Factors contributing to the development of extreme North Atlantic cyclones and their relationship with the NAO

The occurrence of extreme cyclones is analysed in terms of their relationship to the NAO phase and the dominating environmental variables controlling their intensification. These are latent energy (equivalent potential temperature 850 hPa is used as an indicator), upper-air baroclinicity, horizontal divergence and jet stream strength. Cyclones over the North Atlantic are identified and tracked using a numerical algorithm, permitting a detailed analysis of their life cycles. Extreme cyclones are selected as the 10% most severe in terms of intensity. Investigations focus on the main strengthening phase of each cyclone. The environmental factors are related to the NAO, which affects the location and orientation of the cyclone tracks, thus explaining why extreme cyclones occur more (less) frequently during strong positive (negative) NAO phases. The enhanced number of extreme cyclones in positive NAO phases can be explained by the larger area with suitable growth conditions, which is better aligned with the cyclone tracks and is associated with increased cyclone life time and intensity. Moreover, strong intensification of cyclones is frequently linked to the occurrence of extreme values of growth factors in the immediate vicinity of the cyclone centre. Similar results are found for ECHAM5/OM1 for present day conditions, demonstrating that relationships between the environment factors and cyclones are also valid in the GCM. For future climate conditions (following the SRES A1B scenario), the results are similar, but a small increase of the frequency of extreme values is detected near the cyclone cores. On the other hand, total cyclone numbers decrease by 10% over the North Atlantic. An exception is the region near the British Isles, which features increased track density and intensity of extreme cyclones irrespective of the NAO phase. These changes are associated with an intensified jet stream close to Europe. Moreover, an enhanced frequency of explosive developments over the British Isles is found, leading to more frequent windstorms affecting Europe.

Early weaning accelerates the differentiation of mucous neck cells in rat gastric mucosa: Possible role of TGF alpha/EGFR

The development of the gastric mucosa is controlled by hormones, growth factors and feeding behavior. Early weaning (EW), which means the abrupt interruption of suckling, increases proliferation and differentiation in the rat gastric epithelium. Transforming growth factor alpha(TGF alpha) is secreted in the stomach, binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor( EGFR) and may control cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. Here, we investigated the influence of suckling-weaning transition on the differentiation of mucous neck cells in the stomach and its association to the expression of TGF alpha and EGFR. Fifteen-day-old Wistar rats were divided into two groups: suckling( control), in which pups were kept with the dam, and early weaning( EW), in which rats were separated from their mother and fed with hydrated powdered chow. TGF alpha and EGFR levels were increased at 18 days in EW animals compared to control ones (p<0.05). Histochemical reactions with Periodic Acid-Schiff reagent+Alcian Blue or Bandeiraea simplicifolia II lectin were used to stain the mucous neck cells and showed an increase in this cell population throughout EW, which was more pronounced at 17 days when compared to suckling pups (p<0.05). These morphological results were confirmed by RT-PCR for mucin 6. The levels of mucin 6 mRNA were higher in EW animals from the 16th to the 18th day(1-3 days post-weaning) when compared to the respective control group. Inhibition of EGFR through AG1478 administration to EW animals prevented the expansion of mucous neck cell population induced by EW (p<0.05). Therefore, early weaning up regulated TGF alpha/EGFR expression and induced differentiation of mucous neck cells. Moreover, we showed that EGFR takes part in the maturation of this cell population. We conclude that regular suckling-weaning transition is crucial to guarantee the development of the gastric mucosa. (C) 2009 International Society of Differentiation. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comportamento de células pulpares humanas expostas ao TGFβ1 a ao aFGF em cultura

O propósito do presente estudo foi avaliar o comportamento de células pulpares humanas expostas ao TGFβ1 e ao aFGF, em cultura, nas seguintes concentrações: TGFβ1 a 1ng/mL, TGFβ1 a 5ng/mL, TGFβ1 a 1ng/mL + aFGF a 5ng/mL, TGFβ1 a 5ng/mL + aFGF a 5ng/mL e aFGF a 5ng/mL. Foi avaliada a morfologia celular, a atividade da fosfatase alcalina, através de ensaio com pNPP como substrato e a expressão das proteínas osteocalcina, sialoproteína óssea e sialofosfoproteína de dentina, através de RT-PCR. Após quatro dias, verificou-se que a média do número de nucléolos no grupo tratado com TGFβ1 a 1ng/mL foi significativamente maior que no grupo tratado com aFGF a 5ng/mL. A média da atividade da fosfatase alcalina no grupo tratado com TGFβ1 a 1ng/mL foi significativamente maior que no grupo tratado com TGFβ1 a 5ng/mL + aFGF a 5ng/mL. Foi observada a expressão de osteocalcina em todas as células pulpares humanas que proliferaram em cultura. Entretanto, no grupo em que foi utilizado o aFGF a 5ng/mL houve diminuição da expressão da osteocalcina. A exposição dos fatores não induziu a expressão de componentes da matriz de dentina tais como BSP e DSPP. Sugere-se que as células expostas ao TGFβ1 1ng/mL foram estimuladas, apresentando uma maior atividade celular e as células expostas ao aFGF 5ng/mL foram inibidas, apresentando uma menor atividade celular.

Effects of the basic fibroblast growth factor and its anti-factor in the healing and collagen maturation of infected skin wound

PURPOSE: The infection is one of the main factors that affect the physiological evolution of the surgical wounds. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effects of fibroblast growth factor (FGFâ) and anti-FGFâ in the healing, synthesis and maturation of collagen when topically used on infected skin wounds of rats. METHODS: An experimental study was perfomed in 60 male Wistar rats. All animals were divided in two groups (A and B). Each group was divided in three subgroups A1, B1; A2, B2 and A3, B3. After anesthesia with pentobarbital, two open squared wounds (1cm2), 4cm distant to each other, were done in the dorsal skin of all the rats. In group A (n=30) the wounds were contaminated with multibacterial standard solution, and in group B(n=30) the wounds were maintained sterile. These wounds were named F1 (for inflammation analysis) and F2 (for collagen study). The open wounds of A1 and B1 rats were topically treated with saline solution, A2 and B2 were treated with FGFâ and subgroups A3 and B3 were treated with FGFâ and anti-FGFâ. The rats were observed until complete epitelization of F2 wounds for determination of healing time and the expression of types I and III collagen, using Picro Sirius Red staining. Inflammatory reaction in F1 wounds was studied using hematoxilineosin staining. The three variable was measured by the Image Pro-Plus Média Cybernetics software. The statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA and Tukey test, considering p<0.05 as significant. RESULTS: It was observed that infection retarded significantly (p<0.05) the time of wound scarring and the topical application of FCFb reverted the inhibition of healing caused by bacteria. The inflammatory reaction was greater in the subgroup B2 than in B1 and A3, and the difference was significant (p<0.05). It was observed greater expression of type I collagen in all the subgroups treated with FCFb, when compared with the untreated subgroups. Type III collagen was significantly decreased in wounds of B3 rats, comparing to the other subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The FCFb accelerated the healing of open infected wounds and contributed with maturation of collagen, enhancing the type I collagen density. The anti-FCFb antibody was able to attenuate the production of both type I and III collagen

Large scale laboratory cultures of Ankistrodesmus gracilis (Reisch) Korsikov (Chlorophyta) and Diaphanosoma biergei Korinek, 1981 (Cladocera)

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

In vitro Survival of Follicles Collected from Domestic Cats' Ovaries at Different Stages of Oestrous Cycle and Cultured with IGF-1

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Proteome of the phytopathogen Xanthomonas citri subsp citri: a global expression profile

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

Imunoexpressão do EGFR e da podoplanina em cistos radiculares e dentígeros

The radicular cysts (RCs) and dentigerous (DCs), despite having different etiologies, form a pathological cavity lined by epithelium, which grows due to the buildup of fluid inside, as the surrounding bone is reabsorbed and the epithelium will being induced to proliferate. The epithelial proliferation, which has been identified as one of the key processes in the growth of odontogenic cystic lesions, is influenced by growth factors such as EGFR (epidermal growth receptor factor) and podoplanin (PDPN), many of which may have its production stimulated mainly during inflammatory processes. The objective of this research was to evaluate and compare the immunohistochemical expression of EGFR and PDPN in 30 cases of RCs and 30 cases of DCs, semiquantitatively, in light microscopy, associating it with the degree of inflammation, cellular localization of immunostaining and with the immunostained epithelial layers. Data were statistically analyzed by Chi-square test and Fisher exact test, considering a significance level of 5 %. The results showed high immunoreactivity of both proteins in the lesions studied, only statistically significant difference was observed in immunostaining of PDPN (p=0.033), which proved higher in RCs. The other analyzed parameters showed no relevant significant differences. We conclude that, as EGFR and PDPN showed high immunoreactivity in cystic lesions analyzed, these proteins participate the pathogenesis of these lesions through the epithelial stimulation process, despite having different etiologies. Furthermore, it can infer that the higher immunostaining of PDNP in RCs that DCs showed no distinction indicator between the two lesions, regarding their etiologies, once this protein also showed a considerable expression in DCs, independent of the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate

Plasticidade de células tronco mesenquimais de medula óssea de ratos na presença de meio condicionado do nervo facial e do fator de crescimento fibroblástico 2

A number of evidences show the influence of the growth of injured nerve fibers in Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) as well as potential implant stem cells (SCs) to make it more suitable for nerve regeneration medium. In this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate the plasticity of mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow of mice in the presence of culture medium conditioned with facial nerve explants (D-10) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). In this perspective, the cells were cultivated only with DMEM (group 1), only with D-10(group 2), only with FGF-2(group 3) or with D-10 and FGF-2(group 4). The growth and morphology were assessed over 72 hours. Quantitative phenotypic analysis was taken from the immunocytochemistry for GFAP, OX-42, MAP-2, β-tubulin III, NeuN and NF-200 on the fourth day of cultivation. Cells cultured with conditioned medium alone or combined with FGF-2 showed distinct morphological features similar apparent at certain times with neurons and glial cells and a significant proliferative activity in groups 2 and 4 throughout the days. Cells cultived only with conditioned medium acquired a glial phenotype. Cells cultured with FGF-2 and conditioned medium expressed GFAP, OX-42, MAP-2, β-tubulin III, NeuN and NF-200. On average, area and perimeter fo the group of cells positive for GFAP and the área of the cells immunostained for OX-42 were higher than those of the group 4. This study enabled the plasticity of mesenchymal cells (MCs) in neuronal and glial nineage and opened prospects for the search with cell therapy and transdifferentiation

Effects of polymorphic microsatellites in the regulatory region of IGF1 and GHR on growth and carcass traits in beef cattle

Growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2 (IGF1 and IGF2) and their associated binding proteins and transmembrane receptors (GHR, IGF1R and IGF2R) play an important role in the physiology of mammalian growth. The objectives of the present study were to estimate the allele and genotype frequencies of microsatellite markers located in the 5'-regulatory region of the IGF1 and GHR genes in beef cattle belonging to different genetic groups and to determine effects of these markers on growth and carcass traits in these animals under an intensive production system. For this purpose, genotyping was performed on 384 bulls including 79 Nellore, 30 Canchim (5/8 Charolais + 3/8 Zebu) and 275 crossbred animals originating from crosses of Simmental (1/2 Simmental, n = 30) and Angus (1/2 Angus, n = 245) sires with Nellore females. The effects of substituting L allele for S allele of GHR microsatellite across Nellore, Canchim and 1/2 Angus were significant for weight gain and body weight (P < 0.05). The IGF1 microsatellite allele substitutions of 229 for 225 within Nellore group and of 225 for 229 within 1/2 Angus were not significant for any of the traits.

Association between IGF-I, IGF-IR and GHRH gene polymorphisms and growth and carcass traits in beef cattle

Molecular biology techniques are of help in genetic improvement since they permit the identification, mapping and analysis of polymorphisms of genes encoding proteins that act on metabolic pathways involved in economically interesting traits. The somatotrophic axis, which essentially consists of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II), and their associated binding proteins and receptors (GHRHR, GHR, IGF-IR and IGF-IIR), plays a key role in the metabolism and physiology of mammalian growth. The objectives of the present study were to estimate the allele and genotype frequencies of the IGF-I/SnaBI, IGF-IR/TaqI and GHRH/HaeIII gene polymorphisms in different genetic groups of beef cattle and to determine associations between these polymorphisms and growth and carcass traits. For this purpose, genotyping was performed on 79 Nellore animals, 30 Canchim (5/8 Charolais+3/8 Zebu) animals and 275 crossbred cattle originating from the crosses of Simmental (n=30) and Angus (n=245) sires with Nellore females. In the association studies, traits of interest were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS and least square means of the genotypes were compared by the Tukey test. Associations of IGF-I/SnaBI genotypes with body weight and subcutaneous backfat were significant (p < 0.05), and nearly significant for longissimus dorsi area (p=0.06), with the 1313 genotype being favorable compared to the AB genotype. No significant associations were observed between this polymorphism and weight gain or carcass yield (P > 0.05). The IGF-IR/TaqI and GHRH/HaeIII polymorphisms showed no association with production traits. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

Expression of fibroblast growth factor 10 and its receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor 2B, in the bovine corpus luteum

There is evidence that several fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are involved in growth and development of the corpus luteum (CL), but many FGFs have not been investigated in this tissue, including FGF10. The objective of this study was to determine if FGF10 and its receptor (FGFR2B) are expressed in the CL. Bovine CL were collected from an abattoir and classed as corpus hemorrhagica (stage 1), developing (stage 11), developed (stage 111), and regressed (stage IV) CL. Expression of FGF10 and FGFR2B mRNA was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Both genes were expressed in bovine CL, and FGF10 expression did not differ between stages of CL development. FGF10 protein was localized to large and small luteal cells by immunohistochemistry. FGFR2B expression was approximately threefold higher in regressed compared to developing and developed CL (P < 0.05). To determine if FGF10 and FGFR2B expression is regulated during functional luteolysis, cattle were injected with PGF2 alpha and CL collected at 0, 0.5, 2, 4, 12, 24, 48, and 64 hr thereafter (n = 5 CL/time point), and mRNA abundance was measured by real-time RT-PCR. FGF10 mRNA expression did not change during functional luteolysis, whereas FGFR2B mRNA abundance decreased significantly at 2, 4, and 12 hr after PGF2a, and returned to pretreatment levels for the period 24-64 hr post-PGF2 alpha. These data suggest a potential role for FGFR2B signaling during structural luteolysis in bovine CL.

Regeneration of class III furcation defects with basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) associated with GTR. A descriptive and histometric study in dogs

Background: the poor predictability of periodontal regenerative treatment of Class III furcation defects stimulates the study of alternatives to improve its results, such as the use of polypeptide growth factors. The objective of this study was to evaluate, both histologically and histometrically, the effects of topical application of basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) associated with guided tissue regeneration (GTR) in the treatment of Class III defects surgically induced in dogs.Methods: All second and fourth premolars of 5 mongrel dogs were used and randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: group 1 (control), treated with scaling and root planing, tetracycline hydrochloride (125 mg/ml) conditioning, and GTR with a collagen membrane; group 2, same treatment as group 1 plus 0.5 mg of b-FGF; group 3, same treatment as group 1 plus 1.0 mg of b-FGF. After a 90-day healing period, routine histologic processing and staining with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome were performed.Results: the descriptive analysis indicated better regenerative results in both groups treated with b-FGF while the histometric data, analyzed by means of analysis of variance (ANOVA), showed greater filling of the defects in group 2 in comparison to the defects in groups 3 and 1, respectively, which was represented by a smaller area of plaque-occupied space (P = 0.004) as well as a greater amount of newly formed cementum (P = 0.002).Conclusions: These results indicate that b-FGF, especially in smaller doses, may enhance the regenerative results in Class III furcation lesions, leading to greater filling of these defects with both mineralized and non-mineralized tissues.

Effect of green Coffea arabica L. seed oil on extracellular matrix components and water-channel expression in in vitro and ex vivo human skin models

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

Gel de plaquetas: arcabouço 3D para cultura celular

INTRODUÇÃO: O reparo tissular é o objetivo final da cirurgia. A cultura celular requer arcabouço mecânico que dê suporte ao crescimento celular e difusão dos nutrientes. O uso do plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP) como um arcabouço 3D possui diversas vantagens: é material biológico, de fácil absorção pós-transplante, rico em fatores de crescimento, em especial PDGF- ββ e TGF-β que estimula síntese de matriz extracelular na cartilagem. OBJETIVO: Desenvolver arcabouço 3D à base de PRP. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Duas formas foram idealizadas: Sphere e Carpet. Condições estéreis foram utilizadas. O gel de plaquetas permaneceu em cultura celular, observado diariamente em microscópio invertido. RESULTADOS: Ambos arcabouços obtiveram sucesso, com aspectos positivos e negativos. DISCUSSÃO: A forma Sphere não aderiu ao plástico. Observou-se retração do gel e investigação ao microscópio dificultada devido às áreas opacas no campo visual. A forma Carpet não aderiu ao plástico e apresentou-se translúcida. O tempo de estudo foi de 20 dias. CONCLUSÕES: A produção de um arcabouço 3D PRP foi um sucesso, e trata-se de uma alternativa que necessita ser mais utilizado e investigado para que se consolide em uma rota eficiente e confiável na tecnologia de engenharia tissular, particularmente em cultura de tecido cartilaginoso.