“If there’s no dill, the taste isn’t right!” A comparison of food plant knowledge between Polish and German descendants in the context of an imagined culinary community in Brazil

Rafaela H. Ludwinsky,Amanda E. Cavalhieri,Monika Kujawska,Nivaldo Peroni,Natalia Hanazaki 한국식품연구원 2021 Journal of Ethnic Foods Vol.8 No.-

Food is a cultural marker investigated by several fields of knowledge. The ecological approach to food plants used in human societies can give us insights into food biodiversity and its connection to cultural identity. In our work, we investigate plant knowledge as part of an imagined culinary community among Polish and German descendants in Santa Catarina, Brazil. We interviewed Polish and German descendants and used an ecological analytical approach to discuss patterns of known plants mediated by culture. One hundred years after immigration, we found that ethnic food-centered memories remain. Polish and German descendants share most resources cited, while the difference between plants’ use lies in the ethnic memories and food preparation. There is a tendency to acculturate ingredients and tastes by immigrants descendants, using native species to recreate dishes. This scenario, which joins native plants’ knowledge and ethnic memories, provides an excellent opportunity to maintain local biocultural diversity in urbanized environments.

Is Curcumin a Possibility to Treat Inflammatory Bowel Diseases?

Rafaela Mazieiro,Renata Reis Frizon,Sandra Maria Barbalho,Ricardo de Alvares Goulart 한국식품영양과학회 2018 Journal of medicinal food Vol.21 No.11

The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are mainly represented by Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis that are characterized by chronic and relapsing inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal system. Curcuma longa L. is a plant with several medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory effects, and curcumin is the most important compound derived from its rhizomes. As curcumin has remarkable anti-inflammatory actions, the aim of this work is to review the potential use of this compound in IBD patients. We consulted MEDLINE (PubMed/PMC), and the literature search was performed with the following combinations of terms “Inflammatory Bowel Diseases” and “Curcumin,” “Crohn's Disease” and “Curcumin,” “Ulcerative colitis” and “Curcumin.” The inclusion criteria were articles that showed original studies with human models and the exclusion criteria were not full-text articles, articles not in English, poster presentations, letters, editorials, and articles not available. Curcumin interacts with receptors, growth and transcription factors, cytokines, enzymes, and genes leading to inhibitory effects on cyclooxygenase-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, inducible nitric oxide synthase, transcriptional nuclear factor kappa B, and many other molecules associated with inflammatory processes. These molecules are critical factors in the positive regulation of inflammatory cytokines in inflammatory diseases, suggesting that curcumin may be considered as a new therapeutic agent for patients with IBD. Curcumin is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that represents an attractive, safe and inexpensive alternative for the treatment of IBD. Nevertheless, it is necessary to know the efficient and safe dose and consider its poor absorption.

Seismic-resistant slim-floor beam-to-column joints: experimental and numerical investigations

Rafaela Don,Adrian Ciutina,Cristian Vulcu,Aurel Stratan 국제구조공학회 2020 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.37 No.3

The slim-floor solution provides an efficient alternative to the classic slab-over-beam configuration due to architectural and structural benefits. Two deficiencies can be identified in the current state-of-art: (i) the technique is limited to nonseismic applications and (ii) the lack of information on moment-resisting slim-floor beam-to-column joints. In the seismic design of framed structures, continuous beam-to-column joints are required for plastic hinges to form at the ends of the beams. The present paper proposes a slim-floor technical solution capable of expanding the current application of slim-floor joints to seismic-resistant composite construction. The proposed solution relies on a moment-resisting connection with a thick end-plate and large-diameter bolts, which are used to fulfill the required strength and stiffness characteristics of continuous connections, while maintaining a reduced height of the configuration. Considering the proposed novel solution and the variety of parameters that could affect the behavior of the joint, experimental and numerical validations are compulsory. Consequently, the current paper presents the experimental and numerical investigation of two slim-floor beam-to-column joint assemblies. The results are discussed in terms of moment-rotation curves, available rotational capacity and failure modes. The study focuses on developing reliable slim-floor beam joints that are applicable to steel building frame structures located in seismic regions.

Assessment of infection control in oral radiology during the COVID-19 outbreak: An international collaborative study

Rafaela C Santos,Larissa S Araujo,Rafael B Junqueira,Eliana D Costa,Fernanda M Pigatti,Kivanc Kamburoglu,Pedro HB Carvalho,Manuela LB Oliveira,Sibele N Aquino,Francielle S Verner Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology 2023 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.53 No.-

Purpose: In the context of COVID-19, studies evaluating the adherence of dentists and dental students to infection control are relevant due to their high occupational exposure and risk, as well as their responsibility for disseminating information and good practices. This study evaluated the adherence of dentists and dental students to infection control in the oral radiology field in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic on different continents. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study involved individuals who performed intraoral radiographic examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Questionnaire on Infection Control in Oral Radiology was administered virtually using a Google Form. Participants from different continents(the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania) were recruited. Data were subjected to descriptive analysis and simple and multiple binary regression (5%). Results: There were 582 valid answers, and 68.73% of the participants were from the Americas, 18.90% from Europe, and 12.37% from Asia. The median score for infection control protocols was 94 points for dental students and 104 points for dentists, and participants below the median were considered to have low adherence to infection control in oral radiology. Low access to infection control was found for 53.0% of dentists in the Americas, 34.0% from Europe, and 26.9% from Asia. Conclusion: The adherence to infection control protocols in oral radiology was low even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results may help improve the awareness of students and professionals, since oral radiology routines have the potential for transmitting COVID-19.

Exploring the relationships between anthropometric indices of adiposity and physical performance in middle-aged and older Brazilian women: a canonical correlation analysis

do Nascimento Rafaela Andrade,Vieira Mariana Carmem Apolinário,Fernandes Juliana,Azevedo Ingrid Guerra,Moreira Mayle Andrade,Costa José Vilton,Câmara Saionara Maria Aires da,Maciel Álvaro Campos Caval 한국역학회 2022 Epidemiology and Health Vol.44 No.-

OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed the influence of anthropometric indices of adiposity on the physical performance of middle-aged and older women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 368 women from 50 years to 80 years old. Anthropometric and biochemical characteristics were analyzed, and physical performance was evaluated. The statistical analysis used measures of central tendency and dispersion for descriptive data, Pearson correlations to demonstrate the initial associations between the variables, and canonical correlation (CC) to evaluate the relationship between the set of anthropometric adiposity indices and performance-related variables. RESULTS: The participants had a mean age of 58.57± 8.21 years, a visceral adiposity index of 7.09± 4.23, a body mass index of 29.20 ± 4.94 kg/m2 , and a conicity index of 1.33 ± 0.07. The average handgrip strength was 25.06 ± 4.89 kgf, gait speed was 1.07± 0.23 m/s, and the mean Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score was 10.83± 1.36. The first canonical function presented the highest shared variance, CC, and redundancy index (cumulative percentage of variance, 82.52; Wilks’ lambda, 0.66; CC, 0.532; p< 0.001). From the analysis of this canonical function, the conicity index (-0.59) displayed inverse correlations with handgrip strength (0.84) and the SPPB (0.68), as well as a direct correlation with gait speed (-0.43). CONCLUSIONS: In middle-aged and older women, there was an inverse relationship between the conicity index and muscle strength and power, while a direct relationship was found between the same index and gait speed.

Microplastics from degradation of tires in sewer networks of the city of Riobamba, Ecuador

Marcel Paredes,Rafaela Viteri,Tito Castillo,Cristian Caminos,Christian Ebere Enyoh 대한환경공학회 2021 Environmental Engineering Research Vol.26 No.5

Microplastics are small synthetic particles that come from petroleum derivatives, are difficult to degrade and their origin is found in industrial activity and domestic consumption, even in tires. The presence of small particles (0.1 μm to < 5 mm) of plasticizer Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and synthetic rubber, which due to their size and origin are called microplastics. The friction occurs between the asphalt in contact with the tires of cars generate the detachment of small residues of it, these residues come to contain a DEHP element. Simple residual water samples were carried out in the different sewage collectors in Riobamba city, 250 mL of each of these samples were filtered using vacuum suction equipment, to then examine the filters with a visual microscope. Obtaining as a result that 80% of the samples taken and analyzed in the laboratory contain the clear presence of DEHP plasticizer from the friction of tires (confirmed by the Principal Component Analysis) with the asphalting of the streets of the city of Riobamba, and that only 20% of the samples analyzed do not present DEHP plasticizer of this type, generating a medium risk for the health of humans and aquatic animals in the sector.

Liver Graft Failure and Bile Cast Nephropathy

( Anna Mrzljak ),( Zeljka Jurekovic ),( Rafaela Novak ),( Bojana Maksimovic ),( Danko Mikulic ),( Danica Galesic Ljubanovic ) 대한소화기학회 2020 대한소화기학회지 Vol.75 No.3

The consequences of graft failure after liver transplantation (LT) range far beyond the liver. The kidneys are often affected, where persistent and progressive cholestasis can result in acute kidney injury (AKI) leading to the development of bile cast nephropathy (BCN). BCN is an often unrecognized condition that is characterized by proximal tubulopathy and the formation of bile casts in the distal tubules, which is almost diagnosed exclusively on a kidney biopsy or autopsy. This condition is potentially reversible, pro­vided the bilirubin levels can be reduced early. LT may represent a treatment option in the case of irreversible liver (or liver graft) failure, which is beneficial for both the liver and the kidney. This paper reports a case of BCN in a patient with idiopathic graft fail­ure after LT. Despite his chronic kidney disease, liver re-transplantation led to the successful improvement of his AKI.

Type three secretion system in Salmonella Typhimurium: the key to infection

Anamaria M. P. dos Santos,Rafaela G. Ferrari,Carlos A. Conte‑Junior 한국유전학회 2020 Genes & Genomics Vol.42 No.5

Background Type Three Secretion Systems (T3SS) are nanomachine complexes, which display the ability to inject effector proteins directly into host cells. This skill allows for gram-negative bacteria to modulate several host cell responses, such as cytoskeleton rearrangement, signal transduction, and cytokine production, which in turn increase the pathogenicity of these bacteria. The Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (ST) T3SS has been the most characterized so far. Among gram-negative bacterium, ST is one of enterica groups predicted to have two T3SSs activated during different phases of infection. Objective To comprise current information about ST T3SS structure and function as well as an overview of its assembly and hierarchical regulation. Methods With a brief and straightforward reading, this review summarized aspects of both ST T3SS, such as its structure and function. That was possible due to the development of novel techniques, such as X-ray crystallography, cryoelectron microscopy, and nano-gold labelling, which also elucidated the mechanisms behind T3SS assembly and regulation, which was addressed in this review. Conclusion This paper provided fundamental overview of ST T3SS assembly and regulation, besides summarized the structure and function of this complex. Due to T3SS relevance in ST pathogenicity, this complex could become a potential target in therapeutic studies as this nanomachine modulates the infection process.

Contamination and persistence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in rice grains after drying in direct-fired dryer

Maurício Albertoni Scariot,Lauri Lourenço Radünz,Rafaela Roberta Morelato,Liziara da Costa Cabrera,Jonas Simões Dugatto,Rafael Gomes Dionello,André Luiz Radünz 한국식품과학회 2024 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.33 No.7

The objective of this work was to study PAHs contamination in rice grains subjected to different milling types, after drying at different air temperatures in a direct-fired dryer and using firewood with different moisture contents as a heating source. In addition to verifying the persistence of these compounds after storage. Drying of rice grains was performed in a cross-flow dryer at air temperatures of 55 and 65 ºC. As heating source firewood containing different moisture contents was used. The presence of nine PAHs was detected. The drying air temperature, as well as the storage time, did not significantly influence the PAHs contamination of grains. The highest PAHs contamination was observed in grains from the brown subgroup. Grain polishing promoted a reduction in the PAH concentration. The grains subjected to parboilization showed a higher PAHs concentration. The use of firewood with higher moisture content promoted greater PAHs contamination in the grains.

Identification of Novel Compounds Inhibiting Chikungunya Virus-Induced Cell Death by High Throughput Screening of a Kinase Inhibitor Library

Cruz, Deu John M.,Bonotto, Rafaela M.,Gomes, Rafael G. B.,da Silva, Camila T.,Taniguchi, Juliana B.,No, Joo Hwan,Lombardot, Benoit,Schwartz, Olivier,Hansen, Michael A. E.,Freitas-Junior, Lucio H. Public Library of Science 2013 PLoS neglected tropical diseases Vol.7 No.10

<▼1><P>Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne arthrogenic alphavirus that causes acute febrile illness in humans accompanied by joint pains and in many cases, persistent arthralgia lasting weeks to years. The re-emergence of CHIKV has resulted in numerous outbreaks in the eastern hemisphere, and threatens to expand in the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, no effective treatment is currently available. The present study reports the use of resazurin in a cell-based high-throughput assay, and an image-based high-content assay to identify and characterize inhibitors of CHIKV-infection in vitro. CHIKV is a highly cytopathic virus that rapidly kills infected cells. Thus, cell viability of HuH-7 cells infected with CHIKV in the presence of compounds was determined by measuring metabolic reduction of resazurin to identify inhibitors of CHIKV-associated cell death. A kinase inhibitor library of 4,000 compounds was screened against CHIKV infection of HuH-7 cells using the resazurin reduction assay, and the cell toxicity was also measured in non-infected cells. Seventy-two compounds showing ≥50% inhibition property against CHIKV at 10 µM were selected as primary hits. Four compounds having a benzofuran core scaffold (CND0335, CND0364, CND0366 and CND0415), one pyrrolopyridine (CND0545) and one thiazol-carboxamide (CND3514) inhibited CHIKV-associated cell death in a dose-dependent manner, with EC<SUB>50</SUB> values between 2.2 µM and 7.1 µM. Based on image analysis, these 6 hit compounds did not inhibit CHIKV replication in the host cell. However, CHIKV-infected cells manifested less prominent apoptotic blebs typical of CHIKV cytopathic effect compared with the control infection. Moreover, treatment with these compounds reduced viral titers in the medium of CHIKV-infected cells by up to 100-fold. In conclusion, this cell-based high-throughput screening assay using resazurin, combined with the image-based high content assay approach identified compounds against CHIKV having a novel antiviral activity - inhibition of virus-induced CPE - likely by targeting kinases involved in apoptosis.</P></▼1><▼2><P><B>Author Summary</B></P><P>Recent outbreaks and expanding global distribution of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in different regions of Asia, Africa and Europe necessitates the development of effective therapeutic interventions. At present, only two antiviral compounds (chloroquine and ribavirin) that inhibit viral infection <I>in vitro</I> have been used in clinical cases of chikungunya infections. However, neither of these compounds have shown strong efficacy in vivo. Recent attempts to identify new antiviral candidates for CHIKV using cell-based phenotypic approach have been reported. In this study, we developed a simple cell-based high-throughput assay using resazurin to identify potential anti-CHIKV compounds. This high-throughput assay is based on the metabolic reduction of resazurin to the highly fluorescent resorufin by viable cells as an indicator of activity against CHIKV-induced CPE. We screened 4,000 small molecules belonging to the BioFocus kinase inhibitor chemical library and found a cluster of related molecules with antiviral activity against CHIKV. Finally, we characterized the putative mode of action of these active compounds using an image-based high content assay and conventional virological methods (<I>i.e.</I>, virus yield reduction assay, microneutralization assay).</P></▼2>