Abstract Lichens have exhibited numerous biological activities, including growth inhibition of tumor cells. This study evaluated the antiproliferative activity of hypostictic and salazinic acids against tumor cell lines (B16-F10, PC-03, MCF7, HT-29, HEP-G2, K562 and 786-0) by the SRB assay in vitro and antitumor activity in experimental murine melanoma in vivo. Activation of caspase-3 was quantified by flow cytometry. The murine experimental melanoma model B16-F10 was used in BALB/c mice for evaluation of antitumor activity. Hypostictic acid showed significant antiproliferative activity in K562 cells (GI50 2.20 µM), B16-F10 (GI50 13.78 µM) and 786-0 (GI50 14.24 µM), whereas salazinic acid was more active against K562 cells (GI50 64.36 µM), HT-29 (GI50 67.91 µM) and B16-F10 (GI5078.64 µM). Quantification of capase-3 revealed that the test compounds did not increase the expression of that enzyme. In the in vivo antitumor evaluation in B16-F10 melanoma, the isolated compounds inhibited tumor growth in relation to weight and volume. Hypostictic acid (16.7 mg/kg) inhibited 72% and salazinic acid 88% of tumor volume (p < 0.05). The results indicated that, both in the in vitro and in vivo models, the compounds evaluated showed antiproliferative and antitumor activities.

Introduction The aim of this study was to conduct an epidemiological study comparing the genetic similarity of yeasts isolated from blood cultures. Methods Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) techniques were used for the Candida samples obtained from patients at the Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul (HU/UFMS) in Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from 1998-2000. Results The most frequently isolated species was Candida albicans (45.8%). DNA amplification from genomic yeast isolates indicated a genetic similarity of over 90%. Conclusions The RAPD profiles obtained were able to differentiate between the isolated Candida species, thereby suggesting that the method might be useful in epidemiological studies.

A series of 15 ω-aminoalkoxylxanthones containing methyl, ethyl, propyl, tert-butylamino and piperidinyl moieties were synthesized from a natural xanthone isolated from a lichen species. These compounds were tested for their in vitro antibacterial properties against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and cytotoxicity against a number of human tumor cell lines was too evaluated. The newly synthesized derivatives revealed selective activity against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive), and the most promising results are for a multidrug resistant strain, for which six of these compounds showed good activity (MICs 4 µg/mL). Many derivatives inhibited tumor cells growth and most compounds were active on multiple lines.

As leishmanioses são zoonoses endêmicas em Mato Grosso do Sul e têm por agentes etiológicos nessa região Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi, Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis e Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Como método para identificação de espécies de Leishmania, a reação em cadeia da polimerase é uma ferramenta com elevada especificidade e sensibilidade. Analisaram-se 39 isolados de Leishmania criopreservados, obtidos por meio de aspirado medular e/ou biópsia de lesão, conforme a suspeita clínica. Os isolados foram submetidos à extração de DNA e à reação em cadeia da polimerase com os iniciadores: RV1/RV2 para Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi, a1/a2 para a identificação de Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis e b1/b2 para Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi foi a única espécie identificada em 37 casos de leishmaniose visceral. Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis foi identificada em dois isolados de pacientes com diagnóstico de leishmaniose tegumentar. Os resultados obtidos confirmam a possibilidade do uso dos três pares de iniciadores como uma ferramenta na caracterização de isolados de Leishmania.

Leishmaniases are endemic zoonoses in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Their etiological agents in this region of Brazil are Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi, Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a tool with high specificity and sensitivity for identifying Leishmania species. This study examined 39 cryopreserved isolates of Leishmania that had been collected by bone marrow aspiration and/or lesion biopsy, depending on the clinical suspicion. The isolates were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR using the following primers: RV1/RV2 for identifying Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi, a1/a2 for Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and b1/b2 for Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis.Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi was the only species identified in the 37 cases of visceral leishmaniasis.Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis was identified in two isolates from patients with a diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The results obtained confirm that it is possible to use these three pairs of primers as a tool for characterizing Leishmania isolates.