Intestinal mononuclear cells primed by systemic interleukin-12 display long-term ability to aggravate colitis in mice.

To address whether the burst of systemic interleukin-12 (IL-12) influences intestinal inflammation elicited by luminal stimuli, we induced IL-12 release by cDNA injection in C57BL/6 mice and simultaneously started dextran sulphate sodium administration. The sequence of the inflammatory response triggered by IL-12 release was characterized by assessing myeloperoxidase activity and histological damage in colon samples on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 after colitis induction. To evaluate the persistence of IL-12 priming, colitis was induced in mice 7 or 60 days after cDNA injection.

The Gametocytocidal Efficacy of Different Single Doses of Primaquine with Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine in Asymptomatic Parasite Carriers in The Gambia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Asymptomatic low-density gametocyte carriers represent the majority of malaria-infected individuals. However, the impact of recommended treatment with single low dose of primaquine and an artemisinin-based combination therapy to reduce transmission in this group is unknown.

Methods: This was a four-arm, open label, randomized controlled trial comparing the effect of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHAP) alone or combined with single dose of primaquine (PQ) at 0.

Mother's Perception of Children's Motor Development in Southern Brazil.

Parents' perceptions of children's motor competence are important because they influence the way parents interact with their children to promote motor skills development. Thirty-six mothers of 16- to 66-month old children (61%, 22 boys and 39%, 14 girls, n = 36) estimated their child's performance while the child was being evaluated, by another trained researcher, with the same scale (Peabody Developmental Motor Scale 2nd Ed.) in a different room.

Volatile Organic Compounds in the Atmosphere of the Botanical Garden of the City of Rio de Janeiro: A Preliminary Study.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a central role in atmospheric chemistry. In this work, VOCs in the Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro were determined using the TO-15 Method. The park occupies 1,370,000 m in the southern area of the city and is next to the Tijuca Forest, which is considered the largest secondary urban forest in the world.

Hippocampal metabotropic glutamate receptor long-term depression in health and disease: focus on mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways.

Group I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) dependent long-term depression (LTD) is a major form of synaptic plasticity underlying learning and memory. The molecular mechanisms involved in mGluR-LTD have been investigated intensively for the last two decades. In this 60th anniversary special issue article, we review the recent advances in determining the mechanisms that regulate the induction, transduction and expression of mGluR-LTD in the hippocampus, with a focus on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways.

Negative feedback regulation of the ERK1/2 MAPK pathway.

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway regulates many cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation, and transformation. To reliably convert external stimuli into specific cellular responses and to adapt to environmental circumstances, the pathway must be integrated into the overall signalling activity of the cell. Multiple mechanisms have evolved to perform this role.

Kinetic and mechanistic reactivity. Isoprene impact on ozone levels in an urban area near Tijuca Forest, Rio de Janeiro.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a central role in atmospheric chemistry. In this work, the kinetic and mechanistic reactivities of VOCs are analyzed, and the contribution of the organic compounds emitted by anthropogenic and natural sources is estimated. VOCs react with hydroxyl radicals and other photochemical oxidants, such as ozone and nitrate radicals, which cause the conversion of NO to NO in various potential reaction paths, including photolysis, to form oxygen atoms, which generate ozone.

The relationship between solvent use and BTEX concentrations in occupational environments.

Indoor air quality is an increasing concern; it causes significant damage to health because it is recycled in confined environments for extended periods of time. Among the pollutants found in these environments, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) are known for their potential toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects. This study monitored the BTEX concentrations in paint, carpentry, and varnish workplaces and evaluated the potential to cause adverse health effects on workers in these environments.

Evaluation of modified Dennis parasitological technique for diagnosis of bovine fascioliasis.

Introduction: Bovine fascioliasis causes important economic losses, estimated at COP$ 12,483 billion per year; its prevalence is 25% in dairy cattle. Parasitological techniques are required for it diagnosis. The Dennis technique, modified in 2002, is the one used in Colombia, but its sensitivity, specificity and validity are not known.

Stability and generalization in seed dispersal networks: a case study of frugivorous fish in Neotropical wetlands.

When species within guilds perform similar ecological roles, functional redundancy can buffer ecosystems against species loss. Using data on the frequency of interactions between fish and fruit, we assessed whether co-occurring frugivores provide redundant seed dispersal services in three species-rich Neotropical wetlands. Our study revealed that frugivorous fishes have generalized diets; however, large-bodied fishes had greater seed dispersal breadth than small species, in some cases, providing seed dispersal services not achieved by smaller fish species.

Keratinocyte growth factor and the expression of wound-healing-related genes in primary human keratinocytes from burn patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) treatment on the expression of wound-healing-related genes in cultured keratinocytes from burn patients.

Methods: Keratinocytes were cultured and divided into 4 groups (n=4 in each group): TKB (KGF-treated keratinocytes from burn patients), UKB (untreated keratinocytes from burn patients), TKC (KGF-treated keratinocytes from controls), and UKC (untreated keratinocytes from controls). Gene expression analysis using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) array was performed to compare (1) TKC versus UKC, (2) UKB versus UKC, (3) TKB versus UKC, (4) TKB versus UKB, (5) TKB versus TKC, and (6) UKB versus TKC.

Identifying potential markers in Breast Cancer subtypes using plasma label-free proteomics.

Unlabelled: Breast Cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasia among women and has a high mortality rate worldwide. Over the past several decades, increasing molecular knowledge of BC has resulted in its stratification into 4 major molecular subtypes according to hormonal receptor expression. Unfortunately, although the data accumulated thus far has improved BC prognosis and treatment, there have been few achievements in its diagnosis.

The Role of Preradiosurgical Embolization in the Management of Grades III, IV, and V Arteriovenous Malformations.

Objective: To evaluate the role of preradiosurgical embolization on obliteration rate, reduction of size, irradiation dose, and neurological outcome, in 90 patients presenting large arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).

Methods: Between October 1993 and October 2006, 90 radiosurgical procedures were performed to treat brain AVMs Spetzler-Martin (SM) grades III, IV, and V at the Department of Radiosurgery and Radiology of the Real e Benemérita Associação Portuguesa de Beneficência de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Fifty-nine patients had embolization before radiosurgery and complete clinical and radiologic follow-up for at least 3 years.

Role of the protein annexin A1 on the efficacy of anti-TNF treatment in a murine model of acute colitis.

TNF-α is involved in the mechanisms that initiate inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Anti-TNF-α drugs, such as infliximab (IFX), cause non-responsiveness and side effects, indicating the need to investigate alternative therapies for these diseases. The anti-inflammatory protein, annexin A1 (AnxA1), has been associated with the protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Does the MK2-dependent Production of TNFα Regulate mGluR-dependent Synaptic Plasticity?

The molecular mechanisms and signalling cascades that trigger the induction of group I metabotropic glutamate receptor (GI-mGluR)-dependent long-term depression (LTD) have been the subject of intensive investigation for nearly two decades. The generation of genetically modified animals has played a crucial role in elucidating the involvement of key molecules regulating the induction and maintenance of mGluR-LTD. In this review we will discuss the requirement of the newly discovered MAPKAPK-2 (MK2) and MAPKAPK-3 (MK3) signalling cascade in regulating GI-mGluR-LTD.

Activity-Regulated Cytoskeleton-Associated Protein Controls AMPAR Endocytosis through a Direct Interaction with Clathrin-Adaptor Protein 2.

The activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated (Arc) protein controls synaptic strength by facilitating AMPA receptor (AMPAR) endocytosis. Here we demonstrate that Arc targets AMPAR to be internalized through a direct interaction with the clathrin-adaptor protein 2 (AP-2). We show that Arc overexpression in dissociated hippocampal neurons obtained from C57BL/6 mouse reduces the density of AMPAR GluA1 subunits at the cell surface and reduces the amplitude and rectification of AMPAR-mediated miniature-EPSCs (mEPSCs).

Morphological Characteristics of Schistosoma mansoni PZQ-Resistant and -Susceptible Strains Are Different in Presence of Praziquantel.

Schistosomiasis is one of the most common human parasitic diseases whose socioeconomic impact is only surpassed by malaria. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the only drug commercially available for the treatment of all schistosome species causing disease in humans. However, there has been stronger evidences of PZQ-resistance on Schistosoma mansoni and thus it is very important to study the phenotypic characteristics associated with it.

Extravasation reactions associated with the administration of pamidronate: 11 cases (2008-2013).

Pamidronate is a bisphosphonate drug widely utilized in veterinary oncologic practice for the palliation of malignant osteolysis. Pamidronate has not been previously reported to cause tissue injury upon extravasation in dogs. The medical records of 11 client-owned dogs undergoing palliative treatment for primary bone tumors with known or suspected pamidronate extravasation reactions were reviewed.

Highly scalable, closed-loop synthesis of drug-loaded, layer-by-layer nanoparticles.

Layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly is a versatile technique from which multicomponent and stimuli-responsive nanoscale drug carriers can be constructed. Despite the benefits of LbL assembly, the conventional synthetic approach for fabricating LbL nanoparticles requires numerous purification steps that limit scale, yield, efficiency, and potential for clinical translation. In this report, we describe a generalizable method for increasing throughput with LbL assembly by using highly scalable, closed-loop diafiltration to manage intermediate purification steps.

Layer-by-layer assembled fluorescent probes in the second near-infrared window for systemic delivery and detection of ovarian cancer.

Fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1,000-1,700 nm) features deep tissue penetration, reduced tissue scattering, and diminishing tissue autofluorescence. Here, NIR-II fluorescent probes, including down-conversion nanoparticles, quantum dots, single-walled carbon nanotubes, and organic dyes, are constructed into biocompatible nanoparticles using the layer-by-layer (LbL) platform due to its modular and versatile nature. The LbL platform has previously been demonstrated to enable incorporation of diagnostic agents, drugs, and nucleic acids such as siRNA while providing enhanced blood plasma half-life and tumor targeting.

A non-destructive sampling protocol for field studies of seed dispersal by fishes.

This paper presents a standardized protocol for the non-lethal capture of fishes, sampling of stomach contents and quantification of seed dispersal efficiency by frugivorous fishes. Neotropical pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus individuals were collected with fruit-baited hooks. The diets of 110 fish were sampled using a lavage method, which retrieved >90% of stomach contents of both juveniles and adults and allowed individuals to recover within 5 min of treatment.

Data reproducibility of pace strategy in a laboratory test run.

This data paper contains data related to a reproducibility test for running pacing strategy in an intermittent running test until exhaustion. Ten participants underwent a crossover study (test and retest) with an intermittent running test. The test was composed of three-minute sets (at 1 km/h above Onset Blood Lactate Accumulation) until volitional exhaustion.

Role of carbonyls and aromatics in the formation of tropospheric ozone in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The ozone in Rio de Janeiro has been in violation of national air quality standards. Among all of the monitoring stations, the Bangu neighbourhood has the most violations of the national standard of 160 μg m(-3) for the years 2012 and 2013. This study evaluated the reactivity of the carbonyls and aromatics in the tropospheric ozone formation processes.

Ertapenem therapy for pneumonia requiring hospital admission in elderly people.

Objective: Few studies examined ertapenem for the treatment of pneumonia. This study aims to compare ertapenem with other antibiotics commonly used for the treatment of pneumonia requiring hospital admission in elderly patients in daily clinical practice.

Methods: We conducted an observational, retrospective case-control study,between January 2011 and January 2014, in a university hospital.

Engineering nanolayered particles for modular drug delivery.

Layer-by-layer (LbL) based self-assembly of nanoparticles is an emerging and powerful method to develop multifunctional and tissue responsive nanomedicines for a broad range of diseases. This unique assembly technique is able to confer a high degree of modularity, versatility, and compositional heterogeneity to nanoparticles via the sequential deposition of alternately charged polyelectrolytes onto a colloidal template. LbL assembly can provide added functionality by directly incorporating a range of functional materials within the multilayers including nucleic acids, synthetic polymers, polypeptides, polysaccharides, and functional proteins.