Abstract Mineral profiles of eleven fruits from the northeastern Brazilian agrobiodiversity have been determined. Samples of cajui, murici, pequi, jenipapo, mangaba, bacuri, caja, umbu-caja, umbu, pitanga and araça fruits were digested and element content determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The accuracy of method was performed using SRM 2338 and all elements were statistically similar with 95% of confidence. Potassium is present in higher amounts in the edible part of the fruits, ranging from 107 to 402 mg 100 g-1, followed by P in the range 16 - 150 mg 100 g-1. Iron, presents the lowest content, ranges from 0.07 to 1.1 mg 100 g-1. Caja and umbu-caja fruits are noteworthy sources of P. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Principal Component Analysis were performed in order to check similarities between the fruit groups according to the trace element content. The data provide a source of information characterizing the Brazilian biodiversity and it may help the nutritional intake of these fruits in the region.

Abstract Objective: the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Chrysobalanus icaco on adiposity and its mechanism of action in the gene and protein expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), a key enzyme in lipogenesis. Method: Wistar rats were divided into a regular or control group (CG) and a high-fat diet (HFD) group. HFD was treated with saline or aqueous extract of Chrysobalanus icaco (AECI) for four weeks. Body weight and food intake were assessed. Subcutaneous, retroperitoneal and periepididymal adipose tissue samples were collected and weighed. Adipocytes from periepididymal tissue were isolated and analyzed. The gene and protein expression of ACC in subcutaneous tissue was determined. Results: AECI showed no effect on intake or body weight. However, the weight of the fat pads and the gene and protein expression of ACC were lower, and glucose tolerance was improved. Conclusion: the aqueous extract of Chrysobalanus icaco proved beneficial for the treatment of obesity, preventing fat storage and improving glycemic homeostasis.

Resumen Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue investigar los efectos del extracto acuoso de Chrysobalanus icaco (AECI) en la adiposidad y su mecanismo de acción en la expresión génica y proteica de la acetil-CoA-carboxilasa (ACC), una enzima clave para la lipogénesis. Métodos: se usaron ratones macho Wistar que se asignaron a una dieta estándar de control (CG) o a una rica en grasa (HFD). La HFD se trató con solución salina o con extracto acuoso de Chrysobalanus icaco (AECI) durante cuatro semanas. Se evaluaron el peso corporal y el consumo alimentario. Se aislaron y analizaron muestras de tejido adiposo subcutáneo, retroperitoneal y periepididímico. Se determinó la expresión génica y proteica de ACC en el tejido subcutáneo. Resultados: el AECI no mostró ningún efecto sobre la ingesta de alimento y tampoco sobre el peso corporal. Sin embargo, el tratamiento con AECI redujo el peso de los tejidos adiposos y la expresión génica y proteica de ACC, y mejoró también la tolerancia a la glucosa. Conclusión: Chrysobalanus icaco (AECI) resultó ser beneficioso para el tratamiento de la obesidad, previniendo el almacenamiento de grasa y mejorando la homeostasis glucémica.

Abstract Three paste formulations were developed for four fruits: caja, murici with mango and pitanga, with differentiated percentages of fruit pulp, organic honey and gellan gum. Pulps, honey and fruit paste formulations were analyzed by antioxidant capacity, vitamin C and in vitro bioaccessibility. All formulations showed a high content of vitamin C, antioxidant action and the bioaccessibility. All the formulations were accepted regarding the overall impression, except MM3 (murici pulp:mango pulp:honey 50:50:00 and 0.25% gellan gum) and PI1 (pitanga pulp: honey 90:10 and 0.6% gellan gum). Therefore, fruit pastes are options to encourage consumption of tropical fruits of agro-biodiversity in the Brazilian Northeast.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia da adição de vildagliptina ao tratamento de pacientes com diabetes melito tipo 2 (DM2) inadequadamente controlados com a terapia de combinação com metformina e sulfonilureia. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: 37 pacientes com DM2 e HbA1c variando entre 7,7% e 12,4% (média, 9,30 ± 1,38), apesar do uso de metformina associada a uma sulfonilureia, foram adicionalmente tratados com vildagliptina (100 mg/dia) durante, pelo menos, 6 meses. RESULTADOS: Durante a terapia oral tripla TOT), níveis de HbA1c < 7% foram alcançados em 11 pacientes (27,9%), enquanto a glicemia de jejum (GJ) < 120 mg/dL foi observada em 12 pacientes (32,4.1%). Ambos os resultados foram descritos em 10 pacientes (27,0%). Em comparação com indivíduos não responsivos, os pacientes responsivos tinham níveis basais mais baixos de HbA1c e GJ, mas a diferença foi estatisticamente significativa somente para glicemia de jejum. Além disso, houve grande sobre-posição entre os dois grupos. CONSLUSÃO: Nossos resultados preliminares sugerem que a TOT com metformina, uma sulfonilureia e vildagliptina pode ser útil para alguns pacientes com DM2 não responsivos à combinação com metformina e uma sulfonilureia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of adding vildagliptin to the treatment of patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with a combination of metformin and a sulphonylurea. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 37 T2DM patients with HbA1c ranging from 7.7% to 12.4% (mean of 9.30 ± 1.38), despite the use of metformin in combination with a sulphonylurea, were additionally treated with vildagliptin (100 mg/day) for at least 6 months. RESULTS: During triple oral therapy (TOT) HbA1c levels < 7% were achieved in 11 patients (29.7%), whereas levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) < 120 mg/dL were observed in 12 patients (32.4%). Both findings were observed in 10 patients (27.0%). Compared to nonresponsive subjects, lower mean baseline HbA1c and FPG levels were seen in responsive patients, but the difference was only statistically significant for fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Moreover, there was considerable overlap between the two groups. CONLUSION: Our preliminary results suggest that TOT with metformin, a sulphonylurea and vildagliptin may be useful for some T2DM patients nonresponsive to combination therapy with metformin and sulphonylurea.

Este é primeiro relato da ocorrência de Ixodes no Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul e primeiro caso identificado de Ixodes loricatus Neumann, 1899, parasitando Didelphis albiventris no município de Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.

This is first report of occurence of Ixodes in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul and first description of Ixodes loricatus Neumann, 1899, parasitizing Didelphis albiventris in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.