Glycosylation with O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) induces vascular dysfunction via production of superoxide anion/reactive oxygen species

Overproduction of superoxide anion (•O2-) and O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc)-modification in the vascular system are contributors to endothelial dysfunction. This study tested the hypothesis that increased levels of O-GlcNAc-modified proteins contribute to •O2- production via activation of NADPH oxidase, resulting in impaired vasodilation. Rat aortic segments and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMCs) were incubated with vehicle (methanol) or PUGNAc (100 µM). PUGNAc produced a time-dependent increase in O-GlcNAc levels in VSMC and decreased endothelium-dependent relaxation, which was prevented by apocynin and Tiron, suggesting that •O2- contributes to endothelial dysfunction under augmented O-GlcNAc levels. Aortic segments incubated with PUGNAc also exhibited increased levels of ROS, assessed by dihydroethidium fluorescence, and augmented •O2- production, determined by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. Additionally, PUGNAc treatment increased Nox1 and Nox4 protein expression in aorta and VSMCs. Translocation of p47phox subunit from the cytosol to the membrane was greater in aortas incubated with PUGNAc. VSMCs displayed increased p22phox protein expression after PUGNAc incubation, suggesting that NADPH oxidase is activated in conditions where O-GlcNAc protein levels are increased. In conclusion, O-GlcNAc levels reduce endothelium-dependent relaxation by overproduction of •O2- via activation of NADPH oxidase. This may represent an additional mechanism by which augmented O-GlcNAc levels impair vascular function

Biblioterapia: análise dos artigos indexados na Base de Dados em Ciência da Informação (BRAPCI)

Para conhecer mais sobre a biblioterapia, propõem-se, nesta pesquisa, a análise das publicações sobre a biblioterapia indexadas na Base de Dados Referenciais de Artigos de Periódicos em Ciência da Informação (BRAPCI). Assim realizou-se um estudo bibliométrico das seguintes variáveis: autores, periódicos e ano de publicação a fim de explorar como esse campo de estudo e de prática vem se comportando no decorrer dos anos. A análise de conteúdo também foi utilizada a fim de identificar por meio da leitura dos artigos empíricos, a atuação do profissional bibliotecário, os usuários envolvidos e os ambientes das ações. A partir dos dados coletados, avaliou-se que a produção da biblioterapia é pouco produzida no âmbito científico, havendo uma concentração significativa em torno de alguns autores e periódicos. Todavia, a temática analisada apresentou um certo crescimento na presente década. Em relação ao público-alvo a maior parte dos estudos envolvem as crianças e os idosos. E os ambientes mais recorrentes são os hospitais e os asilos. Conclui-se que a biblioterapia é uma perspectiva de atuação para o bibliotecário que deseja se inserir na área humanística, e devido a sua complexidade é necessária que essa prática seja executada interdisciplinarmente, abrangendo outras áreas do conhecimento

O DESEMPENHO ECONÔMICO DE SIDERÓPOLIS PÓS PLANO REAL: UMA ANÁLISE A PARTIR DO VALOR ADICIONADO REAL E DA QUANTIDADE DE EMPREGOS

O valor adicionado real e o emprego são importantes meios para mensuração do desempenho de qualquer economia

NADES-based cork extractives as green ingredients for cosmetics and textiles

The demand for products based on natural ingredients is increasing among cosmetic and textile consumers. Cork extracts contain components of interest with special properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities, that might improve the effectiveness of cosmetic formulations currently on the market and may impart new characteristics to textiles. The main goal of this work was to investigate the effect of the incorporation of three cork extracts into two commercial cosmetic formulations (formulation A and B) and evaluate their role as textile dyeing agents. The extracts (E1, E2, and E3) were obtained from cork powder using natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) (E1-NADES 1: lactic acid:glycerol, E2-NADES 2: lactic acid:glycine, and E3-NADES 3: lactic acid:sodium citrate) and applied in combination with the solvent. The impact of the extracts on the cosmetic formulations’ properties was evaluated in terms of pH, viscosity, antioxidant activity, transdermal permeation capacity, cytotoxicity, and organoleptic characteristics (odor, color, and appearance). The results demonstrated that the cork extracts improved the antioxidant performance of the formulations (90% reduction in DPPH (1,1-difenil-2-picril-hidrazil)). Moreover, low concentrations (5 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL) of extract did not present a cytotoxic effect on keratinocytes. Cotton fabrics were efficiently dyed with the NADES-based cork extracts which conferred to these substrates antioxidant (78% in DPPH reduction) and antibacterial abilities (inhibition halos: 12–15 mm). The application of cork extracts as ingredients in cosmetics or as dyeing/coloration agents for textile coloration is revealed to be a promising and green route to replace harmful ingredients normally used in industry.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. D.S.F. also thanks the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for funding (SFRH/BD/147190/2019). A.R. thanks to Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for is contract under the CEEC-Individual—4th Edition with the reference 2021.02803.CEECIND.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Indissociabilidade entre Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão: um Relato de Experiência da Integração entre a Universidade e a Rede de Atenção Integral à Saúde Mental em Volta Redonda – RJ

O objetivo deste relato partilhar nossa experincia como docentes e alunos do Curso de Psicologia da Universidade Federal Fluminense Volta Redonda, em projetos de extenso desenvolvidos em parceria com a rede de sade mental da regio em que a Universidade est sediada. As atividades desenvolvidas situam-se em torno do tema dos desafios do trabalho em sade mental, considerando trs eixos fundamentais: educao permanente, integrao ensino-servio de sade e indissociabilidade entre ensino, pesquisa e extenso

Application of catalysts developed from compost derived from municipal solid waste in the removal of caffeine by wet peroxide oxidation

Nowadays, waste management through mechanical biological treatment (MBT) consists on the use of the separated organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) to feed anaerobic digestion processes, resulting therein a solid stream, further processed to compost, which can be used as fertilizer. Currently, the production of compost from MBT is higher than the existing demand, and the expected developments on up-coming directives ruling “End-of-waste” criteria are leading to barriers on the use of waste-derived fertilizers (European Commision, 2013). In this context, the current work proposes an alternative strategy to the valorisation of compost, through the production of low-cost materials to be applied in the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) of synthetic wastewater effluents contaminated with caffeine, used as a model pollutant of emerging concern. Caffeine is the most consumed psychoactive drug worldwide. It is one of the components of painkillers, medication against migraine, fatigue, drowsiness and breathing problems. Its consumption is also associated with an overall lower risk of malignant growth like hepatocellular, endometrial or colorectal cancer (Ganzenko et al., 2015). However, the effect of caffeine and its environmental degradation products on aquatic living species is not properly known. Caffeine, is a world wide consumed psychoactive drug, in a way that becomes a persistent compound and cannot be efficiently removed by municipal wastewater treatment facilities (Ganzenko et al., 2015). As a consequence, caffeine and its metabolites are present in the effluents of wastewater treatment plants (Gracia-Lor et al., 2017).This work was financially supported by project “VALORCOMP - Valorización de compost y otros desechos procedentes de la fracción orgánica de los residuos municipales”, 0119_VALORCOMP_2_P, and project “AIProcMat@N2020 - Advanced Industrial Processes and Materials for a Sustainable Northern Region of Portugal 2020”, reference NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000006, supported by NORTE 2020, under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through FEDER, and Project Associate Laboratory LSRE-LCM - UID/EQU/50020/2019 - funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

PSICOLOGIA MACROCULTURAL: UM ESTUDO TEÓRICO

A psicologia macrocultural é uma ramificação da psicologia cultural e foi desenvolvida por Carl Ratner, com a finalidade de promover processos de mudança social. Tal teoria tem como princípio central a concepção de que os fenômenos psicológicos possuem como base a cultura, a qual é constituída por fatores macroculturais, sendo eles as instituições sociais, os artefatos e os conceitos culturais. Assim, Ratner propõe que é por meio da transformação da cultura que se torna possível processos de mudança tanto na constituição dos fenômenos psicológicos, quanto na própria sociedade. Diante disso, esse artigo tem como proposta realizar um estudo teórico sobre a psicologia macrocultural, por meio da literatura produzida pelo próprio teórico, bem como da literatura produzida no Brasil, buscando, sobretudo, aprofundar e divulgar essa teoria que tem sido pouco estudada no país. Por fim, vale destacar que esse estudo possibilita conhecer a importância que essa teoria assume para a construção da crítica, da compreensão e da mudança dos processos prejudiciais que ocorrem nas diversas sociedades culturais e que limitam o desenvolvimento ideal das pessoas. PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Psicologia Macrocultural, Cultura, Fatores Macroculturais, Fenômenos Psicológicos, Mudança Social

Additive manufactured microfluidic device for electrochemical detection of carbendazim in honey samples

The use of pesticides is one of the primary means of protecting crops. However, this class of compounds can be highly toxic to the environment and humans. In this aspect, developing analytical devices for monitoring pesticides such as carbendazim in food sources is of paramount importance. Thus, the present work presents the application of a paper-based microfluidic device coupled to an additive manufactured platform and electrochemical sensors (produced from lab-made conductive filaments based on carbon black) for the sustainable detection of carbendazim in honey samples. The microfluidic system presented satisfactory results for the analysis of carbendazim, in the linear range from 0.5 to 40.0 µmol L −1 with a LOD of 0.09 µmol L −1. The recovery test performed in honey samples showed values ranging between 92.4 and 108.8%. According to the results, the proposed microfluidic device demonstrated a good potential for detecting carbendazim in real samples, with the advantages of employing sustainable and renewable materials

Development and characterization of high-absorption microencapsulated organic propolis EPP-AF® extract (i-CAPs)

The demand for organic and functional food continues to increase yearly. Among the available functional foods, propolis is a bee product that has various beneficial properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, it generally is only available in ethanol solution, which has poor bioavailability, as it is relatively insoluble in water. The use of such ethanol extracts is often objectionable because of the alcohol content and because they have a strong and striking taste. Development of alternatives that can efficiently and safely increase solubility in water, and that meet organic production specifications, has been a challenge. To address these concerns, microcapsules were developed using spray-dryer technology from an emulsion based on EPP-AF® propolis and gum arabic (i-CAPS). These propolis-loaded microcapsules were characterized using FT-IR, SEM, TGA, HPLC, and spectrophotometric techniques, along with determination of antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antihypercholesterolemic activities, as well as permeability in in vitro models. The production system resulted in microcapsules with a spherical shape and an encapsulation efficiency of 93.7 0.7%. They had IC50s of 2.654 0.062 and 7.342 0.058 g/mL by FRAP and DPPH antioxidant methods, respectively. The EPP-AF® i-CAPS also had superior antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Antitumor activity was calculated based on the concentration that inhibited 50% of growth of AGS, Caco-2, and MCF-7 cell strains, giving results of 154.0 1.0, 117 1.0, and 271.0 25 g/mL, respectively. The microcapsule presentation reduced the permeation of cholesterol by 53.7%, demonstrating antihypercholesterolemic activity, and it improved the permeability of p-coumaric acid and artepillin C. The IC50 for NO production in RAW264.7 cells was 59.0 0.1 g/mL. These findings demonstrate the potential of this new propolis product as a food and pharmaceutical ingredient, though additional studies are recommended to validate the safety of proposed dosages.CNPq financially supported this research through the CNPQ/MCTI/SEMPI No. 021/2021 process on RHAE modality, contract number 424727/2021-8. It was also supported by São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) grant #2017/04138-8, CNPq (grant 309614/2021-0; INCT-INFO), CNPq grants 350088/2022-5 and 350089/2022-1, São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) (grant no. 2013/07276-1). The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support by national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020 and UIDP/00690/2020) and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2021). Thanks to the project GreenHealth, Norte-01- 0145-FEDER-000042.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Projeto pequenos gestos, grandes sorrisos: Promoção de saúde bucal, ações preventivas e restauradoras / small gestures, big smiles project: Oral health promotion, preventive and restorative actions

O Projeto Pequenos Gestos, Grandes Sorrisos do Departamento de Odontologia da Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), tem como foco principal a promoção de saúde bucal da população, por meio de técnicas de educação em saúde, junto às comunidades e instituições que o projeto contempla com a utilização de diferentes recursos lúdicos e pedagógicos. Este trabalho objetivou mostrar as atividades extensionistas desenvolvidas em Maringá e região, nos anos de 2018 e 2019. Foram realizadas atividades de educação em saúde, levantamentos epidemiológicos em crianças e adolescentes, bem como, o tratamento curativo com a técnica de Tratamento restaurador atraumático (ART). Os resultados do projeto mostraram a importância da promoção de saúde bucal nas comunidades, melhorando sua qualidade de vida, além de colaborar para a formação científica, social, cultural e humana dos acadêmicos de Odontologia