Gene polymorphism and plasma levels of miR-155 in diabetic retinopathy

Circulating microRNA-155 (miR-155) is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the rs767649 polymorphism in the pre-MIR155 gene is associated with miR-155 expression. However, their relationship with diabetic retinopathy (DR) is still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this case-control study was to test the hypothesis that the rs767649 polymorphism in the pre-MIR155 gene is associated with DR in South Brazilians with T2DM. We also evaluated the association of plasma levels of miR-155 with DR and the rs767649 polymorphism in a subgroup of subjects. The rs767649 polymorphism was genotyped in 139 blood donors and 546 T2DM patients (244 had no DR, 161 had non-proliferative DR and 141 had proliferative DR). miR-155 expression was quanti fied in 20 blood donors and 60 T2DM patients (20 from each group). Among T2DM patients, the carriership of the A allele and the A allele were more frequent in subjects with DR than in those without it (P < 0.05), and the A allele was independently associated with an increased risk of DR (adjusted OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.12–4.01). The plasma levels of miR-155 were lower in T2DM patients than in blood donors (P < 0.001). However, the miR-155 levels did not differ according to the presence and severity of DR or according to rs767649 genotypes among T2DM patients. These findings support that the rs767649 po lymorphism in the pre-MIR155 gene is associated with DR in T2DM and that the miR-155 plasma levels might be associated with T2DM. Additional studies are needed to further investigate their clinical significance in DR and T2DM

Uso de viscosidade turbulenta constante na predição numérica do assoreamento numa armadilha

A capacidade de predizer taxas de sedimentação e sua distribuição não uniforme em ri os e reservatorios é tarefa não trivial, sendo importante tanto na fase de concepçã o de estudos e projetos como para a gestão ambiental sustentável destes sistemas. A associação de ferramenta computacional para o estudo do transporte sedimentar re presenta um ganho de tempo, e também monetário, permitindo diagnosticar e prognosticar cenários, antecipando medidas de intervenção programadas. Considerando a aplicação intensiva da dinâmica de fluidos computacional nos estudos morfodinâmicos em sistemas reais , com o uso do conceito de água s pouco profundas, este trabalho avalia numericamente o assoreamento inicial em uma armadilha de sedimentos construída em laboratorio, com a utilização de vi scosidade turbulenta constante. Emprega o código Delft3D, desenvolvido pela WL - Delft Hydraulics, i nstituto de pesquisa da Holanda . O modelo hidráulico tem como base as equações de Navier - Stockes, permitindo análises em duas ou três dimensões por incorporar modelos de turbulência . O módulo de transporte de sedimentos tem como base a equação de advecção - difusão, além de contar com as equações semi - empíricas consagradas na literatura. O escoamento hidrodinâmico simulado f oi calibrado para as velocidade s de água medida s em regiões específicas da armadilha, com o uso de velocimetria a laser. A simulação do assoreamento foi iniciada a partir da calibração hidrodinâmica, configurada para os dados conhecidos do sedimento utilizado . Os resultados obtidos apresentaram boa concordância entre o assoreamento medido e simulado de c urto período. A extensão do período simulado apontou para uma divergência entre os padrões de deposiçã

Laser Doppler Measurements of Twin Impinging Jets Aligned with a Crossflow

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the complex flow beneath two impinging jets aligned with a low-velocity crossflow which is relevant for the future F-35 VSTOL configuration, and provides a quantitative picture of the main features of interest for impingement type of flows. The experiments were carried out for a Reynolds number based on the jet exit conditions of Rej = 4.3 104, an impingement height of 20.1 jet diameters and for a velocity ratio between the jet exit and the crossflow VR = Vj/Uo of 22.5. The rear jet is located at S = 6 D downstream of the first jet. The results show a large penetration of the first (upstream) jet that is deflected by the crossflow and impinges on the ground, giving rise to a ground vortex due to the collision of the radial wall and the crossflow that wraps around the impinging point like a scarf. The rear jet (located downstream) it is not so affected by the crossflow in terms of deflection, but due to the downstream wall jet that flows radially from the impinging point of the first jet it does not reach the ground. The results indicate a new flow pattern not yet reported so far, that for a VSTOL aircraft operating in ground vicinity with front wind or small forward movement may result in enhanced under pressures in the aft part of the aircraft causing a suction down force and a change of the pitching moment towards the ground.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologiainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fósseis pleistocênicos de Scelidodon (Mylodontidae) e Tapirus (Tapiridae) em cavernas paranaenses (PR, sul do Brasil)

Notifica-se a primeira ocorrência de Scelidodon e Tapirus para a mastofauna pleistocênica paranaense. O material é procedente de cavernas calcárias da localidade de Gramados, Município de Cerro Azul, Estado do Paraná, Brasil. O gênero Scelidodon foi reconhecido por um fragmento do dentário esquerdo onde está inserida a série molariforme completa. O gênero Tapirus está representado por um fragmento do dentário direito, no qual está implantado o M3. Estas ocorrências ampliam a lista de fauna para o Estado do Paraná, além de expandir a distribuição geográfica destes gêneros no Brasil. ABSTRACT Two Pleistocene mammals, Scelidodon and Tapirus, are reported at Paraná State, Southern Brazil for the first time. The specimens were obtained from calcareous caves located at Gramados, Cerro Azul City. The Scelidodon sp. is represented by a fragment of the middle portion of the left dentary with a complete molariform teeth series, and Tapirus sp. is represented by a fragment of the right dentary in which M3 is found inserted. These occurrences enlarge the Paraná paleomastofauna list and the brazilian geographical distribution of these genera. RÉSUMÉ Ce travail rapport la première occurrence, pour letat du Paraná, sud du Brésil, de deux mammifères du pléistocène, Scelidodon et Tapirus. Les exemplaires provienent des cavernes calcaires de Gramados, à la ville de Cerro Azul. Le genre Scelidodon est représenté par un fragment du dentaire gauche oú est implanté la serie complète des molaires. Le genre Tapirus est représenté par un fragment du dentaire droite oú est implanté le M3. Ces occurrences amplifient la liste de la faune de letat du Paraná, au-delà détendre la distribution geographique de ces genres

New insights into the cell cycle profile of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

The present work focuses on the analysis of cell cycle progression of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis yeast cells under diVerent environmental conditions. We optimized a Xow cytometric technique for cell cycle proWle analysis based on high resolution measurements of nuclear DNA. Exponentially growing cells in poor-deWned or rich-complex nutritional environments showed an increased percentage of daughter cells in accordance with the fungus’ multiple budding and high growth rate. During the stationary growth-phase cell cycle progression in rich-complex medium was characterized by an accumulation of cells with higher DNA content or pseudohyphae-like structures, whereas in poor-deWned medium arrested cells mainly displayed two DNA contents. Furthermore, the fungicide benomyl induced an arrest of the cell cycle with accumulation of cells presenting high and varying DNA contents, consistent with this fungus’ unique pattern of cellular division. Altogether, our Wndings seem to indicate that P. brasiliensis may possess alternative control mechanisms during cell growth to manage multiple budding and its multinucleate nature.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Contract SFRH/BD/8655/2002, Grant No. POCTI/ESP/45327/ 2002

Development of a selective and sensitive sensor for urate determination based on tris(1,10-phenantroline)copper(II) bis(tetracyanoquinodimethanide) adsorbed on carbon nanotubes

The present work describes the development of a selective electrochemical sensor for urate based on tris(1,10-phenantroline) copper(II) bis(tetracyanoquinodimethanide) (Cu(phen)(3)(TCNQ)(2)) adsorbed on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT). The composite material was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The composite material showed an excellent electrocatalytic activity toward oxidation of urate. The heterogeneous charge transfer rate constant (k') between the analyte and the sensor was determined using linear sweep voltammetry experiments. The composite material shows a linear range from 5 up to 2500 mu mol L-1 with limit of detection of 1.05 mu mol L-1 and limit of quantification of 3.50 mu mol L-1. The high sensitivity and selectivity of the sensor for urate was sufficient for its determinationThe present work describes the development of a selective electrochemical sensor for urate based on tris(1,10-phenantroline)copper(II) bis(tetracyanoquinodimethanide) (Cu(phen)3(TCNQ)2) adsorbed on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT). The composite materi261020352045FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPEMA - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO A PESQUISA E AO DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO DO MARANHÃOsem informaçãosem informaçãosem informaçãoThe authors are grateful to Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), INCTBio, Rede Mineira de Química, and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Maranhão (FAPEMA