Evolutionary systems biology of virus-host interactions

The evolution of virus-host interactions occurs at multiple levels of biological complexity, such as organismal, genetic, and molecular levels. In the first part of this study, the evolution of associations between herpesviruses (HVs) and theirhosts are examined across more than 400 million years. Recent studies have been demonstrating that cospeciations are not always the main event driving HV evolution, asinterhost speciations and host switches also play important roles. The present study shows that more than topological incongruences, mismatches on divergence times are the main source of disagreements between host and viral phylogenies, which reveals host switches, intrahost speciations and viral losses along the evolution of HVs. Herpesviruses have large genomes encoding dozens of proteins. Apart from amino acid substitutions, these viruses also evolve by acquiring, duplicating and losing protein domains. Although the domain repertoires of HVs differ across species, a core set of domains is shared among all of them. This second part of this study reveals that 28 out 41 core domains encoded by HV ancestors are still found in present-day repertoires, which over time were expanded by domain gains and duplications. Distinct evolutionary strategies led HVs to developed very specific domain repertoires, which may explain their host range and tissue tropism, and provide hints on the origins of herpesviruses. Despite the fact that most mutations in proteins are deleterious, few of them end up improving viral fitness and defining how viruses interact with their hosts. By using an integrative approach, the third part of this study investigates the evolution of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) involving the membrane proteins Nectins, and the herpesviral envelope glycoproteins D/G. By means of ancestral sequence reconstruction and homology modelling, ancestral structures of these protein complexes were generated, and analysis of their interaction energies revealed important differences of binding affinity along their evolution.Open Acces

The pangenome of the Anticarsia gemmatalis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV)

The alphabaculovirusAnticarsia gemmatalismultiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) is the world’s most successful viral bioinsecticide. Through the 1980s and 1990s, this virus was extensively used for biological control of populations ofAnticarsia gemmatalis(Velvetbean caterpillar) in soybean crops. During this period, genetic studies identified several variable loci in the AgMNPV; however, most of them were not characterized at the sequence level. In this study we report a full genome comparison among 17 wild-type isolates of AgMNPV. We found the pangenome of this virus to contain at least 167 hypothetical genes, 151 of which are shared by all genomes. The genebro-athat might be involved in host specificity and carrying transporter is absent in some genomes, and new hypothetical genes were observed. Among these genes there is a uniquernf12-likegene, probably implicated in ubiquitination. Events of gene fission and fusion are common, as four genes have been observed as single or split open reading frames. Gains and losses of genomic fragments (from 20 to 900 bp) are observed within tandem repeats, such as in eight direct repeats and four homologous regions. Most AgMNPV genes present low nucleotide diversity, and variable genes are mainly located in a locus known to evolve through homologous recombination. The evolution of AgMNPV is mainly driven by small indels, substitutions, gain and loss of nucleotide stretches or entire coding sequences. These variations may cause relevant phenotypic alterations, which probably affect the infectivity of AgMNPV. This work provides novel information on genomic evolution of the AgMNPV in particular and of baculoviruses in general

Modularity and evolutionary constraints in a baculovirus gene regulatory network

Abstract\ud \ud \ud \ud Background\ud The structure of regulatory networks remains an open question in our understanding of complex biological systems. Interactions during complete viral life cycles present unique opportunities to understand how host-parasite network take shape and behave. The Anticarsia gemmatalis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) is a large double-stranded DNA virus, whose genome may encode for 152 open reading frames (ORFs). Here we present the analysis of the ordered cascade of the AgMNPV gene expression.\ud \ud \ud \ud Results\ud We observed an earlier onset of the expression than previously reported for other baculoviruses, especially for genes involved in DNA replication. Most ORFs were expressed at higher levels in a more permissive host cell line. Genes with more than one copy in the genome had distinct expression profiles, which could indicate the acquisition of new functionalities. The transcription gene regulatory network (GRN) for 149 ORFs had a modular topology comprising five communities of highly interconnected nodes that separated key genes that are functionally related on different communities, possibly maximizing redundancy and GRN robustness by compartmentalization of important functions. Core conserved functions showed expression synchronicity, distinct GRN features and significantly less genetic diversity, consistent with evolutionary constraints imposed in key elements of biological systems. This reduced genetic diversity also had a positive correlation with the importance of the gene in our estimated GRN, supporting a relationship between phylogenetic data of baculovirus genes and network features inferred from expression data. We also observed that gene arrangement in overlapping transcripts was conserved among related baculoviruses, suggesting a principle of genome organization.\ud \ud \ud \ud Conclusions\ud Albeit with a reduced number of nodes (149), the AgMNPV GRN had a topology and key characteristics similar to those observed in complex cellular organisms, which indicates that modularity may be a general feature of biological gene regulatory networks.JVCO, CTB and AI hold FAPESP scholarships (04/12456-0, 09/16740-8 and 12/04818-5), AFB and CCMF hold CAPES-MSc and PhD scholarships and PMAZ holds a CNPq-PQ scholarship. This work was supported financially by FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, process: 2007/55282-0)

Morphological and yield responses of 'BRS Vitória' grapevines subjected to bio-fertigation with aquaculture wastewater

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as respostas agronômicas de videiras 'BRS Vitória' submetidas à nutribioirrigação com e sem adubação convencional. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com três tratamentos e 18 repetições. Os tratamentos foram: TC, adubação e irrigação convencionais; TNC, nutribioirrigação e adubação; e TN, apenas nutribioirrigação. Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis: diâmetros do porta-enxerto e do enxerto; crescimento da planta; número de botões laterais; teores de amido na raiz, na folha, no pecíolo e nas gemas; número por planta, comprimento, circunferência e massa fresca dos cachos; número por cacho, comprimento, diâmetro, massa fresca, sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável e pH das frutas; produção; e teores de macro e micronutrientes nas folhas. De 100 a 150 dias após o transplantio (DAT), os diâmetros do porta-enxerto e do enxerto foram similares, tendo aumentando de 250 a 300 DAT no TC. O maior teor de amido na raiz foi de 7,19% no TN aos 150 DAT e de 37,35% no TNC aos 300 DAT. As plantas no TNC apresentaram os melhores resultados para número por planta e massa fresca dos cachos, o que resultou em produção 22% superior à obtida nos demais tratamentos. A videira 'BRS Vitória' apresenta desempenho agronômico satisfatório quando submetida à nutribioirrigação.The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic responses of 'BRS Vitória' grapevines under bio-fertigation with and without conventional soil fertilizer. A completely randomized design was used, with three treatments and 18 replicates. The treatments were: CFI, conventional soil fertilizer and irrigation; BF+CF, bio-fertigation and conventional fertilizer; and BF, only bio-fertigation. The following variables were evaluated: graft and rootstock diameters; plant growth; number of lateral buds; root, leaf, petiole, and gem starch contents; bunch number per plant, length, circumference, and fresh weight; berry number per bunch, length, diameter, fresh weight, soluble solid contents, titratable acidity, and pH; yield; and leaf macro- and micronutrient contents. From 100 to 150 days after transplanting (DAT), rootstock and graft diameters were similar, increasing from 250 to 300 DAT in the CFI treatment. The highest root starch content was 7.19% in BF at 150 DAT and 37.35% in BF+CF at 300 DAT. The plants in BF+CF showed the best results for bunch number per plant and fresh weight, resulting in a fruit yield 22% higher than that obtained in the other treatments. 'BRS-Vitória' grapevines show a satisfactory agronomic performance when bio-fertigated

Ser ou se fazer tutor(a): a gestão dentro do Programa de Educação Tutorial (PET/UERN/UFERSA)

This article analyzes the management of tutors within the Tutorial Education Programs (PET), at the State University of Rio Grande do Norte (UERN) and at the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid (UFERSA), as something ready/ finished or procedural. The methodology is quantitative-qualitative, exploratory, making use of literature review, document and interviews with tutors. For theoretical foundation, we used Tosta et al. (2003); Müller (2003); Freire (1996); Brasil (2006), among others. The research led us to realize that the PET tutor is built in an empathetic way, contemplating not only the academic and technical aspects, but the humanist side, not in an invasive way in personal issues, but due to the closer relationships built within the program, there is a sensitivity in caring and caring for the other. In these experiences, there are moments when knowledge, knowledge and experiences of teaching learning, development of formative and fraternal bonds are shared.O presente artigo analisa a gestão dos tutores(as) dentro dos Programas de Educação Tutorial (PET), na Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (UERN) e na Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), como algo pronto/acabado ou processual. A metodologia é de cunho quanti-qualitativo, exploratório, fazendo uso da revisão bibliográfica, documental e entrevistas com tutores(as). Para fundamentação teórica, utilizamos Tosta et al. (2003); Müller (2003); Freire (1996); Brasil (2006), dentre outros. A pesquisa nos direcionou a perceber que o tutor PET se constrói de forma empática contemplando não apenas os aspectos acadêmicos, técnicos, mas o lado humanista, não de forma invasiva nas questões pessoais, mas devido ao estreitamento das relações construídas dentro do programa, existe uma sensibilidade no cuidar e de se importar com o outro. Nessas vivências, há momentos que são partilhados saberes, conhecimentos e experiências de ensino aprendizagem, desenvolvimento de laços formativos e fraternos

Night Work And Its Implications In The Quality Of Life Of Nurses

Objective: to know the consequences that night work can bring to the quality of life of nurses, identifying the strategies adopted by nurses to stay healthy. Method: descriptive, mixed-approach (quanti-qualitative) research, carried out with nine Nursing professionals. Data were collected in June 2016. Results: The male gender (77.7%) prevailed, the working time in the sector was between 1 and 5 years (55.5%), with the majority still working overtime (66.6%). Most participants report being dissatisfied with the quality of their sleep, although 88.8% of professionals say they are satisfied with their quality of life. From the testimonies, we obtained the meanings that were grouped in the categories: "It is something related to my health", "It interferes with my work, family and leisure ...", Night work and basic necessities. Conclusion: It was found that night work has negative social impacts that affect workers' personal and social lives. These negative aspects are compounded by poor working conditions, double working hours, overtime, among other factors

Taxa de ovulação de vacas holandesas em relação ao ECC no período pós parto / Ovulation rate of Dutch cows in relation to ECC in the postpartum period

A condição corporal ao parto apresenta grande influência na ciclicidade reprodutiva e no restabelecimento da condição uterina. Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar o efeito do Escore de Condição Corporal (ECC) na atividade ovariana, caracterizada pela ovulação no período pós-parto de vacas holandesas. Avaliou-se 58 vacas holandesas em lactação, sendo estas avaliadas por exame ginecológico ultrassonográfico e identificado o período de ovulação pós parto (PP) e classificando-os em três grupos: ovulação precoce (menor que 45 dias PP), ovulação intermediaria (entre 45 e 90 dias PP), ovulação tardia (acima de 90 dias PP). Os animais foram classificados segundo o ECC por um veterinário treinado em dois grupos: ECC baixo (inferior a 2,5) e ECC alto (superior ou igual a 2,5). Verificou-se que vacas com escore corporal superior a 2,5 apresentaram ovulação mais precoce. 

A NEGAÇÃO DA NATUREZA E O PROJETO DE DESENVOLVIMENTO: A BUSCA POR UMA RACIONALIDADE AMBIENTALMENTE SUSTENTÁVEL

The present work is based on a critique of the rationalist-liberal economic development model. It uses a historical retrospective of the international ecological movement and aims to analyze the discourse of sustainable development and its relations with the secular development project that strongly contributes to the environmental degradation commonly identified as "crisis." The environmental issue was considered as a global public good, with no limits set by the physical borders of the national States. Finally, the paper briefly noted some mechanisms of global governance and their contributions to the construction, regulation, and control of international environmental law. In this way, the methodology used was mainly analytical, allied to an exploratory approach that rescued the historical perspective of the negation of nature as an explanatory base for the scenario identified in the text as "Development Project". El presente trabajo parte de una crítica al modelo de desarrollo económico y racionalista-liberal. Se utiliza de una retrospectiva histórica del movimiento ecológico internacional y tiene por objetivo analizar el discurso de desarrollo sustentable y sus relaciones con el secular proyecto de desarrollo que fuertemente contribuye para la degradación ambiental comúnmente identificada como “crisis”. Se consideró la cuestión ambiental como un bien público global, sin límites establecidos por las fronteras físicas delos Estados nacionales. Por fin, se observó brevemente algunos mecanismos de gobernanza global y sus contribuciones para la construcción, regulación y control del derecho internacional ambiental. De esta forma, se utilizó una metodología mayormente analítica, aliada a un abordaje exploratorio que rescató la perspectiva histórica de la negación de la naturaleza como base explicativa para el escenario identificado en el texto como “Proyecto Desarrollo”. O presente trabalho parte de uma crítica ao modelo de desenvolvimento econômico racionalista-liberal. Utiliza-se de uma retrospectiva histórica do movimento ecológico internacional e tem por objetivo analisar o discurso do desenvolvimento sustentável e suas relações com o secular projeto de desenvolvimento que fortemente contribui para a degradação ambiental comumente identificada como "crise". Considerou-se a questão ambiental como um bem público global, sem limites estabelecidos pelas fronteiras física dos Estados nacionais. Por fim, observou-se brevemente alguns mecanismos de governança global e suas contribuições para a construção, regulação e controle do direito internacional ambiental. Desta forma, foi utilizada uma metodologia majoritariamente analítica, aliada a uma abordagem exploratória que resgatou a perspectiva histórica da negação da natureza como base explicativa para o cenário identificado no texto como "Projeto Desenvolvimento".