Determinação de motivos de ligação à quitina em vicilinas de Canavalia ensiformis e Vigna unguiculata através de métodos in silico e relação com suas toxicidades para o bruquídeo Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera:Bruchidae)

Chitin is an important structural component of the cellular wall of fungi and exoskeleton of many invertebrate plagues, such as insects and nematodes. In digestory systems of insects it forms a named matrix of peritrophic membrane. One of the most studied interaction models protein-carbohydrate is the model that involves chitin-binding proteins. Among the involved characterized domains already in this interaction if they detach the hevein domain (HD), from of Hevea brasiliensis (Rubber tree), the R&R consensus domain (R&R), found in cuticular proteins of insects, and the motif called in this study as conglicinin motif (CD), found in the cristallography structure of the β-conglicinin bounded with GlcNac. These three chitin-binding domains had been used to determine which of them could be involved in silico in the interaction of Canavalia ensiformis and Vigna unguiculata vicilins with chitin, as well as associate these results with the WD50 of these vicilins for Callosobruchus maculatus larvae. The technique of comparative modeling was used for construction of the model 3D of the vicilin of V. unguiculata, that was not found in the data bases. Using the ClustalW program it was gotten localization of these domains in the vicilins primary structure. The domains R&R and CD had been found with bigger homology in the vicilins primary sequences and had been target of interaction studies. Through program GRAMM models of interaction ( dockings ) of the vicilins with GlcNac had been gotten. The results had shown that, through analysis in silico, HD is not part of the vicilins structures, proving the result gotten with the alignment of the primary sequences; the R&R domain, although not to have structural similarity in the vicilins, probably it has a participation in the activity of interaction of these with GlcNac; whereas the CD domain participates directly in the interaction of the vicilins with GlcNac. These results in silico show that the amino acid number, the types and the amount of binding made for the CD motif with GlcNac seem to be directly associates to the deleterious power that these vicilins show for C. maculatus larvae. This can give an initial step in the briefing of as the vicilins interact with alive chitin in and exert its toxic power for insects that possess peritrophic membrane

Implementação de um programa de exercício intradialítico de maximização da função em utentes hemodialisados

A incidência da Insuficiência Renal Crónica (IRC) em Portugal tem aumentado progressivamente. De acordo com o relatório de 2013 da Sociedade Portuguesa de Nefrologia (SPN; 2014), no nosso país, encontram-se em terapia renal substitutiva (TRS) 18345 pessoas. Destas, 10977 fazem hemodiálise (HD). Este tratamento, por si só, implica uma imobilidade acrescida, confinando as pessoas a um cadeirão cerca de 15 horas por semana. Para além disso, a própria IRC e a HD, pelo catabolismo, pela síndrome urémica e pela neuromiopatia urémica, provocam perda de força muscular, descondicionamento e limitações da capacidade funcional. Atendendo ao facto de a população em HD ser cada vez mais envelhecida, concordaremos com Kosmadakis et al. (2010) quando diz que os utentes em HD são mais sedentários quando comparados com indivíduos saudáveis da mesma idade, sendo que a sua atividade física diminui 3,4% cada mês após início da HD. Os autores acrescentam que pessoas sedentárias em HD têm um risco de mortalidade muito superior a indivíduos não sedentários em HD. Esta é, portanto, uma população carente de cuidados de reabilitação. Apesar disso, a grande maioria dos serviços não vê na reabilitação destes doentes uma prioridade, sendo a oferta de cuidados de reabilitação muito limitada no nosso país.

The SOPHIE search for northern extrasolar planets: X. Detection and characterization of giant planets by the dozen

We present new radial velocity measurements of eight stars that were secured with the spectrograph SOPHIE at the 193 cm telescope of the Haute-Provence Observatory. The measurements allow detecting and characterizing new giant extrasolar planets. The host stars are dwarfs of spectral types between F5 and K0 and magnitudes of between 6.7 and 9.6; the planets have minimum masses Mp sin i of between 0.4 to 3.8 MJup and orbitalperiods of several days to several months. The data allow only single planets to be discovered around the first six stars (HD 143105, HIP 109600, HD 35759, HIP 109384, HD 220842, and HD 12484), but one of them shows the signature of an additional substellar companion in the system. The seventh star, HIP 65407, allows the discovery of two giant planets that orbit just outside the 12:5 resonance in weak mutual interaction. The last star, HD 141399, was already known to host a four-planet system; our additional data and analyses allow new constraints to be set on it. We present Keplerian orbits of all systems, together with dynamical analyses of the two multi-planet systems. HD 143105 is one of the brightest stars known to host a hot Jupiter, which could allow numerous follow-up studies to be conducted even though this is not a transiting system. The giant planets HIP 109600b, HIP 109384b, and HD 141399c are located in the habitable zone of their host star.

Social support in cyberspace: A content analysis of communication within a Huntington’s Disease online support group

Objective: Huntington’s Disease (HD) is an inherited disorder, characterised by a progressive degeneration of the brain. Due to the nature of the symptoms, the genetic element of the disease and the fact that there is no cure, HD patients and those in their support network often experience considerable stress and anxiety. With an expansion in Internet access, individuals affected by HD have new opportunities for information retrieval and social support. The aim of this study is to examine the provision of social support in messages posted to a HD online support group bulletin board. Methods: In total, 1313 messages were content analysed using a modified version of the Social Support Behaviour Code developed by Cutrona & Suhr (1992). Results: The analysis indicates that group members most frequently offered informational (56.2%) and emotional support (51.9%) followed by network support (48.4%) with esteem support (21.7%) and tangible assistance (9.8%) least frequently offered. Conclusion: This study suggests that exchanging informational and emotional support represents a key function of this online group. Practice implications: Online support groups provide a unique opportunity for health professionals to learn about the experiences and views of individuals affected by HD and explore where and why gaps may exist between evidence-based medicine and consumer behaviour and expectations.

Complete spin and orbital evolution of close-in bodies using a Maxwell viscoelastic rheology

In this paper, we present a formalism designed to model tidal interaction with a viscoelastic body made of Maxwell material. Our approach remains regular for any spin rate and orientation, and for any orbital configuration including high eccentricities and close encounters. The method is to integrate simultaneously the rotation and the position of the planet as well as its deformation. We provide the equations of motion both in the body frame and in the inertial frame. With this study, we generalize preexisting models to the spatial case and to arbitrary multipole orders using a formalism taken from quantum theory. We also provide the vectorial expression of the secular tidal torque expanded in Fourier series. Applying this model to close-in exoplanets, we observe that if the relaxation time is longer than the revolution period, the phase space of the system is characterized by the presence of several spin-orbit resonances, even in the circular case. As the system evolves, the planet spin can visit different spin-orbit configurations. The obliquity is decreasing along most of these resonances, but we observe a case where the planet tilt is instead growing. These conclusions derived from the secular torque are successfully tested with numerical integrations of the instantaneous equations of motion on HD 80606 b. Our formalism is also well adapted to close-in super-Earths in multiplanet systems which are known to have non-zero mutual inclinations.

3D Porous Architecture of Stacks of β-TCP Granules Compared with That of Trabecular Bone: A microCT, Vector Analysis, and Compression Study

International audience

Effects of aluminum on cells and tissues

International audience

Tratamientos de hidratación-deshidratación en la germinación de semillas de especies de ecosistemas semiáridos

En algunas investigaciones se ha reportado que someter a las semillas a ciclos de HD provoca una modificación en el porcentaje de germinación y/o tiempo medio de germinación (t50), probablemente también una pérdida de viabilidad en las semillas. Diversos autores han comprobado la presencia de una “memoria de hidratación” en algunas especies de diferentes ecosistemas, observando cierta variabilidad en los resultados. En la presente investigación, el objetivo fue determinar la respuesta de diferentes especies que provenían del desierto Chihuahuense en México (catorce especies) y las Sierras de Córdoba en Argentina (siete especies) al estar bajo tratamientos de HD, a través de la expresión de una “memoria de hidratación”.

Factores críticos de éxito en la empresa innovadora de la zona metropolitana de Monterrey

En esta investigación se analizan los factores que tienen en común empresas que han desarrollado con éxito innovaciones tanto en sus productos o servicios como en sus procesos de operación. Al revisar el estado del arte sobre las características de las empresas innovadoras, se encontraron que existen pocos estudios no obstante la cantidad de empresas que existen a nivel mundial, dichos estudios han sido realizados en Estados Unidos y Europa. En ellos se muestra que existen algunos elementos que tienen en común las empresas innovadoras, sin embargo se carece de estudios en México sobre el impacto que tienen los factores críticos de éxito en los resultados de empresas innovadoras. Dado lo anterior el objetivo de la presente investigación es analizar y determinar los factores críticos de éxito que impactan positivamente en los resultados de la innovación de productos, servicios y procesos en la empresa innovadora de la Zona Metropolitana de Monterrey. Para tal efecto se diseñó y realizó la presente investigación considerando, marco teórico, pregunta de investigación, hipótesis, método de estudio, análisis estadístico de los resultados a través de un análisis de regresión multivariante, se concluye la investigación con la discusión de resultados, incluyendo contribuciones al conocimiento así como recomendaciones a la comunidad empresarial con base en los hallazgos encontrados.

Enhanced flat adenoma detection rate with high definition colonoscopy plus i-scan for average-risk colorectal cancer screening

Background and aim: The usefulness of high definition colonoscopy plus i-scan (HD+i-SCAN) for average-risk colorectal cancer screening has not been fully assessed. The detection rate of adenomas and other measurements such as the number of adenomas per colonoscopy and the flat adenoma detection rate have been recognized as markers of colonoscopy quality. The aim of the present study was to compare the diagnostic performance of an HD+i-SCAN with that of standard resolution white-light colonoscope. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected screening colonoscopy database. A comparative analysis of the diagnostic yield of an HD+i-SCAN or standard resolution colonoscopy for average-risk colorectal screening was conducted. Results: During the period of study, 155/163 (95.1%) patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 56.9 years. Sixty of 155 (39%) colonoscopies were performed using a HD+i-SCAN. Adenoma-detection-rates during the withdrawal of the standard resolution versus HD+i-SCAN colonoscopies were 29.5% and 30% (p = n.s.). Adenoma/colonoscopy values for standard resolution versus HD+i-SCAN colonoscopies were 0.46 (SD = 0.9) and 0.72 (SD = 1.3) (p = n.s.). A greater number of flat adenomas were detected in the HD+i-SCAN group (6/60 vs. 2/95) (p < .05). Likewise, serrated adenomas/polyps per colonoscopy were also higher in the HD+i-SCAN group. Conclusions: A HD+i-SCAN colonoscopy increases the flat adenoma detection rate and serrated adenomas/polyps per colonoscopy compared to a standard colonoscopy in average-risk screening population. HD+i-SCAN is a simple, available procedure that can be helpful, even for experienced providers. The performance of HD+i-SCAN and substantial prevalence of flat lesions in our average-risk screening cohort support its usefulness in improving the efficacy of screening colonoscopies.

Biofouling protection by electro-chlorination on optical windows for oceanographic sensors and imaging devices

Oceans environmental monitoring and seafloor exploitation need in situ sensors and optical devices (cameras, lights) in various locations and on various carriers in order to initiate and to calibrate environmental models or to operate underwater industrial process supervision. For more than 10 years Ifremer deploys in situ monitoring systems for various seawater parameters and in situ observation systems based on lights and HD Cameras. To be economically operational, these systems must be equipped with a biofouling protection dedicated to the sensors and optical devices used in situ. Indeed, biofouling, in less than 15 days [1] will modify the transducing interfaces of the sensors and causes unacceptable bias on the measurements provided by the in situ monitoring system. In the same way biofouling will decrease the optical properties of windows and thus altering the lighting and the quality fot he images recorded by the camera.