De novo synthesis of diacylglycerol from glucose. A new pathway of signal transduction in human neutrophils stimulated during phagocytosis of beta-glucan particles.

The phagocytosis of beta-glucan particles by human neutrophils and the associated activation of NADPH O2- forming oxidase were accompanied by an increased hydrolysis of phosphoinositides by phospholipase C, hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine by phospholipase D, accumulation of diglyceride (DG) mass, and [Ca2+]i rise. The reaction of phospholipid hydrolysis played a minor role in the formation of DG, which was mainly formed by de novo synthesis from glucose. The activation of this pathway was shown by the stimulation of the incorporation of [U-14C]glucose into DG, which occurred very rapidly after the challenge of neutrophils with beta-glucan particles. This DG derived from glucose was found almost completely as 1-acyl-2-acyl-glycerol (DAG). On the basis of the finding that phosphatidic acid was the precursor of DAG, an increase in the incorporation of [U-14C]acetate into DAG did not occur, and the [14C]radioactivity was in the glycerol backbone, the synthesis of DAG from [U-14C]glucose occurred very likely via dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glycerol 3-phosphate, stepwise acylation to phosphatidic acid, and dephosphorylation by phosphatidate phosphatase

Neurophysiological Profile of Antismoking Campaigns

Over the past few decades, antismoking public service announcements (PSAs) have been used by governments to promote healthy behaviours in citizens, for instance, against drinking before the drive and against smoke. Effectiveness of such PSAs has been suggested especially for young persons. By now, PSAs efficacy is still mainly assessed through traditional methods (questionnaires and metrics) and could be performed only after the PSAs broadcasting, leading to waste of economic resources and time in the case of Ineffective PSAs. One possible countermeasure to such ineffective use of PSAs could be promoted by the evaluation of the cerebral reaction to the PSA of particular segments of population (e.g., old, young, and heavy smokers). In addition, it is crucial to gather such cerebral activity in front of PSAs that have been assessed to be effective against smoke (Effective PSAs), comparing results to the cerebral reactions to PSAs that have been certified to be not effective (Ineffective PSAs). &e eventual differences between the cerebral responses toward the two PSA groups will provide crucial information about the possible outcome of new PSAs before to its broadcasting. &is study focused on adult population, by investigating the cerebral reaction to the vision of different PSA images, which have already been shown to be Effective and Ineffective for the promotion of an antismoking behaviour. Results showed how variables as gender and smoking habits can influence the perception of PSA images, and how different communication styles of the antismoking campaigns could facilitate the comprehension of PSA’s message and then enhance the related impac

Antismoking campaigns’ perception and gender differences: a comparison among EEG Indices

Human factors’ aim is to understand and evaluate the interactions between people and tasks, technologies, and environment. Among human factors, it is possible then to include the subjective reaction to external stimuli, due to individual’s characteristics and states of mind. These processes are also involved in the perception of antismoking public service announcements (PSAs), the main tool for governments to contrast the first cause of preventable deaths in the world: tobacco addiction. In the light of that, in the present article, it has been investigated through the comparison of different electroencephalographic (EEG) indices a typical item known to be able of influencing PSA perception, that is gender. In order to investigate the neurophysiological underpinnings of such different perception, we tested two PSAs: one with a female character and one with a male character. Furthermore, the experimental sample was divided into men and women, as well as smokers and nonsmokers. The employed EEG indices were the mental engagement (ME: the ratio between beta activity and the sum of alpha and theta activity); the approach/withdrawal (AW: the frontal alpha asymmetry in the alpha band); and the frontal theta activity and the spectral asymmetry index (SASI: the ratio between beta minus theta and beta plus theta). Results suggested that the ME and the AW presented an opposite trend, with smokers showing higher ME and lower AW than nonsmokers. The ME and the frontal theta also evidenced a statistically significant interaction between the kind of the PSA and the gender of the observers; specifically, women showed higher ME and frontal theta activity for the male character PSA. This study then supports the usefulness of the ME and frontal theta for purposes of PSAs targeting on the basis of gender issues and of the ME and the AW and for purposes of PSAs targeting on the basis of smoking habits

Educação a distância e democratização do conhecimento : competências do bibliotecário

Trabalho de conclusão de curso (graduação)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Ciência da Informação, Curso de Graduação em Biblioteconomia, 2017.Analisa o papel do bibliotecário como sujeito ativo na democratização do acesso ao conhecimento no âmbito da Educação a distância (EaD) gratuita no Brasil. A revisão de literatura buscou estabelecer uma correlação entre o bibliotecário, a EaD e a democratização do conhecimento. Foram levantadas as características e elementos que integram a EaD bem como as possíveis áreas de atuação, atividades e competências do bibliotecário nesta modalidade. Os bibliotecários da Universidade Aberta do Sistema Único de Saúde (UNA-SUS) foram escolhidos como estudo de caso para análise do problema da pesquisa. Aplicou-se um questionário investigando as atividades e competências levantadas destes bibliotecários; posteriormente foi realizada uma entrevista em caráter complementar. As respostas obtidas revelam que os bibliotecários da EaD desenvolvem com maior frequência as atividades referentes às competências técnico-científicas, e que as competências em comunicação e expressão são as que mais viabilizam a disseminação e consequente democratização do acesso ao conhecimento na EaD.Analyzes the role of the librarian as an active subject democratizing access to knowledge in the scope of free Distance Education (EaD) in Brazil. The literature review sought to establish a correlation between the librarian, the EAD and the democratization of knowledge. The characteristics and elements that integrate Distance Education as well as the possible fields of work, activities and competences of the librarian in this modality were raised. Librarians of the Open University of Brazil’s Health System (UNA-SUS) were chosen as a case study to analyze the research problem. A questionnaire was applied in order to investigate the activities and competences of these librarians; later, an interview was carried out in a complementary way. The answers obtained reveal that EaD librarians develop more frequently the activities related to Technical-scientific Competences, and that Communication and Expression Competences are the ones that most enable the dissemination and consequent democratization of the access to knowledge in Distance Education

Neurohypophyseal hormones: novel actors of striated muscle development and homeostasis

Since the 1980's, novel functional roles of the neurohypophyseal hormones vasopressin and oxytocin have emerged. Several studies have investigated the effects of these two neurohormones on striated muscle tissues, both in vitro and in vivo. The effects of vasopressin on skeletal myogenic cells, developing muscle and muscle homeostasis have been documented. Oxytocin appears to have a greater influence on cardiomyocite differentiation and heart homeostasis. This review summarizes the studies on these novel roles of the two neurohypophyseal hormones, and open the possibility of new therapeutic approaches for diseases affecting striated muscle

The V1-V3 region of a brain-derived HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein determines macrophage tropism, low CD4 dependence, increased fusogenicity and altered sensitivity to entry inhibitors

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>HIV-1 infects macrophages and microglia in the brain and can cause neurological disorders in infected patients. We and others have shown that brain-derived envelope glycoproteins (Env) have lower CD4 dependence and higher avidity for CD4 than those from peripheral isolates, and we have also observed increased fusogenicity and reduced sensitivity to the fusion inhibitor T-1249. Due to the genetic differences between brain and spleen <it>env </it>from one individual throughout gp120 and in gp41's heptad repeat 2 (HR2), we investigated the viral determinants for the phenotypic differences by performing functional studies with chimeric and mutant Env.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Chimeric Env showed that the V1/V2-C2-V3 region in brain's gp120 determines the low CD4 dependence and high avidity for CD4, as well as macrophage tropism and reduced sensitivity to the small molecule BMS-378806. Changes in brain gp41's HR2 region did not contribute to the increased fusogenicity or to the reduced sensitivity to T-1249, since a T-1249-based peptide containing residues found in brain's but not in spleen's HR2 had similar potency than T-1249 and interacted similarly with an immobilized heptad repeat 1-derived peptide in surface plasmon resonance analysis. However, the increased fusogenicity and reduced T-1249 sensitivity of brain and certain chimeric Env mostly correlated with the low CD4 dependence and high avidity for CD4 determined by brain's V1-V3 region. Remarkably, most but not all of these low CD4-dependent, macrophage tropic envelopes glycoproteins also had increased sensitivity to the novel allosteric entry inhibitor HNG-105. The gp120's C2 region asparagine 283 (N283) has been previously associated with macrophage tropism, brain infection, lower CD4 dependence and higher CD4 affinity. Therefore, we introduced the N283T mutation into an <it>env </it>clone from a brain-derived isolate and into a brain tissue-derived <it>env </it>clone, and the T283N change into a spleen-derived <it>env </it>from the same individual; however, we found that their phenotypes were not affected.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We have identified that the V1-V3 region of a brain-derived envelope glycoprotein seems to play a crucial role in determining not only the low CD4 dependence and increased macrophage tropism, but also the augmented fusogenicity and reduced sensitivity to T-1249 and BMS-378806. By contrast, increased sensitivity to HNG-105 mostly correlated with low CD4 dependence and macrophage tropism but was not determined by the presence of the brain's V1-V3 region, confirming that viral determinants of phenotypic changes in brain-derived envelope glycoproteins are likely complex and context-dependent.</p

The V1-V3 region of a brain-derived HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein determines macrophage tropism, low CD4 dependence, increased fusogenicity and altered sensitivity to entry inhibitors

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>HIV-1 infects macrophages and microglia in the brain and can cause neurological disorders in infected patients. We and others have shown that brain-derived envelope glycoproteins (Env) have lower CD4 dependence and higher avidity for CD4 than those from peripheral isolates, and we have also observed increased fusogenicity and reduced sensitivity to the fusion inhibitor T-1249. Due to the genetic differences between brain and spleen <it>env </it>from one individual throughout gp120 and in gp41's heptad repeat 2 (HR2), we investigated the viral determinants for the phenotypic differences by performing functional studies with chimeric and mutant Env.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Chimeric Env showed that the V1/V2-C2-V3 region in brain's gp120 determines the low CD4 dependence and high avidity for CD4, as well as macrophage tropism and reduced sensitivity to the small molecule BMS-378806. Changes in brain gp41's HR2 region did not contribute to the increased fusogenicity or to the reduced sensitivity to T-1249, since a T-1249-based peptide containing residues found in brain's but not in spleen's HR2 had similar potency than T-1249 and interacted similarly with an immobilized heptad repeat 1-derived peptide in surface plasmon resonance analysis. However, the increased fusogenicity and reduced T-1249 sensitivity of brain and certain chimeric Env mostly correlated with the low CD4 dependence and high avidity for CD4 determined by brain's V1-V3 region. Remarkably, most but not all of these low CD4-dependent, macrophage tropic envelopes glycoproteins also had increased sensitivity to the novel allosteric entry inhibitor HNG-105. The gp120's C2 region asparagine 283 (N283) has been previously associated with macrophage tropism, brain infection, lower CD4 dependence and higher CD4 affinity. Therefore, we introduced the N283T mutation into an <it>env </it>clone from a brain-derived isolate and into a brain tissue-derived <it>env </it>clone, and the T283N change into a spleen-derived <it>env </it>from the same individual; however, we found that their phenotypes were not affected.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We have identified that the V1-V3 region of a brain-derived envelope glycoprotein seems to play a crucial role in determining not only the low CD4 dependence and increased macrophage tropism, but also the augmented fusogenicity and reduced sensitivity to T-1249 and BMS-378806. By contrast, increased sensitivity to HNG-105 mostly correlated with low CD4 dependence and macrophage tropism but was not determined by the presence of the brain's V1-V3 region, confirming that viral determinants of phenotypic changes in brain-derived envelope glycoproteins are likely complex and context-dependent.</p

CAPTURA DE CARBONO

O presente trabalho abordará sobre o elemento químico carbono, muito versátil e importante, presente no dia-a-dia em muitos momentos, em inúmeros materiais, serviços e funções. Presente na primeira tabela periódica publicada, em 1829 pelo químico alemão Johann Wolfgang Dobereiner, esse não metal possui número atômico 6 e massa 12. Apresenta 3 isótopos, sendo o mais abundante o isótopo carbono 12, utilizado no nosso dia a dia para fins de pesquisa, transportes, produção de energia e produção de itens comerciais. Também faz parte do trabalho o debate sobre o dilema do carbono e os riscos que o componente químico dióxido de carbono representa. Apresentaremos algumas possibilidades para diminuir a presença desse composto e abordaremos, de forma completa e prática, sua captura e sua separação da molécula. O trabalho contará com maquete, materiais escritos e banner. Sabe-se que o carbono pode ser utilizado para diversos fins, em alguns casos ele é fundamental e podemos até afirmar que ele é insubstituível algumas vezes. O grande problema, talvez, é quando de forma intencional ou não intencional forma outras substâncias e então passa a ser potencialmente agressivo ou perigoso. Os componentes que contêm Carbono podem tanto gerar benefícios como grandes problemas exemplo disso, a degradação da atmosfera, fauna e a flora do planeta que vivemos. Neste sentido, o objetivo principal deste trabalho é explicar e representar as aplicações todo esse contexto de importância e perigo no qual o elemento carbono está inserido. A metodologia consiste em apresentar a história, os dados, as características, as utilidades assim como os componentes constituídos por esse elemento. Depois disso debateremos os problemas com o carbono e as tentativas de solução deles. Em relação aos resultados obtidos mostraremos a captura de carbono, as dificuldades e as chances de insucesso, assim como é possível evitar a emissão de carbono na atmosfera e como pode ser feita a utilização do componente para diamantes, grafite, ou até servir de matéria para alguma pesquisa ou invenção revolucionária

Evaluation of background parenchymal enhancement on breast MRI: A systematic review

Objective: To perform a systematic review of the methods used for background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) evaluation on breast MRI. Methods: Studies dealing with BPE assessment on breast MRI were retrieved from major medical libraries independently by four reviewers up to 6October 2015. The keywords used for database searching are "background parenchymal enhancement", "parenchymal enhancement", "MRI" and "breast". The studies were included if qualitative and/or quantitative methods for BPE assessment were described. Results: Of the 420 studies identified, a total of 52 articles were included in the systematic review. 28 studies performed only a qualitative assessment of BPE, 13 studies performed only a quantitative assessment and 11 studies performed both qualitative and quantitative assessments. A wide heterogeneity was found in the MRI sequences and in the quantitative methods used for BPE assessment. Conclusion: A wide variability exists in the quantitative evaluation of BPE on breast MRI. More studies focused on a reliable and comparable method for quantitative BPE assessment are needed. Advances in knowledge: More studies focused on a quantitative BPE assessment are needed