FEIRA DE CIÊNCIAS AGRÁRIAS DE MONTE CARMELO: RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA DE UM PROJETO DE EXTENSÃO UNIVERSITÁRIA COM ALUNOS DO ENSINO MÉDIO

O Ensino Médio é uma fase em que os estudantes lidam com as expectativas sobre o futuro e ingresso ao Ensino Superior. Assim, atividades extensionistas sobre o tema são importantes para auxiliá-los na escolha profissional. O objetivo deste trabalho foi relatar a realização da Feira de Ciências Agrárias de Monte Carmelo e apresentar seu impacto diante dos estudantes participantes. A Feira foi um evento de extensão que trouxe os estudantes do Ensino Médio para a universidade e promoveu palestras com temas relacionados à Educação Superior e aos cursos de Agronomia e Engenharia Florestal, visitas aos laboratórios e atividades práticas.  Ao final do evento, os participantes responderam um questionário sobre seu aprendizado e o quanto a Feira foi capaz de ajudá-los na escolha profissional. Os resultados mostraram que 43,5% dos estudantes participaram da Feira porque queriam adquirir conhecimentos sobre Ciências Agrárias, pois pretendiam seguir uma carreira desta área de conhecimento. Além disso, 58% dos alunos disseram que nunca participaram de evento semelhante devido à falta de oferta desse tipo de atividade. Além disso, 93% dos participantes consideraram que a Feira os ajudou na decisão da escolha profissional. Por fim, cerca de 70% deles se interessaram em fazer Agronomia, enquanto 17% afirmaram que fariam Engenharia Florestal. A realização de atividades extensionistas como esta proporciona uma aproximação entre a universidade e a comunidade escolar, permitindo que as instituições divulguem conhecimento acadêmico e busquem despertar nos jovens a vontade de ingressar no Ensino Superior. Palavras-chave: Atividade Extensionista, Relação Instituição-Comunidade, Escolha Profissional   Monte Carmelo Agrarian Sciences Fair: experience report on a university extension project with high school students Abstract: High School is a period in which students deal with their expectations concerning the future, and the university entrance. Thus, extension activities on the subject are important for their career selection process. This paper aimed at reporting Monte Carmelo Agricultural Sciences Fair and its impact on the participants. The Fair was an extension event that brought high school students to the university and promoted lectures on themes related to Higher Education, Agronomy and Forest Engineering courses, laboratory tours and practical activities. At the end of the event, the participants answered a questionnaire on what they had learned, and how helpful the Fair was in their career selection process. According to the results, 43.5% of the students took part in the event in order to acquire knowledge on Agrarian Sciences, due to their future plans to pursue this career. In addition, 58% of the students claimed they had never participated in a similar event due to the lack of offer of this type of activity. Moreover, 93% of the participants claimed that the Fair was helpful in the career selection process. Finally, approximately 70% of them developed an interest in studying Agronomy, while 17% said they would study Forest Engineering. The fulfillment of such activities brings the University and the school community together, allowing the institutions to disseminate academic knowledge, and to attempt to arouse in the youngsters the desire to pursue Higher Education. Keywords: Extension Activity, Institution-Community Relation, Career Selection   Feria de Ciencias Agrarias de Monte Carmelo: relato de experiencia de un proyecto de extensión universitaria con alumnos de la escuela secundaria Resumen: La Escuela Secundaria es una fase en la que los estudiantes tratan con expectativas sobre el futuro y acceso a la Enseñanza Superior. Así actividades extensionistas sobre el tema son importantes para ayudarlos en la elección profesional. El objetivo de este trabajo fue detallar la realización de la Feria de Ciencias Agrarias de Monte Carmelo y presentar su impacto ante los estudiantes. La Feria fue un evento de extensión que trajo los estudiantes de la Escuela Secundaria hacia la universidad y promovió conferencias con temas relacionados a los cursos de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, visitas a los laboratorios y actividades prácticas.  Al final del evento, los participantes respondieron un cuestionario sobre su aprendizaje y a respecto de cómo la Feria fue capaz de ayudarlos a elegir su profesión. Los resultados mostraron que 43,5% de los estudiantes participaron de la Feria porque querían adquirir conocimientos sobre Ciencias Agrarias. Además, 58% de los alumnos dijeron que nunca habían participado en evento similar debido a la falta de oferta de ese tipo de actividad. Otro dato mostró que 93% consideraron que la Feria los ayudó a tomar uma decisión al elegir su profesión. Por último, aproximadamente 70% de ellos se interesaron por la carrera de Agronomía, mientras que 17% afirmaron que estudiarían Ingeniería Forestal. La realización de actividades como esta proporciona una aproximación entre la Universidad y la comunidad escolar, permitiendo que las instituciones divulguen conocimiento académico y busquen despertar en los jóvenes el deseo de entrar en la Universidad. Palabras-clave: Actividades Extensionistas, Relación Institución-Comunidad, Elección Profesiona

Perfil epidemiológico dos acidentes ofí­dicos na cidade de Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais, Brasil (2007-2021)

As pesquisas epidemiológicas sobre os acidentes ofí­dicos são importantes para a Saúde Pública. Devido à carência de estudos sobre o ofidismo no municí­pio de Ituiutaba, Estado de Minas Gerais- Brasil, o presente trabalho descreve as caracterí­sticas epidemiológicas dos acidentes ofí­dicos notificados no municí­pio no perí­odo de 2007 a 2021. As informações foram obtidas do banco de dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN). De acordo com nosso estudo, foram registrados 244 casos de acidentes por serpentes peçonhentas na cidade de Ituiutaba no perí­odo analisado, sendo 82% deles ocasionados pelo gênero Bothrops, seguido de Crotalus (16%) e Micrurus (2%). Quanto a gravidade, foram notificados 115 (47,1%) e 107 (44%) casos de acidentes ofí­dicos classificados como leves e moderados, respectivamente, com 232 (99%) casos evoluí­dos para cura e uma taxa de letalidade de 1,0%. Ainda, os dados sobre o intervalo de tempo entre o acidente e atendimento médico mostraram que 208 casos (85,5%) tiveram o atendimento médico nas primeiras três horas após a picada. O presente trabalho é um precursor na caracterização do perfil epidemiológico dos acidentes ofí­dicos no municí­pio de Ituiutaba-MG e apresenta dados importantes que podem fomentar ações de vigilância em saúde e de orientação dos profissionais de saúde da região, possibilitar ações educativas para a população em geral e contribuir para a distribuição racional dos soros antiofí­dicos no municí­pio

Comparative analysis of local effects caused by Bothrops alternatus and Bothrops moojeni snake venoms: enzymatic contributions and inflammatory modulations

Bothropic envenomation is characterised by severe local damage caused by the toxic action of venom components and aggravated by induced inflammation. In this comparative study, the local inflammatory effects caused by the venoms of B. alternatus and B. moojeni, two snakes of epidemiological importance in Brazil, were investigated. The toxic action of venom components induced by bothropic venom was also characterised. Herein, the oedema, hyperalgesia and myotoxicity induced by bothropic venom were monitored for various lengths of time after venom injection in experimental animals. The intensity of the local effects caused by B. alternatus venom is relatively smaller than B. moojeni venom. Furthermore, the inflammatory reaction induced by B. moojeni venom is mediated by eicosanoid action, histamine and nitric oxide, with significant participation of bradykinin on the hyperalgesic and myotoxic effects of this venom. These mediators also contribute to inflammation caused by B. alternatus venom. However, the inefficient anti-inflammatory effects of some local modulation suggest that histamine, leukotrienes and nitric oxide have little role in the oedema or myonecrosis caused by B. alternatus venom. Our results indicate that metalloproteases and phospholipases A2 have a central role in the inflammatory reaction induced by bothropic venoms, but serine proteases also contribute to the local effects of B. moojeni venom.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorDoutor em Genética e BioquímicaO envenenamento botrópico é caracterizado por graves danos locais, desencadeados pela toxicidade dos componentes da peçonha e agravados pela consequente inflamação induzida. Apesar da baixa letalidade, as patologias decorrentes deste acidente ofídico são consideradas relevantes problemas de saúde pública, podendo levar a alterações físicas permanentes e incapacitantes nas vítimas. Por isso, este trabalho avaliou os efeitos inflamatórios locais causados por várias toxinas botrópicas. O edema, a hiperalgesia e a mionecrose foram avaliados pela injeção intraplantar ou intramuscular de 50 μg de diferentes proteínas e peçonhas de origem botrópica na pata de animais experimentais. Para verificar a contribuição dos diferentes componentes da peçonha nestes efeitos, a ação de proteínas isoladas foi comparada à da correspondente peçonha botrópica. A caracterização farmacológica da reação inflamatória induzida por algumas toxinas também foi avaliada. Com relação às toxinas avaliadas, as metaloproteases da classe P-I foram as que induziram efeitos edematogênico e hiperalgésico mais significativos. A ação inflamatória dessas proteínas é mediada, principalmente, por eicosanoides e histamina. As metaloproteases também contribuem para o efeito miotóxico das peçonhas de B. alternatus, B.moojeni, B. leucurus e B. pauloensis. A mionecrose induzida por essas peçonhas apresenta alterações histológicas similares, caracterizadas pela intensa degeneração das fibras musculares, focos hemorrágicos em algumas regiões do tecido e presença de infiltrado inflamatório. Assim, como as metaloproteases, as serinoproteases e as fosfolipases A2 também participam do efeito miotóxico induzidos pelas peçonhas botrópicas de origem. Nossos resultados indicam a efetiva contribuição das metaloproteases na indução de edema, hiperalgesia ou mionecrose e a relativa participação de serinoproteases e fosfolipases A2 na reação inflamatória local das peçonhas botrópicas

Caracterização bioquímica e funcional de uma metaloprotease isolada da peçonha da serpente Bothrops moojeni

CHAPTER II: Bothrops snake venoms contain proteins that contribute to the local and systemic effects seen after envenoming, such as edema, myonecrosis, coagulation disorders and hemorrhage. These effects can be triggered by the toxic action of metalloproteinases present in the bothropic venom. This study aimed to perform the purification, biochemical and functional characterization of a metalloproteinase called Moozincin, from Bothrops moojeni snake venom. Moozincin has approximate molecular mass of 28 kDa, displays relevant fibrinogenolytic activity and can be classified as a non-hemorrhagic fibrinogenolytic metalloprotease, in the class P-I. Moozincin was also able to induce edema, myonecrosis and hyperalgesia in experimental animals. Morphological analysis of the evolution of muscle injury revealed the occurrence of degenerative events and leukocyte infiltration already at three hours after application of Moozincin. These effects dominate until 48 hours after administration of the metalloprotease, when hemorrhagic effect was also demonstrated later in skeletal muscle, probably triggered by the action characteristic of metalloproteinases on vascular components and / or indirect action resulting from muscle injury.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorMestre em Genética e BioquímicaCAPÍTULO II: As peçonhas de serpentes do gênero Bothrops contêm toxinas que contribuem com efeitos locais e sistêmicos vistos no envenenamento, como edema, mionecrose, distúrbios de coagulação e hemorragia. Grande parte desses efeitos pode ser desencadeada pela ação tóxica de metaloproteases presentes na peçonha botrópica. Este trabalho teve o objetivo de realizar a purificação e caracterização bioquímica e funcional de uma metaloprotease, denominada Moozincina, presente na peçonha da serpente Bothrops moojeni. A Moozincina tem massa molecular aproximada de 28 kDa e apresenta atividade fibrinogenolítica relevante, podendo ser classificada como uma metaloprotease fibrinogenolítica não-hemorrágica, pertencente à classe P-I. A Moozincina também foi capaz de induzir edema, hiperalgesia e mionecrose em animais experimentais. A análise morfológica da evolução da lesão muscular evidenciou a ocorrência de eventos degenerativos e infiltrado leucocitário já na terceira hora após a aplicação da toxina (Moozincina). Esses efeitos predominam até 48 horas após a administração da metaloprotease, quando também foi evidenciado efeito hemorrágico tardio no músculo esquelético, provavelmente desencadeado pela ação característica de metaloproteases sobre componentes vasculares e/ou por ação indireta decorrente da lesão muscular. CAPÍTULO III: Moozincina é uma metaloprotease recentemente isolada da peçonha da serpente Bothrops moojeni. No presente trabalho foi realizada a caracterização farmacológica de efeitos inflamatórios induzidos pela Moozincina. A aplicação intraplantar da Moozincina (5, 25 and 50 μg/pata) induziu edema e hiperalgesia na pata de ratos. Os efeitos edematogênico e hiperalgésico máximos foram observados 3 e 4 horas após a injeção da toxina, respectivamente. Alguns fármacos como dexametasona (2,5 mg/kg) e indometacina (8,0 mg/kg) reduziram significantemente o edema e a hiperalgesia, já a prometazina (15 mg/kg) e o ácido nordiidroguaiarético (100 mg/kg) reduziram apenas o efeito edematogênico, enquanto HOE-140 (10 μg/pata) e NG-monometil-I-arginina (100 μg/pata) reduziu apenas a hiperalgesia. Esses resultados demonstram a participação de metabólitos de ácido araquidônico em ambos os efeitos inflamatórios induzidos pela Moozincina. Além disso, a ativação de receptores H1 de histamina está especificamente relacionada ao edema e a ação de bradicinina e de óxido nítrico à hiperalgesia

A New Platelet-Aggregation-Inhibiting Factor Isolated from Bothrops moojeni Snake Venom

This work reports the purification and functional characterization of BmooPAi, a platelet-aggregation-inhibiting factor from Bothrops moojeni snake venom. The toxin was purified by a combination of three chromatographic steps (ion-exchange on DEAE-Sephacel, molecular exclusion on Sephadex G-75, and affinity chromatography on HiTrap™ Heparin HP). BmooPAi was found to be a single-chain protein with an apparent molecular mass of 32 kDa on 14% SDS-PAGE, under reducing conditions. Sequencing of BmooPAi by Edman degradation revealed the amino acid sequence LGPDIVPPNELLEVM. The toxin was devoid of proteolytic, haemorrhagic, defibrinating, or coagulant activities and induced no significant oedema or hyperalgesia. BmooPAi showed a rather specific inhibitory effect on ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation in human platelet-rich plasma, whereas it had little or no effect on platelet aggregation induced by collagen and adenosine diphosphate. The results presented in this work suggest that BmooPAi is a toxin comprised of disintegrin-like and cysteine-rich domains, originating from autolysis/proteolysis of PIII SVMPs from B. moojeni snake venom. This toxin may be of medical interest because it is a platelet aggregation inhibitor, which could potentially be developed as a novel therapeutic agent to prevent and/or treat patients with thrombotic disorders

BaltDC: purification, characterization and infrared spectroscopy of an antiplatelet DC protein isolated from Bothrops alternatus snake venom

Abstract Background Snake venoms are a complex mixture of proteins, organic and inorganic compounds. Some of these proteins, enzymatic or non-enzymatic ones, are able to interact with platelet receptors, causing hemostatic disorders. The possible therapeutic potential of toxins with antiplatelet properties may arouse interest in the pharmacological areas. The present study aimed to purify and characterize an antiplatelet DC protein from Bothrops alternatus snake venom. Methods The protein, called BaltDC (DC protein from B. alternatus snake venom), was purified by a combination of ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel column and gel filtration on Sephadex G-75. The molecular mass was estimated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE). The amino acid sequence of the N-terminal region was carried out by Edman degradation method. Platelet aggregation assays were performed in human platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Infrared (IR) spectroscopy was used in order to elucidate the interactions between BaltDC and platelet membrane. Results BaltDC ran as a single protein band on SDS-PAGE and showed apparent molecular mass of 32 kDa under reducing or non-reducing conditions. The N-terminal region of the purified protein revealed the amino acid sequence IISPPVCGNELLEVGEECDCGTPENCQNECCDA, which showed identity with other snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs). BaltDC was devoid of proteolytic, hemorrhagic, defibrinating or coagulant activities, but it showed a specific inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation induced by ristocetin and epinephrine in PRP. IR analysis spectra strongly suggests that PO3 2− groups, present in BaltDC, form hydrogen bonds with the PO2 − groups present in the non-lipid portion of the membrane platelets. Conclusions BaltDC may be of medical interest since it was able to inhibit platelet aggregation

BaltDC: purification, characterization and infrared spectroscopy of an antiplatelet DC protein isolated from Bothrops alternatus snake venom

<div><p>Abstract Background: Snake venoms are a complex mixture of proteins, organic and inorganic compounds. Some of these proteins, enzymatic or non-enzymatic ones, are able to interact with platelet receptors, causing hemostatic disorders. The possible therapeutic potential of toxins with antiplatelet properties may arouse interest in the pharmacological areas. The present study aimed to purify and characterize an antiplatelet DC protein from Bothrops alternatus snake venom. Methods: The protein, called BaltDC (DC protein from B. alternatus snake venom), was purified by a combination of ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel column and gel filtration on Sephadex G-75. The molecular mass was estimated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE). The amino acid sequence of the N-terminal region was carried out by Edman degradation method. Platelet aggregation assays were performed in human platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Infrared (IR) spectroscopy was used in order to elucidate the interactions between BaltDC and platelet membrane. Results: BaltDC ran as a single protein band on SDS-PAGE and showed apparent molecular mass of 32 kDa under reducing or non-reducing conditions. The N-terminal region of the purified protein revealed the amino acid sequence IISPPVCGNELLEVGEECDCGTPENCQNECCDA, which showed identity with other snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs). BaltDC was devoid of proteolytic, hemorrhagic, defibrinating or coagulant activities, but it showed a specific inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation induced by ristocetin and epinephrine in PRP. IR analysis spectra strongly suggests that PO 3 2 − groups, present in BaltDC, form hydrogen bonds with the PO 2 − groups present in the non-lipid portion of the membrane platelets. Conclusions: BaltDC may be of medical interest since it was able to inhibit platelet aggregation.</p></div

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora