Chemical composition, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in rodents of the essential oil of Peperomia serpens (Sw.) Loud

AbstractEthnopharmacological relevancePeperomia serpens (Piperaceae), popularly known as “carrapatinho”, is an epiphyte herbaceous liana grown wild on different host trees in the Amazon rainforest. Its leaves are largely used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat inflammation, pain and asthma.Aim of the studyThis study investigated the effects of essential oil of Peperomia serpens (EOPs) in standard rodent models of pain and inflammation.Materials and methodsThe antinociceptive activity was evaluated using chemical (acetic acid and formalin) and thermal (hot plate) models of nociception in mice whereas the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan- and dextran-induced paw edema tests in rats croton oil-induced ear edema, as well as cell migration, rolling and adhesion induced by carrageenan in mice. Additionally, phytochemical analysis of the EOPs has been also performed.ResultsChemical composition of the EOPs was analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Twenty-four compounds, representing 89.6% of total oil, were identified. (E)-Nerolidol (38.0%), ledol (27.1%), α-humulene (11.5%), (E)-caryophyllene (4.0%) and α-eudesmol (2.7%) were found to be the major constituents of the oil. Oral pretreatment with EOPs (62.5–500mg/kg) significantly reduced the writhing number evoked by acetic acid injection, with an ED50 value of 188.8mg/kg that was used thereafter in all tests. EOPs had no significant effect on hot plate test but reduced the licking time in both phases of the formalin test, an effect that was not significantly altered by naloxone (0.4mg/kg, s.c.). EOPs inhibited the edema formation induced by carrageenan and dextran in rats. In mice, EOPs inhibited the edema formation by croton oil as well as the leukocyte and neutrophil migration, the rolling and the adhesion of leukocytes.ConclusionsThese data show for the first time that EOPs has a significant and peripheral antinociceptive effect that seems unrelated to interaction with the opioid system. EOPs also displays a significant anti-inflammatory effect in acute inflammation models. This effect seems to be related to components which inhibit the production of several inflammatory mediators. These results support the widespread use of Peperomia serpens in popular medicine to treat inflammation and pain

TENDÊNCIA DOS EFEITOS GENÉTICOS DIRETOS E MATERNOS DO PESO A DESMAMA DE BOVINOS DA RAÇA NELORE MOCHA NA REGIÃO PECUÁRIA CAMPO GRANDE E DOURADOS MATO GROSSO DO SUL

Dados relativos a 2891 observações de pesos de animais da raça Nelore Mocha, nascidos e criados na região pecuária Campo Grande - Dourados, no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, no período de 1975 a 1996, foram analisados com o objetivo de avaliar as mudanças genéticas aditivas diretas e maternas, dos pesos à desmama, padronizados para os 205 (P205) dias de idade. A tendência genética foi estimada pela regressão ponderada das médias anuais dos valores genéticos (aditivo e materno) sobre o ano de nascimento do animal. As estimativas dos componentes de (co) variância utilizadas para o cálculo dos valores genéticos, foram obtidas pelo método de máxima verossimilhança restrita livre de derivadas (REML), usando o aplicativo MTDFREML (sob modelo acima). No modelo foram incluídos os efeitos aleatórios aditivo direto e materno, além dos efeitos fixos de grupo de contemporâneos (fazenda, sexo, estação e ano de nascimento do animal) e a covariável idade da vaca ao parto (efeitos linear e quadrático). As tendências genéticas estimadas dos efeitos diretos e maternos foram 0,78 kg/ano e 0,35 kg/ano, respectivamente. A evolução do ganho genético oriundo do efeito aditivo direto foi de -0,51 a 2,14 kg/ano, resultando em uma amplitude de 0,1262 kg/ano, e a mesma medida da dispersão da tendência genética do efeito materno foi de -0,0611 kg/ano, conseqüente de uma de variação de 0,27 a -1,02 kg/ano no período estudado. Considerando a variabilidade genética existente nos rebanhos da região, os resultados observados estão bem aquém das mudanças possíveis. Tendency of the direct and maternal genetic effects on the weight at the weaning of Nelore bovines at the cattle raising region of Campo Grande and Dourados Abstract Data related to 2891 observations of weights of Nelore Polled breed, borned and servants in the region of Campo Grande - Dourados, in the state of South Mato Grosso, in the period from 1975 to 1996, were analyzed with the objective of evaluating the direct and maternal addictive genetic trends. The weights were standardized for the 205 (P205) days of age. The genetic trends were dear for the pondered regression of the annual averages of the genetic values (addictive and maternal) on the year of birth of the animal. The estimates of the components of (co) variance used for the calculation of the genetic values, were obtained by the method of maximum restricted verisimilitude free from having derived (REML), using the application MTDFREML (animal models) contends direct and maternal addictive aleatory effects, besides the fixed effects of contemporaries group (farm, sex, season and weight of the animal) and the co-variable age of the cow to the childbirth (lineal and quadratic). The esteemed genetic trends of the direct and maternal effects were 0,78 kg/ year and - 0,35 kg/year, respectively. The evolution of the genetic gain originating from of the direct addictive effect was from -0,51 to 2,14 kg/year, resulting in a width of 0,1262 kg/year, and the same measure of the dispersion of the genetic trends of the maternal effect was of -0,0611 kg/year, as a consequence from a variation of 0,27 to -1,02 kg/year in the period. Considering the existent genetic variability in the region, the observed results are bellow possible changes

Thimet oligopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.15) key functions suggested by knockout mice phenotype characterization

Thimet oligopeptidase (THOP1) is thought to be involved in neuropeptide metabolism, antigen presentation, neurodegeneration, and cancer. Herein, the generation of THOP1 C57BL/6 knockout mice (THOP1(-/-)) is described showing that they are viable, have estrus cycle, fertility, and a number of puppies per litter similar to C57BL/6 wild type mice (WT). In specific brain regions, THOP1(-/-) exhibit altered mRNA expression of proteasome beta5, serotonin 5HT2a receptor and dopamine D2 receptor, but not of neurolysin (NLN). Peptidomic analysis identifies differences in intracellular peptide ratios between THOP1(-/-) and WT mice, which may affect normal cellular functioning. In an experimental model of multiple sclerosis THOP1(-/-) mice present worse clinical behavior scores compared to WT mice, corroborating its possible involvement in neurodegenerative diseases. THOP1(-/-) mice also exhibit better survival and improved behavior in a sepsis model, but also a greater peripheral pain sensitivity measured in the hot plate test after bradykinin administration in the paw. THOP1(-/-) mice show depressive-like behavior, as well as attention and memory retention deficits. Altogether, these results reveal a role of THOP1 on specific behaviors, immune-stimulated neurodegeneration, and infection-induced inflammation

The receptor AT1 appears to be important for the maintenance of bone mass and AT2 receptor function in periodontal bone loss appears to be regulated by AT1 receptor

A large number of experimental studies has demonstrated that angiotensin II (Ang II) is involved in key events of the inflammatory process. This study aimed to evaluate the role of Ang II type 1 (AT1) and Ang II type 2 (AT2) receptors on periodontitis. Methods: Experimental periodontitis was induced by placing a 5.0 nylon thread ligature around the second upper left molar of AT1 mice, no-ligature or ligature (AT1-NL and AT1-L), AT2 (AT2-NL or AT2-L) and wild type (WT-NL or L). Alveolar bone loss was scanned using Micro-CT. Cytokines, peptides and enzymes were analyzed from gingival tissues by Elisa and RT-PCR. Results: The blockade of AT1 receptor resulted in bone loss, even in healthy animals. Ang II receptor blockades did not prevent linear bone loss. Ang II and Ang 1-7 levels were significantly increased in the AT2-L (p < 0.01) group compared to AT2-NL and AT1-L. The genic expression of the Mas receptor was significantly increased in WT-L and AT2-L compared to (WT-NL and AT2-NL, respectively) and in AT1-L. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the receptor AT1 appears to be important for the maintenance of bone mass. AT2 receptor molecular function in periodontitis appears to be regulated by AT1

A Canvas for Establishing Global Software Development Collaborations

Jufo-id:80620There is an increasing need and interest for organizations to collaborate with internal and external partners on a global scale for creating software-based products and services. Potential risks and different strategies need to be addressed when setting up such collaborations. Aspects such as cultural and social features, coordination, infrastructure, organizational change processes, or communication issues need to be con- sidered. Although there are already experiences available with respect to setting up global collaborations, they mainly focus on specific areas. It is dicult for companies to quickly assess if they have considered all rele- vant aspects. An overall aid that guides companies in systematically setting up global collaborations is widely missing. In this paper we present a study based on the snowballing method as a systematic approach to literature review. Based on this literature review and inputs from indus- try we investigated what aspects and practices need to be considered when establishing global software development collaborations and how to prioritize them. Based on that we created activity roadmaps that aggregate existing experiences. Reported experiences were structured into nine main aspects each containing extracted successful practices for set- ting up global software development collaborations. As a result we came up with an initial version of a canvas that is proposed as guidance for companies for setting up global collaborations in the software development domain.Peer reviewe

Etnobotânica e medicina popular no tratamento de malária e males associados na comunidade ribeirinha Julião – baixo Rio Negro (Amazônia Central)

RESUMO A utilização de plantas medicinais para o tratamento de doenças tropicais como a malária na Amazônia Central é de suma importância, principalmente em locais onde o sistema único de saúde não se encontra presente como na maioria das comunidades ribeirinhas desta região. Sendo assim, investigar e resgatar o conhecimento popular a respeito de plantas medicinais utilizadas no tratamento de malária e males associados pelos moradores da comunidade Julião situada na Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável do Tupé, Manaus-AM, torna-se importante no registro de como as populações locais se previnem e tratam essa doença tão prevalente e perigosa na região. O trabalho foi conduzido na forma de oficinas participativas, segregadas por gênero e complementadas com entrevistas semiestruturadas aliadas à técnica da turnê-guiada nos quintais e floresta adjacente à comunidade. Foram calculados os índices de diversidade de Shannon-Wiener, equitabilidade e concordância quanto ao uso principal (CUP). A partir da colaboração efetiva de 13 comunitários foram registradas 62 espécies vegetais pertencentes a 53 gêneros e 34 famílias botânicas que resultaram em índice de diversidade (H’) de 1,62 decits e equitabilidade de 0,9. As famílias mais representativas foram: Fabaceae (7 espécies), Asteraceae e Lamiaceae (4 espécies cada) e Solanaceae e Rutaceae (3 espécies cada). Vale destacar que 16 espécies (25,8%) foram citadas para tratamento de malária e males associados pela primeira vez em estudos etnobotânicos realizados na América Latina