bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rel/Nuclear factor-kappa B apoptosis pathways in human cervical cancer cells
Authors: Shehata Marlene F
Published: April 2005

Cervical cancer is considered a common yet preventable cause of death in women. It has been estimated that about 420 women out of the 1400 women diagnosed with cervical cancer will die during 5 years from diagnosis. This review addresses the pathogenesis of cervical cancer in humans with a special emphasis on the human papilloma virus as a predominant cause of cervical cancer in humans. The current understanding of apoptosis and regulators of apoptosis as well as their implication in carcinogenesis will follow. A special focus will be given to the role of Rel/NF-κB family of genes in the growth and chemotherapeutic treatment of the malignant HeLa cervical cells emphasizing on Xrel3, a cRel homologue.
An ETP model (exclusion-tolerance-progression) for multi drug resistance
Authors: Kannan Subburaj
Published: April 2005

Background

It is known that sensitivity or resistance of tumor cells to a given chemotherapeutic agent is an acquired characteristic(s), depending on the heterogeneity of the tumor mass subjected to the treatment. The clinical success of a chemotherapeutic regimen depends on the ratio of sensitive to resistant cell populations.

Results

Based on findings from clinical and experimental studies, a unifying model is proposed to delineate the potential mechanism by which tumor cells progress towards multi drug resistance, resulting in failure of chemotherapy.

Conclusion

It is suggested that the evolution of multi drug resistance is a developmentally orchestrated event. Identifying stage-specific time windows during this process would help to identify valid therapeutic targets for the effective elimination of malignancy.
Targeting of voltage-gated potassium channel isoforms to distinct cell surface microdomains
Authors: O'Connell Kristen M. S. , Tamkun Michael M.
Published: April 2005

Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels regulate action potential duration in nerve and muscle; therefore changes in the number and location of surface channels can profoundly influence electrical excitability. To investigate trafficking of Kv2.1, 1.4 and 1.3 within the plasma membrane, we combined the expression of fluorescent protein-tagged Kv channels with live cell confocal imaging. Kv2.1 exhibited a clustered distribution in HEK cells similar to that seen in hippocampal neurons, whereas Kv1.4 and Kv1.3 were evenly distributed over the plasma membrane. Using FRAP, surface Kv2.1 displayed limited mobility; approximately 40% of the fluorescence recovered within 20 minutes of photobleach (Mf=0.41±0.04). Recovery occurred not by diffusion from adjacent membrane but probably by transport of nascent channel from within the cell. By contrast, the Kv1 family members Kv1.4 and Kv1.3 were highly mobile, both showing approximately 80% recovery (Kv 1.4 Mf=0.78±0.07; Kv1.3 Mf=0.78±0.04; without correction for photobleach); unlike Kv2.1, recovery was consistent with diffusion of channel from membrane adjacent to the bleach region. Studies using PA-GFP-tagged channels were consistent with the FRAP results. Following photoactivation of a small region of plasma membrane PA-GFP-Kv2.1 remained restricted to the photoactivation ROI, while PA-GFP-Kv1.4 rapidly diffused throughout the cell surface. Additionally, PA-GFP-Kv2.1 moved into regions of the cell membrane not adjacent to the original photoactivation ROI. Sucrose density gradient analysis indicated that half of Kv2.1 is part of a large, macromolecular complex while Kv1.4 sediments as predicted for the tetrameric channel complex. Disruption of membrane cholesterol by cyclodextrin minimally altered Kv2.1 mobility (Mf=0.32±0.03), but significantly increased surface cluster size by at least fourfold. By comparison, the mobility of Kv1.4 decreased following cholesterol depletion with no change in surface distribution. The mobility of Kv1.3 was slightly increased following cyclodextrin treatment. These results indicate that (1) Kv2.1, Kv1.4 and Kv1.3 exist in distinct compartments that exhibit different trafficking properties, (2) membrane cholesterol levels differentially modulate the trafficking and localization of Kv channels and (3) Kv2.1 expressed in HEK cells exhibits a surface distribution similar to that seen in native cells.
Auditory Threshold Profile of Indian Automobile Drivers
Authors: Majumder J. , Mehta C.R. , Sen D. , Kot L.S. , Pharade S.C.
Published: April 2005

Noise and vibration are occupational hazards, which affect the workers health and safety. Prolonged exposure to noisy environment results in hearing loss of the affected individuals. The objective of this study was to assess the hearing threshold profiles of automobile drivers in Kolkata, India. In this study, 90 healthy male subjects of similar age, height and weight were divided into three groups of 30 each viz. drivers with less than 10 years of experience, drivers with more than 10 years of experience and office workers. The audiometric testing of both the ears of the selected subjects were conducted at 125, 250, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000, 8000 and 10000 Hz. The hearing threshold levels of office workers at audiometric test frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 kHz did not exceed 25 dB to cause hearing handicap. However, it exceeded 25 dB(A) for automobile drivers. Two tail ‘t’ test for large samples of identical size was used to investigate the difference in audiometric status of both ears between drivers of more than 10 years experience and office workers, drivers of less than 10 years experience and office workers and between drivers of more than 10 years and less than 10 years experience. Statistical analysis of the data revealed significant differences in the audiometric profile of the drivers in comparison to the office workers. Overall results indicated that long term and continuous exposure to automobile sound accompanied by environmental sound was the principle cause of the poor audiometric status of the drivers. Automobile drivers should use personnel protective devices such as ear plugs, ear muffs etc to protect themselves from hearing loss.
Molecular dynamics study of lignin constituents in water
Authors: Li Xiao Yi , Eriksson Leif A.
Published: April 2005

Molecular dynamics simulations were used to explore the distribution of linkages in coumaryl alcohol and coniferyl alcohol systems, including monomeric systems and monomers interacting with β-O4 dimers, respectively. Studying the interactions of two monolignols and the corresponding dimers sheds light on the preferred mechanism of reaction of the growing lignin polymer from the view of kinetic factors. The energy change upon association was quantified, and the distances between the centers of mass of different molecules, and the relative orientations between the phenol groups were calculated for all the systems. Using a cut-off threshold of 4 Å to indicate association leading to bond formation, it is concluded that the presence of the additional methoxy group on coniferyl alcohol assists in promoting interaction of the O4 group with the second moiety. Based on the computed data it is furthermore concluded that in aqueous solution, the most likely model of polymerization is that involving initial dimer formation, followed by dimer-dimer association.
Rate-independent mechanical behavior of biaxially stressed wood: Experimental observations and constitutive modeling as an orthotropic two-surface elasto-plastic material
Authors: Mackenzie-Helnwein Peter , Eberhardsteiner Josef , Mang Herbert A.
Published: April 2005

Recent biaxial experiments on spruce wood show that consideration of an elliptic failure surface according to Tsai and Wu and an elastic model for stress states within this envelope lead to an insufficient description of the mechanical behavior. As compression perpendicular to the grain occurs, a non-linear stress path results from a proportional biaxial strain path. Investigation of characteristic samples with respect to loading-unloading-reloading cycles for states of stress below failure reveals behavior similar to what is known as hardening type plasticity.

The experimentally observed mechanical behavior is described by means of a two-surface plasticity model addressing both failure and non-linear stress response below failure as separate mechanisms. Prediction of failure is achieved by means of a second-order failure envelope according to Tsai and Wu. The non-linear stress response has to be covered by a novel orthotropic hardening type plasticity model. Since available experimental data covers only plane stress in the LR-plane, both orthotropic failure and yield surfaces, respectively, are restricted to this case.
Wood-water sorption isotherm prediction with artificial neural networks: A preliminary study
Authors: Avramidis Stavros , Iliadis Lazaros
Published: April 2005

This is a preliminary study that proposes an original prototype artificial neural network to be used in addition to the two classic sorption isotherm modeling methods, Hailwood-Horrobin (HH) and Guggenheim-Anderson-deBoer (GAB), in predicting the equilibrium moisture content in wood at three different temperatures (30, 45 and 60°C) for softwood (lodgepole pine) sapwood and heartwood specimens. Contrary to the HH and GAB equations, which use physical data for modeling, the predictive power of the artificial neural network is based on both physical and chemical data for the specific wood types. The results prove the potential efficient use of neural networks in predicting moisture content based not only on the ambient conditions, but also on taking into consideration the chemical composition of wood.
Behavioral Stress Enhances Hippocampal CA1 Long-Term Depression through the Blockade of the Glutamate Uptake
Authors: Yang Chih-Hao , Huang Chiung-Chun , Hsu Kuei-Sen
Published: April 2005

Behavioral stress has been shown to enhance long-term depression (LTD) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we found that selectively blocking NR2B-containing NMDA receptors (NMDARs) abolishes the induction of LTD by prolonged low-frequency stimulation (LFS) in slices from stressed animals. Additionally, there is no need to activate NR2A-containing or synaptic NMDARs to induce this LTD, suggesting that LTD observed in slices from stressed animals is triggered primarily by extrasynaptic NMDAR activation. In contrast, stress has no effect on LTD induced by either a brief bath application of NMDA or a combination of LFS with the glutamate-uptake inhibitordl-threo-β-benzyloxyaspartate (dl-TBOA). Furthermore, saturation of LFS-induced LTD in slices from stressed animals occludes the subsequent induction of LTD by LFS in the presence ofdl-TBOA. We also found that stress induces a profound decrease in the glutamate uptake in the synaptosomal fraction of the hippocampal CA1 region. These effects were prevented when the animals were given a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, 11β,17β-11[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-17-hydroxy-17-(1-(propynyl)-estra-4,9-dien-3-one, before experiencing stress. These results suggest that the blockade of glutamate uptake is a potential mechanism underlying the stress-induced enhancement of LTD and point to a novel role for glutamate-uptake machinery in the regulation of synaptic plasticity induction.
Long-Term Depression at Olfactory Nerve Synapses
Authors: Mutoh Hiroki , Yuan Qi , Knöpfel Thomas
Published: April 2005

The synapses formed by the olfactory nerve (ON) convey sensory information to olfactory glomeruli, the first stage of central odor processing. Morphological and behavioral studies suggest that glomerular odor processing is plastic in neonate rodents. However, long-term synaptic plasticity, a cellular correlate of functional and structural plasticity, has not yet been demonstrated in this system. Here, we report that ON→mitral cell (MC) synapses of 5- to 8-d-old mice express long-term depression (LTD) after brief low-frequency ON stimulation. Pharmacological techniques and imaging of presynaptic calcium signals demonstrate that ON-MC LTD is expressed presynaptically and requires the activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors but does not require fast synaptic transmission. LTD at the ON→ MC synapse is potentially relevant for the establishment, maintenance, and experience-dependent refinement of odor maps in the olfactory bulb.
A Preliminary Note on Yeasts Associated With Fecal Pellets of Rodents and Marsupials of Atlantic Forest Fragments in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Abranches Jacqueline , Nóbrega Hilda N. , Valente Patrícia , Mendonça-Hagler Leda C. , Hagler Allen N.
Published: April 2005

Yeasts had mean counts of above 106 CFU/g in the fecal pellets of small mammals from tropical forest fragments. Most of the 55 species isolated were fermentative ascomycetes, with the most frequent being Debaryomyces hansenii, Pichia membranifaciens and Issatchenkia orientalis, whereas Rhodotorula mucilaginosa was the most frequent yeast of basidiomycetous affinity.
Cell envelope components of Yersinia pestis grown in intraperitoneal diffusion chambers
Authors: Ferreira Rita C. C. , Neto Armando A. B. , Fracalanzza Sérgio E. L. , Costa Sérgio O. P. , Almeida D. F. , Ferreira Luís C. S.
Published: April 2005

The electrophoretic profiles of penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) and outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of Yersinia pestis EV 76 were determined following in vivo growth in diffusion chambers implanted in the peritoneal cavity of mice. In contrast to Y. pestis grown under in vitro conditions which activate the low calcium response (LCR) regulon there was no significant qualitative or quantitative change of the PBP profile of Y. pestis cells during growth in diffusion chambers for up to 72 h following implantation in mice. Three OMPs, with molecular weight of 100, 60 and 58 kDa, were expressed in Y. pestis cells grown for 24 h, but not at 48 h or at 72 h, in diffusion chambers. These results indicate that growth of Y. pestis in intraperitoneal diffusion chambers activates genes which might be relevant to the growth in the mammal host.
Frequency of Nonfermentative Gram-Negative Bacilli Isolated from Clinical Materials of Pacients at Universidade Federal do Ceará Hospital Complex - Brazil
Authors: Frota Cristiane Cunha , Moreira José Luciano Bezerra
Published: April 2005

Among one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four Gram-negative bacilli, isolated at Universidade Federal do Ceará hospital complex - Brazil, from January 1995 to February 1996, 456 (24.8%) were Nonfermentative Gram-Negative Bacilli (NFGNB). This study reports their identification to the species level and their frequency as well. Thirteen genera and thirty species were identified and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequent species (69.95%), followed by Acinetobacter baumannii (5.48%) and by Acinetobacter lwoffii (3.95%). Among the identified P.aeruginosa strains, 94.1% produced pigment but 7.9% of them produced pigment only after being cultivated several times. The frequency of the most species was similar to that reported in the literature.
Ribonuclease Production by Aspergillus species
Authors: Gomes Eleni , Silva Roberto da , Serzedello Alcides
Published: April 2005

Ribonuclease production by Aspergillus flavipes, A. sulphureus and A. fischeri in semi-synthetic medium, after 24-144 hours at 30ºC under shaking, was studied. After cultivation, the medium was separated from micelia by filtration and the resultant solution was used as enzymatic extract. The highest amount of biomass and RNase was obtained after 96 hours of cultivation. The enzymes produced by three species presented similar characteristics, with optimum temperature at 55ºC and two peaks of activity at pH 4.5 and 7.0. A. flavipes RNases were more sensitive to temperature: 50% of the initial activity was lost after 1 hour at 70ºC. After this heat treatment, RNase of A. sulphureus lost 30% of this activity and that of A. fischeri only 16%. The nucleotides released by enzimatic hydrolysis of RNA were separated by ion exchange chromatography in a AG-1X8-formiate column and identified by paper chromatography. This procedure indicated that the raw enzymatic extract of Aspergillus flavipes is able to hydrolyze RNA, releasing 3'-nucleotides monophosphate at pH 4.5 and 3' and 5'-nucleotides monophosphate at pH 7.0 and 8.5. This result suggests that this strain produces two different types of RNase, one acidic and other alcaline, with different specificities.
Molecular evolution in bacteria: cell division
Authors: Trevors J.T.
Published: April 2005

Molecular evolution in bacteria is examined with an emphasis on the self-assembly of cells capable of primitive division and growth during early molecular evolution. Also, the possibility that some type of encapsulation structure preceeded biochemical pathways and the assembly of genetic material is examined. These aspects will be considered from an evolutionary perspective.
Effects of high temperature on survival, symbiotic performance and genomic modifications of bean nodulating Rhizobium strains
Authors: Pinto Patrícia P. , Raposeiras Ruy , Macedo Andrea M. , Seldin Lucy , Paiva Edilson , Sá Nadja M.H.
Published: April 2005

High temperatures can affect the survival, establishment and symbiotic properties of Rhizobium strains. Bean nodulating Rhizobium strains are considered particularly sensitive because on this strains genetic recombinations and/or deletions occur frequently, thus compromising the use of these bacteria as inoculants. In this study R. tropici and R. leguminosarum bv. phaseoli strains isolated from Cerrado soils were exposed to thermal stress and the strains’ growth, survival and symbiotic relationships as well as alterations in their genotypic and phenotypic characteristics were analyzed. After successive thermal shocks at 45ºC for four hours, survival capacity appeared to be strain-specific, independent of thermo-tolerance and was more apparent in R. tropici strains. Certain R. leguminosarum bv. phaseoli strains had significant alterations in plant dry weight and DNA patterns obtained by AP-PCR method. R. tropici strains (with the exception of FJ2.21) were more stable than R. leguminosarum bv. phaseoli strains because no significant phenotypic alterations were observed following thermal treatments and they maintained their original genotypic pattern after inoculation in plants.
Occorrence of Pseudomicrodochium suttonii in Brazil
Authors: Nunes Amanda Torres , Cavalcanti Maria Auxiliadora de Q. , Queiroz Lusinete Aciole de
Published: April 2005

Pseudomicrodochium suttonii was isolated from the soil of Derby Square, a leisure area in Recife city, Pernambuco, Brazil. For the isolation, suspensions were made in distilled sterile water. According to the literature, this is probably the first occurrence reported in South America.
Prevalence of H. pylori infection in a population from the rural area of Araçuaí, MG, Brazil
Authors: Oliveira Andreia Maria Rocha de , Rocha Gifone Aguiar , Queiroz Dulciene Maria de Magalhães , Barbosa Maira Tonidandel , Silva Sérgio Caetano
Published: April 2005

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was evaluated by ELISA in a rural population in Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of 114 among 131 adults (87.0%) and 54 among 87 children (62.0%) presented anti-H. pylori antibodies and the prevalence of the infection increased with age (p < 0.001).
Nitrate levels and stages of growth in hypernodulating mutants of Lupinus albus. II. Enzymatic activity and transport of N in the xylem sap
Authors: Burity Hélio Almeida , Chamber-Perez Manuel , Lyra Maria do Carmo Catanho Pereira de , Figueiredo Márcia do Vale Barreto
Published: April 2005

The enzymatic study and transport of N in the xylem sap was carried out with a view to observing the influence of different nitrate levels and growth stages of the plant in chemically treated mutants of Lupinus albus. Several stresses induce a reduction in plant growth, resulting in the accumulation of free amino acids, amides or ureides, not only in the shoot, but also in the roots and nodules. Although enzyme activity is decisive in avoiding products that inhibit nitrogenase by ammonium, little is known about the mechanism by which the xylem carries these products. However, this process may be the key to the function of avoiding the accumulation of amino acids in the cells of infected nodules. The behaviour of the enzymes nitrate reductase (NR), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), glutamine synthetase (GS) and nitrogen compounds derived from fixation, such as N-a-amino, N-ureides and N-amide in mutant genotypes were observed. The NR enzyme activity was highly influenced by the application of nitrate showing much higher values than those in the non-application of nitrate, independently of genotype, being that the NR, the best evaluation period was in the tenth week. The L-62 genotype characterized with nitrate- resistance, clearly showed that the enzyme PEPC is inhibited by presence of nitrate. The L-135 genotype (nod- fix-) showed GS activity extremely low, thus demonstrating that GS is an enzyme highly correlated with fixation. With regard to the best growth stage for GS, Lupinus albus should be evaluated in the seventh week.
Protease production during growth and autolysis of submerged Metarhizium anisopliae cultures
Authors: Braga Gilberto U.L. , Destéfano Ricardo H.R. , Messias Claudio L.
Published: April 2005

The growth and autolysis of two strains of the entomopathogenic deuteromycete fungus Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae were evaluated in medium containing casein or glucose as carbon source. Parameters such as economic coefficient and degree of autolysis were determined for each strain. Protease production was determined throughout the growth and autolysis phases of the cultures on medium under conditions of protease induction (in the presence of casein as sole source of carbon and nitrogen). The fungus was shown to utilize casein as a carbon/energy source in a more efficient manner than glucose. The autolysis shown by the strains was intense under both types of growth conditions, reaching up to 62.7% of the dry mass produced and started soon after the depletion of the exogenous carbon source. The relationship between the proteolytic activities of the two strains evaluated varied significantly (a maximum of 19.78 on the 5th day and a minimum of 2.03 on the 16th day of growth) during the various growth and autolysis phases, clearly showing that the difference between the growth curves and the difference in the kinetics of enzyme production may decisively affect the process of strain selection for protease production.
The growth of Micrococcus varians by utilizing sugar cane blackstrap molasses as substrate
Authors: Miranda Luís A. S. , Sant'Anna Ernani S. , Porto Anna C. S.
Published: April 2005

Comparative studies on the growth of Micrococcus varians were carried out in BHI culture medium (control) as well as in a culture medium with 2% diluted sugar cane blackstrap molasses, enriched with 0.1% yeast extract. The experiment was conducted with three samples of the experimental and control media in a 5 liter fermentor with working volume of 3.5 liters, continuous agitation (150 rpm), 35 ± 0.1°C temperature, 0.7 L air. l-1 medium. min -1, initial pH 7.0 ± 0.2, 24 hour fermentation period, and approximate inoculum of 6.0 log10 CFU/ml. Samples were collected at 2-hour intervals. Micrococcus varians grew in the two culture media studied, which confirms the experimental medium viability for the growth of this species. The final average concentration of biomass was higher in the control medium than in the experimental medium: 0.99 g.l-1 and 0.78 g.l-1, respectively. The final number of viable cells at the end of fermentation was 20.65 log10 CFU/ml for the control medium (BHI), while in the experimental medium the number of viable cells was 19.43 log10 CFU/ml. The consumption of total sugars was higher for the biomass in the control medium (79.78%), while only 50.53% was consumed for the experimental medium.
Genetic variability of HIV-1 isolates from Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Proietti Anna Bárbara de Freitas Carneiro , Barbosa Edel Figueiredo , Silva Janaína Guernica , Carvalho Alex Fiorini de , Kroon Erna Geessien , Ferreira Paulo César Peregrino
Published: April 2005

We report results of nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the env gene of 11 HIV-1 isolates, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Ten isolates belonged to HIV-1 subtype B and one was a probable B/F mosaic. This putative B/F recombinant is similar but not identical in its nucleotide sequence to other B/F mosaics described in Brazil.
Enhancement of gamma-linolenic acid production by the fungus Mucor sp LB-54 by growth temperature
Authors: Carvalho Patrícia de Oliveira , Oliveira Joaquim Gilberto de , Pastore Gláucia Maria
Published: April 2005

As a relatively prolific producer of GLA, the strain of Mucor sp LB-54 was selected for a study at different growth temperatures in shaker flask culture. The strain used in our experiment was capable to accumulate a relatively high amount of intracellular lipid, 20.73 % of dry cell weight, and GLA content of 15 % of total fatty acids after 5 days of incubation at 28°C. As the growth temperature was decreased from 28 to 12°C the percentage of GLA increased from 15 to 24 % of total fatty acids. In order to optimize the culture conditions for rapid biomass production and lipid production with a high proportion of GLA, the fungus was grown at two temperature combinations associated supplies of carbon source (glucose) in the culture medium. Maximal production of GLA (74 mg/l) was obtained from the Mucor sp LB-54 strain after 5 days of incubation at 28°C in basal medium following glucose addition (7 % w/v) and incubation for an additional 3 days at 12°C. The identity of GLA found in the strain of Mucor sp LB-54 was confirmed by the coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
Bacteria and protozoa populations in groundwater in landfill area in São Carlos, SP
Authors: Fusconi Roberta , Godinho Mirna Januária Leal
Published: April 2005

The microbial populations of groundwaters were analyzed in a region under the influence of a landfill (piezometer L12) in the town of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil, and in an area not influenced by the landfill (piezometer L5). Heterotrophic bacteria were counted by spread plate method and the number of protozoa was estimated by the most probable number method. There was a larger number of organisms in well L12, with a mean value of 15.76 x 104 CFU/ml for bacteria and 9.7 MPN/ml for protozoa, whereas the mean values for piezometer L5 were 2.88 x 104 CFU/ml for bacteria and 3.4 MPN/ml for protozoa. The greater abundance detected in piezometer L12 may be related to the influence of the leachate through the landfill on the microbial populations, also demonstrated by deoxygenation and by the high conductivity values (3530 µS/cm) compared to piezometer L5 (2.47 mg/L dissolved oxygen and 42 µS/cm conductivity). The most commonly detected protozoa were amoebae and flagellates. The density of flagellate protozoa determined under microaerophilic conditions was 10 times higher than that determined under aerobic conditions.
Killer toxin of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y500-4L active against Fleischmann and Itaiquara commercial brands of yeast
Authors: Soares Giselle A.M. , Sato Hélia H.
Published: April 2005

The strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y500-4L, previously selected from the must of alcohol producing plants and showing high fermentative and killer capacities, was characterized according to the interactions between the yeasts and examined for curing and detection of dsRNA plasmids, which code for the killer character. The killer yeast S. cerevisiae Y500-4L showed considerable killer activity against the Fleischmann and Itaiquara commercial brands of yeast and also against the standard killer yeasts K2 (S. diastaticus NCYC 713), K4 (Candida glabrata NCYC 388) and K11 (Torulopsis glabrata ATCC 15126). However S. cerevisiae Y500-4L showed sensitivity to the killer toxin produced by the standard killer yeasts K8 (Hansenula anomala NCYC 435), K9 (Hansenula mrakii NCYC 500), K10 (Kluyveromyces drosophilarum NCYC 575) and K11 (Torulopsis glabrata ATCC 15126). No M-dsRNA plasmid was detected in the S. cerevisiae Y500-4L strain and these results suggest that the genetic basis for toxin production is encoded by chromosomal DNA. The strain S. cerevisiae Y500-4L was more resistant to the loss of the phenotype killer with cycloheximide and incubation at elevated temperatures (40oC) than the standard killer yeast S. cerevisiae K1.
Extremely thermophilic microorganisms and their polymer-hidrolytic enzymes
Authors: Andrade Carolina M.M.C. , Pereira Jr. Nei , Antranikian Garo
Published: April 2005

Thermophilic and hyperthermophilic microorganisms are found as normal inhabitants of continental and submarine volcanic areas, geothermally heated sea-sediments and hydrothermal vents and thus are considered extremophiles. Several present or potential applications of extremophilic enzymes are reviewed, especially polymer-hydrolysing enzymes, such as amylolytic and hemicellulolytic enzymes. The purpose of this review is to present the range of morphological and metabolic features among those microorganisms growing from 70oC to 100°C and to indicate potential opportunities for useful applications derived from these features.
Purification of microbial b-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces fragilis by bioaffinity partitioning
Authors: Silva Maria Estela da , Franco Telma Teixeira
Published: April 2005

This work investigated the partitioning of b-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces fragilis in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) by bioaffinity. PEG 4000 was chemically activated with thresyl chloride, and the biospecific ligand p-aminophenyl 1-thio-b-D-galactopyranoside (APGP) was attached to the activated PEG 4000. A new two-step method for extraction and purification of the enzyme b-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces fragilis was developed. In the first step, a system composed of 6% PEG 4000-APGP and 8% dextran 505 was used, where b-galactosidase was strongly partitioned to the top phase (K = 2,330). In the second step, a system formed of 13% PEG-APGP and 9% phosphate salt was used to revert the value of the partition coefficient of b-galactosidase (K = 2 x 10-5) in order to provide the purification and recovery of 39% of the enzyme in the bottom salt-rich phase.
Valor nutricional da merenda e sua contribuição para as recomendações nutricionais do pré-escolar, matriculado em CEAPE
Authors: Mazzilli Rosa Nilda
Published: April 2005

Estudou-se o valor nutricional da merenda escolar e os vários tipos de preparações oferecidas aos pré-escolares, matriculados nos Centros de Educação e Alimentação do Pré-Escolar (CEAPEs). Analisou-se sua contribuição para satisfazer as recomendações diárias de energia e de nutrientes desse grupo etário da população. O estudo abrangeu 346 pré-escolares de CEAPEs implantados em 6 cidades do interior do Estado de São Paulo. As preparações servidas com maior freqüência em todos os CEAPEs foram: leite enriquecido, proteína testurizada de soja, sopas e mingaus de produtos à base dessa leguminosa. O valor energético médio variou de 210 a 403 calorias, e o de proteínas, de 5,7 a 12,0 g. Em relação a vitaminas e minerais, a merenda mostrou-se deficiente na maioria desses nutrientes e em todas as cidades estudadas. A contribuição da merenda para as recomendações diárias de energia e de proteína ficou entre 21 e 44% e de 13 a 26%, respectivamente. Quanto ao teor vitamínico, a merenda atendeu ao previsto pelo PNAE em relação às vitaminas A, B1 e B2, apenas em três cidades; quanto aos minerais, somente o cálcio, em uma localidade, atingiu o estabelecido pelo Programa. A merenda ainda que não seja expressiva sua contribuição para as recomendações nutricionais diárias, constitui suplemento na dieta habitual do pré-escolar.
Estudo das condições de saúde das crianças no Município de São Paulo, SP (Brasil), 1984-1985: V - Anemia
Authors: Monteiro Carlos Augusto , Szarfarc Sophia Cornbluth
Published: April 2005

Dentro de estudo populacional sobre condições de saúde na infância, uma amostra representativa das crianças menores de cinco anos do Município de São Paulo, Brasil (n = 912) foi estudada quanto à prevalência e distribuição da anemia. A freqüência de crianças anêmicas (concentração de hemoglobina < 11g/dl) foi de 35,6%, sendo de 14,7% a freqüência de casos severos (hemoglobina < 9,5g/dl). As maiores prevalências de anemia se concentraram na faixa etária de 6 a 24 meses de idade, onde mais da metade das crianças se mostraram anêmicas e cerca de metade dos casos corresponderam a formas severas da deficiência. Embora a prevalência da anemia tenda a diminuir com a melhoria do nível socioeconômico da população, não se detectaram estratos da população imunes à deficiência. Em comparação à situação observada no Município há cerca de dez anos, verifica-se elevação expressiva da prevalência da anemia: mais de 50% para o total de casos e mais de 100% para as formas severas da deficiência. O conjunto das informações geradas pelo estudo epidemiológico realizado em 1984/85 sugere que a anemia na infância no Município de São Paulo esteja relacionada basicamente a características desfavoráveis da alimentação infantil, sendo menos relevante o papel que poderia ser atribuído às parasitoses intestinais.
Mortalidade infantil nos Estados Unidos, Suécia e Estado de São Paulo
Authors: Laurenti Ruy
Published: April 2005

São apresentados dados de mortalidade infantil, neonatal precoce, neonatal, pós-neonatal e perinatal, para Estados Unidos e Suécia e o Estado de São Paulo em uma série temporal de 1950 a 1982. A Suécia, consistentemente, apresenta os menores coeficientes, sendo que aqueles para o Estado de São Paulo podem ser considerados ainda bastante elevados, pois no início da década de 80 apresentava uma mortalidade infantil igual a daquele país meio século antes e a mortalidade de menores de 1 dia foi maior que a mortalidade para todo o primeiro ano de vida na Suécia. Para as três populações existe declínio de todos os coeficientes, porém, para a Suécia e os Estados Unidos, ainda que com números já bastante baixos em relação ao Estado de São Paulo no início do período estudado, o declínio tem sido maior.
Merenda no dia alimentar de crianças matriculadas em Centros de Educação e Alimentação do Pré-Escolar
Authors: Mazzilli Rosa Nilda
Published: April 2005

Estudou-se o papel da merenda no comportamento alimentar de 346 pré-escolares (PE) matriculados em Centros de Educação e Alimentação do Pré-Escolar (CEAPEs) de seis municípios do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Em entrevista domiciliar com a mãe ou responsável pela alimentação do PE, obteve-se o número e a quantidade dos alimentos ingeridos pela criança antes e após sua participação no CEAPE. Verificou-se que essa refeição escolar interfere tanto na quantidade dos alimentos consumidos quanto no número das refeições diárias feitas no lar. Os resultados mostraram que 178 (51,4%) PE reduziram a ingestão alimentar de casa, mediante exclusão de refeições e/ou diminuição da quantidade de alimentos habitualmente ingerida, após receberem a merenda no CEAPE. Destas, 115 (64,6%) apresentaram dieta insuficiente em energia; 48 (13,9%) aumentaram a quantidade dos alimentos habituais e/ou incluíram refeições. Ainda assim, 23 (47,9%) apresentaram consumo energético deficiente. Entre os 120 (34,7%) que não tiveram nenhuma modificação em seu dia alimentar, 61 (51,7%) mostraram ingestão calórica inadequada. Concluiu-se ser necessário orientar a família sobre o papel da merenda como suplemento alimentar e não como substituto de refeições no lar.
A raça branca e a forma hepatosplênica da esquistossomose
Authors: Tavares-Neto José
Published: April 2005

Foram selecionados e analisados alguns trabalhos que relataram a associação da raça branca e a forma hepatosplênica da esquistossomose mansoni. O teste de Woolf, aplicado aos resultados, indicou que as amostras são homogêneas, apesar da diversidade da amostragem e, notadamente, dos critérios de classificação racial. Isto reforça a observação de que os indivíduos brancos são mais afetados pela forma hepatosplênica. Todavia, trata-se ainda de questão duvidosa, se essa associação decorre, primariamente, de um efeito biológico ou um fator social relacionado à raça.
Composição e atividade de mosquitos Culicidae. Emprego de armadilha CDC no Vale do Ribeira, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil
Authors: Gomes Almério de Castro , Forattini Oswaldo Paulo , Natal Délsio
Published: April 2005

Com o emprego da armadilha CDC determinou-se a composição específica da fauna de mosquitos Culicidae em locais com vegetação primária, situados em terras baixas e próximas a mangues, no litoral sul do Estado de São Paulo (Brasil). Como resultado geral foram obtidos cerca de 64 espécies ou grupos. Entre as que foram mais freqüentes destacaram-se Culex (Mel.) sacchettae (71,6%), Anopheles (Ker.) cruzii (10,5%), Phoniomiya spp. (8,2%) e Culex (Mel.) taeniopus (2,9%). Também com este método de coleta, nos horários crepuscular vespertino, noturno, ao lado do uso de isca ave e roedor, a dominância nítida foi de Cx. sacchettae, ao contrário do que ocorreu no mesmo local com isca humana, quando An. cruzii foi a espécie predominante. A diversidade calculada para o interior, margem da mata, campo aberto e domicílio, tendo sido de 1,7 a 6,2 revelou fauna relativamente rica para Culicidae. Não obstante a marcante presença de Culex (Cux.) quinquefasciatus no domicílio, foi inesperada a elevada freqüência de Cx. sacchettae. Além disso, a presença proporcional de An. cruzii no solo e copa sugere mobilidade desse anofelino no interior da floresta, enquanto que a sua atividade em ambiente extraflorestal revelou ser restrita. Nesse particular, Cx. sacchettae demonstrou ser espécie ubiqüista e ocorrente durante todos os meses do ano, porém com picos mais elevados nas estações verão e outono.
Educação em saúde para alunos de primeiro grau: avaliação de material para ensino e profilaxia da esquistossomose
Authors: Schall Virginia T. , Jurberg Pedro , Almeida Elizabeth M. , Casz Clarice , Cavalcante Fátima G. , Bagno Silvana
Published: April 2005

Considerando a importância da informação sobre a esquistossomose para alunos de 7 a 15 anos, faixa etária apontada como de alta prevalência em regiões endêmicas e cujos hábitos colaboram para a disseminação da doença, foi elaborado um material de ensino baseado em um texto de conotação literária, o qual foi aplicado em escolas de região considerada foco isolado da doença no Município do Rio de Janeiro (Brasil). Desenvolveu-se uma metodologia de uso do material a ser empregada pelos professores, que resultou eficaz em promover aprendizagem de conceitos e cuidados básicos em relação à esquistossomose. Propõe-se o uso deste processo para outras doenças parasitárias a serem testadas em áreas caracteristicamente endêmicas.
Biologia de Anopheles (Kerteszia) neivai H., D. & K., 1913 (Diptera: Culicidae) en la Costa Pacífica de Colombia: III. Medidas de luminosidad y el comportamiento de picadura
Authors: Murillo B. César , Astaiza V. Rodrigo , Fajardo O. Paulina
Published: April 2005

El estudio del comportamiento de picadura de mosquitos capturados picando humanos en un área despejada del poblado de Charambirá, Chocó, en la costa Pacífica de Colombia, indico que cambios en la intensidad de la luz, influenciaban el início y el fin de la actividad de vuelo de Anopheles (Kerteszia) neivai, especie con marcados hábitos crepusculares. Esta especie está considerada como vectora de esa enfermedad, malaria, en la costa pacífica colombiana.
Imunidade à rubéola: inquérito soro-epidemiológico em hospital, Estado de São Paulo - Brasil
Authors: Machado Alcyone Artioli , Costa João Carlos da , Campos Antonio Dorival
Published: April 2005

Os títulos de anticorpos no soro pela reação de inibição da hemaglutinação para rubéola, empregando o caulim para adsorção de beta-lipoproteínas bloqueadores inespecíficos, foram determinados em funcionárias do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo (Brasil), no período de 1982-1983 e confrontados com idade, cor, unidade hospitalar, local, cargo, tempo de emprego, antecedentes de rubéola ou comunicante na vigência ou não de gravidez. Participaram do estudo 1.886 funcionárias (88,9% de 2.121) tendo títulos com a distribuição: 9,6% <10,1,3% -10,3,5% -20, 5,8% -40,10,6% -80, 20,7% -160, 27,8% -320,12,6% -640, 7,3% -1.280 e 0,8% -2.560. Houve fraca associação entre títulos e quaisquer das variáveis de confrontação (P @ 0); 87,1% das funcionárias negaram antecedentes de rubéola e destas 73,9% tiveram títulos > 20; 57,6% negaram ser comunicantes e apresentaram títulos ³ 20; em 1,1% que referiram história de rubéola, os títulos foram £20; 97% negaram contacto com rubéola durante a gravidez. Houve somente um caso de malformação congênita após rubéola no primeiro trimestre da gravidez. Das 351 funcionárias sãs, e com títulos ³ 640, em 9,4% demonstrou-se IgM específica. Não foi notada flutuação significativa dos títulos em diferentes amostras em período de observação de até um ano. Conclui-se que a maioria das funcionárias é imune à rubéola (título > 20) independente de quaisquer parâmetros analisados; a presença de IgM específica em algumas funcionárias pode ser compatível com doença subclínica. Este inquérito foi considerado útil na orientação de funcionárias grávidas comunicantes de caso suspeito ou confirmado de rubéola, e para as não-grávidas e não-imunes a indicação da profilaxia pela vacina.
Cisticercose humana diagnosticada em hospital geral, São Paulo, SP (Brasil)
Authors: Machado Aluízio de Barros Barreto , Pialarissi Carmen Silvia de Melo , Vaz Adelaide José
Published: April 2005

Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo de pacientes internados no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo (Brasil), no período de 7 anos (1979 a 1985), tendo sido diagnosticados 260 casos de cisticercose, correspondendo a 0,2% do total estudado. Os dados obtidos mostraram uma distribuição aproximadamente igual quanto ao sexo e o acometimento maior na faixa etária de 20 a 50 anos (53,8%). A neurocisticercose foi a forma mais freqüente e seu elevado percentual (91,5%) foi atribuído às características da população estudada. Apesar do recente desenvolvimento da tecnologia diagnostica e terapêutica específicas, o tempo de permanência hospitalar médio foi de 35 dias e a letalidade média de 14,6%, apontando para a necessidade de medidas profiláticas através de programas de saúde pública.
Uma nova disciplina: o direito sanitário
Authors: Dallari Sueli Gandolfi
Published: April 2005

A reivindicação da saúde como direito tem levado o Estado a assumir responsabilidades crescentes pela promoção, proteção e recuperação da saúde do povo. A atuação do Estado contemporâneo - de Direito - é orientada por normas jurídicas. O conhecimento das normas que regulam a ação estatal no campo da saúde é indispensável ao sanitarista, profissional designado pela sociedade para trabalhar especificamente pela elevação de seu nível de saúde. Nessa linha, foram analisadas experiências estrangeiras com o ensino do direito sanitário, juntamente com as recomendações dos organismos internacionais de saúde. Conclui-se que a implementação do ensino do direito sanitário, no Brasil, é urgente.
Situação de saúde materna e perinatal no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil
Authors: Tanaka Ana Cristina d'Andretta , Siqueira Arnaldo Augusto Franco de , Bafile Paulo Nogueira
Published: April 2005

Pelos dados oficiais disponíveis, para o Estado de São Paulo (Brasil) analisou-se a assistência oferecida na gestação, no parto e ao recém-nascido e suas relações com a mortalidade materna e perinatal. Com referência ao pré-natal, houve indícios de quantidade de consultas por gestação, numericamente suficiente, porém de qualidade discutível. Quanto ao parto observou-se uma alta percentagem de cesarianas (46,2%). A mortalidade materna foi de 4,86 por dez mil n.v., valor este subestimado. A primeira causa de óbitos maternos foram as toxemias, seguidas das hemorragias e do aborto, causas estas evitáveis em sua maioria, com uma boa qualidade de assistência pré-natal e ao parto. Quanto aos óbitos do período perinatal, o coeficiente foi de 29,2 por mil nascimentos em 1984, valor este também elevado. A análise das causas de óbitos mostrou que as afecções de origem perinatal ocorreram em cerca de 90% dos óbitos, tendo como principais causas as hipóxias intra-uterinas, asfixias, síndromes de angústia respiratória e aspiração maciça. Esses dados revelam a má qualidade de assistência recebida por este grupo. Sugere-se que a nova política de Sistema Unificado e Descentralizado de Saúde deveria levar em conta tanto a qualidade de assistência como a integração dos serviços para poder-se fazer frente à situação precária de saúde materna e perinatal do Estado.
Prevalência de pneumoconiose em trabalhadores expostos a rocha fosfática
Authors: De Capitani Eduardo Mello
Published: April 2005

Analisou-se a ocorrência de pneumoconiose em trabalhadores ligados à manipulação de rocha fosfática em depósito localizado no Município de Paulínia, Estado de São Paulo (Brasil). Entre os 73 trabalhadores expostos a essa matéria prima, constatou-se ocorrência de 20 casos de pneumoconiose (27,4%). Após investigação dos casos, constatou-se que os trabalhadores acometidos eram assintomáticos na sua maioria, com provas de função pulmonar pouco alteradas, com predominância de alterações de pequenas vias aéreas, com 2 casos com padrão levemente restritivo. A biópsia de pulmão realizada em 2 pacientes não revelou grau de fibrose significativo. A análise do material inalado, através de espectrometria de Raio-X e métodos colorimétricos não evidenciou teor de sílica livre suficiente para promover fibrose pulmonar. Concluiu-se tratar-se de pneumoconiose não fibrogênica, de evolução clínica ainda não conhecida a ser melhor investigada utilizando-se estudos prospectivos. Recomendou-se o afastamento dos trabalhadores acometidos de pneumoconiose e mudanças no processo de trabalho do referido depósito, visando prevenção de novos casos.
Aspectos ecológicos da Leishmaniose tegumentar americana: 7-Capacidade vetorial flebotomínea em ambiente florestal primário do Sistema da Serra do Mar, região do Vale do Ribeira, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil
Authors: Gomes Almério de Castro , Galati Eunice Aparecida Bianchi
Published: April 2005

Um total de 5.038 indivíduos foram coletados, na região do Vale do Ribeira, Estado de São Paulo (Brasil), durante três anos consecutivos de captura de flebotomíneo, distribuído em dezenove espécies. As armadilhas CDC instaladas na floresta contribuíram com 92,2% e a isca humana com apenas 7,0%, enquanto que no peridomicílio a CDC rendeu 0,7%. De um modo geral, as densidades obtidas com o cálculo da média geométrica de Williams foram reduzidas e a espécie mais comum na área foi P.ayrozai. O resultado de seu grau de antropofilia impede atribuir-lhe papel vetorial importante. Sendo também reduzida a presença de L.intermedia, L. migonei e L. fischeri, até na isca humana, admite-se que essas populações não estariam preenchendo condições de transmissão da doença para o homem, no ambiente florestal, ao lado de outras com hábito fundamentalmente zoófilo. O quadro mostrado poderia indicar que a função vetorial flebotomínea na região estaria sendo desenvolvida por população sobrevivente à devastação, sugerindo que um novo padrão epidemiológico da doença no Brasil parece existir e em associação com focos de L.b. braziliensis.