Selection of ligand peptides with the ability to detect antibodies in enzootic bovine leukosis

Peptides present in phages were selected using phage display technology and immunoassays to find out the antigenic mimetics of immunodominant epitopes of bovine leukosis virus (BLV). The use of antigenic mimetics may result in the enhancement of the sensitivity and specificity of the serologic diagnosis of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL), contributing directly to disease control. The selections enabled the choice of clones which can be used as potential antigens in the diagnoses of diseases. The synthetic peptide produced from the selected sequences may be considered as an alternative for antigens in the serologic diagnosis of enzootic bovine leukosis.Key words: Diagnostic, antigens, enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL), phage display

Are protected areas really protecting populations? A test with an Atlantic rain forest palm

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)We compared the demography of the palm Euterpe edulis in a large forest fragment that is protected from palm harvesting with that in three smaller fragments where harvesting has occurred. Palms were censused from 2005 to 2007 in nine 30 m x 30 m plots in each forest fragment. Each individual was assigned to one of five stage classes: seedling, infant, juvenile, immature, and reproductive. Using summary matrices constructed for the fragments and a matrix for the population in the protected area, we compared the asymptotic growth rate (lambda) in the protected and non-protected areas. We then quantified the contribution of each lower-level vital rate to the observed differences in lambda using a fixed-design LTRE. Euterpe edulis populations in the protected area are projected to shrink at rates of 4.54 to 12.6% per year, and the populations of the fragments are projected to grow at rates of 3.44 to 9.43% per year. Our LTRE analysis revealed that the generally higher lambda for the summary matrix based on the populations in fragments was due primarily to greater survival of immatures and reproductives. However, seedling growth contributed negatively to lambda in the fragments. We also found that great numbers of immatures and reproductives were killed by the capuchin monkey (Cebus nigritus), which apparently also contributes to the differences between the protected area and the fragments. This study lends support to the idea that small fragments in a landscape actively managed and modified by humans can be very important in maintaining viable plant populations.34361372Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)FAPESP [2005/60788-4]CNPq [304937/2007-0

Prevalence of drooling, swallowing, and feeding problems in cerebral palsy across the lifespan: a systematic review and meta‐analyses

Aim: To determine the prevalence of drooling, swallowing, and feeding problems in persons with cerebral palsy (CP) across the lifespan. Method: A systematic review was conducted using five different databases (AMED, CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, and PubMed). The selection process was completed by two independent researchers and the methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the STROBE and AXIS guidelines. Meta-analyses were conducted to determine pooled prevalence estimates of drooling, swallowing, and feeding problems with stratified group analyses by type of assessment and Gross Motor Function Classification System level. Results: A total of 42 studies were included. Substantial variations in selected outcome measures and variables were observed, and data on adults were limited. Pooled prevalence estimates determined by meta-analyses were as high as 44.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 35.6–52.7) for drooling, 50.4% (95% CI 36.0–64.8) for swallowing problems, and 53.5% (95% CI 40.7–65.9) for feeding problems. Group analyses for type of assessments were non-significant; however, more severely impaired functioning in CP was associated with concomitant problems of increased drooling, swallowing, and feeding. Interpretation: Drooling, swallowing, and feeding problems are very common in people with CP. Consequently, they experience increased risks of malnutrition and dehydration, aspiration pneumonia, and poor quality of life. What this paper adds: Drooling, swallowing, and feeding problems are very common in persons with cerebral palsy (CP). The prevalence of drooling, swallowing, and feeding problems is 44.0%, 50.4%, and 53.5% respectively. There are limited data on the prevalence of drooling, swallowing, and feeding problems in adults. Higher Gross Motor Function Classification System levels are associated with higher prevalence of drooling, swallowing, and feeding problems. There is increased risk for malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration pneumonia, and poor quality of life in CP

TESTING A SUBTYPE-SPECIFIC GP41 AMPLIFICATION METHOD FOR GENOTYPING INDIVIDUALS INFECTED BY HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS TYPE-1 IN THE BRAZILIAN POPULATION OF ITAJAI, SOUTH BRAZIL

The method used by YAGYU et al. for the subtype-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the gp41 transmembrane region of the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) env gene, was tested. HIV-1 proviral DNA from 100 infected individuals in Itajaí, South Brazil was used to analyze this method. Seventy individuals were determined according to this method as having PCR products at the expected size for subtypes B, C, D and F. Of these individuals, 26 (37.1%) were observed as having the expected amplification for subtype C, and 42 (60%) were observed as having the expected products for subtypes B and D. Of the subtype B and D amplicons, 16 (22.9%) were classified as subtype D, and 26 (37.1%) were classified as subtype B. Two individuals (2.9%) had amplicons that were observed after subtype F-specific amplification was performed. Sequencing and comparing the patient sequences to reference sequences confirmed the classification of sequences of subtypes C and B. However, sequences that were falsely determined as being D and F in the PCR assay were determined as being subtypes C and B, respectively, by sequence analysis. For those individuals from whom no amplified products were obtained, a low viral load that was indicated in their patient history may explain the difficulty in subtyping by PCR methods. This issue was demonstrated by the results of ANOVA when testing the effect of viral load on the success of PCR amplification. The alignment of the obtained sequences with HIV-1 reference sequences demonstrated that there is high intra-subtype diversity. This indicates that the subtype-specific primer binding sites were not conserved or representative of the subtypes that are observed in the Brazilian populations, and that they did not allow the correct classification of HIV-1 subtypes. Therefore, the proposed method by YAGYU et al. is not applicable for the classification of Brazilian HIV-1 subtypes

The traditional knowledge on stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponina) used by the Enawene-Nawe tribe in western Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This paper presents the Enawene-Nawe Society's traditional knowledge about stingless bees. The Enawene-Nawe are an Aruak speaking people, indigenous to the Meridian Amazon. Specifically, they live in the Jurema River hydrological basin, located in the northwestern region of the Mato Grosso state.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The stingless bees were sampled from two ecologically similar regions in the interior of Enawene-Nawe Land. The first sampling took place around the village, i.e., adjacent to houses, by the edge of the Iquê River, next to food leftovers, around human excrement, and simply when the insects were found flying or reposing on a human body. The second round of sampling happened from 29/10 to 02/11/94, during an expedition for honey collection that took place throughout the ciliar bushes of the Papagaio River, an important tributary of Juruena River. We sampled bees adjacent to their nests following the beehive inspection or during the honey extraction.</p> <p>In this work, the main bee species of the sub tribe Meliponina, which were handled by the Enawene-Nawe, was identified, and a brief ethnographic description of the honey collection expeditions and its social-cosmologic meaning for the group was done.</p> <p>Results and Discussion</p> <p>Similar to other indigenous people in Brazil, the Enawene-Nawe recognized 48 stingless bee species. They identified each bee species by name and specified each one's ecological niche. A brief ethnographic description of the honey collection expeditions and bees' social-cosmologic meaning for the group is included.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We concluded that, as an example of other indigenous people, the Enawene-Nawe classify and identify the bees based not only on their structure and morphological aspects but also on the ecological, etiological, and social characteristics of the species.</p

Supercontinuum generation in a water-core photonic crystal fiber

Supercontinuum generation is demonstrated in a 5-cm-long water-core photonic crystal fiber pumped near water's zero-dispersion wavelength. Up to 500-nm spectral width (evaluated at -20 dB from the peak) is achieved, while spectral widths were over 4 times narrower with a bulk setup at the same wavelength and peak power, and over 3 times narrower if the PCF was pumped away from the zero-dispersion wavelength. The supercontinuum generation mechanisms for bulk and waveguide setups are compared and tuning of the zero-dispersion wavelength via waveguide dispersion is theoretically investigated. (c) 2008 Optical Society of America.16139671967

Reflexões sobre a maternidade : um estudo exploratório com mulheres acima de 40 anos

Este artigo apresenta um estudo exploratório-descritivo de caráter qualitativo que busca conhecer como o conceito de maternidade é compreendido e vivenciado pelas mulheres, destacando vivências de libertação e cativeiro, segundo a Teoria do Espaço Consciente de Krista K. Burlae (2004). Através da Entrevista Biográfica proposta por Connie J. G. Gersick & Kathy. E. Kram (2002), seis mulheres acima de 40 anos relataram sobre sua vida no passado, presente e futuro. A análise dos resultados deu-se a partir da Análise do Discurso, proposto por Rosalind Gill (2002), baseando-se nos pressupostos epistemológicos dos estudos de gênero, perspectiva feminista, teoria do Desenvolvimento de Daniel Levinson (1996) e visão sistêmica. Os resultados trazem que as concepções e as vivências de maternidade são diversas, complexas e apresentam diferentes implicações na vida das mulheres. Perspectivas mais conservadoras interagem com visões mais críticas sobre as relações mãe-mulher.En este artículo se presenta un estudio cualitativo, exploratorio-descriptivo que busca entender cómo entienden y experimentan las mujeres el concepto de la maternidad, destacando las experiencias de la liberación y de la esclavitud, de acuerdo con la Teoría del Espacio Consciente Burlae (2004). A través de entrevista biográfica propuesto por Gersick y Kram (2002), 6 mujeres de más de 40 informaron sobre su vida en el pasado, presente y futuro. El análisis se llevó a cabo del análisis del discurso, propuesto por Gill (2002), sobre la base de los supuestos epistemológicos de los estudios de género, perspectiva feminista y vista sistémico. Los resultados traen a las concepciones y experiencias de la maternidad son diversos, complejos y tienen diferentes implicaciones para la vida de las mujeres. Perspectivas más conservadores interactúan con puntos de vista más críticos en las relaciones madre-mujer.This article presents an exploratory descriptive study of qualitative character, who seeks to understand how the notion of maternity is perceived and experienced by women, emphasizing experiences of liberation and captivity, as per Krista K. Burlae's Theory of Mindful Space (2004). Via the biographical interview proposed by Connie J. G. Gersick & Kathy. E. Kram (2002), six women over the age of 40 described their lives in the past, present and future. The analysis of results was conducted using the Discourse Analysis proposed by Rosalind Gill (2002), basing itself on epistemological assumptions from studies of gender, feminine perspective, Daniel Lenvinson's Development Theory (1996) and systemic vision. The results show that the conceptions and experiences of maternity are diverse and complex, presenting different implications in the lives of women. More conservative perspectives interact with more critical views of the mother-woman relationships

Sistema socioeducativo direcionado à responsabilização e promoção social de adolescente autor de ato infracional

O presente artigo propõe discorrer sobre o sistema socioeducativo de modo a verificar se há comprometimento do atual ordenamento jurídico brasileiro com a garantia dos direitos humanos de adolescentes autores de ato infracional. Trata-se de pesquisa exploratória, qualitativa, envolvendo levantamento bibliográfico e documental. Inicialmente, tece comentários sobre a normativa internacional que fundamentou a Doutrina da Proteção Integral, prevista na Constituição Federal e base filosófica da Lei n. 8.069/90. Aborda a política de atendimento, fazendo uma breve retrospectiva sobre o Código de Menores de 1927 e de 1979. Na sequência, discorre sobre o Sistema de Garantia dos Direitos, as diretrizes da política de atendimento, bem como sobre os fluxos de informação e de ação na rede de proteção integral dos direitos desse segmento da população. Passa, então, a apresentar direitos individuais e garantias processuais. Ao final, faz considerações relativas ao Sistema Nacional de Atendimento Socioeducativo (Sinase) – política pública destinada a promover a inclusão social desses adolescentes, cujo Projeto de Lei foi sancionado em 18 de janeiro de 2012, com o intuito de demonstrar se o que foi previsto está sendo implementado. Conclui-se pelo comprometimento do ordenamento jurídico, com a garantia dos direitos humanos dos infratores. Entretanto, pode-se constatar que no ano de 2010 a destinação do gasto social do Governo Federal não seguiu os ditames legais ao conceder primazia à política social básica e às de transferência de renda. Ainda, constatou-se a predominância da cultura do aprisionamento, evidenciando a inobservância de princípios orientadores da aplicação da medida socioeducativa de Internação. Palavras-chave: Sistema socioeducativo. Direitos humanos de crianças e adolescentes. Ato infracional. Sistema Nacional de Atendimento Socioeducativo (Sinase

Dietary calcium and vitamin D intakes in childhood and throughout adulthood and mammographic density in a British birth cohort

We examined the role of dietary calcium and vitamin D intakes in childhood and throughout adulthood in relation to mammographic density using data from a nationally representative cohort of 1161 women followed up since their birth in 1946. Dietary intakes at the age of 4 years were determined by 24-h recalls and at the ages of 36, 43 and 53 years by 5-day food records. After adjusting for known risk factors and confounders, no evidence of a relationship between dietary calcium or vitamin D intakes and mammographic density approximately at the age of 50 years was found, except for a cross-sectional relationship between dietary calcium intake at the age of 53 years and breast density in women who were post-menopausal at the time of mammography, with those in the top fifth of the distribution of calcium intake having a 0.53 s.d. lower percent breast density than those in the lowest fifth (P-value <0.01 for linear trend)

Complete larval development of the hermit crabs Clibanarius aequabilis and Clibanarius erythropus (Decapoda : Anomura : Diogenidae), under laboratory conditions, with a revision of the larval features of genus Clibanarius

The complete larval development (four zoeae and one megalopa) of Clibanarius aequabilis and C. erythropus, reared under laboratory conditions, is described and illustrated. The larval stages of the two northeastern Atlantic Clibanarius species cannot be easily differentiated. Their morphological characters are compared with those of other known Clibanarius larvae. The genus Clibanarius is very homogeneous with respect to larval characters. All Clibanarius zoeae display a broad and blunt rostrum, smooth abdominal segments and an antennal scale without a terminal spine. Beyond the second zoeal stage, the fourth telson process is present as a fused spine, and the uropods are biramous. In the fourth larval stage all species display a mandibular palp. The Clibanarius megalopa presents weakly developed or no ocular scales, symmetrical chelipeds, apically curved corneous dactylus in the second and third pereiopods, and 5-11 setae on the posterior margin of the telson. Apart from the number of zoeal stages, Clibanarius species may be separated, beyond the second zoeal stage, by the telson formula and the morphology of the fourth telson process.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio