1,151 research outputs found

    Influence of low oxygen and high carbon dioxide on shredded Galega kale quality for development of modified atmosphere packages

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    Respiration rate, sensory attributes, colour alterations, and water, chlorophyll and ascorbic acid contents were monitored during storage of shredded Galega kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala DC.) at 20 ◦C to define an adequate range of O2 and CO2 partial pressures for product preservation. Different low O2 and high CO2 atmospheres were tested. First, tolerance to low O2 partial pressures (1, 2, 3 or 21 kPa O2 with balance N2) was tested. Quality retention was improved as O2 partial pressure was reduced and there was no induction of anaerobic respiration. Then, tolerance to high CO2 partial pressures (0, 10, 15 or 20 kPa CO2 plus 21 kPa O2 and balance N2) was tested. The high CO2 partial pressures extended the shelf life of the shredded kale and no symptoms of CO2 injury were detected. Finally, combinations of low O2 and high CO2 (1 or 2 kPa O2 plus 15 or 20 kPa CO2, with balance N2, and an air control) were analysed. No differences were observed among the different gas combinations. An atmosphere of 1–2 kPa O2 plus 15–20 kPa CO2 and balance N2 extends the shelf life of shredded Galega kale to 4–5 days at 20◦C, compared with 2–3 days in air storage. Predictive models of chlorophyll a and b degradation as a function of time and gas composition were developed

    Crystal structures of three 6-substituted coumarin-3-carboxamide derivatives

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    Three coumarin derivatives, viz. 6-methyl-N-(3-methyl-phen-yl)-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxamide, C18H15NO3 (1), N-(3-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxamide, C18H15NO4 (2), and 6-meth-oxy-N-(3-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxamide, C18H15NO5 (3), were synthesized and structurally characterized. The mol-ecules display intra-molecular N-H⋯O and weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which probably contribute to the approximate planarity of the mol-ecules. The supra-molecular structures feature C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and π-π inter-actions, as confirmed by Hirshfeld surface analyses.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    Effect of an extract of Centella asiatica on the biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate (Na<sup>99m</sup>TcO<sub>4</sub>) and on the fixation of radioactivity on blood constituents

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    This study evaluates the effects of an acute treatment with a Centella asiatica (CA) extract on the biodistribution of the radiopharmaceutical Na99mTcO4 and on the fixation of technetium-99m on blood constituents. Wistar rats were treated with CA extract and, 1 hour after, Na99mTcO4 was administered; organs/tissues were withdrawn and weighted. The radioactivity was counted to calculate the percentage of activity per gram (%ATI/g). Also, blood samples were withdrawn, plasma (P), blood cells (BC), insoluble fraction (IF) and soluble fractions of P and BC were isolated and the radioactivity was counted to calculate the percentage of activity (%ATI). Data indicated that the acute treatment with CA extract changed significantly (p99mTcO4 and the fixation of the technetium-99m on blood constituents in an acute treatment

    ALTERAÇÃO DE PARÂMETROS RELACIONADOS AO RISCO CARDIOVASCULAR EM ADOLESCENTES OBESOS

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    Introdu&ccedil;&atilde;o: A obesidade juvenil &eacute; considerada um problema de sa&uacute;de p&uacute;blica e o aumento de sobrepeso e obesidade nesta fase est&aacute; associado a complica&ccedil;&otilde;es metab&oacute;licas e cardiovasculares na idade adulta1. Objetivo: Identificar altera&ccedil;&otilde;es nos par&acirc;metros antropom&eacute;tricos e bioqu&iacute;micas em adolescentes obesos. Metodologia: Adolescentes (14-18 anos), de ambos os sexos, matriculados em escolas de Ensino M&eacute;dio de Barra do Gar&ccedil;as &ndash; MT foram divididos em grupos experimentais de acordo com o &Iacute;ndice de Massa corporal (IMC): eutr&oacute;ficos (IMC ˃18 e ˂25) e obesos (IMC˂25)2. O IMC, circunfer&ecirc;ncia abdominal, porcentagem de gordura corporal, press&atilde;o arterial, dosagens de colesterol total, triglic&eacute;rides e glicemia foram avaliados em ambos grupos. Diferen&ccedil;as estat&iacute;sticas foram calculadas atrav&eacute;s do teste T Student, (p˂0,05). Resultados e discuss&otilde;es: Foram avaliados 89 adolescentes, sendo 74 eutr&oacute;ficos e 15 obesos. Os adolescentes obesos apresentaram aumento dos valores de press&atilde;o sist&oacute;lica [(mmHg) 126 &plusmn; 3,7 vs. 116&plusmn;1,7], circunfer&ecirc;ncia abdominal [(cm) 87&plusmn; 1,9 vs. 72 &plusmn; 0,6], porcentagem de gordura corporal [(%) 27&plusmn;1,8 vs. 18 &plusmn; 0,7], IMC (27,1&plusmn;0,7 vs. 21.0&plusmn;0,2), quando comparados ao grupo eutr&oacute;fico. Adicionalmente, os adolescentes obesos apresentaram aumento nos &iacute;ndices de colesterol total [(mg/dL) 160 &plusmn; 7,4 vs. 140 &plusmn; 3,8], triglic&eacute;rides [(mg/dL) 106,6&plusmn;14,4 vs. 64,0&plusmn;3,8], se comparados ao grupo eutr&oacute;fico. Tanto a press&atilde;o diast&oacute;lica quanto os n&iacute;veis glic&ecirc;micos n&atilde;o apresentaram altera&ccedil;&atilde;o entre os grupos. Conclus&otilde;es: As altera&ccedil;&otilde;es de par&acirc;metros antropom&eacute;tricos e bioqu&iacute;micos observados em adolescentes obesos demonstram que fatores de risco para doen&ccedil;as cardiovasculares est&atilde;o alterados nessa popula&ccedil;&atilde;o jovem, favorecendo o surgimento precoce de doen&ccedil;as cr&ocirc;nicas como Diabetes Mellitus e da hipertens&atilde;o arterial

    Chitin-Like Molecules Associate with Cryptococcus neoformans Glucuronoxylomannan To Form a Glycan Complex with Previously Unknown Properties

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    In prior studies, we demonstrated that glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), the major capsular polysaccharide of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, interacts with chitin oligomers at the cell wall-capsule interface. the structural determinants regulating these carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions, as well as the functions of these structures, have remained unknown. in this study, we demonstrate that glycan complexes composed of chitooligomers and GXM are formed during fungal growth and macrophage infection by C. neoformans. To investigate the required determinants for the assembly of chitin-GXM complexes, we developed a quantitative scanning electron microscopy-based method using different polysaccharide samples as inhibitors of the interaction of chitin with GXM. This assay revealed that chitin-GXM association involves noncovalent bonds and large GXM fibers and depends on the N-acetyl amino group of chitin. Carboxyl and O-acetyl groups of GXM are not required for polysaccharide-polysaccharide interactions. Glycan complex structures composed of cryptococcal GXM and chitin-derived oligomers were tested for their ability to induce pulmonary cytokines in mice. They were significantly more efficient than either GXM or chitin oligomers alone in inducing the production of lung interleukin 10 (IL-10), IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). These results indicate that association of chitin-derived structures with GXM through their N-acetyl amino groups generates glycan complexes with previously unknown properties.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ)NIHCenter for AIDS Research at EinsteinUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Microbiol Prof Paulo de Goes, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Biofis Carlos Chagas Filho, Lab Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, BR-21941 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilAlbert Einstein Coll Med, Dept Microbiol & Immunol, Bronx, NY 10467 USAAlbert Einstein Coll Med, Div Infect Dis, Dept Med, Bronx, NY 10467 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Disciplina Biol Celular, São Paulo, BrazilFiocruz MS, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Ctr Desenvolvimento Tecnol, BR-21045900 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Disciplina Biol Celular, São Paulo, BrazilNIH: AI033142NIH: AI033774NIH: AI052733NIH: HL059842Web of Scienc

    AVALIAÇÃO AMBIENTAL DE EDIFICAÇÃO DE BASALTO

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    A construção civil é notoriamente causadora de impactos ambientais. Tal fato deve-se em grande parte à utilização de materiais construtivos cujo processo de fabricação consome elevadas quantidades de energia e de recursos naturais. Através de ferramentas como a Análise do Ciclo de Vida (ACV), aplicada para os materiais de construção, é possível quantificar esses impactos e, conseqüentemente, poder realizar a escolha por componentes menos impactantes. Este trabalho teve por objetivo a elaboração de uma avaliação ambiental para os impactos causados pela construção em basalto das paredes do Centro de Estudos Regenerativos e Sustentabilidade de Feliz – RS. Desta forma, foram identificados os impactos ambientais causados pelos materiais utilizados para a construção dessa parede, resultando em estudo com informações que buscam contribuir para a especificação de componentes ambientalmente mais sustentáveis. Para efeito do trabalho, considerou-se a avaliação da “fatia” de 1m de largura de parede da edificação, sendo estimadas as cargas das paredes e das fundações, realizados seus dimensionamentos, possibilitando assim a quantificação dos materiais utilizados. A partir desta quantificação, adotaram-se valores para conversão em massa e em índice energético, a fim de serem obtidas as cargas ambientais embutidas no ciclo de vida dos materiais aplicados. Como resultado, verificou-se que os maiores impactos ambientais são causados por materiais cujo processo de manufatura apresenta elevado consumo energético, no caso dos materiais utilizados, a lona e a geomembrana. Além disso, foi possível verificar a dimensão dos impactos ambientais originados no transporte dos materiais, responsável por grande consumo de diesel e, consequentemente, elevada emissão de CO2. Em alguns casos, reconsiderar a especificação de componentes construtivos que devam percorrer grandes distâncias até chegarem ao seu destino final de aplicação torna-se fundamental

    A Paracoccidioides brasiliensis glycan shares serologic and functional properties with cryptococcal glucuronoxylomannan

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    The cell wall of the yeast form of the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is enriched with alpha 1,3-glucans. in Cryptococcus neoformans, alpha 1,3-glucans interact with glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), a hetero-polysaccharide that is essential for fungal virulence. in this study, we investigated the occurrence of P. brasiliensis glycans sharing properties with cryptococcal GXM. Protein database searches in P. brasiliensis revealed the presence of sequences homologous to those coding for enzymes involved in the synthesis of GXM and capsular architecture in C. neoformans. in addition, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised to cryptococcal GXM bound to P. brasiliensis cells. Using protocols that were previously established for extraction and analysis of C neoformans GXM, we recovered a P. brasiliensis glycan fraction composed of mannose and galactose, in addition to small amounts of glucose, xylose and rhamnose. in comparison with the C. neoformans GXM, the P. brasiliensis glycan fraction components had smaller molecular dimensions. the P. brasiliensis components, nevertheless, reacted with different GXM-binding mAbs. Extracellular vesicle fractions of P. brasiliensis also reacted with a GXM-binding mAb, suggesting that the polysaccharide-like molecule is exported to the extracellular space in secretory vesicles. An acapsular mutant of C. neoformans incorporated molecules from the P. brasiliensis extract onto the cell wall, resulting in the formation of surface networks that resembled the cryptococcal capsule. Coating the C. neoformans acapsular mutant with the P. brasiliensis glycan fraction resulted in protection against phagocytosis by murine macrophages. These results suggest that P. brasiliensis and C. neoformans share metabolic pathways required for the synthesis of similar polysaccharides and that P. brasiliensis yeast cell walls have molecules that mimic certain aspects of C. neoformans GXM. These findings are important because they provide additional evidence for the sharing of antigenically similar components across phylogenetically distant fungal species. Since GXM has been shown to be important for the pathogenesis of C neoformans and to elicit protective antibodies, the finding of similar molecules in P. brasiliensis raises the possibility that these glycans play similar functions in paracoccidiomycosis. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ)NIHCenter for AIDS Research at EinsteinInterhemispheric Research Training Grant in Infectious Diseases, Fogarty International CenterDepartment of EnergyFiocruz MS, CDTS, BR-21040360 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Microbiol Prof Paulo de Goes, BR-21941902 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilAlbert Einstein Coll Med, Dept Microbiol & Immunol, Bronx, NY 10461 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Disciplina Biol Celular, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Biofis Carlos Chagas Filho, Lab Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, BR-21941903 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilAlbert Einstein Coll Med, Div Infect Dis, Dept Med, Bronx, NY 10461 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Disciplina Biol Celular, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilNIH: AI033142NIH: AI033774NIH: AI052733NIH: HL059842Interhemispheric Research Training Grant in Infectious Diseases, Fogarty International Center: NIH D43-TW007129Department of Energy: DE-FG-9-93ER-20097Web of Scienc

    Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Triazole N-acylhydrazone Hybrids for Alzheimer's Disease

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    Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder that involves different pathogenic mechanisms. In this regard, the goal of this study was the design and synthesis of new compounds with multifunctional pharmacological activity by molecular hybridization of structural fragments of curcumin and resveratrol connected by an N-acyl-hydrazone function linked to a 1,4-disubstituted triazole system. Among these hybrid compounds, derivative 3e showed the ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity, the intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species as well as the neurotoxicity elicited by Aβ42 oligomers in neuronal SH-SY5Y cells. In parallel, compound 3e showed a good profile of safety and ADME parameters. Taken together, these results suggest that 3e could be considered a lead compound for the further development of AD therapeutics
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