Simultaneous fMRI and metabolic MRS of hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate during nicotine stimulus in rat.

Functional MRI (fMRI) and MRS (fMRS) can be used to noninvasively map cerebral activation and metabolism. Recently, hyperpolarized 13C spectroscopy and metabolic imaging have provided an alternative approach to assess metabolism. In this study, we combined 1H fMRI and hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate MRS to compare cerebral blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) response and real-time cerebral metabolism, as assessed with lactate and bicarbonate labelling, during nicotine stimulation. Simultaneous 1H fMRI (multislice gradient echo echo-planar imaging) and 13C spectroscopic (single slice pulse-acquire) data were collected in urethane-anaesthetized female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 12) at 9.4 T. Animals received an intravenous (i.v.) injection of either nicotine (stimulus; 88 µg/kg, n = 7, or 300 µg/kg, n = 5) or 0.9% saline (matching volume), followed by hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate injection 60 s later. Three hours later, a second injection was administered: the animals that had previously received saline were injected with nicotine and vice versa, both followed by another hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate i.v. injection 60 s later. The low-dose (88 µg/kg) nicotine injection led to a 12% ± 4% (n = 7, t-test, p ~ 0.0006 (t-value -5.8, degrees of freedom 6), Wilcoxon p ~ 0.0078 (test statistic 0)) increase in BOLD signal. At the same time, an increase in 13C-bicarbonate signal was seen in four out of six animals. Bicarbonate-to-total carbon ratios were 0.010 ± 0.004 and 0.018 ± 0.010 (n = 6, t-test, p ~ 0.03 (t-value -2.3, degrees of freedom 5), Wilcoxon p ~ 0.08 (test statistic 3)) for saline and nicotine experiments, respectively. No increase in the lactate signal was seen; lactate-to-total carbon was 0.16 ± 0.02 after both injections. The high (300 µg/kg) nicotine dose (n = 5) caused highly variable BOLD and metabolic responses, possibly due to the apparent respiratory distress. Simultaneous detection of 1H fMRI and hyperpolarized 13C-MRS is feasible. A comparison of metabolic response between control and stimulated states showed differences in bicarbonate signal, implying that the hyperpolarization technique could offer complimentary information on brain activation.

Adenosinergic System and BDNF Signaling Changes as a Cross-Sectional Feature of RTT: Characterization of Mecp2 Heterozygous Mouse Females.

Rett Syndrome is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder (RTT; OMIM#312750) associated to MECP2 mutations. MeCP2 dysfunction is seen as one cause for the deficiencies found in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling, since BDNF is one of the genes under MeCP2 jurisdiction. BDNF signaling is also dependent on the proper function of the adenosinergic system. Indeed, both BDNF signaling and the adenosinergic system are altered in Mecp2-null mice (Mecp2-/y), a representative model of severe manifestation of RTT. Considering that symptoms severity largely differs among RTT patients, we set out to investigate the BDNF and ADO signaling modifications in Mecp2 heterozygous female mice (Mecp2+/-) presenting a less severe phenotype. Symptomatic Mecp2+/- mice have lower BDNF levels in the cortex and hippocampus. This is accompanied by a loss of BDNF-induced facilitation of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), which could be restored upon selective activation of adenosine A2A receptors (A2AR). While no differences were observed in the amount of adenosine in the cortex and hippocampus of Mecp2+/- mice compared with healthy littermates, the density of the A1R and A2AR subtype receptors was, respectively, upregulated and downregulated in the hippocampus. Data suggest that significant changes in BDNF and adenosine signaling pathways are present in an RTT model with a milder disease phenotype: Mecp2+/- female animals. These features strengthen the theory that boosting adenosinergic activity may be a valid therapeutic strategy for RTT patients, regardless of their genetic penetrance.

Redox Properties and in Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cyclodextrin-Polynitroxides Contrast Agents.

This paper reports the synthesis, characterization and in vivo application of water-soluble supramolecular contrast agents (Mw: 5-5.6 kDa) for MRI obtained from ß-cyclodextrin functionalized with different kinds of nitroxide radicals, both with piperidine structure (CD2 and CD3) and with pyrrolidine structure (CD4 and CD5). As to the stability of the radicals in presence of ascorbic acid, CD4 and CD5 have low second order kinetic constants (≤0.05 M-1 s-1 ) compared to CD2 (3.5 M-1 s-1 ) and CD3 (0.73 M-1 s-1 ). Relaxivity (r1 ) measurements on compounds CD3-CD5 were carried out at different magnetic field strength (0.7, 3, 7 and 9.4 T). At 0.7 T, r1 values comprised between 1.5 mM-1 s-1 and 1.9 mM-1 s-1 were found while a significant reduction was observed at higher fields (r1 ≈0.6-0.9 mM-1 s-1 at 9.4 T). Tests in vitro on HEK293 human embryonic kidney cells, L929 mouse fibroblasts and U87 glioblastoma cells indicated that all compounds were non-cytotoxic at concentrations below 1 µmol mL-1 . MRI in vivo was carried out at 9.4 T on glioma-bearing rats using the compounds CD3-CD5. The experiments showed a good lowering of T1 relaxation in tumor with a retention of the contrast for at least 60 mins confirming improved stability also in vivo conditions.

Hippocampal cholinergic receptors and the mTOR participation in fear-motivated inhibitory avoidance extinction memory.

Evidence has demonstrated the hippocampal cholinergic system and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) participation during the memory formation of aversive events. This study assessed the role of these systems in the hippocampus for the extinction memory process by submitting male Wistar rats to fear-motivated step-down inhibitory avoidance (IA). The post-extinction session administration of the nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonists, mecamylamine and scopolamine, respectively, both at doses of 2 µg/µl/side, and rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor (0.02 µg/µl/side), into the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus, impaired the IA extinction memory. Furthermore, the nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonists, nicotine and muscarine, respectively, had a dose-dependent effect on the IA extinction memory when administered intra-CA1, immediately after the extinction session. Nicotine (0.6 µg/µl/side) and muscarine (0.02 µg/µl/side), respectively, had no effect, while the higher doses (6 and 2 µg/µl/side, respectively) impaired the IA extinction memory. Interestingly, the co-administration of muscarine at the lower dose blocked the impairment that was induced by rapamycin. This effect was not observed when nicotine at the lower dose was co-administered. These results have demonstrated the participation of the cholinergic receptors and mTOR in the hippocampus for IA extinction, and that the cholinergic agonists had a dose-dependent effect on the IA extinction memory. This study provides insights related to the behavioural aspects and the neurobiological properties underlying the early stage of fear-motivated IA extinction memory consolidation and suggests that there is hippocampal muscarinic receptor participation independent of mTOR in this memory process.

Amazon-derived nutraceuticals: Promises to mitigate chronic inflammatory states and neuroinflammation.

Nutraceuticals have been the focus of numerous research in recent years and accumulating data support their use for promoting some health benefits. Several nutraceuticals have been widely studied as supplements due to their functional properties ameliorating symptoms associated with neurological disorders, such as oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory states. This seems to be the case of some fruits and seeds from the Amazon Biome consumed since the pre-Columbian period that could have potential beneficial impact on the human nervous system. The beneficial activities of these food sources are possibly related to a large number of bioactive molecules including polyphenols, carotenoids, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and trace elements. In this context, this review compiled the research on six Amazonian fruits and seeds species and some of the major nutraceuticals found in their composition, presenting brief mechanisms related to their protagonist action in improving inflammatory responses and neuroinflammation.

Impairment of adenosinergic system in Rett syndrome: Novel therapeutic target to boost BDNF signalling.

Rett syndrome (RTT; OMIM#312750) is mainly caused by mutations in the X-linked MECP2 gene (methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 gene; OMIM*300005), which leads to impairments in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signalling. The boost of BDNF mediated effects would be a significant breakthrough but it has been hampered by the difficulty to administer BDNF to the central nervous system. Adenosine, an endogenous neuromodulator, may accomplish that role since through A2AR it potentiates BDNF synaptic actions in healthy animals. We thus characterized several hallmarks of the adenosinergic and BDNF signalling in RTT and explored whether A2AR activation could boost BDNF actions. For this study, the RTT animal model, the Mecp2 knockout (Mecp2-/y) (B6.129P2 (C)-Mecp2tm1.1Bird/J) mouse was used. Whenever possible, parallel data was also obtained from post-mortem brain samples from one RTT patient. Ex vivo extracellular recordings of field excitatory post-synaptic potentials in CA1 hippocampal area were performed to evaluate synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation (LTP). RT-PCR was used to assess mRNA levels and Western Blot or radioligand binding assays were performed to evaluate protein levels. Changes in cortical and hippocampal adenosine content were assessed by liquid chromatography with diode array detection (LC/DAD). Hippocampal ex vivo experiments revealed that the facilitatory actions of BDNF upon LTP is absent in Mecp2-/y mice and that TrkB full-length (TrkB-FL) receptor levels are significantly decreased. Extracts of the hippocampus and cortex of Mecp2-/y mice revealed less adenosine amount as well as less A2AR protein levels when compared to WT littermates, which may partially explain the deficits in adenosinergic tonus in these animals. Remarkably, the lack of BDNF effect on hippocampal LTP in Mecp2-/y mice was overcome by selective activation of A2AR with CGS21680. Overall, in Mecp2-/y mice there is an impairment on adenosinergic system and BDNF signalling. These findings set the stage for adenosine-based pharmacological therapeutic strategies for RTT, highlighting A2AR as a therapeutic target in this devastating pathology.

The Physiopathology of T- Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Focus on Molecular Aspects.

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma is an aggressive hematological neoplasm whose classification is still based on immunophenotypic findings. Frontline treatment encompass high intensity combination chemotherapy with good overall survival; however, relapsing/refractory patients have very limited options. In the last years, the understanding of molecular physiopathology of this disease, lead to the identification of a subset of patients with peculiar genetic profile, namely "early T-cell precursors" lymphoblastic leukemia, characterized by dismal outcome and indication to frontline allogeneic bone marrow transplant. In general, the most common mutations occur in the NOTCH1/FBXW7 pathway (60% of adult patients), with a positive prognostic impact. Other pathogenic steps encompass transcriptional deregulation of oncogenes/oncosuppressors, cell cycle deregulation, kinase signaling (including IL7R-JAK-STAT pathway, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, RAS/MAPK signaling pathway, ABL1 signaling pathway), epigenetic deregulation, ribosomal dysfunction, and altered expression of oncogenic miRNAs or long non-coding RNA. The insight in the genomic landscape of the disease paves the way to the use of novel targeted drugs that might improve the outcome, particularly in relapse/refractory patients. In this review, we analyse available literature on T-ALL pathogenesis, focusing on molecular aspects of clinical, prognostic, and therapeutic significance.

Combined laparoscopic ovariectomy and laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy versus combined laparoscopic ovariectomy and total laparoscopic gastropexy: A comparison of surgical time, complications and postoperative pain in dogs.

The trend in laparoscopy is to develop easy and rapid techniques associated with reduced intraoperative complications and decreased postoperative pain. The aim of this study was to compare combined laparoscopic ovariectomy (OIE) and laparoscopic-assisted incisional gastropexy (LAG) with combined laparoscopic OIE and total laparoscopic gastropexy (TLG) for surgical time, incidence of complications and postoperative pain. Twenty-eight female dogs were randomly assigned to the LAG group (n = 14) or the TLG group (n = 14). All laparoscopic procedures were performed using a three-port technique. The gastropexy was located 3 cm caudal to the 13th rib and 4 cm lateral to the rectus abdominis muscle. Surgical time (minutes [min]), intraoperative complications and postoperative complications were recorded. The Glasgow pain score (GPS) (short form) was calculated before surgery and at 1, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hr after extubation. Surgical time was significantly longer in the TLG group (48 ± 2 min) compared with the LAG group (39 ± 2 min). Minor postoperative complications occurred in both groups and included swelling (n = 2) and subcutaneous emphysema (n = 1). No significant differences regarding the GPS were recorded between groups. The GPS was significantly higher in both groups at 1 hr and 6 hr than before surgery. Two dogs in each group required rescue analgesia. Combined laparoscopic OIE and TLG require more time to perform than combined laparoscopic OIE and LAG. Neither procedure results in significant surgical complications. Postoperative pain for 24 hr was mild and comparable in both groups.

Desenvolvimento do psiquismo e anemia falciforme: o impacto do adoecimento no exercício das atividades principais / Psychological development and sickle cell disease: the impact of illness in the exercise of leading activities

A anemia falciforme é uma doença crônica que acarreta graves e numerosas implicações para a vida de seus portadores, expressas como sintomas físicos, como crises de dor, hipertensão pulmonar, síndrome torácica aguda, complicações renais e infartos silenciosos, ou outras limitações, como déficit cognitivo. Este estudo investiga as consequências da doença no exercício das atividades principais de indivíduos que dela sofrem, de acordo com seus relatos. Realizamos entrevistas semiestruturadas, utilizando o método da história de vida para coleta de dados e a identificação dos núcleos de significação para análise. Empregamos a categoria atividade, da Psicologia sócio-histórica, para subsidiar o processo de interpretação desses achados. Os resultados apontaram para grande influência do adoecimento no dia-a-dia dos sujeitos, expressa principalmente na forma de frequentes e graves rupturas do cotidiano, que afetam profundamente as possibilidades de engajamento em atividades fundamentais para seu desenvolvimento humanogenérico ­ em especial, atividades do brincar, de estudo e de trabalho.

Sickle cell disease is a chronic blood disease that leads to numerous and serious implications to the life of its bearers, expressed as physical symptoms, like sickle cell crisis, pulmonary hypertension, acute thoracic syndrome, kidney disease and silent cerebral infarcts, or other limitations, like cognitive deficit. This study investigates the consequences of this disease in the exercise of leading activities of its sufferers, according to their reports. We conducted semi structured interviews, using the life history method for data collection, and the identification of nuclei of meanings for its analysis. We utilized the category activity, from the Social-historical psychology, to subsidize the process this data interpretation. The results evinced the major influence of illness on the subjects' everyday life, manifested mainly in the form of frequent and serious ruptures of the routine, that profoundly affect the possibility of engagement in activities necessary for their human-generic development - specially in ludic, study and work activities.

Homoparentalidade masculina e os sistemas de cuidados parentais / Gay men parenthood and the parenting system

Com o surgimento de novos modelos de configurações familiares, dentre eles as famílias homoparentais, a parentalidade possibilita dar conta das relações instituídas, consequência dos novos arranjos e laços familiares que vão além dos vínculos biológicos e considerando a importância do aspecto social nas funções parentais. Os seres humanos possuem uma predisposição a um conjunto de sistemas parentais independentes e a mecanismos interacionais que formam alianças sociais. Esses sistemas podem ser definidos como conjuntos de comportamentos que podem ser desempenhados por qualquer pessoa, entre eles: cuidado primário, contato corporal, estimulação corporal, estimulação por objeto, contato face a face e envelope narrativo. O objetivo da presente pesquisa foi investigar a valorização dos sistemas de cuidado parental em homens cuidadores residentes da cidade do Rio de Janeiro, que estejam em relações homoafetivas e que possuam filhos com idade até 11 anos. A partir de entrevistas semiestruturadas, observou-se uma valorização dos sistemas de cuidados parentais de contato corporal e contato face-a-face, ressaltando a importância do afeto na constituição dessas famílias, descrito, por alguns entrevistados, como essencial para a construção da homoparentalidade. Os achados contribuem, ainda que de maneira preliminar, aos estudos das famílias homoparentais, possibilitando reflexões e discussões à temática.

With the emergence of new family settings, including homoparental families, the concept of parenthood helps us rethink family beyond biological links, considering the importance of social aspects in parental functions. It is believed that human beings have a predisposition to a set of independent parental systems and to interactional mechanisms that form social alliances. These systems can be defined as behavior sets that can be performed by anyone, namely: primary care, body contact, body stimulation, object stimulation, face-to-face contact and narrative envelope. This paper aimed to investigate the value of parental care systems in male caregivers residing in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who are in homoaffective relationships and have children until 11 years old. Based on semi-structured interviews, we observed a valuation of parental care systems of body and face-to-face contacts, emphasizing the importance of affection in the constitution of these families, which, in its turn, was described by some interviewees as essential for the construction of homoparentality. The results contribute, although in a preliminary way, to studies of homoparental families, allowing for reflections and discussions on the theme.

Antimicrobial wound dressing films containing essential oils and oleoresins of pepper encapsulated in sodium alginate films / Curativos medicamentosos antimicrobiano contendo óleos essenciais e oleoresinas de algumas pimentas encapsulados em filmes de alginato de sódio

ABSTRACT: Medicated wound dressings are important barriers to avoid contamination and, when they contain antimicrobial additives, can be used as treatment for infected wounds. There are several types of polysaccharide materials that serve as matrices for medicated wound dressings, among them, sodium alginate. For the preparation of the films studied in this paper, sodium alginate was employed in combination with essential oils/oleoresins (EO/OL) of six peppers that are commonly used in cooking. The EO/OL were incorporated at three different concentrations (low, intermediate and high). Most of the films prepared had better dispersion of the EO/OL at the intermediate concentration. All films studied in this research were dissolved in water at different rates. The antibacterial activity of the prepared films showed significant results against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, and demonstrated that the films studied may be a new alternative for medicated wound dressings.

RESUMO: Os curativos medicamentosos são importantes barreiras para se evitar contaminação e ainda, quando contém aditivos antimicrobianos, servem como tratamento para ferimentos infectados. Existem vários tipos de materiais polissacarídicos que servem como matrizes para curativos medicamentosos, dentre eles, destaca-se o alginato de sódio. Para a preparação dos filmes estudados neste trabalho, utilizou-se alginato de sódio e incorporou-se óleos essenciais/oleoresinas (OE/OL) de seis pimentas utilizadas na culinária, em três diferentes concentrações. A maioria dos filmes preparados apresentou melhor dispersão dos OE/OL na concentração intermediária destes. Todos os filmes estudados neste trabalho apresentam solubilidade em água, em uma certa extensão. A atividade antibacteriana dos filmes preparados mostra resultados significantes contra Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus e Bacillus Cereus, mostrando que os filmes estudados podem ser uma nova alternativa como curativos medicamentos.

A experiência do bacharel em Saúde Coletiva no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS): contribuições para refletir sobre o trabalho na saúde em tempos de crise / The experience of the bachelor in Collective Health in the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS): contributions to think about working in health in period of crisis

O artigo narra experiências de trabalho de bacharéis em saúde coletiva, servidores da Secretaria Estadual de Saúde do Rio Grande do Sul no período próximo à posse, como resultado da aprovação no concurso público realizado no ano de 2014. Tratava-se de uma situação inédita, visto que os primeiros egressos do curso são do ano de 2011, e a narrativa apresentada neste artigo pretende contribuir para o debate sobre a formação e o trabalho desses profissionais e compor um registro da experiência inicial. Nessa experiência busca-se situar o momento social, político e econômico vivenciado no Estado e seus reflexos para o trabalho em saúde. Há uma tentativa de descrever os momentos experienciados e as contribuições da formação para o Sistema Único de Saúde. Sabe-se que o modelo de formação generalista e o processo de formação de sanitaristas no âmbito da graduação traz muitos questionamentos acerca das possibilidades desse profissional no campo do trabalho. Deste modo, o artigo busca potencializar a discussão sobre a formação de bacharéis em Saúde Coletiva, mas, sobretudo, promover o debate sobre contribuições dessa formação para se alcançar o conceito ampliado de saúde e a efetivação de políticas públicas de saúde mais equânimes e que agregam a discussão política e social à saúde.(AU)

This article describes the experiences of bachelors in public health, who are employees of the State Health Department of Rio Grande do Sul in the period of their next term, as a result of their approval in the public competition held in 2014. This was an unprecedented situation, since the first graduates of the course are from the year 2011, and the narrative presented in this article intends to contribute to the debate about the training and the work of these professionals and compose a record of the initial experience. In this experiment, we seek to situate the social, political and economic moment experienced in the State and its reflexes for health work. There is an attempt to describe the moments experienced and the contributions of training to the Unified Health System. It is known that the model of general education and the process of training sanitarians in the scope of graduation brings many questions about the possibilities of this professional in the field of work. In this way, the article seeks to potentialize the discussion about the formation of bachelors in Collective Health, but above all, to promote the debate about the contributions of this training in order to reach the expanded concept of health and the implementation of public health policies more equanimous and that add the political and social discussion to health.(AU)

Antimicrobial activity and chemical constituents of essential oils and oleoresins extracted from eight pepper species / Atividade antimicrobiana e constituintes químicos dos óleos essenciais e oleoresinas extraídas

ABSTRACT: Essential oils are the most important compounds produced during secondary metabolism in aromatic plants. Essential oils are volatile, have characteristic odor and are used as defensive agents by plants. In pepper, it is possible to say that essential oils are the “flavor fingerprint” of each species. In the present article, eight species of pepper were studied in order to extract their essential oils and oleoresins, test their antibacterial and antifungal activities and also to identify the compounds present in the most bioactive samples. Results demonstrated that two essential oils [Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr. and Schinus terebinthifolius] and three oleoresins (Schinus terebinthifolius and Piper nigrum white and black) recorded significant antimicrobial activity. These active essential oils and oleoresins are interesting for use in biotechnological processes employed in food, pharmaceutical and other industries.

RESUMO: Os óleos essenciais são os compostos mais importantes produzidos durante o metabolismo secundário de plantas aromáticas. No caso das pimentas, é possível afirmar que os óleos essenciais são a “impressão digital do sabor” de cada espécie. No presente artigo, oito espécies de pimenta foram estudadas a fim de extrair seus óleos essenciais e oleoresinas, testar a sua atividade antibacteriana e antifúngica, bem como, identificar os compostos presentes nas amostras mais ativas. Os resultados obtidos mostram que dois óleos essenciais (Pimenta dioica e Schinus terebinthifolius) e três oleoresinas (Schinus terebinthifolius e Piper nigrum branco e preto) apresentaram atividade antimicrobiana significativa. Esses óleos essenciais e oleoresinas bioativos mostram-se interessantes para a utilização em processos biotecnológicos empregados na indústria alimentar, farmacêutica e outras indústrias.

A Construção dos Papéis Parentais em Casais Homoafetivos Adotantes / The construction of Parental Roles in Homosexual Adopting Couples / La Construcción de los Roles de los Padres en las Parejas Homosexuales que Adoptan

Resumo Este estudo teve por objetivo compreender como se dá a construção do papel parental em casais homoafetivos adotantes, considerando o contexto singular da adoção e suas implicações psicológicas, sociais e legais. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo e exploratório, do qual participaram dois adultos que se encontravam em união homoafetiva e que adotaram legalmente uma criança. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas, com roteiro que abordava questões direcionadoras à investigação do desejo de ter filhos, os trâmites legais da adoção e a transição para a parentalidade. Os dados foram submetidos à análise temática, balizada pela compreensão da questão de pesquisa: a assunção do papel parental. Emergiram os seguintes temas: tomando a decisão de adotar; tecendo narrativas da adoção; aprendendo a exercer os papéis parentais; organizando a rotina doméstica. Os resultados apontam para uma definição mais igualitária de papéis parentais na família homoafetiva. A construção desses papéis, ainda que sofra influência cultural, é uma elaboração criativa da díade conjugal e da família que se constitui. Ficou evidenciado que os papéis parentais tendem a ser incorporados e exercidos de formas peculiares nas famílias homoafetivas constituídas pela via da adoção....(AU)

Abstract This study aimed to understand how the construction of the parental role in homosexual couples adopting is, considering the unique context of adoption and their psychological, social and legal implications. This is a descriptive, exploratory study, which involved two adults being in a homo-affective union and legally who adopted a child. Semi-structured interviews with a script addressing the desire to have children, and the legal procedures of adoption and of the transition to the parenthood were conducted. The data were subjected to thematic analysis, guided by the research question: the assumption of the parental role. The following topics emerged: taking the decision to adopt; weaving narratives of adoption; learning to exercise parental roles; and organizing the domestic routine. The results point to a more egalitarian definition of parental roles in homo-affective families. The construction of these roles, still suffering cultural influence, is a creative elaboration of the marital dyad and the family. We conclude that parental roles tend to be incorporated and exercised in peculiar ways by homo-affective families formed through adoption....(AU)

Resumen Este estudio tuvo como objetivo comprender cómo es la construcción del rol de padres en las parejas homosexuales que adoptan, teniendo en cuenta el contexto único de la adopción y sus implicaciones psicológicas, sociales y legales. Se trata de un estudio exploratorio descriptivo, que involucró a dos adultos que estando en unión homo-afectiva, legalmente adoptaron a un niño. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas que investigaron el deseo de tener hijos, y los procedimientos legales de la adopción y de la transición a la paternidad. Los datos fueron sometidos a análisis temático, modulado por la comprensión de la pregunta de investigación: la asunción del papel de los padres. Emergieron los siguientes temas: tomar la decisión de adoptar; tejer narrativas de la adopción; aprender a ejercer funciones de los padres; y organizar la rutina doméstica. Los resultados apuntan a una definición más igualitaria de los roles de los padres en la familia homo-afectiva. La construcción de estos papeles, que sufren la influencia cultural, es una elaboración creativa de la díada conyugal y de la familia que se forma. Quedó evidenciado que los roles de los padres tienden a ser incorporados y que estos se ejercen de manera peculiar en las familias homo-afectivas constituidas a través de la adopción....(AU)

Período de formação do cacho e biorreguladores na produção e qualidade da banana 'Grande Naine' / Period of bunch formation and growth regulators on yield and quality of banana 'Grande Naine'

Objetivou-se determinar o efeito do período de formação do cacho e dos biorreguladores na produção e qualidade da banana 'Grande Naine'. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em parcelas subdivididas, com seis repetições. Consideram-se, nas parcelas, os períodos de formação do cacho, verão e outono, e nas subparcelas, os biorreguladores: duas aplicações com água, giberelina (AG3, 200mg L-1), auxina (2,4 D; 10mg L-1), citocinina (TDZ, 150mg L-1) e a mistura de giberelina, auxina e citocinina (AG3, 56,3mg L-1; AIB, 56,3mg L-1 e ZEA, 101,3mg L-1). Os períodos de formação do cacho influenciam o número de pencas, o tamanho, a vida pós-colheita, o pH, a acidez titulável, a razão sólidos solúveis e acidez titulável e a firmeza do fruto. A mistura de biorreguladores eleva o peso do cacho e da 4ª penca em cachos formados no verão.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of climatic conditions during the period of bunch formation and growth regulators on yield and quality of banana 'Grande Naine'. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized split plot with six replications. It was considered the plots, and the periods of bunch formation, summer and autumn. In the subplots it was considered the growth regulators: two applications were made with water, gibberellin (GA3, 200mg L-1), auxin (2.4-D, 10mg L-1), cytokinin (TDZ, 150mg L-1) and a mixture of gibberellin, auxin and cytokinin (AG3, 56.3mg L-1; AIB, 56.3mg L-1 and ZEA, 101.3mg L-1). Periods of bunch formation influence the number of hands, the size, shelf life, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids and titratable acidity ratio and the firmness of the fruit. The mixture of growth regulators increase the weight of the bunch and the 4th hand bunches formed in the summer.

Trichomonas vaginalis: dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and 17beta-estradiol alter NTPDase activity and gene expression.

We investigated the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and 17beta-estradiol on NTPDase activity in fresh clinical (VP60) and long-term-grown (30236 ATCC) isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis followed by NTPDase gene transcriptional analysis. ATP hydrolysis was activated in vitro by 17beta-estradiol (0.01-1.0microM) in the VP60 isolate. Treatment for 2h with 17beta-estradiol (0.01-1microM) promoted an inhibition in nucleotide hydrolysis in the 30236 isolate whereas the 12h-treatment promoted an activation of nucleotide hydrolysis in both isolates. ADP hydrolysis was inhibited in vitro by 1.0-5.0microM DHEAS in the ATCC isolate. The treatment with DHEAS (0.01-1.0microM) for 2h inhibited ATP and ADP hydrolysis in VP60; however, during a 12h-treatment with DHEAS, nucleotide hydrolysis was inhibited in both isolates. Two NTPDase orthologous (NTPDaseA and NTPDaseB) were identified and the treatment with DHEAS for 12h was able to inhibit mRNA NTPDaseA transcript levels from the VP60. These findings demonstrate that NTPDase activity and gene expression pattern are modulated by exposure to steroids in T. vaginalis.

Histone acetyltransferase Rtt109 is required for Candida albicans pathogenesis.

Candida albicans is a ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen that is the most prevalent cause of hospital-acquired fungal infections. In mammalian hosts, C. albicans is engulfed by phagocytes that attack the pathogen with DNA-damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS). Acetylation of histone H3 lysine 56 (H3K56) by the fungal-specific histone acetyltransferase Rtt109 is important for yeast model organisms to survive DNA damage and maintain genome integrity. To assess the importance of Rtt109 for C. albicans pathogenicity, we deleted the predicted homolog of Rtt109 in the clinical C. albicans isolate, SC5314. C. albicans rtt109(-/-) mutant cells lack acetylated H3K56 (H3K56ac) and are hypersensitive to genotoxic agents. Additionally, rtt109(-/-) mutant cells constitutively display increased H2A S129 phosphorylation and elevated DNA repair gene expression, consistent with endogenous DNA damage. Importantly, C. albicans rtt109(-/-) cells are significantly less pathogenic in mice and more susceptible to killing by macrophages in vitro than are wild-type cells. Via pharmacological inhibition of the host NADPH oxidase enzyme, we show that the increased sensitivity of rtt109(-/-) cells to macrophages depends on the host's ability to generate ROS, providing a mechanistic link between the drug sensitivity, gene expression, and pathogenesis phenotypes. We conclude that Rtt109 is particularly important for fungal pathogenicity, suggesting a unique target for therapeutic antifungal compounds.

Steroid hormones alter AMP hydrolysis in intact trophozoites of Trichomonas vaginalis.

Trichomonas vaginalis infection may be influenced by the vaginal concentrations of estrogens. We have investigated the effects of 17beta-estradiol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) on the ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity in fresh clinical (VP60) and in long-term-grown (30236 ATCC) isolates of T. vaginalis. In vitro exposure to DHEAS and 17beta-estradiol did not induce any changes in adenosine monophosphate (AMP) hydrolysis in these isolates. The treatment of parasites in the presence of DHEAS (0.01-1.0 microM) for 2 h inhibited AMP hydrolysis in VP60 isolate, whereas there were no significant changes in nucleotide hydrolysis in the presence of 17beta-estradiol. DHEAS and 17beta-estradiol (0.01-1.0 microM) for 2 h inhibited AMP hydrolysis in 30236 isolate. The 12 treatment with 0.1 microM DHEAS inhibited AMP hydrolysis, whereas 17beta-estradiol did not alter the nucleotide hydrolysis in VP60 isolate. Our findings have shown that the complex effect of steroid hormones and their receptors on T. vaginalis may promote changes in ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity during exposure to these hormones.

Severe CD4 T cell-mediated immunopathology in murine schistosomiasis is dependent on IL-12p40 and correlates with high levels of IL-17.

C57BL/6 mice infected with the helminth Schistosoma mansoni develop small hepatic granulomas around parasite eggs, but concomitant immunization with soluble schistosome egg Ags (SEA) in CFA (SEA/CFA) causes marked exacerbation of the lesions in a Th1-dominated environment characterized by high levels of IFN-gamma. We explored the cause of the severe immunopathology by using IL-12p40(-/-) and IL-12p35(-/-) mice. SEA/CFA-immunized IL-12p40(-/-) mice, incapable of making IL-12 or IL-23, were completely resistant to high pathology, and their SEA-stimulated lymphoid cells failed to secrete significant IFN-gamma or IL-17. In contrast, SEA/CFA-immunized IL-12p35(-/-) mice, able to make IL-23 but not IL-12, developed severe lesions that correlated with high levels of IL-17, low IFN-gamma, and an expansion of activated CD4 T cells with a CD44(high)/CD62L(low) memory phenotype. In vivo administration of neutralizing anti-IL-17 mAb markedly inhibited hepatic granulomatous inflammation. Importantly, CBA mice, a naturally high pathology strain, also displayed elevated IL-17 levels comparable to those seen in the SEA/CFA-immunized BL/6 mice, and their lesions were similarly reduced by in vivo treatment with anti-IL-17. Our findings indicate that an IL-17-producing T cell population, likely driven by IL-23, significantly contributes to severe immunopathology in schistosomiasis.