Valter Aragão do Nascimento

Bio: Valter Aragão do Nascimento is an academic researcher from Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Thermal decomposition. The author has an hindex of 16, co-authored 90 publications receiving 740 citations. Previous affiliations of Valter Aragão do Nascimento include University of São Paulo.

Fatty Acids Consumption: The Role Metabolic Aspects Involved in Obesity and Its Associated Disorders

Abstract: Obesity and its associated disorders, such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, metabolic inflammation, dysbiosis, and non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis, are involved in several molecular and inflammatory mechanisms that alter the metabolism. Food habit changes, such as the quality of fatty acids in the diet, are proposed to treat and prevent these disorders. Some studies demonstrated that saturated fatty acids (SFA) are considered detrimental for treating these disorders. A high fat diet rich in palmitic acid, a SFA, is associated with lower insulin sensitivity and it may also increase atherosclerosis parameters. On the other hand, a high intake of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) fatty acids may promote positive effects, especially on triglyceride levels and increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Moreover, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) are effective at limiting the hepatic steatosis process through a series of biochemical events, such as reducing the markers of non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis, increasing the gene expression of lipid metabolism, decreasing lipogenic activity, and releasing adiponectin. This current review shows that the consumption of unsaturated fatty acids, MUFA, and PUFA, and especially EPA and DHA, which can be applied as food supplements, may promote effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as on metabolic inflammation, gut microbiota, and hepatic metabolism.

Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of silver nanoparticles on meristematic cells of Allium cepa roots: A close analysis of particle size dependence.

Abstract: The use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in commercial products has increased significantly in recent years. However, findings on the toxic effects of the AgNPs are still limited. This paper reports an investigation on the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of the AgNPs on root cells of Allium cepa. Germination (GI), root elongation (REI), mitotic (MI), nuclear abnormality (NAI), and micronucleus index (MNI) were determined for seeds exposed to various AgNPs diameters (10, 20, 51, and 73 nm) as well as to the silver bulk (AgBulk) (micrometer-size particles) at the concentration of 100 mg·L−1. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provided the particle size distribution, while dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used to get the hydrodynamic size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of the AgNPs. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and inductively coupled plasma/optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) were applied for quantifying the AgNPs content uptake by roots. Silver dissolution was determined by dialysis experiment. Results showed that the AgNPs penetrated the roots, affecting MI, GI, NAI, and MNI in meristematic cells. Changes in these indicators were AgNPs diameter-dependent so that cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in Allium cepa increased with the reduction of the particle diameter. The results also revealed that the AgNPs were the main responsible for the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity since negligible silver dissolution was observed.

Thermal decomposition mechanism of iron(III) nitrate and characterization of intermediate products by the technique of computerized modeling

Abstract: The nonahydrate of iron(III) nitrate shows no phase transitions in the range of −40 to 0 °C. Both hexahydrate Fe(NO3)3·6H2O and nonahydrate Fe(NO3)3·9H2O have practically the same thermal behavior. Thermal decomposition of iron nitrate is a complex process which has a different mechanism than those described for other trivalent elements. Thermolysis begins with the successive condensation of 4 mol of the initial monomer accompanied by the loss of 4 mol of nitric acid. At higher temperature, hydrolytic processes continue with the gradual elimination of nitric acid from resulting tetramer and dimeric iron oxyhydroxide Fe4O4(OH)4 is formed. After complete dehydration, oxyhydroxide is destroyed leaving behind 2 mol of Fe2O3. The molecular mechanics method provides a helpful insight into the structural arrangement of intermediate compounds.

Mechanism of thermal decomposition of yttrium nitrate hexahydrate, Y(NO3)3·6H2O and modeling of intermediate oxynitrates

Abstract: The thermal decomposition of yttrium nitrate hexahydrate Y(NO3)3·6H2O is a complex condensation process generating a tetramer arrangement Y4O4(NO3)4 formed by alternating yttrium and oxygen atoms. The anions NO3 − attach themselves to the yttrium atoms. The tetramer gradually loses N2O5 and, through the formation of Y4O5(NO3)2, is transformed into yttrium oxide. The bond lengths and bond angles of intermediate oxynitrates calculated using the molecular mechanics method rendered data compatible with the results of X-ray diffraction for related compounds.

An Overview of Novel Dietary Supplements and Food Ingredients in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Abstract: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by interconnected factors related to metabolic disturbances, and is directly related to the occurrence of some diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. MetS is described as one or both of insulin resistance and visceral adiposity, considered the initial causes of abnormalities that include hyperglycemia, elevated blood pressure, dyslipidemia, elevated inflammatory markers, and prothrombotic state, as well as polycystic ovarian syndrome in women. Other than in MetS, visceral adiposity and the pro-inflammatory state are also key in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is the most prevalent chronic liver disease in modern society. Both MetS and NAFLD are related to diet and lifestyle, and their treatment may be influenced by dietary pattern changes and the use of certain dietary supplements. This study aimed to review the role of food ingredients and supplements in the management of MetS and NAFLD specifically in human clinical trials. Moreover, bioactive compounds and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may be used as strategies for preventing the onset of and treatment of metabolic disorders, such as MetS and NAFLD, improving the inflammatory state and other comorbidities, such as obesity, dyslipidemias, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

Vitamin D deficiency.

Abstract: admission. This proportion could already be greater in some parts of the country and may increase if referrals of cases of self-poisoning increase faster than the facilities for their assessment and management. The provision of social work and psychiatric expertise in casualty departments may be one means of preventing unnecessary medical admissions without risk to the patients. Dr Blake's and Dr Bramble's figures do not demonstrate, however, that any advantage would attach to medical teams taking over assessment from psychiatrists except that, by implication, assessments would be completed sooner by staff working on the ward full time. What the figures actually suggest is that if assessment of overdoses were left to house doctors there would be an increase in admissions to psychiatric units (by 19°U), outpatients (by 5O°'), and referrals to social services (by 140o). So for house doctors to assess overdoses would provide no economy for the psychiatric or social services. The study does not tell us what the consequences would have been for the six patients who the psychiatrists would have admitted but to whom the house doctors would have offered outpatient appointments. E J SALTER

Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract: Summary Background Since December, 2019, Wuhan, China, has experienced an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 have been reported but risk factors for mortality and a detailed clinical course of illness, including viral shedding, have not been well described. Methods In this retrospective, multicentre cohort study, we included all adult inpatients (≥18 years old) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from Jinyintan Hospital and Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital (Wuhan, China) who had been discharged or had died by Jan 31, 2020. Demographic, clinical, treatment, and laboratory data, including serial samples for viral RNA detection, were extracted from electronic medical records and compared between survivors and non-survivors. We used univariable and multivariable logistic regression methods to explore the risk factors associated with in-hospital death. Findings 191 patients (135 from Jinyintan Hospital and 56 from Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital) were included in this study, of whom 137 were discharged and 54 died in hospital. 91 (48%) patients had a comorbidity, with hypertension being the most common (58 [30%] patients), followed by diabetes (36 [19%] patients) and coronary heart disease (15 [8%] patients). Multivariable regression showed increasing odds of in-hospital death associated with older age (odds ratio 1·10, 95% CI 1·03–1·17, per year increase; p=0·0043), higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (5·65, 2·61–12·23; p Interpretation The potential risk factors of older age, high SOFA score, and d-dimer greater than 1 μg/mL could help clinicians to identify patients with poor prognosis at an early stage. Prolonged viral shedding provides the rationale for a strategy of isolation of infected patients and optimal antiviral interventions in the future. Funding Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences; National Science Grant for Distinguished Young Scholars; National Key Research and Development Program of China; The Beijing Science and Technology Project; and Major Projects of National Science and Technology on New Drug Creation and Development.

Quantum information with Rydberg atoms

Abstract: Rydberg atoms with principal quantum number $n⪢1$ have exaggerated atomic properties including dipole-dipole interactions that scale as ${n}^{4}$ and radiative lifetimes that scale as ${n}^{3}$. It was proposed a decade ago to take advantage of these properties to implement quantum gates between neutral atom qubits. The availability of a strong long-range interaction that can be coherently turned on and off is an enabling resource for a wide range of quantum information tasks stretching far beyond the original gate proposal. Rydberg enabled capabilities include long-range two-qubit gates, collective encoding of multiqubit registers, implementation of robust light-atom quantum interfaces, and the potential for simulating quantum many-body physics. The advances of the last decade are reviewed, covering both theoretical and experimental aspects of Rydberg-mediated quantum information processing.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) ホームページの活用法

Abstract: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), established in 1945, is a UN specialized agency that provides global data and expertise on agri­ culture and nutrition, fisheries, forestry, and other food and agriculture– related issues. FAO is the UN system’s largest autonomous agency, with headquarters in Rome, 78 country offices and 15 regional, sub–regional, and liaison offices, including one located in Washington, D.C. FAO’s highest policy–making body, the biennial General Conference, comprises all 183 FAO member countries plus the European Commission. The General Conference determines FAO policy and approves FAO’s reg­ ular program of work and budget. The 31st Conference, meeting in November 1999, re–elected Director–General Jacques Diouf (Senegal) to a second six–year term through December 2005. Each biennial Confer­ ence elects a 49–member Council that meets semi–annually to make rec­ ommendations to the General Conference on budget and policy issues. The North America region, which comprises the United States and Can­ ada, is allocated two seats on the Council and one seat each on FAO’s Program, Finance, and Constitutional and Legal Matters (CCLM) Com­ mittees. The United States holds the North American seats on the Finance and Joint Staff Pension Committees through December 2003. Canada holds the North American seat on the CCLM and Program Committees through December 2003. The United States participated at the World Food Summit: Five Years Later meeting held at FAO headquarters June 10–13, 2002, to discuss progress towards attaining the 1996 World Food Summit target of reduc­ ing the world’s number of hungry and malnourished by half by 2015. The United States presented new initiatives to improve agriculture productivity as a significant contribution toward meeting that goal. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, leading the U.S. delegation, joined other min­ isters and heads of state and government in adopting a Declaration, “The International Alliance Against Hunger,” which reiterated the goals of the 1996 World Food Summit and stated, inter alia, “we are committed to