Identification of Novel Inhibitors of Dietary Lipid Absorption Using Zebrafish

Pharmacological inhibition of dietary lipid absorption induces favorable changes in serum lipoprotein levels in patients that are at risk for cardiovascular disease and is considered an adjuvant or alternative treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). Here we demonstrate the feasibility of identifying novel inhibitors of intestinal lipid absorption using the zebrafish system. A pilot screen of an unbiased chemical library identified novel compounds that inhibited processing of fluorescent lipid analogues in live zebrafish larvae. Secondary assays identified those compounds suitable for testing in mammals and provided insight into mechanism of action, which for several compounds could be distinguished from ezetimibe, a drug used to inhibit cholesterol absorption in humans that broadly inhibited lipid absorption in zebrafish larvae. These findings support the utility of zebrafish screening assays to identify novel compounds that target complex physiological processes

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Cuidado nutricional hospitalar: percepção de nutricionistas para atendimento humanizado Hospital nutritional care: perception of the nutritionist for humanized attendance

A pesquisa identificou as ações de cuidado alimentar e nutricional considerando as perspectivas da equipe de nutricionistas de um hospital de referência para a Política Nacional de Humanização (PNH). A partir de uma abordagem qualitativa, utilizou-se a técnica de grupos focais. A pesquisa envolveu treze nutricionistas, que foram divididas em dois grupos de acordo com o tempo de serviço, seguindo critérios de homogeneidade. As entrevistas foram desenvolvidas para análise da categoria: ser nutricionista para um atendimento humanizado, buscando-se conhecer as seguintes ações da prática destes profissionais: avaliação nutricional do paciente; planejamento, implementação e avaliação do cuidado nutricional e alimentar. A análise do conteúdo foi utilizada como técnica para sistematização das informações obtidas, agrupando-as em unidades de significado. O estudo revelou que há priorização do atendimento individualizado em função do número de leitos e de atividades burocráticas, falta de autonomia em relação à prescrição de dietas, dificuldades de interação com outros profissionais de saúde e entre as nutricionistas das áreas clínica e produção de refeições. Os resultados deste estudo poderão oferecer aos profissionais subsídios que fundamentem ações para a construção de um modelo de cuidado alimentar e nutricional humanizado em hospitais.<br>The research analyzed the actions of alimentary and nutritional care considering the perspectives of the nutritionists in a hospital reference for the National Politics of Humanization (PNH). From a qualitative approach, a focal group technique was used. The nutritionists were divided in two groups by working time, following homogeneity criteria. The interviews were developed for analysis of the category: Being a nutritionist for a humanized assistance, seeking to understand these professionals following actions: nutritional evaluation of the patient; planning, implementation and evaluation of the nutritional and alimentary care. The analysis of the content was used as a technique for the systematization of the collected information grouped in units of meaning. The study disclosed that there is prioritization of the individualized assistance in function of the number of beds and bureaucratic activities, lack of autonomy in relation to the prescription of diets, difficulties of interaction with other health professionals and between the nutritionists of the clinical and meal production areas. The results will provide the professional subsidies that substantiate actions for the construction of a model of humanized alimentary and nutritional care on hospitals