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Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-18T15:56:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-08-12Bitstream added on 2015-03-18T16:29:28Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 WOS000341230400114.pdf: 1415775 bytes, checksum: b12917aec8bc7f33d0431c69c4f02631 (MD5) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Dean's Office College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University (ISU) VPR Office, ISU Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) strains belong to a category that is associated with colibacillosis, a serious illness in the poultry industry worldwide. Additionally, some APEC groups have recently been described as potential zoonotic agents. In this work, we compared APEC strains with extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains isolated from clinical cases of humans with extra-intestinal diseases such as urinary tract infections (UTI) and bacteremia. PCR results showed that genes usually found in the ColV plasmid (tsh, iucA, iss, and hlyF) were associated with APEC strains while fyuA, irp-2, fepC sitD(chrom), fimH, crl, csgA, afa, iha, sat, hlyA, hra, cnf1, kpsMTII, clpV(Sakai) and malX were associated with human ExPEC. Both categories shared nine serogroups (O2, O6, O7, O8, O11, O19, O25, O73 and O153) and seven sequence types (ST10, ST88, ST93, ST117, ST131, ST155, ST359, ST648 and ST1011). Interestingly, ST95, which is associated with the zoonotic potential of APEC and is spread in avian E. coli of North America and Europe, was not detected among 76 APEC strains. When the strains were clustered based on the presence of virulence genes, most ExPEC strains (71.7%) were contained in one cluster while most APEC strains (63.2%) segregated to another. In general, the strains showed distinct genetic and fingerprint patterns, but avian and human strains of ST359, or ST23 clonal complex (CC), presented more than 70% of similarity by PFGE. The results demonstrate that some "zoonotic-related'' STs (ST117, ST131, ST10CC, ST23CC) are present in Brazil. Also, the presence of moderate fingerprint similarities between ST359 E. coli of avian and human origin indicates that strains of this ST are candidates for having zoonotic potential. State Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Inst Biol, Dept Genet Evolut & Bioagents, Bacterial Mol Biol Lab, Campinas, SP, Brazil Iowa State Univ, Coll Vet Med, Dept Vet Microbiol & Prevent Med, Ames, IA USA Adolfo Lutz Inst, Sao Paulo, Brazil CAPTAA, Unidade Pesquisa & Desenvolvimento Bastos, Inst Biol, Bastos, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Med, Dept Clin Med, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Dept Microbiol & Imunol, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Internal Med, Campinas, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Med, Dept Clin Med, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Dept Microbiol & Imunol, Botucatu, SP, Brazil FAPESP: 12/05073-3 FAPESP: 13/09167-5 CAPES: PNPD/CAPES 23038.042588/2008-11 FAPESP: 12/04931-6

Depressed natural killer (NK) cell activity has been showed in family members of patients with different types of cancer. The present work aimed to evaluate T cell subsets and NK cell cytotoxic activity in 15 members of a family with high incidence of tumors, such as glioblastoma, gastric, pancreas and colon rectal carcinoma, chronic myelocitic leukemia, melanoma and osteoblastoma. As controls, 19 healthy subjects with the age range equivalent were studied. The enumeration of CD3+ lymphocytes and their CD4+ and CD8+ subsets were defined by monoclonal antibodies and NK cell cytotoxicity towards K562 target cells were evaluated by single cell-assay. The results showed in family members low percentage of total T cells (CD3+), and their CD4+ subset and impairment of CD4/CD8 ratio in relation to control group. All family members presented percentage of NK-target cell conjugate formation bellow the minimum value observed in control group. Thirteen people were examined and followed up during five years, in order to assure that there was no undiagnosed or unsuspected disease at the moment of evaluation. One of them developed osteoblastoma and other malignant melanoma. Two cancer patients, with glioblastoma and chronic myelocytic leukemia were studied during illness. All the corresponding values were comparable. The persistence of low percentage of conjugate formation may be related to a defect on adhesion molecules expression in the surface of NK cells that was probably responsible for the low activity of these cells presented by the family group. Thus, the inheritance mechanism of low adherence of NK cells should have a prognostic value in determining the risk of developing tumors.Este estudo se reporta às funções de células natural killer (NK), como adesão, lise e citotoxicidade e de subpopulações de células T em uma família com alta prevalência de pacientes com câncer e que apresentaram: glioblastoma, leucemia mielóide crônica, osteoblastoma, melanoma e carcinomas gástrico, pancreático e cólon retal. Quinze membros dessa família foram estudados, sendo 13 sadios, acompanhados por 5 anos e dois com câncer: glioblastoma e leucemia mielóide crônica. Duas pessoas sadias, no momento da avaliação, desenvolveram posteriormente osteoblastoma mandibular ou melanoma maligno. Como controle, foram avaliados 19 indivíduos saudáveis de faixa etária equivalente. A determinação de linfócitos T CD3+ e de suas subpopulações CD4+ e CD8+ foi realizada empregando-se anticorpos monoclonais e a atividade citotóxica de células NK, avaliada pelo teste de single-cell contra células alvo da linhagem eritroleucêmica K562. Os resultados mostraram que as percentagens de células T totais (CD3+), da subpopulação CD4+ e da relação CD4/CD8 foram significativamente menores nos indivíduos da família estudada em comparação aos valores observados no grupo controle. Em todos os membros dessa família a percentagem de formação de conjugados entre células NK-células alvo foi inferior ao valor mínimo observado nos controles. Essa alteração poderia estar relacionada a defeito na expressão de moléculas de adesão, presentes na membrana de células NK, como provável causa das alterações funcionais dessas células. A herança dos mecanismos determinantes desta deficiência pode ser um fator de risco, com valor prognóstico para o desenvolvimento de cancer.

We present an approximate method to estimate the resolution, covariance and correlation matrix for linear tomographic systems Ax=b that are too large to be solved by singular value decomposition. An explicit expression for the approximate inverse matrix A− is found using one-step backprojections on the Penrose condition AA−≈I, from which we calculate the statistical properties of the solution. The computation of A− can easily be parallelized, each column being constructed independently. The method is validated on small systems for which the exact covariance can still be computed with singular value decomposition. Though A− is not accurate enough to actually compute the solution x, the qualitative agreement obtained for resolution and covariance is sufficient for many purposes, such as rough assessment of model precision or the reparametrization of the model by the grouping of correlating parameters. We present an example for the computation of the complete covariance matrix of a very large (69 043 × 9610) system with 5.9 × 106 non-zero elements in A. Computation time is proportional to the number of non-zero elements in A. If the correlation matrix is computed for the purpose of reparametrization by combining highly correlating unknowns xi, a further gain in efficiency can be obtained by neglecting the small elements in A, but a more accurate estimation of the correlation requires a full treatment of even the smaller Aij. We finally develop a formalism to compute a damped version of A−.

Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in immune surveillance against tumors. The present work aimed to study the cytotoxic activity of NK cells and T cell subsets in peripheral blood of 13 patients with primary tumors in central nervous system (CNS). As controls 29 healthy subjects with the age range equivalent to the patients were studied. The methods employed were: a) determination of cytotoxic activity of NK cells towards K562 target cells, evaluated by single cell-assay; b) enumeration of CD3+ lymphocytes and their CD4+ and CD8+ subsets defined by monoclonal antibodies; c) the identification of tumors were done by histologic and immunochemistry studies. The results indicated that adults and children with tumor in CNS display reduced percentage of total T cells, helper/inducer subset and low helper/suppressor ratio. The cytotoxic activity of NK cells was decreased in patients with CNS tumors due mainly to a decrease in the proportion of target-binding lymphocytes. These results suggest that cytotoxic activity of NK cells may be affected by the immunoregulatory disturbances observed in patients with primary tumors in CNS.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a atividade in vitro da cefalosporina de quarta geração, cefpiroma em comparação com ceftazidima, ceftriaxona, cefotaxima e imipenem em um estudo multicêntrico envolvendo nove hospitais de seis cidades em quatro estados. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foram estudadas 804 amostras clínicas isoladas em pacientes internados em unidades de terapia intensiva ou unidades de oncohematologia. As amostras foram coletadas no período de junho a novembro de 1995, isto é, antes da cefpiroma estar disponível comercialmente no Brasil, e testadas através do método de microdiluição em placas conforme descrito pelo National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). Todas as amostras resistentes à cefpiroma foram retestadas utilizando-se o E-test. RESULTADOS: Contra as amostras de enterobactérias (n= 344), a cefpiroma apresentou atividade de 2 a 32 vezes superior àquela apresentada pelas cefalosporinas de terceira geração (CTGs) e semelhante àquela apresentada pelo imipenem. As porcentagens de enterobactérias sensíveis foram: 88% para a cefpiroma, 69% para as CTGs e 96% para o imipenem. O espectro de ação da cefpiroma foi maior ou igual ao do imipenem contra as espécies Citrobacter freundii, E. aerogenes, Morganella morganii e Serratia marcescens. Contra Acinetobacter sp. (n=77), a cefpiroma foi ligeiramente mais ativa que a ceftazidima, porém as porcentagens de resistência foram muito altas para esses compostos (84% e 88% respectivamente). As atividades da cefpiroma, ceftazidima e imipenem foram semelhantes contra Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=128), com MIC50/porcentagem de sensibilidade de 8/59%, 8/62% e 4/62% respectivamente. Contra bactérias aeróbias gram-positivas, a cefpiroma foi de 4 a 16 vezes mais ativa que as CTGs. Contra S. epidermidis e outras espécies de estafilococos coagulase-negativos a cefpiroma foi ligeiramente superior ao imipenem, porém, contra as outras espécies de bactérias gram-positivas avaliadas, o imipenem apresentou atividade um pouco superior. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados desse estudo sugerem que, no Brasil, a cefpiroma apresenta espectro de ação superior ao das CTGs contra bactérias gram-negativas (Enterobacteriaceae e não-fermentadares) e gram-positivas e semelhante ao do imipenem contra algumas espécies de enterobactérias e contra P. aeruginosa.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the in vitro activity of the fourth-generation cephalosporin cefpirome in comparison to that of ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime and imipenem in a multicenter study involving nine hospitals from six cities (four States). MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 804 isolates from patients hospitalized in either intensive care units or Oncology/Hematology units was evaluated. The isolates were collected between June and November of 1995, i.e. before cefpirome became commercially available in Brazil, and susceptibility tested by broth microdilution following the NCCLS procedures. All isolates resistant to cefpirome were retested by E-test. RESULTS: Against Enterobacteriaceae (n=344), cefpirome demonstrated an activity 2 to 32-fold higher than that of the third-generation cephalosporins (TGCs) and similar to that of imipenem. The percentages of Enterobacteriaceae susceptible were: 88%, 69% and 96% for cefpirome, TGCs and imipenem, respectively. The cefpirome spectrum was greater or equal than that of imipenem against Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter aerogenes, Morganella morganii and Serratia marcescens. Against Acinetobacter sp. (n=77), cefpirome was slightly more active than ceftazidime; however, the percentages of isolates resistant to these compounds were high (84% and 88%, respectively). The activities of cefpirome, ceftazidime and imipenem were very similar against P. aeruginosa isolates (n=128), with MIC50(mg/ml)/percent susceptible of 8/59%, 8/62% and 4/62% respectively. Against aerobic gram-positive bacteria, the cefpirome activity was 4 to 16-fold higher than that of TGCs but 2 to 8-fold lower than that of imipenem. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that, in Brazil, cefpirome has a spectrum of activity which is higher than that of the TGCs against aerobic gram-negative (Enterobacteriaceae and non-Enterobacteriaceae) and gram-positive bacteria and similar to that of imipenem against some Enterobacteriaceae species and P. aeruginosa.

The aim of the present investigation was to study the distribution of T-cell subsets in peripheral blood defined by monoclonal antibodies and by the lymphocyte proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin (PH A) in 30 children with febrile seizures and in 14 age-matched control subjects. Frequent respiratory, urinary and dermatologic infections were observed in 22 patients. The immunologic parameters showed that 64% of the patients presented an increased number of CD8+ cells and a low helper/suppressor ratio was observed in 60% of the patients. In addition, the proliferative response of lymphocytes to PHA was impaired in the patients. It was observed the presence of inhibitory activity on lymphocyte function in the plasma of 33% of children with febrile seizures. These results suggest that patients with febrile seizures have an impairment of cellular immunity that may be connected with this epileptic syndrome and explain the infections observed.O objetivo da presente investigação foi estudar a distribuição das subpopulações de células T por meio de anticorpos monoclonais e a resposta proliferativa de linfócitos em resposta a fito-hemaglutinina (PHA) em 30 crianças portadoras de convulsão febril e em 14 crianças saudáveis de mesma faixa etária dos pacientes. Infecções respiratórias, urinárias e dermatológicas frequentes foram observadas em 22 pacientes. Os parâmetros imunológicos demonstraram que 64% dos pacientes apresentaram valores elevados de células CD8+. Diminuição da relação de células CD4/CD8 foi observada em 60% dos pacientes. Além disso, a resposta proliferativa de linfócitos frente a PHA apresentou-se deprimida nos pacientes. Foi observada a presença de atividade inibidora da função de linfócitos no plasma de 33% das crianças com convulsão febril. Esses resultados sugerem que pacientes com convulsão febril apresentam depressão da resposta imune celular que poderia implicar em associação patogênica com esta síndrome epiléptica e explicar as infeções observadas.

The aim of the present investigation was to study the distribution of T-cell subsets in peripheral blood defined by monoclonal antibodies and by the lymphocyte proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin (PH A) in 30 children with febrile seizures and in 14 age-matched control subjects. Frequent respiratory, urinary and dermatologic infections were observed in 22 patients. The immunologic parameters showed that 64% of the patients presented an increased number of CD8+ cells and a low helper/suppressor ratio was observed in 60% of the patients. In addition, the proliferative response of lymphocytes to PHA was impaired in the patients. It was observed the presence of inhibitory activity on lymphocyte function in the plasma of 33% of children with febrile seizures. These results suggest that patients with febrile seizures have an impairment of cellular immunity that may be connected with this epileptic syndrome and explain the infections observed. O objetivo da presente investigação foi estudar a distribuição das subpopulações de células T por meio de anticorpos monoclonais e a resposta proliferativa de linfócitos em resposta a fito-hemaglutinina (PHA) em 30 crianças portadoras de convulsão febril e em 14 crianças saudáveis de mesma faixa etária dos pacientes. Infecções respiratórias, urinárias e dermatológicas frequentes foram observadas em 22 pacientes. Os parâmetros imunológicos demonstraram que 64% dos pacientes apresentaram valores elevados de células CD8+. Diminuição da relação de células CD4/CD8 foi observada em 60% dos pacientes. Além disso, a resposta proliferativa de linfócitos frente a PHA apresentou-se deprimida nos pacientes. Foi observada a presença de atividade inibidora da função de linfócitos no plasma de 33% das crianças com convulsão febril. Esses resultados sugerem que pacientes com convulsão febril apresentam depressão da resposta imune celular que poderia implicar em associação patogênica com esta síndrome epiléptica e explicar as infeções observadas.

The in vitro activity of cefepime was compared to that of ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, and cefotaxime in a multicenter study involving 10 clinical microbiology laboratories and clinical isolates from 18 Brazilian hospitals from 7 cities (4 states). A total of 982 isolates consecutively collected between December 1995 and March 1996 were susceptibility tested by using Etest and following the NCCLS procedures for agar diffusion tests. The cefepime spectrum was broader than that of the other broad-spectrum cephalosporins against both Gram-negative rods and Gram-positive cocci. Cefepime was particularly more active against Enterobacter sp. (MIC90, 2 micrograms/ml), Serratia sp. (MIC90, 2 micrograms/ml) and oxacillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MIC90, 3 micrograms/ml). Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, cefepime (MIC90, 16 micrograms/ml) was slightly more active than ceftazidime (MIC90, 32 micrograms/ml) and 8- to 16-fold more active than ceftriaxone of cefotaxime (MIC90,256 micrograms/ml). Our results show that nosocomial bacteria, especially Gram-negative rods, have a high rate of cephalosporin resistance in Brazil. However, part of these resistant bacteria remains susceptible to cefepime. The Etest was shown to be an excellent method for multicenter studies of the in vitro evaluation of new antimicrobial agents.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the Gram stain in the initial diagnosis of the etiologic agent of peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Design Retrospective study analyzing the sensitivity (S), specificity (SS), positive predictive value (+PV), and negative predictive value (-PV) of the Gram stain relating to the results of cultures in 149 episodes of peritonitis in CAPD. The data were analyzed in two studies. In the first, only the cases with detection of a single agent by Gram stain were taken (Study 1). In the second, only the cases with two agents in Gram stain were evaluated (Study 2). Setting Dialysis Unit and Laboratory of Microbiology of a tertiary medical center. Patients Sixty-three patients on regular CAPD who presented one or more episodes of peritonitis from May 1992 to May 1995. Results The positivity of Gram stain was 93.2% and the sensitivity was 95.7%. The values of S, SS, +PV, and -PV were respectively: 94.9%, 53.5%, 68.3%, and 90.9% for gram -positive cocci and 83.3%, 98.8%, 95.2%, and 95.6% for gram-negative bacilli. The association of grampositive cocci plus gram -negative bacilli were predictive of growth of both in 6.8%, growth of gram -positive cocci in 13.7%, and growth of gram -negative bacilli in 72.5%. Conclusions The Gram stain is a method of great value in the initial diagnosis of the etiologic agent of peritonitis in CAPD, especially for gram-negative bacilli.

Immortalized cell lines from fetal brain are an experimental model for studying the in vitro molecular pathways regulating neural cell differentiation and the development of neural networks. The procedures are described to obtain an established cell line from the 90-day old fetal sheep hypothalamus. Viral oncogene LT-SV40 transformation was used to isolate a stable cell line (ENOS-01) that was characterized immunocytochemically. Immortalized cells can be classified as an endothelial cell line of hypothalamic microvasculature. Furthermore, mRNA expression and immunocytochemical of estrogen receptors α and β were also evaluated. Since it is known that cerebral vessels are directly targeted by sex steroids, our established cell line represents an alternative system to study estradiol/receptor interactions during brain development. Our in vitro model can provide a tool to investigate the complex relationships among the cell types forming the blood-brain barrier, which is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of sheep transmissible neurological diseases.

[ANGLÈS] This thesis aims to study the behavior of shear stiffness at small deformations of statically compacted samples of bentonite and their relationship with its micro-structure (FEBEX bentonite). [CASTELLÀ] Esta tesis tiene como objetivo estudiar el comportamiento de la rigidez al corte a pequeñas deformaciones de muestras de bentonita compactadas estáticamente y la relación con su micro-estructura (bentonita FEBEX).

The effects on the thermal response of pressed polymer bonded explosives caused by varying their components have been assessed at two extreme heating rates using the Super Small-scale Cookoff Bomb. Tests were primarily conducted on RDX-based compositions containing 5% ethylene-vinyl acetate binder with varying amounts of PETN or TATB. Some experiments were numerically simulated using a one-dimensional finite difference code. The simulations are not able to predict the violence of the thermal response, but do accurately reproduce radial heat flow in the test assembly and satisfactorily predict both the time to thermal response and the surface temperature at response for the mixed explosive compositions. The influence of the ratio of the mixed explosives on the type of thermal response observed is discussed and several compositions which give very mild thermal responses have been identified.

Peritonitis remains the main complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Antimicrobial therapy may be threatened by development of bacterial resistance, demanding continuous surveillance of infectious agents to improve empirical treatment. The aims of this study were to evaluate the bacterial agents causing peritonitis and their antimicrobial susceptibility in patients undergone PD in a Brazilian center, between 1993 and 2013. Strains were recovered from peritoneal fluid, identified by usual methods and submitted to Etest antimicrobial susceptibility. A total of 400 strains were studied, of which 65.8% were Staphylococcus spp.: S. epidermidis, the main species (22.8%), followed by S. aureus (21.3%). Over time, we verified a decrease in overall peritonitis occurrence, and an increase in gram-negative bacteria proportion, attributed, mainly, to a decrease in gram-positive agents. Vancomycin was effective against all Staphylococcus strains, and oxacillin resistance was higher in coagulase-negative Staphylococcus compared to S. aureus (p

Aromatase (P450(AROM)), the enzyme responsible for the conversion of testosterone (T) into 17-β estradiol (E(2)), plays a crucial role in the sexual differentiation of specific hypothalamic nuclei. Moreover, recent findings indicate that local E(2) synthesis has an impact on other brain areas including hippocampus, temporal cortex and cerebellum, and may thus influence also cognitive functions. Numerous studies have described the expression and the distribution of P450(AROM) throughout ontogenesis and postnatal development of the central nervous system in several mammals, but data referring to humans are scarce. In the adult human brain, P450(AROM) has been detected in the hypothalamus, limbic areas, and in the basal forebrain, and described in glial cells of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. In this study we report the expression, distribution and cellular localization of P450(AROM) in the human fetal and early postnatal cerebral cortex. In our series of fetal brains of the second trimester, P450(AROM) expression appeared at gestational week (GW) 17 and resulted limited to groups of cells localized close to the growing neuroepithelium in the ventricular and subventricular zones. At GWs 20-24, scattered P450(AROM) immunoreactive (-ir) neural cells were identified in the intermediate plate and subplate, and in the parietal cortical plate. In perinatal and early postnatal individuals the quantity of P450(AROM)-ir elements increased, and revealed the morphology typical of glial cells. Double labeling immunostaining with anti-GFAP and anti-P450(AROM) antisera, and subsequent confocal analysis, confirmed this observation. Our data show that the expression of P450(AROM) in the fetal cortex starts approx at the end of the fourth gestational month, but increases steadily only in the last trimester or in the early postnatal period. This temporal trend may suggest that P450(AROM) could act as a differentiation-promoting factor, based on timing of the steroid actions.

Estrogens diversely affect various physiological processes by genomic or non-genomic mechanisms, in both excitable and non-excitable cells. Additional to the trophic effects of estrogens promoting cell growth and differentiation, recent experimental evidence highlights their involvement in the regulation of intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis. The effects of estrogens on excitable cells are well documented. However, these steroids also influence numerous physiological events in non-excitable cells, such as fibroblasts or vascular endothelial cells. We have focused our attention on an immortalized endothelial-like cell line derived from fetal bovine cerebellum. Estradiol (E(2)) effects on intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis were tested by varying the exposure time to the hormone (8, 24, 48 h). Calcium measurements were performed with genetically encoded Ca(2+) probes (Cameleons) targeted to the main subcellular compartments involved in intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis (cytosol, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria). Mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake significantly decreased after 48-h exposure to E(2), whereas cytosolic and endoplasmic reticulum responses were unaffected. The effect of E(2) on mitochondrial Ca(2+) handling was blocked by ICI 182,780, a pure estrogen receptor antagonist, suggesting that the effect was estrogen-receptor-mediated. To evaluate whether the decrease of Ca(2+) uptake affected mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), cells were monitored in the presence of tetra-methyl-rhodamine-methylester; no significant changes were seen between cells treated with E(2) and controls. To investigate a mechanism of action, we assessed the possibile involvement of the permeability transition pore (PTP), an inner mitochondrial membrane channel influencing energy metabolism and cell viability. We treated cells with CyclosporinA (CsA), which binds to the matrix chaperone cyclophilin-D and regulates PTP opening. CsA reversed the effects of a 48-h treatment with E(2), suggesting a possible transcriptional modulation of proteins involved in the mitochondrial permeability transition process.

Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-28T14:07:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 WOS000302873700096.pdf: 185514 bytes, checksum: aeeac7c649ec10a810228cc32326c964 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T18:17:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 WOS000302873700096.pdf: 185514 bytes, checksum: aeeac7c649ec10a810228cc32326c964 (MD5) WOS000302873700096.pdf.txt: 41372 bytes, checksum: 6942f4f9a9a40f916ca524e02deb42dc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-21 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:33:28Z No. of bitstreams: 2 WOS000302873700096.pdf: 185514 bytes, checksum: aeeac7c649ec10a810228cc32326c964 (MD5) WOS000302873700096.pdf.txt: 41372 bytes, checksum: 6942f4f9a9a40f916ca524e02deb42dc (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:33:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 WOS000302873700096.pdf: 185514 bytes, checksum: aeeac7c649ec10a810228cc32326c964 (MD5) WOS000302873700096.pdf.txt: 41372 bytes, checksum: 6942f4f9a9a40f916ca524e02deb42dc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-21 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Peritonitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus is a serious complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD), which is associated with poor outcome and high PD failure rates. We reviewed the records of 62 S. aureus peritonitis episodes that occurred between 1996 and 2010 in the dialysis unit of a single university hospital and evaluated the host and bacterial factors influencing peritonitis outcome. Peritonitis incidence was calculated for three subsequent 5-year periods and compared using a Poisson regression model. The production of biofilm, enzymes, and toxins was evaluated. Oxacillin resistance was evaluated based on minimum inhibitory concentration and presence of the mecA gene. Logistic regression was used for the analysis of demographic, clinical, and microbiological factors influencing peritonitis outcome. Resolution and death rates were compared with 117 contemporary coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) episodes. The incidence of S. aureus peritonitis declined significantly over time from 0.13 in 1996-2000 to 0.04 episodes/patient/year in 2006-2010 (p = 0.03). The oxacillin resistance rate was 11.3%. Toxin and enzyme production was expressive, except for enterotoxin D. Biofilm production was positive in 88.7% of strains. The presence of the mecA gene was associated with a higher frequency of fever and abdominal pain. The logistic regression model showed that diabetes mellitus (p = 0.009) and beta-hemolysin production (p = 0.006) were independent predictors of non-resolution of infection. The probability of resolution was higher among patients aged 41 to 60 years than among those >60 years (p = 0.02). A trend to higher death rate was observed for S. aureus episodes (9.7%) compared to CoNS episodes (2.5%), (p = 0.08), whereas resolution rates were similar. Despite the decline in incidence, S. aureus peritonitis remains a serious complication of PD that is associated with a high death rate. The outcome of this infection is negatively influenced by host factors such as age and diabetes mellitus. In addition, beta-hemolysin production is predictive of non-resolution of infection, suggesting a pathogenic role of this factor in PD-related S. aureus peritonitis. Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Clin Med, Fac Med, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Microbiol & Imunol, Inst Biociencias, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Clin Med, Fac Med, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Microbiol & Imunol, Inst Biociencias, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil

Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-12T19:22:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-09-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T18:17:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-09-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:33:24Z No. of bitstreams: 0 Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:33:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-09-01 Phenotypic and genotypic SPM and IMP metallo-beta-lactamases (MBL) detection and also the determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) to imipenem, meropenem and ceftazidime were evaluated in 47 multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from clinical specimens. Polymerase chain reaction detected 14 positive samples to either bla(SPM) or bla(IMP) genes, while the best phenotypic assay (ceftazidime substrate and mercaptopropionic acid inhibitor) detected 13 of these samples. Imipenem, meropenem and ceftazidime MICs were higher for MBL positive compared to MBL negative isolates. We describe here the SPM and IMP MBL findings in clinical specimens of P. aeruginosa from the University Hospital of Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil, that reinforce local studies showing the high spreading of bla(SPM) and bla(IMP) genes among Brazilian clinical isolates. Univ Estatual Paulista UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estatual Paulista UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil

Steroids play a crucial role in brain differentiation. In the hypothalamus aromatase (P450AROM), the enzyme responsible for the conversion of testosterone (T) into 17-β estradiol (E2), modulates the mechanisms involved in sexual brain differentiation resulting in differences in specific hypothalamic nuclei between male and female. Recent findings indicate that local E2 synthesis has an impact on other brain areas including the hippocampus, temporal cortex and cerebellum, and may thus influence also cognitive functions. The expression and the distribution of P450AROM has been described throughout ontogenesis and postnatal development of the central nervous system in several mammalian species, including man. Immunohistochemical studies have localized P450AROM in pyramidal neurons, interneurons and astrocytes of human adult temporal cortex. However the cellular distribution of P450AROM has not been thoroughly investigated in fetal/early postnatal human brains. In this study we report the expression, distribution and cellular localization of P450AROM in selected areas (periventricular zones, cortical areas, cerebellum) of some fetal human brains of the second trimester and a few postnatal individuals. In the fetal individuals, P450AROM expression was scarce and limited to groups of cells mostly localized in the neuroepithelium of the subventricular zones, whereas in the neonatal/early postnatal individuals immunoreactive cells were present also in the cortical columns and in the cerebellar Purkinje layer. The enzyme was localized in the cytoplasm and in the fine extensions of the neural cells. Double labeling and confocal analysis using the Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) indicated that P450AROM was expressed in cortical astrocytes of early postnatal individuals. Our data suggest a possible role for this enzyme in the control of neural development and differentiation since the second trimester of gestation., Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, Vol 116, No 1 (Supplement) 2011

Baiting studies performed in large, medium and small hospitals in Brazil revealed the presence of 14 ant species, with up to nine recorded in one hospital. Dominant species were exotic ants, and in the large hospital, Tapinoma melanocephalum was the most prevalent. Ants were not uniformly spread through the hospitals, but tended to be found in the more critical areas, particularly in nursery, intensive care, obstetrics, neurology and dermatology units. Bacteriological studies using specific media for bacteria associated with intra-hospital infections indicated the potential for the mechanical vectoring of species of Staphylococcus, Serratia, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Candida and Enterococcus by ants. Although T. melanocephalum did not have the highest rate of association with these bacteria, its ubiquitous occurrences resulted in the highest overall potential as a vector of these bacteria. Because of a large number of ant species occurring in Brazilian hospitals, ants pose a potential problem to the spread of diseases in hospitals. Because of the number of associated ant species in hospitals, the control of this potential problem is much more difficult than in registered temperate areas.

Staphylococcus aureus is the main agent of infections during peritoneal dialysis (PD). The presence of S. aureus in the nasal cavity has been extensively studied and suggested as a risk factor of dialysis-related infections, whereas coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) species are frequently considered part of the normal human microbiota. The aim of this study was to identify Staphylococcus in the nasal cavity, pericatheter skin and peritoneal effluent from PD patients, as well as to evaluate the antimicrobial activity evolution in vitro. Thirty-two chronic PD patients were observed during 12 months and had nasal and pericatheter skin samples collected for culture. When peritonitis was detected, samples were also collected from the peritoneal effluent for culture. The activity of several antimicrobial drugs (penicillin G, oxacillin, cephalothin, ofloxacin, netilmicin and vancomycin) against different Staphylococcus species was measured by using the agar drug diffusion assay (Kirby-Bauer method). Staphylococcus was separated into S. aureus, S. epidermidis and other CNS species in order to determine the in vitro resistance level. S. epidermidis resistance to oxacillin progressively increased during the study period (p < 0.05). Resistance to ofloxacin was inexpressive, whereas resistance to netilmicin and vancomycin was not detected. Of the oxacillin-resistant species (n = 74), 83% were S. epidermidis, 13% other CNS and 4% S. aureus (p < 0.05). Regarding multi-drug resistant strains (n = 45), 82% were S. epidermidis, 13% other CNS, and 5% S. aureus (p < 0.05). This study shows the relevance of resistance to oxacillin and CNS multi-drug resistance, particularly concerning S. epidermidis, in PD patients.

Seismic imaging of many oil and gas fields in Peninsular Malaysia is degraded by amplitude and frequency attenuation (Q) associated with shallow gas. In addition to the amplitude attenuation, seismic travel time delays caused by abnormally slow velocities associated with these shallow gas accumulations cause time structure distortions in the seismic image. These amplitude, frequency, and seismic traveltime distortions often obscure the seismic image sufficiently that seismic reservoir characterization is impossible. In some areas the seismic image is completely distorted and lost, in these situations conventional marine seismic P wave imaging is not an effective tool. However in other areas the seismic image is degraded, but seismic energy is still transmitted through the shallow gas attenuator. In these situations seismic processing technology can attempt to compensate for the image degradation. Using a Prestack Depth migration engine, we have developed a processing technique to recover the amplitude and frequency loss below these shallow gas zones. This technology uses an integrated Q model, velocity model, and depth imaging system to correct and restore the amplitude, frequency and velocity distortions associated with the shallow gas attenuators. Initial implementations of prestack Q depth migration have shown that a detailed velocity and Q model of the subsurface is not the only requirement for a successful project. Since Q modeling requires the data to be true amplitude, most conventional approaches for noise attenuation and acquisition footprint removal cannot be applied prior to imaging. This requires the development of special noise mitigation techniques; otherwise the increased noise level can overwhelm the final imaging results. In addition, incorporation of the well data offers clues to the rock physics issues associated with the Q and velocity distortion. ExxonMobil recently completed the first prestack Q depth migration project in Malaysia over the Irong Barat field. A recently signed Production Sharing agreement for this mature field gives ExxonMobil and partner PCSB production sharing rights to 2033. Improved seismic imaging is part of the strategy implemented to recover remaining oil reserves for this mature field. The 142 square kilometer Irong Barat 3D survey was acquired in 1998. The survey combines conventional marine data with OBC undershoot of the platforms, which adds processing complexity. Image quality on the flanks of the structure is very good, however varying degrees of shallow gas associated distortion are present over the crest of the structure and therefore Irong Barat was considered a good test for the Prestack Q Depth Migration technology. This paper will describe the seismic processing lessons learnt and present the results of the project.

The viability of preparing booster compositions from RDX and commercially available aqueous polyurethane, acrylic and ethylene-vinyl acetate dispersions has been assessed. These dispersions were coagulated in hot aqueous slurries of RDX by electrolyte addition and the use of thermal coagulation aids. When polymer coating of the RDX crystals occurred the precipitated polymer particles were deposited across the surfaces of the crystals. These coatings were often porous; however when softer polymers were used, coalescence occurred and more uniform coatings were obtained. Compositions containing these softer polymers were less sensitive to initiation by shock and impact. The flow properties of these compositions were usually improved by applying an additional coating of zinc stearate. The impact sensitiveness, shock sensitivity and cookoff behaviour of a number of candidate booster compositions have been assessed and suitable compositions have been identified.

The effects of vinyl acetate content and molecular weight of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers on the high strain rate impact ignition sensitiveness of RDX/EVA (95:5) physical mixtures, explosive molding powders, and compacted charges were evaluated. In a drop-weight impact test on physical mixtures and molding powders, the high strain rate mechanical properties and thermal properties of the polymers, and the way the polymer is distributed, affect impact sensitiveness. Localized viscous flow occurs in copolymers with high vinyl acetate contents and this sensitizes some physical mixtures. The response of the compacted molding powders was studied using a Hopkinson Bar. Those containing copolymers with high vinyl acetate contents and high molecular weights have the best high strain rate mechanical properties and are least sensitive to impact ignition. Increasing the binder level from 5 to 10 or 15 wt. % decreases the impact sensitiveness and changes the mode of failure from brittle to ductile. The relative ease of impact ignition of some pressed compositions was determined using a Hopkinson Bar test, and these results are compared with shock sensitivity data for the same charges.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T20:52:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-01-01 Department of Internal Medicine Botucatu School of Medicine UNESP, Botucatu Research Support Group Botucatu School of Medicine UNESP, Botucatu Department of Microbiology and Immunology Biosciences Institute UNESP, Botucatu Department of Internal Medicine Botucatu School of Medicine UNESP, Botucatu Research Support Group Botucatu School of Medicine UNESP, Botucatu Department of Microbiology and Immunology Biosciences Institute UNESP, Botucatu

A lactose-free diet is commonly prescribed to subjects with hypolactasia. We tested the effectiveness of a single ingestion of tilactase (a beta-D-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae) in adults with hypolactasia, previously assessed by lactose H(2)-breath test.After measurement of orocecal transit time (OCTT, by lactulose H(2)-breath test) and lactose H(2)-breath testing plus placebo, a total of 134 subjects were positive to hypolactasia and underwent lactose H(2)-breath testing plus either low (6750 U) or standard (11,250 U) doses of tilactase. The appearance of gastrointestinal symptoms during the tests was monitored.OCTT was longer in malabsorbers (subjects without bloating, abdominal pain and/or diarrhoea, n = 25) than in intolerants (bloating, abdominal pain and/or diarrhoea, n = 109, P0.02). Malabsorbers had longer time to H(2) peak (P0.03), lower H(2) peak levels (P0.002) and smaller integrated H(2) excretion levels (P0.005) than intolerants. After tilactase ingestion, integrated H(2) levels were decreased by 75% (low dose) and 87% (standard dose) in malabsorbers, and by 74% (low dose) and 88% (standard dose) in intolerants. In the latter group, total symptom score were decreased by 76% (low dose) and by 88% (standard dose) (P0.0001).A single oral administration of tilactase is highly effective in decreasing symptoms and hydrogen excretion of hypolactasia assessed by lactose H(2)-breath test. If confirmed by long-term observations, ingestion of tilactase might be a better option than exclusion diets in intolerant subjects with hypolactasia.

Essa pesquisa avalia a estética de três praças em Pelotas, considerando as variáveis associadas aos diferentes elementos físico-espaciais que compõem as praças, bem como investiga a relação entre estética e uso das mesmas. Nessa investigação levam-se em consideração as percepções de diferentes faixas etárias de usuários: adolescentes, adultos e idosos. O objetivo central é fornecer subsídios teóricos para que possam ser produzidas praças mais satisfatórias para os usuários. As três praças selecionadas como objetos de estudo estão situadas na cidade de Pelotas (RS) e possuem características que as tornam pertinentes quanto a avaliação estética. Os métodos de coleta e análise de dados fazem parte daqueles utilizados na área de pesquisa Ambiente e Comportamento. Os dados foram obtidos a partir de levantamentos de arquivo e levantamento de campo, esse incluindo observações, mapas comportamentais, levantamento das variáveis associadas aos aspectos físico-espaciais e questionários. Os resultados dessa investigação demonstram que existe relação entre a estética e o uso das praças. Além disso, destaca que dentre as variáveis consideradas, as mais importantes para a definição da satisfação geral com as praças estão associadas às características das fachadas que delimitam as praças, principalmente com a composição arquitetônica e com características associadas ao espaço aberto das praças, salientando a presença de vegetação. Torna-se evidente para o desenvolvimento de bons projetos e para a existência de usuários satisfeitos a consideração de tais variáveis. Espera-se que os dados encontrados despertem o interesse pelo desenvolvimento de outros estudos sobre o tema da estética e sua relação com o uso das praças. This research evaluates the aesthetics of three squares in Pelotas, considering the variables associated to the different physical and spatial aspects that compose the squares, as well as investigating the relation between aesthetic and use. In this inquiry the perceptions of different ages are taken into account: adolescents, adults and elder people. The main objective is to supply theoretical subsidies to produce more satisfactory squares for the users. The three selected squares used in this study are located in the city of Pelotas (RS – BRAZIL) and have characteristics that become them pertinent for the esthetic evaluation. The data collecting methods and data analysis are part of Environment and Behavior area. The data were obtained from file and field surveys, including observations, behavior maps, survey of the variables associated to the physical and spatial aspects and questionnaires. survey of the variables associated to the physical and spatial aspects and questionnaires. The results demonstrate that there is a relation between the aesthetic and the use of the squares. Moreover, it is features that the most important variable for the definition of the general satisfaction with the squares are associated with the characteristics of the facades that delimit the squares, mainly with the architectural composition and characteristics associated with the open space of the squares, pointing out the vegetation presence. The consideration of such variables becomes evident for the development of good projects and the existence of satisfied users. One expects that this data could awake the interest for the development of other studies on the subject of the aesthetic one and its relation with the use of the squares.

International audience; We present a dynamic ray tracing program for a spherically symmetric Earth that may be used to compute Fréchet kernels for traveltime and amplitude anomalies at finite frequency. The program works for arbitrarily defined phases and background models. The numerical precisions of kinematic and dynamic ray tracing are optimized to produce traveltime errors under 0.1 s, which is well below the data uncertainty in global seismology. This tolerance level is obtained for an integration step size of about 20 km for the most common seismic phases. We also give software to compute ellipticity, crustal and topographic corrections and attenuation.

We examined the prevalence and the in vitro susceptibility to antifungal drugs of Candida spp isolated from clinical specimens at our university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Among 6,417 samples studied, positive cultures, were obtained from 222 (3.5%) most of them (68%) from the pediatric unit and nursery. Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis were the most frequent species and the susceptibility patterns of a panel of 130 isolates to amphotericin B, ketoconazole and fluconazole, showed that the order of antifungal efficacy was amphotericin Bketoconazolefluconazole.

New finite-frequency tomographic images of S-wave velocity confirm the existence of deep mantle plumes below a large number of known hot spots. We compare S-anomaly images with an updated P-anomaly model. Deep mantle plumes are present beneath Ascension, Azores, Canary, Cape Verde, Cook Island, Crozet, Easter, Kerguelen, Hawaii, Samoa, and Tahiti. Afar, Atlantic Ridge, Bouvet(Shona), Cocos/Keeling, Louisville, and Reunion are shown to originate at least below the upper mantle if not much deeper. Plumes that reach only to midmantle are present beneath Bowie, Hainan, Eastern Australia, and Juan Fernandez; these plumes may have tails too thin to observe in the lowermost mantle, but the images are also consistent with an interpretation as “dying plumes” that have exhausted their source region. In the tomographic images, only the Eifel and Seychelles plumes are unambiguously confined to the upper mantle. Starting plumes are visible in the lowermost mantle beneath South of Java, East of Solomon, and in the Coral Sea. All imaged plumes are wide and fail to show plumeheads, suggesting a very weakly temperature-dependent viscosity for lower mantle minerals, and/or compositional variations. The S-wave velocity images show several minor differences with respect to the earlier P-wave results, including plume conduits that extend down to the core-mantle boundary beneath Cape Verde, Cook Island, and Kerguelen. A more substantial disagreement between P-wave and S-wave images reopens the question on the depth extent of the Iceland plume. We suggest that a pulsating behavior of the plume may explain the shape of the conduit beneath Iceland.

Geophysical Journal International, v. 167, n. 3, p. 1204-1210, 2006. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2006.03210.x; International audience; The claim by van der Hilst and de Hoop that finite-frequency (FF) inversion of seismic traveltimes does not result in measurable improvements in tomographic images is misguided, and based upon a biased selection of images in the upper mantle, where wave front healing effects are indeed small, and where our models are generally poorly resolved because we primarily used teleseismic waves that travel steeply in the upper mantle; and upon an improper application of statistics to the better-resolved anomalies in the lower mantle. If station corrections for long-period P waves are computed using ray theory, as we do, unmodelled FF effects may be responsible for slow anomalies of up to 0.3 per cent beneath very small island stations, but these effects are negligible for larger islands such as Reunion and Kerguelen. The presence of a plume beneath these islands is the most probable explanation for the observed low velocities.

Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-27T11:22:01Z No. of bitstreams: 0Bitstream added on 2014-05-27T14:40:13Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 2-s2.0-33846283809.pdf: 304940 bytes, checksum: af304092e5bd7f5931675775c61f3879 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-27T11:22:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-11-01 The presence of Staphylococcus aureus in the nasal cavities and pericatheter skin of peritoneal dialysis patients put them at high risk of developing peritonitis. However, it is not clear whether the presence of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) in the nasal passages and skin of patients is related to subsequent occurrence of peritoneal infection. The aim of the present study was to verify the relationship between endogenous sources of S. aureus and CNS and occurrence of peritonitis in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Thirty-two patients on peritoneal hemodialysis were observed for 18 months. Staphylococcus species present in their nasal passage, pericatheter skin and peritoneal effluent were identified and compared based on drug susceptibility tests and dendrograms, which were drawn to better visualize the similarity among strains from extraperitoneal sites as well as their involvement in the causes of infection. Out of 288 Staphylococcus strains isolated, 155 (53.8%) were detected in the nasal cavity, 122 (42.4%) on the skin, and 11 (3.8%) in the peritoneal effluent of patients who developed peritonitis during the study. The most frequent Staphylococcus species were CNS (78.1%), compared with S. aureus (21.9%). Among CNS, S. epidermidis was predominant (64.4%), followed by S. warneri (15.1%), S. haemolyticus (10.7%), and other species (9.8%). Seven (64%) out of 11 cases of peritonitis analyzed presented similar strains. The same strain was isolated from different sites in two (66%) out of three S. aureus infection cases. In the six cases of S. epidermidis peritonitis, the species that caused infection was also found in the normal flora. From these, two cases (33%) presented highly similar strains and in three cases (50%), it was difficult to group strains as to similarity. Patients colonized with multidrug-resistant S. epidermidis strains were more predisposed to infection. Results demonstrated that an endogenous source of S. epidermidis could cause peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients, similarly to what has been observed with S. aureus. Department of Clinical Medicine Botucatu School of Medicine São Paulo, University, Botucatu, São Paulo State Department of Microbiology and Immunology Institute of Biosciences UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo State Department of Biostatistics Institute of Biosciences UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia Instituto de Biociências UNESP, Caixa Postal 510, 18618-000, Botucatu, SP Department of Microbiology and Immunology Institute of Biosciences UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo State Department of Biostatistics Institute of Biosciences UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia Instituto de Biociências UNESP, Caixa Postal 510, 18618-000, Botucatu, SP