Inhibitors of the 5-lipoxygenase arachidonic acid pathway induce ATP release and ATP-dependent organic cation transport in macrophages

AbstractWe have previously described that arachidonic acid (AA)-5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) metabolism inhibitors such as NDGA and MK886, inhibit cell death by apoptosis, but not by necrosis, induced by extracellular ATP (ATPe) binding to P2X7 receptors in macrophages. ATPe binding to P2X7 also induces large cationic and anionic organic molecules uptake in these cells, a process that involves at least two distinct transport mechanisms: one for cations and another for anions. Here we show that inhibitors of the AA-5-LO pathway do not inhibit P2X7 receptors, as judged by the maintenance of the ATPe-induced uptake of fluorescent anionic dyes. In addition, we describe two new transport phenomena induced by these inhibitors in macrophages: a cation-selective uptake of fluorescent dyes and the release of ATP. The cation uptake requires secreted ATPe, but, differently from the P2X7/ATPe-induced phenomena, it is also present in macrophages derived from mice deficient in the P2X7 gene. Inhibitors of phospholipase A2 and of the AA-cyclooxygenase pathway did not induce the cation uptake. The uptake of non-organic cations was investigated by measuring the free intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) by Fura-2 fluorescence. NDGA, but not MK886, induced an increase in [Ca2+]i. Chelating Ca2+ ions in the extracellular medium suppressed the intracellular Ca2+ signal without interfering in the uptake of cationic dyes. We conclude that inhibitors of the AA-5-LO pathway do not block P2X7 receptors, trigger the release of ATP, and induce an ATP-dependent uptake of organic cations by a Ca2+- and P2X7-independent transport mechanism in macrophages

Evaluation of surfactant activity and emulsifying of Pea protein isolate (Pisum sativum L.) obtained by the spray dryer

This study evaluates the biosurfactant activity and emulsification ability of pea proteins isolated (Pisum sativumL.). The results showed that aqueous solutions containing the pea proteins isolated (PPI) reduce thewater surface tension to 47mN/m, approximately. The use of spray dryer does not change the surfactant activityof the PPI because surface tension and CMC will not change. The PPI is thermally stable and can beused in processes that require temperatures between 4°C and 80°C, as industrial processes such as baking, icecream and other formulation. The protein isolate and pea assessed emulsions with toluene and n-heptanewere stable. Emulsions castor and linseed oil were not stable under the conditions reported in this paper.Therefore, despite the pea protein isolate is a surfactant it cannot be used in any industrial process. Both thefood industry and in the biotechnology industry should evaluate the conditions for application of protein isolatesfrom pea.Keywords: biosurfactant; vegetable protein; globulin; spray dryer; pea protein isolated

PERFIL EPIDEMIOLÓGICO DOS PACIENTES NOTIFICADOS COM HANSENÍASE NO NORTE DE MINAS GERAIS

Este estudo objetiva identificar o perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes notificados com hanseníase na cidade de Montes Claros/MG. Trata-se de uma pesquisa documental, transversal, descritiva e quantitativa. Foi realizado no Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde da cidade de Montes Claros/MG. Utilizou-se um formulário próprio baseado na ficha de notificação do Sistema de Informação de Agravos e Notificações. O projeto de pesquisa foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa, protocolo nº 3162/2011. Dos 694 pacientes notificados com hanseníase, a maior parte era do sexo masculino (53,6%); com faixa etária entre 35-49 anos (27,8%); pardos (50,5%); e residiam na zona urbana (88,9%). Quanto aos aspectos clínicos; 58,9% não se aplicavam à condição de gestante; 54,7% com mais de 05 lesões cutâneas; 85,5% não apresentavam nervos afetados pela doença; e prevalência da forma dimorfa do bacilo (56%). Em se tratando dos aspectos laboratoriais e terapêuticos, dos pacientes que realizaram a baciloscopia a maior parte teve resultado negativo (10,7%); 88,3% utilizam como esquema terapêutico inicial o PQT/MB/6D. Conclui-se, portanto, que a doença foi prevalente em homens adultos jovens residentes na zona urbana apresentando uma quantidade significativa de lesões cutâneas difusas sem comprometimento dos nervos motores e eficácia do tratamento dispensado. Descritores: Hanseníase; Epidemiologia Descritiva; Notificação de Doenças; Lesões; Quimioterapia Combinada

Panorama da infecção pelo SARS-COV-2 no Centro de Progressão Penitenciária do Butantan

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus among individuals living in restricted freedom. METHODS: A seroprevalence survey was carried out with the population of the female penitentiary of the Centro de Progressão Penitenciária (CPP) in Butantan (municipality of São Paulo), between June 24 and August 20, 2020. During this period, according to the Secretariat of Penitentiary Administration (SAP), the positivity of rapid tests among inmates ranged from 65% to 78%. The evaluation method used in the study was the “One Step COVID-19” rapid test (chromatography), from the company Wondfo, also using the RT-PCR method in symptomatic participants to confirm the viral condition. The study population consisted of 879 female inmates and 170 employees of the institution. RESULTS: The prevalence of total antibodies (IgG/IgM) against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the total population of 1049 study participants was 6.1%; among the population of 879 inmates, a prevalence of 5.8% was observed, and among the institution’s employees, 7.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of covid-19 at the Butantan CPP was low, which is due to the implementation of simple prevention measures at the institution, such as the use of masks (with appropriate changes), emphasis on hygiene, hand washing and social distancing, in addition to other strategies, such as suspending inmates’ visits from relatives and friends and cutting back on elective medical appointments and outside work.OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência da exposição ao vírus SARS-CoV-2 entre indivíduos vivendo em restrição de liberdade. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado inquérito de soroprevalência com a população da penitenciária feminina do Centro de Progressão Penitenciária (CPP) do Butantan (município de São Paulo), entre 24 de junho e 20 de agosto de 2020. Nesse período, segundo a Secretaria de Administração Penitenciária (SAP), a positividade dos testes rápidos entre detentos variou de 65 a 78%. O método de avaliação utilizado no estudo foi o teste rápido “One Step COVID-19” (cromatografia), da empresa Wondfo, empregando-se também o método RT-PCR em participantes sintomáticos para confirmação do quadro viral. A população do estudo foi constituída por 879 reeducandas e 170 funcionários da instituição. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de anticorpos totais (IgG/IgM) contra o vírus SARS-CoV-2 na população total de 1.049 participantes do estudo foi de 6,1%; entre a população de 879 reeducandas foi observada prevalência de 5,8% e entre os servidores da instituição, 7,5%. CONCLUSÃO: Houve baixa prevalência de covid-19 no CPP do Butantan, o que se deve à implementação de medidas de prevenção simples na instituição, como o uso de máscaras (com trocas adequadas), ênfase na higiene, lavagem das mãos e distanciamento social, além de outras estratégias, como suspensão de visitas de familiares e amigos das reeducandas, cortes de consultas médicas eletivas e do trabalho externo

Spanish Validation of the Leader Empowering Behavior Questionnaire (LEBQ)

[EN] The concept of empowering leadership (EL) has attracted widespread academic and practical interest and different questionnaires have been developed to measure it. However, there are no instruments to measure EL in the Spanish language. This article presents the translation, adaptation, and validation of a scale to measure this construct. In addition, it analyzes the relationship between managers¿ EL and employees¿ job satisfaction. In turn, the study analyzes whether employees who participate in a greater number of continuous improvement (CI) programs have supervisors who favor more empowering behaviors. A total of 739 participants with various occupations from different companies that have implemented CI processes filled out the Spanish version of the Leader Empowering Behavior Questionnaire (LEBQ-sp). Two different subsamples were used to test the relationships between the LEBQ and job satisfaction and CI, by means of Pearson¿s correlation coefficient and analysis of variance, making it possible to provide evidence about the validity of the Spanish LEBQ. The confirmatory factor analysis supported the original structure of the six-factor model. The factors show a high level of internal consistency, as well as sufficient convergent and discriminant validity. Moreover, the results show that the more companies invest in formal CI programs, the more important it is for their leaders to adapt their behavior by displaying more EL. The LEBQ-sp is a valid and reliable instrument for use in research and a useful tool for applied purposes in the context of Spanish-speaking countries.Bonavía Martín, T.; Marin-Garcia, JA. (2019). Spanish Validation of the Leader Empowering Behavior Questionnaire (LEBQ). Frontiers in Psychology. 10:1-9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02368S191

Potential impact of invasive alien species on ecosystem services provided by a tropical forested ecosystem: a case study from Montserrat

Local stakeholders at the important but vulnerable Centre Hills on Montserrat consider that the continued presence of feral livestock (particularly goats and pigs) may lead to widespread replacement of the reserve’s native vegetation by invasive alien trees (Java plum and guava), and consequent negative impacts on native animal species. Since 2009, a hunting programme to control the feral livestock has been in operation. However long-term funding is not assured. Here, we estimate the effect of feral livestock control on ecosystem services provided by the forest to evaluate whether the biodiversity conservation rationale for continuation of the control programme is supported by an economic case. A new practical tool (Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-based Assessment) was employed to measure and compare ecosystem service provision between two states of the reserve (i.e. presence and absence of feral livestock control) to estimate the net consequences of the hunting programme on ecosystem services provided by the forest. Based on this we estimate that cessation of feral livestock management would substantially reduce the net benefits provided by the site, including a 46 % reduction in nature-based tourism (from $419,000 to$228,000) and 36 % reduction in harvested wild meat (from $205,000 to$132,000). The overall net benefit generated from annual ecosystem service flows associated with livestock control in thereserve, minus the management cost, was $214,000 per year. We conclude that continued feral livestock control is important for maintaining the current level of ecosystem services provided by the reserve