Antiproliferative Activity of Extracts of Campomanesia adamantium (Cambess.) O. Berg and Isolated Compound Dimethylchalcone Against B16-F10 Murine Melanoma

Magalli C.B. Lima e Silva,Danielle Bogo,Caroline A.F. Alexandrino,Renata T. Perdomo,Patrıcia de O. Figueiredo,Pamela R. do Prado,Fernanda R. Garcez,Monica C.T. Kadri,Thalita V.N. Ximenes,Rita de Cassi 한국식품영양과학회 2018 Journal of medicinal food Vol.21 No.10

Campomanesia adamantium, a native species of the Brazilian Cerrado, is characterized as a natural source of phenolic compounds and has known potential anticancer activities. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical profile of dichloromethane extracts of pulp (DEGPU) and peel (DEGPE) from the fruits of C. adamantium and to identify compounds with antiproliferative effects in vitro against melanoma cells by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, apoptosis induction assay, caspase-3 activation assay, nitric oxide (NO) release in coculture of B16-F10 cells and murine peritoneal macrophages. The chemical profiles of DEGPU and DEGPE were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detector and mass spectrometer using the electrospray ionization interface (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS). Thirteen compounds were identified in both extracts and the chromatographic study of the most active extract in SRB assay DEGPU (GI50 of 16.17 μg/mL) resulted in the isolation of seven compounds. The isolated compound dimethylchalcone (DMC) had the highest antiproliferative activity against B16-F10 with a GI50 of 7.11 μg/mL. DEGPU extract activated caspase-3 in 29% of cells at 25 μg/mL and caused a 50% decrease in NO release in coculture. DEGPU can be characterized as a source of bioactive compounds such as DMC, as seen from its antiproliferative effect in vitro by inducing B16-F10 cells to undergo apoptosis, essential feature in the search for new anticancer drugs.

A reduced order model for fission gas diffusion in columnar grains

Pizzocri D.,Di Gennaro M.,Barani T.,Silva F.A.B.,Zullo G.,Lorenzi S.,Cammi A. 한국원자력학회 2023 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.55 No.11

In fast reactors, restructuring of the fuel micro-structure driven by high temperature and high temperature gradient can cause the formation of columnar grains. The non-spheroidal shape and the non-uniform temperature field in such columnar grains implies that standard models for fission gas diffusion can not be applied. To tackle this issue, we present a reduced order model for the fission gas diffusion process which is applicable in different geometries and with non-uniform temperature fields, maintaining a computational requirement in line with its application in fuel performance codes. This innovative application of reduced order models as meso-scale tools within fuel performance codes represents a first-of-a-kind achievement that can be extended beyond fission gas behaviour.

Effects of Castor Meal on the Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Beef Cattle

Diniz, L.L.,Filho, S.C. Valadares,Campos, J.M.S.,Valadares, R.F.D.,Da Silva, L.D.,Monnerat, J.P.I.S.,Benedeti, P.B.,De Oliveira, A.S.,Pina, D.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.10

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing soybean meal with treated castor meal with (CMT) or without lime (CMNT) on the nutrient intake, performance, carcass characteristics, and yield of commercial cuts of beef cattle from a feedlot. Thirty male, castrated, crossbreed zebu cattle were used in the study, with an average initial weight of $360{\pm}30.27\;kg$. Five animals were used as a control group and were slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment; the remaining animals (n = 25) were distributed in random blocks (repetitions), with body weight as the criterion for block assignment. The animals were fed a diet containing 65% corn silage and 35% of concentrate on dry matter (DM) basis. Five diets consisted of four levels of soybean meal (SM) substituted with CMT (0, 33, 67 and 100%) on a DM basis and a diet with 100% of SM replaced with CMNT. At the end of the experiment, all animals were slaughtered, and their gastrointestinal tracts were emptied to determine their empty body weights (EBW). No significant effects were observed (p>0.05) for the substitution of soybean meal with CMT on intake of dietary nutrients, the average daily body weight gain (ADG) or EBW gain (EBWG). In spite of greater (p<0.05) ricin intake for the diet containing CMNT (3.06 mg/kg BW) compared to the CMT diet (0.10 mg/kg BW/d), there were no effects (p>0.05) on intake of dietary nutrients, ADG or EBWG. The average intake of DM and the ADG were 10,664.63 and 1,353.04 g/d, respectively. Regarding carcass characteristics, only carcass yield in relation to body weight was linearly reduced (p<0.05) upon substitution of SM by CMT. There was no effect (p>0.05) of the substitution of SM by CMT or CMNT on the yield of carcass basic cuts. CMT prices that are higher than 85% of the SM price do not economically justify the use of CMT. For CMT prices between 20 and 80% of the SM price, the optimal level was 67% substitution, while for prices below 15% of the SM price, the optimal level was 100% substitution with CMT. It can be concluded that treated castor meal with 6% lime can totally replace soybean meal in beef cattle diets.

Increased Cytokine and Nitric Oxide Levels in Serum of Dogs Experimentally Infected with Rangelia vitalii

Francine C. Paim,Aleksandro S. Da Silva,Carlos Breno V. Paim,Raqueli T. Franca,Marcio M. Costa,Marta M. M. F. Duarte,Manuela B. Sangoi,Rafael N. Moresco,Silvia G. Monteiro,Sonia Terezinha A. Lopes 대한기생충학열대의학회 2013 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.51 No.1

This study aimed to measure the levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and nitrite/nitrate (NOx) in serum of dogs experimentally infected with Rangelia vitalii. Twelve female mongrel dogs were divided into 2 groups; group A (uninfected controls) composed by healthy dogs (n=5) and group B consisting of dogs inoculated with R. vitalii (n=7). Animals were monitored by blood smear examinations, which showed intraerythrocytic forms of the parasite on day 5 post-infection (PI). Blood samples were collected through the jugular vein on days 0, 10, and 20 PI to determine the serum levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and NOx. Cytokines were assessed by ELISA quantitative sandwich technique, and NOx was measured by the modified Griess method. Cytokine levels (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6) were increased (P<0.01) in serum of infected animals. Serum levels of NOx were also increased on days 10 PI (P<0.01) and 20 PI (P<0.05) in infected animals. Therefore, the infection with R. vitalii causes an increase in proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide content. These alterations may be associated with host immune protection against the parasite.

Ingestive Behavior of Heifers Supplemented with Glycerin in Substitution of Corn on Brachiaria brizantha Pasture

Facuri, L.M.A.M.,Silva, Roberio Rodrigues,da Silva, F.F.,de Carvalho, G.G.P.,Sampaio, C.B.,Mendes, F.B.L.,Lisboa, M.M.,Barroso, D.S.,Carvalho, V.M.,Pereira, M.M.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2014 Animal Bioscience Vol.27 No.11

The objective was to evaluate the ingestive behavior of crossbred heifers finished on a Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pasture receiving four levels of glycerin in their supplementation. Thirty-six crossbred heifers with average initial weight of $264.83{\pm}3.83kg$ and 20 months of age were distributed into a completely randomized design with four treatments and nine replications: control (0%), 4.82%, 10.12%, and 15.56% glycerin in the dry matter. The grazing time reduced linearly (p<0.05), whereas the time spent on activities like rumination, idleness, trough and total chewing time were quadratically affected (p<0.05). Bite rate and number of bites/day were quadratically influenced (p<0.05). The number of bites/swallowed cud and the number of bites/minute, however, increased linearly (p<0.05). Although the time spent on each cud and number of chews per cud were not affected (p>0.05).The number of rumination periods reduced linearly (p<0.05), whereas the number of grazing, idle and trough periods, and the times per grazing, idle, rumination and trough periods were quadratically affected (p<0.05). The feed and rumination efficiencies of the dry matter, non-fibrous carbohydrates, pasture dry matter and concentrate were quadratically affected (p>0.05) whereas the feed efficiency of neutral detergent fiber reduced linearly (p<0.05). Addition of glycerin in substitution of corn in supplements for animals managed on pastures does not influenced feed intake, but reduces the grazing time and increases the idle time. The supplementation also improves feed and rumination efficiencies.

The Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO): overview of pilot measurements on ecosystem ecology, meteorology, trace gases, and aerosols

Andreae, M. O.,Acevedo, O. C.,Araù,jo, A.,Artaxo, P.,Barbosa, C. G. G.,Barbosa, H. M. J.,Brito, J.,Carbone, S.,Chi, X.,Cintra, B. B. L.,da Silva, N. F.,Dias, N. L.,Dias-Jú,nior, C. Q.,Dita Copernicus GmbH 2015 Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Vol.15 No.18

<P>Abstract. The Amazon Basin plays key roles in the carbon and water cycles, climate change, atmospheric chemistry, and biodiversity. It has already been changed significantly by human activities, and more pervasive change is expected to occur in the coming decades. It is therefore essential to establish long-term measurement sites that provide a baseline record of present-day climatic, biogeochemical, and atmospheric conditions and that will be operated over coming decades to monitor change in the Amazon region, as human perturbations increase in the future. The Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) has been set up in a pristine rain forest region in the central Amazon Basin, about 150 km northeast of the city of Manaus. Two 80 m towers have been operated at the site since 2012, and a 325 m tower is nearing completion in mid-2015. An ecological survey including a biodiversity assessment has been conducted in the forest region surrounding the site. Measurements of micrometeorological and atmospheric chemical variables were initiated in 2012, and their range has continued to broaden over the last few years. The meteorological and micrometeorological measurements include temperature and wind profiles, precipitation, water and energy fluxes, turbulence components, soil temperature profiles and soil heat fluxes, radiation fluxes, and visibility. A tree has been instrumented to measure stem profiles of temperature, light intensity, and water content in cryptogamic covers. The trace gas measurements comprise continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, and ozone at five to eight different heights, complemented by a variety of additional species measured during intensive campaigns (e.g., VOC, NO, NO2, and OH reactivity). Aerosol optical, microphysical, and chemical measurements are being made above the canopy as well as in the canopy space. They include aerosol light scattering and absorption, fluorescence, number and volume size distributions, chemical composition, cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations, and hygroscopicity. In this paper, we discuss the scientific context of the ATTO observatory and present an overview of results from ecological, meteorological, and chemical pilot studies at the ATTO site. </P>

FE simulation of S-N curves for a riveted connection using two-stage fatigue models

Correia, Jose A.F.O.,de Jesus, Abilio M.P.,Silva, Antonio L.L.,Pedrosa, Bruno,Rebelo, Carlos,Calcada, Rui A.B. Techno-Press 2017 Advances in computational design Vol.2 No.4

Inspections of ancient metallic bridges have illustrated fatigue cracking in riveted connections. This paper presents a comparison between two alternative finite element (FE) models proposed to predict the fatigue strength of a single shear and single rivet connection. The first model is based on solid finite elements as well as on contact elements, to simulate contact between the components of the connection. The second model is built using shell finite elements in order to model the plates of the riveted connection. Fatigue life predictions are carried out for the shear splice, integrating both crack initiation and crack propagation lives, resulting from the two alternative FE models. Global fatigue results, taking into account several clamping stresses on rivet, are compared with available experimental results. Proposed comparisons between predictions and experimental data illustrated that the proposed two-stage model yields consistent results.

Chemical Profile and Antinociceptive Efficacy of Rheedia longifolia Leaf Extract

José A.A. Santos,Andrea Calheiros,Diogo D. Nascimento,Ana Luiza R. Bérenger,Fábio C. Amendoeira,Hugo C. Castro-Faria-Neto,Maria Raquel Figueiredo,Luiz A. Alves,Valber da Silva Frutuoso 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.9

Different species of the family Clusiaceae, including Rheedia longifolia, are used in folk medicine to treat inflammatory diseases. This family is largely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of Brazil, but their chemical and pharmacological properties have been the subject of a few studies. In previous studies, we found that the aqueous extract from R. longifolia leaves presented important anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. We investigated the chemical profile of R. longifolia and characterized the pharmacological effect of different chemically identified fractions in pharmacological models of neurogenic and inflammatory nociception. The pharmacological tests showed that oral treatment with aqueous crude extract and fractions of methanol extract of R. longifolia leaf induced a significant antinociceptive effect using von Frey filaments. In addition, the most polar fractions presented antinociceptive activity in a neurogenic model of nociception (capsaicin model). The chromatographic analysis indicated the presence of bisflavonoids in the fractions obtained from the methanol extract. These results suggest that bisflavonoids found in methanol-extracted fractions are involved in the inhibition of inflammatory and neurogenic nociception. It is important that the R. longifolia aqueous extract treatment inhibited ulcer formation induced by indomethacin, suggesting an anti-ulcerogenic activity closely associated with its analgesic effect.

Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells Reduce Airway Inflammation in a Model of Dust Mite Triggered Allergic Inflammation

Luciana S. Aragão-França,Viviane C. J. Rocha,Andre Cronemberger-Andrade,F. H. B. Costa,José Fernandes Vasconcelos,Daniel Abensur Athanazio,Daniela Nascimento Silva,E. S. Santos,Cássio Santana Meira,C. 대한천식알레르기학회 2018 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.10 No.4

Purpose: The use of tolerogenic dendritic cells (TolDCs) to control exacerbated immune responses may be a prophylactic and therapeutic option for application in autoimmune and allergic conditions. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of TolDC administration in a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation caused by mite extract. Methods: Mouse bone marrow-derived TolDCs were induced by incubation with granulocyte- macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and dexamethasone, and then characterized by flow cytometry and cytokine production by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For the in vivo model of Blomia tropicalis-induced allergy, mice transplanted with antigen-pulsed TolDCs were sensitized intraperitoneally with B. tropicalis mite extract (BtE) adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide. After challenge by nasal administration of BtE, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lungs, spleen and serum were collected for analysis. Results: Induction of TolDCs was efficiently achieved as shown by low expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II, programmed death-ligand (PD-L) 2 and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and up-regulation of interleukin (IL)-10, upon LPS stimulation in vitro. Transplantation of 1 or 2 doses of BtE-pulsed TolDCs reduced the number of inflammatory cells in BALF and lungs as well as mucus deposition. Moreover, compared to saline-injected controls, TolDC-treated mice showed lower serum levels of anti-BtE immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies as well as reduced Gata3 and IL-4 gene expression in the lungs and decreased IFN-γ levels in the supernatant of splenocyte cultures Transplantation of TolDCs increased the percentage of the regulatory T cells in the spleen and the lungs. Conclusions: Preventive treatment with TolDCs protects against dust mite-induced allergy in a mouse model, reinforcing the use of tolerogenic dendritic cells for the management of allergic conditions.

Influence of Hole Distance on Low Velocity Impact Damage

P.N.B. Reis,R.A.M. Santos,F.G.A. Silva,M.F.S.F. de Moura 한국섬유공학회 2018 Fibers and polymers Vol.19 No.12

This work addresses the influence of the distance between a hole and the point of impact on low velocity impact damage on cross-ply carbon-epoxy laminates. Experimental tests were performed on plates without and with holes located at different distances relatively to impact point. Internal damage was assessed by means of the C-Scan technique in order to identify the influence of holes on induced internal damage. A three-dimensional numerical analysis including cohesive zone modelling was performed to evaluate the damage mechanism and to verify how it is affected by the holes distance. It was verified that a hole at a given distance from the impact point induces asymmetric damage, whose profile and size depend on the referred distance. On the other hand, symmetrical damage outline was obtained for a plate without hole and a plate with a centred hole. The model captures accurately the essence of the damage phenomenon and provided a thorough insight about the interaction of the hole presence on damage pattern.