Fat-Soluble Bioactive Components in Colored Rice Varieties

Bioactive components in rice vary depending on the variety and growing condition. Fat-soluble components such as gamma-oryzanol, tocopherols, tocotrienols, carotenoids, and fatty acids were analyzed in brown, sugary brown, red, and black rice varieties using established high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and GC methodologies. In addition, these colored rice varieties were further analyzed using a high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) (LTQ-Orbitrap XL) to identify the [M-H](-) ions of gamma-oryzanol, ranging from m/z 573.3949 to 617.4211. The highest content of tocopherols (alpha-, 1.5; gamma-, 0.5 mg/100 g) and carotenoids (lutein 244; trans-beta carotene 25 mu g/100 g) were observed in black rice; tocotrienols (alpha-, 0.07; gamma-, 0.14 mg/100 g) in red rice, and gamma-oryzanol (115 mg/100 g) in sugary brown rice. In all colored rice varieties, the major fatty acids were palmitic (16:0), oleic (18:1n-9), and linoleic (18:2n-6) acids. When the gamma-oryzanol components were further analyzed by LC-MS/MS, 3, 10, 8, and 8 triterpene alcohols or sterol ferulates were identified in brown, sugary brown, red, and black rice varieties, respectively. Such structural identification can lead to the elucidation of biological function of each component at the molecular level. Consumption of colored rice rich in beneficial bioactive compounds may be a useful dietary strategy for achieving optimal health.

Le(a-b-) phenotype: potential risk factor for infection by the RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnancy

The Lewis histo-blood group system is characterized by the expression of the Lea and Le(b) antigens in the gastrointestinal tract, whose synthesis results in interactions between alpha 2-L-fucosyltransferase (FUTII) and alpha 3/4-L-fucosyltransferase (FUTIII) enzymes coded by the FUT2 (19q. 13.3) and FUT3 (19p13.3) genes. FUTII and FUTIII fucosylate the type 1 oligosaccharide precursor (Gal beta 1 -> 3NAcGlc beta 1 -> 3-R) at distinct positions to form H type 1 (Fuc alpha 1. 2Gal beta 1. 3NAcGlc beta 1 -> 3-R) and Le(a) (Gal beta 1 -> 3[Fuc alpha 1 -> 4] NAcGlc beta 1 -> 3-R) antigens, respectively. The fucosylation of H type 1 antigens by FUTIII results in the Leb antigen (Fuc alpha 1. 2Gal beta 1. 3[Fuca1. 4] NAcGlc beta 1. 3-R). Thus, the presence of the FUTII and FUTIII enzymes leads to the expression of the Le(a+b+) phenotype, while the presence of only FUTIII allows the expression of the Le(a+b-) phenotype. The absence of the FUTIII enzyme leads to the expression of the Le(a-b-) phenotype, independent of the presence or absence of FUTII. Point mutations in FUT2 and FUT3 genes change the activity of these enzymes, impair the synthesis of Le(a) and Le(b) antigens, and contribute to the variability of Lewis phenotypes in the gastrointestinal tract. Toxoplasma gondii, an apicomplexan parasite that infects a large proportion of the world's population, utilizes the gastrointestinal tract as an infection route and seems to adhere to glycosylated molecules to invade human cells. These apparently independent events may be related. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that there is an association between the Lewis histo-blood group system and infection by T. gondii. Two hundred and nine serum samples collected from pregnant women were submitted to screening tests to detect anti-T. gondii antibodies, employing the indirect hemagglutination method. ELISA was utilized to identify IgG class anti-T. gondii antibodies specific for the RH strain. A hundred and ninety-five samples with concordant results for both methods were selected to form two groups: seropositive (G1) and seronegative (G2). The G428A mutation of the FUT2 gene, and T202C and C314T of the FUT3 gene, which allow inference of the gastrointestinal tract Lewis phenotypes, were identified using PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSP methods, respectively. Among the 195 samples selected, 116 (59.5%) were seropositive and 79 (40.5%) were seronegative. In G1, 68 (58.6%) were classified as Le(a+b+), 30 (25.9%) as Le(a+b-), and 18 (15.5%) as Le(a-b-), and in G2, 67 (84.8%) were classified as Le(a+b+), 12 (15.2%) as Le(a+b-), and 0 (0%) as Le(a-b-) (P < 0.0001). The Le(a-b-) phenotype is associated with a high risk of RH strain T. gondii infection when compared with the Le(a+b+) [P = 0.0001; OR = 36,460; 95%CI = 2.152-617,680] and Le(a+b-) phenotypes [P = 0.0118; OR = 15,165; 95%CI = 0.8463-271,710]. The Le(a+b-) phenotype showed a higher risk compared to the Le(a+b+) phenotype [P = 0.0206; OR = 2463; 95%CI = 2463-5214]. The results suggest that the Le(a-b-) phenotype is strongly associated with a greater risk of infection by the RH strain of T. gondii compared to the other phenotypes. It is possible that the absence of fucosylation of the type 1 oligosaccharide precursor as well as the variations in the structures of the Le(a) and Le(b) antigens influence susceptibility to infection by this parasite.

Comportamento de indivíduos com doença de Parkinson no levantar da cadeira e no início da marcha: relações com o envelhecimento

Large motor dysfunctions are observed in older adults with the age advance. Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients have motor deficits to perform daily living activities. To raise from a chair, a daily task necessary to live independently, requires both large muscle recruitment and large joint range of motion to achieve the vertical position safely. Normally, we initiate gait after raise from a chair. The aim of this study was to analyze the PD patients’ behavior when rising from a chair and initiating gait and to compare it according to the age advance. In order to do that, 23 PD patients (66.61±7.64 years old) were distributed in three age groups: Young group, between 51 and 60 years of age (n=7); intermediary group, between 61 and 70 years of age (n=7); and elderly group, over 70 years of age (n=9). There were no statistical differences among groups either for the disease evolution stage or for it compromising. The task was to stand from a chair and to initiate gait forward in three attempts. The dependent variables were: spatial and temporal (first step length and duration, and stride length, duration and velocity) and angular (flexion and extension of head, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle). The motion of standing from a chair was divided in two phases. The data was statistically treated by means of Analyses of Variance with group as the only factor. The Scheffé’s post hoc test was used to localize differences among groups and the significance level was adjusted to p≤0.017. There were statistical differences for stride...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)

A criança de 01 a 03 anos: uma reflexão sobre a evolução da imitação no processo de formação do eu

This investigation aims to observe play contents and elements that make it possible to notice if a child is at the imitation stage. First of all, this study reviews Piaget’s findings about the origins of imitation, and how it develops into representation. After that, “game” is analyzed in order to understand the cognitive representation and how children develop the ability to use symbols. Based on these assumptions, a study was developed into a public school (Profª Maria Teixeira Fittipaldi) with 9 children, aged between 1 to 3. Methodology included the observation of play and activity time; a diary to record the observations; and the analysis of the collected data, based on Piaget’s research into the classification and development of symbolic play. The results show that all observed situations were at the “first stage”, which reveal the apogee of ludic symbolism, and that the kind of game varied according to the child’s age. Moreover, it was possible to notice the importance of symbolic play at preschool, since it triggers world knowledge development and helps interpersonal relationship growth.

Eça de Queirós e seu texto de imprensa 'Tema para versos I e II' (02 e 03/04/1893-Gazeta de Notícias): considerações

Eça de Queirós published in Gazeta de Notícias, the text “Theme for verses I and II” in April 2nd and 3rd in 1893 . From part II, it was taken an excerpt and published as a short story under the title “The maid” when this text was a part of the book Short Stories (12 stories, some of them handwritten, from 1874 to 1897) gathered by his friend, Luís de Magalhães, and published in 1903, under the year of 1902. Since then, the text ”The maid” is present in many editons of Eça de Queirós’ short stories without any mention to its primary source, the newspaper Gazeta de Notícias (Rio de Janeiro), or even the other part of the text in which it was originally in. The objective of these short considerations is reflecting if the short story, known as “The maid”, should be read as an excerpt of the original text as it has been done since 1902, or it should be put in its original context, joining the two parts of the text “Theme for verses I and II”.

Microinversor integrado ao módulo fotovoltaico para sistemas conectados à rede elétrica utilizando controlador ressonante

This paper shows the modeling and control of a single-phase full-bridge inverter with high-frequency transformer that may be used as part of a two-stage converter with transformerless DC-DC side or as a single-stage converter (simple DC-AC converter) for grid-connected PV applications. The inverter is modeled in order to obtain a small-signal transfer function used to design the P+Resonant current controller. A highfrequency step-up transformer results in reduced voltage switches and better efficiency compared with converters in which the transformer is used on the DC-DC side. Simulations and experimental results with a 200 W prototype are shown. 1

8.03 : A arte na universidade, A universidade na arte

Este texto corresponde à primeira parte de meu memorial para a obtenção do título de Livre-Docente na especialidade "Gravura, Matriz e Estampa", junto ao Departamento de Artes Plásticas da Escola de Comunicações e Artes da Universidade de São Paulo. Baseia-se na minha experiência como aluno, professor e artista na Unicamp e na USP. A defesa foi realizada nos dias 23 e 24 de junho de 2008. A banca examinadora foi integrada pelos Professores Doutores Domingos Tadeu Chiarelli (presidente), Marco Garaude Giannotti, Aracy Amaral, Laymert Garcia dos Santos e Celso Favaretto.

A novel HLA-E allele, E*01:03:05, identified in two Brazilian individuals

Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq/Brazil)

Clinical Treatment of Dry Eye Using 0.03% Tacrolimus Eye Drops

Purpose: To report the clinical outcome of the treatment of dry eyes using 0.03% tacrolimus eye drops (olive oil + tacrolimus 0.03%) (Ophthalmos, Sao Paulo, Brazil). Methods: Sixteen eyes of 8 patients with Sjogren syndrome dry eyes (age, 51.13 +/- 9.45 years) were enrolled in this study (prospective noncontrolled interventional case series). Patients were instructed to use topical 0.03% tacrolimus eye drops twice a day (every 12 hours) in the lower conjunctival sac. Schirmer I test, break-up time, corneal fluorescein, and rose bengal staining score were performed in all patients 1 day before, and 14, 28, and 90 days after treatment with 0.03% tacrolimus eye drops. Results: The average fluorescein staining and rose bengal staining scores improved statistically significantly after 14 days of treatment and improved even more after 28 and 90 days. The average Schirmer I test did not improve statistically significantly after 28 days of treatment, although we did observe a significant improvement after 90 days of treatment with 0.03% tacrolimus eye drops. The average break-up time did not improve statistically after 14 days of treatment, although we observed a significant improvement after 28 and 90 days of treatment with 0.03% tacrolimus eye drops. Conclusions: Topical 0.03% tacrolimus eye drops successfully improved tear stability and ocular surface status in patients with dry eyes.