Evidence of Natural Zika Virus Infection in Captive Cervid Species in Brazil.

As part of an epidemiologic study of the Zika virus (ZIKV) in deer (Xxxx), samples from 56 captive deer in south and southeastern Brazil were tested for evidence of ZIKV. Three samples were positive using reverse-transcription quantitative PCR, although no samples were positive by virus isolation.

Odds ratio of occurrence of pain, postural changes, and disabilities of violinists.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the odds ratio of occurrence of pain, postural changes, and disabilities of violinists. Thirty-eight violinists were assessed. Photographs from anterior, posterior, and lateral views were taken and analyzed using Software of Postural Analysis. Pain was assessed by the Visual Analogue Pain Scale and the musculoskeletal disability of the arm, shoulder, and hand questionnaire (DASH). A logistic regression model was employed and all variables related to posture, age, gender, hours of practice, and duration of practice were considered. The results regarding the VAS and DASH were analyzed using multivariate techniques. The most important variables for the discrimination between the groups regarding the VAS scores were head and shoulder and thoracic kyphosis. For the DASH index, the key variables were the lateral spinal deviation and the head tilt. The odds ratio of occurrence pain was associated with the duration of the practice and the following postural variables: shoulder asymmetries, head postures, and lumbar lordosis. Scapular postures and thoracic kyphosis were associated with hours of practice, and the scapular postures with the duration of practice. This article provides new evidence of occurrence of pain, postural changes and disabilities in violinists. The odds ratio of occurrence pain was associated with the duration of the professional practice.

Synthesis of 1,2,3-Triazole-Containing Methoxylated Cinnamides and Their Antileishmanial Activity against the Leishmania braziliensis Species.

Leishmaniasis is a group of infectious diseases caused by protozoan parasites that belong to the genus Leishmania. Currently, there is no human vaccine, and the available treatments are associated with toxicity, high cost, and the emergence of resistant strains. These factors highlight the need to identify new antileishmanial candidates. In this study, we synthesized twenty-four methoxylated cinnamides containing 1,2,3-triazole fragments and evaluated their antileishmanial activity against the Leishmania braziliensis species, which is the main etiological agent responsible for American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL). The cinnamides were synthetically prepared using nucleophilic acyl substitution and copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reactions. The compounds were characterized using infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and high-resolution mass spectrometry techniques. We performed preliminary studies to evaluate the biological activity of these compounds against L. braziliensis promastigotes and axenic amastigotes. Compound 28, N-((1-(7-(diethylamino)-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-yl) methyl)-3,4-dimethoxy cinnamide, demonstrated relevant antileishmanial activity with low toxicity in murine cells. The selectivity index values for this compound were superior compared with data obtained using amphotericin B. Furthermore, this cinnamide derivative reduced the infection percentage and number of recovered amastigotes in L. braziliensis-infected macrophages. It also induced an increase in reactive oxygen species production, depolarization of the mitochondrial potential, and disruption of the parasite membrane. Taken together, these findings suggest that this synthetic compound holds potential as an antileishmanial candidate and should be considered for future studies in the treatment of ATL.

Structure-based discovery of thiosemicarbazones as SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors.

Aim: Discovery of novel SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) inhibitors using a structure-based drug discovery strategy. Materials & methods: Virtual screening employing covalent and noncovalent docking was performed to discover Mpro inhibitors, which were subsequently evaluated in biochemical and cellular assays. Results: 91 virtual hits were selected for biochemical assays, and four were confirmed as reversible inhibitors of SARS CoV-2 Mpro with IC50 values of 0.4-3 µM. They were also shown to inhibit SARS-CoV-1 Mpro and human cathepsin L. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated the stability of the Mpro inhibitor complexes and the interaction of ligands at the subsites. Conclusion: This approach led to the discovery of novel thiosemicarbazones as potent SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors.

Telefonoaudiologia: uma revisão integrativa / Telephonoaudiology: an integrative review / Telefonoaudiologia: una revisión integradora

Introdução: A pandemia do Coronavírus trouxe a necessidade do distanciamento social. A partir dessa nova realidade, o Conselho Federal de Fonoaudiologia (CFFa) recomendou o uso da telefonoaudiologia para permitir a continuidade do atendimento fonoaudiológico. Embora a telefonoaudiologia não seja uma prática inédita, dúvidas quanto à sua utilização e eficácia, quando comparada ao atendimento presencial, ainda permeia a prática clínica. Objetivo: realizar uma revisão integrativa da literatura sobre a eficácia da telefonoaudiologia comparada ao atendimento presencial. Métodos: foi realizada uma revisão integrativa da literatura cientifica, sem restrição de idioma e tempo, nas bases de dados: Pubmed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Cochrane e Google Scholar. Resultados: vinte e um artigos foram selecionados. A unanimidade dos artigos demostrou que não houve diferença estatística significante entre as configurações. Nos estudos com foco na avaliação, os métodos de teste (presencial X teleavaliação) foram altamente correlacionados e com alta confiabilidade inter examinador. Nos artigos com foco na terapia, em ambas as configurações de tratamento, houve melhora significativa dos parâmetros avaliados. Os artigos que realizaram pesquisa de satisfação na modalidade de telefonoaudiologia, em quase a totalidade dos estudos, os pacientes e/ou responsáveis relataram moderada a alta satisfação e indicaram disposição de participar novamente de avaliação e/ou terapia na configuração de atendimento remoto. Conclusão: a literatura atual em telefonoaudiologia sugere o uso do atendimento remoto e demonstra a não inferioridade deste quando comparado ao atendimento presencial. Porém, a maioria desses estudos apresenta baixa evidência cientifica.

Introduction: The Coronavirus pandemic brought about the need for social distancing. Based on this new reality, the Brazilian Federal Council of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (CFFa) recommended the use of telephonoaudiology to enable the continuity of speech therapy assistance. Although this is not an unprecedented practice, doubts about telephonoaudiology use and its effectiveness, when compared to face-to-face care, still permeate the clinical practice. Objective: to perform an integrative review of the literature on the effectiveness of telephonoaudiology technologies when compared to face to face care. Methods: an integrative review of the scientific literature was carried out, without the restriction of language and time, in the databases: Pubmed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Cochrane, and Google Scholar. Results: twenty-one articles were selected. The unanimity of the papers demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference between the configurations. In studies focused on evaluation, the test methods (face to face vs. telephonoaudiology) were highly correlated and presented high inter-examiner reliability. In papers focusing on therapy, in both treatment configurations, there was a significant improvement in the parameters evaluated. In almost all the papers that conducted telephonoaudiology satisfaction surveys, patients and/or guardians reported moderate to high satisfaction andindicated a willingness to participate again in assessmentand/ortherapy in the configuration of remote care. Conclusion: the current literature on telephonoaudiology suggests the use of remote care and demonstrates its non-inferiority when compared to face to face care. However, most of these studies have low scientific evidence.

Introducción: La pandemia del coronavirus provocó la necesidad de desapego social. Con base en esta nueva realidad, el Consejo Federal de Terapia del Habla (CFFa) recomendó el uso de telefonoaudiologia para permitir la continuidad de la asistencia de la terapia del habla. Si bien el telefonoaudiologia una práctica inédita, las dudas sobre su uso y efectividad, en comparación con la atención presencial, aún impregna la práctica clínica. Objetivo: realizar una revisión integradora de la literatura sobre la efectividad de telefonoaudiologia frente a la atención asistente personal. Métodos: se realizó una revisión integradora de la literatura científica, sin restricciones de idioma y tiempo, en las bases de datos: Pubmed, Web os Science, Science Direct, Cochrane y Google Scholar. Resultados: se seleccionaron veintiún artículos. La unanimidad de los artículos demostró que no hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre las configuraciones. En los estudios centrados en la evaluación, los métodos de prueba (asistente personal versus telefonoaudiologia) estaban altamente correlacionados y tenían una alta confiabilidad entre examinadores. En los artículos centrados en la terapia, en ambas configuraciones de tratamiento, hubo una mejora significativa en los parámetros evaluados. Los artículos que realizaron encuesta de satisfacción en forma de telefonoaudiologia, en casi todos los estudios, los pacientes y / o tutores reportaron satisfacción moderada a alta e indicaron disposición a participar nuevamente en la evaluación y / o terapia en la configuración de la atención remota. Conclusión: la literatura actual sobre s telefonoaudiologia ugiere el uso de la atención remota y demuestra su no inferioridad en comparación con la atención personal. Sin embargo, la mayoría de estos estudios tienen poca evidencia científica.

First Report of an Asymptomatic Leishmania (Viannia) shawi Infection Using a Nasal Swab in Amazon, Brazil.

The state of Pará has recorded seven Leishmania species that cause tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL). Leishmania species induce distinct immunological responses from the host and exhibit resistance to Glucantime, the first-line drug treatment for TL in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: Identify the etiology of TL in an Amazonian city in the state of Pará. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eleven patients with TL were recruited and nasal swabs, lesion swabs, and skin fragments samples were collected. In the control group (n = 6), only the nasal swabs were collected. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of the gene region hsp70-234 was performed using the extracted DNA from the samples, from which nine patients with TL and five in the control group were positive. Products were sequenced, mounted in CAP3 software, aligned using MAFFT v.7.221, edited in Geneious software v.8.1.7, and compared and aligned with sequences available in GenBank using the BLAST tool. RESULTS: For patients with TL, six molecular diagnosis at the species level (L. (Viannia) braziliensis (n = 5/9), L. (Viannia) shawi (n = 1/9)) and three at the genus level (Leishmania sp. (n = 3/9)) were obtained. In the control group, four individuals were infected with Leishmania sp. (n = 4/5) and L. (V.) shawi (n = 1/5). CONCLUSION: This is the first report of L. (V.) shawi infection in the mucosal secretion of a healthy person in Brazil. Moreover, genetic variants were identified in the haplotypes of L. (V.) braziliensis in the gene sequence hsp70-234.

The effect of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene polymorphisms T(-107)C and L55M and diet composition on serum PON1 activity in women

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum activity of PON1 in women according to SNPs L55M and T-107C and diet composition. Materials and methods: Blood and serum samples from 26 women were used. DNA extraction, PCR and digestion with restriction enzymes of the PCR fragment were performed for genotyping the PON1 SNPs T-107C and L55M. Serum PON1 activity was measured in a single time point. Patients completed the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and diet composition was estimated. Results: Genotypic distribution for L55M SNP was 56% for the LL genotype, 32% for LM and 12% for MM; for the PON1 C(-107)T SNP it was 28% for the TT genotype, 41% for CT and 31% for CC. Individuals with C and L alleles had higher serum PON1 activity. Combining the two SNPs, we observed that individuals carrying the LL and CC genotypes had twice the activity of carriers of the TT and MM genotypes. Considering food intake, no significant difference was observed between genotypes and intake levels. Conclusion: PON1 T(-107)C and L55M SNPs exert a strong effect on serum PON1 activity in an additive manner and are more important than diet to predict serum PON1 activity.

The effect of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene polymorphisms T(-107)C and L55M and diet composition on serum PON1 activity in women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum activity of PON1 in women according to SNPs L55M and T-107C and diet composition. METHODS: Blood and serum samples from 26 women were used. DNA extraction, PCR and digestion with restriction enzymes of the PCR fragment were performed for genotyping the PON1 SNPs T-107C and L55M. Serum PON1 activity was measured in a single time point. Patients completed the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and diet composition was estimated. RESULTS: Genotypic distribution for L55M SNP was 56% for the LL genotype, 32% for LM and 12% for MM; for the PON1 C(-107)T SNP it was 28% for the TT genotype, 41% for CT and 31% for CC. Individuals with C and L alleles had higher serum PON1 activity. Combining the two SNPs, we observed that individuals carrying the LL and CC genotypes had twice the activity of carriers of the TT and MM genotypes. Considering food intake, no significant difference was observed between genotypes and intake levels. CONCLUSION: PON1 T(-107)C and L55M SNPs exert a strong effect on serum PON1 activity in an additive manner and are more important than diet to predict serum PON1 activity.

Transición de la atención en salud mental infantil y adolescentes a la atención en adultos: un desafío no resuelto y una oportunidad / Transitioning from the child and adolescent to the adult mental health services: an unresolved challenge and an opportunity

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O lazer e a arteterapia como coadjuvantes no tratamento da depressão em Belém-PA / Leisure and art therapy as helpers in the treatment of depression in Belém-PA

As desordens psicológicas têm se ampliado neste século e acometem pessoas de diferentes idades e perfis socioeconômicos. Diante desse cenário, o presente trabalho busca debater e demonstrar como o lazer e a arteterapia podem ser alternativas para o tratamento de pessoas com depressão, além de auxiliares no controle do avanço dessa doença, por meio da conexão entre lazer, arte e saúde. Utilizou-se como metodologia as pesquisas bibliográfica e de campo com enfoque qualitativo, cujos dados evidenciaram a carência de trabalhos com o mesmo enfoque e apresentaram um panorama de como psicólogos e arteterapeutas de Belém-PA têm (ou não) utilizado o lazer e a arteterapia como auxiliares ao bem-estar do indivíduo e na prevenção de doenças.

Psychological disorders have expanded in this century and affect people of different ages and socioeconomic conditions. Given this scenario, the present study seeks to discuss and demonstrate how leisure and art therapy can be alternatives for the treatment of people with depression, in addition to helping to control the progress of this disease through the connection between leisure, art, and health. The methods used were bibliographic and field research with a qualitative approach, whose data showed the lack of similar works and showed an overview of how psychologists and art therapists in Belém-PA have (or not) used leisure and art therapy as aids to people's well-being and disease prevention.

Evaluación de la resistencia a la flexión de limas rotatorias Protaper Gold, 2Shape, V-Taper Fanta Gold / Evaluation of flexion resistance of Protaper Gold rotary limes, 2Shape, V-Tapert Fanta Gold

Antecedentes: Las limas rotatorias de níquel-titanio con tratamiento termomecánico se desarrollaron para permitir una mayor flexibilidad al instrumentar los conductos radiculares. Los instrumentos permitieron a los operadores tratar las curvaturas de los conductos con mayor facilidad. Los fabricantes están tratando de producir limas que funcionen de manera más eficiente y segura. Conocer las propiedades de las limas comercializadas es especialmente importante porque ayuda a elegir un sistema de lima apropiado. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la flexibilidad de tres limas diferentes de níquel-titanio (NiTi) con tratamiento termomecánico en dos puntos diferentes. Materiales y métodos: Se midió la flexibilidad de tres limas NiTi con tratamiento termomecánico (ProTaper Gold, 2Shape y V-Taper Fanta Gold). Cada lima fue sujetada a 3 mm y 7 mm (n = 10/longitud/lima) y se utilizó una máquina de ensayo universal para doblarla a una fuerza máxima. Todos los datos fueron analizados estadísticamente por análisis de varianza de una vía y prueba de Tukey post hoc (p = 0,05) para determinar cualquier diferencia significativa. Resultados: Se halló diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p < 0,05). En general, V-Taper Fanta Gold fue la más rígida, ProTaper Gold mostró los mayores valores de fuerza y su deformación fue significativamente más flexible. Conclusión: Las limas ProTaper Gold mostraron una mayor flexibilidad en comparación con las otras limas estudiadas. (AU)

Background: Nickel-titanium rotary files with thermomechanical treatment were developed to allow greater flexibility when instrumenting the root canals. The instruments allowed operators to deal with duct curvatures more easily. Manufacturers are trying to produce files that work better efficiently and safely. Knowing the properties of marketed files is especially important in helping you choose an appropriate file system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the flexibility of three different nickel-titanium (NiTi) files with thermomechanical treatment at two different points along the file. Materials and methods: The flexibility of three NiTi files with thermomechanical treatment (Protaper Gold, 2Shape and V-Taper Fanta Gold) was measured. Each file was clamped at 3 mm and 7 mm (n = 10 / length / file) and a universal testing machine was used to bend the files to a maximum strength. All data were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey test (P = 0.05) to determine any significant differences. Results: There were statistically significant differences (P <0.05). In general, V-Taper Fanta Gold was the most rigid, Protaper Gold showed the highest values of force and deformation was significantly more flexible. Conclusión: Protaper Gold files showed greater flexibility compared to the other files studied. (AU)

Functional characterization and subcellular distribution of two recombinant cytosolic HSP70 isoforms from Entamoeba histolytica under normal and stress conditions.

Amoebiasis is a human intestinal disease caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica. It has been previously demonstrated that E. histolytica heat shock protein 70 (EhHSP70) plays an important role in amoebic pathogenicity by protecting the parasite from the dangerous effects of oxidative and nitrosative stresses. Despite its relevance, this protein has not yet been characterized. In this study, the EhHSP70 genes were cloned, and the two recombinant EhHSP70 proteins were expressed, purifying and biochemically characterized. Additionally, after being subjected to some host stressors, the intracellular distribution of the proteins in the parasite was documented. Two amoebic HSP70 isoforms, EhHSP70-A and EhHSP70-B, with 637 and 656 amino acids, respectively, were identified. Kinetic parameters of ATP hydrolysis showed low rates, which were in accordance with those of the HSP70 family members. Circular dichroism analysis showed differences in their secondary structures but similarities in their thermal stability. Immunocytochemistry in trophozoites detected EhHSP70 in the nuclei and cytoplasm as well as a slight overexpression when the parasites were subjected to oxidants and heat. The structural differences of amoebic HSP70s with their human counterparts may be used to design specific inhibitors to treat human amoebiasis.

Management of the risk of bronchoaspiration in patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia / Gerenciamento do risco de broncoaspiração em pacientes com disfagia orofaríngea

ABSTRACT Objective: to manage the risk of bronchoaspiration in patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia through signalizing plates in the hospital bed. Methods: a descriptive, quantitative study, developed in the medical clinic I (diagnostic investigation), medical clinic II (infectology / pneumology), surgical clinics and intensive care unit of the University Hospital of the Federal University of Sergipe, from February to August 2017. It was composed of patients in the age group ≥ 18 years of age, of both sexes, diagnosed with oropharyngeal dysphagia, based on the application of the adapted protocol of clinical evaluation in the hospital bed and instrumental examination of swallowing, when pertinent. Following the clinical evaluation and identification of the risk of bronchoaspiration due to oropharyngeal dysphagia, the signs were inserted at the hospital bed by the speech therapist. Results: the study included 43 patients at risk of bronchoaspiration due to oropharyngeal dysphagia, average age of 53.7 ± 3.53 years old, with 51.1% (n = 22) females and 48.9% (n = 21) males. A predominance of neuropathies (53.4%) and severe neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia (37.2%) was observed. The intensive care unit stood out with 44.18% (n = 19) of the application of signs of risk of bronchoaspiration. Conclusion: the management of bronchoaspiration risk has been shown to be a promising measure to reduce adverse events, which affect the patient's safety and consequently the quality of care in the hospital environment, as well as a possible strategy for measuring respiratory complications triggered by aspiration of oropharyngeal contents.

RESUMO Objetivo: gerenciar o risco de broncoaspiração em pacientes com disfagia orofaríngea por meio de placas sinalizadoras no leito. Métodos: estudo descritivo, transversal, de caráter quantitativo, desenvolvido na clínica médica I, clínica médica II, clínica cirúrgica e unidade de terapia intensiva do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Sergipe, de fevereiro a agosto de 2017. Composto por pacientes na faixa etária ≥ 18 anos de idade, ambos os sexos, com disfagia orofaríngea, baseada na aplicação do Protocolo Adaptado de Avaliação Clínica no Leito e exame instrumental da deglutição. Subsequente à avaliação clínica e identificação do risco de broncoaspiração por disfagia orofaríngea, o profissional fonoaudiólogo realizou a inserção da placa sinalizadora junto ao leito. Resultados: abrangeu 43 pacientes com risco de broncoaspiração por disfagia orofaríngea, média de idade 53,7± 3,53 anos, sendo 51,1% (n=22) do sexo feminino e 48,9% (n=21) do sexo masculino. Observou-se predomínio de neuropatias (53,4%) e de disfagia orofaríngea neurogênica grave (37,2%). A unidade de terapia intensiva destacou-se com 44,18% (n= 19) de aplicação das placas sinalizadoras. Conclusão: o gerenciamento do risco de broncoaspiração demonstrou ser uma medida promissora para redução de eventos adversos, os quais afetam a segurança do paciente e a qualidade do cuidado no ambiente hospitalar.

Fish oil supplementation reverses behavioral and neurochemical alterations induced by swimming exercise in rats.

Diet and exercise are known to affect learning and memory. However, the effects of these interventions in the brain under development remains to be better investigated as the effects of high-intensity exercise. Moreover, it is still unclear how long the influence of diet and exercise lasts after the interventions are ceased. To investigate this, juvenile Wistar rats (30 days old) were supplemented with fish oil rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and performed swimming training for 50 days, 45 min per day, 5 times/week. The animals were assessed for locomotor activity with the open field test and for spatial memory with the object location task. To investigate neurochemical parameters such as fatty acids incorporation within the plasma membrane and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, the animals were euthanized, and the hippocampus dissected. These investigations were made at the end of the supplementation and exercise protocols and 21 days after the protocol has ended. Results indicate that high-intensity exercise impaired the spatial memory and decreased the levels of BDNF. Although supplementation led to PUFAs incorporation in plasma membrane, it did not prevent the harmful effect of exercise on memory. After 21 days of interruption, we observed that the supplementation reversed not only the deleterious effect of exercise on memory but also increased the BDNF levels. These results point to a complex influence of diet and exercise on spatial memory of juvenile rats, persisting after 21 days of interruption.

Purification, concentration and recovery of small fragments of DNA from Giardia lamblia and their use for other molecular techniques.

Purification of nucleic acids is an essential procedure for most experiments in molecular biology. In this paper, the freeze-squeeze method with some modifications is proposed as an alternative methodology for the purification, concentration and recovery of small DNA fragments from agarose gels. The advantage of this alternative methodology is that it enables the recovery of fragments that are less than 100 bp in length and enables suspension of products in smaller volumes compared to several commercially available kits. In addition, the purified fragments were re-amplified by PCR and used for cloning and sequencing. Moreover, this protocol was used to perform the isolation and identification of microRNAs from Giardia lamblia, as previously reported. This protocol has the advantage of being inexpensive and easy and can be employed for various molecular applications. The advantages of this protocol include •A modified classical method was used for purification of small DNA fragments from G. lamblia.•The modified freeze-squeeze method was more efficient in cleaning up small DNA fragments from agarose gels compared to commercial kits.•The modified method allows concentration and recovery of fragments up to 60 bp in length.•The modified freeze-squeeze method allows re-suspension of the products in volumes of up to 2.5 µL.

Synthesis, theoretical studies, and effect on the photosynthetic electron transport of trifluoromethyl arylamides.

BACKGROUND: The photosynthetic apparatus is targeted by various herbicides, including several amides such as diuron and linuron. Considering the need for the discovery of new active ingredients to cope with weed resistance, the synthesis of a series of trifluoromethyl aryl amides is herein described whose inhibitory properties were assessed in vitro on the photosynthetic electron transport chain, and in vivo on the growth of a model cyanobacterial strain. Theoretical studies were also carried out. RESULTS: Starting with 1-fluoro-2-nitro-4-(trifluoromethyl) benzene, the preparation of the amides was achieved via a three-step sequence, namely nucleophilic aromatic substitution, reduction with SnCl2 /HCl, and acylation reactions. The measurement of ferricyanide reduction by functionally intact spinach chloroplasts showed that several derivatives are capable of inhibiting the photosynthetic apparatus. The most active amides presented IC50 values close to 1 µmol L-1 , and showed the presence of a 4-bromophenyl group as a common structural feature. The addition of these brominated amides to the culture medium of a model cyanobacterial strain, Synechococcus elongatus PCC 6301, caused various degrees of growth inhibition. Theoretical studies (molecular modeling and quantitative structure-activity relationship) of all amides and their comparison with some known herbicides confirmed these experimental findings and provided more in-depth information about the possible molecular target of these compounds. CONCLUSION: Trifluoromethyl amides herein described, which were shown to act at the PSII level, may represent a novel scaffold to be exploited aiming at the development of new active ingredients for weed control. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Central and peripheral neurotoxicity induced by the Jack Bean Urease (JBU) in Nauphoeta cinerea cockroaches.

BACKGROUND: Ureases of Canavalia ensiformis are natural insecticides with a still elusive entomotoxic mode of action. We have investigated the mechanisms involved in the neurotoxicity induced by Jack Bean Urease (JBU) in Nauphoeta cinerea (Olivier). METHODS: To carry out this study we have employed biochemical and neurophysiological analysis of different cockroach organ systems. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The injection of the insects with JBU (0.75-6µg/g animal), although not lethal within 24h, caused significant inhibition of the brain acetylcholinesterase activity (60±5%, p<0.05, n=6). JBU (1.5µg/200µL), acetylcholine (0.3µg/200µL) or neostigmine (0.22µg/200µL), induced a positive cardiac chronotropism (∼25%) in the cockroaches (p<0.05, n=9). JBU (6µg/g) increased the insects' grooming activity (137±7%), similarly to octopamine (15µg/g) (p<0.05, n=30, respectively). Pretreating the insects with phentolamine (0.1µg/g) prevented the JBU- or octopamine-induced increase of grooming activity. JBU (6µg/g) caused 65±9% neuromuscular blockade in the cockroaches, an effect prevented by bicuculline (5µg/g) (p<0.05, n=6). JBU (6µg/g) decreased the frequency whilst increasing the amplitude of the spontaneous neural compound action potentials (1425±52.60min-1, controls 1.102±0.032mV, p<0.05, n=6, respectively). Altogether the results indicate that JBU induces behavioral alterations in Nauphoeta cinerea cockroaches probably by interfering with the cholinergic neurotransmission. The neuromuscular blocking activity of JBU suggests an interplay between acetylcholine and GABA signaling. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: The search for novel natural molecules with insecticide potential has become a necessity more than an alternative. Understanding the mode of action of candidate molecules is a crucial step towards the development of new bioinsecticides. The present study focused on the neurotoxicity of Canavalia ensiformis urease, a natural insecticide, in cockroaches and revealed interferences on the cholinergic, octopaminergic and GABA-ergic pathways as part of its entomotoxic mode of action.

Cytogenetic variation of repetitive DNA elements in Hoplias malabaricus (Characiformes - Erythrinidae) from white, black and clear water rivers of the Amazon basin.

Hoplias malabaricus is a common fish species occurring in white, black and clear water rivers of the Amazon basin. Its large distribution across distinct aquatic environments can pose stressful conditions for dispersal and creates possibilities for the emergence of local adaptive profiles. We investigated the chromosomal localization of repetitive DNA markers (constitutive heterochromatin, rDNA and the transposable element REX-3) in populations from the Amazonas river (white water), the Negro river (black water) and the Tapajós river (clear water), in order to address the variation/association of cytogenomic features and environmental conditions. We found a conserved karyotypic macrostructure with a diploid number of 40 chromosomes (20 metacentrics + 20 submetacentrics) in all the samples. Heteromorphism in pair 14 was detected as evidence for the initial differentiation of an XX/XY system. Minor differences detected in the amount of repetitive DNA markers are interpreted as possible signatures of local adaptations to distinct aquatic environments.

The effect of the paraoxonase 1 (PON1) T(-107)C polymorphism on serum PON1 activity in women is dependent on fatty acid intake.

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is an enzyme that prevents the peroxidation of lipoprotein and cell membranes. Our hypothesis is that the effect of the PON1 T(-107)C polymorphism on serum PON1 activity in healthy adult women is dependent on their fatty acid intake profile. This study included women (n = 39) who completed a food frequency questionnaire. Fatty acid intake was estimated based on the interview and a nutrient reference table. Blood samples were collected for genotyping and to measure serum PON1 activity. Serum PON1 activity was different among genotypes and was higher for women of the CC genotype (P < .001). Women in the study were categorized in 2 groups according to the median nutrient intake. Overall, there was a difference (P < .05) in serum PON1 activity between the CC and TT genotypes in women ingesting either above or below the median total fat, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega 3 (n-3) and omega 6 (n-6; P < .05). However, genotype effects on serum PON1 activity were not observed in women ingesting below the median (15:1) ratio of n-6/n-3 (P > .05) but were observed in women ingesting above the ratio of n-6/n-3 (P < .05). This is partly because women of the CC genotype had decreased PON1 activity when ingesting a lower ratio of n-6/n-3 diet (P < .05), while women of the TT genotype had increased PON1 activity (P < .05). In conclusion, the overall presence of the C allele was associated with increased serum PON1 activity, although a diet with high saturated fatty acid or a low ratio of n-6/n-3 reduced PON1 activity in women with the CC genotype.