The bisphosphonate zoledronic acid inhibits the growth of HCT-116 colon carcinoma cells and induces tumor cell apoptosis

Besides its preventive action on bone resorption the third generation bisphosphonate zoledronic acid (ZOL) has been shown to display potent inhibitory action on the formation of bone metastases of various human cancers. Recent research also indicates an antitumoral effect on primary tumors and visceral metastases. Here we investigate for the first time the effect of ZOL on the human colon carcinoma cell line HCT-116. ZOL strongly inhibited the proliferation and soft agar colony formation of HCT-116 cells and caused a G1 cell cycle arrest in a population of ZOL treated cells. This cell cycle arrest was accompanied by an induction of apoptosis via a caspase dependent mechanism. Activation of Caspases 3, 7, 8 and 9, cleavage of PARP as well as the release of cytochrome C into the cytosol were detected in HCT-116 cells treated with low micromolar concentrations of ZOL. The induction of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis was accompanied by a translocation of Bax into the mitochondria, Bid activation and a decrease of overall Bcl-2 expression. We also detected a cytosolic increase of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF), a trigger of caspase-independent apoptosis. Taken together, our data indicate a potent antitumoral and apoptosis inducing effect of ZOL on HCT-116 colon carcinoma cell

Aspects of the determination of the platinum group elements and arsenic by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this documentThesis (PhD (Chemistry))--University of Pretoria, 2007.Chemistryunrestricte

Effects of shoot pruning and inflorescence thinning on plant growth, yield and fruit quality of greenhouse tomatoes in a tropical climate

The combined effects of shoot pruning (one or two stems) and inflorescence thinning (five or ten flowers per inflorescence) on greenhouse tomato yield and fruit quality were studied during the dry season (DS) and rainy season (RS) in Central Thailand. Poor fruit set, development of undersized (mostly parthenocarpic) fruits, as well as the physiological disorders blossom-end rot (BER) and fruit cracking (FC) turned out to be the prevailing causes deteriorating fruit yield and quality. The proportion of marketable fruits was less than 10% in the RS and around 65% in the DS. In both seasons, total yield was significantly increased when plants were cultivated with two stems, resulting in higher marketable yields only in the DS. While the fraction of undersized fruits was increased in both seasons when plants were grown with a secondary stem, the proportions of BER and FC were significantly reduced. Restricting the number of flowers per inflorescence invariably resulted in reduced total yield. However, in neither season did fruit load considerably affect quantity or proportion of the marketable yield fraction. Inflorescence thinning tended to promote BER and FC, an effect which was only significant for BER in the RS. In conclusion, for greenhouse tomato production under climate conditions as they are prevalent in Central Thailand, the cultivation with two stems appears to be highly recommendable whereas the measures to control fruit load tested in this study did not proof to be advisable

Orientações para a construção de materiais digitais focados na estimulação da compreensão leitora em pessoas idosas da comunidade

Nowadays, cell phones have become a new reading medium, changing the way people read and relate to texts. All age groups are looking to use new technologies, including the elderly, who are looking for entertainment and knowledge. In this context, this article seeks to present the development of an application aimed at cognitive stimulation through language, with an emphasis on reading comprehension activities. The article also aims to provide support for the development of digital language tasks at text level, both for research and clinical use, including atypical ageing; this support can help both researchers and developers of digital tasks. Based on studies of reading comprehension, text and digital reading in ageing, activities were developed on the HTML5 Package (H5P) platform. The process of developing the texts and interactive activities is presented, as well as visual examples of the activities and the care taken during their creation - taking into account the audience of elderly people and their needs. The conclusion is that the use of applications aimed at cognitive stimulation through language tasks should be expanded, given their potential to benefit typical and atypical elderly people to expand their cognitive reserve, mitigating the effects of ageing on the brain and offering a better quality of life.Atualmente, os celulares tornam-se um novo suporte de leitura, modificando a forma de as pessoas lerem e se relacionarem com os textos. Todas as faixas etárias buscam utilizar as novas tecnologias, incluindo-se as pessoas idosas, que buscam entretenimento e conhecimento. Nesse contexto, o presente artigo busca  apresentar o desenvolvimento de um aplicativo voltado para a estimulação cognitiva por meio da linguagem, destacando-se as atividades de compreensão leitora. O artigo pretende igualmente fornecer subsídios para o desenvolvimento de tarefas linguísticas digitais no nível do texto, tanto para a pesquisa quanto para a clínica, incluindo o envelhecimento atípico; esses subsídios podem auxiliar tanto pesquisadores quando desenvolvedores de tarefas digitais. Baseando-se em estudos da compreensão leitora, do texto e da leitura digital no envelhecimento, foram desenvolvidas atividades na plataforma HTML5 Package (H5P). É apresentado o processo de desenvolvimento dos textos e das atividades interativas, assim como exemplos visuais das atividades e os cuidados tomados durante a criação – considerando o público de pessoas idosas e suas necessidades. Conclui-se que o uso de aplicativos voltados para a estimulação cognitiva por meio de tarefas linguísticas deve ser ampliado, pelo seu potencial para beneficiar pessoas idosas típicas e atípicas a ampliarem sua reserva cognitiva, mitigando os efeitos do envelhecimento no cérebro e oferecendo maior qualidade de vida

Studies on the in vitro and in vivo metabolism of the synthetic opioids U-51754, U-47931E, and methoxyacetylfentanyl using hyphenated high-resolution mass spectrometry

New Synthetic Opioids (NSOs) are one class of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) enjoying increasing popularity in Europe. Data on their toxicological or metabolic properties have not yet been published for most of them. In this context, the metabolic fate of three NSOs, namely, trans-3,4-dichloro-N-[2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]-N-methyl-benzenacetamide (U-51754), trans-4-bromo-N-[2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]-N-methyl-benzamide (U-47931E), and 2-methoxy-N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)piperidin-4-yl] acetamide (methoxyacetylfentanyl), was elucidated by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry after pooled human S9 fraction (phS9) incubations and in rat urine after oral administration. The following major reactions were observed: demethylation of the amine moiety for U-51754 and U-47931E, N-hydroxylation of the hexyl ring, and combinations thereof. N-dealkylation, O-demethylation, and hydroxylation at the alkyl part for methoxyacetylfentanyl. Except for U-47931E, parent compounds could only be found in trace amounts in rat urine. Therefore, urinary markers should preferably be metabolites, namely, the N-demethyl-hydroxy and the hydroxy metabolite for U-51754, the N-demethylated metabolite for U-47931E, and the N-dealkylated metabolite as well as the O-demethylated one for methoxyacetylfentanyl. In general, metabolite formation was comparable in vitro and in vivo, but fewer metabolites, particularly those after multiple reaction steps and phase II conjugates, were found in phS9. These results were consistent with those of comparable compounds obtained from human liver microsomes, human hepatocytes, and/or human case studies

Effects of shoot pruning and inflorescence thinning on plant growth, yield and fruit quality of greenhouse tomatoes in a tropical climate

The combined effects of shoot pruning (one or two stems) and inflorescence thinning (five or ten flowers per inflorescence) on greenhouse tomato yield and fruit quality were studied during the dry season (DS) and rainy season (RS) in Central Thailand. Poor fruit set, development of undersized (mostly parthenocarpic) fruits, as well as the physiological disorders blossom-end rot (BER) and fruit cracking (FC) turned out to be the prevailing causes deteriorating fruit yield and quality. The proportion of marketable fruits was less than 10% in the RS and around 65% in the DS. In both seasons, total yield was significantly increased when plants were cultivated with two stems, resulting in higher marketable yields only in the DS. While the fraction of undersized fruits was increased in both seasons when plants were grown with a secondary stem, the proportions of BER and FC were significantly reduced. Restricting the number of flowers per inflorescence invariably resulted in reduced total yield. However, in neither season did fruit load considerably affect quantity or proportion of the marketable yield fraction. Inflorescence thinning tended to promote BER and FC, an effect which was only significant for BER in the RS. In conclusion, for greenhouse tomato production under climate conditions as they are prevalent in Central Thailand, the cultivation with two stems appears to be highly recommendable whereas the measures to control fruit load tested in this study did not proof to be advisable

Evaluation of histological changes after tracheal occlusion at different gestational ages in a fetal rat model

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the histological changes of tracheal cartilage and epithelium caused by tracheal occlusion at different gestational ages in a fetal rat model. METHODS: Rat fetuses were divided into two groups: a) External control, composed of non-operated rats, and b) Interventional group, composed of rats operated upon on gestational day 18.5 (term = 22 days), divided into triads: 1) Tracheal occlusion, 2) Internal control and 3) Sham (manipulated but not operated). Morphological data for body weight, total lung weight and total lung weight/body weight ratio were collected and measured on gestational days 19.5, 20.5 and 21.5. Tracheal samples were histologically processed, and epithelial, chondral and total tracheal thicknesses were measured on each gestational day. RESULTS: The tracheal occlusion group exhibited an increase in total lung weight/body weight ratio (

ESTRATÉGIAS DE ACESSO AOS ALIMENTOS PELAS FAMÍLIAS TITULARES DE DIREITO DO PROGRAMA BOLSA FAMÍLIA

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo identificar e descrever as principais estratégias de acesso aos alimentos para enfrentamento da situação de insegurança alimentar (IA) das famílias titulares de direito do Programa Bolsa Família (PBF) de Colombo/PR. O PBF foi criado em 2003 e consiste na Transferência Condicionada de Renda (TCR), tendo como único critério de seleção a renda familiar. A amostra foi composta por 25 famílias, residentes nas áreas de abrangência de Unidades de Saúde dos três Distritos Sanitários do município. Como metodologia optou-se por uma abordagem qualitativa, mediante a realização de entrevistas semi-estruturadas. Também se fez da utilização de dados secundários. As categorias elencadas foram: relação com as compras, presença de instituições assistenciais ou comunitárias e estratégias intra-familiares. Identificou-se que 100% das mulheres são titulares de direito do PBF, o rendimento familiar per capita médio e o valor médio da TCR foi de R$186,67 e R$170,80, respectivamente (o equivalente em dólar a $49,99 e$ 45,74). Em relação às compras, 52% realizam compras semanal e 56% mensal. Das famílias entrevistadas 52% recebem assistência alimentar e 60% relataram diminuição da quantidade de alimentos e arranjos na distribuição intrafamiliar. Os resultados desse estudo demonstram que a maioria das famílias ainda apresenta dificuldade de acesso ao alimento, no entanto, registra-se também que outras famílias, aos poucos, apresentam maior possibilidade de comprar os itens básicos da alimentação. Conclui-se que é necessário além da TCR, outras políticas e programas governamentais que contribuam como estratégias para a segurança alimentar e nutricional destas famílias.

FATORES ASSOCIADOS À POLIMEDICAÇÃO EM IDOSOS DOS MEIOS RURAL E URBANO

Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar a prática de polimedicação e fatores associados em idosos residentes no meio rural e urbano de um município do Extremo Oeste Catarinense. Realizou-se um estudo do tipo transversal com 242 idosos (148 do ambiente rural e 94 do ambiente urbano). A amostra foi obtida a partir de um sorteio, estratificada por sexo e local de residência. Para todas as análises utilizou-se o pacote estatístico SPSS®, versão 20.0 e o nível de significância adotado foi de 5%.  Quanto ao uso de medicamentos, 87,8% dos idosos residentes no meio rural e 86,2% dos idosos urbanos utilizavam algum tipo de medicamento. Dentre estes, a média de fármacos utilizados foi de 4,5. A prática de polimedicação esteve presente em 38,84% da população estudada. A prevalência da polimedicação não esteve associada ao local de residência dos idosos (meio urbano ou rural) e sim ao sexo. Além da polimedicação ser mais prevalente entre as mulheres que entre os homens (51,8 e 35,0%, respectivamente), esta foi associada ao estado civil, ao fato de saber ler e escrever e a autopercepção de saúde, somente para o sexo feminino. Com base nos resultados evidencia-se que a promoção do uso racional de medicamentos pelos profissionais da saúde deve ser uma constante, proporcionando uma diminuição das complicações relacionadas ao seu consumo