A species complex (= species group, species series) is an assemblage of species, which are related morphologically and phylogenetically. Recent research has revealed several arthropod vector species ...that were believed to be a single nominal species actually representing a group of closely related species, which are sometimes morphologically indistinguishable at one or more developmental stages. In some instances, differences in terms of vector competence, capacity, or both have been recorded. It highlights the importance of detecting and studying species complexes to improve our understanding of pathogen transmission patterns, which may be vectored more or less efficiently by different species within the complex. Considering more than 540 species, about one‐third of the phlebotomine sand flies in the New World present males and/or females morphologically indistinguishable to one or more species. Remarkably, several of these species may act in transmission of pathogenic agents. In this article, we review recent research on species complexes in phlebotomine sand flies from the Americas. Possible practical implications of recently acquired knowledge and future research needs are also discussed.
Species complex is a fairly common phenomenon in many groups of arthropod vectors, including mosquitoes, ticks and phlebotomine sand flies.
Cryptic species may have significant difference in behaviour, biology and ecology that may impact control measures.
Around one‐third of American phlebotomine sand fly species are indistinguishable morphologically, including important vectors of Leishmania spp.
Members of species complexes may play different roles in the transmission of pathogens to their hosts.
Histone mRNAs are rapidly degraded when DNA replication is inhibited during S phase with degradation initiating with oligouridylation of the stem loop at the 3′ end. We developed a customized RNA ...sequencing strategy to identify the 3′ termini of degradation intermediates of histone mRNAs. Using this strategy, we identified two types of oligouridylated degradation intermediates: RNAs ending at different sites of the 3′ side of the stem loop that resulted from initial degradation by 3′hExo and intermediates near the stop codon and within the coding region. Sequencing of polyribosomal histone mRNAs revealed that degradation initiates and proceeds 3′ to 5′ on translating mRNA and that many intermediates are capped. Knockdown of the exosome-associated exonuclease PM/Scl-100, but not the Dis3L2 exonuclease, slows histone mRNA degradation consistent with 3′ to 5′ degradation by the exosome containing PM/Scl-100. Knockdown of No-go decay factors also slowed histone mRNA degradation, suggesting a role in removing ribosomes from partially degraded mRNAs.
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•Histone mRNA degradation initiates by oligouridylation of polyribosome-bound mRNA•The exosome degrades polyribosome-bound histone mRNA 3′ to 5′without decapping•When degradation stalls in the SL, 3′ UTR, or ORF, it is reprimed by oligouridylation•Dom34/Hbs1 most likely removes the terminating ribosome that impedes degradation
Slevin et al. elucidated the mammalian histone mRNA degradation pathway using deep sequencing. Oligouridylation occurs on mRNA bound to polyribosomes. 3′hExo degrades into the stem. This intermediate is uridylated and degraded by the exosome (PM/Scl-100) until contacting the terminating ribosome. Dom34/Hbs1 removes the ribosome, and degradation proceeds after reuridylation.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding small RNAs that target mRNA to reduce protein expression. They play fundamental roles in several diseases, including prostate cancer (PCa). A single miRNA can target ...hundreds of mRNAs and coordinately regulate them, which implicates them in nearly every biological pathway. Hence, miRNAs modulate proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, adhesion, migration, invasion and metastasis, most of them constituting crucial hallmarks of cancer. Due to these properties, miRNAs emerged as promising tools for diagnostic, prognosis and management of cancer patients. Moreover, they come out as potential targets for cancer treatment, and several efforts are being made to progress in the field of miRNA-based cancer therapy. In this review, we will summarize the recent information about miRNAs in PCa. We will recapitulate all the miRNAs involved in the androgen pathway and the biology of PCa, focusing in PCa initiation and progression. In particular, we will describe the miRNAs associated with cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis in PCa, as well as invasion, adhesion and metastatic miRNAs. We will revise the recent progress made understanding the role of circulating miRNAs identified in PCa that might be useful for PCa patient stratification. Another key aspect to be discussed in this review is miRNAs' role in PCa therapy, including the miRNAs delivery.
The present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between bone traits bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS) and the accumulation of fat in adipose tissues abdominal ...subcutaneous (SAT), visceral (VAT), marrow (MAT) and intrahepatic lipids (IHL), as well as insulin resistance, in subjects with Cushing's disease (CD). The study included control (C = 27), paired (P = 16) and Cushing's disease (CD = 10) groups, which underwent biochemical assessment, dual X-ray absorptiometry, TBS, and magnetic resonance imaging to determine fat deposits. The CD group showed higher serum levels of glucose and insulin, as well as HOMA-IR values, but lower circulatory levels of osteocalcin, in comparison to C and P. The CD group exhibited lower L1-L4 BMD than P (P = 1.059 ± 0.141 vs CD = 0.935 ± 0.093 g/cm2, p < 0.05) (Fig 1A). The lumbar spine BMD from the C group was similar to the other groups. TBS was lower in CD than in P and C (C = 1.512±0.077 vs P = 1.405±0.150 vs CD = 1.135±0.136; p<0.05); there was also significant difference between C and P (p<0.05). MAT, VAT, and IHL were higher in CD than in C and P (p<0.05). Considering all subjects, there was a positive association between TBS with both lumbar spine BMD (R2 = 0.45; p<0.0001) and osteocalcin (R2 = 0.44; p = 0.05). TBS was negatively associated with MAT (R2 = 0.49; p = 0.01), VAT (R2 = 0.55; p<0.05), and HOMA-IR (R2 = 0.44; p<0.01). MAT was positively related with VAT (R2 = 0.44; p<0.01) and IHL (R2 = 0.41; p<0.05). In CD, insulin resistance and adipose tissue dysfunction, including high MAT, are active players in bone deterioration, as confirmed by lower lumbar spine BMD and lower TBS. Thus, our findings point to an additional component of the already well-known complex mechanisms of osteoporosis associated with hypercortisolism.
The aim of this study was to develop a new method for carotenoid extraction from orange peel, using ionic liquid (IL) to replace conventional organic solvents, assisted by ultrasound. Four different ...IL were tested: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMIMCl), 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF6), 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF4), and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (HMIMCl). Response surface methodology was applied in order to optimize the carotenoid extraction conditions, and Amberlite XAD-7HP resin was used to separate the carotenoids from the IL, allowing their recovery. Determination of carotenoids was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array and mass spectrometry detectors (HPLC–DAD–MSn). Thermal stability at different temperatures (60 °C and 90 °C) and peroxyl radical scavenging activity of the carotenoid extracts obtained with acetone and IL were evaluated. BMIMCl was the most effective IL, leading to a total carotenoid content of 32.08 ± 2.05 μg/g, while 7.88 ± 0.59 μg/g of dry matter was obtained by acetone extraction. IL and carotenoid recoveries using XAD-7HP resin were in the range of 59.5–63.8% and 52.2–58.7%, respectively. A carotenoid extract was successfully obtained with IL, finally isolated just by using ethanol, besides being more stable and presenting higher antioxidant activity than that obtained with acetone.
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•Ionic liquids as green solvent for carotenoids extraction from orange peel.•Ultrasonic-assisted extraction conditions optimized by Response Surface Methodology.•Ionic liquids associated with ultrasound increase the carotenoids yield.•Extracts obtained with ionic liquids present higher thermal stability.•Extraction with ionic liquid led to higher carotenoids antioxidant activity.
Face perception in humans and nonhuman primates is accomplished by a patchwork of specialized cortical regions. How these regions develop has remained controversial. In sighted individuals, facial ...information is primarily conveyed via the visual modality. Early blind individuals, on the other hand, can recognize shapes using auditory and tactile cues. Here we demonstrate that such individuals can learn to distinguish faces from houses and other shapes by using a sensory substitution device (SSD) presenting schematic faces as sound-encoded stimuli in the auditory modality. Using functional MRI, we then asked whether a face-selective brain region like the fusiform face area (FFA) shows selectivity for faces in the same subjects, and indeed, we found evidence for preferential activation of the left FFA by sound-encoded faces. These results imply that FFA development does not depend on experience with visual faces per se but may instead depend on exposure to the geometry of facial configurations.
Motor function in children with congenital Zika syndrome Melo, Adriana; Gama, Gabriela L; Da Silva Júnior, Renan A ...
Developmental medicine and child neurology,
February 2020, 2020-02-00, 20200201, Letnik:
62, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Aim
To evaluate gross motor function and associated factors in children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS).
Method
Fifty‐nine children (30 males, 29 females) with CZS at a mean (SD) age of 14.7 ...(3.9), months (range 5–29mo) were evaluated using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and classified according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Neurological damage was evaluated by neuroimaging. The mothers’ sociodemographic characteristics and general data on the children were obtained from interviews with the mothers and from the children's medical records. Correlational and multiple regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with these children's motor function.
Results
In 81% of the children, motor function impairment was severe, classified as GMFCS level V. The overall GMFM score ranged from 5 to 210 (median 18; interquartile range 11), with only four children receiving scores in the D and E dimensions. The factors found to affect motor function were the presence of severe malformations of cortical development and small head circumference at birth.
Interpretation
Although motor impairment may be mild in some children, it is generally severe. Severe malformations of cortical development and small head circumference at birth were factors associated with poorer motor function, reflecting the greater severity of brain damage.
What this paper adds
Motor impairment is severe in most children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS).
Motor skills are adequate or close to adequate for age in 7% of children with CZS.
Severe malformations of cortical development are associated with poor motor control.
Small head circumference at birth is also associated with poor motor control.
Resumen
Función motora en niños con síndrome de Zika congénito
Objetivo
Evaluar la función motora gruesa y los factores asociados en niños con síndrome de Zika congénito (CZS).
Método
Cincuenta y nueve niños (30 varones, 29 mujeres) con CZS a una edad media (DE) de 14,7 (3,9), meses (rango 5–29 meses) se evaluaron utilizando la Medida de la función motora gruesa (GMFM) y se clasificaron de acuerdo con el Sistema de Clasificación de la Función Motora Gruesa (GMFCS). El impacto estructural neurológico se evaluó mediante neuroimagen. Las características sociodemográficas de las madres y los datos generales de los niños se obtuvieron en entrevistas con las madres y de los registros médicos de los niños. Se realizaron análisis de regresión correlacional y múltiple para identificar los factores asociados con la función motora de estos niños.
Resultados
En el 81% de los niños, el deterioro de la función motora fue grave, clasificado como nivel V de GMFCS. El puntaje general de GMFM varió de 5 a 210 (mediana 18; rango intercuartil 11), y solo cuatro niños recibieron puntajes en las dimensiones D y E. Los factores que afectaron la función motora fueron la presencia de malformaciones graves del desarrollo cortical y la circunferencia de la cabeza (microcefalia) al nacer.
Interpretación
Aunque el deterioro motor puede ser leve en algunos niños, generalmente el impacto de CZS es grave. Las malformaciones graves del desarrollo cortical y la microcefalia al nacer fueron factores asociados con una función motora más limitada, lo que refleja la mayor gravedad del daño cerebral.
Função motora em crianças com síndrome congênita de Zika
Objetivo
Avaliar a função motora grossa e fatores associados em crianças com síndrome congênita de Zika (SCZ).
Método
Cinquenta e nove crianas (30 do sexo masculino, 29 do sexo feminino) com SCZ com uma média (DP) de idade de 14,7 (3,9) meses (variação 5–29m) foram avaliadas usando a Medida da Função Motora Grossa (GMFM) e classificadas de acordo com o Sistema de Classificação da Função Motora Grossa (GMFCS). O dano neurológico foi avaliado por neuroimagem. As características sócio‐demográficas da mãe e dados gerais sobre as crianças foram obtidos em entrevistas com as mães e a partir dos prontuários medicos. Análises de correlação e de regressão múltipla foram realizadas para identificar fatores associados com a função motora destas crianças.
Resultados
Em 81% das crianças, o comprometimento da função motora era severo, classificao como nível GMFCS V. O escore geral da GMFM various de 5 a 210 (mediana 18; intervalo interquartil 11), com apenas quatro crianças recebendo pontuações nas dimensões D e E. Os fatores que afetaram a função motora grossa foram a presença de malformações severas no desenvolvimento cortical, e o pequeno perímetro cefálico ao nascimento.
Interpretação
Embora a deficiência motora possa ser leve em algumas crianças, em geral ela é severa. Malformações severas no desenvolvimento cortical e o pequeno perímetro cefálico foram fatores associados com pior função motora, refletindo a maior severidade do dano cerebral.
What this paper adds
Motor impairment is severe in most children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS).
Motor skills are adequate or close to adequate for age in 7% of children with CZS.
Severe malformations of cortical development are associated with poor motor control.
Small head circumference at birth is also associated with poor motor control.
This article's has been translated into Spanish and Portuguese.
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Abstract
A large amount of variability exists across human brains; revealed initially on a small scale by postmortem studies and, more recently, on a larger scale with the advent of neuroimaging. ...Here we compared structural variability between human and macaque monkey brains using grey and white matter magnetic resonance imaging measures. The monkey brain was overall structurally as variable as the human brain, but variability had a distinct distribution pattern, with some key areas showing high variability. We also report the first evidence of a relationship between anatomical variability and evolutionary expansion in the primate brain. This suggests a relationship between variability and stability, where areas of low variability may have evolved less recently and have more stability, while areas of high variability may have evolved more recently and be less similar across individuals. We showed specific differences between the species in key areas, including the amount of hemispheric asymmetry in variability, which was left-lateralized in the human brain across several phylogenetically recent regions. This suggests that cerebral variability may be another useful measure for comparison between species and may add another dimension to our understanding of evolutionary mechanisms.
Seminal studies stated that bean proteins are efficient neuronal tracers with affinity for brain tissue. A low molecular weight peptide fraction (<3kDa) from Phaseolus vulgaris (PV3) was previously ...reported to be antioxidant, non-cytotoxic, and capable of reducing reactive oxygen species and increasing nitric oxide in cells. We evaluated the effects of PV3 (5, 50, 100, 500, and 5000 µg/kg) on behavior and the molecular routes potentially involved. Acute and chronic PV3 treatments were performed before testing Wistar rats: i) in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) to assess the anxiolytic-like effect; ii) in the open field (OF) to evaluate locomotion and exploration; and iii) for depression-like behavior in forced swimming (FS). Catecholaminergic involvement was tested using the tyrosine hydroxylases (TH) enzyme inhibitor, α-methyl-DL-tyrosine (AMPT). Brain areas of chronically treated groups were dissected to assess: i) lipid peroxidation (LPO); ii) carbonylated proteins (CP); iii) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymatic activities. Neuronal nitric oxide synthases (nNOS) and argininosuccinate synthase (ASS) protein expression was evaluated by western blotting. Acute treatment with PV3 increased the frequency and time spent in the EPM open arms, suggesting anxiolysis. PV3 increased crossing episodes in the OF. These PV3 effects on anxiety and locomotion were absent in the chronically treated group. Acute and chronic PV3 treatments reduced the immobility time in the FS test, suggesting an antidepressant effect. TH inhibition by AMPT reverted acute PV3 effects. PV3 decreased LPO and CP levels and SOD and CAT activities, whereas nNOS and ASS were reduced in few brain areas. In conclusion, PV3 displayed central antioxidant actions that are concomitant to catecholaminergic-dependent anxiolytic and antidepressant effects.
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