RESUMEN
In this study, we conducted the first scientific investigation focusing on Brazilian flexitarians, aiming to characterize their socio-economic and demographic profiles, motivations for adopting flexitarianism, the frequency of animal-based meat consumption, and the primary meat substitutes they consume. To accomplish this, we distributed an online questionnaire with the assistance of university students and researchers from various regions of the country. Data were collected from 1029 individuals in Brazil who self-identified as flexitarians. Our findings reveal that the flexitarian dietary model is primarily adopted by women, constituting 76% of the sample (n = 786). Their motivations include concerns about the environmental impact of meat consumption (n = 361, 35%), personal health (n = 344, 33%), and animal welfare (n = 219, 21%). Flexitarians exhibit varying consumption patterns, which can be categorized into three groups: light flexitarians (consuming meat 36 times a week), medium flexitarians (consuming meat 7 times a week), and heavy flexitarians (consuming meat 4 times a week). The flexitarian dietary pattern is characterized by reduced beef consumption (less than 2 times per week) and higher consumption of chicken (3 times per week). It is complemented by plant-based protein sources and eggs as the primary meat substitutes. The recognition of legumes as the principal meat substitutes opens avenues for an expanded discussion on sustainable food systems and alternative meat products in Brazil. This provides opportunities to enhance the availability and accessibility of these foods and to develop nutritional interventions that prioritize plant-based proteins.
Asunto(s)
Dieta , Carne , Animales , Bovinos , Humanos , Femenino , Brasil , Verduras , HuevosRESUMEN
Sepsis is characterized by a dysregulated immune response to infection characterized by an early hyperinflammatory and oxidative response followed by a subsequent immunosuppression phase. Although there have been some advances in the treatment of sepsis, mortality rates remain high, urging for the search of new therapies. ß-Lapachone (ß-Lap) is a natural compound obtained from Tabebuia avellanedae Lorentz ex Griseb. with several pharmacological properties including bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ß-Lap in a mouse sepsis model. To this, we tested two therapeutic protocols in mice submitted to cecal ligation and puncture- (CLP-) induced sepsis. First, we found that in pretreated animals, ß-Lap reduced the systemic inflammatory response and improved bacterial clearance and mouse survival. Moreover, ß-Lap also decreased lipid peroxidation and increased the total antioxidant capacity in the serum and peritoneal cavity of septic animals. In the model of severe sepsis, the posttreatment with ß-Lap was able to increase the survival of animals and maintain the antioxidant defense function. In conclusion, the ß-Lap was able to increase the survival of septic animals by a mechanism involving immunomodulatory and antioxidant protective effects.
Asunto(s)
Naftoquinonas/uso terapéutico , Sepsis/tratamiento farmacológico , Sepsis/mortalidad , Animales , Antiinflamatorios/uso terapéutico , Quimioprevención/métodos , Citocinas/metabolismo , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Terapia de Inmunosupresión/métodos , Inflamación/tratamiento farmacológico , Inflamación/metabolismo , Inflamación/mortalidad , Mediadores de Inflamación/metabolismo , Masculino , Ratones , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , Sepsis/metabolismo , Sepsis/patología , Tasa de SupervivenciaRESUMEN
The area of soils polluted with heavy metals is increasing due to industrialization and globalization. Aromatic plant species can be a suitable alternative way for agricultural valorization and phytomanagement of such soils by the commercialization of essential oils avoiding risks for the food chain. The potential of growing Helianthus petiolaris in heavy metal polluted soils was assessed in pot experiments using spiked soils and soils from a shooting range. In terms of phytostabilization, H. petiolaris could grow in soils containing 1000 mg/kg Pb2+, 50 mg/kg Cd2+, accumulating more than three times the soil Cd content in the aerial parts and translocating significant amounts of Pb to the aerial parts when growing in soils polluted with up to 500 mg/kg Pb. When phytostabilization is considered, phytotoxicity of heavy metals strongly depends on the rhizospheric microbial communities, either by mitigating trace element phytotoxicity or promoting plant growth via phytohormone production. So, the effects of heavy metals on the diversity of the rhizospheric bacterial community were assessed using DNA-fingerprinting.
Asunto(s)
Helianthus , Metales Pesados , Contaminantes del Suelo , Biodegradación Ambiental , Cadmio , Plomo , SueloRESUMEN
The heavy and episodic EtOH drinking pattern, equivalent to weekend consumption, characterizes the binge-drinking pattern and promotes a misbalance of encephalic metabolic functions, concurring to neurodegeneration and cerebral dysfunction. And for being a legal drug, it has global public health and social relevance. In this way, we aimed to investigate the effects of physical training, in a treadmill, on the deleterious effects of EtOH on hippocampal functions, related to memory and learning. For this, we used 40 Wistar rats, divided into four groups: Control group, Trained group (trained animals with doses of distilled water), EtOH group (nontrained animals with doses of 3 g/kg/day of EtOH, 20% w/v), and Trained+EtOH group (trained animals exposed to EtOH). The physical exercise was performed by running on a treadmill for 5 days a week for 4 weeks, and all doses of EtOH were administered through intragastric gavage in four repeated cycles of EtOH in binge. After the experimental period, the animals were submitted to the object recognition task and Morris water maze test, and after being euthanized, the blood and hippocampus were collected for Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), Reduced Glutathione Content (GSH), and Nitrite and Lipid Peroxidation (LPO) level measurements. Our results showed that EtOH caused marked oxidative stress and mnemonic damage, and the physical exercise promoted neuroprotective effects, among them, the modulation of oxidative biochemistry in plasma (by restoring GSH levels) and in the hippocampus (by reducing LPO levels and increasing antioxidant parameters) and cognitive function improvement. Therefore, physical exercise can be an important prophylactic and therapeutic tool in order to ameliorate and even prevent the deleterious effects of EtOH on cognitive functions.
Asunto(s)
Intoxicación Alcohólica/terapia , Etanol/efectos adversos , Hipocampo/efectos de los fármacos , Condicionamiento Físico Animal/métodos , Animales , Masculino , Oxidación-Reducción , Ratas , Ratas WistarRESUMEN
Ethanol (EtOH) binge drinking is characterized by high EtOH intake during few hours followed by withdrawal. Protection strategies against the damages generated by this binge are poorly explored. Thus, this study is aimed at investigating the protective role of treadmill physical exercise (PE) on the damage caused after repeated cycles of binge-like EtOH exposure in the oxidative biochemistry, morphology, and cerebellar function of rats from adolescence to adulthood. For this, animals were divided into four groups: control group (sedentary animals with doses of distilled water), exercised group (exercised animals with doses of distilled water), EtOH group (sedentary animals with doses of 3 g/kg/day of EtOH, 20% w/v), and exercised+EtOH group (exercised animals with previous mentioned doses of EtOH). The PE occurred on a running treadmill for 5 days a week for 4 weeks, and all doses of EtOH were administered through intragastric gavage in four repeated cycles of EtOH in a binge-like manner. After the EtOH protocol and PE, animals were submitted to open field and beam walking tests. In sequence, the cerebellums were collected for the biochemical and morphological analyses. Biochemical changes were analyzed by measurement of Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), reduced glutathione content measurements (GSH), and measurement of nitrite and lipid peroxidation (LPO). In morphological analyses, Purkinje cell density evaluation and immunohistochemistry evaluation were measured by antimyelin basic protein (MBP) and antisynaptophysin (SYP). The present findings demonstrate that the binge drinking protocol induced oxidative biochemistry misbalance, from the decrease of TEAC levels and higher LPO related to tissue damage and motor impairment. In addition, we have shown for the first time that treadmill physical exercise reduced tissue and functional alterations displayed by EtOH exposure.
Asunto(s)
Envejecimiento/patología , Consumo Excesivo de Bebidas Alcohólicas/patología , Consumo Excesivo de Bebidas Alcohólicas/fisiopatología , Cerebelo/patología , Cerebelo/fisiopatología , Etanol/efectos adversos , Estrés Oxidativo , Condicionamiento Físico Animal , Animales , Masculino , Actividad Motora , Proteína Básica de Mielina/metabolismo , Ratas Wistar , Sinaptofisina/metabolismo , Aumento de PesoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an antitumour treatment that employs the combination of a photosensitive compound, oxygen and visible light. To improve the antitumour activity of PDT, the present study used the strategy of combining PDT with erlotinib (ERL), a drug frequently used in the treatment of epidermoid carcinoma. METHODS: An MTT cell viability assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of PDT combined with ERL on A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells in vitro. This study evaluated the cytotoxicity of the following treatments: red laser irradiation (660nm) at different power densities (1.25-180J/cm2), the photosensitizer methylene blue (MB) at concentrations of 0.39-100µM, PDT (12.5µM MB and laser power densities from 1.25 to 180J/cm2), and PDT (12.5µM MB and a laser density of 120J/cm2) plus ERL (1µM). RESULTS: The laser power densities that were tested showed no cytotoxicity in A431 cells. MB showed a dose-dependent cytotoxicity. In PDT, an increase in the dose of light resulted in an increase in the cytotoxicity of MB. In addition, there was a sub-additive effect between PDT and ERL compared to the effect of each therapy alone. CONCLUSIONS: The sub-additive effect between PDT and ERL suggests that their combination may be an important strategy in the treatment of epidermoid carcinoma.
Asunto(s)
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/tratamiento farmacológico , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/patología , Quimioradioterapia/métodos , Clorhidrato de Erlotinib/administración & dosificación , Fotoquimioterapia/métodos , Antineoplásicos/administración & dosificación , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Apoptosis/efectos de la radiación , Línea Celular Tumoral , Supervivencia Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Supervivencia Celular/efectos de la radiación , Terapia Combinada/métodos , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Relación Dosis-Respuesta en la Radiación , Humanos , Fármacos Fotosensibilizantes/administración & dosificación , Dosis de Radiación , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
This study aimed to compare two nanofiber drug delivery systems that were prepared with an electrospun process and have the potential to serve as adjuvants for the treatment of periodontal disease. The first system was composed of polycaprolactone loaded with tetracycline (TCN) and the second was composed of polycaprolactone loaded with tetracycline/ß-cyclodextrin (TCN:BCD). An antimicrobial diffusion test was performed for each of these sets of nanofibers with the microorganisms, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis, both of which contribute to periodontal disease. In vitro release profiles were also obtained, and the nanofibers were characterized by thermal analysis, x-ray powder diffraction, infrared absorption spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Profiles of the TCN and TCN:BCD nanofibers showed that drug release occurred for up to 14days. However, the TCN:BCD nanofibers appeared to better protect and enhance the biological absorption of TCN due to the formation of a TCN:BCD inclusion complex.
Asunto(s)
Aggregatibacter/efectos de los fármacos , Nanofibras/química , Porphyromonas/efectos de los fármacos , Tetraciclina/química , Tetraciclina/farmacología , beta-Ciclodextrinas/química , beta-Ciclodextrinas/farmacología , Antiinfecciosos/química , Antiinfecciosos/farmacología , Pruebas de Sensibilidad MicrobianaRESUMEN
O estudo e desenvolvimento de cuidados paliativos no Brasil, especialmente quando articulado com o sistema de saúde, ainda carece de muitos avanços, frequentemente estando ausente este serviço em grande parte do país. Nesse sentido, o Centro de Orientação Sobre a Morte e O Ser (COSMOS) desenvolve um trabalho de assistência em Cuidados Paliativos a pacientes com baixa expectativa de vida. O projeto Pingo de Luz é uma atividade na qual estudantes de psicologia acompanham semanalmente os pacientes atendidos pelo Serviço de Terapia da Dor e Cuidados Paliativos com o objetivo de auxiliar não somente a psicóloga responsável, como também toda equipe envolvida no tratamento. Os serviços oferecidos pelo referido Projeto se mostraram significativos na melhora do quadro em que o paciente estava quando se iniciaram os acompanhamentos, não somente na forma de lidar com o sofrimento psíquico, para além disso, uma melhora no aspecto fisiológico. Vale ressaltar também que esse prejuízo causado pela doença afeta o paciente e seu convívio. Portanto, o Projeto Pingo de Luz, com base nos estudos em tanatologia, acompanha o paciente e seus familiares a fim de trabalhar as demandas mais emergentes e atuar conjuntamente com a equipe de cuidados paliativos na identificação de informações relevantes para o tratamento.
The study and development of palliative cares in Brazil, especially when articulated with the health system, yet lack many advances, this kind of service has been used in the most part of the country. In that matter the Centro de OrientaçãoSobre a Morte e O Ser (COSMOS) has been developing a work of palliative cares with patients who has low life expectancy. The ProjetoPingo de Luz is an activity which psychology students accompany weekly patients of Serviço de Terapia da Dor e CuidadosPaliativos, working not only with the responsible psychologist but also trying to talk to the whole multidisciplinary team involved in the treatment. Our services shows relevant in the improvement of the patient's situation, there is an improvement in both the psychic situation as under physiological. Worth mentioning as well that the prejudice caused by the disease progress affects the patient and his social environment. Therefore, the ProjetoPingo de Luz, based in thanatology studies, accompanies the patient and his Family in order to work the emerging demands and act together with the team of palliative care, identifying relevant situations for the treatment.
Asunto(s)
Oncología Médica , Psicología , Tanatología , Relaciones Comunidad-Institución , Cuidados Paliativos , UniversidadesRESUMEN
O estudo e desenvolvimento de cuidados paliativos no Brasil, especialmente quando articulado com o sistema de saúde, ainda carece de muitos avanços, frequentemente estando ausente este serviço em grande parte do país. Nesse sentido, o Centro de Orientação Sobre a Morte e O Ser (COSMOS) desenvolve um trabalho de assistência em Cuidados Paliativos a pacientes com baixa expectativa de vida. O projeto Pingo de Luz é uma atividade na qual estudantes de psicologia acompanham semanalmente os pacientes atendidos pelo Serviço de Terapia da Dor e Cuidados Paliativos com o objetivo de auxiliar não somente a psicóloga responsável, como também toda equipe envolvida no tratamento. Os serviços oferecidos pelo referido Projeto se mostraram significativos na melhora do quadro em que o paciente estava quando se iniciaram os acompanhamentos, não somente na forma de lidar com o sofrimento psíquico, para além disso, uma melhora no aspecto fisiológico. Vale ressaltar também que esse prejuízo causado pela doença afeta o paciente e seu convívio.(AU)
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Tanatología , Oncología Médica , TerapéuticaRESUMEN
The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory angiogenesis activity and in vitro cytotoxicity on normal and cancer cell models of a drug delivery system consisting of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanofibers loaded with daunorubicin (PLGA-DNR) that were fabricated using an electrospinning process. The PLGA-DNR nanofibers were also characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal fluorescence microscopy. In vitro release of DNR from the nanofibers and its corresponding mechanism were also evaluated. Sixty-five percent of the DNR was released in an initial burst over 8h, and by 1224 h, eighty-five percent of the DNR had been released. The Higuchi model yielded the best fit to the DNR release profile over the first 8h, and the corresponding data from 24 to 1224 h could be modeled using zero-order kinetics. The PLGA-DNR nanofibers exhibited a higher cytotoxicity to A431 cells than free DNR but a cytotoxicity similar to free DNR against fibroblast cells. A higher antiangiogenic effect of PLGA nanofibers was observed in the in vivo data when compared to free DNR, and no inflammatory potential was observed for the nanofibers.
Asunto(s)
Antibióticos Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Daunorrubicina/farmacología , Ácido Láctico/química , Nanofibras , Ácido Poliglicólico/química , Animales , Línea Celular , Línea Celular Tumoral , Humanos , Masculino , Ratones , Microscopía Electrónica de Rastreo , Microscopía Fluorescente , Copolímero de Ácido Poliláctico-Ácido Poliglicólico , Difracción de Rayos XRESUMEN
Current procedures for the detection and identification of bacterial infections are laborious, time-consuming, and require a high workload and well-equipped laboratories. Therefore the work presented herein developed a simple, fast, and low cost method for bacterial detection based on hydroxyapatite nanoparticles with a nutritive mixture and the fluorogenic substrate. Calcium phosphate ceramic nanoparticles were characterized and integrated with a nutritive mixture for the early detection of bacteria by visual as well as fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. The composite was obtained by combining calcium phosphate nanoparticles (Ca:P ratio, 1.33:1) with a nutritive mixture of protein hydrolysates and carbon sources, which promote fast bacterial multiplication, and the fluorogenic substrate 4-methylumbellipheryl-ß-D-glucuronide (MUG). The composite had an average particle size of 173.2 nm and did not show antibacterial activity against Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria. After an Escherichia coli suspension was in contact with the composite for 60-90 min, fluorescence detected under UV light or by fluorescence spectrophotometer indicated the presence of bacteria. Intense fluorescence was observed after incubation for a maximum of 90 min. Thus, this calcium phosphate nanocomposite system may be useful as a model for the development of other nanoparticle composites for detection of early bacterial adhesion.
Asunto(s)
Cerámica/química , Hidroxiapatitas/química , Nanocompuestos/química , Antibacterianos/química , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Infecciones Bacterianas/diagnóstico , Enterococcus faecalis/efectos de los fármacos , Escherichia coli/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , Hidroxiapatitas/farmacología , Límite de Detección , Nanocompuestos/ultraestructura , Tamaño de la Partícula , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/efectos de los fármacos , Espectrometría de Fluorescencia , Staphylococcus aureus/efectos de los fármacos , Propiedades de SuperficieRESUMEN
Doxycycline is a semi-synthetic antibiotic commonly used for the treatment of many aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. It inhibits the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and affects cell proliferation. In this study, the structural and thermodynamic parameters of free DOX and a DOX/ßCD complex were investigated, as well as their interactions and effects on Staphylococcus aureus cells and cellular cytotoxicity. Complexation of DOX and ßCD was confirmed to be an enthalpy- and entropy-driven process, and a low equilibrium constant was obtained. Treatment of S. aureus with higher concentrations of DOX or DOX/ßCD resulted in an exponential decrease in S. aureus cell size, as well as a gradual neutralization of zeta potential. These thermodynamic profiles suggest that ion-pairing and hydrogen bonding interactions occur between DOX and the membrane of S. aureus. In addition, the adhesion of ßCD to the cell membrane via hydrogen bonding is hypothesized to mediate a synergistic effect which accounts for the higher activity of DOX/ßCD against S. aureus compared to pure DOX. Lower cytotoxicity and induction of osteoblast proliferation was also associated with DOX/ßCD compared with free DOX. These promising findings demonstrate the potential for DOX/ßCD to mediate antimicrobial activity at lower concentrations, and provides a strategy for the development of other antimicrobial formulations.
Asunto(s)
Membrana Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Doxiciclina/química , Doxiciclina/farmacología , Staphylococcus aureus/citología , beta-Ciclodextrinas/química , beta-Ciclodextrinas/farmacología , Animales , Calorimetría , Muerte Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Proliferación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Análisis Diferencial Térmico , Hidrodinámica , Luz , Espectroscopía de Resonancia Magnética , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Osteoblastos/citología , Osteoblastos/efectos de los fármacos , Osteoblastos/metabolismo , Espectroscopía de Protones por Resonancia Magnética , Ratas Wistar , Dispersión de Radiación , Espectroscopía Infrarroja por Transformada de Fourier , Staphylococcus aureus/efectos de los fármacos , Electricidad Estática , Termodinámica , TermogravimetríaRESUMEN
Pterocarpans, a special kind of isoflavonoids possessing two contiguous benzofuran and benzopyran rings, have been reported as possessing several biological activities. In order to isolate and identify the active principles possibly responsible for the stronger activity of the EtOH extract from roots of Harpalyce brasiliana on the antimitotic assay using sea urchin egg development, a bioassay-guided fractionation was performed. Six bioactive pterocarpan derivatives: 4'-dehydroxycabenegrin A-I, leiocarpin, medicarpin, cabenegrins A-I and A-II, and maackiain were isolated from the chloroform fraction of H. brasiliana extract. Leiocarpin was the most active on the sea urchin egg assay with IC(50) values ranging from 0.1 to 1.2 microg/mL, followed by 4'-dehydroxycabenegrin A-I. The isolated compounds were also tested for cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines in cultures, where 4'-dehydroxycabenegrin A-I was the most active, followed by leiocarpin. Additionally, some studies on the structure-activity relationship of these pterocarpans are suggested.
Asunto(s)
Antimitóticos/aislamiento & purificación , Antimitóticos/farmacología , Antineoplásicos/aislamiento & purificación , Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Fabaceae/química , Raíces de Plantas/química , Pterocarpanos/aislamiento & purificación , Pterocarpanos/farmacología , Antimitóticos/química , Antineoplásicos/química , Bioensayo , Línea Celular Tumoral , Fraccionamiento Químico , Etanol/química , Humanos , Extractos Vegetales/química , Pterocarpanos/químicaRESUMEN
Between 1979 and 1994, epidemiological surveillance of meningitides in Uruguay showed a progressive increase in suppurative meningitides due mainly to Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). The cases were concentrated in children under 5; however, among the cases caused by Hib, 70% affected children from 1 to 11 months old. Facing this situation, the Ministry of Public Health resolved, as of August 1994, to include the Hib vaccine in the country's Expanded Program on Immunization, which has been in place since 1982. The Hib vaccination is done without charge and is obligatory for all children under 5 years of age. It is done using the following series of vaccinations: a) three doses, given at 2, 4, and 6 months, with a booster dose at age 1; b) children from 7 to 11 months old receive two doses two months apart and a booster dose a year later; and c) a single dose for children 12 months to 4 years old. Between August and December 1994 a coverage rate of 76.6% was reached among children between 2 months and 4 years old, and the coverage has remained above 80% in the new cohorts. In Uruguay, this vaccination strategy had a spectacular impact on morbidity and mortality due to meningitides caused by Hib. One of the results was that the incidence of 15.6 per 100,000 registered in children under 5 in the prevaccination years declined to 0.03 per 100,000 in 1996.