Galectin-1 exerts inhibitory effects during DENV-1 infection

Dengue virus (DENV) is an enveloped RNA virus that is mosquito-transmitted and can infect a variety of immune and non-immune cells. Response to infection ranges from asymptomatic disease to a severe disorder known as dengue hemorrhagic fever. Despite efforts to control the disease, there are no effective treatments or vaccines. In our search for new antiviral compounds to combat infection by dengue virus type 1 (DENV-1), we investigated the role of galectin-1, a widely-expressed mammalian lectin with functions in cell-pathogen interactions and immunoregulatory properties. We found that DENV-1 infection of cells in vitro exhibited caused decreased expression of Gal-1 in several different human cell lines, suggesting that loss of Gal-1 is associated with virus production. In test of this hypothesis we found that exogenous addition of human recombinant Gal-1 (hrGal-1) inhibits the virus production in the three different cell types. This inhibitory effect was dependent on hrGal-1 dimerization and required its carbohydrate recognition domain. Importantly, the inhibition was specific for hrGal-1, since no effect was observed using recombinant human galectin-3. Interestingly, we found that hrGal-1 directly binds to dengue virus and acts, at least in part, during the early stages of DENV-1 infection, by inhibiting viral adsorption and its internalization to target cells. To test the in vivo role of Gal-1 in DENV infection, Gal-1-deficient-mice were used to demonstrate that the expression of endogenous Galectin-1 contributes to resistance of macrophages to in vitro-infection with DENV-1 and it is also important to physiological susceptibility of mice to in vivo infection with DENV-1. These results provide novel insights into the functions of Gal-1 in resistance to DENV infection and suggest that Gal-1 should be explored as a potential antiviral compound.

Os jogos do texto ou as facetas da escrita?: gênero policial, intertextualidade e literatura francesa em Bufo & Spallanzani (1985) de Rubem Fonseca

Pós-graduação em Letras - FCLAS

Sevoflurane induces DNA damage whereas isoflurane leads to higher antioxidative status in anesthetized rats

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

Metalloproteinase inhibition protects against reductions in circulating adrenomedullin during lead-induced acute hypertension

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

Two new species of the feather mite genus Analloptes (Trouessart, 1885) (Acariformes: Astigmata: Xolalgidae) from passerines (Aves: Passeriformes) in Brazil

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

Galectin-1 exerts inhibitory effects during DENV-1 infection

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Oxygen consumption by the hermit crab, Clibanarius vittatus (Bosc, 1802) in declining oxygen tensions

1. 1. Oxygen consumption and its relationship to stepwise declining oxygen tension were examined in the common striped hermit crab, Clibanarius vittatus. 2. 2. Weight-specific oxygen consumption varied with body weight (W), according to the equation log V ̇o2 = 2.1639 + (-0.419 log W). 3. 3. Shell-less individuals of 1-2 g wet wt, where found to be oxygen conformers, since oxygen consumption ( V ̇o2) decreased with declining oxygen tensions. At ambient oxygen tensions below 35.4 mmHg, oxygen consumption remained constant, suggesting an increased ventilation. 4. 4. C. vittatus was found to survive in oxygen-free seawater for 5.5 hr, and no significant differences were found in oxygen consumption rates, for shelled and shell-less crabs, measured in water and air. 5. 5. The use of a K1 K2 index of oxygen independence, showed that larger animals were better able to maintain oxygen-independence during hypoxia than smaller individuals. 6. 6. C. vittatus displayed a pattern of no oxygen debt, once returned to normoxia. © 1983.

Sodium nitrite prevents both reductions in circulating nitric oxide and hypertension in 7-day lead-treated rats

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

Ultrasonic sensor signals and optimum path forest classifier for the microstructural characterization of thermally-aged inconel 625 alloy

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Prospecção geofísica entre as ocorrências cupríferas Capão Grande e Victor Teixeira, Caçapava do Sul - RS

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Development and in vitro skin delivery of dexamethasone acetate-loaded surfactant-based systems

Topical corticosteroids, e.g., dexamethasone acetate (DMA), are extensively used to treat cutaneous inflammatory disorders even though their use is correlated with potential local and systemic side effects. The objective of this study was to develop and test the topical delivery of DMA-loaded surfactant based systems in vitro; these studies could guarantee a suitable delivery and therapeutic efficacy, as well as minimize DMA's side effects. A phase diagram was constructed using polyoxypropylene (5) polyoxyethylene (20) cetyl alcohol as the surfactant (S), isopropyl myristate as the oil phase (O) and water (W). The systems were characterized using polarization light microscopy (PLM), as well as rheological and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements. Depending on the concentration of the constituents, it was possible to obtain microemulsions (MEs) and liquid crystalline mesophases (lamellar and hexagonal). These types of arrangement were verified using PLM measurements. The SAXS results revealed that increasing the W/S ratio led to ME, as well as lamellar (LAM) and hexagonal (HEX) arrangements. The MEs displayed typical Newtonian behavior while the LAM and HEX phases exhibited pseudoplasticity and plasticity, respectively. The MEs displayed excellent drug solubilization that was approximately 10-fold higher than was observed with the individual components. The in vitro cutaneous permeation studies using pig ear skin and analysis of the mechanical parameters (hardness, compressibility, cohesiveness and adhesiveness) were carried out with a HEX phase and O/W emulsion. The HEX phase achieved better drug permeation and retention in the skin while its mechanical properties were suitable for skin administration. PPG-5-CETETH-20-based systems may be a promising platform delivering DMA and other topical corticosteroids through the skin.

Surfactant-based transdermal system for fluconazole skin delivery

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

Música popular e resistência: emergência de um agente folkcomunicacional a partir de um caso de conflito ambiental

Tralcao, situated in the Rios region, named after the various rivers that flow nearby, in Chile, is bathed by the Pichoy River and it encounters the rivers Estero Colliaico and Cruces. A cellulose company was established there back in 2004, and since the it has been dumping waste in the Cruces river, causing grave environmental issues and bringing severe consequences to the region. In the middle of the crossfire, we find Mr. Francisco Manquecho, considered to be an opinion leader according to Luis Beltrão, who assesses the real situation in the region throughout his song lyrics, acting as a propagator of the resistance against the environmental degradation occurring in Tralcao. Francisco acts as a ‘folkcommunicacional’ agent by spreading a non-hegemonic bias through his songs. The objective of this article is to show how an opinion leader acts in a context of environmental degradation in Tralcao region using the basis of the Folkcommunication Theory and the communicational processes which involve music as a concrete action of popular resistance.

Desempenho de movimentos cíclicos e discretos realizados em tarefa de Fitts simulada em computador

Performance of cyclical and discrete movements executed in Fitts’ task simulated by computer Abstract This study compared the performance of cyclical and discrete movements in Fitts’ task simulated by a computer. Twenty male adults, between 25 and 30 years old, participated as volunteers in the study. The software Discrete Aiming Task (v.2.0) simulated the Fitts’ task, in the discrete and cyclical conditions, and provided the movement time (TM). It was manipulated 4 target widths and 3 distances between the targets to provide index of difficulties (ID) from 1 to 6 bits. The ANOVA TWO WAY, 3 (Conditions) x 6 (ID), with repeated measures in the last factor, compared the TM in the different conditions. Regression analysis verified the relationship between TM x ID. There were no significant differences between the conditions; the virtual environment and the mouse were used to explain such results. All movement conditions showed a straight relationship between TM x ID with R²>0.990. Therefore, Fitts’ law showed to be consistent, independently of the movement strategy performed.

Características da função quadrática e a metodologia de resolução de problemas

Pós-graduação em Matemática em Rede Nacional - IBILCE