Identification and analysis of seven effector protein families with different adaptive and evolutionary histories in plant-associated members of the Xanthomonadaceae.

The Xanthomonadaceae family consists of species of non-pathogenic and pathogenic γ-proteobacteria that infect different hosts, including humans and plants. In this study, we performed a comparative analysis using 69 fully sequenced genomes belonging to this family, with a focus on identifying proteins enriched in phytopathogens that could explain the lifestyle and the ability to infect plants. Using a computational approach, we identified seven phytopathogen-enriched protein families putatively secreted by type II secretory system: PheA (CM-sec), LipA/LesA, VirK, and four families involved in N-glycan degradation, NixE, NixF, NixL, and FucA1. In silico and phylogenetic analyses of these protein families revealed they all have orthologs in other phytopathogenic or symbiotic bacteria, and are involved in the modulation and evasion of the immune system. As a proof of concept, we performed a biochemical characterization of LipA from Xac306 and verified that the mutant strain lost most of its lipase and esterase activities and displayed reduced virulence in citrus. Since this study includes closely related organisms with distinct lifestyles and highlights proteins directly related to adaptation inside plant tissues, novel approaches might use these proteins as biotechnological targets for disease control, and contribute to our understanding of the coevolution of plant-associated bacteria

Remineralization of initial carious lesions in deciduous enamel after application of dentifrices of different fluoride concentrations

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the remineralization potential of five dentifrices with different fluoride concentrations. Initial caries lesions were created in 72 cylindrical enamel blocks from deciduous teeth. The specimens were randomly distributed among six experimental groups corresponding to six experimental periods. Each of the six volunteers carried two deciduous enamel specimens fixed in an intraoral appliance for a period of 4 weeks. They brushed their teeth and the enamel blocks at least two times a day with dentifrices containing 0 ppm (period 1), 250 ppm (period 2), and 500 ppm fluoride (period 3), respectively. A second group of volunteers (n = 6) used dentifrices with a fluoride content of 0 ppm (period 4), 1,000 ppm (period 5), or 1,500 ppm (period 6). At the end of the respective period, the mineral content was determined by transversal microradiography (TMR). The use of dentifrices containing 500 ppm fluoride (38% MR), 1,000 ppm fluoride (42% MR), and 1,500 ppm fluoride (42% MR) resulted in a statistically significant higher mineral recovery compared to the control group (0 ppm fluoride). Mineral recovery was similar after use of dentifrices containing 0 and 250 ppm fluoride (24%; 25%). It is concluded that it is possible to remineralize initial carious lesions in deciduous enamel in a similar way as it has been described for enamel of permanent teeth

Dynamical tunneling in molecules: Quantum routes to energy flow

Dynamical tunneling, introduced in the molecular context, is more than two decades old and refers to phenomena that are classically forbidden but allowed by quantum mechanics. On the other hand the phenomenon of intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR) has occupied a central place in the field of chemical physics for a much longer period of time. Although the two phenomena seem to be unrelated several studies indicate that dynamical tunneling, in terms of its mechanism and timescales, can have important implications for IVR. Examples include the observation of local mode doublets, clustering of rotational energy levels, and extremely narrow vibrational features in high resolution molecular spectra. Both the phenomena are strongly influenced by the nature of the underlying classical phase space. This work reviews the current state of understanding of dynamical tunneling from the phase space perspective and the consequences for intramolecular vibrational energy flow in polyatomic molecules.Comment: 37 pages and 23 figures (low resolution); Int. Rev. Phys. Chem. (Review to appear in Oct. 2007

Mapping Patent Classifications: Portfolio and Statistical Analysis, and the Comparison of Strengths and Weaknesses

The Cooperative Patent Classifications (CPC) jointly developed by the European and US Patent Offices provide a new basis for mapping and portfolio analysis. This update provides an occasion for rethinking the parameter choices. The new maps are significantly different from previous ones, although this may not always be obvious on visual inspection. Since these maps are statistical constructs based on index terms, their quality--as different from utility--can only be controlled discursively. We provide nested maps online and a routine for portfolio overlays and further statistical analysis. We add a new tool for "difference maps" which is illustrated by comparing the portfolios of patents granted to Novartis and MSD in 2016.Comment: Scientometrics 112(3) (2017) 1573-1591; http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11192-017-2449-

Consórcios de caupi e milho em cultivo orgânico para produção de grãos e espigas verdes.

No período de outono-inverno-primavera de 2007, foi conduzido um estudo em Seropédica, Região Metropolitana do estado do Rio de Janeiro (Baixada Fluminense), com o objetivo de avaliar diferentes tipos de consórcio entre caupi (cv. Mauá) e milho (cv. AG-1051), em sistema orgânico de produção. O experimento foi instalado em área de Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo no delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constaram de diferentes épocas ou intervalos de tempo de semeadura do caupi em relação à do milho, a saber: (E1) 21 dias antes do milho; (E2) 14 dias antes do milho; (E3) 7 dias antes do milho; e (E4) no mesmo dia do milho. Tratamentos correspondentes aos cultivos solteiros do caupi e do milho foram incluídos, ambos semeados na data do tratamento E4. O cultivo consorciado com o caupi não interferiu na produtividade do milho em espigas verdes e também em termos de comprimento e diâmetro basal dessas espigas, independentemente do intervalo entre semeaduras. Com referência ao caupi, a produtividade em grãos verdes no cultivo solteiro foi superior à dos consórcios com o milho. Os valores obtidos para os Índices de Equivalência de Área (IEA), foram todos acima de 1,0, indicando que os consórcios foram eficientes quanto ao desempenho agronômico/biológico. Considerando, ainda a produtividade de cada cultura participante do consórcio, a semeadura do caupi antecipada de 21 dias em relação à do milho afigura-se mais adequada ao manejo orgânico adotado e às condições edafoclimáticas da região

Estado nutricional e uso de suplementos alimentares por acadêmicos de Nutrição da Universidade Federal do Tocantins

Os estudos sobre o consumo de suplementos alimentares por frequentadores de academias são encontrados em maior número na literatura científica, no entanto, há poucos dados sobre o perfil de consumo destes produtos por universitários ou pela população em geral. Dessa forma, este estudo buscou conhecer a prevalência do uso de suplementos associado ao estado nutricional e percepção corporal de acadêmicos do curso de nutrição. Para obtenção dos resultados foi aplicado um questionário de múltipla escolha, e realizada antropometria em 50 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, com idade de 18 a 35 anos, escolhidos aleatoriamente. Dessa amostra obteve-se que 50% dos estudantes entrevistados utilizavam suplemento alimentar, sendo vitaminas e minerais, ricos em proteínas e fitoterápicos os mais utilizados. Aproximadamente, 26% utilizavam por iniciativa própria. Quanto ao estado nutricional, 72% estavam eutróficos e 74% realizavam alguma atividade física, no entanto, não estavam satisfeitos com o corpo (74%). Sugere-se que a influência do conhecimento científico presente na ciência da nutrição influencie os acadêmicos quanto a alimentação saudável, no entanto, a mesma não está baseada apenas na ingestão de nutrientes específicos e sim na ingestão dos alimentos in natura, com foco nos hábitos alimentares regionais e bem-estar biopsicossocial, fato destoante neste trabalho. Além disso, enfatiza-se sobre a variabilidade da vida dos acadêmicos, embora existam vários meios de se obter uma alimentação saudável, existem vários fatores que podem interferir em uma alimentação variada e balanceada, fazendo assim com que os mesmos invistam na utilização de suplementos alimentares. ABSTRACT Nutritional status and use of food supplements by academics of nutrition of the Federal University of TocantinsStudies on the consumption of dietary supplements by academics are found in greater numbers in the scientific literature, however, there is little data on the profile of consumption of these products by university students or by the general population. Thus, this study sought to know the prevalence of the use of supplements associated with the nutritional status and body perception of the students of the nutrition course. To obtain the results, a multiple-choice questionnaire was applied, and anthropometry was performed in 50 individuals of both sexes, aged 18 to 35 years, randomly selected. From this sample, it was obtained that 50% of the students interviewed used food supplement, being vitamins and minerals, rich in proteins and phototherapy the most used. Approximately 26% used it on their own initiative. Regarding nutritional status, 72% were eutrophic and 74% had some physical activity, however, they were not satisfied with the body (74%). It is suggested that the influence of scientific knowledge present in the science of nutrition influences the academic about healthy eating, however, it is based not only on the ingestion of specific nutrients but on the ingestion of in nature foods, focusing on eating habits And bio psychosocial well-being, a fact that is dis- In addition, emphasis is placed on the variability of academic life, although there are several ways to achieve healthy eating, there are several factors that can interfere with a varied and balanced diet, thus making them invest in the use of food supplements

Hospitalization of older adults due to ambulatory care sensitive conditions

OBJECTIVE To analyze the temporal evolution of the hospitalization of older adults due to ambulatory care sensitive conditions according to their structure, magnitude and causes. METHODS Cross-sectional study based on data from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System and from the Primary Care Information System, referring to people aged 60 to 74 years living in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Souhteastern Brazil. The proportion and rate of hospitalizations due to ambulatory care sensitive conditions were calculated, both the global rate and, according to diagnoses, the most prevalent ones. The coverage of the Family Health Strategy and the number of medical consultations attended by older adults in primary care were estimated. To analyze the indicators’ impact on hospitalizations, a linear correlation test was used. RESULTS We found an intense reduction in hospitalizations due to ambulatory care sensitive conditions for all causes and age groups. Heart failure, cerebrovascular diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases concentrated 50.0% of the hospitalizations. Adults older than 69 years had a higher risk of hospitalization due to one of these causes. We observed a higher risk of hospitalization among men. A negative correlation was found between the hospitalizations and the indicators of access to primary care. CONCLUSIONS Primary healthcare in the state of Rio de Janeiro has been significantly impacting the hospital morbidity of the older population. Studies of hospitalizations due to ambulatory care sensitive conditions can aid the identification of the main causes that are sensitive to the intervention of the health services, in order to indicate which actions are more effective to reduce hospitalizations and to increase the population’s quality of life

The effect of low level laser on condylar growth during mandibular advancement in rabbits

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>It has been shown that Low Level Laser (LLL) has a positive effect on bone formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low level laser on condylar growth during mandibular advancement in rabbits.</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>Continuous forward mandibular advancement was performed in fourteen male Albino rabbits with the mean age of 8 weeks and the mean weight of 1.5 ± 0.5 kg, with acrylic inclined planes. The rabbits were randomly assigned into two groups after 4 weeks. LLL (KLO3: wave length 630 nm) was irradiated at 3 points around the TMJ, through the skin in the first group. The exposure was performed for 3 minutes at each point (a total of 9 minutes) once a day for 3 weeks. The control group was not exposed to any irradiation. The rabbits in both groups were sacrificed after two months and the histological evaluation of TMJ was performed to compare fibrous tissue, cartilage, and new bone formation in condylar region in both groups. Disc displacement was also detected in both groups. Student's t-test, Exact Fisher and Chi square tests were used for the statistical analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The formation of fibrous tissue was significantly lower, while bone formation was significantly greater in lased group as compared with control group. The thickness of cartilage did not differ significantly between two groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Irradiation of LLL (KLO3) during mandibular advancement in rabbits, increases bone formation in condylar region, while neither increase in the cartilage thickness nor fibrous tissues was observed.</p