Heart Rate Variability Complexity in the Aging Process

In the present work, we propose a discrete model to the characterization of heart rate variability (HRV) complexity in the aging process of healthy subjects. We apply the Shannon entropy on the basis of an alternative way to probability calculation and to define a new index taking into consideration the transition probability that is related to the physiological complexity of the system. Our results suggest that in the aging process the capability response decreases according to the reduction of the physiological complexity. In the oldest group, an alternative mechanism emerges to compensate for this lack of capability; however, this effect does not increase the physiological complexity. Concomitantly, we provide some physiological explanation for our results

BET Inhibition-Induced GSK3β Feedback Enhances Lymphoma Vulnerability to PI3K Inhibitors

The phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)-glycogen synthase kinase \u3b2 (GSK3\u3b2) axis plays a central role in MYC-driven lymphomagenesis, and MYC targeting with bromodomain and extraterminal protein family inhibitors (BETi) is a promising treatment strategy in lymphoma. In a high-throughput combinatorial drug screening experiment, BETi enhance the antiproliferative effects of PI3K inhibitors in a panel of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Burkitt lymphoma cell lines. BETi or MYC silencing upregulates several PI3K pathway genes and induces GSK3\u3b2 S9 inhibitory phosphorylation, resulting in increased \u3b2-catenin protein abundance. Furthermore, BETi or MYC silencing increases GSK3\u3b2 S9 phosphorylation levels and \u3b2-catenin protein abundance through downregulating the E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzymes UBE2C and UBE2T. In a mouse xenograft DLBCL model, BETi decrease MYC, UBE2C, and UBE2T and increase phospho-GSK3\u3b2 S9 levels, enhancing the anti-proliferative effect of PI3K inhibitors. Our study reveals prosurvival feedbacks induced by BETi involving GSK3\u3b2 regulation, providing a mechanistic rationale for combination strategies. In this study, Derenzini et al. demonstrate that BET inhibitors enhance lymphoma vulnerability to PI3K inhibitors by inducing GSK3\u3b2 feedback in a MYC-dependent manner and by downregulating E2-ubiquitin conjugating enzymes, which further enhance the feedback. These data provide the rationale for combining BET and PI3K inhibitors in lymphoma therapy

Reinterpretando as plantas medicinais a partir do referencial yin-yang da Medicina Tradicional Chinesa.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-18T00:39:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RosaLiaBarbieriReinterpretandoasplantasmedicinais.pdf: 304870 bytes, checksum: b013b69760a242ca0f645b548a50eca6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-09-17bitstream/item/183046/1/Rosa-Lia-Barbieri-Reinterpretando-as-plantas-medicinais.pd

Lamb meat quality assessment by support vector machines

The correct assessment of meat quality (i.e., to fulfill the consumer's needs) is crucial element within the meat industry. Although there are several factors that affect the perception of taste, tenderness is considered the most important characteristic. In this paper, a Feature Selection procedure, based on a Sensitivity Analysis, is combined with a Support Vector Machine, in order to predict lamb meat tenderness. This real-world problem is defined in terms of two difficult regression tasks, by modeling objective (e.g. Warner-Bratzler Shear force) and subjective (e.g. human taste panel) measurements. In both cases, the proposed solution is competitive when compared with other neural (e.g. Multilayer Perceptron) and Multiple Regression approaches

Soil stabilization with lime for the construction of forest roads

The mechanical performance of soil stabilization using lime to improve forest roads was assessed. This study was conducted with lateritic soil (LVAd30) using lime content of 2% in the municipality of Niquelândia, Goiás state, Brazil. Geotechnical tests of soil characterization, compaction, and mechanical strength were performed applying different compaction efforts and curing periods. The results showed that lime content significantly changed the mechanical performance of natural soil, increasing its mechanical strength and load-carrying capacity. Compaction effort and curing time provided different responses in the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests. The best UCS value (786.59 kPa) for the soil-lime mixture was achieved with modified compaction effort and curing time of 28 days. In the CBR test, soil-lime mixtures compacted at intermediate and modified efforts and cured for 28 days were considered for application as subbase material of flexible road pavements, being a promising alternative for use in layers of forest roads

Predictors of HBeAg status and hepatitis B viraemia in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis B in the HAART era in Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>HBV-HIV co-infection is associated with an increased liver-related morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the natural history of chronic hepatitis B in HIV-infected individuals under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) receiving at least one of the two drugs that also affect HBV (TDF and LAM). Information about HBeAg status and HBV viremia in HIV/HBV co-infected patients is scarce. The objective of this study was to search for clinical and virological variables associated with HBeAg status and HBV viremia in patients of an HIV/HBV co-infected cohort.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed, of HBsAg-positive HIV-infected patients in treatment between 1994 and 2007 in two AIDS outpatient clinics located in the São Paulo metropolitan area, Brazil. The baseline data were age, sex, CD4 T+ cell count, ALT level, HIV and HBV viral load, HBV genotype, and duration of antiretroviral use. The variables associated to HBeAg status and HBV viremia were assessed using logistic regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 86 HBsAg patients were included in the study. Of these, 48 (56%) were using combination therapy that included lamivudine (LAM) and tenofovir (TDF), 31 (36%) were using LAM monotherapy, and 7 patients had no previous use of either one. Duration of use of TDF and LAM varied from 4 to 21 and 7 to 144 months, respectively. A total of 42 (48. 9%) patients were HBeAg positive and 44 (51. 1%) were HBeAg negative. The multivariate analysis revealed that the use of TDF for longer than 12 months was associated with undetectable HBV DNA viral load (serum HBV DNA level < 60 UI/ml) (<it>p </it>= 0. 047). HBeAg positivity was associated with HBV DNA > 60 UI/ml (p = 0. 001) and ALT levels above normality (<it>p </it>= 0. 038).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Prolonged use of TDF containing HAART is associated with undetectable HBV DNA viral load. HBeAg positivity is associated with HBV viremia and increased ALT levels.</p