http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/15288 2026-04-18T00:27:27Z http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/85511 Título: Atividade antifúngica dos óleos essenciais das folhas de Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. e Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck contra cep as de Candida albicans na forma planctônica e de biofilme Autor(es): Fernandes, Maria Alyce Albuquerque Abstract: Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause infections in its host through its virulence factors. The limited antifungal options have led to a search for therapeutic alternatives, and essential oils, such as those from the Citrus genus, stand out for their antifungal potential. The study was conducted in the northern region of the state of Ceará, through partnerships between institutions. It strengthens regional innovation and the potential of bioprospecting natural products in microbiology using plants cultivated in the region, thus presenting important results in the areas of biotechnology and health. This study analyzes the chemical composition, antifungal activity against Candida albicans in planktonic and biofilm forms, cytotoxicity in human erythrocytes, and pharmacokinetic properties of essential oils from Citrus limon and Citrus sinensis. The essential oils were extracted from the leaves by hydrodistillation, and their composition was verified by GC-MS. Antifungal activity was evaluated using broth microdilution and death kinetics. Combined effects were assessed using the Checkerboard method, while antibiofilm tests were evaluated using plate assays and microscopy . Hemolytic activity tests were performed using a percentage of hemolysis. The essential oils contain limonene (40.81-36.69%) as the major constituent. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration was 0.312–1.25 mg/mL, with a killing kinetic of up to 10 h. It showed additive (C. limon/fluconazole) and synergistic (C. sinensis/fluconazole) effects. It exhibited anti-adhesion and anti-polymorphism effects, initiating biofilm formation. It also exhibited low cytotoxicity , with an LC50 of 14,000-13,000 μg/mL. ADMET and BOILED-Egg pharmacokinetic predictions indicated safety for systemic use. Both essential oils exhibited strong anti-Candida activity with minimal cytotoxicity . Their additive/synergistic effects with fluconazole highlight their potential as an alternative or adjuvant therapy against C. albicans infections. Tipo: Dissertação 2026-03-01T00:00:00Z http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/85379 Título: Influência do tratamento antifúngico no perfil de sensibilidade de candida spp. Isoladas de pacientes submetidos à radioterapia na região de cabeça e pescoço: estudo piloto e revisão sistemática da literatura Autor(es): Brandão, Ivana de Sousa Abstract: Oral candidiasis (OC) is one of the most frequent complications in patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC), being favored by alterations in the oral microbiota and local immunosuppression. The recurrent use of antifungal agents has contributed to the emergence of resistant Candida spp. strains, highlighting the need for effective and safe therapeutic alternatives. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility profile of Candida spp. isolates from patients undergoing RT in the head and neck region after antifungal treatments. This dissertation comprised two complementary studies: (1) a pilot clinical and microbiological study that evaluated the efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) compared to nystatin (NYS) in the treatment of OC in irradiated patients; and (2) a systematic review that investigated the influence of antifungal therapy on the susceptibility profile of Candida spp . isolated from these patients. In the pilot clinical study, both NYS and aPDT proved to be effective and safe in the management of OC, showing similar clinical responses and a reduction in fungal load, without significant changes in the susceptibility profile after aPDT. The systematic review showed that OC remains a prevalent complication in patients with HNC undergoing RT, with a predominance of Candida albicans and a progressive increase in non-albicans species (NCAS), such as C. glabrata and C. tropicalis, which are more resistant to azoles. Prolonged or prophylactic use of antifungal agents, particularly fluconazole, has been associated with the selection of resistant strains, whereas the direct impact of RT on antifungal susceptibility remains inconclusive, possibly related to local physiological and immunological alterations that favor yeast persistence. Among the evaluated therapies, voriconazole and amphotericin B showed better performance against NCAS. Controlled and standardized clinical trials are still needed to confirm the role of aPDT as an adjuvant or alternative therapy to conventional antifungal treatment in irradiated patients. Tipo: Dissertação 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/84793 Título: Avaliação da usabilidade de um sistema de registro eletrônico de dados em cariologia por estudantes de odontologia Autor(es): Carvalho, Naiara Oliveira Abstract: In the field of Cariology , there are still no specific electronic systems for recording caries indices and scores, which hinders the storage, processing, and comparison of clinical data obtained using different methods for dental caries detection. This study aimed to conduct an integrative review of caries detection and diagnostic indices used in dental software, as well as to evaluate the usability of a software program developed for recording Cariology data by undergraduate dental students. In the first study , searches were conducted in the SciELO, PubMed, LILACS, and grey literature databases between August and December 2023, focusing on dental software and clinical data recording systems. After screening titles, abstracts, and full texts, 13 articles were selected that described software using photographs, radiographs, artificial intelligence, and digital media for the diagnosis of carious lesions. In addition, 12 dental software programs available on the Brazilian market were analyzed. A growing interest in studies exploring the use of artificial intelligence for the diagnosis of carious lesions was observed. However, most dental software or electronic dental record systems available on the Brazilian market do not use specific indices for caries detection. System usability was assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS), based on the calculation of scores for the 10 items that comprise the scale. The tests were conducted individually and in person in September 2023. A total of 42 students participated in the study , of whom 35 completed all proposed stages. The software achieved a mean score of 84.2, classifying it as excellent. Regarding the overall reliability of the questionnaire, good internal consistency was observed, with a Cronbach’ s alpha coefficient of 0.81. The vast majority of students (97.2%) reported that they would like to use the software more frequently , and 91.6% considered it easy to use; however, 17.1% did not feel confident using it. Students highlighted interactivity , ease of use, didactic character , and simplified language as positive aspects of the software. It is concluded that there is a need for a unified recording system that incorporates multiple caries detection indices, enabling a more accurate assessment of caries risk and the management of carious lesions. The Cariodata software demonstrated excellent usability when evaluated by undergraduate dental students; however, further improvements are required to make the interface more self-explanatory , enhance visual and graphical aspects, and improve the application of caries indices within the system. Tipo: Dissertação 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/84418 Título: Efeitos da hidroterapia e do posicionamento em rede na redução da dor em recém-nascidos prematuros Autor(es): Silva, Ana Talita Vasconcelos Arcanjo Ribeiro da Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effects of hydrotherapy and hammock positioning, applied individually or in combination, on pain reduction in preterm neonates. Methods: This randomized clinical trial included 45 preterm neonates under 37 weeks of gestation and weighing less than 2,500g, admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit or intermediate care unit at Santa Casa Hospital in Sobral, Brazil. Palliative interventions were performed during routine invasive and painful procedures, specifically heel lances and handling of the orogastric tube during feeding. Neonates were randomized into three groups: hydrotherapy , hammock positioning, or a combined intervention, with 15 participants per group. Interventions were applied once daily for 15 consecutive days. Pain was assessed using the Neonatal Facial Coding System before and after each session, totaling 1,350 evaluations. Continuous variables were analyzed using Student’ s t-test, and categorical variables were analyzed using Fisher’ s exact test. The study was registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials. Results: The sample consisted of 53.3% male neonates, with a mean gestational age of 32.4±2.1 weeks. Hydrotherapy significantly reduced pain scores and pain prevalence. Hammock positioning also produced significant reductions in pain scores and prevalence. The combined intervention resulted in the greatest reduction in pain scores and pain prevalence. All within-group comparisons showed statistically significant improvements. No statistically significant differences were observed when the three intervention groups were compared directly . Conclusion: Hydrotherapy and hammock positioning, applied individually or in combination, are effective, safe, and feasible strategies for reducing pain in preterm neonates and may complement standard neonatal care in NICUs. Tipo: Dissertação 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z