Peripheral Blood Cell Counts as Potential Biomarkers for Alzheimer\u27s Disease: A Look at Polygenetic Risk Scores

Blood-based biomarkers for neurodegenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) have been extensively researched. Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) is a progressive neurological illness whose progression has been ascribed to gene expression. However, the pathophysiology of these disorders and its relationship to other abnormalities remain unknown. AD has been connected to PBCs, which include erythrocytes, platelets, and leukocytes and have a complicated interaction with the brain system. The pathogenesis of PBCs has been related to a negative influence on established neurodegenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer\u27s. Candidate gene association studies have become more common as progress in mapping the human genome has increased their viability. The plurality of candidate genes were selected based on their function or expression in disease-related systems (e.g., dopamine neurotransmitter systems), and this strategy is crucial for defining the nature of internal disturbance. It has increasingly been postulated that, in addition to cell-cell signaling inside the brain, dynamic crosstalk between the brain and systematic mechanisms such as circulation of blood cells may be crucial.https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/durep_posters/1115/thumbnail.jp

Formas tradicionais de uso, manejo e percepção dos recursos vegetais no Litoral do Paraná: etnoconservação florestal da Mata Atlântica / Traditional forms of use, management and perception of vegetal resources in the Coast of Paraná: forest ethnoconservation of the Atlantic Forest

Este trabalho teve por objetivo descrever a importância do manejo de recursos vegetais no Litoral do Paraná às vistas do uso pelas comunidades locais. Efetuou-se um estudo etnobotânico para a compreensão acerca do manejo e conhecimento de espécies nativas. Partimos do pressuposto teórico dos significados atribuídos ao território e a construção do mesmo por meio da sua dimensão simbólica. A abordagem feita aos entrevistados foi de forma dialógica, seguindo um roteiro norteador. Neste roteiro, durante as conversas foram anotados e gravados com a devida autorização, dados referentes às plantas medicinais. O trabalho identificou um grande número de espécies, sendo citadas 58 espécies com alguns usos.A partir das reflexões aqui expostas, acreditamos que seja possível fornecer subsídios para elaboração e direcionamento de estratégias de desenvolvimento e medidas de conservação na região, levando em consideração as formas de conhecimento tradicional sobre os recursos florestais e a sua influência para a preservação da integridade cultural e social deste ecossistema. Por fim, destacamos a relevância das populações tradicionais para a perpetuação do conhecimento e a conservação da biodiversidade local

Searching for promising sources of grain protectors in extracts from Neotropical Annonaceae

To investigate potential sources of novel grain protector compounds against Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), which is an important insect pest of stored cereals, this study evaluated the bioactivity of ethanolic extracts (66) prepared from 29 species belonging to 11 different genera of Neotropical Annonaceae. A screening assay demonstrated that the most pronounced bioactive effects on S. zeamais were caused by ethanolic extracts from Annona montana, A. mucosa, A. muricata, and A. sylvatica seeds, causing the death of all weevils exposed, almost complete inhibition of the F1 progeny and a drastic reduction in grain losses. Furthermore, the ethanolic extracts obtained from the leaves of A. montana, A. mucosa, A. muricata, and Duguetia lanceolata, especially A. montana and A. mucosa, demonstrated significant bioactive effects on the studied variables; however, the activity levels were less pronounced than in the seed extracts, and the response was dependent on the concentration used. This study is the first to report the activity of secondary metabolites from D. lanceolata on insects as well as the action of A. sylvatica on pests associated with stored grains

Resveratrol and resveratrol-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin complex recovered the changes of creatine kinase and Na+, K+-ATPase activities found in the spleen from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is the result of the selective destruction of the pancreatic β-cells by T cells of the immune system. Although spleen is a secondary lymphoid organ, it is also involved in the T1D pathogenesis. However, the alterations in a variety of cellular processes of this disease need to be further understood. We aimed to analyze the benefits of resveratrol, and its complexed form on diabetic complications in the spleen of rats. To this end, we investigated important enzymes of phosphoryl transfer network, and Na+, K+-ATPase activity. Wistar rats were divided into non-diabetic groups: Control, Ethanol, Resveratrol, Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, Resveratrol-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, and diabetic groups with the same treatments. Diabetes was induced by a single dose of 60 mg/kg of streptozocin intraperitoneally, and treatments by intragastric gavage once daily for 60 days. Hyperglycemia reduced creatine kinase activity, which was reversed by the administration of resveratrol. Na+, K+-ATPase activity was greatly affected, but it was reversed by resveratrol and resveratrol-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. This suggest an energetic imbalance in the spleen of diabetic rats, and in case this also occurs in the diabetic patients, it is possible that resveratrol supplementation could be beneficial to the better functioning of the spleen in diabetic patients

β-Cyclodextrins alter the energy metabolism-related enzyme activities in rats

Abstract Although widely used in medicine, separation technology, and other fields, the effects of cyclodextrins on the activities of phosphoryl transfer enzymes have not been previously evaluated. In vivo studies evaluated the function of cyclodextrins as active compounds. Despite the use of cyclodextrins as active compounds, the effects of cyclodextrins on hepatic and renal tissues remain to be fully elucidated. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of β- cyclodextrins, methyl-β-cyclodextrin (M-β- cyclodextrins), and (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-cyclodextrins) on enzyme activities regulating the maintenance of energy homeostasis in the kidney and liver tissues in relation to toxicity. Serum levels of liver and kidney markers were measured, and oxidative stress parameters were assessed. After 60-day treatments, we observed that the administration of β-cyclodextrins and M-β-cyclodextrins inhibited the hepatic activity of pyruvate kinase, an irreversible enzyme within the glycolytic pathway. Additionally, administration of HP-β-cyclodextrins inhibited creatine kinase activity and increased the total sulfhydryl content in kidneys. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that β-cyclodextrins, M-β-cyclodextrins, and HP-β-cyclodextrins cause bioenergetic dysfunction in renal and hepatic tissues. These findings suggest that understanding the balance between cyclodextrins’ efficacy and adverse effects is essential for better accepting their use in medicine

BENEFÍCIOS DA CINESIOTERAPIA LABORAL PARA SERVIDORES PÚBLICOS DO SETOR JURÍDICO

Introdução: A cinesioterapia laboral diz respeito a exercícios físicos realizados durante a jornada de trabalho, idealizados para compensar os movimentos repetitivos, a escassez de movimentação, ou mesmo compensar as posturas assumidas durante o período de trabalho. Metodologia: Realizou-se um estudo transversal, exploratório e descritivo, desenvolvido entre agosto a novembro de 2018, em Curitiba/PR. Participaram servidores e estagiários da Procuradoria Geral do Estado do Paraná (PGE), que concordaram com a pesquisa assinando o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido (TCLE). Foram realizadas 11 intervenções de Cinesioterapia Laboral, uma vez por semana, intercaladas por Orientações Individuais nos Postos de Trabalho. Os participantes foram avaliados e reavaliados com 4 questionários: autoral, Nórdico, Burnout e Inventário de Qualidade de Vida (IQV). Resultados e discussão: Houve predomínio do sexo feminino (89,2%). No questionário de Burnout não houve melhora quanto aos quesitos de Despersonalização e Exaustão Emocional, no questionário Nórdico foi identificado uma melhora nas dores referidas no pescoço e na parte inferior das costas, enquanto no IQV foi identificado que a qualidade de vida era boa no pré e pós intervenção nos quadrantes social, profissional e afetivo, porém foi identificado um grande índice de insucesso no quadrantes de saúde. Conclusão: A Cinesioterapia Laboral proporciona diversos benefícios tanto aos participantes quanto às empresas. As orientações individuais nos postos de trabalho proporcionam aos trabalhadores um meio de realizar suas atividades laborais cotidianas de modo mais confortável, com menos riscos biomecânicos, contribuindo para o bem estar no trabalho

PREVENÇÃO DE DOENÇAS CARDIOVASCULARES: ATIVIDADES EDUCATIVAS COM ESTUDANTES DO ENSINO MÉDIO

Doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) fazem parte das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (DCNTs), as quais são responsáveis por 17 milhões de mortes ao ano. Estas são predispostas por fatores de risco relacionados a maus hábitos de vida. O artigo objetivou descrever a realização de um projeto de extensão universitária de educação em saúde e prevenção de DCVs com um público adolescente de escolas públicas do Paraná. Ao todo, 243 alunos do ensino médio participaram de uma intervenção (conversa e jogo de tabuleiro) sobre prevenção de DCVs. O questionário CARRF-KL foi utilizado como instrumento de avaliação pré e pós-intervenção. A análise dos dados constatou que maior parte dos alunos apresentou aumento de respostas corretas depois da intervenção. As respostas objetivas e subjetivas colhidas pelo estudo constataram o importante papel da intervenção na conscientização estudantil, fazendo com que a abordagem preventiva seja positiva para a saúde dos adolescentes

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity