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The textile industry is essential, but it is also responsible for causing environmental problems, particularly the discharge of dyes. In this context, this study aimed to immobilize a previously purified peroxidase, called MoPOX, on glutaraldehyde-activated chitosan beads in order to improve the potential for textile dye decolorization. The chitosan beads were activated with 8% glutaraldehyde for 1 h, and the immobilization was performed at 30 °C, pH 5.2 for 4 h. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses were used to observe the differences in the chitosan beads after immobilization. The optimum temperature dropped from 70 °C to 30 °C after immobilization, but immobilized MoPOX demonstrated excellent heat stability. The optimum pH remained 5.2, while the apparent kinetic constant value (Km) of immobilized MoPOX (14.67 mM) was lower in comparison to free MoPOX (46.8 mM). The immobilized enzyme showed improved activity after long storage times, and it could retain 40 % of its original activity even after 5 cycles. The potential for decolorization of different textile dyes was considerably enhanced after immobilization, reaching more than 80 %. Also, MoPOX showed no toxicity towards Artemia salina. Overall, the findings point to the promising potential of using immobilized MoPOX as a biocatalyst in a variety of biotechnological applications.

Non-coding RNAs are involved with maintenance and regulation of physiological mechanisms and are involved in pathological processes, such as cancer. Among the small ncRNAs, miRNAs are the most explored in tumorigenesis, metastasis development, and resistance to chemotherapy. These small molecules of ~ 22 nucleotides are modulated during early renal development, involved in the regulation of gene expression and Wilms' tumor progression. Wilms' tumors are embryonic tumors with few mutations and complex epigenetic dysregulation. In recent years, the small ncRNAs have been explored as potentially related both in physiological development and in the tumorigenesis of several types of cancer. Besides, genes regulated by miRNAs are related to biological pathways as PI3K, Wnt, TGF-β, and Hippo signaling pathways, among others, which may be involved with the underlying mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy, and in this way, it has emerged as potential targets for cancer therapies, including for Wilms' tumors.

Non-aggressive basal cell carcinoma (BCC) growth is slow and might be mediated by the immune system. This study analysed the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G expression and cytokine profile in non-aggressive BCC subtypes from distinct locations. HLA-G was evaluated via immunohistochemistry and cytokine expression was analysed by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in 26 primary BCC samples, including nodular BCC (nBCC, n = 16) and superficial BCC (n = 10) from cephalic (ceBCC, n = 12) and non-cephalic (n = 14) locations, and by bioinformatics analysis of public GEO databases. Inflammatory infiltrate was concentrated around the tumour nests. HLA-G-positive inflammatory cells (53.85%) were more abundant than HLA-G-positive tumour cells (21.54%, p

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T10:53:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 Aims: Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) survival was evaluated in the phyllosphere and rhizosphere of 20 crop species, as well as in the rhizosphere of cabbage cultivated in six soil types. Methods: The crops aerial parts were inoculated, and the rhizosphere soil was infested with bacterial suspension (107 CFU.mL−1) of 3098C Xcc strain, which is rifampicin-resistant and pathogenic to brassica plants. Xcc recovery from the samples was performed in a semi-selective culture medium. Results: The highest average survival periods of Xcc in the phyllosphere were obtained from cabbage (70 days), tomato (67 days), wheat and pumpkin (63 days), black oat and radish (56 days) and sweet pepper (49 days). Low Xcc survival occurred in the rhizosphere of most crops evaluated when compared to the soil in the absence of plants. The highest average period of survival in the rhizosphere was observed for cabbage (53 days). Survival periods in lettuce, pumpkin, wheat and mustard ranged from 21 to 28 days. In the rhizosphere of cabbage cultivated in six soils, survival periods ranged from 8 to 17 days. Conclusions: Sunflower, carrot, zucchini, spinach, sunn hemp, sorghum, maize and chive are recommended for rotating systems with brassicas because Xcc showed low survival in the phyllosphere and rhizosphere of these crops. Departamento de Proteção Vegetal Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas (FCA) Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida Universitária, 3780 Departamento de Produção e Melhoramento Vegetal Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas (FCA) Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida Universitária, 3780 Departamento de Proteção Vegetal Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas (FCA) Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida Universitária, 3780 Departamento de Produção e Melhoramento Vegetal Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas (FCA) Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida Universitária, 3780

Calcareous nannofossils of the Lower Tejo Basin Miocene, Portugal. This study presents the taxonomy, biostratigraphy, and paleoecology of calcareous nannofossils from an outcrop on the border of Foz da Fonte beach, geologically setting in the Neogene of the Lower Tejo Basin, Portugal. The taxonomic description allowed us to identify 19 calcareous nannofossils species belonging to ten genera (Helicosphaera, Pontosphaera, Reticulofenestra, Cyclicargolithus, Coccolithus, Discoaster, Sphenolithus, Umbilicosphaera, Calcidiscus, and Thoracosphaera). Based on the stratigraphic range of Discoaster druggii, Reticulofenestra lockeri and Helicosphaera ampliaperta the section was defined in the NN2 and CN1 biozones, within the Burdigalian (lower Miocene). Quantitative analysis showed a significant variation in species diversity as a function of depth, as well as a relationship between species richness and the calcium carbonate content present in these rocks. According to these data, mainly due to the abundance of Reticulofenestra spp., Coccolithus spp. and Helicosphaera spp., it is possible to infer that this was a nutrient-rich nearshore marine environment (eutrophic) influenced by warm water conditions. Keywords: calcareous nannofossils, taxonomy, biostratigraphy, paleoecology, Neogene, Lower Tejo Basin. RESUMO – Este estudo apresenta a taxonomia, bioestratigrafia e paleoecologia dos nanofosseis calcarios presentes nas rochas que afloram as margens da praia da Foz da Fonte, geologicamente pertencentes ao Neogeno da Bacia do Baixo Tejo, Portugal. A descricao taxonomica permitiu identificar 19 especies de nanofosseis calcarios pertencentes a dez generos (Helicosphaera, Pontosphaera, Reticulofenestra, Cyclicargolithus, Coccolithus, Discoaster, Sphenolithus, Umbilicosphaera, Calcidiscus e Thoracosphaera). Com base na distribuicao bioestratigrafica de Discoaster druggii, Reticulofenestra lockeri e Helicosphaera ampliaperta a secao foi definida pertencendo as biozonas NN2 e CN1, dentro do Burdigaliano (Mioceno inferior). A analise quantitativa mostrou significativa variacao na diversidade de especies em funcao da profundidade e, tambem, uma relacao entre a riqueza especifica e abundância com o teor de carbonato de calcio presente nas rochas. De acordo com esses dados, principalmente pela abundância de Reticulofenestra spp., Coccolithus spp. e Helicosphaera spp. e possivel inferir que tratava de um ambiente marinho proximo a costa, rico em nutrientes (eutrofico), influenciado por massas de aguas quentes. Palavras-chave: nanofosseis calcarios, taxonomia, bioestratigrafia, paleoecologia, Neogeno, Bacia do Baixo Tejo.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T10:49:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-03-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) A crop rotation system can reduce phytopathogen inoculum, and consequently reduce the incidence and severity of disease. Bean bacterial wilt is an important disease and several crops can act as inoculum sources for Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens (Cff). The aim was to evaluate the influence of crop rotation systems on 10 common bean cultivars against bacterial wilt. Experiments were located in two different areas in Brazil (2012), cultivated under a no-tillage system and with a history of the disease. The evaluated rotation systems were black oat, wheat and fallow followed by common bean. After harvest, 10 dry bean cultivars were sown, together with a fallow area. Disease incidence and severity were assessed at 45, 60 and 80 days after sowing. Also evaluated were four agronomical parameters: pod numbers, grain numbers, total weight of grains per plant and weight of 100 grains. Epiphytic and endophytic colonization by Cff was evaluated in black oat and wheat, and in crop debris. The rotation systems significantly influenced the incidence and severity of bacterial wilt in common bean cultivars in both areas and negatively affected the four agronomic parameters. The cultivars BRS Campeiro, BRS Estilo, IPR Tuiuiú, IPR Tangará and IPR Campos Gerais presented low severity and incidence of the disease and higher productivity. Cff strains were recovered from black oat, wheat and crop debris. Our results reinforce the importance of planting non-Cff host crops in rotation systems with common bean, as well as planting cultivars with a level of resistance to bacterial wilt. Departamento de Proteção Vegetal Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas (FCA) Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida Universitária, 3780 Departamento de Proteção Vegetal Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas (FCA) Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida Universitária, 3780

This study carried out the screening of wastes from Amazon plants to produce hydrolysates with a high monosaccharides content for ethanol production. Initially, we hydrolyzed (diluted acid) Amazon wastes (peel from the fruit of Astrocaryum aculeatum Meyer, peel from the fruit of Bactris gasipaes Kunth, straw obtained from endocarp of the fruit of Euterpe oleracea Mart., peel from the fruit of Theobroma grandiflorum Schumann and peel from the root of Manihot esculenta Crant) to obtain hydrolysates with the high content of fermentable sugars. Then, we investigated by 23 factorial design the influence of the factors: a) hydrolysis time (min); b) H2SO4-to-waste ratio (g/g) and c) solid-to-liquid ratio (g/mL) in the variables reducing sugars and furans. The hydrolysis of the peel of the fruit of Bactris gasipaes resulted in the highest concentration of reducing sugars (23.7 g/L). After detoxification and concentration process, the Bactris gasipaes hydrolysate results in 96.7 g/L of reducing sugars largely fermentable (90%) by Saccharomyces cerevisiae PE-2. The experimental design demonstrated that the factors H2SO4-to-waste ratio (g/g) and solid-to-liquid ratio (g/mL) were the most significant affecting the final content of reducing sugars and furans in the hydrolysate of the peel of Bactris gasipaes. Hydrolysis time of 4.4 min, H2SO4-to-waste ratio of 0.63 g/g, and the solid-to-liquid ratio of 0.17 g/mL resulted in the concentration of reducing sugars of 49 g/L. This study shows the potential of peels from the fruit of Bactris gasipaes to produce ethanol.

The genus Cnidoscolus (Euphorbiaceae) is widely distributed in tropical areas. In the Northeast of Brazil, the species C. quercifolius is endemic and has been used in traditional medicine. In this study, a novel protein was isolated from C. quercifolius seeds and characterized by its molecular weight, primary structure, isoelectric point (pI), and carbohydrate content. The hypoglycemic activity of this protein was investigated by in vitro assay with the RIN-5F glucose-responsive cell line and in vivo test using alloxan-induced diabetic mice models. In addition, safe use of the protein was also investigated by cytotoxicity, hemagglutinating, and immunogenicity assays. The protein which was named Cq-IMP (Cnidoscolus quercifolius - Insulin Mimetic Protein) showed a single 11.18 KDa glycopolypeptide chain (16.4% of carbohydrates, m/m), pI of 8.0 and N-terminal sequence (TKDPELKQcKKQQKKqQQYDDDDKK) with similarity around 46-62% to sucrose binding protein-like and vicilin-like protein that was confirmed by mass spectrometry tryptic peptides analysis. Besides that, Cq-IMP presented anti-insulin antibody cross-reactivity as hypoglycemic activity in both in vitro and in vivo models. Additionally, it did not present any toxicity by methods tested. In conclusion, Cq-IMP is an insulin-mimetic protein, with a potent hypoglycemic activity and no toxicity showing great potential for therapeutic applications and drug development.

In this study, the growth and productive characteristics of the soybean were investigated in no-till system after using limestone in a tropical soil of the Brazilian Cerrado. The study was conducted in a Typic Hapludox. The sources of limestone came from Piauí miners (C1, C2 and C3) and from a mining company in Ceará (C4) plus a control treatment (without limestone), with four replicates, during the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 growing seasons, in a randomized block design. The limestone was applied in October 2012, using a gravity distribution. The limestone rate applied was 2.73 Mg ha-1 to raise the soil base saturation to 60%. The final plant stand, relative chlorophyll index, leaf area index, shoot dry matter, photosynthetically active radiation, the efficiency of photosynthetically active radiation, number of stems, pod number per plant, thousand-grain mass and grain yield of the soybean were evaluated. There were significant differences between the sources of limestone, with emphasis on the sources C1 and C4 due to the greater increases in plant growth and soybean grain yield (79% and 90%, respectively, in the 2014/2015 harvest). Soybean yield is correlated to the vegetative and reproductive development of the plant when cultivated in a tropical soil of the Cerrado corrected with limestone.

A melancia é uma olerícola relevante para o Brasil, inclusive para a região Nordeste. No entanto, a sua produção é afetada pelo excesso de sais na água de irrigação dessa região. O ácido salicílico é uma substância que vem sendo utilizada como mitigadora dos efeitos desses estresses sobre as plantas. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar o tratamento de sementes com ácido salicílico como atenuante da salinidade sob o crescimento inicial de melancia. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento em blocos casualizados, com esquema fatorial incompleto 5 x 5, sendo cinco concentrações de ácido salicílico (AS - 0,00; 0,15; 0,50; 0,85 e 1,00 mM) e cinco condutividades elétricas da água de irrigação (CEa - 0,50; 1,01; 2,25; 3,49 e 4,00 dS m-1), totalizando 9 combinações geradas através da matriz Composto Central de Box. Foram avaliados a porcentagem e índice de velocidade de emergência, comprimento de raiz, parte aérea e de plântulas e massa seca de plântulas. Não houve efeito significativo para a interação entres os fatores avaliados. O aumento da CEa afetou negativamente a velocidade de emergência, o comprimento e a massa seca de plântulas. A dose de 1,0 mM de ácido salicílico estimulou o crescimento da parte aérea e de plântulas.

Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection is characterized by high viral replication and a decrease in CD4+ T cells (CD4+TC), resulting in AIDS, which can lead to death. In elite controllers and viremia controllers, viral replication is naturally controlled, with maintenance of CD4+TC levels without the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods The aim of the present study was to describe virological and immunological risk factors among HIV-1-infected individuals according to characteristics of progression to AIDS. The sample included 30 treatment-naive patients classified into three groups based on infection duration (> 6 years), CD4+TC count and viral load: (i) 2 elite controllers (ECs), (ii) 7 viremia controllers (VCs) and (iii) 21 nonviremia controllers (NVCs). Nested PCR was employed to amplify the virus genome, which was later sequenced using the Ion PGM platform for subtyping and analysis of immune escape mutations. Results Viral samples were classified as HIV-1 subtypes B and F. Greater selection pressure on mutations was observed in the group of viremia controllers, with a higher frequency of immunological escape mutations in the genes investigated, including two new mutations in gag. The viral sequences of viremia controllers and nonviremia controllers did not differ significantly regarding the presence of immune escape mutations. Conclusion The results suggest that progression to AIDS is not dependent on a single variable but rather on a set of characteristics and pressures exerted by virus biology and interactions with immunogenetic host factors.

Dermatophytes belonging to Trichophyton ssp. are important anthropophilic and zoophilic pathogens, which developed resistance to griseofulvin, the common antifungal drug used to treat dermatophytosis. In this context, Moringa oleifera seed proteins have been described as antifungal agents with potential applications. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the antidermatophytic in vitro, focusing on mechanisms, and in vivo potential of Mo-CBP4, purified from M. oleifera seeds. Mo-CBP4was purified after protein extraction with 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer, pH 8.0, and chromatography on chitin and CM Sepharose™ columns and antidermatophytic potential of Mo-CBP4 evaluated in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, Mo-CBP4 reduced in 50% the germination of microconidia of Trichophyton mentagrophytes at 45 μM; but did not show inhibition of mycelial growth. Mo-CBP4 (45 μM) presents the inhibitory activity even when incubated with N-acetyl- d -glucosamine (NAG). Analysis of the mechanisms of Mo-CBP4 revealed an increase in membrane permeability, ROS overproduction and damage to cell wall leading to microconidia death. Furthermore, using in vivo models, Mo-CBP4 (5, 10 and 20 mg g−1) reduced the severity and time of dermatophytosis. Altogether, these findings indicate that Mo-CBP4 has great potential for the development of novel antifungal drugs for the clinical treatment of dermatophytosis.

The salinity of irrigation water is one of modern agriculture’s major obstacles, as it can damage the plants metabolism and, consequently, its development. Currently there is a great demand for substances that may mitigate such effects, such as salicylic acid. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of salicylic acid application on watermelon plants (Citrullus lanatus L.) under salinity stress. The experimental design was a randomized block design, in an incomplete factorial scheme, with four replications and two plants per replicate. The treatments resulted from the combination of five concentrations of salicylic acid (0.00, 0.15, 0.50, 0.85 and 1.00 mM) and five electrical conductivities of the irrigation water (0.50, 1.01, 2.25, 3.49 and 4.00 dS m-1). The development, gas exchange, chlorophyll index and fluorescence were evaluated 30 days after transplanting. This data was submitted to analysis of variance and then confidence bands (confbands) and Pearson correlation were produced. The application of salicylic acid (up to 0.85 mM) promotes beneficial effects for the watermelon plants morphophysiology, while the increase in electrical conductivity of the irrigation water is harmful.

The objective of this study was to evaluate nutrient concentration and nutritional efficiency in ‘Gigante’ cactus pear under different chemical, organic and organomineral fertilizations, planting configurations and spacings, during three production cycles. Seventy two treatments, involving two types of configuration in the plots, three spacings in the subplots and 12 types of fertilization in the sub-subplots were arranged in a split-split-plot scheme, in a randomized block design, with three repetitions. At the time of harvest of each production cycle, 40 cladode tissue samples were collected per treatment to determine dry matter mass and nutrient concentration, which were used to calculate the coefficients of biological utilization of nutrients. Organic fertilization reduces Mn concentrations in cladodes to levels below the sufficiency range. The nutritional efficiency of N, S, P, Mn and Zn is higher with organic and organomineral fertilizations and are associated with higher dry matter yields, whereas K nutritional efficiency is higher with mineral fertilization. The absence of fertilization or application of 30 Mg ha-1 year-1 of bovine manure is insufficient to ensure nutritional status and dry matter yield above 15 Mg ha-1 in ‘Gigante’ cactus pear. RESUMO Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar durante três ciclos de produção, os teores de nutrientes e a eficiência nutricional em Palma forrageira ‘Gigante’ submetida a diferentes adubações química, orgânica e organomineral, configurações de plantio e espaçamentos. Setenta e dois tratamentos, envolvendo dois tipos de arranjos nas parcelas, três espaçamentos nas subparcelas e 12 tipos de adubação nas sub-subparcelas foram dispostos em esquema de parcelas sub-subdivididas, em delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com três repetições. Na época da colheita de cada ciclo produtivo, coletaram-se 40 amostras de tecidos dos cladódios por tratamento para determinação da massa de matéria seca e dos teores de nutrientes e a partir destes calcularam-se os coeficientes de utilização biológica dos nutrientes. Verificou-se que a adubação orgânica diminui os teores de Mn nos cladódios abaixo da faixa de suficiência. A eficiência nutricional de N, P, S, Mn e Zn é maior com adubação orgânica e organomineral e estão associadas às maiores produtividades de matéria seca, enquanto de K é maior com adubação mineral. A ausência de adubação ou aplicação de 30 Mg ha-1 ano-1 de esterco bovino é insuficiente para assegurar o estado nutricional e produtividade de matéria seca acima de 15 Mg ha-1 em palma forrageira ‘Gigante’.

Java plum (Syzygium cumini L. Skeels) originates from Asia and has adapted very well to soil conditions and climate in Brazil, becoming spontaneous in the Northeast region. Still, there is no large commercial production in the country, since information related to planting, plant management, post-harvest management, and fruit processing is limited and vague. The production of quality seedlings depends on several factors, and the composition of the substrates is a factor of great importance, because the germination of the seeds, the beginning of the roots and the rooting are directly linked to the constitution of the substrate. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of the Tocantins, at a city of Gurupi/TO. For this, Java plum seeds were used directly removed from the fruits, which were collected in the same period. The substrates used were: Washed Sand; Black Soil; Black Soil + Worm Humus + Commercial Substrate and Commercial Substrate + Washed Sand + Pine Bark, in the presence and absence of mucilage. The highest values of root length and length of shoot, in the presence and absence of mucilage, were obtained in the substrates of BS (10 and 13 cm) (8.7 and 9.3 cm), BS + WH + CS (9.3 and 12.4 cm) (8.2 and 9.5 cm) and CS + WS + PB (9 and 11 cm) (8.6 and 10.6 cm), respectively. Regarding the first emergency count and seedling emergence, once again the CS + WS + PB (20 and 56.2%) (51.2 and 90%), in the presence and absence of mucilage, respectively. It was concluded that the removal of the mucilage in Java plum seeds provided better performance in all substratum and the commercial substrate + washed sand + pine bark provided greater viability and vigor.

Aims Mammalian models have been instrumental in investigating adult heart function and human disease. However, electrophysiological differences with human hearts and high costs motivate the need for non-mammalian models. The zebrafish is a well-established genetic model to study cardiovascular development and function; however, analysis of cardiovascular phenotypes in adult specimens is particularly challenging as they are opaque. Methods and results Here, we optimized and combined multiple imaging techniques including echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and micro-computed tomography to identify and analyse cardiovascular phenotypes in adult zebrafish. Using alk5a/tgfbr1a mutants as a case study, we observed morphological and functional cardiovascular defects that were undetected with conventional approaches. Correlation analysis of multiple parameters revealed an association between haemodynamic defects and structural alterations of the heart, as observed clinically. Conclusion We report a new, comprehensive, and sensitive platform to identify otherwise indiscernible cardiovascular phenotypes in adult zebrafish.

Persistent and ubiquitous organic pollutants, such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo[⍺]pyrene (BaP), represent a major threat to aquatic organisms and human health. Beside some well-documented adverse effects on the development and reproduction of aquatic organisms, BaP was recently shown to affect fish bone formation and skeletal development through mechanisms that remain poorly understood. In this work, zebrafish bonerelated in vivo assays were used to evaluate the osteotoxic effects of BaP during bone development and regeneration. Acute exposure of zebrafish larvae to BaP from 3 to 6 days post-fertilization (dpf) induced a dosedependent reduction of the opercular bone size and a depletion of osteocalcin-positive cells, indicating an effect on osteoblast maturation. Chronic exposure of zebrafish larvae to BaP from 3 to 30 dpf affected the development of the axial skeleton and increased the incidence and severity of skeletal deformities. In young adults, BaP affected the mineralization of newly formed fin rays and scales, and impaired fin ray patterning and scale shape, through mechanisms that involve an imbalanced bone remodeling. Gene expression analyses indicated that BaP induced the activation of xenobiotic and metabolic pathways, while negatively impacting extracellular matrix formation and organization. Interestingly, BaP exposure positively regulated inflammation markers in larvae and increased the recruitment of neutrophils. A direct interaction between neutrophils and bone extracellular matrix or bone forming cells was observed in vivo, suggesting a role for neutrophils in the mechanisms underlying BaP osteotoxicity. Our work provides novel data on the cellular and molecular players involved in BaP osteotoxicity and brings new insights into a possible role for neutrophils in inflammatory bone reduction. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The nucleocapsid (N) and the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the Spike (S) proteins elicit robust antibody and T cell responses either in vaccinated or COVID-19 convalescent individuals. We generated a chimeric protein that comprises the sequences of RBD from S and N antigens (SpiN). SpiN was highly immunogenic and elicited a strong IFNγ response from T cells and high levels of antibodies to the inactivated virus, but no neutralizing antibodies (nAb). Importantly, hamsters and the human Angiotensin Convertase Enzyme-2-transgenic mice immunized with SpiN were highly resistant to challenge with the wild type SARS-CoV-2, as indicated by viral load, clinical outcome, lung inflammation and lethality. This protective immunity was dependent of CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells, but not by transfer of antibody of vaccinated mice. Thus, our experiment provides an example T cell-mediated immunity and reinforce the concept that T cell target antigens other that the S protein maybe considered to improve SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, and eventually circumvent the immune scape by variants.

The equilibrium and nutritional balance of plants are known to be of utmost importance to evaluate their yield potential and to comprehend the dynamics of nutrients in the soil-plant system. Hence, the present study determined the reference values for evaluating the nutritional status of ‘Gigante’ cactus pear cultivated with organic fertilization in semiarid conditions by Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) and Balanced Indexes of Kenworthy (BIK) methods. The cladodes nutrients contents and dry matter yield of 72 plots were employed. The database was classified into a high-yield and low-yield population, above and below 19.93 Mg ha-1 cycle-1, respectively. The five ranges of nutrient contents in cladodes were defined based on the standard deviation range(s) of the DRIS indexes of the high-yield population. Furthermore, the fixed BIK values made it possible to ascertain the lower and the upper limit of the reference values of nutrient contents in the cladodes. The reference values for all nutrients determined by the DRIS and BIK methods varied from each other and those reported in the literature. These methods were efficient in identifying the limiting nutrients for ‘Gigante’ cactus pear, with differences in the hierarchical order of limitation, due to lack or excess, and nutrients not limiting to productivity. RESUMO O equilíbrio e o balanço nutricional das plantas são de extrema importância para avaliar seu potencial produtivo e para compreender a dinâmica dos nutrientes no sistema solo-planta. Assim, objetivou-se determinar valores de referência para diagnose nutricional de palma forrageira ‘Gigante’ cultivada com adubação orgânica em condições semiáridas pelos métodos Sistema Integrado de Diagnose e Recomendação (DRIS) e Índices Balanceados de Kenworthy (IBK). Utilizaram-se teores de nutrientes dos cladódios e produtividades de matéria seca de 72 parcelas. O banco de dados foi separado em população de alta e de baixa produtividade, acima e abaixo de 19,93 Mg ha-1 ciclo-1, respectivamente. As cinco faixas dos teores de nutrientes nos cladódios foram definidas de acordo com a(s) faixa(s) de desvio padrão dos índices DRIS da subpopulação de alta produtividade. Por sua vez, com valores fixos do IBK, foi possível determinar o limite inferior e o limite superior dos valores de referência dos teores de nutrientes nos cladódios. Os valores de referência gerados para todos os nutrientes pelos métodos DRIS e IBK diferem entre si e da literatura. Esses métodos são eficientes na identificação dos nutrientes limitantes para palma forrageira ‘Gigante’, havendo diferenças na ordem hierárquica da limitação, por falta ou por excesso, e dos nutrientes não limitantes à produtividade.

Simple Summary Palm weevils—both South American and red palm weevils—threaten economically relevant palms, affecting oil and fruit production with a corresponding social impact. The natural tendency of the red palm weevil to explore vast territories in combination with corridors of cultivated susceptible palm species drives pest expansion in new territories. Invasion still occurs westward, from Sundaland to Portugal and the West-African coast, including the Canary Archipelago. The red palm weevil menaces the South American oil palm plantations, opening a new double-pest scenario and consequential damages or a possible coexistence with reciprocal competitive exclusion phenomena opportunities. On the brink of the red palm weevil’s entrance into South America, we present available options for multiple lure-use in contaminating stations for the sustainable and effective management of both pests. Abstract Coupling several natural and synthetic lures with aggregation pheromones from the palm weevils Rhynchophorus palmarum and R. ferrugineus reveals a synergy that results in an increase in pest captures. The combined attraction of pure pheromones, ethyl acetate, and decaying sweet and starchy plant tissue increases the net total of mass-trapped weevils. The 2018 entrance of the red palm weevil (RPW) into South America has threatened palm-product income in Brazil and other neighboring countries. The presence of the new A1 quarantine pest necessitates the review of all available options for a sustainable mass-trapping, monitoring, and control strategy to ultimately target both weevils with the same device. The effective lure-blend set for the mass-trapping system will attract weevils in baiting and contaminating stations for entomopathogenic fungi that the same weevils will spread.

The Crato Formation palaeoentomofauna from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) of northeast Brazil is extremely well preserved. Crato insects are often complete with abdomen, thorax, head, legs, wings articulated and fragile cuticle details observed at the macro and micro scale. The Crato Formation stands out for the high diversity of fossil insects with at least 386 described species, so far. We investigate the preservation pathways through SEM–EDS and Raman spectroscopy, which give fundamental insights regarding the understanding of this complex theme. Our study compared cuticle soft-tissue preservation of Ensifera in different layers of the Crato limestone. The results of our analyses confirmed that the anaerobic bacterial respiration processes influenced the labile-tissues preservation. Ensifera fossils display preservational stages ranging from kerogenization to pyritization. Kerogenization represents the partial or complete chemical transformation of organic material into aliphatic and cyclic hydrocarbons in situ during mesodiagenesis, while pyritization occurs during the decaying of carcass in the early diagenesis. Here, we followed the previous hypothesis of fish tissue preservation that these processes are governed principally by variations in the positioning and residence time of the carcasses in different microbial zones within the sediment column. Besides early/mesodiagenetic modifications, oxidation processes during recent weathering led to some mineral transformations that played a key role in the preservation of Ensifera. La paleoentomofauna de La Formación Crato, Cretáceo Inferior (Aptiano) del Nordeste de Brasil, está extremadamente bien preservada. En general, los insectos de Crato se completan con abdomen, tórax, cabeza, piernas, alas articuladas y detalles frágiles de la cutícula observados en escalas macro y micro. La Formación Crato se destaca por la alta diversidad de fósiles de insectos con al menos 386 especies descritas, hasta ahora. En este trabajo se investigó las vías de preservación a través de MEV-EDX y Espectroscopia Raman, que proporcionan informaciones fundamentales sobre la comprensión de este tema complejo. Este estudio comparó la preservación de tejidos blandos de las cutículas de Ensifera, en diferentes capas de rocas carbonáticas de La Formación Crato. Los resultados confirman que los procesos anaeróbicos de respiración bacteriana influenciaron la preservación de los tejidos lábiles. Los fósiles de Ensifera exhiben modos de preservación que van desde la querogenización a la piritización. La querogenización representa la transformación química parcial o completa del material orgánico en hidrocarburos alifáticos y cíclicos in situ durante la mesodiagénesis, mientras que la piritización ocurre durante la descomposición de la carcasa en la eodiagénesis. Aquí, se sigue la hipótesis sobre la preservación del tejido de los peces de que estos procesos de son influenciados por variaciones en la ubicación y tiempo de residencia de las carcasas en diferentes zonas microbianas, dentro de la columna de sedimentos. Además de las modificaciones eodiagenéticas y mesogenéticas, los procesos de oxidación durante el intemperismo reciente llevaron a algunas transformaciones minerales que desempeñaron un papel fundamental en la preservación de los Ensifera.

Plant proteins are emerging as an alternative to conventional treatments against candidiasis. The aim of this study was to better understand the mechanism of action of Mo-CBP2 against Candida spp, evaluating redox system activity, lipid peroxidation, DNA degradation, cytochrome c release, medium acidification, and membrane interaction. Anti-candida activity of Mo-CBP2 decreased in the presence of ergosterol, which was not observed with antioxidant agents. C. albicans treated with Mo-CBP2 also had catalase and peroxidase activities inhibited, while superoxide dismutase was increased. Mo-CBP2 increased the lipid peroxidation, but it did not alter the ergosterol profile in live cells. External medium acidification was strongly inhibited, and cytochrome c release and DNA degradation were detected. Mo-CBP2 interacts with cell membrane constituents, changes redox system enzymes in C. albicans and causes lipid peroxidation by ROS overproduction. DNA degradation and cytochrome c release suggest apoptotic or DNAse activity. Lipid peroxidation and H+-ATPases inhibition may induce the process of apoptosis. Finally, Mo-CBP2 did not have a cytotoxic effect in mammalian Vero cells. This study highlights the biotechnological potential of Mo-CBP2 as a promising molecule with low toxicity and potent activity. Further studies should be performed to better understand its mode of action and toxicity.

The advanced degradation and desertification processes, resulting from the anthropization of the semi-arid region of Brazil has led to an increasing need for research on the status of the occurrence of plant species. Schinopsis brasiliensis Engler, popularly known as "barauna", is recognized both for its exuberance and the use of its wood for different purposes. This species occurs in the Northeast and Midwest regions of Brazil and can be found in the Cerrado and Caatinga phytogeographic domains. This study aimed to analyze the local and regional distribution and abundance of S. brasiliensis in six municipalities in different regions of Paraíba State, as well as to perform the current and predictive modeling of the ecological niche of this species in the northeast region of Brazil, considering bioclimatic variables. On a state scale, this research was conducted in six rural communities, previously selected from studies already carried out by the Ethnobiology and Environmental Sciences Laboratory of the Federal University of Paraíba. On a regional scale, current and predictive modeling of the species' ecological niche was used, considering bioclimatic variables, based on data obtained from the WorldClim database (www.worldclim.org). The data showed a heterogeneous distribution in the populations of S. brasiliensis. The high number of adult specimens may indicate low resource extraction. Climate change, in different scenarios, does not significantly affect the distribution of the study species in the Northeastern Region of Brazil.

Background To report a case of a chronic steroid user male patient who developed local abscesses caused by M. fortuitum and concomitant asymptomatic choroidal granuloma. Case presentation A 37-year-old african-american male with history of use of anabolic drugs and intramuscular mineral oil injections in the upper and lower limbs for 15 years for muscular hypertrophy. He developed intramuscular abscesses with systemic infection, sub-retinal lesions in both eyes and alterations in cerebrospinal fluid suggestive of mycobacteria. Considering these findings, empirical treatment for tuberculosis was started, without success. After several negative cultures of the material drained from the abscesses, finally one of the cultures isolated the agent Mycobacterium Fortuitum. Proper treatment for atypical mycobacteria was initiated with clinical and laboratory improvement. After 6 months the sub-retinal lesions regressed. Conclusions A typical choroidal granuloma caused by M. Fortuitum is a rare presentation of the infection and our report showed a good outcome with proper treatment.

Type B coxsackieviruses (CVB) are enteroviruses responsible for a common infectious myocarditis and pancreatitis. DCs and regulatory T cells (Tregs) are key players in controlling virus replication and regulating the immune response and tissue damage, respectively. However, the mechanisms underlying cellular migration to target tissues remain unclear. In the present study, we found that CVB5 infection induced CCL17 production and controlled the migration of CCR4+ DCs and CCR4+ Tregs to the pancreatic lymph nodes (pLN). CVB5 infection of CCR4−/− mice reduced the migration of the CD8α+ DC subset and reduced DC activation and production of IFN-β and IL-12. Consequently, CCR4−/− mice presented decreased IFN-γ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, an increased viral load and more severe pancreatitis. In addition, CCR4−/− mice had impaired Treg accumulation in pLN as well as increased T lymphocyte activation. Adoptive transfer of CCR4+ Tregs but not CCR4− Tregs was able to regulate T lymphocyte activation upon CVB5 infection. The present data reveal a previously unknown role for CCR4 in coordinating immune cell migration to CVB-infected tissues and in controlling subsequent pancreatitis. These new insights may contribute to the design of future therapies for acute and chronic infection of non-polio enteroviruses.

Endophytic bacteria has been reported as plant growth promoters in various cultivated and uncultivated plants. Thus, the objective onf this study was to evaluate the potential of 21 endophytic bacterial isolated from leaves of passionfruit plants (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa). In vitro antagonism, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, gibberellins, cytokines and phosphate solubilization were also tested. In vitro antagonism was investigated using volatile metabolites detection by means of the overlapping dishes technique and direct confrontation. The production of IAA was evaluated by means of the colorimetric method with the absorbance reading of the optical density at O.D. (550nm). The phosphate solubilization was measured in a qualitative method by reading the solubilization halo diameter and the quantitative evaluation in liquid medium and reading of O.D. (450 nm). All bacterial isolates were able to inhibit the growth of Phytophthora sp. in both methods with values ranging from 50% to >90% inhibition (Skott-Knott, p ≤0 0.05). All the tested endophytic bacteria were also able to produce plant hormones. The phosphate solubilization was more than mean of the liquid medium. Thus, the studied endophytic bacterial isolates are suggested as potential plant growth promoters.

We describe a globally rare example of a tetrapod burrow from the Upper Cretaceous Bauru Group (Bauru Basin) from Peirópolis, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The sedimentary succession containing the burrow includes a rich vertebrate assemblage comprising fish, podocnemid turtles, mesoeucrocodylians, saurischian dinosaurs, among others. The burrow is composed of an oblique tunnel (~30°), oval in cross-section, with a horizontal and sub-oval terminal chamber; it is 1.3 m long from the midpoint of its inferred entrance to the midpoint of the bottom of the chamber. It occurs in the upper portion of a sandstone succession, interpreted as a braided channel deposit, and the burrow-fill comprises medium-grained sandstone with mudstone intraclasts derived from fluvial floodplain facies. it is overlain by other fluvial channel deposits. Analyses suggest that the burrow was dug after the filling of the braided channel and during the pedogenesis of its exposed upper surface. Based on burrow morphology and size, the most plausible producer of this burrow is a notosuchian mesoeucrocodylian, such as small to mid-sized notosuchians (e.g., sphagesaurids). The Bauru Group has an extensive fossil record of notosuchians with disparate morphologies, and it is noteworthy that the small-sized notosuchian Labidiosuchus amicum comes from the same unit as the burrow. Moreover, arid to semi-arid conditions have been inferred for fossil-bearing rocks of this unit, and as such the data here presented add to our palaeoecological knowledge of Cretaceous mesoeucrocodylians in Gondwana. Moreover, it constitutes a new Cretaceous record of a tetrapod burrow during a period when such ichnofossils are globally rare. Fil: Martinelli, Agustín Guillermo. Universidade Federal Do Triangulo Mineiro; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina Fil: Basilici, Giorgio. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Secretaría de Industria y Minería. Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Provincia de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja; Argentina Fil: Fiorelli, Lucas Ernesto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Secretaría de Industria y Minería. Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Provincia de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja; Argentina Fil: Klock, Carolina. Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto; Brasil. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Brasil Fil: Karfunkel, Joachim. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Brasil Fil: Diniz, Ariela Costa. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Brasil Fil: Soares, Marcus V. T.. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil Fil: Marconato, André. Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto; Brasil Fil: da Silva, João Ismael. Fundação Cultural de Uberaba; Brasil. Universidade Federal Do Triangulo Mineiro; Brasil Fil: Ribeiro, Luiz Carlos B.. Universidade Federal Do Triangulo Mineiro; Brasil Fil: Marinho, Thiago S.. Universidade Federal Do Triangulo Mineiro; Brasil

The melon plant is one of the plants with agronomic potential adult among the vegetables, for presenting high productivity in a short time. In Brazil the main producing areas are located in the owed semiarid the favourable conditions of climate for the culture, however, that area presents some factors limitations, mainly as the salinity of the soil and of the water, what carts in the decrease in the productivity and in certain cases total loss of the cultivation. The objective of that work was to accomplish a growth analysis in cycles of melon plant selection developed in a saline environment. The experiment was executed from March to May of 2017 in the Federal University of Alagoas. The appraised treatments were six cycles of melon plant (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5a and C5b) selection. The used design was in randomized complete block design in subdivided portions, being the six selection cycles the portions and the six evaluations biometrics in the time the subplots, with four repetitions. The subplots were divided into two stages in agreement with the presence of the characteristic in the vegetative stage of the plant, in that were appraised vegetative and reproductive variables. Variance analysis and test were accomplished from Tukey to 5% of probability, besides the obtaining of the earnings for selection. To determine the variable of larger importance the technique of main components it was used. Among the cycles C1 and C5a there was an increase of 15,89% of the number of leaves, that is due mainly for the small ones won to each election cycle. The selection cycles accomplished in the melon plant population promoted a small reduction in the percentile of matter dries to each selection cycle, not presenting significant difference among the cycles, with averages of 13,92; 13,10; 13.05; 12,62; 11,94 and 12,28%, respectively for the cycles C1, C2, C3, C4, C5a and C5b. NL and NFB explain about 85% of the total variation found among the selection cycles. NL presented the largest importance in the vectors and it presented correlation with several characteristics, like LMS (0.99), LSS (0.90), NBFF (0.80) and % MSPA (0.91). The selection cycles presented genetic progress as the tolerance the salinity. The number of leaves is the characteristic to be selected for obtaining of tolerant superior genotypes the salinity.

Knowledge of transpiration is of fundamental importance for improving irrigation management. This study measured sap flow of the 'Tommy Atkins' mango tree using Granier’s thermal dissipation probe method under regulated deficit irrigation. The work was conducted in a 10-year-old ‘Tommy Atkins’ mango orchard, irrigated by micro sprinkler, located in the Irrigated Perimeter of Ceraíma, in Guanambi, Bahia, Brazil. Sap flow measurements were carried out on three consecutive days in plants under regulated deficit irrigation, with reductions of 30 and 60% of crop evapotranspiration in three phases of fruit development; beginning of flowering to early fruit growth (Phase I), fruit expansion (Phase II) and physiological maturation of fruits (Phase III). Regulated deficit irrigation led to reduced sap flow in ‘Tommy Atkins’ mango tree. Resumo O conhecimento da transpiração é de fundamental importância para aprimoramento do manejo da irrigação. Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho determinar o fluxo de seiva da mangueira ‘Tommy Atkins’ utilizando o método da sonda de dissipação térmica de Granier, sob irrigação com déficit controlado. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em um pomar de mangueira ‘Tommy Atkins’ com 10 anos de idade, irrigado por microaspersão, localizada no Perímetro Irrigado de Ceraíma, no município de Guanambi, Bahia. A determinação do fluxo de seiva foi realizada em três dias consecutivos em plantas sob irrigação com déficit controlado, com redução de 30 e 60% da evapotranspiração da cultura em três fases de desenvolvimento do fruto, início da floração ao pegamento dos frutos (Fase I), fase de expansão do fruto (Fase II) e fase de maturação fisiológica do fruto (Fase III). Verificou-se que o déficit hídrico controlado causa redução no fluxo de seiva em mangueiras ‘Tommy Atkins’.

Staphylococcus aureus represents the most common etiologic agent of purulent infections, affecting humans and animals. Escherichia coli is one of the principal causes of infectious diseases, mainly diarrheal diseases due to enterotoxin action. There are many reports indicating that these bacteria are multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens.In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial and modulatory activities of 5-hydroxy-3,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone (VG.EF.CLII) against E. coli and S. aureus strains.5-Hydroxy-3,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone was isolated from Vitex gardneriana Schauer leaves and structurally characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance. The antibacterial effect of VG.EF.CLII and modulation of antibiotic activity, both determined by minimum inhibitory concentration, were assessed using microtiter plates.VG.EF.CLII showed bacterial growth inhibition at concentrations ≤512 μg/mL, and synergistic effects were observed for the modulation of two distinct antibiotic classes (the fluoroquinolone norfloxacin and the aminoglycoside gentamicin).5-Hydroxy-3,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone isolated from V. gardneriana showed promising antimicrobial activity against MDR bacterial strains S. aureus 358 and E. coli 27 when associated with the antibiotics norfloxacin and gentamicin. Therefore, this natural product can contribute to the control of bacterial resistance.

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the physiological variables of three sheep genotypes: Morada Nova, Somalis, and Dorper x Somalis crossbreed regarding the environment and diet in the Brazilian semi-arid region by using 30 animals (10 from each genetic group). Five of these animals had 30% of the tifton hay replaced by hairy woodrose hay. The temperature and relative air humidity were registered, the black globe temperature and humidity index (BGHI) was calculated, and the rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), and surface temperature (ST) were measured in the morning and afternoon. The experimental design was a completely randomized design in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial scheme, which consisted of three genotypes, two diets, and two periods, and five replications each. BGHI presented values of 81 in the shade and 90 in the sun and a significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed for the studied variables in relation to the periods, with higher values in the afternoon. The average ST was 35.48 °C in the morning and 38.11 °C in the afternoon. Morada Nova presented the lowest RT and RR (P < 0.05) among the genetic groups, with a higher tolerance to heat. The 30% substitution of tifton hay by hairy woodrose hay did not negatively affect the thermoregulatory capacity of sheep. The studied genetic groups were adapted and tolerant to climate conditions of the Brazilian semi-arid region. Objetivou-se com este trabalho, avaliar e comparar as variáveis fisiológicas de três grupos genéticos de ovinos: Morada Nova, Somalis e mestiços de Dorper x Somalis com relação ao ambiente e à dieta no semiárido brasileiro, utilizando-se 30 animais, 10 de cada grupo genético, sendo que cinco tiveram 30% do feno de tífton substituído por feno de jitirana. Foi coletada a temperatura e umidade relativa do ar, calculado o ITGU e aferidas a temperatura retal (TR), frequência respiratória (FR) e cardíaca (FC) e temperatura superficial (TS), nos turnos manhã e tarde. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado (DIC), e o esquema fatorial 3x2x2, sendo três grupos genéticos, duas dietas e dois turnos, com cinco repetições cada. Os valores para ITGU foram de 81 na sombra e 90 no sol e houve diferença (P < 0,05) para as variáveis estudadas com relação aos turnos, sendo mais elevados à tarde. A TS média dos ovinos foi de 35,48 pela manhã e 38,11oC à tarde, e Morada Nova apresentou TR e FR menor (P < 0,05) entre os grupos genéticos e demonstraram maior tolerância ao calor. A substituição de 30% de feno de tífton por feno de Jitirana, não repercutiu negativamente na capacidade termorregulatória dos ovinos. Os grupos genéticos estudados apresentaram-se adaptados e tolerantes às condições climáticas do semiárido brasileiro.

The root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus brachyurus, is native to the Brazilian Cerrado region. Although soybean is not a natural host of this nematode, its advance on Cerrado areas has made this species become an important pathogen for the crop. This study aimed to assess the spatial distribution of P. brachyurus and its influence on soybean crop productivity in eastern Maranhao. For this, a sampling was conducted in 142 georeferenced points distributed in an area of 180 × 180 m. Plant and soil samples were collected, being the nematodes extracted and counted. Spatial patterns were estimated using geostatistical analysis. Anisotropic exponential models were adjusted for all studied variables with higher ranges in the direction of soil tillage and planting (135°). The increase in nematode population, as well as its spatial pattern, was related to the presence of roots of the host plant in the soil. The direction of soil tillage and planting influenced the distribution of nematodes in the area, being the main controlling factor of their spatial patterns.

The present study had as objective to evaluate the performance of maize hybrids and yours varieties for forage production in the climate and soil conditions of the forest area in the state of Alagoas. In conducting the experiment it was adopted the randomized block design, with 12 treatments (maize genotypes) and three replicates, totaling 36 experimental plot. Each experimental plot consisted of four rows of 5 meters in length, two lateral queues were discarded due to the border effect. For planting, the spacing of 0,7 m x 0,143 m was used, totalizing a final stand of 100,000 plants per hectare after thinning. At 93 days after sowing, the evaluations were carried out regarding the plants biometrics, and forage yield. Considering the conditions under which the experiment was developed, it can be concluded that: (a) The genotypes Jabotão, Branca, Branquinha and their experimental hybrids showed the highest plant height; (b) The experimental hybrid Janor presented the best culm/ear; (c) The Jabra and Branquinha genotypes are the best performance for forage yield (d) The Jabra experimental hybrid showed excellent forage aptitude, which makes it a promising material, which can be evaluated in other regions in the future and later launched as a genotype for fodder production.

This research was supported by: Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior (CAPES); Programa Ci?ncias do Mar II; The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE); the Brazilian Research Council (CNPq) Edital Universal Grant number 440722/2014-4; Funda??o Amaz?nia Paraense de Amparo ? Pesquisa (FAPESPA); Programa de Apoio a N?cleos Emergentes and Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos (FINEP); Instituto Brasileiro de Neuroci?ncias (IBNnet); and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Hospital Universit?rio Jo?o de Barros Barreto. Laborat?rio de Investiga??es em Neurodegenera??o e Infec??o. Bel?m, PA, Brasil. Instituto Federal de Educa??o, Ci?ncia e Tecnologia do Par?. Laborat?rio de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia. Bragan?a, PA, Brasil. Instituto Federal de Educa??o, Ci?ncia e Tecnologia do Par?. Laborat?rio de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia. Bragan?a, PA, Brasil. Instituto Federal de Educa??o, Ci?ncia e Tecnologia do Par?. Laborat?rio de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia. Bragan?a, PA, Brasil. Instituto Federal de Educa??o, Ci?ncia e Tecnologia do Par?. Laborat?rio de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia. Bragan?a, PA, Brasil. Instituto Federal de Educa??o, Ci?ncia e Tecnologia do Par?. Laborat?rio de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia. Bragan?a, PA, Brasil. Instituto Federal de Educa??o, Ci?ncia e Tecnologia do Par?. Laborat?rio de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia. Bragan?a, PA, Brasil. Instituto Federal de Educa??o, Ci?ncia e Tecnologia do Par?. Laborat?rio de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia. Bragan?a, PA, Brasil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Hospital Universit?rio Jo?o de Barros Barreto. Laborat?rio de Investiga??es em Neurodegenera??o e Infec??o. Bel?m, PA, Brasil. Instituto Federal de Educa??o, Ci?ncia e Tecnologia do Par?. Laborat?rio de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia. Bragan?a, PA, Brasil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Hospital Universit?rio Jo?o de Barros Barreto. Laborat?rio de Investiga??es em Neurodegenera??o e Infec??o. Bel?m, PA, Brasil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Hospital Universit?rio Jo?o de Barros Barreto. Laborat?rio de Investiga??es em Neurodegenera??o e Infec??o. Bel?m, PA, Brasil / Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laborat?rio de Microscopia. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. The number of parvalbumin neurons can be modified by social, multisensory, and cognitive stimuli in both mammals and birds, but nothing is known about their plasticity in long-distance migratory shorebirds. Here, in the spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularius), we investigated the plasticity of parvalbumin neurons of two brain areas during this species' wintering period at a lower latitude. We compared individuals in a nonmigratory rest period (November-January) and premigration (May-July) period. We used parvalbumin as a marker for counting a subpopulation of inhibitory neurons in the hippocampal formation (HF), with the magnocellular nucleus of the tectal isthmus (IMC) as a control area. Because the HF is involved in learning and memory and social interaction and the IMC is essential for control of head, neck, and eye movements, we hypothesized that parvalbumin neurons would increase in the HF and remain unchanged in the IMC. We used an optical fractionator to estimate cell numbers. Compared with the nonmigratory rest birds, parvalbumin neuron count estimates in the premigration birds increased significantly in the HF but remained unchanged in IMC. We suggest that the greater number of parvalbuminergic neurons in the HF of A. macularius in the premigration period represents adaptive circuitry changes involved in the migration back to reproductive niches in the northern hemisphere.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T17:20:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 ConfederacAo da Agricultura e Pecuaria do Brasil (CNA) Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria (Embrapa) Instituto Capixaba de Pesquisa Assistencia Tecnica e ExtensAo Rural (Incaper) Introduction: The occurrence of Microtriatoma borbai in the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil is reported by the first time. Methods: A triatomine specimen collected in a hybrid eucalyptus crop in the municipality of Aracruz, Espirito Santo state was found to be a male M. borbai. Results: This finding expands the geographical distribution of M. borbai from four to five Brazilian states. It is the first report of M. borbai occurrence inside a eucalyptus crop. Conclusions: The occurrence of M. borbai in the state of Espirito Santo broadens the geographical distribution of this species in southeastern Brazil. Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Lab Diptera, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Inst Capixaba Pesquisa Assistencia Tecn & Extensa, Vitoria, ES, Brazil Suzano SA, Unidade Aracruz, Aracruz, ES, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Saude Publ, Lab Entomol Saude Publ, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut, Lab Parasitol, Araraquara, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut, Lab Parasitol, Araraquara, SP, Brazil

Malaltia de Chagas; Trypanosoma cruzi; Variabilitat genètica Chagas disease; Trypanosoma cruzi; Genetic variability Enfermedad de Chagas; Trypanosoma cruzi; Variabilidad genética Background: Trypanosoma cruzi has a high rate of biological and genetic variability, and its population structure is divided into seven distinct genetic groups (TcI-TcVI and Tcbat). Due to immigration, Chagas disease (ChD), caused by T. cruzi, has become a serious global health problem including in Europe. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the existence of genetic variability within discrete typing unit (DTU) TcV of T. cruzi in Bolivian patients with chronic ChD residing in Barcelona, Spain. Methods: The DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 27 patients infected with T. cruzi DTU TcV and the fragments of the genetic material were amplificated through the low stringency single primer-polymerase chain reaction (LSSP-PCR). The data generated after amplification were submitted to bioinformatics analysis. Results: Of the 27 patients evaluated in the study, 8/27 (29.6%) were male and 19/27 (70.4%) female, 17/27 (62.9%) were previously classified with the indeterminate clinical form of Chagas disease and 10/27 (37.1%) with Chagas cardiomyopathy. The LSSP-PCR detected 432 band fragments from 80 to 1,500 bp. The unweighted pair-group method analysis and principal coordinated analysis data demonstrated the existence of three distinct genetic groups with moderate-high rates of intraspecific genetic variability/diversity that had shared parasite's alleles in patients with the indeterminate and cardiomyopathy forms of ChD. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the existence of a moderate to high rate of intra-DTU TcV variability in T. cruzi. Certain alleles of the parasite were associated with the absence of clinical manifestations in patients harboring the indeterminate form of ChD. These results support the need to search for increasingly specific targets in the genome of T. cruzi to be correlated with its main biological properties and clinical features in patients with chronic ChD. This work was supported by São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)- fapesp.br/en (Grant No. 2018/22093-4), São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)- fapesp.br/en (Grant No. 2019/11943-0), São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)- fapesp.br/en (Grant No. 2016/25403-9), and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Spain.

The water restriction is a limiting factor in agricultural production. Some rhizobacteria, to live in symbiosis with the plant, can benefit plant growth. Among the skills of micro-organisms is the ability to survive in extreme environments, such as water stress, as well as having the biofilm production ability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of four bacterial isolates from sugarcane rhizosphere as resistance to water restriction and biofilm production. A qualitative and other quantitative assay to produce biofilm was conducted. The qualitative assay was based on colorimetry with crystal violet. The qualitative test was developed by the violet colorimetric ratio of technical and optical density at 540 nm. Bacterial growth testing in low water activity was developed by inoculating the bacterial isolates in the TSA culture medium (10%) supplemented with sorbitol (405 gL-1) at 28 °C, yielding the corresponding Aw value 0.919. All strains were able to produce biofilms in both tests however isolated Bacillus subtilis was most effective, with the greatest biofilm production ratio. All isolates were also skilled in the growing culture medium with low water activity. KEYWORDS: plant protection, rhizobacteria, plant gowth promotion, symbiosis. RESUMO: A restrição hídrica é um fator limitante na produção agrícola. Algumas rizobactérias, que vivem em simbiose com a planta, são capazes de beneficiar o crescimento da planta. Entre as habilidades dos micro-organismos está a capacidade de sobreviver em ambientes extremos, como o estresse hídrico, além de possuir a capacidade de produção de biofilme. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o potencial de quatro isolados bacterianos da rizosfera da cana-de-açúcar de resistência à restrição hídrica e produção de biofilme. Foi realizado um ensaio qualitativo e outro quantitativo para a produção de biofilme. O ensaio qualitativo foi baseado em colorimetria com cristal violeta. O teste qualitativo foi desenvolvido pela razão colorimétrica datécnica do cristal violeta na densidade óptica a 540 nm. O teste de crescimento bacteriano em baixa atividade de água foi desenvolvido inoculando os isolados bacterianos no meio de cultura TSA (10%) suplementado com sorbitol (405 gL-1) a 28 °C, produzindo o valor Aw correspondente de 0,919. Todas as cepas foram capazes de produzir biofilmes em ambos os testes, porém o isolado Bacillus subtilis foi mais eficaz, com a maior taxa de produção de biofilme. Todos os isolados também foram qualificados no meio de cultura em crescimento com baixa atividade de água. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: proteção de plantas, rrizobactéria, promoção de crescimento em plantas, simbiose.

Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil / Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. Universidade de S?o Paulo. Departamento de Patologia. Faculdade de Medicina. S?o Paulo, SP, Brazil. Funda??o Oncocentro de S?o Paulo. S?o Paulo, SP, Brazil. Faculdade de Medicina de S?o Jos? Do Rio Preto. S?o Paulo, SP, Brazil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. Universidade Federal Do Cear?. Drug Research and Development Center. Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Instituto de Ci?ncias Biol?gicas. Bel?m, PA, Brazil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. Dengue virus causes dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and has been associated to fatal cases worldwide. The liver is one of the most important target tissues in severe cases, due to its intense viral replication and metabolic role. microRNAs role during infection is crucial to understand the regulatory mechanisms of DENV infection and can help in diagnostic and anti-viral therapies development. We sequenced the miRNome of six fatal cases and compared to five controls, to characterize the human microRNAs expression profile in the liver tissue during DHF. Eight microRNAs were differentially expressed, including miR-126-5p, a regulatory molecule of endothelial cells, miR-122-5p, a liver specific homeostasis regulator, and miR-146a-5p, an interferon-regulator. Enrichment analysis with predicted target genes of microRNAs revealed regulatory pathways of apoptosis, involving MAPK, RAS, CDK and FAS. Immune response pathways were related to NF- kB, CC and CX families, IL and TLR. This is the first description of the human microRNA and isomicroRNA profile in liver tissues from DHF cases. The results demonstrated the association of miR-126-5p, miR-122-5p and miR-146a-5p with DHF liver pathogenesis, involving endothelial repair and vascular permeability regulation, control of homeostasis and expression of inflammatory cytokines.

Among the most economically significant agricultural crops, the species of the Brassicaceae family stand out as one of the most popular in human food. Cabbage leaf (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) is an essential ingredient in many regional dishes and is an excellent nutritional source for children, young and old. However, Brazilian production has been suffering from the incidence of pests and diseases that affect the crop, being the black rot of the cruciferous (BRC), the main cause of economic losses of its producers. Given this context, the objective is to build a theoretical framework by reviewing the literature on the agroecological management of BRC in cabbage leaf, based on the contribution of scientific knowledge to the preservation of agrobiodiversity in rural and traditional family communities. Entre los cultivos agrícolas de mayor importancia económica, la especie de la familia Brassicaceae se destaca como una de las más populares en la alimentación humana. La hoja de col (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) es un ingrediente esencial en muchos platos regionales y es una excelente fuente nutricional para niños, jóvenes y mayores. Sin embargo, la producción brasileña viene sufriendo la incidencia de plagas y enfermedades que afectan al cultivo, siendo la podredumbre negra de las crucíferas (PNC), la principal causa de pérdidas económicas de sus productores. Ante este contexto, el objetivo es construir un marco teórico mediante la revisión de la literatura sobre el manejo agroecológico de PNC en hoja de col, basado en el aporte del conocimiento científico a la preservación de la agrobiodiversidad en comunidades familiares rurales y tradicionales. Dentre as culturas agrícolas de maior expressividade econômica, as espécies da família Brassicaceae destacam-se como uma das mais populares na alimentação humana. A couve-manteiga (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) é um ingrediente essencial em diversos pratos regionais, sendo uma excelente fonte nutricional para crianças, jovens e idosos. Entretanto, a produção brasileira vem sofrendo com a incidência de pragas e doenças que acometem a lavoura, sendo a podridão negra das crucíferas (PNC), a principal causa de perdas econômicas de seus produtores. Diante deste contexto, objetiva-se a construção de um arcabouço teórico mediante revisão de literatura sobre o manejo fitotécnico e fitossanitário agroecológico de cultivares de couve comum, na premissa de agregar ao conhecimento científico ecológico na preservação da agrobiodiversidade em comunidades familiares rurais e tradicionais.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of pancreatic β cells. We show here that the protein NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 1 (NLRP1) has a key role in the pathogenesis of mouse and human T1D. More specifically, downregulation of NLRP1 expression occurs during T helper 17 (Th17) differentiation, alongside greater expression of several molecules related to Th17 cell differentiation in a signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3)-dependent pathway. These changes lead to a consequent increase in interleukin 17 (IL-17) production within the pancreas and higher incidence of diabetes in streptozotocin (STZ)-injected mice. Finally, in patients with T1D and a SNP (rs12150220) in NLRP1, there is a robust decrease in IL-17 levels in serum and in memory Th17 cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Our results demonstrate that NLRP1 acts as a negative regulator of the Th17 cell polarization program, making it an interesting target for intervention during the early stages of T1D.

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is one of the most prevalent injuries in runners. Unfortunately, a substantial part of injured athletes do not recover fully from PFP in the long-term. Although previous studies have shown positive effects of gait retraining in this condition, retraining protocols often lack clinical applicability because they are time-consuming, costly for patients and require a treadmill. The primary objective of this study will be to compare the effects of two different two-week partially supervised gait retraining programs, with a control intervention; on pain, function and lower limb kinematics of runners with PFP. It will be a single-blind randomized clinical trial with six-month follow-up. The study will be composed of three groups: a group focusing on impact (group A), a group focusing on cadence (group B), and a control group that will not perform any intervention (group C). The primary outcome measure will be pain assessed using the Visual Analog Pain scale during running. Secondary outcomes will include pain during daily activities (usual), symptoms assessed using the Patellofemoral Disorders Scale and lower limb running kinematics in the frontal (contralateral pelvic drop; hip adduction) and sagittal planes (foot inclination; tibia inclination; ankle dorsiflexion; knee flexion) assessed using the MyoResearch 3.14—MyoVideo (Noraxon U.S.A. Inc.). The study outcomes will be evaluated before (t0), immediately after (t2), and six months (t24) after starting the protocol. Our hypothesis is that both partially supervised gait retraining programs will be more effective in reducing pain, improving symptoms, and modifying lower limb kinematics during running compared with the control group, and that the positive effects from these programs will persist for six months. Also, we believe that one gait retraining group will not be superior to the other. Results from this study will help improve care in runners with PFP, while maximizing clinical applicability as well as time and cost-effectiveness.