Search for Gamma-Ray Spectral Lines from Dark Matter Annihilation up to 100 TeV toward the Galactic Center with MAGIC

Linelike features in TeV γ rays constitute a "smoking gun" for TeV-scale particle dark matter and new physics. Probing the Galactic Center region with ground-based Cherenkov telescopes enables the search for TeV spectral features in immediate association with a dense dark matter reservoir at a sensitivity out of reach for satellite γ-ray detectors, and direct detection and collider experiments. We report on 223 hours of observations of the Galactic Center region with the MAGIC stereoscopic telescope system reaching γ-ray energies up to 100 TeV. We improved the sensitivity to spectral lines at high energies using large-zenith-angle observations and a novel background modeling method within a maximum-likelihood analysis in the energy domain. No linelike spectral feature is found in our analysis. Therefore, we constrain the cross section for dark matter annihilation into two photons to ⟨σv⟩≲5×10^{-28}  cm^{3} s^{-1} at 1 TeV and ⟨σv⟩≲1×10^{-25}  cm^{3} s^{-1} at 100 TeV, achieving the best limits to date for a dark matter mass above 20 TeV and a cuspy dark matter profile at the Galactic Center. Finally, we use the derived limits for both cuspy and cored dark matter profiles to constrain supersymmetric wino models.

Multivariate optimization results in an edible extract from Ilex paraguariensis unexplored residues with a high amount of phenolic compounds

Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil. plants are used for the preparation of food and drinks which are widely consumed worldwide. During the harvest season of these plants, 2-5 ton hec^-1 of agricultural residue is generated, which remains underutilized. Therefore, this study aimed to obtain an edible extract with high content of bioactive compounds and antimicrobial properties from the agricultural residue of I. paraguariensis for industrial use in food applications. The extraction conditions were optimized through a multivariate experimental design using ethanol:water. The extracted compounds were characterized by HPLC-ESY-QTOF-MS. In the optimal extraction conditions, 55 compounds were extracted, including 8 compounds that were not previously reported in I. paraguariensis. The method proved to be simple, fast, economical and environmentally friendly, with the use of green solvents. This optimization allowed for the extraction of 15.07 g of phenolic compounds per 100 g of residue. The extract showed high antioxidant activity and the capacity to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus. Results indicate that it is possible to obtain an edible extract with a high content of bioactive compounds, particularly phenolic compounds, from the I. paraguariensis residue, which has high prospects for the valorization of unexplored natural resources.

Correlation between the Implementation of Psychosocial Care Centers and the Rates of Psychiatric Hospitalizations and Suicide in Porto Alegre-RS from 2008 to 2018

INTRODUCTION

The Brazilian psychiatric reform has revolutionized the way that mental health care is provided throughout the country, introducing the Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS) and encouraging care in freedom. The CAPS have a lot of objectives, such as the prevention of hospitalizations and crisis or suicide intervention. This paper aims to describe the correlation between the implementation of the CAPS and the rates of psychiatric hospitalizations as well as suicide from 2008 to 2018.

METHODS

This study has an ecological time series design and included residents in the city of Porto Alegre-RS and users hospitalized in the SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde - Unified Health System). The data were obtained from official database (DATASUS, CNES and IBGE), after calculating the indicators (the CAPS offer, hospitalization rate and suicide rate). Associations between the indicators were tested using Pearson's correlation.

RESULTS

We found a negative correlation between the provision of the CAPS and psychiatric hospitalizations (r= -0.607 p=0.048).

CONCLUSION

These results support the hypothesis that there is a negative correlation between the implementation of the CAPS and psychiatric hospitalizations. This reinforces the importance of implementing policies related to improving psychiatric reform.

Study of the thermal stability of γ-oryzanol present in rice bran oil over time

BACKGROUND

Rice bran oil is unique among edible oils owing to its rich source of commercially and nutritionally important phytochemicals, such as oryzanol. γ-Oryzanol performs an important role in the stability of rice bran oil. The crude rice bran oil obtained by solvent extraction is subjected to either chemical or physical refining to meet the specifications of edible-grade vegetable oil. These refining processes can cause the compounds present in rice bran oil to degrade. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability of γ-oryzanol present in chemically and physically refined rice bran oils, when submitted to temperatures of 100, 140, and 180 °C for a period of 1368 h.

RESULTS

The chemically refined rice bran oil presented a lower γ-oryzanol content than the physically refined rice bran oil at all heating temperatures. The losses of γ-oryzanol at 100 °C, 140 °C, and 180 °C at the end of the heating periods for the chemically refined oil were 53.47%, 58.48%, and 97.05% respectively, and for the physically refined oil the losses were 38.11%, 53.58%, and 91.11% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of the time to reduce the oryzanol concentration by 50% and 100%, it is observed that the oil of rice meal refined physically presents greater stability, in the different temperatures studied and over time, than the oil of rice meal refined chemically. Thus, for situations where the oil needs to be subjected to prolonged heating, a temperature of 100 °C is indicated. In this condition, the physically refined oil is better for maintaining a higher concentration of γ-oryzanol. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Characterization and quantification of bioactive compounds from Ilex paraguariensis residue by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS from plants cultivated under different cultivation systems

Ilex paraguariensis is a perennial plant used in the production of mate tea, "chimarrão" and "tererê," cosmetics, and other food products. Its leaves are harvested every 12 or 18 months. Approximately 2 to 5 tons of residue are generated per hectare during the harvest. The bioactive composition of this residue has not been characterized to date. Therefore, this paper presents for the first time, the simultaneous characterization of the bioactive compounds of the leaves, thin branches, and thick branches (residue) from I. paraguariensis grown under two cultivation systems: "full sun" and "shaded." The identification and quantification of the compounds was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS). Consequently, 35 compounds were identified. The average dry weight of phenolic compounds in the residue was 4.1 g/100 g, whereas that in the bark of the residue was 12.9 g/100 g, which was similar to the content found in leaves. The same compounds were identified in the two cultivation systems but with a difference in their contents. While the "full sun" cultivation had a higher content of phenolic acids, the "shaded" cultivation had a higher content of flavonoids and saponins. It was found that the I. paraguariensis residue, particularly the bark, is rich in bioactive compounds, such as quinic, 3-caffeoylquinic, 5-cafefoylquinic, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic, and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acids as well as rutin, and their contents vary according to the cultivation system. Therefore, this residue is an underutilized natural resource with a potential for industrial applications. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Yerba mate producers will be able to choose the best cultivation system ("full sun" or "shaded") to increase the content of bioactive compounds. New products may be developed with yerba mate residue due to its high concentration of compounds that are beneficial to the human health. New destinations may be applied to yerba mate residue from the harvest pruning, adding commercial value to this unexplored natural resource.

Probiotic fermented oat dairy beverage: viability of Lactobacillus casei, fatty acid profile, phenolic compound content and acceptability

The combination of oats such as water-soluble oat extract (SOE) and probiotic microorganisms can add nutritional value to the food and benefits to the consumer's health. The SOE contains soluble fiber, whose major soluble fraction is composed of β-glucan contains soluble antioxidants such as ferulic acid, avenanthramides and other phenolic acids. The purpose of this study was to develop a fermented dairy beverage containing SOE, evaluating the viability of the probiotic culture, the fatty acid profile, phenolic compounds content and sensory characteristics during the storage. It was verified that Lactobacillus casei remained viable during the 21 days of storage (count above 7 Log CFU.mL^-1) and that the addition of SOE does not affect the viability of probiotic bacteria. The levels of bioactive compounds soluble in aqueous medium, increased between the beginning of the experiment and the end, being influenced by the addition of SOE. Seven fatty acids were found in all formulations with a prevalence of C16:0 followed by C18:1. The addition of SOE in the formulation contributes to a significant increase in linoleic acid (C18:2n6). The sensory evaluation of the fermented oat dairy beverage with L. casei (BAC) was positive: the product was highly appreciated by consumers, with acceptance rate of 84.4%. The combination of SOE, with L. casei in the production of novel probiotic fermented dairy beverage, was technologically feasible, improving the functional properties of the product and offering health benefits to the consumer. More studies should be made to evaluate the composition and functional properties of SOE.