Transcriptional regulatory networks controlling woolliness in peach in response to preharvest gibberellin application and cold storage

BACKGROUND: Postharvest fruit conservation relies on low temperatures and manipulations of hormone metabolism to maintain sensory properties. Peaches are susceptible to chilling injuries, such as ‘woolliness’ that is caused by juice loss leading to a ‘wooly’ fruit texture. Application of gibberellic acid at the initial stages of pit hardening impairs woolliness incidence, however the mechanisms controlling the response remain unknown. We have employed genome wide transcriptional profiling to investigate the effects of gibberellic acid application and cold storage on harvested peaches. RESULTS: Approximately half of the investigated genes exhibited significant differential expression in response to the treatments. Cellular and developmental process gene ontologies were overrepresented among the differentially regulated genes, whereas sequences in cell death and immune response categories were underrepresented. Gene set enrichment demonstrated a predominant role of cold storage in repressing the transcription of genes associated to cell wall metabolism. In contrast, genes involved in hormone responses exhibited a more complex transcriptional response, indicating an extensive network of crosstalk between hormone signaling and low temperatures. Time course transcriptional analyses demonstrate the large contribution of gene expression regulation on the biochemical changes leading to woolliness in peach. CONCLUSION: Overall, our results provide insights on the mechanisms controlling the complex phenotypes associated to postharvest textural changes in peach and suggest that hormone mediated reprogramming previous to pit hardening affects the onset of chilling injuries. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12870-015-0659-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Batch studies on the biodegradation potential of Paracetamol, Fluoxetine and 17α-Ethinylestradiol by the Micrococcus yunnanensis Strain TJPT4 recovered from marine organisms

The emerging pollutants paracetamol, fluoxetine and ethinylestradiol are inefficiently removed by conventional wastewater treatments, entering in aquatic environments in which they are hazardous. Aiming for the obtention of bacteria with the capacity for environmental bioremediation, eight bacteria were isolated from two consortia recovered from Hymedesmia versicolor and Filograna implexa marine organisms which exhibited a high-paracetamol-removal capacity. The isolates that displayed the ability to grow in the presence of 100 mg/L paracetamol as the sole carbon source were assigned to Paenibacillus, Micrococcus and Microbacterium genera. The isolate assigned to the Micrococcus yunnanensis strain TJPT4 presented the best performance, degrading 93 ± 4% of 15 mg/L paracetamol as the sole carbon source after 360 h, and was also apparently able to degrade the produced metabolites. This strain was able to remove 82.1 ± 0.9% of 16 mg/L fluoxetine after 504 h, mainly by adsorption, but apparently a biodegradation contribution also occurred. This strain was able to remove 66.6 ± 0.2% of 13 mg/L 17α-ethinylestradiol after 360 h. As far as is known, Micrococcus yunnanensis is for the first time recovered/identified in Filograna implexa, presenting a high drug removal efficiency, thereby becoming a great candidate for treatment processes (e.g., bioaugmentation), especially in the presence of saline intrusions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluation of immunoexpression and MDR1 promoter methylation levels in prostatic tissue samples

Os objectivos deste estudo foram: (1) Determinar os níveis de metilação do promotor do MDR1 em tecido prostático com adenocarcinoma (CaP), neoplasia intraepitelial prostática de alto grau (HGPIN), hiperplasia benigna (BPH) e tecido morfologicamente normal (MNP). (2) Correlacionar os níveis de metilação com a imunoexpressão da gp-P. Os nossos resultados demonstram que a hipermetilação do MDR1 constitui um mecanismo eficaz de regulação da sua expressão. Estudos futuros permitirão avaliar o impacto destes resultados na terapêutica do cancro da próstata. Our aims were: (1) To determine the MDR1 methylation levels in tissue of Prostate cancer (PCa), high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and morphologically normal prostate tissue (MNP); (2) to correlate the methylation levels of the MDR1 promoter with the immunoexpression of P-gp. Our results demonstrate that MDR1 hypermethylation constitutes an effective mechanism of P-gp expression regulation. Future studies will be able to evaluate the impact of these results in the treatment of PCa patients

Evaluation of immunoexpression and MDR1 promoter methylation levels in prostatic tissue samples

Os objectivos deste estudo foram: (1) Determinar os níveis de metilação do promotor do MDR1 em tecido prostático com adenocarcinoma (CaP), neoplasia intraepitelial prostática de alto grau (HGPIN), hiperplasia benigna (BPH) e tecido morfologicamente normal (MNP). (2) Correlacionar os níveis de metilação com a imunoexpressão da gp-P. Os nossos resultados demonstram que a hipermetilação do MDR1 constitui um mecanismo eficaz de regulação da sua expressão. Estudos futuros permitirão avaliar o impacto destes resultados na terapêutica do cancro da próstata. Our aims were: (1) To determine the MDR1 methylation levels in tissue of Prostate cancer (PCa), high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and morphologically normal prostate tissue (MNP); (2) to correlate the methylation levels of the MDR1 promoter with the immunoexpression of P-gp. Our results demonstrate that MDR1 hypermethylation constitutes an effective mechanism of P-gp expression regulation. Future studies will be able to evaluate the impact of these results in the treatment of PCa patients

Monitoring The Integrity Of Massive Aluminum Structures Using Pzt Transducers And The Technique Of Impedance

Safety, performance, economy and durability are essential items to qualify materials for the manufacturing of structures used in different areas. Generally, the materials used for this purpose are formed by composites and sometimes they can present failure during the manufacturing process. Such failures can also occur during use due to fatigue and wear, causing damage often difficult to be visually detected. In these cases, the use of non destructive testing (NDT) has proven to be a good choice for assessing the materials quality. The objective of this work was the electromechanical impedance evaluation of massive aluminum structures using ultrasonic transducers to detect discontinuities in the material. The tests have been done using an impedance analyzer (Agilent 4294A), an ultrasound transducer (1.6 MHz of central frequency), two types of PZT ceramics (0.267 mm and 1 mm thickness) and four aluminum samples (250 x 50 x 50 mm) with the transducer placed at three different regions. One sample was kept intact (reference) and the others were drilled in three positions with different sizes of holes (5 mm. 8 mm and 11 mm). The electromechanical impedance was recorded for each sample. The root mean square deviation index (RMSD) between the impedance magnitude of the reference and damaged samples was calculated and it was observed an increase in the RMSD due to the increase of the diameter of the holes (failures) in the samples completely drilled. The results show that the proposed methodology is suitable for monitoring the integrity of aluminum samples. The technique may be evaluated in characterizing other materials to be used in the construction of prostheses and orthoses.943

Testing drivers of acoustic divergence in cicadas (Cicadidae: Tettigettalna )

Divergence in acoustic signals may have a crucial role in the speciation process of ani-mals that rely on sound for intra-specific recognition and mate attraction. The acous-tic adaptation hypothesis (AAH) postulates that signals should diverge according to the physical properties of the signalling environment. To be efficient, signals should maximize transmission and decrease degradation. To test which drivers of divergence exert the most influence in a speciose group of insects, we used a phylogenetic ap-proach to the evolution of acoustic signals in the cicada genus Tettigettalna, inves-tigating the relationship between acoustic traits (and their mode of evolution) and body size, climate and micro-/macro- habitat usage. Different traits showed different evolutionary paths. While acoustic divergence was generally independent of phyloge-netic history, some temporal variables’ divergence was associated with genetic drift. We found support for ecological adaptation at the temporal but not the spectral level. Temporal patterns are correlated with micro- and macro- habitat usage and tempera-ture stochasticity in ways that run against the AAH predictions, degrading signals more easily. These traits are likely to have evolved as an anti- predator strategy in conspicuous environments and low-density populations. Our results support a role of ecological selection, not excluding a likely role of sexual selection in the evolution of Tettigettalna calling songs, which should be further investigated in an integrative approach.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Characterization of Intracellular and Extracellular Saxitoxin Levels in Both Field and Cultured Alexandrium spp. Samples from Sequim Bay, Washington

Traditionally, harmful algal bloom studies have primarily focused on quantifying toxin levels contained within the phytoplankton cells of interest. In the case of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins (PSTs), intracellular toxin levels and the effects of dietary consumption of toxic cells by planktivores have been well documented. However, little information is available regarding the levels of extracellular PSTs that may leak or be released into seawater from toxic cells during blooms. In order to fully evaluate the risks of harmful algal bloom toxins in the marine food web, it is necessary to understand all potential routes of exposure. In the present study, extracellular and intracellular PST levels were measured in field seawater samples (collected weekly from June to October 2004–2007) and in Alexandrium spp. culture samples isolated from Sequim Bay, Washington. Measurable levels of intra- and extra-cellular toxins were detected in both field and culture samples via receptor binding assay (RBA) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Characterization of the PST toxin profile in the Sequim Bay isolates by pre-column oxidation and HPLC-fluorescence detection revealed that gonyautoxin 1 and 4 made up 65 ± 9.7 % of the total PSTs present. Collectively, these data confirm that extracellular PSTs are present during blooms of Alexandrium spp. in the Sequim Bay region

Competências na formação em Administração: um estudo em curso de graduação de universidade pública brasileira

Resumo   Neste estudo analisou-se como foram inseridas as competências no projeto didático-pedagógico e no processo de formação dos alunos do Curso de graduação em Administração da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Minas Gerais. Quanto aos procedimentos metodológicos, o estudo de caso, de caráter descritivo, foi o método escolhido; entrevista, questionário e documentos (projeto didático-pedagógico do Curso e Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais (DCNs) foram as técnicas de coleta de dados. A análise ocorreu por meio de técnicas qualitativas e quantitativas. O projeto didático-pedagógico foi analisado com o intuito de se levantarem as competências propostas pelo Curso, buscando-se verificar a sua correspondência com aquelas definidas pelo MEC nas DCNs. Posteriormente, procedeu-se à aplicação do questionário aos alunos para avaliar o processo de ensino-aprendizagem, considerando-se a formação com base em competências. A entrevista foi realizada com o diretor da Faculdade de Administração. Os resultados demonstram que, mesmo sendo percebido o desenvolvimento de competências e habilidades no Curso, este não se apresenta aderente ao modelo de formação por competências, em sua totalidade. Concluiu-se que se faz necessário um trabalho de conscientização dos docentes quanto às diretrizes de desenvolvimento de competências nos alunos do Curso, visando maior integração entre as disciplinas e alteração, em longo prazo, das metodologias de ensino-aprendizagem aplicadas. Palavras-chave: Competências. Formação por competências. Graduação em Administração. Instituição Federal de Ensino.   Abstract   This study investigates how competencies were introduced both in the students’ learning process and in the Pedagogical Project of the Business Administration Course of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), in Minas Gerais State. As methodological procedures, the descriptive case study was the chosen method; interview, questionnaire and documents (the Course Pedagogical Project and the Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais (DCNs)) were the techniques of data collection. The analysis took place through qualitative and quantitative techniques. The Course Pedagogical Project was examined in order to know the competencies proposed, seeking to verify their correspondence with the ones defined by the Education Ministry in the DCNs. A questionnaire was subsequently answered by students, which aimed to assess the teaching-learning process as far as students’ competency-based formation is concerned. The findings from the research show that despite the development of competencies and skills in the Course, it is not in fact entirely adherent to the model of competency-based learning. The conclusion is that an awareness program with professors should be conducted as to students’ competency-development guidelines, pursuing more integration among Course disciplines as well as a change, in the long term, in the teaching-learning methodologies used. Keywords: Competencies. Students’ competency-based formation. Undergraduate Business Administration Course. Federal University

The effect of the Messinian salinity crisis on the early diversification of the Tettigettalna cicadas

The current distribution patterns of many Mediterranean species are often a consequence of large and impactful past geoclimatic events, such as the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC) and the Quaternary glacial cycles. Cicadas are flying insects with poor dispersal ability, which have experienced intense local differentiation in the Mediterranean, where the genus Tettigettalna has surfaced as a biogeographic model. The genus includes 10 species with species-specific calling songs but identical morphology. All Tettigettalna species are restricted to Southern Iberia, with the exception of T. estrellae (northwest Iberia), the widespread T. argentata (mainly Iberia, France and Italy), and T. afroamissa (Morocco). With an expanded genetic dataset involving nuclear (EF1α) and mitochondrial (5′ and 3′ COI and ATP) loci, we reconstructed the phylogeny of the genus and estimated divergence dates for Tettigettalna species under a Bayesian framework. Phylogeny with the new mitochondrial dataset was in agreement with previous studies, whereas the nuclear EF1α supported T. josei and T. afroamissa as monophyletic clades but lacked resolution to resolve the remaining taxa. Some sister taxa share mitochondrial haplotypes, hinting for incomplete lineage sorting. Estimates of divergence time settled T. josei as the earliest diverging lineage, likely as a pre- or early-MSC event. As for the origin of T. afroamissa in Morocco, though time estimates could not entirely rule out post-MSC dispersal, the most likely scenario points to isolation of African Tettigettalna after the reopening of the strait of Gibraltar. The Pleistocene glaciations that followed likely impacted on the diversification of the remaining species of the genus in southern Iberia refugia.info:eu-repo/semantics/submittedVersio