Narcissistic Self-Sorting of Amphiphilic Collagen-Inspired Peptides in Supramolecular Vesicular Assembly.

Herein, we describe the hierarchical self-assembly accompanying self-sorting of collagen-inspired peptides (CPs). The two amphiphilic CPs used in this study contained an azobenzene (Az) moiety at the -terminal, connected through a flexible spacer, but with different lengths of the (Gly-Pro-Hyp) triplet ( = 5 and 7). When the CP aqueous solution (60 °C) was cooled to 4 °C, both CPs formed a triple helix structure and the pre-organized helices subsequently self-assembled into highly ordered vesicles with a diameter of 50-200 nm.

Macrocyclic peptides exhibit antiviral effects against influenza virus HA and prevent pneumonia in animal models.

Most anti-influenza drugs currently used, such as oseltamivir and zanamivir, inhibit the enzymatic activity of neuraminidase. However, neuraminidase inhibitor-resistant viruses have already been identified from various influenza virus isolates. Here, we report the development of a class of macrocyclic peptides that bind the influenza viral envelope protein hemagglutinin, named iHA.

Comparative functional analysis between human and mouse chitotriosidase: Substitution at amino acid 218 modulates the chitinolytic and transglycosylation activity.

Chitotriosidase (Chit1) and acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) have been attracting research interest due to their involvement in various pathological conditions such as Gaucher's disease and asthma, respectively. Both enzymes are highly expressed in mice, while the level of AMCase mRNA was low in human tissues. In addition, the chitinolytic activity of the recombinant human AMCase was significantly lower than that of the mouse counterpart.

Characterization of the mechanism of thioredoxin-dependent activation of γ-glutamylcyclotransferase, RipAY, from Ralstonia solanacearum.

A class II ChaC protein, RipAY, from phytopathogenic bacterium, Ralstonia solanacearum exhibits γ-glutamylcyclotransferase (GGCT) activity to degrade intracellular glutathione in host cells upon its interaction with host thioredoxins (Trxs). To understand the Trx-dependent activation of RipAY, we constructed various deletion mutants of RipAY and found the determinant region for GGCT activation in the N- and C-terminal sequences of RipAY by analyzing their yeast growth inhibition activity and the interaction with Trxs. Mutational analysis of the active site cysteine residues of Arabidopsis thaliana Trx-h5 (AtTrx-h5), one of the most efficiently stimulating Trxs, revealed that each active site cysteine residue of AtTrx-h5 contributes to efficient RipAY-binding and -activation activity.

Effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 and lactoperoxidase genes in the lung of isogenic mice after ischemia/reperfusion injury in the small bowel.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) on the expression of the genes antioxidant glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4) and lactoperoxidase (Lpo) in the lung of mice subjected to intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (IIR).

Methods: Control group (CG) in which were subjected to anesthesia, laparotomy and observation for 120 minutes; an ischemia and reperfusion group (IRG) subjected to anesthesia, laparotomy, small bowel ischemia for 60 minutes and reperfusion for 60 minutes; and three groups treated with HBO during ischemia (HBOG + I), during reperfusion (HBOG + R) and during ischemia and reperfusion (HBOG + IR). Studied 84 genes of oxidative stress by the method (RT-qPCR).

Hyperbaric oxygenation and the genic expression related to oxidative stress in the heart of mice during intestinal ischemia and reperfusion.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) on intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury, we evaluated the expression of 84 genes related to oxidative stress and the antioxidant response in mouse hearts.

Methods: Four groups were subjected to 60 minutes of intestinal ischemia followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion: IRG, ischemia and reperfusion group without HBO; HBO-IG, which received HBO during ischemia; HBO-RG, which received HBO during reperfusion; and HBO-IRG, which received HBO during ischemia and reperfusion. The control group (CG) underwent anesthesia and laparotomy and was observed for 120 minutes.

Sensitization with vaccinia virus encoding H5N1 hemagglutinin restores immune potential against H5N1 influenza virus.

H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 HPAI) virus causes elevated mortality compared with seasonal influenza viruses like H1N1 pandemic influenza (H1N1 pdm) virus. We identified a mechanism associated with the severe symptoms seen with H5N1 HPAI virus infection. H5N1 HPAI virus infection induced a decrease of dendritic cell number in the splenic extrafollicular T-cell zone and impaired formation of the outer layers of B-cell follicles, resulting in insufficient levels of antibody production after infection.

Period of Hyperbaric Oxygen Delivery Leads to Different Degrees of Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats.

Background: This study evaluated the morphology of the rat liver when hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) was used at various stages of ischemia and reperfusion.

Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats, subjected to 30 minutes of hepatic ischemia and 30 minutes of reperfusion, were randomly assigned as follows: GIR (n = 8), control without HBO; GHBO/I (n = 8), in which HBO was applied only during ischemia; GHBO/R (n = 8), HBO only during reperfusion; and GHBO/IR (n = 8), HBO during both ischemia and reperfusion. Feasibility scores of hepatocytes were determined by assessing 8 items related to liver injury.

Prevalence of Obesity and Overweight in an Indigenous Population in Central Brazil: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of obesity and overweight and associated factors in indigenous people of the Jaguapiru village in Central Brazil.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study between January 2009 and July 2011 in the adult native population of the Jaguapiru village, Central Brazil. Sociodemographic and lifestyle data were obtained; anthropometric measures, arterial blood pressure, and blood glucose were measured.

Gene expression profile of oxidative stress in the lung of inbred mice after intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Purpose: To determine the gene expression profile associated with oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in the lung tissue of mice subjected to intestinal ischemia and reperfusion.

Methods: Twelve male, inbred mice (C57BL/6) were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group (CG) underwent anesthesia and laparotomy and was observed for 120 minutes; the ischemia/reperfusion group (IRG) was subjected to anesthesia, laparotomy, and ischemia of the small intestine for 60 minutes and to 60 minutes of reperfusion.

Prevalence of hypertension and associated factors in an indigenous community of central Brazil: a population-based study.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors among the native indigenous of Jaguapiru village in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Method: A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted with adult indigenous aged 18 years or more. The subjects' blood pressure was measured twice, and the mean of the two measurements was calculated.

Gene expression related to oxidative stress in the heart of mice after intestinal ischemia.

Background: Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion is a frequent clinical event associated to injury in distant organs, especially the heart.

Objective: To investigate the gene expression of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in the heart of inbred mice subjected to intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (IR).

Methods: Twelve mice (C57BL/6) were assigned to: IR Group (GIR) with 60 minutes of superior mesenteric artery occlusion followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion; Control Group (CG) which underwent anesthesia and laparotomy without IR procedure and was observed for 120 minutes.

Expression of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense genes in the kidney of inbred mice after intestinal ischemia and reperfusion.

Purpose: To determine the gene expressions profile related to the oxidative stress and the antioxidant response in the kidneys of mice subjected to intestinal ischemia and reperfusion.

Methods: Twelve inbred mice (C57BL/6) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the control group (CG) underwent anesthesia and was observed for 120 min and the ischemia/reperfusion group (IRG), animals were anesthetized and subjected to laparotomy and ischemia for 60 minutes followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion. The expressions of 84 genes from the kidney were determined by the Reverse Transcription qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR).

Recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of the development and function of Th17 cells.

IL-17-producing T helper (Th17) cells comprise a distinct Th subset involved in epithelial cell- and neutrophil-mediated immune responses against extracellular microbes. At the same time, Th17 cells play significant roles in the development of autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Since the identification of Th17 cells approximately a decade ago, the molecular mechanisms of their differentiation have been intensively studied and a number of signaling cascades and transcription factors have been shown to be involved.

Oxidative stress gene expression profile in inbred mouse after ischemia/reperfusion small bowel injury.

Purpose: To determine the profile of gene expressions associated with oxidative stress and thereby contribute to establish parameters about the role of enzyme clusters related to the ischemia/reperfusion intestinal injury.

Methods: Twelve male inbred mice (C57BL/6) were randomly assigned: Control Group (CG) submitted to anesthesia, laparotomy and observed by 120 min; Ischemia/reperfusion Group (IRG) submitted to anesthesia, laparotomy, 60 min of small bowel ischemia and 60 min of reperfusion. A pool of six samples was submitted to the qPCR-RT protocol (six clusters) for mouse oxidative stress and antioxidant defense pathways.

Dynamic regulation of Th17 differentiation by oxygen concentrations.

Naive CD4(+) T cells are activated by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and differentiate into distinct types of helper T (T(h)) cells in the lymph node or spleen. Oxygen (O(2)) tension is generally low in these secondary lymphoid tissues compared with the bloodstream or atmosphere. However, the effect of changes in O(2) concentration on the differentiation of T(h) cells remains unclear.

[Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance in indigenous people from Aldeia Jaguapiru, Brazil].

Objective: To determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired glucose tolerance in indigenous people from Aldeia Jaguapiru, in Dourados, state of Mato Grosso do Sul.

Methods: Between August 2007 and July 2008, individuals aged 18-69 years were evaluated. To obtain the simple random sample for the study, 349 houses were picked from among the total 1 255 houses in the village.

Immunoadjuvant activity of crude lectin extracted from Momordica charantia seed.

The aim of this study is to investigate the immunoadjuvant activity of the crude Momordica charantia lectin (crMCL) extracted from seed using beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) as the model antigen. BALB/c mice were injected intramuscularly with beta-gal alone or beta-gal + crMCL for up to four immunizations at two-week intervals. After administration of 2 doses, the IgG-specific titer to beta-gal was significantly higher in mice in the beta-gal + crMCL group than in that from the animals from the beta-gal alone group, while it was about the same in both groups after 1 dose.

In vitro and in vivo stability of plasmids in attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium used as a carrier of DNA vaccine is associated with its replication origin.

The ability of live attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium (S. typhimurium) as a carrier of DNA vaccine was evaluated using model plasmid encoding beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal) and BALB/c mice. We constructed pBRCMVbeta, beta-Gal expression apparatus having a replication origin from low copy pBR322.

Effects of atorvastatin on triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, low-density lipoprotein subclass, and C-reactive protein in hemodialysis patients.

Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). We evaluated the safety and efficacy of atorvastatin in patients with dyslipidemia associated with CRF who were undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Thirty-five patients who were receiving HD were given atorvastatin (10 mg/d) for 3 months.

Clinical significance of small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels determined by the simple precipitation method.

Objective: Recently, we established a simple method for the quantification of small dense LDL cholesterol (C) using heparin-magnesium precipitation. The small dense LDL-C level was identical to cholesterol in the denser LDL fraction with a density of 1.044 to 1.