BLENDS FOR AN ALTERNATIVE TO DARK CHOCOLATE: APPROACH WITH SENSORY PANEL AND CONSUMERS

O chocolate é um produto muito apreciado por suas características sensoriais. No que diz respeito a saúde, é uma parte amarga que tem maior benefício devido a um evento que apresenta naturalmente não cacau. No entanto, o chocolate com alto teor de cacau sólido tem características predominantes como alto gosto amargo residual e maior dureza, afetando diretamente a aceitabilidade do consumidor. O objetivo deste estudo foi substituir o chocolate amargo tradicional por blends contendo as combinações de cacau mais baixas (27%), igual (35%) e superior (47%) do produto tradicional.Os chocolates foram caracterizados por seus atributos sensoriais: cor marrom, aroma e sabor da massa de cacau, sabor adocicado, gosto amargo residual, dureza, espalhabilidade e adesividade por meio de uma nova técnica descritiva, o Perfil Descritivo Otimizado. A capacidade de ser avaliada por 120 coroas utilizando uma escala hedônica de nove pontos. Os resultados foram por análise de componentes principais, teste de Dunnet e Mapa de Preferências. As misturas “igual” e “superior” diferiram do controle para todos os atributos relacionados à textura e foram mais aceitas que a apresentação comercial, onde se destacam as características da textura do chocolate com os atributos que definiram aceitabilidade.Uma tecnologia de mistura mostrou-se para melhorar a aceitabilidade de chocolates com maior teor de cacau

PLANTAS MEDICINAIS: UMA REVISÃO

O uso das plantas medicinais no Brasil têm sido cada vez mais frequente, visto que o desenvolvimento damedicina fitoterápica têm crescido tanto em hospitais, farmácias e também uso doméstico. De acordo com aOrganização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), em 2014, 85% das pessoas do mundo utilizam plantas medicinais paratratar doenças com finalidade terapêutica, visando o conhecimento passado entre gerações e o conhecimentoexperimental dentro da indústria farmacêutica. No Brasil, plantas como babosa, chás como de camomila,capim-limão, hibisco e de alecrim têm sido muito utilizados nas casas brasileiras já que atualmente, muitosfatores têm contribuído para o aumento da utilização de plantas medicinais, entre eles, o alto custo dos remédiose produtos farmacêuticos, o difícil acesso da população à ajuda médica, bem como a tendência à busca deprodutos de origem natural. Um exemplo de como é usada uma das plantas medicinais é a Babosa ou Aloe Veraque é comumente utilizada como anti-inflamatória, cicatrizante e pode ser usada para tratamento de câncer.Propondo abordar a problemática sobre como as plantas tiveram seu uso na medicina, fabricação de remédios etratamentos, para todos os tipos de fins para a saúde, a utilização de plantas traz vários benefícios comofabricação de remédios e tratamentos que tenham eficácia. Nesse sentido, o objetivo dessa pesquisa é analisar ouso natural e científico das plantas medicinais no Brasil. De forma específica buscou-se o que são as plantasmedicinais, métodos utilizados para o uso das plantas desde a colonização brasileira até os dias de hoje e trazerinformações sobre o uso de plantas medicinais no Brasil. A metodologia utilizada foi a revisão bibliográfica,foram analisados artigos científicos em pesquisas como Google Acadêmico, Scielo e Lilacs. O resultadoesperado é expor para a comunidade acadêmica o conhecimento das plantas medicinais e seu uso

PROTÓTIPO DE SOLDA PONTO

O trabalho em questão consiste em desenvolver uma máquina de solda ponto (inventada em 1877 peloengenheiro elétrico e instrumentista inventor inglês Elihu Thomson), sendo ela um exemplo dos diversos tiposde máquina de solda. Conhecida também como ponto de resistência, tem a função de criar um ponto de uniãopermanente, a partir de uma corrente elétrica passando entre os metais (geralmente chapas finas ou fiosmetálicos) que estão em contato entre si e a máquina, unindo-os pelo calor gerado e pressão adicionada. Vistoque o processo de união de chapas mais predominante na indústria automobilística é o de resistência elétrica, emvirtude de seu fácil controle e qualidade. O objetivo do projeto é difundir a função de seus componentes, comoeste sistema funciona (sendo capaz de derreter, fundindo assim, metais como chapas de aço e ligas de alumínio),créditos e deméritos. Para a conclusão do trabalho serão adotados passos como: o estudo baseado em artigos;pesquisa de preços e compra dos materiais (transformador de alta tensão 110/220v de microondas, Cooler110/220v, tábuas de madeira, fio de cobre revestido (50 mm), duas ponteiras de tungstênio, etc) a seremutilizados; elaboração de uma planta do protótipo em vista ortogonal para pré-montagem; montagem e testes damáquina; finalização e publicação do trabalho. O orçamento estimado varia entre 350 a 400 reais para amontagem completa do protótipo. A solda ponto é muito utilizada no setor ferroviário, em aplicaçõesaeroespaciais e na indústria automobilística (cobre cerca de 85% do mercado global de soldagem a ponto). Optarpelo uso da solda ponto traz diversas vantagens devido à alta tendência de construção leve – menos massa leva aum menor consumo de energia e emissões de CO2 – , a alta velocidade e a facilidade de automação com grandetaxa de produção; em vários métodos é um processo econômico, devido a ser mais rápido do que os processos aarco elétrico e com maçarico. Pretende-se, com o protótipo de solda ponto, colocar em prática os conteúdoslecionados no curso de eletromecânica do Instituto Federal Catarinense (Campus Blumenau), desenvolvendo umcircuito seguro e de uso prático

Electromyography in muscle activation lumbar region in a comparison between manual therapy and photobiomodulation associated with kinesiotherapy in individuals with low back pain

Introduction: About 10 million people have low back pain (LBP) disability in Brazil, and several therapies are used to treat this condition, such as kinesiotherapy, manual therapy (MT) and photobiomodulation-PBM. Although studies have investigated the use of these methods in LBP, research seeking to evaluate the efficacy of the association between techniques is still needed. Objective: To evaluate the activation of the muscles lumbar region with the influence of PBM and MT associated with kinesiotherapy in the treatment of LBP. Methods: Twenty individuals with chronic LBP were randomly divided into two groups. The first group (MT) received vertebral mobilization associated with a kinesiotherapy exercise program, while the second group (830nm-PBM) received PBM associated with the exercise program, twice a week for 8 weeks. It was performed an evaluation of pain perceived by the visual analogic scale (VAS), lumbar disability by the Oswestry questionnaire, muscle strength by strain gauge and activation through surface electromyography, before and after the treatment protocol. EMG data analysis was performed by MatLab® software. The ANOVA two-way test was used (degree of significance p≤0.05), and the effects size by Hedge test. Results: Considering pain, the two groups presented a significant result (p<0.05). In muscle activation only the multifidus obtained different during side bridge (p<0.05) when compared intragroups. But none of the variables were different when evaluating intergroups. Conclusion: Both MT and PBM associated with kinesiotherapy for 8 weeks are effective in reducing pain, improving motor control and stability of the lumbar spine in patients with chronic LBP

Peginterferon still has a place in the treatment of hepatitis C caused by genotype 3 virus

Despite recent advances in therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC), the disease caused by genotype 3 virus (GEN3) is still considered a treatment challenge in certain patient subgroups. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the peginterferon (Peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) combination treatment for GEN3/CHC patients, and to evaluate sustained virological response (SVR) indicators and early treatment interruption due to serious adverse events (SAE). This was a retrospective observational study of GEN3/CHC patients, co-infected or not by HIV and treated with Peg-IFN/RBV in nine Brazilian healthcare centers. The study sample included 184 GEN3/CHC patients70 (38%) were co-infected with HIV. The overall SVR rate was 57.1% (95% CI 50-64). Among co-infected and mono-infected patients, the SVR rate was 51.4% (36/70) and 60.5% (69/114), respectively (p=0.241). Thirty-four (18.5%) patients experienced SAE and interrupted treatment. SVR was negatively associated with the use of Peg-IFN alpha 2b (PR 0.7595% CI 0.58-0.99p=0.045) and to early treatment interruption due to SAE (PR 0.3695% CI 0.20-0.68p=0.001). Early treatment interruption due to SAE was associated with age (PR 1.0695% CI 1.02-1.10p<0.001) and occurrence of liver cirrhosis (PR 2.0695% CI 1.11-3.83p=0.022). In conclusion, Peg-IFN/RBV might represent an adequate treatment option, mainly in young patients without advanced liver disease or when the use of direct-action drugs is limited to specific patient groups.Univ Sul Santa Catarina, Fac Med, Dept Ciencias Biol & Saude & Ciencias Sociais Apl, Disciplina Doencas Infecciosas, Av Pedra Branca 25, BR-88137270 Palhoca, SC, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Disciplina Infectol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Div Gastroenterol & Hepatol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Estado Rio de Janeiro, Dept Clin Med, Disciplina Gastroenterol, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Espirito Santo, Serv Infectol, Vitoria, ES, SpainUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Div Gastroenterol, Ribeirao Preto, SP, BrazilInst Infectol Emilio Ribas, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Doencas Infecciosas & Parasitarias, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilSecretaria Estadual Saude, Unidade Mista Saude, Unimista 508 509, Brasilia, DF, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo, Lab Virol, LIM 52, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Disciplina Infectol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Post-intervention Status in Patients With Refractory Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab During REGAIN and Its Open-Label Extension

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether eculizumab helps patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) achieve the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post-intervention status of minimal manifestations (MM), we assessed patients' status throughout REGAIN (Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab in AChR+ Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis) and its open-label extension. METHODS: Patients who completed the REGAIN randomized controlled trial and continued into the open-label extension were included in this tertiary endpoint analysis. Patients were assessed for the MGFA post-intervention status of improved, unchanged, worse, MM, and pharmacologic remission at defined time points during REGAIN and through week 130 of the open-label study. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients completed REGAIN and continued into the open-label study (eculizumab/eculizumab: 56; placebo/eculizumab: 61). At week 26 of REGAIN, more eculizumab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients achieved a status of improved (60.7% vs 41.7%) or MM (25.0% vs 13.3%; common OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). After 130 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 88.0% of patients achieved improved status and 57.3% of patients achieved MM status. The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with its known profile and no new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: Eculizumab led to rapid and sustained achievement of MM in patients with AChR+ refractory gMG. These findings support the use of eculizumab in this previously difficult-to-treat patient population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: REGAIN, NCT01997229; REGAIN open-label extension, NCT02301624. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that, after 26 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 25.0% of adults with AChR+ refractory gMG achieved MM, compared with 13.3% who received placebo

Minimal Symptom Expression' in Patients With Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody-Positive Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab

The efficacy and tolerability of eculizumab were assessed in REGAIN, a 26-week, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), and its open-label extension

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure &lt;= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt