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Properties like high interfacial area with cellular membranes, unique ability to incorporate multiple functionalization, as well as compatibility and transport in biological fluids make carbon nanotubes (CNTs) useful for a variety of therapeutic and drug-delivery applications. Here we used a totally synthetic hybrid supramolecule as an anticancer vaccine formulation. This complex structure comprises CNTs as delivery system for the Cancer Testis Antigen named NY-ESO-1, allied to a synthetic Toll-Like Receptor agonist. The CNT constructs were rapidly internalized into dendritic cells, both in vitro and in vivo, and served as an intracellular antigen depot. This property favored the induction of strong CD4(+) T as well as CD8(+) T cell-mediated immune responses against the NY-ESO-1. Importantly, the vaccination significantly delayed the tumor development and prolonged the mice survival, highlighting the potential application of CNTs as a vaccine delivery system to provide superior immunogenicity and strong protection against cancer.

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Anaplasmosis, a persistent intraerythrocytic infection of cattle by Anaplasma marginale , causes severe anemia and a higher rate of abortion, resulting in significant loss to both dairy and beef industries. Clinical diagnosis is based on symptoms and confirmatory laboratory tests are required. Currently, all the diagnostic assays have been developed with whole antigens with indirect ELISA based on multiple epitopes. In a pioneer investigation we demonstrated the use of critical motifs of an epitope as biomarkers for immunosensor applications. Mimotopes of the MSP1a protein functional epitope were obtained through Phage Display after three cycles of selection of a 12-mer random peptide library against the neutralizing monoclonal antibody 15D2. Thirty-nine clones were randomly selected, sequenced, translated and aligned with the native sequence. The consensus sequence SxSSQSEASTSSQLGA was obtained, which is located in C-terminal end of the 28-aa repetitive motif of the MSP1a protein, but the alignment and sequences' variation among mimotopes allowed us to map the critical motif STSSxL within the consensus sequence. Based on these results, two peptides were chemically synthesized: one based on the critical motif (STSSQL, Am1) and the other based on the consensus sequence aligned with the native epitope (SEASTSSQLGA, Am2). Sera from 24 infected and 52 healthy animals were tested by ELISA for reactivity against Am1 and Am2, which presented sensitivities of 96% and 100%, respectively. The Am1 peptide was incorporated onto a biolectrode (graphite modified with poly-3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) and direct serum detection was demonstrated by impedance, differential pulse voltammetry, and atomic force microscopy. The electrochemical sensor system proved to be highly effective in discriminating sera from positive and negative animals. These immunosensors were highly sensitive and selective for positive IgG, contaminants did not affect measurements, and were based on a simple, fast and reproducible electrochemical system.

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RESUMO -Neste trabalho, determinou-se o valor nutritivo de quatro alimentos energéticos (fubá de milho, sorgo, farelo de arroz integral e quirera de arroz) para juvenis de surubim. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB) e energia bruta (EB) foram avaliados pela metodologia de substituição do alimento numa ração-referência usando-se 0,1% de óxido crômico como indicador externo. Utilizaram-se 240 alevinos com 30 g de peso médio distribuídos em tanques apropriados para coleta de fezes. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado com quatro dietas, cada uma com quatro repetições. O coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca do fubá de milho foi de 62,3%; do farelo de arroz, 59,7%; da quirera de arroz, 40,4%; e do sorgo, 38%. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade da proteína bruta, nesta ordem, foram 87,4; 83,8; 85,3; e 81,1%; e os da energia bruta, 62,4; 66,4; 46,9 e 47,8%. Entre os alimentos avaliados, o que possui maior digestibilidade da matéria seca, proteína bruta e energia bruta é o farelo de arroz e o de menor digestibilidade, o sorgo.Palavras-chave: avaliação de alimentos, espécies carnívoras, pintado, Pseudoplatystoma Apparent digestibility coefficients of different energetic ingredients for surubim juvenilesABSTRACT -It was determined, in this work, the nutritional value of four energetic feeds (corn meal, sorghum, whole rice bran, and ground rice) for surubim juveniles. Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and gross energy (GE) were evaluated by food replacement methodology in a reference-feeding using 0.1% of chromic oxide as an external marker. It was used 240 fingerlings with an average weight of 30 g distributed in tanks fitted for faeces collection.A complete random design with four diets, each one with four replicates, was used. Apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matter for corn meal was 62.3%; for rice bran, 59.7%; for ground rice, 40.4%, and for sorghum, 38%. Digestibility coefficients for crude protein were, in this order, the following: 87.4, 83.8, 85.3 and 81.1% and digestibility coefficient for gross energy were: 62.4, 66.4, 46.9 and 47.8%. Among the evaluated feeds, the one with the highest digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and gross energy is the rice bran and the one with the lowest digestibility is the sorghum.Key Words: Brazilian catfish, carnivorous species, feed evaluation, Pseudoplatystoma IntroduçãoNo Brasil, apesar da crescente demanda por rações comerciais para o surubim (Pseudoplatystoma sp), existem poucos trabalhos que tratam da avaliação de alimentos para essa espécie. A falta de dados concretos sobre a avaliação de alimentos e exigências nutricionais faz com que as deficiências na alimentação e nutrição desses peixes sejam responsáveis por altos índices de mortalidade, baixa eficiência alimentar e baixo desempenho (Teixeira, 2008).A ração é muito importante, pois, quando formulada adequadamente, permite maior eficiência no uso de seus nutrientes tornando a composição...