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OBJECTIVE: To develop N-(levodopa) chitosan derivatives through click chemistry to study their effect in brain cells.Significance: This study presents a proof-of-concept that macromolecules such as N-(Levodopa) chitosan derivatives traverse brain cell membranes and induce biomedical functionalities. METHODS: Through click chemistry, we developed N-(levodopa) chitosan derivatives. They were physically and chemically characterized by FT-IR, 1H-NMR, TGA and Dynamic Light Scattering analyses. Solution and nanoparticles of N-(levodopa) chitosan derivatives were tested in primary cell cultures from the postnatal rat olfactory bulb, substantia nigra and corpus callosum. Ca2+ imaging and UPLC experiments were used to investigate if the biomaterial modulated the brain cell physiology. RESULTS: N-(levodopa) chitosan derivatives induced intracellular Ca2+ responses in primary cell cultures of the rat brain. UPLC experiments indicated that levodopa attached to chitosan was converted into dopamine by brain cells. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that N-(levodopa) chitosan may be useful to develop new treatment strategies, which could serve as molecular reservoirs of biomedical drugs to treat degenerative disorders of the nervous system.

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Macrophages are mediators of inflammation having an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Recently, a pro-inflammatory subpopulation, known as metabolically activated macrophages (MMe), has been described in conditions of obesity and metabolic syndrome where they are known to release cytokines that can promote insulin resistance. Dyslipidemia represents an important feature in metabolic syndrome and corresponds to one of the main modifiable risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Circulating monocytes can differentiate into macrophages under certain conditions. They correspond to a heterogeneous population, which include inflammatory and anti-inflammatory subsets; however, there is a wide spectrum of phenotypes. Therefore, we decided to investigate whether the metabolic activated monocyte (MoMe) subpopulation is already present under dyslipidemia conditions. Secondly, we assessed whether different levels of cholesterol and triglycerides play a role in the polarization towards the metabolic phenotype (MMe) of macrophages. Our results indicate that MoMe cells are found in both healthy and dyslipidemia patients, with cells displaying the following metabolic phenotype: CD14varCD36+ABCA1+PLIN2+. Furthermore, the percentages of CD14++CD68+CD80+ pro-inflammatory monocytes are higher in dyslipidemia than in healthy subjects. When analysing macrophage differentiation, we observed that MMe percentages were higher in the dyslipidemia group than in healthy subjects. These MMe have the ability to produce high levels of IL-6 and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Furthermore, ABCA1 expression in MMe correlates with LDL serum levels. Our study highlights the dynamic contributions of metabolically activated macrophages in dyslipidemia, which may have a complex participation in low-grade inflammation due to their pro- and anti-inflammatory function.

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The delta of the Coatzacoalcos river is a priority region for the biological conservation in the Gulf of Mexico. Environmental studies in the area have detected a complex mixture of contaminants where the presence of Persistent organic compounds (POPs) is highlighted. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity of biological populations are global concerns due to their ecological implications. The purpose of this study was to measure the exposure to POPs and DNA damage in nine species residing in the Coatzacoalcos river classified by taxonomic group, type of habitat and feeding habits. Total POPs concentrations (minimum and maximum) detected for all species were from 22.7 to 24,662.1 ng/g l.w; and the values of DNA damage (minimum and maximum) varied from 0.7 to 20.5 and from 6.5 to 56.8 µm (Olive tail moment and tail length respectively). Broadly speaking, reptiles, species residing in the wetland and the ones with a carnivorous diet showed higher levels of POPs and DNA damage. This study provides us with a baseline of the state of POPs contamination and shows the degree of environmental stress to which the different components of the ecosystem of the Coatzacoalcos river delta are subject to.

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Apoptosis is one of the most effective mechanisms against the spread of pathogens such as viruses. However, viruses have developed measures to counter the protective role of apoptosis in infected cells. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) represents the major cause of congenital infection worldwide triggering important damage in the developing central nervous system (CNS). Several mechanisms of apoptosis prevention during CMV infection have been described, among them, viral proteins and RNAs are capable of prevent apoptosis by the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways as well as the one mediated by stress in the endoplasmic reticulum. Nevertheless, the CMV pro-apoptotic effect remains enigmatic and it has been suggested as a bystander effect in non-infected cells. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which CMV modulates the signaling pathways involved in apoptosis. It also includes a brief description of the permissiveness of the CNS to CMV infection and the generated cell death after infection, which may relate to the observed damage during a congenital infection.

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Apoptosis is one of the most effective mechanisms against the spread of pathogens such as viruses. However, viruses have developed measures to counter the protective role of apoptosis in infected cells. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) represents the major cause of congenital infection worldwide triggering important damage in the developing central nervous system (CNS). Several mechanisms of apoptosis prevention during CMV infection have been described, among them, viral proteins and RNAs are capable of prevent apoptosis by the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways as well as the one mediated by stress in the endoplasmic reticulum. Nevertheless, the CMV pro-apoptotic effect remains enigmatic and it has been suggested as a bystander effect in non-infected cells. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which CMV modulates the signaling pathways involved in apoptosis. It also includes a brief description of the permissiveness of the CNS to CMV infection and the generated cell death after infection, which may relate to the observed damage during a congenital infection.

La apoptosis representa uno de los mecanismos de defensa más eficaces frente a la propagación de patógenos como lo son los virus. No obstante, éstos han desarrollado medidas para contrarrestar el papel protector de la apoptosis en las células infectadas. Citomegalovirus (CMV) es considerado la principal causa de infecciones congénitas a nivel mundial, afectando de forma importante el sistema nervioso central (SNC) en desarrollo. Diversos mecanismos de prevención de apoptosis durante la infección por CMV han sido descritos, entre los cuales, se encuentran proteínas y ARNs virales capaces de evitar la apoptosis por las vías intrínseca, extrínseca y la mediada por estrés del retículo endoplásmico. Sin embargo, aún representa un enigma el efecto pro-apoptótico de CMV que se sugiere actúe como un efecto espectador sobre las células no infectadas. En el presente trabajo se ofrece una revisión de los mecanismos mediante los cuales CMV modula las vías de señalización involucradas en la apoptosis. Asimismo se incluye una breve descripción de la permisividad del SNC a la infección por CMV y sobre la muerte celular generada tras la infección, que pueden relacionarse con el daño observado durante una infección congénita.

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A utilização do termômetro de raios infravermelhos para a aferição da temperatura timpânica em animais tem se tornado uma alternativa prática na clínica veterinária. Em ovinos, a mensuração da temperatura timpânica não foi suficientemente comparada com a aferição da temperatura retal. Este estudo avaliou a equivalência entre a temperatura timpânica e a temperatura retal em 16 ovinos da raça Santa Inês. Durante a coleta de dados, a temperatura e a umidade relativa do ar foram monitoradas e não houve correlação entre estas e a temperatura corporal. A análise da equivalência, pelo método da diferença entre as temperaturas, resultou em temperaturas timpânicas mais baixas (entre 35 e 36,9ºC, para ambos os ouvidos) que a temperatura retal (entre 39 e 38ºC). Os limites de concordância das comparações entre a temperatura retal e as temperaturas timpânicas foram acima do valor pré-estabelecido. A localização anatômica dos locais aferidos e o tipo de termômetro contribuíram para as diferenças de temperatura. A temperatura retal e a temperatura timpânica foram independentes, sugerindo não haver equivalência entre ambas.

The use of infrared thermometers to obtain the tympanic temperature in animals has become a convenient alternative in veterinarian medicine practice. In sheep, tympanic and rectal temperatures have not yet been compared enough. This study evaluated the equivalence between the tympanic and the rectal temperatures in sixteen Santa Ines sheep. During data collection, air temperature and humidity were monitored and there was no discernible correlation between these and the ovine body temperature. The analysis of the equivalence, as measured by the method of the difference amongst temperatures, resulted in lower tympanic temperature (between 35 and 36.9ºC, for both ears) than the rectal temperature (between 38 and 39ºC). The agreement limit of the comparisons between the rectal and tympanic temperatures was above values established previously in the literature. The anatomical site used for the temperature measurement and the type of thermometer used contributed to these temperature differences. The rectal and tympanic temperatures were independent, suggesting that there is no equivalence between them.

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The use of infrared thermometers to obtain the tympanic temperature in animals has become a convenient alternative in veterinarian medicine practice. In sheep, tympanic and rectal temperatures have not yet been compared enough. This study evaluated the equivalence between the tympanic and the rectal temperatures in sixteen Santa Ines sheep. During data collection, air temperature and humidity were monitored and there was no discernible correlation between these and the ovine body temperature. The analysis of the equivalence, as measured by the method of the difference amongst temperatures, resulted in lower tympanic temperature (between 35 and 36.9°C, for both ears) than the rectal temperature (between 38 and 39°C). The agreement limit of the comparisons between the rectal and tympanic temperatures was above values established previously in the literature. The anatomical site used for the temperature measurement and the type of thermometer used contributed to these temperature differences. The rectal and tympanic temperatures were independent, suggesting that there is no equivalence between them.

A utilização do termômetro de raios infravermelhos para a aferição da temperatura timpânica em animais tem se tornado uma alternativa prática na clínica veterinária. Em ovinos, a mensuração da temperatura timpânica não foi suficientemente comparada com a aferição da temperatura retal. Este estudo avaliou a equivalência entre a temperatura timpânica e a temperatura retal em 16 ovinos da raça Santa Inês. Durante a coleta de dados, a temperatura e a umidade relativa do ar foram monitoradas e não houve correlação entre estas e a temperatura corporal. A análise da equivalência, pelo método da diferença entre as temperaturas, resultou em temperaturas timpânicas mais baixas (entre 35 e 36,9°C, para ambos os ouvidos) que a temperatura retal (entre 39 e 38°C). Os limites de concordância das comparações entre a temperatura retal e as temperaturas timpânicas foram acima do valor pré-estabelecido. A localização anatômica dos locais aferidos e o tipo de termômetro contribuíram para as diferenças de temperatura. A temperatura retal e a temperatura timpânica foram independentes, sugerindo não haver equivalência entre ambas.

RESUMO

The use of infrared thermometers to obtain the tympanic temperature in animals has become a convenient alternative in veterinarian medicine practice. In sheep, tympanic and rectal temperatures have not yet been compared enough. This study evaluated the equivalence between the tympanic and the rectal temperatures in sixteen Santa Ines sheep. During data collection, air temperature and humidity were monitored and there was no discernible correlation between these and the ovine body temperature. The analysis of the equivalence, as measured by the method of the difference amongst temperatures, resulted in lower tympanic temperature (between 35 and 36.9°C, for both ears) than the rectal temperature (between 38 and 39°C). The agreement limit of the comparisons between the rectal and tympanic temperatures was above values established previously in the literature. The anatomical site used for the temperature measurement and the type of thermometer used contributed to these temperature differences. The rectal and tympanic temperatures were independent, suggesting that there is no equivalence between them.

A utilização do termômetro de raios infravermelhos para a aferição da temperatura timpânica em animais tem se tornado uma alternativa prática na clínica veterinária. Em ovinos, a mensuração da temperatura timpânica não foi suficientemente comparada com a aferição da temperatura retal. Este estudo avaliou a equivalência entre a temperatura timpânica e a temperatura retal em 16 ovinos da raça Santa Inês. Durante a coleta de dados, a temperatura e a umidade relativa do ar foram monitoradas e não houve correlação entre estas e a temperatura corporal. A análise da equivalência, pelo método da diferença entre as temperaturas, resultou em temperaturas timpânicas mais baixas (entre 35 e 36,9°C, para ambos os ouvidos) que a temperatura retal (entre 39 e 38°C). Os limites de concordância das comparações entre a temperatura retal e as temperaturas timpânicas foram acima do valor pré-estabelecido. A localização anatômica dos locais aferidos e o tipo de termômetro contribuíram para as diferenças de temperatura. A temperatura retal e a temperatura timpânica foram independentes, sugerindo não haver equivalência entre ambas.

RESUMO

Laboratory-scale experiments were performed to develop a procedure for biological treatment of recalcitrant anaerobic industrial effluent (from ethanol and citric acid production) using first the microalga Chlorella vulgaris followed by the macrophyte Lemna minuscula. This recalcitrant dark-colored wastewater, containing high levels of organic matter and low pH, prevents the growth of microalgae and macrophytes, and therefore, could not be treated by them. Therefore, the wastewater was diluted to 10% of the original concentration with wash water from the production line. Within 4 days of incubation in the wastewater, C. vulgaris population grew from 5 x 10(5) to 2 x 10(6) cells/mL. This culture reduced ammonium ion (71.6%), phosphorus (28%), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) (61%), and dissolved a floating microbial biofilm after 5 days of incubation. Consequently, L. minuscule was able to grow in the treated wastewater (from 7 to 14 g/bioreactor after 6 days), precipitated the microalgal cells (by shading the culture), and reduced other organic matter and color (up to 52%) after an additional 6 days of incubation. However, L. minuscula did not improve removal of nutrients. This study demonstrates the feasibility of combining microalgae and macrophytes for bioremediation of recalcitrant industrial wastewater.

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