Resveratrol inhibits the intracellular calcium increase and angiotensin/endothelin system activation induced by soluble uric acid in mesangial cells

Resveratrol (Resv) is natural polyphenol found in grapes. This study evaluated the protective effect of Resv against the effects of uric acid (UA) in immortalized human mesangial cells (ihMCs). ihMCs were preincubated with Resv (12.5 µM) for 1 h and treated with UA (10 mg/dL) for 6 or 12 h. The intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]i was quantified by fluorescence using flow cytometry. Angiotensinogen (AGT) and pre-pro endothelin-1 (ppET-1) mRNA were assayed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Angiotensin II (AII) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were assayed by ELISA. UA significantly increased [Ca2+]i. Pre-incubation with Resv significantly reduced the change in [Ca2+]i induced by UA. Incubation with UA for 6 or 12 h also increased AGT mRNA expression and AII protein synthesis. Resv blunted these increases in AGT mRNA expression and AII protein. Incubation with UA in the ihMCs increased ppET-1 expression and ET-1 protein synthesis at 6 and 12 h. When ihMCs were pre-incubated with Resv, UA had a significantly diminished effect on ppET-1 mRNA expression and ET-1 protein synthesis at 6 and 12 h, respectively. Our results suggested that UA triggers reactions including AII and ET-1 production in mesangial cells. The renin-angiotensin system may contribute to the pathogenesis of renal function and chronic kidney disease. Resv can minimize the impact of UA on AII, ET-1 and the increase of [Ca2+]i in mesangial cells, suggesting that, at least in part, Resv can prevent the effects of soluble UA in mesangial cells.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Medicina Divisão de NefrologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de Medicina Divisão de NefrologiaSciEL

Chico Buarque de Holanda: crítica histórica através da Arte

O presente trabalho visa discutir alguns aspectos encontrados nas letras de canções de um dos mais representativos artistas brasileiros de todos os tempos, o compositor Chico Buarque. Busca-se ressaltar não apenas a sempre enfatizada faceta ‘ideológica’ ou ‘engajada’ de sua produção, mas também demonstrar o quanto a realização verbal de suas obras carrega um senso estético e poético. Pode-se afirmar que as letras de canção de Chico, assim como os próprios arranjos, potencializam a percepção de seu tempo, constituindo obras de Arte, tanto no que se refere ao conteúdo estético quanto à relação com o cenário histórico-econômico-social. Palavras-chave: Chico Buarque; MPB; Canção; História do Brasil – período militar; Estétic

Mini review: Current molecular methods for the detection and quantification of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus type 1

The detection of acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is vital for controlling the spread of HIV, HBV, and HCV to uninfected individuals. Considering that these viruses have high replication rates and are undetectable by serological markers, early detection upon transmission is crucial. Various nucleic acid assays have been developed for diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring of infections. in the past decade, rapid and sensitive molecular techniques such as PCR have revolutionized the detection of a variety of infectious viruses, including HIV, HCV, and HBV. Here, we describe two of the most commonly used licensed methods for the detection and quantification of HIV, HCV, and HBV: the cobas TaqScreen MPX (PCR) test and the Tigris System. We used transcription-mediated amplification to review and compare the development and efficiency of these technologies. (C) 2014 the Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundacao Oswaldo Ramos (FOR)Fundo de Auxilio aos Docentes e Alunos (FADA)Fed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Med, Div Nephrol, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilColsan Assoc Beneficente Coleta Sangue, São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Med, Div Nephrol, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Teor de água na colheita e temperatura de secagem sobre a qualidade de sementes de feijão

The physical quality and physiological performance of seeds may be influenced by numerous factors, including the moisture content at harvest and drying temperature. This study aimed at evaluating the physical quality and physiological performance of black bean seeds (BRS Campeiro cultivar), depending on the moisture content at harvest and drying air temperature. The experiment was conducted under a completely randomized design, in a 3 x 5 (moisture content at harvest x drying air temperature) factorial arrangement, with four replications. The samples were collected when the seeds reached the moisture contents of 35.2 %, 25.2 % and 16.6 %. After harvesting, the seeds were subjected to drying at temperatures of 30 ºC, 35 ºC, 40 ºC, 45 ºC and 50 ºC. The physical quality of the seeds was evaluated by determining the 1,000-seed weight and hectoliter weight. The physiological performance was evaluated by the germination speed index, germination first count, accelerated aging, dry matter, seedling shoot and root length and electrical conductivity. The increase in the drying temperature, regardless of the moisture content at harvest, reduces the physical quality and physiological performance of the seeds. When subjected to drying temperatures lower than 40 ºC, the seeds obtained from the earliest harvests show a better physical quality and physiological performance.A qualidade física e o desempenho fisiológico de sementes podem ser influenciados por inúmeros fatores, dentre eles o teor de água na colheita e a temperatura de secagem. Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade física e o desempenho fisiológico de sementes de feijão preto (cultivar BRS Campeiro), em função do teor de água na colheita e da temperatura do ar de secagem. O experimento foi realizado sob delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 x 5 (teor de água na colheita x temperatura do ar de secagem), com quatro repetições. As colheitas foram realizadas quando as sementes atingiram os teores de água de 35,2 %; 25,2 %; e 16,6 %. Após a colheita, as sementes foram submetidas a secagem nas temperaturas de 30 ºC, 35 ºC, 40 ºC, 45 ºC e 50 ºC. A qualidade física das sementes foi avaliada por meio da determinação do peso de mil sementes e do peso hectolitro. Já o desempenho fisiológico foi avaliado pelo índice de velocidade de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, matéria seca, comprimento da parte aérea e raiz das plântulas e condutividade elétrica. A elevação da temperatura de secagem, independentemente do teor de água na colheita, reduz a qualidade física e o desempenho fisiológico das sementes. Quando submetidas a temperaturas de secagem inferiores a 40 ºC, as sementes obtidas das colheitas realizadas antecipadamente apresentam melhor qualidade física e desempenho fisiológico

Magnetic bead technology for viral RNA extraction from serum in blood bank screening

Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) was recently recommended by Brazilian legislation and has been implemented at some blood banks in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, in an attempt to reduce blood-born transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus. OBJECTIVE: Manual magnetic particle-based extraction methods for HIV and HCV viral nucleic acids were evaluated in combination with detection by reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) one-step. METHODS: Blood donor samples were collected from January 2010 to September 2010, and minipools of them were submitted to testing. ELISA was used for the analysis of anti-HCV/HIV antibodies. Detection and amplification of viral RNA was performed using real-time PCR. RESULTS: Out of 20.808 samples screened, 53 samples (29 for HCV and 24 for HIV) were confirmed as positive by serological and NAT methods. CONCLUSION: The manual magnetic bead-based extraction in combination with real-time PCR detection can be used to routinely screen blood donation for viremic donors to further increase the safety of blood products.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Associação Beneficente de Coleta de SangueUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Heme oxygenase 1 improves glucoses metabolism and kidney histological alterations in diabetic rats

One important concern in the treatment of diabetes is the maintenance of glycemic levels and the prevention of diabetic nephropathy. Inducible heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) is a rate-limiting enzyme thought to have antioxidant and cytoprotective roles. the goal of the present study was to analyze the effect of HO-1 induction in chronically hyperglycemic rats. the hyperglycemic rats were divided into two groups: one group, called STZ, was given a single injection of streptozotocin; and the other group was given a single streptozotocin injection as well as daily injections of hemin, an HO-1 inducer, over 60 days (STZ + HEME). A group of normoglycemic, untreated rats was used as the control (CTL).Body weight, diuresis, serum glucose levels, microalbuminuria, creatinine clearance rate, urea levels, sodium excretion, and lipid peroxidation were analyzed. Histological alterations and immunohistochemistry for HO-1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were assessed. After 60 days, the STZ group exhibited an increase in blood glucose, diuresis, urea, microalbuminuria, and sodium excretion. There was no weight gain, and there was a decrease in creatinine clearance in comparison to the CTL group. in the STZ + HEME group there was an improvement in the metabolic parameters and kidney function, a decrease in blood glucose, serum urea, and microalbuminuria, and an increase of creatinine clearance, in comparison to the STZ group.There was glomerulosclerosis, collagen deposition in the STZ rats and increase in iNOS and HO-1 expression. in the STZ + HEME group, the glomerulosclerosis and fibrosis was prevented and there was an increase in the expression of HO-1, but decrease in iNOS expression and lipid peroxidation. in conclusion, our data suggest that chronic induction of HO-1 reduces hyperglycemia, improves glucose metabolism and, at least in part, protects the renal tissue from hyperglycemic injury, possibly through the antioxidant activity of HO-1.Universidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Div Nephrol, Dept Med, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Morphol Dept, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Div Nephrol, Dept Med, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Morphol Dept, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Altered of apoptotic markers of both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways induced by hepatitis C virus infection in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Background: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) has emerged as a leading cause of cirrhosis in the U. S. and across the world. To understand the role of apoptotic pathways in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, we studied the mRNA and protein expression patterns of apoptosis-related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from patients with HCV infection.Methods: the present study included 50 subjects which plasma samples were positive for HCV, but negative for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV). These cases were divided into four groups according to METAVIR, a score-based analysis which helps to interpret a liver biopsy according to the degree of inflammation and fibrosis. mRNA expression of the studied genes were analyzed by reverse transcription of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and protein levels, analyzed by ELISA, was also conducted. HCV genotyping was also determined.Results: HCV infection increased mRNA expression and protein synthesis of caspase 8 in group 1 by 3 fold and 4 fold, respectively (p < 0.05). in group 4 HCV infection increased mRNA expression and protein synthesis of caspase 9 by 2 fold and 1,5 fold, respectively (p < 0.05). Also, caspase 3 mRNA expression and protein synthesis had level augumented by HCV infection in group 1 by 4 fold and 5 fold, respectively, and in group 4 by 6 fold and 7 fold, respectively (p < 0.05).Conclusions: HCV induces alteration at both genomic and protein levels of apoptosis markers involved with extrinsic and intrinsic pathways.Associacao Beneficente de Coleta de Sangue (COLSAN)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos (FINEP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Colsan Assoc Beneficente Coleta Sangue, São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Gynecol, São Paulo, BrazilURDIP, São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Nephrol, São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Gynecol, São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Nephrol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Proinflammatory effects of uric acid in immortalized human mesangial cells in culture: Evaluation of cellular signaling mechanisms

BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertaçõe