Structure of a lectin from Canavalia gladiata seeds: new structural insights for old molecules

Background: Lectins are mainly described as simple carbohydrate- binding proteins. Previous studies have tried to identify other binding sites, which possible recognize plant hormones, secondary metabolites, and isolated amino acid residues. We report the crystal structure of a lectin isolated from Canavalia gladiata seeds ( CGL), describing a new binding pocket, which may be related to pathogen resistance activity in ConA- like lectins; a site where a non- protein amino- acid, aaminobutyric acid ( Abu), is bound.Results: the overall structure of native CGL and complexed with alpha- methyl- mannoside and Abu have been refined at 2.3 angstrom and 2.31 angstrom resolution, respectively. Analysis of the electron density maps of the CGL structure shows clearly the presence of Abu, which was confirmed by mass spectrometry.Conclusion: the presence of Abu in a plant lectin structure strongly indicates the ability of lectins on carrying secondary metabolites. Comparison of the amino acids composing the site with other legume lectins revealed that this site is conserved, providing an evidence of the biological relevance of this site. This new action of lectins strengthens their role in defense mechanisms in plants.

Paracoccidioidomycosis: Survey and clinical aspects from the Department of Dermatology of the School of Medicine of Botucatu (Sao Paulo - Brazil)

Background - Paracoccidioidomycosis is the most frequent among the systemic mycoses in Brazil. Objective: To study the cases of paracoccidioidomycosis diagnosed from 1976 to 1996 at the Department of Dermatology of the School of Medicine of Botucatu. Methods - Descriptive study obtained from specific protocols comprising anamnesis, clinical- dermatological-laboratorial examination, treatment and follow-up of the patients. Results - Paracoccidioidomycosis was diagnosed in 1.04% of the dermatologic outpatients assisted from 1976 to 1996. In 315 cases, 89.8% were male, 61.9% were over forty and 53.7% were rural workers. The complaints were related more to oropharyngolaryngeal (53.6%) or cutaneous (23.8%) lesions or adenopathy (10.2%). Seventy patients had already been treated in other health services. The chronic multifocal clinical from was the most common: 80.6% of the cases, followed by the acute-subacute (juvenile type) 15.5%. The disease was pulmonary in 80.0%, oropharyngolaryngeal in 69.2% and cutaneous in 45.7%. Th treatment: Amphotericin B in 146 patients, Ketoconazole - 88, Itraconazole - 56, Sulfonamide derivatives - 146 and Terbinafine in 3. The lethality index resulting from the disease or its treatment was 2.0%. Conclusions - The high number of cases, showing the regional relevance of the disease and the high percentage of tegumentary complaints and the high number of relapsing are remarkable.

Does background colouration affect the behaviour of tadpoles? An experimental approach with an odonate predator

Predation is a primary driver of tadpole assemblages, and the activity rate is a good predictor of the tadpoles' tolerance for predation risk. The conflicting demands between activity and exposure to predation can generate suboptimal behaviours. Because morphological components, such as body colouration, may affect the activity of tadpoles, we predict that environmental features that enhance or match the tadpole colouration should affect their survival or activity rate in the presence of a predator. We tested this prediction experimentally by assessing the mortality rate of tadpoles of Rhinella schneideri and Eupemphix nattereri and the active time on two artificial background types: one bright-coloured and one black-coloured. We found no difference in tadpole mortality due to the background type. However, R. schneideri tadpoles were more active than E. nattereri tadpoles, and the activity of R. schneideri was reduced less in the presence of the predator than that of E. nattereri. Although the background colouration did not affect the tadpole mortality rate, it was a stimulus that elicited behavioural responses in the tadpoles, leading them to adjust their activity rate to the type of background colour. © 2013 Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italia.

The collections of Lauraceae in the Herbarium of Henri Van Heurck (AWH)

Background and aims - The collections of Lauraceae in the Van Heurck Herbarium (AWH), which is currently on permanent loan to BR, have remained unknown by most of the specialists and by the general public up until the present. The taxonomic status of its one hundred and forty nine specimens of Lauraceae is here presented.Methods - Standard herbarium taxonomy practices were used in conjunction with the literature available. Specimens from fifty eight different herbaria were studied personally, or by checking their holdings available in the internet, or from digital images received from the curators.Key results - The specimens of Lauraceae from AWH are distributed in twenty four genera and seventy eight species with taxonomic status resolved, excepting for three specimens pertaining to species name of status uncertain (one), or to unresolved determination (two). From them, fifty three specimens are nomenclatural types of any sort, which corroborate the relevance of exsiccates acquired by Van Heurck, even for this relatively small set of specimens for the family. Fifteen lectotypifications and one neotypification of species names are proposed here.

Analysis of the positioning of the head, trunk, and upper limbs during gait in children with visual impairment

Background: This study analyzed the positioning of the head, trunk, and upper extremities during gait in children with visual impairment. Methods: A total of 11 children participated in this study: 6 with blindness and 5 with low vision. The kinematics of the positioning of the head, trunk, shoulders, and elbows in each participant was analyzed during the four phases of the gait cycle: foot strike, support, toe-off, and swing. Results: There were significant differences between children with blindness and low vision in the positioning of the trunk in the sagittal plane during the foot strike, support, and swing phases. Conclusions: The analysis identified postural alterations of the head, trunk, shoulder, and elbow during the children’s gait, highlighting the relevance of appropriate stimulation at an early age in orientation and mobility programs, as well as the essential presence of professionals who work with movement.

Escherichia coli from Crohn’s disease patient displays virulence features of enteroinvasive (EIEC), enterohemorragic (EHEC), and enteroaggregative (EAEC) pathotypes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Gynoecial ontogeny of Anthurium: contributions for floral developmental studies in Araceae (Alismatales)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)