In this study, the interaction between soy isoflavone genistein and asolectin liposomes was investigated by monitoring the effects of isoflavone on lipidic hydration, mobility, location and order. These properties were analyzed by the following techniques: horizontal attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (HATR-FTIR), low-field (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-field (31)P NMR, zeta potential, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and UV-vis spectroscopy. The antioxidant and antitumoral activities of the genistein liposomal system were also studied. The genistein saturation concentration in ASO liposomes corresponded to 484 μM. HATR-FTIR results indicated that genistein influences the dynamics of the lipidic phosphate, choline, carbonyl and acyl chain methylenes groups. At the lipid polar head, HATR-FTIR and (31)P NMR results showed that the isoflavone reduces the hydration degree of the phosphate group, as well as its mobility. Genistein ordered the lipid interfacial carbonyl group, as evidenced by the HATR-FTIR bandwidth analysis. This ordering effect was also observed in the lipidic hydrophobic region, by HATR-FTIR, NMR, DSC and turbidity responses. At the saturation concentration, liposome-loaded genistein inhibits the lipid peroxidation induced by hydroxyl radical in 90.9%. ASO liposome-loaded genistein at 100 μM decreased C6 glioma cell viability by 57% after 72 h of treatment. Results showed an increase of the genistein in vitro activities after its incorporation in liposomes. The data described in this work will contribute to a better understanding of the interaction between genistein and a natural-source membrane and of its influence on isoflavone biological activities. Furthermore, the antitumoral results showed that genistein-based liposomes, which contain natural-sourced lipids, may be promising as a drug delivery system to be used in the glioma therapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Inadequate school furniture is a factor contributing to musculoskeletal pain onset in students. This study aimed at estimating the adequacy of school desks and chairs with regard to students' anthropometric characteristics and its possible association with musculoskeletal pain in different parts of the body. METHODS: A survey was carried out with 625 students and the furniture of 69 classrooms. The simplified Nordic Questionnaire for Analysis of Osteomuscular Symptoms was used for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms, and parameters recommended by standard NBR 14006 (Brazilian Association of Technical Standards) were used to analyze furniture. RESULTS: This study has shown that 87.2% of chairs and 45.6% of desks were totally inadequate. There has been significant association between inadequate desks and neck/cervical (12.6%; p=0.05) and dorsal (15.1%; p=0.00) musculoskeletal pain. Similar result was found with regard to inadequate chairs (neck/cervical: 17.5%; p=0.02; dorsal: 23.8%; p=0.00). CONCLUSION:The high levels of inadequate school chairs and desks demand a review of these items of furniture which are used by students for long periods of time every day. It is recommended that public authorities be informed of this situation and request that school furniture be urgently brought into line with prevailing legislation. Our results stress the need for futher care to be taken with regard to school students' health. Keywords: Adolescent, Back pain, Children, Pain, School health. Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and its association with inadequate school furniture* Prevalência de dor musculoesquelética e sua associação com a inadequação do mobiliário escolar RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS:A inadequação do mobiliário escolar é um fator que contribui para o surgimento de dor musculoesquelética em estudantes. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a adequação das mesas e cadeiras escolares em comparação com características antropométricas dos alunos e sua possível associação com dor musculoesquelética em diferentes regiões do corpo. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um levantamento de 625 alunos do ensino e mobiliário em 69 salas de aula. Utilizou-se o Questionário Nórdico de Sintomas Osteomusculares simplificado para análise de sintomas musculoesqueléticos, e para análise do mobiliário escolar utilizou-se os parâmetros recomendados pela norma NBR 14006 (Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas). RESULTADOS: Esta análise mostrou que 87,2% das cadeiras e 45,6% de mesas eram totalmente inadequadas. Foi encontrada associação significativa entre mesas inadequadas e dor musculoesquelética no pescoço/região cervical (12,6%; p=0,05) e na região dorsal (15,1%; p=0,00). Resultado semelhante foi encontrado em relação à inadequação das cadeiras (pescoço/região cervical: 17,5%; p=0,02; região dorsal: 23,8%; p=0,00). CONCLUSÃO: Os altos níveis de mesas e cadeiras escolares inadequadas exigem uma revisão desses itens de mobiliário que são usados por alunos por longos períodos todos os dias. Recomenda...