Characterization of Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) Pulp Oil and the Effect of Its Supplementation in an In Vivo Experimental Model.

Mauritia flexuosa (Buriti) pulp oil contains bioactive substances and lipids that are protective against cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. We performed physical and chemical analyses to verify its quality and stability. Buriti oil was stable according to the Rancimat test, presenting an induction period of 6.6 h. We evaluated the effect of supplementation with crude buriti oil and olive oil on metabolic parameters in 108 Swiss mice for 90 days. We investigated six groups: extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) 1 and 2 (1000 and 2000 mg/kg), buriti oil (BO) 1 and 2 (1000 and 2000 mg/kg), synergic (S) (BO1 + EVOO1), and control (water dose 1000 mg/kg). The animals were euthanized to examine their blood, livers, and fats. The supplementation did not interfere with food consumption, weight gain, and histological alterations in the liver. Group S showed the strongest relationship with the fractions HDL-c and non-HDL-c, indicating a possible cardioprotective effect. Moreover, we observed significantly higher IL-6 levels in the control, EVOO2, and BO1 groups than in the EVOO1 group. Resistin was also significantly higher for the synergic treatment than for the control. We conclude that BO combined with EVOO could be an excellent food supplement for human consumption.

3-Hydroxy-piperidinyl-N-benzyl-acyl-arylhydrazone derivatives reduce neuropathic pain and increase thermal threshold mediated by opioid system.

Here in, we report the preparation and evaluation of four 3-hydroxy-piperidine-N-benzyl-aryl-acylhydrazone derivatives (6a-d) for their potential antinociceptive activity. In the tail flick test, compounds 6a and 6d exhibited a significant increase in the latency time of the animals, in comparison to the control group. These two compounds also showed a significant increase in the nociceptive threshold from 1 to 6 h after treatment in the CCI neuropathic pain model. In both cases, the antinociceptive activity was blocked by naloxone, suggesting an opioid mechanism of action, but without sedative or motor coordination effects.

Immunological Balance Is Associated with Clinical Outcome after Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Type 1 Diabetes.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) increases C-peptide levels and induces insulin independence in patients with type 1 diabetes. This study aimed to investigate how clinical outcomes may associate with the immunological status, especially concerning the balance between immunoregulation and autoreactivity. Twenty-one type 1 diabetes patients were monitored after AHSCT and assessed every 6 months for duration of insulin independence, C-peptide levels, frequencies of islet-specific autoreactive CD8+ T cells (CTL), regulatory lymphocyte subsets, thymic function, and T-cell repertoire diversity. In median follow-up of 78 (range 15-106) months, all patients became insulin-independent, resuming insulin after median of 43 (range 6-100) months. Patients were retrospectively divided into short- or prolonged-remission groups, according to duration of insulin independence. For the entire follow-up, CD3+CD4+ T-cell numbers remained lower than baseline in both groups, whereas CD3+CD8+ T-cell levels did not change, resulting in a CD4/CD8 ratio inversion. Memory CTL comprehended most of T cells detected on long-term follow-up of patients after AHSCT. B cells reconstituted to baseline levels at 2-3 months post-AHSCT in both patient groups. In the prolonged-remission-group, baseline islet-specific T-cell autoreactivity persisted after transplantation, but regulatory T cell counts increased. Patients with lower frequencies of autoreactive islet-specific T cells remained insulin-free longer and presented greater C-peptide levels than those with lower frequencies of these cells. Therefore, immune monitoring identified a subgroup of patients with superior clinical outcome of AHSCT. Our study shows that improved immunoregulation may balance autoreactivity endorsing better metabolic outcomes in patients with lower frequencies of islet-specific T cells. Development of new strategies of AHSCT is necessary to increase frequency and function of T and B regulatory cells and decrease efficiently autoreactive islet-specific T and B memory cells in type 1 diabetes patients undergoing transplantation.

Fatores de risco que podem induzir o uso de drogas por estudantes de uma universidade pública / Risk factors that may signify a propensity to the use of drugs in students at a public university

INTRODUCTION: We sought to evaluate the risk factors that may increase the propensity to use licit and illicit drugs among students at a public university. METHODS: The project involved students (n = 268) enrolled in the first and fourth years of courses in the areas of the social and biological sciences at a public university. Data collection was conducted by means of self-administered, semi-structured questionnaires, based on such standardized assessment instruments as Audit, Assist, Cage and Duse. Collected data were analyzed quantitatively by calculating the percentages and evaluating the data in terms of categories of risk, classifying them by age, gender, religion, schooling, use (before or after entering university) and contexts of use. By means of this survey the researchers were able to correlate the use of drugs to the risk factors that might increase the students' propensity to use these substances. RESULTS: The results revealed a high proportion of current drug-using students, but showed no significant differences between the first and fourth year students as regards contexts of use. However, 67% of students regarded the university environment as encouraging the use of drugs. Students pointed to such major risk factors as friends' and fellow-students' influence, university parties, excessive curiosity and desire to experiment. CONCLUSION: Due to the high rate of drug use among university students, by the determination of the risk factors related to the university environment and also knowing that the process of addiction is one of growing chemical dependence, the importance of the development and implementation of public health policies at all levels, especially in terms of approaches and specific interventions addressing this population, should be noted...

OBJETIVO: Buscou-se avaliar os fatores de risco que podem induzir o uso de drogas lícitas e ilícitas por estudantes de uma universidade pública. MÉTODO: o projeto os alunos envolvidos (n = 268) matriculados no primeiro e quarto anos de cursos nas áreas das ciências sociais e biológicas de uma universidade pública. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de questionário semiestruturado e de autopreenchimento, com base em tais instrumentos de avaliação padronizados como Audit, Assist, Cage e Duse. Os dados coletados foram analisados quantitativamente por meio do cálculo das percentagens e avaliar os dados em termos de categorias de risco, classificando-os por idade, sexo, religião, escolaridade, uso (antes ou depois de entrar na universidade) e contextos de uso. Por meio deste estudo os pesquisadores foram capazes de correlacionar o uso de drogas para os fatores de risco que podem aumentar a propensão dos alunos a usar essas substâncias. RESULTADOS: Os resultados revelaram alto índice no número de alunos que atualmente usam drogas, porém não apontaram diferenças significativas entre alunos de 1º ano e 4º anos em relação às situações de uso. No entanto, 67% dos alunos consideraram o ambiente universitário como estimulante ao uso de drogas. Foram apontados como fatores de risco: influência de amigos e colegas de universidade, festas universitárias, a curiosidade e alegria. CONCLUSÃO: Devido ao alto índice do uso de drogas entre estudantes universitários e aos fatores de riscos que influenciam o uso estarem relacionado ao ambiente universitário, nota-se a importância de uma atenção voltada a esta população, pois sabe-se que a dependência química é um processo de instalação gradativa. Os resultados apontam a necessidade de intervenções específicas para esta população através da implantação de programas de prevenção, conscientização e de tratamento...

Fatores de risco que podem induzir o uso de drogas por estudantes de uma universidade pública / Risk factors that may signify a propensity to the use of drugs in students at a public university

INTRODUCTION: We sought to evaluate the risk factors that may increase the propensity to use licit and illicit drugs among students at a public university. METHODS: The project involved students (n = 268) enrolled in the first and fourth years of courses in the areas of the social and biological sciences at a public university. Data collection was conducted by means of self-administered, semi-structured questionnaires, based on such standardized assessment instruments as Audit, Assist, Cage and Duse. Collected data were analyzed quantitatively by calculating the percentages and evaluating the data in terms of categories of risk, classifying them by age, gender, religion, schooling, use (before or after entering university) and contexts of use. By means of this survey the researchers were able to correlate the use of drugs to the risk factors that might increase the students' propensity to use these substances. RESULTS: The results revealed a high proportion of current drug-using students, but showed no significant differences between the first and fourth year students as regards contexts of use. However, 67% of students regarded the university environment as encouraging the use of drugs. Students pointed to such major risk factors as friends' and fellow-students' influence, university parties, excessive curiosity and desire to experiment. CONCLUSION: Due to the high rate of drug use among university students, by the determination of the risk factors related to the university environment and also knowing that the process of addiction is one of growing chemical dependence, the importance of the development and implementation of public health policies at all levels, especially in terms of approaches and specific interventions addressing this population, should be noted...(AU)

OBJETIVO: Buscou-se avaliar os fatores de risco que podem induzir o uso de drogas lícitas e ilícitas por estudantes de uma universidade pública. MÉTODO: o projeto os alunos envolvidos (n = 268) matriculados no primeiro e quarto anos de cursos nas áreas das ciências sociais e biológicas de uma universidade pública. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de questionário semiestruturado e de autopreenchimento, com base em tais instrumentos de avaliação padronizados como Audit, Assist, Cage e Duse. Os dados coletados foram analisados quantitativamente por meio do cálculo das percentagens e avaliar os dados em termos de categorias de risco, classificando-os por idade, sexo, religião, escolaridade, uso (antes ou depois de entrar na universidade) e contextos de uso. Por meio deste estudo os pesquisadores foram capazes de correlacionar o uso de drogas para os fatores de risco que podem aumentar a propensão dos alunos a usar essas substâncias. RESULTADOS: Os resultados revelaram alto índice no número de alunos que atualmente usam drogas, porém não apontaram diferenças significativas entre alunos de 1º ano e 4º anos em relação às situações de uso. No entanto, 67% dos alunos consideraram o ambiente universitário como estimulante ao uso de drogas. Foram apontados como fatores de risco: influência de amigos e colegas de universidade, festas universitárias, a curiosidade e alegria. CONCLUSÃO: Devido ao alto índice do uso de drogas entre estudantes universitários e aos fatores de riscos que influenciam o uso estarem relacionado ao ambiente universitário, nota-se a importância de uma atenção voltada a esta população, pois sabe-se que a dependência química é um processo de instalação gradativa. Os resultados apontam a necessidade de intervenções específicas para esta população através da implantação de programas de prevenção, conscientização e de tratamento...(AU)