Abstract Introduction: epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant catechin contained in green tea (Camellia sinensis) and has been associated with anti-obesity and anti-cancer effects, but the exact molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this context, this study was designed to improve the understanding of the EGCG anti-obesity and anti-cancer action. Objectives: this study was designed to examine the effects of EGCG on the expression of genes involved in obesity and cancer pathways in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of obese women. Material and methods: this longitudinal interventional study enrolled eleven women with severe obesity that were submitted to eight weeks of green tea (decaffeinated green tea capsules with 450.7 mg of EGCG, two capsules/day) supplementation (intervention group) and ten eutrophic women as a control group. Weight (kg), body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), fat mass (kg) and gene expression (qPCR method) were assessed before and after supplementation. HIF1-alpha (HIF1-α), phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 1 (PIK3R1) and rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR (RICTOR) were selected as potential targets. Results: after supplementation, body weight (114.9 ± 14.3 versus 115 ± 13.8 kg), body mass index (44.1 ± 3.7 versus 44.1 ± 3.9 kg/m2) and fat mass (47.6 ± 3.3 versus 47.3 ± 3.4 kg) did not change. EGCG upregulated the RICTOR and HIF1-α expression, however, did not modify PI3K expression. Conclusion: this study demonstrated that EGCG has a potential role to obesity and cancer related to obesity control and can be used not only for the purpose of weight loss, but also for the improvement of obesity-related comorbidities.

Resumen Introducción: la obesidad se asocia con altos niveles de estrés oxidativo (EO) e inflamación. Existe mucha evidencia de que algunos polifenoles, como el té verde, tienen un impacto positivo en el estado del sistema operativo y consecutivamente en la inflamación. Objetivos: los propósitos de este estudio fueron: a) acceso a biomarcadores de EO en mujeres obesas y de peso normal; y b) evaluar si la suplementación con té verde tiene impacto en los biomarcadores de citoquinas inflamatorias y de EO de mujeres obesas. Métodos: evaluamos mujeres obesas (índice de masa corporal - IMC ≥ 40 kg/m²) y peso normal (IMC entre 18,5 y 24,9 kg/m²). Se utilizaron muestras de sangre para acceder al malondialdehído (MDA), la capacidad antioxidante equivalente de Trolox (TEAC) y las citoquinas inflamatorias. Elegimos al azar pacientes obesos (18 individuos) y luego les dimos suplementos de té verde durante 8 semanas. El análisis estadístico incluyó las pruebas de Shapiro-Wilk, Wilcoxon, t pareadas e independientes, p < 0,05 se consideraron significativas. Resultados: se reclutaron 42 mujeres obesas (IMC: 48,2 ± 9,3 kg/m2) y 21 de peso normal (IMC: 22,5 ± 2 kg/m2) con una edad promedio de 36,2 ± 9,1 años. Los niveles séricos de MDA fueron más altos en las personas obesas (2,52 ± 0,31 µmol/L) que en las mujeres eutróficas (2,13 ± 0,26 µmol/L; p = 0.000). Por otro lado, se observaron valores de TEAC más bajos en obesos (0,75 ± 0,06 mM) que en el grupo eutrófico (0,78 ± 0,04 mM; p = 0,009). Después de la intervención del té verde, la MDA disminuyó 4,7% y el TEAC aumentó 10%. Los niveles séricos de interleucina-6 (IL-6) disminuyeron 12,7% después del tratamiento (p = 0,03). Conclusiones: el grupo obeso tenía menor capacidad antioxidante que el eutrófico. La suplementación con té verde mejoró TEAC y MDA y redujo los niveles séricos de IL-6 en mujeres obesas.

We assessed at multiple length scales (nanometers to millimeters) the nanocoatings of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on model SiO2/Si substrates. The coatings from biogenic AgNPs (from yeasts Rhodotorula glutinis and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa) were compared to those formed from "synthetic" AgNPs capped with citrate and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). With computational analysis of large-field (LF) X-ray images of the whole substrates (5 × 5 mm), we were able to assess the coatings homogeneity, relative amount of AgNPs, and their distribution as agglomerates. Surprisingly, by analyzing more than 100,000 elements (nanoparticles and agglomerates) in each sample, it was observed that the mentioned features have little dependence on the AgNPs morphology and capping agents. All silver nanocoatings resisted when immersed in phosphate-buffered saline medium by forming agglomerates of up to 10 µm2. However, coatings formed with synthetic AgNPs (capped with citrate and SDS) led to a higher antimicrobial efficiency against Staphylococcus aureus.

Resumo Introdução: o câncer de mama é a segunda causa de morte no mundo, sendo 90% dessas mortes decorrentes de metástases. A metaloprotease de matriz 2 (MMP-2) possui atividade de gelatinase capaz de degradar o principal constituinte do microambiente tumoral, o colágeno do tipo IV. Há duas proteínas bem estabelecidas utilizadas como marcadores na prática clínica para o câncer de mama, os receptores de estrógeno (RE) e de progesterona (RP). Embora a presença desses receptores tenha sido associada a um melhor prognóstico, a perda delas pode ocorrer durante a progressão do tumor, com subsequente resistência à terapia hormonal. Objetivo: analisar a correlação entre as proteínas MMP-2, RE e RP por imuno-histoquímica e estabelecer o processo metastático em tumores de mama primários. Método: amostras de tumor de mama (n=44) foram analisadas por imuno-histoquímica para MMP-2, receptor de estrógeno e progesterona. Resultados: observou-se que 90% das pacientes que tinham metástases e morreram apresentaram coloração positiva para a MMP-2 (p=0,0082 para ambos). Usando a análise de Kaplan-Meier, verificou-se que as pacientes RE negativas, também positivas para MMP-2, apresentaram sobrevida livre de doença (SLD) e sobrevida global (SG) (p=0,012 e p=0,005, respectivamente) piores quando comparadas às pacientes MMP-2 negativas. Resultados semelhantes foram encontrados em pacientes RP negativas para SLD (p=0,077) e SG (p=0,038). Conclusão: embora o número de amostras avaliadas tenha sido baixo (n=44), esses dados iniciais permitem inferir que a MMP-2 em combinação com os marcadores já bem estabelecidos poderia ajudar na previsão do surgimento de metástase e morte em pacientes com câncer de mama.

Summary Introduction: Breast cancer is the most cause of death, and approximately 90% of these deaths are due to metastases. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) gelatinase activity is able to degrade a major constituent of the tumor microenvironment, type IV collagen. Two well-established proteins used as markers in clinical practice for breast cancer are the receptors for estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR). Although the presence of these receptors has been associated with a better prognosis, loss of these proteins can occur during tumor progression, with subsequent resistance to hormone therapy. Objective: To study the correlation among MMP-2, ER, and PR, as well as the establishment of the metastatic process in primary breast tumors. Method: Breast cancer samples (n=44) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for MMP-2, ER, and PR. Results: We observed that 90% of patients who had metastases and died showed positive staining for MMP-2 (p=0.0082 for both). Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, we found that negative ER patients who were also positive for MMP-2 had even worse disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) (p= 0.012 and p=0.005, respectively). Similar results were found in PR-negative patients for DFS (a trend p=0.077) and OS (p=0.038). Conclusion: Regardless of our small sample size (n=44), the data obtained strongly suggest that MMP-2 in combination with already well-established markers could help to predict the emergence of metastases and death in patients with breast cancer.

Abstract The objective of this paper was to use a thermodynamic analysis to find operational conditions that favor the production of hydrogen from steam and oxidative reforming of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). We also analyzed the performance of a catalyst precursor, LaNiO3, in order to compare the performance of the obtained catalyst with the thermodynamic equilibrium predictions. The results showed that it is possible to produce high concentrations of hydrogen from LPG reforming. The gradual increase of temperature and the use of high water concentrations decrease the production of coke and increase the formation of H2. The reaction of oxidative reforming of LPG was more suitable for the production of hydrogen and lower coke formation. Furthermore the use of an excess of water (H2O/LPG =7.0) and intermediate temperatures (973 K) are the most suitable conditions for the process.

The gastroprotective action of the aqueous extract (AE) and the hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the leaves of Struthanthus marginatus (Desr.) Blume, Loranthaceae, were performed with in vivo models in rodents using: ethanol, indomethacin or stress-induced ulcers, determination of gastric secretion and the mucus production. The scavenger activity of AE in vitro was tested by the DPPH method. The treatment with the extracts (125-1000 mg/kg) significantly inhibited ulcerative lesions in comparison with the negative control groups in all the models evaluated and demonstrated greater effectiveness of the aqueous extract. Regarding the model of gastric secretion, a reduction in volume of gastric juice and total acidity was observed, as well as an increase in the gastric pH. The treatment of rats raised the gastric mucus production. Significant DPPH scavenging activity was evident in the AE. No sign of toxicity was observed. These results show that S. marginatus possesses gastroprotective activity. There are indications that the mechanisms involved in anti-ulcer activity are related to a decrease in acid secretion and an increase in gastric mucus content. Also, there is evidence for the involvement of antioxidant activity in the gastroprotective mechanism.

RESUMO Considerando a ocorrência do ácaro Brevipalpus obovatus (Donnadieu, 1875) (Acari, Tenuipalpidae) em cultivos de maracujazeiro (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg. - Passifloraceae) no Estado da Bahia, a biologia dessa espécie foi estudada para avaliar o desenvolvimento e a reprodução em folhas de maracujá amarelo. O estudo foi conduzido em laboratório a 25 ± 1° C, 70 ± 10% de umidade relativa e 12 horas de fotofase. O período de ovo a adulto foi de 19,11 ± 0,16 dias, com sobrevivência de 86,11%. A longevidade média das fêmeas foi de 37,69 ± 3,06 dias e a oviposição média diária de 1,29 ± 0,05 ovos/fêmea. A razão intrínseca de aumento (rm) foi de 0,064, a razão finita de aumento (λ) de 1,066 fêmeas/fêmea/dia, a duração média de uma geração (T) de 38,94 dias e a taxa líquida de reprodução (Ro) de 12,13. Os resultados indicam que o maracujazeiro amarelo é um hospedeiro favorável ao desenvolvimento e reprodução de B. obovatus.

ABSTRACT Considering the occurrence of Brevipalpus obovatus (Donnadieu, 1875) (Acari, Tenuipalpidae) in passion fruit orchards (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg. – Passifloraceae) in the state of Bahia, Brazil, the biology of this species was studied to evaluate the development and reproduction on yellow passion fruit leaves. The study was carried out in the laboratory at 25 ± 1° C, 70 ± 10% of relative humidity and 12 h of photophase. The egg to adult period was 19.11 ± 0.16 days, with 86.11% survival. The female average longevity was 37.69 ± 3.06 days and the daily average oviposition was 1.29 ± 0.05 eggs/female. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was 0.064; the finite rate of increase (λ) was 1.066 females/female/day; the average generation time (T) was 38.94 days and the net rate of reproduction (Ro) was 12.13. The results indicated that the yellow passion fruit is a favorable host for the development and reproduction of B. obovatus.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a segurança da vacina combinada de difteria-tétano-coqueluche de células inteiras e Haemophilus influenzae tipo b usada no Programa Nacional de Imunizações, e em especial a incidência de episódios hipotônicos-hiporresponsivos. MÉTODO: Acompanhamento de uma coorte de 21.064 lactentes (20.925 ou 99,7% aderiram ao protocolo de estudo), nas 48 horas após a aplicação da vacina de difteria, tétano, coqueluche de células inteiras e Haemophilus influenzae tipo b em centros de saúde na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, para determinar e investigar eventos adversos graves, espontâneos e solicitados. Cada criança foi monitorada durante somente uma dose. RESULTADOS: A incidência de episódios hipotônicos-hiporresponsivos foi de 1:1.744 doses (casos confirmados) e de 1:1.495 doses (casos confirmados mais casos suspeitos). A taxa de incidência de convulsões foi de 1:5.231 doses. Não foram detectados casos de apnéia. Esses resultados são comparáveis àqueles relatados na literatura para a vacina contra difteria-tétano-coqueluche de células inteiras. CONCLUSÃO: A vacina contra difteria, tétano, coqueluche de células inteiras e Haemophilus influenzae tipo b em estudo pode ser usada com segurança no Programa Nacional de Imunizações, de acordo com as precauções e contra-indicações correntes.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the safety of a combined diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis-Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine used on the Brazilian National Immunizations Program, chiefly the incidence of hypotonic-hyporesponsive episodes. METHOD: Follow-up of a cohort of 21,064 infants (20,925 or 99.7% adhered to the study protocol), within 48 hours of vaccination with diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis-Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine in health care units in the City of Rio de Janeiro, to ascertain and investigate spontaneous and solicited severe adverse events. Each child was followed-up for one dose only. RESULTS: The rate of hypotonic-hyporesponsive episodes was 1/1,744 doses (confirmed cases) and 1/1,495 doses (confirmed plus suspect cases). The rate of convulsions was 1/5,231 doses. No cases of apnea were detected. These results are comparable to those found in the literature with diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis vaccine. CONCLUSION: The diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis-Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine under study can be safely used in the National Immunizations Program, according to the current precautions and contraindications.

OBJETIVO: Determinar a segurança, imunogenicidade e eficácia de duas doses da vacina contra o rotavírus em lactentes brasileiros saudáveis. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo randomizado, multicêntrico, duplo-cego e controlado por placebo no Brasil, México e Venezuela. Os lactentes receberam duas doses orais de vacina ou placebo aos 2 e 4 meses de idade, juntamente com as imunizações de rotina, exceto a vacina oral contra poliomielite (VOP). O presente estudo relata apenas os resultados obtidos em Belém, Brasil, onde o número de indivíduos por grupo e os títulos da vacina viral foram os seguintes: 194 (104,7 unidades formadoras de focos - UFF), 196 (10(5,2) UFF), 194 (10(5,8) UFF) e 194 (placebo). A resposta de anticorpos anti-rotavírus (anti-RV) foi avaliada em 307 indivíduos. A gravidade clínica dos episódios de gastroenterite (GE) foi determinada através de um escore com 20 pontos, onde um valor > 11 foi considerado como GE grave. RESULTADOS: As taxas de sintomas gerais solicitados foram semelhantes tanto nos indivíduos que receberam a vacina como naqueles a quem se administrou placebo. Aos 2 meses após a segunda dose, ocorreu resposta em termos de IgA sérica para RV em 54,7 a 74,4% dos vacinados. Não houve interferência na imunogenicidade das vacinas de rotina. A eficácia da vacina contra qualquer gastroenterite por rotavírus (GERV) foi de 63,5% (IC95% 20,8-84,4) para a maior concentração (10(5,8) UFF). A eficácia foi de 81,5% (IC95% 44,5-95,4) contra GERV grave. Em sua maior concentração (10(5,8) UFF), a RIX4414 conferiu uma proteção de 79,8% (IC95% 26,4-96,3) contra GERV grave causada pela amostra G9. CONCLUSÕES: A RIX4414 foi altamente imunogênica com baixa reatogenicidade, e não interferiu na resposta sérica à difteria, tétano, coqueluche, hepatite B e antígenos Hib. Duas doses da RIX4414 conferiram proteção significativa contra a GE grave causada pelo RV.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of two doses of rotavirus vaccine in healthy Brazilian infants. METHODS: A randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela. Infants received two oral doses of vaccine or placebo at 2 and 4 months of age, concurrently with routine immunizations, except for oral poliomyelitis vaccine (OPV). This paper reports results from Belém, Brazil, where the number of subjects per group and the viral vaccine titers were: 194 (10(4.7) focus forming units - FFU), 196 (10(5.2) FFU), 194 (10(5.8) FFU) and 194 (placebo). Anti-rotavirus (anti-RV) antibody response was assessed in 307 subjects. Clinical severity of gastroenteritis episodes was measured using a 20-point scoring system with a score of > 11 defined as severe GE. RESULTS: The rates of solicited general symptoms were similar in vaccine and placebo recipients. At 2 months after the second dose, a serum IgA response to RV occurred in 54.7 to 74.4% of vaccinees. No interference was seen in the immunogenicity of routine vaccines. Vaccine efficacy against any rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) was 63.5% (95%CI 20.8-84.4) for the highest concentration (10(5.8) FFU). Efficacy was 81.5% (95%CI 44.5-95.4) against severe RVGE. At its highest concentration (10(5.8) FFU), RIX4414 provided 79.8% (95%CI 26.4-96.3) protection against severe RVGE by G9 strain. CONCLUSIONS: RIX4414 was highly immunogenic with a low reactogenicity profile and did not interfere with seroresponse to diptheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Hib antigens. Two doses of RIX4414 provided significant protection against severe GE caused by RV.

The effect of the addition of Mg and Ca to Ni/ a-Al2O3 catalysts was investigatedstudied, aiming to detail the promotion mechanismaddress their role as promoters in the steam reforming reaction. Temperature- programmed reduction and H2 and CO temperature-programmed desorption experiments indicated that Mg interacts with the metallic phase. Mg-promoted catalysts showed a greater difficulty for Ni precursors reduction besides different probe molecules (H2 and CO) adsorbed states. In the conversion of cyclohexane, Mg inhibited the formation of hydrogenolysis products. Nonetheless, the presence of Ca did not influence the metallic phase.

As lesões do sistema nervoso central, resultantes da vulnerabilidade do encéfalo às condições adversas durante a gestação e após o nascimento, representam uma importante causa de morbimortalidade no período neonatal. Este estudo visa analisar a prevalência e os padrões das lesões neuropatológicas em neomortos do Hospital de Clínicas de Curitiba. Utilizou-se como fonte de dados o Banco de Necropsia da Unidade de Patologia Perinatal e Pediátrica do Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná - Curitiba, que registra 5743 necropsias realizadas entre os anos de 1960 e 1995. Foram selecionados 2049 casos correspondentes aos laudos de necropsia dos neomortos, os quais foram classificados segundo a faixa etária e o padrão de lesão neuropatológica. Caracterizou-se lesão neuropatológica em 1616 casos (78,87%), observando-se maior prevalência das hemorragias intracranianas (73,39%), malformações congênitas (4,27%) e infecções (3,59%). As hemorragias hipóxicas representaram a lesão neuropatológica mais freqüente entre os neomortos, especialmente entre os prematuros. Houve diferença na prevalência quanto ao gênero apenas nas malformações, que foram mais comuns no sexo feminino.

The lesions of the central nervous system represent an important cause of morbid-mortality in the neonatal period. This is due to the vulnerability of the brain to several adverse conditions during gestation and after birth. This study analyses the prevalence and pattern of central nervous system lesions in neonates autopsied at Hospital de Clínicas - Curitiba. There were 5743 pediatric autopsies performed in the Sector of Anatomic Pathology from 1960 to 1995 with 2049 cases corresponding to death during neonatal period. These later autopsies were reviewed and all cases with central nervous system lesions were selected and classified according to sex, age and pattern of central nervous system lesion. The central nervous system was affected in 1616 (78,87%) of neonatal autopsies and there was predominance of intracerebral hemorrhages (73,39%), congenital malformations (4,27%) and infections (3,59%). The hypoxic hemorrhages are the most prevalent central nervous system lesions in the neonatal period, affecting mainly premature babies. There was predominance of central nervous system malformations in the female neonates.

A review of the EXAFS data analysis methods is presented. A detailed description of the EXAFS signal extraction and the Fourier transform of the data are discussed. The procedure for determining interatomic distances, coordination numbers and disorder effects from EXAFS data is described. This paper also discusses the data analysis statistics. Finally, one example of catalyst characterization by the EXAFS technique is reported.