The pequi pericarp corresponds to the largest portion of the fruit and has a high nutritional value, but it is discarded as an agro-industrial residue. The present study aimed to prepare and characterize flours from the pequi pericarp in terms of their proximate composition, its antioxidant potential before and after the in vitro digestibility process and chemical profile, aiming at the full use of this fruit. The samples of pequi pericarp flours from the cities of Sete Lagoas, Paraopeba and Felixlândia were analyzed. The profile of chemical compounds present in the flours was determined using paper spray mass spectrometry. The in vitro simulated digestion technique was used to verify the stability of the phenolic compounds and the maintenance of the antioxidant capacity of the samples. The flours from the pequi pericarp showed to have higher levels of protein, ash and dietary fiber, compared to the data described in the literature for the pulp of the fruit. The analysis of paper spray mass spectrometry allowed the identification of 46 chemical compounds including amino acids, sugars, organic acids and phenolic compounds. The analysis of the main components showed that there was no chemical variation among the fruits from the cities studied. Through the in vitro digestibility technique, it was possible to observe an increase in the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds, contributing to increase the already significant antioxidant capacity of the samples. It was concluded that the pequi pericarp flour has the potential to be used as a food ingredient due to the high bioaccessibility of its bioactive compounds, capable of reducing the risk of developing diseases caused by oxidative stress.

RESUMO Introdução: O câncer cervical é considerado um problema de saúde pública e ocupa o quarto lugar entre os tipos de câncer mais frequentes em todo o mundo. Objetivo: Este trabalho se propôs a levantar as informações do seguimento e verificar a adesão às condutas preconizadas pelo Ministério da Saúde (MS) das mulheres com resultado citopatológico cervical de células escamosas atípicas de significado indeterminado (ASC-US) e células escamosas atípicas não podendo afastar lesão de alto grau (ASC-H), bem como avaliar a qualidade dos exames citopatológicos do laboratório prestador de serviço ao Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Métodos: Resultados citopatológicos cervicais de atipias escamosas foram pesquisados entre 2016 e 2017 nas requisições padronizadas do MS. O desempenho do laboratório que realizou os exames citopatológicos foi analisado por meio dos índices recomendados no monitoramento interno da qualidade (MIQ) do MS [Manual de Gestão da Qualidade (MGQ)]. Resultados: Foram avaliados 42.478 exames citopatológicos; destes, 893 apresentaram resultado de ASC-US e 199, de ASC-H. Das mulheres com ASC-US, 73,2% repetiram o exame citopatológico; 18,7% permaneceram com exame citopatológico alterado e 81,3% tiveram resultado negativo para malignidade. Seguindo a recomendação do MS, 81,9% das mulheres repetiram o exame fora do período preconizado. Das mulheres com ASC-H, 51,8% realizaram o exame histopatológico conforme orientação do MS; 73,8% deles estavam alterados. Conclusão: Segundo as diretrizes do MS, a maioria das mulheres com ASC-US (81,9%) repetiram o exame citopatológico fora do período recomendado, e 48,2% das pacientes com ASC-H não realizaram o exame histopatológico.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cervical cancer is considered a public health problem, ranking fourth among the most common types of cancer worldwide. Objective: The present study aimed to gather information on the follow-up, and to verify adherence to the management recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MH) of women with cervical cytopathological results of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) and atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H), as well as to evaluate the quality of cytopathology tests of the laboratory that provides services to the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Methods: Cervical cytopathology results of squamous atypia were researched between the years 2016 and 2017 in standardized requirements from the MH. The performance of the laboratory that carried out the cytopathology tests were analyzed using indexes recommended in the Internal Quality Monitoring (IQM) of the MH [Quality Management Manual (QMM)]. Results: 42,478 cytopathology tests were evaluated, 893 of these presented ASC-US results, and 199 ASC-H results. In women with ASC-US results, 73.2% repeated the cytopathology test, of which 18.7% remained the altered result, and 81.3% were negative for malignancy. Following the recommendation of the MH, 81.9% of women repeated the test outside the recommended period. In women with ASC-H, 51.8% underwent histopathological examination as recommended by the MH, of which 73.8% were altered. Conclusion: According to the MH Guidelines, most (81.9%) women with ASC-US repeated the cytopathology test

RESUMEN Introducción: El cáncer de cuello uterino se considera un problema de salud pública y ocupa el cuarto lugar entre los tipos de cáncer más comunes en todo el mundo. Objetivo: El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo recabar información sobre el seguimiento y verificar la adherencia al manejo recomendado por el Ministerio de Salud de Brasil (MS) de mujeres con resultados de la citopatología de cuello uterino de células escamosas atípicas de significado indeterminado (ASC-US) y células escamosas atípicas, no se descarta una lesión intraepitelial escamosa de alto grado (ASC-H), así como evaluar la calidad de las pruebas de citopatología del laboratorio que presta servicios al Sistema Único de Salud (SUS). Métodos: Se investigaron resultados de citopatología cervical de las atipias escamosas entre los años 2016 y 2017 en requisitos estandarizados del MS. El desempeño del laboratorio que realizó las pruebas de citopatología se analizó utilizando los índices recomendados en el Control de Calidad Interno (CCI) del MS [Manual de Control de Calidad (MCC)]. Resultados: Se evaluaron 42.478 pruebas de citopatología, de estos 893 presentaron resultados ASC-US y 199 resultados ASC-H. De las mujeres con resultados ASC-US, el 73,2% repitió la prueba de citopatología, de los cuales el 18,7% siguió siendo el resultado alterado y el 81,3% tuvo resultado negativo para malignidad. Siguiendo la recomendación del MS, el 81,9% de las mujeres repitieron la prueba fuera del plazo recomendado. En las mujeres con ASC-H, el 51,8% se sometió a examen histopatológico según lo recomendado por el MS, de los cuales el 73,8% estaban alterados. Conclusión: De acuerdo con las directrices MS, la mayoría (81,9%) de las mujeres con ASC-US repitieron la prueba de citopatología fuera del período recomendado y el 48,2% de las pacientes con ASC-H no se sometieron a la prueba de histopatología. El laboratorio presentó todos los indicadores MCC recomendados por el MS.

Salacia crassifolia traditionally known as “Bacupari-do-Cerrado” is used to treat kidney problems, and as a healing agent for coughs and malaria. The phytochemical study of the S. crassifolia roots led to the isolation of thirteen compounds: abruslactone-A (1), urs-12-ene-3β,25,30-triol (2), carioprystimerin (3), β-sitosterol (4), pristimerin (5), dispermoquinone (6), netzahualcoyonol (7), 20-hydroxy-20-epi-tingenone (8), 6-oxo-pristimerol (9), 9β,10β-epoxi-3β-hydroxy-1βH,4βH,5βH,7βH,11αH-guaian-12,8β-olide (10), 3-O-b-D-glucosyl-b-sitosterol (11), 4`-O-methylepigalocatechin (12) and cerebroside (13). The chemical structures of 1-13 were determined by IR, 1D/2D NMR together with X-ray diffractometry. Compounds 2 and 10 are herein described for the first time. Extracts of S. crassifolia and compounds 3, 5, 8 and 9 were evaluated on acetylcholinesterase inhibition, in vitro cytotoxic activity and in vivo toxicity tests using Caenorhabditis elegans model. All tested compounds inhibited acetylcholinesterase, and compounds 3, 8 and 9 demonstrated a greater potential when compared to the standard eserine. The tested compounds showed low cytotoxicity against the THP-1, K562 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines. None of the tested compounds and extracts were toxic against C. elegans since the larvae survival rate in L1 stage was higher than 90%.

There is still a significant need for low cost, fast and trustworthy diagnostic devices based on biosensors, which may impact positively for applications in developing countries. Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) based biosensors have been taken as powerful alternative to deal with the above limitations. The local electromagnetic field enhancement caused by the LSPR in metallic nanomaterials allows the emergence of the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect, which have recently been applied as biosensing platforms. In the present report, gold nanorods (AuNRs) were synthesized and modified with a sandwich immunoassay to detect bovine serum albumin antibody (anti-BSA). The sensitivity of the platform was evaluated by the extrinsic SERS signal from AuNRs in solution phase with added Nile blue as reporter molecule (AN-S-AuNRs), which was subsequently modified with bovine serum albumin (BSA); the assay consisted on capturing BSA modified AN-S-AuNRs by anti-BSA molecules immobilized on AuNRs on glass slides (AuNRs-chip). SERS mapping evidenced the analyte detection based on the substantial increase in the positive events with SERS signal of the reporter molecule in the presence of anti-BSA compared to the assay in the absence of the antibody. The present study may potentially guide the construction of efficient SERS immunosensors.

Abstract: Several microbiological indicators of soil quality present high sensitivity, but little is known about the influence of topographic factors on them. This work aimed to evaluate variability of biological indicators of soil quality across a hillslope under native forest and the influence of topographic factors on them. Four positions on a hillslope were evaluated. Activity of the enzymes β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase, urease and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis were determined, as well as basal and substrate-induced respiration, and density of microorganisms: total bacteria, total fungi, actinobacteria, phosphate solubilizers, ammonifiers, native rhizobia, free-living N2-fixing bacteria, spores of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and percentage of root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Activity and density of microorganisms were correlated with topographic factors. The relation of these factors to the variations of the evaluated indicators was determined using the random forest algorithm. Microbiological indicators varied according to the hillslope positions. The indicators urease, basal respiration, spore density, mycorrhizal colonization, total bacteria and fungi, phosphate solubilizers, and free-living N2-fixing bacteria detected in JNFB and FAM culture medium did not vary with terrain attributes and were therefore more indicated in cases of topographic variations. This and future studies can help to select the best microbiological indicators for different conditions.

Resumo A linfohistiocitose hemofagocítica (LHH) é uma condição incomum e potencialmente fatal, caracterizada por importante ativação imunológica e produção maciça de citocinas por células mononucleares inflamatórias, devido a defeitos na função linfocitária citotóxica. É ainda mais incomum em receptores de transplante renal, nos quais está freqüentemente associada a infecções não controladas. A mortalidade da LHH é alta, e o diagnóstico diferencial com sepse é um desafio. A abordagem e o tratamento dependem do gatilho e das comorbidades subjacentes. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente transplantada renal com 50 anos de idade, admitida com febre e mal-estar 3 meses após o transplante, apresentando anemia, febre, hipertrigliceridemia, níveis elevados de ferritina sérica e antigenemia positiva para CMV. A urina mostrou positividade para células decoy e BKV-DNA. A biopsia do enxerto mostrou nefrite por CMV. Ambas as culturas de sangue e urina foram positivas para E. coli. A hemofagocitose foi confirmada pelo aspirado de medula óssea. A imunossupressão foi reduzida e a paciente recebeu altas doses de imunoglobulina intravenosa e dexametasona, com resposta completa após 3 semanas. Destaca-se a importância do diagnóstico precoce e do manejo adequado de uma condição rara e grave em um paciente transplantado renal, o que pode permitir um curso clínico favorável e melhorar a taxa de sobrevida.

Abstract Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an uncommon and life-threating condition characterized by major immune activation and massive cytokine production by mononuclear inflammatory cells, due to defects in cytotoxic lymphocyte function. It is even more unusual in renal transplant recipients, in which it is often associated with uncontrolled infection. The mortality is high in HLH and differential diagnosis with sepsis is a challenge. The approach and management depend on the underlying trigger and comorbidities. We report a case of a 50-year-old renal transplant female admitted with fever and malaise 3 months post-transplant and presenting anemia, fever, hypertriglyceridemia, high levels of serum ferritin, and positive CMV antigenemia. Urine was positive for decoy cells and BKV-DNA. Graft biopsy showed CMV nephritis. Both blood and urine cultures where positive for E. coli. Hemophagocytosis was confirmed by bone marrow aspiration. Immunosuppression was reduced, and the patient received high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin and dexamethasone, with complete response after 3 weeks. We highlight the importance of early diagnosis and proper management of a rare and serious condition in a renal transplant patient, which can allow a favorable clinical course and improve survival rate.

Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible, degenerative and age-related disease which is growing more and more with the increase in life expectancy. Kaurane diterpenes are a class of natural products available in large amounts in nature and isolated from plants grown worldwide. In the present work¸ twenty-seven kaurane diterpenes of natural origin and some readily available derivatives were assayed for acetylcholinesterase inhibition and the structure-activity relationship was analyzed. The kaurenoic acid derivatives screened showed to be promising inhibitors of AChE, which could provide new leads for drugs to fight Alzheimer's disease symptoms. Among them, eleven compounds showed activities comparable or higher than the positive control galantamine. Existence of an allylic hydroxyl group showed to be an important structural feature for AChE inhibition. In addition, presence of free hydroxyl groups at C-17 and C-19, furnished a diol especially active, able to completely inhibit AChE.

RESUMO: A população de equídeos de serviço em Corumbá, Pantanal Sul, é muito numerosa e tem um papel crucial na principal atividade econômica do estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, a pecuária de corte extensiva. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar a prevalência atual da anemia infecciosa equina (AIE) em equídeos de serviço em fazendas do município de Corumbá, pelo teste oficial de imunodifusão em gel de ágar (IDGA), e avaliar a adoção do Programa de Prevenção e Controle da Anemia Infecciosa Equina proposto pela Embrapa Pantanal e entidades oficiais nos anos 1990. De setembro a novembro de 2009, quarenta fazendas distribuídas na área do município foram visitadas, e amostras de soro obtidas de 721 equinos e 232 muares. De acordo com publicações anteriores e os dados obtidos neste trabalho, concluiu-se que a prevalência da AIE nesta população aumentou de 18.17% para 38,60%, o que representa atualmente cerca de 13.000 animais infectados. Não houve diferença significativa entre as prevalências aparentes de equinos e muares. Verificou-se, também, que o programa de controle era desconhecido pela maior parte dos produtores, gerentes e capatazes entrevistados e, na percepção dos mesmos, a AIE não é uma ameaça importante a ser enfrentada. Dentre as variáveis estudadas, a prática da realização de testes sorológicos reduziu significantemente o risco para a presença de soropositividade para AIE, assim como a separação dos equipamentos de montaria e a segregação dos soropositivos.

ABSTRACT: The working equid population in Corumbá, Southern Pantanal, is very large and has a crucial role in the main economic activity of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, the beef cattle industry. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of equine infectious anaemia (EIA) in working equids of ranches in the municipality of Corumbá, by the official agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test, and evaluate the adoption of the Programme for the Prevention and Control of Equine Infectious Anaemia proposed by Embrapa Pantanal and official entities in the 1990s. From September to November 2009, forty ranches distributed through the area of the municipality were visited, and serum samples were obtained from 721 equines and 232 mules. According to previous publications and the present data, it was concluded that the prevalence of EIA in this population has increased from 18.17% to 38.60%, which represents at this time approximately 13,000 infected animals. There was no significant difference between the apparent prevalence of equines and mules. It was also verified that the control programme was not known by the greater part of the interviewed ranch owners, managers and foremen and, in their perception, EIA is not a primary threat to address. Among the studied variables, the serologic testing practice significantly reduced the risk for the presence of EIA seropositivity, as well as the separation of riding equipment and segregation of seropositives.

ABSTRACT The in vitro metabolism of a widespread natural product, trachyloban-19-oic acid (1), by the fungal species Mucor plumbeus was studied in a sucrose-yeast liquid medium. Two products were isolated, and their structures were determined by spectroscopic means as 7β-hydroxytrachyloban-19-oic acid (5) and trachyloban-19-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (6). To the best of our knowledge, compound 6 is herein reported by the first time in the literature. These compounds were assayed for acetylcholinesterase inhibition along with some related compounds. Compound 6 showed the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity at 10000 µg/mL among the tested compounds, a result (92.89%) comparable to the activity of the positive control, galanthamine (94.21%). Therefore, biotransformation of the natural product 1 by M. plumbeus produced a novel compound with potential as a new lead to develop anti-Alzheimer medicines.

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar os fatores que são identificados como atuantes para a ocorrência das situações de maus-tratos cometidos contra crianças, presentes nos três principais periódicos brasileiros de Pediatria. A produção bibliográfica foi tratada com base na análise de conteúdo. Considerando os critérios de inclusão dos artigos, foram analisados 14 trabalhos. Em termos de resultados, ressaltam-se como modelos teóricos explicativos: (a) a reprodução das experiências de violência; (b) os desajustes familiares, psíquicos e alcoolismo; (c) a ordem macro estrutural. Dentre as conclusões, destaca-se que as políticas de prevenção e intervenção dos maus-tratos cometidos contra a infância terão maior êxito se conseguirem articular uma compreensão teórico-prática. É preciso integrar a singularidade de cada caso ao conhecimento acumulado no atendimento a milhares de famílias envolvidas na prática de maus-tratos (no Brasil e no mundo).

This article analyzes the factors related to child abuse that have been published in three of the main Brazilian pediatrics journals. The literature was assessed by content analysis. Fourteen studies were analyzed. The main explanatory factors were: (a) reproduction of violence; (b) family and psychological disorders and alcohol abuse; and (c) the structural or macro-social order. The authors conclude that prevention or intervention policies can be more successful if a theoretical/practical understanding is achieved, and that it is necessary to integrate each unique case with the knowledge based on care for thousands of families involved in child abuse both in Brazil and worldwide.

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar os fatores que são identificados como atuantes para a ocorrência das situações de maus-tratos cometidos contra crianças, presentes nos três principais periódicos brasileiros de Pediatria. A produção bibliográfica foi tratada com base na análise de conteúdo. Considerando os critérios de inclusão dos artigos, foram analisados 14 trabalhos. Em termos de resultados, ressaltam-se como modelos teóricos explicativos: (a) a reprodução das experiências de violência; (b) os desajustes familiares, psíquicos e alcoolismo; (c) a ordem macro estrutural. Dentre as conclusões, destaca-se que as políticas de prevenção e intervenção dos maus-tratos cometidos contra a infância terão maior êxito se conseguirem articular uma compreensão teórico-prática. É preciso integrar a singularidade de cada caso ao conhecimento acumulado no atendimento a milhares de famílias envolvidas na prática de maus-tratos (no Brasil e no mundo).

This article analyzes the factors related to child abuse that have been published in three of the main Brazilian pediatrics journals. The literature was assessed by content analysis. Fourteen studies were analyzed. The main explanatory factors were: (a) reproduction of violence; (b) family and psychological disorders and alcohol abuse; and (c) the structural or macro-social order. The authors conclude that prevention or intervention policies can be more successful if a theoretical/practical understanding is achieved, and that it is necessary to integrate each unique case with the knowledge based on care for thousands of families involved in child abuse both in Brazil and worldwide.