Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

About: Universidade Federal de Santa Maria is a education organization based out in Santa Maria, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 21178 authors who have published 35632 publications receiving 371665 citations.

Atividade antimicrobiana "in vitro" de extrato alcóolico de própolis

Abstract: Propolis is a natural resin collected and modified by honeybees Since ancient times it has been used as a chemotherapeutic agent The propolis antibacterial activity was evaluated through bacterial inoculation on BHI agar plates with 5% of alcoholic propolis extract (10(6) bacteria mL-1) One hundred and sixty one bacterial strains were evaluated, as Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus sp, Streptococcus sp, Nocardia asteroides and Rhodococcus equi) as Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) The strain was considered sensible to the propolis extract when no bacterial growth was evident on the plate after 72 hours at 37oC The control test used agar plates with 5% of ethanol (M2) and 5% of saline solution Propolis extract demonstrated antibacterial activity on 677% of the tested strains; 926% of Gram-positive and 425% of Gram-negative strains presented sensitivity The propolis extract showed effective antibacterial activity against the majority of tested strains

Associations among Metabolic Syndrome, Ischemia, Inflammatory, Oxidatives, and Lipids Biomarkers

Abstract: Context: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is described as a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors. Studies suggest that ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is a biomarker of cardiovascular diseases. IMA levels could be associated with cardiometabolic risks and represent a possible indication of microvascular dysfunction in MS patients. Objective: To confirm this possible association, we evaluated the association between IMA levels and MS. Design: We performed a case-control study (32 healthy individuals and 74 subjects with MS) to evaluate the association between MS, IMA, and other biomarkers [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL), oxidized low-density lipoprotein autoantibodies (anti-OxLDL), IL-6, lipid profile, and glucose]. Results: The MS group showed higher levels of IMA (0.618 ± 0.1355) as well as higher levels of hs-CRP, OxLDL, anti-OxLDL, and IL-6 than did control subjects (IMA = 0.338 ± 0.0486) (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that IMA and MS association was independent of sex, age, diabetes mellitus 2, and hypercholesterolemia. Conclusion: We found an association between IMA and MS. Additional studies including prospective genetic variation approaches need to be performed to help elucidate this association between IMA and MS and its potential clinical role.

Influence of verapamil on the pharmacokinetics of the antiparasitic drugs ivermectin and moxidectin in sheep

Abstract: P-Glycoprotein (P-GP) is a transport protein that participates in the mechanism of active secretion of different molecules from the bloodstream to the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the current work was to evaluate the effect of verapamil, a P-GP substrate, on the pharmacokinetic behaviour of the anthelmintics ivermectin and moxidectin in sheep. Thirty-two sheep were divided into four groups and treated orally with either ivermectin or moxidectin alone (200 lg/kg) or co-administered with verapamil at 3 mg/kg (three times at 12 h intervals). Blood samples were collected over 30 days post-treatment and plasma was analysed to determine ivermectin and moxidectin concentrations by HPLC. The ivermectin peak concentration was signifi- cantly higher (P=0.048) after ivermectin plus verapa- mil, compared with the ivermectin alone treatment. Ivermectin plasma availability was significantly higher following co-administration (P=0.022). Verapamil had no effect on the kinetics of moxidectin. The significant alteration in the plasma disposition of ivermectin in sheep induced by verapamil, possibly due to interfer- ence with a P-GP-mediated elimination mechanism, may have an important impact on efficacy against resistant- or rate-limiting-parasites and on the persis- tency of its antiparasitic activity.

Weedy (Red) Rice: An Emerging Constraint to Global Rice Production

Abstract: Ongoing increases in the human population necessitate that rice will continue to be a critical aspect of food security for the twenty-first century. While production must increase in the coming decades to meet demand, such increases will be accompanied by diminished natural resources and rising production costs that will alter how rice is grown and managed. Such resource constraints are the impetus for the ongoing transition from traditional flooding and transplanting to direct-seeded rice (DSR). However, such a transition can result in an increase in pest pressures, especially weeds. Rice production can be particularly vulnerable to weed competition, with significant yield losses (i.e., >50%) occurring. Among pernicious weeds, weedy (red) rice (Oryza sativa L.) is increasingly recognized as a major constraint in achieving maximum yield in DSR. Weedy rice is congeneric to crop rice with phenotypic similarity; hence, its ability to negatively influence qualitative and quantitative aspects of production is substantial. As rice will continue to serve as a cornerstone for future food security and sustainability, a comprehensive assessment of weedy rice impacts associated with increasing adoption of DSR is both timely and critical. In this chapter, we examine the biological basis for the competitive ability of weedy rice, including its evolution, ecophysiology, and genetics; quantify spatial–temporal shifts in its distribution and spread; and emphasize and outline a number of regional and global management strategies for its detection and control. Lastly, a number of critical research areas are suggested that deserve additional scrutiny with respect to weedy rice management.