Nasal immunization of mice with Lactobacillus casei expressing the Pneumococcal Surface Protein A: induction of antibodies, complement deposition and partial protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae challenge

Strategies for the development of new vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae infections try to overcome problems such as serotype coverage and high costs, present in currently available vaccines. Formulations based on protein candidates that can induce protection in animal models have been pointed as good alternatives. Among them, the Pneumococcal Surface Protein A (PspA) plays an important role during systemic infection at least in part through the inhibition of complement deposition on the pneumococcal surface, a mechanism of evasion from the immune system. Antigen delivery systems based on live recombinant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) represents a promising strategy for mucosal vaccination, since they are generally regarded as safe bacteria able to elicit both systemic and mucosal immune responses. In this work, the N-terminal region of clade I PspA was constitutively expressed in Lactobacillus casei and the recombinant bacteria was tested as a mucosal vaccine in mice. Nasal immunization with L. casei-PspA 1 induced anti-PspA antibodies that were able to bind to pneumococcal strains carrying both clade 1 and clade 2 PspAs and to induce complement deposition on the surface of the bacteria. In addition, an increase in survival of immunized mice after a systemic challenge with a virulent pneumococcal strain was observed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil from Croton heterocalyx Baill. (Euphorbiaceae s.s.) Leaves

The chemical composition and the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from Croton heterocalyx leaves were evaluated. The oil which was analyzed by GC and GUMS was found to contain germacrene D (12.5%), bicyclogermacrene (11.2%), delta-elemene (9.2%) beta-elemene (8.2%), spathulenol (6.9%), linalool (5.4%) and 1,8-cineole (3.7%) its major components. Croton. heterocalyx oil displayed a high inhibitory activity against the fungi Aspergillus niger (16404) and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231.) as well its the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), hut a very weak activity was observed for the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027).

All solid-state electrochromic devices with gelatin-based electrolyte

6 x 8cm(2) electrochromic devices (ECDs) with the configuration K-glass/EC-layer/electrotype/ion-storage (IS) layer/K-glass, have been assembled using Nb2O5:Mo EC layers, a (CeO2)(0.81)-TiO2 IS-layer and a new gelatin electrolyte containing Li+ ions. The structure of the electrolyte is X-ray amorphous. Its ionic conductivity passed by a maximum of 1.5 x 10(-5) S/CM for a lithium concentration of 0.3g/15ml. The value increases with temperature and follows an Arrhenius law with an activation energy of 49.5 kJ/mol. All solid-state devices show a reversible gray coloration, a long-term stability of more than 25,000 switching cycles (+/- 2.0 V/90 s), a transmission change at 550 nm between 60% (bleached state) and 40% (colored state) corresponding to a change of the optical density (Delta OD = 0. 15) with a coloration efficiency increasing from 10cm(2)/C (initial cycle) to 23cm(2)/C (25,000th cycle). (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gelatin-based protonic electrolyte for electrochromic windows

Proton-conducting gel polymer electrolytes based on gelatin plasticized with glycerol and containing acetic acid were investigated, characterized, and applied to electrochromic window. For glycerol contents varying from 7% to 48%, the conductivity of the uniform and predominantly amorphous gel electrolyte was found to follow a Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher behavior with the temperature. Typically, for the electrolyte chosen to make 7 x 2 cm(2) electrochromic smart window with the configuration: glass/fluor-doped tin oxide (FTO)/WO(3)/gelatin electrolyte/CeO(2)-TiO(2)/FTO/glass and containing 28% of glycerol, the conductivities were found to be of the order of 5 x 10(-5) S/cm at room temperature and 3.6 x 10(-4) S/cm at 80 A degrees C. The device was characterized by spectroelectrochemical techniques and was tested up to 10,000 cycles showing a fast coloring/bleaching behavior, where the coloring process was achieved in 10 s and the bleaching in 2 s. The transmission variation at the wavelength of 550 nm was about 15%. The cyclic voltammograms showed a very good reversibility of the cathodic/anodic processes, and the charge density was about 3.5 mC/cm(2). The memory tests showed that the transmittance in the colored state increased by 8% in 90 min after removing the potential.

Leakage current, ferroelectric and structural properties in Pb(1-x)Ba(x)TiO(3) thin films prepared by chemical route

Single-phase perovskite structure Pb(1-x)Ba(x)TiO(3) thin films (x = 0.30, 0.50 and 0.70) were deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO(2)/Si substrates by the spin-coating technique. The dielectric study reveals that the thin films undergo a diffuse type ferroelectric phase transition, which shows a broad peak. An increase of the diffusivity degree with the increasing Barium contents was observed, and it was associated to a grain decrease in the studied composition range. The temperature dependence of the phonon frequencies was used to characterize the phase transition temperatures. Raman modes persist above tetragonal to cubic phase transition temperature, although all optical modes should be Raman inactive. The origin of these modes was interpreted in terms of breakdown of the local cubic symmetry by chemical disorder. The absence of a well-defined transition temperature and the presence of broad bands in some interval temperature above FE-PE phase transition temperature Suggested a diffuse type phase transition. This result corroborates the dielectric constant versus temperature data, which showed a broad ferroelectric phase transition in these thin films. The leakage Current density of the PBT thin films was studied at different temperatures and the data follow the Schottky emission model. Through this analysis the Schottky barrier height values 0.75, 0.53 and 0.34 eV were obtained to the PBT70, PBT50 and PBT30 thin films, respectively. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Removal of phenol in high salinity media by a hybrid process (activated sludge plus photocatalysis)

The degradation of phenol by a hybrid process (activated sludge + photocatalysis) in a high salinity medium (50 g L-1 of chloride) has been investigated. The sludge used from a municipal wastewater facility was adapted to the high salt concentrations prior to use. The photocatalytic conditions were optimized by means of a factorial experimental design. TiO2 P25 from Degussa was used as the photocatalyst. The initial phenol concentration was approximately 200 mg L-1 and complete removal of phenol and a mineralization degree above 98% were achieved within 25 h of treatment (24 h of biological treatment and I h of photocatalysis). From HPLC analyses, five hydroxylated intermediates formed during oxidation have been identified. The main ones were catechol and hydroquinone, followed by 1,2,4-benzenetriol, 2-hydroxy- 1,4-benzoquinone, and pyrogallol, in this order. No formation of organochlorine compounds was observed. Therefore, the proposed hybrid process showed itself to be suited to treat phenol in the presence of high contents of salt. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thiosemicarbazones, semicarbazones, dithiocarbazates and hydrazide/hydrazones: Anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis activity and cytotoxicity

The aim of this study was to identify a candidate drug for the development of anti-tuberculosis therapy from previously synthesized compounds based on the thiosemicarbazones, semicarbazones, dithio-carbazates and hydrazide/hydrazones compounds. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of these compounds against Mycobacterium tuberculosis was determined. Their in vitro cytotoxicity to J774 cells (IC(50)) was determined to establish a selectivity index (SI) (SI = IC(50)/MIC). The best compounds were the thiosemicarbazones (2, 3 and 4) and the hydrazide/hydrazones (14, 15, 16 and 18). The results are comparable to or better than those of ""first line"" or ""second line"" drugs commonly used to treat TB, suggesting these compounds as anti-TB drug candidates. (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Ruthenium (II) phosphine/picolinate complexes as antimycobacterial agents

The synthesis, characterization and the anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) activities of three ruthenium complexes containing the 2-pyridinecarboxylic acid anion (picolinate), with formulae cis-[Ru(pic)(dppm)(2)]PF(6) (1), Cis- [Ru(pic)(dppe)(2)]PF(6) (2) and [Ru(pic)(2)(PPh(3))(2)] (3) [pic = 2-pyridinecarboxylate; dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane: dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane; PPh(3) = triphenylphosphine] are reported in this article. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. Their in vitro anti mycobacterial activity was determinated as the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for MTB cell growth, measured by the REMA method. The best MICs were found for complexes (1) and (2), with values of 0.78 and 0.26 mu g/mL, respectively. The results are comparable to or better than ""first line"" or ""second line"" drugs commonly used in the treatment of TB. (C) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Studies toward the structural optimization of novel thiazolylhydrazone-based potent antitrypanosomal agents

In previous studies, we identified promising anti-Trypanosoma cruzi cruzain inhibitors based on thiazolylhydrazones. To optimize this series, a number of medicinal chemistry directions were explored and new thiazolylhydrazones and thiosemicarbazones were thus synthesized. Potent cruzain inhibitors were identified, such as thiazolylhydrazones 3b and 3j, which exhibited IC(50) of 200-400 nM. Furthermore, molecular docking studies showed concordance with experimentally derived structure-activity relationships (SAR) data. In the course of this work, lead compounds exhibiting in vitro activity against both the epimastigote and trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi were identified and in vivo general toxicity analysis was subsequently performed. Novel SAR were documented, including the importance of the thiocarbonyl carbon attached to the thiazolyl ring and the direct comparison between thiosemicarbazones and thiazolylhydrazones. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Discovery of Phthalimides as Immunomodulatory and Antitumor Drug Prototypes

Brazilian National Council of Research (CNPq)[471834/2006-8]

Avaliação da qualidade de vida dos funcionários do cartório do 1º Ofício da cidade de Diamantino-MT através do questionário SF-36

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar a qualidade de vida dos funcionários do Cartório de 1º Ofício da cidade de Diamantino, em Mato Grosso. Foi utilizada a versão brasileira do Short Form-36 (SF-36) em dez funcionários do Cartório de 1º Ofício, que colaboraram voluntariamente para a coleta da análise dos dados do questionário. O estudo obteve a análise dos oito domínios do escore do SF-36, onde pôde ser observado que o primeiro domínio, relativo à capacidade funcional, foi aquele que apresentou o maior escore, enquanto os demais domínios (D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7 e D8), respectivamente relacionados à saúde mental, também estão acima da metade do valor máximo esperado no escore do SF-36. O questionário SF-36 foi um instrumento adequado, de aplicação relativamente rápida e de fácil uso para a avaliação da qualidade de vida dos funcionários do Cartório de 1º Ofício, pois, na amostra estudada, os oito domínios apresentaram resultado médio entre 51,9 (menor escore = domínio 4) e 71,8 (maior escore = domínio 1).

Fatores de qualidade percebidos pelos discentes do curso de Administração de IES Municipais do Grande ABC

As demandas do cenário competitivo do século XXI obrigam empresas a criar estratégias de marketing que lhes proporcionem vantagens competitivas para atender ao mercado. A educação não tem se mantido alheia a estas mudanças. Em alguns estudos realizados, autores entendem que a mensuração da qualidade do serviço depende das percepções dos consumidores e são relativas às suas expectativas. Recentemente foi realizado estudo exploratório em universidades privadas de São Paulo, através de testes estatísticos multivariados dividido em etapas: análise fatorial exploratória, análise fatorial confirmatória e modelagem estrutural. O estudo validou a escala para mensuração dos construtos e verificou a existência de relação causal entre eles. Assim sendo, o interesse na reaplicação do modelo levou a pesquisar as Instituições de Ensino Superior, IES, Municipais do Grande ABC. O estudo visou verificar a existência de relação causal entre os construtos endógenos e exógenos e identificar a percepção do papel do professor na qualidade dos serviços recebidos. Através do Modelo de Equações Estruturais identificou-se algumas diferenças entre IES privadas e públicas, que revelam a qualidade do serviço recebido.

Obesidade infantil na WEB: páginas gordas de informação e magras de qualidade?

O trabalho busca mapear grandes portais de notícias e páginas destinadas especificamente ao público infantil para detectar a quantidade e qualidade das informações sobre o tema obesidade infantil que vêm sendo oferecidas na Web. Atualmente uma das principais fontes de informações para adultos e crianças digitalmente incluídas são os grandes portais, espaços nobres de notícias e fonte de consultas para trabalhos escolares e também de entretenimento. Como os referidos espaços de consulta tendem a ter acesso democratizado com a adoção da informática nas escolas públicas, o presente trabalho quer identificar o que vem sendo oferecido sobre um dos males que mais aflige as crianças: a obesidade infantil.

Gestão de pessoas nas empresas do setor sucroalcooleiro Sul-Mato-Grossense

Dissertação apresentada ao Programa de Pós-graduação em Administração da Universidade Municipal de São Caetano do Sul

Qualidade de vida no trabalho para pessoas com deficiências: estude de caso numa montadora de automóveis

A implantação da lei 8.213 (BRASIL, 1991) contribuiu significativamente para o aumento da participação de Pessoas com Deficiência (PCD) nas empresas e inseriu a questão da diversidade nos programas de qualidade de vida no trabalho (QVT). Porém, pouco se sabe sobre a efetividade dos programas de QVT. Este artigo se baseou em um estudo empírico em uma empresa multinacional automobilística situada na Região do ABC, com 720 PCDs. Os resultados da pesquisa mostram indícios de que a QVT é viável nas organizações e pode proporcionar a satisfação em PCDs sob o atual contexto da diversidade no ambiente de trabalho.