Contribuições de oficinas temáticas para formação inicial de professores de química

..

Alternative Biodefensive based on the Essential Oil from Allium sativum Encapsulated in PCL/Gelatin Nanoparticles

The goal of this paper was to develop a biodegradable system containing the essential oil from Allium sativum bulbs encapsulated in PCL/gelatin-based nanoparticles, as well as evaluate its efficiency to control Aedes aegypti Linn. larvae and Cerataphis lataniae Bois. aphids. The essential oil was analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS, and six compounds were identified, representing 93.1% of the total oil. The major compounds were diallyl trisulfide (51.8%), diallyl disulfide (23.2%) and allyl methyl trisulfide (13.6%). The PCL/gelatin-based nanoparticles containing this essential oil exhibited encapsulation efficiency higher than 94%, average particle diameter around 200 nm and zeta potential values about -36 mV. The essential oil presented no antioxidant nor enzymatic activities, so its effectiveness might be explained by the presence of sulfur compounds. The release kinetics of the encapsulated essential oil confirmed the release mechanism by the Fick's Law. About 50% of the encapsulated essential oil was released after 1 h, and about 90% was released after 50 h. This behavior is interesting from the technological point of view since the nanoparticles released as much oil as possible in a short period of time and then the lethal dosages were maintained along the time. Nanoparticles containing the encapsulated essential oil was submitted to in vitro bioassays against A. aegypti and C. lataniae and showed 100% of mortality against larvae and aphids up to 24 h. In conclusion, the essential oil from A. sativum presented effectiveness to be applied in sustainable management of pests in greenhouses, as well as for larvicidal control

Oral delivery of fish oil in oil-in-water nanoemulsion : development, colloidal stability and modulatory effect on in vivo inflammatory induction in mice

To improve the oral absorption of fish oil and test its anti-inflammatory effect, a fish oil nanoemulsion was developed using cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic fatty acid as a biomarker for oral administration. The colloidal stability tests of the fish oil nanoemulsion showed an average size of 155.44 nm ± 6.46 (4 °C); 163.04 nm ± 9.97 (25 °C) and polydispersity index 0.22 ± 0.02 (4 °C), 0.21 ± 0.02 (25 °C), indicating systems with low polydispersity and stable droplets. The fish oil nanoemulsion did not alter the cell viability of the RAW 264.7 macrophages and, at a concentration of 0.024 mg/mL, was kinetically incorporated into the cells after 18 h of contact. The nanoemulsion was maintained in the gastrointestinal region for a significantly shorter period of time (p ≤ 0.05) compared to the intake of fish oil in free form. Inflammatory tests demonstrated that nanoemulsion and fish oil showed less (p ≤ 0.05) neutrophil infiltration after 24h of sepsis induction and there was a significant reduction (p ≤ 0.05) in the volume of paw edema in female adult Balb/c mice who received the nanoemulsion diet compared to the other experimental groups (control, formalin, fish oil and sunflower oil). These results indicate that the fish oil nanoemulsion was significantly effective in the dietary conditions tested here, presenting satisfactory responses in the modulation of inflammatory disorders, demonstrating interesting and beneficial nutraceutical effects

Dengue Virus Type 4 Phylogenetics in Brazil 2011: Looking beyond the Veil

Dengue Fever and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever are diseases affecting approximately 100 million people/year and are a major concern in developing countries. In the present study, the phylogenetic relationship of six strains of the first autochthonous cases of DENV-4 infection occurred in Sao Paulo State, Parana State and Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, 2011 were studied. Nucleotide sequences of the envelope gene were determined and compared with sequences representative of the genotypes I, II, III and Sylvatic for DEN4 retrieved from GenBank. We employed a Bayesian phylogenetic approach to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of Brazilian DENV-4 and we estimated evolutionary rates and dates of divergence for DENV-4 found in Brazil in 2011. All samples sequenced in this study were located in Genotype II. The studied strains are monophyletic and our data suggest that they have been evolving separately for at least 4 to 6 years. Our data suggest that the virus might have been present in the region for some time, without being noticed by Health Surveillance Services due to a low level of circulation and a higher prevalence of DENV-1 and DENV- 2

ASPECTOS EPIDEMIOLÓGICOS E PREVALÊNCIA DE ENTEROPARASITOSES EM CRIANÇAS DO BAIRRO JAMBEIRO, SÃO LUÍS, MA

A carência de condições básicas de higiene e saneamento, aliadas à falta de limpeza dos reservatórios de água e a não utilização de água fltrada ou fervida, intensifcam a ocorrência de problemas de saúde pública. Com o intuito de contribuir para a conscientização da população acerca dos problemas de saúde decorrentes da contaminação da água, realizou-se no Bairro do Jambeiro, localizado nas mediações da Universidade Federal do Maranhão, um projeto interdisciplinar que visou, pela divulgação dos dados da pesquisa científca, avaliar a água utilizada pelos moradores através de análise físico-química, microbiológica e parasitológica, de modo que os resultados permitissem a conscientização, através de atividades educacionais dos moradores. Os resultados endossam a precariedade de condições sanitárias encontradas nessa comunidade. Os poços, as torneiras e o córrego apresentam níveis de contaminação acima do recomendável pela Resolução CONAMA e ANVISA, sendo, portanto, impróprias para o consumo. Os exames parasitológicos revelaram alta prevalência (91%) de enteroparasitoses nas crianças. A partir desses resultados os integrantes do projeto e seus parceiros realizaram palestras destinadas à comunidade sobre os meios de tratamento da água, biologia dos parasitas e medidas profláticas das principais verminoses. Concomitante, ocorreu a entrega e esclarecimentos dos laudos da análise físico-química, microbiológica e parasitológica, onde houve a distribuição de remédios às crianças que estavam infectadas.Descritores:  Enteroparasitos; Epidemiologia; Prevalência.Abstract: The lack of basic conditions hygiene and sanitation, allied to grubbiness of water reservoirs and no use of fltered or boiled water, enhance the occurrence of health public problems. With the aim of contribute to awareness of the population about the health problems resulting from the water contamination, was held in the District of the Jambeiro, located near the Federal University of Maranhão, an interdisciplinary project the aimed, by disclosure of scientifc research, to evaluate the water used by population through physico-chemical, microbiological and parasitological analyses, so that the results allow awareness through educational activities of population. The results comproved the precarious sanitary conditions found in this community. The level contamination of the wells, taps and stream is higher than recommended by Resolution CONAMA and ANVISA, therefore, unft for consumption. The parasitological revealed a high prevalence (91%) of intestinal parasites in children. Based on these results the members of the project and its partners held talks for the community about the water treatment, biology of parasites and worms and of the main prophylactic measures. Concomitantly, there was the delivery and clarifcation of reports of physico-chemical, microbiological and parasitological, where there was the distribution of drugs to children who were infected.Descriptors: Enteroparasites; Epidemiology; Prevalence

Infection by Mycoplasma spp., feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus in cats from an area endemic for visceral leishmaniasis

Abstract Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has been increasingly recognized in cats living in areas endemic for the disease. Co-infection with Leishmania infantum and other infectious agents is well established in dogs. However, for cats, data on co-infections with L. infantum and other infectious agents are still sparse. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of vector-borne pathogens, Mycoplasma spp., feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) in cats from an area endemic for VL in southeastern Brazil. Results Of the 90 cats, eight (8.9%) were infected with Mycoplasma spp., five (5.5%) were FIV- positive and one (1.1%) was FeLV-positive. Co-infection with L. infantum and at least one other infectious agent was found in 9/50 (18.0%; CI: 8.6–31.4%) cats. In Group 1 (cats infected naturally by L. infantum), 4/50 (8.0%) cats were positive for FIV, 4/50 (8%) for Mycoplasma spp. and 1/50 (2.0%) was co-infected with FeLV and Mycoplasma spp. In Group 2 (cats non-infected with L. infantum), 2/40 (5.0%) cats were infected with Mycoplasma spp. and 1/40 (2.5%) was co-infected with FIV and Mycoplasma spp. All cats were negative for Ehrlichia spp., Babesia spp. and Anaplasma platys. Conclusion A low prevalence of co-infection in Leishmania-infected and non-infected cats was found. Co-infections with Leishmania and vector-borne diseases in cats are not common in this area endemic for VL in Brazil

In Vitro Antifungal Activity and Toxicity of Itraconazole in DMSA-PLGA Nanoparticles

Itraconazole (ITZ) is a drug used to treat various fungal infections and may cause side effects. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the in vitro activity of DMSA-PLGA nanoparticles loaded with ITZ against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, as well as their cytotoxicity. Nanoparticles were prepared using the emulsification-evaporation technique and characterized by their encapsulation efficiency, morphology (TEM), size (Nanosight) and charge (zeta potential). Antifungal efficacy in P brasiliensis was determined by minimal inhibition concentration (MIC), and cytotoxicity using MU assay. ITZ was effectively incorporated in the PLGA-DMSA nanoparticles with a loading efficiency of 72.8 +/- 3.50%. The shape was round with a solid polymeric structure, and a size distribution of 174 +/- 86 nm (Average +/- SD). The particles were negatively charged. ITZ-NANO presented antifungal inhibition (MIC = 6.25 ug/mL) against P brasiliensis and showed lower in vitro cytotoxicity than free drug (ITZ).Brazilian agency MCT/CNPqBrazilian agency FINEPBrazilian agency FINATECBrazilian agency FAP-D

Bioactivity of Licaria puchury-major Essential Oil Against Aedes aegypti , Tetranychus urticae and Cerataphis lataniae

The present study was carried out to evaluate an alternative controlling agent for greenhouse pests and the yellow fever mosquito larvae. The potential bioactivity of Licaria puchury-major (Mart.) Kosterm. (“puxuri”) was evaluated here against three most common pests in tropical and subtropical countries: Aedes aegypti Linn. Larvae, Tetranychus urticae Koch. mites and Cerataphis lataniae Boisd. aphids. The essential oil from seeds was analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The major compounds were safrole (38.8%) and eucalyptol (21.7%). Phenylpropanes (51.7%) was the main group of compounds and oxygenated monoterpenes represented 28.8% of the total oil. The essential oil has shown no inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the tested concentrations. However, potential antioxidant activities were evaluated by different methods [DPPH: LD 50 = (27.8 ± 1.0) µg/.mL; ABTS: (977.3 ± 25.2) µM TEs/g (Trolox Equivalents); FRAP: (548.2 ± 29.0) µM Fe(II)/g]. A significant larvicidal potential for 24 h of exposure was observed with LD 50 = 98.9 µg/mL, being an indicative that the larval mortality may occur by ingestion or contact due to the no inhibition against AChE. Volatile phase effects were evaluated against T. urticae Koch. and C. lataniae Boisd. and LD 50 were found about 30.8 and 13.5 µg/mL , respectively. These results are consistent with an octopaminergic effect , since some phenylpropanoids (such as Safrole, identified as the major compound in this work) can block octopamine, a multi-functional, naturally occurring biogenic amine. Then, this study clearly illustrated the efficacy of the investigated seeds, which encourages the development of a new potential natural controlling agent against these common pests due to the abundance of these seeds in the Amazon region and to the high essential oil yield

Bacillus thuringiensis RZ2MS9, a tropical plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, colonizes maize endophytically and alters the plant's production of volatile organic compounds during co-inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense Ab-V5

The beneficial features of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are not limited to its role as an insecticide; it is also able to promote plant growth interacting with plants and other plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR). The PGPR Bt strain RZ2MS9 is a multi-trait maize growth promoter. We obtained a stable mutant of RZ2MS9 labelled with green fluorescent protein (RZ2MS9-GFP). We demonstrated that the Bt RZ2MS9-GFP successfully colonizes maize's roots and leaves endophytically. We evaluated whether RZ2MS9 has an additive effect on plant growth promotion when co-inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense Ab-V5. The two strains combined enhanced maize's roots and shoots dry weight around 50% and 80%, respectively, when compared to the non-inoculated control. However, non-differences were observed comparing RZ2MS9 alone and when co-inoculated with Ab-V5, In addition, we used co-inoculation experiments in glass chambers to analyse the plant's volatile organic compounds (VOCs) production during the maize-RZ2MS9 and maize-RZ2MS9-Ab-V5 interaction. We found that the single and co-inoculation altered maize's VOCs emission profile, with an increase in the production of indoles in the co-inoculation. Collectively, these results increase our knowledge about the interaction between the Bt and maize, and provide a new possibility of combined application with the commercial inoculant A. brasilense Ab-V5