On Rossby waves modified by weak sinusoidal shear

The spatial structure of beta-plane Rossby waves in a sinusoidal basic zonal flow U 0cos(γ,y) is determined analytically in the (stable) asymptotic limit of weak shear, U 0γ2 0/β≈1. The propagating neutral normal modes are found to take their greatest amplitude in the region of maximum westerly flow, while their most rapid phase variation is achieved in the region of maximum easterly flow. These results are shown to be consistent with what is obtained by ray-tracing methods in the limit of small meridional disturbance wavelength.

Tracer Leakage from Modeled Agulhas Rings

In a numerical, isopycnal, ocean model the mixing is investigated with the environment of two idealized Agulhas rings, one that splits, and one that remains coherent. The evolution of a passive tracer , initially contained within the rings, shows that tracer leakage is associated with the for mation of filaments in the early stage of ring evolution. These filaments reach down to the ther mocline. In the deepest layers leakage occurs on a larger scale. Self-advection of the rings is ver y irregular , and it is not possible to compute a Lagrangian boundar y i n order to estimate the transport of leakage from the rings. T o describe the processes that gover n tracer leakage, in a coordinate frame moving with the ring a kinematic separatrix is defined in the streamfunction field for the nondivergent flow . Initially , filaments arise because of the elongation of the ring, which is mainly gover ned by an m 5 2 instability that is collaborating with differential rotation. Because of beta, the symmetr y i s destroyed related to the separatrix associated with a stagnation point in the flow . The filament upstream of the stagnation point grows much faster and is associated with the bulk of tracer leakage. Mixing is enhanced by time dependence of the separatrix. As a result, there are no large differences between the leakage from a coherent ring, where the m 5 2 instability equilibrates, and from a splitting ring, where the m 5 2 instability keeps growing, which confir ms that the amount of leakage is mainly gover ned by the ring’ s initial defor mation combined with unsteady self-advection of the ring and not by the splitting of the ring. The decay of tracer content in the ther mocline shows that in the first months up to 40% of the ring water can be mixed with the environment. In deeper layers the decay of tracer content may reach up to 90%.

In vivo hydroquinone exposure alters circulating neutrophil activities and impairs LPS-induced lung inflammation in mice

Hydroquinone (HQ) is an environmental contaminant which causes immune toxicity. In this study, the effects of exposure to low doses of HQ on neutrophil mobilization into the LPS-inflamed lung were investigated. Male Swiss mice were exposed to aerosolized vehicle (control) or 12.5, 25 or 50 ppm HQ (1 h/day for 5 days). One hour later, oxidative burst, cell cycle. DNA fragmentation and adhesion molecules expressions in circulating neutrophils were determined by flow cytometry, and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured by HPLC. Also, 1 h later the last exposures, inflammation was induced by LPS inhalation (0.1 mg/ml/10 min) and 3 h later, the numbers of leukocytes in peripheral blood and in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined using a Neubauer chamber and stained smears; adhesion molecules expressed on lung microvessel endothelial cells were quantified by immunohistochemistry; myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was measured in the lung tissue by colorimetric assay; and cytokines in the BALF were determined by ELISA. In vivo HQ exposure augmented plasma MDA levels and oxidative activity of neutrophils, but did not cause alterations in cell cycle and DNA fragmentation. Under these conditions, the number of circulating leukocytes was not altered, but HQ exposure reduced LPS-induced neutrophil migration into the alveolar space, as these cells remained in the lung tissue. The impaired neutrophil migration into BALF may not be dependent on reduced cytokines secretions in the BALF and lung endothelial adhesion molecules expressions. However, HQ exposure increased the expression of beta(2) and beta(3) integrins and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) in neutrophils, which were not further enhanced by fMLP in vitro stimulation, indicating that HQ exposure activates circulating neutrophils, impairing further stimulatory responses. Therefore, it has been shown, for the first time, that neutrophils are target of lower levels of in vivo HQ exposure, which may be considered in host defense in infectious diseases. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

O-GlcNAcylation Contributes to Augmented Vascular Reactivity Induced by Endothelin 1

O-GlcNAcylation augments vascular contractile responses, and O-GlcNAc-proteins are increased in the vasculature of deoxycorticosterone-acetate salt rats. Because endothelin 1 (ET-1) plays a major role in vascular dysfunction associated with salt-sensitive forms of hypertension, we hypothesized that ET-1-induced changes in vascular contractile responses are mediated by O-GlcNAc modification of proteins. Incubation of rat aortas with ET-1 (0.1 mu mol/L) produced a time-dependent increase in O-GlcNAc levels and decreased expression of O-GlcNAc transferase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, key enzymes in the O-GlcNAcylation process. Overnight treatment of aortas with ET-1 increased phenylephrine vasoconstriction (maximal effect [in moles]: 19 +/- 5 versus 11 +/- 2 vehicle). ET-1 effects were not observed when vessels were previously instilled with anti-O-GlcNAc transferase antibody or after incubation with an O-GlcNAc transferase inhibitor (3-[2-adamantanylethyl]-2-[{4-chlorophenyl}azamethylene]-4-oxo-1,3-thiazaperhyd roine-6-carboxylic acid; 100 mu mol/L). Aortas from deoxycorticosterone-acetate salt rats, which exhibit increased prepro-ET-1, displayed increased contractions to phenylephrine and augmented levels of O-GlcNAc proteins. Treatment of deoxycorticosterone-acetate salt rats with an endothelin A antagonist abrogated augmented vascular levels of O-GlcNAc and prevented increased phenylephrine vasoconstriction. Aortas from rats chronically infused with low doses of ET-1 (2 pmol/kg per minute) exhibited increased O-GlcNAc proteins and enhanced phenylephrine responses (maximal effect [in moles]: 18 +/- 2 versus 10 +/- 3 control). These changes are similar to those induced by O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranosylidene) amino-N-phenylcarbamate, an inhibitor of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase. Systolic blood pressure (in millimeters of mercury) was similar between control and ET-1-infused rats (117 +/- 3 versus 123 +/- 4 mm Hg; respectively). We conclude that ET-1 indeed augments O-GlcNAc levels and that this modification contributes to the vascular changes induced by this peptide. Increased vascular O-GlcNAcylation by ET-1 may represent a mechanism for hypertension-associated vascular dysfunction or other pathological conditions associated with increased levels of ET-1. (Hypertension. 2010; 55: 180-188.)

Horses naturally infected by Trypanosoma vivax in southern Brazil

In this study, we reported the first outbreak of the infection by Trypanosoma vivax in horses in southern Brazil, a non-endemic region where bovines have only recently been found infected by this trypanosome species. We evaluated 12 horses from a farm in southern Brazil, where four horses displayed pale mucous membranes, fever, weight loss, and swelling of abdomen, prepuce, or vulva. The diagnosis of T vivax was confirmed in four horses by morphological parameters of trypomastigotes in blood smears and species-specific PCR. All T vivax-infected animals showed anemia, and most showed increased levels of beta-1, beta-2, and gamma globulins. Horses were treated with diminazene aceturate, but cure was not achieved, and the disease relapsed after therapy. These findings demonstrated that Brazilian T vivax isolates, which were already reported infecting cattle, buffaloes, goats, and sheep, can be highly pathogenic for horses, causing severe disease and even death of the animals due to the recurrence of the infection.

Hedge de crédito através de equity: uma análise empírica com uso de ativos corporativos brasileiros

Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar os resultados de uma operação de hedge de um diversificado portfólio de crédito de empresas brasileiras através do uso de ativos de equity. Inicialmente, faz-se uma alusão aos principais aspectos teóricos da presente dissertação com suas definições e revisão bibliográfica. Posteriormente, são apresentados os parâmetros básicos da seleção da amostra utilizada e do período durante o qual tal estratégia de proteção será implementada.

Rentabilidade de estratégias de momento no IBOVESPA: aplicação de critérios de risco para seleção de carteiras

Este artigo apresenta a utilização de Beta e variação de Beta dos ativos pertencentes ao Ibovespa como novos critérios para a construção de carteiras vencedoras e perdedoras em estratégias de momento. Os resultados mostram que as estratégias de momento, com base em critérios de maior ou menor Beta e de variação de Beta dos ativos pertencentes ao Ibovespa, geram retornos positivos ao longo de períodos subsequentes de 6 meses e 12 meses, porém apontam que estas estratégias, quando aplicadas e renovadas a cada mudança do principal índice bursátil brasileiro, apresentaram-se menos rentáveis do que as estratégias habituais baseadas no retorno total dos ativos no período entre 1995 a 2013.

Eficiência de síntese microbiana e atividade enzimática em bovinos submetidos à suplementação com enzimas fibrolíticas

Avaliou-se o efeito da suplementação com enzimas fibrolíticas (celulase e xilanase) sobre a eficiência de síntese microbiana e a atividade enzimática da beta-1,4-endoglucanase (celulase) em animais consumindo dietas contendo silagem de milho e feno de tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) como volumoso. Oito bovinos com fístulas no rúmen e no duodeno foram distribuídos em dois quadrados latinos 4 x 4, em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 (duas fontes de volumoso e adição ou não de enzimas). O complexo enzimático, proveniente de fonte comercial e extraído dos fungos Aspergillus niger e Trichoderma longibrachiatum, foi fornecido misturado à ração total na proporção de 12 g/animal/dia. A adição de enzimas às dietas contendo silagem de milho e feno de tifton 85 aumentou a atividade da beta-1,4-endoglucanase no fluido ruminal. Não houve efeito das enzimas sobre a eficiência de síntese de proteína microbiana, o fluxo de nitrogênio microbiano (N-mic) e nitrogênio não-amoniacal (NNA), com valores médios de 31,8 e 33,9 g de N/kg de MODR; 0,40 e 0,41 g de N/Mcal de EDR; 78,2 e 52,5 g/dia; 89,6 e 76,3 g/dia, respectivamente, para as dietas contendo silagem de milho e feno de tifton. A adição de enzimas fibrolíticas não influenciou os parâmetros ruminais de bovinos alimentados com feno e silagem de milho.

Recuperação e purificação de proteínas do soro de queijo tipo coalho usando cromatografia de troca iônica e interação hidrofóbica em leito na forma expandida

Expanded Bed Adsorption plays an important role in the downstream processing mainly for reducing costs as well as steps besides could handling cells homogenates or fermentation broth. In this work Expanded Bed Adsorption was used to recover and purify whey proteins from coalho cheese manufacture using Streamline DEAE and Streamline SP both ionic resins as well as a hydrophobic resin Streamline Phenyl. A column of 2.6 cm inner diameter with 30 cm in height was coupled to a peristaltic pump. Hydrodynamics study was carried out with the three resins using Tris-HCl buffer in concentration of 30, 50 and 70 mM, with pH ranging from 7.0 to 8.0. In this case, assays of the expansion degree as well as Residence Time Distribution (RTD) were carried out. For the recovery and purification steps, a whey sample of 200 mL, was submitted to a column with 25mL of resin previously equilibrated with Tris/HCl (50 mM, pH 7.0) using a expanded bed. After washing, elution was carried out according the technique used. For ionic adsorption elution was carried out using 100 mL of Tris/HCl (50 mM, pH 7.0 in 1M NaCl). For Hydrophobyc interaction elution was carried out using Tris/HCl (50 mM, pH 7.0). Adsorption runs were carried out using the three resins as well as theirs combination. Results showed that for hydrodynamics studies a linear fit was observed for the three resins with a correlation coefficient (R2) about 0.9. In this case, Streamline Phenyl showed highest expansion degree reaching an expansion degree (H0/H) of 2.2. Bed porosity was of 0.7 when both resins Streamline DEAE and Streamline SP were used with StremLine Phenyl showing the highest bed porosity about 0.75. The number of theorical plates were 109, 41.5 and 17.8 and the axial dipersion coefficient (Daxial) were 0.5, 1.4 and 3.7 x 10-6 m2/s, for Streamline DEAE, Streamline SP and Streamline Phenyl, respectively. Whey proteins were adsorved fastly for the three resins with equilibrium reached in 10 minutes. Breakthrough curves showed that most of proteins stays in flowthrough as well as washing steps with 84, 77 and 96%, for Streamline DEAE, Streamline SP and Streamline Phenyl, respectively. It was observed protein peaks during elution for the three resins used. According to these peaks were identified 6 protein bands that could probably be albumin (69 KDa), lactoferrin (76 KDa), lactoperoxidase (89 KDa), β-lactoglobulin (18,3 KDa) e α-lactoalbumin (14 KDa), as well as the dimer of beta-lactoglobulin. The combined system compound for the elution of Streamline DEAE applied to the Streamline SP showed the best purification of whey proteins, mainly of the α-lactoalbumina

Caracterização química de glucanas fúngicas e suas aplicações biotecnológicas

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

Efeitos do betacaroteno e do tabagismo sobre a remodelação cardíaca pós-infarto do miocárdio

OBJETIVO: Analisar os efeitos do betacaroteno no processo de remodelação ventricular após o infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM), em ratos expostos à fumaça do cigarro. MÉTODOS: Após o IAM, os animais foram divididos em quatro grupos: 1) grupo C, 24 animais que receberam dieta-padrão; 2) grupo BC, 26 animais que receberam betacaroteno; 3) grupo EFC, 26 animais que receberam dieta-padrão e foram expostos à fumaça de cigarro; e 4) grupo BC+EFC, 20 animais que receberam betacaroteno e foram expostos à fumaça de cigarro. Após seis meses, foi realizado estudo morfofuncional. Utilizou-se significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: em relação às áreas diastólicas (AD) e sistólicas (AS), os valores do grupo BC foram maiores que os do grupo C. Considerando a AD/peso corporal (PC) e AS/PC, os valores do grupo BC+EFC foram maiores que os valores de C. em relação à fração de variação de área, foram observadas diferenças significativas entre EFC (valores menores) e C (valores maiores) e entre BC (valores menores) e C (valores maiores). Não foram observadas diferenças entre os grupos em relação ao tamanho do infarto. O grupo EFC apresentou valores maiores da área seccional dos miócitos (ASM) que os animais-controle. em adição, o grupo BC+EFC apresentou maiores valores de ASM que BC, EFC e C. CONCLUSÃO: Após o infarto do miocárdio, o tabagismo e o betacaroteno promoveram intensificação do processo de remodelação cardíaca; houve potencialização dos efeitos deletérios no processo de remodelação com os dois tratamentos em conjunto.

Biological Response to Wollastonite Doped alpha-Tricalcium Phosphate Implants in Hard and Soft Tissues in Rats

The biological response following subcutaneous and bone implantation of beta-wollastonite(beta-W)-doped alpha-tricalcium phosphate bioceramics in rats was evaluated. Tested materials were: tricalciurn phosphate (TCP), consisting of a mixture of alpha- and beta-polymorphs; TCP doped with 5 wt. % of beta-W (TCP5W), composed of alpha-TCP as only crystalline phase; and TCP doped with 15 wt. % of beta-W (TCP15), containing crystalline alpha-TCP and beta-W. Cylinders of 2x1 mm were implanted in tibiae and backs of adult male Rattus norvegicus, Holtzman rats. After 7, 30 and 120 days, animals were sacrificed and the tissue blocks containing the implants were excised, fixed and processed for histological examination. TCP, TCP5W and TCP15W implants were biocompatible but neither bioactive nor biodegradable in rat subcutaneous tissue. They were not osteoinductive in connective tissue either. However, in rat bone tissue beta-W-doped alpha-TCP implants (TCP5W and TCP15W) were bioactive, biodegradable and osteoconductive. The rates of biodegradation and new bone formation observed for TCP5W and TCP15W implants in rat bone tissue were greater than for non-doped TCP.

Diet-induced obesity causes metabolic, endocrine and cardiac alterations in spontaneously hypertensive rats

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

Ventricular Remodeling Induced by Tissue Vitamin A Deficiency in Rats

Background/Aims: Experimental studies suggest that vitamin A plays a role in regulating cardiac structure and function. We tested the hypothesis that cardiac vitamin A deficiency is associated with adverse myocardial remodeling in young adult rats. Methods: Two groups of young female rats, control (C - n = 29) and tissue vitamin A deficient (RVA - n = 31), were subjected to transthoracic echocardiography exam, isolated rat heart study and biochemical study. Results: The RVA rats showed a reduced total vitamin A concentration in both the liver and heart [vitamin A in heart, mu mol/kg (C = 0.95 +/- 0.44 and RVA = 0.24 +/- 0.16, p = 0.01)] with the same serum retinol levels (C = 0.73 +/- 0.29 mu mol/L e RVA = 0.62 +/- 0.17 mu mol/L, p = 0.34). The RVA rats showed higher left ventricular diameters and reduced systolic function. The RVA rats also demonstrated increased lipid hydroperoxide/total antioxidant capacity ratio and cardiac levels of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha but not of metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 activity. on the other hand, the RVA rats had decreased levels of beta-hydroxyacylcoenzyme A dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase. Conclusions: Tissue vitamin A deficiency stimulated cardiac remodeling and ventricular dysfunction. Additionally, the data support the involvement of oxidative stress, energy metabolism, and cytokine production in this remodeling process. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel

Diagnóstico de hemoglobinopatias em recém-nascidos do Hospital de Base de São José do Rio Preto-SP

The neonatal period is considered the most effective for the screening of hemoglobinopathies. This allows prophylaxis and prevention, improving the patient's survival and guidance of parents and heterozygote carriers. The present work aims at the early detection of abnormal hemoglobins, the establishment of standard analysis and to examine the viability of the prevention program. Blood samples were collected by heel stick and from blood cord of children born in the Hospital de Base São José do Rio Preto, from April 1998 to November 1999. Electrophoresis and cytological, biochemical, cromatographic analyses were made for abnormal hemoglobin characterization. A total of 1,478 neonatal blood samples were analyzed in which 14.62% presented with hemoglobins alterations: 3.32% had Hb S; 0.61% had Hb C; 7.44% were suggestive of alpha thalassemia; 1.55% were suggestive of beta thalassemia, and 1.70% had alpha/beta thalassemia interactions. The samples collected from the blood cord showed better results in all analyses while the blood samples collected by heel stick on filter paper, were applicable to only specific methodologies. The routine laboratory methods allowed identification of the thalassemic and variant forms, and isoelectric focusing presented sensitivity only for variant identification in this age range. The suspected cases were reassessed after six months, which permitted genetic counseling of their family members and clinic attendance. A multidisciplinary approach in programs of this kind is fundamental for its success.