Production and characterization of recombinant frutalin expressed in the yeast Pichia Pastoris

CNPq, CAPES, FUNCAP, FCT, ALBAN, UMINHO, UFC, UNIFO

A cluster of nucleotide-binding site-leucine-rich repeat genes resides in a barley powdery mildew resistance quantitative trait loci on 7HL

Powdery mildew causes severe yield losses in barley production worldwide. Although many resistance genes have been described, only a few have already been cloned. A strong QTL (quantitative trait locus) conferring resistance to a wide array of powdery mildew isolates was identified in a Spanish barley landrace on the long arm of chromosome 7H. Previous studies narrowed down the QTL position, but were unable to identify candidate genes or physically locate the resistance. In this study, the exome of three recombinant lines from a high-resolution mapping population was sequenced and analyzed, narrowing the position of the resistance down to a single physical contig. Closer inspection of the region revealed a cluster of closely related NBS-LRR (nucleotide-binding site–leucine-rich repeat containing protein) genes. Large differences were found between the resistant lines and the reference genome of cultivar Morex, in the form of PAV (presence-absence variation) in the composition of the NBS-LRR cluster. Finally, a template-guided assembly was performed and subsequent expression analysis revealed that one of the new assembled candidate genes is transcribed. In summary, the results suggest that NBS-LRR genes, absent from the reference and the susceptible genotypes, could be functional and responsible for the powdery mildew resistance. The procedure followed is an example of the use of NGS (next-generation sequencing) tools to tackle the challenges of gene cloning when the target gene is absent from the reference genome

Incidência e preditores de gestação em mulheres com HIV/Aids no Rio de Janeiro

OBJETIVO: Identificar incidencia y predictores de la primera gestación entre mujeres con VIH/Sida. MÉTODOS: Estudio prospectivo de cohorte conducido en Rio de Janeiro, Sureste de Brasil, entre 1996 y 2003. El estudio incluyó 225 mujeres acompañadas hasta la primera gestación o hasta el primer evento considerado censura (histerectomía, ligadura tubárica, menopausia, 50 años de edad, pérdida de acompañamiento, óbito o final de diciembre de 2003). Se estimaron las tasas de incidencia de gestación y de aborto, y se usaron modelos de riesgos proporcionales de Cox para identificar las características de la visita de inclusión asociadas con el riesgo de gestación. RESULTADOS: Las mujeres fueron acompañadas por 565 persona/años, con promedio de acompañamiento de 3 años por mujer. La edad promedio fue de 32 años (DP:7), y 54,7% eran blancas. Sesenta gestaciones fueron observadas en 39 mujeres y 18 resultaron en abortos inducidos (tasas de incidencia de 6,9% y 2,1% mujeres/año, respectivamente). Las gestaciones repetidas ocurrieron en 33,3% de las mujeres (13/39). Fue observado el mayor riesgo de gestación entre mujeres jóvenes (HR=3,42; IC 95%:1,69;6,95) y entre aquellas que vivían con sus parejas (HR=1,89; IC 95%: 1,00;3,57). El menor riesgo de gestación estuvo asociado a la mayor escolaridad (HR=0,43; IC95%:0,19;0,99) y al uso de terapia antirretroviral (HR=0,61; IC95%:0,31;1,17). CONCLUSIONES: La incidencia de gestación en la cohorte fue menor al compararse con aquella observada en la población general. Características sociodemográficas deben ser consideradas en el manejo de los deseos reproductivos de mujeres VIH-positivas en edad reproductiva. Los programas de VIH/SIDA deben incluir consejos reproductivos y contraceptivos para prevenir la transmisión del VIH para sus parejas y prole.OBJETIVO: Identificar incidência e preditores incidência da primeira gestação entre mulheres com HIV/Aids. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo de coorte conduzido entre 1996 e 2003 no Rio de Janeiro, RJ, com 225 mulheres acompanhadas até a primeira gestação ou até o primeiro evento considerado censura (histerectomia, ligadura tubárea, menopausa, 50 anos de idade, perda de acompanhamento, óbito ou final de dezembro de 2003). Taxas de incidência de gestação e de aborto foram estimadas e modelos de riscos proporcionais de Cox foram usados para identificar as características da visita de inclusão associadas com o risco de gestação. RESULTADOS: As mulheres foram acompanhadas por 565 pessoas/ano, com média de acompanhamento de 3 anos por mulher. A idade média foi de 32 anos (DP: 7) e 54,7% eram brancas. Sessenta gestações foram observadas em 39 mulheres e 18 resultaram em abortos induzidos (taxas de incidência de 6,9% e 2,1% mulheres/ano, respectivamente). Gestações repetidas ocorreram em 33,3% das mulheres (13/39). Maior risco de gestação foi observado entre mulheres jovens (HR = 3,42; IC95%:1,69;6,95) e entre aquelas vivendo com seus parceiros (HR = 1,89; IC95%:1,00;3,57). Menor risco de gestação esteve associado à maior escolaridade (HR = 0,43; IC95%:0,19;0,99) e ao uso de terapia anti-retroviral (HR = 0,61; IC95%:0,31;1,17). CONCLUSÕES: A incidência de gestação na coorte foi menor se comparada àquela observada na população geral. Características sociodemográficas devem ser consideradas no manejo dos desejos reprodutivos de mulheres HIV-positivas em idade reprodutiva. Os programas de HIV/Aids devem incluir aconselhamento reprodutivo e contraceptivo para prevenir a transmissão do HIV para seus parceiros e prole.OBJECTIVE: To assess incidence and predictors of first pregnancy among women with HIV/AIDS. METHODS: Prospective cohort study was conducted in Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil, between 1996 and 2003. This study comprised 225 women with HIV/AIDS followed up until their first pregnancy or first censored event (hysterectomy, tubal ligation, menopause, 50 years of age, loss to follow-up, death or the end of December 2003). Pregnancy and abortion rates were estimated, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify baseline characteristics associated with pregnancy risk. RESULTS: The women were followed up for 565 person/years with a median follow-up of 3 years per women. The mean age was 32 years (SD: 7), and 54.7% were white. There were 60 pregnancies in 39 women, and 18 were terminated (induced abortions), accounting for a rate of 6.9% and 2.1% women/year, respectively. Repeated pregnancies occurred in 33.3% of the women (13/39). Higher pregnancy risk was seen among younger women (HR=3.42; 95%CI: 1.69;6.95) and those living with their partners (HR=1.89; 95%CI: 1.00;3.57). Lower pregnancy risk was associated with higher education level (HR=0.43; 95%CI: 0.19;0.99) and use of antiretroviral therapy (HR=061; 95%CI: 0.31;1.17). CONCLUSIONS: Lower pregnancy rates were found in our cohort than in the general population. Sociodemographic characteristics should be taken into consideration in the management of reproductive health in HIV-positive childbearing age women. Reproductive and family planning counseling must be incorporated into HIV/AIDS programs for women to help preventing HIV transmission to their partners and offspring

Wild dogs at stake: deforestation threatens the only Amazon endemic canid, the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis)

The persistent high deforestation rate and fragmentation of the Amazon forests are the main threats to their biodiversity. To anticipate and mitigate these threats, it is important to understand and predict how species respond to the rapidly changing landscape. The short-eared dog Atelocynus microtis is the only Amazon-endemic canid and one of the most understudied wild dogs worldwide. We investigated short-eared dog habitat associations on two spatial scales. First, we used the largest record database ever compiled for short-eared dogs in combination with species distribution models to map species habitat suitability, estimate its distribution range and predict shifts in species distribution in response to predicted deforestation across the entire Amazon (regional scale). Second, we used systematic camera trap surveys and occupancy models to investigate how forest cover and forest fragmentation affect the space use of this species in the Southern Brazilian Amazon (local scale). Species distribution models suggested that the short-eared dog potentially occurs over an extensive and continuous area, through most of the Amazon region south of the Amazon River. However, approximately 30% of the short-eared dog's current distribution is expected to be lost or suffer sharp declines in habitat suitability by 2027 (within three generations) due to forest loss. This proportion might reach 40% of the species distribution in unprotected areas and exceed 60% in some interfluves (i.e. portions of land separated by large rivers) of the Amazon basin. Our local-scale analysis indicated that the presence of forest positively affected short-eared dog space use, while the density of forest edges had a negative effect. Beyond shedding light on the ecology of the short-eared dog and refining its distribution range, our results stress that forest loss poses a serious threat to the conservation of the species in a short time frame. Hence, we propose a re-assessment of the short-eared dog's current IUCN Red List status (Near Threatened) based on findings presented here. Our study exemplifies how data can be integrated across sources and modelling procedures to improve our knowledge of relatively understudied species

Plasma copeptin as biomarker of disease progression and prognosis in cirrhosis

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Research on vasopressin (AVP) in cirrhosis and its role in the assessment of prognosis has been hindered by the difficulty of measuring AVP levels accurately. Copeptin, a 39-aminoacid glycopeptide, is released from the neurohypophysis together with AVP. Copeptin could have a role as biomarker of prognosis in cirrhosis as it may reflect circulatory dysfunction. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of copeptin as biomarker of disease progression and prognosis in cirrhosis. METHODS: This prospective study is divided in 2 study protocols including 321 consecutive patients. Plasma copeptin levels were measured in all patients at study inclusion. Protocol 1: to investigate the relationship of copeptin with kidney and circulatory function (56 patients). Protocol 2: to investigate the relationship between copeptin and prognosis, as assessed by the development of complications of cirrhosis or mortality at 3months (265 patients admitted to hospital for complications of cirrhosis). RESULTS: Patients with decompensated cirrhosis showed significantly higher plasma copeptin levels compared to those of patients with compensated cirrhosis. Copeptin levels had a significant positive correlation with model for end-satge liver disease (MELD) score, AVP, endogenous vasoconstrictor systems, and kidney function parameters. Patients developing complications of cirrhosis or mortality had significantly higher plasma copeptin levels compared to those of the remaining patients. Plasma copeptin levels were an independent predictive factor of both the development of complications and mortality at 3months. This was confirmed in a validation series of 120 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Copeptin is a novel biomarker of disease progression and prognosis in cirrhosis. LAY SUMMARY: Copeptin is a fragment of the vasopressin precursor, a hormone that is known to be increased in patients with cirrhosis and that plays a role in the development of complications of the disease. Vasopressin is difficult to measure, but copeptin is a more stable molecule and is easier to measure in blood. Solà and Kerbert and colleagues have shown in a series of 361 patients that copeptin is markedly increased in patients with cirrhosis who develop complications during the following 3months, compared to those patients who do not develop complications. Moreover, copeptin correlates with prognosis