Endodontics pastes formulated with copaiba oil: action on oral microbiota and dentin bridge formation in dogs

This study analysed the effect of pastes formulated with calcium hydroxide P.A. and different vehicles (saline solution - paste A and Copaifera langsdorffii Desfon oil - paste B) on oral microorganisms and dentin bridge formation in dogs. The antimicrobial action of the pastes and their components was analysed by the minimum inhibitory concentration in agar gel technique. The components were diluted and tested on fifteen standard strains of microorganisms associated with endodontic diseases. The microorganisms were cultivated and after incubation data was analysed using One-Way ANOVA and Turkey's test (P≤0.05). Four superior incisors of ten animals were used to evaluate dentin bridge formation. Two incisors were capped with paste A (GA) and two with paste B (GB). After 90 days, the teeth were extracted for histological analysis and the degree of dentin bridge formation evaluated. Data was analysed by the Kruskal-Wallis test (P<0.05). The pastes and their components were classified in the following decreasing order of antimicrobial action: calcium hydroxide P.A., paste A, paste B and Copaifera langsdorffii Desfon oil. Calcium hydroxide P.A. showed significantly higher antimicrobial action than the pastes or their vehicles. No significant difference was observed between the two pastes in dentin bridge formation. Based on the microorganisms studied, it can be concluded that the pastes analysed showed similar antimicrobial potential but differed significantly from their individual components. No significant difference was observed in dentin bridge formation between the different pastes tested.

Caracterização química, atividade antioxidante e antimicrobiana do óleo essencial de Baccharis oreophila Malme

The Baccharis oreophila Malme belongs to the Asteraceae family. In Brazil are reported 120 species of Baccharis, most located in the South and Southeast regions, the latter presents the highest prevalence, especially in the state of São Paulo. Asteraceae is well known for the production of essential oils, which are liquid, volatile and aromatic substances produced by plants specialized for metabolism possess antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. Thus, this study aimed, perform chemical and evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of essential oil from dried leaves of B. oreophila collected in winter in Piraquara, Paraná. Obtaining essential oil was given by hydrodistillation in Clevenger apparatus, in triplicate, and the analysis was done using a gas chromatograph coupled to mass spectrometry GC / MS. The identification of the components was made based on retention indices calculated from the co-injection of a series of n-alkanes, followed by comparison of their mass spectra with literature. The antimicrobial activity was assessed by disk diffusion method and microdilution. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the methods DPPH equivalent Trolox, ABTS and FRAP equivalent Trolox equivalent ferrous sulfate. The essential oil showed 0.47% yield. They identified 57 components (89.38%), 1.51% were classified as hydrogenated monoterpenes, oxygenated monoterpenes 15.14%, 34.84% and 37.87% hydrogenated sesquiterpenes sesquiterpenes oxygenates. As the major components were detected kusimono (16.37%), spathulenol (16.12%), the δ-cadinene (5.68%) and bicyclogermacrene (4.09%). The antimicrobial activity of essential oil was performed for the microorganisms Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Candida albicans ATCC 18804 and Candida tropicalis ATCC 13803, the results showed that the essential oil showed activity against S. aureus Inhibitory Concentration minimum (CIM) 1250 g/mL. In the evaluation of antioxidant activity essential oil showed antioxidant potential for the three methods evaluated, with values of 1,468 m.mol.L-1, 7.126 m.mol.L-1 and 45.515 m.mol.L-1 for ABTS, DPPH and FRAP, respectively. These results demonstrate that the essential oil of B. oreophila showed antimicrobial potential against S. aureus and interesting antioxidant activity, especially for the reducing power of iron ion, demonstrating their potential for future industrial applications. It is important to emphasize that were not observed in the literature reports highlighting such biological properties of B. oreophila oil.

Atividade biológica do óleo essencial de Piper hispidum e Piper hispidinervum.

Piper hispidum e Piper hispidinervum são duas espécies arbustivas pertencentes à família Piperaceae. Essas são plantas aromáticas, e há, na literatura, relatos da atividade antimicrobiana dos seus óleos essenciais (OEs). Sendo assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a composição química dos OEs de ambas as espécies, bem como avaliar suas atividades biológicas.

Utilização do éster de soja como biolubrificante

The lubricants found in the market are of mineral or synthetic origin and harm to humans and the environment, mainly due to their improper discard. Therefore industries are seeking to develop products that cause less environmental impact, so to decrease mainly, operator aggression the Cutting Fluids became an emulsion of oil / water or water / oil. However, the emulsion was not considered the most suitable solution for environmental question, therefore the search for biodegradable lubricants and which no are toxic continues and so vegetable oils are seen, again, as a basis for the production of lubricants. The biggest problem with these oils is their oxidative instability that is intensified when working at high temperatures. The process transesterification decreases the oxidation, however changes some physical and chemical properties. Therefore soybean oil after the transesterification process was subjected to tests of density, dynamic viscosity, kinematic viscosity which is calculated from two parameters mentioned, flash point and acidity. Besides the physico-chemical test the soybean oil was subjected to a dynamic test in a tribometer adapted from a table vise, whose induced wear was the adhesive and ultimately was used as cutting fluid in a process of turning in two different materials, steel 1045 and cast iron. This latter test presented results below the mineral cutting fluid which it was compared in all tests, already in other experiments the result was satisfactory and other experiments not, so that chemical additives can be added to the oil analyzed to try equate all parameters and so formulate a biolubrificante not toxic to apply in machining processes of metalworking industry

Prospecção de rizobactérias promotoras de crescimento em quatro espécies arbóreas nativas do Brasil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Distância e padrões de dispersão contemporânea de pólen e sistema de reprodução em pequeno fragmento isolado de Copaifera Langsdorfii Desf. (Leguminosae – Caesalpinoideae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Diversidade de líquens em leguminosas da Reserva Biológica de Mogi-Guaçu, SP

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Compostos fenólicos de resíduos agroindustriais: identificação, propriedades biológicas e aplicação em matriz alimentar de base lipídica

A geração de resíduos sólidos pelas atividades agroindustriais tem criado a demanda por um reaproveitamento tecnológico desses materiais. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial bioativo e tecnológico de resíduos agroindustriais, como fontes naturais de compostos fenólicos com atividade antioxidante. Foram analisados resíduos agroindustriais vinícolas, de indústrias produtoras de polpas congeladas de frutas (açaí, cajá, cupuaçu e graviola) e provenientes do beneficiamento de café e de laranja. Inicialmente, foi realizado um estudo para a determinação das condições ótimas de extração, empregando planejamento experimental multivariado com delineamento composto central rotacional, cujos resultados foram avaliados empregando a técnica de superfície de resposta. Na sequência, foram feitos a triagem dos resíduos, baseada na atividade antioxidante, e a caracterização fenólica dos extratos hidroalcoólicos obtidos dos resíduos agroindustriais. De acordo com os resultados de atividade antioxidante, engaço de uva da variedade Chenin Blanc (EC) e semente de açaí (SA) foram os resíduos selecionados, os quais seguiram para as etapas de concentração e fracionamento bioguiado de sua(s) molécula(s) bioativa(s), as quais foram posteriormente identificadas por UHPLC-ESI-LTQ-MS. Extratos brutos e concentrados foram avaliados in vitro quanto à capacidade de desativação de espécies reativas de oxigênio (radicais peroxila, ânion superóxido e ácido hipocloroso) e então, aplicados em óleo de soja, emulsão e suspensão de lipossomos, a fim de se avaliar a efetividade desses extratos como antioxidante natural em matrizes lipídicas. Concentrações intermediárias de etanol (40-60%) e alta temperatura (96°C), exceto para semente de açaí (25°C), foram as condições ótimas para a extração de antioxidantes dos resíduos agroindustriais. Epicatequina, ácido gálico, catequina e procianidina B1 foram os compostos de maior ocorrência, quando avaliados pela técnica de HPLC-DAD. O EC apresentou a maior atividade antioxidante global e SA a maior atividade entre os resíduos de polpas de frutas, laranja e café. A concentração dos extratos brutos de EC e SA, pela resina Amberlite XAD®-2, produziu aumento significativo da atividade antioxidante. Além disso, extratos brutos e concentrados apresentaram atividade antiproliferativa e anti-inflamatória. Os extratos concentrados foram fracionados por meio de Sephadex LH-20, a partir da qual foi possível identificar quatro frações de maior bioatividade para o EC e três para o SA. Procianidina B1, catequina, epicatequina e resveratrol foram identificados no extrato concentrado e frações de EC. Dezoito procianidinas poliméricas, catequina, epicatequina foram os principais compostos identificados em SA, por meio de UHPLC-ESI-LTQ-MS. Resveratrol também foi encontrado em SA pela primeira vez. Quando avaliados em óleo de soja, EC e SA demonstraram atividade pro-oxidante. Contudo, elevada atividade antioxidante foi verificada quando essas amostras foram aplicadas em sistemas lipídicos coloidais, pois retardaram o consumo de oxigênio em uma emulsão óleo/água e o período de indução na produção de dienos conjugados em uma suspensão de lipossomos. Portanto, os resíduos agroindustriais EC e SA possuem potencial tecnológico de reaproveitamento industrial podendo ser considerados possíveis matérias-primas para a obtenção de extratos ricos em antioxidantes ou pela extração de antioxidantes naturais de uso pelas indústrias farmacêutica e/ou de alimentos.

New media pathways : navigating the links between home, school and the workplace

The terms ‘literacy’ and ‘technology’ remain highly contentious within the field of education. What is meant by ‘literacy’ and the methods used to measure it vary quite markedly in educational and historical contexts across the world. Similarly, while there is a shared concern to research the potential impact of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) on patterns of teaching and learning, there are major discrepancies about which aspects and uses of these technologies should be incorporated into formal learning environments and how this can be accomplished. While government policy makers tend to regard ICTs in relation to ideas of ‘smartness’, efficiency, and the ‘knowledge’ (or ‘new’) economy, educators and educational researchers promote them as offering new tools for learning and critical thinking and the development of new literacies and socio-cultural identities. This clearly has ramifications for the ways literacy is taught and conceptualised throughout the years of schooling, K-12. Outside school, meanwhile, students engage with ICTs on another level entirely, as tools for the maintenance of social networks, for leisure, and for learning and participating in the cultures of their peers. Whatever the differences in perspective, it remains the case that a society’s dominant understandings about literacy and technology will have significant implications for the development of school curriculum.

Rede de adaptação de cultivares de aipim e mandioca para o nordeste brasileiro.

Peso da parte aérea, Nossa Senhora das Dores; Peso de raízes, Nossa Senhora das Dores; Teor de matéria seca de raíz, Nossa Senhora das Dores; Teor de amido, Nossa Senhora das Dores; Peso da parte aérea, Lagarto; Peso de raízes, Lagarto; Teor de matéria seca de raíz, Lagarto; Teor de amido, lagarto; Altura da planta, Lagarto; Altura da 1º ramificação, Lagarto; peso da parte aérea, Umbaúba; Peso de raíz, Umbaúba; Teor de matéria seca de raíz, Umbaúba; Teor de amido, Umbaúba; Altura da planta, Umbaúba; Altura da 1º ramificação, Umbaúba; comprimento de raíz, Umbaúba; Ensaio de variedades e híbridos de mandioca; Avaliação de cultivares de mandioca no período 2004/2006; Peso da parte aérea, Nossa Senhora das Dores; peso de raízes, Nossa Senhora das Dores; Índice de colheita, Nossa Senhora das Dores; Teor de matéria seca de raíz, Nossa Senhora das Dores; Teor de amido, Nossa Senhora das Dores

Promoting science literacy via science journalism: Issues and challenges

Science journalism is the source of much of the science an individual will encounter beyond formal education. Science-based media reports, which might have been associated with informal education, are increasingly becoming incorporated into formal school contexts. Unlike science textbooks, the science reported in the news is often tentative and sometimes contested. It can involve difficult socio-scientific issues. Descriptors of ‘science literacy’ generally include reading and responding critically to media reports of science. The challenge of using science-based news effectively encourages teachers to reassess their knowledge and pedagogical practices.
In addition to creating interest in science and making links beyond the classroom, news media can be used to introduce pupils to elements of science enquiry and teachers can promote basic literacy and critical reading skills through systematic and imaginative use of media reports with a science component.
This chapter explores the knowledge, skills and attitudes that underpin the use of science journalism in the classroom. The unique characteristics and constraints of science journalism that influence the way science is presented and perceived are considered, and the importance of media awareness as a foundation for critical reading of science news is argued. Finally the characteristics of teaching programmes to support critical engagement with science-based media reports are outlined and the opportunities for cross-curricular initiatives highlighted.

Antimicrobial activity of essential oils against multiresistant aeromonads and enterococci

Tese de mestrado. Biologia (Microbiologia Aplicada). Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2014

Relative effect of litter quality, forest type and their interaction on leaf decomposition in south-east Brazilian forests

Decomposition was studied in a reciprocal litter transplant experiment to examine the effects of forest type, litter quality and their interaction on leaf decomposition in four tropical forests in south-east Brazil. Litterbags were used to measure decomposition of leaves of one tree species from each forest type: Calophyllum brasiliense from restinga forest; Guapira opposita from Atlantic forest; Esenbeckia leiocarpa from semi-deciduous forest; and Copaifera langsdorffii from cerradao. Decomposition rates in rain forests (Atlantic and restinga) were twice as fast as those in seasonal forests (semi-deciduous and cerradao), suggesting that intensity and distribution of precipitation are important predictors of decomposition rates at regional scales. Decomposition rates varied by species, in the following order: E. leiocarpa > C. langsdorffii > G. opposita > C. brasiliense. However, there was no correlation between decomposition rates and chemical litter quality parameters: C:N, C:P, lignin concentration and lignin:N. The interaction between forest type and litter quality was positive mainly because C. langsdorffii decomposed faster than expected in its native forest. This is a potential indication of a decomposer`s adaptation to specific substrates in a tropical forest. These findings suggest that besides climate, interactions between decomposers and plants might play an essential role in decomposition processes and it must be better understood.

Thin films of xyloglucans for BSA adsorption

In this work. XG extracted from Tamarindus indica (XGT) and Copaifera langsdorffii (XGC) seeds were deposited onto Si wafers as thin films. The characteristics of XGT and XGC adsorbed layers were compared with a commercial XG sample (TKP, Tamarind kernel powder) by ellipsometry, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Moreover, the adsorption of oxidized derivative of XGT (To60) onto amino-terminated Si wafers and the immobilization of bovine serum albumin (BSA) onto polysaccharides covered wafers, as a function of pH, were also investigated. The XG samples presented molar ratios Glc:Xyl:Gal of 2.4:2.1:1 (XGC) 2.8: 23: 1 (XGT) and 1.91.91 (TKP). The structure of XGT and XGC was determined by O-methy alditol acetate derivatization and showed similar features, but XGC confirmed the presence of more alpha-D-Xyl branches due to more beta-D-Gal ends. XGT deposited onto Si adsorbed as fibers and small entities uniformly distributed, as evidenced by AFM, while TPK and XGC formed larger aggregates. The thickness of To60 onto amino-terminated surface was similar to that determined for XGT onto Si wafers. A maximum in the adsorbed amount of BSA occurred close to its isoelectric point (5.5). These findings indicate that XGT and To60 are potential materials for the development of biomaterials and biotechnological devices. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Avaliação química e biológica de extratos de baccharis pertencentes à seção caulopterae (carquejas)

O gênero Baccharis pertence a subtribo Baccharidinae, tribo Astereae, família Asteraceae. Foram investigadas oito espécies de Baccharis pertencentes a seção Caulopterae, do ponto de vista químico e biológico. As espécies B. articulata, B. crispa, B. cf. milleflora, B. microcephala, B. myriocephala, B. stenocephala, B. trimera e B. usterii foram analisadas quanto a composição química de seu óleo volátil por CG e CG/EM. A maioria das espécies apresentou predominância de sesquiterpenos, com exceção das duas espécies bialadas estudadas, B. articulata e B. stenocephala, as quais apresentaram quantidades apreciáveis do monoterpeno -pineno, e da espécie farmacopeica, B. trimera, com a predominância de acetato de carquejila. Devido a dificuldade na diferenciação das espécies B. trimera e B. crispa por meio de caracteres morfo-anatômicos, estas tiveram a composição química de seu volátil acompanhada ao longo de diferente épocas e locais de coleta. Os extratos hexânicos destas espécies foram também analisados por CG e CG/EM a fim de detectar a presença de acetato de carquejila em amostras coletadas no Brasil e Argentina. Os resultados sugerem a presença de acetato de carquejila como um marcador da espécie B. trimera. Os óleos voláteis de B. articulata, B. crispa, B. microcephala, B. myriocephala, B. trimera e B. usterii foram investigados quanto a atividade antimicrobiana pelo método da bioautografia e todas elas apresentaram alguma atividade. Os óleos voláteis de B. articulata, B. crispa e B. trimera apresentaram fraca atividade antinflamatória in vitro pelo método da câmara de Boyden modificada. A DL50 do óleo de B. trimera foi investigada via intraperitoneal em camundongos e calculada em 0,915 g/kg A partir do extrato aquoso de B. usterii, foram isolados seis ácidos cafeoilquínicos. Quando comparados por CLAE acoplada a técnicas de identificação "on-line", os extratos aquosos de B. trimera, B. crispa e B. usterii apresentaram os seis ácidos em comum. O extrato aquoso de B. trimera diferenciou-se dos demais pela presença de flavonóides, em especial, nepetina. Os três extratos aquosos apresentaram atividade antioxidante frente a DPPH, sendo esta atividade também detectada nos seis ácidos cafeoilquínicos isoladamente.