Da caridade à solidariedade. As controvérsias públicas na construção do espaço comum – Configurações da mobilização política.

Partindo da análise das lógicas de acção caritativa, para as lógicas de acção solidária, propõem-se com esta comunicação reflectir em torno dos princípios que poderão ter contribuído para uma alteração das sensibilidades e compaixões dos cidadãos relativamente aos quadros sociais do sofrimento humano, dando lugar a diferentes quadrantes de operações criticas na prossecução de um bem comum. O sentimento de vulnerabilidade, associado às vítimas, poderá ser um dos factores promotores de diferentes interpretações críticas e manifestações colectivas de indignação que é denunciada publicamente pelos novos movimentos sociais, originando controvérsias, disputas e conflitos. As controvérsias públicas, que diferentes vocabulários de motivação conduzem os actores a associar-se, em consequência do cruzamento das intenções individuais e colectivas, perseguem um fim comum sujeito a um acordo (umas vezes mais precário, outras vezes menos precário). O tipo de acordo e as modalidades de cooperação da acção, são ingredientes fundamentais para perceber, por um lado qual a gramática política em que se baseiam na generalidade os movimentos associativos, que emergem actualmente apresentando novas práticas sociais enformadas pelos princípios da solidariedade e participação Apresenta-se pois pertinente analisar o papel das organizações da sociedade civil em contraponto com a intervenção do Estado e do Poder Político, em que as primeiras na sua acção de disputa na arena pública estão sujeitas, directa ou indirectamente, a novas formas de regulação no jogo das controvérsias, inerente ao próprio espaço público no âmbito do enquadramento da qualificação do exercício democrático

Human (α2→6) and Avian (α2→3) Sialylated Receptors of Influenza A Virus Show Distinct Conformations and Dynamics in Solution

Differential interactions between influenza A virus protein hemagglutinin (HA) and α2→3 (avian) or α2→6 (human) sialylated glycan receptors play an important role in governing host specificity and adaptation of the virus. Previous analysis of HA–glycan interactions with trisaccharides showed that, in addition to the terminal sialic acid linkage, the conformation and topology of the glycans, while they are bound to HA, are key factors in regulating these interactions. Here, the solution conformation and dynamics of two representative avian and human glycan pentasaccharide receptors [LSTa, Neu5Ac-α(2→3)-Gal-β(1→3)-GlcNAc-β(1→3)-Gal-β(1→4)-Glc; LSTc, (Neu5Ac-α(2→6)-Gal-β(1→4)-GlcNAc-β(1→3)-Gal-β(1→4)-Glc] have been explored using nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular dynamics simulation. Analyses demonstrate that, in solution, human and avian receptors sample distinct conformations, topologies, and dynamics. These unique features of avian and human receptors in solution could represent distinct molecular characteristics for recognition by HA, thereby providing the HA–glycan interaction specificity in influenza.Finlombardia SPAConselho Nacional de Pesquisas (Brazil)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R37 GM057073-13)Singapore. National Research Foundation (Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology

Current techniques for the cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum for the production of biomass, ganoderic acid and polysaccharides.

Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom that has becn used in the Orient for more than 2000 years. Due to the long time required for basidiocarp formation, attention has recently been given to the use of submerged fermentation for the production of mycelial biomass and its bioactive components, such as polysaccharides and ganoderic acids. VVe review the current State of knowledge about the cultivation of G. lucidum by rnodern fermentation techniques, focussing on the effccts of fermentation conditions and how knowledge of these effccts has been used to dcvelop strategies for improving the production of biomass, polysaccharides and ganoderic acid. We also outline the methods that have been used for biomass and product rccovery and point out potential problems involved in these steps. Studies to date have been almost entirely limited to laboratory scale and much more understanding of the physiology of G. lucidum and its relationship with growth morphology will be necessary before it will be possible to develop economical large scale processe

Polysaccharides from Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus brasiliensis show similarities in their structures and their immunomodulatory effects on human monocytic THP-1 cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mushroom polysaccharides have traditionally been used for the prevention and treatment of a multitude of disorders like infectious illnesses, cancers and various autoimmune diseases. Crude mushroom extracts have been tested without detailed chemical analyses of its polysaccharide content. For the present study we decided to chemically determine the carbohydrate composition of semi-purified extracts from 2 closely related and well known basidiomycete species, i.e. <it>Agaricus bisporus </it>and <it>A. brasiliensis </it>and to study their effects on the innate immune system, in particular on the <it>in vitro </it>induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, using THP-1 cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Mushroom polysaccharide extracts were prepared by hot water extraction and precipitation with ethanol. Their composition was analyzed by GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy. PMA activated THP-1 cells were treated with the extracts under different conditions and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines was evaluated by qPCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Semi-purified polysaccharide extracts of <it>A. bisporus </it>and <it>A. brasiliensis </it>(= <it>blazei</it>) were found to contain (1→6),(1→4)-linked α-glucan, (1→6)-linked β-glucan, and mannogalactan. Their proportions were determined by integration of ¹H-NMR signs, and were considerably different for the two species. <it>A. brasiliensis </it>showed a higher content of β-glucan, while <it>A. bisporus </it>presented mannogalactan as its main polysaccharide. The extracts induced a comparable increase of transcription of the pro-inflammatory cytokine genes IL-1β and TNF-α as well as of COX-2 in PMA differentiated THP-1 cells. Pro-inflammatory effects of bacterial LPS in this assay could be reduced significantly by the simultaneous addition of <it>A. brasiliensis </it>extract.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The polysaccharide preparations from the closely related species <it>A. bisporus </it>and <it>A. brasiliensis </it>show major differences in composition: <it>A. bisporus </it>shows high mannogalactan content whereas <it>A. brasiliensis </it>has mostly β-glucan. Semi-purified polysaccharide extracts from both <it>Agaricus </it>species stimulated the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes, while the polysaccharide extract of <it>A. brasiliensis </it>reduced synthesis of these cytokines induced by LPS, suggesting programmable immunomodulation.</p