Ecological transcriptomics reveals stress response pathways of a ground-herb species in a waterlogging gradient of Amazonian riparian forests.

Environmental stress is a fundamental facet of life and a significant driver of natural selection in the wild. Gene expression diversity may facilitate adaptation to environmental changes, without necessary genetic change, but its role in adaptive divergence remains largely understudied in Neotropical systems. In Amazonian riparian forests, species distribution is predominantly influenced by species' waterlogging tolerance. The flooding gradient delineates distinct wetland forest types, shaping habitats and species characteristics. Here we investigated the molecular basis of environmental stress response in a tropical ground-herb species (Ischnosiphon puberulus) to environmental variation in Amazonian riparian forests. We compared environmental variables and gene expression profiles from individuals collected in two forest types: Igapó and Terra firme in the Amazonian riparian forests. Predictable seasonal flooding poses a significant challenge in Igapó compared to Terra firme environments, with the former presenting higher water column height and longer flooding duration. Our findings suggest that contrasting environmental conditions related to flooding regimes are important drivers of population genetic differentiation and differential gene expression in I. puberulus. Enriched gene ontology terms highlight associations with environmental stresses, such as defence response, water transport, phosphorylation, root development, response to auxin, salicylic acid and oxidative stress. By uncovering key environmental stress response pathways conserved across populations, I. puberulus offers novel genetic insights into the molecular basis of plant reactions to environmental constraints found in flooded areas of this highly biodiverse neotropical ecosystem.

Phylogenetics and historical biogeography of Solanum section Brevantherum (Solanaceae).

Patterns of diversification in Neotropical plants have been studied intensively over the past decades. Most studies have focused on groups that migrated to and radiated into the Neotropics, however, with little focus on understanding diversification patterns in indigenous Neotropical groups. This study focuses on Solanum section Brevantherum Seithe (Solanaceae), a group of Neotropical nightshade shrubs or treelets defined mostly by terminal inflorescences with long peduncles, plurifoliate sympodial units and porrect-stellate, dendritic-echinoid, or lepidote trichomes. We generated sequences from two nuclear (ITS, waxy) and one plastid marker (trnT-F) to infer phylogenetic relationships under Bayesian and Maximum likelihood approaches. We reconstructed a time-calibrated tree to estimate both the ages of main splits and the ancestral ranges of the lineages. Finally, we carried out a biogeographic stochastic mapping (BSM) analysis to determine the main processes driving current distributions of the group. Results show the non-monophyly of the section as previously recognized and the homoplasy of morphological characters traditionally used to circumscribe it. Two main clades that encompass most species formerly recognized in section Brevantherum are recovered and named as the Erianthum and Abutiloides clades. Divergence time estimates suggest that the Erianthum and Abutiloides clades split around 5.7 Mya in the upper Miocene. Two main dispersal events from the Atlantic rainforest are supported in the Erianthum clade: one dispersal to Mesoamerica and a second dispersal to the Northern Andes. Within the Abutiloides clade, cladogenetic events were restricted to the Andean region. Our BSM analysis suggests within-area speciation and range expansion as the main processes shaping the extant distribution of species of both clades. As no putative morphological synapomorphies can yet be assigned to what could correspond to a new circumscription of Solanum section Brevantherum (with the exclusion of Solanum bullatum Vell. and inclusion of S. inelegans Rusby and four species described since the group last revision) we discourage the continued use of what would be an ambiguous sectional nomenclature.

The Program for Biodiversity Research in Brazil: The role of regional networks for biodiversity knowledge, dissemination, and conservation.

The Program for Biodiversity Research (PPBio) is an innovative program designed to integrate all biodiversity research stakeholders. Operating since 2004, it has installed long-term ecological research sites throughout Brazil and its logic has been applied in some other southern-hemisphere countries. The program supports all aspects of research necessary to understand biodiversity and the processes that affect it. There are presently 161 sampling sites (see some of them at Supplementary Appendix), most of which use a standardized methodology that allows comparisons across biomes and through time. To date, there are about 1200 publications associated with PPBio that cover topics ranging from natural history to genetics and species distributions. Most of the field data and metadata are available through PPBio web sites or DataONE. Metadata is available for researchers that intend to explore the different faces of Brazilian biodiversity spatio-temporal variation, as well as for managers intending to improve conservation strategies. The Program also fostered, directly and indirectly, local technical capacity building, and supported the training of hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students. The main challenge is maintaining the long-term funding necessary to understand biodiversity patterns and processes under pressure from global environmental changes.

Science and evolution.

Evolution is both a fact and a theory. Evolution is widely observable in laboratory and natural populations as they change over time. The fact that we need annual flu vaccines is one example of observable evolution. At the same time, evolutionary theory explains more than observations, as the succession on the fossil record. Hence, evolution is also the scientific theory that embodies biology, including all organisms and their characteristics. In this paper, we emphasize why evolution is the most important theory in biology. Evolution explains every biological detail, similar to how history explains many aspects of a current political situation. Only evolution explains the patterns observed in the fossil record. Examples include the succession in the fossil record; we cannot find the easily fossilized mammals before 300 million years ago; after the extinction of the dinosaurs, the fossil record indicates that mammals and birds radiated throughout the planet. Additionally, the fact that we are able to construct fairly consistent phylogenetic trees using distinct genetic markers in the genome is only explained by evolutionary theory. Finally, we show that the processes that drive evolution, both on short and long time scales, are observable facts.

Speciation dynamics and biogeography of Neotropical spiral gingers (Costaceae).

Species can arise via the divisive effects of allopatry as well as due to ecological and/or reproductive character displacement within sympatric populations. Two separate lineages of Costaceae are native to the Neotropics; an early-diverging clade endemic to South America (consisting of ca. 16 species in the genera Monocostus, Dimerocostus and Chamaecostus); and the Neotropical Costus clade (ca. 50 species), a diverse assemblage of understory herbs comprising nearly half of total familial species richness. We use a robust dated molecular phylogeny containing most of currently known species to inform macroevolutionary reconstructions, enabling us to examine the context of speciation in Neotropical lineages. Analyses of speciation rate revealed a significant variation among clades, with a rate shift at the most recent common ancestor of the Neotropical Costus clade. There is an overall predominance of allopatric speciation in the South American clade, as most species display little range overlap. In contrast, sympatry is much higher within the Neotropical Costus clade, independent of node age. Our results show that speciation dynamics during the history of Costaceae is strongly heterogeneous, and we suggest that the Costus radiation in the Neotropics arose at varied geographic contexts.

Soil flooding filters evolutionary lineages of tree communities in Amazonian riparian forests.

Inundations in Amazonian black-water river floodplain result in the selection of different tree lineages, thus promoting coexistence between species. We investigated whether Amazonian tree communities are phylogenetically structured and distributed along a flooding gradient from irregularly flooded forests along streams embedded within upland (terra-firme) forest to seasonally flooded floodplains of large rivers (igapós). Floristic inventories and hydrological monitoring were performed along the Falsino River, a black-water river in the eastern Amazon within the Amapá National Forest. We constructed a presence-and-absence matrix and generated a phylogeny using the vascular plant database available in GenBank. We calculated the standardized values of the metrics of phylogenetic diversity (ses.PD), average phylogenetic distance (ses.MPD), and average nearest-neighbor distance (ses.MNTD) to test whether the history of relationships between species in the community is influenced by inundation. We used the phylogenetic endemism (PE) metric to verify the existence of taxa with restricted distribution. Linear regressions were used to test whether phylogenetic metrics have a significant relationship with the variables: maximum flood height, maximum water table depth, and maximum flood amplitude. The results show that forests subject to prolonged seasonal flooding have reduced taxon richness, low phylogenetic diversity, and random distribution of lineages within communities. On the other hand, terra-firme riparian forests showed higher rates of taxon richness, diversity, and phylogenetic dispersion, in addition to greater phylogenetic endemism. These results indicate that seasonal and predictable soil flooding filters tree lineages along the hydrographic gradient. Different adaptations to root waterlogging are likely requirements for colonization in these environments and may represent an important factor in the diversification of tree lineages in the Amazon biome.

Evolutionary features of microspore and pollen grain development in Cyperaceae.

KEY MESSAGE: Asymmetric meiosis leading to the release of pollen grains as pseudomonads is a synapomorphy in Cyperaceae, but differences in microspore development are relevant in the family's evolutionary history. Cyperaceae members present atypical microsporogenesis, in which one meiotic product is functional while the other three degenerate, culminating in pseudomonad pollen formation. Differences during development, such as pseudomonad shape and degenerative microspore positioning, are seen throughout the family, but no phylogenetic interpretation has been made regarding these variances thus far. In this study, we analyzed the early- and late-diverging sedge genera Hypolytrum and Eleocharis, respectively, while comparing them to data available in the literature and conducting an ancestral character reconstruction for pseudomonad traits. Light microscopy results show that pseudomonad development in Hypolytrum is homologous to several other sedge genera, presenting apical degenerative microspores. However, pseudomonads are round and centrally arranged in the anther locule in this case, which consists of a pleisiomorphic trait for the family. The basal positioning of degenerative microspores is restricted to Rhynchospora, consisting of an apomorphic trait for this genus. Despite these differences, ultrastructural analysis of Eleocharis pseudomonad revealed shared features with other genera studied, which include variations in chromatin condensation and cytoplasmic turnover in functional cells. These common features seem related to the different cellular fates seen during microspore development and further corroborate the synapomorphic status of pseudomonads in sedges.

Eighteen new species of Neotropical Costaceae (Zingiberales).

In preparation for a full taxonomic revision of the Neotropical genera of Costaceae (i.e., Chamaecostus, Costus, Dimerocostus, and Monocostus), we present the description of 17 new species of Neotropical Costus and one new species of the Neotropic endemic genus Chamaecostus with notes on their distribution and ecology, vernacular names (when known), and diagnostic characters for identification. Distribution maps are included for all species, and each description is accompanied by photographic plates illustrating diagnostic characters.

Structural changes and adaptative evolutionary constraints in FLOWERING LOCUS T and TERMINAL FLOWER1-like genes of flowering plants.

Regulation of flowering is a crucial event in the evolutionary history of angiosperms. The production of flowers is regulated through the integration of different environmental and endogenous stimuli, many of which involve the activation of different genes in a hierarchical and complex signaling network. The FLOWERING LOCUS T/TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (FT/TFL1) gene family is known to regulate important aspects of flowering in plants. To better understand the pivotal events that changed FT and TFL1 functions during the evolution of angiosperms, we reconstructed the ancestral sequences of FT/TFL1-like genes and predicted protein structures through in silico modeling to identify determinant sites that evolved in both proteins and allowed the adaptative diversification in the flowering phenology and developmental processes. In addition, we demonstrate that the occurrence of destabilizing mutations in residues located at the phosphatidylcholine binding sites of FT structure are under positive selection, and some residues of 4th exon are under negative selection, which is compensated by the occurrence of stabilizing mutations in key regions and the P-loop to maintain the overall protein stability. Our results shed light on the evolutionary history of key genes involved in the diversification of angiosperms.

The genetic mechanisms underlying the convergent evolution of pollination syndromes in the Neotropical radiation of Costus L.

Selection together with variation in floral traits can act to mold floral form, often driven by a plant's predominant or most effective pollinators. To investigate the evolution of traits associated with pollination, we developed a phylogenetic framework for evaluating tempo and mode of pollination shifts across the genus Costus L., known for its evolutionary toggle between traits related to bee and bird pollination. Using a target enrichment approach, we obtained 957 loci for 171 accessions to expand the phylogenetic sampling of Neotropical Costus. In addition, we performed whole genome resequencing for a subset of 20 closely related species with contrasting pollination syndromes. For each of these 20 genomes, a high-quality assembled transcriptome was used as reference for consensus calling of candidate loci hypothesized to be associated with pollination-related traits of interest. To test for the role these candidate genes may play in evolutionary shifts in pollinators, signatures of selection were estimated as dN/dS across the identified candidate loci. We obtained a well-resolved phylogeny for Neotropical Costus despite conflict among gene trees that provide evidence of incomplete lineage sorting and/or reticulation. The overall topology and the network of genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) indicate that multiple shifts in pollination strategy have occurred across Costus, while also suggesting the presence of previously undetected signatures of hybridization between distantly related taxa. Traits related to pollination syndromes are strongly correlated and have been gained and lost in concert several times throughout the evolution of the genus. The presence of bract appendages is correlated with two traits associated with defenses against herbivory. Although labellum shape is strongly correlated with overall pollination syndrome, we found no significant impact of labellum shape on diversification rates. Evidence suggests an interplay of pollination success with other selective pressures shaping the evolution of the Costus inflorescence. Although most of the loci used for phylogenetic inference appear to be under purifying selection, many candidate genes associated with functional traits show evidence of being under positive selection. Together these results indicate an interplay of phylogenetic history with adaptive evolution leading to the diversification of pollination-associated traits in Neotropical Costus.

Symptom-based clusters of hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory illness by SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has shown a broad clinical spectrum, ranging from asymptomatic to mild, moderate, and severe infections. Many symptoms have already been identified as typical of COVID-19, but few studies show how they can be useful in identifying clusters of patients with different severity of illness. This interpretation may help to recognize the different profiles of symptoms of COVID-19 expressed in a population at certain time. The aim of this study was to identify symptom-based clusters of hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory illness by SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil. The clusters were evaluated based on sociodemographic characteristics, admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), use of respiratory support, and outcome. METHODS: The Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA)-based cluster analysis was applied to symptoms presented before admission. Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare the proportions of symptoms between the clusters and to examine differences in the calculated rates for the following variables: sex, age group, race, Brazilian region, use of respiratory support, admission to the ICU and outcome. RESULTS: Three COVID-19 clusters with distinct symptom profiles were identified by MCA-based cluster analysis. Cluster 1 had the mildest severity profile, with the lowest frequencies for most symptoms investigated. Cluster 2 had a severe respiratory profile, with the highest frequencies of patients with dyspnea, respiratory discomfort and O2 saturation< 95%. Cluster 2 was also the most prevalent in all Brazilian regions and had the highest percentages of patients who used invasive respiratory support (27.4%) (p-value<0.001), were admitted to the ICU (42.6%) (p -value<0.001) and died (39.0%) (p-value<0.001). Cluster 3 had a prominent profile of gastrointestinal symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified three distinct COVID-19 clusters based on the symptoms presented by patients with severe acute respiratory illness by SARS-CoV-2, but without distinction in their prevalence in the Brazilian regions.

Influence of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEi) on Angiogenesis Induced by Physical Exercise / Influência dos Inibidores da Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina (iECA) Sobre a Angiogênese Induzida pelo Exercício Físico

Abstract Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) are used to reduce blood pressure and vascular resistance by modulating the ACE activity responsible for the angiotensin II formation. However, different ACEi seem to influence exercise-induced angiogenesis. The objective of this review was to investigate the effects of different ACEi on vessel growth in skeletal muscle induced by exercise training. The present study is characterized by a narrative literature review design, the databases of Scielo, Google Scholar and PubMed were consulted. There are different groups of ACEi , sulfhydryl group such as captopril and a carboxyl group such as perindiporil and enalapril that can influence their effects on ACE activity. It is already known that exercise promotes the increase of vessels from vessels already existing in the skeletal musculature, a process known as angiogenesis and contributes to the blood pressure reduction (BP). Although these different responses are still scarce, vessel endothelial growth factor (VEFG) and nitric oxide (NO) may participate. Thus, the use of different ACEi can influences the angiogenesis responses induced by exercise, being one of the important mechanisms for BP reduction. The choice of ACEi group should be carefully analyzed for hypertensive individuals who practice physical exercise. (AU)

Resumo Os inibidores da enzima conversora de angiotensina (iECA) são utilizados para redução da pressão arterial e resistência vascular modulando a atividade da ECA responsável pela formação da angiotensina II. Entretanto, diferentes iECAs parecem influenciar a angiogênese induzida pelo exercício físico. Desta maneira objetivo desta revisão foi investigar os efeitos de diferentes iECA sobre o crescimento de vasos no musculo esquelético induzido pelo exercício físico. O presente estudo caracteriza-se um delineamento de revisão de literatura narrativa, foram consultadas as bases de dados do Scielo, Google acadêmico e PubMed. Existem grupos distintos dos iECAs, grupo sulfidrila como o captopril e o grupo carboxila como o perindiporil e grupo que pode influenciar seus efeitos sobre a atividade da ECA. Já é sabido que O exrcício promove o aumento de vasos a partir de vasos já existentes na musculatura esquelética, processo conhecido como angiogênese e colabora para redução da pressão arterial (PA). Entretanto os iECAs parecem influenciar esta resposta do aumento da densidade capilar no músculo esquelético. Embora ainda sejam escassos estas diferentes respostas podem ter as participações do fator de crescimento endotelial de vasos (VEFG) e o óxido nítrico (NO). Desta maneira o uso dos grupos do iECAs podem influenciar as resposta da angiogênese induzido pelo exercício sendo um dos mecanismos importantes pela redução da PA. A escolha do grupo de iECA deve ser analisada com cautela para indivíduoS hipertensos que praticam exercício físico. (AU)

Concepções sobre o Behaviorismo radical nas publicações da Folha de S. Paulo / Conceptions about radical Behaviorism in Folha de S. Paulo's publications / Concepciones acerca del Conductismo radical en las publicaciones de Folha de S. Paulo

Frequentemente, o behaviorismo radical e a análise do comportamento são apresentados na mídia por meio de estereótipos negativos, possivelmente atravancando a difusão de suas propostas aos potenciais beneficiários. Com base nisso, o objetivo deste trabalho é caracterizar as publicações do jornal Folha de S.Paulo sobre behaviorismo radical e análise do comportamento desde a sua fundação em 192, até 2015. Para tal, 227 parágrafos presentes no jornal que continham os termos Skinner ou behaviorismo foram selecionados para análise. De forma geral, foram encontrados trechos contendo críticas ao behaviorismo radical que expuseram equívocos históricos e conceituais, problematizaram o este campo de estudo, apresentaram algum aspecto correto e/ou apresentaram o termo "behaviorismo" de forma genérica. Foram identificados tópicos especialmente mal compreendidos: a análise do comportamento como legitimadora do controle, ultrapassada pelas teorias cognitivistas, capaz de explicar apenas comportamentos simples ou de animais não-humanos e interessada apenas em comportamentos observáveis. Recomenda-se que behavioristas radicais comuniquem suas propostas com ênfase em seu caráter de denúncia do controle como uma característica inerente às relações comportamentais de uma ciência viva em constante desenvolvimento e de uma abordagem interessada em lidar com quaisquer comportamentos, que aconteçam dentro ou fora da pele...(AU)

Often radical behaviorism and behavior analysis are presented in the media by means of negative stereotypes, thus possibly making harder the diffusion of its proposals to potential target audience. Taking that into account, this paper categorized publications from the newspaper Folha de S.Paulo since its foundation, in 1921, until 2015, regarding radical behaviorism and behavior analysis. To reach such goal, 227 paragraphs were selected containing the terms Skinner or behaviorism from the newspaper. In general, excerpts that criticized radical behaviorism, parts that exposed historical and conceptual misconception, that problematized radical behaviorism, that showed some correct aspect and that presented the term behaviorism in a generic way were found. Some specially misunderstood topics were identified: the view of behavior analysis as an approach that defends control, outdated and overcome by cognitive theories, is only capable of explaining simple human or non-human behavior and interested in observable behavior. We recommend behavior analysts that communicate their proposals with an emphasis on control as an inherent characteristic of behavioral relations to take into account it is a constantly evolving science and an approach interested in dealing with any behavior, whether occurring over or under the skin...(AU)

El análisis conductual y el conductismo radical son presentados a menudo en los medios de comunicación mediante estereotipos negativos, posiblemente dificultando la difusión de sus propuestas a los potenciales beneficiarios. Basándose en esto, el objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar las publicaciones del diario Folha de S.Paulo sobre el análisis conductual y el conductismo radical desde su fundación, en 1921, hasta 2015. Para ello, se seleccionaran para análisis 227 párrafos presentes en el diario, que contenían las palabras Skinner o conductismo. En general, se encontraron extractos que hicieron críticas al conductismo radical, que expusieron equívocos históricos y conceptuales, que problematizaron el conductismo radical, que presentaron algún aspecto correcto y que presentaron el término "conductismo" de manera genérica. Se identificó tópicos especialmente incomprendidos: la perspectiva de análisis de la conducta como un enfoque psicológico defensor del control, ultrapasada y superada por las teorías cognitivistas, capaz de explicar solo los comportamientos simples o de animales no humanos e interesada solamente en comportamientos observables. Se recomienda que conductistas radicales comuniquen sus propuestas con énfasis en su carácter de denuncia del control como una característica inherente a las relaciones comportamentales, de una ciencia viva, en desarrollo continuo, y de un enfoque psicológico interesado en tratar cualquier comportamiento, que ocurra dentro o fuera de la piel...(AU)

Spiraling into History: A Molecular Phylogeny and Investigation of Biogeographic Origins and Floral Evolution for the Genus Costus.

Rapid radiations are notoriously difficult to resolve, yet understanding phylogenetic patterns in such lineages can be useful for investigating evolutionary processes associated with bursts of speciation and morphological diversification. Here we present an expansive molecular phylogeny of Costus L. (Costaceae Nakai) with a focus on the Neotropical species within the clade, sampling 47 of the known 51 Neotropical species and including five molecular markers for phylogenetic analysis (ITS, ETS, rps16, trnL-F, and CaM). We use the phylogenetic results to investigate shifts in pollination syndrome, with the intention of addressing potential mechanisms leading to the rapid radiation documented for this clade. Our ancestral reconstruction of pollination syndrome presents the first evidence in this genus of an evolutionary toggle in pollination morphologies, demonstrating both the multiple independent evolutions of ornithophily (bird pollination) as well as reversals to melittophily (bee pollination). We show that the ornithophilous morphology has evolved at least eight times independently with four potential reversals to melittophilous morphology, and confirm prior work showing that neither pollination syndrome defines a monophyletic lineage. Based on the current distribution for the Neotropical and African species, we reconstruct the ancestral distribution of the Neotropical clade as the Pacific Coast of Mexico and Central America. Our results indicate an historic dispersal of a bee-pollinated taxon from Africa to the Pacific Coast of Mexico/Central America, with subsequent diversification leading to the evolution of a bird-pollinated floral morphology in multiple derived lineages.

Evaluation of quality of life and walking ability among amputated patients and those who refused to undergo amputation following infection of total knee arthroplasty: Small case series.

BACKGROUND: Patients who undergo transfemoral amputation after infection of a total knee arthroplasty do not have good functional outcomes and have major difficulty walking. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the quality of life and walking ability among patients who underwent amputation and among those who refused to undergo amputation following infection of a total knee arthroplasty. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Patients who received an indication for amputation following an infection of a total knee arthroplasty were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided between those who accepted the amputation procedure and those who refused amputation (four amputee vs four non-amputees). Walking ability and quality of life were evaluated using the Short Form-36 questionnaire. RESULTS: The average physical health was 27.4 for the amputees and 31.3 for the non-amputees. The average mental health was 49.9 for the amputees and 47.1 for the non-amputees. In relation to walking ability, only one (25%) of the amputees was able to walk, as opposed to 100% in the non-amputee groups. CONCLUSION: Twenty-five percent of the amputee patients continued to be able to walk. The functional outcome of non-amputee patients was better, with 100% being able to walk, though with limitations. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first study evaluating patients who refused the amputation procedure and remained with the spacer. Despite the fact that this option is not recommended by the medical community, we believe that these data are useful when discussing, with a patient, quality of life after amputation.

[Epidemiology and etiology of dermatophytosis in Goiânia, GO, Brazil]. / Epidemiologia e etiologia das dermatofitoses em Goiânia, GO, Brasil.

Dermatophytes are a group of closely related fungi that have the capacity to invade keratinized tissue (skin, hair, and nails) of humans and animals to produce infections called dermatophytosis. In order to review the etiology and epidemiology of dermatophytosis in Goiânia, GO, 1955 specimens with diagnostic suspicion of dermatophytic lesions, were collected from January to December, 1999, from the Mycology Laboratory in the Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás. A total of 445 (22.8%) samples were positive for dermatophytes and Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently isolated species (49.4%) followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (30.8%) and Microsporum canis (12.6%). Concerning the location of the lesions, the inferior limbs, feet and nails together with tinea capitis were the most frequently found clinical pattern in the majority of patients. Correlation between sex, age, location of the lesions and etiologic agents is considered in the study.

A method for extracting high-quality RNA from diverse plants for next-generation sequencing and gene expression analyses.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: To study gene expression in plants, high-quality RNA must be extracted in quantities sufficient for subsequent cDNA library construction. Field-based collections are often limited in quantity and quality of tissue and are typically preserved in RNAlater. Obtaining sufficient and high-quality yield from variously preserved samples is essential to studies of comparative biology. We present a protocol for the extraction of high-quality RNA from even the most recalcitrant plant tissues. • METHODS AND RESULTS: Tissues from mosses, cycads, and angiosperm floral organs and leaves were preserved in RNAlater or frozen fresh at -80°C. Extractions were performed and quality was measured for yield and purity. • CONCLUSIONS: This protocol results in the extraction of high-quality RNA from a variety of plant tissues representing vascular and nonvascular plants. RNA was used for cDNA synthesis to generate libraries for next-generation sequencing and for expression studies using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and semiquantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR).

Influencia del índice de masa corporal en la mortalidad de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca / Body mass index influence on mortality of heart failure patients

Introducción: la relación entre el índice de masa corporal y la insuficiencia cardiaca es compleja. Las personas con mayor índice tienen más riesgo de presentarla pero presentan menor mortalidad durante la evolución de la enfermedad que los sujetos con peso normal. Objetivo: evaluar la influencia del índice de masa corporal sobre la mortalidad en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca crónica. Métodos: se realizó un estudio analítico, de cohorte prospectivo en pacientes atendidos en la consulta de insuficiencia cardiaca del Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras, entre enero de 2006 y septiembre de 2016, con un seguimiento de tres años. Resultados: el 53,4 por ciento de los pacientes tenían más de 70 años, el 33,3 por ciento fallecieron durante la investigación y los pacientes con sobrepeso u obesidad tuvieron una mayor supervivencia que los pacientes con peso normal con p= 0,001. Conclusión: el sobrepeso y la obesidad se comportaron como protectores en relación a la mortalidad(AU)

Introduction: The relationship between body mass index and heart failure is complex. People with a higher index have a higher risk of presenting it, but they have lower mortality during the course of the disease than subjects with normal weight. Objective: To evaluate the body mass index influence on mortality of heart failure patients. An analytical, prospective cohort study was conducted in patients treated at the heart failure clinic at Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital, from January 2006 to September 2016, with a three-year follow up. Results: 53.4 percent of patients were older than 70 years, 33.3 percent died during the investigation and overweight or obese patients had longer survival than patients with normal weight with p= 0.001. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity behaved as protectors in relation to mortality(AU)

Cholelithiasis in patients on the kidney transplant waiting list.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of cholecystopathy in chronic renal patients awaiting kidney transplants. INTRODUCTION: The prevalence and management of cholelithiasis in renal transplant patients is not well established. METHODS: A total of 342 chronic renal failure patients on the waiting list for a kidney transplant were studied. Patients were evaluated for the presence of cholelithiasis and related symptoms, previous cholecystectomies and other abdominal surgeries, time on dialysis, and general data (gender, age, number of pregnancies, and body mass index). RESULTS: Cholelithiasis was found in 41 out of 342 patients (12%). Twelve of these patients, all symptomatic, had previously undergone cholecystectomies. Five out of 29 patients who had not undergone surgery were symptomatic. Overall, 17 patients (41.5%) were symptomatic. Their mean age was 54 (range 32-74) years old; 61% were female, and their mean body mass index was 25.4. Nineteen (76%) out of 25 women had previously been pregnant, with an average of 3.6 pregnancies per woman. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of cholelithiasis was similar to that reported in the literature for the general population. However, the high frequency of symptomatic patients points toward an indication of routine pre-transplant cholecystectomy to avoid serious post-transplant complications.

Grinvexologia: Análises Conceituais e Práticas dos Grupos de Inversores Existenciais / Group of Existential Invertology: Conceptual Analyses and Practice of the Groups of Existential Invertors / Grinvexologia: Análisis Conceituales y Prácticas de los Grupos de InversoresExistenciales

Este artigo visa esclarecer a respeito do grupo de inversores existenciais, do Grinvex,em aspectos conceituais, práticos e profiláticos, podendo servir de incentivo à criaçãode Grinvexes por inversores principiantes e veteranos e, consequentemente, àspesquisas em Invexologia. Define o que é o grupo, demonstra experiências pessoais deoutros inversores, indica profilaxias necessárias e define três tipos de Grinvexes: principiante,intermediário e avançado. A metodologia de pesquisa foi a observação dasopiniões expressas pelos inversores existenciais a respeito do Grinvex em encontrosinformais e reuniões na Associação Internacional de Inversão Existencial (ASSINVÉXIS)em contraposição às opiniões, estudos e experiências do autor a partir da autopesquisae autoexperimentação. Conclui-se que não só grandes obras assistenciaisem Invexologia são fruto dos grupos de pesquisa, como também a própria assistênciarealizada pela ASSINVÉXIS e outras instituições conscienciocêntricas começa pelapesquisa e se faz com a divulgação de seus resultados e conclusões(AU)

This article seeks to explain about the existential invertors, of the Group of existentialinvertors, in conceptual, practical and prophylactic aspects, that could serve asincentive to the creation of Groups of existential invertors for novice and veteran invertorsand, consequently, to the researches in existential-invertionology. It defineswhat the group is, it demonstrates personal experiences of other invertor, it indicatesnecessary prophylaxes and it defines three Groups of existential invertor types: beginner,intermediate and advanced. The research methodology was the observation of theexpressed opinions by the existential invertors, regarding the Group of existential invertorsin informal encounters and at meetings in the International Association of ExistentialInversion (ASSINVÉXIS), in contraposition to the opinions, studies and theauthor's experiences starting from the self-research and self-experimentation. It wasconcluded that not only great assistantial works in existential-Invertionology are stillfruit of the research groups, as well as the own assistance accomplished by the International Association of Existential Inversion and other Conscientiocentric institutionsbegins with research and it is done with the propagation of their results and conclusions(AU)

Este artículo procura esclarecer al respecto del grupo de inversores existenciales,del Grinvex, en aspectos conceptuales, prácticos y profilácticos, pudiendo servir de incentivoa la creación de Grinvexes por inversores principiantes y veteranos y, consecuentemente,a las investigaciones en Invexología. Define lo que es el grupo, demuestraexperiencias personales de otros inversores, indica profilaxias necesarias y define trestipos de Grinvexes: principiante, intermediario y avanzado. La metodología de investigaciónfue la observación de las opiniones expresas por los inversores existencialesal respecto del Grinvex en encontros informales y reuniones en la Asociación Interna -cional de Inversión Existencial (ASINVEXIS) en contraposición a las opiniones, estudiosy experiencias del autor a partir de la autoinvestigación y autoexperimentación.Concluye que no solo grandes obras asistenciales en Invexología todavía son fruto delos grupos de investigación, como también la propia asistencia realizada por la ASINVEXISy otras instituciones concienciocéntricas comienza por la investigación y sehace con la propagación de sus resultados y conclusiones(AU)