Exploiting the pro-resolving actions of glucocorticoid-induced proteins Annexin A1 and GILZ in infectious diseases.

For decades, glucocorticoids (GC) have been used to treat several inflammatory conditions, including chronic and autoimmune diseases, due to their potent anti-inflammatory properties. In the context of infectious diseases, the use of GCs may be effective as adjuvant to antibiotic therapy by controlling excessive inflammatory responses resulting in better outcome in some cases. However, the use of GCs has been associated with a vast number of side effects, including increased probability of immunosuppression and consequent risk of opportunistic infection. Glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) and Annexin A1 (AnxA1) are GC-induced proteins intrinsically involved with the anti-inflammatory functions of GCs without the associated adverse metabolic effects. Recent studies have shown that these GC-proteins exhibit pro-resolving effects. An essential characteristic of pro-resolving molecules is their ability to coordinate the resolution of inflammation and promote host defense in most experimental models of infection. Although the role of GILZ and AnxA1 in the context of infectious diseases remain to be better explored, herein we provide an overview of the emerging functions of these GC-proteins obtained from pre-clinical models of infectious diseases

ANÁLISE COMPARATIVA DA ATUALIZAÇÃO DA NORMA BRASILEIRA NBR 5626:2020 EM RELAÇÃO AS NORMAS NBR 5626:1998 E NBR 7198: 1993

Atualmente, duas importantes normas utilizadas para a construção civil foram atualizadas: a NBR 5626: 1998 e a NBR 7198:1993. Estas normas se fundiram em uma única normalização, a NBR 5626:2020. Como as normas não foram integralmente alteradas, o conhecimento e direcionamento a respeito das principais mudanças são essenciais para a atualização de projetos e custos, em um curto espaço de tempo. Perante essa importância estratégica, o presente estudo teve como objetivo realizar uma análise comparativa entre as normas NBR 5626:1998 e NBR 7198: 1993 com a NBR 5626:2020, de maneira a permitir uma melhor visualização da alteração do cenário da indústria construtiva, buscando analisar as vantagens e desvantagens dessas mudanças. Para o desenvolvimento do estudo foram levantados os principais requisitos das normalizações, sendo estes comparados com os novos requisitos verificados na NBR 5626:2020, analisando os principais impactos, vantagens e desvantagens, sob a ótica do mercado da construção civil. Com base nisso, observou-se quea atualização de 2020 ampliou suas normalizações para a manutenção dos sistemas, além de ter aprofundado e trazido diversos requisitos de ambos os sistemas (água fria e água quente) mais para perto da realidade brasileira. Assim, verificou-se dentre os tantos pontos analisados, que há mais vantagens do que desvantagens nesta atualização,proporcionando a facilitação da execução de projetos,instalações e manutenções

Assessment of ciprofloxacin photocatalysis by-products toxicity with Vibrio fischeri

The presence of pharmaceuticals in water has become a large concern due to the potential negative effects on humans and aquatic ecosystems. From these pharmaceuticals, antibiotics represent a serious problem since their overuse and misuse may lead to adverse environmental effects, in particular, toxicity to microflora and fauna and potential negative effects to humans [1]. Photocatalysis has become attractive to promote the degradation of contaminants in the aquatic environment since it allows their rapid and efficient removal from water, transforming them into by-products [2]. In order to evaluate toxicity of these by-products, several bio tests using bacteria (Vibrio fischeri) and algae (Daphnia spp.), among others, have been used [3]. In the present work a photocatalytic systems using commercial TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles in suspension was used to degrade ciprofloxacin under UV radiation. Samples were withdraw over time in order to monitor degradation and toxicity. The luminescence of the bacteria Vibrio fischeri was used to test the toxicity of ciprofloxacin intermediate compounds, produced during the photocatalysis process. If a substance is toxic towards these bacteria, their normal luminescence decreases, as a consequence of a decreasing bacteria viability. Results (Figure 1) indicate that samples without ciprofloxacin degradation (t=0), in contact with bacteria (for 35 min), result in a higher luminescence than with completely degraded ciprofloxacin (t=15min). These results indicate that by products are responsible for low bacteria viability.FEDER through the COMPETE Program and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Project PEST-C/FIS/UI607/2011 and project PTDC/CTM-NAN/121038/2010

Concepções alternativas dos Alunos de Ensino Médio sobre ácidos e bases

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Reorganizando o Laboratório de Ciências: uma experiência da abordagem do PIBID/UESC de Química no espaço escolar

A formação de professores de Química tem sido discutida por diversos profissionais da educação que buscam, dentre outras coisas, apresentar os aspectos que estão envolvidos nesse processo. Sendo assim, o intuito deste trabalho é apresentar os resultados obtidos com a intervenção do PIBID/Química UESC em que houve a reorganização de um laboratório de Ciências e esta atividade foi relacionada à formação dos licenciandos envolvidos. Pretendemos também demonstrar a importância deste espaço para a formação de conceitos de Ciências, mas precisamente de Química. Para tal, executamos uma atividade em grupo onde a reorganização deste laboratório foi o foco principal, além da aplicação de um questionário buscando conhecer as impressões dos alunos a cerca do local. Pudemos então perceber que o laboratório de Ciências é um local onde os saberes de Química podem ser construídos e que a atividade por nós realizada teve implicações significativas para nossa formação como licenciandos em Químic

Concurrent Validation and Reference Values of Gluteus Medius Clinical Test

# Context The hip abductor muscles, mainly the gluteus medius, are responsible for controlling hip adduction in a closed kinetic chain. Frontal plane knee alignment, assessed during functional activities such squatting, jumping and running, may overload joint structures, like the anterior cruciate ligament and patellofemoral joint. The hand-held dynamometer is reliable and effective for testing the muscular strength of the hip abductors. # Objectives (1) To assess the concurrent validity between the gluteus medius clinical test and a maximum isometric force test of the hip abductors using the hand-held dynamometer; (2) to determine the intra and inter-examiner reliability for the application of the gluteus medius clinical test; and (3) to describe reference values of gluteus medius clinical test on a population of youth athletes. # Design Cross-sectional. # Methods Thirty healthy individuals were recruited for validity and reliability testing. On the first day, participants performed the maximal isometric test of the hip abductors, measured via hand-held dynamometry. On the following week, the gluteus medius clinical test was performed. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC~2,2~) were computed for the reliability analysis, with a 95% confidence interval. To generate reference values, the gluteus medius clinical test was performed on 273 athletes. # Results The results of this study indicated a weak positive correlation (r = 0.436, p = 0.001) between tests, which indicates that they examine different domains of gluteus medius muscle function, likely endurance and muscle strength. The magnitude of computed ICCs (\>0.95) indicates excellent intra- and inter-examiner reliability. # Conclusion The findings of the current study indicate that the gluteus medius clinical test is reliable and examines a domain of muscular function not fully captured by HHD. The clinical test developed in this study is low-cost and can be included for gluteus medius assessment. # Level of evidence Level 3

Bats, Trypanosomes, and Triatomines in Ecuador: New Insights into the Diversity, Transmission, and Origins of Trypanosoma cruzi and Chagas Disease

The generalist parasite Trypanosoma cruzi has two phylogenetic lineages associated almost exclusively with bats—Trypanosoma cruzi Tcbat and the subspecies T. c. marinkellei. We present new information on the genetic variation, geographic distribution, host associations, and potential vectors of these lineages. We conducted field surveys of bats and triatomines in southern Ecuador, a country endemic for Chagas disease, and screened for trypanosomes by microscopy and PCR. We identified parasites at species and genotype levels through phylogenetic approaches based on 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) and cytochrome b (cytb) genes and conducted a comparison of nucleotide diversity of the cytb gene. We document for the first time T. cruzi Tcbat and T. c. marinkellei in Ecuador, expanding their distribution in South America to the western side of the Andes. In addition, we found the triatomines Cavernicola pilosa and Triatoma dispar sharing shelters with bats. The comparisons of nucleotide diversity revealed a higher diversity for T. c. marinkellei than any of the T. c. cruzi genotypes associated with Chagas disease. Findings from this study increased both the number of host species and known geographical ranges of both parasites and suggest potential vectors for these two trypanosomes associated with bats in rural areas of southern Ecuador. The higher nucleotide diversity of T. c. marinkellei supports a long evolutionary relationship between T. cruzi and bats, implying that bats are the original hosts of this important parasite

PIBID Química/UESC: Uma perspectiva de ensino e aprendizagem por meio da Situação de Estudo “Nutrição Consciente”

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In the matter of the request of Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a Massachusetts domestic stock insurance company, to redomesticate to the state of Wisconsin

Submitted by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2018-08-24T16:36:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Phosphatidyl Inositol 3 Kinase-Gamma Balances.pdf: 10035595 bytes, checksum: 5a61fb2c618990d4314d36db3868ee2e (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2018-08-24T16:44:27Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Phosphatidyl Inositol 3 Kinase-Gamma Balances.pdf: 10035595 bytes, checksum: 5a61fb2c618990d4314d36db3868ee2e (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T16:44:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Phosphatidyl Inositol 3 Kinase-Gamma Balances.pdf: 10035595 bytes, checksum: 5a61fb2c618990d4314d36db3868ee2e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios e do Sarampo. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia. Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia. Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica. Laboratório de Imunologia e Mecânica Pulmonar. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia. Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Hanseníase. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Hanseníase. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil / UNIFRANZ. Coordinación Nacional de Investigación. La Paz, Bolivia.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Morfologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia. Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia. Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil / Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Farmacologia. Laboratório de Inflamação e Dor. Universidade de São Paulo. Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios e do Sarampo. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia. Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Laboratório de Imunologia de Doenças Virais. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia. Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Biologia Geral. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Hanseníase. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia. Laboratório de RNA de Interferência Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios e do Sarampo. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Laboratório de Imunologia de Doenças Virais. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia. Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Faculdade de Farmácia. Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia. Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica. Laboratório de Imunologia e Mecânica Pulmonar. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia. Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Influenza A virus (IAV) infection causes severe pulmonary disease characterized by intense leukocyte infiltration. Phosphoinositide-3 kinases (PI3Ks) are central signaling enzymes, involved in cell growth, survival, and migration. Class IB PI3K or phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase-gamma (PI3Kγ), mainly expressed by leukocytes, is involved in cell migration during inflammation. Here, we investigated the contribution of PI3Kγ for the inflammatory and antiviral responses to IAV. PI3Kγ knockout (KO) mice were highly susceptible to lethality following infection with influenza A/WSN/33 H1N1. In the early time points of infection, infiltration of neutrophils was higher than WT mice whereas type-I and type-III IFN expression and p38 activation were reduced in PI3Kγ KO mice resulting in higher viral loads when compared with WT mice. Blockade of p38 in WT macrophages infected with IAV reduced levels of interferon-stimulated gene 15 protein to those induced in PI3Kγ KO macrophages, suggesting that p38 is downstream of antiviral responses mediated by PI3Kγ. PI3Kγ KO-derived fibroblasts or macrophages showed reduced type-I IFN transcription and altered pro-inflammatory cytokines suggesting a cell autonomous imbalance between inflammatory and antiviral responses. Seven days after IAV infection, there were reduced infiltration of natural killer cells and CD8+ T lymphocytes, increased concentration of inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar fluid, reduced numbers of resolving macrophages, and IL-10 levels in PI3Kγ KO. This imbalanced environment in PI3Kγ KO-infected mice culminated in enhanced lung neutrophil infiltration, reactive oxygen species release, and lung damage that together with the increased viral loads, contributed to higher mortality in PI3Kγ KO mice compared with WT mice. In humans, we tested the genetic association of disease severity in influenza A/H1N1pdm09-infected patients with three potentially functional PIK3CG single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs1129293, rs17847825, and rs2230460. We observed that SNPs rs17847825 and rs2230460 (A and T alleles, respectively) were significantly associated with protection from severe disease using the recessive model in patients infected with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. Altogether, our results suggest that PI3Kγ is crucial in balancing antiviral and inflammatory responses to IAV infection