Complement System Activation Is a Plasma Biomarker Signature during Malaria in Pregnancy.

Malaria in pregnancy (MiP) is a public health problem in malaria-endemic areas, contributing to detrimental outcomes for both mother and fetus. Primigravida and second-time mothers are most affected by severe anemia complications and babies with low birth weight compared to multigravida women. Infected erythrocytes (IE) reach the placenta, activating the immune response by placental monocyte infiltration and inflammation. However, specific markers of MiP result in poor outcomes, such as low birth weight, and intrauterine growth restriction for babies and maternal anemia in women infected with Plasmodium falciparum are limited. In this study, we identified the plasma proteome signature of a mouse model infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA and pregnant women infected with Plasmodium falciparum infection using quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics. A total of 279 and 249 proteins were quantified in murine and human plasma samples, of which 28% and 30% were regulated proteins, respectively. Most of the regulated proteins in both organisms are involved in complement system activation during malaria in pregnancy. CBA anaphylatoxin assay confirmed the complement system activation by the increase in C3a and C4a anaphylatoxins in the infected plasma compared to non-infected plasma. Moreover, correlation analysis showed the association between complement system activation and reduced head circumference in newborns from Pf-infected mothers. The data obtained in this study highlight the correlation between the complement system and immune and newborn outcomes resulting from malaria in pregnancy.

Antifungal activity of Punica granatum linn extracts against Malassezia pachydermatis

Malassezia pachydermatis causes external otitis, often affecting dogs, and control methods for this microorganism have been resistant to synthetic antifungals. Therefore, this study evaluated the antifungal activity of aqueous extracts of Punica granatum Linn (AEP) fruit peel dehydrated (AEPd) and in natura (AEPn) against Malassezia pachydermatis. The M. pachydermatis samples were from the Microbiology Laboratory of the State University of Northern Paraná (UENP), PR, Brazil. The strains were identified and replicated after inoculation in the Sabouraud dextrose medium. Subsequently, the P. granatum extract was obtained through different extraction methods: cold, water bath, decoction, and infusion. Each test was run fivefold at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% after 10, 20, and 30 minutes. The sensitivity of isolates was determined with the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method and indicated by an inhibition zone larger than 15 mm. The results were evaluated with a 2x3x6 factorial study design, ANOVA, and Tukey's test at 5% significance. AEPn showed antifungal activity on M. pachydermatis strains, and AEPd did not present an inhibitory influence at any concentration and time. Extraction by decoction was the most efficient, followed by water bath, cold, and infusion. The extracts at a 50% concentration showed the best results, but all other doses determined an inhibition zone larger than 15 mm. Thus, AEP showed a significant therapeutic potential for controlling M. pachydermatis.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes are associated with Plasmodium vivax malaria in a prospective cohort of women from the Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: Malaria in Brazil represents one of the highest percentages of Latin America cases, where approximately 84% of infections are attributed to Plasmodium (P.) vivax. Despite the high incidence, many aspects of gestational malaria resulting from P. vivax infections remain poorly studied. As such, we aimed to evaluate the consequences of P. vivax infections during gestation on the health of mothers and their neonates in an endemic area of the Amazon. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We have conducted an observational cohort study in Brazilian Amazon between January 2013 and April 2015. 600 pregnant women were enrolled and followed until delivery. After applying exclusion criteria, 329 mother-child pairs were included in the analysis. Clinical data regarding maternal infection, newborn's anthropometric measures, placental histopathological characteristics, and angiogenic and inflammatory factors were evaluated. The presence of plasma IgG against the P. vivax (Pv) MSP119 protein was used as marker of exposure and possible associations with pregnancy outcomes were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that P. vivax infections during the first trimester of pregnancy are associated with adverse gestational outcomes such as premature birth (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 8.12, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 2.69-24.54, p < 0.0001) and reduced head circumference (aOR 3.58, 95%CI 1.29-9.97, p = 0.01). Histopathology analysis showed marked differences between placentas from P. vivax-infected and non-infected pregnant women, especially regarding placental monocytes infiltrate. Placental levels of vasomodulatory factors such as angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2) and complement proteins such as C5a were also altered at delivery. Plasma levels of anti-PvMSP119 IgG in infected pregnant women were shown to be a reliable exposure marker; yet, with no association with improved pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that P. vivax malaria during the first trimester of pregnancy represents a higher likelihood of subsequent poor pregnancy outcomes associated with marked placental histologic modification and angiogenic/inflammatory imbalance. Additionally, our findings support the idea that antibodies against PvMSP119 are not protective against poor pregnancy outcomes induced by P. vivax infections.

In vitro anthelmintic activity of Psidium guajava hydroalcoholic extract against gastro-intestinal sheep nematodes.

Tanniferous plants have been used for ruminants verminosis control and represent a possibility to minimize the pharmacological resistance against conventional antiparasitics. This study aimed to evaluate the antihelminthic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of stem bark of guava tree (PgHA). It was performed the hatchability and larval migration inhibition assays to evaluate PgHA at the following concentrations 0.62, 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 mg mL-1 and the control treatments. The total polyphenol, flavonoid and tannin contents were determined by phytochemical analysis, high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing antioxidant power and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances tests. It was also determinated total protein, intracellular H2O2 and antioxidant activity of enzimes: glutathione S-transferase and superoxide dismutase. PgHA was able to inhibit both hatchability and larval migration, but only hatchability inhibition presented dose-dependent pattern. The antioxidant activity was demonstrated by linear regression with IC50 corresponding to 534.02 µg mL-1. The antiparasitic mechanism occurred through pro-oxidative activity by the increase of total proteins, intracellular H2O2 and the lipid peroxidation products, as well as the increase of the enzymes above related. Thus, the PgHA showed antiparasitic activity in vitro.

Inflammasome activation and IL-1 signaling during placental malaria induce poor pregnancy outcomes.

Placental malaria (PM) is associated with severe inflammation leading to abortion, preterm delivery, and intrauterine growth restriction. Innate immunity responses play critical roles, but the mechanisms underlying placental immunopathology are still unclear. Here, we investigated the role of inflammasome activation in PM by scrutinizing human placenta samples from an endemic area and ablating inflammasome components in a PM mouse model. The reduction in birth weight in babies from infected mothers is paralleled by increased placental expression of AIM2 and NLRP3 inflammasomes. Using genetic dissection, we reveal that inflammasome activation pathways are involved in the production and detrimental action of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in the infected placenta. The IL-1R pharmacological antagonist Anakinra improved pregnancy outcomes by restoring fetal growth and reducing resorption in an experimental model. These findings unveil that IL-1ß-mediated signaling is a determinant of PM pathogenesis, suggesting that IL-1R antagonists can improve clinical outcomes of malaria infection in pregnancy.

TRPV1 Contributes to Cerebral Malaria Severity and Mortality by Regulating Brain Inflammation.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a Ca+2-permeable channel expressed on neuronal and nonneuronal cells, known as an oxidative stress sensor. It plays a protective role in bacterial infection, and recent findings indicate that this receptor modulates monocyte populations in mice with malaria; however, its role in cerebral malaria progression and outcome is unclear. By using TRPV1 wild-type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice, the importance of TRPV1 to this cerebral syndrome was investigated. Infection with Plasmodium berghei ANKA decreased TRPV1 expression in the brain. Mice lacking TRPV1 were protected against Plasmodium-induced mortality and morbidity, a response that was associated with less cerebral swelling, modulation of the brain expression of endothelial tight-junction markers (junctional adhesion molecule A and claudin-5), increased oxidative stress (via inhibition of catalase activity and increased levels of H2O2, nitrotyrosine, and carbonyl residues), and diminished production of cytokines. Plasmodium load was not significantly affected by TRPV1 ablation. Repeated subcutaneous administration of the selective TRPV1 antagonist SB366791 after malaria induction increased TRPV1 expression in the brain tissue and enhanced mouse survival. These data indicate that TRPV1 channels contribute to the development and outcome of cerebral malaria.

Association of Malaria Infection During Pregnancy With Head Circumference of Newborns in the Brazilian Amazon.

Importance: Malaria during pregnancy is associated with adverse events for the fetus and newborn, but the association of malaria during pregnancy with the head circumference of the newborn is unclear. Objective: To investigate the association of malaria during pregnancy with fetal head growth. Design, Setting, and Participants: Two cohort studies were conducted at the general maternity hospital of Cruzeiro do Sul (Acre, Brazil) in the Amazonian region. One cohort study prospectively enrolled noninfected and malaria-infected pregnant women who were followed up until delivery, between January 2013 and April 2015. The other cohort study was assembled retrospectively using clinical and malaria data from all deliveries that occurred between January 2012 and December 2013. Data analyses were conducted from January to August 2017 and revised in November 2018. Clinical data from pregnant women and anthropometric measures of their newborns were evaluated. A total of 600 pregnant women were enrolled through volunteer sampling (prospective cohort study), and 4697 pregnant women were selected by population-based sampling (retrospective cohort study). After application of exclusion criteria, data from 251 (prospective cohort study) and 232 (retrospective cohort study) malaria-infected and 158 (prospective cohort study) and 3650 (retrospective cohort study) noninfected women were evaluated. Exposure: Malaria during pregnancy. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was the incidence of altered head circumference in newborns delivered from malaria-infected mothers compared with that from noninfected mothers. Secondary end points included measures of placental pathology relative to newborn head circumference. Results: In total, 4291 maternal-child pairs were analyzed. Among 409 newborns in the prospective cohort study, the mothers of 251 newborns had malaria during pregnancy, infected with Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, or both. Among 3882 newborns in the retrospective cohort study, 232 were born from mothers that had malaria during pregnancy. The prevalence of newborns with a small head (19 [30.7%] in the prospective cohort study and 30 [36.6%] in the retrospective cohort study) and the prevalence of microcephaly among newborns (5 [8.1%] in the prospective cohort study and 6 [7.3%] in the retrospective cohort study) were higher among newborns from women infected with P falciparum during pregnancy. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that P falciparum infection during pregnancy represented a significant risk factor for the occurrence of small head circumference in newborns (prospective cohort study: odds ratio, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.52-6.53; P = .002; retrospective cohort study: odds ratio, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.21-3.04; P = .006). Placental pathologic findings corroborated this association, with more syncytial nuclear aggregates and inflammatory infiltrates occurring in placentas of newborns born with decreased head circumference. Conclusions and Relevance: This study indicates that falciparum malaria during pregnancy is associated with decreased head circumference in newborns, which is in turn associated with evidence of placental malaria.

Fetal-Derived MyD88 Signaling Contributes to Poor Pregnancy Outcomes During Gestational Malaria.

Placental malaria (PM) remains a severe public health problem in areas of high malaria transmission. Despite the efforts to prevent infection poor outcomes in Plasmodium endemic areas, there is still a considerable number of preterm births and newborns with low birth weight resulting from PM. Although local inflammation triggered in response to malaria is considered crucial in inducing placental damage, little is known about the differential influence of maternal and fetal immune responses to the disease progression. Therefore, using a PM mouse model, we sought to determine the contribution of maternal and fetal innate immune responses to PM development. For this, we conducted a series of cross-breeding experiments between mice that had differential expression of the MyD88 adaptor protein to obtain mother and correspondent fetuses with distinct genetic backgrounds. By evaluating fetal weight and placental vascular spaces, we have shown that the expression of MyD88 in fetal tissue has a significant impact on PM outcomes. Our results highlighted the existence of a distinct contribution of maternal and fetal immune responses to PM onset. Thus, contributing to the understanding of how inflammatory processes lead to the dysregulation of placental homeostasis ultimately impairing fetal development.

Publisher Correction: TLR4-Mediated Placental Pathology and Pregnancy Outcome in Experimental Malaria.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.

TLR4-Mediated Placental Pathology and Pregnancy Outcome in Experimental Malaria.

Malaria-associate pregnancy has a significant impact on infant morbidity and mortality. The detrimental effects of malaria infection during pregnancy have been shown to correlate with immune activation in the placental tissue. Herein we sought to evaluate the effect of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) activation on placental malaria (PM) development by using the Plasmodium berghei NK65GFP infection model. We observed that activation of the innate immune system by parasites leads to PM due to local inflammation. We identified TLR4 activation as the main pathway involved in the inflammatory process in the placental tissue since the absence of functional TLR4 in mice leads to a decrease in the pro-inflammatory responses, which resulted in an improved pregnancy outcome. Additionally, a similar result was obtained when infected pregnant mice were treated with IAXO-101, a TLR4/CD14 blocker. Together, this study illustrates the importance of TLR4 signalling for the generation of the severe inflammatory response involved in PM pathogenesis. Therefore, our results implicate that TLR4 blockage could be a potential candidate for therapeutic interventions to reduce malaria-induced pathology both in the mother and the fetus.

Pomegranate extracts on larval inhibition of Haemonchus spp and Cooperia spp obtained from cattle / Extratos de romã sobre inibição larval de Haemonchus spp e Cooperia spp provenientes de bovinos

Consumers increasingly demand natural food and absent of toxic waste and medicated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the aqueous extract of dried and in natura stem from pomegranate on the larval inhibition of Haemonchus spp. and Cooperia spp. obtained from cattle. Dried and in natura aqueous extract from pomegranate stem (AEPS), negative control (autoclaved distilled water) and positive control (levamisole hydrochloride 0.05 mg / mL) were evaluated. Four mL of each treatment were used, and the results were evaluated in triplicate by egg counts per gram of feces (EPG), larval culture and counting of the larvae. The mean of the larvae that developed per gram of feces was submitted to logarithimic transformation log. (X + 10). The EPG had an average value of 3.620 eggs, identified in larval culture from Haemonchus spp. and Cooperia spp. Dried AEPS presented, by the reduction of larvae, effectiveness of 92.29% for Haemonchus spp. and 96.97% for Cooperia spp. In natura, this extract showed 80% of efficacy against Cooperia larvae, being considered moderately effective; however, for Haemonchus spp. this extract was not effective. These results are specially important for organic and agroecological systems of production, that not allow the use of chemical parasiticides. In conclusion, the use of dried AEPS showed potential anthelmintic and may represent important natural therapeutic option.

Os consumidores têm exigido cada vez mais alimentos naturais e ausentes de resíduos medicamentosos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o extrato aquoso de caule de romã seco e in natura, sobre a inibição larval de Haemonchus spp. e Cooperia spp. provenientes de bovinos. Foram avaliados extrato aquoso de caule de romã (EACR) seca e in natura, controle negativo (água destilada autoclavada) e controle positivo (cloridrato de levamisol 0,05 mg/mL). Foram utilizados quatro mL de cada tratamento, e os resultados foram avaliados em triplicata, por meio de contagem de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG), cultura de larvas e contagem das larvas. A média de larvas desenvolvidas por grama de fezes foi submetida à transformação logarítmica Log. (x+10). A contagem de OPG apresentou valor médio de 3.620 ovos, sendo identificadas na cultura de larvas de Haemonchus e Cooperia. EACR seca apresentou por meio da redução de larvas, eficácia efetiva de 92,29% para Haemonchus e 96,97% para Cooperia. In natura, este extrato apresentou 80% de eficácia sobre larvas de Cooperia, sendo considerado moderadamente efetivo, porém, para Haemonchus o mesmo não foi efetivo. Esses resultados são especialmente importantes para os sistemas orgânicos e agroecológicos de produção, que não permitem a utilização de parasiticidas químicos. Concluiu-se que a utilização de EACR seca apresentou potencial anti-helmíntico, podendo representar importante opção terapêutica natural.

Mutagenicity, antioxidant activity and nutritional content of long-life tomato / Mutagenicidade, atividade antioxidante e conteúdo nutricional de tomate longa vida

The increasing tomato demand for the food market motivates improvements and the use of new biotechnologies in this fruit's production. The hybrid crop stands out for fruit production resistant to rot and postharvest wilt (long-life crops). Within this context, consumption of genetically modified food deserves attention regarding the safety and nutritional aspects due to the fact that inclusion and/or overexpression of genetic traits can cause harm to human health in the short or long term. In this scenario, this study aimed to evaluate genotoxicity and mutagenicity from different varieties of long-life tomatoes obtained by genetic breeding and also determines main bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. The genotoxicity and mutagenicity were analyzed via the micronucleus test and the evaluation of chromosome aberrations in mice bone marrow respectively. We have also analyzed carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, total phenol and flavonoid contents via spectrophotometry and antioxidant activity via DPPH radical scavenging assay. Considering the results obtained, it is possible to conclude that despite the absence of significant genotoxic activity among the evaluated samples, the antioxidant activity and the differences found in composition seems to be ruled by genetic factors, possibly due to the genetic breeding.

O aumento da demanda na produção de tomate para o mercado alimentício vem incentivando transformações e implementações de novas biotecnologias na produção desse fruto, destacando-se a utilização cultivares híbridas que produzem frutos com maior resistência ao fenecimento e apodrecimento após colheita (cultivares do tipo longa vida). Dentro deste contexto, sabe-se que o consumo de alimentos oriundos de melhoramento genético necessita de atenção no aspecto de segurança alimentar e poder nutricional, pois a inclusão e/ou super expressão de características genéticas de interesse pode acarretar a curto ou em longo prazo danos à saúde humana. Neste cenário, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a genotoxicidade e mutagenicidade de diferentes variedades de tomates do tipo "longa vida" obtidos por melhoramento genético, assim como determinar seus principais compostos bioativos e atividade antioxidante. A genotoxicidade e mutagenicidade foram analisados por meio do teste do micronúcleo e pela avaliação de aberrações cromossômicas em medula óssea de camundongos. Foram determinados caroteno, betacaroteno, licopeno e o conteúdo de polifenóis e flavonoides totais por meio espectrofotométrico e atividade antioxidante pelo método do sequestro do radical DPPH. Diante dos resultados obtidos foi possível concluir que apesar da ausência de atividade genotóxica significativa entre as amostras avaliadas, as diferenças na composição e bioatividade antioxidante observadas no presente estudo, parecem ser governados por fatores genéticos, possivelmente provenientes do melhoramento genético realizado.

Factors Associated with Nipple Lesions in Puerperae.

This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with nipple lesion development in puerperae. Analyses were performed using the Poisson regression with robust variance. The level of significance was set at 5% (p < 0.05). We evaluated 1270 puerperae, among whom 193 (15.4%) presented with nipple lesions. The condition was more prevalent among the mothers who did not receive information about breastfeeding [PR, 1.69; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19-2.42], those who underwent cesarean delivery (PR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.02-2.16), those who used a pacifier (prevalence ratios (PR), 2.04; 95% CI, 1.05-3.95), those who used baby formula only (PR, 1.61; 95% CI, 4.82-5.36) and those who used baby formula combined with breastfeeding (PR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.06-2.45). A lower incidence of nipple lesions was observed among those who did not receive information on hand expression of breast milk (PR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.46-0.93) and those who did not breastfeed in the first hour of life (PR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.38-0.97).

Atividade antibacteriana do extrato hidroalcoólico de Punica granatum Linn. sobre Staphylococcus spp. isolados de leite bovino / Antibacterial activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Punica granatum Linn. on Staphylococcus spp. isolated from bovine milk

Mastite bovina é caraterizada por inflamação da glândula mamária, geralmente em resposta à infecção bacteriana, compromete quali-quantitativamente a produção leiteira. Este estudo objetivou verificar a atividade antibacteriana in vitro do extrato hidroalcoólico da casca da romã sobre bactérias isoladas de leite bovino. As colônias de Staphylococcus spp. foram ressuspendidas a escala 6 de MacFarland e ajustada a sua concentração por espectrofotometria UV visível na concentração de 10 mL-1. Os extratos foram avaliados em quintuplicata, em sete concentrações: de 4mg mL-1 até 0,0625 mg.mL-1. A sensibilidade dos isolados microbianos foi determinada utilizando o teste de difusão em disco e os resultados que apresentaram zonas de inibição correspondentes a valores a partir de 15 mm, foram considerados sensíveis. Os resultados foram avaliados pelo método ANOVA, teste de Tukey 5 por cento, utilizando o SISVAR 5.3 -DEX/UFLA. Adicionalmente o extrato foi avaliado quanto à atividade antioxidante, teores de fenóis e flavonoides totais. Para tanto o extrato foi diluído em sete concentrações: de 25 a 1000µg.mL-1, e avaliado em triplicata. O crescimento bacteriano foi inibido a partir da concentração de 4mg.mL-1 e a ação antioxidante foi verificada a partir de 50µg.mL-1, com valores correspondentes a 4.62 por cento, atingindo platô de 64,90 por cento na concentração de 500µg.mL-1. Na avaliação da atividade captadora de radicais, empregando o radical livre DPPH, o extrato demonstrou atividade antioxidante (IC50 por cento= 378,80µg/mL). Porém, não foi possível correlacionar a atividade antioxidante aos teores de fenóis e flavonoides. Talvez a presença de outras substâncias alcaloides e taninos presentes no extrato, possam ter sido as responsáveis pela atividade antioxidante encontrada. Conclui-se que o extrato hidroalcoólico de Punica granatum Linn. apresenta atividade antimicrobiana contra Staphylococcus spp., demonstrando potencial benefício para o controle da mastite bovina.

Bovine mastitis is characterized by inflammation of the mammary gland, usually in response to bacterial infection, affecting qualitatively and quantitatively milk production. This study aimed to determine the antibacterial activity in vitro of the hydroalcoholic extract of the bark of the pomegranate on bacteria isolated from bovine milk. The colonies of Staphylococcus spp. were resuspended in 6 MacFarland scale and adjusted its concentration by UV visible spectrophotometry at a concentration of 10(6)ml-1. The extracts were evaluated in quintuplicate in seven concentrations: from 4 up to 0.0625mg.mL-1. The sensitivity of microbial isolates was determined using the disk diffusion and the results that showed inhibition halos corresponding to values from 15mm were considered susceptible. The results were evaluated by ANOVA, Tukey test 5 percent using the SISVAR 5.3-DEX/UFLA. Additionally the extract was assessed as for the antioxidant activity, content of phenols and total flavonoids. The extract was diluted into seven concentrations: 25-1.000µg.mL-1, and evaluated in triplicate. The bacterial growth was inhibited starting from the concentration of 4 mg.mL-1 and antioxidant activity was observed from 50µg.mL-1, with values corresponding to 4.62 percent reaching the plateau of 64.90 percent at a concentration of 500µg.mL-1. In evaluating the radical scavenging activity, using the free radical DPPH, the extract demonstrated antioxidant activity (IC50 percent= 378.80µg/mL). However it has not been possible to correlate the antioxidant activity with the levels of phenols and flavonoids. Perhaps the presence of other substances alkaloids and tannins present in the extracts may have been responsible for the antioxidant activity found. It was concluded that the hydroalcoholic extract of Punica granatum Linn. has antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus spp., demonstrating potential benefit for the control of bovine mastitis.

Atividade antioxidante e determinação de fenóis totais, carotenoides, betacarotenos, licopeno e zinco em variedades branca, amarela e rosada de Manihot esculenta Crantz / Antioxidant activity and determination of total phenol contents, carotenoids beta-carotene, lycopene and zinc in white, yellow and pinkish varieties of Manihot Esculenta crantz

Existem variedades de mandioca que apresentam compostos como os carotenoides, beta-caroteno, licopeno e minerais importantes para a saúde humana e animal. O presente estudo avaliou a atividade antioxidante das variedades branca, amarela e rosada de Manihot esculenta, por meio de teste de DPPH e pela atividade quelante de íons ferro. Além disso, o conteúdo de fenóis totais, carotenoides, beta-caroteno, licopeno e zinco também foram determinados. Utilizando o teste de DPPH foi possível verificar que os extratos de amostras cozidas apresentaram maior atividade antioxidante (89,53% - rosada) em comparação com as amostras frescas (1,97% - branca). Para o teste de atividade quelante de íons ferro, a maior atividade foi encontrada para o extrato da variedade rosada cozida (63,43%) e a menor foi do extrato da amarela in natura (17,34%) a amostra branca não apresentou atividade. A maior concentração de fenóis e de zinco foi obtida para o extrato da variedade rosada cozida 136,12 mg EAG/g de extrato e 0,811 ppm, respectivamente, na concentração de 1000 µg/mL. A variedade rosada apresentou também maior quantidade de pigmentos, incluindo carotenoides (29,40 µg/g); beta-caroteno (9,14 µg/100g) e licopeno (68,92%). De acordo com os resultados obtidos no presente estudo, foi possível concluir que as variedades amarela e rosada de M. esculenta, apresentam quantidades de compostos fenólicos e minerais suficientes para atribuir a atividade antioxidante, podendo assim, contribuir para diminuir os danos oxidativos e serem utilizadas como nutracêuticos ou diretamente ingeridas na dieta para manter a boa saúde.

There are cassava varieties that present compounds as carotenoids, beta-carotene, lycopene and minerals important for human and animal health. The present study evaluated the antioxidant activity of the white, yellow and pinkish varieties of Manihot esculenta, by mean of the DPPH test and by the ferrous ion-chelating activity. Furthermore, the total phenols, carotenoids, beta-carotene, lycopene and zinc contents were also determined. Utilizing the DPPH test it was possible to find that extracts of boiled samples presented higher antioxidant activity (89.53% - pinkish) in comparison to the fresh samples (1.97% - white). For the ferrous ion-chelating test, the highest activity was found for the boiled pinkish variety extract (63.43%) and the lowest was for fresh yellow extract (17.34%) the white sample did not present activity. The highest concentration of total phenols and zinc content was obtained for the boiled pinkish variety extract 136.12 mg EAG/g of extract and 0,811ppm, respectively, in the concentration of 1000 µg/mL. The pinkish variety presented also higher quantity of pigments, including carotenoid (29.40 µg/g), beta-carotene (9.14 µg/100g) and lycopene (68.92%). According to the results obtained in this study it was possible to conclude that the yellow and pinkish varieties of M. esculenta present quantity of phenolic compounds and minerals sufficient to attribute the antioxidant activity and may thus contribute to reduce oxidative damage and be used as nutraceuticals or directly ingested in the diet to maintain good health.

Isotherapic for the control of the cattle tick

Parasitism constitutes one of the major problems that affect the livestock. Commercial acaricides can propitiate drug resistance and residues in the environment and animals. This study aimed to evaluate the control of cattle ticks by using the isotherapics. These drugs were prepared using Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. The dilution and agitations were performed according to the homeopathic pharmacopoeia. By the immersion technique of adults, 50 teleogines were distributed into five treatments: 12cH and 32cH isotherapic, negative control, positive (ivermectin 1%) and vehicle control. The results were evaluated by the rate of mortality, egg production, hatchability rate, estimated reproduction, and the efficacy of the products. In addition, 16 Jersey females cows were subjected to 15mL pour on, of the following treatments: 12cH and 32cH isotherapic and vehicle control. The count of ticks was performed by the simple method on days 0, 15, 21, 42, 63, 84 and 105, post treatments. It was used the Wilcoxon test and Bonferroni method. Both isotherapics treatments showed efficacy at in vitro tests. The 12cH medication presented better results: 10% of mortality rate on the first day of life, maintaining 20% from the second to the 13th day. Additionally, it was observed 20% of egg production, hatching rate of 0.0038% and 99.39% of product effectiveness. However, the in vivo tests showed no satisfactory results for these evaluated conditions, although it was verified a tendency to decreasing the infestation.(AU)

Isotherapic for the control of the cattle tick

Parasitism constitutes one of the major problems that affect the livestock. Commercial acaricides can propitiate drug resistance and residues in the environment and animals. This study aimed to evaluate the control of cattle ticks by using the isotherapics. These drugs were prepared using Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. The dilution and agitations were performed according to the homeopathic pharmacopoeia. By the immersion technique of adults, 50 teleogines were distributed into five treatments: 12cH and 32cH isotherapic, negative control, positive (ivermectin 1%) and vehicle control. The results were evaluated by the rate of mortality, egg production, hatchability rate, estimated reproduction, and the efficacy of the products. In addition, 16 Jersey females cows were subjected to 15mL pour on, of the following treatments: 12cH and 32cH isotherapic and vehicle control. The count of ticks was performed by the simple method on days 0, 15, 21, 42, 63, 84 and 105, post treatments. It was used the Wilcoxon test and Bonferroni method. Both isotherapics treatments showed efficacy at in vitro tests. The 12cH medication presented better results: 10% of mortality rate on the first day of life, maintaining 20% from the second to the 13th day. Additionally, it was observed 20% of egg production, hatching rate of 0.0038% and 99.39% of product effectiveness. However, the in vivo tests showed no satisfactory results for these evaluated conditions, although it was verified a tendency to decreasing the infestation.

Atividade antimicrobiana in vitro de extrato de Punica granatum L. sobre Staphylococcus aureus isolado em leite bovino / Antimicrobial activity in vitro of extracts of Punica granatum L. over Staphylococcus aureus isolated in bovine milk

Mastite bovina é considerada principal doença causadora de grandes perdas econômicas nos rebanhos leiteiros. Antimicrobianos químicos promovem resistência farmacológica, resíduos no alimento e contaminação ambiental. Este estudo objetivou verificar a atividade antibacteriana, in vitro, do extrato de romã em Staphylococcus aureus isolado de leite bovino, avaliar sua atividade antioxidante, e quantificar teores de fenóis e flavonoides totais nos diferentes extratos utilizados. Utilizou-se para tanto extratos aquosos da casca do fruto (EAC) e folhas (EAF), secos e in natura de romã. Adicionalmente, avaliou-se atividade antioxidante (AA%), teores de fenóis e flavonóides totais. Amostras de leite foram semeadas, incubadas, e as colônias de Staphylococcus aureus foram ajustadas a 1,0x106 UFC/mL ao padrão nº6 da escala de MacFarland. A sensibilidade dos isolados microbianos foi determinada, em quintuplicata, pela técnica de difusão em discos. A Concentração Inibitória Mínima foi determinada pelo halo de inibição superior a 15 mm. Os resultados foram avaliados pelo método ANOVA, teste de Tukey 5%, utilizando-se o programa SISVAR 5.3 - DEX/UFLA. EACseco inibiu crescimento bacteriano a partir de 3%. EAFseco, EACin natura e EAFin natura, só apresentaram esta atividade a partir de 15%, 20% e 30% respectivamente. A ação antioxidante do EACseco foi verificada a partir de 75µg/mL, com valores correspondentes a 14,2%, atingindo um platô de 65,9% na concentração de 250µg/mL. Entretanto, essa atividade não foi correlacionada aos teores de fenóis totais e flavonoides. Provavelmente outras substâncias alcalóides, podem ter sido responsáveis por esta atividade. Conclui-se que os extratos de Punica granatum L., principalmente aquele obtido pela casca do fruto seco, demonstraram atividade inibitória sobre S. aureus, evidenciando a potencialidade de seu uso para o controle da mastite bovina.

Bovine mastitis is considered important disease causing major economic losses in dairy herds. Antimicrobial drug can promote resistance, chemical residues in food and environmental contamination. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity in vitro of pomegranate extract on Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine milk, evaluate its antioxidant activity, and quantify levels of total phenols and fravonoides of the different extracts used. Aqueous extracts were used in nature and dry, from the peel of the fruit (EAC) and leaves (EAF). Additionally, it was evaluated the antioxidant activity (AA%), total phenols and flavonoids. Milk samples were inoculated, incubated, and the colonies were characterized as Staphylococcus aureus were adjusted to 1.0x106 UFC/mL in the 6 standard of the MacFarland scale. The sensitivity of the microbial isolates were determined in quintuplicate, in disk diffusion test. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by visible inhibition zone greater than 15mm. The results were evaluated by ANOVA, Tukey 5%, using the program SISVAR 5.3 - DEX / UFLA. Results implied that the aqueous extract from the bark of dried fruit was capable of inhibiting bacterial growth at concentrations of 3%. The other treatments only showed this activity, from the concentrations of 15%, 20% and 30% for dry EAF, in nature EAC and in nature EAF, respectively. Regarding the action antioxidant of dry EAC, was not correlated with total phenols and flavonoids. Probably other alkaloids substances present in the extract studied, may have been responsible for this activity. It is concluded that extracts of Punica granatum L., especially those obtained by the shell of the fruit, showed inhibitory activity against S. aureus, indicating your use potential for the control of bovine mastitis.

Neglected and emerging fungal infections: review of hyalohyphomycosis by Paecilomyces lilacinus focusing in disease burden, in vitro antifungal susceptibility and management.

Paecilomyces lilacinus is an emerging pathogenic fungus that can cause different clinical manifestations ranging from cutaneous and sub-cutaneous infections to severe oculomycosis. This review discusses infections caused by P. lilacinus, as well as their symptoms and correlates of immune responses, morphological characteristics of the fungus, therapies, in vitro susceptibility tests, laboratory diagnosis and the experimental models available.

Características químicas e valores energéticos de farelos de soja do oeste e sudoeste do Paraná / Chemistry characteristics and energetics values of soybean meals

Foi realizado um estudo para determinar a variabilidade de características químicas e valores energéticos de farelos de soja (FS) do oeste e sudoeste do Paraná. Foram estudadas 40 amostras colhidas em 10 processadores e distribuidores durante quatro meses consecutivos. Houve diferenças (P<0,05) entre os teores de matéria seca (MS) dos farelos de soja (FS) analisados. O FS 10 apresentou menor (P<0,05) teor de MS (86,72 por cento) em relação aos FS 2, 4, 5, 6 e 9 (88,96, 90,60, 89,19, 89,08 e 88,72 por cento, respectivamente). O FS 4 teve menor conteúdo de Ca (0,31 por cento), enquanto os FS 5 e 7 mostraram os maiores teores de Ca (0,36 e 0,36 por cento, respectivamente). Ocorreram diferenças (P<0,05) entre os valores de energia metabolizável verdadeira (EMVn) calculados, com o FS 8 apresentando a maior concentração (2,65Mcal kg-1) e os FS 5 e 10 os menores teores de energia calculados (2,51 e 2,50Mcal kg-1, respectivamente). Pode-se concluir que a composição química dos farelos de soja das regiões oeste e sudoeste do Paraná apresenta pouca variação e, exceto para a fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido, ferro e manganês, os valores encontrados são próximos daqueles citados na literatura.

A study was conducted to determine the variability on chemical and nutritional characteristics of soybean meal from the West and Southwest Paraná state. Forty samples of soybean meal were collected in ten different processors and distributors during four months consecutively. There were differences (P<0.05) among the dry matter (DM) in samples of soybean meal analyzed. The soybean meal 10 had less (P<0.05) level of DM (86.72 percent) compared with soybean meals 2, 4, 5, 6 and 9 (88.96, 90.60, 89.19, 89.08 and 88.72 percent, respectively). The soybean meal 4 showed less content of Ca (0.31 percent), while the soybean meals 5 and 7 had higher levels of Ca (0.36 and 0.36, respectively). The calculated TMEn value of soybean meal 8 was higher (P<0.05) than soybean meals 5 and 10 (2.65 versus 2.51 and 2.50Mcal kg-1, respectively). The chemical composition of soybean meal from the West and Southwest Paraná state is homogenous and near that found in scientific literature, except for neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, iron and manganese.