Trend of soil salinization in Africa and implications for agro-chemical use in semi-arid croplands.

Soil salinization is a gradual degradation process that begins as a minor problem and grows to become a significant economic loss if no control action is taken. It progressively alters the soil environment which eventually negatively affects plants and organism that were not originally adapted for saline conditions. Soil salinization arises from diverse sources such as side-effects of long-term use of agro-chemicals, saline parent rocks, periodic inundation of soil with saline water, etc. In Africa, soil salinization has not been adequately documented particularly in the croplands. The objective of this study was to identify trends of cropland salinization in Africa and how its relationship with long-term land use practices affected the soil environment. The study analysed soil salinization between 1965 and 2020 using measured electrical conductivity (EC), spatial modelling with environmental covariates, and national statistics on cropland expansion and application of mineral fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. The results showed increasing trends of EC in Africa due to climatic and land use drivers. Increasing trends of EC, which evidenced salinization, was found in 31 million hectares of topsoils and 18 million hectares of subsoils. About 2 million hectares of croplands were depicted with salinization and >25 million hectares at the risk of salinization in the arid and semi-arid areas. The study also found statistical relationships between semi-arid cropland salinization and trends of agro-chemical use and cropland sizes. There were significant (p < 0.001) positive correlations between semi-arid cropland salinization and trends of cropland expansion and applied nitrogenous fertilizers. It found that increasing trend of applied mineral nitrogenous fertilizers could double the odds of salinization in semi-arid croplands while cropland expansion could increase the odds of semi-arid cropland salinization by >10 %. These findings present ground-breaking baseline information for future works on sustainable land-use practices that can control cropland soil salinization in Africa.

Action and coping plans related to the behavior of adherence to oral anti-diabetic medication / Planos de ação e de enfrentamento de obstáculos relacionados ao comportamento de adesão aos antidiabéticos orais

ABSTRACT: Study Design: This mixed-methods study. Objective: To describe action plans related to the behavior of adher-ence to oral antidiabetic medications produced by people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and identify the challenges and coping strategies for the establishment of this behavior. Methods: The study followed-up 44 people with type 2 diabetes mellitus who used oral antidiabetic medications from southeast Brazil. Adults were invited to build action and coping plans based on the Implementation Intention Theory.The plans were quantitative and qualitatively ana-lyzed. Results: Action plans included three major themes: (1) binding oral antidiabetic medication to time markers or the sleep/wake cycle; (2) in specific environments; (3) associated with daily life activities. The motivation for coping with the perceived barriers focused on placing the pills in visible places, asking for help from family mem-bers, establishing a routine and feeding properly. Conclusions: The most effective way to manage satisfactory oral antidiabetic medication adherence seems to be recognizing the perceived barriers by patients. The implementation of specific and individualized action and coping plans to overcome perceived barriers was the stark difference. (AU)

RESUMO: Desenho do estudo: Estudo de método misto. Objetivo: Descrever planos de ação relacionados ao comportamento de adesão aos antidiabéticos orais elaborados por pessoas com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 e identificar as barreiras percebidas e respectivas estratégias de enfrentamento para efetivação desse comportamento. Métodos: O estudo envolveu 44 pessoas com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 que utilizavam antidiabéticos orais na região sudeste do Brasil. Adultos foram convidados a construir os planos de ação e de enfrentamento de obstáculos baseados sobre a Teoria da Ativação da Intenção. Os planos foram analisados quantitativa e qualitativamente. Resultados: Os planos de ação incluíram três temas principais: (1) Associar a tomada dos antidiabéticos orais aos marcadores de tempo ou ao ciclo de sono / vigília; (2) em ambientes específicos; (3) associados às atividades de vida diária. Os planos de enfrentamento das barreiras percebidas centraram-se em colocar os comprimidos em locais visíveis, pedir ajuda aos familiares para evitar esquecimento, estabelecer rotina e alimentar-se adequadamente. Conclusões: A forma mais eficaz de manejar a tomada de antidiabéticos orais de modo satisfatório parece ser o reconhecimento das barreiras percebidas pela própria pessoa. A implementação de ações específicas e individualizadas bem como de planos de enfrentamento para superar as barreiras percebidas foi o diferencial neste estudo. (AU)

Kaolinite/cashew gum bionanocomposite for doxazosin incorporation and its release.

Incorporation of drugs in clay minerals has been widely proposed for the controlled-release or increased solubility of drugs. In this context, a bionanocomposite based on kaolinite and cashew gum (Kln/Gum) was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TG/DTA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The bionanocomposite was applied to the incorporation and further release of doxazosin mesylate (DB). The influence of solution pH (1-3), adsorbent dose (20-50 mg), initial drug concentration (20.0-70.0 mg L-1), contact time (15-300 min), and temperature (25, 35, and 45 °C) were systematically evaluated. Equilibrium was reached around 60 min, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 31.5 ± 2.0 mg g-1 at a pH of 3.0 and 25 °C. Hydrogen bonding contributed to DB incorporation on the Kln/Gum. In addition, DB maximum amounts of 16.80 ± 0.58 and 77.00 ± 2.46% were released at pH values of 1.2 and 7.4, respectively. These results indicated that the Kln/Gum bionanocomposite is an effective and promising material for the incorporation/release of drugs with similar structures to DB.

Genetic diversity and aquaculture conservation for a threatened Neotropical catfish

Due to the ecological importance of Lophiosilurus alexandri, the present work evaluated its genetic representativeness by comparing wild stocks to broodstocks that were kept at three restocking hatcheries along the São Francisco River. A total of 97 samples were genotyped for newly developed microsatellite markers. Low levels of genetic diversity (average alleles number of 4.2 alleles) were detected in all cases, being more severe in captive groups. Significant pairwise FST and DEST values, Structure, and DAPC analyses showed that wild animals were structured in two groups, and a third group was formed by captive animals, evidencing the need to adopt genetic criteria to retain genetic diversity in the hatcheries. For this reason, three full-sib families were constructed to select the best relatedness estimator for L. alexandri and establish a cut-off value aimed to avoid full-sibling matings in the hatcheries. Two estimators, Wang (RW) and Lynch & Li (RLL), were accurate in reflecting the relatedness level for full-sibs in this species. According to them, less than 50% of the potential breeding matings in the three hatcheries are advisable. The innate low diversity of L. alexandri highlights the importance of minimizing inbreeding and retaining genetic diversity towards the species recovery.(AU)

Devido à importância ecológica de Lophiosilurus alexandri, o presente trabalho avaliou sua representatividade genética, comparando estoques selvagens com plantéis de reprodutores de três larviculturas ao longo do Rio São Francisco. Noventa e sete amostras foram genotipadas com marcadores microssatélites recém-desenvolvidos. Baixos níveis de diversidade genética (número médio de alelos de 4,2) foram detectados em todos os casos, sendo mais severo no cativeiro. Os valores de FST e DEST par a par, as análises do Structure e DAPC mostraram a estruturação dos animais selvagens em dois grupos, e um terceiro formado pelas larviculturas, evidenciando a necessidade de adoção de critérios genéticos para retenção da diversidade genética no cativeiro. Por essa razão, três famílias de irmãos completos foram construídas para selecionar o melhor estimador de parentesco para a espécie e estabelecer os valores mínimos de corte para evitar cruzamentos indesejados. Dois estimadores, Wang (RW) e Lynch & Li (RLL), foram eficientes em refletir as relações de parentesco para irmãos completos nessa espécie. Segundo eles, menos de 50% dos potenciais cruzamentos são recomendáveis nas três larviculturas. A baixa diversidade genética inerente ao L. alexandri destaca a importância de minimizar a consanguinidade e evitar perda de diversidade genética, visando a recuperação da espécie.(AU)

Hepatoprotection of Mentha aquatica L., Lavandula dentata L. and Leonurus cardiaca L.

The phenolic composition of hydroethanolic extracts of Mentha aquatica L., Lavandula dentata L. and Leonurus cardiaca L., obtained from plants grown under organic cultivation, was determined and their hepatoprotective effects were investigated in vitro. L. cardiaca extract was rich in phenylethenoid glycosides, especially lavandolifolioside (254 ± 36 µg/mg), whereas rosmarinic acid and eriodictyol-O-rutinoside were the major phenolic compounds of L. dentata and M. aquatica extracts, accounting for 68 ± 7 µg/mg and 145 ± 22 µg/mg, respectively. These differential phenolic components presumably account for their dissimilar antioxidant properties. While L. cardiaca extract showed moderate biological effects, M. aquatica extract displayed high antioxidant activity in chemical models, and that of L. dentata was effective in counteracting potassium dichromate-induced ROS generation in human hepatocarcinoma cells. Moreover, M. aquatica extract (50 µg/mL) and its mixture (50%/50%) with L. dentata extract displayed an effective cytoprotective effect.

Fatty acids uptake and oxidation are increased in the liver of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.

Severe rheumatoid cachexia is associated with pronounced loss of muscle and fat mass in patients with advanced rheumatoid arthritis. This condition is associated with dyslipidemia and predisposition to cardiovascular diseases. Circulating levels of triglycerides (TG) and free fatty acids (FFA) have not yet been consistently defined in severe arthritis. Similarly, the metabolism of these lipids in the arthritic liver has not yet been clarified. Aiming at filling these gaps this study presents a characterization of the circulating lipid profile and of the fatty acids uptake and metabolism in perfused livers of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. The levels of TG and total cholesterol were reduced in both serum (10-20%) and liver (20-35%) of arthritic rats. The levels of circulating FFA were 40% higher in arthritic rats, possibly in consequence of cytokine-induced adipose tissue lipolysis. Hepatic uptake and oxidation of palmitic and oleic acids was higher in arthritic livers. The phenomenon results possibly from a more oxidized state of the arthritic liver. Indeed, NADPH/NADP+ and NADH/NAD+ ratios were 30% lower in arthritic livers, which additionally presented higher activities of the citric acid cycle driven by both endogenous and exogenous FFA. The lower levels of circulating and hepatic TG possibly are caused by an increased oxidation associated to a reduced synthesis of fatty acids in arthritic livers. These results reveal that the lipid hepatic metabolism in arthritic rats presents a strong catabolic tendency, a condition that should contribute to the marked cachexia described for arthritic rats and possibly for the severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthrospira maxima OF15 biomass cultivation at laboratory and pilot scale from sugarcane vinasse for potential biological new peptides production.

An environmental friendly process was developed to produce Arthrospira maxima's biomass from sugarcane vinasse, which was generated in a bioethanol production chain, at laboratory and pilot scale. Peptides fractions were than obtained from enzymatically hydrolyzed biomass. High microalgae biomass productivities were reached (0.150 g L-1 day-1) coupled with a significant reduction of BOD and COD (89.2 and 81%, respectively). Three peptide fractions were obtained from microalgae biomass through single or sequential enzymatic hydrolysis. Antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and/or anti-collagenase activities of biopetides' fractions were observed. The PHS showed multi-biological activities. The three peptides fractions could be potential candidates for different applications in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industry.

Contacts in Death: The Role of the ER-Mitochondria Axis in Acetic Acid-Induced Apoptosis in Yeast.

Endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contact sites have been a subject of increasing scientific interest since the discovery that these structures are disrupted in several pathologies. Due to the emerging data that correlate endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contact sites function with known events of the apoptotic program, we aimed to dissect this interplay using our well-established model of acetic acid-induced apoptosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Until recently, the only known tethering complex between ER and mitochondria in this organism was the ER-mitochondria encounter structure (ERMES). Following our results from a screening designed to identify genes whose deletion rendered cells with an altered sensitivity to acetic acid, we hypothesized that the ERMES complex could be involved in cell death mediated by this stressor. Herein we demonstrate that single ablation of the ERMES components Mdm10p, Mdm12p and Mdm34p increases the resistance of S. cerevisiae to acetic acid-induced apoptosis, which is associated with a prominent delay in the appearance of several apoptotic markers. Moreover, abrogation of Mdm10p or Mdm34p abolished cytochrome c release from mitochondria. Since these two proteins are embedded in the mitochondrial outer membrane, we propose that the ERMES complex plays a part in cytochrome c release, a key event of the apoptotic cascade. In all, these findings will aid in targeted therapies for diseases where apoptosis is disrupted, as well as assist in the development of acetic acid-resistant strains for industrial processes.

Parasitos gastrintestinais em caprinos no município de Quixadá, Ceará / Gastrointestinal parasites in goats from Quixadá, Ceará

O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a ocorrência dos principais parasitos gastrintestinais que acometem caprinos adultos e jovens do município de Quixadá-Ceará durante a época seca e chuvosa, além de identificar e quantificar as espécies de Eimeria presentes no rebanho. Foram utilizados 654 animais, sendo 334 animais no período seco, dos quais eram 149 matrizes e 185 crias e 320 animais no período chuvoso, sendo 106 matrizes e 214 crias, independente de padrão racial e sistema de criação. As coletas foram realizadas nos meses de novembro e dezembro de 2012 e maio de 2013 no município de Quixadá-Ceará e encaminhadas ao Laboratório de Parasitologia da Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos na cidade de Sobral-Ceará. Foram coletadas fezes para contagem do número de ovos por gramas de fezes (OPG), contagem de Oocistos por gramas de fezes (OOPG), coprocultura e identificação das espécies de Eimeria com base na morfometria. As matrizes apresentaram maiores médias de ovos do tipo Strongyloidea (372,03) e Strongyloides (8,45) no período seco e no período chuvoso apresentaram maiores médias apenas para Strongyloidea (502,85). O inverso aconteceu com o OOPG, onde as crias apresentaram maiores médias no período seco (9387,41) e no chuvoso (9630,37). O gênero de nematódeo mais frequente na coprocultura foi o Trichostrongylus sp. (63,67%) no período seco e o Haemonchus sp. no chuvoso (66,67%). Em 100% dos rebanhos, foram encontrados oocistos de Eimeria, com 81% dos animais infectados. A ocorrência da eimeriose nas categorias jovens e adultas foi de 64,3% e 83,2% no período seco e de 87,4% e 92,4% no período chuvoso. As espécies identificadas foram: Eimeria alijevi, E. apsheronica, E. arloingi, E. caprina, E. caprovina, E. christenseni, E. hirci, E. jolchijevi e E. ninakohlyakimovae. Nas crias a E. alijevi foi a mais freqüente no período seco e a E. ninakohlyakimovae no chuvoso. Já nas matrizes a espécie E. alijevi apresentou a maior frequência em ambos os períodos. Nos rebanhos estudados foi evidenciado a presença de ovos de nematódeos gastrointestinais e oocistos de Eimeria spp. independente da categoria animal.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of main gastrointestinal parasites and to quantify and identify the species of Eimeria present in young goats and adults in the city of Quixadá, Ceará, during the dry and rainy season. Six hundred fifty-four animals were used, with 334 animals during the dry season, which were 149 mothers and 185 offspring and 320 animals during the rainy season, with 106 mothers and 214 offspring, independent of breed standard and creation system. Samples were collected in the months of November and December 2012 and May 2013 in the city of Quixadá, Ceará and sent to the Parasitology Laboratory of Embrapa Goats and Sheep at Sobral, Ceará, feces were collected for counting the number of eggs per gram of feces (EPG), counting oocysts per gram of feces (OOPG), coproculture and identification of Eimeria species based on the morphometry. Matrices showed higher means egg type Strongyloidea (372.03) and Strongyloides (8.45) in the dry season and the rainy season had higher mean only to Strongyloidea (502.85). The inverse happened to OOPG, where the offspring showed higher means in the dry season (9387.41) and rainy (9630.37). The genus most frequent of nematode in coprocultures was Trichostrongylus. (63.67%) in the dry season and Haemonchus sp. the rainy (66.67%). One hundred percent of the herds, oocysts of Eimeria were found, with 81% of infected animals. The occurrence of eimeriosis in young and adult categories was 64.3% and 83.2% in the dry season and 87.4% and 92.4% during the rainy season. The species identified were: Eimeria alijevi, E. apsheronica, E. arloingi, E. caprina, E. caprovina, E. christenseni, E. hirci, E.and E. jolchijevi ninakohlyakimovae. In the offspring E. alijevi was the most frequent in the dry season and the rainy E. ninakohlyakimovae. Already in matrices the species E. Alijevi showed the highest frequency in both periods. In herds studied it evidenced the presence of gastrointestinal nematodes eggs and oocysts of Eimeria spp. independent of animal category.(AU)

Copaiba Oil Decreases Oxidative Stress and Inflammation But not Colon Damage in Rats with TNBS-Induced Colitis.

BACKGROUND: TNBS-induced colitis is an experimental immunopathology in rats that shares many features with human inflammatory bowel diseases. Copaiba oleoresin is extracted from plants of the genus Copaifera and is shown to reduce inflammation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the action of copaiba oil (C. reticulata Ducke) on inflammation and oxidative status in the distal colon of colitic rats. METHODS: Acute and subchronic colitis were induced in Wistar rats by an intracolonic enema with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS). The colonic morphology was assessed by histological analysis and the oxidative stress parameters were measured in the intestinal homogenate. The liver damage markers were measured in the plasma. Control and colitic rats were orally treated either with one single dose (acute colitis) of copaiba oil (1.15 g Kg-1) or once a day during seven days (subchronic colitis). RESULTS: The intestinal morphology was severely modified by acute and subchronic colitis, as indicated by the intramural infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells and the increased thickness of all colon layers. The levels of TBARS, protein carbonyl groups and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were increased in the intestine of colitic rats. Copaiba oil did not attenuate the inflammatory damage in acute and subchronic colitis, but it decreased the activity of myeloperoxidase, leukocyte infiltration and oxidative stress in the colon. The level of plasma bilirubin and the activity of alkaline phosphatase were both increased in treated healthy and colitic rats. CONCLUSION: Copaiba oil decreased oxidative stress and inflammation but did not prevent intestinal damage in the colon of colitic rats. The alterations of plasma markers of hepatic damage caused by the oil seem to be associated to its harmful action on the liver.

Cyclohexene-fused 1,3-oxazines with selective antibacterial and antiparasitic action and low cytotoxic effects.

Oxazine derivatives, a class of heterocyclic compounds, exhibit a variety of biological properties, such as anticonvulsant and antitumor activities. In this study, we evaluated the effect of two cyclohexene-fused 1,3-oxazines (cis­1-benzyl-N-phenyl-1,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro-3,1-benzoxazin-2-imine (1) and trans­N-phenyl-1,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro-3,1-benzoxazin-2-imine (2)) in cultures of Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica, Serratia marcescens, Shigella flexneri and Staphylococcus aureus by the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). Additionally, the ex vivo antiparasitic activity of oxazines was assessed against Schistosoma mansoni, a helminth that is one of the major agents of the disease schistosomiasis Also, oxazines were evaluated on three tumor cell lines, NCI-H292 (human lung carcinoma), MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) and HEp-2 (human cervix carcinoma), and two normal cell lines (Vero and red blood cells). Bioassays revealed that oxazine 2 is more effective against bacteria than oxazine 1, with the lowest MIC and MBC values of 3.91 and 32.5µg/mL, respectively. Similarly, compound 2 demonstrated higher antiparasitic activity than 1, and scanning electron microscopy analysis showed several morphological alterations in the tegument of worms in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, both oxazines exhibited low cytotoxic effects on cancer and normal cell lines. These results indicated that oxazines exerted direct effects on bacteria and parasite schistosomes. More importantly, since schistosomiasis control programs rely on one drug, praziquantel, oxazines may have the potential to become new antischistosomal agents.

Effect of High Intensity Interval and Continuous Swimming Training on Body Mass Adiposity Level and Serum Parameters in High-Fat Diet Fed Rats.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of interval and continuous training on the body mass gain and adiposity levels of rats fed a high-fat diet. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, standard diet and high-fat diet, and received their respective diets for a period of four weeks without exercise stimuli. After this period, the animals were randomly divided into six groups (n = 8): control standard diet (CS), control high-fat diet (CH), continuous training standard diet (CTS), continuous training high-fat diet (CTH), interval training standard diet (ITS), and interval training high-fat diet (ITH). The interval and continuous training consisted of a swimming exercise performed over eight weeks. CH rats had greater body mass gain, sum of adipose tissues mass, and lower serum high density lipoprotein values than CS. The trained groups showed lower values of feed intake, caloric intake, body mass gain, and adiposity levels compared with the CH group. No significant differences were observed between the trained groups (CTS versus ITS and CTH versus ITH) on body mass gains and adiposity levels. In conclusion, both training methodologies were shown to be effective in controlling body mass gain and adiposity levels in high-fat diet fed rats.

Cardiolipin profile changes are associated to the early synaptic mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.

Brain mitochondria are fundamental to maintaining healthy functional brains, and their dysfunction is involved in age-related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we conducted a research on how both non-synaptic and synaptic mitochondrial functions are compromised at an early stage of AD-like pathologies and their correlation with putative changes on membranes lipid profile, using 3 month-old nontransgenic and 3xTg-AD mice, a murine model of experimental AD. Bioenergetic dysfunction in 3xTg-AD brains is evidenced by a decrease of brain ATP levels resulting, essentially, from synaptic mitochondria functionality disruption as indicated by declined respiratory control ratio associated with a 50% decreased complex I activity. Lipidomics studies revealed that synaptic bioenergetic deficit of 3xTg-AD brains is accompanied by alterations in the phospholipid composition of synaptic mitochondrial membranes, detected either in phospholipid class distribution or in the phospholipids molecular profile. Globally, diacyl- and lyso-phosphatidylcholine lipids increase while ethanolamine plasmalogens and cardiolipins content drops in relation to nontransgenic background. However, the main lipidomic mark of 3xTg-AD brains is that cardiolipin cluster-organized profile is lost in synaptic mitochondria due to a decline of the most representative molecular species. In contrast to synaptic mitochondria, results support the idea that non-synaptic mitochondria function is preserved at the age of 3 months. Although the genetically construed 3xTg-AD mouse model does not represent the most prevalent form of AD in humans, the present study provides insights into the earliest biochemical events in AD brain, connecting specific lipidomic changes with synaptic bioenergetic deficit that may contribute to the progressive synapses loss and the neurodegenerative process that characterizes AD.

Effects of the continuous administration of an Agaricus blazei extract to rats on oxidative parameters of the brain and liver during aging.

An investigation of the effects of an aqueous extract of Agaricus blazei, a medicinal mushroom, on the oxidative state of the brain and liver of rats during aging (7 to 23 months) was conducted. The treatment consisted in the daily intragastric administration of 50 mg/kg of the extract. The A. blazei treatment tended to maintain the ROS contents of the brain and liver at lower levels, but a significant difference was found only at the age of 23 months and in the brain. The TBARS levels in the brain were maintained at lower levels by the A. blazei treatment during the whole aging process with a specially pronounced difference at the age of 12 months. The total antioxidant capacity in the brain was higher in treated rats only at the age of 12 months. Compared with previous studies in which old rats (21 months) were treated during a short period of 21 days with 200 mg/kg, the effects of the A. blazei extract in the present study tended to be less pronounced. The results also indicate that the long and constant treatment presented a tendency of becoming less effective at ages above 12 months.

Mikania glomerata: Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Neurochemical Study.

The present study primarily aims to identify the relative density and the fatty acids (methyl esters) content present in the standardized ethanol extract of leaves of M. glomerata (EPMG). Meanwhile, in a second moment, this study evaluated the effects of the EPMG on the levels of amino acids in the hippocampus, and the mechanism of sedative and anxiolytic action. Adult mice were treated with doses of 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg and evaluated in open field, elevated plus-maze, light dark, and rotarod tests. Moreover, in the behavioral tests diazepam (GABAergic anxiolytic, 2 mg/kg) as positive control and flumazenil (GABA antagonist, 2.5 mg/kg) were used to identify mechanism of sedative and anxiolytic action produced by EPMG. The EPMG is constituted by the following compounds: methyl cinnamate, 2H-1-benzopyran-2-one, (2-hydroxyphenyl)methyl propionate, (Z)-methyl-hexadec-7-enoate, methyl hexadecanoate, hexadecanoic acid, (Z)-methyl-octadec-9-enoate, octadecanoic acid, and squalene. This extract demonstrated anxiolytic effects, which may be mediated by GABAergic system, and was able to increase GABA levels and reduce of glutamate and aspartate concentrations in mice hippocampus, which can directly and/or indirectly assist in their anxiolytic effect. Although more studies are needed, the EPMG could represent an interesting therapeutical strategy in the treatment of anxiety.

Amphiphilic phthalocyanine-cyclodextrin conjugates for cancer photodynamic therapy.

Three phthalocyanines (Pcs) conjugated with α-, ß- and γ-cyclodextrins (CDs) were prepared and their application as photosensitizer (PS) agents was assessed by photophysical, photochemical and in vitro photobiological studies. The photoactivity of Pc-α-CD and Pc-γ-CD ensures their potential as PDT drugs against UM-UC-3 human bladder cancer cells.

Food restriction beginning at lactation interferes with the cellular dynamics of the mucosa and colonic myenteric innervation in adult rats.

The effects of food restriction (FR) on the morphoquantitative aspects of the wall and myenteric neurons of the proximal colon in adult rats were analysed. FR was imposed by duplication of the experimental brood size in relation to the control brood during lactation. The FR group received a 50% reduction of food from weaning until 90 days of age. Samples of the colon underwent histological processing to morphometrically analyze the crypts, muscularis mucosae, tunica mucosa, and muscularis externa. We determined the number of goblet cells and serotoninergic enteroendocrine cells, and morphoquantitatively studied the myenteric neuronal population. FR caused hypertrophy in the tunica mucosa, increase in crypt depth and in the muscular layer of the mucosa, a decrease in the thickness of the tunica muscularis and in the number of goblet cells and an increase in serotoninergic cells. A higher neuronal density in the ganglia and a reduction of the cell profile area were observed in the FR group. FR imposed since lactation led to hypertrophy of the tunica mucosa, a reduction of neutral mucin production, atrophy of the tunica muscularis, and an increase in the survival neuronal in adult rats, attributable to an increase in the number of serotoninergic enteroendocrine cells in mucosa.

Phosphated Cellulose as an Efficient Biomaterial for Aqueous Drug Ranitidine Removal.

Crystalline cellulose chemically modified through a reaction with sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) in an acidic or basic condition yielded Cel-P4 and Cel-P10. These phosphated solids were characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) at the solid state for phosphorus nucleus and dispersive X-ray energy. The elemental results demonstrated that the phosphorylation reaction was more efficient in the basic medium, as supported by the amount of phosphorous content. The synthesized biomaterials decreased in crystallinity in comparison to the precursor cellulose, with an increase in roughness and present two distinct phosphorus environments in the formed structure. The phosphated cellulose in an alkaline condition was applied to sorb the drug ranitidine. This process was applied in varying pH, time, temperature and concentration. The best sorption kinetic model to fit the experimental data was the pseudo-second-order with a coefficient correlation of 0.8976, and the Langmuir isotherm model was the most adjusted to the variation in concentration. The efficient drug sorption has a low dependence on temperature, with maximum values of 85.0, 82.0 mg and 85.7 mg·g-1 for Cel-P10 at 298, 308 and 318 K, respectively. The best sorption occurred at pH = 6 with a saturation time of 210 min.

Ultraviolet (UVB and UVA) photoprotector activity and percutaneous penetration of extracts obtained from Arrabidaea chica.

The aim of this work is to investigate the photoprotection activity and toxicity level of formulations containing the extract and its fractions obtained from leaves of Arrabidaea chica. The ex vivo percutaneous penetration of the extract was evaluated using the photoacoustic spectroscopy technique. The formulation presented optical absorption in the ultraviolet region, including UVA and UVB. This formulation was obtained without adding inorganic UV filters, as is frequently used in commercial sunscreens. The results showed a penetration rate similar to those of commercial sunscreens with its presence on the skin surface at least 180 min after the application. This formulation presented no toxic effects evaluated using hematological, biochemical, and histological assays. The results suggest that the formulation from the leaves of A. chica provides substantial protection against UVA + UVB radiation with a possible advantage of being natural and free of inorganic compounds compared with the majority of available commercial sunscreens.