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1.
Curr Issues Mol Biol ; 46(7): 6951-6959, 2024 Jul 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39057056

ABSTRACT

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory condition, characterized by variable airflow limitation, leading to clinical symptoms such as dyspnea and chest tightness. These symptoms result from an underlying inflammatory process. The ß2 agonists are bronchodilators prescribed for the relief of the disease. Nevertheless, their efficacy exhibits substantial interindividual variability. Currently, there is widespread recognition of the association between specific genetic variants, predominantly located within the ADRB2 and ADCY9 genes and their efficacy. This association, usually represented by the presence of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have a strong impact in the protein functionality. The prevalence of these mutations varies based on the ethnic composition of the population and thus understanding the profiles of variability in different populations would contribute significantly to standardizing the use of these medications. In this study, we conducted a sequence-based genotyping of the relevant SNPs within the ADRB2 and ADCY9 genes in patients undergoing treatment with bronchodilators and/or corticosteroids at two healthcare facilities in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We investigated the presence of c.46A>G, c.79C>G, c.252G>A, and c.491C>T SNPs within the ADRB2, and c.1320018 A>G within the ADCY9. Our results were in line with existing literature data with both for individuals in Brazil and Latin American.

2.
Chaos ; 34(7)2024 Jul 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39028905

ABSTRACT

Recurrence microstates are obtained from the cross recurrence of two sequences of values embedded in a time series, being the generalization of the concept of recurrence of a given state in phase space. The probability of occurrence of each microstate constitutes a recurrence quantifier. The set of probabilities of all microstates are capable of detecting even small changes in the data pattern. This creates an ideal tool for generating features in machine learning algorithms. Thanks to the sensitivity of the set of probabilities of occurrence of microstates, it can be used to feed a deep neural network, namely, a microstate multi-layer perceptron (MMLP) to classify parameters of chaotic systems. Additionally, we show that with more microstates, the accuracy of the MMLP increases, showing that the increasing size and number of microstates insert new and independent information into the analysis. We also explore potential applications of the proposed method when adapted to different contexts.

3.
Braz J Biol ; 84: e282840, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38985071

ABSTRACT

Bisphenol A (BPA) may adversely affect human health by inducing oxidative stress and irreversible damage to cells. Bioactive compounds found in some functional foods, individually or in combination, can attenuate the negative effects of BPA exposure; an example is the multi-supplement containing guarana (Gua), selenium (Se), and L-carnitine (LC) -GSC- which has already demonstrated antioxidant, genoprotective, and immunomodulatory activities. This study aimed to determine the effect of GSC and its constituents on oxidative and genotoxic alterations triggered by BPA exposure in the retinal epithelial cell line. The cells exposed to BPA (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 3, and 10 µM) to determine the lowest concentration required to induce cyto-genotoxicity. ARPE-19 cells were then concomitantly exposed to the selected BPA concentration, GSC, and its components (Gua, 1.07 mg/mL; Se, 0.178 µg/mL; and LC, 1.43 mg/mL). Flow cytometry, biochemical assays, qRT-PCR, genotoxicity, apoptosis, and cellular proliferation. Based on our results, 10 µM of BPA could induce cyto-genotoxic and oxidative alterations. BPA did not alter the Bcl-2/BAX expression ratio but induced Casp3 and Casp8 overexpression, suggesting that apoptosis was induced mainly via the extrinsic pathway. GSC partially reversed the alterations triggered by BPA in ARPE-19 cells. However, Se had unexpected negative effects on ARPE-19 cells. The multi-supplement GSC may attenuate changes in oxidative and genotoxic markers related to exposure of ARPE-19 cells to BPA. our results revealed that the antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and genoprotective properties of GSC were not universally shared by its individual, once Se did not exhibit any positive impact.


Subject(s)
Apoptosis , Benzhydryl Compounds , Carnitine , Oxidative Stress , Phenols , Retinal Pigment Epithelium , Selenium , Phenols/toxicity , Benzhydryl Compounds/toxicity , Humans , Selenium/pharmacology , Carnitine/pharmacology , Retinal Pigment Epithelium/drug effects , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cell Line , Paullinia/chemistry , DNA Damage/drug effects , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Epithelial Cells/drug effects , Flow Cytometry , Dietary Supplements
4.
Plant Cell Environ ; 47(5): 1865-1876, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38334166

ABSTRACT

The response of plants to increasing atmospheric CO2 depends on the ecological context where the plants are found. Several experiments with elevated CO2 (eCO2) have been done worldwide, but the Amazonian forest understory has been neglected. As the central Amazon is limited by light and phosphorus, understanding how understory responds to eCO2 is important for foreseeing how the forest will function in the future. In the understory of a natural forest in the Central Amazon, we installed four open-top chambers as control replicates and another four under eCO2 (+250 ppm above ambient levels). Under eCO2, we observed increases in carbon assimilation rate (67%), maximum electron transport rate (19%), quantum yield (56%), and water use efficiency (78%). We also detected an increase in leaf area (51%) and stem diameter increment (65%). Central Amazon understory responded positively to eCO2 by increasing their ability to capture and use light and the extra primary productivity was allocated to supporting more leaf and conducting tissues. The increment in leaf area while maintaining transpiration rates suggests that the understory will increase its contribution to evapotranspiration. Therefore, this forest might be less resistant in the future to extreme drought, as no reduction in transpiration rates were detected.


Subject(s)
Carbon Dioxide , Photosynthesis , Photosynthesis/physiology , Forests , Electron Transport , Plant Leaves
5.
Psychogeriatrics ; 24(2): 496-512, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38263357

ABSTRACT

We aimed to synthesise information related to the incidence of depression and depressive symptoms (DDS) in a community-dwelling older adult population at a global level. In this systematic review, we included articles with a cohort study design that evaluated the incidence of depression or depressive symptoms in older adults aged 60 years or more in a community-dwelling environment. Six databases were used: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, SciELO, and Cochrane, and the entire selection process was independently performed by peers. We divided the included articles into subgroups according to the DDS assessment instrument: (i) Geriatric Depression Scale; (ii) Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; (iii) miscellaneous scales; and (iv) diagnostic interviews. Each cumulative incidence value obtained per item was adjusted for a 1-year follow-up period, which generated an annual cumulative incidence (AcI). From 46 articles, 42 used scales to evaluate the depressive variable, with an AcI estimate of around 4.5%. The articles that assessed depression categorically observed a variation in AcI between 0.2% and 7.0%. Among all the materials included, the group that used the Geriatric Depression Scale observed the lowest and the highest AcI, 1.3% and 26.6% respectively. Most of the productions were from countries in the Asian continent (52.2%), followed by Europe (30.4%), the Americas (13%), and Oceania (4.4%). Despite the variation of AcI, we found a frequent occurrence of DDS in older adults in the community-dwelling environment, which highlights the need for preventive actions and better-targeted early care, especially in terms of primary health care.


Subject(s)
Depression , Independent Living , Aged , Humans , Depression/diagnosis , Depression/epidemiology , Incidence , Social Environment
6.
Braz J Biol ; 83: e274004, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37937625

ABSTRACT

A little-studied characteristic of the Mexican native fish Dormitator latifrons is the effect that the color of the bottom or lining of ponds or tubs can have on their growth and blood parameters under controlled conditions. After a quarantine period in prophylactic treatment, an initial assay was performed. The organisms were grouped into four treatments (white, yellow, blue, and black) in triplicate, with 30 individuals with an average weight of 34.7± 2.5 g and average size of 12.5 ± 1.5 cm per tank. The trial lasted 60 days, after which a final biometry to all specimens and blood extractions to six random organisms per tank were performed. The following hematological and blood chemistry parameters were evaluated: erythrocytes, cell counts, and differential counts, as well as glucose, albumin, a/g ratio, and total proteins. Final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate presented statistical differences between treatments (p<0.05), with dark bottoms (blue and black) above 80% of WG and above 1.0 of SGR. No statistically differences were found in hematological blood chemistry parameters (p>0.05). The growth results suggest that dark pond bottoms promote the adaptation of Dormitator latifrons by allowing it to avoid detection by predators through the adoption of a cryptic coloration. However, the species shows a great capacity for crypsis, being able to change its pigmentation to adapt to different bottom colors.


Subject(s)
Perciformes , Ponds , Animals , Fishes , Mexico
7.
Acta Ortop Mex ; 37(2): 109-112, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37871935

ABSTRACT

Scaphoid fractures are a common wrist injury accounting for 2-7% of all adult fractures. Nonunion is described in 5-12% of cases leading to osteoarthritis. Several classifications have been developed focused on this pathology and its complication. We present a case of a 28 years old male patient with a scaphoid fracture and nonunion who spontaneously consolidates without treatment. We performed a literature review to recognize this pathology, its common evolution and possible treatment options.


Las fracturas de escafoides son una lesión frecuente de la muñeca y representan de 2-7% de todas las fracturas en adultos. La no unión se describe en 5-12% de los casos y conduce a la osteoartritis. Se han desarrollado varias clasificaciones centradas en esta patología y su complicación. Presentamos el caso de un paciente varón de 28 años con fractura y no unión de escafoides que consolida espontáneamente sin tratamiento. Realizamos una revisión bibliográfica para reconocer esta patología, su evolución habitual y las posibles opciones de tratamiento.


Subject(s)
Fractures, Bone , Hand Injuries , Osteoarthritis , Scaphoid Bone , Wrist Injuries , Adult , Male , Humans , Scaphoid Bone/diagnostic imaging , Scaphoid Bone/injuries , Fractures, Bone/surgery , Wrist Joint , Wrist Injuries/pathology , Wrist Injuries/therapy
8.
Braz J Biol ; 83: e273829, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37436252

ABSTRACT

One of the new waters, and environmentally friendly agriculture initiatives in Peru is to encourage the utilization of agricultural waste, because low agricultural output is a threat to food security there. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of harvest residues on the basidiocarp production of the fungus Pleurotus Ostreatus, in Acobamba-Huancavelica. The trial had a completely randomized design, and the treatments included T1, barley stubbles; T2, wheat stubbles; T3, pea stubbles; T4, broad bean stubbles; and T5, quinoa stubbles. The research was quantitative in nature, taking the form of an experiment with an applied, explanatory level of design. The recorded data was tabulated and analyzed with analysis of variance, as well as Tukey's test (α:0.05), for which the statistical software Infostat was used. The results are presented in tables and graphs for a better interpretation. As main results, it was obtained that the time (colonization), diameter (stem, pileus), length (stem) and weight (basidiocarps), present statistical differences between treatments showing significant enhancement in all parameters. Despite a numerical difference, a Tukey average comparison test revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between the averages for the variable time for fungus colonisation, suggesting that the treatment T5 in which quinoa substrate showed the greatest average. Treatment T4 in which broad bean stubbles were used gave the most low-average. In conclusion, increment in all parámeters were noted in all treatment of Pleurotus basidiocarps ostreatus under Acobamba conditions.


Subject(s)
Agaricales , Pleurotus , Pleurotus/chemistry , Agriculture/methods , Triticum
9.
Phys Rev E ; 107(6-1): 064126, 2023 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37464669

ABSTRACT

Combining Monte Carlo simulations and thermodynamic integration method, we study the configurational entropy per site of straight rigid rods of length k (k-mers) adsorbed on three-dimensional (3D) simple cubic lattices. The process is monitored by following the dependence of the lattice coverage θ on the chemical potential µ (adsorption isotherm). Then, we perform the integration of µ(θ) over θ to calculate the configurational entropy per site of the adsorbed phase s(k,θ) as a function of the coverage. Based on the behavior of the function s(k,θ), different phase diagrams are obtained according to the k values: k≤4, disordered phase; k=5,6, disordered and layered-disordered phases; and k≥7, disordered, nematic and layered-disordered phases. In the limit of θ→1 (full coverage), the configurational entropy per site is determined for values of k ranging between 2 and 8. For k≥6, MC data coincide (within the statistical uncertainty) with recent analytical predictions [D. Dhar and R. Rajesh, Phys. Rev. E 103, 042130 (2021)2470-004510.1103/PhysRevE.103.042130] for very large rods. This finding represents the first numerical validation of the expression obtained by Dhar and Rajesh for d-dimensional lattices with d>2. In addition, for k≥5, the values of s(k,θ→1) for simple cubic lattices are coincident with those values reported in [P. M. Pasinetti et al., Phys. Rev. E 104, 054136 (2021)2470-004510.1103/PhysRevE.104.054136] for two-dimensional (2D) square lattices. This is consistent with the picture that at high densities and k≥5, the layered-disordered phase is formed on the lattice. Under these conditions, the system breaks to 2D layers, and the adsorbed phase becomes essentially 2D. The 2D behavior of the fully covered lattice reinforces the conjecture that the large-k behavior of entropy per site is superuniversal, and holds on d-dimensional hypercubical lattices for all d≥2.

11.
Neurologia (Engl Ed) ; 38(4): 278-283, 2023 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37169470

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is highly prevalent in Latin America and one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. Educating children about stroke has been established as an effective method to detect symptoms early, reduce hospital visits, and raise awareness among adults. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of a mobile application to improve knowledge and understanding of stroke among children. METHOD: We conducted a focus group session including 12 children in order to analyze the behavior of 6 questions previously validated by expert neurologists. Subsequently, 105 primary school students between the ages of 7 and 12 completed a questionnaire on stroke symptoms and how to contact the emergency services before and after using an application on stroke symptoms. Qualitative analyses and the Student t test were used to verify the existence of differences between pre- and post-intervention test results. RESULTS: After a single 40-min working session with the application, between 50% and 67% of the children were able to identify the signs of stroke, and 96.2% knew the national emergency services telephone number. Statistical analysis revealed statistically significant differences before and after the intervention with the digital application (t=19.54; p<0.001) and intragroup differences in the post-intervention test results (t=40.71; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Primary school children who used our digital application increased their knowledge, understanding, and learning of stroke symptoms.


Subject(s)
Emergency Medical Services , Stroke , Adult , Child , Humans , Stroke/diagnosis , Learning , Surveys and Questionnaires
12.
J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle ; 14(4): 1621-1630, 2023 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37177862

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cachexia is a wasting syndrome associated with systemic inflammation and metabolic disruption. Detection of the early signs of the disease may contribute to the effective attenuation of associated symptoms. Despite playing a central role in the control of metabolism and inflammation, the liver has received little attention in cachexia. We previously described relevant disruption of metabolic pathways in the organ in an animal model of cachexia, and herein, we adopt the same model to investigate temporal onset of inflammation in the liver. The aim was thus to study inflammation in rodent liver in the well-characterized cachexia model of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma and, in addition, to describe inflammatory alterations in the liver of one cachectic colon cancer patient, as compared to one control and one weight-stable cancer patient. METHODS: Colon cancer patients (one weight stable [WSC] and one cachectic [CC]) and one patient undergoing surgery for cholelithiasis (control, n = 1) were enrolled in the study, after obtainment of fully informed consent. Eight-week-old male rats were subcutaneously inoculated with a Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cell suspension (2 × 107 cells in 1.0 mL; tumour-bearing [T]; or phosphate-buffered saline-controls [C]). The liver was excised on Days 0 (n = 5), 7 (n = 5) and 14 (n = 5) after tumour cell injection. RESULTS: In rodent cachexia, we found progressively higher numbers of CD68+ myeloid cells in the liver along cancer-cachexia development. Similar findings are described for CC, whose liver showed infiltration of the same cell type, compared with both WSC and control patient organs. In advanced rodent cachexia, hepatic phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase protein content and the inflammasome pathway protein expression were increased in relation to baseline (P < 0.05). These changes were accompanied by augmented expression of the active interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) form (P < 0.05 for both circulating and hepatic content). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that cancer cachexia is associated with an increase in the number of myeloid cells in rodent and human liver and with modulation of hepatic inflammasome pathway. The latter contributes to the aggravation of systemic inflammation, through increased release of IL-1ß.


Subject(s)
Carcinosarcoma , Colonic Neoplasms , Humans , Male , Rats , Animals , Cachexia/pathology , Inflammasomes/metabolism , Liver/metabolism , Inflammation/metabolism , Colonic Neoplasms/complications , Carcinosarcoma/complications , Carcinosarcoma/metabolism
13.
Biochim Biophys Acta Biomembr ; 1865(5): 184157, 2023 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37028700

ABSTRACT

HIV-1 assembly occurs at the plasma membrane, with the Gag polyprotein playing a crucial role. Gag association with the membrane is directed by the matrix domain (MA), which is myristoylated and has a highly basic region that interacts with anionic lipids. Several pieces of evidence suggest that the presence of phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP2) highly influences this binding. Furthermore, MA also interacts with nucleic acids, which is proposed to be important for the specificity of GAG for PIP2-containing membranes. It is hypothesized that RNA has a chaperone function by interacting with the MA domain, preventing Gag from associating with unspecific lipid interfaces. Here, we study the interaction of MA with monolayer and bilayer membrane systems, focusing on the specificity for PIP2 and on the possible effects of a Gag N-terminal peptide on impairing the binding for either RNA or membrane. We found that RNA decreases the kinetics of the protein association with lipid monolayers but has no effect on the selectivity for PIP2. Interestingly, for bilayer systems, this selectivity increases in presence of both the peptide and RNA, even for highly negatively charged compositions, where MA alone does not discriminate between membranes with or without PIP2. Therefore, we propose that the specificity of MA for PIP2-containing membranes might be related to the electrostatic properties of both membrane and protein local environments, rather than a simple difference in molecular affinities. This scenario provides a new understanding of the regulation mechanism, with a macromolecular view, rather than considering molecular interactions within a ligand-receptor model.


Subject(s)
HIV-1 , Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Diphosphate , gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus , gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/chemistry , HIV-1/metabolism , Lipids/chemistry , Peptides/metabolism , RNA/metabolism
14.
Benef Microbes ; 14(2): 153-164, 2023 Apr 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36856122

ABSTRACT

Dysbiosis has been implicated in childhood obesity. Oral intake of fermented milk containing Lacticaseibacillus casei strain Shirota preserves gut microbiota (GM) diversity in children and adults. This study was a double-blind trial involving 37 overweight or obese children aged 6-10 years. Children were followed over a 6-week intervention period in which they received different fermented milk products containing L. casei Shirota: 10 in the first group received just L. casei Shirota; 13 received L. casei Shirota with 3 g/day of inulin (L. casei+inulin); and 14 received L. casei Shirota with 3 g/day of fructans from Agave salmiana (L. casei+fructans). Principal component analysis showed the relationship between microbial abundance, GM metabolites, and other obesity-related markers. Supplementation with probiotics and synbiotics improved the HDL-cholesterol levels of overweight and obese children, although no changes in body composition were detected. We observed an increase in butyrate or propionate concentrations in the L. casei+fructans group compared to the end of the intervention (P<0.03). A diminished level of ANGPTL4 within the L. casei+fructans group (P=0.04) was also found, but no differences when lipopolysaccharide-binding protein was evaluated. The FFAR2+ cell frequency decreased between baseline and at the end of 6-week intervention in L. casei+inulin (P=0.02) and L. casei+fructans groups (P=0.04). In contrast, the percentage of CD14+FFAR3+ frequency increased in the same groups (P=0.04). The L. casei Shirota with inulin or fructans modulates GM, which improves the lipid profile and changes at a molecular level, such as expression of FFAR3 and FFAR2, ANGPTL4, propionate, and butyrate. It, therefore, could be considered an interesting therapeutic possibility for treating childhood overweight and obesity. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT05423015).


Subject(s)
Agave , Cultured Milk Products , Pediatric Obesity , Probiotics , Child , Adult , Humans , Fructans , Agave/chemistry , Inulin/pharmacology , Overweight/drug therapy , Pediatric Obesity/drug therapy , Propionates , Biomarkers
15.
Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging ; 24(7): 851-862, 2023 06 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36935401

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Left ventricular remodelling occurs during the chronic course of aortic regurgitation (AR) and aortic stenosis (AS), leading to myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis. Several studies have shown that extracellular volume fraction (ECV) and indexed extracellular volume (iECV) are important surrogate markers of diffuse myocardial fibrosis (MF). Postoperative data on these cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) extracellular expansion parameters for either AS or AR are scarce. This study aimed to demonstrate the postoperative changes that occur in diffuse MF, and the influence of preoperative MF on the reversal of LV remodelling, in patients with AR or AS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with severe AR or AS and indications for surgery were prospectively enrolled. Patients underwent pre- and postoperative CMR, and ECV and iECV were quantified. Data from 99 patients were analysed (32 with AR and 67 with AS). After surgery, the left ventricle mass index decreased in both groups (AR: 110 vs. 91 g/m2; AS: 86 vs. 68 g/m2, both P < 0.001). The late gadolinium enhancement fraction (AR: preoperative 1.9% vs. postoperative 1.7%, P = 0.575; AS: preoperative 2.4% vs. postoperative 2.4%, P = 0.615) and late gadolinium enhancement mass (AR: preoperative 3.8 g vs. postoperative 2.5 g, P = 0.635; AS: preoperative 3.4 g vs. postoperative 3.5 g, P = 0.575) remained stable in both groups. Preoperative iECV and ECV were greater in the AR group (iECV: 30 mL/m2 vs. 22 mL/m2, P = 0.001; ECV: 28.4% vs. 27.2%, P = 0.048). Indexed extracellular volume decreased after surgery in both groups (AR: 30-26.5 mL/m2, AS: 22-18.2 mL/m2, both P < 0.001); it was still greater in the AR group (AR: 26.5 mL/m2 vs. AS: 18.2 mL/m2, P < 0.001). Postoperative ECV remained stable in the AR group (preoperative 28.4% vs. postoperative 29.9%; P = 0.617) and increased in the AS group (preoperative 27.2% vs. postoperative 28.6%; P = 0.033). CONCLUSION: Patients with both AR or AS presented reduction in iECV after surgery, unfolding the reversible nature of diffuse MF. In contrast to patients with AS, those with AR developed postoperative iECV regression with stable ECV, suggesting a balanced reduction in both intracellular and extracellular myocardial components.


Subject(s)
Aortic Valve Insufficiency , Aortic Valve Stenosis , Cardiomyopathies , Humans , Contrast Media , Gadolinium , Prospective Studies , Myocardium/pathology , Cardiomyopathies/pathology , Aortic Valve Stenosis/diagnostic imaging , Aortic Valve Stenosis/surgery , Aortic Valve Stenosis/pathology , Fibrosis , Aortic Valve Insufficiency/diagnostic imaging , Aortic Valve Insufficiency/surgery , Aortic Valve Insufficiency/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine , Ventricular Remodeling
17.
Braz J Med Biol Res ; 56: e12549, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36995874

ABSTRACT

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), a component of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome, is suggested to cause damage to lung tissue, and the role of glutamate is not well studied. We used a chronic long-term intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CLTIHH) model of rats to find out if such procedure causes lung injury and the potential effect of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) by using receptor antagonist MK-801 (dizocilpine). Thirty-two rats were placed into four groups; a control and three CLTIHH groups where rats were placed into a low-pressure chamber set to 430 mmHg for 5 h/day, 5 days/week, for 5 weeks. Only one group received MK-801 (0.3 mg/kg, ip) daily. We evaluated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and nuclear factor (NF)-kB for the inflammatory process, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS) for oxidative stress, and caspase-9 levels. Blood plasma, bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF), and lung tissue extracts were evaluated. Both oxidant and inflammatory parameters were significantly increased in all the mediums of the CLTIHH groups except the group that received MK-801. Significant evidence was collected on MK-801 alleviating the effect of CLTIHH. Histological evaluations revealed lung damage and fibrotic changes in the CLTIHH groups. It was first shown that the CLTIHH procedure caused chronic lung injury, and that inflammation and oxidant stress were influential in the formation of lung injury. Secondly, NMDAR antagonist MK-801 effectively inhibited the development of lung injury and fibrosis.


Subject(s)
Lung Injury , Rats , Animals , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate , N-Methylaspartate/pharmacology , Glutamic Acid , Dizocilpine Maleate/pharmacology , Hypoxia/complications , Oxidative Stress , Interleukin-6/metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology , Receptors, Glutamate , Oxidants/pharmacology
18.
Phys Rev E ; 107(1-1): 014133, 2023 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36797890

ABSTRACT

Monte Carlo simulations and finite-size scaling theory have been carried out to study the critical behavior and universality for the isotropic-nematic (IN) phase transition in a system of straight rigid pentamers adsorbed on a triangular lattice with polarized nonhomogeneous intermolecular interactions. The model was inspired by the deposition of 2-thiophene molecules over the Au(111) surface, which was previously characterized by experimental techniques and density functional theory. A nematic phase, observed experimentally by the formation of a self-assembled monolayer of parallel molecules, is separated from the isotropic state by a continuous transition occurring at a finite density. The precise determination of the critical exponents indicates that the transition belongs to the three-state Potts universality class. The finite-size scaling analysis includes the study of mutability and diversity. These two quantities are derived from information theory and they have not previously been considered as part of the conventional treatment of critical phenomena for the determination of critical exponents. The results obtained here contribute to the understanding of formation processes of self-assembled monolayers, phase transitions, and critical phenomena from novel compression algorithms for studying mutual information in sequences of data.

19.
Biol Trace Elem Res ; 201(4): 1559-1566, 2023 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35486317

ABSTRACT

Sodium selenite modulates the activity of lymphocytes. It negatively regulates the suppressive activity of cells and increases the immune response. In this study, we evaluated whether the regulatory T cell differentiation was modulated by sodium selenite. The percentages of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+, CD4+CD25+, and CD4+CTLA-4+ cells in CD4+ T cells cultures stimulated with IL-2 and TGF-ß in the presence or absence of selenium, in the form of sodium selenite (2.0×10-6M), were evaluated by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of TET2/3 enzymes and IL-10 was analyzed by RT-qPCR and the levels of IL-10 were measured by an ELISA. We observed a decrease in CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and CD4+CTLA-4+ cells in presence of selenium. However, normal percentages were reached again after selenium removal. An increase in CD4+CTL4-4+ cells was detected in selenium-primed cell cultures in absence of IL-2 and TGF-ß. In addition, we observed a decrease in TET3 in presence of selenium. Finally, we observed an augment in IL-10 transcription and protein levels and relative expression of TET2 in cultures exposed to selenium. We suggest that selenium reversibly affects the regulatory T cell differentiation in vitro. Likewise, selenium may modulate Treg percentages promoting optimal immune responses and, at the same time, the expression of specific suppressor molecules.


Subject(s)
Interleukin-10 , Selenium , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism , Sodium Selenite/pharmacology , Sodium Selenite/metabolism , CTLA-4 Antigen/metabolism , Selenium/pharmacology , Selenium/metabolism , Interleukin-2/genetics , Interleukin-2/metabolism , Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism , Cell Differentiation , Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism , Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/genetics , Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/metabolism
20.
Braz. j. biol ; 83: e273829, 2023. tab, graf, ilus
Article in English | VETINDEX | ID: biblio-1447637

ABSTRACT

One of the new waters, and environmentally friendly agriculture initiatives in Peru is to encourage the utilization of agricultural waste, because low agricultural output is a threat to food security there. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of harvest residues on the basidiocarp production of the fungus Pleurotus Ostreatus, in Acobamba-Huancavelica. The trial had a completely randomized design, and the treatments included T1, barley stubbles; T2, wheat stubbles; T3, pea stubbles; T4, broad bean stubbles; and T5, quinoa stubbles. The research was quantitative in nature, taking the form of an experiment with an applied, explanatory level of design. The recorded data was tabulated and analyzed with analysis of variance, as well as Tukey's test (α:0.05), for which the statistical software Infostat was used. The results are presented in tables and graphs for a better interpretation. As main results, it was obtained that the time (colonization), diameter (stem, pileus), length (stem) and weight (basidiocarps), present statistical differences between treatments showing significant enhancement in all parameters. Despite a numerical difference, a Tukey average comparison test revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between the averages for the variable time for fungus colonisation, suggesting that the treatment T5 in which quinoa substrate showed the greatest average. Treatment T4 in which broad bean stubbles were used gave the most low-average. In conclusion, increment in all parámeters were noted in all treatment of Pleurotus basidiocarps ostreatus under Acobamba conditions.


Uma das novas iniciativas de águas e agricultura ecológica no Peru é incentivar a utilização de resíduos agrícolas, porque a baixa produção agrícola é uma ameaça à segurança alimentar no país. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito dos resíduos da colheita na produção de basidiocarpos do fungo Pleurotus ostreatus, em Acobamba-Huancavelica. O ensaio teve um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, e os tratamentos incluíram T1, restolho de cevada; T2, soqueiras de trigo; T3, restolho de ervilha; T4, restolho de fava; e T5, restolho de quinoa. A pesquisa foi de natureza quantitativa, assumindo a forma de experimento com um nível de design aplicado e explicativo. Os dados registrados foram tabulados e analisados com análise de variância, bem como teste de Tukey (α:0,05), para o qual foi utilizado o software estatístico Infostat. Os resultados são apresentados em tabelas e gráficos para melhor interpretação. Como principais resultados, obteve-se que o tempo (colonização), diâmetro (caule, píleo), comprimento (caule) e peso (basidiocarpos) apresentam diferenças estatísticas entre os tratamentos, mostrando melhora significativa em todos os parâmetros. Apesar da diferença numérica, o teste de comparação de médias de Tukey revelou que não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as médias para a variável tempo de colonização do fungo, sugerindo que o tratamento T5 em que usou o substrato quinoa, apresentou a maior média. O tratamento T4, no qual foram usadas restolhos de fava, apresentou a média mais baixa. Em conclusão, incrementos em todos os parâmetros foram observados em todos os tratamentos de Pleurotus basidiocarps ostreatus nas condições de Acobamba.


Subject(s)
Waste Products/adverse effects , Pleurotus/growth & development , Food Supply
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