroiditis.

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Galactoglucomannan (GGM) is the predominant hemicellulose in coniferous trees, such as Norway spruce, and has been used as a multipurpose emulsifier in the food industry. In vitro digestion with a cellular antioxidant activity assay was performed to determine the bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds, and the behaviour of GGM on in vivo experimental assay against induced colon cancer. The results showed that digestion decreased the bioaccessibility and antioxidant capacity of phenolic compounds. Cellular analysis did not support these findings once an antioxidant effect was observed in human cell lines. GGM attenuated the initiation and progression of colon cancer, by reducing the foci of aberrant crypts in rats, and modified the intestinal bacterial microbiota (disrupting the balance between Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla). Thus, GGM provided chemopreventive protection against the development of colon cancer and acted as an intracellular antioxidant agent.

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This study explored the effects of fructose-induced obesity and metabolic disorders on peripheral inflammatory hyperalgesia, employing quantitative sensory testing with the von Frey test and measuring paw edema to assess inflammatory responses. Wistar rats were administered water or 10% fructose solution ad libitum over a period of 5 weeks. After intraplantar administration of inflammatory agents such as carrageenan (1 mg/paw), lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 100 µg/paw), or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2, 100 ng/paw), we conducted mechanical hyperalgesia tests and paw edema evaluations. The fructose diet resulted in dyslipidemia, elevated insulin and leptin plasma levels, insulin resistance, and increased epididymal and retroperitoneal adiposity compared to control animals. In response to inflammatory agents, the fructose group displayed significantly enhanced peripheral hyperalgesia and more pronounced paw edema. Our results demonstrate that fructose not only contributes to the development of obesity and metabolic disorder but also exacerbates peripheral inflammatory pain responses by enhancing prostaglandin sensitivity.

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Sickness behavior reflects a state of altered physiology and central nervous system function that occurs during systemic infection or inflammation, serving as an adaptive response to illness. This study aims to elucidate the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in regulating sickness behavior and neuroinflammatory responses in a rat model of systemic inflammation. Adult male Wistar rats were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce sickness behavior. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) pretreatments included aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA), an inhibitor of H2S synthesis, and sodium sulfide (NaHS), an H2S donor. Behavioral assays were conducted, along with the assessment of astrocyte activation, as indicated by GFAP expression in the hypothalamus. Pretreatment with NaHS mitigated LPS-induced behavioral changes, including hypophagia, social and exploratory deficits, without affecting peripheral cytokine levels, indicating a central modulatory effect. AOAA, conversely, accentuated certain behavioral responses, suggesting a complex role of endogenous H2S in sickness behavior. These findings were reinforced by a lack of effect on plasma interleukin levels but significant reduction in GFAP expression. Our findings support the central role of H2S in modulating neuroinflammation and sickness behavior, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting H2S signaling in neuroinflammatory conditions.

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Orange peels contain a considerable number of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, that can be used as ingredients in high-value products. The aim of this study was to compare orange peel extracts obtained with different green solvents (vegetable oils, fatty acids, and deep eutectic solvents (DES)). In addition, the chemical characterization of a new hydrophobic DES formed by octanoic acid and l-proline (C8:Pro) was performed. The extracts were compared in terms of carotenoid extraction, antioxidant activity by three methods, color, and environmental impact. The results confirmed that the mixture of C8:Pro is a DES and showed the highest carotenoid extraction (46.01 µg/g) compared to hexane (39.28 µg/g). The antioxidant activity was also the highest in C8:Pro (2438.8 µM TE/mL). Finally, two assessment models were used to evaluate the greenness and sustainability of the proposed extractions. These results demonstrated the potential use of orange peels in the circular economy and industry.

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Uranium mining can cause environmental impacts on non-human biota around mine sites. Because of this, the reduction in non-human biota exposure becomes an important issue. Environmental radioprotection results from the evolution of human radioprotection; it is based on dose rate to non-human biota and uses, as a biological target, and has harmful effects on populations. In the present study, a flooded impoundment created following dam construction in a uranium mine plant undergoing decommissioning was investigated. Internal dose rates due to activity concentration of natural uranium (Unat) and 232Th in omnivorous, phytophagous, and carnivorous fish species were estimated. Radionuclide activity concentrations were obtained by spectrophotometry with arsenazo III in the visible range. The dose rate contribution of 232Th was lower than that of Unat. There were no differences between the internal dose rates to studied fish species due to 232Th, but there were differences for Unat. A dose rate of 2.30·10-2 µGy∙d-1 was found due to the two studied radionuclides. Although this value falls below the benchmark for harmful effects, it is important to acknowledge that the assessment did not account for other critical radionuclides from uranium mining, which also contribute to the internal dose. Moreover, the study did not assess external doses. As a result, the possibility cannot be excluded that dose rates at the study area overcome the established benchmarks for harmful effects.

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Dillenia indica (Linn.) has been reported by several biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-hyperglycemic, antiproliferative, antimutagenic, anticholinesterase, and antimicrobial. In Brazilian traditional medicine, the fruits of D. indica have been used to treat general topical pain and inflammation, but with no scientific validation. Thus, aiming to study its chemical constitution and antinociceptive properties, the crude extract (CE) and fractions obtained from the fruits of D. indica were submitted to an in vivo pharmacological evaluation and a dereplication study by LC-MS/MS analysis, assisted by the Global Natural Product Social Molecular Networking (GNPS). The oral antinociceptive activity of the fruits of D. indica and the possible participation of the opioid and cannabinoid systems were demonstrated in the formalin-induced nociception model. The chemical dereplication study led us to identify several known chemical constituents, including flavonoids, such as caffeoylmalic acid, naringenin, quercetin, and kaempferol. According to literature data, our results are compatible with significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, the flavonoid constituents of the fruits of D. indica are probably responsible for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive effects mediated by both opioid and cannabinoid systems, confirming its folk use in the treatment and relief of pain.

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Maternal immune activation (MIA) caused by exposure to pathogens or inflammation during critical periods of gestation increased susceptibility to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, in the offspring. In the present work, we aimed to provide characterization of the long-term consequences on anxiety-like behavior and cardiovascular stress response of MIA in the offspring. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of MIA by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in adult male offspring. In our study, the animals were subjected to a range of behavioral and physiological tests, including the elevated plus maze, social interaction, cat odor response, open field behavior, contextual fear conditioning, and cardiovascular responses during restraint stress. In the offspring of MIA, our study unveiled distinct anxious behaviors. This was evident by fewer entries into the open arms of the maze, diminished anti-thigmotaxis in the open field, and a decrease in social interaction time. Moreover, these rats showed heightened sensitivity to cat odor, exhibited prolonged freezing during fear conditioning, and presented elevated 22 Hz ultrasonic vocalizations. Notably, during restraint stress, these animals manifested an augmented blood pressure response, and this was associated with an increase in c-fos expression in the locus coeruleus compared to the control group. These findings collectively underline the extensive behavioral and physiological alterations stemming from MIA. This study deepens our understanding of the significance of maternal health in predisposing offspring to neurobehavioral deficits and psychiatric disorders.

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AIMS: The present study was developed to investigate how litter reduction-induced obesity promotes early depressive-related behaviors in rodent offspring. MAIN METHODS: We employed a standardized litter size reduction protocol, dividing litters into groups: normal litters (NL), consisting of six males and six females pups and small litters (SL), comprising two males and two females pups. Maternal behavior was monitored during the initial week of lactation. Subsequently, we assessed the pups for weight gain, locomotor activity, social play behavior, and performance in forced swimming test. We further evaluated the weights of retroperitoneal and perigonadal fat tissues, along with the expression of glial fibrillary acidic pprotein (GFAP) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of the offspring. KEY FINDINGS: Our results indicated that litter size reduction led to an increased the maternal behavior. In contrast, offspring from the SL group displayed greater weight gain and increased, retroperitoneal and perigonadal fat. Both male and female rodents in the SL group exhibited decreased social play behavior, and male offspring spent more time immobile during the forced swimming test, suggesting a depressive-like phenotype. Notably, we observed an increase in the GFAP expression in the prefrontal cortex of male rodents, with a trend toward increased expression in the hippocampus. SIGNIFICANCE: Obesity may facilitate the development of early depressive-like behaviors, potentially associated with elevated GFAP expression in the prefrontal cortex.

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Fish from a Funil dam reservoir associated with a Nuclear Fuel Factory were sampled aiming to assess the radiological risk due to ingestion. Funil dam reservoir is a strategic site, once it receives effluent from the industrial complex that performs isotopic enrichment of uranium and conversion of UF6. The mean activity concentrations obtained for 40K, 226Ra, 228Ra and 228Th were 57.81, 0.41, 0.92 and 0.49 Bq·kg-1, respectively. Lifetime cancer risk was estimated in ∼10-5 and no action needs to be taken.

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Ring-substituted phenethylamines are believed to induce psychedelic effects primarily by interacting with 5-hydroxytryptamine 2 (5-HT2A) receptors in the brain. We assessed the effect of the psychedelic substances 25H-NBOMe and 25H-NBOH on the depressive-like behavior of male adult rats. Naive Wistar rats were divided into groups to assess the effects of different doses (0.1 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, and 3 mg/kg) of 25H-NBOMe and 25H-NBOH. The substances were administered intraperitoneally and the hallucinogenic properties were evaluated using the head twitch response test (HTR). Additionally, we assessed their locomotor activity in the open field test (OFT) and depressive-like behavior in the forced swimming test (FST). Our data demonstrated that all doses of synthetic psychedelic substances evaluated exhibited hallucinogenic effects. Interestingly, we observed that both 25H-NBOMe and 25H-NBOH produced a significantly greater motivation to escape in the FST, compared to the control group. Furthermore, we found no significant differences in locomotor activity during the OFT, except for the dose of 3 mg/kg, which induced a reduction in locomotion. This study provides new insights into a potential psychedelic substance, specifically by demonstrating the previously unknown antidepressant properties of a single dose of both 25H-NBOMe and 25H-NBOH. These findings contribute to the ongoing progress of experimental psychiatry toward developing safe and effective clinical practices in the field of psychedelics research.

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Blackcurrant press cake (BPC) is a source of anthocyanins, and this study evaluated the bioactivity and gut microbiota modulation of blackcurrant diets with or without 1,2 dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats. In colon cancer-induced rats (CRC), BPC at the highest dosages increased pro-inflammatory parameters and the expression of anti-apoptotic cytokines, accentuating colon cancer initiation by aberrant crypts and morphological changes. Fecal microbiome analysis showed that BPC altered the composition and function of the gut microbiome. This evidence suggests that high doses of BPC act as a pro-oxidant, accentuating the inflammatory environment and CRC progression.

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PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to describe the vitreal, retinal, and choroidal features of eyes affected by endogenous endophthalmitis (EE) and evaluate the effects of systemic antifungal drug treatment and pars plana vitrectomy by using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: Medical records and SD-OCT images of eyes diagnosed with EE at a single uveitis tertiary referral center in Brazil were acquired at the time of diagnosis, after 7 days of high-dose antifungal drug treatment, and at follow-up assessments performed 30 days after resolution. RESULTS: Thirteen eyes were enrolled in the study. All patients showed hyperreflective round-shaped lesions on SD-OCT and pre-retinal aggregates. Five eyes responded to antifungal systemic oral drugs despite showing vitreous opacity. The response to treatment was observable on optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. CONCLUSION: Fungal endophthalmitis showed typical features on SD-OCT, facilitating early diagnosis and treatment despite the absence of vitreous culture or biopsy. This study suggests that OCT images can be used to support diagnosis by physicians who do not have access to vitreoretinal surgery.

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Uranium mining causes several radiological impacts on the surrounding environment, notably in the water bodies, mainly due to the release of long half-life radionuclides from the 238U and 232Th series. The Ore Treatment Unit, an old uranium mine undergoing decommissioning, has three points of liquid effluent release (#014, #025, and #076). For current study, 78 samples of water were collected at #014, 33 samples at #025, and 63 samples at #076. The radionuclides were analyzed by gross alpha count, gross beta count, and by arsenazo spectrophotometry. Analyses were carried out using the radiological water quality criterion established by World Health Organization and other organizations, together with the Brazilian legislation, to assess if the released effluents may be used unrestrictedly by the individuals of the public. At #014, the mean values of activity concentration (AC), in Bq·L-1, were as follows: Unat = 0.107, 226Ra = 0.035, 210Pb = 0.031, 232Th = 0.007, and 228Ra = 0.049. At #025 the mean values of AC, in Bq·L-1, were as follows: Unat = 0.086, 226Ra = 0.015, 210Pb = 0.028, 232Th = 0.006, and 228Ra = 0.032. Finally, at point #076, the mean AC values, in Bq·L-1, were as follows: Unat = 3.624, 226Ra = 0.074, 210Pb = 0.054, 232Th = 0.013, and 228Ra = 0.069. The current study showed that natural radionuclides were not in secular equilibrium. Despite uranium presented its values outside the limits of guidance levels, it can be state that the unrestricted use of effluents released in the three water bodies is authorized from the radiological point of view. In terms of dose rate, the releases at three points were within the radiological limits of potability. On the other hand, in an additional analysis, #76 presented chemical toxicity above the authorized value, pointing the need of restricted use of water from the point of view of chemical toxicity.

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Gestational hypothyroidism is a prevalent disorder in pregnant women and also impairs fetal development with relevant outcomes. One of the outcomes of greatest interest has been rodent fear- and anxiety-like behavior. However, the relationship between maternal hypothyroidism and onset of conditioned fear-related responses in offspring remains controversial. Here, we used a well-validated methimazole-induced gestational hypothyroidism to investigate the behavioral consequences in offspring. Dams were treated with methimazole at 0.02% in drinking water up to gestational Day 9. Maternal body weights and maternal behavior were evaluated, and the puppies ware analyzed for weight gain and physical/behavioral development and assigned for the open field and fear conditioning test. Methimazole-induced gestational hypothyroidism induced loss in maternal and litter weight, increases in maternal behavior, and impairs in offspring developmental landmarks in both male and female rodents. Only male offspring enhanced responsiveness to conditioned fear-like behavior in adulthood.

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INTRODUCTION: Ampiginous Choroiditis is a rare posterior uveitis that combines clinical features of Acute Multifocal Posterior Placoid Pigment Epitheliopathy and Serpiginous Chorioretinitis. Its pathophysiology is poorly understood and further studies are necessary to understand which mechanisms start the immunologic reaction. CASE REPORT: The purpose of this article is to report a well-documented case of Ampiginous Choroiditis following in seven days a RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting that the infection might have contributed as a trigger. CONCLUSION: Timely diagnosis and correct treatment are paramount to improve the visual outcomes, and the patient had successful response to systemic steroids.

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