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In African countries, cancer not only is a growing problem, but also a challenge because available funding and resources are limited. Therefore, African medicinal plants play a significant role in folk medicine and some of them are traditionally used for the treatment of cancer. The high mortality rate and adverse effects associated with cancer treatments have encouraged the search for novel plant-based drugs, thus, some African plants have been studied in recent years as a source of molecules with proven cytotoxicity. This review aims to discuss the cytotoxic activity, in vitro, of African plant crude extracts against cancer cell lines. For the period covered by this review (2017–2021) twenty-three articles were found and analyzed, which included a total of 105 plants, where the main cell lines used were those of breast cancer (MCF-7 and MDA-MBA-231) and colorectal cancer (HCT-116 and Caco-2), which are among the most prevalent cancers in Africa. In these studies, the plant crude extracts were obtained using different solvents, such as ethanol, methanol, or water, with variable results and IC50 values ranging from <20 µg/mL to >200 µg/mL. Water is the preferred solvent for most healers in African countries, however, in some studies, the aqueous extracts were the least potent. Apoptosis and the induction of cell cycle arrest may explain the cytotoxic activity seen in many of the plant extracts studied. Considering that the criteria of cytotoxicity activity for the crude extracts, as established by the American National Cancer Institute (NCI), is an IC50 < 30 μg/mL, we conclude that many extracts from the African flora could be a promising source of cytotoxic agents.

This study evaluated the association between ultra-processed foods (UPF) on serum IL-6 and to investigate the mediation role of adiposity. Participants were 524 adults from the EPITeen Cohort (Porto, Portugal) and 2888 participants from the 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort (Pelotas, Brazil). Dietary intake was collected using FFQ when participants were 21 years of age in the EPITeen and 23 years in the Pelotas Cohort. Serum IL-6 and body fat mass were evaluated when participants were 27 and 30 years old in the EPITeen and Pelotas, respectively. Generalised linear models were fitted to test main associations. Mediation of body fat mass was estimated using G-computation. After adjustment for socio-economic and behaviour variables, among females from the EPITeen, the concentration of IL-6 (pg/ml) increased with increasing intake of UPF from 1·31 (95 % CI 0·95, 1·82) in the first UPF quartile to 2·20 (95 % CI 1·60, 3·01) and 2·64 (95 % CI 1·89, 3·69) for the third and fourth UPF quartiles, respectively. A similar result was found among males in the Pelotas Cohort, IL-6 increased from 1·40 (95 % CI 1·32, 1·49) in the first UPF quartile to 1·50 (95 % CI 1·41, 1·59) and 1·59 (95 % CI 1·49, 1·70) in the two highest UPF quartiles. The P-value for the linear trend was < 0·01 in both findings. The indirect effect through fat mass was NS. Our findings suggest that the consumption of UPF was associated with an increase in IL-6 concentration; however, this association was not explained by adiposity.

Interactions between polymers (P) and surfactants (S) in aqueous solution lead to interfacial and aggregation phenomena that are not only of great interest in physical chemistry but also important for many industrial applications, such as the development of detergents and fabric softeners. Here, we synthesized two ionic derivatives—sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) and quaternized cellulose (QC)—from cellulose recycled from textile wastes and then explored the interactions of these polymers with assorted surfactants—cationic (CTAB, gemini), anionic (SDS, SDBS) and nonionic (TX-100)—commonly used in the textile industry. We obtained surface tension curves of the P/S mixtures by fixing the polymer concentration and then increasing the surfactant concentration. In mixtures where polymer and surfactant are oppositely charged (P−/S+ and P+/S−), a strong association is observed, and from the surface tension curves, we determined the critical aggregation concentration (cac) and critical micelle concentration in the presence of polymer (cmcp). For mixtures of similar charge (P+/S+ and P−/S−), virtually no interactions are observed, with the notable exception of the QC/CTAB system, which is much more surface active than the neat CTAB. We further investigated the effect of oppositely charged P/S mixtures on hydrophilicity by measuring the contact angles of aqueous droplets on a hydrophobic textile substrate. Significantly, both P−/S+ and P+/S− systems greatly enhance the hydrophilicity of the substrate at much lower surfactant concentrations than the surfactant alone (in particular in the QC/SDBS and QC/SDS systems).

Financial support under the ARTICULATE project (No. QREN-13/SI/2011-23189). This study was also funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) project OsteoCart (No. PTDC/CTM-BPC/115977/2009), as well as the European Union’s FP7 Programme under grant agreement no REGPOT-CT2012-316331-POLARIS. The FCT distinction attributed to J. M. O. under the Investigator FCT program (No. IF/00423/2012) is also greatly acknowledged. C. G. also wished to acknowledge FCT for supporting her research (No. SFRH/BPD/94277/2013)

Marine pollution by nanoparticles (NPs) can be reprotoxic for fish and disturb successful reproduction of wild populations. In gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), a mild effect on sperm motility was observed after exposure to high concentrations of silver NPs. Considering the great heterogeneity traits within a sperm sample, it is possible that NPs affect spermatozoa accordingly, modulating subpopulation profile. Thus, this work aimed to analyse NP effects in sperm motility in general and considering spermatozoa population structure, using a subpopulation approach. Seabream sperm samples from mature males were exposed for 1 h to increasing concentrations of titanium dioxide (1, 10, 100, 1000 and 10,000 μg L−1) and silver (0.25, 25 and 250 μg L−1) NPs, including Ag NP and Ag+, dissolved in a non-activating medium (0.9 % NaCl). Concentrations chosen include realistic (10–100 and 0.25 μg L−1, respectively, for TiO2 and Ag) and supra-environmental values. The mean particle diameter was determined as 19.34 ± 6.72 and 21.50 ± 8.27 nm in the stock suspension, respectively, for titanium dioxide and silver. After the ex vivo exposure, sperm motility parameters were determined using computer-assisted sperm analysis, and sperm subpopulations were later identified using a two-step cluster analysis. Results revealed a significant reduction in total motility after exposure to the 2 highest concentrations of titanium dioxide NPs, while curvilinear and straight-line velocities were not altered. Exposure to silver NPs (Ag NP and Ag+) lowered significantly total and progressive motilities at all concentrations, while curvilinear and straight-line velocities were significantly lower only at the highest concentration. Sperm subpopulations were also affected by the exposure to both titanium dioxide and silver NPs. In both cases, the highest levels of NPs triggered a decrease in the percentage of fast sperm subpopulations (38.2% in TiO2 1000 μg L−1, 34.8.% in Ag NP 250 μg L−1, and 45.0% in Ag+ 250 μg L−1 vs 53.4% in the control), while an increase on slow sperm subpopulations. A reprotoxic effect was proven for both NPs, but only at supra-environmental concentrations.

Background Obesity is one of the conditions that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies about obesity trajectory and cardio metabolic outcomes at adulthood are still scarce. Therefore, we aimed to assess the association between patterns of overweight over the life-course and cardio metabolic risk factors in young adults. Methods In 1982, the maternity hospitals in Pelotas were visited daily and those newborns whose family lived in the urban area of the city were identified ( n  = 5914), and have prospectively followed for several occasions. Weight and height were measured at every visit. BMI-for-age z-score was calculated using the WHO Child Growth Standards. Overweight and obesity were defined as a BMI greater than or equal to 25 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2 respectively. This was the definition adopted for evaluations overweight and obesity at 30 years. The participants were divided into eight groups according to the presence of overweight or obesity in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Blood pressure, random blood glucose, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol triglycerides and fat mass were measured. Results From 2219 participants with anthropometric data in childhood, adolescence and adulthood, 25% never had been overweight, whereas 11.6% were overweight in the three periods. Random blood glucose, SBP and DBP were higher among those subjects who were always overweight/ obese or only overweight/obese during adolescence and adulthood. The participants who were never overweight/obese or only in childhood or adolescence had a lower cardiovascular risk profile (higher HDL cholesterol, lower blood pressure, lower random glucose, lower LDL cholesterol) at 30 years. Fat mass captured from 25 to 100% of the association of overweight and obesity trajectory with cardiometabolic risk factors. Conclusions The tracking of overweight/obesity is associated with an adverse cardio metabolic profile and this association is largely mediated by fat mass in adulthood.

Metabolic syndrome and cardiometabolic diseases have been linked to chronic subclinical inflammation. However, few studies have investigated the association between C-reactive protein (CRP) and cardiometabolic diseases in young individuals. To assess the association between CRP and cardiometabolic diseases in 22-year-old individuals from the 1993 birth cohort of Pelotas (Brazil). Cross-sectional study based on the 22-year follow-up of the 1993 Pelotas birth cohort. The cardiometabolic diseases (overweight/obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and diabetes) were evaluated by anthropometric or serum measurements and medical diagnosis. CRP was evaluated by immunoturbidimetric assay. Linear regressions using logCRP have been performed in Stata 13 and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The analyses were adjusted for adiposity, and sociodemographic (skin color, asset index) and behavioral (alcohol abuse, smoking, physical inactivity) variables. The initial sample was composed of 1657 (46.3%) men and 1921 (53.7%) women of approximately 22 years old. Median (25-75 IQR) CRP (mg/dL) was 1 (0.4; 2.7). Regarding cardiometabolic diseases; 961 (27%) individuals were overweight, 577 (16.2%) obese, 713 (19.9%) had high blood pressure (HBP), 1439 (41.5%) dyslipidemia, and 161 (4.5%) diabetes. The adjusted linear regression coefficient (95% CI) was 0 (-0.1; 0.1) for overweight/obesity (p=0.982), 0.05 (-0.06; 0.16) for HBP (p=0.343), 0.2 (0.11; 0.29) for dyslipidemia (p<0.001), and 0.17 (-0.04; 0.37) for diabetes (p=0.11). In our study, CRP concentration was positively associated with dyslipidemia at a young age. The associations between CRP and overweight/obesity, HBP, and diabetes were not statistically significant after adjustment for potential confounders.

Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index may be a useful and affordable indicator of insulin resistance in the general population. Insulin resistance is strongly associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). To evaluate the association between TyG index and NAFLD. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Papers were selected searching PubMed/Medline, SciELO, and LILACS databases in July 2021 using the terms (TyG index OR Triglyceride-glucose index) AND (NAFLD OR non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). The inclusion criterion was limited to observational studies that evaluated the association between TyG index and NAFLD. There were no language or publication date restrictions. Among the 42 papers initially identified, 21 were eligible for this review after full texts were read. TyG index was positively associated with prevalence, incidence, and worse outcomes of NAFLD in the majority of studies. Only one study stated that TyG index did not perform well in the diagnosis of steatosis and NASH. The studies suggest that TyG index can be superior than fatty liver index, HOMA-IR, AST, and ALT for predicting NAFLD. However, TyG-WC and TyG-BMI can perform even better than TyG index. Most ROC curves analyses showed a TyG index cut-off value of approximately 8.5 to predict NAFLD. In addition, TyG index was linked to more severe steatosis and the presence of fibrosis in NAFLD. TyG index was positively associated with NAFLD. TyG index can be a simple, practical, and affordable tool for identifying individuals at risk of NAFLD.

The purpose of this article is to analyze the relationship between a brand’s trust in consumer decisions and its maintenance over time in a retail chain in northern Brazil known as Bemol. The sample consists of 210 respondents, customers of Bemol, and the methodology used is a model of structural equations. The developed model consists of 22 variables, divided into three constructs: trust, loyalty and brand. The results show the importance of trust in the consumption decision, as well as loyalty, relationship and satisfaction. Trust and loyalty lead to brand relationship, which is why managers must pay special attention to the factors to be provided to their customers so that this triad can be verified. Commercial brands marketed to the public should consider inducing strong feelings towards the brand as an important step in promoting customer satisfaction and loyalty. A brand for which that the consumer develops strong feelings will facilitate and potentiate positive behaviors in the long term. However, some behavioral characteristics, attendance and leadership, are of lesser importance to the consumer. This research presents a limitation as to its application, as the respondents were only customers of one brand, Bemol.

The literature on the relationship between lifestyle behaviors and inflammatory markers is scarce. A birth cohort was followed since birth up to 22 years in Southern Brazil. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) and adiponectin were measured in nonfasting blood samples drawn at 18 and 22 years of age. Exposures including smoking, alcohol intake, physical inactivity and obesity, were collected at 15, 18 and 22 years. Cross sectional analyses were based on the number of follow-up visits with these exposures and the association with IL-6, CRP and adiponectin at 22 years old. We also carried out a longitudinal Generalized Least Squares (GLS) random-effects analysis with outcomes at 18 and at 22 years old. All analyses were adjusted for several covariates. The sample comprised 3,479 cohort members at 22 years. The presence of obesity at ≥ 2 follow-ups showed the highest mean values (SE) for IL-6 [2.45 (1.05)] and CRP [3.74 (1.11)] and the lowest mean value for adiponectin [8.60 (0.37)] (adjusted analyses, females) compared with other exposures; the highest mean of IL-6 [1.65 (1.05)] and CRP [1.78 (1.11)] and the lowest mean of adiponectin [9.98 (0.38)] were for the number of follow-ups with ≥2 exposures compared to those with no exposures at any follow-up (adjusted analyses, females). The longitudinal analysis showed an increase in obesity associated with IL-6 and CRP in both sexes and an inverse association with adiponectin in females; smoking (in males) was associated with IL-6 and CRP, harmful alcohol intake was associated with CRP in males, and increased in physical activity was inversely associated with CRP in men. We concluded that obesity is the main exposure positively associated with IL-6 and CRP and inversely associated with adiponectin (mainly in females). Smoking is also associated with these markers in the longitudinal analysis (in males).