Preparação e caracterização inicial de complexo de inclusão entre nitrofurazona e 2-hidroxipropil-β-ciclodextrina

Nitrofurazone (NF), 5-nitro-2-furaldehyde semicarbazone, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, has reported toxic effects and low solubility in water. It would be of great interest to form inclusion complexes between NF and a cyclodextrin, to develop more effective and safer antibiotic formulations. This paper focuses on the preparation of inclusion complexes of NF with 2-hydroxypropyl-β- cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and their initial characterization by evaluating rates of complex formation, photostability, solubility isotherms, release rate profiles, stoichiometry of the complexes and their morphology, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. The kinetic tests of complex formation revealed that 17,3 h is enough for stabilization of the NF-cyclodextrin complex. The solubility isotherm studies showed that the isotherm changes from type A to type B, as a function of temperature. The photostability experiments showed that the insertion of the NF in the HP-β-CD cavity protects the drug from photodecomposition. The release kinetic tests showed that the profile of NF release from the complex is altered by the presence of HP-β-CD in the medium. A Job's plot indicated that the stoichiometry of the complex was 1:1 NF:HP-β-CD. The scanning electron micrographs showed changes in the crystal structure of NF in the complex. This study focused on the physicochemical properties of drug-delivery formulations that could potentially be developed into a novel type of therapy with NF.

Potencialização do efeito antiinflamatório e antinociceptivo do diclofenaco e da nimesulida por vitaminas do complexo B

The effects of a combination of some B vitamins and diclofenac or nimesulide on chemical nociception in mice or paw edema in rats were investigated. While the vitamins alone had no effect, combination of thiamine (B1), pyridoxine (B6) and cyanocobalamin (B12), given i.p. in doses of 100mg and 5mg/kg, respectively, potentiated the inhibition by nimesulide (5mg/kg) of paw edema induced by carrageenin in rats. Antinociceptive effects of diclofenac and nimesulide (inhibition of abdominal writhing induced by acetic acid in mice) were also potentiated by the combination of the vitamins B1, B6 and B12. Thiamine, pyridoxine and cyanocobalamin given singly were effective in potentiating antinociceptive effects of nimesulide, but only cyanocobalamin potentiated these effects of diclofenac, probably reflecting the differing mechanisms of action of the two drugs. The results document the positive influence of B vitamins on the antinociceptive effects of diclofenac or nimesulide and support the use of B vitamins to shorten the treatment time and reduce the daily dose of anti-inflammatories.

Quantificação do interferon-tau durante o reconhecimento materno da gestação em fêmeas bovinas Bos taurus indicus

During the critical period of the maternal recognition, which occurs between days 15 and 19 of pregnancy, the conceptus must competently synthesize molecules capable of blocking the synthesis of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and luteolysis. In cattle, the major macromolecule involved in suck blockage is the protein interferontau (IFN-τ). During the critical period, failures in the recognition of pregnancy determine embryonic mortality on up to 40% of inseminated cows. Data about IFN-τ in Bos taurus indicus are still scarce. Objective of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the presence of IFN-τ during the critical period for maternal recognition of pregnancy in uterine flushings obtained in vivo by Foley catheter (Days 14, 16 and 18 post estrus) or post-mortem (Day 18 post estrus). Multiparous, cyclic or pregnant zebu cows (Bos taurus indicus) on days 14, 16 and 18 post estrus were used for in vivo or post mortem uterine flushing collection. In both cases, a Ringer solution was used to wash the uterus of cows. Uterine flushings were concentrated by ultrafiltration and lyophilized. Proteins were separated by one-dimensional electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in a 15% polyacrilamide gel. Interferontau quantification in uterine flushings was performed by western blotting and densitometry. Non-specific protein bands were observed in both in vivo and post mortem uterine flushings. Interferon-tau was detected only in uterine flushings obtained from pregnant cows post-mortem (P<0.05). Optical density of protein bands was not affected by the day of the critical period, state (cyclic or pregnant) or interaction day x state. There was no effect of the conceptus weight or progesterone concentration on the day of uterine flushing collection in the optical density of the IFN-τ protein band. It was concluded that the detection and quantification of IFN-τ in the uterine environment of zebu cows, in these experimental?conditions, is only possible in uterine flushings obtained post-mortem.

Relações materno-filiais e sua influência no peso pré-desmama de animais Nelore da Bahia

The aim of this study was to investigate the maternal-offspring relationships in the bovine breeds Nellore PO (Pure Breed) and Nellore CL (Cara Limpa) in Bahia State. The genetic composition of breeds did not affect LP (latency time to stand); this variable showed mean values of 71 min and 52 min, respectively, for Nellore PO and Nellore CL. The variable LPTM (latency time to begin suckling after standing) was significantly higher for Nellore PO (mean values of 39 min) tham for Nellore CL (18 min). The variable TCC (time in contact with the calf) was classified as class 4 (60 to 80% of the time was spent with the calves). The P120 (weight at 120 days) had mean values of 122.3 kg and 122.7 kg respectively, for Nellore PO and Nellore CL. In conclusion, the maternal-offspring behaviour had little influence of the genetic composition of the breeds. These results suggest that more studies are necessary to define technological parameters for cattle raising in Bahia State.

Alternativas para o tratamento da esquistossomose: Caracterizacao fisico-quimica do complexo de inclusao entre praziquantel e hidroxipropil-β-ciclodextrina

Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice commonly used for the treatment of shistosomiasis. However, it has low aqueous solubility, which could limit its bioavailability in the body. To circumvent these features, an inclusion complex with hydroxypropyl-beta- cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) was prepared. Thus, the objective of this work was to prepare and characterize the PZQ/HP-β-CD inclusion complex. Morphological, spectroscopic, and calorimetric analysis showed the first signs of the guest/host interaction. The complexation kinetic analysis was used to determine the kinetic constant and, besides that, it was possible to establish the time consumed to reach equilibrium. Using the solubility isotherm, it was observed that the interaction with HP-β-CD increased 2.4 fold the aqueous solubility of plain PZQ. In vitro cytotoxicity tests, using fibroblast cells, evidenced no toxicity for these cells at the concentrations tested. These results demonstrated that there is a potential use of PZQ in formulations with HP-β-CD.

Validação de método de análise quantitativa para a triancinolona a partir de complexo ternário por espectrofotometria de UV-Vis

Triamcinolone (TRI), a drug widely used in the treatment of ocular inflammatory diseases, is practically insoluble in water, which limits its use in eye drops. Cyclodextrins (CDs) have been used to increase the solubility or dissolution rate of drugs. The purpose of the present study was to validate a UV-Vis spectrophotometric method for quantitative analysis of TRI in inclusion complexes with beta-cyclodextrin (B-CD) associated with triethanolamine (TEA) (ternary complex). The proposed analytical method was validated with respect to the parameters established by the Brazilian regulatory National Agency of Sanitary Monitoring (ANVISA). The analytical measurements of absorbance were made at 242nm, at room temperature, in a 1-cm path-length cuvette. The precision and accuracy studies were performed at five concentration levels (4, 8, 12, 18 and 20μg.mL -1). The B-CD associated with TEA did not provoke any alteration in the photochemical behavior of TRI. The results for the measured analytical parameters showed the success of the method. The standard curve was linear (r2 > 0.999) in the concentration range from 2 to 24 μg.mL -1. The method achieved good precision levels in the inter-day (relative standard deviation-RSD <3.4%) and reproducibility (RSD <3.8%) tests. The accuracy was about 80% and the pH changes introduced in the robustness study did not reveal any relevant interference at any of the studied concentrations. The experimental results demonstrate a simple, rapid and affordable UV-Vis spectrophotometric method that could be applied to the quantitation of TRI in this ternary complex.

Efeito materno sobre a curva de crescimento de ovinos Santa Inês por meio de modelos de regressão aleatória

Data set of 17.767 weight records of 4.210 Santa Inês lambs were used aiming to evaluate the importance of the inclusion of the maternal effect in the model to estimate components of (Co) variance and resulting genetic parameters for the growth curve through random regression models. The fixed and random regressions were fitted using Legendre Polynomials of order three, being fit four models that differed in relation to the inclusion of the additive genetic and permanent environmental maternal effects. Considerable increase was observed in Log L and decrease in the criteria AIC and BIC when the maternal effect was included (genetic or permanent environmental), evidencing its importance. The maternal genetic effect explained larger proportion of the phenotypic variance than the maternal permanent environmental along the growth curve. The direct additive genetic variance was inflated by maternal effect, when this last one was not considered in the analysis model, reflecting the same behavior in the heritabilities. The maternal permanent environmental effect contributed to maternal variance, as well as, it inflated maternal genetic variance, when it was not considered in the model. Similar behavior was verified with maternal heritability. The correlation estimated for the four models hardly differed in function of maternal effect. The maternal effect should be considered in the genetic studies of the growth curve of Santa Inês sheep.

Descrição cariotípica de possíveis novas espécies do complexo Hypostomus ancistroides e outros Hypostominae

Cytogenetic analyses were performed in four species of the Hypostominae subfamily, three from Hypostomus (Hypostomini) genus and Rhinelepis aspera (Rhinelepini). Three populations of Hypostomus ancistroides were analyzed, which had 2n=68 chromosomes, but presented different karyotype formulas. Hypostomus regani and H. strigaticeps, both from Ivaí river, showed 2n=72 chromosomes with two distinct cytotypes. In turn, R. aspera of the upper Paraná river basin presented 2n=54 chromosome. Multiple Nucleolar Organizer Regions (NORs) have been evidenced by silver nitrate staining in species of Hypostomus and single NOR in R. aspera. The observed variation in the chromosome number and the marked variability in karyotype formulas and NORs reveal a certain amount of karyotype variation in the genus Hypostomus suggesting the probable existence of cryptic species with independent chromosome traits. Therefore, our data can be of great value in discriminating species and understanding their chromosomal evolution.

Geotermobarometria de Granulitos Associados à Supracrustais na Porção Norte do Complexo Guaxupé - Região de Arceburgo - Santa Cruz do Prata, MG

This paper is a contribution for the understanding of the geological evolution of Guaxupé Complex. New data on petrography and mineral chemistry as well as estimates of metamorphic (P-T) conditions in the region of Arceburgo - Santa Cruz do Prata (MG) Brazil, at the southern portion of the Brasília Belt, more specifically at the Guaxupé Complex (Domain) are now presented. The lithotypes are high-grade metamorphic rocks subdivided into two groups: metasediments and granulites (orthoderivates). Chemical analysis of minerals was performed in three steps including core and rim of amphibole, pyroxene, feldspar, biotite, and garnet from samples of the following rock types: enderbites, mafic granulites, charnockites, and alkali feldspar charnockites. Results obtained with geothermobarometric calculations show metamorphic peak around 900°C of T and 10 kbar of P. Enderbites and tonalite granulites (mafic) show the highest values of temperature and pressure, while alkali feldspar charnockites show the lowest probably due to their late generation in relation to mafic rock types (enderbites and mafic tonalite granulite). Chemical mineral analysis in metamorphic parageneses and geothermobarometric calculations indicate that the possible metamorphic peak may be higher than 900°C of temperature and around 10 kbar of pressure, within a isothermal decompression (ITD) regime.

Complexo enzimático na dieta de alevinos de kinguio (Carassius auratus)

Aiming to evaluate the enzymatic complex supplementation in diets for goldfish fingerlings (Carassius auratus), 240 fish weighing initially 1,36 ± 0,02g, randomly distributed in 20 tanks with 150L, in four treatments and five replications, with twelve fish in each experimental unit were used. The fish were fed at 8:00 and 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. with diets containing different inclusion levels (0; 0,033; 0,066 e 0,099%) of enzymatic complex (amilase, protease, celulase, lipase, â-glucanase and phytase), and formulated with 32,36% of digestible protein and 3.023kcal of digestible energy kg-1. There were no differences observed (P>0,05) in the mean final weight, weight gain, total length, standard length, survival and carcass composition. However, the fish apparent feed conversion was impaired by the supplementation of enzymatic complex with 0,099% in diet. The use of enzymatic complex does not provides benefits in the productive performance for goldfish fingerlings.

Qualidade de vida de crianças e adolescentes asmáticos: Sua relação com estratégias de enfrentamento materno

Objective: To evaluate the quality of life of asthmatic children and adolescents, its relation with sociodemographic and clinical variables, and maternal coping strategies. Methods: Cross-sectional study in which children and adolescents with asthma answered a quality of life questionnaire, and their mothers did the same with a coping scale. Results: Out of the 42 children and adolescents investigated, 74% were classified as having mild/severe persistent asthma; 19%, mild persistent asthma; and 7%, intermittent asthma. A total of 69% of the participants showed impaired quality of life with mean scores ranging between 4.7 and 3.5, with greater harm in the domain of symptoms (score=3.6). There was a significant association between maternal schooling and the general index of quality of life, whereas maternal coping strategies were not associated with the severity of asthma. A large number of strategies used by mothers to cope with their children's crises were related to the management of stressors or to religious practices, and the latter presented negative correlation with the children's quality of life general index, showing that mothers whose children had worse quality of life used more religious coping. Conclusions: Asthmatic children, particularly those with moderate/severe persistent asthma, showed significant alterations as to quality of life. The high percentage of mothers using religious strategies, particularly in face of more severe clinical conditions, seem to indicate that they feel powerless to act, thus requiring concrete and useful orientation to low income families.

Danos do complexo broca-podridão à produtividade e à qualidade da cana-de-açúcar fertirrigada com doses de nitrogênio

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen-fertigation on the damage caused by the borer-rot complex to the productivity and quality of fertigated sugarcane. The experiment was carried out in field, using a randomized complete block design, with four replicates and five N doses (0, 50 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1) applied through drip irrigation. The following variables were determined: number of holes caused by Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae); number of internodes infected with red rot; incidence percentage of red rot; stalk productivity; and sugar content. In laboratory, the attractiveness and the consumption of culm fragments by fourth instar caterpillars, in trials with or without choice, were evaluated. Nitrogen fertigation increased the incidence of D. saccharalis and red rot. The number of holes produced by the larvae was correlated with the occurrence of red rot. Sugar percentage reduced with the increase in the number of red rot affected internodes. Nitrogen doses did not affect the attractiveness of sugarcane culm fragments; however, higher N doses increased the consumption of these fragments by D. saccharalis caterpillars. Despite the damages to quality, nitrogen fertilization expressively enhanced the productivity of stalks and sugar.

Expressão gênica das adesinas e fatores de virulência da fase miceliar e leveduriforme do complexo paracoccidioides e de sua interação com células epiteliais e fagócitos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Adição de precursores em meio complexo solúvel para a produção de Cefamicina C por Streptomyces clavuligerus

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação do seio maxilar após fratura do complexo zigomático-maxilar tratado com fixação interna rígida em dois pontos: estudo radiográfico em humanos

Pós-graduação em Odontologia - FOA