Better knowledge of medicinal plant species and their conservation is an urgent need worldwide. Decision making for conservation strategies can be based on the knowledge of the variability and population genetic structure of the species and on the events that may influence these genetic parameters. Achyrocline flaccida (Weinm.) DC. is a native plant from the grassy fields of South America with high value in folk medicine. In spite of its importance, no genetic and conservation studies are available for the species. In this work, microsatellite and ISSR (inter-simple sequence repeat) markers were used to estimate the genetic variability and structure of seven populations of A. flaccida from southern Brazil. The microsatellite markers were inefficient in A. flaccida owing to a high number of null alleles. After the evaluation of 42 ISSR primers on one population, 10 were selected for further analysis of seven A. flaccida populations. The results of ISSR showed that the high number of exclusive absence of loci might contribute to the inter-population differentiation. Genetic variability of the species was high (Nei’s diversity of 0.23 and Shannon diversity of 0.37). AMOVA indicated higher genetic variability within (64.7%) than among (33.96%) populations, and the variability was unevenly distributed (FST 0.33). Gene flow among populations ranged from 1.68 to 5.2 migrants per generation, with an average of 1.39. The results of PCoA and Bayesian analyses corroborated and indicated that the populations are structured. The observed genetic variability and population structure of A. flaccida are discussed in the context of the vegetation formation history in southern Brazil, as well as the possible anthropogenic effects. Additionally, we discuss the implications of the results in the conservation of the species.

We studied antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo and partial chemical characterization of exobiopolymers (EBPs) of Agaricus brasiliensis produced by submerged cultivation. The EBPs comprised 61.2% total sugar and 22.3% total protein, and the chromatographic profile mainly identified mannose (65.5%), galactose (17.5%), and glucose (13.1%). In vitro analysis revealed a dose with antitumor effectiveness, time-dependent treatment, and 46% inhibition of solid Walker 256 tumors in rats. Metabolic changes were significant in the spleens of the animals; this is possibly related to higher immune activity triggered by the presence of EBPs in the treated group. The increase of nitric oxide production by peritoneal macrophages from animals may be related to the tumor reduction observed, because nitric oxide acts as an important effector pathway in the defense of the organism.

Introduction: Confronting the COVID-19 pandemic involves actions in the scope of information, especially in combating false content disseminated by social media. In this sense, medical students, including those belonging to a Trauma and Emergency Academic League, have mobilized to create a media campaign in order to disseminate information about SARS-CoV-2’s aspects to the population. The objective of this work was to report the contribution of the league members to the campaign developed to disseminate reliable scientific content based on simple and objective language about COVID-19. Methodology: A campaign was organized by second to the sixth-year medical students, members of 15 university academic leagues, with the aim to use social media as an information tool for health educational practice. Results: The students from the Trauma and Emergency Academic League made a total of 6 posts on Instagram, using the league’s and the campaign’s accounts. Those posts obtained a total of 1983 views and had the purposed of reaching the general population. The information provided was about self-medication and its risks or benefits, preventive measures against COVID-19 and how to make and use homemade masks. Among the public that accessed the campaign’s profile on Instagram, 70% were women and 80% were between 18 and 34 years old. Discussion: With the reported activities, league students described acquiring knowledge about COVID-19, in addition to teamwork experience and contribution to the fight against the pandemic through the materials production and its dissemination to the population. It allowed innovation in learning and in the access to knowledge, as the pandemic imposed new health-related educational challenges. However, it is noticed that there is a limitation in the posts scope, as they have mostly reached a specific age group. Conclusion: The proper internet usage is essential to combat misleading information in the pandemic context. Therefore, the online dissemination of reliable information with the intent to reach a larger audience indicates academic commitment, especially to social responsibility.