Rio de Janeiro State University

About: Rio de Janeiro State University is a education organization based out in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 16631 authors who have published 30919 publications receiving 465753 citations. The organization is also known as: UERJ & Rio de Janeiro State University.

Amino acid composition, protein content and calculation of nitrogen-to-protein conversion factors for 19 tropical seaweeds

Abstract: SUMMARY The use of nitrogen-to-protein conversion factors (N-Prot factors) is the most practical way of determining protein content. The accuracy of protein determination by this method depends on the establishment of N-Prot factors specific to individual species. Experimental data are needed to allow the use of this methodology with seaweeds. The present study was designed to characterize the amino acid composition and to establish specific N-Prot factors for six green, four brown and nine red marine algae. Mean values for individual amino acids tended to be similar among the three groups, but some differences were found. Green algae tended to show lower percentages of both aspartic acid and glutamic acid than the other two groups of algae. The percentages of both lysine and arginine were higher in red algae, while brown algae tended to show more methionine than green and red algae. The actual protein content of the species, based on the sum of amino acid residues, varied from 10.8% (Chnoospora minima, brown algae) to 23.1% (Aglaothamnion uruguayense, red algae) of the dry weight. Nitrogen-toprotein conversion factors were established for the species studied, based on the ratio of amino acid residues to total nitrogen, with values ranging from 3.75 (Cryptonemia seminervis, red algae) to 5.72 (Padina gymnospora, brown algae). The relative importance of non-protein nitrogen is greater in red algae, and consequently lower N-Prot factors were calculated for these species (average value 4.59). Conversely, protein nitrogen content in both green and brown algae tends to be higher, and average N-Prot factors were 5.13 and 5.38, respectively. An overall average N-Prot factor for all species studied of 4.92 ± 0.59 (n = 57) was established. This study confirms that the use of the traditional factor 6.25 is unsuitable for seaweeds, and the use of the N-Prot factors proposed here is recommended.

Search for neutral heavy leptons produced in Z decays

Abstract: Weak isosinglet Neutral Heavy Leptons (m) have been searched for using data collected by the DELPHI detector corresponding to 3:3 106 hadronic Z0 decays at LEP1. Four separate searches have been performed, for short-lived m production giving monojet or acollinear jet topologies, and for long-lived m giving detectable secondary vertices or calorimeter clusters. No indication of the existence of these particles has been found, leading to an upper limit for the branching ratio BR(Z0 ! m) of about 1:310−6 at 95% confidence level for m masses between 3.5 and 50 GeV/c2. Outside this range the limit weakens rapidly with the m mass. The results are also interpreted in terms of limits for the single production of excited neutrinos.

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in lupus pregnancy: double-blind and placebo-controlled study.

Abstract: We conducted a randomized, controlled study to assess the need for hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) during lupus pregnancy and to assess safety. Twenty consecutive pregnant patients with similar characteristics were enrolled. The HCQ group included eight patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and two with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). The placebo (PL) group included nine patients with SLE and one with DLE. The HCQ group had no flare-ups. SLEPDAI scores were similar at study entry, and at conclusion the placebo group had significantly higher scores. One patient had improvement of skin lesions and another of arthritis, allowing a decrease of prednisone dose. There were no retinal effects. Three patients in the PL group flared up, two with skin rashes, one also with arthritis and uveitis, and one (previously in remission on HCQ) with hemolytic anemia, polyserositis and anti-dsDNA antibody. Toxemia was diagnosed in only three patients in the PL group (one fetal death). Comparing prednisone dosage change, we noted a decrease in the HCQ and an increase in the PL group. Delivery age and Apgar scores were higher in the HCQ group. Neonatal examination did not reveal congenital abnormalities, nor did a neuro-ophthalmological and auditory evaluation at 1.5-3 y of age. In spite of the small number of patients studied, we noted beneficial effects of HCQ during lupus pregnancy, as measured by SLEPDAI and decrease in prednisone dose with no detriment to patients' health.