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The writing of this experience report comes from the experience of white researchers within the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and an ethical-political concern to try to understand the psychic suffering in the university and ways of producing knowledge that does not reproduce racist practices. The objective is to show a way of doing research that operates from pratices of violence, arising from an imperial dimension of knowledge that historically vulnerates black and peripheral lives and that, to a greater or lesser extent, produces psychic suffering. The methodological orientation permeates the notion of Foucaultian experience, and the objective of this report is not to confirm theories or hypotheses, but to complete paths in conjuction with academic life through collective movements and denunciations of racism. The bet consists, therefore, of an ethical proposal to establish a critical stance as white bodies as an ethnic-racial condition in a fight against the violent positions of whiteness. To do so, a notion of helplessness is proposed as an affirmative courage of renouncing white violence and the construction of plural worlds in which racial literacy and anti-racist alliances become possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to analyze the indicators of social vulnerabilities of families living in territories included in the Family Health Strategy (FHS) and compare the indicator per capita income with the dimension's development and autonomy, family, community and social life and income. Method: descriptive, quantitative research with 174 guardians of families living in territories with FHS. Data were collected through a questionnaire from January to March 2019. Afterwards, they were analyzed by simple descriptive statistics, mean and standard deviation. For comparison between groups, the chi-square test was used. Results: income was higher in households with a person over 60 living alone; low education and age under 16 years; families with individuals with two or more chronic diseases; and responsible for the family in informal or temporary work. Conclusion: per capita income and the family, community, and social dimension need to be considered in interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reticular pigmentary retinal dystrophy, also known as Sjögren's reticular dystrophy, is a rare condition characterized by macular lesions with a reticular pattern, which are best seen on fluorescein angiogram. Choroidal neovascularization secondary to this type of dystrophy is even less common. This report describes a case of reticular pigmentary retinal dystrophy with vision loss due to neovascular membrane, which responded well to treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Resting tremor is one of the most common symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Despite its high prevalence, resting tremor may not be as effectively treated with dopaminergic medication as other symptoms, and surgical treatments such as deep brain stimulation, which are effective in reducing tremor, have limited availability. Therefore, there is a clinical need for non-invasive interventions in order to provide tremor relief to a larger number of people with Parkinson's disease. Here, we explore whether peripheral nerve stimulation can modulate resting tremor, and under what circumstances this might lead to tremor suppression.Methods: We studied 10 people with Parkinson's disease and rest tremor, to whom we delivered brief electrical pulses non-invasively to the median nerve of the most tremulous hand. Stimulation was phase-locked to limb acceleration in the axis with the biggest tremor-related excursion.Results: We demonstrated that rest tremor in the hand could change from one pattern of oscillation to another in space. Median nerve stimulation was able to significantly reduce (- 36%) and amplify (117%) tremor when delivered at a certain phase. When the peripheral manifestation of tremor spontaneously changed, stimulation timing-dependent change in tremor severity could also alter during phase-locked peripheral nerve stimulation.Conclusions: These results highlight that phase-locked peripheral nerve stimulation has the potential to reduce tremor. However, there can be multiple independent tremor oscillation patterns even within the same limb. Parameters of peripheral stimulation such as stimulation phase may need to be adjusted continuously in order to sustain systematic suppression of tremor amplitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential tremor is a common neurological disorder, characterised by involuntary shaking of a limb. Patients are usually treated using medications which have limited effects on tremor and may cause side-effects. Surgical therapies are effective in reducing essential tremor, however, the invasive nature of these therapies together with the high cost, greatly limit the number of patients benefiting from them. Non-invasive therapies have gained increasing traction to meet this clinical need. Here, we test a non-invasive and closed-loop electrical stimulation paradigm which tracks peripheral tremor and targets thalamic afferents to modulate the central oscillators underlying tremor. To this end, 9 patients had electrical stimulation delivered to the median nerve locked to different phases of tremor. Peripheral stimulation induced a subtle but significant modulation in five out of nine patients—this modulation consisted mainly of amplification rather than suppression of tremor amplitude. Modulatory effects of stimulation were more pronounced when patient's tremor was spontaneously weaker at stimulation onset, when significant modulation became more frequent amongst subjects. This data suggests that for selected individuals, a more sophisticated control policy entailing an online estimate of both tremor phase and amplitude, should be considered in further explorations of the treatment potential of tremor phase-locked peripheral stimulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spent grain is a solid waste from the brewery process which is used as feed for ruminants or as organic fertiliser. Due to the large scale generation of spent grain, new technological and industrial applications are being developed. In this work, spent grain was modified by chemical treatments for use in the biosorption of hexavalent chromium. For spent grain treated with acid, alkali, petroleum ether and hydrogen peroxide, the amount of hexavalent chromium removed was respectively 97, 21, 0.9 and 0.5%. The kinetic data of spent grain biosorbent treated with acid, untreated and treated with alkali were applied to pseudo‐first order, pseudo‐second order and intraparticle diffusion models. The pseudo‐second order model showed the best fit to the kinetic data, indicating chemisorption in the biosorption processes. The effects of pH and biosorbent concentration were analysed for spent grain treated with acid. The optimum values for pH and concentration of the biosorbent were pH 2 and 2 g/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition in which aberrant oscillatory synchronization of neuronal activity at beta frequencies (15–35 Hz) across the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuit is associated with debilitating motor symptoms, such as bradykinesia and rigidity. Mounting evidence suggests that the magnitude of beta synchrony in the parkinsonian state fluctuates over time, but the mechanisms by which thalamocortical circuitry regulates the dynamic properties of cortical beta in PD are poorly understood. Using the recently developed generic Dynamic Causal Modelling (DCM) framework, we recursively optimized a set of plausible models of the thalamocortical circuit (n = 144) to infer the neural mechanisms that best explain the transitions between low and high beta power states observed in recordings of field potentials made in the motor cortex of anesthetized Parkinsonian rats. Bayesian model comparison suggests that upregulation of cortical rhythmic activity in the beta-frequency band results from changes in the coupling strength both between and within the thalamus and motor cortex. Specifically, our model indicates that high levels of cortical beta synchrony are mainly achieved by a delayed (extrinsic) input from thalamic relay cells to deep pyramidal cells and a fast (intrinsic) input from middle pyramidal cells to superficial pyramidal cells. From a clinical perspective, our study provides insights into potential therapeutic strategies that could be utilized to modulate the network mechanisms responsible for the enhancement of cortical beta in PD. Specifically, we speculate that cortical stimulation aimed to reduce the enhanced excitatory inputs to either the superficial or deep pyramidal cells could be a potential non-invasive therapeutic strategy for PD. Highlights • Coupling changes within and between circuit nodes lead to cortical beta enhancement. • Input propagation delays play a crucial role in the up-regulation of cortical beta. • Beta power could be modulated by altering lamina specific inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to systematically review the available literature on "quality of life" (QoL) or "health-related quality of life" (HRQoL) in Turner syndrome (TS) patients and to analyze the relations among height, puberty, and the use of growth hormone (GH) and the QoL of TS patients.Methods: An electronic bibliographic search was conducted through the PubMed, Embase, Bireme, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The main terms were "Quality of Life" and "Turner syndrome."Results: Among the databases, 559 articles were found; after the selection process, 13 studies were selected. A quality assessment was conducted, and all the studies were of high quality. Eight well-known QoL questionnaires were used, and the selected studies presented factors that may be related to the QoL of TS patients, such as height, puberty, and GH use. However, a more detailed understanding of which factors are associated with the QoL of TS patients is still needed, which may be due to the lack of specific QoL instruments involving important aspects related to TS.Conclusion: The QoL of TS patients appears to be compromised, but existing data regarding the relations among height, puberty, and GH and QoL are still controversial. Although these factors should be carefully considered in TS patients, it was not possible to determine whether they have a significant relation with the QoL of TS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cyclopentenone prostaglandin 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) is a natural ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) and a potential mediator of apoptosis in cancer cells. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of 15d-PGJ2 in human thyroid papillary carcinoma cells (TPC-1) using different doses of 15d-PGJ2 (0.6 to 20 μM) to determine IC50 (9.3 μM) via the MTT assay. The supernatant culture medium of the TPC-1 cells that was treated either with 15d-PGJ2 or with vehicle (control) for 24 hours was assessed for IL-6 secretion via CBA assay. RT-qPCR was used to evaluate mRNA expression of IL-6, SOCS1, SOCS3, and STAT3. TPC-1 cells treated with 15d-PGJ2 decreased the secretion and expression of IL-6 and STAT3, while it increased SOCS1 and SOCS3. Overall, we demonstrated that 15d-PGJ2 downregulated IL-6 signaling pathway and led TPC-1 cells into apoptosis. In conclusion, 15d-PGJ2 shows the potential to become a new therapeutic approach for thyroid tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pterodon spp. Vogel (Fabaceae), popularly known as “sucupira”, has ethnopharmacological application which is described as having antispasmodic and relaxant effects. Hence, it was hypothesized that sucupira oil-resin (SOR) could induce smooth muscle relaxation. So, this study investigated the mechanisms involved in the vasorelaxant effect of SOR and its isolated diterpene (methyl-6α-acetoxy-7β-hydroxyvouacapan-17β-oate). Vascular reactivity experiments were performed using rat aortic rings ( n = 5–8) with ( E +) or without endothelium ( E −) in an isolated bath organ. The SOR (0–56 μg/mL) relaxed phenylephrine ( E +: 86.7 ± 7.1%; E −: 92.3 ± 4.7%) and KCl contracted rings ( E −: 97.1 ± 2.8%). In the same way, diterpene (0–48μg/mL) also relaxed phenylephrine ( E +: 94.5 ± 3.6%; E −: 92.2 ± 3.4%) and KCl contracted rings ( E −: 99.7 ± 0.2%). The pre-incubation of arterial rings with cyclopiazonic acid (reticular Ca 2+ -ATPase inhibitor), tetraethylammonium (K+ channels blocker) or MDL-12,330A (adenylyl cyclesinhibitor) did not modify either SOR- or diterpeneinduced vasorelaxation. However, ODQ (guanylyl cyclase inhibitor) impaired only diterpene-induced vasorelaxation. SOR and diterpene significantly reduced CaCl 2 -induced contraction stimulated by Bay K8644 (1 μM), phenylephrine (0.1 μM) or KCl solution (40 mM). Computational molecular docking studies demonstrated that the vasodilator effect of diterpene relies on blocking the Ca v 1.2 channel, and patch clamp results showed that diterpene substantially decreased the ionic current through Ca v 1.2 in freshly dissociated vascular smooth muscle cells. These findings suggest that SOR and its isolated diterpene induce endothelium-independent vascular relaxation by blocking the L-type Ca 2+ channel (Ca v 1.2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incontinentia pigmenti, also known as Bloch-Sulzberger syndrome, is a rare dominant X-linked inheritance disease whose clinical manifestations include typical dermatological lesions combined with neurological, ophthalmic and dental involvement. Ocular involvment is common and diverse and retinal changes are the most frequent and associated with serious visual loss. We reported a case of a child with severe visual loss due to glaucoma, with no significant retinal changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to problematize the discourses about the ways considered normal and pathological of being a family that circumscribe the families of the adolescents with detention for compulsory treatment for drug abuse. For such, we analyzed the lawsuits of adolescents that had been ordered the protective measure of psychiatric hospitalization for treatment for drug addiction, during the months from March to July 2011, in two major cities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. We discussed how certain care practices, circumscribed in psychology's and law's fields of knowledge, in the adolescents drug users social and helf care services, indicates the family as the main risk and vulnerability factors for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study’s aim was to determine the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of M. cauliflora (HEMC) on vascular tension and blood pressure in rats. In our in vitro studies using precontracted isolated aortas from rats, HEMC and acetylcholine (positive control) induced relaxation only in vessels with endothelium. Pretreatment with L-NAME (NO synthase inhibitor) or ODQ (soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) inhibitor) abolished the HEMC-induced relaxation. The treatment with MDL-12,330A (adenylyl cyclase (AC) inhibitor) or diclofenac (COX inhibitor) reduced HEMC-induced vasorelaxation. The blockade of muscarinic and β-adrenergic receptors (by atropine and propranolol, resp.) did not promote changes in HEMC-induced vasorelaxation. In our in vivo studies, catheters were inserted into the right femoral vein and artery of anesthetized rats for HEMC infusion and the measurement of blood pressure, heart rate, and aortic blood flow. The intravenous infusion of HEMC produced hypotension and increased aortic blood flow with no changes in heart rate. These findings showed that HEMC induces endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation and hypotension with no alteration in heart rate. The NO/sGC/cGMP pathway seems to be the main cellular route involved in the vascular responsiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Aspidosperma subincanum Mart. is a medicinal herb known for its diuretic properties and used for the treatment of cardiovascular-related illnesses. Although our earlier study has shown that the ethanol extract of Aspidosperma subincanum (EEAS) induces hypotension and vasodilation, no scientific data have been recorded to evaluate the diuretic effects of this Brazilian medicinal plant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diuretic activity of EEAS, and possible mechanism of action, using Wistar rats. Material and methods EEAS (60 and 120 mg/kg), furosemide (20 mg/kg) or saline (control) were orally administered to rats individually held in metabolic cages for urine collection 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h after treatment. In order to evaluate the involvement of prostaglandins in the diuretic action of EEAS, the animals received piroxicam (5 mg/kg i.p.), a nonselective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, before treatment with EEAS at 120 mg/kg. The control groups received only saline (NaCl, 0.9%), or saline and piroxicam. Urinary volume, electrolyte excretion and pH were measured. Results Oral administration of EEAS 60 and 120 mg/kg significantly increased diuresis and electrolyte excretion of Na + and K + on a continuous basis throughout the study period. Both EEAS 60 and 120 mg/kg caused a relative increase of around 77% and 142%, respectively, in cumulative diuresis compared with the control group. From 4th hour until the end of the experiment, the group treated with EEAS 120 mg/kg provided a greater excretion of Na + than the furosemide group. The diuretic effects of EEAS were neutralized by piroxicam between 4 and 8 h after treatment. Conclusion The results suggest that EEAS could present compound(s) responsible for diuretic activities, and the mechanism could involve the prostaglandin system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study's aim was to determine the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of M. cauliflora (HEMC) on vascular tension and blood pressure in rats. In our in vitro studies using precontracted isolated aortas from rats, HEMC and acetylcholine (positive control) induced relaxation only in vessels with endothelium. Pretreatment with L-NAME (NO synthase inhibitor) or ODQ (soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) inhibitor) abolished the HEMC-induced relaxation. The treatment with MDL-12,330A (adenylyl cyclase (AC) inhibitor) or diclofenac (COX inhibitor) reduced HEMC-induced vasorelaxation. The blockade of muscarinic and β-adrenergic receptors (by atropine and propranolol, resp.) did not promote changes in HEMC-induced vasorelaxation. In our in vivo studies, catheters were inserted into the right femoral vein and artery of anesthetized rats for HEMC infusion and the measurement of blood pressure, heart rate, and aortic blood flow. The intravenous infusion of HEMC produced hypotension and increased aortic blood flow with no changes in heart rate. These findings showed that HEMC induces endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation and hypotension with no alteration in heart rate. The NO/sGC/cGMP pathway seems to be the main cellular route involved in the vascular responsiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop lipid nanoparticles to deliver genistein (GEN) to deeper skin layers. To do so, the impact of lipid dynamic behavior (nanoparticle flexibility) on stability, release and skin permeation studies was verified. GEN-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were obtained and characterization was undertaken. Freshly prepared nanoparticles were produced with similar features (i.e., drug loading). However, a higher level of crystallization in GEN-SLN formulation was observed in differential scanning calorimetry experiments. Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements showed a lower mobility of the spin labels in the SLN, which would indicate that NLC could be more flexible than SLN. Despite the fact that NLC demonstrated more fluidity, GEN was released more slowly from NLC than from SLN. Skin permeation studies demonstrated that lipid nanoparticles increased GEN skin retention. More flexible particles (NLC) also favored drug penetration into deeper skin layers. GEN-NLC would seem to be a promising formulation for GEN topical delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to problematize the history of knowledge production in the field of Social Psychology in Brazil. The data for analysis were the summaries of the Working Groups of Symposia of the Brazilian National Association of Research and Post-Graduation in Psychology since its beginning in 1988 until 2010, available on the official website of this association. In our analysis, we selected the statements that compose the discursive field of Social Psychology in Brazil. These discursive formations are mainly the social movements, politics and economy. By discussing these three points, we can visualize some practices of knowledge fields concerning the object of study of Social Psychology that have been sustained and legitimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There is an urgent need for biomarkers to identify malignant thyroid nodules from indeterminate follicular lesions. We have used a subtractive proteomic strategy to identify novel biomarkers by selecting ligands to goiter tissue from a 12-mer random peptide phage-displayed library using the BRASIL method (Biopanning and Rapid Analysis of Selective Interactive Ligands). After three rounds of selection, two highly reactive clones to the papillary thyroid tumor cell line NPA were further evaluated, and their specific binding to tumor proteins was confirmed using phage-ELISA. The antibody-like peptide CaT12 was tumor-specific, which was further tested by immunohistochemistry against TMAs (tissue microarrays) comprised of 775 human benign and malignant tissues, including 232 thyroid nodular lesions: 15 normal thyroid tissues, 53 nodular goiters (NG), 54 follicular adenomas (FA); 69 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC); and 41 follicular carcinomas (FC). CaT12 was able to identify PTC among thyroid nodular lesions with 91.2% sensitivity and 85.1% specificity, despite its non-specificity for thyroid tissues. Additionally, the CaT12 peptide helped characterize follicular lesions distinguishing the follicular variant of PTC (FVPTC) from FA with 91.9% accuracy; FVPTC from NG with 83.1% accuracy; FVPTC from the classic PTC with 57.7% accuracy; and FVPTC from FC with 88.7% accuracy. In conclusion, our strategy to select differentially expressed ligands to thyroid tissue was highly effective and resulted in a useful antibody-like biomarker that recognizes malignancy among thyroid nodules and may help distinguish follicular patterned lesions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Gyr cows are well adapted to tropical conditions, resistant to some tropical diseases and have satisfactory milk production. However, Gyr dairy herds have a high prevalence of subclinical mastitis, which negatively affects their milk yield and composition. The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the effects of seasonality, mammary quarter location (rear x front), mastitis-causing pathogen species, and somatic cell count (SCC) on milk composition in Gyr cows with mammary quarters as the experimental units and (ii) to evaluate the effects of seasonality and somatic cell count (SCC) on milk composition in Gyr cows with cows as the experimental units. A total of 221 lactating Gyr cows from three commercial dairy farms were selected for this study. Individual foremilk quarter samples and composite milk samples were collected once a month over one year from all lactating cows for analysis of SCC, milk composition, and bacteriological culture. Results: Subclinical mastitis reduced lactose, nonfat solids and total solids content, but no difference was found in the protein and fat content between infected and uninfected quarters. Seasonality influenced milk composition both in mammary quarters and composite milk samples. Nevertheless, there was no effect of mammary quarter position on milk composition. Mastitis-causing pathogens affected protein, lactose, nonfat solids, and total solids content, but not milk fat content. Somatic cell count levels affected milk composition in both mammary quarters and composite samples of milk. Conclusions: Intramammary infections in Gyr cows alter milk composition; however, the degree of change depends on the mastitis-causing pathogen. Somatic cell count is negatively associated with reduced lactose and nonfat solids content in milk. Seasonality significantly affects milk composition, in which the concentration of lactose, fat, protein, nonfat solids and total solids differs between dry and wet seasons in Gyr cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper has stemmed from a research aiming at showing how curricula of Psychology courses in Rio Grande do Sul have shown signs of moving towards education of health professionals for SUS. This work has been developed from the analysis of the program of academic subjects, both highlighting and discussing the directions provided by programs, contents and bibliographies, having the principles and guidelines of SUS health policies as its axis. The paper has a special focus on the study of academic subjects that approach the contents of Psychological Assessment, Psychopathology, and Psychotherapy. To develop this discussion we analyzed the input of Psychology in the collective health area and the contributions of this to the construction of the new health policy through the academic formation. This discussion is pointed by the principal tool and theoretical concepts discussed in the collective health area, such as the broadening of the health concept, the principle of integration, the policy of humanization and the comprehensive care perspective in the health care. From the analysis, we have pointed out the need for problematizing the construction of the psychologist subject, a health professional that has been produced by Psychology courses, as well as the effects that might be felt in the daily routine of health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water temperature controls the physiology, growth rate, distribution, and behavior of most plankton populations in the sea and thus affects the energy transfer in marine ecosystems. The present study focuses on the influence of seasonal changes in sea surface temperature on phytoplankton and the size distribution of copepods in the Arraial do Cabo Upwelling System (Brazil), where a wind-driven coastal upwelling can lead to multiple distinct bottom-up cascade effects on the food web. To address the potential effect of the seasonal changes, environmental data were obtained and the abundance of plankton determined from monthly samples collected in triplicate from 2010 to 2014. The samples were analyzed on a Benchtop FlowCAM (FC), and copepods (<1000 µm) were classified according to their Ellipses Equivalent Major Axis using image analysis software ImageJ (IJ). For IJ analysis, a batch-processing macro was built to open all FC raw images and then crop each copepod individually into a single picture. Using these images, prosome and urosome lengths were manually measured with the straight-line tool in IJ. With the combinations of measurements obtained in the IJ adjusted as FC measurements, we established a new, faster, and more effective way to measure copepods. With the copepod size classification, we found that there is a cycle in copepod size combined with the upwelling cycle that is related to temperature rather than to phytoplankton growth. Copepod abundance as a whole peaked during the autumn, winter, and spring seasons. The method performed here proved that FC is an effective tool for classifying copepod sizes and detecting seasonal variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NO is a potent bronchodilator and NO-donor compounds have demonstrated clinical significance for obstructive airway diseases. This study evaluated the relaxation mechanisms of two NO donors, a ruthenium compound ( TERPY), and sodium nitroprusside ( SNP), in rat tracheas with ovalbumin-induced asthma ( OVA group) and in another control group. The effect of TERPY and SNP was evaluated in tracheal rings in an isolated organ chamber. The contribution of K+ channels, sGC/ cGMP pathway, phosphodiesterases, and extra and intracellular Ca2+ sources were analyzed. The TERPY and SNP-induced tracheal smooth muscle relaxation in both groups. However, the maximum effect induced by TERPY was higher than that of SNP in both control (110.2 ± 3.2% vs 68.3 ± 3.1%, P < 0.001) and OVA groups (106.1 ± 1.5% vs 49.9 ± 2.7%, P < 0.001). In the control group, TERPY relaxation was induced by the activation of K+ channels and reduction of the calcium influx, while in the OVA group, these same effects were also brought about by TERPY, but with participation of the sGC/ cGMP pathway. In both groups, SNP-induced relaxation occurred through the activation of K+ channels, sGC/ cGMP pathway and reduction of calcium influx. However, the activation of sGC pathway and reticular Ca2+- ATPase seemed to be reduced in the OVA group. Furthermore, TERPY is capable of reversing the contraction of carbachol in asthmatic bronchioles. Finally, TERPY and SNP relaxation mechanisms were modified by asthma. SNP presented less relaxation than TERPY, which induced full relaxation with greater participation of K+ and Ca2+ fluxes through the membrane, thereby making TERPY a promising drug for reversing the narrowing of airways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The redox behavior of commercial roasted coffee products were evaluated by electroanalysis, whereas high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for determination of cinnamic acid markers, the total phenolic content (TPC) was achieved by Folin–Ciocalteu assay, and the traditional DPPH (1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) method for antioxidant power determination. In turn, an optimized electrochemical index was proposed to estimate the antioxidant power of different samples and it was found a great correlation between all methods. The voltammetric profile of all coffee samples was quite similar, presenting the same number of peaks at the same potential values. Minor differences on current levels were in agreement with the total phenolic and major markers content, as well as, to the antioxidant power. Therefore, the electrochemical methods showed to be practical, low cost and very useful to evaluate the antioxidant properties of coffee samples, which is a relevant quality parameter of this widely consumed beverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arroio do Silva Pluton comprises quartz-rich syenite-monzonite-diorite rocks, with subordinate lamprophyre as enclaves. Compositional and textural variations lead to the identification of three main varieties: (i) quartz monzonite to syenite, (ii) quartz monzonite to monzodiorite and (iii) quartz diorite. The transition between all rock types is gradational and marked mostly by the increase of mafic mineral phases, especially biotite, and by the K-feldspar content, which is characteristically euhedral in the quartz monzonite to syenite variety and becomes subhedral to anhedral towards diorite compositions. Geochemical features corroborate field relations and both point to magma mingling as the main differentiation process. Syenite is considered to be the felsic endmember, whilst the mafic one has dioritic composition. Different degrees of interaction between these magmas result in hybrid varieties represented by quartz monzonite to monzodiorite. A third magma type is observed as ultrapotassic lamprophyric enclaves, but its influence in the mixing processes seems to have been minor. Both mafic and felsic magmas have K 2 O/Na 2 O ratios between 1 and 2, compatible with their shoshonitic affinity, whilst ratios slightly above 2 characterize lamprophyric enclave magmas as ultrapotassic. The source of shoshonitic and ultrapotassic magmas, according to trace element and isotope evidence, is probably a phlogopite-bearing mantle which was affected by previous subduction of Paleoproterozoic or Neoproterozoic age. The variation of ultrapotassic to shoshonitic magmas is probably controlled by variation of phlogopite contents in the mantle source. U Pb zircon crystallization age of 578 Ma (LA-MC-ICP-MS) determined for the ASP quartz monzonite to syenite variety is in agreement with the Neoproterozoic post-collisional period of the Dom Feliciano Belt. This age value is also in agreement with that of other syenitic associations from south Brazil, such as the Piquiri Syenite Massive, that records similar chemical signatures. Therefore, these syenitic associations are taken to represent previously metasomatized mantle sources in late post-collisional setting from the Brasiliano/Pan-African Cycle in southermnmost Brazil. • Syenite-monzonite-diorite association of shoshonitic affinity resulted from magma mingling processes. • Minor volume of lamprophyric ultrapotassic rocks indicates depth mantle sources. • Ediacaran U Pb zircon LA-MC-ICPM-MS age and geological context indicates post-collisional period. • Metasomatized mantle sources contribution at post-collisional period in southern Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Re-interpretation of the paleoenvironmental evolution of the São Francisco Basin. • Results indicate a depositional age for the Bambui Group of > 550 Ma, significantly older than recently reported. • Six sequences record the Marinoan and Gaskiers glaciations and track oxygen fluctuations through the Ediacaran. • Loess form most of the siltstones and stimulated photosynthetic oxygen production in surface waters. The Bambui Group is a ca. 2,000 m-thick mixed biochemical-siliciclastic sedimentary succession that accumulated in the Sao Francisco Basin, central Brazil. Its age is contentious, but deposition during the Cryogenian-Ediacaran (ca. 635–550 Ma) is consistent with a new sequence stratigraphic model presented herein and previously published geochemical and structural data. Six stratigraphic sequences are recognized that record depositional evolution from an epeiric sea to foreland basin during the Marinoan snowball glaciation (ca. 635 Ma) to shortly after the Gaskiers (ca. 580 Ma) glaciation. Although this stratigraphic architecture differs from the classic lithostratigraphic and more recent chemostratigraphic and sequence stratigraphic interpretations of the Bambui Group, it is supported by correlation to other Cryogenian-Ediacaran successions globally. Collectively, these six sequences preserve a robust record of seawater redox structure leading up to the oxygenation threshold that triggered the evolution of multicellular animals in the Ediacaran. Sequence 1 is composed of Marinoan glacial deposits and an overlying cap carbonate with aragonite fan pseudomorphs and barite. Sequence 2 is composed of lime-mudstone that changes laterally into loess-rich peritidal phosphorites, suggesting oxygen stratification in shallow paleoenvironments. Sequence 3 is a carbonate succession with abundant stromatolites implying widespread oxygen production. The top of Sequence 3 is marked by a regional subaerial unconformity developed during uplift associated with the onset of the Brasiliano-Pan African Orogeny. Sequence 4 signals a return to loess derived sedimentation. Distal deposits contain abundant organic matter with framboidal pyrite reflecting bacterial sulfate reduction in low sulfate Ediacaran seawater. Sequence 5 is composed of well-developed aggradational parasequences composed of alternating deep subtidal organic-rich siltstones and shallow-water carbonate grainstones. Their well-defined cyclicity is interpreted to record extreme sea level fluctuations during the onset of the Gaskiers glaciation. Stromatolites suggest an oxygen-stratified water column. Sequence 6 marks the change from an epeiric sea to a foreland basin. Interbedded basinal glauconitic siltstone and shale loess-rich are correlative with shoreface sandstones. Authigenic glauconite requires suboxic bottom waters to precipitate and thus reflects oxygenation of distal settings. Most of the deposition ended by ca. 560–550 Ma when the entire Bambui Group was deformed during the assembly of West Gondwana. In sequences 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and the lower portion of 6, the lateral continuity of lithofacies, predictable layer-cake stratigraphy, and lack of fluvial coarse siliciclastic deposits are characteristics of epeiric sea successions. The appearance of immature sandstone, poorly sorted conglomerate, braided fluvial deposits, and synsedimentary deformation in the upper part of Sequence 6 are interpreted as the onset of foreland basin development. Stacking relationships of redox sensitive, authigenic lithofacies in both the epeiric sea and foreland phases support recent research suggesting seawater redox conditions were in a state of flux during the apex of the purported Neoproterozoic Oxygenation Event. Organic matter and authigenic pyrite in Sequences 4 and 5 reflect increased primary productivity in surface waters fertilized by nutrients such as P and Fe adsorbed on loess particles. This mechanism could be expanded to a global scale and have contributed to the increase in atmospheric and oceanic oxygen levels. These findings redefine and highlight the significance of the Bambui Group for Neoproterozoic Earth history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying "druggable" targets and their corresponding therapeutic agents are two fundamental challenges in drug discovery research. The one-bead-one-compound (OBOC) combinatorial library method has been developed to discover peptides or small molecules that bind to a specific target protein or elicit a specific cellular response. The phage display cDNA expression proteome library method has been employed to identify target proteins that interact with specific compounds. Here, we combined these two high-throughput approaches, efficiently interrogated approximately 1013 possible molecular interactions, and identified 91 small molecule compound beads that interacted strongly with the phage library. Of 19 compounds resynthesized, 4 were cytotoxic against cancer cells; one of these compounds was found to interact with EIF5B and inhibit protein translation. As more binding pairs are confirmed and evaluated, the "library-against-library" screening approach and the resulting small molecule""protein domain interaction database may serve as a valuable tool for basic research and drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tumor initiation presents a complex and unstable genomic landscape; one of the earliest hallmark events of cancer, and its progression is probably based on selection mechanisms under specific environments that lead to functional tumor cell speciation. We hypothesized that viable tumor phenotypes possess common and highly stable karyotypes and their proliferation is facilitated by an attuned high telomerase activity. Very few investigations have focused on the evolution of common chromosomal rearrangements associated to molecular events that result in functional phenotypes during tumor development. Results: We have used cytogenetic, flow cytometry and cell culture tools to investigate chromosomal rearrangements and clonality during cancer development using the murine sarcoma TG180 model, and also molecular biology techniques to establish a correlation between chromosome instability and telomerase activity, since telomeres are highly affected during cancer evolution. Cytogenetic analysis showed a near-tetraploid karyotype originated by endoreduplication. Chromosomal rearrangements were random events in response to in vitro conditions, but a stable karyotypic equilibrium was achieved during tumor progression in different in vivo conditions, suggesting that a specific microenvironment may stabilize the chromosomal number and architecture. Specific chromosome aberrations (marker chromosomes) and activated regions (rDNAs) were ubiquitous in the karyotype, suggesting that the conservation of these patterns may be advantageous for tumor progression. High telomerase expression was also correlated with the chromosomal rearrangements stabilization. Conclusions: Our data reinforce the notion that the sarcoma cell evolution converges from a highly unstable karyotype to relatively stable and functional chromosome rearrangements, which are further enabled by telomerase overexpression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]