Compostos bioativos em amêndoas in natura de baru (Dipteryx alata) durante o armazenamento.

As amêndoas de baru (Dipteryx alata) in natura são ricas em macro e micronutrientes e apresentam compostos bioativos. Os frutos de baru têm sido coletados pelas comunidades extrativistas para obtenção da amêndoa, que possui elevado valor no comércio local, contribuindo na preservação da espécie e geração de renda. Durante o armazenamento, o metabolismo do oxigênio nas células causa a produção de radicais livres, estes agentes oxidantes são produzidos pelo próprio organismo, podendo causar danos para o corpo humano. Assim, os compostos bioativos atuam na proteção contra estes agentes. Objetivouse neste trabalho analisar o efeito do tempo de armazenamento de frutos de baru nos compostos bioativos das amêndoas. Os frutos foram coletados e armazenados em temperatura ambiente, e a cada três meses, amostras foram tomadas ao acaso e as amêndoas foram separadas dos frutos e analisadas quanto a capacidade antioxidante, os teores de fenóis totais e taninos. Conclui-se que durante o armazenamento dos frutos, a capacidade antioxidante aumentou até o sexto mês de armazenamento, enquanto os teores de fenóis totais até o décimo segundo mês, mas os teores de taninos apresentaram redução com o tempo, não sendo encontrado após um ano de armazenamento.Sinatex

Protocolo para determinação de umidade em frutos de bocaiuva.

Acrocomia é umas das espécies frutíferas nativas de maior incidência no Cerrado e Pantanal. O fruto de bocaiuva apresenta conteúdo de água elevado e com a tecnologia de secagem as perdas na pós-colheita são minimizadas, propiciando vida útil. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar protocolo de determinação de umidade em frutos de bocaiuva in natura e desidratados em diferentes condições de ar. Os frutos foram coletados na região de Corumbá, MS, em dezembro de 2016, sanitizados com água clorada a 200mg L-1 de cloro ativo, por 10 min e submetidos a secagem artificial com circulação de ar a 40, 50, 60 e 70°C e armazenados em ambiente de laboratório por até 120 dias. A umidade foi determinada pelo método gravimétrico em estufa a 105°C, após 24, 48, 72 horas e 72h+4h. No tratamento 72+4h, os frutos foram mantidos em estufa a 105ºC por 72h, quando descascados e mantidos por 4 horas. Conclui-se neste trabalho que a umidade do fruto in natura aumentou com o tempo de exposição a 105°C nas primeira s 24h e nas 72h+4h, se manteve estável. Nos produtos desidratados a 40 e 50°C se estabilizou após 24-48h, enquanto para 60 e 70ºC no tempo de 72h. No armazenamento de 120 dias, teve aumento no tempo e exposição a 105°C, embora não houve difere nças estatísticas. Para padronização da umidade dos frutos a 105°C, o tempo de 72h é suficiente para retirar a água adsorvida e absorvida, independentemente da umidade inicial e da temperatura de secagem.Sinatex

The behaviour of repeat visitors to museums: Review and empirical findings

This study presents a theoretical and operational framework for analysing repeat visit to museums. Starting from the literature on repeat visit in tourism, the specificities of these cultural attractions are made explicit through a review of theoretical and applied works. Consistently with previous contributors, the paper suggests that the analysis of actual past behaviours has to be preferred to the one of attitudes. The application of proper econometric models is also remarked in order to put into account individual profiles. Information coming from three techniques is then used in an integrated way in order to provide a more comprehensive view of the phenomenon. Evidence from an ad hoc survey suggests the necessity to give a greater attention to perceived cultural value during the visit, promoting cultural events during the week and addressed to children, and taking care of those visitors that come from far places also through an integrated tourist supply. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

Mechanism-Based Screen for G1/S Checkpoint Activators Identifies a Selective Activator of EIF2AK3/PERK Signalling

Human cancers often contain genetic alterations that disable G1/S checkpoint control and loss of this checkpoint is thought to critically contribute to cancer generation by permitting inappropriate proliferation and distorting fate-driven cell cycle exit. The identification of cell permeable small molecules that activate the G1/S checkpoint may therefore represent a broadly applicable and clinically effective strategy for the treatment of cancer. Here we describe the identification of several novel small molecules that trigger G1/S checkpoint activation and characterise the mechanism of action for one, CCT020312, in detail. Transcriptional profiling by cDNA microarray combined with reverse genetics revealed phosphorylation of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2-alpha (EIF2A) through the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2-alpha kinase 3 (EIF2AK3/PERK) as the mechanism of action of this compound. While EIF2AK3/PERK activation classically follows endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signalling that sets off a range of different cellular responses, CCT020312 does not trigger these other cellular responses but instead selectively elicits EIF2AK3/PERK signalling. Phosphorylation of EIF2A by EIF2A kinases is a known means to block protein translation and hence restriction point transit in G1, but further supports apoptosis in specific contexts. Significantly, EIF2AK3/PERK signalling has previously been linked to the resistance of cancer cells to multiple anticancer chemotherapeutic agents, including drugs that target the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway and taxanes. Consistent with such findings CCT020312 sensitizes cancer cells with defective taxane-induced EIF2A phosphorylation to paclitaxel treatment. Our work therefore identifies CCT020312 as a novel small molecule chemical tool for the selective activation of EIF2A-mediated translation control with utility for proof-of-concept applications in EIF2A-centered therapeutic approaches, and as a chemical starting point for pathway selective agent development. We demonstrate that consistent with its mode of action CCT020312 is capable of delivering potent, and EIF2AK3 selective, proliferation control and can act as a sensitizer to chemotherapy-associated stresses as elicited by taxanes

Self-help interventions for depressive disorders and depressive symptoms: a systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Research suggests that depressive disorders exist on a continuum, with subthreshold symptoms causing considerable population burden and increasing individual risk of developing major depressive disorder. An alternative strategy to professional treatment of subthreshold depression is population promotion of effective self-help interventions that can be easily applied by an individual without professional guidance. The evidence for self-help interventions for depressive symptoms is reviewed in the present work, with the aim of identifying promising interventions that could inform future health promotion campaigns or stimulate further research.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A literature search for randomised controlled trials investigating self-help interventions for depressive disorders or depressive symptoms was performed using PubMed, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Reference lists and citations of included studies were also checked. Studies were grouped into those involving participants with depressive disorders or a high level of depressive symptoms, or non-clinically depressed participants not selected for depression. A number of exclusion criteria were applied, including trials with small sample sizes and where the intervention was adjunctive to antidepressants or psychotherapy.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The majority of interventions searched had no relevant evidence to review. Of the 38 interventions reviewed, the ones with the best evidence of efficacy in depressive disorders were S-adenosylmethionine, St John's wort, bibliotherapy, computerised interventions, distraction, relaxation training, exercise, pleasant activities, sleep deprivation, and light therapy. A number of other interventions showed promise but had received less research attention. Research in non-clinical samples indicated immediate beneficial effects on depressed mood for distraction, exercise, humour, music, negative air ionisation, and singing; while potential for helpful longer-term effects was found for autogenic training, light therapy, omega 3 fatty acids, pets, and prayer. Many of the trials were poor quality and may not generalise to self-help without professional guidance.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A number of self-help interventions have promising evidence for reducing subthreshold depressive symptoms. Other forms of evidence such as expert consensus may be more appropriate for interventions that are not feasible to evaluate in randomised controlled trials. There needs to be evaluation of whether promotion to the public of effective self-help strategies for subthreshold depressive symptoms could delay or prevent onset of depressive illness, reduce functional impairment, and prevent progression to other undesirable outcomes such as harmful use of substances.</p