Design requirements for graphical interfaces of learning objects accessible for users with low vision

O crescente aumento das matrículas de pessoas com deficiência visual na rede regular de ensino, em um contexto no qual a legislação brasileira impulsiona a educação inclusiva, torna relevante a busca por soluções que atendam às necessidades desses alunos nas suas trajetórias acadêmicas. Nesse sentido, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo propor requisitos de projeto dos elementos da interface gráfica de objetos de aprendizagem digitais que possibilitem acessibilidade aos usuários com baixa visão. A pesquisa de mestrado da qual originou-se este artigo foi conduzida pelo método Design Science Research, com aplicação da matriz de Desdobramento da Função Qualidade (QFD) na conversão de requisitos de usuário em requisitos de projeto. Como resultado, obteve-se um conjunto de requisitos de projeto da interface gráfica de usuário de objetos de aprendizagem que podem favorecer a acessibilidade para usuários com baixa visão.The increasing enrollment of visually impaired people in the regular education system, in a context in which Brazilian legislation promotes inclusive education, makes relevant the search for solutions that meet the needs of these students in their academic trajectories. In this sense, this research aimed to propose design requirements of the elements of the graphic interface of digital learning objects that allow accessibility for users with low vision. The master's research from which this article originated was conducted by the Design Science Research method, with application of the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) in the conversion of user requirements into design requirements. As a result, we obtained a set of graphical user interface design requirements for learning objects that can favor accessibility for users with low vision

Deep expression analysis reveals distinct cold-response strategies in rubber tree (hevea brasiliensis)

Natural rubber, an indispensable commodity used in approximately 40,000 products, is fundamental to the tire industry. The rubber tree species Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Muell-Arg., which is native the Amazon rainforest, is the major producer of latex worldwide. Rubber tree breeding is time consuming, expensive and requires large field areas. Thus, genetic studies could optimize field evaluations, thereby reducing the time and area required for these experiments. In this work, transcriptome sequencing was used to identify a full set of transcripts and to evaluate the gene expression involved in the different cold-response strategies of the RRIM600 (cold-resistant) and GT1 (cold-tolerant) genotypes.ResultsWe built a comprehensive transcriptome using multiple database sources, which resulted in 104,738 transcripts clustered in 49,304 genes. The RNA-seq data from the leaf tissues sampled at four different times for each genotype were used to perform a gene-level expression analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified through pairwise comparisons between the two genotypes for each time series of cold treatments.DEG annotation revealed that RRIM600 and GT1 exhibit different chilling tolerance strategies. To cope with cold stress, the RRIM600 clone upregulates genes promoting stomata closure, photosynthesis inhibition and a more efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging system. The transcriptome was also searched for putative molecular markers (single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and microsatellites) in each genotype. and a total of 27,111 microsatellites and 202,949 (GT1) and 156,395 (RRIM600) SNPs were identified in GT1 and RRIM600. Furthermore, a search for alternative splicing (AS) events identified a total of 20,279 events.ConclusionsThe elucidation of genes involved in different chilling tolerance strategies associated with molecular markers and information regarding AS events provides a powerful tool for further genetic and genomic analyses of rubber tree breeding20CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP478701/2012–8; 402954/2012Sem informação2007/50392–1; 2012/50491–8; 2014/18755–0; 2015/24346–

Análise qualitativa de gangliosídeos em hipocampos de ratos submetidos a isquemia cerebral transitória

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15d-PGJ(2)-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles: physicochemical characterization and evaluation of pharmacological effects on inflammation

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2) (15d-PGJ(2)), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) agonist, has physiological properties including pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, though it binds strongly to serum albumin. The use of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) can improve therapeutic properties increasing drug efficiency and availability. 15d-PGJ(2)-SLN was therefore developed and investigated in terms of its immunomodulatory potential. 15d-PGJ(2)-SLN and unloaded SLN were physicochemically characterized and experiments in vivo were performed. Animals were pretreated with 15d-PGJ(2)-SLN at concentrations of 3, 10 or 30 mu g.kg(-1) before inflammatory stimulus with carrageenan (Cg), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or mBSA (immune response). Interleukins (IL-1 beta, IL-10 and IL-17) levels were also evaluated in exudates. The 15d-PGJ(2)-SLN system showed good colloidal parameters and encapsulation efficiency of 96%. The results showed that the formulation was stable for up to 120 days with low hemolytic effects. The 15d-PGJ(2)-SLN formulation was able to reduce neutrophil migration in three inflammation models tested using low concentrations of 15d-PGJ(2). Additionally, 15d-PGJ(2)-SLN increased IL-10 levels and reduced IL-1 beta as well as IL-17 in peritoneal fluid. The new 15d-PGJ(2)-SLN formulation highlights perspectives of a potent anti-inflammatory system using low concentrations of 15d-PGJ(2).15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2) (15d-PGJ(2)), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) agonist, has physiological properties including pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, though it binds strongly to serum albumin. The use of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) can improve therapeutic properties increasing drug efficiency and availability. 15d-PGJ(2)-SLN was therefore developed and investigated in terms of its immunomodulatory potential. 15d-PGJ(2)-SLN and unloaded SLN were physicochemically characterized and experiments in vivo were performed. Animals were pretreated with 15d-PGJ(2)-SLN at concentrations of 3, 10 or 30 mu g.kg(-1) before inflammatory stimulus with carrageenan (Cg), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or mBSA (immune response). Interleukins (IL-1 beta, IL-10 and IL-17) levels were also evaluated in exudates. The 15d-PGJ(2)-SLN system showed good colloidal parameters and encapsulation efficiency of 96%. The results showed that the formulation was stable for up to 120 days with low hemolytic effects. The 15d-PGJ(2)-SLN formulation was able to reduce neutrophil migration in three inflammation models tested using low concentrations of 15d-PGJ(2). Additionally, 15d-PGJ(2)-SLN increased IL-10 levels and reduced IL-1 beta as well as IL-17 in peritoneal fluid. The new 15d-PGJ(2)-SLN formulation highlights perspectives of a potent anti-inflammatory system using low concentrations of 15d-PGJ(2)118e0161796FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO2014/11016-8303555/2013-

Chromosomal analyses of Salticinae and Lyssomaninae reveal a broad occurrence of the 2n male=28, X(1)X(2)0 karyotype within Salticidae

Brazil possesses the richest fauna of Salticidae in the world, including 560 specieshowever, no representative of the Brazilian fauna has been cytogenetically analyzed up to now. It has been demonstrated that karyotype data are a useful source for discussions on the phylogeny and chromosome differentiation of some salticid lineages. In this work, the first chromosome study of salticid species from Brazil is presented, with the addition of five genera to the 38 previously investigated worldwide. The analysis of mitotic and/or meiotic cells revealed 2n male = 28, X(1)X(2)0 in Asaracus sp., Coryphasia sp., Chira sp., Frigga quintensis (Tullgren, 1905), and Lyssomanes pauper Mello-Leitao, 1945. This karyotype constitution is the most common for Salticidae, occurring in species of distinct clades. The diploid number 2n female = 28 observed in Hasarius adansoni (Audouin, 1826) is unexpected, differing in one autosomal pair from the karyotype previously registered for males of the same species. The cytogenetic information reported here reinforces the wide occurence of 2n male = 28, X(1)X(2)0 within Salticidae, including species belonging to different clades and biogeographical regions. This karyotype is a shared character of Salticidae + Philodromidae, found exclusively in these families within Dionycha, suggesting its sister relationship already proposed in the literature.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico, CNPqFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo, FAPESPUniv Fed Mato Grosso do Sul, UFMS, Setor Biol Geral, Ctr Ciencias Biol & Saude, BR-79070900 Campo Grande, MS, BrazilUniv Estadual Mato Grosso do Sul, UEMS, Unidade Univ Ivinhema, BR-79740000 Ivinhema, MS, BrazilUniv Estadual Mato Grosso do Sul, UEMS, Unidade Univ Mundo Novo, BR-79790000 Mundo Novo, MS, BrazilInst Butantan, Lab Especial Colecoes Zool, Av Vital Brasil 1500, BR-05503900 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, UNIFESP, Dept Ciencias Biol, Av Prof Artur Riedel 275, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, UNIFESP, Dept Ciencias Biol, Av Prof Artur Riedel 275, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilCNPq: 471821/2008-0CNPq: 303028/2014-9FAPESP: 2011/21643-1Web of Scienc

Antioxidant Activity of Resveratrol Analogs

This study evaluated the antioxidant activity of five resveratrol analogs by relating the activity of the molecule with its chemical structure. The five resveratrol analogs were synthesized and the antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH method. The resveratrol was used as the reference standard. A descriptive statistical analysis and ANOVA followed by the Tukey test, with the aid of software. The antioxidant activity of resveratrol analogs was considered statistically different, with the analog A which showed activity superior to the others. The five analogs presented lower antioxidant activity than the reference standard (p <0.001). According to the findings, hydroxylation was the molecular modification that gave the best evaluated antioxidant activity result. Resveratrol analogs may have an important antioxidative activity, but with the one with the higher IC50 was presented by the natural compound.FAPEMIGFAPEMIGCAPESCAPESPROPESQ/UFJFPROPESQ/UFJ

Multidrug-Resistant Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Isolated from Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Worldwide, nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have become emergent pathogens of pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, with an estimated prevalence ranging from 5 to 20%. This work investigated the presence of NTM in sputum samples of 129 CF patients (2 to 18 years old) submitted to longitudinal clinical supervision at a regional reference center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From June 2009 to March 2012, 36 NTM isolates recovered from 10 (7.75%) out of 129 children were obtained. Molecular identification of NTM was performed by using PCR restriction analysis targeting the hsp65 gene (PRA-hsp65) and sequencing of the rpoB gene, and susceptibility tests were performed that followed Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommendations. for evaluating the genotypic diversity, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and/or enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence PCR (ERIC-PCR) was performed. the species identified were Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii (n = 24), M. abscessus subsp. abscessus (n = 6), Mycobacterium fortuitum (n = 3), Mycobacterium marseillense (n = 2), and Mycobacterium timonense (n = 1). Most of the isolates presented resistance to five or more of the antimicrobials tested. Typing profiles were mainly patient specific. the PFGE profiles indicated the presence of two clonal groups for M. abscessus subsp. abscessus and five clonal groups for M. abscesssus subsp. bolletii, with just one clone detected in two patients. Given the observed multidrug resistance patterns and the possibility of transmission between patients, we suggest the implementation of continuous and routine investigation of NTM infection or colonization in CF patients, including countries with a high burden of tuberculosis disease.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)PDTIS-FIOCRUZUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Programa Posgrad Clin Med, Hosp Univ Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniv Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Med, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Fac Ciencias Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilInst Fernandes Figueira Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniv Estado Rio de Janeiro, Hosp Univ Pedro Ernesto, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Microbiol, BR-21941 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilFundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Inst Pesquisa Evandro Chagas, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilInst Doencas Torax, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilJohns Hopkins Univ, Baltimore, MD USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Fluminense, Inst Biomed, Niteroi, RJ, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, São Paulo, BrazilFAPERJ: 103.225/2011FAPERJ: 103.287/2011FAPERJ: 110.272/2010FAPERJ: 110.761/2010FAPERJ: 111.497/2008CNPq: 476536/2012-0CNPq: 473444/2010-0CNPq: 567037/2008-8Web of Scienc

Early effects of LPS-induced neuroinflammation on the rat hippocampal glycolytic pathway

Neuroinflammation is a common feature during the development of neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, where glial cells, such as microglia and astrocytes, play key roles in the activation and maintenance of inflammatory responses in the central nervous system. Neuroinflammation is now known to involve a neurometabolic shift, in addition to an increase in energy consumption. We used two approaches (in vivo and ex vivo) to evaluate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation on neurometabolic reprogramming, and on the modulation of the glycolytic pathway during the neuroinflammatory response. For this, we investigated inflammatory cytokines and receptors in the rat hippocampus, as well as markers of glial reactivity. Mitochondrial respirometry and the glycolytic pathway were evaluated by multiple parameters, including enzymatic activity, gene expression and regulation by protein kinases. Metabolic (e.g., metformin, 3PO, oxamic acid, fluorocitrate) and inflammatory (e.g., minocycline, MCC950, arundic acid) inhibitors were used in ex vivo hippocampal slices. The induction of early inflammatory changes by LPS (both in vivo and ex vivo) enhanced glycolytic parameters, such as glucose uptake, PFK1 activity and lactate release. This increased glucose consumption was independent of the energy expenditure for glutamate uptake, which was in fact diverted for the maintenance of the immune response. Accordingly, inhibitors of the glycolytic pathway and Krebs cycle reverted neuroinflammation (reducing IL-1β and S100B) and the changes in glycolytic parameters induced by LPS in acute hippocampal slices. Moreover, the inhibition of S100B, a protein predominantly synthesized and secreted by astrocytes, inhibition of microglia activation and abrogation of NLRP3 inflammasome assembly confirmed the role of neuroinflammation in the upregulation of glycolysis in the hippocampus. Our data indicate a neurometabolic glycolytic shift, induced by inflammatory activation, as well as a central and integrative role of astrocytes, and suggest that interference in the control of neurometabolism may be a promising strategy for downregulating neuroinflammation and consequently for diminishing negative neurological outcomes

A successful strategy for the recovering of active P21, an insoluble recombinant protein of Trypanosoma cruzi

Structural studies of proteins normally require large quantities of pure material that can only be obtained through heterologous expression systems and recombinant technique. in these procedures, large amounts of expressed protein are often found in the insoluble fraction, making protein purification from the soluble fraction inefficient, laborious, and costly. Usually, protein refolding is avoided due to a lack of experimental assays that can validate correct folding and that can compare the conformational population to that of the soluble fraction. Herein, we propose a validation method using simple and rapid 1D H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra that can efficiently compare protein samples, including individual information of the environment of each proton in the structure.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)INBEQMeDIUniv Fed Uberlandia, Inst Ciencias Biomed, BR-38400 Uberlandia, MG, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Inst Fis Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, Vila Mariana, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Biol Geral, Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, Vila Mariana, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 2010/51867-6FAPESP: 2012/21153-7FAPEMIG: APQ-00621-11FAPEMIG: APQ-00305-12CAPES: 23038.005295/2011-40Web of Scienc