O hibríphago culinário : a cozinha/ateliê, o cortador e o costureiro de corpos do século XVI

Apresenta artigo onde se relaciona a produção alimentar com as belas-artes e com as práticas culturais das civilizações de todas as épocas estabelecendo um diálogo o constante das produções artísticas, que se mantiveram em um processo enriquecedor com o universo alimentar, e a herança cultural, que recoa nas marcas artísticas e culinárias até hoje

Chemopreventive effect of Annona muricata on DMBA-induced cell proliferation in the breast tissues of female albino mice

Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and leading cause of cancer death in women. Breast cancer and cancer related diseases have been treated using surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, or a combination of these. Despite these therapeutic options, cancer remains associated with high mortality. Traditional medicine which involves the use of herbs has been used to treat various types of cancer and this has been found to be effective with minimal or no side effects. Aim: This research was aimed at evaluating the potential chemopreventive effect of an ethanolic extract of Annona muricata leaves on 7,12-dimethylbenzeneanthracene (DMBA)-induced cell proliferation in the breast tissues of female albino mice. Materials and methods: A. muricata leaves, thirty (30) female albino mice, and 7,12-dimethylbenzeneanthracene (DMBA) were used for this study. Crude extraction protocol was employed in the preparation of an ethanolic extract of A. muricata leaves. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of an ethanolic extract of A. muricata leaves was carried out using standard protocol. Agarose gel electrophoresis was used to analyze deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from the breast tissues of experimental mice while hematoxylin and eosin staining was used for histological assay. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of terpenoid, steriod, flavonoids, cardiac glycoside, tannin, phenol, alkaloid, and reducing sugar. Phenol was quantitatively determined to be present in the highest amount. DNA smears obtained from agarose gel electrophoresis suggested possible DMBA-induced damage which was significantly prevented owing to the effect of the leaf extract of A. muricataleaves. Histological assay revealed the presence of DMBA induced lobular alveolar hyperplasia, adenomatoid hyperplasia, fibro adipose stroma, and proliferating sebaceous gland in the histological sections of the breast tissues of treated mice, however, these changes were found to vary in occurrence among the different groups of treated animals.Keywords: Annona muricata; DMBA; Breast cancer; Phytochemical; Lobular alveolar hyperplasi

Methylnitrosourea (MNU)–induced carcinogenesis and inflammation in some selected organs of female albino rats

Methylnitrosourea (MNU) is an alkylating agent which exhibits its toxicity by transferring its methyl group to nucleobases in nucleic acids, causing AT:GC transition mutations. It was originally designed as a chemotherapeutic alkylating compound, but later proven to exert direct carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic potential. The carcinogenic effect of methylnitrosourea in some selected organs of female albino rats was evaluated using a modified protocol. Histopathological assessment of breast, liver, lungs and skin tissues of experimental animals was carried out using H and E staining procedure. Tumour markers, cancer antigen 15.3, 27.29 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the blood of experimental animals were evaluated using an automated procedure. Histopathological examination revealed severe panniculitis in skin tissues, sinusoidal congestion in liver tissues, severe pulmonary inflammation in lung tissues, and stromal fibrosis in breast tissues. There was an increase in tumour marker levels in the blood of MNU induced rats compared to the controls group of rats. There was a significant difference between the values of CA 15.3 (p < 0.01) and CEA (p < 0.05) in rats induced with MNU when compared with the control. Cancer antigen 27.29 values showed no significant difference between the rats induced with MNU and control. Different forms of early stages of carcinogenesis were induced in female Albino rats using a novel and modified cancer induction protocol. Knowledge from this study did not only provide insight into possible harmful effects of MNU which could be obtained from foods containing nitrosamines, but it also provided the opportunity to test and prove a modified protocol of cancer induction which could be used to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effect of different agents for human breast cancer within a short period of time

Theory of quasiballistic transport through nanocrystalline silicon dots

A model to describe the underlying physics of high-energy electron emission from a porous silicon diode is presented. The model is based on an atomistic tight-binding method combined with semiclassical Monte Carlo simulation. It well reproduces essential features of experimental findings. An initial acceleration region is shown to play a crucial role in generating quasiballistic electron emission

Polynomial interpolation for inversion-based control

To help to achieve high performances in the regulation of linear scalar (SISO) nonminimum-phase systems, an inversion-based (feedforward) control method is proposed. The aim is designing an inverse input to smoothly switch from a current, arbitrary, steady-state regime to a new, future, desired steady-state output. A new-found polynomial basis solves the related interpolation problem to join the current output to the future one while ensuring the necessary or desired smoothness. The (interpolation) transition time can be minimized in order to optimally reduce the delay with which the desired output occurs. By applying a behavioral stable inversion formula to the overall smoothed output, detailed expressions of the inverse input are finally derived. A simulation of a flexible arm rotating in the horizontal plane exemplifies the presented method

Chemo-preventive Activity of Ethanolic Extracts of Newbouldia laevis and Olax subscorpioidea Leaves on Methylnitrosourea–induced Stroma Fibrosis in Breast Tissues of Female Albino Rats

Breast cancer represents the most common neoplastic disease in females, accounting for up to one third of new diagnoses of women’s cancer in certain regions of the world. The chemo-preventive activity of ethanolic extracts of Newbouldia laevis and Olax subscorpioidea leaves on methylnitrosourea (MNU)–induced stroma fibrosis in female albino rats was evaluated. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out to identify and determine the quantity of bioactive compounds. Haematoxylin and Eosin staining procedure was used to assess breast tissues of experimental animals. Cancer antigen (CA) markers 15-3, 27-29 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the blood of experimental animals were evaluated using an automated procedure. Quantitative phytochemical screening showed that Olax subscorpioidea and Newbouldia laevis contained alkaloid in the highest amount. Histopathological assay revealed the presence of stromal fibrosis in the breast tissues of 8 out of 10 rats administered with NMU. Levels of CA 15-3, CA 27-29, CEA were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated in MNU administered group in comparison to the negative control. Treatment with Olax subscorpioidea leave extract significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated CA 15-3, CA 27-29 and CEA levels. However, treatment with Newbouldia laevis leave extract significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated CA 15-3 and CEA levels only. Findings from this study showed that ethanolic extracts of Olax subscorpioidea and Newbouldia laevis leaves have chemo-preventive activity in NMU-induced stroma fibrosis in the breast tissue of female albino rats. However more studies on the discovery and validation of bioactive components of the plants are needed

Status of Expression of GnRH gene in Fed, Starved, and Refed Clarias Gariepinus (African Catfish)

Inadequate nutritional status impairs gonadal activities, which may induce reproductive difficulties in Clarias gariepinus. This research was aimed at evaluating the influence of starvation and subsequent refeeding on the expression of GnRH gene in Clarias gariepinus. One hundred and eighty (180) healthy juvenile Clarias gariepinus (African catfish) used in this study were randomly placed into two groups in triplicates. Fish in the control group were fed to satiation while fish in the treatment group were starved and refed and the fish in the control group were continuously fed. Brain tissue samples were collected after 7 days and 14 days of starvation, histopathology, and gene expression studies were done. The histological sections of brain tissue of week one starved and fed, C. gariepinus show neuronal cells on a background of neuropil while week two starved reveal badly distorted morphological architecture and degenerated neuronal cells. However, the week two re-fed, C. gariepinus brain tissue shows vacuolation of neuropil while the week two continuous fed shows no abnormalities. No mortality was recorded during starvation and the entire experimental period. In the second week of starvation, a decrease in the fold change (1.7) was observed when compared to week one while the fold change (1.2) observed in week three (week one of re-fed) is lower than the fold change observed in week one and two of starvation.  The fold change (1.7) observed in week four (week two re-fed) is higher than the fold change observed in week three. The highest fold change (2.13) was observed in week one of starvation while the lowest fold change (1.24) was observed in week one of re-feeding. This study reveals that exposure of C. gariepinus to prolonged food deprivation alters the expression of GnRH, which might lead to impairment in the reproductive success of Clarias gariepinus

Acrylic-melamine latex with controlled crosslinking capability

Crosslinkable polymers are highly demanded in applications where improved thermal, mechanical, and chemical strengths are required. Among crosslinkable polymers, those with film forming capability are of high technological interest, as in coatings and adhesives. In a scenario of increasing concern for sustainability and stricter environmental legislation, coatings industry has switched to water based products, like acrylic latexes. Crosslinkable latexes aim to improve the physical properties of coalesced latex films, over the levels attainable with thermoplastic latexes, which lack hardness, toughness and solvent resistance. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Work as a calling: Resource or obstacle? Systematic review of the relationship between career calling and work burnout

openL’elaborato di seguito proposto nasce dall’interesse nei confronti delle conseguenze negative che gli individui possono esperire nel concretizzare la propria chiamata professionale. In particolare, il testo prende in considerazione il cosiddetto “lato oscuro” della chiamata professionale, con l’obiettivo di costruire una revisione sistematica degli studi, ad oggi pubblicati, che riportano risultati empirici della correlazione tra chiamata professionale e burnout. Una prima parte dell’argomentazione è centrata sul costrutto della chiamata professionale. La chiamata è inizialmente definita a partire dalla sua evoluzione storica per comprendere i diversi significati assunti e le conseguenti implicazioni per gli individui nella relazione con il lavoro. Viene poi indagata la questione della definizione, in base ad una prospettiva classica o neoclassica o moderna o secolare. Successivamente sono messe in luce altrettante “questioni aperte”: la differenziazione, la generalizzabilità e la pertinenza. Viene, inoltre, differenziato il cercare, il percepire e il vivere una chiamata professionale. È quindi presentato il modello teorico della Work as a Calling Theory. A partire dalla descrizione delle conseguenze, viene approfondito il cosiddetto “lato oscuro”. L’argomentazione poi si concentra sulle singole ripercussioni: il burnout, con attenzione alle sottodimensioni e le scale di rilevazione; il workaholism; lo sfruttamento organizzativo. Successivamente, la trattazione si concentra sulla parte operativa di revisione sistematica. L’elaborato raccoglie gli studi prodotti sulla correlazione tra chiamata professionale e burnout, seguendo il metodo PRISMA. Vengono selezionati 19 studi, singolarmente presentati all’interno del terzo capitolo. A partire dalla selezione delle pubblicazioni, il quarto capitolo apre alla riflessione sugli elementi ricorrenti e di differenza dei diversi studi, nonché ad una valutazione dei risultati incontrati. Una prima parte di analisi riguarda la scelta del campione, riletta a partire dalle “questioni aperte” presentate nell’approfondimento teorico della chiamata professionale. Successivamente, vengono presi in considerazione la chiamata ed il burnout, in base alle diverse scale di rilevazione adottate e, quindi, le diverse definizioni teoriche scelte dagli autori. Successivamente sono analizzati i risultati riportati negli studi. Dopo una prima sintesi dei dati in termini generici legati al campione, alla misura della chiamata e alla misura del burnout, i dati vengono raggruppati in base alle specifiche delle ricerche. Prima gli studi che hanno riportato la correlazione tra chiamata professionale e burnout, poi gli studi che hanno riportato coefficienti specifici in base alle dimensioni di burnout, gli studi che hanno differenziato percepire e vivere una chiamata e, in ultimo gli studi che riportano la misura di odds ratio. La seconda parte dell’analisi è dedicata alle relazioni presentate: alcune ricerche hanno, infatti, indagato la chiamata professionale considerandola mediatrice o moderatrice. Altri hanno considerato il burnout mediatore o moderatore. Altrettanti hanno preso in considerazione ulteriori variabili mediatrici o moderatrici all’interno della relazione tra chiamata professionale e burnout. In conclusione all’analisi vengono riportati i diversi riferimenti teorici ai quali gli studi si attengono, a convalidare quanto descritto nella prima parte dell’elaborato. A partire dalle singole considerazioni vengono formulate delle analisi generali, comprensive e sintetiche, in collegamento con la teoria affrontata nei capitoli precdenti. L’elaborato, in conclusione, si concentra sulle limitazioni incontrate durante la stesura, tanto per quanto riguarda la letteratura disponibile, quanto relativamente al metodo adottato per la revisione sistematica. La riflessione si chiude sulle implicazioni per la ricerca futura