FUNGITOXITY OF Mentha spicata OIL ON THE GROWTH OF FUNGI OF THE GENERA Colletotrichum AND Fusarium

Increasingly, the population has been concerned that the production of these foods is free of pesticide residues, so it is necessary to search for viable and effective alternatives to control pests and diseases. Thus, the use of essential oil from plants with insecticidal and fungicidal potential has been successfully studied. The study aimed to demonstrate the effect of Mentha spicata essential oil on the control of Fusarium and Colletotrichum fungi in vitro. The essential oil of M. spicata used was purchased from the chemical industry Ferquima, being diluted in a 2% Tween 20 solution (being 98 mL of distilled water + 2 mL of Tween 20), which was added in 60 mL of a PDA culture medium, resulting in final essential oil concentrations: 0 ppm; 0.83 ppm; 1.67 ppm; 8.33 ppm, and 16.67 ppm and poured into 90 mm diameter Petri dishes. The evaluations took place periodically every 48 hours for eight days, performing measurements of the diameters of the colonies. The results evidenced that the analyzed fungi, when submitted to treatments of different doses, suffered fungistatic action according to the gradual increase of the doses. Thus, it is possible to conclude that M. spicata oil provided the in vitro growth control of Fusarium sp. and Colletorichum sp.Cada vez mais, a população tem se preocupado que a produção desses alimentos seja livre de resíduos de agrotóxicos, portanto se faz necessário a busca por alternativas viáveis e eficazes para controle de pragas e doenças. Desta forma, a utilização de óleo essencial de plantas com potencial inseticida e fungicida vem sendo estudada com sucesso. O objetivo deste trabalho foi demonstrar o efeito do óleo essencial de Mentha spicata no controle dos fungos dos gêneros Fusarium e Colletotrichum in vitro. O óleo de essencial de M. spicata utilizado, foi adquirido da indústria química Ferquima, sendo diluído em uma solução Tween 20 a 2% (sendo 98 mL de água destilada + 2 mL de Tween 20), que foram adicionados em 60 mL de meio de cultura BDA, resultando nas concentrações finais de óleo essencial: 0 ppm; 0,83 ppm; 1,67 ppm; 8,33 ppm e 16,67 ppm e vertidos em placas de Petri de 90 mm de diâmetro. As avaliações ocorreram periodicamente a cada 48 horas, por 8 dias, realizando medições dos diâmetros das colônias. Os resultados apresentados mostraram que os fungos analisados quando submetidos a tratamentos de diferentes doses, sofreram ação fungistática, de acordo com o aumento gradativo das doses. Assim, é possível concluir que o óleo de M. spicata proporcionou o controle do crescimento in vitro dos fungos Fusarium sp. e Colletorichum sp

COPING E PADRÕES BIOLÓGICOS DE SONO EM EXPEDICIONÁRIOS ANTÁRTICOS

The objective of this study was to evaluate the variation of coping strategies and sleep patterns in 13 male naval aviation expeditioners at the beginning and end of a summer expedition to Antarctica. To investigate the coping and sleep variables, the BriefCOPE scale was used, a biological rhythm questionnaire and a sociodemographic form to control variables. Emotion-focused coping strategies of the dysfunctional type increased significantly throughout the exposure and there was no relationship between changes in sleep patterns and coping strategies between the onset and end of exposure to the environment. Attention to psychological factors in polar environments can prevent accidents in context.O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a variação das estratégias de coping e padrões de sono em 13 expedicionários do sexo masculino da aviação naval no início e ao final de uma expedição de verão à Antártica. Para investigar as variáveis de coping e de sono foram utilizadas a escala BriefCOPE, um questionário de ritmos biológicos e um formulário sociodemográfico para controle de variáveis. As estratégias de coping focadas na emoção do tipo disfuncional aumentaram de forma significativa ao longo da exposição e não houve relação entre as alterações nos padrões de sono e as estratégias de coping entre o início e final da exposição ao ambiente. A atenção a fatores psicológicos em ambientes polares pode prevenir acidentes no contexto

Protective role of the HSP90 inhibitor, STA-9090, in lungs of SARS-CoV-2-infected Syrian golden hamsters

Introduction The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, capable of escaping the humoral immunity acquired by the available vaccines, together with waning immunity and vaccine hesitancy, challenges the efficacy of the vaccination strategy in fighting COVID-19. Improved therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to better intervene particularly in severe cases of the disease. They should aim at controlling the hyperinflammatory state generated on infection, reducing lung tissue pathology and inhibiting viral replication. Previous research has pointed to a possible role for the chaperone HSP90 in SARS-CoV-2 replication and COVID-19 pathogenesis. Pharmacological intervention through HSP90 inhibitors was shown to be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, infections and reducing replication of diverse viruses. Methods In this study, we investigated the effects of the potent HSP90 inhibitor Ganetespib (STA-9090) in vitro on alveolar epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages to characterise its effects on cell activation and viral replication. Additionally, the Syrian hamster animal model was used to evaluate its efficacy in controlling systemic inflammation and viral burden after infection. Results In vitro, STA-9090 reduced viral replication on alveolar epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner and lowered significantly the expression of proinflammatory genes, in both alveolar epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages. In vivo, although no reduction in viral load was observed, administration of STA-9090 led to an overall improvement of the clinical condition of infected animals, with reduced oedema formation and lung tissue pathology. Conclusion Altogether, we show that HSP90 inhibition could serve as a potential treatment option for moderate and severe cases of COVID-19

Protective role of the HSP90 inhibitor, STA-9090, in lungs of SARS-CoV-2-infected Syrian golden hamsters

Introduction The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, capable of escaping the humoral immunity acquired by the available vaccines, together with waning immunity and vaccine hesitancy, challenges the efficacy of the vaccination strategy in fighting COVID-19. Improved therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to better intervene particularly in severe cases of the disease. They should aim at controlling the hyperinflammatory state generated on infection, reducing lung tissue pathology and inhibiting viral replication. Previous research has pointed to a possible role for the chaperone HSP90 in SARS-CoV-2 replication and COVID-19 pathogenesis. Pharmacological intervention through HSP90 inhibitors was shown to be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, infections and reducing replication of diverse viruses. Methods In this study, we investigated the effects of the potent HSP90 inhibitor Ganetespib (STA-9090) in vitro on alveolar epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages to characterise its effects on cell activation and viral replication. Additionally, the Syrian hamster animal model was used to evaluate its efficacy in controlling systemic inflammation and viral burden after infection. Results In vitro, STA-9090 reduced viral replication on alveolar epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner and lowered significantly the expression of proinflammatory genes, in both alveolar epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages. In vivo, although no reduction in viral load was observed, administration of STA-9090 led to an overall improvement of the clinical condition of infected animals, with reduced oedema formation and lung tissue pathology. Conclusion Altogether, we show that HSP90 inhibition could serve as a potential treatment option for moderate and severe cases of COVID-19.http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100002347Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschunghttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013865Stiftung Charitéhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100006188Einstein Stiftung Berlinhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001659Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschafthttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001656Helmholtz-GemeinschaftPeer Reviewe

Antimicrobial and antiproliferative potential of Anadenanthera colubrina (vell.) Brenan

The aim of the present study was to perform an in vitro analysis of the antimicrobial and antiproliferative potential of an extract from Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan (angico) and chemically characterize the crude extract. Antimicrobial action was evaluated based on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration, and the inhibition of formation to oral biofilm. Cell morphology was determined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Six strains of tumor cells were used for the determination of antiproliferative potential. The extract demonstrated strong antifungal activity against Candida albicans ATCC 18804 (MIC = 0.031 mg/mL), with similar activity found regarding the ethyl acetate fraction. The extract and active fraction also demonstrated the capacity to inhibit the formation of Candida albicans to oral biofilm after 48 hours, with median values equal to or greater than the control group, but the difference did not achieve statistical significance (P > 0.05). SEM revealed alterations in the cell morphology of the yeast. Regarding antiproliferative activity, the extract demonstrated cytostatic potential in all strains tested. The present findings suggest strong antifungal potential for Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan as well as a tendency toward diminishing the growth of human tumor cells.The aim of the present study was to perform an in vitro analysis of the antimicrobial and antiproliferative potential of an extract from Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan (angico) and chemically characterize the crude extract. Antimicrobial action was evaluated based on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration, and the inhibition of formation to oral biofilm. Cell morphology was determined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Six strains of tumor cells were used for the determination of antiproliferative potential. The extract demonstrated strong antifungal activity against Candida albicans ATCC 18804 ( mg/mL), with similar activity found regarding the ethyl acetate fraction. The extract and active fraction also demonstrated the capacity to inhibit the formation of Candida albicans to oral biofilm after 48 hours, with median values equal to or greater than the control group, but the difference did not achieve statistical significance . SEM revealed alterations in the cell morphology of the yeast. Regarding antiproliferative activity, the extract demonstrated cytostatic potential in all strains tested. The present findings suggest strong antifungal potential for Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan as well as a tendency toward diminishing the growth of human tumor cells201

Investigating academic performance and perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses among undergraduate students of physical education at a Brazilian public university

Purpose To compare the academic performance of undergraduate students in physical education who studied exercise physiology before and after studying human physiology and investigate students’ perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses. Methods This study included 311 undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in physical education. Participants were divided into two groups: those who had previously attended and completed the human physiology course (group 1, n = 212, 68.2%) and those who had not previously attended or had attended but failed the human physiology course (group 2, n = 99, 31.8%). The prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using a Poisson regression model with a robust variance estimator. The second aim comprised 67 students with bachelor’s degrees in physical education who completed an electronic questionnaire about their perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology curriculum. Results Compared with those who attended human physiology and passed, those who had not previously attended or had attended but failed the human physiology course have a higher PR of 2.37 (95% CI, 1.68–3.34) for failing exercise physiology. Regarding the students’ perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses, most students reported that they were challenging (58.2% and 64.2%, respectively), but they also recognized the importance of these courses for professional practice (59.7% and 85.1%, respectively). Conclusion Human physiology should be considered a prerequisite for an undergraduate course leading to a bachelor’s degree in physical education. Furthermore, students considered human physiology and exercise physiology courses important yet challenging. Therefore, continuous student assessment is vital for improving the teaching–learning process

Blood, liver and rumen parameters of sheep fed diets containing detoxified castor bean meal

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os parâmetros sanguíneos, hepáticos e ruminais, bem como caracterizare quantificar a população de protozoários ciliados, no rúmen de ovinos alimentados com dietas com farelo de mamona destoxificada (FM). Foram utilizados 32 ovinos, para a avaliação dos parâmetros sanguíneos e hepáticos, e quatro ovinos adultos fistulados no rúmen, para a avaliação dos parâmetros ruminais. A dieta controle foi composta por feno de capim‑buffel, milho em grão moído, ureia e farelo de soja (FS). Nos tratamentos, o FS foi substituído parcialmente  pelo FM a 15, 30 e 45% no concentrado. Não houve diferença, entre os tratamentos, quanto aos teores de ureia no soro, cuja média foi de 666,0 mg L‑1. Não houve diferença entre as dietas quanto à glicose, ao aspartato aminotranferase e à alanina aminotransferase, que tiveram média de 690,3 mg L‑1, 127,4 UI L‑1 e 16,9 UI L‑1, respectivamente. Os valores de nitrogênio amoniacal e pH apresentaram padrão linear crescente com a substituição do FS pelo FM. O gênero Entodinium foi o mais frequente em todos os tratamentos e obteve média geral de 76,4% do total de protozoários; otratamento sem inclusão do FM obteve a maior percentagem deste gênero entre os tratamentos. A dieta com substituição de 45% do farelo de soja pelo de mamona destoxificado favorece o ambiente ruminal.The objective of this work was to evaluate the blood, liver and rumen parameters, as well as to characterizeand quantify the population of ciliated protozoa in the rumen of sheep fed diets with detoxified castor bean meal(DCBM). Thirty‑two lambs were used, for the evaluation of blood and liver parameters, and four rumen‑cannulatedadult sheep were used to determine rumen parameters. The control diet was composed by buffel grass hay, groundcorn grain, urea and soybean meal (SBM). In the treatments, SBM was partially replaced by DCBM at 15, 30 and 45% in the concentrate. There was no significant difference, among treatments, for the serum‑urea contents whose mean value was 666.0 mg L‑1. There was no significant difference, among diets, for glucose, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, which had mean values of 690.3 mg L‑1, 127.4 IUL‑1 and 16.9 IUL‑1, respectively. The ammoniacal nitrogen and pH values had an increasing linear pattern with the replacement of SBM by DCBM. The genus Entodinium was the most frequent in all treatments and showed 76.4% overall mean of the total protozoa; the treatment without DCBM had the highest percentage of this genus among treatments. The diet substitution above 45% of soybean meal by the detoxified castor bean meal is favorable to the rumen environment

Single-cell-resolved interspecies comparison shows a shared inflammatory axis and a dominant neutrophil-endothelial program in severe COVID-19

A key issue for research on COVID-19 pathogenesis is the lack of biopsies from patients and of samples at the onset of infection. To overcome these hurdles, hamsters were shown to be useful models for studying this disease. Here, we further leverage the model to molecularly survey the disease progression from time-resolved single-cell RNA sequencing data collected from healthy and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected Syrian and Roborovski hamster lungs. We compare our data to human COVID-19 studies, including bronchoalveolar lavage, nasal swab, and postmortem lung tissue, and identify a shared axis of inflammation dominated by macrophages, neutrophils, and endothelial cells, which we show to be transient in Syrian and terminal in Roborovski hamsters. Our data suggest that, following SARS-CoV-2 infection, commitment to a type 1- or type 3-biased immunity determines moderate versus severe COVID-19 outcomes, respectively

Human alveolar progenitors generate dual lineage bronchioalveolar organoids

Mechanisms of epithelial renewal in the alveolar compartment remain incompletely understood. To this end, we aimed to characterize alveolar progenitors. Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of the HTII-280+/EpCAM+ population from adult human lung revealed subclusters enriched for adult stem cell signature (ASCS) genes. We found that alveolar progenitors in organoid culture in vitro show phenotypic lineage plasticity as they can yield alveolar or bronchial cell-type progeny. The direction of the differentiation is dependent on the presence of the GSK-3β inhibitor, CHIR99021. By RNA-seq profiling of GSK-3β knockdown organoids we identified additional candidate target genes of the inhibitor, among others FOXM1 and EGF. This gives evidence of Wnt pathway independent regulatory mechanisms of alveolar specification. Following influenza A virus (IAV) infection organoids showed a similar response as lung tissue explants which confirms their suitability for studies of sequelae of pathogen-host interaction

Beyond trees: Mapping total aboveground biomass density in the Brazilian savanna using high-density UAV-lidar data

Tropical savanna ecosystems play a major role in the seasonality of the global carbon cycle. However, their ability to store and sequester carbon is uncertain due to combined and intermingling effects of anthropogenic activities and climate change, which impact wildfire regimes and vegetation dynamics. Accurate measurements of tropical savanna vegetation aboveground biomass (AGB) over broad spatial scales are crucial to achieve effective carbon emission mitigation strategies. UAV-lidar is a new remote sensing technology that can enable rapid 3-D mapping of structure and related AGB in tropical savanna ecosystems. This study aimed to assess the capability of high-density UAV-lidar to estimate and map total (tree, shrubs, and surface layers) aboveground biomass density (AGBt) in the Brazilian Savanna (Cerrado). Five ordinary least square regression models esti-mating AGBt were adjusted using 50 field sample plots (30 m × 30 m). The best model was selected under Akaike Information Criterion, adjusted coefficient of determination (adj.R2), absolute and relative root mean square error (RMSE), and used to map AGBt from UAV-lidar data collected over 1,854 ha spanning the three major vegetation formations (forest, savanna, and grassland) in Cerrado. The model using vegetation height and cover was the most effective, with an overall model adj-R2 of 0.79 and a leave-one-out cross-validated RMSE of 19.11 Mg/ha (33.40%). The uncertainty and errors of our estimations were assessed for each vegetation formation separately, resulting in RMSEs of 27.08 Mg/ha (25.99%) for forests, 17.76 Mg/ha (43.96%) for savannas, and 7.72 Mg/ha (44.92%) for grasslands. These results prove the feasibility and potential of the UAV-lidar technology in Cerrado but also emphasize the need for further developing the estimation of biomass in grasslands, of high importance in the characterization of the global carbon balance and for supporting integrated fire management activities in tropical savanna ecosystems. Our results serve as a benchmark for future studies aiming to generate accurate biomass maps and provide baseline data for efficient management of fire and predicted climate change impacts on tropical savanna ecosystems