In neoplasic cachexia, chemical mediators seem to act as initiators or perpetuators of this process. Walker 256 cells, whose metabolic properties have so far been little studied with respect to cancer cachexia, are used as a model for the study of this syndrome. The main objective of this research was to pinpoint the substances secreted by these cells that may contribute to the progression of the cachectic state. Since inflammatory mediators seem to be involved in the manifestation of this syndrome, the in vitro production of nitric oxide (NO), cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was evaluated in Walker 256 cells isolated from ascitic tumors. After 4 or 5 h, a significant increase in NO production was observed (2.55 +/- 1.56 and 4.05 +/- 1.99 nmol NO per 10(7) cells, respectively). When isolated from a 6-day-old tumor, a significantly lower production of IL-6 and higher production of TNF-alpha than in cells from a 4-day-old tumor were observed, indicating a relationship between the production of cytokines and the time of tumor development after implantation. Considerable production of PGE(2) by Walker 256 cells isolated from the 6-day-old tumor was also observed. Polyamines were also determined in Walker 256 cells. Levels of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine did not show significant differences in tumors developed during 4 or 6 days. Direct evidence of the release of proinflammatory cytokines and PGE2 by Walker 256 cells suggests that these mediators can drive the cachectic syndrome in the host, the effect being dependent on tumor development time.

We studied antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo and partial chemical characterization of exobiopolymers (EBPs) of Agaricus brasiliensis produced by submerged cultivation. The EBPs comprised 61.2% total sugar and 22.3% total protein, and the chromatographic profile mainly identified mannose (65.5%), galactose (17.5%), and glucose (13.1%). In vitro analysis revealed a dose with antitumor effectiveness, time-dependent treatment, and 46% inhibition of solid Walker 256 tumors in rats. Metabolic changes were significant in the spleens of the animals; this is possibly related to higher immune activity triggered by the presence of EBPs in the treated group. The increase of nitric oxide production by peritoneal macrophages from animals may be related to the tumor reduction observed, because nitric oxide acts as an important effector pathway in the defense of the organism.

According to the Curriculum Guidelines of Biology of Basic Education "school should encourage the pedagogical practice based on different methodologies, valuing the teaching concepts, the learning (internalization) and the evaluation that allow teachers and students being aware of the need for emancipatory transformation”.  The teaching of biochemistry and its contents in basic education are not discussed as a structuring content within the Biology subject, but are included in related content such as cellular biology. The objective of this study was to inventory the contents and methodologies related to biochemistry taught by teachers of basic education and produce teaching-learning materials as contribution to these contents from the inventory results. The methodology was developed from the analysis of the questionnaires applied to biology teachers from public schools of Guarapuava-Pr. The results showed that the teaching of biochemistry and biology discipline, although it comes from the same area, are designed as two unattached areas, meaning there is no perception by teachers in relation to the implicit conceptual intercept in teaching Biology and Biochemistry. To this end, the profile of the game Grow was adapted using themes related to Biochemistry. The game consists of 45 cards and a game board with a track. The player who gives more write answers to the questions reaches the end and wins the match. For game evaluation participants answered a questionnaire at the end of the activity. Most of the participants argued that the process has contributed to ensure the assimilation of the contents, since it is a leisure activity with effective participation of students. Thus, the obtained data confirmed the assumption of  Pedroso (2009), which states that the games allow a significant teacher-student interaction, disseminating scientific knowledge from the views and experiences of the student.

A formação acadêmica é um processo de investimento profissional e pessoal que merece uma reflexão especial, relacionada à contribuição da extensão. A extensão universitária tem sido apontada como uma dimensão fundamental na formação inicial de acadêmicos, embora nem sempre reconhecida. Assim, este artigo investiga a percepção dos acadêmicos envolvidos no projeto de extensão Crise hídrica: oficinas ecopedagógicas, em relação à contribuição que um projeto de extensão pode trazer para a sua formação, em suas múltiplas dimensões. A pesquisa utilizou uma abordagem qualitativa e o questionário como instrumento de obtenção de informações. Por meio dos resultados obtidos, foi possível verificar que houve uma ampliação do entendimento sobre extensão universitária e em relação aos conhecimentos específicos da área ambiental. Os acadêmicos também revelaram que adquiriram habilidades, como a de se expressar em público, e valores, como o respeito às diferenças, além do desenvolvimento do senso crítico e do desejo de transformar o mundo por meio de sua profissão. Palavras-chave: Universidade; Percepção Ambiental; Oficinas Ecopedagógicas Contributions of university extension to the academic education through an environmental education project Abstract: Academic education is a process that requires professional and personal investments, which deserve a particular reflection related to the contribution of extension courses. The university extension has been considered as a fundamental dimension in the education of university students, although it has not always been acknowledged. Thus, the present article investigates the perception of students involved in the extension project Water crisis: ecopedagogical workshops about the contribution that the extension project could provide for their education in multiple dimensions. The research made use of a qualitative approach and the survey as a tool to gather the information. It was possible to verify a broadened understanding of university extension and the specific expertise in the environmental area through the collected results. The students also revealed that they had improved their abilities toward expressing themselves in public, their values related to differences, in addition to developing critical sense and the wish to change the world through their profession. Keywords: University; Environmental Perception; Ecopedagogical workshops

The need to promote knowledge of health entails, in part, by encouraging healthy eating habits. The creation of popular science materials, especially at schools, by promoting guidance for the eating habits is presented as an important tool. Foods that contain bioactive compounds are called nutraceutical foods and about 35% of various cancers occur due to inadequate diets. Conventional therapies are used in the treatment of cancer, even though they are efficient in fighting tumors, to cause many harmful effects to the patient, and therefore the researches for alternative therapies have increased. Especially those act strengthening the immunologic system. The mushrooms are able to modulate carcinogenesis in all stages of the disease through different mechanisms of action of the bioactive compounds, thus having an antitumor effect that is assigned to restore and improve the immune response through stimulation of cellular immunity which are present polysaccharides the composition of the mushrooms, such as beta-glucans that besides the anticancer effect, it still has activity as immunostimulant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, which are already used in Japan as drugs for treating cancer patients. The aim of this work was to use learning as a tool for acquiring habits and eating behaviors in the general community and ownership and acquisition of knowledge about the antitumor potential of bioactive compounds in foods which are applied in cancer prevention through the scientific dissemination / education. Because it is a popular science work using written material and the dissemination of the material make for yourself the methodology used for the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Thus, the inclusion of consumption of mushrooms in the diet may represent an important step in the cancer prevention as the best form of prevention, and therefore it shows the need for available information to everyone, as it has proposed this work, disclosure.