Oviposition and Embryotoxicity of Indigofera suffruticosa on Early Development of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Aqueous extract of Indigofera suffruticosa leaves obtained by infusion was used to evaluate the oviposition, its effect on development of eggs and larvae, and morphological changes in larvae of Aedes aegypti. The bioassays were carried out with aqueous extract in different concentrations on eggs, larvae, and female mosquitoes, and the morphological changes were observed in midgut of larvae. The extract showed repellent activity on A. aegypti mosquitoes, reducing significantly the egg laying by females with control substrate (343 (185–406)) compared with the treated substrate (88 (13–210)). No eclosion of A. aegypti eggs at different concentrations studied was observed. The controleclodedin 35%. At concentration of 250 μg/mL, 93.3% of larvae remained in the second instar of development and at concentrations of 500, 750, and 1000 μg/mL the inhibitory effect was lower with percentages of 20%, 53.3%, and 46.6%, respectively. Morphological changes like disruption on the peritrophic envelope (PE), discontinued underlying epithelium, increased gut lumen, and segments with hypertrophic aspects were observed in anterior region of medium midgut of larvae of A. aegypti. The results showed repellent activity, specific embryotoxicity, and general growth retardation in A. aegypti by medium containing aqueous extract of I. suffruticosa leaves

Indigofera suffruticosa: An Alternative Anticancer Therapy

Indigofera suffruticosa Mill (Fabeceae) occurs in the Northeast countryside and has intensive popular use in the treatment of infectious, inflammatory and other processes. The main aim of the present work was to investigate the cytotoxic and antitumor effects of aqueous extracts of leaves of I. suffruticosa obtained by infusion and maceration as well as to evaluate the toxicological properties. Aqueous extracts did not exhibit cytotoxicity against HEp-2 (human epidermoid cancer cell) cell lines by MTT method. From the aqueous extract by infusion, the toxicological assay showed low order of toxicity. The antitumor effect of aqueous extracts by infusion (64.53%) and maceration (62.62%) against sarcoma 180 in mice at a dose of 50 mg kg−1 (intraperitoneally), based on low order of toxicity was comparable to the control group, which showed 100% development. Considering the low order of toxicity and that it is highly effective in inhibiting growth of solid tumors, the aqueous extracts of leaves of I. suffruticosa may be used as an alternative anticancer agent

Higher education students’ perceptions of issues related to Covid-19: a study on three Portuguese-speaking countries

In early 2020, a pandemic caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 affected the world and all countries had to adopt important measures to face a disease named COVID-19. This paper aims at investigating the perceptions about key issues related to COVID-19 held by students attending the third year of three different areas of undergraduate studies at higher education institutions of three Portuguese-speaking countries: Brazil, Mozambique and Portugal. Four hundred and forty university students participated in the study by answering to a questionnaire. They were attending undergraduate programs in the areas of education/pedagogy, natural sciences, and social sciences. Differences emerged among participants of different nationalities and areas of study. Brazilians and education undergraduates showed perceptions that are more consistent with the knowledge base available so far. Health related policies and local culture seem to influence participants’ perceptions regarding COVID-19 issues, which are not directly related to the extent of the science component of participants’ study programs. The latter relationship should be further studied, in order to uncover what needs to be improved in undergraduates’ education to ensure that they develop a good awareness of socio-scientific issues that are relevant for their personal and societal lives.This research was funded by CIEd - Research Centre on Education, Institute of Education, University of Minho [grant numbers UIDB/01661/2020 and UIDP/01661/ 2020]

Antimicrobial Activity of Indigofera suffruticosa

Various organic and aqueous extracts of leaves of Indigofera suffruticosa Mill (Fabaceae) obtained by infusion and maceration were screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The extracts were tested against 5 different species of human pathogenic bacteria and 17 fungal strains by the agar-solid diffusion method. Most of the extracts were devoid of antifungal and antibacterial activities, except the aqueous extract of leaves of I. suffruticosa obtained by infusion, which showed strong inhibitory activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 5000 µg ml(−1). The MIC values to dermatophyte strains were 2500 µg ml(−1) against Trichophyton rubrum (LM-09, LM-13) and Microsporum canis. This study suggests that aqueous extracts of leaves of I. suffruticosa obtained by infusion can be used in the treatment of skin diseases caused by dermatophytes

Telling stories: a proposal of dynamic assessment of the children narrative

A linguagem tem um papel central na vida humana, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento de habilidades cognitivas e sociais. Entre as formas de avaliar o comportamento lingüístico infantil, as narrativas têm sido empregadas por meio de atividades como descrever figuras e recontar histórias. A avaliação feita por procedimento assistido em que o avaliador auxilia a criança, após uma fase inicial sem ajuda, testando sem auxílio novamente ao final, tem se mostrado apropriada. Investigando este procedimento, esta pesquisa avaliou a narrativa de 10 crianças de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 5 e 7 anos, freqüentando uma pré-escola pública de Vitória/ES. Foi utilizado um instrumento de avaliação e intervenção assistida da narrativa, o qual avalia aspectos da narração de histórias, por meio de 2 livros de histórias, com desenhos coloridos. Todas as crianças melhoraram a produtividade da história 1 para a história 2 em pelo menos um dos aspectos avaliados. Sobre os componentes, idéias e linguagem e estrutura da narrativa, destacam-se os componentes “informação sobre as personagens” (90%) e “complexidade do vocabulário” (80%) pelo percentual de melhora igual ou superior a 80%. O instrumento mostrou-se adequado à avaliação da narrativa infantil, envolvendo a criança durante a aplicação. Palavras-chave: avaliação da linguagem; avaliação assistida; narrativa infantil.Language plays a key role in human life, contributing to the development of cognitive and social skills. Among the forms of evaluating the child linguistic behavior, the narratives have been used through activities such as describing illustrations and retelling stories. The evaluation, done by dynamic assessment - including help from the examiner during the process - has proved to be appropriate. Investigating this procedure, this research tested the application of dynamic testing of the narrative in 10 children of both genders, with age between 5 and 7 years, attending to a public preschool of Vitoria/ES. The instrument used evaluates aspects of the narration of stories, using two story books, with colored ilustrations. All the children improved the productivity of the story between the first and second story in at least one of the aspects evaluated. The components “Information about the characters” (90%) and “Complexity of the Vocabulary” (80%) presented an increase of 80% or more. The instrument was proved to be appropriate to the evaluation of the narrative of the children, motivating the child to participate.   Keywords: language assessment; dynamic assessment; child narrative

Histomorfometric Analysis of the Endochondral Ossification of the limbs of Rats submitted to Usnic Acid from Cladonia Substellata (AHTI) encapsulated in Plga-Microspheres / Análise Histomorfométrica da Ossificação Endocondral dos membros de Ratos submetidos ao Ácido Úsnico de Cladonia Substellata (AHTI) encapsulado em Microesferas de Plga

The aim of this study was to evaluate the histology and morphometry of endochondral ossification in limbs of rats submitted to usnic acid from Cladonia substellata (AHTI) encapsulated in PLGA-microspheres. It was used 12 pregnant Wistar rats that were randomly distributed in the control groups (n = 6), which received 1.0 mL of saline solution; and treated (n = 6), that received 25 mg/kg/day of encapsulated usnic acid in PLGA microspheres by oral administration. It was analyzed six fetuses from each rat under study. At the 20th day of gestation were euthanized the females and their fetuses removed for histomorphometric analysis of the anterior and posterior limbs. The results showed the epiphyseal discs of the animals with cell alterations, as in the morphology and numbers of chondrocytes. It also showed a decrease in the amount of collagen type I collagen in bone tissue. However, this study showed low toxicity of the encapsulated usnic acid on bone development, when compared to its conventional dosage form. In this way, the toxicity of usnic acid can be reduced by encapsulation in PLGA-microspheres

Effects of Indigofera suffruticosa Mill (Fabaceae) on the developmental reproductive biology of Aedes aegypti / Efeitos da Indigofera Suffruticosa Mill (Fabaceae) na biologia reprodutiva do desenvolvimento de Aedes aegypti

Moinho Indigofera suffruticosa (Fabaceae) ocorre em abundância no nordeste do Brasil. Suas várias atividades biológicas incluem uma eficácia do extrato aquoso das folhas de I. sufruticosa na inibição da eclosão dos ovos e da ecdise larval, e efeitos dissuasivos na oviposição do mosquito Aedes aegypti . Este estudo investiga uma biologia reprodutiva de A. aegypti exposto à solução aquosa de folhas de I. suffruticosa (AELIs). O desenvolvimento dos órgãos reprodutivos foi investigado utilizando larvas de último instar (L4) de A. aegypti na presença de AELIs.Um tratamento com água destilada para controle. Os experimentos foram realizados após medidas de testículos e glândulas acessórias e da análise do comportamento reprodutivo durante o acasalamento de mosquitos expostos aos AELIs por 24 h. Havia três tratamentos: (1) controle: machos sem exposição aos AELIs; (2) AELIs24h: machos após a exposição de AELIs copulada na ausência de AELIs; (3) AELIs24h + G: machos após a exposição de AELIs copulada na presença de AELIs. Os efeitos dos AELIs na fase larval não interferem no desenvolvimento do tamanho dos órgãos reprodutivos. Além disso, a exposição ao tratamento AELIs24h interfere no comportamento reprodutivo, devido ao número de cópulas.Por outro lado, AELIs24h + G apresentou um aumento significativo no número de cópulas, o que resultou em uma diminuição drástica no número de ovos aumentadas. Este estudo completo que uma espécie I. suffruticosa (AELIs) pode ser usada como uma nova alternativa metodológica para o controle de A. aegypti por ser um produto natural

Ações judiciais e demandas administrativas na garantia do direito de acesso a medicamentos em Florianópolis-SC

This study aims at analyzing the requests for drugs by individual users, from 2003 to 2006, in the city of Florianópolis. It was analyzed 2,426 authorizations for the supply of 5,645 drugs and 5,283 correlated products in the Secretary for Health, the Secretary for Social Development and in the Volunteering Association of Florianópolis, considering the types of drugs requested, costs and characteristics of those who requested them. Secretary of Health received the highest number of requests throughout the years and the authorizations for purchase did not present all the data of the requests. The main type of demand met by the Secretary of Health was originated from judicial decisions, while the main type met by the Secretary for Social Development was internal demands. The most frequently requested class of drugs, whether by legal writ or not, was the one which affects the Nervous System, with Carbamazepine being the primary medication, while a Pimecrolimus cream was the most frequently requested medication representing the highest cost. The majority of the drugs were prescribed by their commercial name and 32% of them were standardized by the Brazilian National Health System. It is concluded that the supply of drugs by direct purchase is not adequately dealt by the municipal pharmaceutical assistance, disrespecting the National Drug Policy.O estudo objetivou analisar as solicitações de medicamentos por usuários individuais, de 2003 a 2006, no município de Florianópolis. Foram analisadas 2.426 autorizações para fornecimento de 5.645 medicamentos e 5.283 produtos correlatos na Secretaria de Saúde e na Secretaria da Criança, Adolescente, Idoso, Família e Desenvolvimento Social (SMDS) e na Associação Florianopolitana de Voluntários, considerando os tipos de medicamentos solicitados, valores empregados e características dos solicitantes. A Secretaria de Saúde recebeu, em comparação à SMDS e à Associação Florianopolitana de Voluntários, o maior número de solicitações em todos os anos e as autorizações de compra não apresentavam todos os dados sobre as solicitações, sendo que, o principal tipo de demanda atendido foi via decisão judicial. Na SMDS, a principal demanda era interna. A classe de medicamentos mais solicitada, via mandado judicial ou não, foi a dos que atuam no Sistema Nervoso, sendo Carbamazepina o principal medicamento, enquanto o medicamento Pimecrolimo, por via dermatológica, foi o mais solicitado e o que representou maior custo. Os medicamentos estavam prescritos, em sua maioria, pelo nome comercial e 32% constavam de programas de fornecimento de medicamentos padronizados pelo SUS. Conclui-se que o fornecimento de medicamentos por compra direta não está adequadamente inserido na gestão da assistência farmacêutica municipal, desrespeitando a Política Nacional de Medicamentos

Ações judiciais e demandas administrativas na garantia do direito de acesso a medicamentos em Florianópolis-SC

This study aims at analyzing the requests for drugs by individual users, from 2003 to 2006, in the city of Florianópolis. It was analyzed 2,426 authorizations for the supply of 5,645 drugs and 5,283 correlated products in the Secretary for Health, the Secretary for Social Development and in the Volunteering Association of Florianópolis, considering the types of drugs requested, costs and characteristics of those who requested them. Secretary of Health received the highest number of requests throughout the years and the authorizations for purchase did not present all the data of the requests. The main type of demand met by the Secretary of Health was originated from judicial decisions, while the main type met by the Secretary for Social Development was internal demands. The most frequently requested class of drugs, whether by legal writ or not, was the one which affects the Nervous System, with Carbamazepine being the primary medication, while a Pimecrolimus cream was the most frequently requested medication representing the highest cost. The majority of the drugs were prescribed by their commercial name and 32% of them were standardized by the Brazilian National Health System. It is concluded that the supply of drugs by direct purchase is not adequately dealt by the municipal pharmaceutical assistance, disrespecting the National Drug Policy.O estudo objetivou analisar as solicitações de medicamentos por usuários individuais, de 2003 a 2006, no município de Florianópolis. Foram analisadas 2.426 autorizações para fornecimento de 5.645 medicamentos e 5.283 produtos correlatos na Secretaria de Saúde e na Secretaria da Criança, Adolescente, Idoso, Família e Desenvolvimento Social (SMDS) e na Associação Florianopolitana de Voluntários, considerando os tipos de medicamentos solicitados, valores empregados e características dos solicitantes. A Secretaria de Saúde recebeu, em comparação à SMDS e à Associação Florianopolitana de Voluntários, o maior número de solicitações em todos os anos e as autorizações de compra não apresentavam todos os dados sobre as solicitações, sendo que, o principal tipo de demanda atendido foi via decisão judicial. Na SMDS, a principal demanda era interna. A classe de medicamentos mais solicitada, via mandado judicial ou não, foi a dos que atuam no Sistema Nervoso, sendo Carbamazepina o principal medicamento, enquanto o medicamento Pimecrolimo, por via dermatológica, foi o mais solicitado e o que representou maior custo. Os medicamentos estavam prescritos, em sua maioria, pelo nome comercial e 32% constavam de programas de fornecimento de medicamentos padronizados pelo SUS. Conclui-se que o fornecimento de medicamentos por compra direta não está adequadamente inserido na gestão da assistência farmacêutica municipal, desrespeitando a Política Nacional de Medicamentos

Phytochemical Approach and Evaluation of the Osmotic Fragility and Cytotoxic Activity of Piptadenia stipulacea (Benth) Ducke / Abordagem Fitoquímica e Avaliação da Fragilidade Osmótica e Atividade Citotóxica de Piptadenia stipulacea (Benth) Ducke

Piptadenia stipulacea (Benth.) Ducke, Fabaceae, is a medicinal plant that can be found in the Caatinga is the only exclusively Brazilian biome. Various biological activities, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antioxidant activities are reported for this plant. This work investigated the chemical compounds present in the ethanolic extract of the leaves of P. stipulacea (EELPs), being used in the test of osmotic fragility in the blood of sheep and cytotoxic and genotoxic effect in the Allium cepa test with onion roots. Phytochemical analysis were performed by thin-layer chromatography.  Results revealed the presence of tannin, alkaloids, saponins, cumarins, flavonoids and terpenes. The erythrocyte osmotic fragility test showed low hemolysis levels, in the qualitative evaluation of the supernatant and in the result of the hemolytic percentage. Cytological examination with Allium cepa with different concentration EELPs (50 µg.mL-1, 500 µg.mL-1 e 1000 µg.mL-1) no chromosomal abnormality were identified in the cell division process  (Interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase) in relation to the  control group. However, the EELPs at the concentration of 50 µg.mL-1 presented a root development when compared to 500 µg.mL-1 and 1000 µg.mL-1. This demonstrates a pharmacological importance of this plant and low hemolysis index, cell membrane integrity and low toxicity absence of chromosomal abnormality. The results suggest that P. stipulacea may present antigenotoxic