Degeneracy of antigen recognition as the molecular basis for the high frequency of naive A2/Melan-a peptide multimer(+) CD8(+) T cells in humans.

In contrast with the low frequency of most single epitope reactive T cells in the preimmune repertoire, up to 1 of 1,000 naive CD8(+) T cells from A2(+) individuals specifically bind fluorescent A2/peptide multimers incorporating the A27L analogue of the immunodominant 26-35 peptide from the melanocyte differentiation and melanoma associated antigen Melan-A. This represents the only naive antigen-specific T cell repertoire accessible to direct analysis in humans up to date. To get insight into the molecular basis for the selection and maintenance of such an abundant repertoire, we analyzed the functional diversity of T cells composing this repertoire ex vivo at the clonal level. Surprisingly, we found a significant proportion of multimer(+) clonotypes that failed to recognize both Melan-A analogue and parental peptides in a functional assay but efficiently recognized peptides from proteins of self- or pathogen origin selected for their potential functional cross-reactivity with Melan-A. Consistent with these data, multimers incorporating some of the most frequently recognized peptides specifically stained a proportion of naive CD8(+) T cells similar to that observed with Melan-A multimers. Altogether these results indicate that the high frequency of Melan-A multimer(+) T cells can be explained by the existence of largely cross-reactive subsets of naive CD8(+) T cells displaying multiple specificities.

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in elite clones of Theobroma cacao

The objective of this work was to evaluated a procedure for somatic embryogenesis and regeneration of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) elite clones. Petal explants from cacao clones TSH 565 and TSH 1188 were cultured on PCG and SCG-2 media, for calli growth. Somatic embryos were formed on the surface of embryogenic calli after transfer to embryo development (ED) medium. Clone TSH 565 showed a higher embryogenic potential than TSH 1188. The best combination of carbon source for embryo induction in ED medium was genotype-specific. Embryogenic callus formations increased in micropore tape-sealed Petri dishes, irrespective of cacao genotype. Mature somatic embryos were successfully converted into plantlets.

Decepa de plantas jovens de eucalipto e manejo de brotações, em um sistema agroflorestal

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o uso de decepa de plantas jovens de eucalipto, para produção de árvores de menor diâmetro, com colheita facilitada por pequenos produtores; ou para recuperação de povoamentos jovens severamente danificados e produção de biomassa para energia em ciclos curtos. O experimento foi conduzido em sistema agroflorestal, com espaçamento entre plantas de 9,5x4 m. O crescimento de plantas intactas foi comparado ao de brotações de decepas realizadas aos nove ou doze meses após plantio. Aos seis ou nove meses após a decepa, realizou-se a desbrota, para deixar dois ou três brotos por cepa. Quando a desbrota foi realizada aos 12 meses após a decepa, todos os brotos dominantes foram deixados. Um tratamento sem desbrota também foi avaliado. Aos 42 meses após plantio, o tratamento sem desbrota apresentou o mesmo número de brotos por cepa que o de plantas desbrotadas para três brotos. O diâmetro das brotações foi equivalente a 69% do valor estimado para as plantas intactas. O valor assintótico de produção das brotações, da maioria dos tratamentos de decepa aos nove meses, foi igual ao das plantas intactas, o que evidencia a viabilidade da decepa sem a realização da desbrota, em sistemas agroflorestais.

Classificação da capacidade produtiva de povoamentos não desbastados de clones de eucalipto

O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver e propor um procedimento para a estratificação de florestas de clones de eucalipto não desbastados, para a classificação de sua capacidade produtiva. Utilizaram-se dados provenientes de 70 clones, distribuídos em 5.020 parcelas permanentes de inventários florestais contínuos, com pelo menos três medições, de periodicidade anual, em cada clone. Para todos os clones, foi ajustado o modelo de Schumacher para as variáveis: área basal; altura dominante; diâmetro médio; e volume comercial, com casca. Com esses parâmetros, foi utilizado o método de Tocher, que se mostrou eficiente para agrupar clones com tendências semelhantes de crescimento em altura dominante. A estimativa de índice de local, para clones com menos de três medições, pode ser determinada a partir das informações de altura dominante, diâmetro médio, área basal e volume, obtidas do inventário florestal contínuo de outros clones.

Efficient targeted transcript discovery via array-based normalization of RACE libraries.

Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) is a widely used approach for transcript identification. Random clone selection from the RACE mixture, however, is an ineffective sampling strategy if the dynamic range of transcript abundances is large. To improve sampling efficiency of human transcripts, we hybridized the products of the RACE reaction onto tiling arrays and used the detected exons to delineate a series of reverse-transcriptase (RT)-PCRs, through which the original RACE transcript population was segregated into simpler transcript populations. We independently cloned the products and sequenced randomly selected clones. This approach, RACEarray, is superior to direct cloning and sequencing of RACE products because it specifically targets new transcripts and often results in overall normalization of transcript abundance. We show theoretically and experimentally that this strategy leads indeed to efficient sampling of new transcripts, and we investigated multiplexing the strategy by pooling RACE reactions from multiple interrogated loci before hybridization.

Influência de porta-enxertos na resistência de mudas de cajueiro ao estresse salino

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de porta-enxertos na resistência de mudas de cajueiro (Anacardium occidentale L.) à salinidade. As mudas foram obtidas pela enxertia do clone BRS 226 sobre os porta-enxertos CAPI 4, CCP 09 e BRS 226. Foram expostas a meio hidropônico sem NaCl (controle) ou com NaCl 200 mM (tratamento salino), sob condições controladas de temperatura, umidade e luminosidade, durante 12 dias. O delineamento foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3x2 (três combinações de enxerto/porta-enxerto e duas concentrações de NaCl), com quatro repetições. Foram determinados a concentração de Na+, Cl-, K+ e solutos orgânicos e os sintomas visuais de toxicidade nas folhas. Os conteúdos de Na+ e Cl-, a relação K+/Na+ e as concentrações de aminoácidos e de prolina livres nas folhas tiveram relação direta com os sintomas visuais de toxicidade. Os porta-enxertos CAPI 4, CCP 09 e BRS 226 foram classificados como sensível, intermediário e resistente à salinidade elevada, respectivamente. Essa variação foi decorrente da influência do porta-enxerto na partição do Na+ e do Cl-.

Changing molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an Algerian hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of both hospital- and community-acquired infections worldwide. However, data about the molecular epidemiology of MRSA in North Africa are still scarce. METHODOLOGY: All MRSA isolates recovered between January 2006 and July 2011 from one Algerian hospital were genetically and phenotypically characterized. RESULTS: The predominance of a European community-associated-MRSA (CA-MRSA) clone (ST80-SCCmec IV-PVL positive) was revealed by this analysis. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that a CA-MRSA clone recently invaded the hospital setting in Algiers and replaced a typical hospital-associated pandemic clone such as the Brazilian clone (ST239-SCCmec IIImercury-PVL negative).

Effects of epitope modification on T cell receptor-ligand binding and antigen recognition by seven H-2Kd-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte clones specific for a photoreactive peptide derivative.

We tested for antigen recognition and T cell receptor (TCR)-ligand binding 12 peptide derivative variants on seven H-2Kd-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) clones specific for a bifunctional photoreactive derivative of the Plasmodium berghei circumsporozoite peptide 252-260 (SYIPSAEKI). The derivative contained iodo-4-azidosalicylic acid in place of PbCS S-252 and 4-azidobenzoic acid on PbCS K-259. Selective photoactivation of the N-terminal photoreactive group allowed crosslinking to Kd molecules and photoactivation of the orthogonal group to TCR. TCR photoaffinity labeling with covalent Kd-peptide derivative complexes allowed direct assessment of TCR-ligand binding on living CTL. In most cases (over 80%) cytotoxicity (chromium release) and TCR-ligand binding differed by less than fivefold. The exceptions included (a) partial TCR agonists (8 cases), for which antigen recognition was five-tenfold less efficient than TCR-ligand binding, (b) TCR antagonists (2 cases), which were not recognized and capable of inhibiting recognition of the wild-type conjugate, (c) heteroclitic agonists (2 cases), for which antigen recognition was more efficient than TCR-ligand binding, and (d) one partial TCR agonist, which activated only Fas (C1)95), but not perforin/granzyme-mediated cytotoxicity. There was no correlation between these divergences and the avidity of TCR-ligand binding, indicating that other factors than binding avidity determine the nature of the CTL response. An unexpected and novel finding was that CD8-dependent clones clearly incline more to TCR antagonism than CD8-independent ones. As there was no correlation between CD8 dependence and the avidity of TCR-ligand binding, the possibility is suggested that CD8 plays a critical role in aberrant CTL function.

Resistance of genetically modified potatoes to Potato virus Y under field conditions

The objective of this work was to evaluate the resistance of genetically modified clones of potato to Potato virus Y (PVY) under field conditions. Genetically modified plants were compared with nontransformed plants of the same cultivar. The plots were flanked with potato plants infected with both PVYº and PVY N strains (spread lines), in order to provide the experimental area with the source of virus, which was naturally spread by the native aphid population. The experiment was weekly monitored by visual inspections and by DAS-Elisa in the plants produced from the harvested tubers, in order to evaluate the resistance of transgenic plants throughout the plant growth cycle. By the end of the third year, no infection symptoms were observed in the 1P clone; clone 63P showed 1% of infection, in contrast to about 90% of nontransformed plants infected. The stable expression of resistance to PVY provided by the coat protein gene was obtained in genetically modified clones of potato plants cultivar Achat under field conditions, during three consecutive years.

Adaptabilidade e estabilidade de clones de guaraná

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar parâmetros de adaptabilidade e estabilidade fenotípica de clones de guaraná (Paullinia cupana) no Estado do Amazonas. Foram instalados dez experimentos, em três municípios, nos quais foi avaliado o desempenho produtivo de 27 clones pré-selecionados de guaraná, durante quatro anos. Os experimentos foram instalados em blocos ao acaso, com duas repetições, com parcelas constituídas por três plantas espaçadas em 5x5 m. Foram avaliados quatro métodos de determinação de adaptabilidade e estabilidade. O método não paramétrico de Lin & Binns modificado apresentou resultados satisfatórios e discriminou os clones quanto ao desempenho nos ambientes favoráveis e desfavoráveis e quanto aos graus de estabilidade. O clone CMU871 destacou-se pela ampla adaptabilidade e elevada estabilidade fenotípica. Os clones CMU619 e CMU609 apresentaram adaptabilidade específica a ambientes favoráveis e desfavoráveis, respectivamente.

Respostas biométricas e fisiológicas ao deficit hídrico em cana-de-açúcar em diferentes fases fenológicas

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as respostas biométricas e fisiológicas de cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.) ao deficit hídrico (DH), em diferentes fases fenológicas. Os genótipos IACSP 94-2094 e IACSP 96-2042 foram submetidos a DH nas fases de crescimento inicial, crescimento máximo e de acúmulo de sacarose no colmo. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado. A suscetibilidade ao DH foi determinada pela redução de matéria seca do colmo e do conteúdo de sólidos solúveis no caldo. O deficit hídrico causou redução nas trocas gasosas, nas três fases fenológicas, em ambos os genótipos. Foi observada menor altura das plantas, menor acúmulo de matéria seca do colmo e de sólidos solúveis, e redução no número e comprimento de entrenós, apenas na fase de crescimento inicial, no clone IACSP 96-2042. Na fase de crescimento inicial, observou-se tolerância ao DH no genótipo IACSP 94-2094, com evidências de aclimatação fisiológica, e redução na produção de fitomassa e de sólidos solúveis no genótipo IACSP 96-2042, como resposta à menor condutância estomática e à menor eficiência aparente de carboxilação da fotossíntese. Independentemente da fase fenológica, o genótipo IACSP 94-2094 foi tolerante ao deficit hídrico, pois manteve a produção de fitomassa mesmo com redução das trocas gasosas.

Comparison of the gut microbiota from soldier and worker castes of the termite Reticulitermes grassei

The bacterial microbiota from the whole gut of soldier and worker castes of the termite Reticulitermes grassei was isolated and studied. In addition, the 16S rDNA bacterial genes from gut DNA were PCR-amplified using Bacteria-selective primers, and the 16S rDNA amplicons subsequently cloned into Escherichia coli. Sequences of the cloned inserts were then used to determine closest relatives by comparison with published sequences and with sequences from our previous work. The clones were found to be affiliated with the phyla Spirochaetes, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Synergistetes, Verrucomicrobia, and candidate phyla Termite Group 1 (TG1) and Termite Group 2 (TG2). No significant differences were observed with respect to the relative bacterial abundances between soldier and worker phylotypes. The phylotypes obtained in this study were compared with reported sequences from other termites, especially those of phylotypes related to Spirochaetes, Wolbachia (an Alphaproteobacteria), Actinobacteria, and TG1. Many of the clone phylotypes detected in soldiers grouped with those of workers. Moreover, clones CRgS91 (soldiers) and CRgW68 (workers), both affiliated with"Endomicrobia", were the same phylotype. Soldiers and workers also seemed to have similar relative protist abundances. Heterotrophic, poly-β-hydroxyalkanoate-accumulating bacteria were isolated from the gut of soldiers and shown to be affiliated with Actinobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria. We noted that Wolbachia was detected in soldiers but not in workers. Overall, the maintenance by soldiers and workers of comparable axial and radial redox gradients in the gut is consistent with the similarities in the prokaryotes and protists comprising their microbiota.

In vitro negative selection of viral superantigen-reactive thymocytes by thymic dendritic cells.

Intrathymic expression of endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-encoded superantigens (SAg) induces the clonal deletion of T cells bearing SAg-reactive T-cell receptor (TCR) Vbeta elements. However, the identity of the thymic antigen-presenting cells (APC) involved in the induction of SAg tolerance remains to be defined. We have analyzed the potential of dendritic cells (DC) to mediate the clonal deletion of Mtv-7-reactive TCR alphabeta P14 transgenic thymocytes in an in vitro assay. Our results show that both thymic and splenic DC induced the deletion of TCR transgenic double positive (DP) thymocytes. DC appear to be more efficient than splenic B cells as negatively selecting APC in this experimental system. Interestingly, thymic and splenic DC display a differential ability to induce CD4+ SP thymocyte proliferation. These observations suggest that thymic DC may have an important role in the induction of SAg tolerance in vivo.

Bilateral periorbital ecchymoses. An often missed sign of amyloid purpura.

Immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a systemic disease caused by a plasma cell clone synthesizing an unstable light chain, which forms amyloid fibrils. Deposition of amyloid fibrils affects primarily kidney, heart, nervous system, spleen, liver, gastrointestinal tract and the skin. Skin bleeding in these patients is called amyloid purpura. Classically, it occurs spontaneously and bilaterally in the periorbital region. Vessel wall fragility and damage by amyloid are the principal causes of periorbital and gastrointestinal bleeding. Additionally, coagulation factor inhibitory circulating paraprotein, hyperfibrinolysis, platelet dysfunction or isolated acquired factor X deficiency may contribute to even more severe, diffuse bleedings. Early diagnosis remains essential for improving prognosis of patients with AL amyloidosis. Although pictures of amyloid purpura have been often reported in the literature, the clinical diagnosis may be delayed. We report a case of cutaneous manifestation of AL amyloidosis diagnosed not until one year after the appearance of the first symptoms. Diagnostic work-up revealed that the patient suffered from multiple myeloma with secondary AL amyloidosis. Atraumatic ecchymoses at the face, particularly the eyelids as well as in the neck should raise the suspicion of AL amyloidosis.

Leaf development and growth of selected sugarcane clones in a subtropical environment

The objective of this work was to compare phyllochron and leaf area on individual stalks of selected sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) clones grown in a subtropical environment. A two-year field experiment was carried out in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, during the 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 growing seasons. Three sugarcane clones were used: IAC 822045 (early), SP 711406 (median) and CB 4176 (late), in a complete randomized block design, with four replications. Expanded leaf and total leaf (tips) number were determined, and expanded leaf area was measured. The phyllochron (ºC day leaf-1) based on expanded and tip leaf number was estimated, using 10ºC as base temperature. Allometric relationships between individual area and number of expanded leaves were fitted. Phyllochron was analysed as a four-factor experiment: clone, growing season, phyllochron phase, and phyllochron type. The early clone had the greatest potential for growing in a subtropical climate because of higher leaf output and leaf area.