Manipulation effects of prior exercise intensity feedback by the Borg scale during open-loop cycling

Objective To verify the effects of exercise intensity deception by the Borg scale on the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), heart rate (HR) and performance responses during a constant power output open-loop exercise. Methods Eight healthy men underwent a maximal incremental test on a cycle ergometer to identify the peak power output (PPO) and heart rate deflection point (HRDP). Subsequently, they performed a constant power output trial to exhaustion set at the HRDP intensity, in deception (DEC) and informed (INF) conditions: DEC-subjects were told that they would be cycling at an intensity corresponding to two categories below the RPE quantified at the HRDP; INF-subjects were told that they would cycle at the exact intensity corresponding to the RPE quantified at the HRDP. Results The PPO and power output at the HRDP obtained in maximal incremental tests were 247.5 +/- 32.1 W and 208.1 +/- 27.1 W, respectively. No significant difference in the time to exhaustion was found between DEC (525 +/- 244 s) or INF (499 +/- 224 s) trials. The slope and the first and second measurements of the RPE and HR parameters showed no significant difference between trials. Conclusions Psychophysiological variables such as RPE and HR as well as performance were not affected when exercise intensity was deceptively manipulated via RPE scores. This may suggest that unaltered RPE during exercise is a regulator of performance in this open-loop exercise.

Recognition of enteroinvasive Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri by dendritic cells: distinct dendritic cell activation states

The innate and adaptive immune responses of dendritic cells (DCs) to enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) infection were compared with DC responses to Shigella flexneri infection. EIEC triggered DCs to produce interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, whereas S. flexneri induced only the production of TNF-alpha. Unlike S. flexneri, EIEC strongly increased the expression of toll like receptor (TLR)-4 and TLR-5 in DCs and diminished the expression of co-stimulatory molecules that may cooperate to inhibit CD4(+) T-lymphocyte proliferation. The inflammation elicited by EIEC seems to be related to innate immunity both because of the aforementioned results and because only EIEC were able to stimulate DC transmigration across polarised Caco-2 cell monolayers, a mechanism likely to be associated with the secretion of CC chemokine ligands (CCL) 20 and TNF-alpha. Understanding intestinal DC biology is critical to unravelling the infection strategies of EIEC and may aid in the design of treatments for infectious diseases.

Influence of prior 810-nm-diode intracanal laser irradiation on hydrophilic resin-based sealer obturation

Dentin wall structural changes caused by 810-nm-diode laser irradiation can influence the sealing ability of endodontic sealers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the apical leakage of AH Plus and RealSeal resin-based sealers with and without prior diode laser irradiation. Fifty-two single-rooted mandibular premolars were prepared and divided into 4 groups, according to the endodontic sealer used and the use or non-use of laser irradiation. The protocol for laser irradiation was 2.5W, continuous wave in scanning mode, with 4 exposures per tooth. After sample preparation, apical leakage of 50% ammoniacal silver nitrate impregnation was analyzed. When the teeth were not exposed to irradiation, the Real Seal sealer achieved the highest scores, showing the least leakage, with significant differences at the 5% level (Kruskal-Wallis test, p = 0.0004), compared with AH Plus. When the teeth were exposed to the 810-nm-diode laser irradiation, the sealing ability of AH Plus sealer was improved (p = 0282). In the Real Seal groups, the intracanal laser irradiation did not interfere with the leakage index, showing similar results in the GRS and GRSd groups (p = 0.1009).

Cryptic Species of the Anastrepha fraterculus Complex (Diptera: Tephritidae): A Multivariate Approach for the Recognition of South American Morphotypes

Although a large amount of data have been published in past years on the taxonomic status of the Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) species complex, there is still a need to know how many species this complex comprises, the distribution of each one, and their distinguishing features. In this study, we assessed the morphometric variability of 32 populations from the A. fraterculus complex, located in major biogeographical areas from the Neotropics. Multivariate techniques for analysis were applied to the measurements of 21 variables referring to the mesonotum, aculeus, and wing. For the first time, our results identified the presence of seven distinct morphotypes within this species complex. According to the biogeographical areas, populations occurring in the Mesoamerican dominion (Mexico, Guatemala, and Panama) were clustered within a single natural entity labeled as the "Mexican" morphotype; whereas in the northwestern South American dominion, samples fell into three distinct groups: the "Venezuelan" morphotype with a single population from the Caribbean lowlands of Venezuela, the "Andean" morphotype from the highlands of Venezuela and Colombia, and the third group or "Peruvian" morphotype comprised the samples from the Pacific coastal lowlands of Ecuador and Peru. Three additional groups were identified from the Chacoan and Paranaense sub-regions: the morphotype "Brazilian-1" was recognized as including the Argentinean samples with most pertaining to Brazil, and widely distributed in these biogeographical areas; the morphotype "Brazilian-2" was recognized as including two samples from the state of Sao Paulo (Ilha-Bela and Sao Sebastiao); whereas the morphotype "Brazilian-3" included a single population from Botucatu (state of Sao Paulo). Based on data published by previous authors showing genetic and karyotypic differentiation, as well as reproductive isolation, we have concluded that such morphotypes indeed represent natural groups and distinct taxonomic entities.

P16-39. T cell recognition of autologous and non-autologous HIV-1 protease peptides by HIV-1 infected patients undergoing PI therapy

NIH, ICGEB, FAPESP, CNPq

Effect of Prior Photodegradation on the Biodegradation of Polypropylene/Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) Blends

In this work, the effect of blend composition and previous photodegradation on the biodegradation of polypropylene/ poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PP/PHB) blends was studied. The individual polymers and blends with or without the addition of poly(ethylene-co-methyl acrylate- co-glycidyl methacrylate) [P(E-MA-GMA)] as a compatibilizer (in the case of 80/20 blend) were exposed to UV light for 4 weeks and their biodegradation was evaluated. The biodegradation of PHB phase within the blends was hindered as PHB was the dispersed phase and PP fibrous particles were observed at the surface of the blend samples after biodegradation. Previous photodegradation lessened PHB biodegradation but enhanced the biodegradation of PP and the blends within the biodegradation time studied. Photodegradation resulted in cracks at the surface of PP and the blends, which probably facilitated the biotic reactions due to an easier access of the enzymes to deeper polymer layers. It also resulted in a decrease of molecular weight of PP phase and formation of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups which were consumed during biodegradation. Size exclusion chromatography analysis revealed that only the short chains of PP were consumed during biodegradation.