Transcriptomic basis for an antiserum against Micrurus corallinus (coral snake) venom

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Micrurus corallinus </it>(coral snake) is a tropical forest snake belonging to the family Elapidae. Its venom shows a high neurotoxicity associated with pre- and post-synaptic toxins, causing diaphragm paralysis, which may result in death. In spite of a relatively small incidence of accidents, serum therapy is crucial for those bitten. However, the adequate production of antiserum is hampered by the difficulty in obtaining sufficient amounts of venom from a small snake with demanding breeding conditions. In order to elucidate the molecular basis of this venom and to uncover possible immunogens for an antiserum, we generated <it>expressed sequences tags </it>(ESTs) from its venom glands and analyzed the transcriptomic profile. In addition, their immunogenicity was tested using DNA immunization.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 1438 ESTs were generated and grouped into 611 clusters. Toxin transcripts represented 46% of the total ESTs. The two main toxin classes consisted of three-finger toxins (3FTx) (24%) and phospholipases A₂(PLA₂s) (15%). However, 8 other classes of toxins were present, including C-type lectins, natriuretic peptide precursors and even high-molecular mass components such as metalloproteases and L-amino acid oxidases. Each class included an assortment of isoforms, some showing evidence of alternative splicing and domain deletions. Five antigenic candidates were selected (four 3FTx and one PLA₂) and used for a preliminary study of DNA immunization. The immunological response showed that the sera from the immunized animals were able to recognize the recombinant antigens.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Besides an improvement in our knowledge of the composition of coral snake venoms, which are very poorly known when compared to Old World elapids, the expression profile suggests abundant and diversified components that may be used in future antiserum formulation. As recombinant production of venom antigens frequently fails due to complex disulfide arrangements, DNA immunization may be a viable alternative. In fact, the selected candidates provided an initial evidence of the feasibility of this approach, which is less costly and not dependent on the availability of the venom.</p

Genome Sequence Of Streptomyces Wadayamensis Strain A23, An Endophytic Actinobacterium From Citrus Reticulata.

The actinobacterium Streptomyces wadayamensis A23 is an endophyte of Citrus reticulata that produces the antimycin and mannopeptimycin antibiotics, among others. The strain has the capability to inhibit Xylella fastidiosa growth. The draft genome of S. wadayamensis A23 has ~7.0 Mb and 6,006 protein-coding sequences, with a 73.5% G+C content.

Poor glycaemic control in Brazilian patients with type 2 diabetes attending the public healthcare system a cross-sectional study

Objectives: To describe the clinical profile of Brazilian patients with type 2 diabetes attending the public healthcare system and identify factors associated with poor glycaemic control.Design: Cross-sectional study.Setting: 14 centres in five regions of Brazil, including primary care units and outpatient clinics of University Hospitals.Participants: Patients with type 2 diabetes attending outpatient clinics of public healthcare system.Main outcome measured: Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), centrally measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program certified).Results: A total of 5750 patients aged 61 10 years, with 11 8 years of diabetes duration (66% women, 56% nonwhite, body mass index: 28.0 5.3 kg/m(2)) were analysed. Mean HbA1c was 8.6 +/- 2.2%, and median HbA1c was 8.1% (6.9% to 9.9%). HbA1c 8%.Conclusions: the majority of Brazilian patients with type 2 diabetes attending the public healthcare system had HbA1c levels above recommended targets. the recognition of Northeast residents and non-white patients as vulnerable populations should guide future policies and actions to prevent and control diabetes.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundo de Incentivo a Pesquisa (FIPE) of Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA)Pfizer PharmaceuticalHosp Clin Porto Alegre, Endocrine Div, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilHosp Getulio Vargas, Endocrine Div, Manaus, Amazonas, BrazilUniv Fed Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, BrazilFed Univ Para, BR-66059 Belem, Para, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Endocrine Div, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Endocrine Div, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Avaliação das percepções dos discentes EJA em relação aos docentes e a vivência no âmbito escolar/ Evaluation of the perceptions of the EJA discents in relation to teachers and experience school scope

As relações interpessoais entre discentes e docentes, na modalidade EJA, são necessárias e fundamentais para que a aprendizagem aconteça. De modo geral, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo: avaliar as percepções dos discentes EJA em relação aos docentes quanto às contribuições da aprendizagem e à vivência no âmbito escolar. E como objetivos específicos: analisar a vivência dos discentes EJA com todos que compõem a escola; e, delinear as considerações expostas pelos discentes EJA em analogia a (in)disciplina e a vivência familiar. Este estudo pauta-se na problemática: como os discentes EJA avaliam o trabalho docente em sua vivência escolar? Hipoteticamente, verifica-se que os docentes fomentam uma vivência escolar agradável e colaborativa com os discentes, de modo que estes entendam que a educação é uma porta de acesso a melhorias, principalmente na vida profissional e emocional. Este artigo fundamenta-se na LDB nº 9.394/96 e nos pressupostos teóricos de Zampin (2017), Silva (2014), Silva e Moura (2013), Martins e Silva (2011) e Cury (2004). Em termos estruturais, iniciou-se por meio do levantamento bibliográfico, tendo como metodologia exploratória descritiva e abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa, mediante pesquisa de campo e levantamento de dados por questionário semiestruturado que será respondido por 23 discentes que estudam em uma escola pública municipal localizada no interior do Estado de Pernambuco. Diante do que foi apurado, percebe-se que os discentes EJA sentem-se acolhidos pelos docentes, e estes sempre procuram trabalhar de forma que a aprendizagem significativa aconteça.

Genome wide scan for quantitative trait loci affecting tick resistance in cattle (Bos taurus × Bos indicus)

<p><b>Abstract</b></p> <p><b>Background</b></p> <p>In tropical countries, losses caused by bovine tick <it>Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus</it> infestation have a tremendous economic impact on cattle production systems. Genetic variation between <it>Bos taurus</it> and <it>Bos indicus</it> to tick resistance and molecular biology tools might allow for the identification of molecular markers linked to resistance traits that could be used as an auxiliary tool in selection programs. The objective of this work was to identify QTL associated with tick resistance/susceptibility in a bovine F2 population derived from the Gyr (<it>Bos indicus</it>) × Holstein (<it>Bos taurus</it>) cross.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Through a whole genome scan with microsatellite markers, we were able to map six genomic regions associated with bovine tick resistance. For most QTL, we have found that depending on the tick evaluation season (dry and rainy) different sets of genes could be involved in the resistance mechanism. We identified dry season specific QTL on BTA 2 and 10, rainy season specific QTL on BTA 5, 11 and 27. We also found a highly significant genome wide QTL for both dry and rainy seasons in the central region of BTA 23.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The experimental F2 population derived from Gyr × Holstein cross successfully allowed the identification of six highly significant QTL associated with tick resistance in cattle. QTL located on BTA 23 might be related with the bovine histocompatibility complex. Further investigation of these QTL will help to isolate candidate genes involved with tick resistance in cattle.</p

Metabolic screening for PKS and NRPS in endophytic actinobacteria from citrus reticulata

Polyketides and non-ribosomal peptides are natural products widely found in bacteria, fungi and plants. The biological activities associated with these metabolites have attracted special attention in biopharmaceutical studies. Polyketide synthases act similarly to fatty acids synthetases and the whole multi-enzymatic set coordinating precursor and extending unit selection and reduction levels during chain growth. Acting in a similarly orchestrated model, non-ribosomal peptide synthetases biosynthesize NRPs. PKSs-I and NRPSs enzymatic modules and domains are collinearly organized with the parent gene sequence. This arrangement allows the use of degenerated PCR primers to amplify targeted regions in the genes corresponding to specific enzymatic domains such as ketosynthases and acyltransferases in PKSs and adenilation domains in NRPSs. Careful analysis of these short regions allows the classifying of a set of organisms according to their potential to biosynthesize PKs and NRPs. In this work, the biosynthetic potential of a set of 13 endophytic actinobacteria from Citrus reticulata for producing PKs and NRP metabolites was evaluated. The biosynthetic profile was compared to antimicrobial activity. Based on the inhibition promoted, 4 strains were considered for cluster analysis. A PKS/NRPS phylogeny was generated in order to classify some of the representative sequences throughout comparison with homologous genes. Using this approach, a molecular fingerprint was generated to help guide future studies on the most promising strains.v. 38n.333334

Metabolic screening for PKS and NRPS in endophytic actinobacteria from citrus reticulata

Polyketides and non-ribosomal peptides are natural products widely found in bacteria, fungi and plants. The biological activities associated with these metabolites have attracted special attention in biopharmaceutical studies. Polyketide synthases act similarly to fatty acids synthetases and the whole multi-enzymatic set coordinating precursor and extending unit selection and reduction levels during chain growth. Acting in a similarly orchestrated model, non-ribosomal peptide synthetases biosynthesize NRPs. PKSs-I and NRPSs enzymatic modules and domains are collinearly organized with the parent gene sequence. This arrangement allows the use of degenerated PCR primers to amplify targeted regions in the genes corresponding to specific enzymatic domains such as ketosynthases and acyltransferases in PKSs and adenilation domains in NRPSs. Careful analysis of these short regions allows the classifying of a set of organisms according to their potential to biosynthesize PKs and NRPs. In this work, the biosynthetic potential of a set of 13 endophytic actinobacteria from Citrus reticulata for producing PKs and NRP metabolites was evaluated. The biosynthetic profile was compared to antimicrobial activity. Based on the inhibition promoted, 4 strains were considered for cluster analysis. A PKS/NRPS phylogeny was generated in order to classify some of the representative sequences throughout comparison with homologous genes. Using this approach, a molecular fingerprint was generated to help guide future studies on the most promising strains383333341CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPPQ 306932/2009-12008/00605-1; 2008/06097-8; 2009/03793- 6; 2010/16798-

Clinical and genetic characterization of RDH12-retinal dystrophy in a South American cohort

Purpose: To characterize the largest cohort of individuals with RDH12-retinal dystrophy to date, and the first one from South America. // Design: Retrospective multicenter international study. // Subjects: 78 patients (66 families) with an inherited retinal dystrophy and biallelic variants in RDH12. // Methods: Review of clinical notes, ophthalmic images, and molecular diagnosis. // Main outcome measures: Visual function, retinal imaging and characteristics were evaluated and correlated. // Results: Thirty-seven individuals self-identified as Latino (51%) and 34 as White (47%). Mean age at the baseline visit was 19.8 ± 13 years old (6 months – 46 years old, median 18.5); 41 (53%) were children. Thirty-nine patients (50%) had subsequent visits, with mean follow-up of 6.8 + 7.3 years (0 – 29). Sixty-nine individuals (88%) had Leber congenital amaurosis/early onset severe retinal dystrophy (LCA/EOSRD). Macular and mid-peripheral atrophy was seen in all patients from 3 years of age. A novel retinal finding was a hyperautofluorescent ring in 2 young children with LCA. Eight variants (21%) were previously unreported and the most frequent variant was c.295C>A, p.Leu99Ile, present in 52 alleles of 32 probands. Individuals with LCA homozygous for p.Leu99Ile (31%) had a later age of onset, slower rate of BCVA decrease, the largest percentage of patients with mild visual impairment, and were predicted to reach legal blindness at an older age than the rest of the cohort. // Conclusions: By describing the largest molecularly confirmed cohort to date, improved understanding of disease progression was possible. Our detailed characterization aims to support research and the development of novel therapies that may have the potential to reduce or prevent vision loss in individuals with RDH12-associated retinal dystrophy