Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester: Consequences of Its Hydrophobicity in the Oxidative Functions and Cytokine Release by Leukocytes

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Micro-fungos de interesse para o setor de petróleo, gás e biocombustíveis

Oil is a hydrocarbon mixture of various sizes, including saturated and aromatic compounds. Natural gas is a mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons and its main component is methane. In our society, the great demand for these fuels requires fast extraction, transportation and refining, increasing the number of accidents that compromise the environment. Oil is a finite resource and it is necessary to reduce the problems related to the question concerning environmental pollution which has encouraged the search for alternative fuel sources in our country. So today we have two major biofuels: ethanol and biodiesel. Concurrently, many studies have been done directed toward the isolation of microorganisms capable of degrading petrochemical industrial wastes, most of them using as a source of isolation soil and water collected in a contaminated environment. Isolation from alternative substrates has emerged as a new strategy that has provided satisfactory results. In this work, we present the leaf-cutter ants of the Attini tribe as a source for the isolation of micro-fungi with the potential for hydrocarbon degradation. These insects have a social way of life and a highly specialized system of intra and interspecific communication, which is based on the recognition of individuals through volatile chemical compounds, the majority hydrocarbons, stored in their exoskeleton. The micro-environment exoskeleton of Attini ants (genus Atta) used in this work proved to be a rich source of microbial biodiversity, as other studies have found. The flotation isolation technique applied here allowed the achievement of 214 micro-fungi, 118 representatives of the dematiaceous fungi group and 96 hyaline filamentous fungi. They were submitted to toluene degradation tests and at least one strain of each genus presented good results, namely Teratosphaeria, Exophiala, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

O relações-públicas como gestor da Startup de uma agência de comunicação

This paper presents a new field for professional Public Relations: startups. And this new alignment brings context and typology with the business public relations as an entrepreneur and manager of a communications agency. This new type of business, startups, with accelerated growth characteristics and high-risk investments, and alternative becomes simultaneously an opportunity to undertake innovative projects up and turn into a business. In this sense, the work part of the mix of innovation and diffusion of new ideas, with the capacity of Public Relations professional to adapt and work with many different sectors. Considering this context, the study seeks, finds that public relations professionals become essential for mediating the process of scenario analysis for the deployment of startups, and can be very useful in the case of managers and initiators the agency itself as a startup company offering a strategic advantage by combining management and communication

Web Service para geração de VRS no contexto de posicionamento GPS

Internet is fully inserted in contemporary society, specially in relation to entertainment services and trading. Its reach has transposed the traditional desktop computer models coming to mobile devices like cell phones and GPS receivers. Likewise, the scientific community takes its benefits, both for publication of studies and for communication between clusters processing information, such as at LHC, located in Switzerland. Concerning geodetic positioning, researches in the area present the concept of Virtual Reference Stations - VRS, in which is necessary a communication way between the real reference stations and a central system as well as between central system and a service requester. In this work, we analyze the current solutions for generation of VRS with regard to data delivery for the service requester and present a solution based on Web Services as an alternative to the model being developed by Spatial Geodesy Study Group – GEGE/FCT/UNESP. Comparing solutions, it was verified the potential of Web Services to aid in researches of geodetic positioning using VRS. Using such technology, it is obtained interoperability, providing greater flexibility to develop client applications, both development carried out by researchers of the university or by any person or enterprise wishing to use the service

A participação das mulheres nos movimentos agroecológico e feminista e a contribuição do jornal Brasil de Fato

Pós-graduação em Comunicação - FAAC

Teletandem and performativity

Teletandem is a virtual autonomous VoIP2 technology-based context (webcam images, voice and text). Within this context, two students help each other learn their native (or other) language through intercultural and linguistic collaboration. Performative Theory can shed light on the constitution of these students' national identities, as they engage in linguistic performances of marking and discussing differences between their countries during teletandem. Based on critical approaches to discourse and intercultural communication, my analysis shows that this online intercultural contact opens innovative possibilities for foreign language teachers to promote intercultural contact with the different. However, without teacher mediation, teletandem interactions may fall into shallow performances of sedimented and pre-given representations of self and other. Subsequently, this article concludes with a discussion of relevant pedagogical points for foreign language teachers.

Green tea extract and its major constituent epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibit growth and halitosis-related properties of Solobacterium moorei

Background: Solobacterium moorei is a volatile sulfide compound (VSC)-producing Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium that has been associated with halitosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of green tea extract and its major constituent epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on growth and severalhalitosis-related properties of S. moorei.Methods: A microplate dilution assay was used to determine the antibacterial activity of green tea extract and EGCG against S. moorei. Their effects on bacterial cell membrane integrity were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and a fluorescence-based permeability assay. Biofilm formation was quantified by crystal violet staining. Adhesion of FITC-labeled S. moorei to oral epithelial cells was monitored by fluorometry. The modulation of beta-galactosidase gene expression in S. moorei was evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR.Results: The green tea extract as well as EGCG inhibited the growth of S. moorei, with MIC values of 500 and 250 mu g/ml, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy analysis and a permeabilization assay brought evidence that the bacterial cell membrane was the target of green tea polyphenols. Regarding the effects of green tea polyphenols on the S. moorei colonization properties, it was found that biofilm formation on EGCG-treated surfaces was significantly affected, and that green tea extract and EGCG can cause the eradication of pre-formed S. moorei biofilms. Moreover, both the green tea extract and EGCG were found to reduce the adherence of S. moorei to oral epithelial cells. The beta-galactosidase activity of S. moorei, which plays a key role in VSC production, was dose-dependently inhibited by green tea polyphenols. In addition, EGCG at 1/2 MIC significantly decreased the beta-galactosidase gene expression.Conclusion: Our study brought evidence to support that green tea polyphenols possess a number of properties that may contribute to reduce S. moorei-related halitosis. Therefore, these natural compounds may be of interest to be used to supplement oral healthcare products.

Antiageing mechanisms of a standardized supercritical CO2 preparation of Black Jack (Bidens pilosa L.) in human fibroblasts and skin fragments

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

Antiulcerogenic activity and toxicity of bauhinia holophylla hydroalcoholic extract

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

Curcumin pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evidences in streptozotocin-diabetic rats support the antidiabetic activity to be via metabolite(s)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Intrauterine growth restricted rats exercised before and during pregnancy: maternal and perinatal repercussions

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of swimming before and during pregnancy on rats born with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and their offspring. For this, nondiabetic and streptozotocin-induced severely diabetic (SD) pregnant rats were mated and generated offspring with appropriate (control, C) and small (IUGR) for pregnancy age, respectively. Following that, C and IUGR groups were further distributed into nonexercised control (C), exercised control (Cex), nonexercised IUGR (IUGR), and exercised IUGR (IUGRex). IUGR rats presented lower mating rate than control rats. Regardless of physical exercise IUGR rats presented decreased body weight from birth to lactation. At 90 days of life, IUGR rats presented glucose intolerance. Maternal organ weights were increased and relative adiposity of IUGRex rats was lower than Cex. IUGR and IUGRex offspring presented reduced body weight than C and Cex, respectively. IUGRex dams presented an increased rate of appropriate for pregnancy age newborns. IUGEex male and female offspring relative brain weight was increased compared with Cex. Therefore, swimming before and during pregnancy prevented glucose intolerance, reduced general adiposity, and increased maternal and offspring organ weight in rats, showing the benefit of physical exercise for IUGR rats.

Ulcer healing and mechanism(s) of action involved in the gastroprotective activity of fractions obtained from Syngonanthus arthrotrichus and Syngonanthus bisulcatus

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evaluation of the anti-mycobacterium tuberculosis activity and in vivo acute toxicity of annona sylvatic

Background The recent emergence of extensively multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains has further complicated the control of tuberculosis. There is an urgent need for the development of new molecular candidates antitubercular drugs. Medicinal plants have been an excellent source of leads for the development of drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of 28 alcoholic extracts and essential oils of native and exotic Brazilian plants against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and to further study these extracts through chemical fractionation, the isolation of their constituents, and an evaluation of the in vivo acute toxicity of the active extracts. To the best of our knowledge this is the first chemical characterization, antituberculosis activity and acute toxicity evaluation of Annona sylvatica. Methods The anti-mycobacterial activity of these extracts and their constituent compounds was evaluated using the resazurin reduction microtiter assay (REMA). To investigate the acute toxicity of these extracts in vivo, female Swiss mice were treated with the extracts at doses of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg · kg-1 of body weight. The extracts were characterized by LC-MS, and the constituents were isolated and identified by chromatographic analysis of spectroscopic data. Results Of the 28 extracts, the methanol extract obtained from the leaves of Annona sylvatica showed anti-mycobacterial activity with an minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 184.33 μg/mL, and the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) resulting from liquid-liquid partitioning of the A. sylvatica extract showed an MIC of 115.2 μg/mL. The characterization of this extract by LC-MS identified flavonoids and acetogenins as its main constituents. The phytochemical study of the A. sylvatica EAF resulted in the isolation of quercetin, luteolin, and almunequin. Conclusions Among the compounds isolated from the EAF, luteolin and almunequin were the most promising, with MICs of 236.8 μg/mL (827.28 μM) and 209.9 μg/mL (328.48 μM), respectively. The acute administration of the EAF fraction in doses of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg · kg-1 of body weight did not cause signs of toxicity in the treated animals.

A busca de linguagens contemporâneas em artes: reflexões na universidade a partir de Centro de Pesquisa Plástica

This work is about the extension project “Plastic Research Centre”, developed at Unesp (Bauru/São Paulo/Brasil) by the author along with the students of Artistic Education (Plastic Arts). Aiming to encourage the students on supports and alternative techniques, the Audiovisual and Visual Arts Study Group - GRAVA was created as a place for reflexion and creation. The group has been seeking a personal language, improving it as the means to communicate its interpretation of the world are investigated, being it in the urban space or in cultural and virtual centres. By extending the university knowledge to the local community, it is intended to motivate the student’s research along with the professoriate and promote the creation process and artistic works focusing the group’s view on the context it is inserted.

Social Watch: espaço alternativo para a comunicação da sociedade civil global

The text aims to show how Social Watch alternative site contributes to the construction of world citizenship to publish proposals for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), identified with groups excluded from traditional means of mass communication. The structure of the site is analyzed and studied in depth one of its publications, the Bulletin of August 2014, using some resources from the methodology of the framing and content analysis. The analysis shows that, in fact, the site is presented as place where civil society can express themselves and collect public power projects and proposals to increase the global citizenship.