RNA aptamers specific for transmembrane p24 trafficking protein 6 and Clusterin for the targeted delivery of imaging reagents and RNA therapeutics to human β cells

The ability to detect and target β cells in vivo can substantially refine how diabetes is studied and treated. However, the lack of specific probes still hampers a precise characterization of human β cell mass and the delivery of therapeutics in clinical settings. Here, we report the identification of two RNA aptamers that specifically and selectively recognize mouse and human β cells. The putative targets of the two aptamers are transmembrane p24 trafficking protein 6 (TMED6) and clusterin (CLUS). When given systemically in immune deficient mice, these aptamers recognize the human islet graft producing a fluorescent signal proportional to the number of human islets transplanted. These aptamers cross-react with endogenous mouse β cells and allow monitoring the rejection of mouse islet allografts. Finally, once conjugated to saRNA specific for X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP), they can efficiently transfect non-dissociated human islets, prevent early graft loss, and improve the efficacy of human islet transplantation in immunodeficient in mice

The spatial coverage of dairy cattle urine patches in an intensively grazed pasture system

Accurate field data on the paddock area affected by cow urine depositions are critical to the estimation and modelling of nitrogen (N) losses and N management in grazed pasture systems. A new technique using survey-grade global positioning system (GPS) technology was developed to precisely measure the paddock spatial area coverage, diversity and distribution of dairy cattle urine patches in grazed paddocks over time. A 4-year study was conducted on the Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF), Canterbury, New Zealand, from 2003 to 2007. Twelve field plots, each 100m² in area, were established on typical grazing areas of the farm. All urine and dung deposits within the plots were visually identified, the pasture response area (radius) measured and position marked with survey-grade GPS. The plots were grazed as part of the normal grazing rotation of the farm and urine and dung deposits measured at 12-week intervals. The data were collated using spatial (GIS) software and an assessment of annual urine patch coverage and spatial distribution was made. Grazing intensities ranged from 17645 to 30295 cow grazing h/ha/yr. Mean annual areas of urine patches ranged from 0·34 to 0·40m² (4-year mean 0·37±0·009m²), with small but significant variation between years and seasons. Mean annual urine patch numbers were 6240±124 patches/ha/yr. The mean proportional area coverage for a single sampling event or season was 0·058 and the mean proportional annual urine patch coverage was 0·232±0·0071. There was a strong linear relationship between annual cow grazing h/ha and urine patch numbers/ha (R²=0·69) and also annual urine patch area coverage (R²=0·77). Within the stocking densities observed in this study, an annual increase of 10 000 cow grazing h/ha increased urine patch numbers by 1800 urine patches/ha/yr and annual urine patch area coverage by 0·07. This study presents new quantitative data on urine patch size, numbers and the spatial coverage of patches on a temporal basis

A novel free-electron laser single-pulse Wollaston polarimeter for magneto-dynamical studies

Here, we report on the conceptual design, the hardware realization, and the first experimental results of a novel and compact x-ray polarimeter capable of a single-pulse linear polarization angle detection in the extreme ultraviolet photon energy range. The polarimeter is tested by performing time resolved pump-probe experiments on a Ni80Fe20 Permalloy film at the M-2,M-3 Ni edge at an externally seeded free-electron laser source. Comparison with similar experiments reported in the literature shows the advantages of our approach also in view of future experiments

Graphene Nanoreactors: Photoreduction of Prussian Blue in Aqueous Solution

Prussian dyes are characterized by interesting photomagnetic properties due to the photoinduced electron transfer involved in the Fe oxidation and spin state changes. Ferromagnetic Prussian blue (PB) in contact with titanium dioxide (TiO2) can be reduced to paramagnetic Prussian white (PW) upon UV band gap excitation of TiO2. This process is promoted by the presence of a hole scavenger, such as water, fundamental to ensure the overall charge balance and the continuity of the process. In order to clarify the photoinduced reduction mechanism and the role of water, an innovative system of graphene nanobubbles (GNBs) filled with a PB aqueous solution was developed, enabling the application of electron spectroscopies to the liquid phase, up to now limited by the vacuum required to overcome the short electron inelastic mean free path in dense medium. In this work GNBs formed on the photocatalytic substrate are able to act as "nanoreactors", and they can control and take part in the reaction. The evolution of Fe L2,3 edge X-ray absorption spectra measured in total electron yield through the graphene membrane revealed the electron reduction from PB (FeIII-CN-FeII) to PW (FeII-CN-FeII) upon UV irradiation, shedding light on the photoinduced electron transfer mechanism in liquid phase. The results, confirmed also by Raman spectroscopy, unequivocally demonstrate that the reaction occurs preferentially in aqueous solution, where water acts as hole scavenger. © 2017 American Chemical Society

Cultivo protegido das uvas de mesa sem sementes "BRS Vitória" e "BRS Isis" na região da Serra Gaúcha.

A fruticultura brasileira é responsável por 16% dos empregos gerados pelo agronegócio nacional, sendo que, em média, são geradas duas novas vagas a cada hectare cultivado com frutas (ANUÁRIO..., 2018). Quando se considera o volume total produzido, independente da finalidade, a uva está incluída entre os seis produtos responsáveis por cerca de 70% do valor bruto da produção brasileira de frutas (ANUÁRIO..., 2018). No Brasil, a viticultura é praticada em uma grande extensão norte-sul, de cerca de 78.000 ha, incluindo regiões de clima temperado, subtropical e tropical. São exploradas cultivares que pertencem à espécie Vitis vinifera, híbridos de V. labrusca, além de híbridos complexos. Metade do volume total de uvas produzido no país é destinada para o consumo in natura, sendo originada principalmente em regiões de clima subtropical e tropical, nos estados de Pernambuco, da Bahia, de São Paulo, Paraná e de Minas Gerais, enquanto o segmento de uvas para processamento está concentrado na região Sul do país (MAIA et al., 2018).bitstream/item/202699/1/Circ-Tec143.pd

Avaliação de atributos físico-químicos e sensoriais de sucos de uva elaborados com nove cultivares de uva.

XV Congresso Latino-Americano de Viticultura e Enologia E XIII Congresso Brasileiro de Viticultura e Enologia. Bento Gonçalves-RS, 3 a 7 de Novembro de 2015

Uvas de mesa produzidas sob cobertura plástica na Serra Gaúcha.

XV Congresso Latino-Americano de Viticultura e Enologia E XIII Congresso Brasileiro de Viticultura e Enologia. Bento Gonçalves-RS, 3 a 7 de Novembro de 2015

Fatal cytokine release syndrome by an aberrant FLIP/STAT3 axis

Inflammatory responses rapidly detect pathogen invasion and mount a regulated reaction. However, dysregulated anti-pathogen immune responses can provoke life-threatening inflammatory pathologies collectively known as cytokine release syndrome (CRS), exemplified by key clinical phenotypes unearthed during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The underlying pathophysiology of CRS remains elusive. We found that FLIP, a protein that controls caspase-8 death pathways, was highly expressed in myeloid cells of COVID-19 lungs. FLIP controlled CRS by fueling a STAT3-dependent inflammatory program. Indeed, constitutive expression of a viral FLIP homolog in myeloid cells triggered a STAT3-linked, progressive, and fatal inflammatory syndrome in mice, characterized by elevated cytokine output, lymphopenia, lung injury, and multiple organ dysfunctions that mimicked human CRS. As STAT3-targeting approaches relieved inflammation, immune disorders, and organ failures in these mice, targeted intervention towards this pathway could suppress the lethal CRS inflammatory state