Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is the enzyme responsible for esterification of free cholesterol on the surface of lipoproteins, particularly in high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and is also involved in the reverse transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver. LCAT is synthesized in the liver and circulates in plasma reversibly bound to lipoprotein particles, or in a lipid-free form. Primary LCAT deficiency is a rare inherited metabolic condition caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in the LCAT gene. It is associated with two distinct clinical syndromes, Familial LCAT Deficiency (FLD) and Fish-Eye Disease (FED), respectively caused by complete and partial deficiency of LCAT activity, but having in common markedly reduced plasma levels of HDL and apolipoprotein A-I. FLD is characterized by corneal opacities, haemolytic anaemia and chronic kidney disease (CKD), which may progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The pathogenesis of FLD nephropathy is not clear, but accumulation of lipoprotein-X in the kidneys might be a major contributing factor. Corneal opacification is the only clinical hallmark of FED. In line with several reports of intermediate phenotypes, we have recently described an incomplete FLD phenotype in two Portuguese brothers, homozygous for a novel LCAT mutation, presenting with proteinuric CKD but no haemolytic anaemia, who developed noticeable corneal clouding only many years afterwards. Such a phenotype poses a diagnostic challenge to nephrologists, which will have to rely on accurate appraisal of the lipid profile abnormalities and a high index of suspicion to consider the right diagnosis. Further studies are needed to confirm whether recombinant human LCAT is effective in halting CKD progression in FLD patients. Meanwhile, renoprotective therapy by inhibition of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system should be initiated as soon as possible. Despite early histological recurrence of the nephropathy in kidney grafts, renal transplantation remains a suitable therapy for FLD patients with ESRD

Resumo A ocorrência de mixomicetos em inflorescências de Heliconia psittacorum L.f. foi pesquisada em quatro unidades de conservação situadas no Nordeste do Brasil, visando avaliar a ocupação deste microhabitat em fragmentos de Floresta Atlântica, numa faixa altitudinal de 30-750 m. Foram examinadas partes mortas de inflorescências ainda presas à planta; flores e brácteas mortas foram colhidas para montagem de câmaras-úmidas (368). Foram registrados quatro famílias, quatro gêneros e 10 espécies. Evidenciou-se preferência para substrato com pH básico e predominância de espécies calcárias (5:1). A composição da mixobiota nos fragmentos de altitudes acima de 400 m foi semelhante e diferiu significativamente da encontrada nos fragmentos de florestas de terras baixas (<100 m). Physarum compressum e Arcyria cinerea são as espécies mais características da mixobiota estudada.

Abstract The occurrence of Myxomycetes in Heliconia psittacorum L.f. inflorescences was researched within four conservation units located in Northeast Brazil, aiming at evaluating the occupation of this microhabitat in fragments of Atlantic Forest along an altitude between 30-750 m. Inflorescences attached to the plant were examined; dead flowers and bracts were collected to assemble moist chambers (368). Four families, four genera and 10 species were recorded. A preference was evidenced for a basic pH substrate and a predominance of calcareous species (5:1). The composition of the myxobiota in fragments pertaining to altitudes above 400 m was similar and differed significantly from the one found in fragments of lowland forests (<100 m). Physarum compressum and Arcyria cinerea are the most characteristic species of the studied myxobiota.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the bioremediation of a soil contaminated with wastes from a plasticizers industry, located in São Paulo, Brazil. A 100-kg soil sample containing alcohols, adipates and phthalates was treated in an aerobic slurry-phase reactor using indigenous and acclimated microorganisms from the sludge of a wastewater treatment plant of the plasticizers industry (11gVSS kg-1 dry soil), during 120 days. The soil pH and temperature were not corrected during bioremediation; soil humidity was corrected weekly to maintain 40%. The biodegradation of the pollutants followed first-order kinetics; the removal efficiencies were above 61% and, among the analyzed plasticizers, adipate was removed to below the detection limit. Biological molecular analysis during bioremediation revealed a significant change in the dominant populations initially present in the reactor.

Uninfected dogs (n = 10) and those naturally infected with leishmaniasis (n = 10) were subjected to several diagnostic tests, namely: hemoculture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of hemoculture, indirect immunofluorescence (RIFI), cytological examination of lymph node aspirate, culture of lymph node aspirate and PCR of lymph node aspirate. RIFI - followed by PCR of lymph node aspirate culture - presented more positive results in infected dogs than in uninfected ones. In infected animals, RIFI was more effective than PCR of lymph node aspirate culture. There was no statistical difference in positivity between RIFI and hemoculture; lymph node aspirate culture/cytological examination of lymph node aspirate and PCR of hemoculture; and between PCR of lymph node aspirate culture and PCR of hemoculture. All infected and uninfected animals had positive and negative results in at least one test. In conclusion, the association of several tests improves the efficacy of canine visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis.

Este artigo reporta o trabalho de produção e caracterização de baterias de filme fino de papel, no qual o papel desempenha as funções de suporte físico e de electrólito do dispositivo. Estudaram-se maioritariamente baterias de papel vegetal, normal e reciclado. Extremamente flexíveis, os dispositivos operam no estado sólido, são concebidos recorrendo a técnicas de deposição de filmes finos e regeneram as suas características eléctricas sem necessidade de aplicação de uma potência externa. A estrutura de referência Cobre/Papel/Alumínio apresenta uma tensão de circuito aberto (Voc) de 0,5V a 0,6V. O estudo, baseado nesta estrutura, recaiu sobre quatro abordagens principais: i- Influência da espessura dos eléctrodos; ii- Introdução de uma camada de LiAlF4; iii- Efeito da impregnação do papel com soluções salinas; iv - Diferentes pares de eléctrodos. Analisaram-se os efeitos do vácuo, de uma atmosfera rica em O2, N2 e CO2, e os efeitos da humidade relativa e da temperatura do meio no desempenho eléctrico das baterias de papel. Uma variação entre 40 e 90% na humidade relativa do meio causa uma variação de três ordens de grandeza na corrente do dispositivo. O demonstrador da tecnologia consistiu na actuação do canal de um transístor de papel. Uma associação em série (com 3V) da estrutura de referência comutou eficientemente os estados ON e OFF, confirmando-se a aplicabilidade das baterias em circuitos electrónicos (de papel).

This article summarizes the production and characterization of thin film paper batteries, in which the paper plays the role of the solid electrolyte and of the physical support of the devices. These batteries present great flexibility and are produced by means of thin film deposition techniques. These are all-solid-state batteries and they are able to regenerate the electric characteristics without external power supply. Batteries with different substrates were analysed, namely tracing-paper, usual copy paper and recycled paper. The Copper / Aluminum structure shows an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.5 to 0.6V. This was taken as the reference structure and the work performed had four main topics: i- Influence of the thickness of the electrodes; ii-Influence of an extra LiAlF4 layer; iii-Effect of paper impregnations with salt solutions; iv-Different types of electrodes. Analysis of the effects of vacuum, O2, N2, CO2, temperature and relative humidity on the electrical performances of the paper batteries were made. The later causes a variation of three orders of magnitude in current, when relative humidity changes from 40 to 90%. The technology was demonstrated by using a prototype battery comprising an association in series (3V) of the reference structure for actuating a paper transistor. The prototype efficiently controlled the ON and OFF states of the transistor. Therefore it was demonstrated the proof of concept that paper batteries can be used in electronic circuits, namely in paper circuits.

O presente trabalho visa a produção de biobaterias a partir de membranas obtidas pela técnica de electrofiação. Com este trabalho pretendeu-se desenvolver um dispositivo electroquímico (biobateria) capaz de gerar energia eléctrica a partir de biofluidos, como a transpiração e o sangue, e com capacidade de satisfazer as necessidades de dispositivos electrónicos de baixo consumo. Para o desenvolvimento das biobaterias, começou-se por produzir as membranas de acetato de celulose por electrofiação. Estas membranas são utilizadas como suporte físico (substrato) e separador, sendo os eléctrodos depositados sob a forma de filme fino, em ambas as faces da membrana, formando o dispositivo electroquímico. O comportamento electroquímico da membrana foi analisado por voltametria cíclica, pretendendo-se averiguar a existência de possíveis reacções electroquímicas. De um modo geral, verificou-se que a produção de energia depende não só dos materiais que formam o ânodo e o cátodo, como também da espessura da membrana. Com o intuito de demonstrar as potencialidades, para a aplicação em causa, estes dispositivos foram testados sobre a pele suada, apresentado valores de tensão e corrente bastante promissores.

This research work envisages the production of bio-batteries based on electrospun membranes.The present work aims at the development of an electrochemical device (bio-battery) able to generate electrical power from body fluids, like sweat or blood, to supply small power consumption electronic devices.To the development of these bio-batteries, cellulose acetate membranes were made with a matrix of nanofibers produced by electrospinning. The cellulose acetate membrane works both as support and as a separator. Thin films were deposited on both surfaces of the membrane to form the electrodes of the electrochemical device.The electrochemical behavior of membranes was analysed by cyclic voltammetry in order to evaluate the electrochemical reactions. The power generated by these devices depends not only on the materials used as electrodes, but also on the membrane thickness. In order to demonstrate the great potential of these electrochemical devices, bio-batteries prototypes were tested in sweated skin, demonstrating promising voltage and current values.

Postmodern theologians like Hal Taussig are not very optimistic about the future of Christianity. To them, the theistic (mythological) understanding of God is of little use in the postmodern world of the 21st century. Taussig prefers the grassroots Christianity, which has room for persons of all sexual orientations, and advocates ecological sensitivity. The question is: What do the followers of this spirituality teach their children about God? The solution is what Wilber calls 'the conveyer belt' and God's 'Kosmic address'. Everyone starts at square one, 'traditional' and grassroots Christians alike, and move along this conveyer belt. Along the way, there are seven stages and three perspectives, i.e. the first, second and third-person perspective, through which human consciousness could evolve. That means that any given person could have one of 21 different possible understandings and experiences of God. A questionnaire could assist pastors to determine at which stage or level of evolution an individual is, as well as the 'Kosmic address' that God has for that individual. Through spiritual exercises, pastors could then support the individual's further growth towards mature human consciousness.

Eight wild fowls kept in captivity at a Brazilian Zoo were examined from july 1994 to October 2000. One hundred twenty-three Ixodidae specimens were collected and sent to the Ixodides Laboratory at the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They were examined by stereomicroscopy and were identified as Amblyomma longirostre (53), A. pacae (50), A. cajennense (14), and A. parvum (6).

Dados de peso de animais da raça Nelore de 90 a 450 dias de idade das regiões Sudeste (SE) e Centro-Oeste (CO) do Brasil foram utilizados para comparar estruturas de (co)variância de efeitos aleatórios em função de idade estimadas para as duas regiões por meio de modelos de regressão aleatória. Componentes de (co)variância referentes aos coeficientes de regressão aleatória foram estimados por EMREML por meio do programa REMLF90. Os efeitos fixos de grupo contemporâneo e os efeitos aleatórios genético aditivo direto, genético aditivo materno e permanente de ambiente foram modelados por polinômios quadráticos de Legendre. As comparações envolveram estruturas de covariância e de correlação dos efeitos aleatórios, herdabilidades direta e materna e a razão entre variâncias genéticas de diferentes regiões. As herdabilidades e estruturas de covariância e de correlação apresentaram comportamento semelhante nas duas regiões. A variância residual e as variâncias de efeito permanente de ambiente foram menores no CO, bem como a variância genética aditiva materna dos 150 aos 400 dias de idade. Trajetórias dos efeitos fixos em função de idade de diferentes grupos contemporâneos apresentaram diferentes formas, sugerindo a necessidade de estimar um conjunto de coeficientes de regressão específico para cada grupo contemporâneo. A variância do efeito genético aditivo materno apresentou maior heterogeneidade entre regiões do que a variância genética aditiva direta.

Body weight records from 90 to 450 days of age of Nellore animals from the Southeast and Center West of Brazil were used do estimate covariance structures of age dependent random effects for each region using random regression models. Covariance components of the regression coefficients were estimated by EMREML using the software REML90. The fixed effects of contemporary groups and additive genetic, additive maternal and permanent environment random effects were modeled by quadratic Legendre polynomials. The comparisons included structures of covariance and correlation of random effects, direct and maternal heritabitability and the ratio between genetic variances from different regions. The heritability, covariance and correlation structures showed similar patterns for both regions. Residual variance and permanent environment variances were smaller for Center West region as well as the maternal genetic additive from 150 to 400 days of age. Fixed effect trajectories in function of age of different contemporary groups showed different patterns, suggesting the necessity of specific set of regression coefficient estimates for each contemporary group. The maternal additive genetic variance showed higher heterogeneity between regions than the direct additive genetic variance.