Near Infrared Raman Spectroscopy To Detect The Calcification Of The Annular Mitral Valve

Cardiac valves are subjected to high repetitive mechanical stresses, particularly at the hinge points of the cusps and leaflets d ue to the over 40 millions cardiac cycles per year. These delicate structures can suffer cumulative lesions, complicated by the deposition of calcium phosphate mineral, which may lead to clinically important disease. Near Infrared Raman Spectroscopy gives important information about biological tissues composition and it is being used for diagnosis of some pathologies. The aim of this work was to detect trough the use of the Raman Spectroscopy technique the mitral annular calcification. A Ti:saphire laser operating at the near infrared wavelength of 785 nm was used for the excitation of the valve samples and the Raman radiation was detected by an optical spectrometer with a CCD liquid nitrogen cooled detector. In all, ten samples of normal and pathologic tissues were studied. They were approximately squared with the lateral size of 5 mm. It was observed that the Raman spectrum of the calcified mitral valve showed different behavior, when compared to normal tissues. Results indicate that this technique could be used to detect the deposition of the calcium phosphate mineral over the mitral valve.5622PART 16266Christensen, G., Cardiovascular and renal effects of atrial natriuretic factor (1993) Scand J. Clin Lab Invest, 53, pp. 203-207Peters, N.S., Cardiac arrhythmogenesis and the gap junction (1995) J Mol Cell Cardiol., 27, pp. 37-40Hanlon, E.B., Prospect for "in vivo" Raman spectroscopy (2000) Phys. Med. Biol., 45, pp. R1-59Lucas, A., Development of an avian model for restenosis (1996) Atherosclerosis, 119, pp. 17-41Sathaiah, S., Silveira Jr., L., Pasqualucci, C.A., Zangaro, R.A., Chavantes, M.C., Mtt, P., Correlated diagnosis of atherosclerosis with non-invasive Raman spectroscopy and pathological techniques (1996) International Laser Congress, p. 72. , GreeceSathaiah, S., Pasqualucci, C.A., Mtt, P., Application of near Infrared Raman spectroscopy for less invasive diagnosis of atherosclerosis (1997) Proc. International Conference on Lasers, 97. , U.S.AManoharan, R., UV resonance Raman spectroscopy for detection of colon cancer (1995) Lasers in Life Sci., 6, pp. 217-249Boustany, N.N., Analysis of normal and diseased colon mucosa using ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy (1996) Proceedings of SPIE, 2679, pp. 66-70. , Advances in Lasers and Light Spectroscopy to Diagnose Cancer and other Diseases III: Optical Biopsy, San Jose CAPilotto, S., Mtt, P., Silveira Jr., L., Balbin Villaverde, A., Zangaro, R.A., Analysis of near-infrared Raman Spectroscopy as a new technique for a transcutaneous non-invasive diagnosis of blood components (2001) Laser Med. Sci, 16, pp. 2-9Jianan, Y., Wilson, B.C., Suria, D., Concentration measurements of multiple analytes in human sera by near-infrared laser Raman spectroscopy (1999) Appl Opt, 38 (25), pp. 5491-5497Berger, A., Koo, T.W., Itzhan, I., Horowitz, G., Feld, M.S., Multicomponent blood analysis by near-infrared Raman spectroscopy (1999) Appl Opt, 38 (13), pp. 2916-2916Otero, E.U., Sathaiah, S., Silveira Jr., L., Pma, P., Cag, P., Raman spectroscopy for diagnosis of calcification in human heart valves (2004) Spectroscopy: An International Journal, 18 (1), pp. 75-84Stone, N., Near-infrared Raman Spectroscopy for classification of epithelial pre-cancers and cancers (2002) J. Raman Spectrosc, 33, pp. 564-57

Synthesis and luminescence properties of analogues of the green fluorescent protein chromophore

The green fluorescent protein (GFP) is extensively used as a biomarker for fluorescence biological imaging. The chromophore in GFP is only fluorescent when confined into the β–barrel of the protein. Similarly, synthetic analogues of the fluorophore of GFP are usually non-emissive in solution, due to free rotation around the aryl-alkene bond and (Z/E)-isomerization of the double bond. Here, the synthesis and characterization of three analogues of the fluorophore of GFP are reported. The introduction of more electron donating substituents induces a red-shift in the absorption and emission. The fluorophores are more emissive in the solid state than in solution, and a study of their crystal structure reveals that the (Z/E)-isomerization is efficiently blocked in the crystals.publishe

PROBLEMAS VIVENCIADOS PELAS ADOLESCENTES DURANTE A GESTAÇÃO

Pregnancy in adolescence brings with it serious biological implications, family problems, psychological issues, economic stress, besides the negative social repercussions that affect the adolescent and society as a whole. Consequently, in response to the problem a study was developed with the objective of characterizing the socio-demographic profile of teenage mothers and to aid in the identification of the problems they suffer during pregnancy. The study was descriptive-exploratory, conducted in the Municipality of Massapé-CE, with 20 adolescents all of whom had recently given birth between the period of October 15th to November 30th, 2004. Open-ended and Close-ended questions were asked. The adolescents were all between the ages of 14 and 19 years old, 45% were single, 60% had not finished high school, 50% had family incomes below that of one minimum monthly salary, 60% were in their first pregnancy, 10% had had an abortion. 80% presented biological, emotional, social, and economic problems. This study suggests the application of more interventionary pre-natal assistance for adolescents with the intention of minimizing risks and damages.El embarazo en la adolescencia trae serias implicaciones biológicas, familiares, psicológicas, económicas, además de las implicaciones sociales, que atañen al adolescente y a la sociedad como un todo. Por tanto, ante esta problemática se decidió desarrollar esta investigación con los objetivos de caracterizar el perfil socio-demográfico de las adolescentes embarazadas e identificar los problemas vivenciados por las mismas durante el embarazo. El estudio es del tipo exploratorio-descriptivo, realizado en la sede del municipio de Massapé-CE, con 20 adolescentes puérperas, en el periodo del 15 de Octubre al 30 de Noviembre de 2004. Se utilizó un formulario con preguntas abiertas y cerradas. Las adolescentes están en el periodo de vida entre 14 a 19 años; 45% son solteras; 60% tienen el primario incompleto; 50% tienen renta familiar menor que un sueldo mínimo; 60% se encontraban en el primer embarazo y 10% de las adolescentes tuvieron un aborto anteriormente. 80% presentan problemas de carácter biológico, emocional, social y económico. El estudio nos lleva a sugerir una asistencia pre-natal cada vez más intervencionista para las adolescentes, con el intento de minimizar los riesgos y los daños.A gravidez na adolescência traz sérias implicações biológicas, familiares, psicológicas, econômicas, além das sociais, que atingem o adolescente e a sociedade como um todo. Portanto diante desta problemática decidiu-se desenvolver esta pesquisa com os objetivos de caracterizar o perfil sócio-demográfico das gestantes adolescentes e identificar os problemas vivenciados pelas mesmas durante a gestação. O estudo é do tipo exploratório-descritivo, realizado na sede do município de Massapé-CE, com 20 adolescentes puérperas, no período de 15 de outubro a 30 de novembro de 2004. Utilizou-se um formulário com perguntas abertas e fechadas. As adolescentes estão numa faixa etária de 14 a 19 anos; 45 % são solteiras; 60% tem o ensino fundamental II incompleto; 50% tem renda familiar menor que um salário mínimo; 60% estavam na sua primeira gestação e 10% adolescentes tiveram aborto. Oitenta por cento apresentaram problemas de caráter biológico, emocional, social e econômico. O estudo nos remete a sugerir uma assistência pré-natal cada vez mais intervencionista para as adolescentes, com o intento de minimizar os riscos e os danos

Mitochondrial Fatty Acid β-Oxidation Disorders: From Disease to Lipidomic Studies—A Critical Review

ReviewThis article belongs to the Special Issue Lipid Metabolism in Pathology and Health.Fatty acid oxidation disorders (FAODs) are inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) caused by defects in the fatty acid (FA) mitochondrial β-oxidation. The most common FAODs are characterized by the accumulation of medium-chain FAs and long-chain (3-hydroxy) FAs (and their carnitine derivatives), respectively. These deregulations are associated with lipotoxicity which affects several organs and potentially leads to life-threatening complications and comorbidities. Changes in the lipidome have been associated with several diseases, including some IEMs. In FAODs, the alteration of acylcarnitines (CARs) and FA profiles have been reported in patients and animal models, but changes in polar and neutral lipid profile are still scarcely studied. In this review, we present the main findings on FA and CAR profile changes associated with FAOD pathogenesis, their correlation with oxidative damage, and the consequent disturbance of mitochondrial homeostasis. Moreover, alterations in polar and neutral lipid classes and lipid species identified so far and their possible role in FAODs are discussed. We highlight the need of mass-spectrometry-based lipidomic studies to understand (epi)lipidome remodelling in FAODs, thus allowing to elucidate the pathophysiology and the identification of possible biomarkers for disease prognosis and an evaluation of therapeutic efficacy.This research was funded by FCT/MEC (PIDDAC) for their financial support to LAQVREQUIMTE (UIDB/50006/2020), CESAM (UIDP/50017/2020 + UIDB/50017/2020 + LA/P/0094/2020), and the RNEM-Portuguese Mass Spectrometry Network (LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-402-022125), financed by FCT/MCTES through national funds and, where applicable, co-financed by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020. Ana Moreira thanks the research contract under the research unit LAQV-REQUIMTE. Inês M. S. Guerra (2021.04754.BD) and Helena B. Ferreira (2020.04611.BD) are grateful to FCT for the PhD grants. Tânia Melo thanks the Junior Researcher contract in the scope of the Individual Call to Scientific Employment Stimulus 2020 (CEECIND/01578/2020). The authors are thankful to the COST Action EpiLipidNET, CA19105-Pan-European Network in Lipidomics, and EpiLipidomics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Reproductive performance of sows inseminated with semen doses stored for up to seven days in long-term extender in a field condition

This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive performance of sows inseminated with semen doses preserved at 15-18 degrees C for up to seven days in long-term extender (Duragen (R)). Parity one (PO1) to PO7 sows were randomly assigned to the following groups: AI1-3 (n=190), insemination with semen doses stored between one and three days; and AI5-7 (n=124), insemination with semen doses stored between five and seven days. Sows were submitted to estrus detection twice a day. Post-cervical insemination according to weaning-to-estrus interval was performed. The farrowing rate (FR) did not differ between the groups (AI1-3=83.2%; AI5-7=82.2%; p>0.05) nor did the total number of piglets born (TPB; AI1-3=14.2 +/- 0.3; AI5-7=14.5 +/- 0.3; p>0.05). Considering the semen dose most likely responsible for fertilization according to its storage time (1, 2-3, 5, and 6-7 days), the FR (72.7%, 87.8%, 85.7%, and 79%, respectively) and TPB (14.4, 14.0, 14.9, and 13.5, respectively) were similar among the groups (p>0.05). In conclusion, the use of semen doses extended with long-term extender stored for up to seven days did not impair the reproductive performance of sows. Therefore, it''s using could optimize production efficiency and logistics of semen dose deliveries to sow farms

Isolation and identification of phosphate solubilizer Azospirillum, Bacillus and Enterobacter strains by 16SrRNA sequence analysis and their effect on growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The aim of the present study was to isolate phosphate solubilizing bacteria from wheat rhizosphere and investigate their potential for plant growth promotion. Three phosphate solubilizing bacterial strains were isolated by serial dilution method from the rhizosphere of wheat grown under wheat-cotton and wheat-rice crop rotation. 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolates WS-1, T-34 and T-41 showed 98% similarity to those of Azospirillum, Bacillus and Enterobacter sequences in NCBI data base, respectively. The bacterial strain WS-1 clustered with Azospirillum brasilense strains in the phylogenetic tree constructed using NCBI data base sequences of the genus Azospirillum. The bacterial isolate T-34 formed cluster with Bacillus licheniformis strains in the phylogenetic tree constructed using 16S rRNA sequences of the genera Bacillus and Paenibacillus. In the phylogenetic tree constructed using 16S rRNA gene sequences of genus Enterobacter, the isolate T-41 clustered with Enterobacter amnigenus strains. Phosphate solubilizing activity of the bacterial strains in Pikovskaya medium was investigated by molybdate blue color method using spectrophotometer while organic acids produced in the medium were detected on HPLC. In a growth medium containing insoluble tri-calcium phosphate and supplemented with sucrose, maltose, glucose or galactose as single C-source, all the three isolates produced organic acids like acetic acid, citric acid and gluconic acid for phosphate solubilization. Among the organic acids detected, acetic acid was produced in highest amounts by all strains tested in the media containing different sugars. Maximum acetic acid (56.7 mug/ml) was produced by Bacillus strain T-34 in medium supplemented with sucrose and citric acid (36.2 mug/ml) by the same strain on glucose supplemented medium. Oxalic acid was produced by Bacillus strain T-34 (2.89 mug/ml) and Enterobacter strain T-41 (5.93 mug/ml) only in the medium containing galactose as C-source. Maximum amount of gluconic acid (25.4 mug/ml) was produced by Azospirillum strain WS-1 in the medium containing glucose as C-source. Highest P solubilization activity (298.3 mug/ml) was observed in Bacillus strain T-34 grown on sucrose supplemented medium. Maximum P solubilization was detected in Enterobacter strain T-41 (292.2 mug/ml) in medium containing maltose. Azospirillum strain WS-1 showed maximum P solubilization (218.1 mug/ml) in medium containing glucose as single C-source. All the three bacterial strains produced growth hormone IAA in the growth medium supplemented with tryptophan. Quantification on HPLC indicated maximum IAA production (31.15 mug/ml) by Bacillus strain T-34. A pot experiment conducted to study the effect of bacterial isolates on growth of wheat showed that inoculation with Azospirillum, Bacillus and Enterobacter strains increased the grain yield of wheat by 9.3%, 14.8%, 13.1%, respectively over non-inoculated control. Under field conditions, increase in grain yield of plants inoculated with Azospirillum, Bacillus and Enterobacter was 11.2%, 15.7% and 5.6%, respectively compared with non-inoculated plants.These results indicated that bacterial isolates having plant-beneficial traits like phosphate solubilization and IAA production and capable of improving growth of wheat when used as inoculants qualify for production of biofertilizer for wheat cro

The CD14+CD16+ inflammatory monocyte subset displays increased mitochondrial activity and effector function during acute Plasmodium vivax malaria

Infection with Plasmodium vivax results in strong activation of monocytes, which are important components of both the systemic inflammatory response and parasite control. The overall goal of this study was to define the role of monocytes during P. vivax malaria. Here, we demonstrate that P. vivax-infected patients display significant increase in circulating monocytes, which were defined as CD14(+)CD16- (classical), CD14(+)CD16(+) (inflammatory), and CD14loCD16(+) (patrolling) cells. While the classical and inflammatory monocytes were found to be the primary source of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the CD16(+) cells, in particular the CD14(+)CD16(+) monocytes, expressed the highest levels of activation markers, which included chemokine receptors and adhesion molecules. Morphologically, CD14(+) were distinguished from CD14lo monocytes by displaying larger and more active mitochondria. CD14(+)CD16(+) monocytes were more efficient in phagocytizing P. vivax-infected reticulocytes, which induced them to produce high levels of intracellular TNF-alpha and reactive oxygen species. Importantly, antibodies specific for ICAM-1, PECAM-1 or LFA-1 efficiently blocked the phagocytosis of infected reticulocytes by monocytes. Hence, our results provide key information on the mechanism by which CD14(+)CD16(+) cells control parasite burden, supporting the hypothesis that they play a role in resistance to P. vivax infection

Reproductive performance of sows inseminated with semen doses stored for up to seven days in long-term extender in a field condition

This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive performance of sows inseminated with semen doses preserved at 15-18 °C for up to seven days in long-term extender (Duragen®). Parity one (PO1) to PO7 sows were randomly assigned to the following groups: AI1-3 (n=190), insemination with semen doses stored between one and three days; and AI5-7 (n=124), insemination with semen doses stored between five and seven days. Sows were submitted to estrus detection twice a day. Post-cervical insemination according to weaning-to-estrus interval was performed. The farrowing rate (FR) did not differ between the groups (AI1-3=83.2%; AI5-7=82.2%; p>0.05) nor did the total number of piglets born (TPB; AI1-3=14.2±0.3; AI5-7=14.5±0.3; p>0.05). Considering the semen dose most likely responsible for fertilization according to its storage time (1, 2-3, 5, and 6-7 days), the FR (72.7%, 87.8%, 85.7%, and 79%, respectively) and TPB (14.4, 14.0, 14.9, and 13.5, respectively) were similar among the groups (p>0.05). In conclusion, the use of semen doses extended with long-term extender stored for up to seven days did not impair the reproductive performance of sows. Therefore, it’s using could optimize production efficiency and logistics of semen dose deliveries to sow farms