Do Atopobium vaginae, Megasphaera sp. and Leptotrichia sp. change the local innate immune response and sialidase activity in bacterial vaginosis?

Objectives: To investigate if the participation of Atopobium vaginae, Megasphaera sp. and Leptotrichia sp. in the bacterial community of bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with distinct patterns of this condition. Methods: In this cross-sectional controlled study, 205 women with BV and 205 women with normal flora were included. Vaginal rinsing samples were obtained for measuring the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and bacterial sialidases. Real-time PCR was used to quantify the BV-associated bacteria and to estimate the total bacterial load using the 16S rRNA. Principal component analysis (PCA) using the measured parameters was performed to compare the BV samples with lower and higher loads of the species of interest. Results: Higher bacterial load (p<0.001), levels of interleukin 1-β (p<0.001) and sialidase activity (p<0.001) were associated with BV. Women with BV and higher relative loads of A vaginae, Megasphaera sp. and Leptotrichia sp. presented increased sialidase activity, but unchanged cytokine levels. PCA analysis did not indicate a different pattern of BV according to the loads of A vaginae, Megasphaera sp. and Leptotrichia sp. Conclusions: Greater participation of A vaginae, Megasphaera sp. and Leptotrichia sp. in vaginal bacterial community did not indicate a less severe form of BV; moreover, it was associated with increased sialidase activity.

The acute effects of static stretching on peak force, peak rate of force development and muscle activity during single- and multiple-joint actions in older women

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of dried powder formulations of Agaricus blazei and Lentinus edodes

Several mushroom species have been pointed out as sources of antioxidant compounds, in addition to their important nutritional value. Agaricus blazei and Lentinus edodes are among the most studied species all over the world, but those studies focused on their fruiting bodies instead of other presentations, such as powdered preparations, used as supplements. In the present work the chemical composition (nutrients and bioactive compounds) and antioxidant activity (free radical scavenging activity, reducing power and lipid peroxidation inhibition) of dried powder formulations of the mentioned mushroom species (APF and LPF, respectively) were evaluated. Powder formulations of both species revealed the presence of essential nutrients, such as proteins, carbohydrates and unsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, they present a low fat content (<2 g/100 g) and can be used in low-calorie diets, just like the mushrooms fruiting bodies. APF showed higher antioxidant activity and higher content of tocopherols and phenolic compounds (124 and 770 μg/100 g, respectively) than LPF (32 and 690 μg/100 g). Both formulations could be used as antioxidant sources to prevent diseases related to oxidative stress. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of temperature on the lipolytic and proteolytic activity of Bacillus cereus isolated from dairy products

Bacillus cereus is a bacterium with deteriorating potential for dairy products, by being a psychrotrophic organism producer of lipases and proteases. This study evaluated the psychrotrophic behavior, lipolytic and proteolytic activity at 30°C, 10°C and 7°C of 86 strains of B. cereus lato sensu isolated from dairy products, marketed in Southern Brazil. It was also evaluated the optimal temperature for protease production. No strain grew at 7°C; but at 10°C, 84.9% of strains have grown. Only one strain had lipolytic activity at 30°C, and none at 7°C. At 10°C, 16.3% of strains produced lipases. All the strains presented proteolytic activity at 30°C; and at 10°C, 72.1% had this activity, and at 7°C, only 4.6%, an amount significantly lower (p < 0.05). The temperature of 20°C promoted the highest proteolytic activity, and at 10°C, the lowest activity. B. cereus can produce lipases and proteases at room and marginal chilling temperatures, causing technological defects in dairy products stored under these conditions. © 2008 IFRJ.

Evaluation of estrogenic, antiestrogenic and genotoxic activity of nemorosone, the major compound found in brown Cuban propolis

Background: Brown propolis is the major type of propolis found in Cuba; its principal component is nemorosone, the major constituent of Clusia rosea floral resins. Nemorosone has received increasing attention due to its strong in vitro anti-cancer action. The citotoxicity of nemorosone in several human cancer cell lines has been reported and correlated to the direct action it has on the estrogen receptor (ER). Breast cancer can be treated with agents that target estrogen-mediated signaling, such as antiestrogens. Phytoestrogen can mimic or modulate the actions of endogenous estrogens and the treatment of breast cancer with phytoestrogens may be a valid strategy, since they have shown anti-cancer activity.Methods: The aim of the present investigation was to assess the capacity of nemorosone to interact with ERs, by Recombinant Yeast Assay (RYA) and E-screen assays, and to determine by comet assay, if the compound causes DNA-damaging in tumoral and non-tumoral breast cells.Results: Nemorosone did not present estrogenic activity, however, it inhibited the 17-β-estradiol (E2) action when either of both methods was used, showing their antiestrogenicity. The DNA damage induced by the benzophenone in cancer and normal breast cells presented negative results.Conclusion: These findings suggest that nemorosone may have therapeutic application in the treatment of breast cancer. © 2013 Camargo et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Effect of muscle fatigue and physical activity level in motor control of the gait of young adults

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of muscle fatigue in active and inactive young adults on the kinematic and kinetic parameters of normal gait and obstacle crossing. Twenty male subjects were divided into active (10) and inactive (10), based on self-reported physical activity. Participants performed three trials of two tasks (normal gait and obstacle crossing) before and after a fatigue protocol, consisting of repeated sit-to-stand transfers until the instructed pace could no longer be maintained. MANOVAs were used to compare dependent variables with the following factors: physical activity level, fatigue and task. The endurance time in the fatigue protocol was lower for the inactive group. Changes of gait parameters with fatigue, among which increased step width and increased stride speed were the most consistent, were independent of task and physical activity level. These findings indicate that the kinematic and kinetic parameters of gait are affected by muscle fatigue irrespective of the physical activity level of the subjects and type of gait. Inactive individuals used a slightly different strategy than active individuals when crossing an obstacle, independently of muscle fatigue. © 2013.

Pró-letramento em Matemática: análise das percepções dos tutores do programa desenvolvido na rede municipal de ensino de Juiz de Fora

Pós-graduação em Educação - FCT

Mindware semiótico-comunicativo: campos conceituais no ensino de física para deficientes visuais utilizando uma interface cérebro-computador

Pós-graduação em Educação para a Ciência - FC

Transformações expansivas em um curso de educação matemática a distância online

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Antioxidant capacity and larvicidal activity of essential oil and extracts from Lippia grandis

The leaves and thin branches of Lippia grandis Schauer, Verbenaceae, are used for flavoring of food in the Brazilian Amazon, as substitute for oregano. In this study the constituents of the essential oil were identified and the antioxidant capacity and larvicidal activity of the oil and methanol extract and its sub-fractions were evaluated. A sensory evaluation was determined in view of absence of toxicity. The oil showed a yield of 2.1% and its main constituents were thymol (45.8%), p-cymene (14.3%), γ-terpinene (10.5%), carvacrol (9.9%) and thymol methyl ether (4.8%), totalizing 85%. The DPPH radical scavenging activity showed values for the EC50 between 9.0 and 130.5 µg mL^-1 and the TEAC/ABTS values varied from 131.1 to 336.0 mg TE/g, indicating significant antioxidant activity for the plant. The total phenolic content ranged from 223.0 to 761.4 mg GAE/g, contributing to the antioxidant activity observed. The crude extracts inhibited the bleaching of β-carotene and the oil showed the greatest inhibition (42.5%). The oil (LgO, 7.6±2.4 µg mL^-1) showed strong larvicidal activity against the brine shrimp bioassay. The sensory evaluation was highly satisfactory in comparison to oregano. The results are very promising for the use of L. grandis in seasoning and antioxidant products.

Entre a teoria e a prática: o projeto político-pedagógico do curso de medicina da UFMA

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

A degradação ambiental do Córrego Ribeirão Preto: uma proposta metodológica para o ensino de geografia no ensino médio

Pós-graduação em Geografia - IGCE

Degradation, residual determination, and cholinesterase activity of triclorfon in Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg (Pacu) 1887

The aim of this study was to determine the no-observable-adverse-effect concentration (NOAEC) for trichlorfon, an antiparasitic agent used in aquaculture, in Piractus mesopotamicus (pacu) using acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity as an end point. Fish were exposed 24 h/d for 15 d to different concentrations of trichlorfon in tanks of water for which a curve of dissipation was previously determined. Analysis of trichlorfon in water and fish plasma using gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD) enabled measurement of limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ), respectively, to be 3 and 10 ppb. Thirty-six hours after trichlorfon dilution in water, the concentration was below the LOD, and data showed that plasma concentrations did not exceed the LOQ. Apart from the 6.25 g/L, all concentrations of trichlorfon significantly inhibited plasma and brain AChE activity compared to controls. The AChE activity levels returned to control values in 7 d. These data may be useful to determine the concentration of trichlorfon that destroys parasites without producing adverse effects in fish.

Uterine Involution, Fluid Accumulation and Ovarian Activity after Injection of Prostaglandin at Different Periods of Buffalo Puerperium

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chloprostenol administration, at early or intermediary puerperium, under uterine involution, intrauterine fluid accumulation and ovarian activity return. 30 Murrah postpartum buffaloes were randomly divided into three groups: CONT (saline, n = 10); CLO2 (chloprostenol at days 2 and 5 postpartum, n = 10) and; CLO15 (chloprostenol at days 15 and 20 postpartum, n = 10). Gynecological exams were performed at days 2, 7, 14, 21 and 28 postpartum, when uterine involution degree (1 to 3 scale, by transrectal palpation), intrauterine fluid accumulation (0 to 3 scale, by ultrasound exam) and ovarian activity (B-mode ultrasound exam) were evaluated. CLO2 group presented higher uterine involution (2.00 +/- 0.23, 1.66 +/- 0.23, 1.58 +/- 0.23 for groups CLO2, CONT and CLO15, respectively) and faster ovarian activity return in relation to groups CONT and CLO15 (P < 0.05). Groups CLO2 and CLO15 showed lower intrauterine fluid accumulation compared to CONT group (2.04 +/- 0.20, 1.58 +/- 0.20, 1.92 +/- 0.20 for groups CONT, CLO2 and CLO15, respectively; P < 0.05). Prostaglandin analogue administration in postpartum buffalo benefited uterine involution, lochia expulsion and ovarian activity return, improving reproductive efficiency in this specie.

Natural Products from Cyanobacteria with Antimicrobial and Antitumor Activity

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)