Polyphenol extraction optimisation from Ceylon gooseberry (Dovyalis hebecarpa) pulp

AbstractOriginally from Asia, Dovyalis hebecarpa is a dark purple/red exotic berry now also produced in Brazil. However, no reports were found in the literature about phenolic extraction or characterisation of this berry. In this study we evaluate the extraction optimisation of anthocyanins and total phenolics in D. hebecarpa berries aiming at the development of a simple and mild analytical technique. Multivariate analysis was used to optimise the extraction variables (ethanol:water:acetone solvent proportions, times, and acid concentrations) at different levels. Acetone/water (20/80 v/v) gave the highest anthocyanin extraction yield, but pure water and different proportions of acetone/water or acetone/ethanol/water (with >50% of water) were also effective. Neither acid concentration nor time had a significant effect on extraction efficiency allowing to fix the recommended parameters at the lowest values tested (0.35% formic acid v/v, and 17.6min). Under optimised conditions, extraction efficiencies were increased by 31.5% and 11% for anthocyanin and total phenolics, respectively as compared to traditional methods that use more solvent and time. Thus, the optimised methodology increased yields being less hazardous and time consuming than traditional methods. Finally, freeze-dried D. hebecarpa showed high content of target phytochemicals (319mg/100g and 1421mg/100g of total anthocyanin and total phenolic content, respectively)

Proposal of a virtual collaborative news environment: an interdisciplinary study

The main objective of this work is to demonstrate the advances made by the CATI research group with regard to the proposal to create a virtual collaborative news environment (AVNC) , to be initially implemented at the Northern Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro State University(UENF) through the Postgraduate Program in Cognition and Language. This interdisciplinary environment involves concepts from the area of communication, administration and information technology and seeks to meet the demands of generation, storage, retrieval, processing and transmission of information in this digital age. The AVNC involves three research fronts: rethinking the logic of news production, structuring a platform that is collaborative and defining what a business and management model should be that can give sustainability to this environment. In today\u27s world, it is important to consider the reader\u27s increasingly active participation in journalism, through information and communication technologies, thanks to the social changes that come with them. In times of cyberspace and cyberculture, it is necessary to rethink the dynamics of journalistic production. For this, authors like Pierre Lévy, Lúcia Santaella, Henry Jenkins, Caio Túlio Costa, among others were searched. In an era in which forms of collaborative ownership prevail, the platform being considered in this research follows the 3C collaboration model, according to Michalsky, Mamani, and Gerosa. A global platform where individuals interact, communicate, collaborate and gather information requires a business model and management that assists in managing the collaborative virtual news environment. For this, we used authors such as Alex Osterwalder, Eric Flamholtz, Siqueira and Crispim, Campos, among others. With this, an increasingly intelligent and collaborative environment is expected, with the active participation of all the agents involved. That is, what is proposed is the total interaction of the Internet user-reader

The activation of α1-adrenoceptors is implicated in the antidepressant-like effect of creatine in the tail suspension test

AbstractThe antidepressant-like activity of creatine in the tail suspension test (TST) was demonstrated previously by our group. In this study we investigated the involvement of the noradrenergic system in the antidepressant-like effect of creatine in the mouse TST. In the first set of experiments, creatine administered by i.c.v. route (1μg/site) decreased the immobility time in the TST, suggesting the central effect of this compound. The anti-immobility effect of peripheral administration of creatine (1mg/kg, p.o.) was prevented by the pretreatment of mice with α-methyl-p-tyrosine (100mg/kg, i.p., inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase), prazosin (1mg/kg, i.p., α1-adrenoceptor antagonist), but not by yohimbine (1mg/kg, i.p., α2-adrenoceptor antagonist). Creatine (0.01mg/kg, subeffective dose) in combination with subeffective doses of amitriptyline (1mg/kg, p.o., tricyclic antidepressant), imipramine (0.1mg/kg, p.o., tricyclic antidepressant), reboxetine (2mg/kg, p.o., selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor) or phenylephrine (0.4μg/site, i.c.v., α1-adrenoceptor agonist) reduced the immobility time in the TST as compared with either drug alone. These results indicate that the antidepressant-like effect of creatine is likely mediated by an activation of α1-adrenoceptor and that creatine produces synergistic effects in the TST with antidepressants that modulate noradrenaline transporter, suggesting that an improvement in the response to the antidepressant therapy may occur when creatine is combined with these antidepressants. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of creatine (0.01mg/kg, p.o.) and reboxetine (2mg/kg, p.o.) combination was abolished by the α1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin, indicating that the antidepressant-like effect of combined therapy is likely mediated by an activation of α1-adrenoceptor

Discovery of MDM2-p53 and MDM4-p53 protein-protein interactions small molecule dual inhibitors

MDM2 and MDM4 are key negative regulators of p53, an important protein involved in several cell processes (e. g. cell cycle and apoptosis). Not surprisingly, the p53 tumor suppressor function is inactivated in tumors over -expressing these two proteins. Therefore, both MDM2 and MDM4 are considered important therapeutic targets for an effective reactivation of the p53 function. Herein, we present our studies on the development of spi-ropyrazoline oxindole small molecules able to inhibit MDM2/4-p53 protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Twenty-seven potential spiropyrazoline oxindole dual inhibitors were prepared based on in silico structural optimization studies of a hit compound with MDM2 and MDM4 proteins. The antiproliferative activity of the target com-pounds was evaluated in cancer cell lines harboring wild-type p53 and overexpressing MDM2 and/or MDM4. The most active compounds in SJSA-1 cells, 2q and 3b, induce cell death via apoptosis and control cell growth by targeting the G0/G1 cell cycle checkpoint in a concentration-dependent manner. The ability of the five most active spiropyrazoline oxindoles in dissociating p53 from MDM2 and MDM4 was analyzed by an immu-noenzymatic assay. Three compounds inhibited MDM2/4-p53 PPIs with IC50 values in the nM range, while one compound inhibited more selectively the MDM2-p53 PPI over the MDM4-p53 PPI. Collectively, these results show: i) 3b may serve as a valuable lead for obtaining selective MDM2-p53 PPI inhibitors and more efficient anti-osteosarcoma agents; ii) 2a, 2q and 3f may serve as valuable leads for obtaining dual MDM2/4 inhibitors and more effective p53 activators

Avian influenza virus (H11N9) in migratory shorebirds wintering in the Amazon region, Brazil

Aquatic birds are the natural reservoir for avian influenza viruses (AIV). Habitats in Brazil provide stopover and wintering sites for water birds that migrate between North and South America. The current study was conducted to elucidate the possibility of the transport of influenza A viruses by birds that migrate annually between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In total, 556 orotracheal/cloacal swab samples were collected for influenza A virus screening using real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR). The influenza A virus-positive samples were subjected to viral isolation. Four samples were positive for the influenza A matrix gene by rRT-PCR. From these samples, three viruses were isolated, sequenced and characterized. All positive samples originated from a single bird species, the ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres), that was caught in the Amazon region at Caeté Bay, Northeast Pará, at Ilha de Canelas. To our knowledge, this is the first isolation of H11N9 in the ruddy turnstone in South America. (Résumé d'auteur

Growth parameters of pepper seedlings at sowing on different substrates

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o uso de diferentes substratos nos parâmetros de crescimento de plântulas de pimentão. Substratos estes oriundos de resíduo de pós-cultivo de cogumelo comestível, tais como: Agaricus sp. (Champignon) e Pleurotus sp. (Shimeji). As sementes de pimentão foram adquiridas da cultivar Dahra RX, do mesmo lote que foram semeadas em bandejas de 128 células previamente preenchidas com os substratos, avaliando as plantas aos 24 e 31 dias, provenientes do cultivo em diferentes substratos (T1: 100% substrato comercial; T2: 100% Pleurotus sp.; T3: 75% Pleurotus sp.+ 25% de solo; T4: 50% Pleurotus sp.+ 50% de solo; T5: 100% Agaricus sp.; T6: 75% de Agaricus sp.+ 25% de solo; T7: 50% de Agaricus sp. + 50 % de solo e T8: 100% de solo). Foram avaliados os parâmetros de crescimento como: área foliar; taxa de crescimento relativo; taxa de crescimento absoluto; taxa de crescimento relativo foliar; taxa de crescimento absoluto foliar; taxa de assimilação líquida; razão área foliar; taxa de crescimento da cultura e índice de área foliar. Conclui-se que a associação do substrato com a presença do cogumelo Agaricus sp. promoveu o maior desenvolvimento na cultura do pimentão em bandeja, em relação ao substrato comercial utilizado. Os parâmetros de crescimento área foliar; taxa de crescimento absoluto; taxa de crescimento relativo e absoluto foliar; taxa de crescimento da cultura e índice de área foliar, variaram de acordo com os substratos analisados, relacionado com o crescimento das mudas segundo as respostas fisiológicas as condições de cultivo.This study aimed to evaluate the use of different substrates on the parameters of growth of pepper seedling. Spent mushroom substrate- SMS- derived from Agaricus sp. (Champignon) and Pleurotus sp. (Shimeji). It were bought pepper seeds of Dahra RX cultivar of the same lot. Seeds were sown in trays prefilled with substrates and with 128 cells, evaluating the seedling at 24 and 31 days from sowing on different substrates (T1: 100 % commercial substrate, T2: 100% Pleurotus sp.; T3: 75% Pleurotus sp. + 25% soil, T4: 50% Pleurotus sp. + 50% soil, T5: 100% Agaricus sp.; T6: 75% Agaricus sp. + 25% soil, T7: 50% Agaricus sp. + 50% soil and, T8: 100% soil). The growth parameters such as leaf area; relative growth rate; absolute growth rate; leaf relative growth rate; leaf absolute growth rate; liquid assimilation rate; leaf area ratio; the growth rate of the culture, and leaf area index were evaluated. We conclude that the substrate combined with the SMS derived from Agaricus sp. promoted greatest development in pepper seedlings in the tray when compared with commercial substrate. The growth parameters leaf area; absolute growth rate; relative growth rate and leaf growth absolute; the growth rate of the crop, and leaf area index varied according to the analyzed substrates being connected with the growth of seedlings under the physiological responses growing conditions.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Growth parameters of pepper seedlings at sowing on different substrates

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o uso de diferentes substratos nos parâmetros de crescimento de plântulas de pimentão. Substratos estes oriundos de resíduo de pós-cultivo de cogumelo comestível, tais como: Agaricus sp. (Champignon) e Pleurotus sp. (Shimeji). As sementes de pimentão foram adquiridas da cultivar Dahra RX, do mesmo lote que foram semeadas em bandejas de 128 células previamente preenchidas com os substratos, avaliando as plantas aos 24 e 31 dias, provenientes do cultivo em diferentes substratos (T1: 100% substrato comercial; T2: 100% Pleurotus sp.; T3: 75% Pleurotus sp.+ 25% de solo; T4: 50% Pleurotus sp.+ 50% de solo; T5: 100% Agaricus sp.; T6: 75% de Agaricus sp.+ 25% de solo; T7: 50% de Agaricus sp. + 50 % de solo e T8: 100% de solo). Foram avaliados os parâmetros de crescimento como: área foliar; taxa de crescimento relativo; taxa de crescimento absoluto; taxa de crescimento relativo foliar; taxa de crescimento absoluto foliar; taxa de assimilação líquida; razão área foliar; taxa de crescimento da cultura e índice de área foliar. Conclui-se que a associação do substrato com a presença do cogumelo Agaricus sp. promoveu o maior desenvolvimento na cultura do pimentão em bandeja, em relação ao substrato comercial utilizado. Os parâmetros de crescimento área foliar; taxa de crescimento absoluto; taxa de crescimento relativo e absoluto foliar; taxa de crescimento da cultura e índice de área foliar, variaram de acordo com os substratos analisados, relacionado com o crescimento das mudas segundo as respostas fisiológicas as condições de cultivo.This study aimed to evaluate the use of different substrates on the parameters of growth of pepper seedling. Spent mushroom substrate- SMS- derived from Agaricus sp. (Champignon) and Pleurotus sp. (Shimeji). It were bought pepper seeds of Dahra RX cultivar of the same lot. Seeds were sown in trays prefilled with substrates and with 128 cells, evaluating the seedling at 24 and 31 days from sowing on different substrates (T1: 100 % commercial substrate, T2: 100% Pleurotus sp.; T3: 75% Pleurotus sp. + 25% soil, T4: 50% Pleurotus sp. + 50% soil, T5: 100% Agaricus sp.; T6: 75% Agaricus sp. + 25% soil, T7: 50% Agaricus sp. + 50% soil and, T8: 100% soil). The growth parameters such as leaf area; relative growth rate; absolute growth rate; leaf relative growth rate; leaf absolute growth rate; liquid assimilation rate; leaf area ratio; the growth rate of the culture, and leaf area index were evaluated. We conclude that the substrate combined with the SMS derived from Agaricus sp. promoted greatest development in pepper seedlings in the tray when compared with commercial substrate. The growth parameters leaf area; absolute growth rate; relative growth rate and leaf growth absolute; the growth rate of the crop, and leaf area index varied according to the analyzed substrates being connected with the growth of seedlings under the physiological responses growing conditions.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Biological characteristics of Trichospilus diatraeae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) are influenced by the number of females exposed per pupa of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

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