Effect of gastrointestinal digestion on the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of fermented Aloe vera juices

Plant-based beverages are enriched by the fermentation process. However, their biocompounds are transformed during gastrointestinal digestion, improving their bioaccessibility, which is of primary importance when considering the associated health benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on phenolic compound bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of novel Aloe vera juices fermented by probiotic Enterococcus faecium and Lactococcus lactis. Aloe vera juices were digested using the standardized static INFOGEST protocol. During digestion, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) were accessed. The digestion process was seen to significantly increase the total phenolic content of the fermented Aloe vera juices. The fermentation of Aloe vera increased the bioaccessibility of juice biocompounds, particularly for kaempferol, ellagic acid, resveratrol, hesperidin, ferulic acid, and aloin. The phenolics released during digestion were able to reduce the oxidative radicals assessed by ABTS and FRAP tests, increasing the antioxidant action in the intestine, where they are absorbed. The fermentation of Aloe vera by probiotics is an excellent process to increase the bioavailability of beverages, resulting in natural added-value functional products.This work was supported by the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT, Mexico) with financial support (CVU 559365). This study was also supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit and by LABBELS—Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology, Bioengineering, and Microelectromechanical Systems, LA/P/0029/2020. It was also supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Competitiveness Factors Operational Program—Norte 2020, COMPETE, and by National Funds through the FCT—under the project AgriFood XXI (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000041). Clarisse Nobre acknowledges FCT for the assistant research contract 2021.01234.CEECINDinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Identificação de oocistos de Cryptosporidium em esfregaços fecais corados pela hematoxilina férrica de Heidenhain

There is no paucity of methods for diagnosing Cryptosporidium spp. infection. The merits of immunoassays notwithstanding, microscopic identification of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in fecal samples remains an important diagnostic procedure. It owes the persistence of its use to such characteristics as dispensing with expensive equipment and kits, requiring only basic laboratory facilities, and having a low probability of false positive results when permanent slides are prepared, which can be re-examined in case of doubt. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts can be readily identified in fecal smears prepared according to a regressive iron hematoxylin staining technique. The number of steps and their duration, as well as costs, were reduced to a minimum without loss of image quality and permanence of the preparations.Não há carência de métodos para o diagnóstico da infecção por Cryptosporidium spp. Apesar dos méritos dos imunoensaios, a identificação de oocistos em amostras de fezes permanece um importante recurso diagnóstico que deve a persistência de seu uso a certas características, como dispensar o uso de "kits" e equipamentos dispendiosos, exigindo apenas instrumental básico de laboratório, além de oferecer poucas probabilidades de resultados falsos-positivos, uma vez que as preparações permanentes podem ser examinadas novamente em caso de dúvida. Os oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp. podem ser facilmente identificados em esfregaços preparados segundo a técnica regressiva de coloração pela hematoxilina férrica. Procurou-se reduzir ao mínimo o número de etapas da técnica e sua duração, assim como o custo, sem perda da qualidade das imagens e da durabilidade das preparações

Aloe vera as a source of antioxidant phenolic compounds

Introduction. Aloe vera has been used for many centuries for its medicinal properties. It contains several compounds such as phenolics, which includes Aloin that has been proposed as a potential therapeutically option in cancer. Phenolic compounds are also of great interest for the food industry, since they have been assigned as functional ingredients. This study aimed to extract, identify and quantify the main phenolic compounds of Aloe barbadensis Miller gel and to evaluate its antioxidant activity. Methodology. Aloe vera gel was previously extracted and lyophilized. Then, four different extractions were applied using a solid-liquid ratio of 1 g of Aloe vera to 30 ml of solvent (water, water plus enzyme (Cellulase), ethanol/water (80:20 v/v) or ethanol/water (80:20 v/v) plus enzyme) for 2 h at 45 °C, to obtain bioactive extracts. Total phenolic content were quantified by Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method. Individual phenolic compounds were identified by UPLC-DAD. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays. Results. Results shown that the enzymatic process with the organic solvent was the best strategy to recover phenolic compounds from Aloe vera gel. These data were corroborated with the phenolic profile obtained in these extractions, including aloin, naringin, rosmarinic acid, ellagic acid, apigenin cinnamic acid, and hesperidin. Other compounds were also identified in all Aloe vera extracts, though in lower amount, such as resveratrol, ferulic acid, quercetin, coumaric acid, vanillic acid and syringic acid. The antioxidant activity values determined by the FRAP and ABTS methods are in agreement with the results obtained for the phenolic compounds, showing that extracts with a higher concentration of phenolic compounds have greater antioxidant activity. Conclusion. Aloe vera is a good source of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity raising its industrial interest as a functional ingredient.The authors acknowledge the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT, Mexico) for the financial support (CVU 559365).This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE–01–0145–FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte 2020–Programa Operacional Regional do Norte and the Project ColOsH PTDC/BTM–SAL/30071/2017 (POCI–01–0145–FEDER–030071). Pedro Santos is recipient of a fellowship supported by a doctoral advanced training (call NORTE-69-2015-15), funded by the European Social Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (NORTE-08-5369-FSE-000036).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

El ejercicio físico y la función cognitiva: una revisión

Exercise and physical training are known as promoters of several alterations, and among them, cardiorespiratory benefits, increase in the mineral bone density and decrease in the risk for chronic-degenerative diseases. Recently, another aspect has become notorious: an improvement in the cognitive function. Although it is very controversial, several studies have shown that physical exercises improve and protect the cerebral function, suggesting that physically active individuals present lower risk to develop mental disorders compared to sedentary individuals. This demonstrates that participating in physical exercise programs exerts benefits in the physical and psychological spheres, and it is probable that physically active individuals have a faster cognitive processing. Although the cognitive benefits of the physically active life-style seem to be related to the level of the regular physical activities, that is, exercises performed along the whole lifetime, suggesting a cognitive reserve, it is never too late to start a physical exercise program. Thus, using physical exercises as an alternative to achieve an improvement in the cognitive function seems to be a aim to be attained mainly due to its applicability, since it is a relatively less expensive method that can be used by the major part of the population. Thus, the purpose of the present review is to discuss the associative aspects between physical exercises and the cognitive function, thus allowing to reflect on its use as an alternative and supportive element.El ejercicio y la educación física así como los entrenamientos son conocidos porque promueven varios cambios en el cuerpo, incluso beneficia los efectos cardio-respiratorios, el aumento de la densidad mineral del hueso y la disminución del riesgo del enfermedades crónico-degenerativas. Más recientemente hay otro aspecto que ha obtenido fama reconocida sobre esos beneficios; se trata de la mejora en la función cognitiva. Aunque hay grandes controversias, varios estudios han estado demostrando que el ejercicio físico mejora y protege la función cerebral, mientras se hace una sugerencia que las personas se presentasen físicamente activas tendrán riesgo más pequeño sobre ataques por desórdenes mentales en relación al sedentario. Esto demonstra que la participación en programas de ejercicios tienen beneficios en las esferas física y psicológica, y que probablemente, los individuos físicamente activos tengan un procesamiento cognitivo más rápido. Aunque los beneficios cognitivos del estilo de vida fisicamente activo parecen relacionarse al nivel de actividades físicas regular, cumplido durante una vida, mientras podemos pensar que para una reserva cognitiva, nunca es tarde para empezar un programa de ejercicios físicos. De esta forma el uso del ejercicio físico como alternativa para mejorar la función cognitiva parece ser un objetivo a ser alcanzado, principalmente debido a la aplicabilidad del individuo por el logro personal-ademas de ser un método relativamente barato que la gran parte de la población tiene acceso. Así, el objetivo de la revisión presente es él de discutir los aspectos asociativos entre el ejercicio físico y la función cognitiva, permitiendo una consideración entre los que la usan como una alternativa y un elemento de apoyo.O exercício e o treinamento físico são conhecidos por promover diversas alterações, incluindo benefícios cardiorrespiratórios, aumento da densidade mineral óssea e diminuição do risco de doenças crônico-degenerativas. Recentemente outro aspecto tem ganhando notoriedade: trata-se da melhoria na função cognitiva. Embora haja grande controvérsia, diversos estudos têm demonstrado que o exercício físico melhora e protege a função cerebral, sugerindo que pessoas fisicamente ativas apresentam menor risco de serem acometidas por desordens mentais em relação às sedentárias. Isso mostra que a participação em programas de exercícios físicos exercem benefícios nas esferas física e psicológica e que, provavelmente, indivíduos fisicamente ativos possuem um processamento cognitivo mais rápido. Embora os benefícios cognitivos do estilo de vida fisicamente ativo pareçam estar relacionados ao nível de atividade física regular, ou seja, exercício realizado durante toda a vida, sugerindo uma reserva cognitiva, nunca é tarde para se iniciar um programa de exercícios físicos. Dessa forma, o uso do exercício físico como alternativa para melhorar a função cognitiva parece ser um objetivo a ser alcançado, principalmente em virtude da sua aplicabilidade, pois se trata de um método relativamente barato, que pode ser direcionado a grande parte da população. Assim, o objetivo da presente revisão é o de discutir os aspectos associativos entre exercício físico e função cognitiva, permitindo uma ponderação entre o seu uso enquanto alternativa e elemento coadjuvante.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) EPM Departamento de PsicobiologiaUNIFESP-EPM Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e ExercícioUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de PsicobiologiaUNIFESP, EPM Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e ExercícioSciEL

Biofilm formation among clinical and food isolates of Listeria monocytogenes

Objective. A total of 725 Listeria monocytogenes isolates, 607 from various foods and 118 from clinical cases of listeriosis, were investigated concerning their ability to form biofilms, at 4°C during 5 days and at 37°C during 24 h. Methods. Biofilm production was carried out on polystyrene tissue culture plates. Five L. monocytogenes isolates were tested for biofilm formation after being exposed to acidic and osmotic stress conditions. Results. Significant differences ( ) between clinical and food isolates were observed. At 37°C for 24 h, most food isolates were classified as weak or moderate biofilm formers whereas all the clinical isolates were biofilm producers, although the majority were weak. At 4°C during 5 days, 65 and 59% isolates, from food and clinical cases, respectively, were classified as weak. After both sublethal stresses, at 37°C just one of the five isolates tested was shown to be more sensitive to subsequent acidic exposure. However, at 4°C both stresses did not confer either sensitivity or resistance. Conclusions. Significant differences between isolates origin, temperature, and sublethal acidic stress were observed concerning the ability to form biofilms. Strain, origin, and environmental conditions can determine the level of biofilm production by L. monocytogenes isolates.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of type of physical exercise and leisure activities on the depression scores of obese Brazilian adolescent girls

Several studies have indicated that depressive states may lead to hypokinesia with diminished metabolic rate and energy use. Hypokinesia associated with certain eating behaviors may lead to an unfavorable energy balance that can contribute to the emergence and prevalence of obesity among children and adults. The purpose of the present study was to examine the possibility of reducing depression inventory scores in female adolescents with third-degree obesity while testing the effectiveness of different exercise programs in reducing anxiety and depression scores. The sample consisted of 40 female subjects (mean age 16 ± 1.56 years) divided into 4 groups (aerobic training, anaerobic training, leisure activities, and control). Subjects had a body mass index of 95% or more in relation to the 50th percentile. The aerobic program consisted of three ergometric bicycle sessions per week over a 3-month period (12 weeks) and the activities were prescribed after determining the anaerobic ventilatory threshold (VO2 threshold). Anaerobic training was based on the Wingate anaerobic power test. The leisure program consisted of a varied range of activities (games, exercises, etc.). A nutritionist interviewed the members of these two groups and the control group every week in order to adapt them to the nutritional guidelines proposed for the study. The study showed that all three programs (aerobic exercise, anaerobic exercise and leisure activities) were effective in reducing body mass. However, we found a significant reduction when analyzing the depression scores only for aerobic exercise (18.9 ± 9.33 to 10.6 ± 9.56 or 43.9%) but no significant alterations for anaerobic exercise (11.36 ± 5.23 to 9.63 ± 4.78 or 15.22%) and leisure (17.28 ± 7.55 to 15.07 ± 7.54 or 12.78%), thus indicating that in principle this type of activity could be included to improve emotional well-being of obese adolescent girls.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Programa de Pós-Graduação em NutriçãoUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de PsicobiologiaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de PediatriaFaculdades Integradas Faculdade de Educação Física de Santo AndréInstituto do Sono Associação Fundo de Incentivo à PsicofarmacologiaUNIFESP, EPM, Programa de Pós-Graduação em NutriçãoUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de PsicobiologiaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de PediatriaSciEL

Attenuation of neuropsychiatric symptoms and caregiver burden in Alzheimer's disease by motor intervention: a controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of motor intervention on the neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and on the caregivers' burden. DESIGN: This is a controlled trial evaluating the effects of a motor intervention program on the neuropsychiatric symptoms. SETTING: The intervention was performed on community patients from two university centers specializing in physical exercise for the elderly. SUBJECTS: Patients with Alzheimer's disease were divided into two groups: sixteen received the motor intervention and sixteen controls (five controls were excluded because of clinical intercurrences). INTERVENTIONS: Aerobic exercises (flexibility, strength, and agility) and functional balance exercises were conducted over six months for 60 minutes three times per week. MAIN MEASURES: Psychopathological features of patients were evaluated with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia. Caregivers were evaluated using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Distress and Burden Interview. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to observe interactions (pre- vs. post-intervention; participants vs. controls). RESULTS: Patients from the intervention presented a significant reduction in neuropsychiatric conditions when compared to controls (Neuropsychiatric Inventory: F: 11.12; p = 0.01; Cornell Depression scale: F: 11.97; p = 0.01). The burden and stress of caregivers responsible for patients who participated in the intervention significantly decreased when compared to caregivers responsible for controls (Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Distress: F: 9.37; p = 0.01; Burden Interview: F: 11.28; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic exercise was associated with a reduction in the neuropsychiatric symptoms and contributed to attenuate the caregivers' burden. However, the researchers were not blinded to the patient's intervention status, which constitutes an important limitation of this study

PERFIL EPIDEMIOLÓGICO DE LA HANSENIA EN NIÑOS Y ADOLESCENTES EN EL ESTADO DE ACRE - AMAZONÍA OCCIDENTAL, BRASIL - EN EL PERÍODO DE 2018 A 2022

Objetivo: demostrar o perfil epidemiológico da hanseníase em crianças e adolescentes no período de 2018 a 2022 no estado do Acre. Métodos: Trata-se um estudo transversal, retrospectivo, exploratório, de abordagem quantitativa, com coleta de dados secundários, extraídos no site do Departamento de Informática do SUS – DATASUS, tabulados a partir do TABNET. Resultados: Foram registrados 61 casos durante o período estudado, com uma média de 12,2 casos novos por ano e uma taxa de incidência anual de 6,8 casos por 100.000 habitantes. Não foram notificados casos em crianças de 0 a 4 anos. Observou-se uma predominância do sexo masculino, com 31 casos (50,9%), e a maioria em indivíduos pardos, com 54 casos (88,5%). A forma clínica mais comum foi a dimorfa multibacilar, com 32 casos (52,4%), e 20 pacientes (32,7%) apresentaram lesão única. A terapia mais utilizada foi a Poliquimioterapia multibacilar com 12 doses, realizada por 43 indivíduos (70,4%). Houve uma grande falta de registros de episódios reacionais, com 42 casos (68,8%) não preenchidos e 19 casos (31,1%) sem relato de reação. A maioria dos indivíduos não apresentaram grau de incapacidade, sendo 45 casos (73,7%) com grau zero, 8 casos (13,1%) com incapacidade grau I e 5 casos (8,1%) com incapacidade grau II. Conclusão: A hanseníase tem uma incidência relativamente baixa em crianças e adolescentes no estado do Acre. Embora a maioria dos indivíduos não tenha apresentado incapacidade física, a presença de casos com algum grau de incapacidade ressalta a importância do diagnóstico precoce e do tratamento para prevenir sequelas.Objetivo: demostrar o perfil epidemiológico da hanseníase em crianças e adolescentes no período de 2018 a 2022 no estado do Acre. Métodos: Trata-se um estudo transversal, retrospectivo, exploratório, de abordagem quantitativa, com coleta de dados secundários, extraídos no site do Departamento de Informática do SUS – DATASUS, tabulados a partir do TABNET. Resultados: Foram registrados 61 casos durante o período estudado, com uma média de 12,2 casos novos por ano e uma taxa de incidência anual de 6,8 casos por 100.000 habitantes. Não foram notificados casos em crianças de 0 a 4 anos. Observou-se uma predominância do sexo masculino, com 31 casos (50,9%), e a maioria em indivíduos pardos, com 54 casos (88,5%). A forma clínica mais comum foi a dimorfa multibacilar, com 32 casos (52,4%), e 20 pacientes (32,7%) apresentaram lesão única. A terapia mais utilizada foi a Poliquimioterapia multibacilar com 12 doses, realizada por 43 indivíduos (70,4%). Houve uma grande falta de registros de episódios reacionais, com 42 casos (68,8%) não preenchidos e 19 casos (31,1%) sem relato de reação. A maioria dos indivíduos não apresentaram grau de incapacidade, sendo 45 casos (73,7%) com grau zero, 8 casos (13,1%) com incapacidade grau I e 5 casos (8,1%) com incapacidade grau II. Conclusão: A hanseníase tem uma incidência relativamente baixa em crianças e adolescentes no estado do Acre. Embora a maioria dos indivíduos não tenha apresentado incapacidade física, a presença de casos com algum grau de incapacidade ressalta a importância do diagnóstico precoce e do tratamento para prevenir sequelas.Objective: To demonstrate the epidemiological profile of leprosy in children and adolescents in the state of Acre during the period from 2018 to 2022. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective, exploratory study with a quantitative approach, using secondary data collected from the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (SUS) - DATASUS website and tabulated using TABNET. Results: A total of 61 cases were recorded during the study period, with an average of 12.2 new cases per year and an annual incidence rate of 6.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. No cases were reported in children aged 0 to 4 years. Male individuals showed a predominance, with 31 cases (50.9%), and the majority were of mixed-race ethnicity, with 54 cases (88.5%). The most common clinical form was the multibacillary dimorphic type, with 32 cases (52.4%), and 20 patients (32.7%) presented with a single lesion. The most frequently used therapy was Multibacillary Polychemotherapy with 12 doses, administered to 43 individuals (70.4%). There was a significant lack of records of reactional episodes, with 42 cases (68.8%) not documented and 19 cases (31.1%) without any reported reactions. Most individuals did not present disability, with 45 cases (73.7%) having a grade zero, 8 cases (13.1%) with grade I disability, and 5 cases (8.1%) with grade II disability. Conclusion: Leprosy has a relatively low incidence among children and adolescents in the state of Acre. However, the presence of cases with some degree of disability highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent sequelae.Objetivo: Demostrar el perfil epidemiológico de la lepra en niños y adolescentes en estado de Acre durante período de 2018 a 2022. Métodos: Trata de un estudio transversal, retrospectivo, exploratorio, con enfoque cuantitativo, que recopiló datos secundarios extraídos del sitio web del Departamento de Informática del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) - DATASUS, tabulados a partir del TABNET. Resultados: Registraron 61 casos durante período estudiado, con un promedio de 12.2 casos nuevos por año y una tasa de incidencia anual de 6.8 casos por 100,000 habitantes. No se notificaron casos en niños de 0 a 4 años. Observó una predominancia del sexo masculino, con 31 casos (50.9%), y la mayoría eran pardos, con 54 casos (88.5%). La forma clínica más común fue la dimorfa multibacilar, con 32 casos (52.4%), y 20 pacientes (32.7%) presentaron una lesión. La terapia más utilizada fue la Poliquimioterapia multibacilar con 12 dosis, realizada en 43 individuos (70.4%). Hubo una gran falta de registros de episodios reaccionales, con 42 casos (68.8%) sin completar y 19 casos (31.1%) sin reporte de reacción. La mayoría no presentaron discapacidad, con 45 casos (73.7%) en grado cero, 8 casos (13.1%) grado I de discapacidad y 5 casos (8.1%) en grado II de discapacidad. Conclusión: La lepra tiene incidencia relativamente baja en niños y adolescentes em estado de Acre. Aunque la mayoría de los individuos no presentaron discapacidad física, la presencia de casos con algún grado de discapacidad resalta la importancia del diagnóstico temprano y el tratamiento para prevenir secuelas.