Blended learning and gamification applied in Biochemistry teaching

One of the realities of teaching biochemistry is the density of contents and interdisciplinary complexity, aggravated by using a unique or overly expository approach. Given this, we evaluated the application of Blended learning with gamification, based on the Flipped Classroom (FC), to improve learning. The research was developed in the course of Biological Sciences/UFRN-Brazil and had a qualitative-quantitative approach, with monitoring of the students through a process of gamification, to encourage the engagement of the student. As a result, about 84% of the students reported increased interest in the courses and 94% stated that learning was better in the FC, which can be evidenced by the positive impact on the assessment notes. Also, it has been observed that the method contributes both to collaborative learning and to personalization of learning. Thus, the results provide data for a broad reflection on the effectiveness of this model for the Teaching of Biochemistry

Átomo world: em busca do núcleo sombrio, um jogo para ajudar os desafios da química / Atomo world: in search of the dark nucleus, a game to help chemistry challenges

A utilização de novas metodologias na abordagem de conteúdos da Química tem sido uma peça importante para melhorar o ensino dessa disciplina. Quando se trata dessa disciplina, é perceptível que os estudantes não conseguem aprender os conteúdos abordados no ambiente escolar por causa de metodologias tradicionais e fixas de ensino. Dessa forma, introduzindo o jogo como uma ferramenta lúdica de ensino, proporciona-se uma forma mais flexível de ensino, em que o aluno aprende de uma maneira mais divertida, sendo essa última a principal vantagem de se utilizar essa ferramenta lúdica pedagógica. Todavia, esse trabalho tem como objetivo principal a aplicação de um jogo lúdico intitulado de Átomo World: em busca do núcleo sombrio, aplicado a alunos do 9º ano do Ensino fundamental II e Ensino Médio. O jogo foi aplicado na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, com estudantes de Ciências Biológicas de diversos períodos. A execução do jogo mostrou-se interessante, pois foi verificado a interação entre os envolvidos, promovendo uma maior disseminação do conteúdo.

The crab heparin-like compound exhibits a strong inhibitory effect on infections by dengue virus-2

This study was supported by Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte.Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte - Campus Universitário. Department of Biochemistry. Natal, RN, Brazil.Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences. Natal, RN, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Virologia. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte - Campus Universitário. Department of Biochemistry. Natal, RN, Brazil.Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. Department of Clinical Analysis and Toxicology. Natal, RN, Brazil.Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte - Campus Universitário. Department of Biochemistry. Natal, RN, Brazil.Federal University of Campina Grande. Center of Education and Health. Cuité, PB, Brazil.Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte - Campus Universitário. Department of Biochemistry. Natal, RN, Brazil.Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), two-fifths of the world population is at risk of infection by DENV. There are no safe and effective vaccines estab-lished. Sulfated glycosaminoglycans such as heparin, used as anticoagulants, inhibit the initial step of dengue viral replication. Recently, an isolated heparin analogue Goniopsis cruentata (cCTH) has presented a low anticoagulant effect with reduced bleeding risk. Methods: The antiviral activity of cCTH and heparin compounds against DENV-2 in Vero cell culture was determined by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and titration. For this, four trials were carried out: treatment of the cells for 2 h before viral inoculation, concomitant viral inoculation treatment, treatment after viral inoculation and virucidal assay. Subsequently, the culture superna-tants were collected for periods of 24, 48 and 72 h. Results: Our results demonstrated that cCTH and heparin showed antiviral activity against DENV-2. Conclusion: These data suggest that both compounds prevented viral replication in cultured Vero cells

Chondroitin Sulfate from <i>Oreochromis niloticus</i> Waste Reduces Leukocyte Influx in an Acute Peritonitis Model

Oreochromis niloticus (tilapia) is one of the most cultivated fish species worldwide. Tilapia farming generates organic waste from fish removal processes in nurseries. Visceral waste can damage natural ecosystems. Therefore, the use of this material as a source of biomolecules helps reduce environmental impacts and improve pharmacological studies. Tilapia viscera were subjected to proteolysis and complexation with an ion-exchange resin. The obtained glycosaminoglycans were purified using ion exchange chromatography (DEAE-Sephacel). The electrophoretic profile and analysis of 1H/13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra allowed for the characterization of the compound as chondroitin sulfate and its sulfation position. This chondroitin was named CST. We tested the ability of CST to reduce leukocyte influx in acute peritonitis models induced by sodium thioglycolate and found a significant reduction in leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity, similar to the polymorphonuclear population of the three tested doses of CST. This study shows, for the first time, the potential of CST obtained from O. niloticus waste as an anti-inflammatory drug, thereby contributing to the expansion of the study of molecules with pharmacological functions

Neotropical freshwater fisheries : A dataset of occurrence and abundance of freshwater fishes in the Neotropics

The Neotropical region hosts 4225 freshwater fish species, ranking first among the world's most diverse regions for freshwater fishes. Our NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES data set is the first to produce a large-scale Neotropical freshwater fish inventory, covering the entire Neotropical region from Mexico and the Caribbean in the north to the southern limits in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. We compiled 185,787 distribution records, with unique georeferenced coordinates, for the 4225 species, represented by occurrence and abundance data. The number of species for the most numerous orders are as follows: Characiformes (1289), Siluriformes (1384), Cichliformes (354), Cyprinodontiformes (245), and Gymnotiformes (135). The most recorded species was the characid Astyanax fasciatus (4696 records). We registered 116,802 distribution records for native species, compared to 1802 distribution records for nonnative species. The main aim of the NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES data set was to make these occurrence and abundance data accessible for international researchers to develop ecological and macroecological studies, from local to regional scales, with focal fish species, families, or orders. We anticipate that the NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES data set will be valuable for studies on a wide range of ecological processes, such as trophic cascades, fishery pressure, the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation, and the impacts of species invasion and climate change. There are no copyright restrictions on the data, and please cite this data paper when using the data in publications