Participation of the liver gluconeogenesis in the glibenclamide-induced hypoglycaemia in rats

We previously demonstrated an increased liver gluconeogenesis (LG) during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. Thus, an expected effect of sulphonylureas induced hypoglycaemia (SIH) could be the activation of LG. However, sulphonylureas infused directly in to the liver inhibits LG. Considering these opposite effects we investigated herein LG in rats submitted to SIH. For this purpose, 24 h fasted rats that received glibenclamide (10 mg kg(-1)) were used (SIH group). Control group received oral saline. Glycaemia at 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 min after oral administration of glibenclamide were evaluated. Since the lowest glycaemia was obtained 120 min after glibenclamide administration, this time was chosen to investigate LG in situ perfused livers. The gluconeogenesis from precursors that enters in this metabolic pathway before the mitochondrial step, i.e. L-alanine (5 mM), L-lactate (2 mM), pyruvate (5 mM) and L-glutamine were decreased (p < 0.05). However, the gluconeogenic activity using glycerol (2 mM), which enters in the gluconeogenesis after the mitochondrial step was maintained. Taken together, the results suggest that the inhibition of LG promoted by SIH overcome the activation of this metabolic pathway promoted by IIH and could be attributed, at least in part, to its effect on mitochondrial function. Copyright (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Short-term induction of thrombocytopenia delays periodontal healing in rats with periodontal disease: participation of endostatin and vascular endothelial growth factor

Background and Objective: Platelets contain factors, including VEGF and endostatin, that can modulate the healing process. We evaluated the effects of severe thrombocytopenia on periodontal healing in rats and determined the contribution of VEGF and endostatin to the healing process. Material and Methods: Rats were distributed into three test groups and two control groups. Cotton ligatures were placed at the gingival margin level of the lower first molar in the test groups. Sham-operated rats and rats in one of the periodontitis groups were killed 15 days later. Rats in the remaining two periodontitis groups had the ligatures removed in order to study the spontaneous recovery from the periodontal disease 15 days later, and these rats were treated with rabbit antiplatelet serum, in order to induce thrombocytopenia, or normal rabbit serum. An additional group without ligatures received antiplatet serum in the same period. Results: After ligature removal, rats treated with normal rabbit serum showed reduced myeloperoxidase activity, decreased alveolar bone loss and increased numbers of blood vessels. Thrombocytopenia caused a delay in alveolar bone regeneration, a decrease in the number of vessels and a modest decrease in myeloperoxidase activity. In the rats with periodontitis, serum endostatin concentrations were slightly decreased and serum VEGF remained unchanged compared with sham-operated animals. After ligature removal, a significant VEGF increase and endostatin decrease were observed in the rats treated with normal rabbit serum. Thrombocytopenia led to a dramatic fall in both VEGF and endostatin concentrations. Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia leads to a delay of periodontal healing in the situation of experimental periodontitis, which might be mediated in part by a decrease in the serum concentration of VEGF and endostatin derived from the platelets. However, other factors derived from the platelets may also have contributed to a delay of periodontal healing in the rats with thrombocytopenia.

Participation of peripheral tachykinin NK(1) receptors in the carrageenan-induced inflammation of the rat temporomandibular joint

Temporomandibular disorders represent one of the major challenges in dentistry therapeutics. This study was undertaken to evaluate the time course of carrageenan-induced inflammation in the rat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and to investigate the role of tachykinin NK(1) receptors. Inflammation was induced by a single intra-articular (i.art.) injection of carrageenan into the left TMJ (control group received sterile saline). Inflammatory parameters such as plasma extravasation, leukocyte influx and mechanical allodynia (measured as the head-withdrawal force threshold) and TNF alpha and IL-1 beta concentrations were measured in the TMJ lavages at selected time-points. The carrageenan-induced responses were also evaluated after treatment with the NK(1) receptor antagonist SR140333. The i.art. injection of carrageenan into the TMJ caused a time-dependent plasma extravasation associated with mechanical allodynia, and a marked neutrophil accumulation between 4 and 24 h. Treatment with SR140333 substantially inhibited the increase in plasma extravasation and leukocyte influx at 4 and 24 h, as well as the production of TNF alpha and IL-1 beta into the joint cavity, but failed to affect changes in head-withdrawal threshold. The results obtained from the present TMJ-arthritis model provide, for the first time, information regarding the time course of this experimental inflammatory process. In addition, our data show that peripheral NK(1) receptors mediate the production of both TNF alpha and IL-1 beta in the TMJ as well as some of the inflammatory signs, such as plasma extravasation and leukocyte influx, but not the nociceptive component. 2008 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

pH-Sensitive Binding of Cytochrome c to the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane. Implications for the Participation of the Protein in Cell Respiration and Apoptosis

Cytochrome c exhibits two positively charged sites: site A containing lysine residues with high pK(a) values and site L containing ionizable groups with pK(aobs),values around 7.0. This protein feature implies that cytochrome c can participate in the fusion of mitochondria and have its detachment from the inner membrane regulated by cell acidosis and alkalosis. In this study, We demonstrated that both horse and tuna cytochrome c exhibited two types of binding to inner mitochondrial membranes that contributed to respiration: a high-affinity and low-efficiency pi-I-independent binding (microscopic dissociation constant K(sapp2), similar to 10 nM) and a low-affinity and high-efficiency pH-dependent binding that for horse cytochrome c had a pK(a) of similar to 6.7. For tuna cytochrome c (Lys22 and His33 replaced with Asn and Trp, respectively), the effect of pH on K(sapp1), was less striking than for the horse heme protein, and both tuna and horse cytochrome c had closed K(sapp1) values at pH 7.2 and 6.2, respectively. Recombinant mutated cytochrome c H26N and H33N also restored the respiration of the cytochrome c-depleted mitoplast in a pH-dependent manner. Consistently, the detachment of cytochrome c from nondepleted mitoplasts was favored by alkalinization, suggesting that site Lionization influences the participation of cytochrome c in the respiratory chain and apoptosis.

Cys mutants in functional regions of Sticholysin I clarify the participation of these residues in pore formation

Experimental evidence shows that the mechanism of pore formation by actinoporins is a multistep process, involving binding of the water-soluble monomer to the membrane and subsequent oligomerization on the membrane surface, leading to the formation of a functional pore. However, as for other eukaryotic pore-forming toxins, the molecular details of the mechanism of membrane insertion and oligomerization are not clear. In order to obtain further insight with regard to the structure-function relationship in sticholysins, we designed and produced three cysteine mutants of recombinant sticholysin I (rStI) in relevant functional regions for membrane interaction: StI E2C and StI F15C (in the N-terminal region) and StI R52C (in the membrane binding site). The conformational characterization derived from fluorescence and CD spectroscopic studies of StI E2C, StI F15C and StI R52C suggests that replacement of these residues by Cys in rStI did not noticeably change the conformation of the protein. The substitution by Cys of Arg(52) in the phosphocholine-binding site, provoked noticeable changes in rStI permeabilizing activity; however, the substitutions in the N-terminal region (Glu(2), Phe(15)) did not modify the toxin`s permeabilizing ability. The presence of a dimerized population stabilized by a disulfide bond in the StI E2C mutant showed higher pore-forming activity than when the protein is in the monomeric state, suggesting that sticholysins pre-ensembled at the N-terminal region could facilitate pore formation. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mechanistic study of the addition reaction of TeCl(4) to alkynes: Participation of TeCl(3) centered-radical

The mechanism of the addition reaction of TeCl(4) to alkynes was indirectly established by the detection of TeCl(3) centered radicals using EPR spin trapping, ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS characterization. Crown Copyright (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Contemporary Approaches to Translation in the Classroom : A study of students' Attitudes and Strategies

The purpose of this study is to explore the strategies and attitudes of students towards translation in the context of language learning. The informants come from two different classes at an Upper Secondary vocational program. The study was born from the backdrop of discussions among some English teachers representing different theories on translation and language learning, meeting students endeavoring in language learning beyond the confinement of the classroom and personal experiences of translation in language learning. The curriculum and course plan for English at the vocational program emphasize two things of particular interest to our study; integration of the program outcomes and vocational language into the English course - so called meshed learning – and student awareness of their own learning processes. A background is presented of different contrasting methods in translation and language learning that is relevant to our discussion. However, focus is given to contemporary research on reforms within the Comparative Theory, as expressed in Translation in Language and Teaching (TILT), Contrastive Analysis and “The Third Space”. The results of the students’ reflections are presented as attempts to translate two different texts; one lyric and one technical vocational text. The results show a pragmatic attitude among the students toward tools like dictionaries or Google Translate, but also a critical awareness about their use and limits. They appear to prefer the use of first language to the target language when discussing the correct translation as they sought accuracy over meaning. Translation for them was a natural and problem-solving event worth a rightful place in language teaching.

Active cooling of low-concentrating hybrid PV/Thermal collectors

A series of measurements on the performance of solar cell string modules with low-concentrating CPC reflectors with a concentration factor C ˜ 4X have been carried out. To minimise the reduction in efficiency due to high cell temperatures, the modules were cooled. Four different way of cooling were tested:1) The thermal mass of the module was increased, 2) passive air cooling was used by introducing a small air gap between the module and the reflector, 3) the PV cells were cooled by a large cooling fin, 4) the module was actively cooled by circulating cold water on the back. The best performance was given with the actively cooled PV module which gave 2,2 times the output from a reference module while for the output from the module with a cooling fin the value was 1,8.Active cooling is also interesting due to the possibility of co-generation of thermal and electrical energy which is discussed in the paper. Simulations, based on climate data from Stockholm, latitude 59.4°N, show that there are good prospects for producing useful temperatures of the cooling fluid with only a slightly reduced performance of the electrical fraction of the PV thermal hybrid system.

Joseph E. Atkins, Dean of Students

Joseph E. Atkins, Dean of Students reading The Seven Sins of Memory by Daniel L. Schacter ( BF376 .S33 2001 )

Classroom of students watching demonstration of closed-circuit TV

Students watch monitors that show a voltage meter being filmed in the Automotive Dept by department head William C. H. Meyer as part of a demonstration of a new technique in closed-circuit television. This is one of a series of photographs accompanying a press release about the development and demonstration of the new technique at the New York Trade School. Original caption reads, "In a classroom on another floor, students all have "front row" seats for the demonstration. Camera concentrates on close-up of a meter, where readings show the result of the voltage-regulator check. Instructor (standing at microphone) is Arthur Richards." Black and white photograph with accompanying caption.

From dakar to Brasilia: monitoring unesco´s education goals

Active participation of Brazilian civil society, coupled with the 2007 education development plan, launched by the Brazilian government provides an interesting example of the influences of the Dakar Goals. The two domestic initiatives share the same name, spirit and direction proposed in Dakar 2000. We analyse here changes in the Brazilian policies and indicators related to the Dakar Education Goals since its creation, we note: (i) an increase in enrolment over the relevant period; (ii) access to primary education was nearly universal by 2000; (iii) over-aged youth and adult students fell considerably during the period, but access did not expand; (iv) illiteracy has been falling at a rate which, if sustained, will enable us to meet the goal; (v) gender discrimination did not take place in Brazil; (vi) most pupil proficiency indicators have progressively deteriorated from what was already a low standard. In summary, quantity indicators did improve over the period while most quality indicators worsened.

A linguagem do blog escolar em um trabalho com multiletramentos: compartilhando sentidos

This research, part of Applied Linguistics field, aims to analyze the language of a school blog, developed with the participation of students, as a work based on the conception of multiliteracies, focusing on the construction of different meanings. The research is carried on from the building and maintenance of a school blog, the Ieceblog, with students of Ensino Fundamental II, since 2008, in a private school in Natal-RN. The investigation of the language produced on a school blog is justified due to the interactive conceptions of writing and reading on the virtual environment. Given the fact that new technologies are a reality in the schools opened to the practices of multiliteracies, it is assumed that text, image, video, audio, non-graphic signs and hypertext intensifies the produced interaction, in which the students become real authors. In this perspective, some voices belonging to the statements that are formed through the posts and comments chosen to the analyses and reflection on the blog space as locus of productions of senses inserted in the school and the world environment, as well as for the identification of the language resources used to intensify the senses that emerge from it. From the view of dialogism conceptualized by Bakhtin Circle, the qualitative interpretive-research deepens the experience of a school blog focusing on digital language in line with the vision of digital literacy. From the blog posts, a corpus that promote the exposure of different manifestations of language in the design of digital multiliteracies is elected. Thereby, the method used was the dialogical analysis of speech based on Bakhtin s studies and the Circle. The corpus was taken from the blog s posts in order to point up the different language manifestations in the following categories: (i) mood reinforced by the mockery, (ii) search for compliance with school sphere, (iii) conflicting social values and consistent complicity between sense and verbal imagery, and finally (iv) social practices that take place from and through the discursive genre. The study points to the tension between the active voices in several directions, revealing the distorted unit of posts which, under the analytical observation raises multiple meanings in a responsive manner. The analysis of the dialogue interaction in which intersperses the digital one becomes more apparent that the multiliteracies events that are mediated by language in addition to structure of the language and makes us rethink the students

Evaluation of N-acetilglucosaminidase and myeloperoxidase activity in patients with endometriosis-related infertility undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Aim: Inflammation is as an important factor in ovulation with the active participation of leucocytes and their inflammatory mediators. The present study was performed to compare the activity of the inflammatory enzymes myeloperoxidase (MPO) and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) in patients with endometriosis-related infertility and in normally ovulating women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).Material and Methods: This prospective study included infertile women undergoing ICSI treatment. These women were divided into two groups: endometriosis anovulation (n = 18) and normally ovulating (n = 20). NAG and MPO activity was evaluated colorimetrically in serum and in follicular fluids obtained at the time of oocyte retrieval.Results: There was a significant correlation between the serum and follicular fluid activities of NAG and MPO (tau = 0.256, P = 0.025; and tau = -0.234, P = 0.041; respectively). Both serum and follicular fluid NAG activities were higher in patients with endometriosis compared to the control group (P < 0.001). MPO follicular fluid activity was lower in patients with endometriosis compared to normally ovulating women (P = 0.016).Conclusion: Infertile patients with endometriosis show a distinct pattern of serum and follicular fluid macrophage/neutrophil activation compared to normally ovulating women undergoing ICSI, which may reflect the role of immune and inflammatory alterations in endometriosis-related infertility.

Active surveillance of canine visceral leishmaniasis and american trypanossomiasis in rural dogs from non endemic area

A leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC) e a tripanossomíase americana são importantes zoonoses para a saúde pública que encontram no cão o principal reservatório doméstico para o homem. O trabalho procurou estimar a prevalência de anticorpos circulantes anti-Trypanosoma cruzi e anti-Leishmania spp., em amostras de cães provenientes da zona rural do município de Botucatu, SP. Durante a campanha de vacinação antirrábica canina da zona rural do município, foram coletadas 689 amostras de soro e processadas pela técnica de imunofluorescência indireta. Os testes sorológicos revelaram a ausência de anticorpos anti-Leishmania spp. e, na pesquisa dos anticorpos anti-T. cruzi, foram detectados 3 (0,4%) cães.