Cork stoppers industry: defining appropriate mould colonization

Aims: The main aims of this work were the study of cork slabs moulds colonization and the evaluation of the moulds diversity during cork processing steps, in different cork stoppers factories. Simultaneously, it was envisaged to perform an evaluation of the air quality. Methods and Results: Moulds were isolated and identified from cork slabs and cork samples in four cork stoppers factories. The identification was based on morphological characters and microscopic observation of the reproductive structures. Airborne spore dispersion was assessed using a two stage Andersen sampler. It was observed that Chrysonilia sitophila was always present on cork slabs during the maturing period, but mould diversity appeared to be associated to the different factory configurations and processing steps. Conclusions: Spatial separation of the different steps of the process, including physical separation of the maturation step, is essential to guarantee high air quality and appropriate cork slabs colonization, i.e. C. sitophila dominance. The sorting and cutting of the edges of cork slabs after boiling and before the maturing step is also recommended. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study is very important for the cork stopper industry as it gives clear indications on how to keep high quality manufacturing standards and how to avoid occupational health problems.Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica/Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica-Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Apt. 12, 2781-901 OEIRAS. Portugal 2 Estação Agronómica Nacional, 2784-505 OEIRAS. Portugal 3 Estação Vitivinícola Nacional, 2565-191 DOIS PORTOS. Portugal. Program PEDIP II, M 4.8, IAPMEI, Ministério da Economia, Portugal

A AGRESSIVIDADE VERBAL DOS MODELOS PARENTAIS E SUAS CONSEQUÊNCIAS NO COMPORTAMENTO INFANTIL

This research is a qualitative and explanatory literature review. The main objective is to understand the impact that parents' verbal aggression causes on children's behavior. Books, articles, dissertations, and journals were used in the Scielo, Google Scholar, Lilacs and Pepsic databases, with a search through titles and abstracts. As a research problem, we sought to elucidate the possibility of children subsequently repeating the verbal aggression received from their parents since early childhood. The theme of aggressiveness was approached as a behavior that affects the other, causing physical and behavioral damage, motivated by reasons that can be varied, among them, the guarantee of survival and preservation of the species. The research showed that verbal aggressive behavior can be learned by the child in the family environment in which he is inserted, when exposed to aggressive models, evidencing the possibility of emitting the same behavior in adult life. It is noteworthy that verbal aggression emitted by parents to the child can cause consequences in behavior such as: escape, avoidance, fear, anxiety, and low self-esteem.Esta investigación es una revisión bibliográfica de carácter cualitativo y explicativo. El objetivo principal es comprender el impacto que la agresividad verbal de los padres causa en el comportamiento de los niños. Libros, artículos, disertaciones y revistas fueron utilizados en las bases de datos Scielo, Google Acadêmico, Lilacs y Pepsic, con investigaciones a través de títulos y resúmenes. El problema de investigación buscó dilucidar la posibilidad de que los niños repitieran más tarde la agresión verbal recibida a través de los padres desde una primera infancia. El tema de la agresividad fue abordado como un comportamiento que afecta al otro, causando daños físicos y conductuales, motivado por razones que pueden ser variadas, entre ellas, la garantía de supervivencia y preservación de la especie. La investigación demostró que el comportamiento de agresividad verbal puede ser aprendido por los niños en el entorno familiar en el que se inserta, cuando se expone a modelos agresivos, evidenciando la posibilidad de emitir el mismo comportamiento en la edad adulta. Cabe destacar que la agresividad verbal emitida por los padres al niño puede causar consecuencias en el comportamiento como: escapar, esquivar, miedo, ansiedad y baja autoestima.Esta pesquisa trata-se de uma revisão bibliográfica de cunho qualitativo e explicativo. O objetivo principal é compreender o impacto que a agressividade verbal dos pais provoca no comportamento infantil. Utilizaram-se livros, artigos, dissertações e revistas nas bases de dados Scielo, Google Acadêmico, Lilacs e Pepsic, com pesquisa por meio de títulos e resumos. Como problema de pesquisa buscou-se elucidar a possibilidade de os filhos repetirem, posteriormente, a agressão verbal recebida por meio dos pais desde a mais tenra infância. A temática da agressividade foi abordada como um comportamento que atinge o outro, causando-lhe dano físico e comportamental, motivada por razões que podem ser variadas, entre elas, a garantia da sobrevivência e preservação da espécie. A pesquisa mostrou que o comportamento de agressividade verbal pode ser aprendido pelas crianças no ambiente familiar em que está inserida, quando exposta a modelos agressivos, evidenciando a possibilidade de emitir o mesmo comportamento na vida adulta. Destaca-se que a agressividade verbal emitida pelos pais à criança pode provocar consequências no comportamento como: fuga, esquiva, medo, ansiedade e baixa autoestima.Esta pesquisa trata-se de uma revisão bibliográfica de cunho qualitativo e explicativo. O objetivo principal é compreender o impacto que a agressividade verbal dos pais provoca no comportamento infantil. Utilizaram-se livros, artigos, dissertações e revistas nas bases de dados Scielo, Google Acadêmico, Lilacs e Pepsic, com pesquisa por meio de títulos e resumos. Como problema de pesquisa buscou-se elucidar a possibilidade de os filhos repetirem, posteriormente, a agressão verbal recebida por meio dos pais desde a mais tenra infância. A temática da agressividade foi abordada como um comportamento que atinge o outro, causando-lhe dano físico e comportamental, motivada por razões que podem ser variadas, entre elas, a garantia da sobrevivência e preservação da espécie. A pesquisa mostrou que o comportamento de agressividade verbal pode ser aprendido pelas crianças no ambiente familiar em que está inserida, quando exposta a modelos agressivos, evidenciando a possibilidade de emitir o mesmo comportamento na vida adulta. Destaca-se que a agressividade verbal emitida pelos pais à criança pode provocar consequências no comportamento como: fuga, esquiva, medo, ansiedade e baixa autoestima

A utilização do ELISA empregando antígenos homólogos e heterólogos para a detecção de IgG e subclasses (IgG1 e IgG2) no diagnóstico de Leishmaniose visceral canina

Indirect immunofluorescence is the method recommended for the diagnosis of visceral leishmanisis in dogs, however, the accuracy of this technique is low and its use on a large scale is limited. Since ELISA does not present these limitations, this technique might be an option for the detection of IgG or specific IgG1 and IgG2 subclasses. Canine ehrlichiosis is an important differential diagnosis of American Visceral Leishmaniasis (AVL). The present study compared ELISA using Leishmania chagasi and Leishmania braziliensis antigen for the detection of anti-Leishmania IgG and subclasses in serum samples from 37 dogs naturally infected with L. chagasi (AVL) and in samples from four dogs co-infected with L. braziliensis and L. chagasi (CI). The occurrence of cross-reactivity was investigated in control serum samples of 17 healthy dogs (HC) and 35 infected with Ehrlichia canis (EC). The mean optical density obtained for the detection of IgG was significantly higher when L. chagasi antigen was used, and was also higher in subgroup VLs (symptomatic) compared to subgroup Vla (asymptomatic). The correlation between IgG and IgG1 was low. The present results suggest that IgG ELISA using homologous antigen yields the best results, permitting the diagnosis of asymptomatic L. chagasi infection and the discrimination between cases of AVL and ehrlichiosis in dogs.A imunofluorescência indireta é o método recomendado para o diagnóstico de leishmaniose visceral em cães, entretanto, a acurácia dessa técnica é baixa e seu uso em grande escala é limitado. Uma vez que o ELISA não apresenta essas limitações, essa técnica poderia ser uma opção para a detecção de IgG ou subclasses IgG1 e IgG2 específicas. A ehrlichiose canina é um importante diagnóstico diferencial de Leishmaniose Visceral Americana (LVA). O presente estudo comparou o ELISA usando antígenos de Leishmania chagasi e Leishmania braziliensis para a detecção de IgG e subclasses anti-Leishmania em amostras de soro de 37 cães naturalmente infectados com L. chagasi (LVA) e em amostras de quatro cães co-infectados (CI). A ocorrência de reatividade cruzada foi investigada em amostras de soro controle de 17 animais saudáveis (HC) e 35 de infectados por Ehrlichia canis (EC). A média de densidade óptica obtida para a detecção de IgG foi significantemente maior quando o antígeno de L. chagasi foi usado e também mais elevada no subgrupo LVs (sintomático) quando comparado ao subgrupo LVa (assintomático). A correlação entre IgG e IgG1 foi baixa. O presente resultado sugere que ELISA IgG empregando antígeno homólogo, produz os melhores resultados, permitindo o diagnóstico de infecção assintomática por L. chagasi e a discriminação entre casos de LVA e ehrlichiose em cães

Bioactivity screening of pinhão (Araucaria Angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze) seed extracts: the inhibition of cholinesterases and α-amylases, and cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities

The objective of this work was to determine the potential bioactive properties of extracts from bio-residues of pinhão (Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze) seeds, namely the α-amylase and cholinesterase inhibition, cytotoxicity, and anti-inflammatory properties. The pinhão extracts evaluated were obtained from cooking water (CW) and as an ethanolic extract from residual pinhão seed shells (PS). Catechin was the major compound found in both extracts. The PS extract presented higher antioxidant levels and the better inhibition of human salivary and porcine pancreatic α-amylases when compared to the CW extract. Also, based on in vivo evaluations, the PS extract did not differ significantly from acarbose when compared to a control group. The most potent inhibitor of cholinesterases was the CW extract. No cytotoxicity toward normal cells was detected, and neither extract showed anti-inflammatory activity. The PS extract presented cytotoxic activity toward non-small-cell lung, cervical, hepatocellular and breast carcinoma cell lines. Overall, the results demonstrated the potential bioactivity of extracts obtained from pinhão bioresidues.The authors thank CNPq (Chamada Universal – MCTI/CNPq No. 28/2018, Process 421541/2018-0) and Fundação Araucária (convênio 039/2019) for financial support. This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001. The authors thank Central Analítica Multiusuário da UTFPR Campo Mourão (CAMulti-CM) for analysis. Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006984 – Associated Laboratory LSRE-LCM was funded by FEDER funds through COMPETE2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) and by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020). M. I. Dias and L. Barros would like to acknowledge national funding from FCT, P. I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Spinal Reflex Recovery after Dorsal Rhizotomy and Repair with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Gel Combined with Bioengineered Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs)

Dorsal root rhizotomy (DRZ) is currently considered an untreatable injury, resulting in the loss of sensitive function and usually leading to neuropathic pain. In this context, we recently proposed a new surgical approach to treat DRZ that uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel to restore the spinal reflex. Success was correlated with the reentry of primary afferents into the spinal cord. Here, aiming to enhance previous results, cell therapy with bioengineered human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to overexpress fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) was combined with PRP. For these experiments, adult female rats were submitted to a unilateral rhizotomy of the lumbar spinal dorsal roots, which was followed by root repair with PRP gel with or without bioengineered hESCs. One week after DRZ, the spinal cords were processed to evaluate changes in the glial response (GFAP and Iba-1) and excitatory synaptic circuits (VGLUT1) by immunofluorescence. Eight weeks postsurgery, the lumbar intumescences were processed for analysis of the repaired microenvironment by transmission electron microscopy. Spinal reflex recovery was evaluated by the electronic Von Frey method for eight weeks. The transcript levels for human FGF2 were over 37-fold higher in the induced hESCs than in the noninduced and the wildtype counterparts. Altogether, the results indicate that the combination of hESCs with PRP gel promoted substantial and prominent axonal regeneration processes after DRZ. Thus, the repair of dorsal roots, if done appropriately, may be considered an approach to regain sensory-motor function after dorsal root axotomy

Effects of cholinergic stimulation with pyridostigmine bromide on chronic chagasic cardiomyopathic mice

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of an anticholinesterase agent, pyridostigmine bromide (Pyrido), on experimental chronic Chagas heart disease in mice. To this end, male C57BL/6J mice noninfected (control:Con) or chronically infected (5 months) with Trypanosoma cruzi (chagasic:Chg) were treated or not (NT) with Pyrido for one month. At the end of this period, electrocardiogram (ECG); cardiac autonomic function; heart histopathology; serum cytokines; and the presence of blood and tissue parasites by means of immunohistochemistry and PCR were assessed. In NT-Chg mice, significant changes in the electrocardiographic, autonomic, and cardiac histopathological profiles were observed confirming a chronic inflammatory response. Treatment with Pyrido in Chagasic mice caused a significant reduction of myocardial inflammatory infiltration, fibrosis, and hypertrophy, which was accompanied by a decrease in serum levels of IFN\u3b3 with no change in IL-10 levels, suggesting a shift of immune response toward an anti-inflammatory profile. Lower nondifferent numbers of parasite DNA copies were observed in both treated and nontreated chagasic mice. In conclusion, our findings confirm the marked neuroimmunomodulatory role played by the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system in the evolution of the inflammatory-immune response to T. cruzi during experimental chronic Chagas heart disease in mice