Avaliação de composto orgânico obtido por compostagem na produção de mudas de hortaliças: Assessment of organic compost obtained by composting in the production of vegetable seedlings

O crescimento exponencial da população mundial tem causado aumento nos problemas ambientais e de saúde pública relacionados ao descarte incorreto de diversos resíduos. Dentre estes, destacam-se os resíduos orgânicos que em grande parte são destinados a aterros como se fossem rejeitos ocasionando impactos negativos ao ambiente e à saúde humana e animal. A técnica da compostagem é uma alternativa para agregar valor a estes resíduos, pois produz adubo orgânico que pode ser adicionado ao solo usado na produção de novos alimentos. O presente estudo realizou um teste de fitotoxicidade de um composto orgânico obtido por meio da vermicompostagem e avaliou a germinação e o desenvolvimento de sementes de alface (Lactuca Sativa) e de rúcula (Eruca sativa Miller) em cinco tratamentos contendo diferentes proporções entre solo e composto orgânico. Os resultados obtidos indicam que o composto orgânico não apresentou toxicidade à germinação das sementes de alface e de rúcula e que as sementes germinaram nos cinco tratamentos avaliados. Concluiu-se que o uso do composto orgânico na produção das mudas de hortaliças testadas é uma alternativa viável e ambientalmente correta, havendo a necessidade de incentivar a população na realização da compostagem e uso do composto orgânico

ASSOCIATION OF CAFFEINE INTAKE AND LIVER FIBROSIS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS C

Background Caffeine consumption has been associated to decreased levels of liver enzymes and lower risk of fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C virus. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the association between caffeine consumption and inflammatory activity or degree of liver fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C virus infection. Methods A cross-sectional study of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection treated in an outpatient Gastroenterology Unit of Santa Casa Hospital (Porto Alegre - Brasil). Patients were interviewed regarding the consumption of caffeine and anthropometric assessment was performed. Liver biopsy was performed in a maximum period of 36 months before inclusion in the study Results There were 113 patients, 67 (59.3%) females, 48 (42.5%) were aged between 52 and 62 years, and 101 (89.4%) were white. The average caffeine consumption was 251.41 ± 232.32 mg/day, and 70 (62%) patients consumed up to 250 mg/day of caffeine. There was no association between caffeine consumption and inflammatory activity on liver biopsy. On the other hand, when evaluating the caffeine consumption liver fibrosis an inverse association was observed. Conclusions The greater consumption of caffeine was associated with lower liver fibrosis. There was no association between caffeine consumption and inflammatory activity

Is there an association between vitamin D and liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C?

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Vitamin D is known for its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties, which are quite relevant in the pathogenesis and treatment of many causes of chronic liver disease. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels and the histopathological findings in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. METHODS Cross-sectional study composed of patients with chronic hepatitis C. All patients underwent vitamin D 25 dosage and anthropometric data analysis. Liver biopsy was performed in a maximum 36-month period before inclusion in the study. RESULTS Of the 74 patients included in the study, 45 (60.8%) were women, mean age was 57.03±9.24 years, and 63 (85.1%) were white. No association was observed between the serum levels of vitamin D and inflammatory activity (P=0.699) nor with the degree of liver fibrosis (P=0.269). CONCLUSION In this study, no association was observed between vitamin D and inflammatory activity, as well as the degree of liver fibrosis, in patients with chronic hepatitis C