Antigenotoxic and antimutagenic effects of Myrciaria dubia juice in mice submitted to ethanol 28-day treatment.

Myrciaria dubia is a native plant from the Amazon region which produces red-purplish fruit rich in antioxidant compounds such as ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and phenolic. M. dubia fruit is used to prepare juices considered to possess high nutritional content providing health benefits. The aim of this study was to examine the ability of M. dubia juice to protect DNA against genomic instability induced by sub-acute ethanol consumption attributed to oxidative stress. Mice were treated for 28 days with juice at 25% and 50% diluted in distilled water or with the diluted combination juice plus ethanol (5 g/kg). The genotoxic/antigenotoxic and mutagenic/antimutagenic effects were assessed using comet assay in blood, liver, and kidney and micronucleus (MN) test with bone marrow. In addition, the mutagenicity was also evaluated using Salmonella/microsome assay. Phytochemical compounds were determined using HPLC/PDA/MS/MS. The juice did not induce genotoxic effects in blood, kidney, and liver cells at both doses. In combination with ethanol, the juice reduced the alcohol-mediated DNA damage in all tissues analyzed. Further, the juice did not produce mutagenic effects and decreased mutagenicity induced by ethanol in the bone marrow. The anthocyanins were major compounds detected by HPLC/PDA/MS/MS, which modulated genotoxic and mutagenic effects initiated by ethanol and at least in part appeared responsible for the observed antigenotoxic and antimutagenic effects of M. dubia juice.

Effectiveness of Biochar Obtained from Corncob for Immobilization of Lead in Contaminated Soil.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have explored the potential for using biochar as a soil amendment in agriculture. However, it can also be used as a gentle remediation option for contaminant reduction. Biochar is a by-product obtained from the pyrolysis of biomass (organic matter). It is known for its long-lasting chemical properties, wide surface area values, and carbon-richness, which make it an efficient method for the immobilization of organic and inorganic contaminants such as heavy metals. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to analyze the efficiency of biochar, obtained from the gasification of corncob, for the immobilization of lead in contaminated soils. METHODS: In the present study, biochar from corncob was used as an amendment for soil contaminated with lead (extracted from the municipality of Malambo, Colombia) in order to estimate its ability to immobilize leaching lead. A comparison laboratory test applied a modified biochar produced with a 10% hydrogen peroxide chemical treatment. In addition, a pot experiment was done with both biochar by sowing seeds of Pennisetum clandestinum for 33 days. During this period, plant growth was measured for the different amendments of biochar concentrations. RESULTS: Laboratory tests indicated that unmodified biochar obtained a maximum retention of 61.46% of lead, while the modified biochar obtained only 44.53% retention. In the pot experiments, the modified biochar indicated high germination and growth of seeds (up to 89.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Although the lead immobilization in soil was positive for both cases, the use of soil with high concentrations of lead (167.62 g/kg) does not indicate biochar's effectiveness for purposes of comparison with the current United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) limit value (400 ppm for bare soil in urban play areas). Therefore, further studies are recommended using soil with lower lead concentration levels. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare no competing financial interests. One author is an employee of Pure Earth.

Impact of physiotherapy on neuromotor development of premature newborns / Impacto da fisioterapia no desenvolvimento neuromotor de recém-nascidos prematuros

Introduction The population of children born prematurely has increased in line with improving the quality of perinatal care. It is essential to ensure to these children a healthy development. Objective We evaluate the neuromotor development of a group of preterm infants regularly assisted by a physiotherapy service in comparison to full-term newborns, checking, so the impact of the service. Materials and methods We randomly assigned preterm and full-term infants that formed two distinct groups. The group of preterm infants was inserted into a monitoring program of physiotherapy while the other infants were taken as a control group not receiving any assistance in physiotherapy. The groups were compared using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) at forty-week, four and six months of corrected gestational age and the scores were compared using Student's t-test, assuming a significance level of 5% (p < 0.05). Results The preterm group had significantly lower scores at 40th week compared to the control group, but subsequent scores showed no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion The timely and adequate stimulation was efficient to promote the motor development of premature infants included in a follow up clinic. .

Introdução A população de crianças nascidas prematuramente tem aumentado em função da melhoria da qualidade da assistência perinatal. É fundamental assegurar a essas crianças um desenvolvimento saudável. Objetivo Avaliou-se o desenvolvimento neuromotor de um grupo de recém-nascidos prematuros regularmente assistidos pelo serviço de fisioterapia em comparação aos recém-nascidos a termo, aferindo, assim o impacto do serviço. Materias e métodos Foram alocadas aleatoriamente crianças prematuras e a termo que constituíram dois grupos distintos. O grupo de crianças prematuras foi inserido em um programa de acompanhamento de fisioterapia infantil enquanto o outro grupo foi tomado como controle, não recebendo qualquer assistência fisioterápica. Os grupos foram comparados por meio da Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), na quadragésima semana, aos quatro e seis meses de idade gestacional corrigida e os escores foram comparados através do test T de Student, assumindo-se um nível de significância de 5% (p < 0,05). Resultados O grupo de prematuros apresentou escores significativamente mais baixos na 40ª semana em relação ao grupo controle, mas os escores subseqüentes não mostraram diferenças significativas entre os dois grupos. Conclusão A estimulação oportuna e adequada mostrou-se eficiente para promover o desenvolvimento motor de crianças prematuras inseridas em um ambulatório de seguimento. .

Doença e morte na umbanda branca: a Legião Branca Mestre Jesus / Illness and death in the white umbanda: the master Jesus White Legion

Neste artigo expõem-se e analisam-se as concepções de doença e morte presentes em um renomado centro de cura espiritual, mediante procedimento etnográficos e a consideração dos seus implícitos. Subjacente ao surgimento da Legião Branca Mestre Jesus conta-se a história de uma família de índios cujos fundadores, depois de mortos, se unem no “plano espiritual” para atrair e reunir os seus membros que entretanto se haviam dispersado. Esta narrativa parece ser uma metáfora do encontro e desencontro entre colonizadores e suas vítimas africanas e indígenas. A doença é significada como um sinal de pertencimento a essa família e o fato dos “médicos” serem entendidos como mortos, propõe uma relação de familiaridade com a morte. A concepção reencarnacionista propicia a composição de laços entre biografias diversas, interligando uma revisão da própria identidade a memórias sociais da escravidão, da subjugação colonial e do etnocídio indígena. (AU)

This article sets out and analyzes the concepts of illness and death present in a renowned center for spiritual healing, through ethnographic procedures and consideration of their implicit. Underlying the emergence of the Legião Branca Mestre Jesus tells the story of a family of Indians whose founders, when dead, have joined in the "spiritual plane" to attract and bring together its member, however, had dispersed to. This narrative seems to be a metaphor for the agreements and disagreements between settlers and their indigenous and africans victims. The disease is meant as a sign of belonging to this family and the fact that "doctors" are seen as dead, proposes a relationship of familiarity with death. The reincarnation concept enables the formation of bonds between various biographies, linking an examination of his social identity to memories of slavery, colonial oppression and ethnic cleansing of the indigenous. (AU)

Doença e Morte na Umbanda Branca: A Legião Branca Mestre Jesus / Illness and Death in the White Umbanda: The Master Jesus White Legion

Neste artigo expõem-se e analisam-se as concepções de doença e morte presentes em um renomado centro de cura espiritual, mediante procedimento etnográficos e a consideração dos seus implícitos. Subjacente ao surgimento da Legião Branca Mestre Jesus conta-se a história de uma família de índios cujos fundadores, depois de mortos, se unem no “plano espiritual” para atrair e reunir os seus membros que entretanto se haviam dispersado. Esta narrativa parece ser uma metáfora do encontro edesencontro entre colonizadores e suas vítimas africanas e indígenas. A doença é significada como um sinal de pertencimento a essa família e o fatodos “médicos” serem entendidos como mortos, propõe uma relação defamiliaridade com a morte. A concepção reencarnacionista propicia a composição de laços entre biografias diversas, interligando uma revisão da própria identidade a memórias sociais da escravidão, da subjugação coloniale do etnocídio indígena...

This article sets out and analyzes the concepts of illness and death present in a renowned center for spiritual healing, through ethnographic procedures and consideration of their implicit. Underlying the emergence of the LegiãoBranca Mestre Jesus tells the story of a family of Indians whose founders, when dead, have joined in the "spiritual plane" to attract and bring together its member, however, had dispersed to. This narrative seems to be a metaphor for the agreements and disagreements between settlers and their indigenous and africans victims. The disease is meant as a sign of belonging to this family and the fact that "doctors" are seen as dead, proposes a relationship of familiarity with death. The reincarnation concept enables the formation of bonds between various biographies, linking an examination of his social identity to memories of slavery, colonial oppression and ethnic cleansing of the indigenous...

Disciplina Saúde da Criança

O recurso abrange os principais agravos à saúde da criança e prevenção e promoção a saúde da criança (aula 1).

[Maternal perceptions about the birth of a premature child and care after discharge]. / Percepções maternas sobre o nascimento de um filho prematuro e cuidados após a alta.

This is a qualitative study, which aimed to identify maternal perceptions on premature birth and care of the newborn during hospitalization and after discharge. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 16 mothers of premature infants in NICU or in follow up ambulatory for infants discharged from NICU. The interviews were taped, transcribed and analyzed based on Content Analysis. Results revealed feelings of sadness, anguish, guilt and powerlessness. It was also reveled confidence in the health care team, uncertainty with the care of child at home, the importance of social network support and the role of spirituality for families. Professionals who work with infants should devote more attention to their families, understanding and accepting critical experiments in a humane way.

Percepções maternas sobre o nascimento de um filho prematuro e cuidados após a alta / Maternal perceptions about the birth of a premature child and care after discharge / Percepciones maternas sobre el nacimiento de un hijo prematuro y cuidados después del alta

Estudo qualitativo que objetivou conhecer percepções maternas sobre o nascimento do filho prematuro e os cuidados após a alta. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada com 16 mães de prematuros internados em UTIN, ou em acompanhamento pelo ambulatório de seguimento de recém-nascidos egressos de UTIN. As entrevistas foram gravadas, transcritas e interpretadas com base na Análise de Conteúdo. Os resultados revelaram sentimentos de tristeza, angústia, culpa e impotência. Registrou-se, ainda, confiança na equipe de saúde, insegurança com os cuidados ao filho em casa, a importância da rede de apoio social e da espiritualidade para as famílias. Profissionais que trabalham com prematuros devem dedicar maior atenção às suas famílias, compreendendo experiências críticas e acolhendo de forma humanizada.

This is a qualitative study, which aimed to identify maternal perceptions on premature birth and care of the newborn during hospitalization and after discharge. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 16 mothers of premature infants in NICU or in follow up ambulatory for infants discharged from NICU. The interviews were taped, transcribed and analyzed based on Content Analysis. Results revealed feelings of sadness, anguish, guilt and powerlessness. It was also reveled confidence in the health care team, uncertainty with the care of child at home, the importance of social network support and the role of spirituality for families. Professionals who work with infants should devote more attention to their families, understanding and accepting critical experiments in a humane way.

Investigación cualitativa con el objetivo de conocer la percepción materna sobre el nacimiento prematuro e el cuidado del recién-nacido durante la hospitalización e después del alta. Los datos fueron tomados mediante entrevista semi-estructurada a 16 madres con hijos prematuros internados en la UTIN o en la supervisión del seguimiento del ambulatorio para niños prematuros dados de alta de la UCIN. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas, transcritas y analizadas sobre la base de Análisis de Contenido. Los resultados revelaron sentimientos de tristeza, angustia, culpa e impotencia. Se registró también la confianza en el equipo de salud, la incertidumbre con el cuidado del niño en el hogar, la importancia de la red de apoyo social y de la espiritualidad para las familias. Los profesionales que trabajan con niños deben prestar más atención a sus familias, comprendiendo y aceptando los experimentos críticos de una manera humana.

Expression of the CTCF gene in bovine oocytes and preimplantation embryos

The CCCTC - binding factor (CTCF) is a protein involved in repression, activation, hormone-inducible gene silencing, functional reading of imprinted genes and X-chromosome inactivation. We analyzed CTCF gene expression in bovine peripheral blood, oocytes and in different cellular stages (2-4 cells, 8-16 cells, 16-32 cells, morulae, and blastocysts) of in vitro fertilized embryos. This is the first report of CTCF expression in oocytes and preimplantation bovine embryos and has implications for the production of embryonic stem cells and the development of novel medical technologies for humans.

Prevention of bacterial translocation using glutamine: a new strategy of investigation.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the role of glutamine (Gln) on bacterial translocation in an intestinal obstruction model by using Escherichia coli labeled with technetium 99m (99mTc-E. coli). METHODS: Intestinal obstruction was performed by a single ligature of the terminal ileum in rats. Animals in the control group (group 1) were sham operated (not obstructed). Experimental group 2 had intestinal obstruction. Groups 1 and 2 were not treated with Gln. Groups 3 and 4 were treated with Gln for 7 d before surgery with 250 and 500 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), respectively. A suspension containing 100 million colony-forming units/mL of (99m)Tc-E. coli was injected into the lumen of the ileum. Twenty-four hours after surgery, blood, mesenteric lymph nodes, livers, spleens, and lungs were collected for determination of radioactivity. The Mann-Whitney U test was performed for statistical analysis. P

Use of the TSPY gene for sexing cattle

The Y-encoded, testis-specific protein (TSPY) is a Y-specific gene. The copy numbers of TSPY range from 20 to 60 in men and up to 200 in bulls. In this study, we examined the possibility of using the TSPY gene to sex cattle. DNA from blood samples of 100 Nelore cattle (50 males and 50 females) from the Nelore Cattle Breeding Program (PMGRN) was screened for TSPY by PCR using TSPY-specific primers. The assay was highly specific since all male samples were TSPY-positive and all female samples were negative. Positive results were also obtained at low DNA concentrations (less than 1 rhog/muL). These results showed that TSPY was a good male-specific marker, the usefulness of which was enhanced by the high copy number of the gene. This is the first report to demonstrate the applicability of TSPY for sexing cattle.