Genetic differentiation among distinct karyomorphs of the wolf fish Hoplias malabaricus species complex (Characiformes, Erythrinidae) and report of unusual hybridization with natural triploidy

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

The immunomodulatory effect of propolis on receptors expression, cytokine production and fungicidal activity of human monocytes

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

The community-level effect of light on germination timing in relation to seed mass: a source of regeneration niche differentiation

Within a community, species may germinate at different times so as to mitigate competition and to take advantage of different aspects of the seasonal environment (temporal niche differentiation). We illustrated a hypothesis of the combined effects of abiotic and biotic competitive factors on germination timing and the subsequent upscale effects on community assembly. We estimated the germination timing (GT) for 476 angiosperm species of the eastern Tibetan Plateau grasslands under two light treatments in the field: high (i.e. natural) light and low light. We also measured the shift in germination timing (SGT) across treatments for all species. Furthermore, we used phylogenetic comparative methods to test if GT and SGT were associated with seed mass, an important factor in competitive interactions. We found a significant positive correlation between GT and seed mass in both light treatments. Additionally, small seeds (early germinating seeds) tended to germinate later and large seeds (late germinating seeds) tended to germinate earlier under low light vs high light conditions. Low light availability can reduce temporal niche differentiation by increasing the overlap in germination time between small and large seeds. In turn, reduced temporal niche differentiation may increase competition in the process of community assembly.

Paracrine and autocrine factors in the differentiation of the cumulus-oocyte complex

A better understanding of the paracrine and autocrine regulatory loops within the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) is fundamental for the improvement of in vitro maturation (IVM) outcomes in humans and domestic species. This review presents the most important local regulators identified in the COC to date with special attention to those secreted by the oocyte and acting on cumulus cells, as well as their roles in different processes crucial for the successful maturation of the COC. An autocrine regulatory loop mediated by epidermal growth factor-like (EGF-like) peptides in cumulus cells triggers COC maturation. During COC differentiation, oocyte secreted factors (OSFs), particularly members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) families, regulate meiotic resumption, cumulus expansion, cumulus metabolism, apoptosis and steroidogenesis.

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunoreaction in adrenal-tumors

Aims mid background: We studied, retrospectively, 33 cases of adrenal tumors of children at the Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Children's Institute, Sao Paulo State University Medical School, from 1975 to 1993. Ail patients had at least 2 years of follow-up with a few exceptions. Methods: Clinical follow-up data were correlated with histopathologic review, laboratory data and cell kinetic evaluation (based on detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigens). Results: With one exception, all the patients had presented signs of androgen production and had high levels of dehydro-epiandrosterone-sulfate. Tumor weight evaluation represented a good parameter of neoplasm evolution: of 19 cases weighing less than 250 g, 17 had no evidence of disease after surgery, and 2 had an unfavorable prognosis. Of 14 cases weighing more than 250 g, only 1 had no evidence of disease and 13 had an unfavorable evolution. Conclusions: Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was not helpful to evaluate adrenal neoplasm evolution: our study did not show any correlation between PCNA score and prognosis.

Efeito quimiopreventivo e modulador de HLA-G (Human Leukocyte Antigen - G) de Morelloflavona

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

Relevance of the Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 (MyD88) on RANKL, OPG, and Nod Expressions Induced by TLR and IL-1R Signaling in Bone Marrow Stromal Cells

The myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) plays a pivotal role in Toll-like receptor (TLR)- and interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R)-induced osteoclastogenesis. We examined the role of MyD88 on p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell (NF-κB) activation and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (Nod) induction by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and IL-1 beta, and their effect on receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) production in bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC). RANKL, Nod1, Nod2, NF-κB, and p38 protein levels were determined by Western blot. Nod2 was stimulated with muramyl dipeptide (MDP) prior to TLR4 stimulation with LPS. MyD88 deficiency markedly inhibited RANKL expression after LPS stimulation and increased OPG messenger RNA (mRNA) production. Also, MyD88 was necessary for NF-κB and p38 MAPK activation. MDP alone did not induce RANKL and OPG expressions; however, when combined with LPS, their expressions were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Our results support that MyD88 signaling has a pivotal role in osteoclastogenesis thought NF-κB and p38 activation. Nod2 and especially Nod1 levels were influenced by MyD88.

Balancing immunity and tolerance: genetic footprint of natural selection in the transcriptional regulatory region of HLA-G

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Relevance of the Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 (MyD88) on RANKL, OPG, and Nod Expressions Induced by TLR and IL-1R Signaling in Bone Marrow Stromal Cells

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for Differentiation of the Dimorphic Fungal Species Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Paracoccidioides lutzii

Isolates of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Paracoccidioides lutzii, previously characterized by molecular techniques, were identified for the first time by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). All isolates were correctly identified, with log score values of >2.0. Thus, MALDI-TOF MS is a new tool for differentiating species of the genus Paracoccidioides.

Disappearance of fat body proteins during soldier differentiation in the neotropical termite Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Multiscale sensing of antibody - antigen interactions by organic transistors and single-molecule force spectroscopy

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

Humoral immune responses against the malaria vaccine candidate antigen Plasmodium vivax AMA-1 and IL-4 gene polymorphisms in individuals living in an endemic area of the Brazilian Amazon

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)