Brazilian red propolis: extracts production, physicochemical characterization, and cytotoxicity profile for antitumor activity

Brazilian red propolis has been proposed as a new source of compounds with cytotoxic activity. Red propolis is a resinous material of vegetal origin, synthesized from the bees of the Appis mellifera family, with recognized biological properties. To obtain actives of low polarity and high cytotoxic profile from red propolis, in this work, we proposed a new solvent accelerated extraction method. A complete 23 factorial design was carried out to evaluate the influence of the independent variables or factors (e.g., temperature, number of cycles, and extraction time) on the dependent variable or response (i.e., yield of production). The extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry for the identification of chemical compounds. Gas chromatography analysis revealed the presence of hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, ethers, and terpenes, such as lupeol, lupenone, and lupeol acetate, in most of the obtained extracts. To evaluate the cytotoxicity profile of the obtained bioactives, the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazole)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide colorimetric assay was performed in different tumor cell lines (HCT116 and PC3). The results show that the extract obtained from 70 °C and one cycle of extraction of 10 min exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity against the tested cell lines. The highest yield, however, did not indicate the highest cytotoxic activity, but the optimal extraction conditions were indeed dependent on the temperature (i.e., 70 °C).FCT -Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(UIDB/04469/2020)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ausbildungsprogramme für angewandte Epidemiologie in Deutschland und Europa. Eine lohnende Investition für die Zukunft

Ausbrüche von Infektionskrankheiten, wie z. B. SARS und Influenza, können weitgreifende Folgen für die Gesellschaft haben. Daher kommt der Ausbildung von Nachwuchswissenschaftlern bei der Kontrolle von Infektionskrankheiten eine große Bedeutung zu. Die deutsche Postgraduiertenausbildung für angewandte Epidemiologie (PAE) am Robert Koch-Institut (RKI) und das European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET) bemühen sich, dieser Herausforderung zu begegnen. Seit Bestehen konnten 27 Personen die PAE und 12 Personen deutscher Herkunft das EPIET-Programm beginnen. Von 36 Absolventen waren 17 unmittelbar nach dem Abschluss des Trainings am RKI in regionalen oder lokalen Gesundheitsbehörden in Deutschland tätig gewesen. Seit 2006 konnte die Anzahl der jährlich ausgebildeten Nachwuchswissenschaftler der PAE von 3 auf 6 erhöht werden, die des EPIET von 9 auf 19. Zudem sind 5 Landesstellen als Ausbildungsstätten in die PAE aufgenommen worden. Die Zusammenarbeit zwischen EPIET und PAE ist innerhalb der letzten Jahre verstärkt und diversifiziert worden. Absolventen dieser Ausbildungsprogramme werden mittelund langfristig eine Schlüsselrolle im Schutz gegen Infektionskrankheiten in Deutschland und Europa spielen.Outbreaks of infectious diseases such as SARS and influenza can have a profound impact on society. Therefore, training epidemiologists in infectious diseases control is of crucial importance. The German Postgraduate training in Applied Epidemiology (PAE) at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET) are striving to meet these challenges. Currently, 27 and 12 persons of German origin have joined PAE and EPIET, respectively. A total of 17 out of the 36 alumni started working at the RKI, regional or local German health authorities after completing their training. Since 2006, the number of yearly admitted fellows increased from 3 to 6 in PAE, and 9 to 19 in EPIET and 5 state health departments have been added as training sites. The collaboration between EPIET and PAE has been strengthened and diversified in recent years. Alumni of these programs will play a key role in the control of infectious diseases in Germany and Europe

Differences and Commonalities of National Field Epidemiology Training Programmes in Europe

From 1994 to 2009, national field epidemiology training programmes (FETP) have been installed in Spain, Germany, Italy, France and Norway. During their two year duration, different components of the FETP are devised as follows: 63-79 weeks are spent on projects in hosting institutes, 2-26 weeks in outside projects, 9-30 weeks in courses and modules, and 1-2 weeks in scientific conferences. A considerable proportion of the Spanish FETP has is provided conventional class room training . The content of the modules is very similar for all programmes. Except from the Italian programme, all focus on infectious disease epidemiology. The German and Norwegian programmes are so called EPIET-associated programmesas their participants are integrated in the modules and the supervision offered by EPIET, but salaries, facilitators, and training sites are provided by the national programme. These EPIET-associated programmes require strong communications skills in English. Alumni of all five FETP are generally working within the public health work force in their respective countries or at international level, many of them in leading functions. Although three new FETP have been installed since the last published Euroroundup in Eurosurveillance on European FETP in 2001, the progress with respect to the establishment of national FETP or EPIET-associated programmes has been slow. Member States should be aware of how much support EPIET can offer for the establishment of national FETP or EPIET-associated programmes. However, they also need to be ready to provide the necessary resources, the administrative environment and long-term dedication to make field epidemiology training work

Biologia, morfologia floral e potencial ornamental de Cyrtopodium saintlegerianum (Orchidaceae)

Cyrtopodium saintlegerianum é uma das poucas epífitas no gênero e caracteriza-se por apresentar touceiras grandes e vistosas. Apresenta numerosas flores com sépalas amarelas maculadas de marrom e pétalas totalmente amarelas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os aspectos da biologia e morfologia floral de Cyrtopodium saintlegerianum visando estimar o potencial da sua utilização como planta ornamental. Na biologia floral foi analisado o período de floração, a longevidade de flores e inflorescência e senescência floral. A morfometria floral analisou o comprimento e diâmetro da inflorescência; tamanho da bráctea; número de hastes florais por inflorescência; comprimento das flores por haste floral; número de flores abertas por inflorescência/dia; número de flores por touceira e desenvolvimento dos frutos. C. saintlegerianum pode atingir até 1,40m de altura. A floração ocorreu durante os meses de Agosto a Outubro 2014. O número médio de flores produzidas entre as populações variou de 2650 a 8520. A deiscência das cápsulas ocorreu de 4-5 meses após a polinização natural. O comprimento (95,00 ± 1,22), diâmetro da inflorescência (20,00 ± 0,70), número de flores produzidas por inflorescência (800± 3,44) e a durabilidade das flores caracteriza C. saintlegerianum apta para o uso no paisagismo, flores de corte e composição de ambientes, além de contribuir para a preservação da flora local e evidenciar identidades regionais

Nutritional requirements for germination and in vitro development of three Orchidaceceae species in the southern Brazilian Amazon

Tissue culture is an alternative form of producing healthy, vigorous and regular plants on a large scale. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the most efficient culture medium for in vitro plantlet germination and development of three Orchidaceae species. Seeds disinfested of three species were dispersed in distilled water and dripped into basic Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial 3 x 4 (three species x four culture media), with 5 replications. Four treatments were established: (1) full-strength MS medium, with the full nutrient concentration (MSØ), (2) full-strength MS medium plus 0.3% activated charcoal (MSØ ACh), (3) half- strength MS medium (½ MS) and (4) half- strength MS medium with 0.3 % activated charcoal (½ MS ACh). Germination was evaluated after 15, 20, 25, 30, and 60 days. The shoot height, leaf number and length, root number and length of plantlets of the three studied species were assessed. In A. variegata, 73% germinated after 60 days in ½ MS ACh medium. In the same period, 100% of E. viparum and S. gloriosa seeds germinated in MSØ ACh medium. The plant height, leaf number and length, root number and length were significantly higher for the species A. variegata and E. viviparum in MSØ ACh medium. The culture media ½ MS and MSØ with addition of activated charcoal favored in vitro germination for the three orchid species of this study

Determinants of HIV, viral hepatitis and STI prevention needs among African migrants in Germany; a cross-sectional survey on knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and practices

Background: Migrants from sub-Saharan Africa (MisSA) are a relevant sub-group for HIV-transmission in Germany. A total of 10-15 % of all newly diagnosed cases are MisSA, and approximately one third acquired HIV in Germany. There is limited information on knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and practices (KABP) regarding sexual health in African communities residing in Germany. Methods: From October-December 2013 we conducted a cross-sectional survey on KABP regarding HIV, viral hepatitis (HEP), and sexually transmitted infections (STI) among MisSA in Hamburg as a community-based participatory research project to identify knowledge gaps, sexual risk behavior regarding HIV/HEP/STI, HIV/STI-testing history and attitudes toward people living with HIV (PLWH). Trained peer researchers recruited participants through outreach. Questionnaires in German, English or French were either administered face-to-face or self-completed. Questions on knowledge about HIV/HEP/STI presented true statements; participants were asked if they knew the information before. To detect differences in sub-groups, unadjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated, and a multivariate analysis for knowledge on HIV/HEP/STI was performed. Results: The final sample included 569 participants of whom 57 % were men. Most participants originated from Western and Central sub-Saharan Africa. Median time living in Germany was 6 years. Overall, 28 % had a university degree and 54 % reported a good level of German language. Over 80 % knew the risks for HIV transmission. A total of 44 % of respondents wrongly assumed that an HIV-diagnosis might lead to deportation and 64 % were not aware of the free and anonymous local HIV/STI-testing service. The proportion of participants with knowledge of presented facts on HEP varied from 40-58 %. The respective proportion on STI was 28-68 % and better among women compared to men (44 % vs. 54 %; OR = 1.45; 95 % CI 1.22-1.74). Men reported more often casual sex partners than women (43 % vs. 23 %; OR = 2.6; 95 % CI 1.7-4.0), and more frequently a previous STI (58 % vs. 39 %; OR = 2.1; 95 % CI 1.1-4.1). Overall, 16 % of women reported a history of sexual violence. The majority of respondents (75 %) reported that they would treat PLWH like any other person. Conclusion: Study participants demonstrated good knowledge on HIV-transmission but knowledge gaps regarding HIV/STI-testing services, HEP and STI. This calls for targeted interventions providing more information about these topics in African communities in Hamburg and possibly also elsewhere