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Cultivated meat (CM) technology has the potential to disrupt the food industry—indeed, it is already an inevitable reality. This new technology is an alternative to solve the environmental, health and ethical issues associated with the demand for meat products. The global market longs for biotechnological improvements for the CM production chain. CM, also known as cultured, cell-based, lab-grown, in vitro or clean meat, is obtained through cellular agriculture, which is based on applying tissue engineering principles. In practice, it is first necessary to choose the best cell source and type, and then to furnish the necessary nutrients, growth factors and signalling molecules via cultivation media. This procedure occurs in a controlled environment that provides the surfaces necessary for anchor-dependent cells and offers microcarriers and scaffolds that favour the three-dimensional (3D) organisation of multiple cell types. In this review, we discuss relevant information to CM production, including the cultivation process, cell sources, medium requirements, the main obstacles to CM production (consumer acceptance, scalability, safety and reproducibility), the technological aspects of 3D models (biomaterials, microcarriers and scaffolds) and assembly methods (cell layering, spinning and 3D bioprinting). We also provide an outlook on the global CM market. Our review brings a broad overview of the CM field, providing an update for everyone interested in the topic, which is especially important because CM is a multidisciplinary technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We intend to analyze, in this paper, mathematical knowledge mobilized in teaching strategies adopted by mothers during the help of school tasks, specifically for their children, enrolled in classes of the literacy cycle (1st to 3rd year) of a public school located in São Carlos, Brazil. As a result of institutional research, in terms of justification, we highlight the importance of informal knowledge of literate subjects, often based on actions that permeate everyday life. The data were analyzed using the qualitative approach, through virtual semi-structured interviews, due to social distance. The results demonstrate that these women / mothers, it seems, in addition to the act of courage to take on another task, among so many who take responsibility in their homes, manage to circumvent the difficulties and resort to fundamental strategies to think mathematically, even though they are not conventional. We exemplify the practice of counting on fingers (visualization), calculating on your head (mental calculation) and exploring games on the internet (using technology), trends that seek to develop autonomy in learning. In summary, the research identifies, describes and analyzes what is the central contribution of this aid at home to children's mathematical learning. In the interpretative reading that we make of this historic moment experienced in 2020, we notice the spaces of the circles of "mathematical cultures" that permeate Brazilian homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The effects of magnesium (Mg) supplementation on vascular function have been evaluated in some randomized controlled trials (RCT) but their results are conflicting. Aim: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to summarize the effects of oral Mg supplementation on vascular function in RCT. Methods: The databases MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were accessed from inception to May 27, 2019. Intergroup differences (treatment vs. control group) related to changes in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and pulse wave velocity (PWV), expressed as mean and standard deviation, were used to evaluate the effect of Mg supplementation on these outcomes. The results of the meta-analysis were expressed using a random-effects model. The heterogeneity between studies was evaluated using the I2 statistic. Results: The oral supplementation of Mg had no significant effect on FMD (mean difference 2.13; 95% CI − 0.56, 4.82; p = 0.12) and PWV (mean difference − 0.54, 95% CI − 1.45, 0.36, p = 0.24). Heterogeneity for both outcomes (FMD and PWV) was high (I2 = 99%, p < 0.001). However, in subgroup analyses, oral Mg significantly improved FMD in studies longer than 6 months, in unhealthy subjects, in individuals older than 50 years, or in those with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2. The reduced number of RCT and the heterogeneity among them were the main limitations. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggest that oral Mg supplementation may improve endothelial function when conducted at least for 6 months and in unhealthy, overweight or older individuals. Registration number: PROSPERO CRD42019111462. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutamine (GLN) is the most abundant free amino acid in the body, and is considered as a conditionally essential amino acid under stress conditions, acting as an important modulator of the immune response. We here investigated the role of exogenous GLN treatment on leukocyte migration after the onset of endotoxemia and the intracellular mechanisms of GLN actions on neutrophils. Two in vivo models of endotoxemia caused by lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli (LPS) injection were carried out in male outbred Balb/C mice 2-3 months old, as follow: (1) LPS (50 μg/kg) was intravenously injected 1 h prior to intravenous injection of GLN (0.75 mg/kg) and samples were collected 2 h later to investigate the role of GLN on the acute lung inflammation; (2) LPS (1 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected 1 h prior to intravenous injection of GLN (0.75 mg/kg) and samples were collected 18 h later to measure the effects of GLN on local and later phases of inflammation in the peritoneum. Results showed that GLN administration reduced the number of neutrophils in the inflamed lungs, partially recovery of the reduced number of leukocytes in the blood; reduced adhesion molecules on lung endothelium and on circulating neutrophils. Moreover, GLN treatment diminished the number of neutrophils, levels of chemotactic cytokine CXCL2 in the inflamed peritoneum, and neutrophils collected from the peritoneum of GLN-treated mice presented lower levels of Rho, Rac, and JNK. Together, our data show novel mechanisms involved in the actions of GLN on neutrophils migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malnutrition is considered one of the most common problems in the elderly population worldwide and can significantly interfere in health evolution in these individuals, predisposing them to increased infection susceptibility. The immune response triggered by infections comprises several mechanisms, and macrophages play important roles in this response. This study aimed to evaluate mechanisms related to macrophage function in a model of protein malnutrition in the elderly. Two age groups (young: 3–5 months and elderly: 18–19 months) male C57BL/6NTac mice were subjected to protein malnutrition with a low-protein diet (2 %). The nutritional status, hemogram and number of peritoneal cells were affected by both age and nutritional status. Additionally, the spreading capacity as well as the phagocytic and fungicidal activity of peritoneal macrophages were affected by the nutritional status and age of the animal. Interestingly, the percentages of F4/80+/CD11b+ and CD86+ cells were reduced mostly in elderly animals, while the TLR-4+ population was more affected by nutritional status than by age. The production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1α, and IL-6 was also influenced by nutritional status and/or by age, and malnourished animals of advanced age produced higher amounts of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Furthermore, the phosphorylation ratio of the transcription factor NFκB (pNFκB/NFκB) was directly affected by the nutritional status, independently of age. Thus, these results allow us to conclude that aging and protein malnutrition compromise macrophage function, likely affecting their immune function, and in aged protein-malnourished animals, this impairment tends to be more pronounced. • The percentages of F4/80+/CD11b+ and CD86+ peritoneal cells were reduced mostly in elderly animals • The TLR-4+ peritoneal population was more affected by nutritional status than by age • The production of pro-inflammatory cytokines was influenced by nutritional status and/or by age • Malnourished animals of advanced age produced higher amounts of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 • Aging and protein malnutrition compromise macrophage functions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Dietary protein deficiency is common in the elderly, compromising hematopoiesis and the immune response, and may cause a greater susceptibility to infections. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immunomodulatory properties and are essential to hematopoiesis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate, in an aging model subjected to malnutrition due a reduced protein intake, aspects related to the immunomodulatory capacity of MSCs. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice from young and elderly groups were fed with normoproteic or hypoproteic diets (12% and 2% of protein, respectively) and nutritional, biochemical and hematological parameters were evaluated. MSCs from bone marrow were isolated, characterized and their secretory parameters evaluated, along with gene expression. Additionally, the effects of aging and protein malnutrition on MSC immunomodulatory properties were assessed. Results: Malnourished mice lost weight and demonstrated anemia, leukopenia, and bone marrow hypoplasia. MSCs from elderly animals from both groups showed reduced CD73 expression and higher senescence rate; also, the malnourished state affected CD73 expression in young animals. The production of IL-1β and IL-6 by MSCs was affected by aging and malnutrition, but the IL-10 production not. Aging also increased the expression of NFκB, reducing the expression of STAT-3. However, MSCs from malnourished groups, regardless of age, showed decreased TGF-β and PGE2 production. Evaluation of the immunomodulatory capacity of MSCs revealed that aging and malnutrition affected, mainly in lymphocytes, the production of IFN-γ and IL-10. Conclusion: Aging and reduced protein intake are factors that, alone or together, influence the immunomodulatory properties of MSCs and provide basic knowledge that can be further investigated to explore whether MSCs' therapeutic potential may be affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: to describe and compare the fine motor coordination performance of students with dyslexia and with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder. Method: the study included 22 elementary school students of both genders, aged from 6 to 11-year old, divided into: GI: 11 students with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and GII: 11 students with dyslexia. For the procedure, tests of fine motor skills from the Motor Development Scale were applied. Results: the results showed a statistically significant difference between the fine motor age and chronological age of the students at GI and GII. According to the classification of the Motor Development Scale, 90% of students from GI and GII demonstrated fine motor development much lower than expected for their age, 10% of the students with dyslexia demonstrated low normal development as for the expected value according to age and 10% of students with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder demonstrated inferior development than what is expect for their age. Conclusion: we concluded that both students with dyslexia and with ADHD in this study show a delay in fine motor coordination, demonstrating that the participants of this research have difficulties in tasks that require dexterity, characteristic condition of the coordination development disorder. Additional studies are being conducted by the authors of this study in order to ascertain and to check if the fine motor profiles of students in this study is similar or differ according to their condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purposes: to compare the findings of pre-test and post-test evaluation in students with developmental dyslexia and good readers submitted to phonological remediation program and to check the therapeutic effectiveness of phonological remediation program in students with developmental dyslexia. Methods: 40 students of the 2nd to 4th grades of public schools of Marília-SP, both genders, from to 8 to 12-year old took part in this study; distributed in GI: 20 students with the interdisciplinary diagnosis of developmental dyslexia and GII: 20 good readers paired according to gender, age and school level. All students were submitted to the Cognitive-Linguistic Performance Test in the collective and individual version, oral reading and text comprehension. Results: the results showed statistically significant differences indicating that the GI and GII students submitted to phonological remediation program showed higher performance in post-test when compared to pre-test in the most evaluated cognitive-linguistic skills, including reading and text comprehension. Conclusion: the phonological remediation program was effective for students with or without developmental dyslexia, suggesting that the sound-letter relation skill should be used in the classroom context in order to improve the reading skills for these students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]