Imaging review of the lung parenchymal complications in patients with IPF

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, pulmonary-limited, interstitial lung disease with a poor prognosis. This condition is characterized by different clinical scenarios, ranging from the most typical slow and progressive deterioration of symptoms to a rapid and abrupt decline of lung function. Rapid worsening of clinical course is due to superimposed complications and comorbidities that can develop in IPF patients, with a higher incidence rate compared to the general population. These conditions may require a different management of the patient and a therapy adjustment, and thus it is fundamental to recognize them. High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) is sensitive, but not specific, in detecting these complications, and can evaluate the presence of radiological variations when previous examinations are available; it recognizes ground glass opacities or consolidation that can be related to a large spectrum of comorbidities, such as infection, lung cancer, or acute exacerbation. To reach the final diagnosis, a multidisciplinary discussion is required, particularly when the clinical context is related to imaging findings

Fermented soy-derived bioactive peptides selected by a molecular docking approach show antioxidant properties involving the keap1/nrf2 pathway

Bioactive peptides are a group of molecules with health beneficial properties, deriving from food matrices. They are protein fragments consisting of 2–20 amino acids that can be released by microbial fermentation, food processing and gastrointestinal digestion. Once hydrolyzed from their native proteins, they can have different functions including antioxidant activity, which is important for cell protection by oxidant agents. In this work, fermented soy products were digested in vitro in order to improve the release of bioactive peptides. These were extracted, purified and analyzed in vitro and in a cellular model to assess their antioxidant activity. Peptide sequences were identified by LC-MS/MS analysis and a molecular docking approach was used to predict their ability to interact with Keap1, one of the key proteins of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, the major system involved in redox regulation. Peptides showing a high score of interaction were selected and tested for their antioxidant properties in a cellular environment using the Caco-2 cell line and examined for their capability to defend cells against oxidative stress. Our results indicate that several of the selected peptides were indeed able to activate the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway with the consequent overexpression of antioxidant and phase II enzymes

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) combined with swimming training improved the lipid profile in rats fed with high-fat diet

Obesity and associated dyslipidemia is the fastest growing health problem throughout the world. The combination of exercise and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) could be a new approach to the treatment of obesity and associated disease. In this work, the effects of LLLT associated with exercises on the lipid metabolism in regular and high-fat diet rats were verified. We used 64 rats divided in eight groups with eight rats each, designed: SC, sedentary chow diet; SCL, sedentary chow diet laser, TC, trained chow diet; TCL, trained chow diet laser; SH, sedentary high-fat diet; SHL, sedentary high-fat diet laser; TH, trained high-fat diet; and THL, trained high-fat diet laser. The exercise used was swimming during 8 weeks/90 min daily and LLLT (GA-Al-As, 830 nm) dose of 4.7 J/point and total energy 9.4 J per animal, applied to both gastrocnemius muscles after exercise. We analyzed biochemical parameters, percentage of fat, hepatic and muscular glycogen and relative mass of tissue, and weight percentage gain. The statistical test used was ANOVA, with post hoc Tukey–Kramer for multiple analysis between groups, and the significant level was p < 0.001, p < 0.01, and p < 0.05. LLLT decreased the total cholesterol (p < 0.05), triglycerides (p < 0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05), and relative mass of fat tissue (p < 0.05), suggesting increased metabolic activity and altered lipid pathways. The combination of exercise and LLLT increased the benefits of exercise alone. However, LLLT without exercise tended to increase body weight and fat content. LLLT may be a valuable addition to a regimen of diet and exercise for weight reduction and dyslipidemic control

Gergelim: qualidade de grãos cultivados em Mato Grosso em função do tipo de colheita.

Resumo: O estado de Mato Grosso é o principal produtor de gergelim (Sesamum indicum L.) do Brasil. Entretanto, apesar do interesse pela cultura e do crescimento na produção, diversas lacunas de manejo ainda precisam ser preenchidas de forma a permitir maior expansão e rentabilidade desta cultura. Uma operação crítica na produção de gergelim é a etapa de colheita que pode influenciar diretamente a quantidade e qualidade de grãos. Desta forma, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a qualidade de grãos de gergelim produzidos comercialmente em Mato Grosso na safra 2019/2020, colhidos de forma mecânica e manual. A qualidade dos grãos, de seis materiais genéticos comerciais, foi avaliada pela determinação de suas propriedades físicas e fisiológicas e pela determinação da composição química. Foram avaliadas 20 amostras, sendo quatorze provenientes de colheita mecânica e seis de colheita manual. As propriedades avaliadas dos grãos de gergelim produzidos no estado de Mato Grosso, colhidos mecânica ou manualmente, permitirão o desenvolvimento ou aprimoramento de equipamentos para expansão da cultura. | Abstract: The state of Mato Grosso is the first producer of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in Brazil. However, despite the interest in the culture and the growth in production, several management gaps still need to be filled in order to allow greater expansion and profitability of this culture. A critical operation in sesame production is the harvest stage, which can directly influence the quantity and quality of grains. In this way, the present work aimed to evaluate the quality of sesame grains produced commercially in Mato Grosso in the 2019/2020 harvest, harvested mechanically and manually. The grain quality of six commercial genetic materials was evaluated by determining their physical and physiological properties and by determining their chemical composition. Twenty samples were evaluated, fourteen from mechanical harvest and six from manual collection. The evaluated properties of the sesame seeds produced in the state of Mato Grosso, harvested mechanically or manually, will allow the development or improvement of equipment for the expansion of the culture