Effects of Infrared and Microwave Radiation on the Bioactive Compounds of Microalga Spirulina platensis after Continuous and Intermittent Drying.

Pharmaceutical, nutritional and food industries have recently become interested in the potential of Spirulina platensis, a kind of cyanobacterium with high levels of proteins, vitamins and bioactive compounds. Because of its high moisture, this microalga needs to be submitted to a preservation technique such as drying to be properly used. The aim of this work is to investigate the use of infrared and microwave radiation in the Spirulina platensis drying process. The experiments were performed in continuous and intermittent modes, evaluating different operating conditions for infrared and microwave drying, as well as their effects on the quality of the final product, expressed by the content of bioactive compounds (i.e., total phenolic, total flavonoid, citric acid and phycocyanin contents). The results proved that the use of electromagnetic radiation in the drying of spirulina is an interesting alternative for processing this material if performed under adequate operating conditions. The experiments carried out continuously at lower temperatures and powers and the combination between different temperatures and powers in the intermittent mode resulted in a final product with satisfactory levels of bioactive compounds and low operation times in comparison with conventional methodologies.

Use of Refractance Window Drying as an Alternative Method for Processing the Microalga Spirulina platensis.

Microalgae such as Spirulina platensis have recently attracted the interest of the pharmaceutical, nutritional and food industries due to their high levels of proteins and bioactive compounds. In this study, we investigated the use of refractance window (RW) drying as an alternative technology for processing the microalga Spirulina biomass aiming at its dehydration. In addition, we also analyzed the effects of operating variables (i.e., time and temperature) on the quality of the final product, expressed by the content of bioactive compounds (i.e., total phenolics, total flavonoids, and phycocyanin). The results showed that RW drying can generate a dehydrated product with a moisture content lower than 10.0%, minimal visual changes, and reduced process time. The content of bioactive compounds after RW drying was found to be satisfactory, with some of them close to those observed in the fresh microalga. The best results for total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoids (TFC) content were obtained at temperatures of around 70 °C and processing times around 4.5 h. The phycocyanin content was negatively influenced by higher temperatures (higher than 80 °C) and high exposing drying times (higher than 4.5 h) due to its thermosensibility properties. The use of refractance window drying proved to be an interesting methodology for the processing and conservation of Spirulina platensis, as well as an important alternative to the industrial processing of this biomass.

Factores de riscos ergonómicos e prevalência de distúrbios músculo- esqueléticos (Dme) em trabalhadores de escritórios / Ergonomic risk factors and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (Msd) in office workers / Factores de riesgo ergonómicos y prevalencia de trastornos musculoesqueléticos (Tm) en trabajadores de oficina

Introdução: Os trabalhadores que exercem actividades de escritórios usando computadores como principal instrumento, estão sujeitos ao desenvolvimento de distúrbios músculo- esqueléticos devido a posição sentada adotada prolongadas horas nesses ambientes. Objectivo: Avaliar os fatores de riscos ergonómicos e a prevalência de distúrbios músculo esqueléticos em trabalhadores dos escritórios da empresa de segurança G4S Secure Solutions Moçambique. Métodos: Participaram do estudo 58 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, com idade compreendidas entre 20 e 55 anos. Foi usado uma ficha para o registo das conformidades ergonómicas dos materiais dos escritórios bem como avaliar a postura do trabalhador por meio de observação, posteriormente estimadas as probabilidades de ocorrência e a severidade dos riscos. Os dados relativos a ocorrência dos DME foi obtida com recurso ao questionário Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Resultados: Os principais riscos ergonómicos observados foram o posicionamento material informático em relação ao trabalhador, a postura destes durante o trabalho e por fim o estado do mobiliário. E os relacionados com ajustamento do monitor e a postura da cabeça e pescoço foram os que tiveram maior índice de severidade. A maioria relatou ter sentido desconforto músculo-esquelético em pelo menos uma região do corpo, tendo grande parte se queixado das regiões cervical, lombar, punhos/mão e região torácica. Conclusões: Com base nos resultados da presente pesquisa pode se afirmar que nos escritórios da empresa estudada existem riscos ergonómicos a ter em conta, principalmente os relacionados com a organização de material do trabalho e a postura dos trabalhadores sendo evidente pela elevada prevalência de distúrbios músculo-esquelético.

Introduction: Workers who perform office activities using computers as their main instrument are exposed to the development of musculoskeletal disorders due to the sitting position adopted for prolonged hours in these environments. Objective: To assess ergonomic risk factors and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in office workers of the security company G4S Secure Solutions Mozambique. Methods: 58 individuals of both sexes participated in the study, aged between 20 and 55 years. A form was used to record the ergonomic compliance of office materials as well as to evaluate the posture of the worker through observation, later estimating the probabilities of occurrence and the severity of the risks. Data on the occurrence of MSDs was obtained using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Results: The main ergonomic risks observed were the positioning of the computer material in relation to the worker, their posture during work and, finally, the condition of the furniture. And those related to monitor adjustment and head and neck posture were the ones with the highest severity index. Most reported having felt musculoskeletal discomfort in at least one region of the body, with most complaining of cervical, lumbar, wrists/hand and thoracic regions. Conclusions: Based on the results of the present research, it can be stated that in the offices of the studied company there are ergonomic risks to be taken into account, mainly those related to the organization of work material and the posture of the workers, which is evident due to the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders.

Introducción: Los trabajadores que realizan actividades de oficina utilizando ordenadores como herramienta principal, están sujetos al desarrollo de trastornos musculoesqueléticos debido a la posición sentada adoptada durante horas prolongadas en estos entornos. Objetivo: Evaluar los factores de riesgo ergonómico y la prevalencia de los trastornos musculoesqueléticos en los trabajadores de oficina de la empresa de seguridad G4S Secure Solutions Mozambique. Métodos: 58 individuos de ambos sexos, con edades comprendidas entre los 20 y los 55 años, participaron en el estudio. Se utilizó un formulario para registrar las conformidades ergonómicas de los materiales de oficina, así como para evaluar la postura del trabajador a través de la observación, posteriormente se estimó la probabilidad de ocurrencia y la severidad de los riesgos. Los datos relativos a la aparición de EMD se obtuvieron mediante el Cuestionario Musculoesquelético Nórdico. Resultados: Los principales riesgos ergonómicos observados fueron la colocación del material informático en relación con el trabajador, su postura durante el trabajo y, por último, el estado del mobiliario. Y los relacionados con el ajuste del monitor y la postura de la cabeza y el cuello fueron los que presentaron el mayor índice de gravedad. La mayoría declaró haber sentido molestias musculoesqueléticas en al menos una región del cuerpo, y la mayoría se quejaba de las regiones cervical, lumbar, muñeca/mano y torácica. Conclusiones: En base a los resultados de esta investigación se puede afirmar que en las oficinas de la empresa estudiada existen riesgos ergonómicos a tener en cuenta, especialmente los relacionados con la organización del material de trabajo y la postura de los trabajadores quedando patente por la alta prevalencia de trastornos musculoesqueléticos.

Programa com jogos de raciocínio para adolescentes em situação de dependência de substâncias psicoativas / A thinking games program for adolescents in a situation of psychoactive-substance dependence / Programa con juegos de pensamiento para adolescentes en situación de dependencia a sustancias psicoactivas

OBJETIVO: verificar impactos da aplicação de um programa com uso de jogos de raciocínio embasado na metodologia Mind Lab nas funções executivas atenção, flexibilidade e planejamento em adolescentes em situação de dependência de substâncias psicoativas. MÉTODO: estudo quantitativo quase-experimental com aplicação de instrumentos de avaliação neuropsicológica pré e pós-intervenção. Participaram 35 adolescentes com idades entre 12 e 17 anos internados em um Centro de Atenção Integrada à Saúde Mental na cidade de São Paulo. RESULTADOS: evidenciou-se melhora na atenção após a aplicação do programa com jogos. Quanto às funções planejamento e flexibilidade, foram observadas melhoras, porém estas não foram significativas. CONCLUSÃO: foi possível verificar a importância da utilização de jogos de raciocínio como recurso lúdico no tratamento de adolescentes em condição de dependência de substâncias psicoativas, possibilitando a construção de estratégias que auxiliem no processo de recuperação e reabilitação.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the impacts of the application of a program using thinking games based on the Mind Lab methodology on the executive functions: attention, flexibility and planning in adolescents in a situation of psychoactive-substance dependence. METHOD: quasi-experimental quantitative study with the application of neuropsychological assessment tools before and after intervention. Thirty-five adolescents aged 12 to 17 years old, admitted to an Integrated Mental Health Care Center in the city of São Paulo, participated in this study. RESULTS: there was evidence of attention improvement after application of the games program. Regarding the planning and flexibility functions, improvements were observed, but they were not significant. CONCLUSION: it was possible to observe the importance of using thinking games as a playful resource in the treatment of substance-dependent adolescents, thus enabling the construction of strategies that assist in their recovery and rehabilitation process.

OBJETIVO: verificar impactos de la aplicación de un programa utilizando juegos de pensamiento basados en la metodología Mind Lab sobre las funciones ejecutivas de atención, flexibilidad y planificación en adolescentes en situación de dependencia a sustancias psicoactivas. MÉTODO: estudio cuantitativo cuasiexperimental con aplicación de instrumentos de evaluación neuropsicológica antes y después de la intervención. Treinta y cinco adolescentes de 12 a 17 años, ingresados en un Centro Integrado de Atención de Salud Mental en la ciudad de São Paulo, participaron en este estudio. RESULTADOS: hubo evidencia de mejora en la atención después de la aplicación del programa con juegos. Con respecto a las funciones de planificación y flexibilidad, se observaron mejoras, pero estas no fueron significativas. CONCLUSIÓN: fue posible verificar la importancia del uso de juegos de pensamiento como recurso lúdico en el tratamiento de adolescentes en condición de dependencia de sustancias psicoactivas, permitiendo la construcción de estrategias que ayuden en el proceso de recuperación y rehabilitación.

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from acerola waste.

The industrial processing of acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) produces huge quantities of waste material that are badly discarded or undervalued. In spite of this, acerola wastes have a high content of antioxidant compounds. The aim of this work was to study the extraction of antioxidant compounds from acerola residues using ultrasound assisted extraction. Using multiple regression techniques, the effects of ethanol concentration in the hydroethanolic solution (C), extraction time (t), temperature (T), and liquid-solid ratio (R) on the total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant potential were investigated. The best extraction conditions were identified using the desirability function, which is a multi-response optimization technique. The optimal processing parameters were 67.5% of ethanol concentration, temperature of 80.9 °C, liquid/solid ratio of 59.8 mL/g, and extraction time of 13.6 min. HPLC-UV has been used to identify the main antioxidant compounds obtained under these optimal condition. Based on the results, acerola waste has high potential for better use, such as in food and pharmaceutical applications.

Analysis of the use of a non-conventional rotary drum for dehydration of microalga Spirulina platensis.

The high content of bioactive compounds in the microalga Spirulina platensis has recently attracted attention from food and pharmaceutical industries. However, for its application an effective preservation technique must be developed. In this paper, we investigated the use of a non-conventional rotary dryer (with an inert bed) for drying the microalga Spirulina biomass and the effects of the operational conditions (air temperature, intermittent feeding interval, filling degree of inert particles, and rotation speed) on its bioactive compounds. The results indicated that this non-conventional drying system offers an effective alternative for expanding the use of this biomass in an adequate form. We identified the conditions in which the dried material had maintained satisfactory contents of phenolics (air temperature of 70 °C and intermittent feeding interval of 10 min), flavonoids (intermittent feeding interval of 17.4 min), and phycocyanin compounds (air temperature of 40 °C), which were near to those present in fresh microalga.

Hydrothermal carbonization of acerola (Malphigia emarginata D.C.) wastes and its application as an adsorbent.

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a promising technique for the improved management and better use of agro-industrial wastes. In this study, the effects of temperature, reaction time, biomass/water ratio, feed-water pH, and agitation speed on the HTC of acerola wastes were investigated. The effects of these independent variables on process yield and on the total oxygenated functional groups of hydrochars were quantified. The best process conditions were obtained using the desirability function and the chemical-morphological properties of the hydrochar produced in these optimal conditions were investigated. The total number of oxygenated functional groups were found to be higher than those described in the literature for similar biomasses. The effects of temperature, solution pH, initial dye concentration, and adsorbent dosage on the adsorption of methylene blue using the obtained hydrochar were also investigated and the conditions necessary for the maximum removal and adsorption capacity were determined. Adsorption isotherms and thermodynamic studies have shown that methylene blue adsorption on the obtained hydrochar is endothermic and spontaneous. Thus, the HTC of acerola wastes may be a sustainable technology for the modification of underutilized wastes and their application as adsorbents of environmental contaminants.

Effects of dehydration methods on quality characteristics of yellow passion fruit co-products.

BACKGROUND: The production and processing of fruits generate a large amount of residues, which are usually disposed of or under-used, representing losses of raw material and energy. The present paper investigates the effect of four dehydration techniques (convective, infrared, microwave and freeze-drying) on yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) co-products and the influence of the main variables on moisture removal and bioactive compounds. The compounds analyzed were total phenolics, total flavonoids, ascorbic acid and pectin. RESULTS: The content of phenolics and flavonoids increased after dehydration in all techniques investigated and the process temperatures directly affected the ascorbic acid content. Microwave dehydration showed the best results for most bioactive compounds analyzed, if performed in suitable process conditions. However, the highest levels of pectin content were obtained by freeze-drying and convective dehydration. CONCLUSION: This study reinforces the importance of the adequate use of passion fruit co-products due to the high levels of bioactive compounds in this material. Microwave dehydration presented the best results, which indicates the potential use of this technique for a better exploitation of fruit co-products. Larger quantities of pectin were extracted from samples dehydrated through methodologies with long-time process and low temperatures, such as convective drying and freeze-drying. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Microwave drying remediation of petroleum-contaminated drill cuttings.

The oil reservoir drilling phase generates contaminated cuttings with oil formation itself. These cuttings must be subjected to a decontamination process before being disposed of in the environment. Several technologies are cited in literature for the remediation of soil contaminated with oil or diesel, but none have been reported to remedy drill cuttings contaminated with oil from reservoir. The reservoir drill cuttings are a problem because its discharge is not allowed. The drying technology using microwave has shown promise in the decontamination of cuttings with non-aqueous base drilling fluid, conciliating good robustness and high removal efficiency. Considering the aspects mentioned previously, the application of heating and drying technology using microwave in the remediation of oil contaminated cuttings from well drill was studied. The influence of temperature, specific energy and initial content of water in the drying operation of the reservoir cuttings and of the drilling cuttings artificially contaminated with oil were analyzed. The results showed an influence of temperature in the drying of the cuttings, being necessary to reach the boiling temperature of heavier hydrocarbons to reach an efficient removal in the operation. The specific energy has a strong influence, reaching a total decontamination using 2.67 kWh/kg. The initial water content was effective in removing oil, reducing the residual level of oil with the increase of initial content of water. It also modifies the temperature profiles of the kinetic-warming of the contaminated cuttings. Both the technology and the equipment used proved effective for obtaining total decontamination of oil from the cuttings.

[Economic analysis of a screening program for diabetes mellitus in Brazil]. / Análise econômica de programa para rastreamento do diabetes mellitus no Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus is a common disease and costly public health concern and an expressive number of affected individuals have undiagnosed diabetes mellitus. In 2001, the Brazilian Ministry of Health conducted a national diabetes screening campaign. The purpose of this study was to estimate the yield and economic impact of this screening strategy. METHODS: Based on positive screenees (fasting glucose >100 mg/dL or nonfasting >140 mg/dL) probable new cases of diabetes were estimated and a decision analytic model was built up. Primary and secondary data were used to estimate screening cost (in Brazilian Reais, R$) and yield (new cases of diabetes detected), assuming a single-payer-perspective. Sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: Assuming a prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus of 4.8%, probable new cases of diabetes were 518,579 (23 new cases per 1,000 subjects screened), considering that 33% of positive-screening individuals underwent confirmatory glucose testing. The cost per new case of diabetes diagnosed would be R$89. The results were sensitive to percentage of confirmatory tests performed. CONCLUSIONS: The costs of nationwide community screening in Brazil were significant, however, in absolute terms lower than those described by other countries.

Análise econômica de programa para rastreamento do diabetes mellitus no Brasil / Economic analysis of a screening program for diabetes mellitus in Brazil

OBJETIVO: Diabetes mellitus é um problema de saúde pública com elevado ônus social e econômico, cujo diagnóstico é desconhecido em metade dos indivíduos portadores. Em 2001, o Ministério da Saúde realizou a Campanha Nacional para a Detecção do Diabetes Mellitus. Assim, o objetivo do estudo foi estimar o impacto econômico e o rendimento desse rastreamento populacional. MÉTODOS: Baseado no número de rastreados com resultados positivos (glicemia capilar em jejum >100 mg/dl ou fora do jejum >140 mg/dl), foram estimados os prováveis casos novos de diabetes mellitus e construído modelo de decisão analítico. Dados primários e secundários foram utilizados para estimar os custos (em Reais) e o rendimento (casos novos de diabetes mellitus detectados) do rastreamento com o pressuposto de pagador único. Análises de sensibilidade foram conduzidas para avaliar o efeito de alguns parâmetros nessas estimativas. RESULTADOS: Considerando-se a prevalência de diabetes mellitus não diagnosticado na população-alvo de 4,8 por cento, o número provável de novos casos de diabetes mellitus diagnosticados foi de 518.579. Isso, pressupondo que um terço dos participantes com teste positivo procurou a confirmação (23 casos por 1.000 rastreados). O custo por novo caso de diabetes mellitus diagnosticado a partir desses pressupostos seria de R$89. Em análises de sensibilidade, os resultados foram sensíveis ao percentual dos testes confirmatórios. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar dos expressivos custos com a campanha de rastreamento no Brasil, o rendimento foi comparável a outras ações preventivas e, em termos absolutos, o custo por novo caso de diabetes mellitus detectado foi inferior ao relatado por outros países.

Linfoma MALT de vejiga. Presentación de un caso / MALT lymphoma of the bladder: A case repor

OBJETIVO: Describir y discutir la afectación linforreticular maligna primaria en la vejiga urinaria. MÉTODO: Presentamos un caso clínico de una mujer de 70 años, que debutó con hematuria, disuria y baja de peso de 5 kilos. RESULTADOS: La ecotomografía pélvica mostró una masa sólido-quística adyacente a la vejiga y al útero. La biopsia cistoscópica demostró un linfoma no Hodgkin de estirpe B de bajo grado de malignidad. La enferma fue tratada con 6 ciclos de quimioterapia y radioterapia, con desaparición de la masa. Cuatro años más tarde la paciente se encuentra libre de enfermedad. CONCLUSIÓN: El linfoma primario de vejiga es muy infrecuente, el estudio anatomopatológico permite realizar el diagnóstico diferencial con otras patologías, tiene una excelente respuesta al tratamiento con quimioterapia y radioterapia, permitiendo preservar el órgano (AU)

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