Foraging Activity of Xylocopa cearensis (Ducke) in Sand Dune Landscape

Bees foraging strategy is affected by the distribution and abundance of flower resources, mainly nectar and pollen. Homing-time of female Xylocopa cearensis (Ducke) bees to their nests was assessed through a simple translocation method. The hypothesis addressed was that resource distribution in the landscape level influences bee homing time. The study area comprises about 300ha in a sand dune field with patchy shrubs in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The mean homing time after translocation was 60 min (sd = 4.36 min; n= 03), except for one bee that did not returned. The translocation technique was successfully applied to large solitary bees, since they do return to their own nest and can be easily recognized when arriving. Also, bees returned carrying pollen, what suggests foraging activity after translocations. Results evidence landscape functional connectivity since bees were able to move through local habitats. Further studies should address movement cost tradeoffs and its consequences on bee diversity conservation

Bovine Blood Constituents as Fat Replacers in Ham Pâté

Some tests were carried out in this work with the aim of evaluating a partial replacement of fat in the raw batter of ham pâté by using bovine blood constituents, such as globin (GL), plasma (PL) or 1:1 globin and plasma (GP). Plasma was separated from red cells by blood centrifugation, and globin was extracted by the carboxymethylcellulose method. The salt-soluble protein content (SSP) and the binding properties including water holding capacity (WHC) and raw batter stability (RBS) were estimated. The results indicated that among the 3 treatments studied, the use of globin showed to be a little more advantageous for the quality of the raw batter of ham pâté, since its incorporation as fat replacer led to an increase in RBS but no change of SSP was observed

High yield expression of leptospirosis vaccine candidates LigA and LipL32 in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Leptospirosis, a zoonosis caused by <it>Leptospira </it>spp., is recognized as an emergent infectious disease. Due to the lack of adequate diagnostic tools, vaccines are an attractive intervention strategy. Recombinant proteins produced in <it>Escherichia coli </it>have demonstrated promising results, albeit with variable efficacy. <it>Pichia pastoris </it>is an alternative host with several advantages for the production of recombinant proteins.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The vaccine candidates LigANI and LipL32 were cloned and expressed in <it>P. pastoris </it>as secreted proteins. Large-scale expression resulted in a yield of 276 mg/L for LigANI and 285 mg/L for LipL32. The recombinant proteins were glycosylated and were recognized by antibodies present in the sera of patients with severe leptospirosis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The expression of LigANI and LipL32 in <it>P. pastoris </it>resulted in a significant increase in yield compared to expression in <it>E. coli</it>. In addition, the proteins were secreted, allowing for easy purification, and retained the antigenic characteristics of the native proteins, demonstrating their potential application as subunit vaccine candidates.</p

Pregnancy outcomes in women with repeated implantation failures after intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to compare laboratory and clinical outcomes of intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) and conventional intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in couples with repeated implantation failures.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 200 couples with at least two prior unsuccessful ICSI cycles were enrolled: 100 couples were submitted to IMSI and 100 were submitted to routine ICSI. For IMSI, spermatozoa were selected at 8400× magnification using an inverted microscope equipped with Nomarski (differential interference contrast) optics. For conventional ICSI, spermatozoa were selected at 400× magnification. Clinical outcomes were evaluated between the two groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Study patients were comparable in age, number of treatment failures, aetiology of infertility, percentage of normal form assessed by MSOME (motile sperm organelle morphology examination), semen parameters, total number of oocytes collected, number of mature oocytes collected, total number of embryos transferred and number of high-quality embryos transferred. No statistically significant differences between the two groups were observed with regard to rates of fertilisation, implantation and pregnancy/cycle. Although not statistically significant, rates of miscarriage (IMSI:15.3% vs ICSI:31.7%), ongoing pregnancy (IMSI:22% vs ICSI:13%) and live births (IMSI:21% vs ICSI:12%) showed a trend towards better outcomes in the IMSI group. In addition, analysis of subpopulations with or without male factor showed similar results.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results suggest that IMSI does not provide a significant improvement in clinical outcome compared to ICSI, at least in couples with repeated implantation failures after conventional ICSI. However, it should be noted that there were clear trends for lower miscarriage rates (≈50% reduced) and higher rates of ongoing pregnancy and live births (both nearly doubled) within the IMSI group. Further confirmation as well as randomized large-scale trials are needed to confirm the beneficial effects of IMSI in couples with poor reproductive prognoses.</p

Screening for mutations in the GJB3 gene in Brazilian patients with nonsyndromic deafness

Abstract. Deafness is a complex disorder that is affected by a high number of genes and environmental factors. Recently, enormous progress has been made in nonsyndromic deafness research, with the identification of 90 loci and 33 nuclear and 2 mitochondrial genes involved (http://dnalab-www.uia.ac.be/dnalab/hhh/). Mutations in the GJB3 gene, encoding the gap junction protein connexin 31 (Cx31), have been pathogenically linked to erythrokeratodermia variabilis and nonsyndromic autosomal recessive or dominant hereditary hearing impairment. To determine the contribution of the GJB3 gene to sporadic deafness, we analysed the GJB3 gene in 67 families with nonsyndromic hearing impairment. A single coding exon of the GJB3 gene was amplified from genomic DNA and then sequenced. Here we report on three amino acid changes: Y177D (c.529T &gt; G), 49delK (c.1227C &gt; T), and R32W (c.144-146delGAA). The latter substitution has been previously described, but its involvement in hearing impairment remains uncertain. We hypothesize that mutations in the GJB3 gene are an infrequent cause of nonsyndromic deafness

IVF/ICSI outcomes after culture of human embryos at low oxygen tension: a meta-analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Improved pregnancy, implantation, and birth rates have been reported after the use of reduced O2 concentration during embryo culture, mainly due to a reduction of the cumulative detrimental effects of reactive oxygen species. However, some studies have failed to report any positive effects. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of a low-O2 environment on IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All available published and ongoing randomised trials that compared the effects of low (~5%; OC~5) and atmospheric (~20%; OC~20) oxygen concentrations on IVF/ICSI outcomes were included. Search strategies included online surveys of databases from 1980 to 2011. The outcomes measured were fertilisation rate, implantation rate and ongoing pregnancy rates. The fixed effects model was used to calculate the odds ratio.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seven studies were included in this analysis. The pooled fertilisation rate did not differ significantly (<it>P </it>= 0.54) between the group of oocytes cultured at low O2 tension and the group at atmospheric O2 tension. Concerning all cycles, the implantation (<it>P </it>= 0.06) and ongoing pregnancy (<it>P </it>= 0.051) rates were not significantly different between the group receiving transferred sets containing only OC~5 embryos and the group receiving transferred sets with only OC~20 embryos. In a meta-analysis performed for only those trials in which embryos were transferred on day 2/3, implantation (<it>P </it>= 0.63) and ongoing pregnancy (<it>P </it>= 0.19) rates were not significantly different between the groups. In contrast, when a meta-analysis was performed using only trials in which embryos were transferred on days 5 and 6 (at the blastocyst stage), the group with transferred sets of only OC~5 embryos showed a statistically significantly higher implantation rate (<it>P </it>= 0.006) than the group receiving transferred sets with only OC~20 embryos, although the ongoing pregnancy (<it>P </it>= 0.19) rates were not significantly different between the groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Despite some promising results, it seems too early to conclude that low O2 culture has an effect on IVF outcome. Additional randomised controlled trials are necessary before evidence-based recommendations can be provided. It should be emphasised that the present meta-analysis does not provide any evidence that low oxygen concentration is unnecessary.</p

Profissionalização por gênero em escritórios paulistas de advocacia

The article analyzes the differences in the professionalization of men and women lawyers in a survey of 216 young professionals from São Paulo law firms. It shows how professionalism and gender relations combine to stratify legal practice and differentiate careers according to a 'sexed script,' whether in terms of being a partner or an associate, or in terms of the size of the firm where people work (small, medium or large) and the main clients they represent (individuals or companies).O artigo analisa as diferenças na profissionalização de advogados e advogadas, em uma amostra de 216 jovens profissionais de escritórios de São Paulo. Mostra como o profissionalismo e as relações de gênero se articulam na estratificação da advocacia, com carreiras marcadas pelo "script sexuado", quanto a ser sócio(a) ou associado(a), quanto ao tamanho do escritório onde atuam (pequeno, médio ou de grande porte) e a clientela que representam prioritariamente (individual ou empresarial)

Efficacy of hyaluronic acid binding assay in selecting motile spermatozoa with normal morphology at high magnification

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the hyaluronic acid (HA) binding assay in the selection of motile spermatozoa with normal morphology at high magnification (8400x).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 16592 prepared spermatozoa were selected and classified into two groups: Group I, spermatozoa which presented their head attached to an HA substance (HA-bound sperm), and Group II, those spermatozoa that did not attach to the HA substance (HA-unbound sperm). HA-bound and HA-unbound spermatozoa were evaluated according to the following sperm forms: 1-Normal morphology: normal nucleus (smooth, symmetric and oval configuration, length: 4.75+/-2.8 μm and width: 3.28+/-0.20 μm, no extrusion or invagination and no vacuoles occupied more than 4% of the nuclear area) as well as acrosome, post-acrosomal lamina, neck, tail, besides not presenting a cytoplasmic droplet or cytoplasm around the head; 2-Abnormalities of nuclear form (a-Large/small; b-Wide/narrow; c-Regional disorder); 3-Abnormalities of nuclear chromatin content (a-Vacuoles: occupy >4% to 50% of the nuclear area and b-Large vacuoles: occupy >50% of the nuclear area) using a high magnification (8400x) microscopy system.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No significant differences were obtained with respect to sperm morphological forms and the groups HA-bound and HA-unbound. 1-Normal morphology: HA-bound 2.7% and HA-unbound 2.5% (P = 0.56). 2-Abnormalities of nuclear form: a-Large/small: HA-bound 1.6% vs. HA-unbound 1.6% (P = 0.63); b-Wide/narrow: HA-bound 3.1% vs. HA-unbound 2.7% (P = 0.13); c-Regional disorders: HA-bound 4.7% vs. HA-unbound 4.4% (P = 0.34). 3. Abnormalities of nuclear chromatin content: a-Vacuoles >4% to 50%: HA-bound 72.2% vs. HA-unbound 72.5% (P = 0.74); b-Large vacuoles: HA-bound 15.7% vs. HA-unbound 16.3% (P = 0.36).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The findings suggest that HA binding assay has limited efficacy in selecting motile spermatozoa with normal morphology at high magnification.</p

The prevalence of diabetes and stress hyperglycemia in the acute myocardial infarction patients

OBJETIVOS: Determinar a prevalência do diabetes melito (DM) e da hiperglicemia de estresse (HE) em pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) admitidos em unidade de emergência cardiológica. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva de 2.262 pacientes com IAM, avaliando, além da prevalência de diabetes referido, o diagnosticado e a hiperglicemia de estresse. RESULTADOS: Apesar de referido em 12,1% dos pacientes (H: 10,7%, M: 15,8%), o DM ocorria efetivamente em 24,8% (H: 22,9%, M: 29,7%) e a HE em 13,6% (H: 14,3%, M: 11,7%) dos indivíduos dessa população. Portanto, alterações glicêmicas ocorreram em 37,4% dos indivíduos com IAM (H: 37,2%, M: 41,4%). Nos pacientes com DM, observou-se maior precocidade etária do IAM, maior prevalência de óbitos (DM: 20,7%, ND:13,8%, HE: 13,4%) e de procedimentos cirúrgicos (ND: 33,8%, HE: 18,0%, DM: 21,7%). CONCLUSÃO: A elevada prevalência de DM e hiperglicemia de estresse observada em nosso estudo indica que as alterações glicêmicas constituem um dos mais importantes fatores de risco para o IAM.OBJECTIVES: To evaluate in our population the real prevalence of diabetes (DM) and stress hyperglycemia (HE) in patients with myocardial infarction (IAM) admitted in a cardiologic emergency unit. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 2262 patients with AMI evaluating the prevalence of DM (referred and diagnosed) and stress hyperglycemia. RESULTS: Besides 12,1% of subjects were previously referred to be diabetic (men: 10.7% and women: 15.8%), diabetes was effectively diagnosed in 24,8% (M: 22,9%, W: 29,7%) and stress hyperglycemia in 13,6% HE of the patients (M: 14,3%, W: 11,7%) indicating that glycemic alterations were effectively observed in 37.2.% of the patients with IAM (M: 37,2%, W: 41,4%). In DM subjects IAM events occurred earlier, total intra-hospital mortality was higher (DM: 20.7%, ND: 13,8%, HE: 13,4%) and less surgical procedures were performed (ND 33.8%, DM: 21.7%, HE: 18.0%). CONCLUSION: The elevated DM and stress hyperglycemia prevalence observed in our study indicates that glycemic alterations is one of the most important risk factors for IAM

Avaliação do polimorfismo na enzima esterase em populações naturais de Aedes aegypti em Chapada de Guimarães, Mato Grosso

O mosquito Aedes aegypti é originário da África, constituindo populações selvagens e domésticas. Ele é adaptado ao ambiente urbano, utilizando recipientes com acúmulo de água para colocar seus ovos. Seu controle é realizado por meio produtos químicos, biológicos e manejo ambiental, infelizmente essa classe de insetos possuem a capacidade de eliminar compostos nocivos do organismo por meio de enzimas como as esterases que conferem resistência ao mosquito. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o polimorfismo das esterases em populações naturais, assim como identificar uma região de atividade enzimática que apresenta variação de diversidade da enzima nesta população. Para o desenvolvimento do trabalho, foram utilizadas armadilhas do tipo ovitrampa para obtenção das amostras, seguidos da utilização da eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida para análise das enzimas esterases. A classificação das esterases foi feita de acordo com sua afinidade para alpha naftil. Foram coletadas 111 amostras de Aedes aegypti em Chapada dos Guimarães - MT entre os meses de fevereiro a novembro de 2016 em três períodos estacionais (cheia, vazante e enchente), dentre as quais 39 amostras apresentaram alelos superexpressos e 72 apresentaram alelos expressos. Houve maior concentração de coleta nos períodos de cheia e enchente, visto que são épocas propícias para o desenvolvimento do mosquito, a fase estacional cheia se obteve maior superexpressão da enzima esterase.  Identificou-se diferenças altamente significativas entre os períodos de amostragem (F4, 106= 7.0904; p= 0.0000) (Figura 3) e as fases estacionais (F2, 108= 14.018; p= 0.0000), demostrando uma tendência da população a se tornar resistente. Portanto pode-se concluir que há polimorfismo nesta população, apontando que há fatores externos interferindo na seleção destes organismos, fazendo com que os indivíduos apresentem a enzima esterase na sua forma superexpressa, o que é preocupante, pois torna seu controle mais difícil, em vista que a esterase proporciona a detoxificação do organismo, tornando-o resistente a substâncias químicas como os inseticidas usados em seu controle