Complexity of the Ruminococcus flavefaciens FD-1 cellulosome reflects an expansion of family-related protein-protein interactions

This work was supported in part by the European Union, Area NMP.2013.1.1–2: Self-assembly of naturally occurring nanosystems: CellulosomePlus Project number: 604530, and by the EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7 2007–2013) under the WallTraC project (Grant Agreement no 263916), and BioStruct-X (grant agreement no 283570). This paper reflects the author’s views only. The European Community is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained herein. CMGAF is also supported by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Lisbon, Portugal) through grants PTDC/BIA-PRO/103980/2008 and EXPL/BIA-MIC/1176/2012. EAB is also funded by a grant (No. 1349/13) from the Israel Science Foundation (ISF), Jerusalem, Israel and by a grant (No. 2013284) from the U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF). E.A.B. is the incumbent of The Maynard I. and Elaine Wishner Chair of Bio-organic Chemistry.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

PLLA/Triethyl citrate membrane as an alternative for the treatment of skin wounds

Bioresorbable polymers can be applied as membranes to sustain and guide cell growth through the regeneration process. This study evaluated poly(acid lactide), PLLA, membranes with addition of 10% triethyl citrate as skin wound healing in Wistar rats. Initially a 2cm² skin wound was exercised of the back of 24 animals. The animals were divided into two groups: treated, whose the polymer membrane was implanted, and control, in which the wound was kept exposed. The results obtained after 1, 3, 7 and 15 days showed an inflammatory response more satisfactory in the implanted wounds, with early repair and collagen more organized when compared to exposed wounds. In addition to, the protected areas showed no irritant inflammatory response which could be attributed to the membrane. Thus, we conclude that the PLLA/Triethyl citrate membrane has effectively protected the wounds, allowing the repair and presenting itself as a promising skin dressing.Polímeros sintéticos biorreabsorvíveis podem ser utilizados sob a forma de membranas para sustentar e guiar o crescimento celular, através do processo de reparação tecidual. Este trabalho avaliou membranas de poli(ácido lático), PLLA, com adição de 10% de trietil-citrato usadas como curativos de feridas cutâneas agudas em ratos Wistar. Inicialmente uma ferida de 2cm² foi provocada na região dorsal de 24 animais. Estes foram divididos em 2 grupos: tratamento, nos quais as feridas foram recobertas pela membrana polimérica e controle, com feridas permanecendo cruentas. Os resultados obtidos em 1, 3, 7 e 15 dias mostraram uma resposta inflamatória mais satisfatória nas feridas protegidas pelas membranas, com reparação precoce e colágeno mais organizado quando comparadas com as áreas incialmente mantidas sem proteção. Além do que, as áreas protegidas pelas membranas não mostraram alterações inflamatórias irritativas que pudessem ser imputadas ao uso da membrana polimérica. Diante disso, conclui-se que a membrana de PLLA/Trietil-citrato protegeu efetivamente as feridas, permitindo o processo de reparação e mostrando-se promissora como curativo cutâneo.798806Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

A continental-wide molecular approach unraveling mtDNA diversity and geographic distribution of the Neotropical genus Hoplias

With an estimate of around 9,000 species, the Neotropical region hosts the greatest diversity of freshwater fishes of the world. Genetic surveys have the potential to unravel isolated and unique lineages and may result in the identification of undescribed species, accelerating the cataloguing of extant biodiversity. In this paper, molecular diversity within the valuable and widespread Neotropical genus Hoplias was assessed by means of DNA Barcoding. The geographic coverage spanned 40 degrees of latitude from French Guiana to Argentina. Our analyses revealed 22 mitochondrial lineages fully supported by means of Barcode Index Number, Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery and phylogenetic analyses. This mtDNA survey revealed the existence of 15 fully supported mitochondrial lineages within the once considered to be the continentally distributed H. malabaricus. Only four of them are currently described as valid species however, leaving 11 mitochondrial lineages currently “masked” within this species complex. Mean genetic divergence was 13.1%. Barcoding gap analysis discriminated 20 out of the 22 lineages tested. Phylogenetic analyses showed that all taxonomically recognized species form monophyletic groups. Hoplias malabaricus sensu stricto clustered within a large clade, excluding the representatives of the La Plata River Basin. In the H. lacerdae group, all species but H. curupira showed a cohesive match between taxonomic and molecular identification. Two different genetic lineages were recovered for H. aimara. Given the unexpected hidden mitochondrial diversity within H. malabaricus, the COI sequence composition of specimens from Suriname (the type locality), identified as H. malabaricus sensu stricto, is of major importance.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Uso de árvores nativas em pastagens agroecológicas

O conhecimento tradicional tem sido a base da parceria entre o Centro de Tecnologias Alternativas, as organizações dos agricultores familiares da Zona da Mata de Minas Gerais e as Universidades Federais de Viçosa e, mais recentemente, de Lavras. O objetivo desse trabalho foi identificar o conhecimento tradicional sobre os usos comuns de árvores nativas em pastagens de famílias agricultoras dos municípios de Divino e Araponga, aplicando metodologias participativas (observação participante e entrevista semi-estruturada). O principal uso da terra na região é com café e pastagens. Foi observado pelas famílias que os animais comem ramos de Solanum mauritianum, Senna macranthera, Aegiphila sellowiana e Inga edulis. De acordo com as famílias, a maioria das árvores já estava na pastagem antes do capim. É necessário aprofundamento que dialogue com o aprendizado de famílias agricultoras.Traditional knowledge has been the main base of the partnership among the Center of Alternative Technologies, the organizations of family farmers of Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais and the Federal Universities of Viçosa and, more recently, of Lavras. The objective was to identify the traditional knowledge about the common uses of native trees in the pastures of the properties of family farmers in the municipalities of Divino and Araponga, applying qualitative methodologies (participant observation and semi-structured interviews). The land use in the region is mainly coffee and pastures. Was observed by the families that the animals feed themselves with branches of Solanum mauritianum, Senna macranthera, Aegiphila sellowiana and Inga edulis. According to the families the majority of the trees was already in the field before the grass. It is necessary to deep the dialogue to keep leaning and exchange knowledge with smallholders families.Eje A1 Sistemas de producción de base agroecológica (Trabajos científicos)Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Dopaminergic Influences on Emotional Decision Making in Euthymic Bipolar Patients

We recently reported that the D2/D3 agonist pramipexole may have pro-cognitive effects in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder (BPD); however, the emergence of impulse-control disorders has been documented in Parkinson\u27s disease (PD) after pramipexole treatment. Performance on reward-based tasks is altered in healthy subjects after a single dose of pramipexole, but its potential to induce abnormalities in BPD patients is unknown. We assessed reward-dependent decision making in euthymic BPD patients pre- and post 8 weeks of treatment with pramipexole or placebo by using the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). The IGT requires subjects to choose among four card decks (two risky and two conservative) and is designed to promote learning to make advantageous (conservative) choices over time. Thirty-four BPD patients completed both assessments (18 placebo and 16 pramipexole). Baseline performance did not differ by treatment group (F = 0.63; p = 0.64); however, at week 8, BPD patients on pramipexole demonstrated a significantly greater tendency to make increasingly high-risk, high-reward choices across the five blocks, whereas the placebo group\u27s pattern was similar to that reported in healthy individuals (treatment x time x block interaction,