Evaluation of Phytosterols in Milk and Yogurts Used as Functional Foods in Portu

The early development of cardiovascular diseases, one of the major death causes in Europe, is clearly associated with high plasmatic cholesterol levels. However, it is demonstrated that the ingestion of phytosterols enriched milk and yogurts could reduce cholesterolemia. The purpose of the present work was to assess the commercially available phytosterols-enriched milk and yogurts. As such, the available three milk and seven yogurt presentations in Portuguese market were collected during 2008 and analyzed through gas chromatography coupled with mass detection. All the analyzed milk samples were in agreement with the proportion established by the European Commission, with β-sitosterol as the more abundant phytosterol. However, and contrarily to milk, the different yogurt manufacturers had different options in the phytosterols added to the dairy foods commercialized

IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β, and bFGF expression in bone biopsies before and after parathyroidectomy

IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β, and b FGF expression in bone biopsies before and after parathyroidectomy.BackgroundThere is growing evidence pointing to an involvement of cytokines and growth factors in renal osteodystrophy. In this study, the expression of interleukin-lβ (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in bone biopsies taken from uremic patients before and 1 year after parathyroidectomy (PTX) was evaluated. Biochemical features and histomorphometric outcome were also studied.MethodsIliac bone biopsies were taken before and 1 year after PTX in nine uremic patients with severe hyperparathyroidism (HPT). Immunohistochemical techniques were used to identify the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β, and bFGF in these bone samples.ResultsAt the time of the second bone biopsy, the mean serum total alkaline phosphatase activity was normal, whereas mean serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level was slightly above the upper limit of normal values. Histomorphometric analysis showed a decrease in resorption parameters and static bone formation parameters after PTX. Dynamically, mineral apposition rate (MAR) and mineralization surface (MS/BS) decreased significantly. There was a marked local expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β, and bFGF in bone biopsies before PTX, particularly in fibrous tissue and resorption areas. One year after PTX, IL-1β decreased from 23.6 ± 7.5% to 9.9 ± 3.1%, TNF-α from 4.5 ± 1.5% to 0.7 ± 0.8%, TGF-β from 49.6 ± 9.8% to 15.2 ± 4.6%, and bFGF from 50.9 ± 12.7% to 12.9 ± 7.9% (P < 0.001). A significant correlation was documented between cytokines and growth factors expression in bone with iPTH levels before and after PTX (P < 0.05).ConclusionsBased on these results, we suggest that IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β, and bFGF are involved in bone remodeling regulation, acting as local effectors, possibly under the control of PTH

PDGF and TGF-β contribute to the natural course of human IgA glomerulonephritis

PDGF and TGF-β contribute to the natural course of human Ig-A glomerulonephritis. PDGF and TGF-β are known mediators of mesangial cell proliferation and matrix expansion. The presence of these regulatory factors was examined in 30 renal biopsies from patients with IgA glomerulonephritis (IgA-GN) at the mRNA and protein level. Normal renal tissue served as control. The mRNA expression of PDGF A/B chains, PDGF-βR and TGF-β1 was evaluated by means of RT/PCR with subsequent Southern blot hybridization and/or non-radiactive in situ hybridization. In addition, PDGF-AB/BB, PDGF-βR, TGF-β isoforms (β1, β1+2, β2+3), the small TGF-β1 latency associated peptide (TGF-β1 LAP) and the extracellular matrix proteins tenascin and decorin were analyzed by immunocytochemistry. The expression of growth factors was correlated with light microscopic and clinical features. Compared to normal control kidneys, an increased expression of PDGF-BB/PDGF-βR mRNAs and the corresponding proteins was observed in all biopsies with IgA-GN. Up-regulation was related to the degree of glomerular proliferation and the extent of fibrosing interstitial lesions. In contrast, there was a discordance between TGF-β1 mRNA and protein expression (evaluated by immunocytochemistry). In all biopsies, irrespective of the stage of the disease, abundant TGF-β1 transcripts were detected, whereas TGF-β1 immunoreactivity was expressed to a lesser degree and disclosed a more variable staining pattern. In patients with significant proliferative glomerular lesions and minor tubulointerstitial alterations, TGF-β1 positivity was confined to areas of glomerular proliferation, whereas in cases with more severe histology including sclerosing lesions TGF-β1 immunoreactivity was less prominent. The distribution and the intensity of TGF-β1 LAP staining commonly exceeded the positivity noted for TGF-β1, indicating only limited TGF-β1 activation. A decreased reactivity for tenascin accompanied the morphological features of glomerular sclerosis. The staining patterns and the fact that only very few inflammatory cells, particularly CD68 positive monocytes/macrophages, were detected in glomeruli confirm that predominantly resident glomerular cells (mesangial and endothelial cells) are the major source of up-regulated growth factor production in IgA-GN. Since the expression of PDGF-AB/BB paralleled the severity of proliferative glomerular changes, PDGF seems to represent a potential indicator of activity in this condition. It is suggested that an imbalance between PDGF and TGF-β (by restricted translation and/or activation) production contribute to the progressive nature of IgA-GN

Islet transplantation as a clinical tool: present state and future perspectives

O transplante de ilhotas é um procedimento em desenvolvimento, como alternativa para o tratamento do diabetes tipo 1 que está na fronteira entre o experimental e o clínico. É uma terapia celular na qual as células são implantadas em território diferente do fisiológico em que apenas determinado número incerto conseguirá se adaptar. Aperfeiçoar este processo para obter os mesmos resultados que no transplante de pâncreas, representa um desafio para o qual convergem contribuições da biologia celular, da imunologia e das técnicas de laboratório que se entrelaçam de maneira extremamente complexa. Este trabalho revisa a literatura expondo a evolução do procedimento, a sua metodologia atual e os resultados clínicos obtidos. As perspectivas futuras do transplante diante dos recentes avanços também são discutidas.Islet transplant is an innovative treatment for type 1 diabetic patients, which still lies between experimental and approved transplant therapy. Islet cells are seeded in a non-physiological territory where an uncertain fraction will be able to adapt and survive. Thus, the challenge lies in improving the whole procedure, employing the tools of cell biology, immunology and laboratory techniques, in order to reach the results obtained with whole organ transplant. This review describes the procedure, its progress to the present methodology and clinical results obtained. Future perspectives of islet transplantation in the light of recent biotechnological advances are also focused

Avaliação do uso de periódicos em biblioteca especializada em saúde pública

A study aiming at the use of periodicals was conducted at the School of Public Health Library, University of S. Paulo, Brazil, during a period of six months, in 1973/74, so as to identify the interest of the users. The total of journals borrowed was considered in this evaluation while local consultation and photocopying were not. The total number of users registered in the period of the study was, on average, 801 (11.4% corresponding to professors; 40.6% to students and 47.5% to other categories). The borrowed, journals were measured by kind of acquisition, category of users, date of publication, language and subject of the journals. Bradford's Law was adopted to measure the degree of frequency of the usage. This study reveals that the circulation was of 36.5% of the total titles of the Library' collection (1530); a core of journals supplies only 3.6% of total journals of the collection; 68.3% represent the subscribed journals; 72.5% was the demand of the Professors; 82.5% of use refers to volumes published in the last 5 years (1969-1973) and the use of English journals was of 61.2%.Foi feita avaliação do uso de periódicos técnico-científicos da Biblioteca da Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo (FSP/ USP), por um período de seis meses, em 1973/74, com a finalidade de verificar as tendências de interesse de seus usuários. Para a avaliação foi considerado o total de empréstimos realizados no período, sendo desprezados os dados de consulta local e do uso do periódico feito por meio de fotocópias de artigos. O número de consulentes matriculados no período era, em média, de 801, sendo 11,7% pertencentes ao corpo docente da FSP; 40,6% ao discente e 47,5% referentes a consulentes externos. O levantamento foi programado para medir os periódicos circulados considerando as seguintes variáveis: tipo de aquisição; categoria de consulentes; ano da publicação; língua em que o periódico foi publicado e assunto do periódico. Foi medido também o grau de freqüência da circulação, usando-se o método de Bradford. A análise dos resultados mostrou que a circulação foi de 36,5% do total de títulos da coleção (1.530); a zona de concentração dos títulos circulados foi muito baixa, com 3,6% do total de títulos da coleção. Quanto às demais variáveis, verificou-se que 68,3% da circulação coube a periódicos adquiridos por compra; 82,5% a periódicos dos 5 anos mais recentes (1969-1973); 61,2% a periódicos em língua inglesa; 72,5% foi a demanda por parte do corpo docente

Study of the incidence of dialysis in São Paulo, the largest Brazilian city

OBJECTIVES: Chronic kidney disease is a major public health problem worldwide. In Brazil, approximately 100,000 patients (January 2012) receive renal replacement therapy. Nevertheless, data on dialysis incidence in the Brazilian population are scarce. This study aims to analyze the incidence of patients starting dialysis therapy in São Paulo City, the largest Brazilian metropolis. METHOD: This cohort study analyzed data from 9,994 patients starting hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis funded by the Brazilian Public Health System during a 5-year period (2007-2011). Patient data for this study (recorded as electronic files) were obtained from the São Paulo City's Dialysis Regulatory Bureau, which regulates the allocation of patients requiring dialytic therapy. RESULTS: The dialysis incidence rates were 178, 174, 170, 185 and 188 per million population for the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. The incidence rates increased with age. Hypertension and diabetes were the main etiologies diagnosed. Hemodialysis was the chosen dialysis modality in the majority of patients (92.6%), whereas the percentage of patients referred for peritoneal dialysis decreased from 10.1% to 5.5%. CONCLUSION: The incidence of patients starting renal replacement therapy from 2007-2011 in São Paulo was stable but higher than the projected incidence for the entire country. The authors emphasize the need for further studies of the incidence of dialysis in the Brazilian population and for the creation of a Brazilian registry of dialysis patients, which would be a valuable tool for developing healthcare policies and renal replacement therapy strategies

Integrated proteomics and phosphoproteomics revealed druggable kinases in neoadjuvant chemotherapy resistant tongue cancer

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma is an aggressive oral cancer with a high incidence of metastasis and poor prognosis. Most of the oral cavity cancer patients present in clinics with locally advanced unresectable tumors. Neoadjuvant treatment is beneficial for these individuals as it reduces the tumor size aiding complete resection. However, patients develop therapy resistance to the drug regimen. In this study, we explored the differential expression of proteins and altered phosphorylation in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy resistant tongue cancer patients. We integrated the proteomic and phosphoproteomic profiles of resistant (n = 4) and sensitive cohorts (n = 4) and demonstrated the differential expression and phosphorylation of proteins in the primary tissue of the respective subject groups. We observed differential and extensive phosphorylation of keratins such as KRT10 and KRT1 between the two cohorts. Furthermore, our study revealed a kinase signature associated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy resistance. Kinases such as MAPK1, AKT1, and MAPK3 are predicted to regulate the resistance in non-responders. Pathway analysis showed enrichment of Rho GTPase signaling and hyperphosphosphorylation of proteins involved in cell motility, invasion, and drug resistance. Targeting the kinases could help with the clinical management of neoadjuvant chemotherapy-resistant tongue cancer

Estágio em Terapia Ocupacional: potencialidades e desafios da telessaúde/ Fieldwork activity in occupational therapy: potential and challenges of telehealth

Contextualização: O presente artigo apresenta e analisa vivências de estágio supervisionado de Terapia Ocupacional em Saúde Mental, realizadas por telessaúde durante a pandemia COVID-19. Processo de Intervenção: As ações apresentadas foram desenvolvidas em um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial tipo I no interior do Ceará, através de videochamadas com duas usuárias, estagiárias e a terapeuta ocupacional do serviço. Análise crítica da prática: O processo de intervenção foi construído em conjunto com as duas mulheres e as estagiárias, que trouxeram para o espaço remoto instrumentos já conhecidos pela Terapia Ocupacional no presencial. Síntese de considerações: Dessa forma, este trabalho pretende abordar os desafios e potencialidades da telessaúde, bem como fomentar seu uso como recurso da Terapia Ocupacional para promover transformações no cotidiano. Palavras-chave: COVID-19. Saúde Mental. Terapia Ocupacional. TelessaúdeAbstract Contextualization: This paper presents and analyzes supervised fieldwork experiences in Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, carried out by telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Intervention Process: The actions presented were developed in a Type I Psychosocial Care Center in Ceará through video calls with two clients, the fieldwork students and the occupational therapist from the service. Critical analysis of practice: The intervention process was collaboratively built with the clients and the students, who used in the remote context instruments already known in face-to-face occupational therapy. Synthesis considerations: This paper aims to address the challenges and potential of telehealth and to encourage its use as a resource of occupational therapy to promote changes in everyday life.Keywords: COVID-19. Mental Health. Occupational Therapy. Telehealth. Resumen Contextualización: Este artículo presenta y analiza las experiencias de práctica profesional supervisadas en Terapia Ocupacional en Salud Mental, realizadas por telehealth durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Proceso de intervención: Las acciones presentadas se desarrollaron en un Centro de Atención Psicosocial tipo I en el interior de Ceará, mediante videollamadas con dos usuarios, aprendices y el terapeuta ocupacional del servicio. Análisis crítico de la práctica: El proceso de intervención se construyó junto a las dos mujeres y las aprendices, quienes llevaron al espacio remoto instrumentos ya conocidos por la Terapia Ocupacional en persona. Resumen de consideraciones: Así, este trabajo tiene como objetivo abordar los desafíos y potenciales de la telesalud, así como promover su uso como recurso de la Terapia Ocupacional para promover cambios en la vida diaria.Palabras clave: COVID-19. Salud Mental. Terapia Ocupacional. Telesalu