Citrus: A Perspective for Developing Phytomedicines for Neurodegenerative Diseases

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Citrus flavonoids can play a key role in their activity against several degenerative diseases and particularly brain diseases. In Brazil promising studies deposited in the patents “pharmaceutical formulation” form was obtained from the inclusion of Citrus sinensis L. (orange) essential oil with β-cyclodextrin and Citrus limon (lemon) compounds and their applications in therapy of Alzheimer’s disease. In this chapter, we report activities of active compounds present in the genus Citrus, which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, insecticidal, and anticholinesterase activities. These activities are associated with some neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Pharmaceutical formulations containing such compounds (for example, inhibitors such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of C. limon (5,8-dimethoxy-psoralen and 5,7-dimethoxycumarin) and essential oil from C. sinensis oils are reported in this chapter. These results indicate that the effects of the essential oil and substances of Citrus species are very interesting for further isolation of AChE inhibitors that can be used in the formulation of natural products for neurodegenerative diseases

Designing immersive sustainable food experiences in augmented reality: a consumer participatory co-creation approach

In light of the current debate on the impact of our current food system on climate change and related mitigation strategies, addressing the acceptance of sustainability aspects within consumer behavioral issues is of vital importance. However, the field remains mute on how those strategies can be designed and employed effectively to stimulate sustainable food consumption behavior. Immersive narrative design is a promising approach to engaging consumers in this context. Within this study, we shed light on how to create immersive, impactful, interactive narratives in augmented reality (AR) together with consumers. We propose a novel approach to how those stories can be planned, utilizing participatory design methods. Within a step-wise process, we develop the storyboard together with consumers. In the next step, we evaluate multiple approaches with AR application developers on how this storyline can be enhanced in AR considering the perspective of various stakeholders like developers, behavioral scientists, and consumers. Finally, we propose a conceptual framework for how immersive narratives can be designed and validated in a collaborative, multidimensional approach for impactful AR narrative content designs to stimulate sustainable food behavior for consumers

The market efficiency in the stock markets

We study the temporal evolution of the market efficiency in the stock markets using the complexity, entropy density, standard deviation, autocorrelation function, and probability distribution of the log return for Standard and Poor's 500 (S&P 500), Nikkei stock average index, and Korean composition stock price index (KOSPI). Based on the microscopic spin model, we also find that these statistical quantities in stock markets depend on the market efficiency.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Milk microbial composition of Brazilian dairy cows entering the dry period and genomic comparison between Staphylococcus aureus strains susceptible to the bacteriophage vB_SauM-UFV_DC4

Brazil has the second-largest dairy cattle herd in the world, and bovine mastitis still can cause significant losses for dairy farmers. Despite this fact, little information is available about milk microbial composition of Brazilian dairy cows, as well as the potential use of bacteriophages in the control of S. aureus. Here, we investigated milk bacterial composition of 28 Holstein Fresian cows (109 teats), selected in the dry-off period, using 16S rRNA analysis. Furthermore, a representative S. aureus strain (UFV2030RH1) was obtained at drying-off for isolation of a bacteriophage (vB_SauM-UFV_DC4, UFV_DC4) and bacterial genomic comparison purposes. Our outcomes revealed that Staphylococcus was the third most prevalent genus and positively correlated with subclinical mastitis events. As a major finding, genomic analyses showed the presence of adhesive matrix molecules that recognize microbial surface components (MSCRAMM) in UFV2030RH1 and might indicate great biofilm formation capability. A minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay showed that resistance to ampicillin was the highest among the antibiotic tested in S. aureus 3059 and UFV2030RH1, displaying values four and sixteen times greater than MIC resistance breakpoint, respectively. Together, our results suggest that Staphylococcus is highly prevalent in dairy cows at drying-off and the use of the phage UFV_DC4 as a biocontrol agent must be investigated in future studies

Shear behaviour of subgrade soil with reference to varying initial shear stress and plasticity index

AbstractThe influence of stress anisotropy (K) (i.e. the ratio between effective horizontal and vertical stresses) on the shear behaviour of soils has received significant attention in past studies, but how its influence depends on different values of the plasticity index (PI) has not been properly quantified. In this study, the results of a series of undrained triaxial tests on anisotropically consolidated soil at different values of K are reported, and together with past experimental data, the interactive roles of K and PI on the shear behaviour of soil are rigorously interpreted. The findings indicate that the peak shear strength increases with higher brittleness, whereas the peak excess pore pressure diminishes when the value of K decreases. Moreover, increasing the value of PI up to 35 tends to increase the peak shear strength, but beyond that the influence of PI seems marginal. Based on the findings of this study, empirical equations incorporating PI and K to estimate the undrained shear strength are proposed with acceptable accuracy.</jats:p

Lipid Profile Changes During the First Year After Kidney Transplantation: Risk Factors and Influence of the Immunosuppressive Drug Regimen

Aim. This study analyzed the incidence, time course, and risk factors associated with dyslipidemia during the first year after kidney transplantation among patients receiving various immunosuppressive regimens.Methods. the analysis included 474 kidney transplant recipients receiving cyclosporine (CSA) combined with sirolimus (SRL; n = 137) or mycophenolate (MMF, n = 58) or everolimus (EVR, n = 47); or SRL combined with MMF (n = 32); or tacrolimus (TAC) combined with SRL (n = 86) or MMF (n = 114). All patients received prednisone. We evaluated the influence of demographic features, clinical outcomes, and statin use on lipid profiles during the first year after transplantation. total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-HDL-C, TC:HDL-C, LDL-C:HDL-C, TG:HDL-C.Results. Lipid profiles were within the recommended ranges in 28% of patients pretransplantation and in 10% at 1 year; 27% of them received statins. At 1 year, LDL-C 100 mg/dL, almost 70% to 80% had other lipid fractions or ratios within target ranges. A logistic regression analysis showed age, gender, time on dialysis, diabetes, type of calcineurin inhibitor (CSA vs TAC), adjunctive therapy (SRL/EVR vs MMF) and prednisone dose to be associated with dyslipidemia.Conclusion. Dyslipidemia is frequent at 1 year after transplantation. the lack of agreement among changes observed in lipid fractions and ratios suggests that more studies are necessary to guide therapy besides targeting LDL-C concentrations as recommended by current guidelines.Universidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Div Nephrol, Hosp Rim & Hipertensao, BR-04038002 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Div Nephrol, Hosp Rim & Hipertensao, BR-04038002 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

CONHECIMENTO E COMPORTAMENTOS DE PESSOAS SURDAS EM RELAÇÃO ÀS INFECÇÕES SEXUALMENTE TRANSMISSÍVEIS

Objetivo: identificar o conhecimento e os comportamentos de risco para infecções sexualmente transmissíveis em pessoas surdas. Método: estudo transversal realizado com 110 pessoas surdas residentes no noroeste do Paraná, selecionadas com a técnica da bola de neve. Os dados foram coletados mediante instrumento estruturado e submetidos à análise estatística descritiva e inferencial (uso de regressão logística múltipla). Resultados: a maioria possuía pouca informação sobre as formas de transmissão e prevenção das infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (menos de 40% de acertos em relação a hepatite, a gonorreia e a sífilis, sendo que 20,9% já teve sintoma de infecção sexualmente transmissível). Nove dos 26 que tiveram relação sexual casual não usaram preservativo. Pessoas bilíngues bimodal apresentaram mais chance de conhecer formas de transmissão e prevenção das infecções sexualmente transmissíveis e ter comportamentos sexuais seguros. Conclusão: os surdos em estudo demonstraram pouco conhecimento sobre as formas de transmissão e prevenção de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis, o que constitui desafio para os profissionais de saúde. Descritores: Doenças sexualmente transmissíveis. Surdez. Barreiras de comunicação. Acesso à informação. Conhecimento

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationships of FTY720 in kidney transplant recipients

FTY720 is a new and effective immunosuppressive agent, which produces peripheral blood lymphopenia through a lymphocyte homing effect. We investigated the relationship between the dose of FTY720 or blood concentration (pharmacokinetics, PK) and peripheral lymphopenia (pharmacodynamics, PD) in 23 kidney transplant recipients randomized to receive FTY720 (0.25-2.5 mg/day) or mofetil mycophenolate (2 mg/day) in combination with cyclosporine and steroids. FTY720 dose, blood concentrations and lymphocyte counts were determined weekly before and 4 to 12 weeks after transplantation. The effect of PD was calculated as the absolute lymphocyte count or its reductions. PK/PD modeling was used to find the best-fit model. Mean FTY720 concentrations were 0.36 ± 0.05 (0.25 mg), 0.73 ± 0.12 (0.5 mg), 3.26 ± 0.51 (1 mg), and 7.15 ± 1.41 ng/ml (2.5 mg) between 4 and 12 weeks after transplantation. FTY720 PK was linear with dose (r² = 0.98) and showed low inter- and intra-individual variability. FTY720 produced a dose-dependent increase in mean percent reduction of peripheral lymphocyte counts (38 vs 42 vs 56 vs 77, P < 0.01, respectively). The simple Emax model [E = (Emax * C)/(C + EC50)] was the best-fit PK/PD modeling for FTY720 dose (Emax = 87.8 ± 5.3% and ED50 = 0.48 ± 0.08 mg, r² = 0.94) or concentration (Emax = 78.3 ± 2.9% and EC50 = 0.59 ± 0.09 ng/ml, r² = 0.89) vs effect (% reduction in peripheral lymphocytes). FTY720 PK/PD is dose dependent and follows an Emax model (EC50 = 0.5 mg or 0.6 ng/ml). Using lymphopenia as an FTY720 PD surrogate marker, high % reductions (~80%) in peripheral lymphocytes are required to achieve best efficacy to prevent acute allograft rejection.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Hospital do Rim e HipertensãoNovartis PharmaceuticalsUNIFESP, EPM, Hospital do Rim e HipertensãoSciEL

Avaliação dos constituintes voláteis, exsudação de resina e ocorrência de galhas em Protium aracouchini (Aubl.) Marchand

Protium aracouchini (Aubl.) Marchand [sin Icica aracouchini Aubl.], which occurs in the Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve, in the Brazilian Amazon, was evaluated for the presence of galls, for resin exudation and the composition of the essential oils from the aerial parts and the resin. The experiment to stimulate the exudation of resin from the trunk was conducted using a 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid solution. The resin produced after 40 days and the aerial parts had their essential oils extracted in a Clevenger apparatus and the volatile chemical constituents were analyzed using GC/MS. The non-oxygenated sesquiterpenes α-copaene (21.15%) and α-gurjunene (13.69%), in addition to the oxygenated sesquiterpene spathulenol (10.32%), were detected as the majority constituents of the essential oil of the leaves, and a concentration similar to that of α-gurjunene was found in the branches (13.28%). The resin essential oil showed a high concentration of hydrocarbon monoterpenes (76.49%) with a predominance of α-pinene (17.57%) and limonene (46.11%). Four gall morphotypes were found associated with this species. The present study reports for the first time information on the volatile constituents and the resinous potential of P. aracouchini, and registers the morphotypes of the galls that help in the taxonomy of the species.Protium aracouchini (Aubl.) Marchand [sin Icica aracouchini Aubl.] ocorrente na Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke, Amazônia Brasileira foi avaliada quanto a presença de galhas, a exsudação de resina e composição dos óleos essenciais das partes aéreas e resina. O experimento para estímulo à exsudação de resina no tronco foi conduzida utilizando-se uma solução de ácido 2-cloroetilfosfônico. A resina produzida após 40 dias e as partes aéreas foram submetidas à extração de óleos essenciais em Clevenger e os constituintes químicos voláteis analisados por CG/EM. Os sesquiterpenos não oxigenados, α-copaeno (21,15%) e α-gurjuneno (13,69%), além do sesquiterpeno oxigenado espatulenol (10,32%), foram detectados como os constituintes majoritários no óleo essencial das folhas, concentração similar ao α-gurjuneno foi encontrada nos galhos (13,28%). O óleo essencial da resina mostrou alta concentração de hidrocarbonetos monoterpênicos (76,49%) predominando o α-pineno (17,57%) e o limoneno (46,11%). Quatro morfotipos de galhas foram encontrados associadas a esta espécie. O presente estudo relata, pela primeira vez, o conhecimento sobre os constituintes voláteis e o potencial resinífero de P. aracouchini bem como registra os morfotipos das galhas que auxiliam na taxonomia da espécie