Evaluation of infant membrane oxygenator in sheep

Objective: To analyze the security and efficacy of a new membrane oxygenator, the so-called OXM - 1500. Methods: From May 2005 to September 2006, six sheep of Santa Ines breed (five male and one female, respectively) were studied. The average body weight was 14.1 (+/- 5) kg, body surface 0.6 (+/- 0.2) m(2) and a mean age 3.8 (+/- 1.5) months. All of them were submitted to extracorporeal circulation (CEC) with evaluation at 10, 30,60,120,180 and 240 minutes. The following values were obtained: values of oxygen transference (TTO(2)) and carbon dioxide transference (TTCO(2)), haemoglobin (HBS) and free haemoglobin (HBL), the score of platelets and of leucocytes, and heat transference rate. Results: TTO(2) and TTCO(2) were adequate. Lesion of the majority formed blood elements was insignificant; there no modifications in HBS, HBL levels; platelets and leucocytes decreased over time. Heat exchange was effective (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The membrane OXM - 1500 infant oxygenator, tested in sheep, showed adequate oxygenation capacity, CO(2) removal capacity, and small alteration of haemoglobin and platelets without significant decrease of leucocytes, as expected. Heat exchanger connected to the oxygenator was efficient in temperature changes.23335836

Comparative proteomic analysis reveals that T3SS, Tfp, and xanthan gum are key factors in initial stages of Citrus sinensis infection by Xanthomonas citri subsp citri

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)The bacteria Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xac) is the causal agent of citrus canker. The disease symptoms are characterized by localized host cell hyperplasia followed by tissue necrosis at the infected area. An arsenal of bacterial pathogenicity- and virulence-related proteins is expressed to ensure a successful infection process. At the post-genomic stage of Xac, we used a proteomic approach to analyze the proteins that are displayed differentially over time when the pathogen attacks the host plant. Protein extracts were prepared from infectious Xac grown in inducing medium (XAM1) for 24 h or from host citrus plants for 3 or 5 days after infection, detached times to evaluate the adaptation and virulence of the pathogen. The protein extracts were proteolyzed, and the peptides derived from tryptic digestion were investigated using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Changes in the protein expression profile were compared with the Xac genome and the proteome recently described under non-infectious conditions. An analysis of the proteome of Xac under infectious conditions revealed proteins directly involved in virulence such as the type III secretion system (T3SS) and effector proteins (T3SS-e), the type IV pilus (Tfp), and xanthan gum biosynthesis. Moreover, four new mutants related to proteins detected in the proteome and with different functions exhibited reduced virulence relative to the wild-type proteins. The results of the proteome analysis of infectious Xac define the processes of adaptation to the host and demonstrate the induction of the virulence factors of Xac involved in plant-pathogen interactions.141205217Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)FAPESP [04/02006-7]Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais [FAPEMIG-CBB-APQ-04425-10