RESUMO O presente estudo avaliou o potencial probiótico in vitro de bactérias ácido-láticas (BAL) isoladas de queijo artesanal da Serra Geral (MG), com 14 e 21 dias de maturação, leite cru e pingo, utilizados em sua elaboração, e de bancadas de produção. As bactérias foram submetidas aos testes de antibiograma, à tolerância a ácido gástrico artificial e a sais biliares e ao antagonismo contra micro-organismos indicadores. Levilactobacillus brevis (Q521) e Lactococcus lactis (LLSG) apresentaram os melhores resultados e foram selecionados para a produção de leite fermentado. Apenas LLSG foi capaz de fermentar o leite. O produto apresentou qualidade microbiológica e físico-química adequada, exceto para os teores de proteína, segundo a legislação vigente para leites fermentados, demonstrando potencial tecnológico. A partir dos resultados apresentados, sugere-se que testes in vivo sejam realizados para que LLSG possa vir a ser utilizado como probiótico.

Abstract Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are a public health burden rising in developed and developing nations. The World Health Organization estimates nearly 374 million new cases of curable STIs yearly. Global efforts to control their spread have been insufficient in fulfilling their objective. As there is no vaccine for many of these infections, these efforts are focused on education and condom distribution. The development of vaccines for STIs is vital for successfully halting their spread. The field of immunoinformatics is a powerful new tool for vaccine development, allowing for the identification of vaccine candidates within a bacterium’s genome and allowing for the design of new genome-based vaccine peptides. The goal of this review was to evaluate the usage of immunoinformatics in research focused on non-viral STIs, identifying fields where research efforts are concentrated. Here we describe gaps in applying these techniques, as in the case of Treponema pallidum and Trichomonas vaginalis.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a exigência de proteína bruta (PB) de juvenis de curimatã-pacu (Prochilodus argenteus). O experimento foi conduzido por um período de 60 dias, utilizando um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos (dieta contendo 24,0; 28,0; 32,0 e 36,0% de PB) e cinco repetições cada, em que 100 juvenis (peso inicial de 0,33 ± 0,01g) foram distribuídos em 20 aquários experimentais com volume de 130L, sendo considerada como unidade experimental uma caixa com cinco peixes, sob recirculação de água. Avaliaram-se o desempenho produtivo, o crescimento heterogêneo, os parâmetros morfométricos, fisiológicos e a viabilidade econômica das rações em função do nível de PB. Pela análise de regressão, foi verificado um aumento linear nos parâmetros de desempenho, morfométricos e fisiológicos, com o aumento do nível proteico nas rações. Quando comparados pelo teste de Tukey, o melhor resultado (P>0,05) foi obtido com 36% de PB. Verificou-se menor heterogeneidade de crescimento dos peixes à medida que se aumentavam os níveis de PB na ração. Assim, considerando também a viabilidade econômica, recomenda-se a utilização de rações com 36% de proteína bruta para juvenis de curimatã-pacu.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determinate crude protein (CP) requirement to curimatã-pacu juveniles (Prochilodus argenteus). The experiment was conducted during 60 days in a completely randomized design, with four treatments (24.0, 28.0, 32.0 and 36.0% CP of diet) and five replications, where a hundred juvenile fishes (initial weight de 0.33 ± 0.01g), were distributed in twenty tanks (130L each). Each tank with five juveniles was considered an experimental unit, with water recirculation. Performance, heterogeneous growth, morphometric and physiological parameters, and economic viability of the rations according to the CP levels were evaluated. For the regression analysis, a linear increase in performance, heterogeneous growth and morphometric and physiological parameters with increased of the protein in rations were observed. When compared by the Tukey test (P>0.05), the best results were obtained with 36% CP. There was lower fish growth heterogeneity as the levels of CP in the diet increased. Thus, taking into consideration the economic viability it is recommended to use feed containing 36% of crude protein to curimatã-pacu juveniles.

ABSTRACT Eugenia uniflora L., Myrtaceae, popularly known as “pitanga”, is used in traditional medicine due the properties attributed to its chemical content, these being mainly hydrolysable tannins and flavonoids. This study provides a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of chemical profile from leaves of E. uniflora. The HPLC analysis was carried out on a C18 column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 µm) by gradient elution with methanol and water (acidified with trifluoracetic acid); and silica gel Plates 60-F 254 with 10–12 µm and 5–6 µm particles, respectively for TLC and High HPTLC analysis. The chromatographic data obtained from HPLC, TLC and HPTLC presented bands and peaks related to flavonoids (myricitrin and derivatives) and tannins (gallic and ellagic acids), which were observed from different samples. The chromatographic similarities enabled the building of a typical fingerprint for the herbal material. The similarity analysis of the sample data by Pearson correlation showed R values >0.9 among peaks (HPLC) and bands (HPTLC). In addition, the analytical methodology developed by HPLC enabled the satisfactory quantification of marker substances [ellagic acid = 0.22% and 0.20% (m/m); gallic acid = 0.20% and 0.43%; myricitrin = 0.42 and 1.74% (m/m) in herbal drug and crude extract, respectively]. The procedure was also validated in accordance with the assays required by Brazilian legislation. Thus, the HPTLC and HPLC methods developed in this study provide helpful and simple tools for the quality evaluation both qualitatively and quantitatively of raw materials and extractives from leaves of E. uniflora.

RESUMO Neste trabalho são apresentados os dados referentes ao levantamento florístico da família Thelypteridaceae no Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (PEFI). A família está representada na área por dois gêneros (Macrothelypteris e Thelypteris), três subgêneros (Amauropelta, Cyclosorus eSteiropteris), 10 espécies e uma variedade.Macrothelypteris está representada por M. torresiana (Gaudich.) Ching e Thelypteris por uma variedade do subgênero Steiropteris: T. decussata (L.) Proctor var. brasiliensis (C. Chr.) A.R. Sm.; três espécies do subgênero Cyclosorus: T. conspersa (Schrad.) A.R. Sm., T. dentata (Decne.) C.F. Reed e T. patens (Sw.) Small; seis espécies do subgêneroAmauropelta: T. amambayensis (Christ) Ponce, T. pachyrhachis (Kunze ex Mett.) Ching,T. raddii (Rosenst.) Ponce, T. regnelliana(C. Chr.) Ponce, T. retusa (Sw.) C.F. Reed e T. rivularioides (Fée) Abbiatti. São apresentadas chaves para identificação dos gêneros e espécies, bem como descrições, distribuição geográfica, comentários e ilustrações para algumas espécies estudadas. Além disso, também é apresentada uma lista atualizada de todos os táxons de samambaias e licófitas registrados para a área do Parque.

ABSTRACT In this paper we present the data of the floristic survey of the family Thelypteridaceae from the Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (PEFI). The family is represented in the area by two genera (Macrothelypteris and Thelypteris), three subgenera (Amauropelta, Cyclosorus, andSteiropteris), 10 species, and one variety.Macrothelypteris is represented by M. torresiana (Gaudich.) Ching and Thelypteris by one variety of the subgenus Steiropteris: T. decussata (L.) Proctor var. brasiliensis (C. Chr.) A.R. Sm.; three species of subgenus Cyclosorus: T. conspersa (Schrad.) A.R. Sm., T. dentata (Decne.) C.F. Reed, and T. patens (Sw.) Small; six species of subgenusAmauropelta: T. amambayensis (Christ) Ponce, T. pachyrhachis (Kunze ex Mett.) Ching,T. raddii (Rosenst.) Ponce, T. regnelliana(C. Chr.) Ponce, T. retusa (Sw.) C.F. Reed, and T. rivularioides (Fée) Abbiatti. Identification keys for genera and species, as well as descriptions, geographical distribution, comments, and illustrations for some species are presented. Additionally, an updated list of all taxa of ferns and lycophytes recorded in the Park is also presented.

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the influences of variables of preparation on total flavonoids content from extractive solution of Lippia sidoides Cham., Verbenaceae. Thus a 23 factorial design was used to study the importance of plant proportion, the extraction method and solvent on the extraction of flavonoid. The methodology of determination of chemicals in factorial design was validated according to the parameters required by Brazilian Health Agency. The extraction solution was selected through a full factorial design where the best conditions to achieve the highest content of flavonoids were: 7.5% (w/v) of plant with ethanol 50% (v/v) as solvent. The polyphenols content was determined by LC method and its relationship with the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities was evaluated. The free radical scavenging activities and antioxidant potentials were determined for different concentrations using various in vitro models. Our results indicate that extracts exhibited a significant dose-dependent antioxidant effect as evaluated by TRAP/TAR assays. Besides, we observed an antioxidant activity against hydroxyl radicals and nitric oxide, and protection against lipid peroxidation in vitro. Our results suggest that the extract presents significant in vitro antioxidant potential indicating promising perspectives for its use as pharmaceutical/or food additive.

Objetivou-se avaliar a ação de diferentes concentrações de óleos essenciais de três plantas medicinais sobre o crescimento micelial, a produção e a germinação de conídios de Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.). Utilizou-se os óleos essenciais de Lippia sidoides Cham., Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf.) e Ocimum gratissimum L. em cinco concentrações (0 µL mL-1, 1 µL mL-1, 3 µL mL-1, 5 µL mL-1 e 7 µL mL-1) com 4 repetições no delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 5x3. Os óleos foram analisados por cromatografia gasosa acoplada com espectrometria de massas. Para todas as características verificou-se efeito significativo da interação "Óleo" versus "Concentração". O óleo essencial de C. citratus proporcionou a maior inibição do crescimento micelial em todas as concentrações testadas. Os outros óleos não se diferenciaram, exceto a partir da concentração de 5 µL mL-1, onde o óleo de L. sidoides foi superior ao óleo de O. gratissimum. Na produção e germinação de conídios, o óleo de C. citratus, foi superior aos óleos de L. sidoides e de O. gratissimum nas concentrações de 1 µL mL-1 e 3 µL mL-1, inibindo completamente a produção e germinação a partir da concentração de 3 µL mL-1. As concentrações influenciam em todas as variáveis, ajustando-se à equação do modelo linear. Observa-se o decréscimo nessas, à medida em que se aumentam as concentrações dos óleos testados. Os óleos essenciais testados possuem efeito fungitóxico e fungistático.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the action of different concentrations of essential oils of three medicinal plants on the mycelial growth, production and conidial germination of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.). We used a completely randomized design, in a 5x3 factorial design, being five concentrations (0 µL mL-1, 1 µL mL-1, 3 µL mL-1, 5 µL mL-1 e 7 µL mL-1) x three oils from Lippia sidoides Cham., Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf. and Ocimum gratissimum L., with four replications. The oils were analyzed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. There was a significant interaction of concentration versus species on all analyzed traits. The essential oil from C. citratus yielded the highest mycelial growth inhibition at all concentrations. The other oils were not differentiated, except at the concentration of 5µL mL-1, in which the oil of L. sidoides was more efficient that the oil of O. gratissimum. In conidial production and germination, the oil of C. citratus was superior to the oil of L. sidoides and O. gratissimum at the concentrations of 1 µL mL-1 and 3 µL mL-1, as it completely inhibited the production and germination of conidia at the concentrations of 3 µL mL-1 and above. The concentrations influenced all the variables, adjusting themselves to the linear model equation. We observed a decrease in the variables, as the concentrations of the oils tested are increased. The essential oils used have antifungal and fungicidal effect.

Objetivou-se verificar se galinhas imunizadas com uma solução de Leptospira interrogans inativadas e proteínas de membrana externa do sorovar Hardjo, poderiam produzir anticorpos policlonais específicos anti-leptospiras, detectáveis em testes ELISA. Foram imunizados oito galinhas com 25 semanas de idade, da raça White Leghorn, sendo três imunizadas com uma suspensão de leptospiras inativadas, três com uma solução de proteínas de membrana externa extraída do sorovar Hardjo e duas controle. Coletas de sangue foram realizadas quinzenalmente e de ovos diariamente. A IgY foi purificada a partir da gema dos ovos utilizando para a delipidação o método de diluição em água ácida e a precipitação com sulfato de amônio. Nos testes ELISA realizados para verificar a especificidade da IgY, foi demonstrada a produção de anticorpos anti-Leptospira, tanto no soro quanto nas gemas purificadas. O pico de produção de anticorpos específicos ocorreu na 5º semana após a primeira imunização. Ficou demonstrada a possibilidade da indução da produção de anticorpos específicos em galinhas imunizadas com leptospiras do sorovar Hardjo inativadas, bem como, com proteínas de membrana externa (PME) extraidas desse sorovar. As galinhas imunizadas com uma suspensão de leptospiras inativadas ou com PME de Leptospira interrogans do sorovar Hardjo produziram anticorpos reativos a PME Hardjo detectáves por teste ELISA.

The aim was to determine whether hens immunized with an inactivated suspension of Leptospira and a solution of outer membrane proteins extracted from the serovar Hardjo, could produce specific polyclonal antibodies to Leptospira, detected in ELISA assay. Eight hens White Leghorn race with 25-weeks-old were immunized, three with an inactivated suspension of Leptospira, three with a solution of outer membrane proteins (OMP) extracted from the serovar Hardjo and two controls immunized with saline. Blood samples were collected fortnightly and eggs daily. The IgY was purified from the egg yolk using the method for the delipidation of dilution with water acidic and ammonium sulfate precipitation. The ELISA assay was performed to verify the specificity of the IgY, these was possible to observe the production of specific antibody to Leptospira both in serum and purified egg yolk. The specific antibody titers peaked in the fifth week post immunization. The production of polyclonal IgY was effective for producing high titers of specific antibodies.

A pasteurização do leite é um ponto crítico na indústria de laticínios, e falhas nessa etapa comprometem a segurança do produto. O método enzimático de Scharer é tradicionalmente utilizado na verificação da eficiência da pasteurização e baseia-se na pesquisa da atividade de fosfatase alcalina residual em leite. Embora vários métodos estejam disponíveis para avaliar a eficiência da pasteurização, há um número reduzido de dados publicados baseados na quantificação da atividade da fosfatase alcalina em queijo. Neste estudo, o método modificado de Scharer foi utilizado para determinar os níveis de fosfatase alcalina residual em queijo minas padrão, antes e após 20 dias de maturação. Os queijos foram feitos com leite cru ou com leite pasteurizado com adição de diferentes concentrações de leite cru (0, 0,05%, 0,10%, 0,20% e 0,50%). Nas amostras de queijo fresco, o método apresentou sensibilidade apenas com 0,50% de adição de leite cru ao leite pasteurizado utilizado na fabricação de queijo. Em níveis de adição de até 0,20% de leite cru no leite pasteurizado, as concentrações de fenol se mostraram inferiores a 1μg de fenol/g de produto lácteo, que é o valor preconizado como indicador de pasteurização adequada.

Milk pasteurization is a critical issue in the dairy industry, and failures in this process can affect final product safety. Scharer's enzymatic method is still traditionally used to verify pasteurization efficiency compliance, and it is based on screening for residual alkaline phosphatase in milk. Although several methods are used to quantify enzymatic activity to assess milk pasteurization efficiency, there is a small amount of published data regarding the use of these methods to quantify alkaline phosphatase in cheese. In this study, the Scharer's modified method was used to determine the levels of residual alkaline phosphatase in standard minas cheese, before and after 20 days of ripening. The cheeses were made using raw or pasteurized milk with the addition of different concentrations of raw milk (0; 0.05%; 0.10%; 0.20%; and 0.50%). In the fresh cheese samples, the method showed a sensitivity of only 0.50% with the addition of raw milk to the pasteurized milk used to make cheese. In addition, levels of up 0.20% of raw milk in pasteurized milk, the concentrations of phenol was inferior to 1μg phenol/g of dairy product which is the preconized indicator value for adequate pasteurization.

Surtos de Trypanosoma vivax em bovinos de corte do Pantanal foram responsáveis por relevante impacto econômico, devido a perda de peso, abortos e mortalidade. Um manejo comum é o deslocamento de bovinos do Pantanal baixo para áreas adjacentes desse ecosistema para reprodução e engorda. Por essa razão, foi efetuado um estudo epidemiológico em rebanho de vacas movidas para uma área de transição entre Pantanal baixo e planalto do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul para determinar a dinâmica de infecção do T. vivax e o risco de surto. Três grupos experimentais foram formados: Grupo 1; composto por vacas parasitologicamente negativas no teste de Woo e no exame sorológico de imunoadsorção enzimática para detecção de anticorpos contra T. vivax (Tv-ELISA-Ab); Grupo 2, vacas negativas parasitológicamente e com reação positiva no Tv-ELISA-Ab; e no Grupo 3, positivas parasitologicamente e no Tv-ELISA-Ab. Durante 24 meses o deslocamento das vacas entre esses grupos experimentais foi determinado pelo monitoramento mensal realizado pelo teste de Woo e Tv-ELISA-Ab. Durante esse período a população de tabanídeos na área experimental foi determinada e as maiores populações ocorreram no período das chuvas. Parasitemias de T. vivax foram detectadas apenas nas quatro primeiras amostragens do período experimental, apesar da elevação de incidência determinada sorológicamente tenha ocorrido no período seco do ano. Portanto, T. vivax foi endêmico no rebanho e a ausência de manifestação clínica sugere que os bovinos sejam tripanotolerantes e o risco de surto seja nulo nas condições em que o experimento foi executado, pois a manifestação clínica da doença esta associada à presença de parasitemia.

Trypanosoma vivax outbreaks in beef cattle in the Pantanal region of Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, causes relevant economical impact due to weight loss, abortion and mortality. Cattle moved from the Pantanal to adjacent areas of this ecosystem for breeding and fattening is a common feature. Therefore an epidemiological study on breeding cows in the transition area between Pantanal lowland and adjacent highlands of Mato Grosso do Sul was performed to determine the T. vivax infection dynamics and outbreak risk. Three experimental groups were formed: Group 1 consisted of cows parasitologically negative by the Woo test and in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for T. vivax antibody detection (Tv-ELISA-Ab); Group 2 parasitologically negative and positive in the Tv-ELISA-Ab; and in Group 3 cows were parasitologically positive and with positive reactions in the Tv-ELISA-Ab. During 24 months, the cows' dislodgment between the above established groups was monitored by Woo test and Tv-ELISA-Ab exams. The tabanid population was also monitored and the highest number occurred during the rainy season. Although parasitemias were detected only in the first four samplings of the experimental period, the cows could be considered as trypanotolerant, because no clinical signs were observed. Despite the higher T. vivax incidence during the dry season, no disease symptoms were seen. Even though T. vivax epidemiological situation in the herd was characterized as endemic with seasonal variation, the probability of outbreaks was null within the conditions of the study.

The cardiac vessels are sometimes partly overlain by myocardial bridges, what has been subject of study by innumerous researchers. The present work has as objective to study the incidence of the myocardial bridges, its length and above which vessels they are preferencially. The material consisted of 30 hearts of adult individuals of both sexes, fixed in 10% formaldeyde solution. Myocardial bridges were found in 14 hearts (47%); about these, there were in 9 hearts (30%) muscle bridges only above the anterior interventricular artery; in 3 cases (10%) simultaniously over anterior interventricular artery and afluents of the anterior interventricular vein; in 1 heart (3%), it ocurred over left ventricular branches of the posterior interventricular artery and vein and in 1 heart (3%) over anterior ventricular branch of the right coronary artery. The length of the muscle bridges ranged from 9 to 55 mm. (mean 24.5 mm). We concluded that the incidence of the myocardial bridges is high and the vessel above which they are formed in greater frequency was the anterior interventricular artery in its middle portion and in minor percentages on adjacent veins

Los vasos cardíacos pueden estar parcialmente cubiertos por puentes de miocardio, disposición que ha sido objeto de numerosos estudios. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar la incidencia de estos puentes, su extensión y sobre que vasos se disponen, considerando principalmente las relaciones con los vasos interventriculares anteriores. El material estudiado fueron 30 corazones de individuos adultos, brasileños, fijados en formaldehído al 10 %. Se encontraron puentes de miocardio en 14 muestras (47 %) y de éstos, en 9 se localizaron por sobre la arteria interventricular anterior; en 3 casos se ubicaron simultáneamente sobre la arteria mencionada y sobre afluentes de la vena homónima; en 1 corazón puentes de miocardio se presentaron por sobre ramas ventriculares izquierdas de la arteria y vena interventricular posterior, como también en 1 muestra estuvo por sobre una rama ventricular anterior de la arteria coronaria derecha. Los puentes se localizaron principalmente en la parte proximal y media del surco interventricular anterior. La extensión de los puentes encontrados varió entre 9 y 55 mm, con un promedio de 24,5. De acuerdo a los resultados obtenidos la incidencia de estas formaciones musculares es alta, localizándose generalmente sobre la arteria interventricular anterior y en porcentajes menores sobre venas adyacentes

Undernutrition of dams and pups disrupts the retrieval efficiency of mothers. However, if the mothers are assessed in their home cages, they spend more time with their litters. In the present study the effect of test conditions on pup retrieval behavior of mothers receiving a 25% (well-nourished group) and 8% casein diet (undernourished group) was examined. In agreement with previous studies, undernourished mothers spent more time with their litters than well-nourished dams as lactation proceeded. Pup retrieval behavior varied with test conditions. In the first experiment, the maternal behavior of dams was assessed by the standard procedure (pups were separated from their mother and scattered over the floor of the home cage). The mother was then returned and the number of retrieved pups was recorded. From day 3 to 8, the retrieval efficiency of undernourished dams decreased, while the retrieval efficiency of well-nourished mothers did not vary. In the second experiment, mothers were subjected to a single retrieval test (on day 9 of lactation) using the procedure described for experiment 1. No difference between well-nourished and undernourished mothers was observed. In the third experiment, seven-day-old pups were separated from the mothers and returned individually to a clean home cage. Dietary treatment did not affect the retrieval efficiency. However, undernourished dams reconstructed the nest more slowly than did well-nourished dams. Taken together, these results suggest that pup retrieval behavior of the undernourished mother is not impaired by dietary restriction when the maternal environment is disturbed minimally.

One hundred and two blood serum samples from dogs referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Alfenas University, were submitted to the agarose immune diffusion and to the fast serum-agglutination tests addressed to find antibodies anti- Brucella canis and B. abortus, respectively. Five samples (4.9%) were positives for B. canis and none for B. abortus. This prevalence is considered by some as an alert for an epidemiologic and public healthy problems, considering the serious zoonotic aspect of canine brucellosis

The antimonial drug, meglumine antimoniate, was successfully encapsulated in dehydration-rehydration vesicles and in freeze-dried empty liposomes (FDELs). High encapsulation efficiencies (from 28 to 58%) and low weight ratios of lipids to encapsulated antimony (from 1:0.15 to 1:0.3) were achieved. These formulations, contrary to those obtained by conventional methods, can be stored as intermediate lyophilized forms and reconstituted just before use. The efficacy of FDEL-encapsulated meglumine antimoniate was evaluated in hamsters experimentally infected with Leishmania chagasi. A significant reduction of liver parasite burdens was observed in animals treated with this preparation, when compared to control animals treated with empty liposomes. In contrast, free meglumine antimoniate was found to be inefficient when administered at a comparable dose of antimony. This novel liposome-based meglumine antimoniate formulation appears to be promising as a pharmaceutical product for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis.