ABSTRACT
In the Chilean indigenous culture, the tree Drimys winteri (Winteraceae) Canelo is of great importance and is considered the sacred Mapuche tree. It has antibacterial and disinfectant properties and is used in the treatment of various diseases, such as fevers, ulcers, cancers, and respiratory tract problems. The essential oil obtained from D. winteri, DW_EO, is bioactive, possesses insecticidal and repellent properties against pests, and shows activity toward plant growth regulators. It also has a phytotoxic effect against the growth and germination of weeds. The essential oil obtained from the leaves and bark of Drimys winteri has demonstrated antifungal, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties in in vitro and in vivo studies. It also possesses antioxidant activity and antibacterial effects. The essential oil contains monoterpenes such as zafrol, pinenes, and linalool, among others, that contribute to its bioactivity. The DW_EO and bioactive compounds have great potential in various applications in medicine, industrial food, sanitizer, and other areas.
ABSTRACT
Brazil has one of the fastest aging populations in the world and the incidence of cognitive impairment in the elderly is expected to increase exponentially. We examined the association between cognitive impairment and fruit and vegetable intake and associated factors in a low-income elderly population. A cross-sectional population-based study was carried out with 1849 individuals aged 65 or over living in São Paulo, Brazil. Cognitive function was assessed using the Community Screening Instrument for Dementia (CSI-D). Fruit and vegetable intake was assessed with a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and categorized into quartiles of intake and into total daily fruit and vegetable intake using the cut-off points for the WHO recommendations (<400 grams/day or ≥ 400 grams/day). The association between cognitive impairment and each quartile of intake, and WHO recommendation levels, was evaluated in two separate multivariate logistic models. The WHO recommendations for daily intakes ≥ 400 grams/day were significantly associated with 47% decreased prevalence of cognitive impairment. An effect modification was found in both models between cognitive impairment and "years of education and physical activity" and "years of education and blood levels of HDL" So that, having 1 or more years of education and being physically active or having 1 or more years of education and levels higher than 50 mg/dl of HDL-cholesterol strongly decreased the prevalence of cognitive impairment. In this socially deprived population with very low levels of education and physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake, those who attained WHO recommendations, had 1 year or more of education and were physically active had a significantly lower prevalence of cognitive impairment. A more comprehensive understanding of the social determinants of mental health is needed to develop effective public policies in developing countries.
Subject(s)
Cognition , Diet Surveys , Feeding Behavior , Fruit , Vegetables , Vulnerable Populations , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Brazil , Cognition Disorders/epidemiology , Cognition Disorders/prevention & control , Cognitive Dysfunction/epidemiology , Cognitive Dysfunction/prevention & control , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Motor Activity , Odds Ratio , Population Surveillance , Prevalence , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
En el estado Sucre, los moluscos bivalvos son considerados como rubros estratégicos de gran importancia económica y social. Sin embargo, han sido señalados como vectores significativos de toxiinfecciones alimentarias. En consecuencia, el objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la incidencia de patogénos que los vinculan con brotes de afecciones entéricas y determinar su calidad e inocuidad. Se analizaron un total de 270 muestras de los moluscos bivalvos Arca zebra (pepitona) y perna perna (mejillón) provenientes de tres estaciones de estudio: Isla Lobos, Punta Patilla Y Punta La iglesia, del estdo Sucre, Venezuela. El muestreo se realizó con una frecuencia mensual, entre abril y diciembre de 2002. Se determinaron los índices de coliformes totales y fecales por el método de tubus múltiples (APHA). En la detección, aislamiento e identificación de bacterias patogénicas se centró el interés por especies del género Vibrio, utilizándose la metodología recomendada por la Food and Drug Administration (FDA). De las 270 muestras analizadas se aislaron un total de 247 cepas de vibrios, con predominancia Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. alginolyticus y V. vulnificus. Se reporta V. cholerae no O1, sólo en las muestras de mejillones procedentes de Punta Patilla. En cuanto a los niveles de coliformes, los resultados indican que las muestras de perna perna y Arca zebra no sobrepsaron los límites microbiológicos establecidos par los indicadores fecales, valorándose su calidad desde este punto de vista como satisfactoria para los niveles de contaminación fecal
