Genetic structuring and fixed polymorphisms in the gene period among natural populations of Lutzomyia longipalpis in Brazil

Citation: Costa, C. R. L., Freitas, M. T. D., Figueiredo, C. A. S., Aragao, N. C., da Silva, L. G., Marcondes, C. B., . . . Balbino, V. D. (2015). Genetic structuring and fixed polymorphisms in the gene period among natural populations of Lutzomyia longipalpis in Brazil. Parasites & Vectors, 8, 9. doi:10.1186/s13071-015-0785-6Background: Even one hundred years after being originally identified, aspects of the taxonomy of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis, the principal vector of Leishmania infantum in the Americas, remain unresolved for Brazilian populations of this vector. The diversity of morphological, behavioral, biochemical, and ethological characters, as well as the genetic variability detected by molecular markers are indicative of the presence of a complex of species. Methods: In this study, a 525 bp fragment of the period gene was used to evaluate sympatric populations of L. longipalpis. A combination of probabilistic methods such as maximum likelihood and genetic assignment approach to investigate sympatric species of L. longipalpis were applied in three populations of Northeast Brazil. Results: Fixed polymorphisms in geographically isolated populations of L. longipalpis from two localities in the state of Ceara and one in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, was identified in a 525 bp fragment of the gene period (per). Our results suggest a direct relationship between the number of spots found in males' tergites and the genetic variation in cryptic species of L. longipalpis. The fragment used in this study revealed the nature of the ancestral morphotype 1S. Conclusion: New polymorphisms were identified in the gene per which can be used as a genetic barcode to sympatric taxonomy of L. longipalpis. The per gene fragment confirmed the presence of two siblings species of L. longipalpis in Sobral and showed that these same species are present in two other localities, representing an expansion within the L. longipalpis species complex with regards to the states of Ceara and Pernambuco

Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green, 1908) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae): exotic pest introduced on vine in the São Francisco Valley.

The pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutusis a polyphagous pest that attacks more than 200 generous and about more than 74 botanical families of cultivated or uncultivated plants. Many of these plants are of economic importance to Brazil, including cotton, cocoa, coffee, coconut, citrus, cucumber, corn, beans, papaya, sweet potatoes, figs, grapes, guavas, peanuts, roses, hibiscusand ornamental palms. However, M. hirsutus was recently introduced in Brazil. This study reported the first time occurence this pest in São Francisco Valley, Northeastern Brazil. After the pest presence alert, samplings were taken inside and around of the plantation of vines. The mealybugs were found attacking all structures of grape plants (Vitis vinifera), native plants of caatinga, weeds, "windbreaks" and fruit trees. In grape plants, the mealybugs inside bunches caused the reduction of the fruits quality and the discard of them, and on the sprouts they cause the inhibition of branches development, compromising at least two harvests. Thus, by severity of the damage, M. hirsutus may be considered one of the most important pests of the grape culture in theregion. The control of this new pest is a big challenge that will require a set of actions including chemical insecticides registration, the development of an effective monitoring plan as well as the search and use of natural enemies adapted to the region

Determination of the Ileal Digestibility of Proteins and Amino Acids from Biscuit Bran and Wheat Gluten in Swine

To determine the apparent (AIDCP) and standardized (SIDCP) ileal digestibility coefficients of the protein and the apparent (AIDAA) and standardized (SIDAA) ileal digestibility coefficients of amino acids from biscuit bran and wheat gluten were used six castrated males swine in growth, on average weight from 22 to 60kg, with a T cannula on the terminal ileum, distributed in a randomized block design with three treatments, two periods and two repetitions per period. Each animal was considered a repeat. Treatments consisted of a protein free diet (PFD) for determination of the endogenous loss, PFD + biscuit bran (BB) and PFD + wheat gluten (WG). Each period lasted for six days, five days of adaptation of animals to the diet and 24 hours of collection of ileal digestion. The AIDCP of BB and WG were 82.33 and 90.07%, respectively and the SIDCP of BB and WG were 89.17% and 95.60%, respectively. The SIDAA were on average 80.84% (lysine), 83.94% (threonine), 90.57% (methionine + cystine) and 87.15% (valine) to BB. The SIDAA for the WG were on average 91.01% (lysine), 90.97% (threonine), 95.82% (methionine + cystine) and 90.04% (valine). The SID of protein and essential amino acids and non-essential elements identified in this study were on average, respectively, 89.17%, 88.54% and 89.20% of biscuit branand 95.60%, 93.71% and 89.20% of wheat gluten

Phlebotomus papatasi SP15: mRNA expression variability and amino acid sequence polymorphisms of field populations

Citation: Ramalho-Ortigao, M., Coutinho-Abreu, I. V., Balbino, V. Q., Figueiredo, C. A. S., Mukbel, R., Dayem, H., . . . McDowell, M. A. (2015). Phlebotomus papatasi SP15: mRNA expression variability and amino acid sequence polymorphisms of field populations. Parasites & Vectors, 8, 14. doi:10.1186/s13071-015-0914-2Background: The Phlebotomus papatasi salivary protein PpSP15 was shown to protect mice against Leishmania major, suggesting that incorporation of salivary molecules in multi-component vaccines may be a viable strategy for anti-Leishmania vaccines. Methods: Here, we investigated PpSP15 predicted amino acid sequence variability and mRNA profile of P. papatasi field populations from the Middle East. In addition, predicted MHC class II T-cell epitopes were obtained and compared to areas of amino acid sequence variability within the secreted protein. Results: The analysis of PpSP15 expression from field populations revealed significant intra-and interpopulation variation.. In spite of the variability detected for P. papatasi populations, common epitopes for MHC class II binding are still present and may potentially be used to boost the response against Le. major infections. Conclusions: Conserved epitopes of PpSP15 could potentially be used in the development of a salivary gland antigen-based vaccine.Additional Authors: Lobo, N. F.;Mahon, A. R.;Emrich, S. J.;Kamhawi, S.;Collins, F. H.;McDowell, M. A

Transmembrane Protein TMEM230, Regulator of Glial Cell Vascular Mimicry and Endothelial Cell Angiogenesis in High-Grade Heterogeneous Infiltrating Gliomas and Glioblastoma

High-grade gliomas (HGGs) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are characterized by a heterogeneous and aggressive population of tissue-infiltrating cells that promote both destructive tissue remodeling and aberrant vascularization of the brain. The formation of defective and permeable blood vessels and microchannels and destructive tissue remodeling prevent efficient vascular delivery of pharmacological agents to tumor cells and are the significant reason why therapeutic chemotherapy and immunotherapy intervention are primarily ineffective. Vessel-forming endothelial cells and microchannel-forming glial cells that recapitulate vascular mimicry have both infiltration and destructive remodeling tissue capacities. The transmembrane protein TMEM230 (C20orf30) is a master regulator of infiltration, sprouting of endothelial cells, and microchannel formation of glial and phagocytic cells. A high level of TMEM230 expression was identified in patients with HGG, GBM, and U87-MG cells. In this study, we identified candidate genes and molecular pathways that support that aberrantly elevated levels of TMEM230 play an important role in regulating genes associated with the initial stages of cell infiltration and blood vessel and microchannel (also referred to as tumor microtubule) formation in the progression from low-grade to high-grade gliomas. As TMEM230 regulates infiltration, vascularization, and tissue destruction capacities of diverse cell types in the brain, TMEM230 is a promising cancer target for heterogeneous HGG tumors

Conceitos e modalidades da estratégia de integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta.

bitstream/item/128326/1/ILPF-cap-1.pd

Conceitos e modalidades da estratégia de integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta.

bitstream/item/128326/1/ILPF-cap-1.pd

A spectroscopy approach to the study of virus infection in the endophytic fungus Epichloë festucae

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In this work we propose a rapid method based on visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy to determine the occurrence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses in <it>Epichloë festucae </it>strains isolated from <it>Festuca rubra </it>plants. In addition, we examined the incidence of infections by <it>E. festucae </it>in populations of <it>F. rubra </it>collected in natural grasslands of Western Spain.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Vis-NIR spectra (400-2498 nm) from 124 virus-infected and virus-free <it>E. festucae </it>isolates were recorded directly from ground and freeze-dried mycelium. To estimate how well the spectra for uninfected and infected fungal samples could be differentiated, we used partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS1-DA) and several data pre-treatments to develop calibration models.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Applying the best regression model, obtained with two sampling years and using standard normal variate (SNV) combined with first derivative transformation to a new validating data set (42 samples), we obtained a correct classification for 75% of the uninfected isolates and up to 86% of the infected isolates.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results obtained suggest that Vis-NIR spectroscopy is a promising technology for detection of viral infections in fungal samples when an alternative faster approach is desirable. It provides a tool adequately exact and more time- and cost-saving than the conventional reference analysis.</p

Consumo de um simbiótico no controle urêmico de portadores de doença renal crônica em hemodiálise.

Suplemento. Edição dos resumos do 13º Congresso Nacional da Sociedade Brasileira de Alimentação e Nutrição, São Paulo, 2015

Shark fossil diversity (Squalomorphii, Squatinomorphii, and Galeomorphii) from the Langhian of Brielas (Lower Tagus Basin, Portugal)

The fossiliferous marine Miocene sediments of the Lower Tagus Basin (Portugal) present a great diversity of Chondrichthyes forms. The current study focuses on the fossil sharks from the Langhian Vc unit of the Brielas section, located in the Setúbal Peninsula. A total of 384 isolated fossil teeth were analysed and ascribed to 17 species from the Orders Hexanchiformes, Squaliformes, Squatiniformes, Lamniformes, and Carcharhiniformes. Centrophorus granulosus and Iago angustidens are described for the first time in Portuguese sediments, whereas Pachyscyllium dachiardii and Rhizoprionodon ficheuri represent only their second reported occurrence. Galeorhinus goncalvesi was already known from the Portuguese uppermost Miocene (Alvalade Basin), but it is now recognized in older sediments. Furthermore, the new material seems to include the first reported occurrence of Hexanchus cf. agassizi in Miocene sediments. As a whole, these new findings support the previous palaeoenvironment characterization of a warm infralittoral setting gradually deepening to a circalittoral one, where seasonal upwelling phenomena could have occurred