New natural and sustainable cosmetic preservative based on sugarcane straw extract

Preservative ingredients in cosmetic formulations undertake a necessary role in the prevention of microbial contamination. In this field, there is an unmet need for natural, sustainable, and effective preservatives. Thus, the main goal of this work was to evaluate a sugarcane straw extract-based ingredient and investigate its potential as a preservative for cosmetic applications. Different ingredients were developed using several cosmetic solvents to improve the solubility of the extracted compounds. The antimicrobial activity was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The 1,2-hexanediol was the solvent that allowed us to achieve the ingredient (20% dry extract dispersed in 25% 1,2-hexanediol in water) with the best antimicrobial performance, showing a minimum inhibitory concentration of between 5% and 3% (I). The 5% (w/v) concentration of this ingredient complied with the USP51 standards for cosmetic preservatives. Real-time (25 °C, 65% RH) and accelerated stability (40 °C, 75% RH) tests were conducted to determine the ingredient stability, and it was found that one month of storage time at room temperature would be ideal for better ingredient stability and performance in terms of composition, pH, color, and antioxidant activity.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Odontometrics analysis from a commingled archaeological human population related to 1755 Lisbon’s earthquake

Introduction: The variation observed when studying odontometrics has immensely contributed over time to the investigation of hominid evolution and the population groups’ diversity, according to their geographic distribution. The present study consists in the evaluation of odontometrics belonging to commingled human remains found in Academia das Ciências de Lisboa from the 1755 Lisbon’s Earthquake. Aims: The first purpose is to comprehend if the odontometrics obtained in this study’s sample fit its time and region, through the comparison of other populations in different locations. The second one is focused on the analysis of odontometrics’ evolution through time, in the same region. Materials and methods: The whole sample of 1479 teeth was weighed in two different types of electronic scales and measured, using a digital caliper, through three diameters: mesiodistal (MD), buccopalatine (BP) and crown height (CH). Results: The average values of mesiodistal and buccopalatine diameter of upper incisors are respectively, 8.200 mm and 7.021 mm for the central incisor, and 6.296 mm and 6.209 mm for the lateral. The upper canine has an average value of mesiodistal diameter of 7.435 mm and an average value of buccopalatine diameter of 8.016 mm. The measurements revealed a high concentration of observations with values close to the median and few observations with distant values (very few outliers). Conclusion: Odontometrics obtained in Lisboa’s sample are within the expected standards for that epoch. Plus, the results captured in recent studies reveal MD and BP diameters values slightly high

Analysis of Human skeletal remains in 1755 Lisbon earthquake commingled and disarticulated population: estimating stature from long limb bones except femur

Introduction: Stature estimation is a parameter of great value for the reconstruction of the history and evolution of populations. Trotter and Gleser developed a study in which the stature estimation was obtained through the measurement of the maximum length of long bones, being possible to identify populations by determining these measurements. Aims: The main purpose of this study is focused on the paleodemographic characterization of the catastrophic population from the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, by obtaining stature estimation through the measurement of upper and lower long limb bones (except femurs). Material and Methods: The sample covers a total of 1039 bones, 324 whole (75% or more percentage of bone remaining) and 715 fragments, including 177 humeri, 290 radii, 286 ulnae, 77 tibiae and 209 fibulae. For the 324 whole bones, there was an exclusion of 123 bones since it wasn’t possible to measure their maximum length. The “White” Terry Collection equations by Trotter and Gleser (1952), with corrigenda to this (1977), were the most indicated for this study. Results: It was determined a minimum number of 151 individuals for the sample of this study, discriminated in 68 right whole radii and 83 right radii diaphysis. The average values of stature estimation for this population were 160,50 cm for females and 162,54 cm for males. Conclusions: The sample of this study presents a pronounced similarity, concerning the stature estimation, with the 19th century Portuguese sample from Mendes-Corrêa study. Trotter and Gleser formulas and its application have shown to be an accurate method for stature estimation

A new tetra-primer ARMS-PCR for genotyping bovine kappa-casein polymorphisms

[EN] Kappa-casein (κ-casein) is one of the most abundant milk proteins. Its main function is to avoid the aggregation of casein micelles, keeping them, and therefore calcium phosphate, in pockets in solution. In bovines, a κ-casein functional polymorphism has been associated with fat, calcium, and protein milk contents and faster curd contraction in cheese production. Quicker curd contraction reduces the loss of milk solids, enhancing cheese yield. This polymorphism induces a double amino acid substitution (Thr136Ile and Ala148Asp). The polymorphism is normally detected by PCR-RFLP, which is a laborious method. An interesting methodological alternative is the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system PCR (tetra-primer ARMS-PCR). A tetra-primer ARMS-PCR for the detection of this κ-casein polymorphism has been described. However, specificity was not achieved, probably due to problems with primer design. We developed a new tetra-primer ARMS-PCR for the detection of the κ-casein polymorphism. This new method was validated in a double-blind test, by comparison with the results obtained for 50 Guzerá bulls formerly genotyped by PCR-RFLP. This new method achieved 100% sensitivity and specificity. We conclude that this method is a useful, cost-efficient alternative for the detection of functional κ-casein polymorphismsSIResearch supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG), Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa (CNPq), Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa de Universidade Federal de Minas gerais (PRPq/UFMG), and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES). MRSC, PASF, MAM, and RSV have CNPq fellowships. IRC has a CAPES fellowship. We are grateful to Professor Vânia Maldini Pena and Ms. Ariane Figueiredo Menicucci from Colégio Brasileiro de Criadores do Guzerá, for providing biological sample

Impact of a novel sugarcane straw extract-based ingredient on skin microbiota via a new preclinical in vitro model

During cosmetic product development, the impact on the skin microbiota needs to be evaluated, as it plays an important role in skin health. Clinical studies are frequently used to assess cosmetic effects, but are expensive, time-consuming and require finished ingredients, which may be a limiting factor. Thus, this study had two main objectives, the development of a preclinical in vitro model for the evaluation of the effect of cosmetic ingredients on the skin microbiota, and its use to evaluate a novel sugarcane straw extract-based ingredient. In the development of the preclinical in vitro model, the microbiota incubation time and atmospheric conditions were optimized. The model was validated using a benchmark ingredient with reported in vivo effects on skin microbiota. Then, the new sugarcane straw extract-based ingredient was tested in the model, using skin microbiota samples from 12 healthy female volunteers. The impact on microbial groups was analyzed using qPCR and next-generation sequencing. The best conditions for the in vitro model were 24 h incubation under aerobic conditions. Furthermore, the results obtained with the benchmark ingredient agreed with those obtained in vivo, thus validating our model. Sugarcane straw extract-based ingredient was found to have no effect on community α-diversity, however it appears to affect S. epidermidis. In conclusion, the developed model can be used as a tool to assess the impact of novel cosmetic ingredients on skin microbiota. Also, the novel ingredient seems to have an impact on commensal S. epidermidis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Feasibility of endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric and colorectal lesions: Initial experience from the Gastrocentro - Unicamp

OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic submucosal dissection is a technique developed in Japan for en bloc resection with a lower rate of recurrence. It is considered technically difficult and performed only in specialized centers. This study sought to report the initial experience from the Gastrocentro - Campinas State University for the treatment of gastric and colorectal lesions by endoscopic submucosal dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The guidelines of the Japanese Association of Gastric Cancer were used as evaluative criteria. For colorectal lesions, the recommended standards proposed by Uraoka et al. and Saito et al. were employed. The practicability of the method, the development of complications and histological analysis of the specimens were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixteen patients underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection from June 2010 to April 2011; nine patients were treated for gastric lesions, and seven were treated for colorectal lesions. The average diameter of the gastric lesions was 28.6 mm, and the duration of resection was 103 min without complications. All lesions presented lesion-free margins. Of the seven colorectal tumors, four were located in the rectum and three were located in the colon. The average size was 26 mm, and the average procedure time was 163 min. Two complications occurred during the rectal resection procedures: perforation, which was treated with an endoscopic clip, and controlled bleeding. One of the lesions presented a compromised lateral margin without relapse after 90 days. Depth margins were all free of lesions. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic submucosal dissection at our institution achieved high success rates, with few complications in preliminary procedures. The procedure also made appropriate lesion staging possible

Programa de extensão formação de educadores e educação sexual: interfaces com as tecnologias - etapa VII

Trabalho apresentado no 31º SEURS - Seminário de Extensão Universitária da Região Sul, realizado em Florianópolis, SC, no período de 04 a 07 de agosto de 2013 - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina.O presente texto contextualiza o Programa de Extensão Formação de Educadores e Educação Sexual: interfaces com as tecnologias – Etapa VII que acontece há sete anos no Centro de Educação a Distância – CEAD na Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC. Também explicita as três ações atualmente desenvolvidas pelo Programa, com ênfase no Laboratório Educação e Sexualidade - LabEduSex, ação de extensão iniciada neste ano de 2013. A caracterização do Laboratório e as atividades desenvolvidas no primeiro semestre de 2013 serão o foco deste texto

Uso de diferentes condicionantes e avaliação da qualidade de dois lotes de sementes urucum (Bixa orellana)

Due to the low germination of annatto seeds (Bixa orellana L.), it is necessary to test different techniques that facilitate and enable its production, such as the use of the physiological conditioning method. Here, we aimed to characterize the germination of two annatto seed lots under physiological conditioning. For this, two lots of seeds (newly-collected and stored) were submitted to physiological conditioning using an aerated solution of 1) deionized water; 2) cathodic water; 3) potassium nitrate 0.3%; 4) sodium nitroprusside 100 µM; for 24h and 48h, and an additional treatment (control) without conditioning. After the germination test, ungerminated seeds were submitted to a tetrazolium test at 0.075% at 30 °C, in the dark for 24 h. We used a completely randomized factorial design (4 x 2 + 1) with four replications of 25 seeds per treatment. Despite the low germination already mentioned in the literature for this species, we obtained high germination without any type of dormancy-break pretreatment, even in lots stored for over 10 years with a water content of 8%, characterizing this species as non-dormant. The germination and viability of Bixa orellana were influenced by seed water content decrease. The conditioning agents were not efficient to increase annatto seed germination. Further studies are needed to classify these seeds according to their storability.Devido à baixa germinação de sementes de Bixa orellana L., há a necessidade de se testar diferentes técnicas que viabilizem sua reprodução, como o condicionamento fisiológico. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi caracterizar a germinação de dois lotes de sementes de urucum sob efeito do condicionamento fisiológico. Para isso, sementes de dois lotes (recém-colhido e armazenado) foram submetidas ao condicionamento fisiológico em solução aerada de: 1) água deionizada; 2) água catódica; 3) nitrato de potássio a 0,3%; 4) nitroprussiato de sódio a 100 µM; por 24 e 48h, e um tratamento adicional (controle) sem condicionamento. Após o teste de germinação, as  sementes que não germinaram foram submetidas ao teste de tetrazólio a 0,075% a 30 °C, no escuro, durante 24 h. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial (4 x 2 + 1) com quatro repetições de 25 sementes por tratamento. Apesar da baixa germinação já relatada para a espécie, foi possível obter germinação sem nenhum tipo de pré-tratamento como quebra de dormência, mesmo em lote armazenado por 10 anos e com teor de água de 8%. Os agentes condicionantes não foram eficientes no aumento da germinação de sementes de urucum. São necessários novos trabalhos para classificação da espécie quanto ao seu armazenamento

Anti-aging potential of a novel ingredient derived from sugarcane straw extract (SSE)

Natural and sustainable anti-aging ingredients have gained attention from the cosmetic industry. This study evaluated the anti-aging potential of a sugarcane straw extract-based (SSE) cosmetic ingredient. First, cytotoxicity tests were assessed in keratinocytes and fibroblast cell lines, and sensitization was carried out through the direct peptide reactivity assay. Subsequently, various anti-aging properties were investigated, including inhibiting skin aging-related enzymes, promoting elastin and hyaluronic acid synthesis, and anti-pollution activity. Finally, a permeability assay using a synthetic membrane resembling skin was conducted. The results demonstrated that the SSE ingredient effectively inhibited elastase (55%), collagenase (25%), and tyrosinase (47%) while promoting hyaluronic acid production at non-cytotoxic and low-sensitizer concentrations. Moreover, it reduced the inflammatory response provoked by urban pollution, as evidenced by decreased levels of IL1-α and IL-6. However, it was observed that the phenolic compounds predominantly reached the skin’s surface, indicating a limited ability to penetrate deeper layers of the skin. Therefore, it can be concluded that the SSE ingredient holds anti-aging properties, albeit with limited penetration into deeper skin layers. Further research and formulation advancements are needed to optimize the ingredient’s ability to reach and exert its effects in deeper skin layers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio