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•Turmeric and tartrazine were used to adulterate cassava flour.•CIELab and dye screening enabled dyes used to adulterate flour to be differentiated.•The presence of ...curcuminoids/tartrazine in cassava flour were corroborated by HPLC.•A classification tree for the quality control of cassava flour was developed.
A variety of methods for producing cassava flour exist, resulting in very heterogeneous products that exhibit various colours, textures, granulometries, and flavours. To improve its attractiveness to consumers, some producers dye cassava flour with turmeric or tartrazine; however, this practice is illegal in Brazil. In this study, cassava flour samples were collected and evaluated for possible adulteration by the addition of dyes. Flours were analysed by CIELab and dye screening (paper chromatography and the turmeric-identification method) and a classification tree was developed using these data. Positive results for curcuminoid pigments or tartrazine were confirmed by HPLC-DAD or HPLC-UV–Vis, respectively. The developed approach is an innovative alternative chemometric-analysis method that facilitates highly practical screening; adulterated cassava flour, a product of great human-food importance, can be identified using CIELab parameters.
Abstract
WikiPathways (wikipathways.org) captures the collective knowledge represented in biological pathways. By providing a database in a curated, machine readable way, omics data analysis and ...visualization is enabled. WikiPathways and other pathway databases are used to analyze experimental data by research groups in many fields. Due to the open and collaborative nature of the WikiPathways platform, our content keeps growing and is getting more accurate, making WikiPathways a reliable and rich pathway database. Previously, however, the focus was primarily on genes and proteins, leaving many metabolites with only limited annotation. Recent curation efforts focused on improving the annotation of metabolism and metabolic pathways by associating unmapped metabolites with database identifiers and providing more detailed interaction knowledge. Here, we report the outcomes of the continued growth and curation efforts, such as a doubling of the number of annotated metabolite nodes in WikiPathways. Furthermore, we introduce an OpenAPI documentation of our web services and the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) annotation of resources to increase the interoperability of the knowledge encoded in these pathways and experimental omics data. New search options, monthly downloads, more links to metabolite databases, and new portals make pathway knowledge more effortlessly accessible to individual researchers and research communities.
Some oil fields produce from different reservoirs, which may be incompatible generating precipitates. These precipitates are often asphaltenes, which can be an emulsion stabilizing agent negatively ...affecting the oil treatment processes. In this work, the influence of oil incompatibility on the stabilization of water-in-oil emulsions was studied. Emulsions were evaluated from three different oils (A, B and C) and their mixtures (AB, AC, BC and ABC). The results showed that there is a relationship between separation kinetics of emulsions and asphaltene precipitation. The separation kinetics of the emulsions was faster for more compatible oils. We observed that oil A, which was the less stable regarding asphaltenes, and the ABC mixture, which was the most incompatible mixture, both presented the slowest kinetics of emulsion separation. On the other hand, mixture BC which had the highest compatibility among the other mixtures presented a faster kinetic of emulsion separation.
Acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP) overdose is the most common cause of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Although the primary hepatic damage is induced by APAP-derived toxic intermediates ...resulting from cytochrome P450 metabolism, immune components also play an important role in DILI pathophysiology. Aedes aegypti saliva is a source of bioactive molecules with in vitro anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. However, evidences on the therapeutic use of Ae. aegypti salivary preparations in animal models of relevant clinical conditions are still scarce. Thus, the present study was designed to evaluate the protective role of Ae. aegypti saliva in a murine model of APAP-induced DILI. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to Ae. aegypti bites 2 hours after APAP overdose. Biochemical and immunological parameters were evaluated in blood and liver samples at different time points after APAP administration. Exposure to Ae. aegypti saliva attenuated liver damage, as demonstrated by reduced hepatic necrosis and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase in APAP-overdosed mice. The levels of hepatic CYP2E1, the major enzyme responsible for the bioactivation of APAP, were not changed in Ae. aegypti exposed animals, suggesting no effects in the generation of hepatotoxic metabolites. On the other hand, mice treated with Ae. aegypti saliva following APAP overdose presented lower serum concentration of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and IL-10, as well as reduced frequency of inflammatory cell populations in the liver, such as NKT cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. These findings show that Ae. aegypti saliva has bioactive molecules with therapeutic properties and may represent a prospective source of new compounds in the management of DILI-associated inflammatory disorders and, perhaps, many other inflammatory/autoimmune diseases.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
This study aimed to investigate changes in muscle damage during the course of a 217-km mountain ultramarathon (MUM). In an integrative perspective, inflammatory response and renal function were also ...studied.
Six male ultra-runners were tested four times: pre-race, at 84 km, at 177 km, and immediately after the race. Blood samples were analyzed for serum muscle enzymes, acute-phase protein, cortisol, and renal function biomarkers.
Serum creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased significantly throughout the race (
< 0.001,
< 0.001;
= 0.002, respectively), and effect size (ES) denoted a large magnitude of muscle damage. These enzymes increased from pre-race (132 ± 18, 371 ± 66, and 28 ± 3 U/L, respectively) to 84 km (30, 1.8, and 3.9-fold, respectively); further increased from 84 to 177 km (4.6, 2.9, and 6.1-fold, respectively), followed by a stable phase until the finish line. Regarding the inflammatory response, significant differences were found for C-reactive protein (CRP) (
< 0.001) and cortisol (
< 0.001). CRP increased from pre-race (0.9 ± 0.3 mg/L) to 177 km (243-fold), cortisol increased from pre-race (257 ± 30 mmol/L) to the 84 km (2.9-fold), and both remained augmented until the finish line. Significant changes were observed for creatinine (
= 0.03), urea (
= 0.001), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (
< 0.001), and ES confirmed a moderate magnitude of changes in renal function biomarkers. Creatinine and urea increased, and GFR decreased from pre-race (1.00 ± 0.03 mg/dL, 33 ± 6 mg/dL, and 89 ± 5 ml/min/1.73 m
, respectively) to 84 km (1.3, 3.5, and 0.7-fold, respectively), followed by a plateau phase until the finish line.
This study shows evidence that muscle damage biomarkers presented early peak levels and they were followed by a plateau phase during the last segment of a 217-km MUM. The acute-phase response had a similar change of muscle damage. In addition, our data showed that our volunteers meet the risk criteria for acute kidney injury from 84 km until they finished the race, without demonstrating any clinical symptomatology.
Summary
During probing and blood feeding, haematophagous mosquitoes inoculate a mixture of salivary molecules into their vertebrate hosts’ skin. In addition to the anti‐haemostatic and ...immunomodulatory activities, mosquito saliva also triggers acute inflammatory reactions, especially in sensitized hosts. Here, we characterize the oedema and the cellular infiltrate following Aedes aegypti mosquito bites in the skin of sensitized and non‐sensitized BALB/c mice by flow cytometry. Ae. aegypti bites induced an increased oedema in the ears of both non‐sensitized and salivary gland extract‐ (SGE‐)sensitized mice, peaking at 6 hr and 24 hr after exposure, respectively. The quantification of the total cell number in the ears revealed that the cellular recruitment was more robust in SGE‐sensitized mice than in non‐sensitized mice, and the histological evaluation confirmed these findings. The immunophenotyping performed by flow cytometry revealed that mosquito bites were able to produce complex changes in cell populations present in the ears of non‐sensitized and SGE‐sensitized mice. When compared with steady‐state ears, the leucocyte populations significantly recruited to the skin after mosquito bites in non‐sensitized and sensitized mice were eosinophils, neutrophils, monocytes, inflammatory monocytes, mast cells, B‐cells and CD4+ T‐cells, each one with its specific kinetics. The changes in the absolute number of cells suggested two cell recruitment profiles: (i) a saliva‐dependent migration; and (ii) a migration dependent on the immune status of the host. These findings suggest that mosquito bites influence the skin microenvironment by inducing differential cell migration, which is dependent on the degree of host sensitization to salivary molecules.
The kinetics of the oedema and the cellular infiltrate following Aedes aegypti bites were characterized in the skin of mice sensitized and non‐sensitized to salivary components. Two profiles have been observed: 1) a saliva‐dependent migration, comprising neutrophils, monocytes, B‐cells and CD8+ T‐cells; 2) a migration dependent on the immune status of the host, comprising eosinophils, mast cells and CD4+ T cells.
New challenges have arisen for the management of critically ill HIV/AIDS patients. Severe sepsis has emerged as a common cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admission for those living with HIV/AIDS. ...Contrastingly, HIV/AIDS patients have been systematically excluded from sepsis studies, limiting the understanding of the impact of sepsis in this population. We prospectively followed up critically ill HIV/AIDS patients to evaluate the main risk factors for hospital mortality and the impact of severe sepsis on the short- and long-term survival.
All consecutive HIV-infected patients admitted to the ICU of an infectious diseases research center, from June 2006 to May 2008, were included. Severity of illness, time since AIDS diagnosis, CD4 cell count, antiretroviral treatment, incidence of severe sepsis, and organ dysfunctions were registered. The 28-day, hospital, and 6-month outcomes were obtained for all patients. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis measured the effect of potential factors on 28-day and 6-month mortality.
During the 2-year study period, 88 HIV/AIDS critically ill patients were admitted to the ICU. Seventy percent of patients had opportunist infections, median CD4 count was 75 cells/mm3, and 45% were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Location on a ward before ICU admission, cardiovascular and respiratory dysfunctions on the first day after admission, and the presence of severe sepsis/septic shock were associated with reduced 28-day and 6-month survival on a univariate analysis. After a multivariate analysis, severe sepsis determined the highest hazard ratio (HR) for 28-day (adjusted HR, 3.13; 95% CI, 1.21-8.07) and 6-month (adjusted HR, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.42-7.86) mortality. Severe sepsis occurred in 44 (50%) patients, mainly because of lower respiratory tract infections. The survival of septic and nonseptic patients was significantly different at 28-day and 6-month follow-up times (log-rank and Peto test, P < 0.001).
Severe sepsis has emerged as a major cause of admission and mortality for hospitalized HIV/AIDS patients, significantly affecting short- and longer-term survival of critically ill HIV/AIDS patients.
•Method for 45 pesticides/metabolites in fruits by GC–μECD, GC–FPD and LC–MS/MS.•238 samples of kaki, guava, peach and cashew apple were analysed.•None of the pesticides found in kaki, cashew apple ...and guava was authorised for these crops in Brazil.•Cumulative acute intake of organophosphorus pesticides reached 45% ARfDace from the consumption of guava.
A multiresidue method for the determination of 46 pesticides in fruits was validated. Samples were extracted with acidified ethyl acetate, MgSO4 and CH3COONa and cleaned up by dispersive SPE with PSA. The compounds were analysed by GC–FPD, GC–μECD or LC–MS/MS, with LOQs from 1 to 8μg/kg. The method was used to analyse 238 kaki, cashew apple, guava, and peach fruit and pulp samples, which were also analysed for dithiocarbamates (DTCs) using a spectrophotometric method. Over 70% of the samples were positive, with DTC present in 46.5%, λ-cyhalothrin in 37.1%, and omethoate in 21.8% of the positive samples. GC–MS/MS confirmed the identities of the compounds detected by GC. None of the pesticides found in kaki, cashew apple and guava was authorised for these crops in Brazil. The risk assessment has shown that the cumulative acute intake of organophosphorus or pyrethroid compounds from the consumption of these fruits is unlikely to pose a health risk to consumers.
Some plant species attacked by herbivore species produce additional resources to attract predators and induce an indirect defence process. We evaluated whether Palicourea rigida (Rubiaceae) ...individuals can induce indirect defences as response to herbivory simulation by increasing pericarpial nectar production and volatile emissions, as well as whether spiders are attracted by such induced indirect defences. We selected 30 P. rigida individuals and simulated herbivory in 15 of them by cutting out half of all leaves using pruning shears. We did not manipulate the other 15 plants (control group). At three different times, we measured nectar volume and calories of the pericarpial nectary in the inflorescences of all plants of control and treatment groups. We also quantified spider abundance on these plants. In another experiment, we selected salticid spider, Thiodina sp., to determine whether predators detect chemical tracks of plant volatiles produced by the plant after herbivory simulations. We also tested whether the honey solution could emit olfactory signals capable of attractive spiders. We showed that P. rigida produced higher volume of pericarpial nectar presenting more calories after herbivory simulation. The abundance of spiders was higher in plants subjected to herbivory simulation than control plants. Thiodina sp. did not respond to the volatile chemical tracks produced by the leaves after the simulation, but it had a positive response to olfactory tracks associated with the sucrose solution. Such an outcome indicates the ability of this spider to locate nectar honey plants and olfactory signals of honey. Thus, plants respond to the action of herbivores by producing more pericarpial nectar and nectar with more calories. Although our knowledge about the olfactory physiology of arachnids remains incipient, we highlight the importance of chemical and olfactory tracks for decision‐making of spiders in foraging on plants and the herbivory influence on the behaviour of cursorial spiders.
Resumo: Este artigo traz uma análise da consonância entre as disciplinas oferecidas pelos programas acadêmicos de pós-graduação stricto sensu da área de Ensino de Ciências, ou que possuem linhas de ...pesquisa nessa área, os quais abordam em suas ementas a docência no ensino superior e os objetivos dos programas. Para isso, foi feita uma busca dos programas das instituições públicas de ensino superior, leitura de seus objetivos e ementas, dentre aqueles que ofereciam disciplinas centradas na docência no ensino superior, no período de junho a agosto de 2021. Os resultados foram analisados por meio da metodologia de análise de conteúdo e indicam que alguns programas com o objetivo na formação de professores, não apresentam disciplinas sobre a docência no ensino superior. Conclui-se que o percurso histórico de consolidação da pós-graduação stricto sensu, legislação específica e o escasso processo avaliativo da qualidade do ensino estimulam a priorização da pesquisa em detrimento ao ensino.
Abstract: This article provides an analysis of the concord between the courses offered in the stricto sensu academic programs in the area of Science Teaching – or those that have research strands in this area – which deal with teaching in higher education in their curricula and the objectives in the programs, in the period between June and August 2021. To do that, a search was conducted of the programs offered by public higher education institutions, followed by reading their objectives and curricula, among those that offered courses focusing on teaching in higher education. The results indicate that some programs aim to train teachers do not have courses on teaching in higher education. It can be concluded that the historical path of consolidation of stricto sensu graduate studies, the specific legislation, and the scarce evaluation process of the quality of teaching encourage the prioritization of research to the detriment of teaching.
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