A review about lycopene-induced nuclear hormone receptor signalling in inflammation and lipid metabolism via still unknown endogenous apo-10´-lycopenoids

Lycopene is the red pigment in tomatoes and tomato products and is an important dietary carotenoid found in the human organism. Lycopene-isomers, oxidative lycopene metabolites and apo-lycopenoids are found in the food matrix. Lycopene intake derived from tomato consumption is associated with alteration of lipid metabolism and a lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Lycopene is mainly described as a potent antioxidant but novel studies are shifting towards its metabolites and their capacity to mediate nuclear receptor signalling. Di-/tetra-hydro-derivatives of apo-10´-lycopenoic acid and apo-15´-lycopenoic acids are potential novel endogenous mammalian lycopene metabolites which may act as ligands for nuclear hormone mediated activation and signalling. In this review, we postulate that complex lycopene metabolism results in various lycopene metabolites which have the ability to mediate transactivation of various nuclear hormone receptors like RARs, RXRs and PPARs. A new mechanistic explanation of how tomato consumption could positively modulate inflammation and lipid metabolism is discussed

Short research report : the role of language in the relationship between emotion comprehension and theory of mind in preschool children

For several decades, there has been an interest in understanding how Emotion Comprehension (EC) and Theory of Mind (ToM) are related during the preschool years. In addition, the links between language and ToM (Astington & Baird, 2005; Schick, de Villiers, de Villiers, & Hoffmeister, 2007) and language and EC (Cutting & Dunn, 1999; Hughes, White, & Ensor, 2014; Pons, Lawson, Harris, & de Rosnay, 2003) have been studied. Numerous studies have highlighted the important role played of language in ToM (Astington & Jenkins, 1999). For some authors, the specific properties of language are necessary for the development of ToM, and not only those related to age and neurological maturity (de Villiers & Pyers, 2002; Jackson, 2001; Remmel, Bettger, & Weinberg et al., 2001; Schick et al., 2007). Moreover, in recent years, evidence has been obtained about the relation between language and EC. Children with high scores in linguistic abilities show better EC (Cutting & Dunn, 1999; Pons et al., 2003; Ruffman, Slade, Rowlandson, Rumsey, & Garnham, 2003). Various studies show an important relation between EC and early conversations between adults and children. Thus, the frequency, style, and content of the discourse between parents and children, including emotional references and explanations, are positively related to EC in children (Beck, Kumschick, Eid, & Klann-Delius, 2012).peer-reviewe

Use of Compression Molding for the Production of Ternary Films Based on Poly (Lactic Acid), Montmorillonite, and Oregano Essential Oil

Poly (Lactic Acid) (PLA) is considered one of the most promising polymers. However, neat PLA films have limitations. An effective strategy to overcome these problems is incorporating clay or essential oils. Cloisite 30B (C30B) is an organoclay widely used to improve the properties of polymers. Notably, the development of films incorporating Oregano Essential Oil (OEO) has attracted significant attention. Compression molding manufactured neat PLA, PLA/C30B, and PLA/C30B/OEO films in this manuscript. The visual evaluation indicated that the films had a good surface finish, and the films thickness varied between 0.15–0.19 mm. The moisture content increased with the incorporation of C30B and OEO. Optical microscopy showed a good distribution of clay particles. The transparency of the films increased with OEO, while with C30B, it presented greater opacity. Incorporating C30B/OEO in the PLA matrix is a promising film proposal that can be directed to the packaging sector. However, other analyses must be done better to understand the films performance for such an application

A tensive look about semi-symbolism in “The Lord of the Rings”

Este artigo analisa uma cena do último filme da saga, O Retorno do Rei, de 2003, da série O Senhor dos Anéis, adaptada para o cinema por Peter Jackson – em filmes de 2001, 2002 e 2003 – da obra literária de J. R. R. Tolkien. A série retrata o confronto entre as forças do bem e as forças do mal, controladas pelo vilão Sauron, que busca dominar a Terra-média com o Um Anel, o anel do poder. Com o objetivo de emular, visualmente e com coerência, o folclórico universo criado por Tolkien, Jackson lança mão de recursos estéticos canônicos, cristalizados, e relaciona os lados opostos na batalha pela Terra-média com a claridade e a escuridão. Enquanto Gandalf, o sábio mago do bem, é associado ao branco e usa a luz como arma, os espectros do mal (os nazgul) se protegem nas sombras e são retratados em preto. A análise do resgate dos cavaleiros de Gondor – e a progressiva ascensão da claridade como predominante na cena, conforme Gandalf se aproxima do objetivo – rediscute, com base em conceitos da semiótica tensiva e do conceito de formas de vida, a relação semissimbólica entre o claro e o escuro como recursos do plano de expressão associados ao bem e ao mal.This article analyzes a scene from The return of the king, the last movie of The lord of the rings series, adapted to the movies by Peter Jackson – in pictures from 2001, 2002 and 2003 – from the literary work of J. R. R. Tolkien. The series shows the conflict between the forces of good and of evil, controlled by Sauron, who intends to dominate the Middle-earth with the One Ring, the ring of power. With the purpose of emulating, visually and coherently, the folcloric universe created by Tolkien, Jackson relies on canonical aesthetic resources and relates the opposite sides in the battle for Middle-earth with light and darkness. While Gandalf, the wise wizard of the good, is associated with white and has the light as a weapon, the evil specters (the nazgul) are protected by the shadows and are illustrated in black. The analysis of the rescue of the knights of Gondor – and the progressive ascension of clarity as a predominant element in the scene, as Gandalf gets close to his objective – brings back on new basis, taking into account concepts of the tensive model and the concept of forms of life, the discussion about the semi-symbolic relationship between light and darkness as resources of the plan of expression associated to good and evil

Hydraulic conductivity and geophysics (ERT) to assess the aquifer recharge capacity of an inland wetland in the Brazilian Savanna

The inland wetlands can perform the storage of water on the surface and the recharge of aquifers. Even a small wetland can work as a local point of water infiltration, influencing and sustaining the hydrodynamics in the hydrology landscape. These zones have complex mechanisms, as they integrate soil chemical and physical char- acteristics, and relate both surface and groundwater systems. The study area is an inland wetland located in the Ecological Station of Itirapina, São Paulo State (Brazil). The present work aims to unveil the relationship between hydrodynamics and pedological architecture through a detailed study that combines hydraulic con- ductivity tests in situ, geophysical method of electrical resistivity (Electrical Resistivity Tomography technique, ERT), and morphological soil descriptions aiming the validation of the ERT and hydraulic conductivity surveys. Two-dimensional (2D) and pseudo-three-dimensional (3D) ERT have been used to investigate the water flow in the subsurface, the pedological architecture that keeps the wetland hydroperiods, and the link between surface water and groundwater that can set a recharge capacity. The results showed areas with distinct surface patterns related to the density of vegetation cover and water infiltration. The lower infiltration areas are characterized by the presence of a perched water table in grassy areas while higher infiltration is associated with exposed topsoil. ERT 2D and pseudo-3D identified these areas as zones with a connection between soil-water and groundwater systems. Hydrodynamics in the flat plateau is associated with the geochemical evolution of soil cover due to the structural complexity acquired by the iron crust dissolution (laterite) which has sustained the relief. Future studies concerning inland wetlands need to be carried out to certify the role of soil-landscape in the water cycle in the Savanna biome

Loosening of environmental licensing threatens Brazilian biodiversity and sustainability

Environmental licensing is one of Brazil’s main environmental-policy instruments and is intended to regulate anthropogenic activities and to avoid their impacts on the environment. This licensing is now at risk to being annihilated. Bill 3729/2004 was recently approved by Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies, and if approved by the Senate (as is likely) it would create the so-called ‘general law of environmental licensing’ and a series of changes weakening environmental impact assessments, public participation and supervision by environmental agencies. The changes include creation of a self-declared license in which licenses would be issued automatically without any analysis by technical staff in the environmental agencies. Various types of small and medium-sized projects would be completely exempted from licensing. If approved, the bill would cause irreversible environmental losses to megadiverse Brazilian ecosystems and allow installation of projects with high environmental impact without any impact analysis or measures to minimize or recover from impacts or to provide environmental compensation for them