BACKGROUND The knowledge about eicosanoid metabolism and lipid droplet (LD) formation in the Leishmania is very limited and new approaches are needed to identify which bioactive molecules are produced of them. OBJECTIVES Herein, we compared LDs and eicosanoids biogenesis in distinct Leishmania species which are etiologic agents of different clinical forms of leishmaniasis. METHODS For this, promastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis, L. braziliensis and L. infantum were stimulated with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and LD and eicosanoid production was evaluated. We also compared mutations in structural models of human-like cyclooxygenase-2 (GP63) and prostaglandin F synthase (PGFS) proteins, as well as the levels of these enzymes in parasite cell extracts. FINDINGS PUFAs modulate the LD formation in L. braziliensis and L. infantum. Leishmania spp with equivalent tissue tropism had same protein mutations in GP63 and PGFS. No differences in GP63 production were observed among Leishmania spp, however PGFS production increased during the parasite differentiation. Stimulation with arachidonic acid resulted in elevated production of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids compared to prostaglandins. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest LD formation and eicosanoid production are distinctly modulated by PUFAS dependent of Leishmania species. In addition, eicosanoid-enzyme mutations are more similar between Leishmania species with same host tropism.

ABSTRACT. Since the composition of honey varies with the species of bee as well as flowering and geographical aspects, this study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and bioactive properties of Apisand stingless bees’honey from the Brazilian Caatinga. Samples of different species of Apis mellifera L.Meliponini (Melipona subnitida, Frieseomellita varia, Melipona mandacaia, Plebeia sp.) and Apis mellifera L.werecollected from honey producersin the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Honey from A. mellifera and stingless bees showed physicochemical differences in some parameters, especially in moisture, free acidity, HMF, water activity, sugars and electric conductivity. There were no differences in color between honeys from A. mellifera and stingless bees. Honeys fromPlebeia sp., F. varia and A. mellifera showed higher antioxidant capacity followed by honeys fromM. mandacaia and M. subnitida. Flavonoids had little influence on the differentiation of antioxidant activities of stingless bees, while the opposite occurred with the phenolic content, where honeys with the highest levels of phenolic also showed higher antioxidant capacity. ABSTRACT aspects beeshoney Caatinga LMeliponini L Meliponini subnitida sp. sp Lwerecollected werecollected Norte A parameters moisture acidity HMF activity conductivity F fromM M content

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the osseointegration of implants placed in rat tibia sites grafted with Deproteinized Bovine Bone (DBB) and Native Bone (NB). Twenty-eight rats were divided into two groups according to the type of substrate in which the implants were to be placed: NB – implants placed in native bone; DBB – implants placed in areas grafted with DBB. In the DBB group, the bone defect was made and filled with the bone substitute 60 days before placing the implant. The animals were euthanized 15 or 45 days after implant placement. Osseointegration was assessed by the removal torque, volume of mineralized tissues around the implants (BV/TV), bone-implant contact (%BIC), and bone between threads (%BBT). The implants placed in NB presented higher removal torque (8.00 ± 1.26 Ncm vs. 2.33 ± 0.41 Ncm at 15 days and 22.00 ± 2.44 Ncm vs. 4.00 ± 1.41 Ncm at 45 days), higher %BV/TV (47.92 ± 1.54% vs. 33.33 ± 4.77% at 15 days and 70.06 ± 0.91% vs. 39.89 ± 5.90% at 45 days), higher %BIC (39.68 ± 5.02% vs. 9.12 ± 5.56% at 15 days and 83.23 ± 4.42% vs. 18.81 ± 7.21% at 45 days), and higher %BBT (34.33 ± 5.42% vs. 13.24 ± 8.72% at 15 days and 82.33 ± 3.13% vs. 22.26 ± 8.27% at 45 days) than the implants placed in DBB grafted areas. The degree of osseointegration was lower in implants placed in the area grafted with DBB than in NB in rat tibias.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a osseointegração de implantes instalados em sítios enxertados com Osso Bovino Desproteinizado (DBB) e Osso Nativo (NB). Vinte e oito ratos foram alocados em dois grupos de acordo com o tipo de substrato onde os implantes foram colocados: NB - Implantes colocados em osso nativo; DBB - Implantes instalados em áreas enxertadas com DBB. No grupo DBB, o defeito ósseo foi confeccionado e preenchido com o substituto ósseo 60 dias antes da instalação do implante. Os animais foram sacrificados após 15 e 45 dias da colocação do implante. A osseointegração foi avaliada pelo torque de remoção, volume de tecidos mineralizados ao redor dos implantes (%BV/TV), contato direto do osso com o implante (%BIC), e área de osso entre roscas dos implantes (%BBT). Os implantes instalados em NB tiveram um maior torque de remoção (8.00 ± 1.26 Ncm vs. 2.33 ± 0.41 Ncm aos 15 dias e 22.00 ± 2.44 Ncm vs. 4.00 ± 1.41 Ncm aos 45 dias), um maior %BV/TV (47.92 ± 1.54% vs. 33.33 ± 4.77% aos 15 dias e 70.06 ± 0.91% vs. 39.89 ± 5.90% aos 45 dias), um maior %BIC (39.68 ± 5.02% vs. 9.12 ± 5.56% aos 15 dias e 83.23 ± 4.42% vs. 18.81 ± 7.21% aos 45 dias), e um maior %BBT (34.33 ± 5.42% vs. 13.24 ± 8.72% aos 15 dias e 82.33 ± 3.13% vs. 22.26 ± 8.27% aos 45 dias) que os implantes colocados nas áreas enxertadas com DBB. Implantes instalados em áreas enxertadas com DBB apresentaram menor osseointegração que os implantes instalados no osso nativo em tíbias de ratos.

BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by Schistosoma. Due to its complex life cycle, evolutionary position and sexual dimorphism, schistosomes have several mechanisms of gene regulation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short endogenous RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by targeting mRNA transcripts. OBJECTIVES Here, we tested 12 miRNAs and identified their putative targets using a computational approach. METHODS We performed the expression profiles of a set of miRNAs and their putative targets during the parasite’s life cycle by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). FINDINGS Our results showed differential expression patterns of the mature miRNAs sma-miR-250; sma-miR-92a; sma-miR-new_4-3p; sma-miR-new_4-5p; sma-miR-new_5-5p; sma-miR-new_12-5p; sma-miR-new_13-3p and sma-miR-new_13-5p. Interestingly, many of the putative target genes are linked to oxidative phosphorylation and are up-regulated in adult-worms, which led us to suggest that miRNAs might play important roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of genes related to energetic metabolism inversion during parasite development. It is noteworthy that the expression of sma-miR-new_13-3p exhibited a negative correlation on SmNADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase complex I. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our analysis revealed putative miRNA genes related to important biological processes, such as transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling, proteasome regulation, glucose and lipid metabolism, immune system evasion and transcriptional regulation.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a estrutura populacional e os efeitos causados pela endogamia, em um rebanho fechado da raça Nelore da linhagem Lemgruber. O arquivo de pedigree avaliado incluiu registros de 39.290 animais, 17.646 machos e 21.644 fêmeas, nascidos entre 1951 e 2007. A estrutura da população foi analisada com uso dos programas Poprep e Endog, tendo-se determinado algum nível de endogamia em 61,82% dos animais. O valor do F médio foi 3,02% para toda a população e 4,89% para os animais endogâmicos; e o F máximo foi de 37,5%. O número de ancestrais que contribuiu para a população referência foi 2.380 animais, dos quais apenas sete explicam 50% da variabilidade genética da população. O número efetivo de fundadores (Nf) e o número efetivo de ancestrais (Na) nessa população foram 25 e 21, respectivamente. O incremento esperado de endogamia, causado pela contribuição desequilibrada dos fundadores, foi de 1,62%. A estrutura populacional do rebanho apresenta envelhecimento dos reprodutores, com consequente aumento no intervalo de gerações, além de um contínuo incremento de endogamia e alta percentagem de indivíduos endogâmicos, fatos que comprometem o ganho genético anual e que devem merecer maior atenção dos selecionadores.

The objective of this work was to determine the population structure and the effects caused by inbreeding in a closed herd of Nellore cattle of the Lemgruber line. The pedigree file included records of 39,290 animal, 17,646 males and 21,644 females, born between 1951 and 2007. The population structure was analysed using the software Poprep and Endog, which resulted in some level of inbreeding for 61,82% of the animals. The average F value was 3.02% for the whole population and 4.89% for the inbred animals; and F maximum value was 37.5%. The number of ancestors that contributed to the reference population was 2,380 animals, from which only seven explained 50% of the genetic variability of the population. The effective number of founders (Nf) and the effective number of ancestors (Na) in this population were, respectively, 25 and 21. The expected increase of inbreeding, caused by the unbalanced contribution of founders, was 1.62%. The herd populational structure shows the aging of the breeders, with a consequent increase of the generation´s interval, as well as a continuous increase of inbreeding and a high percentage of inbred individuals. Such facts compromise the annual genetic gain and should deserve a closer attention from breeders.

Malassezia furfur (Pityrosporum orbiculare) é um fungo lipofílico, que está associado a pitiríase versicolor, foliculite, dermatite seborréica e atópica, fungemia e infecções sistêmicas. O tratamento é feito com soluções antimicóticas ou derivados imidazólicos, particularmente, o cetoconazol. Dentro das perspectivas de avaliação de novas alternativas para a terapêutica das infecções micóticas, determinou-se, nesse estudo, a atividade antifúngica de compostos imídicos. As imidas 3,4-dicloro-N-fenil-maleimida (6,3 µg/ml), 3,4-dicloro-N-benzil-maleimida (25 µg/ml) e 3,4dicloro-N-fenil-propil-maleimida (20 µg/ml) foram os compostos que apresentaram melhor atividade inibitória contra as cepas de M. furfur.

Malassezia furfur (Pityrosporum orbiculare) is a lipophilic microrganism and it has also been associated with pityriasis versicolor, folliculitis, seborrheic and atopic dermatitis, fungemia and systemic infections. The treatment comprehends antimicotics or imidazol derivatives solutions, specially cetoconazol. With purpose of evaluating new alternatives to the therapeutics of mycosis infections, the antifungical activity of cyclic imides was determinated in the present study. The imides 3,4-cichloro-N-phenylmaleimide (6,3 µg/ml), 3,4dichloro-N-benzyl-maleimide (25 µg/mL) and 3,4dichloro-N-phenyl-propyl-maleimide (25 µg/mL) were the compounds which produced the best activities of inhibition against strains of M. furfur.