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Sessile organisms, such as plants, developed various ways to sense and respond to external and internal stimuli to maximize their fitness through evolutionary time. Transcripts and protein regulation are, among many, the main mechanisms that plants use to respond to environmental changes. SKIP protein is one such, presenting an SNKW interacting domain, which is highly conserved among eukaryotes, where SKI interacting protein acts in regulating key processes. In the present work, many bioinformatics tools, such as phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, physical-chemical properties, conserved motifs, prediction of regulatory cis-elements, chromosomal localization, and protein-protein interaction network, were used to better understand the genome-wide SNW/SKIP domain-containing proteins. In total, 28 proteins containing the SNW/SKIP domain were identified in different plant species, including plants of agronomic interest. Two main protein clusters were formed in phylogenetic analysis, and gene structure analysis revealed that, in general, the coding region had no introns. Also, expression of these genes is possibly induced by abiotic stress stimuli. Primary structure analysis of the proteins revealed the existence of an evolutionarily conserved functional unit. But physicochemical properties show that proteins containing the SNW/SKIP domain are commonly unstable under in vivo conditions. In addition, the protein network, demonstrated that SKIP homologues could act by modulating plant fitness through gene expression regulation at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. This could be corroborated by the expression number of gene copies of SKIP proteins in many species, highlighting it's crucial role in plant development and tolerance through the course of evolution.
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Genoma de Planta , Filogenia , Proteínas de Plantas , Plantas , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Plantas/genética , Plantas/metabolismo , Dominios Proteicos , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las PlantasRESUMEN
In spite of the many studies examining alcohol consumption, recent reviews have indicated that binge drinking has not been extensively studied. Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly clear that sleep is associated with many physiological functions and to drug addictions. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between alcohol binge drinking and insomnia in college students of health sciences. All first-year health sciences students (n=286) were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. Envelopes containing the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), and questions capturing sociodemographic data were distributed and collected in classes. It was found that most non-drinkers were female (70.6%), although there were no sex-related differences in the number of binge drinkers (more than 5 drinks on each occasion at least once a week), allowing statistical comparison. The Mann-Whitney U test indicated that the ISI scores were significantly greater in female than male binge drinkers (P=0.014). Moderate or severe insomnia was reported by 23% of the sample, with alcohol being the most frequently associated substance. A specialized intervention was suggested by ASSIST: brief for marijuana (19.2%) and tobacco (23.3%) use, and moderate (31.5%) or intensive (1.4%) for alcohol consumers. The data highlighted the need to pay attention to the habits of college students beyond obtaining scientific information. New data suggesting the influence of genetics on insomnia may be of importance when performing additional studies on the sex differences in alcohol binge drinking.
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Consumo Excesivo de Bebidas Alcohólicas , Trastornos del Inicio y del Mantenimiento del Sueño , Consumo de Bebidas Alcohólicas/epidemiología , Consumo Excesivo de Bebidas Alcohólicas/epidemiología , Brasil/epidemiología , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Trastornos del Inicio y del Mantenimiento del Sueño/epidemiología , Estudiantes , UniversidadesRESUMEN
In this work, we synthesized colloidal silica nanospheres with an average size of 400 nm through the modified Stöber method and successfully fabricated an ordered close-packed silica nanosphere monolayer onto ITO-coated glass substrates using a three-step spin-coating method. ITO films showed resistivity comparable to that of commercial ITO and the silica nanosphere monolayer-coated ITO/glass substrate exhibited good optical transmittance in the visible (550 nm) and near-infrared (900 nm) regions of 62% and 82%, respectively. The results suggest that this monolayer can be used in optoelectronic devices to enhance efficiency in photovoltaic cells.
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A series of 18 2-arylidene indan-1,3-dione derivatives was synthesized and tested against Daphnia magna to assess the environmental toxicity of these compounds. Aiming to investigate the toxicity mechanism for this series of compounds, a four-dimensional quantitative structure-activity analysis (4D-QSAR) was performed through the partial least square regression (PLS). The best PLS model was built with two factors and the selected field descriptors, of Coulomb (C) and Lennard-Jones (L) nature, describing 77.43% of variance and presenting the following statistics: r 2 = 0.89; SEC = 0.30; Q 2 = 0.81; SEV = 0.36. According to the literature, the bioactivity of α,ß-unsaturated ketones, a functionality present in the series of compounds under investigation, is related to the conjugated double bond with the carbonyl group. The presence of a positive Coulomb descriptor nearby the carbonyl moieties, obtained as a result of the regression model, indicates that these polar groups are also related to the toxicity on D. magna. From the PLS regression model, the toxicity EC50-48 h values increases with the positive Coulomb descriptor and diminishes with the negative Lennard-Jones descriptors. It could be concluded that the presence of small polar groups in the aromatic ring of the arylidene moiety tends to increase the toxicity, while bulkier apolar substituents lead to a decrease of the toxicity.
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Daphnia/efectos de los fármacos , Indanos/toxicidad , Relación Estructura-Actividad Cuantitativa , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/toxicidad , Animales , Indanos/química , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/químicaRESUMEN
Carbon-based tubular materials have sparked a great interest in future electronics and optoelectronics device applications. In this work, we computationally studied the mechanical properties of nanotubes generated from popgraphene (PopNTs). Popgraphene is a 2D carbon allotrope composed of 5-8-5 rings. We carried out fully atomistic reactive (ReaxFF) molecular dynamics for PopNTs of different chiralities ( n,0 and 0,n ) and/or diameters and at different temperatures (from 300 up to 1200â K). Results showed that the tubes are thermally stable (at least up to 1200â K). All tubes presented stress/strain curves with a quasi-linear behavior followed by an abrupt drop of stress values. Interestingly, armchair-like PopNTs ( 0,n ) can stand a higher strain load before fracturing when contrasted to the zigzag-like ones ( n,0 ). Moreover, it was obtained that Young's modulus (YMod ) (750-900â GPa) and ultimate strength (σUS ) (120-150â GPa) values are similar to the ones reported for conventional armchair and zigzag carbon nanotubes. YMod values obtained for PopNTs are not significantly temperature-dependent. While the σUS values for the 0,n showed a quasi-linear dependence with the temperature, the n,0 exhibited no clear trends.
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In spite of the many studies examining alcohol consumption, recent reviews have indicated that binge drinking has not been extensively studied. Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly clear that sleep is associated with many physiological functions and to drug addictions. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between alcohol binge drinking and insomnia in college students of health sciences. All first-year health sciences students (n=286) were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. Envelopes containing the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), and questions capturing sociodemographic data were distributed and collected in classes. It was found that most non-drinkers were female (70.6%), although there were no sex-related differences in the number of binge drinkers (more than 5 drinks on each occasion at least once a week), allowing statistical comparison. The Mann-Whitney U test indicated that the ISI scores were significantly greater in female than male binge drinkers (P=0.014). Moderate or severe insomnia was reported by 23% of the sample, with alcohol being the most frequently associated substance. A specialized intervention was suggested by ASSIST: brief for marijuana (19.2%) and tobacco (23.3%) use, and moderate (31.5%) or intensive (1.4%) for alcohol consumers. The data highlighted the need to pay attention to the habits of college students beyond obtaining scientific information. New data suggesting the influence of genetics on insomnia may be of importance when performing additional studies on the sex differences in alcohol binge drinking.
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Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Consumo Excesivo de Bebidas Alcohólicas/epidemiología , Trastornos del Inicio y del Mantenimiento del Sueño/epidemiología , Estudiantes , Universidades , Brasil/epidemiología , Consumo de Bebidas Alcohólicas/epidemiología , Estudios TransversalesRESUMEN
With the aim to determine the prevalence and mean parasite intensity in Oncorhynchus mykiss, 120 specimens were analyzed between April and September 2018. The cavity analysis was done by visual inspection, scraping of mucus, and extraction of the branchial arches. In the evisceration process, the intestine, the liver, and the kidney were separated, while the musculature was analyzed using the "candling table" method. All the collected material was preserved in 10% buffered formaldehyde and sent to the Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, of the Center for Agroveterinary Sciences (CAV) of the University of the State of Santa Catarina (UDESC) for making the slides and identifying the parasites. Parasites were detected only in the analysis of the scraping of body mucus. Only specimens of the genus Trichodina were identified, in 34 of the 120 fish analyzed, in two collections, resulting in a prevalence of 28.33%. In total, 144 specimens of Trichodina were observed. The overall mean intensity was of 4.24 parasites in each fish analyzed. Characteristic lesions of infection by protozoa were not identified. This is the first report of the occurrence of Trichodina spp. in O. mykiss bred in an intensive system in Brazil, with low rates of parasitic infection in the mountain region of Santa Catarina.(AU)
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Animales , Oligohimenóforos , Infecciones por Cilióforos/veterinaria , Oncorhynchus mykiss/parasitología , BrasilRESUMEN
Rhabdias pocoto n. sp. is herein described from the lungs of the swamp frog Pseudopaludicola pocoto Magalhães, Loebmann, Nogueira, Kokubum, Baptista, Haddad & Garda, 2014, from the Caatinga biome in the state of Ceará, in north-eastern Brazil. The new species is characterized by a body that dilates posteriorly, six small lips (protuberances) and two rounded lateral expansions of cuticular inflation on the anterior end, each containing an amorphous gland-like structure inside and a short and conical tail. Additionally, molecular analysis and comparison of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I sequence of R. pocoto n. sp. revealed genetic divergence between the new species and the sequences of Rhabdias spp. previously deposited in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the new taxon into the R. pseudosphaerocephala species complex + R. glaurungi clade. The new discovery represents the 19th species of Rhabdias spp. described in the Neotropical region, the ninth in Brazil and the first species of Rhabdias found parasitizing South American frogs of the genus Pseudopaludicola, as well as the first Caatinga biome species of Rhabdias.
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Anuros/parasitología , Infecciones por Rhabditida/parasitología , Rhabditoidea , Animales , Brasil , Complejo IV de Transporte de Electrones/genética , Genes de Helminto , Pulmón/parasitología , Filogenia , Rhabditoidea/clasificación , Rhabditoidea/genética , Rhabditoidea/aislamiento & purificación , Rhabditoidea/parasitología , América del SurRESUMEN
Habitats characterized by geographic isolation such as islands have been studied using different organisms as models for understanding the dynamic and insular patterns of biodiversity. Determinants of parasite richness in insular host populations have been conducted mainly with mammals and birds, showing that parasite richness decreases in insular areas. In the present study, we predicted that the type of environment (insular or continental) can influence the richness, diversity and abundance of parasites associated with the endemic frog Haddadus binotatus (Spix, 1824). We sampled frogs in two insular and two mainland fragments to survey their helminth parasites. The total richness was composed of 15 taxa of Nematoda and two of Acanthocephala, and the community composition of the two islands had more similarities between them than the two mainland localities. The insular effect was positive for richness and abundance of helminths, and no significant effect was observed on helminth diversity - even the mean diversity presented high numbers for the islands. We presumed that insular hosts could have lost some parasites in the colonization process when these continental islands were separated from the mainland, approximately 11,000 years ago. However, the high richness and abundance on islands can be explained by an epidemiological argument, which considers high population density due to insularity and other features of the host as factors that increase parasite transmission success among individuals.
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Anuros/parasitología , Ecosistema , Helmintos/clasificación , Interacciones Huésped-Parásitos , Animales , Biodiversidad , Brasil , Femenino , Helmintos/aislamiento & purificación , MasculinoRESUMEN
The absence of formal markets and the large variability of genetic groups and production systems of goats and sheep in developing countries hinder the implementation of traditional breeding programmes. Community-based breeding programmes (CBBP) for these species have been shown to be effective in these countries. In these programmes, the definition of the objectives and criteria of selection is done in a participatory way, which takes into account the desires and needs of the local farmers. We aimed to define the objectives and criteria of a CBBP for goats and sheep in the Inhamuns region, Ceará, Brazil, using a participatory rural appraisal (PRA). This methodology, which consist in an approach that aims to incorporate the knowledge and opinions of rural people in the planning and management of development projects and programmes, was performed in seven districts of two towns of the region (Tauá and Parambu). One hundred twenty-two farmer families participated in the survey. The PRA was able to provide important information, and its results showed that breeders of this region keep flocks of goats and sheep for social, economic and cultural benefits. In order of importance, the main objectives for goat farming were personal fulfilment (PERF), food source for family (FSF), income generation (INCG), savings (SAV) and cultural/family traditions (CULT), while for sheep farming were CULT, FSF, SAV, PERF and INCG. Disease resistance (RDI), adaptability (ADP), fertility (FERT), growth rate (GRA), host resistance of worms (HRW), body conformation (BC), temperament (TEM), longevity (LONG), body size (BSIZ), age at first kidding (AFK) and milk yield (MIY) were the main selection criteria that farmers use for goats. The most important selection criteria used for selecting sheep were ADP, RDI, HRW, GRA, FERT, LONG, BC, BS and age at first lambing. According to these objectives and criteria, the CBBP must consider the adaptation of the animals to the climate and management conditions of the region, the resistance to diseases and productive performance.
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Cruzamiento/métodos , Participación de la Comunidad , Agricultores/psicología , Cabras , Oveja Doméstica , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Crianza de Animales Domésticos , Animales , Brasil , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Sheehan's syndrome (SS) is one of the leading causes of hypopituitarism in developing countries. It occurs after postpartum necrosis of the pituitary gland, and it is considered a significant public health problem. This paper, apparently unpublished, aimed to perform an analysis on oral aspects in patients with SS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with 23 women diagnosed with SS at the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes (Walter Cantidio University Hospital, Fortaleza, Brazil). RESULTS: Data on sociodemographic, dental and salivary flow aspects were collected through a clinical approach and a panoramic radiograph request. The mean age was 64 ± 11.5 years old, with the sample consisting mainly of married women (56.5%), socioeconomic class C2 or D / E (78.2%) and years of education up to 8 years (69.5%). The presence of horizontal bone loss (p<0.001) and bilateral pneumatization of the maxillary sinus (p=0.015) were significant data. The mean number of absent teeth considering all subjects was 23.17±9.7, being statistically significant (p<0.001). In relation to age, the mean number of missing teeth was higher in individuals over 65 years old (p=0.048). Reduced salivary flow was observed in 78.3% of the patients. In a bivariate analysis, considering the outcome variables missing teeth and reduced salivary flow, it was observed that economic class (p<0.001), family income (0.037) and maxillary sinus pneumatization (0.032) were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In brief, patients with SS showed severe teeth loss, reduced salivary flow, and low educational status. This study addressed important aspects regarding oral findings in SS and highlighted the importance of researches in oral medicine.
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Hipopituitarismo/complicaciones , Pérdida de Diente/etiología , Xerostomía/etiología , Anciano , Brasil , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factores SocioeconómicosRESUMEN
The taxonomic limits of the Neotropical genus Dotocryptus Brèthes are reviewed. The genus is characterized mainly by the very long ovipositor, at least 2.2× as long as hind tibia; apex of ovipositor distinctly depressed, ventral valve expanded, and overlapping dorsal valve as a sheath; and mandible long with ventral tooth longer than dorsal one. A new species, Dotocryptus arcadius sp. nov., from Colombia is described and illustrated. The new species can be diagnosed mainly by the head and mesosoma with multiple whitish marks; epicnemial carina reaching 0.2-0.3 of distance to subalar ridge; legs marked with dark brown, orange, and whitish; and metasoma polished and glabrate. This is the northernmost record of the genus, previously known from Ecuador to southern Chile. An updated identification key to the species of the genus is provided, as well as diagnoses and new records for the previously known species.
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Avispas/anatomía & histología , Avispas/clasificación , Distribución Animal , Animales , Colombia , Femenino , Genitales Femeninos/anatomía & histologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Information on appropriate protocols for sedation of Nordestino donkeys is scarce. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of low doses of intravenous (i.v.) xylazine with and without acepromazine in 'Nordestino' donkeys. STUDY DESIGN: Seven healthy female Nordestino donkeys (150 ± 18 kg) were included in this blinded, randomised, crossover experiment. METHODS: Four treatments were administered, consisting of two i.v. injections, at baseline (T0, 1st injection) and 15 min later (T15, 2nd injection). Treatments included acepromazine 0.05 mg/kg bwt + saline (AS), saline + xylazine 0.5 mg/kg bwt (SX0.5), acepromazine + xylazine 0.25 mg/kg bwt (AX0.25) or acepromazine + xylazine 0.5 mg/kg bwt (AX0.5). Sedative and cardiorespiratory parameters were evaluated before T0 and 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 min after treatment. Degree [height of head above ground (HHAG)] and quality of sedation [ataxia, responses to stimuli and visual analogue scale (VAS) scoring] and respiratory rate were evaluated by the main investigator in situ, and heart rate was measured by an assistant investigator. Three experienced evaluators assessed vídeos for ataxia and responses to stimuli. Normal data were analysed by repeated measures ANOVA, and non-normal by Kruskal-Wallis (P<0.05). RESULTS: HHAG was lower than baseline for 15 min after xylazine administration in AX0.25 and for 30 min in SX0.5 and AX0.5 groups. All treatments with xylazine increased VAS and ataxia scores in situ for 15 min after xylazine administration, with no differences between groups. Ataxia scores in situ were higher in SX0.5 and AX0.5 groups than AS for 15 and 30 min after xylazine administration, respectively. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Absence of a negative control group (saline-saline). CONCLUSION: Acepromazine added to xylazine at 0.25 mg/kg bwt produced briefer and milder sedation than xylazine at 0.5 mg/kg bwt.
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Acepromazina/farmacología , Agonistas de Receptores Adrenérgicos alfa 2/farmacología , Equidae/fisiología , Hipnóticos y Sedantes/farmacología , Xilazina/farmacología , Acepromazina/administración & dosificación , Agonistas de Receptores Adrenérgicos alfa 2/administración & dosificación , Animales , Estudios Cruzados , Femenino , Frecuencia Cardíaca/efectos de los fármacos , Hipnóticos y Sedantes/administración & dosificación , Inyecciones Intravenosas/veterinaria , Distribución Aleatoria , Respiración/efectos de los fármacos , Método Simple Ciego , Escala Visual Analógica , Xilazina/administración & dosificaciónRESUMEN
This study aimed to evaluate the community composition and structure of the helminths found in 13 anuran species, and to evaluate whether this parasite community is determined by anuran characteristics. We found that the helminth fauna of the amphibians from five anuran families consisted of 13 taxa and that Cosmocercidae gen. sp. was the most prevalent taxon, followed by Oswaldocruzia subauricularis. Host body size was a determining factor of the composition and structure of the parasitic fauna. Helminth abundance and richness were positively correlated with host body size. The host Leptodactylus latrans had the highest helminth richness (n = 8). The frog Hypsiboas faber had the greatest helminth diversity (H' = 0.711). The mean helminth species richness and diversity differed significantly between host species (P < 0.05). Taken together, our data indicate that, in sympatric species of amphibians, the morphological and behavioural characteristics of the hosts are important for structuring the helminth parasite communities.
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Anuros/parasitología , Helmintiasis Animal/parasitología , Helmintos/aislamiento & purificación , Animales , Anuros/clasificación , Brasil , Helmintos/clasificación , Helmintos/genética , Helmintos/fisiología , Especificidad del Huésped , Bosque LluviosoRESUMEN
Fear of movement (kinesiophobia) seems to play an important role in the development of chronic pain. However, for temporomandibular disorders (TMD), there is a scarcity of studies about this topic. The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia for TMD (TSK/TMD) is the most widely used instrument to measure fear of movement and it is not available in Brazilian Portuguese. The purpose of this study was to culturally adapt the TSK/TMD to Brazilian Portuguese and to assess its psychometric properties regarding internal consistency, reliability, and construct and structural validity. A total of 100 female patients with chronic TMD participated in the validation process of the TSK/TMD-Br. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used for statistical analysis of reliability (test-retest), Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency, Spearman's rank correlation for construct validity and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for structural validity. CFA endorsed the pre-specified model with two domains and 12-items (Activity Avoidance - AA/Somatic Focus - SF) and all items obtained a loading factor greater than 0·4. Acceptable levels of reliability were found (ICC > 0·75) for all questions and domains of the TSK/TMD-Br. For internal consistency, Cronbach's α of 0·78 for both domains were found. Moderate correlations (0·40 < r < 0.60) were observed for 84% of the analyses conducted between TSK/TMD-Br scores versus catastrophising, depression and jaw functional limitation. TSK/TMD-Br 12 items and two-factor demonstrated sound psychometric properties (transcultural validity, reliability, internal consistency and structural validity). In such a way, the instrument can be used in clinical settings and for research purposes.
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Dolor Crónico/diagnóstico , Lenguaje , Dimensión del Dolor/normas , Trastornos Fóbicos/diagnóstico , Trastornos de la Articulación Temporomandibular/diagnóstico , Traducciones , Adulto , Brasil , Catastrofización/diagnóstico , Catastrofización/psicología , Dolor Crónico/etiología , Dolor Crónico/psicología , Comparación Transcultural , Femenino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Movimiento , Trastornos Fóbicos/psicología , Portugal/etnología , Psicometría , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Trastornos de la Articulación Temporomandibular/complicaciones , Trastornos de la Articulación Temporomandibular/psicología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Nitric oxide (NO) modulates inflammatory reactions, having beneficial or toxic effects depending on the concentration. Its elevation can cause proinflammatory effects amplifying the inflammatory process with the participation of cytokines. Smoking has a negative impact on health and is considered one of the risk factors that influence disease development facilitating inflammatory processes. AIM: To compare the serum concentration of NO and cytokines in smokers at baseline and after 4months of abstinence treatment. METHODS: Blood samples which were collected to obtain the serum, at baseline and after 4months, were stored at -80°C until analysis. NO was measured by the total dose of nitrite determined by the Greiss method. CBA was the used technique to determine the concentration of cytokines in supernatants serum. The initial and final results of NO, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-12 that remained after 4months treatment were compared. Wilcoxon test was used to compare the data and Spearman test for correlations between NO and other variables. A significance level of p<0.05 was adopted. RESULTS: The analysis of NO observed a significant reduction (p=0.001) of the initial median value of 18.80 (3.55-80.01) µmol/L to 8.10 (2.85-14.97) µmol/L after 4months of treatment. There were no significant differences in cytokines from baseline to the end of treatment. CONCLUSION: The results may not mean harm to the body, but an adaptive process, decreasing the metabolism of abstinents due to the reduction of the use of nicotine.
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Citocinas/sangre , Inflamación/sangre , Óxido Nítrico/sangre , Cese del Hábito de Fumar/métodos , Fumar/sangre , Adulto , Anciano , Biomarcadores/sangre , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Inflamación/etiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Fumar/efectos adversos , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease marked by the disruption of the immune homeostasis. Patients exhibit a wide range of clinical manifestations, and environmental and genetic factors are involved in SLE pathogenesis. Evidence suggests that abnormalities in the cellular and molecular events that coordinate apoptosis may favour the generation of autoantigens involved in autoimmunity. In this way, the apoptotic deregulation may be affected by polymorphic variants in apoptotic-related genes. Methods We analyzed FAS, FASL, BCL-2 and BAX polymorphisms in order to correlate to SLE susceptibility and clinical features. A total of 427 SLE patients from the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre and 543 controls from southern Brazil were evaluated. Results We observed higher frequencies of the FASL -844CC genotype and -844C allele, as well as of the FASL-844C/IVS2nt-124A haplotype in African-derived SLE patients when compared to controls ( P < 0.001). FASL -844C, which is related to high FasL expression, could contribute to increased apoptosis and to the breakdown of immunological tolerance, favouring autoantibody production and inflammation. On the other hand, the BAX -248GA genotype and the -248A allele , related to low protein expression, were observed as a protective factor against SLE in this same population. The rate of apoptosis and cell death was evaluated in peripheral lymphocytes, and SLE patients presented a higher percentage of dead lymphocytes (CD3+Annexin V+ 7-AAD+) compared to the control group. Conclusion Our data support a role for apoptosis in SLE susceptibility.
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Apoptosis/genética , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/genética , Linfocitos/patología , Adulto , Alelos , Brasil , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Femenino , Genotipo , Humanos , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/fisiopatología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Polimorfismo GenéticoRESUMEN
Serpentirhabdias viperidicus n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) is described from the lungs of the 'Brazilian lancehead' Bothrops moojeni (Hoge, 1966) from the savannah in São Paulo State, Brazil. The new species is the eighth species of Serpentirhabdias described in the Neotropical region, and differs from other species mainly by a combination of characters: lips slightly notable, presence of fine striations at posterior ends, presence of two parallel lines with intercalated pores, a pore-shaped phasmid situated at the level of the anal aperture and another two in the posterior half of the tail. It is the first species of Serpentirhabdias reported in this snake host and the second species of this genus found parasitizing South American viperidian snakes. Molecular phylogenetic analysis using ribosomal (ITS and 28S partial) genes confirms Serpentirhabdias viperidicus n. sp. as a new species that clustered in the Serpentirhabdias clade, sister taxon to Serpentirhabdias fuscovenosa and Serpentirhabdias elaphe. This is the first description of Serpentirhabdias species from Brazil using molecular approaches and morphological characters to confirm the monophyly of this recent genus.
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Bothrops/parasitología , Infecciones por Rhabditida/veterinaria , Rhabditoidea/clasificación , Rhabditoidea/aislamiento & purificación , Animales , Brasil , Análisis por Conglomerados , ADN de Helmintos/química , ADN de Helmintos/genética , ADN Ribosómico/química , ADN Ribosómico/genética , ADN Espaciador Ribosómico/química , ADN Espaciador Ribosómico/genética , Pulmón/parasitología , Microscopía , Filogenia , ARN Ribosómico 28S/genética , Infecciones por Rhabditida/parasitología , Rhabditoidea/anatomía & histología , Rhabditoidea/genética , Análisis de Secuencia de ADNRESUMEN
Transmissible venereal tumour (TVT) generally presents different degrees of aggressiveness, which makes them unresponsive to conventional treatment protocols. This implies a progressive alteration of their biological profile. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity, cell survival, apoptosis and cell cycle alterations in TVT cell cultures subjected to treatment with vincristine. Similarly, it assessed possible implications of MDR-1, TP53, BCL-2, and BAX gene expressions in eight TVT primary cultures for both resistance to chemotherapy and biological behaviour. When comparing TVT cells receiving vincristine to those untreated, a statistical difference related to increased cytotoxicity and decreased survival rates, and alterations in G1 and S cell cycle phases were found but without detectable differences in apoptosis. Increased MDR-1 gene expression was observed after treatment. The groups did not differ statistically in relation to the TP53, BAX and BCL-2 genes. Although preliminary, the findings suggest that such augmented expression is related to tumour malignancy and chemotherapy resistance.
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Miembro 1 de la Subfamilia B de Casetes de Unión a ATP/metabolismo , Antineoplásicos Fitogénicos/uso terapéutico , Apoptosis , Ciclo Celular , Enfermedades de los Perros/patología , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-bcl-2/metabolismo , Proteína p53 Supresora de Tumor/metabolismo , Tumores Venéreos Veterinarios/patología , Vincristina/uso terapéutico , Proteína X Asociada a bcl-2/metabolismo , Animales , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Ciclo Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Línea Celular Tumoral , Enfermedades de los Perros/tratamiento farmacológico , Perros , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica , Resultado del Tratamiento , Tumores Venéreos Veterinarios/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTDCO ) and calibrated pulse contour analysis (PCACO ) are alternatives to pulmonary artery thermodilution cardiac output (PATDCO ) measurement. HYPOTHESIS: Ten mL of ice-cold thermal indicator (TI10 ) would improve the agreement and trending ability between TPTDCO and PATDCO compared to 5 mL of indicator (TI5 ) (Phase-1). The agreement and TA between PCACO and PATDCO would be poor during changes in systemic vascular resistance (SVR) (Phase-2). ANIMALS: Eight clinically normal dogs (20.8-31.5 kg). METHODS: Prospective, experimental study. Simultaneous TPTDCO and PATDCO (averaged from 3 repetitions) using TI5 and TI10 were obtained during isoflurane anesthesia combined or not with remifentanil or dobutamine (Phase-1). Triplicate PCACO and PATDCO measurements were recorded during phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction and nitroprusside-induced vasodilation (Phase-2). RESULTS: Mean bias (limits of agreement: LOA) (L/min), percentage bias (PB), and percentage error (PE) were 0.62 (-0.11 to 1.35), 16%, and 19% for TI5 ; and 0.33 (-0.25 to 0.91), 9%, and 16% for TI10 . Mean bias (LOA), PB, and PE were 0.22 (-0.63 to 1.07), 6%, and 23% during phenylephrine; and 2.12 (0.70-3.55), 43%, and 29% during nitroprusside. Mean angular bias (radial LOA) values were 2° (-10° to 14°) and -1° (-9° to 6°) for TI5 and TI10 , respectively (Phase-1), and 38° (5°-71°) (Phase-2). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Although TI10 slightly improves the agreement and trending ability between TPTDCO and PATDCO in comparison to TI5 , both volumes can be used for TPTDCO in replacement of PATDCO . Vasodilation worsens the agreement between PCACO and PATDCO . Because of PCACO 's poor agreement and trending ability with PATDCO during SVR changes, this method has limited clinical application.