Thyroid Hormone Increases TGF-beta 1 in Cardiomyocytes Cultures Independently of Angiotensin II Type 1 and Type 2 Receptors

TH-induced cardiac hypertrophy in vivo is accompanied by increased cardiac Transforming Growth Factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) levels, which is mediated by Angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT1R) and type 2 receptors (AT2R). However, the possible involvement of this factor in TH-induced cardiac hypertrophy is unknown. In this study we evaluated whether TH is able to modulate TGF-beta 1 in isolated cardiac, as well as the possible contribution of AT1R and AT2R in this response. The cardiac fibroblasts treated with T(3) did not show alteration on TGF-beta 1 expression. However, cardiomyocytes treated with T(3) presented an increase in TGF-beta 1 expression, as well as an increase in protein synthesis. The AT1R blockade prevented the T(3)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, while the AT2R blockage attenuated this response. The T(3)-induced increase on TGF-beta 1 expression in cardiomyocytes was not changed by the use of AT1R and AT2R blockers. These results indicate that Angiotensin II receptors are not implicated in T(3)-induced increase on TGF-beta expression and suggest that the trophic effects exerted by T(3) on cardiomyocytes are not dependent on the higher TGF-beta 1 levels, since the AT1R and AT2R blockers were able to attenuate the T(3)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy but were not able to attenuate the increase on TGF-beta 1 levels promoted by T(3).

Social Networks Shape the Transmission Dynamics of Hepatitis C Virus

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects 170 million people worldwide, and is a major public health problem in Brazil, where over 1% of the population may be infected and where multiple viral genotypes co-circulate. Chronically infected individuals are both the source of transmission to others and are at risk for HCV-related diseases, such as liver cancer and cirrhosis. Before the adoption of anti-HCV control measures in blood banks, this virus was mainly transmitted via blood transfusion. Today, needle sharing among injecting drug users is the most common form of HCV transmission. Of particular importance is that HCV prevalence is growing in non-risk groups. Since there is no vaccine against HCV, it is important to determine the factors that control viral transmission in order to develop more efficient control measures. However, despite the health costs associated with HCV, the factors that determine the spread of virus at the epidemiological scale are often poorly understood. Here, we sequenced partial NS5b gene sequences sampled from blood samples collected from 591 patients in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. We show that different viral genotypes entered Sao Paulo at different times, grew at different rates, and are associated with different age groups and risk behaviors. In particular, subtype 1b is older and grew more slowly than subtypes 1a and 3a, and is associated with multiple age classes. In contrast, subtypes 1a and 3b are associated with younger people infected more recently, possibly with higher rates of sexual transmission. The transmission dynamics of HCV in Sao Paulo therefore vary by subtype and are determined by a combination of age, risk exposure and underlying social network. We conclude that social factors may play a key role in determining the rate and pattern of HCV spread, and should influence future intervention policies.

3-Nitrophenol-4,4 '-bipyridyl N,N '-dioxide (2/1): a DFT study and CSD analysis of DPNO molecular complexes

The title 2:1 complex of 3-nitrophenol (MNP) and 4,4'-bipyridyl N, N'-dioxide (DPNO), 2C(6)H(5)NO(3)center dot C(10)H(8)N(2)O(2) or 2MNP center dot DPNO, crystallizes as a centrosymmetric three-component adduct with a dihedral angle of 59.40 (8)degrees between the planes of the benzene rings of MNP and DPNO (the DPNO moiety lies across a crystallographic inversion centre located at the mid-point of the C-C bond linking its aromatic rings). The complex owes its formation to O-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds [O center dot center dot center dot O = 2.605 (3) angstrom]. Molecules are linked by intermolecular C-H center dot center dot center dot O and C-H center dot center dot center dot N interactions forming R(2)(1) (6) and R(2)(2) (10) rings, and R(6)(6) (34) and R(4)(4) (26) macro-rings, all of which are aligned along the [(1) over bar 01] direction, and R(2)(2) (10) and R(2)(1) (7) rings aligned along the [010] direction. The combination of chains of rings along the [(1) over bar 01] and [010] directions generates the three-dimensional structure. A total of 27 systems containing the DNPO molecule and forming molecular complexes of an organic nature were analysed and compared with the structural characteristics of the dioxide reported here. The N-O distance [1.325 (2) angstrom] depends not only on the interactions involving the O atom at the N-O group, but also on the structural ordering and additional three-dimensional interactions in the crystal structure. A density functional theory (DFT) optimized structure at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level is compared with the molecular structure in the solid state.

Influence of Ecto-Nucleoside Triphosphate Diphosphohydrolase Activity on Trypanosoma cruzi Infectivity and Virulence

Background: The protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease. There are no vaccines or effective treatment, especially in the chronic phase when most patients are diagnosed. There is a clear necessity to develop new drugs and strategies for the control and treatment of Chagas disease. Recent papers have suggested the ecto-nucleotidases (from CD39 family) from pathogenic agents as important virulence factors. In this study we evaluated the influence of Ecto-Nucleoside-Triphosphate-Diphosphohydrolase (Ecto-NTPDase) activity on infectivity and virulence of T. cruzi using both in vivo and in vitro models. Methodology/Principal Findings: We followed Ecto-NTPDase activities of Y strain infective forms (trypomastigotes) obtained during sequential sub-cultivation in mammalian cells. ATPase/ ADPase activity ratios of cell-derived trypomastigotes decreased 3- to 6-fold and infectivity was substantially reduced during sequential sub-cultivation. Surprisingly, at third to fourth passages most of the cell-derived trypomastigotes could not penetrate mammalian cells and had differentiated into amastigote-like parasites that exhibited 3- to 4-fold lower levels of Ecto-NTPDase activities. To evidence the participation of T. cruzi Ecto-NTPDase1 in the infective process, we evaluated the effect of known Ecto-ATPDase inhibitors (ARL 67156, Gadolinium and Suramin), or anti-NTPDase-1 polyclonal antiserum on ATPase and ADPase hydrolytic activities in recombinant T. cruzi NTPDase-1 and in live trypomastigotes. All tests showed a partial inhibition of Ecto-ATPDase activities and a marked inhibition of trypomastigotes infectivity. Mice infections with Ecto-NTPDase-inhibited trypomastigotes produced lower levels of parasitemia and higher host survival than with non-inhibited control parasites. Conclusions/Significance: Our results suggest that Ecto-ATPDases act as facilitators of infection and virulence in vitro and in vivo and emerge as target candidates in chemotherapy of Chagas disease.

Pseudodifferential operators with C*-algebra-valued symbols: Abstract characterizations

Given a separable unital C*-algebra C with norm parallel to center dot parallel to, let E-n denote the Banach-space completion of the C-valued Schwartz space on R-n with norm parallel to f parallel to(2)=parallel to < f, f >parallel to(1/2), < f, g >=integral f(x)* g(x)dx. The assignment of the pseudodifferential operator A=a(x,D) with C-valued symbol a(x,xi) to each smooth function with bounded derivatives a is an element of B-C(R-2n) defines an injective mapping O, from B-C(R-2n) to the set H of all operators with smooth orbit under the canonical action of the Heisenberg group on the algebra of all adjointable operators on the Hilbert module E-n. In this paper, we construct a left-inverse S for O and prove that S is injective if C is commutative. This generalizes Cordes' description of H in the scalar case. Combined with previous results of the second author, our main theorem implies that, given a skew-symmetric n x n matrix J and if C is commutative, then any A is an element of H which commutes with every pseudodifferential operator with symbol F(x+J xi), F is an element of B-C(R-n), is a pseudodifferential operator with symbol G(x - J xi), for some G is an element of B-C(R-n). That was conjectured by Rieffel.

LEARNING A COMPLEX MOTOR SKILL FROM VIDEO AND POINT-LIGHT DEMONSTRATIONS

The aim of this Study was to compare the learning process of a highly complex ballet skill following demonstrations of point light and video models 16 participants divided into point light and video groups (ns = 8) performed 160 trials of a pirouette equally distributed in blocks of 20 trials alternating periods of demonstration and practice with a retention test a day later Measures of head and trunk oscillation coordination d1 parity from the model and movement time difference showed similarities between video and point light groups ballet experts evaluations indicated superiority of performance in the video over the point light group Results are discussed in terms of the task requirements of dissociation between head and trunk rotations focusing on the hypothesis of sufficiency and higher relevance of information contained in biological motion models applied to learning of complex motor skills

Effect of different resistance-training regimens on the WNT-signaling pathway

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of 8 weeks of strength and power training on the expression of genes related to the canonical WNT pathway and beta-catenin protein levels in physically active men. Twenty-five subjects (27.4 +/- A 4.6 years) were balanced based on their relative maximum strength in the squat exercise (squat 1RM/body mass) and randomly assigned to strength training (ST) (n = 10), power training (PT) (n = 10), and control (C) (n = 5) groups. The ST and the PT groups performed high and low intensity squats, respectively, thrice a week, for 8 weeks. Muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle were collected before and after the training period. Relative strength and power increased similarly in both ST and PT groups (P < 0.001). Fiber cross-sectional area also increased similarly in both ST and PT groups. Gene expression and beta-catenin protein expression levels were assessed by real-time PCR and Western blot. Certain genes were up-regulated in the ST group (WNT1: 6.4-fold, P < 0.0001; SFRP1: 3.3-fold, P < 0.0001 and LEF1: 7.3-fold, P < 0.0001) and also in the PT group (WNT1: 24.9-fold, P < 0.0001; SFRP1: 2.7-fold, P < 0.0001; LEF1: 34.1-fold, P < 0.0001 and Cyclin D1: 7.7-fold, P < 0.001). In addition, the expression of key WNT pathway genes was substantially more responsive to PT than to ST (WNT1: P < 0.0001; LEF1: P < 0.0001 and Cyclin D1: P < 0.001). Finally, the total beta-catenin protein content increased only in the PT group (P < 0.05). Our data indicate that a PT regimen triggers greater responses in key elements of the WNT pathway.

Leg preference and interlateral asymmetry of balance stability in soccer players

To examine the effect of long lasting practice on pedal behavior in sport, we compared experienced adult soccer players and nonsoccer players on leg preference in motor tasks requiring general mobilization, soccer related mobilization, and body balance stabilization. We also evaluated performance asymmetry between the right and left legs in static and dynamic unipedal body balance based on center of pressure displacement, and correlated that with kg preference in balance stabilization tasks. Results revealed (a) a distinct leg preference between mobilization and stabilization tasks, which were significantly different between Mayers and nonplayers, (b) similar balance stability between the right and left legs, (c) greater stability of experienced players compared with nonplayers in static and dynamic balance, and (d) absence of a significant kg preference correlation with interlateral balance asymmetry. These results suggest an effect of extensive soccer skill practice on establishing leg preference for specific mobilization tasks and overall balance control.

Constant-random practice and the adaptive process in motor learning with varying amounts of constant practice

The adaptive process in motor learning was examined in terms of effects of varying amounts of constant practice performed before random practice. Participants pressed five response keys sequentially, the last one coincident with the lighting of a final visual stimulus provided by a complex coincident timing apparatus. Different visual stimulus speeds were used during the random practice. 33 children (M age=11.6 yr.) were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups: constant-random, constant-random 33%, and constant-random 66%. The constant-random group practiced constantly until they reached a criterion of performance stabilization three consecutive trials within 50 msec. of error. The other two groups had additional constant practice of 33 and 66%, respectively, of the number of trials needed to achieve the stabilization criterion. All three groups performed 36 trials under random practice; in the adaptation phase, they practiced at a different visual stimulus speed adopted in the stabilization phase. Global performance measures were absolute, constant, and variable errors, and movement pattern was analyzed by relative timing and overall movement time. There was no group difference in relation to global performance measures and overall movement time. However, differences between the groups were observed on movement pattern, since constant-random 66% group changed its relative timing performance in the adaptation phase.

The effect of agitation speed, enzyme loading and substrate concentration on enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose from brewer`s spent grain

Brewer`s spent grain components (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) were fractionated in a two-step chemical pretreatment process using dilute sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide solutions. The cellulose pulp produced was hydrolyzed with a cellulolytic complex, Celluclast 1.5 L, at 45 degrees C to convert the cellulose into glucose. Several conditions were examined: agitation speed (100, 150 and 200 rpm), enzyme loading (5, 25 and 45 FPU/g substrate), and substrate concentration (2, 5 and 8% w/v), according to a 2(3) full factorial design aiming to maximize the glucose yield. The obtained results were interpreted by analysis of variance and response surface methodology. The optimal conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis of brewer`s spent grain were identified as 100 rpm, 45 FPU/g and 2% w/v substrate. Under these conditions, a glucose yield of 93.1% and a cellulose conversion (into glucose and cellobiose) of 99.4% was achieved. The easiness of glucose release from BSG makes this substrate a raw material with great potential to be used in bioconversion processes.

Effect of hemicellulose and lignin on enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose from brewer`s spent grain

Enzymatic hydrolysis of brewer`s spent grain in three different forms: original (untreated), pretreated by dilute acid (cellulignin), and pretreated by a sequence of dilute acid and dilute alkali (cellulose pulp), was studied to verify the effect of hemicellulose and lignin on cellulose conversion into glucose. The hydrolysis was carried out using a commercial cellulase concentrate (Celluclast 1.5 L) in an enzyme/substrate ratio of 45 FPU/g, 2% (w/v) substrate concentration, 45 degrees C for 96 h. According to the results, the cellulose hydrolysis was affected by the presence of hemicellulose and/or lignin in the sample. The cellulose conversion ratio (defined as glucose yield + cellobiose yield) from cellulignin was 3.5-times higher than that from untreated sample, whereas from cellulose pulp such value was 4-times higher, correspondent to 91.8% (glucose yield of 85.6%). This best result was probably due to the strong modification in the material structure caused by the hemicellulose and lignin removal from the sample. As a consequence, the cellulose fibers were separated being more susceptible to the enzymatic attack. It was concluded that the lower the hemicellulose and lignin contents in the sample, the higher the efficiency of cellulose hydrolysis. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of medium supplementation and pH control on lactic acid production from brewer`s spent grain

A cellulose pulp obtained by chemical pre-treatment of brewer`s spent grain was saccharified by a commercial cellulase preparation and the produced hydrolysate (50 g/l glucose) was fermented to lactic acid by Lactobacillus delbrueckii. The effects of pH control and nutrient supplementation of the hydrolysate on fermentation performance were investigated. Addition of 5g/l yeast extract enhanced the lactic acid volumetric productivity that attained 0.53 g/l h, value 18% higher than that obtained from non-supplemented hydrolysate. Addition of the MRS broth medium components (except the carbon source) was still better, providing a productivity of 0.79 g/l h. In all the cases, the lactic acid yield factor was of 0.7 g/g glucose consumed, but the fermentations stopped after 24 h due to the pH drop from 6.0 to 4.2, resulting in large amounts of residual glucose (38-41 g/l). Fermentation runs pH-controlled at 6.0 gave better results than those where the initial pH was not further controlled. The best result, 35.54 g/l lactic acid (0.99 g/g glucose consumed) was obtained during the pH-controlled fermentation of hydrolysate medium supplemented with MRS components. The volumetric productivity at the end of this fermentation was 0.59 g/l h, with a maximum of 0.82 g/l h during the first 12 h. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Production, characterization and application of activated carbon from brewer`s spent grain lignin

Different types of activated carbon were prepared by chemical activation of brewer`s spent grain (BSG) lignin using H(3)PO(4) at various acid/lignin ratios (1, 2, or 3 g/g) and carbonization temperatures (300, 450, or 600 degrees C), according to a 2(2) full-factorial design. The resulting materials were characterized with regard to their surface area, pore volume, and pore size distribution, and used for detoxification of BSG hemicellulosic hydrolysate (a mixture of sugars, phenolic compounds, metallic ions, among other compounds). BSG carbons presented BET surface areas between 33 and 692 m(2)/g, and micro- and mesopores with volumes between 0.058 and 0.453 cm(3)/g. The carbons showed high capacity for adsorption of metallic ions, mainly nickel, iron, chromium, and silicon. The concentration of phenolic compounds and color were also reduced by these sorbents. These results suggest that activated carbons with characteristics similar to those commercially found and high adsorption capacity can be produced from BSG lignin. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Linoleic acid peroxidation and lignin degradation by enzymes produced by Ceriporiopsis subvermispora grown on wood or in submerged liquid cultures

Ceriporiopsis subvermispora is a white-rot fungus used in biopulping processes and seems to use the fatty acid peroxidation reactions initiated by manganese-peroxidase (MnP) to start lignin degradation. The present work shows that C. subvermispora was able to peroxidize unsaturated fatty acids during wood biotreatment under biopulping conditions. In vitro assays showed that the extent of linoleic acid peroxidation was positively correlated with the level of MnP recovered from the biotreated wood chips. Milled wood was treated in vitro by partially purified MnP and linoleic acid. UV spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) showed that soluble compounds similar to lignin were released from the milled wood. SEC data showed a broad elution profile compatible with low molar mass lignin fractions. MnP-treated milled wood was analyzed by thioacidolysis. The yield of thioacidolysis monomers recovered from guaiacyl and syringyl units decreased by 33% and 20% in MnP-treated milled wood, respectively. This has suggested that lignin depolymerization reactions have occurred during the MnP/linoleic acid treatment. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Multiple views of sustainable urban mobility: The case of Brazil

The aim of this work is to identify key factors of a sustainable urban mobility concept in a particular context. A multiple criteria decision analysis method was developed to identify the main variables associated to the concept. Looking at the results obtained in 11 cities of the five Brazilian regions, we conclude that the method is able to capture the different views and approaches discussed in the formulation of the mobility concept. Therefore, it can be used as a starting point for the formulation of public policies and also in the development of tools designed for monitoring the mobility conditions. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.