Reproductive migration of fish and movement in a series of reservoirs in the Upper Parana River basin, Brazil

AbstractThis study evaluates the effectiveness of two fish passes at two hydropower dams (Canoas I and II) in the Upper Parana basin, which form part of a cascade of three reservoirs. Fish from 12 migratory species (3089 specimens) were captured during their ascending, reproductive migration and were tagged with hydrostatic tags. The recapture data (294 specimens over two consecutive years) showed that there is a strong tendency for the maintenance of ascending migration through reservoirs with fish passes but with differences in migratory activity within the same species. No eggs, larvae or juveniles of these species were found in samples collected over 5 years in the reservoirs above the fish passes. These data suggest that fish passes have contributed to the restoration of the migratory routes of adult fish but that in the absence of suitable spawning or nursery habitats for these species; they probably act as ecological traps and do not contribute to the recruitment of the species.

The conservation of number and location of 18S sites indicates the relative stability of rDNA in species of Pentatomomorpha (Heteroptera)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Identification and characterization of ISXax2, a TN3-like transposable element potentially related with the virulence and pathogenicity of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Genética e Melhoramento de Plantas) - FCAV

Removal of dyes by lignocellulose adsorbents originating from biodiesel production

In this study, use was made of tucumã cake, in natura (TCN) and thermally treated (TCT), as potential alternative adsorbents for the adsorption of cationic and anionic dyes. The effects of the parameters: contact time, adsorbent: adsorbate mass ratio, and initial concentration of dye were analyzed. The adsorption isotherms were established from optimized adsorption parameters. The best conditions for adsorption were: equilibrium time of 7 h, concentration of 25 mg L 1 and ratio of 1:200 for the methylene blue dye; and pH 6.5, concentration of 25 mg L 1 and ratio of 1:200 for the congo red dye. The adsorption process was best represented by the Dubinin–Radushkevich and Sips isotherms. The kinetics of adsorption of the dyes were best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Elovich models. TCT showed the best maximum adsorption capacity (Qm) for the methylene blue dye (63.92 mg g 1 ).

A conjugate of the lytic peptide Hecate and gallic acid: structure, activity against cervical cancer, and toxicity

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The prophenoloxidase system and in vitro interaction of Trypanosoma rangeli with Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans haemolymph

The presence of the prophenoloxidase (proPO) system in the haemolymph of Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans and the role played by Trypanosoma rangeli in the in vitro activation of proPO were tested. Both R. prolixus and T. infestans whole blood preparations showed a very active ProPO system. The proPO cascade of the two insect species were differentially activated by microbial-derived extracts: laminarin was a better activator of T. infestans haemolymph than of R. prolixus blood, and lipopolysaccharides from Shigella flexneri or Pseudomonas aeroginosa caused significant proPO activation of T. infestans haemolymph but not of R. prolixus preparations. For the two insect species, neither T. rangeli from culture nor parasite lysates were able to trigger proPO activation. The presence of the parasite in R. prolixus haemolymph/laminarin assays, however, significantly reduced the level of proPO activation to that of spontaneous activating controls. The immobilization of T. rangeli in vitro in haemolymph preparations occurred in both insect species and was dependent on the proPO activation intensity. Our results suggest that the susceptibility of R. prolixus to T. rangeli haemocoel infection may be explained, at least in part, by the suppression of the insect immune defence system i.e., inhibition of proPO in the presence of this protozoan parasite.

Representation of transmission lines: comparison of models and parameters distributed discrete parameters

A transmission line is characterized by the fact that its parameters are distributed along its length. This fact makes the voltages and currents along the line to behave like waves and these are described by differential equations. In general, the differential equations mentioned are difficult to solve in the time domain, due to the convolution integral, but in the frequency domain these equations become simpler and their solutions are known. The transmission line can be represented by a cascade of π circuits. This model has the advantage of being developed directly in the time domain, but there is a need to apply numerical integration methods. In this work a comparison of the model that considers the fact that the parameters are distributed (Universal Line Model) and the fact that the parameters considered concentrated along the line (π circuit model) using the trapezoidal integration method, and Simpson's rule Runge-Kutta in a single-phase transmission line length of 100 km subjected to an operation power. © 2003-2012 IEEE.

Interaction of giant extracellular Glossoscolex paulistus hemoglobin (HbGp) with ionic surfactants: A MALDI-TOF-MS study

The giant extracellular hemoglobin of Glossoscolex paulistus (HbGp) is constituted by approximately 144 subunits containing heme groups with molecular masses in the range of 16-19 kDa forming a monomer (d) and a trimer (abc), and around 36 non-heme structures, named linkers (L). Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF-MS) analysis was performed recently, to obtain directly information on the molecular masses of the different subunits from HbGp in the oxy-form. This technique demonstrated structural similarity between HbGp and the widely studied hemoglobin of Lumbricus terrestris (HbLt). Indeed, two major isoforms (d(1) and d(2)) of identical proportions with masses of 16,355+/-25 and 16,428+/-24 Da, respectively, and two minor isoforms (d(3) and d(4)) with masses around 16.6 kDa were detected for monomer d of HbGp. In the present work, the effects of anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cationic cethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC) on the oligomeric structure of HbGp have been studied by MALDI-TOF-MS in order to evaluate the interaction between ionic surfactants and HbGp. The data obtained with this technique show an effective interaction of cationic surfactant CTAC with the two isoforms of monomer d, d(1) and d(2), both in the whole protein as well as in the pure isolated monomer. The results show that up to 10 molecules of CTAC are bound to each isoform of the monomer. Differently, the mass spectra obtained for SDS-HbGp system showed that the addition of the anionic surfactant SDS does not originate any mass increment of the monomeric subunits, indicating that SDS-HbGp interaction is, probably, significantly less effective as compared to CTAC-HbGp one. The acid pI of the protein around 5.5 is, probably, responsible for this behavior. The results of this work suggest also some interaction of both surfactants with linker chains as well as with trimers, as judged from observed mass increments. Our data are consistent with a recent spectroscopic study showing a strong interaction between CTAC and HbGp at physiological pH [P.S.Santiago, et al, Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1770 (2007) 506-517.]. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and Photodynamic Effect of New Highly Photostable Decacationically Armed [60]- and [70]Fullerene Decaiodide Monoadducts To Target Pathogenic Bacteria and Cancer Cells

Novel water-soluble decacationically armed C-60 and C-70 decaiodide monoadducts, C-60- and C-70[>M(C3N6+C3)(2)], were synthesized, characterized, and applied as photosensitizers and potential nano-PDT agents against pathogenic bacteria and cancer cells. A high number of cationic charges per fullerene cage and H-bonding moieties were designed for rapid binding to the anionic residues displayed on the outer parts of bacterial cell walls. In the presence of a high number of electron-donating iodide anions as parts of quaternary ammonium salts in the arm region, we found that C-70[>M(C3N6+C3)(2)] produced more HO center dot than C-60[>M(C3N6+C3)(2)], in addition to O-1(2). This finding offers an explanation of the preferential killing of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by C-60[>M(C3N6+C3)(2)] and C-70[>M(C3N6+C3)(2)], respectively. The hypothesis is that O-1(2) can diffuse more easily into porous cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria to reach sensitive sites, while the less permeable Gram-negative bacterial cell wall needs the more reactive HO center dot to cause real damage.

Risk assessment behaviors associated with corticosterone trigger the defense reaction to social isolation in rats: Role of the anterior cingulate cortex

The extent to which the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is activated by short-term and long-term consequences of stress is still open to investigation. This study aimed to determine (i) the correlation between plasma corticosterone and exploratory behavior exhibited by rats subjected to the elevated plus maze (EPM) following different periods of social isolation, (ii) the effects of the corticosterone synthesis blocker, metyrapone, on the behavioral consequences of isolation, and (iii) whether corticosterone produces its effects through an action on the anterior cingulate cortex, area 1 (Cg1). Rats were subjected to 30-min, 2-h, 24-h, or 7-day isolation periods before EPM exposure and plasma corticosterone assessments. Isolation for longer periods of time produced greater anxiogenic-like effects on the EPM. However, stretched attend posture (SAP) and plasma corticosterone concentrations were increased significantly after 30 min of isolation. Among all of the behavioral categories measured in the EPM, only SAP positively correlated with plasma corticosterone. Metyrapone injected prior to the 24 h isolation period reversed the anxiogenic effects of isolation. Moreover, corticosterone injected into the Cg1 produced a selective increase in SAP. These findings indicate that risk assessment behavior induced by the action of corticosterone on Cg1 neurons initiates a cascade of defensive responses during exposure to stressors.

DNA damage defines sites of recurrent chromosomal translocations in B lymphocytes

Recurrent chromosomal translocations underlie both haematopoietic and solid tumours. Their origin has been ascribed to selection of random rearrangements, targeted DNA damage, or frequent nuclear interactions between translocation partners; however, the relative contribution of each of these elements has not been measured directly or on a large scale. Here we examine the role of nuclear architecture and frequency of DNA damage in the genesis of chromosomal translocations by measuring these parameters simultaneously in cultured mouse B lymphocytes. In the absence of recurrent DNA damage, translocations between Igh or Myc and all other genes are directly related to their contact frequency. Conversely, translocations associated with recurrent site-directed DNA damage are proportional to the rate of DNA break formation, as measured by replication protein A accumulation at the site of damage. Thus, non-targeted rearrangements reflect nuclear organization whereas DNA break formation governs the location and frequency of recurrent translocations, including those driving B-cell malignancies.

Application of succinylated sugarcane bagasse as adsorbent to remove methylene blue and gentian violet from aqueous solutions - Kinetic and equilibrium studies

In a previous work, succinylated sugarcane bagasse (SCB 2) was prepared from sugarcane bagasse (B) using succinic anhydride as modifying agent. In this work the adsorption of cationic dyes onto SCB 2 from aqueous solutions was investigated. Methylene blue, MB, and gentian violet, GV, were selected as adsorbates. The capacity of SCB 2 to adsorb MB and GV from aqueous single dye solutions was evaluated at different contact times, pH, and initial adsorbent concentration. According to the obtained results, the adsorption processes could be described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Adsorption isotherms were well fitted by Langmuir model. Maximum adsorption capacities for MB and GV onto SCB 2 were found to be 478.5 and 1273.2 mg/g, respectively. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Toll-like receptor 2/MyD88 signaling mediates zymosan-induced joint hypernociception in mice: Participation of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and CXCL1/KC

Arthritic pain is a serious health problem that affects a large number of patients. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) activation within the joints has been implicated in pathophysiology of arthritis. However, their role in the genesis of arthritic pain needs to be demonstrated. In the present study, it was addressed the participation of TLR2 and TLR4 and their adaptor molecule MyD88 in the genesis of joint hypernociception (a decrease in the nociceptive threshold) during zymosan-induced arthritis. Zymosan injected in the tibio-tarsal joint induced mechanical hypernociception in C57BL/6 wild type mice that was reduced in TLR2 and MyD88 null mice. On the other hand, zymosan-induced hypernociception was similar in C3H/HePas and C3H/Hej mice (TLR4 mutant mice). Zymosan-induced joint hypernociception was also reduced in TNFR1 null mice and in mice treated with IL-1 receptor antagonist or with an antagonist of CXCR1/2. Moreover, the joint production of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and CXCL1/KC by zymosan was dependent on TLR2/MyD88 signaling. Investigating the mechanisms by which TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and CXCL1/KC mediate joint hypernociception, joint administration of these cytokines produced mechanical hypernociception, and they act in an interdependent manner. In last instance, their hypernociceptive effects were dependent on the production of hypernociceptive mediators, prostaglandins and sympathetic amines. These results indicate that in zymosan-induced experimental arthritis, TLR2/MyD88 is involved in the cascade of events of joint hypernociception through a mechanism dependent on cytokines and chemokines production. Thus, TLR2/MyD88 signaling might be a target for the development of novel drugs to control pain in arthritis. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Caspase-1 is involved in the genesis of inflammatory hypernociception by contributing to peripheral IL-1β maturation

Abstract Background Caspase-1 is a cysteine protease responsible for the processing and secretion of IL-1β and IL-18, which are closely related to the induction of inflammation. However, limited evidence addresses the participation of caspase-1 in inflammatory pain. Here, we investigated the role of caspase-1 in inflammatory hypernociception (a decrease in the nociceptive threshold) using caspase-1 deficient mice (casp1-/-). Results Mechanical inflammatory hypernociception was evaluated using an electronic version of the von Frey test. The production of cytokines, PGE2 and neutrophil migration were evaluated by ELISA, radioimmunoassay and myeloperoxidase activity, respectively. The interleukin (IL)-1β and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein expression were evaluated by western blotting. The mechanical hypernociception induced by intraplantar injection of carrageenin, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α and CXCL1/KC was reduced in casp1-/- mice compared with WT mice. However, the hypernociception induced by IL-1β and PGE2 did not differ in WT and casp1-/- mice. Carrageenin-induced TNF-α and CXCL1/KC production and neutrophil recruitment in the paws of WT mice were not different from casp1-/- mice, while the maturation of IL-1β was reduced in casp1-/- mice. Furthermore, carrageenin induced an increase in the expression of COX-2 and PGE2 production in the paw of WT mice, but was reduced in casp1-/- mice. Conclusion These results suggest that caspase-1 plays a critical role in the cascade of events involved in the genesis of inflammatory hypernociception by promoting IL-1β maturation. Because caspase-1 is involved in the induction of COX-2 expression and PGE2 production, our data support the assertion that caspase-1 is a key target to control inflammatory pain.

Breakpoint analysis of human chromosome 3 inversions during hominoid evolution

Comparative fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) mapping revealed four large DNA segments which have been conserved in their entirety between human chromosome 3 and Bornean orangutan chromosome 2 as well as three evolutionary breakpoints which distinguish between the human and Bornean orangutan chromosome forms. Examination of the structural and functional features of evolutionary breakpoints provides new insights into the possible effects of evolutionary rearrangements on genome function and the relationship between human chromosome pathology and evolution. FISH of human BAC clones which were assesssed in human genomic sequence to primate chromosomes, combined with precise breakpoint localizations by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of flow-sorted chromosomes and in silico analysis, were used to characterize the evolutionary breakpoints. None of the three breakpoints studied disrupts a validated gene(s), however they are all associated with segmental duplications. At least eleven DNA segments (&a