Characterization of the Exonic Regions of the JY-1 Gene in Zebu Cattle and Buffaloes

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

Clinical aspects of envenomation caused by Tityus obscurus (Gervais, 1843) in two distinct regions of Para state, Brazilian Amazon basin: a prospective case series

Background: Scorpion envenomations are a major public health problem in Brazil, whose most dangerous cases are attributable to the genus Tityus. This study was designed to compare the clinical and demographic features of envenomations by Tityus obscurus in two areas of the state of Para located in the Amazon basin. Were compared demographic findings, local and systemic signs and symptoms of human envenomations caused by T. obscurus that occurred in western and eastern areas of the state.Results: Forty-eight patients with confirmed envenomation by T. obscurus were evaluated from January 2008 to July 2011. Most of them came from the eastern region, where male and female patients were present in similar numbers, while males predominated in the west. Median age groups were also similar in both areas. Most scorpion stings took place during the day and occurred significantly more frequently on the upper limbs. The time between the sting and admission to the health center was less than three hours in both areas. Most eastern patients had local manifestations while in the west, systemic manifestations predominated. Local symptoms were similar in both areas, but systemic signs and symptoms were more common in the west. Symptoms frequently observed at the sting site were local and radiating pain, paresthesia, edema, erythema, sweating, piloerection and burning. The systemic manifestations were significantly higher in patients from the west. Futhermore, neurological symptoms such as general paresthesia, ataxia, dysarthria, myoclonus, dysmetria, and electric shock-like sensations throughout the body were reported only by patients from the west.Conclusion: The present study shows that two regions of Para state differ in the clinical manifestations and severity of confirmed envenomation by T. obscurus which suggests a toxicity variation resulting from the diversity of T. obscurus venom in different areas of the Brazilian Amazon basin, and that T. serrulatus antivenom can be successfully used against T. obscurus.

Defining functional urban regions in Bahia, Brazil, using roadway coverage and population density variables

The concept of Functional Urban Regions (FURs), also called Metropolitan Regions (MRs), is not simple. It is clear, though, that they are not simply a combination of adjacent municipalities or areas. Different methods can be used for their definition. However, especially in developing countries, the application of some methods is not possible, due to the unavailability of detailed data. Alternative approaches have been developed based on spatial analysis methods and using variables extracted from available data. The objective of this study is to compare the results of two spatial analysis methods exploring two variables: population density and an indicator of transport infrastructure supply. The first method regards Exploratory Spatial Data Analyses tools, which define uniform regions based on specific variables. The second method used the same variables and the spatial analysis technique available in the computer program SKATER - Spatial 'K'luster Analysis by Tree Edge Removal. Assuming that those classifications of regions with similar characteristics can be used for identifying potential FURS, the results of all analyses were compared with one another and with the 'official' MR. A combined approach was also considered for comparison, but none of the results match the existing MR boundaries, what challenges the official definitions. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Discovering promising regions to help global numerical optimization algorithms

We have developed an algorithm using a Design of Experiments technique for reduction of search-space in global optimization problems. Our approach is called Domain Optimization Algorithm. This approach can efficiently eliminate search-space regions with low probability of containing a global optimum. The Domain Optimization Algorithm approach is based on eliminating non-promising search-space regions, which are identifyed using simple models (linear) fitted to the data. Then, we run a global optimization algorithm starting its population inside the promising region. The proposed approach with this heuristic criterion of population initialization has shown relevant results for tests using hard benchmark functions.

Prospection of genomic regions divergently selected in racing line of Quarter Horses in relation to cutting line

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

First cytogenetic characterization of the giant Amazonian catfish Brachyplatystoma filamentosum (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae)

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

Similarity of heterochromatic regions in the stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Meliponini) revealed by chromosome painting

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

Environmental factors influencing the distribution of three species within the genus Persephona Leach, 1817 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Leucosiidae) in two regions on the northern coast of Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Patterns of spatio-temporal distribution of Brachyura are determined by the interaction among life history traits, inter and intraspecific relationships, as well as by the variation of abiotic factors. This study aimed to characterize patterns of spatio-temporal distribution of Persephona lichtensteinii, Persephona mediterranea and Persephona punctata in two regions of the northern coast of Sao Paulo State, southeastern region of Brazil. Collections were done monthly from July 2001 to June 2003 in Caraguatatuba and Ubatuba, using a shrimp fishery boat equipped with double-rig nets. The patterns of species distribution were tested by means of redundancy analysis (RDA) and generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) in relation to the recorded environmental factors (BT: bottom temperature, BS: bottom salinity, OM: organic matter and granulometry (Phi)). The most influent environmental factor over the species distribution was the Phi, and the ascendant order of influence was P. lichtensteinii, P. punctata and P. mediterranea. The greater abundance of P. mediterranea showed a conservative pattern of distribution for the genus in the sampled region. The greater occurrence of P. punctata and P. lichtensteinii, in distinct transects than those occupied by P. mediterranea, seems to be a strategy to avoid competition among congeneric species, which is related to the substratum specificity.

Segmentation of Cell Nuclei Regions in Epithelium of Prostate Glands

This paper proposes a method for segmentation of cell nuclei regions in epithelium of prostate glands. This structure provides information to diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer. In the initial step, the contrast stretching technique was applied in image in order to improve the contrast between regions of interest and other regions. After, the global thresholding technique was applied and the value of threshold was defined empirically. Finally, the false positive regions were removed using the connected components technique. The performance of the proposed method was compared with the Otsu technique and statistical measures of accuracy were calculated based on reference images (gold standard). The result of the mean value of accuracy of proposed method was 93% ± 0.07.

The stream fish fauna from three regions of the Upper Paraná River basin

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Mechanical properties of components of the bonding interface in different regions of radicular dentin surfaces

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

First description of the karyotype and localization of major and minor ribosomal genes in Rhoadsia altipinna Fowler, 1911 (Characiformes, Characidae) from Ecuador

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

Characterization of Hepatozoon spp. in Leptodactylus chaquensis and Leptodactylus podicipinus from two regions of the Pantanal, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Identification and characterization of regions of difference between the Salmonella Gallinarum biovar Gallinarum and the Salmonella Gallinarum biovar Pullorum genomes

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