Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is largely consumed in Brazil in high energy drinks and dietary supplements because of its stimulant activity on the central nervous system. Although previous studies have indicated that guarana has some protective effects in Parkinson's (PD), Alzheimer's (AD), and Huntington's (HD) disease models, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here, we investigated the protective effects of guarana hydroalcoholic extract (GHE) in Caenorhabditis elegans models of HD and AD. GHE reduced polyglutamine (polyQ) protein aggregation in the muscle and also reduced polyQ-mediated neuronal death in ASH sensory neurons and delayed β-amyloid-induced paralysis in a caffeine-independent manner. Moreover, GHE's protective effects were not mediated by caloric restriction, antimicrobial effects, or development and reproduction impairment. Inactivation of the transcription factors SKN-1 and DAF-16 by RNAi partially blocked the protective effects of GHE treatment in the AD model. We show that the protective effect of GHE is associated with antioxidant activity and modulation of proteostasis, since it increased the lifespan and proteasome activity, reduced intracellular ROS and the accumulation of autophagosomes, and increased the expression of SOD-3 and HSP-16.2. Our findings suggest that GHE has therapeutic potential in combating age-related diseases associated with protein misfolding and accumulation.

No abstract

Adsorventes ZSM-5 impregnados com Nb 2 O 5 foram aplicados na remoção de enxofre sob a forma de tiofeno, substância refratária de difícil remoção dos combustíveis líquidos. Para tanto, foi preparado um combustível modelo contendo iso-octano contaminado com tiofeno nas concentrações de 877,5 a 1155 ppmw. As amostras foram caracterizadas por difratometria de raios X (XRD), espectroscopias no infravermelho (FTIR) e Raman (FT-Raman) por transformada de Fourier para confirmação dos adsorventes obtidos, sendo priorizado o estudo de adsorção com aquele contendo 5% de pentóxido de nióbio, que apresentou uma maior capacidade de remoção de tiofeno. Os melhores resultados de adsorção foram alcançados a 353 K, sendo observado um maior tempo para atingir o equilíbrio. Sob essas condições, o melhor ajuste cinético foi alcançado utilizando a equação de pseudo-segunda ordem, evidenciando o domínio do fenômeno de quimissorção. Por outro lado, sob menores temperaturas, o modelo de difusão apresentou uma melhor aproximação dos resultados experimentais. O aumento da temperatura também favoreceu os processos espontâneos.ZSM-5 adsorbents impregnated with Nb 2 O 5 were applied in the sulfur removal in the form of thiophene, refractory substance of difficult removal of liquid fuels. For this purpose, a model fuel containing iso-octane contaminated with thiophene in concentrations of 877.5 to 1155 ppmw was prepared. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Fourier transform-Raman (FT-Raman) spectroscopies for confirmation of the adsorbents, being prioritized the adsorption study with that containing 5 wt.% of niobium pentoxide, because it showed a greater capacity for removal of thiophene. The best results of adsorption were achieved at 353 K, a longer time to reach equilibrium was observed. Under these conditions, the best kinetic fitting was achieved using the equation of pseudo-second order, demonstrating the domain of the phenomenon of chemisorption. While under lower temperatures, the diffusion model presented a better approximation of the experimental results. Also, the increasing of temperature did enhance spontaneous processes.

O presente trabalho estudou a intoxicação acidental por arsênico em um lote de 24 vacas Girolando, as quais tiveram acesso a pasto pulverizado com herbicida à base de metano arsonato ácido monossódico (MSMA). Os bovinos apresentaram apatia, anorexia e diarreia profusa. Foram necropsiados na fazenda dois animais de 14 que morreram. Os principais achados macroscópicos foram úlceras abomasais e congestão renal. No exame microscópico, as principais lesões observadas foram abomasite e omasite necro-hemorrágica multifocal acentuada e, nos rins, necrose tubular difusa. As concentrações médias de arsênico em vacas com sinais clínicos foram 1,19±0,40, 10,52±2,16 e 76,06±48,37ppm no sangue, leite e fezes, respectivamente. Os níveis de arsênico encontrados em dois animais necropsiados foram 25,58 e 23,85ppm em fígado, e 28,71 e 35,94ppm em rins, respectivamente. No feto de uma vaca necropsiada, os níveis de arsênico mensurados no fígado e rim foram 9,0 e 8,92ppm, respectivamente. A concentração de arsênico no capim do piquete pulverizado foi 111,58ppm. No Brasil, o uso MSMA na composição de pesticidas e herbicidas é permitido somente para uso agrícola, mas não pecuário. A utilização desse ou de outros produtos à base de arsênico na pecuária pode causar altos índices de mortalidade no rebanho, além de diminuição da produção e contaminação de produtos de origem animal.

No abstract

Recebido em 14/3/13; aceito em 11/7/13; publicado na web em 9/8/13 SYNTHESIS OF MCM-41 MESOPOROUS MATERIAL USING FRESHWATER SPONGE AS A SOURCE OF SILICA. Fresh water sponge was used as a silica source for the synthesis of MCM-41 via the hydrothermal process. The silica was extracted from the sponge by washing with nitric acid and piranha solution. Synthesis of MCM-41 was performed at 100 °C for 5 days and the procedure was optimized, with modifications made to the leaching temperature of the silica and the synthesis of mesoporous material, which was characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM and adsorption of N 2. The optimal result was achieved at a temperature of 135 °C for 3 days, showing ordered mesoporous material with a surface area of 1080 m 2 g -1.

We report the case of a 44-year-old man who presented with mucocutaneous ulcers, purpuric rash, fever, pharyngitis, cervical lymphadenopathy, and arthralgias. The patient's symptoms resolved with prednisone treatment. He later experienced recurrence of oral ulcers that responded to colchicine treatment. Behcet's disease is a systemic vasculitis characterized by recurring oral and genital mucocutaneous lesions and accompanying ocular, gastrointestinal, articular, pulmonary, neurologic, or peripheral vascular manifestations. Sweet's syndrome typically presents with flulike symptoms, fever, neutrophilia, and painful erythematous skin lesions. Along with skin biopsy, classification criteria exist for both conditions, which may help differentiate the two diagnoses on initial presentation.

Systemic Mastocytosis (SM) is a hematologic neoplasm characterized by an abnormal proliferation of mast cells, which have the potential to infiltrate one or more visceral organs.  Patients can present with a wide constellation of symptoms making it a challenging diagnosis for clinicians.  Non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, headache, and weight loss may predominate; however, some patients may present with acute onset of urticaria, flushing, and diarrhea. Due to its rarity, clinicians often face a challenge in evaluating, diagnosing and effectively treating systemic mastocytosis.  Identification during the indolent phase is important as SM can progress to aggressive leukemias or myeloproliferative disorders. In this article, we present a case of SM, and discuss current practices in diagnosis, evaluation and management.  We conclude with future directions for treatments and diagnosis