Drug assay using antibody mimics made by molecular imprinting

No abstract availabl

Three-dimensional structure of the 67k N-terminal Fragment of E.coli DNA Topoisomerase I

No abstract availabl

AS INSTITUIÇÕES DE ENSINO SUPERIOR DA REGIÃO DO VALE MÉDIO IGUAÇU E A PESQUISA COMO ESTRATÉGIA PARA O DESENVOLVIMENTO REGIONAL

O artigo objetiva geral junto ao instrumento de planejamento das instituições de educação superior (PDI) da região do Vale Médio Iguaçu, a concepção da pesquisa, visando o crescimento institucional e o desenvolvimento regional. A pesquisa caracteriza-se como exploratória (levantamento bibliográfico e pesquisa documental) e de campo. Desenvolveu-se nos municípios de União da Vitória (PR) e Porto União (SC). Quanto ao desenvolvimento da pesquisa nas IES pode-se constatar que não existe uma política institucionalizada. Somente a UnC possui grupos de pesquisa consolidados e registrados no CNPQ. Constatou-se que a prática da transferência de tecnologia não ocorre na região pelas IES pesquisadas. Os empresários, assim como os representantes de entidades de classe mostraram-se satisfeitos com a atuação das IES, quanto ao ensino de graduação

Genetic algorithms as a new tool to study protein stability

No abstract availabl

CONTRIBUIÇÕES DA EDUCAÇÃO SUPERIOR PARA O DESENVOLVIMENTO LOCAL: ANÁLISE DA UNIVERSIDADE DO CONTESTADO NO MUNICÍPIO DE CANOINHAS, SANTA CATARINA

O presente estudo é parte integrante do projeto intitulado contribuições da Educação Superior para o desenvolvimento local: a percepção dos gestores públicos e das entidades organizadas do município de Canoinhas, estado de Santa Catarina’. O objetivo geral consistiu em identificar as principais ações desenvolvidas pela Universidade do Contestado (UnC) – Campus Canoinhas no período compreendido entre 2001 e 2013. Utilizou-se para consecução deste estudo os princípios da pesquisa bibliográfica, documental, exploratória e histórica.. O ensino superior teve início no município de Canoinhas no ano de 1970 com a criação da Esta realidade também fez-se presente na UnC-Canoinhas. Concluiu-se com o estudo, que a Universidade do Contestado – Campus Canoinhas teve papel significativo na contribuição para o desenvolvimento local, através de ações como a criação de cursos de graduação e ampliação de vagas no período pesquisado, atividades de pesquisa e extensão

Moderate-vigorous physical activity and health-related quality of life among Hispanic/Latino adults in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).

BackgroundPhysical activity is a modifiable healthy behavior that has been shown to positively influence health-related quality of life. However, research examining the link between physical activity and health-related quality of life among Hispanic/Latino adults is limited and inconsistent. The purpose of this study is to assess whether accelerometer-measured moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is associated with self-reported (a) mental health-related quality of life, and (b) physical health-related quality of life among diverse Hispanic/Latino adults in the US.MethodsCross-sectional data from 12,379 adults ages 18-74 years in 2008-2011, who participated in HCHS/SOL and had complete data were analyzed using complex survey design methods. Accelerometer data were categorized into no MVPA, low, moderate, and high MVPA. Health-related quality of life was assessed with the Short-Form 12 and we used the mental and physical component subscales where higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life. Multivariate linear regression models were used to derive adjusted means with 95% confidence intervals and linear trends.ResultsWe observed no significant linear trend between accelerometer-measured MVPA and mental health-related quality of life (ptrend = 0.73). There was a significant positive association between MVPA and physical health-related quality of life (ptrend < 0.001) where higher MVPA corresponded with higher scores in physical health-related quality of life. The adjusted means were 46.67 (44.85-48.48) for no MVPA, 49.33 (49.03-49.63) for low MVPA, 50.61 (50.09-51.13) for moderate MVPA, and 51.36 (50.86-51.86) for high MVPA.ConclusionsAmong diverse Hispanic/Latino adults in the US, accelerometer-measured MVPA was associated with physical health-related quality of life, but not mental health-related quality of life. Future interventions should evaluate if increases in MVPA lead to improvements in health-related quality of life

Periplakin, a novel component of cornified envelopes and desmosomes that belongs to the plakin family and forms complexes with envoplakin

The cornified envelope is a layer of transglutaminase cross-linked protein that is assembled under the plasma membrane of keratinocytes in the outermost layers of the epidermis. We have determined the cDNA sequence of one of the proteins that becomes incorporated into the cornified envelope of cultured epidermal keratinocytes, a protein with an apparent molecular mass of 195 kD that is encoded by a mRNA with an estimated size of 6.3 kb. The protein is expressed in keratinizing and nonkeratinizing stratified squamous epithelia and in a number of other epithelia. Expression of the protein is upregulated during the terminal differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes in vivo and in culture. Immunogold electron microscopy was used to demonstrate an association of the 195-kD protein with the desmosomal plaque and with keratin filaments in the differentiated layers of the epidermis. Sequence analysis showed that the 195-kD protein is a member of the plakin family of proteins, to which envoplakin, desmoplakin, bullous pemphigoid antigen 1, and plectin belong. Envoplakin and the 195-kD protein coimmunoprecipitate. Analysis of their rod domain sequences suggests that the formation of both homodimers and heterodimers would be energetically favorable. Confocal immunofluorescent microscopy of cultured epidermal keratinocytes revealed that envoplakin and the 195-kD protein form a network radiating from desmosomes, and we speculate that the two proteins may provide a scaffolding onto which the cornified envelope is assembled. We propose to name the 195-kD protein periplakin

Controlled release from zein matrices: Interplay of drug hydrophobicity and pH

Purpose: In earlier studies, the corn protein zein is found to be suitable as a sustained release agent, yet the range of drugs for which zein has been studied remains small. Here, zein is used as a sole excipient for drugs differing in hydrophobicity and isoelectric point: indomethacin, paracetamol and ranitidine. Methods: Caplets were prepared by hot-melt extrusion (HME) and injection moulding (IM). Each of the three model drugs were tested on two drug loadings in various dissolution media. The physical state of the drug, microstructure and hydration behaviour were investigated to build up understanding for the release behaviour from zein based matrix for drug delivery. Results: Drug crystallinity of the caplets increases with drug hydrophobicity. For ranitidine and indomethacin, swelling rates, swelling capacity and release rates were pH dependent as a consequence of the presence of charged groups on the drug molecules. Both hydration rates and release rates could be approached by existing models. Conclusion: Both the drug state as pH dependant electrostatic interactions are hypothesised to influence release kinetics. Both factors can potentially be used factors influencing release kinetics release, thereby broadening the horizon for zein as a tuneable release agent

Kafirin structure and functionality

The structural and functional properties of kafirins are reviewed. Three classes of kafirin: the a, ß and ? forms have been identified at the protein level and one, the d, has been identified only at the gene and transcript levels. All forms show high homology with the equivalent zein proteins. By analogy with the zeins it is believed that the a-kafirins probably have an extended hairpin structure in solution, comprising elements of a-helix, ß-sheet and turns folded back on itself. Kafirins are the most hydrophobic of the prolamins as shown by their solubility, and calculated hydration free energies. The proteins exhibit extensive cross-linking by disulphide bonds and on cooking form indigestible aggregates which are not solubilised by reduction of disulphide bonds. In spite of continuing studies, the reasons for the low digestibility of the protein remain uncertain and there may be several factors involved. Other research has shown that kafirins may have non-food uses and may be used to form films