Quercetin solubilisation in bile salts: A comparison with sodium dodecyl sulphate

AbstractTo understand the bioaccessibility of the flavonoid quercetin we studied its interaction with bile salt micelles. The environmental sensitivity of quercetin’s UV–visible absorption spectrum gave information about quercetin partitioning. Two quercetin absorption peaks gave complementary information: Peak A (240–280nm) on the intermicellar phase and Peak B (340–440nm) on the micellar phase. Thus, by altering pH, we showed that only non-ionised quercetin partitions into micelles. We validated our interpretation by studying quercetin’s interaction with SDS micelles. Pyrene fluorescence and the quercetin UV–visible spectra show that the adsorption site for pyrene and quercetin in bile salt micelles is more hydrophobic than that for SDS micelles. Also, both quercetin and pyrene reported a higher critical micelle concentration for bile salts than for SDS. Our method of using a flavonoid as an intrinsic probe, is generally applicable to other lipophilic bioactives, whenever they have observable environmental dependent properties

Pectin coatings on titanium alloy scaffolds produced by additive manufacturing:Promotion of human bone marrow stromal cell proliferation

Ti6Al4V is a popular biomaterial for load-bearing implants for bone contact, which can be fabricated by additive manufacturing technologies. Their long-term success depends on their stable anchoring in surrounding bone, which in turn depends on formation of new bone tissue on the implant surface, for which adhesion and proliferation of bone-forming cells is a pre-requisite. Hence, surface coatings which promote cell adhesion and proliferation are desirable. Here, Ti6Al4V discs prepared by additive manufacturing (EBM) were coated with layers of pectins, calcium-binding polysaccharides derived from citrus (C) and apple (A), which also contained alkaline phosphatase (ALP), the enzyme responsible for mineralization of bone tissue. Adhesion and proliferation of human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSC) were assessed. Proliferation after 7 days was increased by A-ALP coatings and, in particular, by C-ALP coatings. Cell morphology was similar on coated and uncoated samples. In conclusion, ALP-loaded pectin coatings promote hBMSC adhesion and proliferation

Experiência de aprendizagem com crianças para o consumo de alimentos que previnem a anemia

The aim of this study was to conduct nutrition education intervention for preschoolers, encouraging the consumption of foods capable of increasing the body’s iron levels and food sources of vitamin C. It’s a qualitative study whose method employed presents a of research-action character. The intervention was conducted with preschoolers of a municipal child care school in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Demographic, health and anthropometric data were collected from the children. Play methods were used as the nutrition education strategy to encourage the consumption of meals rich in iron and vitamin C. Was assessed the children’s learning concerning the topic and acceptance of the offered meals. The body mass index showed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in preschoolers. Statistical analysis showed significance regarding the increase in children's knowledge about foods that are sources of iron and vitamin C and the acceptance of consumption of these foods offered at school. The conclusion drawn is that the nutrition education strategy of playfulness rendered positive results among the preschoolers.O objetivo do estudo foi realizar uma intervenção de educação nutricional para pré-escolares, incentivando o consumo de alimentos capazes de aumentar os níveis de ferro e fontes alimentares de vitamina C. Trata-se de um estudo de delineamento qualitativo cujo método empregado apresenta caráter de pesquisa-ação. A intervenção foi realizada com pré-escolares de uma creche municipal, no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Foram coletados dados demográficos, de saúde e antropométricos das crianças. Para estratégia de educação nutricional foram utilizadas atividades lúdicas para incentivar o consumo de refeições ricas em ferro e vitamina C. O Índice de Massa Corporal mostrou que as crianças apresentavam uma elevada prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade. A análise estatística mostrou significância quanto ao aumento do conhecimento das crianças em relação a alimentos fontes de ferro e vitamina C e a aceitação do consumo desses alimentos oferecidos na escola. Conclui-se que a estratégia de educação nutricional utilizando brincadeiras, proporcionou resultados positivos entre os pré-escolares

Prospective Follow-up of Adolescents with and at Risk for Depression::Protocol and Methods of the Identifying Depression Early in Adolescence Risk Stratified Cohort (IDEA-RiSCo) Longitudinal Assessments

Objective: To present the protocol and methods for the prospective longitudinal assessments — including clinical and digital phenotyping approaches — of the Identifying Depression Early in Adolescence Risk Stratified Cohort (IDEA-RiSCo) study, which comprises Brazilian adolescents stratified at baseline by risk of developing depression or presence of depression. Method: Of 7,720 screened adolescents aged 14-16, we recruited 150 participants (75 boys, 75 girls) based on a composite risk score: 50 with low risk for developing depression (LR), 50 with high risk for developing depression (HR), and 50 with an active untreated major depressive episode (MDD). Three annual follow-up assessments were conducted, involving clinical measures (parent and adolescent-reported questionnaires and psychiatrist assessments), active and passive data sensing via smartphones, and neurobiological measures (neuroimaging and biological material samples). Retention rates were 96% (Wave 1), 94% (Wave 2), and 88% (Wave 3), with no significant differences by sex or group (p &gt; 0.05). Participants highlighted their familiarity with the research team and assessment process as a motivator for sustained engagement.Discussion: This protocol relied on novel aspects, such as the use of a WhatsApp bot, which is particularly pertinent for low-to-middle-income countries, and the collection of information from diverse sources in a longitudinal design, encompassing clinical data, self-reports, parental reports, GPS data, and ecological momentary assessments. The study engaged adolescents over an extensive period and demonstrated the feasibility of conducting a prospective follow-up study with a risk-enriched cohort of adolescents in a middle-income country, integrating mobile technology with traditional methodologies to enhance longitudinal data collection. <br/

Pectin-bioactive glass self-gelling, injectable composites with high antibacterial activity

The present work focuses on the development of novel injectable, self-gelling composite hydrogels based on two types of low esterified amidated pectins from citrus peels and apple pomace. Sol-gelderived, calcium-rich bioactive glass (BG) fillers in a particle form are applied as delivery vehicles for the release of Ca2+ ions to induce internal gelation of pectins. Composites were prepared by a relatively simple mixing technique, using 20% w/v BG particles of two different sizes (2.5 and <45 µm). Smaller particles accelerated pectin gelation slightly faster than bigger ones, which appears to result from the higher rate of Ca2+ ion release. µCT showed inhomogeneous distribution of the BG particles within the hydrogels. All composite hydrogels exhibited strong antibacterial activity against methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The mineralization process of pectin-BG composite hydrogels occurred upon incubation in simulated body fluid for 28 days. In vitro studies demonstrated cytocompatibility of composite hydrogels with MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells

Elevated 17β-Estradiol Protects Females from Influenza A Virus Pathogenesis by Suppressing Inflammatory Responses

Studies of the 1918 H1N1 influenza pandemic, the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak, and the 2009 H1N1 pandemic illustrate that sex and pregnancy contribute to severe outcome from infection, suggesting a role for sex steroids. To test the hypothesis that the sexes respond differently to influenza, the pathogenesis of influenza A virus infection was investigated in adult male and female C57BL/6 mice. Influenza infection reduced reproductive function in females and resulted in greater body mass loss, hypothermia, and mortality in females than males. Whereas lung virus titers were similar between the sexes, females had higher induction of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, and CCL2, in their lungs than males. Removal of the gonads in both sexes eliminated the sex difference in influenza pathogenesis. Manipulation of testosterone or dihydrotestosterone concentrations in males did not significantly impact virus pathogenesis. Conversely, females administered high doses of estradiol had a ≥10-fold lower induction of TNF-α and CCL2 in the lungs and increased rates of survival as compared with females that had either low or no estradiol. The protective effects of estradiol on proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, morbidity, and mortality were primarily mediated by signaling through estrogen receptor α (ERα). In summary, females suffer a worse outcome from influenza A virus infection than males, which can be reversed by administration of high doses of estradiol to females and reflects differences in the induction of proinflammatory responses and not in virus load

Changes in students' alternative conceptions concernig electricity

Esta pesquisa está relacionada com a identificação de concepções alternativas de estudantes em eletricidade, com a preparação e aplicação de estratégias de ensino, e com a análise da sua aprendizagem de conceitos científicos. Estratégias e materiais instrucionais foram preparados usando o conhecimento prévio dos estudantes e idéias de aprendizagem como uma mudança nas concepções dos estudantes. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de testes de múltipla escolha e de entrevistas. Os resultados mostraram uma diferença significativa entre as médias dos escores antes e depois da instrução, e que eles aprenderam os conceitos científicos na maioria dos casos e perderam muitas concepções alternativas.This research is concerried with the identification of students' alternative conceptions in elec­ tricity, with the development and application of teaching strategies, and with the analysis of their learning of scientific concepts. Instructional strategies and materiais were prepared using students' prior knowledge and ideas of learning as a change in students' concepti­ ons. The data were gathered through multiple choice tests and interviews. The results showed significant difference hetween students' mean scores before and after instruction, and that they learned the scientific conceptions in most instances and lost many alternative conceptions

Changes in students' alternative conceptions concernig electricity

Esta pesquisa está relacionada com a identificação de concepções alternativas de estudantes em eletricidade, com a preparação e aplicação de estratégias de ensino, e com a análise da sua aprendizagem de conceitos científicos. Estratégias e materiais instrucionais foram preparados usando o conhecimento prévio dos estudantes e idéias de aprendizagem como uma mudança nas concepções dos estudantes. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de testes de múltipla escolha e de entrevistas. Os resultados mostraram uma diferença significativa entre as médias dos escores antes e depois da instrução, e que eles aprenderam os conceitos científicos na maioria dos casos e perderam muitas concepções alternativas.This research is concerried with the identification of students' alternative conceptions in elec­ tricity, with the development and application of teaching strategies, and with the analysis of their learning of scientific concepts. Instructional strategies and materiais were prepared using students' prior knowledge and ideas of learning as a change in students' concepti­ ons. The data were gathered through multiple choice tests and interviews. The results showed significant difference hetween students' mean scores before and after instruction, and that they learned the scientific conceptions in most instances and lost many alternative conceptions

MEMÓRIA E (TRANS)FRONTEIRAS: UMA ANÁLISE DA OBRA DE VITOR RAMIL E DE JUAN JOSÉ SAER

O presente texto busca apresentar uma reflexão em torno da obra artístico-literária do cantor, compositor e escritor gaúcho Vitor Ramil, e da obra do escritor argentino Juan José Saer. Em ambos, o cenário pampeano e as expressões de uma cultura híbrida de fronteira são predominantes. Paisagens culturais, ritmos musicais compartilhados, registros da cidade em diferentes matizes e temporalidades, são expressões desses universos representados por Ramil e Saer, testemunhos da construção discursiva de uma identidade que ultrapassa as noções de latinoamericanidade, ao mesmo tempo em que reafirma lugares culturais comuns. Analisam-se os ensaios A Estética do Frio e El río sin orillas, as narrativas em prosa Satolep e O Enteado, além do disco Délibáb, de Ramil, e do livro de poemas El arte de narrar, de Saer