Brazilian community restaurants’ low-income food handlers : association between the nutritional status and the presence of non-communicable chronic diseases

This cross-sectional study aimed primarily to determine the association between the nutritional status and the presence of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) among community restaurants’ food handlers, since their access to food can influence their body mass index (BMI). The study discusses the socio-demographic status of participants, dietary intake, the prevalence of overweightness/obesity, and self-reported diagnosed NCDs. In 36 Community Restaurants (CRs) from all of the Brazilian regions, we collected data from 559 food handlers. We used a questionnaire to collect socio-demographic data and the reported diagnosed chronic diseases. For the anthropometric evaluation with Body Mass Index calculation, we measured the weight and the height of the individuals. They were all weighed before having lunch at the CR, without shoes and coats. Associations between variables were analyzed by the chi-square test and Poisson regression at a significance level of 5%, considering health as the outcome variable. Most of the food handlers were female (63.1%), married or with a partner (51.7%), and overweight (59.9%). Among the food handlers that presented diagnosed NCDs (n = 96, 17.2% of food handlers), 45.8% (n = 44) presented hypertension and 12.5% (n = 12) type 2 diabetes mellitus. There was a significant association between BMI and NCD status in the studied population. The total daily sodium intake of food handlers was higher than the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), especially from the CR lunch, which may raise the risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension (the most prevalent non-communicable disease found in our study). Despite that, in general, the CRs provide access to cheap and adequate meals to their workers, considering energy intake and the proportion of macronutrients. In this population, overweightness and obesity were prevalent; there was an association of obesity with chronic disease in the study population. Therefore, it is necessary for better menu planning for CRs to guarantee sodium reduction throughout time

Is there still a place for involutional melancholia nowadays?

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Rubus niveus Thunb. plant belongs to Rosaceae family and have been used traditionally to treat wounds, burns, inflammation, dysentery, diarrhea and for curing excessive bleeding during menstrual cycle. The present study was undertaken to investigate the in vivo genotoxicity of Rubus niveus aerial parts extract and its possible chemoprotection on doxorubicin (DXR)-induced DNA damage. In parallel, the main phytochemicals constituents in the extract were determined.Materials and methods: The animals were exposed to the extract for 24 and 48 h, and the doses selected were 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg b.w. administered by gavage alone or prior to DXR (30 mg/kg b.w.) administered by intraperitoneal injection. The endpoints analyzed were DNA damage in bone marrow and peripheral blood cells assessed by the alkaline alkaline (pH > 13) comet assay and bone marrow micronucleus test.Results and conclusion: The results of chemical analysis of the extract showed the presence of tormentic acid, stigmasterol, quercitinglucoronide (miquelianin) and niga-ichigoside F1 as main compounds. Both cytogenetic endpoints analyzed showed that there were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between the negative control and the treated groups with the two higher doses of Rubus niveus extract alone, demonstrating absence of genotoxic and mutagenic effects. Aneugenic/clastogenic effect was observed only at 2000 mg/kg dose. On the other hand, in the both assays and all tested doses were observed a significant reduction of DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations in all groups co-treated with DXR and extract compared to those which received only DXR. These results indicate that Rubus niveus aerial parts extract did not revealed any genotoxic effect, but presented some aneugenic/clastogenic effect at higher dose; and suggest that it could be a potential adjuvant against development of second malignant neoplasms caused by the cancer chemotherapic DXR. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

utjecaj sezonskih promjena tropske klime na reprodukcijske pokazatelje i hormonski status jaraca sanske pasmine

This study evaluated the effects different seasons (rainy, rainy-dry transition, dry, dry-rainy transition) throughout the year on the reproduction and endocrine profile of Saanen bucks reared in a tropical climate. During these seasons environmental data were recorded (ambient temperature and relative air humidity) to calculate the temperature and humidity index. Reproductive parameters were also evaluated in the same periods to check seasonal variations, wherey semen was collected twice a month from nine Saanen bucks using an artificial vagina. Furthermore, scrotal circumference, scrotal surface temperature and serum levels of testosterone, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and cortisol were measured. The climate parameters influenced the reproductive parameters, mainly during the dry period, when higher values of ambient temperature reduced sperm quality, however, scrotal circumference and surface temperature, as well as serum levels of testosterone increased. In conclusion, Saanen bucks reared in a tropical climate are subject to heat stress, evinced by transient seasonal variations in reproductive parameters, where the first season is the most favorable to reproduction.U ovom je radu istražen utjecaj različitih sezona (kišna, prijelaz iz kišne u suhu, suha, prijelaz iz suhe u kišnu) tijekom godine na reprodukcijski i endokrini status jaraca sanske pasmine uzgojenih u tropskoj klimi. Zabilježeni su podaci iz okoliša (temperatura i relativna vlažnost zraka) za vrijeme različitih sezona kako bi se izračunao indeks topline. Za ista su razdoblja procijenjeni reprodukcijski pokazatelji kako bi se istražile njihove sezonske varijacije u koju je svrhu od 9 jaraca sanske pasmine primjenom umjetne vagine, prikupljano sjeme dva puta mjesečno. Osim toga mjereni su obujam skrotuma, temperatura površine skrotuma te razina testosterona, trijodotironina (T3), tiroksina (T4) i kortizola u serumu. Klimatski uvjeti su utjecali na reprodukcijske pokazatelje, najviše za vrijeme suhog razdoblja, kad veće vrijednosti temperature okoliša smanjuju kvalitetu sjemena jaraca. Obujam i temperatura površine skrotuma, kao i serumska razina testosterona, u navedenoj sezoni su povećani. Zaključeno je da su sanski jarci uzgojeni u tropskoj klimi pod utjecajem toplinskog stresa, što se vidi iz sezonskih varijacija njihovih reprodukcijskih pokazatelja, pri čemu je kišna sezona najpovoljnija za reprodukciju

Host Immune Response to ZIKV in an Immunocompetent Embryonic Mouse Model of Intravaginal Infection

Zika virus (ZIKV) only induces mild symptoms in adultshowever, it can cause congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), including microcephaly. Most of the knowledge on ZIKV pathogenesis was gained using immunocompromised mouse models, which do not fully recapitulate human pathology. Moreover, the study of the host immune response to ZIKV becomes challenging in these animals. Thus, the main goal of this study was to develop an immunocompetent mouse model to study the ZIKV spread and teratogeny. FVB/NJ immune competent dams were infected intravaginally with ZIKV during the early stage of pregnancy. We found that the placentae of most fetuses were positive for ZIKV, while the virus was detected in the brain of only about 42% of the embryos. To investigate the host immune response, we measured the expression of several inflammatory factors. Embryos from ZIKV-infected dams had an increased level of inflammatory factors, as compared to Mock. Next, we compared the gene expression levels in embryos from ZIKV-infected dams that were either negative or positive for ZIKV in the brain. The mRNA levels of viral response genes and cytokines were increased in both ZIKV-positive and negative brains. Interestingly, the levels of chemokines associated with microcephaly in humans, including CCL2 and CXCL10, specifically increased in embryos harboring ZIKV in the embryo brains

Regras de associação aplicadas ao problema de evasão de alunos de cursos de pós-graduação (Lato Sensu) na modalidade EaD de uma instituição de ensino privada

Um dos grandes desafios enfrentados pelo Ensino a Distância (EaD) é a desistência do aluno antes da conclusão do curso. Neste sentido, este problema tem sido abordado sobre os mais variados aspectos. Contudo, estudos sobre a evasão de cursos de pós-graduação EaD ainda são mais restritos quando comparados à cursos de graduação nesta mesma modalidade, notadamente devido a menor disponibilidade de dados. Este trabalho realiza a análise dos fatores que levaram à evasão de cursos de pós-graduação EaD de uma Instituição de Ensino privada que detém mais de 300 mil alunos. Para tanto, utilizaram-se ferramentas de estatística descritiva como também de Mineração de Dados, mais especificamente de Regras de Associação. Resultados apontam que fatores institucionais relacionados ao material didático e dificuldade com recursos tecnológicos foram alguns dos principais agentes causadores de evasão nos cursos

Controlo integrado da Lagarta das Pastagens Mythimna unipuncta (Haworth)

II Jornadas Agronómicas Açorianas, Outubro, 1991, Ponta Delgada, Açores.No Arquipélago dos Açores, desde 1970 e com maior incidência na ilha de S. Miguel, devido ao aumento da área de pastagem, com vista ao desenvolvimento da bovinocultura, uma das espécies de Noctuídeos, Mythimna unipuncta (Haworth) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), assinalada na região desde 1810 por GODMAN, tornou-se num grave problema económico, estimando-se os seus prejuízos em cerça de 8% da produção anual das pastagens (TAVARES, 1989)

Fishers and groupers (epinephelus marginatus and E. morio) in the coast of Brazil : integrating information for conservation

Groupers are a vulnerable but economically important group of fish, especially for small-scale fisheries. We investigated catches and local ecological knowledge (LEK) of diet, habitat, and past fishing experiences. Landings, prices, interviews, and restaurants demand for two species, Epinephelus marginatus (dusky grouper) and Epinephelus morio (red grouper), were registered. We visited 74 markets and 79 sites on the coast of Brazil in 2017–2018, and we interviewed 71 fishers: Bahia (NE), Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo (SE), and Santa Catarina (S). The landings sampled of dusky grouper (2016–2017) in Rio de Janeiro were: n = 222, size 38–109 cm, weight 1–24 kg, average 3.84 kg; in São Paulo, São Sebastião were: n = 47, size 39–106 cm, weight 2–8 kg, average of 2.77 kg; and at Santos: n = 80, 26–120 cm, weight 0.36–15 kg, average 2.72 kg. Red grouper was observed in markets in the northeastern Brazil. We did not observe Epinephelus marginatus from Bahia northward; a maximum size of 200 cm was reported south of the Bahia, besides Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo coasts, 20 years ago (or longer) by 12 fishers. Local knowledge of fishers was important for grouper data of habitat and diet; the reproduction period was identified by fishers as September to March. Groupers can be considered as a cultural and ecological keystone species. We suggest protective measures: 1) fishing zoning, 2) islands (MPAs) with the surveillance of fishers, 3) late Spring and early Summer as key periods for management (grouper reproduction), 4) studies on grouper larvae, 5) mapping of fishing spots, 6) studies on local knowledge. Collaboration with small-scale fishers and local knowledge could contribute to low-conflict management measures. In that regard, integrative models of management from Latin America, by using local knowledge and citizen science, could produce successful grouper management for Brazilian data-poor fisheries, a contrasting reality to the Mediterranean areas. Finally, the distribution of E. marginatus in Brazil leave us with questions: a) Have dusky groupers disappeared from Bahia because of a decline in the population? b) Was it uncommon in Northeast Brazil? c) Did changes in water temperatures forced a movement southward?151CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP307762/2013–0; 301592/2017–914/16939–7In addition to FAPESP and CNPq, we acknowledge Eduardo Camargo and Marco Antonio A. G. Araújo for helping with fieldwork in NE Brazil and Mara Magenta (UNISANTA) for helping us with infrastructure for fish larvae observation in the laboratory. We are grateful to the fisher-buyers Antonio, Elenilson and Valdecir. We are also very grateful to Rodrigo Caires, who supported us with taxonomic matter

Estudos Artísticos

O número 18 da revista Gama apresenta 16 artigos respondendo ao desafio a editorial lançado por esta revista. Trata-se de apresentar a obra de artistas contemporâneos ou mais antigos numa perspetiva de um resgate patrimonial, uma revisitação valorizadora do seu testemunho artístico.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio