Background: Alpha-terpineol is monoterpene alcohol with anti-tumor activity against different tumor cell lines (lung, breast, leukemias and colorectal) through blockage of NF-kB expression, which play an important role in tumor cells growth. Objective: Evaluate the antitumor activity of alpha-terpineol in murine Sarcoma 180 cell line Methods:: For the tests, different cytotoxic and genotoxic assays were used, including Trypan blue, cytokinesis- blocked micronucleus assay, comet assay, agarose gel DNA fragmentation, flow cytometry and cell viability using fluorescence. Ascitic fluid cells from sarcoma 180 were obtained from Mus musculus peritoneal cavity and Alpha-terpineol was tested at 100, 250 and 500 μg/mL. Doxorubicin and Cisplatin were used as positive controls. Results: Cytotoxic effects of alpha-terpineol were found in all concentrations tested, reducing cell viability in 50.9; 38.53; 30.82% at 100, 250 and 500 μg/mL, respectively. Alpha-terpineol induced genotoxic effects due to DNA fragmentation (increased frequency and index of damage), and was clastogenic by increased micronuclei formation, nucleoplasmic bridges and nuclear buds. DNA fragmentation and increased cell death indicated that alpha-terpineol can cause early, late, and necrotic apoptosis. Conclusion: Our data indicate that alpha-terpineol has antitumor activity revealed by cytogenetic mechanisms and / or loss of cell membrane integrity.

Visceral Leishmaniasis in humans presents with fever, anemia, and splenomegaly and can be lethal if not treated. Nevertheless, the majority of Leishmania infantum-infected individuals does not manifest symptoms and remain so provided they are not immunosuppressed. In this work, the performance of different tests was evaluated to detect asymptomatic individuals who were living in Teresina, Piauí state, Brazil, an endemic area for VL. L. infantum-specific antibodies were detected by ELISA and two different rapid immunochromatographic (IC) diagnostic tests, Kalazar Detect and OnSite, and parasitic loads were detected by real time PCR [qPCR]. Additionally, we measured levels of the biomarkers monokine induced by IFN-γ (MIG) and IFN-γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10) before and after stimulation of whole blood with soluble Leishmania antigen [SLA]. Kalazar Detect and OnSite detected, respectively, 76% and 64% of patients presenting with active Visceral Leishmaniasis; 50% and 57% of patients remained positive in these tests, respectively, after treatment. Of the healthy participants in the study who were living in the endemic area, only 1.7% were positive with both of the IC tests. On the other hand, reactivity in ELISA tests revealed that 13% of these individuals presented asymptomatic infections; among VL patients, 84% presenting with active disease were reactive in ELISA, and after treatment, 55.5% were seropositive. L. infantum DNA was present in the blood of 37.9% of infected individuals living in the endemic area, while IP-10 and MIG biomarkers were detected in 26.7% of them. The greatest concordance of positivity occurred between ELISA and qPCR. The association of different techniques can detect asymptomatic infections, however, more research is necessary to develop ideal biomarkers that are simple to use in the clinic and in field studies in areas endemic for Visceral Leishmaniasis. Infections with Leishmania infantum occurring in humans can become clinically manifest as active visceral leishmaniasis [VL], more frequently so in individuals with compromised immune systems and the disease can be fatal if left untreated. However, many individuals living in endemic areas who are infected through of a bite of the insect vector remain asymptomatic. Currently, other forms of transmission are being discussed, such as through blood transfusions and organ donations from asymptomatic individuals. Parallel to this knowledge, we know that dogs are reservoirs for L. infantum, but the role of asymptomatic humans as alternative reservoirs of VL is still is debated. A bone marrow aspirate is the best test to diagnose active VL in humans, but is too invasive to use in all people living in endemic areas. Therefore, less invasive tests are needed that use blood samples to detect infected persons who have not developed disease. In this regard, we evaluated different tests in order to find out which is the most effective to diagnose asymptomatic infections.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) generally affect young individuals, have a global incidence, representing an important public health problem today. Ulcerative colitis is the most common inflammatory bowel disease, characterized by chronic and diffuse inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, often limited to the colon, presenting as main symptoms abdominal pain and mucosanguinolent diarrhea, substantially compromising the quality of life of the individuals affected by it. Its etiology has not yet been fully clarified, however it has been established that a trigger still unknown triggers, in genetically predisposed individuals, an aberrant immune response that culminates in inflammatory processes. The primary pathophysiological elements that guide the beginning, evolution and, ultimately, resolution of IBDs are the responses of the cytokines that characterize them. The first level of cytokine responses is governed by the differentiation patterns of T cells characteristic of each disease. The aim of this study was to conduct a literature review to gather evidence on the profile of cytokines characteristic of ulcerative colitis. The study was carried out through a literature review, with the survey of scientific evidence in the databases Pub Med, Science Direct and Scopus. Ulcerative colitis classically presented as an inflammatory disease mediated by Th2 cells, which has as characteristic cytokines IL 4, IL 5, IL 13, IL 21 and IL 25, however recent evidence has recognized the existence of significant accommodation between cell activation Th2 and Th1 (IFN γ, IL 2 and TNF α) and the auxiliary participation of Th9, Th17 and Th22 cells and regulatory T cells.