Antioxidant enzymes activities of Burkholderia spp. strains-oxidative responses to Ni toxicity.

Increased agriculture production associated with intense application of herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides leads to soil contamination worldwide. Nickel (Ni), due to its high mobility in soils and groundwater, constitutes one of the greatest problems in terms of environmental pollution. Metals, including Ni, in high concentrations are toxic to cells by imposing a condition of oxidative stress due to the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage lipids, proteins, and DNA. This study aimed to characterize the Ni antioxidant response of two tolerant Burkholderia strains (one isolated from noncontaminated soil, SNMS32, and the other from contaminated soil, SCMS54), by measuring superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities. Ni accumulation and bacterial growth in the presence of the metal were also analyzed. The results showed that both strains exhibited different trends of Ni accumulation and distinct antioxidant enzymes responses. The strain from contaminated soil (SCMS54) exhibited a higher Ni biosorption and exhibited an increase in SOD and GST activities after 5 and 12 h of Ni exposure. The analysis of SOD, CAT, and GR by nondenaturing PAGE revealed the appearance of an extra isoenzyme in strain SCMS54 for each enzyme. The results suggest that the strain SCMS54 isolated from contaminated soil present more plasticity with potential to be used in soil and water bioremediation.

Efecto del masaje terapéutico como cuidado de enfermería en la capacidad funcional del adulto mayor / The effect of therapeutic massage as part of nursing care for the functional capacity of the elderly / Efeito da massagem terapêutica como cuidado da enfermagem na capacidade funcional do idoso

Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto del masaje terapéutico clásico como cuidado de enfermería en la capacidad funcional del adulto mayor en una casa hogar. Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, longitudinal, cuasiexperimental. Se evaluó la capacidad funcional del adulto mayor antes y después del masaje terapéutico clásico con el índice de Barthel, alfa de Cronbach de 0.95. Muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia. En total se estudiaron 15 adultos mayores divididos aleatoriamente en grupo de estudio y control, con base en Epidat 3.1. El análisis se realizó con estadística descriptiva y no paramétrica a través de T de Wilcoxon y U de Mann Whitney para lo cual se utilizó el programa SPSS v.19. Resultados: El promedio de edad fue de 84.14 ± 9.68 vs. 80.25 ± 10.49 para el grupo control y de estudio respectivamente; el 73% del género masculino. Previo y posterior al masaje terapéutico en la prueba de Wilcoxon, el resultado fue: grupo control (Z = 0, p = 1) vs. grupo experimental (Z = 2.47, p = 0.01). En la U de Mann Whitney (U = 0.5, p = 0.001). En la posprueba del grupo de estudio se observó un aumento significativo de la capacidad funcional. No existen estudios similares, sin embargo, algunas investigaciones han demostrado que el masaje terapéutico es efectivo para mejorar el dolor, la amplitud de movimiento y la fuerza de agarre en adultos mayores. Conclusiones: El masaje terapéutico clásico es efectivo para incrementar la capacidad funcional del adulto mayor institucionalizado.

Objective: To assess the effect of traditional therapeutic massage on the functional capacity of elderly adults in a residential care facility. Methods: Quasi-experimental, longitudinal and quantitative study. The elderly adults' functional capacity was assessed before and after the classic therapeutic massage using Barthel's index. Cronbach alpha turned out to be 0.95. The sampling was by convenience and not probabilistic. In total, 15 studied elderly adults were randomly assigned to a control group and a study group using Epidat 3.1. Descriptive and not parametric analysis was performed using Wilcoxon T and Mann Whitney U tests with the SPSS v.19 program. Results: The average age was 84.14 ± 9.68 and 80.25 ± 10.49 in the control and study groups respectively. Seventy-three percent were masculine. The Wilcoxon test results were Z = 0, P = 1 in the control group, and Z = 2.47, P = .01 in the experimental group. The Mann Whitney test result was U = 0.5, P = .001. The study group post-test showed a significant increase in the functional capacity. There are not many similar works in the literature; however some research studies have demonstrated that therapeutic massage is effective in improving movement and gripping strength, and also in reducing pain among elderly adults. Conclusions: Traditional therapeutic massage is effective in increasing the functional capacity of institutionalized elderly adults.

Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da massagem terapêutica clássica como um cuidado de enfermagem na capacidade funcional do idoso no Lar. Métodos: Estudo qualitativo, longitudinal, quase experimental. Avaliou-se a capacidade funcional do idoso antes e depois da massagem terapêutica clássica com o índice de Barthel, alfa de Cronbach de 0.95. Amostragem não probabilística por conveniência. No total estudaram-se 15 idosos divididos aleatoriamente em grupo de estudo e de controle, utilizando Epidat 3.1. A análise realizou-se com estatística descritiva e não paramédica a través de T de Wilcoxon e U de Mann Whitney para o qual se utilizou o programa SPSS v. 19. Resultados: A média de idade foi de 84.14 ± 9.68 vs 80.25 ± 10.49 grupo controle e de estudo respectivamente, 73% gênero masculino. Prévio e posterior à massagem terapêutica na prova de Wilcoxon, o resultado foi: o grupo controle (Z = 0, p = 1) vs grupo experimental (Z = 2.47, p = 0.01). No U de Mann Whitney (U = 0.5, p = 0.001). No pós-teste do grupo de estudo observou-se um aumento significativo da capacidade funcional. Não existem estudos similares, porém, algumas pesquisas têm demonstrado que a massagem terapêutica é efetiva para a melhoria da dor, da amplitude de movimento e da força de preensão em idosos. Conclusões: A massagem terapêutica clássica é efetiva para incrementar a capacidade funcional do idoso numa instituição.

Headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of volatile compounds in murici (Byrsonima crassifolia l. Rich).

Northern and Northeastern Brazil have a natural diversity of fruits, many of which are considered exotic, presenting different flavors and aromas. The enormous diversity of fruits represents a promising area for research on aromas. There is also a great potential for the manufacture of juices, desserts or other processed products. Murici is a typical fruit from these regions presenting a different flavor, reminiscent of that of cheese. This fruit is consumed mainly as juice, ice cream or as liquor, greatly appreciated by the local population. Headspace volatile compounds of three lots of the fruit from Ceará (Fortaleza) were collected by suction on Porapak Q for 2 h and desorbed with 300 microl of acetone. The isolated volatile compounds were separated by high resolution GC. Forty-six volatile compounds were detected, of which 41 were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and Kovats indices. The most abundant compounds were ethanol (28.3%) and ethyl hexanoate (25.1%). Butanoic acid (5.1%), hexanoic acid (5.1%) and methyl butyrate (2.8%) were also detected in the headspace of the fruit and confirm its unusual cheese aroma.

Composition of total, neutral, and phospholipids in Mapará (Hypophthalmus sp.) from the Brazilian Amazonian area.

Ten lots of mapará (Hypophthalmus sp.), captured from the Amazon River, Brazil, were analyzed for their lipid content and fatty acid composition. This knowledge would allow for the development of adequate processing methods and the formulation of therapeutic diets. Separation into neutral and phospholipids was accomplished by silica-gel column chromatography. Fat from the muscular tissue and from the orbital cavity of the mapará was analyzed by high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in two different seasonal periods. There were high levels of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in the total and neutral lipid with the principal components 16:0, 18:1omega9, 18:0, 16:1omega7, 14:0, 18:3omega3, and 18:1omega7 in both seasons. In the phospholipids there was a high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including primarily 16:0, 18:1omega9, 18:0, 16:1omega7, 22:6omega3, 20:4omega6, 18:3omega3, and 20:5omega3. The ratio omega3/omega6 was the same in the muscular tissue and in the orbital cavity, in both seasonal periods. The muscle tissue could be used in diets that need high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, but use of the head to produce an omega3 fatty-acid-rich oil still requires greater study with respect to its economic viability.

Volatile composition of some Brazilian fruits: umbu-caja (Spondias citherea), camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia), Araça-boi (Eugenia stipitata), and Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum).

Twenty-one volatile compounds were identified for the first time by GC-MS in umbu-caja and in camu-camu, plus 30 volatile compounds were identified in araça-boi samples. Terpenic compounds predominated among the volatile compounds in these fruit samples, with the major compounds being identified as cis-beta-ocimene and caryophyllene in the northeastern fruit; alpha-pinene and d-limonene were the most abundant volatile compounds in the headspace of the Amazonian fruit camu-camu. Sesquiterpenes were the most abundant compounds in the araça-boi sample, with germacrene D presenting a higher relative percentage. The chemical class of esters predominated in the cupuaçu sample. Ethyl butyrate and hexanoate were the major compounds in the headspace of this Amazonian fruit.

[Infant mortality and activities of the health care system from 1988-1992. Chiqui Gomez health area]. / Comportamiento de la mortalidad infantil y accion del sistema de salud durante los años 1988 a 1992. Area de salud "Chiqui Gomez".

A study on infant mortality was carried out in the Chiqui Gómez health area of Santa Clara City during a 5-year period (1988-1992). Data were collected from the Statistics Department; analyses of familial health records; medical micro-histories of pregnant women in family doctors' home offices; and from the supervision report of the Basic Work Group; diagnostic health status of the area was also taken into account. The method employed was descriptive and analytic. The study is concluded with the evaluation of the fulfillment of the Maternal-Child Program as satisfactory in this health area. Causes of death in the first place were main perinatal disorders and congenital anomalies. Factors having a higher incidence in infant mortality in the study are; short intergenesic period; delivery before the 37th week of pregnancy; pregnancy in adolescence; and low birth weight. There is an evident relationship between pregnancy in adolescence and low birth weight; the results attained in prenatal care and infant care prior to children's death are considered adequate.

Association of physical and emotional symptoms with the menstrual cycle and life-style.

The frequency and severity of physical and emotional menstrual symptoms were investigated with a cross-sectional study of 502 women not seeking treatment for menstrual symptoms. The most frequent symptoms were abdominal bloating, backache, headache, constipation, low abdominal pain, fatigue and symptoms related to depression. Some symptoms increased during the late luteal phase, and others were related to the women's life-style. Lack of schooling and living in rural areas were associated with headache, backache, sadness, insecurity, restlessness and weakness. Women from urban areas with more schooling had more breast tenderness, abdominal pain, irritability, depression, aggressiveness and increased sexual desire. Younger women had increased appetite, lack of concentration, insecurity, desire to be alone, weakness and dissatisfaction with their looks. Heavier women had more leg cramps, swollen feet, lack of coordination and polydipsia. Menstrual symptoms seem to be determined by the interplay of the menstrual cycle with biologic factors and life-style.