Watermelon Reduces the Toxicity of Cisplatin Treatment in C57BL/6 Mice with Induced Melanoma.

An alternative to reduce the undesirable effects of antineoplastic agents has been the combination of classical treatments with nutritional strategies aimed at reducing systemic toxicity without decreasing the antitumor activity of already used drugs. Within this context, this study evaluated the possible reduction of toxicity when cisplatin treatment is combined with watermelon pulp juice supplementation in C57BL/6 mice with melanoma. Watermelon is a fruit rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, lycopene, carotene, and xanthophylls, which has shown effectiveness in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, weight loss, urinary infections, gout, hypertension, and mutagenicity. The following parameters were analyzed: animal survival, bone marrow genotoxicity, serum creatinine and urea, histopathological features of the tumor tissue, tumor weight and volume, and weight of non-tumor tissues (kidney, liver, spleen, heart, and lung). The results showed that watermelon had no antitumor effect but reduced the toxicity of cisplatin, as demonstrated by an increase in the number of bone marrow cells and a decrease in serum creatinine and urea levels. The data suggest that watermelon pulp juice can be an alternative for reducing the side effects of antineoplastic agents.

Hypericin, a medicinal compound from St. John's Wort, inhibits genotoxicity induced by mutagenic agents in V79 cells.

This study evaluated the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and the modulatory effects on DNA damage of hypericin in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79 cells). The hypericin is a natural polycyclic quinone, mainly extracted from St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.). Along with hyperforin, the hypericins are responsible for the antidepressant activity of St. John's Wort. Cytotoxicity was assessed by the XTT colorimetric assay and the nuclear division index (NDI). The genotoxic activity was studied by the micronucleus test at concentrations of 30, 60, 120, and 240 µg/mL. Mutagenic agents, methyl methanesulfonate (MMS, 44 µg/mL), doxorubicin (DXR, 0.5 µg/mL), and etoposide (VP16, 1 µg/mL) were used in combination with different concentrations of hypericin in order to evaluate the modulatory effect on DNA damage. Results showed that the hypericin was cytotoxic at concentrations above 156.2 µg/mL and genotoxic above 120 µg/mL. The hypericin significantly reduced DNA damage frequency induced by DXR, at concentrations of 30 and 60 µg/mL, and MMS at a concentration of 30 µg/mL, but was unable to reduce damage when combined with VP-16. These results demonstrate the non-photoactivated hypericin toxicological safety limits, its protective effect on DNA damage and provide a basis for future studies that may characterize better its chemopreventive mechanism.

Antimicrobial and enzymatic activity of anemophilous fungi of a public university in Brazil.

To the fungal microbiota the UFPE and biotechnological potential enzymatic and antimicrobial production. Air conditioned environments were sampled using a passive sedimentation technique, the air I ratio and the presence of aflatoxigenic strains evaluated for ANVISA. Icelles were to determine the enzymatic activity of lipase, amylase and protease metabolic liquids to determine antimicrobial activity. Diversity was observed in all CAV environments, CFU/m3 ranged from 14 to 290 and I/E ratio from 0.1 to 1.5. The of the fungal genera were: Aspergillus (50%), Penicillium (21%), Talaromyces (14%), Curvularia and Paecilomyces (7% each). Aspergillus sydowii (Bainier & Sartory) Thom & Church presented enzymatic activity and the Talaromyces purpureogenus Samson, Yilmaz, Houbraken, Spierenb., Seifert, Peterson, Varga & Frisvad presented antibacterial activity against all bacteria that all environments present fungal species biodiversity no toxigenic or pathogenic fungi were found, according to ANVISA legislation for conditioned environments and airborne filamentous fungi present potential for enzymatic and antimicrobial activity.

Production, characterization of tannase from Penicillium montanense URM 6286 under SSF using agroindustrial wastes, and application in the clarification of grape juice (Vitis vinifera L.).

Tannase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes esters and lateral bonds of tannins, such as tannic acid, releasing glucose and gallic acid and stands out in the clarification of wines and juices. Fungi of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium are excellent producers of this enzyme. The search for fungi that produce high levels of tannase as well as new substrates for the enzyme production by the SSF is required. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the production of tannase by Aspergillus and Penicillium species through SSF using leaves and agroindustrial waste barbados cherry and mangaba fruit as substrate, select the best producer, optimize production, characterize the crude enzyme extract, and apply it the clarification of grape juice. Selecting the best producer was performed by planning Placket-Burman and RSM. P. montanense showed highest activity with 41.64 U/mL after 72 h of fermentation residue using barbados cherry, with 3.5% tannic acid and 70% moisture. The enzyme showed the highest activity at pH 9.0 and 50°C. The tannase of P. montanense was stable over a wide pH range and temperature and, when applied to grape juice, showed higher efficiency by reducing 46% of the tannin content after incubation 120 m.

Evidências de validade para a escala de alegria no trabalho / Validity evidence for the joy at work scale / Evidencia de validez para la escala de alegría en el trabajo

A alegria no trabalho consiste em uma manifestação do bem-estar no trabalho, que se reflete na fusão da satisfação da vida e da satisfação com o trabalho. O presente estudo reuniu evidências de validade da Escala de Alegria no Trabalho no contexto brasileiro. A amostra foi composta por 505 trabalhadores de ambos os sexos. Eles responderam à versão brasileira da escala e a instrumentos a ela correlatos. As análises fatoriais exploratórias e confirmatórias indicaram que o modelo de melhor ajuste para a escala foi o de natureza unidimensional, composto por 14 itens. A escala apresentou correlações positivas fortes com a satisfação no trabalho, o engajamento no trabalho, o comprometimento organizacional afetivo e os afetos positivos dirigidos ao trabalho. Concluiu-se que o instrumento apresentou propriedades psicométricas que recomendam seu uso em investigações futuras destinadas a avaliar o grau de alegria no trabalho.

Joy at work is one manifestation of well-being, which is reflected in the merging of satisfaction with life and with work. The present study has gathered evidence of the validity of the Joy at Work Scale in the Brazilian context. The sample was composed of 505 workers from both genders. They answered a version of the Brazilian scale as well as other instruments related to it. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the model with the best fit for the scale was the one-dimensional one, composed of 14 items. The scale presented strong positive correlations with satisfaction at work, work engagement, affective organizational commitment, and positive affects toward work. It was concluded that the instrument presented psychometric properties which recommend its use in further investigations designed to evaluate levels of joy at work.

La alegría en el trabajo es una manifestación de bienestar, que refleja en la fusión de la satisfacción con la vida y la satisfacción laboral. El presente estudio reunió evidencias de la validez de la Escala de Alegría en el Trabajo en el contexto brasileño. La muestra consistió en 505 trabajadores de ambos sexos que respondieron a la versión brasileña de la escala y a sus instrumentos Los análisis factoriales exploratorios y confirmatorios mostraron que el modelo de mejor ajuste para la escala era el de naturaleza unidimensional, compuesto por 14 ítems. La escala presentó fuertes correlaciones positivas con la satisfacción con el trabajo, el engagement en el trabajo, el compromiso organizacional afectivo y los afectos positivos dirigidos al trabajo. Se concluyó que el instrumento presentó propiedades psicométricas que recomiendan su uso en futuras investigaciones destinadas a evaluar el grado de alegría en el trabajo.

Avaliação do potencial quimioprotetor do fruto de Psidium guajava contra os efeitos genotóxicos da doxorrubicina / Evaluation of Psidium guajava fruit chemoprotective against the genotoxic effects of doxorubicin

Resumo Introdução A goiaba é um fruto amplamente utilizado como alimento e é considerada planta medicinal em países tropicais e subtropicais. Pesquisas têm mostrado que o fruto contém constituintes químicos com abrangente uso clínico. Além disso, a maior parte das substâncias utilizadas no tratamento contra câncer foi isolada a partir de produtos naturais. Objetivo Avaliar o potencial citotóxico, mutagênico, antimutagênico e quimioprotetor da fruta liofilizada de Psidium guajava, a goiaba, in vivo. Método A citotoxicidade, a mutagenicidade e a antimutagenicidade foram avaliadas em três diferentes dosagens (0,625, 1,25 e 2,50 g/kg) de goiaba. Resultados Os resultados mostraram que a goiaba não apresentou atividade citotóxica e mutagênica no ensaio de micronúcleo em sangue periférico e que não houve alterações nos valores de ALT e AST, indicando ausência de toxicidade hepática. Nos animais tratados com a goiaba, a dose de 0,625 mg/kg significativamente reduziu os danos induzidos pela doxorrubicina. Conclusão Esses resultados mostraram que o consumo de goiaba é seguro e capaz de proteger o material genético de alterações genômicas.

Abstract Background Guava is a fruit widely used as food and is considered a medicinal plant in the tropical and subtropical countries. Scientific research has shown that the fruit contains chemical constituents with comprehensive clinical use. In addition, most of the substances used in cancer treatment have been isolated from natural products. Objective To evaluate the cytotoxic, mutagenic, antimutagenic, and chemoprotective potential of the freeze-dried fruit of Psidium guajava, guava, in vivo. Method Cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, and antimutagenicity were evaluated in three different dosages (0.625, 1.25, 2.50 g/kg) of guava. Results The results show that guava does not present cytotoxic 2 and mutagenic activity in the micronucleus assay in peripheral blood and there were no alterations in ALT and AST values showing the absence of hepatic toxicity. In animals treated with guava, the dose of 0.625 mg/kg significantly reduced the damage induced by doxorubicin. Conclusion These results show that guava consumption is safe as it is also capable of protecting the genetic material from changes.

Antimicrobial and enzymatic activity of anemophilous fungi of a public university in Brazil

ABSTRACT To the fungal microbiota the UFPE and biotechnological potential enzymatic and antimicrobial production. Air conditioned environments were sampled using a passive sedimentation technique, the air I ratio and the presence of aflatoxigenic strains evaluated for ANVISA. Icelles were to determine the enzymatic activity of lipase, amylase and protease metabolic liquids to determine antimicrobial activity. Diversity was observed in all CAV environments, CFU/m3 ranged from 14 to 290 and I/E ratio from 0.1 to 1.5. The of the fungal genera were: Aspergillus (50%), Penicillium (21%), Talaromyces (14%), Curvularia and Paecilomyces (7% each). Aspergillus sydowii (Bainier & Sartory) Thom & Church presented enzymatic activity and the Talaromyces purpureogenus Samson, Yilmaz, Houbraken, Spierenb., Seifert, Peterson, Varga & Frisvad presented antibacterial activity against all bacteria that all environments present fungal species biodiversity no toxigenic or pathogenic fungi were found, according to ANVISA legislation for conditioned environments and airborne filamentous fungi present potential for enzymatic and antimicrobial activity.