Epigenetic and expression analysis of TRAIL-R2 and BCL2: on the TRAIL to knowledge of apoptosis in ovarian tumors

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

TRAIL-R3-related apoptosis: Epigenetic and expression analyses in women with ovarian neoplasia

Objective. To assess the expression of TRAIL-R3 and the methylation of a CpG island within the TRAIL-R3 promoter both in cystadenoma tumors and primary and metastatic epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC).Methods. RNA was obtained from women with normal ovarian (NO) tissues (n = 18), ovarian serous cystadenoma tumors (n = 11) and EOC (n = 16) using Trizol (R). Quantitative PCR (gRT-PCR) was performed to quantify the relative levels of TRAIL-R3. The methylation frequency of the CpG island in the TRAIL-R3 promoter was assessed using the methylation-specific PCR (MSP) assay after DNA bisulfite conversion. The differences between the groups were evaluated using the chi-square, Student's t, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon or Kruskal-Wallis tests as indicated. The survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results. Cystadenoma and metastatic EOC tumors expressed significantly more TRAIL-R3 mRNA than primary EOC tumors. Methylation of the TRAIL-R3 promoter was absent in NO tissues, while hemimethylation of the TRAIL-R3 promoter was frequently found in the neoplasia samples with 45.4% of the cystadenoma tumors, 8.3% of the primary EOC samples and 11.1% of the metastatic EOC samples showing at least partial methylation (p = 0.018). Neither the expression of TRAIL-R3 nor alterations in the methylation profile were associated to cumulative progression-free survival or the overall survival in EOC patients.Conclusions. Primary EOC is associated to a lower TRAIL-R3 expression, which leads to a better understanding of the complex disease and highlighting potential therapeutic targets. Promoter DNA methylation was not related to this finding, suggesting the presence of other mechanisms to transcriptional control. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Bending of light in the framework of R + R2 gravity

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

The effect of trail length on task partitioning in three Acromyrmex species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

By comparing the behavior of three Acromyrmex (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) species during foraging on artificial trails of different lengths, we observed the occurrence of task partitioning and its relation to the food distance from the nest. Task partitioning was verified by leaf cache formation along the trail and leaf direct transferring among workers. There was significant difference between the number of leaf fragments carried directly to the fungus chamber and those transferred direct or indirectly, via cache, depending upon the trail length. Task partitioning could be a strategy used by leaf-cutting ants that allows the workers to use food sources far from their nests.

Trail-Pheromone Specificity of Two Sympatric Termites (Rhinotermitidae) from Southeastern Brazil

Studies on pheromone specificity are of ecological interest in termite biology where different species share the same habitat. In this work we evaluated the role of the trail pheromones as a mechanism for the isolation of sympatric populations of Coptotermes gestroi and Heterotermes tenuis (Rhinotermitidae) in Brazil. Based on our results, we conclude that trail pheromones are potentially capable of separating sympatric colonies of these species. Furthermore, the trail-pheromone specificity found in these species could be explained by quantitative differences of the common component of the trail pheromone. However, secondary components on the trail pheromone may neutralize the quantitative differences of a common component. Activity bioassays showed that synthetic (Z,Z,E) 3,6,8-dodecatrien-1-ol may act as the common component of the trail pheromone of these species. Further studies should focus on the chemical identification of the trails laid by the termites.

Deflexão de fótons pelo sol no contexto da teoria de gravitação R+R2

Pós-graduação em Física - IFT

Aspectos biológicos do peixe-olhudo-dentinho, Synagrops bellus (Actinopterygii: Acropomatidae), da plataforma externa e talude superior do estado de São Paulo, Brasil.

Biological aspects of the blackmouth bass Synagrops bellus from the outer shelf and upper slope along the coast of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, are presented. The species represented about 71.6% and 9.7% in number of the total catch performed by balloom trawl in the isobaths of 300m and 500m respectively. Body sizes of 266 individuals ranged between 130 and 265mm total length, with sex ratio of 55.9% males, and 44.1% females, where most individuals were in maturation stage. Twenty two food items were found, pointing out Myctophidae fishes, Penaeidea and Caridea shrimps, Brachyuran megalopae, Enoploteuthidae and Cranchiidae cephalopods, pteropods and tunicates. The intestinal coefficient increases as the body size increase, and the number of gill rakers ranged between 16 and 17. Length-weight relationship was WT = 6.0 x 10-6 x TL3.12, r2 = 0.9495. Synagrops bellus is an important link between zooplankton and micronekton, and demersal and pelagic predators in the outer shelf and upper slope in southwestern Brazilian coast.

Estimativa da área foliar de plantas daninhas: Solanum americanum Mill

A maria pretinha (Solanum americanum Mill) é uma planta daninha infestante de diversas culturas e além da competição pode causar outros problemas. Nos estudos envolvendo a biologia e o controle de plantas daninhas, a área foliar é uma das mais importantes características a serem avaliadas, mas tem sido pouco estudada porque sua determinação exige equipamentos sofisticados ou utiliza técnicas destrutivas. Visando obter equações que permitissem a estimativa da área foliar desta planta daninha utilizando características lineares do limbo foliar, facilmente mensuráveis em plantas no campo, foram estudadas correlações entre a área foliar real e as seguintes características das folhas: comprimento ao longo da nervura principal (C), largura máxima do limbo (L) e o produto (C x L). Para tanto, foram mensuradas 200 folhas coletadas de plantas sujeitas às mais diversas condições ecológicas em que a espécie sobrevive, considerando-se todas as folhas das plantas desde que não apresentassem deformações oriundas de fatores, tais como, pragas, moléstias e granizo. Todas as equações, lineares simples, geométricas e exponenciais, permitiram boa estimativa da área foliar (Af) da maria pretinha. do ponto de vista prático, sugere-se optar pela equação linear simples envolvendo o produto (C x L), a qual apresentou o menor QM Resíduo. Assim, a estimativa da área foliar de S. americanum pode ser efetuada pela equação AF = 0,5632 x (C x L), com coeficiente de determinação (R2) de valor igual a 0,9516.

Relative potency of ketamine and S(+)-ketamine in dogs

The aim of this study was to determine the relative potency of racemic ketamine and S(+)-ketamine for the hypnotic effect and to evaluate the clinical anesthesia produced by equianesthetic doses of these two substances in dogs. One hundred and eight dogs were allocated in groups R2, R2.5, R3, R6, R9, R12, S2, S2.5, S3, S6, S9, and S12, to receive by intravenous route 2, 2.5, 3, 6, 9, and 12 mg/kg of ketamine or S(+)-ketamine, respectively. A dose-effect curve was drawn with the dose logarithm and the percentage of dogs that presented hypnosis in each group. The curve was used to obtain a linear regression, to determine the effective doses 100 and the potency relationship. In another experimental phase, eight groups of five dogs received 3, 6, 9 and 12 mg/kg of ketamine or S(+)-ketamine to evaluate the periods of latency, hypnosis, and total recovery. The times in which the dogs reached the sternal position, attempted to stand up for the first time, recovered the standing position, and started to walk were also recorded. The hypnotic dose for ketamine was 9.82 +/- 3.02 (6.86-16.5) mg/kg and for S(+)-ketamine was 7.76 +/- 2.17 (5.86-11.5) mg/kg. The time of hypnosis was longer in R3 and the first attempt to stand up occurred early in R6 when compared with S3 and S6 respectively. When R9 (100% of hypnosis with ketamine) and S6 [100% of hypnosis with S(+)-ketamine] were compared (1:1.5 ratio), the time to sternal position (12 +/- 2.5 and 20.2 +/- 5.6 min respectively) and the total recovery time (45 +/- 5.5 and 60.2 +/- 5.2 min respectively) were significantly shorter with S(+)-ketamine. It was concluded that the potency ratio between ketamine and S(+)-ketamine in dogs is smaller than the one reported in other species, and that the dose obtained after a reduction of 50%, as usually performed in humans, would not be enough to obtain equianesthetic effects in dogs.

Ecological aspects of the free-living ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on animal trails within Atlantic rainforest in south-eastern Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Qualidade física e fisiológica de semente de soja colhida com sistema de trilha axial sob diferentes velocidades de operação e rotações do cilindro trilhador

A colheita mecanizada é ferramenta fundamental no processo produtivo das grandes culturas; se não for realizada adequadamente, poderá resultar em danos mecânicos severos às sementes, acarretando, prejuízos significativos na colheita, particularmente devido à redução da qualidade. Visando a avaliar os danos causados na colheita mecanizada de soja, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar o efeito do sistema de trilha axial sobre a percentagem de bandinhas, impurezas e sementes quebradas de soja cv. M-Soy 8001, em função da velocidade de trabalho e rotação do cilindro trilhador. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em parcelas subdivididas, avaliando-se duas rotações do cilindro trilhador (400 e 500 rpm) e três velocidades de operação (3,5; 4,5 e 5,5 km h-1), com três repetições. Os resultados obtidos indicam que as combinações de velocidade de operação e rotações do cilindro de trilha avaliadas não afetam as variáveis vigor, impurezas, bandinha, emergência em areia e índice de velocidade de germinação e que o aumento da rotação de 400 para 500 rpm ocasiona o aumento de sementes quebradas.

Predição do consumo de pasto de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum, Schumack) por vacas mestiças Holandês x Zebu em lactação

Foram desenvolvidas equações de predição de consumo de pasto de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum, Schumack) por vacas mestiças Holandês x Zebu em lactação, utilizando-se procedimentos de stepwise em regressões múltiplas, aplicados a um banco de dados de experimentos conduzidos ao longo de três anos na Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA) Gado de Leite (Coronel Pacheco, MG). As variáveis independentes disponíveis foram relacionadas a características inerentes às vacas (dias em lactação; teores de proteína, gordura e extrato seco total e produções destes componentes no leite; produção de leite in natura ou corrigida para 4% de gordura; ordem de lactação; peso vivo atual; peso vivo ao parto e grau de sangue Holandês x Zebu); ao manejo (dias de pastejo; disponibilidade de forragem e período de descanso da pastagem); ao ambiente (estação do ano e precipitação pluviométrica) e à alimentação (digestibilidade in vitro e parâmetros da composição química do pasto de capim-elefante e da cana-de-açúcar - Saccharum officinarum (L.) corrigida com 1% de uréia; consumos de suplemento volumoso (cana corrigida com uréia) e concentrado; concentrações fecais de proteína bruta e de fibras em detergente neutro e ácido). Efeitos linear e quadrático e transformações logarítmicas foram adicionalmente incluídos no banco de dados. Foram obtidas equações de predição de consumo de pasto de capim-elefante (expresso em kg/vaca/dia ou % do peso vivo) com coeficientes de determinação de 65,2 a 67,0%. As principais variáveis independentes incluídas nas equações foram o consumo do suplemento volumoso usado na estação seca do ano (cana corrigida com uréia); a digestibilidade in vitro do pasto de capim-elefante; a precipitação pluviométrica; a produção de leite corrigida para 4% de gordura; o peso vivo atual ou, em alternativa a este, o valor da pesagem realizada após o parto da vaca; além do consumo de suplemento concentrado, que evidenciou um efeito de substituição àquele do pasto de capim-elefante.

Controle da ferrugem asiática e produtividade da soja após pulverizações de piraclostrobina + epoxiconazole em diferentes estádios fenológicos da cultura

Foi avaliado o desenvolvimento da ferrugem asiática e da produtividade da cultura da soja em razão de pulverizações fungicidas realizadas em diferentes estádios fenológicos da cultura. Os tratamentos consistiram na pulverização da mistura fungicida piraclostrobina + epoxiconazole no estádio fenológico V10 e R2; R2 e R5.2; apenas em R2; sem pulverização (testemunha). Os valores da AACPD total (área abaixo da curva de progresso da doença) e da produtividade da cultura da soja nos tratamentos com pulverização fungicida foram superiores ao tratamento testemunha. Até o 117º dia após a emergência das plantas, a aplicação de fungicida em V10 e R2 promoveu maior controle da ferrugem. Os resultados evidenciaram que a pulverização fungicida contra P. pachyrhizi é indispensável para diminuir as perdas na produtividade provocadas pela doença e que, em algumas situações, apenas uma pulverização fungicida no estádio R2 pode reduzir perdas significativas na produtividade.

Potassium Leaching as Affected by Soil Texture and Residual Fertilization in Tropical Soils

Potassium (K) leaching is affected by soil texture and available K, among other factors. In this experiment, effects of soil texture and K availability on K distribution were studied in the presence of roots, with no excess water. Soils from two 6-year field experiments on a sandy clay loam and a clay soil fertilized yearly with 0, 60, 120, and 180 kg ha-1 of K2O were accommodated in pots that received 90 kg ha-1 of K2O. Soybean was grown up to its full bloom (R2). Under field conditions, K leaching below the arable layer increased with K rates, but the effect was less noticeable in the clay soil. Potassium leaching in a sandy clay loam soil was related to soil K contents from prior fertilizations. With no excess water, in the presence of soybean roots, K distribution in the profile was significant in the lighter textured soil but was not apparent on the heavier textured soil.

Crescimento aéreo e radicular de arroz de terras altas em função da adubação fosfatada e bioestimulante

The use of plant regulators that stimulate root growth can increase phosphorus uptake by upland rice. The objective of this study was to evaluate shoot and root growth of upland rice fertilized with different phosphorus doses with and without biostimulant. The experiment was carried out in greenhouse in the Faculdade de Ciencias Agronomicas-UNESP, in Botucatu-SP. The treatments consisted of six phosphorus doses applied in sowing (0, 12,5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg dm(-3)), with and without Stimulate (R) applied in the seeds (cv. Primavera). The plants were grown for 78 days and then cut at soil level to evaluate leaf area and leaves and collar dry matter. Root samples that were harvested on the same day had their root diameter and dry matter evaluated. The experimental design was the completely randomized, with three replications, arranged as a factorial 2x6. Variance analysis and regression were used to data evaluation. Linear and quadratic equations were adjusted at a probability level of 5%, using those with higher determination coefficient (R(2)). The increase on the phosphorus dose contributed to the lower matter production and leaf area of the plants when the biostimulant was applied. For shoot phosphorus accumulation and root evaluations, the same behavior was observed. It was concluded that the use of Stimulate (R) in seeds, for fitomass production or root system evaluation, was only efficient in low phosphorus doses.