University of São Paulo

About: University of São Paulo is a education organization based out in São Paulo, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 136513 authors who have published 272320 publications receiving 5127869 citations. The organization is also known as: USP & Universidade de São Paulo.

The Influence of Food Texture and Liquid Consistency Modification on Swallowing Physiology and Function: A Systematic Review

Abstract: Texture modification has become one of the most common forms of intervention for dysphagia, and is widely considered important for promoting safe and efficient swallowing. However, to date, there is no single convention with respect to the terminology used to describe levels of liquid thickening or food texture modification for clinical use. As a first step toward building a common taxonomy, a systematic review was undertaken to identify empirical evidence describing the impact of liquid consistency and food texture on swallowing behavior. A multi-engine search yielded 10,147 non-duplicate articles, which were screened for relevance. A team of ten international researchers collaborated to conduct full-text reviews for 488 of these articles, which met the study inclusion criteria. Of these, 36 articles were found to contain specific information comparing oral processing or swallowing behaviors for at least two liquid consistencies or food textures. Qualitative synthesis revealed two key trends with respect to the impact of thickening liquids on swallowing: thicker liquids reduce the risk of penetration–aspiration, but also increase the risk of post-swallow residue in the pharynx. The literature was insufficient to support the delineation of specific viscosity boundaries or other quantifiable material properties related to these clinical outcomes. With respect to food texture, the literature pointed to properties of hardness, cohesiveness, and slipperiness as being relevant both for physiological behaviors and bolus flow patterns. The literature suggests a need to classify food and fluid behavior in the context of the physiological processes involved in oral transport and flow initiation.

Religiosidade e saúde mental: uma revisão

Abstract: OBJETIVO: A relacao entre religiosidade e saude mental tem sido uma perene fonte de controversias. O presente artigo revisa a evidencia cientifica disponivel sobre a relacao entre religiao e saude mental. METODO: Os autores apresentam os principais estudos e as conclusoes de uma revisao sistematica abrangente dos estudos sobre a relacao religiao-saude mental. Utilizando-se de varias bases de dados, a revisao identificou 850 artigos publicados ao longo do seculo XX. O presente artigo tambem inclui uma breve contextualizacao historica e metodologica, alem de uma atualizacao com artigos publicados apos 2000 e a descricao de pesquisas conduzidas no Brasil. DISCUSSAO: A ampla maioria dos estudos de boa qualidade encontrou que maiores niveis de envolvimento religioso estao associados positivamente a indicadores de bem estar psicologico (satisfacao com a vida, felicidade, afeto positivo e moral mais elevado) e a menos depressao, pensamentos e comportamentos suicidas, uso/abuso de alcool/drogas. Habitualmente, o impacto positivo do envolvimento religioso na saude mental e mais intenso entre pessoas sob estresse (idosos, e aqueles com deficiencias e doencas clinicas). Mecanismos teoricos da conexao religiosidade-saude mental e as implicacoes clinicas destes achados sao discutidos. CONCLUSOES: Ha evidencia suficiente disponivel para se afirmar que o envolvimento religioso habitualmente esta associado a melhor saude mental. Atualmente, duas areas necessitam de maior investimento: compreensao dos fatores mediadores desta associacao e a aplicacao deste conhecimento na pratica clinica.

Pattern Recognition Receptors and the Host Cell Death Molecular Machinery

Abstract: Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) are proteins capable of recognizing molecules frequently found in pathogens (the so-called Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns-PAMPs), or molecules released by damaged cells (the Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns-DAMPs). They emerged phylogenetically prior to the appearance of the adaptive immunity and, therefore, are considered part of the innate immune system. Signals derived from the engagement of PRRs on the immune cells activate microbicidal and pro-inflammatory responses required to eliminate or, at least, to contain infectious agents. Molecularly controlled forms of cell death are also part of a very ancestral mechanism involved in key aspects of the physiology of multicellular organism, including the elimination of unwanted, damaged or infected cells. Interestingly, each form of cell death has its particular effect on inflammation and on the development of innate and adaptive immune responses. In this review article, we discuss some aspects of the molecular interplay between the cell death machinery and signals initiated by the activation of PRRs by PAMPs and DAMPs.

Pollen composition and standardisation of analytical methods

Abstract: SummaryHoney bee pollen is considered to be a food, and national pollen standards exist in different countries such as Brazil, Bulgaria, Poland and Switzerland. It is the aim of the present work to review pollen composition and the analytical methods used for the evaluation of high quality bee pollen. Based on the experience of different countries and on the results of published research, we propose quality criteria for bee pollen, hoping that in the future they will be used as world wide bee pollen standards.