Psychometric properties of the WHOQOL-SRPB BREF, Brazilian Portuguese version

Objective: To test the reliability and the discriminant and convergent validity of the abbreviated Brazilian Portuguese World Health Organization’s Quality of Life Instrument – Spirituality, Religion, and Personal Beliefs module (WHOQOL-SRPB BREF). Methods: In a sample of 404 individuals, we applied a general questionnaire, the WHOQOL-BREF, the long-form SRPB, the Brief Religious-Spiritual Coping Scale (RCOPE), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Priority was given to the 9-item SRPB assessment: its unidimensionality was tested through confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis of the 9-item SRPB assessment indicated an adjusted model with acceptable fit to data. In the Rasch analysis, general fit measures showed adequate performance. The 9-item SRPB assessment showed good internal consistency (alpha = 0.85), and could differentiate (discriminant validity) between religious and atheist/agnostic respondents (mean = 74.7614.1 and 56.8615.5, respectively; t = 6.37; degrees of freedom [df] = 402; p o 0.01) and between nondepressed and depressed respondents (mean = 76.5612.9 and 67.1616.5; t = 5.57; df = 190.5; p o 0.01). Correlations (convergent validity) were significant with the positive-RCOPE subscale (r = 0.58, p o 0.01) and the WHOQOL-BREF domains (Pearson coefficient ranging between 0.24 and 0.49; p o 0.01), but were in the negative direction with the negative-RCOPE subscale (r = -0.10, p o 0.05). Correlation with the long-form SRPB domain (r = 0.934) was almost perfect. Conclusion: The Brazilian Portuguese 9-item SRPB has good psychometric properties and confirmed the findings of the long-form Brazilian Portuguese version and the abbreviated English version

UV-Vis and CIELAB based chemometric characterization of manihot esculenta carotenoid contents

Vitamin A deficiency is a prevalent health problem in many areas of the world, where cassava genotypes with high pro-vitamin A content have been identified as a strategy to address this issue. In this study, we found a positive correlation between the color of the root pulp and the total carotenoid contents and, importantly, showed how CIELAB color measurements can be used as a non-destructive and fast technique to quantify the amount of carotenoids in cassava root samples, as opposed to traditional methods. We trained several machine learning models using UV-visible spectrophotometry data, CIELAB data and a low-level data fusion of the two. Best performance models were obtained for the total carotenoids contents calculated using the UV-visible dataset as input, with R2 values above 90 %. Using CIELAB and fusion data, values around 60 % and above 90 % were found. Importantly, these results demonstrated how data fusion can lead to a better model performance for prediction when comparing to the use of a single data source. Considering all these findings, the use of colorimetric data associated with UV-visible and HPLC data through statistical and machine learning methods is a reliable way of predicting the content of total carotenoids in cassava root samples.To CNPq (National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development) for financial support (Process n 407323/2013-9), to CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), and EPAGRI(AgriculturalResearchandRuralExtensionCompanyofSantaCatarina).Theresearchfellowshipfrom CNPqonbehalfofM.Maraschinisacknowledged.TheworkispartiallyfundedbyProjectPropMine,funded bytheagreementbetweenPortugueseFCT(FoundationforScienceandTechnology)andBrazilianCNPq.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ecology of <i>Mabuya agilis</i> (Squamata: scincidae) from a montane atlantic rainforest area in Southeastern Brazil

Alguns aspectos da ecologia (principalmente reprodução e dieta) do lagarto scincídeo Mabuya agilis foram estudados com base em amostras mensais realizadas de dezembro de 1997 a abril de 1999 em uma área de floresta tropical serrana no estado do Espírito Santo, sudeste do Brasil. Dos 197 espécimes coletados, 82 eram machos, 110 eram fêmeas, e o resto não pôde ser corretamente sexado. Lagartos variaram em comprimento rostro-coacal de 30 a 96 mm e foram sexualmente dimórficos em tamanho, com fêmeas atingindo maiores tamanhos que machos. A menor fêmea grávida mediu 54.0 mm. O tamanho da ninhada para 49 fêmeas grávidas variou de 2 a 9 (média = 5.7) e esteve positiva e significativamente relacionado ao tamanho dos lagartos. As presas dominantes na dieta de M. agilis foram baratas, ortópteros e aranhas. A população de M. agilis aqui estudada diferiu de outras populações conspecíficas previamente estudadas em hábitats de «restinga» nos estados do Rio de Janeiro e Espírito Santo, sendo que os indivíduos crescem a tamanhos maiores e a fecundidade é mais alta, possivelmente devido a uma maior disponibilidade de alimento no hábitat de floresta tropical serrana.Some aspects of the ecology (mainly reproduction and diet) of the skink Mabuya agilis were studied based on monthly samples taken from December 1997 to April 1999 at a montane rainforest area in Espírito Santo state, southeastern Brazil. Of 197 collected specimens, 82 were males, 110 were females, and the rest could not be properly sexed. Lizards varied in snout-vent length (SVL) from 30 to 96 mm and were sexually dimorphic in size, with females growing larger than males. The smallest gravid female measured 54.0 mm in SVL. Litter size of 49 gravid females varied from 2 to 9 (mean= 5.7) and was positively and significantly related to lizard SVL. The dominant prey items in the diet of M. agilis were cockroaches, orthopterans and spiders. The population of M. agilis here studied differed from other conspecific populations previously studied in «restinga» habitats from Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo states in that individuals grow to larger sizes and fecundity is higher, possibly because of a higher food availability in the montane rainforest habitat.Asociación Herpetológica Argentina (AHA

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) production in silico by Pythium irregulare, as value-added product, using sugarcane vinasse as carbon source

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF HYDROETHANOLIC CRUDE EXTRACT OF EUGENIA FLORIDA DC (MYRTACEAE) LEAVES

Objective: The present study aimed to characterize and quantify the total phenolics, flavonoids and tannins in a hydroethanolic crude extract (70% (v/v) (EB)) of the leaves of E. florida DC, as well as to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the extract against different species of micro-organisms.Methods: EB was characterized using a mass spectrometer equipped with a direct insertion device for in-stream injection (FIA). Quantitative analyses of major compounds were carried out by spectrophotometry. In addition, we evaluated the sensitivity profiles of different strains of yeast and bacteria against different concentrations of EB.Results: The classes found were in agreement with those described in the literature: flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids and saponins. EB showed levels of phenolic compounds, flavonoids and tannins equal to 25.82 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram of extract (EAG/g), 8.42 mg quercetin equivalents per gram of extract (EQ/g) and 7.30 mg tannic acid equivalents per gram of extract (AT/g), respectively. In the analysis of antimicrobial activity, EB was more active against yeasts but was not effective against the bacteria used in the test.Conclusion: We can conclude that E. florida DC has antimicrobial potential, due to the presence of bioactive secondary metabolites.Keywords: Phenolics, Micro-organisms, Mass spectrometer, Yeasts, Bacteria, PotentialÂ

Metformin, but not glimepiride, improves carotid artery diameter and blood flow in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of glimepiride and metformin on vascular reactivity, hemostatic factors and glucose and lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A prospective study was performed in 16 uncontrolled patients with diabetes previously treated with dietary intervention. The participants were randomized into metformin or glimepiride therapy groups. After four months, the patients were crossed over with no washout period to the alternative treatment for an additional four-month period on similar dosage schedules. The following variables were assessed before and after four months of each treatment: 1) fasting glycemia, insulin, catecholamines, lipid profiles and HbA1 levels; 2) t-PA and PAI-1 (antigen and activity), platelet aggregation and fibrinogen and plasminogen levels; and 3) the flow indices of the carotid and brachial arteries. In addition, at the end of each period, a 12-hour metabolic profile was obtained after fasting and every 2 hours thereafter. RESULTS: Both therapies resulted in similar decreases in fasting glucose, triglyceride and norepinephrine levels, and they increased the fibrinolytic factor plasminogen but decreased t-PA activity. Metformin caused lower insulin and pro-insulin levels and higher glucagon levels and increased systolic carotid diameter and blood flow. Neither metformin nor glimepiride affected endothelial-dependent or endothelial-independent vasodilation of the brachial artery. CONCLUSIONS: Glimepiride and metformin were effective in improving glucose and lipid profiles and norepinephrine levels. Metformin afforded more protection against macrovascular diabetes complications, increased systolic carotid artery diameter and total and systolic blood flow, and decreased insulin levels. As both therapies increased plasminogen levels but reduced t-PA activity, a coagulation process was likely still ongoing

New Multicomponent Forms of the Antiretroviral Nevirapine with Improved Dissolution Performance

In the pharmaceutical area, some drugs exhibit physicochemical properties that adversely affect the formulation processes for bioavailability and effectiveness. Nevirapine (NVP) is an antiretroviral drug that presents low aqueous solubility, which directly impacts its bioavailability. Among all possible modifications, multicomponent crystals, such as cocrystals and eutectic compositions, have been successfully used to improve the solubility of drugs. In this work, the propensity of the formation of multicomponent systems of NVP with seven possible coformers were predicted and tested: salicylic acid (SA), 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (3HBZC), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4HBZC), saccharin (SAC), theophylline (THEO), caffeine (CAF), and urea (URE). Results indicate that NVP-SA, NVP-SAC, NVP-3HBZC, and NVP-4HBZC are cocrystals, whereas NVP-THEO and NVP-CAF are eutectic materials, and NVP-URE is a solid physical mixture. A temperature-dependent disorder behavior was identified for NVP-SA cocrystal. Dissolution studies for the eutectic materials are reported, evidencing that these materials exhibit a significant increase in NVP dissolution kinetics.Fil: Costa, Rogeria Nunes. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Reviglio, Ana Lucía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física; ArgentinaFil: Siedler, Sana. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Cardoso, Simone G.. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Garro Linck, Yamila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física; ArgentinaFil: Monti, Gustavo Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física; ArgentinaFil: Carvalho, Alexandre Magnus G.. Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais; BrasilFil: Resende, Jackson A. L. C.. Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul; BrasilFil: Chaves, Marcelo H. C.. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Rocha, Helvético Vinícius Antunes. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Choquesillo Lazarte, Duane. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; España. Universidad de Granada; EspañaFil: Infantes, Lourdes. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; España. Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano; EspañaFil: Cuffini, Silvia Lucia. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

MIBRA-USP, an interregional applied general equilibrium model for the Brazilian economy

On the external side Brazil has experienced since the beginning of the 1990’s an opening process of its economy in a world environment were there have been a wide process of block formation (European Union, Nafta, Mercosur, etc.), on the internal side the Brazilian Real Plan in 1994 has started a period of relative stabilization in the economy that after more than two decades of high inflation has finally brought it under control. The above factors seem to have contributed to structural changes in Brazilian economy. These structural changes were not equally distributed among the sectors and the regions in the Brazilian economy. As an instrument that can be used to evaluate the impact of the economic policies over the regional development in the Brazilian economy, this work presents an interregional Applied General Equilibrium (AGE) model, MIBRA-USP, constructed for the 16 most important sectors in the economy as well as for the 5 Brazilian macro-regions (North, Northeast, Central West, Southeast, and South), calibrated for the year of 1995. This model follows in the tradition of the MONASH-MRF (Multiregional Multisectoral Model of Australian Economy) constructed for the Australian economy and as such the model is solved using the GEMPACK software and their solutions are giving in growth rates. This model is a development over two other previous AGE models, in the Australian tradition, constructed for the Brazilian economy: a) the PAPA model (Guilhoto, 1995) that is a national model with a data base in 1980; and b) the B-MARIA model (Haddad, 1998), an interregional model consisting of 3 regions (North, Northeast, and Rest of the Economy) and calibrated for 1985. The simulations conducted with the MIBRA-USP model were chosen in a way to study how the regions and sectors in the Brazilian economy would react to different sets of economic policies