Paradoxo de inovação no cluster do vinho: o caso da região demarcada do Douro

Este artigo tem por principal objetivo analisar a problemática da inovação no âmbito do cluster de uma região vitivinícola europeia tradicional (Região Demarcada do Douro - Portugal), caracterizada pelo chamado modelo vitivinícola do terroir, uma estrutura econômica suportada por um elevado número de viticultores, pequenas e médias empresas vinícolas e elevada regulação ao longo de toda a cadeia produtiva, em que, claramente, emerge a questão da tradição versus inovação. A pesquisa utilizou o método Grounded Theory, e os resultados evidenciam uma concordância de as empresas permanecerem numa região tradicional, cuja legislação dificulta as inovações radicais, mas que, concomitantemente, assegura os valores da qualidade. Verifica-se uma transferência de valores tradicionais de um produto específico, o vinho do Porto, para os novos produtos lançados recentemente no mercado; e, simultaneamente, uma transferência do valor agregado do vinho do Porto para o valor do vínculo da família com o processo produtivo e com as terras da Região Demarcada do Douro.

Specific circulating immune complexes in acute chagas' disease

The presence of circulating immune complexes formed by IgM and IgG (CIC-IgM and CIC-IgG) was investigated, using antigen-specific enzyme-immunoassays (ELISA), in 30 patients with acute Chagas' disease who showed parasitemia and inoculation chagoma. Control population consisted of patients with chronic T. cruzi infection (30), acute toxoplasmosis 10), leishmaniasis (8), rheumatoid arthritis (3) and healthy individuals with negative serology for Chagas* disease (30). Acute chagasic patients were 100% CIC-IgG and 96.66% CIC-IgM positive whereas immunofluorescence tests yielded 90% and 86.66% of positivity for specific IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. Chronic patients were 68% CIC-IgG and 0% CIC-IgM positive. The 30 negative and the 21 cross-reaction controls proved negative for ELISA (CIC-IgM and CIC-IgG). The high sensitivity of ELISA assays would allow early immunologic diagnosis, as well as prompt treatment, of acute T. cruzi infection, thus eliminating the problem of the false-positive and false-negative results which affects traditional methods for detection of circulating antibodies.

Characterization of a clone from an adult worm cDNA library selected with anti-Schistosoma mansoni human antibodies dissociated from immune complexes: a preliminary report

Considering the scarcity of defined antigens, actually useful and reliable for use in the field studies, we propose an alternative method for selection of cDNA clones with potential use in the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. Human antibodies specific to a protein fraction of 31/32 kDa (Sm31/32), dissociated from immune complexes, are used for screening of clones from an adult worm cDNA library. Partial sequencing of five clones, selected through this strategy, showed to be related to Schistosoma mansoni: two were identified as homologous to heat shock protein 70, one to glutathione S-transferase, one to homeodomain protein, and one to a previously described EST (expressed sequence tag) of S. mansoni. This last clone was the most consistently reactive during the screening process with the anti-Sm31/32 antibodies dissociated from the immune complexes. The complete sequence of this clone was obtained and the translation data yielded only one ORF (open reading frame) that code for a protein with 57 amino acids. Based on this amino acid sequence two peptides were chemically synthesized and evaluated separately against a pool of serum samples from schistosomiasis patients and non-schistosomiasis individuals. Both peptides showed strong reactivity only against the positive pool, suggesting that these peptides may be useful as antigens for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni.

Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs) forming immune complexes in fulminant hepatitis

This paper reports an unusual pattern of serological HBV markers and the presence of HBsAg/anti-HBs immune complexes in serum samples from two patients with fulminant hepatitis from the Brazilian Western Amazon Basin. The diagnosis was made by both serologic tests and demonstration of antigen/antibody complexes by transmission electron microscopy. Concurrent Delta virus superinfection is also discussed.

Análise de Cluster e Análise Heurística na construção de uma tipologia de alcoolistas

Objetivos Desenvolver e avaliar uma tipologia binária de alcoolistas. Métodos Analisados registros de 329 alcoolistas acompanhados em estudo prospectivo e observacional. Análise de Correspondência foi aplicada para selecionar o menor número de variáveis capazes de representar a máxima variabilidade dos sujeitos; Análise de Cluster para identificar dois subtipos; e Análise Heurística para organizar as variáveis selecionadas em grupos de sentido. Análises Bivariadas foram utilizadas para testar possíveis associações com 51 variáveis demográficas ou clinicamente relevantes. Resultados A Análise de Correspondência selecionou 20 variáveis, posteriormente categorizadas em três grupos de sentidos por meio de Análise Heurística: “comportamentos”, “crenças” e “sentimentos”. Os pacientes do subgrupo 1 possuem perfil de maior gravidade clínica, psicopatológica e social. Sentimentos e crenças identificados se associaram a variáveis de consumo e recaída e os comportamentos com repercussão social. Conclusões Os resultados deste estudo permitem supor que a tipologia aqui apresentada possa contribuir para o tratamento desses subtipos de alcoolistas identificados por meio de estratégias teórico-práticas adaptadas às necessidades desses sujeitos.

Late Outcome of a Randomized Study on Oral Magnesium for Premature Complexes

Background:Ventricular and supraventricular premature complexes (PC) are frequent and usually symptomatic. According to a previous study, magnesium pidolate (MgP) administration to symptomatic patients can improve the PC density and symptoms.Objective:To assess the late follow-up of that clinical intervention in patients treated with MgP or placebo.Methods:In the first phase of the study, 90 symptomatic and consecutive patients with PC were randomized (double-blind) to receive either MgP or placebo for 30 days. Monthly follow-up visits were conducted for 15 months to assess symptoms and control electrolytes. 24-hour Holter was performed twice, regardless of symptoms, or whenever symptoms were present. In the second phase of the study, relapsing patients, who had received MgP or placebo (crossing-over) in the first phase, were treated with MgP according to the same protocol.Results:Of the 45 patients initially treated with MgP, 17 (37.8%) relapsed during the 15-month follow-up, and the relapse time varied. Relapsing patients treated again had a statistically significant reduction in the PC density of 138.25/hour (p < 0.001). The crossing-over patients reduced it by 247/hour (p < 0.001). Patients who did not relapse, had a low PC frequency (3 PC/hour). Retreated patients had a 76.5% improvement in symptom, and crossing-over patients, 71.4%.Conclusion:Some patients on MgP had relapse of symptoms and PC, indicating that MgP is neither a definitive nor a curative treatment for late follow-up. However, improvement in the PC frequency and symptoms was observed in the second phase of treatment, similar to the response in the first phase of treatment.

Molecular karyotype analysis and mapping of housekeeping genes to chromosomes of selected species complexes of Leishmania

The molecular karyotypes for 20 reference strais of species complexes of Leishmania were determined by contour-clamped homogeneous eletric field (CHEF) electrosphoresis. Determination of number/position of chromosome-sized bands and chromosomal DNA locations of house-keeping genes were the two criteria used for differentiating and classifying the Leishmania species. We have established two gel running conditions of optimal separation of chromosomes, wich resolved DNA molecules as large as 2,500 kilobase pairs (kb). Chromosomes were polymorphic in number (22-30) and size (200-2,500 kb) of bands among members of five complexes of Leishmania. Although each stock had a distinct karyotype, in general the differences found between strains and/or species within each complex were not clear enough for parasite identification. However, each group showed a specific number of size-concordant DNA molecules, wich allowed distinction among the Leishmania complex parasites. Clear differences between the Old and New world groups of parasites or among some New World Leishmania species were also apparent in relation to the chromosome locations of beta-tubulin genes. Based on these results as well as data from other published studies the potencial of using DNA karyotype for identifying and classifying leishmanial field isolates is discussed.

Antileishmanial action of organometallic complexes of Pt(II) and Rh(I)

The three organometallic complexes [(Cis-PtII (DDH) (2,5-Dihidroxibenzensulfonic)2, RhI (CO)2 Cl(2-Aminobenzothiazole) and RhI (CO)2 Cl(5-Cl-2-Methilbenzothiazole)] used in this study had been previously found to have a high in vitro activity against promastigote and amastigote like forms of Leishmania donovani. Here, the cytotoxic effect of these new organometallic complexes on the J-774 macrophages were studied. Only the RhI(CO)2 Cl (2-Aminobenzothiazole) complex induced substantial toxicity in the cells. Also, we assayed the effect of this complex on the parasite's biosynthesis of macromolecules. The RhI(CO)2Cl (5-Cl-2-Methylbenzothiazole) complex inhibited DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis. On the other hand, the two other compounds tested did not inhibit the incorporation of radioactive precursors. Finally important ultrastructural alterations in the parasites treated with the two non-cytotoxic complexes were observed.

Role of Immune Complexes from Pacients with Different Clinical Forms of Schistosomiasis in the Modulation of In Vitro Granuloma Reaction

Schistosomiasis is a disease whose pathology is strongly related to the granulomatous reaction formed around parasite eggs trapped in host tissues. Studies have shown that the chronic intestinal form (INT) of this infection is associated with a variety of immunoregulatory mechanisms which lead to a diminished granulomatous reaction. Using an in vitro model of granuloma reaction, we show that immune complexes (IC) isolated from sera of INT patients are able to reduce granulomatous reaction developed by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from acute (AC), INT and hepatosplenic (HE) patients to soluble egg antigen (SEA)-conjugated polyacrylamide beads (PB-SEA). This inhibitory activity is also observed in cell proliferation assay of PBMC from INT and HE patients stimulated with SEA and adult worm antigen (SWAP). Furthermore, IC isolated from sera of patients with different clinical forms of the disease are also able to suppress INT patients PBMC reactivity. Therefore, our results show that circulating IC present in sera of patients with different clinical forms of schistosomiasis may down-regulate PBMC reactivity to parasite antigens resulting in a diminished granuloma reaction to parasite eggs

Anopheline Species Complexes in Brazil. Current Knowledge of Those Related to Malaria Transmission

A summary of the problems related to the systematics of primary and secondary Brazilian anophelines vectors of malaria is presented.

Cl gene cluster encoding several small nucleolar RNAs: a comparison amongst trypanosomatids

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that modify RNA molecules such as rRNA and snRNA by guiding 2'-O-ribose methylation (C/D box snoRNA family) and pseudouridylation reactions (H/ACA snoRNA family). H/ACA snoRNAs are also involved in trans-splicing in trypanosomatids. The aims of this work were to characterise the Cl gene cluster that encodes several snoRNAs in Trypanosoma rangeli and compare it with clusters from Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei, Leishmania major, Leishmania infantum, Leishmania braziliensis and Leptomonas collosoma. The T. rangeli Cl gene cluster is an 801 base pair (bp) repeat sequence that encodes three C/D (Cl1, Cl2 and Cl4) and three H/ACA (Cl3, Cl5 and Cl6) snoRNAs. In contrast to T. brucei, the Cl3 and Cl5 homologues have not been annotated in the Leishmania or T. cruzi genome projects (http//:www.genedb.org). Of note, snoRNA transcribed regions have a high degree of sequence identity among all species and share gene synteny. Collectively, these findings suggest that the Cl cluster could constitute an interesting target for therapeutic (gene silencing) or diagnostic intervention strategies (PCR-derived tools).

Susceptibility of Anopheles campestris-like and Anopheles barbirostris species complexes to Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in Thailand

Nine colonies of five sibling species members of Anopheles barbirostris complexes were experimentally infected with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. They were then dissected eight and 14 days after feeding for oocyst and sporozoite rates, respectively, and compared with Anopheles cracens. The results revealed that Anopheles campestris-like Forms E (Chiang Mai) and F (Udon Thani) as well as An. barbirostris species A3 and A4 were non-potential vectors for P. falciparum because 0% oocyst rates were obtained, in comparison to the 86.67-100% oocyst rates recovered from An. cracens. Likewise, An. campestris-like Forms E (Sa Kaeo) and F (Ayuttaya), as well as An. barbirostris species A4, were non-potential vectors for P. vivax because 0% sporozoite rates were obtained, in comparison to the 85.71-92.31% sporozoite rates recovered from An. cracens. An. barbirostris species A1, A2 and A3 were low potential vectors for P. vivax because 9.09%, 6.67% and 11.76% sporozoite rates were obtained, respectively, in comparison to the 85.71-92.31% sporozoite rates recovered from An. cracens. An. campestris-like Forms B and E (Chiang Mai) were high-potential vectors for P. vivax because 66.67% and 64.29% sporozoite rates were obtained, respectively, in comparison to 90% sporozoite rates recovered from An. cracens.

Oxidative stress enhances the expression of sulfur assimilation genes: preliminary insights on the Enterococcus faecalis iron-sulfur cluster machinery regulation

The Firmicutes bacteria participate extensively in virulence and pathological processes. Enterococcus faecalis is a commensal microorganism; however, it is also a pathogenic bacterium mainly associated with nosocomial infections in immunocompromised patients. Iron-sulfur [Fe-S] clusters are inorganic prosthetic groups involved in diverse biological processes, whose in vivo formation requires several specific protein machineries. Escherichia coli is one of the most frequently studied microorganisms regarding [Fe-S] cluster biogenesis and encodes the iron-sulfur cluster and sulfur assimilation systems. In Firmicutes species, a unique operon composed of the sufCDSUB genes is responsible for [Fe-S] cluster biogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of the E. faecalis sufCDSUB system in the [Fe-S] cluster assembly using oxidative stress and iron depletion as adverse growth conditions. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction demonstrated, for the first time, that Gram-positive bacteria possess an OxyR component responsive to oxidative stress conditions, as fully described for E. coli models. Likewise, strong expression of the sufCDSUB genes was observed in low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, indicating that the lowest concentration of oxygen free radicals inside cells, known to be highly damaging to [Fe-S] clusters, is sufficient to trigger the transcriptional machinery for prompt replacement of [Fe-S] clusters.

Antiplasmodial activity of iron(II) and ruthenium(II) organometallic complexes against Plasmodium falciparum blood parasites

This work reports the in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparumblood forms (W2 clone, chloroquine-resistant) of tamoxifen-based compounds and their ferrocenyl (ferrocifens) and ruthenocenyl (ruthenocifens) derivatives, as well as their cytotoxicity against HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Surprisingly with these series, results indicate that the biological activity of ruthenocifens is better than that of ferrocifens and other tamoxifen-like compounds. The synthesis of a new metal-based compound is also described. It was shown, for the first time, that ruthenocifens are good antiplasmodial prototypes. Further studies will be conducted aiming at a better understanding of their mechanism of action and at obtaining new compounds with better therapeutic profile.