This study evaluated the pollutant levels (NO2, SO2, CO, and O3), air quality index (AQI) and the influence of meteorological variables and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on the air quality in Rio de Janeiro. The data set used comprises periods before (March-April, 2019) and during pandemic (March-April, 2020). According to the AQI results, on most days, the air quality was ranked as “good”. Brazilian air quality standards for SO2, O3, and NO2 were not exceeded in any of the monitoring stations during partial lockdown, while CO exceeded in all periods in one site due to industrial emission. Comparing both periods, descriptive statistics for the meteorological parameters presented no differences, which suggests similar conditions. However, when evaluated week by week in 2020, weather conditions presented some differences that probably affected pollutant concentrations. The correlations between O3 and NO2 and some meteorological parameters indicate that variations in both favored ozone formation, since it is a photochemical process favored by temperature and solar radiation and that, in Rio de Janeiro, low NO2 concentrations lead to increased O3. The improvements on air quality during the partial lockdown may be attributed mainly to a reduction on emission sources rather than weather conditions.

ABSTRACT: Periodontitis affects the teeth supporting tissues, leading to tooth loss and damage to animal health. Evidence in humans suggests that oral microorganisms spread systemically, increasing the risk of pregnancy disorders such as miscarriage, prematurity, and low birth weight. This study aimed to verify whether periodontopathogenic microorganisms reach the transplacental unit, culminating in problems in pregnant ewes. After analyzing the oral cavity, 10 clinically healthy pregnant ewes (OGCH group) and 10 pregnant ewes with periodontitis (OGP group) were selected. The subgingival biofilm was collected for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and amniotic fluid for both the PCR and interleukin (IL) analysis. Peripheral blood was collected for complete blood count, and analyses of IL-6, IL1-β, and tumor necrosis factor-α were performed. Placental fragments were collected to assess the inflammatory changes using optical microscopy. After giving birth, both the ewes and their lambs were weighed. On clinical examination, a positive correlation between bleeding and suppuration (correlation index - CI=0.54), suppuration and marginal gingivitis (CI=0.34), and marginal gingivitis and edema (CI=0.54) was observed. The weights of the ewes (p=0.013) and their respective lambs (p=0.04) in the OGP group were lower than those of their OGCH group counterparts. The hematological analysis revealed that the OGP group ewes showed a slight increase in the mean corpuscular volume (p=0.2447), segmented cells (p=0.3375), and eosinophils (p=0.3823) when compared with the OGCH group ewes, without a statistical difference. Regarding the microorganisms detected in the oral cavity, there was a significant difference between the occurrence of periodontal pockets and the presence of Fusobacterium necrophorum (p=0.0328), Porphyromonas asaccharolytica (p=0.0392), and the Mollicutes class (p=0.0352). Staphylococcus genus (p=0.9107) and Archaea domain (p=0.7245) were detected in the amniotic samples of both groups, without a significant difference, whereas P. asaccharolytica (p=0.2685) was only detected in one sample in the OGCH group. The expression of cytokine IL-6 in the OGP group differed significantly between the prepartum and postpartum periods (p=0.0039); moreover, it differed significantly in the postpartum period between the OGCH and OGP groups (p=0.0198). Histological examination showed a higher percentage of placental changes in the OGP group (70%) than in the OGCH group, such as the presence of macrophages, neutrophils, plasma cells, and multifocal areas of calcification. These results do not corroborate the hypothesis of dissemination of oral microorganisms to the placental unit, suggesting that it constitutes placental isolation in sheep.

RESUMO: A periodontite afeta os tecidos de suporte dos dentes levando à perda dentária e danos à saúde do animal. Evidências em humanos sugerem que os microrganismos orais se espalham sistemicamente, aumentando o risco de distúrbios da gravidez, como aborto espontâneo, prematuridade e baixo peso ao nascer. Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar se microrganismos periodontopatogênicos atingem a unidade transplacentária, culminando em problemas em ovelhas gestantes. Após análise da cavidade oral, foram selecionadas 10 ovelhas gestantes clinicamente saudáveis (grupo OGCH) e 10 ovelhas gestantes com periodontite (grupo OGP). O biofilme subgengival foi coletado para o teste de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e o líquido amniótico para teste de PCR e análise de interleucina (IL). Sangue periférico foi coletado para hemograma completo e análises de IL-6, IL1-β e fator de necrose tumoral-α foram realizadas. Fragmentos de placenta foram coletados para avaliação das alterações inflamatórias por meio de microscopia óptica. Após o parto, as ovelhas e seus cordeiros foram pesados. Ao exame clínico, observou-se correlação positiva entre sangramento e supuração (índice de correlação - IC=0,54), supuração e gengivite marginal (IC=0,34) e gengivite marginal e edema (IC=0,54). Os pesos das ovelhas (p=0,013) e de seus respectivos cordeiros (p=0,04) do grupo OGP foram inferiores aos do grupo OGCH. A análise hematológica revelou que as ovelhas do grupo OGP apresentaram discreto aumento no volume corpuscular médio (p=0,2447), células segmentadas (p=0,3375) e eosinófilos (p=0,3823) quando comparadas com as ovelhas do grupo OGCH, sem diferença estatística diferença. Em relação aos microrganismos detectados na cavidade oral, houve diferença significativa entre a ocorrência de bolsas periodontais e a presença de Fusobacterium necrophorum (p=0,0328), Porphyromonas asaccharolytica (p=0,0392) e da classe Mollicutes (p=0,0352). O gênero Staphylococcus (p=0,9107) e o domínio Archaea (p=0,7245) foram detectados nas amostras amnióticas de ambos os grupos, sem diferença significativa, enquanto P. asaccharolytica (p=0,2685) foi detectado apenas em uma amostra do grupo OGCH. A expressão da citocina IL-6 no grupo OGP diferiu significativamente entre os períodos pré e pós-parto (p=0,0039); além disso, diferiu significativamente no período pós-parto entre os grupos OGCH e OGP (p=0,0198). O exame histológico mostrou maior porcentagem de alterações placentárias no grupo OGP (70%) do que no grupo OGCH, como a presença de macrófagos, neutrófilos, plasmócitos e áreas multifocais de calcificação. Esses resultados não corroboram a hipótese de disseminação de microrganismos orais para a unidade placentária, sugerindo que se trata de um isolamento placentário em ovinos.

RESUMEN Se presenta la evolución histórica de la certificación de especialistas en medicina familiar en México, a 35 años de su fundación. Asimismo, se abordan brevemente los procesos de evaluación de los sustentantes y la importancia de mantener la «vigencia de la certificación». Se realiza el benchmarking de la certificación en otros países con procesos de certificación bien definidos y consolidados. Al final, se presentan los retos más inmediatos de la certificación en México para esta especialidad.

ABSTRACT: The historical evolution of the Certification of Specialists in Family Medicine in Mexico is presented, 35 years after its foundation. Likewise, the evaluation processes of the applicants and the importance of maintaining the “Certification Validity” are briefly addressed. Certification benchmarking is carried out in other countries with well-defined and consolidated certification processes. At the end, the most immediate challenges of the Certification in Mexico for this specialty are presented.

The pequi pericarp corresponds to the largest portion of the fruit and has a high nutritional value, but it is discarded as an agro-industrial residue. The present study aimed to prepare and characterize flours from the pequi pericarp in terms of their proximate composition, its antioxidant potential before and after the in vitro digestibility process and chemical profile, aiming at the full use of this fruit. The samples of pequi pericarp flours from the cities of Sete Lagoas, Paraopeba and Felixlândia were analyzed. The profile of chemical compounds present in the flours was determined using paper spray mass spectrometry. The in vitro simulated digestion technique was used to verify the stability of the phenolic compounds and the maintenance of the antioxidant capacity of the samples. The flours from the pequi pericarp showed to have higher levels of protein, ash and dietary fiber, compared to the data described in the literature for the pulp of the fruit. The analysis of paper spray mass spectrometry allowed the identification of 46 chemical compounds including amino acids, sugars, organic acids and phenolic compounds. The analysis of the main components showed that there was no chemical variation among the fruits from the cities studied. Through the in vitro digestibility technique, it was possible to observe an increase in the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds, contributing to increase the already significant antioxidant capacity of the samples. It was concluded that the pequi pericarp flour has the potential to be used as a food ingredient due to the high bioaccessibility of its bioactive compounds, capable of reducing the risk of developing diseases caused by oxidative stress.

Abstract Being a food product that contains perishable ingredients and involves a significant degree of manual handling during preparation, sushi is regarded as a potentially hazardous food, which may lead to foodborne disease outbreaks. In Portugal, consumption of takeaway sushi meals has strongly increased throughout the past few years; however, there is limited information regarding its compliance with food quality standards. Under this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality and safety of take-away ready-to-eat sushi meals in Lisbon, Portugal. Sixty-two samples were collected from different origins (restaurant and hypermarket), and each sample was tested for aerobic mesophilic microorganisms, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, positive coagulase Staphylococci, presumptive Bacillus cereus count, as for detection of pathogenic microorganisms, such as Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. cholerae and V. vulnificus. Results revealed that 48.4% (30/62) were deemed unsatisfactory, 35.5% (22/62) were classified as borderline and only 16.1% (10/62) were considered satisfactory. Even though we did not detect the incidence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in sushi, the presence of B. cereus and coagulase-positive Staphylococci was detected at unsatisfactory levels. Furthermore, significant differences between the place of origin (restaurant vs. hypermarket) and type of fish were also observed. Overall, the high number of samples classified with a level of microbiological quality “unsatisfactory” and “borderline” highlights the need to review good hygiene practices, as well as the quality of the raw materials used, to obtain a final product with a satisfactory quality and safety level.

Resumo Por ser um género alimentício que contém ingredientes perecíveis e envolve um grau significativo de manipulação manual durante a sua preparação, o sushi é considerado um alimento potencialmente perigoso, que pode causar surtos de doença de origem alimentar. Em Portugal, o consumo de refeições de sushi prontas a consumir tem aumentado ao longo dos últimos anos. No entanto, a informação sobre o cumprimento das normas de qualidade alimentar é limitada. Neste contexto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade e a segurança microbiológica de refeições de sushi prontas para consumo em take-way, na região de Lisboa, Portugal. Foram colhidas 62 amostras de diferentes origens (restaurante e hipermercado), e em cada amostra foi efetuada a contagem de microrganismos aeróbios mesófilos, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, estafilococos coagulase positiva, Bacillus cereus presuntivos, e deteção de microrganismos patogénicos, tais como: Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholerae e Vibrio vulnificus. Os resultados revelaram que 48,4% (30/62) das amostras foram consideradas insatisfatórias, 35,5% (22/62) foram classificadas como “borderline” e apenas 16,1% (10/62) foram consideradas como satisfatórias. Embora não tenham sido detetados microrganismos potencialmente patogénicos nas amostras de sushi, a presença de B. cereus e estafilococos coagulase positivos foram detetados em níveis insatisfatórios. Além disso, também foram observadas diferenças significativas entre o local de origem (restaurante vs. hipermercado) e tipo de peixe.No geral, o elevado número de amostras classificadas com um nível de qualidade microbiológica insatisfatória e “borderline” evidência a necessidade de revisão das boas práticas de higiene, bem como da qualidade das matérias-primas utilizadas, para obter um produto final com qualidade e segurança satisfatória.

The bone formation process is an example of how both time and nature acted harmonically to pave the path for life as we know. The unique association between calcium phosphate (CaP) and collagen in a single building block, gave rise to one of the most remarkable biomaterials that we know. Our aim in this revision is to provide a brief glance at the different organization levels of the bone tissue, by describing the main their main features. We start with a brief discussion regarding the thermodynamic conditions for mineral formation and how living organisms surpass them. Then we present collagen, the major organic component of bone, in the light of its hierarchical organization as well as its association to CaP crystals. The mechanisms that control both mineral formation and the association with the organic phase are further presented, in which cells and other components of the extracellular matrix, such as matrix vesicles and noncollagenous proteins, become agents of bone construction. Finally, we underline the difficulty of studying the complex process of bone mineralization and present liposomes, proteoliposomes, and Langmuir monolayers as biomimetic approaches to this end.

Abstract Bruises threaten the welfare of cattle because they cause pain, suffering, and stress during the pre-slaughter stage. Thus, we used meta-analyses to estimate the prevalence of carcass bruising in cattle from the American continent, determined the characteristics of the bruises, and calculated the odds ratio (OR) of risk factor categories associated with bruising. We searched electronic databases to retrieve primary studies conducted in the American continent, which reported cattle carcass bruising, analyzed the size, location, shape, and age of the bruises, and assessed risk factors for bruising. We included 46 studies from nine countries comprising 928 447 cattle carcasses with an overall prevalence of 59.5 % (95 % CI: 51.9-66-9) and 2.9 (range 3.4-7.4) bruises per carcass in average. The prevalence doubled from 30.7 % during 1991-2000 to 64.2 °/o during 2011-2020. Fresh, small-sized bruises of the lowest severity and located mainly in the hindquarter were highly prevalent (37.5-66.4 %). The removed meat due to bruising ranged 0.11-1.12 kg/carcass with an accumulated weight of condemned meat between 15.6-647 kg. Among intrinsic factors, older cattle, dairy cattle, and female cattle had greater odds of bruising (OR= 1.57-1.98). For extrinsic factors, the odds for bruising increased 1.4-2.2 in cattle sourced from auction markets and exposed to poor handling, suboptimal transportation conditions, and deficient facilities. In cattle from America, bruises are a concern because their prevalence is growing and 60 % of cattle assessed in the studies suffered a bruise. Improving facilities and transportation conditions together with proper training of the personnel during the handling and transportation of the cattle will reduce bruising incidence.

ABSTRACT Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) is an oleaginous plant of economic importance due to its different industrial applications. Edaphic characteristics are used to determine the viability of places considered as suitable to obtain castor oil. The objectives of this study were to determine the edaphic characteristics and oil content of R. communis, and to evaluate elicitation with salicylic acid (SA) in El Marqués, Querétaro, Mexico. Sampling was carried out in a direct way, selecting sites where castor bean plants were found. Samples of 1.5 kg of soil were taken and 3 clusters of castor bean in a mature state were collected from 21 accessions. The physicochemical characteristics of the soil and oil content of seeds were determined. Finally, 300 plants of the Guanajuatoil variety were planted and elicitated with different SA concentrations under greenhouse conditions in order to determine oil content. The physical analysis of the soil samples indicated dark-colored soils, Mollisol and Vertisol types, with different textures: clay, clay loam, sandy clay loam and sandy loam. Soil chemical analyses showed the following soil characteristics: pH 7.22; electrical conductivity 0.52 dS m-1; organic matter 7.17%; cation exchange capacity 26.77; calcium 38.62, magnesium 6.81, sodium 13.41and potassium 6.97 cmol kg-1; and nitrogen and phosphorus contents of 16.32 and 54 mg kg-1, respectively. Castor oil content was higher in clay soils (41.46%). The plants elicited with SA presented oil contents ranging from 28.99% to 52.9%, obtained with 100 and 900 ^M. In conclusion, elicitation with SA is an adequate method to increase oil content in castor bean seeds. The locality of El Marqués has good potential for the production of castor oil.

Abstract The continental margin off the southeastern Brazilian coast is punctuated by a series of geological-geomorphological features, such as subsurface saline diapirs and pockmarks at the seafloor interface, which evidence the abundant presence of oil and gas in the region. In several of these sites, hydrocarbons can be naturally released into the water column, areas are cold seep areas. These are marked by the presence of oil- and gas-dependent ecosystems, where specific organisms are able to fix carbon from hydrocarbon chemosynthesis. In addition, light hydrocarbon fluid flow through the sediment may build up authigenic carbonates that can be further colonized by cold-water corals, generating large carbonate mounds over geological time, normally positioned at the border of these pockmark features. The present work reports on a multidisciplinary oceanographic cruise carried out in the Santos Basin, SW Atlantic, to seek, map, and collect geological, chemical, and biological data from different deep-sea habitats. The cruise occurred in November 2019 on the R/V Alpha Crucis of the Oceanographic Institute of the University of São Paulo (IOUSP). We intended to discover and detail different geomorphological features, characterize free-living and symbiotic microorganisms, determine the chemosynthetic rates in relation to heterotrophic microbial production, and characterize the fauna and study their ecological and evolutionary links within and across ocean basins. All discoveries made during the cruise and their respective results will be presented separately in several papers that comprise this special volume.

Abstract An analysis of the present situation of planning techniques by Ecuatorian university archives is described. The directors of the 58 archives kept by the country’s private and public halls of higher education accredited by the High Council of Ecuador were surveyed, with a response rate of 43 %, to ascertain the use of planning and the utility of these institutions. The findings reveal a lack of strategic planning know-how and the concomitant need for archive management and planning training. With rare exceptions, none of the very few archives has up-to-date strategic plans in keeping with institutional aims and publish them on their websites.

Resumen Se presenta un análisis de la situación actual de la técnica de planificación en los archivos universitarios de Ecuador. Con el objetivo de conocer el uso y la utilidad de la planificación en estos archivos se elaboró una encuesta dirigida a las y los directores o responsables de un universo conformado por 58 archivos de las instituciones de educación superior ecuatorianas, tanto públicas como privadas, acreditadas por el Consejo Superior de Ecuador. La encuesta obtuvo una tasa de respuesta de 43 %. El análisis de los resultados de la encuesta muestra la necesidad de llevar a cabo acciones formativas en gestión y planificación de archivos ante la falta de conocimientos para abordar la elaboración de un plan estratégico. Sólo un escaso número de archivos cuenta con planes estratégicos vigentes alineados a los planes institucionales pero, salvo excepciones, no han sido difundidos a través de sus sitios web.

Abstract: Picturebooks were considered the most original and relevant contribution made by children’s literature to canonical literature. This typology promotes creativity and experimentation, combining playfulness with artistic sophistication. For their part, wordless picturebooks, whose narrativity is found exclusively in the sequence of illustrations, bring forth questions as to whether they can be considered literature. Wordless picturebooks challenge traditional theoretical approaches and demand a complementary approach that encompasses all of the book’s elements. The scarce verbal component reinforces the meaning of the content and requires a more detailed reading of the illustrations. Using relevant examples, this paper aims to debate the inclusion of wordless picturebooks in the literary domain, through a reading that encompasses aesthetic criteria, with emphasis on narrativity.

Resumen: El libro-álbum, espacio de creatividad y experimentación, donde se entrecruzan lo lúdico y la sofisticación artística, fue considerado la contribución más original y relevante de la literatura infantil a favor de la literatura canónica. El libro-álbum sin texto, por su parte, sujeto a la narratividad que resulta exclusivamente de la secuencia de imágenes, plantea dudas sobre su integración en el dominio literario, desafiando los enfoques teóricos tradicionales y exigiendo un abordaje complementario de todos los elementos que componen el libro. La contención verbal intensifica los significados y obliga a una lectura profunda de las ilustraciones. A partir de ejemplos relevantes, cuestionaremos la integración de los libros-álbum sin texto al dominio literario, proponiendo una lectura con base en criterios estéticos, con énfasis en la narratividad.

ABSTRACT Introduction: There are several types of lignin and, among them, which derives from processes that use organic solvents in the presence of catalyst, acid or basic has less environmental impact with respect to conventional ones since organic solvents are easily recovered by distillation, also this type of lignins, has specific uses because its structure. Hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse produces lignin-rich currents that can be integrated into the biorefinery concept. Objective: Demonstrate the economic feasibility of integrating the lignin production process into the biorefinery concept based on its characteristics and the knowledge of its producers at the international level. Materials and methods: A search (briefing) that provides useful data for the development of the lignin obtaining process is carried out, based on this process is integrated into the concept of biorefinery and its economic indicators are determined. Results and Discussion: The applications of lignin as a result of bagasse hydrolysis can be: the elaboration of carbon fibers, vanillin, and in the production of phenol derivatives. By assessing the feasibility of investment in the biorefinery scheme with the integration of lignin, dynamic profitability indicators are obtained that demonstrate the feasibility of the proposal, maintaining the recovery of investment in 5.2 years as de Armas, (2019). Conclusions: The proposed process is justified with the applications of lignin and can be integrated into the biorefinery while maintaining its profitability.

RESUMEN Introducción: Existen varios tipos de lignina y, entre ellas, la que deriva de los procesos que usan solventes orgánicos en presencia de catalizador, ácido o básico posee menor impacto ambiental con respecto a los convencionales, ya que los solventes orgánicos se recuperan fácilmente por destilación, también este tipo de ligninas, posee dada su estructura, usos específicos. La hidrólisis del bagazo de caña de azúcar produce corrientes ricas en lignina que pueden ser integradas en el concepto de biorrefinería. Objetivo: Demostrar la factibilidad económica de la integración del proceso de producción de lignina en el concepto de biorrefinería partiendo de las características de la misma y del conocimiento de sus productores a nivel internacional. Materiales y Métodos: Se realiza una búsqueda (briefing) que brinda datos de utilidad para el desarrollo del proceso de obtención de la lignina, partiendo de esto se integra este proceso en el concepto de biorrefinería y se determinan sus indicadores económicos. Resultados y Discusión: Las aplicaciones de la lignina producto de la hidrólisis del bagazo pueden ser: la elaboración de fibras de carbono, vainillina, y en la producción de derivados del fenol. Al valorar la factibilidad de inversión del esquema de biorrefinería con la integración de la lignina, se obtienen indicadores dinámicos de rentabilidad que demuestran la factibilidad de la propuesta, manteniendo la recuperación de la inversión en 5,2 años como de Armas, (2019). Conclusiones: El proceso propuesto se justifica con las aplicaciones de la lignina y puede ser integrado a la biorrefinería manteniendo su rentabilidad.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The use of lignin as biofuels, chemicals and food source in future biorefineries is a growing topic in scientific interest. Lignin is an aromatic heterogeneous natural polymer, present in plants, usually associated with cellulose and hemicellulose. Its chemical multifunctionality imparts very varied properties that allow an appreciable number of chemical transformations. Hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse in the biorefinery concept produces lignin-rich currents that have not yet been recovered. Objective: To propose a lignin production scheme that could be integrated into the biorefinery concept, based on its possible applications determination. Materials and Methods: A search (briefing) that provides useful data for the development lignin obtaining process is carried out, based on this, a production scheme is proposed and its main characteristics are determined. Results and Discussion: The applications of residual lignin from organosolv process that are being developed are very varied: formulation of polyurethane foams, filler in polylactic acid films, carbon fibers production, as antioxidant and antimicrobial agents and in food. Production process stages include chemical reaction and separation operations. Conclusions: The proposed process is justified with lignin applications and can be integrated into the biorefinery proposed in previous works.

RESUMEN Introducción: El uso de la lignina como fuente de biocombustibles, químicos y alimentos en las biorrefinerías del futuro es un tópico de interés científico creciente. La lignina es un polímero natural heterogéneo, de carácter aromático, constituyente de las plantas, usualmente asociado a la celulosa y la hemicelulosa. La multifuncionalidad química de la misma le imparte propiedades muy variadas que permiten un apreciable número de transformaciones químicas. La hidrólisis del bagazo de caña de azúcar en el concepto de biorrefinería produce corrientes ricas en lignina que aún no han sido valorizadas. Objetivo: Proponer un esquema de producción de lignina que podría ser integrado en el concepto de biorrefinería, a partir de la determinación de las posibles aplicaciones de la misma. Materiales y Métodos: Se realiza una búsqueda (briefing) que brinda datos de utilidad para el desarrollo del proceso de obtención de la lignina, partiendo de esto se propone un esquema de producción y se determinan las características principales del mismo. Resultados y Discusión: Las aplicaciones de la lignina residual del proceso organosolv que se están desarrollando son muy variadas: formulación de espumas de poliuretano, relleno en películas de ácido poliláctico, producción de fibras de carbono, como agentes antioxidantes y antimicrobianos y en alimentos. Las etapas del proceso de producción incluyen operaciones con reacción química y operaciones de separación. Conclusiones: El proceso propuesto se justifica con las aplicaciones de la lignina y puede ser integrado a la biorrefinería propuesta en trabajos anteriores.

Sesquiterpene lactones are an important class of secondary metabolites frequently isolated from Vernonanthura genus that present a variety of biological properties, including antiproliferative activity. Due to the limitation of pharmacological studies on Vernonanthura nudiflora, the aim of this work was to investigate their antioxidant potential and antiproliferative activity against human tumor cells, as well as to isolate and identify the chemical constituents present in their aerial parts. The phytochemical investigation resulted in the isolation of the sesquiterpene lactones piptocarphins A, B, D, and a new hirsutinolide derivative, 8α-tigloyloxy-10α-hydroxy-hirsutinolide, besides triterpenes, glycosylated steroids, flavonoids, and one chlorogenic acid derivative. Also, other sesquiterpene lactones were identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) from dichloromethane fraction. This fraction showed activity against the tumor cells tested, mainly against leukemia, glioma, ovarian and kidney, with growth inhibitory activity (GI50) less than 0.80 µg mL-1. Piptocarphins A and B, in mixture, showed strong activity against all human cancer cell lines tested, with GI50 values ≤ 0.15 µg mL-1. Piptocarphin D was selective for glioma and resistant ovarian cell lines. The new hirsutinolide derivative showed potent activity against breast (GI50= 0.96 µg mL-1) and resistant ovarian (GI50 = 3.60 µg mL-1) cell lines.

RESUMO: As doenças periodontais são processos infecciosos multifatoriais causados por complexos de micro-organismos, que provocam danos à saúde, produção e ao bem-estar animal. O objetivo do presente estudo foi o de avaliar a eficácia da virginiamicina na prevenção e controle de duas formas de doença periodontal; a gengivite e a gengivite necrosante. Assim, dez bezerros desmamados, com idade entre 4 e 6 meses, foram mantidos permanentemente em lote único e sob o mesmo regime de pastejo rotacionado em área reformada de Panicum maximum. Cinco bezerros receberam via oral 340mg de virginiamicina (Grupo Virginiamicina) diariamente, por um período de dezoito semanas, enquanto o Grupo Controle permaneceu sob o mesmo manejo alimentar, mas sem receber a virginiamicina. No período, os animais passaram por 18 avaliações semanais quanto à saúde periodontal, com monitoramento e registro dos parâmetros clínicos dos oito dentes incisivos decíduos, nas suas faces labial e lingual. Em intervalos aproximadamente quinzenais foram realizadas nove coletas de material do sulco subgengival de cinco sítios de quatro dentes incisivos direitos de cada animal para avaliação microbiológica, com o emprego da reação em cadeia da polimerase e com iniciadores de 25 micro-organismos considerados potencialmente patogênicos. Ao final das 1440 avaliações clínicas periodontais dos dentes incisivos dos dez bezerros, pôde-se registrar um total de 395 episódios de dentes com gengivite, nos quais 267 foram registrados no Grupo Controle e 128 no Grupo Virginiamicina. De forma semelhante, do total de 89 registros de gengivite necrosante, 58 foram no Grupo Controle e 31 no Grupo Virginiamicina. Na comparação entre médias dos grupos as diferenças encontradas para dentes com gengivite e gengivite necrosante foram significativas pelo teste t (p<0,05). Assim, o total de dentes com gengivite (p<0,01) e gengivite necrosante (p<0,01) no Grupo Controle, foi significativamente superior ao de gengivite (p<0,01) e gengivite necrosante (p<0,05) do Grupo Virginiamicina. Houve correlação positiva entre o total de ocorrência de gengivite e gengivite necrosante no Grupo Virginiamicina pelo teste de Pearson. A virginiamicina possuiu um efeito protetor nos animais tratados em comparação com o controle (OR = 0,36: IC (95%) = 0,27-0,43). Na avaliação microbiológica do Grupo Controle foram detectados nas amostras de sítios sadios, com gengivite ou com gengivite necrosante Actinomyces israelli (4,74%), domínio Archaea (1,58%), Eikenella corrodens (1,05%), Fusobacterium nucleatum (27,37%), classe Mollicutes (5,26%), Porphyromonas endodontalis (5,26%), Porphyromonas gulae (0,53%), Prevotella buccae (6,32%), Prevotella loescheii (3,68%), Prevotella nigrescens (8,42%), Prevotella oralis (1,58%), Tannerella forsythia (0,53%) e Treponema denticola (4,21%). Enquanto no Grupo Virginiamicina foram detectados: A. israelli (3,41%), domínio Archaea (0,98%), F. nucleatum (9,27%), classe Mollicutes (4,39%), P. endodontalis (4,39%), P. gulae (0,49%), P. buccae (8,29%), P. loescheii (6,83%), P. nigrescens (15,61%), P. oralis (1,46%), Selenomonas sputigena (0,49%), T. forsythia (0,49%) e T. denticola (2,44%). Em conclusão, a virginiamicina administrada na dosagem de 340mg/animal/dia reduziu significativamente a ocorrência da gengivite e gengivite necrosante em bovinos mantidos em pastos reformados e revelou ter ação frente à microbiota bacteriana periodontal considerada potencialmente patogênica.

ABSTRACT: Periodontal diseases are multifactorial infectious processes caused by complexes of microorganisms, with damage to health, production, and animal welfare. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of virginiamycin in the prevention and control of two early forms of periodontal disease: gingivitis and necrotizing gingivitis. Ten weaned calves, aged four to six months, were permanently kept in a single lot under the same rotational grazing regime in a newly reformed area of Panicum maximum. Five of the calves were orally administered 340mg of virginiamycin (Virginiamycin Group) daily for a period of 18 weeks, while the remaining five calves (Control Group) remained under the same food management but did not receive virginiamycin. During this period, animals underwent 18 weekly evaluations regarding periodontal health, with monitoring and recording of clinical parameters of the eight deciduous incisor teeth on the labial and lingual faces. At approximately two-week intervals, nine collections of subgingival sulcus material from five sites of the four right incisor teeth of each animal were performed and subjected to microbiological evaluation using polymerase chain reaction with primers of 25 microorganisms considered potentially pathogenic. After 1440 periodontal clinical evaluations of incisor teeth of the 10 calves, a total of 395 episodes of gingivitis were recorded, of which 267 occurred in the Control Group and 128 in the Virginiamycin Group. Similarly, 89 episodes of necrotizing gingivitis were recorded; 58 in the Control Group and 31 in the Virginiamycin Group. Comparison of between-group means found significant differences for teeth with gingivitis and necrotizing gingivitis (t test; p<0.05). The total number of teeth with gingivitis (p<0.01) and necrotizing gingivitis (p<0.01) in Control Group was significantly higher than that of gingivitis (p<0.01) and necrotizing gingivitis (p<0.05) in the Virginiamycin Group. There was a positive correlation between total occurrence of gingivitis and necrotizing gingivitis in the Virginiamycin Group by Pearson’s test. Virginiamycin had a protective effect on treated animals compared with the Control Group (OR = 0.36: CI (95%) = 0.27-0.43). In the Control Group, Actinomyces israelli (4.74%), domain Archaea (1.58%), Eikenella corrodens (1.05%), Fusobacterium nucleatum (27.37%), class Mollicutes (5.26%); Porphyromonas endodontalis(5.26%); Porphyromonas gulae(0.53%), Prevotella buccae (6.32%), Prevotella loescheii (3.68%), Prevotella nigrescens (8.42%), Prevotella oralis (1.58%), Tannerella forsythia (0.53%), and Treponema denticola (4.21%) were detected at healthy sites, and gingivitis or necrotizing gingivitis samples. In the Virginiamycin Group, A. israelli (3.41%), domain Archaea (0.98%), F. nucleatum (9.27%), class Mollicutes(4.39%), P. endodontalis (4.39%), P. gulae (0.49%), P. buccae (8.29%), P. loescheii (6.83%), P. nigrescens (15.61%), P. oralis (1.46%), Selenomonas sputigena (0.49%), T. forsythia (0.49%), and T. denticola (2.44%) were detected. In conclusion, virginiamycin administered at a dosage of 340mg/animal/day significantly reduced the occurrence of gingivitis and necrotizing gingivitis in cattle maintained on reformed pastures, and was revealed to have action against periodontal bacterial microbiota considered to be potentially pathogenic.