https://repositorio.ufu.br/handle/123456789/5162 2026-09-22T13:09:07Z https://repositorio.ufu.br/handle/123456789/50272 Title: Desenvolvimento e validação de construções do vírus Mayaro com genes de luciferase como ferramentas para ensaios antivirais Abstract: The Mayaro virus (MAYV), an arbovirus from the Alphavirus genus and Togaviridae family, is the etiologic agent of Mayaro fever. Endemic in South and Central Americas, it is maintained in animal reservoirs within a sylvatic cycle. However, the virus exhibits high adaptability to new hosts and vectors, establishing an urban cycle. Mayaro fever presents symptoms similar to other arboviruses, potentially resulting in long-term polyarthritis and polyarthralgia. Currently, there is no licensed vaccine or antiviral treatment against MAYV, which contributes to virus dissemination. In this context, this work aimed to develop viral constructs for use in high-throughput antiviral research. The plasmids were produced by reverse genetics, based on the MAYV BeAr 20290 strain, containing human cytomegalovirus promoter and nanoluciferase (CMV-MAYV-nanoluc) and firefly luciferase (CMV-MAYV-firefly) reporter genes. The luminescence genes were inserted into the viral genome between the end of nsP4 and the 5' terminus of the structural genes. Subsequently, this viral genome segment was combined with a CMV promoter obtained through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). After sequencing, the plasmids were amplified using competent DH5-α bacteria. Subsequently, CMV-MAYV-nanoluc and CMV-MAYV-firefly were transfected into Vero E6 cells, generating infectious MAYV-nanoluc and MAYV-firefly particles, respectively. The viruses replicated efficiently with properties similar to the parental wild-type MAYV, and the expression of the reporter genes reflected viral replication rates. Additionally, using MAYV-nanoluc, we analyzed the repositioning potential of rimantadine hydrochloride (rtdH), licensed drug for the treatment of Influenza, as an anti-MAYV agent. The drug inhibited MAYV with an SI of 2.3 and also showed activity against Zika virus (ZIKV) with an SI of 2.4. Additionally, the compound EIDD-2749, described as an inhibitor of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase with potent antiviral activity against alphavirus, was used to validate the MAYV-nanoluc tool for antiviral trials, with an SI of 1.8 x 107. Our data demonstrated that the MAYV-nanoluc clone is a valuable tool for antiviral assays, enhancing the screening of new anti-MAYV agents. Furthermore, rtdH showed a broad-spectrum antiviral activity against MAYV and ZIKV. 2024-08-23T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.ufu.br/handle/123456789/50242 Title: Memorial descritivo: apresentado para fins de promoção à classe de professor titular da carreira de magistério superior 2026-09-02T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.ufu.br/handle/123456789/50241 Title: Análise morfológica do córtex motor e do giro denteado em animais hiperlipidêmicos e tratados com Maytenus ilicifolia Abstract: Hyperlipidemia is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated circulating lipid levels and is associated with systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and the development of structural alterations in the central nervous system. In this context, natural compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, such as Maytenus ilicifolia (espinheira-santa), have attracted interest due to their potential neuroprotective effects. The present study aimed to investigate morphometric differences in the motor cortex and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus in normolipidemic, hyperlipidemic, and hyperlipidemic mice treated with an oral gavage of the ethanolic extract of Maytenus ilicifolia to verify if there would be differences in these regions that could be related to neural diseases. Sixteen C57BL/6 mice were divided into four experimental groups: normolipidemic, hyperlipidemic, hyperlipidemic treated with 100 and 400 mg/kg of the extract. Hyperlipidemia was induced with Tyloxapol for 21 days. After euthanasia, the brains were collected and processed for histological analysis using Nissl staining. The morphological analyses included measurements of motor cortex thickness, dentate gyrus layer thickness, neuronal area and density, performed using ImageJ software. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in cortical thickness in hyperlipidemic animals compared with normolipidemic animals, without changes in cortical neuronal density. In the dentate gyrus, animals treated with 100 mg/kg of Maytenus ilicifolia showed greater thickness of the granular layer, as well as a tendency toward preservation of the molecular layer compared with untreated hyperlipidemic animals. These findings suggest that hyperlipidemia promotes morphometric alterations in the brain and that Maytenus ilicifolia exhibits potential neuroprotective effects. 2026-07-27T00:00:00Z https://repositorio.ufu.br/handle/123456789/50061 Title: Harmonização da imagem facial: uma análise crítica da proporção áurea no visagismo e na maquiagem Abstract: The pursuit of facial harmony has been studied across different fields of knowledge, involving mathematical, aesthetic and artistic concepts. Among the models used to interpret facial harmony, the golden ratio stands out as a mathematical relationship historically associated with the perception of balance and beauty and later incorporated into the analysis of human body proportions. However, its validity as a universal parameter of facial attractiveness remains controversial. In the field of facial aesthetics, the analysis of facial proportions allows an understanding of the relationships between facial structures and their influence on the perception of harmony and symmetry. In parallel, visagism emerges as an approach aimed at constructing personal image based on the analysis of the individual's physical characteristics and identity. In this context, make-up may be used as a tool capable of visually modifying facial proportions through techniques of light, shadow and shape correction. This study aimed to critically analyse the validity of the golden ratio as a parameter of facial harmony, considering its relationship with anthropometry, beauty perception, visagism and the use of make-up as a resource for visual modulation of the facial image. An integrative literature review with a qualitative and descriptive approach was carried out, based on studies addressing the relationship between facial proportions, image construction and make-up techniques applied to facial aesthetics. The evidence analysed indicates that, although anthropometric and morphometric parameters are useful for the objective assessment of the face, the golden ratio lacks consistent scientific support as a universal standard of beauty. The perception of facial harmony is multifactorial and influenced by morphological, population, cultural and individual characteristics. Visagism and make-up may therefore contribute to the harmonisation of the facial image when applied individually, valuing each person's own features rather than rigidly applying universal mathematical models. 2026-08-05T00:00:00Z