Polyphasic delimitation of a filamentous marine genus, Capillus gen. nov. (Cyanobacteria, Oscillatoriaceae) with the description of two Brazilian species

Taiara A. Caires,Goia de M. Lyra,Guilherme S. Hentschke,Aaron Matheus S. da Silva,Valter L. de Araújo,Célia L. Sant’Anna,José Marcos de C. Nunes 한국조류학회I 2018 ALGAE Vol.33 No.4

Lyngbya C. Agardh ex Gomont is a nonheterocytous cyanobacterial genus whose evolutionary history is still poorlyknown. The traditionally defined Lyngbya has been demonstrated to be polyphyletic, including at least five distinctclades, some of which have been proposed as new genera. Intraspecific diversity is also clearly underestimated in Lyngbyadue to the lack of unique morphological characters to differentiate species. In this study, we describe the new genusCapillus T. A. Caires, C. L. Sant’Anna et J. M. C. Nunes from benthic marine environments, including two new Brazilianspecies (here described as C. salinus T. A. Caires, C. L. Sant’Anna et J. M. C. Nunes, and C. tropicalis T. A. Caires, C. L. Sant’Anna et J. M. C. Nunes), and two species yet to be described, one of them from India (Capillus sp. 2.1), and the otherfrom United States of America, based on strain PCC 7419. Capillus species presented cross-wise diagonal fragmentation,assisted or not by necridic cells, which has not been previously mentioned for Lyngbya. Ultrastructural analyses showedthat C. salinus and C. tropicalis have numerous gas vesicles, which are rarely described for benthic marine species. Thenew genus formed a well-supported clade, and the D1-D1′ and Box B secondary structures of internal transcribed spaceralso supported the proposal of its new species. These findings help to clarify the diversity of species in the Lyngbya complexand the taxonomy of the group, and highlight the need of further floristic surveys in tropical coastal environments,which remain poorly studied.

Polyphasic delimitation of a filamentous marine genus, Capillus gen. nov. (Cyanobacteria, Oscillatoriaceae) with the description of two Brazilian species

Caires, Taiara A.,Lyra, Goia de M.,Hentschke, Guilherme S.,da Silva, Aaron Matheus S.,de Araujo, Valter L.,Sant'Anna, Celia L.,Nunes, Jose Marcos de C. The Korean Society of Phycology 2018 ALGAE Vol.33 No.4

Lyngbya C. Agardh ex Gomont is a nonheterocytous cyanobacterial genus whose evolutionary history is still poorly known. The traditionally defined Lyngbya has been demonstrated to be polyphyletic, including at least five distinct clades, some of which have been proposed as new genera. Intraspecific diversity is also clearly underestimated in Lyngbya due to the lack of unique morphological characters to differentiate species. In this study, we describe the new genus Capillus T. A. Caires, C. L. Sant'Anna et J. M. C. Nunes from benthic marine environments, including two new Brazilian species (here described as C. salinus T. A. Caires, C. L. Sant'Anna et J. M. C. Nunes, and C. tropicalis T. A. Caires, C. L. Sant'Anna et J. M. C. Nunes), and two species yet to be described, one of them from India (Capillus sp. 2.1), and the other from United States of America, based on strain PCC 7419. Capillus species presented cross-wise diagonal fragmentation, assisted or not by necridic cells, which has not been previously mentioned for Lyngbya. Ultrastructural analyses showed that C. salinus and C. tropicalis have numerous gas vesicles, which are rarely described for benthic marine species. The new genus formed a well-supported clade, and the D1-D1' and Box B secondary structures of internal transcribed spacer also supported the proposal of its new species. These findings help to clarify the diversity of species in the Lyngbya complex and the taxonomy of the group, and highlight the need of further floristic surveys in tropical coastal environments, which remain poorly studied.

Surface modification of Trema orientalis wood biochar using natural coconut vinegar and its potential to remove aqueous calcium ions: column and batch studies

M.M. Udawatta,R.C.L. De Silva,D.S.M. De Silva 대한환경공학회 2023 Environmental Engineering Research Vol.28 No.1

Recent investigations have revealed the harmful health effects of elevated calcium levels in drinking water. Chemically activated biochar is the most popular option for low-cost cation adsorption. However, most of these chemicals are hardly available for rural communities, corrosive, and difficult to handle by unskilled personnel. This study aimed to determine the ability of natural coconut vinegar, a common mild acid, to activate Trema orientalis wood biochar pyrolyzed at 300˚C (BC) as a facile, safe, and low-cost approach for aqueous calcium ion (Ca<SUP>2+</SUP>) removal. Column tests showed a two-fold increase of Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> adsorption capacity and a ten-fold increase of Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> retaining capacity of BC after activation with vinegar. The isotherm results were well correlated with the Langmuir model. The maximum Langmuir adsorption of the activated biochar (BC-A) was 9.96 mg/g. Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> amount was determined using flame photometry. EDX analysis showed that the O/C ratio of BC increased from 0.07 to 0.13 after activation. FTIR and wettability studies showed increased oxygenated functional groups on the BC-A surface. The authors suggest a possible acid-catalyzed hydration of the C-O-C bridges of the biochar, introducing new hydroxyl/carbonyl/ester/carboxylic/lactone groups to the biochar surface due to the vinegar activation, enhancing Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> adsorption through chemisorption.

Antimicrobial property of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) oil against pathogenic bacteria isolated from pet turtles

B.C.J. De Silva,정원기,사브리나 호세인,S.H.M.P. Wimalasena,H.N.K.S. Pathirana,허강준 한국실험동물학회 2017 Laboratory Animal Research Vol.33 No.2

The usage of essential oils as antimicrobial agents is gaining attention. Besides, pet turtles were known to harbor a range of pathogenic bacteria while the turtle keeping is a growing trend worldwide.The current study examined the antimicrobial activity of lemon grass oil (LGO) against seven species of Gram negative bacteria namely; Aeromonas hydrophila, A. caviae, Citrobacter freundii, Salmonella enterica, Edwardsiella tarda, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis isolated from three popular species of pet turtles. Along with the results of disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentration (MIC and MBC) tests, LGO was detected as effective against 6 species of bacteria excluding P. aeruginosa. MIC of LGO for the strains except P. aeruginosa ranged from 0.016 to 0.5% (V/V). The lowest MIC recorded in the E. tarda strain followed by A. hydrophilla, C. freundii, P. mirabilis, and S. enterica. Interestingly, all the bacterial species except E. tarda were showing high multiple antimicrobial resistance (MAR) index values ranging from 0.36 to 0.91 upon the 11 antibiotics tested although they were sensitive to LGO.

Cytogenotoxic study of aqueous fruit extract of Morinda citrifolia in Wistar albino rats

Germano Pinho de Moraes,Marcus Vinícius Oliveira Barros de Alencar,Lidiane da Silva Araújo,Débora Cássia Vieira Gomes,Márcia Fernanda Correia Jardim Paz,Muhammad Torequl Islam,Ana Amélia de Carvalho M 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2019 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.19 No.3

The use of herbal products and/or their derivatives as an alternative or complementary medicine becomes globally popular. To date, various biological activities have been reported in Morinda citrifolia Linn, especially antioxidants, antimicrobial, anti-infammatory and antitumor efects. This study aimed to investigate the genotoxicity and DNA repair capacity of the aqueous fruit extract of M. citrifolia (AEMC). Additionally, we checked the mutagenic capacity of AEMC by the comet assay and micronucleus tests in rats. For this, rats (n=10; 5 males and 5 females) were divided into fve groups as: negative control (distilled water); positive control (25 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide, i.p.); and three groups for AEMC (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.). The results suggest that, the AEMC induced genotoxicity in white blood cells, but a DNA repair capacity was also observed after 72 h of AEMC exposure. AEMC also showed cytotoxicity and mutagenicity in liver and kidney cells of rats at 5 and 10 mg/kg doses. In conclusion, AEMC exhibited a dose-dependent cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and mutagenicity along with a time-dependent DNA repair capacity in rats. Further studies are necessary regarding the safe use of this medicinal plant for human consumption.

Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire Fraction Leaves Stimulate Gastric Healing in Rats and Human Cell Cultures

Ana Flávia Seraine Custódio Viana,Hélio B Fernandes,Mariana H Chave,Daniel A Viana,Verlane G Santos,Ariadne C A Silva,Miriam T.P. Lopes,Rita de Cássia M Oliveira 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.3

Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire (Leguminosae–Caesalpinioideae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for treatment of gastric ulcer. This study evaluated the ulcer-healing activity of the hydroalcoholic fraction of C. macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire leaves (Cm-FHA) and the tea of the leaves of C. macrophyllum (Cm-tea), as well as the possible action of Cm-FHA, through in vitro models. Leaves of C. macrophyllum were dried and powdered to obtain the Cm-FHA. Subsequently, the Cm-FHA was characterized phytochemically and biologically. Besides, Cm-tea was prepared. The gastric healing effects of Cm-tea and Cm-FHA were analyzed using the model of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats. The human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cell line was employed as an in vitro model. Cm-tea promoted a protective effect against gastric ulcers induced by absolute ethanol. Cm-FHA or Cm-tea (100 mg/kg/7 days) exhibited a significant healing effect on ulcers induced by acetic acid. In the histological analysis, gastric mucosa treated with Cm-FHA or Cm-tea advanced restoration of the mucosal epithelium. In vitro, lower concentrations of Cm-FHA stimulated cell proliferation in the BrdU assay and cell migration. Cm-tea and Cm-FHA present a significant gastric healing effect in in vivo and in vitro models.

Influence of category−heifers, primiparous and multiparous lactating cows−in a large-scale resynchronization fixed-time artificial insemination program

Márcio de Oliveira Marques,Fábio Morotti,Camila Bizarro da Silva,Mario Ribeiro Júnior,Rubens César Pinto da Silva,Pietro Sampaio Baruselli,Marcelo Marcondes Seneda 대한수의학회 2015 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.16 No.3

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of category (heifers, primiparous or multiparous cows) on pregnancy rates in a large scaleresynchronization ovulation program. Nelore heifers (n = 903), primiparous lactating cows (n = 338) and multiparous lactating cows (n =1,223) were synchronized using a conventional protocol of estradiol/P4-based fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). Thirty days afterultrasonography, females who failed the first FTAI were resynchronized with the same hormonal protocol prior to a second FTAI. Thepregnancy status of each cohort was evaluated by ultrasonography 30 days after each FTAI. The average conception rate after the first FTAIand resynchronization was 80.5%. Heifers had a higher conception rate (85%) than primiparous (76%) or multiparous cows (78%; p = 0.0001). The conception rate after the first FTAI was similar among heifers (57%), primiparous cows (51%) and multiparous cows (56%; p = 0.193). After the second FTAI, heifers exhibited a higher conception rate (66%) than primiparous or multiparous cows (51%; p = 0.0001). These resultsdemonstrate the feasibility of resynchronization in large beef herds for providing consistent pregnancy rates in a short period of time. We alsodemonstrated that ovulation resynchronization 30 days after FTAI is particularly effective for heifers, providing a conception rate of up to66%.

Therapeutic Feasibility of the Natural Products in the Heart Complaints: An Overview

Priscila de Souza,Luísa Nathália Bolda Mariano,Rita de Cássia M. V. A. F. da Silva,Francielli Gasparotto,Emerson Luiz Botelho Lourenço,Guilherme Donadel,Thaise Boeing,Arquimedes Gasparotto Junior 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.12

Heart pain is the most frequent complaint leading patients to seek medical help. Functional heart symptoms, especially chest pain, are prevalent and, according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), are described as “somatoform autonomous functional disorders of the cardiovascular system.” The problem lies in the fact that pain does not always have a somatic background, that is, it may be related to crucial underlying heart disease. The population does not know how to differentiate somatic pain from significant ischemic symptoms, and based on the patient's complaints, traditional medicine ends up treating other underlying cardiac diseases. Many unsuccessful unconventional therapies have been proposed in recent years, including herbal medicines that seek to disrupt the disease's pathogenesis. The present review summarizes research carried out in the last 5 years on natural products' heart complaints, including myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia, and heart failure. Several herbal medicines may be used as a replacement or complementary treatment strategy. A total of 17 medicinal plants have shown promising results in preclinical studies. However, human clinical trials are scarce; only two have been presented. Generally, the data are bland, and many issues have been raised about herbal therapies' safety, efficacy, and mode of action. Besides, relevant clinical trials, future perspectives, and possible clinical applications are discussed.

Proliferative Effect of Food Plant Species from Brazil's Cerrado on Cultured Fibroblasts

Fernanda L B Mügge,Sarah M.S. Prates,Aretha P.S. Andrade,Jean C. Melo,Aristóbolo M Silva,Raquel L. Bello de Araujo,Renata A. Labanca,Maria G. L. Brandão 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.12

Brazilian Cerrado is the second largest biome in South America and contains many unstudied valuable plant species rich in bioactive substances. In this study we investigated the phenolic content and proliferative effects on cultured fibroblasts of 32 extracts of different polarities prepared from 11 plants found in Cerrado regions. Eight extracts from six species increased cell proliferation and significantly induced ATP production by the cells. Four of these extracts were obtained from plants used as food, specifically from its fruits or seeds. A high phenolic content for these eight extracts, which directly correlated with the induction of cell proliferation, was corroborated by mass spectrometry analysis. We suggest that the bioactive substance content of these species shows an interesting potential use in cosmetic and food industry, which can contribute to the conservation and sustainable development of this region.

Modeling lactose hydrolysis for efficiency and selectivity: Toward the preservation of sialyloligosaccharides in bovine colostrum whey permeate

de Moura Bell, J.M.L.N.,Aquino, L.F.M.C.,Liu, Y.,Cohen, J.L.,Lee, H.,de Melo Silva, V.L.,Rodrigues, M.I.,Barile, D. American Dairy Science Association 2016 Journal of dairy science Vol.99 No.8

<P>Enzymatic hydrolysis of lactose has been shown to improve the efficiency and selectivity of membrane-based separations toward the recovery of bioactive oligosaccharides. Achieving maximum lactose hydrolysis requires intrinsic process optimization for each specific substrate, but the effects of those processing conditions on the target oligosaccharides are not well understood. Response surface methodology was used to investigate the effects of pH (3.25-8.25), temperature (35-55 degrees C), reaction time (6 to 58 min), and amount of enzyme (0.05-0.25%) on the efficiency of lactose hydrolysis by beta-galactosidase and on the preservation of biologically important sialyloligosaccharides (3'-siallylactose, 6-siallylactose, and 6'-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine) naturally present in bovine colostrum whey permeate. A central composite rotatable design was used. In general, beta-galactosidase activity was favored at pH values ranging from 3.25 to 5.75, with other operational parameters having a less pronounced effect. A pH of 4.5 allowed for the use of a shorter reaction time (19 min), lower temperature (40 degrees C), and reduced amount of enzyme (0.1%), but complete hydrolysis at a higher pH (5.75) required greater values for these operational parameters. The total amount of sialyloligosaccharides was not significantly altered by the reaction parameters evaluated, suggesting specificity of beta-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae toward lactose as well as the stability of the oligosaccharides at pH, temperature, and reaction time evaluated.</P>