We analyzed the effect of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) on gene expression in the marine bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The total number of genes whose expression was induced and repressed genes in the presence of GlcNAc was 81 and 55, respectively. The induced genes encoded a variety of products, including proteins related to energy metabolism (e.g. GlcNAc and chitin utilization), transport, central metabolism and chemotaxis, hypothetical proteins, mannose-sensitive hemagglutinin pilus (MSHA), and a PilA protein, whereas the repressed genes encoded mainly hypothetical proteins. GlcNAc appears to influence directly or indirectly a variety of cellular processes, including energy metabolism, chitin utilization, competence, biofilm formation and pathogenicity. GlcNAc, one of the most abundant aminosugars in the oceans, is used by V. parahaemolyticus as an energy source and affects the cellular functioning of this marine bacterium.

Introduction: Unilateral ureteral obstruction breaks out events that cause the transitory increase of glomerular permeability to macromolecules, both in the obstructed kidney and in the contralateral kidney, suggesting the presence of some factor, with a systemic action, liberated as a response to the obstruction. We know that the rennin-angiotensin system is activated by acute ureteral obstruction. We have developed an experiment to assess the role of angiotensin II on the glomerular permeability to IgG due to acute ureteral obstruction, using enalaprilat, an angiotensin enzyme conversion inhibitor, to block the effects of the activation of the rennin-angiotensin system. Materials and Methods: We have used 45 adult Wistar female rats, distributed into 3 main groups: a control group with 5 animals and 2 experiment groups each one with 10 animals submitted to unilateral ureteral obstruction and nephrectomy at 60 and 120 minutes. Each experiment group had its simulation correspondent (sham). We have studied both kidneys through the direct immunofluorescence method. Results: We have found positive permeation in animals without enalaprilat in both kidneys and negative permeation in those in which the drug was used. Conclusion:We have concluded that enalaprilat interferes in this alteration of permeability, suggesting that angiotensin II is involved in the loss of selectivity of the glomerular membrane.

Alveolar adenoma is a rare benign neoplasm of the lungs, and very few cases have been described in the literature. Patients with alveolar adenoma are frequently asymptomatic and are diagnosed through the accidental discovery of a singular, well-delineated nodule on a routine chest X-ray. The definitive diagnosis is made histologically, and the treatment consists of surgical resection of the nodule.