On the numerical computation of the Mittag-Leffler function

Recently simple limiting functions establishing upper and lower bounds on the Mittag-Leffler function were found. This paper follows those expressions to design an efficient algorithm for the approximate calculation of expressions usual in fractional-order control systems. The numerical experiments demonstrate the superior efficiency of the proposed method.

Defective protein folding and function in metabolic disorders: studies on the mitochondrial flavoenzyme ETF

Dissertation presented to obtain the PhD degree in Biochemistry at the Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Unravelling novel modes of antimicrobial action

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry at the Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa

The ubiquitin editing enzyme A20 maintains immune homeostasis and prevents autoimmunity

Dissertation presented to obtain the Doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in Biology at Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica da Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Transglutaminases do mosquito Anopheles gambiae: Caracterização genética, bioquímica e funcional durante a infecção por Plasmodium berghei

A malária constitui um problema de saúde pública, que tem vindo a agravar-se, sendo crescente a necessidade de estratégias renovadas para o seu controlo, como a interrupção do ciclo esporogónico. Deste modo, é essencial compreender as respostas imunológicas de Anopheles anti-Plasmodium. Demonstrou-se anteriormente, que a inibição de transglutaminases, enzimas que participam em vários processos biológicos ao catalisarem a formação de ligações covalentes entre péptidos, agrava a infecção em mosquitos pelo parasita. O presente trabalho tem por objectivo caracterizar as transglutaminases AGAP009098 e AGAP009100 de Anopheles gambiae. Os métodos utilizados para este efeito foram: a sequenciação de regiões dos genes AGAP009098 e AGAP009100; a clonagem molecular de fragmentos da região codificante do gene AGAP009098, usando o vector plasmídico pET–28a(+) e Escherichia coli como sistema de expressão; e PCR em Tempo Real para analisar a expressão relativa dos genes AGAP009098 e AGAP009100 nos diferentes os estádios de desenvolvimento. AGAP009098 é expressa ubiquamente e AGAP009100 a partir do estádio pupa. Estes resultados apontam para a conclusão de que AGAP009098 e AGAP009100 poderão desempenhar funções em processos biológicos relevantes, por exemplo na defesa imunitária, ou no desenvolvimento. Os péptidos recombinantes, obtidos a partir da clonagem com sucesso de fragmentos da região codificante do gene AGAP009098, constituem uma ferramenta importante para averiguar a função destas TGases, no futuro.

Immune responses induced by a Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis recombinant antigen in mice and lymphocytes from vaccinated subjects

In the search for Leishmania recombinant antigens that can be used as a vaccine against American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, we identified a Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis recombinant protein of 33 kD (Larp33) which is recognized by antibodies and peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) from subjects vaccinated with Leishvacin ®, Larp33 was expressed in Escherichia coli after cloning of a 2,2 kb Sau3A digested genomic fragment of L. (L.) amazonensis into the pDS56-6 His vector. Immunoblotting analysis indicated that Larp33 corresponds to an approximately 40-kD native protein expressed in promastigotes of L.(L.) amazonensis and L. (Viannia) braziliensis. Northern blots of total RNA also demonstrated that the gene coding for this protein is expressed in promastigotes of the major lineages of Leishmania causing American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Larp33 induced partial protection in susceptible mouse strains (BALB/c and C57BL/10) against L. (L.) amazonensis after vaccination using Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) as adjuvant. In vitro stimulation of splenocytes from BALB/c protected mice with Larp33 elicited the secretion of IL-2 and IFN-g, suggesting that a Th1 cell-mediated protective response is associated with the resistance observed in these mice. As revealed by its immunogenic and antigenic properties, this novel recombinant antigen is a suitable candidate to compose a vaccine against cutaneous leishmaniasis

ANTIGENIC RELATEDNESS OF SELECTED FLAVIVIRUSES: STUDY WITH HOMOLOGOUS AND HETEROLOGOUS IMMUNE MOUSE ASCITIC FLUIDS

The antigenic relationship of 9 flaviviruses, Yellow fever (YF) , Wesselsbron (WSL) , Uganda S (UGS) , Potiskum (POT), West Nile (WN) , Banzi (BAN) , Zika (ZK) , Dengue type 1 (DEN-1) and Dengue type 2 (DEN-2), was assessed by cross-haemagglutination-inhibition (Cross-HI) and cross-complement fixation (Cross-CF) reactions between each of the viruses and their homologous immune mouse ascitic fluids. Titre ratios were calculated using the heterologous and homologous titres. Cross-CF reactions revealed wider antigenic variations among viruses than Cross-HI reactions. There was no significant antigenic variation between WSL, POT and YF viruses using either of those methods. However, definite differences in antigenicity were observed between them and UGS, BAN and ZK viruses. There were no significant differences between UGS, BAN and ZK or between DEN-1 and DEN-2. The serological relationship among flaviviruses is important in establishing diagnosis and epidemiology of these infections in Africa.

Constructing the National Canon in Ireland and Macedonia: The Function of Folklore in the Plays The Countess Cathleen and The Land of Heart’s Desire by William Butler Yeats, and Proud Flesh and The Black Hole by Goran Stefanovski and Their Role in Strengthening National Identity

Erasmus Mundus Masters “Crossways in European Humanities” June 2011

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii soluble antigen, SAG-1(p30), antibody and immune complex in the cerebrospinal fluid of HIV positive or negative individuals

Active infection by T. gondii was evaluated by immunoassay for soluble SAG-1 (p30), the major surface antigen from T. gondii, specific antibodies and immune complexes in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. A total of 263 samples of CSF were collected from hospitalized patients presenting neurological disorders and analyzed for antibodies to HIV. Patients were divided into two groups: HIV positive (n = 96) or HIV negative (n =167). The results of the assays showed that 45% of all samples were positive for soluble SAG-1. Toxoplasma Ag/Ab immune complexes were detected in 19% of the CSF samples and 62% were positive for T. gondii- specific IgG. A combination of these assays in the presence of clinical findings consistent with active Toxoplasma infection may predict the presence of toxoplasmic encephalitis. Moreover, detection of soluble SAG-1 in the CSF of these individuals appears consistent with active infection.

Proposal of abolition of the skin sensitivity test before equine rabies immune globulin application

An epizootic outbreak of rabies occurred in 1995 in Ribeirão Preto, SP, with 58 cases of animal rabies (54 dogs, 3 cats and 1 bat) confirmed by the Pasteur Institute of São Paulo, and one human death. The need to provide care to a large number of people for the application of equine rabies immune globulin (ERIG) prevented the execution of the skin sensitivity test (SST) and often also the execution of desensitization, procedures routinely used up to that time at the Emergency Unit of the University Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (EU-UHFMRP-USP), a reference hospital for the application of heterologous sera. In view of our positive experience of several years with the abolition of SST and of the use of premedication before the application of antivenom sera, we used a similar schedule for ERIG application. Of the 1489 victims of animal bites, 1054 (71%) received ERIG; no patient was submitted to SST and all received intravenously anti-histamines (anti-H1 + anti-H2) and corticosteroids before the procedure. The patients were kept under observation for 60 to 180 minutes and no adverse reaction was observed. On the basis of these results, since December 1995 ERIG application has been decentralized in Ribeirão Preto and has become the responsibility of the Emergency Unit of the University Hospital and the Central Basic Health Unit, where the same routine is used. Since then, 4216 patients have received ERIG (1818 at the Basic Health Unit and 2398 at the EU-UHFMRP), with no problems. The ideal would be the routine use of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) in public health programs, but this is problematic, because of their high cost. However, while this does not occur, the use of SST is no longer justified at the time of application of ERIG, in view of the clinical evidence of low predictive value and low sensitivity of SST involving the application of heterologous sera. It is very important to point out that a negative SST result may lead the health team to a feeling of false safety that no adverse reaction will occur, but this is not true for the anaphylactoid reactions. The decision to use premedication, which is based on knowledge about anaphylaxis and on the pharmacology of the medication used, is left to the judgment of health professionals, who should always be prepared for eventual untoward events.

Cavin 1 and cavin 2 roles on adipocyte cell function

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Genética Molecular e Biomedicina

Functional and therapeutical implications of ligand recognition by the scavenger-like lymphocyte receptors CD5 and CD6

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Genética Molecular e Biomedicina

Microglial clearance function: dependence on phenotypes

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Genética Molecular e Biomedicina