Nuevos registros de algas marinas y cianobacterias filamentosas de la isla Trindade: una lista de verificación actualizada para apoyar las pautas de conservación y el monitoreo de los cambios ambientales en los archipiélagos del Atlántico sur

Oceanic islands are natural laboratories for investigating species diversity and richness patterns. Changes in abiotic parameters may induce shifts in marine biota. Seaweeds are recognized as bioindicators, though those from remote tropical islands have been rarely studied. This study updates the diversity, richness and distribution of macroalgae from Trindade, a Brazilian volcanic island located 1140 km off the coast. Biotic data, obtained in a global database and in situ and compiled in a new records list, were associated with abiotic parameters. Conservation and ecological issues were discussed in the context of the observed greater richness, expansion of the distributional range and low endemism. A total of 141 species were identified, including 60 new records and 20 taxa of filamentous cyanobacteria. The greater richness, including potential cryptogenic species, may primarily be associated with past incomplete samplings, current new techniques and combined taxonomical methods, including molecular analysis for cryptic species. However, on the macroscale, this study provides information for the re-evaluation of aspects of endemism, connections and biogeographical distribution shifts of seaweed as­semblages, considering environmental changes. In addition, this updated checklist establishes a baseline for further compara­tive studies, reinforcing the hypothesis that biogeographical isolation can be disrupted by meteorological and oceanographic shifts, altering dispersal patterns and resulting in higher ecosystems connectivity.Las islas oceánicas son laboratorios naturales para investigar la diversidad de especies y los patrones de riqueza. Los cambios en los parámetros abióticos pueden inducir cambios en la biota marina. Las algas son reconocidas como bioindicadores, aunque rara vez se han estudiado las de las islas tropicales remotas. Este estudio actualiza la diversidad, riqueza y distribución de macroalgas de Trindade, una isla volcánica brasileña ubicada a 1140 km de la costa. Los datos bióticos, obtenidos en una base de datos global e in situ, compilados en una nueva lista de registros, se asociaron con parámetros abióticos. Los temas ecológicos y de conservación se discutieron en el contexto de la mayor riqueza observada, la expansión del rango de distribución y el bajo endemismo. Se identificaron un total de 141 especies, incluidos 60 nuevos registros y 20 taxones de cianobacterias filamentosas. La mayor riqueza, incluidas las especies criptogénicas potenciales, puede estar asociada principalmente con muestreos incompletos del pasado, nuevas técnicas actuales y métodos taxonómicos combinados, incluido el análisis molecular de especies crípticas. Sin embargo, en la macroescala, este estudio proporciona información para la reevaluación de aspectos de endemismo, conexiones y cambios en la distribución biogeográfica de los conjuntos de algas marinas, considerando los cambios ambientales. Además, esta lista de verificación actualizada establece una línea de base para futuros estudios comparativos, lo que refuerza la hipótesis de que el aislamiento biogeográfico puede verse afectado por cambios meteorológicos y oceanográficos, alterando los patrones de dispersión y dando como resultado una mayor conectividad de los ecosistemas

College Students Attitudes & Responses Toward The Current Economy And Its Implications For Marketing Managers

Since the early months of 2009, the undeniable woes of the economy are being felt by many. With a record number of corporate closings, rising unemployment and the crises in the financial markets, this may prove to be a difficult year for many. This paper uses empirical evidence collected from Southeastern Louisiana University students to learn how the college community is responding to the current economy, their attitudes toward it, and their outlook toward the future. Furthermore, this paper explores how college students spending and lifestyles have been affected by the recession. The most important findings of the research indicate that college student spending has not been greatly impacted by the current economy, but there are trends in which marketers need to take note

Environmental factors influencing the transmission of Haemonchus contortus

AbstractInfection with the gastrointestinal nematode Haemonchus contortus causes considerable losses in the sheep industry. In this study, we evaluated the effect that climate has on third-stage larvae (L3) of H. contortus in terms of their migration from sheep feces to Brachiaria decumbens grass, as well as their distribution among the forage plants. Fecal samples containing H. contortus L3 was deposited on the soil among the herbage at an initial height of 30cm. Sample collection began 24h after contamination and was performed on alternate days over 13 days. The L3 were recovered and quantified in three strata (heights) of grass (0–10cm, 10–20cm and >20cm) as well as in the remaining feces and a superficial layer of soil, collected from beneath the feces. In order to obtain results under different environmental conditions, fecal samples containing H. contortus L3 were deposited on pasture in January (summer), in April (autumn), and July (winter). In all of the periods, the L3 were able to migrate from the feces to the herbage. However, rains, accompanied by high relative humidity and high temperatures, apparently favored migration. The highest L3 recovery rate in the pasture was in the summer observation period, which had the highest number of days with measurable precipitation, high relative humidity (>68.2%), and the highest temperatures at the soil level (minimum and maximum means of 19°C and 42°C, respectively). Under those conditions, larvae began to reach the upper stratum of the grass (>20cm) by 24h after the deposition of fecal matter, the number of larvae having reached that stratum peaking at seven days after deposition. In the autumn observation period, there was no rainfall in the first five days post-contamination. During that period, high numbers of larvae were found in the fecal samples demonstrating that feces can act as a reservoir of larvae in the absence of rain. Except for two days in the summer observation period, when most of the L3 were recovered from the tops of blades of grass, L3 where located predominantly at the base of the herbage. In conclusion, rainfall favors the migration of L3 from feces to herbage. In addition, larval migration up and along blades of grass can occur relatively rapidly when the temperature is high

Polymerase manager protein UmuD directly regulates Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III α binding to ssDNA

Replication by Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III is disrupted on encountering DNA damage. Consequently, specialized Y-family DNA polymerases are used to bypass DNA damage. The protein UmuD is extensively involved in modulating cellular responses to DNA damage and may play a role in DNA polymerase exchange for damage tolerance. In the absence of DNA, UmuD interacts with the α subunit of DNA polymerase III at two distinct binding sites, one of which is adjacent to the single-stranded DNA-binding site of α. Here, we use single molecule DNA stretching experiments to demonstrate that UmuD specifically inhibits binding of α to ssDNA. We predict using molecular modeling that UmuD residues D91 and G92 are involved in this interaction and demonstrate that mutation of these residues disrupts the interaction. Our results suggest that competition between UmuD and ssDNA for α binding is a new mechanism for polymerase exchange

Characterization of protective immune responses induced by pneumococcal surface protein A in fusion with Pneumolysin derivatives

Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) and Pneumolysin derivatives (Pds) are important vaccine candidates, which can confer protection in different models of pneumococcal infection. Furthermore, the combination of these two proteins was able to increase protection against pneumococcal sepsis in mice. The present study investigated the potential of hybrid proteins generated by genetic fusion of PspA fragments to Pds to increase cross-protection against fatal pneumococcal infection. Pneumolisoids were fused to the N-terminus of clade 1 or clade 2 pspA gene fragments. Mouse immunization with the fusion proteins induced high levels of antibodies against PspA and Pds, able to bind to intact pneumococci expressing a homologous PspA with the same intensity as antibodies to rPspA alone or the co-administered proteins. However, when antibody binding to pneumococci with heterologous PspAs was examined, antisera to the PspA-Pds fusion molecules showed stronger antibody binding and C3 deposition than antisera to co-administered proteins. In agreement with these results, antisera against the hybrid proteins were more effective in promoting the phagocytosis of bacteria bearing heterologous PspAs in vitro, leading to a significant reduction in the number of bacteria when compared to co-administered proteins. The respective antisera were also capable of neutralizing the lytic activity of Pneumolysin on sheep red blood cells. Finally, mice immunized with fusion proteins were protected against fatal challenge with pneumococcal strains expressing heterologous PspAs. Taken together, the results suggest that PspA-Pd fusion proteins comprise a promising vaccine strategy, able to increase the immune response mediated by cross-reactive antibodies and complement deposition to heterologous strains, and to confer protection against fatal challenge

Legal capacity, interdiction and curatorship : the legal implications of the statute n?13.146/2015 for persons with mental disabilities.

O presente artigo versa sobre o tratamento jur?dico conferido ? Teoria das Incapacidades pelo direito brasileiro, ao longo dos tempos, e aos seus institutos correlatos, quais sejam, a interdi??o e curatela. Aborda a nova sistem?tica adotada no ?mbito da capacidade e do regime das incapacidades pelo Estatuto da Pessoa com Defici?ncia, especialmente, discute a respeito da situa??o das pessoas que possuem alguma defici?ncia em raz?o da sa?de mental. Trata, ademais, das quest?es de ordem processual que marcaram a vig?ncia do Estatuto e do C?digo de Processo Civil de 2015 no campo da curatela e da interdi??o.The paper discusses the legal treatment conferred to the Incapacity Theory under Brazilian law, over time, and to its related institutes, namely, to the interdiction and curator. It approaches the new systematics adopted in the ambit of the capacity and of the incapacity regime by the Statute on Persons with Disabilities, especially, it discusses the situation of persons who have disabilities due to mental health. It deals, in addition, with the questions of procedural order that marked the validity of the Statute and the 2015 Civil Procedure Code in the field of curatorship and interdiction

ETosis: A Microbicidal Mechanism beyond Cell Death

Netosis is a recently described type of neutrophil death occurring with the release to the extracellular milieu of a lattice composed of DNA associated with histones and granular and cytoplasmic proteins. These webs, initially named neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), ensnare and kill microorganisms. Similarly, other cell types, such as eosinophils, mast cells, and macrophages, can also dye by this mechanism; thus, it was renamed as ETosis, meaning death with release of extracellular traps (ETs). Here, we review the mechanism of NETosis/etosis, emphasizing its role in diseases caused by protozoan parasites, fungi, and viruses

North America’s oldest boreal trees are more efficient water users due to increased [CO2], but do not grow faster

Due to anthropogenic emissions and changes in land use, trees are now exposed to atmospheric levels of [CO2] that are unprecedented for 650,000 y [Lüthi et al. (2008) Nature 453:379–382] (thousands of tree generations). Trees are expected to acclimate by modulating leaf–gas exchanges and alter water use efficiency which may result in forest productivity changes. Here, we present evidence of one of the strongest, nonlinear, and unequivocal postindustrial increases in intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) ever documented (+59%). A dual-isotope tree-ring analysis (δ13C and δ18O) covering 715 y of growth of North America’s oldest boreal trees (Thuja occidentalis L.) revealed an unprecedented increase in iWUE that was directly linked to elevated assimilation rates of CO2 (A). However, limited nutrient availability, changes in carbon allocation strategies, and changes in stomatal density may have offset stem growth benefits awarded by the increased iWUE. Our results demonstrate that even in scenarios where a positive CO2 fertilization effect is observed, other mechanisms may prevent trees from assimilating and storing supplementary anthropogenic emissions as above-ground biomass. In such cases, the sink capacity of forests in response to changing atmospheric conditions might be overestimated