Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-16T18:18:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Richard Pereira Dutra.pdf: 10110933 bytes, checksum: 21ac06ca1d01c91986e9b53d029d42ea (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-09-19 / FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA E AO DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTIFICO E TECNOLÓGICO DO MARANHÃO / Melipona fasciculataSmith, occurs in Brazil, especially in the state of Maranhão, where it is popularly known as tiúba . The tiúba produces honey, wax, pollen and geopropolis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the leishmanicidal activity of different samples of geopropolis Melipona fasciculata, aiming to produce a product with leishmanicidal activity. Geopropolis samples were collected in different localities of the municipality of Fernando Falcão-MA and subjected to extractive process withhydroalcoholic solution, obtaining the hydroalcoholic extracts of geopropolis (HEG1, and HEG2 HEG3). The extracts were used for in vitro evaluation of leishmanicidal action, using promastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis. The HEG1, with the highest leishmanicidal activity, was subjected to liquid-liquid partition, resulting in hexanefraction (FH), chloroform fraction (CF), ethyl acetate fraction (AF) and hydroalcoholic fraction (FHA). The fractions were assessed for leishmanicidal activity and antioxidant, and also analyzed for total polyphenol concentration and chemical composition. Extracts of geopropolis showed inhibitory concentration (IC50) between 47-229 μg/mL. The most active extract was EHG1 and its most active fraction was the FA with IC50 of 29.89 μg/mL, while the IC50 FC fractions and FHA showed IC50of 43.21 μg/mL and 49.48 μg/mL, respectively. The HEG1 and fractions leishmanicidalshowed antioxidant activity towards DPPH and high levels of total polyphenols. The hexane fraction showed no leishmanicidal action, and had the lowest antioxidant concentrations of polyphenols. The extracts showed phenolic acids, organic acids, fatty acids, anthraquinones, sugars and alcohols, the analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The most active fraction (AF) showed mainly gallic acid, while the other fractions were identified fatty acids, organic acids, anthraquinones, diterpenes, triterpenes, steroids, sugars and alcohols. In the analysis by High performance liquidchromatographycoupled tomass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) extract the most active fraction were identified phenolic acids, ellagitannins and gallotannins, confirming the data obtained by GC-MS. Based on the results obtained was a byproduct that when tested under the same conditions also showed leishmanicidal action. In conclusion, the leishmanicidal activity of geopropolis Melipona fasciculata is likely to be related to the presence of gallic acid derivaties and ellagic. / Melipona fasciculataSmith, ocorre no Brasil, especialmente no estado do Maranhão, onde é popularmente conhecida como tiúba. A tiúba produz mel, cera, geoprópolis e acumula pólen. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade leishmanicida de diferentes amostras da geoprópolis de Melipona fasciculata, visando à obtenção de um produto com atividade leishmanicida. As amostras de geoprópolis foram coletadas em diferentes localidades do município de Fernando Falcão-MA e submetidas a processo extrativo com solução hidroalcoólica, obtendo-se os extratos hidroalcoólicos da geoprópolis (EHG1, EHG2 e EHG3). Os extratos foram utilizados para avaliação in vitro da ação leishmanicida, utilizando formas promastigotas de Leishmania amazonensis. O EHG1, que apresentou maior atividade leishmanicida, foi submetido à partição líquido-líquido, resultando nas frações hexânica (FH), fração clorofórmica (FC), fração acetato de etila (FA) e fração hidroalcoólica (FHA). As frações foram avaliadas quanto à atividade leishmanicida e antioxidante, e ainda analisadas quanto à concentração de polifenóis totais e composição química. Os extratos da geoprópolis apresentaram concentração inibitória (CI50) entre 47 a 229 μg/mL. O extrato mais ativo foi EHG1 e a sua fração mais ativa foi a FA com CI50 de 29,89 μg/mL, enquanto as frações FC e FHA apresentaram CI50 de 43,21 μg/mL e 49,48 μg/mL, respectivamente. OEHG1 e as frações leishmanicidas apresentaram atividade antioxidante frente ao radical DPPH e elevados teores de polifenóis totais. A fração hexânica não apresentou ação leishmanicida, antioxidante e apresentou as menores concentrações de polifenóis. Os extratos apresentaram ácidos fenólicos, ácidos orgânicos, ácidos graxos, antraquinonas, açúcares e álcoois, nas analises por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas (CG-EM). A fração mais ativa (FA) apresentou principalmente o ácido gálico, enquanto nas demais frações foram identificados ácidos graxos, ácidos orgânicos, antraquinonas, diterpenos, triterpenos, esteróides, açúcares e álcoois. Nas análises por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência acoplada a espectrometria de massas (CLAE-EM) do extrato fração mais ativos foram identificados ácidos fenólicos, galotaninos e elagitaninos, corroborando com os dados obtidos por CG-EM. Com base nos resultados foi obtido um bioproduto que quando testado nas mesmas condições também apresentou ação leishmanicida. Concluímos que a atividade leishmanicida e antioxidante da geoprópolis de Melipona fasciculataestãopossivelmente relacionadas à presença de derivados dos ácidos gálico e elágico.

Submitted by Edisangela Bastos (edisangela@ufpa.br) on 2015-09-21T17:02:36Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 22974 bytes, checksum: 99c771d9f0b9c46790009b9874d49253 (MD5) Dissertacao_RelacaoLongevidadeForrageio.pdf: 1020113 bytes, checksum: 40fc927460f79910a24792afb5279594 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Rosa Silva (arosa@ufpa.br) on 2015-09-22T14:33:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 22974 bytes, checksum: 99c771d9f0b9c46790009b9874d49253 (MD5) Dissertacao_RelacaoLongevidadeForrageio.pdf: 1020113 bytes, checksum: 40fc927460f79910a24792afb5279594 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-09-22T14:33:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 22974 bytes, checksum: 99c771d9f0b9c46790009b9874d49253 (MD5) Dissertacao_RelacaoLongevidadeForrageio.pdf: 1020113 bytes, checksum: 40fc927460f79910a24792afb5279594 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / A longevidade em insetos sociais pode ser condicionada por inúmeros fatores, como por exemplo, as condições ambientais que podem alterar o comportamento de forrageio das abelhas para suprir as necessidades do ninho. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar os fatores que afetam a longevidade das abelhas sem ferrão em ambientes amazônicos. Dessa forma, em três colônias da abelha sem ferrão Melipona fasciculata, foram marcadas individualmente 91 abelhas na estação chuvosa e 109 abelhas na estação seca onde foram registrados diariamente o número de abelhas sobreviventes, a idade de início de forrageio e o tempo gasto em atividades de forrageio, em cada época. Durante a estação chuvosa a longevidade máxima foi de 80 dias enquanto que na estação seca a máxima longevidade foi de 56 dias. A longevidade de operárias foi diferente entre as estações do ano (teste de log-rank p=0,0000), assim como a idade de início de forrageio (U=552; p=0,0000). A longevidade apresentou correlação com a idade de início de forrageio na estação chuvosa (Spearman R=0,23) e seca (Spearman R=0,17), onde observamos que abelhas que forrageavam em idade mais jovem viviam menos do que abelhas que começavam a forragear em idades mais avançadas. Abelhas que forrageavam mais jovens e, no entanto, apresentavam longevidade maior do que outras abelhas, alternavam dias de forrageio e dias dentro do ninho, o que as permitiu aumentar sua longevidade em relação a aquelas que forrageavam vários dias consecutivos. Durante a estação chuvosa apenas um parâmentro da modelagem Weibull foi similar ao observado nas colônias de M. fasciculata, enquanto que durante a estação seca, o padrão de sobrevivência estimado foi totalmente diferente do padrão real. A função de risco apresentou comparativamente diferenças entre as estações, onde as operárias no período seco apresentaram uma probabilidade de morte até duas vezes maior do que no período de chuvas, o que provavelmente torna muito difícil estimar com precisão o padrão de sobrevivência destes insetos. Dessa forma, concluímos que M. fasciculata assim como outras espécies, apresenta longevidade diferenciada entre dois períodos do ano e que a idade de início de forrageio, em parte, pode nos ajudar a compreender o padrão de mortalidade desta espécie de abelha.

Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are steroids produced by the zona fasciculata (ZF) and reticularis (ZR), respectively, of the adrenal cortex. Both steroids are upregulated in response to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Cortisol is a glucorticoid that is important in the regulation of inflammation and metabolism. DHEA is an adrenal androgen important in fetal growth and puberty but tends to decrease gradually after puberty in both men and women. DHEA has various effects on metabolism and immune function including inhibiting the effects of cortisol on some tissues. During the acute phase of stress, cortisol and DHEA rise due to an increase in ACTH released from the anterior pituitary. In contrast, during chronic stress, cortisol remains elevated but DHEA and ACTH levels decrease. Likewise, stress causes serum levels of IL-6 to increase. IL-6 increases cortisol release from the human and bovine adrenal cortex. IL-6 also decreases DHEA release from zona reticularis of the bovine adrenal gland. In humans the effect of IL-6 on DHEA production is still uncertain. To determine a possible mechanism of IL-6 on the zona fasciculata and reticularis, human H294R cells and bovine adrenal tissue were incubated in serum free medium containing IL-6, at various concentrations and incubation intervals. At the end of the incubation interval, mRNA or protein was extracted from the cells or tissue. Standard PCR, real time PCR, and western blot assays were used to determine the effects of IL-6 on the enzymes involved in cortisol and DHEA synthesis, steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and dosage sensitive sex reversal adrenal hypoplasia congenita critical region on the X chromosome, gene 1 (DAX-1). In human H295R cells and bovine zona fasciculata cells IL-6 caused an increase in SF-1, StAR, P450scc, 17α hydroxylase, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (3β HSD2), 21 hydroxylase, and 11β hydroxylase mRNA and protein. IL-6 caused DAX-1 mRNA and protein to decrease. These effects were manifest in a time dependent manner. Dose response treatments incubated for 60 min increased SF-1, StAR, P450scc, 17α hydroxylase, 3β HSD2, 21 hydroxylase, and 11β hydroxylase but there was not significant change between the different treatments of IL-6. The bovine zona reticularis stimulated with IL-6 showed a decrease in SF-1, StAR, P450scc, 17α hydroxylase, and 3β HSD2 with an increase in DAX-1 mRNA and protein. This response was manifest in a time dependent manner for both mRNA and protein, and the effect was dose-dependent for mRNA but not protein levels within the 60 min time period. These data provide a mechanism by which increased stress, physical or emotional, which increases IL-6 serum level, could increase cortisol and decrease DHEA. This would account for decreased immune function, increased blood pressure, and changes in metabolism.

Submitted by Edisangela Bastos (edisangela@ufpa.br) on 2014-06-09T18:23:37Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) Dissertacao_EfeitosAlimentacaoArtificial.pdf: 3288798 bytes, checksum: 602144bae75aa973a8df5ce289d6ffe8 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Rosa Silva (arosa@ufpa.br) on 2014-07-02T13:59:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) Dissertacao_EfeitosAlimentacaoArtificial.pdf: 3288798 bytes, checksum: 602144bae75aa973a8df5ce289d6ffe8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-02T13:59:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) Dissertacao_EfeitosAlimentacaoArtificial.pdf: 3288798 bytes, checksum: 602144bae75aa973a8df5ce289d6ffe8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / FAPESPA - Fundação Amazônia de Amparo a Estudos e Pesquisas / O trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver uma alimentação artificial protéica a base de extrato de soja (saburá artificial), e avaliar o seu efeito sobre a razão sexual, longevidade de operárias e desenvolvimento de colônias recém-divididas de Melipona fasciculata além de verificar a adaptação da espécie dentro de casas de vegetação. O saburá artificial aqui desenvolvido é constituído de 50g de extrato de soja, 20g de saburá fresco e 60ml de xarope de açúcar invertido (60%). Foi utilizado anilina para colorir o saburá artificial na tentativa de rastrear e verificar o consumo pelas operárias dentro das colônias. Foram utilizadas cinco colônias, das quais três receberam somente saburá e duas o saburá artificial. Não houve diferença significativa entre a produção de rainhas e operárias nos dois tratamentos e nos dois casos não houve produção de machos. As operárias que nasceram de caixas alimentadas com saburá artificial apresentaram maior longevidade e menor peso ao nascer. Estas caixas ainda iniciaram o processo de construção de células e postura mais cedo que as caixas alimentadas com saburá, contudo, suas rainhas apresentaram menor taxa de oviposição diária. O alimento a base de extrato de soja (saburá artificial) não afetou negativamente colônias recém divididas de M. fasciculata. Nos primeiros dias, as abelhas passaram a maior parte do seu tempo no topo da casa-de-vegetação tentando fugir, somente após o terceiro dia houve redução na mortalidade das operárias. Não houve diferença significativa, ao longo de cinco dias, entre a mortalidade de operárias em caixas transferidas, durante a noite e durante o dia, para dentro da casa-de-vegetação. A anilina se mostrou uma excelente ferramenta para controlar os alimentos manuseados e consumidos pela colônia. / The study aimed to develop an artificial food of the protein of soybean extract (artificial fermented pollen), and assess its effect on sex ratio, longevity of workers and development of newly divided colonies of Melipona fasciculata, and verify the adjustment the species in greenhouses. The fermented artificial pollen developed here consists of 50g of soybean extract, 20g of fermented pollen and 60mL inverted sugar syrup (60%). Aniline was used to color the fermented pollen artificial in an attempt to trace and verify the use by workers within the colonies. Five colonies were used, three of which received only the fermented pollen and two received artificial fermented pollen. There was no significant difference between the production of queens and workers in both treatments and in both cases there was no production of males. The workers who were born from boxes fed with artificial fermented pollen had greater longevity and lower birth weight. These boxes also have begun to build cells and earlier oviposition that the boxes fed with fermented pollen, however, their queens had lower daily rate of oviposition. The food based on soybean extract not adversely affect newly divided colonies of M. fasciculata. In the early days, the bees spend most of their time at the top of the greenhouse trying to escape, only after the third day there was a reduction in mortality of workers. There was no significant difference, over five days, between the mortality of workers moved in boxes during the night and during the day, inside the greenhouse. The aniline was an excellent tool to track the food handled and consumed by the colony.

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid produced by the zona fasciculata (ZF) of the adrenal cortex. Traditionally, cortisol production and release was seen as being regulated strictly by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). While this is true of baseline cortisol levels and in response to acute mental stress, the picture is somewhat more complicated in other situations.Interleukin-6 (IL-6) contributes to the maintenance of cortisol levels in situations of prolonged immune or inflammatory stress. AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) was investigated as a possible mediator of the action of IL-6 or as an independent actor in raising cortisol levels in response to hypoxemic or hypoglycemic stress.5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-b-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR) was used to activate AMPK. Bovine ZF tissue fragments were exposed to AICAR alone and together with a known AMPK inhibitor, compound C. Protein or mRNA was then extracted from these tissue fragments. As an indicator of overall steroidogenic activity, these extracts were tested using RT-PCR and western blot assays for relative protein and mRNA levels of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein, steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), and dosage sensitive sex reversal adrenal hypoplasia congenita gene on the X chromosome, gene 1 (DAX-1). Also a reporter gene assay was performed on H295R cells with a transfected StAR promoter.In bovine ZF tissue fragments, AICAR caused a significant increase of StAR protein and mRNA and SF-1 protein with a decrease of DAX-1 protein in a dose and time dependant manner. DAX-1 mRNA was shown to decrease in response to AICAR administration in a dose dependant manner. AICAR induced increases in StAR protein and SF-1 protein, and the attendant decrease in DAX-1 protein were all shown to be reduced by administration of compound C. This demonstrated that in this situation AICAR is acting through AMPK. When IL-6 was given with compound C the levels of StAR, SF-1, and DAX-1 were significantly reduced from samples treated with IL-6 alone. AICAR exposure also increased StAR promoter activity in a dose and time dependant manner. This AMPK induced increase in steroidogenic activity provides a possible mechanism for increased cortisol during hypoxia and hypoglycemia, and a possible mediator for IL-6 in the ZF.

The adrenal cortex is a crucial endocrine gland in the mammalian stress response. In chronic inflammatory stress, cortisol is elevated whereas adrenal androgens are decreased. Furthermore, ACTH levels have poor correlation with the plasma cortisol in these conditions, thus suggesting that other factors are driving the stress response during chronic inflammatory stress. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine which is released during chronic inflammatory stress, is assumed to be one such factor. Thus the biochemical pathways by which IL-6 increases cortisol release from the zona fasciculata (ZF), and decreases adrenal androgen release from the zona reticularis (ZR) were investigated. Since IL-6 activates AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) in skeletal muscle, AMPK was investigated for IL-6- induced effects in ZF and ZR tissue. The effects of AMPK activation and IL-6 exposure on the expression of the steroidogenic proteins, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), and on the steroidogenic nuclear factors steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) and adrenal hypoplasia congenita, critical region on the X chromosome, gene-1 (DAX-1) were investigated. AMPK activation and IL-6 exposure increased the expression of StAR, P450scc, and SF-1, and decreased DAX-1 in the ZF. Meanwhile, AMPK activation and IL-6 exposure decreased the expression of StAR, P450scc, and SF-1, and increased DAX-1 in the ZR. AMPK inhibition blocked the effects of AMPK activation and IL-6 on the ZF and ZR. Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) was the second biochemical intermediate studied since in other tissues AMPK activation increases the expression and phosphorylation of AP-1 subunits. IL-6 stimulation and AMPK activation increased the expression of the AP-1 subunits cFOS, cJUN, JUN B, and JUN D, while increasing the phosphorylation of cJUN in both the ZF and the ZR. These effects were blocked by AMPK inhibition. Inhibition of AP-1 leads to decreased StAR, P450scc, and SF-1, and increased DAX-1 in the ZF. Meanwhile, AP-1 inhibition leads to increased StAR, P450scc, SF-1, and decreased DAX-1 in the ZR. Therefore the AP-1 complex functions as a biochemical intermediate in the IL-6 and AMPK regulation of steroidogenic enzymes in the ZF and ZR. Overall, the results suggest that IL-6 activates AMPK, which increases the expression and phosphorylation of AP-1 subunits in the ZF and the ZR. However, increased AP-1 activation leads to increased StAR and P450scc in the ZF, but decreased StAR and P450scc in the ZR.

Pine rocklands are endangered ecosystems unique to south Florida, the Bahamas and Cuba. As a result of their karstic calcium carbonate­rich soil, these systems are limited in phosphorus and nitrogen, making symbiotic associations critical to plant growth. Four leguminous species (Cajanus cajan, Chamaecrista fasciculata, Tephrosia angustissima, and Abrus precatorious) were used to determine the relationship between rhizobial partners and plant performance, and the symbiosis related gene nifH was amplified to characterize the diversity of rhizobial symbionts. Plants were grown in soils from four different south Florida pine rocklands, and a salinity treatment was added to determine how storm surge and sea level rise could affect this symbiotic relationship. While plant performance and nodulation were highly impacted by soil type, salinity did not represent a significant effect. Phylogenetic analysis determined that all four plant species were found to associate with Bradyrhizobium spp. and no rhizobial shift between salinity treatment and soil type was found.