Pseudomonas aeruginosa é um patógeno multirresistente capaz de produzir um biofilme protetor contra antibacterianos (ATB). O presente estudo avaliou estratégias terapêuticas contra biofilmes de cepas multirresistentes de P. aeruginosa representativas de clones e/ou genótipos de resistência endêmicos no Brasil. Os biofilmes foram formados in vitro utilizando um modelo adaptado do MBEC Assay e as estratégias terapêuticas utilizaram bacteriófagos líticos, combinação de ATB e/ou uso de força iônica alta (meio FIA). A aplicação de bacteriófagos líticos (φSPM-1) e a combinação de Aztreonam (ATM) e Piperacilina/Tazobactam (PPT), não foram capazes de eliminar o biofilme. Biofilme formado em meio FIA possui CIM similar ao modelo planctônico, tanto para ATM (4 mg/mL) quanto para PPT (16 mg/mL). Ambos os ATB apresentaram CIM reduzida (inferior a 2 mg/mL) quando aplicados em conjunto com meio FIA. Dependendo da concentração de NaCl, a aplicação de meio FIA possui efeito bactericida sobre bactérias planctônicas e efeito bacteriostático sobre biofilmes já formados. / Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogen capable of producing a protective biofilm against antibiotics (ATB). The present study evaluated therapeutic strategies against biofilms of multidrug-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa representative of clones and/or exhibiting resistance genotypes endemic in Brazil. Biofilms were formed in vitro using an adapted model of MBEC Assay and the therapeutic strategies used lytic bacteriophages, combination of ATB and/or use of high ionic strength (HIS medium). The application of lytic bacteriophages (φSPM-1) and the combination of Aztreonam (ATM) and Piperacillin / Tazobactam (PPT) were unable to remove the biofilm. The application of HIS during biofilm formation restored the bacteriostatic effect of both ATM (4 mg/mL) and PPT (16 mg/ml). Both ATB showed reduced MIC values (less than 2 mg/mL) when applied in conjunction with HIS medium. It was shown that HIS has a bacteriostatic or bactericidal effect on planktonic growth, which depend on the NaCl concentration, and bacteriostatic activity against mature biofilm.

Submitted by Haroudo Xavier Filho (haroudo.xavierfo@ufpe.br) on 2016-04-14T18:46:13Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação Tacilene Luzia Silva.pdf: 1235794 bytes, checksum: f6e18d8a1d865ebf8536ae8b8a1666f3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-14T18:46:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação Tacilene Luzia Silva.pdf: 1235794 bytes, checksum: f6e18d8a1d865ebf8536ae8b8a1666f3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-13 / CNPq / Pseudomonas aeruginosa é uma bactéria Gram negativa, oportunista e ubíqua, frequentemente associada a infecções graves em pacientes imunocomprometidos. Em razão do aumento de resistência dessa bactéria aos múltiplos antimicrobianos, surgem à preocupação e a procura por novas alternativas terapêuticas, com as substâncias bioativas de origem natural representando uma importante fonte para obtenção desses medicamentos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a atividade sinérgica do timol e agentes antimicrobianos frente a cepas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa multirresistentes e avaliar os efeitos dessa interação sobre a biossíntese de biofilme e de piocianina. Para isso, numa primeira etapa foi determinada a concentração inibitória e bactericida mínima do timol e de antimicrobianos (Polimixina B, ceftazidima, piperacilina/tazobactam, cefepima, ciprofloxacino e meropenem) frente a dez cepas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa. O estudo da interação entre o timol e os agentes antimicrobianos foi realizado pelo método do tabuleiro de xadrez. Os critérios utilizados para avaliar a atividade sinérgica foram definidos pelo Índice da Concentração Inibitória Fracionada (FIC índex). A partir dos melhores valores do FIC índex das associações timol/antimicrobiano foram avaliadas a atividade sobre a produção de biofilme e piocianina. Três cepas (LFBM 01, LFBM 02, LFBM 16) apresentaram um perfil de resistência ao meropenem e cefepima e um efeito sinérgico foi observado entre o timol e meropenem ou cefepima sobre essas cepas. A associação timol/cefepima inibiu a biossíntese do biofilme em até 99,76%, e a associação timol/meropenem mostrou ser mais eficaz na inibição da piocianina cujos valores foram de até 84,33%. O timol associado ao meropenem ou cefepima, age sinergicamente, inibindo cepas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa multirresistentes e interferindo na biossíntese de biofilme e piocianina. / Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram negative bacteria, opportunistic and ubiquitous, often associated with severe infections in immunocompromised patients. Due to the increased resistance of the bacteria to multiple antibiotics, there are the concerns and the search for new therapeutic alternatives, with the bioactive substances of natural origin represents an important source for obtaining these drugs. The aim of this study was to determine the synergistic activity of thymol and antimicrobials agents multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains and evaluate the effects of this interaction on the biofilm biosynthesis and pyocyanin. For this, a first step was determined and the minimum inhibitory concentration of thymol and bactericidal antibiotics (polymyxin B, ceftazidime, piperacillin / tazobactam, cefepime, ciprofloxacin and meropenem) compared to ten strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The study of the interaction between the thymol and antimicrobial agents was carried out by the checkerboard method. The criteria used to evaluate the synergistic activity were defined by the Index of Fractional Inhibitory Concentration (FIC index). From the best FIC index values of associations thymol / antimicrobial activity were evaluated on the production of biofilm and pyocyanin. Three strains (LFBM 01, LFBM 02, LFBM 16) showed an meropenem resistance profile and cefepime and a synergistic effect was observed between the thymol and meropenem or cefepime on these strains. The thymol / cefepime combination inhibited biofilm biosynthesis up to 99.76%, and thymol association / meropenem was more effective in inhibiting pyocyanin with values of up to 84.33%. The thymol associated with meropenem or cefepime, acts synergistically by inhibiting multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains and interfering in the biosynthesis of biofilm and pyocyanin.

Phospholipids can regenerate oxidized tocopherols and help delay lipid oxidation. The impact of emulsifier type, tocopherol homologue and phospholipid head group on tocopherol-phospholipid interaction was investigated in this study. Three µmol tocopherol/kg emulsion and 15.0µmol/kg emulsion of PE or PS were dissolved in oil and emulsions were prepared. Tween 20 or bovine serum albumin(BSA) was used as emulsifier and the continuous phase contained 10mM imidazole/acetate buffer at pH 7. Lipid hydroperoxides and hexanal were measured as lipid oxidation products and the lag phase was determined. With Tween 20 as the emulsifier, α and δ-tocopherol had a hexanal lag phase of 2 and 4 days respectively. PE and PS both extended the lag phase to 7 and 10 days respectively in presence of δ-tocopherol. Whereas, PS extended the lag phase to 6 days and PE could not exhibit any synergism with α-tocopherol. With BSA as the emulsifier, α and δ-tocopherol had a lag phase of 4 days. PE and PS extended the lag phase to 11 days and 10 days respectively in presence of δ-tocopherol and to 7 and 8 days respectively in presence of α-tocopherol. PE and PS both exhibited synergism with mixed tocopherol and the extent of synergism was in less than δ-tocopherol but more than α-tocopherol. Phospholipids could potentially be used with tocopherols to improve the oxidative stability of emulsions. PE was more effective with BSA whereas PS was equally effective with both emulsifiers.

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) are G-protein-coupled receptors that are underutilized for controlling insect pests despite their involvement in various physiological functions. To-date, there are no commercialized insecticides targeting insect mAChRs. In this dissertation, effective target-site synergism was demonstrated in susceptible Drosophila melanogaster where mAChR agonism by pilocarpine enhanced the toxicity of insecticides targeting gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-gated chloride channels, indicating the potential of insect mAChRs as a target for developing novel insecticides/synergists to control resistant pests. A point mutation (A301S) in the GABA-gated chloride channel confers resistance to dieldrin (Rdl), lindane, and fipronil, which I have confirmed using different routes of exposure. However, the same synergistic effect was not achieved in the resistant strain with the presence of this target-site mutation. This difference between two strains is perplexing because there is a change in the efficacy of several compound classes that do not directly act upon GABA-gated chloride channels. Specifically, a point mutation appears to influence how the insect central nervous system (CNS) responds to muscarinic compounds, type I pyrethroids, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. In the case of acetylcholinesterase, the resistant insect increases the expression of Ace gene encoding this enzyme. Fully understanding how the CNS responds to receptor modifications is not well understood and could have a significant impact to pest management strategies. / Doctor of Philosophy / Insects significantly influence the food production, health, and the economy of the human world. Control of insect pest outbreaks relies on the proper use of insecticides. However, extensive application of insecticides has resulted in pests being able to adapt to these compounds, through insecticide resistance. Ultimately, this will affect currently used pest management strategies. To help alleviate this urgent problem, my dissertation provided an alternative strategy to control pests, which is to use a mixture of two molecules that influence different targets in the insect nervous system that could reduce the use of toxic or deleterious compounds that are the active ingredients. It is important to not solely rely on current insecticides on the market and find new insecticides that work differently. I used the fruit fly to help me understand how insecticide mixtures would work, but also understand how the complex nature of insect adaptations at the level of the nervous system continues to threaten pest management. Based on studies that were performed here, we now have a better understanding on how to investigate the failure of insecticides in the field, which will ultimately help us make new molecules.

A demanda por fontes renováveis de energia juntamente com o esgotamento das reservas de combustíveis fósseis e do aquecimento global tem despertado grande interesse. A degradação da biomassa lignocelulósica para a produção de biocombustíveis tem se revelado uma alternativa viável, contudo tem enfrentado desafios em função de sua recalcitrância. Novos preparados enzimáticos envolvendo não só celulases com mecanismo hidrolítico, mas também proteínas com atividade auxiliares têm sido desenvolvidas e comercializadas. Contudo a adição de enzimas oxidativas nestes coquetéis ainda é passível de desenvolvimento e otimização. Nesse âmbito, o objetivo desse trabalho foi analisar três possíveis abordagens para a resolução desse problema. A primeira através do isolamento de fungos filamentosos de compostagem com o intuito de obter novas enzimas com função oxidativa. A segunda, constituiu o estudo de sinergismo de uma enzima acessória da família GH43 com o coquetel enzimático industrial Accellerase e a terceira no estudo da enzima oxidativa monooxigenases lítica de polissacarídeo (Lpmo) assim como sua interação sinérgica com uma endoglucanase de Trichoderma harzianum. A atividade celulolítica dos fungos foi determinada por análise do halo hidrolítico, assim como por reações enzimáticas utilizando substratos específicos. Os potenciais fungos produtores de enzimas oxidativas foram identificados por amplificação e sequenciamento da região ITS3. Dezesseis fungos foram isolados e testados, destes três apresentaram atividade positiva para a enzima lacase. O sequenciamento revelou que todos os fungos pertencem à mesma espécie patogênica Scedosporium prolificans, A enzima BlAbn1 (GH43) foi expressa em células de E. coli (BL21) e purificada para análise do sinergismo com o coquetel enzimático Accellerase em diferentes condições como sinergismo sequencial ou simultâneo, diferentes pH´s, tempo de reação e concentração enzimática. No sinergismo simultâneo e análises em pH 5 e pH 8 a taxa de sinergismo encontrada foi muito baixa apenas 4 %. Contudo no sinergismo sequencial com diferentes tempos e concentrações enzimáticas foi encontrado um aumento de 30 % na liberação de açúcares redutores na reação de 20 horas, mostrando que há ação sinérgica. O estudo da enzima oxidativa Lpmo foi realizado utilizando a enzima purificada após expressão heteróloga em Aspergillus nidulans. Análises com diferentes substratos e doadores de elétrons assim como sinergismo com uma endoglucanases foram realizados. Ácido ascórbico e pirogalol apresentaram-se como doadores de elétrons utilizando celulose amorfa (PASC), xilano e arabinoxilano como substratos. Ação sinérgica entre a endoglucanase e Lpmo foi observada, apresentando um aumento na liberação de açúcares redutores na ordem de 15 %. Em habitats naturais os microrganismos produtores de enzimas hidrolíticas e auxiliares apresentam ação sinérgica como demonstrado para enzimas da família GH43 com coquetéis enzimáticos e de enzimas oxidativas com endoglucanases. Este efeito pode ser explorado e utilizado na melhora da composição dos coquetéis enzimáticos dedicados á produção de biocombustíveis lignocelulósicos. / The demand for renewable energy sources coupled with the depletion of fossil fuel reserves and global warming has aroused great interest. The degradation of lignocellulosic biomass for the production of biofuels has proved to be a viable alternative, however it has faced challenges due to its recalcitrance. New enzymatic preparations involving not only cellulases with a hydrolytic mechanism, but also proteins with an auxiliary activity have been developed and commercialized. However the addition of oxidative enzymes in these cocktails is still amenable to development and optimization. In this context, the objective of this work was to analyze three possible approaches to solve this problem. The first one through the isolation of filamentous fungi from composting in order to obtain new enzymes with oxidative function. The second was the synergism study of an accessory enzyme of the GH43 family with the industrial enzymatic cocktail Accellerase and the third in the study of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (Lpmo) oxidative enzyme as well as its synergistic interaction with a Trichoderma harzianum endoglucanase. The cellulolytic activity of the fungi was determined by analysis of the hydrolytic halo, as well as by enzymatic reactions using specific substrates. Potential fungi producing oxidative enzymes were identified by amplification and sequencing of the ITS3 region. Sixteen fungi were isolated and tested, of these three showed positive activity for the lacase enzyme. Sequencing revealed that all fungi belong to the same pathogenic species Scedosporium prolificans. The enzyme BlAbn1 (GH43) was expressed in E. coli cells (BL21) and purified for synergism analysis with the enzymatic cocktail Accellerase under different conditions such as sequential synergism or Different pH, reaction time and enzymatic concentration. In simultaneous synergism and analyzes at pH 5 and pH 8 the synergism rate found was very low, only 4%. However in the sequential synergism with different times and enzymatic concentrations a 30% increase in the release of reducing sugars in the reaction of 20 hours was found, showing that there is synergistic action. The study of the oxidative enzyme Lpmo was performed using the enzyme purified after heterologous expression in Aspergillus nidulans. Analyzes with different substrates and electron donors as well as synergism with an endoglucanase were performed. Ascorbic acid and pyrogallol were presented as electron donors using amorphous cellulose (PASC), xylan and arabino-xylan as substrates. Synergistic action between endoglucanase and Lpmo was observed, with an increase in the release of reducing sugars approximately 15%. In natural habitats, the microorganisms producing hydrolytic and auxiliary enzymes present synergistic action as demonstrated for enzymes of the GH43 family with enzymatic cocktails and oxidative enzymes with endoglucanases. This effect can be exploited and used in improving the composition of the enzymatic cocktails dedicated to the production of lignocellulosic biofuels.

Este estudo teve por objetivos conhecer aspectos da toxicidade de Cu e Cd, separadamente e em combinacao (Cu+Cd) em tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus), verificando possiveis efeitos sinergicos ou antagonicos. Determinou-se nessas situacoes, a bioacumulacao dos metais no tecido muscular, branquias e figado dos especimes, enfase ao potencial bioindicador da especie. Para tanto, ensaios de toxicidade aguda na forma estatica foram conduzidos por um periodo de 96 horas. Previamente a esses, foram realizados testes preliminares com as referidas especies quimicas em concentracoes logaritmicas, com o intuito de se determinar os intervalos onde 100% de mortalidade e 100% de sobrevivencia eram observados para a especie. Atraves desta etapa estabeleceram-se para os ensaios de toxicidade aguda, as concentracoes de 0,0, 0,5, 1,0, 2,5, 5,0 e 10,0 mg L-1 para Cu e Cu+Cd e de 0,0, 1,0, 5,0, 10,0, 25,0 e 50,0 mg L-1 para Cd. As variaveis temperatura, pH, amonia, oxigenio dissolvido e metais dissolvidos foram aferidas no inicio e a cada 24 horas. A dureza total foi monitorada apenas para os tratamentos controle, no inicio e termino dos experimentos para fins de verificar a qualidade da agua. Para os ensaios cronicos, conduzidos na forma semi-estatica e com duracao de 21 dias, duas concentracoes de cada metal foram utilizadas, onde o criterio de estabelecimento dos valores foi a CL50/10 e a media dos logaritmos das CL50/10 e CL50/100. Amostragens para verificacao da bioacumulacao foram realizadas em 24 e 96 horas, 07, 14 e 21 dias, sendo que durante essas amostragens, as variaveis pH, temperatura, oxigenio dissolvido, amonia e teores de metais nas solucoes foram determinadas. Como nos ensaios anteriores, a dureza total foi determinada no primeiro e ultimo dia para controle de qualidade da agua. As CL50-96h para o cobre, cadmio e cobre+cadmio foram respectivamente 3,53 mg L-1, 20,13 mg L-1 e 1,36 mg L-1 Pode-se observar durante os ensaios preliminar e agudo, uma acentuada precipitacao do Cu principalmente nas maiores concentracoes, isso em decorrencia do produto de solubilidade do hidroxido de cobre formado nas cubas experimentais. 8 Nessas concentracoes, observou-se que o Cd apresentou reducao quando em combinacao, atribuido a co-precipitacao ocorrida com o Cu. No que diz respeito a bioacumulacao dos metais nos orgaos e tecidos, pode-se observar, com algumas excecoes, que o figado, devido as suas funcoes metabolicas, apresentou uma maior acumulacao, seguido das branquias e tecido muscular. A tilapia apresentou maior resistencia ao CdCl2.H2O do que ao CuCl2 tendo a combinacao das duas especies quimicas potencializado a toxicidade de forma sinergica. Esse estudo possibilitou concluir que a afericao das concentracoes efetivas dos elementos de interesse durante ensaios de toxicidade e de relevante importancia, pois a concentracao esperada para as especies quimicas dissolvidas podem diferir daquelas esperadas, em funcao do elemento analisado e do tempo de duracao do experimento / The aim of this work was to assess for the toxicity of Cu and Cd, separately and in combination (Cu+Cd) in tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus), checking for the possible synergical or antagonic effects. In these situations, the bioaccumulation of metals in muscle tissue, gill and liver were determinated, emphasizing the potential bioindicator of the specie. Acute toxicity test in static mode were carried out for a period of 96 hours. Prior to these, preliminary tests were performed with such chemical species in logarithmic concentration, in order to establish the range of concentrations in which 100% mortality and 100% survival were observed for the specie. Through this step, concentrations of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg L-1 for Cu and Cu+Cd and of 0.0, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0, 25.0 and 50.0 mgL-1 for Cd were defined in acute toxicity assays. Temperature, pH, ammonia, dissolved oxygen and dissolved metals were measured at the beginning and every 24 hours. Total hardness was monitored only for the control treatments, in the beginning and at the end of the experiments to check the water quality. Semi-static chronic assays, were conducted during 21 days, by using two concentrations of each metal. Concentrations were calculated as CL50/10 and average of logarithms of CL50/10 and CL50/100. Samplings for assessing the metals bioaccumulation were performed at 24 and 96 hours, 07, 14 and 21 days. In a mean time, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, ammonia and dissolved metals were also determinated. Like in previous assays, total hardness was determined in the first and in the last day. The LC50 for copper, cadmium and copper+cadmium were respectively 3.53 mg L-1, 20.13 mg L-1 and 1.36 mg L-1. A precipitation of copper hydroxide, moreover for the higher concentrations were observed in both, preliminary and acute assays. On these situations, Cd concentration was decreased when combined, assigned to the co-precipitation occurred with Cu. Liver, due to it metabolic functions, showed higher metals accumulation, followed by gills and musclular tissue. It can be concluded that tilapia showed greater resistance to CdCl2.H2O, than to CuCl2 and with the combination of the two chemical species, potentiated the toxicity of synergic form. This study also enabled to conclud that measurement of effective concentrations of the elements of interest during test of toxicity is relevant, because the concentrations obtained may differ to those expected, according to the element and the duration of the experiment

O interesse em efeitos sinérgicos ou antagônicos através de experiências com associações cresceu imensamente nas últimas décadas. Com o objetivo de estudar a associação de dois herbicidas inibidores da ALS (sulfometuron-methyl e chlorimuron-ethyl) em Digitaria insularis, empregou-se dos métodos estatísticos fornecidos por meio das curvas dose-resposta e isobologramas. O conceito de curvas dose-resposta tem sido amplamente utilizado para avaliar os resultados das experiências com herbicidas. No entanto, a abordagem estatística em torno das curvas deve ser cuidadosa; cosiderar as curvas dose-resposta semelhantes quando elas não são pode influenciar muito na comparação entre as moléculas e afetar o cálculo da potência relativa. A potência relativa ajuda a entender qual é a relação de potência entre as moléculas, esse conhecimento é fundamental para os estudos com os herbicidas em associação. Sabendo-se disso foram conduzidos experimentos do tipo dose-resposta em dois tipos de substratos utilizando Digitaria insularis como planta daninha indicadora. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em casa de vegetação do Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento da DuPont em Paulínia (SP). Para cada molécula foram aplicadas, em pré-emergência, oito doses com quatro repetições cada e quatro plantas testemunha nos diferentes substratos. O substrato A é somente substrato comercial (marca Tropstrato HT®) puro; E o substrato B é uma mistura de solo arenoso, peneirado e livre de contaminação mais substrato comercial na proporção 3:1 v/v. Neste caso ficou evidente a maior capacidade do sulfometuronmethyl em reduzir a biomassa da espécie, as curvas dose-resposta foram descritas pelo modelo log-logístico com os valores de ED50 e as declividades de cada curva variando livremente, pois as hipóteses testadas nos diferentes substratos de curvas paralelas foram rejeitadas. O valor calculado da potência relativa para o nível de resposta de 50% entre os herbicidas CLASSIC® (chlorimuron-ethyl) e CURAVIAL® (sulfometuron-methyl) nas condições desse estudo foi de 8,596 e 44,047 nos Substrato A e B respectivamente. A partir dessa informação foram utilizadas as mesmas condições do experimento anterior para o experimento com as isoboles dos herbicidas em associação, cinco curvas dose-resposta, foram propostas, duas curvas para os produtos isolados e três curvas para as associações em diferentes proporções [(25% : 75%); (50% : 50%); (75% : 25%)] chlorimuron-ethyl / sulfometuron-methyl, totalizando 144 parcelas. Vários modelos isoboles foram testados, o modelo de Concentração Aditiva foi significativamente descartado, mas foi levado em consideração para testar teoricamente o grau de sinergia ou antagonismo que modelos mais complexos podiam fornecer. O modelo de isobole proposto por Hewlett e Plackett (1959) teve ajuste significativo e parâmetro de interação menor que um (λ=0,33). O modelo que mais se ajustou aos dados foi o proposto por Vølund e os resultados também mostraram que nessas condições a associação de sulfometuron-methyl com chlorimuron-ethyl foi antagônica; as isoboles são potentes ferramentas para capturar e descrever associações de herbicidas. Entretanto a literatura mostra que associar duas moléculas e testar em um sistema biológico complexo sofrendo variações das diferentes condições ambientais possíveis pode gerar respostas variáveis, portanto esses resultados devem ser repetidos em outras condições para validar as conclusões ou então serem executados em condições controladas de laboratório e usar organismos vivos de menor complexidade como bioindicador. / The interest in synergistic or antagonistic effects through experiences with associations has immensely grown in recent decades. In order to study the association of two ALS inhibitor herbicides (sulfometuron-methyl and chlorimuronethyl) in Digitaria insularis, the statistical methods provided by the dose-response curves and isobolograms were used. The concept of dose-response curves has been widely used to evaluate the results of herbicide experiments. However, the statistical approach around curves must be careful; considering the dose-response curves when they are not can greatly influence the comparison between molecules and affect the calculation of relative potency. Relative potency helps to understand what the power ratio is between molecules, this knowledge is fundamental for studies with herbicides in association. Knowing this, dose-response experiments were conducted on two types of substrates using Digitaria insularis as an indicator weed. The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse of the DuPont Research and Development Center in Paulínia (SP). For each molecule were applied, in pre-emergence, eight doses with four replicates each and four control plants on different substrates. Substrate A is pure commercial substrate (brand Tropstrato HT®); and substrate B is a mixture of sandy soil, sifted and contamination-free plus commercial substrate in the ratio 3:1 v/v. In this case it was evident the greater capacity of the sulfometuron-methyl to reduce the biomass of the species, the dose-response curves were described by the log-logistic model with the values of ED50 and the slopes of each curve varying freely, since the hypotheses tested in the different substrates of parallel curves were rejected. The calculated value of relative potency for the 50% response level between CLASSIC® (chlorimuron-ethyl) and CURAVIAL® (sulfometuron-methyl) herbicides under the conditions of this study was 8.596 and 44.047 on Substrate A and B respectively. From this information the same conditions of the previous experiment for the isoboles of the herbicides in association were used, five doseresponse curves were proposed, two curves for the isolated products and three curves for the associations in different ratios [25% : 75%); (50% : 50%); (75% : 25%)] chlorimuron-ethyl / sulfometuron-methyl, totaling 144 plots. Isoboles models were tested, the Concentration Additive model was significantly discarded, but was taken into account to theoretically test the degree of synergy or antagonism that more complex models could provide. The isobole model proposed by Hewlett and Plackett (1959) had a significant adjustment and interaction parameter smaller than 1 (λ = 0.33). The model that best fit the data was the one proposed by Vølund and the results also showed that under these conditions the association of sulfometuronmethyl with chlorimuron-ethyl was antagonistic; isoboles are potent tools for capturing and describing herbicide associations. So these results must be repeated in other conditions to validate the conclusions or to be executed in controlled laboratory conditions and to use living organisms of lesser complexity as a bioindicator.

Nesta dissertação, identificou-se que as drogas esqualestatina, fosmidomicina, risedronato e nerolidol apresentam atividades sinérgicas e aditivas quando administradas em cultura de P. falciparum. Esses resultados contribuem para a compreensão da biologia do parasita e abrem estudos para possíveis antimaláricos. Identificou-se a especificidade da droga esqualestatina inibidora da enzima fitoeno sintase por meio de marcações metabólicas utilizando precursor radioativo ([3H]GGPP), e análise pela técnica de cromatografia (RP-HPLC). Realizou-se testes de inibição para determinar o valor da IC50 na linhagem pRM2-Fito-HA, a qual encontra-se super expressando enzima fitoeno sintase e encontrou-se um valor IC50 de 5 <font face=\"Symbol\">mM para o isolado 3D7 enquanto que para a linhagem pRM2-Fito-HA foi de 30 <font face=\"Symbol\">mM. Demonstrando assim que a enzima fitoeno sintase é o principal, senão único alvo da esqualestatina em P. falciparum, o que sugere que este composto ou derivado do mesmo são potenciais antimalaricos. / In this thesis, we found that the drug squalestatin, fosmidomicina, risedronate, nerolidol have synergistic and additive activity when administered in cultured P. falciparum. These results contribute to the understanding of the biology of the parasite and open studies for potential antimalarials. We identified the specific drug squalestatin inhibiting phytoene synthase enzyme by using metabolic markers radioactive precursor ([3H] GGPP) by the technique of analysis and chromatography (RP-HPLC). Held inhibition tests to determine the IC50 value of the strain in pRM2-Phyto-HA, which is super expressing phytoene synthase enzyme and met an IC50 value of 5 microM to isolate 3D7 whereas for strain pRM2 -Phyto-HA was 30 <font face=\"Symbol\">mM. Thus demonstrating that the enzyme phytoene synthase is the primary, if not sole target of squalestatin in P. falciparum, which suggests that this compound or derivative thereof as potential antimalarials.

Diante do aumento global da resistência microbiana, cada vez mais as combinações de antimicrobianos são utilizadas na tentativa de obter uma atividade sinérgica eficaz que possa ser utilizada na prática clínica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar a atividade de polimixina B isoladamente e em combinação com tigeciclina e carbapenêmicos (ertapenem e meropenem), frente a isolados de Enterobacter sp. resistentes aos carbapenêmicos. Foram selecionados quatro isolados de Enterobacter sp. resistentes aos carbapenêmicos, sendo três isolados produtores de carbapenemases (KPC, NDM, OXA-48-like) e um não produtor de carbapenemases (NPC). A avaliação da atividade sinérgica antimicrobiana foi realizada por ensaio de time-kill com as seguintes concentrações de cada antimicrobiano: tigeciclina 1mg/L, meropenem 1mg/L e ertapenem 0,5mg/L, que correspondem aos pontos de corte de sensibilidade do CLSI (2016). Para polimixina B, foram utilizadas diferentes concentrações de acordo com o perfil de susceptibilidade do isolado: para os isolados sensíveis, utilizou-se 0,5x; 1x e 2x a CIM do isolado; para o isolado resistente, foram utilizados 0,5x; 1x e 2x o ponto de corte de sensibilidade do CLSI (2 mg/L). Foi considerada sinérgica a combinação com redução ≥ 2 logs do inoculo inicial em comparação ao antimicrobiano sozinho mais ativo. As combinações de polimixina B em diferentes concentrações (0,5; 1 e 2mg/L) com meropenem apresentaram atividade sinérgica para a cepa produtora de NDM (CIM polimixina B 1 mg/L; CIM meropenem 8 mg/L) As combinações de polimixina B com tigeciclina foram sinérgicas apenas na concentração de polimixina B de 0,125 mg/L para cepa produtora de OXA-48-like (CIM polimixina B 0,25 mg/L; CIM tigeciclina 2 mg/L) e na concentração de 1 mg/L para a cepa produtora de NDM. Para a cepa NPC (CIM polimixina B 0,5 mg/L; CIM tigeciclina 4 mg/L; CIM meropenem 4 mg/L), apenas a tripla combinação com polimixina B (1 mg/L), tigeciclina e meropenem apresentou atividade sinérgica. A combinação de dois carbapenêmicos não apresentou atividade sinérgica para nenhum isolado, porém, quando acrescentado tigeciclina ao esquema, observou-se sinergismo no isolado produtor de OXA-48-like, o que leva ao questionamento da efetividade da terapia “carbapenem suicida”. Para o isolado produtor de KPC e com padrão de resistência a polimixina B, nenhuma das combinações testadas apresentou sinergismo. Esta situação é bastante preocupante devido à alta prevalência de infecções por bactérias produtoras de KPC nos hospitais brasileiros, juntamente com as crescentes taxas de resistência as polimixinas. / Due to the increase in microbial resistance, combinations of antimicrobials are increasingly being used to improve the therapeutic response. The objective of this study was to compare the activity of polymyxin B alone and in combination with tigecycline and carbapenem (ertapenem and meropenem) against to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter sp isolates. Four isolates were selected, three were carbapenemase-producing (KPC, NDM, OXA-48-like) and a non-carbapenemase-producing (NCP). The evaluation of synergistic antimicrobial activity was performed by time-kill assay with the following concentrations of each antimicrobial: tigecycline 1mg/L, meropenem 1mg/L and ertapenem 0.5mg/L, which correspond to the breakpoints of CLSI (2016). For polymyxin B, different concentrations were used according to the susceptibility profile of the isolate: for susceptible isolates, it was used 0.5x; 1x and 2x the MIC of the isolate, for the resistant isolates it was used 0.5x; 1x and 2x the breakpoint of CLSI (2 mg/L). The combination with reduction ≥ 2 logs of the initial inoculum compared to the most active antimicrobial alone was considered synergies. Combinations of polymyxin B at different concentrations (0.5; 1 and 2 mg/L) with meropenem showed synergistic activity for the NDM-producing isolate (MIC polymyxin B 1 mg/L, MIC meropenem 8 mg/L) Combinations of polymyxin B with tigecycline were synergistic only at the concentration of polymyxin B of 0.125 mg/L for the OXA-48-like-producing isolate (MIC polymyxin B 0.25 mg/L, MIC tigecycline 2 mg/L) and at the concentration of 1 mg/L for the NDM-producing isolate. For the NCP isolate (MIC polymyxin B 0.5 mg/L; MIC tigecycline 4 mg/L; MIC meropenem 4 mg/L), only the triple combination of polymyxin B (1 mg/L) plus tigecycline and meropenem presented synergistic activity. The combination of two carbapenems was not synergic for the four isolates; however, when tigecycline was added to the regimen, synergies for the OXA-48-like-producing isolate were observed. Therefore, the so called, "carbapenem suicide" therapy was not effective in vitro against our isolates. For the KPC-producing isolate that it is polymyxin B resistant, none of the combinations tested showed synergies. This situation is very worrisome due to high prevalence of infections by KPC-producing in the Brazilian hospitals, associate with the increasing rates of polymyxins resistance.

Hung Hoi Yan. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-160). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.v / PUBLICATIONS BASED ON THE WORK IN THIS THESIS --- p.vi / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.vii / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.ix / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Prostanoids and vasoconstriction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- EP3 receptors --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- EP1 receptors --- p.16 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- FP receptors --- p.23 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- TP receptors --- p.30 / Chapter 1.2 --- Role of Ca2+ in vascular smooth muscle contraction --- p.36 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Ca2+ as second messenger --- p.36 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Ca2+ sensitization --- p.41 / Chapter 1.3 --- Aim of study --- p.48 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- METHODS AND MATERIALS --- p.49 / Chapter 2.1 --- Experiments with rat femoral artery --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2 --- Experiments with guinea-pig trachea --- p.56 / Chapter 2.3 --- Materials --- p.59 / Chapter 2.4 --- Data analysis --- p.61 / Chapter 2.5 --- Measurement of rat knee joint blood flow --- p.62 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- RESULTS --- p.68 / Chapter 3.1 --- Effects of EP3 agonists and other vasoactive agents on the rat femoral artery preparation --- p.68 / Chapter 3.2 --- Interactions between EP3 agonists and other vasoactive agents --- p.69 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Interactions with phenylephrine --- p.69 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Interactions with KCl --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3 --- Effect of nifedipine --- p.72 / Chapter 3.4 --- Effects of Rho-kinase inhibitors --- p.73 / Chapter 3.5 --- Effect of EP1 receptor antagonist --- p.76 / Chapter 3.6 --- Other properties of the rat femoral artery --- p.77 / Chapter 3.8 --- Effect of sulprostone on blood flow of rat knee joint --- p.79 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- DISCUSSION --- p.118 / Chapter 4.1 --- Effect of PGE analogues on rat femoral artery --- p.118 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Prostanoid receptor (s) responsible for the contractile effects --- p.118 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Prostanoid Receptors involved in the synergism --- p.122 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Synergism models --- p.124 / Chapter 4.2 --- Mechanisms of synergistic contractions --- p.126 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Role of Ca2+ influx --- p.126 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Role of Ca2+ sensitization --- p.127 / Chapter 4.3 --- Effect of sulprostone in vivo --- p.132 / Chapter 4.4 --- Conclusion --- p.136 / REFERENCES --- p.138