Polyphasic identification of Aspergillus section Nigri preserved under mineral oil at URM culture collection

[Excerpt] The species of Aspergillus section Nigri are isolated from different environments. However, úe main habitat of úese species is the soil. According Samson et al. (2007) there are 19 species of Aspergil/zs section Nigri accepted. The species must be delineated based on a polyphasic approach, including morphology, physiology, profile of secondary metabolites and molecular biology (Samson and Varga,2009). Additionally, according to Santos et al. (2010a,2010b) it is clearer that spectral analyses add value to the polyphasic approach. It generates quahty data which are accurate and useful when some of the methods described above presented limitations. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorptiorúonisation Time-Of-Flight Intact Cell Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF ICMS) is a spectral technique that analyses the chemical cellular composition of microorganisms providing rapid and discriminatory fingerprints for identification

Effects of camptothecin derivatives and topoisomerase dual inhibitors on Trypanosoma cruzi growth and ultrastructure

BACKGROUND: Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas’ disease that is an endemic disease in Latin America and affects about 8 million people. This parasite belongs to the Trypanosomatidae family which contains a single mitochondrion with an enlarged region, named kinetoplast that harbors the mitochondrial DNA (kDNA). The kinetoplast and the nucleus present a great variety of essential enzymes involved in DNA replication and topology, including DNA topoisomerases. Such enzymes are considered to be promising molecular targets for cancer treatment and for antiparasitic chemotherapy. In this work, the proliferation and ultrastructure of T. cruzi epimastigotes were evaluated after treatment with eukaryotic topoisomerase I inhibitors, such as topotecan and irinotecan, as well as with dual inhibitors (compounds that block eukaryotic topoisomerase I and topoisomerase II activities), such as baicalein, luteolin and evodiamine. Previous studies have shown that such inhibitors were able to block the growth of tumor cells, however most of them have never been tested on trypanosomatids. RESULTS: Considering the effects of topoisomerase I inhibitors, our results showed that topotecan decreased cell proliferation and caused unpacking of nuclear heterochromatin, however none of these alterations were observed after treatment with irinotecan. The dual inhibitors baicalein and evodiamine decreased cell growth; however the nuclear and kinetoplast ultrastructures were not affected. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our data showed that camptothecin is more efficient than its derivatives in decreasing T. cruzi proliferation. Furthermore, we conclude that drugs pertaining to a certain class of topoisomerase inhibitors may present different efficiencies as chemotherapeutical agents

Características do Endividamento no Cartão de Crédito dos Estudantes da Universidade Estadual de Maringá

Objective: To analyze the indebtedness, with emphasis on the use of credit cards, as well as the level of financial knowledge, of students at the main campus of the State University of Maringá (UEM) in the year 2023. Theoretical Framework: Based on the wide use of credit cards as a means of payment and access to credit in a context of high indebtedness and delinquency of Brazilian families. In this context, some aspects of the importance of financial education are addressed.  Method: Application of a questionnaire with questions about the financial habits of UEM students, analyzing the frequency of credit card use, the existence of overdue debts, the level of knowledge about interest and card benefits, as well as aspects about indebtedness and financial planning. Results and Conclusions: The results showed that the indebtedness profile of UEM students differs from that found in the country. The use of credit cards appears in second place as a preferable means of payment by students, who have a low level of indebtedness and delinquency. However, approximately half of students don´t adopt financial planning practices, which is a worrying fact. Implications of the Research: The study recommends that universities promote financial education actions with the aim of showing the importance of planning individual finances. Originality/Value: Scarcity of studies that specifically address college student indebtedness with an emphasis on credit card use.Objetivo: Analizar el endeudamiento, con énfasis en el uso de tarjetas de crédito, así como el nivel de conocimientos financieros, de los estudiantes del campus principal de la Universidad Estatal de Maringá (UEM) en el año 2023. Marco teórico: Basado en el uso generalizado de tarjetas de crédito como medio de pago y acceso al crédito en un contexto de alto endeudamiento y morosidad de las familias brasileñas. En este contexto, se abordan algunos aspectos de la importancia de la educación financiera.  Método: Aplicación de un cuestionario con preguntas sobre los hábitos financieros de los estudiantes de la UEM, analizando la frecuencia de uso de tarjetas de crédito, la existencia de deudas vencidas, el nivel de conocimiento sobre intereses y beneficios de la tarjeta, así como aspectos sobre endeudamiento y planificación financiera. Resultados y conclusiones: Los resultados mostraron que el perfil de endeudamiento de los estudiantes de la UEM difiere del encontrado en el país. El uso de tarjetas de crédito aparece en segundo lugar como medio de pago preferente por parte de los estudiantes, quienes tienen un bajo nivel de endeudamiento y morosidad. Sin embargo, aproximadamente la mitad de los estudiantes no adoptan prácticas de planificación financeira, lo  cual es preocupante. Implicaciones de la investigación: El estudio recomienda que las universidades promuevan acciones de educación financiera con el objetivo de mostrar la importancia de planificar las finanzas individuales. Originalidad/valor: Escasez de estudios que aborden específicamente el endeudamiento de los estudiantes universitarios con énfasis en el uso de tarjetas de crédito.Objetivo: Analisar o endividamento, com ênfase no uso do cartão de crédito, bem como o nível de conhecimento financeiro, dos estudantes do campus sede da Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM) no ano de 2023. Referencial teórico: Baseada no amplo uso do cartão de crédito como meio de pagamento e acesso ao crédito num contexto de elevado endividamento e inadimplência das famílias brasileiras. Nesse contexto, aborda-se alguns aspectos da importância da educação financeira.  Método: Aplicação de questionário com perguntas sobre hábitos financeiros dos estudantes da UEM, analisando a frequência de uso do cartão de crédito, a existência de dívidas em atraso, o nível de conhecimento sobre juros e benefícios do cartão, bem como aspectos sobre endividamento e planejamento financeiro. Resultados e conclusões: Os resultados mostraram que o perfil de endividamento dos estudantes da UEM diverge daquele encontrado no país. O uso do cartão de crédito aparece em segundo lugar como meio de pagamento preferível pelos alunos, que possuem baixo nível de endividamento e inadimplência. No entanto, aproximadamente metade dos estudantes não adotam práticas de planejamento financeiro, o que é preocupante. Implicações da pesquisa: O estudo recomenda que a universidade promova ações de educação financeira com o objetivo de mostrar a importância do ato de planejar as finanças individuais. Originalidade/valor: Escassez de estudos que abordam especificamente o endividamento dos estudantes universitários com ênfase no uso do cartão de crédito

POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS PARA FORMAÇÃO INICIAL E CONTINUADA DE PROFESSORES DA EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL

O presente artigo apresenta como objeto de estudo a formação inicial e continuada para os professores da Educação Infantil, destacando o cenário da política de formação dos professores no país em aspectos que perpassam pelo processo histórico e pelos marcos legais em um contexto de conflitos e contradições. Evidenciam-se os desafios para a formação de professores para a Educação Infantil, com o intuito de ampliar os debates sobre as concepções de formação inicial e continuada, considerando-se as necessidades, as potencialidades, a cultura, o desenvolvimento e a aprendizagem das crianças, bem como as complexidades do cenário político atual que repercutem nas políticas de formação dos professores

Production of polygalacturonases by aspergillus section Nigri strains in a fixed bed reactor

Polygalacturonases (PG) are pectinolytic enzymes that have technological, functional and biological applications in food processing, fruit ripening and plant-fungus interactions, respectively. In the present, study a microtitre plate methodology was used for rapid screening of 61 isolates of fungi from Aspergillus section Nigri to assess production of endo- and exo-PG. Studies of scale-up were carried out in a fixed bed reactor operated under different parameters using the best producer strain immobilised in orange peels. Four experiments were conducted under the following conditions: the immobilised cells without aeration; immobilised cells with aeration; immobilised cells with aeration and added pectin; and free cells with aeration. The fermentation was performed for 168 h with removal of sample every 24 h. Aspergillus niger strain URM 5162 showed the highest PG production. The results obtained indicated that the maximum endo- and exo-PG activities (1.18 U·mL-1 and 4.11 U·mL-1, respectively) were obtained when the reactor was operating without aeration. The microtitre plate method is a simple way to screen fungal isolates for PG activity detection. The fixed bed reactor with orange peel support and using A. niger URM 5162 is a promising process for PG production at the industrial level.M.H.C. Maciel thanks to Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq, Brazil) and Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window Lote 17

DOENÇA DE CROHN: FATORES DE RISCO E QUALIDADE DE VIDA

Introdução: A Doença de Crohn (DC) pertence ao grupo das doenças inflamatórias intestinais (DII). Apresenta característica de resposta imune inflamatória ao conteúdo intraluminal, associada a predisposição genética e fatores ambientais. Objetivo: Compilar informações sobre fatores de risco e qualidade de vida dos pacientes com DC. Metodologia: O PubMed foi a base de dados utilizada. Os termos utilizados foram palavras chaves cadastradas na base de Descritores em saúde (DeCS), sendo elas: Crohn disease, quality of life, treatment adherence, risk factors, signs and symptoms. Foi feita a leitura do título dos artigos e avaliado se havia semelhança com o objetivo do trabalho, e posteriormente a leitura completa dos artigos selecionados. Resultados: A partir da leitura dos resumos, 34 artigos foram selecionados e destes, 10 tinham concordância com o objetivo do trabalho. Discussão: No Brasil, a DC possui maior incidência em brancos, mulheres e indivíduos entre 20 e 40 anos de idade. A fisiopatologia é caracterizada por um aumento de folículos linfóides e liberação de citocinas pró inflamatórias, que geram ulcerações aftosas, e podem progredir para lesões de características profundas, como fissuras e fibrose do tecido. Os fatores de risco descritos para DC foram: hipovitaminose D, tabagismo durante o período gestacional, obesidade e aumento da ingestão de proteínas animais. Amamentação e exposição de antígenos na infância foram descritos como fatores de proteção. Conclusão: A DC envolve uma variedade de fatores de risco, e está relacionada ao desenvolvimento de transtornos psicoemocionais. &nbsp

Antifungal susceptibility of the endophytic fungus Rhinocladiella similis (URM 7800) isolated from the Caatinga dry forest in Brazil

The present study reports a new occurrence of Rhinocladiella similis isolated as an endophytic fungus in the Caatinga dry tropical forest in Brazil and describes its antifungal susceptibility. The isolate R. similis URM 7800 was obtained from leaves of the medicinal plant Myracrodruon urundeuva. Its morphological characterization was performed on potato dextrose agar medium and molecular analysis using the ITS rDNA sequence. The antifungal susceptibility profile was defined using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) protocol M38-A2. The colony of isolate URM 7800 showed slow growth, with an olivaceous-gray color and powdery mycelium; in microculture, it showed the typical features of R. similis. In the antifungal susceptibility test, isolate URM 7800 showed high minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for amphotericin B (>16 μg/mL), voriconazole (16 μg/mL), terbinafine (>0.5 μg/mL), and caspofungin (>8 μg/mL), among other antifungal drugs. Pathogenic melanized fungi are frequently isolated in environments where humans may be exposed, and these data show that it is essential to know if these isolates possess antifungal resistance

Reduction of Tubulin Expression in Angomonas deanei by RNAi Modifies the Ultrastructure of the Trypanosomatid Protozoan and Impairs Division of Its Endosymbiotic Bacterium

In the last two decades, RNA interference pathways have been employed as a useful tool for reverse genetics in trypanosomatids. Angomonas deanei is a non-pathogenic trypanosomatid that maintains an obligatory endosymbiosis with a bacterium related to the Alcaligenaceae family. Studies of this symbiosis can help us to understand the origin of eukaryotic organelles. The recent elucidation of both the A. deanei and the bacterium symbiont genomes revealed that the host protozoan codes for the enzymes necessary for RNAi activity in trypanosomatids. Here we tested the functionality of the RNAi machinery by transfecting cells with dsRNA to a reporter gene (green fluorescent protein), which had been previously expressed in the parasite and to α-tubulin, an endogenous gene. In both cases, protein expression was reduced by the presence of specific dsRNA, inducing, respectively, a decreased GFP fluorescence and the formation of enlarged cells with modified arrangement of subpellicular microtubules. Furthermore, symbiont division was impaired. These results indicate that the RNAi system is active in A. deanei and can be used to further explore gene function in symbiont-containing trypanosoma tids and to clarify important aspects of symbiosis and cell evolution. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved