REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND VARIATIONS IN THE GONADAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE FISH CURIMATÃ (Prochilodus brevis STEINDACHNER, 1875) IN CAPTIVITY

Este estudo analisou a biologia reprodutiva de Prochilodus brevis mantida em cativeiro durante o desenvolvimento ontogenético, a fim de contribuir com a conservação e o aprimoramento da reprodução induzida dessa espécie, a qual destaca-se por ter valor comercial atribuído ao consumo de sua “ova” e por ser endêmica da região Nordeste. A amostragem foi quinzenal, sendo analisados 137 exemplares. Observações macroscópicas e microscópicas das gônadas permitiu a identificação de quatro estágios de maturação gonadal: Imaturo, Em Maturação, Maduro e Regressão. A idade de maturação foi prevista com grau satisfatório de confiança, pois o desenvolvimento gonadal foi observado de alevinos até peixes na idade adulta. A eclosão dos alevinos foi acompanhada na Estação de Pesca Estevão de Oliveira, em Caicó/RN/Brasil. Posteriormente, os alevinos foram transferidos para um tanque na Escola Agrícola de Jundiaí, em Macaíba/RN/Brasil. Foram verificados machos e fêmeas juvenis até 225 dias após a eclosão (dae), em início de maturação com 247 dae, indivíduos com gônadas maduras a partir de 274 dae e em regressão a partir de 359 dae para fêmeas e 410 dae para machos, sendo corroborado pela curva de maturação com base nos valores do Índice Gônadossomático. Assim, observou-se que, mesmo em cativeiro, P. brevis atinge todos os estágios de maturação gonadal, com exceção da desova, devido ausência de condições ambientais adequadas, visto ser uma espécie reofílica. Portanto, constatou-se que a maturação gonadal de P. brevis ocorre entre 247 e 340 dae, correspondente ao período de outubro a janeiro, semelhante ao ambiente natural. Palavras-chave: Prochilodus, ontogenia gonadal, histologia gonadal, índice gonadossomático, aquicultura. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18561/2179-5746/biotaamazonia.v5n2p65-7

Experiência de desenvolvimento e uso de uma ferramenta digital para o ensino das Ciências Morfológicas

As estratégias de ensino que utilizam recursos digitais apontam como forma complementar no ensino-aprendizagem, favorecendo a auto-instrução e o protagonismo do aluno em sua trajetória formativa. Alunos de graduação, sob orientação docente, elaboraram material didático (atlas de histologia e conteúdo interdisciplinar entre fundamentos biológicos e prática clínica) e disponibilizaram em um blog de morfologia. O trabalho foi avaliado por alunos que acessam o blog e por alunos que o construíram. A pesquisa utilizou questionário semi-estruturado e aponta consulta crescente ao blog justificado pelos usuários como modo complementar de estudo e por permitir acesso em ambientes externos à universidade. A interação fundamentos biológicos / prática clínica permite articulação de saberes e começa a despertar interesses nos estudantes, mas requer maior abordagem docente. Quanto aos alunos participantes da construção do blog, os resultados apontam para o reconhecimento da importância das atividades de pesquisa, ensino e extensão como forma de construção do saber

Caderno de histologia: texto e atlas

Esta obra é mérito do trabalho conjunto de professores e monitores da disciplina Histologia, do Departamento de Morfologia da UFRN, e surge como um recurso didático com o objetivo de enriquecer o estudo prático do aluno durante as aulas de Histologia e nos momentos extraclasse, servindo como um guia para orientar e direcionar os fundamentos teóricos aplicados às atividades práticas

Turnera subulata Anti-Inflammatory Properties in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages

In South America, particularly in the Northeastern regions of Brazil, Turnera subulata leaf extract is used as an alternative traditional medicine approach for several types of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic pain, and general inflammation. Despite its widespread use, little is known about the medicinal properties of the plants of this genus. In this study, we evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory of T. subulata leaf extract in an in vitro model of inflammation, using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW-264.7 macrophage cell line. We observed that cotreatment with T. subulata leaf extract was able to reduce the oxidative stress in cells due to inflammatory response. More importantly, we observed that the leaf extract was able to directly modulate inflammatory response by altering activity of members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. Our results demonstrate for the first time that T. subulata have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which warrant further investigation of the medicinal potential of this species.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140112/1/jmf.2016.0047.pd

Influence of sweeteners in the biodistribution of radiopharmaceutical and laboratory tests in rats

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation of sucralose and fructose on the metabolism of adolescent rats. Eighteen male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: control group (GC), fructose group (GF) treated with 50 mg/kg of fructose, and sucralose group (GS) receiving 50 mg/kg of sucralose for 24 days. The weight and feed intake were measured weekly. At the end of the experiment, some biochemical parameters, histopathology of the liver and biodistribution of the radiotracer 99mTc-sodium phytate in liver and blood were analyzed. The GF showed higher body weight only in the first week compared with GS and GC (p<0.05). Histopathology and % ATI/g radiotracer 99mTc-sodium phytate in liver and blood were not different between the groups. The GF showed higher values of aspartate aminotransferase activity, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase activity and gamma glutamyl transferase activity, compared with the other groups (GC and GS) (p<0.05). Activity of alanine aminotransferase and albumin level of GF were higher than GS (p<0.05). For other parameters, no statistical difference was observed. It was concluded that the use of fructose during the experiment was able to alter hepatic enzymes, but on the other hands, the use of sucralose caused no change.Keywords: Sucralose, fructose, adolescent rats, radiopharmaceutica

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Anacardium occidentale

In tropical America, principally in Northeastern Brazil, the leaf extract of Anacardium occidentale is traditionally used for treatment of different diseases. However, chemical and biological properties and activities of Anacardium occidentale are poorly investigated and known. Here, we evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities “in vitro” of leaf extract from Anacardium occidentale. Our results show that leaf extract exhibits antioxidant activity when used to treat RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Antioxidant effects were observed by decrease in oxidative damage in macrophage cells treated with 0.5 µg/mL and 5 µg/mL of leaf extract. Moreover, leaf extract reversed oxidative damage and inflammatory parameters induced in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Leaf extract at 0.5 µg/mL and 5 µg/mL was able to inhibit release of TNF-α and IL-1β in LPS-stimulated cells. Taken together, our results indicate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of leaf extract from Anacardium occidentale and reveal the positive effects that intake of these products can mediate in biological system

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Anacardium occidentale leaf extract

In tropical America, principally inNortheastern Brazil, the leaf extract of Anacardiumoccidentale is traditionally used for treatment of different diseases. However, chemical and biological properties and activities of Anacardium occidentale are poorly investigated and known. Here, we evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities “in vitro” of leaf extract from Anacardium occidentale. Our results show that leaf extract exhibits antioxidant activity when used to treat RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Antioxidant effects were observed by decrease in oxidative damage in macrophage cells treated with 0.5 g/mL and 5 g/mL of leaf extract.Moreover, leaf extract reversed oxidative damage and inflammatory parameters induced in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Leaf extract at 0.5 g/mL and 5 g/mL was able to inhibit release of TNF- and IL-1 in LPS-stimulated cells. Taken together, our results indicate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of leaf extract from Anacardium occidentale and reveal the positive effects that intake of these products can mediate in biological system

ACCESSIBLE TEACHING OF HUMAN MORPHOLOGY FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED: A SCOPING REVIEW

Anatomy, Embryology and Histology are areas of knowledge related to the Morphological Sciences, which are vital for the education of health and biological professionals. The college space should mitigate the problems in order to generate equity and guarantee education for all students. However, it is still observed that visually impaired people find the teaching and learning process challenging, since this science is closely linked to visual stimulation, such as images, atlases, microscopes, and others. It is necessary to introduce sensory and technological tools that help in the teaching practice and have applicability for the student, providing understanding, clarity and autonomy for their professional training

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Anacardium occidentale leaf extract

In tropical America, principally inNortheastern Brazil, the leaf extract of Anacardiumoccidentale is traditionally used for treatment of different diseases. However, chemical and biological properties and activities of Anacardium occidentale are poorly investigated and known. Here, we evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities “in vitro” of leaf extract from Anacardium occidentale. Our results show that leaf extract exhibits antioxidant activity when used to treat RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Antioxidant effects were observed by decrease in oxidative damage in macrophage cells treated with 0.5 g/mL and 5 g/mL of leaf extract.Moreover, leaf extract reversed oxidative damage and inflammatory parameters induced in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Leaf extract at 0.5 g/mL and 5 g/mL was able to inhibit release of TNF- and IL-1 in LPS-stimulated cells. Taken together, our results indicate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of leaf extract from Anacardium occidentale and reveal the positive effects that intake of these products can mediate in biological system

Gastroprotective and antielastase effect of protein inhibitors from Erythrina velutina seeds in an experimental ulcer model

Trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors from Erythrina velutina seeds have been previously isolated by our group. In previous studies using a sepsis model, we demonstrated the anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory action of these compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the gastroprotective and antielastase effect of protein inhibitors from Erythrina velutina seeds in an experimental stress induced ulcer model. Two protein isolates from E. velutina seeds, with antitrypsin (PIAT) and anti-chymotrypsin (PIAQ) activities were tested. Both protein isolates showed a high affinity and inhibitory effect against HNE, with 84% and 85% of inhibition, respectively. Gastric ulcer was induced using ethanol (99%) in six groups of animals (female Wistar rats, n = 6). Before ulcer induction, these animals received during 5 days one of the following: 1- PIAT (0.2 mg/kg), 2- PIAT (0.4 mg/kg), 3- PIAQ (0.035 mg/kg), 4- Ranitidine hydrochloride (50 mg/kg), 5- Saline solution (0.9%), 6- No intervention (Sham). Both PIAT and PIAQ protected gastric mucosa, preventing hemorrhagic lesions, edema and mucus loss. No histologic toxic effects of PIAT or PIAQ were seen in liver and pancreatic cells. Our results show that protein isolates from E. velutina seeds have potential gastroprotective effects, placing these compounds as natural candidates for gastric ulcer prevention.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author