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Copyright of Ciencia, Cuidado e Saude is the property of Universidade Estadual de Maringa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Crítica de Ciências Sociais is the property of Centro de Estudos Sociais and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of acupuncture on xerostomia in irradiated patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Study Design: A preventive, 2-arm, parallel, single-blind trial was performed. Patients with HNSCC (N = 296) were checked for eligibility, and 107 patients were enrolled in the study. The study comprised 1 group that did not receive the intervention (n = 55) and the interventional group that received traditional and auricular acupuncture (n = 52). The primary outcome was the reduction of the patients' xerostomia after treatment. In addition, the secondary outcome was the reduction of anxiety.Results: The current acupuncture protocol reduced the xerostomia score and increased saliva volume and density without changing salivary pH. Additionally, acupuncture decreased the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) score after radiation therapy.Conclusion: Combining traditional and auricular acupuncture reduced xerostomia and increased saliva volume without changing the saliva's pH in irradiated patients with HNSCC. Additionally, the combination of traditional and auricular acupuncture reduced BAI scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Pesquisa: Cuidado é Fundamental is the property of Revista de Pesquisa: Cuidado e Fundamental Online and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Ciencia, Cuidado e Saude is the property of Universidade Estadual de Maringa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte is the property of Redprint Editora Ltda. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• Davilla elliptica (Dilleniaceae) ethnopharmacological role. • Davilla elliptica (Dilleniaceae) presents anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. • Sambaibinha phytochemical role and gastroprotective effects. Davilla elliptica (Dilleniaceae) is a shrub that occurs naturally in the Brazilian Savannah (Cerrado). This shrub has been widely used in Brazilian folk medicine in tea preparing; infusions; and decoctions from leaves and roots for gastritis, ulcers, and diarrhea treatment. Given the therapeutic potential of this species, the present study provides a comprehensive review on its ethnopharmacological uses, botanical aspects, phytochemistry characterization, and in vivo and in vitro pharmacological studies. The relevant studies on D. elliptica were retrieved from the following scientific databases: Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, SciFinder, PubMed, Scielo, and ScienceDirect. Additional information derived from other literature sources, such as books and Ph.D. and MSc theses, was also considered after a critical review. Ethnopharmacological reports of D. elliptica revealed the use of infusions from roots with tonic and purgative effects, whereas leaves have been used as anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerative treatments, as well as to treat diarrhea and gastric disorders. Furthermore, fresh leaves have been used in baths to treat swelling. Phytochemical studies have led to the isolation of several compounds, including flavonoids derived from quercetin and myricetin, and tannins, which are known to exhibit relevant pharmacological activities. In vitro assays using crude extracts and/or isolated fractions and chemical constituents from D. elliptica have evidenced antibacterial, cytotoxic activities, while in vivo studies have proven gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antihemorrhagic, and antibacterial activities, corroborating ethnomedicinal reports. No relevant side effects has been reported previously, and some studies found a low toxicity and genotoxicity. However, further studies are still needed to ensure the safety of its therapeutic use. Future studies should focused on molecular mechanisms involved in bioactive components' effects based on both fractions and isolated compounds, creating great opportunities for new investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of REVER: Revista de Estudos da Religião is the property of REVER: Revista de Estudos da Religiao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Nowadays the adipose tissue is recognized as one of the most critical endocrine organs releasing many adipokines that regulate metabolism, inflammation and body homeostasis. There are several described adipokines, including the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components that are especially activated in some diseases with increased production of angiotensin II and several pro-inflammatory hormones. On the other hand, RAS also expresses angiotensin-(1–7), which is now recognized as the main peptide on counteracting Ang II effects. New studies have shown that increased activation of ACE2/Ang-(1–7)/MasR arm can revert and prevent local and systemic dysfunctions improving lipid profile and insulin resistance by modulating insulin actions, and reducing inflammation. In this context, the present review shows the interaction and relevance of Ang-(1–7) effects on regulating adipokines, and as one adipokine itself, modulating body homeostasis, with emphasis on its anti-inflammatory properties, especially in the context of metabolic disorders with focus on obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus pandemic. • The white adipose tissue secretes several bioactive molecules called adipokines. • The adipokines exert local and systemic effects on metabolism. • The angiotensin-(1–7) modulates the adipokines. • Inflammation is modulated by adipokines, and angiotensin-(1–7). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biota Neotropica (Edicao em Iingles) is the property of Biota Neotropica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

For many years lactate was seen as a metabolite from glucose metabolism. However, since the last century researchers have shown that this molecule has an important role on liver, muscle, and brain metabolism. Lactate traffics along whole body mediating many biological processes depending on specific situations. For example, glucose is the main substrate used during exercise but lactate released by striated skeletal muscle is used by own muscle as secondary fuel. On the other hand, neuronal firing in the brain is almost totally lactate-dependent. In addition, lactate has an important role on BDNF-mediated neuroplasticity. As this molecule has a pleiotropic role in the body, it was called as "lactormone" in 2009. Here we show basic concepts on peripheral and central metabolism and discuss neurobiological pathways of lactate, including an alternative hypothesis on lactate released during exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performance measurement has become an increasingly important issue in recent years. In spite of the remarkable progress that has been achieved in this area of research, many performance measurement initiatives fall short of their potential in supporting decision-making. This paper argues that adopting a multi-method approach to assessing performance has the potential to result in more comprehensive and effective performance measurement systems. To support this assertion, the paper discusses the development of a performance measurement system for a Business Tax Department, which combined the use of several operational research (OR) techniques including qualitative system dynamics, data envelopment analysis and multiple criteria decision analysis. The use of these OR techniques was influential in developing and implementing the performance measurement system and has the potential to be transferred to other contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• Lychnophora ericoides extract improves skin wounds. • L. ericoides increases collagen deposition and angiogenesis in wound area. • L. ericoides accelerates re-epithelialization in wound area. • L. ericoides induced efficient and faster promoter of wound closure. • Expressions of VEGF, FGF and COL1 on excision wound were enhanced by L. ericoides. Lychnophora ericoides Mart, also known as the Brazilian arnica or fake arnica, belongs to the Asteraceae family. Leaves and roots are used in alcoholic and hydroalcoholic preparations for the treatment of wounds, inflammation, and pain. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of L. ericoides ethanolic extract (EELE) on cutaneous wound healing and the mechanisms of action involved. A total of 72 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups of six animals each. An excisional wound was made in the dorsal region of each mouse. The test groups were topically treated with the vehicle, a positive control commercial reference drug, EELE ointment (5%), and EELE ointment (10%). The treatments were applied over 14 days. The wound area was measured every two days to verify the wound closure kinetics. On days 3, 7, and 14 the wound tissue samples were processed for Hematoxylin and Eosin, Masson-Trichrome, and Toluidine blue staining. The expression of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components, the vascular growth factor-A (VEGF-A), the basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), and type I collagen genes were evaluated. Phytochemical analyses were performed using HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS/MS. The EELE (10%) significantly reduced the wound area compared to the treatments used for the other groups. Histological analysis demonstrated that wounds treated with L. ericoides for 14 days developed improved anatomical skin features, healed with hair follicles and sebaceous glands, increased collagen production and angiogenesis, and decreased the number of mast cells at the injury site. Real-time PCR data demonstrated that groups treated with EELE (10%) showed increased Type I collagen, VEGF-A, FGF-2, and AT 1 R and decreased ACE II and receptor MAS. The healing action of L. ericoides may be related to the presence of phenolic compounds, such as phenolic acids, chlorogenic acid derivatives, and C-glycoside flavonoids. Topical treatment with EELE increases important factors for wound healing: FGF, VEGF, collagen formation, and the expression of the proliferative axis of the renin-angiotensin system. For the first time, the present study shows the healing action of L. ericoides at the molecular level in an animal model. This process can be used as an alternative therapy for wound healing and the development of herbal therapy. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campomanesia guazumifolia is a species from the Brazilian Cerrado, and its leaves are used by traditional medicine in the preparation of infusion. Its popular uses include antidiarrheal, hypocholesterolemic, and anti-inflammatory purposes. Here we studied the leaf infusion of Campomanesia guazumifolia (LICG) on platelet activity, investigating its role in the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway. For this, the phytochemical composition, in vivo toxicity (using zebrafish) were evaluated and their effects were investigated on platelet reactivity using different agonists. To elucidate the possible mechanisms involved, we studied the impact of LICG on calcium mobilization, cyclic nucleotides and thromboxane levels, PKCβ2 phosphorylation, and COX inhibition. Furthermore, in silico studies showed the interactions of COX-1 with the compounds identified in LICG by molecular modeling. We describe for the first time that LICG acts by inhibiting platelet aggregation evoked by different physiological agonists, which results in a drastic reduction in intracellular calcium discharge without the involvement of cyclic nucleotide pathways. Furthermore, we showed that LICG appears to inhibit cyclooxygenase 1, reducing thromboxane A 2 levels and PKCβ2 phosphorylation in human platelets, reinforced by similar interactions compared to a reference inhibitor at the catalytic site. This study demonstrates the antiplatelet effects of LICG via COX-1 and suggests that these agents may be therapeutic for preventing platelet-associated cardiovascular disease. [Display omitted] • LICG inhibits human platelet aggregation. • LICG decreases platelet calcium mobilization. • LICG inhibits the COX-1 signaling pathway in platelets. • Luteolin and apigenin are well stabilized at the catalytic site of COX-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Objectives To analyze the mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the liver and white adipose tissue samples of individuals with class III obesity (body mass index ≥40.0 kg/m 2 ) with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods This cross-sectional study included patients with class III obesity exhibiting early or late morphological presentation of NAFLD (non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis [NAFL], n = 8 and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH], n = 13, respectively). All patients underwent bariatric surgery and peripheral blood, liver, and visceral white adipose tissue (WAT) samples were collected. Socio-demographic, anthropometric, clinical, plasma biochemical, and nutritional characteristics of each study subject were assessed and compared between patients presenting with NAFL and NASH. IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression in the liver and WAT samples were measured by using quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results Individuals with class III obesity and NASH showed higher body mass index (BMI) and higher IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression in the WAT compared to that of patients with NAFL ( p = 0.01, for all associations). Conclusions Individuals with class III obesity with higher morphological severity of NAFLD exhibited higher BMI and higher IL-6 and TNF-α expression in the WAT. Future prospective studies are warranted to determine how BMI, IL-6, and TNF-α affect the progression of NAFLD in individuals with class III obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apitoxin harvesting is a stressful practice for honey bees Apis mellifera L. due to the release of alarm pheromones that alter communication and behaviour and may also affect their physiology. Thus, the goal of this research was to verify the effects of apitoxin harvesting on the development of the hypopharyngeal glands (HGs), evaluating the number and area of acini. For this, ten beehives were subjected to one of two treatments: T1, without apitoxin harvest and T2, with apitoxin harvested by an electric collector. We collected ten 6-day-old honey bees in each treatment once every month (October through December). The HGs were removed and were processed for morphological-stereological analysis. The worker bees from hives subjected to treatment T2 showed a smaller acinar area and lower number of acini than those from hives subjected to treatment T1. Thus, apitoxin harvest negatively affects the structure of the hypopharyngeal glands, consequently affecting the production of royal jelly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Understanding the biological processes underlying Pressure Ulcer (PU) is an important strategy to identify new molecular targets. Bioinformatics has emerged as an important screening tool for a broad range of diseases. Objective This study aim of the current study is to investigate the protein-protein interaction in the PU context by bioinformatics. Methods We performed a search in gene databases, and bioinformatics algorithms were used to generate molecular targets for PU based in silico investigation. Interactions networks between protein-coding genes were built and compared to skin. Results TNFA, MMP9, and IL10 genes have higher disease-related connectivity than a connectivity general global. MAGOH , UBC , and PTCH1 as were leader genes related to skin. Ontological analysis demonstrated different mechanisms associated, such as response to oxidase stress. Conclusion TNFA, MMP9, and IL10 are possible therapeutic targets for pressure ulcer. Additional investigation of cell post-transcriptional machinery should be investigated in PU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Atencao Primaria a Saude is the property of Revista de Atencao Primaria a Saude and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background Visceral obesity has been considered a risk factor for metabolic and cardiovascular complications. In an attempt to reduce the visceral adipose tissue, omentectomy has been proposed to be performed along with bariatric surgery. Objective The goal of this study was to evaluate whether omentectomy associated with sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is beneficial to the inflammatory and metabolic profile of rats fed a standard diet (STD) or high-fat diet (HFD). Setting University hospital, Brazil. Methods For this experiment, male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups as follows: sham surgery (STD+L or HFD+L), SG alone (STD+SG or HFD+SG), or SG with omentectomy (STD+SGO or HFD+SGO). Anthropometric data and metabolic profiles were evaluated, and the tissue expression of inflammatory markers in the visceral adipose tissue was measured. Results In rats with diet-induced obesity treated with SG with or without omentectomy, there was a reduction in weight (HFD+SG: P <.01 and HFD+SGO: P <.05), adiposity (HFD+SG: P <.001 and HFD+SGO: P <.05), plasma levels of glucose (HFD+SG: P <.01 and HFD+SGO: P <.01), plasma levels of C-peptide (HFD+SG: P <.01 and HFD+SGO: P <.001), plasma levels of insulin (HFD+SG: P <.05 and HFD+SGO: P <.001), plasma levels of total cholesterol (HFD+SG: P <.01 and HFD+SGO: P <.01), and tissue expression of TNF-α (HFD+SG: P <.001 and HFD+SGO: P <.01), but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in which omentectomy was performed or was not. Conclusion In this study, we did not observe additional beneficial effects due to omentectomy associated with SG in the metabolic profile and tissue expression of inflammatory markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Salud Pública is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction Bioinformatics has emerged as an important tool to analyze the large amount of data generated by research in different diseases. In this study, gene expression for radicular cysts (RCs) and periapical granulomas (PGs) was characterized based on a leader gene approach. Methods A validated bioinformatics algorithm was applied to identify leader genes for RCs and PGs. Genes related to RCs and PGs were first identified in PubMed, GenBank, GeneAtlas, and GeneCards databases. The Web-available STRING software (The European Molecular Biology Laboratory [EMBL], Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany) was used in order to build the interaction map among the identified genes by a significance score named weighted number of links. Based on the weighted number of links, genes were clustered using k-means. The genes in the highest cluster were considered leader genes. Multilayer perceptron neural network analysis was used as a complementary supplement for gene classification. Results For RCs, the suggested leader genes were TP53 and EP300 , whereas PGs were associated with IL2RG , CCL2 , CCL4 , CCL5 , CCR1 , CCR3 , and CCR5 genes. Conclusions Our data revealed different gene expression for RCs and PGs, suggesting that not only the inflammatory nature but also other biological processes might differentiate RCs and PGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• No differences in microorganisms were observed between groups. • In both groups, there were low rates of treatment failure. • Methylene blue reduced the number of infected anatomical sites. Purpose This study aimed to compare the efficacy of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT) with 300 µmol/L of methylene blue and 8 µmol/L of curcumin on oral candidiasis patients with HNSCC undergoing treatment. Methods A two-arm, single-blind clinical trial was performed. Following verification for eligibility (n = 447), 108 patients were included in the study. The study consisted of a group that received aPDT with methylene blue (n = 57) and another that received aPDT with curcumin (n = 51). The patients rinsed their mouths with an aqueous solution of 300 µmol/L of methylene blue and 8 µmol/L of curcumin in four sessions, and then the lesion was scraped for the subsequent RT-qPCR. The primary outcome was that no cure was presented for oral candidiasis after treatment. The secondary result was reducing the number of sites affected by oral candidiasis. Results There was no difference in treatment failure evaluated by the necessity of drug prescription or Candida sp DNA quantification. However, clinically the methylene blue protocol reduced the number of infected anatomical sites compared to the curcumin protocol. Conclusion Methylene blue aPDT reduced the number of infected anatomical sites compared to curcumin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Pesquisa: Cuidado é Fundamental is the property of Revista de Pesquisa: Cuidado e Fundamental Online and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)