The P450 oxidoreductase, RedA, controls development beyond the mound stage in Dictyostelium discoideum

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>NADPH-cytochrome-P450 oxidoreductase (CPR) is a ubiquitous enzyme that belongs to a family of diflavin oxidoreductases and is required for activity of the microsomal cytochrome-P450 monooxygenase system. CPR gene-disruption experiments have demonstrated that absence of this enzyme causes developmental defects both in mouse and insect.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Annotation of the sequenced genome of <it>D. discoideum </it>revealed the presence of three genes (<it>redA</it>, <it>redB </it>and <it>redC</it>) that encode putative members of the diflavin oxidoreductase protein family. <it>redA </it>transcripts are present during growth and early development but then decline, reaching undetectable levels after the mound stage. <it>redB </it>transcripts are present in the same levels during growth and development while <it>redC </it>expression was detected only in vegetative growing cells. We isolated a mutant strain of <it>Dictyostelium discoideum </it>following restriction enzyme-mediated integration (REMI) mutagenesis in which <it>redA </it>was disrupted. This mutant develops only to the mound stage and accumulates a bright yellow pigment. The mound-arrest phenotype is cell-autonomous suggesting that the defect occurs within the cells rather than in intercellular signaling.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The developmental arrest due to disruption of <it>redA </it>implicates CPR in the metabolism of compounds that control cell differentiation.</p

Understanding the experience of psychopathology after intimate partner violence: The role of personality

Objectives: To fully understand the dynamics of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) it is necessary to understand the role of personality. The current understanding of which personality characteristics are associated with IPV victimization is, however, far from comprehensive. Given this gap in the literature, our objective was to examine the associations between the dimensions of the psychobiological model of personality and psychopathological symptoms in women who had experienced IPV. Methods: Using a case-control design, a group of women who had experienced IPV and who were living in shelters ( Results: Victims of IPV showed significantly higher levels of Harm Avoidance and Self-Transcendence, and lower levels of Reward Dependence and Self-Directedness, than the non-IPV control group. Victims of IPV also reported elevated levels of psychopathological symptoms. Personality dimensions showed a broadly consistent pattern of associations across different psychopathological symptoms. A regression analysis indicated that Novelty Seeking was negatively associated with psychopathological symptoms in victims of IPV, but not significantly associated in non-victims. Conclusions: The study highlights the important role of Harm Avoidance and Self-Directedness for understanding psychopathological symptoms. Novelty Seeking appears to play an important role in the expression of individuals\u27 experiences of IPV. These results have important implications for research and practice, particularly the development and implementation of interventions

Multi-site clinical assessment of Complete Revitalens MPDS in 2981 contact lens wearers across Europe and USA

(MPDS), Complete Revitalens (RevitaLens OcuTec in the US Market), for soft contact lens care in a large “real practice” setting. Method: This is an international multi-center, open-label assessment carried out in 10 countries across Europe and in the USA. Up to 10 subjects who were currently wearing soft contact lenses for at least 1 year and using a MPS as a lens care system were included at each investigational site. Results: Data were collected from 996 European and 1985 American wearers, 75% of those patients wore silicone hydrogel contact lenses. Approximately 94% found the new MPDS “somewhat more effective” to “much more effective” in keeping contact lenses feeling clean and 88% found the new MPDS to be somewhat more effective to much more effective in keeping their lenses feeling comfortable in the evening. Over 93% reported an improvement in vision clearness in the evening after approximately 1 month while using the new MPDS. Wearers with grade 2, 3 or 4 of severity decreased by 11.3, 6.4 and 9.8% over 1 month period for redness, burning and irritation, respectively. After approximately 1 month 83% of wearers declared that they would prefer to use the new MPDS. Conclusions: Over 88% felt their lenses were somewhat to much more comfortable at the end-of-day and 94% found the new MPDS to be somewhat to much more effective in keeping their lenses feeling clean compared to their previous care system.The authors wish to thank the eye care practitioners participating in this study across Europe and USA. The D'Ellis Group for the statistical support and Rafael Guerrero and Will Heydorn from Abbott Medical Optics, Inc. for their contributions in planning and coordinating the European and American branches of the study, respectively. The authors declare no proprietary or financial interest in any of the materials mentioned in this article. This study has been sponsored by Abbott Medical Optics Inc. These results were presented to the American Academy of Optometry Boston, 12-15th, 2011

Features of host cell invasion by different infective forms of Trypanosoma cruzi

Through its life cycle from the insect vector to mammalian hosts Trypanosoma cruzi has developed clever strategies to reach the intracellular milieu where it grows sheltered from the hosts' immune system. We have been interested in several aspects of in vitro interactions of different infective forms of the parasite with cultured mammalian cells. We have observed that not only the classically infective trypomastigotes but also amastigotes, originated from the extracellular differentiation of trypomastigotes, can infect cultured cells. Interestingly, the process of invasion of different parasite infective forms is remarkably distinct and also highly dependent on the host cell type.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli dissimilarity: closely related bacteria with distinct metabolic profiles

Live attenuated strains of Salmonella typhimurium have been extensively investigated as vaccines for a number of infectious diseases. However, there is still little information available concerning aspects of their metabolism. S. typhimurium and Escherichia coli show a high degree of similarity in terms of their genome contents and metabolic networks. However, this work presents experimental evidence showing that significant differences exist in their abilities to direct carbon fluxes to biomass and energy production. It is important to study the metabolism of Salmonella in order to elucidate the formation of acetate and other metabolites involved in optimizing the production of biomass, essential for the development of recombinant vaccines. The metabolism of Salmonella under aerobic conditions was assessed using continuous cultures performed at dilution rates ranging from 0.1 to 0.67 h1, with glucose as main substrate. Acetate assimilation and glucose metabolism under anaerobic conditions were also investigated using batch cultures. Chemostat cultivations showed deviation of carbon towards acetate formation, starting at dilution rates above 0.1 h1. This differed from previous findings for E. coli, where acetate accumulation was only detected at dilution rates exceeding 0.4 h1, and was due to the lower rate of acetate assimilation by S. typhimurium under aerobic conditions. Under anaerobic conditions, both microorganisms mainly produced ethanol, acetate, and formate. A genome-scale metabolic model, reconstructed for Salmonella based on an E. coli model, provided a poor description of the mixed fermentation pattern observed during Salmonella cultures, reinforcing the different patterns of carbon utilization exhibited by these closely related bacteria. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.Special thanks to Amadeus Azevedo for the HPLC analyses and technical assistance. The authors acknowledge the national funding received from CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico, Brazil), the international cooperation project CAPES-FCT (Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior/Brazil-Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia/Portugal-Process 315/11), CAPES (Atracao de Jovens Talentos-Process 064922/2014-01) and to Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit

A presença de Michel Foucault na produção científica nacional da Biblioteconomia e Ciência da informação

Michel Foucault is one of the most important authors of Social and Human Sciences (CSH), responsible for a diversity of publications. Library and Information Science are included in the list of CSH, appropriating the currents of thought produced by the sciences, consolidating the dialogue. Thus, from a bibliometric study, the objective of this research is to map the presence of Michel Foucault in the national scientific production of Library and Information Science. To this end, the database of brazilian publications in Information Science (BRAPCI) was selected, which indexes articles from national printed and electronic journals in the area. Data collection was undertaken in January 2020, so that the research coverage was from 1972 to 2019, being carried out by consulting the terms “Foucault” and “Michel Foucault”. It was observed from the systematization of the 128 selected articles: year of publication, authorship, periodical, keywords, themes of articles and analysis of citations. 362 works by Michel Foucault were cited, including books, book chapters and articles. We realize that Foucault is a theoretical-methodological framework for Library and Information Science, having been present since the 1990s on the national scene, especially with the “Archeology of knowledge”. The results also pointed to a concentration of citations in articles associated with the “Historical and Epistemological Studies of Information Science”, “Information, Education and Work” and "Knowledge Organization and Representation”Michel Foucault é um dos mais importantes autores das Ciências Sociais e Humanas (CSH), responsável por uma diversidade de publicações. A Biblioteconomia e a Ciência da Informação inserem-se no rol das CSH, apropriando-se das correntes de pensamento produzidos pelas ciências, consolidando o diálogo. Deste modo, a partir de um estudo bibliométrico o objetivo desta pesquisa é mapear a presença de Michel Foucault na produção científica nacional da Biblioteconomia e Ciência da Informação. Para tanto, foi selecionada a Base de Dados de Periódicos em Ciência da Informação (BRAPCI), que indexa os artigos de periódicos nacionais impressos e eletrônicos da área. A coleta de dados foi empreendida em janeiro de 2020, de modo que a cobertura da pesquisa fosse de 1972 a 2019, sendo realizada a partir da consulta dos termos “Foucault” e “Michel Foucault”. Foi observado a partir da sistematização dos 128 artigos selecionados: ano de publicação, autoria, periódico, palavras-chaves, temáticas dos artigos e análise das citações. Foram citadas 362 obras de Michel Foucault, entre livros, capítulos de livros e artigos. Percebemos que Foucault é um referencial teórico-metodológico para a Biblioteconomia e Ciência da Informação, estando presente desde a década de 1990 no cenário nacional, sobretudo com a “Arqueologia do saber”. Os resultados apontaram também uma concentração das citações em artigos associados aos “Estudos Históricos e Epistemológicos da Ciência da Informação”, “Informação, Educação e Trabalho” e “Organização e Representação do conhecimento

AVALIAÇÃO DO POTENCIAL ANTIOXIDANTE DE Myrciaria jabuticaba (Vell) Berg AO LONGO DE SEU DESENVOLVIMENTO FISIOLÓGICO

Introdu&ccedil;&atilde;o e objetivos: A Myrciaria jabuticaba (Vell) Berg, &eacute; a mais apreciada e doce das jabuticabas e a mais intensamente plantada, apresenta fruto de epicarpo fino, quase preto e muito saboroso, com matura&ccedil;&atilde;o precoce&sup1;. Apesar da grande produ&ccedil;&atilde;o de jabuticaba no Brasil ainda h&aacute; poucos estudos relacionados ao desenvolvimento do fruto. Desta forma objetivou-se com o presente trabalho caracterizar frutos de jabuticaba ao longo do seu desenvolvimento quanto ao seu potencial antioxidante. Metodologia: Os frutos foram coletados na Fazenda e Vin&iacute;cola Jabuticabal a 35,6 Km de Goi&acirc;nia- GO. A colheita dos frutos iniciou-se aos 10 dias ap&oacute;s a antese (DAA) e prorrogou-se at&eacute; o completo amadurecimento dos frutos, com intervalos de oito dias entre as coletas. O per&iacute;odo compreendido entre a antese (abertura da flor) e o amadurecimento foi de 34 dias. O potencial antioxidante foi determinado pelo m&eacute;todo do DPPH2. O grau de descolora&ccedil;&atilde;o do radical DPPH, a 517 nm pela a&ccedil;&atilde;o dos antioxidantes, foi medido espectrofotometricamente no extrato aquoso e os resultados expressos em % de descolora&ccedil;&atilde;o. Resultados e discuss&otilde;es: Pode-se notar que os frutos apresentaram maior potencial antioxidante aos 10 DAA, com valor m&eacute;dio de 76,90% de descolora&ccedil;&atilde;o, por&eacute;m com amadurecimento dos frutos estes valores foram reduzidos, e aos 34 DAA apresentou 30,17% de descolora&ccedil;&atilde;o. Estes resultados s&atilde;o corroborados com outros frutos como physalis3 e acerola4, os quais tamb&eacute;m apresentaram redu&ccedil;&atilde;o ao longo do desenvolvimento. Este fato pode ser justificado pela poss&iacute;vel redu&ccedil;&atilde;o de outros compostos presentes no fruto, que apresentam potencial antioxidante, como compostos fen&oacute;licos, vitamina C e antocianinas. Conclus&otilde;es: Pode concluir que para o melhor aproveitamento/absor&ccedil;&atilde;o do potencial antioxidante dos frutos de jabuticaba, &eacute; indicado que estes sejam consumidos antes de seu completo amadurecimento

Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory evaluation of essential oils from leaves and stem barks from Drimys brasiliensis Miers (Winteraceae)

The essential oils from leaves and stem barks from Drimys brasiliensis Miers (Winteraceae) were individually obtained by hydrodistillation and their compounds characterized by use of GC/FID and GC/MS. The main identified derivatives were monoterpenes (leaves 4.31% and stem barks 90.02%) and sesquiterpenes (leaves 52.31% and stem barks 6.35%). Additionally, the sesquiterpene polygodial was isolated from hexane extract from stem barks of D. brasiliensis after chromatographic steps and characterized by spectroscopic means, mainly NMR. Aiming the evaluation of anti-inflammatory potential, the crude essential oils and the sesquiterpene polygodial were subjected to bioassays to evaluate the acute toxicity of these compounds as well as the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities induced by carrageenan and formalin in mices. Ours results showed that essential oil obtained from the stem barks significantly reduced the oedema induced by carrageenan. The anti-inflammatory effect induced by stem barks oil (at 200 mg kg-1) was similar to observed for indomethacin (at 10 mg kg-1) and superior for polygodial (at 200 mg kg-1) in 30 and 60 min after the administration of essential oils. The inflammatory response induced by formalin was effective to the stem barks oil (62.5%) in comparison to polygodial (50.0%).Os óleos essenciais das folhas e das cascas do tronco de Drimys brasiliensis Miers (Winteraceae) foram obtidos individualmente por hidrodestilação e suas composições químicas foram determinadas através de análise por CG/DIC e CG/EM. Os principais constituintes identificados foram monoterpenos (folhas 4,31% e cascas do tronco 90,02%) e sesquiterpenos (folhas 52,31% e cascas do tronco 6,35%). Adicionalmente, o sesquiterpeno poligodial foi isolado do extrato em hexano das cascas do tronco de D. brasiliensis após fracionamento cromatográfico e caracterizado por métodos espectroscópicos. Visando a avaliação do potencial anti-inflamatório, os óleos essenciais brutos e o sesquiterpeno poligodial foram submetidos à bioensaios para avaliação da toxicidade aguda destes compostos bem como das atividades anti-inflamatória e antinociceptiva induzidas por carragenina e formalina em ratos. Nossos resultados mostraram que o óleo essencial bruto obtido das cascas do tronco reduziu significativamente o edema induzido por carragenina. O efeito anti-inflamatório induzido pelo óleo das cascas do tronco (a 200 mg kg-1) foi similar ao observado para indometacina (a 10 mg kg-1) e superior ao poligodial (a 200 mg kg-1) em 30 e em 60 min após administração. A resposta inflamatória induzida pela formalina foi efetiva para o óleo das cascas do tronco (62,5%) em comparação ao poligodial (50,0%).Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Ciências Exatas e da TerraUniversidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie Departamento de Ciências Exatas e da Terra Centro de Ciências e Humanidades Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da SaúdeUniversidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da SaúdeUNIFESP, Depto. de Ciências Exatas e da TerraSciEL

Caracteres não métricos nas duas espécies de Sotalia (Gray, 1866)

Analyses of non-metric characters of the skull and cervical vertebrae were performed among samples of dolphins of the genus Sotalia from the north, northeast and south Brazilian coast (S. guianensis) and also samples from the Amazon River Basin (S. fluviatilis) as part of an osteological descriptive study. The results demonstrated that there was a higher percentage of occurrence of fenestrae in the occipital region (66%) and cervical ribs in the cervical vertebrae (87%) in the riverine species. The vomer in wide shape was more frequent in the riverine species (57%), followed by the intermediate (32%) and narrow shape (11%), that was found to be more frequent in the marine spe-cies (66 to 76%). In relation to the lacerate anterior foramen, it was observed that an open/elongated shape is more common in the riverine species (88%). Most samples in the marine species present this foramen divided by a spike shaped projection (72 to 98%). The ventrally visible location of the hypoglossal foramen was more often observed externally displaced in S. guianensis (88 to 98%), while in S. fluviatilis, most samples (87%) presented this foramen internally displaced to the jugular notch, and not visible in ventral view. The fluvial species seems to present neoteny (or maintenance of juvenile characters in adults) in relation to the position of the pterygoids and in development of lacerate anterior foramen

Meanings attributed by family and patients to family presence in emergency rooms

Objective: to understand the process that leads adult and family patients to support family presence in emergency care. Method: a qualitative study that adopted Symbolic Interactionism as a theoretical reference and the Grounded Theory as a methodological framework. The theoretical sample consisted of 15 relatives and 15 patients assisted at two emergency units in the South of Brazil. Data were analyzed using open, axial and selective coding. Results: the central category ¿Convergence of ideas: family members and patients supporting family presence in emergency care? is supported by the categories: Affectionate relationship among family members?; Tacit obligation to care for the sick relative?; Benefits for the family?; Benefits for the patient?; and Benefits for the health team?. Conclusion: family presence in emergency care provides maintenance and strengthening of affectionate bonds among relatives and the experience of more sensitive and qualified care.Objetivo: comprender el proceso que lleva a pacientes adultos y familiares a apoyar la presencia de la familia en la atención de emergencia. Método: estudio cualitativo que adoptó el Interaccionismo Simbólico como referencial teórico y la Teoría Fundamentada en los Datos como referencial metodológico. El muestreo teórico fue compuesta por 15 familiares y 15 pacientes atendidos en dos unidades de emergencia en el sur de Brasil. Los datos fueron analizados por medio de codificación abierta, axial y selectiva. Resultados: la categoría central “Convergencia de ideas: familiares y pacientes apoyando la presencia de la familia en la atención de emergencia” es sostenida por las categorías: “Afetuosa relación entre los miembros de la familia”; “Obligación tácita de cuidar del familiar enfermo “; “Beneficios para la familia”; “Beneficios para el paciente”; y “Beneficios para el equipo de salud”. Conclusión: la presencia familiar en la atención de emergencia proporciona el mantenimiento y el fortalecimiento de los lazos afectivos entre los familiares y la vivencia de cuidados más sensibles y calificados.Objetivo: compreender o processo que leva pacientes adultos e familiares a apoiarem a presença da família no atendimento emergencial. Método: estudo qualitativo que adotou o Interacionismo Simbólico como referencial teórico e a Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados como referencial metodológico. A amostragem teórica foi composta por 15 familiares e 15 pacientes atendidos em duas unidades emergenciais no Sul do Brasil. Os dados foram analisados por meio de codificação aberta, axial e seletiva. Resultados: a categoria central “Convergência de ideias: familiares e pacientes apoiando a presença da família no atendimento emergencial” é sustentada pelas categorias: “Afetuosa relação entre os membros da família”; “Obrigação tácita de cuidar do familiar enfermo”; “Benefícios para a família”; “Benefícios para o paciente”; e “Benefícios para a equipe de saúde”. Conclusão: a presença familiar no atendimento emergencial proporciona a manutenção e o fortalecimento dos laços afetivos entre os familiares e a vivência de cuidados mais sensíveis e qualificados