Expression of cell surface receptors and oxidative metabolism modulation in the clinical continuum of sepsis

Background Infection control depends on adequate microbe recognition and cell activation, yet inflammatory response may lead to organ dysfunction in sepsis. the aims of this study were to evaluate cell activation in the context of sepsis and its correlation with organ dysfunction.Methods A total of 41 patients were prospectively enrolled: 14 with sepsis, 12 with severe sepsis and 15 with septic shock. A total of 17 healthy volunteers were included as a control group. Patients were admitted to the Intensive Care Units and Emergency Rooms of Hospital São Paulo ( Federal University of São Paulo) and Hospital Santa Marcelina, São Paulo, Brazil. Toll- like receptor ( TLR) 2, TLR4, CD11b, CD11c and CD66b expression on neutrophil surfaces and oxidative metabolism measured by non- fluorescent dichlorofluorescein ( DCFH) oxidation in neutrophils and monocytes, using whole blood, were evaluated using flow cytometry. Organ dysfunction was measured using the sepsis- associated organ failure assessment ( SOFA) score.Results TLR2 expression on neutrophils was found to be downregulated in septic shock patients compared to healthy volunteers ( p = 0.05). No differences were found in CD11b and CD11c expression. CD66b expression was increased in the patient group compared to the control group ( p = 0.01). Neutrophil and monocyte oxidative burst was increased in septic patients compared to the control group at baseline and after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate ( PMA), formylmethionylleucyl- phenylalanine ( fMLP), lipopolysaccharide ( LPS) and Staphylococcus aureus ( p 7 was higher than in patients with SOFA scores < 7, both in neutrophils and monocytes. However, oxidative burst in patients with sepsis was as high as in septic shock.Conclusion Surface receptors expression on neutrophils may be modulated across the continuum of sepsis, and enhanced or decreased expression may be found depending on the receptor considered. ROS generation is upregulated both in neutrophils and monocytes in septic patients, and it is differently modulated depending on the stage of the disease and the stimuli used.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Div Infect Dis, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Intens Care Unit, São Paulo, BrazilHosp St Marcelina, Intens Care Unit, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Div Infect Dis, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Intens Care Unit, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Procedimentos para avaliar a germinabilidade de sementes de cipó de São João - Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers - Bignoniaceae.

Pyrostegia venusta é uma espécie de uso ornamental, paisagístico e medicinal. O objetivo desse trabalho foi estabelecer os procedimentos para avaliar a germinabilidade de sementes da espécie, com condições fisiológicas diferentes obtidas por variados teores de água. Os teores de água das sementes, desidratadas sobre sílica gel por 0 h (T0), 7 h (T1) e 24 h (T2), foram de 6,5%, 4,4% e 3,8%, respectivamente, e, hidratadas sobre água por 20 h (T3), o teor de água foi de 24,5 %. Os procedimentos adotados para o teste de germinação foram: assepsia das sementes em solução de detergente à concentração de 2% (v/v) por 5 min, seguindo-se com enxágues até completa remoção do produto; semeio em rolo de papel umedecido com água, três vezes sua massa; incubação à temperatura de 25 °C, fotoperíodo de 16 h de luz branca, fornecida por oito lâmpadas fluorescentes de 40 w, e 8 h de escuro. As contagens de protrusão radicular (critério botânico) e de plântula normal (critério tecnológico) foram feitas durante 38 dias após o semeio (DAS). Ao se adotar o critério botânico, sugere-se fazer uma única contagem aos 15 DAS. Pelo critério tecnológico, a primeira contagem pode ser feita aos 22 DAS e a última, aos 28 DAS. Se for necessário, as contagens podem ser prorrogadas por mais sete dias, em ambos os critérios. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, recomendam-se adotar os procedimentos testados e o critério tecnológico para a contagem de sementes germinadas, pois esse critério permite avaliar o real potencial germinativo das sementes, que foram de 88% (T0), 61% (T1) 78% (T2) e 80% (T3) de germinação.bitstream/item/201269/1/Boletim-Sementecipo-3505.pd

Conservação de germoplasma semente de espécies nativas.

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An international network to monitor the structure, composition and dynamics of Amazonian forests (RAINFOR)

The Amazon basin is likely to be increasingly affected by environmental changes: higher temperatures, changes in precipitation, CO2 fertilization and habitat fragmentation. To examine the important ecological and biogeochemical consequences of these changes, we are developing an international network, RAINFOR, which aims to monitor forest biomass and dynamics across Amazonia in a co-ordinated fashion in order to understand their relationship to soil and climate. The network will focus on sample plots established by independent researchers, some providing data extending back several decades. We will also conduct rapid transect studies of poorly monitored regions. Field expeditions analysed local soil and plant properties in the first phase (2001–2002). Initial results suggest that the network has the potential to reveal much information on the continental-scale relations between forest and environment. The network will also serve as a forum for discussion between researchers, with the aim of standardising sampling techniques and methodologies that will enable Amazonian forests to be monitored in a coherent manner in the coming decades

Seed germination and triterpenoid content of Anemopaegma arvense (Vell.) Stellfeld varieties.

Anemopaegma arvense (Vell.) Stellfeld, Bignoniaceae, is a native species of the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) and is commonly known as catuaba among the local farmers. Seeds of three varieties were collected in different localities and submitted to germination and storage studies in attempting to domesticate this species as a medicinal crop for small farmers located in Brazilian Cerrado. Germination tests revealed that catuaba seeds presented a dormancy period of 6 weeks, and 63% of the seedlings have emerged after 12 weeks of the planting time. Storing catuaba seeds at low temperatures (?20 and ?196C) has not affected emergence and survival. These findings suggested that A. arvense seeds have an orthodox behavior resisting well to dehydration and low temperature storage. Three catuaba varieties were characterized morphologically and chemically. The presence of triterpenes such as oleanolic acid and betulinic acid were identified and quantified in these varieties. Previous report has shown that these compounds have promising anticancer activities and herein the results point that the aerial parts yielded more triterpenes than the roots. The combination of higher capacity and preferential accumulation of triterpenes in the aerial parts of catuaba makes this plant a potential candidate for agricultural production or in situ sustainable harvests as a promising alternative to the destructive collection of the natural population

Avaliação de metodologias para a conservação de germoplasma de Butia eriospatha (Mart. ex. Drude) Becc. - Arecaceae.

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