Subtelomeric I-scei-mediated Double-strand Breaks Are Repaired By Homologous Recombination In Trypanosoma Cruzi

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Trypanosoma cruzi chromosome ends are enriched in surface protein genes and pseudogenes (e.g., trans-sialidases) surrounded by repetitive sequences. It has been proposed that the extensive sequence variability among members of these protein families could play a role in parasite infectivity and evasion of host immune response. In previous reports we showed evidence suggesting that sequences located in these regions are subjected to recombination. To support this hypothesis we introduced a double-strand break (DSB) at a specific target site in a T. cruzi subtelomeric region cloned into an artificial chromosome (pTAC). This construct was used to transfect T. cruzi epimastigotes expressing the I-SceI meganuclease. Examination of the repaired sequences showed that DNA repair occurred only through homologous recombination (HR) with endogenous subtelomeric sequences. Our findings suggest that DSBs in subtelomeric repetitive sequences followed by HR between them may contribute to increased variability in T. cruzi multigene families. © 2016 Chiurillo, Moraes Barros, Souza, Marini, Antonio, Cortez, Curto, Lorenzi, Schijman, Ramirez and da Silveira.7DEC11/51475-3, FAPESP, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo11/51693-0, FAPESP, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo306591/2015-4, CNPq, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

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

DUNE Phase II: scientific opportunities, detector concepts, technological solutions

The international collaboration designing and constructing the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) at the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) has developed a two-phase strategy toward the implementation of this leading-edge, large-scale science project. The 2023 report of the US Particle Physics Project Prioritization Panel (P5) reaffirmed this vision and strongly endorsed DUNE Phase I and Phase II, as did the European Strategy for Particle Physics. While the construction of the DUNE Phase I is well underway, this White Paper focuses on DUNE Phase II planning. DUNE Phase-II consists of a third and fourth far detector (FD) module, an upgraded near detector complex, and an enhanced 2.1 MW beam. The fourth FD module is conceived as a "Module of Opportunity", aimed at expanding the physics opportunities, in addition to supporting the core DUNE science program, with more advanced technologies. This document highlights the increased science opportunities offered by the DUNE Phase II near and far detectors, including long-baseline neutrino oscillation physics, neutrino astrophysics, and physics beyond the standard model. It describes the DUNE Phase II near and far detector technologies and detector design concepts that are currently under consideration. A summary of key R&D goals and prototyping phases needed to realize the Phase II detector technical designs is also provided. DUNE's Phase II detectors, along with the increased beam power, will complete the full scope of DUNE, enabling a multi-decadal program of groundbreaking science with neutrinos

Contribuição ao estudo farmacognóstico da Piper ovatum Vahl

RESUMO:O presente estudo descreve as características morfo-anatômicas dos órgãos vegetativos e do pó da Piper ovatum Vahl de modo que os dados obtidos possam ser utilizados como referência em análises de controle de qualidade de amostras de fármacos, a fim de verificar sua autenticidade. As raízes, caules, pecíolos e folhas foram fixadas, seccionadas à mão livre e coradas, as secções transversais e paradérmicas foram analisadas por microscopia óptica e a superfície do limbo foi observada, também, por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Os órgãos vegetativos da P. ovatumapresentam morfologia e anatomia similar às outras espécies dePiper. No entanto, não foram observadas inclusões celulares nas folhas de P. ovatum. Análises por MEV mostraram a presença de tricomas glandulares constituídos de pedúnculo unicelular e porção secretora globóide igualmente unicelular recoberto por cutícula, na epiderme abaxial das folhas. Também foi observada a presença de uma cutícula espessa e que origina crostas no limite entre uma célula e outra, em ambas as superfícies foliares. No mesófilo foi observada a presença de idioblastos oleíferos característica marcante de outras espécies de Piperaceae. Além disso, na microscopia do pó foram observados hipoderme e idioblastos oleíferos em fragmentos do limbo, fragmentos de fibras esclerenquimáticas do caule, além de células esclerosas isoladas ou em grupos no pecíolo. O perfil cromatográfico do extrato hidroetanólico das folhas de P. ovatum foi obtido por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). Nas análises por CLAE foram identificados como substâncias majoritárias do extrato as amidas piperovatina e piperlonguminina nos tempos de retenção de 10,25 e 10,81 min., respectivamente

Seed transmission of Pepino mosaic virus in tomato

In this manuscript we provide evidence for the seed transmission of Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) in tomato. Fruit was harvested from a tomato crop artificially infected with both European and CH2 genotypes of PepMV and more than 100,000 seeds were extracted and cleaned using an enzymatic treatment without disinfection. Infection assays using indicator plants confirmed the presence of viable virus on the seeds. Seeds were distributed to ten different laboratories in three separate batches, where they were germinated and the young plants tested by ELISA. In total over 87,000 plants were tested and 23 positives detected, indicating an overall transmission rate of 0.026%. However, the observed seed transmission rates varied from 0.005% to 0.057%, depending on the seed batch used. Results clearly showed that PepMV can be transmitted from seeds contaminated with virus to seedlings, highlighting the risk of using seeds from PepMV-infected plants and the potential for seed transmission to contribute to the further spread of PepM