A genome survey of Moniliophthora perniciosa gives new insights into Witches' Broom Disease of cacao

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The basidiomycete fungus <it>Moniliophthora perniciosa </it>is the causal agent of Witches' Broom Disease (WBD) in cacao (<it>Theobroma cacao</it>). It is a hemibiotrophic pathogen that colonizes the apoplast of cacao's meristematic tissues as a biotrophic pathogen, switching to a saprotrophic lifestyle during later stages of infection. <it>M. perniciosa</it>, together with the related species <it>M. roreri</it>, are pathogens of aerial parts of the plant, an uncommon characteristic in the order Agaricales. A genome survey (1.9× coverage) of <it>M. perniciosa </it>was analyzed to evaluate the overall gene content of this phytopathogen.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Genes encoding proteins involved in retrotransposition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) resistance, drug efflux transport and cell wall degradation were identified. The great number of genes encoding cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (1.15% of gene models) indicates that <it>M. perniciosa </it>has a great potential for detoxification, production of toxins and hormones; which may confer a high adaptive ability to the fungus. We have also discovered new genes encoding putative secreted polypeptides rich in cysteine, as well as genes related to methylotrophy and plant hormone biosynthesis (gibberellin and auxin). Analysis of gene families indicated that <it>M. perniciosa </it>have similar amounts of carboxylesterases and repertoires of plant cell wall degrading enzymes as other hemibiotrophic fungi. In addition, an approach for normalization of gene family data using incomplete genome data was developed and applied in <it>M. perniciosa </it>genome survey.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This genome survey gives an overview of the <it>M. perniciosa </it>genome, and reveals that a significant portion is involved in stress adaptation and plant necrosis, two necessary characteristics for a hemibiotrophic fungus to fulfill its infection cycle. Our analysis provides new evidence revealing potential adaptive traits that may play major roles in the mechanisms of pathogenicity in the <it>M. perniciosa</it>/cacao pathosystem.</p

Hemoglobinopatias em trabalhadores expostos à riscos ocupacionais Hemoglobinopathies in workers exposed to occupational hazards

<abstract language="eng">Hemoglobinopathies have been considered the most frequent hereditary disease in Brazilian population, constituting a Public Health problem. This paper reports on screening in workers at FIOCRUZ-RJ., exposed to some hazards factors such as, chemical substances, radiation, excessive cold and heat etc., with the objective of evaluating the impact of these factors in carriers of hemoglobinopathies, mainly in sickle cell trait (AS)

Trypanosoma cruzi: susceptibility to chemotherapy with benznidazole of clones isolated from the highly resistant Colombian strain

The present investigation was performed to evaluate the susceptibility of seven clones isolated from the highly resistant Colombian strains, prototype of Biodeme Type III. Seven clones previously obtained, showed a phenotypic homogeneity and high similarity with the parental strain. Eight groups of 30 mice were inoculated with one of seven clones or the parental strain; 20 were treated with benznidazole (100mg/kg/day) and 10 were untreated controls. Cure evaluations were done by parasitological and serological tests and PCR. Cure rates varied from 0% (null) to 16.7%. Correlation between positivity of parasitological and serological tests with positive PCR reached 37%. The results demonstrated the high resistance of the clones, suggesting the predominance of a highly resistant principal clone in this strain. The findings apparently indicate that the possibility of cure is minimal for patients infected with this biodeme; a fact that could affect the control of Chagas' disease through treatment of chronically infected people

Secretome from human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells promotes blood vessel formation and pericyte coverage in experimental skin repair.

Human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hASC) secretome display various therapeutically relevant effects in regenerative medicine, such as induction of angiogenesis and tissue repair. The benefits of hASC secretome are primarily orchestrated by trophic factors that mediate autocrine and paracrine effects in host cells. However, the composition and the innate characteristics of hASC secretome can be highly variable depending on the culture conditions. Here, we evaluated the combined effect of serum-free media and hypoxia preconditioning on the hASCs secretome composition and biological effects on angiogenesis and wound healing. The hASCs were cultured in serum-free media under normoxic (NCM) or hypoxic (HCM) preconditioning. The proteomic profile showed that pro- and anti-antiangiogenic factors were detected in NCM and HCM secretomes. In vitro studies demonstrated that hASCs secretomes enhanced endothelial proliferation, survival, migration, in vitro tube formation, and in vivo Matrigel plug angiogenesis. In a full-thickness skin-wound mouse model, injection of either NCM or HCM significantly accelerated the wound healing. Finally, hASC secretomes were potent in increasing endothelial density and vascular coverage of resident pericytes expressing NG2 and nestin to the lesion site, potentially contributing to blood vessel maturation. Overall, our data suggest that serum-free media or hypoxic preconditioning enhances the vascular regenerative effects of hASC secretome in a preclinical wound healing model

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (-786T>C) and endothelin-1 (5665G>T) gene polymorphisms as vascular dysfunction risk factors in sickle cell anemia

We thank the patients for their participation because without them, this study would not have been conducted.Submitted by Éder Freyre ([email protected]) on 2017-02-13T11:47:48Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ve_Wendell_Vilas-Boas_etal_CPqGM_2016 .pdf: 691946 bytes, checksum: 0913753e32f3eeb2404666e32d916a29 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Éder Freyre ([email protected]) on 2017-02-13T12:20:03Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 ve_Wendell_Vilas-Boas_etal_CPqGM_2016 .pdf: 691946 bytes, checksum: 0913753e32f3eeb2404666e32d916a29 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-13T12:20:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ve_Wendell_Vilas-Boas_etal_CPqGM_2016 .pdf: 691946 bytes, checksum: 0913753e32f3eeb2404666e32d916a29 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Hematologia, Genética e Biologia Computacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Hematologia, Genética e Biologia Computacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Hematologia, Genética e Biologia Computacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Hematologia, Genética e Biologia Computacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Hematologia, Genética e Biologia Computacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Hematologia, Genética e Biologia Computacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Hematologia, Genética e Biologia Computacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Hematologia, Genética e Biologia Computacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Hematologia, Genética e Biologia Computacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Farmácia. Departamento de Analises Clínicas e Toxicologicas. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients have vascular complications, and polymorphisms in endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) genes were associated with ET-1 and nitric oxide disturbance. We investigate the association of ET-1 5665G>T and eNOS -786T>C polymorphisms with soluble adhesion molecules (sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1), biochemical markers, and medical history. We studied 101 SCA patients; carriers of eNOS minor allele (C) had the highest levels of sVCAM-1, and carriers of ET-1 minor allele had more occurrence of acute chest syndrome (ACS). The multivariate analysis suggested the influence of the ET-1 gene on ACS outcome and an association of the eNOS gene with upper respiratory tract infection. We suggest that eNOS and ET-1 gene polymorphisms can influence SCA pathophysiology and that eNOS variant in SCA patients might be important to nitric oxide activity and vascular alteration. We found an association of the ET-1 minor allele in ACS, showing the importance of genetic screening in SCA

Outcome of B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Brazilian Children: Immunophenotypical, Hematological, and Clinical Evaluation

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2017-08-10T18:33:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Cezar RS Outcome of B-cell....pdf: 175207 bytes, checksum: 122962f2f844b84a3acc8384268c7001 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2017-08-10T18:45:49Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Cezar RS Outcome of B-cell....pdf: 175207 bytes, checksum: 122962f2f844b84a3acc8384268c7001 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-10T18:45:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cezar RS Outcome of B-cell....pdf: 175207 bytes, checksum: 122962f2f844b84a3acc8384268c7001 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade do Estado da Bahia. Department of Ciências da vida. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilUniversidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Farmácia. Salvador, BA, BrasilUniversidade Federal do Amazonas. Faculdade de Farmácia. Manaus, AM, BrasilHospital São Rafael. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Faculdade de Farmácia. Manaus, AM, Brasil / Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Sangue. Salvador, BA, BrasilThe aim of this study is to investigate the clinical, hematological, and immunophenotypic characteristics of Brazilian children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) to identify prognostic biomarkers of the disease. Thirty-three children newly diagnosed with B-ALL were followed between March 2004 and December 2009. Information about the demographic profile, diagnosis, immunophenotype, clinical manifestations, and disease outcome were gathered from the patients' medical records. Of the 33 patients with B-ALL, 18 were male and 15 female. Eighteen patients were classified as high risk; 13 as low risk, and 2 as true low risk. The frequencies of cluster of differentiation (CD)10, CD19, and CD20 antigens were 69.7%, 81.8%, and 18.2%, respectively. Six patients (18.2%) had aberrant expression of myeloid antigens. At diagnosis, patients immunopositive for CD20 had elevated white blood cell counts (P = 0.018) and lower platelet counts (P = 0.017). The 6-year overall survival was 67.5%± 3.47%. Our results demonstrate the distinct immunophenotypic and prognostic characteristics of patients with B-ALL, which can be related to the Brazilian racial admixture. Consequently, these results will most likely aid in the selection of additional prognostic markers and their use in monitoring the clinical manifestations and treatment response among B-ALL patients