Análise de cDNAs identificados em bibliotecas substrativas de cDNA para floração de variedades de cana-de-açúcar cultivadas no Rio Grande do Norte(RN): fator de transição NAC, Calmodulina e Fosfatidiltransferase

The flowering is a physiological process that it is vital for plants. This physiological process has been well studied in the plant model Arabidopsis, but in sugarcane this process is not well known. The transition of the shoot apical meristem from vegetative to flowering is a critical factor for plant development. At Brazil northeastern region, the transition to flowering in sugarcane has an important effect as it may reduce up to 60% its production. This is a consequence of the sugar translocation from stalks to the shoot apical meristem which is necessary during the flowering process. Therefore, the aim of this work was to explore and analyze cDNAs previously identified using subtractive cDNA libraries. The results showed that these cDNAs showed differential expression profile in varieties of sugarcane (early x late flowering). The in silico analysis suggested that these cDNAs had homology to calmodulin, NAC transcription factor and phosphatidylinositol, a SEC14, which were described in the literature as having a role in the process of floral development. To better understand the role of the cDNA homologous to calmodulin, tobacco plants were transformed with overexpression cassettes in sense and antissense orientation. Plants overexpressing the cassette in sense orientation did not flowered, while plants overexpressing the cassette in the antissense orientation produced flowers. The data obtained in this study suggested the possible role from CAM sequence, SEC14 and NAC in the induction/floral development pathway in sugarcane, this is the first study in order to analyze these genes in the sugarcane flowering process.

Estudo imuno-histoquímico da presença de miofibroblastos e da expressão do fator transformador de crescimento-beta1, interferon gama, metaloproteinase de matriz 13 e indutor de metaloproteinases de matriz em lesões odontogênicas epiteliais

Myofibroblasts are cells that exhibit a hybrid phenotype, sharing the morphological characteristics of fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells, which is acquired during a process called differentiation. These cells then start to express -SMA, a marker that can be used for their identification. Studies suggest that myofibroblasts are related to the aggressiveness of different tumors and that TGF-1 and IFN- play a role in myofibroblast differentiation, stimulating or inhibiting this differentiation, respectively. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of myofibroblasts in epithelial odontogenic tumors, correlating the presence of these cells with the aggressiveness of the tumor. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of TGF-1 and IFN- in myofibroblast differentiation, as well as the expression of MMP-13, which is activated by myofibroblasts, and of EMMPRIN (extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer) as a precursor of this MMP. The sample consisted of 20 solid ameloblastomas, 10 unicystic ameloblastomas, 20 odontogenic keratocysts, and 20 adenomatoid odontogenic tumors. For evaluation of myofibroblasts, anti- -SMA-immunoreactive cells were quantified in connective tissue close to the epithelium. Immunoexpression of TGF-1, IFN-, MMP-13 and EMMPRIN was evaluated in the epithelial and connective tissue components, attributing scores of 0 to 4. The results showed a higher concentration of myofibroblasts in solid ameloblastomas (mean of 30.55), followed by odontogenic keratocysts (22.50), unicystic ameloblastomas (20.80), and adenomatoid odontogenic tumors (19.15) (p=0.001). No significant correlation between TGF-1 and IFN- was observed during the process of myofibroblast differentiation. There was also no correlation between the quantity of myofibroblasts and MMP-13 expression. Significant correlations were found between MMP-13 and TGF-1 (r=0.087; p=0.011), between MMP- 13 and IFN- (r=0.348; p=0.003), as well as between EMMPRIN and MMP-13 (r=0.474; p<0.001) and between EMMPRIN and IFN- (r=0.393; p=0.001). The higher quantity of myofibroblasts observed in solid ameloblastomas, odontogenic keratocysts and unicystic ameloblastomas suggests that these cells are one of the factors responsible for the more aggressive biological behavior of these tumors, although the myofibroblast population was not correlated with TGF-1, IFN-, MMP-13 or EMMPRIN. The correlation between MMP- 13 and TGF-1 suggests that the latter induces the expression of this metalloproteinase. The present results also support the well-established role of EMMPRIN as an inducer of MMP-13. Furthermore, the relationship between EMMPRIN and IFN- and between MMP-13 and IFN- suggests synergism in the antifibrotic effect of these markers

Fatores determinantes da near miss materna em uma unidade de terapia intensiva obstétrica: avaliação das competências profissionais da área médica

Objective: Evaluate the determinants of morbidity and mortality in an obstetric intensive care unit and professional medical skills of students/residents at a university hospital. Methods: observational cross - sectional with 492 pregnant/pue rperal women and 261 students/residents. Patients were admitted to the obstetric intensive care unit during a year, being informed about the proposals of the study and a questionnaire was applied. The analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2013 and G raphPad6. Chi - square tests were used to evaluate risk factors and student t test evaluates resident/students' skills concerning the cognitive test and the Mini - Cex. Results: the main risk factors to near miss were: non - white race (OR = 2.527; RR = 2.342) ; marital status(married women) (OR = 7.968; RR = 7.113) , schooling (primary) (OR = 3.177 ; RR = 2.829) , from country town (OR = 4.643 ; RR = 4.087), low income (OR = 7014 ; RR = 5.554) , gestational hypertensive disorders (OR = 16.35 ; RR = 13.27) , re alization of pre - natal (OR = 5.023 ; RR = 4.254) and C - section before labor(OR = 39.21 ; RR = 31.25). In cognitive/Mini - cex analysis were noted significant difference in the performance of students on the subject (3.75 ± 0.93, 4.03 ± 0.94 and 4.88 ± 0.35). We still observed the best performance of residents, when compared to graduation students (p < 0.01). Conclusions: the prevalence of near miss was associated with socioeconomic/clinics factors and care issues, revealing the importance of interventions to improve these indicators. In addition, we suggest a better curriculum insertion of this subject in the medical Course disciplines due the importance to avoid the near miss through of adequacy of medical education.

Prevalência, fatores associados e efeitos da violência doméstica na mobilidade em idosos: evidências do estudo imias (international mobility in aging study) sob a perspectiva epidemiológica do curso da vida

A capacidade de mover-se com independência e segurança é fundamental para a execução das atividades de vida diária e manutenção da qualidade de vida do indivíduo. Diversos fatores, dentre eles o envelhecimento podem contribuir para seu declínio. Estudos têm demonstrado associação entre experiências de violência doméstica (VD) e diversos problemas de saúde física e mental. Até o momento, não há estudos que tenham avaliado a associação entre experiências de VD no curso de vida e limitações de mobilidade na senescência. OBJETIVOS: estimar a prevalência da VD (física e psicológica) em idosos, e avaliar o impacto da VD no curso de vida na limitação de mobilidade. MATERIAIS E MÉTODO: Estudo observacional analítico a partir da primeira coleta de dados do estudo longitudinal International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS). Idosos (n = 1995) de ambos os sexos entre 65 e 74 anos de cinco localidades distintas (Kingston e Saint-Hyacinthe, Canadá; Tirana, Albânia; Maniazales, Colômbia; e Natal, Brasil) participaram do estudo. Dados sobre variáveis sociodemográficas, econômicas, condições de saúde e experiências de VD (física e psicológica) durante o curso de vida foram coletados. A limitação de mobilidade na senescência foi avaliada pelo Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) e pela dificuldade de andar 400 metros e/ou subir um lance de escadas. As prevalências foram avaliadas mediante frequências absolutas e relativas das exposições à VD, limitação de mobilidade e co-variáveis. Diferenças de gênero, bem como entre cidades foram analisadas utilizando o teste de qui-quadrado. Associação entre exposição à VD e limitação de mobilidade foi avaliada utilizando a regressão logística binária multivariada, ajustando pelas co-variáveis. Análise de mediação foram utilizadas, para avaliar possíveis caminhos entre a exposição à VD no curso de vida e a limitação de mobilidade. RESULTADOS: A violência física foi rara, com valores entre 0,63 e 0,85%. Relatos de violência psicológica variaram entre 3,2% e 23,5% (homens) e de 9% para 26% (mulheres). Mulheres experimentaram mais violência do que os homens em Saint-Hyacinthe (homens: 3,2% vs mulheres: 14%, p <0,001), Tirana (homens: 4,3% vs mulheres: 10,3%, p = 0,017), em Manizales (homens: 8,3 % vs mulheres: 18,3%, p = 0,004) e Natal (homens: 11,1% vs mulheres: 26%, p = 0,002). Em geral, o baixo suporte social pelo parceiro foi associado com a VD. Estar trabalhando foi associado a vitimização entre os homens, enquanto o oposto foi verdade para as mulheres. Arranjos de vida Multi-familiares e baixo suporte pelos parceiros, filhos e família foram associados com a VD. Baixo suporte social foi da maior importância para as mulheres do que os homens. A VD física foi associada tanto com o SPPB < 8 (OR 1,623 95%IC 1,161-2,269) como com a dificuldade para andar 400 metros e/ou subir um lance de escadas (OR 1,394 95%IC 1,063-1,829). A limitação de mobilidade decorrente da violência física no curso de vida pelo parceiro íntimo foi mediada pelas condições crônicas (efeito 25,56% 95%IC 0,036-0,277) e depressão (efeito 33,05% 95%IC 0,087-0,333). No caso da violência física por outros familiares, a limitação de mobilidade foi mediada pelas condições crônicas (efeito 20,85% 95%IC 0,022-0,202), não adesão à prática de atividades físicas (efeito 34,14% 95%IC 0,076-0,351) e depressão (efeito 44,40% 95%IC 0,144-0,315). CONCLUSÕES: A violência doméstica no curso de vida é uma realidade, que pode acarretar consequências que favorecem a limitação de mobilidade em idosos. São necessárias políticas públicas que combatam efetivamente a violência doméstica, garantindo um envelhecimento mais digno e independente funcionalmente.

Associação da depressão e distúrbio do sono em pacientes com e sem disfunção temporomandibular

Objective: To evaluate the inter-relationship between TMD (temporomandibular disorder), depression and sleep disorder. Methods: This is a case-control study with questionnaires in 111 patients, allocated from the Dentistry Department of UFRN, Natal, Brazil, from September 2014 to June 2015, for evaluation of depressive symptoms through the BDI (Beck Depression Inventory); sleep disorder, the PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and DTM through the RDC / TMD (diagnostic criteria to search for DTM). All indexes were applied by a single examiner previously trained and calibrated. The collected data were analyzed with chi-square tests of Pearson (χ2) and the unconditional logistic regression. Results: women had a risk of 2.85 times more likely to develop TMD (p = 0.046). The OR (odds ratio) shows that sleep disturbance increases by 2.19 the chances of having TMD (p = 0.062) and depressive symptoms increase the risk by 3.16 times in developing dysfunction (p = 0.053). Conclusion: The data of this research allows us to conclude that patients with TMD, in this population, were more likely to develop changes in sleep and depressive symptoms.