RGMa and RGMb expression pattern during chicken development suggest unexpected roles for these repulsive guidance molecules in notochord formation, somitogenesis, and myogenesis

Background: Repulsive guidance molecules (RGM) are high-affinity ligands for the Netrin receptor Neogenin, and they are crucial for nervous system development including neural tube closure; neuronal and neural crest cell differentiation and axon guidance. Recent studies implicated RGM molecules in bone morphogenetic protein signaling, which regulates a variety of developmental processes. Moreover, a role for RGMc in iron metabolism has been established. This suggests that RGM molecules may play important roles in non-neural tissues. Results: To explore which tissues and processed may be regulated by RGM molecules, we systematically investigated the expression of RGMa and RGMb, the only RGM molecules currently known for avians, in the chicken embryo. Conclusions: Our study suggests so far unknown roles of RGM molecules in notochord, somite and skeletal muscle development. Developmental Dynamics, 2012. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.AFMAFMCNPqCNPqFAPESPFAPES

Nitrogen fertilization management in no-tillage maize with different witer crops.

The nitrogen (N) utilization by maize grown in a no-tillage system is dependent on the quality of the preceding crop residues, which may promote differences in N fertilization efficiency with respect to time. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional state, dry matter production and grain yield of maize grown in a clayey soil (Typic Acrustox) under a no-tillage system. The split-plot experimental design was set up in randomized complete blocks with three replications, in which the main plot was treated with different N application strategies and the split-plots were planted with winter crops (soybean and maize). The fertilizer strategies (rate: 120 kg ha-1 of N) used were as follows: (0 ? 0), (20 ? 100), (60 ? 60), (120 ? 0) and (0 ? 120), with the first number corresponding to the rate of N (kg ha-1) applied before planting and the second number corresponding to the top dressing rate (V4-5 stage). Nitrogen fertilization raised the N content (in shoots and leaves) and maize yield (in the shoot dry matter and grain). The maize grown after soybean had both greater N concentrations and production (dry matter and grain) relative to the maize grown after maize. Applying 120 kg ha-1 N did not significantly affect the evaluated variables, regardless of the winter crop

A genômica na bovinocultura de corte.

Genômica: definição e conceito; Aplicações da genômica; Perspectivas das aplicações da genômica

Development of micro-patterned surfaces of poly(butylene succinate) by micromolding for guided tissue engineering

Native tissues present complex architectures at the micro- and nanoscale that dictate their biological function. Several microfabrication techniques have been employed for engineering polymeric surfaces that could replicate in vitro these micro- and nanofeatures. In this study, biomimetic surfaces of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) were engineered by a micromolding technique. After the optimization of the system parameters, 20 surfaces with different combinations of groove and ridge sizes were developed and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The influence of the engineered microfeatures over the viability and attachment of human adipose derived adult stem cells (hASCs) was evaluated. hASCs cultured onto the engineered surfaces were demonstrated to remain viable for all tested patterns. SEM and immunostaining showed adequate attachment and spreading of the stem cells for all the patterned groove/ridge combinations. This study indicated that it is possible to engineer micropatterned surfaces of PBS and that the developed structures could have great potential for tissue engineering where cell alignment is an essential requisite.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)MIT-Portugal ProgramNoE EXPERTISSUES (NMP3-CT-2004-500283

The CTLA4 +49 A/G polymorphism is not associated with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus in the Portuguese population

CTLA4 genetic polymorphisms have been associated with type 1 diabetes. We genotyped 207 patients and 249 controls for the most frequently investigated polymorphism of the CTLA4 gene (+49A/G (rs231775)). No significant differences were observed, suggesting that this polymorphism is not strongly associated with type 1 diabetes in the Portuguese population

An approximate threshold condition for a non-autonomous system: an application to a vector-borne infection

A non-autonomous system is proposed to model the seasonal pattern of dengue fever. We found that an approximate threshold condition for infection persistence describes all possible behavior of the system. As far as we know, the kind of analysis here proposed is entirely new. No precise mathematical theorems are demonstrated but we give enough numerical evidence to support the conclusions.Comment: 11 pages and 6 figure