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Abstract: Despite being considered beneficial by providing a clean and renewable source of energy, the construction of hydroelectric dams has extremely negative implications for Amazonian fisheries. This study investigated the impacts of the Santo Antônio and Jirau hydroelectric dams on the fishery stocks of the Madeira River. This investigation was based on fish catch data from the Z‐31 fishing colony, located in the municipality of Humaitá, in Amazonas State, Northern Brazil. Data were collected daily and provided information on the date of return from each trip, the fish species targeted, and the total catch (kg) between January 2002 and September 2017. The results indicated reductions of 39% in the mean annual catch and 34% in the mean monthly catches. These results highlight the high price paid by local fish communities for the development of hydroelectric power in the Amazon basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Transfection of cementum protein 1 (CEMP1) into human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) notably increases cell metabolism and results in overexpression of molecules related to biomineralization at transcriptional and protein levels. Therefore, HGF‐CEMP1 cells are considered as putative cementoblasts. This represents a significant advance in periodontal research because cementum neoformation is a key event in periodontal regeneration. In addition, it is well known that important changes in cell metabolism and protein expression are related to nucleolar structure and the function of this organelle, which is implicated in ribosome biogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of transfecting CEMP1 gene in human HGF on the ultrastructure of the nucleolus. Material and Methods: Cells were processed using the conventional technique for transmission electron microscopy, fixed with glutaraldehyde, postfixed with osmium tetraoxide, and embedded in epoxy resin. Semi‐thin sections were stained with Toluidine blue and observed by light microscopy. Thin sections were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. For ribonucleoprotein detection, the staining method based on the regressive effect of EDTA was used. In addition, the osmium ammine technique was used for specific staining of DNA. Results: The results obtained in this study suggest that transfection of CEMP1 into HGFs does not produce changes in the general nucleolar ultrastructure because the different components of the organelle are present as fibrillary centers, and dense fibrillar and granular components compared with the control. Conclusion: The transfection of CEMP1 into HGFs allows these cells to perform cementoblast‐like functions without alteration of the ultrastructure of the nucleolus, evaluated by the presence of the different compartments of this organelle involved in ribosomal biogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viruses cause significant damage in agricultural crops worldwide. Disease management requires sensitive and specific tools for virus detection and identification. Also, detection techniques need to be rapid to keep pace with the continuous emergence of new viral diseases. The genus Fabavirus is composed of five viruses infecting many economically important crops worldwide. This research describes the development of a procedure based on flow-through hybridisation ( FTH), which is faster than and as sensitive as conventional hybridisation for virus detection in tissue-prints from infected plants. Six digoxigenin-labelled RNA probes were synthesised with two levels of specificity: (a) five specific for each viral species within this genus, and (b) a genus-specific probe that hybridises with a nucleotide sequence signature only found in the 5′-untranslated region of the genus Fabavirus, which is the first of this type reported for plant viruses. The new procedure developed is useful for rapid detection and discrimination of the five fabaviruses identified so far and opens the possibility of discovering new species of this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qiao Y, Tyson C, Hrynchak M, Lopez-Rangel E, Hildebrand J, Martell S, Fawcett C, Kasmara L, Calli K, Harvard C, Liu X, Holden JJA, Lewis SME, Rajcan-Separovic E. Clinical application of 2.7M Cytogenetics array for CNV detection in subjects with idiopathic autism and/or intellectual disability. Higher resolution whole-genome arrays facilitate the identification of smaller copy number variations (CNVs) and their integral genes contributing to autism and/or intellectual disability (ASD/ID). Our study describes the use of one of the highest resolution arrays, the Affymetrix® Cytogenetics 2.7M array, coupled with quantitative multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of short fluorescent fragments (QMPSF) for detection and validation of small CNVs. We studied 82 subjects with ASD and ID in total (30 in the validation and 52 in the application cohort) and detected putatively pathogenic CNVs in 6/52 cases from the application cohort. This included a 130-kb maternal duplication spanning exons 64-79 of the DMD gene which was found in a 3-year-old boy manifesting autism and mild neuromotor delays. Other pathogenic CNVs involved 4p14, 12q24.31, 14q32.31, 15q13.2-13.3, and 17p13.3. We established the optimal experimental conditions which, when applied to select small CNVs for QMPSF confirmation, reduced the false positive rate from 60% to 25%. Our work suggests that selection of small CNVs based on the function of integral genes, followed by review of array experimental parameters resulting in highest confirmation rate using multiplex PCR, may enhance the usefulness of higher resolution platforms for ASD and ID gene discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary There is a propensity for fungal adherence to the polymethylmethacrylate used for making denture bases. Therefore, this study investigated whether surface modifications with plasma treatments would reduce the adherence of Candida albicans to a denture base resin. Samples ( n = 180) with smooth and rough surfaces were made and divided into five groups: control - non-treated; experimental groups - submitted to plasma treatments to obtain surfaces with different hydrophobicities (Ar/50 W; ArO2/70 W; AAt/130 W) or with incorporated fluoride (Ar/SF670 W). Contact angles were measured immediately after treatments and after samples were immersed in water for 48 h. For each group, half the samples were incubated with saliva before the adherence test. The number of adhered C. albicans was evaluated by counting after crystal violet staining. The plasma treatments were effective in modifying the polymethylmethacrylate surface. However, there was a significant alteration in the contact angle measured after immersion in water. No statistically significant difference in the adherence of C. albicans was observed between the experimental and control groups, irrespective of the presence or absence of saliva, and surface roughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The locomotor system of sanguivorous leeches is presented with a unique challenge: how to maintain mobility while coping with a >500% increase in body mass during feeding. A meal of this size is likely to disrupt the function of the muscular hydrostat during swimming, reducing speed and increasing predation risks. We quantified the effects of feeding to satiety on swimming kinematics, and the time course of recovery of swimming performance post-feeding in the medicinal leech Hirudo verbana. There was a 5.07 ± 0.04-fold increase in mass during feeding (mean ±sem, n=7). Despite this, leeches were able to swim immediately after feeding, reaching 27% of their pre-feeding speed. Reduced speed was a consequence of a reduction in both swimming cycle frequency and stride length to 69 and 42% of the pre-feeding values, respectively. Recovery of swimming ability was rapid, despite a prolonged increase in body mass. Fifty per cent restoration of swimming speed was achieved in c. 1 h while body mass was still 4.2-fold greater than before feeding. Rapid mass and volume reduction immediately post-feeding, and the properties of the obliquely striated swimming muscles appear to aid recovery of swimming performance. Such features that aid post-feeding recovery of mobility may have been important in the evolution of leech sanguivory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article talks about gene silencing through the use of epigenetic mechanisms. The human genome is a complex structure, both in structure and function. Epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene expression that take place without any changes in DNA sequence. More information on the subject matter is given and more issues are discussed in the article.

The genetic relationships among maleLutzomyia(Nyssomyia)intermedia(Lutz&Neiva) (Diptera: Psychodidae) from three populations from the same endemic area of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were compared. The sandflies were collected in three ecologically different habitats: domestic, extra-domestic and sylvatic over a total range of 800 m. Three molecular markers were employed to assess population variation. Based on MLEE markers, it could not be concluded that the three populations do not belong to the same gene pool (Fst = 0.005). No within-population departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was detected (P < 0.05) and they presented the same level of gene variation. The number of migrants (Nm) indicated that at least 50 individuals per generation migrated between the three habitats. RAPD-PCR markers revealed that, except for the primer five, all were polymorphic. Phenetic analysis of the genotypes showed the presence of two principal clusters corresponding to: (1) domestic plus extra-domestic and (2) sylvatic. Unique genotypes were observed in each population. The sylvatic population was the most polymorphic, showing the largest number of genotypes and low level of similarity between them. Three mtDNA gene markers were studied by SSCP analysis. The most frequent haplotype for each marker ranged in frequency from 60 to 87% and individuals with unique haplotypes varied from 1 to 5%. Interestingly, the SSCP analysis showed a low level of polymorphism within populations. The disagreement between the different molecular markers observed and the hypothesis thatL. intermediacould be participating in the transmission cycle ofLeishmania(Viannia)braziliensisin environments ranging from the interior of human dwellings to the forest, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determines the chromosomal 1AL.1RS translocation in hard red winter wheat on end-use quality traits and their stability across environments. Increase in flour protein content; Decrease in flour yield; Similar stability values of 1A and 1AL.1RS lines for flour yield and flour protein content.

Determines the effect of 1AL.1RS translocation between wheat and rye on yield and yield components and their stability across environments. Effect of translocation on winter wheat `Nekota' on kernel weight and grain volume weight; Comparison between 1A lines and 1AL.1RS.

Molecules of the title compound, C21H30N2O6S2, adopt a skeletal conformation which does not possess even approximate internal symmetry. The molecules are linked by two NH···O=S hydrogen bonds [H···O = 1.97 Å (×2), N··· 2.865 (2) and 2.864 (2) Å, and N-H···O = 160 and 159°] into molecular ladders, alternatively described as chains of edgefused R2²(20) rings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the crystal structure of bis(acetonitrile-κN)[1RS,4RS,8SR,-11SR)-1,4,8,11-tetraazatetradecan e-κ[sup 4]N]copper(II) bis{tetrakis[3,5-bis-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate} 0.31-hydrate. Presence of a small amount of water located between columns of ions; Hydrogen-bonding geometry; Effect of a large non-interacting anion on the structure of a copper(II)-cyclam complex.

HRAS mutations in Costello syndrome Estep et al. (2006) American Journal of Medical Genetics 10-A: 8–16 Germline KRAS mutations cause Noonan syndrome Schubbert et al. (2006) Nature Genetics 38: 331–335 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germline mutations in HRAS proto-oncogene cause Costello syndrome Aoki et al. (2005) Nature Genetics 37: 1038–1040 HRAS mutations in Costello syndrome Estep et al. (2006) American Journal of Medical Genetics 10-A: 8–16 Germline KRAS and BRAF mutations in cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome Niihori et al. (2006) Nature Genetics 38: 294–296 Genotype-phenotype correlation in Costello syndrome: HRAS mutation analysis in 43 cases Kerr et al. (2006) Journal of Medical Genetics 43: 401–405 Germline mutations in genes within the MAPK pathway cause cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome Rodriguez-Viciana et al. (2006) Science 311: 1287–1290 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the registration of "Tlaxcala F2000" wheat cultivar in the U.S. Description of the cultivar; Milling and baking quality; Performance of the wheat.

Reports on the registration of "Nahuatl F2000" wheat cultivar in the U.S. Description of the cultivar; Resistance to leaf rust; End-use quality.

Reports on the registration of "Juchi F2000" wheat cultivar in the U.S. Description of the cultivar; Grain yield and performance; Growth habit.

The Polycomb repressive complex 2 is an epigenetic writer and recruiter with a role in transcriptional silencing. Constitutional pathogenic variants in its component proteins have been found to cause two established overgrowth syndromes: Weaver syndrome (EZH2-related overgrowth) and Cohen-Gibson syndrome (EED-related overgrowth). Imagawa et al. (2017) initially reported a singleton female with a Weaver-like phenotype with a rare coding SUZ12 variant-the same group subsequently reported two additional affected patients. Here we describe a further 10 patients (from nine families) with rare heterozygous SUZ12 variants who present with a Weaver-like phenotype. We report four frameshift, two missense, one nonsense, and two splice site variants. The affected patients demonstrate variable pre- and postnatal overgrowth, dysmorphic features, musculoskeletal abnormalities and developmental delay/intellectual disability. Some patients have genitourinary and structural brain abnormalities, and there may be an association with respiratory issues. The addition of these 10 patients makes a compelling argument that rare pathogenic SUZ12 variants frequently cause overgrowth, physical abnormalities, and abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes in the heterozygous state. Pathogenic SUZ12 variants may be de novo or inherited, and are sometimes inherited from a mildly-affected parent. Larger samples sizes will be needed to elucidate whether one or more clinically-recognizable syndromes emerge from different variant subtypes., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The development of photovoltaic panels has improved the conversion of solar radiation into electrical energy. This paper deals with the electrical and thermal characteristics (voltage, current, and temperature) of photovoltaic solar cells sensitized with natural pigments (dye-sensitized solar cell, DSSC) based on a titanium dioxide semiconductor. Several natural pigments (blackberry, beets, eggplant skin, spinach, flame tree flower, papaya leaf, and grass extracts) were evaluated to determine their sensitizing effect on titanium dioxide. The results showed the great potential of natural pigments for use in solar cells. The best results were obtained with the blackberry pigment, reaching a value of 7.1 mA current, open-circuit voltage (V oc ) of 0.72 V in 2 cm 2 , and fill factor (ff) of 0.51 in the DSSC. This performance is well above than that currently offers by actual cells., (© 2015 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.)

Some studies have suggested that intravenous iron therapy may be associated with an increased risk of infection. We analyzed the incidence of bacterial infection in 111 hemodialysis patients. Group 1 (n = 39, transferrin saturation <20%) received 10 doses of 100 mg of intravenous iron saccharate, 3 doses per week (28 treatment days); Group 2 (n = 13, transferrin saturation <20%) received 20 doses, 3 doses per week (70 treatment days); and Group 3 (n = 59, transferrin saturation 20-50%) received 10 doses, 1 dose per week (70 treatment days). The follow-up was 150 days for all groups, and all infectious episodes were recorded. Pulmonary infection was the most frequent event observed in all of the groups. In an incidence-density analysis, Group 2, which received a total of 20 doses, presented a significantly higher incidence of infection than Group 3, which received only 10 doses over the same period (0.13 versus 0.06 infections per patient per month, p = 0.04). No difference was observed between Groups 1 and 2 suggesting that the risk of infection during iron therapy is dose dependent rather than time length dependent.