The Codó Formation is an Aptian marine-influenced lacustrine depositional system in the Parnaíba Basin (Brazil). This unit is an important sedimentary succession because of the high organic matter ...content and for being an ancient analog for the depositional systems of the Brazilian Pre-salt interval. However, mineralogical and lithogeochemical studies have not been sufficiently carried out on the Codó Formation, which hinders detailed sedimentological knowledge. We report new mineralogical and lithogeochemical data that allow a better understanding of the environmental, climatic, and provenance evolution of the Codó deposits. Mineralogical and lithogeochemical studies were performed on 50 lutite samples collected from the 1-UN-32-PI core and 13 outcrop lutite samples obtained from sites close to the Grajaú and Imperatriz regions. A magnesium-sulfate-rich shallow alkaline hypersaline lake was identified in the lower Codó Formation based on the identification of a clay mineral assemblage composed of authigenic saponite and detrital illite. Hydrothermal processes were interpreted as the magnesium source of this alkaline lake. A salinity-alteration event was identified at the upper limit of the alkaline lake and was interpreted as the first marine ingression in the Codó Formation. This event changed the lake's pH from alkaline to acid, inhibiting the formation of Mg-smectites, and changing its hydrochemical conditions, originating a marine-influenced sulfate-rich acid saline/hypersaline sabkha. This facies succession coincides with a clay mineral assemblage composed of detrital montmorillonite, illite and kaolinite. A regional paleoclimate humidification process was identified from the sabkha to a lagoon facies succession in the upper Codó Formation. This last succession reveals the marine-dominated interval of the Codó Formation and coincides with a clay mineral assemblage composed of detrital kaolinite, montmorillonite and illite. Based on lithogeochemical data, a common post-Archean intermediate source area was also interpreted for these three environments.
•The first characterization of Mg-smectites in the Aptian Codó Formation is presented.•An alkaline hypersaline lake in the lower Codó Formation caused by hydrothermal processes is described.•Marine ingressions were important triggers for environmental changes in the Codó Formation.•Regional climate change associated with the early onset of the Equatorial Humid Belt was recognized.
Studies of food environments lack easy-to-apply indicators for their characterization and monitoring. This study aimed to create and assess the applicability of an a priori classification of ...establishments that sell foods for immediate consumption and to develop and apply indicators for assessment of the establishments’ healthiness. The indicators were grouped by the types of foods sold most frequently at these establishments, according to the extent and purpose of the foods’ industrial processing. Four indicators were developed, based on the availability of unprocessed/minimally processed foods (MPF) and ultra-processed foods (UPF) in the establishments. The classification and indicators were applied to commercial food establishments at two Brazilian universities. Descriptive analyses were performed to characterize the food environment for all the establishments and by university. Two proportion indicators assess the relative availability of subgroups of MPF and UPF. The UPF/MPF ratio expresses the relative advantage/disadvantage of the availability of MPF compared to that of UPF. The Healthiness Index or summary score expresses the availability of MPF and the unavailability of UPF. The classification and indicators present good discriminatory power and are easy to operationalize, interpret, and adapt.
Background: Chlamydia abortus infections (Chlamydiosis) can cause reproductive problems in sheep, such as abortions and birth defects, leading to farm productivity loss. The symptoms, which are ...similar to other reproductive diseases, and the microbial pathogenesis make the clinical diagnosis difficult. Chlamydia abortus is a zoonotic pathogen, making it a public health issue because it can infect and induce abortions in humans. This study investigated anti-C. abortus antibody levels and infection risk factors in sheep in the State of Ceará, Brazil.Materials, Methods & Results: Forty-three properties from 10 municipalities in 4 mesoregions in the State of Ceará, Brazil (Sertões, metropolitan Fortaleza, North Ceará and Northwest Ceará) with sheep, goats, cattle, and horses were visited. Five hundred and four serological samples from sheep were collected and tested for anti-C. abortus antibodies using an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) IDEXX®, Australia and all procedures were performed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions at the Clinical Pathology Laboratory of EMBRAPA Goats and Sheep (Sobral, Brazil). Individual questionnaires were completed about sheep breeding practices and to identify possible C. abortus risks. Seropositive results were found in 18.45 % (93/504 individuals) of sheep, and 88.37 % (38/43 properties) of the herds had at least one seropositive animal. The number of seropositive individuals was significantly different between adults and ewes P < 0.01; Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.510; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.306 - 0.850. Logistic regression modeling identified a missing health certificate request for newly acquired animals as a chlamydiosis risk factor P = 0.038; OR = 2.672; 95% CI = 1.058 - 6.749.Discussion: The prevalence of anti-C. abortus antibodies in sheep in the State of Ceara emphasizes the importance of testing and tracking the disease spread among herds; these results were similar to studies in other areas of Brazil. Adult sheep that spend more time on the property may have a higher exposure risk because of increased reproductive activity. Misinformation and technical limitations can influence the proper handling of animals avoiding contagion through the correct use of techniques and recommendations. Disease transmission occurs through the digestive tract and between mother and fetus. Therefore, seropositive (infected) sheep may be related to the breeding system practices, such as allowing contact between sheep and other species on the property (goats, cattle, and horses) during breeding. Acquiring animals from external sources without sufficient health information can increase the transmission risk. Contaminated pastures, water, food, and air also increase transmission risk. The lack of technical and practical knowledge regarding disease prevention and control also contributes to disease transmission, resulting in reproductive losses due to high abortion rates. Chlamydia abortus has zoonotic potential and may infect humans without proper safety information. Therefore, future epidemiological studies are required for a better understanding of the primary risk factors for disease occurrence and spread among herds in the region. Chlamydia abortus infection is present in sheep in Ceará, Brazil. Chlamydiosis information programs should be adopted, sanitary measures implemented, and the epidemiological surveillance of sheep herds strengthened.
A ideia da educação integral, no século XXI, tem sido alvo de investimentos por parte de políticas públicas governamentais, associada à educação em tempo integral. Nesse cenário, destacou-se o ...“Programa Mais Educação” (PME), instituído em 2007 pelo governo federal, com o intuito de induzir uma educação integral em tempo integral. Mas, qual educação integral o PME visou induzir e que especificidades possivelmente tomaram sua materialização? Assim, este artigo busca investigar que educação integral foi materializada em uma escola pública do município de Ponte Nova/MG, a partir do PME, no ano de 2014. Numa abordagem qualitativa, utilizamos como instrumentos de coleta de dados a pesquisa bibliográfica, a pesquisa documental, além da observação, questionários e entrevistas com gestores da escola. Concluímos duvidando da educação em tempo integral do PME como fator propiciador de uma educação integral que considere as especificidades da escola, inclusive na experiência pesquisada.
FUNDAMENTO: Pouco se sabe, em nosso meio, sobre diferenças regionais no tratamento da coronariopatia aguda. OBJETIVO: Analisar o comportamento regional relativamente à utilização de terapêuticas ...comprovadamente úteis na coronariopatia aguda. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados aleatoriamente 71 hospitais, respeitando-se a proporcionalidade do país em relação à localização geográfica, entre outros critérios. Na população global, foi analisada regionalmente a utilização de AAS, clopidogrel, inibidor da ECA/bloqueador de AT1, betabloqueador e estatina, isoladamente e agrupados por escore individual que variou de 0 (nenhum medicamento utilizado) a 100 (todos utilizados). No infarto com supradesnivelamento de ST (IAMCSST) foram analisadas diferenças regionais sobre utilização de terapêuticas de recanalização (fibrinolíticos e angioplastia primária). RESULTADOS: No global da população, nas primeiras 24 horas de hospitalização, a média de escore na região Norte-Nordeste (70,5 ± 22,1) foi menor (p < 0,05) do que nas regiões Sudeste (77,7 ± 29,5), Centro-Oeste (82 ± 22,1) e Sul (82,4 ± 21). Por ocasião da alta, o escore da região Norte-Nordeste (61,4 ± 32,9) foi menor (p < 0,05) do que nas regiões Sudeste (69,2 ± 31,6), Centro-Oeste (65,3 ± 33,6), e Sul (73,7 ± 28,1); adicionalmente, o escore do Centro-Oeste foi menor (p < 0,05) do que o do Sul. No IAMCSST, o uso de terapêuticas de recanalização foi maior no Sudeste (75,4%, p = 0,001 em relação ao restante do país), e menor no Norte-Nordeste (52,5%, p < 0,001 em relação ao restante do país). CONCLUSÃO: O uso de terapêuticas comprovadamente úteis no tratamento da coronariopatia aguda está aquém do desejável no país, com importantes diferenças regionais.
Sprouted and fermented foods have shown hypoglycemic effects on humans and animals, by reducing concentrations of soluble carbohydrates, and increasing dietary fiber and resistant starch content. In ...this study, diets with high levels of simple carbohydrates supplemented with toasted quinoa flour, sprouted and toasted quinoa flour, fermented and toasted quinoa flour or sprouted/fermented and toasted quinoa flour were given to Wistar rats. During the experiment, the glycemic index (GI) of the diets were measure and, at the end of 47 days of feeding, the effects of the diets on physical and biochemical parameters of the animals were evaluated. Results indicated that the processes of sprouting and/or fermentation potentiate the ability of quinoa to reduce GI of diets with high levels of simple carbohydrates. Moreover, food intake, blood glucose and lipid levels, and accumulation of epididymal adipose tissue were reduced in rats fed diets supplemented with quinoa. These effects may be due to the nutritional composition of the supplemented diets, besides the chemical changes promoted by processing quinoa. These results are particularly relevant once sprouted and fermented quinoa could be an alimentary source of interest, especially for disease risk prevention such as diabetes, obesity and dyslipidemias.
Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) have a different site of interaction and modulate vascular tone and inflammatory response as well on exercise adaptation, which is ...modulated by exercise-induced cytokines. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of ACE I/D and BDKRB2 +9/−9 polymorphism on exercise-induced cytokine response. Seventy-four male marathon finishers, aged 30 to 55 years, participated in this study. Plasma levels of exercise-induced cytokines were determined 24 h before, immediately after, and 24 h and 72 h after the São Paulo International Marathon. Plasma concentrations of MCP-1, IL-6 and FGF-21 increased after marathon in all genotypes of BDKRB2. IL-10, FSTL and BDNF increased significantly after marathon in the genotypes with the presence of the −9 allele. FSTL and BDNF concentrations were higher in the −9/−9 genotype compared to the +9/+9 genotype before (
p
= 0.006) and after the race (
p
= 0.023), respectively. Apelin, IL-15, musclin and myostatin concentrations were significantly reduced after the race only in the presence of −9 allele. Marathon increased plasma concentrations of MCP1, IL-6, BDNF and FGF-21 in all genotypes of ACE I/D polymorphism. Plasma concentrations of IL-8 and MIP-1alpha before the race (
p
= 0.015 and
p
= 0.031, respectively), of MIP-1alpha and IL-10 after the race (
p
= 0.033 and
p
= 0.047, respectively) and VEGF 72 h after the race (
p
= 0.018) were lower in II homozygotes compared to runners with the presence of D allele. One day after the race we also observed lower levels of MIP-1alpha in runners with II homozygotes compared to DD homozygotes (
p
= 0.026). Before the marathon race myostatin concentrations were higher in DD compared to II genotypes (
p
= 0.009). Myostatin, musclin, IL-15, IL-6 and apelin levels decreased after race in genotypes with the presence of D allele. After the race ACE activity was negatively correlated with MCP1 (r = −56,
p
< 0.016) and positively correlated with IL-8, IL-10 and MIP1-alpha (r = 0.72,
p
< 0.0007, r = 0.72,
p
< 0.0007, r = 0.47,
p
< 0.048, respectively). The runners with the −9/−9 genotype have greater response in exercise-induced cytokines related to muscle repair and cardioprotection indicating that BDKRB2 participate on exercise adaptations and runners with DD genotype have greater inflammatory response as well as ACE activity was positively correlated with inflammatory mediators. DD homozygotes also had higher myostatin levels which modulates protein homeostasis.
Abstract A balance between proinflammatory (Th17 and Tc17) and anti-inflammatory (regulatory T cells) subsets of T cells is essential to maintain immunological tolerance and prevent the onset of ...several autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes. However, the kinetics of these subsets and disease severity during the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes course has not been determined. Thus, susceptible C57BL/6 mice were administrated with multiple low doses of STZ and we evaluated the frequency/absolute number of these T cell subsets in the pancreatic lymph nodes (PLNs) and spleen and Th1, Th17, Treg cytokine production in the pancreatic tissue. At different time points of the disease progression (6, 11, 18 and 25 days after the last STZ administration), the histopathological alterations were also evaluated by H&E and immunohistochemistry staining. During the initial phase of diabetes development (day 6), we noted increased numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in spleen and PLNs. At the same time, the frequencies of Th17 and Tc17 cells in PLNs were also enhanced. In addition, the early augment of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumoral necrosis factor (TNF-α), IL-6 and IL-17 levels in pancreatic tissue correlated with pancreatic islet inflammation and mild β-cell damage. Notably, the absolute number of Treg cells increased in PLNs during over time when compared to control group. Interestingly, increased IL-10 levels were associated with control of the inflammatory process during the late phase of the type 1 diabetes (day 25). In agreement, mice lacking the expression of IL-17 receptor ( Il17r ) showed impairment in STZ-induced diabetes progression, reduced peri-insulitis and beta cells preservation when compared with wild-type mice. Our findings suggest that dynamic changes of pathogenic Th17/Tc17 and regulatory T cell subsets numbers is associated with early strong inflammation in the pancreatic islets followed by late regulatory profile during the experimental STZ-induced diabetes course.
•GSC is capable of decreasing oxidized DNA of RRMS patients.•GSC decreases inflammatory cytokines of RRMS patients.•GSC did not affect kidney and liver function of RRMS patients.
Relapsing-remitting ...multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is the most common clinical course of multiple sclerosis (MS), characterized by a chronic inflammatory state and elevated levels of oxidative markers. Food supplements with potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective effects have been tested as possible adjuvants in the treatment of MS. In this sense, this pilot study was carried out with the aim of verifying whether a minimum daily dose of a guarana, selenium and l-carnitine (GSC) based multi supplement, mixed in cappuccino-type coffee, administered for 12 weeks to 28 patients with RRMS could differentially modulate oxidative blood markers (lipoperoxidation, protein carbonylation and DNA oxidation) and inflammatory blood markers (protein levels of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, gene expression of these cytokines, and NLRP3 and CASP-1 molecules, and C-reactive protein levels). The results indicate that a low concentration of GSC is capable of decreasing the plasma levels of oxidized DNA and pro-inflammatory cytokines of RRMS patients. The results support further research into the action of GSC on clinical symptoms, not only in patients with MS, but also with other neurological conditions.
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