RESUMO
Europium oxide (Eu2O3) was used to evaluate the affinity of this rare earth element for interacting with double-stranded (ds) DNA molecules. To perform the study, we used single molecule force spectroscopy with optical tweezers and gel electrophoresis assays. Force spectroscopy experiments show that Eu2O3 presents a strong interaction with dsDNA, and the binding is independent on the ionic strength used in the surrounding environment. Among the main characteristics of the interaction, Eu2O3 tends to bind in a cooperative way, forming bound clusters of â¼ 3 molecules, and presents a high equilibrium association binding constant on the order of 105 M-1. In addition, gel electrophoresis confirm the weak electrostatic character of the interaction and explicit show that Eu2O3 does not interfere on drug intercalation into the double-helix. Such results demonstrate the potential of europium for interacting with nucleic acids and strongly suggest that this rare earth element may be considered for the design of new metal-based anticancer drugs in the future.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Desenho de Fármacos , Európio/farmacologia , DNA/química , Modelos Moleculares , Imagem Individual de MoléculaRESUMO
Chronic diseases are the primary health burden among Mexican-origin populations and health promotion efforts have not been able to change negative population trends. This research presents behavioral and subjective health impacts of two related community health worker (CHW) interventions conducted in the US-Mexico border region. Pasos Adelante (United States) and Meta Salud (Mexico) are 12-13 week CHW-led preventive interventions implemented with Mexico-origin adults. Curricula include active learning modules to promote healthy dietary changes and increasing physical activity; they also incorporate strategies to promote social support, empowerment and group exercise components responsive to their communities. Questionnaire data at baseline (N = 347 for Pasos; 171 for Meta Salud), program completion and 3-month follow-up were analyzed. Results showed statistically significant improvements in multiple reported dietary, physical activity and subjective health indicators. Furthermore, at follow-up across both cohorts there were ≥10% improvements in participants' meeting recommended physical activity guidelines, consumption of whole milk, days of poor mental health and self-rated health. While this study identifies some robust health improvements and contributes to the evidence base for these interventions current dissemination, the lack of change observed for some targeted behaviors (e.g. time sitting) suggests they may have stronger overall impacts with curricula refinement.
Assuntos
Doença Crônica/prevenção & controle , Agentes Comunitários de Saúde/organização & administração , Comportamentos Relacionados com a Saúde/etnologia , Educação em Saúde/organização & administração , Nível de Saúde , Adulto , Idoso , Dieta , Dieta Saudável , Exercício Físico , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Saúde Mental , México/epidemiologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Apoio Social , Inquéritos e Questionários , Estados UnidosRESUMO
Experimental evidence has been observed for energy transfer from CdS nanocrystals, synthesized by the fusion method, to Nd(3+) ions embedded in vitreous substrates. These dot samples doped with neodymium have been investigated by combined optical absorption (OA), photoluminescence (PL), and time-resolved photoluminescence (PLRT) techniques. Radiative and nonradiative energy transfers between CdS dot and Nd(3+) ion levels, to our knowledge not reported before, can be clearly observed in the PL spectra where the emission band valleys correspond exactly to the energy absorption peaks of the doping ion. The PLRT data reinforce these energy transfer mechanisms in which the increasing overlap between the CdS PL band and the OA to the Nd(3+) levels decreases stimulated emissions from the doping ions.
RESUMO
The objective was to investigate the frequency of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCP) antibodies in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), utilizing a new "third generation" anti-CCP ELISA (anti-CCP3) kit and a conventional anti-CCP2 assay. Patients with PBC, SSc, RA, and normal controls were included in the study. Serum samples were screened for autoantibodies by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), antibodies to CCP by a second- and third-generation ELISA, antibodies to "scleroderma" antigens (CENP B, Scl-70, PM/Scl and fibrillarin-Scl-34) by a line immunoassay (LIA), and IgM RF by ELISA. The frequency of anti-CCP2 antibodies in SSc and PBC samples was 14.8% (11/74) and 6.2% (5/80), respectively, and the frequency of anti-CCP3 antibodies in SSc was 13.5% (10/74) and in PBC was 3.7% (3/80). By comparison, in the RA group the frequency of anti-CCP3 and anti-CCP2 antibodies was 79.1% (38/48) and 77% (37/48), respectively. Anti-CCP3 ELISA had a sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR) of 79% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 64-89%), 93% (95% CI = 88-96%), 11.8 (95% CI = 6.8-20.3), and 0.22 (95% CI = 0.12-0.38), respectively. By comparison, the anti-CCP2 assay had a sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative LRs of 77% (95% CI = 62-87), 90% (95% CI = 85-94), 8.3 (95% CI = 5.2-13.2), and 0.25 (95% CI = 0.15-0.42), respectively. In patients with SSc, there was an association of anti-CCP2 antibodies with the presence of arthritis, but there was no association of anti-CCP2 or anti-CCP3 with anti-CENP B, anti-Scl 70, or RF. This study confirmed the high specificity and sensitivity of both anti-CCP assays for the diagnosis of RA. The presence of anti-CCP antibodies in SSc was only correlated with the presence of arthritis.
Assuntos
Artrite Reumatoide/imunologia , Autoanticorpos/análise , Cirrose Hepática Biliar/imunologia , Peptídeos Cíclicos/imunologia , Escleroderma Sistêmico/imunologia , Artrite Reumatoide/diagnóstico , Autoanticorpos/imunologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Feminino , Técnica Indireta de Fluorescência para Anticorpo , Humanos , Cirrose Hepática Biliar/diagnóstico , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Escleroderma Sistêmico/diagnósticoRESUMO
Retrospective data from 18 tunnel-ventilated and 41 conventional houses in Barbados were evaluated in order to compare the effects of the two types of housing using the following indices: feed conversion ratio at 1500 grammes (FCR 1500), European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF), and net income per bird (NIPB). The data were obtained from the records of 200 and 282 grow-outs for tunnel-ventilated and conventional houses, respectively. The effects of season of placement and month of placement on the above performance variables were also evaluated. The analyses revealed that the performance variables NIPB, EPEF, and FCR 1500 were superior for tunnel -ventilated housing (P=0.02, 0.0001 respectively); were less variable from month to month for tunnel- ventilated housing; and except for NIPB, were better when birds were placed during the dry season (P=0.08, 0.0005 and 0.007 respectively). Financial anlaysis also showed that tunnel -ventilated house was more profitable venture than the conventional house. The net profit margin (15.38vs 3.59%) net profit per kg, (0.51 vs 0.12 BDS$, (BDS$1.00~ US $0.50)), and net profit per m squared (94.83vs13.13BDS$) were also higher for the tunnel-ventilated house.
Assuntos
Animais , Aves Domésticas , Habitação , Abrigo para Animais , Barbados , Medicina VeterináriaRESUMO
Retrospective data from 18 tunnel-ventilated and 41 conventional houses in Barbados were evaluated in order to compare the effects of the two types of housing using the following indices: feed conversion ratio at 1500 grammes (FCR 1500), European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF), and net income per bird (NIPB). The data were obtained from the records of 200 and 282 grow-outs for tunnel-ventilated and conventional houses, respectively. The effects of season of placement and month of placement on the above performance variables were also evaluated. The analyses revealed that the performance variables NIPB, EPEF, and FCR 1500 were superior for tunnel -ventilated housing (P=0.02, 0.0001 respectively); were less variable from month to month for tunnel- ventilated housing; and except for NIPB, were better when birds were placed during the dry season (P=0.08, 0.0005 and 0.007 respectively). Financial anlaysis also showed that tunnel -ventilated house was more profitable venture than the conventional house. The net profit margin (15.38vs 3.59%) net profit per kg, (0.51 vs 0.12 BDS$, (BDS$1.00~ US $0.50)), and net profit per m squared (94.83vs13.13BDS$) were also higher for the tunnel-ventilated house.
Assuntos
Animais , Aves Domésticas , Habitação , Abrigo para Animais , Barbados , Medicina VeterináriaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Excitotoxicity is an important mechanism in secondary neuronal injury after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Excitatory amino acids (EAAs) are increased in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in adults after TBI; however, studies in pediatric head trauma are lacking. We hypothesized that CSF glutamate, aspartate, and glycine would be increased after TBI in children and that these increases would be associated with age, child abuse, poor outcome, and cerebral ischemia. METHODS: EAAs were measured in 66 CSF samples from 18 children after severe TBI. Control samples were obtained from 19 children who received lumbar punctures to rule out meningitis. RESULTS: Peak and mean CSF glycine and peak CSF glutamate levels were increased versus control values. Subgroups of patients with TBI were compared by using univariate regression analysis. Massive increases in CSF glutamate were found in children <4 years old and in child abuse victims. Increased CSF glutamate and glycine were associated with poor outcome. A trend toward an association between high glutamate concentration and ischemic blood flow was observed. CONCLUSIONS: CSF EAAs are increased in infants and children with severe TBI. Young age and child abuse were associated with extremely high CSF glutamate concentrations after TBI. A possible role for excitotoxicity after pediatric TBI is supported.
Assuntos
Ácido Aspártico/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Lesões Encefálicas/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Lesões Encefálicas/etiologia , Ventrículos Cerebrais , Maus-Tratos Infantis , Aminoácidos Excitatórios/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Ácido Glutâmico/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Glicina/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Adolescente , Fatores Etários , Lesões Encefálicas/diagnóstico por imagem , Lesões Encefálicas/mortalidade , Isquemia Encefálica/etiologia , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Criança , Maus-Tratos Infantis/estatística & dados numéricos , Pré-Escolar , Pessoas com Deficiência/estatística & dados numéricos , Escala de Coma de Glasgow , Escala de Resultado de Glasgow , Humanos , Lactente , Prognóstico , Análise de Sobrevida , Fatores de Tempo , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios XRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether bcl-2, a protein that inhibits apoptosis, would be increased in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in infants and children after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to examine the association of bcl-2 concentration with clinical variables. STUDY DESIGN: Bcl-2 was measured in CSF from 23 children (aged 2 months-16 years) with severe TBI and from 19 children without TBI or meningitis (control subjects) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CSF oligonucleosome concentration was also determined as a marker of DNA degradation. Brain samples from 2 patients undergoing emergent decompressive craniectomies were analyzed for bcl-2 with Western blot and for DNA fragmentation with TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase mediated biotin-dUTP nick-end labeling). RESULTS: CSF bcl-2 concentrations were increased in patients with TBI versus control subjects (P =.01). Bcl-2 was increased in patients with TBI who survived versus those who died (P =.02). CSF oligonucleosome concentration tended to be increased after TBI (P =.07) and was not associated with bcl-2. Brain tissue samples showed an increase in bcl-2 in patients with TBI versus adult brain bank control samples and evidence of DNA fragmentation within cells with apoptotic morphology. CONCLUSIONS: Bcl-2 may participate in the regulation of cell death after TBI in infants and children. The increase in bcl-2 seen in patients who survived is consistent with a protective role for this anti-apoptotic protein after TBI.
Assuntos
Apoptose , Lesões Encefálicas/fisiopatologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-bcl-2/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Adolescente , Fatores Etários , Análise de Variância , Lesões Encefálicas/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Lesões Encefálicas/etiologia , Lesões Encefálicas/mortalidade , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Escala de Coma de Glasgow , Humanos , Lactente , Modelos Lineares , Masculino , Análise Multivariada , Nucleossomos/metabolismo , Pennsylvania/epidemiologia , Análise de Sobrevida , Lobo Temporal/metabolismoRESUMO
The purpose of this study was to assess use of pain relief measures and satisfaction with postoperative pain management among non-Hispanic white and Mexican American older adults after abdominal surgery. Findings revealed interpatient and intraethnic diversity, endorsing the importance of careful patient assessment and examining patient satisfaction for quality assurance/improvement.
Assuntos
Americanos Mexicanos/psicologia , Dor Pós-Operatória/etnologia , Satisfação do Paciente/etnologia , Cuidados Pós-Operatórios/psicologia , População Branca/psicologia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Comparação Transcultural , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pesquisa Metodológica em Enfermagem , Medição da Dor , Dor Pós-Operatória/tratamento farmacológico , Dor Pós-Operatória/enfermagem , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
An exploratory study was conducted to determine Mexican American women's attitudes toward menopause and the relationships between these attitudes and socioeconomic status, level of acculturation, menopausal status, symptoms, self-esteem, and social support. The sample included 130 Mexican American women who ranged in age from 28 to 75 years. Attitudes did not differ by socioeconomic status, menopausal status, or number and severity of symptoms. More positive attitudes were reported by less acculturated women and women with higher self-esteem. Menopause was perceived as a potentially disturbing transition, and irritability and depressive mood were expected. Findings support the need for more accessible information to decrease uncertainty and avert negative expectations.