Renin-Angiotensin System on Reproductive Biology

In the female reproductive system, angiotensin II (ANG II) is a potential signaling molecule involved in ovarian follicle development, which acts through two transmembrane receptors. Within the ovarian follicle, there appear to be species differences in the precise pattern of localization of AGTR2 protein and it has an important role in in vitro maturation of oocytes in mammals. The infusion of ANG II induced ovulation in rabbits and the use of ANG II antagonists inhibited ovulation in rabbits, rats, and cattle. In fetal ovaries, AGTR2 protein was detected in ovigerous cords and preantral follicles throughout porcine and bovine gestation. In the oviduct, ANG II is responsible for the orchestration of the transport of gametes. In the male reproductive system, there is considerable evidence for the local synthesis of components of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in male reproductive tissues. The roles of RAS in local processes at these sites are still uncertain, although there is evidence for involvement in tubular contractility, spermatogenesis, sperm maturation, capacitation, acrosomal exocytosis, and fertilization

Effect of an extract of Centella asiatica on the biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate (Na^99mTcO₄) and on the fixation of radioactivity on blood constituents

This study evaluates the effects of an acute treatment with a Centella asiatica (CA) extract on the biodistribution of the radiopharmaceutical Na99mTcO4 and on the fixation of technetium-99m on blood constituents. Wistar rats were treated with CA extract and, 1 hour after, Na99mTcO4 was administered; organs/tissues were withdrawn and weighted. The radioactivity was counted to calculate the percentage of activity per gram (%ATI/g). Also, blood samples were withdrawn, plasma (P), blood cells (BC), insoluble fraction (IF) and soluble fractions of P and BC were isolated and the radioactivity was counted to calculate the percentage of activity (%ATI). Data indicated that the acute treatment with CA extract changed significantly (p99mTcO4 and the fixation of the technetium-99m on blood constituents in an acute treatment

Lipid nanocarriers for hyperproliferative skin diseases

Hyperproliferative skin diseases (HSD) are a group of diseases that include cancers, pre-cancerous lesions and diseases of unknown etiology that present different skin manifestations in terms of the degree and distribution of the injuries. Anti-proliferative agents used to treat these diseases are so diverse, including 5-aminolevulinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, methotrexate, paclitaxel, podophyllotoxin, realgar, and corticosteroids in general. These drugs usually have low aqueous solubility, which consequently decreases skin permeation. Thus, their incorporation in lipid nanocarriers has been proposed with the main objective to increase the effectiveness of topical treatment and reduce side effects. This manuscript aims to describe the advantages of using lipid nanoparticles and liposomes that can be used to load diversity of chemically different drugs for the treatment of HSD.This research was funded by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT/MCT), European Funds (PRODER/COMPETE)—project UIDB/04469/2020 (strategic fund), co-financed by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020. The work is also supported by the National Science Centre within the MINIATURA 4 for a single research activity (grant no: 2020/04/X/ST5/00789) and by the START 2021 Program of the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP) granted to Aleksandra Zielínskainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Equations based on anthropometric measurements for adipose tissue, body fat, or body density prediction in children and adolescents: a scoping review

Assessing the body composition of children and adolescents is important to monitor their health status. Anthropometric measurements are feasible and less-expensive than other techniques for body composition assessment. This study aimed to systematically map anthropometric equations to predict adipose tissue, body fat, or density in children and adolescents, and to analyze methodological aspects of the development of anthropometric equations using skinfolds. Methods: A scoping review was carried out following the PRISMA-ScR criteria. The search was carried out in eight databases. The methodological structure protocol of this scoping review was retrospectively registered in the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/35uhc/). Results: We included 78 reports and 593 anthropometric equations. The samples consisted of healthy individuals, people with different diseases or disabilities, and athletes from different sports. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was the reference method most commonly used in developing equations. Triceps and subscapular skinfolds were the anthropometric measurements most frequently used as predictors in the equations. Age, stage of sexual maturation, and peak height velocity were used as complementary variables in the equations. Conclusion: Our scoping review identified equations proposed for children and adolescents with a great diversity of characteristics. In many of the reports, important methodological aspects were not addressed, a factor that may be associated with equation bias. Level IV: Evidence obtained from multiple time series analysis such as case studies. (NB: dramatic results in uncontrolled trials might also be regarded as this type of evidence).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Lipid Nanocarriers for Hyperproliferative Skin Diseases

Hyperproliferative skin diseases (HSD) are a group of diseases that include cancers, pre-cancerous lesions and diseases of unknown etiology that present different skin manifestations in terms of the degree and distribution of the injuries. Anti-proliferative agents used to treat these diseases are so diverse, including 5-aminolevulinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, methotrexate, paclitaxel, podophyllotoxin, realgar, and corticosteroids in general. These drugs usually have low aqueous solubility, which consequently decreases skin permeation. Thus, their incorporation in lipid nanocarriers has been proposed with the main objective to increase the effectiveness of topical treatment and reduce side effects. This manuscript aims to describe the advantages of using lipid nanoparticles and liposomes that can be used to load diversity of chemically different drugs for the treatment of HSD. Keywords: lipid nanoparticles; liposomes; hyperproliferative skin diseases; antiproliferative drugs; skin cance

Desafios para a implantação de projetos de gás não convencional: estudo comparativo brasil e europa / Challenges for the implementation of non-conventional gas projects: comparative study brazil and europe

O gás não convencional desempenhou um papel relevante no setor de energia e na economia dos EUA, razão pela qual muitos países consideraram a exploração e a produção não convencional como uma oportunidade para o desenvolvimento do seu setor energético e da sua economia. No entanto, o Brasil e os países da União Europeia têm uma posição mais cautelosa e relutante com relação aos potenciais impactos gerados pela exploração e produção desta fonte de energia. O objetivo desse artigo é descrever e analisar os desafios existentes para as atividades de gás não convencional no Brasil, especificamente, em alguns estados, assim como em alguns países europeus. A metodologia é qualitativa analítica, a partir de uma revisão da literatura bibliográfica. Os resultados apontam que as barreiras ao avanço do gás não convencional no Brasil são sobretudo leis estaduais que proíbem a atividade exploratória desta fonte energética. Relativamente à União Europeia, apresentam-se desafios particulares na Espanha, Reino Unido, França e Polônia que serão analisados ao longo deste trabalho

Use of a polyphasic approach including MALDI-TOF MS for identification of Aspergillus section Flavi strains isolated from food commodities in Brazil

Brazil is one the largest producers and exporters of food commodities in the world. The evaluation of fungi capable of spoilage and the production mycotoxins in these commodities is an important issue that can be of help in bioeconomic development. The present work aimed to identify fungi of the genus Aspergillus section Flavi isolated from different food commodities in Brazil. Thirty-five fungal isolates belonging to the section Flavi were identified and characterised. Different classic phenotypic and genotypic methodologies were used, as well as a novel approach based on proteomic profiles produced by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Type or reference strains for each taxonomic group were included in this study. Three isolates that presented discordant identification patterns were further analysed using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and calmodulin gene sequences. The data obtained from the phenotypic and spectral analyses divide the isolates into three groups, corresponding to taxa closely related to Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, and Aspergillus tamarii. Final polyphasic fungal identification was achieved by joining data from molecular analyses, classical morphology, and biochemical and proteomic profiles generated by MALDI-TOF MS.Acknowledgments are due to FAPEMIG - Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (Brazil) for financial support. F. C. da Silva extends thanks to CAPES - Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (Brazil) for the PhD grant. C. Santos and N. Lima thank CAPES for the financial support as international visiting professors in the Post-Graduate Programme in Agricultural Microbiology, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras (MG), Brazil

PRODH Polymorphisms, Cortical Volumes and Thickness in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder with high heritability. Several lines of evidence indicate that the PRODH gene may be related to the disorder. Therefore, our study investigates the effects of 12 polymorphisms of PRODH on schizophrenia and its phenotypes. To further evaluate the roles of the associated variants in the disorder, we have conducted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to assess cortical volumes and thicknesses. A total of 192 patients were evaluated using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) instruments. the study included 179 controls paired by age and gender. the samples were genotyped using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-PCR and Sanger sequencing methods. A sample of 138 patients and 34 healthy controls underwent MRI scans. One polymorphism was associated with schizophrenia (rs2904552), with the G-allele more frequent in patients than in controls. This polymorphism is likely functional, as predicted by PolyPhen and SIFT, but it was not associated with brain morphology in our study. in summary, we report a functional PRODH variant associated with schizophrenia that may have a neurochemical impact, altering brain function, but is not responsible for the cortical reductions found in the disorder.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Disciplina Genet, Dept Morfol & Genet, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, LiNC, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psiquiatria, São Paulo, BrazilFac Med ABC FMABC, Dept Ginecol & Obstet, Disciplina Genet & Reprod Humana, São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ Para, Lab Genet Humana & Med, BR-66059 Belem, Para, BrazilUniv Fed ABC, Ctr Math Computat & Cognit, Santo Andre, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Disciplina Genet, Dept Morfol & Genet, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, LiNC, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psiquiatria, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2011/50740-5FAPESP: 2007/58736-1Web of Scienc