Purification and biochemical characterization of an alkaline pectin lyase from Fusarium decemcellulare MTCC 2079 suitable for Crotolaria juncea fiber retting

An extracellular pectin lyase secreted by Fusarium decemcellulare MTCC 2079 under solid state fermentation condition has been purified to electrophoretic homogeniety by using ammonium sulfate fractionation, carboxymethyl cellulose and gel filtration (Sephadex G-100) column chromatographies. The purified enzyme showed single protein band corresponding to molecular mass 45 +/- 01 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme had maximum activity at pH 9.0 and showed maximum stability in the pH range of 9.0-12.0. The optimum temperature of the purified enzyme was 50 degrees C and it showed maximum stability upto 40 degrees C. The energy of activation for the thermal denaturation (Ea) was 59.06 kJ mol(-1) K-1. The K-m and k(cat) values using citrus pectin as the substrate were 0.125mgml(-1) and 72.9 s(-1) in 100mM sodium carbonate buffer pH 9.0 at 50 degrees C. The biophysical studies on pectin lyase showed that its secondary structure belongs to alpha+beta class of protein with comparatively less of beta-sheets. Purified pectin lyase showed efficient retting of Crotolaria juncea fibers.

Quasi-exactly-solvable confining solutions for spin-1 and spin-0 bosons in (1+1)-dimensions with a scalar linear potential

We point out a misleading treatment in the recent literature regarding confining solutions for a scalar potential in the context of the Duffin-Kemmer-Petiau theory. We further present the proper bound-state solutions in terms of the generalized Laguerre polynomials and show that the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions depend on the solutions of algebraic equations involving the potential parameter and the quantum number. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

RPA-1 from Leishmania amazonensis (LaRPA-1) structurally differs from other eukaryote RPA-1 and interacts with telomeric DNA via its N-terminal OB-fold domain

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

Endothelial AT(1) and AT(2) pathways in aortic responses to angiotensin II after stress and ethanol consumption in rats

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Cyclic codes through B[X;(a/b)Z_0, with (a/b) in Q^{+} and b=a+1, and Encoding

Let B[X; S] be a monoid ring with any fixed finite unitary commutative ring B and is the monoid S such that b = a + 1, where a is any positive integer. In this paper we constructed cyclic codes, BCH codes, alternant codes, Goppa codes, Srivastava codes through monoid ring . For a = 1, almost all the results contained in [16] stands as a very particular case of this study.

Regulation of glycogen metabolism by the CRE-1, RCO-1 and RCM-1 proteins in Neurospora crassa. The role of CRE-1 as the central transcriptional regulator

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

Humoral immune responses against the malaria vaccine candidate antigen Plasmodium vivax AMA-1 and IL-4 gene polymorphisms in individuals living in an endemic area of the Brazilian Amazon

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Role of central α1- and α2-adrenoceptors on the dipsogenic and cardiovascular effect of angiotensin II

We investigated the effects of previous central treatment with prazosin (an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist) or clonidine (an α2-adrenoceptor agonist) on the dipsogenic, pressor and tachycardic responses produced by intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of angiotensin II (AII) in conscious rats. Holtzman rats with a chronic cannula implanted in the lateral ventricle were tested for dipsogenic and cardiovascular (arterial pressure and heart rate) responses in separate experiments. Previous ICV treatment with clonidine (20, 40, 80 and 120 nmol) abolished the pressor, tachycardic and dipsogenic effects of ICV AII. After all doses of prazosin (40, 80 and 120 nmol), AII induced bradycardic responses, but only the 80 and 120 nmol doses of prazosin reduced the pressor responses to AII. Prazosin produced no alteration in the dipsogenic effect of AII. The results show that the periventricular α1-adrenoceptors are involved only in the cardiovascular responses produced by central AII, whereas clonidine acting through α2-adrenergic and/or imidazole receptors can modulate all actions of AII. © 1990.

Role of α1-, and α2- and β-adrenoceptors of the median preoptic area on the water intake, renal excretion, and arterial pressure induced by ANG II

The present experiments were conducted to investigate the role of the α1-, α2- and β-adrenergic receptors of the median preoptic area (MnPO) on the water intake and urinary electrolyte excretion, elicited by central injections of angiotensin II (ANG II). Prazosin (an α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist) and yohimbine (an α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist) antagonized the water ingestion, Na +, K +, and urine excretion induced by ANG II. Administration of propranolol, a β-adrenergic receptor antagonist increased the Na +, K +, and urine excretion induced by ANG II. Previous treatment with prazosin and yohimbine reduced the pressor responses to ANG II. These results suggest that the adrenergic neurotransmission in the MnPO may actively participate in ANG II-induced dipsogenesis, natriuresis, kaliuresis, diuresis and pressor responses in a process that involves α1-, α2-, and β-adrenoceptors.

Influence of allochthonous organic matter on bacterioplankton biomass and activity in a eutrophic, sub-tropical estuary

Heterotrophic bacterial and phytoplankton biomass, production, specific growth rates, and growth efficiencies were studied in the Northern region of the Cananeia-Iguape estuarine system, which has recently experienced an intense eutrophication due to anthropogenic causes. Two surveys were carried out during spring and neap tide periods of the dry season of 2005 and the rainy season of 2006. This region receives large freshwater inputs with organic seston and phosphate concentrations that reach as high as 1.0 mg l(-1) and 20.0 mu M, respectively. Strong decreasing gradients of seston and dissolved inorganic nutrients were observed from the river/estuary boundary to the estuary/coastal interface. Gradients were also observed in phytoplankton and bacterial production rates. The production rates of phytoplankton were 5.6-fold higher (mean 8.5 mu g Cl(-1) h(-1)) during the dry season. Primary production rates (PP) positively correlated with salinity and euphoric depth, indicating that phytoplankton productivity was light-limited. On the other hand, bacterial biomass (BB) and production rates (BP) were 1.9- and 3.7-fold higher, respectively, during the rainy season, with mean values of up to 40.4 mu g Cl(-1) and 7.9 mu g Cl(-1) h-1, respectively. Despite such a high BP, bacterial abundance remained <2 x 106 cells ml(-1), indicating that bacterial production and removal were coupled. Mean specific growth rates ranged between 0.9 and 5.5 d(-1). BP was inversely correlated with salinity and positively correlated with temperature, organic matter, exopolymer particles, and particulate-attached bacteria; this last accounted for as much as 89.6% of the total abundance. During the rainy season, BP was generally much higher than PP, and values of BP/PP > 20 were registered during high freshwater input, suggesting that under these conditions, bacterial activity was predominantly supported by allochthonous inputs of organic carbon. In addition, BB probably represented the main pathway for the synthesis of high-quality (low C:N) biomass that may have been available to the heterotrophic components of the plankton food web, particularly nanoheterotrophs. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

CC chemokine ligand 3 and receptors 1 and 5 gene expression in recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the local and systemic expression of CC-chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3) and its receptors (CCR1 and CCR5) in tissue samples and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) patients. Study Design. This case-control study enrolled 29 patients presenting severe RAS manifestations and 20 non-RAS patients proportionally matched by sex and age. Total RNA was extracted from biopsy specimens and peripheral blood mononuclear cells for quatitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The data obtained by relative quantification were evaluated by the 2(-Delta Delta Ct) method, normalized by the expression of an endogenous control, and analyzed by Student t test. Results. The results demonstrated overexpression in RAS tissue samples of all of the chemokines evaluated compared with healthy oral mucosa, whereas the blood samples showed only CCR1 overexpression in RAS patients. Conclusions. These findings suggest that the increased expression of CCL3, CCR1, and CCR5 may influence the immune response in RAS by T(H)1 cytokine polarization. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2012;114:93-98)

Co-existence of t(6;13)(p21;q14.1) and trisomy 12 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

We report a case of a 57-year-old man diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and presence of a rare t(6;13)(p21;q14.1) in association with an extra copy of chromosome 12. Classical cytogenetic analysis using the immunostimulatory combination of DSP30 and IL-2 showed the karyotype 47,XY,t(6;13)(p21;q14.1), +12 in 75% of the metaphase cells. Spectral karyotype analysis (SKY) confirmed the abnormality previously seen by G-banding. Additionally, interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization using an LSI CEP 12 probe performed on peripheral blood cells without any stimulant agent showed trisomy of chromosome 12 in 67% of analyzed cells (134/200). To the best of our knowledge, the association of t(6;13)(p21;q14.1) and +12 in CLL has never been described. The prognostic significance of these new findings in CLL remains to be elucidated. However, the patient has been followed up since 2009 without any therapeutic intervention and has so far remained stable.

Influence of HLA-DRB-1 alleles on the production of antibody against CSP, MSP-1, AMA-1, and DBP in Brazilian individuals naturally infected with Plasmodium vivax

We evaluated the influence of allelic frequency of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) -DRB1 on the acquisition of antibody response against malaria sporozoite and merozoite peptides in patients with Plasmodium vivax malaria acquired in endemic areas of Brazil. IgG antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against four peptides of circumsporozoite protein (CSP) (amino, carboxyl, and VK210 and VK247 repeats) and peptides of merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1), apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1), and Duffy-binding protein (DBP). We found an association between HLA-DR3 and HLA-DR5 alleles and lack of antibody response to CSP amino terminal, as well as an association between HILA-DR3 and the highest antibody response to MSP1 (Pv200L). In conclusion, we suggest a potential regulatory role of the H1A-DRB1 alleles in the production of antibodies to a conserved region of P. vivax CSP and MSP1 in Brazilian population exposed to malaria. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Urinary MCP-1 and RBP: Independent predictors of renal outcome in macroalbuminuric diabetic nephropathy

Background: Albuminuria has been considered a sine qua non condition for the diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and has been widely used as a surrogate outcome of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, recent data suggest that albuminuria may fail as a biomarker in a subset of patients, and the search for novel markers is intense. Methods: We analyzed the role of urinary RBP and of serum and urinary cytokines (TGF-beta, MCP-1 and VEGF) as predictors of the risk of dialysis. doubling of serum creatinine or death (primary outcome. PO) in 56 type 2 diabetic patients with macroalbuminuric DN. Results: Mean follow-up time was 30.7 +/- 10 months. Urinary RBP and MCP-1 were significantly higher in patients presenting the PO, whereas no difference was shown for TGF-beta or VEGF. In the Cox regression, urinary RBP. MCP-1 and VEGF were positively associated and serum VEGF was inversely related to the risk of the PO. However, after adjustments for creatinine clearance, proteinuria, and blood pressure only urinary RBP (OR 11.6; 95% CI 2.7-49.2, p = 0.001 for log RBP) and urinary MCP-1 (OR 11.0; 95% CI 1.6-76.4, p = 0.02 for log MCP-1) remained as significant independent predictors of the PO. Conclusion: Urinary RBP and MCP-1 are independently related to the risk of CKD progression in patients with macroalbuminuric DN. Whether these biomarkers have a role in the setting of normoalbuminuria and microalbuminuria in DN should be further investigated. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Functional Limitation and Intermittent Claudication: Impact of Blood Pressure Measurements

Background: Arterial hypertension is an important risk factor for Lower-Limb Occlusive Arterial Disease (LLOAD). However, the correlation between blood pressure and pulse pressure (PP) with LLOAD severity and functional impairment resulting from this disease is not well established in the Brazilian population. Objective: To verify whether there is a correlation between blood pressure, PP, LLOAD severity and functional capacity in patients with symptomatic LLOAD. Methods: A total of 65 patients (62.2 + 8.1 years, 56.9% males) were evaluated. They were divided into two groups: normal (A) and high (B) blood pressure. LLOAD severity was assessed using the ankle-brachial index (ABI) and functional capacity by the total and pain-free walking distance at the 6-minute walking test (6MWT). Results: Group A consisted of 17 (26.1%) patients. The systolic (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and PP were, respectively, 125.4 +/- 11.7, 74.5 +/- 9.1 and 50.9 +/- 10.0 mmHg in group A and 160.7 +/- 19.6, 90.0 +/- 12.2 and 70.7 +/- 20.2 mmHg in group B. The ABI was significantly lower in group B (0.66 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.57 +/- 0.13, p < 0.05). SBP and PP correlated with LLOAD severity and the distances walked at the 6MWT. Patients with PP > 40 mmHg walked shorter distances. Conclusion: SBP and PP significantly correlated with the distances walked in the 6MWT, suggesting they are clinical markers of functional capacity impairment in patients with symptomatic LLOAD. (Arq Bras Cardiol 2012; 98(2): 161-166)