Red wine processing-derived Brazilian Alicante bouschet grape skin as a promising ingredient for cereal bars production.

Grape skin is a wine by-product with a high fiber and phenolic compound content, with potential application as an ingredient in food products. This work aimed to study the hedonic and sensory perception of the consumer using the Check-all-that-apply about cereal bars made with grape skin flour (GSF) obtained from wine residue. Grape skin flour with different granulometric ranges (coarse and fine) was added to the cereal bars in different proportions (10, 15, and 20%) to replace the oat flakes present in the formulation. Sensory acceptance results showed that all bars had good acceptance scores (>6.42) and presented different sensory profiles. The cereal bar containing 15% of coarse GSF had good sensory acceptance with attributes "few dark spots," "light color," and "softer," with desirable sensory characteristics and from the nutritional point of view with high fiber content and bioactive compounds and it was considered the best formulation. Therefore, the incorporation of wine by-products in cereal bars showed excellent acceptability and the possibility of insertion in the market.

Improvements in Compassion and Fears of Compassion throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multinational Study.

During large-scale disasters, social support, caring behaviours, and compassion are shown to protect against poor mental health outcomes. This multi-national study aimed to assess the fluctuations in compassion over time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Respondents (Time 1 n = 4156, Time 2 n = 980, Time 3 n = 825) from 23 countries completed online self-report questionnaires measuring the flows of compassion (i.e., Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales) and fears of compassion toward self and others and from others (i.e., Fears of Compassion Scales) and mental health at three time-points during a 10-month period. The results for the flows of compassion showed that self-compassion increased at Time 3. Compassion for others increased at Time 2 and 3 for the general population, but in contrast, it decreased in health professionals, possibly linked to burnout. Compassion from others did not change in Time 2, but it did increase significantly in Time 3. For fears of compassion, fears of self-compassion reduced over time, fears of compassion for others showed more variation, reducing for the general public but increasing for health professionals, whilst fears of compassion from others did not change over time. Health professionals, those with compassion training, older adults, and women showed greater flows of compassion and lower fears of compassion compared with the general population, those without compassion training, younger adults, and men. These findings highlight that, in a period of shared suffering, people from multiple countries and nationalities show a cumulative improvement in compassion and reduction in fears of compassion, suggesting that, when there is intense suffering, people become more compassionate to self and others and less afraid of, and resistant to, compassion.

Fatores que influenciam a via de parto no Brasil / Factor influencing the mode of delivery in Brazil

Introdução: A prevalência de cesarianas cresceu no Brasil. Gestação e parto são influenciados por aspectos culturais e econômicos da sociedade em que a gestante está inserida. Objetivo: Analisar fatores que influenciam a escolha da via de parto pela gestante. Métodos: Trata-se de revisão narrativa da literatura incluindo artigos publicados entre 2009 e 2020. Foram feitas buscas nas bases de dados Pubmed, LILACS e SciELO, com descritores "Bioética", "Cesárea", "Comportamento de escolha", "Decisão", "Direitos da mulher", "Gravidez", "Parto", "Parto normal", "Sistema único de saúde". Resultados: Foram encontradas taxas de cesariana no setor privado maiores do que no público. Menor idade materna e escolaridade, raça negra, residência em meio rural e nas regiões Norte e Nordeste foram associados a menor prevalência de cesariana. Obesidade materna, cesariana prévia, intercorrências na gravidez, apresentação fetal não cefálica, macrossomia estiveram mais relacionados a cesariana. Dor, previsibilidade, relação da mãe com o recém-nascido, alta hospitalar, vida sexual e retorno às atividades foram relacionados a escolha do parto vaginal. Discussão: A disparidade de cesarianas no setor público e privado sugere o impacto de aspectos financeiros na escolha. Variáveis socioeconômicas são importantes nessa decisão. Conclusões: A escolha da via de parto é influenciada por vários fatores. [au]

Introduction: The prevalence of caesarean sections has grown in Brazil. Pregnancy and childbirth are influenced by cultural and economic aspects of the society in which the pregnant woman is inserted. Objective: To analyze factors that influence the choice of the mode of delivery by the pregnant woman. Methods:This is a narrative literature review including articles published between 2009 and 2020. Searches were made in Pubmed, LILACS and SciELO databases, with descriptors "Bioethics", "Caesarean section", "Choice behavior", "Decision", "Women's rights", "Pregnancy", "Childbirth", "Normal delivery" and "The Unified Brazilian Health Care System". Results: Caesarean section rates were found to be higher in the private sector than in the public sector. Lower maternal age and education, black race, residence in rural areas and in the North and Northeast regions were associated with lower prevalence of caesarean section. Maternal obesity, previous caesarean section, complications in pregnancy, non-cephalic fetal presentation and macrosomia were more related to caesarean section. Pain, predictability, mother's relationship with the newborn, hospital discharge, sexual life and return to activities were related to the choice of vaginal delivery. Discussion: The disparity of caesarean sections in the public and private sectors suggests the impact of financial aspects on the choice. Socioeconomic variables are important in this decision. Conclusions: The choice of mode of delivery is influenced by several factors. [au]

Seroprevalence, Prevalence, and Genomic Surveillance: Monitoring the Initial Phases of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Betim, Brazil.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented need for epidemiological monitoring using diverse strategies. We conducted a project combining prevalence, seroprevalence, and genomic surveillance approaches to describe the initial pandemic stages in Betim City, Brazil. We collected 3239 subjects in a population-based age-, sex- and neighborhood-stratified, household, prospective; cross-sectional study divided into three surveys 21 days apart sampling the same geographical area. In the first survey, overall prevalence (participants positive in serological or molecular tests) reached 0.46% (90% CI 0.12-0.80%), followed by 2.69% (90% CI 1.88-3.49%) in the second survey and 6.67% (90% CI 5.42-7.92%) in the third. The underreporting reached 11, 19.6, and 20.4 times in each survey. We observed increased odds to test positive in females compared to males (OR 1.88 95% CI 1.25-2.82), while the single best predictor for positivity was ageusia/anosmia (OR 8.12, 95% CI 4.72-13.98). Thirty-five SARS-CoV-2 genomes were sequenced, of which 18 were classified as lineage B.1.1.28, while 17 were B.1.1.33. Multiple independent viral introductions were observed. Integration of multiple epidemiological strategies was able to adequately describe COVID-19 dispersion in the city. Presented results have helped local government authorities to guide pandemic management.

Compassion Protects Mental Health and Social Safeness During the COVID-19 Pandemic Across 21 Countries.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic is having an unprecedented detrimental impact on mental health in people around the world. It is important therefore to explore factors that may buffer or accentuate the risk of mental health problems in this context. Given that compassion has numerous benefits for mental health, emotion regulation, and social relationships, this study examines the buffering effects of different flows of compassion (for self, for others, from others) against the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on depression, anxiety, and stress, and social safeness. Methods: The study was conducted in a sample of 4057 adult participants from the general community population, collected across 21 countries from Europe, Middle East, North America, South America, Asia, and Oceania. Participants completed self-report measures of perceived threat of COVID-19, compassion (for self, for others, from others), depression, anxiety, stress, and social safeness. Results: Perceived threat of COVID-19 was associated with higher scores in depression, anxiety, and stress, and lower scores in social safeness. Self-compassion and compassion from others were associated with lower psychological distress and higher social safeness. Compassion for others was associated with lower depressive symptoms. Self-compassion moderated the relationship between perceived threat of COVID-19 on depression, anxiety, and stress, whereas compassion from others moderated the effects of fears of contracting COVID-19 on social safeness. These effects were consistent across all countries. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the universal protective role of compassion, in particular self-compassion and compassion from others, in promoting resilience by buffering against the harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and social safeness. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12671-021-01822-2.

The role of social connection on the experience of COVID-19 related post-traumatic growth and stress.

BACKGROUND: Historically social connection has been an important way through which humans have coped with large-scale threatening events. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns have deprived people of major sources of social support and coping, with others representing threats. Hence, a major stressor during the pandemic has been a sense of social disconnection and loneliness. This study explores how people's experience of compassion and feeling socially safe and connected, in contrast to feeling socially disconnected, lonely and fearful of compassion, effects the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on post-traumatic growth and post-traumatic stress. METHODS: Adult participants from the general population (N = 4057) across 21 countries worldwide, completed self-report measures of social connection (compassion for self, from others, for others; social safeness), social disconnection (fears of compassion for self, from others, for others; loneliness), perceived threat of COVID-19, post-traumatic growth and traumatic stress. RESULTS: Perceived threat of COVID-19 predicted increased post-traumatic growth and traumatic stress. Social connection (compassion and social safeness) predicted higher post-traumatic growth and traumatic stress, whereas social disconnection (fears of compassion and loneliness) predicted increased traumatic symptoms only. Social connection heightened the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on post-traumatic growth, while social disconnection weakened this impact. Social disconnection magnified the impact of the perceived threat of COVID-19 on traumatic stress. These effects were consistent across all countries. CONCLUSIONS: Social connection is key to how people adapt and cope with the worldwide COVID-19 crisis and may facilitate post-traumatic growth in the context of the threat experienced during the pandemic. In contrast, social disconnection increases vulnerability to develop post-traumatic stress in this threatening context. Public health and Government organizations could implement interventions to foster compassion and feelings of social safeness and reduce experiences of social disconnection, thus promoting growth, resilience and mental wellbeing during and following the pandemic.

Anticariogenic activities of Libidibia ferrea, gallic acid and ethyl gallate against Streptococcus mutans in biofilm model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In Brazil, ethnopharmacological studies show that Libidibia ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) L. P. Queiroz is commonly used in folk medicine as an antifungal, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. In the Amazon region, the dried fruit powder of L. ferrea are widely used empirically by the population in an alcoholic tincture as an antimicrobial mouthwash in oral infections and the infusion is also recommended for healing oral wounds. However, there are few articles that have evaluated the antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens in a biofilm model, identifying active compounds and mechanisms of action. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and anti-adherence activities of the ethanolic extract, fractions and isolated compounds (gallic acid and ethyl gallate) of the fruit and seed of L. ferrea against Streptococcus mutans. The inhibition of acidicity/acidogenicity and the expression of the S. mutans GTF genes in biofilms were also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Cell Adhesion (MICA) were evaluated with ethanolic extract (EELF), fractions, gallic acid (GA) and ethyl gallate (EG) against S. mutans. Inhibition of biofilm formation, pH drop and proton permeability tests were conducted with EELF, GA and EG, and also evaluated the expression of the GTF genes in biofilms. The compounds of dichloromethane fraction were identified by GC-MS. RESULTS: This is the first report of shikimic, pyroglutamic, malic and protocatechuic acids identified in L. ferrea. EELF, GA and EG showed MIC at 250 µg/mL, and MBC at 1000 µg/mL by EELF. EELF biofilms showed reduced dry weight and acidogenicity of S. mutans in biofilms. GA and EG reduced viable cells, glucans soluble in alkali, acidogenicity, aciduricity and downregulated expression of gtfB, gtfC and gtfD genes in biofilms. SEM images of GA and EG biofilms showed a reduction of biomass, exopolysaccharide and microcolonies of S. mutans. CONCLUSIONS: The ethanolic extract of fruit and seed of L. ferrea, gallic acid and ethyl gallate showed great antimicrobial activity and inhibition of adhesion, reduction of acidogenicity and aciduricity in S. mutans biofilms. The results obtained in vitro validate the use of this plant in ethnopharmacology, and open opportunities for the development of new oral anticariogenic agents, originated by plants that can inhibit pathogenic biofilm that leads to the development of caries.

Fears of compassion magnify the harmful effects of threat of COVID-19 on mental health and social safeness across 21 countries.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic is a massive global health crisis with damaging consequences to mental health and social relationships. Exploring factors that may heighten or buffer the risk of mental health problems in this context is thus critical. Whilst compassion may be a protective factor, in contrast fears of compassion increase vulnerability to psychosocial distress and may amplify the impact of the pandemic on mental health. This study explores the magnifying effects of fears of compassion on the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on depression, anxiety and stress, and social safeness. METHODS: Adult participants from the general population (N = 4057) were recruited across 21 countries worldwide, and completed self-report measures of perceived threat of COVID-19, fears of compassion (for self, from others, for others), depression, anxiety, stress and social safeness. RESULTS: Perceived threat of COVID-19 predicted increased depression, anxiety and stress. The three flows of fears of compassion predicted higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress and lower social safeness. All fears of compassion moderated (heightened) the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on psychological distress. Only fears of compassion from others moderated the effects of likelihood of contracting COVID-19 on social safeness. These effects were consistent across all countries. CONCLUSIONS: Fears of compassion have a universal magnifying effect on the damaging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and social safeness. Compassion focused interventions and communications could be implemented to reduce resistances to compassion and promote mental wellbeing during and following the pandemic.

Chemical constituents, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and, antinociceptive activities of Trichilia ramalhoi.

Trichilia ramalhoi Rizz. is a species from Meliaceae family and its chemical composition and biological activities are still unknown. This work describes the chemical composition and biological activities of the organic extracts of this plant. Therefore, methanolic extract of stem barks and leaves were prepared and submitted to chromatographic procedures. Besides, T. ramalhoi extracts biological evaluation showed antioxidant, antinociceptive and, anti-inflammatory activities. Usual chromatographic procedures of the active extracts permitted to isolate methyl 5-O-caffeoylquinate, apocynin C, cinchonains Ia and Ib, besides ß-sitosterol, stigmasterol and lupeol. The identification of the isolates was based on 13C and 1H NMR (1 D and 2 D) spectroscopic data and mass spectrometry. Although the flavalignans cinchonains Ia and Ib were previously isolated from T. catigua, this is the first occurrence of apocynin C in the Meliaceae family.

Thermoregulation mode, substrate temperature and camouflage efficiency affecting defensive behavior of lizards in Amazonia

Em ectotérmicos, respostas defensivas a predadores geralmente dependem de relações de custo-benefício entre risco de morte e a energia necessária para fugir. Neste estudo, investigamos lagartos na Amazônia para testar a hipótese de que a distância mínima de aproximação de predadores (DAP) é influenciada pela temperatura e camuflagem. Nós testamos a hipótese de que estimativas de DAP para espécies com diferentes modos de termorregulação respondem diferentemente à temperatura e camuflagem. Nós amostramos 35 lagartos de uma espécie heliotérmica e uma não heliotérmica, para as quais simulamos um predador terrestre visualmente orientado. Usando um modelo linear de efeitos fixos, a temperatura afetou positivamente as estimativas de DAP, mas a camuflagem não contribuiu para o modelo. Usando um modelo linear de efeitos mistos, a camuflagem afetou negativamente as estimativas de DAP, independentemente de temperatura. Nossos resultados sugerem que alta exposição a predadores em hábitats abertos pode ser compensada por fuga rápida otimizada por altas temperaturas, e o baixo desempenho de fuga, usualmente causado por temperaturas relativamente mais baixas em habitats sombreados, pode ser compensado pela camuflagem. No entanto, a identificação do melhor preditor de DAP dependeu muito de considerar o modo de termorregulação nos testes de hipóteses, apesar de que os resultados obtidos por ambos os modelos de efeitos fixos e mistos podem ser relevantes para conservação. (AU)

Overview of Nanocellulose in Food Packaging.

BACKGROUND: The rising concern with environmental preservation has led to increasing interest in biodegradable polymer composites from renewable sources, such as cellulose and its derivatives. The use of nanocellulose is an innovative food packaging trend. DISCUSSION: This paper presents an overview and discusses the state of the art of different nanocellulose materials used in food and food packaging, and identifies important patents related to them. It is important to consider that before marketing, new products must be proven safe for consumers and the environment. CONCLUSION: Several packaging materials using nanocellulose have been developed and shown to be promising for use as active and intelligent materials for food packaging. Other nanocellulose products are under investigation for packaging and may enter the market in the near future. Many countries have been adjusting their regulatory frameworks to deal with nanotechnologies, including nanocellulose packaging.

Production and characterization of Gluconacetobacter xylinus bacterial cellulose using cashew apple juice and soybean molasses.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has been largely used in biomedical and technological fields. The use of agro-industrial byproducts as alternative source of carbon and nitrogen in culture media reduces the BC cost production, adds value to the byproducts and minimizes the environmental impact. In this study, the use of cashew apple juice and soybean molasses were evaluated to produce BC by Gluconacetobacter xylinus in comparison to the usual Hestrin and Schramm medium (HS). BC produced in static cultivation was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The BC production (4.50 g L-1) obtained from the medium using cashew apple juice as carbon source (20 g L-1) with soybean molasses as nitrogen source (10 g L-1) was superior than HS medium (4.03 g L-1). Morphological analysis showed that bacterial celluloses produced with agro-industrial byproducts combined were similar to those found for the pellicle obtained from HS medium.

Anti-inflammatory activity of ß-caryophyllene combined with docosahexaenoic acid in a model of sepsis induced by Staphylococcus aureus in mice.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a set of serious organic manifestations caused by an infection, whose progression culminates in exacerbated inflammation and oxidative stress, poor prognosis, and high hospital costs. Antioxidants used against sepsis have been evaluated, including essential oils such as ß-caryophyllene (BCP), and polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the association of these two compounds. RESULTS: Treatment with BCP-DHA, at a dose of 200 µL/animal, significantly inhibited the migration of neutrophils in a Cg-induced peritonitis model. After Staphylococcus aureus infection, in the groups treated with BCP-DHA there was a significant decrease in the total and differential count of leukocytes, increased expression of cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ in treated groups, an increase of IL-4 and IL-5 in B/D and B/D + SA groups, and an augmentation of IL-6 and IL-12 groups in B/D + SA groups. Histological and bacterial analysis revealed lower neutrophil migration and lower bacterial load in the infected and treated groups. CONCLUSION: In general, the BCP-DHA association presented anti-inflammatory activity against two different models of acute inflammation and infection, showing promising potential as a therapeutic adjuvant in sepsis. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Use of grape pomace for the production of hydrolytic enzymes by solid-state fermentation and recovery of its bioactive compounds.

A cocktail of biomass hydrolytic enzymes was produced by solid-state fermentation (SSF) by the mutant strain Aspergillus niger 3T5B8, using as substrate a mixture of grape pomace and wheat bran, and compared to the production when wheat bran was used as the sole substrate. The two enzymatic cocktails were subsequently used for the extraction of bioactive compounds from grape pomace and the relationship between the activities of the cocktail and the release of phenolic compounds was evaluated. Although the wheat bran SSF process was more effective for enzyme production, the enzymatic cocktail produced by the grape pomace - wheat bran mixture was more effective for the extraction of compounds with higher proanthocyanidins content and higher antioxidant potential (p < 0.05). A significant correlation between the bioactive compounds and enzyme activity was observed.

Trasplante renal con órganos procedentes de donación tras parada circulatoria controlada: resultados del estudio multicéntrico GEODAS-3 / Kidney transplant from controlled donors following circulatory death: Results from the GEODAS-3 multicentre study

Introducción: Varios países eu:ropeos disponen de programas de donación tras parada cardiaca controlada (cDCD). Veintidós centros participan en el grupo GEODAS, cuyos resultados clínicos presentamos desde una perspectiva nefrológica. Métodos: Estudio multicéntrico retrospectivo observacional con inclusión sistemática de todos los trasplantes renales (TR) procedentes de cDCD, siguiendo protocolos locales de extracción e inmunosupresión. Resultados: Se incluyó a 335 donantes tras cDCD (edad media 57,2 años) fallecidos mayoritariamente por eventos cardiovasculares. Se analizan 566 receptores (edad media de 56,5 años; el 91,9% con primer trasplante renal), con una mediana de seguimiento de 1,9 años. La terapia de inducción fue casi universal (timoglobulina 67,4%; simulect 32,8%) con mantenimiento con prednisona-MMF-tacrolimus (91,3%) o combinaciones con mTOR (6,5%). El tiempo medio de isquemia fría (CIT) fue 12,3 h. Hubo un 3,4% de fallo primario del injerto (n = 19), asociado fundamentalmente al tiempo de isquemia fría (solo el CIT ≥ 14 h se asoció a fallo primario del injerto). La función retrasada del injerto (DGF) fue 48,8%. Los factores de riesgo para la DGF fueron: CIT ≥ 14 h OR 1,6, procedencia de hemodiálisis (vs. diálisis peritoneal) OR 2,1 y edad del donante OR 1,01 (por año). Veintiún pacientes fallecieron con injerto funcionante (3,7%), con una supervivencia de paciente e injerto (censurada para muerte) al segundo año del 95% y del 95,1%, respectivamente. El filtrado glomerular estimado al año de seguimiento fue 60,9ml/min. Conclusiones: El CIT es un factor modificable para mejorar la incidencia del fallo primario del injerto en trasplante renal procedente de cDCD. El trasplante renal con cDCD tiene mayor incidencia en la función retrasada del injerto, pero igual supervivencia de paciente e injerto que la referencia histórica para donación en muerte encefálica. Los resultados son satisfactorios para continuar promoviendo este tipo de donación. Conclusiones: El CIT es un factor modificable para mejorar la incidencia del fallo primario del injerto en trasplante renal procedente de cDCD. El trasplante renal con cDCD tiene mayor incidencia en la función retrasada del injerto, pero igual supervivencia de paciente e injerto que la referencia histórica para donación en muerte encefálica. Los resultados son satisfactorios para continuar promoviendo este tipo de donación

Introduction: Many European countries have transplant programmes with controlled donors after cardiac death (cDCD). Twenty-two centres are part of GEODAS group. We analysed clinical results from a nephrological perspective. Methods: Observational, retrospective and multicentre study with systematic inclusion of all kidney transplant recipients from cDCD, following local protocols regarding extraction and immunosuppression. Results: A total of 335 cDCD donors (mean age 57.2 years) whose deaths were mainly due to cardiovascular events were included. Finally, 566 recipients (mean age 56.5 years; 91.9% first kidney transplant) were analysed with a median of follow-up of 1.9 years. Induction therapy was almost universal (thymoglobulin 67.4%; simulect 32.8%) with maintenance with prednisone-MMF-tacrolimus (91.3%) or combinations with mTOR (6.5%). Mean cold ischaemia time (CIT) was 12.3 h. Approximately 3.4% (n = 19) of recipients experienced primary non-function, essentially associated with CIT (only CIT ≥ 14 h was associated with primary non-function). Delayed graft function (DGF) was 48.8%. DGF risk factors were CIT ≥ 14 h OR 1.6, previous haemodialysis (vs. peritoneal dialysis) OR 2.1 and donor age OR 1.01 (per year). Twenty-one patients (3.7%) died with a functioning graft, with a recipient and death-censored graft survival at 2-years of 95% and 95.1%, respectively. The estimated glomerular filtration rate at one year of follow-up was 60.9 ml/min. Conclusions: CIT is a modifiable factor for improving the incidence of primary non-function in kidney transplant arising from cDCD. cDCD kidney transplant recipients have higher delayed graft function rate, but the same patient and graft survival compared to brain-dead donation in historical references. These results are convincing enough to continue fostering this type of donation

Influence of processing conditions on bioactive compound extraction from Vitis vinifera L. var. Alicante Bouschet grape skin.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of process conditions on the solid-liquid extraction of bioactive compounds from the Alicante Bouschet grape skin from the semi-arid region of Brazil. The influence of temperature (23-57 °C), ethanol concentration (16-84%) and citric acid concentration (0-4%) on the total phenolic content, monomeric anthocyanin content and on the antioxidant capacity of the extracts measured by oxygen radical absorbance capacity and cation radical scavenging activity (ABTS·+) methods was investigated. Ethanol concentration and temperature had a significant influence on total phenolic compounds extraction and antioxidant capacity while monomeric anthocyanins extraction was only affected by ethanol concentration. The conditions selected as the most adequate for the extraction were: temperature of 40 °C, 50% v/v ethanol and 2% m/v citric acid.

Kidney transplant from controlled donors following circulatory death: Results from the GEODAS-3 multicentre study. / Trasplante renal con órganos procedentes de donación tras parada circulatoria controlada: resultados del estudio multicéntrico GEODAS-3.

INTRODUCTION: Many European countries have transplant programmes with controlled donors after cardiac death (cDCD). Twenty-two centres are part of GEODAS group. We analysed clinical results from a nephrological perspective. METHODS: Observational, retrospective and multicentre study with systematic inclusion of all kidney transplant recipients from cDCD, following local protocols regarding extraction and immunosuppression. RESULTS: A total of 335 cDCD donors (mean age 57.2 years) whose deaths were mainly due to cardiovascular events were included. Finally, 566 recipients (mean age 56.5 years; 91.9% first kidney transplant) were analysed with a median of follow-up of 1.9 years. Induction therapy was almost universal (thymoglobulin 67.4%; simulect 32.8%) with maintenance with prednisone-MMF-tacrolimus (91.3%) or combinations with mTOR (6.5%). Mean cold ischaemia time (CIT) was 12.3h. Approximately 3.4% (n=19) of recipients experienced primary non-function, essentially associated with CIT (only CIT ≥ 14 h was associated with primary non-function). Delayed graft function (DGF) was 48.8%. DGF risk factors were CIT ≥ 14 h OR 1.6, previous haemodialysis (vs. peritoneal dialysis) OR 2.1 and donor age OR 1.01 (per year). Twenty-one patients (3.7%) died with a functioning graft, with a recipient and death-censored graft survival at 2-years of 95% and 95.1%, respectively. The estimated glomerular filtration rate at one year of follow-up was 60.9 ml/min. CONCLUSIONS: CIT is a modifiable factor for improving the incidence of primary non-function in kidney transplant arising from cDCD. cDCD kidney transplant recipients have higher delayed graft function rate, but the same patient and graft survival compared to brain-dead donation in historical references. These results are convincing enough to continue fostering this type of donation.

Administration of Lactobacillus plantarum Lp62 to dam rats at the end of delivery and during lactation affects TGF-ß1 level and nutritional milk composition, and body weight of pups.

PURPOSE: Lactobacillus plantarum Lp62 is a lactic acid bacteria strain that has been isolated from cocoa beans and exhibited probiotic potential. The influence of oral administration of L. plantarum Lp62 on the growth of rat's pups; on yield, cytokines and milk composition was studied. METHODS: Lactobacillus plantarum Lp62 is a lactic acid bacteria strain that has been isolated from cocoa beans. It was administered daily by gavage to Wistar rats (n = 8), from the 7th day before delivery and for 20 days during lactation, in a concentration of 1.44 × 109 CFU/rat. The dam and pups were weighed and milk was collected at 12th and 19th day for determination of protein, triglycerides, cholesterol and lactose by colorimetric assays. TGF-ß1 milk levels were analyzed by ELISA. The mammary glands of rats were removed for histological analysis. To detect statistical differences between the groups, tests of mean differences at a significance level of 5% was performed. RESULTS: Supplementation with L. plantarum L62 resulted in significant higher weight of pups (p < 0.05), with similar weight on dams (p > 0.05). The milk yield was not altered by L. plantarum treatment, but the levels of protein, triglycerides and cholesterol were increased (p < 0.05), with no difference in lactose concentration (p > 0.05). Levels of TGF-ß1 were higher in the milk of L. plantarum treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of dams at the end of pregnancy and lactation with L. plantarum Lp62 increased nutritional content of milk, probably contributing to the higher weight of the pups. The higher levels of TGF-ß1 in the milk, could promote immune benefits to the pups. Further studies in this field are needed to prove the potential use of L. plantarum Lp62 as a probiotic.

Zootherapy in the Amazon: green anaconda ( Eunectes murinus ) fat as a natural medicine to treat wounds / Zooterapia amazônica: uso de gordura de sucuri ( Eunectes murinus ) como cicatrizante natural

ABSTRACT Zootherapy (the use of the therapeutic potential of animals) is at least 6,000 years old, and has been kept active throughout generations until modern days. Animal fat is commonly used in the zootherapeutic folk medicine from South America, specially the green anaconda's fat, which is widely promoted as a natural medicine to treat wounds, even though there is no scientific evidence showing its efficacy. In this study we compared the total healing time and the proportional daily reduction of dorsal epithelial incisions in adult male Wistar rats treated with nitrofural (a commercial cicatrizing ointment) and with anaconda fat. We applied the treatments every two days and measured the incision diameter daily, during ten consecutive days. Differences among the groups in the total healing time and in the proportional daily reduction of the incision consistently showed that the fat-based treatment resulted in a faster healing process compared to the commercial ointment tested. The literature suggests that the efficacy of animal fat on healing may be primarily related to the presence of fatty acids, which have been widely demonstrated to be important for biochemical reactions involved in healing processes. Our findings are widely socially relevant, considering that traditional Amazonian communities that use anaconda fat in folk medicine do not have easy access to pharmacies and hospitals.

RESUMO Práticas ancestrais de zooterapia (uso das potencialidades terapêuticas da fauna) existem há pelo menos 6000 anos, e têm sido mantidas ao longo de gerações até os tempos modernos. Gordura de animais é comumente utilizada na zooterapia tradicional da América do Sul, e a gordura de serpentes sucuris é amplamente comercializada como cicatrizante natural, embora não existam evidências científicas que mostrem sua eficácia terapêutica. Neste estudo comparamos o tempo de cicatrização epitelial total e a redução proporcional diária de uma incisão dorsal em ratos Wistar machos adultos, entre um grupo controle, um grupo tratado com nitrofural (uma pomada cicatrizante comercial) e um grupo tratado com gordura de sucuri. Nós aplicamos os tratamentos a cada dois dias e medimos o diâmetro da incisão diariamente por dez dias consecutivos. Diferenças entre os grupos no tempo de cicatrização total e na redução proporcional diária da incisão consistentemente mostraram que gordura de sucuri teve ação cicatrizante mais eficiente que a pomada comercial testada. A literatura sugere que a eficácia de gordura animal em processos de cicatrização pode estar principalmente relacionada à presença de ácidos graxos, os quais têm sido amplamente demonstrados como importantes para reações bioquímicas envolvidas em processos de cicatrização. Os resultados têm ampla relevância social, considerando que as comunidades tradicionais amazônicas que utilizam a gordura de sucuris como zooterápico não têm acesso fácil a farmácias e hospitais.

Effect of enzymatic treatment on the rheological behavior and vitamin C content of Spondias tuberosa (umbu) pulp.

Umbu is a native fruit of the semi-arid Northeastern region of Brazil, which presents an exotic and differentiated flavor. Containing vitamin C and presenting a high potential of consumption, no appropriated technology has been developed to process this fruit and expand its commercialization to other markets. The enzymatic treatment of fruit pulps leads to viscosity reduction, which makes possible an efficient processing for obtaining high quality umbu juices. In order to contribute to the valorization of this underexploited culture, two commercial pectinolytic enzymes, Pectinex Ultra SP-L® and Rapidase TF®, were used to promote viscosity reduction of umbu pulp. The effect of reaction temperature (35, 45 and 55 °C) and enzyme concentration (100, 200 and 300 ppm) on the rheological properties of the fruit pulp was evaluated. In relation to the viscosity of the original pulp (84.8 mPa s at 100 s-1 shear rate), a significant, four times lower, viscosity reduction of 18.9 mPa s was observed. Under optimum process condition (35 °C and Rapidase at 100 ppm concentration), the lowest viscosity was achieved after 40 min of reaction. Under these reaction conditions, no significant change was found in the vitamin C content, indicating the preservation of functional and nutritional properties of umbu pulp.