The role of tetrahydroxyquinone solubility on apoptosis induction in human colorectal cells.

Tetrahydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (THQ) is a highly redox-active substance that generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can induce apoptosis in cell culture experiments. The underlying mechanism for ROS production has previously been postulated to be the autoxidation of THQ to rhodizonic acid (RhA). However, our results suggest that the cells detoxify THQ by reducing it to hexahydroxybenzene (HHB), catalyzed by the NADPH-quinone-oxidoreductase (NQO1).

Dry but Not Humid Thermal Processing of Gel Promotes Cytotoxicity on Human Intestinal Cells HT-29.

Aloe vera products, both in food and cosmetics, are becoming increasingly popular due to their claimed beneficial effects, which are mainly attributed to the active compound acemannan. Usually, these end products are based on powdered starting materials. High temperatures during the drying process to obtain the starting materials have several advantages, like shortening the drying time, eliminating toxic aloin and reducing bacterial contamination.

Immunomodulatory Effect of Food Supplement from .

Food industries typically use as concentrated (100× to 200×) and dried powders in their final products. These powders are obtained by extrusion of inner leaf gel (ILG) or whole leaf (WLP); the juice is filtered through diatomaceous earth and activated carbon before spray drying at temperatures below 70 °C. In another process, inner leaf gel was dried at ~80 °C and mashed to a powder rich in high molecular weight fibres and soluble polysaccharides (ILF).

Speed Consistency in the Smart Tachograph.

In the transportation sector, safety risks can be significantly reduced by monitoring the behaviour of drivers and by discouraging possible misconducts that entail fatigue and can increase the possibility of accidents. The Smart Tachograph (ST), the new revision of the Digital Tachograph (DT), has been designed with this purpose: to verify that speed limits and compulsory rest periods are respected by drivers. In order to operate properly, the ST periodically checks the consistency of data from different sensors, which can be potentially manipulated to avoid the monitoring of the driver behaviour.

Bioactivity of Methanolic Extracts from (Schltdl.) Schiede ex Standl., L., DC., F. Delaroche, and (Roxb.) Benth. Used in Traditional Medicine in Mexico.

Seven out of eight methanolic extracts from five plants native to Mexico were inactive against ten bacterial strains of clinical interest. The fruit extract of inhibited the bacteria (MIC = 4375 g/ml), (MIC = 1094 g/ml), and (MIC = 137 g/ml). The fruit extract of was with CC = 45 g/ml most cytotoxic against the cell-line Caco-2, followed by the leaf extract from (CC = 126 g/ml); interestingly, leaves of (CC = 563 g/ml) and bark of (CC = 347 g/ml) extracts were much less cytotoxic.

[Metabolic and anthropometric profile of Aruák Indians: Mehináku, Waurá and Yawalapití in the Upper Xingu, Central Brazil, 2000-2002].

The objective of this study was to describe the anthropometric and metabolic profile of Aruák Indians (Mehináku, Waurá, and Yawalapití) in the Upper Xingu, Central Brazil. In July 2000 and October 2002, 201 subjects of both genders and aged >or= 20 years were submitted to physical (anthropometric and blood pressure measures) and laboratory (fasting blood glucose, serum lipids, and uric acid) examination. As compared to females, males had lower mean skinfold thickness measurements and serum HDL cholesterol, and higher body mass index, arm circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol, and uric acid.

[Anthropometric assessment of Kamayurá adolescents in the Upper Xingu, Central Brazil (2000-2001)].

Despite the proximity between indigenous groups in the Upper Xingu Region and Brazilian national society, studies have shown adequate weight-for-height and low height-for-age in indigenous children. Little is known about the nutritional status of indigenous adolescents. The present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of Kamayurá adolescents.