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1.
bioRxiv ; 2024 Aug 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39257737

ABSTRACT

Recent efforts to chart human brain growth across the lifespan using large-scale MRI data have provided reference standards for human brain development. However, similar models for nonhuman primate (NHP) growth are lacking. The rhesus macaque, a widely used NHP in translational neuroscience due to its similarities in brain anatomy, phylogenetics, cognitive, and social behaviors to humans, serves as an ideal NHP model. This study aimed to create normative growth charts for brain structure across the macaque lifespan, enhancing our understanding of neurodevelopment and aging, and facilitating cross-species translational research. Leveraging data from the PRIMatE Data Exchange (PRIME-DE) and other sources, we aggregated 1,522 MRI scans from 1,024 rhesus macaques. We mapped non-linear developmental trajectories for global and regional brain structural changes in volume, cortical thickness, and surface area over the lifespan. Our findings provided normative charts with centile scores for macaque brain structures and revealed key developmental milestones from prenatal stages to aging, highlighting both species-specific and comparable brain maturation patterns between macaques and humans. The charts offer a valuable resource for future NHP studies, particularly those with small sample sizes. Furthermore, the interactive open resource (https://interspeciesmap.childmind.org) supports cross-species comparisons to advance translational neuroscience research.

2.
Physiotherapy ; 122: 40-46, 2024 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38241941

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To establish normative values and reference equations for predicting the number of steps and oxygen consumption (VO2) from the modified incremental step test (MIST) in healthy adults aged 18-83 years. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and ninety-four healthy adults aged 18-83 years with normal spirometry. SETTINGS: Exercise physiology laboratory of a university. METHODS: Participants underwent two MISTs (30 minutes apart). The MIST was performed on a 20-cm-high step using an externally paced rhythm imposed by audible signals, starting with 10 steps per minute and with constant increments of 1 step every 30 seconds. MAIN OUTCOMES: Number of steps and VO2 obtained from MIST. RESULTS: Normative values were provided for males and females for each age group. The following equations were determined: number of steps = 675.113 + (66.165*sex, 0 female and 1 male) - (5.353*age) - (6.593*body mass index) (R² =0.44, P < 0.001); VO2 = 0.106 + (0.216*sex, 0 female and 1 male) - (0.008*age [years]) + (0.021*weight [kilograms]) + (0.001*number of steps) (R² =0.80, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Normative values and prediction equations are proposed for the number of steps and VO2 which can be used to interpret performance on the MIST in individuals with different health conditions. These equations now need validation in other samples.


Subject(s)
Exercise Test , Oxygen Consumption , Adult , Humans , Male , Female , Oxygen Consumption/physiology , Body Mass Index , Prospective Studies , Reference Values
3.
Phys Rev Lett ; 131(9): 091801, 2023 Sep 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37721818

ABSTRACT

We measured the nuclear-recoil ionization yield in silicon with a cryogenic phonon-sensitive gram-scale detector. Neutrons from a monoenergetic beam scatter off of the silicon nuclei at angles corresponding to energy depositions from 4 keV down to 100 eV, the lowest energy probed so far. The results show no sign of an ionization production threshold above 100 eV. These results call for further investigation of the ionization yield theory and a comprehensive determination of the detector response function at energies below the keV scale.

4.
Inorg Chem ; 62(31): 12392-12402, 2023 Aug 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37478498

ABSTRACT

The influence of manganese modification on the spectroscopic features of manganese-doped CeO2 systems synthesized by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal route and their correlation with the presence of O defective structures were verified, focusing on their interaction with poisonous atmospheres. Raman and electron paramagnetic resonance studies confirmed the presence of defective clusters formed by dipoles and/or quadrupoles. The number of paramagnetic species was found to be inversely proportional to the doping concentration, resulting in an increase in the Mn2+ signal, likely due to the reduction of Mn3+ species after the interaction with CO. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data showed the pure system with 33% of its cerium species in the Ce3+ configuration, with an abrupt decrease to 19%, after the first modification with Mn, suggesting that 14% of the Ce3+ species are donating one electron to the Mn2+ ions, thus becoming nonparamagnetic Ce4+ species. On the contrary, 58% of the manganese species remain in the Mn2+ configuration with five unpaired electrons, corroborating the paramagnetic feature of the samples seen in the electron paramagnetic resonance study.

5.
Photochem Photobiol Sci ; 21(9): 1559-1571, 2022 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35590087

ABSTRACT

Several firefly luciferases eliciting light emission in the yellow-green range of the spectrum and with distinct kinetic properties have been already cloned, sequenced, and characterized. Some of them are currently being applied as analytical reagents and reporter genes for bioimaging and biosensors, and more recently as potential color tuning indicators of intracellular pH and toxic metals. They were cloned from the subfamilies Lampyrinae (Photinini: Photinus pyralis, Macrolampis sp2; Cratomorphini: Cratomorphus distinctus), Photurinae (Photuris pennsylvanica), Luciolinae (Luciola cruciata, L. lateralis, L. mingrelica, L. italica, Hotaria parvula), and Amydetinae (Amydetes vivianii) occurring in different parts of the world. The largest number has been cloned from fireflies occurring in Brazilian biomes. Taking advantage of the large biodiversity of fireflies occurring in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest, here we report the cloning and characterization of a novel luciferase cDNA from the Photurinae subfamily, Bicellonycha lividipennis, which is a very common firefly in marshlands in Brazil. As expected, multialignements and phylogenetic analysis show that this luciferase clusters with Photuris pennsylvanica adult isozyme, and with other adult lantern firefly luciferases, in reasonable agreement with traditional phylogenetic analysis. The luciferase elicits light emission in the yellow-green region, has kinetics properties similar to other adult lantern firefly luciferases, including pH- and metal sensitivities, but displays a lower sensitivity to nickel, which is suggested to be caused by the natural substitution of H310Y.


Subject(s)
Fireflies , Luciferases, Firefly , Animals , Brazil , Cloning, Molecular , Fireflies/genetics , Luciferases/chemistry , Luciferases, Firefly/chemistry , Luciferases, Firefly/genetics , Phylogeny
6.
Phys Rev Lett ; 127(8): 081802, 2021 Aug 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34477436

ABSTRACT

The Cryogenic Dark Matter Search low ionization threshold experiment (CDMSlite) achieved efficient detection of very small recoil energies in its germanium target, resulting in sensitivity to lightly ionizing particles (LIPs) in a previously unexplored region of charge, mass, and velocity parameter space. We report first direct-detection limits calculated using the optimum interval method on the vertical intensity of cosmogenically produced LIPs with an electric charge smaller than e/(3×10^{5}), as well as the strongest limits for charge ≤e/160, with a minimum vertical intensity of 1.36×10^{-7} cm^{-2} s^{-1} sr^{-1} at charge e/160. These results apply over a wide range of LIP masses (5 MeV/c^{2} to 100 TeV/c^{2}) and cover a wide range of ßγ values (0.1-10^{6}), thus excluding nonrelativistic LIPs with ßγ as small as 0.1 for the first time.

7.
Phys Rev Lett ; 127(6): 061801, 2021 Aug 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34420312

ABSTRACT

We present limits on spin-independent dark matter-nucleon interactions using a 10.6 g Si athermal phonon detector with a baseline energy resolution of σ_{E}=3.86±0.04(stat)_{-0.00}^{+0.19}(syst) eV. This exclusion analysis sets the most stringent dark matter-nucleon scattering cross-section limits achieved by a cryogenic detector for dark matter particle masses from 93 to 140 MeV/c^{2}, with a raw exposure of 9.9 g d acquired at an above-ground facility. This work illustrates the scientific potential of detectors with athermal phonon sensors with eV-scale energy resolution for future dark matter searches.

8.
Theriogenology ; 171: 30-37, 2021 Sep 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34004368

ABSTRACT

Although prostaglandins are important in the ovulation process, a precise role for prostaglandin F2α (PGF) has not been elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the regulation of PGF receptor mRNA (PTGFR) in granulosa cells and the local effect of PGF on ovulation and luteinization. In Experiment 1, using samples collected in vivo before (Day 2), during (Day 3) and after (Day 4) follicular deviation, expression of PTGFR in bovine granulosa cells was more abundant in the dominant follicle after deviation than in subordinates (P < 0.05). However, the expression of PTGFR was not regulated (P = 0.1) in preovulatory follicles at different time-points (0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h) after ovulation induction with GnRH. In Experiment 2, to assess the role of systemic PGF treatment on luteinization and vascularization of preovulatory follicles, flunixin meglumine (FM), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was used to inhibit endogenous prostaglandin synthesis. Cows with preovulatory follicles were induced to ovulate with GnRH (0 h) and allocated to three groups: Control, with no further treatment; FM, treated with 2.2 mg/kg FM im 17 h after GnRH treatment; and FM + PGF, treated with FM 17 h after GnRH, followed by 25 mg dinoprost tromethamine (PGF) 23 h after GnRH treatment. FM injection was able to reduce the concentration of PGF in the follicular fluid (FF) (P < 0.001). However, contrary to our hypothesis, color Doppler ultrasound evaluations revealed decreased vascular flow in FM + PGF group (P < 0.05), and no effect of the treatments on intrafollicular P4 and E2 concentrations 24 h after GnRH. The prostaglandin metabolite (PGFM) concentrations in the FF were greater in cows receiving systemic PGF (P < 0.001), which prompted us to further check its role on ovulation. Therefore, in Experiment 3, in a final attempt to demonstrate the local effect of PGF on ovulation, cows with preovulatory follicles received an intrafollicular injection (IFI) of PBS (Control) or 100 ng/mL purified PGF (PGF group). PGF treatment did not affect the time of ovulation after IFI (66 ± 6.4 and 63 ± 8.5 h for control and PGF, respectively; P > 0.05), further suggesting that it has no direct effect in the ovulatory process. Based on our findings, we concluded that FM decreased PGF synthesis within the follicle, whereas PGF treatment decreased follicular vascularization. In addition, the in vivo model of intrafollicular injection evidenced that PGF alone is not able to locally induce ovulation.


Subject(s)
Dinoprost , Progesterone , Animals , Cattle , Dinoprost/pharmacology , Female , Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/pharmacology , Luteinization , Ovarian Follicle , Ovulation
9.
Photochem Photobiol Sci ; 19(12): 1750-1764, 2020 Dec 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33241249

ABSTRACT

Firefly luciferases usually emit green-yellow bioluminescence at physiological pH values. However, under acidic conditions, in the presence of heavy metals and, at high temperatures they emit red bioluminescence. To understand the structural origin of bioluminescence colors and pH-sensitivity, about 20 firefly luciferases have been cloned, sequenced and investigated. The proton and metal-binding site responsible for pH- and metal sensitivity in firefly luciferases was shown to involve the residues H310, E311 and E354 in firefly luciferases. However, it is still unclear how and why pH-sensitivity arose and evolved in firefly luciferases. Here, we cloned and characterized two novel luciferase cDNAs from the fat body and lanterns of the Brazilian firefly Aspisoma lineatum. The larval fat body isozyme (AL2) has 545 residues, and displays very slow luminescence kinetics and a pH-insensitive spectrum. The adult lantern isozyme (AL1) has 548 residues, displays flash-like kinetics and pH and metal sensitive bioluminescence spectra, and is at least 10 times catalytically more efficient than AL2. Thermostability and CD studies showed that AL2 is much more stable and rigid than the AL1 isozyme. Multialignment and modelling studies show that the E310Q substitution (E310 in AL2 and Q310 in AL1) may have been critical for the origin of pH-sensitivity in firefly luciferases. The results indicate that the lantern efficient flash-emitting pH-sensitive luciferases arose from less efficient glow-type pH-insensitive luciferases found in the fat body of ancestral larval fireflies by enzyme structure flexibilization and substitution at position 310.


Subject(s)
Fat Body/enzymology , Fireflies/enzymology , Luciferases, Firefly/metabolism , Animals , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Reproduction
10.
Rheumatol Int ; 38(3): 343-351, 2018 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29185087

ABSTRACT

This study aims to evaluate the use of assistive devices as a strategy in non-pharmacological treatment for hand osteoarthritis (HOA). This is a randomized, prospective, parallel, assessor-blinded clinical trial, in which patients with a diagnosis of HOA were randomly allocated to an intervention group (IG), where they received assistive devices for daily life activities, or to a control group (CG), where they received a guideline leaflet with information on joint protection and disease features. The primary outcomes considered were occupational performance, measured by the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), and hand function was evaluated through the Score for the Assessment and Quantification of Chronic Rheumatoid Affections of the Hands (SACRAH). The secondary outcomes were pain, measured by the visual analog scale (VAS), and quality of life, measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF). We compared both outcomes before and after interventions and outcomes between groups. Participants from the two groups were assessed at the time of inclusion in the study, 30, and 90 days after initial evaluation. Out of the 39 patients included, 19 were allocated to the IG and 20 to the CG. Only two patients from the CG did not complete the follow-up period. The patients' hand function and occupational performance improved after intervention (30 days-SACRAH-p < 0.05; COPM-p < 0.05; VAS-p < 0.05). When comparing results between the groups, there was a statistical difference in COPM (performance-p < 0.001; and satisfaction-p < 0.001), in the first reevaluation carried out. The use of assistive devices has proved to be an effective alternative in non-pharmacological treatment for HOA. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02667145.


Subject(s)
Activities of Daily Living , Ergonomics , Hand Joints/physiopathology , Household Articles , Osteoarthritis/therapy , Self-Help Devices , Aged , Biomechanical Phenomena , Brazil , Disability Evaluation , Equipment Design , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Osteoarthritis/diagnosis , Osteoarthritis/physiopathology , Pain Measurement , Prospective Studies , Quality of Life , Recovery of Function , Surveys and Questionnaires , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome
11.
Cereb Cortex ; 27(6): 3240-3253, 2017 06 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28383709

ABSTRACT

It is generally believed that neural damage that occurs early in development is associated with greater adaptive capacity relative to similar damage in an older individual. However, few studies have surveyed whole brain changes following early focal damage. In this report, we employed multimodal magnetic resonance imaging analyses of adult rhesus macaque monkeys who had previously undergone bilateral, neurotoxic lesions of the amygdala at about 2 weeks of age. A deformation-based morphometric approach demonstrated reduction of the volumes of the anterior temporal lobe, anterior commissure, basal ganglia, and pulvinar in animals with early amygdala lesions compared to controls. In contrast, animals with early amygdala lesions had an enlarged cingulate cortex, medial superior frontal gyrus, and medial parietal cortex. Diffusion-weighted imaging tractography and network analysis were also used to compare connectivity patterns and higher-level measures of communication across the brain. Using the communicability metric, which integrates direct and indirect paths between regions, lesioned animals showed extensive degradation of network integrity in the temporal and orbitofrontal cortices. This work demonstrates both degenerative as well as progressive large-scale neural changes following long-term recovery from neonatal focal brain damage.


Subject(s)
Amygdala/pathology , Brain Injuries/physiopathology , Neural Pathways/physiology , Amygdala/diagnostic imaging , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Brain Injuries/chemically induced , Brain Injuries/diagnostic imaging , Brain Injuries/pathology , Connectome , Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists/toxicity , Female , Ibotenic Acid/toxicity , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Longitudinal Studies , Macaca mulatta , Male
12.
Mol Psychiatry ; 21(1): 126-32, 2016 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25707398

ABSTRACT

Dual-specificity tyrosine-(Y)-phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1 A (DYRK1A) maps to the Down syndrome critical region; copy number increase of this gene is thought to have a major role in the neurocognitive deficits associated with Trisomy 21. Truncation of DYRK1A in patients with developmental delay (DD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suggests a different pathology associated with loss-of-function mutations. To understand the phenotypic spectrum associated with DYRK1A mutations, we resequenced the gene in 7162 ASD/DD patients (2446 previously reported) and 2169 unaffected siblings and performed a detailed phenotypic assessment on nine patients. Comparison of our data and published cases with 8696 controls identified a significant enrichment of DYRK1A truncating mutations (P=0.00851) and an excess of de novo mutations (P=2.53 × 10(-10)) among ASD/intellectual disability (ID) patients. Phenotypic comparison of all novel (n=5) and recontacted (n=3) cases with previous case reports, including larger CNV and translocation events (n=7), identified a syndromal disorder among the 15 patients. It was characterized by ID, ASD, microcephaly, intrauterine growth retardation, febrile seizures in infancy, impaired speech, stereotypic behavior, hypertonia and a specific facial gestalt. We conclude that mutations in DYRK1A define a syndromic form of ASD and ID with neurodevelopmental defects consistent with murine and Drosophila knockout models.


Subject(s)
Autistic Disorder/genetics , Intellectual Disability/genetics , Mutation , Phenotype , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Cohort Studies , Female , Fetal Growth Retardation/genetics , Humans , Male , Microcephaly/genetics , Middle Aged , Seizures, Febrile/genetics , Siblings , Speech Disorders/genetics , Stereotypic Movement Disorder/genetics , Syndrome , Young Adult , Dyrk Kinases
13.
Neotrop Entomol ; 44(5): 528-32, 2015 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26123056

ABSTRACT

Current knowledge on coccinellids is primarily focused on their role as natural enemies of soft-bodied insects. However, there is a great diversity of coccinellid parasitoid species that are less studied. Here, we describe new records of coccinellid parasitoids with emphasis on new host-parasitoid interactions in 11 sample sites in Brazil. We collected 122 coccinellid individuals parasitized by six species of parasitoids in the Cerrado and in the Atlantic Rainforest biomes. New records of coccinellid parasitoids and host associations, expansion of habitat ranges and interactions are discussed focusing on the lack of basic information on these interactions in Brazil.


Subject(s)
Coleoptera/classification , Host-Parasite Interactions , Insecta/parasitology , Animals , Brazil , Ecosystem
14.
Genet Mol Res ; 14(1): 464-73, 2015 Jan 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25729980

ABSTRACT

The Malpighian tubules play a key role in insect osmoregulation. Although a transcriptional analysis has been done for the Malpighian tubules in Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera), no functional genomics analysis has yet been carried out for any Coleoptera species. Recently, we constructed a cDNA library from Malpighian tubules of larval Zophobas morio, a close relative of Tribolium castaneum, and cloned the cDNA for an AMP/CoA-ligase with luciferase-like enzyme properties. Using this cDNA library, we randomly isolated, partially sequenced and analyzed ca. 540 clones, obtaining the first transcriptional profile of the most representative expressed genes, and associated them with their possible biological functions. A high percentage of mitochondrial genes was found, which is consistent with the high metabolic activity required by this organ during the formation of primary urine. Common transcripts included those for enzymes involved in osmoregulation, such as solute transporters and ATPases, and in detoxification and excretion, such as cytochrome P450, glutathione S-transferase, alcohol dehydrogenase. The presence of AMP/CoA-ligases, which activate exogenous carboxylic acids such as firefly D-luciferin suggests their participation in important new xenobiotic excretion/detoxification roles in Malpighian tubule physiology.


Subject(s)
Coleoptera/genetics , Malpighian Tubules/metabolism , Transcription, Genetic , Animals , Insect Proteins/genetics , Insect Proteins/metabolism , Larva/genetics , Mitochondria/metabolism
15.
Luminescence ; 30(7): 996-1003, 2015 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25676901

ABSTRACT

Fungus-gnats of the genus Arachnocampa are unique among bioluminescent insects for displaying blue-green bioluminescence, and are responsible for one of the most beautiful bioluminescence spectacles on the roofs of the Waitomo Caves. Despite morphological studies showing that Arachnocampa larval lanterns involve specialization of the Malpighian tubules, the biochemical origin of their bioluminescence remains enigmatic. Using a cDNA library previously constructed from lanterns of the New Zealand glowworm A. luminosa, we carried out the first transcriptional analysis of ~ 500 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) to identify putative candidate proteins for light production, and to better understand the molecular physiology of the lanterns and their relationship with Malpighian tubule physiology. The analysis showed an abundance of hexamerin-like proteins, as well as luciferase-like enzymes, indicating a possible critical role for these proteins in bioluminescence. These findings were corroborated by proteomic analysis of lantern extracts, which showed the presence of hexamerins and luciferase-like enzymes. Other gene products typical of Malpighian tubules, such as detoxifying enzymes, were also found. The results support the existence of an evolutionary link between Malpighian tubule detoxification and the origin of bioluminescence in these Diptera.


Subject(s)
Diptera/chemistry , Insect Proteins/genetics , Luciferases/genetics , Luminescence , Malpighian Tubules/chemistry , Proteome/analysis , Transcriptome , Animals , Luciferases/metabolism , Proteomics , Transcription, Genetic
16.
Rev Laryngol Otol Rhinol (Bord) ; 136(2): 77-80, 2015.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27483580

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Chondrosarcomas are cartilaginous tumors that range from low-grade tumors with low metastatic potential to high-grade aggressive tumors with premature and high metastatic rate. Low-grade types have few karyotype abnormalities and are near-diploid, while high-grade chondrosarcomas originate from complex karyotypes and are aneuploid. The most common karyotype aberrations found include 12q13-15 and 9p21 rearrangements. Here, it is presented a case of chondrosarcoma of the hyoid bone with its image, surgical procedure and pathological correlation as well as a review of the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A sixty-three year old man presented with a large cervical mass located at submental level. The CT scan revealed a voluminous and well-limited mass of 5 x 4 x 3 cm located in the suprahyoid region. The operative finding revealed a grade 2 chondrosarcoma originating from the hyoid bone. DISCUSSION: Chondrosarcoma of the. hyoid bone is a rare pathology, thus making it difficult to diagnose. Fine needle biopsies have high diagnostic accuracy, although correct grading is only obtained 46% of the time. CT scan is the golden standard to characterize tumor extension and origin. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for chondrosarcoma.


Subject(s)
Bone Neoplasms/pathology , Chondrosarcoma/pathology , Hyoid Bone/pathology , Bone Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Bone Neoplasms/surgery , Chondrosarcoma/diagnostic imaging , Chondrosarcoma/surgery , Humans , Hyoid Bone/diagnostic imaging , Hyoid Bone/surgery , Male , Middle Aged , Tomography, X-Ray Computed
17.
Transl Psychiatry ; 4: e392, 2014 May 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24865593

ABSTRACT

The neuregulin-1 (NRG1) gene is one of the best-validated risk genes for schizophrenia, and psychotic and bipolar disorders. The rs6994992 variant in the NRG1 promoter (SNP8NRG243177) is associated with altered frontal and temporal brain macrostructures and/or altered white matter density and integrity in schizophrenic adults, as well as healthy adults and neonates. However, the ages when these changes begin and whether neuroimaging phenotypes are associated with cognitive performance are not fully understood. Therefore, we investigated the association of the rs6994992 variant on developmental trajectories of brain macro- and microstructures, and their relationship with cognitive performance. A total of 972 healthy children aged 3-20 years had the genotype available for the NRG1-rs6994992 variant, and were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological tests. Age-by-NRG1-rs6994992 interactions and genotype effects were assessed using a general additive model regression methodology, covaried for scanner type, socioeconomic status, sex and genetic ancestry factors. Compared with the C-carriers, children with the TT-risk-alleles had subtle microscopic and macroscopic changes in brain development that emerge or reverse during adolescence, a period when many psychiatric disorders are manifested. TT-children at late adolescence showed a lower age-dependent forniceal volume and lower fractional anisotropy; however, both measures were associated with better episodic memory performance. To our knowledge, we provide the first multimodal imaging evidence that genetic variation in NRG1 is associated with age-related changes on brain development during typical childhood and adolescence, and delineated the altered patterns of development in multiple brain regions in children with the T-risk allele(s).


Subject(s)
Adolescent Development/physiology , Brain/growth & development , Child Development/physiology , Heterozygote , Neuregulin-1/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Brain/pathology , Child , Child, Preschool , Diffusion Tensor Imaging , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Memory, Episodic , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Schizophrenia/genetics , Young Adult
18.
Meat Sci ; 97(4): 529-33, 2014 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24769873

ABSTRACT

This study focused on the effect of two packaging formats (vacuum packaging and over-wrap packaging) on the shelf life of cooked sausage prepared with blood, heart, kidney and goat meat fragments under storage at 4±1°C for a period of 90 days. The storage time and type of packaging significantly affected the chemical (pH, moisture, protein and TBARS number), physical (shear force) and microbial (mould and yeast) parameters of cooked sausage. Vacuum packaging maintained the microbiological and chemical qualities of cooked goat blood sausage for a longer period of time (63 days) compared to over-wrap packaging (41 days) and could be a viable alternative to refrigerated storage of the product for quality maintenance.


Subject(s)
Blood , Food Packaging/methods , Heart , Kidney , Meat Products/analysis , Animals , Cold Temperature , Cooking , Diet , Dietary Proteins/analysis , Food Microbiology , Food Storage/methods , Fungi , Goats , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Meat Products/microbiology , Stress, Mechanical , Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances/metabolism , Vacuum , Water , Yeasts
19.
Luminescence ; 29(5): 412-22, 2014 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23868199

ABSTRACT

Bioluminescence in beetles is found mainly in the Elateroidea superfamily (Elateridae, Lampyridae and Phengodidae). The Neotropical region accounts for the richest diversity of bioluminescent species in the world with about 500 described species, most occurring in the Amazon, Atlantic rainforest and Cerrado (savanna) ecosystems in Brazil. The origin and evolution of bioluminescence, as well as the taxonomic status of several Neotropical taxa in these families remains unclear. In order to contribute to a better understanding of the phylogeny and evolution of bioluminescent Elateroidea we sequenced and analyzed sequences of mitochondrial NADH2 and the nuclear 28S genes and of the cloned luciferase sequences of Brazilian species belonging to the following genera: (Lampyridae) Macrolampis, Photuris, Amydetes, Bicellonycha, Aspisoma, Lucidota, Cratomorphus; (Elateridae) Conoderus, Pyrophorus, Hapsodrilus, Pyrearinus, Fulgeochlizus; and (Phengodidae) Pseudophengodes, Phrixothrix, Euryopa and Brasilocerus. Our study supports a closer phylogenetic relationship between Elateridae and Phengodidae as other molecular studies, in contrast with previous morphologic and molecular studies that clustered Lampyridae/Phengodidae. Molecular data also supported division of the Phengodinae subfamily into the tribes Phengodini and Mastinocerini. The position of the genus Amydetes supports the status of the Amydetinae as a subfamily. The genus Euryopa is included in the Mastinocerini tribe within the Phengodinae/Phengodidae.


Subject(s)
Fireflies/classification , Fireflies/genetics , Phylogeny , Animals , Brazil , DNA, Ribosomal/genetics , Fireflies/chemistry , Insect Proteins/genetics , Luciferases/genetics , Luminescence , Molecular Sequence Data
20.
Genes Brain Behav ; 12(8): 792-801, 2013 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24024963

ABSTRACT

Written and verbal languages are neurobehavioral traits vital to the development of communication skills. Unfortunately, disorders involving these traits-specifically reading disability (RD) and language impairment (LI)-are common and prevent affected individuals from developing adequate communication skills, leaving them at risk for adverse academic, socioeconomic and psychiatric outcomes. Both RD and LI are complex traits that frequently co-occur, leading us to hypothesize that these disorders share genetic etiologies. To test this, we performed a genome-wide association study on individuals affected with both RD and LI in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. The strongest associations were seen with markers in ZNF385D (OR = 1.81, P = 5.45 × 10(-7) ) and COL4A2 (OR = 1.71, P = 7.59 × 10(-7) ). Markers within NDST4 showed the strongest associations with LI individually (OR = 1.827, P = 1.40 × 10(-7) ). We replicated association of ZNF385D using receptive vocabulary measures in the Pediatric Imaging Neurocognitive Genetics study (P = 0.00245). We then used diffusion tensor imaging fiber tract volume data on 16 fiber tracts to examine the implications of replicated markers. ZNF385D was a predictor of overall fiber tract volumes in both hemispheres, as well as global brain volume. Here, we present evidence for ZNF385D as a candidate gene for RD and LI. The implication of transcription factor ZNF385D in RD and LI underscores the importance of transcriptional regulation in the development of higher order neurocognitive traits. Further study is necessary to discern target genes of ZNF385D and how it functions within neural development of fluent language.


Subject(s)
Dyslexia/genetics , Genome-Wide Association Study , Language Development Disorders/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Case-Control Studies , Cerebral Cortex/physiology , Child , Collagen Type IV/genetics , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Sulfotransferases/genetics , Transcription Factors/chemistry , Transcription Factors/genetics , Zinc Fingers
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