Study of Corylus cornuta twig extracts: antioxidant, radical scavenging, anti-enzymatic activities and cytotoxicity

In a first attempt to better understand therapeutic uses of the forest species Corylus cornuta by Native People of Eastern Canada, antiradical/antioxidant, anti-enzymatic activities as well as cytotoxicity on Normal Human Keratinocytes (NHK) of  C. cornuta twig extracts were studied and correlated with their polyphenolic composition. Polyphenolic extracts were obtained by water and ethanolic extractions using two different techniques: maceration and ultrasound-assisted extraction. Antiradical and antioxidant capacities of the extracts were evaluated against DPPH, TEAC, six ROS/RNS and peroxidation lipidic. Anti-enzymatic activities against enzymes involved in oxidation processes were evaluated towards catalase and xanthine oxidase. MTT and Neutral Red assays were used for evaluating the toxicity of the various extracts on NHK after 24 and 48h exposition times. Aqueous extracts were determined to have the highest antioxidant/antiradical capacity against two reactive species involved in inflammatory processes (superoxide anion and nitric oxide) and the lowest toxicity. Their antioxidant/antiradical activities were strongly correlated to their higher content in flavonoids. Ethanolic extracts were determined to have the highest anti-enzymatic activity correlated with their higher content in hydroxycinammic acids and proanthocyanidins. These extracts were also the most toxic, this toxicity correlating with their high level in total phenols. Given that aqueous extracts presented an elevated content in total phenols and flavonoids and showed the lowest toxicity on NHK as well as a high antiradical/antioxidant capacity, they can be considered as the most valuable extracts obtained from C.cornuta twigs, which is in harmony with traditional uses in which remedies are prepared from twig infusions

The limits of simple implementation intentions: Evidence from a field experiment on making plans to exercise

Recent large-scale randomized experiments find that helping people form implementation intentions by asking when and where they plan to act increases one-time actions, such as vaccinations, preventative screenings and voting. We investigate the effect of a simple scalable planning intervention on a repeated behavior using a randomized design involving 877 subjects at a private gym. Subjects were randomized into i) a treatment group who selected the days and times they intended to attend the gym over the next two weeks or ii) a control group who instead recorded their days of exercise in the prior two weeks. In contrast to recent studies, we find that the planning intervention did not have a positive effect on behavior. We observe a tightly estimated null effect even though the majority of subjects believed that planning is helpful and despite clear evidence that they engaged with the planning process

Secondary metabolites of Bagassa guianensis Aubl. wood: A study of the chemotaxonomy of the Moraceae family

International audienceIn order to explain the durability of the Moraceae plant family, phytochemistry of Bagassa guianensis was performed. Ethyl acetate extract was obtained from the heartwood and 18 secondary metabolites were isolated, including 6 moracins [6-O-methyl-moracin M, 6-O-methyl-moracin N and moracin Z; previously identified: moracin M, moracin N and moracin P], 8 stilbenoids [presently identified: ( )-epialboctalol and arachidin 4; previously identified: alboctalol, trans-resveratrol, arachidin 2, trans-oxyresveratrol and artogomezianol], 3 previously identified flavonoids, steppogenin, katuranin and dihydromorin, bsitosterol and resorcinol. Previous studies suggest that stilbenoids are responsible for the natural durability of wood. Our study has determined that B. guianensis is closely related to Morus sp. in phylogeny and should be included in the Moreae sensu stricto tribe of the Moraceae family

¡Un invertebrado en apuros!: el reconocimiento del sistema digestivo de un grupo de invertebrados marinos como primera medida para el cuidado y valoración del ecosistema.

This workshop aims to bring participants closer to the recognition of the basic structures of the digestive system of a group of marine invertebrates, as an alternative and strategy to mobilize in the same attitudes of respect, care and appreciation for biodiversity, in particular the ecosystem Marine. Reason why the present workshop aims to identify the internal structures of the digestive system of these organisms, as well as some of their external structures, in the same way, it is intended to recognize the structures that allow the bioaccumulation of the toxins that are currently found in the oceans, as a result of serious pollution. Likewise, participants are expected to approach the wonderful marine world, enabling a first approach to biodiversity conservation.El presente taller pretende acercar a los participantes al reconocimiento de las estructuras básicas del sistema digestivo de un grupo de invertebrados marinos, como una alternativa y estrategia para movilizar en los mismos, actitudes de respeto, cuidado y valoración por la biodiversidad, en particular la del ecosistema marino. Razón por la cual el presente taller tiene como propósito identificar las estructuras internas del sistema digestivo de dichos organismos, así como algunas de sus estructuras externas, de igual modo, se pretende el reconocimiento de las estructuras que permiten la bioacumulación de los tóxicos que actualmente se encuentran en los océanos, como resultado de la grave contaminación. Asimismo, se espera que los participantes se acerquen al maravilloso mundo marino, posibilitando un primer acercamiento a la conservación de la biodiversidad

Concepções e práticas pedagógicas em educação ambiental dos professores do ensino fundamental de uma escola pública municipal brasileira

One of its main goals of environmental education is to form a critical citizen so that it can change the conditions of the environment in which it lives. In the middle school, environmental education, especially in elementary school I, needs to receive special attention, because it is the stage of formation that we begin in the transformation of society. But do we have a problem, do our teachers know how to work environmental education? What are your conceptions of environmental education and the environment? Based on this premise, the objective of this research was to identify the conceptions of the municipal teachers of a city in the northwest of Paraná, Brazil, regarding environment and environmental education, in addition, as this theme has been worked on in its pedagogical practices. For the development of this study was used a questionnaire, answered by seven teachers. The responses were categorized and analyzed quantitatively. The results showed that most of the evaluated teachers have naturalistic visions about environmental education and the environment, always linking to the term nature, in addition, not addressing that the human being is part of this. With regard to the pedagogical practices adopted to study the environmental theme, most opt to work in an interdisciplinary way and the most suitable suggestions to develop a good work is through practical activities and technical visits. Faced with this situation, imbued with the desire to minimize and reverse this problem, we understand that the study of knowledge of Environmental Education (EA) in the early years of elementary education is a sine qua non.Um dos seus principais objetivos da educação ambiental é formar um cidadão crítico para que possa modificar as condições do meio em que vive. No meio escolar, a educação ambiental principalmente na etapa do ensino fundamental I, precisa receber uma atenção especial, pois é o nessa etapa de formação que damos início na transformação da sociedade. Porém, temos um problema, nossos professores sabem como trabalhar a educação ambiental? Quais as suas concepções de educação ambiental e meio ambiente? Partindo dessa premissa, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi identificar as concepções dos professores municipais de uma cidade no noroeste do Paraná, Brasil, a respeito de meio ambiente e educação ambiental, além disso, como esta temática vem sendo trabalhada em suas práticas pedagógicas. Para o desenvolvimento deste estudo foi utilizado um questionário, respondido por sete professores. As respostas foram categorizadas e analisadas quantitativamente. Os resultados obtidos revelaram que a maioria dos professores avaliados têm visões naturalistas sobre a educação ambiental e meio ambiente, sempre vinculando ao termo natureza, ademais, não abordando que o ser humano faz parte deste. Com relação as práticas pedagógicas adotadas para estudar a temática ambiental, a maioria opta por trabalhar de forma interdisciplinar e as sugestões mais indicadas para desenvolver um bom trabalho é por meio de atividades práticas e visitas técnicas. Diante desta situação, imbuídos pelo desejo de minimizar e reverter esse problema, entendemos que o estudo de conhecimentos da Educação Ambiental nos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental é uma condição sine qua non

Brincar de pensar

Neste texto, compartilhamos uma experiência extensionista realizada como atividade curricular por estudantes do ensino médio integrado ao ensino técnico. Intitulada “Filosofinhos: brincar de pensar”, a ação teve como objetivo desenvolver a criticidade em estudantes do quarto ano do Ensino Fundamental de uma escola pública, a partir de eixos temáticos relacionados à área da filosofia que estimulassem e valorizassem a curiosidade do ser humano. Realizamos uma abordagem interdisciplinar que relaciona filosofia e a realidade cultural e social do público-alvo, tendo como aporte teórico a Pedagogia da Curiosidade, de Paulo Freire. Acreditamos que esta ação de extensão possibilitou a realização de experiências de aprendizagem significativas de modo a ampliar o horizonte de compreensão acerca da filosofia e suas relações interdisciplinares. Entendemos que contribuímos para o desenvolvimento de uma postura crítica, questionadora, curiosa e protagonista dos/nos processos de aprendizagem. A ação colaborou para o estreitamento de laços afetivos com o ambiente institucional de ensino, os quais foram severamente abalados ao longo do período pandêmico em todos os espaços educacionais

Biofilm formation of Brazilian meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains: prevalence of biofilm determinants and clonal profiles

Biofilms plays an important role in medical-device-related infections. This study aimed to determine the factors that influence adherence and biofilm production, as well as the relationship between strong biofilm production and genetic determinants in clinical isolates of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Fifteen strains carrying different chromosomal cassettes recovered from hospitalized patients were selected; five SCCmecII, five SCCmecIII and five SCCmecIV. The SCCmec type, agr group and the presence of the virulence genes (bbp, clfA, icaA, icaD, fnbB, bap, sasC and IS256) were assessed by PCR. PFGE and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) techniques were also performed. The initial adhesion and biofilm formation were examined by quantitative assays. The surface tension and hydrophobicity of the strains were measured by the contact angle technique to evaluate the association between these parameters and adhesion ability. SCCmecIII and IV strains were less hydrophilic, with a high value for the electron acceptor parameter and higher adhesion in comparison with SCCmecII strains. Only SCCmecIII strains could be characterized as strong biofilm producers. The PFGE showed five major pulsotypes (AE); however, biofilm production was related to the dissemination of one specific PFGE clone (C) belonging to MLST ST239 (Brazilian epidemic clonal complex). The genes agrI, fnbB and IS256 in SCCmecIII strains were considered as genetic determinants associated with strong biofilm-formation by an ica-independent biofilm pathway. This study contributes to the understanding of biofilm production as an aggravating factor potentially involved in the persistence and severity of infections caused by multidrug-resistant MRSA belonging to this genotype.We thank FAPEMIG (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa de Minas Gerais, proceeding APQ 01398-11) and CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, PDSE proceeding 8952/11-6) for the financial support and scholarships. We also thank Dr Teruyo Ito, Juntendo University, Japan, and Dr Elsa Masae Mamizuka, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil, for kindly providing the control strains used in this study.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

IP3-dependent, post-tetanic calcium transients induced by electrostimulation of adult skeletal muscle fibers

Tetanic electrical stimulation induces two separate calcium signals in rat skeletal myotubes, a fast one, dependent on Cav 1.1 or dihydropyridine receptors (DHPRs) and ryanodine receptors and related to contraction, and a slow signal, dependent on DHPR and inositol trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) and related to transcriptional events. We searched for slow calcium signals in adult muscle fibers using isolated adult flexor digitorum brevis fibers from 5–7-wk-old mice, loaded with fluo-3. When stimulated with trains of 0.3-ms pulses at various frequencies, cells responded with a fast calcium signal associated with muscle contraction, followed by a slower signal similar to one previously described in cultured myotubes. Nifedipine inhibited the slow signal more effectively than the fast one, suggesting a role for DHPR in its onset. The IP3R inhibitors Xestospongin B or C (5 µM) also inhibited it. The amplitude of post-tetanic calcium transients depends on both tetanus frequency and duration, having a maximum at 10–20 Hz. At this stimulation frequency, an increase of the slow isoform of troponin I mRNA was detected, while the fast isoform of this gene was inhibited. All three IP3R isoforms were present in adult muscle. IP3R-1 was differentially expressed in different types of muscle fibers, being higher in a subset of fast-type fibers. Interestingly, isolated fibers from the slow soleus muscle did not reveal the slow calcium signal induced by electrical stimulus. These results support the idea that IP3R-dependent slow calcium signals may be characteristic of distinct types of muscle fibers and may participate in the activation of specific transcriptional programs of slow and fast phenotype

Telecondutas : nódulo mamário

Telemedicin