The Aspergillus nidulans pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases are essential to integrate carbon source metabolism

The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDH), that converts pyruvate to acetyl-coA, is regulated by pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases (PDHK) and phosphatases (PDHP) that have been shown to be important for morphology, pathogenicity and carbon source utilization in different fungal species. The aim of this study was to investigate the role played by the three PDHKs PkpA, PkpB and PkpC in carbon source utilization in the reference filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, in order to unravel regulatory mechanisms which could prove useful for fungal biotechnological and biomedical applications. PkpA and PkpB were shown to be mitochondrial whereas PkpC localized to the mitochondria in a carbon source-dependent manner. Only PkpA was shown to regulate PDH activity. In the presence of glucose, deletion of pkpA and pkpC resulted in reduced glucose utilization, which affected carbon catabolite repression (CCR) and hydrolytic enzyme secretion, due to de-regulated glycolysis and TCA cycle enzyme activities. Furthermore, PkpC was shown to be required for the correct metabolic utilization of cellulose and acetate. PkpC negatively regulated the activity of the glyoxylate cycle enzyme isocitrate lyase (ICL), required for acetate metabolism. In summary, this study identified PDHKs important for the regulation of central carbon metabolism in the presence of different carbon sources, with effects on the secretion of biotechnologically important enzymes and carbon source-related growth. This work demonstrates how central carbon metabolism can affect a variety of fungal traits and lays a basis for further investigation into these characteristics with potential interest for different applications.We would like to thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP, grant numbers 2016/07870-9 for GHG and 2014/00789-6 for LJA), the Science Foundation Ireland (SCI, grant number 13/CDA/2142 for OB) for providing financial support.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

AVALIAÇÃO DO ENSINO SOBRE GESTÃO DE CADEIAS DE SUPRIMENTOS NOS CURSOS SUPERIORES DE TECNOLOGIA EM LOGÍSTICA NA GRANDE SÃO PAULO / EVALUATION OF TEACHING ON SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION COURSES IN TECHNOLOGY AND LOGISTICS IN GREATER SÃO PAULO

Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar em que medida os conteúdos sobre Gestão de Cadeias de Suprimentos ministrados nos Cursos Superiores de Tecnologia em Logística em algumas IES da Grande São Paulo atendem às demandas do mercado de trabalho. Antes do desenvolvimento de uma survey, buscou-se conhecer, por meio de pesquisa documental, as IES da região pesquisada e 60 ofertas de empregos para profissionais de Logística, oferecidas em sites de recolocação para profissionais, em eu foram identificados os conhecimentos técnicos exigidos. Na survey procurou-se identificar o perfil dos sujeitos (coordenadores, docentes e alunos) e analisar suas percepções sobre a intensidade dos conteúdos oferecidos, que devem refletir os conhecimentos técnicos exigidos pelo mercado. O tratamento e a análise dos dados permitiram constatar que existe convergência entre 20 conhecimentos técnicos exigidos, sendo quatro divergentes, além de um descompasso entre as percepções dos sujeitos quanto à hierarquia dos conteúdos exigidos. O curso investigado nas IES alinha-se com as necessidades do mercado de trabalho. Recomenda-se que estas IES procurem identificar junto ao mercado os conhecimentos, as habilidades e as competências mais valorizadas no momento do planejamento desses cursos. Palavras-chave: Curso Superior de Tecnologia. Gestão de Cadeias de Suprimentos. Logística. Abstract The objective of this work is to evaluate whether the contentes on Supply Chain Management in the Colleges of Technology (CT) in Logistics in some IHE (Institutes of Higher Education) in Greater São Paulo meet the needs of the job market. Before carrying out a survey, we sought, through document research, to find out about the IHEs located in the region of the study, and 60 job offers offered on relocation sites for Logistics professionals, in which we identified the technical knowledge required. In the survey, we aimed to identify the profile of the subjects (coordinators, teachers and students) and analyze their perceptions of the intensity of the contents offered, which should reflect the expertise required by the market. Through statistical analysis, it was found that there is convergence of 20 aspects of technical knowledge required, while only four are divergent. We also found that there is a mismatch between the perceptions of individuals regarding the hierarchy of content required by the market. The course investigated is aligned with the needs of the market, and it is recommended that IHEs seek to identify the knowledge, skills and competencies most valued by the market, when planning these courses. Key words: Logistics. Supply Chain Management. Technology Diplomas

Identification and analysis of seven effector protein families with different adaptive and evolutionary histories in plant-associated members of the Xanthomonadaceae.

The Xanthomonadaceae family consists of species of non-pathogenic and pathogenic γ-proteobacteria that infect different hosts, including humans and plants. In this study, we performed a comparative analysis using 69 fully sequenced genomes belonging to this family, with a focus on identifying proteins enriched in phytopathogens that could explain the lifestyle and the ability to infect plants. Using a computational approach, we identified seven phytopathogen-enriched protein families putatively secreted by type II secretory system: PheA (CM-sec), LipA/LesA, VirK, and four families involved in N-glycan degradation, NixE, NixF, NixL, and FucA1. In silico and phylogenetic analyses of these protein families revealed they all have orthologs in other phytopathogenic or symbiotic bacteria, and are involved in the modulation and evasion of the immune system. As a proof of concept, we performed a biochemical characterization of LipA from Xac306 and verified that the mutant strain lost most of its lipase and esterase activities and displayed reduced virulence in citrus. Since this study includes closely related organisms with distinct lifestyles and highlights proteins directly related to adaptation inside plant tissues, novel approaches might use these proteins as biotechnological targets for disease control, and contribute to our understanding of the coevolution of plant-associated bacteria

LEMON GRASS ESSENTIAL OIL (CYMBOPOGUM FLEXUOSUS) IN HIGH-CONCENTRATE DIETS FOR LAMBS

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of two doses of monensin and lemon grass essential oil (Cymbopogum flexuosus) on nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal fermentation and ingestive behavior of lambs fed a high-concentrate diet. Four ruminally cannulated ram lambs (44.7 ± 3.72 kg of BW and approximately 5 mo. old) in a 4 x 4 Latin square experimental design were used. The control diet (CONT) contained 15% of oat hay, 85% of concentrate and no additives. In the remaining diets it was included 12.5 (12.5MON) or 25.0 (25MON) mg/kg of monensin (as-fed basis) or 1 mL/kg of DM of lemon grass essential oil (EO). The treatments had no effect on the nutrient intake and digestibility. The lambs that received the EO treatment showed a higher ruminal pH in comparison to those that received the control diet. However, they did not differ from treatments with monensin. A quadratic response was observed for ruminal pH, with the highest value observed in the animals fed the diet 12.5MON. The lambs fed EO had a higher ruminal concentration of acetate than the diet with monensin. There was a quadratic response of monensin on ruminal concentration of acetate, with the lowest value observed for 12.5MON. The acetate:propionate ratio was lower in lambs fed 12.5MON compared to the control. EO decreased the ruminal concentration of butyrate; however, its concentration was higher in lambs fed monensin than EO diets. A lower concentration of total short chain fatty acids (SCFA) was observed in lambs fed 12.5MON. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) blood concentration was higher in the lambs fed EO compared to the control. EO increased rumen concentration of blood glucose compared to the treatments containing monensin and decreased the number of eggs per gram of feces (EGF). In addition, there was a quadratic response of monensin on the EGF, with a higher value in the lambs fed 12.5MON. In conclusion, half of the daily dose of monensin was more effective at increasing ruminal pH than the full dose, with no negative reflection on nutrient intake and digestibility, as well as on the ingestive behavior and parasitic load of the animals. Thus, 12.5MON may be indicated for lambs feed high concentrate diet. EO proved to be a good natural source to replace ionophores in diets for lambs

Mitogen activated kinases (MAPK) and protein phosphatases are involved in Aspergillus fumigatus adhesion and biofilm formation

We would like to thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) for providing financial support. LW and CM would like to acknowledge support from the University of Aberdeen and the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology (MR/N006364/1). All authors declare no financial conflict of interest.Peer reviewedPostprin

Aspergillus nidulans protein kinase A plays an important role in cellulase production

Abstract\ud \ud Background\ud The production of bioethanol from lignocellulosic feedstocks is dependent on lignocellulosic biomass degradation by hydrolytic enzymes. The main component of lignocellulose is cellulose and different types of organisms are able to secrete cellulases. The filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans serves as a model organism to study cellulase production and the available tools allow exploring more in depth the mechanisms governing cellulase production and carbon catabolite repression.\ud \ud \ud Results\ud In A. nidulans, microarray data identified the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PkaA) as being involved in the transcriptional modulation and the production of lignocellulolytic enzymes in the presence of cellulose. Deletion of pkaA resulted in increased hydrolytic enzyme secretion, but reduced growth in the presence of lignocellulosic components and various other carbon sources. Furthermore, genes involved in fungal development were increased in the ΔpkaA strain, probably leading to the increased hyphal branching as was observed in this strain. This would allow the secretion of higher amounts of proteins. In addition, the expression of SynA, encoding a V-SNARE synaptobrevin protein involved in secretion, was increased in the ΔpkaA mutant. Deletion of pkaA also resulted in the reduced nuclear localization of the carbon catabolite repressor CreA in the presence of glucose and in partial de-repression when grown on cellulose. PkaA is involved in the glucose signaling pathway as the absence of this protein resulted in reduced glucose uptake and lower hexokinase/glucokinase activity, directing the cell to starvation conditions. Genome-wide transcriptomics showed that the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in fatty acid metabolism, mitochondrial function and in the use of cell storages was increased.\ud \ud \ud Conclusions\ud This study shows that PkaA is involved in hydrolytic enzyme production in A. nidulans. It appears that this protein kinase blocks the glucose pathway, hence forcing the cell to change to starvation conditions, increasing hydrolytic enzyme secretion and inducing the usage of cellular storages. This work uncovered new regulatory avenues governing the tight interplay between the metabolic states of the cell, which are important for the production of hydrolytic enzymes targeting lignocellulosic biomass. Deletion of pkaA resulted in a strain with increased hydrolytic enzyme secretion and reduced biomass formation.We would like to thank the Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de\ud São Paulo (FAPESP) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e\ud Tecnológico (CNPq), Brazil, for providing financial support. We also thank the\ud two reviewers and the editor for their suggestions and comments

The low affinity glucose transporter HxtB is also involved in glucose signalling and metabolism in Aspergillus nidulans

One of the drawbacks during second-generation biofuel production from plant lignocellulosic biomass is the accumulation of glucose, the preferred carbon source of microorganisms, which causes the repression of hydrolytic enzyme secretion by industrially relevant filamentous fungi. Glucose sensing, subsequent transport and cellular signalling pathways have been barely elucidated in these organisms. This study therefore characterized the transcriptional response of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans to the presence of high and low glucose concentrations under continuous chemostat cultivation with the aim to identify novel factors involved in glucose sensing and signalling. Several transcription factor- and transporter-encoding genes were identified as being differentially regulated, including the previously characterized glucose and xylose transporter HxtB. HxtB was confirmed to be a low affinity glucose transporter, localizing to the plasma membrane under low- and high-glucose conditions. Furthermore, HxtB was shown to be involved in conidiation-related processes and may play a role in downstream glucose signalling. A gene predicted to encode the protein kinase PskA was also identified as being important for glucose metabolism. This study identified several proteins with predicted roles in glucose metabolic processes and provides a foundation for further investigation into the response of biotechnologically important filamentous fungi to glucose

ANÁLISE DE MÉTODOS DE DETECÇÃO E RECONHECIMENTO DE FACES UTILIZANDO VISÃO COMPUTACIONAL E ALGORITMOS DE APRENDIZADO DE MÁQUINA

O avanço da tecnologia das últimas décadas tem proporcionado muitas facilidades para a humanidade em várias aplicações, e a tecnologia de reconhecimento facial é uma delas. Existem vários problemas a serem resolvidos para se realizar o reconhecimento de faces a partir de imagens digitais, como variação de iluminação do ambiente, mudança das características físicas do rosto e resolução das imagens utilizadas. Este trabalho buscou realizar uma análise comparativa entre alguns dos métodos de detecção e reconhecimento facial, assim como o tempo de execução dos mesmos. Foram utilizados os algoritmos de reconhecimento facial Eigenface, Fisherface e LBPH em conjunto com o algoritmo de detecção facial Haar Cascade, todos da biblioteca OpenCV. Também foi explorado o uso de uma rede neural CNN para reconhecimento facial em conjunto com o algoritmo de detecção facial HOG, estes da biblioteca Dlib. O trabalho almejou, além de analisar os algoritmos com relação a taxas de acertos, fatores como grau de confiabilidade e tempo de execução também foram considerados

SARS-COV-2 e a atuação do enfermeiro frente a pandemia / SARS-COV-2 and the performance of nurses against the pandemic

O vírus do COVID-19 pertence à ordem Nidovirales e família Coronaviridae. A subfamília Coronavirinae é formada pelos gêneros Alphacoronavirus e Betacoronavirus, indivíduos quem infectam os mamíferos e Gammacoronavirus e Deltacoronavirus, esses que infectam de tal maneiras as aves como os mamíferos. O SARS-CoV-2 é um β-coronavírus ou seja, um subgênero Sarbecovírus e Subfamília Orthocoronavirinae, dispondo como elemento genético o RNA de curso positivo sem segmentação. Este estudo rata-se de uma revisão integrativa. Portanto, elaborou-se a seguinte questão norteadora: Qual assistência da enfermagem sanitária ao paciente portador do SARS-CoV-2.?. O enfermeiro ao realizar atendimento ao cliente com o diagnóstico de COVID-19 de usar as Precauções Padrões respiratória e de contato, lembrando da importância de higienizar as mãos de forma correta e ao desparamentar seguir todo passo a passo para evitar contaminação

Rarity of monodominance in hyperdiverse Amazonian forests.

Tropical forests are known for their high diversity. Yet, forest patches do occur in the tropics where a single tree species is dominant. Such "monodominant" forests are known from all of the main tropical regions. For Amazonia, we sampled the occurrence of monodominance in a massive, basin-wide database of forest-inventory plots from the Amazon Tree Diversity Network (ATDN). Utilizing a simple defining metric of at least half of the trees ≥ 10 cm diameter belonging to one species, we found only a few occurrences of monodominance in Amazonia, and the phenomenon was not significantly linked to previously hypothesized life history traits such wood density, seed mass, ectomycorrhizal associations, or Rhizobium nodulation. In our analysis, coppicing (the formation of sprouts at the base of the tree or on roots) was the only trait significantly linked to monodominance. While at specific locales coppicing or ectomycorrhizal associations may confer a considerable advantage to a tree species and lead to its monodominance, very few species have these traits. Mining of the ATDN dataset suggests that monodominance is quite rare in Amazonia, and may be linked primarily to edaphic factors