Application of films developed with tilapia gelatin (Oreochromis niloticus), added with pitomba plant extract (Talisia esculenta) in Hawaii papaya.

In the present study, a film based on the gelatin skin of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was developed, using surfactants and adding plant extract of pitomba seed (Talisia esculenta). The aim was to investigate the mechanical and barrier properties of the cover, as well as its effectiveness in conserving papayas against diseases caused by fungi. The film presented tensile strength of 38.78 MPa, elongation of 120.49%, and water vapor permeability of 5.90 g.mm.h-1.m2.kPa-1 when equally composed of SDS and Tween 80, in a percentage of 40% in relation to the total mass of the film. The films lasted 12 d in an environment with a relative humidity of 75% (25 ºC), longer than the shelf life of papaya (limited to 8 d). With applying the film with the extract, the incidence of diseases such as anthracnose, fusariosis, and stem rot caused by these microorganisms in papaya was reduced.

Use of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19: case studies.

There have been several efforts to minimize the effects caused by the COVID-19 virus around the world. Vaccines were developed in record time and alternative therapies were studied and applied in several countries, such as the use of plasma from recovered patients. Identifying, systematically evaluating and summarizing the best available scientific evidence on the efficacy and safety of using plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients remains the objective of this study. The studies carried out showed that the application of convalescent plasma contributes to the reduction of mortality, viral load and length of hospital stay. However, the effectiveness of the therapy still raises doubts due to the number of patients evaluated in clinical studies, in addition to its high cost and limitations in terms of availability and implementation, with the drug being authorized only for hospital use.

Control of fungal spoilage in strawberries using crude plant extracts against the fungus Botrytis cinerea.

The study evaluated the conservation of strawberries treated with crude plant extracts (barbatimão, sibipiruna, guarana, and catuaba) against fungal deterioration and physicochemical characteristics. MIC of 0.125; 0.0156; 0.25 and 0.0312 g/mL were found for barbatimão, sibipiruna, guaraná and catuaba, respectively, against B. cinerea. Treated samples showed no fungal deterioration during 11 days. Analyzes of weight loss, soluble solids, titratable acidity, and pH variation were performed. Sibipiruna showed lower values ​​of mass loss, and the greatest occurred for the catuaba extract. Barbatimão did not change soluble solids and stood out with catuaba in the color parameters L and a*. Small changes in pH were observed with time. Soluble solids maintained values ​​between 6.47 oBrix and 9.90 oBrix for catuaba and sibipiruna extracts at zero and six days. Principal component analysis did not show a strong correlation between the variables. The extracts become alternatives for strawberry conservation, increasing conservation and maintaining physicochemical characteristics.

Metabolomic profiling and correlations of supercritical extracts of guarana.

A previous optimization of supercritical extraction from guarana seeds was performed applying orthogonal array design (OA9(34)). The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of these extracts, as well as metabolomic profiling and correlations from the compounds by statistical analysis were determined. Extracts 1 (40% ethanol; 20 min; 40 °C and 100 bar), 2 (40% methanol; 60 min; 40 °C and 200 bar), and 8 (40% methanol; 40 min; 60 °C and 100 bar) had the highest combined values of antioxidant capacity for the DPPH, FRAP, ABTS and xanthine oxidase system methods, and were identified by chemometric analysis. Similar chemical profiles of the extracts were obtained by LC-DAD-MS, and were identified: methyl-xanthine, (epi)catechin and dimers and trimers of type A and B proanthocyanidins. The heat map analysis showed positive correlation between antioxidant methods DPPH, FRAP and ABTS and with flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins. Extract 3 was active against Gram-negative and -positive bacteria and Candida tropicalis.

Comparison of the effects of shock waves versus radiofrequency on abdominal lipolysis: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: High levels of abdominal adiposity mean higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Aerobic exercise per si reduces the risk of developing this type of diseases. Radiofrequency and shockwave therapy showed to be effective in the reduction of localized abdominal fat. AIM (S): To compare the effects of prescribed moderate aerobic exercise associated with 6 sessions of shockwave therapy or radiofrequency, in the subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue, in overweight female individuals in fertile age. METHODS: Randomized clinical trial, with 30 volunteers in fertile age with overweight and/or obese, randomly and equitably allocated in two experimental groups (1-shockwave therapy and 2-radiofrequency) and one control group. Aerobic physical exercise was prescribed to all groups. The values of anthropometric measurements were measured in two moments. The intervention protocol was performed in a clinic for six weeks, with one session per week. The ANOVA test, paired samples t test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Wilcoxon test were used to compare the results, for a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: Of 28 participants completed the study. There were significant differences in waist circumference reduction between the experimental group 1 and 2 when compared to the control group (p = 0.005 and p = 0.014, respectively). There was a statistically significant reduction in navel level circumference in experimental group 1 when compared to experimental group 2 (p = 0.024) and with the control group (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Both resources were effective in reducing abdominal measurements when compared to the control group. However, SWT was superior in reducing the navel level circumference.

Medicinal effects of Peruvian maca (Lepidium meyenii): a review.

Peruvian maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a root native to the Andean region, cultivated for at least 2000 years. Maca is rich in fiber, a large number of essential amino acids, fatty acids, and other nutrients, including vitamin C, copper, iron, and calcium. Besides these essential nutrients, this root contains bioactive compounds responsible for benefits to the human body, which has caused a considerable increase in its consumption in the last 20 years worldwide. This review documents the Peruvian maca composition and the recent findings regarding the medicinal effects of this root in sexual dysfunction regulation, neuroprotective effects, action in memory enhancement, antidepressant, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory activities, and skin protection.

Chemical analysis of the semipurified extract of Paullinia cupana and evaluation of in vitro inhibitory effects against Helicobacter pylori.

Paullinia cupana Kunth, commonly known as guarana, is a native Brazilian plant species from the Amazon area that presents various biological effects, including antimicrobial action. The aim of this study was to chemically analyse the semipurified aqueous extract (AqF) of the plant and to evaluate the activity of crude (CE), ethyl-acetate (EAF), and AqF extracts against Helicobacter pylori. The chemical profile of AqF was determined based on solid analysis 13C-NMR, direct infusion mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and MALDI-TOF. The 13C-NMR spectrum showed characteristics of flavan-3-ol and oligomeric proanthocyanidins. ESI-MS revealed the presence of procyanidin, caffeic acid and its derivatives. MALDI-TOF analysis detected procyanidins of up to 6 units and profisetinidins of up to 5 units. Whereas CE and EAF showed inhibitory activity against H. pylori, CE, EAF, and AqF presented not high inhibitory activity against urease. The results demonstrate the potential of P. cupana to control and prevent H. pylori infection.

Substitution of synthetic antioxidant by curcumin microcrystals in mortadella formulations.

This research was to compare mortadella elaborated with synthetic antioxidant and microcrystals of curcumin in relation to its physicochemical and sensorial characteristics for a period of 90 days. It was detect no differences between the three evaluated treatments in relation to the pH, color, and texture profile features. The mortadella with curcumin microcrystals showed significantly lower TBARS values at the end of the storage when compared to the other treatments. In the sensory analysis, the addition of curcumin decreased the acceptance of color's sample and the purchase intention, but no significant difference was observed among the other attributes. The color of the sample containing curcumin also became worse than its day-of-production standard during storage. The results obtained suggest the potential of curcumin in replacing synthetic antioxidants in cooked meat sausage, since it practically does not modify its physicochemical characteristics, besides preventing the oxidation of the food.

Análises estruturais, funcionais e sensoriais do lombo canadense defumado produzido com carne de javali / Structural, functional and sensorial analysis of smoked tenderloin produced with boar meat

Dois lombos defumados com carne de javali e carne suína foram desenvolvidos e avaliados comparativamente em suas características físico-químicas e sensoriais. O lombo de javali apresentou um valor de pH mais acentuado do que do suíno e também uma menor perda de peso. Em relação à cor, as amostras de javali apresentaram um valor de luminosidade maior do que as de suíno, o que se justificou devido ao maior teor de umidade encontrado nas amostras de javali. A umidade também influenciou no perfil de textura e as amostras de javali tiveram uma menor dureza e firmeza, e maior mastigabilidade. Na avaliação sensorial, as amostras de lombo suíno foram ligeiramente melhores em todos os atributos estudados do que as de javali. No teste de aceitação, o lombo suíno apresentou nota média um pouco acima do que o javali. Os julgadores demonstraram aceitação similar aos produtos e os resultados indicaram que a obtenção de um novo produto requer algumas modificações em sua fabricação e hábitos diferentes do consumidor.

Aplicação de gelatina de pele de tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) em mortadela / Application of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) skin gelatin in mortadella

Foi extraída gelatina de pele de Tilápia-do-Nilo para substituição total ou parcial do toucinho de mortadela, produto cárneo emulsionado popular e muito consumido. Nas análises realizadas, a gelatina obtida apresentou rendimento razoável (6,2%), alto conteúdo proteico (85,6%), percentual de umidade de 7,25%, teor de lipídeos de 4,18% e teor de cinzas de 2,1%, parâmetros coerentes se comparados a estudos presentes na literatura. Desta forma, foi possível concluir que a extração de gelatina a partir da pele de tilápia é uma boa alternativa à gelatina comum. Os resultados sensoriais e o índice de aceitabilidade demonstraram que a redução de gordura nas formulações de mortadela resultou em um produto viável sensorialmente e tecnologicamente, permitindo uma redução na concentração de gordura do produto em relação ao produto convencional.

In vitro evaluation of the protective effects of plant extracts against amyloid-beta peptide-induced toxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and has no cure. Therapeutic strategies focusing on the reduction of oxidative stress, modulation of amyloid-beta (Aß) toxicity and inhibition of tau protein hyperphosphorylation are warranted to avoid the development and progression of AD. The aim of this study was to screen the crude extracts (CEs) and ethyl-acetate fractions (EAFs) of Guazuma ulmifolia, Limonium brasiliense, Paullinia cupana, Poincianella pluviosa, Stryphnodendron adstringens and Trichilia catigua using preliminary in vitro bioassays (acetylcholinesterase inhibition, antioxidant activity and total polyphenol content) to select extracts/fractions and assess their protective effects against Aß25-35 toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. The effect of the EAF of S. adstringens on mitochondrial membrane potential, lipid peroxidation, superoxide production and mRNA expression of 10 genes related to AD was also evaluated and the electropherogram fingerprints of EAFs were established by capillary electrophoresis. Chemometric tools were used to correlate the in vitro activities of the samples with their potential to be evaluated against AD and to divide extracts/fractions into four clusters. Pretreatment with the EAFs grouped in cluster 1 (S. adstringens, P. pluviosa and L. brasiliense) protected SH-SY5Y cells from Aß25-35-induced toxicity. The EAF of S. adstringens at 15.62 µg/mL was able completely to inhibit the mitochondrial depolarization (69%), superoxide production (49%) and Aß25-35-induced lipid peroxidation (35%). With respect to mRNA expression, the EAF of S. adstringens also prevented the MAPT mRNA overexpression (expression ratio of 2.387x) induced by Aß25-35, which may be related to tau protein hyperphosphorylation. This is the first time that the neuroprotective effects of these fractions have been demonstrated and that the electropherogram fingerprints for the EAFs of G. ulmifolia, L. brasiliense, P. cupana, P. pluviosa and S. adstringens have been established. The study expands knowledge of the in vitro protective effects and quality control of the evaluated fractions.

Paullinia cupana: a multipurpose plant - a review

Abstract Seeds of guarana (Paullinia cupana Kunth, Sapindaceae) feature diverse pharmacological functions, for example, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, stimulating, and cognitive functions, as well as liver protection and weight loss. Many of these actions are probably due to the high content of methylxanthines and tannins in its seeds. In Brazil, the world's largest producer of guarana, the plant material is predominantly used in the soft drinks industry, although it is also used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Although the Amazon region has the largest cropping area, the state of Bahia is the main guarana producer in Brazil (71%). This review focuses mainly on the possible pharmacological actions of guarana that have been investigated. Moreover, it discusses less-considered topics, such as the toxicology and quality control of seeds and extractives of guarana that will ultimately influence the safety of its use. In addition, it presents a detailed discussion of the methods used to prepare herbal drugs and their extracts, focusing on the importance of standardization and on the direct impact of preparatory factors, on the pharmacological properties of guarana extracts.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in minas frescal cheese: evaluation of classic enterotoxin genes, antimicrobial resistance and clonal diversity.

This study aimed to investigate classical enterotoxin (sea to see) and mecA genes, by polymerase chain reaction and anitimicrobial susceptibility, by disk diffusion test of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from minas frescal cheese (MFC). All methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates were investigated for the presence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes and clonal diversity. Thirty-one S. aureus were isolated from four MFC samples. Seven (22.6%) S. aureus carried mecA gene and two of them carried enterotoxin genes seb/sec and sea/seb. Five (16.1%) S. aureus isolates showed induced resistance to clindamycin and nine (29%) were resistant to multiple -antibiotics (MDR), among these, six were MRSA. No MRSA isolates presented the PVL genes. Four MRSA were grouped into three clones and three isolates were not typable by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. MRSA isolates showed, by multilocus sequence typing, sequence types ST1, ST5, ST72 and ST4304 (new ST) and S. aureus protein A (spa type) t127, t568 and t2703. These data suggest that MFC may constitute a risk to the consumer because of its potential for staphylococcal food poisoning; however it might, also, become one of MRSA and MDR strains disseminator, including clones usually found in the hospital environment.

Guaraná (Paullinia cupana) seeds: Selective supercritical extraction of phenolic compounds.

Approximately 70% of the Brazilian production of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) seeds is absorbed by the beverage industries. Guaraná has several pharmacological properties: energy stimulant, antimicrobial, chemoprophylactic, antigenotoxic, antidepressive, anxiolytic, and anti-amnesic effects. Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of bioactive compounds from guaraná seeds was carried out and optimized by an orthogonal array design (OA9(3(4))). The factors/levels studied were: modifier(s) (ethanol and/or methanol), extraction time (20, 40, and 60min), temperature (40, 50, and 60°C), and pressure (100, 200, and 300bar). The statistical design was repeated with increasing proportions of modifiers. The percentage of modifier used was proportional to the amount of polar compounds extracted. The best conditions for the supercritical extraction, based on the content of polyphenols, epicatechin/catechin quantification, yield and operating cost, proved to be: 40% ethanol:methanol during 40min, under 40°C, and 100bar. The temperature had a significant effect on the total phenolic content.

Evaluation of Antibacterial, Antineoplastic, and Immunomodulatory Activity of Paullinia cupana Seeds Crude Extract and Ethyl-Acetate Fraction.

Paullinia cupana (Guarana) is a native plant of Amazon region that has very traditional importance. Its seeds are rich in bioactive compounds, including tannins, which exhibit relevant properties. Objective. This study aimed to evaluate antibacterial, antineoplastic, and immunomodulatory activity of P. cupana seeds crude extract (CE) and ethyl-acetate fraction (EAF). Methods. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by determination of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC). Antineoplastic activity was evaluated by MTT assays in hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), ductal carcinoma (T47-D), non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphoma (Toledo), T cell leukemia (Jukart), and Acute Leukemia (HL-60) cell lines. BALB/c mice splenocytes were treated to assess IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-10 levels by sandwich ELISA. Results. CE and EAF were not toxic to peripheral blood cells and splenocytes. CE and EAF fractions showed a bacteriostatic activity (MIC = 250 µg/mL) and presented IC50 values of 70.25 µg/mL and 61.18 µg/mL in HL-60 leukemia cell line. All cytokines evaluated had their levels reduced after treatment, following dose-response model. Discussion and Conclusion. Different biological activities were observed for both CE and EAF, suggesting P. cupana as a source of bioactive substances, especially tannins that may be used for several diseases treatments.

Uranium series disequilibria in ground waters from a fractured bedrock aquifer (Morungaba Granitoids--Southern Brazil): implications to the hydrochemical behavior of dissolved U and Ra.

Activity concentrations of dissolved (234)U, (238)U, (226)Ra and (228)Ra were determined in ground waters from two deep wells drilled in Morungaba Granitoids (Southern Brazil). Sampling was done monthly for little longer than 1 year. Significant disequilibrium between (238)U, (234)U and (226)Ra were observed in all samples. The variation of (238)U and (234)U activity concentrations and (234)U/(238)U activity ratios is related to seasonal changes. Although the distance between the two wells is short (about 900 m), systematic differences of activity concentrations of U isotopes, as well as of (234)U/(238)U, (226)Ra/(234)U and (228)Ra/(226)Ra activity ratios were noticed, indicating distinct host rock-water interactions. Slightly acidic ground water percolation through heterogeneous host rock, associated with different recharge processes, may explain uranium and radium isotope behavior.

Effect of raffinose and ultrasound pulses on invertase release by free and immobilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae in loofa (Luffa cylindrica) sponge

This study investigated the effect of raffinose and ultrasound pulses on invertase release from free S. cerevisiae and S. cerevisiae immobilized in Luffa cylindrica. The free cell culture was submitted to 2 percent raffinose pulse and irradiated for 2 minutes at 0.12 and 0.46 h-1 dilution rates. The immobilized cell culture was submitted to raffinose pulse and irradiated for 1, 2 and 4 minutes, at 0.10 h-1 dilution rate. In immobilized cells, the raffinose pulse increased the invertase activity from 5.38 to 7.27 U/mg. Ultrasound application in free cell culture at the 0.12 h-1 dilution rate gave the best results. The activity varied from 25.08 to 29.38 U/mg while the increase in immobilized cells was from 5.22 to 9.70 U/mg when sonicated for two minutes. These results showed that ultrasound application in continuous culture could have great potential for application in biotechnological techniques.

Neste trabalho investigou-se o efeito de pulsos de rafinose e ultra-som, na liberação de invertase de Saccharomyces cerevisiae livre e imobilizado em Luffa cylindrica. A cultura de células livres foi submetida a pulso de rafinose 2 por cento e irradiada por 2 min, nas taxas de diluição 0,12 e 0,46 h-1. A cultura de células imobilizadas foi submetida a pulso de rafinose e irradiada por 1, 2 e 4 min, em taxa de diluição 0,10 h-1. Em células imobilizadas, o pulso de rafinose aumentou a atividade invertásica de 5,38 para 7,27 U/mg. Entretanto a aplicação do ultra-som, em cultivo de células livres na taxa de diluição 0,12 h-1, obteve-se os melhores resultados. A atividade variou de 25,08 para 29,38 U/mg, enquanto que o aumento em células imobilizadas foi de 5,22 para 9,70 U/mg, quando sonicadas por 2 min. Esses resultados demonstram que a aplicação de ultra-som, em cultivo contínuo de células livres, pode ter um grande potencial de aplicação em processos biotecnológicos.

Airway inflammation in steroid-naïve asthmatics: characteristics of induced sputum

BACKGROUND: Airway inflammation, acknowledged as an important feature of asthma, can be assessed by the examination of induced sputum. OBJECTIVE: To determine the pattern of inflammatory cells in induced sputum from stable steroid-naïve asthmatics, in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. METHOD: The induced sputum from 34 asthmatics using exclusively inhaled bronchodilators on demand was examined. The patients' clinical characteristics were obtained at visit 1, and sputum was induced at visit 2. Differential cell count was performed on Giemsa-stained cytospins. Sputum was considered to be eosinophilic if there were 3 percent eosinophils, and neutrophilic if there were 65 percent neutrophils. RESULTS: Results are expressed by median and interquartile range. The total cell count was 3.4 (3.7) x 10(6) cells/ml, and cell viability was 80.0 (16.4) percent. The proportion of neutrophils was 14.4 (22.1) percent, of eosinophils 6.4 (17.2) percent, of macrophages 60.3 (37.5) percent, and of lymphocytes 1.1 (1.2) percent. Eosinophilic sputum was observed in 24 subjects (70.6 percent); none of them had neutrophilic sputum. There were no significant differences between the eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic groups concerning the measured clinical outcomes, total cell count and proportions of cells in the sputum, except for the proportion of eosinophils (14.4 [19.3] vs 0.4 [1.1], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In our environment, steroid-naïve asthmatics present a higher proportion of sputum eosinophils, as compared to the established reference values. The clinical and physiological parameters analyzed were unable to predict the presence of eosinophilic inflammation of the airways.

Tromboembolismo pulmonar / Pulmonary thromboembolism

Este capítulo objetiva oferecer conceitos básicos e atualizados, ligados ao tromboembolismo pulmonar, visando, principalmente, o aluno da graduaçäo e médicos generalistas.

Alternative methods for the feeding of triatomines under laboratory conditions

Visando a melhor eficácia na criaçäo e manutençäo de triatomíneos em condiçöes de laboratório, elaboramos dois sistemas de alimentaçäo, um com fonte natural, no qual foi utilizado pombo que mantém-se vivo após vários repastos sucessivos em triatomíneos e o outro com fonte artificial, utilizando-se sangue de carneiro desfibrinado. Além dos equipamentos serem compostos de material de fácil aquisiçäo e de baixo custo, estes mostraram-se eficientes e práticos, oferecendo ótimas condiçöes na alimentaçäo dos triatomíneos