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Sugarcane bagasse is one of the greatest biomass residues obtained from fuel industry, and the lignin present in sugarcane fibers is rich in phenolic compounds, which can be used to replace petroleum-derived phenols in the formulation of adhesives, phenolic resins, plasticizers, paints, among others. This work presents an alternative for synthesizing and applying bio-oil based benzoxazine resins in the fabrication of “green” medium density fiberboard. In this new concept, the wood fiber is substituted by the sugarcane bagasse fiber, and the fossil-based resin is substituted by the bio-based benzoxazine resin. To produce the bio-oil resin, 200.0 g of bio-oil, 64.9 mL of formaldehyde, 39.4 mL of aniline, and 80.0 mL of butanone were added along the different process stages. Three concentrations of bio-oil resin were used to produce fiberboards, 25, 30, and 35%. The results of characterizations were compared with fiberboards made with regular urea–formaldehyde resin, in the same concentrations. Results indicated that bio-oil can be used successfully for the development of a thermosetting resin (BO-resin), as observed by thermal and spectroscopic analysis. All BO-resin MDF formulations had densities according to international standards, between 651 and 800 kg m-3, and reached the required thickness swelling when applied in concentration of 35% resin. The modulus of rupture (MOR) showed elevated values (around 15 MPa), similar to fiberboards made from urea–formaldehyde resins. These results indicate the promising potential of using sugarcane bagasse for the full development of novel bio-based materials with technological application.

In this work, the thermodynamics of the commercial porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) partition in aqueous two-phase systems composed of PEG (4000 and 6000) + K2HPO4/H3PO4+ water and 2-propanol + K2HPO4/H3PO4+ water in pH 7.0 at T = (293.15, 298.15, 303.15 and 308.15) K was studied. The parameters of total protein (Kp) and enzymatic activity (Ke) partition coefficients, theoretical recovery index (%Y), purification factor (PF) and selectivity (S) were determined to evaluate the efficiency of the systems in the separation process. Furthermore, in order to explain the driving forces involved in the partition, the thermodynamic transfer parameters (ΔtrG, ΔtrHand ΔtrS) were also determined. The Van’t Hoff equation was used to calculate the enthalpy variation as a function of temperature. In general, proteins migrated preferentially to the top phase of the systems (rich in PEG or alcohol) although higher lipolytic activity in the saline phase. In general, Kpincreased and Kedecreased as the tie-line length (TLL) increased. The Gibbs free energy transfer (ΔtrG)in ATPS PEG 4000 + salt and 2-propanol + salt show that the partition of lipase to the bottom phase is thermodynamically unfavorable. In the PEG 6000 + salt ATPS, ΔtrGassumed negative values even at lower TLL values. In this study, enthalpic contributions drove lipase transfer in most ATPS. The best aqueous two-phase system for porcine pancreatic lipase partition was composed of 13% of PEG 4000 and 9% of K2HPO4/H3PO4(TL 1) at 298.15 K, which presented Ke= 0.056, %Y = 94.655% and PF = 4.357.

Background Although literature demonstrates controversial results regarding the association between selenium and glucose metabolism, no studies have specifically targeted a population with obesity even though this group is vulnerable to insulin resistance.Aim To evaluate the association between selenium biomarkers and insulin resistance in women with obesity.Methods This case–control study recruited 84 women with obesity and 129 with healthy weight (control). Selenium intake was assessed by 3-day food record. Selenium concentration in plasma, erythrocyte, and urine was assessed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Serum glucose, insulin, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were assessed in a fasting blood sample. Homeostasis Model Assessment of Beta Cell Function (HOMA-β) and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance were calculated according to standard methods.Results Women with obesity had higher dietary selenium intake in comparison to the control group (p< 0.001). Further, the plasma and erythrocyte concentrations were lower in individuals with obesity (p< 0.001), while selenium in urine was higher (p< 0.001) than in controls. No significant differences in insulin resistance markers were observed between groups. Selenium intake was positively associated with HOMA-β in both groups. In women with obesity, selenium intake was also positively associated with insulin and HbA1c, while in the controls the clearance of selenium was negatively associated with insulin and HbA1c. There was a positive correlation between dietary selenium intake, fasting insulin, HbA1c, and HOMA-β (p< 0.05).Conclusions Women with obesity present impaired selenium metabolism. Further, we observed an association between dietary selenium and markers of insulin resistance, which may reflect the possible negative action of selenium on insulin signaling.

Additive manufacturing, particularly using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) technologies with 316L stainless steel, has proven highly promising in biomedical engineering due to the material’s exceptional mechanical properties and biocompatibility. This study, which is a foundational step towards developing porous bone implants, focuses on assessing the influence of a broad range of parameters - spot size, scanning speed, laser power, and energy density - on the mechanical performance and structural integrity of 316L stainless steel parts across three distinct specimen geometries: fully dense parallelepipedic, fully dense cubic, and cellular (lattice) specimens. By analysing 17 different parameter sets and producing over 150 specimens, a thorough series of experimental tests were conducted, including flexural tests, compression tests, hardness tests, macroscopic evaluation of the surface of fully dense specimens, and macroscopic evaluation of the lattice structures.e in powder accumulation within the pores of cellular structures, with higher energy densities (100 J/mm3) leading to a significantly greater retention compared to lower energy densities (66 J/mm3). This underexplored phenomenon has significant implications for the selection of parameters in the fabrication of bone implants. Further research is needed to refine LPBF printing parameters and enhance the quality of porous bone implants.

Radiotherapy-induced alopecia is characterized by an anagen effluvium (AE). It may be temporary or permanent, depending on the radiation dose. The diagnosis is based on clinical history and dermatologic exam with trichoscopy being auxiliary the presence of flame hair. We describe a case of an AE induced by radiotherapy, emphasizing the trichoscopic findings.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Inhalation injury is the leading cause of death in burn patients and is usually caused by the uninhibited absorption of smoke, which has an extremely toxic effect on the respiratory system. The physiopathology of inhalation injury covers multiple factors and the injured respiratory system may present deterioration in a few hours.Areas covered: In this present review, we analyzed patents based on both natural and synthetic products developed for the treatment of smoke inhalation. We found 14 patents in Espacenet, 25 in WIPO and none in the USPTO data search.Expert opinion: Several previous reports on treatments used for smoke inhalation are discussed. Although there are a number of research based products for this injury, there has been no review of the patents dealing with treatments for smoke inhalation. The development of novel natural or synthetic products are discussed in detail in the review.

A workshop was held on October 26–27, 2004, in Bonn, Germany, to discuss the potential use of omic technologies for regulatory non-clinical safety testing of pharmaceuticals. The meeting was hosted by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). The workshop was held in conjunction with the 6th European preclinical assessors meeting, which was organized in Bonn by the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and the Safety Working Party (SWP) of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). Approximately 100 scientists, roughly half from the European pharmaceutical industry and half from European regulatory authorities, attended the workshop. The authors of this report constitute the organizing committee members.

We have previously observed that in the rat vas deferens nitric oxide synthase pathway potentiated phenylephrine-induced contractility raising the possibility of a facilitatory role on neurotransmission by nitric oxide. To confirm this hypothesis we studied the effect of phenylephrine on the concentration response curves obtained in preparations from reserpine-treated rats in the absence and presence of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). The endogenous noradrenaline released by normal preparations (without reserpine) was measured in the perfusion fluid of preparations stimulated with phenylephrine, in the absence and presence of L-NMMA, L-NMMA + the nitric oxide donor 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1), the α1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin and the blocker of noradrenaline carrier desipramine. The phenylephrine-induced noradrenaline release in a calcium-free medium was also measured. L-NMMA decreased the Emax of phenylephrine concentration response curves obtained in preparations from normal (reserpine-untreated) but not from reserpine-treated rats. In the perfusion fluid of preparations incubated with phenylephrine, a concentration-dependent increase of noradrenaline was observed which was reversed by L-NMMA and restored when SIN-1 was added together with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. The concentration-dependent phenylephrine-induced noradrenaline increase was not modified by desipramine but was abolished by 10 μM prazosin. In calcium-free medium, phenylephrine failed to increase the noradrenaline concentration. These results suggest that in the rat vas deferens, nitric oxide pathway potentiates the phenylephrine-induced contractility through a mechanism which involves calcium-dependent release of endogenous noradrenaline and seems to depend, at least partially on the activation of α1-adrenoceptors.

The involvement of the nitric oxide synthasesoluble guanylate cyclase pathway on the modulation of phenylephrine-induced contractility in the rat vas deferens was investigated. Phenlylephrine-concentration response curves were obtained in absence and in presence of inhibitors, NG-Nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG), NG-Nitro-L-arginine methyl esther (L-NAME) or NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) or GC inhibitior, 1H-(1,2,4)-oxadiaziol-(4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) or nitric oxide donor, 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1) alone or together with L-NMMA or ODQ. Both nitric oxide synthase and GC inhibitors reduced the Phe-Emax.SIN-1 alone did not change phenylephrine-induced responses and it could reverse the L-NMMA effect but not ODQ effect. The reduction of the phenylephrine-induced contractility obtained in consequence of the inhibition of the nitric oxideGC pathway suggest that, in the rat vas deferens, despite its well identified relaxant properties, nitric oxide potentiates the contractility induced by adrenergic stimulation.

Recently, documents have been developed by the International Conference on Harmonisa-tion (ICH) to guide industry on when long-term carcinogenicity bioassays are needed, testing strategy approaches, selection of the high dose, toxicokinetic evaluations, and preclinical testing of biotechnology-derived medicinal products. In the European Union (EU), the CPMP guideline on testing for carcinogenic potential was issued in 1983. Where the ICH guidelines overlap the old guideline, the industry should refer to these guidelines. Aspects of test designs and data analysis of the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products (CPMC) guideline need to be updated to reflect the current state of testing. This report summarizes the outcome of discussions at a DIA workshop held in September 1999 in Switzerland. Discussions included threshold concepts of nongenotoxic compounds, practical features of testing, statistical design of the study; terminal investigations, including a list of tissues to be examined histologically; principles of reporting and analysis of data; and the use of short-term carcinogenic studies, that is, aspects of the CPMP guideline which are not covered by the ICH guidelines.

Recently, documents have been developed by the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) to guide industry on when long-term carcinogenicity bioassays are needed, testing strategy approaches, selection of the high dose, toxicokinetic evaluations, and preclinical testing of biotechnology-derived medicinal products. In the European Union (EU), the CPMP guideline on testing for carcinogenic potential was issued in 1983. Where the ICH guidelines overlap the old guideline, the industry should refer to these guidelines. Aspects of test designs and data analysis of the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products (CPMC) guideline need to be updated to reflect the current state of testing. This report summarizes the outcome of discussions at a DIA workshop held in September 1999 in Switzerland. Discussions included threshold concepts of nongenotoxic compounds, practical features of testing, statistical design of the study; terminal investigations, including a list of tissues to be examined histologically; principles of reporting and analysis of data; and the use of short-term carcinogenic studies, that is, aspects of the CPMP guideline which are not covered by the ICH guidelines.

This paper reports on the conclusions drawn from an investigation of the modern mathematics reform movement in Brazil. The focus of the study was an analysis of the mechanisms of transfer of knowledge from developed to developing countries, through a case study of Brazil and its adoption of the modern mathematics curriculum.

In recent years, the demand for fruits and vegetables has increased in several countries. Thereby, the consumption of natural beverages increased, and specifically those with claims of functional properties. However, there is a clear need for further studies on the beneficial effects of these beverages, and greater attention should be given to brands that use this information in a manner that is unconcerned with consumer health. This work aimed to study the physical–chemical composition and bioactive and functional compounds of some brands of natural drinks marketed in Brazil. Six brands of natural drinks were acquired and analyzed for pH, titratable acidity (%), soluble solids, total sugars, color, total phenolics, vitamin C, β-carotene/linoleic acid, DPPH and dietary fiber. The drinks analyzed are in accordance with the literature for acidity, except the ‘E’ brand. The sugar content found in three brands (‘A,’ ‘B-Le’ and ‘D’) was higher than reported on the labels, and the ‘A’ brand misleads the consumer by stating that their drink is ‘zero sugar.’ In general, the drinks showed yellowish color, except the ‘E’ brand with greenish coloration. The brand ‘A’ also had higher levels of vitamin C than established by law. The amount of phenolic compounds was higher in the ‘A’ and ‘F’ brands. The antioxidant content was higher in ‘A,’ ‘C’ and ‘F.’ The ‘D’ and ‘F’ brands were shown as sources of dietary fiber. The content of some brands analyzed is in disagreement with their labels which represents a danger to consumers with some kind of food restriction.

Phytochemical investigation of the hydroethanolic extract of the inner stem bark of Dilodendron bipinnatum(HEDb) by column chromatography led to the separation of three major fractions: a) a mixture of phytosterols (ST mixture), including β-sitosterol (1), stigmasterol (2) and campesterol (3); b) a mixture of 3-O-β-glucopyranosyl-β-sitosterol (4) and 3-O-β-glucopyranosyl-stigmasterol (5) (SGP mixture); and c) epicatechin (6), as a single isolate. Their structures were determined by spectrometric analysis using 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, and GC-MS. The safety profile of the SGP mixture, when evaluated on RAW 264.7 cells, using the alamar blue® assay, exhibited no cytotoxic effects. The anti-inflammatory activity was comparatively analyzed in vivousing the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced peritonitis model in mice, showing a strong reduction of leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity using both the SGP mixture and the HEDb. In vitroassessment of nitric oxide (NO) in the macrophagic RAW 264.7 cell line showed an inhibition of NO by the SGP mixture when cells were stimulated with LPS. Taken together, the results show an important contribution of the sterol glucoside mixture on the anti-inflammatory activity of HEDb. Also, one of the mechanisms for such inhibition seems to be a direct inhibition of NO production in stimulated macrophages.