Characterization Of A Schistosoma Mansoni C(3) Receptor As A Potential Vaccine Candidate

Schistosomiasis, a chronic and debilitating parasitic disease, infects an estimated 200 million people and causes 750,000 deaths a year. Therefore, the development of an effective vaccine is of high priority for the control of this disease.;The surface of the syncytial epithelium of Schistosoma mansoni consists of an apical plasma membrane and an overlying envelope. The rapid turnover of these membranes in response to the host\u27s attack is considered to be one of the mechanisms by which this parasite escapes the effects of the host\u27s immune system. Our approach has been to identify surface components which play a pivotal role in this evasion mechanism and target functional important antigens as possible vaccine candidates against schistosomiasis.;The third component of Complement (C{dollar}\sb3{dollar}) has previously been shown to stimulate the synthesis of the EN via a Ca{dollar}\sp{lcub}2+{rcub}{dollar}-dependent signal transduction mechanism. The present study was designed to identify and characterize a C{dollar}\sb3{dollar} receptor on the schistosome surface.;Using rosette assays a C{dollar}\sb3{dollar} binding site was found present in the older stages of schistosome development, and with immunolabelling microscopy the C{dollar}\sb3{dollar} binding site was localized on the dorsal surface of male parasites. ELISAs performed on isolated surface membranes shown that the C{dollar}\sb3{dollar} binding site is restricted to the envelope fraction. Crosslinking experiments demonstrated that a 130 kD envelope polypeptide is the C{dollar}\sb3{dollar} receptor, and metabolic labelling studies proved that the receptor is synthesized by the schistosomes and not adsorbed from the host. Antibodies raised against this receptor were able to block envelope synthesis in vivo, confirming the function of this receptor in envelope synthesis. Immunological cross-reaction studies have demonstrated the presence of the C{dollar}\sb3{dollar} receptor on S. haematobium and S. mansoni.;In conclusion, the C{dollar}\sb3{dollar} receptor by virtue of its accessibility on the surface, its immunogenicity, and its function in membrane turnover, should be an excellent experimental vaccine candidate against schistosomiasis. Furthermore, it is the first time that an envelope component was identified and can be used as a marker for the envelope

Ações da liga acadêmica de terapia nutricional enteral domiciliar no contexto da pandemia

A extensão universitária faz parte da formação na universidade, e as ligas acadêmicas estão presente neste contexto, promovendo a inserção de estudantes nas atividades de pesquisa e extensão,   no ano de 2020, com a pandemia, essas atividades tiveram de ser adaptadas por conta do isolamento social  recomendado pela Organização Mundial de Saúde e foi, justamente, nesse contexto que surgiu a Liga do BHEN (Brazilian Home Enteral Nutrition) vinculada ao Departamento de Nutrição da Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR). Objetivo: Relatar a criação e manutenção de uma Liga Acadêmica no contexto da pandemia de COVID-19. Metodologia: Relato de experiência dos membros fundadores da Liga do BHEN envolvendo o período de maio de 2020 a fevereiro de 2021, norteado por registro das atas das reuniões, regimento interno e as normativas de Extensão da UFPR. Resultados: Desde sua criação foram realizados diversos eventos mensais com profissionais convidados, apresentação de resumos em congressos, abertura de processos seletivos, além da, administração das redes sociais a fim de divulgar informações de cunho científico. Considerações finais: Mesmo com a suspensão do calendário acadêmico sendo tão atípico e desafiador, a Liga conseguiu se consolidar e trazer contribuições científicas e sociais para todos os envolvidos

Prevalência de infecção por COVID-19 no sistema prisional no Espírito Santo/Brasil: Pessoas privadas de liberdade e trabalhadores da justiça

Abstract: Objective: To present a prevalence study in prisons and estimate the percentage of people deprived of liberty, health professionals and prison officers infected with SARS-CoV-2 in ES. Methods: this was a prevalence study with sampling carried out in 34 prison units in ES, stratified between 08/31 and 09/04/2020, based on the Population-based age-stratified seroepidemiological investigation protocol for COVID.19 virus infection. Interviews and rapid tests were carried out to detect IgG and IgM in the groups mentioned. Results: Among the 1,830 individuals (311 health professionals, 675 prison officers and 844 people deprived of liberty - PPL), the prevalence of infection by COVID-19 was 11.89% for health professionals; 22.07% for prison officers and 31.64% for people deprived of liberty. Being mostly male, aged between 21 and 40 years old, with elementary and higher education, and of brown color, the interviewees are concentrated in the Metropolitan Region of Espírito Santo. Conclusions: It was observed that the prevalence was higher among people deprived of liberty in all regions in the closed regime, and for penitentiary officers in the semi-open regime, especially in the North region. As for the comparison between regimens and region, distinctions were observed between groups of PPLs with positive tests. And in order to achieve effectiveness in combating COVID-19 with the prison system, actions of extrication, tests and mass vaccination are necessary, as well as other health actions.Resumo: Objetivo: Apresentar um estudo de prevalência em presídios e estimar o percentual de pessoas privadas de liberdade, profissionais de saúde e agentes penitenciários infectados com o SARS-CoV-2 no ES. Métodos: tratou-se de um estudo de prevalência com amostragem realizada em 34 unidades prisionais no ES, estratificada entre os dias 31/08 e 04/09/2020, baseado no Population-based age-stratified seroepidemiological investigation protocol for COVID.19 virus infection. Realizou-se entrevistas e testes rápidos para detecção de IgG e IgM nos grupos citados. Resultados: Entre os 1.830 indivíduos (311 profissionais de saúde, 675 agentes penitenciários e 844 pessoas privadas de liberdade - PPL), as prevalências de infecção por COVID-19 foram 11,89% para os profissionais de saúde; 22,07% para os agentes penitenciários e 31,64% para as pessoas privadas de liberdade. Sendo, a maioria do sexo masculino, com idade entre 21 a 40 anos, com ensino fundamental e superior, e de cor parda, concentrando-se os entrevistados na Região Metropolitana do Espírito Santo. Conclusões: Observou-se que a prevalência foi maior entre as pessoas privadas de liberdade em todas as regiões no regime fechado, e para os agentes penitenciários no regime semiaberto, com destaque para a Região Norte. Quanto à comparação entre os regimes e região, observou-se distinções entre quanto aos grupos das PPLs com testes positivos.  E para que se alcance a eficácia no combate a COVID-19 junto ao sistema prisional, são necessárias as ações de desencarceramento, testes e vacinação em massa, como também outras ações de saúde

Prevalência de infecção por SARS-CoV-2 entre trabalhadores do sistema prisional do Espírito Santo, 2020

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among workers in the Espírito Santo prison system between August and September 2020. Methods: A stratified sample survey through interviews and serological tests for SARS-CoV-2.Results: In the 986 respondents, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 11.9% (CI95% 8,1%;15,7%) among health professionals and 22.1% (CI 95%; 18,8%; 25,3%) among prison officers. Positivity was more frequent in health professionals from the North region (19.7%), and in male prison officers (24.0%). Among the positive ones, fatigue was the most frequent symptom among prison officers (13.4%) and miracle among health professionals (10.8%); and the most prevalent comorbidities among thepositive ones were: asthma or bronchitis (16.2%) for health professionals, and hypertension for prison officers (12.8%). Conclusion: The prevalence of SARS-Cov-2 was higher in prison officers, supporting disease control and prevention actions in this scenario.Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en trabajadores del sistema penitenciario de Espírito Santo entre agosto y septiembre de 2020. Métodos: Encuesta muestral estratificada mediante entrevistas y pruebasserológicas para SARS-CoV-2. Resultados: En los 986 encuestados, la prevalencia de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 fue del 11,9% (IC95% 8,1%;15,7%) entre los profesionales de la salud y del 22,1% (IC95% 18,8%;25,3%) entre los funcionarios deprisiones. La positividad fue más frecuente en los profesionales de la salud de la región Norte (19,7%) y en los funcionarios de prisiones varones (24,0%). Entre los positivos, la fatiga fue el síntoma más frecuente entre los funcionarios de prisiones (13,4%) y el milagro entre los profesionales de la salud (10,8%); y las comorbilidades másprevalentes entre las positivas fueron: asma o bronquitis (16,2%) para los profesionalesde la salud e hipertensión para los funcionarios de prisiones (12,8%). Conclusión: La prevalencia del SARS-Cov-2 fue mayor en los funcionarios de prisiones, apoyando las acciones de control y prevención de enfermedades en este escenario.Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência de infecção por SARS-CoV-2 entre trabalhadores do sistema prisional do Espírito Santo, Brasil, no período agosto-setembro de 2020. Métodos: Inquérito em amostra estratificada, mediante entrevistas e testes sorológicos para SARS-CoV-2. Resultados: Nos 986 pesquisados, a prevalência deinfecção por SARS-CoV-2 foi de 11,9% (IC95% 8,1%;15,7%) nos profissionais de saúde, e de 22,1% (IC95%; 18,8%;25,3%) nos agentes penitenciários. A positividade foi mais frequente nos profissionais da saúde do norte do estado (19,7%) e em agentes penitenciários do sexo masculino (24,0%). Entre soropositivos, a fadiga foi o sintoma mais frequente nos agentes penitenciários (13,4%) e a mialgia nos profissionais de saúde (10,8%); e as comorbidades mais prevalentes entre os positivos foram asma ou bronquite (16,2%), para profissionais de saúde, e hipertensão para agentes penitenciários (12,8%). Conclusão: A prevalência de SARS-Cov-2 foi maior nos agentes penitenciários, achado que deve subsidiar ações de controle e prevenção dadoença nesse cenário

5to. Congreso Internacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Sociedad. Memoria académica

El V Congreso Internacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Sociedad, CITIS 2019, realizado del 6 al 8 de febrero de 2019 y organizado por la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, ofreció a la comunidad académica nacional e internacional una plataforma de comunicación unificada, dirigida a cubrir los problemas teóricos y prácticos de mayor impacto en la sociedad moderna desde la ingeniería. En esta edición, dedicada a los 25 años de vida de la UPS, los ejes temáticos estuvieron relacionados con la aplicación de la ciencia, el desarrollo tecnológico y la innovación en cinco pilares fundamentales de nuestra sociedad: la industria, la movilidad, la sostenibilidad ambiental, la información y las telecomunicaciones. El comité científico estuvo conformado formado por 48 investigadores procedentes de diez países: España, Reino Unido, Italia, Bélgica, México, Venezuela, Colombia, Brasil, Estados Unidos y Ecuador. Fueron recibidas un centenar de contribuciones, de las cuales 39 fueron aprobadas en forma de ponencias y 15 en formato poster. Estas contribuciones fueron presentadas de forma oral ante toda la comunidad académica que se dio cita en el Congreso, quienes desde el aula magna, el auditorio y la sala de usos múltiples de la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, cumplieron respetuosamente la responsabilidad de representar a toda la sociedad en la revisión, aceptación y validación del conocimiento nuevo que fue presentado en cada exposición por los investigadores. Paralelo a las sesiones técnicas, el Congreso contó con espacios de presentación de posters científicos y cinco workshops en temáticas de vanguardia que cautivaron la atención de nuestros docentes y estudiantes. También en el marco del evento se impartieron un total de ocho conferencias magistrales en temas tan actuales como la gestión del conocimiento en la universidad-ecosistema, los retos y oportunidades de la industria 4.0, los avances de la investigación básica y aplicada en mecatrónica para el estudio de robots de nueva generación, la optimización en ingeniería con técnicas multi-objetivo, el desarrollo de las redes avanzadas en Latinoamérica y los mundos, la contaminación del aire debido al tránsito vehicular, el radón y los riesgos que representa este gas radiactivo para la salud humana, entre otros

Geography and ecology shape the phylogenetic composition of Amazonian tree communities

AimAmazonia hosts more tree species from numerous evolutionary lineages, both young and ancient, than any other biogeographic region. Previous studies have shown that tree lineages colonized multiple edaphic environments and dispersed widely across Amazonia, leading to a hypothesis, which we test, that lineages should not be strongly associated with either geographic regions or edaphic forest types.LocationAmazonia.TaxonAngiosperms (Magnoliids; Monocots; Eudicots).MethodsData for the abundance of 5082 tree species in 1989 plots were combined with a mega-phylogeny. We applied evolutionary ordination to assess how phylogenetic composition varies across Amazonia. We used variation partitioning and Moran's eigenvector maps (MEM) to test and quantify the separate and joint contributions of spatial and environmental variables to explain the phylogenetic composition of plots. We tested the indicator value of lineages for geographic regions and edaphic forest types and mapped associations onto the phylogeny.ResultsIn the terra firme and várzea forest types, the phylogenetic composition varies by geographic region, but the igapó and white-sand forest types retain a unique evolutionary signature regardless of region. Overall, we find that soil chemistry, climate and topography explain 24% of the variation in phylogenetic composition, with 79% of that variation being spatially structured (R2 = 19% overall for combined spatial/environmental effects). The phylogenetic composition also shows substantial spatial patterns not related to the environmental variables we quantified (R2 = 28%). A greater number of lineages were significant indicators of geographic regions than forest types.Main ConclusionNumerous tree lineages, including some ancient ones (>66 Ma), show strong associations with geographic regions and edaphic forest types of Amazonia. This shows that specialization in specific edaphic environments has played a long-standing role in the evolutionary assembly of Amazonian forests. Furthermore, many lineages, even those that have dispersed across Amazonia, dominate within a specific region, likely because of phylogenetically conserved niches for environmental conditions that are prevalent within regions

Geography and ecology shape the phylogenetic composition of Amazonian tree communities

Aim: Amazonia hosts more tree species from numerous evolutionary lineages, both young and ancient, than any other biogeographic region. Previous studies have shown that tree lineages colonized multiple edaphic environments and dispersed widely across Amazonia, leading to a hypothesis, which we test, that lineages should not be strongly associated with either geographic regions or edaphic forest types. Location: Amazonia. Taxon: Angiosperms (Magnoliids; Monocots; Eudicots). Methods: Data for the abundance of 5082 tree species in 1989 plots were combined with a mega-phylogeny. We applied evolutionary ordination to assess how phylogenetic composition varies across Amazonia. We used variation partitioning and Moran\u27s eigenvector maps (MEM) to test and quantify the separate and joint contributions of spatial and environmental variables to explain the phylogenetic composition of plots. We tested the indicator value of lineages for geographic regions and edaphic forest types and mapped associations onto the phylogeny. Results: In the terra firme and várzea forest types, the phylogenetic composition varies by geographic region, but the igapó and white-sand forest types retain a unique evolutionary signature regardless of region. Overall, we find that soil chemistry, climate and topography explain 24% of the variation in phylogenetic composition, with 79% of that variation being spatially structured (R$^{2}$ = 19% overall for combined spatial/environmental effects). The phylogenetic composition also shows substantial spatial patterns not related to the environmental variables we quantified (R$^{2}$ = 28%). A greater number of lineages were significant indicators of geographic regions than forest types. Main Conclusion: Numerous tree lineages, including some ancient ones (>66 Ma), show strong associations with geographic regions and edaphic forest types of Amazonia. This shows that specialization in specific edaphic environments has played a long-standing role in the evolutionary assembly of Amazonian forests. Furthermore, many lineages, even those that have dispersed across Amazonia, dominate within a specific region, likely because of phylogenetically conserved niches for environmental conditions that are prevalent within regions

Long-term thermal sensitivity of Earth’s tropical forests

The sensitivity of tropical forest carbon to climate is a key uncertainty in predicting global climate change. Although short-term drying and warming are known to affect forests, it is unknown if such effects translate into long-term responses. Here, we analyze 590 permanent plots measured across the tropics to derive the equilibrium climate controls on forest carbon. Maximum temperature is the most important predictor of aboveground biomass (−9.1 megagrams of carbon per hectare per degree Celsius), primarily by reducing woody productivity, and has a greater impact per °C in the hottest forests (>32.2°C). Our results nevertheless reveal greater thermal resilience than observations of short-term variation imply. To realize the long-term climate adaptation potential of tropical forests requires both protecting them and stabilizing Earth’s climate

Mapping density, diversity and species-richness of the Amazon tree flora

Using 2.046 botanically-inventoried tree plots across the largest tropical forest on Earth, we mapped tree species-diversity and tree species-richness at 0.1-degree resolution, and investigated drivers for diversity and richness. Using only location, stratified by forest type, as predictor, our spatial model, to the best of our knowledge, provides the most accurate map of tree diversity in Amazonia to date, explaining approximately 70% of the tree diversity and species-richness. Large soil-forest combinations determine a significant percentage of the variation in tree species-richness and tree alpha-diversity in Amazonian forest-plots. We suggest that the size and fragmentation of these systems drive their large-scale diversity patterns and hence local diversity. A model not using location but cumulative water deficit, tree density, and temperature seasonality explains 47% of the tree species-richness in the terra-firme forest in Amazonia. Over large areas across Amazonia, residuals of this relationship are small and poorly spatially structured, suggesting that much of the residual variation may be local. The Guyana Shield area has consistently negative residuals, showing that this area has lower tree species-richness than expected by our models. We provide extensive plot meta-data, including tree density, tree alpha-diversity and tree species-richness results and gridded maps at 0.1-degree resolution