Plant derived and dietary phenolic antioxidants: Anticancer properties

n this paper, a review of the literature on the phenolic compounds with anticancer activity published between 2008 and 2012 is presented. In this overview only phenolic antioxidant compounds that display significant anticancer activity have been described. In the first part of this review, the oxidative and nitrosative stress relation with cancer are described. In the second part, the plant-derived food extracts, containing identified phenolic antioxidants, the phenolic antioxidants isolated from plants and plant-derived food or commercially available and the synthetic ones, along with the type of cancer and cells where they exert anticancer activity, are described and summarized in tables. The principal mechanisms for their anti-proliferative effects were also described. Finally, a critical analysis of the studies and directions for future research are included in the conclusion.

Influence of variables on centrifuge-flotation technique for recovery of Toxocara canis eggs from soil

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of variables in a flotation technique for the recovery of Toxocara canis eggs from soil. The trials were done under standardized conditions on one gram of previously sterilized soil samples contaminated with 200 eggs of T. canis. The following variables were evaluated in serial steps: sieving; type of wash; time of stirring; resuspension of sediment; solution flotation. Centrifuge-flotation in sodium nitrate (d = 1.20 g/cm³) was adopted as an initial technique, using Tween 80 (0.2%) and decinormal sodium hydroxide as solutions for washing the samples. Ten tests were done to compare the variables, using counting in triplicate. The sieving of the material reduced significantly the recovery of eggs (p < 0.001) and the number of eggs recovered was higher when the sediment was resuspended (p < 0.05). After standardization, flotation solutions sodium chloride, zinc sulfate, sodium dichromate, magnesium sulfate, and sodium nitrate (d = 1.20g/cm³) were compared. The best results were obtained by using zinc sulfate solution. In conclusion, the chances of recovering T. canis eggs from samples using flotation solutions can be increased by washing of soil twice using distilled water, and resuspension of sediment. On the other hand, the sieving procedure can drastically reduce the number of eggs.

Circulation of antibodies against yellow fever virus in a simian population in the area of Porto Primavera Hydroelectric Plant, São Paulo, Brazil

Yellow fever (YF) is an acute viral infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes which occurs in two distinct epidemiological cycles: sylvatic and urban. In the sylvatic cycle, the virus is maintained by monkey's infection and transovarian transmission in vectors. Surveillance of non-human primates is required for the detection of viral circulation during epizootics, and for the identification of unaffected or transition areas. An ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) was standardized for estimation of the prevalence of IgG antibodies against yellow fever virus in monkey sera (Alouatta caraya) from the reservoir area of Porto Primavera Hydroelectric Plant, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 570 monkey sera samples were tested and none was reactive to antibodies against yellow fever virus. The results corroborate the epidemiology of yellow fever in the area. Even though it is considered a transition area, there were no reports to date of epizootics or yellow fever outbreaks in humans. Also, entomological investigations did not detect the presence of vectors of this arbovirus infection. ELISA proved to be fast, sensitive, an adequate assay, and an instrument for active search in the epidemiological surveillance of yellow fever allowing the implementation of prevention actions, even before the occurrence of epizootics.

Efficacy of euphorbia hirta latex as plant derived molluscicides against freshwater snails

The toxic effect of binary and tertiary combinations of Euphorbia hirta Linn latex powder with other plant molluscicidal compounds, were evaluated against the freshwater snails Lymnaea (Radix) acuminata and Indoplanorbis exustus in pond. These combinations showed significant time and dose dependent effect against both the snails. These compounds at higher doses were also lethal to freshwater fish Channa punctatus (Bloch) (Channidae {Ophicephalidae}), which shares the habitat with these snails, but the LC90 (24h) doses of snails have no apparent killing properties in fish populations when treated in mixed population of snails and fish.

Mapeamento das competências chave

Com este trabalho pretendemos desenvolver um projeto de intervenção no âmbito do Mapeamento de Competências, a implementar na Amorim & Irmãos, SA, a Entidade Acolhedora do Projeto. O diagnóstico realizado à Função Recursos Humanos permitiu identificar como potencial de intervenção o Mapeamento de Competências Chave. As Competências Chave são fundamentais para a operacionalização da missão e visão das organizações. Nos contextos de atuação global das empresas prevalece a incerteza e a necessidade de constantes readaptações da estrutura organizativa para garantir o sucesso dos planos estratégicos do negócio. Neste contexto empresarial, os modelos de gestão das pessoas assentes na Avaliação e Gestão de Competências são uma resposta adequada aos ciclos frequentes de mudança organizacional. O Mapeamento de Competências é, neste quadro de atuação das empresas, fundamental para a necessária adequação das competências dos colaboradores à operacionalização do plano estratégico do negócio. Assim, optamos pela conceção de um projeto de intervenção para Mapeamento das Competências Chave focado nas chefias de uma unidade industrial produtora de rolhas de cortiça. A metodologia adotada para a implementação deste projeto parte dos elementos estratégicos da empresa: Fatores Críticos de Sucessos, Pontos Fortes e Pontos Fracos. Foram definidos dois âmbitos para a implementação de uma estratégia de mapeamento de competências de cima para baixo: (1) identificação das Competência Chave e (2) definição da Competências Chave. Na implementação deste projeto intervieram vários interlocutores: as chefias intermedias da Unidade Industrial de Lamas, o Diretor de Logística, o Diretor de Recursos Humanos e um Técnico de Recursos Humanos que, sob a gestão do autor do projeto, manifestaram ao longo de todo o processo o envolvimento e compromisso indispensáveis para a sua concretização. Os resultados da avaliação permitem concluir que o projeto planeado e implementado atingiu a finalidade proposta: ter validado, em novembro de 2015, o Portfólio das Competências Chave Transversais e as Competências Chave Específicas das chefias intermedias da Unidade Industrial de Lamas, necessárias para a sustentabilidade do negócio da Amorim & Irmãos, SA.

Impact of Taraxerol in combination with extract of Euphorbia tirucalli plant on biological parameters of Lymnaea acuminata

The present work was carried out to evaluate the molluscicidal activity of active ingredient Taraxerol with the acetone extract of Euphorbia tirucalli against Lymnaea acuminata snail. The (fecundity, hatchability and survivability) of snail L. acuminata exposed to this extract was studied. The effects of the tested extracts on life-history traits of harmful snail L. acuminata have also been evaluated, and this study also expounds the inhibitory effects of these extracts singly as well as in binary combination (1:1 ratio). It concluded that these herbal products act as a potential source of molluscicides, and that they would also have the advantage of easy availability, low cost, biodegradability and greater acceptance amongst users than synthetic pesticide.

Characterization of the molluscicidal activity of Bauhinia variegata and Mimusops elengi plant extracts against the fasciola vector lymnaea acuminata

The molluscicidal activity of Bauhinia variegata leaf and Mimusops elengi bark was studied against vector snail Lymnaea acuminata. The toxicity of both plants was time and concentration-dependent. Among organic extracts, ethanol extracts of both plants were more toxic. Toxicity of B. variegata leaf ethanolic extract (96h LC50- 14.4 mg/L) was more pronounced than M. elengi bark ethanolic extract (96h LC50-15.0 mg/L). The 24h LC50 of column purified fraction of B. variegata and M. elengi bark were 20.3 mg/L and 18.3 mg/L, respectively. Saponin and quercetin were characterized and identified as active molluscicidal component. Co-migration of saponin (Rf 0.48) and quercetin (Rf 0.52) with column purified bark of M. elengi and leaf of B. variegata on thin layer chromatography demonstrate same Rf value i.e. 0.48 and 0.52, respectively. The present study clearly indicates the possibility of using M. elengi and/or B. variegata as potent molluscicide.

Case-control study of an outbreak of acute toxoplasmosis in an industrial plant in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Foodborne diseases represent operational risks in industrial restaurants. We described an outbreak of nine clustered cases of acute illness resembling acute toxoplasmosis in an industrial plant with 2300 employees. These patients and another 36 similar asymptomatic employees were diagnosed with anti-T. gondii IgG titer and avidity by ELISA. We excluded 14 patients based on high IgG avidity and chronic toxoplasmosis: 13 from controls and one from acute disease other than T. gondii infection. We also identified another three asymptomatic employees with T.gondii acute infection and also anti-T. gondii IgM positive as remaining acute cases. Case control study was conducted by interview in 11 acute infections and 20 negative controls. The ingestion of green vegetables, but not meat or water, was observed to be associated with the incidence of acute disease. These data reinforce the importance of sanitation control in industrial restaurants and also demonstrate the need for improvement in quality control regarding vegetables at risk for T. gondii oocyst contamination. We emphasized the accurate diagnosis of indexed cases and the detection of asymptomatic infections to determine the extent of the toxoplasmosis outbreak.

EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITIES OF PLANT EXTRACTS FROM SOUTHERN MINAS GERAIS CERRADO

The antimicrobial activity of plant hidroethanolic extracts on bacteria Gram positive, Gram negative, yeasts, Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37 and Mycobacterium bovis was evaluated by using the technique of Agar diffusion and microdilution in broth. Among the extracts evaluated by Agar diffusion, the extract of Bidens pilosa leaf presented the most expressive average of haloes of growth inhibition to the microorganisms, followed by the extract of B. pilosa flower, of Eugenia pyriformis' leaf and seed, of Plinia cauliflora leaf which statistically presented the same average of haloes inhibitory formation on bacteria Gram positive, Gram negative and yeasts. The extracts of Heliconia rostrata did not present activity. Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37 and Mycobacterium bovis(BCG) appeared resistant to all the extracts. The susceptibility profile of Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungi were compared to one another and to the Gram positive Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis and the Gram negative Salmonella typhimurium bacteria (p > 0.05). The evaluation of cytotoxicity was carried out on C6-36 larvae cells of the Aedes albopictus mosquito. The extracts of stem and flower of Heliconia rostrata, leaf and stem of Plinia cauliflora, seed of Anonna crassiflora and stem, flower and root of B. pilosa did not present toxicity in the analyzed concentrations. The highest rates of selectivity appeared in the extracts of stem of A. crassiflora and flower of B. pilosa to Staphylococcus aureus, presenting potential for future studies about a new drug development.

EFFECTS OF SINGLE, BINARY AND TERTIARY COMBINATIONS WITH Jatropha gossypifolia AND OTHER PLANT-DERIVED MOLLUSCICIDES ON REPRODUCTION AND SURVIVAL OF THE SNAIL Lymnaea acuminata

The effect of sub-lethal doses (40% and 80% of LC50/24h) of plant derived molluscicides of singly, binary (1:1) and tertiary (1:1:1) combinations of the Rutin, Ellagic acid, Betulin and taraxerol with J. gossypifolia latex, leaf and stem bark powder extracts and their active component on the reproduction of freshwater snail Lymnaea acuminata have been studied. It was observed that the J. gossypifolia latex, stem bark, individual leaf and their combinations with other plant derived active molluscicidal components caused a significant reduction in fecundity, hatchability and survival of young snails. It is believed that sub-lethal exposure of these molluscicides on snail reproduction is a complex process involving more than one factor in reducing the reproductive capacity.

Projeto de uma ETAR de 3200 habitantes equivalentes

A atividade humana e industrial usa a água para as suas atividades do quotidiano. A água é um recurso natural escasso cuja qualidade deve ser protegida, defendida, gerida e tratada em conformidade com o seu uso. Nesse âmbito, a gestão das águas prossegue objetivos de proteção da saúde humana e de preservação, proteção e melhoria da qualidade do ambiente[1]. Desde o final do seculo XIX até aos dias de hoje, verificou-se uma forte evolução nos sistemas de tratamento de águas residuais. Esta evolução foi fundamental para dar resposta às maiores exigências de qualidade do efluente tratado. O sistema de lamas ativadas é um dos processos de tratamento biológico das águas residuais mais usados em todo o mundo. Este trabalho consiste no desenvolvimento do projeto de conceção e dimensionamento de uma Estação de Tratamento de Águas Residuais (ETAR) para servir um pequeno aglomerado de cerca de 3200 habitantes equivalentes (hab.eq.), tendo como objetivo o dimensionamento de todas as etapas de tratamento necessárias ao cumprimento da legislação em vigor para a descarga das águas residuais urbanas no meio recetor. O Decreto-lei nº 152/97[2], relativo ao tratamento de águas residuais urbanas, juntamente com o Decreto-lei nº 149/2004[3] que identifica as zonas sensíveis e de zonas menos sensíveis, permitem que as entidades licenciadoras definam o grau de tratamento que a instalação deve possuir tendo em consideração a classificação do meio onde o efluente tratado é descarregado. O Decreto-Lei n.º 135/2009[1] estabelece o regime de identificação, gestão, monitorização e classificação da qualidade das águas balneares, impondo a qualidade microbiológica da água residual tratada mediante o meio recetor, e portanto conseguindo-se assim definir o tratamento de desinfeção a adotar. Resumidamente, a conceção do tratamento focou as seguintes etapas: tratamento preliminar formado por uma unidade compacta de tamisação, desarenador e desengordurador, tratamento secundário por lamas ativadas em regime de arejamento prolongado constituído por dois reatores com cerca de 400 m3 de volume seguido de um decantador com um diâmetro de 9.5 m, tratamento terciário de desinfeção composto por uma microtamisação seguido de desinfeção UV, e a utilização das operações comuns de espessamento e desidratação das lamas produzidas em excesso pelo tratamento, constituída por com um espessador gravítico com 4.6 m de diâmetro, e um filtro banda para a desidratação.

ANTIFUNGAL POTENTIAL OF PLANT SPECIES FROM BRAZILIAN CAATINGA AGAINST DERMATOPHYTES

Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex, or Trichophyton spp. are the main etiologic agents of dermatophytosis, whose treatment is limited by the high cost of antifungal treatments, their various side effects, and the emergence of resistance amongst these species. This study evaluated the in vitro antidermatophytic activity of 23 crude extracts from nine plant species of semiarid vegetation (caatinga) found in Brazil. The extracts were tested at concentrations ranging from 1.95 to 1,000.0 mg/mL by broth microdilution assay against the reference strains T. rubrum ATCC 28189 and T. mentagrophytesATCC 11481, and 33 clinical isolates of dermatophytes. All plants showed a fungicidal effect against both fungal species, with MIC/MFC values of the active extracts ranging from 15.6 to 250.0 µg/mL. Selected extracts of Eugenia uniflora (AcE), Libidibia ferrea (AE), and Persea americana (AcE) also exhibited a fungicidal effect against all clinical isolates of T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes complex. This is the first report of the antifungal activity of Schinus terebinthifolius, Piptadenia colubrina, Parapiptadenia rigida, Mimosa ophthalmocentra, and Persea americana against both dermatophyte species.

Novel insights into plant vascular development: disclosing a mechanism to maintain thermospermine homeostasis in the xylem

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biology

An internal analysis of Amorim Turismo’s operations regarding food and beverage with a focus on operational efficiency and quality of service

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Regulation of gene expression by SnRK1 kinases and miRNAs during the plant stress response

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Plant Physiology