Universidade Norte do Paraná

Pain is a protective mechanism of the body that is intensified during inflammatory processes through the sensitization of nociceptive neurons. Although current drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), glucocorticoids, and opioids, are effective, their side effects reinforce the search for safer alternatives. In this context, studies investigating the analgesic effects of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids, stand out. Resolvin D1 (RvD1), derived from the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid, acts in a multimodal manner to modulate pain and inflammation by regulating immunological, neuronal, and glial responses. Thus, RvD1 is a promising molecule for resolving inflammatory and painful processes. Herein, we address the main analgesic mechanisms of RvD1 in different preclinical models.

To evaluate the reliability of the registration of occlusal contacts through intraoral scanning in comparison with those obtained with the aid of carbon paper. The occlusal registration was obtained at the beginning of the orthodontic treatment of 35 patients (23 men and 12 women), aged 15 to 30 years. All patients were scanned with iTero Element (Align Technology, CA, USA), occlusal records were also performed with carbon paper (AccuFilm - 8 μm, USA) and recorded in occlusograms. To verify the agreement between the two methods, the percentages of agreement and disagreement and kappa statistics were applied. There was poor agreement between occlusal contacts recorded by intraoral scanning and those obtained with carbon paper in most of the sample (Kappa value 0.07 to 0.20). Most contacts were registered in the posterior region. It seems that the contacts registered as intense in the iTero, correspond to the contacts with the carbon paper. The occlusal records by means of scanning and carbon paper presented poor agreement, but the association of both methods is indicated for the correct registration of the occlusion.

Trans-Chalcone (TC) is an anti-inflammatory flavonoid that reduces hyperalgesia by targeting nuclear factor κB and inflammasome in gout arthritis model. However, a direct modulation of nociceptors by TC has never been investigated, which was the aim of the present study. Experimental models of overt pain-like behaviors were applied as the stimuli-induced behavior depends, at least in part, on nociceptive neuron activation by the stimuli themselves making them suitable to investigate if a drug candidate can inhibit nociceptive neuron activation. The selected models involve transient receptor potential (TRP) vanilloid 1 (V1)+ and TRP ankyrin 1 (A1)+ nociceptive neuron activation. TC (10mg/kg, per oral, 30min pretreatment) inhibited abdominal contortions induced by acetic acid (58.8%) and phenyl-p-benzoquinone (PBQ-54.6%), and paw flinching (44 and 48%) and licking (38 and 46%) triggered by formalin and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA-46 and 43%), indicating TC inhibits varied overt pain-like behaviors. Considering TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels are activated in those models, TC activity was also tested in experimental conditions in which capsaicin (a TRPV1 agonist)- and allyl isothiocyanate (AITC, a TRPA1 agonist)-triggered nociceptive behavior. TC inhibited capsaicin (44 and 37.5%) and AITC (35.1 and 52%) paw flinching and licking behavior. TC (3μM) also reduced the calcium influx caused by capsaicin (30%) and AITC (37.6%) stimulation of primary dorsal root ganglia neurons. Additionally, TC inhibited CFA-induced hyperalgesia, paw inflammation without toxic effects. TC reduces overt pain-like behavior, at least in part, by inhibiting nociceptive neuron TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels activation.

As tecnologias digitais estão presentes nas diversas atividades cotidianas da sociedade, como é o caso da educação em nível superior com pessoas idosas. Embora os idosos não sejam uma geração que nasceu imersa nas tecnologias atuais, acabam por utilizá-las em razão do valor social delas, bem como pela facilidade de comunicação e interação que promovem. Entretanto, desafios podem ocorrer ao utilizarem esses recursos nos contextos formativos dos quais fazem parte. Assim, o presente artigo, caracterizado como pesquisa bibliográfica, tem como objetivo discutir a inserção da pessoa idosa no Ensino Superior, o uso das Tecnologias Digitais de Informação e Comunicação (TDIC) e o desenvolvimento de competências digitais para sua inclusão no mundo digital. A análise foi qualitativa e se dividiu em dois eixos temáticos: a) Educação para pessoas idosas no Nível Superior e b) Competências Digitais e a pessoa idosa em processos formativos. Os resultados indicaram: a demanda necessária de políticas para garantir o acesso e a permanência do idoso no Ensino Superior; o uso de estratégias educacionais para o desenvolvimento de competências digitais; a importância de investimentos na formação gerontológica dos professores, a fim de atuarem sem preconceitos e estereótipos junto aos idosos, sendo as UNATI (Universidades Abertas à Terceira Idade) contextos em potencial para a inclusão digital dos idosos.

ABSTRACT The development of functional beverages that combine bioactive compounds with sensory appeal is of growing scientific and industrial interest. This study evaluated mixed beverages formulated with varying ratios of lychee juice and yerba mate infusion to optimize physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and sensory acceptance. Five formulations were prepared (lychee:mate – 90:10 to 10:90). Analyses included pH, titratable acidity, color, viscosity, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS), and mineral composition. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) interpreted the data, whereas flash profile (FP) and consumer tests assessed sensory characteristics and acceptance. PCA explained 88% of the variance, distinguishing samples by lychee and mate content. Lychee‐rich beverages were lighter, sweeter, more viscous, and higher in citric acid, whereas mate‐rich ones had greater TPC, antioxidant activity, and minerals. FP associated lychee with fruity aroma, sweetness, and smooth texture, and mate with bitterness, astringency, and darker color. All formulations showed good acceptance (scores ≈6), with F2 (70:30 lychee‐to‐mate) achieving the highest ratings for aroma, flavor, texture, and overall acceptance. Thus, the 70:30 formulation was identified as optimal, balancing antioxidant potential with desirable sensory attributes.

ABSTRACTObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the dynamic changes in the nutritional status of school‐age children in five cohorts with a two‐year follow‐up, encompassing a span of 7 years.MethodsUtilizing a mixed longitudinal design, we implemented five cohorts with a two‐year follow‐up, encompassing a span of 7 years. The study's total sample comprised 101 school‐age children (51 females and 50 males), aged between 6 and 11 years at the commencement of the follow‐up. Anthropometric variables were obtained following standardized procedures. Subsequently, the Body Mass Index (BMI) was derived using the formula BMI = body mass (kg)/(height)2. Nutritional status was classified according to established cutoff points for age and sex.ResultsThe prevalence rates for overweight, obesity, and underweight were found to be 22%, 10%, and 5%, respectively. Notably, the presence of overweight at the initiation of the follow‐up exhibited a significant association with the development of obesity after a two‐year period (χ2 = 5.325, p = 0.021). Furthermore, logistic regression analysis indicated that participants classified as “overweight” at the outset of the study were 4.7 times more likely (95% CI = 1.156–19.754) to develop obesity compared to their eutrophic counterparts.ConclusionThe study establishes a clear link between overweight status and the medium‐term development of obesity in school‐age children, aged between 6 and 11 years. These findings underscore the need for early intervention strategies and targeted preventive measures to address this concerning health issue.

Seaweed extracts, particularly those derived from Ascophyllum nodosum, have emerged as promising biostimulants capable of enhancing crop performance and resilience. This study evaluated the effects of application timing of A. nodosum extract on the agronomic performance and yield of soybean under field conditions in two locations in Paraná, Brazil (Londrina and Luiziana). Four treatments were tested: control (CON), application at sowing (SEM), foliar application 20 days after sowing (20D), and combined application at sowing and 20 DAS (S20). Growth parameters, nodulation, root traits, yield components, and productivity were assessed. In Londrina, the S20 treatment increased productivity by 1.45 times compared to CON, with gains of 1,546 kg ha⁻¹. In Luiziana, where co-inoculation with Bradyrhizobium spp. and Azospirillum brasilense was performed, 20D resulted in the highest yield (5,721 kg ha⁻¹), corresponding to a 23.7% increase over CON. Significant improvements in the number of viable nodules, pods, grains per plant, and shoot biomass were observed, particularly in combined applications. These findings indicate that A. nodosum extract enhances root and shoot development, nodulation, and yield, especially when applied during early vegetative stages. The results highlight the potential of integrating seaweed biostimulants with biological inoculants as a sustainable strategy for improving soybean productivity.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of soft drink consumption and the realization of one concurrent training protocol on the Soleus muscle of Wistar rats.In total, 32 male Wistar rats were used, post-weaning, in the biological phase (30 days old).The animals were distributed into four groups: Control (C); Control and Soda (CSD); Concurrent Training (CT); Concurrent Training and Soda (CTSD).The concurrent training protocol was composed of aerobic and resistance exercises.The aerobic training protocol included three sessions per week on non-consecutive days, for 30 minutes of swimming exercises, with an intensity of 80 % of the anaerobic threshold (Lan).The resistance training protocol (strength) included four series of 10 jumps, with overload corresponding to 50 % of the body weight of each animal.Forty-eight hours after the last session, the animals were submitted to a surgical process for removal of Soleus muscle samples and histological slides.All experimental groups showed increases in transverse section area and body mass.The animals that received soft drinks (CSD and CTSD) demonstrated lower ingestion of water and feed.Lastly, it was observed that trained animals ingested smaller amounts of soft drinks compared to control animals (TCR vs CR) (p<0,05).It is possible to conclude that soft drink ingestion did not interfere negatively in muscle adaptation.However, animals that ingested soft drinks showed increased values for body mass and decreased water and feed ingestion.

Este artigo discute as argumentações de crianças do 4º ano do Ensino Fundamental sobre situações-problema em que se exige o raciocínio proporcional para as respostas e analisa as intervenções da professora, tendo em vista que os alunos ainda não dispunham de conceitos e procedimentos sobre razões e proporções. Este estudo se engaja a outros cujos resultados são discutidos a partir do ponto de vista cognitivo a partir das alternativas educacionais reveladas para a educação matemática de crianças nos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental. Assim, baseados nesses estudos sobre o ensino do conceito de proporção para crianças, são escolhidas duas situações cotidianas significativas para que pudessem elaborar suas hipóteses. Essas situações atendem pressupostos teóricos de Lamon e da Teoria das Situações de Brousseau. Para compreender e avaliar a qualidade dos processos pedagógicos implementados para as discussões dessas situações, adotou-se elementos do Enfoque Ontossemiótico (EOS), segundo Godino, Contreras e Font.