On the poorly known genus Anuvinda Lehtinen, 1967 (Araneae: Titanoecidae)

The spider genus Anuvinda includes a single species described from India, Anuvinda escheri (Reimoser), based on a female. The male remained unknown and no other specimens beyond the type specimen are known. In this paper we present the first description of the male of A. escheri and the redescription of the female, based on material recently collected in China, Laos and Thailand. In addition, the distribution range of the species is extended to include these three countries.

Characterization of the mechanisms underlying the inflammatory response to Polistes lanio lanio (paper wasp) venom in mouse dorsal skin

Stings by Polistes wasps can cause life-threatening allergic reactions, pain and inflammation. We examined the changes in microvascular permeability and neutrophil influx caused by the venom of Polistes lanio a paper wasp found in southeastern Brazil. The intradermal injection of wasp venom caused long-lasting paw oedema and dose-dependently increased microvascular permeability in mouse dorsal skin. SR140333, an NK(1) receptor antagonist, markedly inhibited the response, but the NK(2) receptor antagonist SR48968 was ineffective. The oedema was reduced in capsaicin-treated rats, indicating a direct activation of sensory fibres. Dialysis of the venom partially reduced the oedema and the remaining response was further inhibited by SR140333. Mass spectrometric analysis of the venom revealed two peptides (QPPTPPEHRFPGLM and ASEPTALGLPRIFPGLM) with sequence similarities to the C-terminal region of tachykinin-like peptides found in Phoneutria nigniventer spider venom and vertebrates. Wasp venom failed to release histamine from mast cells in vitro and spectrofluorometric assay of the venom revealed a negligible content of histamine in the usual dose of P.l. lanio venom (1 nmol of histamine/7 mu g of venom)that was removed by dialysis. The histamine H(1) receptor antagonist pyrilamine, but not bradykinin B(1) or B(2) receptor antagonists, inhibited venom-induced oedema. In conclusion, P. l. lanio venom induces potent oedema and increases vascular permeability in mice, primarily through activation of tachykinin NK(1) receptors by substance P released from sensory C fibres, which in turn releases histamine from dermal mast cells. This is the first description of a neurovascular mechanism for P. l. lanio venom-mediated inflammation. The extent to which the two tachykinin-like peptides identified here contribute to this neurogenic inflammatory response remains to be elucidated. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Peptide gomesin triggers cell death through L-type channel calcium influx, MAPK/ERK, PKC and PI3K signaling and generation of reactive oxygen species

Gomesin is an antimicrobial peptide isolated from hemocytes of a common Brazilian tarantula spider named Acanthoscurriagomesiana. This peptide exerts antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo by an unknown mechanism. In this study, the cytotoxic mechanism of gomesin in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells was investigated. Gomesin induced necrotic cell death and was cytotoxic to SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells. The peptide evoked a rapid and transient elevation of intracellular calcium levels in Fluo-4-AM loaded PC12 cells, which was inhibited by nimodipine, an L-type calcium channel blocker. Preincubation with nimodipine also inhibited cell death induced by gomesin in SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells. Gomesin-induced cell death was prevented by the pretreatment with MAPK/ERK, PKC or PI3K inhibitors, but not with PKA inhibitor. In addition, gomesin generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in SH-SY5Y cells, which were blocked with nimodipine and MAPK/ERK, PKC or PI3K inhibitors. Taken together, these results suggest that gomesin could be a useful anticancer agent, which mechanism of cytotoxicity implicates calcium entry through L-type calcium channels, activation of MAPK/ERK, PKC and PI3K signaling as well as the generation of reactive oxygen species. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Differential effects of alpha-helical and beta-hairpin antimicrobial peptides against Acanthamoeba castellanii

In this work we evaluated the ability of different types of antimicrobial peptides to promote permeabilization and growth inhibition of Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoites, which cause eye keratitis. We used cationic alpha-helical peptides P5 and a beta-hairpin amphipathic molecule (gomesin), of the spider Acanthoscurria gomesiana haemocytes. A. castellanii permeabilization was obtained after 1 h incubation with micromolar concentrations of both types of peptides. While permeabilization induced by gomesin increased with longer incubations, P5 permeabilization did not increase with time and occurred at doses that are more toxic for SIRC cells, P5, however, at doses below the critical dose used to kill rabbit corneal cells was quite effective in promoting growth inhibition. Similarly, P5 was more effective when serine protease inhibitor was added simultaneously to the permeabilization assay. High performance chromatography followed by mass spectrometry analysis confirmed that, in contrast to gomesin, P5 is hydrolysed by A. castellanii culture supernatants. We conclude that the use of antimicrobial peptides to treat A. castellanii infections requires the search of more specific peptides that are resistant to proteolysis.

Interaction of membrane mimetic vesicles with the antimicrobial peptide gomesin and its analogues

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

Expression and characterization of LTx2, a neurotoxin from Lasiodora sp effecting on calcium channels

Here, we described the expression and characterization of the recombinant toxin LTx2, which was previously isolated from the venomous cDNA library of a Brazilian spider, Lasiodora sp. (Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae). The recombinant toxin found in the soluble and insoluble fractions was purified by reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Ca2+ imaging analysis revealed that the recombinant LTx2 acts on calcium channels of BC3H1 cells, blocking L-type calcium channels. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Acanthoscurrin Fragment 101-132: Total Synthesis at 60 degrees C of a Novel Difficult Sequence

Glycine-rich proteins (GRP), serve a variety of biological functions. Acanthoscurrin is an antimicrobial GRP isolated front hemocytes-of the Brazilian spider Acanthoscurria gomesiana. Aiming to contribute to the knowledge of the secondary structure and stepwise solid-phase synthesis of GRPs` glycine-rich domains, we attempted to prepare G(101)GGLGGGRGGGYG(113) GGGGYGGGYG(123)GGy(126)GGGKYK(132)-NH(2), acanthoscurrin C-terminal amidated fragment. Although a theoretical prediction did not indicate high aggregation potential for this peptide, repetitive incomplete aminoacylations were observed after incorporating Tyr(126) to the growing peptide-MBHA resin (Boc chemistry) at 60 degrees C. The problem was not solved by varying the coupling reagents or solvents, adding chaotropic salts to the reaction media or changing the resin/chemistry (Rink amide resin/Fmoc chemistry). Some improvement was mode when CLEAR amide resin (Fmoc chemistry) was 32 used, as it allowed for obtaining fragment (G(113)-K(132) NIR-FT-Raman spectra collected for samples of the growing peptide-MBHA, -Rink amide resin and -CLEAR amide resin revealed the presence of beta-sheet structures. Only the combination of CLEAR-amide resin, 60 degrees C, Fmoc-(Fmoc-Hmb)Gly-OH and LiCl (the last two used alternately) was able to inhibit the phenomenon, as proven by NIR-FT-Raman analysis of the growing peptide-resin, allowing the total synthesis of desired 132 fragment Gly(101)-K(132). In summary, this work describes a new difficult sequence, contributes to understanding stepwise solid-phase synthesis of this type of peptide and shows that, at least while protected and linked to a resin, this GRPs glycine-rich motif presents all early tendency to assume beta-sheet structures. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 92: 65-75, 2009.

Effects of the antimicrobial peptide gomesin on the global gene expression profile, virulence and biofilm formation of Xylella fastidiosa

In the xylem vessels of susceptible hosts, such as citrus trees, Xylella fastidiosa forms biofilm-like colonies that can block water transport, which appears to correlate to disease symptoms. Besides aiding host colonization, bacterial biofilms play an important role in resistance against antimicrobial agents, for instance antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Here, we show that gomesin, a potent AMP from a tarantula spider, modulates X. fastidiosa gene expression profile upon 60 min of treatment with a sublethal concentration. DNA microarray hybridizations revealed that among the upregulated coding sequences, some are related to biofilm production. In addition, we show that the biofilm formed by gomesin-treated bacteria is thicker than that formed by nontreated cells or cells exposed to streptomycin. We have also observed that the treatment of X. fastidiosa with a sublethal concentration of gomesin before inoculation in tobacco plants correlates with a reduction in foliar symptoms, an effect possibly due to the trapping of bacterial cells to fewer xylem vessels, given the enhancement in biofilm production. These results warrant further investigation of how X. fastidiosa would respond to the AMPs produced by citrus endophytes and by the insect vector, leading to a better understanding of the mechanism of action of these molecules on bacterial virulence.

"Vos sos la mujer araña, que atrapa a los hombres en su tela" : La construcción de la identidad feminina en El beso de la Mujer araña, de Manuel Puig.

La novela El beso de la mujer araña del escritor argentino Manuel Puig es una novela que trata dedos presos en una cárcel bonaerense durante la dictadura militar argentina. Esta tesina se centrará enla identidad femenina de Molina. El objetivo de esta tesina es examinar la celebración de lafemineidad de Molina, y su construcción de una identidad femenina. Esta identidad se conectarácon la idea de la identidad femenina como socialmente construida, opuesto a la noción de génerocomo algo innato. Es decir, la identidad femenina de Molina y sus ideas de lo femeninocorresponden a la idea de la identidad femenina como socialmente construida. Apoyándonos enteoría feminista y teoría queer, estableceremos la conexión que existe entre la identidad femeninacomo la ve Molina, y la identidad femenina como construcción social.

Children's Vocabulary Development : The role of parental input, vocabulary composition and early communicative skills

The aim of this thesis is to examine the early vocabulary development of a sample of Swedish children in relation to parental input and early communicative skills. Three studies are situated in an overall description of early language development in children. The data analyzed in the thesis was collected within a larger project at Stockholm University (SPRINT- “Effects of enhanced parental input on young children’s vocabulary development and subsequent literacy development” [VR 2008-5094]). Data analysis was based on parental report via SECDI, the Swedish version of the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories, and audio recordings. One study examined parental verbal interaction characteristics in three groups of children with varying vocabulary size at 18 months. The stability of vocabulary development at 18 and 24 months was investigated in a larger study, with focus on children’s vocabulary composition and grammatical abilities. The third study examined interrelations among early gestures, receptive and productive vocabulary, and grammar measured with M3L, i.e. three longest utterances, from 12 to 30 months. Overall results of the thesis highlight the importance of early language development. Variability in different characteristics in parental input is associated with variability in child vocabulary size. Children with large early vocabularies exhibit the most stability in vocabulary composition and the earliest grammatical development. Children’s vocabulary composition may reflect individual stylistic variation. Use of early gestures is associated differentially with receptive and productive vocabulary. Results of the thesis have implications for parents, child- and healthcare personnel, as well as researchers and educational practitioners. The results underscore the importance of high quality in adult-child interaction, with rich input fine-tuned to children’s developmental levels and age, together with high awareness of early language development.

Utveckling av metod för att bedöma behovet av ogräsbekämpning i spår

A system for weed management on railway embankments that is both adapted to the environment and efficient in terms of resources requires knowledge and understanding about the growing conditions of vegetation so that methods to control its growth can be adapted accordingly. Automated records could complement present-day manual inspections and over time come to replace these. One challenge is to devise a method that will result in a reasonable breakdown of gathered information that can be managed rationally by affected parties and, at the same time, serve as a basis for decisions with sufficient precision. The project examined two automated methods that may be useful for the Swedish Transport Administration in the future: 1) A machine vision method, which makes use of camera sensors as a way of sensing the environment in the visible and near infrared spectrum; and 2) An N-Sensor method, which transmits light within an area that is reflected by the chlorophyll in the plants. The amount of chlorophyll provides a value that can be correlated with the biomass. The choice of technique depends on how the information is to be used. If the purpose is to form a general picture of the growth of vegetation on railway embankments as a way to plan for maintenance measures, then the N-Sensor technique may be the right choice. If the plan is to form a general picture as well as monitor and survey current and exact vegetation status on the surface over time as a way to fight specific vegetation with the correct means, then the machine vision method is the better of the two. Both techniques involve registering data using GPS positioning. In the future, it will be possible to store this information in databases that are directly accessible to stakeholders online during or in conjunction with measures to deal with the vegetation. The two techniques were compared with manual (visual) estimations as to the levels of vegetation growth. The observers (raters) visual estimation of weed coverage (%) differed statistically from person to person. In terms of estimating the frequency (number) of woody plants (trees and bushes) in the test areas, the observers were generally in agreement. The same person is often consistent in his or her estimation: it is the comparison with the estimations of others that can lead to misleading results. The system for using the information about vegetation growth requires development. The threshold for the amount of weeds that can be tolerated in different track types is an important component in such a system. The classification system must be capable of dealing with the demands placed on it so as to ensure the quality of the track and other pre-conditions such as traffic levels, conditions pertaining to track location, and the characteristics of the vegetation. The project recommends that the Swedish Transport Administration: Discusses how threshold values for the growth of vegetation on railway embankments can be determined Carries out registration of the growth of vegetation over longer and a larger number of railway sections using one or more of the methods studied in the project Introduces a system that effectively matches the information about vegetation to its position Includes information about the growth of vegetation in the records that are currently maintained of the track’s technical quality, and link the data material to other maintenance-related databases Establishes a number of representative surfaces in which weed inventories (by measuring) are regularly conducted, as a means of developing an overview of the long-term development that can serve as a basis for more precise prognoses in terms of vegetation growth Ensures that necessary opportunities for education are put in place

Índices de avaliação de processos : abordagem univariada e multivariada

Esta dissertação versa sobre índices de avaliação de processo nas suas abordagens univariada e multivariada. Analisa-se a utilização da Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP) como ferramenta no desenvolvimento de índices capazes de avaliar processos multivariados. O trabalho apresenta uma revisão teórica sobre os índices univariados de aplicação mais comum na indústria (CP/PP , CPK/PPK , CPM/PPM e CPMK/PPMK), o índice multivariado MCpm e sobre os índices MCP , MCPK , MCPM e MCPMK , associados a ACP. Os índices de avaliação de processo são analisados quanto à sua adequação ao uso, através de um estudo de caso na indústria de componentes automotivos. Para tanto, examina-se o processo de fabricação de um componente do freio de veículos médios e pesados, denominado spider, em que doze variáveis de processo são controladas por meio de controle estatístico de processo. Através do estudo de caso, faz-se uma comparação entre os resultados dos índices univariados e multivariados; pressupõe-se que através da Análise de Componentes Principais poder-se-á concluir sobre a capacidade e o desempenho de processos multivariados. Por fim, a partir da análise univariada dos componentes principais, apresenta-se uma técnica complementar para quantificar a contribuição das variáveis controladas à variabilidade de processos multivariados.

A internet como ferramenta para venda de veículos: o caso Vitória Webcar

A possibilidade de interagir em tempo real com o consumidor, ao contrário dos monólogos que normalmente caracterizam os tradicionais meios de marketing, alterou drasticamente o jeito como o Customer Service pode ser oferecido, pois permite pesquisas e compras de produtos e serviços on-line, o que representa um maior conforto para o homem contemporâneo, cujo tempo é bem escasso. O mercado representa um papel central na economia de qualquer nação, facilitando a troca de informações, bens, serviços e pagamentos, além de criar valores econômicos para compradores, vendedores, intermediários e para a sociedade de modo geral. Os mercados provêem a infra-estrutura física que permite que as transações entre os compradores e os vendedores ocorram. Dessa forma, entende-se que Mercado e Negociação eletrônica são especializações dos conceitos gerais de Mercado e Negociação. O uso de meios eletrônicos e, mais especificamente, o uso da Internet como recurso para promover o comércio, tem revolucionado todas as formas de comercialização existentes, promovendo o surgimento de novos tipos de mercados eletrônicos, os mercados baseados em Internet. Com tais vantagens, os mercados eletrônicos geram novas oportunidades de negócios, proporcionam novas estratégias para se atingir o consumidor, o fornecedor e os intermediários que estejam dispostos a somar valores na integração cliente/fornecedor. Mercados eletrônicos melhoram as informações compartilhadas entre compradores e fornecedores e ajudam a reduzir o custo de logística permitindo promoções rápidas, entregas imediatas e inventários reduzidos. É a infra-estrutura da informação substituindo sistemas de distribuição física. Foi, portanto, sobre esta temática que buscou-se desenvolver todo o trabalho de pesquisa, enfocando-se um caso real: Vitória Web Car, por ser uma organização que direcionou o seu foco para a qualidade dos serviços, como base para o seu crescimento e diferenciação no mercado do varejo virtual brasileiro.

Pricing and hedging of oil futures : a unifying approach

We develop and empirically test a continuous time equilibrium model for the pricing of oil futures. The model provides a link between no-arbitrage models and expectation oriented models. It highlights the role of inventories for the identification of different pricing regimes. In an empirical study the hedging performance of our model is compared with five other one- and two-factor pricing models. The hedging problem considered is related to Metallgesellschaft´s strategy to hedge long-term forward commitments with short-term futures. The results show that the downside risk distribution of our inventory based model stochastically dominates those of the other models.

A era negra do Vale: café, escravos e senhores em Piraí

O presente trabalho analisa cinco inventários dos maiores produtores de café no município de Piraí, no Vale do Paraíba, entre os anos de 1839 e 1848, totalizando quase dois mil escravos. A partir de uma perspectiva de historia econômica pretende-se mostrar que a produção cafeeira permitia o acúmulo de capital e seu reinvestimento na expansão da monocultura. O estudo dos cativeiros também busca evidenciar que os cativos, africanos em sua maioria, eram agentes na formação de suas famílias, mantendo um espaço de sociabilidade baseado na memória e na construção de uma nova identidade afro-brasileira.