Polyphenols Extraction from Hazelnut Skin Using Water as Solvent: Equilibrium Studies and Quantification of the Total Extractable Polyphenols

In this work, a system for the extraction of antioxidant agents from waste vegetal matrices was studied. To this end, the extraction of polyphenols from food waste hazelnut skins was taken into consideration as a case study and a continuous set-up using distilled water at 70 °C as a solvent has been developed. Various extraction cycles were performed at different solid/liquid ratios (ranging from 2 to 5.7 g/l) in order to study the effect of this parameter on extraction efficiency. Through a mass balance, data obtained from the various cycles were used to calculate the total extractable polyphenols, and a value of 0.114 g of polyphenols per g of hazelnut skin was evaluated. Moreover, for two selected cycles the polyphenols concentration in the aqueous solution was measured at different time intervals in order to determine the extraction time, and in both tests it reached a plateau within the first hour. Finally, equilibrium concentrations of polyphenols in liquid and solid phases of the six tests were correlated by a linear isotherm equation, and a partition coefficient of 0.0368 l/g was evaluated through a fitting of experimental data

In vitro and in vivo characterization of highly purified Human Mesothelioma derived cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare disease known to be resistant to conventional therapies. A better understanding of mesothelioma biology may provide the rationale for new therapeutic strategies. In this regard, tumor cell lines development has been an important tool to study the biological properties of many tumors. However all the cell lines established so far were grown in medium containing at least 10% serum, and it has been shown that primary cell lines cultured under these conditions lose their ability to differentiate, acquire gene expression profiles that differ from that of tissue specific stem cells or the primary tumor they derive from, and in some cases are neither clonogenic nor tumorigenic. Our work was aimed to establish from fresh human pleural mesothelioma samples cell cultures maintaining tumorigenic properties.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The primary cell cultures, obtained from four human pleural mesotheliomas, were expanded in vitro in a low serum proliferation-permissive medium and the expression of different markers as well as the tumorigenicity in immunodeficient mice was evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The established mesothelioma cell cultures are able to engraft, after pseudo orthotopic intraperitoneal transplantation, in immunodeficient mouse and maintain this ability to after serial transplantation. Our cell cultures were strongly positive for CD46, CD47, CD56 and CD63 and were also strongly positive for some markers never described before in mesothelioma cell lines, including CD55, CD90 and CD99. By real time PCR we found that our cell lines expressed high mRNA levels of typical mesothelioma markers as mesothelin (MSLN) and calretinin (CALB2), and of BMI-1, a stemness marker, and DKK1, a potent Wingless [WNT] inhibitor.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These cell cultures may provide a valuable in vitro and in vivo model to investigate mesothelioma biology. The identification of new mesothelioma markers may be useful for diagnosis and/or prognosis of this neoplasia as well as for isolation of mesothelioma tumor initiating cells.</p

p53 modeling as a route to mesothelioma patients stratification and novel therapeutic identification

Background Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an orphan disease that is difficult to treat using traditional chemotherapy, an approach which has been effective in other types of cancer. Most chemotherapeutics cause DNA damage leading to cell death. Recent discoveries have highlighted a potential role for the p53 tumor suppressor in this disease. Given the pivotal role of p53 in the DNA damage response, here we investigated the predictive power of the p53 interactome model for MPM patients’ stratification. Methods We used bioinformatics approaches including omics type analysis of data from MPM cells and from MPM patients in order to predict which pathways are crucial for patients’ survival. Analysis of the PKT206 model of the p53 network was validated by microarrays from the Mero-14 MPM cell line and RNA-seq data from 71 MPM patients, whilst statistical analysis was used to identify the deregulated pathways and predict therapeutic schemes by linking the affected pathway with the patients’ clinical state. Results In silico simulations demonstrated successful predictions ranging from 52 to 85% depending on the drug, algorithm or sample used for validation. Clinical outcomes of individual patients stratified in three groups and simulation comparisons identified 30 genes that correlated with survival. In patients carrying wild-type p53 either treated or not treated with chemotherapy, FEN1 and MMP2 exhibited the highest inverse correlation, whereas in untreated patients bearing mutated p53, SIAH1 negatively correlated with survival. Numerous repositioned and experimental drugs targeting FEN1 and MMP2 were identified and selected drugs tested. Epinephrine and myricetin, which target FEN1, have shown cytotoxic effect on Mero-14 cells whereas marimastat and batimastat, which target MMP2 demonstrated a modest but significant inhibitory effect on MPM cell migration. Finally, 8 genes displayed correlation with disease stage, which may have diagnostic implications. Conclusions Clinical decisions related to MPM personalized therapy based on individual patients’ genetic profile and previous chemotherapeutic treatment could be reached using computational tools and the predictions reported in this study upon further testing in animal models

Benefits of human milk in preterm infant feeding

Mother’s own milk is widely recognized as the optimal feeding not only for term but also for preterm infants. Evidence documents short and long-term metabolic, immunologic and neurodevelopmental advantages of breastfeeding when compared to formula. Moreover benefits of breastfeeding on psychological and relational aspects have to be considered. In order to meet the unique nutritional requirements of preterm infants and preserve the singular benefit of breastfeeding, human milk should be fortified to allow adequate growth and bone mineralization. Best fortification models are still object of research, in order to obtain a balance between the risk of undernutrition and the metabolic risks of a too rapid catch-up growth. When mother milk is unavailable or in short supply, donor milk (DM) represents the second best alternative and although some nutritional elements are inactivated by the pasteurization process, it still has documented advantages compared to formula. The demonstrated benefits of human milk (HM) highlight the importance of health care professional education in the support of breastfeeding

CÍRCULOS DE CULTURA E QUALIFICAÇÃO PROFISSIONAL PARA AGENTES COMUNITÁRIOS DE SAÚDE DA UNIDADE BÁSICA DE SAÚDE SÃO JOSÉ/PAPS – RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA

Trata-se de um relato de experiência sobre o projeto de extensão da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, idealizado e realizado por docentes, discentes do Curso de Graduação em Enfermagem e colaboradores que trabalham na rede de atenção básica. Para a satisfação desses objetivos, foram utilizados os Círculos de Cultura da metodologia de Paulo Freire, que valoriza o conhecimento prévio dos participantes e a (re)construção ativa de saberes, visando assim uma educação permanente construída e baseada na vivência de cada participante. Esta metodologia é de importância substancial para a prestação de uma assistência à saúde de qualidade. Palavras-chave: Extensão Universitária, Sistema Único de Saúde, Educação Permanente.   Culture Circles and Professional Qualification for Community Health Agents of São José Basic Health Unit / PAPS – Experience Report Abstract: This is an experience report about an extension project carried out at Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, which was idealized and coordinated by faculty members, undergraduate students of Nursing School and the staff members of public health service units. This project aimed at offering professional qualification to Community Health Agents from basic health service units, and as a means to achieve this objective, the Paulo Freire’s method of Culture Circles was applied by valuing the participants’ background and the active (re)construction of knowledge based on continued education and the experience of those involved. This method is of substantial importance for providing a better quality health care. Key words: University Extension, Unified Health System, Permanent Education.   Círculos de Cultura y Calificación Profesional para Agentes Comunitarios de Salud de La Unidad Básica de Salud São José / PAPS – Informe de experiencia Resumen: En este artículo se hace un relato de experiencia de un proyecto de extensión de la Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, idealizado y dirigido por los profesores, estudiantes de grado de Enfermería y miembros del personal de los servicios de salud pública, dirigido a la oferta de cualificación profesional a los Agentes Comunitarios de Salud de una Unidad Básica. Para lograr los objetivos, se aplicó la metodología de Paulo Freire de Círculos de Cultura, que valora el conocimiento previo de los participantes y la (re)construcción activa de saberes, orientado a la formación continua construida en base a la experiencia de cada participante. Esta metodología es de sustancial importancia para la prestación de una asistencia de salud de calidad. Palabras-clave: Extensión Universitaria, Sistema Único de Salud, Educación Permanente.</p

CÍRCULOS DE CULTURA E QUALIFICAÇÃO PROFISSIONAL PARA AGENTES COMUNITÁRIOS DE SAÚDE DA UNIDADE BÁSICA DE SAÚDE SÃO JOSÉ/PAPS – RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA

Trata-se de um relato de experiência sobre o projeto de extensão da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, idealizado e realizado por docentes, discentes do Curso de Graduação em Enfermagem e colaboradores que trabalham na rede de atenção básica. Para a satisfação desses objetivos, foram utilizados os Círculos de Cultura da metodologia de Paulo Freire, que valoriza o conhecimento prévio dos participantes e a (re)construção ativa de saberes, visando assim uma educação permanente construída e baseada na vivência de cada participante. Esta metodologia é de importância substancial para a prestação de uma assistência à saúde de qualidade. Palavras-chave: Extensão Universitária, Sistema Único de Saúde, Educação Permanente.   Culture Circles and Professional Qualification for Community Health Agents of São José Basic Health Unit / PAPS – Experience Report Abstract: This is an experience report about an extension project carried out at Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, which was idealized and coordinated by faculty members, undergraduate students of Nursing School and the staff members of public health service units. This project aimed at offering professional qualification to Community Health Agents from basic health service units, and as a means to achieve this objective, the Paulo Freire’s method of Culture Circles was applied by valuing the participants’ background and the active (re)construction of knowledge based on continued education and the experience of those involved. This method is of substantial importance for providing a better quality health care. Key words: University Extension, Unified Health System, Permanent Education.   Círculos de Cultura y Calificación Profesional para Agentes Comunitarios de Salud de La Unidad Básica de Salud São José / PAPS – Informe de experiencia Resumen: En este artículo se hace un relato de experiencia de un proyecto de extensión de la Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, idealizado y dirigido por los profesores, estudiantes de grado de Enfermería y miembros del personal de los servicios de salud pública, dirigido a la oferta de cualificación profesional a los Agentes Comunitarios de Salud de una Unidad Básica. Para lograr los objetivos, se aplicó la metodología de Paulo Freire de Círculos de Cultura, que valora el conocimiento previo de los participantes y la (re)construcción activa de saberes, orientado a la formación continua construida en base a la experiencia de cada participante. Esta metodología es de sustancial importancia para la prestación de una asistencia de salud de calidad. Palabras-clave: Extensión Universitaria, Sistema Único de Salud, Educación Permanente.</p

CÍRCULOS DE CULTURA E QUALIFICAÇÃO PROFISSIONAL PARA AGENTES COMUNITÁRIOS DE SAÚDE DA UNIDADE BÁSICA DE SAÚDE SÃO JOSÉ/PAPS – RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA

Trata-se de um relato de experiência sobre o projeto de extensão da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, idealizado e realizado por docentes, discentes do Curso de Graduação em Enfermagem e colaboradores que trabalham na rede de atenção básica. Para a satisfação desses objetivos, foram utilizados os Círculos de Cultura da metodologia de Paulo Freire, que valoriza o conhecimento prévio dos participantes e a (re)construção ativa de saberes, visando assim uma educação permanente construída e baseada na vivência de cada participante. Esta metodologia é de importância substancial para a prestação de uma assistência à saúde de qualidade.   Palavras-chave: Extensão Universitária, Sistema Único de Saúde, Educação Permanente.   Culture Circles and Professional Qualification for Community Health Agents of São José Basic Health Unit / PAPS – Experience Report Abstract: This is an experience report about an extension project carried out at Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, which was idealized and coordinated by faculty members, undergraduate students of Nursing School and the staff members of public health service units. This project aimed at offering professional qualification to Community Health Agents from basic health service units, and as a means to achieve this objective, the Paulo Freire’s method of Culture Circles was applied by valuing the participants’ background and the active (re)construction of knowledge based on continued education and the experience of those involved. This method is of substantial importance for providing a better quality health care. Key words: University Extension, Unified Health System, Permanent Education.   Círculos de Cultura y Calificación Profesional para Agentes Comunitarios de Salud de La Unidad Básica de Salud São José / PAPS – Informe de experiencia   Resumen: En este artículo se hace un relato de experiencia de un proyecto de extensión de la Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, idealizado y dirigido por los profesores, estudiantes de grado de Enfermería y miembros del personal de los servicios de salud pública, dirigido a la oferta de cualificación profesional a los Agentes Comunitarios de Salud de una Unidad Básica. Para lograr los objetivos, se aplicó la metodología de Paulo Freire de Círculos de Cultura, que valora el conocimiento previo de los participantes y la (re)construcción activa de saberes, orientado a la formación continua construida en base a la experiencia de cada participante. Esta metodología es de sustancial importancia para la prestación de una asistencia de salud de calidad. Palabras-clave: Extensión Universitaria, Sistema Único de Salud, Educación Permanente