Universidade de Pernambuco

About: Universidade de Pernambuco is a education organization based out in Recife, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Artificial neural network. The organization has 6147 authors who have published 6948 publications receiving 73648 citations.

The short variant of the polymorphism within the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene is a risk factor for late onset Alzheimer's disease

Abstract: We analyzed a deletion/insertion polymorphism within the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTPLR) in 81 patients with late onset Alzheimer's (AD) disease (mean age 70.02 +/- 8.13 years). Control groups included 81 normal subjects with comparable age (mean age 75.6 +/- 10.2) and 82 younger normal subjects (mean age 37.4 +/- 9.1). Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in the genotype and gene frequencies between the AD group and normal controls (chi 2 = 9.021; 2 d.f. and chi 2 = 5.59, 1 d.f., respectively, P 0.05). The present study confirms, in a different population, that the short variant of the 5-HTTPLR polymorphism may be a risk factor for late onset AD.

The Role of Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) in Insulin Resistance and Diabetes.

Abstract: In obesity, insulin resistance (IR) and diabetes, there are proteins and hormones that may lead to the discovery of promising biomarkers and treatments for these metabolic disorders For example, these molecules may impair the insulin signaling pathway or provide protection against IR Thus, identifying proteins that are upregulated in IR states is relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of the associated disorders It is becoming clear that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is an important component of the pathophysiology of IR, with increased levels in most common IR conditions, including obesity HGF has a role in the metabolic flux of glucose in different insulin sensitive cell types; plays a key role in β-cell homeostasis; and is capable of modulating the inflammatory response In this review, we discuss how, and to what extent HGF contributes to IR and diabetes pathophysiology, as well as its role in cancer which is more prevalent in obesity and diabetes Based on the current literature and knowledge, it is clear that HGF plays a central role in these metabolic disorders Thus, HGF levels could be employed as a biomarker for disease status/progression, and HGF/c-Met signaling pathway modulators could effectively regulate IR and treat diabetes

Importância da avaliação sorológica pré-transfusional em receptores de sangue

Abstract: A triagem sorologica em doadores de sangue, nao possibilita seguranca de 100% quanto a possibilidade de transmissao de agentes infecto-contagiosos. O Ministerio da Saude determina a realizacao de testes para sifilis, hepatite B e C, HIV, doenca de Chagas, HTLV I/II e malaria nas areas endemicas, em todas as unidades de sangue coletadas no Brasil. A amostra do doador deve ficar armazenada por um periodo minimo de seis meses. Com relacao aos receptores de sangue, o Ministerio determina a realizacao de testes imuno-hematologicos pre-transfusionais tais como classificacao ABO/Rh, pesquisa de anticorpos irregulares e testes de compatibilidade. Nesse caso, a amostra do receptor deve ficar armazenada por um periodo de dez dias. Considerando que algumas patologias testadas, quando nao detectadas no doador, podem ser transmitidas e cursar durante decadas sem apresentar sintomas, um estudo de provas entre receptores e seus respectivos doadores fica comprometido. Um recente estudo no Brasil, envolvendo receptores sem passado transfusional, eventual e politransfundidos mostrou uma importante prevalencia de patologias que podem ser transmitidas pelo sangue. O estudo revelou tambem que uma elevada percentagem dos receptores que apresentaram reatividade nao tinha conhecimento previo a transfusao do seu estado sorologico. A seguranca transfusional e a importância da aplicacao de testes sorologicos em receptores de sangue antes da transfusao sao pontos discutidos na presente revisao.

Plankton trophic structure and particulate organic carbon production during a coastal downwelling-upwelling cycle

Abstract: We evaluated plankton trophic structure in a short-term temporal survey performed throughout a downwelling-upwelling cycle at the SE Brazilian coast. Size-fractioned phytoplankton biomass (PB), microzooplankton (MiZA) and mesozooplankton (MeZA) abundances along with pri- mary (PP) and bacterial production (BP) were estimated for 5 consecutive days at a fixed station in the Cabo Frio upwelling core area. During the downwelling period, the dominance of pico- and nanoplankton in PB, and higher BP (0.1 µg C l -1 h -1 ) and MiZA (170 ind. l -1 ), characterized a micro- bial food web structure. After the South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) upwelling, the decrease in BP (0.02 µg C l -1 h -1 ), MiZA (50 ind. l -1 ) and picoplankton contribution to PB, along with the appear- ance of microplankton in PB and the increase in opportunistic herbivorous copepods densities (Paracalanus parvus: 2.0 ind. l -1 ) indicated the establishment of a herbivorous food web structure. Particulate organic carbon (POC) production was mainly due to phytoplankton (98%) and did not differ between periods. However, the observed variability in plankton trophic interactions should affect the magnitude of POC export from this dynamic system.