Anti-giardia activity of hexane extract of Citrus aurantifolia (Christim) swingle and some of its constituents

Background: Giardia lamblia is a parasite that causes giardiasis in humans and other mammals. The common treatment includes different drugs, which were described to produce unpleasant side effects. Citrus aurantifolia, popularly known as “lima”, is a plant used in traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal symptoms. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-Giardia activity of 10 pure compounds obtained from a hexanic extract of Mexican lime on the basis of trophozoite growth inhibition.Materials and Methods: A hexanic extract obtained from fresh fruit peels of Citrus aurantifolia was tested on G. lamblia strain 0989:IMSS trophozoites cultured in TYI-S-33 medium. The concentration of all standard drugs, analyzed by gas chromatography, was adjusted at 10 mg/mL. Metronidazole was used as a positive control. Growth inhibition was determined by counting the number of trophozoites using a Neubauer chamber. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of each drug was calculated by probit analysis and 95% confidence limits were calculated.Results: 4-hexen-3-one, citral and geraniol showed IC50 values of 34.2, 64.5 and 229.49 μg/ml in axenic cultures after 24 hr of incubation, respectively. When these results were compared with a positive control of metronidazole; 4-hexen-3-one was 66 times; citral was 112 and geraniol was 441 times less active respectively. The other tested compounds did not inhibit the growth of cultured G. lamblia trophozoites.Conclusion: The obtained results lead us to propose that these tested compounds from C. aurantifolia have potential for use as therapeutic agents against giardiasis.Keywords: antigiardial ; Citrus aurantifolia; antiprotozoal activity; Giardia lambli

Um estudo da legislação e das métricas do setor elétrico brasileiro para fomentar a digitalização e a descentralização do mercado de energia

CIES2020 - XVII Congresso Ibérico e XIII Congresso Ibero-americano de Energia SolarRESUMO: A energia elétrica gerada de forma distribuída deve ser transacionada de forma segura e eficaz, o que pode ser obtido por meio da aplicação da tecnologia blockchain no setor elétrico. Objetiva-se com este artigo trabalhar com questões legais relacionadas ao setor de comercialização de energia elétrica indicando as necessidades de alterações na legislação e na regulamentação, a fim de possibilitar a aplicação da tecnologia blockchain. Assim como, objetiva-se propor métricas relacionadas à aplicação de blockchain no mercado de comercialização de energia elétrica brasileiro para promover a digitalização e o aprimoramento de seus processos. O estudo fundamenta-se e desenvolve-se por revisão documental do ambiente regulatório brasileiro; e por revisão documental e bibliográfica sobre o mercado de comercialização de energia elétrica. Os resultados são indicações de alterações na legislação e na regulamentação, e métricas de impactos para aplicação da tecnologia blockchain no mercado de comercialização de energia elétrica brasileiro.ABSTRACT: The electric energy generated in a distributed manner must be transacted safely and effectively. It can be obtained through the application of blockchain technology in the electric sector. The aim of this article is to work with legal issues related to the electric energy trading sector. It will be possible indicating the necessity for changes in legislation and regulation to enable the application of blockchain technology in this sector. As well, it aims to propose metrics related to the application of blockchain in the Brazilian electric energy trading market for the purpose of promote the digitization and improvement of its processes. This study is based and developed by documentary review of the Brazilian regulatory environment; and by documentary and bibliographic review about the electric energy commercialization market. The results are indications of changes in legislation and regulations, and metrics of impacts for the application of blockchain technology in the Brazilian electric energy commercialization market.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Efecto de la adición de lodos de papel activados térmicamente en las propiedades mecánicas y de porosidad de pastas de cemento

The present article discusses the effect of paper sludge additions, calcined at 700 ºC for two hours, on cement paste pore structure and mechanical strength. Both total and capillary porosity were observed to depend on the percentage of calcined sludge added to the cementitious matrix. While a 10% addition induced values for both slightly higher than the control, adding 20% prompted the opposite result, reducing porosity values with respect to the control. Substantial refinement was observed, with a rise in pores smaller than 0.01 μm (gel pores) when the calcined sludge was added. Such refinement was greater at the higher percentage of sludge. After approximately 15 days, strength was lower in both the additioned pastes compared to the control. A high correlation (R2≥0.939) was found between total porosity and compressive strength for both percentages studied.El presente trabajo muestra el resultado de una investigación llevada a cabo en pastas de cemento que contienen un 10 y un 20% de lodo de papel calcinado a 700 ºC, durante 2h. Se estudia cómo afecta esta adición activa en la estructura porosa y las resistencias mecánicas. Se demuestra que tanto la porosidad total como la capilar dependen del porcentaje de lodo calcinado añadido a la matriz cementante. Así, un 10% de adición muestra para ambas porosidades valores ligeramente superiores al de la pasta de referencia, sin embargo la incorporación de un 20% produce un resultado contrario, disminuyendo ambas porosidades con respecto a la pasta control. Para el caso de poros de tamaño inferior a 0,01 μm (poros de gel) se detecta un importante proceso de refinamiento con la incorporación del lodo calcinado, este refinamiento es tanto mayor cuanto mayor es el porcentaje añadido. En cuanto a los valores de resistencia, para los dos porcentajes de adición se produce una disminución a partir de aproximadamente 15 días, respecto a la pasta patrón. Se muestra una buena correlación entre la porosidad total y la resistencia a compresión para ambas adiciones (R2≥0,939)

D-cycloserine augmentation of exposure-based cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and posttraumatic stress disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data

Importance: Whether and under which conditions D-cycloserine (DCS) augments the effects of exposure-based cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and posttraumatic stress disorders is unclear. Objective: To clarify whether DCS is superior to placebo in augmenting the effects of cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and posttraumatic stress disorders and to evaluate whether antidepressants interact with DCS and the effect of potential moderating variables. Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO were searched from inception to February 10, 2016. Reference lists of previous reviews and meta-analyses and reports of randomized clinical trials were also checked. Study Selection: Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were (1) double-blind randomized clinical trials of DCS as an augmentation strategy for exposure-based cognitive behavior therapy and (2) conducted in humans diagnosed as having specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or posttraumatic stress disorder. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Raw data were obtained from the authors and quality controlled. Data were ranked to ensure a consistent metric across studies (score range, 0-100). We used a 3-level multilevel model nesting repeated measures of outcomes within participants, who were nested within studies. Results: Individual participant data were obtained for 21 of 22 eligible trials, representing 1047 of 1073 eligible participants. When controlling for antidepressant use, participants receiving DCS showed greater improvement from pretreatment to posttreatment (mean difference, -3.62; 95% CI, -0.81 to -6.43; P = .01; d = -0.25) but not from pretreatment to midtreatment (mean difference, -1.66; 95% CI, -4.92 to 1.60; P = .32; d = -0.14) or from pretreatment to follow-up (mean difference, -2.98, 95% CI, -5.99 to 0.03; P = .05; d = -0.19). Additional analyses showed that participants assigned to DCS were associated with lower symptom severity than those assigned to placebo at posttreatment and at follow-up. Antidepressants did not moderate the effects of DCS. None of the prespecified patient-level or study-level moderators was associated with outcomes. Conclusions and Relevance: D-cycloserine is associated with a small augmentation effect on exposure-based therapy. This effect is not moderated by the concurrent use of antidepressants. Further research is needed to identify patient and/or therapy characteristics associated with DCS response.2018-05-0

The regulatory subunit of PKA-I remains partially structured and undergoes β-aggregation upon thermal denaturation

Background: The regulatory subunit (R) of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is a modular flexible protein that responds with large conformational changes to the binding of the effector cAMP. Considering its highly dynamic nature, the protein is rather stable. We studied the thermal denaturation of full-length RIα and a truncated RIα(92-381) that contains the tandem cyclic nucleotide binding (CNB) domains A and B. Methodology/Principal Findings: As revealed by circular dichroism (CD) and differential scanning calorimetry, both RIα proteins contain significant residual structure in the heat-denatured state. As evidenced by CD, the predominantly α-helical spectrum at 25°C with double negative peaks at 209 and 222 nm changes to a spectrum with a single negative peak at 212-216 nm, characteristic of β-structure. A similar α→β transition occurs at higher temperature in the presence of cAMP. Thioflavin T fluorescence and atomic force microscopy studies support the notion that the structural transition is associated with cross-β-intermolecular aggregation and formation of non-fibrillar oligomers. Conclusions/Significance: Thermal denaturation of RIα leads to partial loss of native packing with exposure of aggregation-prone motifs, such as the B' helices in the phosphate-binding cassettes of both CNB domains. The topology of the β-sandwiches in these domains favors inter-molecular β-aggregation, which is suppressed in the ligand-bound states of RIα under physiological conditions. Moreover, our results reveal that the CNB domains persist as structural cores through heat-denaturation. © 2011 Dao et al

ANTI-GIARDIA ACTIVITY OF HEXANE EXTRACT OF CITRUS AURANTIFOLIA (CHRISTIM) SWINGLE AND SOME OF ITS CONSTITUENTS

Giardia lamblia is a parasite that causes giardiasis in humans and other mammals. The common treatment includes different classes of drugs, which were described to produce unpleasant side effects. Citrus aurantifolia, popularly known as lima, is a plant used in the traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal symptoms. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-Giardia activity of 10 pure compounds obtained from a hexanic extract of Mexican lime, on the basis of trophozoite growth inhibition. 4-hexen-3-one, citral and geraniol showed IC50 values of 34.2, 64.5 and 229.49 µg/ml in axenic cultures after 24 h of incubation, respectively. The obtained results lead us to propose that these compounds from C. aurantifolia have potential for use as therapeutic agents against giardiasis

`Whose Shoes?` Can an educational board game engage Ugandan men in pregnancy and childbirth?

Background Men can play a significant role in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality in low-income countries. Maternal health programmes are increasingly looking for innovative interventions to engage men to help improve health outcomes for pregnant women. Educational board games offer a unique approach to present health information where learning is reinforced through group discussions supporting peer-to-peer interactions. Methods A qualitative study with men from Uganda currently living in the UK on their views of an educational board game. Men were purposively sampled to play a board game and participate in a focus group discussion. The pilot study explored perceptions on whether a board game was relevant as a health promotional tool in maternal health prior to implementation in Uganda. Results The results of the pilot study were promising; participants reported the use of visual aids and messages were easy to understand and enhanced change in perspective. Men in this study were receptive on the use of board games as a health promotional tool and recommended its use in rural Uganda. Conclusions This study provides preliminary data on the relevancy and efficacy of using board games in maternal health. Key messages from the focus group appeared to be that the board game is more than acceptable to fathers and that it needs to be adapted to the local context to make it suitable for men in rural Uganda

Absence of XMRV in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of ARV-Treatment Naïve HIV-1 Infected and HIV-1/HCV Coinfected Individuals and Blood Donors

<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) has been found in the prostatic tissue of prostate cancer patients and in the blood of chronic fatigue syndrome patients. However, numerous studies have found little to no trace of XMRV in different human cohorts. Based on evidence suggesting common transmission routes between XMRV and HIV-1, HIV-1 infected individuals may represent a high-risk group for XMRV infection and spread.</p> <h3>Methodology/Principal Findings</h3><p>DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 179 HIV-1 infected treatment naïve patients, 86 of which were coinfected with HCV, and 54 healthy blood donors. DNA was screened for XMRV provirus with two sensitive, published PCR assays targeting XMRV <em>gag</em> and <em>env</em> and one sensitive, published nested PCR assay targeting <em>env</em>. Detection of XMRV was confirmed by DNA sequencing. One of the 179 HIV-1 infected patients tested positive for <em>gag</em> by non-nested PCR whereas the two other assays did not detect XMRV in any specimen. All healthy blood donors were negative for XMRV proviral sequences. Sera from 23 HIV-1 infected patients (15 HCV⁺) and 12 healthy donors were screened for the presence of XMRV-reactive antibodies by Western blot. Thirteen sera (57%) from HIV-1⁺ patients and 6 sera (50%) from healthy donors showed reactivity to XMRV-infected cell lysate.</p> <h3>Conclusions/Significance</h3><p>The virtual absence of XMRV in PBMCs suggests that XMRV is not associated with HIV-1 infected or HIV-1/HCV coinfected patients, or blood donors. Although we noted isolated incidents of serum reactivity to XMRV, we are unable to verify the antibodies as XMRV specific.</p> </div