Localization patterns of steroid and luteinizing hormone receptors in the corpus luteum of Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) cows throughout the estrous cycle

The aim of the present study was to detect progesterone receptors (A and B isoforms), α and β estrogen receptors, luteinizing hormone receptors and aromatase cytochrome P450 enzymes in the corpus luteum of Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) cows using immunohistochemistry. The estrous cycles of 16 Nelore cows were synchronized, and luteal samples were collected via an incision into the vaginal vault. Samples were collected during specific days of the estrous cycle (days 6, 10, 15 and 18) and 24. h after circulating progesterone dropped, after luteolysis had occurred. After each biopsy was taken, all animals were resynchronized so that each biopsy was performed during a different estrous cycle. Our results showed that the concentration of studied proteins vary throughout the bovine estrous cycle. The highest concentration of α and β estrogen receptors and the highest concentration of plasma progesterone were both observed on days 10 and 15 of the estrous cycle. The highest concentration of progesterone receptors was observed on days 6 and 10 of the estrous cycle, and the most intense immunostaining for cytochrome P450 aromatase enzymes was observed on day 10 of the estrous cycle. The highest score of cells with plasma membrane immunostaining for LH receptors was observed on day 15 of the estrous cycle. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the varying concentrations of specific proteins within the corpus luteum of Nelore cows during the estrous cycle. This finding suggests that these receptors and enzymes, and their interactions, are important in regulating luteal viability. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Chromosomal organization of repetitive DNA sequences in Astyanax bockmanni (Teleostei, Characiformes): dispersive location, association and co-localization in the genome

Repetitive DNA sequences constitute a great portion of the genome of eukaryotes and are considered key components to comprehend evolutionary mechanisms and karyotypic differentiation. Aiming to contribute to the knowledge of chromosome structure and organization of some repetitive DNA classes in the fish genome, chromosomes of two allopatric populations of Astyanax bockmanni were analyzed using classic cytogenetics techniques and fluorescent in situ hybridization, with probes for ribosomal DNA sequences, histone DNA and transposable elements. These Astyanax populations showed the same diploid number (2n = 50), however with differences in chromosome morphology, distribution of constitutive heterochromatin, and location of 18S rDNA and retroelement Rex3 sites. In contrast, sites for 5S rDNA and H1, H3 and H4 histones showed to be co-located and highly conserved. Our results indicate that dispersion and variability of 18S rDNA and heterochromatin sites are not associated with macro rearrangements in the chromosome structure of these populations. Similarly, distinct evolutionary mechanisms would act upon histone genes and 5S rDNA, contributing to chromosomal association and co-location of these sequences. Data obtained indicate that distinct mechanisms drive the spreading of repetitive DNAs in the genome of A. bockmanni. Also, mobile elements may account for the polymorphism of the major rDNA sites and heterochromatin in this genus. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Gene expression and protein localization of TLR-1, -2, -4 and -6 in amniochorion membranes of pregnancies complicated by histologic chorioamnionitis

Objectives: To determine whether histologic chorioamnionitis is associated with changes in gene expression of TLR-1, -2, -4 and -6, and to describe the localization of these receptors in fetal membranes. Study design: A total of 135 amniochorion membranes with or without histologic chorioamnionitis from preterm or term deliveries were included. Fragments of membranes were submitted to total RNA extraction. RNA was reverse transcribed and the quantification of TLRs expression measured by real time PCR. Results: All amniochorion membranes expressed TLR-1 and TLR-4, whereas 99.1% of membranes expressed TLR-2 and 77.4% expressed TLR-6. TLR-1 and TLR-2 expressions were significantly higher in membranes with histologic chorioamnionitis as compared to membranes without chorioamnionitis in preterm pregnancies (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). Among the membranes of term pregnancies there were no differences in the expressions of such receptors regardless of inflammatory status. Regarding TLR-4 and TLR-6 expression, there was no difference among membranes with or without histologic chorioamnionitis, regardless gestational age at delivery. TLR-1, TLR-2, TLR-4 and TLR-6 expressions were observed in amniotic epithelial, chorionic and decidual cells. Conclusion: Amniochorion membranes express TLR-1, TLR-2, TLR-4 and TLR-6 and increased expression of TLR-1 and TLR-2 is related to the presence of histologic chorioamnionitis in preterm pregnancies. This study provides further evidence that amniochorion membranes act as a mechanical barrier to microorganisms and as components of the innate immune system. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

La industria de transporte regular internacional y la competitividad del comercio exterior de los países de América Latina y el Caribe = The international common-carrier transportation industry and the competitiveness of the foreign trade of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean

Incluye Bibliografía

La industria de transporte regular internacional y la competitividad del comercio exterior de los países de América Latina y el Caribe = The international common-carrier transportation industry and the competitiveness of the foreign trade of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean

Incluye Bibliografía

Photodynamic Therapy in Pythium insidiosum - An In Vitro Study of the Correlation of Sensitizer Localization and Cell Death

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

Characterization of monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) expression in soft tissue sarcomas: distinct prognostic impact of MCT1 sub-cellular localization

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are a group of neoplasms, which, despite current therapeutic advances, still confer a poor outcome to half of the patients. As other solid tumors, STSs exhibit high glucose consumption rates, associated with worse prognosis and therapeutic response. As highly glycolytic tumors, we hypothesized that sarcomas should present an increased expression of lactate transporters (MCTs).Methods: Immunohistochemical expression of MCT1, MCT2, MCT4 and CD147 was assessed in a series of 86 STSs and the expression profiles were associated with patients' clinical-pathological parameters.Results: MCT1, MCT4 and CD147 were mainly observed in the plasma membrane of cancer cells (around 60% for MCTs and 40% for CD147), while MCT2 was conspicuously found in the cytoplasm (94.2%). Importantly, we observed MCT1 nuclear expression (32.6%). MCT1 and MCT4, alone or co-expressed with CD147 in the plasma membrane, were associated with poor prognostic variables including high tumor grade, disease progression and shorter overall survival. Conversely, we found MCT1 nuclear expression to be associated with low grade tumors and longer overall survival.Conclusions: The present work represents the first report of MCTs characterization in STSs. We showed the original finding of MCT1 expression in the nucleus. Importantly, opposite biological roles should be behind the dual sub-cellular localization of MCT1, as plasma membrane expression of MCT1 is associated with worse patients' prognosis, while nuclear expression is associated with better prognosis.

Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes Loaded in Particles as Drug Carrier Systems

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

HMGB1 Localization during Experimental Periodontitis

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

Localization of a spin-orbit-coupled Bose-Einstein condensate in a bichromatic optical lattice

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

Hydrogen sulphide removal from air by biotrickling filter using open-pore polyurethane foam as a carrier

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Immunohistochemical localization of nicotinic acetylcholine-receptor subunits in the mesencephalon and diencephalon of the chick (Gallus-gallus)

Monoclonal antibodies against two alpha-bungarotoxin-binding subunits (alpha-7 and alpha-8) of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) were used as immunohistochemical probes to map their distribution in the chick diencephalon and mesencephalon. The distribution of the alpha-7 and alpha-8 nAChR subunits was compared to the distribution of immunoreactivity produced by a monoclonal antibody against the beta-2 structural subunit of the nAChRs.Structures that contained high numbers of alpha-7-like immunoreactive (LI) somata included the intergeniculate leaflet, nucleus intercalatus thalami, nucleus ovoidalis, organum paraventricularis, nucleus rotundus, isthmic nuclei, nucleus trochlearis, oculomotor complex, nucleus interstitio-pretecto-subpretectalis, stratum griseum centrale of the optic tectum, and nucleus semilunaris. Neuropil staining for alpha-7-LI was intense in the nucleus dorsomedialis hypothalami, nucleus geniculatus lateralis ventralis, griseum tecti, isthmic nuclei, nucleus lentiformis mesencephali, nucleus of the basal optic root, and stratum griseum et fibrosum superficiale of the tectum. High numbers of alpha-8-LI somata were found in the stratum griseum et fibrosum superficiale of the tectum and the nucleus interstitio-pretecto-subpretectalis, and intense neuropil staining for alpha-8-LI was found in the dorsal thalamus, nucleus geniculatus lateralis ventralis, lateral hypothalamus, griseum tecti, nucleus lentiformis mesencephali, nucleus interpeduncularis, and stratum griseum et fibrosum superficiale of the tectum. High numbers of beta-2-LI somata were found only in the nucleus spiriformis lateralis, whereas neuropil staining for beta-2-LI was intense in the nucleus geniculatus lateralis ventralis, nucleus suprachiasmaticus, nucleus lateralis anterior, nucleus habenularis lateralis, area pretectalis, griseum tecti, nucleus lentiformis mesencephali, nucleus externus, and nucleus interpeduncularis, and in the stratum griseum centrale, stratum griseum et fibrosum superficiale, and stratum opticum of the tectum.These results indicate that there are major disparities in the localization of the alpha-bungarotoxin-binding alpha-7 and alpha-8 nAChR subunits and the beta-2 structural nAChR subunit in the chick diencephalon and mesencephalon. These nAChR subunits appear, however, to coexist in several regions of the chick brain.

Anderson localization and momentum-space entanglement

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

Diversity and Localization of Bacterial Endosymbionts from Whitefly Species Collected in Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evaluation of stryphnodendron sp. release using natural rubber latex membrane as carrier

Natural rubber latex from Hevea brasiliensis has interesting characteristics related to this work such as: it is easy to manipulate, low cost, can stimulate the natural angiogenesis, is a biocompatible material and presents high mechanical resistance. The aim of this study was to develop a novel sustained delivery system for Stryphnodendron sp. based on Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) membranes and to study the Stryphnodendron sp. delivery system behavior. Stryphnodendron sp., commonly known as barbatimao is extensively used in folk medicine for the treatment of diarrhoea, gynaecological problems and for healing wounds. The stem bark of this species is mentioned in the Brazilian Pharmacopeia with a content of at least 20% of tannins. Previous studies showed significant cicatrizant properties, anti-inflammatory activity and gastric anti-ulcerogenic effects for the stem bark crude extract. One possible way to accelerate the tissue repair process, it was incorporated the Stryphnodendron sp. extract in NRL membranes. Stryphnodendron sp extract was incorporated into the NRL, by mixing it in solution for in vitro protein delivery experiments. Results show that the NRL membrane can release Stryphnodendron sp. for up to 49.89% of its Stryphnodendron sp. content for up 400 h. The kinetics of the extract release could be fitted with double exponential function, with two characteristic times of 0.78 and 133.22 h. In this study, we demonstrated that the induced angiogenesis provided by NRL membranes combined with a controlled release of extract is relevant for biomedical applications.