Introduction: Studies prove that the use of medicinal plants is a custom carried out by man since ancient times, the evolution of the pharmaceutical industry makes more people consume more natural ...products. Currently, we can observe that mouthwashes containing natural compounds have shown a growth in demand in the markets and in the professional community. Objective: The present study aims to carry out the chemical characterization and microbiological potential of Piper mikanianum (Kunth) Steud essential oil (EOPm), providing data that allows the development of a low‐cost mouthwash formulation aimed at vulnerable communities. Methods: The evaluation of the antibacterial activity and modulator of bacterial resistance was performed by the microdilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The chemical components were characterized by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, identified 28 constituents, in which Safrole Phenylpropanoid is the major compound, representing 72.6 % of the total composition, followed by α‐pinene (10.7 %), Limonene (2 %), β‐caryophyllene (2 %), E‐nerolidol (1.9 %), spathulenol (1.3 %) and camphene (1.1 %). Results: The EOPm showed a MIC minimum inhibitory concentration≥1024 μg/mL for all bacterial strains used in the tests. When the EOPm modulating activity combined with chlorhexidine, mouthwash, ampicillin, gentamicin and penicillin G was evaluated against bacterial resistance, the oil showed significant synergistic activity, reducing the MIC of the products tested in combination, in percentage between 20.6 % to 98 .4 %. Conclusions: We recommend the expansion of tests with greater variation of EOPm concentration combinations and the products used in this study, as well as toxicity evaluation and in vivo tests, seeking the development of a possible low‐cost mouthwash formulation accessible to the most vulnerable population.
This study tested the protective effect of purified paraprobiotic Enterococcus faecalis (EC-12) and an E. faecalis-based formulation (Med LanS) on irinotecan-induced intestinal mucositis murine ...model.
C57BL/6 male mice received saline, irinotecan (75 mg/Kg, i.p.), EC-12 (0.3, 1, or 3 × 107 CFU/Kg, p.o.) + irinotecan or Med Lan-S (3 × 107 CFU/Kg, p.o.) + irinotecan. Body mass variation was assessed daily, and blood samples were collected for evaluating bacteremia and leukocyte count. The ileum was harvested for myeloperoxidase assay, histopathology, quantitative PCR, and immunofluorescence for macrophages (F4/80), TLR4, and IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP).
The best therapeutic strategy was EC-12 administration at 3 × 107 CFU/Kg, starting 1 week before irinotecan. EC-12 and Med Lan-S did not prevent the irinotecan-induced body mass loss or leukopenia but attenuated the neutrophil infiltration in the intestine and increased the villus/crypt ratio (P < 0.05). Additionally, EC-12 and Med Lan-S reduced the mRNA expression of Cldn-2, Ocln, and Tlr4 versus the irinotecan group (P < 0.05). Irinotecan also augmented the expression of Il-18, IL-18BP, the immunofluorescence of F4/80, and TLR4, while only EC-12 prevented the expression of all these markers. Remarkably, EC-12 and Med Lan inhibited the irinotecan-induced bacterial translocation to the blood.
Paraprobiotic E. faecalis EC-12 prevents the development of intestinal mucositis by downregulating the inflammatory response. Med Lan-S also protects from mucositis. Possibly, the complexity of the formulation accounts for an innate immune-driven protective mechanism.
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Commercialized mouthwashes are generally expensive for the most financially vulnerable populations. Thus, several studies evaluate the antimicrobial potential of herbal products, such as essential ...oils, to reduce the activity of microorganisms in the mouth. The objective of this research was to carry out the chemical characterization and antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Piper mosenii (EOPm), providing data that enable the development of a low-cost mouthwash formulation aimed at vulnerable communities. The analysis of the antibacterial potential and modulator of bacterial resistance was verified by the microdilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration-MIC. The chemical components were characterized by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, where 23 chemical constituents were detected, with α-pinene, being the major compound. The EOPm showed a MIC ≥ 1024 µg/mL for all bacterial strains used in the tests. When the EOPm modulating activity was evaluated together with chlorhexidine, mouthwash and antibiotics against bacterial resistance, the oil showed a significant synergistic effect, reducing the MIC of the products tested in combination, in percentages between 20.6% to 96.3%. Therefore, it is recommended to expand the tests with greater variation of EOPm concentration and the products used in this research, in addition to the evaluation of toxicity and in vivo tests, seeking the development of a possible formulation of mouthwash accessible to the vulnerable population.
Resumo Este estudo teórico discorre sobre a bioética no sentido de promover e assegurar a dignidade do paciente de uma forma segura, que obedeça a sua tomada de decisão, seguindo normativas e ...protocolos que garantam o cumprimento dessa vontade, e trazendo também segurança para equipe assistencial. A ausência de consenso no meio jurídico, por falta de regulamentações que explicitem as regras para a elaboração de um modelo de diretivas de vontade, gera insegurança nos profissionais de saúde envolvidos, familiares e paciente. Para garantir esse direito, além da normatização jurídica, é necessário que os profissionais tenham pleno conhecimento do assunto, a fim de orientar e informar corretamente seus pacientes. Não basta assegurar ao indivíduo o direito de manifestar sua vontade, é preciso ainda a certeza de que esta será cumprida. Há a necessidade de ampliar discussões acerca da temática, com ênfase na realidade brasileira.
Abstract This theoretical study discusses bioethics in the sense of safely promoting and ensuring the patients’ dignity, respectful of their decision making, following regulations and protocols that help fulfill this will and bring safety to the care team. The lack of clear and consensual legal regulations on how to elaborate an advance directive generates uncertainty among healthcare providers, patients and their families. Beyond legal standardization, professionals must also have full knowledge on the topic to correctly guide and inform their patients, thus guaranteeing this right. But ensuring the right to express one’s will is not enough—one must be assured that such whishes will be fulfilled. Further and broader discussions on this topic anchored on the Brazilian reality are needed.
Resumen Este estudio teórico trata la bioética en el sentido de promover y garantizar la dignidad del paciente de forma segura, que acepte su toma de decisiones, siguiendo normas y protocolos que garanticen el cumplimiento de esa voluntad, además de brindar seguridad al equipo de atención. La falta de consenso en el ámbito legal respecto a normativa para la elaboración de un modelo de directivas de voluntad produce inseguridad en los profesionales de la salud involucrados, familiares y pacientes. La garantía de este derecho, además de la regulación legal, requiere que los profesionales conozcan el tema para orientar e informar correctamente a sus pacientes. No basta con garantizar al individuo el derecho a expresar su voluntad, sino que también es necesario la certeza de que esta se cumplirá. Son necesarios más estudios para ampliar las discusiones sobre el tema, con énfasis en el contexto brasileño.
In the semiarid regions, plants are constantly exposed to different conditions of abiotic stresses due to the occurrence of excess salts in both soil and water. Thus, it is extremely important to ...identify an alternative capable of minimizing the effects of salt stress on plants as a way to ensure the expansion of irrigated areas. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the chloroplast pigments, photochemical efficiency and growth of 'Embrapa 51' precocious dwarf cashew as a function of irrigation with saline water and potassium fertilization in the rootstock formation stage. The study was conducted under greenhouse conditions in the municipality of Pombal, PB, Brazil, using a randomized block design in a 5 x 2 factorial scheme, corresponding to five levels of irrigation water electrical conductivity - ECw (0.4; 1.2; 2.0; 2.8 and 3.6 dS m-1) and two doses of potassium fertilization - KD (100 and 150% of the recommendation corresponding to 150 and 225 g K2O kg-1 soil), with two plants per plot and three replicates. Water salinity from 0.4 induced reductions in chlorophyll a and b synthesis, maximum and variable fluorescence and growth in sexually propagated precocious dwarf cashew seedlings and increases in carotenoid content and initial chlorophyll fluorescence. The quantum efficiency of photosystem II in cashew plants was decreased sharply with the increment in water salinity levels, standing out as indicative of damage to the photosystem II reaction centres. 'Embrapa 51' precocious dwarf cashew plants can be classified as sensitive to water salinity above 0.4 dS m-1. Potassium doses of 100 and 150% of the recommendation did not alleviate the effects of salt stress during the precocious dwarf cashew rootstock production phase.
Summary
Mechanisms underlying the vasorelaxant effects of trans‐4‐methyl‐β‐nitrostyrene (T4MeN) were studied in rat aortic rings. In endothelium‐intact preparations, T4MeN fully and similarly relaxed ...contractions induced by phenylephrine (PHE) (IC50 = 61.41 35.40‐87.42 μmol/L) and KCl (IC50 = 83.50 56.63‐110.50 μmol/L). The vasorelaxant effect of T4MeN was unchanged by endothelium removal, pretreatment with L‐NAME, indomethacin, tetraethylammonium, ODQ or MDL‐12,330A. Under Ca2+‐free conditions, T4MeN significantly reduced with a similar potency: (i) phasic contractions induced by PHE, but not by caffeine; (ii) contractions due to CaCl2 in aortic preparations stimulated with PHE (in the presence of verapamil) or high KCl; (iii) contractions evoked by the restoration of external Ca2+ levels after depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores in the presence of thapsigargin. In contrast, T4MeN was more potent at inhibiting contractions evoked by the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, sodium orthovanadate, than those induced by the activator of PKC, phorbol‐12,13‐dibutyrate. These results suggest that T4MeN induces an endothelium‐ independent vasorelaxation that appears to occur intracellularly through the inhibition of contractions that are independent of Ca2+ influx from the extracellular milieu but involve phosphorylation of tyrosine residues.
This study was conducted to evaluate water status, cell damage and gas exchanges of West Indian cherry grown under saline water irrigation and nitrogen (N) fertilization in the post-grafting stage. ...The experiment was carried out in drainage lysimeters under greenhouse conditions in Regolithic Neosol with sandy loam texture. Treatments consisted of two levels of electrical conductivity of water (ECw) (0.8 and 4.5 dS m-1) and four N doses (70; 85; 100 and 115% of the N recommendation), arranged in randomized blocks, with three replicates. The dose relative to 100% corresponded to 200 g of N per plant per year. Irrigation with 4.5 dS m-1 electrical conductivity water resulted in a reduction in stomatal conductance, transpiration, CO2 assimilation rate and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency but increased cell damage percentage and internal CO2 concentration in West Indian cherry plants. Inhibition of CO2 assimilation rate in West Indian cherry plants is related to non-stomatal effects. Irrigation with 4.5 dS m-1 water and fertilization with 115% of N recommendation intensified leaf water saturation deficit in the West Indian cherry crop. The BRS Jaburu West Indian cherry was sensitive to 4.5 dS m-1 water salinity.
ABSTRACT There is an increasing use of poultry litter in seedling production. However, studies regarding the effect of different particle-size litter on plant growth are still scarce. This study ...aimed to evaluate the growth of Moringa oleifera Lam. fertilized with poultry litter doses (0 g dm-3, 40 g dm-3, 80 g dm-3 and 120 g dm-3) with distinct particle sizes (1 mm and 4 mm), with four replications. The following variables were evaluated: plant height; root and stem diameter; leaf, stem, shoot and root dry matter mass; shoot/root dry matter mass ratio; and the Dickson quality index. There was no influence of the particle size on the studied variables, except for plant height. The root diameter decreased with the increase of the poultry litter doses. The accumulation of dry matter mass from the shoot and root increased with the increase of poultry litter doses up to 120 g dm-3. A linear increase of the Dickson quality index, relatively to days and poultry litter doses, was observed. It is recommended to apply 80 g dm-3 of poultry litter to fertilize M. oleifera plants, independently of the granulometry used.
RESUMO O uso do esterco avícola na produção de mudas é crescente. Porém, estudos com o efeito de diferentes granulometrias de esterco sobre o crescimento de plantas ainda são escassos. Objetivou-se avaliar o crescimento de Moringa oleifera Lam. adubada com doses de cama de frango (0 g dm-3; 40 g dm-3; 80 g dm-3; e 120 g dm-3) com diferentes granulometrias (1 mm e 4 mm), com quatro repetições. Avaliaram-se a altura de planta; diâmetro da raiz e do caule; massa da matéria seca da folha, do caule, da parte aérea e da raiz; relação massa da matéria seca da parte aérea/raiz; e o índice de qualidade de Dickson. A granulometria não influenciou nas variáveis estudadas, exceto para altura de planta. O diâmetro da raiz diminuiu com o aumento nas doses de cama de frango. O acúmulo de massa da matéria seca da parte aérea e da raiz sofreram incremento com o aumento das doses de cama de frango até 120 g dm-3. Verificou-se aumento linear do índice de qualidade de Dickson, em função dos dias e doses de cama de frango. Recomenda-se a dose de 80 g dm-3 de cama de frango para a adubação de plantas de M. oleifera, independentemente da granulometria utilizada.
Studies show that more consumers are using natural health products in the modern world. We have noticed a growing demand in markets and the professional community for mouthwashes that contain natural ...compounds. The objective of this study was to assess the chemical characterization and microbiological potential of the essential oil Piper arboreum (EOPa) to provide data to enable the development of a low-cost mouthwash. The evaluation of the antibacterial and bacterial resistance modulating activity was performed by the microdilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. The chemical components were characterized by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, which identified 20 chemical constituents, with caryophyllene oxide being one of the major compounds. The EOPa showed an MIC ≥ 1024 µg/mL for all bacterial strains used in the tests. When evaluating the modulating activity of EOPa combined with chlorhexidine, mouthwash and antibiotics against the bacterial resistance, the oil limited synergistic activity between the MIC of the products tested in combination (37% to 87.5%). Therefore, we recommend expanding the tests with greater variation in the EOPa concentration and the products used, as well as toxicity assessments and in vivo testing, with the purpose of the development of a possible low-cost mouthwash base that is accessible to the most vulnerable populations.
Sugarcane is a widely cultivated crop in Brazil and in many parts of the world. However, the red rot causes huge losses due to the reduction of sucrose and deterioration of the juice. The aim of this ...study was to identify Colletotrichum species associated with the red rot through polyphasic approaches; which included phylogenetic, morpho-cultural analyzes and pathogenicity tests. Nine isolates from the states of Alagoas and two from São Paulo, Brazil, were preliminary analyzed with the glyceraldehyde-3 phosphate dehydrogenase gene (GAPDH), as an initial measure for species diversity. Later on, the representative isolates of each species were sequenced with the β-tubulin (TUB2) gene, calmodulin (CAL), DNA lyase (APN2/MAT IGS) and the ITS-rDNA region. Morphocultural characterization was performed by evaluating the mycelial growth rate (MGR), colony appearance and the shape and size of 50 conidia and appressoria. For the pathogenicity test asymptomatic leaves and stalks of sugarcane were tested with and without injuries. Phylogenetic analysis associated with morphocultural characteristics and the pathogenicity test of the eleven isolates revealed three Colletotrichum species: Colletotrichum falcatum (8 isolates), Colletotrichum siamense (1 isolate) and Colletotrichum plurivorum (2 isolates) causing the red rot disease in sugar cane. All species were pathogenic in wounded leaves and stalks, being C. falcatum the one causing the largest lesions (1.12 cm) in leaves and C. plurivorum in stalks (0.67 cm). Therefore, this study confirms the association of C. falcatum as a sugarcane pathogen and records for the first time worldwide the occurrence of C. siamense and C. plurivorum associated with this host.