A structural investigation of the sulphated polysaccharides of Aeodes orbitosa and Phyllymenia cornea

A highly sulphated, methylated polysaccharide, aeodan, isolated from the red seaweed Aeodes orbitosa was shown to contain galactose, 2-̲̲O-methyl-D-galactose, 4-O̲-methyl-Lgalactose, 6-O̲-methyl-D-galactose, xylose, and glycerol. The polysaccharide was desulphated with methanolic hydrogen chloride. Periodate oxidation of aeodan and desulphated aeodan, followed by reduction and hydrolysis, revealed the presence of 1,4- and 1,3-linked galactose residues and 1,3-linked 6-O̲-methy l-D-galactose residues in aeodan. Treatment of aeodan with sodium hydroxide revealed that the majority of the ester sulphate groups were alkali stable. Methylation of desulphated aeodan revealed that the polysaccharide was composed entirely of 1,3 and 1,4 links. Methylation of aeodan revealed the presence of 1,3- and 1,4- linked units, 1,3-linked galactose-2-sulphate, and 1,3-linked galactose-2, 6-disulphate units in the polysaccharide. Partial hydrolysis of aeodan resulted in the isolation and characterisation of 3-O̲-D-galactopyranosyl-D-galactose and 4-O̲-ß-D-galactopyranosyl- D-galactose. A sulphated, methylated polysaccharide, phyllymenan, isolated from the red seaweed Phyllymenia cornea was shown to contain galactose, 2-O̲-methyl-D-galactose, 4-O̲-methyl L- galactose , 6-O̲-methyl -D-galactose, and xylose. The polysaccharide was completely desulphated with methanolic hydrogen chloride. Periodate oxidation of phyllymenan before and after desulphation revealed that removal of the sulphate ester groups had not produced any new adjacent hydroxyl groups. Alkali treatment of phyllymenan revealed that the ester sulphate groups were alkali stable. Methylation studies on phyllymenan revealed the presence of 1,3- and 1,4-linked units, 1,3-linked galactose-2-sulphate, and 1,3-linked galactose- 2,6-disulphate units in the polysaccharide. Partial hydrolysis of phyllymenan revealed the presence or 4-O-̲ß- D-Dgalactopyranosyl- D-galactosc, 4-O-̲ß-D-galactopyranosyl -2-0- methyl-D-galactose, a galactosylgalactose composed of D and L-galactose, and adjacent 6-O̲-methyl- and 2-O̲-methyl-D- galactose units in the polysaccharide

Atletismo: velocidade máxima de deslocamento na corrida de 100 metros rasos: um estudo de caso

Estudo de caso de característica longitudinal, experimental, definido à partir de 2 diferentes macrociclos de treinamento. Foram realizados estímulos em alta intensidade (2 segundos - tempos coletados através de foto célula desenvolvida no Laboratório do Centro de Estudos Biomédicos (CEB) do Departamento de Engenharia Biomédia da Unicamp), correspondentes a corridas de 20metros lançadas, com aceleração prévia de 30metros. As pausas entre os estímulos foram de 5 minutos e entre as séries, 8 minutos. CASUÍSTICA: Atleta JSM 18 anos, vice-campeã brasileira sub-23 dos 100metros rasos e, campeã brasileira sub-23 do revezamento 4 x 100metros rasos (2006), integrante da seleção paulista de atletismo. Observou-se que a atleta somente obteve a manifestação de máxima velocidade de deslocamento no 13° estímulo (2,260 segundos), contrariando as orientações que preconizam a suspensão do treinamento ao se obter o índice de fadiga entre 3 a 5% da melhor marca pessoal (2,35 segundos). Somente a continuidade do treinamento possibilitou realizar o recorde pessoal na distância, indicando na direção de um possível ajuste nos mecanismos de controle neuromuscular, possivelmente relacionados com a fina coordenação, eliminação de movimentos frenadores, capazes de superar possíveis influências negativas da fadiga

Hojas de Mauritia flexuosa L. f. (Arecaceae) es eficaz in vitro e in vivo en el control de Haemonchus contortus

Neste estudo avaliou-se o potencial das folhas de Mauritia flexuosa na inibição da eclosão e do desenvolvimento larval e redução da contagem de ovos deste nematódeo em fezes de ovinos. As folhas dessa palmeira foram coletadas e desidratadas para a produção dos extratos aquosos e etanólicos com e sem taninos. A análise por cromatografia gasosa indicou a presença de 15 e 10 compostos principais nos extratos aquoso e etanólico, respectivamente, e ambos mostraram picos de catequina. O total de taninos condensados para folhas de Mauritia flexuosa foi de 33,23% ± 2. Os extratos aquoso e etanólico mostraram 100% de atividade anti-helmíntica para inibir a eclodibilidade a 75 mg / ml. As concentrações inibitórias CL90 para os extratos aquosos e etanólicos foram, respectivamente, 21,8 e 8,5 mg / ml. O pó de folhas desidratadas de M. flexuosaa ≥ 152,08 mg / g de coprocultura apresentou eficácias superiores a 80% para inibição do desenvolvimento larval. A administração in vivodo extrato aquoso a 62,1 mg / kg de PC promoveu eficácia anti-helmíntica de 54,57% e, após 14 dias, não foram observados sinais clínicos de toxicidade e alterações clínicas nos cordeiros tratados, indicando potencial deste extrato para o controle alternativo de hemoncose.In this study we evaluated the potential of Mauritia flexuosa leaves in the egg hatching and larval development inhibition and for reduction of egg count of this nematode in sheep feces. The leaves of this palm were collected and dehydrated for the production of aqueous and ethanolic extracts with and without tannins. Gas chromatography analysis indicated the presence of fifteen and ten major compounds in the aqueous and ethanolic extracts, respectively, and both showed catechin peaks. The total of condensed tannins for leaves of Mauritia flexuosa was 33.23% ± 2. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed 100% anthelmintic activity to inhibit hatchability at 75 mg/ml. The inhibitory concentrations LC90 for aqueous and ethanolic extracts were, respectively, 21.8 and 8.5 mg/ml. The dehydrated leaves powder of M. flexuosa at ≥ 152.08 mg / g of coproculture presented efficiencies greater than 80% for inhibition of larval development. The in vivo administration of aqueous extract at 62.1 mg/kg PC promoted anti-helminthic efficacy of 54.57% and, after 14 days, no clinical signs of toxicity and clinical changes were observed in the treated lambs, indicating potential of this extract for the control alternative of haemonchosis.CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoFAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas GeraisCAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorOutra Agênci

The Potential Biotechnological Applications of the Exopolysaccharide Produced by the Halophilic Bacterium Halomonas almeriensis

We have studied the extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) produced by the type strain, M8T, of the halophilic bacterium Halomonas almeriensis, to ascertain whether it might have any biotechnological applications. All the cultural parameters tested influenced both bacterial growth and polysaccharide production. EPS production was mainly growth-associated and under optimum environmental and nutritional conditions M8T excreted about 1.7 g of EPS per litre of culture medium (about 0.4 g of EPS per gram of dry cell weight). Analysis by anion-exchange chromatography and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography indicated that the exopolysaccharide was composed of two fractions, one of 6.3 × 106 and another of 1.5 × 104 Daltons. The monosaccharide composition of the high-molecular-weight fraction was mannose (72% w/w), glucose (27.5% w/w) and rhamnose (0.5% w/w). The low-molecular-weight fraction contained mannose (70% w/w) and glucose (30% w/w). The EPS has a substantial protein fraction (1.1% w/w) and was capable of emulsifying several hydrophobic substrates, a capacity presumably related to its protein content. The EPS produced solutions of low viscosity with pseudoplastic behaviour. It also had a high capacity for binding some cations. It contained considerable quantities of sulphates (1.4% w/w), an unusual feature in bacterial polysaccharides. All these characteristics render it potentially useful as a biological agent, bio-detoxifier and emulsifier.This research was supported by grants from the Dirección General de Investigación Científica y Técnica BOS 2003-00498; CGL2005-05947; CGL2008-02399; BIO2011-2013 and by grants from the Plan Andaluz de Investigación PO6-CVI-01850

Anthelmintic activity of Annona crassiflora leaves against Haemonchus contortus: part 1: in vitro inhibition of the hatchability and larval development

We evaluated the activity of Annona crassiflora leaves against Haemonchus contortus resistant to albendazol.  Aqueous (AE), ethanolic (EE) and ethyl acetate (EAE) extracts were produced and the predominant presence of flavonoids was observed in HPLC-DAD chromatograms. Initially we evaluated the larval development inhibition (LDI) of dry A. crassiflora leaf powder or its AE directly in fecal quantitative cultures. The efficacies of the extracts, with or without tannins, on egg hatching inhibition (EHI) were investigated reveling that the EE was the most effective (LC90 = 8.96 mg/mL). However, after tannin removal, AE showed the highest activity (LC90 = 4.27 mg/mL). In the LDI test, the LC90 of AE was < 6.25 mg/g of fecal culture and to leaf powder of leaves was 69.14 mg/g.  High efficacies of AE and EE for EHI were detected and the tannins were not the main active metabolites. The anthelmintic potential of this plant could be attributed to association between flavonoids and other metabolites

Anthelmintic activity of Annona crassiflora leaves against Haemonchus contortus: part 2: efficacy in vivo and blood parameters

In this study we evaluated the oral toxicity of leaf extracts of Annona crassiflora of for mice and the blood and parasitological parameters of lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus and treated with leaves of this plant. The highest dose of AE (aqueous extract) administered to mice (203.0 mg/kg bw) was well tolerated, suggesting low toxicity. At necropsy, macroscopic examination revealed no abnormalities of the evaluated viscera.  Lambs infected with the nematode were divided one group treated with leaf powder and a control group that did not treat. Split-plot design analysis was performed where the treatments were defined as plots and three periods of collection were defined as subplots. Similar performances to weight gain were observed among the lamb groups. The oral administration of leaf powder at 2.75g /Kg bw did not alter the physiological blood parameters in comparison to untreated lambs; however, this dose was not efficient to fecal egg reduction.    We consider that other formulations and administration protocols should be evaluated to promote an effective alternative control using the leaves of this plant

Atividade antihelmíntica de folhas de Annona crassiflora contra Haemonchus contortus: parte: eficácia in vivo e parâmetros sanguíneos

Neste estudo avaliou-se a toxicidade oral de extratos de folhas de Annona crassifloraem camundongos e os parâmetros parasitológicos e sanguíneos de cordeiros experimentalmente infectados com Haemonchus contortuse tratados com folhas dessa planta. A dose mais elevadado extrato aquoso (EA), administrada aos camundongos (203,0 mg / kg de peso corporal (pc)) foi bem tolerada, sugerindo baixa toxicidade. Na necropsia, o exame macroscópico não revelou anormalidades nas vísceras avaliadas. Cordeiros infectados com o nematódeo foram divididos em um grupo tratado com pó das folhas e um grupo controle não tratado. A análise do delineamento foi em parcelas subdivididas, os tratamentos foram definidos como parcelas e três períodos de coleta como subparcelas. O ganho de peso médio similar entre os grupos de borregos avaliados durante o período avaliado. A administração oral do pó das a 2,75g / kg pc não alterou os parâmetros fisiológicos do sangue em comparação aos cordeiros não tratados; no entanto, essa dose não foi eficiente para a redução fecal de ovos. Outras formulações e protocolos de administração devem ser avaliados para promover um controle alternativo e eficaz usando as folhas dessa planta.In this study we evaluated the oral toxicity of leaf extracts of Annona crassiflora of for mice and the blood and parasitological parameters of lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus and treated with leaves of this plant. The highest dose of AE (aqueous extract) administered to mice (203.0 mg/kg bw) was well tolerated, suggesting low toxicity. At necropsy, macroscopic examination revealed no abnormalities of the evaluated viscera. Lambs infected with the nematode were divided one group treated with leaf powder and a control group that did not treat. Split-plot design analysis was performed where the treatments were defined as plots and three periods of collection were defined as subplots. Similar performances to weight gain were observed among the lamb groups. The oral administration of leaf powder at 2.75g /Kg bw did not alter the physiological blood parameters in comparison to untreated lambs; however, this dose was not efficient to fecal egg reduction. We consider that other formulations and administration protocols should be evaluated to promote an effective alternative control using the leaves of this plant.CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoFAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas GeraisCAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorOutra Agênci

Atividade antihelmíntica de folhas de Annona crassiflora contra Haemonchus contortus: parte 1: inibição in vitro da eclodibilidade e do desenvolvimento larval

Avaliou-se a atividade de folhas de Annona crassifloracontra Haemonchus contortusresistentes ao albendazol. Extratos aquosos (EA), etanólicos (EE) e acetato de etila (EAE) foram produzidos e a presença predominante de flavonoides foi observada em cromatogramas HPLC-DAD. Inicialmente avaliou-se a inibição do desenvolvimento larval (IDL) do pó seco de folhas de A. crassiflorae seu EA diretamente em coproculturas quantitativas. As eficácias dos extratos, com ou sem taninos, na inibição da eclosão dos ovos (IEO) foram investigadas revelando que o EE foi o mais efetivo (CL90= 8,96 mg/mL). No entanto, após a remoção do tanino, o EA apresentou a maior atividade (CL90= 4,27 mg/mL). No teste IDL, a CL90de EA foi <6,25 mg/g na coprocultura e o pó desidratado das folhas foi de 69,14 mg/g. A alta eficácia do EA eEE para IEO foram detectados e os taninos não foram os principais metabólitos ativos. O potencial anti-helmíntico dessa planta poderia ser atribuído à associação entre flavonoides e outros metabólitos.We evaluated the activity of Annona crassiflora leaves against Haemonchus contortus resistant to albendazol. Aqueous (AE), ethanolic (EE) and ethyl acetate (EAE) extracts were produced and the predominant presence of flavonoids was observed in HPLC-DAD chromatograms. Initially we evaluated the larval development inhibition (LDI) of dry A. crassiflora leaf powder or its AE directly in fecal quantitative cultures. The efficacies of the extracts, with or without tannins, on egg hatching inhibition (EHI) were investigated reveling that the EE was the most effective (LC90 = 8.96 mg/mL). However, after tannin removal, AE showed the highest activity (LC90 = 4.27 mg/mL). In the LDI test, the LC90 of AE was < 6.25 mg/g of fecal culture and to leaf powder of leaves was 69.14 mg/g. High efficacies of AE and EE for EHI were detected and the tannins were not the main active metabolites. The anthelmintic potential of this plant could be attributed to association between flavonoids and other metabolites.CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoFAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas GeraisCAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorOutra Agênci

The Structural Diversity of Carbohydrate Antigens of Selected Gram-Negative Marine Bacteria

Marine microorganisms have evolved for millions of years to survive in the environments characterized by one or more extreme physical or chemical parameters, e.g., high pressure, low temperature or high salinity. Marine bacteria have the ability to produce a range of biologically active molecules, such as antibiotics, toxins and antitoxins, antitumor and antimicrobial agents, and as a result, they have been a topic of research interest for many years. Among these biologically active molecules, the carbohydrate antigens, lipopolysaccharides (LPSs, O-antigens) found in cell walls of Gram-negative marine bacteria, show great potential as candidates in the development of drugs to prevent septic shock due to their low virulence. The structural diversity of LPSs is thought to be a reflection of the ability for these bacteria to adapt to an array of habitats, protecting the cell from being compromised by exposure to harsh environmental stress factors. Over the last few years, the variety of structures of core oligosaccharides and O-specific polysaccharides from LPSs of marine microrganisms has been discovered. In this review, we discuss the most recently encountered structures that have been identified from bacteria belonging to the genera Aeromonas, Alteromonas, Idiomarina, Microbulbifer, Pseudoalteromonas, Plesiomonas and Shewanella of the Gammaproteobacteria phylum; Sulfitobacter and Loktanella of the Alphaproteobactera phylum and to the genera Arenibacter, Cellulophaga, Chryseobacterium, Flavobacterium, Flexibacter of the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides phylum. Particular attention is paid to the particular chemical features of the LPSs, such as the monosaccharide type, non-sugar substituents and phosphate groups, together with some of the typifying traits of LPSs obtained from marine bacteria. A possible correlation is then made between such features and the environmental adaptations undertaken by marine bacteria