Fish products developed from ground rainbow trout and tilapia fillet mixtures: physico-chemical, microbiological and toxicological analyses / Produtos de pescado elaborados a partir de misturas de carne moída de truta-arco-íris (Oncorhynchus mykiss) e tilápia (Oreochromis sp. ): análises físico-químicas, microbiológicas e toxicológicas

Constant fishing industry innovations in response to consumer demands for novel, balanced healthy products exhibiting high nutritional value, as well as easy to prepare and ready to consume, have led to the emergence of new technologies. Among them, the development of products based on ground beef and fish mixtures are noteworthy. In this context, the purpose of this study was to develop products from different ground rainbow trout and tilapia fillet ratios, in the form of meatballs and nuggets, determining their proximate composition and physico-chemical, microbiological and toxicological characteristics. The average dry matter percentage of the developed products was 29.20±2.30%, while mineral content was 1.45±0.55%, lipid pulp content, 3.70±0.30% and crude pulp protein, 16.60±2.04%. Total psychotropic counts remained below 102 CFU/g, for standard counting on aerobic microorganism plates. Histamine and sulfur-based compounds were not detected in any of the prepared samples. The purpose of the work proposal was to develop foods and technologies that can serve as standards, allowing for simple handling products that apply ground meat mixtures from different fish species to maintain adequate nutritional indices after processing.(AU)

A constante inovação da indústria pesqueira, em resposta às demandas dos consumidores por novos produtos saudáveis, com alto valor nutritivo, balanceados, de fácil preparo e prontos para consumo, levou ao surgimento de novas tecnologias, entre elas o desenvolvimento de produtos à base de mistura de carne moída de pescado. Nesse contexto, a proposta deste trabalho é desenvolver produtos a partir de carne moída de pescado de truta-arco-íris e tilápia, confeccionando almôndegas e nuggets em diferentes proporções, com determinação da composição centesimal e de suas características físico-químicas, microbiológicas e toxicológicas. A matéria seca percentual média foi de 29,20±2,30%. Teores de matéria mineral nos produtos estão em 1,45±0,55%. Os teores de lipídeos aferidos na polpa foram de 3,70±0,30%, e os níveis de proteína bruta apresentados na polpa de 16,60±2,04%. A contagem de psicrotróficos totais manteve-se abaixo de 102 CFU/g, para contagem padrão em placas de micro-organismos aeróbicos. Nas amostras, não foram detectados níveis de histamina e de compostos à base de enxofre. A proposta de trabalho objetivou, por fim, desenvolver alimentos e tecnologias que possam servir como padrões, permitindo que produtos de manipulação simples e que utilizem misturas de carne moída de diferentes espécies de pescado mantenham índices nutricionais adequados após o processamento.(AU)

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from the leaves and flowers of Aloysia gratissima / Composição química e atividade antimicrobiana do óleo essencial de folhas e flores de Aloysia gratissima

Volatile oils from leaves and flowers of Aloysia gratissima were investigated for their chemical composition and antimicrobial activity against the bacteria Bacilus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae and the Candida albicans yeast. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the oils were determined by the micro-dilution method, while the chemical composition was determined by GC-MS (gas chromatography mass spectrometry). The fresh leaves and inflorescence were subjected to hydrodistillation for 120 min using a Clevenger-type apparatus, and the essential oil was tested against microorganisms. High concentrations of sesquiterpenes were observed for the inflorescence, and monoterpenes were observed for the leaves. The main compounds of the inflorescence essential oil were E-caryophyllene, germacrene B, guaiol and bulnesol, while in the leaves the main compounds were trans-pinocamphone, trans-pinocarveyl acetate, and guaiol. The essential oil from the leaves showed an effect against P. aeruginosa and S. pneumonia, and the essential oil of the inflorescence showed an effect against P. aeruginosa, S. pneumonia, and Candida albicans.

O óleo essencial de folhas e de flores de Aloysia gratissima foi avaliado quanto à composição química e ação antimicrobiana contra as bactérias Bacilus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, e a levedura Candida albicans. A concentração mínima inibitória (MIC) dos óleos essenciais foi determinada pelo método da microdiluição e a composição química determinada por CG-EM (Cromatografia Gasosa acoplada a Espectrômetro de Massas). Folhas e inflorescências frescas foram hidrodestiladas por 120 minutos em aparelho Clevenger sendo o óleo essencial testado contra microorganismos. Para as flores foi observada maior concentração de sesquiterpenos, enquanto que as folhas apresentaram maior concentração de monoterpenos. Os principais constituintes do óleo essencial da flor foram: E-cariofileno, germacreno B, guaiol e bulnesol; e das folhas foram: trans-pinocamfona, acetato de trans-pinocarveol e guaiol. O óleo essencial da folha mostrou atividade contra P. aeruginosa e S. pneumoniae, e o óleo essencial da flor mostrou atividade contra P. aeruginosa, S. pneumoniae e Candida albicans.

Expression of TERT in precancerous gastric lesions compared to gastric cancer

The objective of this study was to determine the levels of TERT mRNA and TERT protein expression in stomach precancerous lesions such as intestinal metaplasia (IM) and gastric ulcer (GU) and compare them to gastric cancer (GC). Real-time PCR was performed to detect TERT mRNA expression levels in 35 biopsies of IM, 30 of GU, and 22 of GC and their respective normal mucosas. TERT protein was detected by immunohistochemistry in 68 samples, 34 of IM, 23 of GU, and 11 of GC. Increased TERT mRNA expression levels were observed in a significant number of cases, i.e., 46 percent of IM, 50 percent of GU, and 79 percent of GC. The relative mean level of TERT mRNA after normalization with the β-actin reference gene and comparison with the respective adjacent normal mucosa was slightly increased in the IM and GU groups, 2.008 ± 2.605 and 2.730 ± 4.120, respectively, but high TERT mRNA expression was observed in the GC group (17.271 ± 33.852). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the three groups. TERT protein-positive immunostaining was observed in 38 percent of IM, 39 percent of GU, and 55 percent of GC. No association of TERT mRNA and protein expression with Helicobacter pylori infection or other clinicopathological variables was demonstrable, except for the incomplete type vs the complete type of IM. This study confirms previous data of the high expression of both TERT mRNA and protein in gastric cancer and also demonstrates this type of changed expression in IM and GU, thus suggesting that TERT expression may be deregulated in precursor lesions that participate in the early stages of gastric carcinogenesis.

Avaliação do potencial alelopático, atividade antimicrobiana e antioxidante dos extratos orgânicos das folhas de Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl. ) Miers (Bignoniaceae) / Evaluation of allelopathic potential, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl. ) Miers (Bignoniaceae) leaf organic extracts

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de atividade alelopática, antimicrobiana e antioxidante dos extratos orgânicos (hexano, acetato de etila e metanol) das folhas de Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers (Bignoniaceae). Para alelopatia, foi estudado o desenvolvimento de Cucumis sativus (pepino), sendo avaliados o comprimento da raiz principal, o número de raízes secundárias e o comprimento do hipocótilo. Os dois primeiros parâmetros foram afetados por todos os três extratos testados enquanto o comprimento do hipocótilo só não foi afetado pelo extrato acetato de etila. Quanto à atividade antimicrobiana, avaliada pelo ensaio de CIM, o extrato hexânico apresentou inibição moderada frente ao Staphylococcus aureus (0,9 mg mL-1) e forte ao Enterococcus hirae (0,5 mg mL-1). O extrato acetato de etila apresentou forte atividade frente Candida albicans (0,3 mg mL-1) enquanto o extrato metanólico não mostrou-se ativo para os microrganismos testados. Por outro lado, o extrato metanólico apresentou a maior capacidade de seqüestrar radicais livres (Concentração Efetiva 50 por cento-CE50 =102,0 ± 56,9 mg mL-1, com TCE50 = 30 min) no ensaio com DPPH (2,2-difenil-1-picril-hidrazila) e o maior teor de compostos fenólicos (116,2 ± 83,0 mg ácido gálico g amostra-1), avaliado pelo ensaio de Folin-Ciocalteau.

This paper presents the results of allelopathic, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of organic extracts (hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol) from the leaves of Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers (Bignoniaceae). Allelopathic activity was assessed based on Cucumis sativus (cucumber) development for the parameters main root length, number of secondary roots and hypocotyl length. All tested extracts affected the first two parameters, while the hypocotyl length was not affected only by the ethyl acetate extract. For antimicrobial activity, assessed by MIC assay, hexane extract showed moderate inhibition for Staphylococcus aureus (0.9 mg mL-1) and strong inhibition for Enterococcus hirae (0.5 mg mL-1). Ethyl acetate extract showed strong activity against Candida albicans (0.3 mg mL-1), whereas methanolic extract was not active against the tested microorganisms. On the other hand, methanol extract showed the most promising radical scavenging capacity (Effective Concentration 50 percent - EC50 = 102.0 ± 56.9 mg mL-1, with TEC50 = 30 min) in DPPH assay (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hidrazil) and the highest level of phenolic compounds (116.2 ± 83.0 mg acid garlic g sample-1), as indicated by Folin-Ciocalteau assay.

Xanthium strumarium L. antimicrobial activity and carboxyatractyloside analysis through electrospray ionization mass spectrometry / Atividade antimicrobiana e análise de carboxiatractilosideo por espectrometria de massas com ionização por electrospray de Xanthium strumarium L

The aim of this work was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Xanthium strumarium L. leaf extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Clostridium perfringens, as well as to investigate the presence of the toxic compound carboxyatractyloside in different plant parts. S. aureus and C. perfringens were more sensitive to non-polar than to polar fractions, and there was no difference between extracts for the remaining bacteria. All extracts had strong antimicrobial activity against the evaluated microorganisms. Carboxyatractyloside was found in cotyledons and seeds but not in adult leaves and burrs. Thus, only Xanthium strumarium leaves in adult stage can be used for medicinal purposes.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana de extratos de folhas de Xanthium strumarium L. sobre os microrganismos Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella thyphimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Clostridium perfringens, bem como verificar a presença do composto tóxico carboxiatractilosideo em diferentes partes da planta. As bactérias S. aureus e C. perfringens foram mais sensíveis às frações não polares do que as polares, sendo que para as outras bactérias não foi verificada diferença entre os extratos. Todos os extratos apresentaram uma forte ação antimicrobiana sobre os microrganismos avaliados. O carboxiatractilosideo foi encontrado nos cotilédones e nas sementes da planta, entretanto, não foi encontrado nas folhas em estádio adulto e na carapaça espinhosa que envolve a semente. Portanto, somente as folhas de Xanthium strumarium na fase adulta podem ser utilizadas para o uso medicinal.

Correlations between pulse oximetry and peak expiratory flow in acute asthma

Few studies are available concerning correlations between pulse oximetry and peak expiratory flow in children and adolescents with acute asthma. Although the Global Initiative for Asthma states that measurements of lung function and oximetry are critical for the assessment of patients, it is not clear if both methods should necessarily be included in their evaluation. Since there is a significant difference in cost between pulse oximetry equipment and peak expiratory flow devices, we determined whether clinical findings and peak expiratory flow measurements are sufficient to determine the severity of acute asthma. The present prospective observational study was carried out to determine if there is correlation between pulse oximetry and peak expiratory flow determination in 196 patients with acute asthma aged 4 to 15 years diagnosed according to the Global Initiative for Asthma criteria. Patients experiencing their first or second wheezing episode, with fever, related acute or chronic diseases, and unable to perform the peak expiratory flow maneuver were excluded. Measurements of peak expiratory flow and pulse oximetry were performed at admission and after 15 min of each inhaled salbutamol cycle. Correlations obtained by linear regression using the Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were 0.41 (P < 0.0001), 0.53 (P < 0.0001), 0.51 (P < 0.0001), and 0.61 (P < 0.0001) at admission and after the first, second and third cycles of salbutamol, respectively. These correlations showed that one measure cannot substitute the other (Pearson's coefficient <0.7), probably because they evaluate different aspects in the airways, suggesting that peak expiratory flow should not be used alone in the assessment of acute asthma in children and adolescents.

Atividade antimicrobiana de extratos hidroalcólicos de espécies da coleção de plantas medicinais CPQBA/UNICAMP

Extratos obtidos a partir de 45 espécies da Coleção de Germoplasmas do CPQBA foram estudados quanto à atividade antimicrobiana. As espécies que apresentaram forte inibição (Concentração Mínima Inibitória até 0,5 mg/mL) para os respectivos microrganismos foram: Achillea millefolium (0,5), Mikania laevigata (0,04), Solidago chilensis (0,1), Piper marginatum (0,2) para Staphylococcus aureus; Aloysia gratissima (0,1), P. marginatum (0,2), M. laevigata (0,09) para Bacillus subtilis e Mentha pullegium (0,3), Mikania glomerata (0,1), M. laevigata (0,04), Stachytarpeta cayenensis (0,2) e Bacharis dracunculifolia (0,5) para Streptococcus faecium. De acordo com os resultados, ressaltamos a espécie M. laevigata por apresentar inibição contra três das bactérias estudadas, em concentrações similares a do cloranfenicol, padrão de referência utilizado.

Crude extracts of 45 medicinal plants from CPQBA Germoplasm Collection were tested for their antimicrobial activity. The species that presented strong activity (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration until 0.5 mg.mL-1) against the respective microorganisms were: Achillea millefolium (0.5), Mikania laevigata (0.04), Solidago chilensis (0.1), Piper marginatum (0.2) against Staphylococcus aureus; Aloysia gratissima (0.1), P. marginatum (0.2), M. laevigata (0.09) against Bacillus subtilis and Mentha pullegium (0.3), Mikania glomerata (0.1), M. laevigata (0.04), Stachytarpeta cayenensis (0.2) and Bacharis dracunculifolia (0.5) against Streptococcus faecium. According to results, M. laevigata was able to inhibit three bacteria species, at similar concentrations as observed for the standard chloranphenicol.