Radiolytic synthesis and characterization of selenium nanoparticles: comparative biosafety evaluation with selenite and ionizing radiation.

The goal of this work is use a green chemistry route to synthesize selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) that do not trigger oxidative stress, typical of metallic, oxide metallic and carbonaceous nanostructures, and supply the same beneficial effects as selenium nanostructures. SeNPs were synthesized using a radiolytic method involving irradiating a solution containing sodium selenite (Se4+) as the precursor in 1% Yeast extract, 2% Peptone, 2% Glucose (YPG) liquid medium with gamma-rays (60Cobalt). The method did not employ any hazardous reducing agents. Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells were incubated with 1 mM SeNPs for 24 h and/or then challenged with 400 Gy of ionizing radiation were assessed for viability and biomarkers of oxidative stress: lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, free radical generation, and total sulfhydryl content. Spherical SeNPs with variable diameters (from 100 to 200 nm) were formed after reactions of sodium selenite with hydrated electrons (eaq-) and hydrogen radicals (H·). Subsequent structural characterizations indicated an amorphous structure composed of elemental selenium (Se0). Compared to 1 mM selenite, SeNPs were considered safe and less toxic to Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells as did not elicit significant modifications in cell viability or oxidative stress parameters except for increased protein carbonylation. Furthermore, SeNPs treatment afforded some protection against ionizing radiation exposure. SeNPs produced using green chemistry attenuated the reactive oxygen species generation after in vitro ionizing radiation exposure opens up tremendous possibilities for radiosensitizer development.

Protection of normal cells from irradiation bystander effects by silica-flufenamic acid nanoparticles.

The development of a myriad of nanoparticles types has opened new possibilities for the diagnostics and treatment of many diseases, especially for cancer. However, most of the researches done so far do not focus on the protection of normal cells surrounding a tumor from irradiation bystander effects that might lead to cancer recurrence. Gap-junctions are known to be involved in this process, which leads to genomic instability of neighboring normal cells, and flufenamic acid (FFA) is included in a new group of gap-junction blockers recently discovered. The present work explores the use of mesoporous silica nanoparticles MCM-41 functionalized with 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) for anchoring the flufenamic acid for its prolonged and controlled release and protection from radiation bystander effects. MCM-41 and functionalized samples were structurally and chemically characterized with multiple techniques. The biocompatibility of all samples was tested in a live/dead assay performed in cultured MRC-5 and HeLa cells. HeLa cells cultured were exposed to 50 Gy of gamma-rays and the media transferred to fibroblast cells cultured separately. Our results show that MCM-41 and functionalized samples have high biocompatibility with MCR-5 and HeLa cells, and most importantly, the FFA delivered by these NPs was able to halt apoptosis, one of main bystander effects.

Replacement of soybean oil by fish oil increases cytosolic lipases activities in liver and adipose tissue from rats fed a high-carbohydrate diets.

Several studies have demonstrated that fish oil consumption improves metabolic syndrome and comorbidities, as insulin resistance, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, dyslipidaemia and hypertension induced by high-fat diet ingestion. Previously, we demonstrated that administration of a fructose-rich diet to rats induces liver lipid accumulation, accompanied by a decrease in liver cytosolic lipases activities. In this study, the effect of replacement of soybean oil by fish oil in a high-fructose diet (FRUC, 60% fructose) for 8 weeks on lipid metabolism in liver and epididymal adipose tissue from rats was investigated. The interaction between fish oil and FRUC diet increased glucose tolerance and decreased serum levels of triacylglycerol (TAG), VLDL-TAG secretion and lipid droplet volume of hepatocytes. In addition, the fish oil supplementation increased the liver cytosolic lipases activities, independently of the type of carbohydrate ingested. Our results firmly establish the physiological regulation of liver cytosolic lipases to maintain lipid homeostasis in hepatocytes. In epididymal adipose tissue, the replacement of soybean oil by fish oil in FRUC diet did not change the tissue weight and lipoprotein lipase activity; however, there was increased basal and insulin-stimulated de novo lipogenesis and glucose uptake. Increased cytosolic lipases activities were observed, despite the decreased basal and isoproterenol-stimulated glycerol release to the incubation medium. These findings suggest that fish oil increases the glycerokinase activity and glycerol phosphorylation from endogenous TAG hydrolysis. Our findings are the first to show that the fish oil ingestion increases cytosolic lipases activities in liver and adipose tissue from rats treated with high-carbohydrate diets.

Peripheral glucose metabolism is altered by epileptic seizures.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the status of jejunal absorption and peripheral metabolism of glucose in Wistar Audiogenic Rats (WAR), a genetic model of epilepsy, after seizures induced by intensive sound exposure. The jejunal loop of rats was isolated and infused (0.5 mL min(-1)) with Tyrode solution containing twice the normal concentrations of glucose, sodium, and potassium. Samples were taken at 5 or 10-min intervals over a 40-min period. At the end of the experiment, samples of liver and gastrocnemius muscle were taken to measure the levels of glycogen, glucose-6-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate and glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4). Hepatic glucose-6-phosphate increased in WAR submitted to audiogenic seizure (21.90 +/- 3.08) as compared to non-susceptible Wistar rats (8.12 +/- 0.87) and to WAR not submitted to audiogenic stimulation (5.17 +/- 0.97). In addition, an increase in hepatic fructose-6-phosphate, an intermediate metabolite of the glycolytic pathway, was observed in WAR submitted to audiogenic seizure (5.98 +/- 0.99) compared to non-susceptible Wistar rats (2.38 +/- 0.53). According to the present results, jejunal absorption of glucose was not changed by seizures. However, generalized tonic-clonic seizures produced by sound stimulation resulted in a decrease in muscle glycogen content. In addition, our results demonstrated that the concentration of GLUT4 in the gastrocnemius muscle of WAR was 1.6-fold higher than that observed in resistant rats and that the audiogenic stimulus led to decreased concentration of this receptor in the muscle of WAR animals.

Papel do enfermeiro da atenção básica de saúde na abordagem ao dependente de drogas em João Pessoa, PB, Brasil / Nurse's role on basic health care regarding to the approach to drug addicted in João Pessoa, PB, Brazil / Rol del enfermero de la atención básica de salud sobre el abordaje a los usuarios de drogas en João Pessoa, PB, Brasil

Estudo de abordagem qualitativa realizado com enfermeiras da Estratégia Saúde da Família em João Pessoa, PB, brasil. O objetivo foi investigar o papel destes enfermeiros na abordagem aos dependentes de drogas, analisando estratégias de cuidados básicos de enfermagem aplicados a estes usuários. A seleção para participar do estudo seguiu o critério de aceitação. Os dados foram coletados através de entrevista semi-estruturada, priorizando a fala dos participantes. Constatou-se a carência na formação profissional dos enfermeiros em relação à dependência de drogas, restringindo suas ações ao encaminhamento dos usuários a serviços mais especializados em saúde mental. Deve-se redefinir a atenção, colocando um novo paradigma de saúde como direito e construção social comunitária, a partir de uma visão globalizante dos processos de interação social.

Qualitative study conducted with nurses from the Family Health Strategy in João Pessoa, PB, Brasil. The purpose was to investigate the nurses' role in the approach to the drug addict, analyzing the strategies of basic nursing care applied to them. The selection for the study followed the criterion for acceptance. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview, giving priority to participant's talks. One noticed the lack of professional training of the nurses in relation to the drug addiction, by restricting their actions to taking these users to more specialized services in mental health. It must redefine the attention, putting a new paradigm of health as a right and as a social community construction, from a global view of the processes of social interaction.

Estudio de abordaje cualitativo, realizado con personal de enfermería en la Estrategia de Salud de la Familia en João Pessoa/PB. Lo objetivo fue investigar el rol de los enfermeros en el enfoque para dependientes de las drogas, el examen de las estrategias básicas para la atención de enfermería aplicado a estos usuarios. La selección para el estudio siguió el criterio de aceptación. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de entrevistas semi-estructuradas, centrándose el discurso de los participantes. Es la falta de formación de los enfermeras sobre dependencia a drogas, limitando sus acciones de la ruta de los usuarios de los servicios más especializados en salud mental. Usted debe reiniciar el centro, poniendo un nuevo paradigma de la salud como el derecho comunitario y de construcción social, desde una visión global de los procesos de interacción social.

Influência do trabalho noturno na qualidade de vida do enfermeiro / Influencia del trabajo nocturno en la calidad de vida del enfermero / How night work influences nurses’ quality of life

O estudo objetiva investigar a influência do trabalho noturno na qualidade de vida do enfermeiro, bem como sua concepção sobre qualidade de vida. Estudo de abordagem qualitativa, realizado em um hospital de ensino do Centro-Oeste do Brasil, no ano de 2005. A amostra consta de 16 enfermeiros que trabalham no período noturno, os quais foram entrevistados. Foi utilizado um roteiro com questões norteadoras relativas à compreensão dos enfermeiros sobre o que significa qualidade de vida, suas razões em optar pelo período noturno e sobre a influência do trabalho noturno em sua qualidade de vida. A análise dos dados possibilitou a identificação de duas categorias temáticas: significado de qualidade de vida e trabalho noturno e qualidade de vida. Os resultados indicaram uma relação entre a capacidade para o trabalho e a qualidade de vida, estando esta relacionada ao atendimento de necessidades básicas como saúde, moradia, lazer, trabalho e remuneração digna.

This qualitative study of how night work influence nurses’ quality of life and their conception of quality of life was conducted at a teaching hospital in Brazil’s Midwest in 2005. The sample of 16 nurses on night work were interviewed using a script of guiding questions on the nurses’ understanding of the meaning of quality of life, their reasons for opting for the night shift and how night work influenced their quality of life. Analysis of the data enabled identification of two thematic categories: meaning of quality of life and night work and quality of life. The results indicated a relationship between the ability to work and quality of life, the latter relating to meeting basic needs, such as health, housing, leisure, work and decent pay.

El estudio tiene como objetivo investigar la influencia del trabajo nocturno en la calidad de vida del enfermero y lo que ellos entienden por calidad de vida. Estudio de abordaje cualitativo, realizado en un hospital de enseñanza en el Medio Oeste de Brasil, en 2005. La muestra consta de 16 enfermeros que trabajan por la noche, los cuales fueron entrevistados. Se utilizó un guión con preguntas sobre la comprensión de los enfermeros sobre lo que significa calidad de vida, sus razones para optar por lo periodo nocturno y sobre la influencia del trabajo nocturno en su calidad de vida. El análisis de los datos permitió la identificación de dos categorías temáticas: significado de calidad de vida y trabajo nocturno y calidad de vida. Los resultados indicaron una relación entre la capacidad de trabajo y la calidad de vida, estando esta relacionada a la atención de necesidades básicas como salud, vivienda, ocio, trabajo y salario digno.

Efeito do método de conservação na viabilidade, reativação, colonização intestinal e efeito imunomodulador de dois produtos* probióticos a base de leveduras / Effect of the conservation method on the viability, reactivation kinetic, intestinal colonization, and immunomodulation of two yeast-based probiotic products

Objetivo: O estudo teve como objetivos comparar a viabilidade, cineticas de reativação e de colonização intestinal, e efeito imunomodulador de dois produtos probioticos comercializados no Brasil nas formas liofilizada e em suspensão aquosa, contendo Saccharomyces boulardii e Saccharomyces cerevisiae, respectivamente.Metodos : As leveduras Saccharomyces boulardii e Saccharomyces cerevisiae foram fornecidas nas suas formas comerciais liofilizada e em suspensão aquosa, respectivamente. Os dois produtos são comercializados no Brasil e depois de obtidos em farmácia, eles foram codificados como as letras A (lote No 1040276, fabricado em março 2004) e B (lote N° 040 30 33, também fabricado em março 2004), respectivamente. Os experimentos foram iniciados em junho de 2004, sendo que os prazos de validade indicados nos produtos eram de março de 2006 e setembro de 2005 para os produtos A e B, respectivamente. Resultados: somente o produto A apresentopu contagens iguais ou superiores ao indicado na bula, sendo que esses níveis se mantiveram estáveis ao longo dos seis meses. Em conclusão, o produto A apresentou melhores características de viabilidade, reativação, colonização e imunomodulação e esses fatos devem ser ligados, em parte, aos métodos diferentes de conservação dos produtos probióticos.