ABSTRACT Dwarf mutants are valuable materials for investigating plant gene function and developing new crop varieties. In the present study, dwarf mutant (D-CK) and wild-type (W-CK) Sophora davidii (Franch.) Skeels plants foliarly sprayed with distilled water were used as controls, and dwarf mutants were treated with different concentrations of gibberellin A3 (GA3; 20, 40 and 60 mg L-1), brassinosteroid (BR; 12.5, 25 and 50 mg L-1); and auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA; 12.5, 25 and 50 mg L-1) to study the changes in plant height at 20, 40 and 60 d after exogenous hormone spraying. The changes in endogenous contents of IAA, GA3, BR, abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), and salicylic acid (SA) and IAA:ABA ratio in the dwarf mutant plants were also measured at 20, 40 and 60 d after exogenous hormone application. The dwarf mutants reverted to the W-CK height phenotype after 60 d of exogenous spraying with different concentrations of GA3 and BR (except 50 mg·L-1), but after exogenous spraying with IAA, dwarf mutants did not revert to the W-CK height phenotype. Compared with D-CK plants, endogenous GA3, BR and IAA contents in dwarf mutant plants increased to some extent with exogenous spraying of GA3, BR and IAA. The results indicated that exogenous spraying of different concentrations of GA3 and BR regulated S. davidii plant height by promoting the secretion of endogenous GA3, BR, IAA and SA and inhibiting endogenous ABA secretion in dwarf mutant. The height of mutants was sensitive to exogenous GA3 and BR but not to exogenous IAA.

Abstract Serum uric acid (UA) is a traditional biomarker in the clinical diagnosis of gout and hyperuricemia. However, serum treatment and storage are cumbersome, and wounds are susceptible to infection. Therefore, in this study, a simple and noninvasive method was developed to detect the UA in human saliva to monitor the gout. An Inertsil ODS-3 column was used for the analysis under the condition of isocratic elution with the mixed solution phosphate buffer (74 mM, pH=2.2): Methanol=98:2 (v:v) and the UV detection at 284 nm. Using salivary UA data from healthy volunteers (HVs) (n=68) and gout patients (GPs) (n=14), we examined the salivary UA difference in their content. The intra-and inter-day accuracy and precision (RSD %) were less than 2.56%, the limit of detection (LOD) of UA was 5.0 ng/mL, the mean recoveries of the corresponding compounds were 102.48%. Saliva levels of UA in HVs and GPs were 35.26±14.06 µg/mL and 91.96±23.90 µg/mL, respectively. The concentrations of salivary UA in GPs were significantly higher than those in HVs ( p < 0.001). This method was also expected to monitor the hyperuricemia and other metabolic disorders in the future.

Abstract Objective: To investigate the impact of recombinant human interferon α1b (rhIFNα1b) treatment in infants hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections on subsequent wheezing. Methods: The clinical data of infants (n = 540) with viral pneumonia, wheezy bronchitis, or bronchiolitis hospitalized in 19 Chinese hospitals from June 2009 to June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The parameters relevant to wheezing episodes within the last year were collected by telephone and questionnaires. The rhIFNα1b treatment group (n = 253) and control group (n = 287) were compared in terms of wheezing episodes within the last year. Moreover, the wheezing group (95 cases) and non-wheezing group (445 cases) were compared. Results: Out of 540 cases, 95 (17.6%) experienced wheezing episodes, 13.8% (35/253) cases treated with rhIFNα1b, and 20.9% (60/287) cases without rhIFNα1b experienced wheezing episodes within the last year. The rhIFNα1b treatment significantly improved wheezing episodes within the last year, compared with the control peers (p = 0.031). Single-factor regression showed statistically significant differences between the wheezing and non-wheezing groups in terms of age, rhIFNα1b use, childhood and family history of allergy, housing situation, and feeding history (p < 0.05). Binary logistic regression showed a childhood history of allergy (OR = 2.14, p = 0.004), no rhIFNα1b use (OR = 1.70, p = 0.028), and living in a crowded house (OR = 1.92, p = 0.012) might be risk factors of subsequent wheezing. Accordingly, breastfeeding (OR = 0.44, p = 0.008) and hospitalization age of 1-year-old (OR = 0.58, p = 0.024) were protective factors. Conclusions: Early use of rhIFNα1b in infants hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections and breastfeeding could prevent subsequent wheezing. Living in a crowded house could promote subsequent wheezing.

This study aimed to explore the effect of microRNA (miR)-146a inhibition on regulating cell apoptosis, total neurite outgrowth, inflammation, and STAT1/MYC pathway in Alzheimer's disease (AD). PC12 and cortical neuron cellular AD models were constructed by Aβ1-42 insult. For the former model, nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulation was previously conducted. miR-146a inhibitor and negative-control (NC) inhibitor were transfected into the two cellular AD models, and then cells were named miR-inhibitor group and NC-inhibitor group, respectively. After transfection, cell apoptosis, total neurite outgrowth, supernatant inflammation cytokines, and STAT1/MYC pathway were detected. miR-146a expression was similar between PC12 cellular AD model and control cells (NGF-stimulated PC12 cells), while miR-146a expression was increased in cortical neuron cellular AD model compared with control cells (rat embryo primary cortical neurons). In both PC12 and cortical neuron cellular AD models, miR-146a expression was reduced in miR-inhibitor group compared with NC-inhibitor group after transfection. Furthermore, cell apoptosis was attenuated, while total neurite outgrowth was elevated in miR-inhibitor group compared with NC-inhibitor group. As for supernatant inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-17 levels were lower in miR-inhibitor group than in NC-inhibitor group. Additionally, STAT1 and c-Myc mRNA and protein expressions were attenuated in miR-inhibitor group compared with NC-inhibitor group. In conclusion, miR-146a potentially represented a viable therapeutic target for AD.

Resumo Objetivo: Identificar a prevalência da síndrome cardiorrenal (SCR) em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (IC) crônica descompensada e sua associação com os dados sociodemográficos, clínicos, achados admissionais, mortalidade e tempo de hospitalização. Método: Estudo transversal, com abordagem quantitativa. A amostra foi constituída por 379 prontuários de pacientes adultos com o diagnóstico médico de IC crônica descompensada, admitidos em hospital público no estado de São Paulo, ao longo de 2015. A coleta de dados ocorreu em 2016. A disfunção renal foi considerada em pacientes com diagnóstico prévio de doença renal crônica (DRC) pela taxa de filtração glomerular (TFG) < 89 mL/min/1.73 m2. Testes com valor de p menor ou igual a 0,05 foram estatisticamente significativos. Resultados: A prevalência da SCR foi de 54,1%, sendo 24,8% do tipo 1 e 29,3% do tipo 2. Os principais fatores associados à SCR foram: maior média de idade, mulheres, IC de etiologia isquêmica, menor fração de ejeção, portadores de diabetes mellitus, doença arterial coronariana, uso de estimuladores cardíacos artificiais, hipotireoidismo e doença de Chagas, bem como o perfil hemodinâmico de descompensação da IC nos tipos C e L. Destacam-se, ainda, inapetência, sonolência, estertores na ausculta respiratória, alteração na perfusão tissular, redução do débito urinário, com aumento dos níveis séricos de potássio, ureia e creatinina na avaliação clínica inicial. Os pacientes com disfunção renal apresentaram maior mortalidade, sem diferença significativa quanto ao tempo de hospitalização. Conclusão: Houve alta prevalência da SCR em pacientes com IC crônica descompensada, associada à maior mortalidade e diversos indicadores clínicos.

Abstract Objective: to identify cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) prevalence in patients with decompensated chronic heart failure (HF) and its association with sociodemographic and clinical data, admission findings, mortality and length of hospital stay. Methods: a cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. The sample consisted of 379 medical records of adult patients with a medical diagnosis of decompensated chronic HF admitted to a public hospital in the state of São Paulo, throughout 2015. Data collection occurred in 2016. Kidney failure was considered in patients with a previous diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <89 mL/min/1.73 m2. Tests with a p value less than or equal to 0.05 were statistically significant. Results: CRS prevalence was 54.1%, with 24.8% being type 1 and 29.3% being type 2. The main factors associated with CRS were: higher mean age; women; HF of ischemic etiology; lower ejection fraction; people with diabetes mellitus; coronary artery disease; artificial cardiac stimulator use; hypothyroidism and Chagas disease; hemodynamic profile of HF decompensation in types C and L. Also noteworthy are inappetence, drowsiness, rales on respiratory auscultation, alteration in tissue perfusion, decreased urine output, with increased serum levels of potassium, urea and creatinine in the initial clinical assessment. Patients with kidney failure had higher mortality, with no significant difference in length of hospital stay. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of CRS in patients with decompensated chronic HF, associated with higher mortality and several clinical indicators.

Resumen Objetivo: Identificar la prevalencia del síndrome cardiorrenal (SCR) en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca (IC) crónica descompensada y su relación con los datos sociodemográficos, clínicos y descubiertos en la admisión, la mortalidad y el tiempo de hospitalización. Métodos: Estudio transversal, con enfoque cuantitativo. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 379 historias clínicas de pacientes adultos con diagnóstico médico de IC crónica descompensada, ingresados en hospital público en el estado de São Paulo, durante 2015. La recolección de datos se realizó en 2016. La disfunción renal fue considerada en pacientes con diagnóstico previo de enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) por el índice de filtración glomerular (IFG) < 89 mL/min/1.73 m2. Pruebas con un valor de p menor o igual a 0,05 fueron estadísticamente significativos. Resultados: La prevalencia del SCR fue del 54,1 %, del cual el 24,8 % fue de tipo 1 y el 29,3 % de tipo 2. Los principales factores asociados al SCR fueron: mayor promedio de edad, mujeres, IC de etiología isquémica, menor fracción de eyección, portadores de diabetes mellitus, enfermedad arterial coronaria, uso de estimuladores cardíacos artificiales, hipotiroidismo y enfermedad de Chagas, así como también el perfil hemodinámico de descompensación de la IC en el tipo C y L. Además, se destacan la inapetencia, somnolencia, estertores en la auscultación pulmonar, alteración en la perfusión tisular, reducción del flujo urinario, con aumento del nivel en sangre de potasio, urea y creatinina en la evaluación clínica inicial. Los pacientes con disfunción renal presentaron mayor mortalidad, sin diferencia significativa con relación al tiempo de hospitalización. Conclusión: Se observó una alta prevalencia del SCR en pacientes con IC crónica descompensada, relacionada con una mayor mortalidad y diversos indicadores clínicos.

OBJECTIVES: Parkinson’s disease (PD) and the parkinsonian variant of multiple system atrophy (MSA-P) are distinct neurodegenerative disorders that share similar clinical features of parkinsonism. The morphological alterations of these diseases have yet to be understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate gray matter atrophy in PD and MSA-P using regions of interest (ROI)-based measurements and voxel-based morphometry (VBM). METHODS: We studied 41 patients with PD, 20 patients with MSA-P, and 39 controls matched for age, sex, and handedness using an improved T1-weighted sequence that eased gray matter segmentation. The gray matter volumes were measured using ROI and VBM. RESULTS: ROI volumetric measurements showed significantly reduced bilateral putamen volumes in MSA-P patients compared with those in PD patients and controls (p<0.05), and the volumes of the bilateral caudate nucleus were significantly reduced in both MSA-P and PD patients compared with those in the controls (p<0.05). VBM analysis revealed multifocal cortical and subcortical atrophy in both MSA-P and PD patients, and the volumes of the cerebellum and temporal lobes were remarkably reduced in MSA-P patients compared with the volumes in PD patients (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both PD and MSA-P are associated with gray matter atrophy, which mainly involves the bilateral putamen, caudate nucleus, cerebellum, and temporal lobes. ROI and VBM can be used to identify these morphological alterations, and VBM is more sensitive and repeatable and less time-consuming, which may have potential diagnostic value.

Abstract Coal slurry pipe, being a new type of energy transportation mode, changes of the particle composition and the effect on other parameters are worth studying. Comparison of ring tube test measured data and batch grinding model simulation data shows that batch grinding model can predict the coal particle gradation to a certain extent. The effect of collision and wear of overcurrent components in the centrifugal pump, friction and collision between particles and piping and piping accessories, and initial particle size distribution during hydraulic conveying were also investigated by laboratory studies. Meanwhile, the effect of particle composition change on slurry viscosity, hydraulic resistance and minimum resistance critical velocity was studied based on the experimental data. The experimental and theoretical analysis indicates that the change of slurry particle composition can lead to the change of viscosity, resistance and minimum resistance critical velocity of the slurry. Moreover, based on the previous studies, the calculation model of minimum resistance critical velocity of coal slurry is proposed.

RESUMO Na China, Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) foi relatado oficialmente em 2007. De 2010 até o surto de 2013, não houve relato de infecção por PPRV. Em Novembro de 2013, PPRV ressurgiu em Xinjiang e rapidamente se espalhou para 22 P/A/M (províncias, regiões autônomas e municípios) da China. No estudo, ovelhas com suspeita de infecção por PPRV em uma fazenda de reprodução no sul de Xinjiang form diagnosticadas em 2014 e as características da sequência completa da proteína N do gene do PPRV foi analisada. As ovelhas tinham sinais de infecção pelo PPRV, como febre, aumento de secreções oro-nasais, dispneia e diarreia, com 60% de morbidade e 21.1% de fatalidade. As lesões macroscópicas após mudanças histopatológicas foram observadas sob microscópio, incluindo estomatite, pneumonia bronco-intersticial, enterite hemorrágica catarral e inclusões eosinofílicas intracitoplasmáticas em células gigantes multinucleares no pulmão. As amostras de tecido fixadas em formalina testaram positivo para detecção de RT-PCR por extração de ácido nucleico. Os nucleotídeos da proteína N do gene da linhagem China/XJNJ/2014 apresentou extrema homologia com o China/XJYL/2013, e homologia ainda maior com a variedade PRADESH-95 da Índia. Análise filogenética baseada na sequencia completa da proteína N do gene de PPRV mostrou que as variedades China/XJNJ/2014, outra de 2013-2014 mostrada nesse estudo e as Tibetanas todas pertenciam à linhagem Ⅳ, mas as PPRV de 2013-2014 nesse estudo e as Tibetanas estavam em diferentes agrupamentos.

ABSTRACT In China, Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) was officially first reported in 2007. From 2010 until the outbreak of 2013, PPRV infection was not reported. In November 2013, PPRV re-emerged in Xinjiang and rapidly spread to 22 P/A/M (provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities) of China. In the study, suspected PPRV-infected sheep in a breeding farm of South Xinjiang in 2014 were diagnosed and the characteristics of complete sequence of N protein gene of PPRV was analyzed. The sheep showed PPRV-infected signs, such as fever, orinasal secretions increase, dyspnea and diarrhea, with 60% of morbidity and 21.1% of fatality rate. The macroscopic lesions after autopsy and histopathological changes were observed under light microscope including stomatitis, broncho-interstitial pneumonia, catarrhal hemorrhagic enteritis and intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions in multinucleated giantcell in lung. The formalin-fixed mixed tissues samples were positive by nucleic acid extraction and RT-PCR detection. The nucleotide of N protein gene of China/XJNJ/2014 strain was extremely high homology with the China/XJYL/2013 strain, and the highest with PRADESH_95 strain from India in exotic strains. Phylogenetic analysis based on complete sequence of N protein gene of PPRV showed that the China/XJNJ/2014 strain, other strain of 2013-2014 in this study and Tibetan strains all belonged to lineage Ⅳ, but the PPRV strains of 2013-2014 in this study and Tibetan strains were in different sub-branches.

Resumo Justificativa: Os anestésicos locais (ALs) são geralmente considerados como seguros, mas citotoxicidade foi relatada em vários anestésicos locais usados em seres humanos, a qual não é bem investigada. No presente estudo, a citotoxicidade de lidocaína e ropivacaína e da combinação de lidocaína e ropivacaína foi avaliada em linhagens celulares de melanoma humano. Melfalano, um agente alquilante de mostarda nitrogenada, foi usado como um agente de controle para a comparação da atividade citotóxica. Métodos: Linhagens celulares de melanoma, A375 e Hs294T foram expostas por uma hora a concentrações diferentes dos agentes mencionados acima. A viabilidade celular após a exposição foi determinada por citometria de fluxo. Resultados: Os ALs investigados mostraram citotoxicidade prejudicial nas linhagens celulares de melanoma estudadas dependente do tempo (p < 0,001), da concentração (p < 0,001) e do agente. Em ambas as linhagens de células A375 e Hs294T, níveis mínimos de viabilidade celular foram encontrados após 72 horas de exposição a esses agentes. Lidocaína a 2% provocou uma redução das células vitais para 10% ± 2% e 14% ± 2% em A375 e Hs294T, respectivamente, após 72 horas de exposição. Ropivacaína a 0,75% após 72 horas reduziu as células viáveis para 15% ± 3% e 25% ± 3%, em A375 e Hs294T, respectivamente. A viabilidade celular mínima após exposição de 72 horas para a combinação foi de 10% ± 2% e 18% ± 2% em A375 e Hs294T, respectivamente. A viabilidade celular mínima após exposição de 72 horas ao melfalano foi de 8% ± 1% e 12 ± 2, em A375 e Hs294T, respectivamente. Conclusão: Os ALs têm atividade citotóxica em linhagens de celulares de melanoma humano de modo dependente do tempo, da concentração e do agente. A apoptose nas linhagens celulares foi mediada por meio da atividade das caspases-3 e caspases-8.

Abstract Background: Local anesthetics (LAs) are generally considered as safe, but cytotoxicity has been reported for several local anesthetics used in humans, which is not well investigated. In the present study, the cytotoxicity of lidocaine, ropivacaine and the combination of lidocaine and ropivacaine were evaluated on human melanoma cell lines. Melphalan, a nitrogen mustard alkylating agent, was used as a control agent for comparison of cytotoxic activity. Methods: Melanoma cell lines, A375 and Hs294T, were exposed to 1 h to different concentrations of above agents. Cell-viability after exposure was determined by flow cytometry. Results: Investigated LAs showed detrimental cytotoxicity on studied melanoma cell lines in time- (p < 0.001), concentration- (p < 0.001), and agent dependant. In both A375 and Hs294T cell lines, minimum cell viability rates were found after 72 h of exposure to these agents. Lidocaine 2% caused a reduction of vital cells to 10% ± 2% and 14% ± 2% in A375 and Hs294T, respectively after 72 h of exposure. Ropivacaine 0.75% after 72 h reduced viable cells to 15% ± 3% and 25% ± 3% in A375 and Hs294T, respectively. Minimum cell viability after 72 h exposure to the combination was 10% ± 2% and 18% ± 2% in A375 and Hs294T, respectively. Minimum cell viability after 72 h exposure to melphalan was 8% ± 1% and 12% ± 2%, in A375 and Hs294T, respectively. Conclusion: LAs have cytotoxic activity on human melanoma cell lines in a time-, concentration- and agent-dependant manner. Apoptosis in the cell lines was mediated through activity of caspases-3 and caspases-8.

Safeners are an important tool used to ensure the safe using of herbicide. The objective of this paper was to investigate the protective effect of four 3-dichloroacetyl oxazolidine safeners (3-dichloroacetyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-oxazolidine [R-28725], racemate of 3-dichloroacetyl-2,2-dimethyl-4- ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine, and its two chiral stereoisomers) in reducing the injury caused by imazethapyr. Physiological and biochemical tests were conducted under laboratory condition, by using seed treatment with safeners and soil treatment with imazethapyr, respectively. The interaction of two safeners (R-28725 and R-stereoisomer) and imazethapyr reduced the injury of maize significantly, and also increased glutathione content, activity of glutathione S-transferases, and activity of acetolactate synthase in maize. When induced by R-stereoisomer, the GSH content in root and in shoot increased 100.7% and 73.6%, respectively. When induced by R-28725, the GST activity in vivo increased threefold and the GST activity in vitro more than doubled. The kinetic parameter Vmax of GST in the maize treated with R-28725 and R-stereoisomer increased by 102.2% and 81.9%, respectively, compared with the control. The results also showed that R-28725 and R-stereoisomer induced glutathione S-transferases affinity for the substrate of conjugation reaction significantly.

ABSTRACT There has been an increasing public demand for passenger rail service in the recent times leading to a strong focus on the need for effective and efficient use of resources and managing the increasing passenger requirements, service reliability and variability by the railway management. Whilst shortening the passengers’ waiting and travelling time is important for commuter satisfaction, lowering operational costs is equally important for railway management. Hence, effective and cost optimised train scheduling based on the dynamic passenger demand is one of the main issues for passenger railway management. Although the passenger railway scheduling problem has received attention in operations research in recent years, there is limited literature investigating the adoption of practical approaches that capitalize on the merits of mathematical modeling and search algorithms for effective cost optimization. This paper develops a hybrid fuzzy logic based genetic algorithm model to solve the multi-objective passenger railway scheduling problem aiming to optimize total operational costs at a satisfactory level of customer service. This hybrid approach integrates genetic algorithm with the fuzzy logic approach which uses the fuzzy controller to determine the crossover rate and mutation rate in genetic algorithm approach in the optimization process. The numerical study demonstrates the improvement of the proposed hybrid approach, and the fuzzy genetic algorithm has demonstrated its effectiveness to generate better results than standard genetic algorithm and other traditional heuristic approaches, such as simulated annealing.

Tadpoles of two sympatric anurans, Bufo gargarizans Cantor, 1842 and Rana zhenhaiensis Ye, Fei & Matsui, 1995, were used as model organisms to examine the effects of different levels of tail loss on swimming performance and survival. On average, B. gargarizans tadpoles were shorter and had smaller tails and body mass than R. zhenhaiensis. After 75% tail loss, the survival rate of experimental and control B. gargarizans tadpoles, and of experimental tadpoles of the two species, differed significantly; the number of tadpoles surviving a complete impairment of their swimming ability did not differ between B. gargarizans and R. zhenhaiensis. After 50% tail loss, the swimming performance (swimming speed, maximum distance and number of stops) of the two species was significantly affected. However, the adverse influence of tail loss on the swimming speed of B. gargarizans tadpoles was greater compared to R. zhenhaiensis tadpoles. Our data indicates that a 50% tail loss results in swimming costs for B. gargarizans and R. zhenhaiensis tadpoles, and that 75% tail loss decreases the survival rate of B. gargarizans tadpoles. Therefore, we conclude that tadpoles of different species and with the same degree of tail loss use distinctive strategies to improve individual fitness in the face of predator pressure.

Objective: Patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer who have undergone complete surgical resection harbor a 30% risk for tumor recurrence. Thus, the identification of factors that are predictive for tumor recurrence is urgently needed. The aim of this study was to test the prognostic value of serum albumin levels on tumor recurrence in patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: Stage I non-small cell lung cancer patients who underwent complete surgical resection of the primary tumor at Zhejiang Hospital were analyzed in this study. Serum albumin levels were measured before surgery and once again after surgery in 101 histologically diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer patients. Correlations between the pre- and post-operative serum albumin levels and various clinical demographics and recurrence-free survival rates were analyzed. Results: Patients with pre-operative hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dl) had a significantly worse survival rate than patients with normal pre-operative serum albumin levels (≥3.5 g/dl) (p=0.008). Patients with post-operative hypoalbuminemia had a worse survival rate when compared with patients with normal post-operative serum albumin levels (p=0.001). Cox multivariate analysis identified pre-operative hypoalbuminemia, post-operative hypoalbuminemia and tumor size over 3 cm as independent negative prognostic factors for recurrence. Conclusion: Serum albumin levels appear to be a significant independent prognostic factor for tumor recurrence in patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer who have undergone complete resection. Patient pre-treatment and post-treatment serum albumin levels provide an easy and early means of discrimination between patients with a higher risk for recurrence and patients with a low risk of recurrence.

Encapsulation and immobilization technology is important for the food processing and bioengineering industries. Chitosan is a natural polysaccharide prepared by the N - deacetylation of chitin. It has been widely used in food and bioengineering industries, including the encapsulation of active food ingredients, in enzyme immobilization, and as a carrier for controlled drug delivery, due to its significant biological and chemical properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, bioactivity, and polycationicity. In this work, chitosan nanoparticles and nanofibers used to encapsulate bioactive substances and immobilize enzymes were reviewed. Preparation of chitosan nanoparticles and nanofibers, including the work achieved in our group on chitosan nanoparticles for enzyme immobilization, were also introduced. Some problems encountered with nano - structured chitosan carriers for bioactive substance encapsulation and enzyme immobilization were discussed, together with the future prospects of such systems.

Trata-se de estudo qualitativo para conhecer a percepção de idosos, usuários de Unidade Básica de Saúde de São Paulo, sobre envelhecimento, estratégias de enfrentamento e repercussões na família. Foram realizadas, de setembro de 2007 a julho de 2008, entrevistas com três idosos, de 71 a 90 anos. Os participantes responderam às perguntas da Escala de Depressão Geriátrica, Ecomapa, Genograma e modelo Calgary. Com análise de conteúdo de Bardin, encontramos três categorias percebendo o momento do ciclo vital; sofrendo as repercussões deste momento; enfrentando o envelhecimento e a velhice. Acreditamos na continuidade de estudos que busquem estratégias com idosos e famílias na tentativa de melhorar a qualidade de vida e dinâmica familiar com inclusão de entretenimento, segundo possibilidade da comunidade.

This qualitative study seeks the understanding of the perception of the elderly, users of Basic Health Unit of São Paulo, on aging, coping strategies and impact on family. Interviews with three elderly people, from 71 to 90 years-old, were held from September 2007 to July'2008. Participants responded to questions under the Geriatric Depression Scale, Ecomapa, Genogram and Calgary model. From the Bardin analysis, we could determine three categories - the moment of realizing the life cycle; suffering the consequences of this time; facing the aging and old age. We believe in the continuity of studies that search for strategies with older people and their families in an attempt to improve life quality and family dynamics by the inclusion of entertainment, according to the possibilities offered to their communities.

El siguiente estudio cualitativo busca comprender la percepción de las personas de edad avanzada, usuarios de la Unidad Básica de Salud de São Paulo, en cuanto al envejecimiento, estrategias de afrontamiento y el impacto en la familia. Se hicieron entrevistas desde Septiembre del 2007 hacia Julio del 2008 con tres personas mayores, de los 71 a 90 años. Los participantes contestaron a las preguntas de la Escala de Depresión Geriátrica, Ecomapa, Genograma y modelo Calgary. A través del análisis de Bardin, hemos descubierto tres categorías - el momento de darse cuenta del ciclo de la vida; se sufren las consecuencias de ese momento; se enfrentan el proceso de envejecimiento y la vejez. Creemos en la continuidad de los estudios que buscan estrategias con las personas mayores y sus familias para mejorar la calidad de vida y la dinámica familiar a través de la inclusión del entretenimiento, acuerdo a las posibilidades ofrecidas a la comunidad.