Assessing the role of Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 14 in AKI: a European consensus meeting.

BACKGROUND: Urinary Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 14 (CCL14) is a biomarker associated with persistent severe acute kidney injury (AKI). There is limited data to support the implementation of this AKI biomarker to guide therapeutic actions. METHODS: Sixteen AKI experts with clinical CCL14 experience participated in a Delphi-based method to reach consensus on when and how to potentially use CCL14. Consensus was defined as ≥ 80% agreement (participants answered with 'Yes', or three to four points on a five-point Likert Scale). RESULTS: Key consensus areas for CCL14 test implementation were: identifying challenges and mitigations, developing a comprehensive protocol and pairing it with a treatment plan, and defining the target population. The majority agreed that CCL14 results can help to prioritize AKI management decisions. CCL14 levels above the high cutoff (> 13 ng/mL) significantly changed the level of concern for modifying the AKI treatment plan (p < 0.001). The highest level of concern to modify the treatment plan was for discussions on renal replacement therapy (RRT) initiation for CCL14 levels > 13 ng/mL. The level of concern for discussion on RRT initiation between High and Low, and between Medium and Low CCL14 levels, showed significant differences. CONCLUSION: Real world urinary CCL14 use appears to provide improved care options to patients at risk for persistent severe AKI. Experts believe there is a role for CCL14 in AKI management and it may potentially reduce AKI-disease burden. There is, however, an urgent need for evidence on treatment decisions and adjustments based on CCL14 results.

A Brief Review on the Electrohydrodynamic Techniques Used to Build Antioxidant Delivery Systems from Natural Sources.

Extracts from plants have been one of the main sources of antioxidants, namely polyphenols. The associated drawbacks, such as instability against environmental factors, low bioavailability, and loss of activity, must be considered during microencapsulation for a better application. Electrohydrodynamic processes have been investigated as promising tools to fabricate crucial vectors to minimize these limitations. The developed microstructures present high potential to encapsulate active compounds and for controlling their release. The fabricated electrospun/electrosprayed structures present different benefits when compared with structures developed by other techniques; they present a high surface-area-to-volume ratio as well as porosity, great materials handling, and scalable production-among other advantages-which make them able to be widely applied in different fields, namely in the food industry. This review presents a summary of the electrohydrodynamic processes, main studies, and their application.

Electrospinning of Microstructures Incorporated with Vitamin B9 for Food Application: Characteristics and Bioactivities.

The food industry has been expanding, and new vectors to entrap vitamins have been constantly investigated, aiming at versatile systems with good physico-chemical characteristics, low-cost production, high stability and the efficient release of active ingredients. The vitamin B9 (folic acid or folate) is essential for the healthy functioning of a variety of physiological processes in humans and is beneficial in preventing a range of disorders. In this study, two approaches were developed to encapsulate vitamin B9. Zein and the combination of modified starch with two plasticizers were the selected encapsulating agents to produce microstructures via the electrospinning technique. The objective was to improve the stability and the B9 antioxidant capacity in the final formulations. The work strategy was to avoid limitations such as low bioavailability, stability and thermosensitivity. The microstructures were fabricated and the morphology and shape were assessed by scanning electron microscopy. The B9 release profiles of modified starch and zein microstructures were analyzed in simulated gastric fluid at 37 °C, and in deionized water and ethanol at room temperature. The B9 encapsulation efficiency and the stability of the systems were also studied. The ABTS assay was assessed and the antioxidant activity of the produced microstructures was evaluated. The physico-chemical characterization of loaded B9 in the microstructures was achieved. High encapsulation efficiency values were achieved for the 1% B9 loaded in 12% w/w modified starch film; 5% B9 vitamin encapsulated by the 15% w/w modified starch with 4% w/w tween 80; and 4% w/w glycerol film with heterogeneous microstructures, 5% w/w zein compact film and 10% w/w zein film. In conclusion, the combinations of 7 wt.% of modified starch with 4 wt.% tween 80 and 4 wt.% glycerol; 15 wt.% of modified starch with 4 wt.% tween 80 and 4 wt.% glycerol; and 12 wt.% modified starch and 5 wt.% zein can be used as delivery structures in order to enhance the vitamin B9 antioxidant activity in the food and nutraceutical fields.

Recent Advances in Water-Soluble Vitamins Delivery Systems Prepared by Mechanical Processes (Electrospinning and Spray-Drying Techniques) for Food and Nutraceuticals Applications-A Review.

Water-soluble vitamins are essential micronutrients in diets and crucial to biochemical functions in human body physiology. These vitamins are essential for healthy diets and have a preventive role against diseases. However, their limitations associated with high sensitivity against external conditions (temperature, light, pH, moisture, oxygen) can lead to degradation during processing and storage. In this context, microencapsulation may overcome these conditions, protecting a biomolecule's bioavailability, stability, and effectiveness of delivery. This technique has been used to produce delivery systems based on polymeric agents that surround the active compounds. The present review focuses on the most relevant topics of water-soluble vitamin encapsulation using promising methods to produce delivery vehicles-electrohydrodynamic (electrospinning and electrospraying) and spray-drying techniques. An overview of the suitable structures produced by these processes is provided. The review introduces the general principles of the methods, advantages, disadvantages, and involved parameters. A brief list of the used physicochemical techniques for the systems' characterization is discussed in this review. Electrospinning and spray-drying techniques are the focus of this investigation in order to guarantee vitamins' bioaccessibility and bioavailability. Recent studies and the main encapsulating agents used for these micronutrients in both processes applied to functional food and nutraceutical areas are highlighted in this review.

Nanocarriers Based on Gold Nanoparticles for Epigallocatechin Gallate Delivery in Cancer Cells.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are inorganic and biocompatible nanovehicles capable of conjugating biomolecules to enhance their efficacy in cancer treatment. The high and reactive surface area provides good advantages for conjugating active compounds. Two approaches were developed in this work to improve the Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) antioxidant efficacy. AuNPs were synthesized by reducing gold salt with chitosan. One other nanosystem was developed by functionalizing AuNPs with cysteamine using the Turkevitch method. The physico-chemical characterization of EGCG conjugated in the two nanosystems-based gold nanoparticles was achieved. The in vitro toxic effect induced by the nanoconjugates was evaluated in pancreatic cancer cells, showing that encapsulated EGCG keeps its antioxidant activity and decreasing the BxPC3 cell growth. A significant cell growth inhibition was observed in 50% with EGCG concentrations in the range of 2.2 and 3.7 µM in EGCG-ChAuNPs and EGCG-Cyst-AuNPs nanoconjugates, respectively. The EGCG alone had to be present at 23 µM to induce the same cytotoxicity response. Caspase-3 activity assay demonstrated that the conjugation of EGCG induces an enhancement of BxPC3 apoptosis compared with EGCG alone. In conclusion, AuNPs complexes can be used as delivery carriers to increase EGCG antioxidant activity in cancer tissues.

Urinary immune cell phenotype of severe AKI in critically ill patients.

PURPOSE: Cellular mechanisms involved in human renal recovery after an episode of acute kidney injury (AKI) are understudied. We aim to characterize the urinary immune cell phenotype of patients with AKI and evaluate its ability to predict renal recovery. METHODS: A prospective study of critically ill patients with stage ≥ 2 AKI by KDIGO and sterile leukocyturia at admission was performed. Urine samples were collected fresh at day 0 and 2 and samples were analyzed by flow cytometry for different leukocytes. Patients were categorized in renal recovery or no-recovery groups. RESULTS: 28 patients were included, all with sepsis, 60.7% of which recovered renal function. The main urinary leukocytes present were neutrophils, followed by mononuclear phagocytic cells and B cells. Patients who recovered renal function had more M2 macrophages at day 2 (p = 0.043) and less B cells at admission (p = 0.006). M2 macrophages had an AUC-ROC of 0.796 (0.601-0.990) for recovery prediction and B cells an AUC-ROC of 0.743 (0.560-0.926) for no recovery. B regulatory cells were found in the urine of AKI patients. CONCLUSIONS: The urinary immune cell phenotype of severe AKI patients was composed essentially of neutrophils, mononuclear phagocytic cells and B cells. Our data suggest that M2 macrophages may promote and B cells preclude renal recovery. More studies are needed to validate our results and further explore the role of immune cells in renal recovery.

Optimization of electrospinning parameters for the production of zein microstructures for food and biomedical applications.

Electrohydrodynamic techniques have been focus for the development of structures for encapsulation purposes. Their physico-chemical characteristics confer them significant benefits for food and nutraceutical applications. The study reports the optimization of zein microstructures (electrosprayed beads/electrospun fibers/films). The effect of zein polymer properties (viscosity and conductivity), flow rate, applied voltage and distance tip-collector were investigated. Results by scanning electron microscopy revealed the morphology observed with zein. The importance of chain entanglement for fibers/beads/films formation in the optimum conditions system was evaluated. Compact electrosprayed microbeads with diameters ranging from 0.9 µm to 2.0 µm were obtained for 5 wt.% zein solution. For 30 wt.% zein, uniform smooth electrospun fibers with diameters of approximately 0.60 to 0.75 µm were produced. Films with different characteristics (with more or less homogeneous matrix and more or less bubbles) were also obtained. The developed zein microstructures are potential vectors that might encapsulate bioactive ingredients for functional food, nutraceutical and medical applications.

Leptospirosis, a Re-emerging Threat.

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis transmitted by an animal vector and caused by the spirochete bacteria Leptospira. Human infection is rare and acquired by exposure to environmental sources (animal urine, contaminated water, soil, or infected animal tissue). It can have an extremely broad presentation, ranging from asymptomatic to serious illness. We report the case of a 59-year-old man admitted to the hospital with myalgia, fever, and abdominal discomfort. Routine laboratory tests revealed raised inflammatory markers, thrombocytopenia, kidney dysfunction, and hepatic cytolysis and cholestasis. The hypothesis of zoonosis was raised based on symptoms and analytical changes despite the weak epidemiological history to support it. Although leptospira serology tests were negative on admission, a polymerase chain reaction test was requested due to a high degree of suspicion which came back positive. The patient completed eight days of doxycycline with favorable clinical and analytical progression. This case highlights the changing epidemiology of leptospirosis and the importance of having a high degree of suspicion even outside endemic zones. It also highlights the importance of a wise choice of diagnostic tests according to the disease stage.

Impact of sterile leukocyturia on outcome of critically ill patients with severe acute kidney injury.

INTRODUCTION: The role of immunological mechanisms on renal regeneration and functional recovery after an episode of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is still understudied. We aim to evaluate the impact of sterile leukocyturia on outcomes of critically-ill AKI patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of critically-ill patients with stage ≥2 AKI by KDIGO was performed. Patients with urinary tract infection, previous renal replacement therapy, chronic kidney disease stage >3 and kidney, urinary tract or prostatic cancer were excluded. Sterile leukocyturia was defined as a positive leukocyte esterase value. RESULTS: 108 patients with stage ≥2 AKI were included, 39.8% of which had sterile leukocyturia. AKI patients with sterile leukocyturia were older, had more cardiovascular disease and a lower baseline renal function (p < 0.05). They had a higher serum creatinine and leukocytosis at admission, were more frequently septic (p < 0.05) and had more persistent AKI by both KDIGO criteria at multivariable analysis (OR 6.130, 95% CI 2.007-18.747). CONCLUSION: Sterile leukocyturia was associated with different patient baseline and AKI characteristics and more persistent AKI by both KDIGO criteria. Sterile leukocyturia may represent a surrogate marker of renal inflammation during AKI.

Encapsulation in food industry with emerging electrohydrodynamic techniques: Electrospinning and electrospraying - A review.

Nowadays the world population has been more conscious about healthy food products based on bioactive ingredients in order to protect against diseases and to develop healthy diets. Emerging electrohydrodynamic techniques have been object of interest in the scientific community as well as in the industry. In fact, electrospinning and electrospraying methods are promising techniques to fabricate delivery vehicles. These vehicles present structural and functional benefits for encapsulation of bioactive ingredients. They can be used in several food and nutraceutical matrices, protecting the ingredients from environmental conditions. They can also enhance biomolecules bioavailability and controlled release, at the same time that improve the product's shelf life. This review provides the recent state of art for electrospinning/electrospraying techniques. It highlights the crucial parameters that influence these techniques. Further, the recent studies of vitamins encapsulation for applications in functional foods and nutraceuticals fields are summarized. Electrosprayed particles/electrospun fibres are easily produced and present suitable physico-chemical characteristics to encapsulate bioactives to improve the functional foods.

Reactivation of SARS-CoV-2 after Asymptomatic Infection while on High-Dose Corticosteroids. Case Report.

As SARS-CoV-2 and its related clinical syndrome (COVID-19) became a pandemic worldwide, questions regarding its clinical presentation, infectivity, and immune response have been the subject of investigation. We present a case of a patient previously considered recovered from nosocomially transmitted asymptomatic COVID-19 illness, who presented with new respiratory, radiological, and RT-PCR findings consistent with COVID-19, while on high-dose prednisolone due to a suspected secondary demyelinating disease. Importantly, it led to three subsequent cases within patient's household after discharge from the hospital. After reviewing this case in light of current evidence and debates surrounding SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR results, we hypothesize that patients on corticosteroids may have particular viral shedding dynamics and should prompt a more conservative approach in regard to isolation discontinuation and monitoring.

Climate-Change Adaptation Framework for Multiple Urban Areas in Northern Portugal.

Climate change is increasingly exerting pressure with intensified impacts in the short-, medium-, and long-term. Cities are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and it is recognized that they play a significant role in the European Strategy on adaptation to climate change. This study intends to develop a climate adaptation framework to identify effective measures that will be evaluated using a multi-urban area located in the north of Portugal, as a case study. The climate adaptation framework was developed following the Urban Adaptation Support Tool (AST), adapted to the Portuguese reality. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was used to provide future projections with a high level of spatial resolution over the study area, increasing the accuracy of the identification of future climatic vulnerabilities. The results show a tendency for an increase of extreme weather events associated with the increase of both temperature and annual accumulated precipitation variables. A set of both urban and rural measures to promote a sustainable development path to climate adaptability and increase cities resilience to climate change are presented and discussed.

Chemical change during storage of crambe cultivated with application of plant growth regulators / Alterações químicas durante o armazenamento de crambe cultivado com aplicação de reguladores vegetais

This study aimed to characterize the chemical composition of crambe grains produced with plant growth regulators in the 2014 and 2015 harvests and stored for 180 days. During crambe cultivation, two foliar sprayings were carried out with the following treatments: 1) control treatment with distilled water; 2) indole-3-acetic acid 100 mg L-1 (IAA); 3) 3-gibberellic acid P.A. 100 mg L-1 (GA3); 4) Stimulate®. After harvesting, the grains were analyzed initially and after 180 days of uncontrolled storage. We checked water content, lipids in hot extraction (HE), lipids in cold extraction (CE), proteins, acidity and antioxidant activity. The Tukey test was used to compare the averages (p<0.05) and the parameters were grouped using a multivariate clustering technique presented in dendogram. The CE and HE lipid contents were reduced after storage, whereas the protein content and antioxidant activity of the grains were not altered by storage. However, the grains that received IAA application showed an increase in the CE lipid content and their preservation after storage. GA3 application, on the other hand, reduced the protein content. Lipid contents remained constant at the end of storage, and the acidity was reduced due to the application of GA3 and Stimulate® plant growth regulators. The 180-day storage changed crambe quality and regulators can assist in preserving grain quality during storage. The CE and HE lipid content and the grain acidity were good indicators for evaluating effects.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi caracterizar a composição química dos grãos de crambe produzidos com reguladores vegetais nas safras de 2014 e 2015 e armazenados por 180 dias. Durante o cultivo do crambe, realizaram-se duas pulverizações foliares seguindo os tratamentos: 1) tratamento controle com água destilada; 2) ácido indol-3-acético 100 mg L-1 (AIA); 3) ácido 3-giberélico P.A. 100 mg L-1 (GA3); 4) Stimulate®. Após colhidos, os grãos foram analisados inicialmente e após 180 dias de armazenamento não controlado. Aferiu-se o teor de água, lipídeos em extração a quente (EQ), lipídeos em extração a frio (EF), proteínas, acidez e atividade antioxidante. As médias foram comparadas pelo teste Tukey (p<0,05) e os parâmetros agrupados pela técnica multivariada de agrupamento apresentado em dendograma. Os teores de lipídeos EF e EQ reduziram com o armazenamento enquanto que o teor de proteína e a atividade antioxidante dos grãos não foram alterados por esse fator. A aplicação de IAA destacou-se pelo aumento no teor de lipídeos EF e conservação desse após o armazenamento. A aplicação de GA3 reduziu o teor de proteínas. Os teores de lipídeos se mantiveram constante no final do armazenamento e houve redução no teor de acidez em decorrência da aplicação dos reguladores vegetais GA3 e Stimulate®. O armazenamento de 180 dias altera a qualidade de crambe e os reguladores podem auxiliar na preservação da qualidade dos grãos durante o armazenamento. O teor de lipídeos EF, EQ e a acidez dos grãos mostraram-se bons indicadores para avaliação dos efeitos.

Adaptability of brazilian beans cultivars to industrial canning / Adaptabilidade de cultivares brasileiras de feijão ao processamento industrial tipo enlatado

ABSTRACT: A current alternative for meeting the modern consumer's beans food demands is the industrial processing. This study evaluated the adaptability of eight Brazilian beans cultivars to industrial canning from commercial class cultivars of Carioca and of Black beans. The grains were processed in an industry sector using metallic cans with a capacity of 420 g, where the samples were conditioned without previous hydration. The cooking and sterilization process took place in a rotating autoclave. Quality parameters were evaluated in the canned beans. As a result, it was verified that, for the Carioca class, the Estilo cultivar differs from the rest of the genetic materials in terms of its low drained weight, which contributes to the increase in the total solids in the sauce, which have low hardness values. Estilo cultivar is not suitable for the type of processing used in this experiment. For the Black class, similar quality characteristics were observed between Esplendor and Uirapuru and between Esteio and Campeiro cultivars, where the latter stands out due to its lower damaged bean indices after processing. Finally, with the information present in this paper we intend to contribute to future researches on this subject and thereby increase the consumption and exportation of beans as processed product.

RESUMO: Atualmente uma alternativa alimentar que atende às demandas do consumidor moderno é o processamento industrial do feijão. Foi avaliada a adaptabilidade de oito cultivares de feijão ao processamento industrial. Os grãos foram processados em uma indústria do setor, utilizando-se embalagens metálicas com capacidade de 420 g, nas quais as amostras foram acondicionadas sem o emprego de hidratação prévia. O processo de cozimento e esterilização foi realizado em autoclave rotativa. No feijão enlatado foram então avaliados os parâmetros de qualidade. Como resultado, verificou-se que, na classe Carioca, o cultivar BRS Estilo diferencia-se dos demais, devido ao baixo peso drenado que contribuiu para o aumento de sólidos totais no caldo, com baixos valores de dureza, não se adaptando ao tipo de processo utilizado neste experimento. Na classe Preto, observaram-se características de qualidade semelhantes entre BRS Esplendor e IPR Uirapuru, e entre BRS Esteio e BRS Campeiro, destacando-se esta última por apresentar menores índices de grãos danificados após o processamento. Por fim, com as informações presentes neste trabalho pretende-se contribuir com pesquisas futuras sobre o tema e dessa forma incrementar o consumo do feijão e sua exportação na forma de produto processado.

Doxorubicin and Varlitinib Delivery by Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles Against Human Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

The aim of this study was to develop drug delivery nanosystems based on pegylated gold nanoparticles (PEGAuNPs) for a combination against pancreatic cancer cells. Doxorubicin and varlitinib, an anthracycline and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor respectively, were conjugated with gold nanoparticles. The systems were characterized, after synthesis, regarding their size, stability and morphology. An efficient conjugation of doxorubicin and varlitinib with PEGAuNPs was revealed. The cytotoxicity effect induced by the combination of the nanoconjugates was investigated in pancreatic cancer cell lines. Doxorubicin and varlitinib conjugated with PEGAuNPs revealed a combined effect to decrease the cell survival of the cancer line S2-013s, while reducing the drugs' toxicity for the healthy pancreatic cells hTERT-HPNE. This study highlights the promising potential of PEGAuNPs for targeted delivery of therapeutic drugs into human cells, enhancing the antitumor growth-inhibition effect on cancer cells, and decreasing the toxicity against normal cells. In cancer therapy, the present approach based on PEGAuNP functionalization can be further explored to increase drug targeting efficiency and to reduce side effects.

Riscos psicossociais dos enfermeiros que prestam assistência ao doente crítico / Psychosocial risks of nurses who provide care to critically ill patients / Riesgos psicosociales de los enfermeros que prestan asistencia al paciente crítico

Enquadramento: Os riscos psicossociais são um problema crescente de saúde pública que, nos contextos de prestação de cuidados ao doente crítico, podem afetar a qualidade dos cuidados prestados pelos profissionais. Objetivo: Identificar os riscos psicossociais a que estão sujeitos os enfermeiros portugueses que prestam assistência ao doente crítico. Metodologia: Estudo quantitativo e transversal, com uma amostragem não probabilística de enfermeiros (n = 61) que executam funções na emergência pré-hospitalar (n = 6), serviços de urgência (n = 20) e unidades de cuidados intensivos (n = 35), a norte de Portugal. Foi aplicado o questionário COPSOQ II entre julho e dezembro de 2018. Realizou-se uma análise descritiva e exploratória dos dados, com recurso ao SPSS®. Resultados: Verificou-se um risco moderado a elevado em 20 das 29 dimensões avaliadas pelo questionário, realçando-se diferenças significativas entre os enfermeiros da urgência e dos cuidados intensivos, nomeadamente na qualidade da liderança, satisfação no trabalho e comportamentos ofensivos. Conclusão: As dimensões relacionadas com os domínios da gestão, emergiram como principal foco de risco psicossocial.

Background: Psychosocial risks are a growing public health problem which, within the context of the care delivery to critically-ill patients, can affect the quality of care provided by health professionals. Objective: To identify the psychosocial risks of Portuguese nurses who provide care to critically ill patients. Methodology: Quantitative and cross-sectional study, with a non-probabilistic sample of nurses (n = 61) who work in pre-hospital emergency care (n = 6), emergency rooms (n = 20), and intensive care units (n = 35), in northern Portugal. The COPSOQ II questionnaire was applied between July and December 2018. A descriptive and exploratory analysis of the data was carried out, using the SPSS® software. Results: There was a moderate to high risk in 20 of the 29 dimensions evaluated by the questionnaire, and significant differences among the nurses of the emergency rooms and intensive care stand out, particularly in leadership quality, job satisfaction, and offensive behavior. Conclusion: The dimensions related to the area of management emerged as the main focus of psychosocial risks.

Marco contextual: Los riesgos psicosociales son un problema de salud pública cada vez mayor que, en entornos de prestación de cuidados al paciente crítico, pueden afectar a la calidad de la atención prestada por profesionales. Objetivo: Identificar los riesgos psicosociales a los que están sujetos los enfermeros portugueses que prestan asistencia al paciente crítico. Metodología: Estudio cuantitativo y transversal, con una muestra no probabilística de enfermeros (n = 61) que ejercen sus funciones en la sala de urgencias prehospitalaria (n = 6), servicios de urgencias (n = 20) y unidades de cuidados intensivos (n = 35), en el norte de Portugal. El cuestionario COPSOQ II se aplicó entre julio y diciembre de 2018. Se realizó un análisis de datos descriptivo y exploratorio mediante el SPSS®. Resultados: Se encontró un riesgo de moderado a alto en 20 de las 29 dimensiones evaluadas por el cuestionario, lo que resalta las diferencias significativas entre los enfermeros de urgencias y de cuidados intensivos, principalmente en la calidad del liderazgo, la satisfacción en el trabajo y las conductas ofensivas. Conclusión: Las dimensiones relacionadas con los dominios de gestión aparecieron como el foco principal del riesgo psicosocial.

Effects of refrigeration on biochemical, digestibility, and technological parameters of carioca beans during storage.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of grain moisture, temperature, and storage time on biochemical, digestibility, and technological parameters of carioca beans. The grains were stored at 16.7% and 13.8% of moisture at 12, 20, 28, and 36°C for 240 days. It was observed that a reduction in the storage temperature maintained the germination and vigor of the grains. The temperature of 36°C causes between 3.81% and 4.52% reduction in weight of a thousand grains and significant darkening. Carioca beans stored at 36°C exhibited hard-to-cook (HTC) defect at 80 days and increases in hardness after 240 days. The best digestibility indexes of carioca beans were obtained with refrigerated storage. The refrigerated storage (12°C) provides the best preservability of the grains throughout the storage, verified by the parameters biochemical, digestibility, and technological parameters. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Carioca beans are among the most consumed beans in Brazil and their quality for consumption is directly influenced by storage conditions that alter color, nutritional value, bioactive, and cooking properties. Thus, this study seeks to present a practical and viable solution for stockist of bean grains, so that they can store these grains for long periods, maintaining the quality standards for commercialization. In addition, this technology allows the stockist to identify the best time for commercialization of the carioca beans, which has high added value.

Foliar application of plant growth regulators changes the physiological quality of crambe seeds

The application of plant growth regulators can manipulate the development of cultivated plants, and their physiological effects may be reflected in the physiological quality of the seeds. This study evaluated the effects of plant growth regulators (PGR) on the physiological quality of crambe seeds produced in the 2014 and 2015 harvests. During crop development, we applied two foliar sprayings of the following treatments: 1) control treatment with distilled water; 2) indole-3-acetic acid 100 mg L-1 (IAA); 3) 3-gibberellic acid P.A. 100 mg L-1 (GA3); 4) commercial PGR Stimulate® 6 mL L-1. The seeds were harvested and evaluated for water content, germination percentage and germination speed index (GSI), electrical conductivity and concentrations of leached Ca, Mg and K ions. Means were compared by Tukey ́s and Dunnett tests (p<0.05). Applying Stimulate® increased the germination percentage and the germination speed index, while IAA application showed an opposite effect, increasing the electrical conductivity of crambe seeds. Calcium leaching decreased with IAA application, and all regulators reduced K leaching. We therefore infer that the application of plant growth regulators influences the physiological quality of crambe seeds.

Transient and persistent acute kidney injury in acute liver failure.

BACKGROUND: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a very frequent complication in the Acute Liver Failure (ALF) population associated with negative outcomes. We aim to evaluate the impact of AKI duration on the outcomes of an ALF population. METHODS: A 20-year retrospective analysis of ALF patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was performed. Chronic liver failure, chronic kidney disease on renal replacement therapy, dialysis requirement within the week prior or an ICU stay of less than 48 h after AKI diagnosis, were exclusion criteria. AKI was defined according to the KDIGO criteria and classified into transient (< 48 h duration) or persistent (48 h duration). RESULTS: A total of 51 patients were included in the analysis and most had AKI (66.7%). Persistent AKI patients (70.6%) presented more frequently with AKI at admission and a higher SOFA score than transient AKI and no AKI, p < 0.05. More severe AKI, sepsis, vasopressor support and mechanical ventilation were also more common (p < 0.05). Nineteen (55.9%) were classified as persistent AKI exclusively by serum creatinine and 15 (44.1%) by both serum creatinine and urine output criteria. Mean survival time at 30 days was 11.3 days for persistent AKI, 25.3 days for transient AKI and 27.0 days for no AKI, p = 0.01. Adjusted multivariate cox regression analysis showed that persistent AKI predicted in-hospital mortality but it lost significance when AKI severity was introduced in the model. CONCLUSION: Persistent AKI was common in ALF patients and associated with more severe AKI, worst systemic complications and a higher 30-day mortality, compared to transient and no AKI patients.

Development of Parvifloron D-loaded Smart Nanoparticles to Target Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is the eighth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. For this reason, the development of more effective therapies is a major concern for the scientific community. Accordingly, plants belonging to Plectranthus genus and their isolated compounds, such as Parvifloron D, were found to have cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities. However, Parvifloron D is a very low water-soluble compound. Thus, nanotechnology can be a promising delivery system to enhance drug solubility and targeted delivery. The extraction of Parvifloron D from P. ecklonii was optimized through an acetone ultrasound-assisted method and isolated by Flash-Dry Column Chromatography. Then, its antiproliferative effect was selectivity evaluated against different tumor cell lines (IC50 of 0.15 ± 0.05 µM, 11.9 ± 0.7 µM, 21.6 ± 0.5, 34.3 ± 4.1 µM, 35.1 ± 2.2 µM and 32.1 ± 4.3 µM for BxPC3, PANC-1, Ins1-E, MCF-7, HaCat and Caco-2, respectively). To obtain an optimized stable Parvifloron D pharmaceutical dosage form, albumin nanoparticles were produced through a desolvation method (yield of encapsulation of 91.2%) and characterized in terms of size (165 nm; PI 0.11), zeta potential (-7.88 mV) and morphology. In conclusion, Parvifloron D can be efficiently obtained from P. ecklonii and it has shown selective cytotoxicity to pancreatic cell lines. Parvifloron D nanoencapsulation can be considered as a possible efficient alternative approach in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.