Carnivore coexistence without competition: giant otters are more nocturnal around dens than sympatric neotropical otters.

Nocturnal activity of tropical otters is rarely reported. To date no studies have documented den use by sympatric giant (Pteronura brasiliensis) and neotropical otters (Lontra longicaudis). We used camera-traps to monitor den use by sympatric otters along an equatorial Amazonian river. Camera-traps provided evidence that giant otters were more nocturnal around dens than sympatric neotropical otters. Nocturnal activity was recorded in 11% of giant otter photos (n = 14 of 125 photos), but was recorded only once for neotropical otters. Den use by giant and neotropical otters overlapped spatially and temporally but not concurrently. We hypothesize that previously reported nocturnal activity in neotropical otters is facilitated by the absence or low density of giant otters. Our results also underscore the need to use complementary techniques together with den counts for monitoring otters as sympatric species can use the same dens.

Use and abuse of retention indices in gas chromatography.

The value of the concept of retention indices (RI) to the practice of gas chromatography (GC) is highlighted, where the RI of a compound is one component of the strategy to identify the compound. The widespread reliance on GC and then on mass spectrometry for 'identification', may result in inadequate confirmation of molecular identity. However, RI do provide a useful tentative indication of the possible molecule(s). Thus, the RI value is a useful first measure of the molecule identity, and shown here to be valuable provided limitations are recognised. An author has a responsibility to correctly calculate the index and then use the values for (tentative) identification. Tables of reference RI values are useful in this respect, but finding an 'exact match' RI value does not confirm the identity. Hence, it is necessary to understand how the RI value may be incorrectly used in this respect. The reviewer of written research is charged with ensuring the index values are applied in a rigorous manner. Selected case studies from our own work, support the care that must be exercised when reporting RI values. In terms of advanced GC operations, mention is made of multidimensional gas chromatography and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography to acquire RI values on both the first and second columns in the two-column separation experiment.

Resina precalentada como agente cementante: una revisión de tema / Preheated resin as a cementing agent: a topic review / Resina pré-aquecida como agente de cimentação: uma revisão do tópicos

Resumen En los años 90s, se empezó con el uso de la resina compuesta como agente cementante, la cual tiene como ventajas: un margen con alto contenido de relleno, facilidad de limpiar excesos antes de la polimerización, potencial de rellenar cualquier defecto en la preparación mejorando el sellado marginal, etc. Uno de las controversias de esta técnica, es la elevación de la temperatura intra pulpar, la cual, sumada al proceso de polimerización podría llegar a elevarse hasta causar algún daño irreversible, sin embargo, se ha demostrado, que la resina precalentada se enfría rápidamente, gracias a los tejidos dentarios que disipan el calor y al tiempo transcurrido de llevar la resina del horno a la boca. Con el calentamiento de las resinas, se produce una reducción de su viscosidad, permitiendo una menor formación de gaps y una mejor adaptación marginal, sin afectar las propiedades mecánicas de las resinas compuestas, esto ocurre debido al aumento de la movilidad molecular, las cuales optimizan sus propiedades mecánicas luego de la polimerización. Con respecto a las propiedades adhesivas los cementos resinosos y las resinas precalentadas han sido evaluadas mediante la fijación de las restauraciones indirectas a la estructura dentaria, obteniéndose con las resinas precalentada resultados favorables con relación a la filtración, resistencia adhesiva, pero en cuanto al grosor, el cemento resinoso genera una película más fina, sin embargo logra ser posible utilizar la resina precalentada como agente cementante como una técnica segura.

Abstract In the 90s, the use of the composite resin as a cementing agent began, which has the following advantages: a margin with a high filler content, ease of cleaning excesses before polymerization, potential to fill any defect in the preparation, improving marginal sealing etc. One of the controversies of this technique is the elevation of the intra-pulp temperature, which, added to the polymerization process, could rise to cause irreversible damage, however, it has been shown that the preheated resin cools rapidly, thanks to the dental tissues that dissipate heat and the elapsed time of bringing the resin from the oven to the mouth. With the heating of the resins, a reduction in their viscosity occurs, allowing less gaps and better marginal adaptation, without affecting the mechanical properties of the composite resins, this occurs due to increased molecular mobility, which optimizes its mechanical properties after polymerization. Regarding the adhesive properties, the resinous cements and the pre-heated resins have been evaluated by fixing the indirect restorations to the dental structure, obtaining with the pre-heated resins favorable results in relation to filtration, adhesive resistance, but in terms of thickness, resinous cement generates a thinner film, however it becomes possible to use pre-heated resin as a cementing agent as a safe technique.

Resumo Nos anos 90, iniciou-se o uso da resina composta como agente de cimentação, com as seguintes vantagens: margem com alto teor de carga, facilidade de limpeza dos excessos antes da polimerização, potencial para preencher qualquer defeito na preparação, melhorando a vedação marginal etc. Uma das controvérsias dessa técnica é a elevação da temperatura intra-pulpar, que, somada ao processo de polimeri- zação, pode subir para causar danos irreversíveis, no entanto, foi demonstrado que a resina pré-aquecida esfria rapidamente, graças aos tecidos dentários que dissipam o calor e o tempo decorrido de levar a resina do forno à boca. Com o aquecimento das resinas, ocorre uma redução na viscosidade, permitindo menos folgas e melhor adaptação marginal, sem afetar as propriedades mecânicas das resinas compostas, devido ao aumento da mobilidade molecular, que otimiza suas propriedades mecânicas após a polimerização. Com relação às propriedades adesivas, os cimentos resinosos e as resinas pré-aquecidas foram avaliados fixando as restaurações indiretas na estrutura dentária, obtendo com as resinas pré-aquecidas resultados favoráveis em relação à filtração, resistência adesiva, mas em termos de espessura, o cimento resinoso gera uma película mais fina, no entanto, é possível usar a resina pré-aquecida como agente de cimentação como uma técnica segura.

Ausência de espiritualidade e sociose: Van den Berg e a Psicologia da Religião / Absence of spirituality and sociosis: Van den Berg and the Psychology of Religion

Neste artigo, busca-se resgatar percepções centrais das obras do psiquiatra e psicólogo holandês Jan Hendrik Van den Berg; a forma como compreende o inconsciente, a releitura que faz acerca das neuroses, propondo sua substituição terminológica para socioses e ampliando o sentido contido no termo, permitindo reflexões valiosas e interlocuções profundas com a psicologia da religião. Se na época freudiana a inconscientização da sexualidade e da agressividade provocavam quadros sindrômicos bem específicos, a sociose enfrentada pelo sujeito hodierno é o esquecimento da espiritualidade. O psiquiatra advoga que a espiritualidade como dimensão humana, enquanto for negligenciada pela sociedade, continuará a produzir pessoas esvaziadas, medíocres, que não reconhecem seu lugar no mundo e tampouco conseguem desenvolver boas relações sociais. Endossa-se muito da percepção de Van den Berg ao apontar o atual momento histórico de resgate da espiritualidade já que, como dimensão humana, assim como a sexualidade, deveria ser reintegrada à existência.

In this article, we seek to recover central perceptions of the works of Dutch psychiatrist and psychologist Jan Hendrik Van den Berg; the way he understands the unconscious, his re-reading of neurosis, proposing his terminological substitution to sociosis, and broadening the meaning contained in the term, allowing valuable reflections and deep interlocutions with the psychology of religion. If in the Freudian era the unconsciousness of sexuality and of aggressiveness provoked very specific syndromic cases, the sociosis faced by the subject is the oblivion of spirituality. The psychiatrist advocates that spirituality as a human dimension, as long as it keeps being neglected by society, will continue to produce emptied, mediocre people who do not recognize their place in the world and cannot develop good social relationships. Much is endorsed of Van den Berg's perception when he points out the current historical moment of redemption of spirituality since, as a human dimension, as well as sexuality, it should be reintegrated to existence.

Ausência de espiritualidade e sociose: Van den Berg e a Psicologia da Religião / Absence of spirituality and sociosis: Van den Berg and the Psychology of Religion

Neste artigo, busca-se resgatar percepções centrais das obras do psiquiatra e psicólogo holandês Jan Hendrik Van den Berg; a forma como compreende o inconsciente, a releitura que faz acerca das neuroses, propondo sua substituição terminológica para socioses e ampliando o sentido contido no termo, permitindo reflexões valiosas e interlocuções profundas com a psicologia da religião. Se na época freudiana a inconscientização da sexualidade e da agressividade provocavam quadros sindrômicos bem específicos, a sociose enfrentada pelo sujeito hodierno é o esquecimento da espiritualidade. O psiquiatra advoga que a espiritualidade como dimensão humana, enquanto for negligenciada pela sociedade, continuará a produzir pessoas esvaziadas, medíocres, que não reconhecem seu lugar no mundo e tampouco conseguem desenvolver boas relações sociais. Endossa-se muito da percepção de Van den Berg ao apontar o atual momento histórico de resgate da espiritualidade já que, como dimensão humana, assim como a sexualidade, deveria ser reintegrada à existência.

In this article, we seek to recover central perceptions of the works of Dutch psychiatrist and psychologist Jan Hendrik Van den Berg; the way he understands the unconscious, his re-reading of neurosis, proposing his terminological substitution to sociosis, and broadening the meaning contained in the term, allowing valuable reflections and deep interlocutions with the psychology of religion. If in the Freudian era the unconsciousness of sexuality and of aggressiveness provoked very specific syndromic cases, the sociosis faced by the subject is the oblivion of spirituality. The psychiatrist advocates that spirituality as a human dimension, as long as it keeps being neglected by society, will continue to produce emptied, mediocre people who do not recognize their place in the world and cannot develop good social relationships. Much is endorsed of Van den Berg's perception when he points out the current historical moment of redemption of spirituality since, as a human dimension, as well as sexuality, it should be reintegrated to existence.

Diethylnitrosamine enhances hepatic tumorigenic pathways in mice fed with high fat diet (Hfd).

Obesity has been implicated in the genesis of metabolic syndromes including insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Given the association between T2DM and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), our specific goal was to determine whether the liver of HFD-induced T2DM mice is more sensitive to the carcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN), due to a modification of the molecular pathways implicated in the early stages of HCC pathogenesis. C57BL/6 male mice (five-week-old) were divided into 4 groups: C, C + DEN, HFD and HFD + DEN. Mice were euthanized twenty-five weeks after DEN-injection. Livers of HDF-fed mice showed a higher proliferative index than Control groups. In line with this, HFD groups showed an increase of nuclear ß-catenin, and interestingly, DEN treatment led to a slight increase in the expression of this protein in HFD group. Based on these results, and to confirm this effect, we analyzed ß-catenin target genes, finding that DEN treatment in HFD group led to a significant increase of Vegf, c-myc, c-jun and cyclin D1 expression levels. According to our results, the expression of TCF4 showed to be significantly increased in HFD + DEN vs. HFD. In this regard, the ß-catenin/TCF4 complex enhanced its association with pSmads 2/3, as we observed an increase of nuclear Smads expression in HFD + DEN, suggesting a possible role of TGF-ß1/Smads signaling pathway in this phenomenon. Our results show that the liver of HFD fed model that resembles early T2DM pathology in mice, is more sensitive to DEN, by inducing both Wnt/ß-catenin and TGF ß1/Smads tumorigenic pathways.

First evidence of gregarious denning in opossums (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae), with notes on their social behaviour.

The Didelphidae are considered solitary opossums with few social interactions, usually limited to mating-related or mother-pouch young interactions. Anecdotal reports suggest that additional interactions occur, including den sharing by a few individuals, usually siblings. Here, we report novel observations that indicate opossums are more social than previously thought. These include nest sharing by males and females of Marmosa paraguayana, Gracilinanus microtarsus and Marmosops incanus prior to the onset of the breeding season and without signs of sexual activity; this is taken to indicate early pair-bonding matching and cooperative nest building. We also recorded den sharing among recently weaned siblings of Didelphis aurita and Caluromys philander. In addition, we observed 13 individuals of Didelphis albiventris representing three age classes resting without agonistic interactions in a communal den. These are the first reports of gregarious behaviour involving so many individuals, which are either unrelated or represent siblings from at least two litters, already weaned, sharing the same den with three adults. Sociality in opossums is probably more complex than previously established, and field experimental designs combining the use of artificial nests with camera traps or telemetry may help to gauge the frequency and extent of these phenomena.

Oxidative stress and cell damage in a model of precancerous lesions and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most frequent cause of cancer deaths throughout the world. This study was aimed to analyze oxidative stress and cell damage in a multistage model of liver carcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in rats. Male Wistar rats weighing 145-150 g were divided into three groups: control, precancerous lesions (PL) (which received 100 mg DEN once a week every 6 weeks up to 28 weeks), and advanced HCC (50 mg DEN once/twice per week up to 19 weeks). Lipid peroxidation (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and expression of transforming growth factor-1 beta (TGF)-1ß, endothelial and inducible nitric oxide syntahese (eNOS, iNOS), NADPH quinone oxireductase (NQO)-1, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (NrF)2, kelch-like ECH-associated protein (Keap)1 and heat shock protein (HSP)70 were measured. TBARS concentration was augmented in the PL and advanced HCC groups. SOD activity, TGF-1ß and Nrf2 expression were higher in animals with precancerous lesions. In advanced HCC, expression of NQO1 and iNOS increased while there was a decrease in HPS70 expression. Data obtained provide evidence for the differential activation of proteins involved in oxidative stress and cell damage during progression of carcinogenesis in an animal model of HCC.

Plano inclinado no tratamento da mordida cruzada anterior: relato de caso clínico / Treatment with inclined plane for anterior crossbite: clinical case report

O diagnóstico e a intervenção ortodôntica precoce fei-ta pela odontopediatra nos casos de má oclusão tanto na dentadura decídua quanto na mista determinam o sucesso do tratamento para cada caso. Objetivo: o pre-sente artigo expõe um caso de mordida cruzada ante-rior de origem dental na dentadura decídua envolvendo os elementos 51 e 52 em paciente de gênero feminino com quatro anos de idade. Relato de caso: Para o trata-mento, realizou-se a confecção de aparelho tipo plano, inclinado em 45° em resina acrílica autopolimerizável de forma a permitir uma guia para o descruzamento dessa mordida. A manutenção do aparelho foi feita semanalmente para realizar checagem da oclusão e ajustes necessários. Após duas semanas, o aparelho foi removido e encontrado um resultado satisfatório, com o descruzamento alcançado e o dente em posição de oclusão ideal. Considerações finais: podendo-se, assim, concluir que a utilização do plano inclinado é uma op-ção eficaz e rápida no tratamento da mordida cruzada anterior na dentadura decídua

Sclerocornea in a patient with van den Ende-Gupta syndrome homozygous for a SCARF2 microdeletion.

Van den Ende-Gupta Syndrome (VDEGS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by blepharophimosis, distinctive nose, hypoplastic maxilla, and skeletal abnormalities. Using homozygosity mapping in four VDEGS patients from three consanguineous families, Anastacio et al. [Anastacio et al. (2010); Am J Hum Genet 87:553-559] identified homozygous mutations in SCARF2, located at 22q11.2. Bedeschi et al. [2010] described a VDEGS patient with sclerocornea and cataracts with compound heterozygosity for the common 22q11.2 microdeletion and a hemizygous SCARF2 mutation. Because sclerocornea had been described in DiGeorge-velo-cardio-facial syndrome but not in VDEGS, they suggested that the ocular abnormalities were caused by the 22q11.2 microdeletion. We report on a 23-year-old male who presented with bilateral sclerocornea and the VDGEGS phenotype who was subsequently found to be homozygous for a 17 bp deletion in exon 4 of SCARF2. The occurrence of bilateral sclerocornea in our patient together with that of Bedeschi et al., suggests that the full VDEGS phenotype may include sclerocornea resulting from homozygosity or compound heterozygosity for loss of function variants in SCARF2.

Laser capture microdissection after γ-glutamyl transferase histochemistry: an optimization for gene expression analysis.

γ-Glutamyl transferase (GGT) is useful as a marker in pathological conditions, including several types of cancer. We optimized the histochemical detection of GGT to assay the gene expression profiles of phenotype-specific cells selected by laser capture microdissection (LCM). For optimization, we used the livers of rats subjected to hepatocarcinogenesis. This model induced nodules of hepatocytes and tumors with GGT activity. To obtain sufficient high-quality RNA after histochemistry and LCM, we included an RNase inhibitor and air-dried the tissue sections. This optimization allowed the visualization of GGT activity in situ and a yield of 1.4 to 2.0 µg of total RNA from 15 to 18 mm² of microdissected tissue (20 µm thickness). The average RNA integrity number in GGT-positive tissue, determined by chip-capillary electrophoresis, was 6.9, and the 28S/18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) ratio was 1.4. The RNAs were processed for the Rat Gene 1.0 ST Array (Affymetrix). Comparable quality control metrics, such as signal intensity and RNA degradation plots, were found between the LCM samples and non-LCM tissue. The increased expression of Ggt1 expected in GGT-positive tissue was confirmed by microarrays and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). This optimization provided a suitable method for whole-transcript analysis of GGT-positive tissue isolated using LCM.

Censo 2013 de Residencias de Medicina Familiar y General de la República Argentina / 2013 Census of Residencies of Family and General Medicine of the Argentine Republic

La puesta en marcha de los Planes Federales de Salud propuso al Primer Nivel de Atención como el nivel organizador del sistema de salud, y promovió la formación de recursos humanos apropiados en cantidad y competencias. A fin de medir el impacto de los mismos se realizó un censo que incluyó el recuento de las residencias públicas existentes, el censado de los residentes y el relevamiento del contexto de aprendizaje predominante en cada residencia. Se identificaron 146 residencias y 926 residentes...

The implementation of the Federal Health Plans proposed the First Level of Care as the organizing level of the health system, and promoted the training of appropriate human resources in quantity and competencies. In order to measure their impact, a census was carried out that included the recount of the existing public residences, the census of the residents and the survey of the predominant learning context in each residence. 146 residences and 926 residents were identified...

Análise dos efeitos da epigalocatequina-3-galato (EGCG) de Camelliasinensis (chá verde) em modelo de hepatotoxicidade químicaexperimental induzida pela Dietilnitrosamina (DEN) / Analysis of the effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) of Camellia sinensis (green tea) in experimental chemical model of hepatotoxicity induced by Diethylnitrosamine (DEN)

A Dietilnitrosamina (DEN), uma substância reconhecidamente hepatotóxica e carcinogênica, foiutilizada na indução da necrose hepática centrolobular em ratos isogênicos Lewis divididos em 5 grupos de 5 animais. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito quimiopreventivo da epigalocatequina-3-galato (EGCG), de Camellia sinensis (chá verde) no tratamento da hepatotoxicidade celular induzida pela DEN. Foi mensurada a concentração sérica da alanina aminotransferase (ALT) e aspartato aminotransferase(AST) dos diferentes grupos experimentais. No ensaio bioquímico para AST e ALT, houve diferença significativa entre os valores médios do grupo controle (163±70,32) comparado ao grupo DEN (1631±1039,44), sugerindo que a DEN influencia na função hepática. Entretanto, não houve diferença significativa entre o grupo DEN e o tratado com epigalocatequina. A lactato desidrogenase (LDH) éconsiderada um marcador bioquímico comum para avaliação da progressão tumoral, e em relação ao LDH, as amostras não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre o grupo DEN (1385,5±43,13) e DEN + EGCG 150mg ou DEN + EGCG 200mg 1537,5±1010,45). Neste trabalho foi demonstrado que a epigalocatequina nas concentrações de 150 e 200 mg/Kg não induziram alterações hepáticas e também não foi possível verificar nenhuma quimioproteção pela EGCG em animais inicialmente tratados comDEN durante 24 horas. Sendo assim, novos experimentos com diferentes concentrações de EGCG sãonecessários para comprovar seu possível efeito quimioprotetor.

Diethylnitrosamine (DEN), a known hepatotoxic and carcinogenic substance, was used in the induction of centrilobular hepatic necrosis in isogenic Lewis rats divided into 5 groups with 5 animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemopreventive effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)from Camellia sinensis (green tea) in the treatment of cellular hepatotoxicity induced by DEN. It was measured the serum concentration of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of the different experimental groups. In the biochemistry assay for AST and ALT, there was significant difference between median values of control group (163±70.32) compared to DEN group(1631±1039.44), suggesting that DEN influences on hepatic function. However, there was no significant difference between DEN group to that treated with epigallocatechin. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is considered a common biochemical marker for evaluation of tumor progression, and regarding LDH,the samples presented no significant differences between the DEN group (1385.5±43.13) and DEN + EGCG 150mg or DEN + EGCG 200mg (1537.5± 1010.45). In this work it was demonstrated that epigallocatechin concentrations of 150 and 200 mg/kg did not induce liver alterations and though was not verified any chemoprotective effect by EGCG in animals initially treated with DEN for 24 hours. Moreover, new experiments with different concentrations of EGCG are needed to verify its possiblechemoprotector effect.

De novo DESIGN AND SYNTHESIS OF AN ICE-BINDING, DENDRIMERIC, POLYPEPTIDE BASED ON INSECT ANTIFREEZE PROTEINS / SÍNTESIS Y DISEÑO De novo DE UN POLIPÉPTIDO DENDRÍMERO CON UNIÓN AL HIELO BASADO EN LAS PROTEINAS ANTICONGELANTES DE INSECTOS / Síntes e desenhoo de novo de um polipetídeos dendrímero com uniâo ao gelo baseado nas proteínas anticongelantes de insetos

A new strategy is presented for the design and synthesis of peptides that exhibit ice-binding and antifreeze activity. A pennant-type dendrimer polypeptide scaffoíd combining an a-helical backbone with four short (β-strand branches was synthesized in solid phase using Fmoc chemistry in a divergent approach. The 51-residue dendrimer was characterized by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and circular dichroism. Each (β-strand branch contained three overlapping TXT amino acid repeats, an ice-binding motif found in the ice-binding face of the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) and beetle (Tenebrio molitor) antifreeze proteins. Ice crystals in the presence of the polypeptide monomer displayed fiat, hexagonal plate morphology, similar to that produced by weakly active antifreeze proteins. An oxidized dimeric form of the dendrimer polypeptide also produced fiat hexagonal ice crystals and was capable of inhibiting ice crystal growth upon temperature reduction, a phenomenon termed thermal hysteresis, a defining property of antifreeze proteins. Linkage of the pennant-type dendrimer to a tri-functional cascade-type polypeptide produced a trimeric macromolecule that gave flat hexagonal ice crystals with higher thermal hysteresis activity than the dimer or monomer and an ice crystal burst pattern similar to that produced by samples containing insect antifreeze proteins. This macromolecule was also capable of inhibiting ice recrystallization.

Una nueva estrategia se presenta para el diseño y síntesis de péptidos que se unen al hielo y evidencian actividad anticongelante. Un polipéptido dendrímero del tipo banderín, que combina en su estructura un núcleo a-hélice con cuatro ramificaciones cortas de hojas β, se sintetizó en fase sólida utilizando la química Fmoc con una estrategia divergente. El dendrímero de 51 residuos se caracterizó por cromatografía líquida de alta resolución, espectrometría de masas y dicroís-mo circular. Cada ramifcación de hoja β contiene tres repeticiones de los motivos de aminoácidos TxT sobrelapados, un motivo de unión al hielo presente en la cara de unión de las proteínas anticongelantes del gusano de brotes de abeto (Choristoneura fumiferana) y en el escarabajo (Tenebrio molitor). Los cristales de hielo en presencia del polipéptido monomérico presentan una morfología hexagonal plana, similar a la producida por las proteínas anticongelantes con una débil actividad. Un dímero oxidado del polipéptido también produce cristales de hielo hexagonales planos que fueron capaces de inhibir el crecimiento de los cristales de hielo a medida que se disminuía la temperatura, un fenómeno conocido como histéresis térmica, esto es, una propiedad que define las proteínas anticongelantes. La vinculación del dendrímero tipo banderín a un polipéptido tipo cascada trifuncional produjo una macro-molécula trimérica que generó cristales de hielo hexagonales planos con una mayor actividad de histéresis térmica que los dímeros y los monómeros y un patrón de estallido del cristal de hielo muy similar al producido por las muestras que contienen proteínas anticongelantes de insectos. Estas moléculas además fueron capaces de inhibir la recristianización del hielo.

Uma nova estratégia é apresentada para o desenho e síntese de peptídeos que se unem ao gelo e apresentam atividade anticongelante. Um polipeptídeo dendrímero do tipo pennant que combina em sua estrutura um núcleo a-hélice com quatro ramifcacoes curtas de folhas β foi sintetizado em fase sólida utilizando a química Fmoc com uma estratégia divergente. O dendrímero de 51 resíduos foi caracterizado por cromatografa líquida de alta resolução, espectrometria de massas e dicroísmo circular. Cada ramifcacao de folha (β contém três repeticoes dos motivos de aminoácidos TxT sobrepostos, um motivo de união ao gelo presente na cara de união das proteínas anticongelantes do verme de Choristoneura fumiferana e no escaravelho (Tenebrio molitor). Os cristais de gelo, em presença do polipeptídeo monomérico, apresentam urna morfologia hexagonal plana, similar à produzida pelas proteínas anticongelantes com uma atividade fraca. Um dímero oxidado do polipeptídeo também produz cristais de gelo hexagonais planos e fo-ram capazes de inibir o crescimento dos cristais de gelo à medida que a temperatura diminuia, um fenômeno conhecido como histerese térmica una propriedade que def ne as proteínas anticongelantes. A vinculação do dendrímero tipo pen-nant a um polipeptídeo tipo cascata tri-funcional produziu uma macromolécula trimérica que gerou cristais de gelo hexa-gonais planos com uma maior atividade de histerese térmica que os dímeros e os monómeros e um padrão de estouro do cristal de gelo muito similar ao produzi-do pelas amostras que contêm proteínas anticongelantes de insetos. Estas moléculas, aliás, foram capazes de inibir a recristalização do gelo.

Secuencia de infección viral asociada al embarazo durante brote de dengue en Santiago de Cuba, 2006 / Sequence of viral infection associated to pregnancy in a dengue outbreak in Santiago de Cuba in 2006

Introducción: en la provincia Santiago de Cuba se han producido diferentes epidemias de dengue en los últimos años, donde han estado incluidas mujeres en estado de gravidez. Objetivo: conocer la inmunidad y describir el papel de la infección con dengue, así como su secuencia. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional y descriptivo para caracterizar la inmunidad a dengue en las madres e hijos después de 10 y 12 meses de nacidos y conocer la influencia de determinadas secuencias de infección virales en las mujeres embarazadas que sufrieron la enfermedad, durante la epidemia de dengue 3, en Santiago de Cuba. Para ello se estudiaron las muestras de suero de 25 mujeres confirmadas de dengue 3 y de los niños nacidos de estas, al cabo de los 10 y 12 meses de nacidos. Se determinaron los títulos de IgG y las secuencias virales de infección; se analizaron según la clasificación del dengue de acuerdo con el criterio de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Resultados: los niños no presentaron anticuerpos y las secuencias virales de infección asociadas a las madres en orden de frecuencia resultaron con igual porcentaje el DEN2/DEN3, DEN1/DEN2/DEN3 (21,74 por ciento) y en menor porcentaje por último el DEN1/DEN3 (17,39 por ciento). Conclusiones: los niños no desarrollaron inmunidad humoral (IgG), a pesar de que algunos presentaron manifestaciones propias de la enfermedad. Las infecciones secundarias favorecieron las formas graves de la entidad(AU)

Introduction: several dengue outbreaks have taken place in Santiago de Cuba province in the last few years, in which pregnant women have been involved. Objectives: to determine the immunity and to describe the role of dengue infection and its sequence. Methods: an observational and descriptive study was conducted to characterize dengue immunity in mothers and children after 10 and 12 months of birth and to determine the influence of certain viral infection sequences in pregnant women who suffered this disease during the dengue 3 epidemics in Santiago de Cuba. To this end, serum samples from 25 females tested dengue 3-positive and from children born to them after 10 and 12 months of childbirth were studied. IgG titers and viral infection sequences were determined and analyzed according to the World Health Organization dengue classification criteria. Results: the children did not present with the antibodies and the viral infection sequences associated to mothers; in order of frequency, the same percentage was observed in DEN2/DEN3, DEN1/DEN2/DEN3 (21,74 percent); but lower percentage in DEN1/DEN3 (17,39 percent). Conclusions: the children did not develop humoral immunity (IgG) despite some manifestations inherent to the disease. The secondary infections prompted the most serious forms of the disease(AU)

Secuencia de infección viral asociada al embarazo durante brote de dengue en Santiago de Cuba, 2006 / Sequence of viral infection associated to pregnancy in a dengue outbreak in Santiago de Cuba in 2006

Introducción: en la provincia Santiago de Cuba se han producido diferentes epidemias de dengue en los últimos años, donde han estado incluidas mujeres en estado de gravidez. Objetivo: conocer la inmunidad y describir el papel de la infección con dengue, así como su secuencia. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional y descriptivo para caracterizar la inmunidad a dengue en las madres e hijos después de 10 y 12 meses de nacidos y conocer la influencia de determinadas secuencias de infección virales en las mujeres embarazadas que sufrieron la enfermedad, durante la epidemia de dengue 3, en Santiago de Cuba. Para ello se estudiaron las muestras de suero de 25 mujeres confirmadas de dengue 3 y de los niños nacidos de estas, al cabo de los 10 y 12 meses de nacidos. Se determinaron los títulos de IgG y las secuencias virales de infección; se analizaron según la clasificación del dengue de acuerdo con el criterio de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Resultados: los niños no presentaron anticuerpos y las secuencias virales de infección asociadas a las madres en orden de frecuencia resultaron con igual porcentaje el DEN2/DEN3, DEN1/DEN2/DEN3 (21,74 por ciento) y en menor porcentaje por último el DEN1/DEN3 (17,39 por ciento). Conclusiones: los niños no desarrollaron inmunidad humoral (IgG), a pesar de que algunos presentaron manifestaciones propias de la enfermedad. Las infecciones secundarias favorecieron las formas graves de la entidad.

Introduction: several dengue outbreaks have taken place in Santiago de Cuba province in the last few years, in which pregnant women have been involved. Objectives: to determine the immunity and to describe the role of dengue infection and its sequence. Methods: an observational and descriptive study was conducted to characterize dengue immunity in mothers and children after 10 and 12 months of birth and to determine the influence of certain viral infection sequences in pregnant women who suffered this disease during the dengue 3 epidemics in Santiago de Cuba. To this end, serum samples from 25 females tested dengue 3-positive and from children born to them after 10 and 12 months of childbirth were studied. IgG titers and viral infection sequences were determined and analyzed according to the World Health Organization dengue classification criteria. Results: the children did not present with the antibodies and the viral infection sequences associated to mothers; in order of frequency, the same percentage was observed in DEN2/DEN3, DEN1/DEN2/DEN3 (21,74 percent); but lower percentage in DEN1/DEN3 (17,39 percent). Conclusions: the children did not develop humoral immunity (IgG) despite some manifestations inherent to the disease. The secondary infections prompted the most serious forms of the disease.

Phylogenetic analysis of the envelope protein (domain lll) of dengue 4 viruses

Objective. To evaluate the genetic variability of domain III of envelope (E) protein and to estimate phylogenetic relationships of dengue 4 (Den-4) viruses isolated in Mexico and from other endemic areas of the world. Material and Methods. A phylogenetic study of domain III of envelope (E) protein of Den-4 viruses was conducted in 1998 using virus strains from Mexico and other parts of the world, isolated in different years. Specific primers were used to amplify by RT-PCR the domain III and to obtain nucleotide sequence. Based on nucleotide and deduced aminoacid sequence, genetic variability was estimated and a phylogenetic tree was generated. To make an easy genetic analysis of domain III region, a Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) assay was performed, using six restriction enzymes. Results. Study results demonstrate that nucleotide and aminoacid sequence analysis of domain III are similar to those reported from the complete E protein gene. Based on the RFLP analysis of domain III using the restriction enzymes Nla III, Dde I and Cfo I, Den-4 viruses included in this study were clustered into genotypes 1 and 2 previously reported. Conclusions. Study results suggest that domain III may be used as a genetic marker for phylogenetic and molecular epidemiology studies of dengue viruses.

Objetivo. Evaluar la variabilidad genética del dominio III de la proteína de envoltura (E) y estimar la relación filogenética de los virus dengue 4 (Den-4) aislados en México y en otras regiones endémicas del mundo. Material y métodos. En el presente trabajo reportamos un estudio filogenético del dominio III de la proteína de envoltura (E) que se realizó en 1998 con virus Den-4 aislados en distintos años en México y en otras partes del mundo. Se usaron oligonucleótidos específicos para amplificar por RT-PCR la región del dominio III y para obtener la secuencia de nucleótidos. Mediante el análisis de la secuencia de nucleótidos y de la secuencia deducida de aminoácidos se estimó la variabilidad genética y se generó un árbol filogenético. Para facilitar el análisis genético del dominio III se usó la técnica basada en el polimorfismo de fragmentos generados con enzimas de restricción (PFER) utilizando seis enzimas de restricción. Resultados. Los datos demuestran que la información del análisis de la secuencia de nucleótidos y de aminoácidos de la región del dominio III es similar a la del gene completo de la proteína E. El análisis de PFER con las enzimas de restricción Nla III, Dde I y Cfo I, mostró que los virus Den-4 incluidos en este estudio se agruparon en los genotipos 1 y 2 reportados previamente. Conclusiones. Los resultados sugieren que el dominio III se puede utilizar como un marcador para estudios filogenéticos y de epidemiología molecular del virus Den-4.