Determination of microalgae cellular composition after phycoremediation of swine wastewaters.

Phycoremediation of swine wastewaters has been widely reported as an attractive tertiary treatment system, that effectively removes the excessive nutrient loadswhilst offering a valuable source of feedstock biomass. Digestate from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB, 6%v/v) and a nitrification reactor (NR; 50% v/v) were used as culturing media to microalgae. Experiments were carried out in lab scale photobioreactors (PBRs) using a consortia of Chlorella and Scenedesmus. Ammonia (44 to 90%) and phosphorus (77%) were efficiently removed from both effluents tested after 4 days. Microalgae biomass harvested from the UASB effluent showed 57, 34 and 1% of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, respectively. Comparatively, the cellular composition of microalgae grown on NR effluent had lower protein (43%) but higher carbohydrate (42%) contents. Negligible difference in lipid fraction was observed independently of the effluents tested. The results suggest that the biomass harvested from phycoremediation of swine wastewaters can offer a valuable protein and carbohydrate feedstock for nutritional and biotechnological applications.

Acute liver failure in children: observations in Vitória, Espírito Santo State, Brazil

In this communication we report 46 cases of acute liver failure in children diagnosed at the Hospital Infantil Nossa Senhora da Glória in Vitória, E Santo. Serology for IgM anti-HAV, IgM anti-HBc, HbsAg, anti-HCV and biochemical tests were performed in all cases in a routine laboratory. The M/F ratio was 1.1:1 and the mean age was 4.7±3.2 years, without gender difference. Anti-HAV IgM+ in 38 (82.6%) cases, anti-HbcIgM+ in two (4.3 %) cases and 6 (13.1%) cases were negative for all viral markers investigated. Anti- HCV+ in one anti-HAV IgM+ case. HbsAg+ in two anti-HbcIgM+ and in two HAVIgM+ cases. Among the six A, B and C negative cases, four (8.6%) did not have the suspected exogenous intoxication. Mortality was 50%, without gender or age differences. These results demonstrate that HAV infection is the main etiology of acute liver failure in children in Brazil, confirming that, although it is a self limited, relatively mild illness, it can cause serious and even fatal disease. The observation of four cases without A, B and C viral markers and no history of exogenous intoxication, agree with the observation of non A-E acute sporadic hepatitis in Northeastern Brazil.

Money for nothing?: The net costs of medical training

A Masters Thesis, presented as part of the requirements for the award of a Research Masters Degree in Economics from NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Chagasic enteropathy

Involvement of the hollow organs of the digestive apparatus can occur in patients in the chronic phase of Chagas' disease. The basic mechanism is destruction of neurons of the enteric nervous system. Whereas megaesophagus and megacolon are the most notable and most extensively studied expressions of the digestive form of Chagas' disease, involvement of the small intestine (Chagasic enteropathy) is less frequent and less known than involvement of the two above mentioned entities. Chagasic enteropathy can be responsible for important clinical and laboratory manifestations resembling those of dyspeptic syndrome, intestinal pseudo-obstruction and bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. Chagasic enteropathy also involves peculiar functional changes, especially those related to motor activity of the organ and to intestinal absorption of carbohydrates. In practice, the diagnosis is based on radiographic documentation of dilation of visceral segments. Treatment consists of clinical control of the above syndromes and, eventually, appropriate surgical operations.

Establishment of HTLV-I-infected cell lines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of Brazilian patients

To investigate epidemiological and pathogenetic features of HTLV-I infection, a cohort of carriers has been followed at the USP Teaching Hospital since 1991. This study describes the establishment of cell lines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of infected subjects. Ex vivo PBMC were cultured with those from a seronegative donor and morphologic evidence of cell transformation was obtained after 90 days with detection of multinucleated cells exhibiting cerebriform nuclei. Integration of HTLV-I proviral DNA and expression of viral antigens was demonstrated in culture by PCR and immunofluorescence. Cell lines were maintained for 240 days, gradually weaned from exogenous IL-2. Immunophenotyping of cell lines on flow cytometry yielded evidence of cell activation. Establishment of HTLV-I-infected cell lines from ex vivo PBMC is feasible and may be useful for studies on lymphocyte phenotypic changes and on mechanisms of HTLV-induced cell proliferation. Moreover they may be used with diagnostic purposes in immunofluorescence tests.

Malnutrição em idosos na admissão hospital actuação perante a sua elevado prevalência

RESUMO: Ao longo das últimas décadas a redistribuição etária da população mundial tem vindo a apresentar um aumento do número de pessoas com 65 ou mais anos, integrando um grupo populacional comummente designado por população idosa. Importa aprofundar mecanismos fisiológicos que conduzem ao envelhecimento e de que forma podem condicionar não só aspetos clínicos, como também nutricionais, entre outros, com a perspetiva da sua origem no aparecimento de doenças crónicas. Com esse enfoque, a desnutrição na pessoa idosa é hoje considerada pela European Nutrition for Health Alliance(ENHA) um problema de saúde pública. Está descrito que a sua prevalência ronda os 60% a nível de instituições hospitalares, 40% em unidades residenciais e 5 a 10% na pessoa idosa a residir em domicílio próprio ou de familiares, e na sua maioria permanece por diagnosticar e tratar. Assim, foi objetivo deste estudo caracterizar e estimar a prevalência da desnutrição e do risco de desnutrição na pessoa idosa, nas primeiras 72 horas de admissão hospitalar. Aplicou-se um estudo observacional, analítico, transversal, quantitativo e correlacional, cujos dados foram recolhidos por entrevista ao próprio e por observação. O estudo desenvolveu-se em duas vertentes de investigação, uma focada na caracterização da desnutrição em pessoas idosas institucionalizadas em hospitais portugueses da zona centro e sul do Continente e Madeira, nos períodos de julho/agosto de 2009, abril/junho de 2010, maio/julho de 2011, através do MNA®. A outra, uma avaliação nutricional detalhada, efetuada no Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central – Hospital de Santa Marta, EPE, entre o início de janeiro de 2009 e o fim de janeiro de 2010, sendo a amostra recrutada de entre os idosos de ambos os sexos, internados. Foram estudados dados sociodemográficos, de saúde e feita uma avaliação nutricional extensa. A avaliação nutricional constou de colheita de parâmetros laboratoriais (hematológicos e bioquímicos) e antropométricos (índice de massa corporal (IMC), prega cutânea tricipital(PCT), prega cutânea subescapular (PCSE), perímetro braquial (PB), adequação do perímetro braquial (APB), área muscular braquial (AMB) e perímetro Geminal (PG), análise da composição corporal (Massa Gorda Corporal (MGC), Massa Isenta de Gordura (MIG)),caracterização de um dia alimentar tipo e questionário Mini Nutritional Assessment Long Form®– MNA LF®. Dos dados obtidos em hospitais portugueses, destaca-se que dos 402 idosos avaliados, 53% eram do sexo masculino, tinham uma idade média de 75,8 + 6,52 (65 – 100) e segundo o MNA® 57,5% encontravam-se Desnutridos ou em Risco de Desnutrição.Na amostra, dos dados obtidos, a nível sociodemográfico salienta-se que 50% dos doentes eram do sexo masculino, a idade média rondava os 75,5 + 7,22 (65 – 100) anos, 55% eram naturais de Lisboa e 80% residiam em Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, 38% não tiveram estudos formais e 43% fizeram-no apenas até ao 4º ano de escolaridade. Em relação aos dados de saúde, a maioria dos doentes foi admitida através do Serviço de Urgência do Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central – Hospital de São José e foram internados no Serviço de Medicina (38%) e no Serviço de Cardiologia (30%), por patologia médica (38%) e patologia do sistema circulatório (56%). Nos hábitos de vida, quanto à mobilidade, um terço dos doentes estavam acamados e os restantes deambulavam ou tinham uma mobilidade normal, 74% não apresentaram hábitos etanólicos regulares, 19% apresentavam um consumo elevado (> 30g de etanol/dia); 95% dos doentes não apresentavam hábitos tabágicos. Relativamente à caracterização nutricional, os valores médios encontrados em relação aos parâmetros laboratoriais revelaram-se inferiores aos valores padrão para a idade e sexo e eram inferiores no sexo feminino. Na caracterização antropométrica verificaram-se os seguintes achados: o cálculo do IMC mostrou-se pouco sensível na identificação de doentes desnutridos; a PCT e a PCSE revelaram valores de massa gorda dentro do intervalo considerado normal;segundo o PB, 88% não apresentavam valor indicativo de desnutrição e 8% estavam desnutridos; a APB identificou 50% de doentes desnutridos; a AMB, revelou que 97% dos homens e 95% das mulheres apresentavam deficit da massa magra e segundo o PG, 18% apresentavam um valor inferior a 31cm descritor de desnutrição. Na análise da composição corporal verificou-se que ambos os sexos apresentavam uma percentagem de MGC classificada como demasiado alta e que esta era superior nas mulheres em relação aos homens. Ao analisar a ingestão nutricional verificou-se que esta era inferior às Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) para a ingestão hídrica (p=0,00), energética (p=0,00), proteica (p=0,00), lipídica (p=0,01), MUFA (p=0,00), PUFA (p=0,00), e glícidos (p=0,00), fibra (p=0,02), potássio (p=0,00), cálcio (p=0,00), magnésio (p=0,00), fósforo (p=0,00), zinco (p=0,00), vitamina D (p=0,00), vitamina E (p=0,00) e folato (p=0,00). No que diz respeito ao MNA®, a sua aplicação permitiu identificar 62% de situações de risco nutricional ou de desnutrição já instalada. Valores de MNA® indicativos de desnutrição ou risco estavam associados a níveis de escolaridade mais baixos (r=0,32; p=0,00). Verificou-se correlação entre o MNA® e a PCT (r=0,30;p=0,00), PCSE (r=0,19;p=0,03) e PG (r=0,27;p=0,00). Na análise da amostra por sexo e escalão etário, apenas se distinguiram as mulheres mais velhas, que apresentaram situação de IMC indicador de risco de desnutrição (IMC <23,5 + 2,9, (r=0,42;p=0,02)), e de valores médios de PB de 25,6+3,84cm (r=0,42;p=0,01), em situações de menor mobilidade caraterizados pelo MNA®. Os homens maisvelhos apresentaram correlação entre o MNA® e PCSE (r=0,41;p=0,02), APMB (r=0,57;p=0,00)e PG (r=0,55;p=0,00), e as mulheres mais velhas apenas com a PCT (r=0,39;p=0,02). A análise multivariada do MNA® em função do sexo e do escalão etário, revelou que estes são independentes. Os homens apresentaram valores médios de MNA® superiores às mulheres e à medida que a idade aumenta, os valores de MNA® em ambos os sexos diminuem, sendo indicativos de risco de desnutrição. Consideramos que, tendo em conta a natureza e objetivos do presente estudo, foi possível caracterizar e estimar a prevalência da desnutrição e do risco de desnutrição em pessoas idosas nas primeiras 72 horas de admissão hospitalar. Os resultados obtidos sinalizam a sua elevada prevalência e alertam para a necessidade de procedimentos protocolados de avaliação e intervenção nutricional da população idosa na admissão hospitalar. Para este efeito a aplicação do MNA® provou a sua aplicabilidade, assim como a medição e cálculo da AMB, que poderão ser muito precocemente aplicados e contribuir para potenciar melhorias do estado de saúde e diminuir o tempo de internamento, nomeadamente de pessoas idosas. Em relação ao padrão alimentar, este estudo contribuiu para uma chamada de atenção dos profissionais de saúde que a população idosa pode apresentar carências nutricionais na admissão, e que estas se não forem devidamente sinalizadas e colmatadas tendem a agravar-se durante o internamento podendo contribuir para o aumento da morbilidade.-------------ABSTRACT:Over the last decades the age redistribution group of the population worldwide has been presenting an increasing number of people aged 65 years or more, incorporating a population group commonly referred to as the elderly population. It´s important to further analyze the physiological mechanisms that lead to aging and how they might influence not only clinical aspects, but also nutritional, among others, with the perspective of their origin in the onset of chronic diseases. With this approach, malnutrition in the elderly is now considered by the European Nutrition for Health Alliance (ENHA) a public health problem. It is reported that its prevalence is around 60% at the level of hospital units, 40% in residential units and 5 to 10% in the elderly living in their own home or family's, and mostly remains to diagnose and treat. The aim of this study was to characterize and estimate the prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition in the elderly, in the first 72 hours of hospital admission. We applied an observational, analytical, cross-sectional and correlacional quantitative type of study and data were collected by interview and observation itself. The study was developed in two lines of research: one focused on the characterization of malnutrition in elderly institutionalized in Portuguese hospitals, in the central and southern mainland and Madeira, in the periods between July - August 2009, April - June 2010, May - July 2011, through the MNA®; and the other: a detailed nutritional assessment, conducted in Hospital Lisbon Center - Hospital de Santa Marta, EPE, between early January 2009 and late January 2010, and the sample was recruited from among the elderly of both sexes at hospital admission. We studied intensively sociodemographic, health and nutritional assessment done extensive. Nutritional evaluation consisted of harvesting different parameters: hematological, biochemical and anthropometric (body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold (TSF), sub-scapular skinfold (SSF), arm circumference (AC), arm muscle area (AMA), geminal perimeter (GP), analysis of body composition (Fat Mass (FM), Fat Free Mass (FFM)), characterization of a daily food type and Mini Nutritional Assessment Long Form® questionnaire - MNA LF®. Form the data obtained in Portuguese hospitals, it is noteworthy that of the 402 patients included, 53% were male, had a mean age of 75,8 + 6,52 (65 - 100) and, according to the MNA®, 57,5% were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. In the sample, from the sociodemographic data obtained, we saw that 50% of patients were male, the average age was around 75,5 + 7,22 years (65-100), 55% were from Lisbon and 80 %lived in Lisbon, 38% had no formal education and 43% did so only until the 4th grade. Regarding health data, the majorities of patients were admitted through the ER of Hospital Lisbon Center - S. José Hospital - and were admitted to the Medicine Unit (38%) and to the Cardiology Unit (30%), by medical pathology (38%) and circulatory system disease (56%). In regard to lifestyle, and considering mobility, one third of patients were bedridden and the rest were ambulating or had a normal mobility. 74% had no regular ethanol habits, 19% had a high intake (> 30 g ethanol / day); 95% of the patients had no smoking habits. Regarding nutritional assessment, the mean values for laboratory parameters proved inferior to standard values for age and sex and were lower in females. In anthropometric assessment these were the findings: BMI calculation showed to be scarcely sensitive in the identification of undernourished patients; the TSF and SSF revealed values of fat mass within the normal range; in AC, 88% did not have an indicative value of malnutrition and 8% were malnourished; in AMA, 97% of men and 95% women had a deficit of lean mass and in GP, 18% had a value of less than the 31cm malnutrition descriptor. In body composition analysis found that both sexes showed a percentage of FM ranked too high and this was higher in women compared to men. By analyzing the nutritional intake was found that this was less than the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for water intake (p=0,00), energy (p=0,00), protein (p=0,00), lipid (p=0,01), MUFA (p=0,00), PUFA (p=0,00), carbohydrates (p=0,00), fiber (p=0,02), potassium (p=0,00), calcium (p=0,00), magnesium (p=0,00), phosphorus (p=0,00), zinc (p=0,00), vitamin D (p=0,00), vitamin E (p=0,00) and folate (p=0,00). Regarding MNA®, its application identified 62% of cases of nutritional risk or malnutrition already installed. MNA® values indicative of malnutrition or risk were associated with lower levels of education (r=0,32; p=0,00). There was a correlation between the MNA ® and TSF (r =0,30, p = 0,00), SFF (r = 0,19, p = 0,03) and GP (r=0,27, p = 0,00). In the analysis of the sample by gender and age group, the highlight was in older women who had BMI status indicator of malnutrition risk (BMI <23,5 + 2,9 (r=0,42;p=0,02)) and mean values of AC 25,6 +3,84cm (r=0,42; p=0,01), in situations characterized by low mobility MNA®. Older men showed a correlation between the MNA® and SFF (r = 0,41; p = 0,02), AMA (r = 0,57; p = 0,00) and GP (r=0,55;p=0,00), and in older women only TSF showed a correlation(r = 0,39; p =0,02). Multivariate analysis of the MNA® by gender and age group, revealed that they are independent. The men had MNA® mean superior to women, and as the age increases, the values of MNA® in both sexes declined, being indicative of risk of malnutrition. We believe that, given the nature and objectives of the present study, it allowed us to characterize and estimate the prevalence of risk of malnutrition and malnutrition in older people during the first 72 hours of hospital admission. The results indicate a high prevalence and point to the need for protocol procedures of nutritional assessment and intervention in the elderly population at hospital admission. For this purpose the application of MNA® has proved its applicability, as well as measuring and calculating AMA, which may be applied in early stages thus contributing to enhance health state improvements and to shorten the time of hospitalization, particularly in elderly people. In relation to dietary pattern, this study contributed to call of attention from health professionals that the elderly may have nutritional deficiencies on admission, and that these are not properly marked and addressed tend to worsen during hospitalization may contribute to increased morbidity.

Archaeometallurgical study of the Proto-historic collection of Moinhos de Golas (North Portugal): a forecast for technological changes?

This work presents the archaeometallurgical study of a group of metallic artefacts found in Moinhos de Golas site, Vila Real (North of Portugal), that can generically be attributed to Proto-history (1st millennium BC, Late Bronze Age and Iron Age). The collection is composed by 35 objects: weapons, ornaments and tools, and others of difficult classification, as rings, bars and one small thin bent sheet. Some of the objects can typologically be attributed to Late Bronze Age, others are of more difficult specific attribution. The archaeometallurgical study involved x-ray digital radiography, elemental analysis by micro-energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, microstructural observations by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The radiographic images revealed structural heterogeneities frequently related with the degradation of some artefacts and the elemental analysis showed that the majority of the artefacts was produced in a binary bronze alloy (Cu-Sn) (73%), being others produced in copper (15%) and three artefacts in brass (Cu-Zn(-Sn-Pb)). Among each type of alloy there’s certain variability in the composition and in the type of inclusions. The microstructural observations revealed that the majority of the artefacts suffered cycles of thermo-mechanical processing after casting. The diversity of metals/alloys identified was a discovery of great interest, specifically due to the presence of brasses. Their presence can be interpreted as importations related to the circulation of exogenous products during the Proto-history and/or to the deposition of materials during different moments at the site, from the transition of Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age (Orientalizing period) onwards, as during the Roman period.

Indexing and active fund management: International evidence

Author's pre-print

Synthesis of Polymeric Nanoparticles for biomedical delivery applications

Polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) have attracted considerable interest over the last few years due to their unique properties and behaviors provided by their small size. Such materials could be used in a wide range of applications such as diagnostics and drug delivery. Advantages of PNPs include controlled release, protection of drug molecules and its specific targeting, with concomitant increasing of the therapeutic index. In this work, novel sucrose and cholic acid based PNPs were prepared from different polymers, namely polyethylene glycol (PEG), poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and PLGA-co-PEG copolymer. In these PNP carriers, cholic acid will act as a drug incorporation site and the carbohydrate as targeting moiety. The uptake of nanoparticles into cells usually involves endocytotic processes, which depend primarily on their size and surface characteristics. These properties can be tuned by the nanoparticle preparation method. Therefore, the nanoprecipitation and the emulsion-solvent evaporation method were applied to prepare the PNPs. The influence of various parameters, such as concentration of the starting solution, evaporation method and solvent properties on the nanoparticle size, size distribution and morphology were studied. The PNPs were characterized by using atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) to assess their size distribution and morphology. The PNPs obtained by nanoprecipitation ranged in size between 90 nm and 130 nm with a very low polydispersity index (PDI < 0.3). On the other hand, the PNPs produced by the emulsion-solvent evaporation method revealed particle sizes around 300 nm with a high PDI value. More detailed information was found in AFM and SEM images, which demonstrated that all these PNPs were regularly spherical. ζ-potential measurements were satisfactory and evidenced the importance of sucrose moiety on the polymeric system, which was responsible for the obtained negative surface charge, providing colloidal stability. The results of this study show that sucrose and cholic acid based polymeric conjugates can be successfully used to prepare PNPs with tunable physicochemical characteristics. In addition, it provides novel information about the materials used and the methods applied. It is hoped that this work will be useful for the development of novel carbohydrate based nanoparticles for biomedical applications, specifically for targeted drug delivery.

Carbohydrate-rich high-molecular-mass antigens are strongly recognized during experimental Histoplasma capsulatum infection

INTRODUCTION: During histoplasmosis, Histoplasma capsulatum soluble antigens (CFAg) can be naturally released by yeast cells. Because CFAg can be specifically targeted during infection, in the present study we investigated CFAg release in experimental murine histoplasmosis, and evaluated the host humoral immune response against high-molecular-mass antigens (hMMAg. >150 kDa), the more immunogenic CFAg fraction. METHODS: Mice were infected with 2.2x10(4) H. capsulatum IMT/HC128 yeast cells. The soluble CFAg, IgG anti-CFAg, IgG anti-hMMAg, and IgG-hMMAg circulating immune complexes (CIC) levels were determined by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay, at days 0, 7, 14, and 28 post-infection. RESULTS: We observed a progressive increase in circulating levels of CFAg, IgG anti-CFAg, IgG anti-hMMAg, and IgG-hMMAg CIC after H. capsulatum infection. The hMMAg showed a high percentage of carbohydrates and at least two main immunogenic components. CONCLUSIONS: We verified for the first time that hMMAg from H. capsulatum IMT/HC128 strain induce humoral immune response and lead to CIC formation during experimental histoplasmosis.

Board independence and innovation

Legislation introduced in the U.S. in 2002/2003 significantly changed board composition of public firms by imposing a 50% independent directors’ ratio. Research on the effect of independent directors is not consensual, implying that this exogenous shock is a unique opportunity to study their importance. This study answers the question of whether or not independent directors can effectively mitigate agency conflicts between shareholders and the management, having a positive impact on the choice of successful R&D projects. We find that an increase of board independence has a positive impact on patent counts. Hence, the results support that independent directors truly spur innovation and risk taking.

Clinical and microbiological features of cryptococcal meningitis

Introduction In this study, the clinical features, underlying diseases and clinical outcomes of patients with cryptococcosis were investigated. In addition, a molecular analysis of the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex isolated from these patients was performed. Methods A prospective study of 62 cases of patients with cryptococcal infection was conducted at the Hospital de Doenças Tropicais de Goiás Dr. Anuar Auad from 2009-2010. Cryptococcal meningitis cases were diagnosed by direct examination and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample culture. The profiling of these patients was assessed. The CSF samples were submitted to India ink preparation and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar, and C. neoformans was identified by the production of urease, a positive phenoloxidase test and assimilation of carbohydrates. C. neoformans and C. gattii isolates were distinguished by growth on L-canavanine-glycine-bromothymol blue medium, and molecular analysis was conducted via PCR fingerprinting reactions using M13 and (GACA)4 primers. Results From the 62 patients with cryptococcosis, 71 isolates of CSF were obtained; 67 (94.4%) isolates were identified as C. neoformans var. grubii/VNI, and 4 (5.6%) were identified as C. gattii/VGII. Of these patients, 53 had an HIV diagnosis. The incidence of cryptococcosis was higher among patients 20-40 years of age, with 74.2% of the cases reported in males. Cryptococcus-related mortality was noted in 48.4% of the patients, and the symptoms were altered sensorium, headache, fever and stiff neck. Conclusions The high morbidity and mortality observed among patients with cryptococcosis demonstrate the importance of obtaining information regarding the epidemiological profile and clinical course of the disease in the State of Goiás, Brazil.

Investigation of class 1 integrons in Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical and microbiota isolates belonging to different phylogenetic groups in Recife, State of Pernambuco

Introduction The high prevalence of Klebsiella pneumoniae infections is related to the ability of K. pneumoniae to acquire and disseminate exogenous genes associated with mobile elements, such as R plasmids, transposons and integrons. This study investigated the presence of class 1 integrons in clinical and microbiota isolates of K. pneumoniae belonging to different phylogenetic groups and correlated these results with the antimicrobial resistance profiles of the studied isolates. Methods Of the 51 isolates of K. pneumoniae selected for this study, 29 were from multidrug-resistant clinical isolates, and 22 were from children's microbiota. The susceptibility profile was determined using the disk diffusion method, and class 1 integrons were detected through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results The results showed that none of the 22 microbiota isolates carried class 1 integrons. Among the 29 clinical isolates, 19 (65.5%) contained class 1 integrons, and resistance to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim was identified in 18 of these isolates (94.7%). Among the K. pneumoniae isolates with class 1 integrons, 47% belonged to the KpI phylogenetic group, and one isolate (14.3%) carrying these genetic elements belonged to the KpIII group. Conclusions The wide variety of detected class 1 integrons supports the presence of high rates of antimicrobial resistance, genetic variability, and rapid dissemination of beta-lactamase genes among K. pneumoniae clinical isolates in recent years in hospitals in Recife-PE, Brazil. The findings of this study indicate that the surveillance of K. pneumoniae integrons in clinical isolates could be useful for monitoring the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in the hospital environment.

Getting the carry trade's jackpot

This Working Project studies five portfolios of currency carry trades formed with the G10 currencies. Performance varies among strategies and the most basic one presents the worst results. I also study the equity and Pure FX risk factors which can explain the portfolios’ returns. Equity factors do not explain these returns while the Pure FX do for some of the strategies. Downside risk measures indicate the importance of using regime indicators to avoid losses. I conclude that although using VAR and threshold regression models with a variety of regime indicators do not allow the perception of different regimes, with a defined exogenous threshold on real exchange rates, an indicator of liquidity and the volatilities of the spot exchange rates it is possible to increase the average returns and reduce drawdowns of the carry trades

Proteomic analysis of a neurodegeneration cell model, treated with plant extracts with potential neuroprotective activity

Nowadays, a significant increase in chronic diseases is observed. Epidemiological studies showed a consistent relationship between the consumption of fruits and vegetables and a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases, namely neurodegenerative disorders. One factor common to these diseases is oxidative stress, which is highly related with proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids damage, leading to cellular dysfunction. Polyphenols, highly abundant in berries and associated products, were described as having antioxidant properties, with beneficial effect in these pathologies. The aims of this study were to evaluate by proteomic analyses the effect of oxidative insult in a neuroblastoma cell line (SK-N-MC) and understand the mechanisms involved in the neuroprotective effects of digested extracts from commercial and wild blackberry (R. vagabundus Samp.). The analysis of the total proteome by two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed that oxidative stress in SK-N-MC cells resulted in altered expression of 12 protein spots from a total of 318. Regarding some redox proteomics alterations, particularly proteins carbonylation and glutathionylation, protein carbonyl alterations during stress suggest that cells produce an early and late response; on the other hand, no glutathionylated polypeptides were detected. Relatively to the incubation of SK-N-MC cells with digested berry extracts, commercial blackberry promotes more changes in protein pattern of these cells than R. vagabundus. From 9 statistically different protein spots of cells incubated with commercial blackberry, only β-tubulin and GRP 78 were until now identified by mass spectrometry. Further studies involving the selection of sub proteomes will be necessary to have a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of berries.