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Aged and photoaged skin exhibit fine wrinkles that are signs of epidermal inflammation and degeneration. It has been shown that healthy elderly skin expresses amyloidogenic proteins, including α-Synuclein, which are known to oligomerize and trigger inflammation and neurodegeneration. However, little is known about their putative role in skin physiology and sensitivity. To unravel this possible role, we investigated the impact of oligomeric α-Synuclein (Oα-Syn) in 2D and 3D keratinocyte human models. Exogenous Oα-Syn caused degeneration of reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) by diminishing proliferation and thickness of the stratum basale. Oα-Syn also increased NF-kB nuclear translocation in keratinocytes and triggered inflammation in the RHE, by increasing expression of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in a time-dependent manner. Dexamethasone and an IL-1β inhibitor partially diminished RHE degeneration caused by Oα-Syn. These findings suggest that Oα-Syn induces epidermal inflammation and decreases keratinocyte proliferation, and therefore might contribute to epidermal degeneration observed in human skin aging.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:35:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-11-01 The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the FDA to authorize a new nucleoside analogue, remdesivir, for emergency use in affected individuals. We examined the effects of its active metabolite, remdesivir triphosphate (RTP), on the activity of the replicative mitochondrial DNA polymerase, Pol γ. We found that while RTP is not incorporated by Pol γ into a nascent DNA strand, it remains associated with the enzyme impeding its synthetic activity and stimulating exonucleolysis. In spite of that, we found no evidence for deleterious effects of remdesivir treatment on the integrity of the mitochondrial genome in human cells in culture. Department of Chemistry Auburn University at Montgomery Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Departamento de Tecnologia Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” Departamento de Tecnologia Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”

Background and Aims Radiotherapy may cause hemorrhagic radiation proctopathy (HRP). For conservative treatment of refractory HRP, argon plasma coagulation (APC) is the first-choice therapy. Endorectal formalin instillation (EFI), in turn, is an attractive treatment option because of its satisfactory results, great availability, and low cost. Nevertheless, comparative studies between these procedures are rather scarce. This study aims to make a prospective and randomized comparison of the outcomes in 2 HRP patient groups treated with either APC or EFI. Methods Twenty-seven patients (11 women), with a mean age of 67 years (range, 36-83), were randomized to receive either APC (n = 14) or EFI (n = 13). On completion of the treatment, comparisons were made in relation to the baseline for each patient and between groups for endoscopic findings according to the Vienna score and the telangiectasia distribution pattern score (TDP); the impact of radiation proctitis on patients’ lives was made according to the modified radiation toxicity score (MRTS) and hemoglobin levels. Number of sessions, duration of therapy, and adverse events were also compared between groups. The endoscopic therapeutic success (ETS) was defined by the absence or only few residual telangiectasias (TDP ≤1) on conclusion. Results An ETS of 92.8% was achieved in patients treated with APC and 92.3% for those treated with EFI (P > .05); there was an MRTS improvement of 85.7% in APC patients and 69.2% in EFI patients (P > .05). Mild adverse events occurred, respectively, in 23% and 28.5% in the EFI and APC groups (P > .05). Conclusions The study showed that APC and EFI have similar efficacy and a high safety profile for HRP treatment. (Clinical trial registration number: 3.120.353.)

A chitosanase (CvCsn46) from Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472 was produced in Escherichia coli, purified, and partially characterized. When subjected to denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the enzyme migrated as two protein bands (38 and 36 kDa apparent molecular masses), which were both identified as CvCsn46 by mass spectrometry. The enzyme hydrolyzed colloidal chitosan, with optimum catalytic activity at 50 °C, and two optimum pH values (at pH 6.0 and pH 11.0). The chitosanolytic activity of CvCsn46 was enhanced by some ions (Ca2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Sr2+, Mn2+) and DTT, whereas Fe2+, SDS and β-mercaptoethanol completely inhibited its activity. CvCsn46 showed a non-Michaelis-Menten kinetics, characterized by a sigmoidal velocity curve (R2 = 0.9927) and a Hill coefficient of 3.95. ESI-MS analysis revealed that the hydrolytic action of CvCsn46 on colloidal chitosan generated a mixture of low molecular mass chitooligosaccharides, containing from 2 to 7 hexose residues, as well as D-glucosamine. The chitosan oligomers generated by CvCsn46 inhibited in vitro the mycelial growth of Lasiodiplodia theobromae, significantly reducing mycelium extension and inducing hyphal morphological alterations, as observed by scanning electron microscopy. CvCsn46 was characterized as a versatile biocatalyst that produces well-defined chitooligosaccharides, which have potential to control fungi that cause important crop diseases.

Objective To perform a systematic review of the viscosupplementation effectiveness with hyaluronic acid (HA) in the articular Temporomandibular Dysfunctions (TMDs) clinical management. Method Electronic searches were performed in the following databases: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, LILACS, BBO, SIGLE (System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe), ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBec). Only randomized clinical trials that evaluated the intra-articular administration of HA or its derivatives in osteoarthritis and/or anterior displacement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc were included. The primary outcomes evaluated were patients' self-report of pain and/or discomfort in the TMJ. Each study was assessed for the risk of bias, using the Cochrane collaboration's risk of bias tool. Results A total of 640 studies were obtained in the electronic search. After the application of the eligibility criteria, manual search, and duplicate removal, 21 articles were included. Five articles classified their volunteers with internal derangements of the TMJ, in 4 articles the treatment was directed to participants with disc displacement with reduction and the other articles evaluated HA therapy in osteoarthritis. The protocols presented heterogeneity, varying in the form of application, associated or not with arthrocentesis, number of applications, molecular weight, dose and concentration. Nine studies presented high risk of bias. Conclusion Due to the heterogeneity and methodological inconsistencies of the studies evaluated, it was not possible to establish the efficacy of HA in articular TMDs.

The special issue Scaling up bioenergy? identifies major policy expectations attached to biofuels production worldwide, and it provides systematic reviews of actual biofuel performance and governance in these areas. Papers address the extent to which policy expectations related to climate change mitigation, energy security, rural livelihoods and risk mitigation have been achieved, and the effectiveness of public and private governance in advancing sector sustainability. Building on these findings, the synthesis paper asks, "What next?" for countries wishing to advance national biofuel programmes as one option for the necessary divestment from fossil fuels. Among other sine qua nons, the special issue highlights the urgent need to downscale global energy demand, and to stop treating biofuels as an isolated sector. Goldemberg et al. (2018) query several aspects of our approach, from research design, data collection, to our recommendation to apply the "precautionary principle" in research as well as policy making. Unfortunately, Goldemberg et al. (2018) incorrectly portray our main argument. Moreover, they claim bias in our approach and mistakes in our empirical evidence, however, without bringing forward an evenhanded critique of research philosophy, methodology or referencing different empirical literature. We fully stand behind our research philosophy and findings presented.

Background Neurological and other systemic complications occur in adults with severe COVID-19. Here we describe SARS-CoV-2 infection complicated by neuroinvasion in the post-mortem tissues of a child. Methods We performed a complete autopsy of a 14-month-old child who died of COVID-19 pneumonitis. Histological sections of multiple organs were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Luxol fast blue staining for myelin and immunohistochemistry were performed in selected areas of the brain. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 was investigated by immunostaining with anti-spike protein antibody and by RT-qPCR. Findings Lesions included microthrombosis, pulmonary congestion, interstitial oedema, lymphocytic infiltrates, bronchiolar injury, collapsed alveolar spaces, cortical atrophy, and severe neuronal loss. SARS-CoV-2 staining was observed along the apical region of the choroid plexus (ChP) epithelium and in ependymal cells of the lateral ventricle, but was restricted to ChP capillaries and vessels in some regions. SARS-CoV-2 infection of brain tissue was confirmed by RT-qPCR in fragments of the ChP, lateral ventricle, and cortex. Interpretation Our results show multisystemic histopathological alterations caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection and contribute to knowledge regarding the course of fatal COVID-19 in children. Furthermore, our findings of ChP infection and viral neurotropism suggest that SARS-CoV-2 may invade the central nervous system by blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier disruption. Funding Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Supporting Research in the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ); the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), in addition to intramural grants from D'Or Institute for Research and Education. Editor's Note This translation in Portuguese was submitted by the authors and we reproduce it as supplied. It has not been peer reviewed. Our editorial processes have only been applied to the original abstract in English, which should serve as reference for this manuscript. Resumo Complicacoes sistemicas e neurologicas foram descritas em adultos com COVID-19 grave. Neste trabalho, descrevemos a infeccao por SARS-CoV-2, incluindo sua neuroinvasao, nos tecidos post-mortem de uma crianca. Metodos Realizamos a autopsia completa de uma crianca de 14 meses que morreu de pneumonite por COVID-19. Cortes histologicos de multiplos orgaos foram corados com Hematoxilina e Eosina. A coloracao de Luxol Fast Blue para mielina e imuno-histoquimica foram realizadas em areas selecionadas do cerebro. A presenca de SARS-CoV-2 foi investigada por imunomarcacao com anticorpo anti-proteina spike e por RT-qPCR. Achados As lesoes incluiram microtrombose, congestao pulmonar, edema intersticial, infiltrados linfociticos, lesao bronquiolar, colapso dos espacos alveolares, atrofia cortical e perda neuronal grave. A presenca de SARS-CoV-2 foi observada ao longo da regiao apical do epitelio do plexo coroide (PC) e nas celulas ependimarias do ventriculo lateral, mas ficou restrita aos capilares e vasos do PC em outras regioes. A infeccao do tecido cerebral por SARS-CoV-2 foi confirmada por RT-qPCR em fragmentos do PC, ventriculo lateral e cortex cerebral. Interpretacao Nossos resultados mostram alteracoes histopatologicas multissistemicas causadas pela infeccao por SARS-CoV-2 e contribuem para ampliar o conhecimento sobre a evolucao da COVID-19 fatal em criancas. Alem disso, nossos achados sobre a infeccao no PC e neurotropismo viral sugerem que o SARS-CoV-2 pode invadir o sistema nervoso central pela ruptura da barreira sangue-liquido cefalorraquidiano. Financiamento Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ); Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPQ) e Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES), alem de financiamento intramural do Instituto D'Or de Pesquisa e Educacao.

Biofuels have been promoted worldwide under the assumption that they can support several strategic policy goals, while mitigating associated risks. Drawing on published evidence on performance, contributing papers to this Special Section question assumptions commonly attributed to biofuels: their carbon neutrality, their positive effect on rural livelihoods, and policymakers’ ability to effectively govern for sustainability. This paper takes these findings as its starting point and asks, “What next?” for countries wishing to advance biofuels as one option for the necessary divestment from fossil fuels. Deriving recommendations for national biofuel programs from past performance is no easy task. Context, complexity, power dynamics and scaling pose significant challenges to achieving policy aims. We are nevertheless able to distill a set of sine qua nons (indispensables) for sustainable biofuel governance from the evidence and change management literatures. They are put forward not as recipes for success, but minimum conditions and “best bet” approaches requiring testing, deliberation, and refinement. Perhaps the most fundamental sine qua non is to pursue options that downscale global demand – as current levels of global energy consumption, if only in the transport sector, cannot be met by biomass-derived agrofuels in a way that meets social and environmental sustainability goals.

The development of an economically viable biofuel industry rests on strong state subsidies for production and processing, creation of markets through government procurement, fuel-blending mandates, price controls, as well as foreign trade tariffs and quotas, and multiple interventions in agricultural, ecological, and other regulations. We use an approach grounded in agrarian political economy to critically analyze the literature on how biofuel policies interact with broader production, trade, and agro-ecological processes. We focus on policies involving the most prominent crops in the places where biofuel production has advanced the most (i.e. USA, Brazil, and the EU), but also extend analysis to their relations with broader transformations in production, commercial, and even governance practices around the world. We investigate the political and economic interests driving biofuel policies, and how these set the terms in which state interventions and policies are conceived and implemented. We find that these are not developed and implemented according to environmental or inclusive pro-poor development purposes, but according to state interests in energy security and its intersection with a tense alliance between corporate sectors, rendering many policy mechanisms ineffective or even outright counterproductive to effectively facilitate more socially and environmentally sustainable energy production and agricultural practices.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T17:33:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2017-05-01 Academy of Finland National Institutes of Health Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship Program Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) We evaluated the role of natural mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation on mtDNA copy number, biochemical features and life history traits in Drosophila cybrid strains. We demonstrate the effects of both coding region and non-coding A +T region variation on mtDNA copy number, and demonstrate that copy number correlates with mitochondrial biochemistry and metabolically important traits such as development time. For example, high mtDNA copy number correlates with longer development times. Our findings support the hypothesis that mtDNA copy number is modulated by mtDNA genome variation and suggest that it affects OXPHOS efficiency through changes in the organization of the respiratory membrane complexes to influence organismal phenotype. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. and Mitochondria Research Society. All rights reserved. Univ Tampere, Inst Biosci & Med Technol, FI-331014 Tampere, Finland Michigan State Univ, Dept Biochem & Mol Biol, Ctr Mitochondrial Sci & Med, E Lansing, MI 48824 USA Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Tecnol, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil Univ Helsinki, Inst Biotechnol, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Tecnol, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil National Institutes of Health: GM45295 Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship Program: 328988 FAPESP: 2014/02253-6

The relationship between uptake and use of resources has always been highlighted among functional traits to explain the performance of invasive and native species. However, previous studies have shown that, under resource limitation, the species of both groups tend to have similar functional behavior. We measured a group of resource-use traits under controlled drought stress in Cenostigma microphyllum native to Caatinga of Brazil and the invasive species Calotropis procera that has a large occurrence in semiarid regions. The results showed that invasive well-watered plants always had higher CO2 assimilation rates and lower leaf construction costs than native plants, while stomatal conductance was similar. On the other hand, under water deficit conditions, the invasive plants tolerated more days of drought and showed higher root/shoot biomass ratio, leaf relative water content, lower leaf construction costs and payback time than the native species. Moreover, seven days after stress, the invasive plants displayed higher CO2 assimilation, photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency, instantaneous efficiency of energy use and lower leaf construction costs compared with the native species. The ability to acquire and distribute resources among the different plant tissues at the right time seems to be a fundamental combination for the plants used in the experiment. Thus, a more acquisitive strategy is fundamental for having enough carbon to invest in the root biomass in C. procera under drought, which could contribute to maintain higher leaf water status for longer time compared with C. microphyllum.

In seasonal dry tropical forests, plants are subjected to severe water deficit, and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) or inorganic phosphorus supply (Pi) can mitigate the effects of water deficit. This study aimed to assess the physiological performance of Poincianella pyramidalis subjected to water deficit in combination with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and leaf inorganic phosphorus (Pi) supply. The experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement of 2 water levels (+H2O and −H2O), 2 AMF levels (+AMF and −AMF) and 2 Pi levels (+Pi and −Pi). Leaf primary metabolism, dry shoot biomass and leaf mineral nutrients were evaluated. Inoculated AMF plants under well-watered and drought conditions had higher photosynthesis and higher shoot biomass. Under drought, AMF, Pi or AMF + Pi plants showed metabolic improvements in photosynthesis, leaf biochemistry and higher biomass compared to the plants under water deficit without AMF or Pi. After rehydration, those plants submitted to drought with AMF, Pi or AMF + Pi showed a faster recovery of photosynthesis compared to treatment under water deficit without AMF or Pi. However, plants under the drought condition with AMF showed a higher net photosynthesis rate. These findings suggest that AMF, Pi or AMF + Pi increase the drought tolerance in P. pyramidalis, and AMF associations under well-watered conditions increase shoot biomass and, under drought, promoted faster recovery of photosynthesis.

Background and Aims The biological characterization of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (c-AML) is an important outcome predictor. In Brazil, very little is known about the frequency of AML subgroups, although c-AML accounts for about 18% of leukemias. We carried out this study to investigate the contribution of type I and II gene mutations in the probability of overall survival (pOS) of c-AML in Brazil. Methods Seven hundred and three de novo pediatric AML cases (2000–2015) were assessed throughout a multicentric network study. Mutations in hotspot regions of FLT3 , NRAS , KRAS , PTPN11 , and c- KIT genes were analyzed as well as fusion genes ( RUNX1 - RUNX1T1 , MLL / KMT2A -r, CBFβ - MYH11 , and PML - RARα ) associated with AML. Patients were treated out of the clinical trial although following the BFM-AML2004 protocol. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) was treated differently. AML with Down syndrome was excluded. Results There were significant differences in gene mutations among age ranges (≤2 years-old; >2–10 years old and ≥11 years old) and the nonrandom association between type I/II mutations. Lower white blood cell count (≤50 × 10 9 /L) was associated with RUNX1 - RUNX1T1 , whereas higher WBC with CBFβ-MYH11 ( p p = 0.03). pOS differences were observed between Brazilian regions. The South-Southeast regions had a better 5-year pOS, whereas the Midwest region presented the poorest pOS (23.7 ± 4.9%). PTPN11 mutations conferred an adverse prognosis as an independent prognostic factor. Conclusions Identification of genetic subgroups contributes to the molecular epidemiology and biology of AML worldwide, reflecting the profile of pediatric AML cases in Brazil.

In this study is presented the correlation between laser speckle images and enamel hardness loss.In order to shift the enamel hardness, a dental demineralization model was applied to 32 samples of vestibular bovine teeth. After they were cleaned, cut and polished, the samples were divided into 4 groups and immersed in 30ml of a cola-based soft drink for 10, 20, 30 and 40min twice a day for 7 consecutive days with half the surface protected by two layers of nail polish. Each sample was analyzed by Knoop hardness and laser speckle imaging.Pearson's correlation analysis demonstrated that the laser speckle image technique presents a strong correlation with the hardness loss of the enamel (r=0.7085, p0.0001). This finding is corroborated by BlendAltman analysis, in which the data presented a constant behavior throughout the whole interval. For both analyses, more than 95% of the data is within the confidence interval, as expected.This work demonstrates, for the first time to our knowledge, an empirical model for correlating laser speckle images with the loss of tooth enamel hardness.

Osteoclastogenesis is the major cellular event responsible for bone loss and is triggered by inflammation. Acai-berry has proven anti-inflammatory effects. However, there is a lack of evidence for its effects on osteoclastogenesis. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether acai-berry extract (ABE) could inhibit osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast activity in vitro. The secretion of cytokines by osteoclasts has been also evaluated. RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with RANKL (50ng/mL) and treated with various concentrations of ABE (25-100μg/mL) to verify: cell viability (MTT), total protein concentration (BCA), osteoclast differentiation and activity, and cytokine secretion. Cell viability and protein assays showed no toxicity to RAW cells for the tested ABE concentrations (p>0.05). ABE also showed a dose-dependent inhibition of osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast activity evaluated by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and hydroxylapatite resorption assay, respectively (p

The study aimed at assessing whether there is association between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and two woody species from a seasonal dry tropical forest, Poincianella pyramidalis and Cnidoscolus quercifolius, besides the occurrence of an increase in biomass under different availability of phosphorus (P) in the soil. The experimental design was completely randomized, with a factorial design with two mycorrhizal levels [inoculated (+AMF) and control (−AMF)] × six phosphorus levels (3, 9, 15, 21, 27, 33 mg dm−3). The presence of mycorrhizal structures, mycorrhizal growth, mycorrhizal efficiency, leaf relative water content (RWC) and gas exchange were evaluated. +AMF plants of both species had mycorrhizal structures, while −AMF showed no structures. In P. pyramidalis, +AMF plants had benefits with increasing phosphorus level, while −AMF plants had increases biomass only at the P9 level if compared to the P3-AMF level. The total leaf area was correlated with total dry weight (TDW) in +AMF and −AMF plants. However, +AMF plants had more responses in RWC. In C. quercifolius, +AMF and −AMF plants did not differ in RWC and showed reductions in gas exchange with increased phosphorus level. However, these reductions were lower in +AMF plants, besides having a better performance over −AMF plants. The growth and mycorrhizal efficiency were higher at the P15 level, and relationship between total leaf area and TDW were significant only in +AMF plants. Thus, both species perform association with AMF and show increases in growth. The concentrations of phosphorus in the soil for P. pyramidalis (33 mg dm−3) and C. quercifolius (15 mg dm−3) are indicated for increased effectiveness of mycorrhization, promote increases in gas exchange and growth in +AMF plants.

Ankle joint sprains are a common medical condition estimated to be responsible for 15–25% of all musculoskeletal injuries worldwide. The pathophysiology of the lesion can represent considerable time lost to injury, as well as long-term disability in up to 60% of patients. A percentage between 10% and 20% may complicate with chronic instability of the ankle joint and disability in walking, contributing to morbidity and poor life quality. Ankle sprains can be classified as grade I, II, or III, based on the extent of damage and number of ligaments affected. The diagnostic grading is important for setting further treatment and rehabilitation, since more severe injuries carries risk of recurrence, added morbidity and decrease in life quality. The aim of this work was to evaluate the adequacy of infrared thermography as a potential complimentary diagnostic tool of the distinct lesions grades. Evaluation of different thermographic values of the ankle region (in both affected and non-affected foot) was conducted for this purpose. The principal results to be highlighted are that some of the regions, namely anterior view for non defined time after injury analysis, and anterior, frontal, posterior and anterior talofibular ligament regions and proximal calcaneofibular ligament regions in acute lesions (herein defined as less than 6 h post-traumatic event) presented consistent profiles of variation. The analyses were performed considering affected and non-affected ankles results on plotted graphics representing termographic evaluation and grading of these lesions performed using ultrasound by experimented medical radiologists. An increase in temperature values was observed when progressing from mild to severe ankle sprain injuries, with these regions presenting lower values for the affected ankle when compared to the non-affected ankle in all the analysis performed. The remaining analysed regions did not present the same variations. Statistical analysis using Kruskal–Wallis tests for non-parametric samples, however, did not confer statistical significance to the differences encountered in the graphics analysis ( p > 0.05). The major conclusions were that thermographic analysis of ankle sprain injuries might have some potential to be used clinically, especially in acute settings such as those that occur in hospital emergency areas and in sports practice. There is currently no practical technology to be used for grading ankle sprain lesions, with the gold standard being magnetic resonance imaging. Thermography provides results rapidly and without the need for extensive equipment operating expertise. Based on scientific data present in the literature, this is the first description of the use of this technology with such an objective regarding ankle sprain lesions. Further work is needed, nonetheless, to amplify the sample number with the herein chosen parameters and possibly use dynamic thermography.

A partial cDNA sequence from Anacardium occidentale CCP 76 was obtained, encoding a GH19 chitinase (AoChi) belonging to class VI. AoChi exhibits distinct structural features in relation to previously characterized plant GH19 chitinases from classes I, II, IV and VII. For example, a conserved Glu residue at the catalytic center of typical GH19 chitinases, which acts as the proton donor during catalysis, is replaced by a Lys residue in AoChi. To verify if AoChi is a genuine chitinase or is a chitinase-like protein that has lost its ability to degrade chitin and inhibit the growth of fungal pathogens, the recombinant protein was expressed in Pichia pastoris, purified and biochemically characterized. Purified AoChi (45 kDa apparent molecular mass) was able to degrade colloidal chitin, with optimum activity at pH 6.0 and at temperatures from 30 °C to 50 °C. AoChi activity was completely lost when the protein was heated at 70 °C for 1 h or incubated at pH values of 2.0 or 10.0. Several cation ions (Al3+, Cd2+, Ca2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Mn2+, Rb+, Zn2+ and Hg2+), chelating (EDTA) and reducing agents (DTT, β-mercaptoethanol) and the denaturant SDS, drastically reduced AoChi enzymatic activity. AoChi chitinase activity fitted the classical Michaelis-Menten kinetics, although turnover number and catalytic efficiency were much lower in comparison to typical GH19 plant chitinases. Moreover, AoChi inhibited in vitro the mycelial growth of Lasiodiplodia theobromae, causing several alterations in hyphae morphology. Molecular docking of a chito-oligosaccharide in the substrate-binding cleft of AoChi revealed that the Lys residue (theoretical pKa = 6.01) that replaces the catalytic Glu could act as the proton donor during catalysis.

China and Brazil are the world's leading exporter and importer of agrochemicals respectively. We combine quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze global-local interactions in the spatial restructuring of China's agrochemical industry in relation to a 2006 agrochemical import-acceleration policy in Brazil. We synthesize global political ecology and evolutionary economic geography (EEG) research on environmental regulations, technological upgrading, and the spatial transformations of China's pollution-intensive industries, discussing arguments that the Pollution Haven Hypothesis (PHH) and Porter Hypothesis (PH) co-exist due to firm heterogeneity. While existing studies conceptualize heterogeneity in terms of firm size, regional hub (cluster) effect, and local government intervention, this study adds global-local interactions as dimension of firm heterogeneity – distinguishing firms with weak and strong international linkages. We show the import-acceleration policy in Brazil contributed to the de-concentration of agrochemical production towards western China (confirming the PHH). Yet increasingly strict environmental regulations in China curtailed de-concentration after 2010, when well-established firms and new entrants with strong international linkages consolidated exports to Brazil, while new firms with weaker international linkages exited this market (confirming the PH). This co-existence of PHH and PH due to firm-level heterogeneity of global-local interactions illustrates a theoretical synthesis we call an evolutionary political economic geography (EPEG).

Syagrus coronata, a native palm tree of the Brazilian semi-arid region, exhibits low germinability due to seed dormancy. This study aimed to increase the germinability, analyze the morphology of seedlings and evaluate the performance of young plants under a water deficit. We used immersion in water and gibberellic acid (GA3) as pyrene (seed with endocarp) pre-germination treatments, and we analyzed the water relations, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and carbon balance components of young plants under drought and rehydration conditions. The immersion of pyrenes in 0.3 mM GA3 solution for 24 h enhanced the emergence and survival of plants and the emergence rate index. The germination of S. coronata is of the remote tubular type, and seedling growth originates with the protrusion of the cotyledon petiole, followed by the subsequent emergence of the root, leaf sheaths and eophyll. The plants exhibited high tolerance to no irrigation for 37 days, which was attributed to strong stomatal control, a higher proportion of energy dissipation and a higher content of photoprotective pigments. Despite the reduced stomatal conductance (regardless of soil water availability), the photosynthetic rate remained high throughout the day, which indicated a low correlation between these two parameters. After rehydration, we observed that both the leaf water content and photosynthesis recovered, which showed an absence of irreversible damage of the photosynthetic apparatus. The use of 0.3 mM GA3 is recommended as a treatment for overcoming seed dormancy in this species. Young S. coronata plants showed high tolerance during drought and resilience after rehydration by adjusting their leaf metabolism, which could explain the endemism of this species in semi-arid regions and its ability to remain evergreen throughout the year. Furthermore, with high photosynthetic rate in the most favorable time of day, even under drought stress.

Increasing attention is given to public transport services in cities of the Global South as a tool to enhance social inclusion and support economic development. Against this background, developing and evaluating indicators that quantify the distribution of public transport services from a social equity perspective is essential. The aim of the study is, therefore, to assess the equity of public transport services in four metropolitan regions in Brazil (Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba and Recife) with two commonly used indicators of public transport provision. The first indicator measures proximity to rapid transit infrastructure (bus rapid transit, light rail and heavy rail stops with high frequency throughout the day), and the second measures accessibility to jobs by public transport. While simple indicators of proximity to public transport stops are most commonly used given their ease of operationalization and communication, accessibility to job indicators are more representative of the benefits provided to individuals by the public transport network. Combining these two indicators in one study provides a quantitative assessment of the socio-spatial distribution of public transport services in four large metropolitan areas in Brazil and the results demonstrate that lower-income households are disadvantaged in terms of public transport services in all four metropolitan areas. Furthermore, the results highlight the importance of quantifying accessibility by public transport, in addition to proximity to rapid transit, and thereby sheds light on the importance of developing openly available public transport schedules and geographic data. This study is of relevance to planners and researchers wishing to measure and evaluate public transport equity in the Global South.

Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans , generally associated with immunodefi y and immunosuppressive agents, and it is rarely reported in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), particularly in juvenile SLE (JSLE). From January 1983 to June 2011, 5,604 patients were followed at our University Hospital and 283 (5%) of them met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for SLE. Only one (0.35%) of our JSLE patients had cryptococcal meningitis and is described in this report. A 10-year old girl was diagnosed with JSLE. By the age of 15 years, she presented persistent headaches, nausea and vomiting for a 5 day period without fever, after a cave-exploring trip. At that moment, she was under 10 mg/day of prednisone, azathioprine and hydroxychloroquine. A lumbar puncture was performed and India ink preparation was positive for cryptococcosis, cerebrospinal fl culture yielded Cryptococcus neoformans and serum cryptococcal antigen titer was 1:128. Azathioprine was suspended, and liposomal amphotericin B was introduced. Despite of treatment, after four days she developed amaurosis and fell into a coma. A computer tomography of the brain showed diffuse ischemic areas and nodules suggesting fungal infection. Four days later, she developed severe sepsis and vancomycin and meropenem were prescribed, nevertheless she died due to septic shock. In conclusion, cryptococcal meningitis is a rare and severe opportunistic infection in juvenile lupus population. This study reinforces the importance of an early diagnosis and prompt introduction of antifungal agents, especially in patients with history of contact with bird droppings.

Melanoma is a serious and deadly form of skin cancer. However, patients’ chances of survival and recovery are considerably increased when it is diagnosed and treated in its early stages. In this study, trace element concentrations in serum samples from patients with melanoma were measured using PIXE (Proton Induced X-ray Emission) and HR-ICPMS (High-Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry), with the purpose of correlating these concentrations with the disease. Blood samples from 30 melanoma patients and 116 healthy donors were collected at Sao Paulo Hospital (protocol CEP 1036/08 UNIFESP). Relevant clinical information on the patients has also been included in the statistical analysis. Analysis of the control group showed different P and Mg concentrations in individuals above and below 40 years of age. P, S, Ca, Cu and Zn concentrations in healthy individuals differed according to gender, highlighting the necessity to include age and gender variables in the case-control analysis. There were also differences in K, S, Ca and Se concentrations between the control and melanoma groups.

a b s t r a c t Three cactus pear, Opuntia ficus-indica cultivars, with different levels of tolerance to carmine cochineal, IPA-Clone 20 (susceptible), F-08 (tolerant) and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (resistant), were grown under field and insect presence conditions. We analyzed the epicuticular wax, soluble sugars, free amino acid, total protein, chlorophyll, night acidity contents, PEP carboxylase activity and produced biomass. The cultivar IPA had wax content 50% greater than the others. The F-08 showed the highest efficiency in conversion of the carbon biomass. Twelve months under field conditions and subject to carmine cochineal attack, F-08 showed 20% of the cladodes area infested and higher biomass compared to IPA and OEM. However susceptible and resistant cultivars showed the highest and lowest activity of PEP, respectively, when compared to the tolerant cultivar. Moreover, both had high content of organic acids. Nevertheless, the nighttime high accumulation of organic acids did not result into biomass. The higher productivity in F-08 may be due to a balanced investment between defense and productivity, featuring a mutualistic interaction with carmine cochineal. Thus, the use of tolerant cultivars, rather than resistant, can meet the producer's demands and keep the insect at levels that do not cause significant damage to agribusiness. Finally, our results support that the tolerant cultivar should be cultivated in northeastern Brazil, and also involvid in plant breeding programs.

The objectives were to evaluate clinical and histopathological aspects of topical application of sunflower-seed oil ( Helianthus annuus ) on the healing process of experimentally induced wounds in lumbar and metacarpal areas of healthy horses. Six adult horses were used. Eight wounds were surgically produced on each horse: two 6.25-cm 2 wounds cranial to the sacrum on each side of the lumbar region and two 2.89-cm 2 wounds close to the proximal epiphysis of the metacarpus on the lateral aspect of each forelimb. Left side was used for macroscopic observations and right side for histopathological analysis. The experimental lesions were treated daily with sunflower-seed oil, whereas saline solution was used in control lesions. Macroscopic and histopathological analyses were performed on tissue harvested at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days. Complete healing time for all wounds was recorded. For lumbar region’s wounds, a contraction of 90.78% was recorded for those treated with oil and of 79.27% for control wounds after 21 days of treatment. For metacarpal region’s wounds, a contraction of 47.63% was recorded for wounds treated with oil and of 30.21% for control wounds. Wounds in the sunflower-seed oil treatment group had an elevation of polymorphonuclear cells, a newly formed vascular bed during the inflammatory phase, and a better alignment of collagen fibers during the remodeling phase. In conclusion, topical application of sunflower-seed oil was beneficial in the healing process of experimentally induced skin wounds in horses, with best results for treatment of lumbar wounds, making it a therapeutic option in equine wound healing.

Introduction: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) with quantitative cultures has been used in order to increase ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) diagnosis specificity, although the accurate technique for this entity diagnosis remains controversial. Objectives: To evaluate the influence of using positive BAL and quantitative cultures results in microbiologic diagnosis and treatment of patients with suspected late VAP and prior antibiotherapy. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of intensive care unit (UCI) patients, during a one year period, with clinical suspicion of late VAP and prior use of antibiotics that presented a growth in BAL cultures. Results: Of 243 BAL performed, there were 71 (29.2 %) positive cultures (60 patients, 76.7 % male, 54 ± 19 years). BAL was done after 13 days (median) of invasive mechanical ventilation, 11 days of ICU antibiotherapy and in the day in which a new antibiotic for VAP suspicion was started. Colony forming units (CFU)/ml count was performed in 71.8 % and endotracheal aspirate (ETA) simultaneously collected for qualitative analysis in 85.9 %. Therapeutic approach was changed in 38.0 %: correction (16.9 %), de-escalation (12.7 %) and directed antibiotherapy start (8.4 %). Therapeutic changes were made in the presence of CFU > 104 in 84.2 % and in agreement with ETA in 70.8 %. In cases in which antibiotherapy was maintained (62.0 %), quantitative cultures would have allowed de-escalation in 9.1 %. Changes in prescription were more frequent when CFU was > 104 (48.5 %), comparing with situations in which counts were lower and BAL analysis was only qualitative (28.9 %), p = 0.091. There were no significant differences between patients submitted to different therapeutic approaches concerning to ICU mortality or length of stay. Conclusion: In late onset VAP, positive BAL and quantitative cultures allowed therapeutic changes, leading to antibiotic adequacy and consumption reduction, which can however be maximised. Resumo: Introdução: O lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) com culturas quantitativas tem sido utilizado no sentido de permitir um aumento da especificidade diagnóstica da pneumonia associada ao ventilador (PAV), embora a técnica padrão para o diagnóstico definitivo desta entidade permaneça controversa. Objectivos: Avaliar a influência dos resultados positivos do LBA e das culturas quantitativas no diagnóstico microbiológico e no tratamento de doentes com suspeita de PAV tardia e antibioterapia prévia. Material e Métodos: Análise retrospectiva de doentes em unidade de cuidados intensivos (UCI) polivalentes, com suspeita de PAV tardia e antibioterapia prévia, que apresentaram crescimento cultural nos LBA efectuados durante o período de um ano. Resultados: Dos 243 LBA realizados, obtiveram-se 71 (29,2 %) resultados positivos (60 doentes, 76,7 % do sexo masculino, 54 ± 19 anos). O LBA foi realizado após em mediana 13 dias de ventilação invasiva, 11 dias de antibioterapia na UCI e no dia em que se instituiu um novo antibiótico perante a suspeita de PAV. Foi efectuada contagem de unidades formadoras de colónias (UFC)/ml em 71,8 % e simultaneamente obtido aspirado endotraqueal (AET) para análise qualitativa em 85,9 %. Verificou-se mudança terapêutica em 38,0 %: correcção terapêutica (16,9 %), descalação (12,7 %) e início de antibioterapia dirigida (8,4 %). As alterações terapêuticas foram efectuadas na presença de > 104 UFC em 84,2 % e em concordância com o AET em 70,8 %. Nos casos em que se verificou manutenção da antibioterapia (62,0 %) as culturas quantitativas teriam permitido descalação em 9,1 %. A alteração na prescrição foi mais frequente na presença de > 104 UFC (48,5 %), do que nas situações em que as contagens de UFC foram inferiores ou a análise do LBA qualitativa (28,9 %), p = 0,091. Não se verificaram diferenças significativas entre os doentes submetidos às diferentes atitudes terapêuticas no que diz respeito à mortalidade na UCI ou duração do internamento. Conclusão: Na PAV tardia, o resultado positivo do LBA e das culturas quantitativas condicionou mudanças terapêuticas, no sentido da adequação da antibioterapia e da redução do consumo de antibióticos, que podem contudo ser maximizadas. Keywords: Ventilator associated pneumonia, Bronchoalveolar lavage, Quantitative cultures, Palavras-chave: Pneumonia associada ao ventilador, Lavado broncoalveolar, Culturas quantitativas

Prenatal malnutrition is responsible for the onset of alterations in renal Na(+) transport in the adult offspring. Here we investigated the molecular mechanisms by which increased formation of reactive oxygen species during prenatal malnutrition affects the pathways that couple angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors (AT(1)R and AT(2)R) to kidney Na(+)-ATPase in adulthood, and how maternal treatment with α-tocopherol can prevent alterations in the main regulatory cascade of the pump. The experiments were carried out on the adult progeny of control and malnourished dams during pregnancy that did or did not receive α-tocopherol during lactation. Malnutrition during pregnancy increased maternal hepatic and adult offspring renal malondialdehyde levels, which returned to control after supplementation with α-tocopherol. In the adult offspring, placental malnutrition programmed: decrease in Na(+)-ATPase activity, loss of the physiological stimulation of this pump by Ang II, up-regulation of AT(1)R and AT(2)R, decrease in membrane PKC activity, selective decrease of the PKCε isoform expression, and increase in PKA activity with no change in PKA α-catalytic subunit expression. These alterations were reprogrammed to normal levels by α-tocopherol during lactation. The influence of α-tocopherol on the signaling machinery in adult offspring indicates selective non-antioxidant effects at the gene transcription and protein synthesis levels.

Recently reported massive compact stars ( M ∼ 2 M ⊙ ) have provided strong constraints on the properties of the ultradense matter beyond the saturation nuclear density. Therefore, realistic quark or hybrid star models must be compatible with these observational data. Some used equations of state (EoS) describing quark matter are in general too soft and hence are not suitable to explain the stability of high compact star masses. In this work, we present the calculations of static spherically symmetric quark star structure by using an equation of state which takes into account the superconducting colour-flavour locked phase of the strange quark matter. In addition, some fundamental aspects of QCD (asymptotic freedom and confinement) are considered by means of a phenomenological description of the deconfined quark phase, the density-dependent quark mass model. We discuss the influence of the obtained quark matter equation of state on the mass-radius relationship of quark stars. Massive quark stars are found due to the stiffness of the equation of state, when reasonable values of the superconducting gap, taken as a free parameter, are used.

We present a computer package designed to generate and test norm-conserving pseudo-potentials within Density Functional Theory. The generated pseudo-potentials can be either non-relativistic, scalar relativistic or fully relativistic and can explicitly include semi-core states. A wide range of exchange–correlation functionals is included. Program summary Program title: Atomic Pseudo-potentials Engine (APE) Catalogue identifier: AEAC_v1_0 Program summary URL: http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEAC_v1_0.html Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.html No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 88 287 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 649 959 Distribution format: tar.gz Programming language: Fortran 90, C Computer: any computer architecture, running any flavor of UNIX Operating system: GNU/Linux RAM: Classification: 7.3 External routines: GSL ( http://www.gnu.org/software/gsl/ ) Nature of problem: Determination of atomic eigenvalues and wave-functions using relativistic and nonrelativistic Density-Functional Theory. Construction of pseudo-potentials for use in ab-initio simulations. Solution method: Grid-based integration of the Kohn–Sham equations. Restrictions: Relativistic spin-polarized calculations are not possible. The set of exchange–correlation functionals implemented in the code does not include orbital-dependent functionals. Unusual features: The program creates pseudo-potential files suitable for the most widely used ab-initio packages and, besides the standard non-relativistic Hamann and Troullier–Martins potentials, it can generate pseudo-potentials using the relativistic and semi-core extensions to the Troullier–Martins scheme. APE also has a very sophisticated and user-friendly input system. Running time: The example given in this paper (Si) takes 10 s to run on a Pentium IV machine clocked at 2 GHz.

The aim of this research was to verify the incidence of endocrine dysfunction associated with mercury intoxication in the hypothalamus-pituitary reproductive system of normally cycling or castrated female rats and the possible protective action of estrogen replacement therapy. We found no differences in the frequency of estrus cycle stages (diestrus I, diestrus II, proestrus, and estrus) in normally cycling female rats during 54 days of daily oral administration of 0.004, 0.02, and 1 mg/kg MeHgCl. Conversely, the higher dose (1 mg/kg) induced a significant decrease in content of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) into the medial hypothalamus when administered daily during 3 days in ovariectomized rats. This effect was associated with increased levels of mercury found in the anterior pituitary gland and medial hypothalamus, rather than the anterior and posterior hypothalamus, striatum or cerebellum. A decrease in plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) was also detected after administration of 7.5 mg/kg MeHgCl. These disturbances in LHRH and LH secretion induced by mercury were abolished or superimposed (respectively) by estrogenic replacement therapy (0.025 mg/kg 17beta estradiol cypionate, intramuscular). These effects were associated with a significant reduction in mercury content of the anterior pituitary gland and medial hypothalamus, suggesting a protective estrogenic effect.

The capacity for glucose synthesis in Chasmagnathus granulata hepatopancreas, associated with phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity, argues in favor of this tissue as a site for gluconeogenesis. In order to obtain more information on the gluconeogenic capacity in crabs, we investigated the effects of different diets on the incorporation of 14C-alanine or 14C-lactic acid into glucose in Chasmagnathus granulata hepatopancreas, as well as on the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity in this organ. In contrast to what occurs in vertebrates, in Chasmagnathus granulata, the intrinsic capacity of the hepatopancreas to synthetize glucose from alanine or lactic acid, and its phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity, was not influenced by high-protein or carbohydrate diets. The amount of labelled glucose recovered from 14C-alanine was significantly higher than that recovered from 14C-lactic acid, and 40 mM of alanine is not a saturated concentration for the gluconeogenic pathway. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity was detected into the mitochondrial (10,000 × g) and cytosol (100,000 × g) fractions. The data suggest that gluconeogenesis from 14C-alanine in the hepatopancreas from Chasmagnathus granulata fed a high-protein or carbohydrate-rich diet is equally subject to end-point inhibition by glucose, as has been found in vertebrates.

A rechargeable zinc-carbon-bromine-complex cell with an immobilised electrolyte is described. The cell resembles a cylindrical Leclanche cell with an outside zinc can and a carbon-rod containing bobbin. A membrane-type separator prevents shorting on charge. Unlike a Leclanche cell, which has a very limited rechargeability, this zinc-carbon-bromine-complex system can deliver high currents with excellent rechargeability after many complete discharges and is insensitive to cell reversal. Organic complexing agents and additives bind or intercalate the bromine which is formed on charge and overcharge. ‘Hybrid cells’ with MnO 2 and graphite-containing cathodes have a useful initial capacity and show a better shelf-life than the simple zinc-carbon-bromine system.

Bibliografía: La espondilodiscitis de la infancia es una enfermedad rara, que cursa con una gran variedad de síntomas, relacionados con la edad del niño y la localización del proceso inflamatorio. Los autores presentan el caso clínico de un niño de 9 meses de edad, que fue atendido en el servicio de urgencias por un cuadro de tortícolis con 6 semanas de evolución. El diagnóstico de espondilodiscitis cervical (C6-C7) fue confirmado por resonancia magnética nuclear. Se instauró terapéutica antibiótica intravenosa, con regresión completa de los síntomas y normalización de las pruebas de imagen. Los autores destacan la baja frecuencia de dicha enfermedad a esa edad, así como su localización y forma de presentación. Señalan también la importancia diagnóstica, que permite la prevención de lesiones neurológicas permanentes y de deformidades óseas. : Spondylitis in childhood is rare, presenting a great variety of symptoms that are related to the child´s age and to the site of the inflammatory process. We present the case of a nine-month-old infant, who presented to the emergency department with a torticollis of six weeks´ evolution. The diagnosis of spondylitis (C6-C7) was confirmed by MRI. Intravenous antibiotic therapy was administered. The patient showed complete regression of symptoms and imaging tests were normal. The rarity of this disease in patients in this age group, as well as the site and form of presentation are emphasised as is the importance of diagnosing this disease to prevent permanent neurological injuries or bone deformities.

A series of samples of GaAs planar doped with Si, grown by MBE at low substrate temperatures and with different doping concentrations, is investigated. A comparison of Shubnikov-de Haas measurements and self-consistent numerical calculations shows that a broadening of the doped region occurs in spite of the low growth temperature. The broadening occurs via segregation of the Si impurities with the growth surface when the solid solubility limit of Si in GaAs is exceeded. For the growth conditions used this limit is determined to be (2.1 ± 0.2) × 1019 cm−3. At high doping densities an intrinsic compensation mechanism becomes active, limiting the concentration of conduction electrons.

We present the first two mitochondrial genomes of Muscidae dipterans for the species Haematobia irritans (the horn fly) and Stomoxys calcitrans (the stable fly). Typical insect mtDNA features are described, such as a high A+T content (79.1% and 78.9%, respectively), the preference for A+T-rich codons, and the evidence of a non-optimal codon usage. The strong A+T enrichment partially masks another nucleotide content bias maintained by A+C mutation pressure in these Muscidae mtDNAs. The analysis of this data provides a model of metazoans tRNA anticodon evolution, based on the selection hypothesis of anticodon versatility. H. irritans mitochondrial genome (16078 bp) is structurally similar to the hypothetical ancestral mitochondrial genome of arthropods and its control region (A+ T-rich region in insects) organization is consistent with the structure described for Brachycera dipterans. On the other hand, the mitochondrial genome of S. calcitrans is approximately 2kb longer (18 kb), characterized by the presence of approximately 550 bp tandem repeats in the control region, and an extra copy of trnI remarkably similar to a duplicated element of blowflies mtDNA. Putative sequence elements, involved in the regulation of transcription and replication of the mtDNA, were reliably identified in S. calcitrans control region despite the 0.8-1.5 kb gap uncovered from this genome. The use of amino acid and nucleotide sequences of concatenated mitochondrial protein-coding genes (PCGs) in phylogenetic reconstructions of Diptera does not support the monophyly of Muscomorpha, as well as the monophyly of Acalyptratae. Within the Calyptratae group, the inclusion of Muscidae (Muscoidea) as a sister group of Calliphoridae (Oestroidea) implies in a potential conflict concerning the monophyly of the superfamily Oestroidea.

Low temperature (2K) photoluminescence measurements have been performed in delta-doped GaAs(Si) layers, with carrier sheet concentrations Ns ranging from 1012 to 1013cm−2. Under the same excitation intensity, the luminescence spectra of all samples show a high energy tail which becomes more pronounced as Ns increases. Well defined electron temperatures, higher than the lattice temperature, are obtained, characterizing the electron heating effect in this system. The architecture of the delta-doping allows to observe hot electrons even at relatively low laser pumping intensities.