Adjuvant effect of killed Propionibacterium acnes on mouse peritoneal B-1 lymphocytes and their early phagocyte differentiation.

B-1 lymphocytes are the predominant cells in mouse peritoneal cavity. They express macrophage and lymphocyte markers and are divided into B-1a, B-1b and B-1c subtypes. The role of B-1 cells is not completely clear, but they are responsible for natural IgM production and seem to play a regulatory role.

Optimization and validation of organochlorine compounds in adipose tissue by SPE-gas chromatography.

Scientific evidence has shown an association between organochlorine compounds (OCC) exposure and human health hazards. Concerning this, OCC detection in human adipose samples has to be considered a public health priority. This study evaluated the efficacy of various solid-phase extraction (SPE) and cleanup methods for OCC determination in human adipose tissue.

Litterfall mercury deposition in Atlantic forest ecosystem from SE-Brazil.

Litterfall is believed to be the major flux of Hg to soils in forested landscapes, yet much less is known about this input on tropical environment. The Hg litterfall flux was measured during one year in Atlantic Forest fragment, located within Rio de Janeiro urban perimeter, in the Southeastern region of Brazil. The results indicated a mean annual Hg concentration of 238 ± 52 ng g(-1) and a total annual Hg deposition of 184 ± 8.

Relationship between force platform and two functional tests for measuring balance in the elderly.

Background: Clinical and laboratory methods have been developed to assess the different dimensions of postural control with the aim to increase the clinical relevance of decisions about balance deficit.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to correlate the force platform measurements with two functional tests used to evaluate balance in elderly.

Methods: A total of 124 physically independent elderly volunteers participated in this study.

Superior colliculus lesions impair threat responsiveness in infant capuchin monkeys.

The ability to react fast and efficiently in threatening situations is paramount for the survival of organisms and has been decisive in our evolutionary history. Defense mechanisms in primates rely on the fast recognition of potential predators and facial expressions of conspecifics. The neural circuitry responsible for the detection of threat is generally thought to be centered on the amygdala.

Goat oocyte production by standard or one-shot FSH treatments and quantitative analysis of transcripts for EGF ligands and its receptor after in vitro maturation.

Hormonal ovarian stimulation may affect the success of embryo production by regulating transcripts in recovered cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). Here, in parallel to morphological classification and in vitro maturation (IVM) rate analysis, we investigated the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) in oocytes and cumulus cells from goat COCs recovered by laparoscopy after standard [multi-dose follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)] or one-shot (single dose FSH plus eCG) treatments. No differences were observed among the number of recovered and morphologically graded COCs or the IVM rates for both gonadotropic treatments.

Biotin requirements for DNA damage prevention.

Biotin serves as a covalently bound coenzyme in five human carboxylases; biotin is also attached to histones H2A, H3, and H4, although the abundance of biotinylated histones is low. Biotinylation of both carboxylases and histones is catalyzed by holocarboxylase synthetase. Human biotin requirements are unknown.

Reference values for the incremental shuttle walking test.

Background: Reference values for the incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT) which are applicable to the whole population need to be solidly established. This study aimed to determine which anthropometric and demographic variables influence the walking distance achieved in the ISWT in healthy subjects with a broad age range and to establish a reference equation for predicting ISWT for that population.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 242 healthy subjects (102 male) performed two ISWT and had their weight, height and body mass index (BMI) measured.

Insights into the putative catechin and epicatechin transport across blood-brain barrier.

Unlabelled: The identification of mechanisms associated with phenolic neuroprotection is delayed due to a lack of information regarding the ability of phenolic compounds to enter the central nervous system (CNS). The aim of this work was to evaluate the transmembrane transport of catechin and epicatechin across blood-brain barrier (BBB). Two BBB cell lines, RBE-4 cells (immortalized cell line of rat capillary cerebral endothelial cells) and hCMEC/D3 (immortalized human cerebral microvessel endothelial cell line), were used.

Isolation and functional characterization of proinflammatory acidic phospholipase A2 from Bothrops leucurus snake venom.

In the present study, an acidic PLA(2), designated Bl-PLA(2), was isolated from Bothrops leucurus snake venom through two chromatographic steps: ion-exchange on CM-Sepharose and hydrophobic chromatography on Phenyl-Sepharose. Bl-PLA(2) was homogeneous on SDS-PAGE and when submitted to 2D electrophoresis the molecular mass was 15,000Da and pI was 5.4.

Biodistribution and biocompatibility of DMSA-stabilized maghemite magnetic nanoparticles in nonhuman primates (Cebus spp.).

Aim: This work represents the first reported investigation on the effects of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in nonhuman primates. Biodistribution, biocompatibility and nanotoxicity of maghemite nanoparticles stabilized with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) were accessed.

Materials & Methods: A control animal was used and three other animals were intravenously injected with DMSA-MNPs and euthanized 12 h, 30 and 90 days following administration.

Ovarian follicular response to different hormonal stimulation treatments in Canindé goats.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different hormonal stimulation treatments on the antral follicular population of naturalized Canindé goats. Adult goats (n=17) having estrous cycles at regular intervals were treated with intra-vaginal sponges containing 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate for 11 days, combined with an application of 50 μg d-cloprostenol on the Day 8 of treatment. For ovarian stimulation, goats were distributed into the following experimental groups: (a) multiple doses (MD), with a total of 120 mg NIH-FSH P1 in five intramuscular injections (30/30; 20/20 and 20 mg) at 12-h intervals; (b) three doses (TD), with a total of 120 mg NIH-FSH P1 in three intramuscular injections (60; 40 and 20 mg) at 24 h intervals; (c) one dose (OD), which consisted of the use of 70 mg NIH-FSH P1 combined with 200 IU eCG administered intramuscularly 36 h before sponge removal.

Sonobreast: predicting individualized probabilities of malignancy in solid breast masses with echographic expression.

To create an individualized predictive tool for the risk of malignancy in solid breast masses, based on echographic and clinical characteristics. Research Ethics Committee approval and informed consent were obtained. This multi-center study included 1,403 solid breast masses prospectively.

Evaluation of lymphocyte levels in a random sample of 218 elderly individuals from São Paulo city.

Background: Age-associated changes in the immune system cause decreased protection after vaccination and increased rates of infections and tumor development.

Methods: Lymphocyte percentages were compared by gender and age to establish differences between subtypes. Three mL blood samples were obtained from 218 randomly selected individuals (60-101 years old) who live in São Paulo city.

VKORC1 polymorphisms in Brazilians: comparison with the Portuguese and Portuguese-speaking Africans and pharmacogenetic implications.

Aims: The heterogeneity of the Brazilian population renders the extrapolation of pharmacogenomic data derived from well-defined ethnic groups inappropriate. We investigated the influence of self-reported 'race/color', geographical origin and genetic ancestry on the distribution of four VKORC1 SNPs and haplotypes in Brazilians. Comparative data were obtained from two major ancestral roots of Brazilians: Portuguese and Africans from former Portuguese colonies.

The detection of in vivo and in vitro HIV type 1 B/F profiles in Brazil using a real-time PCR assay for five HIV type 1 genomic regions.

We sought to determine the frequency and profile of HIV-1 BF recombinants in vitro and in vivo. Laboratory HIV-1 strains from subtypes B and F were cocultured and evaluated. Clinical samples from the city of Santos, Brazil, where the first HIV-1 B/F circulating recombinant forms (CRF) were described, were also assessed.

Ultra-sensitive voltammetric sensor for trace analysis of carbamazepine.

A multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) film-coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was used for the voltammetric determination of carbamazepine (CBZ). The results showed that this simple modified electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of CBZ. The voltammetric response of CBZ at this film-modified electrode increased significantly when compared with that at a bare glassy carbon electrode and the sensor response was reproducible.

Structural changes of the paraflagellar rod during flagellar beating in Trypanosoma cruzi.

Background: Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, is a protozoan member of the Kinetoplastidae family characterized for the presence of specific and unique structures that are involved in different cell activities. One of them is the paraflagellar rod (PFR), a complex array of filaments connected to the flagellar axoneme. Although the function played by the PFR is not well established, it has been shown that silencing of the synthesis of its major proteins by either knockout of RNAi impairs and/or modifies the flagellar motility.

Blueberry anthocyanins and pyruvic acid adducts: anticancer properties in breast cancer cell lines.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anticancer properties of an anthocyanin-pyruvic acid adduct extract, which is being developed aiming to be further applied in the food industry. An anthocyanin extract from blueberry (extract I) and an anthocyanin-pyruvic acid adduct extract (extract II) were tested on two breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF7). Proliferation was assessed by SRB assay and ³H-thymidine incorporation.

High prevalence of the GSTM3*A/B polymorphism in sub-Sarahan African populations.

A 3-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in intron 6 of GSTM3 (rs1799735, GSTM3*A/*B) affects the activity of the phase 2 xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme GSTM3 and has been associated with increased cancer risk. The GSTM3*B allele is rare or absent in Southeast Asians, occurs in 5-20% of Europeans but was detected in 80% of Bantu from South Africa. The wide genetic diversity among Africans led us to investigate whether the high frequency of GSTM3*B prevailed in other sub-Saharan African populations.

Modulation of adipocyte biology by δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol.

It is recognized that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a crucial role in the modulation of food intake and other aspects of energy metabolism. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on adipocyte biology. 3T3-L1 cells were used to evaluate proliferation by sulforhodamine B (SRB) staining and methyl-(3)H-thymidine incorporation after 48 or 72 h of treatment with THC (1-500 nmol/l).

Spatial distribution of metals in sediments of the Ribeira Bay, Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This study aims to analyze the spatial distributions of several metals in sediments from five sites in Ribeira Bay, Brazil. Ribeira Bay is a very important area to the local community, due to its artisan fishery, and it also has a biological relevance for many marine species that use mangroves as nursery and feeding sites. According to the results, the area was not considered a metal polluted area.

Flavonoid transport across RBE4 cells: A blood-brain barrier model.

There is a growing interest in dietary therapeutic strategies to combat oxidative stress-induced damage to the Central Nervous System (CNS), which is associated with a number of pathophysiological processes, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and cerebrovascular diseases. Identifying the mechanisms associated with phenolic neuroprotection has been delayed by the lack of information concerning the ability of these compounds to enter the CNS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the transmembrane transport of flavonoids across RBE-4 cells (an immortalized cell line of rat cerebral capillary endothelial cells) and the effect of ethanol on this transport.