Sao Paulo State University

About: Sao Paulo State University is a education organization based out in São Paulo, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 55715 authors who have published 100436 publications receiving 1375332 citations.

Marine-derived fungi: diversity of enzymes and biotechnological applications

Abstract: The ocean is considered to be a great reservoir of biodiversity. Microbial communities in marine environments are ecologically relevant as intermediaries of energy, and play an important role in nutrient regeneration cycles as decomposers of dead and decaying organic matter. In this sense, marine-derived fungi can be considered as a source of enzymes of industrial and/or environmental interest. Fungal strains isolated from different substrates, such as invertebrates, decaying wood, seawater, sediments and mangrove detritus, have been reported to be producers of hydrolytic and/or oxidative enzymes, with alginate lyase, amylase, cellulase, chitinase, glucosidase, inulinase, keratinase, ligninase, lipase, nuclease, phytase, protease and xylanase being among the enzymes produced by fungi of marine origin. These enzymes present temperature and pH optima ranging from 35 to 70 oC, and 3.0 to 11.0, respectively. High-level production in bioreactors is mainly performed using submerged-state fermentation. Certain marine-derived fungal strains present enzymes with alkaline and cold-activity characteristics, and salinity is considered an important condition in screening and production processes. The adaptability of marine-derived fungi to oceanic conditions can be considered an attractive point in the field of fungal marine biotechnology. In this review, we focus on the advances in discovering enzymes from marine-derived fungi and their biotechnological relevance.

Enzyme replacement therapy for Anderson-Fabry disease

Abstract: Background Anderson-Fabry disease is an X-linked defect of glycosphingolipid metabolism. Progressive renal insufficiency is a major source of morbidity, additional complications result from cardio- and cerebro-vascular involvement. Survival is reduced among affected males and symptomatic female carriers. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2010, and previously updated in 2013. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of enzyme replacement therapy compared to other interventions, placebo or no interventions, for treating Anderson-Fabry disease. Search methods We searched the Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group's Inborn Errors of Metabolism Trials Register (date of the most recent search: 08 July 2016). We also searched 'Clinical Trials' on The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase and LILACS (date of the most recent search: 24 September 2015). Selection criteria Randomized controlled trials of agalsidase alfa or beta in participants diagnosed with Anderson-Fabry disease. Data collection and analysis Two authors selected relevant trials, assessed methodological quality and extracted data. Main results Nine trials comparing either agalsidase alfa or beta in 351 participants fulfilled the selection criteria. Both trials comparing agalsidase alfa to placebo reported on globotriaosylceramide concentration in plasma and tissue; aggregate results were non-significant. One trial reported pain scores measured by the Brief Pain Inventory severity, there was a statistically significant improvement for participants receiving treatment at up to three months, mean difference -2.10 (95% confidence interval -3.79 to -0.41; at up to five months, mean difference -1.90 (95% confidence interval -3.65 to -0.15); and at up to six months, mean difference -2.00 (95% confidence interval -3.66 to -0.34). There was a significant difference in the Brief Pain Inventory pain-related quality of life at over five months and up to six months, mean difference -2.10 (95% confidence interval -3.92 to -0.28) but not at other time points. Death was not an outcome in either of the trials. One of the three trials comparing agalsidase beta to placebo reported on globotriaosylceramide concentration in plasma and tissue and showed significant improvement: kidney, mean difference -1.70 (95% confidence interval -2.09 to -1.31); heart, mean difference -0.90 (95% confidence interval -1.18 to -0.62); and composite results (renal, cardiac, and cerebrovascular complications and death), mean difference -4.80 (95% confidence interval -5.45 to -4.15). There was no significant difference between groups for death; no trials reported on pain. Only two trials compared agalsidase alfa to agalsidase beta. One of them showed no significant difference between the groups regarding adverse events, risk ratio 0.36 (95% confidence interval 0.08 to 1.59), or any serious adverse events; risk ratio 0.30; (95% confidence interval 0.03 to 2.57). Two trials compared different dosing schedules of agalsidase alfa. One of them involved three different doses (0.2 mg/kg every two weeks; 0.1 mg/kg weekly and; 0.2 mg/kg weekly), the other trial evaluated two further doses to the dosage schedules: 0.4 mg/kg every week and every other week. Both trials failed to show significant differences with various dosing schedules on globotriaosylceramide levels. No significant differences were found among the schedules for the primary efficacy outcome of self-assessed health state, or for pain scores. One trial comparing agalsidase alfa to agalsidase beta showed no significant difference for any adverse events such as dyspnoea and hypertension. The methodological quality of the included trials was generally unclear for the random sequence generation and allocation concealment. Authors' conclusions Trials comparing enzyme replacement therapy to placebo show significant improvement with enzyme replacement therapy in regard to microvascular endothelial deposits of globotriaosylceramide and in pain-related quality of life. There is, however, no evidence identifying if the alfa or beta form is superior or the optimal dose or frequency of enzyme replacement therapy. With regards to safety, adverse events (i.e., rigors, fever) were more significant in the agalsidase beta as compared to placebo. The long-term influence of enzyme replacement therapy on risk of morbidity and mortality related to Anderson-Fabry disease remains to be established. This review highlights the need for continued research into the use of enzyme replacement therapy for Anderson-Fabry disease.

Educação física escolar: Uma proposta de diretrizes pedagÓgicas

Abstract: First of all, it was presented an understanding about Physical Education and its aim in the school context, which is related to the "Movement Body Culture" concept. It was also proposed adequate contents, methodologies and strategies to the different levels of teaching - with remarks on the different conceptions of evaluation, analyzing the implications to Physical Education and presenting suggestions. Nevertheless, conclusion was about the need that Physical Education has to narrow the relations between theory and practice, and to innovate pedagogically, in order to keep on contributing to the overall formation of children and youth, and to the critical appropriation of the Movement Body Culture.

Oxidative stress and fish immune system: phagocytosis and leukocyte respiratory burst activity.

Abstract: Molecular oxygen is a necessary compound for all aerobic organisms, although oxygen is a potent oxidant, which can cause oxidative stress (OS). OS occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of oxidant and antioxidants components, are result of normal cell metabolism, and many of these compounds play a fundamental role in several metabolic pathways. The organism produces several reactive oxygen species (ROS), but they are balanced by an antioxidant defense system that maintains the levels of these oxidizing compounds at an acceptable level. Many of these components are essential in the organism defense and their byproducts are considered potent bactericides that actively act in the destruction of invading pathogens. Fish immune system is composed of innate and acquired mechanisms of defense. Phagocytosis is an innate process of defense, which interconnects these two systems, since the pathogens processing by professional phagocytes is a fundamental stage for antibodies production. During phagocytosis there is production of ROS and consequent production of free radicals (FR), these compounds lead to the formation of potent bactericides to combat microorganisms. However, it is known that OS limits the immune response, with an impairment in defense compounds in an attempt to decrease the ROS production. Studies of fish FR production are preliminary and should be executed to evaluate the effects of ROS on fish, including their beneficial action against pathogens and its deleterious action on the oxidation of cellular components.

Optimal Distributed Generation and Reactive Power Allocation in Electrical Distribution Systems

Abstract: Optimal and simultaneous siting and sizing of distributed generators and capacitor banks in distribution systems have attracted a lot of attention from distribution companies. The placement and capacity of these devices have direct effects on the system’s performance. This paper presents a model for the simultaneous allocation of capacitor banks and distributed generation, which takes into account the stochastic nature of distributed generation. To solve the model presented, we propose an efficient hybrid method based on Tabu search and genetic algorithms. The hybrid method is applied to a well-known system in literature.