Spatially-resolved spectroscopy of narrow-line Seyfert 1 host galaxies

We present optical integral field spectroscopy for five $z<0.062$ narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) host galaxies, probing their host galaxies at $\gtrsim 2-3$ kpc scales. Emission lines in the nuclear AGN spectra and the large-scale host galaxy are analyzed separately, based on an AGN-host decomposition technique. The host galaxy gas kinematics indicates large-scale gas rotation in all five sources. At the probed scales of $\gtrsim 2-3$ kpc, the host galaxy gas is found to be predominantly ionized by star formation without any evidence of a strong AGN contribution. None of the five objects shows specific star formation rates exceeding the main sequence of low-redshift star forming galaxies. The specific star formation rates for MCG-05-01-013 and WPVS 007 are roughly consistent with the main sequence, while ESO 399-IG20, MS 22549-3712, and TON S180 show lower specific star formation rates, intermediate to the main sequence and red quiescent galaxies. The host galaxy metallicities, derived for the two sources with sufficient data quality (ESO 399-IG20 and MCG-05-01-013), indicate central oxygen abundances just below the low-redshift mass-metallicity relation. Based on this initial case study, we outline a comparison of AGN and host galaxy parameters as a starting point for future extended NLS1 studies with similar methods.Comment: 25 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ on 3 September 201

The Capacity Catalogue: Enabling Open Society Grantees to Achieve More

This digital booklet is designed to help Open Society grantees and prospective grantees in Europe strengthen their organisations.Like any for-profit company or public institution, civil society organisations must be competent in several areas to function well under pressure, and with few resources. Their capacity to do their work depends on their performance in many areas: governance, strategy, work planning, communication, fundraising, and several others. The Capacity Catalogue helps civil society organisations recognise these areas, assess how they currently perform, and find the help they need. Its aim is to help civil society leaders identify their organisations' strengths, their weaknesses, and think critically about where and how to improve. This document is a joint publication with ODS, with the support of the Open Society Initiative for Europe.Resources are included at the end

Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 is Required for Optimal AKT Activation

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, through its major effector node AKT, is critical for the promotion of cell growth, division, motility and apoptosis evasion. This signaling axis is therefore commonly targeted in the form of mutations and amplifications in a myriad of malignancies. Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) was first discovered as the kinase responsible for phosphorylating and inhibiting the activity of glycogen synthase, ultimately antagonizing the storage of glucose as glycogen. Its activity counteracts the effects of insulin in glucose metabolism and AKT has long been recognized as one of the key molecules capable of phosphorylating GSK3 and inhibiting its activity. However, here we demonstrate that GSK3 is required for optimal phosphorylation and activation of AKT in different malignant cell lines, and that this effect is independent of the type of growth factor stimulation and can happen even in basal states. Both GSK3 alpha and GSK3 beta isoforms are necessary for AKT to become fully active, displaying a redundant role in the setting. We also demonstrate that this effect of GSK3 on AKT phosphorylation and full activation is dependent on its kinase activity, since highly specific inhibitors targeting GSK3 catalytic activity also promote a reduction in phosphorylated AKT. Analysis of reverse phase protein array screening of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells treated with RNA interference targeting GSK3 unexpectedly revealed an increase in levels of phosphorylated MAPK14 (p38). Treatment with the selective p38 inhibitor SB 202190 rescued AKT activation in that cell line, corroborating the importance of unbiased proteomic analysis in exposing cross-talks between signaling networks and demonstrating a critical role for p38 in the regulation of AKT phosphorylation

Uma Breve abordagem sobre a crítica ao racismo em Fanon

O presente artigo objetivou discorrer a respeito da filosofia de Fanon e sua luta pela causa negra frente ao racismo e a discriminação que foi implantada dentro da sociedade eurocêntrica. O problema de pesquisa é investigar como a  presença de um resquícios de uma sociedade racista e discriminatória estão vigentes numa sociedade em que a minoria branca mantém o poder. A abordagem partiu ancorou-se numa pesquisa de levantamento bibliográfico, cuja fonte de pesquisa se deu por meio de artigos acadêmicos da área. Como resultados das discussões percebe-se a relevância de novas visões e modelos sociais de educação, que possuam um maior poder de alcance na equidade  social

Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes in 3D Collagen I culture: an in vitro physiological environment for the study of extracellular matrix and host cell interactions

Leishmania amazonensis is the causative agent of American cutaneous leishmaniasis, an important neglected tropical disease. Once Leishmania amazonensis is inoculated into the human host, promastigotes are exposed to the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the dermis. However, little is known about the interaction between the ECM and Leishmania promastigotes. In this study we established L. amazonensis promastigote culture in a three-dimensional (3D) environment mainly composed of Collagen I (COL I). This 3D culture recreates in vitro some aspects of the human host infection site, enabling the study of the interaction mechanisms of L. amazonensis with the host ECM. Promastigotes exhibited “freeze and run” migration in the 3D COL I matrix, which is completely different from the conventional in vitro swimming mode of migration. Moreover, L. amazonensis promastigotes were able to invade, migrate inside, and remodel the 3D COL I matrix. Promastigote trans-matrix invasion and the freeze and run migration mode were also observed when macrophages were present in the matrix. At least two classes of proteases, metallo- and cysteine proteases, are involved in the 3D COL I matrix degradation caused by Leishmania. Treatment with a mixture of protease inhibitors significantly reduced promastigote invasion and migration through this matrix. Together our results demonstrate that L. amazonensis promastigotes release proteases and actively remodel their 3D environment, facilitating their migration. This raises the possibility that promastigotes actively interact with their 3D environment during the search for their cellular “home”—macrophages. Supporting this hypothesis, promastigotes migrated faster than macrophages in a novel 3D co-culture model

Pembrolizumab-Induced Immune-Mediated Colitis in a Patient with Concurrent Clostridium Difficile Infection

Pembrolizumab is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitor that has been approved for treatment of a wide variety of malignancies. Immune-mediated colitis is a known but uncommon adverse effect of pembrolizumab. Symptoms of immune-mediated colitis can be similar to those of many other gastrointestinal illnesses, including Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). If not recognized and treated in a timely fashion, immune-mediated colitis can lead to significant morbidity in cancer patients. We report the case of a 56-year-old woman on pembrolizumab for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who presented with severe colitis symptoms and initially tested positive for CDI. Her colitis symptoms worsened despite appropriate treatment for CDI but later improved rapidly after systemic corticosteroid was started for suspected immune-mediated colitis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of concurrent pembrolizumab-induced colitis and CDI. Immune-mediated colitis should be considered in the differential diagnoses in patients on pembrolizumab or other immune checkpoint inhibitors who present with colitis symptoms, even when a concurrent infectious etiology is suspected

Influence of solar radiation on the production of secondary metabolites in three rice (Oryza sativa) cultivars

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most produced and consumed cereals worldwide and has its importance highlighted mainly in developing countries, where it plays a strategic economic and social role. Due to the importance of rice in the diet, its composition and nutritional characteristics are directly related to the health of the population. In the rice production systems, some climatic factors are determinants for the good performance of the crop, inducing the biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites. The present study determined the metabolic profiles through UV-visible spectrophotometry of leaf samples of three rice cultivars (Marques -- white, \\^Onix -- black, and Rubi -- red pericarp) throughout the rice's vegetative stages in two experimental times, from September to December 2015 and from January to April 2016. Solar radiation was recorded along the experimental period. To the organosolvent extracts of leaf samples, UV-vis spectrophotometric techniques were applied and the quantitative results of certain metabolites, e.g., chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenolics, flavonoids, and sugars, as well the antioxidant activity, which were analyzed by chemometrics tools. The results showed that biochemical parameters carotenoids, chlorophylls and sugars are more affected by the intensity of the radiation do que as vari\\'\a\veis phenolics, flavonoids and these alterations may be detected through statistical analysis of biochemical concentrations and UV-vis spectra.CAPES -Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior(407323/2013-9)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Marine hazard assessment of soluble and nanostructured forms of the booster biocide DCOIT in tropical waters

The encapsulation of antifouling compounds, such as DCOIT (4,5-Dichloro-2-octylisothiazol- 3(2H)-one), in mesoporous silica nanocapsules (SiNC) has recently been demonstrated to be an eco-friendly alternative to decrease biocide toxicity towards marine non-target species. However, the lack of information on the chronic effects of such nanomaterials on non-target tropical species is critical for a more comprehensive environmental risk assessment. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the chronic toxicity and hazard of the soluble and encapsulated forms of DCOIT on neotropical marine species. Chronic tests were conducted with six ecologically relevant species. No effect concentration (NOEC) values were combined with NOEC values reported for tropical species to assess the hazard using the probabilistic approach to derive each predicted no effect concentration (PNEC). The SiNC-DCOIT was three- to ten-fold less toxic than soluble DCOIT. Probabilistic-based PNECs were set at 0.0001 and 0.0097 g DCOIT L1 for the biocide soluble and nanostructured forms, respectively. The immobilization of DCOIT into SiNC led to an 84-fold hazard decrease, confirming that the encapsulation of DCOIT into SiNC is a promising eco-friendly alternative technique, even in a chronic exposure scenario. Therefore, the present study will contribute to better management of the environmental risk of such innovative products in the tropical marine environment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio