Detection of Hepatitis B virus subgenotype A1 in a Quilombo community from Maranhão, Brazil

Abstract Background The Brazilian population is mainly descendant from European colonizers, Africans and Native Americans. Some Afro-descendants lived in small isolated communities since the slavery period. The epidemiological status of HBV infection in Quilombos communities from northeast of Brazil remains unknown. The aim of this study was to characterize the HBV genotypes circulating inside a Quilombo isolated community from Maranhão State, Brazil. Methods Seventy-two samples from Frechal Quilombo community at Maranhão were collected. All serum samples were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). HBsAg positive samples were submitted to DNA extraction and a fragment of 1306 bp partially comprising HBsAg and polymerase coding regions (S/POL) was amplified by nested PCR and its nucleotide sequence was determined. Viral isolates were genotyped by phylogenetic analysis using reference sequences from each genotype obtained from GenBank (n = 320). Sequences were aligned using Muscle software and edited in the SE-AL software. Bayesian phylogenetic analyses were conducted using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method to obtain the MCC tree using BEAST v.1.5.3. Results Of the 72 individuals, 9 (12.5%) were HBsAg-positive and 4 of them were successfully sequenced for the 1306 bp fragment. All these samples were genotype A1 and grouped together with other sequences reported from Brazil. Conclusions The present study represents the first report on the HBV genotypes characterization of this community in the Maranhão state in Brazil where a high HBsAg frequency was found. In this study, we reported a high frequency of HBV infection and the exclusive presence of subgenotype A1 in an Afro-descendent community in the Maranhão State, Brazil.

Trends in mean and extreme precipitation in the Mount Kenya region from observations and reanalyses

Land and water management in semi-arid regions requires detailed information on precipitation distribution, including extremes, and changes therein. Such information is often lacking. This paper describes statistics of mean and extreme precipitation in a unique data set from the Mount Kenya region, encompassing around 50 stations with at least 30 years of data. We describe the data set, including quality control procedures and statistical break detection. Trends in mean precipitation and extreme indices calculated from these data for individual rainy seasons are compared with corresponding trends in reanalysis products. From 1979 to 2011, mean precipitation decreased at 75% of the stations during the ‘long rains’ (March to May) and increased at 70% of the stations during the ‘short rains’ (October to December). Corresponding trends are found in the number of heavy precipitation days, and maximum of consecutive 5-day precipitation. Conversely, an increase in consecutive dry days within both main rainy seasons is found. However, trends are only statistically significant in very few cases. Reanalysis data sets agree with observations with respect to interannual variability, while correlations are considerably lower for monthly deviations (ratios) from the mean annual cycle. While some products well reproduce the rainfall climatology and some the spatial trend pattern, no product reproduces both.

Complete sequencing of the Fugu WAGR region from WT1 to PAX6: Dramatic compaction and conservation of synteny with human chromosome 11p13

The pufferfish Fugu rubripes has a genome ≈7.5 times smaller than that of mammals but with a similar number of genes. Although conserved synteny has been demonstrated between pufferfish and mammals across some regions of the genome, there is some controversy as to what extent Fugu will be a useful model for the human genome, e.g., [Gilley, J., Armes, N. & Fried, M. (1997) Nature (London) 385, 305–306]. We report extensive conservation of synteny between a 1.5-Mb region of human chromosome 11 and <100 kb of the Fugu genome in three overlapping cosmids. Our findings support the idea that the majority of DNA in the region of human chromosome 11p13 is intergenic. Comparative analysis of three unrelated genes with quite different roles, WT1, RCN1, and PAX6, has revealed differences in their structural evolution. Whereas the human WT1 gene can generate 16 protein isoforms via a combination of alternative splicing, RNA editing, and alternative start site usage, our data predict that Fugu WT1 is capable of generating only two isoforms. This raises the question of the extent to which the evolution of WT1 isoforms is related to the evolution of the mammalian genitourinary system. In addition, this region of the Fugu genome shows a much greater overall compaction than usual but with significant noncoding homology observed at the PAX6 locus, implying that comparative genomics has identified regulatory elements associated with this gene.

Alignment of a 1.2-Mb chromosomal region from three strains of Rhodobacter capsulatus reveals a significantly mosaic structure.

High-resolution physical maps of the genomes of three Rhodobacter capsulatus strains, derived from ordered cosmid libraries, were aligned. The 1.2-Mb segment of the SB1003 genome studied here is adjacent to a 1-Mb region analyzed previously [Fonstein, M., Nikolskaya, T. & Haselkorn, H. (1995) J. Bacteriol. 177, 2368-2372]. Probes derived from the ordered cosmid set of R. capsulatus SB1003 were used to link cosmids from the St. Louis and 2.3.1 strain libraries. Cosmids selected this way did not merge into a single contig but formed several unlinked groups. EcoRV restriction maps of the ordered cosmids were then constructed using lambda terminase and fused to derive fragments of the chromosomal map. In order to link these fragments, their ends were transcribed to produce secondary probes for hybridization to gridded cosmid libraries of the same strains. This linking reduced the number of subcontigs to three for the St. Louis strain and one for the 2.3.1 strain. Hybridization of the same probes back to the ordered cosmid set of SB1003 positioned the subcontigs on the high-resolution physical map of SB1003. The final alignment of the restriction maps shows numerous large and small translocations in this 1.2-Mb chromosomal region of the three Rhodobacter strains. In addition, the chromosomes of the three strains, whose fine-structure maps can now be compared over 2.2 Mb, are seen to contain regions of 15-80 kb in which restriction sites are highly polymorphic, interspersed among regions in which the positions of restriction sites are highly conserved.

The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region from Germany’s perspective. OSW Commentary No. 69, 2011-01-10

Germany is one of the eight EU member states which participate in the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region along with Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden. Germany had a positive approach to the EUSBSR strategy (see Appendix 1) right from planning stage. This project contributed to the continuation of Germany’s co-operation with the countries in this region, which has been conducted since the mid 1980s mainly by German federal states. Germany is playing a major role as part of this strategy because it is the coordinator of its three priority areas.However, the German federal government sees the EUSBSR as a project to be implemented at the level of federal states. This has been proven by the great activity of three German federal states participating in the strategy (Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein) and at the same time the low level of engagement from the Bundestag, the federal government and expert circles. Furthermore, federal states more often formulate evaluations of the effects of co-operation achieved so far as part of the EUSBSR. Still, the relatively low level of Berlin’s engagement does not mean that it is not interested in co-operation in the Baltic region as such. Germany actively participates in the work of such bodies as the Council of the Baltic Sea States or the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM). All German entities engaged in the strategy make its future attractiveness and the success of individual projects as part of it dependent on including Russia in the EUSBSR. As long as Germany has the opportunity of regional co-operation with Russia at other forums (for example, the Council of the Baltic Sea States), it is unlikely to become more engaged in developing the strategy and enhancing co-operation as part of this project.

The exploring expedition to the Rocky Mountains, Oregon and California, to which is added a description of the physical geography of California, with recent notices of the gold region from the latest and most authentic sources /

Mode of access: Internet.

Broad balmer wings in BA Hyper/Supergiants distorted by diffuse interstellar bands: five examples in the 30 Doradus Region from the VLT-Flames Tarantula Survey

Extremely broad emission wings at Hβ and Hα have been found in VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey data for five very luminous BA supergiants in or near 30 Doradus in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The profiles of both lines are extremely asymmetrical, which we have found to be caused by very broad diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) in the longward wing of Hβ and the shortward wing of Hα. These DIBs are well known to interstellar but not to many stellar specialists, so that the asymmetries may be mistaken for intrinsic features. The broad emission wings are generally ascribed to electron scattering, although we note difficulties for that interpretation in some objects. Such profiles are known in some Galactic hyper/supergiants and are also seen in both active and quiescent Luminous Blue Variables (LBVs). No prior or current LBV activity is known in these 30 Dor stars, although a generic relationship to LBVs is not excluded; subject to further observational and theoretical investigation, it is possible that these very luminous supergiants are approaching the LBV stage for the first time. Their locations in the HRD and presumed evolutionary tracks are consistent with that possibility. The available evidence for spectroscopic variations of these objects is reviewed, while recent photometric monitoring does not reveal variability. A search for circumstellar nebulae has been conducted, with an indeterminate result for one of them.

The seismicity of Portugal and its adjacent Atlantic region from 1300 to 2014: Maximum Observed Intensity map (MOI)

In this study, we considered earthquakes with a maximum observed intensity (MOI) Io≥V that occurred throughout the Portuguese mainland and its adjacent Atlantic region to produce the map of maximum intensities of Portugal. This map is based on a wide variety of historical and recent sources, including 175 earthquakes, over the period of 1300–2014. This MOI map allows the regions of high, medium, and low levels of seismic hazard to be highlighted. The entirety of Portugal has been affected by major seismic events, some of which have caused serious damage. In addition, offshore earthquakes have had significant impacts on the coastal cities located in the central and southern regions of the country. Because the southern region of mainland Portugal is more active than the northern region, the largest concentrations of events with Io≥VI are in the southern region, especially on the mainland near the city of Évora, in the Lisbon region, in the Lower Tagus Valley region, and along the Algarve coast, especially in the southwest region in Cape of São Vicente and the Gorringe Bank.

Reaction of Brazilian wheat cultivars to wheat blast in the Cerrado Region.

2016

Germination performance of congeneric Styrax species from the Cerrado sensu lato areas and their distribution pattern in different physiognomies

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Mites (Acari: Mesostigmata, Sarcoptiformes and Trombidiformes) associated to soybean in Brazil, including new records from the cerrado areas

In Brazil, soybean Glycine max (L.) Merril crops are subjected to incidence of several pests, which are mainly insect species. However, the occurrences of other pest species are growing. In this context, outbreaks of phytophagous mites are becoming more frequent. Nevertheless, records of mites in such crop are available only for Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul states. Thus, this work gathers all information published about the diversity of mites found in soybean in Brazil, and also new records of mite species made on samplings taken from the central Cerrado area. In the whole, occurrence of 44 species of plant mites in soybean has been recorded in Brazil. Data from prior studies and the results of this work present the tetranychid Mononychellus planki (McGregor) as the mite species most frequently occurring in the Brazilian soybean crops. A large portion of Phytoseiidae species has occurred in crops from Rio Grande do Sul state. In addition, spontaneous soybean has hosted almost half of the phytoseiid species sampled in Cerrado region. High diversity of Tarsonemidae has been found in the cultivated soybean. More studies about soybean mites are needed to clarify the damage potential of phytophagous mites and the biological role of predatory mites in this crop.

Distribuição espacial de Pratylenchus brachyurus em soja no leste do Maranhão

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Ciência do Solo) - FCAV

Tampere region under the microscope : a critical analysis from the knowledge perspective

Purpose – In the context of global knowledge economy, knowledge-based urban development (KBUD) is seen as an effective development strategy for city-regions to survive, flourish and become highly competitive urban agglomerations – i.e., a knowledge city-region. This paper aims to evaluate the KBUD dynamics, capacity and potentials of a rapidly emerging knowledge city-region of Finland – Tampere region. Design/methodology/approach – The paper undertakes a review of the literature on regional development in the knowledge economy era. It adopts a qualitative analysis technique to scrutinize the dynamics, capacity and potentials of Tampere region. The semi-structured interview process starts with the pre-determined key actors of the city-region with an aim of determining the other key players. Next, with the participation of all key players to the interviews, the research reveals the principal issues, assets and mechanisms that relate to KBUD, and portrays the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the city-region. A critical analysis of the findings along with the previous studies is undertaken to provide a clear picture of the dynamics, capacity and potentials of the emerging knowledge city-region. Originality/value – This paper reports the findings of a pioneering study focusing on the investigation of the KBUD dynamics, capacity and potentials of Tampere region. The paper critically evaluates the city-region from the knowledge perspective with the lens of KBUD, and the lessons learned and the methodological approach of the paper shed light to other city-regions seeking such development. Practical implications – The paper discusses the findings of a study from Tampere region that critically scrutinizes the KBUD experience of the city-region. The research provides an invaluable opportunity to inform the regional decision-, policy- and plan-making mechanisms by determining key issues, actors, assets, processes and potential development directions for the KBUD of Tampere region.

Characterization of the optical properties of atmospheric aerosols in Amazonia from long-term AERONET monitoring (1993-1995 and 1999-2006)

We present a new climatology of atmospheric aerosols (primarily pyrogenic and biogenic) for the Brazilian tropics on the basis of a high-quality data set of spectral aerosol optical depth and directional sky radiance measurements from Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) Cimel Sun-sky radiometers at more than 15 sites distributed across the Amazon basin and adjacent Cerrado region. This network is the only long-term project (with a record including observations from more than 11 years at some locations) ever to have provided ground-based remotely-sensed column aerosol properties for this critical region. Distinctive features of the Amazonian area aerosol are presented by partitioning the region into three aerosol regimes: southern Amazonian forest, Cerrado, and northern Amazonian forest. The monitoring sites generally include measurements from the interval 1999-2006, but some sites have measurement records that date back to the initial days of the AERONET program in 1993. Seasonal time series of aerosol optical depth (AOD), angstrom ngstrom exponent, and columnar-averaged microphysical properties of the aerosol derived from sky radiance inversion techniques (single-scattering albedo, volume size distribution, fine mode fraction of AOD, etc.) are described and contrasted for the defined regions. During the wet season, occurrences of mineral dust penetrating deep into the interior were observed.