Pharmacological Evidence of α2-Adrenergic Receptors in the Hypotensive Effect of Platonia insignis Mart.

Marcelo Bezerra Mendes,Jose Couras da Silva-Filho,Carla Kelly Barroso Sabino,Daniel Dias Rufino Arcanjo,Cleyton Marcos Melo Sousa,Isabella Cristhina Goncalves Costa,Mariana Helena Chaves,Rita de Ca´ss 한국식품영양과학회 2014 Journal of medicinal food Vol.17 No.10

Platonia insignis Mart. (Clusiaceae) is a medicinal plant from the Brazilian Amazon region. The present study evaluated the biological potential of the ethanol extract (Pi-EtOH) and ethyl acetate fraction (Pi-EtOAc) of the P. insignis fruit shells on the cardiovascular system of rats. Pi-EtOH or Pi-EtOAc (12.5, 25, and 50mg/kg) was administered intravenously in normotensive rats (260–300 g), and the mean arterial pressure and the heart rate were monitored. The Pi-EtOH induced hypotension ( - 11.56– 0.89, - 7.43– 0.85, and - 17.56– 1.97 mmHg) followed by bradycardia in two highest doses ( - 8.89– 3.62 and - 15.79– 1.83 beats/min) and Pi-EtOAc, at the same doses, induced hypotension ( - 11.2– 1.03, - 14.48– 1.13, - 29.89– 2.67 mmHg)more intensively, followedby tachycardia at thedose12.5and25mg/kg(15.64– 2.06, 19.31– 1.92 beats/min) and bradycardia at a dose of 50mg/kg (- 9.98– 7.33 beats/min). The hypotensive response from Pi-EtOAc was not attenuated when used in the pretreatment with L-NAME, verapamil, propranolol, and hexamethonium. However, when using yohimbine, the hypotensive effect was inhibited ( - 4.42– 1.28 (P< .05), - 3.29– 0.99 (P< .05), 2.06– 1.18 mmHg (P< .05); Student’s t-test). Hence, the Pi-EtOAc seems to act similarly to the a2-adrenergic agonist in this hypotensive effect.

Cytomegalovirus Infection after Renal Transplantation: Occurrence, Clinical Features, and the Cutoff for Antigenemia in a University Hospital in Brazil

Sócrates Bezerra de Matos,Roberto Meyer,Fernanda Washington de Mendonça Lima 대한감염학회 2017 Infection and Chemotherapy Vol.49 No.4

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the main infectious agent causative of morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients. This study aimed to describe the occurrence and clinical features of CMV infection, and the optimum antigenemia assay cutoff associated with symptomatic infection. Materials and Methods: This was a cohort study that investigated 87 patients undergoing renal transplantation. The patients were monitored with the CMV antigenemia assay performed weekly for the first 3 months post-transplantation and subsequently, when CMV infection was suspected clinically. Results: CMV infection was observed in 63.2% (55/87) of the recipients during the follow-up. Of the 65 episodes observed, 75% (49/65) occurred until 100 days after transplantation (D+100) and 25% (16/65) after D+100 with a median of 60 days. CMV infection was associated with age of the transplant recipients (P = 0.001) and use of deceased donor organ (P = 0.009). There were asymptomatic (34%) and symptomatic (66%) episodes of CMV infection, in which diarrhea was the most common symptom (22.6%), followed by elevated creatinine levels (14.5%), fever (12.9%) and leukopenia (10.5%). The optimum cutoff point associated with symptomatic infection was 5 positive cells/200,000 leukocytes (area under the curve = 0.87, positive predictive value = 88% and negative predictive value= 71%). Conclusion: The high occurrence and the risk factors for CMV infection such as the age of recipients, the number of positive cells in the antigenemia assay, and use of a deceased donor organ should be considered for appropriate monitoring and management of kidney recipients during the post-transplant period.

Bisabolol-Induced Gastroprotection Against Acute Gastric Lesions: Role of Prostaglandins, Nitric Oxide, and K+ATP Channels

S.B. Bezerra,L.K.A.M. Leal,N.A.N. Pinto,A.R. Campos 한국식품영양과학회 2009 Journal of medicinal food Vol.12 No.6

The effects of Matricaria recutita and α-bisabolol, a bioactive component from Chamomile species, were investigated against gastric damage induced by absolute ethanol (96%, 1mL per animal) in rats. The effects of M. recutita extract and α-bisabolol on gastric mucosal damage were assessed by determination of changes in mean gastric lesion area. Mechanistic studies were carried out at with 100mg/kg α-bisabolol. We further examined the possible participation of prostaglandins, nitric oxide, and K+ATP channels in its mechanism. M. recutita reduced gastric damage in all doses tested. α-Bisabolol at oral doses of 50 and 100mg/kg markedly attenuated the gastric lesions induced by ethanol to the extent of 87% and 96%, respectively. Pretreatments with the nitric oxide antagonist N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (10mg/kg, i.p.) or with indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, failed to block effectively the gastroprotective effect of α-bisabolol. Furthermore, the α-bisabolol effect was significantly reduced in rats pretreated with glibenclamide, an inhibitor of K+ATP channel activation. Thus we provide evidence that α-bisabolol reduces the gastric damage induced by ethanol, at least in part, by the mechanism of activation of K+ATP channels.

Identification of Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme-Inhibitory and Anticoagulant Peptides from Enzymatic Hydrolysates of Chicken Combs and Wattles

Taliana Kenia Alencar Bezerra,Jose´ Thalles Jocelino Gomes de Lacerda,Bruno Ramos Salu,Maria Luiza Vilela Oliva,Maria Aparecida Juliano,Maria Teresa Bertoldo Pacheco,Marta Suely Madruga 한국식품영양과학회 2019 Journal of medicinal food Vol.22 No.12

Peptides from protein hydrolysate of a mixture of chicken combs and wattles (CCWs) were obtained through enzymatic hydrolysis, and their anticoagulant and inhibitory effects on angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) were investigated. The protein hydrolysate exhibited anticoagulant capacity by the intrinsic pathway (activated partial thromboplastin time) and potent ACE-inhibitory activity. The peptides were sequenced by LC-MS to identify those with higher inhibitory potential. From the pool of sequenced peptides, the following three peptides were selected and synthesized based on their low molecular weight and the presence of amino acids with ACE-inhibitory potential at the C-terminus: peptide I (APGLPGPR), peptide II (Piro-GPPGPT), and peptide III (FPGPPGP). Peptide III (FPGPPGP) showed the highest ACE-inhibitory capacity among the peptides selected. In conclusion, a peptide (FPGPPGP) of unknown sequence was identified as having potent ACE-inhibitory capacity. This peptide originated from unconventional hydrolysates from poultry slaughter waste, including combs and wattles.

Effect of post space preparation drills on the incidence of root dentin defects

Zuli Thaíse Ayres Bezerra,Guedes Orlando Aguirre,Gonçalves Gislaine Figueiredo Zarza Arguello,da Silva Júnior Aurélio Rosa,Borges Álvaro Henrique,Aranha Andreza Maria Fábio 대한치과보존학회 2020 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.45 No.4

Objectives: This study investigated the incidence of root dentin defects after the use of different post space preparation (PSP) drills. Materials and Methods: Seventy-two bovine incisors were selected and obtained 14-mm-long root sections. Twelve roots served as controls with no intervention (G1). The 60 root canals remaining were instrumented using the crown-down technique with the ProTaper Next system and obturated using the lateral condensation technique. Specimens were randomly distributed into 5 groups (n = 12) according to the operative steps performed: G2, root canal instrumentation and filling (I+F); G3, I+F and PSP with Gates-Glidden drills; G4, I+F and PSP with Largo-Peeso reamers; G5, I+F and PSP with Exacto drill; and G6, I+F and PSP with WhitePost drill. Roots were sectioned at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mm from the apex, and digital images were captured. The presence of root dentin defects was recorded. Data were analyzed by the χ2 test, with p < 0.05 considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: Root dentin defects were observed in 39.6% of the root sections. No defects were observed in G1. G5 had significantly more cracks and craze lines than G1, G2, and G3 (p < 0.05), and more fractures than G1, G2, G3, and G4 (p < 0.05). When all root sections were analyzed together, significantly more defects were observed at the 12-mm level than at the 3-mm level (p < 0.05). Conclusions: PSP drills caused defects in the root dentin. Gates-Glidden drills caused fewer root defects than Largo-Peeso reamers and Exacto drills.

Experimental Factorial Designs to Produce Niobium Precursor by Spray Drying Process

Souza Carlson,Bezerra Marcio B. D.,Fontes Francisco A. O.,Filho Ulisses C. O. 한국분말야금학회 2006 한국분말야금학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2006 No.1

Salt stress alters the morphoanatomy and primary and secondary metabolites of the leaves and rhizomes of Curcuma longa L.

Bonacina Cristine,Nascimento Andressa Bezerra,Barbosa Letícia Neris,de Souza Silvia Graciele Hülse,Magalhães Hélida Mara 한국작물학회 2023 Journal of crop science and biotechnology Vol.26 No.2

During cultivation, environmental factors can cause changes in the metabolism of Curcuma longa L. that limit its development. This study evaluated the efects of diferent sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations on the leaf anatomy, stomatal features, and biochemical activity of C. longa L. plants. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, using rhizomes of C. longa L. planted in plastic pots containing soil, sand, and organic matter (2:1:1). After 180 days of planting, salt stress using NaCl (50, 100, and 150 mM) was induced and a control treatment was made with water. At 150 days post treatment, the morphoanatomical variables of the leaves were evaluated, and biochemical analyses of the leaves and rhizomes were performed. The leaves exposed to intermediate salt concentrations (50 and 100 mM) had fewer hypodermic cells and larger spaces between the cells in the spongy parenchyma. In the 150 mM NaCl group, there was an increase in the total leaf thickness caused by an increase in hypodermic cells. The percentage of closed stomata increased in the 50 mM (85%) and 100 mM (80%) NaCl treatments, and the polar diameter of the cells (1.22%) was reduced in the presence of 150 mM NaCl. Biochemical analyses revealed diferent responses for rhizomes and leaves. The total sugars in the rhizomes increased in the presence of ≥50 mM NaCl, probably because of the need to generate more energy for use in secondary metabolite synthesis pathways. The antioxidative activity and phenolic compounds also increased at the highest NaCl concentrations. In conclusion, we have classifed C. longa L. as a plant that is tolerant to saline stress, owing to the metabolic balance and water-loss barrier provided by the rhizome to mitigate stress damage. Our results showed that C. longa L. plants were tolerant to the high salt concentrations tested in this study (100 and 150 mM).

Feed Restriction and Compensatory Growth in Guzerá Females

Neto, S. Gonzaga,Bezerra, L.R.,Medeiros, A.N.,Ferreira, M.A.,Filho, E.C. Pimenta,Candido, E.P.,Oliveira, R.L. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.6

This study examined the effect of restricting feed intake and the subsequent compensatory growth in Guzera females. Eighteen animals with an initial age of 21 months and a mean weight of 268.17 kg were placed in three groups according to the alimentary regime: feed ad libitum; feed restricted to 20% dry matter; and feed restricted to 40% dry matter. In the restricted feed phase, the dry mater intake decreased as the restriction levels increased, influencing the reduction in intake of other nutrients. In the realimentation phase, the 40% restricted feed group ingested more dry matter (% BW) and crude protein ($weight^{0.75}$) than the group fed ad libitum (p<0.001). The serum nutrient concentrations were inversely proportional (p<0.001) to the restriction level, and there was no difference (p>0.001) in the realimentation phase. In the restricted feed phase, the final live weight decreased (p<0.05) as the restriction level increased. For the daily mean weight gain in the control group, there was no difference (p>0.05) compared to the animals with 20% feed restriction, but this was higher than in the group with 40% feed restriction. In the re-alimentation phase, the group with 40% feed restriction achieved higher weight gain rates, which was different from the control and 20% restriction groups. In both phases, the animals in the group with 40% feed restriction presented better feed conversion which was different (p<0.05) from the control group. In the feed restriction phase, it was observed that the intake of N, nitrogen excreted in feces and urine, nitrogen balance and nitrogen retention decreased (p<0.05) with the restriction level. None of the variables were influenced in the re-alimentation phase. These results show that feed restriction by 40% can be adopted as a nutritional management practice.

Protective Effects of Plathymenia reticulata and Connarus favosus Aqueous Extracts against Cadmium- and Mercury-Induced Toxicities

Kewin Gombeau,Ricardo Bezerra de Oliveira,Sandra Layse Ferreira Sarrazin,Rosa Helena Veras Mourao,Jean-Paul Bourdineaud 한국독성학회 2019 Toxicological Research Vol.35 No.1

The extracts of Plathymenia reticulata and Connarus favosus are widely used in the folk medicine. The potential protective effects of these extracts have been evaluated against cadmium in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and against mercurial contamination in zebrafish Danio rerio. In yeast, both extracts efficiently protected the Δycf1 mutant strain exposed to cadmium chloride restoring the growth, the expression of stress-response genes and decreasing the level of oxidative stress. In zebrafish, the supplementation of methylmercury-contaminated diet with both plant extracts similarly protected fish through the suppression of the methylmercury-induced lipid peroxidation, decrease of acetylcholinesterase activity, and restoring the expression levels of stress-response genes. This study particularly demonstrates the protective potential of both aqueous extracts against methylmercury, and could represent an interesting alternative for the Amazonian fish-eating communities to cope with the impact of chronic exposure to contaminated diets.

Review of stud shear resistance prediction in steel-concrete composite beams

Jorge Bonilla,Luciano M. Bezerra,Enrique Mirambell,Bruno Massicotte 국제구조공학회 2018 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.27 No.3

In steel-concrete composite beams, longitudinal shear forces are transferred across steel flange-concrete slab interface by means of shear connectors. The connector behavior is highly non-linear and involves several complex mechanisms. The design resistance and stiffness of composite beams depends on the shear connection behavior and the accuracy in the connector resistance prediction is essential. However determining the stud shear resistance is not an easy process: analytical methods do not give an adequate response to this problem and it is therefore necessary to use experimental methods. This paper present a summary of the main procedures to predict the resistance of the stud shear connectors embedded in solid slab, and stud shear connectors in composite slab using profiled steel sheeting with rib perpendicular to steel beam. A large number of experimental studies on the behavior of stud shear connectors and reported in the literature are also summarized. A comparison of the stud shear resistance prediction using six reference codes (AISC, AASHTO, Eurocode-4, GB50017, JSCE and AS-2327.1) and other procedures reported in the literature against experimental results is presented. From this exercise, it is concluded that there are still inaccuracies in the prediction of stud shear resistance in all analysed procedures and that improvements are needed.