1,257 research outputs found
Multivariate Study Of Nile Tilapia Byproducts Enriched With Omega-3 And Dried With Different Methods
The present work aimed at studying the effect of different drying methods applied to tilapia byproducts (heads, viscera and carcasses) fed with flaxseed, verifying the contents of omega-3 fatty acids. Two diets were given to the tilapia: a control and a flaxseed formulation, over the course of 60 days. After this period, they were slaughtered and their byproducts (heads, viscera and carcasses) were collected. These fish parts were analyzed in natura, lyophilized and oven dried. Byproducts from tilapia fed with flaxseed presented docosapentaenoic, eicopentaenoic and docosahexanoic fatty acids as a result of the enzymatic metabolism of the fish. The byproducts from the oven drying process had lower levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the multivariate analysis, the byproducts from fish fed with flaxseed had a greater composition of fatty acids. The addition of flaxseed in fish diets, as well as the utilization of their byproducts, may become a good business strategy. Additionally, the byproducts may be dried to facilitate transport and storage. © 2016 Sociedade Brasileira de Ciencia e Tecnologia de Alimentos, SBCTA. All rights reserved.361182
Phytoestrogen agathisflavone ameliorates neuroinflammation-induced by LPS and IL-1β and protects neurons in cocultures of glia/neurons
Inflammation and oxidative stress are common aspects of most neurodegenerative diseases in the central nervous system. In this context, microglia and astrocytes are central to mediating the balance between neuroprotective and neurodestructive mechanisms. Flavonoids have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Here, we have examined the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective potential of the flavonoid agathisflavone (FAB), which is derived from the Brazilian plant Poincianella pyramidalis, in in vitro models of neuroinflammation. Cocultures of neurons/glial cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 µg/mL) or interleukin (IL)-1β (10 ng/mL) for 24 h and treated with FAB (0.1 and 1 µM, 24 h). FAB displayed a significant neuroprotective effect, as measured by nitric oxide (NO) production, Fluoro-Jade B (FJ-B) staining, and immunocytochemistry (ICC) for the neuronal marker β-tubulin and the cell death marker caspase-3, preserving neuronal soma and increasing neurite outgrowth. FAB significantly decreased the LPS-induced microglial proliferation, identified by ICC for Iba-1/bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and CD68 (microglia M1 profile marker). In contrast, FAB had no apparent effect on astrocytes, as determined by ICC for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Furthermore, FAB protected against the cytodestructive and proinflammatory effects of IL-1β, a key cytokine that is released by activated microglia and astrocytes, and ICC showed that combined treatment of FAB with α and β estrogen receptor antagonists did not affect NF-κB expression. In addition, qPCR analysis demonstrated that FAB decreased the expression of proinflammatory molecules TNF-α, IL-1β, and connexins CCL5 and CCL2, as well as increased the expression of the regulatory molecule IL-10. Together, these findings indicate that FAB has a significant neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effect in vitro, which may be considered as an adjuvant for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases
First record of Stenochrus portoricensis Chamberlin, 1922 (Arachnida: Schizomida: Hubbardiidae) for the Pernambuco state, Brazil
Maximizing the potency of oxaliplatin coated nanoparticles with folic acid for modulating tumor progression in colorectal cancer
One of the challenges of nanotechnology is to improve the efficacy of treatments for diseases, in order to reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Following this line of study, we made a nanoparticle formulation with a small size, uniform surfaces, and a satisfactory encapsulation coefficient as a target for colorectal cancer cells. The results of binding and uptake prove that using the target system with folic acid works: Using this system, cytotoxicity and cell death are increased when compared to using free oxaliplatin. The data show that the system maximized the efficiency of oxaliplatin in modulating tumor progression, increasing apoptosis and decreasing resistance to the drug. Thus, for the first time, our findings suggest that PLGA-PEG-FA increases the antitumor effectiveness of oxaliplatin by functioning as a facilitator of drug delivery in colorectal cancer.Radiolog
Integrated reduction/oxidation reactions and sorption processes for Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solutions using Laminaria digitata macro-algae
The main goal of this work was the valorization of seaweed Laminaria digitata, after acid pre-treatment, for
the remediation of hexavalent chromium solutions. The Cr(VI) removal efficiency by the protonated biomass
was studied as a function of different parameters, such as contact time, pH, biomass and Cr(VI) concentration,
and temperature. Cr(VI) removal is based on a complex mechanism that includes a reduction of
Cr(VI) to Cr(III), through the oxidation of biomass at acidic medium, and further chemical binding of Cr(III)
to the negatively charged binding groups, mainly carboxylic groups. The optimum pH for chromium
removal, using protonated L. digitata algae, was 2.5. The maximum amount of Cr(VI) reduction by the algae
was around 2.1 mmol/g. The uptake capacity of Cr(III) by the oxidized biomass, after Cr(VI) reduction, was
higher than by the algae in its original form (protonated algae). Results suggest that the oxidation of the
biomass during Cr(VI) reduction, turns other active sites available for Cr(III) binding. Also, the Cr(III) binding
from a solution of reduced Cr(VI) was much lower than from a pure Cr(III) solution. The result suggests
the presence in solution of Cr(III) complexes with the organic matter released from the algae surface during
Cr(VI) reduction. The activation energy obtained for the Cr(VI) reduction by L. digitata was
45 ± 20 kJ mol 1. A kinetic model based on the redox reaction between Cr(VI) species and organic compounds
from the biosorbent surface was able to fit well the hexavalent chromium concentration. Trivalent
chromium equilibrium biosorption was well described at different chromium concentrations, considering
the interaction between carboxylic groups present in the surface of the biomass and Cr(III) in solution
Invasive fungal diseases in haematopoietic cell transplant recipients and in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia or myelodysplasia in Brazil
AbstractInvasive fungal disease (IFD) shows distinct regional incidence patterns and epidemiological features depending on the geographic region. We conducted a prospective survey in eight centres in Brazil from May 2007 to July 2009. All haematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients and patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) or myelodysplasia (MDS) were followed from admission until 1 year (HCT) or end of consolidation therapy (AML/MDS). The 12-month cumulative incidence (CI) of proven or probable IFD was calculated, and curves were compared using the Grey test. Among 237 AML/MDS patients and 700 HCT recipients (378 allogeneic, 322 autologous), the 1-year CI of IFD in AML/MDS, allogeneic HCT and autologous HCT was 18.7%, 11.3% and 1.9% (p <0.001), respectively. Fusariosis (23 episodes), aspergillosis (20 episodes) and candidiasis (11 episodes) were the most frequent IFD. The 1-year CI of aspergillosis and fusariosis in AML/MDS, allogeneic HCT and autologous HCT were 13.4%, 2.3% and 0% (p <0.001), and 5.2%, 3.8% and 0.6% (p 0.01), respectively. The 6-week probability of survival was 53%, and was lower in cases of fusariosis (41%). We observed a high burden of IFD and a high incidence and mortality for fusariosis in this first multicentre epidemiological study of IFD in haematological patients in Brazil
Pedotransfer functions to estimate bulk density from soil properties and environmental covariates: Rio Doce basin
Global stability for a class of virus models with CTL immune response and antigenic variation
We study the global stability of a class of models for in-vivo virus
dynamics, that take into account the CTL immune response and display antigenic
variation. This class includes a number of models that have been extensively
used to model HIV dynamics. We show that models in this class are globally
asymptotically stable, under mild hypothesis, by using appropriate Lyapunov
functions. We also characterise the stable equilibrium points for the entire
biologically relevant parameter range. As a byproduct, we are able to determine
what is the diversity of the persistent strains.Comment: 15 page
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