Análise molecular dos vírus dengue tipo 1 e 2 no Brasil, baseada nas seqüências da região da junção dos genes do envelope e da proteína não estrutural 1

The genomic sequences of the Envelope-Non-Structural protein 1 junction region (E/NS1) of 84 DEN-1 and 22 DEN-2 isolates from Brazil were determined. Most of these strains were isolated in the period from 1995 to 2001 in endemic and regions of recent dengue transmission in São Paulo State. Sequence data for DEN-1 and DEN-2 utilized in phylogenetic and split decomposition analyses also include sequences deposited in GenBank from different regions of Brazil and of the world. Phylogenetic analyses were done using both maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches. Results for both DEN-1 and DEN-2 data are ambiguous, and support for most tree bipartitions are generally poor, suggesting that E/NS1 region does not contain enough information for recovering phylogenetic relationships among DEN-1 and DEN-2 sequences used in this study. The network graph generated in the split decomposition analysis of DEN-1 does not show evidence of grouping sequences according to country, region and clades. While the network for DEN-2 also shows ambiguities among DEN-2 sequences, it suggests that Brazilian sequences may belong to distinct subtypes of genotype III.Foram determinadas as seqüências nucleotídicas da junção dos genes do envelope e da proteína não estrutural 1 (E/NS1) de 84 cepas de DEN-1 e 22 cepas de DEN-2 do Brasil. A maioria dessas cepas foi isolada no período de 1995-2001, em regiões endêmicas e de transmissão recente no Estado de São Paulo. Seqüências da junção E/NS1 de DEN-1 e DEN-2 de outras regiões geográficas brasileiras e mundiais, obtidas do GenBank, foram também utilizadas neste estudo. As análises foram efetuadas utilizando-se as técnicas de Verossimilhança Máxima e Bayesiana de inferência filogenética. Os resultados das análises das seqüências de DEN-1 e DEN-2 são ambíguos e o suporte para a maioria dos grupos é baixo, sugerindo que a região E/NS1 não é filogeneticamente informativa. O gráfico gerado na análise de decomposição dos grupos de DEN-1 não mostrou evidências de agrupamento das seqüências de acordo com os países, as regiões ou clados. No entanto, para DEN-2 evidenciou a existência de ambigüidades entre as seqüências, sugerindo que as brasileiras pertencem a subtipos distintos do genotipo III

(E)-1-(4-Meth­oxy­phen­yl)-3-(3,4,5-trimeth­oxy­phen­yl)prop-2-en-1-one

The title compound, C19H20O5, was synthesized by reaction of 4-meth­oxy­acetophenone and 3,4,5-trimeth­oxy-benzaldehyde. The aromatic rings form a dihedral angle of 36.39 (7)°. Two intramolecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds occur. The crystal packing features weak C—H⋯O inter­actions

Resurrection of Anopheles goeldii from synonymy with Anopheles nuneztovari (Diptera, Culicidae) and a new record for Anopheles dunhami in the Brazilian Amazon

Nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) rDNA and partial sequences of the cytochrome coxidase subunit I (COI) mtDNA and white gene nDNA were obtained from specimens of Anopheles nuneztovari A collected in Macapá (state of Amapá), Óbidos, Prainha and Almeirim (state of Pará), Itacoatiara and Parintins (state of Amazonas), Brazil, and compared with previously published sequences of A. nuneztovari s.l. Results of the Bayesian phylogenetic analyses performed using either COI or combined ITS2, COI and white gene sequences suggest that An. nuneztovari B/C is distinct from specimens obtained in the Amazonas/Solimões River basin. Anopheles goeldii, currently in synonymy with An. nuneztovari, was described from individuals collected in Belterra (= Fordlândia) in the Tapajós River, state of Pará, Southern Amazonas River. Morphological comparisons of the characteristics of the male genitalia indicated that An. nuneztovari A and An. goeldii are similar but distinct from An. nuneztovariB/C by the apex of the aedeagus. In considering the results of the phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons, An. goeldii is resurrected from synonymy with An. nuneztovari. Additionally, Anopheles dunhamiis reported for the first time in Parintins. This species can be distinguished from An. goeldiiby characters of the male genitalia and molecular dataFAPESP 05/53973-0, CNPq 472485/2006-

New Spatially Resolved Observations of the T Cha Transition Disk and Constraints on the Previously Claimed Substellar Companion

We present multi-epoch non-redundant masking observations of the T Cha transition disk, taken at the VLT and Magellan in H, Ks, and L' bands. T Cha is one of a small number of transition disks that host companion candidates discovered by high-resolution imaging techniques, with a putative companion at a position angle of 78 degrees, separation of 62 mas, and contrast at L' of 5.1 mag. We find comparable binary parameters in our re-reduction of the initial detection images, and similar parameters in the 2011 L', 2013 NaCo L', and 2013 NaCo Ks data sets. We find a close-in companion signal in the 2012 NaCo L' dataset that cannot be explained by orbital motion, and a non-detection in the 2013 MagAO/Clio2 L' data. However, Monte-carlo simulations show that the best fits to the 2012 NaCo and 2013 MagAO/Clio2 followup data may be consistent with noise. There is also a significant probability of false non-detections in both of these data sets. We discuss physical scenarios that could cause the best fits, and argue that previous companion and scattering explanations are inconsistent with the results of the much larger dataset presented here.Comment: 25 pages, 22 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

A Cell Permeable Peptide Targeting the Intracellular Loop 2 of Endothelin B Receptor Reduces Pulmonary Hypertension in a Hypoxic Rat Model

Cell permeable peptides (CPP) aid cellular uptake of targeted cargo across the hydrophobic plasma membrane. CPP-mediated cargo delivery of receptor signaling motifs provides an opportunity to regulate specific receptor initiated signaling cascades. Both endothelin-1 receptors, ETA and ETB, have been targets of antagonist therapies for individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These therapies have had success but have been accompanied by adverse reactions. Also, unlike the CPP which target specific signaling cascades, the antagonists target the entire function of the receptor. Using the CPP strategy of biased antagonism of the ETB receptor’s intracellular loop 2 (ICB2), we demonstrate blunting of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) in the rat, including indices of pulmonary arterial pressure, right ventricular hypertrophy and pulmonary vascular remodeling. Further, ex vivo analysis of the pulmonary artery treated with the IC2B peptide upon injection manifests marked reductions in Akt and ERK activation. Both kinases have been intimately related to cell proliferation and vascular contraction, the hallmarks of PAH. These observations in sum illustrate an involvement of the ETB receptor in HPH and furthermore provide a basis for a novel, CPP-based, strategy in the treatment of PAH, ultimately able to target not only ET-1, but also other factors involved in the development of PAH

Accreting Protoplanets in the LkCa 15 Transition Disk

Exoplanet detections have revolutionized astronomy, offering new insights into solar system architecture and planet demographics. While nearly 1900 exoplanets have now been discovered and confirmed, none are still in the process of formation. Transition discs, protoplanetary disks with inner clearings best explained by the influence of accreting planets, are natural laboratories for the study of planet formation. Some transition discs show evidence for the presence of young planets in the form of disc asymmetries or infrared sources detected within their clearings, as in the case of LkCa 15. Attempts to observe directly signatures of accretion onto protoplanets have hitherto proven unsuccessful. Here we report adaptive optics observations of LkCa 15 that probe within the disc clearing. With accurate source positions over multiple epochs spanning 2009 - 2015, we infer the presence of multiple companions on Keplerian orbits. We directly detect H{\alpha} emission from the innermost companion, LkCa 15 b, evincing hot (~10,000 K) gas falling deep into the potential well of an accreting protoplanet.Comment: 35 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, 9 extended data item

Austin, dehydroaustin and other metabolites from Penicillium brasilianum

A culture of P. brasilianum, isolated from soil collected at the Serra do Cipó National Park, in Minas Gerais State (Brazil), was grown for 25 days on a dextrose-peptone-salts medium. The corresponding ethylacetate extract was column chromatographed and four compounds were isolated: austin, dehydroaustin, D-mannitol and penicillic acid. This is, in the best of our knowledge, the first time that the meroterpenes austin and dehydroaustin have been isolated from this species. Activity of the extract and isolated compounds was tested against six bacteria and for acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Penicillic acid showed high activity in both tests

Validation of a score tool for measurement of histological severity in juvenile dermatomyositis and association with clinical severity of disease.

OBJECTIVES: To study muscle biopsy tissue from patients with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) in order to test the reliability of a score tool designed to quantify the severity of histological abnormalities when applied to biceps humeri in addition to quadriceps femoris. Additionally, to evaluate whether elements of the tool correlate with clinical measures of disease severity. METHODS: 55 patients with JDM with muscle biopsy tissue and clinical data available were included. Biopsy samples (33 quadriceps, 22 biceps) were prepared and stained using standardised protocols. A Latin square design was used by the International Juvenile Dermatomyositis Biopsy Consensus Group to score cases using our previously published score tool. Reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and scorer agreement (α) by assessing variation in scorers' ratings. Scores from the most reliable tool items correlated with clinical measures of disease activity at the time of biopsy. RESULTS: Inter- and intraobserver agreement was good or high for many tool items, including overall assessment of severity using a Visual Analogue Scale. The tool functioned equally well on biceps and quadriceps samples. A modified tool using the most reliable score items showed good correlation with measures of disease activity. CONCLUSIONS: The JDM biopsy score tool has high inter- and intraobserver agreement and can be used on both biceps and quadriceps muscle tissue. Importantly, the modified tool correlates well with clinical measures of disease activity. We propose that standardised assessment of muscle biopsy tissue should be considered in diagnostic investigation and clinical trials in JDM

Correlação entre as alterações osteocondrais evidenciadas à ressonância magnética e a progressão da doença

PURPOSE: To determine the consequences of the chronic use of systemic corticosteroids in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis by means of evaluating osteochondral effects depicted by magnetic resonance imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings in 69 children (72 knees) with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Two groups were studied. Group I: 34 (49.3%) children had previous or current use of systemic corticotherapy (22 girls; 12 boys; mean age: 11.3 years; mean disease duration: 5.9 years; mean corticotherapy duration: 2.9 years; mean cumulative dose of previous corticosteroids: 5000 mg); Group II: 35 (50.7%) children had no previous use of corticosteroids (27 girls; 8 boys; mean age: 11.7 years; mean disease duration: 5.3 years). The groups were compared statistically. RESULTS: In the group that had received corticotherapy (Group I), osteochondral abnormalities were significantly correlated to long-standing disease (>;3.5 years; pOBJETIVO: Determinar as conseqüências do uso crônico de corticosteróides sistêmicos em crianças com artrite reumatóide juvenil através da avaliação dos efeitos osteocondrais à ressonância magnética. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Achados clínicos e imaginológicos (ressonância magnética) de 72 joelhos em 69 crianças com artrite reumatóide juvenil foram revisados. Trinta e quatro (49.3%) pacientes fizeram uso prévio de corticoterapia sistêmica (22 pacientes do sexo feminino; 12 pacientes do sexo masculino; idade média: 11.3 anos; duração média da doença: 5.9 anos; duração média da corticoterapia: 2.9 anos; dose média cumulativa de corticosteróides: 5000 mg); 35 (50.7%) pacientes não haviam feito uso prévio de corticoterapia sistêmica (27 pacientes do sexo feminino; 8 pacientes do sexo masculino; idade média: 11.7 anos; duração média da doença: 5.3 anos). RESULTADOS: No grupo que recebeu corticoterapia sistêmica prévia (Grupo I) a presença de alterações osteocondrais à ressonância magnética relacionou-se de uma forma estatisticamente significativa com longo tempo de duração da doença (>;3.5 years;