Oil Frying Processes and Alternative Flour Coatings: Physicochemical, Nutritional, and Sensory Parameters of Meat Products.

The frying process changes can be desirable and undesirable, involving the physicochemical, nutritional, and sensory aspects, depending on the food and oil properties and the frying process. In this context, alternative flours emerge as a strategy for adding value to the food since they are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, contributing to the variability of ingredients and the full use of food, including residues such as seeds and husks. This narrative review aims to gather current scientific data addressing the alternative flour coatings on breaded meat, mainly chicken, products to evaluate the effects on fried products' nutritional value, physicochemical parameters, and sensory attributes. Scopus, Science Direct, Springer, and Web of Science search bases were used. This review showed that alternative flours (from cereals, legumes, fruits, and vegetables) used as coatings increase water retention and reduce oil absorption during frying, increase fibers and micronutrient content, which are not present in sufficient quantities in commonly used flours due to the refining process. These flours also reduce gluten consumption by sensitive individuals in addition to favoring the development of desirable sensory characteristics to attract consumers. Therefore, frying processes in oil promote a reduction in humidity, an increase in oil absorption and energy content, and a decrease in vitamin content. In this context, coatings based on alternative flours can reduce these adverse effects of the frying process.

Layer-specific reduced neuronal density in the orbitofrontal cortex of older adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Neurobiological models have provided consistent evidence of the involvement of cortical-subcortical circuitry in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), involved in motivation and emotional responses, is an important regulatory node within this circuitry. However, OFC abnormalities at the cellular level have so far not been studied. To address this question, we have recruited a total of seven senior individuals from the Sao Paulo Autopsy Services who were diagnosed with OCD after an extensive post-mortem clinical evaluation with their next of kin. Patients with cognitive impairment were excluded. The OCD cases were age- and sex-matched with 7 control cases and a total of 14 formalin-fixed, serially cut, and gallocyanin-stained hemispheres (7 subjects with OCD and 7 controls) were analyzed stereologically. We estimated laminar neuronal density, volume of the anteromedial (AM), medial orbitofrontal (MO), and anterolateral (AL) areas of the OFC. We found statistically significant layer- and region-specific lower neuron densities in our OCD cases that added to a deficit of 25% in AM and AL and to a deficit of 21% in MO, respectively. The volumes of the OFC areas were similar between the OCD and control groups. These results provide evidence of complex layer and region-specific neuronal deficits/loss in old OCD cases which could have a considerable impact on information processing within orbitofrontal regions and with afferent and efferent targets.

Initial findings of striatum tripartite model in OCD brain samples based on transcriptome analysis.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions. Different striatal subregions belonging to the cortico-striato-thalamic circuitry (CSTC) play an important role in the pathophysiology of OCD. The transcriptomes of 3 separate striatal areas (putamen (PT), caudate nucleus (CN) and accumbens nucleus (NAC)) from postmortem brain tissue were compared between 6 OCD and 8 control cases. In addition to network connectivity deregulation, different biological processes are specific to each striatum region according to the tripartite model of the striatum and contribute in various ways to OCD pathophysiology. Specifically, regulation of neurotransmitter levels and presynaptic processes involved in chemical synaptic transmission were shared between NAC and PT. The Gene Ontology terms cellular response to chemical stimulus, response to external stimulus, response to organic substance, regulation of synaptic plasticity, and modulation of synaptic transmission were shared between CN and PT. Most genes harboring common and/or rare variants previously associated with OCD that were differentially expressed or part of a least preserved coexpression module in our study also suggest striatum subregion specificity. At the transcriptional level, our study supports differences in the 3 circuit CSTC model associated with OCD.

Characterization of the physical education environment and practice in public schools / Caracterização do ambiente e da prática da educação física em escolas públicas

This cross-sectional, stratified, random sample study aimed to identify the school environment for teaching and engaging in physical education in elementary public schools. An inventory assessment was made and interviews were held with school managers in 12 teaching units in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. The data obtained were categorized as follows: lesson availability and frequency, recess, extra-curricular activities, facilities, and installations in place. The descriptive analysis used absolute and relative frequencies values. The results showed that all schools involved in the study provide two weekly physical education classes. None of the schools engaged in the development of recreational activities during recess. Data showed that 75% of schools participating in the study provide free extracurricular activities, among which futsal was the most popular (58.3%). Also, 75% of schools had indoor sports facilities, whereas some schools did not have adequate space to hold classes. In the group of schools with facilities, 90% had crossbars and 70% had at least one type of floor markings for sports such as futsal, basketball, and volleyball. Only one school had a recreational room, patio, and a green area. We concluded that the results point to a favorable direction for teaching and engaging in physical education in schools. We discussed how an adequate environment in schools helps students make better lifestyle choices and provides teachers with the opportunity to fully develop their classes and promote student's health

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar o ambiente escolar disponível para o ensino e a prática de educação física em escolas públicas de ensino fundamental. Trata-se de estudo transversal com amostra aleatória e estratificada. Foi realizada uma avaliação do inventário e realizadas entrevistas com os diretores de 12 escolas de Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil. Os dados obtidos foram categorizados como: disponibilidade e frequência das aulas, desenvolvimento de atividades no recreio, atividades extracurriculares oferecidas, instalações e acesso às mesmas. Os dados foram analisados através das frequências absolutas e relativas descritivas. Os resultados mostraram que todas as escolas envolvidas no estudo oferecem duas aulas de educação física por semana. Nenhuma das escolas desenvolve atividades recreativas durante o recreio. Os dados mostraram que 75% das escolas participantes do estudo oferecem atividades extracurriculares gratuitas. Entre elas, o futsal foi a opção mais popular (58,3%). Além disso, 75% das escolas possuíam instalações esportivas internas, enquanto algumas escolas não dispunham de espaço adequado para realizar as aulas. No grupo de escolas com instalações, 90% possuíam traves e 70% tinham pelo menos um tipo de marcação para esportes no piso, como futsal, basquete ou vôlei. Apenas uma escola possuía uma sala de recreação, pátio e horta. Concluímos que os resultados apontam para uma direção favorável ao ensino e à prática da educação física nas escolas. Nós discutimos como um ambiente adequado nas escolas ajuda os alunos a fazer melhores escolhas de estilo de vida e fornece ao professor a oportunidade de desenvolver completamente suas aulas e promover a saúde dos alunos

A novel approach for integrative studies on neurodegenerative diseases in human brains.

Despite a massive research effort to elucidate Alzheimer's disease (AD) in recent decades, effective treatment remains elusive. This failure may relate to an oversimplification of the pathogenic processes underlying AD and also lack of understanding of AD progression during its long latent stages. Although evidence shows that the two specific neuropathological hallmarks in AD (neuronal loss and protein accumulation), which are opposite in nature, do not progress in parallel, the great majority of studies have focused on only one of these aspects. Furthermore, research focusing on single structures is likely to render an incomplete picture of AD pathogenesis because as AD involves complete brain networks, potential compensatory mechanisms within the network may ameliorate impairment of the system to a certain extent. Here, we describe an approach for enabling integrative analysis of the dual-nature lesions, simultaneously, in all components of one of the brain networks most vulnerable to AD. This approach is based on significant development of methods previously described mainly by our group that were optimized and complemented for this study. It combines unbiased stereology with immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, making use of advanced graphics computing for three-dimensional (3D) volume reconstructions. Although this study was performed in human brainstem and focused in AD, it may be applied to the study of any neurological disease characterized by dual-nature lesions, in humans and animal models. This approach does not require a high level of investment in new equipment and a significant number of specimens can be processed and analyzed within a funding cycle.

Automatic isotropic fractionation for large-scale quantitative cell analysis of nervous tissue.

Isotropic fractionation is a quantitative technique that allows reliable estimates of absolute numbers of neuronal and non-neuronal brain cells. However, being fast for single small brains, it requires a long time for processing large brains or many small ones, if done manually. To solve this problem, we developed a machine to automate the method, and tested its efficiency, consistency, and reliability as compared with manual processing. The machine consists of a set of electronically controlled rotation and translation motors coupled to tissue grinders, which automatically transform fixed tissue into homogeneous nuclei suspensions. Speed and torque of the motors can be independently regulated by electronic circuits, according to the volume of tissue being processed and its mechanical resistance to fractionation. To test the machine, twelve paraformaldehyde-fixed rat brains and eight human cerebella were separated into two groups, respectively: one processed automatically and the other, manually. Both pairs of groups (rat and human tissue) followed the same, published protocol of the method. We compared the groups according to nuclei morphology, degree of clustering and number of cells. The machine proved superior for yielding faster results due to simultaneous processing in multiple grinders. Quantitative analysis of machine-processed tissue resulted in similar average numbers of total brain cells, neurons, and non-neuronal cells, statistically similar to the manually processed tissue and equivalent to previously published data. We concluded that the machine is more efficient because it utilizes many homogenizers simultaneously, equally consistent in producing high quality material for counting, and quantitatively reliable as compared to manual processing.

Very low levels of education and cognitive reserve: a clinicopathologic study.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a clinicopathologic study in a large population with very low levels of education to determine whether very few years of education could contribute to cognitive reserve and modify the relation of neuropathologic indices to dementia. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we included 675 individuals 50 years of age or older from the Brazilian Aging Brain Study Group. Cognitive abilities were evaluated through a structured interview with an informant at the time of autopsy, including the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. Neuropathologic examinations were performed using immunohistochemistry and following internationally accepted criteria. Multivariate linear regression models were conducted to determine whether the association between cognitive abilities (measured by CDR sum of boxes) and years of education was independent of sociodemographic variables and neuropathologic indices, including neuritic plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, lacunar infarctions, small-vessel disease, and Lewy bodies. In addition, interaction models were used to examine whether education modified the relation between neuropathologic indices and cognition. RESULTS: Mean education was 3.9 ± 3.5 years. Formal education was associated with a lower CDR sum of boxes (ß = -0.197; 95% confidence interval -0.343, -0.052; p = 0.008), after adjustment for sociodemographic variables and neuropathologic indices. Furthermore, education modified the relationship of lacunar infarcts with cognitive abilities (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Even a few years of formal education contributes to cognitive reserve.

[Genetic variability in Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) populations using RAPD markers]. / Variabilidade Genética em Populações de Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) Utilizando Marcadores de RAPD.

Aedes aegypti (L.) is an important vector of diseases such as the yellow fever and dengue, present in tropical and subtropical regions. The objective of this study was to analyze the genetic variability of different A. aegypti populations using RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) markers as a basic study to support the use of biocontrol strategies. DNA of ten collected larvae from three different populations were analyzed using ten RAPD primers. The results indicated the existence of genetic variability inter and intrapopulation. This was confirmed by a dendrogram that grouped the populations in two main clusters with a genetic similarity of 24%. In one of these clusters, it was possible to distinguish two populations that showed 50% similarity. The molecular variance analysis indicated that the interpopulation genetic diversity (55,01%) was higher than the intrapopulation genetic diversity (44,99%). A high genetic polymorphism (Ht = 0.2656) and high levels of genetic differentiation between populations (Gst = 0.3689) were found. The adopted DNA extraction protocol proved to be efficient regardless the insect development stage used, avoiding the addition of reagents or additional stages of processing. Future experiments can be performed to confirm if the detected variability is related to the resistance characteristics of each population to a determined pesticide.

[Genetic variability of the Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in vegetable crops in São Luís, state of Maranhão, Brazil]. / Variabilidade genética de Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biótipo B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) em cultivos olerícolas em São Luís, MA.

The RAPD technique is widely used to investigate the distinct genetic characteristics of the complex Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), which is currently constituted of approximately 41 biotypes. The objective of this research was to characterize populations of whitefly collected in crops of agricultural producing areas in São Luís, MA, like okra, beans and pepper, using RAPD molecular markers. Females from nine whitefly populations were analyzed and compared with B. tabaci biotype B taken from poinsettia culture of Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (Brasília, DF). Twelve out of the 20 primers tested produced specific band patterns suitable to confirm that the evaluated specimens belong to the biotype B of B. tabaci, despite the high percentage of detected polymorphism. The analysis of the 96 RAPD molecular markers generated indicated that the populations on okra, beans and pepper were grouped according to the host cultures, sharing 80, 76 and 45% of genetic similarity, respectively, when compared with the control population of B. tabaci biotype B. A lower selective pressure was observed with the population of whitefly collected on pepper and minor genetic variability in the whitefly populations collected on okra and bean, when compared with the control population.

Purification of a chitinase from Trichoderma sp. and its action on Sclerotium rolfsii and Rhizoctonia solani cell walls.

Trichoderma harzianum is an effective biocontrol agent of several important plant pathogenic fungi. This Trichoderma species attacks other fungi by secreting lytic enzymes, including beta-1,3-glucanase and chitinolytic enzymes. Superior biocontrol potential may then be found in strains having a high capacity to produce these enzymes. We have therefore evaluated the capacity of six unidentified Trichoderma spp. isolates to produce chitinolytic enzymes and beta-1,3-glucanases in comparison with T. harzianum 39.1. All six isolates demonstrated substantial enzyme activity. However, while the isolates hereafter called T2, T3, T5, and T7 produced lower amounts of enzymes, the activity of isolates T4 and T6 were 2-3 fold higher than that produced by T. harzianum 39.1. A chitinase produced by the T6 isolate was purified by a single ion-exchange chromatography step and had a molecular mass of 46 kDa. The N-terminal amino-acid sequence showed very high homology with other fungal chitinases. Its true chitinase activity was demonstrated by its action on chitin and the failure to hydrolyze laminarin and p-nitrophenyl-beta-N-acetylglucosaminide. The hydrolytic action of the purified chitinase on the cell wall of Sclerotium rolfsii was convincingly shown by electron microscopy studies. However, the purified enzyme had no effect on the cell wall of Rhizoctonia solani.

Variabilidade Genética em Populações de Aedes aegypti (L. ) (Diptera: Culicidae) Utilizando Marcadores de RAPD / Genetic Variability in Aedes aegypti (L. ) (Diptera: Culicidae) Populations Using RAPD Markers

Aedes aegypti (L.) é vetor de importantes doenças como a febre amarela e a dengue, presentes em regiões tropicais e subtropicais. Para o sucesso no seu controle biológico é importante conhecer a estrutura genética e os mecanismos que resultaram na diversidade das populações. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a variabilidade genética de diferentes populações de A. aegypti utilizando marcadores de RAPD (Polimorfismo de DNA amplificado ao acaso). DNA de dez larvas coletadas a partir de três populações de diferentes localidades foi analisado usando dez iniciadores de RAPD. Os resultados indicaram a existência de variabilidade genética inter e intrapopulacional. Isso foi confirmado por um dendrograma que agrupou as populações em dois blocos principais com similaridade genética de 24 por cento. Em um desses agrupamentos foi possível distinguir duas populações que apresentaram grau de similaridade de 50 por cento. A diversidade genética entre as populações (55,01 por cento) foi mais elevada que a diversidade genética dentro das populações (44,99 por cento) aplicando-se análise por AMOVA. Altos níveis de polimorfismo genético (Ht = 0.2656) e de diferenciação genética entre as populações (Gst = 0.3689) foram observados. Além disso, o protocolo de extração de DNA adotado mostrou-se eficiente para a análise do inseto independente do seu estágio de desenvolvimento, evitando-se o acréscimo de reagentes ou etapas adicionais de processamento. Futuros experimentos poderão ser realizados para confirmar se a variabilidade observada pode estar ligada às características de resistência de cada população a um determinado pesticida.

Aedes aegypti (L.) is an important vector of diseases such as the yellow fever and dengue, present in tropical and subtropical regions. The objective of this study was to analyze the genetic variability of different A. aegypti populations using RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) markers as a basic study to support the use of biocontrol strategies. DNA of ten collected larvae from three different populations were analyzed using ten RAPD primers. The results indicated the existence of genetic variability inter and intrapopulation. This was confirmed by a dendrogram that grouped the populations in two main clusters with a genetic similarity of 24 percent. In one of these clusters, it was possible to distinguish two populations that showed 50 percent similarity. The molecular variance analysis indicated that the interpopulation genetic diversity (55,01 percent) was higher than the intrapopulation genetic diversity (44,99 percent). A high genetic polymorphism (Ht = 0.2656) and high levels of genetic differentiation between populations (Gst = 0.3689) were found. The adopted DNA extraction protocol proved to be efficient regardless the insect development stage used, avoiding the addition of reagents or additional stages of processing. Future experiments can be performed to confirm if the detected variability is related to the resistance characteristics of each population to a determined pesticide.

Variabilidade genética de Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biótipo B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) em cultivos olerícolas em São Luís, MA / Genetic variability of the Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in vegetable crops in São Luís, State of Maranhão, Brazil

The RAPD technique is widely used to investigate the distinct genetic characteristics of the complex Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), which is currently constituted of approximately 41 biotypes. The objective of this research was to characterize populations of whitefly collected in crops of agricultural producing areas in São Luís, MA, like okra, beans and pepper, using RAPD molecular markers. Females from nine whitefly populations were analyzed and compared with B. tabaci biotype B taken from poinsettia culture of Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (Brasília, DF). Twelve out of the 20 primers tested produced specific band patterns suitable to confirm that the evaluated specimens belong to the biotype B of B. tabaci, despite the high percentage of detected polymorphism. The analysis of the 96 RAPD molecular markers generated indicated that the populations on okra, beans and pepper were grouped according to the host cultures, sharing 80, 76 and 45 percent of genetic similarity, respectively, when compared with the control population of B. tabaci biotype B. A lower selective pressure was observed with the population of whitefly collected on pepper and minor genetic variability in the whitefly populations collected on okra and bean, when compared with the control population.

A técnica de RAPD é amplamente empregada para investigar características genéticas distintas dentro do complexo Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, atualmente constituído de aproximadamente 41 biótipos. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi caracterizar populações de mosca-branca coletadas em culturas agrícolas do município de São Luís, MA, como quiabo, feijão e pimentão, utilizando marcadores moleculares RAPD. Fêmeas de nove populações de mosca-branca foram analisadas e comparadas com o biótipo B de B. tabaci proveniente de cultura de poinsétia da Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia (Brasília, DF). Dos 20 iniciadores utilizados, 12 produziram padrões de bandas específicas, que permitiram confirmar que os espécimes avaliados pertencem ao grupo do biótipo B de B. tabaci, apesar da alta percentagem de polimorfismo detectado. Com os 96 marcadores moleculares RAPD gerados foi construído um dendrograma, que mostrou que as populações de quiabo, feijão e pimentão foram agrupadas de acordo com as culturas hospedeiras. A matriz de similaridade genética entre as populações de B. tabaci mostrou 80, 76 e 45 por cento similaridade genética entre as populações das culturas de quiabo, feijão e pimentão, respectivamente, quando comparadas com a população controle de B. tabaci biótipo B. Foi também observada menor pressão de seleção na população de mosca-branca coletada em pimentão e menor variabilidade genética nas populações de mosca-branca coletadas em quiabo e feijão, quando comparadas com a população controle.

Diversity analysis of Bemisia tabaci biotypes: RAPD, PCR-RFLP and sequencing of the ITS1 rDNA region

The Bemisia tabaci complex is formed by approximately 41 biotypes, two of which (B and BR) occur in Brazil. In this work we aimed at obtaining genetic markers to assess the genetic diversity of the different biotypes. In order to do that we analyzed Bemisia tabaci biotypes B, BR, Q and Cassava using molecular techniques including RAPD, PCR-RFLP and sequencing of the ITS1 rDNA region. The analyses revealed a high similarity between the individuals of the B and Q biotypes, which could be distinguished from the BR individuals. A phylogenetic tree based on ITS1 rDNA sequence was constructed. This is the first report of the ITS1 rDNA sequence of Bemisia tuberculata and of the BR biotype of B. tabaci.