In vitro activity of compounds isolated from Piper crassinervium against Trypanosoma cruzi

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Isoswertisin flavones and other constituents from Peperomia obtusifolia

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Suppression of TNF- induced NFB activity by gallic acid and its semi-synthetic esters: possible role in cancer chemoprevention

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Improving the accuracy of the optimum-path forest supervised classifier for large datasets

In this work, a new approach for supervised pattern recognition is presented which improves the learning algorithm of the Optimum-Path Forest classifier (OPF), centered on detection and elimination of outliers in the training set. Identification of outliers is based on a penalty computed for each sample in the training set from the corresponding number of imputable false positive and false negative classification of samples. This approach enhances the accuracy of OPF while still gaining in classification time, at the expense of a slight increase in training time. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.

Immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory effects of Baccharis dracunculifolia leaves

A possible immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory effect of Baccharis dracunculifolia (Bd) and its major compound - caffeic acid (Ca) - on cytokines production (IL-1b, IL-6 and IL-10) by murine macrophages was investigated. Cells were incubated with Bd and Ca, and the inhibitory concentrations were tested before or after macrophages challenge with LPS. Bd and Ca stimulated IL-1b and inhibited IL-6 and IL-10 production. In LPS-challenge protocols, Bd prevented LPS action either before or after LPS challenge, whereas Ca prevented LPS effects only after LPS addition. Bd modulatory action on cytokines production may be at least in part mediated by Ca, since it has been shown to inhibit the transcription factor NF-kB. Further studies are still needed to evaluate Bd efficacy in inflammatory diseases, in order to explore its antiinflammatory activity in vivo. © 2013 Taylor & Francis.

Histochemical investigation of Cochlospermum regium (Schrank) Pilg. leaves and chemical composition of its essential oil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Análise comparativa da mobilidade tóraco-abdominal em relação ao índice de massa corporal em crianças

Introdução: O índice de massa corporal elevado no compartimento toraco-abdominal promove alterações no sistema respiratório interferindo nos volumes e capacidades e consequentemente na troca gasosa. Objetivo: Analisar comparativamente a mobilidade tóraco-abdominal relacionando ao índice de massa corporal em crianças. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo do tipo transversal com abordagem quantitativa e descritiva. A amostra constou de 70 crianças com idade entre 8 e 12 anos de ambos os sexos e com o índice de massa corporal variável. Foi realizada a verificação da altura, peso, expansibilidade destas crianças em seguida classificadas em três grupos em função dos seus índices de massa corporal: eutróficos (57,1%), com sobrepeso (15,7%) e obesos (27,1%). Resultados: Os resultados obtidos apresentaram diferenças entre o grupo dos eutróficos e dos obesos, indicando, nesta perspectiva, que a mobilidade na região axilar e xifoideana são mais elevadas no grupo dos eutróficos, quando comparado ao dos obesos. Conclusão: Portanto conclui-se que o índice de massa corporal está relacionado a alterações na expansibilidade tóraco abdominal de crianças.

Physicochemical characterisation and radical-scavenging activity of Cucurbitaceae seed oils

Oils extracted from Cucurbitaceae seeds were characterised for their fatty acid and tocopherol compositions. In addition, some physicochemical characteristics, total phenolic contents and the radical-scavenging activities were determined. Oil content amounted to 23.9% and 27.1% in melon and watermelon seeds, respectively. Physicochemical characteristics were similar to those of other edible oils and the oils showed significant antioxidant activities. Fatty acid composition showed total unsaturated fatty acid content of 85.2–83.5%, with linoleic acid being the dominant fatty acid (62.4–72.5%), followed by oleic acid (10.8–22.7%) and palmitic acid (9.2–9.8%). The oils, especially watermelon seed oil, showed high total tocopherol and phenolic contents. The γ-tocopherol was the predominant tocopherol in both oils representing 90.9 and 95.6% of the total tocopherols in melon and watermelon seed oils, respectively. The potential utilisation of melon and watermelon seed oils as a raw material for food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries appears to be favourable.

Chemical composition of essential oils from the vegetative and reproductive structures of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Lectura de cuentos infantiles como estrategia de humanización en el cuidado del niño encamado en ambiente hospitalario

Objective. To asses fairy tales reading as a humanization strategy of hospitalized children care. Methodology. Qualitative study in which data was collected from: fairy tales reading: individual interview, questionnaire, drawings and stories created by the children. Results. During reading sessions, improvement in the children’s reactions was seen: They were more focused, participative, enthusiastic and happy; those accompanying the children liked and accepted this intervention. Data analysis collected from Interviews, questionnaires, narratives and drawings, showed results in favor of the tales reading practice. Conclusion. The humanization strategy of care supported by fairy tales reading, had a positive impact in the children’s admission to the hospital.