Physical-chemical characteristics and antioxidant potential of seed and pulp of Ximenia americana L. from the semiarid region of Brazil

Ximenia americana popularly known as wild plum grow wildly in Brazilian semiarid region and its fruit were harvested in two maturity stages and evaluated for quality. The experimental design was completely randomized with three treatments (immature, mature pulp and seeds), and treatment effect was evaluated for pulp fraction (composed of both mesocarp and exocarp or peel) in maturation stages: immature (largest size with green colored peel), mature (largest size with yellow colored peel) and seeds of mature fruits, from eight repetitions of 25 fruits each, totaling 200 fruits per treatment. Fruit were separated and evaluated for physical and physicochemical variables, mineral composition, bioactive compounds content and total antioxidant activity (TAA). The X. americana grown in Brazilian semiarid region presents a great potential to further commercial exploitation. The pulp, aside its maturation stage contains high levels of lipids, proteins, sugars, starch, titratable acidity, vitamin C, yellow flavonoids, polyphenols and antioxidant activity. The seed also presents high levels of lipid, protein, starch, total extractable polyphenols and antioxidant activity. Imature pulp stands out for acidity, polyphenol, flavonoid and anthcyanin levels, while mature fruit pulp has higher yield, sugar and vitamin C levels. Seeds have higher starch, protein and lipi levels. The antioxidant activity found for wild plum pulp could be attributed to polyphenol and vitamin C contents; meanwhile, the antioxidant activity of seeds was dependent only on polyphenolic content. Pulp had higher Na, K, Mg, Ca and Fe levels, however, both seed and pulp fractions have substantial contents of P, K, Cu and Mn.Key words: Development, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, minerals, quality

Combinatorial targeting and discovery of ligand-receptors in organelles of mammalian cells

Phage display screening allows the study of functional protein–protein interactions at the cell surface, but investigating intracellular organelles remains a challenge. Here we introduce internalizing-phage libraries to identify clones that enter mammalian cells through a receptor-independent mechanism and target-specific organelles as a tool to select ligand peptides and identify their intracellular receptors. We demonstrate that penetratin, an antennapedia-derived peptide, can be displayed on the phage envelope and mediate receptor-independent uptake of internalizing phage into cells. We also show that an internalizing-phage construct displaying an established mitochondria-specific localization signal targets mitochondria, and that an internalizing-phage random peptide library selects for peptide motifs that localize to different intracellular compartments. As a proof-of-concept, we demonstrate that one such peptide, if chemically fused to penetratin, is internalized receptor-independently, localizes to mitochondria, and promotes cell death. This combinatorial platform technology has potential applications in cell biology and drug development

Burden, coping, physical symptoms and psychological morbidity in caregivers of functionally dependent family members

Objectives: this study assessed burden, coping, physical symptoms and psychological morbidity in caregivers of functionally dependent family members. Methods: fifty family caregivers completed self-reported measures of burden, physical symptoms, psychological morbidity and coping strategies. Results: there was a significant negative correlation between coping strategies and the different clinical variables, as well as a significant positive correlation between coping strategies and duration of care. It appears that the stronger bond between caregiver and family member leads to a poorer use of adaptive coping strategies. It also appears that the deterioration of the relationship between them and the lower perceived self-efficacy are more prominente in caregivers of family members with cognitive impairment, indicating that caregivers with family members without cognitive impairment face fewer difficulties. Conclusion: these results emphasize the need for interventions to include coping strategies, since they are important in reducing caregivers’ burden, psychological morbidity and physical symptoms

Compressed representation of a partially defined integer function over multiple arguments

In OLAP (OnLine Analitical Processing) data are analysed in an n-dimensional cube. The cube may be represented as a partially defined function over n arguments. Considering that often the function is not defined everywhere, we ask: is there a known way of representing the function or the points in which it is defined, in a more compact manner than the trivial one

Prevalence and risk factors for Hepatitis C and HIV-1 infections among pregnant women in Central Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are a major burden to public health worldwide. Routine antenatal HIV-1 screening to prevent maternal-infant transmission is universally recommended. Our objectives were to evaluate the prevalence of and potential risk factors for HCV and HIV infection among pregnant women who attended prenatal care under the coverage of public health in Central Brazil.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Screening and counselling for HIV and HCV infections was offered free of charge to all pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) in the public health system, in Goiania city (~1.1 million inhabitants) during 2004–2005. Initial screening was performed on a dried blood spot collected onto standard filter paper; positive or indeterminate results were confirmed by a second blood sample. HCV infection was defined as a positive or indeterminate sample (EIA test) and confirmed HCV-RNA technique. HIV infection was defined according to standard criteria. Factors associated with HIV and HCV infections were identified with logistic regression. The number needed to screen (NNS) to prevent one case of infant HIV infection was calculated using the Monte Carlo simulation method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 28,561 pregnant women were screened for HCV and HIV-1 in ANC. Mean maternal age was 23.9 years (SD = 5.6), with 45% of the women experiencing their first pregnancy. Prevalence of HCV infection was 0.15% (95% CI 0.11%–0.20%), and the risk increased with age (p < 0.01). The prevalence of anti-HIV infection was 0.09% (95% CI 0.06%–0.14%). Black women had a 4.9-fold (95% CI 1.42–16.95) greater risk of HIV-1 infection compared to non-black women. NNS to prevent one case of infant HIV infection ranged from 4,141 to 13,928.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The prevalence of HIV and HCV infections were low among pregnant women, with high acceptability rates in the opt-in strategy in primary care. Older maternal age was a risk factor for HCV and antenatal HCV testing does not fulfill the requirements for screening recommendation. The finding of higher risk of HIV-1 infection among black women despite being in consonance with the HIV-1 ethnic pattern in some American regions cannot be ruled out to be a surrogate marker of socio-economic condition.</p

Manovacuometria realizada por meio de traqueias de diferentes comprimentos

Manovacuometry is a simple, fast, and non-invasive test, with maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) obtained to assist respiratory muscle assessment. Currently, there is a wide variety of models and brands of manovacuometers with different trachea diameters and lengths. However, the interference of these models in the measurements obtained by these equipments needs to be investigated. Thus, this study mainly aimed to verify the influence of tracheal length on maximal respiratory pressures (MRP), obtained by an analog manovacuometer, in healthy individuals. Our secondary objective was to verify the correlation between measurements. Fifty individuals, aged 18 to 30, of both sexes, were evaluated by spirometry and manovacuometry. MIP and MEP were performed using tracheas with same internal diameter (0.5 cm) and 30 cm, 60 cm, and 90 cm length. Significantly lower MIP values were observed when comparing a 90 cm trachea to 30 and 60 cm tracheas (Friedman’s ANOVA test and Wilcoxon test with Bonferroni adjustment). Tracheas with 30, 60, and 90 cm length and same diameter did not affect MIP and MEP values, except the 90 cm trachea for MIP values, which may interfere in the physical therapy clinical practice. Further studies are required to analyze the need for standardizing the trachea length used in manovacuometers.La manovacuometría es una prueba sencilla, rápida y no invasiva por la cual se obtienen la presión inspiratoria máxima (PImax) y la presión espiratoria máxima (PEmax), con el objetivo de ayudar en el examen muscular respiratorio. Hoy día se encuentran una gran variedad de modelos y marcas de manovacuometros, con diferentes diámetros y longitudes de las tráqueas, pero hacen falta estudios sobre la interferencia de estos modelos en las mediciones por este instrumento. En este texto se propone examinar en sujetos sanos, en primer lugar, la influencia en la longitud de las tráqueas en las presiones respiratorias máximas, obtenidas por manovacuometros analógicos, y en segundo lugar comprobar la existencia de correlación entre las mediciones. Se evaluaron a cincuenta sujetos entre 18 y 30 años de edad, tanto varones como mujeres, empleando la espirometría y la manovacuometría. Se midió la PImax y la PEmax empleando tráqueas de mismo diámetro interno (0,5 cm) y con longitudes de 30, 60 e 90 cm. Se observaron valores significativamente menores de PImax con la tráquea de longitud de 90 cm en comparación con las PImax con las tráqueas de 30 y 60 cm (prueba de Friedman’s ANOVA, la de Wilcoxon con ajustes de Bonferroni). Las tráqueas de 30, 60 y 90 cm de longitud y mismo diámetro no influyeron en los valores de la PEmax y de la PImax, con excepción de la tráquea de 90 cm en los valores de la PImax, lo que puede interferir la práctica clínica fisioterapéutica. Se necesitan más estudios para evaluar la necesidad de estándares de la longitud de tráqueas empleadas en manovacuometros.A manovacuometria é um teste simples, rápido e não invasivo por meio do qual a pressão inspiratória máxima (PImáx) e a pressão expiratória máxima (PEmáx) são obtidas, a fim de auxiliar na avaliação muscular respiratória. Atualmente, há grande variedade de modelos e marcas de manovacuômetros, com diferentes diâmetros e comprimentos de traqueias, no entanto, a interferência desses modelos nas medidas obtidas por esses equipamentos necessita de investigação. Desta forma, o objetivo primário deste estudo foi verificar a influência do comprimento de traqueias nas pressões respiratórias máximas, obtidas por meio de manovacuômetro analógico, em indivíduos saudáveis e, secundariamente, se há correlação entre as medidas. Foram avaliados 50 indivíduos, de 18 a 30 anos, de ambos os sexos, por meio da espirometria e manovacuometria. As PImáx e PEmáx foram realizadas com uso de traqueias de mesmo diâmetro interno (0,5 cm) e comprimentos de 30, 60 e 90 cm. Foram observados valores significativamente menores de PImáx obtidos com a traqueia de comprimento de 90 cm comparados às PImáx obtidas com as traqueias de 30 e 60 cm (teste de Friedman’s ANOVA com teste de Wilcoxon com ajuste de Bonferroni). As traqueias de 30, 60 e 90 cm de comprimento e mesmo diâmetro não influenciaram os valores de PEmáx e PImáx, exceto a traqueia de 90 cm para os valores de PImáx, o que pode interferir na prática clínica fisioterapêutica. Novos estudos são necessários para analisar a necessidade de padronização do comprimento da traqueia utilizada em manovacuômetros

Maternal hyperleptinemia is associated with male offspring’s altered vascular function and structure in mice

Children of mothers with gestational diabetes have greater risk of developing hypertension but little is known about the mechanisms by which this occurs. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that high maternal concentrations of leptin during pregnancy, which are present in mothers with gestational diabetes and/or obesity, alter blood pressure, vascular structure and vascular function in offspring. Wildtype (WT) offspring of hyperleptinemic, normoglycemic, Lepr db/+ dams were compared to genotype matched offspring of WT-control dams. Vascular function was assessed in male offspring at 6, and at 31 weeks of age after half the offspring had been fed a high fat, high sucrose diet (HFD) for 6 weeks. Blood pressure was increased by HFD but not affected by maternal hyperleptinemia. On a standard diet, offspring of hyperleptinemic dams had outwardly remodeled mesenteric arteries and an enhanced vasodilatory response to insulin. In offspring of WT but not Leprdb/+ dams, HFD induced vessel hypertrophy and enhanced vasodilatory responses to acetylcholine, while HFD reduced insulin responsiveness in offspring of hyperleptinemic dams. Offspring of hyperleptinemic dams had stiffer arteries regardless of diet. Therefore, while maternal hyperleptinemia was largely beneficial to offspring vascular health under astandard diet, it had detrimental effects in offspring fed HFD. These results suggest that circulating maternal leptin concentrations may interact with other factors in the pre- and post-natal environments to contribute to altered vascular function in offspring of diabetic pregnancie