Statistical investigation of Kluyveromyces lactis cells permeabilization with ethanol by response surface methodology

The aim of our study was to select the optimal operating conditions to permeabilize Kluyveromyces lactis cells using ethanol as a solvent as an alternative to cell disruption and extraction. Cell permeabilization was carried out by a non-mechanical method consisting of chemical treatment with ethanol, and the results were expressed as β-galactosidase activity. Experiments were conducted under different conditions of ethanol concentration, treatment time and temperature according to a central composite rotatable design (CCRD), and the collected results were then worked out by response surface methodology (RSM). Cell permeabilization was improved by an increase in ethanol concentration and simultaneous decreases in the incubation temperature and treatment time. Such an approach allowed us to identify an optimal range of the independent variables within which the β-galactosidase activity was optimized. A maximum permeabilization of 2,816 mmol L−1 oNP min−1 g−1 was obtained by treating cells with 75.0% v/v of ethanol at 20.0 °C for 15.0 min. The proposed methodology resulted to be effective and suited for K. lactis cells permeabilization at a lab-scale and promises to be of possible interest for future applications mainly in the food industr

Síndrome de Guillain-Barré associada à vacina do H1N1

Federal University of São Paulo Department of Neurology and NeurosurgeryHospital e Maternidade São Camilo Pompéia Department of NeurologyFederal University of São Paulo Medical StudentUNIFESP, Department of Neurology and NeurosurgeryUNIFESP, Medical StudentSciEL

Associação entre variantes do gene de leptina e obesidade e biomarcadores metabólicos em indivíduos brasileiros

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between variants of the leptin gene (LEP) and obesity and metabolic biomarkers was investigated in Brazilian individuals. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One-hundred-ten obese (BMI > 30 kg/m²) and 100 non-obese individuals (145 women and 65 men, aged 49 ± 14 years) were randomly selected. Plasma leptin, glycemia, serum lipid measurements and LEP -2548G>A and 3'HVR polymorphisms were analyzed. RESULTS: The LEP -2548GG genotype was associated with a 2.2% and 2.0% increase in BMI (p = 0.009) and plasma leptin (p = 0.031), respectively. 3'HVR I/II (classes I/I+I/II) genotypes contributed with 1.8% of BMI values (p = 0.046). LEP I/G combined genotypes (I/IGG, I/IGA and I/IIGG) were associated with obesity, and increased BMI, waist circumference, leptin and triglycerides (p < 0.05). These relationships were found in women (p < 0.05) but not in men. LEP I/G combined genotypes were not associated with hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and coronary artery disease. CONCLUSIONS: LEP I/G combined genotypes are associated with obesity-related metabolic biomarkers and phenotype in a gender-dependent manner.OBJETIVO: A relação entre as variantes do gene da leptina (LEP) e obesidade e biomarcadores metabólicos foi investigada em indivíduos brasileiros. SUJEITOS E MÉTOODS: Cento e dez indivíduos obesos (IMC > 30 kg/m²) e 100 não obesos (145 mulheres e 65 homens, idade 49 ± 14 anos) foram selecionados aleatoriamente. Leptina plasmática, glicemia, lípides séricos e polimorfismos LEP -2548G>A e 3'HVR foram analisados. RESULTADOS: O genótipo -2548GG foi associado com aumento de 2,2% e 2,0% no IMC (p = 0,009) e leptina plasmática (p = 0,031), respectivamente, enquanto os genótipos 3´HVR I/II (classes I/I+I/II) contribuíram com 1,8% dos valores de IMC (p = 0,046). Os genótipos combinados LEP I/G (I/IGG, I/IGA e I/IIGG) foram associados com obesidade e IMC aumentado, circunferência abdominal, leptina e triglicérides aumentados (p < 0,05). Essas relações foram encontradas em mulheres (p < 0,05), mas não em homens. Os genótipos LEP I/G combinados não foram associados com hipertensão, hiperglicemia, dislipidemia e doença arterial coronariana. CONCLUSÕES: Genótipos combinados LEP I/G são associados com biomarcadores metabólicos e fenótipo de obesidade de forma gênero-dependente

Polimorfismo do promotor do gene da leptina está associado ao aumento de leptina plasmática e IMC em mulheres brasileiras

Variants in leptin gene (LEP) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity. The relationship between LEP G-2548A polymorphism and obesity-related traits was evaluated in a sample of Brazilian women (n = 228) who were randomly selected from two clinical centers in Sao Paulo city. Blood samples were collected for DNA extraction, plasma leptin and serum lipids measurements. LEP G-2548A genotypes were identified by a PCR- RFLP strategy using the endonuclease Alw44I. LEP G-2548A was associated with obesity after adjustment for covariates (age, hypertension, coronary artery disease, smoking and physical activity). Women carrying G allele had a four times higher risk of obesity than the A allele carriers (OR: 4.11, CI95%: 1.06-15.90, p = 0.041). G allele was also related to increased plasma leptin (p = 0.024) and body mass index (p = 0.027). Hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and coronary artery disease were associated with obesity. However LEP G-2548A polymorphism was not related to these variables. All together these data suggest that LEP G-2548A polymorphism has an important role in regulating plasma leptin levels and body mass index in women.Variantes no gene da leptina (LEP) foram implicados na patogênese da obesidade. A relação entre o polimorfismo LEP G-2548A e as características relacionadas com a obesidade foram avaliadas em mulheres brasileiras (n = 228), que foram selecionadas randomicamente de dois centros de pesquisa clínica na cidade de São Paulo. As amostras de sangue foram coletadas para extração de DNA e determinações de leptina plasmática e lipídeos séricos. Os genótipos do LEP G-2548A foram identificados pela estratégia de PCR-RFLP, empregando a endonuclease Alw44I. O polimorfismo LEP G-2548A foi associado com obesidade, após ajuste para as covariáveis: idade, hipertensão, doença arterial coronariana, tabagismo e atividade física. Mulheres com alelo G tiveram quatro vezes maior risco de obesidade que as portadoras do alelo A (OR: 4,11, CI95%: 1,06-15,90; p = 0,041). O alelo G também foi relacionado com leptina plasmática (p = 0,024) e o índice de massa corporal (p = 0,027) aumentado. A hipertensão, a hiperglicemia, a dislipidemia e a doença arterial coronariana foram associadas com obesidade. Entretanto, o polimorfismo LEP G-2548A não foi relacionado com essas variáveis. Os resultados deste estudo são sugestivos de que o polimorfismo LEP G-2548A tem papel importante na regulação da leptina plasmática e no índice de massa corporal em mulheres

Contribution from Tree Legumes to Mixed Grass-Legume Pastures

Legumes and associated microorganisms may fix N from atmosphere and benefit grass on mixed grass-legume pastures. Nitrogen may be transferred by different mechanisms, including direct transfer of N compounds by roots, decomposition of nodules, roots, litter from legume (Nair 1993), and through animal excreta after legume intake by cattle. Silvopastoral systems including tree legumes may become a viable option in tropical regions, considering the increasing prices of N fertilizers compared to farm products such as beef and milk. This experiment evaluated legume contribution on mixed grass-legume pastures in the coastal region of Pernambuco State, Brazil

Characterization of Demolished Concretes with Three Different Strengths for Recycling as Coarse Aggregate

This paper presents a physical characterization for the recycling into new concretes of three comminuted concretes: C16/20 (“ordinary concrete”), C50/60 (“high strength concrete”), and C70/85 (“very high strength concrete”). The top size of the crushed concretes was 19.1 mm and the size range was 4.75 to 19.1 mm. The characterization was carried out with coarse aggregate liberation, to be prepared and concentrated in a gravity concentration process. The density distribution of the coarse aggregate, cement paste, and sand was carried out in different size ranges (4.75/19.1 mm; 4.75/8.0 mm; 8.0/12.5 mm; and 12.5/19.1 mm) for the three concretes studied. The form factor of the samples, as well as the porosity determination of particles in different density ranges, are presented. The obtained results indicate that the coarse aggregate liberation was more intensive for the low resistance concrete (C16/20), but a reasonable coarse aggregate recovery is possible for all concretes

Essential role of the N-terminal region of TFII-I in viability and behavior

Background: GTF2I codes for a general intrinsic transcription factor and calcium channel regulator TFII-I, with high and ubiquitous expression, and a strong candidate for involvement in the morphological and neuro-developmental anomalies of the Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS). WBS is a genetic disorder due to a recurring deletion of about 1,55-1,83 Mb containing 25-28 genes in chromosome band 7q11.23 including GTF2I. Completed homozygous loss of either the Gtf2i or Gtf2ird1 function in mice provided additional evidence for the involvement of both genes in the craniofacial and cognitive phenotype. Unfortunately nothing is now about the behavioral characterization of heterozygous mice. Methods: By gene targeting we have generated a mutant mice with a deletion of the first 140 amino-acids of TFII-I. mRNA and protein expression analysis were used to document the effect of the study deletion. We performed behavioral characterization of heterozygous mutant mice to document in vivo implications of TFII-I in the cognitive profile of WBS patients. Results: Homozygous and heterozygous mutant mice exhibit craniofacial alterations, most clearly represented in homozygous condition. Behavioral test demonstrate that heterozygous mutant mice exhibit some neurobehavioral alterations and hyperacusis or odynacusis that could be associated with specific features of WBS phenotype. Homozygous mutant mice present highly compromised embryonic viability and fertility. Regarding cellular model, we documented a retarded growth in heterozygous MEFs respect to homozygous or wild-type MEFs. Conclusion: Our data confirm that, although additive effects of haploinsufficiency at several genes may contribute to the full craniofacial or neurocognitive features of WBS, correct expression of GTF2I is one of the main players. In addition, these findings show that the deletion of the fist 140 amino-acids of TFII-I altered it correct function leading to a clear phenotype, at both levels, at the cellular model and at the in vivo model

Relationship between variants of the leptin gene and obesity and metabolic biomarkers in Brazilian individuals Associação entre variantes do gene de leptina e obesidade e biomarcadores metabólicos em indivíduos brasileiros

AbstrAct Objective: The relationship between variants of the leptin gene (LEP) and obesity and metabolic biomarkers was investigated in Brazilian individuals. Subjects and methods: One-hundred-ten obese (BMI &gt; 30 kg/m 2 ) and 100 non-obese individuals (145 women and 65 men, aged 49 ± 14 years) were randomly selected. Plasma leptin, glycemia, serum lipid measurements and LEP -2548G&gt;A and 3&apos;HVR polymorphisms were analyzed. Results: The LEP -2548GG genotype was associated with a 2.2% and 2.0% increase in BMI (p = 0.009) and plasma leptin (p = 0.031), respectively. 3&apos;HVR I/II (classes I/I+I/II) genotypes contributed with 1.8% of BMI values (p = 0.046). LEP I/G combined genotypes (I/IGG, I/IGA and I/IIGG) were associated with obesity, and increased BMI, waist circumference, leptin and triglycerides (p &lt; 0.05). These relationships were found in women (p &lt; 0.05) but not in men. LEP I/G combined genotypes were not associated with hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and coronary artery disease. Conclusions: LEP I/G combined genotypes are associated with obesity-related metabolic biomarkers and phenotype in a gender-dependent manner. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2010;54(3):282-8 Keywords Leptin; gene polymorphism; obesity; metabolic biomarkers; plasma leptin rEsUMO Objetivo: A relação entre as variantes do gene da leptina (LEP) e obesidade e biomarcadores metabólicos foi investigada em indivíduos brasileiros. Sujeitos e métodos: Cento e dez indiví-duos obesos (IMC &gt; 30 kg/m 2 ) e 100 não obesos (145 mulheres e 65 homens, idade 49 ± 14 anos) foram selecionados aleatoriamente. Leptina plasmática, glicemia, lípides séricos e polimorfismos LEP -2548G&gt;A e 3&apos;HVR foram analisados. Resultados: O genótipo -2548GG foi associado com aumento de 2,2% e 2,0% no IMC (p = 0,009) e leptina plasmática (p = 0,031), respectivamente, enquanto os genótipos 3´HVR I/II (classes I/I+I/II) contribuíram com 1,8% dos valores de IMC (p = 0,046). Os genótipos combinados LEP I/G (I/IGG, I/IGA e I/IIGG) foram associados com obesidade e IMC aumentado, circunferência abdominal, leptina e triglicérides aumentados (p &lt; 0,05). Essas relações foram encontradas em mulheres (p &lt; 0,05), mas não em homens. Os genótipos LEP I/G combinados não foram associados com hipertensão, hiperglicemia, dislipidemia e doença arterial coronariana. Conclusões: Genótipos combinados LEP I/G são associados com biomarcadores metabólicos e fenótipo de obesidade de forma gênero-dependente. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2010;54(3):282-8 Descritores Leptina; polimorfismo genético; obesidade; biomarcadores metabólicos; leptina plasmátic