Aquecimento ôhmico: novos desafios no tratamento térmico de materiais

[Excerto] Introdução: O tratamento térmico de materiais encontra-se dentre os processos mais utilizados industrialmente. Na indústria de alimentos, por exemplo, o tratamento térmico (por possuir ação letal sobre microorganismos) é o principal procedimento físico de que a tecnologia de alimentos dispõe para aumentar a vida útil dos alimentos (Ordóñez et al., 2005). Desta forma, novos métodos de aquecimento que acarretem em baixo gasto energético ou em maior eficiência energética continuam a atrair interesse Palaniappan e Sastry, 1992). Dentre as tecnologias de aquecimento emergentes, o aquecimento ôhmico apresenta-se bastante promissor. [...]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Non-invasive methods for diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children and adolescents: literature review / Métodos não invasivos para diagnóstico da doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica em crianças e adolescentes: revisão da literatura

With the significant increase in the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children and adolescents and knowing its association with other clinical conditions and its implications in adult life, noninvasive diagnostic methods may represent new paths for prevention, early diagnosis and follow-up of the evolution of the disease. Objective: To describe noninvasive methods for diagnosing NAFLD in children and adolescents. Methods: integrative review. The articles were searched in the PubMed, Lilacs, Medline, Embase and Google Scholar databases, from August to December 2021. The descriptors "non-alcoholic fatty liver disease", "non-invasive methods", "biomarkers", "child" and "adolescent" were used. Results: Several biomarkers have been associated with the diagnosis of NAFLD, and among the most recognized are the lipid and glucose profile, liver enzymes, anti-inflammatory profile and assessment of body fat reserves. Antioxidant profile, uric acid, genome, lipidomics and proteomics evaluations are also predictors of steatosis; however, it remains to be determined whether these markers should be used together or in isolation for better results. Conclusions: Noninvasive markers for the diagnosis of NAFLD in children and adolescents are promising and, when used in association with clinical data, can be useful in guiding and managing this population for the prevention and control of NAFLD. 

Hydrogen peroxide in the rainwater of Sao Paulo megacity: measurements and controlling factors

Measurements of H2O2, major ions and meteorological parameters were made in rain events occurred in downtown Sao Paulo City, Brazil between July 2001 and January 2006. The H2O2 concentration ranged from 0.5 to 78 &#956;mol L-1 with an average of 14.5 &#956;mol L-1. The SO4(2-) and HCOO- concentrations mean were of 13.5 and 9.62 &#956;mol L-1, respectively. The H2O2 concentrations showed a positive and significant correlation with HCOO- (r = 0.70, n = 129, p < 0.0001) suggesting that the production of H2O2 in aqueous phase by consumption of formaldehyde by reaction with OH• radical is a factor which may control the H2O2 levels in the rainwater samples. Estimation of rate of wet deposition of H2O2 shows that nearly 70% of hydrogen peroxide is annually removed from the atmosphere by wet deposition in spring and summer. Sequential rainstorm analyses indicated that lightning activity and rainfall rate can influence the H2O2 contents in rainwater in this area

Libidibia ferrea loaded in bacterial nanocellulose: evaluation of antimicrobial activity and wound care / Libidibia ferrea loaded in bacterial nanocellulose: evaluation of antimicrobial activity and wound care

The effects of Bacterial Nanocellulose (BNC) loaded with Libidibia ferrea (Lf) hydroalcoholic extract were investigated on the healing process of burn in diabetic and non-diabetic animals. In vivo assay was performed with 36 male rats, with streptozotocin-induced diabetes and burns induced by contact. Animals were divided into Nd-BNC (Non-diabetic + Bacterial nanocellulose membranes); Nd-BNC-Lf (Non-diabetic + Bacterial nanocellulose membranes + Libidibia ferrea); D-BNC (Diabetic + Bacterial nanocellulose membranes); D-BNC-Lf (Diabetic + Bacterial nanocellulose membranes + Libidibia ferrea). Wounds were evaluated for 28 days histologically. Lf extract and BNC-Lf extract showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. The severe degree of infection, granulation and inflammation observed after 14 days in diabetic rats (exposed or not to Lf extract), disappeared after 21 days. On the 28th day, there was no histological difference among the groups. BNC-Lf extract demonstrated to have antimicrobial activity, however as an wound dressing, both BNC or BNC-Lf extract were effective in the healing of second-degree burn wounds

Early detection of cognitive, language, and motor delays for low-income preterm infants : a Brazilian cohort longitudinal study on infant neurodevelopment and maternal practice

Aim: This study examined the neurodevelopment trajectories, the prevalence of delays, and the risks and protective factors (adverse outcomes, environment, and maternal factors) associated with cognitive, motor, and language development for preterm infants from 4– to 24-months. Method: We assessed 186 preterm infants (24.7% extremely preterm; 54.8% very preterm; 20.4% moderate/late preterm) from 4– to 24-months using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development – III. Maternal practices and knowledge were assessed using the Daily Activities of Infant Scale and the Knowledge of Infant Development Inventory. Birth risks and adverse outcomes were obtained from infant medical profiles. Results: A high prevalence of delays was found; red flags for delays at 24-months were detected at 4– and 8-months of age. The neurodevelopmental trajectories showed steady scores across time for cognitive composite scores for extremely- and very-preterm infants and for language composite scores for the extremely- and moderate/late-preterm; a similar trend was observed for the motor trajectories of moderate/late preterm. Changes over time were restricted to motor composite scores for extremely- and very-preterm infants and for cognitive composite scores for moderate/late preterm; declines, stabilization, and improvements were observed longitudinally. Positive, strong, and significant correlations were for the neurodevelopment scores at the first year of life and later neurodevelopment at 18 and 24 months. The cognitive, language, and motor composite scores of extremely and very preterm groups were associated with more risk factors (adverse outcomes, environment, and maternal factors). However, for moderate/late preterm infants, only APGAR and maternal practices significantly explained the variance in neurodevelopment. Discussion: Although adverse outcomes were strongly associated with infant neurodevelopment, the environment and the parents’ engagement in play and breastfeeding were protective factors for most preterm infants. Intervention strategies for preterm infants should start at 4– to 8-months of age to prevent unwanted outcomes later in life

Secretome profiling of oral squamous cell carcinoma-associated fibroblasts reveals organization and disassembly of extracellular matrix and collagen metabolic process signatures

An important role has been attributed to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumorigenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the most common tumor of the oral cavity. Previous studies demonstrated that CAF-secreted molecules promote the proliferation and invasion of OSCC cells, inducing a more aggressive phenotype. In this study, we searched for differences in the secretome of CAFs and normal oral fibroblasts (NOF) using mass spectrometry-based proteomics and biological network analysis. Comparison of the secretome profiles revealed that upregulated proteins involved mainly in extracellular matrix organization and disassembly and collagen metabolism. Among the upregulated proteins were fibronectin type III domain-containing 1 (FNDC1), serpin peptidase inhibitor type 1 (SERPINE1), and stanniocalcin 2 (STC2), the upregulation of which was validated by quantitative PCR and ELISA in an independent set of CAF cell lines. The transition of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1)-mediating NOFs into CAFs was accompanied by significant upregulation of FNDC1, SERPINE1, and STC2, confirming the participation of these proteins in the CAF-derived secretome. Type I collagen, the main constituent of the connective tissue, was also associated with several upregulated biological processes. The immunoexpression of type I collagen N-terminal propeptide (PINP) was significantly correlated in vivo with CAFs in the tumor front and was associated with significantly shortened survival of OSCC patients. Presence of CAFs in the tumor stroma was also an independent prognostic factor for OSCC disease-free survival. These results demonstrate the value of secretome profiling for evaluating the role of CAFs in the tumor microenvironment and identify potential novel therapeutic targets such as FNDC1, SERPINE1, and STC2. Furthermore, type I collagen expression by CAFs, represented by PINP levels, may be a prognostic marker of OSCC outcome.Peer reviewe

Spatial distribution and incidence of dengue cases: an analysis of the situation in Medellín, Colombia

ABSTRACT: To analyze the spatial distribution of dengue cases and the incidence of this disease. Methodology: 17.400 dengue cases were spatially located by means of the addresses of patients which were reported by Data Generating Primary Units to the Medellin Office of the Health Secretary from 2007 to 2011. Dengue incidences were calculated and geospatially ranked with the ArcGIS 9.3 software, and they were categorized by risk level according to the Pan American Health Organization. Results and Discussion: the disease was distributed heterogeneously throughout the various neighborhoods of the city. The years 2007 and 2010 had the highest number of cases, thus being epidemic years; the other years showing an endemic behavior. In 2007 none of the neighborhoods was in very high risk category; however, in 2010, 49 neighborhoods were placed inside this category. As for endemic years according to dengue incidence, of the 249 neighborhoods of the city, just two of them were found in high risk in 2008 and 2009, but none in 2011. Moreover, a large percentage of neighborhoods in these years were considered to be in the low risk category."RESUMEN:Analizar la distribución espacial de los casos y la incidencia de dengue. Metodología: se ubicaron espacialmente 17.400 casos de dengue notificados por las Unidades Primarias Generadoras de Datos a la Secretaría de Salud de Medellín en el período 2007 a 2011 a través de las direcciones de las viviendas de los pacientes. Se calcularon las incidencias y se ubicaron geoespacialmente utilizando el software ArcGis 9,3, categorizándolas por niveles de riesgo según la Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Resultados y discusión: la enfermedad se distribuyó heterogéneamente en los diferentes barrios de la ciudad. Los años 2007 y 2010 presentaron el mayor número de casos, correspondiendo a años epidémicos, mientras que los demás años mostraron un comportamiento endémico. En el 2007 ningún barrio se ubicó en la categoría riesgo muy alto, pero sí 49 localidades para el año 2010. Para los años endémicos según la incidencia de dengue, de los 249 barrios de la ciudad, en los años 2008 y 2009, solo dos se encontraron en riesgo alto y ninguno para 2011, y un gran porcentaje de barrios en estos años se ubicaron en riesgo bajo."RESUMEN:Analizar la distribución espacial de los casos y la incidencia de dengue. Metodología: se ubicaron espacialmente 17.400 casos de dengue notificados por las Unidades Primarias Generadoras de Datos a la Secretaría de Salud de Medellín en el período 2007 a 2011 a través de las direcciones de las viviendas de los pacientes. Se calcularon las incidencias y se ubicaron geoespacialmente utilizando el software ArcGis 9,3, categorizándolas por niveles de riesgo según la Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Resultados y discusión: la enfermedad se distribuyó heterogéneamente en los diferentes barrios de la ciudad. Los años 2007 y 2010 presentaron el mayor número de casos, correspondiendo a años epidémicos, mientras que los demás años mostraron un comportamiento endémico. En el 2007 ningún barrio se ubicó en la categoría riesgo muy alto, pero sí 49 localidades para el año 2010. Para los años endémicos según la incidencia de dengue, de los 249 barrios de la ciudad, en los años 2008 y 2009, solo dos se encontraron en riesgo alto y ninguno para 2011, y un gran porcentaje de barrios en estos años se ubicaron en riesgo bajo

Molecular Investigation Confirms Myotis Genus Bats as Common Hosts of Polychromophilus in Brazil

Plasmodium spp. and some other blood parasites belonging to the order Haemosporida are the focus of many epidemiological studies worldwide. However, haemosporidian parasites from wild animals are largely neglected in scientific research. For example, Polychromophilus parasites, which are exclusive to bats, are described in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, but little is known about their presence and genetic diversity in the New World. In this study, 224 samples of bats from remaining fragments of the Atlantic Forest and Pantanal biomes, as well as urbanized areas in southern and southeastern Brazil, were analyzed for the presence of haemosporidian parasites by PCR of the mitochondrial gene that encodes cytochrome b (cytb). The PCR fragments of the positive samples were sequenced and analyzed by the Bayesian inference method to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships between Polychromophilus parasites from bats in Brazil and other countries. Sequences from Brazilian lineages of Polychromophilus were recovered in a clade with sequences from Polychromophilus murinus and close to the one Polychromophilus sequence obtained in Panama, the only available sequence for the American continent. This clade was restricted to bats of the family Vespertilionidae and distinct from Polychromophilus melanipherus, a parasite species mainly found in bats of the family Miniopteridae. The detection of Polychromophilus and the genetic proximity to P. murinus were further confirmed with the amplification of two other genes (clpc and asl). We also found a Haemosporida parasite sequence in a sample of Noctilio albiventris collected in the Pantanal biome, which presents phylogenetic proximity with avian Haemoproteus sequences. Morphological and molecular studies are still needed to conclude and describe the Polychromophilus species in Brazilian Myotis bats in more detail and to confirm Haemoproteus parasites in bats. Nevertheless, these molecular results in Brazilian bats confirm the importance of studying these neglected genera.Fil: da Silva Mathias, Bruno. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Minozzo, Guilherme Augusto. No especifíca;Fil: Biondo, Alexander Welker. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: de Oliveira Jorge Costa, Jaciara. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Sousa Soares, Herbert. Universidade de Santo Amaro; BrasilFil: Marcili, Arlei. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: de Oliveira Guimarães, Lilian. Instituto Pasteur; BrasilFil: a Clares dos Anjos, Carolina. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Pires Dos Santos, Andrea. Purdue University; Estados UnidosFil: Riediger, Irina Nastassja. No especifíca;Fil: Fecchio, Alan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Bueno, Marina Galvão. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Pinho, João Batista. Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul; BrasilFil: Kirchgatter, Karin. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

Neurodegeneration and Glial Response after Acute Striatal Stroke: Histological Basis for Neuroprotective Studies

Stroke is a leading cause of death and neurological disability worldwide and striatal ischemic stroke is frequent in humans due to obstruction of middle cerebral artery. Several pathological events underlie damage progression and a comprehensive description of the pathological features following experimental stroke in both acute and chronic survival times is a necessary step for further functional studies. Here, we explored the patterns of microglial activation, astrocytosis, oligodendrocyte damage, myelin impairment, and Nogo-A immunoreactivity between 3 and 30 postlesion days (PLDs) after experimental striatal stroke in adult rats induced by microinjections of endothelin-1 (ET-1). The focal ischemia induced tissue loss concomitant with intense microglia activation between 3 and 14 PLDs (maximum at 7 PLDs), decreasing afterward. Astrocytosis was maximum around 7 PLDs. Oligodendrocyte damage and Nogo-A upregulation were higher at 3 PLDs. Myelin impairment was maximum between 7 and 14 PLDs. Nogo-A expression was higher in the first week in comparison to control. The results add important histopathological features of ET-1 induced stroke in subacute and chronic survival times. In addition, the establishment of the temporal evolution of these neuropathological events is an important step for future studies seeking suitable neuroprotective drugs targeting neuroinflammation and white matter damage