Antifungal activity of terpenes isolated from the Brazilian Caatinga: a review.

Terpenoids, also named terpenes or isoprenoids, are a family of natural products found in all living organisms. Many plants produce terpenoids as secondary metabolites, and these make up a large part of essential oils. One of most important characteristic is that the compounds are volatile, have odor and can be used in a variety of applications in different industrial segments and traditional medicine. Brazil has a rich and diverse flora that can be used as a source of research for obtaining new molecules. Within the Brazilian flora, it is worth mentioning the Caatinga as an exclusively Brazilian biome where plants adapt to a specific series of weather conditions and therefore become a great storehouse of the terpenoid compounds to be described herein. Fungal infections have become increasingly common, and a great demand for new agents with low toxicity and side effects has thus emerged. Scientists must search for new molecules exhibiting antifungal activity to develop new drugs. This review aims to analyze scientific data from the principal published studies describing the use of terpenes and their biological applications as antifungals.

Antifungal activity of terpenes isolated from the Brazilian Caatinga: a review / Atividade antifúngica de terpenos isolados da Caatinga: uma revisão

Terpenoids, also named terpenes or isoprenoids, are a family of natural products found in all living organisms. Many plants produce terpenoids as secondary metabolites, and these make up a large part of essential oils. One of most important characteristic is that the compounds are volatile, have odor and can be used in a variety of applications in different industrial segments and traditional medicine. Brazil has a rich and diverse flora that can be used as a source of research for obtaining new molecules. Within the Brazilian flora, it is worth mentioning the Caatinga as an exclusively Brazilian biome where plants adapt to a specific series of weather conditions and therefore become a great storehouse of the terpenoid compounds to be described herein. Fungal infections have become increasingly common, and a great demand for new agents with low toxicity and side effects has thus emerged. Scientists must search for new molecules exhibiting antifungal activity to develop new drugs. This review aims to analyze scientific data from the principal published studies describing the use of terpenes and their biological applications as antifungals.

Os terpenóides, também chamados terpenos ou isoprenóides, são uma família de produtos naturais encontrados em todos os organismos vivos. Muitas plantas são produtoras destes metabolitos secundários, que constituem uma grande parte dos óleos essenciais. Uma das características mais importantes é que os compostos são voláteis, têm odor e podem ser utilizados numa variedade de aplicações em diferentes segmentos industriais ou na medicina tradicional. O Brasil tem uma flora rica e diversificada que pode ser utilizada como fonte de pesquisa para a obtenção de novas moléculas. Dentro desta flora, vale a pena mencionar a Caatinga como um bioma exclusivamente brasileiro que possui plantas adaptadas a uma série de condições climáticas e, portanto, um armazém de compostos a serem descritos. As infecções fúngicas são doenças cada vez mais comuns, devido a isso existe uma grande procura de novos agentes com baixa toxicidade e efeitos secundários. Os cientistas devem procurar novas moléculas que exibam atividade antifúngica para o desenvolvimento de novos medicamentos contra as infecções fúngicas. Esta revisão visa analisar dados científicos dos principais estudos publicados que descrevem o uso de terpenóides e as suas aplicações biológicas como antifúngicos.

Rutin promotes activation and reduces apoptosis of primordial follicles by regulating Akt phosphorylation after in vitro culture of ovine ovarian tissue.

The aims of this study were to analyze the effects of different concentrations of rutin on primordial follicle survival and development after in vitro culture of sheep ovarian tissue, and to verify the possible involvement of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway in the rutin actions. Ovarian fragments were fixed for histological analysis (fresh control) or cultured in α-minimum essential medium alone (α-MEM+: control medium) or in α-MEM+supplemented with different concentrations of rutin (0.1; 1 or 10 µg/mL) for 7 days. Inhibition of the PI3K activity was performed in fragments cultured with 50 µM LY294002. Thereafter, immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression of cleaved caspase-3 (apoptosis) and Akt phosphorylation (p-Akt). The results showed that 1 µg/mL rutin has a greater percentage of normal follicles (P < 0.05) than those of α-MEM+ and other rutin treatments. In addition, 1 µg/mL rutin maintained the follicular apoptosis similar (P > 0.05) to that of the fresh control and lower than α-MEM+ and 10 µg/mL rutin. All rutin concentrations increased (P < 0.05) follicular activation compared to fresh control and α-MEM+. Furthermore, follicular and oocyte diameters increased (P < 0.05) only after culture with 1 µg/mL rutin. After PI3K inhibition, there was a reduction (P < 0.05) of rutin follicular effects. In conclusion, rutin at 1 µg/mL reduces apoptosis, promotes activation and growth of sheep primordial follicles through the modulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway after in vitro culture of ovine ovarian tissue.

Essential oils from Ocimum basilicum cultivars: analysis of their composition and determination of the effect of the major compounds on Haemonchus contortus eggs.

The continuous use of synthetic anthelmintics against gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) has resulted in the increased resistance, which is why alternative methods are being sought, such as the use of natural products. Plant essential oils (EOs) have been considered as potential products for the control of GINs. However, the chemical composition and, consequently, the biological activity of EOs vary in different plant cultivars. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of EOs from cultivars of Ocimum basilicum L. and that of their major constituents against Haemonchus contortus. The EOs from 16 cultivars as well the pure compound linalool, methyl chavicol, citral and eugenol were used in the assessment of the inhibition of H. contortus egg hatch. In addition, the composition of three cultivars was simulated using a combination of the two major compounds from each. The EOs from different cultivars showed mean Inhibition Concentration (IC50) varying from 0.56 to 2.22 mg/mL. The cultivar with the highest egg-hatch inhibition, Napoletano, is constituted mainly of linalool and methyl chavicol. Among the individual compounds tested, citral was the most effective (IC50 0.30 mg/mL). The best combination of compounds was obtained with 11% eugenol plus 64% linalool (IC50 0.44 mg/mL), simulating the Italian Large Leaf (Richters) cultivar. We conclude that different cultivars of O. basilicum show different anthelmintic potential, with cultivars containing linalool and methyl chavicol being the most promising; and that citral or methyl chavicol isolated should also be considered for the development of new anthelmintic formulations.

Clinical Frailty Scale: Translation and Cultural Adaptation into the Brazilian Portuguese Language.

BACKGROUND: Frailty is a biological syndrome that causes adverse events in the health of older adults. However, the Clinical Frailty Scale has not yet been culturally adapted and validated into Brazilian Portuguese language. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to translate, reproduce and validate the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) for the Brazilian Portuguese language. DESIGN: An observational cross-sectional study with senior patients was conducted between Jan 2018 and Nov 2018. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Volunteers aged >60 and living in Brazil. The translation and cultural adaptation of the CFS into the Portuguese language, the principles and good practices were followed. MEASUREMENTS: To conduct the validation and determine the reproducibility of an inter-observer evaluation, the patients answered the scale questions in Portuguese on two occasions, delivered by two separate examiners and separated by a 10-minute interval, on their first visit; the 36-item Short Form Survey quality-of-life questionnaire (SF-36) was also applied. Seven days later, a second visit was undertaken to perform an intra-observer reproducibility assessment. RESULTS: A total of 66 older individuals were enrolled (72 ± 8 years), the majority of which did not present frailty (63.6%) and reported a low physical limitation level in the SF-36. The CFS showed a significant correlation with the SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaire (r= -0.663; p<0.0001) and no statistical difference was observed between intra-rater (p=0.641) and inter-rater (p=0.350) applications, demonstrating the reproducibility and applicability of the instrument. The standard error estimate (SEE) was evaluated and there were no differences between the CFS and the SF-36 (SEE= 1.13 points). CONCLUSION: The Brazilian Portuguese language version of the CFS is a valid, reproducible and reliable instrument for evaluating the impact of frailty on the lives of senior patients.

Effect of immersion in distilled water or phosphate-buffered saline on the solubility, volumetric change and presence of voids within new calcium silicate-based root canal sealers.

AIM: To assess the effect of immersion in distilled water or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) on the solubility, volumetric change and presence of voids of calcium silicate-based root canal sealers (TotalFill BC, Sealer Plus BC and Bio-C), in comparison with the gold standard epoxy resin-based sealer (AH Plus). METHODOLOGY: All properties were evaluated after immersion in distilled water or PBS. Solubility was determined by the percentage of mass loss, whereas volumetric change and presence of voids were evaluated by micro-computed tomography, after 7 days of immersion. The volumetric change and percentage of voids between the baseline (after setting) and the experimental period were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way anova and Tukey's or Student's t-tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The calcium silicate-based sealers had significantly greater solubility and volumetric loss than AH Plus, after immersion in distilled water or PBS (P < 0.05). Bio-C had the greatest solubility (P < 0.05), followed by TotalFill BC and Sealer Plus BC, which were similar (P > 0.05). Regarding the volumetric change, AH Plus had a volume increase, with similar values in distilled water and PBS (P > 0.05). TotalFill BC, Sealer Plus BC and Bio-C had a similar volumetric change (P > 0.05). The calcium silicate-based materials had the greatest solubility and volume loss after immersion in distilled water (P < 0.05). There was no difference in the percentage of voids amongst the sealers, before and after immersion in distilled water or PBS (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TotalFill BC, Sealer Plus BC and Bio-C had significantly greater solubility and volumetric loss than AH Plus. Although storage in PBS significantly reduced the solubility and volumetric change of calcium silicate-based sealers, their solubility remained above that recommend by ISO 6876. All the sealers evaluated had low and similar voids, even after immersion in distilled water or PBS.

Ocorrência de neoplasias múltiplas distintas em um cão Weimaraner idoso / Ocurrence of multiple different neoplasms in an old Weimaraner dog

Neoplasias múltiplas são relativamente comuns em cães, no entanto são escassos os relatos sobre essa condição clínica. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi relatar um caso de ocorrência de diferentes neoplasias em uma cadela da raça Weimaraner, de 13 anos de idade. O paciente foi referido devido ao histórico de recorrência de melanoma oral e ao exame físico foi constatada dispneia intensa. A radiografia do crânio revelou proliferação periosteal ativa, reabsorção óssea e aumento dos espaços periodontais, em mandíbula esquerda, sugerindo neoplasia ou processo infeccioso. Radiografias torácicas revelaram um padrão pulmonar intersticial miliar e nodular, com múltiplos nódulos radiopacos, de diferentes tamanhos, difusamente distribuídos pelos lobos, caracterizando metástase pulmonar. Devido a condição clínica e ao prognóstico desfavorável, foi realizada a eutanásia do animal. Ao exame post mortem foram identificados dois nódulos em cavidade oral, bem como, diversos nódulos nas cadeias mamárias esquerda e direita e tumor em glândula adrenal. Metástases do melanoma oral foram evidenciadas no pulmão, espaço intercostal e vesícula urinária. Durante a necropsia, realizou-se coleta aspirativa por agulha fina (CAAF) dos nódulos descritos previamente, e os achados citológicos se correlacionaram aos histopatológicos.

Multiple neoplasms are relatively common in dogs, however there are few reports of this medical condition. The objective of the present study was to report a case of occurrence of different neoplasms in a 13 year-old Weimaraner female dog. The patient was referred due to a history of oral melanoma recurrence and physical examination showed intense dyspnea. The radiographic analysis of the skull revealed active periosteal proliferation, bone resorption and increased periodontal spaces in the left mandible, suggesting neoplasia or infectious process. Chest radiographs revealed a miliary and nodular interstitial lung pattern, with multiple radiopaque nodules of different sizes, diffusely distributed in the lobes, characterizing pulmonary metastasis. Due to the clinical condition and poor outcome, it was performed the euthanasia. At post mortem examination it was identified two oral cavity nodules, as well as several nodules in the left and right mammary chains and an adrenal tumour. Metastases of oral melanoma were evidenced in the lung, intercostal space and bladder. During the necropsy, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was performed for the nodules described previously and cytological and histopathological findings findings were correlated.

OCORRÊNCIA DE NEOPLASIAS MÚLTIPLAS DISTINTAS EM UM CÃO WEIMARANER IDOSO

Neoplasias múltiplas são relativamente comuns em cães, no entanto são escassos os relatos sobre essa condição clínica. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi relatar um caso de ocorrência de diferentes neoplasias em uma cadela da raça Weimaraner, de 13 anos de idade. O paciente foi referido devido ao histórico de recorrência de melanoma oral e ao exame físico foi constatada dispneia intensa. A radiografia do crânio revelou proliferação periosteal ativa, reabsorção óssea e aumento dos espaços periodontais, em mandíbula esquerda, sugerindo neoplasia ou processo infeccioso. Radiografias torácicas revelaram um padrão pulmonar intersticial miliar e nodular, com múltiplos nódulos radiopacos, de diferentes tamanhos, difusamente distribuídos pelos lobos, caracterizando metástase pulmonar. Devido a condição clínica e ao prognóstico desfavorável, foi realizada a eutanásia do animal. Ao exame post mortem foram identificados dois nódulos em cavidade oral, bem como, diversos nódulos nas cadeias mamárias esquerda e direita e tumor em glândula adrenal. Metástases do melanoma oral foram evidenciadas no pulmão, espaço intercostal e vesícula urinária. Durante a necropsia, realizou-se coleta aspirativa por agulha fina (CAAF) dos nódulos descritos previamente, e os achados citológicos se correlacionaram aos histopatológicos.

Ocorrência de neoplasias múltiplas distintas em um cão Weimaraner idoso / Ocurrence of multiple different neoplasms in an old Weimaraner dog

Neoplasias múltiplas são relativamente comuns em cães, no entanto são escassos os relatos sobre essa condição clínica. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi relatar um caso de ocorrência de diferentes neoplasias em uma cadela da raça Weimaraner, de 13 anos de idade. O paciente foi referido devido ao histórico de recorrência de melanoma oral e ao exame físico foi constatada dispneia intensa. A radiografia do crânio revelou proliferação periosteal ativa, reabsorção óssea e aumento dos espaços periodontais, em mandíbula esquerda, sugerindo neoplasia ou processo infeccioso. Radiografias torácicas revelaram um padrão pulmonar intersticial miliar e nodular, com múltiplos nódulos radiopacos, de diferentes tamanhos, difusamente distribuídos pelos lobos, caracterizando metástase pulmonar. Devido a condição clínica e ao prognóstico desfavorável, foi realizada a eutanásia do animal. Ao exame post mortem foram identificados dois nódulos em cavidade oral, bem como, diversos nódulos nas cadeias mamárias esquerda e direita e tumor em glândula adrenal. Metástases do melanoma oral foram evidenciadas no pulmão, espaço intercostal e vesícula urinária. Durante a necropsia, realizou-se coleta aspirativa por agulha fina (CAAF) dos nódulos descritos previamente, e os achados citológicos se correlacionaram aos histopatológicos.(AU)

Multiple neoplasms are relatively common in dogs, however there are few reports of this medical condition. The objective of the present study was to report a case of occurrence of different neoplasms in a 13 year-old Weimaraner female dog. The patient was referred due to a history of oral melanoma recurrence and physical examination showed intense dyspnea. The radiographic analysis of the skull revealed active periosteal proliferation, bone resorption and increased periodontal spaces in the left mandible, suggesting neoplasia or infectious process. Chest radiographs revealed a miliary and nodular interstitial lung pattern, with multiple radiopaque nodules of different sizes, diffusely distributed in the lobes, characterizing pulmonary metastasis. Due to the clinical condition and poor outcome, it was performed the euthanasia. At post mortem examination it was identified two oral cavity nodules, as well as several nodules in the left and right mammary chains and an adrenal tumour. Metastases of oral melanoma were evidenced in the lung, intercostal space and bladder. During the necropsy, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was performed for the nodules described previously and cytological and histopathological findings findings were correlated.(AU)

Landsat phenological metrics and their relation to aboveground carbon in the Brazilian Savanna.

BACKGROUND: The quantification and spatially explicit mapping of carbon stocks in terrestrial ecosystems is important to better understand the global carbon cycle and to monitor and report change processes, especially in the context of international policy mechanisms such as REDD+ or the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Especially in heterogeneous ecosystems, such as Savannas, accurate carbon quantifications are still lacking, where highly variable vegetation densities occur and a strong seasonality hinders consistent data acquisition. In order to account for these challenges we analyzed the potential of land surface phenological metrics derived from gap-filled 8-day Landsat time series for carbon mapping. We selected three areas located in different subregions in the central Brazil region, which is a prominent example of a Savanna with significant carbon stocks that has been undergoing extensive land cover conversions. Here phenological metrics from the season 2014/2015 were combined with aboveground carbon field samples of cerrado sensu stricto vegetation using Random Forest regression models to map the regional carbon distribution and to analyze the relation between phenological metrics and aboveground carbon. RESULTS: The gap filling approach enabled to accurately approximate the original Landsat ETM+ and OLI EVI values and the subsequent derivation of annual phenological metrics. Random Forest model performances varied between the three study areas with RMSE values of 1.64 t/ha (mean relative RMSE 30%), 2.35 t/ha (46%) and 2.18 t/ha (45%). Comparable relationships between remote sensing based land surface phenological metrics and aboveground carbon were observed in all study areas. Aboveground carbon distributions could be mapped and revealed comprehensible spatial patterns. CONCLUSION: Phenological metrics were derived from 8-day Landsat time series with a spatial resolution that is sufficient to capture gradual changes in carbon stocks of heterogeneous Savanna ecosystems. These metrics revealed the relationship between aboveground carbon and the phenology of the observed vegetation. Our results suggest that metrics relating to the seasonal minimum and maximum values were the most influential variables and bear potential to improve spatially explicit mapping approaches in heterogeneous ecosystems, where both spatial and temporal resolutions are critical.

Vitamin D levels and risk for periodontal disease: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the existing evidence supporting or refuting the following questions: (i) Do patients with lower vitamin D levels have higher risk for periodontal disease? (ii) Are periodontal treatment outcomes improved by the adjuvant supplementation of vitamin D or by elevated serum vitamin D levels? MATERIAL AND METHODS: MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched up to September 2017. Studies were included if they had measured serum vitamin D levels or vitamin D intake and any periodontal parameter. RESULTS: Overall, 27 studies were included (13 cross-sectional studies, 6 case-control studies, 5 cohort studies, 2 randomized clinical trials and 1 case series study). Sixty-five percent of the cross-sectional studies reported significant associations between low vitamin D levels and poor periodontal parameters. None of the observational longitudinal studies found that periodontal disease progression could be attributed to lower vitamin D levels. No interventional studies that evaluated the use of vitamin D supplementation as a solely adjuvant to periodontal treatment was found. No meta-analysis was performed due to high variability across studies. CONCLUSION: The data to support or refute the association between vitamin D levels and periodontal disease are inconclusive at the moment. More rigorously designed longitudinal studies with standardized definitions of periodontal disease and vitamin D are necessary.

Neonatal exposure to oestradiol increases dopaminergic transmission in nucleus accumbens and morphine-induced conditioned place preference in adult female rats.

Steroid sex hormones produce physiological effects in reproductive tissues and also in nonreproductive tissues, such as the brain, particularly in cortical, limbic and midbrain areas. Dopamine (DA) neurones involved in processes such as prolactin secretion (tuberoinfundibular system), motor circuit regulation (nigrostriatal system) and driving of motivated behaviour (mesocorticolimbic system) are specially regulated by sex hormones. Indeed, sex hormones promote neurochemical and behavioural effects induced by drugs of abuse by tuning midbrain DA neurones in adult animals. However, the long-term effects induced by neonatal exposure to sex hormones on dopaminergic neurotransmission have not been fully studied. The present study aimed to determine whether a single neonatal exposure with oestradiol valerate (EV) results in a programming of dopaminergic neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) of adult female rats. To answer this question, electrophysiological, neurochemical, cellular, molecular and behavioural techniques were used. The data show that frequency but not amplitude of the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current is significantly increased in NAcc medium spiny neurones of EV-treated rats. In addition, DA content and release are both increased in the NAcc of EV-treated rats, caused by an increased synthesis of this neurotransmitter. These results are functionally associated with a higher percentage of EV-treated rats conditioned to morphine, a drug of abuse, compared to controls. In conclusion, neonatal programming with oestradiol increases NAcc dopaminergic neurotransmission in adulthood, which may be associated with increased reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse.

Neonatal exposure to estradiol valerate reprograms the rat ovary androgen receptor and anti-Müllerian hormone to a polycystic ovary phenotype.

To understand the impact of exposure to steroids in the early step of ovary development (a stage occurring in uterus in humans), we studied neonatal exposure to estradiol valerate (EV) in rats regarding polycystic ovary (PCO) development as well as expression of androgen receptor (Ar) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a marker of ovarian follicular development. Rats exposed to one dose of EV (10mg/kg, sc) during their first 12h of life were euthanized at 2, 30 and 60days of age. Gene array and real-time PCR studies showed Ar and AMH up regulation in the ovary at 2days of age and persisted at 60days of age, when a PCO phenotype was evident with increased levels of Ar and AMH proteins. The single neonatal exposure in rats suggests participation of EV in developing PCO syndrome. Its persistence also suggests that estradiol reprograms ovarian function and disease during adulthood.

Distribution of the stx1 and stx2 genes in Escherichia coli isolated from milk cattle according to season, age, and production scale in southwestern region of Goiás, Brazil / Distribuição dos genes stx1 e stx2 em Escherichia coli isoladas de bovinos de leite de acordo com a estação, idade e escala de produção na região sudoeste de Goiás, Brasil

This study determined the distribution of stx1 and stx2 genes in Escherichia coli isolated from dairy herds with regard to animal age, season, and farm production-scale, and analyzed the phylogenetic distribution of the groups A, B1, B2, and D of 276 isolates of bovine feces Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). The stx1 profile was the most common, detected in 20.4% (202/990) of the isolates, followed by stx2 (4.54%, 45/990) and stx1+stx2 (2.92%, 29/990). The stx1 gene was detected more frequently in calves than in adult animals. In the dry season (winter), the presence of stx1+stx2 profile in cattle feces was higher than in the rainy season (summer), while no significant changes were observed between seasons for the stx1 and stx2 profiles. The most predominant phylogenetic groups in adult animals were B1, A, and D, while groups A and B1 prevailed in calves. Our data highlight the importance of identifying STEC reservoirs, since 7.5% of the tested isolates were positive for stx2, the main profile responsible for the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). Moreover, these microorganisms are adapted to survive even in hostile environments and can contaminate the food production chain, posing a significant risk to consumers of animal products.(AU)

Esse estudo determinou a distribuição dos genes stx1 e stx2 em Escherichia coli isolados de rebanhos leiteiros em relação a idade, estação e produção, e analisaram a distribuição filogenética dos grupos A, B1, B2 e D de 276 E. coli produtoras de toxina Shiga (STEC). O perfil stx1 foi mais comum, detectado em 20,4% (202/990) dos isolados, seguido de stx2 (4,54%, 45/990) e stx1+stx2 (2,92%, 29/990). O gene stx1 foi detectado mais frequentemente em bezerros que animais adultos. No período de seca (inverno), a presença do perfil stx1+stx2 nas fezes dos bovinos foi mais prevalente que no período chuvoso (verão), apesar de não haver diferença significativa entre estações para os perfis stx1 e stx2. Os grupos filogenéticos mais predominantes em animais adultos foram B1, A e D, enquanto grupos A e B2 prevaleceram em bezerros. Nossos dados enfatizam a importância de se detectar reservatórios de STEC já que 7,5% dos isolados testados foram positivos para stx2, o perfil mais prevalente em casos de síndrome hemolítica-urêmica. Ademais, esses microorganismos são adaptados à sobreviver em ambientes hostis e contaminam a cadeia alimentar, levando a risco significativo para consumidores de alimentos de origem animal.(AU)

pH del agua potable que consumen estudiantes del segundo año de la Carrera de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés Gestión 2017 / pH of drinking water that second year students of medicine of the Universidad Mayor de San Andres consume term 2017

INTRODUCCIÓN: El pH es una propiedad básica del agua potable y cuyos valores extremos pueden originar reacciones secundarias dañinas, entendiéndose por agua potable aquel que puede ser consumido sin restricción para el consumo humano, OBJETIVO: Determinar el valor del pH de agua potable que consumen los estudiantes de segundo año de la carrera de medicina de la Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se analizaron 388 muestras de agua potable del domicilio de estudiantes regulares de segundo año cátedra de bioquímica entre los meses de julio y agosto del 2017, realizándose un estudio de tipo descriptivo con un enfoque transeccional. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvieron los siguientes resultados, 1) la media del pH total fue de 7,24; con x=7,22 en la ciudad de la Paz y x=7,28 en la ciudad de el Alto. 2) en cuanto al sistema de potabilización se obtuvo: x=7,34 en la planta el Alto, x=7,21 en la planta de Tilata, x=7,15 en la planta de Achachicala y de x=7,20 en la planta de Pampahasi. CONCLUSIONES: El pH del agua potable consumida se encontró dentro de parámetros establecidos con un valor medio de 7,24.

INTRODUCTION: The pH is a basic property of potable water and whose extreme values may cause harmful secondary reactions. It is understood that potable water can be consumed without any restriction by human beings. OBJECTIVE: To determine the pH value of potable water consumed by medicine students of second year at UMSA university. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 388 samples of potable water were analyzed which were taken from the homes of the second year students of the biochemistry department between July and August 2017, developing a descriptive study with a cross-sectional approach. RESULTS: The following results were obtained: 1) the average of the pH was 7.24; with x = 7.22 in La Paz city and x = 7.29 in El Alto city. 2) in relation to the drinking water was obtained: x=7.34 in El Alto plant, x=7.21 in Tilata plant, x=7.16 in Achachicala plant and x=7.21 in Pampahasi plant. CONCLUSION: The pH of the drinking water drunk is established within parameters with an average value of 7.24.

Distribution of the stx1 and stx2 genes in Escherichia coli isolated from milk cattle according to season, age, and production scale in southwestern region of Goiás, Brazil / Distribuição dos genes stx1 e stx2 em Escherichia coli isoladas de bovinos de leite de acordo com a estação, idade e escala de produção na região sudoeste de Goiás, Brasil

This study determined the distribution of stx1 and stx2 genes in Escherichia coli isolated from dairy herds with regard to animal age, season, and farm production-scale, and analyzed the phylogenetic distribution of the groups A, B1, B2, and D of 276 isolates of bovine feces Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). The stx1 profile was the most common, detected in 20.4% (202/990) of the isolates, followed by stx2 (4.54%, 45/990) and stx1+stx2 (2.92%, 29/990). The stx1 gene was detected more frequently in calves than in adult animals. In the dry season (winter), the presence of stx1+stx2 profile in cattle feces was higher than in the rainy season (summer), while no significant changes were observed between seasons for the stx1 and stx2 profiles. The most predominant phylogenetic groups in adult animals were B1, A, and D, while groups A and B1 prevailed in calves. Our data highlight the importance of identifying STEC reservoirs, since 7.5% of the tested isolates were positive for stx2, the main profile responsible for the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). Moreover, these microorganisms are adapted to survive even in hostile environments and can contaminate the food production chain, posing a significant risk to consumers of animal products.(AU)

Esse estudo determinou a distribuição dos genes stx1 e stx2 em Escherichia coli isolados de rebanhos leiteiros em relação a idade, estação e produção, e analisaram a distribuição filogenética dos grupos A, B1, B2 e D de 276 E. coli produtoras de toxina Shiga (STEC). O perfil stx1 foi mais comum, detectado em 20,4% (202/990) dos isolados, seguido de stx2 (4,54%, 45/990) e stx1+stx2 (2,92%, 29/990). O gene stx1 foi detectado mais frequentemente em bezerros que animais adultos. No período de seca (inverno), a presença do perfil stx1+stx2 nas fezes dos bovinos foi mais prevalente que no período chuvoso (verão), apesar de não haver diferença significativa entre estações para os perfis stx1 e stx2. Os grupos filogenéticos mais predominantes em animais adultos foram B1, A e D, enquanto grupos A e B2 prevaleceram em bezerros. Nossos dados enfatizam a importância de se detectar reservatórios de STEC já que 7,5% dos isolados testados foram positivos para stx2, o perfil mais prevalente em casos de síndrome hemolítica-urêmica. Ademais, esses microorganismos são adaptados à sobreviver em ambientes hostis e contaminam a cadeia alimentar, levando a risco significativo para consumidores de alimentos de origem animal.(AU)

Assessment of genetic diversity of a native population of Eplingiella fruticosa: a plant with therapeutic potential.

Eplingiella fruticosa (Salzm. ex Benth.) Harley & J.F.B. Pastore, ex Hyptis fruticosa Salzm. ex Benth. is an aromatic and medicinal plant of the family Lamiaceae, found mainly in regions with intense anthropic activity. Information on the genetic diversity of this species is scarce. However, it can be assessed using molecular markers that identify the level of diversity among phenotypically identical individuals. The present study aimed to characterize the genetic diversity of a native population of E. fruticosa from the State of Sergipe using ISSR molecular markers. Samples of 100 plants were collected in 11 municipalities of the State of Sergipe and analyzed using eight ISSR primers, resulting in 72 informative bands. The cluster analysis obtained using the neighbor joining method resulted in three groups: Group I consisted of 50 plants, mainly from the municipalities of Areia Branca, Estância, Japaratuba, Moita Bonita, Pirambu, and Salgado; Group II was formed by 21 plants, with nine representatives from the municipality of Itaporanga d'Ajuda and 13 representatives from other municipalities; Group III was composed by 29 plants, being represented mainly by the municipalities of Malhada dos Bois and São Cristóvão. The smallest genetic distance occurred between plants EPF94 and EPF96 (0.250), and the greatest distance occurred between plants EPF50 and EPF96 (0.9778). The Shannon index had a mean value of 0.42, and diversity was considered moderate. Heterozygosity had a mean value of 0.267 and was considered low. Polymorphic information content (0.253) was considered moderately informative. Genetic diversity of E. fruticosa plants was intermediate, and the results of the present study can assist in the conservation and use of the genetic resources of this species.

On-line identification of fermentation processes for ethanol production.

A strategy for monitoring fermentation processes, specifically, simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of corn mash, was developed. The strategy covered the development and use of first principles, semimechanistic and unstructured process model based on major kinetic phenomena, along with mass and energy balances. The model was then used as a reference model within an identification procedure capable of running on-line. The on-line identification procedure consists on updating the reference model through the estimation of corrective parameters for certain reaction rates using the most recent process measurements. The strategy makes use of standard laboratory measurements for sugars quantification and in situ temperature and liquid level data. The model, along with the on-line identification procedure, has been tested against real industrial data and have been able to accurately predict the main variables of operational interest, i.e., state variables and its dynamics, and key process indicators. The results demonstrate that the strategy is capable of monitoring, in real time, this complex industrial biomass fermentation. This new tool provides a great support for decision-making and opens a new range of opportunities for industrial optimization.

Genetic diversity of Lippia sidoides Cham. and L. gracilis Schauer germplasm.

The conservation of plants in germplasm banks ensures the characterization and availability of these resources for future generations. The present study used DNA markers to obtain genetic information about germplasm collections of Lippia sidoides and L. gracilis, which are maintained in an Active Germplasm Bank (AGB). Genetic variability of samples in the AGB was assessed using 12 combinations of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primers (EcoRI/MseI). Twenty simple sequence repeat primers designed for L. alba were tested to determine their transferability in L. sidoides and L. gracilis. The AFLP markers generated 789 markers. The assessed loci exhibited a moderate Shannon diversity index (I = 0.42) in both species, suggesting that the conserved accessions possess an intermediate level of genetic diversity. Twelve microsatellite loci amplified satisfactorily, and nine loci were polymorphic in each species. A total of 23, 22, and 36 alleles, with an average of 2.5, 2.4, and 3.27 alleles per locus were identified for L. sidoides and L. gracilis accessions in the AGB, and Lippia sp sampled plants, respectively. Analyses of genetic structure permitted the identification of three different groups using both sets of markers, of which two were representative of L. sidoides. The information generated in this study may help to create, expand, and maintain collections of these species and may assist in genetic-breeding programs.