Transcriptional analysis of the human PAX9 promoter

Orientador: Sergio Roberto Peres LineDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de PiracicabaResumo: O gene PAX9 pertence a uma família de fatores de transcrição denominada família Pax. Esse gene é expresso em tecidos embrionários como somitos, bolsa endodérmica da faringe, brotos distais dos membros e mesênquima derivado da crista neural. Alguns polimorfismos na região promotora desse gene em humanos vêm sendo associados a formas de agenesias não-sindrômicas autossômicas dominantes. No presente trabalho, nós verificamos a expressão gênica e a influência de duas seqüências da região promotora na transcrição do gene PAX9 em ensaios in vitro com células de tecido embrionário de ratos de 13.5 dias obtidas a partir de seus membros, face e regiões do mesencéfalo e romboencéfalo. Os fragmentos da região promotora foram clonados em plasmídios repórteres e transfectados nos três diferentes tecidos embrionários. Nossos resultados das análises de RT-PCR demonstraram que em culturas in vitro, as células dos membros e do SNC expressam o gene PAX9, porém, aquelas obtidas a partir da face não o expressaram. Além disso, os resultados dos ensaios de luciferase mostraram que a atividade dessa nos vetores construídos são mais fracas do que do vetor pGL3-Basic sozinho, sugerindo que essas regiões não são suficientes para guiar a transcrição gênica.Abstract: PAX9 belongs to a transcriptional factor genes family named Pax. This gene is expressed in embryonic tissues like somites, pharyngeal pouch endoderm, distal limb buds and neural crest-derived mesenchyme. Some polymorphisms in the upstream promoter region of the human PAX9 have been associated with human non-syndromic forms of autossomal dominant agenesis. In the present study we verified the in vitro expression of this gene and the influence of two promoter sequences in the transcription of PAX9 gene, in embryo tissues obtained from digits, face and midbrain and hindbrain regions. These fragments were cloned on reporter plasmid and were transfected into the different cells cultures. Our RT-PCR results showed that in vitro E13.5 limb bud and CNS cells express PAX9, but not in derived facial region cells. Moreover, the luciferase activity of the Pax9 promoter vectors were weaker than pGL3-Basic alone, suggesting that the PAX9 sequences of promoter region are not sufficient to drive PAX9 gene transcription.MestradoHistologia e EmbriologiaMestre em Biologia Buco-Denta

Recall de substâncias medicamentosas e produtos farmacêuticos por impurezas de nitrosaminas

Recall é um termo inglês, originário dos Estados Unidos, e comumente utilizado no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro para proteger o consumidor do fornecedor de bens e serviços. Em português, significa “voltar”. A descoberta de impurezas de nitrosaminas em medicamentos levou a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) e outros agências reguladoras a realizar uma análise detalhada desse contaminante em insumos farmacêuticos ativos (IFAs) e medicamentos afetados. Nesse viés, o objetivo desse estudo foi realizar uma revisão de literatura acerca do recall de substâncias medicamentosas e produtos farmacêuticos, devido à presença de impurezas de nitrosaminas. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, que foi realizada através de revisão bibliográfica da literatura. Através desta pesquisa conclui-se que a formação de impurezas de nitrosaminas pode ser evitada selecionando reagentes, catalisadores e solventes adequados na fabricação de substâncias farmacêuticas e, sempre que esses contaminantes forem identificados em produtos farmacêuticos, acima dos limites estabelecidos pela legislação, os mesmos devem ser inutilizados e os lotes recolhidos pelas indústrias

Transcriptional analysis of the human PAX9 promoter

OBJECTIVES: PAX9 belongs to the Pax family of transcriptional factor genes. This gene is expressed in embryonic tissues such as somites, pharyngeal pouch endoderm, distal limb buds and neural crest-derived mesenchyme. Polymorphisms in the upstream promoter region of the human PAX9 have been associated with human non-syndromic tooth agenesis. In the present study, we verified the in vitro mRNA expression of this gene and the luciferase activity of two constructs containing promoter sequences of the PAX9 gene. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Embryonic tissues were obtained from digits, face, and midbrain/hindbrain regions. Fragments containing PAX9 promoter sequences were cloned into reporter plasmids and were transfected into the different cell cultures. mRNA were extracted from primary cell cultures. RESULTS: The semi-quantitative RT-PCR results showed that in vitro E13.5 limb bud and CNS cells express PAX9, but cells derived from the facial region do not. Moreover, the luciferase assay showed that protein activity of the constructed vector was weaker than pgl3 -basic alone. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that the promoter sequences analyzed are not sufficient to drive PAX9 gene transcription

psychometric validation of the Portuguese Staff Attitudes to Coercion Scale (SACS)

Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2024.Background: There is a growing recognition that staff attitudes toward coercion in mental health care may influence its application. This study presents the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Staff Attitudes towards Coercion Scale (SACS) and describes mental health professionals’ attitudes towards coercion in Portugal. Methods: Mental health professionals working in five Portuguese mental health services in urban and rural regions of Portugal were invited to complete a questionnaire comprising the SACS and a socio-demographic form. Psychometric analyses including construct validity and internal consistency were carried out using R software. Results: A total of 91 out of 119 questionnaires completed were valid for analysis. Fifty-seven (62.64%) respondents were female, with an age range of 24 to 69 years (M = 39.33; SD = 11.09). More than half of them were nurses (52.75%, n = 48), and a third were psychiatrists (36.26%, n = 33). A three-factor structure was confirmed and showed the best fit compared to previously proposed models with a cumulative explained variance of 59%. The Portuguese SACS exhibited adequate internal consistency for both the full-scale and subscales. The highest mean score was in the pragmatic attitude domain (20.60; SD = 3.37). A negative correlation was observed between the critical attitude domain and both age and years of experience (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A three-factor structure was confirmed and showed the best fit compared to previously proposed models. The Portuguese SACS showed excellent psychometric properties and is acceptable for assessing staff attitudes towards coercion.publishersversionpublishe

Grasping Marketing and Consumer Behavior in the Digital Environment: Brazilian Scholars Insights

The papers on this Special Issue of the Journal of Contemporary Administration promote an important discussion in the Brazilian digital marketing field. In this editorial, we explain how the authors build bridges between digital marketing, marketplace, consumers, and firms’ applications by means of empirical investigations. As new technologies force marketing to constantly change to adjust to social platforms in the digital environment, insights about Brazilian digital marketing are missing. Considering the digital economy, consumer behavior, and technological culture, the five papers raise interesting questions about how viral advertising and image/video/audio platforms affect consumer response measures (e.g., online purchases) and create social media experiences. Such experiences include omnichannel environments that connect and create ecosystems across firms, consumers, governments, stakeholders, and marketing professionals in organized networks

Natural Products and Synthetic Derivatives as Promising Candidates Against Neglected Tropical Diseases

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) are a group of endemic diseases that cause up to one million deaths annually. Leishmaniasis and Chagas Disease are classified as NTD whose current treatments are of limited access. There is an urgent need to develop new agents to combat or alleviate the symptoms of these pathologies. The present work highlights the activities of several natural products and their derivatives which have been tested against the causative parasites of both diseases. The activities of natural products illustrate their potential to assist in the combat against NTD. Research in this area could provide an opportunity to advance medical research and to provide treatments to low- and middle-income countries

Intoxicação por paracetamol em gatos

Paracetamol intoxication in cats occurs due to accidental or iatrogenic exposure, when the owners administers the medication with the intention of treating their pet. Cats are deficient in terms of biotransformation, so even small doses of the drug can cause toxicity. Among the clinical signs, cyanosis, depression, icterus, edema of face and limbs, tachypnea, dyspnea, anorexia, weakness, vomiting, hypothermia and hematuria can be observed. Fortunately, with aggressive treatment and appropriate supportive care, most animals are able to recover completely. Owners should be advised not to administer acetaminophen in cats. Considering the large number of cats treated in emergency veterinary with clinical signs of acetaminophen toxicity, we have the objective of presenting information about this disease for clinicians of small animals to identify the framework and thus treat it successfully.A intoxicação por paracetamol em gatos ocorre por exposição acidental ou de forma iatrogênica, quando um responsável o administra na intenção de tratar seu animal. Os gatos apresentam deficiência em sua biotransformação e por isso mesmo pequenas doses do fármaco podem provocar sinais de intoxicação. Dentre os sinais clínicos pode-se observar cianose, depressão, icterícia, edema de face e membros, taquipnéia, dispnéia, anorexia, fraqueza, vômito, hipotermia e hematúria. Felizmente, com um tratamento agressivo e cuidado de suporte adequado, a maioria dos animais se recupera completamente. O proprietário deve ser orientado a nunca administrar paracetamol em gatos. Considerando a grande quantidade de gatos atendidos na emergência veterinária com sinais clínicos de intoxicação por paracetamol, tem-se por objetivo apresentar informações sobre essa enfermidade para que os clínicos de pequenos animais possam identifi car o quadro e assim tratá-lo com sucesso

Prevalência de sorotipos e resistência antimicrobiana de cepas invasivas do pneumococo em crianças: análise de 9 anos

Objective: To determine the prevalence of serotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility of strains of pneumococcus in children and to evaluate the implications for vaccine formulation.Methods: Strains of pneumococcus obtained from children admitted with invasive diseases were isolated at Hospital de Clinicas of Universidade Federal de Uberlandia, Uberlandia, Brazil, and sent to Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, Brazil, for further identification, serotyping, and determination of antimicrobial susceptibility.Results: From April 1999 to December 2008, 142 strains of pneumococcus, obtained from children under 5 years of age, were analyzed. Seventy-five (52.8%) patients were male, and the age ranged from 1 to 60 months (mean age = 19 +/- 15.4 months; median = 15 months). the most common diagnoses were pneumonia [92 cases (64.8%)] and meningitis [33 cases (23.2%)]. the strains were mostly isolated from blood [61 samples (43%)], pleural fluid [52 samples (36.6%)], and cerebrospinal fluid [28 samples (19.7%)]. the most common serotypes were 14, 5, 6B, 1, 6A, 18C, 19A, 3, 9V, 19F, 23F, 9N, and 10A. There were 14 [9.9%] penicillin-resistant strains, which was detected only in the following serotypes: 14, 6B, 19F, 19A, and 23F, being predominant from 2004 to 2008 (p = 0.000). There was reduced susceptibility to co-trimoxazole (79.5%), erythromycin and clindamycin (11.3% each), and ceftriaxone (5.6%).Conclusions: Penicillin resistance was detected in 9.9% of the strains, being predominant from 2004 to 2008. Twenty different pneumococcal serotypes were identified, and 71.9% of the serotypes were represented in the 7-valent conjugate vaccine (PN CRM7) currently available.Univ Fed Uberlandia, Fac Med, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Saude, BR-38400 Uberlandia, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Uberlandia, Lab Hosp Clin Uberlandia, Uberlandia, MG, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Microbiol Clin, São Paulo, BrazilIAL, Secao Bacteriol, Projeto Sistema Reg Vacinas SIREVA, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc