Caracterização morfológica de tamareiras de propagação por sementes.

A tamareira (Phoenix dactylifera L.) é uma palmeira (Arecaceae), que corresponde a uma das mais antigas árvores frutíferas associadas ao estabelecimento humano. É de grande importância socioeconômica para muitos países do norte da África, do Oriente Médio e da Ásia Oriental. A tamareira é alógama e apresenta plantas femininas e masculinas. O Banco de Germoplasma de Tamareiras (BGTAM) da Embrapa Semiárido foi formado pela introdução dos USA de rebentos e sementes, constituindo assim fontes de variabilidade genética. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi caracterizar plantas de sete acessos propagados a partir de sementes (BGTAM 1, BGTAM 2, BGTAM 3, BGTAM 4, BGTAM 5, BGTAM 6 e BGTAM 7), quanto ao porte da planta, forma do caule, presença de rebentos e de raízes aéreas, presença de fibras, intensidade das fibras, diâmetro do caule e altura das plantas. A maioria das plantas foi classificada como de porte ereto, com caule cilíndrico, com presença de fibra de intensidade fraca e ausência de rebentos aéreos. Quanto ao diâmetro das plantas, variou de 1,12 m a 2,93 m. Em relação à altura, as plantas mediram de 4,0 m a 19,0 m. Os resultados evidenciaram variabilidade genética entre e dentro dos acessos, bem como a possibilidade de selecionar genitores para combinações híbridas de menor altura (BGTAM 1 e BGTAM 6), de interesse ao melhoramento por facilitar a colheita dos frutos

Galectin-3 negatively regulates the frequency and function of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and influences the course of Leishmania major infection

Galectin-3, an endogenous glycan-binding protein, plays essential roles during microbial infection by modulating innate and adaptive immunity. However, the role of galectin-3 within the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T regulatory (TREG) cell compartment has not yet been explored. Here, we found, in a model of Leishmania major infection, that galectin-3 deficiency increases the frequency of peripheral TREG cells both in draining lymph nodes (LNs) and sites of infection. These observations correlated with an increased severity of the disease, as shown by increased footpad swelling and parasite burden. Galectin-3-deficient (Lgals3−/−) TREG cells displayed higher CD103 expression, showed greater suppressive capacity, and synthesized higher amounts of IL-10 compared with their wild-type (WT) counterpart. Furthermore, both TREG cells and T effector (TEFF) cells from Lgals3−/− mice showed higher expression of Notch1 and the Notch target gene Hes-1. Interestingly, Notch signaling components were also altered in both TREG and TEFF cells from uninfected Lgals3−/− mice. Thus, endogenous galectin-3 regulates the frequency and function of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ TREG cells and alters the course of L. major infection.Fil: Fermino, Marise L.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Dias, Fabrício C.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Lopes, Carla D.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Souza, Maria A.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Cruz, Ângela K.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Liu, Fu Tong. University of California at Davis; Estados UnidosFil: Chammas, Roger. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Roque Barreira, Maria C.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Rabinovich, Gabriel Adrian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica; ArgentinaFil: Bernardes, Emerson S.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

FUNÇÃO SOCIAL DO IMÓVEL RURAL

O artigo apresenta uma análise constitucional da função social do imóvel rural. A função social da propriedade rural está disciplinada no artigo 186 da Constituição Federal de 1988, onde o aproveitamento racional e adequado do imóvel rural foi considerado como elemento necessário à observância da função social que lhe deve ser inerente. O objetivo do estudo é analisar o instituto da propriedade rural sob o aspecto constitucional da sua função social, demonstrando a importância da propriedade produtiva para toda a coletividade. Quanto ao método de pesquisa utilizou-se a pesquisa bibliográfica e documental feita a partir do levantamento de referências teóricas já analisadas, e publicadas por meios escritos e eletrônicos, como livros, artigos científicos, páginas de web sites. A estrutura do artigo foi organizada em três capítulos. Inicialmente comentou-se o imóvel rural, suas características e classificação. Depois se abordou a produtividade social do imóvel rural. Por fim, estudou-se a função social da propriedade rural. Quanto ao problema de pesquisa definiu-se na seguinte formulação: Quais benefícios sociais podem ser alcançados com o cumprimento da função social da propriedade rural

High Precision Abundances of the Old Solar Twin HIP 102152: Insights on Li Depletion from the Oldest Sun

We present the first detailed chemical abundance analysis of the old 8.2 Gyr solar twin, HIP 102152. We derive differential abundances of 21 elements relative to the Sun with precisions as high as 0.004 dex ($\lesssim$1%), using ultra high-resolution (R = 110,000), high S/N UVES spectra obtained on the 8.2-m Very Large Telescope. Our determined metallicity of HIP 102152 is [Fe/H] = -0.013 $\pm$ 0.004. The atmospheric parameters of the star were determined to be 54 K cooler than the Sun, 0.09 dex lower in surface gravity, and a microturbulence identical to our derived solar value. Elemental abundance ratios examined vs. dust condensation temperature reveal a solar abundance pattern for this star, in contrast to most solar twins. The abundance pattern of HIP 02152 appears to be the most similar to solar of any known solar twin. Abundances of the younger, 2.9 Gyr solar twin, 18 Sco, were also determined from UVES spectra to serve as a comparison for HIP 102152. The solar chemical pattern of HIP 102152 makes it a potential candidate to host terrestrial planets, which is reinforced by the lack of giant planets in its terrestrial planet region. The following non-local thermodynamic equilibrium Li abundances were obtained for HIP 102152, 18 Sco, and the Sun: log $\epsilon$ (Li) = 0.48 $\pm$ 0.07, 1.62 $\pm$ 0.02, and 1.07 $\pm$ 0.02, respectively. The Li abundance of HIP 102152 is the lowest reported to date for a solar twin, and allows us to consider an emerging, tightly constrained Li-age trend for solar twin stars.Comment: Published in ApJL. 22 pages, 4 figures, and 1 tabl

Humanistic and economic impact of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in Brazil

Introduction Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, chronic, inflammatory disease, which has a substantial humanistic and economic burden. This study aimed to assess the impact of this disease on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), work productivity, and direct and indirect costs from a societal perspective among Brazilian patients. Methods This is a cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study, enrolling patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis according to physician evaluation. Data collection was performed from December 2015 to November 2016 through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire and five standardized patient-reported outcomes instruments. Direct costs were estimated by multiplying the amount of resources used (12-month recall period) by the corresponding unit cost. Indirect costs were grouped in two time horizons: annual costs (income reduction and absenteeism) and lifetime costs (demission and early retirement). Results A total of 188 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis were included, with mean age of 48.0 (SD 13.1). “Anxiety and depression” and “pain and discomfort” were the most impaired dimensions, according to the EuroQol Five-Dimension-Three-Level (EQ-5D-3L). The highest effect was found for “symptoms and feelings” [mean (SD) 2.4 (1.7)] Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) subscale. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) presence and biologic-naïve status were associated with worse HRQoL. Presenteeism was more frequent than absenteeism, according to the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire-General Health (WPAI-GH) [17.4% vs. 6.3%], while physical demands and time management were the most affected Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ) subscales [means (SD) 23.5 (28.5) and 17.7 (24.9), respectively]. The estimated annual cost per patient was USD 4034. Direct medical costs accounted for 87.7% of this estimate, direct non-medical costs for 2.4%, and indirect costs for 9.9%. Conclusions Results evidenced that moderate to severe plaque psoriasis imposes substantial costs to society. Our data showed that this disease negatively affects both work productivity and HRQoL of Brazilian patients. Subgroups with PsA and biologic-naïve patients presented lower HRQoL, showing the impact of this comorbidity and the relevance of biologics in psoriasis treatment

Influence of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 Alleles on IgG Antibody Response to the P. vivax MSP-1, MSP-3α and MSP-9 in Individuals from Brazilian Endemic Area

Background: the antibody response generated during malaria infections is of particular interest, since the production of specific IgG antibodies is required for acquisition of clinical immunity. However, variations in antibody responses could result from genetic polymorphism of the HLA class II genes. Given the increasing focus on the development of subunit vaccines, studies of the influence of class II alleles on the immune response in ethnically diverse populations is important, prior to the implementation of vaccine trials.Methods and Findings: in this study, we evaluated the influence of HLA-DRB1* and -DQB1* allelic groups on the naturally acquired humoral response from Brazilian Amazon individuals (n = 276) against P. vivax Merozoite Surface Protein-1 (MSP-1), MSP-3 alpha and MSP-9 recombinant proteins. Our results provide information concerning these three P. vivax antigens, relevant for their role as immunogenic surface proteins and vaccine candidates. Firstly, the studied population was heterogeneous presenting 13 HLA-DRB1* and 5 DQB1* allelic groups with a higher frequency of HLA-DRB1*04 and HLA-DQB1*03. the proteins studied were broadly immunogenic in a naturally exposed population with high frequency of IgG antibodies against PvMSP1-19 (86.7%), PvMSP-3 (77%) and PvMSP-9 (76%). Moreover, HLA-DRB1*04 and HLA-DQB1*03 alleles were associated with a higher frequency of IgG immune responses against five out of nine antigens tested, while HLA-DRB1* 01 was associated with a high frequency of non-responders to repetitive regions of PvMSP-9, and the DRB1*16 allelic group with the low frequency of responders to PvMSP3 full length recombinant protein.Conclusions: HLA-DRB1*04 alleles were associated with high frequency of antibody responses to five out of nine recombinant proteins tested in Rondonia State, Brazil. These features could increase the success rate of future clinical trials based on these vaccine candidates.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Yerkes National Primate Research Center BaseNational Center for Research Resources of the National Institutes of HealthNIHCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Lab Immunoparasitol, BR-20001 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilOswaldo Cruz Fdn Fiocruz, Ctr Technol Dev Hlth CDTS, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilInst Oswaldo Cruz, Lab Simulideos & Oncocercose, BR-20001 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilEmory Univ, Emory Vaccine Ctr, Atlanta, GA 30322 USAUniv Estado Rio de Janeiro, Histocompatibil & Cryopreservat Lab, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Ctr Terapia Celular & Mol CTCMol, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilEmory Univ, Sch Med, Div Infect Dis, Atlanta, GA USACDC Natl Ctr Infect Dis, Div Parasit Dis, Atlanta, GA USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Ctr Terapia Celular & Mol CTCMol, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2009/15132-4Yerkes National Primate Research Center Base: RR00165NIH: RO1 AI0555994Web of Scienc