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Abstract Objective: to evaluate the effects of the Contemporary Pilates method on the physical fitness, cognition and quality of life of the elderly. Method: the Senior Fitness Test battery, the Vienna Test System and the EUROHIS QOL-8 quality of life questionnaire were used. The study group consisted of 16 elderly people and 27 classes of the Solo Contemporary Pilates method, held twice a week. To verify the normality of the data the Shapiro-Wilk test was used while the physical fitness and cognition variables were tested using the t-test for paired samples. Percentage analysis was performed for the quality of life variable and its dimensions. A significance level of 5% was adopted. Results: a significant difference (p

Wood-derived nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) has emerged as a sustainable material with a wide range of applications and increasing presence in the market. Surface charges are introduced during the preparation of NFC to facilitate the defibrillation process, which may also alter the toxicological properties of NFC. In the present study, we examined the in vitro toxicity of NFCs with five surface chemistries: nonfunctionalized, carboxymethylated, phosphorylated, sulfoethylated, and hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium-substituted. The NFC samples were characterized for surface functional group density, surface charge, and fiber morphology. Fibril aggregates predominated in the nonfunctionalized NFC, while individual nanofibrils were observed in the functionalized NFCs. Differences in surface group density among the functionalized NFCs were reflected in the fiber thickness of these samples. In human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells, all NFCs showed low cytotoxicity (CellTiter-GloVR luminescent cell viability assay) which never exceeded 10% at any exposure time. None of the NFCs induced genotoxic effects, as evaluated by the alkaline comet assay and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. The nonfunctionalized and carboxymethylated NFCs were able to increase intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation (chloromethyl derivative of 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay). However, ROS induction did not result in increased DNA or chromosome damage.

There is currently a huge need for new, improved therapeutic approaches for the treatment of chronic wounds. One promising strategy is to develop wound dressings capable of modulating the chronic wound environment (e.g., by controlling the high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and proteases). Here, we selected the thiol-containing amino acid cysteine to endow wood-derived cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) with bioactivity toward the modulation of ROS levels and protease activity. Cysteine was covalently incorporated into CNF and the functionalized material, herein referred as cys-CNF, was characterized in terms of chemical structure, degree of substitution, radical scavenging capacity, and inhibition of protease activity. The stability of the thiol groups was evaluated over time, and an in vitro cytotoxicity study with human dermal fibroblasts was performed to evaluate the safety profile of cys-CNF. Results showed that cys-CNF was able to efficiently control the activity of the metalloprotease collagenase and to inhibit the free radical DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical), activities that were correlated with the presence of free thiol groups on the nanofibers. The stability study showed that the reactivity of the thiol groups challenged the bioactivity over time. Nevertheless, preparing the material as an aerogel and storing it in an inert atmosphere were shown to be valid approaches to increase the stability of the thiol groups in cys-CNF. No signs of toxicity were observed on the dermal fibroblasts when exposed to cys-CNF (concentration range 0.1–0.5 mg/mL). The present work highlights cys-CNF as a promising novel material for the development of bioactive wound dressings for the treatment of chronic wounds.

Wood-derived nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) has long been recognized as a valuable nanomaterial for food-related applications. However, the safety of NFC cannot be predicted just from the chemical nature of cellulose, and there is a need to establish the effect of the nanofibers on the gastrointestinal tract, to reassure the safe use of NFC in food-related products. The present work selected the intestinal cells Caco-2 and the gut bacteria Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus reuteri to evaluate the in vitro biological response to NFC. NFC materials with different surface modifications (carboxymethylation, hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium substitution, phosphorylation and sulfoethylation) and unmodified NFC were investigated. The materials were characterized in terms of surface functional group content, fiber morphology, zeta potential and degree of crystallinity. The Caco-2 cell response to the materials was evaluated by assessing metabolic activity and cell membrane integrity. The effects of the NFC materials on the model bacteria were evaluated by measuring bacterial growth (optical density at 600 nm) and by determining colony forming units counts after NFC exposure. Results showed no sign of cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells exposed to the NFC materials, and NFC surface functionalization did not impact the cell response. Interestingly, a bacteriostatic effect on E. coli was observed while the materials did not affect the growth of L. reuteri. The present findings are foreseen to contribute to increase the knowledge about the potential oral toxicity of NFC and, in turn, add to the development of safe NFC-based food products.

Transparent composite hydrogel in the form of a contact lens made from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) was subjected to in vitro biocompatibility evaluation with human corneal epithelial cells (HCE-2 cells). The cell response to direct contact with the hydrogels was investigated by placing the samples on top of confluent cell layers and evaluating cell viability, morphology, and cell layer integrity subsequent to 24 h culture and removal of the hydrogels. To further characterize the lens−cell interactions, HCE-2 cells were seeded on the hydrogels, with and without simulated tear fluid (STF) pre-conditioning, and cell viability and morphology were evaluated. Furthermore, protein adsorption on the hydrogel surface was investigated by incubating the materials with STF, followed by protein elution and quantification. The hydrogel material was found to have affinity towards protein adsorption, most probably due to the interactions between the positively charged lysozyme and the negatively charged CNCs embedded in the PVA matrix. The direct contact experiment demonstrated that the physical presence of the lenses did not affect corneal epithelial cell monolayers in terms of integrity nor cell metabolic activity. Moreover, it was found that viable corneal cells adhered to the hydrogel, showing the typical morphology of epithelial cells and that such response was not influenced by the STF pre-conditioning of the hydrogel surface. The results of the study confirm that PVA-CNC hydrogel is a promising ophthalmic biomaterial, motivating future in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility studies.

Salicylic acid (SA) has for a long time been used to treat various skin disorders due to its anti-inflammatory, bacteriostatic, and antifungal properties. In the present work, mesoporous magnesium carbonate (MMC), a promising drug carrier, was modified with 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane to enable loading of SA. The amine modified MMC (aMMC) was successfully loaded with 8 wt.% of SA via a solvent evaporation method. SA was later completely released from the carrier in less than 15 min. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of the functionalized material was evaluated. aMMC was found to be non-toxic for human dermal fibroblast cells with particle concentration of up to 1000 µg/mL when exposed for 48 h. The presented results form the basis of future development of aMMC as a potential carrier for SA in dermatological applications.

A Ca2+-crosslinked wood-based nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) hydrogel was investigated to build knowledge toward the use of nanocellulose for topical drug delivery applications in a chronic wound healing context. Proteins of varying size and isoelectric point were loaded into the hydrogel in a simple soaking procedure. The release of the proteins from the hydrogel was monitored and kinetics determining parameters of the release processes were assessed. The integrity of the hydrogel and proteins were also studied. The results showed that electrostatic interactions between the proteins and the negatively-charged NFC hydrogel structure played a central role in the loading process. The release of the proteins were governed by Fickian diffusion. An increased protein size, as well as a positive protein charge facilitated a slower and more sustained release process from the hydrogel matrix. At the same time, the positively-charged protein was shown to increase the post-loading hydrogel strength. Released proteins maintained structural stability and activity, thus indicating that the Ca2+-crosslinked NFC hydrogel could function as a carrier of therapeutic proteins without compromising protein function. It is foreseen that, by utilizing tunable charge properties of the NFC hydrogel, release profiles can be tailored to meet very specific treatment needs.

Sulfonated cellulose beads were prepared by oxidation of Cladophora nanocellulose to 2,3-dialdehyde cellulose followed by sulfonation using bisulfite. The physicochemical properties of the sulfonated beads, i.e., high surface area, high degree of oxidation, spherical shape, and the possibility of tailoring the porosity, make them interesting candidates for the development of immunosorbent platforms, including their application in extracorporeal blood treatments. A desired property for materials used in such applications is blood compatibility; therefore in the present work, we investigate the hemocompatibility of the sulfonated cellulose beads using an in vitro whole blood model. Complement system activation (C3a and sC5b-9 levels), coagulation activation (thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) levels) and hemolysis were evaluated after whole blood contact with the sulfonated beads and the results were compared with the values obtained with the unmodified Cladophora nanocellulose. Results showed that neither of the cellulosic materials presented hemolytic activity. A marked decrease in TAT levels was observed after blood contact with the sulfonated beads, compared with Cladophora nanocellulose. However, the chemical modification did not promote an improvement in Cladophora nanocellulose hemocompatibility in terms of complement system activation. Even though the sulfonated beads presented a significant reduction in pro-coagulant activity compared with the unmodified material, further modification strategies need to be investigated to control the complement activation by the cellulosic materials.

The present study shows that alumina nanotopography affects monocyte/macrophage behavior. Human mononuclear cells cultured on alumina membranes with pore diameters of 20 and 200 nm were evaluated in terms of cell adhesion, viability, morphology, and release of proinflammatory cytokines. After 24 hours, cell adhesion was assessed by means of light microscopy and cell viability by measuring LDH release. The inflammatory response was evaluated by quantifying interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α. Finally, scanning electron microscopy was used to study cell morphology. Results showed pronounced differences in cell number, morphology, and cytokine release depending on the nanoporosity. Few but highly activated cells were found on the 200 nm porous alumina, while relatively larger number of cells were found on the 20 nm porous surface. However, despite their larger number, the cells adhering on the 20 nm surface exhibited reduced pro-inflammatory activity. The data of this paper implies that nanotopography could be exploited for controlling the inflammatory response to implants.

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco 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 Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco 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.)

Despite the potential of smart clothing, which allows collecting and processing data about the user's conditions and reactions, the environment in which they are inserted and connecting with other artifacts around them, aiming to facilitate daily activities and improve quality of life, problems environmental issues already faced by the clothing sector can be worsened due to the incorporation of electronic components in clothing. Design can contribute to reversing this situation through interventions within the scope of the concept of these products as well as in the associated services and systems. This article presents a review of the state of the art on the topic, with an emphasis on identifying the main environmental impacts and challenges of smart clothing from the perspective of the product life cycle, to contribute to the informational quality of the Designers involved in the project of this product category.

ABSTRACT Purpose: to investigate the frequency-following response (FFR) for sustained neural activity. Methods: 39 individuals, aged between 20 to 47 months old were divided into 2 groups: (i) 20 individuals without prenatal exposure to the congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) or hydrocephaly, normal development, no risk factors for hearing loss or syndromic hearing impairment and (ii) 19 individuals diagnosed with CZS and microcephaly - based on imaging studies linked to the clinical presentation of the condition. All participants exhibited normal click-ABR tests. FFR waveforms were documented using the /da/ syllable employing the Navigator Pro. The statistical analysis used was ANOVA (p-value

Introduction Tinnitus is a prevalent condition among many different populations. Since tinnitus is subjective, self-report questionnaires are one way of assessing how much the condition interferes with the quality of life of an individual.

Introduction Parkinson disease (PD) is a degenerative and progressive neurological disorder characterized by resting tremor, stiffness, bradykinesia, and postural instability. Despite the motor symptoms, PD patients also consistently show cognitive impairment or executive dysfunction. The auditory event-related potential P300 has been described as the best indicator of mental function, being highly dependent on cognitive skills, including attention and discrimination. Objective To review the literature on the application and findings of P300 as an indicator of PD. Data Analysis The samples ranged from 7 to 166 individuals. Young adult and elderly male patients composed most study samples. The Mini-Mental State Examination test, the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale, and the Hoehn and Yahr Scale were used to assess neurological and cognitive function. In terms of testing hearing function, few studies have focused on parameters other than the P300. The factors we focused on were how the P300 was modified by cognitive effects, its correlation with different PD scales, the effect of performing dual tasks, the effect of fatigue, and the influence of drug treatments. Conclusion The use of the P300 appears to be an effective assessment tool in patients with PD. This event-related potential seems to correlate well with other neurocognitive tests that measure key features of the disease.

Resumo A indicação do procedimento de gastrostomia em uma criança reverbera em suas famílias como um momento de crise, com a ruptura do padrão de funcionamento familiar. A decisão pela gastrostomia infantil envolve crenças e valores familiares, além de aspectos psicológicos, como o enfrentamento e a resiliência familiar. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o enfrentamento e a resiliência familiar de cuidadores de crianças frente à tomada de decisão pela gastrostomia infantil. Quatro cuidadores principais de crianças com indicação para gastrostomia responderam ao Inventário COPE, para avaliar estratégias e estilos de enfrentamento, e a entrevista “Indicadores de Resiliência Familiar”, elaborada para esse estudo. O relato verbal dos cuidadores foi analisado com base nos indicadores de resiliência familiar proposto por Walsh, adotando-se a Análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Os indicadores de resiliência familiar encontrados foram a “Busca em extrair significado da adversidade” e a “Perspectiva positiva”, junto com um enfrentamento caracterizado por maior frequência de estratégias como “ Coping ativo”, “Planejamento”, “Reinterpretação positiva e crescimento”, e “Retorno para a religiosidade”. Esses achados sugerem que as famílias foram capazes de superar os desafios impostos pela gastrostomia infantil e enfrentar as adversidades de forma ativa e planejada, quando reinterpretaram sua experiência atribuindo significados positivos à situação. Concluímos que a tomada de decisão resiliente e positiva pauta-se na negociação dos valores familiares e o saber clínico da equipe de saúde. Destacamos o trabalho empático dos profissionais de saúde com os cuidadores, fortalecendo as potencialidades destes para a sobrevivência e superação dos desafios impostos pela gastrostomia.

O vinho do Porto é um dos principais produtos Portugueses exportados sendo consumido atualmente em quase todo o mundo. Este facto deve-se à sua elevada qualidade e às suas características próprias que fazem dele um vinho inconfundível e histórico e sem dúvida uma referência mundial na área da e da enologia. Este trabalho teve como intuito o desenvolvimento de um produto, neste caso, um sabonete a partir do vinho do Porto. Para a sua produção utilizou-se como base glicerina sólida, creme hidratante sem odor, com o objetivo de conferir propriedades hidratantes, e essência de sândalo, que vai conferir ao sabonete um odor agradável e duradouro na pele. Através da análise sensorial foram comparadas duas amostras com a mesma composição básica, diferindo apenas porque uma delas continha vinho do Porto e a outra não. Confirmou-se que os consumidores têm uma preferência pelo sabonete elaborado a partir do vinho do Porto.

Introdução: O autismo começou a ser estudado por Leo Kanner, psiquiatra americano, na década de 1940 e atualmente está classificado segundo DSM-IV, como Transtorno Global de Desenvolvimento, ou ainda como Transtorno Invasivo do Desenvolvimento pelo CID-10. Porém, suas causas ainda não são claras e há uma dificuldade no diagnóstico, o que levou muitos enganos, erros de tratamento e cuidados maiores para com os portadores. Este distúrbio caracteriza-se por isolamento, distúrbios de comunicação verbais e não-verbais, necessidade de imutabilidade (a exemplo das estereotipias), respostas perturbadas a estímulos sensoriais, anomalias motoras, afetos inadequados, distúrbios do desenvolvimento, entre outros. No município de Assis, o Projeto Fênix, fundado em 2005, tem por finalidade oferecer atendimento para pessoas com transtornos invasivos do desenvolvimento, realizando atividades acadêmicas, de música, pintura, educação física e pré-oficinas, com o objetivo de amenizar os desvios presentes nestas pessoas, auxiliar e apoiar suas famílias e difundir o conhecimento sobre o autismo. Objetivos: O presente projeto de extensão tem por objetivo favorecer o desenvolvimento da capacidade cognitiva e emocional de crianças com transtornos invasivos do desenvolvimento por intermédio de atividades lúdicas interativas. Métodos: Partindo das observações realizadas semanalmente em 2008, a montagem da brinquedoteca foi planejada de forma a atender as necessidades principais das crianças participantes do projeto. Foram atendidas sete crianças divididas em dois grupos, sendo que cada grupo participa da brinquedoteca duas vezes por semana em sessões de cinqüenta minutos. Resultados: Até o momento, dentre os resultados observados, pode-se destacar que as tendências iniciais das crianças se resumiam a aproximar-se dos brinquedos de forma estereotipada e, posteriormente, com o desenrolar das atividades evidencia-se uma ampliação de suas capacidades simbólicas, representadas pelo brincar mais diversificado, coletivo e com maior interação uns com os outros e com as estagiárias. Outro fator observado é que a ampliação da capacidade lúdica da criança melhora sua interação favorecendo a implantação de propostas de inclusão escolar. Palavras-chaves: brincar, autismo, criança.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The immaturity of preterm infants' organ systems may lead to difficulties in adapting to different environmental stimuli. The aim was to compare the psychomotor development of preterm infants (with corrected age) and term infants aged 6 to 12 months and to investigate associated factors.DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional analytical study conducted at Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco.METHODS: The sample consisted of 135 infants (45 preterm and 90 full-term) aged 6 to 12 months. Neuropsychomotor development was assessed using the Bayley III cognitive, language and motor subscales. Biological, socioeconomic and demographic data were gathered from medical records and through interviews with mothers.RESULTS: The mean cognitive, language and motor indices were within the range of normality for the sample as a whole. No significant difference in the development of infants born preterm and full-term was observed, except for expressive communication, in which preterm infants presented a lower index. Motor development was influenced by biological factors, and the poorest performances were observed in male infants; birth weight birth weight < 1500 g; Apgar score at five minutes < 7; weight-, length- and head circumference-for-age < -1 Z-score; and exclusively breastfeeding for < two months.CONCLUSIONS: Prematurity did not influence the psychomotor development of infants in this study population. Motor development was the most affected domain in the sample as a whole, especially due to biological factors. Investigations on child neuropsychomotor development should try to identify many determinant factors because of its multifactorial nature.