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1.
Methods Mol Biol ; 2825: 247-262, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38913314

ABSTRACT

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is one of the most common lymphomas, with an incidence of 3 per 100,000 persons. Current treatment uses a cocktail of genotoxic agents, including adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD), along with or without radiotherapy. This treatment regimen has proved to be efficient in killing cancer cells, resulting in HL patients having a survival rate of >90% cancer-free survival at five years. However, this therapy does not have a specific cell target, and it can induce damage in the genome of non-cancerous cells. Previous studies have shown that HL survivors often exhibit karyotypes characterized by complex chromosomal abnormalities that are difficult to analyze by conventional banding. Multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH) is a powerful tool to analyze complex karyotypes; we used M-FISH to investigate the presence of chromosomal damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes from five healthy individuals and five HL patients before, during, and one year after anti-cancer treatment. Our results show that this anti-cancer treatment-induced genomic chaos that persists in the hematopoietic stem cells from HL patients one year after finishing therapy. This chromosomal instability may play a role in the occurrence of second primary cancers that are observed in 10% of HL survivors. This chapter will describe a protocol for utilizing M-FISH to study treatment-induced genome chaos in Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients, following a brief discussion.


Subject(s)
Hodgkin Disease , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence , Hodgkin Disease/genetics , Hodgkin Disease/therapy , Humans , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence/methods , Chromosome Aberrations/radiation effects , Doxorubicin/therapeutic use , Genome, Human , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Chromosomal Instability , Lymphocytes/radiation effects , Lymphocytes/drug effects , Lymphocytes/metabolism , Bleomycin/therapeutic use
2.
Front Microbiol ; 15: 1345324, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38404599

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Beer is one of the most consumed alcoholic drinks in the world, and this industry is a growing market that demands different properties to satisfy new consumers. The yeasts are used in different fermented beverages to contribute to new flavors. However, yeast strains used in the beer industry are limited so far, thus the diversity of flavors is very restricted. Therefore, the use of native yeast strains has been taking more importance with the purpose of conferring differentiated organoleptic properties to the product. Based on this observation the potentiality of native Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains obtained from different localities in Chile was researched. Methods: In this work was selected those strains that produced the highest ethanol concentration (nearly 6% v/v), consumed the highest amounts of sugars, and produced the lowest amounts of organic acids in the resulting beers. Finally, we did a beer tasting to select those strains that added different flavors to the final beer compared with a commercial strain used. Results and discussion: In this study, two native strains that produced fruity descriptors are described, which could be used in the future in brewing, craft or industrial production.

3.
Int J Mol Sci ; 24(19)2023 Sep 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37834089

ABSTRACT

Trisomy X is the most frequent sex chromosome anomaly in women, but it is often underdiagnosed postnatally because most patients do not show any clinical manifestation. It is estimated that only 10% of patients with trisomy X are diagnosed by clinical findings. Thus, it has been proposed that the clinical spectrum is not yet fully delimited, and additional uncommon or atypical clinical manifestations could be related to this entity. The present report describes a female carrying trisomy X but presenting atypical manifestations, including severe intellectual disability, short stature, thymus hypoplasia, and congenital hypothyroidism (CH). These clinical findings were initially attributed to trisomy X. However, chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) subsequently revealed that the patient also bears a heterozygous 304-kb deletion at 16p11.2. This pathogenic copy-number variant (CNV) encompasses 13 genes, including TUFM. Some authors recommend that when a phenotype differs from that described for an identified microdeletion, the presence of pathogenic variants in the non-deleted allele should be considered to assess for an autosomal recessive disorder; thus, we used a panel of 697 genes to rule out a pathogenic variant in the non-deleted TUFM allele. We discuss the possible phenotypic modifications that might be related to an additional CNV in individuals with sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA), as seen in our patient. The presence of karyotype-demonstrated trisomy X and CMA-identified 16p11.2 deletion highlights the importance of always correlating a patient's clinical phenotype with the results of genetic studies. When the phenotype includes unusual manifestations and/or exhibits discrepancies with that described in the literature, as exemplified by our patient, a more extensive analysis should be undertaken to enable a correct diagnosis that will support proper management, genetic counseling, and medical follow-up.


Subject(s)
Sex Chromosome Aberrations , Trisomy , Humans , Female , Trisomy/diagnosis , Trisomy/genetics , Chromosome Deletion , Phenotype , Karyotype
4.
Front Microbiol ; 13: 1074741, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36713198

ABSTRACT

Background: Proteostasis refers to the processes that regulate the biogenesis, folding, trafficking, and degradation of proteins. Any alteration in these processes can lead to cell malfunction. Protein synthesis, a key proteostatic process, is highly-regulated at multiple levels to ensure adequate adaptation to environmental and physiological challenges such as different stressors, proteotoxic conditions and aging, among other factors. Because alterations in protein translation can lead to protein misfolding, examining how protein translation is regulated may also help to elucidate in part how proteostasis is controlled. Codon usage bias has been implicated in the fine-tuning of translation rate, as more-frequent codons might be read faster than their less-frequent counterparts. Thus, alterations in codon usage due to synonymous mutations may alter translation kinetics and thereby affect the folding of the nascent polypeptide, without altering its primary structure. To date, it has been difficult to predict the effect of synonymous mutations on protein folding and cellular fitness due to a scarcity of relevant data. Thus, the purpose of this work was to assess the effect of synonymous mutations in discrete regions of the gene that encodes the highly-expressed enzyme 3-phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (pgk1) in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Results: By means of systematic replacement of synonymous codons along pgk1, we found slightly-altered protein folding and activity in a region-specific manner. However, alterations in protein aggregation, heat stress as well as changes in proteasome activity occurred independently of the mutated region. Concomitantly, reduced mRNA levels of the chaperones Hsp9 and Hsp16 were observed. Conclusion: Taken together, these data suggest that codon usage bias of the gene encoding this highly-expressed protein is an important regulator of protein function and proteostasis.

5.
Eng. sanit. ambient ; Eng. sanit. ambient;26(1): 77-87, jan.-fev. 2021. tab, graf
Article in Portuguese | LILACS-Express | LILACS | ID: biblio-1154120

ABSTRACT

RESUMO Conhecer o comportamento geomorfológico de bacias hidrográficas é fundamental para a elaboração de políticas públicas de conservação dos recursos naturais, para subsidiar a ocupação humana de forma que os processos erosivos sejam minimizados. Considerando-se as escassas informações sobre a bacia hidrográfica do Rio das Balsas, no sul do estado do Maranhão, este estudo teve como objetivos realizar o diagnóstico físico e apresentar as áreas suscetíveis à erosão por meio de classificação qualitativa. Para tanto, utilizaram-se informações das bases de dados da Agência Nacional de Águas, Companhia de Pesquisa de Recursos Minerais e United States Geological Survey (modelo digital de elevação, hidrografia, solos e geologia). Por rotinas de geoprocessamento, foram delimitadas a bacia e as sub-bacias e obtidos os dados para o cálculo dos índices morfométricos. Além disso, foi feita a reclassificação das áreas suscetíveis a erosão, baseada no curve number, método que avalia o potencial de escoamento superficial por tipo de solo e respectivo uso. A reclassificação em quatro classes de suscetibilidade possibilitou elaborar o mapa de áreas suscetíveis à erosão. As características morfogenéticas encontradas na área mostram que são necessárias ações de manejo adequado, já que alguns tipos de solos combinados com 45% de declividade (44% da área) são as áreas mais vulneráveis aos processos erosivos. Com isso, conclui-se que o planejamento do uso e ocupação da bacia são extremamente importantes para que as características físicas da região não interfiram de maneira negativa no futuro da sua expansão, no que concerne tanto às atividades agrícolas quanto às urbanas.


Abstract Knowledge of the geomorphological behavior of watersheds is fundamental for the elaboration of public policies for the conservation of natural resources, to subsidize human occupation in a way that minimizes erosion processes. Considering the lack of information about the Balsas river basin, located in the south of the state of Maranhão, Brazil, this study aimed to make a physical diagnosis and indicate areas susceptible to erosion through qualitative classification. To that end, it drew on information from National Water Agency (ANA), the Geological Survey of Brazil (CPRM) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) databases (digital elevation model, hydrography, soils and geology). Through geoprocessing routines, the basin and sub-basins were mapped and data was obtained for the calculation of morphometric indices. In addition, the areas susceptible to erosion were reclassified based on the curve number method, which assesses surface runoff potential by soil type and use. Reclassification into four susceptibility classes made it possible to map erosion susceptible areas. The morphogenetic characteristics found in the area show the need for appropriate management actions, since some types of soils, combined with 45% slope (about 44% of the area), are the most vulnerable to erosive processes. The conclusion reached was that planning of the use and occupation of the basin is extremely important to prevent the physical characteristics of the basin interfering negatively in the future of the region, as its agricultural as well as urban activities expand.

6.
Int J Mol Sci ; 20(21)2019 Oct 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31652755

ABSTRACT

Variation in the location of the 15p region D15Z1 is recognized as a polymorphism in several human populations. We used high-stringency Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) to detect D15Z1 in a Mexican cohort. Here, we report the presence of extra D15Z1 sequences on the p-arm of acrocentric chromosomes other than 15 in two groups of Mexican couples, one with healthy offspring (n = 75) and the other with aneuploid offspring (n = 87), mainly trisomy 21. The additional D15Z1 polymorphism was significantly increased in individuals with aneuploid offspring (26.4%), in comparison to individuals with healthy offspring (14%). The most frequent acceptor chromosome of D15Z1 was chromosome 13p, followed by 14p, and finally, 21p. Our results show an overall frequency of 21.6% of this polymorphism in the Mexican population and suggest that its presence might be associated with the mis-segregation of other acrocentric chromosomes and aneuploid offspring. The high frequency of the polymorphism of the D15Z1 sequence on acrocentric chromosomes other than 15 suggests a sequence homogenization of the acrocentric p arms, related to the important function of the centromere and the nucleolar organization region, which flank satellite III DNA.


Subject(s)
Aneuploidy , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15/genetics , Polymorphism, Genetic , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Mexico , Pedigree
7.
Genes (Basel) ; 10(1)2019 01 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30634664

ABSTRACT

Anticancer regimens for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients include highly genotoxic drugs that have been very successful in killing tumor cells and providing a 90% disease-free survival at five years. However, some of these treatments do not have a specific cell target, damaging both cancerous and normal cells. Thus, HL survivors have a high risk of developing new primary cancers, both hematologic and solid tumors, which have been related to treatment. Several studies have shown that after treatment, HL patients and survivors present persistent chromosomal instability, including nonclonal chromosomal aberrations. The frequency and type of chromosomal abnormalities appear to depend on the type of therapy and the cell type examined. For example, MOPP chemotherapy affects hematopoietic and germ stem cells leading to long-term genotoxic effects and azoospermia, while ABVD chemotherapy affects transiently sperm cells, with most of the patients showing recovery of spermatogenesis. Both regimens have long-term effects in somatic cells, presenting nonclonal chromosomal aberrations and genomic chaos in a fraction of noncancerous cells. This is a source of karyotypic heterogeneity that could eventually generate a more stable population acquiring clonal chromosomal aberrations and leading towards the development of a new cancer.


Subject(s)
Chromosome Aberrations , DNA Damage , Genomic Instability , Hodgkin Disease/genetics , Antineoplastic Agents/toxicity , Germ Cells/metabolism , Humans
8.
Environ Mol Mutagen ; 59(8): 755-768, 2018 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30260497

ABSTRACT

Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is a lymphoid malignancy representing 5% of all cancers in children, 16% in adolescents, and 30-40% of all malignant lymphomas and has a survival rate of ~95% at 10 years. One of the most common treatment schemes uses a cocktail of genotoxic agents including adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) with or without radiotherapy. We investigated the occurrence of chromosomal damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes from five patients diagnosed with HL who provided samples before (BT), during chemotherapy (DT) and ~1 year after ABVD chemotherapy/radiotherapy (AT). Five healthy subjects served as controls. Chromosomal abnormalities were evaluated by multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization. The average frequencies of structural chromosomal aberrations in HL samples were 0.11, 0.22, and 0.96 per cell in BT, DT, and AT samples, respectively. These frequencies were significantly different (P < 0.0001) with respect to control subjects (0.02 per cell). Interestingly, the highest frequency of structural damage, including genomic chaos and nonclonal abnormalities, was observed in the AT samples indicating that new aberrations were continuously produced. Rejoined structural chromosomal aberrations were the most common type of aberrations, although aneuploidies were also significantly increased. Finally, we found several chromosomal abnormalities linked to cancer secondary to treatment in all five HL patients. Our results show that ABVD chemotherapy plus radiotherapy is inducing genomic chaos in vivo; moreover, the persistence of genomic instability in the hematopoietic stem cells from HL patients may play a role in the occurrence of secondary cancer that is observed in 5-20% of HL patients. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:755-768, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Chemoradiotherapy/adverse effects , Chromosome Aberrations/chemically induced , DNA Damage/drug effects , Hodgkin Disease/therapy , Lymphocytes/cytology , Adult , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Bleomycin/adverse effects , Bleomycin/therapeutic use , DNA Damage/genetics , Dacarbazine/adverse effects , Dacarbazine/therapeutic use , Doxorubicin/adverse effects , Doxorubicin/therapeutic use , Female , Hodgkin Disease/genetics , Humans , Male , Tumor Cells, Cultured , Vinblastine/adverse effects , Vinblastine/therapeutic use , Young Adult
9.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis ; 12(2): e0006220, 2018 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29432450

ABSTRACT

Trypanosoma cruzi is exposed during its life to exogenous and endogenous oxidative stress, leading to damage of several macromolecules such as DNA. There are many DNA repair pathways in the nucleus and mitochondria (kinetoplast), where specific protein complexes detect and eliminate damage to DNA. One group of these proteins is the DNA polymerases. In particular, Tc DNA polymerase ß participates in kinetoplast DNA replication and repair. However, the mechanisms which control its expression under oxidative stress are still unknown. Here we describe the effect of oxidative stress on the expression and function of Tc DNA polymerase ß To this end parasite cells (epimastigotes and trypomastigotes) were exposed to peroxide during short periods of time. Tc DNA polymerase ß which was associated physically with kinetoplast DNA, showed increased protein levels in response to peroxide damage in both parasite forms analyzed. Two forms of DNA polymerase ß were identified and overexpressed after peroxide treatment. One of them was phosphorylated and active in DNA synthesis after renaturation on polyacrylamide electrophoresis gel. This phosphorylated form showed 3-4-fold increase in both parasite forms. Our findings indicate that these increments in protein levels are not under transcriptional control because the level of Tc DNA polymerase ß mRNA is maintained or slightly decreased during the exposure to oxidative stress. We propose a mechanism where a DNA repair pathway activates a cascade leading to the increment of expression and phosphorylation of Tc DNA polymerase ß in response to oxidative damage, which is discussed in the context of what is known in other trypanosomes which lack transcriptional control.


Subject(s)
DNA Polymerase beta/biosynthesis , Oxidative Stress , Protein Processing, Post-Translational , Protozoan Proteins/biosynthesis , Trypanosoma cruzi/enzymology , Trypanosoma cruzi/physiology , Blotting, Northern , Blotting, Western , DNA Polymerase beta/metabolism , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Gene Expression Profiling , Peroxides/toxicity , Phosphorylation , Proteome/analysis , Protozoan Proteins/metabolism , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Trypanosoma cruzi/drug effects
10.
Am J Med Genet A ; 176(1): 161-166, 2018 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29150894

ABSTRACT

Hypochondroplasia (HCH) is a skeletal dysplasia caused by an abnormal function of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3. Although believed to be relatively common, its prevalence and phenotype are not well established owing to its clinical, radiological, and genetic heterogeneity. Here we report on a molecularly proven HCH family with an affected father and two children. The siblings (male and female) with HCH also had craniosynostosis and cleft palate, respectively. The present report supports the conclusion that the full clinical spectrum of HCH is not completely delineated. It also suggests that secondary, as yet unknown, modifying factors can influence the final phenotype.


Subject(s)
Bone and Bones/abnormalities , Cleft Palate/diagnosis , Cleft Palate/genetics , Craniosynostoses/diagnosis , Craniosynostoses/genetics , Dwarfism/diagnosis , Dwarfism/genetics , Genetic Association Studies , Limb Deformities, Congenital/diagnosis , Limb Deformities, Congenital/genetics , Lordosis/diagnosis , Lordosis/genetics , Adult , Child , Facies , Female , Genotype , Humans , Karyotype , Male , Mexico , Mutation , Phenotype , Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3/genetics , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Syndrome , Tomography, X-Ray Computed
11.
Mar Pollut Bull ; 124(1): 367-375, 2017 Nov 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28760589

ABSTRACT

Fish larvae of four SE Brazilian estuaries were investigated to assess if the larval fish assemblages reflect the ecological status of estuaries. All samples were collected in the same water mass to guarantee similar natural water parameters, assuring that major differences among estuaries were related to anthropogenic pressures. Water temperature, oxygen, pH, chlorophyll a, faecal coliforms, nutrient load and total particulate matter were obtained at each sampling area. A pressure index was used to assess the overall anthropogenic pressures acting in each estuary. Results showed that fish larvae were sensitive to water contamination, reducing the diversity and especially exhibiting a high dominance of few species. Furthermore, this study reinforced the idea that the high sensitivity of fish larvae can increase the accuracy of the environmental assessments when tackling short-time events of hydrological controls (physical barriers and control of the freshwater input), representing an advance in the water ecological quality assessments.


Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring/methods , Estuaries , Fishes , Larva , Animals , Brazil , Chlorophyll/analysis , Chlorophyll A , Enterobacteriaceae/isolation & purification , Oxygen/analysis , Particulate Matter/analysis , Temperature , Water Pollutants/analysis
12.
FEBS J ; 284(4): 615-633, 2017 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28060464

ABSTRACT

In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, ribosomal protein gene (RPG) promoters contain a TATA box analog, the HomolD box, which is bound by the Rrn7 protein. Despite the importance of ribosome biogenesis for cell survival, the mechanisms underlying RPG transcription remain unknown. In this study, we found that components of the RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) system, consisting of the initiation or general transcription factors (GTFs) TFIIA, IIB, IIE, TATA-binding protein (TBP) and the RNAPII holoenzyme, interacted directly with Rrn7 in vitro, and were able to form a preinitiation complex (PIC) on the HomolD box. PIC complex formation follows an ordered pathway on these promoters. The GTFs and RNAPII can also be cross-linked to HomolD-containing promoters in vivo. In an in vitro reconstituted transcription system, RNAPII components and Rrn7 were necessary for HomolD-directed transcription. The Mediator complex was required for basal transcription from those promoters in whole cell extract (WCE). The Med17 subunit of Mediator also can be cross-linked to the promoter region of HomolD-containing promoters in vivo, suggesting the presence of the Mediator complex on HomolD box-containing promoters. Together, these data show that components of the RNAPII machinery and Rrn7 participate in the PIC assembly on the HomolD box, thereby directing RPG transcription.


Subject(s)
Fungal Proteins/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal , Pol1 Transcription Initiation Complex Proteins/genetics , Ribosomal Proteins/genetics , Schizosaccharomyces/genetics , TATA Box , Binding Sites , Cloning, Molecular , Escherichia coli/genetics , Escherichia coli/metabolism , Fungal Proteins/metabolism , Gene Expression , Mediator Complex/genetics , Mediator Complex/metabolism , Pol1 Transcription Initiation Complex Proteins/metabolism , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Protein Binding , RNA Polymerase II/genetics , RNA Polymerase II/metabolism , Recombinant Proteins/genetics , Recombinant Proteins/metabolism , Ribosomal Proteins/metabolism , Schizosaccharomyces/metabolism , TATA-Box Binding Protein/genetics , TATA-Box Binding Protein/metabolism , Transcription Factor TFIIA/genetics , Transcription Factor TFIIA/metabolism , Transcription Factor TFIIB/genetics , Transcription Factor TFIIB/metabolism , Transcription Factors, TFII/genetics , Transcription Factors, TFII/metabolism , Transcription, Genetic
13.
Reprod. clim ; 31(3): 134-142, 2016. ilus, tab, graf
Article in Portuguese | LILACS | ID: biblio-881002

ABSTRACT

Introdução: Múltiplos estudos sugerem que os valores de ß-hCG e de progesterona podem ser bons preditores de gravidez. Objetivo: Investigar o potencial dos valores de ß-hCG e progesterona na previsão de gravidez evolutiva e de gravidez gemelar, 14 dias após punção ovocitária em ciclos FIV/ICSI, e estabelecer um modelo de previsão. Métodos: Estudo retrospetivo de ciclos com punção e transferência de embriões a fresco entre maio/2011 e setembro/2015. Os grupos definidos foram: sem gravidez; gravidez não evolutiva; gravidez evolutiva (única ou gemelar). A análise estatística considerou = 5%. Para avaliar a capacidade de prever gravidez evolutiva e gravidez gemelar recorreu-se a um modelo de análise multivariada e usou-se um processo de regressão logística binária. Recorreu-se às curvas ROC para avaliar a capacidade do valor de ß-hCG e progesterona na distinção entre gravidez não evolutiva e evolutiva. Resultados: Verificaram-se 149 casos: sem gravidez 11,4%, gravidez não evolutiva 24,8%, gravidez evolutiva 63,8% (83 única, 12 gemelares). Com exceção dos valores de progesterona e ß-hCG, não se verificaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre as variáveis do grupo gravidez não evolutiva e evolutiva (ß-HCG: 38,9 vs 159 UI/L; progesterona: 20,4 vs 60 ng/mL). Na comparac¸ão entre gravidez única e gemelar, apenas o valor de ß-hCG foi estatisticamente significativo (ß-HCG: 147 vs 331 UI/L). Quando o valor de progesterona é ≥ 25, a probabilidade de gravidez é 5,4 vezes superior (IC95%, 1,18-24,8). Na regressão logística para gravidez gemelar apenas o valor de ß-hCG foi estatisticamente significativo. Conclusão: Uma avaliação única de progesterona e ß-hCG, 14 dias após punção, tem um bom valor preditivo de gravidez evolutiva, porém com capacidade limitada para discriminar entre gravidez única e gemelar.(AU)


Introduction: Multiple studies suggest that the amount of ß-hCG and progesterone can be good predictors of pregnancy. Objective: To investigate the potential of ß-hCG and progesterone values in predicting evolutive pregnancy and twin pregnancy, 14 days after oocyte puncture in IVF/ICSI cycles, establishing a predictive model. Methods: A retrospective study of cycles with the use of a puncture and fresh embryo transfer between May/2011 and September/2015. The defined groups were: with no pregnancy; without evolutive pregnancy; and with evolutive (single or twin) pregnancy. Statistical analysis considered = 5%. To assess the ability to predict evolutive pregnancy and twin pregnancy, a multivariate analysis model was carried out, with the use of a binary logistic regression process. ROC curves were used to evaluate the ability of ß-hCG and progesterone values in differentiating between non-evolutive and evolutive pregnancy. Results: 149 cases were found: no pregnancy 11.4%, without evolutive pregnancy 24.8%, with evolutive pregnancy 63.8% (83 single, 12 twins). Excluding progesterone and ß-hCG values, there were no statistically significant differences between the variables of non-evolutive and evolutive pregnancy groups (ß-HCG: 38.9 vs. 159 IU/L, progesterone: 20.4 vs. 60ng/mL). In a comparison between single and twin pregnancies, only the amount of ß-hCG was statistically significant (ß-HCG: 147 vs. 331 IU/L). When progesterone value is >25, the probability of pregnancy is 5.4 times greater (95% CI, 1.18-24.8). In a logistic regression for twin pregnancies, only ß-hCG value was statistically significant. Conclusion: A single assessment of progesterone and ß-hCG values 14 days after the puncture has a good predictive value of evolutive pregnancy, but with limited ability to discriminate between single and twin pregnancies.(AU)


Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Adult , Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human/blood , Fertilization in Vitro/methods , Pregnancy, Twin/statistics & numerical data , Progesterone/blood
14.
Food Chem ; 177: 330-8, 2015 Jun 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25660894

ABSTRACT

Espresso coffee beverages prepared from pure origin roasted ground coffees from the major world growing regions (Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia, India, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Papua New Guinea, Kenya, Cuba, Timor, Mussulo and China) were characterized and compared in terms of their mineral content. Regular consumption of one cup of espresso contributes to a daily mineral intake varying from 0.002% (sodium; Central America) to 8.73% (potassium; Asia). The mineral profiles of the espresso beverages revealed significant inter- and intra-continental differences. South American pure origin coffees are on average richer in the analyzed elements except for calcium, while samples from Central America have generally lower mineral amounts (except for manganese). Manganese displayed significant differences (p<0.05) among the countries of each characterized continent. Intercontinental and inter-country discrimination between the major world coffee producers were achieved by applying canonical discriminant analysis. Manganese and calcium were found to be the best chemical descriptors for origin.


Subject(s)
Coffea/chemistry , Coffee/chemistry , Minerals/analysis , Asia , Brazil , China , Coffea/classification , Coffee/classification , Colombia , Discriminant Analysis , Ethiopia , India , Indonesia , Kenya , Mexico , Papua New Guinea , Seeds/chemistry , Seeds/classification
15.
Parasitol Res ; 114(4): 1313-26, 2015 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25566774

ABSTRACT

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major parasitic disease that affects millions of people in America. However, despite the high impact of this disease on human health, no effective and safe treatment has been found that eliminates the infecting parasite from human patients. Among the possible chemotherapeutic targets that could be considered for study in T. cruzi are the DNA polymerases, in particular DNA polymerase beta (polß), which previous studies have shown to be involved in kinetoplast DNA replication and repair. In this paper, we describe the expression, purification, and biochemical characterization of the Miranda clone polß, corresponding to lineage T. cruzi I (TcI). The recombinant enzyme purified to homogeneity displayed specific activity in the range described for a highly purified mammalian polß. However, the trypanosome enzyme exhibited important differences in biochemical properties compared to the mammalian enzymes, specifically an almost absolute dependency on KCl, high sensitivity to N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), and low sensitivity to ddTTP. Immuno-affinity purification of T. cruzi polymerase beta (Tcpolß) from epimastigote extracts showed that the native enzyme was phosphorylated. In addition, it was demonstrated that Tcpolß interacts with some proteins in a group of about 15 proteins which are required to repair 1-6 bases of gaps of a double strand damaged DNA. It is possible that these proteins form part of a DNA repair complex, analogous to that described in mammals and some trypanosomatids.


Subject(s)
Chagas Disease/parasitology , DNA Polymerase beta/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic , Trypanosoma cruzi/enzymology , DNA Polymerase beta/drug effects , DNA Polymerase beta/isolation & purification , DNA Polymerase beta/metabolism , DNA, Kinetoplast/chemistry , DNA, Kinetoplast/genetics , Dideoxynucleotides/pharmacology , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Escherichia coli/genetics , Escherichia coli/metabolism , Ethylmaleimide/pharmacology , Humans , Phosphorylation , Phylogeny , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Thymine Nucleotides/pharmacology , Trypanosoma cruzi/genetics
16.
FEBS J ; 282(3): 491-503, 2015 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25410910

ABSTRACT

In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, ribosomal protein gene (RPG) promoters contain a TATA analogue element called the HomolD box. The HomolD-binding protein Rrn7 forms a complex with the RNA polymerase II machinery. Despite the importance of ribosome biogenesis to cell survival, the mechanisms involved in the regulation of transcription of eukaryotic RPGs are unknown. In this study, we identified Rrn7 as a new substrate of the pleiotropic casein kinase 2 (CK2), which is a regulator of basal transcription. Recombinant Rrn7 from S. pombe, which is often used as a model organism for studying eukaryotic transcription, interacted with CK2 in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, CK2-mediated phosphorylation of Rrn7 inhibited its HomolD-directed transcriptional activity and ability to bind to an oligonucleotide containing a HomolD box in vitro. Mutation of Rrn7 at Thr67 abolished these effects, indicating that this residue is a critical CK2 phosphorylation site. Finally, Rrn7 interacted with the regulatory subunit of CK2 in vivo, inhibition of CK2 in vivo potentiated ribosomal protein gene transcription, and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses identified that the catalytic subunit of CK2 was associated with the rpk5 gene promoter in S. pombe. Taken together, these data suggest that CK2 inhibits ribosomal protein gene transcription in S. pombe via phosphorylation of Rrn7 at Thr67.


Subject(s)
Casein Kinase II/metabolism , Pol1 Transcription Initiation Complex Proteins/metabolism , Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins/metabolism , Schizosaccharomyces/enzymology , Schizosaccharomyces/metabolism , Phosphorylation , Protein Binding
18.
Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann ; 22(7): 869-71, 2014 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24887856

ABSTRACT

Mediastinal infections usually originate from postoperative complications or in a descending manner from a cervical infectious process; few reports have emerged describing an ascending trajectory. A 56-year-old woman with a Huang class 1 left emphysematous pyelonephritis was referred due to a progression of an ascending necrotizing mediastinitis. A left posterolateral thoracotomy was performed, drainage and thorough lavage were carried out with a successful outcome. We believe this is the first reported case of ascending necrotizing mediastinitis secondary to an emphysematous renal infection.


Subject(s)
Candidiasis/microbiology , Emphysema/microbiology , Escherichia coli Infections/microbiology , Mediastinitis/microbiology , Pyelonephritis/microbiology , Urinary Tract Infections/microbiology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Candidiasis/complications , Candidiasis/diagnosis , Candidiasis/therapy , Drainage , Emphysema/diagnosis , Emphysema/therapy , Escherichia coli Infections/complications , Escherichia coli Infections/diagnosis , Escherichia coli Infections/therapy , Female , Humans , Mediastinitis/diagnosis , Mediastinitis/therapy , Middle Aged , Necrosis , Pyelonephritis/diagnosis , Pyelonephritis/therapy , Thoracotomy , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Treatment Outcome , Urinary Tract Infections/complications , Urinary Tract Infections/diagnosis , Urinary Tract Infections/therapy
20.
São Paulo; s.n; 2014. 25 p.
Thesis in Portuguese | Coleciona SUS, EMS-Producao, Sec. Munic. Saúde SP, Sec. Munic. Saúde SP | ID: biblio-940641

ABSTRACT

É relevante analisar a Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho, pois estudos desta natureza podem fornecer instrumentos para a implementação de intervenções a fim de melhorar a Qualidade de vida no âmbito profissional, alcançando assim, também uma melhoria nos serviços prestados ou tarefas executadas no dia-a-dia. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho. Para o desenvolvimento deste estudo foi utilizado o método de pesquisa bibliográfica. A qualidade de vida no trabalho é complexa e de difícil mensuração, por envolver a relação de fatores internos e externos ao indivíduo, como, por exemplo, a subjetividade e o contexto sociocultural. Após a leitura de vários materiais coletados para desenvolver este estudo, entendeu-se ainda que se deve dar maior atenção aos diferentes modos de entender a qualidade de vida, em especial valorizando métodos de pesquisa e avaliação interdisciplinar. Somos conscientes de que o trabalho é vital para o ser humano, torná-lo mais participativo, utilizando potencialidades e talentos, dar-lhes condições de trabalho adequadas, resultará no aumento da saúde mental e física dos trabalhadores


Subject(s)
Occupational Health , Quality of Life , Occupational Groups
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