Search

Candida tropicalis is among the most prevalent human pathogenic yeast species. Switch states of C. tropicalis differ in virulence traits. Here, we evaluate the effect of phenotypic switching on phagocytosis and yeast-hyphae transition in C. tropicalis. C. tropicalis morphotypes included a clinical strain and two switch strains (rough variant and rough revertant). In vitro, phagocytosis assay was performed using peritoneal macrophages and hemocytes. The proportion of hyphal cells was ascertained by scoring morphology using optical microscopy. Expression of the WOR 1 (White-opaque regulator 1) and EFG 1 (Enhanced filamentous growth protein 1) was determined by quantitative PCR. The rough variant was more resistant to in vitro phagocytosis by peritoneal macrophages than that observed for the clinical strain, while hemocytes phagocytosed clinical and rough variant to the same extent. The rough revertant was more phagocytosed than the clinical strain by both phagocytes. During co-incubation with phagocytic cells, the clinical strain of C. tropicalis exists mainly as blastoconidia. The co-culture of the rough variant with macrophages resulted in a higher percentage of hyphae than blastoconidia cells, while in co-culture with hemocytes, no differences were observed between the percentage of hyphae and blastoconidia. The expression levels of WOR 1 in the rough variant co-cultured with phagocytes were significantly higher than they were in the clinical strain. Differences on phagocytosis and hyphal growth between switch states cells of C. tropicalis co-cultured with phagocytic cells were observed. The pronounced hyphal growth may affect the complex host-pathogen relationship and favor the pathogen to escape phagocytosis. The pleiotropic effects of phenotypic switching suggest that this event may contribute to the success of infection associated with C. tropicalis. • In vitro phagocytosis of switch states cells of C. tropicalis was determined. • The percentage of the cells that underwent hyphal morphogenesis was assessed. • Phenotypic switching had effect on phagocytosis and yeast-hyphae transition. • Exposure to Congo red affected hyphal morphogenesis and phagocytosis in switch strain. • Expression of WOR 1 was upregulated in the most filamentous switch strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary No life cycle assessment (LCA) of artisanal and small-scale mining activities (A&Sma) has been identified as of today, and there are limited studies about large-scale mining and alluvial mining. The A&Sma are relevant economic sectors in countries with large reserves of mineral resources. Gold is the most representative metal mined with these practices and is used not only in jewelry but also in several electronics appliances. South America accounted for 17% of the total worldwide gold extraction in 2005; A&Sma occurred mostly in Colombia, Peru, and Brazil. The aim of this study is to estimate environmental indicators using methodologies for life cycle inventories (LCIs) in one of the two largest producers of gold through A&Sma in South America, Peru, and to discuss possible indicators for A&Sma in South America. Different functional units were used for each case study, as gold with different concentrations was produced and it was not possible to collect data for downstream processes for both bases. The product systems start in the mining and end with the gold production. Data were collected in two mining sites and, later on, related to the functional units. The results showed the amount of energy and water consumed as well as mercury used and released, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and solid wastes for each type of gold produced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status of crack users and to analyze its correlation with drug use profiles. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 108 crack users. Anthropometric data were assessed through body mass index (BMI) and bioimpedance (BIA) measurements. A blood test to analyze hematocrit, hemoglobin, glucose, and lipid profiles was also performed. Crack use was determined through a standardized interview. Results: Based on BMI and BIA, most individuals were eutrophic (about 70%). Regarding hematological parameters, we found that hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were below normal for 32.4 and 30.6% of patients, respectively. Considering normal parameters, a large part of the sample (60.2%) had low levels of HDL cholesterol and high levels of triglycerides (38%). There were no significant correlations between drug profile and nutritional variables. Conclusion: This is a pioneering study that examines the nutritional status of crack users. Our results showed that most crack users present normal anthropometric findings and the prevalence of underweight is low. However, blood analysis showed changes and a specific type of malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new record to the Brazilian territory (i.e. Tradescantia boliviana), the rediscovery of a species exclusively known from the cultivated type collection (i.e. T. valida), the description of a new taxon (i.e. T. chrysophylla), synonyms for T. crassula and T. boliviana, correct the typification of T. crassula, and designation of a lectotype for T. ambigua and T. ambigua var. pilosula. Furthermore, we present illustrations, comments, distribution maps, and identification keys for the studied taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the taxonomy of the enigmatic Tradescantia cymbispatha - the source of the confusion between T. sect. Austrotradescantia and T. sect. Cymbispatha - we reexamined the protologues of T. geniculata Vell., T. mundula var. scabrida, T. cymbispatha, T. cymbispatha var. villosissima, T. cerinthoides, T. koernickeana, and T. umbraculifera. Our analysis revealed a great deal of confusion caused by the misinterpretation of Vellozo's plate for T. geniculata. We concluded that T. cymbispatha is the accepted name for Vellozo's T. geniculata; Clarke's descriptions were based on a miscellaneous assemblage of three different species of Tradescantia from two different sections; and T. cymbispatha var. villosissima does not represent a distinct variety, but is a synonym of T. cerinthoides. Due to this confusion, a new Tradescantia species from Bolivia has remained undescribed until now. A table of morphological characters that distinguish the sections is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the flora of the genus Philodendron (Araceae) in the Paraná state, Brazil. Thirteen species were recorded, two of which are new: P. appendiculatum, P. bipinnatifidum, P. camposportoanum, P. corcovadense, P. crassinervium, P. eximium, P. loefgrenii, P. meridionale, P. missionum, P. obliquifolium, P. propinquum, P. rheophyticum and P. roseopetiolatum. The Philodendron species were found in the three main formations of Atlantic forest in the Paraná state: five species in the Seasonal Semideciduous Forest, seven species in the Araucaria Forest and in the Ombrophilous Dense Forest, which recorded the major representativeness, 11 species were recorded. Moreover, Ombrophilous Dense Forest showed a high endemism, with four exclusive species to this formation. Three species were considered critically endangered in the Paraná state: P. camposportoanum, P. eximium and P. roseopetiolatum. We present an identification key, photos, and illustrations of the diagnostic characters and taxonomic comments for each species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nemaline myopathy (NM), a structural congenital myopathy, presents a significant clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Here, we compiled molecular and clinical data of 30 Brazilian patients from 25 unrelated families. Next-generation sequencing was able to genetically classify all patients: sixteen families (64%) with mutation in NEB, five (20%) in ACTA1, two (8%) in KLHL40, and one in TPM2 (4%) and TPM3 (4%). In the NEB-related families, 25 different variants, 11 of them novel, were identified; splice site (10/25) and frame shift (9/25) mutations were the most common. Mutation c.24579 G>C was recurrent in three unrelated patients from the same region, suggesting a common ancestor. Clinically, the "typical" form was the more frequent and caused by mutations in the different NM genes. Phenotypic heterogeneity was observed among patients with mutations in the same gene. Respiratory involvement was very common and often out of proportion with limb weakness. Muscle MRI patterns showed variability within the forms and genes, which was related to the severity of the weakness. Considering the high frequency of NEB mutations and the complexity of this gene, NGS tools should be combined with CNV identification, especially in patients with a likely non-identified second mutation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphoanatomical features can provide useful information for plant taxonomy. In Oxalis sect. Polymorphae (Oxalidaceae) there are currently 12 accepted species, mostly from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, but the historical recognition of some infraspecific taxa may have resulted in underscored species richness. Integrated analyses of additional types of data are critical to evaluate if some taxa would be better recognized at species level. To evaluate this, we carried out leaf morphoanatomical analysis of O. neuwiedii subsp. neuwiedii and O. neuwiedii subsp. pardoensis and a phylogenetic analysis of nrITS sequences. Both leaf morphoanatomy and phylogenetics lend support to recognize O. neuwiedii subsp. pardoensis at species level. Leaflet venation pattern, epidermal cell outline, hair-covering, vascular conformation of the pulvina, and tissue organization in the midvein were the main morphoanatomical diagnostic features for the recognition of two species instead of a single one. A new rank and the second-step lectotypification are proposed for this taxon, raising to 13 accepted species in O. sect. Polymorphae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Philodendron flowers are numerous, small, unisexual or sterile, without perianth and exclusively pollinated by beetles, representing an Angiosperm-ancient pollination syndrome. Species of the genus are traditionally classified under three subgenera, P. subgenus Philodendron, P. subgenus Meconostigma, and P. subgenus Pteromischum. In recent phylogenetic analyses, two main lineages of Philodendron were recovered, Meconostigma and a Pteromischum   +   Philodendron lineage. Although a modest advance in the knowledge of the evolutionary history of the genus has been made, little attention has been paid to floral morphology in this group, in particular to structural studies on flowers of P . subg. Pteromischum in light of pollination biology. Our aims were (i) to investigate the flower structure of P. propinquum ( P . subg. Pteromischum ) through light and scanning electron microscopy and histochemistry; and (ii) to compare relevant floral characters among the three subgenera. Flowers of P. propinquum , which is endemic to the Atlantic Forest, are described for the first time. The pistillate flower presents a shallow, broad compitum, and a large number of ovules per locule; pistillate and staminate flowers present subepidermal druses; sterile units present raphids and starch grains; the papillose epidermal cells from sterile units and staminate flowers present terpene contents and stomata, probably representing diffuse osmophores. Our analysis suggests that the balance between pollen uptake (stylar lobes) and accessibility to the locules (stylar canals and compitum) were decisive to drive gynoecium evolution of the Philodendron genus. The presence and location of druses and raphides in stamen and gynoecium indicate a protective function against florivores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare sedation and effects on heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and respiratory rate (fR) of nalbuphine and butorphanol, alone or combined with acepromazine in dogs. Study design Prospective, randomized experimental trial. Animals Eight healthy Beagle dogs, aged (mean ± standard deviation) 3.4 ± 0.5 years and weighing 11.0 ± 1.3 kg. Methods Each dog was treated four times: physiological saline (1 mL) combined with nalbuphine (0.5 mg kg-1; SAL-NAL) or butorphanol (0.15 mg kg-1; SAL-BUT), and acepromazine (0.05 mg kg-1) combined with nalbuphine (0.5 mg kg-1; ACP-NAL) or butorphanol (0.15 mg kg-1; ACPBUT), intravenously (IV). The degree of sedation, assessed by a numeric descriptive scale (NDS) and simple numerical scale (SNS), HR, MAP, fR and rectal temperature (RT), were recorded before and 20 minutes after administration of saline or acepromazine, then 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after nalbuphine or butorphanol. Values were compared with baseline and among treatments. Results Mild sedation was recorded for SAL-NAL and SAL-BUT, and moderate sedation for ACPNAL and ACP-BUT. NDS and SNS scores were higher for SAL-BUT and ACP-BUT at some time points when compared with SAL-NAL and ACPNAL, respectively (p < 0.001). HR was lower in ACP-NAL than in ACP-BUT at 120 minutes and fR was lower in SAL-BUT than in SAL-NAL at 30 and 120 minutes (p < 0.05). RT was lower in SAL-BUT (37.5 ± 0.5 °C) compared with SAL-NAL (38.0 ± 0.5 °C) at 60e120 minutes (p < 0.05). Conclusions and clinical relevance Butorphanol promoted a higher sedative effect than nalbuphine when alone and combined with acepromazine. IV administration of nalbuphine or butorphanol, with or without acepromazine, at the doses studied, resulted in minimal decreases in MAP, HR, fR and RT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenosine is the first drug of choice in the treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias. While the effects of adenosine on sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) have been investigated, no information is available on the effects on cardiac vagal nerve activity (VNA). We assessed in rats the responses of cardiac VNA, SNA and cardiovascular variables to intravenous bolus administration of adenosine. In 34 urethane-anaesthetized rats, cardiac VNA or cervical preganglionic sympathetic fibres were recorded together with ECG, arterial pressure and ventilation, before and after administration of three doses of adenosine (100, 500 and 1000 μg kg−1). The effects of adenosine were also assessed in isolated perfused hearts ( n= 5). Adenosine induced marked bradycardia and hypotension, associated with a significant dose-dependent increase in VNA (+204 ± 56%, P < 0.01; +275 ± 120%, P < 0.01; and +372 ± 78%, P < 0.01, for the three doses, respectively; n= 7). Muscarinic blockade by atropine (5 mg kg−1, i.v.) significantly blunted the adenosine-induced bradycardia (−56.0 ± 4.5%, P < 0.05; −86.2 ± 10.5%, P < 0.01; and −34.3 ± 9.7%, P < 0.01, respectively). Likewise, adenosine-induced bradycardia was markedly less in isolated heart preparations. Previous barodenervation did not modify the effects of adenosine on VNA. On the SNA side, adenosine administration was associated with a dose-dependent biphasic response, including overactivation in the first few seconds followed by a later profound SNA reduction. Earliest sympathetic activation was abolished by barodenervation, while subsequent sympathetic withdrawal was affected neither by baro- nor by chemodenervation. This is the first demonstration that acute adenosine is able to activate cardiac VNA, possibly through a central action. This increase in vagal outflow could make an important contribution to the antiarrhythmic action of this substance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective--To determine the minimum anesthetic concentration (MAC) for sevoflurane and measure the dose and temporal effects of butorphanol on the MAC for sevoflurane in guineafowl. Animals--10 healthy adult guineafowl (Numida meleagris). Procedures--Each bird was anesthetized with sevoflurane, and a standard bracketing method was used to measure the MAC in response to a noxious electrical stimulus. Subsequently, conditions were adjusted so that each bird was anesthetized with sevoflurane at a fraction of its respective MAC (eg, 0.7 times the MAC for that bird). Butorphanol tartrate (2 mg/kg, IV) was administered, and a noxious stimulus was applied every 15 minutes until the bird moved in response. The reduction in MAC was estimated with logistic regression by use of a standard quantal method. After an interval of ≥ 1 week, the MAC reduction experiment was repeated with an increased butorphanol dosage (4 mg/kg). Results--Individual mean ± SE MAC for sevoflurane was 2.9 ± 0.1%. At 15 minutes after administration of 2 mg of butorphanol/kg, estimated reduction in the MAC for sevoflurane was 9 ± 3%. At 15 and 30 minutes after administration of 4 mg of butorphanol/kg, estimated reduction in the MAC for sevoflurane was 21 ± 4% and 11 ± 8%, respectively. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance--In guineafowl, the MAC for sevoflurane was similar to values reported for other species. Increasing the butorphanol dosage decreased the MAC for sevoflurane, but the effect was small and of short duration for dosages up to 4 mg/kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]