Kaolin, Ascophyllum nodosum and salicylic acid mitigate effects of summer stress improving hazelnut quality.

BACKGROUND: Various strategies are needed to mitigate the negative impact on or to increase fruit quality. The effect of spraying kaolin (K), Ascophyllum nodosum (An) and salicylic acid (SA), in trees with and without irrigation, on quality and sensorial attributes of hazelnut (Grada de Viseu cultivar) was investigated during two consecutive years (2016 and 2017) in a commercial orchard located in Moimenta da Beira, Portugal. RESULTS: The treatments affected positively the biometric parameters nut and kernel weight, length, width, thickness and volume as well as the vitamin E level, antioxidant activity and content of some individual phenolics, such as protocatechuic acid, gallocatechin, catechin and epicatechin. The levels of amino acids in hazelnut kernels decreased in all the assayed treatments, while the kernel colour and sensorial attributes were not affected by the treatments. Hazelnut physical properties (nut and kernels), chemical and phytochemical composition and antioxidant activities were positively related. CONCLUSIONS: The application of K, An and SA improved the hazelnut tree response to climate change, without compromising the hazelnut chemical and sensorial quality. Furthermore, due to the similar observations for the same treatments with and without irrigation, it can be stated that K, An and SA can be efficient and cost-effective tools to mitigate summer stress in rain-fed orchards. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Kiwi fruit residues from industry processing: study for a maximum phenolic recovery yield.

A response surface methodology was used to study the conditions for a maximum recovery of phenolics from processing kiwi fruit residues. Ethanolic extracts were prepared with different conditions of pH (2, 5, 10), temperature (30, 50 and 70 ºC) and time (10, 20, 30 min). Total phenolics, total flavonoids content and antioxidant activities by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant power were determined. Samples from optimal extraction condition were injected HPLC-DAD system to access the phenolic profile and content. The best extraction conditions were pH solvent of 2, 70 ºC of temperature and 20 min of extraction. Ten phenolics were identified: caffeic acid and its derivatives, chlorogenic acid and ferulic acid, (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin), rutin and quercitrin. These phenolics often reported as having important antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiaging and anticancer activities, turn this residues and excellent source of bioactive compounds to be used in agro-food, cosmetics or phytochemical industries.

Evaluation of biological value and appraisal of polyphenols and glucosinolates from organic baby-leaf salads as antioxidants and antimicrobials against important human pathogenic bacteria.

The present investigation has been carried out to investigate the biological role of four different types of baby-leaf salads and to study their potential as natural sources of antioxidants and antimicrobials against several isolates from important human pathogenic bacteria. Four single types of salads (green lettuce, red lettuce, rucola and watercress) and two mixtures [(1) red lettuce+green lettuce; (2) green lettuce + red lettuce + watercress + rucola] were assayed. The HPLC analysis revealed interesting levels of polyphenols and glucosinolates. The results showed a significant variation (p < 0.05) of polyphenols and glucosinolates with plant material. Nine different types of polyphenols grouped in three major classes were found: gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and dicaffeoyltartaric acid (phenolic acids); quercitin-3-O-rutinoside, quercitin-3-O-rhamnoside, luteolin-7-O-glucoside and isorhamnetin (flavonoids); and cyanidin-3-glucoside (anthocyanins). Only three different glucosinolates were found: glucoraphanin; gluconasturtiin and 4-methoxy-glucobrassicin. A positive correlation was detected between polyphenol contents and antioxidant activity. Red lettuce and mixture 1 were the baby-leaf salads with the highest antioxidant potential. As for the antimicrobial activity, the results showed a selective effect of chemicals against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus were the bacteria most affected by the phytochemicals. Based on the results achieved baby-leaf salads represent an important source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial substances.

Screening of Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities in Pomegranate, Quince, and Persimmon Leaf, Peel, and Seed: Valorization of Autumn Fruits By-Products for a One Health Perspective.

Antimicrobial resistance is increasing globally and is now one of the major public health problems. Therefore, there is a need to search for new antimicrobial agents. The food industry generates large amounts of by-products that are rich in bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds, which are known to have several health benefits, including antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Thus, we aimed to characterize the phenolic compounds present in pomegranate, quince, and persimmon by-products, as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Phenolic compounds were extracted from pomegranate, quince, and persimmon leaves, seeds, and peels using a mixture of ethanol/water (80/20). The polyphenol profile of the extracts was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. In general, leaves showed higher concentrations of phenolics than the peel and seeds of fruits. In total, 23 phenolic compounds were identified and quantified, with sanguiin and apigenin-3-O-galactoside being present in the highest concentrations. Leaf extracts of pomegranate showed higher antioxidant activities than the other components in all methods used. In general, all extracts had a greater antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Persimmon leaf and seed extracts inhibited a greater number of bacteria, both Gram-positive and -negative. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) detected among Gram-positive and -negative bacteria was 10 mg/mL for pomegranate peel and leaf extracts against Staphylococcus aureus and S. pseudintermedius and for pomegranate leaf extract against Escherichia coli. Our results reinforce the need to value food industry by-products that could be used as food preservatives and antibiotic adjuvants against multiresistant bacteria.

Epileptiform activity influences theta-burst induced LTP in the adult hippocampus: a role for synaptic lipid raft disruption in early metaplasticity?

Non-epileptic seizures are identified as a common epileptogenic trigger. Early metaplasticity following seizures may contribute to epileptogenesis by abnormally altering synaptic strength and homeostatic plasticity. We now studied how in vitro epileptiform activity (EA) triggers early changes in CA1 long-term potentiation (LTP) induced by theta-burst stimulation (TBS) in rat hippocampal slices and the involvement of lipid rafts in these early metaplasticity events. Two forms of EA were induced: (1) interictal-like EA evoked by Mg2+ withdrawal and K+ elevation to 6 mM in the superfusion medium or (2) ictal-like EA induced by bicuculline (10 µM). Both EA patterns induced and LTP-like effect on CA1 synaptic transmission prior to LTP induction. LTP induced 30 min post EA was impaired, an effect more pronounced after ictal-like EA. LTP recovered to control levels 60 min post interictal-like EA but was still impaired 60 min after ictal-like EA. The synaptic molecular events underlying this altered LTP were investigated 30 min post EA in synaptosomes isolated from these slices. EA enhanced AMPA GluA1 Ser831 phosphorylation but decreased Ser845 phosphorylation and the GluA1/GluA2 ratio. Flotillin-1 and caveolin-1 were markedly decreased concomitantly with a marked increase in gephyrin levels and a less prominent increase in PSD-95. Altogether, EA differentially influences hippocampal CA1 LTP thorough regulation of GluA1/GluA2 levels and AMPA GluA1 phosphorylation suggesting that altered LTP post-seizures is a relevant target for antiepileptogenic therapies. In addition, this metaplasticity is also associated with marked alterations in classic and synaptic lipid raft markers, suggesting these may also constitute promising targets in epileptogenesis prevention.

Digital transformation: a review on artificial intelligence techniques in drilling and production applications.

The use of digital and artificial intelligence technologies has expanded and influenced business models and the opening of opportunities for the generation of value in several organizations, in a movement known as industry 4.0. The oil industry has been following the path of several other industrial sectors and has implemented digitalization to solve different challenges and problems. The present work, supported by extensive research carried out in the specialized literature, shows relevant applications of digital transformation to solve problems in drilling and production operations during the life cycle of an oil well. The main issues addressed in the research were stuck pipes and hydrate formation. The achievements show that control systems and the various sensors used during drilling and the useful life of an oil well generate data that creates opportunities for the use of computational and artificial intelligence techniques. New technologies associated with digital transformation include smart surveillance systems, real-time monitoring, and intelligent equipment. In a well oil environment, these novelties are associated with fault detection and prediction systems to avoid or reduce problems or accidents that may cause costs or, in extreme cases, lead to the loss of the well. The study also points out that the oil industries, research centers, and universities are increasingly working together to understand the challenges and overcome the problems associated with the implementation and greater use of digital transformation technologies.

Seasonal effects on bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of six economically important brassica vegetables.

Research on natural and bioactive compounds is increasingly focused on their effects on human health, but there are unexpectedly few studies evaluating the relationship between climate and natural antioxidants. The aim of this study was analyze the biological role of six different Brassica vegetables (Brassica oleracea L. and Brassica rapa L.) as a natural source of antioxidant compounds. The antioxidant activity may be assigned to high levels of L-ascorbic acid, total phenolics and total flavonoids of each sample. The climate seasons affected directly the concentration of bioactive components and the antioxidant activity. Broccoli inflorescences and Portuguese kale showed high antioxidant activity in Spring-Summer whilst turnip leaves did so in Summer-Winter. The Brassica vegetables can provide considerable amounts of bioactive compounds and thus may constitute an important natural source of dietary antioxidants.

Patients' Perspectives about Lifestyle Behaviors and Health in the Context of Family Medicine: A Cross-Sectional Study in Portugal.

Lifestyle interventions are recognized as essential in the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases. Previous studies have shown that Portuguese patients tend to give more importance to diagnostic and laboratory tests than to lifestyle measures, and seem unaware that behavioral risks are the main modifiable risk factors. The study aimed to analyze patients' perspectives about lifestyle behaviors and health in the context of family medicine in Portugal. A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Portugal (the mainland). A total of 900 Portuguese patients aged ≥20 years, representative of the population, were surveyed using face-to-face questionnaires. Participants were selected by the random route method. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were performed to evaluate differences between the personal beliefs and the personal behavior self-assessment, as well as between the level of importance given to the family doctor to address health behaviors and the reported approach implemented by the family doctor, and its association with bio-demographic variables. The results indicate that the vast majority of this Portuguese cohort has informed beliefs regarding lifestyle behaviors, tends to overestimate their own behavior self-assessment, and strongly agrees that it is important that their family doctor asks/advises on these lifestyle behaviors, although the proportion of those who totally agree that their family doctor usually does this is significantly lower. Differences concerning bio-demographic variables were found. Future research directions should focus on the politics, economics, and policy aspects that may have an impact in this area. It will also be important to understand more broadly the relationships between lifestyle behaviors and clinical, physical, and sociodemographic variables.

What role do patients prefer in medical decision-making?: a population-based nationwide cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess patients' preferred roles in healthcare-related decision-making in a representative sample of the Portuguese population. DESIGN: Population-based nationwide cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A sample of Portuguese people 20 years or older were interviewed face-to-face using a questionnaire with the Problem-Solving Decision-Making scale. OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was patients' preferred role for each vignette of the problem-solving decision-making scale. Sociodemographic factors associated with the preferred roles were the secondary outcomes. RESULTS: 599 participants (20-99 years, 53.8% women) were interviewed. Three vignettes of the Problem-Solving Decision-Making scale were compared: morbidity, mortality and quality of life. Most patients preferred a passive role for both the problem-solving and decision-making components of the scale, particularly for the mortality vignette (66.1% in the analysis of the three vignettes), although comparatively more opted to share decision in the decision-making component. For the quality of life vignette, a higher percentage of patients wanted a shared role (44.3%) than with the other two vignettes. In the problem-solving component, preferences were significantly associated with area of residence (p<0.001) and educational level (p=0.013), while in the decision-making, component preferences were associated with age (p=0.020), educational level (p=0.015) and profession (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this representative sample of the Portuguese mainland population, most patients preferred a practitioner-controlling role for both the problem-solving and decision-making components. In a life-threatening situation, patients were more willing to let the doctor decide. In contrast, in a less serious situation, there is a greater willingness to participate in decision-making. We have found that shared decision-making is more acceptable to better-educated patients in the problem-solving component and to people who are younger, higher educated and employed, in the decision-making component.

The Problem-Solving Decision-Making scale-translation and validation for the Portuguese language: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To translate and validate the Problem-Solving Decision-Making scale instrument into the Portuguese language. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING PARTICIPANTS: The Problem-Solving Decision-Making scale was translated from English to Portuguese and then back-translated to obtain a final version. The questionnaire was then applied face-to-face from January to March 2019 in a representative sample of the Portuguese population (n=301 people aged 20 years or more) to validate the Problem-Solving Decision-Making scale in a Portuguese population. OUTCOMES: Principal component analysis and Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: Principal component analysis was used to evaluate the validity of the internal structure of the scale. The results identified two components: problem-solving and decision-making with an explained variance of 65.9%. For internal consistency, three different techniques were used and applied to the two components. All of the items have very good internal consistency (problem-solving Cronbach's alpha=0.931 and decision-making Cronbach's alpha=0.951). CONCLUSIONS: The validation of the Portuguese scale agreed well with the existing literature. The scale can be divided into two components: the problem-solving component and the decision-making component. The translated scale demonstrated good internal consistency and can therefore be used in future studies.

Identification of a Novel Mutation in a Family with Pseudohypoparathyroidism Type 1a.

INTRODUCTION: Pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a is caused by GNAS mutations leading to target organ resistance to multiple hormones rather than parathyroid hormone, resulting not only in hypocalcemia, but also in Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy phenotype. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DNA sequencing of the GNAS gene identified a novel heterozygous mutation in peripheral blood leukocytes in the family presented in this case report. RESULTS: We present a case of a 25-year-old woman with pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a admitted with seizures, whose family presents an autosomal dominant transmission of a novel heterozygous GNAS mutation (c.524_530+3del). CONCLUSION: Pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a is mostly caused by inactivating GNAS mutations that have been gradually reported in the literature that lead to a typical and complex clinical phenotype and resistance to multiple hormones. The deletion caused by the mutation identified in the presented case has not been reported previously.

CONSUMO DE SUBSTÂNCIAS PSICOATIVAS POR PROFISSIONAIS MÉDICO S DE UM HOSPITAL DE ALTA COMPLEXIDADE / CONSUMPTION OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AT A HIGH COMPLEXITY HOSPITAL / CONSUMO DE SUSTANCIAS PSICOACTIVAS POR PROFESIONALES MÉDICOS EN UN HOSPITAL DE ALTA COMPLEJIDAD

Objetivo: analisar o consumo de substâncias psicoativas por médicos de um hospital de alta complexidade do estado do Piauí. Método: estudo transversal realizado com 90 profissionais. A coleta dos dados ocorreu entre dezembro de 2018 e julho de 2019, por meio de questionário semiestruturado, composto por variáveis sociodemográficas, ocupacionais e relacionadas à saúde e ao consumo de substâncias psicoativas, além dos instrumentos Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test e o Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva, odds ratio, teste de qui-quadrado e teste de correlação de Pearson. Resultados: Dentre as substâncias psicoativas mais consumidas, destacou-se o álcool (94%). Dentre as ilícitas, verificou-se o uso de maconha (97,6%) e inalantes (97,6%). Quanto às motivações para o consumo de substâncias psicoativas, o uso recreativo (57,7%) e para relaxamento (26,6%) foram mais prevalentes; em relação ao contexto, predominou o uso para descanso (48,8%). De modo geral, os participantes apresentaram baixo risco para o consumo de substâncias psicoativas. Conclusão: O comportamento de risco identificado direciona a atenção para demandas de cuidado em saúde mental. Assim, emerge a necessidade de fortalecer o círculo de proteção em saúde do trabalhador voltado ao enfrentamento da problemática

Aim: to analyze the consumption of psychoactive substances by physicians at a high complexity hospital in the state of Piauí. Method: cross-sectional study carried out with 90 professionals. Data collection took place between December 2018 and July 2019, through a semi -structured questionnaire, composed of sociodemographic, occupational and health -related variables and psychoactive substance consumption, as well the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, odds ratio, chisquare test and Pearson correlation test. Results: Among the most consumed psychoactive substances, the alcohol presented highlighted (94,0%). Among the illicit, we identified use of marijuana (97,6%) and inhalants (97,6%). Regarding the motivations for the consumption of psychoactive substances, recreational use (57,7%) and relaxation (26,6%) were more prevalent; as for the context, use for rest predominated (48.8%). In general, participants showed a low risk for the consumption of psychoactive substances. Conclusion: Identified risk behaviors direct attention to the demands of mental health care. Therefore, the need to strengthen the workers' health protection circle arises, focused on facing this problem

Objetivo: analizar el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas por médicos de un hospital de alta complejidad en el estado de Piauí. Método: estudio transversal realizado con 90 profesionales. La recolección de datos se realizó entre diciembre de 2018 y julio de 2019, a través de un cuestionario semiestructurado, compuesto por variables sociodemográficas, laborales, de salud y consumo de psicotrópicos, además del Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test y el Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Los datos fueron analizados mediante estadística descriptiva, razón de momios, prueba de chicuadrado y correlación de Pearson. Resultados: Entre las sustancias psicoactivas más consumidas el alcohol mostró destacado (94,0%). Entre los ilícitos, estaba el uso de marihuana (97,6%) e inhalables (97,6%). Con respecto a las motivaciones para el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas, prevalecieron: uso recreativo (57,7%) y relajación (26,6%); en cuanto al contexto, predominó el uso para el descanso (48,8%). En general, los participantes mostraron un riesgo bajo para el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas. Conclusión: Las conductas de riesgo identificadas orientan la atención a las demandas de cuidado en salud mental. Por lo tanto, surge la necesidad de fortalecer el círculo de protección de la salud de los trabajadores, centrado en enfrentar esto.

Identification and quantification of glucosinolates in sprouts derived from seeds of wild Eruca sativa L. (salad rocket) and Diplotaxis tenuifolia L. (wild rocket) from diverse geographical locations.

The Brassicaceae rocket species Eruca sativa L. (salad rocket) and Diplotaxis tenuifolia L. (wild rocket) are consumed throughout the world in salads, predominantly the leaves but also the flowers and more recently the sprouts (seedlings). Ontogenic profiling of glucosinolates and flavonoids in plants derived from commercial seed of these species has previously been done, but no studies have been conducted to determine how geographical origin affects glucosinolate composition in rocket species. Seeds from wild E. sativa L. and D. tenuifolia L. from diverse regions of the world were obtained from gene banks and grown under controlled conditions. Sprouts were harvested when they would normally be harvested for consumption, and glucosinolates were extracted and profiled in these accessions. All of the sprouts from Italian E. sativa L. had consistently high total glucosinolate content, with only a few exceptions, and also the highest percentage contents of 4-mercaptobutylglucosinolate. In contrast, sprouts produced from Central and Eastern European seeds had a much higher percentage of 4-methylthiobutylglucosinolate. With a single exception, Tunisia, all sprouts produced from North African seeds had very high 4-methylthiobutylglucosinolate contents. The single sample from China had a high total glucosinolate content and glucosinolate profile that was very similar to the accessions from Uzbekistan and Pakistan. All of the D. tenuifolia L. sprouts had consistently high total glucosinolate contents, and a high percentage of this was 4-mercaptobutylglucosinolate. This glucosinolate variation in levels and profiles of the rockets can be used for genetic studies, selected breeding, and human intervention studies.

Profiling of Polyphenol Composition and Antiradical Capacity of Erica cinerea.

The aim of the current study was to determine the profile and content of polyphenols present in Erica cinerea, an important plant species from Northern Portuguese flora and often reported as having anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-radical activity. The analysis of polyphenols was performed by HPLC-DAD/UV-Vis, and the 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+) method was used to evaluate its radical scavenging activity. HPLC analysis showed that both plants presented a great diversity of compounds, with 33% flavones, 28% flavanols, and 26% hydroxycinnamic acids. The antiradical activity was dose-dependent, and the IC50 values were 0.251 mg mL-1. Based on our study, E. cinerea presented interesting bioactive compounds and it can be used to extract and purify bioactive polyphenols to be used in pharmaceutical or agro-food industries.

Rapid Separation of Indole Glucosinolates in Roots of Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa Subsp. Pekinensis) by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detection.

Glucosinolates are a class of sulphur-containing plant compounds with diverse biological properties. They have been found exclusively in the Brassicaceae family plants and studied exhaustively in biosynthetic and application perspectives. The aim of this current study is to present a simple and updated method to quantify indole glucosinolate content in hairy root cultures of Chinese cabbage by HPLC-DAD-UV/Vis. Method validation controls were performed and recovery experiments were assayed. The data was statically treated and compared with published works. The current method allowed a feasible identification of indole glucosinolates and it was possible to identify accurately three indole glucosinolate compounds (glucobrassicin, 4-methoxyglucobrassicin, and 1-methoxyglucobrassicin) in roots of Chinese cabbage. The method demonstrated a good linearity (R2 > 0.99), a good precision, and selectivity sensitivity. In conclusion, this protocol provides an accessible method to extract and quantify glucosinolates in plant samples. Thus, based on our results, the method is valid and can be extended to other plant or food matrices.

Analysis of glycosylated flavonoids extracted from sweet-cherry stems, as antibacterial agents against pathogenic Escherichia coli isolates.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioactivity of flavonoids extracted from sweet-cherry stems which are often used by a traditional system of medicine to treat gastro-intestinal and urinary tract infections but lacking any consistent scientific evidence; moreover the information about the class of phenolics, their content and the potential bioactivity of such material is very scarce. Thus, in this context, we have set a research study in which we evaluated the profile and content of phenolics extracted from sweet-cherry stems through a conventional (70ºC and 20 min) and ultrasound assisted extraction (40 kHz, room temperature and 20 min). The extracts were phytochemically characterized by using an HPLC-DAD-UV/VIS system and assayed by an in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) bioassay against Escherichia coli isolates. Simultaneously, the total antioxidant activities were measured using the 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate (ABTS•+) radical cation assay. Our results indicate that sweet-cherry stems have a high content of sakuranetin, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, p-coumaroylquinic acid, chlorogenic acid and its isomer neochlorogenic acid. Their average levels were highly affected by the extraction method used (p<0.001). The same trend was observed for total antioxidant activity and MIC values. The extracts produced with ultrasounds presented both, a higher total antioxidant activity and a lower minimum inhibitory concentration. Statistical analyses of our results showed a significant correlation (p<0.01) of total antioxidant activity and minimum inhibitory concentration with phenolics present in the extracts studied. Thus, we can conclude that cherry stems can be further exploited to purify compounds and produce coproducts with enhanced biologically added value for pharmaceutical industry.

Effects of Therapeutic Touch on Healing of the Skin in Rats.

CONTEXT: Therapeutic touch is a complementary treatment directed toward the balance of the energy field surrounding living beings. OBJECTIVE: This study's aim was to investigate the effect of therapeutic touch on wound area contraction and fibroblast proliferation in rat skin. DESIGN: This study was conducted using 24 male Wistar rats with dorsal wounds of diameter 8mm. The rats were divided into the following two groups: a control group: in this, the wounds were sanitized with filtered water and neutral-pH soap and a treatment group: in this, the wounds were sanitized as in the control group but the rats also underwent to daily sessions of therapeutic touch. Wound area was measured on days 1, 4, and 7 using imagelab software, version 2.4 R.C. On days 4 and 7, six animals in each group were euthanized so that the lesioned tissue could be collected for fibroblast counts and histological evaluations. RESULTS: On days 1 and 4, wound areas were similar in both groups. Moreover, no significant differences in fibroblast counts were observed on day 4. On day 7, however, fibroblast counts were significantly higher in the treated group than in the control group, with a subsequent wound shrinkage. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that therapeutic touch may accelerate wound repair, possibly by increasing fibroblast activity.

Valorization of solid wastes from chestnut industry processing: Extraction and optimization of polyphenols, tannins and ellagitannins and its potential for adhesives, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the potential of chestnut peels to produce pomaces enhanced with tannins to be used in the formulations of wood adhesives, leather tanning or as natural antioxidants in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. An analytical procedure was planned as 2 factorial design to analyze the influence of solvent (water, Na2SO3 and NaOH at different concentrations of 1, 2, 4, and 8% in water) and extraction time (30, 60, and 120, 240, 480 and 960min) on extraction yield, pH, Stiasny index, and tannins. HPLC-diode array detector equipped with an ionization mass spectrophotometer was used to assess the polyphenol composition. Our results showed that both extraction properties and phytochemicals were significantly affected (P<0.001) by all independent factors. The main tannins identified were the hydrolyzable gallic acid, vescalagin castalagin and ellagic acid, and the condensed epigallocatechin, catechin and epicatechin. The solvent 1% Na2SO3 was more effective to extract the condensed tannins whilst hydrolyzable tannins were extracted efficiently by 1% NaOH. The multivariable analysis and the Pearson's correlation coefficients showed a direct association between Stiasny number and the average levels of condensed tannins.

Phytochemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Pterospartum tridentatum and Mentha pulegium against Staphylococcus aureus Isolates.

Pterospartum tridentatum and Mentha pulegium are largely used in Portuguese folk medicine to treat several human disorders and inflammatory processes but without any consistent evidence for those beneficial pointed properties. Thus, the aim of the current work is to evaluate its benefits and phytochemicals related to those beneficial properties. A distinct polyphenol profile between P. tridentatum and M. pulegium was found. Taxifolin, myricetin, ginestin, ginestein, and ginestein derivatives, biochanin A-glucoside, and biochanin A were identified in P. tridentatum, whilst in M. pulegium the luteolin-7-rutinoside, diosmin, and apigenin and respective derivatives were most representative polyphenols. These variations had implications in the antiradical and antibacterial activity and the P. tridentatum exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus MSSA, which was mainly dose-dependent. This antibacterial activity seems to be related to high content of flavonols, flavones, and isoflavones, which can act synergistically with each other against this type of bacteria. Our results showed consistent evidence that Pterospartum tridentatum and Mentha pulegium are an important reservoir of phytochemicals with antiradical activity and antibacterial capacity and thus they might be used in a preventive way or in a combined pharmaceutical and antibiotic therapy against pathogenic bacteria.

Atuação docente em Educação Física escolar na Educação de Jovens e Adultos (EJA): ações de Promoção da Saúde

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer como os professores de Educação Física vem desenvolvendo suas aulas em torno da temática de Promoção da Saúde na Educação de Jovens e Adultos (EJA), uma modalidade da educação básica brasileira. A pesquisa, de caráter qualitativo, adotou como estratégia a entrevista individual com 10 professores através de curso de extensão, e utilizou como instrumento de análise de dados o Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Os resultados apontam que o discurso biologicista continua hegemônico nas concepções dos professores de Educação Física, possuindo um peso considerável nas reflexões de saúde e ser saudável, assim como, nas abordagens com esta temática na EJA.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to know how the Physical Education teachers, have been developing their classes around the theme of Health Promotion in the context of Youth and Adult Education, a form of Brazilian basic education. The research of qualitative approach, adopted as strategy ten individual interviews with teachers from the extension course, and used as a tool of analysis the technical discourse of the collective subject. The results presented point out that the biological discourse remains hegemonic in the conceptions of Health Promotion of Physical Education teachers, having a considerable weight in reflections on health and being healthy, as well as in the teaching approaches with this theme in this modality of education.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer cómo los profesores de Educación Física vienen desarrollando sus clases en torno a la temática de Promoción de la Salud en la Educación de Jóvenes y Adultos (EJA), una modalidad de la educación básica brasileña. La investigación, de carácter cualitativo, adoptó como estrategia la entrevista individual con 10 profesores a través del curso de extensión ofrecido, y utilizó la técnica del Discurso del Sujeto Colectivo como instrumento de análisis de datos. Los resultados apuntan que el discurso biologicista continúa hegemónico en las concepciones de los profesores de Educación Física, teniendo un peso considerable en las reflexiones de salud y ser sano, así como en los abordajes con esta temática en la EJA.