Calcium carbonate (CaCO3)/high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were prepared in a HAAKE twin screw extruder. The influence of the CaCO3 particle size and content and the processing conditions ...were investigated by using a factorial experimental design. The dependent variables studied were tensile properties, such as Young's modulus, stress at break and toughness, and the rheological property, zero-shear viscosity, rlo. Preliminary results have shown that the most significant processing variables were content and mineral filler type. Mathematical modeling has given us a more efficient evaluation of the results obtained and has become an important tool in the development of this work.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Calcium carbonate (CaCO
3)/high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were prepared in a HAAKE twin screw extruder. The influence of the CaCO
3 particle size and content and the processing ...conditions were investigated by using a factorial experimental design. The dependent variables studied were tensile properties, such as Young's modulus, stress at break and toughness, and the rheological property, zero-shear viscosity,
η
0. Preliminary results have shown that the most significant processing variables were content and mineral filler type. Mathematical modeling has given us a more efficient evaluation of the results obtained and has become an important tool in the development of this work.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Inflammation resolution is an active process that functions to restore tissue homeostasis. The participation of the plasminogen (Plg)/plasmin (Pla) system in the productive phase of inflammation is ...well known, but its involvement in the resolution phase remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the potential role of Plg/Pla in key events during the resolution of acute inflammation and its underlying mechanisms. Plg/Pla injection into the pleural cavity of BALB/c mice induced a time-dependent influx of mononuclear cells that were primarily macrophages of anti-inflammatory (M2 F4/80high Gr1– CD11bhigh) and proresolving (Mres F4/80med CD11blow) phenotypes, without changing the number of macrophages with a proinflammatory profile (M1 F4/80low Gr1+ CD11bmed). Pleural injection of Plg/Pla also increased M2 markers (CD206 and arginase-1) and secretory products (transforming growth factor β and interleukin-6) and decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (M1 marker). During the resolving phase of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation when resolving macrophages predominate, we found increased Plg expression and Pla activity, further supporting a link between the Plg/Pla system and key cellular events in resolution. Indeed, Plg or Pla given at the peak of inflammation promoted resolution by decreasing neutrophil numbers and increasing neutrophil apoptosis and efferocytosis in a serine-protease inhibitor–sensitive manner. Next, we confirmed the ability of Plg/Pla to both promote efferocytosis and override the prosurvival effect of LPS via annexin A1. These findings suggest that Plg and Pla regulate several key steps in inflammation resolution, namely, neutrophil apoptosis, macrophage reprogramming, and efferocytosis, which have a major impact on the establishment of an efficient resolution process.
•Plg and Pla induce macrophage reprogramming and promote resolution of acute inflammation.•Plg and Pla enhance the efferocytic capacity of macrophages and override the prosurvival effect of LPS on neutrophils via annexin A1.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Herbal medicines containing Passiflora species have been widely used to treat anxiety since ancient times. The species Passiflora incarnata L. is included in many Pharmacopoeias, and it is the most ...used species in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. However, there are around 600 species of the genus Passiflora and probably other species that can be used safely. Thus, this article was based on a search into the uses of the main species of the genus Passiflora with anxiolytic activity and its main secondary metabolites and some pharmacological studies, patents, and registered products containing Passiflora. Furthermore, the Brazilian Regulatory Health Agency Datavisa, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency of the United Kingdom, and the European Medicines Agency websites were consulted. The results showed that Passiflora species have health benefits but clinical trials are still scarce. The complexity of Passiflora extracts creates challenges for the development of herbal medicines. P. incarnata is the most studied species of the genus and the most used in natural anxiolytic herbal medicine formulations. However, there are hundreds of Passiflora species potentially useful for medicinal and nutraceutical purposes that are still little explored.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Purpose
This study was designed to evaluate the association of non-genetic factors and polymorphisms
CYP2C9
*2 (rs1799853),
CYP2C9
*3 (rs1075910), and
VKORC1-G1639A
(rs9923231) with time in ...therapeutic range (TTR), and to build a regression model to predict the quality of oral anticoagulation control in a sample of Brazilian patients.
Methods
This is a retrospective cohort study developed at an anticoagulation clinic of a university hospital. Overall, 312 patients were included. The quality of oral anticoagulation control was evaluated by TTR. TTR was dichotomized for analysis, using two cutoff points for classification as inadequate (TTR ≤ 60.0%) and optimal (TTR ≥ 75.0%) control.
Results
The average age was 60.4 ± 13.5 years, with a predominance of women (187; 59.9%). The -G1639A polymorphism of the
VKORC1
gene, when evaluated, based on the recessive inheritance pattern AA × (GA + GG), patients with AA genotype exhibited a higher TTR (68.2% versus 62.8%,
p
= 0.017). TTR ≤ 60.0% was associated with number of drugs in chronic use, assistance for warfarin administration, reports of not taking warfarin, absenteeism, sex (female), and target INR (International Normalized Ratio; 2.00–3.00). TTR ≥ 75.0% was associated with sex (male), target INR (2.00–3.00), assistance for warfarin administration, reports of not taking warfarin, and absenteeism. The two algorithms proposed showed adequate ability to predict TTR presenting good sensitivity and specificity.
Conclusions
Our findings provided useful information for risk stratification depending on TTR level and for future investigations on the quality of oral anticoagulation control in Brazilian anticoagulation clinics.
Although their exact role in controlling tumour growth and apoptosis in humans remains undefined, acridine and thiazolidine compounds have been shown to act as tumour suppressors in most cancers. ...Based on this finding, a series of novel hybrid 5-acridin-9-ylmethylene-3-benzyl-thiazolidine-2,4-diones were synthesised via N-alkylation and Michael reaction. The cell viability was analysed using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and DNA interaction assays were performed using electrochemical techniques.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Abstract Objectives To investigate the effect of 2 standardized exercise programs, muscle strength exercises (SE) and aerobic exercises (AE), on the plasma levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor ...(BDNF) and depressive symptoms in 451 elderly women. Design A randomized controlled trial. Setting Belo Horizonte/MG–Brazil. Participants Community-dwelling older women (N=451; age, 65–89y). Intervention The participants were divided into 2 groups: SE and AE. Both protocols lasted 10 weeks, and 30 sessions (1-h sessions) in total were performed 3 times a week under the direct supervision of physical therapists. Main Outcome Measures Plasma levels of BDNF (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale). Results There was a significant difference for BDNF plasma levels between the SE and AE groups ( P =.009). Post hoc analysis revealed a pre-post intervention difference in BDNF levels only for the SE group ( P =.008). A statistically significant difference was found for the pre- and postintervention Geriatric Depression Scale scores in both groups ( P =.001), showing that the effects of both exercise protocols were comparable regarding depressive symptoms ( P =.185). Conclusions The present findings have demonstrated the positive effect of muscle strengthening and aerobic intervention on depressive symptoms in community-dwelling elderly women. Interestingly, only SE significantly increased the plasma levels of BDNF in our sample. The positive effects of physical exercise on depressive symptoms in the elderly were not mediated by BDNF.
Parkinson´s Disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive condition, being the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. The classical features include: bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity ...and festination. These neurological alterations are probably due to the death of dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia Nigra pars compacta and consequent reduction of dopamine input into the striatum. The decrease of dopamine levels may also be involved in the emergence of non-motor symptoms, including cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression symptoms. Neurotrophic Factors (NF) are proteins that modulate neuronal function, development, and survival. It has been reported that NF might exert a protective role in PD.
We aim to discuss the emerging evidence from pre-clinical and clinical studies regarding the role of NF in PD as well as their potential as promising therapeutic strategies.
We carried out an extensive literature search in PubMed central.
Pre-clinical studies using NF to treat PD are divergent probably due to several methodological differences, thus precluding any conclusion. Clinical studies findings obtained with the administration of NF in patients with PD were even more disappointed. On the other hand, pre-clinical and clinical studies generally support that physical activity is a low-cost, non-pharmacologic strategy with good results to treat PD.
The use of NF as a treatment for PD is still a promise not incorporated in clinical practice. Methods to deliver NFs, doses and compounds administered, side effects, population characteristics and duration of disease may probably contribute to the unsuccessful results.
Seaweeds are an excellent source of bioactive compounds, and therefore the use of sustainable and food compatible extraction methods such as enzyme-assisted (EAE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction ...were applied on Sargassum muticum, Osmundea pinnatifida, and Codium tomentosum. Extracts were evaluated for proximate characterization and biological properties. Higher extraction yields were observed for C. tomentosum EAE (48–62%; p < 0.05 for Cellulase and Viscozyme), followed by O. pinnatifida (49–55%; p < 0.05 except Alcalase) and S. muticum (26–31%; p < 0.05). S. muticum extracts presented the highest nitrogen (25 ± 2 mg/glyoph extract) and total phenolics (261 ± 37 μgcatechol equiv/glyoph extract) contents, whereas higher sugars (78 ± 14 mgglucose equiv/glyoph extract) including sulfated polysaccharide (44 ± 8 mgNa2SO4 acid/glyoph extract) contents characterized O. pinnatifida extracts. A higher effect on hydroxyl-radical scavenging activity (35–50%) was observed for all extracts, whereas S. muticum Alcalase and C. tomentosum Cellulase extracts exhibited higher prebiotic activity than fructooligosaccharides. O. pinnatifida and C. tomentosum EAE showed inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase (38–49%).
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
Mosquitoes are responsible for serious public health problems worldwide, and as such,
Aedes aegypti
and
Aedes albopictus
are important vectors in the transmission of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika in ...Brazil and other countries of the world. Due to growing resistance to chemical insecticides among populations of vectors, environmentally friendly strategies for vector management are receiving ever more attention. Essential oils (EOs) extracted from plants have activities against insects with multiple mechanisms of action. These mechanisms hinder the development of resistance, and have the advantages of being less toxicity and biodegradable. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of the EOs obtained from
Piper capitarianum
Yunck, as well as evaluating their insecticidal potential against
Aedes aegypti
and
A. albopictus
, and their toxicity in relation to
Artemia salina
. The yields of the EOs extracted from the leaves, stems, and inflorescences of
P. capitarianum
were 1.2%, 0.9%, and 0.6%, respectively, and their main constituents were trans-caryophyllene (20.0%), α-humulene (10.2%), β-myrcene (10.5%), α-selinene (7.2%), and linalool (6.0%). The EO from the inflorescences was the most active against
A. aegypti
and
A. albopictus
, and exhibited the respective larvicidal (LC
50
= 87.6 μg/mL and 76.1 μg/mL) and adulticide activities (LC
50
= 126.2 μg/mL and 124.5 μg/mL). This EO was also the most active in the inhibition of AChE, since it presented an IC
50
value of 14.2 μg/mL. Its larvicidal effect was observed under optical and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, non-toxic effects against
A. salina
were observed. Docking modeling of trans-caryophyllene and α-humulene on sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP-2) suggests that both molecules have affinity with the active site of the enzyme, which indicates a possible mechanism of action. Therefore, the essential oil of
P. capitarianum
may be used in the development of new insecticide targets for the control of
A. aegypti
and
A. albopictus
in the Amazonian environment.
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CEKLJ, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
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