Function analysis of anthocyanidin synthase from Morus alba L. by expression in bacteria and tobacco

Background: Flavonoids are a kind of important secondary metabolite and are commonly considered to provide protection to plants against stress and UV-B for a long time. Anthocyanidin synthase (ANS), which encodes a dioxygenase in the flavonoid pathway, catalyzes the conversion of leucoanthocyanidins to anthocyanidins, but there is no direct evidence indicating that it provides tolerance to stress in plants. Results: To investigate whether ANS can increase tolerance to abiotic stress, MaANS was isolated from mulberry fruits and transformed into tobacco. Our results suggested that the bacterially expressed MaANS protein can convert dihydroquercetin to quercetin. Overexpression of MaANS remarkably increased the accumulation of total flavonoids in transgenic lines and anthocyanins in corollas of flowers. Transgenic lines showed higher tolerance to NaCl and mannitol stress. Conclusions: These results indicated that MaANS participates in various dioxygenase activities, and it can protect plants against abiotic stress by improving the ROS-scavenging ability. Thus, this alternative approach in crop breeding can be considered in the improvement of stress tolerance by enriching flavonoid production in plants

Instituto de Radium de Minas Gerais: vanguarda da radioterapia no Brasil, 1923-1935 / Minas Gerais Radium Institute: at the forefront of radiotherapy in Brazil, 1923-1935

Este artigo propõe estudar os primeiros 12 anos de existência do Instituto de Radium de Minas Gerais, fundado em 1922. Sua atuação na luta contra o câncer no Brasil, ainda pouco conhecida, começa a ser esboçada pelo estudo de documentação institucional inédita. Através de um banco de dados elaborado com informações constantes em seu livro de registro de pacientes, foram feitos levantamentos estatísticos dos tipos de câncer e das formas de tratamento existentes entre 1923 e 1935. Esse livro faz parte de um conjunto de outros cinco recentemente descobertos no Centro de Memória da Medicina/UFMG. A documentação permite resgatar os primórdios das intervenções de radioterapia no país e acompanhar seu desenvolvimento e a influência exercida por esse hospital modelo.

This article proposes to study the first 12 years of the Minas Gerais Radium Institute, founded in 1922. Its work in the fight against cancer in Brazil, albeit still little known, is coming to light as its institutional documents are studied. A database has been prepared using information from its patient register, based on which statistical analyses have been done to identify the types of cancer and treatments available there between 1923 and 1935. This register is one of five recently unearthed at the Medicine Memory Center of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Through them, the earliest experiments in radiotherapy in Brazil can be reconstituted, and its development and the influence of this model hospital can be mapped out.

Temporomandibular Disorders in a Sample Population of the Brazilian Northeast

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a common condition. This study is part of a research group and it investigated the prevalence of TMD and myofascial pain and its association with gender, age and socioeconomic class. The sample comprised 100 subjects, aged 15 to 70, users of the Family Health Units' services, in the city of Recife, PE, Brazil. The TMD degree was evaluated using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD and socioeconomic class by the Economic Classification Criteria Brazil. Categorical variables were analyzed by chi-square test for proportions and Fisher's exact test for 2x2 tables, and binary logistic analysis to track the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. According to the results, 42% of the subjects had TMD and 14% myofascial pain. No statistically significant association could be found between TMD and gender or socioeconomic class, but it was found to have statistically significant association with age, and myofascial pain was associated with socioeconomic class. Considering that the results of the present study should be confirmed by further studies and the fact that this was a pilot study, the prevalence must be analyzed with caution.

Disfunção temporomandibular (DTM) é uma condição comum. Este estudo é parte de um grupo de pesquisa e investigou a prevalência de DTM e dor miofascial e suas associações com sexo, idade e classe socioeconômica. A amostra foi composta por 100 indivíduos, com idades entre 15 e 70 anos, usuários das Unidades de Saúde da Família, na cidade de Recife, PE. O grau de DTM foi avaliado usando os Critérios de Diagnósticos Científicos em DTM, e classe socioeconômica com o Critério de Classificação Econômica Brasil. As variáveis categóricas foram analisadas pelo teste do qui-quadrado para proporções e teste exato de Fisher para tabelas 2x2, e a análise logística binária para traçar a relação entre as variáveis independentes e dependentes. De acordo com os resultados, 42% dos indivíduos tinham DTM e 14% dor miofascial. Não houve associação estatisticamente significativa entre DTM e sexo ou classe socioeconômica, mas houve associação estatisticamente significativa com a idade e a dor miofascial foi associada com a classe socioeconômica. Considerando-se que os resultados do presente estudo devam ser confirmados em outros estudos e por causa de sua natureza piloto, a prevalência deve ser analisada com cautela.

Halotolerance, ligninase production and herbicide degradation ability of basidiomycetes strains

Fungi have been recently recognized as organisms able to grow in presence of high salt concentration with halophilic and halotolerance properties and their ligninolytic enzyme complex have an unspecific action enabling their use to degradation of a number of xenobiotic compounds. In this work, both the effect of salt and polyols on growth of the basidiomycetes strains, on their ability to produce ligninolytic enzyme and diuron degradation were evaluated. Results showed that the presence of NaCl in the culture medium affected fungal specimens in different ways. Seven out of ten tested strains had growth inhibited by salt while Dacryopinax elegans SXS323, Polyporus sp MCA128 and Datronia stereoides MCA167 fungi exhibited higher biomass production in medium containing 0.5 and 0.6 mol.L-1 of NaCl, suggesting to be halotolerant. Polyols such as glycerol and mannitol added into the culture media improved the biomass and ligninases production by D. elegans but the fungus did not reveal consumption of these polyols from media. This fungus degraded diuron in medium control, in presence of NaCl as well as polyols, produced MnP, LiP and laccase.

Interação entre antioxidantes naturais e espécies reativas do oxigênio nas doenças cardiovasculares: perspectivas para a contribuição do alecrim (Rosmarinus officinalis L. ) / Interaction between natural antioxidants and reactive oxygen species in cardiovascular diseases: perspectives to rosemary (Rosmarinus offi cinalis L. ) contribution

The association between high levels of LDL cholesterol and oxidative stressis the on set of the atherosclerotic process. Oxidative stress, verified by the significant increase in the concentration of reactive oxygen species, causes damage to the endothelial wall and leads to LDL oxidation, which in turn will be deposited as fatty cells leading to the obstruction of vessels and arteries. In vascular cells a lot of enzymes have been described as potential sources of ROS; however, enzymatic and non enzymatic mecanisms protect the organism against such species. Among non enzymatic antioxidants there are substances derived from foods such as vitamins and phenolic compounds, which have been receiving increasing attentiondue to their chemopreventive function against oxidative damages. Rosemary (Rosmarinus offi cinalis L.) belongs to the Labiatae family, the antioxidant properties of which have been attributed to a variety of phenolic compounds capable of reacting with free radicals and quench ROS. Studies have revealed that rosemary could be an important compound in antiglycative therapy, helping in the prevention and treatment of chronic-degenerative diseases, reinforcing the need of new researches to elucidate its antioxidant contribution in vivo.

La asociación entre niveles elevados de colesterol LDL y el estrés oxidativo compone el inicio del proceso arteriosclerótico y contribuye para el desarrollo de enfermedades cardiovasculares. El estrés oxidativo, determinado por el aumento significativo de la concentración de especies reactivas del oxígeno (EROS), produce daños en la pared endotelial y oxidación de las LDL queserán depositadas como células grasas provocando la obstrucción de vasos y arterias. En las células vasculares muchas enzimas hansido descritas como fuentes potenciales de EROS, pero mecanismos enzimáticos y no enzimáticos protegen el organismo contra esas especiesreactivas. Entre los antioxidantes no enzimáticos hay sustancias derivadas de los alimentos comolas vitaminas y los compuestos fenólicos, los cuales han recibido una gran atención debidoa sus propiedades quimio preventivas contra el daño oxidativo. El romero (Rosmarinus offi cinalisL.) pertenece a la familia Labiatae cuyas propiedades antioxidantes han sido atribuidasa una variedad de compuestos fenólicos capacesde reaccionar con los radicales libres y eliminarlas EROS. Estudios han revelado que el romero puede ser un elemento importante en el combatea la oxidación glicativa, auxiliando en la prevención y tratamiento de las enfermedades degenerativas crónicas y reforzando la necesidadde aumentar las investigaciones para dilucidarsu contribución antioxidante in vivo.

A associação entre níveis elevados de LDL colesterol e o estresse oxidativo constituem o início do processo aterosclerótico e contribuem para o desenvolvimento das doenças cardiovasculares. O estresse oxidativo, verifica do pelo aumento significativo da concentração de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROS), causa danos na parede endotelial e leva à oxidação das partículas de LDL, que por sua vez serão depositadas como células gordurosas levando à obstrução dos vasos e artérias. Nas células vasculares, muitas enzimas têm sido descritas como fontes potenciais de EROS, contudo mecanismos enzimáticos e não-enzimáticos protegem o organismo contra tais espécies reativas. Dentre os antioxidantes não enzimáticos encontram-se substâncias derivadas de alimentos como vitaminas e compostos fenólicos, os quais têm recebido crescente atenção devido às suas funções quimio preventivas contra o dano oxidativo. O alecrim (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) é um membro da família Labiatae, cujas propriedades antioxidantes têm sido atribuídas a uma variedade de compostos fenólicos capazes de reagir com radicais livres e eliminar as EROS. Estudos relatam que o alecrim pode ser um componente importante na terapia antiglicativa, auxiliando na prevenção e no tratamento de doenças crônico-degenerativas, reforçando a necessidade de novas pesquisas para elucidar sua contribuição antioxidante in vivo.

Cambios en el óxido nítrico, las prostaglandinas y en la actividad de la mieloperoxidasa, inducidos por la acroleína en vejiga urinaria de rata / Changes in nitric oxide, prostaglandins and mieloperoxidase activity in acrolein-induced cystitis in rats

Se estudió el papel de la sustancia P, el óxido nítrico(ON) y las prostaglandinas (PGs) en la cistitis inducida por acroleína(ACR), para lo cual se estudiaron los cambios de las actividades de la óxido nítrico sintasa inducible(iNOS) y de la mieloperoxidasa(MPO) vesicales, así como en los niveles de PGs y de metabolitos del ON. Ratas macho Sprague-Dawley recibieron ACR (5mg/Kg, i.p), más uno de los siguientes tratamientos: Grupo 1: Salina, 0,10mL/100g i.p.; Grupo 2: Win-51.708(WIN), 25mg/Kg i.p.; Grupo 3: S-metilisotiourea(MITU), 35 mg/Kg i.p.; Grupo 4: Rofecoxib(ROF), 20mg/Kg v.o.; Grupo 5: Meloxicam(MEL), 25mg/Kg i.p.; Grupo 6: combinación MITU+ MEL. La mortalidad inducida por ACR fue parcialmente prevenida por WIN (antagonista NK1) y MITU (inhibidor iNOS). En los animales que sobrevivieron a 24 horas de exposición a ACR se encontraron cambios histológicos inflamatorios en vejiga, que se acompañaron de aumentos en la actividad MPO. También se observaron aumentos de nitratos+nitritos y PGs. El WIN no previno ninguno de estos cambios. El ROF y el MEL (inhibidores COX-2) protegieron parcialmente contra la inflamación vesical, mientras que el tratamiento con MITU fue capaz de prevenir estos cambios así como también el aumento de metabolitos del ON. La combinación MITU+MEL produjo una mayor protección contra los efectos inducidos por ACR. Estos resultados indican que el ON producido vía de la iNOS y las PGs producidas por la COX-1/COX-2, desempeñan un papel en la patogénesis de la cistitis por ACR. La ACR podría estimular a la iNOS y a las COX-1/COX-2, induciendo la migración linfocitaria, aumentos de nitratos+nitritos y de PGs.

To investigate the role of substance P(sP), nitric oxide (ON) and prostaglandins (PGs) in acrolein(ACR)-induced cystitis, we studied the changes induced by ACR on bladder inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and mieloperoxidase(MPO) activities, along with PGs and NO metabolites levels. Sprague-Dawley male rats received i.p. ACR (5mg/Kg) plus one of the following treatments: Group 1: saline 0.10 mL/100g i.p.; Group 2: Win-51.708 (WIN) 25mg/Kg i.p.; Group 3: S-metilisothiourea(MITU) 35mg/Kg i.p.; Group 4: Rofecoxib(ROF) 20mg/Kg o.p.; Group 5: Meloxicam(MEL) 25mg/Kg i.p.; Group 6: combination MITU+MEL. ACR-induced mortality was partially prevented by WIN (NK1 antagonist) and MITU (iNOS inhibitor). Animals that survived after 24h of ACR exposure, had histological inflammatory changes in bladder along with increased MPO activity. There was augmentation of nitrates+nitrites and of PGs. WIN didn’t prevent any of these effects. ROF and MEL (COX-2 inhibitors) partially protected against bladder inflammation; MITU pre-treatment was able to prevent these changes and those of NO metabolites levels. The MITU+MEL combination produced the highest protection against ACR-induced damage. These results suggest that NO produced via iNOS and PGs produced by COX-1/COX-2, have an important role in the pathogenesis of cystitis induced by ACR. ACR could stimulate iNOS and COX-1/COX-2, producing lymphocyte migration and increases of NO and PGs.

Análisis de genes catabólicos de hidrocarburos aromáticos en cepas aisladas de suelos de la Patagonia / Analysis of aromatic hydrocarbon catabolic genes in strains isolated from soil in Patagonia

Seven strains belonging to genus Pseudomonas were isolated from an enrichment with hydrocarbon mixtures. Tests for enzyme activities showed that five strains used predominantly the catabolic meta-pathway for aromatic hydrocarbon degradation. Furthermore, the xylE gene which encodes a catechol 2,3-dioxygenase was amplified by PCR, and in two strains the nahAc gene, a key enzyme for naphthalene catabolism, was also found. The xylE gene might be a good marker to identify aromatic hydrocarbon degrading bacteria in soils from Patagonia.

Efecto de las condiciones de cultivo sobre la actividad ligninolÝtica de Stereum hirsutum / Influence of culture conditions on ligninolytic activity of Stereum hirsutum

Stereum hirsutum BAFC 2234 was tested for growth kinetics and ligninolytic enzyme production. The strain showed weak coincidences with widely studied organisms (Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Pleurotus ostreatus) when the response to nitrogen sources was assayed. This could be interpreted as a different regulation to nitrogen metabolism for S. hirsutum BAFC 2234. Alternative carbon sources and the addition of veratryl alcohol and wood extracts were also tested showing partial correspondence with other ligninolytic fungi. On the basis of the high enzymatic activities observed, S. hirsutum BAFC 2234 could be a suitable source of lignin degrading system aiming techological processes.

Inversión quiral de profenos: consecuencias terapéuticas y toxicológicas / Chiral inversion of profens: therapeutic and toxicological consequences

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo describir las características farmacocinéticas, metabólicas y toxicológicas de los ácidos asimétricos aril-2-propiónicos y mostrar la importante variabilidad inter-especies existentes. Además se explican las derivaciones metabólicas del proceso de inversión quiral (camino metabólico de crucial importancia para estos compuestos) y las consecuencias toxicológicas relacionadas con su naturaleza quiral