Cholesterol oxides inhibit cholesterol esterification by lecithin: cholesterol acyl transferase

Cholesterol oxides are atherogenic and can affect the activity of diverse important enzymes for the lipidic metabolism. The effect of 7β-hydroxycholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, cholestan-3β,5α,6β-triol,5,6β-epoxycholesterol, 5,6α-epoxycholesterol and 7α-hydroxycholesterol on esterification of cholesterol by lecithin:cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT, EC 2.3.1.43) and the transfer of esters of cholesterol oxides from high density lipoprotein (HDL) to low density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) by cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) was investigated. HDL enriched with increasing concentrations of cholesterol oxides was incubated with fresh plasma as source of LCAT. Cholesterol and cholesterol oxides esterification was followed by measuring the consumption of respective free sterol and oxysterols. Measurements of cholesterol and cholesterol oxides were done by gas-chromatography. 14C-cholesterol oxides were incorporated into HDL2 and HDL3 subfractions and then incubated with fresh plasma containing LCAT and CETP. The transfer of cholesterol oxide esters was followed by measuring the 14C-cholesterol oxide-derived esters transferred to LDL and VLDL. All the cholesterol oxides studied were esterified by LCAT after incorporation into HDL particles, competing with cholesterol by LCAT. Cholesterol esterification by LCAT was inversely related to the cholesterol oxide concentration. The esterification of 14C-cholesterol oxides was higher in HDL3 and the transfer of the derived esters was greater from HDL2 to LDL and VLDL. The results suggest that cholesterol esterification by LCAT is inhibited in cholesterol oxide-enriched HDL particles. Moreover, the cholesterol oxides-derived esters are efficiently transferred to LDL and VLDL. Therefore, we suggest that cholesterol oxides may exert part of their atherogenic effect by inhibiting cholesterol esterification on the HDL surface and thereby disturbing reverse cholesterol transport.Os óxidos de colesterol são aterogênicos e podem afetar a atividade de diversas enzimas importantes para o metabolismo lipídico. Este estudo investigou o efeito dos óxidos 7β-hidroxicolesterol, 7-cetocolesterol, 25-hidroxicolesterol, colestan-3β,5α,6β-triol, 5,6β-epoxicolesterol, 5,6α-epoxicolesterol e 7α-hidroxicolesterol na esterificação do colesterol por ação da lecitina colesterol aciltransferase (LCAT, EC 2.3.1.43) e a posterior transferência dos óxidos esterificados da lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL) para as lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL) e muito baixa densidade (VLDL) mediada pela proteína de transporte de éster de colesterol (CETP). Para atingir os objetivos, HDL enriquecida com concentrações crescentes de óxidos de colesterol foi incubada com plasma fresco pobre em lipoproteínas, como fonte de LCAT; posteriormente a esterificação do colesterol e dos óxidos de colesterol foi medida pelo consumo do colesterol livre e dos óxidos livres presentes na HDL. As determinações de colesterol e dos óxidos de colesterol foram realizadas por cromatografia gasosa. 14C-óxidos de colesterol foram incorporados nas subfrações HDL2 e HDL3 e posteriormente incubados com plasma fresco, contendo LCAT e CETP. A transferência dos ésteres de óxidos de colesterol foi medida e quantificada pela presença desses ésteres na LDL e VLDL. Todos os óxidos de colesterol estudados foram esterificados pela LCAT após incorporação nas partículas de HDL e competiram com a esterificação do colesterol nativo. A esterificação do colesterol pela LCAT foi inversamente relacionada à concentração de óxidos de colesterol. A esterificação dos óxidos de colesterol foi maior na HDL3 e a transferência desses ésteres foi maior a partir da HDL2 para a LDL e VLDL. Estes resultados indicam que a esterificação do colesterol pela LCAT é inibida nas partículas de HDL enriquecidas com óxidos de colesterol e que os ésteres de óxidos de colesterol são eficientemente transferidos para a LDL e VLDL. Portanto, sugere-se que os óxidos de colesterol exercem parte de seu efeito aterogênico pela inibição da esterificação do colesterol na superfície da HDL, causando um distúrbio no transporte reverso do colesterol, além de aumentar o potencial aterogênico da LDL e VLDL.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Produção de frutos de cafeeiros (Coffea arabica L.) em diferentes posições e orientaçoes de ramos plagiotrópicos

This paper aimed at to evaluate the fruit production in different positions of coffee plagiotropic shoot (Coffea arabica L.), during eight months. Measurements started in October 21 taking five different regions of eight shoots located in the central region of a plant belonging to the cultivar of Rubi MG 1192; located at the Coffee Section from the Federal University of Lavras. The experimental design used was random blocks disposed in factorial scheme, 2x 4x 8, composed by two positions(upper third and lower third), four orientations (east sunrise, west sunset, north and south) and eight evaluations time (from October 2005 to May 2006), totalizing 64 treatments, containing 10 replicates and one plant per plot. There was a reduction in fruit number per shoot during the development and this fact was more proeminent in shoots located in the inferior part of the plant and in period from December to January. The orientations North, South, East and West did not influence the number of fruits during the development. Com o objetivo de avaliar a produção de frutos em diferentes posições de ramos plagiotrópicos em cafeeiros (Coffea arabica L.) levando em consideração os pontos cardeais, foram feitas oito avaliações mensais, iniciadas em 21 de outubro, de todos os componentes de cinco rosetas centrais em oito ramos em 10 plantas em uma lavoura da cultivar Rubi MG 1192, instalada no Setor de Cafeicultura no Campus da Universidade Federal de Lavras. O experimento foi instalado utilizando o delineamento em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 2 x 4 x 8 constituído de duas posições (terço superior e terço inferior), quatro orientações (leste, oeste, norte e sul) e oito épocas de avaliações (de outubro de 2005 a maio de 2006), totalizando 64 tratamentos, com 10 repetições e uma planta por parcela. Houve acentuada redução no número de frutos por roseta do cafeeiro durante o desenvolvimento da planta, sendo essa redução mais proeminente nos ramos inferiores e no período de dezembro a janeiro. As orientações Norte, Sul, Leste e Oeste não influenciam o número de frutos por roseta durante o desenvolvimento.

Adverse Drug Reactions And Kinetics Of Cisplatin Excretion In Urine Of Patients Undergoing Cisplatin Chemotherapy And Radiotherapy For Head And Neck Cancer: A Prospective Study

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Cisplatin is a high-potency anticancer agent; however, it causes significant adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Potential pharmacokinetic markers must be studied to predict or prevent cisplatin-induced ADRs and achieve better prognosis. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between ADRs and kinetics of cisplatin excretion in the urine of patients undergoing high-dose cisplatin chemotherapy and radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Methods: Outpatients with head and neck cancer received a first cycle of high-dose cisplatin chemotherapy (80-100 mg/m(2)) concurrent to radiotherapy. ADRs (haematological, renal, and gastrointestinal reactions) were classified based on severity by National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE, version 4, grade 0-4). The kinetics of cisplatin excretion in urine was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography over three time periods: 0-12, 12-24, and 24-48 h after the administration of cisplatin. Spearman Correlation test and regression analysis were performed to assess the relationship between ADRs and cisplatin excretion in the urine. Results: In total, 59 patients with a mean age of 55.6 +/- 9.4 years were analysed; most patients were male (86.4%), white (79.7%), and with pharyngeal tumours in advanced stages (66.1%). The most frequently observed ADRs were anaemia (81.4%), lymphopenia (78%), and nausea (64.4%); mostly grades 1 and 2 of toxicity. The mean cisplatin excretion was 70.3 +/- 64.4, 7.3 +/- 6.3, and 5 +/- 4 mu g/mg creatinine at 0-12, 12-24, and 24-48 h, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the amount of cisplatin excreted did not influence the severity of ADRs. Conclusions: The most frequent ADRs were anaemia, lymphopenia, and nausea. Grades 1 and 2 were the severities for most ADRs. The period over which the highest cisplatin excretion observed was 0-12 h after chemotherapy, and cisplatin excretion could not predict toxicity.25Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) [2012/01807-2, 2014/18294-3, 2014/04744-7]Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Strategies for management of oral cancer in primary and secondary healthcare services

O avanço verificado no enfrentamento de neoplasias malignas por meio dos sistemas de saúde envolve melhorias nas áreas de vigilância, organização de redes de assistência, programas específicos voltados às prevenções primária e secundária e, obviamente, aos avanços técnico-científicos que caracterizam a abordagem diagnóstica e terapêutica. Embora seja notável o reconhecimento de avanços no manejo de neoplasias malignas em todas as áreas citadas, o câncer da boca permanece com indicadores de morbidade e mortalidade que parecem não acompanhar o acúmulo científico no conhecimento da doença. O presente manuscrito objetiva discutir os motivos desse descompasso, a necessidade de reorientação de prioridades na abordagem do câncer da boca e sua efetivação como política pública de saúde. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTProgress in cancer management by health systems involves improvements in surveillance, organization of healthcare services, specific programs focused on primary and secondary prevention, and scientific and technical advances in diagnosis and treatment. Despite well-known progress in the management of malignant neoplasms in all the above areas, oral cancer displays persistently high morbidity and mortality rates, apparently failing to reflect the accumulated scientific knowledge on the disease. The current article discusses the reasons for this mismatch, the need for redefining priorities in oral cancer management, and the implementation of such priorities as a public health policy

Influence of grilling pretreatment and optimization of sous vide processing parameters on the physicochemical and microbiological quality of pirarucu fillet

The demand for high-quality food products has promoted the study of techniques for its processing and conservation. The present research aimed to evaluate the influence of grilling pretreatment on the physical characteristics of pirarucu fillets and the heat transfer process by a computational modelling, and to optimize the sous vide process parameters. Before and after the sous vide process, the samples were analysed for microbiological, chemical and physical characteristics. There was no significant difference between the total experimental time of grilling and that obtained by computational modelling. Immersion in brine for 300s in combination with grilling at 200/120s was selected because of its water-holding capacity (%) 79.40±0.31, texture (N) 1.91±0.40 and value of L* 74.44±0.38 in the fillets. Cooking at 60 for 568.8s were the best sous vide parameters obtained, with highest water-holding capacity (%) 93.60, texture (N) 6.24, E* 7.43, and with microbiological loads below 6 log CFU/g and 7 log MPN/g in the final product. Useful information obtained from this study highlighted the brine and grill pretreatment in combination with sous vide proved it is a potential solution for developing pirarucu products even at an industrial scale.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/ or publication of this article: The work behind this paper was funded by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior – CAPES, Brazil. Enrique Pino-Herna´ndez thanks to the Organization of American States (OAS – United States) and the Coimbra Group of Brazilian Universities (GCUB) under the scope of Partnerships Program for Education and Training (PAEC) to Latin America and the Caribbean, by the scholarship received for studying a Master program in the Federal University of Para´ (call Brazil, OASGCUB 2013).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The LaTeX language and Physical Teaching for students with visual impairment

When we think about of the Physics Teaching for students with visual impairments, mathematical language proves to be challenging because its two-dimensional syntax restricts it to a "sighted culture". With the development of screen readers, it became possible for the visually impaired people to access the computer. However, the conventional mathematical language offers certain barriers to the accessibility. Our goal was to investigate the possibilities and limitations to introduce the LaTeX language in the active context of reading and solving physics problems for students with visual impairment by a computer connected to a screen reader. Based on Vygotsky's theory, in which the language has a central role as the symbolic mediation process view point as the socio-psychological compensation mechanism for the visually impaired people, this research was structured on the basis on qualitative research, and data interpretation based on Bakhtin’s discourse analysis. When we introduce the LaTeX language in the context of reading and physics problem resolution to a high school student in a public school, the association between LaTeX and screen reader proved just not being accessible as understandable, as also has revealed great potential in reducing barriers of accessibility to physics texts via computer

USOS DOS RESULTADOS DAS AVALIAÇÕES EXTERNAS PELAS SECRETARIAS DE EDUCAÇÃO, GESTORES ESCOLARES E PROFESSORES:

A pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar a produção científica publicada em artigos científicos, teses, dissertações e anais de eventos sobre os usos dos resultados das avaliações externas pelas secretarias de educação, gestores escolares e professores, buscando compreender como os/as autores/as das produções analisadas apontam que essas instâncias das redes de ensino se apropriam dos resultados dessas avaliações. Metodologicamente trata-se de um estudo bibliográfico, que foi realizado nas bases de dados Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SciELO) e no Portal Educ@ publicações online de educação da Fundação Carlos Chagas (artigos), na Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações (BDTD) (teses e dissertações) e nos sites da Associação Nacional de Política e Administração da Educação (ANPAE) e da Associação Nacional de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação (ANPEd) (anais de eventos), tendo como descritores de busca as palavras “avaliação externa”, “secretaria de educação/gestores/professores” e “usos dos resultados”. Os resultados do levantamento sobre os usos dos resultados da avaliação externa apontaram para 12 estudos se referiam as secretarias de educação, 8 estudos com foco na gestão escolar e 10 que tratavam dos usos pelos professores, totalizando 27 produções, considerando que 3 trabalhos se repetem nos focos analisados. A avaliação externa é centralizada e tem foco predominante o rendimento do aluno. Essas avaliações baseiam-se principalmente nos conteúdos de Língua Portuguesa e Matemática, o que acaba levando ao estreitamento curricular, que acabam também sinalizando o investimento de secretarias de educação, gestão escolar e professores em conteúdos que serão cobrados nos exames realizados pelo poder público

High 15-f-2t-isoprostane Levels In Patients With A Previous History Of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer: The Effects Of Supplementary Antioxidant Therapy

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Background. Phase I of this study was aimed at comparing the profiles of oxidative stress biomarkers in patients with history of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), previously treated with surgery, to the healthy subjects. Phase II aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementary antioxidant therapy on the levels of biomarkers in the case group. Materials and Methods. In Phase I, oxidative stress biomarkers were measured in blood samples obtained from 24 healthy subjects and 60 patients with history of NMSC previously treated with surgery. In Phase II, the 60 patients with history of NMSC were randomized into two subgroups, one receiving placebo (n = 34) and the other (n = 26) receiving vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc supplementation for 8 weeks, followed by reevaluation of biomarkers. Results. In Phase I, patients with history of NMSC showed increased plasma concentrations of all biomarkers, but only 15-F-2t-isoprostane was significantly higher than in the healthy subjects. Risk of NMSC increased by 4% for each additional 1 pg/mL increase in 15-F-2t-isoprostane. In Phase II, supplementation did not significantly reduce levels of oxidative stress biomarkers. Conclusion. Patients with history of NMSC had significantly high 15-F-2t-isoprostane plasma levels; supplementation did not result in significant reduction of oxidative stress biomarkers. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (ID NCT02248584).Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)CNPq [482958/2011-1