Computer Science has lately looked for inspiration at Biological Sciences. All the multi-cellular... more Computer Science has lately looked for inspiration at Biological Sciences. All the multi-cellular biological organisms develop from a unicellular status, the zygote. The unicellular zygote contains the DNA strain, which is a genome-shaped general plan for the construction of the final organism. The activation and realisation of the later plan is the result of the interaction of cellular genes with
Aspergillus flavo-furcatis is classified in the flavus group and according with phylogenetic anal... more Aspergillus flavo-furcatis is classified in the flavus group and according with phylogenetic analysis, this filamentous fungi constitutes the A. tamarii group because of the genetic similarity between species of this group. This study was conducted to investigate the viability and activity of proteolytic strains of A. flavo-furcatis, preserved in sterile distilled water, belonging to DPUA Culture Collection, from Federal University of Amazonas-UFAM. The fungi of preserved cultures were transferred to CYA agar (Czapek, Yeast extract and Peptone). Monosporic cultures were obtained on water agar 1.8% (w/v) and to the authentication the cultures were prepared in CYA agar, Malt extract agar (MEA) and Czapek agar (CZ) in Petri dishes. The enzymes were produced under standard conditions by submerged fermentation (SmF) using gelatin as substrate. The entirety of A. flavo-furcatis expressed the morphological aspect of the specie and the monoconidial culture allowed the registration of the ph...
Proteínas do plasma seminal de caprinos relacionadas com o índice pluviométrico e a qualidade do ... more Proteínas do plasma seminal de caprinos relacionadas com o índice pluviométrico e a qualidade do sêmen Proteins of goat seminal plasma related with precipitation index and semen quality RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as proteínas do plasma seminal de caprinos da raça Alpina Americana criados na região Nordeste do Brasil que estão relacionadas ao índice pluviométrico e à qualidade do sêmen. O sêmen foi obtido pelo método de vagina artificial a partir de três reprodutores e foi avaliado quanto aos parâmetros macroscópicos e microscópicos. O perfil de proteínas do plasma seminal foi realizado por eletroforese bidimensional. Os parâmetros volume do sêmen, integridade do acrossoma e proteínas totais evidenciaram diferença significativa (P<0,05) entre os períodos de alto (1,7mL, 90,3% e 372μg mL -1 , respectivamente) e baixo (1,2mL, 80,3% e 494μg mL -1 , respectivamente) índice pluviométrico. Foram detectados, nos períodos de alto e baixo índice pluviométrico, 47 e 49 spots de proteínas com massa molecular relativa de 4 a 106kDa e de 15 a 97kDa e ponto isoelétrico de 3,00 a 8,96 e de 4,48 a 9,83, respectivamente. Apenas no período de alto índice pluviométrico foram observados os grupo de proteínas de 13kDa e 45kDa. Conclui-se que o sêmen de caprinos da raça Alpina Americana criados na região Nordeste do Brasil apresenta-se com melhor qualidade quando colhido no período de alto índice pluviométrico, o que pode ser atribuído à presença das proteínas de 13kDa e 45kDa. Palavras-chave: Capra hircus, chuvas, características seminais.
Page 1. 299 VOL. 36(3) 2006: 299 - 306 Seleção de leveduras da Região Amazônica para produção de ... more Page 1. 299 VOL. 36(3) 2006: 299 - 306 Seleção de leveduras da Região Amazônica para produção de protease extracelular Kilma Cristiane SILVA NEVES1; Ana Lúcia Figueiredo PORTO2,3; Maria Francisca Simas TEIXEIRA4 ...
International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 2011
The influence of different carbon and nitrogen sources, pH of the culture medium, and temperature... more The influence of different carbon and nitrogen sources, pH of the culture medium, and temperature and period of cultivation on mycelial biomass production and protease activity by Lentinus citrinus DPUA 1535 were investigated in submerged culture. A 2(5) full factorial design with three central points was employed, and the results showed that at a significance level of 95% only nitrogen source and temperature were statistically significant for mycelial biomass production. On the other hand, for protease activity all factors and some interactions were significant, and the temperature and nitrogen source had the most significant effect. The best condition for mycelial biomass production (5.76 mg mL(-1)) and protease activity (32.3 U mL(-1)) was obtained in medium formulated with 0.5% soluble starch, 0.2% gelatin, pH 7.0, 25 degrees C, in 5 days.
Proteínas do plasma seminal de caprinos relacionadas com o índice pluviométrico e a qualidade do ... more Proteínas do plasma seminal de caprinos relacionadas com o índice pluviométrico e a qualidade do sêmen. Proteínas do plasma seminal de caprinos relacionadas com o índice pluviométrico e a qualidade do sêmen Proteins of goat seminal plasma related with precipitation index and semen quality RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as proteínas do plasma seminal de caprinos da raça Alpina Americana criados na região Nordeste do Brasil que estão relacionadas ao índice pluviométrico e à qualidade do sêmen. O sêmen foi obtido pelo método de vagina artificial a partir de três reprodutores e foi avaliado quanto aos parâmetros macroscópicos e microscópicos. O perfil de proteínas do plasma seminal foi realizado por eletroforese bidimensional. Os parâmetros volume do sêmen, integridade do acrossoma e proteínas totais evidenciaram diferença significativa (P<0,05) entre os períodos de alto (1,7mL, 90,3% e 372μg mL -1 , respectivamente) e baixo (1,2mL, 80,3% e 494μg mL -1 , respectivamente) índice pluviométrico. Foram detectados, nos períodos de alto e baixo índice pluviométrico, 47 e 49 spots de proteínas com massa molecular relativa de 4 a 106kDa e de 15 a 97kDa e ponto isoelétrico de 3,00 a 8,96 e de 4,48 a 9,83, respectivamente. Apenas no período de alto índice pluviométrico foram observados os grupo de proteínas de 13kDa e 45kDa. Conclui-se que o sêmen de caprinos da raça Alpina Americana criados na região Nordeste do Brasil apresenta-se com melhor qualidade quando colhido no período de alto índice pluviométrico, o que pode ser atribuído à presença das proteínas de 13kDa e 45kDa. Palavras-chave: Capra hircus, chuvas, características seminais.
The effect of the polysaccharide from Anacardium occidentale L. gum (POLICAJU) was evaluated in t... more The effect of the polysaccharide from Anacardium occidentale L. gum (POLICAJU) was evaluated in the inflammatory phase of the wound healing in Swiss mice (Mus musculus) (n=90), divided according to the employed treatment: Group I (NaCl 150mM), Group II (75mg.ml -1 ascorbic acid) and Group III (emulsion containing 150mg.ml -1 POLICAJU prepared in 75mg.ml -1 ascorbic acid). An aseptic wound was produced in the dorsal thoracic area and each wound was treated in a single dose (200µl) soon after the accomplishment of the lesions. Daily, the wounds were submitted to the clinical and histopathological evaluation until the 6th day of postoperative (PO). In the 5th day PO, the Group III presented the signs oedema and hyperemia, in smaller percentile than the control groups. The results of area of the wound and percentile of contraction didn't obtain statistical significance. The histopathological evaluation revealed, in the 6th day PO, that the Group III presented fibrovascular granulation tissue, while the control groups presented vascular granulation tissue. The use of POLICAJU propitiated to the animals of the treated group inflammatory signs less accentuated (oedema and hyperemia) in the inflammatory period, compatible with the normal wound healing process under the point of view histopathological, suggesting the possible clinical employment of the POLICAJU emulsion.
... ANDRADE, JL et al. Lectin-induced NO production. Cellular Immunology, v.194, p.98-102, 1999. ... more ... ANDRADE, JL et al. Lectin-induced NO production. Cellular Immunology, v.194, p.98-102, 1999. ANDRADE, CAS et al. Antitumor activity of Cratylia mollis lectin encapsulated into liposomes. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, v.278, p.435-445, 2004. ASSREUY, AMS et al. ...
Cramoll 1,4 is a lectin extracted from seeds of Cratylia mollis Mart. Many assays have shown the ... more Cramoll 1,4 is a lectin extracted from seeds of Cratylia mollis Mart. Many assays have shown the cytokine release activity and pro-inflammatory profile of this lectin. Here, we used Cramoll 1,4 in the treatment of cutaneous wounds in normal and immunocompromised mice for available your cicatricial power. Surgical wounds were treated daily with a topical administration of Cramoll 1,4 and parameters as edema, hyperemia, scab, granulation and scar tissues as well as contraction of wounds were analyzed. Cramoll 1,4 wounds showed higher edema and arrival of more polimorphonuclear cells at the site of lesions. Granulation tissue and collagen fiber deposition were observed with higher intensity in all Cramoll 1,4 treated wounds and promoted excellent closing and repair of lesions in less time than other groups. Results showed that Cramoll 1,4 lectin was effective in the repair of experimental lesions in mice and can be used as a future cicatricial compound.
Resumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as variáveis que influenciam a produção simultân... more Resumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as variáveis que influenciam a produção simultânea de celulases e xilanase por Aspergillus aculeatus URM 4953 e A. phoenicis URM 4924, com uso de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar como substrato. As variáveis avaliadas foram pH inicial, tempo de cultivo, concentração do substrato, agitação, concentração do inóculo, temperatura, tipo de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e espécie de Aspergillus. Foi utilizado o planejamento fatorial fracionário 2 8-4 , com três repetições no ponto central. Todas as variáveis analisadas influenciaram a produção de pelo menos uma das enzimas. As maiores atividades enzimáticas observadas foram: celulases totais, 0,45 UI mL -1 ; endoglucanase, 0,60 UI mL -1 ; exoglucanase, 0,17 U mL -1 ; celobiase 6,42 UI mL -1 ; e xilanase, 30,05 U mL -1 . As melhores condições para produção das enzimas foram: pH 6,0; tempo de cultivo de 168 horas; bagaço de cana-de-açúcar residual como substrato; e A. aculeatus URM 4953, que produziu as celulases e a xilanase simultaneamente. As variáveis que influenciam a produção simultânea das celulases e xilanase são pH, tempo de cultivo, tipo de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e espécie de Aspergillus.
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted organism associated with Cervical Intrae... more The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted organism associated with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer, the second main cause of malignancy in women worldwide. The virus itself, however, is not enough to cause lesions on the cervix. Several studies suggest that some polymorphic sites changes the cytokines levels and influence the cancer development in HPV infected patients. In this study, we evaluated the presence of functional polymorphisms at +874 (T/A) IFNG and +1188 (A/C) IL-12B genes in cervical smears samples from 76 healthy women and 162 women, HPV positive, with CIN lesion--CIN I (45), CIN II (55), CIN III (53) and cervical cancer (9)--in Brazilian population. There was no significant differences in genotype (p = 0.4192) and allele (p = 0.370; OR = 1.20) distributions between CIN patients and control groups on IFNG allelic polymorphism. Moreover, for IL-12B gene, there was a significant difference in genotype (p = 0.015) and allele distribution (p = 0.014; OR = 0.5754) between the groups. When samples were stratified according to grade of cervical lesion, the AA genotype and A allele were less frequent in the group with low-grade cervical lesions than in group with high-grade cervical lesions (p = 0.0036 and p = 0.0010; OR = 0.3819, respectively), suggesting that the C allele (mutant) may protect against the emergence of CIN lesions and its progression.
of medical residency programme in gynaecology and obstetrics, Isabela Cristina Coutinho, precepto... more of medical residency programme in gynaecology and obstetrics, Isabela Cristina Coutinho, preceptor of high risk ward, Jailson Barros Correia, research director, Melania Maria Ramos Amorim, professor in postgraduate programme on maternal and child health ABSTRACT Objectives To determine the effectiveness of corticosteroids in reducing respiratory disorders in infants born at 34-36 weeks' gestation. Design Randomised triple blind clinical trial. Setting A large tertiary teaching hospital in northeast of Brazil. Participants Women at 34-36 weeks of pregnancy at risk of imminent premature delivery.
The influence of four variables, specifically PEG molar mass (400, 1,000, and 8,000 g/mol), conce... more The influence of four variables, specifically PEG molar mass (400, 1,000, and 8,000 g/mol), concentrations of PEG and phosphate salts (15, 20, and 25% for both), and agitation intensity (110, 150, and 200 rpm), on clavulanic acid (CA) extraction by extractive fermentation with PEG/phosphate salts aqueous two-phase system was investigated in shaken flasks using a 2(4-1) -fractional factorial design. After selection of the two most significant variables (agitation intensity and PEG molar mass), an optimization study conducted according to a 2(2) -central composite design revealed that 25% PEG 8,000 g/mol and phosphate salts at 240 rpm (run 6) were the best conditions for the extractive fermentation, leading to the best results in terms of partition coefficient (k = 8.2), yield of CA in the PEG-rich phase (η(T) = 93%) and productivity (P = 5.3 mg/Lh). As a first attempt to make a scale-up of these results, the effectiveness of the extractive fermentation was then checked in a bench-scale bioreactor under conditions as close as possible to the optimum ones determined in flasks. The highest CA concentration obtained in the PEG-rich phase (691 mg/L) was 30% higher than in flasks, thus demonstrating the potential of such a new process, integrating the production and extraction steps, as a promising, low-cost tool to obtain high yields of this and similar products.
Photobioreactor configuration, mode of operation and light intensity are known to strongly impact... more Photobioreactor configuration, mode of operation and light intensity are known to strongly impact on cyanobacteria growth. To shed light on these issues, kinetic, bioenergetic and thermodynamic parameters of batch Arthrospira platensis cultures were estimated along the time at photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 70μmolm(-2)s(-1) in different photobioreactors with different surface/volume ratio (S/V), namely open pond (0.25cm(-1)), shaken flask (0.48cm(-1)), horizontal photobioreactor (HoP) (1.94cm(-1)) and helicoidal photobioreactor (HeP) (3.88cm(-1)). Maximum biomass concentration and productivity remarkably increased with S/V up to 1.94cm(-1). HoP was shown to be the best-performing system throughout the whole runs, while HeP behaved better only at the start. Runs carried out in HoP increasing PPFD from 40 to 100μmolm(-2)s(-1) revealed a progressive enhancement of bioenergetics and thermodynamics likely because of favorable light distribution. HoP appeared to be a promisi...
Computer Science has lately looked for inspiration at Biological Sciences. All the multi-cellular... more Computer Science has lately looked for inspiration at Biological Sciences. All the multi-cellular biological organisms develop from a unicellular status, the zygote. The unicellular zygote contains the DNA strain, which is a genome-shaped general plan for the construction of the final organism. The activation and realisation of the later plan is the result of the interaction of cellular genes with
Aspergillus flavo-furcatis is classified in the flavus group and according with phylogenetic anal... more Aspergillus flavo-furcatis is classified in the flavus group and according with phylogenetic analysis, this filamentous fungi constitutes the A. tamarii group because of the genetic similarity between species of this group. This study was conducted to investigate the viability and activity of proteolytic strains of A. flavo-furcatis, preserved in sterile distilled water, belonging to DPUA Culture Collection, from Federal University of Amazonas-UFAM. The fungi of preserved cultures were transferred to CYA agar (Czapek, Yeast extract and Peptone). Monosporic cultures were obtained on water agar 1.8% (w/v) and to the authentication the cultures were prepared in CYA agar, Malt extract agar (MEA) and Czapek agar (CZ) in Petri dishes. The enzymes were produced under standard conditions by submerged fermentation (SmF) using gelatin as substrate. The entirety of A. flavo-furcatis expressed the morphological aspect of the specie and the monoconidial culture allowed the registration of the ph...
Proteínas do plasma seminal de caprinos relacionadas com o índice pluviométrico e a qualidade do ... more Proteínas do plasma seminal de caprinos relacionadas com o índice pluviométrico e a qualidade do sêmen Proteins of goat seminal plasma related with precipitation index and semen quality RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as proteínas do plasma seminal de caprinos da raça Alpina Americana criados na região Nordeste do Brasil que estão relacionadas ao índice pluviométrico e à qualidade do sêmen. O sêmen foi obtido pelo método de vagina artificial a partir de três reprodutores e foi avaliado quanto aos parâmetros macroscópicos e microscópicos. O perfil de proteínas do plasma seminal foi realizado por eletroforese bidimensional. Os parâmetros volume do sêmen, integridade do acrossoma e proteínas totais evidenciaram diferença significativa (P<0,05) entre os períodos de alto (1,7mL, 90,3% e 372μg mL -1 , respectivamente) e baixo (1,2mL, 80,3% e 494μg mL -1 , respectivamente) índice pluviométrico. Foram detectados, nos períodos de alto e baixo índice pluviométrico, 47 e 49 spots de proteínas com massa molecular relativa de 4 a 106kDa e de 15 a 97kDa e ponto isoelétrico de 3,00 a 8,96 e de 4,48 a 9,83, respectivamente. Apenas no período de alto índice pluviométrico foram observados os grupo de proteínas de 13kDa e 45kDa. Conclui-se que o sêmen de caprinos da raça Alpina Americana criados na região Nordeste do Brasil apresenta-se com melhor qualidade quando colhido no período de alto índice pluviométrico, o que pode ser atribuído à presença das proteínas de 13kDa e 45kDa. Palavras-chave: Capra hircus, chuvas, características seminais.
Page 1. 299 VOL. 36(3) 2006: 299 - 306 Seleção de leveduras da Região Amazônica para produção de ... more Page 1. 299 VOL. 36(3) 2006: 299 - 306 Seleção de leveduras da Região Amazônica para produção de protease extracelular Kilma Cristiane SILVA NEVES1; Ana Lúcia Figueiredo PORTO2,3; Maria Francisca Simas TEIXEIRA4 ...
International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 2011
The influence of different carbon and nitrogen sources, pH of the culture medium, and temperature... more The influence of different carbon and nitrogen sources, pH of the culture medium, and temperature and period of cultivation on mycelial biomass production and protease activity by Lentinus citrinus DPUA 1535 were investigated in submerged culture. A 2(5) full factorial design with three central points was employed, and the results showed that at a significance level of 95% only nitrogen source and temperature were statistically significant for mycelial biomass production. On the other hand, for protease activity all factors and some interactions were significant, and the temperature and nitrogen source had the most significant effect. The best condition for mycelial biomass production (5.76 mg mL(-1)) and protease activity (32.3 U mL(-1)) was obtained in medium formulated with 0.5% soluble starch, 0.2% gelatin, pH 7.0, 25 degrees C, in 5 days.
Proteínas do plasma seminal de caprinos relacionadas com o índice pluviométrico e a qualidade do ... more Proteínas do plasma seminal de caprinos relacionadas com o índice pluviométrico e a qualidade do sêmen. Proteínas do plasma seminal de caprinos relacionadas com o índice pluviométrico e a qualidade do sêmen Proteins of goat seminal plasma related with precipitation index and semen quality RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as proteínas do plasma seminal de caprinos da raça Alpina Americana criados na região Nordeste do Brasil que estão relacionadas ao índice pluviométrico e à qualidade do sêmen. O sêmen foi obtido pelo método de vagina artificial a partir de três reprodutores e foi avaliado quanto aos parâmetros macroscópicos e microscópicos. O perfil de proteínas do plasma seminal foi realizado por eletroforese bidimensional. Os parâmetros volume do sêmen, integridade do acrossoma e proteínas totais evidenciaram diferença significativa (P<0,05) entre os períodos de alto (1,7mL, 90,3% e 372μg mL -1 , respectivamente) e baixo (1,2mL, 80,3% e 494μg mL -1 , respectivamente) índice pluviométrico. Foram detectados, nos períodos de alto e baixo índice pluviométrico, 47 e 49 spots de proteínas com massa molecular relativa de 4 a 106kDa e de 15 a 97kDa e ponto isoelétrico de 3,00 a 8,96 e de 4,48 a 9,83, respectivamente. Apenas no período de alto índice pluviométrico foram observados os grupo de proteínas de 13kDa e 45kDa. Conclui-se que o sêmen de caprinos da raça Alpina Americana criados na região Nordeste do Brasil apresenta-se com melhor qualidade quando colhido no período de alto índice pluviométrico, o que pode ser atribuído à presença das proteínas de 13kDa e 45kDa. Palavras-chave: Capra hircus, chuvas, características seminais.
The effect of the polysaccharide from Anacardium occidentale L. gum (POLICAJU) was evaluated in t... more The effect of the polysaccharide from Anacardium occidentale L. gum (POLICAJU) was evaluated in the inflammatory phase of the wound healing in Swiss mice (Mus musculus) (n=90), divided according to the employed treatment: Group I (NaCl 150mM), Group II (75mg.ml -1 ascorbic acid) and Group III (emulsion containing 150mg.ml -1 POLICAJU prepared in 75mg.ml -1 ascorbic acid). An aseptic wound was produced in the dorsal thoracic area and each wound was treated in a single dose (200µl) soon after the accomplishment of the lesions. Daily, the wounds were submitted to the clinical and histopathological evaluation until the 6th day of postoperative (PO). In the 5th day PO, the Group III presented the signs oedema and hyperemia, in smaller percentile than the control groups. The results of area of the wound and percentile of contraction didn't obtain statistical significance. The histopathological evaluation revealed, in the 6th day PO, that the Group III presented fibrovascular granulation tissue, while the control groups presented vascular granulation tissue. The use of POLICAJU propitiated to the animals of the treated group inflammatory signs less accentuated (oedema and hyperemia) in the inflammatory period, compatible with the normal wound healing process under the point of view histopathological, suggesting the possible clinical employment of the POLICAJU emulsion.
... ANDRADE, JL et al. Lectin-induced NO production. Cellular Immunology, v.194, p.98-102, 1999. ... more ... ANDRADE, JL et al. Lectin-induced NO production. Cellular Immunology, v.194, p.98-102, 1999. ANDRADE, CAS et al. Antitumor activity of Cratylia mollis lectin encapsulated into liposomes. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, v.278, p.435-445, 2004. ASSREUY, AMS et al. ...
Cramoll 1,4 is a lectin extracted from seeds of Cratylia mollis Mart. Many assays have shown the ... more Cramoll 1,4 is a lectin extracted from seeds of Cratylia mollis Mart. Many assays have shown the cytokine release activity and pro-inflammatory profile of this lectin. Here, we used Cramoll 1,4 in the treatment of cutaneous wounds in normal and immunocompromised mice for available your cicatricial power. Surgical wounds were treated daily with a topical administration of Cramoll 1,4 and parameters as edema, hyperemia, scab, granulation and scar tissues as well as contraction of wounds were analyzed. Cramoll 1,4 wounds showed higher edema and arrival of more polimorphonuclear cells at the site of lesions. Granulation tissue and collagen fiber deposition were observed with higher intensity in all Cramoll 1,4 treated wounds and promoted excellent closing and repair of lesions in less time than other groups. Results showed that Cramoll 1,4 lectin was effective in the repair of experimental lesions in mice and can be used as a future cicatricial compound.
Resumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as variáveis que influenciam a produção simultân... more Resumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as variáveis que influenciam a produção simultânea de celulases e xilanase por Aspergillus aculeatus URM 4953 e A. phoenicis URM 4924, com uso de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar como substrato. As variáveis avaliadas foram pH inicial, tempo de cultivo, concentração do substrato, agitação, concentração do inóculo, temperatura, tipo de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e espécie de Aspergillus. Foi utilizado o planejamento fatorial fracionário 2 8-4 , com três repetições no ponto central. Todas as variáveis analisadas influenciaram a produção de pelo menos uma das enzimas. As maiores atividades enzimáticas observadas foram: celulases totais, 0,45 UI mL -1 ; endoglucanase, 0,60 UI mL -1 ; exoglucanase, 0,17 U mL -1 ; celobiase 6,42 UI mL -1 ; e xilanase, 30,05 U mL -1 . As melhores condições para produção das enzimas foram: pH 6,0; tempo de cultivo de 168 horas; bagaço de cana-de-açúcar residual como substrato; e A. aculeatus URM 4953, que produziu as celulases e a xilanase simultaneamente. As variáveis que influenciam a produção simultânea das celulases e xilanase são pH, tempo de cultivo, tipo de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e espécie de Aspergillus.
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted organism associated with Cervical Intrae... more The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted organism associated with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer, the second main cause of malignancy in women worldwide. The virus itself, however, is not enough to cause lesions on the cervix. Several studies suggest that some polymorphic sites changes the cytokines levels and influence the cancer development in HPV infected patients. In this study, we evaluated the presence of functional polymorphisms at +874 (T/A) IFNG and +1188 (A/C) IL-12B genes in cervical smears samples from 76 healthy women and 162 women, HPV positive, with CIN lesion--CIN I (45), CIN II (55), CIN III (53) and cervical cancer (9)--in Brazilian population. There was no significant differences in genotype (p = 0.4192) and allele (p = 0.370; OR = 1.20) distributions between CIN patients and control groups on IFNG allelic polymorphism. Moreover, for IL-12B gene, there was a significant difference in genotype (p = 0.015) and allele distribution (p = 0.014; OR = 0.5754) between the groups. When samples were stratified according to grade of cervical lesion, the AA genotype and A allele were less frequent in the group with low-grade cervical lesions than in group with high-grade cervical lesions (p = 0.0036 and p = 0.0010; OR = 0.3819, respectively), suggesting that the C allele (mutant) may protect against the emergence of CIN lesions and its progression.
of medical residency programme in gynaecology and obstetrics, Isabela Cristina Coutinho, precepto... more of medical residency programme in gynaecology and obstetrics, Isabela Cristina Coutinho, preceptor of high risk ward, Jailson Barros Correia, research director, Melania Maria Ramos Amorim, professor in postgraduate programme on maternal and child health ABSTRACT Objectives To determine the effectiveness of corticosteroids in reducing respiratory disorders in infants born at 34-36 weeks' gestation. Design Randomised triple blind clinical trial. Setting A large tertiary teaching hospital in northeast of Brazil. Participants Women at 34-36 weeks of pregnancy at risk of imminent premature delivery.
The influence of four variables, specifically PEG molar mass (400, 1,000, and 8,000 g/mol), conce... more The influence of four variables, specifically PEG molar mass (400, 1,000, and 8,000 g/mol), concentrations of PEG and phosphate salts (15, 20, and 25% for both), and agitation intensity (110, 150, and 200 rpm), on clavulanic acid (CA) extraction by extractive fermentation with PEG/phosphate salts aqueous two-phase system was investigated in shaken flasks using a 2(4-1) -fractional factorial design. After selection of the two most significant variables (agitation intensity and PEG molar mass), an optimization study conducted according to a 2(2) -central composite design revealed that 25% PEG 8,000 g/mol and phosphate salts at 240 rpm (run 6) were the best conditions for the extractive fermentation, leading to the best results in terms of partition coefficient (k = 8.2), yield of CA in the PEG-rich phase (η(T) = 93%) and productivity (P = 5.3 mg/Lh). As a first attempt to make a scale-up of these results, the effectiveness of the extractive fermentation was then checked in a bench-scale bioreactor under conditions as close as possible to the optimum ones determined in flasks. The highest CA concentration obtained in the PEG-rich phase (691 mg/L) was 30% higher than in flasks, thus demonstrating the potential of such a new process, integrating the production and extraction steps, as a promising, low-cost tool to obtain high yields of this and similar products.
Photobioreactor configuration, mode of operation and light intensity are known to strongly impact... more Photobioreactor configuration, mode of operation and light intensity are known to strongly impact on cyanobacteria growth. To shed light on these issues, kinetic, bioenergetic and thermodynamic parameters of batch Arthrospira platensis cultures were estimated along the time at photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 70μmolm(-2)s(-1) in different photobioreactors with different surface/volume ratio (S/V), namely open pond (0.25cm(-1)), shaken flask (0.48cm(-1)), horizontal photobioreactor (HoP) (1.94cm(-1)) and helicoidal photobioreactor (HeP) (3.88cm(-1)). Maximum biomass concentration and productivity remarkably increased with S/V up to 1.94cm(-1). HoP was shown to be the best-performing system throughout the whole runs, while HeP behaved better only at the start. Runs carried out in HoP increasing PPFD from 40 to 100μmolm(-2)s(-1) revealed a progressive enhancement of bioenergetics and thermodynamics likely because of favorable light distribution. HoP appeared to be a promisi...
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