http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/21996 2026-04-18T14:14:31Z 2026-04-18T14:14:31Z Leite, Julia de Araújo Bomfim http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/85847 2026-04-15T10:58:49Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Título: Levantamento institucional das ações e projetos de divulgação científica na área de biociências na Universidade Federal do Ceará Autor(es): Leite, Julia de Araújo Bomfim Abstract: With over seventy years of operation, the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) has distinguished itself as a regional and national leader in teaching, research, and outreach. Initiatives such as the Communication and Marketing Office (UFC Informa), University Radio FM, and Seara da Ciência play a significant role in science communication. However, despite the importance of these efforts, UFC lacks a comprehensive institutional policy to effectively coordinate and enhance them. In this context, the present study aims to support the development of guidelines that establish science communication as a fundamental aspect of UFC’s mission,thereby enhancing the institution’s commitment to the democratization and dissemination of knowledge. This descriptive and exploratory research employed an online questionnaire comprising 32 questions as the data collection tool. Initial responses were gathered from information available on the institutional websites of the identified initiatives and, when necessary, supplemented through direct email communication with their coordinators. A total of 79 science communication projects and actions were identified, with 92.4% being active. The majority of initiatives (83%) are associated with outreach projects, with significant participation from undergraduate students, particularly those in health and biological sciences programs. Among the communication channels utilized, Instagram is predominant (86.1%), targeting primarily students and young individuals (72.2%). Several recurring gaps were identified: only 29.1% of the initiatives were affiliated with CNPq research groups, 40.3% received no financial support, and 36.1% conducted no form of evaluation. All participants endorsed the establishment of an institutional science communication policy that ensures recognition, structure, and adequate funding. Consequently, the findings of this study provide valuable insights into the current landscape and inform future guidelines that integrate science communication as a strategic element of UFC’s mission. Tipo: TCC

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Lima, João Abner Souza http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/85846 2026-04-15T10:48:12Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Título: Genes codificando quitinases de Arabidopsis thaliana e espécies relacionadas: um estudo in silico da variabilidade das estruturas primárias das enzimas, suas relações filogenéticas e diversidade de organização de domínios Autor(es): Lima, João Abner Souza Abstract: Chitinases (EC 3.2.1.14) are glycosyl hydrolases that act on chitin, a structural polysaccharide present in fungi and arthropods. These enzymes are divided into two main families in plants: GH18 (which includes classes III and V) and GH19 (which includes classes I, II, IV, VI, and VII). Each class possesses specific differences in its primary structure and domain architecture. Studying the distribution of chitinases in Arabidopsis thaliana and related genomes is a representative way to evaluate the diversity of domain organization in plant chitinases and to infer phylogenetic reasoning that helps in the understanding of the gene group encoding these enzymes, in addition to the scientific interest in understanding the function and dynamics of their encoded proteins in plant metabolism. The sequences were obtained from the GenBank, Phytozome, Ensembl Plants, and Plants Gramene databases. Subsequently, the presence of signal peptides, subcellular localization, and conserved domains (CDDs) were predicted in the protein sequences. Alignments were performed via MAFFT, and phylogenetic trees via IQ-TREE, with images generated in MEGA. The alignments for the trees were submitted to synonymous and non-synonymous substitution rate inference using the aBSREL and FEL tests from DataMonkey. With the Genes_on_Chr package, the chromosomal localizations of the studied genes were inferred for Arabidopsis thaliana, Arabidopsis arenosa, and for the allotetraploid originated from the crossing of the two mentioned species, Arabidopsis suecica. Arabidopsis thaliana possesses 24 genes that encode chitinases, grouped into classes I (one chitinase), II (two), III (one), IV (eight), V (nine), VI (two), and VII (one), in addition to the Chitinase-like-proteins (CLP) CLP1, CLP2, and CLP3, with one unity each. With the exception of Arabidopsis suecica, all other studied species presented a lower or equal number of chitinases encoded in the genome, with the relative halophyte Eutrema salsugineum not presenting class VII chitinases. Substitution rate analyses revealed purifying pressure in class I, II, III, VI, and VII chitinases and diversifying pressure for class IV and V chitinases. This reveals that for members of classes IV and V, there is a greater influence of mutations accumulated in their polypeptide sequences, aligning with the fact that proteins of these classes are located in tandem on the chromosomes, being the origin of duplication events, which relates to mechanisms of senescence, germination, and plant development, and not directly to plant defense, unlike classes I, II, III, and VI. The absence of class VII chitinases in the genome of Eutrema salsugineum may indicate loss of function of enzymes of this class. Tipo: TCC

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Lima, Maria Ester Rodrigues http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/85845 2026-04-15T10:46:36Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Título: Oligossacarídeos sulfatados de Solieria filiformis: obtenção, caracterização estrutural e atividade antioxidante in vitro como estratégia para potencial aplicação na neuroproteção Autor(es): Lima, Maria Ester Rodrigues Abstract: Oxidative stress can lead to free radical release and the oxidation of cell membrane components, causing neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, agents that reduce this effect are a growing target for research. Some species of red seaweed are rich in iota-carrageenan, a sulfated polysaccharide (SP) with pharmaceutical and biotechnological potential. This study utilized the red seaweed Solieria filiformis, a source of iota-carrageenans, a high-molecular-weight galactan, whose acid hydrolysis products originate low-viscosity oligosaccharides (OS), showing promise for the investigation of antioxidant effects with potential neuroprotective activity. This study aimed to characterize the chemical structure of OS from the SP of S. filiformis and investigate its in vitro antioxidant activity. The red seaweed was cultivated at Flecheiras beach, Trairi-CE, and after cleaning and drying, was milled and subjected to proteolytic extraction with papain (20 mL - 30 mg/mL) and incubated at 60°C for 6h. The obtained SP were hydrolyzed with 0.2 M HCl (10 mg:mL) at 60°C for 4h, followed by dialysis against distilled water in 12 kDa membranes and lyophilization. The contents of total carbohydrates, free sulfates, proteins, and reducing sugars, as well as the molecular weight, functional groups, and antioxidant potential at OS concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/mL were determined. The yields of PS extraction and hydrolysis were 21.01 ± 4.23% based on dry mass and 29.23 ± 4.92% based on the mass of PS used. The total carbohydrate contents of SP and their OS were: 60.89 ± 4.19% and 34.96 ± 1.02%, free sulfates: 16.2 ± 0.4% and 16.10 ± 0.21%, reducing sugars: 0.59% and 23.26 ± 0.5%, and proteins: 0.6 ± 0.1% and 1.6 ± 0.4%, respectively. The molecular weights of PS and OS were 300 kDa and 4.58 kDa, respectively, and the functional groups hydroxyl (–OH), carbonyl (C=O), sulfate (S=O), pyranosidic ring, glycosidic bonds, carbon–oxygen (C–O) linkage, 3,6-anhydrogalactose, and galactopyranose-4-sulfate (G4S) were preserved. OS showed higher activity at a concentration of 4 mg/mL, reaching 26.59 ± 1.78%. The hydroxyl radical scavenging assay showed no activity at any tested concentration. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of acid hydrolysis in obtaining sulfated oligosaccharides and preserving the functional groups essential for their biological properties. Moreover, an antioxidant effect was observed in OS; however, the subsequent application of complementary methodologies and higher concentrations is required for a more comprehensive characterization of their activity and potential future applications in neuroprotection studies. Tipo: TCC

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Carvalho, Joyce da Silva http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/85844 2026-04-15T10:33:34Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Título: Avaliação epidemiológica do perfil genotípico do papiloma vírus humano e da taxa de circulação com outras ISTs em um cenário urbano no nordeste brasileiro Autor(es): Carvalho, Joyce da Silva Abstract: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main etiological agent of cervical cancer and presents a wide diversity of genotypes, whose circulation is influenced by behavioral and biological factors and by the local epidemiological context, including the presence of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study describes the prevalence, HPV genotypic profile, and occurrence of co-infections with bacterial STIs in 1,391 women attending primary care in the municipality of Eusébio, Ceará. The samples were analyzed by molecular methods of extended genotyping for HPV and seven other STIs, enabling the identification of single and multiple infections. The overall positivity for HPV was 12.1%, with a significantly lower median age among HPV-positive women compared to HPV-negative women. The age distribution was consistent with the classic epidemiological behavior of HPV, with a concentration of cases in young women and a slight increase in the over-65 age group, suggesting possible viral reactivation in older ages. The most frequent genotypes were HPV52, HPV56, HPV58, HPV68, HPV42, and HPV53, indicating a predominance of types not covered by the quadrivalent vaccine available through the country's public health system. Analysis of vaccinated women revealed a low frequency of genotypes covered by the vaccine, reinforcing that vaccination is preventive and has a greater impact when administered before exposure to the virus. Approximately 46% of women tested positive for one of the STIs tested, particularly Ureaplasma parvum, Mycoplasma hominis, and Ureaplasma urealticum. The statistically significant association between high-risk HPV and M. hominis, as well as between high-risk HPV and U. urealyticum, indicates that bacterial co-infections may influence viral persistence and modify the genital microenvironment. The findings demonstrate that the local epidemiological scenario requires integrated actions involving timely vaccination, continuous screening, and adequate management of STIs in order to reduce the circulation of oncogenic genotypes and strengthen the prevention of cervical cancer. Tipo: TCC

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