Nanoparticles Loaded with a Carotenoid-Rich Extract from Cantaloupe Melon Improved Hepatic Retinol Levels in a Diet-Induced Obesity Preclinical Model.

The study evaluated the effect of the carotenoid-rich extract from cantaloupe melon (CE) nanoencapsulated in porcine gelatin (EPG) on hepatic retinol concentration and liver damage scores in Wistar rats with obesity induced by high glycemic index and high glycemic load diet (HGLI diet). For 17 days, animals were fed the HGLI diet. They were divided into three groups and treated for 10 days [HGLI diet + water, HGLI diet + CE (12.5 mg/kg), and HGLI diet + EPG (50 mg/kg)]. The groups were evaluated for dietary intake, retinol, weight variation, hematological parameters, fasting glucose, lipid profile, hepatic retinol concentration, AST/ALT ratio, FIB-4 (Fibrosis-4 Index for Liver Fibrosis), and APRI (AST to Platelet Ratio Index) scores to evaluate the effects on the liver. Animals treated with EPG showed a lower dietary intake (p < 0.05). No significant weight change was detected in the evaluated groups (p > 0.05). The EPG-treated group had significantly higher concentrations (p < 0.05) of hepatic retinol [266 (45) µg/g] than the untreated group [186 (23.8) µg/g] and the one treated with CE [175 (8.08) µg/g]. Liver damage assessment scores did not show significant differences, but the lowest means were observed in the group treated with EPG. The nanoencapsulation of the extract rich in beta-carotene promoted reduced food consumption and increased hepatic retinol without causing significant changes in liver damage scores. Thus, EPG is a candidate for future clinical studies to evaluate the beneficial effects of treating diseases involving vitamin A deficiencies.

Safety and bioactive potential of nanoparticles containing Cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo L.) carotenoids in an experimental model of chronic inflammation.

The safety and bioactive potential of crude carotenoid extract from Cantaloupe melon nanoencapsulated in porcine gelatin (EPG) were evaluated in a chronic inflammatory experimental model. Animals were fed a high glycemic index and high glycemic load (HGLI) diet for 17 weeks and treated for ten days with 1) HGLI diet, 2) standard diet, 3) HGLI diet + crude carotenoid extract (CE) (12.5 mg/kg), and 4) HGLI diet + EPG (50 mg/kg). General toxicity signals were investigated, considering body weight, food intake, hematological, biochemical parameters, relative weight, morphology, and histopathology of organs. The biochemical parameters indicated the low toxicity of EPG. Acute hepatitis was observed in animals' livers, but CE and EPG groups presented improved tissue appearance. Chronic enteritis was observed in animals, with villi and intestinal glands preservation in the EPG group. The results suggest the safety and the bioactive effect of EPG, possibly related to its anti-inflammatory potential.

Avaliação da qualidade microbiológica dos peixes comercializados no Mercado Público das Rocas em Natal, RN

No Brasil os peixes são um dos alimentos mais consumidos no grupo dos pescados, pelo fato da maioria das pessoas não poderem consumir outro alimento do mesmo grupo, devido ao alto custo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade microbiológica dos peixes comercializados no Mercado Público das Rocas na cidade de Natal-RN, discutindo-se os parâmetros higienicossanitários dos locais onde são comercializados. Trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa e experimental. A coleta de dados contou com análise microbiológica dos peixes comercializados em diferentes boxes onde são vendidos, aplicando-se testes presuntivo e confirmativo para Coliformes totais, Estafilococos coagulase positiva e Salmonella sp. Quanto ao resultado encontrado, observou-se, em um total de 20 amostras coletadas em dias alternados, a presença de 90% na contagem de Coliformes a 35°C de até 10

ln Brazil, fish are one of the most consumed foods in the fish group, because most people can not consume other food from the same group, due to the high cost. The objective of this work was to evaluate the microbiological quality of the fish commercialized in the Public Market of the Rocks in the city of Natal-RN, in which the hygienic sanitary parameters of the fish selling points were discussed. This is a quantitative and qualitative research. Data collection included microbiological analysis of the fish commercialized in different boxes selling the same, in which preparation and dilution were carried out, a presumptive and confirmatory test for Total Coliforms, Positive Coagulase Staphylococci and Salmonella sp. As for the result found, it was observed that in a general total of 20 samples that had collections on alternate days, where in one week 10 samples were collected, and soon after seven days the remaining 10 samples were collected, it was verified the presence of 90% in the Coliform counts at 35°C of up to 10

Avaliação da qualidade microbiológica dos peixes comercializados no mercado público das Rocas em Natal, RN

No Brasil os peixes são um dos alimentos mais consumidos no grupo dos pescados, pelo fato da maioria das pessoas não poderem consumir outro alimento do mesmo grupo, devido ao alto custo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade microbiológica dos peixes comercializados no Mercado Público das Rocas na cidade de Natal-RN, discutindo-se os parâmetros higienicossanitários dos locais onde são comercializados. Trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa e experimental. A coleta de dados contou com análise microbiológica dos peixes comercializados em diferentes boxes onde são vendidos, aplicando-se testes presuntivo e confirmativo para Coliformes totais, Estafilococos coagulase positiva e Salmonella sp. Quanto ao resultado encontrado, observou-se, em um total de 20 amostras coletadas em dias alternados, a presença de 90% na contagem de Coliformes a 35 °C de até 10³ NMP/g, já no teste de Coliformes a 45 °C foi encontrada a quantidade de 10%, com contagem inferior a 10¹ NMP/g, e 70% apresentou contagem significativa para Estafilococos coagulase positiva, apresentado valor superior a 105 NMP/g. Vale ressaltar que há necessidade em adotar medidas de controle por parte dos manipuladores, no que diz respeito à qualidade e higienização dos boxes

In Brazil, fish are one of the most consumed foods in the fish group, because most people can not consume other food from the same group, due to the high cost. The objective of this work was to evaluate the microbiological quality of the fish commercialized in the Public Market of the Rocks in the city of Natal-RN, in which the hygienic sanitary parameters of the fish selling points were discussed. This is a quantitative and qualitative research. Data collection included microbiological analysis of the fish commercialized in different boxes selling the same, in which preparation and dilution were carried out, a presumptive and confirmatory test for Total Coliforms, Positive Coagulase Staphylococci and Salmonella sp. As for the result found, it was observed that in a general total of 20 samples that had collections on alternate days, where in one week 10 samples were collected, and soon after seven days the remaining 10 samples were collected, it was verified the presence of 90% in the Coliform counts at 35°C of up to 10³ NMP/g was observed, already in the Coliform test at 45°C was found the amount of 10%, with a count lower than 10¹ NMP/g, and in 70% presented a significant count for Staphylococcus Coagulase Positive, presenting a value higher than 105 NMP/g. It is worth mentioning that there is a need to adopt control measures on the part of the manipulators, regarding the quality of hygiene of the boxes

Análise microbiológica de fast foods comercializados por ambulantes no centro da cidade de Natal, RN / Microbiological analysis of fast foods marketed by street vendors in the city center of Natal, RN

[{"text": "O hábito de realizar refeições fora\r\ndo domicílio, expõe os consumidores\r\nao risco de contraírem doenças\r\nveiculadas por alimentos; tendo em\r\nvista tal situação, o presente estudo\r\nteve como objetivo desenvolver uma\r\nanálise microbiológica dos fast foods\r\nmais consumidos. Foram selecionados\r\ncinco amostras de cada alimento\r\ntotalizando 25, dentre estes estão coxinha,\r\ncachorro-quente, batata-frita,\r\npastel de forno e espetinho de carne,\r\ntodos estes alimentos colhidos em\r\nembalagens esterilizadas e encaminhadas\r\npara o laboratório de microbiologia\r\nda Universidade Potiguar,\r\nonde foram realizadas análises microbiológicas\r\npara Staphylococcus\r\ncoagulase positiva, coliformes totais\r\ne termotolerantes, e Salmonella sp.\r\nA metodologia empregada seguiu os\r\npadrões microbiológicos recomendados\r\npela resolução RDC nº 12 da\r\nAgência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária\r\nde acordo com as normas da\r\nAmerican Public Health Association.\r\nOs resultados obtidos mostraram que\r\n80% das coxinhas, 40% dos pastéis\r\nde forno, 60% das batatas-fritas e\r\n60% de cachorros-quentes, com exceção\r\ndo espetinho de carne, apresentaram\r\ncoliformes totais; quanto à\r\ncontagem de Staphylococcus aureus\r\ntodos superaram o limite máximo\r\ndeterminado pela legislação e todas\r\nas amostras apresentaram resultados\r\nnegativos para a pesquisa de Salmonella\r\nsp. Dessa forma, conclui-se que\r\nhá necessidade de aperfeiçoamento\r\nnos cuidados e nas condições de produção,\r\narmazenamento e comercialização\r\ndos alimentos analisados, bem\r\ncomo, há necessidade de inspeção\r\neficaz por parte dos órgãos de fiscalização.(AU)", "_i": "pt"}]

Perfil nutricional de idosos portadores de Alzheimer atendidos em home care / Nutritional profile of elderly with Alzheimer in-home health care

A Doença de Alzheimer (DA) é uma doença cerebral degenerativa que atinge normalmente a população idosa e que provoca declínio cognitivo. Pacientes acometidos por essa doença tendem a sofrer de disfagia, podendo surgir deficiências nutricionais, com consequente perda de peso, o que dificulta o tratamento de modo geral. Diante desse fato, o principal objetivo deste artigo é avaliar os resultados da interferência da nutrição em pacientes portadores de DA. Foram analisados parâmetros antropométricos, dietéticos e bioquímicos em ambos os sexos. Com base nos resultados apresentados no que diz respeito ao sexo, obteve-se uma média de idade de 84 anos entre os sexos, com maior prevalência no gênero feminino, totalizando 73% do total da amostra de 51 participantes. Na análise do inquérito alimentar, o consumo médio de energia e de macronutrientes dos idosos do sexo masculino foi de 1247,88 kcal, distribuídos 128,62g de carboidratos, 44,80g de proteínas e 20,66g de lipídeos, enquanto no sexo feminino foi de 1229,01 kcal, distribuídos em 137,61g de carboidratos, 44,58g de proteínas e 23,12g de lipídeos. Portanto, conclui-se que é fundamental a atuação de uma equipe interdisciplinar para a integração de conhecimento de várias áreas, com o objetivo comum de promoção e reabilitação da saúde dos idosos.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disease that usually strikes the elderly and causes cognitive decline. Patients affected by this disease tend to suffer from dysphagia, and there may be nutritional deficiencies, with consequent weight loss, wich difficult the treament in general. Given this fact, the main purpose of this article is to evaluate the results of the interference of nutrition in patients with AD. Anthropometric, dietary and biochemical parameters in both sexes were analyzed. Based on the results presented in relation to sex, there was obtained a mean age of 84 years between the sexes, with a higher prevalence in females, totaling 73% of the total sample of 51 participants. In the food survey analysis, the average intake of energy and macronutrients of elderly men was 1247,88 kcal, distributed 128,62g of carbohydrates, 44,80g of proteins and 20,66g of lipids, while the female sex was of 1229,01 kcal, distributed in 137,61g of carbohydrates, 44,58g of proteins and 23,12 of lipids. Therefore, it is concluded that it is essential the work of an interdisciplinary team to integrate knowledge from different areas, with the common goal of promotion and health rehabilitation of the elderly.