Implantación de las TIC en la materia química inorgánica

A lo largo de los años hemos observado el desinterés de los estudiantes en la materia de Química Inorgánica, perteneciente al curso de Ingeniería Química, la poca autonomía para estudiar y como consecuencia, un bajo rendimiento. Buscando contribuir a la solución de los problemas citados, propusimos la introducción de nuevas competencias utilizando las TIC en el currículo en el área de Ingeniería Química. Elegimos para el trabajo una metodología b-learning, con el uso de un entorno virtual de aprendizaje que fomente la participación colaborativa y el autoaprendizaje. Este trabajo presenta los resultados obtenidos con la experiencia mencionada.Throughout the years, we have noticed among students a lack of both interest and selfmotivation to study the subject of Inorganic Chemistry in the Chemical Engineering program, which, consequently, has resulted in student's poor performance. In an effort to find a solution to this problem, we proposed the implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills into the curriculum. We chose a b-learning methodology, which utilizes an online virtual learning environment that encourages both collaborative participation and independent study. The following will discuss the results obtained from the aforementioned experiment

Wild dogs at stake: deforestation threatens the only Amazon endemic canid, the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis)

The persistent high deforestation rate and fragmentation of the Amazon forests are the main threats to their biodiversity. To anticipate and mitigate these threats, it is important to understand and predict how species respond to the rapidly changing landscape. The short-eared dog Atelocynus microtis is the only Amazon-endemic canid and one of the most understudied wild dogs worldwide. We investigated short-eared dog habitat associations on two spatial scales. First, we used the largest record database ever compiled for short-eared dogs in combination with species distribution models to map species habitat suitability, estimate its distribution range and predict shifts in species distribution in response to predicted deforestation across the entire Amazon (regional scale). Second, we used systematic camera trap surveys and occupancy models to investigate how forest cover and forest fragmentation affect the space use of this species in the Southern Brazilian Amazon (local scale). Species distribution models suggested that the short-eared dog potentially occurs over an extensive and continuous area, through most of the Amazon region south of the Amazon River. However, approximately 30% of the short-eared dog's current distribution is expected to be lost or suffer sharp declines in habitat suitability by 2027 (within three generations) due to forest loss. This proportion might reach 40% of the species distribution in unprotected areas and exceed 60% in some interfluves (i.e. portions of land separated by large rivers) of the Amazon basin. Our local-scale analysis indicated that the presence of forest positively affected short-eared dog space use, while the density of forest edges had a negative effect. Beyond shedding light on the ecology of the short-eared dog and refining its distribution range, our results stress that forest loss poses a serious threat to the conservation of the species in a short time frame. Hence, we propose a re-assessment of the short-eared dog's current IUCN Red List status (Near Threatened) based on findings presented here. Our study exemplifies how data can be integrated across sources and modelling procedures to improve our knowledge of relatively understudied species

Identification of Eschweilenol C in derivative of Terminalia fagifolia Mart. and green synthesis of bioactive and biocompatible silver nanoparticles

A green synthetic route was developed to prepare silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in aqueous solution for biological applications. Eschweilenol C, a compound derivative ellagic acid was identified as the main constituent of the aqueous fraction of the ethanolic extract of Terminalia fagifolia Mart. by NMR analysis. In the green synthesis, the ethanolic extract of T. fagifolia and its aqueous fraction were used to promote silver reduction and nanoparticle stabilization. The synthesized AgNPs presented a spherical or polygonal morphology shape by TEM analysis and AgNPs showed high levels of antioxidant and considerable antibacterial and antifungal activities. Synthesized nanoparticles presented significant antioxidant activity by sequestration of DPPH and ABTS radicals, in addition to iron reduction (FRAP assay) and measurement of antioxidant capacity in ORAC units, in addition, AgNP synthesized with the aqueous fraction also demonstrated antioxidant potential in microglial cells. Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were susceptible to growth inhibition by the nanoparticles, among which the AgNPs formed by the ethanolic extract was the most effective. The data obtained by AFM images suggested that AgNPs could lead to the lysis of bacteria and subsequent death. The antifungal assays showed high efficiency against yeasts and dermatophytes. This work represents the first description of antifungal activity by AgNPs against Fonsecaea pedrosoi, the etiologic agent of chromoblastomycosis. In relation to biocompatibility, the AgNPs induced lower haemolysis than AgNO3.We thank Herbert Kogler and Reinhard Wimmer for the identification of Eschweilenol C. The NMR laboratory at Aalborg University is supported by the Obel Family, SparNord and Carlsberg foundations.The authors are grateful to Carla Eiras (LIMAV/CT/UFPI) and to FCT and EU for financial support through project UID/QUI/50006/2013– POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007265 from COMPETE and projectNORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000011 from COMPETE. Thanks to Andreia Pinto for help with the TEM measurements at Instituto de Medicina Molecular (IMM). This work was supported by the Histology and Comparative Pathology Laboratory of the IMMinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Potencial citogenotóxico de Byrsonima crassifolia (murici), Malpighiaceae / Cytogenotoxic potential of Byrsonima crassifolia (murici), Malpighiaceae

Substâncias potencialmente tóxicas podem estar presentes tanto em alimentos como em fitoterápicos tradicionais e seus efeitos estão relacionados a fatores como: frequência, quantidade e tempo. Dentre as diversas espécies botânicas com potencial terapêutico, destaca-se Byrsonima crassifolia, Malpighiaceae, popularmente conhecida como muricizeiro, sendo que suas folhas e cascas são utilizadas na medicina popular para tratar tosses, dermatoses fúngicas, diarreia e mordida de cobra. O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial citogenotóxico de extratos aquosos de folhas e cascas de B. crassifolia sobre o ciclo celular de Allium cepa. O teste Allium cepa foi realizado pelo método descontínuo e, após o enraizamento, os bulbos foram submetidos à extratos aquosos (infuso e decocto) da casca e da folha de B. crassifolia, em cinco concentrações. A água destilada foi utilizada como controle negativo e o glifosato 1%, como controle positivo. O experimento foi conduzido em DIC (delineamento inteiramente casualizado) e em câmara de germinação, na ausência de luz e em temperatura controlada. A avaliação foi realizada a partir de parâmetros macroscópico (comprimento da raiz) e microscópicos (índice mitótico e alterações cromossômicas). Os extratos aquosos da casca e folha de B. crassifolia promoveram redução significativa no comprimento das raízes e no índice mitótico das células meristemáticas de A. cepa, enquanto a frequência de aberrações cromossômicas ou anormalidades nas fases da divisão celular foi baixa. B. crassifolia possui atividade antiproliferativa e citotóxica. Os extratos aquosos da casca e folha apresentaram efeito citotóxico no comprimento do sistema radicular, reduzindo o índice mitótico nas células meristemáticas de A. cepa em função do aumento nas concentrações

Morfologia, viabilidade polínica e índice meiótico de Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) Kunth / Morphology, pollen viability and meiotic index of Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) Kunth

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o comportamento meiótico, estimar a viabilidade e descrever a morfologia polínica de B.crassifolia, visando obter informações que possibilitam a seleção genética de novos cultivos e práticas otimizadas de produção. Foram coletados botões florais com diferentes tamanhos e estágios de desenvolvimento de 20 indivíduos de B.crassifolia nas bordas das árvores, dentro do perímetro urbano do município de Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Brasil. A descrição da morfologia do pólen foi realizada a partir da acetólise com comparação na literatura especializada. A análise da meiose e pós-meióticos foi realizada com uso do corante carmim acético 2% e orceína. B.crassifolia é uma espécie com poucas irregularidades meióticas, com pólens considerados grandes, 3-colporados e com exina reticulada. A viabilidade polínica foi estimada com os corantes Sudan IV, Reativo de Alexander, Lugol 1% e Carmim Acético 1%. O corante que revelou o maior percentual médio de viabilidade polínica para a espécie foi o sudan IV (98,8%). Os testes com corantes apresentam diferença significativa e revelam que a espécie apresenta alta viabilidade polínica e alta regularidade meiótica. As informações colhidas de Byrsonima crassifólia auxiliam no entendimento dos aspectos reprodutivos e podem ser utilizadas na implantação de cultivos comerciais, bem como programas de melhoramento e conservação da espécie.

IL-10 overexpression predisposes to invasive aspergillosis by suppressing antifungal immunity

© 2017 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & ImmunologyProinflammatory immune responses are critically required for antimicrobial host defenses; however, excessive inflammation has the potential to damage host tissues thereby paradoxically contributing to the progression of infection. A central negative regulator of inflammatory responses is IL-10, an immunosuppressive cytokine with a wide variety of functions across multiple cell types. Although the role of IL-10 during infection appears to vary for different microorganisms, a largely detrimental role has been attributed to this cytokine during fungal disease. Given the variable risk of infection and its outcome among patients with comparable predisposing factors, susceptibility to invasive aspergillosis (IA) is thought to rely largely on genetic predisposition. The initial investigation of genetic variability at the IL10 locus led to the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) influencing its transcriptional activity; thus, IL-10 may be a reasonable candidate for the genetic regulation of susceptibility to IA in high-risk patients.Supported by the Northern Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013), the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) (contracts IF/00735/2014 to A.C., IF/01390/2014 to E.T., IF/00021/2014 to R.S., and SFRH/BPD/96176/2013 to C.C.), the Conselho de Reitores das Universidades Portuguesas (CRUP), Portugal (Ações Integradas Luso-Alemãs A-43/16), the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) (project-ID 57212690), the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (Madrid, Spain) (grant #PI12/02688) and the ERA-NET PathoGenoMics (grant #0315900A).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Epiisopilosine alkaloid has activity against Schistosoma mansoni in mice without acute toxicity

Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasites of the genus Schistosoma, currently affecting more than 200 million people. Among the various species of this parasite that infect humans, S. mansoni is the most common. Pharmacological treatment is limited to the use of a single drug, praziquantel (PZQ), despite reports of parasite resistance and low efficacy. It is therefore necessary to investigate new potential schistosomicidal compounds. In this study, we tested the efficacy of epiisopilosine (EPIIS) in a murine model of schistosomiasis. A single dose of EPIIS (100 or 400 mg/kg) administered orally to mice infected with adult S. mansoni resulted in reduced worm burden and egg production. The treatment with the lower dose of EPIIS (100 mg/kg) significantly reduced total worm burden by 60.61% (P < 0.001), as well as decreasing hepatosplenomegaly and egg excretion. Scanning electron microscopy revealed morphological changes in the worm tegument after treatment. Despite good activity of EPIIS in adult S. mansoni, oral treatment with single dose of EPIIS 100 mg/kg had only moderate effects in mice infected with juvenile S. mansoni. In addition, we performed cytotoxicity and toxicological studies with EPIIS and found no in vitro cytotoxicity (in HaCaT, and NIH-3T3 cells) at a concentration of 512 μg/mL. We also performed in silico analysis of toxicological properties and showed that EPIIS had low predicted toxicity. To confirm this, we investigated systemic acute toxicity in vivo by orally administering a 2000 mg/kg dose to Swiss mice. Treated mice showed no significant changes in hematological, biochemical, or histological parameters compared to non-treated animals. Epiisopilosine showed potential as a schistosomicidal drug: it did not cause acute toxicity and it displayed an acceptable safety profile in the animal model

Identification of glucose transporters in Aspergillus nidulans

o characterize the mechanisms involved in glucose transport, in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, we have identified four glucose transporter encoding genes hxtB-E. We evaluated the ability of hxtB-E to functionally complement the Saccharomyces cerevisiae EBY.VW4000 strain that is unable to grow on glucose, fructose, mannose or galactose as single carbon source. In S. cerevisiae HxtB-E were targeted to the plasma membrane. The expression of HxtB, HxtC and HxtE was able to restore growth on glucose, fructose, mannose or galactose, indicating that these transporters accept multiple sugars as a substrate through an energy dependent process. A tenfold excess of unlabeled maltose, galactose, fructose, and mannose were able to inhibit glucose uptake to different levels (50 to 80 %) in these s. cerevisiae complemented strains. Moreover, experiments with cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), strongly suggest that hxtB, -C, and –E mediate glucose transport via active proton symport. The A. nidulans ΔhxtB, ΔhxtC or ΔhxtE null mutants showed ~2.5-fold reduction in the affinity for glucose, while ΔhxtB and -C also showed a 2-fold reduction in the capacity for glucose uptake. The ΔhxtD mutant had a 7.8-fold reduction in affinity, but a 3-fold increase in the capacity for glucose uptake. However, only the ΔhxtB mutant strain showed a detectable decreased rate of glucose consumption at low concentrations and an increased resistance to 2-deoxyglucose.The authors would like to thank the Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico, Brazil for financial support. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript