Could nanotechnology improve exercise performance? Evidence from animal studies

Abstract This review provides the current state of knowledge regarding the use of nutritional nanocompounds on exercise performance. The reviewed studies used the following nanocompounds: resveratrol-loaded lipid nanoparticles, folic acid into layered hydroxide nanoparticle, redox-active nanoparticles with nitroxide radicals, and iron into liposomes. Most of these nutritional nanocompounds seem to improve performance in endurance exercise compared to the active compound in the non-nanoencapsulated form and/or placebo. Nutritional nanocompounds also induced the following physiological and metabolic alterations: 1) improved antioxidant activity and reduced oxidative stress; 2) reduction in inflammation status; 3) maintenance of muscle integrity; 4) improvement in mitochondrial function and quality; 5) enhanced glucose levels during exercise; 6) higher muscle and hepatic glycogen levels; and 7) increased serum and liver iron content. However, all the reviewed studies were conducted in animals (mice and rats). In conclusion, nutritional nanocompounds are a promising approach to improving exercise performance. As the studies using nutritional nanocompounds were all conducted in animals, further studies in humans are necessary to better understand the application of nutritional nanocompounds in sport and exercise science.

Tuberculosis in an autosomal recessive case of chronic granulomatous disease due to mutation of the NCF1 gene

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Cultivo in vitro de Brosimum gaudichaudii Tréc. (Moraceae) / In vitro cultivation of Brosimum gaudichaudii Tréc. (Moraceae)

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o potencial organogenético de entrenós, discos foliares, e raízes de Brosimum gaudichaudii utilizando 12 diferentes combinações dos fitorreguladores 6-benzilaminopurina e ácido naftaleno acético, em meio MS (diluído à metade), sólido (6,5 g de ágar), e com 20 g.L-1 de sacarose. Independentemente das combinações hormonais testadas verificou-se a formação de calos friáveis (2 a 20 mm de diâmetro) em 90% dos entrenós usados como explantes. No entanto, os tratamentos testados não foram capazes induzir calos ou gemas em raízes e em discos foliares. O estudo anatômico revelou a formação de meristemóides nas regiões mais externa e mais interna dos calos. Os resultados obtidos poderão servir de base para novos testes de indução de calos na espécie.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the organogenic potential of internodes, leaf discs and roots of Brosimum gaudichaudii using 12 different combinations of the plant growth regulators 6-benzylaminopurine and naphthalene acetic acid in MS medium (half strength), solid medium (6.5 g agar) and sucrose medium (20 g.L-1). Regardless the hormonal combination tested, we observed the formation of friable calluses (2 - 20 mm wide) in 90% of the internode explants. However, the treatments were not able to induce callus or buds on roots and leaf discs. The anatomical analysis revealed meristemoid formation in the outer and inner regions of the calluses. The results may serve as the basis for further testing of callus induction in this species.

Medicinal plants used in Rondônia, Western Amazon, Brazil / Plantas medicinais usadas em Rondônia, Amazônia Ocidental, Brasil

This study refers to the use of medicinal plants by populations in the Western Amazon and provides information that can be used in phytochemical studies. It draws upon the traditional knowledge regarding the use of medicinal plants in five regions of the state of Rondônia, in the Brazilian Amazon, focusing on native species. The field research was carried out in five municipalities of the state of Rondônia: Ariquemes, Buritis, Candeias do Jamari, Cujubim and Itapoa do Oeste, characterized by primary economic sectors: agriculture, cattle farming, plant extraction and mineral exploration. Structured interviews were applied to 227 persons chosen because of their prestige in the communities in relation to the knowledge and use of medicinal plants, identifying the therapeutic purpose, parts of the plant used and methods of preparation. The species were taxonomically identified. The ethnobotanic knowledge (inferred by the number of uses of medicinal plants per person) was correlated with the Brazilian region of origin, age, and gender of the interviewees. According to the collected data, 34 botanical families and 53 native species were identified. Of the 53 species, only 7 occur exclusively in the Amazon Forest: Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex Spreng.) K. Schum., Psidium densicomum Mart. ex DC, Piper cavalcantei Yunck., Pilocarpus microphyllus Stapf ex Wardlew., Euterpe oleracea Mart., Croton cajucara Benth., Baccharis altimontana G. Heiden. The most common disorders treated with the plants were kidney problems, influenza, generalized infections and inflammations, malaria and high blood pressure. Leaves were the most used parts in preparations. Barks, fruits, roots, flowers, stems, seeds, oils, buds, tubercles, and rhizomes were also mentioned. Thirteen forms of preparations were recorded, and infusion and decoction were the most used. Syrups, juices, flour, sap, oil and parts of the plant blended with milk, honey and coffee or flamed, macerated and in the form of poultice, were also found. Persons from the Southeast region had more information compared with persons from the other regions; persons in the age groups between 50-59, 60-69 and 70-79 had more information in comparison with the other age groups; and the female interviewees mentioned significantly more uses of medicinal plants than the male ones. The relatively small number of native Amazon species identified can be the result of the loss of knowledge about medicinal plants in the Amazon because of internal migration, extinction of local indigenous groups, increasing urbanization and consequent globalization of the lifestyles.

Este estudo se refere ao uso de plantas medicinais por populações da Amazônia Ocidental, fornece informações passíveis de utilização em estudos fitoquímicos e resgata o conhecimento tradicional a respeito do uso de plantas medicinais em cinco regiões do estado de Rondônia na Amazônia Brasileira com foco nas espécies nativas. A pesquisa de campo foi realizada nos cinco municípios de Rondônia: Ariquemes, Buritis, Candeias do Jamari, Cujubim e Itapoã do Oeste, caracterizados por atividades econômicas primárias: agricultura, pecuária e extrativismo vegetal e mineral. Entrevistas estruturadas foram aplicadas a 227 pessoas escolhidas por seu prestígio nas comunidades em relação ao conhecimento e uso de plantas medicinais, identificando a finalidade terapêutica, as partes das plantas utilizadas, e os métodos de preparação. As espécies foram taxonomicamente identificadas. O conhecimento etnobotânico (inferido a partir do número de citações por entrevistado) foi correlacionado com a região de origem, idade e gênero dos entrevistados. De acordo com os dados coletados, 34 famílias botânicas e 53 espécies nativas foram identificadas. Dentre as 53 espécies, apenas sete ocorrem exclusivamente na Amazônia: Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex Spreng.) K.Schum., Psidium densicomum Mart. ex DC, Piper cavalcantei Yunck., Pilocarpus microphyllus Stapf ex Wardlew., Euterpe oleracea Mart., Croton cajucara Benth., Baccharis altimontana G. Heiden. As afecções mais comuns tratadas com plantas foram: problemas de fígado, gripe, infecções e inflamações generalizadas, malária, e hipertensão arterial. As folhas são as partes mais utilizadas nas preparações. Também foram mencionadas cascas, frutos, raízes, flores, caules, sementes, óleos, brotos, tubérculos e rizomas. Treze formas de preparação foram registradas sendo mais comuns as infusões e decoctos. Outras formas de preparação observadas foram xarope, suco, farinha, seiva, óleo, partes vegetais misturadas com leite, mel ou café, flambada, macerada e em forma de cataplasma. Pessoas da região Sudeste apresentaram maior número de informações do que as outras regiões; faixas etárias entre 50-59, 60-69 e 70-79 apresentaram maior número de citações que os outros grupos etários; e as mulheres mencionaram significativamente mais usos medicinais em comparação com os homens. O número relativamente pequeno de espécies nativas amazônicas identificadas pode ser um resultado da perda de conhecimento sobre plantas medicinais na Amazônia, devido à migração interna, extinção dos grupos indígenas locais, crescente urbanização e consequente globalização dos estilos de vida.

Galactosemia: genotipo y fenotipo de siete pacientes / Galactosemia: the genotype and phenotype of seven patients

Introducción. A pesar de los tratamientos precoces basados en la nutrición, muchos pacientes con galactosemia presentan una enfermedad neurodegenerativa que se manifiesta fundamentalmente a través de alteraciones del lenguaje y discinesias. En las imágenes obtenidas mediante la resonancia magnética (RM) cerebral se pueden visualizar dos tipos distintos de alteraciones: una primera, que se manifiesta con hiperseñal difusa y poco intensa de la sustancia blanca de los centros semiovales, y una segunda, con focos de hiperseñal más intensos rodeando las puntas ventriculares de predominio posterior. Pacientes y métodos. Presentamos los datos clínicos y de imagen de siete niños de edades comprendidas entre los 3 y los 12 años con galactosemia clásica. El inicio había ocurrido típicamente durante la lactancia. Dos niños se desarrollaron de forma normal (10 y 12 años), cuatro presentaban un retraso del desarrollo (10, 7, 4 y 3 años) y uno presentaba una parálisis cerebral distónica (kernícterus). Resultados. La RM cerebral reveló la afectación típica de la sustancia blanca en cinco de los niños: uno con alteración difusa y cuatro con ambos tipos de alteraciones. El paciente con kernícterus mostró lesiones en los ganglios basales. Tres pacientes son homocigóticos para la mutación Q188R, y dos son heterocigóticos compuestos. Conclusión. Se ha hallado una correlación positiva entre el retraso en el desarrollo, la afectación de la sustancia blanca y la mutación clásica Q188R (AU)

Introduction. Despite early dietary therapy, many patients with galactosemia show a neurodegenerative disease specially evident in speech impairment and movement disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, show cerebral white matter changes with hypomielinization bilateral and symetrical periventricular hypersignal in T2. Patients and methods. We presented clinical and neuroradiological data of seven children (3 to 12 years of age) with classical galactosemia. All had a typical presentation in neonatal period. Two children had normal development (10 and 12 years-old), four presented developmental delay (10, 7, 4 and 3 years-old), and one showed a dystonic cerebral palsy (kernicterus). Results. The brain MRI showed the typical involvement of white matter, in five children, and basal ganglia abnormalities in the kernicterus patient. Three patients are homozygous for Q188R mutation and two are compound heterozygous. Conclusion. We found a positive correlation among developmental delay, white matter involvement and Q188R mutation (AU)