Failure or loss of human tissues and organs due to illness or injury requires the partial or even total transplantation. Although transplantation is a successful intervention, donor availability and immune rejections represent still the main drawbacks. In addition, the fast and proper recovery of the patient is nowadays more than necessary to prevent infection, chronic inflammation, and other complications during the tissue/organ healing process. There is still a tremendous interest of alternatives to transplantation, such as scaffold-based tissue engineering, that may contribute to practical outcomes for the worldwide health concern related to severe tissue injuries. Herein, we explore the features, benefits and scaffold designs applied for biotechnological sciences, particularly for tissue engineering. The great potential to transform biocompatible polymers in three-dimensional matrix, assimilating the extracellular matrix (ECM), makes them attractive for cells adhesion and proliferation. On the basic of relevant results recently reported in the literature, along with the pioneering works, we discuss specific issues and challenges such as matrix-cell interactions, strategies to design scaffolds with homogeneous nano/microscales using different techniques, e.g., hydrogels, electrospinning, and rotary jet spinning, as well as the combination of some of these techniques.

Abstract The aim of this work was to determine the total phenolic content and evaluate the antioxidant, antibacterial, photoprotective and cytotoxic properties of corn silk ethanol extract prepared from corn silk that was air-dried at room temperature. Corn silk ethanol extract has a high content of phenolic compounds. The concentrations of ethanol extract required to produce 50% of maximal effect (EC50) in DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays were 489.0 and 166.1 µg/mL respectively, indicating low activity when compared to the positive control. The ethanolic extract of corn silk showed antibacterial activity, mainly on Gram-positive bacteria. The in vitro sun protection factor (SPF) of the ethanolic extract of corn silk incorporated into sunscreen UVA-UVB 5% gel with Pemulen TR-1® was evaluated for the first time. A relative increase in SPF efficacy was observed for the extract when the sunscreen was incorporated. The ethanolic extract of corn silk and the gel were considered non-cytotoxic. The corn silk ethanolic extract was characterized using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS). Eleven compounds including flavonoids, coumaric acid derivatives, terpenoid, hydroxycinnamic acid derivative and quinic acid derivative were suggested based on their accurate mass and MS/MS spectra.

The high prevalence of diabetes and obesity encourages research for the development of α-glucosidase inhibitors from natural sources. This study evaluated the activity of fractions obtained from Protium spruceanum branches. Anti-α-glucosidase activity was investigated in vitro using 4-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside as the substrate, while free-radical scavenging activity was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azinobis-3-ethylbenzotiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays. Furthermore, a model of oxidative stress promoted by H2O2 in fibroblasts was employed, and cell viability was determined by sulforhodamine B. Fractions inhibited α-glucosidase activity effectively, highlighting the hydromethanolic fraction (HMF). Quercitrin, isolated from the HMF, was identified by spectroscopy and quantified by a validated high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method and exhibited free radical scavenging activity comparable to the HMF. However, this flavonoid showed low anti-α-glucosidase effect, suggesting a synergism effect among several components of the HMF. This proposal is also supported by the docking results obtained by PyRx software. The compounds present in the HMF showed a noncompetitive inhibition at the in silico simulation. Finally, the HMF also protected fibroblasts against cell death induced by oxidative stress. This is the first evidence of the capacity of P. spruceanum branches to inhibit α-glucosidase activity and to counteract oxidative stress. These results encourage the use of this Brazilian plant against hyperglycemia-correlated diseases.

Chromone derivatives exhibiting high absorbance values in the UVA/UVB region were synthesized, and their photoprotective properties were evaluated. Chromones were prepared according to known literature procedures and characterized by high resolution mass spectrometry, infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The in vitro solar protection factor (SPF) was determined by the Mansur method and cytotoxicity was evaluated using the sulforhodamine B assay. Two of the chromones synthesized demonstrated suitable SPF values and displayed no cytotoxic effect towards MRC-5 human fibroblasts at the tested concentrations, indicating great potential for future in vivo assays and clinical trials. Finally, the lead compound was incorporated into a nanoemulsion. Nanoemulsions showed high droplet size homogeneity and excellent stability. Chromones bearing methoxy substituents were found to be the most promising compounds with ideal photoprotective properties desirable for utilization and incorporation in sunscreen formulations.

Selecting a polymer depends on its characteristics, the properties of the drug and of the remaining ingredients in the formulation. The drug, when incorporated into a polymeric matrix, can show several advantages when compared with its conventional form. In this context, this work describes the preparation and characterization of polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) and its derivative particles loaded with benznidazole, as well as evaluates their trypanocidal activity. In this work, reactions to modify the PEG 4000 polymer and the subsequent incorporation of the benznidazole were made. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis confirmed the efficiency in modifying the PEG chains. The morphology of polymeric films was observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and showed considerable changes on the film organization. The acetylation of PEG favored the stability of the system and an increase in the zeta potential from ?14.83 to ?25.54 mV was observed. Although encapsulation efficiency values between 30.14 and 39.48% were found, the enhanced benznidazole dissolution profile by microparticles enables the use of lower drug concentrations. This fact can be proven by the increased trypanocidal effect of benznidazole when encapsulated in BP3 microparticles. Finally, the high selectivity of the formulations for trypanocidal action guarantees their safety as an alternative for the treatment of the Chagas disease.

RESUMO Para o sucesso em programas de seleção recorrente recíproca (SRR) é essencial manter a variabilidade genética ao longo dos ciclos de seleção e obter estimativas precisas dos parâmetros genéticos, que por sua vez estão diretamente relacionados ao número de progênies e repetições avaliadas. Este estudo avalia o potencial de progênies de milho do sexto ciclo de SRR e propõe, por meio de métodos de simulação, a combinação ideal entre o número de progênies e repetições para emprego na SRR de irmãos germanos. 163 progênies de irmãos germanos foram avaliadas em um delineamento de blocos casualizados, com seis repetições. Baseado nos dados de produtividade, a análise de variância foi realizada e diferentes cenários foram simulados usando o método de cadeia de Monte Carlo. Esses cenários variaram em número de repetições (duas, quatro e seis) e progênies (30 a 163). O contraste entre progênies e testemunhas foi significativo, revelando o potencial das progênies do sexto ciclo da SRR. A alta acurácia seletiva (0.77) refletida em altas estimativas de herdabilidade, permitiu uma seleção fenotípica eficiente, obtendo ganhos com a seleção de 14.07%. A partir das estimativas de variância fenotípica, genotípica, herdabilidade, acurácia seletiva e erro padrão, constatou-se que um número de repetições acima de dois resulta em mudanças drásticas nas estimativas desses parâmetros, e a partir de 130 progênies estas estimativas tendem a se estabilizarem, de modo que um número elevado de progênies não interfere de forma decisiva na qualidade da maioria dos parâmetros, exceto para os limites de variação máxima e mínima.

ABSTRACT For a reciprocal recurrent selection (RRS) program to succeed, it is essential to maintain genetic variability throughout the selection cycles and to obtain accurate estimates of genetic parameters, which in turn are directly related to the number of progenies and repetitions evaluated. This study evaluates the potential of maize progenies of the sixth cycle of RRS and proposes, using simulation methods, the ideal combination of the number of progenies and repetitions to employ in reciprocal full-sib recurrent selection. A total of 163 full-sib progenies were evaluated in a randomized block design with six repetitions. Based on the yield data, analysis of variance was carried out, and different scenarios were simulated using the Monte Carlo chain method. These scenarios varied in the number of repetitions (two, four, and six) and progenies (30 to 163). The contrast between progenies and controls was significant, revealing the potential of the progenies of the sixth cycle of RRS. The high magnitude of the selective accuracy (0.77) was reflected in high estimates of heritability, which allowed for efficient phenotypic selection, obtaining selection gains of 14.07%. From the estimates of phenotypic and genotypic variance, heritability, accuracy, and standard error, it was found that a repetition number above two results in drastic changes in the estimates of these parameters; however, with the use of 130 progenies, these estimates tend to stabilize, implying that a high number of progenies does not interfere decisively in the quality of most parameters, except for the limits of maximum and minimum variation.

Due to the increase of bacterial resistance, the search for new antibiotics is necessary and the medicinal plants represent its most important source. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial property of extract and fractions from Protium spruceanum leaves, against pathogenic bacteria. By means of diffusion and microdilution assays, the crude extract was active against the nine bacteria tested being the hydromethanolic fraction the most active. During phytochemical procedures, procyanidin (1) and catechin (2) were identified as the main antibacterial constituents of this fraction. In silico results obtained using PASSonline tool indicated 1 and 2 as having good potential to interact with different targets of currently used antibiotics. These results no indicated potential to none DNA effect and indicated the cell wall as mainly target. Electrophoresis result supported that had no DNA damage. Cell wall damage was confirmed by propidium iodide test that showed increased membrane permeability and by cell surface deformations observed in scanning electronic microscopy. The in vitro assays together with the in silico prediction results establish the potential of P. spruceanum as source of antibacterial compounds that acts on important bacterial targets. These results contribute to the development of natural substances against pathogenic bacteria and to discovery of new antibiotics.

BACKGROUND The infection led by Trypanosoma cruzi persists in mammalian tissues causing an inflammatory imbalance. Carvedilol (Cv), a non-selective beta blocker drug indicated to treat heart failure and antihypertensive has shown to promote antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties which might improve the inflammation induced by T. cruzi. OBJECTIVES Evaluate the role of Cv on the inflammatory response of C57BL/6 mice acutely infected with the Colombian strain of T. cruzi. METHODS Animals were infected with the Colombian strain of T. cruzi and treated with Cv (25 mg/kg/day), benznidazole (Bz) (100 mg/kg/day) or their combination. On the 28th day of infection and 23 days of treatment, the euthanasia occurred, and the heart preserved for histopathological, oxidative stress (SOD, catalase, TBARs, carbonylated proteins) and plasma (CCL2, CCL5, TNF, IL-10) analyses. Parasitaemia and survival were assessed along the infection. FINDINGS Cv decreased TBARs, but increased the mortality rate, the parasitaemia and the levels of CCL2, CCL5, catalase and the inflammatory infiltrate in the cardiac tissue. Bz led the reduction of the inflammatory infiltrate and circulating levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in the infected mice. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that Cv, in this experimental model using the Colombian strain of T. cruzi, caused damage to the host.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection may be caused by different strains with distinct discrete typing units (DTUs) that can result in variable clinical forms of chronic Chagas disease. The present study evaluates the immune response and cardiac lesions in dogs experimentally infected with different T. cruzi strains with distinct DTUs, namely, the Colombian (Col) and Y strains of TcI and TcII DTU, respectively. During infection with the Col strain, increased levels of alanine aminotransferase, erythrocytes, haematocrit and haemoglobin were observed. In addition, CD8+ T-lymphocytes isolated from the peripheral blood produced higher levels of interleukin (IL)-4. The latter suggests that during the acute phase, infection with the Col strain may remain unnoticed by circulating mononuclear cells. In the chronic phase, a significant increase in the number of inflammatory cells was detected in the right atrium. Conversely, infection with the Y strain led to leucopoenia, thrombopoenia, inversion of the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T-lymphocytes and alterations in monocyte number. The Y strain stimulated the production of interferon-γ by CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes and IL-4 by CD8+ T-cells. In the chronic phase, significant heart inflammation and fibrosis were observed, demonstrating that strains of different DTUs interact differently with the host.

Chagasic megaoesophagus and megacolon are characterised by motor abnormalities related to enteric nervous system lesions and their development seems to be related to geographic distribution of distinct Trypanosoma cruzi subpopulations. Beagle dogs were infected with Y or Berenice-78 (Be-78) T. cruzi strains and necropsied during the acute or chronic phase of experimental disease for post mortem histopathological evaluation of the oesophagus and colon. Both strains infected the oesophagus and colon and caused an inflammatory response during the acute phase. In the chronic phase, inflammatory process was observed exclusively in the Be-78 infected animals, possibly due to a parasitism persistent only in this group. Myenteric denervation occurred during the acute phase of infection for both strains, but persisted chronically only in Be-78 infected animals. Glial cell involvement occurred earlier in animals infected with the Y strain, while animals infected with the Be-78 strain showed reduced glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactive area of enteric glial cells in the chronic phase. These results suggest that although both strains cause lesions in the digestive tract, the Y strain is associated with early control of the lesion, while the Be-78 strain results in progressive gut lesions in this model.

Este trabalho estuda a correlação entre medidas bibliométricas (índice h e quantidade total de citações), obtidas através de diferentes serviços de contagem de citações (Web of Science, Scholar e Scopus). Calculamos essas medidas para diversos pesquisadores do CNPq. Então, obtivemos a correlação dos resultados obtidos para cada medida, entre cada par de serviços. As correlações foram calculadas para cada uma das subáreas divididas, nas seguintes áreas: Ciências Biológicas, Ciências Exatas, Ciências Humanas, Ciências da Saúde, Ciências Sociais Aplicadas, Engenharia e Letras, Linguística e Artes . Discutimos o significado das correlações obtidas.

This work analysis the correlation between bibliometric measures (H index and total amount of citations) obtained using different citation count services (Web of Science, Scholar, Scopus ). We computed these bibliometric measures for different researchers from CNPq. So we obtained the correlation between the results obtained metrics for each pair of services. The correlations were calculated for each subarea divided on the following areas: Agriculture Sciences, Biology Sciences, Exact Sciences, Human Sciences, Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering and Arts. We discussed the meaning of the correlations that were obtained.

Este trabalho estuda as correlações entre decisões tomadas no fim de 2009, sobre renovação ou não de bolsas de produtividade em pesquisa do CNPq e medidas bibliométricas. Para cada nível da bolsa e para cada subárea, calculamos a correlação da decisão em subir o pesquisador de nível, mantê-lo no nível original ou rebaixá-lo, com várias medidas bibliométricas, como produção total (artigos, conferências, livros e capítulos de livros), produção nos últimos 5 anos, produção indexada no Web of Science, citações recebidas por artigo, citações recebidas por artigo escrito nos últimos 5 anos, índice H, etc. Os dados de citações foram extraídos tanto do Google Scholar como do Web of Science. As correlações de cada subárea são agrupadas em cada uma das 8 grandes áreas do CNPq (Ciências Agrícolas, Ciências Biológicas, Ciências Exatas, Ciências Humanas, Ciências da Saúde, Ciências Sociais, Engenharia e Artes). Indicamos quais são as métricas bibliométricas com maior correlação, com as decisões do CNPq para cada nível e para cada uma das grandes áreas. Discutimos algumas grandes áreas nas quais parece haver uma maior coerência, através dos vários níveis da bolsa entre as métricas mais correlacionadas com as decisões.

This work analyses the correlation between decisions regarding the CNPq research scholarships (taken at the end of 2009) and some bibliometric measures. For all levels, and for all scientific subareas we calculated the correlation of the decision to raise, keep or lower the researcher's evaluation level and many bibliometric measures such as: total production (journal and conference papers, book an book chapters), production in the last 5 years, total production and last 5 years production that is indexed in the Web of Science, citations per article received, citations per article published in the last 5 years, H index and so on. We used both Google Scholar and Web of Science to obtain the citation data. The correlations are aggregated for all subareas of each of the CNPq large subject areas (Agriculture Sciences, Biology Sciences, Exact Sciences, Human Sciences, Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering and Arts). We show which bibliometric measure has the higher correlation to the scholarship decisions, for each level and for each large area. We discuss some of the cases where there seems to be a coherent theme regarding the most highly correlated measure across all levels of the scholarship.

Introdução: O pseudohipoparatiroidismo engloba um grupo heterogéneo de doenças que se caracterizam por resistência dos órgãos alvo à acção da hormona paratiroideia. Caso clínico: Descreve-se o caso clínico de uma criança de nove anos, com história de convulsões generalizadas e câimbras, de aparecimento aos quatro e seis anos, respectivamente. Apresentava dismorfia facial, cataratas, atraso na erupção das peças dentárias, sinais de Chvostek e Trousseau, atraso do desenvolvimento psicomotor e baixa estatura. Na tomografia cranio-encefálica evidenciavam-se calcificações intraparenquimatosas. A presença de hipocalcemia, hiperfosfatemia e aumento da hormona paratiroideia permitiu estabelecer o diagnóstico de pseudohipoparatiroidismo. O fenótipo de osteodistrofia hereditária de Albright associado a alterações da função tiroideia é sugestivo de pseudohipoparatiroidismo do tipo Ia, por ser o mais frequente. O doente manteve irregular adesão à terapêutica, o que motivou múltiplas descompensações metabólicas. Conclusão: Salienta-se que a hipocalcemia deve ser considerada no diagnóstico diferencial das convulsões em idade pediátrica. O diagnóstico atempado e o correcto cumprimento da terapêutica, permitem prevenir as complicações da hipocalcemia.

Introduction: The pseudohypoparathyroidism includes a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by parathyroid hormone action resistance of target organs. Case report: We report the case of a nine year-old child with generalized convulsions and cramps since the age of four and six years, respectively. He presented dysmorphic features, cataracts, delayed teeth eruption, Chvostek and Trousseau signs, psychomotor delay and short stature. Brain tomographic scan revealed cerebral intraparenquimatous calcifications. The presence of hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia and increased parathyroid hormone established the diagnosis of pseudohypoparathyroidism. The phenotype of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy associated with changes in thyroid function are suggestive of pseudohypoparathyroidism Ia, the most frequent type. The patient had irregular adherence to therapy, which caused several metabolic decompensation. Conclusion: We emphasize that hypocalcemia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children seizures. Early diagnosis and proper compliance to therapy should prevent damage associated with hypocalcemia.

FUNDAMENTO: O tratamento intervencionista da insuficiência coronariana é subempregado nos pacientes em diálise, pois há poucos estudos comprovando sua eficácia. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados do tratamento intervencionista da doença arterial coronariana em pacientes tratados por diálise no HC da FMB. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 34 pacientes em diálise submetidos à angiografia coronariana entre set/95 e out/04, divididos de acordo com a presença ou ausência de lesão coronariana, tipo de tratamento e presença ou ausência de diabetes. Os grupos foram comparados de acordo com suas características clínicas e sobrevida. A sobrevida dos pacientes submetidos a tratamento intervencionista foi comparada à sobrevida geral dos 146 pacientes em diálise na instituição no mesmo período. O tratamento intervencionista foi indicado nas mesmas situações clínicas que na população geral. RESULTADOS: Os 13 pacientes que realizaram coronariografia e não exibiam lesões coronarianas apresentaram sobrevida de 100% em 48 meses, contra 35% dos 21 coronarianos no mesmo período. Os diabéticos coronarianos apresentaram sobrevida inferior aos não-diabéticos. A angioplastia exibiu pior prognóstico quando comparada à cirurgia; entretanto 80% dos submetidos a angioplastia eram diabéticos. Os 17 pacientes submetidos a procedimentos de revascularização coronariana apresentaram sobrevida semelhante aos 146 pacientes gerais do serviço. CONCLUSÃO: Esta pequena casuística mostra que a revascularização miocárdica, quando indicada, pode ser realizada em pacientes em diálise. Esta conclusão é corroborada pelo índice de mortalidade semelhante nos dois extratos de pacientes: coronarianos revascularizados e pacientes em diálise de maneira geral.

BACKGROUND: Interventional treatment of coronary insufficiency is underemployed among dialysis patients. Studies confirming its efficacy in this set of patients are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To assess the results of interventional treatment of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing dialysis. METHODS: A total of 34 dialysis patients submitted to coronary angiography between September 1995 and October 2004 were divided according to presence or absence of coronary lesion, type of treatment and presence or absence of diabetes mellitus. The groups were compared according to their clinical and survival characteristics. Survival of patients undergoing interventional treatment was compared to overall survival of 146 dialysis patients at the institution in the same period. Interventional treatment was indicated to the same clinical conditions in the general population. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with no angiography coronary lesions presented a survival rate of 100% in 48 months as compared to 35% of 21 patients with coronary artery disease. Diabetic patients had a lower survival rate compared with non-diabetics. Angioplasty had a worse prognosis compared to surgery; however, 80% of patients undergoing angioplasty were diabetic. Seventeen patients submitted to interventional procedures presented a survival rate similar to that of the others 146 hemodialysis patients without clinical evidence of coronary disease. CONCLUSION: This small series shows that myocardial revascularization, whenever indicated, can be performed in dialysis patients. This conclusion is corroborated by similar mortality rates in two groups of patients: coronary patients submitted to revascularization and overall dialysis patients.