Chemiluminescence-based uphill energy conversion

The conversion of red excitation light into blue emission light (uphill energy conversion) using unstable 1,2-dioxetanes is described. The method is based on 1,2-dioxetane formation by red-light sensitized photooxygenation of adequate alkenes and subsequent blue-light emission due to thermal 1,2-dioxetane cleavage. The energy gain resulting from the chemical energy obtained in the transformation of an alkene into two carbonyl compounds transforms a red-light excitation laser beam into a blue-light chemiluminescence emission, producing thereby a formal anti-Stokes shift of 200-250 nm, opening up a whole spectrum of possible applications.

Resistance Training with Vascular Occlusion in Inclusion Body Myositis: A Case Study

GUALANO, B., M. NEVES JR, F. R. LIMA, A. L. PINTO, G. LAURENTINO, C. BORGES, L. BAPTISTA, G. G. ARTIOLI, M. S. AOKI, A. MORISCOT, A. H. LANCHA JR, E. BONFA, and C. UGRINOWITSCH. Resistance Training with Vascular Occlusion in Inclusion Body Myositis: A Case Study. Med Sci. Spot-is Exerc., Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 250-254, 2010. Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a rare idiopathic inflammatory myopathy that produces remarkable muscle weakness. Resistance training with vascular occlusion has been shown to improve muscle strength and cross-sectional area in other muscle wasting conditions. Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy of a moderate-intensity resistance training program combined with vascular occlusion by examining functional capacity, muscle morphology, and changes in the expression of genes related to muscle protein synthesis and proteolysis in a patient with IBM. Methods: A 65-yr-old man with IBM resistant to all proposed treatments underwent resistance training with vascular occlusion for 12 wk. Leg press one-repetition maximum; thigh cross-sectional area; balance, mobility, and muscle function; quality of life; and blood markers of inflammation and muscle damage were assessed at baseline and after the 12-wk program. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of mechanogrowth factor, mammalian target of rapamycin, atrogin-1, and muscle RING finger-1 were also quantified. Results: After the 12-wk training program, the patient`s leg press one-repetition maximum, balance and mobility function, and thigh cross-sectional area increased 15.9%, 60%, and 4.7%, respectively. All Short Form-36 Health Survey Questionnaire subscales demonstrated improvements as well, varying from 18% to 600%. mRNA expression of mechanogrowth factor increased 3.97-fold, whereas that of atrogin-1 decreased 0.62-fold. Muscle RING finger-1 and mammalian target of rapamycin mRNA levels were only slightly altered, 1.18- and 1.28-fold, respectively. Importantly, the exercise did not induce disease flare. Conclusions: We describe a novel, and likely the first, nonpharmacological therapeutic tool that might be able to counteract the muscle atrophy and the declining strength that usually occur in IBM.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of laser-welded joints of TWIP and TRIP steels

With the aim of investigating a laser-welded dissimilar joint of TWIP and TRIP steel sheets, the microstructure was characterized by means of OM, SEM, and EBSD to differentiate the fusion zone, heat-affected zone, and the base material. OIM was used to differentiate between ferritic, bainitic, and martensitic structures. Compositions were measured by means of optical emission spectrometry and EDX to evaluate the effect of manganese segregation. Microhardness measurements and tensile tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of the joint. Residual stresses and XRD phase quantification were used to characterize the weld. Grain coarsening and martensitic areas were found in the fusion zone, and they had significant effects on the mechanical properties of the weld. The heat-affected zone of the TRIP steel and the corresponding base material showed considerable differences in the microstructure and properties. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Regeneration of Activated Carbon by (Photo)-Fenton Oxidation

This work aims to study the adsorption of phenol on activated carbons (ACs) and the consecutive in situ regeneration of carbon by Fenton oxidation. Two different operations have been carried Out: (1) a batch procedure in order to investigate the influence of Fe(2+) and H(2)O(2) concentrations; (2) continuous fixed bed adsorption, followed by a batch circulation of the Fenton`s reagent through the saturated AC bed. to examine the efficiency of the real process. Two different activated carbons have been also studied: a both micro- and mesoporous AC (L27) and an only microporous One (S23). In the batch reactor the best conditions found for pollutant mineralization in the homogeneous Fenton system are not the best For AC regeneration: a continuous reduction of adsorption capacity of L27 is observed after 3 oxidations, due to the decrease of both AC weight and surface area. Higher concentration of Fe(2+) and lower concentration of H(2)O(2) (2 times the stoichiometry) lead to a 50% recovery of the initial adsorption capacity during at least four consecutive cycles for L27, while about 20% or less for S23. In the consecutive continuous adsorption/batch Fenton oxidation process, the regeneration efficiency reaches 30-40% for L27 after two cycles whatever the feed concentration and less than 10% for S23. A photo-Fenton test performed on L27 shows almost complete mineralization (contrary to ""dark"" Fenton) and further improves recovery of AC adsorption capacity although not complete (56% after two cycles).

Permanent Genetic Resources added to Molecular Ecology Resources Database 1 August 2010-30 September 2010

This article documents the addition of 229 microsatellite marker loci to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Acacia auriculiformis x Acacia mangium hybrid, Alabama argillacea, Anoplopoma fimbria, Aplochiton zebra, Brevicoryne brassicae, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Bucorvus leadbeateri, Delphacodes detecta, Tumidagena minuta, Dictyostelium giganteum, Echinogammarus berilloni, Epimedium sagittatum, Fraxinus excelsior, Labeo chrysophekadion, Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi, Paratrechina longicornis, Phaeocystis antarctica, Pinus roxburghii and Potamilus capax. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Acacia peregrinalis, Acacia crassicarpa, Bruguiera cylindrica, Delphacodes detecta, Tumidagena minuta, Dictyostelium macrocephalum, Dictyostelium discoideum, Dictyostelium purpureum, Dictyostelium mucoroides, Dictyostelium rosarium, Polysphondylium pallidum, Epimedium brevicornum, Epimedium koreanum, Epimedium pubescens, Epimedium wushanese and Fraxinus angustifolia.

Random regression models to estimate test-day milk yield genetic parameters Holstein cows in Southeastern Brazil

A total of 152,145 weekly test-day milk yield records from 7317 first lactations of Holstein cows distributed in 93 herds in southeastern Brazil were analyzed. Test-day milk yields were classified into 44 weekly classes of DIM. The contemporary groups were defined as herd-year-week of test-day. The model included direct additive genetic, permanent environmental and residual effects as random and fixed effects of contemporary group and age of cow at calving as covariable, linear and quadratic effects. Mean trends were modeled by a cubic regression on orthogonal polynomials of DIM. Additive genetic and permanent environmental random effects were estimated by random regression on orthogonal Legendre polynomials. Residual variances were modeled using third to seventh-order variance functions or a step function with 1, 6,13,17 and 44 variance classes. Results from Akaike`s and Schwarz`s Bayesian information criterion suggested that a model considering a 7th-order Legendre polynomial for additive effect, a 12th-order polynomial for permanent environment effect and a step function with 6 classes for residual variances, fitted best. However, a parsimonious model, with a 6th-order Legendre polynomial for additive effects and a 7th-order polynomial for permanent environmental effects, yielded very similar genetic parameter estimates. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sulfite : Cytochrome c oxidoreductase from Thiobacillus novellus - Purification, characterization, and molecular biology of a heterodimeric member of the sulfite oxidase family

Direct oxidation of sulfite to sulfate occurs in various photo- and chemotrophic sulfur oxidizing microorganisms as the final step in the oxidation of reduced sulfur compounds and is catalyzed by sulfite:cytochrome c oxidoreductase (EC 1.8.2.1), Here we show that the enzyme from Thiobacillus novellus is a periplasmically located alpha beta heterodimer, consisting of a 40.6-kDa subunit containing a molybdenum cofactor and an 8.8-kDa monoheme cytochrome c(552) smbunit (midpoint redox potential, Em(8.0) = +280 mV), The organic component of the molybdenum cofactor was identified as molybdopterin contained in a 1:1 ratio to the Mo content of the enzyme. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed the presence of a sulfite-inducible Mo(V) signal characteristic of sulfite:acceptor oxidoreductases. However, pH-dependent changes in the electron paramagnetic resonance signal were not detected. Kinetic studies showed that the enzyme exhibits a ping-pong mechanism involving two reactive sites. K-m values for sulfite and cytochrome c(550) were determined to be 27 and 4 mu M, respectively; the enzyme was found to be reversibly inhibited by sulfate and various buffer ions. The sorAB genes, which encode the enzyme, appear to form an operon, which is preceded by a putative extracytoplasmic function-type promoter and contains a hairpin loop termination structure downstream of sorB. While SorA exhibits significant similarities to known sequences of eukaryotic and bacterial sulfite:acceptor oxidoreductases, SorB does not appear to be closely related to any known c-type cytochromes.

High-titer antichromatin antibody is associated with proliferative class IV of lupus nephritis

The antichromatin antibody (aCT) has been described as a useful marker for lupus nephropathy. The relevance of its nephritogenic potential may be appropriately evaluated in the context of renal histopathology. Therefore, the present study investigated the relationship of aCT with a particular histopathologic class of lupus nephritis (LN). Seventy-eight consecutive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (ACR criteria) and active nephritis who underwent renal biopsy from 1999 to 2004 and with available frozen serum sample obtained at the time of biopsy were selected. aCT was measured by ELISA, and anti-dsDNA was measured by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and by ELISA. All renal biopsies were revised in a blinded manner by the same expert renal pathologist. Charts were extensively reviewed for demographic and renal features obtained at the time of biopsy. The prevalence of aCT (>= 20 U) was 59% with a mean titer of 74.3 +/- 38.7U. Both aCT-positive and aCT-negative groups of patients had similar age, gender distribution, duration of lupus, and duration of renal disease. Anti-dsDNA was detected by IIF in 29.5% and by ELISA in 42.3% of the patients. Concomitant presence of both antibodies was observed in 63% (29/46) [anti-dsDNA by ELISA] and 45.6% (21/46) [anti-dsDNA by IIF] of the patients. Lower serum levels of C3 (73% vs. 40%, P=0.0058) and C4 (82% vs. 46.7%, P=0.0021) were more commonly observed in aCT >= 20 U patients compared to the aCT-negative group. It is important to note that the use of a higher cut-off value (>= 40 U) for aCT test revealed a predominance of class IV LN (58% vs. 33%, P=0.039) in aCT >= 40 U compared to aCT<40 U group. The mean levels of proteinuria, serum albumin, and creatinine were markedly altered but were comparable in both groups (P >= 0.05). One fourth (26.3%) of the 19 patients with class IV LN and aCT >= 40 U had no detectable anti-dsDNA (ELISA). These data suggest that high-titer aCT seems to be a valuable biomarker for proliferative class IV of LN.

Osteoprotegerin/RANKL system imbalance in active polyarticularonset juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a bone damage biomarker?

Objective: To evaluate the importance of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK)/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) modulation in active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) patients with and without bone erosions. Methods: Thirty female patients (mean age 11.07 +/- 3.77 years, range 4-17 years) with active pJIA and 30 healthy gender-and age-matched controls were consecutively selected for this study. All involved articulations were assessed by X-ray and examined for the presence of bone erosions. The serum levels of RANKL and OPG were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Patients with active pJIA had higher levels of serum RANKL than controls [2.90 (0.1-37.4) vs. 0.25 (0.1-5.7) pg/mL, p=0.007] and a lower OPG/RANKL ratio [21.25 (1.8-897.6) vs. 347.5 (9-947.8), p=0.005]. However, levels of OPG were comparable in both groups [55.24 (28.34-89.76) vs. 64.42 (30.68-111.28) pg/mL, p=0.255]. Higher levels of serum RANKL and a lower OPG/RANKL ratio were also observed in active pJIA patients with bone erosions compared to controls [3.49 (0.1-37.4) vs. 0.25 (0.1-5.7) pg/mL, p=0.0115 and 14.3 (1.8-897.6) vs. 347.5 (9-947.8), p=0.016]. However, RANKL levels and OPG/RANKL ratio were similar in pJIA patients without bone erosion and controls [1.75 (0.1-10.9) vs. 0.25 (0.1-5.7) pg/mL, p=0.055 and 29.2 (3.3-756.8) vs. 347.5 (9-947.8), p=0.281]. Conclusion: These data suggest that active pJIA with bone erosions is associated with high serum levels of RANKL and a low OPG/RANKL ratio, indicating that these alterations may reflect bone damage in this disease.

Primary antiphospholipid syndrome in premenopausal women: low vitamin D, high fat mass and maintained bone mineral mass

The aim of this study was to analyze vitamin D levels and their association with bone mineral density and body composition in primary antiphospholipid syndrome. For this cross-sectional study 23 premenopausal women with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (Sapporo criteria) and 23 age- and race-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Demographic, anthropometric, clinical and laboratorial data were collected using clinical interview and chart review. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, parathormone, calcium and 24-hour urinary calcium were evaluated in all subjects. Bone mineral density and body composition were studied by dual X-ray absorptiometry. The mean age of patients and controls was 33 years. Weight (75.61 [20.73] vs. 63.14 [7.34] kg, p=0.009), body mass index (29.57 [7.17] vs. 25.35 [3.37] kg, p=0.014) and caloric ingestion (2493 [1005.6] vs. 1990 [384.1] kcal/day, p=0.03) were higher in PAPS than controls. All PAPS were under oral anticoagulant with INR within therapeutic range. Interestingly, biochemical bone parameters revealed lower levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [21.64 (11.26) vs. 28.59 (10.67) mg/dl, p=0.039], serum calcium [9.04 (0.46) vs. 9.3 (0.46) mg/dl, p=0.013] and 24-hour urinary calcium [106.55 (83.71) vs. 172.92 (119.05) mg/d, p=0.027] in patients than in controls. Supporting these findings, parathormone levels were higher in primary antiphospholipid syndrome than in controls [64.82 (37.83) vs. 44.53 (19.62) pg/ml, p=0.028]. The analysis of osteoporosis risk factors revealed that the two groups were comparable (p>0.05). Lumbar spine, femoral neck, total femur and whole body bone mineral density were similar in both groups (p>0.05). Higher fat mass [28.51 (12.93) vs. 20.01 (4.68) kg, p=0.005] and higher percentage of fat [36.08 (7.37) vs. 31.23 (4.64)%, p=0.010] were observed in PAPS in comparison with controls; although no difference was seen regarding lean mass. In summary, low vitamin D in primary antiphospholipid syndrome could be secondary to higher weight and fat mass herein observed most likely due to adipocyte sequestration. This weight gain may also justify the maintenance of bone mineral density even with altered biochemical bone parameters. Lupus (2010) 19, 1302-1306.

Clues for Previously Undiagnosed Connective Tissue Disease in Patients With Trigeminal Neuralgia

Background: Connective tissue diseases (CTD) may be associated with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (TN). The prevalence and diagnostic implications of this association are, however, not well established. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate, in TN patients, if rheumatologic clinical and laboratory findings could contribute to the early diagnosis of rheumatic diseases. Methods: Forty-six consecutive TN patients, 67% female, mean disease duration 8.78 +/- 7.25 years, and 47 controls were initially interviewed using a standard questionnaire based on common signs/symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren syndrome, mixed CTD, and systemic sclerosis. Autoantibodies were detected by standard techniques. Those with rheumatologic complaints or positive autoantibodies were referred to the Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic for a more detailed evaluation. Secondary causes of TN were excluded. Results: The frequency of Raynaud phenomenon (P = 0.026) and ANA reactivity (P = 0.04) were significantly higher in TN patients compared with controls. Fourteen TN patients were ANA positive. Seven of them reported concomitant rheumatic complaints, and interestingly, diffuse CTD was diagnosed in 4 (57%) of these patients: 1 systemic lupus erythematosus; 2 Sjogren syndrome; and 1 undifferentiated disease with scleritis and positive parotid scintigraphy. In all cases, TN preceded by at least 10 months the rheumatologic signs/symptoms. Moreover, these 4 TN patients with CTD had a higher frequency of sicca symptoms (P = 0.001) and higher titers of ANA (>= 1:320) (P = 0.006) than the remaining 42 TN patients without CTD diagnoses. Sixteen patients had isolated laboratory or clinical abnormalities, and none of them had CTD diagnoses. Conclusions: The concomitant presence of sicca symptoms and high titer ANA are clues for the early investigation of rheumatic diseases in TN patients.

A 12-month randomized controlled trial of balance training in elderly women with ostebporosis: Improvement of quality of life

Objective: Physical and psychological incapacity, including fear of falling is related to decreased satisfaction with life in osteoporosis (OP). The impact of a balance exercise program on improving the quality of life is not well established. We have, therefore, investigated the effect of 12-month Balance Training Program in quality of life, functional balance and falls in elderly OP women. Methods: Sixty consecutive women with senile OP were randomized into a Balance Training Group (BT) of 30 patients and no intervention control group (CG) of 30 patients. The BT program included techniques to improve balance over a period of 12 months (1 h exercise session/week and home-based exercises). The quality of life was evaluated before and at the end of the trial using the Osteoporosis Assessment Questionnaire (OPAQ), functional balance was evaluated by Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Falls in the preceding year were noted and compared to the period of study. Results: The comparison of OPAQ variations (INITIAL-FINAL) revealed a significant improvement in quality of life in all parameters for BT compared to CG: well-being (1.61 +/- 1.44 vs. -1.46 +/- 1.32, p < 0001), physical function (1.30 +/- 1.33 vs. -0.36 +/- 0.82, p < 0.001), psychological status (1.58 +/- 1.36 vs. -1.02 +/- 0.83, p < 0.001), symptoms (2.76 +/- 1.96 vs. -0.63 +/- 0.87, p < 0.001), social interaction (1.01 +/- 1.51 vs. 0.35 +/- 1.08, p < 0.001). Of note, this overall benefit was paralleled by an improvement of BBS (-5.5 +/- 5.67 vs. +0.5 +/- 4.88 p < 0.001) and a reduction of falls in 50% in BT group vs. 26.6% for the CG (RR: 1.88, p < 0.025). Conclusion: The long-term Balance Training Program of OP women provides a striking overall health quality of life improvement in parallel with improving functional balance and reduced falls. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Antimalarial Treatment May Have a Time-Dependent Effect on Lupus Survival

Objective. To evaluate the beneficial effect of antimalarial treatment on lupus survival in a large, multiethnic, international longitudinal inception cohort. Methods. Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, classification criteria, laboratory findings, and treatment variables were examined in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from the Grupo Latino Americano de Estudio del Lupus Eritematoso (GLADEL) cohort. The diagnosis of SLE, according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria, was assessed within 2 years of cohort entry. Cause of death was classified as active disease, infection, cardiovascular complications, thrombosis, malignancy, or other cause. Patients were subdivided by antimalarial use, grouped according to those who had received antimalarial drugs for at least 6 consecutive months (user) and those who had received antimalarial drugs for <6 consecutive months or who had never received antimalarial drugs (nonuser). Results. Of the 1,480 patients included in the GLADEL cohort, 1,141 (77%) were considered antimalarial users, with a mean duration of drug exposure of 48.5 months (range 6-98 months). Death occurred in 89 patients (6.0%). A lower mortality rate was observed in antimalarial users compared with nonusers (4.4% versus 11.5%; P < 0.001). Seventy patients (6.1%) had received antimalarial drugs for 6-11 months, 146 (12.8%) for 1-2 years, and 925 (81.1%) for >2 years. Mortality rates among users by duration of antimalarial treatment (per 1,000 person-months of followup) were 3.85 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.41-8.37), 2.7 (95% CI 1.41-4.76), and 0.54 (95% CI 0.37-0.77), respectively, while for nonusers, the mortality rate was 3.07 (95% CI 2.18-4.20) (P for trend < 0.001). After adjustment for potential confounders in a Cox regression model, antimalarial use was associated with a 38% reduction in the mortality rate (hazard ratio 0.62, 95% CI 0.39-0.99). Conclusion. Antimalarial drugs were shown to have a protective effect, possibly in a time-dependent manner, on SLE survival. These results suggest that the use of antimalarial treatment should be recommended for patients with lupus.

Improved detection of incipient vascular changes by a biotechnological platform combining post mortem MRI in situ with neuropathology

The histopathological counterpart of white matter hyperintensities is a matter of debate. Methodological and ethical limitations have prevented this question to be elucidated. We want to introduce a protocol applying state-of-the-art methods in order to solve fundamental questions regarding the neuroimaging-neuropathological uncertainties comprising the most common white matter hyperintensities [WMHs] seen in aging. By this protocol, the correlation between signal features in in situ, post mortem MRI-derived methods, including DTI and MTR and quantitative and qualitative histopathology can be investigated. We are mainly interested in determining the precise neuroanatomical substrate of incipient WMHs. A major issue in this protocol is the exact co-registration of small lesion in a tridimensional coordinate system that compensates tissue deformations after histological processing. The protocol is based on four principles: post mortem MRI in situ performed in a short post mortem interval, minimal brain deformation during processing, thick serial histological sections and computer-assisted 3D reconstruction of the histological sections. This protocol will greatly facilitate a systematic study of the location, pathogenesis, clinical impact, prognosis and prevention of WMHs. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain in community-dwelling elderly subjects living in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic widespread pain (CWP) in community-dwelling elderly individuals living in Sao Paulo, to assess the spectrum of problems related to these diseases using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and to correlate the FIQ with the number of tender points and with pain threshold. Methods: Our sample consisted of 361 individuals (64% women, 36% men, mean age of 73.3 +/- 5.7 years). Individuals were classified into four groups: FM (according to American College of Rheumatology criteria), CWP, regional pain (RP) and no pain (NP). Pain characteristics and dolorimetry for 18 tender points and the FIQ were assessed. Results: The prevalence of FM was 5.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.4-5.7], and the prevalence of CWP was 14.1% (95% Cl: 10.5-17.7%). The frequency of RP was 52.6% and the prevalence of NP was 27.7%. FIQ scores were higher in people with FM (44.5), followed by CWP (31.4), RP (18.1) and NP (5.5) (p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between the domains of the FIQ and the number of tender Points (p < 0.05), and a negative correlation between FIQ score and pain threshold (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In our elderly subjects, the prevalence of FM was slightly higher compared to previously reported studies, and CWP was around 14%. The spectrum of problems related to chronic pain was more severe in FM followed by CWP, strongly suggesting that these conditions should be diagnosed and adequately treated in older individuals. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.