Amino Acid Availability Controls TRB3 Transcription in Liver through the GCN2/eIF2α/ATF4 Pathway

In mammals, plasma amino acid concentrations are markedly affected by dietary or pathological conditions. It has been well established that amino acids are involved in the control of gene expression. Up to now, all the information concerning the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of gene transcription by amino acid availability has been obtained in cultured cell lines. The present study aims to investigate the mechanisms involved in transcriptional activation of the TRB3 gene following amino acid limitation in mice liver. The results show that TRB3 is up-regulated in the liver of mice fed a leucine-deficient diet and that this induction is quickly reversible. Using transient transfection and chromatin immunoprecipitation approaches in hepatoma cells, we report the characterization of a functional Amino Acid Response Element (AARE) in the TRB3 promoter and the binding of ATF4, ATF2 and C/EBPβ to this AARE sequence. We also provide evidence that only the binding of ATF4 to the AARE plays a crucial role in the amino acid-regulated transcription of TRB3. In mouse liver, we demonstrate that the GCN2/eIF2α/ATF4 pathway is essential for the induction of the TRB3 gene transcription in response to a leucine-deficient diet. Therefore, this work establishes for the first time that the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of gene transcription by amino acid availability are functional in mouse liver

Envenomation by Micrurus coral snakes in the Brazilian Amazon region: report of two cases

Two cases of proven coral snake bites were reported in Belém, Pará State, Brazil. The first case was a severe one caused by Micrurus surinamensis. The patient required mechanical ventilation due to acute respiratory failure. The second case showed just mild signs of envenomation caused by Micrurus filiformis. Both patients received specific Micrurus antivenom and were discharged without further complications. Coral snake bites are scarcely reported in the Amazon region and there is a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, varying from extremely mild to those which may rapidly lead to death if the patient is not treated as soon as possible

Bladder Function Evaluation Before Renal Transplantation in Nonurologic Disease: Is It Necessary?

OBJECTIVE To determine whether preoperative cystometry and a pressure flow study (PFS) are necessary in patients with end-stage renal disease from nonurologic causes who will undergo renal transplantation. METHODS From April 2009 to June 2010, 30 patients scheduled to undergo renal transplantation were prospectively evaluated with cystometry and PFS. The evaluation was performed immediately before and 6 months after renal transplantation. The inclusion criteria were age >18 years and end-stage renal disease secondary to nonurologic disease. RESULTS Improvement in the cystometry and PFS parameters was observed after the return of diuresis at 6 months after transplantation. The parameter changes from baseline to the 6-month evaluation were as follows: first sensation of bladder filling, 88.8-168.7 mL (P = .0005); first desire to void, 137.2-251.1 mL (P<.0001); maximal cystometric capacity, 221.2-428.7 mL (P<.0001); bladder compliance, 73.9-138.6 mL/cm H2O (P = .03); and maximal flow rate, 8.1-15.8 mL/s (P<.0001). The Abrams-Griffiths number in the men decreased from 31.8 to 15.2 (P = .002). No significant changes were observed in the detrusor pressure at the maximal flow rate or the postvoid residual urine volume. Patients with a 24-hour urine output < 200 mL tended to have had significantly worse parameters before transplantation. CONCLUSION Significant improvement in the cystometry and PFS parameters was observed in patients with endstage renal disease, without urologic disease, 6 months after transplantation, and was associated with recovery of the glomerular filtration rate and urine output by the renal graft. UROLOGY 83: 406-410, 2014. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc.83240641

Uso da Terra no Entorno do PARNA-Caparaó: Preocupação com Incêndios Florestais

RESUMO Considerando que o modo de ocupação das áreas agrícolas apresenta grande influência no risco de ocorrência de incêndios florestais, o objetivo deste estudo foi fotointerpretar o uso e ocupação da terra no entorno do Parque Nacional do Caparaó (PARNA-Caparaó), face capixaba, e analisar a ocorrência de focos de calor na área. Foi fotointerpretada no total uma área de 654,95 km2, dos quais 7,88 km2 cobertos por eucalipto, 89,10 km2, por fragmentos florestais, 314,60 km2, por pastagens, 13,03 km2, por reflorestamento de espécies nativas, 180,60 km2, por café e 49,74 km2, por outros usos. Há uma área relevante ocupada por reflorestamento em todos os municípios avaliados da zona de amortecimento do PARNA-Caparaó, quando comparada a outros estudos. Os focos de calor, em sua maioria, aconteceram em beiras de estradas, pastagens, capoeiras e próximo a fragmentos florestais