Although rare, CALM/AF10 is a chromosomal rearrangement found in immature T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), acute myeloid leukemia, and mixed phenotype acute leukemia of T/myeloid lineages with poor prognosis. Moreover, this translocation is detected in 50% of T-ALL patients with gamma/delta T cell receptor rearrangement, frequently associated with low expression of transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPA). However, the relevance of CEBPA low expression for CALM/AF10 leukemogenesis has not yet been evaluated. We generated double mutant mice, which express the Lck-CALM/AF10 fusion gene and are haploinsufficient for the Cebpa gene. To characterize the hematopoiesis, we quantified hematopoietic stem cells, myeloid progenitor cells, megakaryocyte-erythrocyte progenitor cells, common myeloid progenitor cells, and granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells. No significant difference was detected in any of the progenitor subsets. Finally, we tested if Cebpa haploinsufficiency would lead to the expansion of Mac-1+/B220+/c-Kit+ cells proposed as the CALM/AF10 leukemic progenitor. Less than 1% of bone marrow cells expressed Mac-1, B220, and c-Kit with no significant difference between groups. Our results showed that the reduction of Cebpa gene expression in Lck-CALM/AF10 mice did not affect their hematopoiesis or induce leukemia. Our data corroborated previous studies suggesting that the CALM/AF10 leukemia-initiating cells are early progenitors with lymphoid/myeloid differentiating potential.

Neste trabalho, nós consideramos um modelo derivado da densidade de um gás de Fermi em um estado superfluido BCS, aprisionado por uma rede óptica quase periódica unidimensional. Reduzindo a equação em 3D para 1D, construímos famílias de gaps sólitons estáveis (GSs) utilizando aproximações variacionais. No limite linear a aproximação variacional prediz exatamente a posição da banda de Bloch que separam os primeiros gaps. Através da aproximação variacional, mostramos a possibilidade de que a não linearidade efetiva atuando em combinação com o potencial de uma rede quase periódica em uma dimensão, permite o surgimento de gaps sólitons iluminados. Variando a amplitude da rede óptica, analisamos a existência e estabilidade dos gaps sólitons iluminados usando um ansatz gaussiano. Os gaps sólitons são estáveis diante de pequenas variações da rede óptica quase periódica. Este artigo pode ser utilizado como um guia de aprendizagem no estudo de átomos frios; estudantes são incentivados a realizarem os cálculos para outros valores de amplitude da rede óptica.

In this work, we consider a model derived from energy density for a Fermi gas in the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) superfluid state, trapped in a quasiperiodic one-dimensional optical lattice (OL). Reducing the equation to the 3D to 1D form, we construct families of stable 1D gap solitons (GSs) by the variational approximation (VA). In the linear limit, the VA predicts almost exact positions of narrow Bloch bands that separate the first gaps. Through the variational approximation, we show the possibility that the nonlinearity coefficient acting in a combination with the potential of the quasiperiodic one-dimensional optical lattice, allows one dimensional bright gap solitons to arise. Varying the amplitude of the optical lattice, we analyze the existence and stability of bright gap solitons using a gaussian ansatz. GSs are stable against small variations of the quasiperiodic optical lattice. This paper can be used as a learning guide in the study of cold atoms. Students are encouraged to perform variational calculations for other amplitude values of optical lattices.

Background: Neonatal infection is a serious public health problem. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the antenatal care on the risk of early-onset neonatal healthcare associated infection in two Brazilian maternities.Methods: Cohort study - Newborns admitted at two public neonatal intensive care units from 2008 to 2009 were included in the study. Data on antenatal and perinatal variables were collected from maternal prenatal cards and medical charts. Newborns were actively surveyed for early-onset neonatal healthcare associated infection, defined as a neonatal infection diagnosed within 48 h after birth. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess variables independently associated with early-onset neonatal healthcare associated infection.Results: 561 neonate-mother pairs were included in the study. Early-onset neonatal health-care associated infection was diagnosed in 283 neonates (51%), an incidence rate of 43.5/1000 live births. Neonates whose mothers had less then six antenatal visits were under risk significantly higher for early-onset neonatal healthcare associated infection (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.11-2.57), after adjusting for birth weight, membranes ruptured for >18 h, maternal complications during delivery, maternal infection at admission, and hospital where patients received care.Conclusions: The risk of neonatal early-onset neonatal healthcare associated infection was significantly associated with insufficient number of antenatal care visits. Further studies assessing the quality of antenatal care and targeting its improvement are warranted.

Nós investigamos as soluções de uma equação hidrodinâmica de campo médio unidimensional utilizando aproximações variacionais. Modelamos analiticamente e comparamos dois condensados de Bose-Einstein que podem ser usados para criar gaps sólitons iluminados experimentalmente, um deles aprisionado por uma rede óptica duplamente periódica e o outro aprisionado por uma rede óptica simples. Nesses dois casos não utilizamos um confinamento harmônico adicional. Através da aproximação variacional nós estudamos a possibilidade de que o coeficiente de não linearidade atuando em uma combinação com o potencial da rede óptica duplamente periódica, ou com o potencial de uma rede óptica simples, permite o surgimento de gaps sólitons iluminados em uma dimensão. Em ambos os casos, nós analisamos a existência e estabilidade de gaps sólitons iluminados usando um ansatz gaussiano. Este artigo pode ser utilizado como um guia de aprendizagem no estudo de átomos frios; incentivando os alunos a realizarem cálculos variacionais para outros tipos de redes ópticas.

We investigate the solutions of a one-dimensional mean-field hydrodynamic equation using a variational approximation (VA). We analytically model and compare two Bose-Einstein condensates which can be used to create bright gap solitons experimentally, one of them trapped by a double-periodic optical lattice and the other one trapped by a single-periodic optical lattice. No additional harmonic confinement was employed in both cases. Through the variational approximation, we study the possibility that the nonlinearity coefficient, in a combination with the potential of either the double-periodic or the single-periodic optical lattice, allows the appearance of one dimensional bright gap solitons. In both cases, we analyze the existence and stability of bright gap solitons using a Gaussian ansatz. This paper can be used as a learning guide in the study of cold atoms. Students are encouraged to perform variational calculations for other types of optical lattices.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de doses do regulador de crescimento trinexapac-ethyl e níveis de adubação nitrogenada sobre o desempenho agronômico e rendimento de grãos de três cultivares de trigo. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial, com três repetições, sendo: duas doses de adubação nitrogenada (60 e 120 kg ha-1), três cultivares de trigo (BRS 208, BRS 220 e BRS Guamirim), quatro doses de trinexapac-ethyl (0, 70, 140 e 210 g i.a. ha-1) e duas safras agrícolas (2008 e 2009). Na microrregião de Pato Branco, a dose de 60 kg ha-1 é suficiente para maximizar o potencial de rendimento de grãos dos cultivares avaliados. Independentemente da estatura dos cultivares, o regulador de crescimento não apresentou efeito positivo sobre o rendimento de grãos, com efeito negativo na presença de menor disponibilidade hídrica.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of trinexapac-ethyl and nitrogen doses on the agronomic performance and grain yield of three wheat cultivars. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design in a factorial scheme, with three replications. The treatments were two nitrogen fertilization doses (60 and 20 kg ha-1), three wheat cultivars (BRS 208, BRS 220, and BRS Guamirim), four trinexapac-ethyl doses (0, 70, 140, and 210 g a.i. ha-1) and two harvest years (2008 and 2009). In the Pato Branco microregion, the nitrogen rate of 60 kg ha-1 was sufficient to maximize the yield potential of the evaluated cultivars. Regardless of the height of the cultivar plants, trinexapac-ethyl showed no positive effect on grain yield, with negative effect under water-deficit stress.

In the last several years, the use of dendritic cells has been studied as a therapeutic strategy against tumors. Dendritic cells can be pulsed with peptides or full-length protein, or they can be transfected with DNA or RNA. However, comparative studies suggest that transfecting dendritic cells with messenger RNA (mRNA) is superior to other antigen-loading techniques in generating immunocompetent dendritic cells. In the present study, we evaluated a new therapeutic strategy to fight tuberculosis using dendritic cells and macrophages transfected with Hsp65 mRNA. First, we demonstrated that antigen-presenting cells transfected with Hsp65 mRNA exhibit a higher level of expression of co-stimulatory molecules, suggesting that Hsp65 mRNA has immunostimulatory properties. We also demonstrated that spleen cells obtained from animals immunized with mock and Hsp65 mRNA-transfected dendritic cells were able to generate a mixed Th1/Th2 response with production not only of IFN-γ but also of IL-5 and IL-10. In contrast, cells recovered from mice immunized with Hsp65 mRNA-transfected macrophages were able to produce only IL-5. When mice were infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and treated with antigen-presenting cells transfected with Hsp65 mRNA (therapeutic immunization), we did not detect any decrease in the lung bacterial load or any preservation of the lung parenchyma, indicating the inability of transfected cells to confer curative effects against tuberculosis. In spite of the lack of therapeutic efficacy, this study reports for the first time the use of antigen-presenting cells transfected with mRNA in experimental tuberculosis.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência de vários herbicidas isolados ou associados, aplicados em pós-emergência, na cultura da cana-soca, colhida mecanicamente no sistema cana crua, procurando evidenciar diferenças no seu desempenho quando aplicados sobre ou sob a palha, bem como, ainda dentro do conceito de sustentabilidade e avaliação de risco ambiental, quantificar os comportamentos nos quais esses produtos apresentam maior risco. O experimento foi conduzido no município de Bariri-SP, em áreas da Usina Della Colletta, Fazenda Santo Antonio, em área de cana-soca (cultivar RB 72 754) colhida mecanicamente. Foi utilizada a cana-soca de quarto corte, plantada no espaçamento de 1,40 m, em solo Argiloso Vermelho-Amarelo com 5% de declive. Empregou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso com 14 tratamentos (trifloxysulfuron-sodium+ametrina 720 e 960; mesotrione 182 e 292,6; mesotrione+ametrina 292,6+1.500; mesotrione+trifloxysulfuron-sodium 182,8+720; metribuzin 2.680; trifloxysulfuron-sodium+ametrina + hexazinone+diuron 720+900; amicarbazone 45; hexazinone+diuron 1.320; trifloxysulfuron-sodium+sulfentrazone 720+700 (todos em gramas de ingrediente ativo); testemunha; testemunha capinada) e quatro repetições, para cada tipo de aplicação (sobre e sob a palha) disposta lado a lado. As avaliações realizadas foram: fitotoxicidade aparente, altura, estande, eficiência no controle da Digitaria horizontalis, Cenchrus echinatus, Emilia fosbergii e Sida cordifolia, números de internódios e o primeiro internódio. O modelo matemático foi o nível I de fugacidade, utilizando os compartimentos ar, água, solo, sedimento, biota, raiz, caule e folha. Os resultados mostraram que os herbicidas trifloxysulfuron + diuron, mesotrione, metribuzin, ametrina, hexazinone + diuron, amicarbazone e sulfentrazone isolados ou associados, aplicados em pós-emergência, em área total da cultura da cana-de-açúcar, foram altamente eficientes no controle das principais plantas daninhas presentes. A aplicação desses herbicidas sobre ou sob a palhada da cana crua não mostrou diferença na eficiência de controle ou sobre os demais parâmetros avaliados. A aplicação do modelo de fugacidade objetivando avaliar o comportamento preferencial mostrou que todos os herbicidas tendem a ter maior distribuição no compartimento água.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of several herbicides, applied alone or mixed in post-emergence on ratoon sugarcane crop, mechanically harvested under a no-burn system, to assess differences in performance when applied over or under the straw. In addition, based on the concept of sustainability and environmental risk evaluation, mathematical models were used to evaluate the fate of these herbicides. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Bariri-SP, in the Della Colletta Processing Plant section of Santo Antonio Farm's sugarcane (RB 72 754 cultivar) cultivated areas. Ratoon sugarcane was planted with 1.40 m spacing on Red-Yellow Argisol soils with 5% declivity. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design in 14 plots (trifloxulfurom-sodium+ametryn 720 and 960; mesotrione 192 and 292.6; mesotrione and ametryn 292.6+1500; mesotrione+trifloxysulfuron-sodium 182.8+720; metribuzin 2680; trifloxysulfuron-sodium+ametryn+hexazinone+diuron 720+900; amicarbazine 45; hexazinone+diuron 1320; trifloxysulfuron-sodium+sulfentrazone 720+700 (all of the above cited in grams of active ingredients)); control; weeded control, and four replicates, for each type of application (over or under the straw), side by side. The following evaluations were carried out: phytotoxicity, height, stand, efficiency of control of Digitaria horizontalis, Cenchrus echinatus, Emilia fosbergii and Sida cordifolia, number of stalks and first stalk. A fugacity-level I mathematical model was used including the following compartments: air, water, soil, sediment, biota, strain, leaves and roots. The results showed that the herbicides trifloxysulfuron+diuron, mesotrione, metribuzin, ametryn, hexazinone+diuron, amicarbazone and sulfentrazone, alone or in combination, applied in post-emergence on sugarcane were highly efficient in controlling the major weeds present. Application of these herbicides over or under no burn sugarcane straw did not show differences of control efficiency nor of any other parameter. Application of the fugacity model aimed at evaluating preferential behavior showed that all the herbicides tended to have greater distribution in the water compartment.

Leukotrienes are reported to be potent proinflammatory mediators that play a role in the development of several inflammatory diseases such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease. Leukotrienes have also been associated with protection against infectious diseases. However, the role of leukotrienes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is not understood. To answer this question, we studied the role of leukotrienes in the protective immune response conferred by prime-boost heterologous immunization against tuberculosis. We immunized BALB/c mice (4-11/group) with subcutaneous BCG vaccine (1 x 10(5) M. bovis BCG) (prime) followed by intramuscular DNA-HSP65 vaccine (100 µg) (boost). During the 30 days following the challenge, the animals were treated by gavage daily with MK-886 (5 mg·kg-1·day-1) to inhibit leukotriene synthesis. We showed that MK-886-treated mice were more susceptible to M. tuberculosis infection by counting the number of M. tuberculosis colony-forming units in lungs. The histopathological analysis showed an impaired influx of leukocytes to the lungs of MK-886-treated mice after infection, confirming the involvement of leukotrienes in the protective immune response against experimental tuberculosis. However, prime-boost-immunized mice treated with MK-886 remained protected after challenge with M. tuberculosis, suggesting that leukotrienes are not required for the protective effect elicited by immunization. Protection against M. tuberculosis challenge achieved by prime-boost immunization in the absence of leukotrienes was accompanied by an increase in IL-17 production in the lungs of these animals, as measured by ELISA. Therefore, these data suggest that the production of IL-17 in MK-886-treated, immunized mice could contribute to the generation of a protective immune response after infection with M. tuberculosis.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o destino ambiental dos herbicidas acetochlor, 2,4-D, diuron, clomazone, thidiazuron, paraquat, simazine, fluazifop-p-butil, clethodim, oxyfluorfen, flumioxazin, carfentrazone-ethyl, ametrina, trifluralin e MSMA em áreas de cultivo de algodão, café e citros, utilizando o modelo de fugacidade nível I. Na metodologia foram utilizadas basicamente as características físico-químicas dos herbicidas, os compartimentos ambientais e as equações de fugacidade. A avaliação preliminar do risco de contaminação pelo uso de herbicidas nas culturas de algodão, café e citros pode ser feita de forma expedita a partir das propriedades físico-químicas desses produtos, aplicando o modelo de fugacidade nível I. Para a maioria dos herbicidas avaliados, o compartimento água foi o mais vulnerável. O estudo de avaliação da predição em que se empregou o nível de fugacidade I demonstrou ser uma ferramenta importante no destino ambiental dos herbicidas estudados para as culturas de algodão, café e citros.

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the environmental fate of herbicides (acetochlor, 2,4-D, diuron, clomazone, thidiazuron, paraquat, simazine, fluazifo-p-butil, clethodim, oxufluorfen, flumioxazin, carfentrazone-ethyl, ametrina, trifluralin and MSMA) in cotton, coffee and citrus cultivation areas, applying the level I fugacity model. The methodology basically used the chemical and physical characteristics of the pesticides, environmental compartments and the fugacity equations. The preliminary evaluation of risk of contamination due to the use of these pesticides on the cultures studied was carried out swiftly, based on the chemical and physical properties of these products as the level I fugacity model was applied. For most of the herbicides evaluated, the water compartment was the most vulnerable. The prediction evaluation study using fugacity level I was found to be a relevant tool for the environmental fate of the herbicides studied for cotton, coffee and citrus cultures.

We previously reported that a DNA vaccine constructed with the heat shock protein (HSP65) gene from Mycobacterium leprae (DNA-HSP65) was protective and also therapeutic in experimental tuberculosis. By the intramuscular route, this vaccine elicited a predominant Th1 response that was consistent with its protective efficacy against tuberculosis. It has been suggested that the immune response to Hsp60/65 may be the link between exposure to microorganisms and increased cardiovascular risk. Additionally, the high cholesterol levels found in atherosclerosis could modulate host immunity. In this context, we evaluated if an atherogenic diet could modulate the immune response induced by the DNA-HSP65 vaccine. C57BL/6 mice (4-6 animals per group) were initially submitted to a protocol of atherosclerosis induction and then immunized by the intramuscular or intradermal route with 4 doses of 100 µg DNA-HSP65. On day 150 (15 days after the last immunization), the animals were sacrificed and antibodies and cytokines were determined. Vaccination by the intramuscular route induced high levels of anti-Hsp65 IgG2a antibodies, but not anti-Hsp65 IgG1 antibodies and a significant production of IL-6, IFN-g and IL-10, but not IL-5, indicating a Th1 profile. Immunization by the intradermal route triggered a mixed pattern (Th1/Th2) characterized by synthesis of anti-Hsp65 IgG2a and IgG1 antibodies and production of high levels of IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-g. These results indicate that experimentally induced atherosclerosis did not affect the ability of DNA-HSP65 to induce a predominant Th1 response that is potentially protective against tuberculosis.

Over the last few years, some of our experiments in which mycobacterial antigens were presented to the immune system as if they were viral antigens have had a significant impact on our understanding of protective immunity against tuberculosis. They have also markedly enhanced the prospects for new vaccines. We now know that individual mycobacterial protein antigens can confer protection equal to that from live BCG vaccine in mice. A critical determinant of the outcome of immunization appears to be the degree to which antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells are generated by the immune response. Our most recent studies indicate that DNA vaccination is an effective way to establish long-lasting cytotoxic T cell memory and protection against tuberculosis.