Akt and STAT5 mediate naïve human CD4+ T-cell early metabolic response to TCR stimulation

Metabolic pathways that regulate T-cell function show promise as therapeutic targets in diverse diseases. Here, we show that at rest cultured human effector memory and central memory CD4+ T-cells have elevated levels of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), in comparison to naïve T-cells. Despite having low resting metabolic rates, naive T-cells respond to TCR stimulation with robust and rapid increases in glycolysis and OXPHOS. This early metabolic switch requires Akt activity to support increased rates of glycolysis and STAT5 activity for amino acid biosynthesis and TCA cycle anaplerosis. Importantly, both STAT5 inhibition and disruption of TCA cycle anaplerosis are associated with reduced IL-2 production, demonstrating the functional importance of this early metabolic program. Our results define STAT5 as a key node in modulating the early metabolic program following activation in naive CD4+ T-cells and in turn provide greater understanding of how cellular metabolism shapes T-cell responses

Processing of red ceramic using a fast-firing cycle

This work reports on the processing of red ceramic for civil construction using fast-firing cycles. The firing cycle is an important variable in the processing of red ceramic materials, which contributes to a high consumption of energy. The red ceramic pieces were prepared by industrial extrusion and fired at firing temperatures varying from 700 ºC to 1100 ºC using different firing cycles (slow-firing cycle - 1º C/min and fast-firing cycle - 10 ºC/min and 20 °C/min). The technological properties (linear shrinkage, water absorption, apparent porosity, apparent density, and flexural strength) as function of the firing temperature and firing cycle are investigated. The development of the microstructure was followed by SEM/SEI. The results showed that fast-firing red ceramics exhibits technological properties and microstructure comparable to conventionally fired red ceramics, resulting in great advantages in energy saving

Conhecimento sobre atividade física dos estudantes de uma cidade do sul do Brasil Knowledge about physical activity of students in a city in southern Brazil

O presente estudo avaliou o conhecimento dos escolares sobre atividade física (AF) e sua associação com fatores socioeconômicos, demográficos, comportamental, nutricional e de saúde. Foi realizado um estudo transversal de base escolar na cidade de Pelotas/RS com 1233 adolescentes, 54% do sexo feminino, com idades entre 13 e 19 anos. A coleta de dados foi feita através de questionário com questões fechadas. O desfecho foi analisado de forma contínua (0 a 22) e a média de acertos foi de 14.1. Mais de 60% dos adolescentes associaram corretamente AF como fator de prevenção de doenças como hipertensão, hipercolesterolemia, osteoporose e depressão. Classes sociais mais elevadas, cor da pele branca, maiores faixas etárias e anos de estudo associaram-se a maiores níveis de conhecimento. Com base nos achados, programas de educação para a saúde devem ser desenvolvidos aos jovens na tentativa de ajudar a minimizar o sedentarismo e suas morbidades associadas.<br>This study evaluated the knowledge about physical activity and its relation to the prevention of chronic diseases and effect on the human body in adolescents who attend classes in high school in the urban area of Pelotas. It was conducted a cross-sectional, school-based survey was carried out among 1233 individuals aged 13 to 19 years. The questionnaire originated a score (range 0-22 points). Mean score for the sample was 14.1 (SD = 3.0). More than 60% of adolescents associated physical activity to the prevention of chronic diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoporosis and depression. The knowledge was positively associated to social strata, white color and age and grade. Among women, those who had a self-perceived health the good and excellent also had the knowledge. Education programs for health must be desenvolved to in for young people about the influence of the risk behavior in an attempt to minimize the sendentary behavior and possibly the number of obese in adolescence and adulthood