RESUMO
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have therapeutic potential due to their abilities of differentiation, immunomodulation, and migration to injured tissues, potentiating such effects when cells are activated. Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a tropical plant species found in South America that is known for its antioxidant, stimulant, and cicatricial effects. The guarana extract is composed of many substances and caffeine is the main component. The objective was to evaluate the effects of guarana and caffeine on MSCs. After the initial characterization, MSCs were treated with Paullinia cupana (10, 100, and 1000 µg/mL) or caffeine (0.4, 4, and 40 µg/mL) for 24 h. MSCs treatment with 1000 µg/mL guarana increased cell polarity, viability, cell migration to chemoattractant, antioxidant potential, and liberation of extracellular vesicles (EVs), while it reduced the levels of autophagy. MSCs treated with 100 and 1000 µg/mL guarana or 40 µg/mL caffeine showed a decrease of cell proliferation. No treatment affected the cellular area and cell cycle of MSCs. The study shows in vitro evidence that guarana could be a promising alternative for activating MSCs to promote better cellular products for future clinical therapies.
Assuntos
Proliferação de Células , Células-Tronco Mesenquimais , Paullinia , Extratos Vegetais , Medicina Regenerativa , Paullinia/química , Células-Tronco Mesenquimais/efeitos dos fármacos , Células-Tronco Mesenquimais/citologia , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Movimento Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Cafeína/farmacologia , Células Cultivadas , Diferenciação Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Humanos , AnimaisRESUMO
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have therapeutic potential due to their abilities of differentiation, immunomodulation, and migration to injured tissues, potentiating such effects when cells are activated. Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a tropical plant species found in South America that is known for its antioxidant, stimulant, and cicatricial effects. The guarana extract is composed of many substances and caffeine is the main component. The objective was to evaluate the effects of guarana and caffeine on MSCs. After the initial characterization, MSCs were treated with Paullinia cupana (10, 100, and 1000 μg/mL) or caffeine (0.4, 4, and 40 μg/mL) for 24 h. MSCs treatment with 1000 μg/mL guarana increased cell polarity, viability, cell migration to chemoattractant, antioxidant potential, and liberation of extracellular vesicles (EVs), while it reduced the levels of autophagy. MSCs treated with 100 and 1000 μg/mL guarana or 40 μg/mL caffeine showed a decrease of cell proliferation. No treatment affected the cellular area and cell cycle of MSCs. The study shows in vitro evidence that guarana could be a promising alternative for activating MSCs to promote better cellular products for future clinical therapies.
RESUMO
Os colágenos tipos I e III apresentam diferentes tonalidades de birrefringência em cortes histológicos corados com Picrosirius red e analisados em microscópio sob luz polarizada. Com base nessa propriedade, os colágenos podem ser quantificados por histomorfometria. Entretanto, são muitas as variáveis que podem afetar a distribuição das cores na imagem histológica, e a escolha adequada dos parâmetros de análise têm grande influência no resultado final. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar a quantificação histomorfométrica de colágeno em pele equina pela morfometria por contagem de pontos e pela segmentação de cor com diversas configurações, a fim de se determinar o melhor método de avaliação. Para a morfometria por contagem de pontos, foram utilizadas três gratículas diferentes (391, 588 e 792 pontos de interseções) e, para a segmentação de cor, seis combinações de hue e brightness no software ImageJ. Os valores foram submetidos ao teste de Friedman, seguido pelo teste de Tukey com 5% de significância. Os resultados demonstraram que a quantificação dos colágenos na gratícula de 792 pontos foi equivalente aos resultados da segmentação de cor com brightness de 1-255 e hue de 0-42 e 43-120 para os colágenos tipos I e III, respectivamente. Dessa forma, conclui-se que a análise automática da segmentação de cor, utilizando configuração adequada para brightness e hue, pode substituir a morfometria por contagem de pontos de forma confiável e segura.(AU)
The types I and III collagens present different tonalities of birefringence in histological sections stained with Picrosirius red, that can be analyzed under a polarized light microscope. Based on this property, collagens can be quantified by histomorphometry. However, many variables can affect the color distribution in the histological image, and the appropriate choice of the analysis parameters have a significant influence on the final result. The objective of this study was to compare the histomorphometric quantification of collagen in the equine skin by counting points planimetry and color segmentation with different configurations to determine the best method of evaluation. For planimetry, three different graticules (391, 588 and 792 intersections) were used and, for color segmentation, six combinations of hue and brightness in ImageJ software. The values were submitted to the Friedman test followed by Tukey with 5% significance. The results showed that the quantification of collagens in the graticule of 792 intersections was equivalent to the results of color segmentation with a brightness of 1-255 and hue of 0-42 and 43-120 for collagens type I and III, respectively. Automatic analysis of the color segmentation, using suitable configuration for brightness and hue can replace the counting points planimetry reliably and safely.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Masculino , Equidae , Colágeno Tipo I , Colágeno Tipo III , Neoplasias/diagnóstico , Neoplasias/veterináriaRESUMO
Os colágenos tipos I e III apresentam diferentes tonalidades de birrefringência em cortes histológicos corados com Picrosirius red e analisados em microscópio sob luz polarizada. Com base nessa propriedade, os colágenos podem ser quantificados por histomorfometria. Entretanto, são muitas as variáveis que podem afetar a distribuição das cores na imagem histológica, e a escolha adequada dos parâmetros de análise têm grande influência no resultado final. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar a quantificação histomorfométrica de colágeno em pele equina pela morfometria por contagem de pontos e pela segmentação de cor com diversas configurações, a fim de se determinar o melhor método de avaliação. Para a morfometria por contagem de pontos, foram utilizadas três gratículas diferentes (391, 588 e 792 pontos de interseções) e, para a segmentação de cor, seis combinações de hue e brightness no software ImageJ. Os valores foram submetidos ao teste de Friedman, seguido pelo teste de Tukey com 5% de significância. Os resultados demonstraram que a quantificação dos colágenos na gratícula de 792 pontos foi equivalente aos resultados da segmentação de cor com brightness de 1-255 e hue de 0-42 e 43-120 para os colágenos tipos I e III, respectivamente. Dessa forma, conclui-se que a análise automática da segmentação de cor, utilizando configuração adequada para brightness e hue, pode substituir a morfometria por contagem de pontos de forma confiável e segura.(AU)
The types I and III collagens present different tonalities of birefringence in histological sections stained with Picrosirius red, that can be analyzed under a polarized light microscope. Based on this property, collagens can be quantified by histomorphometry. However, many variables can affect the color distribution in the histological image, and the appropriate choice of the analysis parameters have a significant influence on the final result. The objective of this study was to compare the histomorphometric quantification of collagen in the equine skin by counting points planimetry and color segmentation with different configurations to determine the best method of evaluation. For planimetry, three different graticules (391, 588 and 792 intersections) were used and, for color segmentation, six combinations of hue and brightness in ImageJ software. The values were submitted to the Friedman test followed by Tukey with 5% significance. The results showed that the quantification of collagens in the graticule of 792 intersections was equivalent to the results of color segmentation with a brightness of 1-255 and hue of 0-42 and 43-120 for collagens type I and III, respectively. Automatic analysis of the color segmentation, using suitable configuration for brightness and hue can replace the counting points planimetry reliably and safely.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Masculino , Equidae , Colágeno Tipo I , Colágeno Tipo III , Neoplasias/diagnóstico , Neoplasias/veterináriaRESUMO
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a metabolic disorder that predisposes patients to numerous diseases and has become a major global public-health concern. Animal models of diet-induced obesity (DIO) are frequently used to study obesity, but which DIO model most accurately reflects the pathology of human obesity remains unclear. In this study, we designed a diet based on the human Western diet (WD) and compared it with the cafeteria diet (CAF) and high-fat diet (HFD) in order to evaluate which diet most closely mirrors human obesity. METHODS: Wistar rats were fed four different diets (WD, CAF, HFD and a low-fat diet) for 18 weeks. Metabolic parameters and gut microbiota changes were then characterized. RESULTS: Rats fed the four different diets exhibited completely different phenotypes, highlighting the importance of diet selection. This study also revealed that WD most effectively induced obesity and obesity-related disorders, and thus proved to be a robust model of human obesity. Moreover, WD-fed rats developed obesity and obesity-related comorbidities independent of major alterations in gut microbiota composition (dysbiosis), whereas CAF-fed rats developed the greatest dysbiosis independent of obesity. We also characterized gut microbiota after feeding on these four different diets and identified five genera that might be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that diet, and not the obese state, was the major driving force behind gut microbiota changes. Moreover, the marked dysbiosis observed in CAF-fed rats might have resulted from the presence of several additives present in the CAF diet, or even a lack of essential vitamins and minerals. Based on our findings, we recommend the use of the prototypic WD (designed here) in DIO models. Conversely, CAF could be used to investigate the effects of excessive consumption of industrially produced and highly processed foods, which are characteristic of Western society.
Assuntos
Dieta Ocidental , Microbioma Gastrointestinal/fisiologia , Doenças Metabólicas/metabolismo , Obesidade/metabolismo , Obesidade/microbiologia , Animais , Dieta Hiperlipídica , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Disbiose/metabolismo , Fast Foods , Masculino , Obesidade/fisiopatologia , Ratos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
Achyrocline satureioides is a medicinal plant widely used in South America that exhibits a well-documented antioxidant activity. Such activity has been related to their main aglycone flavonoids quercetin, luteolin, and 3-O-methylquercetin (3MQ). This study addresses the development of antioxidant hydrogels containing an A. satureioides extract-loaded nanoemulsions aimed at topical application. The systems investigated were A. satureioides extract-loaded nanoemulsions (ASNE) obtained by spontaneous emulsification procedure formulated in semisolid hydrogels composed of Carbopol® Ultrez 20 (HASNE). Hydrogels exhibit a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior. A higher release of 3MQ from ASNE (3.61µg/cm(2)/h) was observed when compared with HASNE (2.83µg/cm(2)/h). Different parameters that may have an influence on the retention of flavonoids into the skin were investigated by using a Franz-type diffusion cells. Indeed, the amount of formulation applied on donor compartment was found to play a crucial role. At the optimized conditions, retention of approximately 2µg/cm(2) of flavonoids was detected into the skin. A higher retention of 3MQ was detected (approximately 1.0µg/cm(2)) in comparison with the other flavonoids. Finally, a protection the porcine ear skin by formulations, against oxidative stress generated by UVA/UVB light was demonstrated by means of TBARS, protein carbonylation, and protein thiol content assays. The overall results showed the potential of the formulations developed in this study for the prevention of oxidative stress on the skin.
Assuntos
Achyrocline/química , Hidrogéis/química , Nanoestruturas/química , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Pele/efeitos dos fármacos , Pele/efeitos da radiação , Antioxidantes/química , Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Composição de Medicamentos , Liberação Controlada de Fármacos , Emulsões , Flavonoides/metabolismo , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Permeabilidade/efeitos dos fármacos , Permeabilidade/efeitos da radiação , Extratos Vegetais/metabolismo , Protetores contra Radiação/química , Protetores contra Radiação/metabolismo , Protetores contra Radiação/farmacologia , Pele/citologia , Pele/metabolismo , ViscosidadeRESUMO
Among arthropods, ticks of the genus Amblyomma are of great medical and veterinary importance and present phylogenetic and taxonomic divergences given polymorphisms and phenotypic plasticity between subpopulations. Generally, the male reproductive system and spermatozoon exhibit diversified morphology and ultrastructure species-specific, bringing new possibilities for phylogenetic and taxonomic issues. Therefore, the present study aimed to describe and compare the morphology of the male reproductive system and its germ cells of Amblyomma aureolatum, A. sculptum, and A. triste, intending to identify possible diagnostic features. Couples of the three tick's species were kept in colony, infested on rabbits and collected over 12 days of feeding. The males had their reproductive systems dissected, fixed and processed for histology and scanning electron microscopy. The results obtained here allowed the description of spermiogenesis stages and the comparison of spermatids morphology in the last stage of development. Furthermore, the testis of A. triste present an isthmus connecting the distal region of both, while in the other two species this structure could not be observed. Some anatomical features were identified which can be used for taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, like the presence or absence of the isthmus connecting testis, spV cell shape, the shape of the operculum and the presence or absence of the rim on its base.
RESUMO
RESUMOO melão de São Caetano, planta trepadeira originaria do leste indiano e sul da Índia, é encontrada no bioma caatinga. Neste trabalho objetivou-se avaliar a biometria dos frutos e o número de sementes por fruto do melão de São Caetano. Os frutos foram coletados em área de vegetação nativa do campus da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), situada no município de Mossoró, RN, seguindo para o laboratório de fitotecnia para a determinação das seguintes características: comprimento, diâmetro e peso dos frutos, bem como o número de sementes por fruto. As análises descritivas e gráficas foram realizadas utilizando o pacote estatístico software R-project. As variáveis, comprimento e diâmetro apresentaram baixa amplitude de variação e bons valores de coeficiente de variação. Já o peso do fruto e o número de sementes por fruto mostraram alta amplitude de variação. Verificou-se alto grau de simetria e distribuição mesocúrtica para todas as características avaliadas nesse estudo. Constatou-se também a correlação linear simples positiva significativa entre o comprimento e o diâmetro, e não significativa entre o peso e o número de sementes por fruto, e que os dados referentes a todas as características do fruto do melão de São Caetano avaliadas neste trabalho se ajustaram à distribuição normal de probabilidade, o que permite a realização de inferências com base estatística.
ABSTRACTThe melon from Sao Caetano is a climbing plant, originally from India and South East India and is found in the savanna biome. This study aimed to evaluate the biometric fruit and the number of seeds per fruit of the melon Sao Caetano. The fruits were collected inside a native vegetation area of the campus at the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), located in the city of Mossoró, RN. They were then taken to the laboratory of crop science, for the determination of the following characteristics: length, diameter and fruit weight as well as number of seeds per fruit. The descriptive and graphical analyzes were performed by using the statistical package R -project software. The length and diameter variables exhibited a low amplitude variation and a good value for the coefficient of variation. However, the fruit weight and number of seeds per fruit showed a high amplitude variation. There was a high degree of symmetry and a flattened distribution for all traits evaluated in this study. It was also found significant positive simple linear correlation between the length and diameter, and no significant difference between the weight and number of seeds per fruit. The data related to all features of the São Caetano melon fruit evaluated in this study were adjusted to normal distribution of probability which allows the performance of interferences with statistical basis.
Assuntos
Biometria/métodos , Sementes/classificação , Estatística , Momordica charantia/anatomia & histologia , Frutas/classificaçãoRESUMO
RESUMO O uso de esterco bovino é de suma importância para os agricultores familiares que produzem coentro na região de Mossoró-RN, pois esse insumo é amplamente disponível e utilizado pelos agricultores. Objetivando-se avaliar o Rendimento do coentro fertilizado com esterco bovino em diferentes doses e tempos de incorporação ao solo foi conduzido um experimento no período de setembro a novembro de 2011, na Fazenda Experimental Rafael Fernandes, da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido - UFERSA, Brasil. Os tratamentos consistiram da combinação de quatro doses de esterco bovino incorporadas ao solo: 15,0; 30,0; 45,0 e 60,0 t ha-1 em base seca, com quatro tempos de incorporação: 28; 49; 64 e 80 dias antes da semeadura do coentro - DAS, mais um tratamento controle (ausência de adubação). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos completos casualizados com os tratamentos arranjados em esquema fatorial 4 x 4 + 1 com 3 repetições. A cultivar de coentro utilizado foi a Verdão e as variáveis determinadas foram altura e número de hastes por planta e rendimento de coentro. O coentro respondeu à aplicação de esterco bovino, produzindo rendimentos máximos de 6453 e 6349 kg ha-1 de massa verde, com a dose de 60 t ha-1 e aos quarenta e seis dias de incorporação antes da semeadura, respectivamente.
ABSTRACT The use of manure is very important to family farmers who produce coriander in the region of Mossoró-RN, because this input is widely available and used by farmers. Aiming to evaluate the yield of the coriander fertilized with manure at different doses and incorporation times in the soil, a trial was conducted from September to November 2011, at the Experimental Farm Rafael Fernandes in the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró-RN, Brazil. The treatments consisted on the combination of four levels of manure incorporated into the soil: 15.0; 30.0; 45.0 and 60.0 t ha-1 at dry basis, with four incorporation times: 28; 49; 64 and 80 days before the coriander"s sowing - DAS, plus a control treatment (without fertilization). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with treatments arranged in a 4 x 4 + 1, with three replications. The coriander planted was the "Verdão" and the specific variables were height and number of stalks per plant and yield of the coriander. The coriander responded to the application of the manure, producing maximum yields of 6453 and 6349 kg ha-1 of fresh mass, with the dose of 60 t ha-1 and at forty-six days of incorporation before the sowing, respectively.
Assuntos
Solo/classificação , Coriandrum/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Esterco/análise , Verduras/classificaçãoRESUMO
Autism and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are, respectively, neurodevelopmental and degenerative diseases with an increasing epidemiological burden. The AD-associated amyloid-ß precursor protein-α has been shown to be elevated in severe autism, leading to the 'anabolic hypothesis' of its etiology. Here we performed a focused microarray analysis of genes belonging to NOTCH and WNT signaling cascades, as well as genes related to AD and apoptosis pathways in cerebellar samples from autistic individuals, to provide further evidence for pathological relevance of these cascades for autism. By using the limma package from R and false discovery rate, we demonstrated that 31% (116 out of 374) of the genes belonging to these pathways displayed significant changes in expression (corrected P-values <0.05), with mitochondria-related genes being the most downregulated. We also found upregulation of GRIN1, the channel-forming subunit of NMDA glutamate receptors, and MAP3K1, known activator of the JNK and ERK pathways with anti-apoptotic effect. Expression of PSEN2 (presinilin 2) and APBB1 (or F65) were significantly lower when compared with control samples. Based on these results, we propose a model of NMDA glutamate receptor-mediated ERK activation of α-secretase activity and mitochondrial adaptation to apoptosis that may explain the early brain overgrowth and disruption of synaptic plasticity and connectome in autism. Finally, systems pharmacology analyses of the model that integrates all these genes together (NOWADA) highlighted magnesium (Mg(2+)) and rapamycin as most efficient drugs to target this network model in silico. Their potential therapeutic application, in the context of autism, is therefore discussed.