PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE EXTRACT OF THE BARKS OF Licania macrophylla BENTH: PHYTOCHEMICALS AND TOXICOLOGICAL ASPECTS

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o perfil fitoquímico, físico-químico da espécie vegetal e determinar a toxicidade do extrato bruto etanólico de L. macrophylla Benth frente às larvas de Artemia salina L. A análise fitoquímica foi realizado por meio do extrato bruto etanólico das cascas do caule e a determinação físico-química foi realizada de acordo com a Farmacopeia Brasileira. As análises fitoquímicas detectaram a presença de saponinas, ácidos orgânicos, açúcares redutores, taninos, antraquinonas, depsídios e depsidonas. Em relação aos parâmetros físico-químicos a planta apresentou pH=4,64, pela ocorrência de saponinas, ácidos orgânicos e taninos; Lipídeos= 0,55% indica que o material vegetal apresenta poucos lipídios de baixo peso molecular; Umidade= 12,09%±0,12, o que relaciona a pouca quantidade de água, fator indispensável para a não ocorrência de desenvolvimento de microrganismo ou degradação enzimática. Os resíduos por incineração (cinzas) da espécie se encontra dentro dos padrões farmacognósticos de 8,30%±0,54. O extrato bruto segundo o teste de toxicidade é atóxico com CL50=1253µg/mL, isto é, confirma-se a relação estabelecida entre a taxa de mortalidade e CL50 deve ser superior a 1000µg/mL para serem considerados atóxicos. As análises fitoquímicas confirmaram em parte a utilização da espécie para fins fitoterápicos, porém a forma de tratamento e acondicionamento pode influenciar na determinação de metabólitos secundários. Os parâmetros físico-químicos adotados mostraram que espécie encontra-se livre de agentes decompositores.Palavras-chave: Fitoquímica, L. macrophilla Benth, Toxicidade, Físico-Química.The objective of this research was to evaluate the phytochemical, physicochemical and toxicity profile of ethanol crude extract of L. macrophyllain relation to Artemiasalina L. The Phytochemical analysis of the ethanol crude extract of the barks and stem and physicochemical calculation were performed by methods found in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. Phytochemical analysis detected saponins, organic acids, reducing sugars, tannins, anthraquinones, and depsidedepsidone. In relation to the physicochemical parameters, it showed pH = 4.64, due to the occurrence of saponins, organic acids and tannins; lipid = 0.55% indicates that the material presents few lipids of low molecular weight; humidity = 12.09% ± 0.12, relates to a small amount of water, indispensable for non occurrence of development of microorganisms or enzymatic degradation. Waste by incineration is within the pharmacognostic standards of 8.30% ± 0.54. The crude extract is practically nontoxic with LC50 = 1253μg/mL, since the mortality rate and LC50 should be higher than 1000μg/mL to be considered nontoxic. Phytochemical analysis have confirmed, in part, the use of species for phytotherapic purposes, however, the type of treatment and packaging can influence the determination of secondary metabolites. The adopted physicochemical parameters have shown that the species is free of decomposersagents.Keywords: Herbal medicine; L. macrophilla Benth; Toxicity; Physicochemical

A service evaluation on the impact of brain injury linkworker (BIL) interventions on the anxiety and depression of men in prison and on probation

It is well established that the prevalence of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is higher in offender populations than the general population. Men in prison and probation services also have many of the risk factors that place them at higher risk of developing neuropsychiatric complications following a TBI (e.g., low socioeconomic backgrounds, previous history of substance misuse). The BIL service, developed in 2013 by Brainkind (formally The Disabilities Trust) delivers brain injury rehabilitation to men engaged with South Wales (United Kingdom) Prison and Probation Services. As part of a wider service evaluation, we reviewed the levels of anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder assessment, GAD-7) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9) of 50 men in prison or on probation pre- and post-BIL intervention. Results showed a significant decrease in the scores reported on the GAD-7 between the start (Mean—M = 15.38, Standard Deviation—SD = 4.64) and end (M = 11.84, SD = 5.15) of the intervention (t (49) = 2.01, p = 0.00000733). Additionally, there was a significant decrease in self-reported depression symptoms as observed by the scores on the PHQ-9 between the start (M = 17.08, SD = 5.55) and end (M = 12.42, SD = 6.55) of the intervention (t (49) = 2.01, p = 0.0000125). These results indicate that overall there was an improvement in the men’s levels of anxiety and depression following the BIL intervention. This service evaluation provides a clear rationale for the development of a more rigorous research protocol to explore the relationship between brain injury interventions and the impact on mental health in this population

An Antioxidant Potential, Quantum-Chemical and Molecular Docking Study of the Major Chemical Constituents Present in the Leaves of Curatella americana Linn

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are continuously generated in the normal biological systems, primarily by enzymes as xanthine oxidase (XO). The inappropriate scavenging or inhibition of ROS has been considered to be linked with aging, inflammatory disorders, and chronic diseases. Therefore, many plants and their products have been investigated as natural antioxidants for their potential use in preventive medicine. The leaves and bark extracts of Curatella americana Linn. were described in scientific research as anti-inflammatory, vasodilator, anti-ulcerogenic, and hypolipidemic effects. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant potentials of leaf hydroalcoholic extract from C. americana (HECA) through the scavenging DPPH assay and their main chemical constituents, evaluated by the following quantum chemical approaches (DFT B3LYP/6-31G**): Maps of Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP), Frontier Orbital’s (HOMO and LUMO) followed by multivariate analysis and molecular docking simulations with the xanthine oxidase enzyme. The hydroalcoholic extract showed significant antioxidant activity by free radical scavenging probably due to the great presence of flavonoids, which were grouped in the PCA and HCA analysis with the standard gallic acid. In the molecular docking study, the compounds studied presented the binding free energy (ΔG) values close each other, due to the similar interactions with amino acids residues at the activity site. The descriptors Gap and softness were important to characterize the molecules with antioxidant potential by capturing oxygen radicals

An In Silico Study of the Antioxidant Ability for Two Caffeine Analogs Using Molecular Docking and Quantum Chemical Methods

The antioxidant activity of molecules constitutes an important factor for the regulation of redox homeostasis and reduction of the oxidative stress. Cells affected by oxidative stress can undergo genetic alteration, causing structural changes and promoting the onset of chronic diseases, such as cancer. We have performed an in silico study to evaluate the antioxidant potential of two molecules of the zinc database: ZINC08706191 (Z91) and ZINC08992920 (Z20). Molecular docking, quantum chemical calculations (HF/6-31G**) and Pearson’s correlation have been performed. Molecular docking results of Z91 and Z20 showed both the lower binding affinity (BA) and inhibition constant (Ki) values for the receptor-ligand interactions in the three tested enzymes (cytochrome P450—CP450, myeloperoxidase—MP and NADPH oxidase—NO) than the control molecules (5-fluorouracil—FLU, melatonin—MEL and dextromethorphan—DEX, for each receptor respectively). Molecular descriptors were correlated with Ki and strong correlations were observed for the CP450, MP and NO receptors. These and other results attest the significant antioxidant ability of Z91 and Z20, that may be indicated for further analyses in relation to the control of oxidative stress and as possible antioxidant agents to be used in the pharmaceutical industry

Identification of Potential Inhibitors from Pyriproxyfen with Insecticidal Activity by Virtual Screening

Aedes aegypti is the main vector of dengue fever transmission, yellow fever, Zika, and chikungunya in tropical and subtropical regions and it is considered to cause health risks to millions of people in the world. In this study, we search to obtain new molecules with insecticidal potential against Ae. aegypti via virtual screening. Pyriproxyfen was chosen as a template compound to search molecules in the database Zinc_Natural_Stock (ZNSt) with structural similarity using ROCS (rapid overlay of chemical structures) and EON (electrostatic similarity) software, and in the final search, the top 100 were selected. Subsequently, in silico pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties were determined resulting in a total of 14 molecules, and these were submitted to the PASS online server for the prediction of biological insecticide and acetylcholinesterase activities, and only two selected molecules followed for the molecular docking study to evaluate the binding free energy and interaction mode. After these procedures were performed, toxicity risk assessment such as LD50 values in mg/kg and toxicity class using the PROTOX online server, were undertaken. Molecule ZINC00001624 presented potential for inhibition for the acetylcholinesterase enzyme (insect and human) with a binding affinity value of -10.5 and -10.3 kcal/mol, respectively. The interaction with the juvenile hormone was -11.4 kcal/mol for the molecule ZINC00001021. Molecules ZINC00001021 and ZINC00001624 had excellent predictions in all the steps of the study and may be indicated as the most promising molecules resulting from the virtual screening of new insecticidal agents.Federal University of Amapá, Program in Biotechnology and Biodiversity-Network BIONORTE, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for funding in the publication of this article

ESTUDO DE ARRANJO FÍSICO: O FLUXO DE USUÁRIOS DE UMA ACADEMIA

O layout é utilizado como um método de organização física, é composto por arranjo físico, composição, decoração que envolve harmonia das cores, posição de objetos e móveis, e de forma geral a harmonia física. O layout tem ampla influência emuma empresa de modo que pode atingir seu lucro, pois a imagem da estrutura física de uma empresa agrega valor na percepção de seus consumidores.O layout significa mais do que a estética da empresa. Um bom layout permite a funcionalidade do processo produtivo, a segurança e como o espaço pode ser melhor aproveitado com economia e tempo. Assim, ao decidir abrir ou ampliar uma empresa, é imprescindível uma análise do espaço, considerandoa necessidades e os impactos que esta mudança pode gerar. (TERPE, 2014)O layout também afeta os colaboradores da organização. Um empregado pode melhorar o seu desempenho se o local onde realiza suas atividades é mais agradável. Isto porque um bom ambiente físico tem o potencial de tornar o trabalho mais prazeroso.Uma academia tem a característica de oferecer sua estrutura como o “produto” a ser comprado, pois é no espaço físico onde são realizadas as atividades; por isto um estudo de layout neste tipo de negócio é tão relevante. Ao aplicar os ensinamentos desala de aula em uma prática extensionista, este estudo tem como objetivo geral analisar o arranjo físico de uma academia considerando o fluxo de seus usuários. Para tanto estabeleceu-se como objetivos específicos: identificar o arranjo físico atual, observar o fluxo de usuários neste espaço, propor um novo arranjo pós análise crítica

Chemical Composition and In Vitro

The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and the identification and quantification of components were achieved with the use of GC-MS analysis. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the method of sequestration of DPPH. Essential oils were used for study the cytotoxic front larvae of Artemia salina. In the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of essential oils, we employed the disk-diffusion method. The potential larvicide in mosquito larvae of the third stage of development of Aedes aegypti to different concentrations of essential oils was evaluated. The major compounds found in the essential oils of M. piperita were linalool (51.8%) and epoxyocimene (19.3%). The percentage of antioxidant activity was 79.9±1.6%. The essential oil showed LC50 = 414.6 μg/mL front of A. saline and is considered highly toxic. It shows sensitivity and halos significant inhibition against E. coli. The essential possessed partial larvicidal efficiency against A. aegypti

A discriminação como barreira de acesso ao tratamento odontológico de pacientes HIV positivos

Objetivo: esse trabalho teve como objetivo relatar se o preconceito por parte de dentistas contra portadores do HIV afeta o acesso ao serviço odontológico desses pacientes. Metodologia: Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura nas bases de dados Google Acadêmico e BVS englobando 8 artigos que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Resultados: As práticas discriminatórias no consultório odontológico se manifestam em forma de adoção de medidas excessivas de biossegurança, atraso na prestação de cuidados, encaminhamento do paciente para um profissional especializado sem necessidade e recusa de prestação de serviços. Esses comportamentos inadequados são vistos pelo paciente HIV positivo como a principal barreira para o seu acesso à prestação de serviço odontológico e que os levam a omissão do diagnóstico como garantia de tratamento. Conclusão: Pessoas portadoras do HIV ainda são alvos da discriminação e exclusão no consultório odontológico o que juntos ao despreparo e à falta de conhecimento do profissional, funcionam como fortes barreiras de acesso ao serviço odontológico desses pacientes

Doarti project : development of technological solution to potentialize the donation process in DF

O DOARTI surgiu no contexto de pandemia da COVID-19. Com a necessidade de isolamento social, por um lado muitas pessoas e famílias tiveram sua renda impactada. Por outro lado e, pelo mesmo motivo, Entidades Filantrópicas/Beneficentes tiveram uma queda abrupta em suas doações. Além disso, a pandemia fez surgir vários projetos visando prover material de apoio às pessoas diretamente relacionadas ao combate da COVID-19, como profissionais de saúde e de segurança pública

Suppression of Phospholipase Dγs Confers Increased Aluminum Resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is the major stress in acidic soil that comprises about 50% of the world's arable land. The complex molecular mechanisms of Al toxicity have yet to be fully determined. As a barrier to Al entrance, plant cell membranes play essential roles in plant interaction with Al, and lipid composition and membrane integrity change significantly under Al stress. Here, we show that phospholipase Dγs (PLDγs) are induced by Al stress and contribute to Al-induced membrane lipid alterations. RNAi suppression of PLDγ resulted in a decrease in both PLDγ1 and PLDγ2 expression and an increase in Al resistance. Genetic disruption of PLDγ1 also led to an increased tolerance to Al while knockout of PLDγ2 did not. Both RNAi-suppressed and pldγ1-1 mutants displayed better root growth than wild-type under Al stress conditions, and PLDγ1-deficient plants had less accumulation of callose, less oxidative damage, and less lipid peroxidation compared to wild-type plants. Most phospholipids and glycolipids were altered in response to Al treatment of wild-type plants, whereas fewer changes in lipids occurred in response to Al stress in PLDγ mutant lines. Our results suggest that PLDγs play a role in membrane lipid modulation under Al stress and that high activities of PLDγs negatively modulate plant tolerance to Al