Cardosins A and B, two new enzymes available for peptide synthesis

Two new aspartic proteases, Cardosins A and B, with a high specificity toward bonds between hydrophobic amino acids were isolated from the flowers of the cardoon, Cynara cardunculus L., and recently characterised [C.J. Faro, A.G.J. Moir, E. Pires, Biotech. Lett., 14 (1992) 841.]; [P. Veríssimo, C. Faro, A.J.G. Moir, Y. Lin, J. Tang, E. Pires, Eur. J. Biochem., 235 (1996) 762.]. Cardosins were shown to be stable in aqueous-organic biphasic systems [M. Barros, M.G.V. Carvalho, F.A. Garcia, E. Pires, Biotech. Lett. 14 (1992) 174.]. In this work, we have investigated peptide bond specificity of Cardosin A and Cardosin B in what concerns the amino acids in P'1 position. The results were compared with pepsin under the same conditions. Information about secondary specificity of Cardosin A and B was also investigated by tripeptide synthesis. The condensation reactions were carried out in aqueous-organic biphasic systems of n-hexane/ethyl acetate and sodium phosphate buffer. The reaction products were isolated by RP-HPLC and identified by amino acid analysis and eventually by M.S. The results in the synthesis of dipeptides showed that Cardosin A and B have similar P'1 position preference. The production of tripeptides by condensation of CBZ·Val·Phe with Phe·OMe, Met·OMe and Val·OMe reveals that the addition of Val in the P2 position modifies the Cardosins' preferences concerning the amino acid in P'1 position.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TGN-3V5RY4G-2B/1/1e2fd83ec2ea4e623929f202f28a6d5

Immediate vs non-immediate loading post-extractive implants: A comparative study of Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ)

Purpose. This study aims to evaluate differences in implant stability between post-extractive implants vs immediately placed post-extractive implants by resonance frequency analysis (RFA). Materials and methods. Patients were grouped into two different categories. In Group A 10 patients had an immediate postextractive implant, then a provisional, acrylic resin crown was placed (immediate loading). In Group B (control group) 10 patients only had an immediate post-extractive implant. Both upper and lower premolars were chosen as post-extractive sites. Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ) was measured thanks to RFA measurements (Osstell®). Five intervals were considered: immediately after surgery (T0) and every four weeks, until five months after implant placement (T1, T2, T3, T4,T5). A statistical analysis by means of Student’s T-test (significance set at p<0.05) for independent sample was carried out in order to compare Groups A and B. Results. The ISQ value between the two groups showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.02) at T1. No statistically significant difference in ISQ was assessed at T0, T2, T3, T4 and T5. Conclusions. After clinical assessment it is possible to confirm that provisional and immediate prosthetic surgery in postextraction sites with cone-shaped implants, platform-switching abutment and bioactive surface can facilitate osseointegration, reducing healing time

HOW CONSTRUCT A WLAN MULTI-DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM BASED ON THE INTEGRATION OF ARDUINO AND NI-LABVIEW PLATFORMS FOR EDUCATIONAL APPLICATIONS

A construção de uma Rede Local Sem Fio (RLSF) com um Sistema de Aquisição de multi-Dados (SAD) para aplicações educacionais é relatado, onde um banco de dados para a intensidade da luz, temperatura e potencial elétrico de um painel fotovoltaico foi gerado. Os sinais analógicos de três diferentes sistemas de sensores/transdutores são recolhidos e enviados para um placa Arduino Uno Revisão 3. Os sinais analógicos são convertidos em dados digitais através de um código guardado no microprocessador Arduino e, em seguida, transmitido via Internet através da utilização da tecnologia sem fios suportada por um servidor Arduino Uno WiFi acoplada à placa Arduino Uno. Dados da Internet são adequadamente recuperados, armazenados em uma base de dados, e  apresentado continuamente pelo software NI-Labview desenvolvido. Esta ferramenta fornece o professor controle remoto e monitoramento de experimentos físicos desenvolvidos pelos alunos, e seria muito relevante em Educação a Distância (EaD) onde as aulas experimentais podem ser desenvolvidas pelo tutor e aquisição de dados remotamente monitorado em tempo real pelo decente.Es relatada la construcción de un sistema de adquisición de datos múltiples (DAS) con base en redes de área local inalámbrica (WLAN) para aplicaciones educativas, en el cual que se generó una base de datos para la intensidad luminosa, la temperatura y el potencial eléctrico de un panel fotovoltaico. Las señales analógicas procedentes de tres diferentes sistemas de sensores/transductores se recogen y se envían a una placa Arduino Uno Revisión 3. Las señales analógicas son convertidas a datos digitales a través de un código guardado en el microprocesador de la placa Arduino y luego se difunden pela Internet mediante el uso de la tecnología WLAN soportada por un servidor de internet en un shield WiFi compatible, acoplado con la placa Arduino Uno. Los datos de Internet se recuperan correctamente, se almacenan como una base de datos y se muestran continuamente a través de una aplicación de software desarrollada en NI-Labview. Esta herramienta provee al profesor de control remoto y monitoreo de los experimentos físicos desarrollados por los estudiantes, y sería muy relevante en la Educación a Distancia (DE) donde las clases experimentales pueden ser desarrolladas por el tutor y la adquisición de datos remotamente monitoreados en tiempo real por el profesor.The construction of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) multi-Data Acquisition System (DAS) for educational applications is reported, were a database for light intensity, temperature and electric potential for a photovoltaic panel was generated. Analog signals from three different sensors/transducer systems are collected and sent to an Arduino Uno Revision 3 board. The analog signals are converted to digital data through a code saved on the Arduino microprocessor and then broadcasted to the internet by the use of the WLAN technology supported by an Arduino WiFi Shield server coupled to the Arduino Uno board. Data from the internet are properly retrieved, stored as a database, and continuously displayed by the development of a NI-Labview software application. This tool provides the teacher remote control and monitoring of physical experiments developed by students, and it would be very relevant in Distance Education (DE) where experimental classes can be developed by the tutor and the acquisition of data remotely monitored in real time by the teacher

Expanding the Applicability of Poly(Ionic Liquids) in Solid Phase Microextraction: Pyrrolidinium Coatings

Crosslinked pyrrolidinium-based poly(ionic liquids) (Pyrr-PILs) were synthesized through a fast, simple, and solventless photopolymerization scheme, and tested as solid phase microextraction (SPME) sorbents. A series of Pyrr-PILs bearing three different alkyl side chain lengths with two, eight, and fourteen carbons was prepared, characterized, and homogeneously coated on a steel wire by using a very simple procedure. The resulting coatings showed a high thermal stability, with decomposition temperatures above 350 degrees C, excellent film stability, and lifetime of over 100 injections. The performance of these PIL-based SPME fibers was evaluated using a mixture of eleven organic compounds with different molar volumes and chemical functionalities (alcohols, ketones, and monoterpenes). The Pyrr-PIL fibers were obtained as dense film coatings, with 67 mu m thickness, with an overall sorption increase of 90% and 55% as compared to commercial fibers of Polyacrylate (85 mu m) (PA85) and Polydimethylsiloxane (7 mu m) (PDMS7) coatings, respectively. A urine sample doped with the sample mixture was used to study the matrix effect and establish relative recoveries, which ranged from 60.2% to 104.1%.David J. S. Patinha, and Liliana C. Tome are grateful to FCT (Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia) for the PhD research grant SFRH/BD/97042/2013 and the Post-Doctoral research grant (SFRH/BPD/101793/2014), respectively. David J. S. Patinha also thanks the financial support from COST-Exil Project 1206. The NMR data was acquired at CERMAX (Centro de Ressonncia Magnetica Antnio Xavier) which is a member of the National NMR network. This work was partially supported by FCT through Research Unit GREEN-it " Bioresources for Sustainability" (UID/Multi/04551/2013) and the Associate Laboratory CICECO Aveiro Institute of materials (UID/CTM/50011/2013)

AUTOMAÇÃO DA AQUISIÇÃO DE DADOS DE UM EXPERIMENTO DIDÁTICO DE POLARIZAÇÃO ÓPTICA ATRAVÉS DO EMPREGO DA PLATAFORMA ARDUINO, MÓDULOS DE RÁDIO XBEE PARA COMUNICAÇÃO SEM FIO E O AMBIENTE DE DESENVOLVIMENTO DE SISTEMAS LABVIEW.

It is reported the automation of the data acquisition from an experiment to determine the polarization angle of a He-Ne laser light source usingresources from the information and communication technologies (TICs), such as the form factor compatible radio modules (Xbee), the Arduino electronic prototyping platform and the Labviewenvironment development system. A simple experimental set-up consisting of a He-Ne gas laser source emitting 632.8 nm wavelength light, a manual rotation polarizer holder and a display screen was used as the base equipment. The manual rotating polarizer holder has been modified to include automatic rotation through a gear mechanism driven by a stepper motor connected to an H-bridge device, an Arduino Uno board and an Xbee module. The rotating device is remotely controlled via radio frequency by a software application developed in the Labview G language. The screen has been replaced by a light intensity sensor module with automatic acquisition of data through an Arduino Uno board, connected to another Xbee module, which sends the digital data to the control software application also using electromagnetic waves in the radio range. The automatic experimental system makes it possible to perform the experiment in a shorter time, with the acquisition of more data, minimizing the introduction of errors and with instantaneous storage and visualization of the results.Se relata laautomatización de laadquisición de datos de un experimento para determinar elángulo de polarización de una fuente de luz láser de He-Neempleando recursos de lastecnologías de lainformación y comunicación (TICs) tales como los módulos de ondas de rádio defactor de formacompatible (Xbee), la plataforma de prototipado electrónico Arduino y el entorno de desarrollo de sistemas Labview. Se utilizó como equipo base un sistema experimental simplecompuesto de una fuenteláser de gasHe-Ne que emite luz de longitud de onda de 632.8 nm, unsoporte polarizador conrotación manual y un anteparo para visualización. El soporterotatorio manual del polarizador ha sido modificado para incluir rotación automática a través de un mecanismo de engranajes impulsados por un motor de paso conectado a un dispositivo de puente H, una placa Arduino Uno y un módulo Xbee. El conjunto es controlado remotamente a través de rádio frecuencia por una aplicación de software desarrolladoenellenguaje G delLabview. El anteparo fuesustituido por un módulo sensor de intensidad luminosa conadquisición automática de datos a través de una placa Arduino Uno, conectada a otro módulo Xbee, que envíalosdatosdigitales a laaplicación de control usando también ondas electromagnéticasenla banda de rádio. El sistema experimental automático posibilitalarealizacióndel experimento en menor tiempo, conlaadquisición de mayor número de datos, minimizando laintroducción de errores y conalmacenamiento y visualizacióninstantánea de los resultados.Relata-se a automação da aquisição de dados de um experimento para determinar o ângulo de polarização de uma fonte de luz laser de He-Ne empregando-se recursos das Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação (TICs) tais como os módulos de ondas de rádio com fator de forma compatível (Xbee), a plataforma de prototipagem eletrônica Arduino e o ambiente de desenvolvimento de sistemas Labview. Foi empregado como equipamento base um sistema experimental simples composto de uma fonte laser de gás He-Ne que emite luz de comprimento de onda de 632.8 nm, um suporte polarizador com rotação manual e um anteparo para visualização. O suporte rotatório manual do polarizador foi modificado para incluir rotação automática através de um mecanismo de engrenagens impulsionados por um motor de passo conectado a um dispositivo de ponte H, uma placa Arduino Uno e um módulo Xbee. O conjunto é controlado remotamente através de rádio frequência por um aplicativo de softwaredesenvolvido na linguagem G do Labview. O anteparo foi substituído por um módulo sensor de intensidade luminosa com aquisição automática de dados através de uma placa Arduino Uno, conectada a um outro módulo Xbee, que envia os dados digitais ao aplicativo de controle usando também ondas eletromagnéticas na faixa de rádio.O sistema experimental automático possibilita a realização do experimento em menor tempo, com a aquisição de maior número de dados, minimizando a introdução de erros e com armazenamento e visualização instantâneas dos resultados

Prognostic factors of patients admitted in a medical intermediate care unit: a prospective observational study

BackgroundMedical Intermediate Care Units (IntCU’s) are high-dependency units intended for treatment of patients who do not meet criteria for admission to intensive care units (ICU’s) but require a higher level of care than can be provided in general ward. IntCU’s operate as a transitional unit, improving patients outcome. In addition, IntCU’s permit better resource utilization, reducing the length of stay in ICU and therefore increasing availability of critical care. Regardless of admission of unstable patients in IntCU’s, studies on prognostic factors are scarce. Our purpose was to identify prognostic factors of patients admitted in IntCU.MethodsA prospective observational study was performed during 32 months in a IntCU of a central hospital. Main objective was evaluation of mortality and analysis of acute illness severity, nurse workload, comorbidity and previous functional status as prognostic factors. Assessment of these variables was performed using several standardized scores: Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System-28 (TISS-28), Nursing Activities Score (NAS), Charlson comorbidity index and Barthel index of basic activities of daily living. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression with forwards stepwise selection were used to identify prognostic factors of IntCU and in-hospital mortality.ResultsTwo hundred and eighty-eight patients were included, mean age 65,67 ± 20,38 years-old. IntCU and in-hospital mortality was 9,38 and 17,71%, respectively. All the scores applied, concerning comorbidity, functional status, acute illness severity and nurse workload were good predictors of mortality. SAPS II was the better predictor of mortality followed by NAS.ConclusionsAcute illness severity and nursing workload scores validated in ICU are useful and reliable in IntCU setting, being SAPS II and NAS the strongest predictors of mortality. Comorbidity, functional status and age were also prognostic factors. Consequently, a comprehensive assessment of patients admitted in IntCU is mandatory to reliably predict outcome. Several scores might be used to help clinical judgment, concerning admission criteria and clinical decisions. Â

Alginate-lysozyme nanofibers hydrogels with improved rheological behavior, printability and biological properties for 3D bioprinting applications

In this study, alginate nanocomposite hydrogel bioinks reinforced with lysozyme nanofibers (LNFs) were developed. Alginate-LNF (A-LNF) suspensions with different LNF contents (1, 5 and 10 wt.%) were prepared and pre-crosslinked with 0.5% (w/v) CaCl2 to formulate A-LNF inks. These inks exhibit proper shear-thinning behavior and good recovery properties (~90%), with the pre-crosslinking step playing a crucial role. A-LNF fully crosslinked hydrogels (with 2% (w/v) CaCl2) that mimic 3D printing scaffolds were prepared, and it was observed that the addition of LNFs improved several properties of the hydrogels, such as the morphology, swelling and degradation profiles, and mechanical properties. All formulations are also noncytotoxic towards HaCaT cells. The printing parameters and 3D scaffold model were then optimized, with A-LNF inks showing improved printability. Selected A-LNF inks (A-LNF0 and A-LNF5) were loaded with HaCaT cells (cell density 2 × 106 cells mL-1), and the cell viability within the bioprinted scaffolds was evaluated for 1, 3 and 7 days, with scaffolds printed with the A-LNF5 bioink showing the highest values for 7 days (87.99 ± 1.28%). Hence, A-LNF bioinks exhibited improved rheological performance, printability and biological properties representing a good strategy to overcome the main limitations of alginate-based bioinks.publishe

Telomeric Heterochromatin Propagation and Histone Acetylation Control Mutually Exclusive Expression of Antigenic Variation Genes in Malaria Parasites

SummaryMalaria parasites use antigenic variation to avoid immune clearance and increase the duration of infection in the human host. Variation at the surface of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes is mediated by the differential control of a family of surface antigens encoded by var genes. Switching of var gene expression occurs in situ, mostly from telomere-associated loci, without detectable DNA alterations, suggesting that it is controlled by chromatin structure. We have identified chromatin modifications at telomeres that spread far into telomere-proximal regions, including var gene loci (>50 kb). One type of modification is mediated by a protein homologous to yeast Sir2 called PfSir2, which forms a chromosomal gradient of heterochromatin structure and histone hypoacetylation. Upon activation of a specific telomere-associated var gene, PfSir2 is removed from the promoter region and acetylation of histone occurs. Our data demonstrate that mutually exclusive transcription of var genes is linked to the dynamic remodeling of chromatin

A rede escolar nas comunidades rurais assentadas, quilombolas e indígenas do Tocantins

ABSTRACT. Under the spotlight as the newest state of the federation, the Tocantins carries the Brazilian malaise, like the deficiencies in several public services rendered to the population. Education is no exception and is part of this gap, with a lack of school units, teachers, adequate academic training, quality school structure, among many others. When it comes to education in the countryside, those problems become more latent. The objective of this work was to investigate the main characteristics of the educational situation of the three large rural social communities of Tocantins, the Rural Settlements, the Remnant Areas of Quilombos and the Indigenous Lands, through a quantitative analysis of data available from government agencies. It has been shown that the supply of basic education in these communities is heterogeneous in terms of the number of schools and school levels offered and is, in its entirety, borne by the state and municipal governments. It was identified that the Remnant Areas of Quilombos do not count on offer of secondary education.ABSTRACT. Under the spotlight as the newest state of the federation, the Tocantins carries the Brazilian malaise, like the deficiencies in several public services rendered to the population. Education is no exception and is part of this gap, with a lack of school units, teachers, adequate academic training, quality school structure, among many others. When it comes to education in the countryside, those problems become more latent. The objective of this work was to investigate the main characteristics of the educational situation of the three large rural social communities of Tocantins, the Rural Settlements, the Remnant Areas of Quilombos and the Indigenous Lands, through a quantitative analysis of data available from government agencies. It has been shown that the supply of basic education in these communities is heterogeneous in terms of the number of schools and school levels offered and is, in its entirety, borne by the state and municipal governments. It was identified that the Remnant Areas of Quilombos do not count on offer of secondary education.RESUMEN. Bajo los reflectores como el más reciente estado de la federación, el Tocantins carga los principales problemas brasileños, tales como la deficiencia en los varios servicios públicos prestados a la población. La educación no es una excepción y forma parte de esta laguna, con falta de unidades escolares, profesores, formación académica adecuada, estructura escolar de calidad, entre tantos otros. Cuando se trata de la educación en el campo, estos problemas se vuelven más latentes. Este trabajo tuvo por objetivo investigar las principales características de la situación educativa de las tres grandes Comunidades Sociales Rurales de Tocantins, los Asentamientos Rurales, las Áreas Remanentes de Quilombos y las Tierras Indígenas a través de un análisis cuantitativo de datos disponibles por las agencias gubernamentales. Se mostró que la oferta de educación básica en estas comunidades es heterogénea en cuanto al cuantitativo de escuelas y de niveles escolares ofertados y está en su totalidad a cargo de los gobiernos estatal y municipal. Se identificó que las Áreas Remanentes de Quilombos no cuentan con oferta de enseñanza media.ABSTRACT. Under the spotlight as the newest state of the federation, the Tocantins carries the Brazilian malaise, like the deficiencies in several public services rendered to the population. Education is no exception and is part of this gap, with a lack of school units, teachers, adequate academic training, quality school structure, among many others. When it comes to education in the countryside, those problems become more latent. The objective of this work was to investigate the main characteristics of the educational situation of the three large rural social communities of Tocantins, the Rural Settlements, the Remnant Areas of Quilombos and the Indigenous Lands, through a quantitative analysis of data available from government agencies. It has been shown that the supply of basic education in these communities is heterogeneous in terms of the number of schools and school levels offered and is, in its entirety, borne by the state and municipal governments. It was identified that the Remnant Areas of Quilombos do not count on offer of secondary education.Sob os holofotes como o mais novo estado da federação o Tocantins carrega as mazelas brasileiras, como as carências em vários serviços públicos prestados à população. A educação não é uma exceção e faz parte desta lacuna, com falta de unidades escolares, professores, formação acadêmica adequada, estrutura escolar de qualidade, entre tantos outros. Quando se trata da educação no campo esses problemas se tornam mais latentes. Este trabalho teve por objetivo investigar as principais características da situação educacional das três grandes Comunidades Sociais Rurais do Tocantins, os Assentamentos Rurais, as Áreas Remanescentes de Quilombos e as Terras Indígenas por meio de uma análise quantitativa de dados disponíveis pelas agências governamentais. Mostrou-se que a oferta de educação básica nessas comunidades é heterogênea quanto ao quantitativo de escolas e de níveis escolares ofertados e está, em sua totalidade, a cargo dos governos estadual e municipais. Identificou-se que as Áreas Remanescentes de Quilombos não contam com oferta de ensino médio. Palavras-chave: Quilombolas, Assentamentos, Terras Indígenas, Unidades Escolares.   The school network in the rural seated communities, quilombolas and indigenous peoples of Tocantins ABSTRACT. Under the spotlight as the newest state of the federation, the Tocantins carries the Brazilian malaise, like the deficiencies in several public services rendered to the population. Education is no exception and is part of this gap, with a lack of school units, teachers, adequate academic training, quality school structure, among many others. When it comes to education in the countryside, those problems become more latent. The objective of this work was to investigate the main characteristics of the educational situation of the three large rural social communities of Tocantins, the Rural Settlements, the Remnant Areas of Quilombos and the Indigenous Lands, through a quantitative analysis of data available from government agencies. It has been shown that the supply of basic education in these communities is heterogeneous in terms of the number of schools and school levels offered and is, in its entirety, borne by the state and municipal governments. It was identified that the Remnant Areas of Quilombos do not count on offer of secondary education. Keywords: Quilombolas, Settlements, Indigenous Lands, School Units.   La red escolar en las comunidades rurales asentadas, quilombolas y indígenas del Tocantins RESUMEN. Bajo los reflectores como el más reciente estado de la federación, el Tocantins carga los principales problemas brasileños, tales como la deficiencia en los varios servicios públicos prestados a la población. La educación no es una excepción y forma parte de esta laguna, con falta de unidades escolares, profesores, formación académica adecuada, estructura escolar de calidad, entre tantos otros. Cuando se trata de la educación en el campo, estos problemas se vuelven más latentes. Este trabajo tuvo por objetivo investigar las principales características de la situación educativa de las tres grandes Comunidades Sociales Rurales de Tocantins, los Asentamientos Rurales, las Áreas Remanentes de Quilombos y las Tierras Indígenas a través de un análisis cuantitativo de datos disponibles por las agencias gubernamentales. Se mostró que la oferta de educación básica en estas comunidades es heterogénea en cuanto al cuantitativo de escuelas y de niveles escolares ofertados y está en su totalidad a cargo de los gobiernos estatal y municipal. Se identificó que las Áreas Remanentes de Quilombos no cuentan con oferta de enseñanza media. Palabras clave: Quilombolas, Asentamientos, Tierras Indígenas, Unidades Escolares

Surface hydrophobization of bacterial and vegetable cellulose fibers using ionic liquids as solvent media and catalysts

The surface hydrophobization through heterogeneous chemical modification of bacterial (and vegetable) cellulose fibers with several anhydrides (acetic, butyric, hexanoic and alkenyl succinic anhydrides) and hexanoyl chloride suspended in an ionic liquid, tetradecyltrihexylphosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide, [TDTHP][NTf(2)], was studied. Furthermore, in the reaction with hexanoyl chloride, another ionic liquid, N-hexyl-4-(dimethylamino)pyridinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide, [C(6)N(CH(3))(2)py][NTf(2)], was used instead of common organic bases as catalyst and to trap the released HCl. The analysis of the ensuing modified fibers by FTIR, XRD and SEM clearly showed that the esterification reactions occurred essentially at the fibers' outmost layers, not affecting their ultrastructure. The degree of substitution (DS) of the ensuing esterified fibers ranged from less than 0.002 to 0.41; and in all instances, the fibers' surface acquired a high hydrophobicity. This novel approach constitutes an important strategy in the preparation of modified fibers under greener conditions relaying in the use of non-volatile solvents.FCT - SFRH/BD/72830/2010SFRH/BPD/41781/2007PTDC/QUI/68472/2006PTDC/QUI/72903/200