Cardiotoxic Effects Produced by Omeprazole and Methylene Blue in an Animal Model of Cardiac Ischemia and Reperfusion and Potential Implications for the Pharmacological Strategy for Vasoplegic Syndrome.

Defined as systemic hypotension caused by intense vasodilation due to the loss of systemic vascular resistance, vasoplegic syndrome (VS) is associated with elevated morbidity and mortality in humans. Although vasopressors such as norepinephrine and vasopressin are the first-choice drugs for VS treatment, several other drugs such as methylene blue (MB) can be used as adjuvant therapy including rescue therapy. To develop new pharmacological strategies to reduce the risk of VS, we investigated the effects of treatments with MB (2 mg/kg/IV), omeprazole (OME, 10 mg/kg/IV), and their combination in an animal model of cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (CIR). The ventricular arrhythmia (VA), atrioventricular block (AVB), and lethality (LET) incidence rates caused by CIR (evaluated via ECG) and serum levels of the cardiac lesion biomarkers creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and troponin I (TnI) in adult rats pretreated with saline solution 0.9% and submitted to CIR (SS + CIR group) were compared to those pretreated with MB (MB + CIR group), OME (OME + CIR group), or the MB + OME combination (MB + OME + CIR group). The AVB and LET incidence rates in the MB + CIR (100%), OME + CIR (100%), and MB + OME + CIR (100%) groups were significantly higher compared to the SS + CIR group (60%). The serum level of CK-MB in these groups were also significantly higher compared to the SS + CIR group, demonstrating that the treatments before CIR with MB, OME, and MB + OME produced similar effects in relation to cardiac function and the occurrence of lesions. These results demonstrate that the treatment of animals subjected to the CIR protocol with OME produced the same effects promoted by the treatment with MB, which may suggest the possibility of using OME alone or in combination with MB in medical clinics in treatment of VS.

Grupo de apoio diante das necessidades da família do dependente químico / Support group for the needs of the chemical dependent's family

Objetivou-se identificar as necessidades dos participantes de um Grupo de Apoio à Família no tocante à convivência com o familiar dependente químico. Tratou-se de um estudo qualitativo, desenvolvido com seis familiares que frequentam o Grupo de Apoio à Família em um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial para usuários de Álcool e outras Drogas, em uma cidade do Sul do Brasil. Os dados foram coletados em junho de 2020, mediante entrevista semiestruturada; e, posteriormente, foram analisados por meio de análise temática de conteúdo. Após a observação, emergiram três categorias: Necessidades dos familiares em relação às perspectivas do Grupo de Apoio à Família; Vivência dos familiares em relação ao suporte do Grupo de Apoio à Família e Aspectos a serem reconsiderados no Grupo de Apoio à Família. Nesse contexto, o estudo possibilitou reflexões sobre a elaboração de estratégias mais efetivas a fim de proporcionar um processo terapêutico mais eficaz e resultados mais positivos.

The objective was to identify the needs of participants of a Family Support Group regarding coexistence with the family member who is chemically dependent. This was a qualitative study, developed with six family members who attend the Family Support Group in a Psychosocial Care Center for users of Alcohol and other Drugs in a city in southern Brazil. The data were collected in June 2020 in a semi-structured interview and subsequently analyzed through thematic content analysis. After observation, three categories emerged: Needs of family members in relation to the perspectives of the Family Support Group; Experience of family members in relation to the support of the Family Support Group; and Aspects to be reconsidered in the Family Support Group. In this context, the study enabled reflections on the development of more effective strategies in order to provide a more effective therapeutic process and more positive results.

The choroid plexus acts as an immune cell reservoir and brain entry site in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

The choroid plexus (ChP) has been suggested as an alternative central nervous system (CNS) entry site for CCR6+ Th17 cells during the initiation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for multiple sclerosis (MS). To advance our understanding of the importance of the ChP in orchestrating CNS immune cell entry during neuroinflammation, we here directly compared the accumulation of CD45+ immune cell subsets in the ChP, the brain and spinal cord at different stages of EAE by flow cytometry. We found that the ChP harbors high numbers of CD45int resident innate but also of CD45hi adaptive immune cell subsets including CCR6+ Th17 cells. With the exception to tissue-resident myeloid cells and B cells, numbers of CD45+ immune cells and specifically of CD4+ T cells increased in the ChP prior to EAE onset and remained elevated while declining in brain and spinal cord during chronic disease. Increased numbers of ChP immune cells preceded their increase in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Th17 but also other CD4+ effector T-cell subsets could migrate from the basolateral to the apical side of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) in vitro, however, diapedesis of effector Th cells including that of Th17 cells did not require interaction of CCR6 with BCSFB derived CCL20. Our data underscore the important role of the ChP as CNS immune cell entry site in the context of autoimmune neuroinflammation.

Advances in the phytochemical screening and biological potential of propolis.

Propolis is a natural resinous product collected from different parts of plants by bees and mixed with their salivary secretions. The occurrence of more than 180 different chemotypes has flavonoids, phenolic acids, esters, and phenolic aldehydes, as well as balsamic resins, beeswax, pollen, and essential and aromatic oils, among others. Its biological potential documented throughout the world justifies the need, from time to time, to organize reviews on the subject, with the intention of gathering and informing about the update on propolis. In this review (CRD42020212971), phytochemical advances, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical biological assays of pharmacological interest are showcased. The focus of this work is to present propolis clinical safety assays, antitumor, analgesic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. This literature review highlights propolis' promising biological activity, as it also suggests that studies associating propolis with nanotechnology should be further explored for enhanced bioprocessing applications.

The Applicability of Rehabilitation Strategies in Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease during Hemodialysis: a Literature Review / A Aplicabilidade de Estratégias de Reabilitação em Indivíduos Portadores de Doença Renal Crônica Durante a Hemodiálise: ma Revisão Bibliográfica

Chronic kidney disease is manifested by an injury to the kidneys that can cause a consequent need to replace their function. This replacement is performed through an invasive therapy by catheterization and is called hemodialysis. This therapy aims to correct metabolic changes with the extracorporeal blood filtration process. Because it is a chronic process, such replacement occurs with a certain frequency and, depending on the clinical need of the individual, can be performed daily, thus causing significant damage to the functional capacity of these patients. In this context, the need for this literature review arises, aiming to evaluate the best type of physical therapy intervention to apply to the patient while undergoing hemodialysis, since it is an invasive therapy with predictable clinical repercussions if accidentally interrupted. Searches for articles were carried out in the Bireme, Scielo, Pubmed databases and on the official website of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology, with the inclusion of articles from 2009 to 2022. The selected studies had as similarity the application time in the first hours of session, however different types of exercises, including aerobic, resistance, mixed and alternative, contemplated the types of approaches of the authors. In view of this review, we concluded that it is of fundamental importance to outline a strategy for these patients and that the mixed modality seemed to be the most applicable given the benefits obtained, including improved physical conditioning and consequent improvement in quality of life and disposition, and these should be monitored and accompanied by professional physiotherapists during the applicability of the exercises. (AU)

A doença renal crônica manifesta-se por uma lesão nos rins que pode causar consequente necessidade de substituição de sua função. Essa substituição é realizada por meio uma terapia invasiva por cateterização e é denominada Hemodiálise. Esta terapia tem como o objetivo corrigir alterações metabólicas com o processo de filtragem extra corpórea do sangue. Por trata-se de um processo crônico, tal substituição ocorre com determinada frequência, podendo, a depender da necessidade clínica do indivíduo, ser realizada diariamente, causando desta forma, importante prejuízo na capacidade funcional destes pacientes. Neste contexto, surge a necessidade desta revisão bibliográfica, objetivando avaliar qual melhor tipo de intervenção fisioterapêutica para aplicar no paciente enquanto é submetido a hemodiálise, visto tratar-se de uma terapia invasiva de previsível repercussão clínica caso interrompida acidentalmente. As buscas por artigos foram feitas nas bases de dados Bireme, Scielo, Pubmed e no site oficial da Sociedade Brasileira de Nefrologia, com a inclusão de artigos de 2009 a 2022.Os estudos selecionados tiveram como semelhança o tempo da aplicação nas primeiras horas de sessão, porem diferentes tipos de exercícios dentre eles aeróbicos, resistidos, mistos e alternativos, contemplaram os tipos de abordagens dos autores. Diante desta revisão, concluímos que é de fundamental importância delinear uma estratégia para estes pacientes e que a modalidade mista pareceu ser a mais aplicável visto os benefícios obtidos estando dentre eles a melhora do condicionamento físico e consequente melhora da qualidade de vida e disposição, devendo estes ser monitorizados e acompanhados por profissionais fisioterapeutas durante a aplicabilidade dos exercícios. (AU)

Spondias purpurea L. Bark Extract Protects against Oxidative Stress and Reduces Hypercholesterolemia in Mice Fed High-Fat Diet.

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the initiation and progression of metabolic diseases, including obesity. Preventing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and oxidative damage to macromolecules is a beneficial strategy for reducing comorbidities associated with obesity. Fruits from the Spondias genus are known for their antioxidant activity, but they are not available year-round due to their seasonality. In this context, we investigated the antioxidant activity and identified the chemical constituents of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Spondias purpurea L. (EBSp). Additionally, we evaluated the effect of EBSp consumption on metabolic parameters in mice with obesity induced by a high-fat diet. Chemical analyses revealed 19 annotated compounds from EBSp, including flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins, methoxylated coumarin, and gallic and ellagic acids, besides other phenolic compounds. In vitro, EBSp showed antioxidant activity through the scavenging of the free radicals and the protection of macromolecules against oxidative damage. Cellular assays revealed that EBSp reduced the levels of malondialdehyde produced by erythrocytes exposed to the oxidizing agent AAPH. Flow cytometry studies showed that EBSp reduced reactive oxygen species levels in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells treated with hydrogen peroxide. Obese mice treated with EBSp (400 mg.kg-1) for 60 days showed reduced levels of malondialdehyde in the heart, liver, kidneys, and nervous system. The total cholesterol levels in mice treated with EBSp reached levels similar to those after treatment with the drug simvastatin. Together, the results show that the combination of the different phenolic compounds in S. purpurea L. bark promotes antioxidant effects in vitro and in vivo, resulting in cytoprotection in the context of oxidative stress associated with obesity and a reduction in hypercholesterolemia. From a clinical perspective, the reduction in oxidative stress in obese individuals contributes to the reduction in the emergence of comorbidities associated with this metabolic syndrome.

Development of a New High-Oxygen Flow Nasal Device for Hypoxia Management in Patients With Pulmonary Limitation Arising from Covid-19 and Other Respiratory Diseases / Uma Nova Estratégia de Aporte de Oxigênio Por Alto Fluxo em Cateter Nasal para Manejo da Hipóxia em Pacientes com Limitação Pulmonar Decorr

Abstract About 5.5 million people in the world have respiratory limitations, which is the 5th largest cause of hospitalizations in Brazil. Covid-19 has contributed negatively to this scenario. The choice of adequate respiratory support contributes to a better clinical outcome, also supporting an improvement in quality of life. A new way of providing oxygen therapy, with lower cost and capable of managing hypoxia, may be a promising alternative. With the use of common supplies, it is possible to provide a high flow of compressed air and oxygen, heated and humidified, optimizing ventilation-perfusion. With a view to addressing hypercapnia and hypoxemia, this newly designed new form can contribute to clinical practice. The results of this study showed the effectiveness of this strategy when using flows from 30l/min, since, in this way, the loss of gas supply to the patient is insignificant. In addition, the financial viability makes the strategy accessible to less favored institutions. The magnitude of respiratory disorders aroused the need for new approaches to this clinical scenario, as conventional oxygen therapy does not always meet these demands and the high-flow nasal catheter has already shown a promising strategy in cases of respiratory limitations. (AU)

Resumo Cerca de 5,5 milhões de pessoas no mundo apresentam limitações respiratórias, sendo esta a 5ª maior causa de internações no Brasil. A Covid-19 tem contribuído negativamente para este cenário. A escolha do suporte respiratório adequado contribui para um melhor desfecho clínico, auxiliando também na melhora da qualidade de vida. Uma nova forma de oferta de oxigenoterapia, com menor custo e capaz de controlar a hipóxia, pode ser uma alternativa promissora. Com o uso de insumos comuns, é possível fornecer um alto fluxo de ar comprimido e oxigênio, aquecido e umidificado, otimizando a ventilação-perfusão. Com o objetivo de abordar a hipercapnia e a hipoxemia, esta nova forma recém-desenhada pode contribuir para a prática clínica. Nossos resultados mostraram a eficácia dessa estratégia ao utilizar fluxos a partir de 30l/min, pois, dessa forma, a perda de suprimento de gás ao paciente é insignificante. Além disso, a viabilidade financeira torna a estratégia acessível às instituições menos favorecidas. A magnitude dos distúrbios respiratórios despertou a necessidade de novas abordagens nesse cenário clínico, pois a oxigenoterapia convencional nem sempre atende a essas demandas e o cateter nasal de alto fluxo já se mostrou uma estratégia promissora em casos de limitações respiratórias. (AU)

Influence of drug-related problems on length of hospital stay of women with a history of preeclampsia: A multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 5-7 % of pregnant women have hypertension during pregnancy, requiring antihypertensive drug treatment. There have been a lack of studies evaluating how drug-related problems (DRPs) affect morbidity or mortality in the postpartum period among women with a history of preeclampsia. OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of drug-related problems on length of hospital stay of postpartum women with a history of preeclampsia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included postpartum women diagnosed with preeclampsia, from June to November 2016, in two teaching maternity hospitals in Brazil. The outcomes assessed were, length of hospital stay of postpartum women. The DRPs were classified through the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe Foundation (PCNE) v 8.01. RESULTS: 600 women were included, and 354 (59%) were exposed to at least one DRP. The most frequent DRPs were no administration of the prescribed medication, lack of prescription of a medication, although the indication was clear, and ineffectiveness (unknown reason). In patients exposed to DRP, the average length of hospital stay after labour was 5.4 (S.D. 3.6) days versus 4.4 (S.D. 3.3) days in patients non-exposed to DRP (p = 0.0001). The period (in days) to achieve blood pressure control after labour was 4.5 (S.D. 3.5) 3.5 (S.D. 3.2), respectively (p = 0.0001). There were no deaths during the study. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Drug-related problems significantly increased the length of hospital stay in postpartum women with a history of preeclampsia.

Routine follow-up after surgical treatment of lung cancer: is chest CT useful?

OBJECTIVE: To report the experience of a routine follow-up program based on medical visits and chest CT. METHODS: This was a retrospective study involving patients followed after complete surgical resection of non-small cell lung cancer between April of 2007 and December of 2015. The follow-up program consisted of clinical examination and chest CT. Each follow-up visit was classified as a routine or non-routine consultation, and patients were considered symptomatic or asymptomatic. The outcomes of the follow-up program were no evidence of cancer, recurrence, or second primary lung cancer. RESULTS: The sample comprised 148 patients. The median time of follow-up was 40.1 months, and 74.3% of the patients underwent fewer chest CTs than those recommended in our follow-up program. Recurrence and second primary lung cancer were found in 17.6% and 11.5% of the patients, respectively. Recurrence was diagnosed in a routine medical consultation in 69.2% of the cases, 57.7% of the patients being asymptomatic. Second primary lung cancer was diagnosed in a routine medical appointment in 94.1% of the cases, 88.2% of the patients being asymptomatic. Of the 53 patients who presented with abnormalities on chest CT, 41 (77.3%) were diagnosed with cancer. CONCLUSION: Most of the cases of recurrence, especially those of second primary lung cancer, were confirmed by chest CT in asymptomatic patients, indicating the importance of a strict follow-up program that includes chest CTs after surgical resection of lung cancer.

Plant traits controlling growth change in response to a drier climate.

Plant traits are increasingly being used to improve prediction of plant function, including plant demography. However, the capability of plant traits to predict demographic rates remains uncertain, particularly in the context of trees experiencing a changing climate. Here we present data combining 17 plant traits associated with plant structure, metabolism and hydraulic status, with measurements of long-term mean, maximum and relative growth rates for 176 trees from the world's longest running tropical forest drought experiment. We demonstrate that plant traits can predict mean annual tree growth rates with moderate explanatory power. However, only combinations of traits associated more directly with plant functional processes, rather than more commonly employed traits like wood density or leaf mass per area, yield the power to predict growth. Critically, we observe a shift from growth being controlled by traits related to carbon cycling (assimilation and respiration) in well-watered trees, to traits relating to plant hydraulic stress in drought-stressed trees. We also demonstrate that even with a very comprehensive set of plant traits and growth data on large numbers of tropical trees, considerable uncertainty remains in directly interpreting the mechanisms through which traits influence performance in tropical forests.

Routine follow-up after surgical treatment of lung cancer: is chest CT useful? / Acompanhamento de rotina após tratamento cirúrgico de câncer de pulmão: a TC de tórax é útil?

ABSTRACT Objective: To report the experience of a routine follow-up program based on medical visits and chest CT. Methods: This was a retrospective study involving patients followed after complete surgical resection of non-small cell lung cancer between April of 2007 and December of 2015. The follow-up program consisted of clinical examination and chest CT. Each follow-up visit was classified as a routine or non-routine consultation, and patients were considered symptomatic or asymptomatic. The outcomes of the follow-up program were no evidence of cancer, recurrence, or second primary lung cancer. Results: The sample comprised 148 patients. The median time of follow-up was 40.1 months, and 74.3% of the patients underwent fewer chest CTs than those recommended in our follow-up program. Recurrence and second primary lung cancer were found in 17.6% and 11.5% of the patients, respectively. Recurrence was diagnosed in a routine medical consultation in 69.2% of the cases, 57.7% of the patients being asymptomatic. Second primary lung cancer was diagnosed in a routine medical appointment in 94.1% of the cases, 88.2% of the patients being asymptomatic. Of the 53 patients who presented with abnormalities on chest CT, 41 (77.3%) were diagnosed with cancer. Conclusion: Most of the cases of recurrence, especially those of second primary lung cancer, were confirmed by chest CT in asymptomatic patients, indicating the importance of a strict follow-up program that includes chest CTs after surgical resection of lung cancer.

RESUMO Objetivo: Relatar a experiência de um programa de acompanhamento de rotina baseado em consultas médicas e TC de tórax. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo envolvendo pacientes acompanhados após ressecção cirúrgica completa de câncer de pulmão de células não pequenas entre abril de 2007 e dezembro de 2015. O programa de acompanhamento consistiu em exame clínico e TC de tórax. Cada visita de acompanhamento foi classificada como uma consulta de rotina ou fora da rotina, e os pacientes foram considerados sintomáticos ou assintomáticos. Os desfechos do programa de acompanhamento foram ausência de evidência de câncer, recidiva ou segundo câncer de pulmão primário. Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 148 pacientes. A mediana do tempo de acompanhamento foi de 40,1 meses, e 74,3% dos pacientes realizaram menos TCs do que as recomendadas em nosso programa de acompanhamento. Recidiva e segundo câncer de pulmão primário foram encontrados em 17,6% e 11,5% dos pacientes, respectivamente. A recidiva foi diagnosticada em uma consulta médica de rotina em 69,2% dos casos, sendo 57,7% dos pacientes assintomáticos. O segundo câncer de pulmão primário foi diagnosticado em consulta médica de rotina em 94,1% dos casos, sendo 88,2% dos pacientes assintomáticos. Dos 53 pacientes que apresentaram anormalidades na TC de tórax, 41 (77,3%) foram diagnosticados com câncer. Conclusões: A maioria dos casos de recidiva, principalmente os de segundo câncer de pulmão primário, foi confirmada por TC de tórax em pacientes assintomáticos, indicando a importância de um programa de acompanhamento rigoroso que inclua TC de tórax após ressecção cirúrgica de câncer de pulmão.

Filhos de dependentes químicos, suas percepções sobre as relações intrafamiliares / Children of drug addicts: their perceptions on intra-family relationships

Descrever a percepção de crianças, filhos de pais dependentes químicos, acerca do funcionamento familiar e as relações de apego construídas com seus pais. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo realizado com quatro crianças, filhos de dependentes químicos. A coleta dos dados foi realizada através do genograma familiar e entrevista semiestruturada. Os depoimentos foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo. Os funcionamentos familiares foram classificados como desligado, emaranhado em fortalecimento de fronteiras ou não classificado. Os tipos de apego foram seguro e evitativo. O funcionamento familiar está relacionado com as formas de interação entre os membros e não ao uso de substâncias psicoativas. A dependência não é o fator desencadeante da rigidez do sistema, mas uma consequência do estilo de vinculação predominante no mesmo. Dificultam-se as interações positivas e a busca por padrões alternativos de funcionamento, sendo um importante fator de risco para o desenvolvimento saudável dos seus membros

The perception of children of drug-dependent parents on family functioning and affectionate relationships with their parents is described. Current qualitative study has been conducted with four children, children of drug addicts. Data were collected through family genogram and semi-structured interview. The statements were submitted to content analysis. Family functioning was classified as careless, entangled in border strengthening, or non- classified. Attachment types were safe and preventive. Family functioning is related to the forms of interaction between members and not to the use of psychoactive substances. Dependency is not the triggering factor of the system´s rigidity, but a consequence of the predominant style of attachment. It hinders positive interactions and the search for alternative patterns of functioning, being an important risk factor for healthy development of its members.

Evaluation of whole-body MRI with diffusion-weighted sequences in the staging of pediatric cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether whole-body MRI (WBMRI) with diffusion-weighted sequences, which is free of ionizing radiation, can perform as well as traditional methods when used alone for staging or follow-up of pediatric cancer patients. METHODS: After obtaining approval from our institutional research ethics committee and appropriate informed consent, we performed 34 examinations in 32 pediatric patients. The examinations were anonymized and analyzed by two radiologists with at least 10 years' experience. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity findings, respectively, were as follows: 100% and 100% for primary tumor; 100% and 86% for bone metastasis; 33% and 100% for lung metastasis; 85% and 100% for lymph node metastasis; and 100% and 62% for global investigation of primary or secondary neoplasias. We observed excellent interobserver agreement for WBMRI and excellent agreement with standard staging examination results. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that pediatric patients can be safely imaged with WBMRI, although not as the only tool but in association with low-dose chest CT (for subcentimeter pulmonary nodules). However, additional exams with ionizing radiation may be necessary for patients who tested positive to correctly quantify and locate the lesions.

Small tropical forest trees have a greater capacity to adjust carbon metabolism to long-term drought than large canopy trees.

The response of small understory trees to long-term drought is vital in determining the future composition, carbon stocks and dynamics of tropical forests. Long-term drought is, however, also likely to expose understory trees to increased light availability driven by drought-induced mortality. Relatively little is known about the potential for understory trees to adjust their physiology to both decreasing water and increasing light availability. We analysed data on maximum photosynthetic capacity (Jmax , Vcmax ), leaf respiration (Rleaf ), leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf thickness and leaf nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations from 66 small trees across 12 common genera at the world's longest running tropical rainfall exclusion experiment and compared responses to those from 61 surviving canopy trees. Small trees increased Jmax , Vcmax , Rleaf and LMA (71, 29, 32, 15% respectively) in response to the drought treatment, but leaf thickness and leaf nutrient concentrations did not change. Small trees were significantly more responsive than large canopy trees to the drought treatment, suggesting greater phenotypic plasticity and resilience to prolonged drought, although differences among taxa were observed. Our results highlight that small tropical trees have greater capacity to respond to ecosystem level changes and have the potential to regenerate resilient forests following future droughts.

The immunoregulatory function of polyphenols: implications in cancer immunity.

Polyphenols have demonstrated several potential biological activities, notably antitumoral activity dependent on immune function. In the present review, we describe studies that investigated antitumor immune responses influenced by polyphenols and the mechanisms by which polyphenols improve the immune response. We also discuss the limitations in related areas, especially unexplored areas of research, and next steps required to develop a therapeutic approach utilizing polyphenols in oncology.

Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart. Leaves Increase SIRT1 Levels and Improve Stress Resistance.

Oxidative stress is a metabolic disorder linked with several chronic diseases, and this condition can be improved by natural antioxidants. The fruit pulp of the palm Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart. is widely used in the treatment of various illnesses, but as far as we know, there are no reports regarding the properties of its leaves. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of A. aculeata leaf extracts obtained with water (EA-Aa), ethanol (EE-Aa), and methanol (EM-Aa) solvents. The extracts were chemically characterized, and their antioxidant activity was assessed through the scavenging of the free radicals DPPH and ABTS. EE-Aa and EM-Aa showed the highest amounts of phenolic compounds and free radical scavenging activity. However, EA-Aa was more efficient to protect human erythrocytes against AAPH-induced hemolysis and lipid peroxidation. Thus, we further show the antioxidant effect of EA-Aa in preventing AAPH-induced protein oxidation, H2O2-induced DNA fragmentation, and ROS generation in Cos-7 cells. Increased levels of Sirt1, catalase, and activation of ERK and Nrf2 were observed in Cos-7 treated with EA-Aa. We also verify increased survival in nematodes C. elegans, when induced to the oxidative condition by Juglone. Therefore, our results showed a typical chemical composition of plants for all extracts, but the diversity of compounds presented in EA-Aa is involved in the lower toxicity and antioxidant properties provided to the macromolecules tested, proteins, DNA, and lipids. This protective effect also proven in Cos-7 and in C. elegans was probably due to the activation of the Sirt1/Nrf2 pathway. Altogether, the low toxicity and the antioxidant properties of EA-Aa showed in all the experimental models support its further use in the treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases.

Amazonia trees have limited capacity to acclimate plant hydraulic properties in response to long-term drought.

The fate of tropical forests under future climate change is dependent on the capacity of their trees to adjust to drier conditions. The capacity of trees to withstand drought is likely to be determined by traits associated with their hydraulic systems. However, data on whether tropical trees can adjust hydraulic traits when experiencing drought remain rare. We measured plant hydraulic traits (e.g. hydraulic conductivity and embolism resistance) and plant hydraulic system status (e.g. leaf water potential, native embolism and safety margin) on >150 trees from 12 genera (36 species) and spanning a stem size range from 14 to 68 cm diameter at breast height at the world's only long-running tropical forest drought experiment. Hydraulic traits showed no adjustment following 15 years of experimentally imposed moisture deficit. This failure to adjust resulted in these drought-stressed trees experiencing significantly lower leaf water potentials, and higher, but variable, levels of native embolism in the branches. This result suggests that hydraulic damage caused by elevated levels of embolism is likely to be one of the key drivers of drought-induced mortality following long-term soil moisture deficit. We demonstrate that some hydraulic traits changed with tree size, however, the direction and magnitude of the change was controlled by taxonomic identity. Our results suggest that Amazonian trees, both small and large, have limited capacity to acclimate their hydraulic systems to future droughts, potentially making them more at risk of drought-induced mortality.

Acetylation of Eugenol over 12-Molybdophosphoric Acid Anchored in Mesoporous Silicate Support Synthesized from Flint Kaolin.

A new prepared catalyst, 12-molybdophosphoric acid (HPMo) anchored to the mesoporous aluminosilicate AlSiM, synthesized from Amazon kaolin, was characterized and used as a heterogeneous acid catalyst for the production of eugenyl acetate by acetylation of eugenol with acetic anhydride. The effect of various reaction parameters, such as catalyst concentration, eugenol/acetic anhydride molar ratio, temperature and reaction time, was studied to optimize the conditions of maximum conversion of eugenol. The kinetics studies showed that in eugenol acetylation, the substrate concentration follows a first order kinetics. The results of activation energy was 19.96 kJ mol-1 for HPMo anchored to AlSiM. The reuse of the catalyst was also studied and there was no loss of catalytic activity after four cycles of use (from 99.9% in the first cycle to 90% in the fifth cycle was confirmed), and an excellent stability of the material was observed. Based on catalytic and kinetic studies, HPMo anchored to AlSiM is considered an excellent catalyst.

Bentonites Modified with Phosphomolybdic Heteropolyacid (HPMo) for Biowaste to Biofuel Production.

Two bentonites from Paraíba (Northeastern Brazil) were impregnated with heteropoly phosphomolybdic H3PMo12O40 (HPMo). The materials produced were characterized by various techniques such as N2 adsorption-desorption (specific surface area, SSA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) equipped with Dispersive Energy X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), acid-base titration analysis. The catalytic activity of these materials was tested in the esterification of a waste from palm oil deodorization and the main results obtained (about 93.3% of conversion) indicated that these materials have potential to act as heterogeneous solid acid catalysts. The prepared materials exhibited satisfactory catalytic performance even after a very simple recycling process in three reuse cycles, without significant loss of their activities.