Finding the proper methodology for geodiversity assessment : a recent approach in Brazil and Portugal

A methodology for the quantitative assessment of geodiversity was defined and tested at various scales. It was applied to the Xingu River Basin, Amazon, Brazil (about 510,000 km2), Paraná state, Brazil (about 200,000 km2), and Portugal mainland (about 89,000 km2). This method is intended to assess all geodiversity components and to avoid overrating any particular component, such as lithology or relief, a common weakness of other methods. The method is based on the overlay of a grid over different maps at scales that range according to the areas under analysis, with the final Geodiversity Index being the sum of five partial indexes calculated on the grid. Partial indexes were calculated using GIS software by counting all the occurrences present in the selected maps for each grid square. The Geodiversity Index can take the form of a GIS automatically generated isoline map, allowing an easy interpretation by those without or with little geological background. The map can be used as a tool in land-use planning, particularly in identifying priority areas for conservation, management and use of natural resources

Schiff bases: A short review of their antimicrobial activities

AbstractSchiff bases are aldehyde- or ketone-like compounds in which the carbonyl group is replaced by an imine or azomethine group. They are widely used for industrial purposes and also exhibit a broad range of biological activities. This short review compiles examples of the most promising antimalarial, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral Schiff bases. An overview of synthetic methodologies used for the preparation of Schiff bases is also described

A Novel Intraurethral Device Diagnostic Index to Classify Bladder Outlet Obstruction in Men with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Objectives. Using a urethral device at the fossa navicularis, bladder pressure during voiding can be estimated by a minimal invasive technique. This study purposes a new diagnostic index for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs). Methods. Fifty one patients presenting with LUTSs were submitted to a conventional urodynamic and a minimal invasive study. The results obtained through the urethral device and invasive classic urodynamics were compared. The existing bladder outlet obstruction index (BOOI) equation that classifies men with LUTSs was modified to allow minimal invasive measurement of isovolumetric bladder pressure in place of detrusor pressure at maximum urine flow. Accuracy of the new equation for classifying obstruction was then tested in this group of men. Results. The modified equation identified men with obstruction with a positive predictive value of 68% and a negative predictive value of 70%, with an overall accuracy of 70%. Conclusions. The proposed equation can accurately classify over 70% of men without resorting to invasive pressure flow studies. We must now evaluate the usefulness of this classification for the surgical treatment of men with LUTSs

Geodiversity assessment of the Xingu drainage basin

Artigo com mapa em anexoGeodiversity is a recent concept that refers to the abiotic variety of nature. It is defined as the range of geological (rocks, minerals, fossils), geomorphological (landforms, processes) and soil features, including their assemblages, relationships, properties, interpretation and systems. In this work, a method of quantitative assessment of geodiversity was applied to the Xingu drainage basin (Amazoˆnia – Brazil). The method is based on the quantification and integration of abiotic features represented on thematic maps at scales ranging from 1:250,000 to 1:2,500,000, overlaid by a 1:25,000 systematic grid. In order to calculate the final geodiversity index, five partial numerical indices representing the main components of geodiversity were drawn compiled: geology, geomorphology, soil, palaeontology and mineral occurrences. The resulting Geodiversity Index map is presented in the form of five isoline classes. The objective of this method is to present such a mapping technique as a tool for environmental planning, particularly for the identification and definition of priority areas for conservation.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)CAPE

MLL5 improves ATRA driven differentiation and promotes xenotransplant engraftment in acute promyelocytic leukemia model

Although the mixed lineage leukemia 5 (MLL5) gene has prognostic implications in acute promyelocyte leukemia (APL), the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. Here, we demonstrate the critical role exerted by MLL5 in APL regarding cell proliferation and resistance to drug-induced apoptosis, through mtROS regulation. Additionally, MLL5 overexpression increased the responsiveness of APL leukemic cells to all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced differentiation, via regulation of the epigenetic modifiers SETD7 and LSD1. In silico analysis indicated that APL blasts with MLL5(high) transcript levels were associated with retinoic acid binding and downstream signaling, while MLL5(low) blasts displayed decreased expression of epigenetic modifiers (such as KMT2C, PHF8 and ARID4A). Finally, APL xenograft transplants demonstrated improved engraftment of MLL5-expressing cells and increased myeloid differentiation over time. Concordantly, evaluation of engrafted blasts revealed increased responsiveness of MLL5-expressing cells to ATRA-induced granulocytic differentiation. Together, we describe the epigenetic changes triggered by the interaction of MLL5 and ATRA resulting in enhanced granulocytic differentiation

Acetonitrile as adjuvant to tune polyethylene glycol + K3PO4 aqueous two-phase systems and its effect on phenolic compounds partition

Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) have been proposed as platforms for the purification of biomolecules, and the application of adjuvants to tune the properties of ATPS phases and their ability to extract and separate biological products investigated. This work addresses, for the first time, the use of acetonitrile (ACN) as adjuvant in ATPS composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) of different molecular weights (from 400 to 20,000 g·mol−1) and potassium phosphate. The effect of ACN concentration (at 0.25, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 wt%) in the liquid-liquid equilibrium is here studied by measuring the phase diagrams, the composition of the phases in equilibrium and their Kamlet-Taft parameters. The results obtained demonstrate that the ACN presence increases the biphasic region of PEG-K3PO4 ATPS and its distribution between the coexisting phases is dependent on its concentration and ATPS composition. The difference in the dipolarity/polarizability of the coexisting phases is significantly affected by the presence of ACN in the ternary mixture. The partition of two phenolic compounds – protocatechuic acid and gallic acid – was studied, showing that ACN improves the partition of these molecules to the salt-rich phase, and that the system selectivity can be significantly improved by changing the concentration of the phase forming compounds.publishe