A considerable fraction of life develops in the sea at temperatures lower than 15 degrees C. Little is known about the adaptive features selected under those conditions. We present the analysis of ...the genome sequence of the fast growing Antarctica bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125. We find that it copes with the increased solubility of oxygen at low temperature by multiplying dioxygen scavenging while deleting whole pathways producing reactive oxygen species. Dioxygen-consuming lipid desaturases achieve both protection against oxygen and synthesis of lipids making the membrane fluid. A remarkable strategy for avoidance of reactive oxygen species generation is developed by P. haloplanktis, with elimination of the ubiquitous molybdopterin-dependent metabolism. The P. haloplanktis proteome reveals a concerted amino acid usage bias specific to psychrophiles, consistently appearing apt to accommodate asparagine, a residue prone to make proteins age. Adding to its originality, P. haloplanktis further differs from its marine counterparts with recruitment of a plasmid origin of replication for its second chromosome.
In the last two decades, statin therapy has proved to be the most potent isolated therapy for attenuation of cardiovascular risk. Its frequent use has been seen as one of the most important elements ...for the reduction of cardiovascular mortality in developed countries. However, the recurrent incidence of muscle symptoms in statin users raised the possibility of causal association, leading to a disease entity known as statin associated muscle symptoms (SAMS). Mechanistic studies and clinical trials, specifically designed for the study of SAMS have allowed a deeper understanding of the natural history and accurate incidence. This set of information becomes essential to avoid an unnecessary risk of severe forms of SAMS. At the same time, this concrete understanding of SAMS prevents overdiagnosis and an inadequate suspension of one of the most powerful prevention strategies of our times. In this context, the Luso-Latin American Consortium gathered all available information on the subject and presents them in detail in this document as the basis for the identification and management of SAMS.
We aimed to evaluate the treatment with estradiol benzoate (EB) or 17β-estradiol (E2) associated with progesterone (P4) for resynchronization of ovulation 14 days after timed artificial insemination ...(TAI). In Experiment 1 (Exp. 1), Nelore heifers were submitted to TAI (D0). On D14, the animals received an intravaginal P4 device and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control (no treatment; n = 17); EB (1 mg EB; n = 17); and E2+P4 (1 mg E2 + 9 mg P4; n = 18). Ultrasonography evaluations were performed daily from D14 to D22 to map follicular and luteal dynamics. On D22, the P4 devices were removed and non-pregnant (NP) animals were determined using corpus luteum blood flow Doppler ultrasonography. In Exp. 2, 1295 beef heifers were resynchronized and randomly allocated to the same experimental groups as described in Exp. 1. On D22, the largest follicle (LF) was measured in NP and a second TAI was performed on D24. In a subset of heifers (n = 337), an estrus detection patch was used between D22 and D24 to monitor estrus expression and the LF was measured at D24. Confirmatory diagnosis of pregnancy was performed between D37-67 and D43-67 after first and second TAI, respectively. In Exp 1, the proportion of heifers with a synchronized follicular wave emergence (from 3 to 5 days after treatment) was greater (P < 0.05) in the EB group (93.8%) than in the control (62.5%) and E2+P4 (64.7%) groups. Structural luteolysis occurred earlier (P < 0.05) in the EB and E2+P4 groups than in the controls. The pregnancy rate after first TAI did not differ (P > 0.1) among the groups at D22 and at confirmatory diagnosis in both experiments. In Exp 2, the potential pregnancy loss between D22 and D37-67 was similar (P > 0.1) in the control (19% 36/185), EB (15% 28/182) and E2+P4 (15% 28/184) groups. The LF diameter (mm) on D22 was greater (P < 0.05) in the control group (11.9 ± 0.1) than in EB (11.3 ± 0.1) and E2+P4 (11.5 ± 0.1). No difference (P > 0.1) was observed in the proportion of heifers detected in estrus, but LF growth rate (mm/day) between D22 and D24 was greater (P < 0.05) in EB group (0.9 ± 0.08) than in control (0.6 ± 0.07) and E2+P4 (0.7 ± 0.09) groups. The pregnancy rate for the second TAI was greater (P < 0.05) in the EB group (47% 94/200) than in the control (37% 76/203), but did not differ (P > 0.1) from the E2+P4 group (43% 93/214). In conclusion, the treatment with 1 mg EB or 1 mg E2 + 9 mg P4 at 14 days post-TAI anticipates luteolysis in NP heifers but does not compromise pregnancy. The EB treatment induces a new synchronized follicle wave emergence and increases the pregnancy rate of resynchronized NP heifers.
•The administration of 1 mg EB or 1 mg E2 + 9 mg P4 at 14 days post-TAI did not impair the pregnancy establishment in pregnant beef heifers.•The EB or E2 treatments anticipated the luteolysis in non-pregnant heifers.•The 1 mg EB treatment resulted in increased the pregnancy rate in resynchronized beef heifers.
1. Epidemiological surveillance of
spp. serves as a primary tool for maintaining the health of poultry flocks. Characterising circulating serotypes is crucial for implementing control and prevention ...measures. This study conducted phenotypic and molecular characterisation of
Pullorum,
Heidelberg, and
Corvalis isolated from broiler chickens during slaughtering.2. All strains were susceptible to gentamicin, neomycin and norfloxacin. However, resistance rates exceeded 50% for ciprofloxacin and tiamulin, irrespective of the serotype. Approximately 64% of strains were classified as multidrug-resistant, with
Heidelberg strains exhibiting significantly higher overall resistance. The isolates demonstrated the ability to adhere and produce biofilm at a minimum of three temperatures, with
Pullorum capable of biofilm production at all temperatures encountered during poultry rearing.3. Each strain possessed between two and seven different virulence-associated genes. Genetic similarity, as indicated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis, exceeded 90% for all three serotypes and strains were classified in the R5 ribotype by PCR, regardless of serotype. Sequencing revealed high similarity among all strains, with homology ranging from 99.61 to 100% and all were classified to a single cluster.4. The results suggested a clonal relationship among the strains, indicating the possible circulation of a unique clonal group of
Pullorum in the southern region of Brazil.
Due to the major role played by fossil fuels in the current hydrogen production scenario, environmentally friendly pathways are being considered. These pathways can use a wide variety of raw ...materials, providing flexibility for hydrogen production regardless of geographical, economic and political aspects. However, the choice for a given process and feedstock must ensure its environmental viability, which can be evaluated through several indicators such as carbon, land and water footprints. In this study, one of the most promising hydrogen production processes, namely steam reforming, was assessed for the Brazilian scenario from a water consumption point of view. The systems were computationally simulated using Aspen HYSYS V11™ software for hydrogen production from natural gas, bioethanol and glycerol – all of which are readily available for use in Brazil, and an exergy analysis was applied alongside known and estimated water footprint indicators. Steam methane reforming (SMR) presented the lowest water footprint per kg of H2 (0.257 m³/kgH2), followed by glycerol (0.768 m³/kgH2) and bioethanol reforming (9.651 m³/kgH2). The exergoenvironmental analysis shows that the main bottlenecks identified are related to exergy destruction in the burners (52.46–57.32%), reformers (2.48–21.72%) and heat exchangers (19.45–32.61%), but globally, exergoenvironmental indicators showed that steam reforming of the presented feedstock can be an alternative to be explored in the context of water resources preservation.
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•Three steam reforming pathways for H2 production were computationally assessed.•Energy/exergy analysis was carried out to identify major irreversibilities.•Water footprint indicator was applied to estimate the final water consumption of H2.•Methane led to the lowest water consumption, followed by glycerol and bioethanol.•High water usage of sugarcane crops was decisive for high ethanol water footprint.
To investigate the adhesion of Acanthamoeba to scleral contact lens (ScCL) surface according to lens shape.
Two strains of A. polyphaga (CDC:V062 and ATCC 30461) and one clinical Acanthamoeba ...isolate, were inoculated onto five contact lens (CL): one first-generation silicone hydrogel (SHCL; lotrafilcon B; adhesion control) containing plasma surface treatment; two ScCL (fluorosilicone acrylate) one containing surface treatment composed of plasma and the other containing plasma with Hydra-PEG, and two CL designed with a flat shape having the same material and surface treatments of the ScCL. Trophozoites that adhered to the lens's surfaces were counted by inverted optical light microscopy. Possible alterations of the lens surface that could predispose amoeba adhesion and Acanthamoeba attached to these lens surfaces were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
All strains revealed greater adhesion to the ScCL when compared with the flat lenses (P < 0.001). The clinical isolate and the ATCC 30461 had a higher adhesion (P < 0.001) when compared with the CDC:V062. A rough texture was observed on the surface of the lenses that have been examined by SEM. Also, SEM revealed that the isolates had a rounded appearance on the surface of the ScCL in contrast with an elongated appearance on the surface of the silicone hydrogel.
The findings revealed that the curved shape of the ScCL favors amoeba adhesion.
This paper presents a new family of pyrimidine-based BF2 complexes. The series contains six examples of 1,1-difluoro-3-aryl(heteroaryl)-1H-pyrimido1,2-c1,3,5,2oxadiazaborinin-9-ium-1-uides (2) — in ...which aryl(heteroaryl) = phenyl, 4-MeC6H4, 4-N(CH3)2C6H4, 4-NO2C6H4, 2-naphthyl, and 2-thienyl. The heterocycles 2 were easily synthesized at yields of 50–68% from reactions — at room temperature for 24 h — of simple N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzamides (1) with BF3·Et2O, and they were fully characterized by 1H-, 13C-, 19F, 11B-NMR, GC–MS, and X-ray diffractometry. Moreover, the photophysical properties, TD-DFT analysis, BSA-binding experiments, and molecular docking studies for the new organoboron complexes 2 were determined, presented, discussed, and compared with similar compounds that have already been described.
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•A series of novel pyrimidine-based BF2 complexes is synthesized and studied.•Multinuclear NMR and X-ray diffraction data are used for structural elucidation.•UV–vis, fluorescence, quantum yield and Stokes shift are presented and discussed.•Bio-interaction results as BSA-binding studies and molecular docking are reported.
More than 20,000 plant species produce latex, including Apocynaceae, Sapotaceae, Papaveraceae and Euphorbiaceae. To better understand the physiological role played by latex fluids, a proteomic ...analysis of Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) Schum latex was performed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. A total of 33 proteins (86 %) were identified, including storage proteins, a peptidase inhibitor, cysteine peptidases, peroxidases and osmotins. An unusual cysteine peptidase, termed peruvianin-I, was purified from the latex by a single chromatographic step involving gel filtration. The enzyme (glycoprotein) was inhibited by E-64 and iodoacetamide and exhibited high specific activity towards azocasein (K
m 17.6 µM), with an optimal pH and temperature of 5.0–6.0 and 25–37 °C, respectively. Gel filtration chromatography, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry revealed that peruvianin-I possesses 120 kDa, pI 4.0, and six subunits (20 kDa). A unique N-terminal amino acid sequence was obtained to oligomer and monomers of peruvianin-I (₁ADPGPLQDFCLADLNSPLFINGYPCRNPALAISDDF₃₆). High-resolution images from atomic force microscopy showed the homohexameric structure of peruvianin-I may be organized as a trimer of dimers that form a central channel similar to germin-like proteins. Peruvianin-I exhibited no oxalate oxidase and superoxide dismutase activity or antifungal effects. Peruvianin-I represents the first germin-like protein (GLP) with cysteine peptidase activity, an activity unknown in the GLP family so far.
There is controversy on the accuracy of different diagnostic criteria for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The aim of this study is to assess the performance of different clinical criteria used to ...identify individuals for FH genetic cascade screening in Brazil.
All index cases (IC) registered in the Hipercol Brasil program between 2011 and 2016 were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years and elevated LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, with a conclusive result in the genetic test, whether positive or negative. Initially, we tested the multivariable association between clinical and laboratory markers and the presence of an FH causing mutation. Then, we analyzed sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for the LDL-C quartile distribution, LDL-C as a continuous variable, as well as the performance measures for the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) score to identify a mutation.
Overall, 753 ICs were included and an FH causing mutation was found in 34% (n = 257) of the subjects. After multivariable analysis, LDL-C as a continuous variable, tendon xanthomas and corneal arcus were independently associated with the presence of FH mutations. LDL-C values ≥ 230 mg/dL (5.9 mmol/L) had the best tradeoff between sensitivity and specificity to diagnose a mutation. The DLCN score presented a better performance than LDL-C to identify a mutation, area under the ROC curve were 0.744 (95% CI: 0.704–0.784) and 0.730 (95% CI: 0.687–0.774), respectively, p=0.014.
In our population, LDL ≥230 mg/dL is a feasible criterion to indicate ICs to genetic testing.
•Clinical parameters important for cost-effective identification of FH individuals.•753 FH index cases molecularly screened with a pick-up rate of 34.1%.•LDL-C ≥ 230 mg/dL is an adequate parameter for molecular FH screening.
ABSTRACT
The Southern Photometric Local Universe Survey (S-PLUS) is imaging ∼9300 deg2 of the celestial sphere in 12 optical bands using a dedicated 0.8 m robotic telescope, the T80-South, at the ...Cerro Tololo Inter-american Observatory, Chile. The telescope is equipped with a 9.2k × 9.2k e2v detector with 10 $\rm {\mu m}$ pixels, resulting in a field of view of 2 deg2 with a plate scale of 0.55 arcsec pixel−1. The survey consists of four main subfields, which include two non-contiguous fields at high Galactic latitudes (|b| > 30°, 8000 deg2) and two areas of the Galactic Disc and Bulge (for an additional 1300 deg2). S-PLUS uses the Javalambre 12-band magnitude system, which includes the 5 ugriz broad-band filters and 7 narrow-band filters centred on prominent stellar spectral features: the Balmer jump/OII, Ca H + K, H δ, G band, Mg b triplet, H α, and the Ca triplet. S-PLUS delivers accurate photometric redshifts (δz/(1 + z) = 0.02 or better) for galaxies with r < 19.7 AB mag and z < 0.4, thus producing a 3D map of the local Universe over a volume of more than $1\, (\mathrm{Gpc}/h)^3$. The final S-PLUS catalogue will also enable the study of star formation and stellar populations in and around the Milky Way and nearby galaxies, as well as searches for quasars, variable sources, and low-metallicity stars. In this paper we introduce the main characteristics of the survey, illustrated with science verification data highlighting the unique capabilities of S-PLUS. We also present the first public data release of ∼336 deg2 of the Stripe 82 area, in 12 bands, to a limiting magnitude of r = 21, available at datalab.noao.edu/splus.
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