Identification of novel components of NAD-utilizing metabolic pathways and prediction of their biochemical functions

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a ubiquitous cofactor participating in numerous redox reactions. It is also a substrate for regulatory modifications of proteins and nucleic acids via the addition of ADP-ribose moieties or removal of acyl groups by transfer to ADP-ribose. In this study, we use in-depth sequence, structure and genomic context analysis to uncover new enzymes and substrate-binding proteins in NAD-utilizing metabolic and macromolecular modification systems. We predict that Escherichia coli YbiA and related families of domains from diverse bacteria, eukaryotes, large DNA viruses and single strand RNA viruses are previously unrecognized components of NAD-utilizing pathways that probably operate on ADP-ribose derivatives. Using contextual analysis we show that some of these proteins potentially act in RNA repair, where NAD is used to remove 2'-3' cyclic phosphodiester linkages. Likewise, we predict that another family of YbiA-related enzymes is likely to comprise a novel NAD-dependent ADP-ribosylation system for proteins, in conjunction with a previously unrecognized ADP-ribosyltransferase. A similar ADP-ribosyltransferase is also coupled with MACRO or ADP-ribosylglycohydrolase domain proteins in other related systems, suggesting that all these novel systems are likely to comprise pairs of ADP-ribosylation and ribosylglycohydrolase enzymes analogous to the DraG-DraT system, and a novel group of bacterial polymorphic toxins. We present evidence that some of these coupled ADP-ribosyltransferases/ribosylglycohydrolases are likely to regulate certain restriction modification enzymes in bacteria. The ADP-ribosyltransferases found in these, the bacterial polymorphic toxin and host-directed toxin systems of bacteria such as Waddlia also throw light on the evolution of this fold and the origin of eukaryotic polyADP-ribosyltransferases and NEURL4-like ARTs, which might be involved in centrosomal assembly. We also infer a novel biosynthetic pathway that might be involved in the synthesis of a nicotinate-derived compound in conjunction with an asparagine synthetase and AMPylating peptide ligase. We use the data derived from this analysis to understand the origin and early evolutionary trajectories of key NAD-utilizing enzymes and present targets for future biochemical investigations.National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, USANational Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, US

REAL TIME PPP APPLIED TO AIRPLANE FLIGTHT TESTS

The availability in real time of GNSS satellites orbits, clock corrections and code and phase biases provided the possibility of application of Real Time Precise Point Positioning (RTPPP). This paper presents the methodology concerning RTPPP and application to kinematic trajectories of airplane flight tests, but without using the carrier phase bias. So, it is PPP float solution. It requires RT positioning estimation, task that most of time presents certain difficulties due to loss of communication or of satellites during maneuvers of the airplane. However, if the corrections become unavailable for a certain period of time, the system starts using the ultra-rapid IGS orbits. The experiments were accomplished taking into account a case simulating RT and another in fact RT, but storing data and corrections for post processing. The PPP solutions obtained either simulating RT or in RT were compared against the PPP post processed solution that uses the final clock and orbit corrections. Then, statistics were generated to analyze the quality of both results. They were applied to kinematic trajectory that on average was 360 km/h, reaching about 600 km/h. The results provided accuracy better than the requisites for such cases which is of about 80 cm in height

INTERFACE ENTRE O ENSINO POR ATIVIDADES EXPERIMENTAIS E TENDÊNCIAS NA EDUCAÇÃO MATEMÁTICA

The presented study is a theoretical essay that aims to discuss the existence of a possible experimental part in the trends and approaches of mathematics education, admitting that it is present in most activities set up in these trends, in their structuring and functional elements. Thus, the objective of this article is to point to an initial hypothesis that Mathematics Teaching through Experimental Activities (EMAE) is established, in some way, consciously or unconsciously, in a diversity of types of activities (hereinafter called Experimental Activities) present in various trends and approaches in mathematics education. The theoretical and philosophical basis is anchored in some assumptions of Activity Theory (AT), followed by an analytical examination of trends, and approaches in mathematics education. We conclude by presenting an initial discussion related to the characterization of EMAE present in these trends and approaches and their relationships and characteristics with the internal elements of an experimental-based activity. In addition, there is a need for a more comprehensive and extensive study to confirm or not the inferences pointed out here.El estudio presentado aquí es un ensayo teórico cuyo propósito es discutir la existencia de un posible componente experimental en las tendencias y enfoques en la educación matemática, admitiendo que está presente en la mayoría de las actividades establecidas en las tendencias, en sus estructuras y elementos funcionales. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este artículo es señalar una hipótesis inicial de que la Enseñanza de las Matemáticas mediante Actividades Experimentales (EMAE) está establecida de alguna manera, ya sea consciente o inconscientemente, en una diversidad de tipos de actividades (denominadas aquí Actividades Experimentales) presentes en las diversas tendencias y enfoques de la educación matemática. La base teórica y filosófica se basa en algunos supuestos de la Teoría de la Actividad (TA), seguida de un examen analítico de tendencias y enfoques en la educación matemática. Se concluye presentando una discusión inicial relacionada con la caracterización de EMAE presente en estas tendencias y enfoques, así como sus relaciones y características con los elementos internos de una actividad experimental básica. Además, se constata la necesidad de un estudio de mayor densidad y amplitud para confirmar o no las inferencias presentadas aquí.O estudo aqui apresentado trata de um ensaio teórico, que tem como propósito, discutir a existência de uma possível componente experimental existentes nas tendências e abordagens em educação matemática, admitindo-se de que ela está presente na maior parte das atividades estabelecidas nas tendências, em seus estruturantes e elementos funcionais. Assim, o objetivo deste artigo é apontar para uma hipótese inicial, de que o Ensino de Matemática por Atividades Experimentais (EMAE), está estabelecido, de alguma forma e de maneira consciente ou inconsciente, em uma diversidade de tipos de atividades (doravante denominadas de Atividades Experimentais) presentes nas diversas tendências e abordagens da educação matemática. A base teórica e filosófica está ancorada em alguns pressupostos da Teoria da Atividade (TA), seguido de um exame analítico de tendências e abordagens em educação matemática. Conclui-se, apresentando-se uma discussão inicial e relacionada com a caracterização para o EMAE, presentes nestas tendências e abordagens e suas relações e características com os elementos internos de uma atividade de base experimental. Em adição, constata-se a necessidade de um estudo de maior densidade e amplitude para confirmação ou não das inferências aqui apontadas

Polymorphic toxin systems: Comprehensive characterization of trafficking modes, processing, mechanisms of action, immunity and ecology using comparative genomics

Background: Proteinaceous toxins are observed across all levels of inter-organismal and intra-genomic conflicts. These include recently discovered prokaryotic polymorphic toxin systems implicated in intra-specific conflicts. They are characterized by a remarkable diversity of C-terminal toxin domains generated by recombination with standalone toxin-coding cassettes. Prior analysis revealed a striking diversity of nuclease and deaminase domains among the toxin modules. We systematically investigated polymorphic toxin systems using comparative genomics, sequence and structure analysis. Results: Polymorphic toxin systems are distributed across all major bacterial lineages and are delivered by at least eight distinct secretory systems. In addition to type-II, these include type-V, VI, VII (ESX), and the poorly characterized "Photorhabdus virulence cassettes (PVC)", PrsW-dependent and MuF phage-capsid-like systems. We present evidence that trafficking of these toxins is often accompanied by autoproteolytic processing catalyzed by HINT, ZU5, PrsW, caspase-like, papain-like, and a novel metallopeptidase associated with the PVC system. We identified over 150 distinct toxin domains in these systems. These span an extraordinary catalytic spectrum to include 23 distinct clades of peptidases, numerous previously unrecognized versions of nucleases and deaminases, ADP-ribosyltransferases, ADP ribosyl cyclases, RelA/SpoT-like nucleotidyltransferases, glycosyltranferases and other enzymes predicted to modify lipids and carbohydrates, and a pore-forming toxin domain. Several of these toxin domains are shared with host-directed effectors of pathogenic bacteria. Over 90 families of immunity proteins might neutralize anywhere between a single to at least 27 distinct types of toxin domains. In some organisms multiple tandem immunity genes or immunity protein domains are organized into polyimmunity loci or polyimmunity proteins. Gene-neighborhood-analysis of polymorphic toxin systems predicts the presence of novel trafficking-related components, and also the organizational logic that allows toxin diversification through recombination. Domain architecture and protein-length analysis revealed that these toxins might be deployed as secreted factors, through directed injection, or via inter-cellular contact facilitated by filamentous structures formed by RHS/YD, filamentous hemagglutinin and other repeats. Phyletic pattern and life-style analysis indicate that polymorphic toxins and polyimmunity loci participate in cooperative behavior and facultative 'cheating' in several ecosystems such as the human oral cavity and soil. Multiple domains from these systems have also been repeatedly transferred to eukaryotes and their viruses, such as the nucleo-cytoplasmic large DNA viruses. Conclusions: Along with a comprehensive inventory of toxins and immunity proteins, we present several testable predictions regarding active sites and catalytic mechanisms of toxins, their processing and trafficking and their role in intra-specific and inter-specific interactions between bacteria. These systems provide insights regarding the emergence of key systems at different points in eukaryotic evolution, such as ADP ribosylation, interaction of myosin VI with cargo proteins, mediation of apoptosis, hyphal heteroincompatibility, hedgehog signaling, arthropod toxins, cell-cell interaction molecules like teneurins and different signaling messengers.intramural funds of the US Department of Health and Human Services (National Library of Medicine, NIH)intramural funds of the US Department of Health and Human Services (National Library of Medicine, NIH

Desenvolvimento de um protótipo para classificação de perfis de pulverização utilizando processamento digital de sinais e redes neurais artificiais

Um dos grandes desafios da agricultura é o uso racional de agrotóxicos na prevenção e proteção das culturas contra doenças e pragas, a fim de evitar a aplicação demasiada de agentes químicos nas lavouras, evitando-se danos ao meio ambiente e a saúde humana. Atualmente, as técnicas utilizadas para avaliação da qualidade de pulverização se baseiam na análise do tamanho das gotas que são aplicadas através de etiquetas hidrossensíveis. Neste trabalho foi desenvolvida uma bancada de testes, que permite a simulação do funcionamento de pontas de pulverização, e um sistema de aquisição, condicionamento e análise de dados para realização de um estudo de sensoriamento laser aplicado na identificação de espectros de gotas. Além disso, foi proposto e avaliado um método de classificação baseado em Transformada Rápida de Fourier e Redes Neurais Artificiais. A metodologia utilizada para a avaliação da técnica proposta consiste na aquisição e análise de um sinal de luz proveniente de um raio laser interceptado por um spray de água criado pela ponta, e classificação do padrão com base nas amplitudes do espectro de frequências, obtidos a partir da Transformada Discreta de Fourier do sinal. Para a classificação, foi utilizada uma RNA do tipo Perceptron de Múltiplas Camadas a fim de identificar dois diferentes padrões de pulverização, classificando os espectros de gotas em duas classes, névoa ou jato. Foi feita a validação cruzada e a técnica proposta apresentou 91\% de acurácia. Assim, foi possível concluir que através do método proposto é possível identificar diferentes espectros de gotas

Análise da eficiência de pequenas propriedades rurais através do método da Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA)

The objective of this paper was to determine the most important factors to achieve the socioeconomic and environmental development in a rural settlement. The Inputs and output, in a total of 13 inputs variables related to social, economic and environmental activities that involves each settler and as a result, the total income of the settler was considered. The result was 0.6280, considered of average efficiency. They were also analyzed the reasons why the inefficient units did not get 100%  of efficiency, and which would be the efficient units that might be taken as a model to the inefficient ones.O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os fatores mais importantes para se alcançar o desenvolvimento socioeconômico e ambiental em um assentamento rural. As entradas e saída, em um total de 13 variáveis de entrada relacionadas com atividades sociais, econômicas e ambientais que envolvem cada assentado e, como saída, a receita total do colono. O resultado foi de 0,6280, considerado de média eficiência. Também foram analisadas as razões pelas quais as DMUs ineficientes não conseguiram 100% de eficiência, e quais seriam as unidades eficientes que podem ser tomadas como um modelo para os ineficientes

Estoques de carbono do solo e nas frações lábeis da matéria orgânica sob sistema agroflorestal em brejo de altitude pernambucano

Intense soil preparation and disturbance in crops, over time, reduces the quantity and quality of soil organic matter. Given this context, this work aimed to determine soil carbon stocks and labile fractions under agroforestry system (AFS) and toposequences in an altitude marsh, Taquaritinga do Norte, Pernambuco, Brazil. The study was carried out at the Yaguara farm, and the areas studied were native forest with 4.57 ha and coffee plantation in shade with native forest with 25.59 ha. Soil samples were collected in four trenches measuring 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.60 m, with a distance of 50 meters. Soils were collected at depths of 0–20, 20–40 and 40-60 cm, followed by chemical, physical and density analyzes to determine soil carbon stocks and labile fractions. The area with shaded coffee showed higher values ​​of soil carbon stocks at depths of 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm. At a depth of 40-60 cm, the AFS top toposequence showed the highest carbon stock with 11.73 Mg ha-1, followed by the area with native vegetation with 10.6 Mg ha-1, slope with 9.23 Mg ha-1 and pediment with 7.00 Mg ha-1. It was found that the top toposequence with shaded coffee exhibited a greater stock of labile carbon at depth 0-20 cm with a value of 1.06 Mg ha-1, followed by the bedding areas (SAF) with 0.88 Mg ha-1, native forest with 0.79 Mg ha-1 and slope with 0.67 g kg-1. However, the area of native vegetation showed the highest value of labile carbon at a depth of 40-60 cm. It was concluded that the area with shaded coffee in the top toposequence showed great capacity to increase total carbon stocks and labile carbon stocks of soil organic matter.O intenso preparo e revolvimento do solo em cultivos, com o tempo, reduz a quantidade e a qualidade da matéria orgânica do solo. Diante desse contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar os estoques de carbono do solo e frações lábeis sob sistema agroflorestal (SAF) e topossequências em brejo de altitude, em Taquaritinga do Norte, Pernambuco, Brasil. O estudo foi desenvolvido na fazenda Yaguara, e as áreas estudadas foram mata nativa com 4,57 ha e plantio de café sombreado com mata nativa com 25,59 ha. As amostras de solos foram coletadas em quatro trincheiras 1,5 x 1,5 x 0,60 m, com distância de 50 metros. Foram coletados solos nas profundidades de 0–20, 20–40 e 40-60 cm, seguido de análises químicas, físicas e densidade para determinação dos estoques de carbono no solo e frações lábeis. A área com café sombreado apresentou maiores valores de estoques de carbono no solo nas profundidades de 0-20 cm e 20-40 cm. Na profundidade de 40-60 cm, a topossequência de topo do SAF apresentou maior estoque de carbono com 11,73 Mg ha-1, seguido da área com vegetação nativa com 10,6 Mg ha-1 , encosta com 9,23 Mg ha-1 e pedimento com 7,00 Mg ha-1. Verificou-se que a topossequência de topo com café sombreado exibiu maior estoque de carbono lábil na profundidade 0-20 cm com o valor de 1,06 Mg ha-1, sucedido das áreas de pedimento (SAF) com 0,88 Mg ha-1, mata nativa com 0,79 Mg ha-1e encosta com 0,67 Mg ha-1. No entanto, a área de vegetação nativa apresentou o maior valor de carbono lábil na profundidade de 40-60 cm. Concluiu-se que a área com café sombreado na topossequência topo mostrou grande capacidade para elevar os estoques de carbono total e estoques de carbono lábil da matéria orgânica do solo

Heart and systemic effects of statin pretreatment in a rat model of abdominal sepsis. Assessment by Tc99m-sestamibi biodistribition

PURPOSE: To evaluate the heart and the Tc-99m-sestamibi biodistribution after statin pretreatment in a rat model of abdominal sepsis. METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar rats were randomly distributed into four groups (n=6 per group): 1) sepsis with simvastatin treatment, 2) sepsis with vehicle, 3) sham control with simvastatin and 4) sham control with vehicle. 24 hours after cecal ligation and puncture rats received 1.0MBq of Tc-99m-sestamibi i.v. 30min after, animals were euthanized for ex-vivo tissue counting and myocardium histological analysis. RESULTS: Myocardial histologic alterations were not detected 24 hours post-sepsis. There was significantly increased cardiac Tc-99m-sestamibi activity in the sepsis group with simvastatin treatment (1.9$\pm$0.3%ID/g, p<0.001) in comparison to the sepsis group+vehicle (1.0$\pm$0.2% ID/g), control sham group+ simvastatin (1.2$\pm$0.3% ID/g) and control sham group (1.3$\pm$0.2% ID/g). Significant Tc-99m-sestamibi activity in liver, kidney and lungs was also detected in the sepsis group treated with simvastatinin comparison to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Statin treatment altered the biodistribution of Tc-99m-sestamibi with increased cardiac and solid organ activity in rats with abdominal sepsis, while no impact on controls. Increased myocardial tracer activity may be a result of a possible protection effect due to increased tissue perfusion mediated by statins

ANÁLISE DA PREVALÊNCIA DE DOENÇAS CRÔNICO-DEGENERATIVAS DE MORADORES DA CIDADE DE SANTO ANASTÁCIO – SP ATENDIDOS PELO PROJETO DE EXTENSÃO “MUTIRÃO DA SAÚDE”.

O objetivo do estudo foi identificar a prevalência de doenças crônico-degenerativas (DCD) dos habitantes da cidade de Santo Anastácio-SP, atendidos pelo projeto “Mutirão da Saúde”. Este estudo analisou 94 indivíduos, homens e mulheres, através do “Standard Health Questionnaire” (SHQ). A DCD de maior prevalência em homens foi hipertensão arterial e em mulheres, doenças osteomusculares. Quanto à idade, indivíduos acima de 40 anos apresentaram maior prevalência de todas as doenças. Ao estratificar por sexo/idade, mulheres acima de 40 anos apresentam maior prevalência de hipertensão arterial, doenças metabólicas e osteomusculares. Todos os achados nas estratificações citadas não apresentam relação direta dos participantes com sua hereditariedade. Conclui-se que há maior prevalência de hipertensão arterial em homens, doenças osteomusculares em mulheres, todas as patologias em indivíduos acima de 40 anos de idade e maior prevalência de hipertensão arterial, doenças cardiovasculares e osteomusculares em mulheres acima de 40 anos de idade