Le(a-b-) phenotype: potential risk factor for infection by the RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnancy

The Lewis histo-blood group system is characterized by the expression of the Lea and Le(b) antigens in the gastrointestinal tract, whose synthesis results in interactions between alpha 2-L-fucosyltransferase (FUTII) and alpha 3/4-L-fucosyltransferase (FUTIII) enzymes coded by the FUT2 (19q. 13.3) and FUT3 (19p13.3) genes. FUTII and FUTIII fucosylate the type 1 oligosaccharide precursor (Gal beta 1 -> 3NAcGlc beta 1 -> 3-R) at distinct positions to form H type 1 (Fuc alpha 1. 2Gal beta 1. 3NAcGlc beta 1 -> 3-R) and Le(a) (Gal beta 1 -> 3[Fuc alpha 1 -> 4] NAcGlc beta 1 -> 3-R) antigens, respectively. The fucosylation of H type 1 antigens by FUTIII results in the Leb antigen (Fuc alpha 1. 2Gal beta 1. 3[Fuca1. 4] NAcGlc beta 1. 3-R). Thus, the presence of the FUTII and FUTIII enzymes leads to the expression of the Le(a+b+) phenotype, while the presence of only FUTIII allows the expression of the Le(a+b-) phenotype. The absence of the FUTIII enzyme leads to the expression of the Le(a-b-) phenotype, independent of the presence or absence of FUTII. Point mutations in FUT2 and FUT3 genes change the activity of these enzymes, impair the synthesis of Le(a) and Le(b) antigens, and contribute to the variability of Lewis phenotypes in the gastrointestinal tract. Toxoplasma gondii, an apicomplexan parasite that infects a large proportion of the world's population, utilizes the gastrointestinal tract as an infection route and seems to adhere to glycosylated molecules to invade human cells. These apparently independent events may be related. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that there is an association between the Lewis histo-blood group system and infection by T. gondii. Two hundred and nine serum samples collected from pregnant women were submitted to screening tests to detect anti-T. gondii antibodies, employing the indirect hemagglutination method. ELISA was utilized to identify IgG class anti-T. gondii antibodies specific for the RH strain. A hundred and ninety-five samples with concordant results for both methods were selected to form two groups: seropositive (G1) and seronegative (G2). The G428A mutation of the FUT2 gene, and T202C and C314T of the FUT3 gene, which allow inference of the gastrointestinal tract Lewis phenotypes, were identified using PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSP methods, respectively. Among the 195 samples selected, 116 (59.5%) were seropositive and 79 (40.5%) were seronegative. In G1, 68 (58.6%) were classified as Le(a+b+), 30 (25.9%) as Le(a+b-), and 18 (15.5%) as Le(a-b-), and in G2, 67 (84.8%) were classified as Le(a+b+), 12 (15.2%) as Le(a+b-), and 0 (0%) as Le(a-b-) (P < 0.0001). The Le(a-b-) phenotype is associated with a high risk of RH strain T. gondii infection when compared with the Le(a+b+) [P = 0.0001; OR = 36,460; 95%CI = 2.152-617,680] and Le(a+b-) phenotypes [P = 0.0118; OR = 15,165; 95%CI = 0.8463-271,710]. The Le(a+b-) phenotype showed a higher risk compared to the Le(a+b+) phenotype [P = 0.0206; OR = 2463; 95%CI = 2463-5214]. The results suggest that the Le(a-b-) phenotype is strongly associated with a greater risk of infection by the RH strain of T. gondii compared to the other phenotypes. It is possible that the absence of fucosylation of the type 1 oligosaccharide precursor as well as the variations in the structures of the Le(a) and Le(b) antigens influence susceptibility to infection by this parasite.

New steroidal saponins and antiulcer activity from Solanum paniculatum L.

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

Caracterização de osteoblastos diferenciados de células-tronco mesenquimais da medula óssea de ratos espontâneamente hipertensos (SHR)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Fenilpropanoides da Paspalum atratum

Pós-graduação em Química - IQ

In vitro comparison of the force degradation of orthodontic intraoral elastics from different compositions

The synthetic intermaxillary elastic emerged as an alternative for clinical use in patients with latex sensitivity. However, there are disagreements about this elastic protocol use according to the force degradation. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the forces generated by latex and synthetic elastics over time. Material and methods: Sample size of 840 elastics were used (420 latex and 420 synthetic), delivering medium strength (Dental Morelli®) with internal diameter of 1/8", 3/16", 1/4" and 5/16". The elastics were randomly divided into 7 groups according to the time of the force measuring and immersed into distilled water at 37°C. To measure the force in each group, the elastics were stretched in six progressive increases of 100% of its internal diameter with the aid of a testing machine Emic and measured up to 72 hours. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0, using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Immediate force level of synthetic elastics was statistically higher than latex elastics in all strains, for the same size. However, the latex elastics mean forceslightly decreased over time, while the synthetic elastics presented an abrupt decrease. Conclusion: In view of these findings, Sudanese homemade alcoholic beverages cause oral epithelial atypical changes, which lead to oral precancerous and cancerous lesions. OEFC is a useful procedure for detection and assessment of oral ET.

In vitro comparison of the force degradation of orthodontic intramural elastic from different compositions

Introduction and Objective: The synthetic intermaxillary elastic emerged as an alternative for clinical use in patients with latex sensitivity. However, there are disagreements about this elastic protocol use according to the force degradation. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the forces generated by latex and synthetic elastics over time. Material and methods: Sample size of 840 elastics were used (420 latex and 420 synthetic), delivering medium strength (Dental Morelli®) with internal diameter of 1/8”, 3/16”, 1/4” and 5/16”. The elastics were randomly divided into 7 groups according to the time of the force measuring and immersed into distilled water at 37°C. To measure the force in each group, the elastics were stretched in six progressive increases of 100% of its internal diameter with the aid of a testing machine Emic and measured up to 72 hours. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0, using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Immediate force level of synthetic elastics was statistically higher than latex elastics in all strains, for the same size. However, the latex elastics mean force slightly decreased over time, while the synthetic elastics presented an abrupt decrease. Conclusion: The synthetic elastic presented severe force degradation, jeopardizing the cost-benefit ratio, which indicates a higher replacement frequency. The latex elastic showed better mechanical performance in comparison to synthetic ones.

Degradação de forças dos elasticos intermaxilares ortodônticos sintéticos

This study aimed to evaluate the force degradation of synthetic elastics over time using dynamic biomechanical tests in order to find clinical parameters of what size of elastic and frequency of exchange should be used in orthodontic therapy. It was used 240 elastics of Dental Morelli, sizes 1/8", 3/16", 1/4 "and 5/16", medium force, divided in four groups. In each group was measured forces at different times, from immediate to 72 hours after immersion in water at 37°C and incubated stretched to 600% of its initial inner diameter. Tensile tests were performed on a universal testing machine EMIC DL2000 submerged in distilled water maintained at 37°C. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0, by the Analysis of Variance (One-Way) with Tukey´s post test. There was a greater increase in pattern of force decay of immediate measurement until 24 hours in all sizes of synthetic elastics, from which it was observed a decrease in force progressively smaller, with the exception of 5/16´´ elastic with a maximum force decay occurred at 12h. It was concluded that: the elastic synthetic Dental Morelli suffered significant force degradation over time, with reduction of approximately 70% of the initial force during 24 hours of stretching, followed by a progressively smaller decrease; the amount of stretch for a ideal force in intermaxillary therapies depends on the distance between the points of attachment of elastic, being necessary to consult the tables to choose the size, force and frequency of replacement.

The performance of conventional and fluorescence-based methods for occlusal caries detection: an in vivo study with histological validation

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Plasma rico em plaquetas, medula óssea ou quitosana nas osteossínteses minimamente invasivas na tíbia de cães

Pós-graduação em Cirurgia Veterinária - FCAV

Quantificação de parâmetros da dinâmica da bandeja do basquetebol por variáveis temporais do salto e antropométricas

The objective of this research study was quantify the power, force of vertical impulse, jumping height and the relation of the power output during the execution of the layup in basketball, by variables associated to anthropometric data. The study was carried with seven basketball players, university students, male, from the Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio Mesquita Filho (Unesp) basketball team, from Bauru City. The players were an age of 20,7 ± 2,4 years old, body weight of 77,1 ± 9,4 kg, body fat of 14,7 ± 3,6%, lean mass of 65,5 ± 6,2 kg and height of 180,0 ± 5,0 cm. Each player did the ability of the layup three times, with a previous time to adapt. The kinetic and kinematic values was obtained from the data of a system that consists of photocells and a contact carpet from a system called JumpSystemâ (CEFISE), using after that equations of UVRM and impulse. The photocells was dispose to capture the previous run-up, as well the speedy in the time of two steps of the layup, and it was also synchronized with the contact carpet in the last step, to preserve the exactly time of the propulsion of jump. In this way, the values and the kinetic variables found was vV (2,94 ± 0,3 m's-1), vH (11,3 ± 3,4 m's-1), vI (11,8 ± 3,2 m's-1), time of contact (0,214 ± 0,2 s), angle of jump (15,9 ± 6,26 graus) and H (44,3 ± 8,9 cm). The variables and the kinematic values found was FimpV (974,9 ± 119,03 N, PP (3112,9 ± 633,9 W) and PM (1556,4 ± 316,9 W). To better understand the ability of layup in basketball, as the kinetic variables, kinematic variables and anthropometrics that determine the performance, the study did correlations between dV (H) with vV, vH, vI, angle, FimpV, PP e PM; FimpV, PP e PM com with the kinetic variables of vV, vH, vI, angle, and anthropometric variables of PC and height, and correlations of PP e PM with %G and MM. So, significant results was found between the correlations of dV with FimpV (R2 = 0,81)...

A substituição do meio TCM pelo meio BARC, suplementado com SFB, BSA ou PVA, para maturação de oócitos bovinos in vitro, não incrementa a subsequente produção de blastocistos

This study was carried out to assess the influence of bovine embryo culture medium Beltsville Agriculture Research Center (BARC), supplemented with FCS, BSA or PVA, on the in vitro oocyte maturation, evidenced by cleavage rate and blastocysts production at different developmental stages. Three experiments were performed, as follows: exp.1: addition of FCS to BARC medium at concentrations of 0, 5 and 10%; exp. 2: addition of BSA to BARC medium at concentrations of 0, 4 and 8 mg/ml; exp. 3: addition of PVA to BARC medium at concentrations of 0, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml. TCM 199 supplemented with bicarbonate, pyruvate, gentamicin sulfate, FSH, LH and FCS was used as control group. Oocytes obtained from cow ovaries at slaughterhouse were selected in PBS, and then matured in BARC medium supplemented with FSH, LH and gentamicin sulfate, according to the experimental design. Percoll gradient was used for sperm selection and TALP medium for IVF. In vitro embryo culture was in SOF-m medium; a humidified atmosphere with 5% CO2, in air, at 38.7oC was used for all steps. The number of oocytes reaching blastocyst, expanded blastocyst, and hatched blastocyt stages was recorded, respectively at 72 and 168 h post-insemination. ANOVA and Bonferroni t test were used to determine differences among groups. Differences of P<0.05 were taken as significant. Higher percentage (P<0.05) of cleaved oocytes was observed in group TCM + FCS than for the other groups matured in BARC supplemented with FCS or BSA, regardless the concentration used. However, the cleavage rate was similar between groups BARC plus PVA with 1 mg/ml (85.7%) and TCM + FCS (90.8%). Significant difference was found among groups for the production of blastocysts, with the control group yielding a higher number of blastocysts (results ranging from 47.4 to 51.4%, in comparison with groups using BARC + FCS (4.1 to 19.7%), BSA (1.4 to 5.6%) and PVA (5.7 to 10.6%). In conclusion, BARC medium supplemented with different macromolecules did not promote a beneficial effect on in vitro oocyte maturation, resulting in lower rate of cleavage and blastocyst production when compared with TCM + FCS medium.

Gamma-ray dosimetric properties of conjugated polymers in solution

The effect of gamma radiation on poly{[2,5-bis(3-(N,N-diethylamino)-1-oxapropyl)-1,4-phenylene]-alt-1,4- phenylene} (PPP); poly{[2,5-bis(3-(N,N-diethylammonium bromide)-1-oxapropyl)-1,4-phenylene]-alt-1,4-phenylene} (PPP-Br); and the polymerized dye poly-1-ethyl-2-[3-(1-ethyl-1,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-2H-indol-2-ylidene)-1-propenyl]- 3,3-dimethyl-3H-indolium perchlorate (Poly-CyC) has been investigated. The stability and response of poly [2-methoxy- 5-(2'- ethyl-hexyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) in mixed solutions have also been explored. To this end, samples with concentrations ranging from 0.005 to 0.500 mg/mL were irradiated with a 60Co gamma-ray source at room temperature, using doses up to 1 kGy, and the response was analyzed by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The obtained results reinforce the previously proposed mechanism and suggest that the effect depends on specific structural characteristics of the main chain of the polymers. Moreover, the polymerized dyes display interesting dosimetric properties. Additionally, it has been noted that, contrary to what happens in other solvents, MEH-PPV is degraded in bromoform solution. Protective effects have also been observed for bromoform+toluene mixtures (1:1 vol/vol) and solutions containing molecular dyes. - See more at: http://www.eurekaselect.com/117251/article#sthash.gHFnYvJk.dpuf

Binômio mãe-filho: estudo epidemiológico e de base populacional desenvolvido em maternidades de baixo e alto risco

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

The impact of the Bolsa Escola/Familia conditional cash transfer program on enrollment, dropout rates and grade promotion in Brazil

We examine the impact of Brazil's Bolsa Escola/Familia program on Brazilian children's education outcomes. Bolsa provides cash payments to poor households if their children (ages 6 to 15) are enrolled in school. Using school census data to compare changes in enrollment, dropping out and grade promotion across schools that adopted Bolsa at different times, we estimate that the program has: increased enrollment by about 5.5% (6.5%) in grades 1-4 (grades 5-8); lowered dropout rates by 0.5 (0.4) percentage points in grades 1-4 (grades 5-8); and raised grade promotion rates by 0.9 (0.3) percentage points in grades 1-4 (grades 5-8). About one third of Brazil's children participate in Bolsa, so assuming no spillover effects onto non-participants implies that Bolsa's impacts are three times higher than these estimates. However, simple calculations using enrollment impacts suggest that Bolsa's benefits in terms of increased wages may not exceed its costs. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Positron scattering from the cyclic ethers oxirane, 1,4-dioxane, and tetrahydropyran

In this paper we report original measurements of total cross sections (TCSs) for positron scattering from the cyclic ethers oxirane (C2H4O), 1,4-dioxane (C4H8O2), and tetrahydropyran (C5H10O). The present experiments focus on the low energy range from similar to 0.2 to 50 eV, with an energy resolution smaller than 300 meV. This study concludes our systematic investigation into TCSs for a class of organic compounds that can be thought of as sub-units or moieties to the nucleotides in living matter, and which as a consequence have become topical for scientists seeking to simulate particle tracks in matter. Note that as TCSs specify the mean free path between collisions in such simulations, they have enjoyed something of a recent renaissance in interest because of that application. For oxirane, we also report original Schwinger multichannel elastic integral cross section (ICS) calculations at the static and static plus polarisation levels, and with and without Born-closure that attempts to account for the permanent dipole moment of C2H4O. Those elastic ICSs are computed for the energy range 0.5-10 eV. To the best of our knowledge, there are no other experimental results or theoretical calculations against which we can compare the present positron TCSs. However, electron TCSs for oxirane (also known as ethylene oxide) and tetrahydropyran do currently exist in the literature and a comparison to them for each species will be presented. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3696378]