Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Changes in QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube results during treatment for tuberculous infection

Made available in DSpace on 2015-09-21T17:25:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license.txt: 1914 bytes, checksum: 7d48279ffeed55da8dfe2f8e81f3b81f (MD5) prz_antas_etal_IOC_2013.pdf: 318292 bytes, checksum: 7ed9c362936379698f55d848fd3daf40 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013Universidade Gama Filho. Escola de Medicina. Programa de Pós-Gradução em Educação em Saúde. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Liga Científica de Tuberculose do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.McGill University. Montreal Chest Institute. Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit. Montreal, Quebec, Canada.Universidade Gama Filho. Escola de Medicina. Programa de Pós-Gradução em Educação em Saúde. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Liga Científica de Tuberculose do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Fundação Souza Marques. Faculdade de Medicina. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Universidade Gama Filho. Escola de Medicina. Programa de Pós-Gradução em Educação em Saúde. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Liga Científica de Tuberculose do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Fundação Souza Marques. Faculdade de Medicina. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Laboratório Pascoal Granato. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. laboratório de Imunologia Clínica. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Universidade Gama Filho. Escola de Medicina. Programa de Pós-Gradução em Educação em Saúde. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Liga Científica de Tuberculose do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil /McGill University. Montreal Chest Institute. Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit. Montreal, Quebec, Canada.SETTING: Randomised trial comparing 9 months of isoniazid with 4 months of rifampicin for the treatment of high-risk tuberculin skin test positive subjects in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. OBJECTIVES: To compare QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In- Tube (QFT-GIT) responses before and 1, 4 and 9 months after starting treatment for latent tuberculous infection (LTBI) according to adherence to one of the two regimens. DESIGN: Participants in the trial were invited to undergo serial QFT-GIT. Within-subject differences at different time points were analysed as quantitative responses and categorised as positive or negative using different cut-off points. RESULTS: Of 215 participants, 118 completed treatment, of whom 58 underwent all three tests; and 97 did not complete treatment, of whom 10 underwent all tests. After 1 month of treatment, there was no significant difference in QFT-GIT response between the groups. After 4 and 9 months, reversions were more frequent in nonadherent subjects. Marked within-subject fluctuations were observed. No cut-off point could be established at which QFT-GIT responses were consistently positive or associated with adherence or type of treatment. CONCLUSION: Frequent within-subject variability in QFT-GIT responses, not associated with LTBI treatment, makes it difficult for clinicians to interpret QFT-GIT conversions and reversions

T cell immune responses to mycobacterial antigens in Brazilian tuberculosis patients and controls

Production of IFN-gamma guarantees helpful T cell-mediated immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. We have evaluated the in vitro immune responses to M. tuberculosis antigens using IFN-gamma production among 43 Brazilian tuberculosis (TB) patients prior to and after specific treatment, and 18 community controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were cultivated in the presence either of purified protein derivative, ferritin, 10 kDa, 38 kDa, MPT59, Ag85A or Ag85B. Also, the two M. tuberculosis and M. bovis heat-shock proteins (hsp) 65 and 70 kDa were compared, and 5 day supernatants were harvested for cytokine detection by ELISA. The results showed that the overall profile of primary PBMC in response to most M. tuberculosis antigens was well correlated, since high IFN-gamma levels were induced by Ag85A, Ag85B, 38 kDa, ferritin and 10 kDa, as well as M. tuberculosis hsp65 in TB patients. In addition, analysis was carried out of the in vitro expression of activation molecules on lymphocytes, as CD25 and CD69 expression assessed in 17 TB patients showed induction on CD4+ T cells by Ag85B. Overall, significantly low responses were found in untreated, in comparison with the treated TB patients. Furthermore, internal community but not healthy control individuals have higher immune responses than do TB patient

Papagaio-de-peito-roxo Amazona vinacea (Kuhl) (Aves: Psittacidae) no norte do Esp\uedrito Santo: redescoberta e conserva\ue7\ue3o

Amazona vinacea (Kuhl, 1820) é uma espécie endêmica da Mata Atlântica e ameaçada de extinção no Brasil e no mundo. Não existem relatos recentes de sua presença na porção setentrional de sua distribuição ao norte do estado do Rio de Janeiro. O último é datado provavelmente de 1991, tendo sido considerado extinto ao norte do Espírito Santo. O presente trabalho noticia a redescoberta da espécie em Alto Rio Novo, noroeste do Espírito Santo, divisa com Minas Gerais. Foram registrados bandos em duas localidades em dezembro de 2005, sendo o maior deles composto por 28 indivíduos. Durante os registros foi observado A. vinacea se alimentando de Anadenanthera sp. (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae), uma nova fonte alimentar para a espécie. Os registros históricos mais recentes para a região citam localidades com distância inferior a 35 km dos atuais registros, reforçando a importância local. No entanto, a degradação ambiental e a captura ilegal representam obstáculos à conservação da espécie nesta região. Em dezembro de 2002 foi criado o Parque Nacional dos Pontões Capixabas, primeira Unidade de Conservação na porção serrana do norte do Espírito Santo. Uma das áreas históricas da espécie está incluída em seus limites e um dos locais onde foi agora redescoberto fica a cerca de 10 km de distância da borda do parque. Essa Unidade de Conservação é essencial à proteção de trechos nativos da Mata Atlântica e conseqüentemente do papagaio-de-peito-roxo. Além de medidas conservacionistas, a aquisição de informações sobre as populações de A. vinacea no noroeste do Espírito Santo e leste de Minas Gerais torna-se indispensável para a proposição de medidas de manejo capazes de reverter o grave quadro atual, objetivando viabilizar a permanência de populações na região mais setentrional da distribuição conhecida atualmente para a espécie.<br>Endemic of the Atlantic Forest, Amazona vinacea (Kuhl, 1820) is listed as endangered in Brazil and at the international level. Lack of recent reports north of Rio de Janeiro state, including the northern portion of Espírito Santo state (where it had been found probably till 1991) suggested the species had vanished from this part of the range. The present paper reports the rediscovery of A. vinacea in Alto Rio Novo region, northwestern Espírito Santo. Two flocks were seen in two different places, the largest one with 28 parrots was found in December 2005. The flocks of A. vinacea were eating seeds of Anadenanthera sp. (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae), a new resource for this parrot. Historical data list places up to 35 km from the two localities where the flocks were now found, stressing its regional importance for the Vinaceous Amazon. However, the continuous habitat degradation of the last forest remnants in the region and illegal capture of nestlings are considered the main constrain for this population's conservation. As recently as December 2002, the Pontões Capixabas National Park has been created. It is the first Conservation Unit in the mountains of northern Espírito Santo state. Luckily, it protects a historical place of the Vinaceous Amazon in the region and encompasses forested remnants suitable for the species. Its current limit is some 10 km apart from one of the places where the parrot was found in this study. Besides the conservation, data gathering on the Vinaceous Amazon populations in northwestern Espírito Santo state and the nearby region of Minas Gerais state are critical for the species future in the area. A management plan could be then established, aiming to conserve the current northernmost currently known population of this parrot