Larvicidal activity of Caesalpinia ferrea Mart. and Lippia origanoides Cham. Against Aedes aegypti (LINNAEUS, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae)

The control of Aedes aegypti has been considered one of the most important public health challenges worldwide. Chemical compounds have long been used for this purpose, but resistance to these molecules has also increased. Therefore, over the last few years several studies have focused on the development of alternative tools, particularly those based on plant metabolites. The purpose of this study was to assess the larvicidal activity of Caesalpinia ferrea and Lippia origanoides against Ae. aegypti. Larvae (L3) of Ae. aegypti Liverpool and Rockefeller strains, as well as of the Recife population were exposed to different concentrations of C. ferrea (ranging from 13.1 to 105 mg/mL) and L. origanoides (ranging from 16.3 to 130 mg/mL), and the mortality rate was evaluated up to 48 hours after the beginning of the experiment. All tested groups and ontrol group were quadruplicated. For C. ferrea, mortality ranged from 42.5% to 100% for Ae. aegypti Liverpool strain, from 67% to 100% for Ae. aegypti Rockfeller strain, and 57% to 100% for Ae. aegypti Recife population after 48 hours of larval exposure. For L. origanoides, the larvicidal activity ranged from 75% to 100% for Ae. aegypti Liverpool strain, from 61.5% to 100% for Ae. aegypti Rockfeller strain, and from 60.5% to 100% for Ae. aegypti Recife population. The hydro ethanol extract of C. ferrea and L. origanoides presented larvicidal activity against Ae. aegypti.

Correction: MOF@activated carbon: a new material for adsorption of aldicarb in biological systems.

Correction for 'MOF@activated carbon: a new material for adsorption of aldicarb in biological systems' by Carlos Alberto Fernandes de Oliveira et al., Chem. Commun., 2013, 49, 6486-6488.

Atividade antitumoral da melatonina sobre o tumor de ehrlich implantado em camundongos swiss / Melatonin antitumor activity on Ehrlich tumor implanted in Swiss mice

Introdução: Um mecanismo proposto para a ação oncostática da melatonina no tumor de mama é a inibição do hormônio liberador das gonadotrofinas (GnRH), dificultando assim a liberação dos hormônios luteinizante (LH) e folículo estimulante (FSH) e, consequentemente, reduzindo a produção ovariana de estradiol. Objetivo: Avaliar a atividade antitumoral da melatonina sobre o tumor de Ehrlich em camundongos fêmeas Swiss, através de sua interação com o aparelho reprodutor. Método: Foram utilizados 56 camundongos fêmeas Swiss (Mus musculus), de 60 dias de idade, divididas em sete grupos experimentais (n = 8 animais/ grupo): A- Pinealectomizados tratados com melatonina; B- Shampinealectomizados tratados com melatonina; C- Pinealectomizados sem tratamento; D- Sham-pinealectomizados sem tratamento; EPinealectomizados tratados com veículo da melatonina; F- Shampinealectomizados tratados com veículo da melatonina; G- Controle. Resultados e Discussão: Alterações ovarianas foram significativas entre os grupos, observando-se um aumento no peso dos ovários e no número de folículos ovarianos dos animais pinealectomizados, enquanto os animais sham-pinealectomizados apresentaram um maior número de corpos lúteos. Os animais pinealectomizados apresentaram maior taxa de crescimento tumoral quando comparados aos animais tratados com melatonina, tendo estes últimos apresentado também uma percentagem de inibição tumoral. Conclusão: A análise destes resultados nos permite concluir que a melatonina, através de sua atuação no ovário, interfere nos mecanismos regulatórios dos processos de crescimento do tumor de Ehrlich. Pode-se conjecturar que eventuais alterações nos padrões de ritmicidade endógena para a melatonina pode predispor os organismos a uma maior incidência de tumor.

Introduction: A proposed mechanism for the oncostatic action of melatonin in breast tumors is the inhibition of gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH), thus hindering the release of luteinizing hormones (LH) and stimulating follicle (FSH) and, consequently, reducing ovarian estradiol production. Objective: This study aim was to evaluate the melatonin antitumor activity on the Ehrlich tumor in female Swiss mice, through its interaction with the reproductive system. Method: we used 56 female Swiss mice (Mus musculus), 60 days of age, were divided into seven experimental groups (n = 8 animals/group): A- Pinealectomized melatonin treated; B- Shampinealectomized melatonin treated; C- Pinealectomized no treated; D- Sham-Pinealectomized no treated; E- Pinealectomized melatonin vehicle treated; F- Sham-pinealectomized melatonin vehicle treated; G- Control. Results and discussion: Ovarian changes were significant between the groups, observing an increase in ovarian weight and follicles number in pinealectomized animals, whereas the sham-pinealectomized animals exhibited greater numbers of corpus luteum. The pinealectomized animals had higher rate of tumor growth than melatonin treated animals, the last having also presented a percent inhibition of the tumor. Conclusion: Analysis of these results allows us to conclude that melatonin, through its actions in the ovary interfere with regulatory mechanisms of the processes of Ehrlich tumor growth. May conjecture that any changes in the patterns of endogenous rhythmicity for melatonin, can predispose organisms to a higher incidence of tumor.

Evaluation of antioxidant and antiangiogenic properties of caesalpinia echinata extracts.

Natural products contain important combinations of ingredients, which may to some extent help to modulate the effects produced by oxidation substrates in biological systems. It is known that substances capable of modulating the action of these oxidants on tissue may be important allies in the control of neovascularization in pathological processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antiangiogenic properties of an ethanol extract of Caesalpinia echinata. The evaluation of antioxidant properties was tested using two methods (DPPH inhibition and sequestration of nitric oxide). The antiangiogenic properties were evaluated using the inflammatory angiogenesis model in the corneas of rats. The extract of C. echinata demonstrated a high capacity to inhibit free radicals, with IC50 equal to 42.404 µg/mL for the DPPH test and 234.2 µg/mL for nitric oxide. Moreover, it showed itself capable of inhibiting the inflammatory angiogenic response by 77.49%. These data suggest that biochemical components belonging to the extract of C. echinata interfere in mechanisms that control the angiogenic process, mediated by substrates belonging to the arachidonic acid cascade, although the data described above also suggest that the NO buffer may contribute to some extent to the reduction in the angiogenic response.

Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields can impair spermatogenesis recovery after reversible testicular damage induced by heat.

Male infertility is often related to reproductive age couples experiencing fertility-related issues. Men may have fertility problems associated with reversible testicular damage. Considering that men have been increasingly exposed to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields generated by the production, distribution and use of electricity, this study analyzed whether 60 Hz and 1 mT magnetic field exposure may impair spermatogenesis recovery after reversible testicular damage induced by heat shock using rats as an experimental model. Adult male rats were subjected to a single testicular heat shock (HS, 43 °C for 12 min) and then exposed to the magnetic field for 15, 30 and 60 d after HS. Magnetic field exposure during the spermatogenesis recovery induced changes in testis components volume, cell ultrastructure and histomorphometrical parameters. Control animals had a reestablished and active spermatogenesis at 60 d after heat shock, while animals exposed to magnetic field still showed extensive testicular degeneration. Magnetic field exposure did not change the plasma testosterone. In conclusion, extremely low-frequency magnetic field may be harmful to fertility recovery in males affected by reversible testicular damage.

MOF@activated carbon: a new material for adsorption of aldicarb in biological systems.

A new composite was synthesized by the hydrothermal method using a 3D coordination network [Ln2(C4H4O4)3(H2O)2]·H2O (Ln = Eu and Tb) and activated carbon. The coordination network is formed within the pores of the charcoal, allowing for the use of this material as a detoxifying agent.

Evaluation of testicular degeneration induced by low-frequency electromagnetic fields.

The population exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) has been growing in recent decades. The generation, distribution and use of electric energy can generate low-frequency electromagnetic fields. The present study investigates the effects of EMF (60 Hz and 1 mT) on spermatogenesis of rats during different periods of maturation. Wistar rats were exposed to EMF from day 13 of gestation to postnatal day 21 or 90 in three daily applications of 30 min. Plasma testosterone concentration was not changed by EMF exposure; however, histopathological and histomorphometrical analyses of the testes showed testicular degeneration in a subset of animals exposed to EMF. The magnitude of the degenerative process varied between those individuals affected, indicating different individual sensitivity to EMF. The main alterations observed through transmission electron microscopy were highly electron-dense mitochondria with loss of their organization and cristae. Exposure to 60 Hz and 1 mT EMF can disturb spermatogenesis and may produce subfertility or infertility.

Integridade de DNA e morfologia espermática de ratos submetidos a campos eletromagnéticos de baixa frequência durante diferentes períodos do desenvolvimento / DNA integrity and sperm morphology of Wistar rats exposed to low frequency electromagnetic fields during different periods of development

A exposição da sociedade a Campos Eletromagnéticos (CEM) vem aumentando vertiginosamente em virtude da ampla expansão tecnológica observada nos últimos anos. Tanto a geração, como a distribuição e a utilização de energia elétrica podem gerar Campos Eletromagnéticos de baixa freqüência (50 e 60 Hz). Pesquisas vêm demonstrando que a exposição a estes CEM podem proporcionar alterações fisiológicas significativas, apesar disto, ainda não estão totalmente esclarecidos a extensão destes efeitos, nem os mecanismos de ação que envolve a interação dos CEM com os organismos biológicos. O presente trabalho teve como principal objetivo verificar os efeitos dos CEM (60 Hz e 1 mT) sobre a integridade de DNA e morfologia espermática de ratos sexualmente maduros, que foram expostos ao CEM durante diferentes períodos do seu desenvolvimento. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho não encontraram indícios de alterações no DNA dos espermatozóides, porém, foram observadas alterações significativas na morfologia dos espermatozoides após a exposição ao CEM. Estas alterações na morfologia espermática podem reduzir o potencial reprodutivo. Portanto, devemos considerar o CEM como um potencial risco a saúde pública, recomendando- se a realização de mais pesquisas buscando estabelecer níveis seguros de exposição aos CEM.

The society's exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) has been growing considerable due to the great technological expansion observed in the last few years. Generation as well as distribution and use of electric energy can generate low frequency electromagnetic fields (50 and 60 Hz). Issues have been demonstrating that EMF exposure could provoke significantly physiological changes, however, the extension of EMF effects weren't totally clarified. The major objective of this issue was to evaluate the EMF (60 Hz and 1 mT) effects on DNA integrity and sperm morphology in Wistar rats with mature sexuality that were exposed during different stages of testicular development. According to our results, EMF did not change DNA integrity, but we could observe morphological changes in sperm after exposure to EMF. These changes in sperm morphology may reduce the reproductive potential. Therefore, we should consider the EMF as a potential risk to public health, recommending the implementation of further research seeking to establish safe levels of exposure to EMF.

Testicular development evaluation in rats exposed to 60 Hz and 1 mT electromagnetic field.

Society has been increasingly exposed to low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF), mainly from electricity distribution networks and electro-electronic devices. Aiming to clarify the extension of possible interactions between EMF and testicular development, this study evaluated the effects of exposure to 60 Hz and 1 mT EMF in the maturation of testicular components. Wistar rats were exposed to EMF three times per day for 30 min, between the 13th day of gestation and the 21st postnatal day. Results showed a decrease in the following parameters: tubular diameter and seminiferous tubules area; seminiferous epithelium height; total volume of seminiferous tubule; tubular lumen; seminiferous epithelium; and Leydig cells. On the other hand, an increase was observed in connective tissue cells and blood vessels volume. Plasma testosterone, Sertoli cells population, tubular length and gonadosomatic index did not change when exposed to EMF. Histomorphometric analysis showed that exposure to EMF can promote a delay in testicular development.

Mecanismo de transporte iônico, em íleo de coêlho, induzido por mecrocistina_LR de microcystis aeruginosa: participação de macrófagos, IL 1 ß, TNF a e mediadores pro-inflamatórios [Manuscrito] / Ion transport mechanism in rabbit ileum induced by Microcystis aeruginosa mecrocistina_LR of: participation of macrophages, IL 1 beta, TNF a and pro-inflammatory mediators [manuscript]

Este trabalho teve-se como principal objetivo, avaliar os efeitos eletrogênicos em preparações de íleo de coelho fixadas em câmaras de Üssing, em presença de sobrenadante de macrófagos (S.MφS) estimulados com microcistina-LR MCLR de Microcystis aeruginosa. S.MφS estimulados com MCLR (3,2. 10-7M; 9,6.10-7M e 3,2.10-6M), produz, de foram dose-dependente; sendo que a variação temporal (t) da corrente de curto-circuito (Isc), pode ser descrita por uma equação do tipo Isc = a. ekt. para um coeficiente de correlação r = 0,9988 e Iscmaximo = 128,16 =- 14,54 μacm-2. Posteriormente, observou-se que os processos metabólicos associados à gênese do fator de " secreção intestinal" (FSI), a partir de macrófagos estimulados, requer a participação de uma proteína G sensível à toxina pertusis ativa. Verificou-se também que inibidores de síntese proteica, proteases, fosfolipase A2, cicloxigenases, lipoxigenases; síntese de TNF-α e antagonista do PAF, reduziram a síntese de FSI. Com o emprego de anticorpos monoclonais, verificou-se que IL-1β era o principal FSI; como também, que macrófagos estimulados com MCLR, nas concentrações acima, reduziu IL-1β e TNF-α, de forma dose-dependente...