Color Biomimetics in Textile Design: Reproduction of Natural Plant Colors through Instrumental Colorant Formulation.

This paper explores the intersection of colorimetry and biomimetics in textile design, focusing on mimicking natural plant colors in dyed textiles via instrumental colorant formulation. The experimental work was conducted with two polyester substrates dyed with disperse dyes using the exhaustion process. Textiles dyed with different dye colors and concentrations were measured in a spectrophotometer and a database was created in Datacolor Match Textile software version 2.4.1 (0) with the samples' colorimetric properties. Colorant recipe formulation encompassed the definition and measurement of the pattern colors (along four defined natural plants), the selection of the colorants, and the software calculation of the recipes. After textile dyeing with the lowest expected CIELAB color difference (ΔE*) value recipe for each pattern color, a comparative analysis was conducted by spectral reflectance and visual assessment. Scanning electron microscopy and white light interferometry were also used to characterize the surface of the natural elements. Samples dyed with the formulated recipe attained good chromatic similarity with the respective natural plants' colors, and the majority of the samples presented ΔE* between 1.5 and 4.0. Additionally, recipe optimization can also be conducted based on the colorimetric evaluation. This research contributes a design framework for biomimicking colors in textile design, establishing a systematic method based on colorimetry and color theory that enables the reproduction of nature's color palette through the effective use of colorants.

Chromatic and medicinal properties of six natural textile dyes: A review of eucalyptus, weld, madder, annatto, indigo and woad.

The environmental and health-related impacts of synthetic dyes have led to growing interest in natural dyes as sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. However, natural dyes have been used to dye textiles with limited color shade and poor fastness properties, and little research has been conducted in this field. Additionally, natural dyes also have the potential to provide added functionalities to textiles, such as antibacterial and anti-UV properties. A systematic literature review of 38 studies was conducted to analyze the use of six natural dyes derived from eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.), weld (Reseda luteola L.), madder (Rubia tinctorum L.), annatto (Bixa Orellana L.), true indigo (Indigofera tinctoria L.) and woad (Isatis tinctoria L.). These dyes were selected after a preliminary analysis of studies on plant-based natural dyes with primary colors, considering their chromatic and potential medicinal properties. This study explores the influence of different dyeing parameters and auxiliary products in these properties. The research discussed how the chromatic and medicinal properties of natural dyes can be affected by various factors and provides a summary table with the chromatic palette possibilities according to the different materials and processes relationships. Exploring the combination of natural dyes with environmentally friendly auxiliary products can be a promising development area for creating a wide range of color shades. Further research is also needed to optimize the dyeing processes with natural dyes, towards more sustainable textile dyeing possibilities.

Identificação e notificação de violência contra crianças e adolescentes: limites e possibilidades de atuação de profissionais de saúde / Identification and reporting of violence against children and adolescents: limits and possibilities of action of health professionals

A violência contra crianças e adolescentes é um desafio para área da saúde e os profissionais tem um papel importante nesse contexto. O presente estudo objetivou caracterizar a percepção de profissionais de saúde sobre violência contra crianças e adolescentes e suas dificuldades para o manejo desse fenômeno. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo com 72 profissionais de saúde da atenção básica do município de Belém-Pará-Brasil. Em relação aos tipos de violência a negligência foi a mais referida pelos profissionais (60,74%) seguida da violência sexual (24,14%), da física (39,47%) e a psicológica (34,88%), porém a mais notificada foi a sexual (50%). Em relação à ficha de notificação (50,00%) dos participantes disseram que não a conhece e 86,11% nunca a utilizaram. Os resultados sugerem que há necessidade de capacitação permanente e de condições instrumentais adequadas para fortalecer a atuação dos profissionais de saúde a superarem os desafios que a intervenção em casos de violência exige.(AU)

Violence against children and adolescents is a challenge for health and professionals play an important role in this context. This study aimed to characterize the perception of health professionals about violence against children and adolescents and their difficulties in managing this phenomenon. A descriptive study was carried out with 72 healthcare professionals from the city of Belém-Pará-Brazil. Regarding the types of violence, negligence was the most reported by professionals (60,74%) followed by sexual violence (24,14%), physical violence (39,47%) and psychological violence (34,88%). The most reported was sexual (50,00%). Regarding the notification form (50,00%) of the participants said that they did not know it and 86,11% never used it. The results suggest that there is a need for permanent training and adequate instrumental conditions to streng then the performance of health professionals to overcome the challenges that intervention in cases of violence requires.(AU)

Identificação e notificação de violência contra crianças e adolescentes: limites e possibilidades de atuação de profissionais de saúde / Identification and reporting of violence against children and adolescents: limits and possibilities of action of health professionals

A violência contra crianças e adolescentes é um desafio para área da saúde e os profissionais tem um papel importante nesse contexto. O presente estudo objetivou caracterizar a percepção de profissionais de saúde sobre violência contra crianças e adolescentes e suas dificuldades para o manejo desse fenômeno. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo com 72 profissionais de saúde da atenção básica do município de Belém-Pará-Brasil. Em relação aos tipos de violência a negligência foi a mais referida pelos profissionais (60,74%) seguida da violência sexual (24,14%), da física (39,47%) e a psicológica (34,88%), porém a mais notificada foi a sexual (50%). Em relação à ficha de notificação (50,00%) dos participantes disseram que não a conhece e 86,11% nunca a utilizaram. Os resultados sugerem que há necessidade de capacitação permanente e de condições instrumentais adequadas para fortalecer a atuação dos profissionais de saúde a superarem os desafios que a intervenção em casos de violência exige.

Violence against children and adolescents is a challenge for health and professionals play an important role in this context. This study aimed to characterize the perception of health professionals about violence against children and adolescents and their difficulties in managing this phenomenon. A descriptive study was carried out with 72 healthcare professionals from the city of Belém-Pará-Brazil. Regarding the types of violence, negligence was the most reported by professionals (60,74%) followed by sexual violence (24,14%), physical violence (39,47%) and psychological violence (34,88%). The most reported was sexual (50,00%). Regarding the notification form (50,00%) of the participants said that they did not know it and 86,11% never used it. The results suggest that there is a need for permanent training and adequate instrumental conditions to streng then the performance of health professionals to overcome the challenges that intervention in cases of violence requires.

[Notification of violence as a strategy for health surveillance: profile of a metropolis in Brazil]. / Notificação da violência como estratégia de vigilância em saúde: perfil de uma metrópole do Brasil.

Violence is a serious public health problem and notification of incidents is fundamental for epidemic surveillance and for the definition of priorities and public politics of health prevention and promotion. The study sought to characterize the occurrence of domestic violence, sexual and other forms of violence, based on the information of the database of the Information System of Notification of Offences (Sinan), on the records of violence of the city of Belém in the state of Pará, in the period from January 2009 to December 2011. In this period 3,267 notifications were recorded, which represented an increase of 240% in the number of notifications of the year 2009 compared to 2011. In relation to the sex of the victims it was observed that, on average, 83.2% of cases against women and this proportion was similar in all three years analyzed. Sexual violence was the most prevalent with 41.8% of reported cases; followed by psychological violence at 26.3% and physical violence at 24%. The results show that notification is fundamental for understanding the profile of violence and for intervention and elaboration of integrated public politics that promote health and the quality of life in this area of Brazil.

Notificação da violência como estratégia de vigilância em saúde: perfil de uma metrópole do Brasil / Notification of violence as a strategy for health surveillance: profile of a metropolis in Brazil

Violence is a serious public health problem and notification of incidents is fundamental for epidemic surveillance and for the definition of priorities and public politics of health prevention and promotion. The study sought to characterize the occurrence of domestic violence, sexual and other forms of violence, based on the information of the database of the Information System of Notification of Offences (Sinan), on the records of violence of the city of Belém in the state of Pará, in the period from January 2009 to December 2011. In this period 3,267 notifications were recorded, which represented an increase of 240% in the number of notifications of the year 2009 compared to 2011. In relation to the sex of the victims it was observed that, on average, 83.2% of cases against women and this proportion was similar in all three years analyzed. Sexual violence was the most prevalent with 41.8% of reported cases; followed by psychological violence at 26.3% and physical violence at 24%. The results show that notification is fundamental for understanding the profile of violence and for intervention and elaboration of integrated public politics that promote health and the quality of life in this area of Brazil.

A violência é um problema de saúde pública e sua notificação é fundamental para a vigilância epidemiológica e para a definição de políticas públicas de prevenção e promoção de saúde. O estudo objetivou caracterizar a ocorrência de violência doméstica, sexual e de outras, a partir das informações do banco de dados do Sistema Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN), das fichas de notificação de violência da cidade de Belém (PA), no período de janeiro de 2009 a dezembro de 2011. Foram sistematizadas 3.267 notificações, representando um aumento de 240% de 2009 a 2011. Em relação ao sexo das vítimas, observou-se que, em média, 83,2% dos casos atingiram as mulheres, proporção esta semelhante nos três anos analisados. A violência sexual foi a mais presente com 41,8%; seguida da violência psicológica com 26,3% e da violência física com 24,0%. Os resultados demonstram a importância do conhecimento do perfil das violências para intervenção e elaboração de políticas públicas intersetoriais que promovam a saúde e a qualidade de vida nesta região do Brasil.

Establishment and conventional cytogenetic characterization of three gastric cancer cell lines.

Gastric cancer is the fourth most frequent type of cancer and the second most frequent cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Only a modest number of gastric carcinoma cell lines have been isolated thus far. Here we describe the establishment and cytogenetic characterization of three new gastric cancer cell lines obtained from primary gastric adenocarcinoma (ACP02 and ACP03) and cancerous ascitic fluid (AGP01) of individuals from northern Brazil. ACP02, ACP03, and AGP01 cell lines are presently in the 60th passage. The cell lines grew in a disorganized single layer with some agglomerations and heterogeneous divisions (bipolar and multipolar). All cell lines exhibited a composite karyotype with several clonal chromosome alterations. Trisomy 8 was the most frequent alteration. Chromosome 8 aneusomy was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. All cell lines also exhibited trisomy 7 and deletion of chromosome arm 17p. These results suggest that, although frequent chromosome alterations are commonly observed due to culture process, the ACP02, ACP03, and AGP01 cell lines and primary gastric cancer from individuals of northern Brazil share genetic alterations, supporting use of these cell lines as a model of gastric carcinogenesis in this population.

Genotoxic effect of Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae) extract on human lymphocytes treated in vitro.

Physalis angulata L (Solanaceae) is a medicinal plant from North of Brazil, whose different extracts and infusions are commonly used in the popular medicine for the treatment of malaria, asthma, hepatitis, dermatitis and rheumatism. However, the genotoxic effects of P. angulata on human cells is not well known. The main purpose of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro genotoxic effects of aqueous extract of P. angulata using the comet assay and the micronucleus assay in human lymphocytes provided from 6 healthy donors. Treatments with P. angulata extracts were performed in vitro in order to access the extent of DNA damage. The comet assay has shown that treatments with P. angulata at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 6.0 microg/mL in culture medium were genotoxic. Lymphocytes treated with P. angulata at the concentrations of 3.0 and 6.0 microg/mL in culture medium showed a statistically significant increase in the frequency of micronucleus (p<0.05), however, the cytokinesis blocked proliferation index (CBPI) was not decreased after P. angulata treatment. In conclusion, the present work demonstrated the genotoxic effects of P. angulata extract on human lymphocytes in vitro.

Genotoxic effects of white fluorescent light on human lymphocytes in vitro.

Sources of light beams such as white fluorescent light, are present in our daily life to meet the needs of life in the modern world. This study was conducted with the objective of determining the possible genotoxic, cytotoxic and aneugenic effects caused by this agent in different stages of the cell cycle (G0/early G1, S, and late G2), using different cytogenetic parameters (sister chromatid exchanges--SCE, chromosome aberrations--CA, and detection of aneugenic effects) in lymphocytes from temporary cultures of human peripheral blood. WFL showed a genotoxic effect in vitro, expressed by an increase in the frequency of SCE's, regardless of the cell cycle stage. However, no increase in the frequency of CAs was observed. In addition, disturbances in cell cycle kinetics and chromosomal segregation were also observed. Taken together, such data may contribute to a better understanding and a different management in the use of phototherapy for some pathological conditions.

The anticancer homeopathic composite "Canova Method" is not genotoxic for human lymphocytes in vitro.

The Canova Method (CM) is a homeopathic medicine indicated for the treatment of patients with cancer and for pathologies that involve a depressed immune system, such as AIDS. This product is composed of homeopathic dilutions of Aconitum napellus, Arsenicum album (arsenic trioxide), Bryonia alba, Lachesis muta venom and Thuya occidentalis. It stimulates the immune system by activating macrophages. Activated macrophages stimulate the lymphocytes so that they increase their cytotoxic action in response to tumoral growth or infection. Given that the CM stimulates and accelerates the activity of macrophages and lymphocytes, we evaluated genotoxic effects induced in human lymphocytes treated with this homeopathic medication in vitro. Structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations were scored for the assessment of induced genotoxic effects, while the variation in mitotic index was considered as a monitor for induced cellular toxicity. The lymphocytes were cultivated for 24, 48 or 72 h in the following final concentrations of the medicinal composite CM: 4, 8 and 12%. Treatments with the CM did not affect mitotic indexes, nor did they provoke chromosomal aberrations, when compared with untreated controls. There was no cytotoxicity or genotoxicity at the chromosomal level.

Molecular heterogeneity of G6PD deficiency in an Amazonian population and description of four new variants.

To characterize the molecular variation in the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (G6PD), 196 asymptomatic and unrelated male G6PD-deficient blood donors from Belém, an Amazonian metropolis (Brazil), were analyzed. This deficiency was detected by horizontal agarose gel electrophoresis and quantitative spectrophotometric assay for enzyme activity. The mutations were searched by PCR/RFLP, SSCP, and direct DNA sequencing. The most frequent G6PD variant was the widespread and common G6PD A- (202G --> A, 376A --> G) observed in 161 subjects (82.1%). Besides this, we found another form of G6PD A- (968T --> C, 376A --> G) in 14 (7.1%) individuals, G6PD Seattle (844G --> C) in 4.6%, G6PD Santamaria (542A --> T, 376A --> G) in 2.5%, and G6PD Tokyo (1246G --> A) in one blood donor. Four novel variants were also identified: G6PD Belém (409C --> T; Pro137His), G6PD Ananindeua (376A --> G, 871G --> A; Asn126Asp, Val291Met), G6PD Crispim with four point mutations (375G --> T, 379G --> T, 383T --> C, and 384C --> T) leading to three amino acid substitutions (Met125Ile, Ala127Ser, and Leu128Pro), and G6PD Amazonia (185C --> A; Pro62His). The reported frequencies do not reflect the real values for blood donors from Belém, since an excess of individuals with "non A-" phenotype was included in this study to enhance the probability to find rare variants. Haplotype analyses were carried out for the less common G6PD variants identified in our study using PCR/RFLP for five polymorphic sites (FokI, PvuII, PstI, BclI, NlaIII). G6PD Crispim and G6PD Amazonia variants presented the most common haplotype found in G6PD B (- - + - -). G6PD Belém presented two haplotypes (- - + + +, - + + + +) and G6PD Ananindeua was found with the + - + - + haplotype. The reported heterogeneity probably is due to the great miscegenation, characteristic of the population of the Amazonian region, besides the apparently common occurrence of recurrent mutations in the G6PD gene.

Efficient synthesis of 4,4'-bi-1H-imidazol-2-ones from 5-amino-alpha-imino-1H-imidazole-4-acetonitriles and isocyanates.

Reactions of 5-amino-alpha-imino-1H-imidazole-4-acetonitriles 1 with alkyl and aryl isocyanates led to efficient syntheses of 5'-amino-5-imino-4,4'-bi-1H-imidazol-2-ones 3 formed by intramolecular cyclization of the corresponding 5-amino-alpha-(N-alkyl/arylcarbamoyl)imino-1H-imidazole-4-acetonitriles 2. The cyclization occurs only slowly in solution but is considerably accelerated by the addition of a catalytic amount of DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene). The reaction of the N-arylamidine 6b, the synthetic precursor of the imidazole 1b, with benzyl isocyanate also led to the formation of 4,4'-bi-1H-imidazol-2-one 3b in quantitative yield. The imidazole intermediate 2b has been isolated and found to be identical with the compound obtained by reaction of the imidazole 1b and benzyl isocyanate. The N-arylamidine 6c (R = 4-NCC(6)H(4)) reacted with benzyl isocyanate in a similar way, but the electrophilicity of the amidine carbon atom resulted in rapid hydrolysis of the intermediate 7c leading ultimately to the isolation of the urea 9. The N-alkylamidines 6a and 6d behaved differently in their reaction with benzyl isocyanate, and the major product isolated in these reactions is again the urea 9.

Polymorphisms in the DNA repair gene XRCC1 and susceptibility to alcoholic liver cirrhosis in older Southeastern Brazilians.

The population of Southeastern Brazil has a very high mortality rate from liver cirrhosis, a disease that is considered an irreversible pre-malignant condition. This is largely due to the high prevalence of alcohol abuse in the region. Chronic alcohol consumption is associated with the production of free radical intermediates that can cause several DNA lesions. Reduced repair of these DNA lesions would, therefore, constitute a significant risk factor for liver cirrhosis and subsequent cancer. Recently, a number of polymorphisms in several DNA repair genes have been discovered, and it is possible that these polymorphisms may affect DNA repair capacity and thus modulate susceptibility to the disease. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that polymorphisms in the DNA repair gene XRCC1 are associated with increased risk of liver cirrhosis in Southeastern Brazilians. We conducted a pilot case-control study of 97 liver cirrhosis cases and 96 controls (matched for age, sex, and ethnicity) to investigate the role of two allelic variants coding for amino acid changes in the XRCC1 gene (the Arg194Trp and the Arg399Gln polymorphisms). Overall, we observed a 1.8-fold increase in the relative risk of liver cirrhosis associated with the 399Gln allele (either the heterozygous Arg/Gln or the homozygous Gln/Gln genotypes). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 1.82 (95% confidence limit (CL) 1.10-3.30). The relative risk appears to be highest among the Mestiso ethnic group (OR 2.60, 95% CL 0.92-7.34). There was a significant association between the 399Gln polymorphism and the risk of liver cirrhosis in older individuals over the age of 45 years (OR 2.70 (95% CL 1.14-6.48) compared to an OR of 1.24 (95% CL 0.55-2.78) for those under 45 years of age. No association was observed between the XRCC1 194Trp polymorphism and risk of liver cirrhosis. These preliminary results suggest that the XRCC1 399Gln polymorphism may be a significant risk modifier for alcoholic liver cirrhosis and justifies additional studies in that direction.