Cinnamon: an aromatic condiment applicable to chronic kidney disease

Moreira Laís de Souza Gouveia,Brum Isabela de Souza da Costa,de Vargas Reis Drielly C. M.,Trugilho Liana,Chermut Tuany R.,Esgalhado Marta,Cardozo Ludmila F. M. F.,Stenvinkel Peter,Shiels Paul G.,Mafra 대한신장학회 2023 Kidney Research and Clinical Practice Vol.42 No.1

Cinnamon, a member of the Lauraceae family, has been widely used as a spice and traditional herbal medicine for centuries and hasshown beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. However, its effectiveness as a therapeutic intervention forchronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unproven. The bioactive compounds within cinnamon, such as cinnamaldehyde, cinnamicacid, and cinnamate, can mitigate oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperglycemia, gut dysbiosis, and dyslipidemia, which are commoncomplications in patients with CKD. In this narrative review, we assess the mechanisms by which cinnamon may alleviate complicationsobserved in CKD and the possible role of this spice as an additional nutritional strategy for this patient group.

Chemical and Antidiarrheal Studies of Plinia cauliflora

Tatiana M. Souza-Moreira,Juliana A. Severi,Emerson Santos,Viviana Y.A. Silva,Wagner Vilegas,He´rida R.N. Salgado,Rosemeire C.L.R. Pietro 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.12

Plinia cauliflora (Mart.) Kausel, widespread in South America, has edible fruits, and its bark is commonly used against diarrhea and other disorders, on account of its astringency. Because diarrhea is still one of the most important causes of illness and death among children in developing countries, where the population turns to traditional medicine for its treatment, the present study determined the composition of fruit and leaf extracts of P. cauliflora, analyzed the activity against diarrhea by antimicrobial and gastrointestinal motility, and evaluated the cytotoxicity of the extracts. Chemical composition was determined by high-performance liquid chromatograpy–ultraviolet/photodiode array detection. Antimicrobial activity was analyzed by agar diffusion and the microdilution method against etiological agents of diarrhea. The effect on gastrointestinal motility was analyzed using an experimental model in mice. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in vitro with the fibroblast cell line SIRC CCL 60, and leaf extract showed a 50% inhibitory concentration of 0.48 lg/mL. Gallic acid, ellagic acid, and flavonoid derivatives were detected in the extracts. It was observed that fruit and leaf extracts showed some activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., and Shigella sp. However, neither extract had any effect on gastrointestinal motility.

Antidiarrheal Activity of Campomanesia xanthocarpa Fruit

Tatiana M. Souza-Moreira,Luiz Estêvão Salvagnini,Emerson Santos,Viviana Y.A. Silva,Raquel R.D. Moreira,Hérida R.N. Salgado,Rosemeire C.L.R. Pietro 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.5

The growing list of drug-resistant microorganisms and the persistence of deaths due to diarrhea are compelling reasons to study plants in search of new therapeutic agents. The chemical constitution and popular use of the edible fruits of Campomanesia xanthocarpa O. Berg motivated this study to assess the antimicrobial and antidiarrheal properties of the fruits. An extract in 70% ethanol was prepared, and its antimicrobial activity was tested against several strains of bacteria by the agar diffusion and microdilution methods. Antidiarrheal activity was analyzed by testing intestinal motility in an animal model. Preliminary phytochemical study indicated the presence of flavonoids, saponins, and tannins in the hydroalcoholic extract. Antimicrobial activity was significant, but the minimum inhibitory concentration proved to be higher than the maximum extract concentration tested. The extract did not show significant activity for intestinal motility. Although this fruit extract did not show great results as an antimicrobial or antidiarrheal agent, the study contributes to the search for new plant agents and could be referred to as a research protocol by investigators in this area.

Could whole body vibration exercises influence the risk factors for fractures in women with osteoporosis?

Elo a Moreira-Marconi,Carla F. Dionello,Danielle S. Morel,Danubia C. S a-Caputo,Cintia R. Souza-Gonçalves,Laisa L. Paineiras-Domingos,Eliane O. Guedes-Aguiar,Pedro J. Marin,Borja del Pozo Cruz,Mario B 대한골다공증학회 2016 Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia Vol.2 No.4

Objective: The aim of this study was to review the literature about the relevance of the whole body vibration (WBV) in decreasing the number of fractures in osteoporotic women. Methods: Searches were performed by three independent researchers through the PubMed and PEDro databases. Results: Only 0.1% of the publications with “Fracture and osteoporosis” have a relation with WBVexercise. The achievements have revealed a positive effect of this exercise in patients with risk factors for fractures like osteoporosis. Protocols were performed two to three times a week, from 6 up to 18 months, and with 12.6 up to 40 Hz as frequencies. Different tools were used to evaluate the effects of the WBV exercise in conditions that could cause fractures in postmenopausal women. Conclusions: Although the paucity of research regarding direct effects of WBV in decreasing fractures, WBV could be a feasible and effective way to modify well-recognized risk factors for falls and fractures, improvements in some aspects of neuromuscular function and balance. More studies have to be performed establish protocols with well controlled parameters.

Corns with Different Nutritional Profiles on Growing and Finishing Pigs Feeding (30 to 90 kg)

De Oliveira, Gisele Cristina,Moreira, Ivan,De Souza, Ana Lucia Pozzobon,Murakami, Alice Eiko,Parra, Angela Rocio Poveda,De Oliveira Carvalho, Paulo Levi,Borile, Maicon Danner Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.7

Three experiments were carried out to determine the nutritional value and to verify the pig performance in growing and finishing phases (30 to 90 kg) fed on diets containing common corn (CC), high-lysine corn (HLC) and high-oil corn (HOC). In the total digestibility trial (Exp. I) 12 barrows were used. Values of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) as-fed basis for CC, HLC and HOC, were: 3,396 and 3,275 kcal/kg; 3,248 and 3,139 kcal/kg; 3,445 and 3,308 kcal/kg, respectively. In order to determine the apparent and true ileal digestibility coefficients of amino acids, as well as the values of true digestible amino acids of the CC, HLC and HOC, an ileal digestibility trial was done (Exp. II) with T-cannulated barrows ("T" simple). The treatments consisted of three diets, with one of them as the sole source of protein (CC, HLC and HOC). In the performance experiment (Exp. III), 36 crossbred pigs, allotted in a completely randomized design with three treatments and 12 replications were used. Treatments consisted of three diets: 1 - CC; 2 - HLC and 3 - HOC. It was observed no difference for performance and carcass variables among the corns with different nutritional profiles. Results of the three experiments highlighted the importance of segregating corns in their real chemical and energetic composition as well as the values of true digestible amino acids for formulating diets for growing and finishing pigs.

Recursive Approach of Sub-Optimal Excitation Signal Generation and Optimal Parameter Estimation

Marina B. A. Souza,Leonardo de Melo Honório,Edimar José de Oliveira,António Paulo G. M. Moreira 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2020 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.18 No.8

Optimal Input Design (OID) methodologies are developed to find a signal that could best estimate a set of parameters of a given model. Their application in constrained nonlinear systems, especially when the search space limits or the initial conditions are unknown, may present several difficulties due to the numerical instability related to the optimization processes. A good choice over the parameters possible ranges is a trade-off among numerical stability, search space size, and effectiveness, and it is hardly found. To deal with this problem, this paper proposes a series of changes in the Sub-Optimal Excitation Signal Generation and Optimal Parameter Estimation (SOESGOPE) methodology. First, the limits over the parameters are tightly adjusted according to their confidence. A recursive approach runs the optimization methodology, analyzes the solution’s feasibility and marginal costs given by the Lagrange Multipliers, and selects a direction that could improve the system’s response. This approach improves the convergence and the assertiveness of the estimation process. To validate this approach, some cases, including a parameters estimation of a mobile robot nonlinear system, are tested.

Developing Digital Games through Software Reuse

Beatriz Neto,Lucia Feranandes,Claudia Werner,Jano Moreira De Souza 한국정보처리학회 2010 Journal of information processing systems Vol.6 No.2

Developing Digital Games through Software Reuse

Neto, Beatriz,Fernandes, Lucia,Werner, Claudia,De Souza, Jano Moreira Korea Information Processing Society 2010 Journal of information processing systems Vol.6 No.2

Gaming is an old humans' habit. Games help in logical development and encourage learning of theoretical and practical concepts. Besides they offer entertainment and challenge. The advent of the personal computer changed this tradition. Every year new challenges arise in a digital format, which lead the young and adults to spend hours in front of a computer or TV screen in an attempt to overcome hurdles and reach an objective. Quality, sophistication, and constant innovation are attained through complex computer software that almost has an obligation to improve as each new title is released, due to this game development becomes a challenge. Considering that a game title is software and thus faces the same restrictions of business applications, this article intends to analyze, under the optics of reuse, if game development resorts to reuse, and where and how this happens.

Purification and Biochemical Properties of a Glucose-Stimulated β-D-Glucosidase Produced by Humicola grisea var. thermoidea Grown on Sugarcane Bagasse

Cesar Vanderlei Nascimento,Flávio Henrique Moreira Souza,Douglas Chodi Masui,Francisco Assis Leone,Rosane Marina Peralta,João Atílio Jorge,Rosa Prazeres Melo Furriel 한국미생물학회 2010 The journal of microbiology Vol.48 No.1

The effect of several carbon sources on the production of mycelial-bound β-glucosidase by Humicola grisea var. thermoidea in submerged fermentation was investigated. Maximum production occurred when cellulose was present in the culture medium, but higher specific activities were achieved with cellobiose or sugarcane bagasse. Xylose or glucose (1%) in the reaction medium stimulated β-glucosidase activity by about 2-fold in crude extracts from mycelia grown in sugarcane bagasse. The enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed by Sephadex G-200 and DEAE-cellulose chromatography, showing a single band in PAGE and SDS-PAGE. The β-glucosidase had a carbohydrate content of 43% and showed apparent molecular masses of 57 and 60 kDa, as estimated by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration, respectively. The optimal pH and temperature were 6.0 and 50°C, respectively. The purified enzyme was thermostable up to 60 min in water at 55°C and showed half-lives of 7 and 14 min when incubated in the absence or presence of 50 mM glucose, respectively, at 60°C. The enzyme hydrolyzed p-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, p-nitrophenyl-β-Dgalactopyranoside,p-nitrophenyl-β-D-fucopyranoside, p-nitrophenyl-β-D-xylopyranoside, o-nitrophenyl-β-Dgalactopyranoside,lactose, and cellobiose. The best synthetic and natural substrates were p-nitrophenyl-β-Dfucopyranoside and cellobiose, respectively. Purified enzyme activity was stimulated up to 2-fold by glucose or xylose at concentrations from 25 to 200 mM. The addition of purified or crude β-glucosidase to a reaction medium containing Trichoderma reesei cellulases increased the saccharification of sugarcane bagasse by about 50%. These findings suggest that H. grisea var. thermoidea β-glucosidase has a potential for biotechnological applications in the bioconversion of lignocellulosic materials.

Influence of CBCT parameters on image quality and the diagnosis of vertical root fractures in teeth with metallic posts: an ex vivo study

Lagos de Melo Larissa Pereira,Queiroz Polyane Mazucatto,Moreira-Souza Larissa,Nadaes Mariana Rocha,Santaella Gustavo Machado,Oliveira Matheus Lima,Freitas Deborah Queiroz 대한치과보존학회 2023 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.48 No.2

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of peak kilovoltage (kVp) and a metal artifact reduction (MAR) tool on image quality and the diagnosis of vertical root fracture (VRF) in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods Twenty single-rooted human teeth filled with an intracanal metal post were divided into 2 groups: control (n = 10) and VRF (n = 10). Each tooth was placed into the socket of a dry mandible, and CBCT scans were acquired using a Picasso Trio varying the kVp (70, 80, 90, or 99), and the use of MAR (with or without). The examinations were assessed by 5 examiners for the diagnosis of VRF using a 5-point scale. A subjective evaluation of the expression of artifacts was done by comparing random axial images of the studied protocols. The results of the diagnoses were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance and the Tukey post hoc test, the subjective evaluations were compared using the Friedman test, and intra-examiner reproducibility was evaluated using the weighted kappa test (α = 5%). Results The kVp and MAR did not influence the diagnosis of VRF (p > 0.05). According to the subjective classification, the 99 kVp protocol with MAR demonstrated the least expression of artifacts, while the 70 kVp protocol without MAR led to the most artifacts. Conclusions Protocols with higher kVp combined with MAR improved the image quality of CBCT examinations. However, those factors did not lead to an improvement in the diagnosis of VRF. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of peak kilovoltage (kVp) and a metal artifact reduction (MAR) tool on image quality and the diagnosis of vertical root fracture (VRF) in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods Twenty single-rooted human teeth filled with an intracanal metal post were divided into 2 groups: control (n = 10) and VRF (n = 10). Each tooth was placed into the socket of a dry mandible, and CBCT scans were acquired using a Picasso Trio varying the kVp (70, 80, 90, or 99), and the use of MAR (with or without). The examinations were assessed by 5 examiners for the diagnosis of VRF using a 5-point scale. A subjective evaluation of the expression of artifacts was done by comparing random axial images of the studied protocols. The results of the diagnoses were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance and the Tukey post hoc test, the subjective evaluations were compared using the Friedman test, and intra-examiner reproducibility was evaluated using the weighted kappa test (α = 5%). Results The kVp and MAR did not influence the diagnosis of VRF (p > 0.05). According to the subjective classification, the 99 kVp protocol with MAR demonstrated the least expression of artifacts, while the 70 kVp protocol without MAR led to the most artifacts. Conclusions Protocols with higher kVp combined with MAR improved the image quality of CBCT examinations. However, those factors did not lead to an improvement in the diagnosis of VRF.