Comparison of Two Static in Vitro Digestion Methods for Screening the Bioaccessibility of Carotenoids in Fruits, Vegetables, and Animal Products

In vitro digestion methods are routinely used to assess the bioaccessibility of carotenoids and other dietary lipophilic compounds. Here, we compared the recovery of carotenoids and their efficiency of micellarization in digested fruits, vegetables, egg yolk, and salmon and also in mixed-vegetable salads with and without either egg yolk or salmon using the static INFOGEST method and the procedure of Failla et al. Carotenoid stability during the simulated digestion was ≥70%. The efficiencies of the partitioning of carotenoids into mixed micelles were similar when individual plant foods and salad meals were digested using the two static methods. Furthermore, the addition of cooked egg or salmon to vegetable salads increased the bioaccessibility of some carotenoids. Our findings showed that the two methods of in vitro digestion generated similar estimates of carotenoid retention and bioaccessibility for diverse foods

Crystal structure of Jararacussin-I: The highly negatively charged catalytic interface contributes to macromolecular selectivity in snake venom thrombin-like enzymes

Snake venom serine proteinases (SVSPs) are hemostatically active toxins that perturb the maintenance and regulation of both the blood coagulation cascade and fibrinolytic feedback system at specific points, and hence, are widely used as tools in pharmacological and clinical diagnosis. The crystal structure of a thrombin-like enzyme (TLE) from Bothrops jararacussu venom (Jararacussin-I) was determined at 2.48 Å resolution. This is the first crystal structure of a TLE and allows structural comparisons with both the Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix Protein C Activator and the Trimeresurus stejnegeri plasminogen activator. Despite the highly conserved overall fold, significant differences in the amino acid compositions and three-dimensional conformations of the loops surrounding the active site significantly alter the molecular topography and charge distribution profile of the catalytic interface. In contrast to other SVSPs, the catalytic interface of Jararacussin-I is highly negatively charged, which contributes to its unique macromolecular selectivity. © 2012 The Protein Society

Comparison of Two Static in Vitro Digestion Methods for Screening the Bioaccessibility of Carotenoids in Fruits, Vegetables, and Animal Products

In vitro digestion methods are routinely used to assess the bioaccessibility of carotenoids and other dietary lipophilic compounds. Here, we compared the recovery of carotenoids and their efficiency of micellarization in digested fruits, vegetables, egg yolk, and salmon and also in mixed-vegetable salads with and without either egg yolk or salmon using the static INFOGEST method and the procedure of Failla et al. Carotenoid stability during the simulated digestion was ≥70%. The efficiencies of the partitioning of carotenoids into mixed micelles were similar when individual plant foods and salad meals were digested using the two static methods. Furthermore, the addition of cooked egg or salmon to vegetable salads increased the bioaccessibility of some carotenoids. Our findings showed that the two methods of in vitro digestion generated similar estimates of carotenoid retention and bioaccessibility for diverse foods

Abortamento induzido: vivência de mulheres baianas

O abortamento representa grave problema de saúde pública, que envolve questões legais, econômicas, sociais e psicológicas. Estudo qualitativo que teve como objetivo identificar situações que interferem na decisão pelo aborto e os sentimentos diante do processo de abortar. O estudo foi realizado em uma Maternidade Pública, no Município de Salvador-BA, e os sujeitos foram constituídos por nove mulheres hospitalizadas por aborto provocado. Para a coleta de dados, utilizamos a entrevista acompanhada por um formulário semiestruturado. Foram considerados os aspectos éticos baseados na Resolução 196/96 do Conselho Nacional de Saúde. Para a análise das falas, usamos como referencial a técnica de análise de conteúdo de Bardin. A amostra caracterizou-se por mulheres adultas eminentemente negras; casadas/união estável; dependentes financeiramente do companheiro. Na análise dos discursos, surgiram dois temas: Motivação e Sentimentos. Dentre os motivos que levam ao aborto, encontram-se a dificuldade financeira, o número de filhos, a vivência de violência conjugal e a perda de sua autonomia. O processo de abortamento gera medo de morrer, tristeza e alívio. As mulheres vivenciam o aborto induzido, revelando um processo muito doloroso, desde o momento em que descobrem a gravidez, passando pela difícil decisão de interrompê-la. Quando não são ajudadas, essas mulheres perpetuam essa dor, vivendo dias de angústia e culpa. O exercício da escuta e do acolhimento devem estar presentes na vida dos profissionais de saúde, independentemente de suas opiniões com relação ao aborto, a fim de que a mulher possa expressar seus sentimentos, e então obter ajuda e encaminhamento adequados