Exploring the therapeutic potential of an antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory peptide from wasp venom.

Animal venoms are rich sources of neuroactive compounds, including anti-inflammatory, antiepileptic, and antinociceptive molecules. Our study identified a protonectin peptide from the wasp Parachartergus fraternus' venom using mass spectrometry and cDNA library construction. Using this peptide as a template, we designed a new peptide, protonectin-F, which exhibited higher antinociceptive activity and less motor impairment compared to protonectin. In drug interaction experiments with naloxone and AM251, Protonectin-F's activity was decreased by opioid and cannabinoid antagonism, two critical antinociception pathways. Further experiments revealed that this effect is most likely not induced by direct action on receptors but by activation of the descending pain control pathway. We noted that protonectin-F induced less tolerance in mice after repeated administration than morphine. Protonectin-F was also able to decrease TNF-α production in vitro and modulate the inflammatory response, which can further contribute to its antinociceptive activity. These findings suggest that protonectin-F may be a potential molecule for developing drugs to treat pain disorders with fewer adverse effects. Our results reinforce the biotechnological importance of animal venom for developing new molecules of clinical interest.

Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell) Brenan: Ethnobotanical, phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological aspects.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan is an endemic tree to South America and different parts of it are used by the population for the treatment of various diseases, as well as in indigenous rituals. This species has high pharmacological potential but may present toxic potential due to the presence of psychotropic compounds. AIM OF THE STUDY: To review published studies with the species A. colubrina regarding ethnobotanical, phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological aspects, as well as discuss perspectives for new research and protection of this species. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review was performed by accessing published articles on databases such as: PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, Scopus, Taylor and Francis online, Springer Link, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), ACS Publications, Chemspider and Google Scholar. The keywords used were: "Anadenanthera colubrina" or "Mimosa colubrina" or "Piptadenia colubrina" or "Piptadenia macrocarpa" or "Piptadenia grata" or "Anadenanthera macrocarpa" and "medicinal plants" or "pharmacological" or "phytochemicals" or "traditional use" or "toxicological" or "ethnobotanical" or "pre-clinical trial" or "clinical". Articles found by database searches and search engines were screened at four stages: (i) title screening, (ii) locality screening, (iii) abstract screening, and (iv) full text. Other articles found through supplementary searches were screened in the full text whenever available. Each article was assessed by three reviewers at the title and abstract screening stages, except for those found in Portuguese databases that were assessed by the native reviewer. RESULTS: This robust tree has been popularly useful for agroeconomic, medicinal and as a hallucinogen in religious rituals. According to the published studies, the main parts of the plant are the bark and seeds that are mostly used for respiratory conditions and as entheogens, respectively. It is a rich traditional herbal medicine with many pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antidiarrheal, wound healing, antimicrobial, antitumoral, antioxidant, antiaddictive, insecticide and allelopathic that were described in in vitro and in vivo assays, and approximately 56 compounds were identified, suggesting a therapeutic potential for this species. Although most relate to medicinal uses, these are preliminaries and do not show the mechanism of action. The phytochemical assays showed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, triterpenes, steroids and alkaloids. Some of the compounds are anadanthoflavone, which is exclusive to this species, and no pharmacological or toxicological studies have yet demonstrated this compound. Another important compound is bufotenine which was isolated from seeds and is related to hallucinogenic and antiviral activity. The extracts made from leaves, bark, gum, and fruits appear to be safe, according to both in vivo and in vitro toxicology testing, which all shown low toxicity. Due to the presence of bufotenine in the seeds, it can be toxic, however, it was not found in toxicological assays with the seed extracts. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, part of the studies confirms the popular use of A. colubrina, however, more assays with isolated compounds and with the different extracts are necessary to corroborate other uses and the mechanism of action of their pharmacological effects needs to discuss in more detail. Therefore, the present review would be identified the gaps and suggests further studies oriented to validate the popular use. Thus, it must be noted that the use of this species must be controlled in order to minimize the environmental impact, as most of the pharmacological potential was shown with the bark and seeds. Due to its wide use in folk medicine, it is part of the Brazilian medicinal species with priority for conservation.

Planar Proton Minibeam Irradiation Elicits Spatially Confined DNA Damage in a Human Epidermis Model.

Purpose: High doses of ionizing radiation in radiotherapy can elicit undesirable side effects to the skin. Proton minibeam radiotherapy (pMBRT) may circumvent such limitations due to tissue-sparing effects observed at the macro scale. Here, we mapped DNA damage dynamics in a 3D tissue context at the sub-cellular level. Methods: Epidermis models were irradiated with planar proton minibeams of 66 µm, 408 µm and 920 µm widths and inter-beam-distances of 2.5 mm at an average dose of 2 Gy using the scanning-ion-microscope SNAKE in Garching, GER. γ-H2AX + 53BP1 and cleaved-caspase-3 immunostaining revealed dsDNA damage and cell death, respectively, in time courses from 0.5 to 72 h after irradiation. Results: Focused 66 µm pMBRT induced sharply localized severe DNA damage (pan-γ-H2AX) in cells at the dose peaks, while damage in the dose valleys was similar to sham control. pMBRT with 408 µm and 920 µm minibeams induced DSB foci in all cells. At 72 h after irradiation, DNA damage had reached sham levels, indicating successful DNA repair. Increased frequencies of active-caspase-3 and pan-γ-H2AX-positive cells revealed incipient cell death at late time points. Conclusions: The spatially confined distribution of DNA damage appears to underlie the tissue-sparing effect after focused pMBRT. Thus, pMBRT may be the method of choice in radiotherapy to reduce side effects to the skin.

Genomic Adaption and Mutational Patterns in a HaCaT Subline Resistant to Alkylating Agents and Ionizing Radiation.

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a chemical warfare agent that can damage DNA via alkylation and oxidative stress. Because of its genotoxicity, SM is cancerogenic and the progenitor of many chemotherapeutics. Previously, we developed an SM-resistant cell line via chronic exposure of the popular keratinocyte cell line HaCaT to increasing doses of SM over a period of 40 months. In this study, we compared the genomic landscape of the SM-resistant cell line HaCaT/SM to its sensitive parental line HaCaT in order to gain insights into genetic changes associated with continuous alkylation and oxidative stress. We established chromosome numbers by cytogenetics, analyzed DNA copy number changes by means of array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (array CGH), employed the genome-wide chromosome conformation capture technique Hi-C to detect chromosomal translocations, and derived mutational signatures by whole-genome sequencing. We observed that chronic SM exposure eliminated the initially prevailing hypotetraploid cell population in favor of a hyperdiploid one, which contrasts with previous observations that link polyploidization to increased tolerance and adaptability toward genotoxic stress. Furthermore, we observed an accumulation of chromosomal translocations, frequently flanked by DNA copy number changes, which indicates a high rate of DNA double-strand breaks and their misrepair. HaCaT/SM-specific single-nucleotide variants showed enrichment of C > A and T > A transversions and a lower rate of deaminated cytosines in the CpG dinucleotide context. Given the frequent use of HaCaT in toxicology, this study provides a valuable data source with respect to the original genotype of HaCaT and the mutational signatures associated with chronic alkylation and oxidative stress.

Antimicrobial and Anticancer Properties of Synthetic Peptides Derived from the Wasp Parachartergus fraternus.

Agelaia-MPI and protonectin are antimicrobial peptides isolated from the wasp Parachartergus fraternus that show antimicrobial and neuroactive activities. Previously, two analogues of these peptides, neuroVAL and protonectin-F, were designed to reduce nonspecific toxicity and improve potency. Here, the three-dimensional structures of neuroVAL, protonectin and protonectin-F were determined by using circular dichroism and NMR spectroscopy. Antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic and hemolytic activities were tested for the parent peptides and analogues. All peptides showed moderate antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, with agelaia-MPI being the most active. Protonectin and protonectin-F were found to be toxic to cancerous and noncancerous cell lines. Internalization experiments revealed that these peptides accumulate inside both cell types. By contrast, neuroVAL was nontoxic to all tested cells and was able to enter cells without accumulating. In summary, neuroVAL has potential as a nontoxic cell-penetrating peptide, while protonectin-F needs further modification to realize its potential as an antitumor peptide.

DNA Damage in Blood Leukocytes of Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing PET/CT Examinations with [68Ga]Ga-PSMA I&T.

The aim was to investigate the induction and repair of radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) as a function of the absorbed dose to the blood of patients undergoing PET/CT examinations with [68Ga]Ga-PSMA. Blood samples were collected from 15 patients before and at four time points after [68Ga]Ga-PSMA administration, both before and after the PET/CT scan. Absorbed doses to the blood were calculated. In addition, blood samples with/without contrast agent from five volunteers were irradiated ex vivo by CT while measuring the absorbed dose. Leukocytes were isolated, fixed, and stained for co-localizing γ-H2AX+53BP1 DSB foci that were enumerated manually. In vivo, a significant increase in γ-H2AX+53BP1 foci compared to baseline was observed at all time points after administration, although the absorbed dose to the blood by 68Ga was below 4 mGy. Ex vivo, the increase in radiation-induced foci depended on the absorbed dose and the presence of contrast agent, which could have caused a dose enhancement. The CT-dose contribution for the patients was estimated at about 12 mGy using the ex vivo calibration. The additional number of DSB foci induced by CT, however, was comparable to the one induced by 68Ga. The significantly increased foci numbers after [68Ga]Ga-PSMA administration may suggest a possible low-dose hypersensitivity.

Determinação das características físico-químicas e das miopatias do músculo Pectoralis major em frangos de corte criados em piso de plástico perfurado / Determination of the physical-chemical characteristics and myopathy of the Pectoralis major muscle in broiler chickens raised on perforated plastic floor

Esse estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a influência da criação de frangos de corte em pisos plásticos perfurados sobre a qualidade físico-química da carne e a incidência de miopatias peitorais. Para isso, os animais foram alojados em 14 box, em dois tratamentos, cama e piso, 25 animais por box. Para a capacidade de retenção de água as aves do tratamento piso apresentaram melhores resultados; no entanto, apresentaram maior perda de água por cocção. O músculo Pectoralis major dos animais criados no piso de plástico, apresentou menor valor de força de cisalhamento, entretanto, maior força de deformação. Para as miopatias, o peito dos frangos criados no piso de plástico apresentaram maior incidência de white striping, enquanto os que permaneceram na cama de casca de arroz apresentaram maior incidência de wooden breast. A criação de frangos de corte em pisos de plástico perfurados não influenciou as características físico-químicas da carne, bem como a incidência de miopatias peitorais.

Eficácia da implementação do programa alimentos seguros sobre a qualidade do leite / Effectiveness of food security program implementation on milk quality

Esse estudo objetivou avaliar a eficácia da implantação do Programa Alimentos Seguros (PAS Leite Campo) sobre a qualidade do leite produzido em propriedades produtoras associadas a uma Cooperativa no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Para isso, foram coletados dados das análises de contagem de células somáticas (CCS) e contagem de bactérias totais (CBT) do leite de 59 propriedades através de avaliação do histórico de resultados da empresa, além da coleta de amostras de leite para análise dos parâmetros de CCS e CBT durante as sete semanas de implantação do programa. Os resultados obtidos indicaram diminuição na CCS e CBT durante e após a implantação do Programa, quando comparadas ao início. Conclui-se que a implantação da metodologia do PAS proporcionou resultados significativos na redução dos índices de CCS e CBT e na qualidade do leite.

Reproducibility of endometrial cytology using cytobrush technique and agreement for the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis between five predefined endometrial sites.

The objectives of this study were as follows: (a) to assess the reproducibility of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) cell counts at five predefined endometrial sites (corpus uteri, left horn base, right horn base, left horn tip and right horn tip) and (b) to determine the agreement for the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis (SE) between the different endometrial sites. Forty milking cows between 28 and 34 days post-partum were enrolled for endometrial sampling using cytobrush technique. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to evaluate the reproducibility of PMN counts at different sites. The right horn base was found to have the greatest agreement of PMN counts with the other endometrial sites (ICC = 0.66-0.85). Twenty-eight of 40 cows showed no signs of clinical endometritis and were used for evaluation of agreement for the diagnosis of SE, analysed by using Cohen´s kappa (κ) statistics. Agreement for SE diagnosis with PMN cut-off ≥5% was greatest between the right horn base and the right horn tip (κ = 0.84), and with PMN cut-off ≥18% between the right horn base and left horn tip (κ = 1.0), respectively. The results indicate that the right horn base can be regarded as suitable for cytobrush sampling. The probability to detect an animal positive for SE (PMN ≥ 5%) with a single cytobrush sampling was 51.0%; thus, a second sampling is recommended to improve the accuracy.

Vibrio cholerae: doença, manifestações clínicas e microbiologia / Vibrio cholerae: disease, clinical manifestations and microbiology / Vibrio cholerae: enfermedad, manifestaciones clínicas y microbiologia

Justificativa e Objetivos: A cólera é uma doença infecciosa intestinal aguda causada pela toxina do Vibrio cholerae. A transmissão é oral-fecal e ocorre predominantemente em ambientes aquáticos contaminados. Pode ser fatal, mas é facilmente evitada e tratada. Associa-se a sua propagação com a falta de saneamento básico pois cresce exponencialmente nesses ambientes. O diagnóstico é clínico-epidemiológico, laboratorial com meios seletivos para o microrganismo e teste rápido, este último não é sensível e nem especifico. O tratamento é com sais de reidratação oral e antibioticoterapia, indica-se a suplementação com zinco. Existe vacinação para Vibrio cholerae, e essa é a melhor medida para o controle da doença. As pesquisas em cólera já não são mais frequentes, pois ela é considerada uma doença de países que não são desenvolvidos. Conclusão: Nesse contexto, ainda são necessárias pesquisas sobre sistemas de esgoto, monitorização de efluentes, vigilância da qualidade da água de abastecimento público e vigilância da qualidade de alimentos.(AU)

Background and Objectives: Cholera is an acute intestinal infectious disease caused by the toxin of Vibrio cholerae. Transmission is oral-fecal and occurs predominantly in contaminated aquatic environments. It can be fatal, but it is easily avoided and treated. Its propagation is associated with lack of basic sanitation because it grows exponentially in environments. The diagnosis is clinical-epidemiological, laboratory with selective media for the micro-organism and rapid test, the latter is not sensitive or specific. Treatment is with oral rehydration salts and antibiotic therapy, zinc supplementation is indicated. There is vaccination for Vibrio cholerae, and this is the best measure for the control of the disease. Conclusion: Cholera research is no longer frequent, as it is considered a disease of countries that are not developed. In this context, research is still needed on sewage systems, effluent monitoring, public water supply quality surveillance and food quality monitoring.(AU)

Justificación y objetivos: La cólera es una enfermedad infecciosa intestinal aguda causada por la toxina del Vibrio cholerae. La transmisión es oral-fecal y ocurre predominantemente en ambientes acuáticos contaminados. Puede ser fatal, pero es facilmente evitada y tratada. Se asocia su propagación con la falta de saneamiento básico pues crece exponencialmente en ambientes. El diagnóstico es clínico-epidemiológico, de laboratorio con medios selectivos para el microorganismo y la prueba rápida, este último no es sensible ni específico. El tratamiento es con sales de rehidratación oral y antibioticoterapia, se indica la suplementación con cinc. Hay vacunación para Vibrio cholerae, y esa es la mejor medida para el control de la enfermedad. Conclusión: Las investigaciones en cólera ya no son más frecuentes, ya que se considera una enfermedad de países que no se desarrollan. En este contexto todavía son necesarias investigaciones sobre sistemas de alcantarillado, monitorización de efluentes, vigilancia de la calidad del agua de abastecimiento público y vigilancia de la calidad de alimentos.(AU)

Exome Sequencing Discloses Ionizing-radiation-induced DNA Variants in the Genome of Human Gingiva Fibroblasts.

Ionizing radiation can induce genomic lesions such as DNA double-strand breaks whose incomplete or faulty repair can result in mutations, which in turn can influence cellular functions and alter the fate of affected cells and organ systems. Ionizing-radiation-induced sequence alterations/mutations occur in a stochastic manner, which contributes to an increased cancer risk in irradiated individuals. Ionizing radiation exposure, and particularly acute doses at high dose rates (as often observed in radiation accidents), induce alterations in the genome that in part will reflect specific characteristics of the DNA damage response and the repair mechanisms involved. Here, the exome of primary human gingival fibroblasts not exposed or exposed to 0.2, 2, 5, or 10 Gy of x rays was investigated after 16 h of DNA repair for ionizing-radiation-induced mutations. The irradiation effect with varying dose was investigated using three different bioinformatic filters for the analysis of accumulated variants per Mb of genomic DNA and per cytogenetic bands. A highly stringent cutoff of 20-fold coverage was used for all analyses. Comparing exome DNA from irradiated and nonirradiated cells disclosed a characteristic variation of the frequency of ionizing-radiation-induced single-nucleotide variants as well as small insertions and deletions among chromosomes and their subregions. Increases in ionizing-radiation-induced variants with increasing dose were highly significant (p = 2.2 × 10, Kruskal-Wallis test). These results indicate that certain chromosomal regions may be more prone to accumulating particular ionizing-radiation-induced alterations than others, which points to a characteristic metasignature in the irradiated exome.

Labeling of packaged foods in Brazil: Use of terms such as homemade, traditional, and the like / Rotulagem de alimentos industrializados no Brasil: uso de termos como caseiro, tradicional e similares

ABSTRACT Objective The study aimed to shed light on the use of the terms "homemade", "traditional", and other similar terms in the front-of-pack labels of industrialized foods. Methods Labels of all packaged foods products (n=5,506) available for sale in a Brazilian supermarket were analyzed. The analysis verified the relative and absolute frequency of terms according to the similarity of expressions and semantics by food groups according to Brazilian regulation (nº 359/2003). A chi-square test identified differences in the total food terms with terms between food groups (.<0.001). Results Of all foods analyzed, 14.1% (n=778) presented the target terms. On the analyzed labels, the age of the brand or product was found more frequently (58.1%, n=495), followed by the terms "traditional" (20.1%, n=175) and "original" (11.0%, n=94). The groups that presented the highest relative frequency were groups I (baking goods) and II (canned vegetables), both with 21.4%. Conclusion The study confirmed the commercialization of packaged foods with terms that refer to a traditional and homemade production with different connotations. The information contained in the labels should be clear and correct to ensure that the consumer can make informed choices. The findings indicate the importance of investigating consumers' perception of the presence of these terms on labels and clarifying the composition of these foods.

RESUMO Objetivo Este estudo tem como objetivo identificar o uso dos termos caseiro, tradicional e outros similares nos painéis frontais dos rótulos de alimentos industrializados. Métodos Foram analisados rótulos de todos os alimentos industrializados (n=5506) disponíveis para venda em um supermercado brasileiro. Verificou-se frequência relativa e absoluta dos termos de acordo com a similaridade das expressões e semântica, por grupos alimentares, segundo a Resolução nº 359/2002. O teste Qui-quadrado foi usado para identificar a diferença no total dos alimentos com termos entre os grupos de alimentos (p<0,001). Resultados Do total de alimentos, 14,1% (n=778) apresentaram esses termos. Idade da marca ou produto foi encontrada com maior frequência (58,1%; n=495), seguida pelos termos tradicional (20,1%; n=175) e original (11,0%; n=94). Os grupos que apresentaram maior frequência relativa foram o grupo I (produtos de panificação) e II (verduras e conservas), ambos com 21,4%. Conclusão Observou-se a comercialização de produtos industrializados com termos que remetem a uma forma de produção tradicional e caseira, com diferentes conotações. As informações contidas nos rótulos devem ser claras e corretas, para que o consumidor possa realizar suas escolhas conscientemente. Evidencia-se a importância de investigar a percepção dos consumidores quanto à presença desses termos nos rótulos, bem como a composição desses alimentos.

Effects of photobiomodulation therapy on Bothrops moojeni snake-envenomed gastrocnemius of mice using enzymatic biomarkers.

Bothropic venom contains a range of biologically active substances capable of causing severe local and systemic envenoming symptomatology within its victims. The snake anti-venom is effective against systemic effects but has no neutralizing effect against the fast developing local effects. Herein, mice gastrocnemius injected with Bothrops moojeni venom (40 µg/kg) or saline solution were irradiated with HeNe (632.8 nm) and GaAs (904 nm) lasers (daily energy density of 4 J/cm2; 0.03/0.21 power density; 0.07/0.16 spot size; 1.2/0.04 total energy, 1 cm off contact, for HeNe and GaAs lasers, respectively) and euthanized in periods ranging from 3 h to 21 days. Blood biochemistry for creatine kinase (CK), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (AP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate transaminase (AST), and myoglobin and histopathological analysis, for assessing the degree of myonecrosis and regeneration of gastrocnemius, were done at every time interval. GaAs laser promoted faster photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) effects, and the GaAs group exhibited a better clinical outcome than the HeNe group. Within the GaAs group, the serum levels of CK, LDH, AP, AST, and myoglobin, which were increased by the physiological effects of the venom, were reduced to initial baseline before snake envenomation in less time than those irradiated by the HeNe laser. However, the group receiving irradiation from the HeNe laser returned the levels of ALP activity to baseline faster than those of the GaAs group. Histopathological analysis revealed enhanced muscle regeneration in mice groups treated with both lasers. PBM promoted by GaAs and HeNe showed well-developed centrally nucleate regenerating cells and an increased number of newly formed blood vessels when compared to unirradiated muscle. We therefore suggest that GaAs had the best outcomes likely derived from a deeper penetrating longer wavelength. We conclude that PMBT is a promising, non-invasive approach to be further tested in pre-clinical studies with a goal to further its clinical use in skeletal muscle recovery in snakebite victims.

Antifungal potential and phytochemistry of Tetrapterys multiglandulosa CAV aerial parts / Potencial antifúngico e fitoquímica das partes aéreas de Tetrapterys multiglandulosa CAV

Tetrapterys spp. are considered toxic to grazing animals owing to the presence of a poisonous constituent cardiotonic glycoside. However, other chemicals within the plant have allelopathic, bactericidal, and fungicidal activities. The objective of this study was to search for natural products as alternatives in the control of plant pathogenic fungi, which diminish the crop productivity and cause damage to animal and human health. The phytochemical content of the stems and leaves was investigated alongside the fungitoxic potential of aqueous and ethanol extracts from aerial parts of T. multiglandulosa on Fusarium moniliforme and F. graminearum. The leaves and stems were obtained from 20 arrays of T. multiglandulosa from Batayporã City, south of Mato Grosso do Sul, and classified as young and mature. The botanical material was oven dried, crushed, and its aqueous and 20% ethanol extracts were used for qualitative and quantitative phytochemical assays. For in vitro tests of fungal growth inhibition, extract concentrations of 200, 400, 800, 1600, and 2000 µg L-1 were assayed, with two control groups. Phytochemical tests from aqueous and ethanol extracts of young and mature leaves indicated the presence of phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, and cardiotonic glycosides. The aqueous extract of young leaves showed potential fungicidal activity against F. graminearum, with values ranging from 21.25% to 33.53% colony growth inhibition.

As espécies do gênero Tetrapterys são consideradas plantas tóxicas para animais de pastagem e um dos constituintes químicos responsáveis por estas intoxicações são os heterosideos cardiotônicos os quais também possuem atividade alelopática, bactericida, fungicida, dentre outras. Estes fatos e a busca por produtos naturais que possam ser empregados na agricultura familiar, como uma alternativa, no controle fungos fitopatogênicos que além de diminuir a produtividade podem causar danos à saúde animal e humana nos levou a investigar o potencial fungitóxico do extrato aquoso e etanólico das partes aéreas de Tetrapterys multiglandulosa sobre Fusarium moniliforme e F. graminearum e a determinar os fitoconstituintes. As folhas e caules foram obtidas de 20 matrizes de T. multiglandulosa na região de Batayporã, Mato Grosso do Sul e classificadas em jovens e adultas. O material botânico foi seco em estufa, triturado e os extratos aquoso e etanólico a 20% submetidos aos ensaios fitoquímicos quali e quantitativos. No teste in vitro de atividade de inibição de crescimento fúngico os extratos foram diluídos nas concentrações de 200, 400, 800, 1600 e 2000 µg mL-1 utilizando-se duas testemunhas. Testes fitoquímicos a partir de extratos aquosos e etanólicos de folhas e caules novos e maduros indicou a presença de compostos fenólicos taninos, flavonóides, alcalóides, saponinas e glicósideos cardiotônicos. O extrato aquoso das folhas jovens apresentou maior potencial fungicida contra F. graminearum com 33,53% de inibição de crescimento da colônia.

Ocorrência e perfil de resistência antimicrobiana de sorotipos de Salmonella spp. isolados de aviários do Paraná, Brasil / Occurrence and antimicrobial resistance profile of Salmonella spp. serotypes isolated from poultry farms in Paraná, Brazil

O presente estudo foi conduzido para verificar o perfil de resistência de diferentes sorotipos de Salmonella spp. isolados em aviários de frango de corte frente a agentes antimicrobianos. Foram processados 342 suabes de arrasto provenientes de granjas avícolas do oeste do Paraná, no período de janeiro de 2010 a janeiro de 2011, sendo isoladas 39 amostras de Salmonella spp. Os sorotipos mais frequentes foram: S. Heidelberg, S. Mbandaka, S. Newport, S. Schwarzengrund, S. Enteritidis, S. Livingstone, S. Orion, S. Give e S. Infantis. A determinação do perfil de resistência para os 19 sorotipos de Salmonella identificados foi realizada em relação a 12 antimicrobianos comerciais. Os resultados indicam que 51% dos sorotipos de Salmonella apresentaram resistência a um ou mais antimicrobianos, com 12 diferentes padrões de resistência. O maior percentual de resistência foi verificado à tetraciclina (30,8%), e o menor à gentamicina e cloranfenicol (2,6%). Os níveis de resistência indicam que os antimicrobianos devem ser utilizados nos aviários de forma mais prudente, buscando, assim, minimizar a disseminação de cepas resistentes.(AU)

The present study was carried to verify the resistance profile of different Salmonella spp. serotypes isolated from a poultry broiler house against antimicrobial agents. Tree-hundred and forty two drag swabs from poultry farms in western Paraná were processed in the period from January 2010 to January 2011, and 39 Salmonella spp. Strains were isolated. The serovars were mostly: S. Heidelberg, S. Mbandaka, S. Newport, S. Schwarzengrund, S. Enteritidis, S. Livingstone, S. Orion, S. Give and S. Infantis. The determination of the resistance profile to the 19 identified Salmonella serotypes was evaluated against 12 antimicrobial commercials. The results indicate that 51% of Salmonella serotypes showed resistance to on or more antimicrobials, with 12 different resistance patterns. The highest percentage of resistance was related to tetracycline (30,8%) and the lowest one to gentamicin and chloramphenicol (2,6%). The resistance levels indicate that antimicrobials should be used on poultry farms more carefuly, thus seeking to minimize the spread of resistant strains.(AU)