Study of direct CP violation in B±→J/ ψK±(π±) decays

We present a search for direct CP violation in B±→J/ ψK±(π±) decays. The event sample is selected from 2.8fb-1 of pp̄ collisions recorded by D0 experiment in run II of the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The charge asymmetry ACP(B+→J/ψK+)=+0.0075±0. 0061(stat)±0.0030(syst) is obtained using a sample of approximately 40000 B±→J/ψK± decays. The achieved precision is of the same level as the expected deviation predicted by some extensions of the standard model. We also measured the charge asymmetry ACP(B+→J/ψπ+)=-0. 09±0.08(stat)±0.03(syst). © 2008 The American Physical Society.

Assessment of the chemopreventive effect of casearin B, a clerodane diterpene extracted from Casearia sylvestris (Salicaceae)

Studies have shown that Casearia sylvestris compounds protect DNA from damage both in vitro and in vivo. Complementarily, the aim of the present study was to assess the chemopreventive effect of casearin B (CASB) against DNA damage using the Ames test, the comet assay and the DCFDA antioxidant assay. The genotoxicity was assessed by the comet assay in HepG2 cells. CASB was genotoxic at concentrations higher than 0.30μM when incubated with the FPG (formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase) enzyme. For the antigenotoxicity comet assay, CASB protected the DNA from damage caused by H2O2 in the HepG2 cell line in concentrations above 0.04μM with post-treatment, and above 0.08μM with pre-treatment. CASB was not mutagenic (Ames test) in TA 98 and TA 102. In the antimutagenicity assays, the compound was a strong inhibitor against aflatoxin B1 (AFB) in TA 98 (>88.8%), whereas it was moderate (42.7-59.4%) inhibitor against mytomicin C (MMC) in TA 102. Additionally, in the antioxidant assay using DCFDA, CASB reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by H2O2. In conclusion, CASB was genotoxic to HepG2 cells at high concentrations; was protective of DNA at low concentrations, as shown by the Ames test and comet assay; and was also antioxidant. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Hepatitis C Virus NS2 Protein Inhibits DNA Damage Pathway by Sequestering p53 to the Cytoplasm

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality globally, and often leads to end-stage liver disease. The DNA damage checkpoint pathway induces cell cycle arrest for repairing DNA in response to DNA damage. HCV infection has been involved in this pathway. In this study, we assess the effects of HCV NS2 on DNA damage checkpoint pathway. We have observed that HCV NS2 induces ataxia-telangiectasia mutated checkpoint pathway by inducing Chk2, however, fails to activate the subsequent downstream pathway. Further study suggested that p53 is retained in the cytoplasm of HCV NS2 expressing cells, and p21 expression is not enhanced. We further observed that HCV NS2 expressing cells induce cyclin E expression and promote cell growth. Together these results suggested that HCV NS2 inhibits DNA damage response by altering the localization of p53, and may play a role in the pathogenesis of HCV infection. © 2013 Bitter et al.

Plant-derived essential oils affecting settlement and oviposition of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) biotype B on tomato

The silverleaf whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) biotype B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is an economically important pest of tomatoes Solanum lycopersicum (L.), causing irregular ripening on fruits and transmitting several plant pathogenic geminiviruses. The management of this pest is commonly based on repetitive spraying with synthetic pesticides, causing serious environmental damages and increase of resistance by insect population. In the present study, essential oils from the leaves of Artemisia camphorata Vill., Ageratum conyzoides L., Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Br., Plectranthus neochilus Schltr., and Tagetes erecta L. were investigated for their possible repellent and oviposition-deterrent effects against B. tabaci biotype B on tomato. In a multi-choice assay, P. neochilus essential oil was the most active repellent and oviposition deterrent. Essential oils of A. conyzoides and T. erecta significantly deterred the female B. tabaci biotype B from laying eggs on treated tomato leaflets compared with the control. (E)-Caryophyllene (30.67 %) and the monoterpenes α-pinene (15.02 %) and α-thujene (11.70 %) were identified as the major constituents of the essential oil of P. neochilus. Our findings demonstrated the potential of essential oil of P. neochilus and other oils in the reduction of settlement and oviposition of B. tabaci biotype B on tomato. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Long-term orange juice consumption is associated with low LDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B in normal and moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects

Abstract. Background: This study investigated the hypothesis that long-term orange juice consumption (≥ 12 months) was associated with low risk factors for cardiovascular disease in adult men and women with normal and moderately high cholesterol blood levels. Methods. The sample consisted of 103 men (18-66 y) and 26 women (18-65 y); all were employees of an orange juice factory with daily access to free orange juice. The results showed that 41% of the individuals consumed 2 cups (480 mL) of orange juice per day for at least twelve months, while 59% of the volunteers are non-consumers of orange juice. Results: Orange juice consumers with normal serum lipid levels had significantly lower total cholesterol (-11%, p <0.001), LDL-cholesterol (-18%, p < 0.001), apolipoprotein B (apo B) (-12%, p < 0.01) and LDL/HDL ratio (-12%, p < 0.04) in comparison to non-consumers, as did the consumers with moderate hypercholesterolemia: lower total cholesterol (-5%, p <0.02), LDL-cholesterol (-12%, p <0.03), apolipoprotein B (-12%, p <0.01) and LDL/HDL ratio (-16%, p <0.05) in comparison the non-consumers counterparts. Serum levels of homocysteine, HDL- cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-1, body composition and the dietary intake of food energy and macronutrients did not differ among orange juice consumers and non-consumers, but vitamin C and folate intake was higher in orange juice consumers. Conclusion: Long-term orange juice consumers had lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apo B and LDL/HDL ratio and an improvement of folate and vitamin C in their diet. © 2013 Aptekmann and Cesar; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Notes on the pure spinor b ghost

In this work, a particular BRST-exact class of deformations of the b ghost in the non-minimal pure spinor formalism is investigated and the impact of this construction in the N= 2 ĉ = 3 topological string algebra is analysed. As an example, a subclass of deformations is explicitly shown, where the U (1) current appears in a conventional form, involving only the ghost number currents. Furthermore, a c ghost like composite field is introduced, but with an unusual construction. © 2013 SISSA, Trieste, Italy.

Measurement of the λb 0 lifetime in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

A measurement of the λb 0 lifetime using the decay λb 0-1, was recorded with the CMS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider using triggers that selected dimuon events in the J/ψ mass region. The λb 0 lifetime is measured to be 1.503 ± 0.052 (stat.) ± 0.031 (syst.) ps. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2013 Cern for the benefit of the CMS collaboration.

Propolis and its constituent caffeic acid suppress LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory response by blocking NF-κB and MAPK activation in macrophages

Ethnopharmacological relevance Propolis is a bee product with numerous biological and pharmacological properties, such as immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities. It has been used in folk medicine as a healthy drink and in food to improve health and prevent inflammatory diseases. However, little is known about its mechanism of action. Thus, the goal of this study was to verify the antioxidant activity and to explore the anti-inflammatory properties of propolis by addressing its intracellular mechanism of action. Caffeic acid was investigated as a possible compound responsible for propolis action. Materials and methods The antioxidant properties of propolis and caffeic acid were evaluated by using the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH) scavenging method. To analyze the anti-inflammatory activity, Raw 264.7 macrophages were treated with different concentrations of propolis or caffeic acid, and nitric oxide (NO) production, a strong pro-inflammatory mediator, was evaluated by the Griess reaction. The concentrations of propolis and caffeic acid that inhibited NO production were evaluated on intracellular signaling pathways triggered during inflammation, namely p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK1/2), the transcription nuclear factor (NF)-κB and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), through Western blot using specific antibodies. A possible effect of propolis on the cytotoxicity of hepatocytes was also evaluated, since this product can be used in human diets. Results Caffeic acid showed a higher antioxidant activity than propolis extract. Propolis and caffeic acid inhibited NO production in macrophages, at concentrations without cytotoxicity. Furthermore, both propolis and caffeic acid suppressed LPS-induced signaling pathways, namely p38 MAPK, JNK1/2 and NF-κB. ERK1/2 was not affected by propolis extract and caffeic acid. In addition, propolis and caffeic acid did not induce hepatotoxicity at concentrations with strong anti-inflammatory potential. Conclusions Propolis exerted an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action and caffeic acid may be involved in its inhibitory effects on NO production and intracellular signaling cascades, suggesting its use as a natural source of safe anti-inflammatory drugs. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Search for supersymmetry in hadronic final states with missing transverse energy using the variables αT and b-quark multiplicity in pp collisions at {Mathematical expression}

An inclusive search for supersymmetric processes that produce final states with jets and missing transverse energy is performed in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 11.7 fb-1 collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC. In this search, a dimensionless kinematic variable, αT, is used to discriminate between events with genuine and misreconstructed missing transverse energy. The search is based on an examination of the number of reconstructed jets per event, the scalar sum of transverse energies of these jets, and the number of these jets identified as originating from bottom quarks. No significant excess of events over the standard model expectation is found. Exclusion limits are set in the parameter space of simplified models, with a special emphasis on both compressed-spectrum scenarios and direct or gluino-induced production of third-generation squarks. For the case of gluino-mediated squark production, gluino masses up to 950-1125 GeV are excluded depending on the assumed model. For the direct pair-production of squarks, masses up to 450 GeV are excluded for a single light first- or second-generation squark, increasing to 600 GeV for bottom squarks. © 2013 CERN for the benefit of the CMS collaboration.

Meiotic pairing of B chromosomes, multiple sexual system, and Robertsonian fusion in the red brocket deer Mazama americana (Mammalia, Cervidae)

Deer species of the genus Mazama show significant inter and intraspecific chromosomal variation due to the occurrence of rearrangements and B chromosomes. Given that carriers of aneuploidies and structural rearrangements often show anomalous chromosome pairings, we here performed a synaptonemal complex analysis to study chromosome pairing behavior in a red brocket deer (Mazama americana) individual that is heterozygous for a Robertsonian translocation, is a B chromosome carrier, and has a multiple sex chromosome system (XY1Y2). The synaptonemal complex in spermatocytes showed normal chromosome pairings for all chromosomes, including the autosomal and sex trivalents. The electromicrographs showed homology among B chromosomes since they formed bivalents, but they also appeared as univalents, indicating their anomalous behavior and non-Mendelian segregation. Thus, synaptonemal complex analysis is a useful tool to evaluate the role of B chromosomes and rearrangements during meiosis on the intraspecific chromosomal variation that is observed in the majority of Mazama species. © FUNPEC-RP.

QCD sum rule study for a possible charmed pentaquark Θ c(3250)

We use QCD sum rules to study the possible existence of a Θc(3250) charmed pentaquark. We consider the contributions of condensates up to dimension 12 and work at leading order in αs. We obtain mΘc=(3.29±0.13) GeV, compatible with the mass of the structure seen by BABAR Collaboration in the decay channel B-→p̄Σc++π-π-. The proposed state is compatible with a previous proposed pentaquark state in the anticharmed sector. © 2013 American Physical Society.

Alteration in cellular viability, pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide production in nephrotoxicity generation by Amphotericin B: Involvement of PKA pathway signaling

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Ion beam analysis of a-C:H films on alloy steel substrate

An a-C:H thin film deposited by plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition on alloy steel (16MnCr5) was analyzed using a self-consistent ion beam analysis technique.In the self-consistent analysis, the results of each individual technique are combined in a unique model, increasing confidence and reducing simulation errors.Self-consistent analysis, then, is able to improve the regular ion beam analysis since several analyses commonly used to process ion beam data still rely on handling each spectrum independently.The sample was analyzed by particle-induced x-ray emission (for trace elements), elastic backscattering spectrometry (for carbon), forward recoil spectrometry (for hydrogen) and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (for film morphology).The self-consistent analysis provided reliable chemical information about the film, despite its heavy substrate.As a result, we could determine precisely the H/C ratio, contaminant concentration and some morphological characteristics of the film, such as roughness and discontinuities.© 2013 Elsevier B.V.All rights reserved.

Isolation, homology modeling and renal effects of a C-type natriuretic peptide from the venom of the Brazilian yellow scorpion (Tityus serrulatus)

Mammalian natriuretic peptides (NPs) have been extensively investigated for use as therapeutic agents in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Here, we describe the isolation, sequencing and tridimensional homology modeling of the first C-type natriuretic peptide isolated from scorpion venom. In addition, its effects on the renal function of rats and on the mRNA expression of natriuretic peptide receptors in the kidneys are delineated. Fractionation of Tityusserrulatus venom using chromatographic techniques yielded a peptide with a molecular mass of 2190.64Da, which exhibited the pattern of disulfide bridges that is characteristic of a C-type NP (TsNP, T. serrulatus Natriuretic Peptide). In the isolated perfused rat kidney assay, treatment with two concentrations of TsNP (0.03 and 0.1μg/mL) increased the perfusion pressure, glomerular filtration rate and urinary flow. After 60min of treatment at both concentrations, the percentages of sodium, potassium and chloride transport were decreased, and the urinary cGMP concentration was elevated. Natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPR-A) mRNA expression was down regulated in the kidneys treated with both concentrations of TsNP, whereas NPR-B, NPR-C and CG-C mRNAs were up regulated at the 0.1μg/mL concentration. In conclusion, this work describes the isolation and modeling of the first natriuretic peptide isolated from scorpion venom. In addition, examinations of the renal actions of TsNP indicate that its effects may be related to the activation of NPR-B, NPR-C and GC-C. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Clonagem e expressão da proteína E2 no vírus da hepatite C Humana: estudo da interação molecular E2-rLDL in vitro

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)