Biochar mitigates negative effects of salt additions on two herbaceous plant species.

Addition of pyrolyzed biomass ("biochar") to soils has commonly been shown to increase crop yields and alleviate plant stresses associated with drought and exposure to toxic materials. Here we investigate the ability of biochar (at two dosages: 5 and 50 t ha(-1)) to mitigate salt-induced stress, simulating road salt additions in a factorial glasshouse experiment involving the broadleaved herbaceous plants Abutilon theophrasti and Prunella vulgaris. Salt additions of 30 g m(-2) NaCl to unamended soils resulted in high mortality rates for both species.

[School nutrition and autonomy - challenges and opportunities].

This study seeks to emphasize school food as an important policy to promote student autonomy by means of food and nutrition education included in the curriculum, integrated with different actors and based on the standpoint of citizenship. It seeks to return to fundamental concepts in the context of school food reflecting on them through theoretical assumptions to identify possible strategies to promote citizenship and autonomy in school. The strategies involved food and nutrition education with the daily presence of quality and suitability in school meals, discussions on the various dimensions of food in the curriculum and integrating food in the pedagogical project extended to various areas of the education system.

Identification of occlusal prematurity by clinical examination and cone-beam computed tomography.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability to identify occlusal prematurity by images from paraxial slices of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). For such purpose, a pilot study was performed in which 16 asymptomatic young patients were subjected to a clinical examination, including a careful occlusal analysis and then individual deprogrammer devices ("Lucia's JIG") were fabricated. Premature contacts were clinically identified in centric relation (CR) for each patient by jaw manipulation and interocclusal marking with articulating paper (Accufilm).

Α-mangostin and gambogic acid as potential inhibitors of the p53-MDM2 interaction revealed by a yeast approach.

α-Mangostin (1) and gambogic acid (2) are natural products with potent cytotoxic activity against several human tumor cells. However, their molecular mechanisms of action remain controversial. In this work, using yeast-based assays, it was shown that both xanthones are potential inhibitors of the p53-MDM2 interaction.

A conformational study of hydroxyflavones by vibrational spectroscopy coupled to DFT calculations.

The conformational preferences of a series of hydroxyflavones were studied by Raman and FTIR spectroscopies, coupled to Density Functional Theory calculations. Special attention was paid to the effect of hydroxyl substitution, due to its importance on the biological activity of these compounds. Their conformational preferences were found to be determined mainly by the orientation of the hydroxylic groups at C(7) and within the catechol moiety, leading to the occurrence of distinct conformers in the solid state.

Type 2 diabetic and Alzheimer's disease mice present similar behavioral, cognitive, and vascular anomalies.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is considered a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). To elucidate the links between both pathological conditions, we compared behavioral and cognitive functions, cerebral amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) levels and vasculature integrity of 11-month-old T2D and AD mice. For this purpose, we performed behavioral tests (open field, object recognition, Y-maze, and elevated plus maze tests), ELISA to assess plasma markers of endothelial/vascular dysfunction, spectrophotometric assays to evaluate cerebral vascular permeability and enzymatic activities, and immunohistochemistry for the assessment of Aβ levels.

Discovery of a new small-molecule inhibitor of p53-MDM2 interaction using a yeast-based approach.

The virtual screening of a library of xanthone derivatives led us to the identification of potential novel MDM2 ligands. The activity of these compounds as inhibitors of p53-MDM2 interaction was investigated using a yeast phenotypic assay, herein developed for the initial screening. Using this approach, in association with a yeast p53 transactivation assay, the pyranoxanthone (3,4-dihydro-12-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H,6H-pyrano[3,2-b]xanthen-6-one) (1) was identified as a putative small-molecule inhibitor of p53-MDM2 interaction.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotics.

Background And Objectives: Due to the concern of risk of intra- and postoperative complications and associated morbidity, cirrhosis of the liver is often considered a contraindication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This article intends to review the literature and underline the various approaches to dealing with this technically challenging procedure.

Methods: A Medline search of major articles in the English literature on LC in cirrhotic patients over a 16-y period from 1994 to 2011 was reviewed and the findings analyzed.

Endurance training and chronic intermittent hypoxia modulate in vitro salicylate-induced hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction.

Mitochondrial function is modulated by multiple approaches including physical activity, which can afford cross-tolerance against a variety of insults. We therefore aimed to analyze the effects of endurance-training (ET) and chronic-intermittent hypobaric-hypoxia (IHH) on liver mitochondrial bioenergetics and whether these effects translate into benefits against in vitro salicylate mitochondrial toxicity. Twenty-eight young-adult male rats were divided into normoxic-sedentary (NS), normoxic-exercised (NE), hypoxic-sedentary (HS) and hypoxic-exercised (HE).

Pear quality characteristics by Vis / NIR spectroscopy.

Recently, non-destructive techniques such as the Vis / NIR spectroscopy have been used to evaluate the characteristics of maturation and quality of pears. The study aims to validate the readings by the Vis / NIR spectroscopy as a non-destructive way to assess the qualitative characteristics of pear cultivars 'Williams', 'Packams' and 'Carrick', produced according to Brazilian conditions. The experiment was conducted at the Pelotas Federal University, UFPel, in Pelotas / RS, and the instrument used to measure the fruit quality in a non-destructive way was the NIR- Case spectrophotometer (SACMI, Imola, Italy).

A multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of anti-NMDA-receptor antibody encephalitis: a case and review of the literature.

Anti-NMDAR (N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor) encephalitis is a novel autoimmune and paraneoplastic disease often presenting as acute psychosis. Few studies exist in the psychiatric literature on neuroimmunity and behavioral management. This article reviews the epidemiology, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and management of this disease from a neuropsychiatric perspective.

Upper gastrointestinal histopathological findings in children and adolescents with nonulcer dyspepsia with Helicobacter pylori infection.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the histopathological lesions in the upper gastrointestinal mucosa associated with Helicobacter pylori infection in children with nonulcer dyspepsia.

Methods: A cross-sectional case-control study was performed on 185 Brazilian children and adolescents (4-17 years, mean 9.5 ± 2.

Astrocytic adenosine A2A receptors control the amyloid-β peptide-induced decrease of glutamate uptake.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a progressive cognitive impairment tightly correlated with the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides (mainly Aβ(1-42)). There is a precocious disruption of glutamatergic synapses in AD, in line with an ability of Aβ to decrease astrocytic glutamate uptake. Accumulating evidence indicates that caffeine prevents the burden of AD, likely through the antagonism of A(2A) receptors (A(2A)R) which attenuates Aβ-induced memory impairment and synaptotoxicity.

Pancreatic fistula after pancreatectomy: definitions, risk factors, preventive measures, and management-review.

Resection of pancreas, in particular pancreaticoduodenectomy, is a complex procedure, commonly performed in appropriately selected patients with benign and malignant disease of the pancreas and periampullary region. Despite significant improvements in the safety and efficacy of pancreatic surgery, pancreaticoenteric anastomosis continues to be the "Achilles heel" of pancreaticoduodenectomy, due to its association with a measurable risk of leakage or failure of healing, leading to pancreatic fistula. The morbidity rate after pancreaticoduodenectomy remains high in the range of 30% to 65%, although the mortality has significantly dropped to below 5%.

Caffeine regulates frontocorticostriatal dopamine transporter density and improves attention and cognitive deficits in an animal model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) likely involves dopaminergic dysfunction in the frontal cortex and striatum, resulting in cognitive and motor abnormalities. Since both adenosine and dopamine modulation systems are tightly intertwined, we tested if caffeine (a non-selective adenosine receptor antagonist) attenuated the behavioral and neurochemical changes in adolescent spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR, a validated ADHD animal model) compared to their control strain (Wistar Kyoto rats, WKY). SHR were hyperactive and had poorer performance in the attentional set-shifting and Y-maze paradigms and also displayed increased dopamine transporter (DAT) density and increased dopamine uptake in frontocortical and striatal terminals compared with WKY rats.

Mitochondrial remodeling in cancer metabolism and survival: potential for new therapies.

Mitochondria are semi-autonomous organelles that play essential roles in cellular metabolism and programmed cell death pathways. Genomic, functional and structural mitochondrial alterations have been associated with cancer. Some of those alterations may provide a selective advantage to cells, allowing them to survive and grow under stresses created by oncogenesis.

Myocarditis in a 72-year-old woman with late onset systemic lupus erythematous.

A 72-year-old female with late onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was admitted with chest pain and dyspnoea, and was submitted to investigation by echocardiogram, cardiovascular magnetic resonance(CMR) and serology panel. Morphological and functional studies of the heart revealed conspicuous inflammatory signs and moderate effusion compatible with myocarditis and pericarditis. Myocarditis is an uncommon manifestation of SLE.

Pancreaticopleural fistula: revisited.

Pancreaticopleural fistula is a rare complication of acute and chronic pancreatitis. This usually presents with chest symptoms due to pleural effusion, pleural pseudocyst, or mediastinal pseudocyst. Diagnosis requires a high index of clinical suspicion in patients who develop alcohol-induced pancreatitis and present with pleural effusion which is recurrent or persistent.

Cone-beam tomography assessment of condylar position discrepancy between centric relation and maximal intercuspation.

The magnitude of occasional discrepancies between the centric relation and maximal intercuspation positions remains a controversial subject. This study quantitatively evaluated the possible discrepancies in the condyle/mandibular fossa relationship between these positions using cone-beam computed tomography. Twenty young and asymptomatic volunteers were distributed equally into normal occlusion and Angle Class I, II and III malocclusion groups.

Management of duodenal perforation post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. When and whom to operate and what factors determine the outcome? A review article.

Context: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has evolved from a diagnostic tool to primarily therapeutic procedure. With this, the complexity of the procedure and risk of complication including duodenal perforation have increased. In this article, the recent literature is reviewed to identify the optimal management and factors influencing the clinical outcome.

[Distribution and taxonomy of Pyrgophorus platyrachis (Caenogastropoda: Hydrobiidae) in the Sistema de Maracaibo, Venezuela].

The presence of a microgastropod identified as Potamopyrgus sp. was detected previously in the Maracaibo System; nevertheless, a detailed morphological analysis identified this snail in other genera. The objective of this work is to update the distribution and taxonomy of Pyrgophorus platyrachis in the Maracaibo System, Venezuela in samples obtained between 2001 and 2009.

Dietary chromones as antioxidant agents--the structural variable.

This study reports an evaluation of the free radical scavenging ability of a series of chromone derivatives, in the light of their structural features and conformational behaviour. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH˙) test for the assessment of radical scavenging properties was applied, and the interpretation of the experimental results was assisted by ab initio theoretical approaches that allowed relevant parameters, such as the enthalpy of formation of the radical species, to be predicted. From the eighteen tested compounds, three-fisetin, luteolin and quercetin-are shown to act as effective antiradicals.

Effect of environmental quality and mesohabitat structure on a Biotic Integrity Index based on fish assemblages of cerrado streams from Rio Cuiabá basin, Brazil.

Over the last 30 years, the Cerrado has been experiencing various antropic impacts that have brought about alterations to species composition, structure and functioning of aquatic habitats. Therefore, studies on negative impacts are useful to prevent future damage and restore environmental quality. The objectives of our study were: i) to adapt an index of biotic integrity of streams in the Rio Cuiabá Basin and ii) to analyze if the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) correlated with the environmental quality measured by the Index of Environmental Quality (IEQ) and with the mesohabitat structure.

Anti-apoptotic protection afforded by cardioplegic celsior and histidine buffer solutions to hearts subjected to ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion.

Cardiomyocytes undergo apoptosis in response to ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). During heart preservation, inhibition of apoptosis is critical to avoid organ failure. We aimed to compare the protection afforded by Celsior (Cs) and Histidine buffer solution (HBS) against apoptotic signaling in hearts subjected to moderate (4 h) versus severe (6 h) ischemia alone or followed by 30 min reperfusion.