Enzymatic profiling of cellulosomal enzymes from the human gut bacterium, Ruminococcus champanellensis, reveals a fine-tuned system for cohesin-dockerin recognition.

Ruminococcus champanellensis is considered a keystone species in the human gut that degrades microcrystalline cellulose efficiently and contains the genetic elements necessary for cellulosome production. The basic elements of its cellulosome architecture, mainly cohesin and dockerin modules from scaffoldins and enzyme-borne dockerins, have been characterized recently. In this study, we cloned, expressed and characterized all of the glycoside hydrolases that contain a dockerin module.

Frequency of Maxillary Sinus Mucous Retention Cysts in a Central Brazilian Population.

Statement Of The Problem: Mucous retention cysts (MRCs) of the maxillary sinus are lesions with undefined pathogenesis. In recent researches, geographical and climatic aspects have been related as risk factors.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of MRCs of the maxillary sinus using panoramic radiographs.

Characterization of seven cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcripts (CARTs) differentially expressed in the brain and peripheral tissues of Solea senegalensis (Kaup).

CART (cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript) is a peptide with neurotransmitter and neuroendocrine functions with several key roles, both centrally and peripherally. In mammals there is a single gene that produces two alternatively spliced variants in rat and a single transcript in human but in teleosts multiple genes have been found. In the present study we report the existence of seven transcripts in Senegalese sole and characterize their sequences and phylogenetic relationships, as well as their expression patterns in the brain and peripheral tissues, and in response to feeding.

Batch-injection analysis with amperometric detection of the DPPH radical for evaluation of antioxidant capacity.

This work proposes the application of batch-injection analysis with amperometric detection to determine the antioxidant capacity of real samples based on the measurement of DPPH radical consumption. The efficient concentration or EC50 value corresponds to the concentration of sample or standard required to scavenge 50% DPPH radicals. For the accurate determination of EC50, samples were incubated with DPPH radical for 1h because many polyphenolic compounds typically found in plants and responsible for the antioxidant activity exhibit slow kinetics.

B-cell survival factors in autoimmune rheumatic disorders.

Autoimmune rheumatic disorders have complex etiopathogenetic mechanisms in which B cells play a central role. The importance of factors stimulating B cells, notably the B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and A proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL) axis is now recognized. BAFF and APRIL are cytokines essential for B-cell proliferation and survival from the immature stages to the development of plasma cells.

Antiviral and Antioxidant Activities of Sulfated Galactomannans from Plants of Caatinga Biome.

Dengue represents a serious social and economic public health problem; then trying to contribute to improve its control, the objective of this research was to develop phytoterapics for dengue treatment using natural resources from Caatinga biome. Galactomannans isolated from Adenanthera pavonina L., Caesalpinia ferrea Mart.

Longitudinal reference intervals for Doppler velocimetric parameters of the fetal renal artery correlated with amniotic fluid index among low-risk pregnancies.

Objective: To establish longitudinal reference intervals for pulsatility index (PI) and systolic velocity (SV) of the fetal renal artery, and to evaluate their correlation with the amniotic fluid index (AFI).

Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted among women with low-risk pregnancies who attended outpatient clinics at the University of Campinas Medical School, Brazil, at 16-19 weeks of pregnancy between April 1, 2008, and March 31, 2010. Doppler velocimetric measurements of the fetal renal artery and assessments of the AFI were undertaken at 4-week intervals to 36 weeks, and every 2 weeks thereafter until delivery.

Trends in gastric cancer mortality and in the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Portugal.

Portugal has the highest gastric cancer mortality rates in Western Europe, along with high prevalences of Helicobacter pylori infection. Monitoring their trends is essential to predict the burden of this cancer. We aimed to quantify time trends in gastric cancer mortality in Portugal and in each administrative region, and to compute short-term predictions, as well as to describe the prevalence of H.

Children's Indoor Exposures to (Ultra)Fine Particles in an Urban Area: Comparison Between School and Home Environments.

Due to their detrimental effects on human health, scientific interest in ultrafine particles (UFP), has been increasing but available information is far from comprehensive. Children, who represent one of the most susceptible subpopulation, spend the majority of time in schools and homes. Thus, the aim of this study is to (1) assess indoor levels of particle number concentrations (PNC) in ultrafine and fine (20-1000 nm) range at school and home environments and (2) compare indoor respective dose rates for 3- to 5-yr-old children.

Production and characterization of absorbent heat from the bark of residual Brazil nut bark (Bertholletia Excelsa l.).

Background: The increasing efforts to reduce the environmental impact on the Amazon's natural resources are focusing on watercourses that pass through effluents with high concentrations of heavy metals. The adsorption by absorbent is one of the methods used to remove metallic ions. In this assignment, the preparation of activated carbon from Brazil nut bark (Bertholletia excelsa l.

Reset osmostat: a rare cause of hyponatraemia.

Neonatal hyponatraemia is common, and related to significant morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a preterm newborn (gestational age of 36 weeks) with hyponatraemia, and with a prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip and palate, with a normal fetal karyotype. On the seventh day of life, a biochemical evaluation for jaundice and mild signs of dehydration showed hyponatraemia of 124 mmol/L.

Physical Activity Patterns and Factors Related to Exercise during Pregnancy: A Cross Sectional Study.

Objective: To assess the physical activity levels of pregnant women and to examine the characteristics associated with the practice of exercise and the activities of daily living during pregnancy.

Methods: For this cross-sectional study, 1,279 women were recruited within 72 hours postpartum. They were interviewed about their socio-demographic data and obstetric history and were administered self-report questionnaires about exercise and daily physical activities during pregnancy.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve Heart Rate Variability and Baroreflex Sensitivity in Rats with Chronic Heart Failure.

Heart failure induced by myocardial infarct (MI) attenuates the heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity, which are important risk factors for life-threatening cardiovascular events. Therapies with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promising results after MI. However, the effects of MSCs on hemodynamic (heart rate and arterial pressure) variability and baroreflex sensitivity in chronic heart failure (CHF) following MI have not been evaluated thus far.

Alteration of ornithine metabolism leads to dominant and recessive hereditary spastic paraplegia.

Hereditary spastic paraplegias are heterogeneous neurological disorders characterized by a pyramidal syndrome with symptoms predominantly affecting the lower limbs. Some limited pyramidal involvement also occurs in patients with an autosomal recessive neurocutaneous syndrome due to ALDH18A1 mutations. ALDH18A1 encodes delta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS), an enzyme that catalyses the first and common step of proline and ornithine biosynthesis from glutamate.

Significance of relative position of cellulases in designer cellulosomes for optimized cellulolysis.

Degradation of cellulose is of major interest in the quest for alternative sources of renewable energy, for its positive effects on environment and ecology, and for use in advanced biotechnological applications. Due to its microcrystalline organization, celluose is extremely difficult to degrade, although numerous microbes have evolved that produce the appropriate enzymes. The most efficient known natural cellulolytic system is produced by anaerobic bacteria, such as C.

Chemical Constituents and Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of Kielmeyera coriacea Mart. & Zucc. Essential Oils.

Many essential oils (EOs) of different plant species possess interesting antimicrobial effects on buccal microorganisms and cytotoxic properties. EOs of Kielmeyera coriacea Mart. & Zucc.

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and assessment of potential risks in preschool children.

As children represent one of the most vulnerable groups in society, more information concerning their exposure to health hazardous air pollutants in school environments is necessary. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been identified as priority air pollutants due to their mutagenic and carcinogenic properties that strongly affect human health. Thus, this work aims to characterize levels of 18 selected PAHs in preschool environment, and to estimate exposure and assess the respective risks for 3-5-year-old children (in comparison with adults).

Ruminococcal cellulosome systems from rumen to human.

A cellulolytic fiber-degrading bacterium, Ruminococcus champanellensis, was isolated from human faecal samples, and its genome was recently sequenced. Bioinformatic analysis of the R. champanellensis genome revealed numerous cohesin and dockerin modules, the basic elements of the cellulosome, and manual sequencing of partially sequenced genomic segments revealed two large tandem scaffoldin-coding genes that form part of a gene cluster.

A High Throughput, 384-Well, Semi-Automated, Hepatocyte Intrinsic Clearance Assay for Screening New Molecular Entities in Drug Discovery.

A high throughput, semi-automated clearance screening assay in hepatocytes was developed allowing a scientist to generate data for 96 compounds in one week. The 384-well format assay utilizes a Thermo Multidrop Combi and an optimized LC-MS/MS method. The previously reported LCMS/ MS method reduced the analytical run time by 3-fold, down to 1.

Phytochemical analysis and modulation of antibiotic activity by Luehea paniculata Mart. & Zucc. (Malvaceae) in multiresistant clinical isolates of Candida spp.

The high incidence of fungal infections has led to the continuous search for new drugs. Extracts of Luehea paniculata, a tree of multiple medicinal uses, were evaluated for anti-Candida activity, as well as its modulator potential of the Fluconazole antibiotic. Chemical prospecting of ethanol extracts of leaf and bark was carried out, the quantification of total phenols and flavonoids, characterized by the HPLC-DAD technique.

Worldwide Burden of Gastric Cancer Attributable to Tobacco Smoking in 2012 and Predictions for 2020.

Background: The heterogeneous patterns and trends in tobacco consumption contribute to regional and gender differences in the burden of gastric cancer attributable to smoking.

Aims: To estimate the proportion and absolute number of gastric cancer cases that can be attributed to smoking in different countries, in 2012 and 2020.

Methods: Population attributable fractions (PAFs) were computed for 118 countries, using data of smoking prevalence in 2002 and 2011 and published estimates of the magnitude of the association between smoking and gastric cancer, assuming a time lag of ≈10 years.

Nanogold bioconjugates for direct and sensitive multiplexed immunosensing.

The use of nanogold bioconjugates for direct detection of the antibody-antigen immunoreaction is addressed. The integration of gold nanoparticles tracers as signal generators in microarray immunosensing and compact disc detection technique show important advantages to reach sensitive, selective, high throughput, reliable and cost-effective assays. For that, a thorough study of the performances of the size of spherical nanogold particles and coating density was developed.

Association between parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), and gestational weight gain (GWG).

Methods: This observational controlled study was conducted from November 2013 to April 2014, with postpartum women who started antenatal care up to 14 weeks and had full-term births. Data were collected from medical records and antenatal cards.