Acoustophoresis of monodisperse oil droplets in water: Effect of symmetry breaking and non-resonance operation on oil trapping behavior.

Acoustic manipulation of particles in microchannels has recently gained much attention. Ultrasonic standing wave (USW) separation of oil droplets or particles is an established technology for microscale applications. Acoustofluidic devices are normally operated at optimized conditions, namely, resonant frequency, to minimize power consumption. It has been recently shown that symmetry breaking is needed to obtain efficient conditions for acoustic particle trapping. In this work, we study the acoustophoretic behavior of monodisperse oil droplets (silicone oil and hexadecane) in water in the microfluidic chip operating at a non-resonant frequency and an off-center placement of the transducer. Finite element-based computer simulations are further performed to investigate the influence of these conditions on the acoustic pressure distribution and oil trapping behavior. Via investigating the Gor'kov potential, we obtained an overlap between the trapping patterns obtained in experiments and simulations. We demonstrate that an off-center placement of the transducer and driving the transducer at a non-resonant frequency can still lead to predictable behavior of particles in acoustofluidics. This is relevant to applications in which the theoretical resonant frequency cannot be achieved, e.g., manipulation of biological matter within living tissues.

Acute effect of passive cycle-ergometry and functional electrical stimulation on nitrosative stress and inflammatory cytokines in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Early mobilization is beneficial for critically ill patients because it reduces muscle weakness acquired in intensive care units. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) and passive cycle ergometry (PCE) on the nitrous stress and inflammatory cytometry in critically ill patients. This was a controlled, randomized, open clinical trial carried out in a 16-bed intensive care unit. The patients were randomized into four groups: Control group (n=10), did not undergo any therapeutic intervention during the study; PCE group (n=9), lower-limb PCE for 30 cycles/min for 20 min; FES group (n=9), electrical stimulation of quadriceps muscle for 20 min; and FES with PCE group (n=7), patients underwent PCE and FES, with their order determined randomly. The serum levels of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, and interleukins 6 and 10 were analyzed before and after the intervention. There were no differences in clinical or demographic characteristics between the groups. The results revealed reduced nitric oxide concentrations one hour after using PCE (P<0.001) and FES (P<0.05), thereby indicating that these therapies may reduce cellular nitrosative stress when applied separately. Tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were reduced after the PCE intervention (P=0.049). PCE and FES reduced nitric oxide levels, demonstrating beneficial effects on the reduction of nitrosative stress. PCE was the only treatment that reduced the tumor necrosis factor alpha concentration.

Acute effect of passive cycle-ergometry and functional electrical stimulation on nitrosative stress and inflammatory cytokines in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients: a randomized controlled trial

Early mobilization is beneficial for critically ill patients because it reduces muscle weakness acquired in intensive care units. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) and passive cycle ergometry (PCE) on the nitrous stress and inflammatory cytometry in critically ill patients. This was a controlled, randomized, open clinical trial carried out in a 16-bed intensive care unit. The patients were randomized into four groups: Control group (n=10), did not undergo any therapeutic intervention during the study; PCE group (n=9), lower-limb PCE for 30 cycles/min for 20 min; FES group (n=9), electrical stimulation of quadriceps muscle for 20 min; and FES with PCE group (n=7), patients underwent PCE and FES, with their order determined randomly. The serum levels of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, and interleukins 6 and 10 were analyzed before and after the intervention. There were no differences in clinical or demographic characteristics between the groups. The results revealed reduced nitric oxide concentrations one hour after using PCE (P<0.001) and FES (P<0.05), thereby indicating that these therapies may reduce cellular nitrosative stress when applied separately. Tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were reduced after the PCE intervention (P=0.049). PCE and FES reduced nitric oxide levels, demonstrating beneficial effects on the reduction of nitrosative stress. PCE was the only treatment that reduced the tumor necrosis factor alpha concentration.

Effect of the presence of cholesterol in the interfacial microenvironment on the modulation of the alkaline phosphatase activity during in vitro mineralization.

Mineralization of the skeleton starts within cell-derived matrix vesicles (MVs); then, minerals propagate to the extracellular collagenous matrix. Tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) degrades inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), a potent inhibitor of mineralization, and contributes Pi (Phosphate) from ATP to initiate mineralization. Compared to the plasma membrane, MVs are rich in Cholesterol (Chol) (∼32%) and TNAP, but how Chol influences TNAP activity remains unclear. We have reconstituted TNAP in liposomes of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) or dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) combined with Chol or its derivatives Cholestenone (Achol) and Ergosterol (Ergo). DPPC plus 36% sterols in liposome increased the catalytic activity of TNAP toward ATP. The presence of Chol also increased the propagation of minerals by 3.4-fold. The catalytic efficiency of TNAP toward ATP was fourfold lower in DOPC proteoliposomes as compared to DPPC proteoliposomes. DOPC proteoliposomes also increased biomineralization by 2.8-fold as compared to DPPC proteoliposomes. TNAP catalyzed the hydrolysis of ATP more efficiently in the case of the proteoliposome consisting of DOPC with 36% Chol. The same behavior emerged with Achol and Ergo. The organization of the lipid and the structure of the sterol influenced the surface tension (γ), the TNAP phosphohydrolytic activity in the monolayer, and the TNAP catalytic efficiency in the bilayers. Membranes in the Lα phase (Achol) provided better kinetic parameters as compared to membranes in the Lo phase (Chol and Ergo). In conclusion, the physical properties and the lateral organization of lipids in proteoliposomes are crucial to control mineral propagation mediated by TNAP activity during mineralization.

Efeito do período e temperatura de armazenamento de ovos férteis sobre o rendimento de incubação e características de qualidade de codornas neonatas / Effect of period and storage temperature of hatching eggs from breeder quails on hatching results and quality characteristics of neonate quails

Foram estudados parâmetros de incubação e de qualidade física de codornas japonesas neonatas oriundas de ovos submetidos a diferentes condições de armazenamento. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de combinações entre temperaturas e períodos de armazenamento dos ovos férteis. O delineamento foi em blocos casualizados em arranjo fatorial 2x5, temperaturas (ambiente (28±1,5ºC) e refrigerada (14ºC)) x períodos de armazenamento (um, três, seis, nove ou doze dias), totalizando 10 tratamentos com 105 repetições, sendo cada ovo uma unidade experimental. Os ovos foram incubados nas condições de 37,9ºC e 60% de umidade relativa (UR). Houve aumento de perda de peso do ovo com o período de armazenamento, com efeito linear positivo. Observou-se maior taxa de eclosão/ovos férteis para os ovos armazenados sob refrigeração. Houve efeito linear negativo para o período de armazenamento sobre a taxa de eclosão somente para os ovos armazenados em 28ºC. Para o peso da codorna neonata, houve efeito linear negativo, independentemente da temperatura de armazenamento. O comprimento do intestino delgado em temperatura ambiente sofreu influência do período de armazenamento, sendo que o período de 12 dias apresentou pior resultado. O pior escore de qualidade física foi encontrado em codornas neonatas oriundas de ovos armazenados em temperatura ambiente por 12 dias. Pode-se concluir que, para melhorar a eclosão e a qualidade física da progênie, ovos de codorna devem ser armazenados por até nove dias e em temperatura de 14ºC.

Incubation parameters and physical quality of neonate Japanese quails hatched from eggs that were subject to different storage conditions were evaluated. The treatments consisted of a combination of temperatures and storage periods of hatching eggs from breeder quails. The experiments were conducted in a randomized block design in a factorial arrangement 2x5, with two storage temperatures (ambient temperature ± 28°C and refrigerated temperature 14°C) and five storage periods (one, three, six, nine and twelve days), totaling 10 treatments with 105 repetitions, each egg considered to be an experimental unit. The eggs were incubated at 37.9°C with 60% of relative humidity (RH). There was a positive linear effect between egg weight loss and storage period. Higher rates of hatching/fertile eggs were observed for eggs stored in refrigerated conditions. A negative linear effect was observed between storage period and hatching rate when the eggs where stored at a temperature of 28ºC. There was a negative effect for neonate quail weight, independent of storage temperatures. The intestine length was influenced by storage period and 12 days of storage showed the shortest intestine length. Lower scores of physical quality were observed in quails that hatched from eggs stored in ambient temperatures during 12 days. In this context, to improve hatching rates and physical quality of neonate quails the eggs should be stored up to nine days at a temperature of 14°C.

An isolate of the nematophagous fungus Monacrosporium thaumasium for the control of cattle trichostrongyles in south-eastern Brazil.

A mycelial formulation in sodium alginate pellets of the nematophagous fungus Monacrosporium thaumasium (isolate NF34A) was assessed in the biological control of beef cattle trichostrongyles in tropical Brazil. Two groups of ten male Nellore calves aged 6 months, a fungus-treated group and a control group, were fed on a pasture of Brachiaria decumbens naturally infected with larvae of cattle trichostrongyles. The fungus-treated group received doses of sodium alginate mycelial pellets orally (1 g pellets (0.2 g fungus)/10 kg live weight) twice a week for 12 months. At the end of the study there was a significant reduction (P< 0.01) in the number of eggs per gram of faeces and coprocultures of the fungus-treated group--47.8% and 50.2%, respectively--in relation to the control group. There was a 47.3% reduction in herbage samples, collected up to 0-20 cm from faecal pats, between the fungus-treated and control groups, and a 58% reduction when the sampling distance was 20-40 cm from faecal pats (P< 0.01). The treatment with sodium alginate pellets containing the nematode-trapping fungus M. thaumasium reduced trichostrongyles in tropical south-eastern Brazil and could be an effective tool for the biological control of this parasitic nematode in beef cattle. However, in such a tropical climate with low rainfall the fungal viability can be reduced.

A FEM-based method to determine the complex material properties of piezoelectric disks.

Numerical simulations allow modeling piezoelectric devices and ultrasonic transducers. However, the accuracy in the results is limited by the precise knowledge of the elastic, dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the piezoelectric material. To introduce the energy losses, these properties can be represented by complex numbers, where the real part of the model essentially determines the resonance frequencies and the imaginary part determines the amplitude of each resonant mode. In this work, a method based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) is modified to obtain the imaginary material properties of piezoelectric disks. The material properties are determined from the electrical impedance curve of the disk, which is measured by an impedance analyzer. The method consists in obtaining the material properties that minimize the error between experimental and numerical impedance curves over a wide range of frequencies. The proposed methodology starts with a sensitivity analysis of each parameter, determining the influence of each parameter over a set of resonant modes. Sensitivity results are used to implement a preliminary algorithm approaching the solution in order to avoid the search to be trapped into a local minimum. The method is applied to determine the material properties of a Pz27 disk sample from Ferroperm. The obtained properties are used to calculate the electrical impedance curve of the disk with a Finite Element algorithm, which is compared with the experimental electrical impedance curve. Additionally, the results were validated by comparing the numerical displacement profile with the displacements measured by a laser Doppler vibrometer. The comparison between the numerical and experimental results shows excellent agreement for both electrical impedance curve and for the displacement profile over the disk surface. The agreement between numerical and experimental displacement profiles shows that, although only the electrical impedance curve is considered in the adjustment procedure, the obtained material properties allow simulating the displacement amplitude accurately.

Experimental and numerical characterization of the sound pressure in standing wave acoustic levitators.

A novel method for predictions of the sound pressure distribution in acoustic levitators is based on a matrix representation of the Rayleigh integral. This method allows for a fast calculation of the acoustic field within the resonator. To make sure that the underlying assumptions and simplifications are justified, this approach was tested by a direct comparison to experimental data. The experimental sound pressure distributions were recorded by high spatially resolved frequency selective microphone scanning. To emphasize the general applicability of the two approaches, the comparative studies were conducted for four different resonator geometries. In all cases, the results show an excellent agreement, demonstrating the accuracy of the matrix method.

Chemical characterization of the Allium sativum and Origanum vulgare essential oils and their inhibition effect on the growth of some food pathogens / Caracterização química e efeito inibitório dos óleos essenciais de Allium sativum e Origanum vulgare frente ao crescimento de alguns patógenos de alimentos

This study sought to evaluate the chemical composition of the Allium sativum and Origanum vulgare essential oils and their effect on the growth inhibition of microorganisms, such as P. aeruginosa, S. Choleraesuis, A. flavus, A. niger and P. simplicissimum, important food contaminants. The main constituents of the oregano essential oil were 4-terpineol (27.03%), γ-terpinene (20.04%), and β-cymene (6.34%), and the main constituents of the garlic essential oil were diallyl trisulfide (38, 81%), diallyl disulfide (25.23%), and methyl allyl trisulfide (12.52%). Inhibition zones were formed in in vitro tests on the bacteria S. Choleraesuis and P. aeruginosa, except for A. sativum against P. aeruginosa. The inhibition of mycelial growth caused by the oregano essential oil occurred with the concentrations of 0.10, 0.03 and 0.05 mg mL-1 for the A. flavus, A. niger and P. simplicissimum fungi, respectively. The CMI for the garlic oil began at the 0.03 mg mL-1 concentration for all species of fungi. The oils presented an inhibitory effect against the microorganisms studied and constitute an alternative for microbiological control in food.

Objetivou-se avaliar a composição química e o efeito inibitório dos óleos essenciais de Allium sativum e Origanum vulgare frente ao crescimento dos micro-organismos Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella Choleraesuis, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger e Penicillium simplicissimum, importantes patógenos causadores de contaminações em alimentos. Para quantificação e identificação dos constituintes químicos dos óleos, utilizou-se cromatógrafo gasoso acoplado a espectrômetro de massas. Os principais constituintes do óleo essencial de orégano foram o 4-terpineol (27,03%), γ-terpineno (20,04%), β-cimeno (6,34%), e do alho, o dialil trissulfeto (38,81%), dialil dissulfeto (25,23%), metil alil trissulfeto (12,52%). Os resultados dos testes in vitro sobre as bactérias S. Choleraesuis e P. aeruginosa indicaram a formação de halo de inibição e revelaram o efeito inibitório para os referidos óleos, exceto para o óleo de A. sativum frente a P. aeruginosa. Para os fungos A. flavus, A. niger e P. simplicissimum a inibição do crescimento micelial provocada pelo óleo essencial de orégano ocorreu a partir das concentrações de 0,10, 0,03 e 0,05 µg mL-1, respectivamente, sendo que a CMI para o óleo de alho iniciou-se a partir da concentração 0,03 µg mL-1 para todas as espécies de fungos. Foi possível verificar que os óleos possuem efeito inibitório sobre os microrganismos estudados, sendo, portanto, uma alternativa no controle microbiológico de alimentos.

Comparison between the action of nematode predatory fungi Duddingtonia flagrans and Monacrosporium thaumasium in the biological control of bovine gastrointestinal nematodiasis in tropical southeastern Brazil.

Sodium alginate pellets of the nematode predatory fungi Duddingtonia flagrans and Monacrosporium thaumasium were evaluated in the biological control of bovine gastrointestinal nematodiasis. Three groups (A-C) of ten six month old male Nelore bulls were kept in paddocks of Brachiaria decumbens for 12 months. Each animal of group A received 1g/10 kg of body weight (b.w.) of pellets of D. flagrans (0.2 g of fungus/10 kg b.w.) and of group B, 1g/10 kg of b.w. of pellets of M. thaumasium (0.2 g of fungus/10 kg b.w.), twice a week, for 12 months. Animals of the group control received no fungus. The monthly averages of egg count per gram of feces of the animals of groups A and B were 56.67% and 47.8% smaller, than the animals of group C (p<0.05), respectively. Treatment of bulls with pellets containing the nematophagous fungi D. flagrans and M. thaumasium can be used as an alternative treatment of bovine gastrointestinal nematodiasis, however, D. flagrans was more efficient than M. thaumasium for the biological control in the environmental conditions of the present study.

Microbiota intestinal e desempenho de frangos alimentados com rações elaboradas com sorgo ou milheto e complexo enzimático / Intestinal microflora and broiler performance fed with sorghum or pearl millet with enzymatic complexes

Avaliou-se a suplementação enzimática em rações contendo milheto ou sorgo sobre a microbiota intestinal e o desempenho de frangos. Foram alojados 420 pintos - ensaio de microbiota - e 1.200 pintos - ensaio de desempenho -, submetidos aos tratamentos com sorgo ou milheto suplementados ou não com complexo enzimático. O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente ao acaso, com sete repetições de 15 aves cada, para o ensaio de microbiota, e em blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições e 60 aves por parcela para desempenho. Foram realizadas pesquisas de bactérias Gram-negativas e contagem do número total de microrganismos aeróbios do intestino delgado. A suplementação enzimática não afetou a microbiota intestinal de frangos aos 14 e 28 dias de idade. Houve efeito da suplementação enzimática nas dietas com sorgo para conversão alimentar na fase pré-inicial. Nas dietas com milheto, a suplementação melhorou o ganho de peso no período de um a 35 dias de idade. No período total de criação, de um a 42 dias, não foi observado efeito da suplementação para milheto ou sorgo. Conclui-se que a utilização da suplementação de enzimas em rações com sorgo ou milheto pode melhorar os resultados de desempenho, dependendo da fase de crescimento de frangos de corte.

Two experiments were conducted to examine the supplementation enzyme in broilers fed with sorghum or pearl millet. The intestinal microflora and broiler performance was conducted with 420 and 1.200 broiler chickens, respectively. The treatments consisted of sorghum or pearl millet diet with enzymatic complex. The microflora assay consisted of 15 birds per experimental unit in completed randomized delineament, with seven replicates, and the performance study consisted of 60 birds per experimetal unit in a randomized block design, with five replicates. A study of bacteria negative-gram and total number bacteria aerobic in the small intestine was carried out. The averages were compared by contrasts (performance) and the Kruskal-Wallis (bacteria) tests applied for the research. The enzyme supplementation did not affect the broiler intestinal microflora at the age of 14 and 28 days. Feed conversion in the pearl millet diets supplemented with enzymes was better in the initial phase. The body weight was better to treat enzymatic complex in diets pearl millet (at age of 1- 35 days), however, at the age of 1 to 42 days there was no effect of supplementation for millet or sorghum. The results showed that the sorghum or pearl millet diets supplemented with enzymes are a viable strategy to improve the nutritional value of the diets and performance results depending on the age of the broilers.

Suplementação de glutamina em dietas elaboradas com ingredientes de origem vegetal e animal para pintos de corte / Supplementation of glutamine in diets with ingredients from animal and vegetable sources for broiler chicks

Foi avaliado o efeito da suplementação da glutamina em dietas contendo ingredientes de origem animal sobre o desempenho e a integridade intestinal de pintos de corte, criados até 21 dias de idade. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de combinações entre tipos de dieta, com ingredientes de origem vegetal ou vegetal+animal e suplementação de glutamina (0,0; 0,5; 1,0 e 2,0%). O delineamento foi em blocos ao acaso em arranjo fatorial 2x4, tipos de ração x percentagem de glutamina, com cinco repetições e 12 pintos por unidade experimental. Não houve efeito da interação tipo de dieta versus suplementação de glutamina sobre o desempenho, e os tratamentos não influenciaram o desempenho de pintos de corte. Houve efeito quadrático da suplementação de glutamina sobre o coeficiente de digestibilidade da proteína bruta. A suplementação com glutamina aumentou altura de vilos e profundidade de cripta no duodeno. A utilização de produtos de origem animal em dietas para pintos na fase inicial não prejudica o desempenho, e a inclusão de glutamina melhora a integridade intestinal.

The effect of glutamine supplementation in diets formulated with animal by-products on the performance and integrity of the small intestine of broiler chicks up to 21 days of age was evaluated. The treatments were the combination of types of diets (only with ingredients from a vegetal source or vegetal plus animal source) and levels of glutamine (0.0; 0.5; 1.0 and 2.0%). The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 2x4 factorial scheme (kinds of diets x levels of glutamine), with five replicates and 12 birds per experimental unit. No interaction between diets and glutamine supplementation and treatment effects on the performance traits were observed during the chick starter phase. There was a quadratic effect of glutamine on the crude protein digestibility coefficient. Birds supplemented with glutamine diets showed higher villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum. Broiler diets formulated with animal ingredients have no effect on chick performance during the initial phase, and glutamine supplementation improved the small intestine integrity.

Estudo fitoquímico e análise mutagênica das folhas e inflorescências de Erythrina mulungu (Mart. ex Benth. ) através do teste de micronúcleo em roedores / Phytochemical and mutagenic analysis of leaves and inflorescences of Erythrina mulungu (Mart. Ex Benth. ) through micronucleus test in rodents

Este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar a composição química, estabelecer a dose letal média (DL50) e avaliar os potenciais efeitos mutagênicos do extrato hidroalcoólico de folhas e inflorescências de Erythrina mulungu Mart. ex Benth por meio do teste de micronúcleo em medula óssea de camundongos. Os ensaios fitoquímicos foram realizados através de reações preliminares com mudança de coloração e/ou formação de precipitado; a DL50, por meio da administração intraperitoneal de três concentrações dos extratos, avaliando-se o número de óbitos após 48 horas e o teste de micronúcleo foi feito por meio do método do esfregaço, após exposição dos animais a cinco dias de tratamento. Os resultados fitoquímicos demonstraram presença de açúcares redutores, fenóis e taninos, proteínas e aminoácidos, flavonóides, alcalóides, depsídeos e depsidonas e derivados de cumarina em ambos os órgãos; saponinas espumídicas e esteróides e triterpenóides nas folhas e glicosídeos cardiotônicos e antraquinônicos e alcalóides nas inflorescências. Para a DL50 a folha demonstrou-se atóxica e a inflorescência moderadamente tóxica. Para o teste de micronúcleo, os resultados indicaram ausência de citotoxicidade e genotoxicidade dose-dependente para as folhas e independente da dose para as inflorescências. Assim, esses resultados sugerem que a planta, nas condições analisadas, possui potencial para induzir danos ao DNA.

This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition, to establish the mean lethal dose (LD50) and to assess the potential mutagenic effects of hydroalcoholic extract of leaves and inflorescences of Erythrina mulungu Mart. ex Benth by using micronucleus test in bone marrow of mice. Phytochemical assays were carried out through preliminary reactions with color change and/or precipitate formation; the LD50 was obtained by intraperitoneal administration of three concentrations of the extracts, assessing the number of deaths after 48 hours, and the micronucleus test was done by the smear method, after exposure of animals to five days of treatment. Phytochemical results showed the presence of reducing sugars, phenols and tannins, proteins and amino acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, depsides, depsidones and coumarin derivatives in both organs; foaming and steroidal saponins and triterpenes in the leaves and cardiotonic and anthraquinonic glycosides and alkaloids in the inflorescences. Considering the LD50, the leaf was atoxic and the inflorescence was moderately toxic. As regards the micronucleus test, results indicated absence of cytotoxicity while genotoxicity was dose-dependent for leaves and dose-independent for inflorescences. Thus, these results suggest that the plant, under the tested conditions, has the potential to induce damages to the DNA.

Coincidence lattices in the hyperbolic plane.

The problem of coincidences of lattices in the space R(p,q), with p + q = 2, is analyzed using Clifford algebra. We show that, as in R(n), any coincidence isometry can be decomposed as a product of at most two reflections by vectors of the lattice. Bases and coincidence indices are constructed explicitly for several interesting lattices. Our procedure is metric-independent and, in particular, the hyperbolic plane is obtained when p = q = 1. Additionally, we provide a proof of the Cartan-Dieudonné theorem for R(p,q), with p + q = 2, that includes an algorithm to decompose an orthogonal transformation into a product of reflections.

Essential oil of Origanum majorana L., Illicium verum Hook. f. and Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume: chemical and antimicrobial characterization / Óleos essenciais de Origanum majorana L., Illicium verum Hook. f. e Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume: caracterização química e antimicrobiana

Essential oils of Origanum majorana L. (marjoram), Illicium verum Hook. f. (star-anise) and Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume (cinnamon) were obtained by steam distillation using a modified Clevenger device. The antimicrobial activity of each oil was evaluated against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus by observing their growth and/or mycelial inhibition through comparison with the standard dish (without oil). The essential oils were analyzed using a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer for identification and coupled to a flame ionization detector for quantification. The major constituents of marjoram, star-anise and cinnamon essential oils were 4-terpineol, trans-anetole and cinnamic aldehyde, respectively. In in vitro tests, essential oils of marjoram and cinnamon promoted an inhibitory effect on the bacteria S. aureus and E. coli, while the essential oil of star-anise presented activity only against E. coli. Marjoram, star-anise and cinnamon oils were effective against the studied fungi, presenting an inhibitory effect. The minimal inhibitory concentration for the mycelial growth of A. parasiticus was 1 and 0.01 µL mL-1 for star-anise and cinnamon oils, respectively. The minimal inhibitory concentration for A. parasiticus was 0.25, 2 and 2 µL mL-1 for cinnamon, star-anise and marjoram oils, respectively.

Óleos essenciais de Origanum majorana L. (manjerona), Illicium verum Hook. f. (anis estrelado) e Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume (canela) foram obtidos pela técnica de arraste a vapor d'água com aparelho de Clevenger modificado. Foram avaliadas as atividades antimicrobianas de cada um sobre as bactérias Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli e para os fungos Aspergillus flavus e Aspergillus parasiticus, observando o crescimento e/ou inibição micelial, comparando-se estes com a placa-padrão (sem óleo). Os óleos essenciais foram analisados em cromatógrafo gasoso acoplado a espectrômetro de massa para a identificação e cromatógrafo gasoso com detector de ionização de chamas para a quantificação dos compostos. Os principais constituintes dos óleos essenciais de manjerona, anis-estrelado e canela foram o 4-terpineol, trans-anetol e aldeído cinâmico, respectivamente. Nos testes in vitro, os óleos essenciais de manjerona e canela promoveram efeito inibitório sobre as bactérias S. aureus e E. coli, enquanto o óleo essencial de anis estrelado apresentou atividade apenas frente E. coli. Os óleos de manjerona, anis estrelado e canela foram efetivos sobre os fungos estudados, apresentando efeito inibitório. A concentração mínima inibitória pra o crescimento micelial de A. parasiticus foi de 1 e 0,01 µL mL-1 para os óleos de anis-estrelado e canela, respectivamente. Enquanto a concentração mínima inibitória para A. parasiticus foi de 0,25; 2 e 2 µL mL-1 para os óleos de canela, anis-estrelado e manjerona, respectivamente.

Plantas medicinais e seus usos na comunidade da Barra do Jucu, Vila Velha, ES / Medicinal plants and their uses in Barra do Jucu community, Vila Velha Municipality, Espírito Santo State, Brazil

A Barra do Jucu é um bairro do município de Vila Velha, estado do Espírito Santo, localizado numa área de restinga e habitado por caiçaras que tiram sua renda principalmente da pesca. O objetivo deste estudo foi resgatar e sistematizar as informações populares sobre as plantas medicinais utilizadas na localidade. Ao todo foram citadas 86 espécies pertencentes a 41 famílias, das quais Lamiaceae, Asteraceae e Solanaceae apresentaram o maior número de espécies. As espécies citadas estão relacionadas a 59 usos medicinais, entre os quais predominaram as doenças associadas ao aparelho digestivo. Quantificou-se o número de citações por informante para cada táxon, bem como o número de usos, possibilitando a indicação das espécies mais utilizadas na área, como Plectranthus barbatus Andrews a mais citada, e Anacardium occidentale L. a espécie empregada para o maior número de usos. Os resultados demonstram que a população possui vasto conhecimento das plantas e de suas propriedades de cura.

Barra do Jucu is a community from Vila Velha Municipality, Espírito Santo State, Brazil, located in a restinga area and inhabited by "caiçaras", whose income is mainly from fishing. The aim of this study was to recover and systematize popular information about the medicinal plants used in this locality. In total, 86 species belonging to 41 families were cited, of which Lamiaceae, Asteraceae and Solanaceae had the largest number of species. The mentioned species are related to 59 medicinal uses, mainly to diseases associated with the digestive system. The number of citations per informant for each taxon, as well as the number of uses was quantified, indicating the most used species in this area, including Plectranthus barbatus Andrews, the most cited one, and Anacardium occidentale L., the most used one. The results demonstrated that the population has wide knowledge about the plants and their healing properties.

Drug interactions during periodontal therapy in HIV-infected subjects.

Despite the beneficial effect of the HAART, adverse reactions and drug interaction have been observed. Abnormalities in lipid and glucose metabolism make HIV-positive patients to high risk for the development of coronary heart disease and diabetes, respectively. Besides adverse reactions, drug interaction with other medication can also be observed. In fact, drug interaction may interfere in the periodontal therapy in HIV-infected individuals. For instance, fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, midazolam and triazolam can interact with some antiretroviral medications, such as zidovudine, nevirapine and ritonavir. The aim of the current study was to show to periodontists and general dental practitioners the importance of understanding the drug interaction in HIV-infection in order to establish a better control during periodontal treatment.

Effect of selected strains of Debaryomyces hansenii on the volatile compound production of dry fermented sausage "salchichón".

Different biotypes of Debaryomyces hansenii, characterized by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction analysis, were inoculated in dry fermented sausages to evaluate their influence as single starter culture on volatile compound generation throughout the ripening process. Similar evolution of physicochemical parameters and microbial population was observed in both uninoculated and inoculated sausages. The tested biotypes modified the volatile compound profile of sausages specially in esters, branched alcohols and aldehydes. The biotype of D. hansenii with the E mtDNA restriction pattern is the most suitable to be used as starter culture since it produced volatile compounds involved in flavour development of dry-cured meat products such as 3-methylbutanol, 3-methylbutanal and 2-propanone. Moreover, the use of D. hansenii strains with the B, C2 and E mtDNA restriction patterns, as a mixed starter culture, should be also considered to generate low amount of sulphur compounds in dry-cured meat products.

Evaluation of therapeutic ultrasound equipment performance.

The therapeutic ultrasound (US) is one of the resources mostly used by physiotherapists; however the use of uncalibrated equipment results in inefficient or even harmful therapies to the patient. In this direction, the objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and the procedures of utilization and maintenance of US in use in clinics and Physical-therapy offices. A questionnaire with questions related to the procedures applied in service during the use of therapeutic ultrasound was applied to physiotherapists. The performance of 31 equipment of 6 different brands and 13 different models was evaluated according to the IEC 61689 norm. The parameters measured were: acoustic power; effective radiating area (AER); non-uniformity ratio of the beam (RBN); maximum effective intensity; acoustic frequency of operation, modulation factor and wave form on pulsate mode. As for the questionnaires, it was evident that the professionals are not concerned about the calibration of the equipment. The results demonstrated that only 32.3% of the equipment were in accordance with the norms for the variables power and effective radiation area. The frequency analysis indicated that 20% of the 3MHz transducers and 12.5% of the 1MHz contemplated the norms. In the pulsate mode, 12.7% presented relation rest/duration inside allowed limits. A great variation of the ultrasonic field was observed on the obtained images, which presented beams not centered, sometimes with bifurcation of its apex. The results allow concluding that, although used in therapeutic sessions with the population, none of the equipment presents all the analyzed variables inside technical norms.