Understanding the mechanisms of green tea EGCG against amyloid β oligomer neurotoxicity through computational studies.

Oligomeric species of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) are pivotal in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, making them valuable therapeutic targets. Currently, there is no cure or preventive therapy available for AD, with only a few therapeutics offering temporary alleviation of symptoms. Natural products (NPs) are now considered promising anti-amyloid agents.

Particulate matter pollution and non-targeted analysis of polar compounds in three regions of Brazil.

Atmospheric Particulate Matter (PM) is a pollutant with diverse origins, exhibiting varying chemical compositions, and undergoes several molecular transformations in the atmosphere. In this study, PM samples (PM, PM and TSP) were collected in five Brazilian cities (Camboriú-SC; Catalão-GO; Florianópolis-SC; Limeira-SP and Novo Hamburgo-RS) during the four seasons of the year. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the differences between each city and season in PM concentration.

How oxidized EGCG remodels α-synuclein fibrils into non-toxic aggregates: insights from computational simulations.

The misfolding and aggregation of the presynaptic protein α-synuclein (α-syn) is a pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Targeting α-syn has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for PD. Emerging evidence supports a dual action of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) against amyloid neurotoxicity.

Green Tea Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) Targeting Protein Misfolding in Drug Discovery for Neurodegenerative Diseases.

The potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) of the major bioactive compound of green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), is well documented. Numerous findings now suggest that EGCG targets protein misfolding and aggregation, a common cause and pathological mechanism in many NDs. Several studies have shown that EGCG interacts with misfolded proteins such as amyloid beta-peptide (Aβ), linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD), and α-synuclein, linked to Parkinson's disease (PD).

Occurrence of polar organic compounds in atmospheric particulate matter: a system review in South America.

Particulate matter (PM) is one of the existing air pollutants, which can cause damages to human health, public property, and the environment. The chemical composition of this pollutant greatly varies, mainly its organic fraction. Thus, our objective was to carry out a literature review based on articles, considering studies conducted in South America, whose authors address the characterization of the polar organic fraction of PM.

Challenges and Advances in Antemortem Diagnosis of Human Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies.

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), also known as prion diseases, arise from the structural conversion of the monomeric, cellular prion protein (PrP) into its multimeric scrapie form (PrP). These pathologies comprise a group of intractable, rapidly evolving neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, a definitive diagnosis of TSE relies on the detection of PrP and/or the identification of pathognomonic histological features in brain tissue samples, which are usually obtained postmortem or, in rare cases, by brain biopsy (antemortem).

Effect of hemodiafiltration on measured physical activity: primary results of the HDFIT randomized controlled trial.

Background: Dialysis patients are typically inactive and their physical activity (PA) decreases over time. Uremic toxicity has been suggested as a potential causal factor of low PA in dialysis patients. Post-dilution high-volume online hemodiafiltration (HDF) provides greater higher molecular weight removal and studies suggest better clinical/patient-reported outcomes compared with hemodialysis (HD).

Impact of hemodialysis and post-dialysis period on granular activity levels.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is typically lower on hemodialysis (HD) days. Albeit intradialytic inactivity is expected, it is unknown whether recovery after HD contributes to low PA. We investigated the impact of HD and post-HD period on granular PA relative to HD timing.

Methodological design for the assessment of physical activity and sedentary time in eight Latin American countries - The ELANS study.

Worldwide studies of physical activity and sedentary time have historically under-represented low- and middle-income countries due to the lack of surveillance data. The purpose of this paper is to describe the methods and procedures used for the assessment of physical activity and sedentary time in the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (; ELANS). ELANS is a multicentre, cross-sectional and surveillance study of a nationally representative sample from eight Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

[Accessibility to public spaces for leisure and physical activity in adults in Curitiba, Paraná State, Brazil].

The study aimed to analyze the association between accessibility to public spaces for leisure activities, availability of equipment for physical exercise in these spaces, and leisure-time physical activity (PA) in adults. A household survey was conducted with 699 adults from 32 census tracts selected according to income and "walkability". Accessibility to public spaces for leisure activities was determined by geoprocessing according to proximity to public spaces for leisure activities and the amount of such spaces within radiuses of 500 and 1,000 meters around the participants' homes.

Design and methodology of the impact of HemoDiaFIlTration on physical activity and self-reported outcomes: a randomized controlled trial (HDFIT trial) in Brazil.

Background: End stage renal disease (ESRD) patients require a renal replacement therapy (RRT) to filter accumulated toxins and remove excess water, which are associated with impaired physical function. Hemodialysis (HD) removes middle-molecular weight (MMW) toxins less efficiently compared to hemodiafiltration (HDF); we hypothesized HDF may improve physical function. We detailed the design and methodology of the HDFIT protocol that is testing whether changing from HD to HDF effects physical activity levels and various outcomes.

Multi-target natural products as alternatives against oxidative stress in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major global health problem. Among other conditions, it has been associated with chronic airway and lung parenchyma inflammation. At present, the available therapies are not capable of reducing the progression or suppressing inflammation associated to COPD.

Proposed anti-HSV compounds isolated from Simira species.

Secondary metabolites isolated from Simira eleiezeriana and Simira glaziovii were evaluated against herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) and (HSV-2). The 50% effective concentrations values (EC) were calculated from the dose-response curve and the selectivity index (SI) against the virus. The physicochemical data LogP, (PSA), (NRB), (HBA) and (HBD) were obtained using Marvin Sketch.

Individual and environmental correlates of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time in adults from Curitiba, Brazil.

Objectives: This study assessed the association of individual and neighborhood environment characteristics and objectively measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) in adults from Curitiba, Brazil.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted through face-to-face household interviews in 2010. The analytic sample included 305 adults aged 20-65 years recruited from 32 census tracts selected according to neighborhood walkability and socioeconomic status.

[Projeto ESPAÇOS de Curitiba, Brazil: applicability of mixed research methods and geo-referenced information in studies about physical activity and built environments].

Objective: To describe the methods employed to assess the built environment and physical activity (PA) as part of a multicenter international study, and to discuss the challenges faced to obtain the necessary data in the Brazilian context.

Methods: In 2010 a household survey was conducted with adults aged from 20 to 65 years in the city of Curitiba, Brazil. The study involved the used of geo-referenced information to measure walkability in all 2 125 census sectors in Curitiba.

Neighborhood safety and physical inactivity in adults from Curitiba, Brazil.

Background: Neighborhood safety is one of the environmental aspects that can influence physical activity. We analyzed the association between perceived neighborhood safety and physical inactivity (PI) in adults and examined effect modification according to sociodemographic variables.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,261 adults (62% women), age 18-69 years from Curitiba, Brazil.