A Compositional Semantics for Stochastic Reo Connectors

In this paper we present a compositional semantics for the channel-based coordination language Reo which enables the analysis of quality of service (QoS) properties of service compositions. For this purpose, we annotate Reo channels with stochastic delay rates and explicitly model data-arrival rates at the boundary of a connector, to capture its interaction with the services that comprise its environment. We propose Stochastic Reo automata as an extension of Reo automata, in order to compositionally derive a QoS-aware semantics for Reo. We further present a translation of Stochastic Reo automata to Continuous-Time Markov Chains (CTMCs). This translation enables us to use third-party CTMC verification tools to do an end-to-end performance analysis of service compositions.Comment: In Proceedings FOCLASA 2010, arXiv:1007.499

Intraductal Injection for Localized Drug Delivery to the Mouse Mammary Gland

Herein we describe a protocol to deliver various reagents to the mouse mammary gland via intraductal injections. Localized drug delivery and knock-down of genes within the mammary epithelium has been difficult to achieve due to the lack of appropriate targeting molecules that are independent of developmental stages such as pregnancy and lactation. Herein, we describe a technique for localized delivery of reagents to the mammary gland at any stage in adulthood via intraductal injection into the nipples of mice. The injections can be performed on live mice, under anesthesia, and allow for a non-invasive and localized drug delivery to the mammary gland. Furthermore, the injections can be repeated over several months without damaging the nipple. Vital dyes such as Evans Blue are very helpful to learn the technique. Upon intraductal injection of the blue dye, the entire ductal tree becomes visible to the eye. Furthermore, fluorescently labeled reagents also allow for visualization and distribution within the mammary gland. This technique is adaptable for a variety of compounds including siRNA, chemotherapeutic agents, and small molecules

Coronavirus infection (SARS-CoV-2) in obesity and diabetes comorbidities : is heat shock response determinant for the disease complications?

Chronic infammation is involved in the pathogenesis of several metabolic diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). With the recent worldwide outbreak of coronavirus disease (SARS-CoV-2), it has been observed that individuals with these metabolic diseases are more likely to develop complications, increasing the severity of the disease and a poorer outcome. Coronavirus infection leads to the activation of adaptive and innate immune responses, resulting in massive infammation (to so called cytokine storm), which in turn can lead to damage to various tissues, septic shock and multiple organ failure. Recent evidence suggests that the common link between metabolic diseases and SARS-CoV-2 is the infammatory response (chronic/low-grade for metabolic diseases and acute/intense in coronavirus infection). However, the ability of the infected individuals to resolve the infammation has not yet been explored. The heat shock response (HSR), an important anti-infammatory pathway, is reduced in patients with metabolic diseases and, consequently, may impair infammation resolution and control in patients with SARS-CoV-2, thus enabling its amplifcation and propagation through all tissues. Herein, we present a new hypothesis that aims to explain the increased severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in people with metabolic diseases, and the possible benefts of HSR-inducing therapies to improve the infammatory profle in these patients

The Microenvironment Determines the Breast Cancer Cells' Phenotype: Organization of MCF7 Cells in 3D Cultures

Background: Stromal-epithelial interactions mediate breast development, and the initiation and progression of breast cancer. In the present study, we developed 3-dimensional (3D) in vitro models to study breast cancer tissue organization and the role of the microenvironment in phenotypic determination. Methods: The human breast cancer MCF7 cells were grown alone or co-cultured with primary human breast fibroblasts. Cells were embedded in matrices containing either type I collagen or a combination of reconstituted basement membrane proteins and type I collagen. The cultures were carried out for up to 6 weeks. For every time point (1-6 weeks), the gels were fixed and processed for histology, and whole-mounted for confocal microscopy evaluation. The epithelial structures were characterized utilizing immunohistochemical techniques; their area and proliferation index were measured using computerized morphometric analysis. Statistical differences between groups were analyzed by ANOVA, Dunnett's T3 post-hoc test and chi-square. Results: Most of the MCF7 cells grown alone within a collagen matrix died during the first two weeks; those that survived organized into large, round and solid clusters. The presence of fibroblasts in collagen gels reduced MCF7 cell death, induced cell polarity, and the formation of round and elongated epithelial structures containing a lumen. The addition of reconstituted basement membrane to collagen gels by itself had also survival and organizational effects on the MCF7 cells. Regardless of the presence of fibroblasts, the MCF7 cells both polarized and formed a lumen. The addition of fibroblasts to the gel containing reconstituted basement membrane and collagen induced the formation of elongated structures. Conclusions: Our results indicate that a matrix containing both type I collagen and reconstituted basement membrane, and the presence of normal breast fibroblasts constitute the minimal permissive microenvironment to induce near-complete tumor phenotype reversion. These human breast 3D tissue morphogenesis models promise to become reliable tools for studying tissue interactions, therapeutic screening and drug target validation

Availability of floral resources in yellow passion fruit cultivars

The reproductive strategies and resources available in the flower are characteristics that stimulate research studies on the genetic improvement and fruit yield of commercial cultivars. In this sense, this study aimed to study the floral biology aspects of passion fruit cultivars in Tangará da Serra region, Mato Grosso State, Brazil at different evaluation times. The experiment was carried out with eight cultivars of yellow passion fruit from an ex situ germplasm bank of the State University of Mato Grosso. The floral resources (pollen and nectar) were evaluated in a completely randomized, factorial arrangement (8 cultivars x 5 evaluation times), with five replications. Throughout anthesis, the pollen viability, stigma receptivity, and sugar volume and concentration in the nectar were evaluated. The evaluations were carried out in 1-h intervals, between 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. The highest nectar volume production was at 2:30 p.m., decreasing gradually thereafter at the later evaluation times, for all cultivars. Pollen viability increased from the first to the second evaluation time and then decreased gradually until the last evaluation. Stigma receptivity was higher than 90% in all cultivars, at all evaluation times. BRS Rubi do Cerrado and FB 200 were the most promising cultivars for nectar volume and concentration, pollen viability, and stigma receptivity characteristics.The reproductive strategies and resources available in the flower are characteristics that stimulate research studies on the genetic improvement and fruit yield of commercial cultivars. In this sense, this study aimed to study the floral biology aspects of passion fruit cultivars in Tangará da Serra region, Mato Grosso State, Brazil at different evaluation times. The experiment was carried out with eight cultivars of yellow passion fruit from an ex situ germplasm bank of the State University of Mato Grosso. The floral resources (pollen and nectar) were evaluated in a completely randomized, factorial arrangement (8 cultivars x 5 evaluation times), with five replications. Throughout anthesis, the pollen viability, stigma receptivity, and sugar volume and concentration in the nectar were evaluated. The evaluations were carried out in 1-h intervals, between 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. The highest nectar volume production was at 2:30 p.m., decreasing gradually thereafter at the later evaluation times, for all cultivars. Pollen viability increased from the first to the second evaluation time and then decreased gradually until the last evaluation. Stigma receptivity was higher than 90% in all cultivars, at all evaluation times. BRS Rubi do Cerrado and FB 200 were the most promising cultivars for nectar volume and concentration, pollen viability, and stigma receptivity characteristics

Tolerance of pineapple cultivars to natural flowering induction in the state of Mato Grosso

Natural flowering in pineapple crops can cause significant economic losses to growers, resulting in uneven fruiting, which hinders phytosanitary operations and the scaling of fruit harvest. The objective of this work was to evaluate the tolerance of eight pineapple cultivars to natural flowering induction in Tangara da Serra, Mato Grosso, Brazil.  The cultivars BRS-Ajuba, BRS-Imperial, BRS-Vitoria, Gigante-de-Tarauaca, IAC-Fantastico, Jupi, Perola, and Smooth-Cayenne were evaluated. Planting was carried out in May of 2018, in a randomized block design, with five replications and 20 plants per plot. Plant height, D-leaf length, and percentage of induced plants were evaluated. The surveying period of plants naturally induced was between May and September 2019. In this period, the plants were between 12 and 16 months of age, with adequate D-leaf lengths and plant heights for the occurrence of flowering induction. There were days with night-time temperatures below 15 °C; the lowest photoperiod was in June. The cultivars Smooth-Cayenne, BRS-Imperial, and IAC-Fantastico were tolerant to the natural induction, which resulted in uneven fruiting, causing losses to growers.Natural flowering in pineapple crops can cause significant economic losses to growers, resulting in uneven fruiting, which hinders phytosanitary operations and the scaling of fruit harvest. The objective of this work was to evaluate the tolerance of eight pineapple cultivars to natural flowering induction in Tangara da Serra, Mato Grosso, Brazil.  The cultivars BRS-Ajuba, BRS-Imperial, BRS-Vitoria, Gigante-de-Tarauaca, IAC-Fantastico, Jupi, Perola, and Smooth-Cayenne were evaluated. Planting was carried out in May of 2018, in a randomized block design, with five replications and 20 plants per plot. Plant height, D-leaf length, and percentage of induced plants were evaluated. The surveying period of plants naturally induced was between May and September 2019. In this period, the plants were between 12 and 16 months of age, with adequate D-leaf lengths and plant heights for the occurrence of flowering induction. There were days with night-time temperatures below 15 °C; the lowest photoperiod was in June. The cultivars Smooth-Cayenne, BRS-Imperial, and IAC-Fantastico were tolerant to the natural induction, which resulted in uneven fruiting, causing losses to growers

Indução de haploides em milho tropical superdoce e determinação de ploidia no estágio de plântulas

The objective of this work was to determine the possibility of haploid induction in tropical supersweet corn (Zea mays L. var. saccharata) using a maternal inducer, as well as to identify alternative methods for haploid selection. A single-cross hybrid of field corn and 11 tropical supersweet corn populations were crossed with the haploid inducer. The haploids were pre-selected using the R1-navajo marker and were differentiated into haploids or false positives at the V2–V3 stage, based on the color of the first leaf sheath and on the length of stomata guard cells. The obtained results are indicative of the possibility of inducing maternal haploids in populations of tropical supersweet corn. However, a large number of false-positive haploids were incorrectly selected by the R1-navajo marker. The color of the first leaf sheath was efficient for haploid identification in supersweet corn populations, and the method based on stomata morphometry can be used when there is no color distinction on the first leaf sheath.O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a possibilidade de indução de haploidia em milho superdoce tropical (Zea mays L. var. saccharata) por meio de indutor maternal, bem como identificar métodos alternativos para seleção de haploides. Um híbrido simples de milho comum e 11 populações de milho superdoce tropical foram cruzados com o indutor de haploidia. Os haploides foram pré-selecionados pelo marcador R1-navajo e diferenciados em haploides ou falsos positivos, no estágio V2–V3, com base na cor da primeira bainha foliar e no comprimento das células-guarda dos estômatos foliares. Os resultados obtidos são indicativos da possibilidade de induzir haploides maternos em populações de milho superdoce tropical. Contudo, muitos haploides falso-positivos foram selecionados incorretamente pelo marcador R1-navajo. A coloração da primeira bainha foliar foi eficiente na identificação de haploides em populações de milho superdoce, e o método baseado na morfometria dos estômatos pode ser usado quando não há distinção de cor da primeira bainha foliar

Agronomic performance and fruit sensory and quality analyses of pineapple cultivars

The objective of this study was to assess the agronomic performance and fruit sensory and quality characteristics in traditional and modern pineapple cultivars grown in Tangara da Serra, MT, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with five replications and 20 plants per plot. Planting was carried out in double rows with spacing of 1.2×0.4×0.4 m, in May 2018. The evaluated cultivars were BRS-Ajuba, BRS-Imperial, BRS-Vitoria, Gigante-de-Tarauaca, IAC-Fantastico, Jupi, Perola, and Smooth-Cayenne. Gigante-de-Tarauaca exhibited the highest fruit weight but presented low soluble solids content and soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio (SS/TA); thus, it is not recommended for fresh fruit market. Jupi exhibited fruit weights (>1500 g) suitable for the market and soluble solids above 12 °Brix, but SS/TA below 20. Considering the modern cultivars, BRS-Ajuba presented the highest fruit weight, but BRS-Imperial and IAC-Fantastico were the most attractive to consumers, as well as the traditional cultivar Perola. However, BRS-Imperial and IAC-Fantastico yield small fruits, which reduces their per-unit value in the market, as pineapples are typically valued based on their sizes.The objective of this study was to assess the agronomic performance and fruit sensory and quality characteristics in traditional and modern pineapple cultivars grown in Tangara da Serra, MT, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with five replications and 20 plants per plot. Planting was carried out in double rows with spacing of 1.2×0.4×0.4 m, in May 2018. The evaluated cultivars were BRS-Ajuba, BRS-Imperial, BRS-Vitoria, Gigante-de-Tarauaca, IAC-Fantastico, Jupi, Perola, and Smooth-Cayenne. Gigante-de-Tarauaca exhibited the highest fruit weight but presented low soluble solids content and soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio (SS/TA); thus, it is not recommended for fresh fruit market. Jupi exhibited fruit weights (>1500 g) suitable for the market and soluble solids above 12 °Brix, but SS/TA below 20. Considering the modern cultivars, BRS-Ajuba presented the highest fruit weight, but BRS-Imperial and IAC-Fantastico were the most attractive to consumers, as well as the traditional cultivar Perola. However, BRS-Imperial and IAC-Fantastico yield small fruits, which reduces their per-unit value in the market, as pineapples are typically valued based on their sizes

Cytotoxicity evaluation of indomethacin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles in a human breast adenocarcinoma cell model/ Avaliação da citotoxicicidade de nanopartículas poliméricas contendo indometacina em modelo celular de adenocarcinoma de mama humano

Novas pesquisas indicam que anti-inflamatórios podem ser aplicados como agentes anti-cancerígenos como indometacina para hepatocarcinoma humano, canceres de colon e estômago. Como sabe-se, indometacina possui efeitos adversos gastrointestinais, cardiovasculares e renais. Uma vez que cancer de mama tem alta incidência e não há estudo da indometacina carreada em nanopartículas para esta aplicação, este estudo envolve o desenvolvimento de nanocapsulas de poli-epsilon-caprolactona carregadas com indometacina para a redução de citotoxicidade como agente quimioprotetor para cancer de mama. O nanocarreador foi preparado por método de deposição interfacial e sua caracterização foi realizada por determinação de pH, diâmetro médio e índice de polidispersão por espalhamento dinâmico de luz, potencial zeta por mobilidade eletroforética, eficiência de encapsulação por método de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência e seu ensaio de citotoxicidade com linhagem de células queratinócitos (HaCaT) e células de cancer de mama (MCF-7). As formulações branca (C-NC) e contendo indometacina (Ind-OH-NC) mostraram leve pH ácido, diâmetros em torno de 200 nm e PDI<0,2 com potencial zeta em torno de -20 mV e eficiência de encapsulação de 99% (1 mg.mL-1), cujo coeficiente de distribuição indicou efeito de permeação e retenção (efeito EPR). Ambas formulações não foram citotóxicas às células HaCaT, provando serem seguras às células normais e Ind-OH-NC teve uma permeação concentração e tempo-dependente e teve eficácia em reduzir a viabilidade celular da linhagem MCF-7