Calsequestrins in skeletal and cardiac muscle from adult Danio rerio

Calsequestrin (Casq) is a high capacity, low affinity Ca2+-binding protein, critical for Ca2+-buffering in cardiac and skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. All vertebrates have multiple genes encoding for different Casq isoforms. Increasing interest has been focused on mammalian and human Casq genes since mutations of both cardiac (Casq2) and skeletal muscle (Casq1) isoforms cause different, and sometime severe, human pathologies. Danio rerio (zebrafish) is a powerful model for studying function and mutations of human proteins. In this work, expression, biochemical properties cellular and sub-cellular localization of D. rerio native Casq isoforms are investigated. By quantitative PCR, three mRNAs were detected in skeletal muscle and heart with different abundances. Three zebrafish Casqs: Casq1a, Casq1b and Casq2 were identified by mass spectrometry (Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD002455). Skeletal and cardiac zebrafish calsequestrins share properties with mammalian Casq1 and Casq2. Skeletal Casqs were found primarily, but not exclusively, at the sarcomere Z-line level where terminal cisternae of sarcoplasmic reticulum are located

Gene expression profiling in slow-Type calf soleus muscle of 30 days space-flown mice

Microgravity exposure as well as chronic disuse are two main causes of skeletal muscle atrophy in animals and humans. The antigravity calf soleus is a reference postural muscle to investigate the mechanism of disuse-induced maladaptation and plasticity of human and rodent (rats or mice) skeletal musculature. Here, we report microgravity-induced global gene expression changes in space-flown mouse skeletal muscle and the identification of yet unknown disuse susceptible transcripts found in soleus (a mainly slow phenotype) but not in extensor digitorum longus (a mainly fast phenotype dorsiflexor as functional counterpart to soleus). Adult C57Bl/N6 male mice (n = 5) flew aboard a biosatellite for 30 days on orbit (BION-M1 mission, 2013), a sex and age-matched cohort were housed in standard vivarium cages (n = 5), or in a replicate flight habitat as ground control (n = 5). Next to disuse atrophy signs (reduced size and myofiber phenotype I to II type shift) as much as 680 differentially expressed genes were found in the space-flown soleus, and only 72 in extensor digitorum longus (only 24 genes in common) compared to ground controls. Altered expression of gene transcripts matched key biological processes (contractile machinery, calcium homeostasis, muscle development, cell metabolism, inflammatory and oxidative stress response). Some transcripts (Fzd9, Casq2, Kcnma1, Ppara, Myf6) were further validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Besides previous reports on other leg muscle types we put forth for the first time a complete set of microgravity susceptible gene transcripts in soleus of mice as promising new biomarkers or targets for optimization of physical countermeasures and rehabilitation protocols to overcome disuse atrophy conditions in different clinical settings, rehabilitation and spaceflight

Calsequestrins new calcium store markers of adult Zebrafish cerebellum and optic tectum

Calcium stores in neurons are heterogeneous in compartmentalization and molecular composition. Danio rerio (zebrafish) is an animal model with a simply folded cerebellum similar in cellular organization to that of mammals. The aim of the study was to identify new endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium store markers in zebrafish adult brain with emphasis on cerebellum and optic tectum. By quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we found three RNA transcripts coding for the intra-ER calcium binding protein calsequestrin: casq1a, casq1b, and casq2. In brain homogenates, two isoforms were detected by mass spectrometry and western blotting. Fractionation experiments of whole brain revealed that Casq1a and Casq2 were enriched in a heavy fraction containing ER microsomes and synaptic membranes. By in situ hybridization, we found the heterogeneous expression of casq1a and casq2 mRNA to be compatible with the cellular localization of calsequestrins investigated by immunofluorescence. Casq1 was expressed in neurogenic differentiation 1 expressing the granule cells of the cerebellum and the periventricular zone of the optic tectum. Casq2 was concentrated in parvalbumin expressing Purkinje cells. At a subcellular level, Casq1 was restricted to granular cell bodies, and Casq2 was localized in cell bodies, dendrites, and axons. Data are discussed in relation to the differential cellular and subcellular distribution of other cerebellum calcium store markers and are evaluated with respect to the putative relevance of calsequestrins in the neuron-specific functional activity

Mapping Productivity and Essential Biophysical Parameters of Cultivated Tropical Grasslands from Sentinel-2 Imagery

Nitrogen (N) is the main nutrient element that maintains productivity in forages; it is inextricably linked to dry matter increase and plant support capacity. In recent years, high spectral and spatial resolution remote sensors, e.g., the European Space Agency (ESA)'s Sentinel satellite missions, have become freely available for agricultural science, and have proven to be powerful monitoring tools. The use of vegetation indices has been essential for crop monitoring and biomass estimation models. The objective of this work is to test and demonstrate the applicability of different vegetation indices to estimate the biomass productivity, the foliar nitrogen content (FNC), the plant height and the leaf area index (LAI) of several tropical grasslands species submitted to different nitrogen (N) rates in an experimental area of São Paulo, Brazil. Field reflectance data of Panicum maximum and Urochloa brizantha species' cultivars were taken and convoluted to the Sentinel-2 satellite bands. Subsequently, different vegetation indices (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDI), Three Band Index (TBI), Difference light Height (DLH), Three Band Dall'Olmo (DO), and Normalized Area Over reflectance Curve (NAOC)) were tested for the experimental grassland areas, and composed of Urochloa decumbens and Urochloa brizantha grass species, which were sampled and destructively analyzed. Our results show the use of different relevant Sentinel-2 bands in the visible (VIS)-near infrared (NIR) regions for the estimation of the different biophysical parameters. The FNC obtained the best correlation for the TBI index combining blue, green and red bands with a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.38 and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 3.4 g kg−1. The estimation of grassland productivity based on red-edge and NIR bands showed a R2 = 0.54 and a RMSE = 1800 kg ha−1. For the LAI, the best index was the NAOC (R2 = 0.57 and RMSE = 1.4 m2 m−2). High values of FNC, productivity and LAI based on different sets of Sentinel-2 bands were consistently obtained for areas under N fertilization

CULTIVO DE Pleurotus ostreatus UTILIZANDO RESÍDUOS DE ALGODÃO DA INDÚSTRIA TÊXTIL.

O algodão é uma matéria-prima básica de grande importância na indústria têxtil. Os resíduos de algodão gerados pela indústria têxtil (cerca de 8% do total do algodão processado) nos processos de fiação e de tecelagem são inconvenientes por ocuparem grandes espaços, por possuírem baixa taxa de decomposição no solo e pela baixa inclusão em dietas de animais. Uma alternativa correta para o aproveitamento desses resíduos seria sua utilização como substrato para a produção de cogumelos comestíveis. Fungos do gênero Pleurotus são facilmente produzidos em resíduos vegetais por possuírem um complexo enzimático lignocelulolítico único. São conhecidos por seu valor gastronômico e nutricional e por suas atividades terapêuticas, podendo representar um alimento de baixo custo, de elevado teor protéico com aminoácidos essenciais e vários minerais, além de apresentar baixosconteúdos de gordura e calorias. A produção e consumo de fungos do gênero Pleurotus tem aumentado nos últimos anos devido à variedade de substratos metabolizáveis e pela facilidade das condições de cultivo. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a utilização de resíduos de algodão da indústria têxtil para o cultivo de P. ostreatus DSM 1833 e algumas características nutricionais dos corpos frutíferos (cogumelos). O resíduo de algodão da fiação e da tecelagem misturados na proporção (2:1) foi o mais indicado para a produção dos corpos frutíferos, apresentando uma produtividade de 0,37 g/dia. Os corpos frutíferos apresentaram 16,47% de proteína bruta, 2,36% de P e 1,0% de K. Palavras-chave: resíduo de algodão; Pleurotus ostreatus; cultivo sólido.ABSTRACT Cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus using cotton waste textile industry. Cotton is a very important basic material in the textile industry. The waste generated by the cotton textile industry (about 8% of all processed cotton) in the processes of spinning and weaving is inconvenient because it uses big spaces, has low rates of decomposition in the soil and is poorly included in animal diets. A correct alternative to the use of waste cotton is the production of edible mushrooms. Fungi of Pleurotus genus are easily produced in vegetal residues due to a single lignocellulolitic. enzyme complex. This genus is appreciated because of gastronomic and nutritional values and therapeutic activities and may represent a food of low cost, high protein with essential amino acids and several minerals, in addition to low content of fat and calories. The production and consumption of Pleurotus has increased in recent years due to a variety of substrates able to metabolize and the faciltity of conditions of cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate the use of waste cotton from the textile industry for the cultivation of P. ostreatus DSM 1833 and some nutritional characteristics of fruiting bodies (mushrooms). The residue of the cotton spinning and weaving mixed (2:1) was suitable for the production of the fruiting bodies, giving a yield of 0.37 g/day. The fruiting bodies have 16.47% crude protein, 2.36% P and 1.0% K. Key words: waste cotton, Pleurotus ostreatus, solid culture

El palmar de Papagayos (S.L.) un nexo entre la extensión y la investigación.

A partir del palmar de Papagayos, ubicado en la provincia de San Luis y con su integrante típico: la palmera Caranday (Trithrinax campestris (Burm.) Drude & Grises), se desarrolló un proyecto de extensión, que perseguía la protección de  esta especie, afectada por la tala para la confección de artesanías y por el fuego. Los destinatarios directos de esta acción, fueron los artesanos, que vieron peligrar su actividad y los indirectos, la población del lugar. Se trabajó en talleres con artesanos y cortadores, se efectuaron encuestas a estudiantes, maestros y comunidad en general, se analizó y estudió la germinación de la palmera, con la posibilidad de establecer un vivero, y se respondió a la cuantificación de la palmera. Estas dos últimas acciones obligaron al uso de metodología que responde a la experimentación e investigación, y cuyo objetivo en esta instancia, fue caracterizar al palmar de acuerdo al número de palmeras adultas (mayores de 25 años), el diámetro y altura del estípite, la frecuencia de especies arbóreas y arbustivas acompañantes, para poder así, estimar el futuro uso de esta especie. Con respecto a la germinación de las semillas de la palmera, se propusieron diferentes tratamientos, físicos, químicos y mecánicos para lograr una germinación adecuada. Se evidencia la metamorfosis o proceso de pasaje de extensión  a investigación de un modo tan natural, como la comprensión de que la extensión es fuente permanente de producción de conocimiento (además de su difusión) y que volver a la investigación para entender la extensión es un proceso necesario y suele recorrerse en sentido contrario. Este pasaje de extensión a investigación se ve concretado en la Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Económico-Sociales, donde más del 60% de los proyectos de Investigación, se corresponde con un proyecto de Extensión. Los fundamentos de este V Congreso de Extensión Universitaria incluyen la esencia y el logro de todo proyecto, en este caso, se trató de consolidar el crecimiento de los pobladores, con un desarrollo ambientalmente sustentable. A modo de conclusión, se reconoce que la concepción de ciencia es la constructivista, por lo que se debe ser muy cuidadoso a la hora de dividir o categorizar a las universidades en de excelencia y/o de formación, según produzcan o difundan el conocimiento, respectivamente.