We systematically reviewed observational and clinical trials (baseline) studies examining differences in gait parameters between Parkinson's disease (PD) in on-medication state and healthy control. ...Four electronic databases were searched (November-2018 and updated in October-2020). Independent researchers identified studies that evaluated gait parameters measured quantitatively during self-selected walking speed. Risk of bias was assessed using an instrument proposed by Downs and Black (1998). Pooled effects were reported as standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals using a random-effects model. A total of 72 studies involving 3027 participants (1510 with PD and 1517 health control) met the inclusion criteria. The self-selected walking speed, stride length, swing time and hip excursion were reduced in people with PD compared with healthy control. Additionally, PD subjects presented higher cadence and double support time. Although with a smaller difference for treadmill, walking speed is reduced both on treadmill (.13 m s
) and on overground (.17 m s
) in PD. The self-select walking speed, stride length, cadence, double support, swing time and sagittal hip angle were altered in people with PD compared with healthy control. The precise determination of these modifications will be beneficial in determining which intervention elements are most critical in bringing about positive, clinically meaningful changes in individuals with PD (PROSPERO protocol CRD42018113042).
Caffeic acid (CA) is a phenolic compound synthesized by all plant species and is present in foods such as coffee, wine, tea, and popular medicines such as propolis. This phenolic acid and its ...derivatives have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic activity.
and
studies have demonstrated the anticarcinogenic activity of this compound against an important type of cancer, hepatocarcinoma (HCC), considered to be of high incidence, highly aggressive and causing considerable mortality across the world. The anticancer properties of CA are associated with its antioxidant and pro-oxidant capacity, attributed to its chemical structure that has free phenolic hydroxyls, the number and position of OH in the catechol group and the double bond in the carbonic chain. Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that this compound is hydrolyzed by the microflora of colonies and metabolized mainly in the intestinal mucosa through phase II enzymes, submitted to conjugation and methylation processes, forming sulphated, glucuronic and/or methylated conjugates by the action of sulfotransferases, UDP-glucotransferases, and o-methyltransferases, respectively. The transmembrane flux of CA in intestinal cells occurs through active transport mediated by monocarboxylic acid carriers. CA can act by preventing the production of ROS (reactive oxygen species), inducing DNA oxidation of cancer cells, as well as reducing tumor cell angiogenesis, blocking STATS (transcription factor and signal translation 3) and suppression of MMP2 and MMP-9 (collagen IV metalloproteases). Thus, this review provides an overview of the chemical and pharmacological parameters of CA and its derivatives, demonstrating its mechanism of action and pharmacokinetic aspects, as well as a critical analysis of its action in the fight against hepatocarcinoma.
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•Murumuru kernel shell was used as precursor biomass for synthesis of sulfonated catalyst.•The optimization of biodiesel production resulted in ester contents around 90%.•12.4 ppm ...chlorophyll in jupati oil deactivates the catalyst in the first reaction cycle.•The acid solid from the same waste showed great efficiency as chlorophyll adsorbent.•Ester contents close to 80% have been reached up to fourth cycle of catalytic use.
Murumuru kernel shell, an agro-industrial waste, was used as the precursor biomass in the synthesis of an acid biochar that was employed as a catalyst in the production of biodiesel originated from jupati oil. The response-surface methodology was based on a 23 central composite design and it was used to obtain the best reaction conditions. The catalyst was synthesized from the carbonization of murumuru kernel shell, followed by sulfonation in concentrated sulfuric acid. It was characterized by an acid-base titration in order to determine total acid density, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The best reaction conditions obtained in the optimization of temperature, catalyst concentration, and methanol/oil molar ratio in jupati biodiesel production were 135 °C, 6% and 30:1, respectively. It also reached an ester content of 91.8%. The chlorophyll present in jupati oil negatively influenced catalyst reuse because this bioactive deactivated the catalyst studied. This issue was solved by using an adsorbent from murumuru kernel shell to remove the chlorophyll, achieving a removal rate of 92.5%. Thus, proposing the acid solid from the murumuru kernel shell as a bifunctional material in the removal of chlorophyll from vegetable oils and acid catalysis for biodiesel production. Reusing the catalyst with purified jupati oil maintained the catalytic activity around 80% of ester content until the fourth reaction cycle. The progressive loss was little in the catalytic activity due to the leaching of acid sites. The reusing and ester content results found in this study showed the viability of using the agro-industrial waste of murumuru kernel shell as a precursor for the sustainable production of an efficient sulfonated-carbon catalyst for biodiesel production.
In the present study, heterogeneous acid catalysts for fatty acid esterification reactions were synthesized using agro-industrial waste from murumuru kernel shells. The waste was carbonized and ...functionalized with concentrated sulfuric acid under different sulfonation conditions, obtaining the sulfonated biochar. The results indicate that the best sulfonation conditions were obtained with a contact time of 4 h, the temperature of 200 °C, and a solid-acid ratio of 1 : 10 (w/v). The best catalyst was characterized by acid-base titration for the determination of total acid density, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Reaction conditions of oleic acid with methanol and the viability of catalyst reuse were also investigated. A conversion of 97.2% was achieved under optimum esterification reaction conditions, employing 5% catalyst, 10 : 1 molar ratio of methanol to oleic acid, during 1.5 h at a temperature of 90 °C. After 4 reaction cycles, the catalyst preserved its efficiency at 66.3% conversion. The catalyst activity was evaluated in reactions using palmitic acid, soybean fatty acid distillate, palm fatty acid distillate, and coconut fatty acid distillate. The results demonstrate that the catalyst is applicable and efficient in esterification reactions of raw materials, containing different fatty acid compositions since different carbonized materials have varying abilities to combine acid groups. This work reveals the promising feasibility of using biomass generated in large quantities by the agroindustry for the development of a new heterogeneous acid catalyst for biodiesel production.
In the present study, heterogeneous acid catalysts for fatty acid esterification reactions were synthesized using agro-industrial waste from murumuru kernel shells.
Cruzipains are the main papain-like cysteine proteases of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease. Encoded by a multigenic family, previous studies have estimated the ...presence of dozens of copies spread over multiple chromosomes in different parasite strains. Here, we describe the complete gene repertoire of cruzipain in three parasite strains, their genomic organization, and expression pattern throughout the parasite life cycle. Furthermore, we have analyzed primary sequence variations among distinct family members as well as structural differences between the main groups of cruzipains. Based on phylogenetic inferences and residue positions crucial for enzyme function and specificity, we propose the classification of cruzipains into two families (I and II), whose genes are distributed in two or three separate clusters in the parasite genome, according with the strain. Family I comprises nearly identical copies to the previously characterized cruzipain 1/cruzain, whereas Family II encompasses three structurally distinct sub-types, named cruzipain 2, cruzipain 3, and cruzipain 4. RNA-seq data derived from the CL Brener strain indicates that Family I genes are mainly expressed by epimastigotes, whereas trypomastigotes mainly express Family II genes. Significant differences in the active sites among the enzyme sub-types were also identified, which may play a role in their substrate selectivity and impact their inhibition by small molecules.
Dietary fat strongly affects human health by modulating gut microbiota composition and low-grade systemic inflammation. High-fat diets have been implicated in reduced gut microbiota richness, ...increased Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, and several changes at family, genus and species levels. Saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA) and conjugated linolenic fatty acids share important pathways of immune system activation/inhibition with gut microbes, modulating obesogenic and proinflammatory profiles. Mechanisms that link dietary fat, gut microbiota and obesity are mediated by increased intestinal permeability, systemic endotoxemia, and the activity of the endocannabinoid system. Although the probiotic therapy could be a complementary strategy to improve gut microbiota composition, it did not show permanent effects to treat fat-induced dysbiosis. Based upon evidence to date, we believe that high-fat diets and SFA consumption should be avoided, and MUFA and omega-3 PUFA intake should be encouraged in order to regulate gut microbiota and inflammation, promoting body weight/fat control.
The parasitic protozoan
Giardia intestinalis
, the causative agent of giardiasis, presents a stable and elaborated cytoskeleton, which shapes and supports several intracellular structures, including ...the ventral disc, the median body, the funis, and four pairs of flagella.
Giardia
trophozoite is the motile form that inhabits the host small intestine and attaches to epithelial cells, leading to infection. The ventral disc is considered one important element of adhesion to the intestinal cells. It is adjacent to the plasma membrane in the ventral region of the cell and consists of a spiral layer of microtubules and microribbons. In this work, we studied the organization of the cytoskeleton in the ventral disc of
G. intestinalis
trophozoites using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy or helium ion microscopy in plasma membrane-extracted cells. Here, we show novel morphological details about the arrangement of cross-bridges in different regions of the ventral disc. Results showed that the disc is a non-uniformly organized structure that presents specific domains, such as the margin and the ventral groove region. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy allowed observation of the labeling pattern for several anti-tubulin antibodies using secondary gold particle-labeled antibodies. Labeling in the region of the emergence of the microtubules and supernumerary microtubules using an anti-acetylated tubulin antibody was observed. Ultrastructural analysis and immunogold labeling for gamma-tubulin suggest that disc microtubules originate from a region bounded by the bands of the banded collar and merge with microtubules formed at the perinuclear region. Actin-like filaments and microtubules of the disc are associated, showing an interconnection between elements of the cytoskeleton of the trophozoite.
The Brazilian endemic clone Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST277 carries important antibiotic resistance determinants, highlighting the gene coding for SPM-1 carbapenemase. However, the resistance and ...persistence of this clone is apparently restricted to the Brazilian territory. To understand the differences between Brazilian strains from those isolated in other countries, we performed a phylogenetic analysis of 47 P. aeruginosa ST277 genomes as well as analyzed the virulence and resistance gene profiles. Furthermore, we evaluated the distribution of genomic islands and assessed in detail the characteristics of the CRISPR-Cas immunity system in these isolates.
The Brazilian genomes presented a typical set of resistance and virulence determinants, genomic islands and a high frequency of the CRISPR-Cas system type I-C. Even though the ST277 genomes are closely related, the phylogenetic analysis showed that the Brazilian strains share a great number of exclusively SNPs when compared to other ST277 genomes. We also observed a standard CRISPR spacers content for P. aeruginosa ST277, confirming a strong link between sequence type and spacer acquisition. Most CRISPR spacer targets were phage sequences.
Based on our findings, P. aeruginosa ST277 strains circulating in Brazil characteristically acquired In163 and PAGI-25, which can distinguish them from strains that do not accumulate resistance mechanisms and can be found on the Asian, European and North American continents. The distinctive genetic elements accumulated in Brazilian samples can contribute to the resistance, pathogenicity and transmission success that characterize the ST277 in this country.
Objectives
Obesity is considered a risk factor for the development of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the açai seed (ASE), rich in ...proanthocyanidins, has been shown a potential body weight regulator with antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of ASE in obesity‐associated NAFLD and compare it with Rosuvastatin.
Methods
Male C57BL/6 mice received a high‐fat diet or standard diet for 12 weeks. The treatments with ASE (300 mg/kg per day) or rosuvastatin (20 mg/kg per day) began in the eighth week until the 12th week.
Key findings
Our data show that the treatments with ASE and rosuvastatin reduced body weight and hyperglycaemia, improved lipid profile and attenuated hepatic steatosis in HFD mice. ASE and Rosuvastatin reduced HMGCoA‐Reductase and SREBP‐1C and increased ABGC8 and pAMPK expressions in the liver. Additionally, ASE, but not Rosuvastatin, reduced NPC1L1 and increased ABCG5 and PPAR‐α expressions. ASE and rosuvastatin increased SIRT‐1 expression and antioxidant defence, although only ASE was able to decrease the oxidative damage in hepatic tissue.
Conclusions
The therapeutic effect of ASE was similar to that of rosuvastatin in reducing dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis but was better in reducing oxidative damage and hyperglycaemia.
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