Synthesis and evaluation of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and antimicrobial activities of thiosemicarbazides, 4-thiazolidinones and 1,3,4-thiadiazoles.

In this work we reported the synthesis and evaluation of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and antimicrobial activities in vitro of three new compound series obtained from ethyl(5-methyl-1-H-imidazole-4-carboxylate): acylthiosemicarbazide analogues 3a-d, 4-thiazolidinone analogues 4a-d and 1,3,4-thiadiazole analogues 5a-d. All synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, (1)H, (13)C NMR and HRMS. The majority of the tested compounds show excellent anti-T.

A new polymorphism in the Growth and Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF9) gene is associated with increased ovulation rate and prolificacy in homozygous sheep.

Brazilian Santa Inês (SI) sheep are very well-adapted to the tropical conditions of Brazil and are an important source of animal protein. A high rate of twin births was reported in some SI flocks. Growth and Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF9) and Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 (BMP15) are the first two genes expressed by the oocyte to be associated with an increased ovulation rate in sheep.

Case-case-control study of risk factors for nasopharyngeal colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a medical-surgical intensive care unit.

Nasopharyngeal colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) often precedes the development of nosocomial infections. In order to identify risk factors for MRSA colonization, we conducted a case-case-control study, enrolling 122 patients admitted to a medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU). All patients had been screened for nasopharyngeal colonization with S.

Validation and reliability analysis of the Portuguese language version of Needs of Parents Questionnaire.

Objective: To describe the procedures followed for the validation and reliability analysis of the Portuguese version of the Needs of Parents Questionnaire in the context of pediatric hospitalization in Portugal.

Methods: This is a descriptive study based on procedures for the cultural and linguistic adaptation of health measurement tools. The validation was performed on a sample of 870 parents of hospitalized children in pediatrics departments from four hospitals in Portugal, with ages ranging from 2 days to 18 years.

Family history of hypertension as an important risk factor for the development of severe preeclampsia.

Objective: To determine the risk of preeclampsia in a population with respect to maternal and sister histories of chronic hypertension, preeclampsia and eclampsia.

Design: A case-control study of severe preeclampsia.

Setting: Maternity hospital in Natal, Brazil.

Common mental disorders among medical students at Universidade Federal de Sergipe: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Estimate the prevalence of common mental disorder and its associated factors among medical students of the Universidade Federal de Sergipe.

Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out, applying Self Reporting Questionnaire-20 to 473 students from the 512 medical students enrolled in 2006 and compared with compared with a structured questionnaire by the authors containing information on the socio-demographic characteristics, the teaching-learning process and the psycho-emotional experiences of the students. Freshmen were excluded after initial comparison with the students already exposed to the medical course.

Risk factors of oropharyngeal carriage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa among patients from a Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

Oropharyngeal carriage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with increased risk of infection and may provide a source for spread of drug-resistant strains. In order to assess the incidence and risk factors of oropharyngeal carriage, we conducted a retrospective cohort study based on results of surveillance cultures (oropharyngeal swabs) from a medical-surgical intensive care unit, collected from March 2005 through May 2006. Variables investigated included demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, invasive procedures, use of devices and use of antimicrobials.

Immune cells and oxidative stress in the endotoxin tolerance mouse model.

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response that can lead to tissue damage and death. In order to increase our understanding of sepsis, experimental models are needed that produce relevant immune and inflammatory responses during a septic event. We describe a lipopolysaccharide tolerance mouse model to characterize the cellular and molecular alterations of immune cells during sepsis.

Patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma are characterized by increased frequency of suppressive regulatory T cells in the blood and tumor microenvironment.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a cancerous lesion with high incidence worldwide. The immunoregulatory events leading to OSCC persistence remain to be elucidated. Our hypothesis is that regulatory T cells (Tregs) are important to obstruct antitumor immune responses in patients with OSCC.

Nasopharyngeal colonization with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus and mortality among patients in an intensive care unit.

Nasopharyngeal colonization with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is common in critically ill patients, but its effect on patient prognosis is not fully elucidated. A retrospective cohort study was carried out enrolling 122 patients from an intensive care unit who were screened weekly for nasopharyngeal colonization with MRSA. The outcomes of interest were: general mortality and mortality by infection.

Longevity in untreated congenital growth hormone deficiency due to a homozygous mutation in the GHRH receptor gene.

Context: Reduced longevity observed in hypopituitarism has been attributed to GH deficiency (GHD). It is, however, unclear whether GHD or other confounding factors cause this early mortality.

Objective: The aim was to study longevity in subjects from a large kindred with untreated, lifetime isolated GHD (IGHD) due to a homozygous mutation in the GHRH receptor gene and in heterozygous carriers of the mutation.

Changes in gene expression profiles of bovine embryos produced in vitro, by natural ovulation, or hormonal superstimulation.

Embryos produced by hormonal superstimulation have been used as an in vivo control in most published research on embryo gene expression. However, it is not known if this is the most appropriate control for gene expression profile studies. We compared the expression of GRB-10, IGF-II, IGF-IIR, MnSOD, GPX-4, catalase, BAX, and interferon-tau genes, in embryos produced in vivo by hormonal superovulation (SOV), by in vitro fertilization (IVF) or in vivo without any hormonal stimulus (NOV).

Anti-parasitic action and elimination of intracellular Toxoplasma gondii in the presence of novel thiosemicarbazone and its 4-thiazolidinone derivatives.

Toxoplasma, which infects all eukaryotic cells, is considered to be a good system for the study of drug action and of the behavior of infected host cells. In the present study, we asked if thiosemicarbazone derivatives can be effective against tachyzoites and which morphological and ultrastructural features of host cells and parasites are associated with the destruction of Toxoplasma. The compounds were tested in infected Vero cell culture using concentration screens (0.

Endotoxin tolerance: selective alterations in gene expression and protection against lymphocyte death.

Extensive lymphocyte apoptosis may be an important cause of immune suppression in sepsis. Here we investigated the effect of LPS tolerance on lymphocyte apoptosis in an experimental model of polymicrobial infection. Tolerance was induced by the injection of lipopolysaccharide (1.

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy and fluorescence resonance energy transfer from cyan to yellow fluorescent protein validates a novel method to cluster proteins on solid surfaces.

A novel method to distribute proteins on solid surfaces is proposed. Proteins microencapsulated in the water pool of reverse micelles were used to coat a solid surface with well-individualized round spots of 1 to 3 microm in diameter. The number of spots per unit area can be increased through the concentration of reverse micelles, and networks of spots were obtained at high concentrations of large reverse micelles.

Site of intrauterine artificial insemination in the bitch does not affect sperm distribution within the uterus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of frozen-thawed spermatozoa within the uterine lumen and oviducts following intrauterine laparoscopic deposition at two sites. Twelve bitches of unknown reproductive history were randomly distributed into two groups. Semen (3 ml containing 300 × 10(6) frozen-thawed spermatozoa) was infused at the uterine body (UB group) or at the cranial tip of the left uterine horn.

Educational problems related to quantitative EEG changes in benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes.

The relationship between educational problems and clinical/electroencephalographic aspects was assessed in 38 children with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS). Children were assessed using the School Performance Test; questionnaires on learning difficulties administered to parents and teachers; the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Third Edition; and EEGs. Absolute and relative amplitudes in the classic bands (quantitative EEG) and characteristics of epileptiform activity on the EEG were examined.

Risk factors for acquisition of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among patients from a burn unit in Brazil.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important agent of colonization and infection in burn units. In order to identify risk factors for MRSA acquisition in a Brazilian burn unit, we performed two retrospective studies. In the first ("cohort" study), 175 patients who were not colonized with MRSA on admission were followed to assess risk factors for MRSA acquisition.

Multivariate QSAR study of 4,5-dihydroxypyrimidine carboxamides as HIV-1 integrase inhibitors.

A multivariate QSAR study of thirty-three 4,5-dihydroxypyrimidine carboxamides as HIV-1 integrase (HIV-1 IN) inhibitors was performed employing Ordered Predictors Selection (OPS) algorithm and PLS regression for variable selection and model construction, respectively. Four descriptors were chosen and a reasonable model (n=30; R(2)=0.68; SEC=0.

Accumulation of arsenic and nutrients by castor bean plants grown on an As-enriched nutrient solution.

Phytoextraction is a remediation technique that consists in using plants to remove contaminants from soils and water. This study evaluated arsenic (As) accumulation in Castor bean (Ricinus communis cv. Guarany) grown in nutrient solution in order to assess its phytoextraction ability.

Dental trauma: an evidence-based approach to care.

Background: One of the key aspects of improving the dental care we offer to our patients is in basing our practice on the best available evidence.

Aim: The main purpose of this paper is to present some basic ways of searching reliable papers on Internet and to introduce some techniques to facilitate the development of strategic search skill to improve the quality of dental care, using dental trauma as an example.

Materials And Methods: After formulation of a clinical question on a dental trauma issue, a comparison was made between: data collected in PubMed using a given term; data collected in PubMed using the Medical Subject Headings vocabulary (Mesh) and data collected using the principles of evidence-based research, all by an independent researcher.

Phase behavior of aqueous dispersions of mixtures of N-palmitoyl ceramide and cholesterol: a lipid system with ceramide-cholesterol crystalline lamellar phases.

Ceramides are particularly abundant in the stratum corneum lipid matrix, where they determine its unusual mesostructure, are involved in the lateral segregation of lipid domains in biological cell membranes, and are also known to act as signaling agents in cells. The importance attributed to ceramides in several biological processes has heightened in recent years, demanding a better understanding of their interaction with other membrane components, namely, cholesterol. Structural data concerning pure ceramides in water are relatively scarce, and this is even more the case for mixtures of ceramides with other lipids commonly associated with them in biological systems.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome: morbidity and survival after liver transplantation.

Hepatopulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a triad of liver disease, intrapulmonary vascular dilatation (IPVD), and arterial deoxygenation. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) constitutes the only effective treatment; however, adverse outcomes have been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the early morbidity and short- and long-term survival after OLT for patients with and without HPS.

The hyperthermophilic nature of the metallo-oxidase from Aquifex aeolicus.

The stability of the Aquifex aeolicus multicopper oxidase (McoA) was studied by spectroscopy, calorimetry and chromatography to understand its thermophilic nature. The enzyme is hyperthermostable as deconvolution of the differential scanning calorimetry trace shows that thermal unfolding is characterized by temperature values at the mid-point of 105, 110 and 114 degrees C. Chemical denaturation revealed however a very low stability at room temperature (2.