Abnormalities in apolipoprotein and lipid levels in an HIV-infected Brazilian population under different treatment profiles: the relevance of apolipoprotein E genotypes and immunological status

HIV infection is associated with disturbances in lipid metabolism due to a host's response mechanism and the current antiretroviral therapy. The pathological appearance and progression of atherosclerosis is dependent on the presence of injurious agents in the vascular endothelium and variations in different subsets of candidate genes. Therefore, the Hha I polymorphism in the apolipoprotein E gene was evaluated in addition to triglycerides, total cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), LDL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and apolipoprotein (apo) Al, B and E levels in 86 Brazilian HIV-infected patients and 29 healthy controls. The allele frequency for apoE in the HIV-infected group and controls was in agreement with data on the Brazilian population. Dyslipidemia was observed in the HIV group and verified by increased levels of triglycerides, VLDL and apoE, and decreased levels of HDL and apoAl. The greatest abnormalities in these biochemical variables were shown in the HIV-infected individuals whose immune function was more compromised. The effect of the genetic variation at the APOE gene on biochemical variables was more pronounced in the HIV-infected individuals who carried the apoE2/3 genotype. The highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-receiving group presented increased levels of total cholesterol and apoE. Dyslipidemia was a predictable consequence of HIV infection and the protease inhibitors intensified the increase in apoE values.

Relationship among oxidative DNA damage, gastric mucosal density and the relevance of cagA, vacA and iceA genotypes of Helicobacter pylori

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship among oxidative DNA damage, density of Helicobacter pylori and the relevance of cagA, vacA and iceA genotypes of H. pylori. Gastric epithelial cells were isolated from 24 uninfected patients, 42 H. pylori infected patients with gastritis, and 61 patients with gastric cancer. Oxidative DNA damage was analyzed by the Comet assay, the density of H. pylori was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and allelic variants of cagA, vacA and iceA were identified using the PCR. Infected patients by Helicobacter pylori cagA(+), vacAs1 m1 and iceA1 genotype showed higher levels of oxidative DNA damage than infected patients with H. pylori cagA(-), vacAs2 m2 and iceA2 genotypes and uninfected patients. Density of H. pylori did not influence oxidative DNA damage. Our results indicate that H. pylori genotype is more relevant than density for oxidative DNA damage.

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA): molecular background, virulence, and relevance for public health

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Relevance of Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) in Experimental Epidemiology of Newcastle Disease.

This study was carried out to clarify the real role that was played by the budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) in the epidemiological plan, under the perspective of its being an infection source of the Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV). For this, the study used Specific-Pathogen-Free chicks (SPF) that were housed with budgerigars that were inoculated with a pathogenic strain (velogenic viscerotropic) of NDV (EID5o =10815/0.1 mL) pathogenic to chickens, by the ocular-nasal via. Each group was composed by 10 SPF chicks and 5 budgerigars. After 5 days of the inoculation of the budgerigars with NDV, SPF chicks were put together with each group of budgerigars, so that there was a direct contact between both species. Cloaca) swabs and blood samples were collected in both species (budgerigars and SPF chicks) after 13 and 19 days post-challenge, respectively, for genome viral excretion by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR) and antibody's search by the inhibition of hemmaglutination test (HI). Budgerigars did not demonstrate any clinical signs of Newcastle Disease (ND). They were refractory to the clinical disease with the NDV. However, antibody titres from inhibition of Hemagglutination (HI) test were detected 9 and 21 days after challenge. Therefore, it was demonstrated the state of carrier of NDV in this species. In SPF chicks allocated with infected budgerigars, NDV genome was detected 13 and 19 days after challenge. Thus, the transmission of the pathogenic virus from the budgerigars to SPF chicks that were housed together was evident until 19 days of the experimental infection with this pathogen. This reveals the importance of the budgerigars from the epidemiological point of view as a potential source of infection of the NDV to commercial chickens that could be raised near this species.

Relevance of Electronic Effects on the Yield of CO2 from Methanol Oxidation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Architecture and relevance of several strongly adhered biofilms over a polyester imide (PEI) surface

Um estudo microscópico foi considerado para analisar a eventual adesão de fungos sobre uma superfície de poliéster-imida presente em fios de cobre esmaltados. A microscopia eletrônica de varredura, permitiu observar nestes biofilmes aderidos, uma alta quantidade de pigmentos, hifas e um arsenal enzimático possivelmente atuando na superfície desta macromolécula. Devido a natureza altamente aromática deste material e traços de derivados fenólicos usados como solventes - que se fazem ainda presentes no polímero já reticulado, uma certa atividade anti-fúngica poderia ser esperada, todavia não foram observadas alterações no crescimento dos microrganismos, bem como no processo de adesão dos fungos. Adicionalmente a este fato, os fios esmaltados revelaram total descaracterização de suas propriedades isolantes. Os estudos visam compreender e avaliar o grande potencial demonstrado pelos fungos que poderia em caráter vindouro, explorado em processos de biodeterioração e biodegradação

Application of HPLC-NMR coupling using C30 phase in the separation and identification of flavonoids of taxonomic relevance

The on-line separation and identification of two important taxonomic markers for plant species of the Paepalanthus genus, the flavonoids 6-methoxykaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and 6-methoxykaempferol-3-O-β-D-6″(p-coumaroyl)glucopyranoside, has been performed with an HPLC-NMR coupling using C30 phase. 1D spectra have been recorded in the stopped-flow mode for the two predominant chromatographic peaks. This is the first application of HPLC-NMR coupling using C30 phase to a taxonomic problem. The technique drastically reduces the required amount of sampling for structure determination. © Springer-Verlag 2000.

Relevance of Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides) in experimental epidemiology of Newcastle disease

This study aimed to characterize the true epidemiological role played by the Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides) as a potential source of infection by the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). For this, Specific-Pathogen-Free chicks (SPF) were used and were housed with Chinese geese that had been inoculated with a pathogenic strain (velogenic viscerotropic, strain São João do Meriti) of NDV (DIE50=108.15/0.1 mL) pathogenic to chickens, by the ocular-nasal route. Each group was composed of 6 SPF Leghorn chicks and 3 geese. At 6 days (Group I) and 14 days (Group II) after inoculation of the Chinese geese with NDV, SPF chicks were put into direct contact with each goose group. Cloacal swabs were collected from both species (Chinese geese and SPF chicks) 6, 10 and 20 days after challenge to genome viral excretion by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Chinese geese did not demonstrate any clinical signs of Newcastle disease (ND). They were refractory to the clinical disease with the NDV. However, NDV genome was detected 20 days after challenge. Therefore, NDV carrier status was demonstrated by Chinese geese. Moreover, 100% of SPF chicks housed with the infected Chinese geese had died by 6 (Group I) and 14 days (Group II) after challenge. Thus, the transmission of the pathogenic virus from the Chinese geese to cohabiting SPF chicks was evident within 20 days of the experimental infection. This reveals the epidemiological importance of Chinese geese as a potential transmitter of NDV infection to other commercial birds that could be raised in close proximity.

Relevance of lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis Selby, 1836) in experimental epidemiology of Newcastle disease

Studies were made to clarify the role that was played by the lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis) in the epidemiological plan, under the perspective of its being a potential source of infection of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV). The study used Specific-Pathogen-Free chicks (SPF) that were housed with lovebirds inoculated with a pathogenic strain (velogenic viscerotropic) of NDV pathogenic to chickens, by the ocular-nasal via. Each group was composed of six SPF chicks and four lovebirds. After five days of the inoculation of the lovebirds with NDV, SPF chicks were put together with each group of lovebirds. Cloacae swabs were collected after 9, 14 and 21 days post-challenge in both species (lovebirds and SPF chicks) for genome viral excretion by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Lovebirds did not demonstrate any clinical signs of NDV. They were refractory to the clinical disease with the NDV. However, NDV genome was detected 9 and 21 days after challenge. This study shows that lovebirds can be carriers NDV. Moreover, 100% of SPF chicks allocated with the infected lovebirds demonstrated clinical signs and lesions suggestive of NDV. In these birds, NDV genome was detected 9, 14 and 21 days after challenge. Thus, the transmission of the pathogenic virus from the lovebirds to SPF chicks that were housed together was evident until 21 days of the experimental infection. This study reveals the importance of lovebirds from the epidemiological point of view as potential source of infection of the NDV to other avian species that could be raised near this species. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2012.

Cardiac remodeling induced by smoking: Concepts, relevance, and potential mechanisms

Cardiac or ventricular remodeling is characterized by molecular, cellular, and interstitial alterations that lead to changes in heart size, mass, geometry and function in response to a given insult. Currently, tobacco smoke exposure is recognized as one of these insults. Indeed, tobacco smoke exposure induces the enlargement of the left-sided cardiac chambers, myocardial hypertrophy, and ventricular dysfunction. Potential mechanisms for these alterations include hemodynamic and neurohormonal changes, oxidative stress, inflammation, nitric oxide bioavailability, matrix metalloproteinases and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. This review will focus on the concepts, relevance, and potential mechanisms of cardiac remodeling induced by tobacco smoke. © 2012 Bentham Science Publishers.

The expression of chemokines CCL19, CCL21 and their receptor CCR7 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its relevance to cervical lymph node metastasis

The purpose of this study is to determine the expression of CCL19, CCL21, and CCR7 in samples of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and their relationship with clinical and microscopic parameters. A comparative analysis was made of the mRNA expression of these chemokines and receptor in OSCC and normal oral mucosa. The immunoexpression of CCR7, CCL19, and CCL21 was also verified in OSCC and lymph nodes. Statistical significance was accepted at P < 0.05. Similar levels of CCR7, CCL19, and CCL21 mRNA in OSCC and normal oral mucosa were seen. A low expression of CCL19 and CCL21 in the intra- and peritumoral regions was observed. Scarce CCL19+ and CCL21+ cells were also noted in metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes. No association was found between the expression of these chemokines and clinical and microscopic parameters. Our findings would suggest that CCL19 and CCL21 may not be associated with cervical lymph node metastasis or other clinical and microscopic factors in OSCC. © 2012 International Society of Oncology and BioMarkers (ISOBM).

The calcium wave model of the perception-action cycle: Evidence from semantic relevance in memory experiments

We present a general model of brain function (the calcium wave model), distinguishing three processing modes in the perception-action cycle. The model provides an interpretation of the data from experiments on semantic memory conducted by the authors. © 2013 Pereira Jr, Santos and Barros.

Ecological relevance of sentinels' biomarker responses: A multi-level approach

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Diuron-induced rat urinary bladder carcinogenesis: Mode of action and human relevance evaluations using the International Programme on Chemical Safety framework

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Systematic Screening of Plant Extracts from the Brazilian Pantanal with Antimicrobial Activity against Bacteria with Cariogenic Relevance

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)