The Ant mimic, Myrmarachne Plataleoides

Volume: XI

Cationic carbosilane dendrimers and oligonucleotide binding: an energetic affair

GENERATION 2 CATIONIC CARBOSILANE DENDRIMERS HOLD GREAT PROMISE AS INTERNALIZING AGENTS FOR GENE THERAPY AS THEY PRESENT LOW TOXICITY AND RETAIN AND INTERNALIZE GENETIC MATERIAL AS OLIGONUCLEOTIDE OR SIRNA. IN THIS WORK WE CARRIED OUT A COMPLETE IN SILICO STRUCTURAL AND ENERGETICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE INTERACTIONS OF A SET OF 2G CARBOSILANE DENDRIMERS, SHOWING DIFFERENT AFFINITY TOWARDS TWO SINGLE STRAND OLIGONUCLEOTIDE (ODN) SEQUENCES IN VITRO. OUR SIMULATIONS PREDICT THAT THESE FOUR DENDRIMERS AND THE RELEVANT ODN COMPLEXES ARE CHARACTERIZED BY SIMILAR SIZE AND SHAPE, AND THAT THE MOLECULE-SPECIFIC ODN BINDING ABILITY CAN BE RATIONALIZED ONLY CONSIDERING A CRITICAL MOLECULAR DESIGN PARAMETER: THE NORMALIZED EFFECTIVE BINDING ENERGY \u394GBIND,EFF/NEFF I.E., THE PERFORMANCE OF EACH ACTIVE INDIVIDUAL DENDRIMER BRANCH DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN A BINDING INTERACTIO

Correlation Between Acoustic Rhinometry, Computed Rhinomanometry And Cone-beam Computed Tomography In Mouth Breathers With Transverse Maxillary Deficiency

To provide clinical information and diagnosis in mouth breathers with transverse maxillary deficiency with posterior crossbite. Numerous exams can be performed; however, the correlation among these exams remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate the correlation between acoustic rhinometry, computed rhinomanometry, and cone-beam computed tomography in mouth breathers with transverse maxillary deficiency. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 30 mouth breathers with transverse maxillary deficiency (7-13 y.o.) patients with posterior crossbite. The examinations assessed: (i) acoustic rhinometry: nasal volumes (0-5. cm and 2-5. cm) and minimum cross-sectional areas 1 and 2 of nasal cavity; (ii) computed rhinomanometry: flow and average inspiratory and expiratory resistance; (iii) cone-beam computed tomography: coronal section on the head of inferior turbinate (Widths 1 and 2), middle turbinate (Widths 3 and 4) and maxilla levels (Width 5). acoustic rhinometry and computed rhinomanometry were evaluated before and after administration of vasoconstrictor. Results were compared by Spearman's correlation and Mann-Whitney tests (α = 0.05). Results: Positive correlation was observed between: (i) flow evaluated before administration of vasoconstrictor and Width 4 (Rho = 0.380) and Width 5 (Rho = 0.371); (ii) Width 2 and minimum cross-sectional areas 1 evaluated before administration of vasoconstrictor (Rho = 0.380); (iii) flow evaluated before administration of vasoconstrictor and nasal volumes of 0-5. cm (Rho = 0.421), 2-5. cm (Rho = 0.393) and minimum cross-sectional areas 1 (Rho = 0.375); (iv) Width 4 and nasal volumes of 0-5. cm evaluated before administration of vasoconstrictor (Rho = 0.376), 2-5. cm evaluated before administration of vasoconstrictor (Rho = 0.376), minimum cross-sectional areas 1 evaluated before administration of vasoconstrictor (Rho = 0.410) and minimum cross-sectional areas 1 after administration of vasoconstrictor (Rho = 0.426); (v) Width 5 and Width 1 (Rho = 0.542), Width 2 (Rho = 0.411), and Width 4 (Rho = 0.429). Negative correlation was observed between: (i) Width 4 and average inspiratory resistance (Rho = -0.385); (ii) average inspiratory resistance evaluated before administration of vasoconstrictor and volume of 0-5. cm (Rho = -0.382), and average expiratory resistance evaluated before administration of vasoconstrictor and minimum cross-sectional areas 1 (Rho = -0.362). Conclusion: There was correlation between acoustic rhinometry, computed rhinomanometry, and cone-beam computed tomography in mouth breathers with transverse maxillary deficiency. © 2016 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial

Identification of novel non-myelin biomarkers in multiple sclerosis using an improved phage-display approach

Although the etiology of multiple sclerosis is not yet understood, it is accepted that its pathogenesis involves both autoimmune and neurodegenerative processes, in which the role of autoreactive T-cells has been elucidated. Instead, the contribution of humoral response is still unclear, even if the presence of intrathecal antibodies and B-cells follicle-like structures in meninges of patients has been demonstrated. Several myelin and non-myelin antigens have been identified, but none has been validated as humoral biomarker. In particular autoantibodies against myelin proteins have been found also in healthy individuals, whereas non-myelin antigens have been implicated in neurodegenerative phase of the disease. To provide further putative autoantigens of multiple sclerosis, we investigated the antigen specificity of immunoglobulins present both in sera and in cerebrospinal fluid of patients using phage display technology in a new improved format. A human brain cDNA phage display library was constructed and enriched for open-read-frame fragments. This library was selected against pooled and purified immunoglobulins from cerebrospinal fluid and sera of multiple sclerosis patients. The antigen library was also screened against an antibody scFv library obtained from RNA of B cells purified from the cerebrospinal fluid of two relapsing remitting patients. From all biopanning a complex of 14 antigens were identified; in particular, one of these antigens, corresponding to DDX24 protein, was present in all selections. The ability of more frequently isolated antigens to discriminate between sera from patients with multiple sclerosis or other neurological diseases was investigated. The more promising novel candidate autoantigens were DDX24 and TCERG1. Both are implicated in RNA modification and regulation which can be altered in neurodegenerative processes. Therefore, we propose that they could be a marker of a particular disease activity state

Pteridine-2,4-diamine derivatives as radical scavengers and inhibitors of lipoxygenase that can possess anti-inflammatory properties

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species are associated with inflammation implicated in cancer, atherosclerosis and autoimmune diseases. The complex nature of inflammation and of oxidative stress suggests that dual-target agents may be effective in combating diseases involving reactive oxygen species. RESULTS: A novel series of N-substituted 2,4-diaminopteridines has been synthesized and evaluated as antioxidants in several assays. Many exhibited potent lipid antioxidant properties, and some are inhibitors of soybean lipoxygenase, IC50 values extending down to 100 nM for both targets. Several pteridine derivatives showed efficacy at 0.01 mmol/kg with little tissue damage in a rat model of colitis. 2-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)pteridin-4-amine (18f) at 0.01 mmol/kg exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity (reduction by 41%). CONCLUSION: The 2,4-diaminopteridine core represents a new scaffold for lipoxygenase inhibition as well as sustaining anti-inflammatory properties

A Molecular Dynamics approach to investigate the tribological behaviour of Al-Si and α-Al2O3-Si interfaces at the nanoscale

The evolution of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Micro-Nano Electromechanical System (MEMS/NEMS) makes evident the trend towards the progressive miniaturisation of devices. The energy efficiencies at the nanoscale are, in turn, significantly lowered by friction force. The friction force depends not only on the tribological pair parameters and normal loads, but also on the crystalline structure of the materials in contact, their surface chemistry and roughness. Our research focuses on the nanometric friction force using Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. An investigation of a system comprising a hemispheric silicon tip sliding on an aluminium oxide flat surface, aiming at understanding the interactions between the materials from an atomistic standpoint, was thus conducted

Contribuição de estirpes de rizóbio para o desenvolvimento e produtividade de grãos de feijão-caupi em Roraima.

O estudo objetivou avaliar a contribuição da fixação biológica de nitrogênio (FBN) promovida por estirpes de rizóbio para o desenvolvimento e rendimento de grãos do feijão-caupi em Roraima. Nos anos de 2005 e 2006 foram conduzidos experimentos em área de cerrado e mata alterada, onde foram testadas as estirpes INPA 03-11B, UFLA 3-84, BR3267 (recomendadas à cultura), a estirpe BR3299 e BR3262, duas doses de nitrogênio mineral (50 e 80 kg ha-1 de N) e um controle. As variáveis avaliadas foram: nodulação e produção de massa seca da parte aérea de plantas de feijão-caupi e, o rendimento de grãos na colheita. Na média geral, foi observado que a estirpe BR3262 proporcionou número e massa de nódulos significativamente maiores ao controle, ao passo que entre as estirpes recomendadas, isto só ocorreu de forma esporádica com INPA 03-11B e BR3267. Além disso, também foi observado que a população de rizóbio do solo foi determinante à nodulação das plantas dos experimentos. Comparativamente as demais estirpes, BR3262 juntamente com BR3267, proporcionaram maior efetividade na FBN à produção de massa seca da parte aérea. Em relação à produtividade de grãos, as estirpes BR3267 e INPA 03-11B apresentaram melhores resultadas comparadas a UFLA 3-84, entretanto, apenas a estirpe BR3262 proporcionou rendimento de grãos (na média geral cerca de 1700 kg ha-1) igual à dose de 50 kg ha-1 de N e superior ao controle em três dos quatro experimentos conduzidos, mostrando ser a mais indicada para a inoculação do feijão-caupi em Roraima

Risk of seizure recurrence in people with single seizures and early epilepsy - Model development and external validation

PURPOSE: Following a single seizure, or recent epilepsy diagnosis, it is difficult to balance risk of medication side effects with the potential to prevent seizure recurrence. A prediction model was developed and validated enabling risk stratification which in turn informs treatment decisions and individualises counselling. METHODS: Data from a randomised controlled trial was used to develop a prediction model for risk of seizure recurrence following a first seizure or diagnosis of epilepsy. Time-to-event data was modelled via Cox's proportional hazards regression. Model validity was assessed via discrimination and calibration using the original dataset and also using three external datasets - National General Practice Survey of Epilepsy (NGPSE), Western Australian first seizure database (WA) and FIRST (Italian dataset of people with first tonic-clonic seizures). RESULTS: People with neurological deficit, focal seizures, abnormal EEG, not indicated for CT/MRI scan, or not immediately treated have a significantly higher risk of seizure recurrence. Discrimination was fair and consistent across the datasets (c-statistics: 0.555 (NGPSE); 0.558 (WA); 0.597 (FIRST)). Calibration plots showed good agreement between observed and predicted probabilities in NGPSE at one and three years. Plots for WA and FIRST showed poorer agreement with the model underpredicting risk in WA, and over-predicting in FIRST. This was resolved following model recalibration. CONCLUSION: The model performs well in independent data especially when recalibrated. It should now be used in clinical practice as it can improve the lives of people with single seizures and early epilepsy by enabling targeted treatment choices and more informed patient counselling