AtPIN: Arabidopsis thaliana Protein Interaction Network

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) constitute one of the most crucial conditions to sustain life in living organisms. To study PPI in Arabidopsis thaliana we have developed AtPIN, a database and web interface for searching and building interaction networks based on publicly available protein-protein interaction datasets.</p> <p>Description</p> <p>All interactions were divided into experimentally demonstrated or predicted. The PPIs in the AtPIN database present a cellular compartment classification (C³) which divides the PPI into 4 classes according to its interaction evidence and subcellular localization. It has been shown in the literature that a pair of genuine interacting proteins are generally expected to have a common cellular role and proteins that have common interaction partners have a high chance of sharing a common function. In AtPIN, due to its integrative profile, the reliability index for a reported PPI can be postulated in terms of the proportion of interaction partners that two proteins have in common. For this, we implement the Functional Similarity Weight (FSW) calculation for all first level interactions present in AtPIN database. In order to identify target proteins of cytosolic glutamyl-tRNA synthetase (Cyt-gluRS) (AT5G26710) we combined two approaches, AtPIN search and yeast two-hybrid screening. Interestingly, the proteins glutamine synthetase (AT5G35630), a disease resistance protein (AT3G50950) and a zinc finger protein (AT5G24930), which has been predicted as target proteins for Cyt-gluRS by AtPIN, were also detected in the experimental screening.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>AtPIN is a friendly and easy-to-use tool that aggregates information on <it>Arabidopsis thaliana </it>PPIs, ontology, and sub-cellular localization, and might be a useful and reliable strategy to map protein-protein interactions in Arabidopsis. AtPIN can be accessed at <url>http://bioinfo.esalq.usp.br/atpin</url>.</p

Muscular activity of patella and hip stabilizers of healthy subjects during squat exercises

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: Atualmente relaciona-se a fraqueza dos músculos do quadril e da coxa ao surgimento da dor anterior no joelho (DAJ). Dessa maneira, compreender como os agachamentos devem ser realizados para melhorar a ativação elétrica desses músculos é importante para o tratamento fisioterapêutico. OBJETIVO: Comparar a ativação mioelétrica de estabilizadores da patela e pelve entre as posições de agachamentos convencional e associado à contração isométrica em adução e abdução da coxa em indivíduos sem queixa de DAJ. MÉTODOS: O sinal eletromiográfico foi captado a partir de eletrodos duplo-diferenciais posicionados nos músculos vasto medial oblíquo (VMO), vasto lateral oblíquo (VLO), vasto lateral longo (VLL) e glúteo médio (GMed) em 15 mulheres sedentárias e clinicamente saudáveis, durante a contração de agachamentos convencional e associados à adução e à abdução isométrica da coxa com carga de 25% do peso corporal. A análise estatística empregada foi o modelo linear de efeitos mistos, com significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: A associação da adução e abdução isométrica da coxa no agachamento produziu cerca de 0,47 (0,2) e 0,59 (0,22), respectivamente, de atividade elétrica do músculo GMed, enquanto o agachamento convencional (AGA) produziu 0,33 (0,27) de atividade elétrica. A maior ativação do VMO aconteceu na contração de agachamento associado à adução da coxa e foi de 0,59 (0,27); já o músculo VLL apresentou uma maior atividade elétrica durante o agachamento associado à abdução, sendo de 0,60 (0,32). CONCLUSÃO: O exercício de agachamento associado à adução da coxa promoveu uma maior ativação muscular do VMO, além de aumentar a atividade muscular do GMed.BACKGROUND: Hip and knee muscle weaknesses have been associated with the onset of anterior knee pain (AKP). Therefore, the understanding of how squats exercises can be performed in order to optimize the electrical activity of these muscles is relevant for physical therapy treatments. OBJECTIVE: To compare the electromyographic activity of patella and pelvic stabilizers during traditional squat and squat associated with isometric hip adduction or abduction in subjects without AKP. METHODS: Electromyography signals were captured using double-differential electrodes at the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), vastus lateralis obliquus (VLO), vastus lateralis longus (VLL) and gluteus medium (GMed) in 15 healthy and sedentary women during squats exercises: traditional and associated with hip adduction and hip abduction with load of 25% of body weight. Linear mixed models with significance level of 5% were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Squat associated with hip adduction and abduction produced electromyographic activity of GMed of 0.47 (0.2) and 0.59 (0.22) respectively, while conventional squat produced an electromyiographic activity of 0.33 (0.27). The higher VMO activity was 0.59 (0.27) during the isometric contraction in the squat associated with hip adduction. The higher VLO activity was 0.60 (0.32) during isometric contraction in the squat associated with hip abduction. CONCLUSION: Squat exercise associated with hip adduction increased VMO muscle activity as well as the activity of GMed activity.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Extraction and characterization of polysaccharides from non-traditional Brazilian Amazon sources

[Excerpt] Cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum), tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum), peach palm (Bactris gasipaes) and abricó (American Mammea L.) are exotic fruits found in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. All of them are well known by the native populations, and for centuries the pulps have been used in the production of juices, deserts, jams, syrups, and alcoholic beverages, among others. Additionally, the fruit seeds have been used as animal feed, fertilizers or to plant new seedlings, but a great part of these seeds are usually discarded. (...

Study of the viability of using lipase-hydrolyzed commercial vegetable oils to produce microbially conjugated linolenic acid-enriched milk

This work studied the viability of using vegetable oils as precursor substrates to develop a dairy product enriched in microbial conjugated linoleic (CLA) and conjugated linolenic (CLNA) acids. Hydrolysis of hempseed, flaxseed (FSO) and soybean (SBO) oils was tested with Candida rugosa (CRL), Pseudomonas fluorescens, or Pancreatic porcine lipases. FSO and SBO, previously hydrolyzed with CRL, were further selected for cow’s milk CLA/CLNA-enrichment with Bifidobacterium breve DSM 20091. Thereafter, higher substrate concentrations with hydrolyzed FSO were tested. For all tested oils, CRL revealed the best degrees of hydrolysis (>90%). Highest microbial CLA/CLNA yield in milk was achieved with hydrolyzed FSO, which led to the appearance of mainly CLNA isomers (0.34 mg/g). At higher substrate concentrations, maximum yield was 0.88 mg/g CLNA. Therefore, it was possible to enrich milk with microbial CLNA using vegetable oil, but not with CLA, nor develop a functional product that can deliver a reliable effective dose.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Minitoracotomia axilar direita horizontal: opção estética e eficaz para correção de comunicação interventricular e interatrial em lactentes e crianças

Introduction:Congenital heart defects treatment shows progressive reduction in morbidity and mortality, however, the scar, resulting from ventricular (VSD) and atrial septal defect (ASD) repair, may cause discomfort. Right axillary minithoracotomy approach, by avoiding the breast growth region, is an option for correction of these defects that may provide better aesthetic results at low cost. Since October 2011, we have been using this technique for repairing VSD and ASD defects as well as associated defects.Objectives:To evaluate the efficacy of this method in children undergoing correction of VSD and ASD, to compare perioperative clinical outcomes with those repaired by median sternotomy, and to evaluate the aesthetic result.Methods:Perioperative clinical data of 25 patients submitted to axillary thoracotomy were compared with data from a paired group of 25 patients with similar heart defects repaired by median sternotomy, from October 2011 to August 2012.Results:Axillary approach was possible even in infants. There was no mortality and the main perioperative variables were similar in both groups, except for lower use of blood products in the axillary group (6/25) vs. control (13/25), with statistical difference (P =0.04). The VSD size varied from 7 to 15 mm in axillary group. Cannulation of the aorta and vena cavae was performed through the main incision, whose size ranged from 3 to 5 cm in the axillary group, with excellent aesthetic results.Conclusion:The axillary thoracotomy was effective, allowing for a heart defect repair similar to the median sternotomy, with more satisfactory aesthetic results and reduced blood transfusion, and it can be safely used in infants.Introdução:O tratamento dos defeitos cardíacos apresenta progressiva redução da morbimortalidade, porém, a cicatriz, sequela aparente do tratamento da comunicação interatrial (CIA) e interventricular (CIV), pode causar incômodo. A abordagem por minitoracotomia axilar é opção para correção destes defeitos, com possível melhor estética e baixo custo, além de evitar a região de crescimento da mama. Desde outubro de 2011, empregamos esta técnica para correção de CIA, CIV e defeitos associados.Objetivo:Avaliar a eficácia do método em crianças submetidas à correção de CIV e CIA, avaliar a evolução clínica perioperatória em comparação à esternotomia mediana e avaliar o resultado estético.Métodos:Dados clínicos perioperatórios de 25 pacientes submetidos à minitoracotomia axilar foram comparados com dados de grupo de 25 pacientes submetidos à correção de defeitos cardíacos semelhantes por esternotomia mediana, de outubro de 2011 a agosto de 2012.Resultados:A correção dos defeitos via axilar foi factível inclusive em lactentes. Não houve mortalidade e as principais variáveis perioperatórias foram similares em ambos os grupos, exceto pelo menor uso de hemoderivados no grupo axilar (6/25) x controle (13/25), com diferença estatística (P=0,04). A sequela ventricular nos pacientes do grupo axilar variou de 7 a 15 mm. A canulação da aorta e veias cavas foi realizada através da incisão principal, cujo tamanho variou de 3 a 5 cm no grupo axilar, com resultado estético excelente.Conclusão:A minitoracotomia axilar foi eficaz, permitiu correção do defeito cardíaco semelhante à esternotomia mediana, com resultado estético mais satisfatório e menor necessidade de transfusão sanguínea, podendo ser utilizada com segurança em lactentes.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaHospital Beneficência Portuguesa de São PauloUniversity Munich German Heart Center Munich at the Technical Department of Cardiovascular SurgeryUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Improve protective efficacy of a TB DNA-HSP65 vaccine by BCG priming

Vaccines are considered by many to be one of the most successful medical interventions against infectious diseases. But many significant obstacles remain, such as optimizing DNA vaccines for use in humans or large animals. The amount of doses, route and easiness of administration are also important points to consider in the design of new DNA vaccines. Heterologous prime-boost regimens probably represent the best hope for an improved DNA vaccine strategy. In this study, we have shown that heterologous prime-boost vaccination against tuberculosis (TB) using intranasal BCG priming/DNA-HSP65 boosting (BCGin/DNA) provided significantly greater protection than that afforded by a single subcutaneous or intranasal dose of BCG. In addition, BCGin/DNA immunization was also more efficient in controlling bacterial loads than were the other prime-boost schedules evaluated or three doses of DNA-HSP65 as a naked DNA. The single dose of DNA-HSP65 booster enhanced the immunogenicity of a single subcutaneous BCG vaccination, as evidenced by the significantly higher serum levels of anti-Hsp65 IgG2a Th1-induced antibodies, as well as by the significantly greater production of IFN-γ by antigen-specific spleen cells. The BCG prime/DNA-HSP65 booster was also associated with better preservation of lung parenchyma

Healthcare-Associated Infections Among Neonates in Brazil

Abstract Objective: To describe the epidemiology of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) among neonates. Design: Prospective surveillance of HAIs was conducted during 2 years. Infections beginning within 48 hours of birth were defined as HAIs of maternal origin. Death occurring during an active episode of HAI was considered related to HAI. Setting: Seven neonatal units located in three Brazilian cities. Patients: All admitted neonates were included and observed until discharge. Results: Twenty-two percent of 4,878 neonates had at least one HAI. The overall incidence density was 24.9 per 1,000 patient-days, and 28.1% of all HAIs were maternally acquired. HAI rates ranged from 12.3% in the group with a birth weight (BW) of more than 2,500 g to 51.9% in the group with a BW of 1,000 g or less. The main HAIs were bloodstream infection (BSI) and pneumonia. Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Enterobacter species, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the main pathogens. Forty percent of all deaths were related to HAI. Central venous catheter (CVC)-associated BSIs per 1,000 CVC-days ranged from 17.3 (BW, 1,501 to 2,500 g; device utilization [DU], 0.11) to 34.9 (BW, ≤ 1,000 g; DU, 34.92). Ventilator-associated pneumonia per 1,000 ventilator-days ranged from 7.0 (BW, ≤ 1,000 g; DU, 0.34) to 9.2 (BW, 1,001 to 1,500 g; DU, 0.14). Conclusions: The high proportion of HAIs of maternal origin highlights perinatal care issues in Brazil and the need to improve the diagnosis of neonatal HAIs. The very low BW group and device-associated infections should be priorities for prevention strategies in this populatio

An unusual T-cell childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia harboring a yet unreported near-tetraploid karyotype

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Near-tetraploid (model #81-103) and near-triploid (model #67-81) karyotypes are found in around 1% of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Due to its rarity, these two cytogenetic subgroups are generally included in the hyperdiploid group (model # > 51). Therefore separate informations about these two subgroups are limited to a few reports. Some studies found that near-tetraploidy is relatively more frequent in higher median ages and it is associated to Frech-American-British Classification subtype L2. Although the mechanisms by which leukemic blast cells divide is still unclear, studies have suggested that hyperdiploidy, near-triploidy and near-tetraploidy do not seem to share the same mechanism.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Herewith, we present a new childhood T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia case of near-tetraploid karyotype with loss of two p53-gene copies, characterized in detail by cytogenetic and molecular studies.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We suggest that p53 is a good target gene to be screened, once p53 is one of the main effectors of cell cycle checkpoints.</p

HLA-DR and HLA-DQ alleles in patients from the south of Brazil: markers for leprosy susceptibility and resistance

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many epidemiological studies have shown that the genetic factors of the host play a role in the variability of clinical response to infection caused by <it>M. leprae</it>. With the purpose of identifying genes of susceptibility, the present study investigated the possible role of HLA-DRB1 and DQA1/DQB1 alleles in susceptibility to leprosy, and whether they account for the heterogeneity in immune responses observed following infection in a Southern Brazilian population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred and sixty-nine leprosy patients and 217 healthy controls were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction amplification and reverse hybridization with sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes and sequence-specific primers(One Lambda^®, CA, USA).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was a positive association of HLA-DRB1*16 (*1601 and *1602) with leprosy <it>per se </it>(7.3% <it>vs</it>. 3.2%, <it>P </it>= 0.01, OR = 2.52, CI = 1.26–5.01), in accord with previous serological studies, which showed DR2 as a marker of leprosy. Although, HLA-DQA1*05 frequency (29.8% <it>vs</it>. 20.9%, <it>P </it>= 0.0424, OR = 1.61, CI = 1.09–2.39) was higher in patients, and HLA-DQA1*02 (3.0% <it>vs</it>. 7.5%, <it>P </it>= 0.0392, OR = 0.39, CI = 0.16 – 0.95) and HLA-DQA1*04 (4.0% <it>vs</it>. 9.1%, <it>P </it>= 0.0314, OR = 0.42, CI = 0.19 – 0.93) frequencies lower, <it>P</it>-values were not significant after the Bonferroni's correction. Furthermore, HLA-DRB1*1601 (9.0% <it>vs</it>. 1.8%; <it>P </it>= 0.0016; OR = 5.81; CI = 2.05–16.46) was associated with susceptibility to borderline leprosy compared to control group, and while HLA-DRB1*08 (11.2% <it>vs</it>. 1.2%; <it>P </it>= 0.0037; OR = 12.00; CI = 1.51 – 95.12) was associated with susceptibility to lepromatous leprosy, when compared to tuberculoid leprosy, DRB1*04 was associated to protection.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data confirm the positive association of HLA-DR2 (DRB1*16) with leprosy <it>per se</it>, and the protector effect of DRB1*04 against lepromatous leprosy in Brazilian patients.</p

Molecular fragmentation of wheat-germ agglutinin induced by food irradiation reduces its allergenicity in sensitised mice

WGA, an agglutinin from wheat germ which is largely responsible for many of wheat's allergies, was used as a model to investigate the action of ionising radiation on WGA's anti-nutritive effects in sensitised mice. Based on the molecular structure, the present study also examined the structural modification of WGA in relation to the range of dose. Structural integrity was monitored using HPLC, fluorescence spectrometry and circular dichroism. Results showed a loss of intrinsic activity and the formation of insoluble amorphous aggregates with a lack of native conformational structures after irradiation. Current findings suggest that the allergenic epitopes of WGA became less active and antigenic after high-dose radiation. the reduction of cytokines typical of allergic reactions, with decreased lymphocytic infiltrate, was observed in the gut of mice given irradiated versus native WGA. Food irradiation proved effective and safe in combating immunological and allergic effects of WGA. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Ministerio da Ciencia e Tecnologia (Brazilian)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundacao de Amparo a Ciencia e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco (FACEPE)Univ Fed Pernambuco, Dept Bioquim, Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Pernambuco, Dept Histol & Embriol, Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Pernambuco, Dept Biofis & Radiobiol, Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Pernambuco, Dept Antibiot, Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Estadual Oeste Parana, Ctr Engn & Ciencias Exatas, Toledo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Bioquim, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Bioquim, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc