Antifungal Activity of Silver Salts of Keggin-Type Heteropolyacids Against Sporothrix spp.

Luciana Da Silva Mathias,João Carlos De Aquino Almeida,Luis César Passoni,Cristiani Miranda David Gossani,Gabriel Bonan Taveira,Valdirene Moreira Gomes,Olney Vieira-Da-Motta 한국미생물·생명공학회 2020 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.30 No.4

Sporotrichosis is a chronic and subacute mycosis causing epidemiological outbreaks involving sick cats and humans in southeastern Brazil. The systemic disease prevails in cats and in humans, with the symptoms restricted to the skin of immunocompetent individuals. Under these conditions, the prolonged treatment of animals and cases of recurrence justify the discovery of new treatments for sporotrichosis. This work addresses the antifungal activity of silver salts of Keggin-type heteropolyacid salts (Ag-HPA salts) such as Ag3[PW12O40], Ag6[SiW10V2O40], Ag4[SiW12O40] and Ag3[PMo12O40] and interactions with the antifungal drugs itraconazole (ITC), terbinafine (TBF) and amphotericin B (AMB) on the yeast and mycelia forms of Sporothrix spp. Sporothrix spp. yeast cells were susceptible to Ag-HPA salts at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 8 to 128 μg/ml. Interactions between Ag3[PW12O40] and Ag3[PMo12O40] with itraconazole and amphotericin B resulted in higher antifungal activity with a reduction in growth and melanization. Treated cells showed changes in cell membrane integrity, vacuolization, cytoplasm disorder, and membrane detachment. Promising antifungal activity for treating sporotrichosis was observed for the Ag-HPA salts Ag3[PMo12O40] and Ag3[PW12O40], which have a low cost, high yield and activity at low concentrations. However, further evaluation of in vivo tests is still required.

Assessing the Metabolic Impact of Ground Chia Seed in Overweight and Obese Prepubescent Children: Results of a Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Camila Saran da Silva,Camila Ribeiro de Arruda Monteiro,Guilherme Henrique Fagundes da Silva,Roseli Oselka Sacardo Sarni,Fabiola Isabel Suano Souza,David Feder,Marcia Cristina Fernandes Messias,Patrıc 한국식품영양과학회 2020 Journal of medicinal food Vol.23 No.3

Childhood obesity is a medical condition of major public health concern. Chia seeds are used to treat certain noncommunicable diseases, and they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which contribute to the absorption of vitamins. A randomized double-blind clinical trial of 30 obese children was performed. The sample was composed of prepubertal 5- to 10-year-old children of both sexes with body mass indexes equal to or above the 95th percentile who were recruited through the Pediatric Department of the Faculdade de Medicina do ABC. Blood samples were drawn, the children were weighed and measured, and a 24-h dietary recall was obtained before and after the treatment. Not only were significant differences observed for fibrinogen (P = .011) but a correlation between the changes in markers and the presence of fibers was also observed for two inflammatory parameters: tumor necrosis factor-α (P = .027) and nuclear factor-κβ (P = .059). These results indicate that chia seeds may have anti-inflammatory effects related to their fiber content in the context of childhood obesity.

Comparative Study on the Effects of Paullinia cupana, PC-18 and Magnesium Chloride on Solid Ehrlich Tumor

Emerson Barbosa da Silva,Felipe Ko Chen,Matheus Moreira Perez,Giuliana Petri,David Feder,Fernando Luiz Affonso Fonseca,Beatriz da Costa Aguiar Alves 한국식품영양과학회 2022 Journal of medicinal food Vol.25 No.9

New perspectives arise in the therapeutic practice for cancer, with the objective to not only treat patients, but also improve their quality of life. Guarana, a plant from Brazilian Amazon presents a wide range of pharmacological actions. This study evaluated the effect of Guarana (Paullinia cupana) extract, pure and dry Guarana (PC-18) extract and magnesium chloride (MgCl2) in mice of the Balb/c strain inoculated with the Ehrlich tumor regarding gene expression of inflammatory markers transforming growth factor-β1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha and oxidative stress (OS) and fatigue, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase 4 and analyzed myelotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. After euthanasia, blood was collected to analyze the complete blood count and measured the levels of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase). Hepatoprotective actions of the crude extract of P. cupana and PC-18 extract were noticed. The PC-18 and MgCl2 group showed the best result regarding animal welfare. There were no associations between compounds and gene expression regarding fatigue and OS. PC-18 reduced the tumor and may have an antitumor action. The crude extract of Guarana presented hepatoprotective action.

Effects of dietary L-glutamine and glutamic acid combination, and whey powder on the performance and nutrient digestion in weaned piglets fed grain-based diets

Almeida Jonathan Mádson dos Santos,Pascoal Leonardo Augusto Fonseca,de Almeida Jorge Luiz Santos,Guerra Ricardo Romão,da Silva José Humberto Vilar,da Silva David Rwbystanne Pereira,Silva Neto Manoel R 아세아·태평양축산학회 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.12

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of including L-glutamine along with glutamic acid as a supplement in weaned piglets’ diets with and without whey powder. Methods: Two assays were carried out. A total of 40 piglets ([Landrace×Large White]× Pietrain) weaned at 24 days of age with an initial body weight of 6.6±0.6 kg were used in the first assay, and the following parameters were evaluated: growth performance, the incidence of diarrhea, morphometry, intestinal integrity, and hepatic glycogen index. The animals were then blocked into four groups according to different diets: diet all-grain feeding (G); diet all-grain feeding with whey powder (GW); and with vs without 1% supplementation of the commercial product containing L-glutamine and glutamic acid (A or NA). Whey powder was added according to the stage of life, corresponding to 17%, 10%, and 5%, respectively, in order to meet the need for lactose. The animals were evaluated at 24 to 42 days and at 24 to 55 days of age. The nutrient digestibility for the second assay was carried out by using 24 animals with an average weight of 11.49±1.6 kg, and the same diets were tested. Results: The supplementation of L-glutamine + glutamic acid or the addition of whey powder in diets for weaned piglets provided (p<0.05) greater feed intake, greater weight gain and improved feed conversion in the initial period (24 to 42 days age). However, in the whole period (24 to 55 days age) only amino acid supplementation affected (p<0.05) growth performance. There was a positive interaction (p<0.05) between the type of diet and L-glutamine + glutamic acid supplementation on villus height, crypt depth and the villus:crypt ratio in the duodenum. In addition, L-glutamine + glutamic acid supplementation reduced (p<0.05) the crypt depth and improved the villus:crypt ratio in the jejunum. The inclusion of whey powder affected (p<0.05) positively the digestibility coefficients analyzed except mineral matter digestibility coeficients. The supplementation of 1% the commercial product composed of L-glutamine and glutamic acid improved (p<0.05) only the digestibility coefficient of crude protein. Conclusion: These results indicate that supplementation of 1% commercial product containing L-glutamine + glutamic acid in diets for piglets from 24 to 55 days of age, dispenses with the use of whey powder when evaluating growth performance. Amino acid supplementation alone or associated with whey powder affects (p<0.05) positively the indicators of the intestinal integrity. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of including L-glutamine along with glutamic acid as a supplement in weaned piglets’ diets with and without whey powder.Methods: Two assays were carried out. A total of 40 piglets ([Landrace×Large White]× Pietrain) weaned at 24 days of age with an initial body weight of 6.6±0.6 kg were used in the first assay, and the following parameters were evaluated: growth performance, the incidence of diarrhea, morphometry, intestinal integrity, and hepatic glycogen index. The animals were then blocked into four groups according to different diets: diet all-grain feeding (G); diet all-grain feeding with whey powder (GW); and with vs without 1% supplementation of the commercial product containing L-glutamine and glutamic acid (A or NA). Whey powder was added according to the stage of life, corresponding to 17%, 10%, and 5%, respectively, in order to meet the need for lactose. The animals were evaluated at 24 to 42 days and at 24 to 55 days of age. The nutrient digestibility for the second assay was carried out by using 24 animals with an average weight of 11.49±1.6 kg, and the same diets were tested.Results: The supplementation of L-glutamine + glutamic acid or the addition of whey powder in diets for weaned piglets provided (p<0.05) greater feed intake, greater weight gain and improved feed conversion in the initial period (24 to 42 days age). However, in the whole period (24 to 55 days age) only amino acid supplementation affected (p<0.05) growth performance. There was a positive interaction (p<0.05) between the type of diet and L-glutamine + glutamic acid supplementation on villus height, crypt depth and the villus:crypt ratio in the duodenum. In addition, L-glutamine + glutamic acid supplementation reduced (p<0.05) the crypt depth and improved the villus:crypt ratio in the jejunum. The inclusion of whey powder affected (p<0.05) positively the digestibility coefficients analyzed except mineral matter digestibility coeficients. The supplementation of 1% the commercial product composed of L-glutamine and glutamic acid improved (p<0.05) only the digestibility coefficient of crude protein.Conclusion: These results indicate that supplementation of 1% commercial product containing L-glutamine + glutamic acid in diets for piglets from 24 to 55 days of age, dispenses with the use of whey powder when evaluating growth performance. Amino acid supplementation alone or associated with whey powder affects (p<0.05) positively the indicators of the intestinal integrity.

Influence of seismic design rules on the robustness of steel moment resisting frames

David Cassiano,Mario D’Aniello,Carlos Rebelo,Raffaele Landolfo,Luís S. da Silva 국제구조공학회 2016 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.21 No.3

Seismic design criteria allow enhancing the structural ductility and controlling the damage distribution. Therefore, detailing rules and design requirements given by current seismic codes might be also beneficial to improve the structural robustness. In this paper a comprehensive parametric study devoted to quantifying the effectiveness of seismic detailing for steel Moment Resisting Frames (MRF) in limiting the progressive collapse under column loss scenarios is presented and discussed. The overall structural performance was analysed through nonlinear static and dynamic analyses. With this regard the following cases were examined: (i) MRF structures designed for wind actions according to Eurocode 1; (ii) MRF structures designed for seismic actions according to Eurocode 8. The investigated parameters were (i) the number of storeys; (ii) the interstorey height; (iii) the span length; (iv) the building plan layout; and (v) the column loss scenario. Results show that structures designed according to capacity design principles are less robust than wind designed ones, provided that the connections have the same capacity threshold in both cases. In addition, the numerical outcomes show that both the number of elements above the removed column and stiffness of beams are the key parameters in arresting progressive collapse.

Inhibitory Potential of Tea Polyphenolics and Influence of Extraction Time Against Helicobacter pylori and Lack of Inhibition of Beneficial Lactic Acid Bacteria

Chandrakant Ankolekar,David Johnson,Marcia da Silva Pinto,Kevin Johnson,Ronald Labbe,Kalidas Shetty 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.11

Tea polyphenolics such as catechins are known to have the potential to inhibit many bacterial pathogens. Helicobacter pylori has been identified as an etiologic agent in the development of gastric ulcer, peptic ulcer, gastritis, and many other stomach-related diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of 9 tea extracts—3 different brands representing 4 different processed types (white, green, oolong, and black)—on the inhibition of H. pylori. Extraction times of 2 and 5 minutes were compared. Most 5-minute extracts showed H. pylori inhibition, whereas 2-minute extracts only of Choice darjeeling black and Tazo white showed inhibition. No recovery was observed after the addition of 0.5 and 5 mM proline, indicating that tea polyphenols do not inhibit H. pylori by inhibition of proline oxidation via proline dehydrogenase. Extracts that showed inhibition were further evaluated for their effect on beneficial lactic acid bacteria. None of the samples showed inhibition, suggesting that tea might be able to inhibit H. pylori without affecting the beneficial lactic acid bacteria. High-performance liquid chromatography indicated the presence of gallic acid, quercetin, caffeine, and tea catechins (including catechin, epicatechin, and epigallocatechin) in all the tea samples. Our study indicates that tea can be potentially used as a low-cost dietary support to combat H. pylori–linked gastric diseases without affecting the beneficial intestinal bacteria.

Behaviour of steel joints under fire loading

Luís Simões da Silva,Aldina Santiago,Paulo Vila Real,David Moore 국제구조공학회 2005 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.5 No.6

This paper presents a state-of-the-art on the behaviour of steel joints under fire loading and some recent developments in this field, currently being carried out by the authors. Firstly, a review of the experimental research work on steel joints is presented, subdivided into isolated member tests, sub-structure tests and tests on complete building structures. Special emphasis is placed on the seventh Cardington test, carried out by the authors within a collaborative research project led by the Czech Technical University in Prague. Secondly, a brief review of various temperature distributions within a joint is presented, followed by a discussion of the behaviour of isolated joints at elevated temperature, focussing on failure modes and analytical procedures for predicting the moment-rotation behaviour of joints at elevated temperature. Finally, a description of the coupled behaviour of joints as part of complete structures is presented, describing previous work and investigations on real fire (including heating and cooling phases) currently being carried out by the authors.

The Influence of Elevated CO2 on Photosynthesis, Carbohydrate Status, and the Plastochron in Young Peach (Prunus persica) Trees

Anna M. Davidson,David Da Silva,Sebastian Saa,Phillip Mann,Theodore M. DeJong 한국원예학회 2016 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.57 No.4

The plastochron, defined as the time interval between the initiations of two successive leaves, can also indicate the development of successive phytomers along a shoot. Previous work has shown that crop load impactsthe plastochron in field-grown peach (Prunuspersica) trees, which led us to hypothesize that the plastochron of peach trees may be sensitive to the carbon status of the tree. To testthis hypothesis, a 38-day growth chamber study was conducted to determine if elevated CO2 (800 μmol·mol-1) speeds up the plastochron of young peach trees relative to their growth in ambient (400 μmol·mol-1) CO2. The leaf lamina lengths were measured every other day to generate leaf growth rate curves that were fitted against a classic Gompertz growth curve to estimate the time of the initiation of each leaf, which in turn, was used to estimate the plastochron. Additionally, in order to non-destructively gauge the effects of CO2 concentration on plant performance during the experiment, net leaf CO2 assimilation and stomatal conductance measurements were taken approximately half way through and at the end of the 38-day experiment. Doubling the ambient CO2 concentration had no effect on the plastochron, even though the leaf CO2 assimilation rates, leaf starch and total nonstructural carbohydrate concentrations were greater in trees grown in elevated CO2. In addition, there were no significant treatment differences in incremental shoot growth or the number of lateral syleptic shoots.

Prediction of preeclampsia in the first trimester of pregnancy using maternal characteristics, mean arterial pressure, and uterine artery Doppler data in a Brazilian population

Juliana de Freitas Leite,Guilherme Antonio Rago Lobo,Paulo Martin Nowak,Irene Reali Antunes,Edward Araujo Júnior,David Baptista da Silva Pares 대한산부인과학회 2019 Obstetrics & Gynecology Science Vol.62 No.6

ObjectiveTo evaluate the performance of the preeclampsia (PE) screening algorithm of the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF)during the first trimester in a Brazilian population using maternal characteristics, mean arterial pressure (MAP), anduterine artery Doppler data. MethodsThis is a prospective cohort study that evaluated 701 pregnant women during the first trimester ultrasound screeningfor chromosomal abnormalities (11–13+6 weeks). All patients provided information regarding clinical and obstetrichistory, MAP, and mean uterine artery pulsatility index (mean PI). Patients were assigned to four groups based on thepresence of PE and gestational age at delivery: group 1 (control), patients without hypertensive disorders (n=571);group 2, PE and delivery before 34 weeks of gestation (n=7); group 3, PE and delivery before 37 weeks of gestation,including patients from group 2 and patients that presented PE with delivery between 34 and 37 weeks (n=17); andgroup 4, PE and delivery before 42 weeks of gestation, including patients from both groups 2 and 3 and patients thatpresented PE with delivery between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation (n=34). ResultsAfter the exclusion of 96 patients, we evaluated the data of 605 patients. By combining maternal characteristics, MAP,and the mean uterine artery PI for the detection of PE, we found a sensitivity of 71.4% in group 2, 50% in group 3,and 41.2% in group 4 (false positive rate=10%). ConclusionUsing maternal characteristics, MAP, and uterine artery Doppler data, we were able to identify a significantproportion of patients who developed preterm PE.