Oral status and Candida colonization in patients with Sjogren`s Syndrome

Objective: To determine the oral status, salivary flow rate, Candida carriage in saliva, and prevalence of Candida albicans colonization in several areas of the mouth in patients with primary and secondary Sjogren`s syndrome as opposed to those of healthy subjects. Study design: Thirty-seven patients with Sjogren`s syndrome (SS), [14 patients with primary SS (SS-1) and 23 patients with secondary SS (SS-2)], along with 37 healthy controls were examined in regard to number of teeth, pro-bing pocket depth (PPD), approximal plaque index (API), bleeding on probing (BOP), presence of prosthetic appliances and smoking habits. Salivary flow rate (SFR), Candida carriage in saliva, presence of Candida albicans colonization on buccal, angular, palatal and sulcular areas, on dentures and on the tongue`s dorsal surface were determined. Statistical analyses were performed using the 2-tailed Fisher exact and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between SS-1 and SS-2 groups based on the parameters analysed. Statistically significant differences were observed between patients with SS and healthy subjects in terms of SFR, oral signs and symptoms, API, BOP, C. albicans colonization on tongue and buccal area, and Candida carriage in saliva. In the gingival crevicular fluid positive C. albicans colonization was found in only one subject of SS subgroup. Conclusions: SS patients carry a higher risk of having periodontitis and are more predisposed to develop candidiasis. C. albicans is scarcely detected in gingival crevicular fluid despite high scores on C. albicans colonization in different areas of the oral cavity in SS patients.

Anesthetic efficacy of inferior alveolar nerve block plus buccal infiltration or periodontal ligament injections with articaine in patients with irreversible pulpitis in the mandibular first molar

Objective. We compared the anesthetic efficacy of inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) plus buccal infiltration (BI) and IANB plus periodontal ligament (PDL) articaine injections in patients with irreversible pulpitis in the mandibular first molar. Study design. Fifty-seven volunteers, patients with irreversible pulpitis in the mandibular first molar admitted to the Department of Stomatology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, randomly received conventional IANB, containing 1.7 mL 4% articaine/HCl with 1:100,000 epinephrine, plus either BI or PDL injections containing 0.4 mL articaine/HCl with 1: 100,000 epinephrine. The patients recorded the pain of the injections and endodontic access on a Heft-Parker visual analog scale (VAS). Results. According to the VAS scores, all patients experienced no or mild pain with BI and PDL injections after the application of IANB. Anesthetic success occurred in 81.48% for IANB plus BI (IANB/BI) compared with 83.33% for IANB plus PDL injection (IANB/PDL injection). None of the observed differences between the 2 groups was significant (P > .05). Conclusion. Both injection combinations resulted in high anesthetic success in patients with irreversible pulpitis in the mandibular first molar. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2009;108:e89-e93)

The relationship between leaf water potential and stem diameter in sorghum

Leaf water potential (psi (l)) represents a good indicator of the water status of plants, and continuous monitoring of it can be useful in research and field applications such as scheduling irrigation. Changes in stem diameter (Sd) were used for monitoring psi (l) of pot-grown sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] plants in a glasshouse. This method requires occasional calibration of S-d values against psi (l). Predicted values of psi (l), based on a single calibration show a good correlation with measured psi (l), values over a period of 13 d before and after the calibration. The correlation can further be improved with shorter time intervals.

Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase and ATM and Rad3 related kinase mediate phosphorylation of Brca1 at distinct and overlapping sites - In vivo assessment using phospho-specific antibodies

Recent studies have provided evidence that breast cancer susceptibility gene products (Brca1 and Brca2) suppress cancer, at least in part, by participating in DNA damage signaling and DNA repair. Brca1 is hyperphosphorylated in response to DNA damage and co-localizes with Rad51, a protein involved in homologous-recombination, and Nbs1.Mre11.Rad50, a complex required for both homologous-recombination and nonhomologous end joining repair of damaged DNA. Here, we report that there is a qualitative difference in the phosphorylation states of Brca1 between ionizing radiation (IR) and UV radiation. Brca1 is phosphorylated at Ser-1423 and Ser-1524 after IR and W; however, Ser-1387 is specifically phosphorylated after IR, and Ser-1457 is predominantly phosphorylated after W. These results suggest that different types of DNA-damaging agents might signal to Brca1 in different ways. We also provide evidence that the rapid phosphorylation of Brca1 at Ser-1423 and Ser-1524 after IR (but not after W) is largely ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase-dependent. The overexpression of catalytically inactive ATM and Rad3 related (ATR) kinase inhibited the UV-induced phosphorylation of Brca1 at these sites, indicating that ATR controls Brca1 phosphorylation in vivo after the exposure of cells to UV light. Moreover, ATR associates with Brca1; ATR and Brca1 foci co-localize both in cells synchronized in S phase and after exposure of cells to DNA-damaging agents. ATR can itself phosphorylate the region of Brca1 phosphorylated by ATM (Ser-Gln cluster in the C terminus of Brca1, amino acids 1241-1530), However, there are additional uncharacterized ATR phosphorylation site(s) between residues 521 and 757 of Brca1, Taken together, our results support a model in which ATM and ATR act in parallel but somewhat overlapping pathways of DNA damage signaling but respond primarily to different types of DNA lesion.

Chk1 regulates the S phase checkpoint by coupling the physiological turnover and ionizing radiation-induced accelerated proteolysis of Cdc25A

Chk1 kinase coordinates cell cycle progression and preserves genome integrity. Here, we show that chemical or genetic ablation of human Chk1 triggered supraphysiological accumulation of the S phase-promoting Cdc25A phosphatase, prevented ionizing radiation (IR)-induced degradation of Cdc25A, and caused radioresistant DNA synthesis (RDS). The basal turnover of Cdc25A operating in unperturbed S phase required Chk1-dependent phosphorylation of serines 123, 178, 278, and 292. IR-induced acceleration of Cdc25A proteolysis correlated with increased phosphate incorporation into these residues generated by a combined action of Chk1 and Chk2 kinases. Finally, phosphorylation of Chk1 by ATM was required to fully accelerate the IR-induced degradation of Cdc25A. Our results provide evidence that the mammalian S phase checkpoint functions via amplification of physiologically operating, Chk1-dependent mechanisms.

Ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) and NBS1-dependent phosphorylation of Chk1 on Ser-317 in response to ionizing radiation

In mammals, the ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated) and ATR (ATM and Rad3-related) protein kinases function as critical regulators of the cellular DNA damage response. The checkpoint functions of ATR and ATM are mediated, in part, by a pair of checkpoint effector kinases termed Chk1 and Chk2. In mammalian cells, evidence has been presented that Chk1 is devoted to the ATR signaling pathway and is modified by ATR in response to replication inhibition and UV-induced damage, whereas Chk2 functions primarily through ATM in response to ionizing radiation (IR), suggesting that Chk2 and Chk1 might have evolved to channel the DNA damage signal from ATM and ATR, respectively. We demonstrate here that the ATR-Chk1 and ATM-Chk2 pathways are not parallel branches of the DNA damage response pathway but instead show a high degree of cross-talk and connectivity. ATM does in fact signal to Chk1 in response to IR. Phosphorylation of Chk1 on Ser-317 in response to IR is ATM-dependent. We also show that functional NBS1 is required for phosphorylation of Chk1, indicating that NES1 might facilitate the access of Chk1 to ATM at the sites of DNA damage. Abrogation of Chk1 expression by RNA interference resulted in defects in IR-induced S and G2/M phase checkpoints; however, the overexpression of phosphorylation site mutant (S317A, S345A or S317A/S345A double mutant) Chk1 failed to interfere with these checkpoints. Surprisingly, the kinase-dead Chk1 (D130A) also failed to abrogate the S and G2 checkpoint through any obvious dominant negative effect toward endogenous Chk1. Therefore, further studies will be required to assess the contribution made by phosphorylation events to Chk1 regulation. Overall, the data presented in the study challenge the model in which Chk1 only functions downstream from ATR and indicate that ATM does signal to Chk1. In addition, this study also demonstrates that Chk1 is essential for IR-induced inhibition of DNA synthesis and the G2/M checkpoint.

Purification and characterisation of functional early pregnancy factor expressed in Sf9 insect cells and in Escherichia coli

Early pregnancy factor (EPF) is a secreted protein with growth regulatory and immunomodulatory properties. It is an extracellular form of the mitochondrial matrix protein chaperonin 10 (Cpn10), a molecular chaperone. An understanding of the mechanism of action of EPF and an exploration of therapeutic potential has been limited by availability of purified material. The present study was undertaken to develop a simple high-yielding procedure for preparation of material for structure/function studies, which could be scaled up for therapeutic application. Human EPF was expressed in Sf9 insect cells by baculovirus infection and in Escherichia coli using a heat inducible vector. A modified molecule with an additional N-terminal alanine was also expressed in E coli. The soluble protein was purified from cell lysates via anion exchange (negative-binding mode), cation exchange, and hydrophobic interaction chromatography, yielding similar to42 and 36 mg EPF from 300 ml bacterial and I L Sf9 cultures, respectively. The preparations were highly purified ( greater than or equal to99% purity on SDS-PAGE for the bacterial products and greater than or equal to97% for that of insect cells) and had the expected mass and heptameric structure under native conditions, as determined by mass spectrometry and gel permeation chromatography, respectively. All recombinant preparations exhibited activity in the EPF bioassay, the rosette inhibition test, with similar potency both to each other and to the native molecule. In two in vivo assays of immuno suppressive activity, the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, the insect cell and modified bacterial products, both with N-terminal additions (acetylation or amino acid), exhibited similar levels of suppressive activity, but the bacterial product with no N-terminal modification had no effect in either assay. Studies by others have shown that N-terminal addition is not necessary for Cpn10 activity. By defining techniques for facile production of molecules with and without immunosuppressive properties, the present studies make it possible to explore mechanisms underlying the distinction between EPF and Cpn10 activity. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Implementação de um sistema de gestão da qualidadena Junta de Freguesia de Gandra

Trabalho de Projeto apresentado ao Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Auditoria Orientado por: Doutora Alcina Augusta de Sena Portugal Dias

Cobalt complexes with pyrazole ligands as catalyst precursors for the peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane: Z-ray absorption spectroscopy studies and biological applications

[CoCl(-Cl)(Hpz(Ph))(3)](2) (1) and [CoCl2(Hpz(Ph))(4)] (2) were obtained by reaction of CoCl2 with HC(pz(Ph))(3) and Hpz(Ph), respectively (Hpz(Ph)=3-phenylpyrazole). The compounds were isolated as air-stable solids and fully characterized by IR and far-IR spectroscopy, MS(ESI+/-), elemental analysis, cyclic voltammetry (CV), controlled potential electrolysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical studies showed that 1 and 2 undergo single-electron irreversible (CoCoIII)-Co-II oxidations and (CoCoI)-Co-II reductions at potentials measured by CV, which also allowed, in the case of dinuclear complex 1, the detection of electronic communication between the Co centers through the chloride bridging ligands. The electrochemical behavior of models of 1 and 2 were also investigated by density functional theory (DFT) methods, which indicated that the vertical oxidation of 1 and 2 (that before structural relaxation) affects mostly the chloride and pyrazolyl ligands, whereas adiabatic oxidation (that after the geometry relaxation) and reduction are mostly metal centered. Compounds 1 and 2 and, for comparative purposes, other related scorpionate and pyrazole cobalt complexes, exhibit catalytic activity for the peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone under mild conditions (room temperature, aqueous H2O2). Insitu X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies indicated that the species derived from complexes 1 and 2 during the oxidation of cyclohexane (i.e., Ox-1 and Ox-2, respectively) are analogous and contain a Co-III site. Complex 2 showed low invitro cytotoxicity toward the HCT116 colorectal carcinoma and MCF7 breast adenocarcinoma cell lines.

Web GIS to support irrigation management: a prototype for SAGRA network, Alentejo Portugal

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies

Filosofias da Qualidade (Quality Gurus) - desenvolvimento de uma cultura da qualidade na empresa

Artigo de síntese sobre alguns dos mais conceituados Especialistas da Qualidade.

ISO 9001:2015, Uma Oportunidade para o Reajustamento das Empresas no Sector Metalúrgico Metalomecânico

O pretexto da implementação de um Sistema de Gestão da Qualidade numa empresa de produção de fundos copados, constitui pretexto para provocar uma análise mais profunda e fundamentada do tema e objetivo para este projeto. Entender um conceito tão subjetivo como o de qualidade afigura-se como necessidade primária para o início da reflexão. Percorremos em seguida a história do conceito desde a Europa Medieval até à revolução na qualidade que acabaria por acontecer no Japão após a II Guerra Mundial. A qualidade como a entendemos hoje deve-se ainda a contributos de personalidades que identificaram vários métodos que surgiram ao longo do tempo e que foram melhorando o conceito, de entre as quais se referem três: William Deming, Joseph Moses Juran e Philip B. Crosby. Em seguida reflete-se acerca do impacto real da implementação da ISO 9000, recorrendo ao estudo de Olivier Boiral, que fornece uma aproximação bastante real dos benefícios da implementação de sistemas de gestão da qualidade. Ainda no segundo capítulo analisamos a importância do processo de certificação, concluindo que a tarefa extra de uma organização externa certificar o SGQ constitui indubitavelmente uma forma de manter o sistema rigoroso e disciplinado. No terceiro capítulo, “ISO 9001:2008 VERSUS ISO 9001:2015”, analisamos em detalhe as principais alterações da futura norma ISO 9001:2015 relativamente à iISO 9001:2008: introdução do “pensamento baseado no risco”; enfase dado à abordagem por processos; enfase dado à “gestão da mudança”; “gestão do conhecimento”; “direção estratégica”, integrando os sistemas de gestão e da qualidade; a determinação de que todas as normas que integram um sistema de gestão seguirão um novo formato, chamado “high-level structure” como definido no Anexo SL; e enfase ainda dado à consideração do feedback de todos os processos e stakeholders envolvidos. Seguidamente, no capítulo “Apresentação da “Empresa Lda””, apresenta-se a empresa alvo deste caso de estudo, uma indústria metalomecânica que fabrica fundos copados para o mercado nacional e internacional. Analisadas as principais alterações entre a atual e a futura norma, no capítulo “SGQ Proposto Assente na Futura Norma ISO 9001:2015” propõem-se alterações ao sistema já implementado anteriormente com base na aceitação da futura ISO 9001:2015 e alterações que esta prevê. Os processos e procedimentos que representem mais tempo e custo serão 6 identificados, assim como aqueles que poderão ser mais rapidamente adaptados para que o SGQ seja assim otimizado e mais adaptado aos recursos disponíveis. Para esta reflexão e desenvolvimento de uma nova estratégia recorre-se a vários instrumentos: estabelecem-se objetivos, efectua-se a análise SWOT, uma análise FMEA, a Análise de Gestão do Conhecimento e finalmente a Análise das Partes Interessadas. Em conjunto com as propostas de ações referidas nas análises anteriores descrevem-se de seguida as propostas de ação de intervenção nos fluxogramas. Os processos e procedimentos que aqui se destacam são aqueles que se consideram poderem constituir impacto eficaz e que vão ao encontro daquilo que é proposto na nova norma ISO 9001:2015, tendo em conta as principais alterações vistas anteriormente.