Structural Basis for Selective Recognition of Endogenous and Microbial Polysaccharides by Macrophage Receptor SIGN-R1

Silva-Martin, N.,Bartual, Sergio G.,Ramirez-Aportela, E.,Chacon, P.,Park, C.,Hermoso, Juan A. Current Biology 2014 Structure Vol.22 No.11

SIGN-R1 is a principal receptor for microbial polysaccharides uptake and is responsible for C3 fixation via an unusual complement activation pathway on splenic marginal zone macrophages. In these macrophages, SIGN-R1 is also involved in anti-inflammatory activity of intravenous immunoglobulin by direct interaction with sialylated Fcs. The high-resolution crystal structures of SIGN-R1 carbohydrate recognition domain and its complexes with dextran sulfate or sialic acid, and of the sialylated Fc antibody provide insights into SIGN-R1's selective recognition of α-2,6-sialylated glycoproteins. Unexpectedly, an additional binding site has been found in the SIGN-R1 carbohydrate recognition domain, structurally separate from the calcium-dependent carbohydrate-binding site. This secondary binding site could bind repetitive molecular patterns, as observed in microbial polysaccharides, in a calcium-independent manner. These two binding sites may allow SIGN-R1 to simultaneously bind both immune glycoproteins and microbial polysaccharide components, accommodating SIGN-R1's ability to relate the recognition of microbes to the activation of the classical complement pathway.

Cashew Gum-Chitosan Blended Films: Spectral, Mechanical and Surface Wetting Evaluations

Carla Silva Martins,Daniella Lury Morgado,Odilio Benedito Garrido Assis 한국고분자학회 2016 Macromolecular Research Vol.24 No.8

Blends of cashew tree gum with chitosan and glycerol as plasticizer were prepared by casting and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), mechanical (DMA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface wettability by static contact angle measurements. FTIR analysis confirmed the consolidation of both polysaccharides and revealed a clearly interaction between the glycerol molecules and hydroxyl groups of chitosan. Chitosan and glycerol improved films mechanical properties and interferes on surface wettability. The unblended cashew gum films presented hydrophilic surfaces (medium measure angle as 40o) and with the addition of chitosan provides a shift towards a more hydrophobic behavior (52o and 75o for additions of 0.5% and 1.0% (w/w) chitosan respectively). Microscopy surface observation confirmed that the presence of glycerol reduced film cracking, changing them from fragile to a more plastic property. The film forming ability of chitosan is also preserved when blending with cashew gum.

Water Erosion in Planted Forest under Different Management Systems in Brazil

Marx Silva,Bernardo Candido,Junior Avanzi,Mayesse Silva,Anna Oliveira,Danielle Guimaraes,Barbara Silva,Pedro Batista,Sergio Martins,Nilton Curi 한국토양비료학회 2014 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2014 No.6

WHAT MOTIVATES EWOM IN HOTEL INDUSTRY? CAUSALEXPLANATIONS FROM FSQCA

Helena Martins Gonçalves,Graça Miranda Silva,Telma Gomes Martins 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2016 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2016 No.7

Web 2.0 has changed the way users create, share and use online information (O'Connor, 2008). The testimony of anonymous and exempt consumers that emits reviews and ratings through online reviews is a form of Electronic Word of Mouth (eWOM). Positive online reviews can contribute to a significant increase in hotel reservations (Ye, Law, & Gu, 2009). Online reviews are amidst the most important factors that influence hotel reservations (Dickinger & Mazanec, 2008) However, only a small percentage of travelers contribute actively with new reviews and evaluations (Bronner & Hoog, 2011). Thus, it is very important to know what motivates consumers to make online hotel reviews, to get more online comments and, consequently, more hotel reservations. Cantallops and Salvi (2014) say that there is little research on eWOM and hotels. The objective of this study is to identify the different causal combinations (configurations) of motivations (personal, social benefit, social concern, and consumer empowerment (Bronner & Hoog, 2011)), and socio-demographic characteristics (gender and age) that lead to hotel online reviews. The study uses the fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) because it allows to identify the necessary and sufficient configurations to achieve the outcome (Fiss, 2011). This is an innovative approach in this domain, to the best of our knowledge, because the study focuses on the causal recipes of motivations and not on the net effects of independent motivations as past research do. The study obtained a convenience sample of 192 valid responses, from an online survey.The measures show adequate reliability. The results show that the social concern is a necessary condition and the consumer empowerment is an “almost always necessary” condition. The analysis of sufficient conditions show that three different combinations (explain 43.6% of the cases) of conditions exist that lead to eWOM: 1) being a female older than 35 years old combined with high social concern and high consumer empowerment; 2) being a female older than 35 years old combined with high social concern and high personal motivations; and, 3) being a male combined with the presence of high social concern, high personal motivations, and high consumer empowerment which represents the most significant representation of consumers that make online reviews. Managers should consider these recipes in communication and website design strategies. For example, for men, it is important to have jointly a simple communication channel so that they can easily share positive or negative experiences to help others (social concern); a travel website where they get some fun (personal motivation); and, to believe that their opinions are taken into account by the hotels, namely to improve service (consumer empowerment). In this way,hotels and travel services providers promoting these aspects will tend to have more and better online reviews, which will have a positive influence on hotel reservations. Future studies should consider different motivations for online reviews and eWOM.

Antinociceptive Activity of Aqueous Extract of Bowdichia virgilioides in Mice

Juliane P. Silva,Renato S. Rodarte,Andrea S. Calheiros,Cristiane Z. Souza,Fabio C. Amendoeira,Marco A. Martins,Patrı´cia Machado R. Silva,Valber S. Frutuoso,Emiliano Barreto 한국식품영양과학회 2010 Journal of medicinal food Vol.13 No.2

Bowdichia virgilioides Kunth (Family Fabaceae) is a plant that is distributed widely in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In the northeast region of Brazil, where B. virgilioides is called “sucupira-preta,” the stem bark is used in folk medicine to treatment of inflammatory and painful diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of the aqueous extract of the dried stem bark of B. virgilioides. The aqueous extract of B. virgilioides in doses of 50, 100, 200, and 400mg/kg was administered orally 1 hour prior to pain induction. Only the doses of 200 and 400mg/kg produced an inhibition by 61% and 74%, respectively, in the number of abdominal writhings induced by acetic acid. This antinociceptive effect was not reversed by pretreatment with naloxone, indicating that the effect is not associated with the activation of opioid receptors. In the formalin test, using the two highest doses, the extract had no effect in the first phase but produced an analgesic effect on the second phase with the inhibition of licking time (P<.001). In the hot plate test, no effect was seen at the dose of 400mg/㎏ p.o. Our findings show that B. virgilioides contains pharmacologically active constituents that possess antinociceptive activity justifying its popular therapeutic use in treating conditions associated with the painful conditions.

Effects of processing, particle size and moisturizing of sorghum-based feeds on pellet quality and broiler production

Patricia Garcia da Silva,Luana Martins Schaly Oliveira,Nayanne Rodrigues de Oliveira,Fabio Ataides de Moura Junior,Maura Regina Sousa Silva,Deibity Alves Cordeiro,Cibele Silva Minafra,Fabiana Ramos do 아세아·태평양축산학회 2018 Animal Bioscience Vol.31 No.1

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of pelleted and expanded sorghum-based feeds prepared with different moisture levels and particle size of ingredients on metabolizable energy, ileal digestibility of amino acids and broiler performance. Methods: The experiment was performed with 720 male broiler chicks of the Cobb strain, with treatments of six replications, with 15 birds each; they were arranged in a completely randomized design and 2×2×2 factorial scheme (pelleted or expanded feed processing, 0.8% or 1.6% moisture addition in the mixer, and particle size of 650 or 850 microns). Results: Higher pellet quality (pellets, % and pellet durability index [PDI]) was obtained in expanded diets and inclusion of 1.6% moisture. The particle size of 850 microns increased the PDI of final diet. All studied treatments had no significant effect on weight gain and broiler carcass and cut yields. Lower feed conversion occurred for birds fed pelleted feed at 42 d. The highest apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected to zero nitrogen balance (AMEn) values of feed in the initial rearing phase (10 to 13 days) were observed in birds fed pelleted feed or for feed prepared with 1.6% moisture. The highest ileal digestibility coefficients of amino acids were obtained with the consumption of pelleted feed prepared with a particle size of 650 microns and 1.6% moisture. Conclusion: Pelleted feed prepared with a milling particle size of 650 microns and 1.6% moisture provided increased ileal digestibility of amino acids and AMEn in the starter period. However, the expanded feed improved pellet quality and feed conversion of broilers at 42 days of age. We conclude that factors such as moisture, particle size and processing affect the pellet quality, and therefore should be considered when attempting to optimize broiler performance.

Miller Fisher Syndrome in Patients With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection: A Systematic Review

Martins-Filho Paulo Ricardo,Pereira de Andrade Ana Luiza,Pereira de Andrade Ana Júlia,Moura da Silva Maria Daniella,de Souza Araújo Adriano Antunes,Nunes Paula Santos,Santos Victor Santana,Ferreira Li 대한신경과학회 2021 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.17 No.4

Background and Purpose Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is a subtype of Guillain-Barré syndrome characterized by the triad of ophthalmoparesis, areflexia, and ataxia. Although cases of MFS have been associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV- 2) infection, no studies have synthesized the clinical characteristics of patients with this condition. Methods In this rapid systematic review, we searched the PubMed database to identify studies on MFS associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results This review identified 11 cases, of whom 3 were hospitalized with motor and/or sensory polyneuropathy as the first sign of SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in analyses of cerebrospinal fluid, suggesting a mechanism of immune-mediated injury rather than direct viral neurotropism. However, antiganglioside antibodies were found in only two of the nine patients tested. It is possible that target antigens other than gangliosides are involved in MFS associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions The present patients exhibited clinical improvement after being treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. Although rare, patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection may present neurological symptoms suggestive of MFS. Early recognition of the MFS clinical triad is essential for the timely initiation of treatment.

Self-sustained n-Type Memory Transistor Devices Based on Natural Cellulose Paper Fibers

Martins, Rodrigo,Pereira, Luis,Barquinha, Pedro,Correia, Nuno,Goncalves, Goncalo,Ferreira, Isabel,Dias, Carlos,Correia, N.,Dionisio, M.,Silva, M.,Fortunato, Elvira The Korean Infomation Display Society 2009 Journal of information display Vol.10 No.4

Reported herein is the architecture for a nonvolatile n-type memory paper field-effect transistor. The device was built via the hybrid integration of natural cellulose fibers (pine and eucalyptus fibers embedded in resin with ionic additives), which act simultaneously as substrate and gate dielectric, using passive and active semiconductors, respectively, as well as amorphous indium zinc and gallium indium zinc oxides for the gate electrode and channel layer, respectively. This was complemented by the use of continuous patterned metal layers as source/drain electrodes.

Self-sustained n-Type Memory Transistor Devices Based on Natural Cellulose Paper Fibers

Rodrigo Martins,Luís Pereira,Pedro Barquinha,Nuno Correia,Gonçalo Gonçalves,Isabel Ferreira,Carlos Dias,Elvira Fortunato,N. Correia,M. Dionísio,M. Silva 한국정보디스플레이학회 2009 Journal of information display Vol.10 No.4

Reported herein is the architecture for a nonvolatile n-type memory paper field-effect transistor. The device was built via the hybrid integration of natural cellulose fibers (pine and eucalyptus fibers embedded in resin withionic additives), which act simultaneously as substrate and gate dielectric, using passive and active semiconductors, respectively, as well as amorphous indium zinc and gallium indium zinc oxides for the gate electrode and channel layer, respectively. This was complemented by the use of continuous patterned metal layers as source/drain electrodes.

Absence of Longer Reorientation Times in Patients Undergoing Electroconvulsive Therapy and Concomitant Treatment with Lithium

Ricardo Martins-Ascencao,Nuno Rodrigues-Silva,Nuno Trovão 대한정신약물학회 2021 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.19 No.4

Objective: Lithium is a drug of choice in the treatment of bipolar disorder and refractory depressive disorders. However, previous research suggests lithium has a negative cognitive impact in recovery from electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and a higher risk of delirium, so patients are often required to stop taking lithium before ECT, despite risk of relapse. We studied the cognitive impact of serum lithium levels in patients undergoing ECT. Methods: This was an observational prospective study. Serum lithium levels, thyroid and biochemical parameters were measured prior to each ECT session. Time elapsed from the anesthetic induction to the electrical stimulus and then to the patients’ reorientation was recorded, as well as the motor seizure duration and electroencephalogram (EEG) seizure duration. A statistical analysis using a linear mixed model was run while adjusting for confounding factors. Results: Ten participants underwent a total of 86 ECT sessions (41% right unilateral ultrabrief pulse, and 59% bilateral brief pulse). A negative interaction between lithium levels and reorientation time was found among those doing bilateral brief pulse ECT. No association was observed in patients doing unilateral ultrabrief pulse ECT. No significant relationship was observed between lithium and both motor and EEG-assessed seizure duration. Conclusion: This study suggests that low to moderate serum lithium levels (< 0.7 mmol/L) might have no harmful cognitive effects in patients under right unilateral ultrabrief pulse and bilateral brief pulse ECT.