Atividade antimicrobiana in vitro de óleos essenciais de Heterothalamus Less. (Asteraceae) contra espécies bacterianas e fúngicas clinicamente relevantes

Essential oils are natural, complex, and volatile compounds produced by the secondary metabolism of plants, which often serve as a protection against fungal or bacterial attack. Two species of the Asteraceae family, Heterothalamus alienus (Spreng.) O. Kuntze and Heterothalamus psiadioides Less., are used in folk medicine and recognised for their production of bioactive substances. However, little evidence of their antimicrobial properties currently exists. The aim of this study was to examine the in vitro antimicrobial activity of essential oils from H. alienus and H. psiadioides against clinically relevant bacterial and fungal species. The major chemical components of the essential oils used are terpene substances, of which β-pinene is the major component. Analysis of antibacterial activity was conducted using the disc diffusion method against 22 bacteria (18 gram-positive strains, including 13 enterococci strains resistant or multiresistant to antibiotics, and 4 Gram- -negative strains) and 9 fungi (6 yeasts and 3 filamentous fungi). The results indicated that essential oils from Heterothalamus species have a strong antimicrobial effect against gram-positive bacteria and yeasts, variable activity against filamentous fungi, and no activity against gram-negative bacteria. The most prominent results were observed in the sensitivity of Enterococcus faecalis (antibiotic- and multidrug-resistant strains) to the essential oils. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential for essential oils from Heterothalamus species for use as both an antiseptic and disinfectant in future approaches to control of clinically relevant gram-positive bacteria and fungi.Óleos essenciais são compostos naturais, complexos e voláteis produzidos no metabolismo secundário de plantas, os quais muitas vezes servem como proteção contra o ataque de fungos ou bactérias. Duas espécies da família Asteraceae, Heterothalamus alienus (Spreng.) O. Kuntze e Heterothalamus psiadioides Less., são utilizadas na medicina popular e reconhecidas por suas substâncias bioativas. Entretanto, existem poucas evidências sobre suas proprieda- -des antimicrobianas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana in vitro dos óleos essenciais de H. alienus e H. psiadioides contra cepas clinicamente relevantes de bactérias e fungos. Os principais componentes químicos dos óleos essenciais utilizados são as substâncias terpênicas, da qual o β-pineno é o componente majoritário. A análise da atividade antimicrobiana foi conduzida usando a técnica de difusão em disco contra 22 bactérias (18 gram-positivas, incluindo 13 enterococos resistentes ou multirresistentes a antibióticos, e 4 gram-negativas) e 9 fungos (6 leveduras e 3 fungos filamentosos). Nossos resultados indicaram que os óleos essenciais das espécies de Heterothalamus possuem forte atividade antimicrobiana contra bactérias gram-positivas e leveduras, atividade variável contra fungos filamentosos e nenhuma atividade contra bactérias gram-negativas. O resultado mais proeminentes observado foi a sensibilidade de Enterococcus faecalis resistentes e multirresistentes aos óleos essenciais. Em conclusão, este estudo demonstra o potencial dos óleos essenciais das espécies Heterothalamus para serem usados como antissépticos e desinfetantes, abordando o controle de bactérias gram-positivas e fungos de importância clínica

Metodologias diferenciadas no Ensino de Química: Concepções de estudantes sobre a sua utilização

Este trabalho tem por objetivo divulgar um relato de experiência do uso de metodologias diferenciadas para o ensino de Química desenvolvida com alunos do Ensino Médio, em atividadesdesenvolvidas por bolsistas do projeto PIBID. Para tanto, aplicou-se um questionário à alunos do Ensino Médio e do curso de licenciatura em Química da FACIP/UFU com o intuito de investigar as concepções destes com relação a importância do uso de metodologias diferenciadas no Ensino de Química. Com isso foi possível observar a importância das diferentes metodologias no Ensino de Química e a visão dos alunos do Ensino Médio com relação às metodologias aplicadas durante as atividades do projeto na escol

Gastroesophageal Intussusception in Canine

Background: Gastroesophageal intussusception is characterized by the invagination of the stomach into the esophagus, with or without the involvementof adjacent organs such as the spleen, pancreas, and omentum. In dogs, this condition has no breed or sex predisposition. As it is an infrequent disease in routine veterinary medical practice, this study reports a case of gastroesophageal intussusception in a dog necropsied at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (HOVET - UFRPE), Recife, Brazil.Case: The body of a 12-year-old black mixed breed male dog was sent to the Pathology Department (Necropsy Sector of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco - UFRPE) for a necropsy. The animal had a previous 4-year history of recurrent emesis and limb weakness, primarily in the anterior limbs, that worsened in the previous months and progressed to death. No previous treatments were reported by the owner. On external examination, the animal had a low body score (cachectic), forelimb joints with great flexibility, congested oral and ocular mucous membranes, enophthalmos, and increased volume in the perianal region. At the opening of the thoracic cavity, the final third of the esophagus was dilated and gastroesophageal intussusception, edema, and pulmonary congestion were noted. In the abdominal cavity, there was hepatic and renal congestion and large intestine and rectal ampoule dilation, with a large amount of solid and retained feces (fecaloma), perianal hernia, and testicular neoformation. These findings were consistent with those observed in death caused by cardiorespiratory failure secondary to gastroesophageal intussusception.Discussion: The pathophysiology of gastroesophageal intussusception is still not elucidated and is probably multifactorial. This condition causes reverse gastric peristalsis associated with a sudden and sustained increase in abdominal pressure. Some probable predisposing factors for this pathological condition are esophageal motility disorders, lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction, and hiatal enlargement. In dogs, gastroesophageal intussusception is associated with increased intra-abdominal pressure owing to emesis or blunt trauma, negative intrathoracic pressure caused by respiratory, and previous esophageal diseases, especially megaesophagus. Partial or total obstruction caused by intussusception leads to circulatory disorders in the organs, especially decreased venous return. Persistence of this condition can lead to gastric necrosis and rupture followed by endotoxic (or septic) shock and release of inflammatory mediators that can cause cardiovascular and respiratory dysfunction and rapid death. Impaired circulation is macroscopically evident in several organs, characterized by mucosal, lung, liver, and kidney congestion, in addition to cardiac dilation and mitral valve endocardiosis. The occurrence of stomach invagination into the esophagus dilated in the final portion is characteristic of gastroesophageal intussusception. Moreover, death owing to cardiorespiratory failure is related to cardiac (dilatation and endocardiosis) and pulmonary (edema and congestion) involvement secondary to gastroesophageal intussusception. Since thispotentially fatal condition has a low incidence in small animals and often goes unnoticed by professionals, early and correct diagnosis along with surgical treatment are essential for a good prognosis and favorable progression

Analysis of the asymmetry of hand gripping force between the sexes

It is of the nature of human beings to have preferences to performing daily tasks. This preference is associated with the laterality. One of the fields of the laterality study is lateral asymmetry, that is present in both preference and performance dimensions. Objective: This study aimed to compare manual grip strength asymmetry between genders and to identify if there is an association between asymmetry of performance and preference asymmetry. Method: The sample consisted of 50 university students who performed maximum manual grip strength tests. Results: The results indicated that the men had higher absolute values, higher Asymmetry Index and lower consistency when compared to the women. In addition, the preferred hand presented higher strength values in both sexes. Conclusion: In general, it is suggested that genetic, social, cultural and gender factors influence the motor behavior of the individuals and consequently the appearance of the lateral asymmetries.É da natureza dos seres humanos apresentarem preferências na realização de tarefas do dia-a-dia. Esta preferência está associada à lateralidade. Um dos campos de estudo sobre a lateralidade é a assimetria lateral, que está presente tanto na dimensão da preferência quanto no desempenho. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar a assimetria de força de preensão manual entre os sexos, e identificar se há associação entre assimetria de desempenho e assimetria de preferência. Método: A amostra foi composta por 50 estudantes universitários que realizaram teste de força de preensão manual máxima. Resultados: Os resultados indicaram que o os homens apresentaram valores absolutos maiores, maior índice de assimetria e menor consistência quando comparados às mulheres. Além disso, a mão preferida apresentou valores maiores de força em ambos os sexos.  Conclusão:  Em linhas gerais, sugere-se que fatores genéticos, sociais, culturais e sexo influenciam o comportamento motor dos indivíduos e, consequentemente, as assimetrias de desempenho

Novel Gd(OH)3, GdOOH and Gd2O3 Nanorods: Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis and Optical Properties

We present a study of the controlled synthesis and optical properties of single-crystals Gd(OH)3, GdOOH and Gd2O3 nanorods. In this work, Gd(OH)3 nanorods were synthesized by a simple and fast microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. This process combined with the thermal decomposition oxidation of Gd(OH)3 nanorods as precursors enabled the preparation of single-crystalline GdOOH and Gd2O3 structures with well-defined morphology at low temperatures. The crystal structure dependence on the optical properties was investigated. We observed a green shift effect on the photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra from Gd(OH)3 to Gd2O3 nanorods, which can be attributed to different types of surface defects, as well as intrinsic properties that contribute significantly to the modified PL behavior

Reduction of Inflammation and Colon Injury by a Spearmint Phenolic Extract in Experimental Bowel Disease in Mice

Background: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) encompasses both Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, known to be connected to an enlarged risk for developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) is a Mediterranean plant used as an aromatic agent, and studies have mainly focused on the essential oil suggesting an anti-inflammatory activity. This work aimed to perform a preliminary screening of the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of a spearmint phenolic extract in an acute inflammation model, in a chronic inflammation model of colitis, and also study the effects in vitro on a colon cancer model. Methods: Spearmint extract was administered to rats of a paw oedema model (induced by carrageenan) and to mice from a TNBS-induced colitis model in parallel with studies using HT-29 CRC cells. Results: Administration of the extract led to reduced paw inflammation, reduction of colon injury and inflammation, with attenuation of histological markers, and reduction of iNOS expression. It repressed the in vitro movement of HT-29 cells in a wound healing assay. Conclusions: These findings suggest that spearmint extract exhibits acute and chronic anti-inflammatory activity and is able to inhibit migration of cancer cells, suggesting a potential role in the supplementary therapy of IBD patients.publishe

Osteometabolic changes in patients under antineoplastic treatment: scoping review

Objective: To summarize the main evidence regarding osteometabolic changes in patients undergoing antineoplastic treatment. Methods: This is a scoping review, following the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute, using PubMed/MedLine, Cochrane Library, LILACS, The British Library, and Google Scholar. This review is registered in the Open Science Framework. Results: Many antineoplastics affect bone architecture by reducing its density, such as selective estrogen receptor modulators, aromatase inhibitors, androgen deprivation therapy, and glucocorticoids. To avoid such outcomes, treatment and prevention can be achieved by calcium and vitamin D supplementation, physical exercise, use of bisphosphonates, denosumab, and selective estrogen receptor modulators. Conclusion: people at a higher risk of developing cancer also have a higher risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis when the process is already established and undergoing antineoplastic treatment because of the grouping of risk factors. The need for bone densitometry in patients undergoing cancer treatment to prevent and promote bone health in these patients is evident, in addition to more research with a high level of evidence to support such use