Redox regulation of the proteasome via S-glutathionylation

The proteasome is a multimeric and multicatalytic intracellular protease responsible for the degradation of proteins involved in cell cycle control, various signaling processes, antigen presentation, and control of protein synthesis. The central catalytic complex of the proteasome is called the 20S core particle. The majority of these are flanked on one or both sides by regulatory units. Most common among these units is the 19S regulatory unit. When coupled to the 19S unit, the complex is termed the asymmetric or symmetric 26S proteasome depending on whether one or both sides are coupled to the 19S unit, respectively. The 26S proteasome recognizes poly-ubiquitinylated substrates targeted for proteolysis. Targeted proteins interact with the 19S unit where they are deubiquitinylated, unfolded, and translocated to the 20S catalytic chamber for degradation. The 26S proteasome is responsible for the degradation of major proteins involved in the regulation of the cellular cycle, antigen presentation and control of protein synthesis. Alternatively, the proteasome is also active when dissociated from regulatory units. This free pool of 20S proteasome is described in yeast to mammalian cells. The free 20S proteasome degrades proteins by a process independent of poly-ubiquitinylation and ATP consumption. Oxidatively modified proteins and other substrates are degraded in this manner. The 20S proteasome comprises two central heptamers (β-rings) where the catalytic sites are located and two external heptamers (α-rings) that are responsible for proteasomal gating. Because the 20S proteasome lacks regulatory units, it is unclear what mechanisms regulate the gating of α-rings between open and closed forms. In the present review, we discuss 20S proteasomal gating modulation through a redox mechanism, namely, S-glutathionylation of cysteine residues located in the α-rings, and the consequence of this post-translational modification on 20S proteasomal function.

Preserve and protect in a science museum

Reflections on the university campus usually focus on its relevancy as a research and teaching area; however, the need for preservation, protection, maintenance and cleaning only become visible in the event of inadequacy or lack thereof. The aim of this study is to address the characteristics of the preservation and security measures performed at the Science and Technology Park of the University of São Paulo (Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia da Universidade de São Paulo), agency subjected to the Dean’s Office for Culture and University Extension (Pró-Reitoria de Cultura e Extensão Universitária). Because of its history and location, the Park requires special care. The Park’s land formerly housed the Astronomical Observatory of São Paulo and the Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics of the University of São Paulo (Instituto de Astronomia e Geofísica – IAG-USP), within the Fontes do Ipiranga State Park (Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga – PEFI), in the city of São Paulo. Preservation and reconversion activities relative to historical buildings are developed at the Park. The institution’s location and its specificities require security in its borders, as well as in relation to the users of the park.

Spectroscopic investigation and heat generation of Yb3+/Ho3+ codoped aluminosilicate glasses looking for the emission at 2 μm

Energy transfer (ET) and heat generation processes in Yb3+/Ho3+-codoped low-silica calcium aluminosilicate glasses were investigated using thermal lens (TL) and photoluminescence measurements looking for the emission around 2.0 μm. Stepwise ET processes from Yb3+ to Ho3+, upon excitation at 0.976 μm, produced highly efficient emission in the mid-infrared range at around 2.0 μm, with high fluorescence quantum efficiency (η1 ∼ 0.85 and independent of Ho3+ concentration) and relatively very low thermal loading (<0.4) for concentration up to 1.5% of Ho2O3. An equation was deduced for the description of the TL results that provided the absolute value of η1 and the number of emitted photons at 2.0 μm per absorbed pump photon by the Yb3+ ions, the latter reaching 60% for the highest Ho3+ concentration. These results suggest that the studied codoped system would be a promising candidate for the construction of photonic devices, especially for medical applications.

Theoretical and experimental studies on the electronic, optical, and structural properties of poly-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid films

A theoretical approach is used here to explain experimental results obtained from the electrosynthesis of polypyrrole-2-carboxylic acid (PPY-2-COOH) films in nonaqueous medium. An analysis of the Fukui function (reactivity index) indicates that the monomer (pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid, PY-2-COOH), and dimers and trimers are oxidized in the C4 or C5 positions of the heterocyclic ring of the PY-2-COOH structure. After calculating the heat of formation using semiempirical Austin Model 1 post-Hartree-Fock parameterization for dimer species, both C4 and C5 positions adjacent to the aromatic rings of PPY-2-COOH were considered the most susceptible ones to oxidative coupling reactions. The ZINDO-S/CI semiempirical method was used to simulate the electronic transitions typically seen in the UV-VIS-NIR range in monomer and oligomers with different conjugation lengths. The use of an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance provides sufficient information to propose a polymerization mechanism of PY-2-COOH based on molecular modeling and experimental results.

Photoluminescence of core-shell nanoparticles made from yttrium stabilized zirconia powder grain coated with alumina

A YSZ@Al2O3 nanocomposite was obtained by Al2O3 coating on the surface of yttrium stabilized zirconia via a polymeric precursor method. The resulting core–shell structures were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electronic microscopy and PL spectra. The TEM micrographs clearly show a homogeneous Al2O3 shell around the ZrO2 core. The observed PL is related to surface–interface defects. Such novel technologies can, in principle, explore materials which are not available in the bulk single crystal form but their figure-of-merit is dramatically dependent on the surface–interface defect states.

Effect of a polymeric protective coating on optical and electrical properties of poly (p-phenylene vinylene) derivatives

The resistance to photodegradation of poly [(2-methoxy-5-n-hexyloxy)-p-phenylene vinylene] (OC1OC6-PPV) films was significantly enhanced by the use of poly(vinyl alcohol) 99% hydrolyzed as protective coating. The deposition of poly(vinyl alcohol) onto OC1OC6-PPV films did not affect the absorption and the emission spectra of the luminescent polymer. The protected film showed 5% drop on the absorbance at 500nm after 270 hours of light exposure while the unprotected film completely degraded in the same conditions. The conductivity of the protected film remained stable (around 7 × 10-10 S/m) while the value for the unprotected one dropped around two orders of magnitude after 100 hours of light exposure.

Synthesis and photovoltaic performance of a fluorene-bithiophene copolymer

We present the synthesis of a copolymer structure, poly(9,9′-n-di-hexyl-2,7-fluorene-alt-2,5- bithiophene), referred to herein as LaPPS43, and its physico-chemical characterization. Thin films of this polymer mixed with phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) were used as the active layer in photovoltaic devices using the ITO/PEDOT:PSS/LaPPS43: PCBM/Ca/Al bulk heterojunction structure. The devices of different active layer thicknesses were electrically studied using J-V curves and the Photo-Celiv technique. The obtained results show that LaPPS43 combined with PCBM is a promising system for photovoltaic devices. Device performance is discussed in terms of the mean drift distance x for charge carriers. Photophysical data showed that the excitonic species are all localized in the aggregated forms. The mechanism of exciton formation and dissociation is also discussed.

Understanding the solid forms of 5E-phenylethenylbenzofuroxan with different in vivo anti-T. cruzi activity

5E-Phenylethenylbenzofuroxan (5PhEBfx) was reported as an excellent anti-Chagas drug candidate. However, its oral bioavailability was affected by the crystallization process. Two samples exhibiting variable in vivo activity was investigated: a thin yellow powder (5PhEBfx-Y) and orange needles (5PhEBfx-O). X-ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, vibrational spectroscopy, optical and electron scanning microscopies were applied to investigate both solid forms in order to correlate the solid-state properties with the variable bioavailability of 5PhEBfx. It was observed that 5PhEBfx-Y have a better solubility and consequently higher bioavailability when compared with 5PhEBfx-O. This result suggests that the difference of activity between these two 5E-Phenylethenylbenzofuroxanes could be associated with the solid forms, which also cause the coloration variation.

Projeto de pesquisa : Jogos esportivos e emoções: um estudo piloto com alunos do primeiro ano do curso de educação física da USFM, Brasil

A presente investigação considera a emoção como uma reação vital da vida ante um estímulo externo ou interno, ou seja, que a vida se faz presente através da emoção, seja qual for o desencadeante. E entende o jogo esportivo, como um processo ativo gerador de ações motrizes. Esta pesquisa está direcionada ao estudo das emoções propostas por Bisquerra manifestadas nas distintas classes dos jogos esportivos a partir do sistema de classificação de Pierre Parlebas. O presente projeto faz parte de uma das ações do projeto Juegos Deportivos y Emociones do GREJE (Grupo de Investigação de Jogos Desportivos) vinculado ao Instituto Nacional de Educação Física, Centro de Lleida, Espanha, coordenado pelo professor Pere Lavega Burgués. A pesquisa está caracterizada como um estudo piloto centrado na adequação e aprimoramento de aspectos metodológicos dessa pesquisa internacional que vem sendo realizada em outro universo cultural. Aspectos metodológicos serão conferidos desde sua tradução até a aplicação da pesquisa a um grupo de universitários do Curso de Educação Física da UFSM. Ao final do estudo piloto a pesquisa irá apresentar todos os passos metodológicos, devidamente testados e redimensionados para o contexto social brasileiro, resultando assim e um didático material para preparação de pesquisadores quer irão aplicar o estudo no contexto Brasileiro, neste momento, UFSM, UNICAMP, UNESP-Bauru e UFSCAR

Interface de recuperación para catálogos en línea con salidas ordenadas por probable relevancia

Se presenta el desarrollo de una interface de recuperación de información para catálogos en línea de acceso público (plataforma CDS/ISIS), basada en el concepto de similaridad para generar los resultados de una búsqueda ordenados por posible relevancia. Se expresan los fundamentos teóricos involucrados, para luego detallar la forma en que se efectuó su aplicación tecnológica, explícita a nivel de programación. Para finalizar se esbozan los problemas de implementación según el entorno

Análisis de citación y de redes sociales para el estudio del uso de revistas en centros de investigación. Un aporte al desarrollo de colecciones

Se presenta en este trabajo una aproximación metodológica al estudio de uso de revistas por parte de investigadores. Integrando la técnica de Análisis de Citaciones (AC) y de Análisis de Redes Sociales (ARS) se elaboran mapas bibliométricos que aportan capacidad de síntesis de información compleja. Se estima que su utilización en la evaluación de colecciones aportaría información valiosa para la distribución equitativa de los recursos económicos destinados a la compra de títulos, y para la optimización de su disponibilidad y acceso.

Interface de recuperación para catálogos en línea con salidas ordenadas por probable relevancia

Se presenta el desarrollo de una interface de recuperación de información para catálogos en línea de acceso público (plataforma CDS/ISIS), basada en el concepto de similaridad para generar los resultados de una búsqueda ordenados por posible relevancia. Se expresan los fundamentos teóricos involucrados, para luego detallar la forma en que se efectuó su aplicación tecnológica, explícita a nivel de programación. Para finalizar se esbozan los problemas de implementación según el entorno

Análisis de citación y de redes sociales para el estudio del uso de revistas en centros de investigación. Un aporte al desarrollo de colecciones

Se presenta en este trabajo una aproximación metodológica al estudio de uso de revistas por parte de investigadores. Integrando la técnica de Análisis de Citaciones (AC) y de Análisis de Redes Sociales (ARS) se elaboran mapas bibliométricos que aportan capacidad de síntesis de información compleja. Se estima que su utilización en la evaluación de colecciones aportaría información valiosa para la distribución equitativa de los recursos económicos destinados a la compra de títulos, y para la optimización de su disponibilidad y acceso.

Projeto de pesquisa : Jogos esportivos e emoções: um estudo piloto com alunos do primeiro ano do curso de educação física da USFM, Brasil

A presente investigação considera a emoção como uma reação vital da vida ante um estímulo externo ou interno, ou seja, que a vida se faz presente através da emoção, seja qual for o desencadeante. E entende o jogo esportivo, como um processo ativo gerador de ações motrizes. Esta pesquisa está direcionada ao estudo das emoções propostas por Bisquerra manifestadas nas distintas classes dos jogos esportivos a partir do sistema de classificação de Pierre Parlebas. O presente projeto faz parte de uma das ações do projeto Juegos Deportivos y Emociones do GREJE (Grupo de Investigação de Jogos Desportivos) vinculado ao Instituto Nacional de Educação Física, Centro de Lleida, Espanha, coordenado pelo professor Pere Lavega Burgués. A pesquisa está caracterizada como um estudo piloto centrado na adequação e aprimoramento de aspectos metodológicos dessa pesquisa internacional que vem sendo realizada em outro universo cultural. Aspectos metodológicos serão conferidos desde sua tradução até a aplicação da pesquisa a um grupo de universitários do Curso de Educação Física da UFSM. Ao final do estudo piloto a pesquisa irá apresentar todos os passos metodológicos, devidamente testados e redimensionados para o contexto social brasileiro, resultando assim e um didático material para preparação de pesquisadores quer irão aplicar o estudo no contexto Brasileiro, neste momento, UFSM, UNICAMP, UNESP-Bauru e UFSCAR

Agricultura e maricultura familiares : Um recorte de gênero

Este texto tem por objetivo apresentar uma das vertentes mais significativas de nosso grupo de pesquisa, qual seja, o cruzamento entre questoes de gênero e agricultura e maricultura familiares. A coordenadora do grupo, Profa. Maria Ignez Paulilo, já vinha trabalhando com o tema "gênero e agricultura familiar" desde a década de 1970, pesquisando e orientando trabalhos tanto junto à graduaçao quanto à pós-graduaçao. Em 1997, foi formado um grupo de pesquisa junto ao CNPq, intitulado "Agricultura Familiar: Resistência, Diferenciaçao e Reestruturaçao". Posteriormente, em 1998, formou-se também um núcleo de pesquisa - Núcleo de Estudos sobre Agricultura Familiar - NAF, ligado ao Departamento de Sociologia e Ciência Política da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. A consolidaçao efetiva do núcleo se deu com a participaçao deste no Plano Sul de Pesquisa, programa iniciado pelo CNPq com o apoio das fundaçoes estaduais de pesquisa. No nosso caso, a Fundaçao de Ciência e Tecnologia de Santa Catarina - FUNCITEC, hoje Fundaçao de Apoio à Pesquisa Científica e Tecnológica do Estado de Santa Catarina - FAPESC.