Antifibrotic Effect of Tamoxifen in a Model of Progressive Renal Disease

Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, has antifibrotic properties; however, whether it can attenuate renal fibrosis is unknown. In this study, we tested the effects of tamoxifen in a model of hypertensive nephrosclerosis (chronic inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis with L-NAME). After 30 days, treated rats had significantly lower levels of albuminuria as well as lower histologic scores for glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis than untreated controls. Tamoxifen was renoprotective despite having no effect on the sustained, severe hypertension induced by L-NAME. Tamoxifen prevented the accumulation of extracellular matrix by decreasing the expression of collagen I, collagen III, and fibronectin mRNA and protein. These renoprotective effects associated with inhibition of TGF-beta 1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and with a significant reduction in a-smooth muscle actin-positive cells in the renal interstitium. Furthermore, tamoxifen abrogated IL-1 beta- and angiotensin-II-induced proliferation of fibroblasts from both kidney explants and from the NRK-49F cell line. Tamoxifen also inhibited the expression of extracellular matrix components and the production and release of TGF-beta 1 into the supernatant of these cells. In summary, tamoxifen exhibits antifibrotic effects in the L-NAME model of hypertensive nephrosclerosis, likely through the inhibition of TGF-beta 1, suggesting that it may have therapeutic use in CKD treatment.

A comparative transcriptome analysis reveals expression profiles conserved across three Eimeria spp. of domestic fowl and associated with multiple developmental stages

Coccidiosis of the domestic fowl is a worldwide disease caused by seven species of protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria. The genome of the model species, Eimeria tenella, presents a complexity of 55-60 MB distributed in 14 chromosomes. Relatively few studies have been undertaken to unravel the complexity of the transcriptome of Eimeria parasites. We report here the generation of more than 45,000 open reading frame expressed sequence tag (ORESTES) cDNA reads of E. tenella, Eimeria maxima and Eimeria acervulina, covering several developmental stages: unsporulated oocysts, sporoblastic oocysts, sporulated oocysts, sporozoites and second generation merozoites. All reads were assembled to constitute gene indices and submitted to a comprehensive functional annotation pipeline. In the case of E. tenella, we also incorporated publicly available ESTs to generate an integrated body of information. Orthology analyses have identified genes conserved across different apicomplexan parasites, as well as genes restricted to the genus Eimeria. Digital expression profiles obtained from ORESTES/EST countings, submitted to clustering analyses, revealed a high conservation pattern across the three Eimeria spp. Distance trees showed that unsporulated and sporoblastic oocysts constitute a distinct clade in all species, with sporulated oocysts forming a more external branch. This latter stage also shows a close relationship with sporozoites, whereas first and second generation merozoites are more closely related to each other than to sporozoites. The profiles were unambiguously associated with the distinct developmental stages and strongly correlated with the order of the stages in the parasite life cycle. Finally, we present The Eimeria Transcript Database (http://www.coccidia.icb.usp.br/eimeriatdb), a website that provides open access to all sequencing data, annotation and comparative analysis. We expect this repository to represent a useful resource to the Eimeria scientific community, helping to define potential candidates for the development of new strategies to control coccidiosis of the domestic fowl. (C) 2011 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

AMMONIA LOSSES ESTIMATED BY AN OPEN COLLECTOR FROM UREA APPLIED TO SUGARCANE STRAW

The quantification of ammonia (NH3) losses from sugarcane straw fertilized with urea can be performed with collectors that recover the NH3 in acid-treated absorbers. Thus, the use of an open NH3 collector with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-wrapped absorber is an interesting option since its cost is low, handling easy and microclimatic conditions irrelevant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of an open collector for quantifying NH3-N volatilized from urea applied over the sugarcane straw. The experiment was carried out in a sugarcane field located near Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The NH3-N losses were estimated using a semi-open static collector calibrated with N-15 (reference method) and an open collector with an absorber wrapped in PTFE film. Urea was applied to the soil surface in treatments corresponding to rates of 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha(-1) N. Applying urea-N fertilizer on sugarcane straw resulted in losses NH3-N up to 24 % of the applied rate. The amount of volatile NH3-N measured in the open and the semi-open static collector did not differ. The effectiveness of the collection system varied non-linearly, with an average value of 58.4 % for the range of 100 to 200 kg ha(-1) of urea-N. The open collector showed significant potential for use; however, further research is needed to verify the suitability of the proposed method.

Inconsistent-tolerant base revision through Argument Theory Change

Reasoning and change over inconsistent knowledge bases (KBs) is of utmost relevance in areas like medicine and law. Argumentation may bring the possibility to cope with both problems. Firstly, by constructing an argumentation framework (AF) from the inconsistent KB, we can decide whether to accept or reject a certain claim through the interplay among arguments and counterarguments. Secondly, by handling dynamics of arguments of the AF, we might deal with the dynamics of knowledge of the underlying inconsistent KB. Dynamics of arguments has recently attracted attention and although some approaches have been proposed, a full axiomatization within the theory of belief revision was still missing. A revision arises when we want the argumentation semantics to accept an argument. Argument Theory Change (ATC) encloses the revision operators that modify the AF by analyzing dialectical trees-arguments as nodes and attacks as edges-as the adopted argumentation semantics. In this article, we present a simple approach to ATC based on propositional KBs. This allows to manage change of inconsistent KBs by relying upon classical belief revision, although contrary to it, consistency restoration of the KB is avoided. Subsequently, a set of rationality postulates adapted to argumentation is given, and finally, the proposed model of change is related to the postulates through the corresponding representation theorem. Though we focus on propositional logic, the results can be easily extended to more expressive formalisms such as first-order logic and description logics, to handle evolution of ontologies.

Engineering geological data in support of municipal land use planning-a case study in Analandia, southeast Brazil

This paper presents a method for transforming the information of an engineering geological map into useful information for non-specialists involved in land-use planning. The method consists of classifying the engineering geological units in terms of land use capability and identifying the legal and the geologic restrictions that apply in the study area. Both informations are then superimposed over the land use and a conflict areas map is created. The analysis of these data leads to the identification of existing and forthcoming land use conflicts and enables the proposal of planning measures on a regional and local scale. The map for the regional planning was compiled at a 1:50,000 scale and encompasses the whole municipal land area where uses are mainly rural. The map for the local planning was compiled at a 1:10,000 scale and encompasses the urban area. Most of the classification and operations on maps used spatial analyst tools available in the Geographical Information System. The regional studies showed that the greater part of Analandia's territory presents appropriate land uses. The local-scale studies indicate that the majority of the densely occupied urban areas are in suitable land. Although the situation is in general positive, municipal policies should address the identified and expected land use conflicts, so that it can be further improved.

ISOLATION OF MICROSPORUM GYPSEUM IN SOIL SAMPLES FROM DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS OF BRAZIL, EVALUATION OF THE EXTRACELLULAR PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES ACTIVITIES (KERATINASE AND ELASTASE) AND MOLECULAR SEQUENCING OF SELECTED STRAINS

A survey of Microsporum gypseum was conducted in soil samples in different geographical regions of Brazil. The isolation of dermatophyte from soil samples was performed by hair baiting technique and the species were identified by morphology studies. We analyzed 692 soil samples and the recuperating rate was 19.2%. The activities of keratinase and elastase were quantitatively performed in 138 samples. The sequencing of the ITS region of rDNA was performed in representatives samples. M. gypseum isolates showed significant quantitative differences in the expression of both keratinase and elastase, but no significant correlation was observed between these enzymes. The sequencing of the representative samples revealed the presence of two teleomorphic species of M. gypseum (Arthroderma gypseum and A. incurvatum). The enzymatic activities may play an important role in the pathogenicity and a probable adaptation of this fungus to the animal parasitism. Using the phenotypical and molecular analysis, the Microsporum identification and their teleomorphic states will provide a useful and reliable identification system.

The Dynamics of a frictionally-dominated Amazonian estuary

The hydrodynamics, morphology and sedimentology of the Taperacu estuary were investigated. This is one of several estuaries located within the largest mangrove fringe in the world, bordering the Amazon region, subject to a macrotidal regime and regionally atypical negligible fresh water supply. The results reveal widespread sand banks that occupy the central portion of the estuarine cross-section. Well-sorted very fine sandy sediments of marine origin prevail. Shorter flood phases, with substantially higher current velocities, were observed in the upper sector of Taperacu, as expected for a shallow, friction-dominated estuary. However, ebb domination can be expected for estuaries with large associated mangrove areas and substantial estuarine infilling, both of which situations occur on the Taperacu. The tidal asymmetry favoring flood currents could be the result of the absence of an effective fluvial discharge. Furthermore, it was observed that the Taperacu is connected by tidal creeks to the neighboring Caete estuary, allowing a stronger flux during the flood and intensifying the higher flood currents. As a whole, the results have shown a complex interaction of morphological aspects (friction, fluvial drainage, connections with neighbor estuaries, infilling and large storage area) in determining hydrodynamic patterns, thus improving the understanding of Amazon estuaries.

Studying the genetic basis of drought tolerance in sorghum by managed stress trials and adjustments for phenological and plant height differences

Managed environments in the form of well watered and water stressed trials were performed to study the genetic basis of grain yield and stay green in sorghum with the objective of validating previously detected QTL. As variations in phenology and plant height may influence QTL detection for the target traits, QTL for flowering time and plant height were introduced as cofactors in QTL analyses for yield and stay green. All but one of the flowering time QTL were detected near yield and stay green QTL. Similar co-localization was observed for two plant height QTL. QTL analysis for yield, using flowering time/plant height cofactors, led to yield QTL on chromosomes 2, 3, 6, 8 and 10. For stay green, QTL on chromosomes 3, 4, 8 and 10 were not related to differences in flowering time/plant height. The physical positions for markers in QTL regions projected on the sorghum genome suggest that the previously detected plant height QTL, Sb-HT9-1, and Dw2, in addition to the maturity gene, Ma5, had a major confounding impact on the expression of yield and stay green QTL. Co-localization between an apparently novel stay green QTL and a yield QTL on chromosome 3 suggests there is potential for indirect selection based on stay green to improve drought tolerance in sorghum. Our QTL study was carried out with a moderately sized population and spanned a limited geographic range, but still the results strongly emphasize the necessity of corrections for phenology in QTL mapping for drought tolerance traits in sorghum.

Fractal descriptors based on Fourier spectrum applied to texture analysis

This work proposes the development and study of a novel technique lot the generation of fractal descriptors used in texture analysis. The novel descriptors are obtained from a multiscale transform applied to the Fourier technique of fractal dimension calculus. The power spectrum of the Fourier transform of the image is plotted against the frequency in a log-log scale and a multiscale transform is applied to this curve. The obtained values are taken as the fractal descriptors of the image. The validation of the proposal is performed by the use of the descriptors for the classification of a dataset of texture images whose real classes are previously known. The classification precision is compared to other fractal descriptors known in the literature. The results confirm the efficiency of the proposed method. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Detection of simulated incipient furcation involvement by CBCT: an in vitro study using pig mandibles

The aim of the present study was to test the reproducibility, sensitivity, and specificity of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting incipient furcation involvement. Fifteen macerated pig mandibles, with intact second molar teeth and preserved adjacent cortical areas, were used. Simulated lesions were created in the furcation region of these teeth by applying 70% perchloric acid in up to four possible buccal/lingual sites in the right/left sides of each mandible. The mandibles were then submitted to a CBCT scan. Two blinded and calibrated experienced oral and maxillofacial radiologists interpreted the exams. Furcation involvement was also assessed in the regions without simulated lesions. CBCT showed high levels of accuracy, ranging from 78% to 88%. The variations in Kappa values for intra- and inter-observer agreement (0.41-0.59) were considered moderate. CBCT can be considered a reliable and accurate method for detecting incipient furcation involvement.

Hb S-Sao Paulo: A new sickling hemoglobin with stable polymers and decreased oxygen affinity

Hb S-Sao Paulo (SP) [HBB:c.20A > T p.Glu6Val: c.196A > G p.Lys65Glu] is a new double-mutant hemoglobin that was found in heterozygosis in an 18-month-old Brazilian male with moderate anemia. It behaves like Hb S in acid electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing and solubility testing but shows different behavior in alkaline electrophoresis, cation-exchange HPLC and RP-HPLC. The variant is slightly unstable, showed reduced oxygen affinity and also appeared to form polymers more stable than the Hb S. Molecular dynamics simulation suggests that the polymerization is favored by interfacial electrostatic interactions. This provides a plausible explanation for some of the reported experimental observations. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the main species causing cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Federal District of Brazil

The first autochthonous case of American cutaneous leishmaniasis was reported in the Federal District in 1980, and the species involved in this type of leishmaniasis was unknown. This study aimed to identify the species that causes the disease in the Federal District and to investigate its clinical and epidemiological aspects. Between 2000 and 2007, 71 autochthonous cases of leishmaniasis were reported in the Federal District. Leishmania species were identified by means of direct immunofluorescence reactions using monoclonal antibodies and restriction fragment length polymorphism. The species of 40 (56.33%) out of 71 samples were identified. Thirty-six (90%) were identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and four (10%) were identified as Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. In this area, the disease had clinical and epidemiological characteristics similar to those found in other Brazilian regions.

Extracellular Matrix Composition of the Cricopharyngeus Muscle

The aim of this study was to analyze the presence and distribution of total collagen, type I and type III collagen, elastic fibers, fibronectin, and versican in the endomysium of cricopharyngeus muscles from adults of various ages. The study was a cross-sectional analysis of human cricopharyngeus muscles. Twenty-seven muscles obtained from autopsies of men and women ranging in age from 28 to 92 years were analyzed with the Picrosirius method, oxidized Weigert resorcin-fuchsin, immunohistochemistry, and image analysis. Collagen had the highest density among the analyzed components. Elastic fibers surrounded each muscle cell; they were aligned longitudinally by their long axis and associated with traversing fibers, thereby forming a fiber network with embedded muscle cells. The fibronectin and versican contents varied widely among the specimens. We found no statistically significant differences between the proportion of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and factors such as gender and race. We conclude that the higher proportion of type I and type III collagen is compatible with the cricopharyngeus muscle's sphincteric behavior, and the arrangement of the elastic fibers may also contribute to the muscle's elasticity. We found no statistically significant correlation between the ECM components and age.

Drag force in a strongly coupled anisotropic plasma

We calculate the drag force experienced by an in finitely massive quark propagating at constant velocity through an anisotropic, strongly coupled N = 4 plasma by means of its gravity dual. We find that the gluon cloud trailing behind the quark is generally misaligned with the quark velocity, and that the latter is also misaligned with the force. The drag coefficient mu can be larger or smaller than the corresponding isotropic value depending on the velocity and the direction of motion. In the ultra-relativistic limit we find that generically mu proportional to p. We discuss the conditions under which this behaviour may extend to more general situations.

Angiotensin II-induced JNK activation is mediated by NAD(P)H oxidase in isolated rat pancreatic islets

Angiotensin II (All), the active component of the renin angiotensin system (RAS), plays a vital role in the regulation of physiological processes of the cardiovascular system, but also has autocrine and paracrine actions in various tissues and organs. Many studies have shown the existence of RAS in the pancreas of humans and rodents. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential signaling pathways mediated by All in isolated pancreatic islets of rats. Phosphorylation of MAPKs (ERK1/2, JNK and p38MAPK), and the interaction between proteins JAK/STAT were evaluated. All increased JAK2/STAT1 (42%) and JAK2/STAT3 (100%) interaction without altering the total content of JAK2. Analyzing the activation of MAPKs (ERK1/2, JNK and p38MAPK) in isolated pancreatic islets from rats we observed that All rapidly (3 min) promoted a significant increase in the phosphorylation degree of these proteins after incubation with the hormone. Curiously JNK protein phosphorylation was inhibited by DPI, suggesting the involvement of NAD(P)H oxidase in the activation of protein. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.