Whole-genome sequencing reveals host factors underlying critical COVID-19

Critical COVID-19 is caused by immune-mediated inflammatory lung injury. Host genetic variation influences the development of illness requiring critical care1 or hospitalization2,3,4 after infection with SARS-CoV-2. The GenOMICC (Genetics of Mortality in Critical Care) study enables the comparison of genomes from individuals who are critically ill with those of population controls to find underlying disease mechanisms. Here we use whole-genome sequencing in 7,491 critically ill individuals compared with 48,400 controls to discover and replicate 23 independent variants that significantly predispose to critical COVID-19. We identify 16 new independent associations, including variants within genes that are involved in interferon signalling (IL10RB and PLSCR1), leucocyte differentiation (BCL11A) and blood-type antigen secretor status (FUT2). Using transcriptome-wide association and colocalization to infer the effect of gene expression on disease severity, we find evidence that implicates multiple genes—including reduced expression of a membrane flippase (ATP11A), and increased expression of a mucin (MUC1)—in critical disease. Mendelian randomization provides evidence in support of causal roles for myeloid cell adhesion molecules (SELE, ICAM5 and CD209) and the coagulation factor F8, all of which are potentially druggable targets. Our results are broadly consistent with a multi-component model of COVID-19 pathophysiology, in which at least two distinct mechanisms can predispose to life-threatening disease: failure to control viral replication; or an enhanced tendency towards pulmonary inflammation and intravascular coagulation. We show that comparison between cases of critical illness and population controls is highly efficient for the detection of therapeutically relevant mechanisms of disease

Ocorrência de Ectomyelois Decolor (Zeller 1881) em Frutos da Pinha (Annona Squamosa,L.) em Alagoas.

Notifica-se a ocorrência de Ect~elois decolor (Zeller 1881) (Pyralidae: Phycitinae) na região de Palmeira dos índios, Alagoas, atacando frutos da pinha (Annona squamosa, L.). 0 inseto até então não constatado na região, assume relevância econômica pela natureza dos danos que causa aos frutos. Larvas e pupas desenvolvem-se no interior dos frutos danificando a polpa e as sementes, tornando-os imprestáveis para a comercialização.Made available in DSpace on 2011-04-09T12:22:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 pab32novdez91.pdf: 93376 bytes, checksum: ece43fe5ac893c8ebb32df2d3f289497 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2002-02-081991Notas Científica

Strategies Of Control Applied In Autonomous Guided Vehicles

Autonomous guided vehicles, called AGVs, are important components of factory automation and manufacture system integration that requires both technical and management skills. In this paper, an AGV prototype equipped with IR detectors and IR range sensors is programming to follow a route line on the floor and avoid some obstacles on the way. The motion of the experimental AGV is promote by two DC motor with build-in gearbox, working with simultaneous PWM control in closed-loop operation. This AGV is designed to operate in environments such as offices and shop floor, in order to carry light loads on flat surfaces and ramps with positive and negative inclination. Simulations tests with ADAMS® are compared with some experimental results in order to validate the model and the prototype approaches. Copyright © 2008 SAE International.Schraft, R.D., Mechatronics and Robotics for Service Applications Situation and Potentials Int. Conference of Mechatronics & Robotics, 1994, Proceedings, pp. 11-22Oboth, C., Batta, R., Karwan, M., Dynamic Conflict-Free Routing of Automated Guided Vehicles (1999) International Journal of Production Research, 37 (9), pp. 2003-2030Vis, I.F.A., Survey of Research in the Design and Control of Automated Guided Vehicle Systems (2006) European Journal of Operational Research, 170, pp. 677-709Wilson, J., (2004) Sensor Technology Handbook, p. 390. , Newnes, ISBN 0750677295Altenburg, J., Altenburg, U., (1999) Mobile Roboter, p. 260. , Carl Hanser Verlag, ISNB 3446211217Siegwart, R., Nourbakhsh, I.R., (2004) Introduction to Autonomous Mobile Robots, p. 321. , MIT Press, ISBN 026219502XShoval, S., Zeitounm, I., Lens, E., Implementation of a Kalman Filter in Positioning for Autonomous Vehicles, and its Sensitivity to the Process Parameters (1997) International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 13, pp. 738-746Isermann, R., (2005) Mechatronic Systems Fundamentals, p. 624. , Springer, ISBN 1852339306Pacejka, H.B., Bakker, E., The Magic Formula Tyre Model (1992) Vehicle System Dynamics, 21, pp. 1-18Modi, S., (2002) Comparison of Three Obstacle Avoidance Methods for An Autonomous Guided Vehicle, p. 49. , University of Cincinnati, master TesisKuc, R., Viard, V.B., A Physically Based Navigation Strategy for Sonar-Guided Vehicles (1991) The International Journal of Robotics Research, 10 (75), pp. 74-8

Molecular identification of Rickettsia felis in ticks and fleas from an endemic area for Brazilian Spotted Fever

Rickettsioses are arthropod-borne diseases caused by parasites from the Order Rickettsiales. The most prevalent rickettsial disease in Brazil is Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF). This work intends the molecular detection of those agents in ectoparasites from an endemic area of BSF in the state of Espírito Santo. A total of 502 ectoparasites, among them Amblyomma cajennense , Amblyomma σdubitatum (A. cooperi), Riphicephalus sanguineus , Anocentor nitens and Ctenocephalides felis , was collected from domestic animals and the environment and separated in 152 lots according to the origin. Rickettsia sp. was detected in pools of all collected species by amplification of 17kDa protein-encoding gene fragments. The products of PCR amplification of three samples were sequenced, and Rickettsia felis was identified in R. sanguineus and C. felis. These results confirm the presence of Rickettsia felis in areas previously known as endemic for BSF, disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. Moreover, they show the needing of further studies for deeper knowledge of R. felis-spotted fever epidemiology and differentiation of these diseases in Brazil