Polimorfismos dos genes ADA e CNTNAP2 em indivíduos com Transtornos do Espectro do Autismo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo da fragilização ao revenido em aço liga de 2,25CR-1MO através do ensaio de indentificação instrumentada

2,25Cr-1Mo alloy steels are widely used in petrochemical plant equipments working in high temperature conditions because of their good mechanical proprieties in these conditions. Although, when exposed for a long time at high temperature, in the rage of 343 °C to 593 °C, may present the temper embrittlement phenomenon. The component named stripper of assembly converter of fluid catalytic cracking unit (UFCC) of studied plant is manufactured using this material, which is subject to temper embrittlement. The phenomenon of temper embrittlement refers to progressive lose of toughness, making the material brittle. With embrittlement, equipaments manufactured with this material are under risks to suffer brittle fracture in the cool down and start-up situations of them, which can cause catastrophic failures. By this reason, this research studies presence of temper ebrittlement phenomenon on this material. To verify the toughness of the material is conventionally used charpy V-notch test. However, this test requires the removing of samples of the material to make specimens. This fact becomes critical when talk about structural components of an equipment. So, this research also studies a non-destructive test that can be executes in-situ, known as instrumented indentation, as an alternative detection of the phenomenon at the component stripper, by comparative of the mechanical proprieties obtained by conventional tests in similar samples

Aspectos neurobiológicos da doença de Alzheimer

Neste trabalho, foi feita uma revisão de importantes aspectos associados às bases neurobiológicas da Doença de Alzheimer, por meio de um levantamento bibliográfico sobre o assunto. A Doença de Alzheimer (DA) é uma doença neurodegenerativa que acomete geralmente pessoas acima de 65 ou 70 anos. Em pacientes com DA, nota-se a ocorrência de atrofia progressiva de várias áreas cerebrais, responsáveis pela perda de memória e de outras funções cognitivas, além da diminuição da capacidade para realizar atividades rotineiras. Inicialmente, a atrofia ocorre no lobo temporal, especialmente nas regiões responsáveis pela memória (hipocampo, córtex entorrinal) e, posteriormente, em regiões como o córtex parietal e córtex frontal. O declínio progressivo e persistente de memória recente pode ser verificado já na fase inicial da doença e, progressivamente, entram em declínio outras funções cognitivas, resultando em um comprometimento cognitivo global. Os mecanismos envolvidos na degeneração cerebral na Doença de Alzheimer estão relacionados com a neuropatologia característica da DA. Lesões cerebrais específicas levam a morte de neurônios e sinapses, e estão relacionadas a presença de placas amilóides e emaranhados neurofibrilares. Essas placas e emaranhados acometem principalmente as camadas piramidais do córtex cerebral e são responsáveis por degenerações sinápticas intensas, tanto em nível hipocampal quanto neocortical (BRAAK & BRAAK, 1991). À medida que os neurônios morrem, são perdidos sinais de entrada sinápticos em regiões do encéfalo que são críticas para a função cognitiva e de memória normal

Análise funcional do gene da proteína 14-3-3 de Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

A paracoccidioidomicose (PCM) é micose profunda causada pelo fungo dimórfico Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb), endêmica na América Latina, principalmente no Brasil. A capacidade de P. brasiliensis de não só provocar doença humana, mas também de causar micose com grande variedade de manifestações clínicas, desde formas localizadas até doença disseminada, evoluindo para letalidade, depende provavelmente da virulência do fungo, da habilidade deste em interagir com as estruturas superficiais do hospedeiro e invadi-las, e da resposta imunológica deste último. O sucesso da colonização dos tecidos do hospedeiro pelo fungo é um evento complexo, geralmente envolvendo um ligante codificado pelo patógeno (adesinas) e um receptor da célula. Uma adesina de 30 kDa de P. brasiliensis, ligante de laminina, foi caracterizada através de seqüenciamento de aminoácidos, mostrando que esta é uma proteína 14-3-3 envolvida na adesão deste fungo às células epiteliais. Estas formam uma família de proteínas diméricas, ácidas e estão presentes em múltiplas isoformas em muitos organismos eucariotos. Com o intuito de se estudar sua funcionalidade em P. brasiliensis, pretendeu-se clonar, caracterizar e utilizar como hospedeiro do gene desta proteína a levedura Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Para tanto, as seqüências gênicas da adesina 14-3-3 de isolados de P. brasiliensis obtida pela clonagem do cDNA em vetores bacterianos foram utilizadas para obtenção de um homólogo funcional em S. cerevisiae. A capacidade do gene da 14-3-3 de P. brasiliensis ser um homólogo funcional, aderir e invadir as células epiteliais tratadas deve ser avaliada utilizando o modelo pré-existente de culturas celulares in vitro de linhagens humanas. Assim, neste estudo além da clonagem, expressão da 14-3-3 de Pb e obtenção do homólogo funcional do gene desta proteína em S. cerevisiae, foi iniciada... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)

Mapeamento geológico-estrutural da Sequência Canto, porção sul do Greenstone Belt do Rio Itapirucu, Bahia

The study area is located in the southern portion of Rio Itapicuru Greenstone Belt, Bahia, where were found rocks that belongs to the Canto Sequence, that comprises felsics and intermediary rocks, beyond metasediments. The studied maps and drill holes help to recognized stratigraphy column that was divided in three mains domains, from the base to the top: andesitics to felsics lavas domain, carbonaceous and metasedimentary domains. The data obtained in mapping and petrography analysis allows classify the area in three deformational phases, Dn, Dn+1, Dn+2. The metamorphism recognized according to the mineralogical associations permitted to classify a progressive regional metamorphism (lower to medium greenchist facies) till biotite zone, falling until chlorite zone due to retrometamorphism. The auriferous mineralizations are mainly related to hydrothermal veins included in the different lithologies, mainly in carbonaceous schists

Efeitos da exposição à sílica sobre a responsividade vascular e de vias aéreas de ratos

Silicosis, a common type of pneumoconiosis, is an occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of silica dust often with mining activity and thus reaches the miners. The fine and ultrafine silica particles deposited in the alveolar epithelium may lead to the development of progressive massive fibrosis. An increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production has been proposed to explain the mechanism for induction of pulmonary fibrosis in silicosis. In this situation, alveolar macrophages are activated to phagocytes silica particles deposited in the alveoli. The activated macrophages secrete large amounts of ROS that in turn induce synthesis of fibrotic factors. In addition, the activity of antioxidant enzymes is impaired, which results in increased lipid peroxidation, as well as generating a local inflammatory process. Diffuse pulmonary fibrosis progresses with interstitial collagen deposition. Interstitial collagen overlies small pulmonary arteries and arterioles and thus it is associated with pulmonary hypertension in pulmonary fibrotic diseases. In addition, cytokines and silica particles passing through the respiratory membrane can reach the bloodstream. In this context, the increase in the generation of ROS in the circulation may lead to a reduction in the bioavailability of nitric oxide, an important endothelium-derived relaxing factor. A deficiency in the nitric oxide bioavailability can result in vascular endothelial dysfunction. Moreover, pro-inflammatory cytokines could contribute to the impairment of endothelial function. In the airways, pro-inflammatory cytokines can reduce the smooth muscle responsiveness to β- adrenergic agonists as isoproterenol. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of silica dust instillation in the function of the pulmonary artery, aorta and trachea of rats with acute silicosis. For this purpose, male Wistar rats were anesthetized... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Prevalência da excreção e caracterização molecular do poliomavírus humano JC em amostras de urina de pacientes com aids sem leucoencefalopatia multifocal pro-gressiva

The human poliomavirus is the etiologic agente of Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a disease characterized by focal lesions not expansives of the central nervous system that develops in imunocompromissed patients, specially people with aids. The main aim of the study was to evalute the prevalence of the JCV excretion in urine samples of patients with aids, without PML, to compare two JCV DNA detection techniques through of two diferents genomic regions and to evaluate the genotypic characterization of the positive samples. A total of 75 samples were colected in the Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, between may and november, 2009. To detect the JC virus it was made the DNA extraction and then the polimerase chain reaction (PCR). Firstly a fragment of 215 bp was amplified, which corresponds to the codifying gene of the strutural protein of de JC vírus capsid VP1. All the samples were later submitted to another PCR that uses a pair of primers complementaries to the early region of the JCV (T antigen) amplifying a fragment of 173 bp. Followed by the digestion of the amplified product with the restriction enzime BamH1, resulting in two smaller fragments (120 bp and 53 bp). The JC vírus was detected in 53 samples, for both techniques (70,7% for VP1 PCR, and the restriction enzime BamH1), 34/46 were men (73,9%) and 19/29 were women (65,5%). The JCV excretion was higher in individuals that were over 46 years old. Regarding the seven genotypes described in the literature, the ones that were more prevalent among the JC positive patients were 3B and 3A with 10 samples each (21,0%), the 2B with 9 samples (19,0%) and genotype 6, with six samples (13,0%). As in the brown patients as the white ones, the most prevalent genotype was 3B. In the present study it was observed a high prevalence of JCV DNA (70,7%) and the genotype 3 (43,0%)... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Neurobiologia da doença de Alzheimer

A Doença de Alzheimer (DA) tem sido conceituada como uma doença de caráter duplo, inicialmente por possuir um fenotípico clínico centrado na presença de uma demência progressiva que inclui comprometimento da memória como uma característica definitiva, além do envolvimento de outros domínios cognitivos ou habilidades. É caracterizada também por alterações neuropatológicas específicas que incluem lesões intraneuronais (emaranhados neurofibrilares) e extracelulares (placas senis), que podem ser acompanhados por perda sináptica e depósitos vasculares amiloides (Dubois et al, 2010). A constatação do processo neurodegenerativo se evidencia por meio da atrofia cerebral, especialmente, em hipocampo e córtex entorrinal constatada por neuroimagem (por exemplo, a ressonância magnética e tomografia computadorizada). Dentro desse conceito, esse estudo teve como objetivo fazer uma investigação geral com base na literatura especializada, com análise de artigos relevantes, referentes aos aspectos neurobiológicos associados à Doença de Alzheimer. Foram abordados tópicos como: atrofia cerebral, processo neurodegenerativo, biomarcadores, neuroimagem (com foco na escala de Urs et al.,2009) e aspectos clínicos

Os benefícios da natação para bebês

A natação para bebês apresenta diversos benefícios, tanto sob o ponto de vista físico, durante o desenvolvimento neuromotor do bebê, sob os aspectos sócio-afetivos, mostrando-se altamente benéfica para o relacionamento afetivo profundo entre a mãe e seu bebê, e deste com o mundo social em que vive. Assim, sob o ponto de vista psicológico e social, a natação para bebês tem dois momentos complementares – um que facilita situações de regressão a padrões primitivos de relacionamento com o mundo, e outro que estimula o movimento de socialização progressiva através da aquisição de recursos de desenvolvimento e de novos padrões de comunicação e integração com o mundo. A natação apresenta algumas características que a tornam bastante indicada para crianças de faixa etária baixa, e principalmente para bebês, pois nela encontra-se diversas formas de estimulação para o desenvolvimento da motricidade. Em termos musculares, foi notado que bebês que freqüentam a piscina têm a musculatura dorsal mais desenvolvida que a de outros bebês, além da estimulação de outros grupos musculares, o que facilitaria na recuperação de bebês com problemas respiratórios ou para reabilitação física. Assim, a natação proporciona ao bebê um bom desenvolvimento motor, cognitivo e afetivo, melhora o relacionamento entre pais e filhos, além de trazer inúmeros benefícios à saúde e ao dia-a-dia do bebê.

Atividade física e sintomas depressivos em cuidadores de idosos com demência de Alzheimer

The Alzheimer's dementia (AD) is a chronic, neurodegenerative and progressive disorder, characterized by cognitive decline, affecting brain functions like memory, reasoning and communication, occurrence of behavioral disturbances and difficulty in performing activities of daily living (ADLs). These conditions lead to patient’s dependence, which can cause depressive symptoms in caregivers, due to physical and mental burden caused by of the difficulties of the act of caring. Whereupon, it became necessary to find strategies to improve the caregivers’ quality of life. An interesting hypothesis is that physical activity can be considered a non-pharmacological alternative in reducing depressive symptoms, being an important factor for maintaining the physical and mental well-being of the general population, especially on positive changes in mood and social interaction. This study aimed to analyze the effects of a physical activity protocol on depressive symptoms and burden of caregivers of patients with AD. This experimental study, of longitudinal character, comprised a sample of 19 caregivers, of both genders, divided into two groups: a) intervention group – IG (10 caregivers who participated in a physical activity protocol) and b) control group – CG (9 caregivers who didn’t participate in the physical activity protocol). This protocol, which worked the components of functional ability and social interaction of participants, was held three times a week, being 48 sessions of 60 minutes each, for 16 weeks. Data collect was performed at pre and post-intervention for both groups. The assessment instruments used were: a) Zarit Burden Interview, b) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) and c) battery of motor tests of the American Alliance for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). Nonparametric statistics was used, with intra-group comparison by Wilcoxon test... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Espondilomielopatia cervical caudal em cães: diagnóstico por imagem

The Caudal Cervical Spondylomyelopathy, also known as “Wobbler syndrome” is a neurological disorder that affects mainly breeds of large and giant size, especially Doberman pinsher and Great danes. Its aetiology is multifactorial and leads to a narrowing of the spinal canal by morphological and positional caudal cervical vertebrae (C5, C6 and C7), causing compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots. The clinical signs presented by the affected animals are progressive ataxia of hindlimbs and, later, the forelimbs, sometimes progressing to tetraparesis. Neck pain may be present. The diagnosis is made through the association of clinical signs and diagnostic imaging such as radiography, myelography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. According to the classification of the lesion obtained by imaging examinations, the conservative or surgical treatment is established and the prognosis is variable in accordance with the degree of affection of the spinal cord

Desenvolvimento e avaliação das atividades antioxidante e despigmentante in vitro de emulsões múltiplas a/o/a contendo dipalmitato kójico

Currently, there has been a growing concern for men and women with the appearance of the face and body, driven primarily by aesthetic standards set by the media. For this, the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries have conducted numerous research projects aiming at the development of formulations that mitigate the aging and some skin disorders such as hipercromies. One of the most frequent pathologies of skin is melasma, a manifestation of hyperpigmentation caused by hipermelanogenesis symmetrical and progressive, caused usually by hormonal irregularities, exposure to sunlight and genetic factors. In addition to sunscreen, the treatment is indicated the use of depigmenting substances, among them the kojic dipalmitate (DK), which is cleaved into kojic acid (5- hydroxy-2-hydroxy-methyl-4H-piran-4-one) by esterase after absorption by the skin cells. The kojic acid inhibits the action of tyrosinase as a chelator of ions and promotes the reduction of eumelanin and its precursor monomer. To promote a controlled release and improve the stability of the system, the DK can be incorporated into multiple emulsions, that is, complex systems composed of two emulsifications, where the two types of emulsions (W/O and O/W or O/W and W/O) exist simultaneously, forming emulsions of type W/O/W or O/W/O. This work aimed to incorporate the DK in emulsion W/O/W, physical-chemical systems obtained and to evaluate the antioxidant and depigmenting action in vitro of the developed formulations. The physico-chemical characterization was performed by microscopic analysis, quantification and size distribution, determination of pH, conductivity, zeta potential and bioadhesive test of the formulations. The droplet size in accordance with the use of light microscopy and dynamic light scattering is approximately 1μm. The pH, electrical conductivity and bioadhesion have not changed with the addition... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Entre o acadêmico e o jornalístico: análise da coluna de crítica literária Prosa de Sábado, do suplemento Sabático

The literary criticism was developed in Brazil in the period that comprehends the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. During that time, the mean of dissemination of the criticism were the footnotes of the newspapers, places in which literature was discussed and the critics expressed their personal impressions about literary works with the objective of orientating the good taste of the readers. With the progressive evolution of journalism and of the newspaper's audience, the criticism columns became incompatible with the informative part of the periodicals, being transferred to the literary supplements, during a transition phase, until it was concentrated in the universitary field. This change in the paradigms of the production of criticism also caused a change in the profile of the literary critics and in the criteria to do the criticism. Before, if the critics were professionals that only needed to have enough erudition to judge the literary works, they turn into literature experts and need to use scientific methodologies in the literary analysis, while the cultural journalist begins to look at the events and literary works as products which belong to a market that needs to be reported. This research proposes studying and comparing the critics published in the column Prosa de Sábado, of the literary supplement Sabático, produced by Silviano Santiago, critic of an academic origin, and Sérgio Augusto, journalist critic, with the objective of identifying similarities and contrasts between them, and analyse the relation of this critics with their distinct fields of literary legitimation, as well as reflecting about the presence of the literary criticism and of the critics in the current press

Análise químico-farmacêutica de cápsulas de glimepirida

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

Diferenciação miogênica “in vitro” de células tronco mesenquimais murinas de diferentes origens

Muscular dystrophy refers to a group of more than 30 genetical disorders characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscle. No effective therapy is available at present. Recent studies have reported that the transplantation of stem cells can offer an important potential therapy for genetic diseases. Adult bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have been identified as a nonhematopoietic stem cell population capable of self-renewal with the ability to differentiate into many cell lineages, including bone, fat, cartilage and connective tissue. Because of their similarity with muscle progenitor cells, when they are injected in affected individuals, they are able to migrate into areas of skeletal muscle degeneration and participate in the regeneration process. The adipose tissue represents an alternative source of MSCs that, as the MSCs derived from bone marrow, are capable of in vitro differentiation into osteogenic, adipogenic, myogenic and chondrogenic lineages. The objective of this project is to investigate the “in vitro” myogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells derived from murine bone marrow and adipose tissue. Four experimental groups were analyzed: mice from lineages Lama2dy-2J/J and C57black and, C2C12 lineage cells and transformed C2C12 expressing the eGFP protein. MSCs cultures were obtained by flushing the bone marrow femurs and tibials with α-MEM or by the subcutaneous and inguinal fat from the mice. Their characterization was done by flow cytometry and in vitro differentiation. Muscle differentiation was studied through the analysis of the expression of transcriptional factors involved in muscle differentiation and/or the presence and amount of specific proteins from muscle differentiated cell. The pluripotency from bone marrow MSCs of the two lineages was evidenced and, in the muscular differentiation... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)