Immunity to malaria after administration of ultra-low doses of red cells infected with Plasmodium falciparum

Background The ability of T cells, acting independently of antibodies, to control malaria parasite growth in people has not been defined. If such cell-mediated immunity was shown to be effective, an additional vaccine strategy could be pursued. Our aim was to ascertain whether or not development of cell-mediated immunity to Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage infection could be induced in human beings by exposure to malaria parasites in very low density. Methods We enrolled five volunteers from the staff at our research institute who had never had malaria. We used a cryopreserved inoculum of red cells infected with P falciparum strain 3D7 to give them repeated subclinical infections of malaria that we then cured early with drugs, to induce cell-mediated immune responses. We tested for development of immunity by measurement of parasite concentrations in the blood of volunteers by PCR of the multicopy gene STEVOR and by following up the volunteers clinically, and by measuring antibody and cellular immune responses to the parasite. Findings After challenge and a extended period without drug cure, volunteers were protected against malaria as indicated by absence of parasites or parasite DNA in the blood, and absence of clinical symptoms. Immunity was characterised by absence of detectable antibodies that bind the parasite or infected red cells, but by the presence of a proliferative T-cell response, involving CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, a cytokine response, consisting of interferon gamma but not interleukin 4 or interleukin 10, induction of high concentrations of nitric oxide synthase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and a drop in the number of peripheral natural killer T cells. Interpretation People can be protected against the erythrocytic stage of malaria by a strong cell-mediated immune response, in the absence of detectable parasite-specific antibodies, suggesting an additional strategy for development of a malaria vaccine.

Correlation between grain nutritional content and pasting properties of pre-gelatinized red rice flour

As with any variety of rice, red rice characteristics are subject to varietal differences, growing conditions, types of processing, and nutritional and rheological properties. This study determined the nutritional characteristics (centesimal composition and minerals) and paste viscosity properties of raw grains of four red rice genotypes (Tradicional MNAPB0405, MNACE0501 and MNACH0501) and the paste viscosity properties of pre-gelatinized flours obtained at different cooking times (20, 30 and 40 min). The main nutritional properties were correlated with the pasting properties of the pre-gelatinized flours. The samples showed differences in nutritional properties and paste viscosity. MNAPB0405 and MNACE0501 showed higher levels of fiber and fat and provided higher caloric energy than Tradicional and MNACH0501, which, in turn, showed higher levels of amylose. MNACH0501 showed higher peak viscosity (2402 cP), higher breakdown viscosity (696 cP) and a greater tendency to retrogradation (1510 cP), while Tradicional, MNAPB0405 and MNACE0501 had pasting profiles with peak viscosities varying between 855 and 1093 cP, breaking viscosity below 85 cP and retrogradation tendency between 376 and 1206 cP. The factors genotype and cooking time influenced the rheological behavior of pre-gelatinized flours, decreasing their pasting properties. The protein and amylose levels are correlated with the pasting properties and can be used as indicators of these properties in different genotypes of red rice, whether raw or processed into pre-gelatinized flours.

Energy harvesting performance of piezoelectric electrospun polymer fibers and polymer/ceramic composites

The energy harvesting efficiency of electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride), its copolymer vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene and composites of the later with piezoelectric BaTiOon interdigitated electrodes has been investigated. Further, a study of the influence of the electrospinning processing parameters on the size and distribution of the composites fibers has been performed. It is found that the best energy harvesting performance is obtained for the pure poly(vinylidene fluoride) fibers, with power outputs up to 0.03 W and 25 W under low and high mechanical deformation. The copolymer and the composites show reduced power output due to increased mechanical stiffness. The obtained values, among the largest found in the literature, the easy processing and the low cost and robustness of the polymer, demonstrate the applicability of the developed system.

Thermal degradation of Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3/poly(vinylidene fluoride) composites as a function of ceramic grain size and concentration

Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3,([PVDF]1−x/[PZT]x) composites of volume fractions x and (0–3) type connectivity were prepared in the form of thin films. PZT powders with average grain sizes of 0.2, 0.84, and 2.35 μm in different volume fraction of PZT up to 40 % were mixed with the polymeric matrix. The influence of the inorganic particle size and its content on the thermal degradation properties of the composites was then investigated by means of thermo-gravimetric analysis. It is observed that filler size affects more than filler concentration the degradation temperature and activation energy of the polymer. In the same way and due to their larger specific area, smaller particles leave larger solid residuals after the polymer degradation. The polymer degradation mechanism is not significantly modified by the presence of the inorganic fillers. On the other hand, an inhibition effect occurs due to the presence of the fillers, affecting particularly the activation energy of the process.

Anotação, numa perspectiva de Direito Penal e de Criminologia, ao Acórdão do Supremo Tribunal de Justiça (português), de 13 de Abril de 2009 [Juiz Conselheiro Rodrigues da COSTA (Relator), Juiz Conselheiro Arménio SOTTOMAYOR (vencido nos termos da declaração junta) e Juiz Conselheiro Mota MIRANDA] - são o «lenocínio» e a prostituição, entre adultos livres, crimes? «Roxanne, you don't have to put on the red light»

Resumo: 1 – Sumário do Acórdão do Supremo Tribunal de Justiça, de 13 de Abril de 2011; 2 – Texto completo do Acórdão do Supremo Tribunal de Justiça, de 13 de Abril de 2009, Juiz Conselheiro Rodrigues da COSTA (Relator), Juiz Conselheiro Arménio SOTTOMAYOR (vencido nos termos da declaração junta) e Juiz Conselheiro Mota MIRANDA: cfr. http://www.dgsi.pt , 26 de Abril de 2011; 3 – Anotação; 3.1 – Introdução à anotação; 3.2 – A questão do suposto «bem jurídico» que seria tutelado pelo crime de «lenocínio» p.p.p.p.p. 169.º do código penal português; 3.2.1 – Ainda a questão do suposto «bem jurídico» que seria tutelado pelo crime de «lenocínio» p.p.p.p.p. 169.º do código penal português: uma maior procura e concretização jurídica e científica; 4 – Conclusões; § Abstract: 1 - Summary of the Sentence of the Supreme Court of Justice, 13 of April of 2011; 2 - Complete text of the Sentence of the Supreme Court of Justice, 13 of April of 2009, Advising Judge Rodrigues da COSTA (Reporter), Advising Judge Arménio SOTTOMAYOR (looser in the terms of the together declaration) and Advising Judge Mota MIRANDA: cfr. http://www.dgsi.pt , 26 of April of 2011; 3 - Notation; 3.1 - Introduction to the notation; 3.2 - The question of the presumption «legally protected interest» that would be tutored person for the crime of «pimpery (“pimping”)» p.p.p.p.p. 169.º of the Portuguese criminal code; 3.2.1 - Still the question of the presumption «legally protected interest» that would be tutored person for the crime of «pimpery» («pimping») p.p.p.p.p. 169.º of the Portuguese criminal code: a bigger search and legal and scientific concretion; 4 - Conclusions;

New insights into host-parasite ubiquitin proteome dynamics in P. falciparum infected red blood cells using a TUBEs-MS approach

Malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), ranks as one of the most baleful infectious diseases worldwide. New antimalarial treatments are needed to face existing or emerging drug resistant strains. Protein degradation appears to play a significant role during the asexual intraerythrocytic developmental cycle (IDC) of P. falciparum. Inhibition of the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS), a major intracellular proteolytic pathway, effectively reduces infection and parasite replication. P. falciparum and erythrocyte UPS coexist during IDC but the nature of their relationship is largely unknown. We used an approach based on Tandem Ubiquitin-Binding Entities (TUBEs) and 1D gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry to identify major components of the TUBEs-associated ubiquitin proteome of both host and parasite during ring, trophozoite and schizont stages. Ring-exported protein (REX1), a P. falciparum protein located in Maurer's clefts and important for parasite nutrient import, was found to reach a maximum level of ubiquitylation in trophozoites stage. The Homo sapiens (H. sapiens) TUBEs associated ubiquitin proteome decreased during the infection, whereas the equivalent P. falciparum TUBEs-associated ubiquitin proteome counterpart increased. Major cellular processes such as DNA repair, replication, stress response, vesicular transport and catabolic events appear to be regulated by ubiquitylation along the IDC P. falciparum infection.

Solubility of red 153 and blue 1 in supercritical carbon dioxide

Solubilities of red 153, (3-[[4-[[5,6(or 6,7)-dichloro-2-benzothiazolyl]azo]phenyl]ethylamino]propanenitrile), an azo compound, and disperse blue1 (1,4,5,8-tetraaminoantraquinone) in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC CO(2)) were measured at T = (333.2 to 393.2) K over the pressure range (12.0 to 40.0) MPa by a flow type apparatus. The solubility of red 153 (0.985. 10(-6) to 37.2. 10(-6)) in the overall region of measurements is found to be significantly higher than that of disperse blue 1 (1.12.10(-7) to 4.89.10(-7)). The solubility behavior of disperse red 153 follows the general solubility trend displayed by disperse dyes with a crossover pressure at about 20 MPa. On the other hand, blue 1, which is a disperse anthraquinone dye, exhibits unexpected behavior not recorded previously there is no crossover pressure at the temperature and pressure ranges studied, and the dye's solubility at T = 333.2 K practically does not increase with pressure. To the best of our knowledge, there are no previous measurements of blue 1 solubility in SC CO(2) reported in the literature. The experimental data were correlated by using the Soave Redlich Kwong equation of state (EoS) with the one-fluid van der Waals mixing rule, and an acceptable correlation of the solubility data for both dyes was obtained.

Red light (Processo contra-ordenacional em meio urbano)

Devido ao acréscimo significativo de viaturas e peões nas grandes cidades foi necessário recorrer aos mecanismos existentes para coordenar o tráfego. Nesta perspectiva surge a implementação de semáforos com o objectivo de ordenar o tráfego nas vias rodoviárias. A gestão de tráfego, tem sido sujeita a inovações tanto ao nível dos equipamentos, do software usado, gestão centralizada, monitorização das vias e na sincronização semafórica, sendo possível a criação de programas ajustados às diferentes exigências de tráfego verificadas durante as vinte e quatro horas para pontos distintos da cidade. Conceptualmente foram elaborados estudos, com o objectivo de identificar a relação entre a velocidade o fluxo e o intervalo num determinado intervalo de tempo, bem como a relação entre a velocidade e a sinistralidade. Até 1995 Portugal era um dos países com maior número de sinistros rodoviários Na sequência desta evolução foram instalados radares de controlo de velocidade no final de 2006 com o objectivo de obrigar ao cumprimento dos limites de velocidade impostos pelo código da estrada e reduzir a sinistralidade automóvel na cidade de Lisboa. Passados alguns anos sobre o investimento realizadoanteriormente, constatamos que existe a necessidade de implementar novas tecnologias na detecção das infracções, sejam estas de excesso de velocidade ou violação do semáforo vermelho (VSV), optimizar a informação disponibilizada aos automobilistas e aos peões, coordenar a interacção entre os veículos prioritários e os restantes presentes na via, dinamizar a gestão interna das contra ordenações, agilizar os procedimentos informatizar a recolha deinformação de modo a tornar os processos mais céleres.

Color and Luminescence stability of selected dental materials in vitro

To study luminescence, reflectance, and color stability of dental composites and ceramics. Materials and Methods: IPS e.max, IPS Classic, Gradia, and Sinfony materials were tested, both unpolished (as-cast) and polished specimens. Coffee, tea, red wine, and distilled water (control) were used as staining drinks. Disk-shaped specimens were soaked in the staining drinks for up to 5 days. Color was measured by a colorimeter. Fluorescence was recorded using a spectrofluorometer, in the front-face geometry. Time-resolved fluorescence spectra were recorded using a laser nanosecond spectrofluorometer. Results: The exposure of the examined dental materials to staining drinks caused changes in color of the composites and ceramics, with the polished specimens exhibiting significantly lower color changes as compared to unpolished specimens. Composites exhibited lower color stability as compared to ceramic materials. Water also caused perceptible color changes in most materials. The materials tested demonstrated significantly different initial luminescence intensities. Upon exposure to staining drinks, luminescence became weaker by up to 40%, dependent on the drink and the material. Time-resolved luminescence spectra exhibited some red shift of the emission band at longer times, with the lifetimes in the range of tens of nanoseconds. Conclusions: Unpolished specimens with a more developed surface have lower color stability. Specimens stored in water develop some changes in their visual appearance. The presently proposed methods are effective in evaluating the luminescence of dental materials. Luminescence needs to be tested in addition to color, as the two characteristics are uncorrelated. It is important to further improve the color and luminescence stability of dental materials.

Red nacional para el estudio de los incendios forestales y sus efectos en los suelos – RIS./ Rede nacional para o estudo dos Incêndios florestais e seus efeitos nos Solos

En enero de 2014, continuando con la intención expresada en Guimarães (Portugal), en noviembre de 2013, durante la VII Reunión de la Geografía Física y Medio Ambiente (EGFA VII), la Asociación Portuguesa de Prevención de Riesgos y Seguridad (RISCOS) creó las condiciones para el establecimiento de una sección temática dedicada al estudio de los efectos de los incendios sobre los suelos y que vendría a ser conocida “Red Nacional para el Estudio de los Incendios Forestales y sus Efectos sobre los Suelos” (RIS). Esta fue una iniciativa inspirada en Fuegored (Red Temática Nacional Efectos de los Incendios Forestales sobre los Suelos) y que, de esta manera, desea establecer una red nacional de investigadores con el fin de facilitar la promoción y difusión de los resultados de sus pesquisas científicas sobre este tema, realizadas en Portugal, así como la interacción entre el mundo científico y el manejo forestal . La RIS fue fundada por 12 miembros, que representan 7 universidades portuguesas y en la actualidad cuenta con 23 miembros de 9 universidades y escuelas politécnicas. Se espera que crezca y que puede añadir todos los que participan en la investigación científica de los incendios forestales y sus efectos en los suelos.

A high throughput colorimetric assay of beta-1,3-D-glucans by Congo red dye

Mushroom strains contain complex nutritional biomolecules with a wide spectrum of therapeutic and prophylactic properties. Among these compounds, β-d-glucans play an important role in immuno-modulating and anti-tumor activities. The present work involves a novel colorimetric assay method for β-1,3-d-glucans with a triple helix tertiary structure by using Congo red. The specific interaction that occurs between Congo red and β-1,3-d-glucan was detected by bathochromic shift from 488 to 516 nm (> 20 nm) in UV–Vis spectrophotometer. A micro- and high throughput method based on a 96-well microtiter plate was devised which presents several advantages over the published methods since it requires only 1.51 μg of polysaccharides in samples, greater sensitivity, speed, assay of many samples and very cheap. β-d-Glucans of several mushrooms (i.e., Coriolus versicolor, Ganoderma lucidum, Pleurotus ostreatus, Ganoderma carnosum, Hericium erinaceus, Lentinula edodes, Inonotus obliquus, Auricularia auricular, Polyporus umbellatus, Cordyseps sinensis, Agaricus blazei, Poria cocos) were isolated by using a sequence of several extractions with cold and boiling water, acidic and alkaline conditions and quantified by this microtiter plate method. FTIR spectroscopy was used to study the structural features of β-1,3-d-glucans in these mushroom samples as well as the specific interaction of these polysaccharides with Congo red. The effect of NaOH on triple helix conformation of β-1,3-d-glucans was investigated in several mushroom species.

Portuguese Red Cross - Conde d´Óbidos Palace National Headquarters

Ano VI; nº 2 - 2008 - p.103-106

How Complex, Probable, and Predictable is Genetically Driven Red Queen Chaos?

Coevolution between two antagonistic species has been widely studied theoretically for both ecologically- and genetically-driven Red Queen dynamics. A typical outcome of these systems is an oscillatory behavior causing an endless series of one species adaptation and others counter-adaptation. More recently, a mathematical model combining a three-species food chain system with an adaptive dynamics approach revealed genetically driven chaotic Red Queen coevolution. In the present article, we analyze this mathematical model mainly focusing on the impact of species rates of evolution (mutation rates) in the dynamics. Firstly, we analytically proof the boundedness of the trajectories of the chaotic attractor. The complexity of the coupling between the dynamical variables is quantified using observability indices. By using symbolic dynamics theory, we quantify the complexity of genetically driven Red Queen chaos computing the topological entropy of existing one-dimensional iterated maps using Markov partitions. Co-dimensional two bifurcation diagrams are also built from the period ordering of the orbits of the maps. Then, we study the predictability of the Red Queen chaos, found in narrow regions of mutation rates. To extend the previous analyses, we also computed the likeliness of finding chaos in a given region of the parameter space varying other model parameters simultaneously. Such analyses allowed us to compute a mean predictability measure for the system in the explored region of the parameter space. We found that genetically driven Red Queen chaos, although being restricted to small regions of the analyzed parameter space, might be highly unpredictable.