Analysis of Factors Related to the Success of Pediatric Kidney Transplantation: A 35 Years Experience.

BACKGROUND: Despite the significant improvement results over the past 20 years, pediatric kidney transplantation remains a challenge. Chronic rejection, thrombosis, and recurrence of the primary disease are frequent causes of graft loss that have been little studied. Therefore, our objective is to analyze factors related to a better prognosis, which can be used to improve future strategies to allow higher pediatric transplant success rates. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study with patients under 15 years old submitted for kidney transplantation at the Hospital das Clínicas da UNICAMP between January 1, 1987, and January 1, 2022. Age, patient weight, time and type of dialysis, use of anticoagulation, complications, ischemia time, and donor weight were analyzed and related to graft loss. The significance level adopted for the statistical tests was 5%. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-two medical records were anaThe mean follow-up time was 11 years, and the mean graft duration was ration 8.5 years. The main causes of graft loss were chronic dysfunction, thrombosis, and acute cellular rejection. Thrombosis presented significantly with the donor's body mass index and second transplantation. There was no correlation between the analyzed variables and chronic dysfunction or acute cellular rejection. DISCUSSION: Thrombosis remains the main cause of early graft loss, followed by acute cellular rejection. Measures such as thrombophilia screening and thromboprophylaxis have been proposed to improve results. However, they are still not standardized. CONCLUSION: The main causes of graft loss were chronic dysfunction, thrombosis, and acute cellular rejection. Only the thrombosis was related to the donor's body mass index and a second transplantation.

Ultrasonic pre-treatment to enhance drying of potentially probiotic guava (Psidium guajava): Impact on drying kinetics, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG viability, and functional quality.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ultrasound (US) on the drying acceleration of potentially probiotic guava, including its impact on drying kinetics, probiotic (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG) viability, and functional quality of the product during drying. To perform US pre-treatments, one group of samples were first pre-treated by US (38 W/L, 25 kHz) for 15 and 30 min and then immersed in the probiotic solution for 15 or 30 min, and another group of samples were submerged in the probiotic solution simultaneously applying US (US-assisted) for 15 and 30 min. After pre-treatments, the samples were convectively dried at 60 °C. Based on the results, all US pre-treatments improved the drying rate (up to 59%) and reduced the drying time (up to 31%) to reach 25% moisture compared to non-sonicated samples. The reduction in drying time (from ∼6 h to ∼4 h for US pre-treated samples) was crucial for maintaining the probiotic viability in the dehydrated guavas. These samples showed counts of 6.15 to 7.00 CFU∙g-1 after 4 h, while the control samples reached counts of 4.17 to 4.45 CFU∙g-1 after 6 h. US pre-treatment did not affect the color parameters of the samples before drying (p > 0.05). The functional compounds were reduced during drying (p < 0.05), however, all US pre-treated samples had lower reductions in vitamin C content (up to 20%), phenolic compounds (up to 41%) and antioxidant capacity (up to 47%) compared to control samples (up to 52%, 81% and 61%, respectively). Therefore, US pre-treatment (highlighting the US-assisted probiotic incorporation for 30 min) reduced the drying time for guava slices and minimized the thermal impact on probiotic viability and functional compounds, being a strategy to produce potentially probiotic dehydrated guava.

Impact of ultrasound and protease addition on the fermentation profile and final characteristics of fermented goat and sheep cheese whey.

Goat (GCW) and sheep cheese whey (SCW) are cheese by-products that can be fermented to develop a new product. However, the limited nutrient availability for lactic acid bacteria (LAB) growth and the low stability of whey are challenges. This work evaluated the addition of protease and/or ultrasound-assisted fermentation as tools to improve GCW and SCW fermentation and the final quality of the products. Results showed that the US/protease increased by 23-32% pH decline rate (for SCW only) and modified the separation of cream (≤ 60% for GCW) and whey (≤ 80% for both whey sources, with higher values for GCW) during storage, explained by changes in the microstructure protein, fat globules, and their interactions. Furthermore, the whey source/composition (mainly lower fat content in SCW) affected the destabilization rate and the LAB viability loss (1.5-3.0 log CFU/mL), caused by nutrient depletion and low tolerance at pH ~ 4.0. Finally, exploratory results showed that fermentation under sonication (with/without protease) resulted in 24-218% higher antioxidant activity in vitro than unfermented samples. Therefore, fermentation associated with proteases/sonication can be an interesting strategy to modify GWC and SCW, and the final process chosen depends on the desired changes in whey. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-023-05767-3.

Use of maltodextrin, sweet potato flour, pectin and gelatin as wall material for microencapsulating Lactiplantibacillus plantarum by spray drying: Thermal resistance, in vitro release behavior, storage stability and physicochemical properties.

Different plant products and co-products have been studied as wall materials for the microencapsulation of probiotics due to the need for new lost-cost, abundant, and natural materials. In this study, microparticles were developed by spray drying using different combinations of conventional materials such as maltodextrin, pectin, gelatin, and agar-agar with unconventional materials such as sweet potato flour to microencapsulate Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. The microparticles obtained were evaluated for encapsulation efficiency, thermal resistance, and rupture test. The most resistant microparticles were characterized and evaluated for probiotic viability during storage and survival to in vitro gastrointestinal conditions. Microparticles A (10 % maltodextrin, 5 % sweet potato flour, and 1 % pectin) and B (10 % maltodextrin, 4 % sweet potato flour, and 2 % gelatin) showed high thermal resistance (>59 %) and survival in acidic conditions (>80 %). L. plantarum in microparticles A and B remained viable with counts > 6 log CFU.g-1 for 45 days at 8 °C and -18 °C and resisted in vitro gastrointestinal conditions after processing with counts of 8.38 and 9.10 log CFU.g-1, respectively. Therefore, the selected microparticles have great potential for application in different products in the food industry, as they promote the protection and distribution of probiotic microorganisms.

Análise das intercorrências no transporte inter-hospitalar da pessoa em situação crítica / Analysis of intercurrences in the inter-hospital transport of critically ill patients

O transporte inter-hospitalar da pessoa em situação crítica é um procedimento frequente face à necessidade de meios complementares de diagnóstico e terapêutica com elevado nível de diferenciação. Embora represente um risco adicional para o doente, o planeamento adequado é fundamental para a diminuição da ocorrência de complicações. Objetivos: Analisar as intercorrências no transporte inter-hospitalar da pessoa em situação critica do Serviço de Urgência Geral de um Centro Hospitalar da região norte de Portugal de julho de 2020 a março de 2021. Métodos: Estudo transversal retrospetivo, de natureza quantitativa. Realizado em 48 doentes provenientes do Serviço de Urgência Geral de um Centro Hospitalar da região norte de Portugal, sujeitos a transporte inter-hospitalar, por via terrestre, entre julho de 2020 a março de 2021. A recolha de dados decorreu no mês de julho e agosto de 2021. Como instrumento de recolha de dados foi elaborada uma grelha de registos, tendo por base a folha de registo de transporte inter-hospitalar. O tratamento de dados foi no programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) versão 25.0., com recurso às estatísticas, descritiva e inferencial. O estudo obteve parecer favorável da Comissão de ética R.2644 de 25.06.2021. Resultados: Amostra maioritariamente do sexo masculino (60,4%), no grupo etário entre os 18-64 anos (39,6%), com uma média de idades de 66,75±20,26 anos. A duração média do tempo de transporte foi de 64,11±08,18 minutos. A especialidade de origem mais frequente foi a neurologia (64,4%), a de destino a neurocirurgia (52,1%), com o diagnóstico do sistema nervoso (54,2%). Escala de coma de Glasgow com 15 pontos (60,4%) e com ventilação espontânea (47,9%). Registaram-se 79,2% de intercorrências, sendo que destas 80,9% foram clínicas e a mais frequente foi a tensão arterial ≥ 140mmHg (47,9%), no sexo masculino (63,2%), com idade entre os 75-84 anos (100%), com o diagnóstico do sistema nervoso (84,6%) e a especialidade de origem a neurologia. Verificou-se diferença, estatística significativa, entre as intercorrências clínicas e a especialidade de origem (p=0,033). As intercorrências não clínicas foram de (19,1%) e a mais frequente foi a exteriorização do cateter venoso periférico (16,7%) e no grupo etário superior 85 anos (45,5%) verificando-se uma associação, estatisticamente significativa entre as intercorrências não clinicas e o grupo etário (p=0,007). Conclusão: Verificou-se maior frequência de intercorrências clínicas, no sexo masculino, com idade entre os 75-84 anos e com alterações neurológicas, associando-se com a especialidade de origem. As não clínicas foram mais frequentes nos mais idosos. Sugerimos uma monitorização, dos parâmetros vitais mais frequente ou mesmo invasiva neste grupo etário, bem como vigilância do estado de consciência destes doentes. A realização de outros estudos com amostras maiores e preferencialmente prospetivos.

The inter-hospital transport of the critically ill person is a frequent procedure given the need for complementary means of diagnosis and therapy with a high level of differentiation. Although it represents an additional risk for the patient, proper planning is essential to reduce the occurrence of complications. Objectives: To analyze the intercurrences in the inter-hospital transport of the person in a critical situation of the General Emergency Service of a Hospital Center in the northern region of Portugal from July 2020 to March 2021. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study of a quantitative nature. Performed on 48 patients from the General Emergency Department of a Hospital Center in the northern region of Portugal, subject to inter-hospital transport, by land, between July 2020 and March 2021. Data collection took place in July and August 2021. As a data collection instrument, a grid of records was prepared, based on the inter-hospital transport record sheet. Data processing was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0., using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study obtained a favorable opinion from the Ethics Committee R.2644 de 25.06.2021. Results: The sample was mostly male (60.4%), in the age group between 18-64 years (39.6%), with a mean age of 66.75±20.26 years. The mean duration of transport time was 64.11±08.18 minutes. The most frequent specialty of origin was neurology (64.4%), that of destination neurosurgery (52.1%), with the diagnosis of the nervous system (54.2%). Glasgow Coma Scale with 15 points (60.4%) and with spontaneous ventilation (47.9%). There were 79.2% of complications, of which 80.9% were clinical and the most frequent was blood pressure ≥ 140mmHg (47.9%), in males (63.2%) and aged between 75-84 years (100%), with the diagnosis of the nervous system (84.6%) and the specialty of origin neurology. There was a statistically significant difference between clinical complications and the specialty of origin (p=0.033). Non-clinical complications were (19.1%) and the most frequent was the externalization of the peripheral venous catheter (16.7%) and in the age group over 85 years (45.5%) there was a statistically significant association between non-clinical complications and age group (p=0.007). Conclusion: There was a higher frequency of clinical complications, in males, aged between 75- 84 years and with neurological alterations, associated with the specialty of origin. Non-clinical ones were more frequent in the elderly. We suggest a more frequent or even invasive monitoring of vital parameters in this age group, as well as monitoring the state of consciousness of these patients. Carrying out other studies with larger and preferably prospective samples.

An Overview Regarding Pharmacogenomics and Biomarkers Discovery: Focus on Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer represents a health concern worldwide for being the leading cause of cancer- related women's death. The main challenge for breast cancer treatment involves its heterogeneous nature with distinct clinical outcomes. It is clinically categorized into five subtypes: luminal A; luminal B, HER2-positive, luminal-HER, and triple-negative. Despite the significant advances in the past decades, critical issues involving the development of efficient target-specific therapies and overcoming treatment resistance still need to be better addressed. OMICs-based strategies have marked a revolution in cancer biology comprehension in the past two decades. It is a consensus that Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is the primary source of this revolution and the development of relevant consortia translating pharmacogenomics into clinical practice. Still, new approaches, such as CRISPR editing and epigenomic sequencing are essential for target and biomarker discoveries. Here, we discuss genomics and epigenomics techniques, how they have been applied in clinical management and to improve therapeutic strategies in breast cancer, as well as the pharmacogenomics translation into the current and upcoming clinical routine.

Ultrasound-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis of goat milk casein: Effects on hydrolysis kinetics and on the solubility and antioxidant activity of hydrolysates.

This study evaluated the ability of ultrasound (US) bath to improve the hydrolysis of goat milk casein (GMC) by three commercial proteases (Alcalase, Brauzyn and Flavourzyme) using assisted reactions at 60 °C for up to 300 min. Process performance was evaluated based on the rate reaction, final hydrolysis degree, solubility, and antioxidant activity of the hydrolysates. For all enzymes, the US-assisted reaction increased the rate of GMC hydrolysis (up to 120%), the hydrolysis degree (23-48%), and the small peptides formed, i.e., those soluble in trichloroacetic acid (TCA) (up to 40%). Consequently, US-assisted GMC hydrolysis improved the solubility of the hydrolyzed product (up to a 35.7% increase after 300 min of reaction) and, compared to conventional hydrolysis, reduced the time to achieve the maximum solubility by up to 10 times. Regarding the in vitro antioxidant activity, especially for Alcalase, the technology promoted a higher scavenging capacity of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (p < 0.05), thus 10-fold accelerating the production of antioxidant peptides, according to ABTS assays (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the US-assisted enzymatic reaction is a promising technology to improve the hydrolysis rate and yield of the process of obtaining hydrolysates from GMC. Moreover, these hydrolysates showed high solubility and good in vitro antioxidant activity, which demonstrates the potential to be used as food ingredient with nutritional and techno-functional appeal.

Use of physical processes to maximize goat milk cream hydrolysis: Impact on structure and enzymatic hydrolysis.

This study evaluated the use of ultrasound (US), high-shear dispersion (HSD), stirring (ST), and low or high pressure homogenization (LPH or HPH) technologies to modify the goat milk cream (GMC) structure, focusing on improving the enzymatic hydrolysis of its lipids. The GMC structure was evaluated, as well as its creaming and emulsion stability index (ESI). The processed GMC was hydrolyzed by lipase at 50 °C for 300 min, and the fatty acids concentration (FAC) was evaluated over the reaction. ST, HPH, and HSD showed âˆ¼ 90% lower emulsion destabilization, 10 times higher ESI, and smaller fat globule size than unprocessed GMC. The pretreatments increased the hydrolysis rate up to 2.4 times and the final FAC up to 8.7 times. ST (4 min), HPH (40 MPa) and HSD (5 min/ 25,000 rpm) showed the best results, which were correlated with the changes in the GMC structure. The results suggest that the physical treatments impacted the substrate structure, favoring enzyme activity and accelerating the hydrolysis degree. Therefore, the application of physical processes can be an interesting strategy to enhance the hydrolysis of GMC, aiming to produce compounds of industrial interest.

Lessons from transmissible cancers for immunotherapy and transplant.

The emergence of horizontal transmission of cancer between vertebrates is an issue that interests scientists and medical society. Transmission requires: (i) a mechanism by which cancer cells can transfer to another organism and (ii) a repressed immune response on the part of the recipient. Transmissible tumors are unique models to comprehend the responses and mechanisms mediated by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which can be transposed for transplant biology. Here, we discuss the mechanisms involved in immune-mediated tissue rejection, making a parallel with transmissible cancers. We also discuss cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in cancer immunotherapy and anti-rejection therapies.

Mango and carrot mixed juice: a new matrix for the vehicle of probiotic lactobacilli.

This study evaluated the pH, acidity, soluble solids, color, dietary fiber, sensory acceptance and the viability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus in mango and carrot mixed juices. In addition, this study verified the resistance of L. plantarum that presented greater viability to the gastrointestinal tract simulated in vitro. Three formulations were elaborated (varying the pulps concentration) and the products were stored at 8 °C for 35 days. No difference was found in the total soluble solids and color of the products during storage time at 8 °C. A reduction in pH and an increase in acidity were observed in all samples during storage, probably due to the fermentative action of probiotics, which negatively influenced acceptance after 35 days of storage. On the other hand, juices with a higher concentration of mango pulp were more accepted and may be a strategy to improve the acceptance of fermented juices. Microorganisms showed greater viability in juices that had higher amount of carrot pulp, probably due to the higher fiber content in these samples. During the 35-day shelf life, all juices with L. plantarum maintained counts above 7 log CFU mL-1 after gastrointestinal conditions simulation. Therefore, mango and carrot mixed juice showed to be as a good vehicle for probiotic bacteria and meets the needs of consumers looking for functional, healthy, non-dairy and low-sugar foods.

Development of a mixed jussara and mango juice with added Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG submitted to sub-lethal acid and baric stresses.

This study evaluated the interference of sub-lethal acid (SLA) stress and high isostatic pressure (HIP) stress on the survival of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in mixed jussara and mango juice with the pH adjusted to 3.0 and 3.5, during 90 days of storage at 6 °C. The SLA stress at pH 4.0 previously applied to the LGG cells had no effect on the survival of this bacterium in mixed jussara and mango juices. On the other hand, the application of 200 MPa/5 min/25 °C treatment to LGG cells was shown to be efficient in the cross protection of this bacterium in an acid medium. Pressures above 400 MPa/5 min/25 °C caused a reduction in the viability in an acid medium and lower pressures (< 100 MPa) showed similar results compared to control treatment in the LGG survival. No changes in pH, acidity and soluble solids were observed in mixed juices. In addition, these products showed elevated levels of anthocyanins, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. This highlights the capacity of the HIP process to promote the cross protection of LGG in an acid medium.

Current advances in the diagnosis and personalized treatment of breast cancer: lessons from tumor biology.

Breast cancer treatment has advanced enormously in the last decade. Most of this is due to advances reached in the knowledge regarding tumor biology, mainly in the field of diagnosis and treatment. This review brings information about how the genomics-based information contributed to advances in breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis perspective, as well as presents how tumor biology discoveries fostered the main therapeutic approaches available to treat such patients, based on a personalized point of view.

Low Plasmatic 25-hydroxyvitamin D at Diagnosis is Associated with Axillary Invasion, Chemoresistance and Metastasis in Women with Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated the circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) in Brazilian women with breast cancer in samples collected at diagnosis, and correlated these with clinicopathological parameters relevant to disease prognosis. METHODS: This study involved 147 women diagnosed with infiltrative ductal carcinoma whose peripheral blood samples were collected, to have 25(OH)D levels measured in plasma. RESULTS: Our findings indicated that circulating 25(OH)D levels at diagnosis were insufficient in patients with breast cancer. Further, 25(OH)D reduced plasmatic levels at diagnosis correlated significantly with poor prognosis parameters, including axillar positivity, chemoresistance and metastasis. Patients bearing triple-negative tumors also presented reduced 25(OH)D in plasma when compared to those who carried Luminal tumors. Our data suggest relevant correlations when 25(OH)D is reduced in plasma at diagnosis, such as advanced disease with axillar positivity, chemoresistance with advanced disease, early age at diagnosis with high histological grade and dead with axilla positivity. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, our findings reinforce that 25(OH)D reduction can be a plausible marker of disease prognosis in breast cancer.

Mosquito abundance in a Dirofilaria immitis hotspot in the eastern state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Coastal lowlands in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, support high numbers of heartworm-infected dogs. Microfilariae of heartworm need to be ingested by a potencial mosquito vector in order to develop into infective larvae and infect a new host. Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus and Ochlerotatus scapularis are the primary vector species in the coastal lowlands of metropolitan Rio de Janeiro; thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether these two species were abundant enough at the heartworm hotspot in the eastern area of the state to be important to the local parasite's life cycle. The study was conducted at the Massambaba sandbank (22°55'45″S;42°18'51″W), where canine heartworm prevalence was 53.1%. Mosquitoes were captured monthly using two traps with CO2, as well as eventual human landing. A total of 6118 mosquitoes of 16 species were collected. Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus (37.5%), Culex quinquefasciatus (19.3%), Oc. scapularis (18.2%), and Coquillettidia sp. (10.5%) were the most abundant species. The monthly variation in frequency was marked for Oc. scapularis and Cx. quinquefasciatus and steadier for Oc. taeniorhynchus and Coquillettidia sp. The abundance of the two Ochlerotatus species reaffirms that they are the primary natural vectors for D. immitis in the coastal Rio de Janeiro state lowlands.

In vitro and in vivo resistance of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG carried by a mixed pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merril) and jussara (Euterpe edulis Martius) juice to the gastrointestinal tract.

This study evaluated the viability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and its in vitro and in vivo resistance to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) when carried by a mixed fermented pineapple and jussara juice. The effects of product ingestion on the biochemical characteristics of the blood and on the development of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in Wistar rats were also determined. The LGG viability in probiotic juice was higher than 7.2 log CFU/mL throughout 28 days at 8 °C. The mean count of the probiotic microorganism in the fecal samples of the rats was 5.6 log CFU/g, identical to the count at the end of the in vitro trial (enteric phase II), indicating that the mixed pineapple and jussara juice was an excellent vehicle for LGG. No difference (p > .05) was verified to ACF among the groups. However, the results for the probiotic culture viability and its in vitro and in vivo resistance to the gastrointestinal tract suggest that this juice is an excellent carrier matrix for LGG and contributed to a reduction in the levels of the LDL (low density lipoprotein) fraction of the blood cholesterol, thus being an aid in the control of coronary diseases.

Twist1 Correlates With Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Markers Fibronectin and Vimentin in Adrenocortical Tumors.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Although the knowledge regarding adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC) tumorigenesis has significantly improved during the last decade, it still remains to be completely determined. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a well described transcription factor induced process, postulated as an essential step toward cancer progression and metastasis development. In this context, Twist1 has been described as the EMT master-regulator. The aim of this study was to assess the association among Twist1, fibronectin, vimentin and E-cadherin gene expression in adrenocortical tumor samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twist1, fibronectin, vimentin and E-cadherin gene expression in 18 adrenal adenomas, 18 ACC, and 24 childhood onset adrenocortical tumors were assessed in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. The fold expression was calculated according to the 2ΔCt method. RESULTS: A significant correlation between mRNA levels of Twist1, fibronectin and vimentin was evident. Although their expression was inversely proportional, no association was observed between Twist1 and E-cadherin expression. CONCLUSION: The expression of Twist1, the major regulator of EMT, is directly correlated to the expression of mesenchymal markers fibronectin and vimentin in ACC samples.

Avaliação sensorial e microbiológica de bebida mista de vegetais adicionada de probiótico / Sensory and microbiological evaluation of mixed vegetable drinks with probiotic

Bebidas de origem vegetal vêm sendo estudadas como carreadoras de bactérias probióticas. Neste estudo objetivou-se elaborar duas bebidas mistas probióticas sabor goiaba e beterraba: BMAP (bebida mista à base de extrato de amendoim) e BMSP (à base de extrato de soja), que foram adicionadas de Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Avaliaram-se características sensoriais e microbiológicas das bebidas elaboradas e de uma bebida comercial a base de soja disponível no mercado (BSC). Verificou-se que, após o processamento, as bebidas BMAP, BMSP e a BSC apresentaram escores equivalentes a "gostei ligeiramente" e "gostei muito" para os atributos acidez, cor, sabor, aroma, textura e impressão global, e escores equivalentes a "talvez comprasse, talvez não comprasse" e "provavelmente compraria" na avaliação de intenção de compra, não havendo diferença das bebidas elaboradas para a comercial. Verificaram-se contagens de LGG superiores a 6,8 Log UFC. mL-1 nas bebidas. Todas as amostras estavam de acordo com os padrões microbiológicos exigidos pela legislação brasileira. As bebidas apresentam potencial de mercado e são consideradas um excelente veículo de LGG, além de uma nova opção de bebida funcional, não láctea, acessível à população.(AU)

Vegetable beverages have been studied as carriers of probiotic bacteria. The objective of this study was to elaborate two probiotic mixed beverages from guava and beet: BMAP (mixed beverage based on peanut extract) and BMSP (based on soy extract), which were added of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Beverages from both matrices, without addition of probiotic, were denominated control (BMAC and BMSC). Sensory and microbiological characteristics of the elaborated beverages and a commercially available commercial soybean drink (BSC) were evaluated. It was verified that, after the processing, the BMAP, BMSP and BSC beverages presented "slightly liked" and "liked" scores for the attributes of acidity, color, flavor, aroma, texture and overall impression, and " maybe buy, maybe not buy "and" would probably buy "in the evaluation of the intention to buy, there being no difference of the beverages from to the commercial. LGG counts were above 6.8 Log UFC.mL-1 in the beverages. All samples were in accordance with the microbiological standards required by Brazilian legislation. The beverages present market potential and are considered a excellent vehicle of LGG and a new functional beverage option, not dairy, accessible to the population.

Is there a role for epithelial-mesenchymal transition in adrenocortical tumors?

PURPOSE: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological dynamic process by which epithelial cells lose their epithelial phenotype and acquire mesenchymal invasive and migratory characteristics. This has been postulated as an essential step during cancer progression and metastasis. Although this is well described in other tumors, the role of EMT in adrenocortical tumors (ACT) has yet to be addressed. METHODS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of EMT markers e-cadherin, vimentin, and fibronectin, along with EMT-transcription factors (EMT-TFs), TWIST1, SIP1, and SNAIL in 24 adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), 19 adrenocortical adenomas (ACA), 27 childhood-onset adrenocortical tumors (CAT), and 12 normal adrenal glands. The association of EMT and EMT-TFs with clinical outcomes and pathology features were also evaluated. RESULTS: Cytoplasmic vimentin expression was increased among CAT samples when compared to ACC, ACA, and normal adrenal samples (p < 0.001). There was no difference in e-cadherin and fibronectin expression observed between groups. Nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of TWIST1 and SIP1 was stronger in CAT and ACC vs. ACA and normal tissue samples (all, p < 0.05). ACT, regardless of classification, exhibited increased SNAIL expression when compared to normal tissue (p < 0.05). A significant correlation was observed between vimentin and TWIST1 (r s = 0.44, p < 0.001); SIP1 (r s = 0.51, p < 0.001); and SNAIL (r s = 0.23, p < 0.05). TWIST1 and SIP1 expressions demonstrated a significant correlation (r s = 0.56, p < 0.001). High SIP1 expression was associated with a lower survival rate among ACC cases (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vimentin, TWIST1, and SIP1 expressions are increased in aggressive ACT. Therefore, EMT may play a relevant role in adrenal tumorigenesis.

Effect of dynamic high pressure on functional and structural properties of bovine serum albumin.

Dynamic high pressure (DHP) has been investigated as an innovative suitable method to induce protein modifications. This work evaluated the effect of DHP (up to three passes at 100, 150 and 200MPa, with an inlet temperature of 20°C) on functional and structural properties of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Results indicated that DHP process applied up to an energy limit of 100MPa increased the protein foaming capacity (FC) (p<0.05 - increase up to 63% after 1 pass at 100MPa) and the utilization of multiple passes at high pressure promoted a reduction in this property (p<0.05 - reduction up to 31.6% after 3 passes at 200MPa). Similar results were observed for sulfhydryl group, indicating an influence of free thiol groups on FC. Complementarily, DHP process promoted an increase of proteins particles size, suggesting a new rearrangement of their conformational structure. DHP did not affect tryptophan microenvironment in BSA; however, this process induced the rearrangement of secondary structure elements. In the first cycle, the pressure increase resulted in a loss of secondary structure, while in the second and third cycles the DHP process resulted in the gain of secondary structure elements. These results indicated that the second and third passes triggered a molecular rearrangement of the protein structure, giving rise to a novel and more stable conformational state. This conclusion was also supported by thermal unfolding studies (melting temperature reduction from 67.5 to 54.6°C after 1 pass at 200MPa), in which the additional cycles of DHP caused the occurrence of an initial denaturation at high temperatures, compared to the first cycle.