Nano-Tubular Cellulose for Bioprocess Technology Development

Delignified cellulosic material has shown a significant promotional effect on the alcoholic fermentation as yeast immobilization support. However, its potential for further biotechnological development is unexploited. This study reports the characterization of this tubular/porous cellulosic material, which was done by SEM, porosimetry and X-ray powder diffractometry. The results showed that the structure of nano-tubular cellulose (NC) justifies its suitability for use in “cold pasteurization” processes and its promoting activity in bioprocessing (fermentation). The last was explained by a glucose pump theory. Also, it was demonstrated that crystallization of viscous invert sugar solutions during freeze drying could not be otherwise achieved unless NC was present. This effect as well as the feasibility of extremely low temperature fermentation are due to reduction of the activation energy, and have facilitated the development of technologies such as wine fermentations at home scale (in a domestic refrigerator). Moreover, NC may lead to new perspectives in research such as the development of new composites, templates for cylindrical nano-particles, etc

Device for creating a local cold plasma at the location of an object

The invention relates to a device for creating a local cold plasma at the location of an object, said device at least comprising a high-frequency power source, a plasma chamber, a plasma discharge electrode disposed in said plasma chamber, which is electrically connected to said high-frequency power source, as well as a supply line for a plasma gas, which opens into the plasma chamber at a location near the plasma discharge electrode. The object of the invention is to provide an improved device as referred to in the introduction, which enables an improved control of the created plasma in relation to the object. To that end, the device according to the invention is characterized in that the device comprises adjusting means arranged for automatically orienting the plasma discharge electrode relative to the object

Deficiency in short-chain fatty acid beta-oxidation affects theta oscillations during sleep

In rodents, the electroencephalogram (EEG) during paradoxical sleep and exploratory behavior is characterized by theta oscillations. Here we show that a deficiency in short-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (encoded by Acads) in mice causes a marked slowing in theta frequency during paradoxical sleep only. We found Acads expression in brain regions involved in theta generation, notably the hippocampus. Microarray analysis of gene expression in mice with mutations in Acads indicates overexpression of Glo1 (encoding glyoxylase 1), a gene involved in the detoxification of metabolic by-products. Administration of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) to mutant mice significantly recovers slow theta and Glo1 overexpression. Thus, an underappreciated metabolic pathway involving fatty acid beta-oxidation also regulates theta oscillations during sleep

Discutir saúde e imigração no contexto atual de intensa mobilidade humana

Este artigo aborda as relações entre imigração e saúde no Brasil, partindo de uma abordagem histórica que busca contextualizar o debate no país desde o século XIX até os dias atuais. A problematização dessas relações destaca os desafios das políticas sociais de acolhimento e integração dos imigrantes no mundo globalizado. Por meio da revisão bibliográfica sobre imigração e saúde no contexto brasileiro e internacional, buscamos prioridades que se impõem à saúde coletiva em face da intensa mobilidade humana atual. As desigualdades socioeconômicas marcam a experiência de parte dos imigrantes, expondo estas populações a uma maior vulnerabilidade, adoecimento e menor qualidade de vida. Apontamos a necessária promoção da equidade de acesso à saúde, prevenção contra a discriminação, ampliação das políticas públicas, formação dos profissionais e oferta de serviços adaptados, abordando a temática das migrações como determinante social de saúde

Involvement of decreased hypoxia-inducible factor 1 activity and resultant G1–S cell cycle transition in radioresistance of perinecrotic tumor cells

Cancer patients often suffer from local tumor recurrence after radiation therapy. Some intracellular and extracellular factors, such as activity of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), cell cycle status and oxygen availability, have been suggested to affect DNA damage responses and eventual radioresistant characteristics of cancer cells. But when, where, and how these factors affect one another and induce cellular radioresistance is largely unknown. Here, we analyzed mechanistic and spatio-temporal relationships among them in highly heterogeneous tumor microenvironments. Experiments in vitro demonstrated that a decrease in the glucose concentration reduced the transcriptional activity of HIF-1 and expression of a downstream gene for the cell cycle regulator p27 Kip1 even under hypoxic conditions. Then, the proportion of cells in the radioresistant S phase increased, whereas that in the radiosensitive G 1 phase decreased, significantly. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that cancer cells in perinecrotic hypoxic regions, which should be under low-glucose conditions, expressed little HIF-1α, and therefore, were mainly in S phase and less damaged by radiation treatment. Continuous administration of glucagon, which increases the blood glucose concentration and so improves glucose availability in perinecrotic hypoxic regions, induced HIF-1α expression and increased radiation-induced DNA damage. Taken all together, these results indicate that cancer cells in perinecrotic regions, which would be under low-glucose and hypoxic conditions, obtain radioresistance by decreasing the level of both HIF-1 activity and p27 Kip1 expression, and adjusting their cell cycle to the radioresistant S phase

Hospitalization-associated disability in older adults with valvular heart disease: incidence, risk factors and its association with care processes

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and recovery of hospitalisation-associated disability (HAD), the associated risk factors, and the link with care processes in patients aged 70 years or older hospitalised with valvular heart disease (VHD).; Prospective cohort study performed on the cardiology and cardiac surgery units of University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium. HAD was defined as the loss of independence to complete one of the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) between hospital admission and discharge. Recovery of HAD at 30 days post hospital discharge was achieved when patients recovered their baseline ADL status (2 weeks before hospital admission) (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02572999).; Eighty patients were enrolled in the study, 77 completed the assessment at discharge and 62 responded at 30 days follow-up. Forty patients (51.9%) developed HAD; 18 of them (45.0%) recovered their baseline ADL status. The risk of HAD increased when patients were physically restrained (relative risk (RR) 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-2.49), had indwelling catheters (RR 1.80, 95% CI 0.85-3.80) and received preventive pressure ulcer measures (RR 1.71, 95% CI 1.07-2.74). Patients with HAD had longer hospital stays (+3 days, p = .011) and longer use of indwelling catheters (+2 days, p = .024).; Half of the older adults with VHD developed HAD. The results indicate a potential association between HAD and care processes, which could be used as quality measures and intervention targets. Validation in larger cohort studies is recommended