Feline leukaemia virus: half a century since its discovery

In the early 1960s, Professor William (Bill) F.H. Jarrett was presented with a timeGÇôspace cluster of cats with lymphoma identified by a local veterinary practitioner, Harry Pfaff, and carried out experiments to find if the condition might be caused by a virus, similar to lymphomas noted previously in poultry and mice. In 1964, the transmission of lymphoma in cats and the presence of virus-like particles that resembled GÇÿthe virus of murine leukaemiasGÇÖ in the induced tumours were reported in Nature. These seminal studies initiated research on feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and launched the field of feline retrovirology. This review article considers the way in which some of the key early observations made by Bill Jarrett and his coworkers have developed in subsequent years and discusses progress that has been made in the field since FeLV was first discovered

“Project-based learning” na engenharia: uma experiência prática de aprendizado lúdico em ambiente real

The demands and challenges currently presented by the labour market in the engineering and architecture areas require future professionals to have a more practical and critical training in order to facilitate problem solving. Thus, it is evident that the traditional methodologies used in these courses need to be modified to enable adequate training beyond theoretical knowledge in the area, such as oral communication, teamwork and group leadership, among others. Project Based Learning (PBL) teaching provides interdisciplinary experiences for students with the aim of strengthening these attitudes, involving students with decision-making projects similar to those experienced in professional life. The objective of this work is to show the experiences of the students of the Federal University of Santa Maria - Campus Cachoeira do Sul in the application of this innovative teaching methodology. As main results, the students developed academic tasks related to real case studies in the scientific-technical area, with the presentation of their work to specialists, report delivery and prototype development. The application of the methodology became satisfactory and motivating, since it stimulated teamwork, integration of engineering and architecture areas, exchange of experiences between students and teachers and integration with the community.As exigências e desafios apresentados atualmente pelo mercado de trabalho nas áreas de engenharia e arquitetura exigem dos futuros profissionais uma formação mais prática e crítica que facilite a resolução de problemas. Sendo assim, fica evidente que as metodologias tradicionais utilizadas nesses cursos precisam ser modificadas para possibilitar uma adequada capacitação além de apenas conhecimentos teóricos da área, como comunicação oral, trabalho em equipe e liderança de grupos, entre outros. O ensino baseado em Project Based Learning (PBL) proporciona aos alunos experiências interdisciplinares que fortalecem essas aptidões, envolvendo os estudantes com projetos de tomada de decisão semelhantes àqueles vivenciados na vida profissional. O objetivo deste trabalho é mostrar as experiências vivenciadas pelos alunos dos cursos da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria – Campus Cachoeira do Sul na aplicação dessa metodologia inovadora de ensino. Como principais resultados, os estudantes desenvolveram tarefas relacionados a estudos de casos reais na área científico-técnica, com a apresentação de trabalhos a especialistas, entrega de relatórios e desenvolvimento de protótipos. A aplicação da metodologia se tornou satisfatória e motivadora, uma vez que estimulou o trabalho em equipe, integração das áreas da engenharia e arquitetura, troca de experiências entre alunos e professores e integração com a comunidade

Elaboração do Plano de Mobilidade Urbana de uma cidade de pequeno porte: o caso de Cachoeira do Sul, Brasil

Following the approval of Law 12.587.12 and an institution of the National Urban Mobility Policy, Brazilian municipalities started adapting new principles of sustainable mobility, thus preparing their Mobility Plans. The city of Cachoeira do Sul, with support from the Santa Maria Federal University (Cachoeira do Sul Campus), has recently developed its plan that focus on current city needs and prioritizing non-motorized modes of transport and public transport services. This paper aims at presenting the process of developing the Plan and extension actions to promote it. During its development, meetings and workshops related to the theme were held, as well as public audiences and technologies were again involved in the analysis of the city's needs regarding mobility. The information collected based diagnostics and analysis to solve current problems. Finally, this paper also presents activities related to the implementation of the Urban Mobility Plan, which shall succeed through actions implemented, their effective monitoring and the support of the population for the principles of sustainable mobility.Com a aprovação da Lei 12.587.12 e a instituição da Política Nacional de Mobilidade Urbana, municípios brasileiros procuraram se adaptar aos novos princípios de mobilidade sustentável, elaborando assim seus Planos de Mobilidade. A Prefeitura Municipal de Cachoeira do Sul, com o apoio da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (Campus Cachoeira do Sul), elaborou o seu Plano recentemente, em que o foco principal é o atendimento às necessidades atuais da cidade e a priorização dos os modos de transporte não motorizados e serviços de transporte público coletivo. O objetivo desse trabalho é apresentar as etapas adotadas para a elaboração deste Plano e as ações de extensão promovidas junto a ele. Durante o seu desenvolvimento, foram realizadas reuniões e oficinas com entidades relacionadas ao tema, assim como audiências públicas e pesquisas visando à participação da população na análise das demandas da cidade em relação à mobilidade. Com as informações obtidas, foram realizados diagnósticos e propostas para solucionar os problemas encontrados. Por fim, este artigo também apresenta atividades ligadas à implementação do Plano de Mobilidade Urbana, cujo sucesso depende da aplicação das ações definidas, de seu efetivo monitoramento e do apoio da população para os princípios de mobilidade sustentável

New records of the genus Anaides Westwood, 1842 (Coleoptera, Hybosoridae, Anaidinae) from the Chocó Biogeographic Region of Colombia

During a recent expedition in the moist lowland Chocó forests from Colombia, three species of Anaides Westwood, 1842 were collected. These specimens represent important extensions to their distribution and are notable records for the Chocó Biogeographic Region of Colombia, and for the country itself. Anaides fossulatus Westwood, 1842 is recorded for the first time in the Colombian Chocó region, Anaides planus Ocampo, 2006 is confirmed for Colombia, and the distribution of Anaides longeciliatus Balthasar, 1938 is extended to Colombia

Identification of a retroviral receptor used by an Envelope protein derived by peptide library screening

This study demonstrates the power of a genetic selection to identify a variant virus that uses a new retroviral receptor protein. We screened a random peptide library within the receptor-binding domain of a feline leukemia virus retroviral Envelope (FeLV Env) protein for productive infection of feline AH927 cells. One variant, A5, obtained with altered tropic properties acquired the ability to use the solute carrier protein family 35 member F2 (SLC35F2) as a receptor. The SLC35F2 protein is a presumed transporter of unknown function predicted to encode 8 to 10 transmembrane-spanning regions and is not homologous to any identified retroviral receptor. Expression of the feline SLC35F2 cDNA in nonpermissive cells renders the cells susceptible to infection by A5 virus, with remarkably high titers in the range of 105 infectious units per ml. The human SLC35F2 ORF also functioned as the retroviral receptor, albeit at lower efficiency than the feline homologue. The successful selection of a novel molecule, the SLC35F2 transporter/channel-type protein, as a receptor by the FeLV Env backbone suggests that multipass transmembrane proteins may be particularly suited for use in productive viral entry and fusion. The analysis of retroviral Env libraries randomized in the receptor-binding domain offers a viable means to develop viral vectors targeted to specific cell types in the absence of known targeting ligands