The kinin B-2 receptor gene structure, product processing and expression in adult and fetal rats: evidence for gene evolution

We examined the structure of the rat kinin B-2 receptor gene (KB(2)r) and encoding messenger RNA (mRNA) processing. Differently from the closely related mouse and rabbit genes that have three exons and two introns, the rat gene purportedly consists of four exons and three introns. There are two purported gene products; one of them contains an upstream similar to 180-bp open reading frame region (exon-X) potentially expressed as a result of alternative processing. To examine the processing of rat KB(2)r mRNA, cDNA amplicons were generated using primer pairs directed towards 5' or 3' exon or intron flanking regions. Analyses of intron/exon primary cDNA amplicons showed that introns 1 to 3 are removed sequentially and that exon-X removal follows that of intron-3. No evidence was found for exon-X expression in polyadenylated (mature) mRNA of adult Wistar, Wistar Kyoto, spontaneously hypertensive or Sprague-Dawley rat tissues. Nor was exon-X detected in tissues subject to inflammatory stimulus expressing B-1 kinin receptor mRNA or in 1- to 21-day-old rat embryos or fetuses. the lack of evidence for the expression of exon-X in mature mRNA indicates that the structure of the rat gene is similar to that of the mouse, rabbit and human genes, all consisting of three exons and two introns. the exon-X fragment may result from interstitial gene duplication, be a fragment of the ancestral gene, or most likely heterologous transposon insertion of an exon-like fragment into intron-2 of the KB(2)r gene.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biofis, São Paulo, BrazilInst Butantan, Genet Lab, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biofis, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Estudo preliminar sobre a época de colheita na produção de macela-da-terra (Egletes viscosa, Less.)

Atualmente existe uma demanda pelas plantas medicinais nativas, e devido as pesquisas que confirmam a eficácia de muitas espécies silvestres, que já são usadas popularmente, a tendência é o crescimento dessa demanda. Entre as plantas nativas de uso medicinal do Brasil, encontra-se a Egletes viscosa, Less., família Asteraceae (Compositae) e é comum no nordeste brasileiro. Conhecida popularmente por macela da terra cresce às margens de lagoas, açudes, riachos, no início de verão, após a baixa das águas. Seu uso medicinal ocorre principalmente pela forma de infusão dos capítulos, utilizados no tratamento de enfermidades gastrointestinais, inflamatórias, virais, dentre outras. Considerando a importância da macela da terra sua forma de exploração exclusivamente extrativista, e a carência de informações, o presente estudo teve como objetivo iniciar estudos da produção de macela da terra em três épocas de colheita em casa de vegetação. Os tratamentos constituíram de três épocas de colheita (110, 125 e 140 após o transplantio), dispostos em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições em vasos de 10L adubados com solo e esterco de curral. A época de colheita influenciou os componentes de produção sendo a que mais se destacou aos 140 dias. Registrou-se ataque de pragas principalmente Bemisia tabaci, prejudicando a produção de macela aos 125 dias

Vaginal discharge in pregnant women: comparison between syndromic approach and examination of clinical nursing practice

This is a study for assessment of a quantitative approach in pregnant women (N=104), in which findings of vaginal infection were compared. The findings were obtained by two means, flowchart of vaginal discharge, and typical examinations in the clinical nursing practice. Data were collected from January to July 2011 through interviews and gynecological examinations. The flowchart showed no efficacy to identify candidiasis and trichomoniasis. Furthermore, it showed low sensitivity (0.0%; 50%) and positive predictive value (0.0%; 3.6%) for both infections, and low specificity for trichomoniasis (46%). The flowchart was shown to be satisfactory for bacterial vaginosis, with high sensitivity (100%), negative predictive value (100%), and accuracy (74%). We conclude that use of the flowchart should be reassessed, as it was not able to identify important infections in pregnant women. A continuous effort must be directed for development of effective tests in order to prevent the spread of infection and reduce the number of unnecessary treatments.Estudio evaluativo con enfoque cuantitativo, con una muestra de 104 gestantes, cuyo objetivo fue comparar los resultados de infecciones vaginales en las gestantes, obtenidos a partir del diagrama de flujo vaginal y las pruebas presentes en la práctica clínica de enfermería. Los datos fueron recolectados por entrevista y examen ginecológico, realizados de enero a julio del 2011. El diagrama de flujo no fue eficaz en la identificación de candidiasis y tricomoniasis, presentando baja sensibilidad (0,0%; 50%) y valor predictivo positivo (0,0%; 3,6%), para las dos infecciones y baja especificidad para tricomoniasis (46%). Para vaginosis bacteriana, se mostró satisfactoria, con alta sensibilidad (100%), valor predictivo negativo (100%) y precisión (74%). Se concluye que el uso del diagrama necesita ser revisado, ya que no fue eficaz en la identificación de infecciones importantes en las gestantes. Los esfuerzos para desarrollar pruebas efectivas deben ser continuos, con el objetivo de prevenir la propagación de infecciones y reducir tratamientos innecesarios.Estudo avaliativo de abordagem quantitativa, com amostra de 104 gestantes, com o objetivo de comparar os achados de infecções vaginais em gestantes obtidos por meio do fluxograma de corrimento vaginal com exames presentes na prática clínica da Enfermagem. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista e exame ginecológico realizados de janeiro a julho de 2011. O fluxograma não se mostrou eficaz na identificação de candidíase e tricomoníase, apresentou baixa sensibilidade (0,0%; 50%) e valor preditivo positivo (0,0%; 3,6%) para as duas infecções e baixa especificidade para tricomoníase (46%). Mostrou-se satisfatório para vaginose bacteriana, com alta sensibilidade (100%), valor preditivo negativo (100%) e acurácia (74%). Conclui-se que o emprego do fluxograma precisa ser reavaliado, visto que não foi eficaz em identificar infecções importantes em gestantes. Os esforços para o desenvolvimento de testes eficazes devem ser contínuos, com intuito de prevenir a disseminação de infecções e reduzir tratamentos desnecessários

Synthesis, Characterization and Optical Activity of RE-doped ZnWO4 Nanorods and Nanospheres by Hydrothermal Method

This work has investigated the effect of different dopants on structure, morphology and optical property of ZnWO4. Rare-earth doped ZnWO4 (ZnWO4:RE, with 0.5, 1, and 2 mol% of Eu3+ and Pr3+) were successfully synthesized by coprecipitation method followed by microwave-assisted hydrothermal system at 140 °C for 1 h. XRD indicated that the crystals have a wolframite- type monoclinic structure and with the addition of dopants the crystallite size decreased. HR-TEM images revealed interesting homogenous nanorods for pure ZnWO4 crystals with grow along (021) direction. For ZnWO4: RE we have found nanospheres morphologies, in which the decreasing crystal size were dependent on the RE doping concentration. IR spectra confirm the crystals structure. Ultraviolet–Visible diffuse reflectance spectra indicated that the optical band gap varies with increasing replacement of Zn2+ by RE ions. Egap was characteristic of semiconductor materials. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v11i2.1350 &nbsp

Interface Influence on Photocatalytic Properties of Ag2MoO4/ZnO Heterojunctions

Ag2MoO4/ZnO heterostructures were synthesized by a co-precipitation method in room temperature. XRD studies have showed the formation of the heterostructures containing wurtzite-type structure with hexagonal phase (ZnO) and spinel-type cubic structures (Ag2MoO4). The crystal morphologies and sizes were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The photocatalytic activities were evaluated by the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under ultraviolet light irradiation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v11i2.136

Desafios dos profissionais de enfermagem na promoção da saúde no sistema prisional

Objective: to reflect on the challenges of nursing professionals in their work to promote health actions in prison units. Method: theoretical and reflective essay about the challenges that nursing faces to work in health promotion in the Brazilian prison system. Guiding points/categories were prepared to support the theoretical essay and reflection of the study, namely: the Brazilian prison system and health conditions, health promotion actions in the prison system, and nursing challenges for health promotion in prisons. Results: the challenges that most appear in the work of the nursing team in the prison system are related to structural, organizational, and relational issues. Conclusion: there is a need for greater education and training so that these professionals can manage ethical issues, maintain their identity and autonomy, and develop more skills in the prison context.Objetivo: refletir sobre os desafios dos profissionais de enfermagem na promoção de ações de saúde em unidades prisionais. Método: ensaio teórico e reflexivo acerca dos desafios que a enfermagem enfrenta para atuar na promoção da saúde no sistema prisional brasileiro. Foram elaborados pontos norteadores/categorias para apoiar o ensaio teórico e a reflexão do estudo, sendo eles: o sistema prisional brasileiro e as condições de saúde, ações de promoção da saúde no sistema prisional e desafios da enfermagem para promoção da saúde nos presídios. Resultados: os desafios que mais aparecem no trabalho da equipe de enfermagem no sistema prisional estão relacionados à questão estrutural, organizacional e relacional. Conclusão: há a necessidade de maior formação e treinamento para que esses profissionais consigam gerenciar questões éticas, manter sua identidade e autonomia e desenvolver mais habilidades no contexto prisional

Synthesis, Characterization and Optical Activity of RE-doped ZnWO4 Nanorods and Nanospheres by Hydrothermal Method

This work has investigated the effect of different dopants on structure, morphology and optical property of ZnWO4. Rare-earth doped ZnWO4 (ZnWO4:RE, with 0.5, 1, and 2 mol% of Eu3+ and Pr3+) were successfully synthesized by coprecipitation method followed by microwave-assisted hydrothermal system at 140 °C for 1 h. XRD indicated that the crystals have a wolframite- type monoclinic structure and with the addition of dopants the crystallite size decreased. HR-TEM images revealed interesting homogenous nanorods for pure ZnWO4 crystals with grow along (021) direction. For ZnWO4: RE we have found nanospheres morphologies, in which the decreasing crystal size were dependent on the RE doping concentration. IR spectra confirm the crystals structure. Ultraviolet–Visible diffuse reflectance spectra indicated that the optical band gap varies with increasing replacement of Zn2+ by RE ions. Egap was characteristic of semiconductor materials. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v11i2.1350

Influência de fatores da colheita mecanizada na incidência de fungos em sementes de milho/Influence of mechanized harvest factors on the incidence of fungi in corn seeds

 O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a incidência fúngica em sementes de milho colhidas por dois modelos de colhedoras, operando em duas velocidades e em três pontos de coleta dessas colhedoras. O delineamento foi o inteiramente casualizado, no esquema fatorial 2x2x3. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por duas colhedoras (New Holland TC 57 e TC 59), duas velocidades (4 e 5 km h-1) e três pontos de coleta (tanque graneleiro, saída do tubo de descarga e elevador). A incidência fúngica foi avaliada pelo método do papel de filtro com congelamento, com quatro repetições de 50 sementes, sendo detectados os fungos Fusarium verticilioides, Cladosporium sp., Aspergillus spp. e Penicillium sp.. Em geral, houve uma maior incidência de Penicillium sp. e de F. verticilioides nas sementes, e estas foram independentes do tipo de colhedora, velocidade e do ponto de coleta utilizados. Para todos os fungos encontrados, houve interação significativa entre os fatores colhedora e velocidade, sendo que para Penicillium sp., também houve interação entre velocidade e ponto de coleta; e para Cladosporium sp., entre colhedora e ponto de coleta. Houve influência variável dos fatores analisados na incidência de cada fungo detectado. Sementes de milho com alto teor de água são bastante suscetíveis a fungos de campo e de armazenamento, principalmente em condições de colheita mecanizada

Health Education through Analogies: Preparation of a Community for Clinical Trials of a Vaccine against Hookworm in an Endemic Area of Brazil

Conducting clinical trials of new vaccines in rural, resource-limited areas can be challenging since the people living in these areas often have high levels of illiteracy, little experience with clinical research, and limited access to routine health care. Especially difficult is obtaining informed consent for participation in this type of research and ensuring that potential participants adequately understand the potential risks and benefits of participation. The researchers have been preparing a remote field site in the northeastern part of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, for clinical trials of experimental hookworm vaccines. A special educational video was designed based on the method of analogies to introduce new scientific concepts related to the researchers' work and to improve knowledge of hookworm, a disease that is highly prevalent in their community. A questionnaire was administered both before and after the video was shown to a group of adults at the field site, which demonstrated the effectiveness of the video in disseminating knowledge about hookworm infection and about the vaccine being developed. Therefore, even in a rural, resource-limited area, educational tools can be specially designed that significantly improve understanding and therefore the likelihood of obtaining truly informed consent for participation in clinical research