Variability of the ß-casein gene polymorphism in Curraleiro Pé-Duro cattle: a geographical genetics approach.

This study purposes to examine the distribution of A2A2 alleles in herds of Curraleiro Pé-Duro (CPD) cattle and test association patterns with geographical and municipal development data. Eight CPD herds were selected from the municipalities of Tocantins State, Brazil. The frequency of the A1 and A2 allele was 40.0 and 60.0%, and the frequencies of genotypes A1A1, A1A2, and A2A2 were 20.0, 39.0, and 41.0%, respectively. Correlation estimates supported that the preferred genotype (A2A2) was mostly present in the relatively higher developed mesoregion (West) (P < 0.05). However, genotypic frequencies varied at random according to human population of municipalities and human development index (P > 0.05). The evaluation of the variability of the ß-casein gene polymorphism, coupled with spatially explicit methods (spatial autocorrelation, mantel test, and interpolation procedures), revealed some level of spatial dependency. The results suggest that the production of A2A2 milk in indigenous CPD cattle is feasible. This will depend on the adoption of selection schemes.

Curcumin-rich extract from Central Brazil Curcuma longa protects human umbilical vein endothelial cells under oxidative stress / Extrato rico em Curcumina do Brasil Central Curcuma longa protege células endoteliais de veias umbilicais humanas sob estresse oxidativo

INTRODUCTION: In vascular diseases, the interruption of the local blood flow and the subsequent reperfusion of oxygen can cause deleterious oxidative effects on the cells. Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) presents the capacity to neutralize free radicals along with preventive and therapeutic effects for several diseases. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the bioactive compounds and the antioxidant capacity of the ethanolic extract of Curcuma (EEC), to evaluate its effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and to analyze its effect on cellular signaling pathways. METHODS: Cells were exposed to different concentrations of EEC for 24, 48, and 72 h. Folin-Ciocalteau test, HPLC-Fluorescence analysis, and DPPH method were used to determine the phenolic compounds, curcumin content, and antioxidant action, respectively; the tetrazolium salt reduction to obtain cell viability, cytotoxicity, and the concentration that inhibits 50% of cell viability; and the immunocytochemistry technique to analyze the expression of caspase3, SIRT1, and mTOR. RESULTS: We found the presence of polyphenols in the classes of phenolic acids and curcuminoids in EEC, with 16.7% curcumin content. The number of antioxidants needed to reduce the initial DPPH concentration by 50% was 18.1 µmol/g. The extract mitigated cell damage at a dosage of 100 µg/ml, decreased the immunoexpression of caspase3, and promoted the signaling of the SIRT1 and mTOR survival pathways. CONCLUSION: EEC had a protective effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells, subjected to oxidative stress, with decreased apoptosis (caspase3) at lower concentrations, cytoprotection by maintaining essential cell functions (mTOR), and signaling of the survival pathway (SIRT1).

INTRODUÇÃO: Em doenças vasculares, a interrupção do fluxo sanguíneo locale subsequente reperfusão de oxigênio pode causar efeitos deletérios e danos irreparáveis às células. Curcuma (Curcuma longa L.) neutraliza radicais livres além de apresentar efeitos preventivos e terapêuticos. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar os compostos bioativos e a capacidade antioxidante do extrato etanólico de cúrcuma (EEC); avaliar seu efeito nas células endoteliais da veia umbilical humana, e analisar a expressão de vias de sinalização celular. MÉTODOS: As células foram expostas a diferentes concentrações de EEC por 24, 48 e 72 horas. Utilizamos o teste de Folin-Ciocalteau, análise por HPLC-Fluorescência e método DPPH para determinar os compostos fenólicos, conteúdo de curcumina e ação antioxidante, respectivamente; o método de redução de tetrazólio para viabilidade celular, a citotoxicidade e a concentração que inibe 50% da viabilidade celular; e a técnica de imunocitoquímica para analisar a expressão de caspase3, SIRT1 e mTOR. RESULTADOS: Observou-se presença de polifenóis nas classes de ácidos fenólicos e curcuminóides no EEC, com teor de curcumina de 16,7%. A quantidade de antioxidante necessária para reduzir a concentração inicial de DPPH em 50% foi de 18,1 µmol/g. O extrato mitigou o dano celular na dosagem de 100 µg/ml, diminuiu a imunoexpressão da caspase3 e promoveu a sinalização das vias de sobrevivência SIRT1 e mTOR. CONCLUSÃO: O EEC teve efeito protetor nas células endoteliais de veia umbilical humana, submetidas ao estresse oxidativo, com diminuição da apoptose (caspase3) em concentrações mais baixas, citoproteção pela manutenção das funções celulares essenciais (mTOR) e sinalização da via de sobrevivência (SIRT1).

Cytotoxicity assessment of beta-lapachone in endothelial cells

The selective activity of an antineoplastic drug is related to its ability to promote cytotoxic action on tumor cells and preserve the integrity of non-neoplastic cells. Beta-lapachone is extracted from the sawdust of Ipe wood, a thick bark tree from the Ipe wood found in the Brazilian Cerrado biome. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic action of beta-lapachone in an endothelial cell line. The EA.hy926 cells were seeded in two groups, G1 and G2, cultured and exposed to beta-lapachone at concentrations of 0.0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1 and 3 & 956;M for 24 hours. G1 remained under normal cultivation conditions and G2 was subjected to oxidative stress through an ischemia and reperfusion assay, in a deoxygenated sealed chamber. The cytotoxicity assay was performed using the tetrazolium reduction method. In G1, the cytotoxicity ranged from 0.0 to 10.0%; and in G2 between 0.0 and 6.3%. No statistically significant difference was observed between the obtained values. Moreover, we found no cytotoxic action of beta-lapachone on endothelial cells, and the results point out that the drug might have preserved the cell’s integrity against oxidative stress under the conditions of this experiment. This promising result suggests the possibility of beta-lapachone as a chemotherapy drug with selective activity.

Ethanolic extract of gabirobeira (Campomanesia adamantium) leaves reduces proliferation of osteosarcoma cells in vitro

Osteosarcoma is the most commonly diagnosed malignant bone tumor in humans, with a higher incidence in children and young people. It is highly aggressive and has a high metastatic potential. Its treatment is based on both chemotherapy and surgical intervention. However, currently used chemotherapeutic agents, such as doxorubicin, have several adverse effects on the patient. Therefore, there is a growing demand for new chemotherapeutic agents that stimulate new researches, such as those involving compounds extracted from plants, such as the gabirobeira. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of ethanolic extract, both crude and ethyl acetate, of gabirobeira leaves on osteosarcoma cells in vitro. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the Trypan blue exclusion method and the IC50 values were calculated using the tetrazolium reduction method. The ethanolic extract of gabirobeira leaves showed a cytotoxic effect on osteosarcoma cells in vitro. The group treated with the crude extract at 1. 0& 956;L mL-1 concentration for 48 hours showed higher cytotoxicity and the lowest IC50 value for this extract was found in the 24 to 48 hours interval. The ethanolic extract of gabirobeira leaves is cytotoxic for osteosarcoma cells.

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in dogs from the state of Tocantins: serology and associated factors.

This study investigated occurrences of anti-Neospora caninum and anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies by means of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFAT), along with risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis and neosporosis, in 204 dogs from urban and rural areas of the municipality of Araguaína, state of Tocantins, Brazil. One hundred and thirty samples (63.7%) were positive for T. gondii using ELISA: 57.1% and 70.7% in the urban and rural areas, respectively. The seropositivity frequency for T. gondii observed through IFAT was 57.4%, distributed between rural and urban areas as 62.6% and 52.4%, respectively. The factors associated with canine toxoplasmosis were age and breed (p<0.05). In relation to N. caninum, 88 samples (43.1%) were positive, according to ELISA, distributed as 42.9% in urban areas and 43.3% in rural areas. Anti - N. caninum antibodies were detected through IFAT in 62 dogs (30.4%), distributed as 31.3% and 29.5% between rural and urban areas, respectively. Age and breed were associated with neosporosis occurrence (p<0.05) by IFAT. This study provides the first detection of IgG antibodies for canine toxoplasmosis and neosporosis in the state of Tocantins and highlights the importance of dogs in the epidemiological chain of these diseases.

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in dogs from the state of Tocantins: serology and associated factors / Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum em cães provenientes de Tocantins: sorologia e fatores associados

Abstract This study investigated occurrences of anti-Neospora caninum and anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies by means of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFAT), along with risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis and neosporosis, in 204 dogs from urban and rural areas of the municipality of Araguaína, state of Tocantins, Brazil. One hundred and thirty samples (63.7%) were positive for T. gondii using ELISA: 57.1% and 70.7% in the urban and rural areas, respectively. The seropositivity frequency for T. gondii observed through IFAT was 57.4%, distributed between rural and urban areas as 62.6% and 52.4%, respectively. The factors associated with canine toxoplasmosis were age and breed (p<0.05). In relation to N. caninum, 88 samples (43.1%) were positive, according to ELISA, distributed as 42.9% in urban areas and 43.3% in rural areas. Anti - N. caninum antibodies were detected through IFAT in 62 dogs (30.4%), distributed as 31.3% and 29.5% between rural and urban areas, respectively. Age and breed were associated with neosporosis occurrence (p<0.05) by IFAT. This study provides the first detection of IgG antibodies for canine toxoplasmosis and neosporosis in the state of Tocantins and highlights the importance of dogs in the epidemiological chain of these diseases.

Resumo Este estudo investigou a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum e anti-Toxoplasma gondii por ensaio imunoenzimático indireto (ELISA) e reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), assim como os fatores de risco associados à toxoplasmose e à neosporose em 204 cães provenientes de áreas urbana e rural do município de Araguaína, Estado de Tocantins, Brasil. Cento e trinta amostras (63,7%) foram positivas para T. gondii, destas 57,1% e 70,7% oriundas de áreas urbanas e rurais, respectivamente. Considerando-se o teste RIFI, a frequência de soropositividade para T. gondii foi de 57,4% com distribuição de 62,6% e 52,4% entre áreas rurais e urbanas, respectivamente. Fatores associados à toxoplasmose canina foram raça e idade, com soropositividade maior para animais mais velhos (p<0,05). Em relação à N. caninum, 88 (43,1%) amostras foram positivas, segundo ELISA, sendo distribuídas em 42,9% para área urbana e 43,3% para área rural. Por meio da RIFI, anticorpos anti-N. caninum foram detectados em 62 (30,4%) cães, sendo distribuídos em 31,3% e 29,5% entre áreas rurais e urbanas, respectivamente. Os fatores associados à ocorrência de neosporose, pela RIFI, foram idade e raça (p<0,05). Este estudo representa a primeira detecção de anticorpos IgG para toxoplasmose e neosporose canina no Estado de Tocantins e evidencia a importância de cães na cadeia epidemiológica dessas doenças.