Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective effects of a hydroalcoholic extract from the leaves of Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) DC. in rodents

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Elevated serum folic acid concentrations were associated with higher mRNA expression of DHFR gene in patients with hereditary spherocytosis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Crescimento e produção do maracujazeiro amarelo, sob diferentes fontes e doses de fósforo em cobertura

Brazil is the largest world producer of yellow passion fruit, a fruit crop which is exigent in nutrients, although little studied in relation to phosphorus fertilizing, fundamental on plant establishment. An experiment was carried out during the period of March/2010 to April/2011 in Remigio County, Paraiba State, Brazil, in order to evaluate the vegetative and productive attributes of yellow passion fruit plants under different sources and doses of phosphorus. Treatments were distributed in randomized blocks in tree replications and twelve plants by plot using the factorial design 2 x 5 referring the sources of superphosphate triple and superphosphate simple at levels P2O5 of 0, 12, 18, 24 and 30 g cave(-1). The following variables were recorded: stem diameter, number of productive branches, number of fruits per plant, fruit mass and fruit yield. The sources and doses of phosphorus affected growth and fruit production of yellow passion plants. The triple superphosphate is the most phosphorus efficient source for growth and fruit production of yellow passion fruit. The triple superphosphate dose which promoted the maximum yield of yellow passion fruit is 42.86 g.

Effects of castration and of testosterone replacement on alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes in the rat vas deferens

The contractions of the rat vas deferens in response to noradrenaline are mediated through alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors. We observed participation of alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors in these contractions after castration. We now investigated the time course of this plasticity and the effects of testosterone by determining the actions of competitive antagonists on noradrenaline-induced contractions after 7, 14, 21 and 30 days of castration. BMY 7378 (8-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane-7,9-dione dihydrochloride) antagonised noradrenaline-induced contractions in control and castrated rats with low pA(2) values (approximately = 6.8). In control vas deferens, WB 4101 (2-(2,6-dimethoxyphenoxyethyl)aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane hydrochloride) had a slope in the Schild plot no different from 1.0, while slopes lower than 1.0 (approximately 0.6) were observed for vas deferens from castrated rats. Chloroethylclonidine was ineffective in the control vas while it inhibited noradrenaline-induced contractions in vasa from castrated rats and converted the complex antagonism by WB 4101 into simple competitive antagonism. Treatment of castrated rats with testosterone prevented the effects of castration. The results suggest that alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors are detectable in vas deferens from at least the 7th through the 30th day after castration and that testosterone prevents this plasticity.

Does the gastroprotective action of a medicinal plant ensure healing effects? An integrative study of the biological effects of Serjania marginata Casar. (Sapindaceae) in rats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Instâncias de consagração na cibercultura: um estudo sobre a atuação do internauta no MySpace

With new technologies, there are fields of unprecedented artistic legitimation and consecration. On the Internet, MySpace is used as a social network whose peculiarity lies in the interactivity of between artists (established and independent) users and non-artists. The website has revealed new names in the music scene from the popularity they gained by its peers. To see how the communication happens within that environment, was chosen the band profile Restart, whose audience is the majority of MySpace teen (youth 12 to 17 years). The analysis of this article is part of a broader research and the results already obtained allow us to see, within the limits of the selected area, that the Internet not only introduces a new field of action, but new instances of artistic consecration.

Trabalho imaterial de fãs e consagração musical: um olhar sobre o site MySpace e o cenário contemporâneo da música digital

Thanks to technological advances and new communication paradigms, the field of music production has changed profoundly. The site MySpace, the social network that connects musicians and fans, enables the development of new forms of cultural mediation. Through literature research on topics such as convergence culture (Jenkins, 2008), affective and immaterial labor (Hardt and Negri, 2010) and the new role of cultural intermediaries (Featherstone, 1995); netnography and case study, it was found that rates of site visibility denote value and trigger the artistic consecration.

Análise molecular do subcomplexo Brasiliensis (Hemiptera, Triatominae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Potencial antibacteriano de cogumelos das espécies Lentinus edodes, Agaricus bisporus e Agaricus blazei com enfoque no Helicobacter pylori

A busca por novos agentes antimicrobianos é muito importante, uma vez que as bactérias possuem um alto potencial de recombinação genética, levando a um aumento de cepas resistentes aos fármacos antimicrobianos já existentes. Nesse contexto, os cogumelos podem ser uma alternativa, uma vez que extratos e constituintes químicos destes apresentam atividade frente a diversos isolados patogênicos e utilizados na medicina popular. Dentre as espécies de maior interesse estão o Agaricus blazei (cogumelo do sol), Agaricus bisporus (champignon de Paris) e Lentinus edodes (shitake). O Helicobacter pylori é responsável por doenças gastrointestinais de extrema importância para a saúde pública, como úlceras, gastrites até tumores malignos. O tratamento mais utilizado nos controles deste micro-organismo não é eficaz. Os cogumelos aparecem como alternativa para novas pesquisas neste ramo podendo vir a ser utilizados no desenvolvimento de novo fitoterápico ou mesmo como adjuvante deste tratamento. Existem diversos métodos para determinar a atividade antimicrobiana, entre eles a microdiluição. Esta técnica vem sendo muito utilizada principalmente devido à sua sensibilidade e pequena quantidade de reagentes e amostras, o que possibilita um maior número de réplicas, aumentando a confiabilidade dos resultados. Em continuidade ao estudo do nosso grupo de pesquisa este trabalho objetiva determinar o potencial anti-H. pylori de espécies de cogumelos comestíveis instigados pela possibilidade de encontrar uma alternativa para o tratamento desse micro-organismos dada a importância do mesmo na saúde pública. A atividade antibacteriana dos diferentes extratos de Lentinus edodes, Agaricus bisporus, obtidos por infusão, ultrassom e maceração e de extratos purificados de Agaricus blazei e da substância isolada β-glucana foi determinada pela técnica de microdiluição a fim de obter a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) frente às...

Potencial antibacteriano de cogumelos das espécies Lentinus edodes, Agaricus bisporus e Agaricus blazei com enfoque no Helicobacter pylori

A busca por novos agentes antimicrobianos é muito importante, uma vez que as bactérias possuem um alto potencial de recombinação genética, levando a um aumento de cepas resistentes aos fármacos antimicrobianos já existentes. Nesse contexto, os cogumelos podem ser uma alternativa, uma vez que extratos e constituintes químicos destes apresentam atividade frente a diversos isolados patogênicos e utilizados na medicina popular. Dentre as espécies de maior interesse estão o Agaricus blazei (cogumelo do sol), Agaricus bisporus (champignon de Paris) e Lentinus edodes (shitake). O Helicobacter pylori é responsável por doenças gastrointestinais de extrema importância para a saúde pública, como úlceras, gastrites até tumores malignos. O tratamento mais utilizado nos controles deste micro-organismo não é eficaz. Os cogumelos aparecem como alternativa para novas pesquisas neste ramo podendo vir a ser utilizados no desenvolvimento de novo fitoterápico ou mesmo como adjuvante deste tratamento. Existem diversos métodos para determinar a atividade antimicrobiana, entre eles a microdiluição. Esta técnica vem sendo muito utilizada principalmente devido à sua sensibilidade e pequena quantidade de reagentes e amostras, o que possibilita um maior número de réplicas, aumentando a confiabilidade dos resultados. Em continuidade ao estudo do nosso grupo de pesquisa este trabalho objetiva determinar o potencial anti-H. pylori de espécies de cogumelos comestíveis instigados pela possibilidade de encontrar uma alternativa para o tratamento desse micro-organismos dada a importância do mesmo na saúde pública. A atividade antibacteriana dos diferentes extratos de Lentinus edodes, Agaricus bisporus, obtidos por infusão, ultrassom e maceração e de extratos purificados de Agaricus blazei e da substância isolada β-glucana foi determinada pela técnica de microdiluição a fim de obter a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) frente às...

Perinatal and early adulthood factors associated with adiposity

We used body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) as fat indicators to assess whether perinatal and early adulthood factors are associated with adiposity in early adulthood. We hypothesized that risk factors differ between men and women and are also different when WC is used for measuring adiposity as opposed to BMI. We conducted a longitudinal study based on a sample of 2,063 adults from the 1978/1979 Ribeirao Preto birth cohort. Adjustment was performed using four sequential multiple linear regression models stratified by sex. Both perinatal and early adulthood variables influenced adulthood BMI and WC. The associations differed between men and women and depending on the measure of abdominal adiposity (BMI or WC). Living with a partner, for both men and women, and high fat and alcohol intake in men were factors that were consistently associated with higher adulthood BMI and WC levels. The differences observed between sexes may point to different lifestyles of men and women, suggesting that prevention policies should consider gender specific strategies.

Phenol degradation in an anaerobic fluidized bed reactor packed with low density support materials

The objective of this research was to study phenol degradation in anaerobic fluidized bed reactors (AFBR) packed with polymeric particulate supports (polystyrene - PS, polyethylene terephthalate - PET, and polyvinyl chloride - PVC). The reactors were operated with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 24 h. The influent phenol concentration in the AFBR varied from 100 to 400 mg L-1, resulting in phenol removal efficiencies of similar to 100%. The formation of extracellular polymeric substances yielded better results with the PVC particles; however, deformations in these particles proved detrimental to reactor operation. PS was found to be the best support for biomass attachment in an AFBR for phenol removal. The AFBR loaded with PS was operated to analyze the performance and stability for phenol removal at feed concentrations ranging from 50 to 500 mg L-1. The phenol removal efficiency ranged from 90-100%.

Hemolymph ion regulation and kinetic characteristics of the gill (Na+, K+)-ATPase in the hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus (Decapoda, Anomura) acclimated to high salinity

We examine hemolymph ion regulation and the kinetic properties of a gill microsomal (Na+, K+)-ATPase from the intertidal hermit crab, Clibanarius vittatus, acclimated to 45 parts per thousand salinity for 10 days. Hemolymph osmolality is hypo-regulated (1102.5 +/- 22.1 mOsm kg(-1) H2O) at 45 parts per thousand but elevated compared to fresh-caught crabs (801.0 +/- 40.1 mOsm kg(-1) H2O). Hemolymph [Na+ (323.0 +/- 2.5 mmol L-1) and [Me2+) (34.6 +/- 1.0 mmol L-1) are hypo-regulated while [Ca2+] (22.5 +/- 0.7 mmol L-1) is hyper-regulated; [K+] is hyper-regulated in fresh-caught crabs (17.4 +/- 0.5 mmol L-1) but hypo-regulated (6.2 +/- 0.7 mmol L-1) at 45 parts per thousand. Protein expression patterns are altered in the 45 parts per thousand-acclimated crabs, although Western blot analyses reveal just a single immunoreactive band, suggesting a single (Na+, K+)-ATPase alpha-subunit isoform, distributed in different density membrane fractions. A high-affinity (Vm = 46.5 +/- 3.5 U mg(-1); K-0.5 = 7.07 +/- 0.01 mu mol L-1) and a low-affinity ATP binding site (Vm = 108.1 +/- 2.5 U mg(-1); K-0.5 = 0.11 +/- 0.3 mmol L-1), both obeying cooperative kinetics, were disclosed. Modulation of (Na+, K+)-ATPase activity by Mg2+, K+ and NH4+ also exhibits site-site interactions, but modulation by Na+ shows Michaelis-Menten kinetics. (Na+, K+)-ATPase activity is synergistically stimulated up to 45% by NH4+ plus K+. Enzyme catalytic efficiency for variable [K+] and fixed [NH4+] is 10-fold greater than for variable [NH4+] and fixed [K+]. Ouabain inhibited approximate to 80% of total ATPase activity (K-I=464.7 +/- 23.2 mu mol L-1), suggesting that ATPases other than (Na+, K+)-ATPase are present. While (Na+, K+)-ATPase activities are similar in fresh-caught (around 142 nmol Pi min(-1) mg(-1)) and 45 parts per thousand-acclimated crabs (around 154 nmol Pi min(-1) mg(-1)), ATP affinity decreases 110-fold and Na+ and K+ affinities increase 2-3-fold in 45 parts per thousand-acclimated crabs. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Identification of a new translocation that disrupts the RUNX1 gene in a patient with de novo acute myeloid leukemia

Translocation (8;21)(q22;q22)/RUNX1-RUNX1T1 is a molecular marker that is usually associated with a favorable outcome in both pediatric and adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The present report describes the results of hematologic, cytogenetic, and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of a case of AML with maturation in a 23-year-old woman. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a balanced translocation involving chromosomal band 21q22, which disrupts the RUNX1 gene, and 10q22, with the following karyotype: 45,X,-X,t(10;21)(q24;q22)[cp16]/46,XX [4]. Interphase FISH showed, in 67% of the 300 interphase nuclei analyzed, three signals for RUNX1 and two RUNX1T1, but no signals corresponding to RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion gene. These results were corroborated by RT-PCR, which revealed negative results for the amplification of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion gene. The patient was refractory to conventional and salvage chemotherapy regimens and early relapsed after unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation (BMT), dying of pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, and sepsis on day +80 after BMT, 1 year after diagnosis.

(+)alpha-Tocopheryl succinate inhibits the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I and is as effective as arsenic trioxide or ATRA against acute promyelocytic leukemia in vivo

The vitamin E derivative (+)alpha-tocopheryl succinate (alpha-TOS) exerts pro-apoptotic effects in a wide range of tumors and is well tolerated by normal tissues. Previous studies point to a mitochondrial involvement in the action mechanism; however, the early steps have not been fully elucidated. In a model of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) derived from hCG-PML-RAR alpha transgenic mice, we demonstrated that alpha-TOS is as effective as arsenic trioxide or all-trans retinoic acid, the current gold standards of therapy. We also demonstrated that alpha-TOS induces an early dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential in APL cells and studies with isolated mitochondria revealed that this action may result from the inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I. Moreover, alpha-TOS promoted accumulation of reactive oxygen species hours before mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspases activation. Therefore, an in vivo antileukemic action and a novel mitochondrial target were revealed for alpha-TOS, as well as mitochondrial respiratory complex I was highlighted as potential target for anticancer therapy. Leukemia (2012) 26, 451-460; doi:10.1038/leu.2011.216; published online 26 August 2011