Microplastics Biodegradation by Estuarine and Landfill Microbiomes.

Plastic pollution poses a worldwide environmental challenge, affecting wildlife and human health. Assessing the biodegradation capabilities of natural microbiomes in environments contaminated with microplastics is crucial for mitigating the effects of plastic pollution. In this work, we evaluated the potential of landfill leachate (LL) and estuarine sediments (ES) to biodegrade polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polycaprolactone (PCL), under aerobic, anaerobic, thermophilic, and mesophilic conditions. PCL underwent extensive aerobic biodegradation with LL (99 ± 7%) and ES (78 ± 3%) within 50-60 days. Under anaerobic conditions, LL degraded 87 ± 19% of PCL in 60 days, whereas ES showed minimal biodegradation (3 ± 0.3%). PE and PET showed no notable degradation. Metataxonomics results (16S rRNA sequencing) revealed the presence of highly abundant thermophilic microorganisms assigned to Coprothermobacter sp. (6.8% and 28% relative abundance in anaerobic and aerobic incubations, respectively). Coprothermobacter spp. contain genes encoding two enzymes, an esterase and a thermostable monoacylglycerol lipase, that can potentially catalyze PCL hydrolysis. These results suggest that Coprothermobacter sp. may be pivotal in landfill leachate microbiomes for thermophilic PCL biodegradation across varying conditions. The anaerobic microbial community was dominated by hydrogenotrophic methanogens assigned to Methanothermobacter sp. (21%), pointing at possible syntrophic interactions with Coprothermobacter sp. (a H2-producer) during PCL biodegradation. In the aerobic experiments, fungi dominated the eukaryotic microbial community (e.g., Exophiala (41%), Penicillium (17%), and Mucor (18%)), suggesting that aerobic PCL biodegradation by LL involves collaboration between fungi and bacteria. Our findings bring insights on the microbial communities and microbial interactions mediating plastic biodegradation, offering valuable perspectives for plastic pollution mitigation.

Epilactose as a Promising Butyrate-Promoter Prebiotic via Microbiota Modulation.

Epilactose is a disaccharide composed of galactose and mannose, and it is currently considered an "under development" prebiotic. In this study, we described the prebiotic potential of epilactose by in vitro fermentation using human fecal inocula from individuals following a Mediterranean diet (DM) or a Vegan diet (DV). The prebiotic effect of epilactose was also compared with lactulose and raffinose, and interesting correlations were established between metabolites and microbiota modulation. The production of several metabolites (lactate, short-chain fatty acids, and gases) confirmed the prebiotic properties of epilactose. For both donors, the microbiota analysis showed that epilactose significantly stimulated the butyrate-producing bacteria, suggesting that its prebiotic effect could be independent of the donor diet. Butyrate is one of the current golden metabolites due to its benefits for the gut and systemic health. In the presence of epilactose, the production of butyrate was 70- and 63-fold higher for the DM donor, when compared to lactulose and raffinose, respectively. For the DV donor, an increase of 29- and 89-fold in the butyrate production was obtained when compared to lactulose and raffinose, respectively. In conclusion, this study suggests that epilactose holds potential functional properties for human health, especially towards the modulation of butyrate-producing strains.

Pathogenic TRIO variants associated with neurodevelopmental disorders perturb the molecular regulation of TRIO and axon pathfinding in vivo.

The RhoGEF TRIO is known to play a major role in neuronal development by controlling actin cytoskeleton remodeling, primarily through the activation of the RAC1 GTPase. Numerous de novo mutations in the TRIO gene have been identified in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). We have previously established the first phenotype/genotype correlation in TRIO-associated diseases, with striking correlation between the clinical features of the individuals and the opposite modulation of RAC1 activity by TRIO variants targeting different domains. The mutations hyperactivating RAC1 are of particular interest, as they are recurrently found in patients and are associated with a severe form of NDD and macrocephaly, indicating their importance in the etiology of the disease. Yet, it remains unknown how these pathogenic TRIO variants disrupt TRIO activity at a molecular level and how they affect neurodevelopmental processes such as axon outgrowth or guidance. Here we report an additional cohort of individuals carrying a pathogenic TRIO variant that reinforces our initial phenotype/genotype correlation. More importantly, by performing conformation predictions coupled to biochemical validation, we propose a model whereby TRIO is inhibited by an intramolecular fold and NDD-associated variants relieve this inhibition, leading to RAC1 hyperactivation. Moreover, we show that in cultured primary neurons and in the zebrafish developmental model, these gain-of-function variants differentially affect axon outgrowth and branching in vitro and in vivo, as compared to loss-of-function TRIO variants. In summary, by combining clinical, molecular, cellular and in vivo data, we provide compelling new evidence for the pathogenicity of novel genetic variants targeting the TRIO gene in NDDs. We report a novel mechanism whereby the fine-tuned regulation of TRIO activity is critical for proper neuronal development and is disrupted by pathogenic mutations.

Opposite Modulation of RAC1 by Mutations in TRIO Is Associated with Distinct, Domain-Specific Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

The Rho-guanine nucleotide exchange factor (RhoGEF) TRIO acts as a key regulator of neuronal migration, axonal outgrowth, axon guidance, and synaptogenesis by activating the GTPase RAC1 and modulating actin cytoskeleton remodeling. Pathogenic variants in TRIO are associated with neurodevelopmental diseases, including intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Here, we report the largest international cohort of 24 individuals with confirmed pathogenic missense or nonsense variants in TRIO. The nonsense mutations are spread along the TRIO sequence, and affected individuals show variable neurodevelopmental phenotypes. In contrast, missense variants cluster into two mutational hotspots in the TRIO sequence, one in the seventh spectrin repeat and one in the RAC1-activating GEFD1. Although all individuals in this cohort present with developmental delay and a neuro-behavioral phenotype, individuals with a pathogenic variant in the seventh spectrin repeat have a more severe ID associated with macrocephaly than do most individuals with GEFD1 variants, who display milder ID and microcephaly. Functional studies show that the spectrin and GEFD1 variants cause a TRIO-mediated hyper- or hypo-activation of RAC1, respectively, and we observe a striking correlation between RAC1 activation levels and the head size of the affected individuals. In addition, truncations in TRIO GEFD1 in the vertebrate model X. tropicalis induce defects that are concordant with the human phenotype. This work demonstrates distinct clinical and molecular disorders clustering in the GEFD1 and seventh spectrin repeat domains and highlights the importance of tight control of TRIO-RAC1 signaling in neuronal development.

GSK-3-mediated phosphorylation couples ER-Golgi transport and nuclear stabilization of the CREB-H transcription factor to mediate apolipoprotein secretion.

CREB-H, an ER-anchored transcription factor, plays a key role in regulating secretion in metabolic pathways, particularly triglyceride homeostasis. It controls the production both of secretory pathway components and cargoes, including apolipoproteins ApoA-IV and ApoC-II, contributing to VLDL/HDL distribution and lipolysis. The key mechanism controlling CREB-H activity involves its ER retention and forward transport to the Golgi, where it is cleaved by Golgi-resident proteases, releasing the N-terminal product, which traffics to the nucleus to effect transcriptional responses. Here we show that a serine-rich motif termed the P-motif, located in the N-terminus between serines 73 and 90, controls release of the precursor transmembrane form from the ER and its forward transport to the Golgi. This motif is subject to GSK-3 phosphorylation, promoting ER retention, while mutation of target serines and drug inhibition of GSK-3 activity coordinately induce both forward transport of the precursor and cleavage, resulting in nuclear import. We previously showed that for the nuclear product, the P-motif is subject to multiple phosphorylations, which regulate stability by targeting the protein to the SCFFbw1a E3 ubiquitin ligase. Thus phosphorylation at the P-motif provides integrated control of CREB-H function, coupling intercompartmental transport in the cytoplasm with stabilization of the active form in the nucleus.

Phosphorylation and SCF-mediated degradation regulate CREB-H transcription of metabolic targets.

CREB­H, an endoplasmic reticulum-anchored transcription factor, plays a key role in regulating secretion and in metabolic and inflammatory pathways, but how its activity is modulated remains unclear. We examined processing of the nuclear active form and identified a motif around S87-S90 with homology to DSG-type phosphodegrons. We show that this region is subject to multiple phosphorylations, which regulate CREB-H stability by targeting it to the SCF(Fbw1a) E3 ubiquitin ligase. Data from phosphatase treatment, use of phosophospecific antibody, and substitution of serine residues demonstrate phosphorylation of candidate serines in the region, with the core S87/S90 motif representing a critical determinant promoting proteasome-mediated degradation. Candidate kinases CKII and GSK-3b phosphorylate CREB-H in vitro with specificities for different serines. Prior phosphorylation with GSK-3 at one or more of the adjacent serines substantially increases S87/S90-dependent phosphorylation by CKII. In vivo expression of a dominant-negative Cul1 enhances steady-state levels of CREB­H, an effect augmented by Fbw1a. CREB-H directly interacts with Fbw1a in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Finally, mutations within the phosphodegron, when incorporated into the full-length protein, result in increased levels of constitutively cleaved nuclear protein and increased transcription and secretion of a key endogenous target gene, apolipoprotein A IV.

Role of the DHH1 gene in the regulation of monocarboxylic acids transporters expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Previous experiments revealed that DHH1, a RNA helicase involved in the regulation of mRNA stability and translation, complemented the phenotype of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant affected in the expression of genes coding for monocarboxylic-acids transporters, JEN1 and ADY2 (Paiva S, Althoff S, Casal M, Leao C. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1999, 170:301-306). In wild type cells, JEN1 expression had been shown to be undetectable in the presence of glucose or formic acid, and induced in the presence of lactate. In this work, we show that JEN1 mRNA accumulates in a dhh1 mutant, when formic acid was used as sole carbon source. Dhh1 interacts with the decapping activator Dcp1 and with the deadenylase complex. This led to the hypothesis that JEN1 expression is post-transcriptionally regulated by Dhh1 in formic acid. Analyses of JEN1 mRNAs decay in wild-type and dhh1 mutant strains confirmed this hypothesis. In these conditions, the stabilized JEN1 mRNA was associated to polysomes but no Jen1 protein could be detected, either by measurable lactate carrier activity, Jen1-GFP fluorescence detection or western blots. These results revealed the complexity of the expression regulation of JEN1 in S. cerevisiae and evidenced the importance of DHH1 in this process. Additionally, microarray analyses of dhh1 mutant indicated that Dhh1 plays a large role in metabolic adaptation, suggesting that carbon source changes triggers a complex interplay between transcriptional and post-transcriptional effects.

Activity and viability of methanogens in anaerobic digestion of unsaturated and saturated long-chain fatty acids.

Lipids can be anaerobically digested to methane, but methanogens are often considered to be highly sensitive to the long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) deriving from lipids hydrolysis. In this study, the effect of unsaturated (oleate [C18:1]) and saturated (stearate [C18:0] and palmitate [C16:0]) LCFA toward methanogenic archaea was studied in batch enrichments and in pure cultures. Overall, oleate had a more stringent effect on methanogens than saturated LCFA, and the degree of tolerance to LCFA was different among distinct species of methanogens. Methanobacterium formicicum was able to grow in both oleate- and palmitate-degrading enrichments (OM and PM cultures, respectively), whereas Methanospirillum hungatei only survived in a PM culture. The two acetoclastic methanogens tested, Methanosarcina mazei and Methanosaeta concilii, could be detected in both enrichment cultures, with better survival in PM cultures than in OM cultures. Viability tests using live/dead staining further confirmed that exponential growth-phase cultures of M. hungatei are more sensitive to oleate than are M. formicicum cultures; exposure to 0.5 mM oleate damaged 99% ± 1% of the cell membranes of M. hungatei and 53% ± 10% of the cell membranes of M. formicicum. In terms of methanogenic activity, M. hungatei was inhibited for 50% by 0.3, 0.4, and 1 mM oleate, stearate, and palmitate, respectively. M. formicicum was more resilient, since 1 mM oleate and >4 mM stearate or palmitate was needed to cause 50% inhibition on methanogenic activity.

An orchestrated program regulating secretory pathway genes and cargos by the transmembrane transcription factor CREB-H.

CREB3 proteins comprise a set of ER-localized bZip transcription factors defined by the presence of a transmembrane domain. They are regulated by inter-compartmental transport, Golgi cleavage and nuclear transport where they promote appropriate transcriptional responses. Although CREB3 proteins play key roles in differentiation, inflammation and metabolism, a general framework relating their defining features to these diverse activities is lacking. We identify unique features of CREB3 organization including the ATB domain, which we show it is essential for transcriptional activity. This domain is absent in all other human bZip factors, but conserved in Drosophila CREBA, which controls secretory pathway genes (SPGs). Furthermore, each of the five human CREB3 factors was capable of activating SPGs in Drosophila, dependent upon the ATB domain. Expression of the CREB3 protein, CREB-H, in 293 cells, upregulated genes involved in secretory capacity, extracellular matrix formation and lipid metabolism and increased secretion of specific cargos. In liver cells, which normally express CREB-H, the active form specifically induced secretion of apolipoproteins, including ApoA-IV, ApoAI, consistent with data implicating CREB-H in metabolic homeostasis. Based on these data and other recent studies, we propose a general role for the CREB3 family in regulating secretory capacity, with particular relevance to specialized cargos.

Oligomeric Dop1p is part of the endosomal Neo1p-Ysl2p-Arl1p membrane remodeling complex.

Yeast Dop1p is an essential protein that is highly conserved in evolution and whose function is largely unknown. Here, we provide evidence that Dop1p localizes to endosomes and exists in a complex with two other conserved proteins: Neo1p, a P(4)-ATPase and putative flippase, and the scaffolding protein Ysl2p/Mon2p. The latter operates during membrane budding at the tubular endosomal network/trans-Golgi network (TEN/TGN) in a process that includes clathrin recruitment via adaptor proteins. Consistent with a role for Dop1p during this process, temperature-sensitive dop1-3 cells accumulate multivesicular, elongated tubular and ring-like structures similar to those displayed by neo1 and ysl2 mutants. In further agreement with the concept of Dop1p-Neo1p-Ysl2p complex formation and co-operation, we show that dop1-3 cells exhibit reduced levels of Neo1p and Ysl2p at steady state. Conversely, mutations or deletions in NEO1 and YSL2 lead to a decrease in Dop1p levels. In addition to binding to Neo1p and Ysl2p, Dop1p can form dimers or multimers. A critical region for dimerization resides in the C-terminus with leucine zipper-like domains. Dop1p's membrane association is largely mediated by its internal region, but Ysl2p might not be crucial for membrane recruitment.

Can living in the surroundings of a petrochemical complex be a risk factor for autoimmune thyroid disease?

BACKGROUND: Based on a suspicion raised by a health professional and due to a subsequent legal request, a cross-sectional study was made with a comparison group to investigate a possible excess of Hashimoto's thyroiditis-HT and antibodies-ATA in the surroundings of a Petrochemical Complex. METHODS: People of both sexes aged over 20 years were investigated in a random sample of residents in the area surrounding the Petrochemical Complex. Controls were investigated in an area with steel industries. In the areas searched, participants were chosen randomly and stratified a priori by sex and age group. As a result, 90.5% of the expected sample was obtained, totaling 1533 individuals. HT and ATA prevalences were compared by the chi-square test. Logistic regression was used to control the possible confounding factors for HT and ATA. RESULTS: Both TH (9.3%) and ATA (17.6%) prevalences were higher in the Petrochemical Complex area than in the control area (3.9% and 10.3%, respectively). After controlling the possible confounding factors, the POR for living in the surroundings of the Complex and presenting HT was 2.39 (CI95%: 1.42-4.03). According to the ATA criterion, the POR for living in the surroundings of the Complex was 1.78 (CI95%: 1.23-2.60). CONCLUSIONS: The authors have found higher prevalence and risk of developing thyroiditis and anti-thyroid antibodies among residents of areas surrounding the Petrochemical Complex and think these findings need to be further studied in similar areas.

Qualificação e aprimoramento dos trabalhos dos Comitês de Mortalidade Materno e Infantil da CRS Leste

Ações desenvolvidas para aprimoramento das atividades dos Comitês de Mortalidade Materno e Infantil das Supervisões Técnicas de Saúde da CRS Leste

Qualificação e aprimoramento dos trabalhos dos Comitês de Mortalidade Materno e Infantil da CRS Leste / Qualification and improvement of work of the Committees on Maternal and Infant Mortality CRS Leste

Ações desenvolvidas para aprimoramento das atividades dos Comitês de Mortalidade Materno e Infantil das Supervisões Técnicas de Saúde da CRS Leste (AU)

New epidemiological data on Brazilian spotted fever in an endemic area of the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

The present work evaluated rickettsial infection in dogs and their ticks in an area endemic for Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil, where the tick Amblyomma aureolatum was presumed to be the vector of the disease. Ticks were collected on dogs from 185 houses, encompassing single infestations by Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Amblyomma aureolatum, Amblyomma longirostre, or Amblyomma sp. in dogs from 60 (32.4%), 77 (41.6%), 2 (1.1%), and 25 (13.5%) houses, respectively; 19 (10.3%) houses had dogs with mixed infestations by R. sanguineus and A. aureolatum; 1 (0.5%) house had dogs with infestations by A. aureolatum and A. longirostre; and 1 (0.5%) house had dogs with infestations by R. sanguineus and Amblyomma sp. Overall, A. aureolatum was present in dogs from 97 (52.4%) houses, and R. sanguineus in dogs from 80 (43.2%) houses. A total of 287 ticks (130 A. aureolatum and 157 R. sanguineus) infesting dogs from 98 houses were selected for testing by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting rickettsial genes. Overall, 3.1% of the A. aureolatum ticks were infected by Rickettsia bellii, and 1.3% of the R. sanguineus were infected by Ricketttsii rickettsii. For serology, we selected 23 dogs living in and in the vicinity of the house where the R. rickettsii-infected ticks were collected. The indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test detected antibodies reactive with R. rickettsii in sera from 16 (69.6%) dogs, with titers ranging from 256 to 32,768. It is established that Amblyomma aureolatum is a vector of R. rickettsii in the São Paulo metropolitan area, but our results highlight for the first time in Brazil, a possible role of R. sanguineus in the epidemiology of R. rickettsii, corroborating previous findings in Mexico and the United States, where R. sanguineus has been implicated in the transmission of R. rickettsii to humans.

Transformações socio-culturais contemporâneas e algumas implicações nos diagnósticos na área de saúde mental / Contemporary social-cultural transformations and some implications on diagnosis in the mental health area / Transformations socioculturelles contemporaines et quelques implications sur le diagnostic dans le domaine de la santé mentale

As indagações contidas neste artigo são decorrentes de pesquisas que vêm sendo desenvolvidas, com apoio da Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo – FAPESP -, sobre ambiente, subjetividade e qualidade de vida, através da análise da presença de depressão no contexto contemporâneo, e das representações de profissionais de saúde sobre essa morbidade, permitindo afirmar que têm ocorrido mudanças significativas nos diagnósticos na área da saúde mental. Na introdução procurou-se apresentar o tema e as principais abordagens que serão aqui discutidas, tratando as mudanças observadas no discurso da ciência, com ênfase na psiquiatria e na psicanálise, para evidenciar essas transformações, tomando como enfoque o apagamento dos diagnósticos de histeria em função da preponderância dos de depressão. Por fim procurou-se especificar a referência teórica privilegiada para essa análise e, algumas considerações finais. (AU)

The questionings presented in this article are due to researches that have been carried out with the support of the Research Support Foundation of the State of São Paulo (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo – FAPESP), concerning the environment, subjectivity and quality of life, through the analysis of the presence of depression in the contemporary context, and through the representations that health professionals have of this malady. That leads us to state that significant changes in mental health diagnosis have taken place. We introduced the subject and the main approaches to the subject, as well as the changes observed in the scientific production, especially in the fields of psychiatry and psychoanalysis, to evidence these transformations, focusing on the dissolution of the hysteria diagnosis and its preponderant replacement by the depression one. Finally, we attempted to specify the theoretical reference for this analysis and the final considerations. (AU)

Les recherches contenues dans cet article découlent de recherches développées avec l’appui de la Fondation de l’Aide à la Recherche de l’État de São Paulo sur l’ambiance, la subjectivité et la qualité de vie au travers de l’analyse de La présence de dépression dans le contexte contemporain et des représentations de professionnels de la santé sur cette morbidité, ce qui permet d’affirmer que les changements significatifs ont eu lieu dans les diagnostics dans le domaine de la santé mentale. Dans l’introduction nous avons cherché à présenter le thème et les principaux points de vues qui seront discutés ici, se traitant des changements observés dans le discours de la science avec l’accent sur la psychiatrie et la psychanalyse, pour mettre en évidence ces transformations, centralisé sur l’effacement des diagnostics d’hystérie en fonction de la prépondérance de ceux de dépression. Au final on a cherché à spécifier la référence théorique privilégiée pour cette analyse et quelques considérations finales. (AU)

Transformações socio-culturais contemporâneas e algumas implicações nos diagnósticos na área de saúde mental / Contemporary social-cultural transformations and some implications on diagnosis in the mental health area

As indagações contidas neste artigo são decorrentes de pesquisas que vêm sendo desenvolvidas, com apoio da Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo - FAPESP, sobre ambiente, subjetividade e qualidade de vida, através da análise da presença de depressão no contexto contemporâneo, e das representações de profissionais de saúde sobre essa morbidade, permitindo afirmar que têm ocorrido mudanças significativas nos diagnósticos na área da saúde mental. Na introdução procurou-se apresentar o tema e as principais abordagens que serão aqui discutidas, tratando as mudanças observadas no discurso da ciência, com ênfase na psiquiatria e na psicanálise, para evidenciar essas transformações, tomando enfoque o apagamento dos diagnósticos de histeria em função da preponderância dos de depressão. Por fim procurou-se especificar a referência teórica privilegiada para essa análise e, algumas considerações finais.

Métodos analíticos para detecção de glúten em alimentos: [revisão] / Analytical methods for detecting gluten in foods: [review]

O tratamento para a doença celíaca (DC) consiste em dieta livre das prolaminas: gliadina, hordeina, secalina e avenina existentes no trigo, centeio, cevada e aveia. A Comissão do Codex Alimentarius(FAO/WHO) definiu o limite de 200 ppm (mg/kg) de glúten para o alimento ser considerado livre desse produto. A revisão de 2004 do Codex Alimentarius sugeriu o limite de 20 ppm para produtos naturalmente sem glúten e de 200 ppm para produtos derivados de ingredientes não fonte de glúten, porém esses limites estão ainda em discussão. Entre os métodos analíticos para detectar ou determinar glúten/gliadina têm sido empregadas as técnicas de: espectrometria de massa, cromatografia líquida, análise de DNA do trigo e imununoenzimáticos. O método oficial adotado pela Association of Official Analytical Chemistry(AOAC) é o ELISA baseado no anticorpo monoclonal para gliadina. O Codex Alimentarius endossou temporariamente, o R5 ELISA como Método Tipo I. O R5 ELISA utiliza anticorpo monoclonal para o pentapeptídeo tóxico existente na gliadina, hordeina e secalina. O ELISA, em função de sua maior sensibilidade e apropriado limite de detecção (1,5 ppm de gliadina), é considerado superior às demais técnicas. A presença de pequenos fragmentos de proteína existentes em prolaminas hidrolisadas devem ser avaliados por métodos baseados em DNA.

Treatment of celiac disease (CD) is consisted of a diet free of prolamins as gliadin, hordein, secalin, and avenin existing in wheat, barley, rye, and oats. The Codex Alimentarius Commission (FAO/WHO) has defined the maximum gluten content of 200 ppm (mg/kg) to consider as gluten-free products. The Codex Commission Review 2004 recommended the limits of 20 mg/kg dry mass for naturally gluten- free products, and 200 mg/kg for food derived from gluten - free products. Among analytical methods for detecting or determining glúten/gliadin the following techniques have been used: mass spectrometry,high performance-liquid chromatography, wheat DNA analysis by PCR, and immunoenzyme assay. ELISA based on monoclonal antibody for ω gliadin has been the technique officially recommended by the Association of Official Analytical Chemistry (AOAC). R5-ELISA has got a provisory approval from the Codex Alimentarius as type I method. R5-ELISA is based on the use of a monoclonal antibody for pentapeptide occurring in gliadin, hordein, secalin, and avenin, and this assay presents sensitivity and limit detection (1.5 ppm gliadin) rates superior in comparison to other techniques. Although, the qualitative analysis for detecting he presence of small fragment of protein in hydrolized prolamine should be assessed by means of DNA-based techniques.

Detecção de glúten em alimentos por meio de Elisa / Detection of gluten in foods by means of Elisa

A doença celíaca é caracterizada pela intolerância ou hipersensibilidade à ingestão de prolaminas existentes no trigo, centeio, cevada e aveia. As proteínas do glúten do trigo são constituídas de aproximadamente 50% de prolaminas, denominadas gliadinas. O tratamento adotado para a doença celíaca é a dieta livre de glúten. A legislação brasileira determina que os produtos alimentícios industrializados devem apresentar a advertência da presença ou ausência de glúten na rotulagem. Duas amostras de referência estabelecidas em um estudo interlaboratorial e treze produtos alimentícios industrializados foram analisados para determinar a presença de glúten por meio de ensaio imunoenzimático comercial, ELISA técnica sanduíche, utilizando-se anticorpo monoclonal anti gliadina. O limite de detecção foi de 10 ppm (mg/kg). As amostras de referência revelaram resultados satisfatórios com boa exatidão. O glúten foi detectado nos produtos alimentícios que continham o referido componente declarado na rotulagem. O glúten não foi detectado nas amostras declaradas isentas de glúten, com exceção de uma amostra. O ensaio imunoenzimático utilizado discriminou as prolaminas não tóxicas apropriadas para os pacientes com doença celíaca, como os da farinha de arroz, milho, soja, mandioca, batata e batata doce, cujos ingredientes constavam nos dizeres de rotulagem. Os resultados apresentados evidenciam a viabilidade de uso de ELISA para a detecção de baixos teores de glúten em alimentos.

Subjetividade e complexidade social: contribuições ao estudo da depressão / Subjectivity and social complexity: contributions to the study of depression

O presente artigo apresenta uma reflexão a partir de alguns dos resultados obtidos no projeto de pesquisa Qualidade de vida em sociedades complexas: a depressão entre trabalhadores da indústria petroquímica e pescadores artesanais. Vale ressaltar que a pesquisa é parte considerável de um caminho mais longo desenvolvido desde os anos 90. Através de intensa pesquisa de campo, analisou-se a qualidade de vida, através da observação dos estados depressivos presentes nos trabalhadores da indústria petroquímica (REPLAN, Paulínia, SP) e pescadores artesanais (Colônia Z 7 - Itaipu e Piratininga, Niterói, RJ), considerando que esses trabalhadores estão submetidos a intensas transformações socioambientais ocorridas em seus cotidianos e manifestam a depressão como expressão da subjetivação, no indivíduo, de uma intensa complexidade social.

This paper presents a reflection based on some results of the research project Quality of life in complex societies: the depression between workers of petrochemical industry and artisan fishermen. Is must be pointed out that this research is a large part of a deep theory developed since the 90's. In a deep field research, the quality of life through analysis of depressive states in workers of the petrochemical industry (REPLAN, Paulínia, SP) and artisan fishermen (7 Colony Z - Itaipu and Piratininga, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro) was examined, considering that these workers are under intense social-environmental transformations in their daily routine and revealing depression as expression of subjectivity, in the individual, of an intense social complexity.

Immunologic factors in human milk: the effects of gestational age and pasteurization.

This study compared concentrations of total protein, lysozyme, and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) in samples of colostrum (n=101) obtained from mothers of infants<32 weeks, 32 to 36(6) 7 weeks, and >or=37 weeks gestational age, both before and after pasteurization. Total protein was measured by refraction index, lysozyme by the lysoplate method, and immunoglobulins through the radial immunodiffusion technique. The total protein concentration was greater in colostrum of the <32 weeks and 32 to 36(6) 7 weeks categories compared to full-term (P<.001), while concentrations of lysozyme and IgM were similar. IgA concentrations were higher in the <32 weeks group compared to the full-term and similar to the 32 to 36(6) 7 weeks group (P<.05). The IgG was higher in the <32 weeks category compared to 32 to 36(6) 7 weeks, and both were similar to the full-term (P<.05). Pasteurization significantly decreased all of the factors analyzed.