Determinantes envolvidos na resposta imune celular humana à infecção por Leishmania infantum chagasi

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a disease caused by protozoa of the Leishmania donovani complex, whose infection has clinical spectrum ranging from asymptomatic infection to active disease characterized by fever, cachexia, hepatosplenomegaly, and immunosuppression. The healing or protective immunity require an antigen-specific type 1. The Montenegro skin test (DTH) has been interpreted as a marker of protective immunity. However, there is no known correlation between the DTH response to type 1 and DTH and immunity of type 1 are maintained in the long term. Thus, a longitudinal study of 8 years, nested in a cohort family held in Brazil, documented the status of DTH and cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to antigen-specific stimulation. This study was the interdisciplinary approach of physicians, biochemists, nutritionists, veterinary medicine, biology and statistics. The results show that 46.2% of subjects were analyzed DTH positive at baseline. The prevalence of positive and DTH induration size increased with age (p = 0.0021). 15.7% of individuals positive DTH "retro-converted" the negative and 50.4% (64) of individuals negative DTH became positive. The size of DTH induration was correlated significantly with the antigen-induced production of IFN-γ (r = 0.6186, p = 0.0001). IL-6 was secreted at higher levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of individuals who "retro-converted" DTH positive to negative than individuals who remained stable DTH status (p = 0.005). Thus, IFN-γ produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells, may be a surrogate marker for protective immunity instead of the DTH response. In addition, differences in innate immune response may determine whether individuals maintain or eliminate the infection by Leishmania infantum chagasi in asymptomatic patients

Efeito de um extrato de Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) na marcação de constituintes sanguíneos com tecnécio-99M e na sobrevivência de Escherichia coli

Clinical evaluations have been made possible with radiobiocomplexes marked with tecnecium-99m (99mTc). Natural or synthetic drugs are able to interfere in the marking of blood structures with 99m Tc. Also, the toxicity of several natural products has been described. The aim of this study was evaluating the effect of an extract of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) in the marking of blood constituents with 98m Tc and in the survival of Escherichia coli. Blood samples from Wistar rats were treated with reishi extract. Radiomarking procedure was performed. Samples of plasma (P), blood cells (CS), and insoluble (FI) and soluble (FS) fractions of P and CS were separated and the radioactivity was counted to determine radioactivity percentages (%ATI). Escherichia coli AB1157 cultures were treated with stannous chloride in the presence and absence of the reishi extract. Blood samples and bacterial cultures treated with NaCl 0.9% were used as controls. Data indicated that the reishi extract has significantly altered (p<0,05) the %ATI of P, CS, FI-P, FS-P, FI-CS e FS-CS, as well as it has increased survival of bacterial cultures treated with stannous chloride. Our results suggest that the Reishi extract would be able to present a redox/ chelant action by altering blood constituent marking with 99mTc and by protecting bacterial cultures against stannous chloride-induced oxydating lesions. The study had a multidisciplinary character, with the participation of the following areas of knowledge: Biophysics, Radiobiology, Botanics, Phytotherapy, and Hematology

Atividade antibacteriana das plantas copaifera duckei dwyer e pseudobombax marginatum e sua interação com a superfície celular bacteriana

A resistência microbiana a antimicrobianos tem favorecido a busca por substâncias bioativas provenientes de plantas usadas na medicina popular, com o intuito de se obter novos fármacos com atividade antimicrobiana. Neste estudo, foi proposta a investigação da atividade antibacteriana do óleo-resina de Copaifera duckei e de diferentes extratos da casca de Pseudobombax marginatum, e seus possíveis mecanismos de ação. O potencial inibitório antibacteriano foi avaliado utilizando-se os métodos de difusão e diluição em ágar, e a bioautografia. O mecanismo de ação foi analisado por microscopia eletrônica, no qual se observou alterações na ultraestrutura bacteriana, e por eletroforese em SDS-PAGE, que determinou ação sobre as proteínas das superfícies celulares. A análise química foi realizada pelas técnicas de Espectrometria de massas acoplada ao Cromatógrafo a gás- EM/CG (C. duckei) e Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência- CLAE (P. marginatum). Entre as bactérias estudadas, B. cereus foi a mais suscetível às plantas em estudo, com concentrações inibitórias mínimas (CIMs) correspondentes a 0,3125 mg/mL para o óleo-resina de copaíba, e 0,5 mg/mL para extrato hidroalcoólico (1:1) e 0,512 mg/mL para a fração butanólica da casca P. marginatum, nos quais pôde-se observar alterações na parede celular do B. cereus, com remoção da camada S, espessamento da parede celular e formação de diversos septos nos centros de divisão celular. A análise química por EM/CG mostrou compostos terpênicos no óleo-resina de C. duckei, tendo como composto majoritário o β-bisaboleno, e a análise por CLAE mostrou a presença de compostos derivados da catequina na casca do P. marginatum. Desta forma, as plantas em estudo mostram um potencial antibacteriano considerável, podendo contribuir tanto na terapia antimicrobiana como na área de alimentos, tendo como um de seus prováveis sítios de ação a parede celular bacteriana

Avaliação de efeitos de um extrato de "três bailarinas" em modelos experimentais em diferentes níveis de organização biológica

Drogas naturais ou sintéticas podem ser capazes de alterar a sobrevivência de culturas bacterianas, interferir na marcação de estruturas sanguíneas com tecnécio- 99m (99mTc) e alterar a morfologia das hemácias. De acordo com as instruções do fabricante, a formula denominada de Três Bailarinas (TB) é sugerida para ser usada, como bebida, por pessoas que desejam ajustar o peso sem dieta. Os ingredientes dessa fórmula são a Cassia angustifolia e a Malva verticellate. Informações cientificas sobre TB não foram encontradas no indexador PubMed, e esse fato tem estimulado nossas investigações sobre seus efeitos biológicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, em diferentes modelos experimentais, o efeito de um extrato aquoso de Três Bailarinas: (i) na sobrevivência de culturas de E. coli AB1157, ii) efeito do SnCl2 em culturas bacterianas, iii) na marcação das hemácias e proteínas plasmáticas e celulares com 99mTc e iv) na morfologia de hemácias de sangue de ratos Wistar. Os resultados encontrados demonstram que o extrato de TB não alterou a sobrevivência de cultura de E. coli AB1157 e aboliu o efeito letal do SnCl2 na sobrevivência dessa cultura bacteriana. Na marcação de estruturas sangüíneas com 99mTc o extrato de TB reduziu a percentagem de atividade (%ATI) referente ao 99mTc no compartimento celular e nas proteínas plasmáticas, mas não alterou a %ATI nas proteínas celulares. O extrato de TB não foi capaz de alterar a morfologia das hemácias. Os modelos experimentais realizados mostram a importância dos mesmos na avaliação de efeitos biológicos de agentes químicos, e contribui para um melhor entendimento das propriedades do extrato de Três Bailarinas. Esse trabalho abrange varias áreas do conhecimento, tais como: radiobiologia, botânica, fitoterapia e hematologia

Barreiras de sobrevivência: angústias e dilemas de jovens infratores pós-institucionalização

This study critically examines the effects of public policies, implemented by Fundação Estadual da Criança e do Adolescente (FUNDAC/RN), along with adolescents of both sexes, perpetrators of illegal acts in compliance by court order, by socio-educative measures , identifying the contradictions that permeate the understanding and treatment of issue. The aim is to investigate the chances that youths have by living in Centro Educacional Pitimbu and Centro Educacional Padre. João Maria (CEDUC), to become subjects in the exercise of their citizenship. The methodology adopted is the verbal history of life (MEIHY, 2005) of youths that had life experiences in these institutions from 2002 to 2005, allowing researchers to access directly to investigated individuals, through the place where they currently reside, and enabling the reconstitution of their life story, from semi-structured interviews. The young people s statements interviewed were grouped and analyzed from the following categories of analysis: the egress and family, the school and egress, the community and egress, the egress and work, the egress and CEDUC, the egress and experience infringement. The results indicate that, despite the advances in Brazilian legislation for the sector, the actions promoted by these institutions generally would have produced innocuous and stigmatized consequences. Moreover, they show in essence that they carry on their inner contradictions which fundamentally correspond to the interests of the dominant system and a society which uses mechanisms of social policy, in addition to favoring the control and repression. And thus, while such actions remain unable to produce important changes in the conditions of existence of young people who meet by social deprivation of liberty, it is possible to say that the chances are minimal so that they become autonomous subjects in a society that, preferring their punishment, denies them, stubbornly, access to their basic rights. In theory, the researcher dialogues with authors as Foucault, Goffman, Bourdieu, Offe, Bauman, Boaventura Santos, Takeuti, Germano, Ariès, Wacquant, among others

Sobrevivência e tamanho populacional do Tiê-preto Tachyphonus Rufus (aves: thraupidae) em fragmento de restinga no extremo Norte da Mata Atlântica

For a long time, we believed in the pattern that tropical and south hemisphere species have high survival. Nowadays results began to contradict this pattern, indicating the need for further studies. Despite the advanced state of the study of bird population parameters, little is known about their variation throughout the year and the factors affecting them. Reproduction, for example, is one factor that may alter adult survival rates, because during this process the breeding pair allocates resources to maintain itself to maintain offspring, making itself more susceptible to diseases and predation. The aim of this study was to estimate survival and population size of a Central and South America passerine, Tachyphonus rufus (Boddaert, 1783), testing hypotheses about the factors that define these parameters. We performed data collection between Nov/2010 and ago/2012 in 12 ha plot, in a fragment of Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil. We used capture-mark-recapture methods to generate estimates using Closed Design Robust model in the program MARK. We generated Multi-state models to test some assumptions inherent to Closed Robust Design. The influence of co-variables (time, rain and reproductive cycle) and the effect of transient individuals were measured. Capture, recapture and apparent survival parameters were defined by reproductive cycle, while temporary dispersal was influence by rain. The estimates showed a higher apparent survival during the non-breeding period (92% ± 1%) than during breeding (40% ± 9%), revealing a cost of reproduction and suggesting a trade-off between surviving and reproducing. The low annual survival observed (34%) did not corroborate the pattern of high rates expected for a tropical bird. The largest population size was estimated to be 56 individuals in Nov/11, explained by high recruitment of juveniles, while the lowest observed in May/12: 10 individuals, probably as a result of massive influx of competitor species. Results from this study add to the growing literature on life history of Neotropical species. We encourage studies like this especially in Brazil, where there are few information, and suggest that covariates related to habitat quality and environmental changes should be tested, so that we can generate increasingly reliable models

Sobrevivência de adultos e estimativa populacional da guaracava-de-topete-uniforme elaenia cristata (aves: tyrannidae) em fragmento de mata atlântica no Nordeste do Brasil

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O Evangelho segundo a Pastoral da Criança :por uma pedagogia da sobrevivência

This work aims to analyze social and educational actions at Pastoral da Criança, using education as a survival tool. This was done at Parque dos Coqueiros, a neighborhood in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. The methodology for data collection was composed of comprehensive interview (Jean Kaufmann), participant observation (Robert Bogdan) and documental analysis (Le Goff); all os which bring reflections related to concepts such as strategies, tatics and know how (Michel de Certeau), configuration (Nobert Elias), and control technology (Michel de Foucault), care ethics (Leonardo Boff) and etno-theories (Natália Ramos). Pastoral da Criança is a social action organism that belongs to the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, originated at Florestópolis, Londrina (Paraná), in the year of 1983. These actions have been an expression of a new logic of actions of the Catholic Church. It values the participation of laymen in the activities of the Pastoral. Thus, the parish is seen as a nucleus that irradiates the Church s Social Doctrine. At Rio Grande do Norte this institution has guided poverty stricken families on issues related to children s health as well as working with laymen for volunteer work. This is considered devotion, that is firmed by an individual and group mystique. The social and educational actions are done in three axes: 1) Monthly home visits, where there is mother-child support; 2) Life Celebration Day, where they weigh children and promote nutritional surveillance; 3) Meeting for Evaluation and Reflection, that aims to articulate community leaders to think about problems attached to the social actions they realize. This action tripod , as it is called by the Pastoral Agents are the types of actions that fundament survival education for poor children ranging from 0 to 6 years old. The families learn to deal with prevention, the essential, the alternative and probabilities of survival tactics due to exclusion matters or even social extermination. The Pastoral da Criança aims to recover childhood emotions in poverty stricken areas. It also has influence in the diminishing of malnutrition and mother and child mortality. This education for survival is the base on the art of teaching and learning of poverty stricken children. It is a social educational action, non assistencialist, but considered a shy action in order to promote mobilization of the communities that are accompanied for the emancipation and change of social conditions

Gestão da satisfação e fidelidade do cliente : um estudo dos fatores que influenciam na satisfação e fidelidade dos clientes corporativos de telefonia celular

The competition in the telecommunications industry has grown in Brazil since the privatization, forcing companies that are active in the market to a growing commitment to quality products and services in order to survive. In this context, this work aims to understand the main factors that influence the degree of satisfaction exists in respect of a mobile operator with its corporate customers. The research covered theoretical concepts and analytical models of quality management system and models of indices related to the measurement of customer satisfaction. For the field research was carried out in a practical application of the main approaches based on this thesis by a case study in corporate segment, through a questionnaire applied to 10 consultants and 40 corporate customers of that company. Comparing the results of research with the consultants and corporate clients there is the concern of respondents to the indicators that comprise the constructs of customer satisfaction, commitment calculated, the price index and the handling of complaints, denoting the dissatisfaction of the general assessment for corporate customers with the carrier, against its current expectations. It is concluded that the mobile operator of the telecommunications industry have a big challenge, after ten years of privatization and consequently the period of rapid expansion of customer base and with the depleted, retain corporate customers as highly strategic, thus avoiding that migrate to other companies. We emphasize the need for further research and analysis of different approaches through research and using the same models to specifically evaluate and measure customer satisfaction of mobile enterprise, to adjust the model to the national market. Finally, we suggest the creation of an effective customer loyalty program with a strategy of relationship and specific to the corporate sector of mobile telephony

A gestão do conhecimento e a inovação tecnológica como fatores de sobrevivência e de competitividade na sociedade do conhecimento: uma análise exploratória das MPEs do Rio Grande do Norte

The study examines the process of Knowledge Management and Technological Innovation in Small and Micro Enterprises (SME) in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, and proposes actions that can contribute to regional development and competitiveness of SME. Presents as technological innovation can help to make the SME entrepreneurial activities with innovative and competitive. Defines the phases and activities of the construction of knowledge in small organizations. Examines the process of Innovation, Research and Development (R & D) in SME. Identifies the use of knowledge management and technological innovation in management practices and social interaction to influence the competitiveness of SME. Covers the communities of practice as a diffuser of knowledge and learning. To obtain the data were used questionnaires with closed questions with multiple choice, direct observations and interviews with companies. The questionnaires and interviews covered the topics of Innovation, Knowledge Management and Competitive Intelligence on SME. The sample consisted of a total of 13 Small and Micro Enterprises Award winning MPE Brazil Competitiveness, sponsored by SEBRAE in the State of Rio Grande do Norte. The assessment questionnaires dealing with the Knowledge Management (KM Diagnostics - Model Bukowitz and Williams, 2002) and the process of Technological Innovation (Adaptation of ANPEI - National Association for Research, Development and Engineering of Innovative Companies). With the analysis, we concluded that the SME perceive knowledge management, but not formalized management practices so as to facilitate the dissemination of information. Soon, these companies need additional supports to direct them to the innovative activities that generate added value and competitiveness in the market

Fatores da satisfação e fidelidade de clientes: um estudo no setor de telefonia móvel celular

This thesis deals with the factors affecting customer satisfaction and loyalty in the mobile phone telecom sector. It is adapted a model proposed by Johnson et al. (2001) of quality and loyalty antecedent factors. It is conducted a survey with a sample of 385 customers of mobile phone telecom sector in Teresina city, a capital of a Northeastern State of Brazil, and descriptives and multiple regression statistical analysis. The main findings related to satisfaction are that quality and service price are the significant factors affecting it. Regarding loyalty, satisfaction, image, affective commitment, and calculate commitment are the significant factors to explain it. The overall model used fairly explain the satisfaction and loyalty outcomes

Análise de Handover inter e intra-célula em um sistema de telefonia celular através de método de medição simplificado

This dissertation has the purpose to present a portable device named PlugData MG100G, equipped with a cellular module, to analyze the radiofrequency coverage in a GSM network situated in João Pessoa city, state of Paraíba, at four distinct regions. The equipment, originally, was developed to be used in fixed environments, so it was adapted so that it could be used in conditions of mobility. From the Mobile Measurement Reports (MMRs) RF coverage and the handover process are analyzed. The MMRs enable the identification of the serving cell and the list of the closest neighboring cells monitored by the mobile. This work analyses only data referent to the serving cell and the two closest neighboring cells. Inter-cell and intra-cell handovers are identified. The frequency planning and quality of service offered by the network related to the regions are discussed as well

Avaliação dos modelos de predição de propagação para telefonia móvel celular na cidade do Natal

The development of wireless telecommunication in the last years has been great. It has been taking academics to conceive new ideas and techniques. Their aims are to increase the capacity and the quality of the system s services. Cells that are smaller every time, frequencies that are every time higher and environments that get more and more complex, all those facts deserve more accurate models the propagation prediction techniques are inserted in this context and results with a merger of error that is compatible with the next generations of communication systems. The objective of this Work is to present results of a propagation measurement campaign, aiming at pointing the characteristics of the mobile systems covering in the city of Natal (state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil). A mobile laboratory was set up, using the infra-structure available and frequently used by ANATEL. The measures were taken in three different areas: one characterized by high buildings, high relief, presence of trees and towers of different highs. These areas covered the city s central zone, a suburban / rural zone and a section of coast surrounded by sand dunes. It is important to highlight that the analysis was made taking into consideration the actual reality of cellular systems with covering ranges by reduced cells, with the intent of causing greater re-use of frequencies and greater capacity of telephone traffic. The predominance of telephone traffic by cell in the city of Natal occurs within a range inferior to 3 (three) km from the Radio-Base Station. The frequency band used was 800 MHz, corresponding to the control channels of the respective sites, which adopt the FSK modulation technique. This Dissertation starts by presenting a general vision of the models used for predicting propagation. Then, there is a description of the methodology used in the measuring, which were done using the same channels of control of the cellular system. The results obtained were compared with many existing prediction models, and some adaptations were developed by using regression techniques trying to obtain the most optimized solutions. Furthermore, according to regulations from the old Brazilian Holding Telebrás, a minimum covering of 90% of a determined previously area, in 90% of the time, must be obeyed when implanting cellular systems. For such value to be reached, considerations and studies involving the specific environment that is being covered are important. The objective of this work is contribute to this aspect

Desenvolvimento de sorvete probiótico a base de leite de cabra: estudo da formulação, características físico químicas, sensoriais e viabilidade das bactérias probióticas

This work targetet the caprine ice cream production added with probiotic bacteria Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis. It is divided into two parts. In the first one, four caprine ice cream formulations were evaluated, in which it was used hydrogenated fat (F1 and F3) or fat substitute (F2 and F4) in two different flavors (F1 and F2, passion fruit, F3 and F4, guava). Statistical differences (p<0.05) were detected for their physical-chemical properties, mainly for total solids and fat, but no differences were observed for melting test results. When it went to sensory acceptance, all four ice cream formulations reached high acceptance indexes, mostly formulation F4, which was selected for further studies. In the second part, F4 formulation was prepared with the addition of probiotic bacteria Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis. The growth kinetics was studied and it was observed that the cellular concentration peak was reached after four fermentation hours (10.14 log UFC/g). This time was selected for pre-fermentation procedure and posterior addition at ice cream syrup. In this part of the study, two experimental groups were evaluated: group G1, in which the probiotic addition occurred before the maturation step and group G2, which included a pre-fermentation step and probiotic addition after ice cream maturation. The physical-chemical properties of these two ice cream groups were similar, except for pH, which was higher for group G2 (p<0.05). G1 samples had superior melting rate (3.566 mL/min) and both groups presented microbiological and sanitary results in accordance to current Brazilian legislation. Also, G1 and G2 were considered sensory accepted due to their acceptance indexes higher than 70%. G1 and G2 sensory profiles were similar (p>0.05), and both ice cream samples exhibited high creaminess (6.76 to 6.91) and mouth melting sensation (6.53 to 6.67) scores, while low sandiness scores (0.85 to 0.86) were observed, positive characteristics for this kind of food product. During the first 24 hours after ice cream production, the population of B. animalis subsp. lactis decreased, reaching 7.15 e 6.92 log CFU/g for G1 and G2, respectively. Probiotic bacteria counts fluctuated in ice cream samples during the first 108 days at frozen storage, especially for G2 group. Decreased probiotic viability was observed for G1 samples during the first 35 days of frozen storage, mild variation between 35 and 63 days and stabilized counts were observed after this time. After 21 days at frozen storage, ice cream samples of G1 and G2 groups reached 1.2 x 109 and 1.3 x 109 CFU/portion, respectively. After 108 days under these storage conditions, the survival rate of B. animalis subsp. lactis was 94.26% and 81.10% for G1 and G2 samples, respectively. After simulation of gastroenteric conditions, G2 group reached 9.72 x 105 CFU/portion. Considering the current requirements of Brazilian legislation, which stipulates that functional foods must have minimum probiotic count between 108 and 109 CFU/portion and detectable probiotic bacteria after being submitted to gastroenteric conditions, it is concluded that the ice cream with the addition of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis made as shown in this work, can be considered as a dairy functional food

Análise das mudanças no perfil protéico durante o estresse oxidativo in vivo e atuação da MutY-Glicosilase em respostas celulares

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