Guanylate-binding protein 5 licenses caspase-11 for Gasdermin-D mediated host resistance to Brucella abortus infection.

Innate immune response against Brucella abortus involves activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and NOD-like receptors (NLRs). Among the NLRs involved in the recognition of B. abortus are NLRP3 and AIM2. Here, we demonstrate that B. abortus triggers non-canonical inflammasome activation dependent on caspase-11 and gasdermin-D (GSDMD). Additionally, we identify that Brucella-LPS is the ligand for caspase-11 activation. Interestingly, we determine that B. abortus is able to trigger pyroptosis leading to pore formation and cell death, and this process is dependent on caspase-11 and GSDMD but independently of caspase-1 protease activity and NLRP3. Mice lacking either caspase-11 or GSDMD were significantly more susceptible to infection with B. abortus than caspase-1 knockout or wild-type animals. Additionally, guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) present in mouse chromosome 3 participate in the recognition of LPS by caspase-11 contributing to non-canonical inflammasome activation as observed by the response of Gbpchr3-/- BMDMs to bacterial stimulation. We further determined by siRNA knockdown that among the GBPs contained in mouse chromosome 3, GBP5 is the most important for Brucella LPS to be recognized by caspase-11 triggering IL-1β secretion and LDH release. Additionally, we observed a reduction in neutrophil, dendritic cell and macrophage influx in spleens of Casp11-/- and Gsdmd-/- compared to wild-type mice, indicating that caspase-11 and GSDMD are implicated in the recruitment and activation of immune cells during Brucella infection. Finally, depletion of neutrophils renders wild-type mice more susceptible to Brucella infection. Taken together, these data suggest that caspase-11/GSDMD-dependent pyroptosis triggered by B. abortus is important to infection restriction in vivo and contributes to immune cell recruitment and activation

Neuropsychiatric assessments in patients with multiple sclerosis in early phases and with low disability

Sergio L Schmidt,1,2 Michele Santos da Silva,2 Juliana J Schmidt,2 Ana Lucia Novais Carvalho,3 Claudia Cristina Ferreira Vasconcelos,2 Renata Alves Paes,2 Yolanda EM Boechat,4 Rafael Neder,2 Regina P Alvarenga2 1Department of Neurophysiology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; 2Neurology Department, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; 3Department of Psychology, Fluminense Federal University, Niteroi, Brazil; 4Department of Internal Medicine, Fluminense Federal University, Niteroi, Brazil Background: In the early phases of multiple sclerosis (MS), patients exhibit slight neuropsychiatric deficits that can only be detected using reliable tools. Aim: The present investigation aimed to examine neuropsychological performance in 35 patients with incipient MS. Patients and methods: For the MS group, the inclusion criteria included time of disease <3 years and low disability. The neuropsychological battery consisted of Rey Auditory Learning Test, Controlled Oral Word Association Test, Hooper Visual Organization Test, and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Results: After correction for the educational level, no significant effect of MS on performance was found for all the tests except for the number of errors of the SDMT (NE-SDMT). Higher levels of education were associated with better performances in all tests, except for the NE-SDMT. MS patients made more errors than the controls. Conclusion: The effect on the NE-SDMT may reflect difficulties in the ability to inhibit inadequate responses. Patients may exhibit impulsive control disorders in incipient MS, independent of their educational level. Keywords: processing speed, cognitive impairments, neuropsycholog

Ageing of Polyamide 11 Used in the Manufacture of Flexible Piping

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)The influence of temperature and pH on the ageing of piping made from polyamide 11 (PA-11) was studied using water from an oilfield (pH = 5.5) and deionized water (pH = 7.0) with monitoring by corrected inherent viscosity (CIV) measurements. The hydrolytic degradation was more extensive at high temperatures in oilfield water. When the system reaches equilibrium, the pH affects mainly the CIV plateau values. Thermogravimetry, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy measurements were also used to investigate aspects involved in the ageing PA-11. The hydrolytic degradation of PA-11 leads to formation of low molar mass compounds, such as oligomers dispersed in the polymeric matrix. This is a process that occurs preferentially in the amorphous domain of PA-11, which leads to an increase in the degree of crystallinity and the formation of a new gamma-phase. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polyrn Sci 114: 1777-1783, 2009114317771783PETROBRAS S.A./CENPESConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

The role of annexin A1 in the modulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Annexins are well-known Ca2+ phospholipid-binding proteins, which have a wide variety of cellular functions. The role of annexin A1 (AnxA1) in the innate immune system has focused mainly on the anti-inflammatory and proresolving properties through its binding to the formyl-peptide receptor 2 (FPR2)/ALX receptor. However, studies suggesting an intracellular role of AnxA1 are emerging. In this study, we aimed to understand the role of AnxA1 for interleukin (IL)-1β release in response to activators of the nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat (NLR) and pyrin domain containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Using AnxA1 knockout mice, we observed that AnxA1 is required for IL-1β release in vivo and in vitro. These effects were due to reduction of transcriptional levels of IL-1β, NLRP3 and caspase-1, a step called NLRP3 priming. Moreover, we demonstrate that AnxA1 co-localize and directly bind to NLRP3, suggesting the role of AnxA1 in inflammasome activation is independent of its anti-inflammatory role via FPR2. Therefore, AnxA1 regulates NLRP3 inflammasome priming and activation in a FPR2-independent manner

Basketry of South America

The meaning of the word basketry includes the skill of making baskets, the making techniques, and the group of finished objects. These objects were made from raw vegetable materials, sometimes without previous preparation process. Baskets are often made with the hands. Basketry fulfilled several needs, including plateaux, spheres, and roofs. However, there are only a few remains of these because they were made from perishable materials.Fil: Perez, Cecilia Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras; ArgentinaFil: Lopez Campeny, Sara Maria Luisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales; ArgentinaFil: Lessa Costa, Rodrigo. Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco; Brasi