Fungal colonization with Pneumocystis correlates to increasing chloride channel accessory 1 (hCLCA1) suggesting a pathway for up-regulation of airway mucus responses, in infant lungs

AbstractFungal colonization with Pneumocystis is associated with increased airway mucus in infants during their primary Pneumocystis infection, and to severity of COPD in adults. The pathogenic mechanisms are under investigation. Interestingly, increased levels of hCLCA1 – a member of the calcium-sensitive chloride conductance family of proteins that drives mucus hypersecretion – have been associated with increased mucus production in patients diagnosed with COPD and in immunocompetent rodents with Pneumocystis infection. Pneumocystis is highly prevalent in infants; therefore, the contribution of Pneumocystis to hCLCA1 expression was examined in autopsied infant lungs. Respiratory viruses that may potentially increase mucus, were also examined. hCLCA1 expression was measured using actin-normalized Western-blot, and the burden of Pneumocystis organisms was quantified by qPCR in 55 autopsied lungs from apparently healthy infants who died in the community. Respiratory viruses were diagnosed using RT-PCR for RSV, metapneumovirus, influenza, and parainfluenza viruses; and by PCR for adenovirus. hCLCA1 levels in virus positive samples were comparable to those in virus-negative samples. An association between Pneumocystis and increased hCLCA1 expression was documented (P=0.028). Additionally, increasing Pneumocystis burden correlated with increasing hCLCA1 protein expression levels (P=0.017). Results strengthen the evidence of Pneumocystis-associated up-regulation of mucus-related airway responses in infant lungs. Further characterization of this immunocompetent host-Pneumocystis-interaction, including assessment of potential clinical significance, is warranted

Synchronous clear cell renal cell carcinoma and tubulocystic carcinoma: genetic evidence of independent ontogenesis and implications of chromosomal imbalances in tumor progression

Seven percent of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cases are diagnosed as "unclassified" RCC by morphology. Genetic profiling of RCCs helps define renal tumor subtypes, especially in cases where morphologic diagnosis is inconclusive. This report describes a patient with synchronous clear cell RCC (ccRCC) and a tubulocystic renal carcinoma (TCRC) in the same kidney, and discusses the pathologic features and genetic profile of both tumors. A 67 year-old male underwent CT scans for an unrelated medical event. Two incidental renal lesions were found and ultimately removed by radical nephrectomy. The smaller lesion had multiple small cystic spaces lined by hobnail cells with high nuclear grade separated by fibrous stroma. This morphology and the expression of proximal (CD10, AMACR) and distal tubule cell (CK19) markers by immunohistochemistry supported the diagnosis of TCRC. The larger lesion was a typical ccRCC, with Fuhrman's nuclear grade 3 and confined to the kidney. Molecular characterization of both neoplasms using virtual karyotyping was performed to assess relatedness of these tumors. Low grade areas (Fuhrman grade 2) of the ccRCC showed loss of 3p and gains in chromosomes 5 and 7, whereas oncocytic areas displayed additional gain of 2p and loss of 10q; the high grade areas (Fuhrman grade 3) showed several additional imbalances. In contrast, the TCRC demonstrated a distinct profile with gains of chromosomes 8 and 17 and loss of 9. In conclusion, ccRCC and TCRC show distinct genomic copy number profiles and chromosomal imbalances in TCRC might be implicated in the pathogenesis of this tumor. Second, the presence of a ccRCC with varying degrees of differentiation exemplifies the sequence of chromosomal imbalances acquired during tumor progression

Effect of organic and chemical fertilization on the onion crop (Allium cepa L.)

The bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) is a vegetable widely cultivated and in high demand in national and international markets. Due to the risks that the indiscriminate use of agrochemicals represents for human health and the environment, the present study aimed to make a comparative analysis of the effects of organic vs chemical fertilization currently used in the cropping of red hybrid bulb onion (Eureka). Three organic fertilizers (Zumsil®, ComCat® and EcoFungi®) were compared to three chemical fertilizers (15-15-15®, Muriate of Potash® and Nitrofoska®). The response variables were: plant height at 30 and 60 days after transplanting (DAT), length, diameter and average weight of bulbs, yield in tons per hectare and the relationship between height at 30 and 60 DAT. The experiment was carried out under a completely randomized design with four replicates, seven treatments and 28 experimental units. The statistics used include an analysis of variance and a Canonical Biplot that allowed to obtain groups of variables and to determine their correlation with each one of the treatments. Additionally, a marginal analysis of dominant treatments was performed. Positive response of variables was strongly associated with organic fertilizers. From the economic point of view, the ComCat® organic fertilizer represented an ecological alternative with excellent benefits for the producer. This research is in line with the trends for agrochemical-free foods

Closing the loop in exergaming - Health benefits of biocybernetic adaptation in senior adults

Exergames help senior players to get physically active by promoting fun and enjoyment while exercising. However, most exergames are not designed to produce recommended levels of exercise that elicit adequate physical responses for optimal training in the aged population. In this project, we developed physiological computing technologies to overcome this issue by making real-time adaptations in a custom exergame based on recommendations for targeted heart rate (HR) levels. This biocybernetic adaptation was evaluated against conventional cardiorespiratory training in a group of active senior adults through a floor-projected exergame and a smartwatch to record HR data. Results showed that the physiologically-augmented exergame leads players to exert around 40% more time in the recommended HR levels, compared to the conventional training, avoiding over exercising and maintaining good enjoyment levels. Finally, we made available our biocybernetic adaptation software tool to enable the creation of physiological adaptive videogames, permitting the replication of our study.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Assessment of pre-clinical liver models based on their ability to predict the liver-tropism of AAV vectors

The liver is a prime target for in vivo gene therapies using recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAV). Multiple clinical trials have been undertaken for this target in the past 15 years, however we are still to see market approval of the first liver-targeted AAV-based gene therapy. Inefficient expression of the therapeutic transgene, vector-induced liver toxicity and capsid, and/or transgene-mediated immune responses reported at high vector doses are the main challenges to date. One of the contributing factors to the insufficient clinical outcomes, despite highly encouraging preclinical data, is the lack of robust, biologically- and clinically-predictive preclinical models. To this end, this study reports findings of a functional evaluation of six AAV vectors in twelve preclinical models of the human liver, with the aim to uncover which combination of models is the most relevant for the identification of AAV capsid variant for safe and efficient transgene delivery to primary human hepatocytes. The results, generated by studies in models ranging from immortalized cells, iPSC-derived and primary hepatocytes, and primary human hepatic organoids to in vivo models, increased our understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each system. This should allow the development of novel gene therapies targeting the human liver

Ações do Projeto “Ações Construtivas do Conhecimento Químico” e Suas Contribuições Pedagógicas na Cidade de Manaus - AM

NESTE TRABALHO SÃO RELATADAS AS CONTRIBUIÇÕES QUE O PROJETO AÇÕES CONSTRUTIVAS DO CONHECIMENTOQUÍMICO NAS ESCOLAS PÚBLICAS TROUXE PARA A VIDA ESCOLAR DOS ESTUDANTES DO ESTADO DO AMAZONAS, SUBRETUDO EM SUA CAPITAL, MANAUS. O PROJETO ACONTECE DESDE OUTUBRO DE 2011, EM 7 ESCOLAS-SEDE, CONTEMPLANDO TODAS AS REGIÕES GEOGRÁFICAS DO MUNICÍPIO. 300 ESTUDANTES, DO PRIMEIRO E SEGUNDO ANO DO ENSINO MÉDIO, ORIUNDOS DE 20 ESCOLAS, SÃO ATENDIDOS PELO PROJETO. AS AULAS SÃO MINISTRADAS POR LICENCIANDOS E BACHARÉIS EM QUÍMICA DA UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO AMAZONAS, E QUE SÃO ORIENTADOS POR SUPERVISORES LICENCIADOS E COM ATUAÇÃO NO ENSINO DE QUÍMICA. O PROJETO AINDA CONTA COM UMA COORDENAÇÃO NACIONAL E OUTRA NO AMAZONAS, COM AULAS SEMANAIS NAS ESCOLAS-SEDE E REUNIÕES DA EQUIPE NA UFAM. AS ATIVIDADES PERMITEM TRABALHAR SIMULTANEAMENTE FORMAÇÃO INICIAL E CONTINUADA DE PROFESSORES DE ENSINO MÉDIO, ALÉM DO APROFUNDAMENTO EM QUÍMICA QUE OS ALUNOS DE ENSINO MÉDIO DE TODAS AS REGIÕES DE MANAUS TÊM ACESSO. NESTE TRABALHO RELATAMOS, SOBRETUDO, O IMPACTO DAS AÇÕES NA FORMAÇÃO INICIAL DOS MONITORE

La política migratoria colombiana en el período 2002-2010 : el programa Colombia Nos Une (CNU)

La migración es un fenómeno que ha estado presente a lo largo de la historia de la humanidad y ha sido condicionante en la configuración de los Estados, así como influyente en la dinámica del sistema internacional. En la actualidad se constituye como un tema complejo, que se pone sobre la mesa en diversos ámbitos: se presenta en las discusiones, declaraciones y planes de acción de bloques de integración regional (en el caso suramericano Mercosur y CAN), en instituciones gubernamentales vinculantes o no para los Estados así como organizaciones de la sociedad civil. Espacios desde los cuales se han generado algunos acercamientos al tema, diagnósticos acerca de su constante crecimiento y alternativas a su tratamiento, entre las que sobresalen actualmente las miradas economicistas del fenómeno