Population structure of Annona coriacea Mart. (Annonaceae) in different Cerrado phytophysiognomies

Knowing the regeneration and structure of a species in different phytophysiognomies is extremely important to understand its pattern of occurrence. In spite of its importance, this type of study is still scarce in the Cerrado biome. In this perspective, this work aimed to compare the structure of the arboreal and regenerating strata of Annona coriacea in the cerrado sensu stricto and in the cerradão (savanna woodland). For that purpose, 13 plots of 400m² were installed in each physiognomy. All individuals of A. coriacea were sampled and had their diameter and height measured. The individuals were divided into regenerating and arboreal and were distributed in classes of height and diameter. Furthermore, the absolute density and the basal area of each extract were calculated in each physiognomy. The parameters were compared using the T-test. In total, 130 individuals of A. Coriacea were sampled, with 42 regenerating individuals in the cerrado sensu stricto and 49 in the cerradão. As for the arboreal individuals, 33 were sampled in the cerrado sensu stricto and 6 in the cerradão. All evaluated parameters revealed to be significantly different for the physiognomies. Based on these results, it is possible to affirm that A. coriacea did not present a distribution pattern in the two physiognomies, although it presents a better establishment success in the cerrado sensu stricto. In the cerradão, although the seeds can germinate, the seedlings fail to develop and reach the adult age.Knowing the regeneration and structure of a species in different phytophysiognomies is extremely important to understand its pattern of occurrence. In spite of its importance, this type of study is still scarce in the Cerrado biome. In this perspective, this work aimed to compare the structure of the arboreal and regenerating strata of Annona coriacea in the cerrado sensu stricto and in the cerradão (savanna woodland). For that purpose, 13 plots of 400m² were installed in each physiognomy. All individuals of A. coriacea were sampled and had their diameter and height measured. The individuals were divided into regenerating and arboreal and were distributed in classes of height and diameter. Furthermore, the absolute density and the basal area of each extract were calculated in each physiognomy. The parameters were compared using the T-test. In total, 130 individuals of A. Coriacea were sampled, with 42 regenerating individuals in the cerrado sensu stricto and 49 in the cerradão. As for the arboreal individuals, 33 were sampled in the cerrado sensu stricto and 6 in the cerradão. All evaluated parameters revealed to be significantly different for the physiognomies. Based on these results, it is possible to affirm that A. coriacea did not present a distribution pattern in the two physiognomies, although it presents a better establishment success in the cerrado sensu stricto. In the cerradão, although the seeds can germinate, the seedlings fail to develop and reach the adult age

Non-fermented and fermented jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora Mart.) pomaces as valuable sources of functional ingredients

abuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora. Mart) is a highly perishable fruit native to Brazil, which is consumed both fresh and industrially processed in the form of juices, jams, wines and distilled liqueurs. This processing generates a large amount of waste by-products, which represent approximately 50% of the fruit weight. The by-products are of interest for obtaining valuable bioactive compounds that could be used as nutraceuticals or functional ingredients. In this study, fermented and non-fermented jabuticaba pomaces were studied regarding their hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds, as well as their antioxidant properties, including: soluble sugars, organic acids and tocopherols (using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to refraction index, diode array and fluorescence detector, respectively); phenolics and anthocyanins, (using liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection, and mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization); and fatty acids (using gas-liquid chromatography with flame ionization detection). The analytical data demonstrated that jabuticaba pomaces are a rich source of bioactive compounds such as tocopherols, polyunsaturated fatty acids and phenolic compounds (namely hydrolyzable tannins and anthocyanins) with antioxidant potential. Therefore, jabuticaba pomace may have good potential as a functional ingredient in the fabrication of human foods and animal feed.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal) for financial support to CIMO (strategic project Pest-OE/AGR/UI0690/2011) and to L. Barros (researcher contract under “Programa Compromisso com Ciência-2008”)

Lentil flour formulations to develop new snack-type products by extrusion processing: phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity

Extrusion process has been generally applied to the production of cereal-based snacks. However, in recent years, extrusion process has been also used for the development of pulses-based snacks, with few studies focussing on the incorporation of these food ingredients to obtain bioactive compounds enriched snacks with acceptable quality. The effects of the extrusion processing on fiber (soluble and insoluble), total available carbohydrates, tocopherols, organic acids, total phenolics, hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids and flavonols, as well as on the antioxidant capacity of different lentil-based, fiber-enriched flours were evaluated. Total dietary fiber (TDF) in the extruded flours ranged between 7.49 and 10.22 g/100 g, with a decrease from 6 to 37% which correlated with a significant increase in the fiber soluble fraction. α-, γ- and δ-Tocopherols were characterized in all the analyzed samples, being γ-tocopherol the major isoform, before and after extrusion. Additionally, a marked decrease of 83 to 94% in total tocopherol content after extrusion processing was observed and the decrease was more significant on quinic acid content. Conversely, an increase in most polyphenolic fractions was observed, probably due to the effect of extrusion process to induce hydrolysis of polyphenols bound fiber and/or proteins moieties, changing from non-extractable to extractable polyphenols. Similar increase in antioxidant activity was also observed in most formulated lentil-based flours, measured by four different antioxidant assays. Only flavonols presented an extensive content decrease of about 62 to 82%, after extrusion treatment.The authors are grateful to ALIMNOVA research group (UCM-GR35/10A) and to the CIMO research centre (Pest-OE/AGR/UI0690/2014) for financial support, and L. Barros’ research contract (“Compromisso para a Ciência 2008”)

Bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of extruded snack-type products developed from novel formulations of lentil and nutritional yeast flours

Pulses are well known to be gluten-free functional foods that provide a rich source of nutritional and healthy compounds with antioxidant-promoting activity. In the present study, the bioactive compounds, dietary fibre, arabinoxylans, individual phenolic compounds and tocopherols, were evaluated in different lentil flours (raw and extruded at 140 and 160 °C) formulated with nutritional yeasts, along with the changes induced by the extrusion process. The total dietary fibre and arabinoxylan content significantly (p < 0.05) increased after the extrusion process while a significant decrease of all tocopherol isoforms was also observed. Catechin, caffeic, kaempferol and quercetin derivatives were identified in the raw and extruded lentil flours. The decreases of total phenolic and individual phenolic compounds were directly related to the extrusion temperature; total phenolics and catechin hexoside exhibited a larger decrease in the lentil flours formulated with higher content of nutritional yeast (12 and 16%). The antioxidant activity results, determined using different assays, reflected the important effect of extrusion processing and food ingredients.The authors are grateful to the ALIMNOVA research group (UCM-951505/2012) and to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Program PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013) and L. Barros (SFRH/BPD/107855/2015) and for the grant POCI-01- 0145-FEDER-006984 (LA LSRE-LCM), funded by FEDER, through POCI-COMPETE2020 and FCT.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bioaccessibility of macrominerals and trace elements from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) farmers’ varieties

Traditional farmers’ varieties of tomato grown under extensive farming techniques are considered delicious and healthy foods and are preferred by local consumers. Tomatoes are an important component of a healthy diet, as they provide essential micronutrients, including minerals, which are vital to healthy development, disease prevention, and wellbeing. Given the considerable dietary intake of tomatoes and the scarcity of information about the bioaccessibility of inorganic constituents in this fruit, this study was carried out to evaluate the content and bioaccessibility of minerals (macro- and microelements) in tomato farmers’ varieties widely cultivated in northeastern Portugal homegardens. Among the macroelements, K stood out as the most abundant mineral in the studied varieties, followed by Mg, Ca, and Na. Regarding the microelements, while the yellow tomato had higher concentrations of Fe and Cu, the round tomato had more Zn and Mn. The in vitro bioaccessibility assessment showed that, among the macroelements, Mg was more bioaccessible than Ca and K when all the tomato varieties were considered together. Among the microelements, Cu seemed to be the most bioaccessible. Although the contribution of a 100 g serving of the studied tomato farmers’ varieties to the dietary reference intakes (DRIs) of minerals is relatively low, this food could contribute to reaching these mineral requirements, as it is included in the diet of most of the population, especially in Mediterranean regions.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for the financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES granted to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020), the ALIMNOVA Research Group (ref: 951505), and FEI21/34 (UCM). The FCT funded the contracts of J. Pinela (CEECIND/01011/2018) and L. Barros (institutional scientific employment program contract).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

CARACTERIZAÇÃO INICIAL DO METABOLISMO DE NITROGÊNIO EM ALYSICARPUS VAGINALIS (L.) DC EM RESPOSTA A PRESENÇA DE AMÔNIO

Alysicarpus vaginalis é uma herbácea da família Fabaceae de baixo crescimento anual ou de curta duração perene, extremamente variável em relação ao hábito, forma de folhas e cor da flor, de ampla distribuição geográfica, estendendo-se da África, Índia, leste da Ásia até a Austrália. Há relatos de utilização para compor pastagens, feno e forragem e/ou como estratégia para o controle da erosão. No Brasil, é considerada uma planta daninha, cuja ocorrência vem aumentando em áreas urbanas e rurais do estado de São Paulo. Cresce bem em solos moderadamente ácidos, mas não tolera salinidade; cresce em solos úmidos, mas não em condições de alagamento, no entanto pode sobreviver em curto tempo de inundação. Diante da ausência de dados sobre o metabolismo e por apresentar potencial de utilização para alimentação de ovelhas e cavalos, tendo sua palatabilidade e aceitabilidade similar à alfafa (Medicago sativa) e Aechynomene americana, estudamos o comportamento fisiológico desta espécie na presença de amônio. Observamos que a nodulação em Alysicarpus vaginalis não é afetada, mas o conteúdo de ácido alantóico em tecidos (folhas, raízes e nódulos) é influenciado pela variação na concentração de amônio fornecido à planta

CHOCOLATE E EMOÇÕES: A RELAÇÃO ENTRE O CONSUMO DE CHOCOLATE TEOR 70% CACAU E A ANSIEDADE

Serotonin, or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a neurotransmitter monoamine in the central nervous system of most animals, including humans. It has an effect on various functions of the Central Nervous System and on various processes in the body, such as stress, mood regulation, eating behavior, aggressiveness, cognition, body temperature, cardiovascular system and sexual behavior, for example. The present study aims to evaluate the relationship of chocolate consumption content 70% cocoa and anxiety. A survey of google scholar data, books and scientific articles was carried out to deepen the theme. An experiment was also carried out with a total of 30 days and was divided into two moments, the first without chocolate consumption and the second with chocolate consumption. Analyzing the data, it was concluded that the experiment was statistically significant. Tryptophan-rich foods help in the synthesis and control of serotonin in the body, being responsible for providing a sense of well-being.La serotonina, o 5-hidroxitriptamina (5-HT), es un neurotransmisor monoamina en el sistema nervioso central de la mayoría de los animales, incluidos los humanos. Tiene un efecto en varias funciones del Sistema Nervioso Central y en varios procesos en el cuerpo, como el estrés, la regulación del estado de ánimo, el comportamiento alimentario, la agresividad, la cognición, la temperatura corporal, el sistema cardiovascular y el comportamiento sexual, por ejemplo. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar la relación entre el contenido de consumo de chocolate 70% cacao y la ansiedad. Se llevó a cabo una encuesta de datos de Google Scholar, libros y artículos científicos para profundizar en el tema. También se realizó un experimento con un total de 30 días y se dividió en dos momentos, el primero sin consumo de chocolate y el segundo con consumo de chocolate. Analizando los datos, se concluyó que el experimento fue estadísticamente significativo. Los alimentos ricos en triptófano ayudan en la síntesis y control de la serotonina en el cuerpo, siendo responsables de proporcionar una sensación de bienestar.A serotonina, ou 5-hidroxitriptamina (5-HT), é uma monoamina neurotransmissora no sistema nervoso central da maioria dos animais, incluindo seres humanos. Ela tem efeito em várias funções  do  Sistema  Nervoso  Central  e  em  vários processos no organismo, como no stress, regulação do humor, do comportamento alimentar, da agressividade, da cognição, da temperatura  corporal,  do  sistema  cardiovascular  e  do  comportamento  sexual, por exemplo. O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a relação do consumo de chocolate teor 70% cacau e ansiedade. Foi realizado um levantamento de dados do Google Acadêmico, livros e artigos científicos para aprofundamento do tema. Realizou-se, também, um experimento com um total de 30 dias e que foi dividido em dois momentos, o primeiro sem o consumo de chocolate e o segundo com o consumo de chocolate. Analisando os dados, chegou-se à conclusão de que o experimento foi estatisticamente significativo. Os alimentos ricos em triptofano ajudam na  síntese  e  no  controle  da  serotonina  no organismo,  sendo responsável  por  prover sensação  de  bem-estar.A serotonina, ou 5-hidroxitriptamina (5-HT), é uma monoamina neurotransmissora no sistema nervoso central da maioria dos animais, incluindo seres humanos. Ela tem efeito em várias funções  do  Sistema  Nervoso  Central  e  em  vários processos no organismo, como no stress, regulação do humor, do comportamento alimentar, da agressividade, da cognição, da temperatura  corporal,  do  sistema  cardiovascular  e  do  comportamento  sexual, por exemplo. O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a relação do consumo de chocolate teor 70% cacau e ansiedade. Foi realizado um levantamento de dados do Google Acadêmico, livros e artigos científicos para aprofundamento do tema. Realizou-se, também, um experimento com um total de 30 dias e que foi dividido em dois momentos, o primeiro sem o consumo de chocolate e o segundo com o consumo de chocolate. Analisando os dados, chegou-se à conclusão de que o experimento foi estatisticamente significativo. Os alimentos ricos em triptofano ajudam na  síntese  e  no  controle  da  serotonina  no organismo,  sendo responsável  por  prover sensação  de  bem-estar

A Brazilian classified data set for prognosis of tuberculosis, between January 2001 and April 2020

After COVID-19, tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death by an infectious disease in the world. This work presents a data set based on data collected from the Brazilian Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) for the period from January 2001 to April 2020 relating to patients diagnosed with tuberculosis in Brazil. The data from SINAN was pre-processed to generate a new data set with two distinct treatment outcome classes: CURED and DIED. The data set comprises 37 categorical attributes (including socio-demographic, clinical, and laboratory data) as well as the target class. There are 927,909 records of patients classified as CURED and 36,190 classified as DIED, totaling 964,099 records

EFETIVIDADE DA HIDROTERAPIA E DA CINESIOTERAPIA NA REABILITAÇÃO DE IDOSOS COM HISTÓRICO DE QUEDAS

A fisioterapia tem um papel fundamental na reabilitação funcional de idosos com histórico de quedas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a efetividade do protocolo de hidroterapia e cinesioterapia no equilíbrio, na agilidade e na estatura em idosos que costumam cair. Foram avaliados 14 idosos por meio de estadiômetro, escala de equilíbrio de Berg e Timed Up & Go. Os idosos foram alocados em dois grupos: G1, tratados com hidroterapia, e G2, tratados com cinesioterapia. O protocolo teve duração de 2 meses, sendo duas vezes por semana e sessões de 40 minutos, totalizando 16 atendimentos. Após 16 sessões, os participantes foram reavaliados. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente pelos testes Kruskal-Wallis e Wilcox-Mann-Whitney. Comparando-se os dois grupos, verificou-se que ambos os grupos apresentaram maior pontuação na escala de equilíbrio de Berg, menor tempo na realização do Timed Up & Go e uma tendência à significância na estatura corporal após a aplicação do protocolo No entanto, não houve diferenças estatisticamente entre os grupos. Pode-se concluir que a hidroterapia e a cinesioterapia são efetivas para a melhora do equilíbrio e agilidade dos participantes, amenizando o declínio da capacidade funcional inerente ao envelhecimento

Chemical and Bioactive Features of Amaranthus caudatus L. Flowers and Optimized Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Betalains

The vibrant colours of many plants are due to secondary metabolites, such as nitrogen-containing compounds, where betacyanins are included. These compounds can be found in plants such as Amaranthus caudatus L. that, due to their high nutritional benefits, have been overproduced, which leads to the accumulation of large amounts of bio-residues. Among these bio-residues, the flowers which have a very intense pink colour and present no economic value or subsequent destination can be exploited as sources of natural colouring agents (betacyanins). This work aimed at characterising the flower’s extract in terms of bioactive molecules such as tocopherols, organic acids, but essentially in terms of betacyanins, in order to obtain a natural colouring agent. For the extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) ideal conditions were obtained using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM), allowing the attainment of an enriched extract of betacyanins in high yields and purity. The obtained extracts were analysed for their bioactive potential, namely antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties. From the obtained results, three isoforms of tocopherols were detected, β-tocopherol (0.884 ± 0.003 mg/100 g dry weight (dw)) being the most abundant one. Regarding the organic acids, oxalic (2.48 ± 0.05 mg/100 g dw), shikimic (0.170 ± 0.003 mg/100 g dw) and traces of fumaric acid were found. Four betacyanins were identified and quantified, namely: amaranthine (171 ± 1 mg/g extract), isoamaranthine (38 ± 1 mg/g extract), betanin (1.6 ± 0.1 mg/g), and isobetanin (1.3 ± 0.1 mg/g extract). The obtained extract also presented antioxidant activity with inhibition concentration (IC50 values) of 29.0 ± 0.4 μg/mL and 114 ± 4 μg/mL for Δt of 60 min and 120 min, respectively in the oxidative haemolysis inhibition assay (OxHLIA) assay. The obtained extract also presented an interesting antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 5 to 20 mg/mL against pathogenic bacteria and revealed no toxicity for normal cells