Glycopattern analysis and structure of the egg extra-cellular matrix in the Apennine yellow-bellied toad, Bombina pachypus (Anura: Bombinatoridae)

We studied the glycopatterns and ultrastructure of the extra-cellular matrix (ECM) of the egg of theApennine yellow-bellied toad Bombina pachypus, by light and electron microscopy in order to determine structure,chemical composition and function. Histochemical techniques in light microscopy included PAS and AlcianBlue pH 2.5 and 1.0, performed also after b-elimination. Lectin-binding was tested with nine lectins (AAA,ConA, DBA, HPA, LTA, PNA, SBA, UEA-I, WGA). An inner fertilization envelope (FE) and five jelly layers(J1–J5) were observed, differing in histochemical staining, lectin binding and ultrastructure. Most glycans wereO-linked, with many glucosamylated and fucosylated residues. The fertilization envelope presented a perivitellinespace and a fertilization layer, with mostly neutral glycans. The jelly layers consisted of fibers and granules,whose number and orientation differed between layers. Fibers were densely packed in J1 and J4 layers,whereas a looser arrangement was observed in the other layers. Jelly-layer glycans were mostly acidic and particularlyabundant in the J1 and J4 layers. In the J1, J2 and J5 layers, neutral, N-linked glycans were also observed.Mannosylated and/or glucosylated as well as galactosyl/galactosaminylated residues were more abundant in theouter layers. Many microorganisms were observed in the J5 layer. We believe that, apart from their functions inthe fertilization process, acidic and fucosylated glycans could act as a barrier against pathogen penetration

Beneficial effects of fermented vegetal beverages on human gastrointestinal microbial ecosystem in a simulator

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of four beverage formulations (prebiotic - fructooligosaccharide, probiotic - Lactobacillus casei Lc-01, synbiotic - fructooligosaccharide and L. casei Lc-01 and placebo) based on aqueous extracts of soy and quinoa, towards the human intestinal microbiota using the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME (R)), a dynamic model of the human gut. To monitor the effects on microbial community composition, plate counts on specific growth media and a PCR-DGGE analysis were performed on samples from all colon compartments - ascending, transverse and descending. To verify the effects on microbial metabolism, we analyzed the ammonium and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentrations. The synbiotic beverage showed the best microbiological results in the ascending colon compartment, stimulating the growth of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp., and reducing Clostridium spp., Bacteroides spp., enterobacteria and Enterococcus spp. populations in this compartment. A larger reduction (p < 0.05) of ammonia ions in the ascending colon was observed during the synbiotic beverage treatment. No statistical difference was observed in SCFA production among the treatments and the basal period. Plate count and DGGE analysis showed the survival of L. casei Lc-01 in the colon. DGGE analysis also showed higher richness and diversity of the Lactobacillus spp. community during the treatment with synbiotic beverage, with higher accentuation in the ascending colon. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Modelling the length of hospital stay after knee replacement surgery through Machine Learning and Multiple Linear Regression at San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi daAragonaa University Hospital

Knee arthroplasty is one of the most commonly performed procedures within a hospital. The progressive aging of the population and the spread of clinical conditions such as obesity will lead to an increasing use of this procedure. Therefore, being able to make the process related to this procedure more effective and efficient becomes strategic within hospitals, subject to increasingly stringent clinical and financial pressures. A useful parameter for this purpose is the length of stay (LOS), whose early prediction allows for better bed management and resource allocation, models patient expectations and facilitates discharge planning. In this work, the data of 124 patients who underwent knee surgery in the two-year period 2019-2020 at the San Giovanni di Dio and Ruggi d’Aragona university hospital were studied using multiple linear regression and machine learning algorithms in order to evaluate and predict how patient data affect LOS

Up-regulation of prostaglandin biosynthesis by leukotriene C4 in elicited mice peritoneal macrophages activated with lipopolysaccharide/interferon-gamma

Leukotrienes (LT) and prostaglandins (PG) are proinflammatory mediators generated by the conversion of arachidonic acid via 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and cyclooxygenase (COX) pathways. It has long been proposed that the inhibition of the 5-LO could enhance the COX pathway leading to an increased PG generation. We have found that in in vitro models of inflammation, such as mice-elicited peritoneal macrophages activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon- γ (IFN-γ), the deletion of the gene encoding for 5-LO or the enzyme activity inhibition corresponded to a negative modulation of the COX pathway. Moreover, exogenously added LTC4, but not LTD4, LTE 4, and LTB4, was able to increase PG production in stimulated cells from 5-LO wild-type and knockout mice. LTC4 was not able to induce COX-2 expression by itself but rather potentiated the action of LPS/IFN-γ through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 activation, as demonstrated by the use of a specific mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase inhibitor. The LT-induced increase in PG generation, as well as MAPK activation, was dependent by a specific ligand-receptor interaction, as demonstrated by the use of a cys-LT1 receptor antagonist, although also a direct action of the antagonist used, on PG generation, cannot be excluded. Thus, the balance between COX and 5-LO metabolites could be of great importance in controlling macrophage functions and consequently, inflammation and tumor promotion

Multiple regression model to analyze the total LOS for patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy

The rapid growth in the complexity of services and stringent quality requirements present a challenge to all healthcare facilities, especially from an economic perspective. The goal is to implement different strategies that allows to enhance and obtain health processes closer to standards. The Length Of Stay (LOS) is a very useful parameter for the management of services within the hospital and is an index evaluated for the management of costs. In fact, a patient's LOS can be affected by a number of factors, including their particular condition, medical history, or medical needs. To reduce and better manage the LOS it is necessary to be able to predict this value

O sistema discursivo de Periodicidade em texto argumentativo

RESUMO O sistema discursivo de Periodicidade proposto por Martin (1992) e Martin e Rose (2007) para a análise do fluxo discursivo em textos é fundamentado na Linguística Sistêmico-Funcional (Halliday 1967, 1985, 1994; Halliday & Matthiessen 2004, 2014), mais precisamente nos conceitos hallidayanos de Tema e de Informação Nova (Novo), além dos conceitos de progressão temática e de hiperema (Daneš 1974) e de método de desenvolvimento textual e ponto (Fries 1981; 1995). Neste artigo, analisamos como ocorre o fluxo de informação em um texto argumentativo, verificando a relação dos Temas em diferentes níveis (hiperTemas e macroTemas) com o método de desenvolvimento e sua relação com o gênero de texto exposição de um ponto de vista. Também averiguamos a relação dos Novos oracionais com o macroNovo, o qual foca na expansão dos significados ideacionais em torno do campo do texto e coincide com a etapa de Reiteração da tese. Constatamos, no texto analisado, um método de desenvolvimento simples, com uma hierarquia de periodicidade em que unidades menores do discurso se estruturam dentro de unidades maiores

A influência do ambiente urbano na geracao de viagens: análise de pesquisa realizada em niteroi, RJ / The influence of the urban environment on travel generation: analysis of research conducted in niteroi, RJ

Este artigo tem por objetivo analisar a influência de fatores relacionados ao ambiente urbano sobre a geração de viagens, a partir de pesquisa realizada no município de Niterói que definiu as taxas de geração de viagens e a distribuição modal para o uso residencial em diferentes regiões da cidade. A análise revela que fatores relacionados ao ambiente urbano, como a densidade, a tipologia das edificações, o uso do solo, o desenho urbano e a acessibilidade ao sistema de transportes têm grande influência na geração e na distribuição modal das viagens. Com base nesses fatores, são definidos e comparados dois modelos de ocupação urbana: O Sprawl, característico da área de expansão urbana, com tipologia horizontal e baixa densidade, e o Transit Oriented Development - TOD, característico da área de ocupação mais antiga, de tipologia vertical e alta densidade. A análise mostra que o modelo do tipo Sprawl apresenta taxas de geração de viagens motorizadas muito superiores ao modelo do tipo TOD

CONDIÇÃO AUDITIVA DE INDIVÍDUOS COM QUEIXA DE ZUMBIDO

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a condição auditiva de indivíduos com queixa de zumbidoem diferentes faixas etárias. Métodos: foram incluídos na amostra 146 indivíduos do sexo masculinoe do sexo feminino, cujas idades variaram de sete a 91 anos. A condição auditiva foi determinada apartir dos limiares tonais obtidos na audiometria tonal liminar. Considerou-se audição normal limiarestonais até 25 dB. Resultados: Entre sete e 20 anos, 70% dos indivíduos apresentaram audiçãonormal, porém a partir dos 21 anos prevaleceu a condição auditiva alterada. Na população idosa85% dos indivíduos apresentaram comprometimento da audição. Conclusão: A ocorrência de perdaauditiva em sujeitos portadores de zumbido é progressivamente maior à medida que a idade avança

Use of Nanohydroxyapatite in Regenerative Therapy in Dogs Affected by Periodontopathy: Preliminary Results

Background: The present study aims to analyse the in vivo behaviour of nanohydroxyapatite and to assess its regenerative capacity in dogs affected by periodontal disease. Methods and findings: The dogs employed in the study were randomly subdivided into a control group and an experimental group. After clinical, instrumental and radiological examinations, all the subjects underwent dental prophylaxis and a bioptic sample was taken. A histopathological examination of the periodontal tissues, in correspondence to teeth with periodontopathy ranging between stages 2 and 3, followed. Regenerative therapy with applications of nanohydroxyapatite was administered only to the dogs of the experimental group. After a period of between 35 and 40 days, a further clinical, instrumental and radiological examination was carried out and a bioptic sample taken solely on the dogs whose histological examinations showed changes ascribable to periodontal disease. The results of the histopathological examination demonstrated that only the dogs in the experimental group, who underwent dental prophylaxis together with the administration of nanohydroxyapatite, showed clear signs of improvement with respect to their initial condition. Conclusions: In conclusion the study demonstrated that the nanohydroxyapatite represents a valid osteoconductive and osteoinductive graft product and confirmed its regenerative potential in periodontal therapy in dogs