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This study evaluated the biological activity of an ether extract and barbatic acid (BAR) from Cladia aggregata on embryos and adult mollusks of Biomphalaria glabrata, cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni and the microcrustacean Artemia salina. The ether extract and BAR were obtained by successive extractions with diethyl ether. The obtained extracts were analyzed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that the ether extract exerted embryotoxic effects at 50 and 100 µg/mL and molluscicidal effects at 20 and 25 µg/mL. BAR exhibited no embryotoxicity, and its molluscicidal concentration was equal to that of the ether extract. However, after 60 min of exposure, 1 µg/mL BAR presented cercaricidal activity against the parasite S. mansoni at the second larval stage. Neither substance induced toxicity against A. salina. These results indicate the potential molluscicidal activities of the ether extract and BAR against B. glabrata and S. mansoni cercariae. In addition to these effects, there was a lack of toxicity against the aquatic environment and no damage to the biota, indicating the potential of these products for large-scale control and/or eradication of schistosomiasis.

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Quantum dots have generated great interest because of their optical properties, both to life sciences and electronics applications. However, possible risks to the environment associated with these nanoparticles are still under investigation. The present study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of suspensions of cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots to Biomphalaria glabrata mollusks, a very sensitive aquatic environmental bioindicator for physical and chemical agents. Toxicity was examined by using embryos and adult mollusks as well as hemocytes. The distribution of cadmium in the organs of adults was also assessed. Effects of the stabilizing agent of the quantum dots were also evaluated. Animals were exposed to suspensions of quantum dots for 24 h, at concentrations varying from 1.2 to 20 nM for embryos and from 50 to 400 nM for adult mollusks. Results showed that suspensions of quantum dots induced malformations and mortality in embryos and mortality in adults, depending on the concentration applied. In the cytotoxicity study, hemocyte apoptosis was observed in adults exposed to the highest concentration of quantum dots applied as well as to the stabilizing agent. Cell binucleation and micronucleus frequencies were not significative. Bioaccumulation evaluation revealed that quantum dots targeted the digestive gland (hepatopancreas). Taken together, outcomes suggested that specific nano‐effects related directly not only to composition but also to the aggregation of quantum dots may be mediating the observed toxicity. Thus B. glabrata was determined to be a very sensitive species for interpreting possible nano‐effects in aquatic environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2128–2136. © 2019 SETAC.

Several substances of synthetic and natural origin have been studied to determine their ability to protect the body from damage caused by ionizing radiation. Among these substances, quercetin has been shown to be a naturally occurring molecule with high radioprotective and radiomitigator potential due to its antioxidant properties. The objective of this work was to ascertain the potential radiomitigator effect of quercetin on chromosome aberration yield in lymphocytes of in vitro-irradiated human peripheral blood. At first, the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl) radical capture test was performed to determine the antioxidant activity of quercetin and to select the concentrations to be tested. The blood was irradiated at doses of 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 Gy and lymphocytes were cultured with quercetin at preselected concentrations of 37.5 and 75 μM. Then, the slides were prepared for scoring unstable chromosome aberrations (dicentrics, rings, and fragments). The results showed that the lymphocytes irradiated and later exposed to quercetin presented a lower frequency of chromosomal alterations compared to the control sample which was irradiated and not exposed to quercetin. The results suggest a potential radiomitigator effect of the flavonoid quercetin on human lymphocytes exposed, in vitro, to ionizing radiation. This effect may be related to decrease in the release of cytokines (INF-γ, PGE2, IL-1β, IL6, IL-8) involved in the proinflammatory processes as well as downregulation of NF-kB and reduction of expression TGF-β.

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Objetivo: Construir conhecimento sobre Trichomonas vaginalis/tricomoníase junto à universitários do sexo masculino das áreas de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Tecnologia e Geociências e Informática da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Metodologia: Extensão universitária realizada através da Educação em Saúde nos semestres 2017-2019. Foi montado stand com painéis sobre T. vaginalis/tricomoníase e com auxílio de bancadas expostos folders, cartilhas, preservativos, lubrificantes íntimo e material de laboratório para diagnóstico da tricomoníase. Sessenta extensionistas, estudantes de graduação das Ciências Biológicas, Saúde e Médica, atuaram na transmissão e construção do conhecimento. Resultado: As ações educativas alcançaram 3.162 estudantes com idade média entre 19,65-23,05 anos de idade. O diálogo foi consolidado, mas no início alguns demonstraram timidez e no geral, declararam não conhecer às formas de transmissão e tratamento, importância epidemiológica do sexo masculino na manutenção da tricomoníase, além dos agravos à saúde masculina. Nas ações cerca de 3.500 folders sobre T. vaginalis/tricomoníase e 15.000 folhetos/cartilhas sobre HIV/AIDS, sífilis e hepatites virais, além de 25.000 preservativos peniano, 2.000 preservativos vaginal e 40.000 sachês de lubrificante íntimo, foram distribuídos. Conclusão: As ações contribuíram no processo educativo participativo, onde os universitários do sexo masculino atuaram como sujeitos reflexivos e ativos na construção do conhecimento sobre o T. vaginalis/tricomoníase e na conquista da autonomia na adoção de prevenção, levando à sustentabilidade da vida sexual saudável e segura. A Universidade é locu estratégico para promover ações inovadoras e transformadoras em Educação em Saúde que favoreçam a formação dos seus estudantes, bem como seu vínculo com a sociedade.