Gap junction reduction in cardiomyocytes following transforming growth factor- beta treatment and Trypanosoma cruzi infection

Gap junction connexin-43 (Cx43) molecules are responsible for electrical impulse conduction in the heart and are affected by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). This cytokine increases during Trypanosoma cruzi infection, modulating fibrosis and the parasite cell cycle. We studied Cx43 expression in cardiomyocytes exposed or not to TGF-beta T. cruzi, or SB-431542, an inhibitor of TGF-beta receptor type I (ALK-5). Cx43 expression was also examined in hearts with dilated cardiopathy from chronic Chagas disease patients, in which TGF-beta signalling had been shown previously to be highly activated. We demonstrated that TGF-beta treatment induced disorganised gap junctions in non-infected cardiomyocytes, leading to a punctate, diffuse and non-uniform Cx43 staining. A similar pattern was detected in T. cruzi-infected cardiomyocytes concomitant with high TGF-beta secretion. Both results were reversed if the cells were incubated with SB-431542. Similar tests were performed using human chronic chagasic patients and we confirmed a down-regulation of Cx43 expression, an altered distribution of plaques in the heart and a significant reduction in the number and length of Cx43 plaques, which correlated negatively with cardiomegaly. We conclude that elevated TGF-beta levels during T. cruzi infection promote heart fibrosis and disorganise gap junctions, possibly contributing to abnormal impulse conduction and arrhythmia that characterise severe cardiopathy in Chagas disease

MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ENDOCARP AND KERNEL OF CASHEW NUT 'CCP 76' PRIOR AND POST THERMAL TREATMENT

Viscoelastic characteristics of raw cashew nut shell hinder its decortication by compression. In order to facilitate the shell opening and to liberate the kernel, nuts were subjected to hydration and thermal treatment in cashew nut shell liquid (CSL) at 210 degrees C. With the objective of developing more appropriate shelling mechanisms the cashew nut 'CCP 76' was characterized by its main dimensions, mass and volume, as well as mechanical behavior of the endocarp and kernel, prior and after thermal treatments. The treatments consisted in submitting the nuts to several combinations of hydration and thermal treatment times. The response surface methodology was applied to identify the best treatment. Specially built devices were used for manual opening of the cashew nut, shear of the endocarp and penetration of the kernel. Changes were observed in the dimensions, length, width, and thickness as well as in mass and volume values prior and after treatments. Results of endocarp shear and kernel stiffness tests pointed out differences between raw and treated nuts. Changes in dimensions, mass, and volume pointed out to performing sizing after thermal treatments if dimensions are relevant in shelling. The response surface methodology indicated that the treatment comprising 79 h hydration and 165 s of residence in CSL at 210 degrees C was the closest to the optimum region.28356557

Inclusion of sweet sorghum flour in bread formulations

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) has been studied as an additional source of raw material for production or partial replacement of foods due to its high fiber concentration. Its consumption is associated with the prevention of some diseases and nutritional benefits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the partial replacement of wheat flour by sweet sorghum flour in bread formulations in order to characterize the nutritional and physical profile of the flour. Four bread formulations were prepared and evaluated for sensory and textural profile. The composition of sweet sorghum flour showed high fiber content and relative protein value, and moisture showed average value, in accordance with limits established by legislation. The addition of 3% sweet sorghum flour to bread was shown to be technically feasible, with great acceptance by consumers, being a nutritious and tasty option.Key words: Functional food, fiber, baking, texture

High prevalence of malnutrition and nutrition impact symptoms in older patients with cancer:Results of a Brazilian multicenter study

Background Malnutrition in cancer is an independent factor associated with negative clinical outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition across different age groups in patients with cancer in Brazil and to identify associations with nutrition impact symptoms (NIS). Methods In this observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study, the authors evaluated 4783 patients with cancer aged >= 20 years who were admitted to 45 public hospitals in Brazil. Nutritional status, nutritional risk, and NIS were evaluated using the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment. Results More than one-fourth (25.5%) of all participants were aged >= 65 years. In patients aged >= 65 years, the prevalence of moderate/suspected and severe malnutrition was 55%, it was 45.4% in those aged 51 to 64 years, and it was 36.1% in those aged = 65 years were no appetite (odds ratio [OR], 1.90; 95% CI, 1.62-2.22; P 50 years than in those age

Oral Administration of GW788388, an Inhibitor of Transforming Growth Factor Beta Signaling, Prevents Heart Fibrosis in Chagas Disease

Cardiac damage and dysfunction are prominent features in patients with chronic Chagas disease, which is caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and affects 10–12 million individuals in South and Central America. Our group previously reported that transforming growth factor beta (TGFß) is implicated in several regulatory aspects of T. cruzi invasion and growth and in host tissue fibrosis. In the present work, we evaluated the therapeutic action of an oral inhibitor of TGFß signaling (GW788388) administered during the acute phase of experimental Chagas disease. GW788388 treatment significantly reduced mortality and decreased parasitemia. Electrocardiography showed that GW788388 treatment was effective in protecting the cardiac conduction system, preserving gap junction plaque distribution and avoiding the development of cardiac fibrosis. Inhibition of TGFß signaling in vivo appears to potently decrease T. cruzi infection and to prevent heart damage in a preclinical mouse model. This suggests that this class of molecules may represent a new therapeutic tool for acute and chronic Chagas disease that warrants further pre-clinical exploration. Administration of TGFß inhibitors during chronic infection in mouse models should be further evaluated, and future clinical trials should be envisaged

Analytical methods applied to diverse types of Brazilian propolis

Propolis is a bee product, composed mainly of plant resins and beeswax, therefore its chemical composition varies due to the geographic and plant origins of these resins, as well as the species of bee. Brazil is an important supplier of propolis on the world market and, although green colored propolis from the southeast is the most known and studied, several other types of propolis from Apis mellifera and native stingless bees (also called cerumen) can be found. Propolis is usually consumed as an extract, so the type of solvent and extractive procedures employed further affect its composition. Methods used for the extraction; analysis the percentage of resins, wax and insoluble material in crude propolis; determination of phenolic, flavonoid, amino acid and heavy metal contents are reviewed herein. Different chromatographic methods applied to the separation, identification and quantification of Brazilian propolis components and their relative strengths are discussed; as well as direct insertion mass spectrometry fingerprinting

Unidade de produção de propilenoglicol a partir de óxido de propileno

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (graduação)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Química, 2017.O objetivo deste trabalho consiste no projeto de uma planta de produção de propilenoglicol pela conversão de óxido de propileno na presença de água, com o auxílio do software Aspen HYSYS®, assim como a análise dos impactos ambientais e da rentabilidade de um projeto de tal porte

Diets containing sea cucumber (Isostichopus badionotus) meals are hypocholesterolemic in young rats

Peer reviewedPublisher PD