Methanotrophic denitrification in wastewater treatment: microbial aspects and engineering strategies.

Anaerobic technologies are consolidated for sewage treatment and are the core processes for mining marketable products from waste streams. However, anaerobic effluents are supersaturated with methane, which represents a liability regarding greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, anaerobic technologies are not capable of nitrogen removal, which is required to ensure environmental protection. Methane oxidation and denitrification processes can be combined to address both issues concurrently. Aerobic methane oxidizers can release intermediate organic compounds that can be used by conventional denitrifiers as electron donors. Alternatively, anoxic methanotrophic species combine methane oxidation with either nitrate or nitrite reduction in the same metabolism. Engineered systems need to overcome the long doubling times and low NOx consumption rates of anoxic methanotrophic microorganisms. Another commonly reported bottleneck of methanotrophic denitrification relates to gas-liquid mass transfer limitations. Although anaerobic effluents are supersaturated with methane, experimental setups usually rely on methane supply in a gaseous mode. Hence, possibilities for the application of methane-oxidation coupled to denitrification in full scale might be overlooked. Moreover, syntrophic relationships among methane oxidizers, denitrifiers, nitrifiers, and other microorganisms (such as anammox) are not well understood. Integrating mixed populations with various metabolic abilities could allow for more robust methane-driven wastewater denitrification systems. This review presents an overview of the metabolic capabilities of methane oxidation and denitrification and discusses technological aspects that allow for the application of methanotrophic denitrification at larger scales.

Enrichment of Autotrophic Denitrifiers From Anaerobic Sludge Using Sulfurous Electron Donors.

This study compared the rates and microbial community development in batch bioassays on autotrophic denitrification using elemental sulfur (S0), pyrite (FeS2), thiosulfate (S2O3 2-), and sulfide (S2-) as electron donor. The performance of two inocula was compared: digested sludge (DS) from a wastewater treatment plant of a dairy industry and anaerobic granular sludge (GS) from a UASB reactor treating dairy wastewater. All electron donors supported the development of a microbial community with predominance of autotrophic denitrifiers during the enrichments, except for sulfide. For the first time, pyrite revealed to be a suitable substrate for the growth of autotrophic denitrifiers developing a microbial community with predominance of the genera Thiobacillus, Thioprofundum, and Ignavibacterium. Thiosulfate gave the highest denitrification rates removing 10.94 mM NO3 - day-1 and 8.98 mM NO3 - day-1 by DS and GS, respectively. This was 1.5 and 6 times faster than elemental sulfur and pyrite, respectively. Despite the highest denitrification rates observed in thiosulfate-fed enrichments, an evaluation of the most relevant parameters for a technological application revealed elemental sulfur as the best electron donor for autotrophic denitrification with a total cost of 0.38 € per m3 of wastewater treated.

Influência do tramadol associado à levobupicavaína epidural sobre a taxa de propofol e variáveis fisiológicas, em cadelas submetidas à mastectomia e à ovário-histerectomia / [Influence of tramadol combined with epidural levobupicavaine, on the propofol infusion rate and physiological variables, in female dogs undergoing mastectomy and ovariohysterectomy]

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos fisiológicos e sobre o consumo do propofol, relativos à anestesia epidural com levobupivacaína isolada ou associada a diferentes doses de tramadol. Para tal, 18 cadelas foram pré-tratadas com acepromazina, utilizando-se propofol para indução e manutenção anestésicas. Conforme o protocolo epidural instituído, formaram-se três grupos (n=6) tratados com levobupivacaína isolada (1,5mg/kg) (GL) ou acrescida de 2mg/kg (GLT2) ou 4mg/kg (GLT4) de tramadol, respectivamente. As fêmeas foram submetidas à mastectomia e à ovário-histerectomia (OH), registrando-se as variáveis fisiológicas nos períodos pré (TB e T0) e transanestésicos (T10 a T70), bem como a taxa mínima de propofol necessária. Houve redução da FC para o GL e o GLT4 em relação ao GLT2 (T30 a T70), detectando-se, no GL, redução da PAS e da PAD em relação ao TB. Maiores taxas de infusão do propofol foram necessárias para o GL (0,70±0,12mg/kg/min) em relação ao GLT2 (0,50±0,19mg/kg/min) e ao GLT4 (0,50±0,19mg/kg/min). Conclui-se que o tramadol potencializou o propofol, ao ofertar analgesia, independentemente da dose administrada. Todos os protocolos testados foram seguros e eficazes em cadelas submetidas à mastectomia e à OH.(AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological and on propofol-sparing effects related to epidural anesthesia with levobupivacaine alone or combined with different doses of tramadol. For this purpose, 18 female dogs were pretreated with acepromazine, using propofol for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Based on a previously established epidural (L7-S1) protocol, three groups (n=6) were treated with either levobupivacaine alone (1.5mg.k-1) (GL) or in association with to 2mg.kg-1 (GLT2) or 4mg.kg-1 (GLT4) of tramadol, respectively. These dogs were all undergoing mastectomy and ovariohysterectomy (OH). The physiological data were registered in the pre (TB and T0) and trans-anesthetic periods (T10 - T70), as well as the consumption of propofol. There was a reduction in the HR for GL and GLT4 in relation to GLT2 (T30 - T70) and reductions in SAP and DAP in relation to TB in the GL group. Higher continuous infusion rate of propofol were required for GL (0.70±0.12mg.kg-1.min-1) relative to GLT2 (0.50±0.19mg.kg-1.min-1) and GLT4 (0.50±0.19mg.kg-1.min-1). It was concluded that tramadol potentiated propofol, offering analgesia independently of its administered dose. All protocols tested were safe and effective in female dogs undergoing mastectomy and OH.(AU)

Perturbative measurement of magnetoresistance.

In this paper, we report the development of a novel technique in which the magnetoresistance of nanostructures is perturbatively measured by transversally modulating the DC magnetic field. It measures the electrical transport counterpart of the transverse magnetic AC-susceptibility. The technique was developed in a conventional four-probe configuration in which a small DC current flows through the sample and a small transverse AC-field perturbates the equilibrium position of the sample magnetization. Lock-in detection, in-phase with the AC-perturbation, is used to measure the voltage signal between the two inner electrodes of the four-probe station. We successfully demonstrated that this signal is proportional to the product of the first derivative of sample resistance with respect to the equilibrium position of the magnetization times the second derivative of the energy with respect to the equilibrium position of the magnetization. These dependences add new features to the technique investigated here that were not captured by the investigations previously reported on the same subject. To show the effective use of the technique, we discuss its application in measuring magnetic properties of thin magnetic films in the non-saturated regime.

Genome-wide association study for growth traits in Nelore cattle.

The objective of this study was to investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with birth weight, weight gain from birth to weaning and from weaning to yearling, yearling height and cow weight in Nelore cattle. Data from 5064 animals participating in the DeltaGen and PAINT breeding programs were used. The animals were genotyped with a panel of 777 962 SNPs (Illumina BovineHD BeadChip) and 412 993 SNPs remained after quality control analysis of the genomic data. A genome-wide association study was performed using a single-step methodology. The analyses were processed with the BLUPF90 family of programs. When applied to a genome-wide association studies, the single-step GBLUP methodology is an iterative process that estimates weights for the SNPs. The weights of SNPs were included in all analyses by iteratively applying the single-step GBLUP methodology and repeated twice so that the effect of the SNP and the effect of the animal were recalculated in order to increase the weight of SNPs with large effects and to reduce the weight of those with small effects. The genome-wide association results are reported based on the proportion of variance explained by windows of 50 adjacent SNPs. Considering the two iterations, only windows with an additive genetic variance >1.5% were presented in the results. Associations were observed with birth weight on BTA 14, with weight gain from birth to weaning on BTA 5 and 29, with weight gain from weaning to yearling on BTA 11, and with yearling height on BTA 8, showing the genes TMEM68 (transmembrane protein 8B) associated with birth weight and yearling height, XKR4 (XK, Kell blood group complex subunit-related family, member 4) associated with birth weight, NPR2 (natriuretic peptide receptor B) associated with yearling height, and REG3G (regenerating islet-derived 3-gamma) associated with weight gain from weaning to yearling. These genes play an important role in feed intake, weight gain and the regulation of skeletal growth.

Meta-analysis of selected toxicity endpoints of CDK4/6 inhibitors: Palbociclib and ribociclib.

PURPOSE: Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors such as palbociclib and ribociclib are associated with distinct adverse effects (AEs) compared to other targeted therapies. This meta-analysis of clinical trials summarizes these agents' toxicity profile. METHODS: A librarian-guided literature search was conducted in March of 2017. The trials needed to have at least one of the study arms consisting of palbociclib or ribociclib monotherapy at currently FDA approved dose regimens. Heterogeneity across studies was analyzed using I2 statistics. Data were analyzed using random effects meta-analysis for absolute risks. RESULTS: Seven randomized trials and 1,332 patients were included in our meta-analysis. There was evidence of significant heterogeneity between studies for serious AEs but not for death. The pooled absolute risk (AR) for all-causality serious AEs and treatment-related death were 16% and 0%, respectively. Patients treated with CDK 4/6 inhibitors had an AR of grade 3/4 neutropenia of 61%; neutropenic fever and infections were rare (1% and 3%, respectively). Grade 3/4 nausea, vomiting, and rash were rare. There was no significant correlation between age of patients at study entry and the risk of grade 3/4 neutropenia. CONCLUSION: Treatment with CDK 4/6 inhibitors is well tolerated and associated with a low risk of treatment-related deaths. There is an increased AR of grade 3/4 neutropenia but a low AR of associated infections.

Genome scan for postmortem carcass traits in Nellore cattle.

Carcass traits measured after slaughter are economically relevant traits in beef cattle. In general, the slaughter house payment system is based on HCW. Ribeye area (REA) is associated with the amount of the meat in the carcass, and a minimum of backfat thickness (BFT) is necessary to protect the carcass during cooling. The aim of this study was to identify potential genomic regions harboring candidate genes affecting those traits in Nellore cattle. The data set used in the present study consisted of 1,756 Nellore males with phenotype records. A subset of 1,604 animals had both genotypic and phenotypic information. Genotypes were generated based on a panel with 777,962 SNPs from the Illumina Bovine HD chip. The SNP effects were calculated based on the genomic breeding values obtained by using the single-step GBLUP approach and a genomic matrix re-weighting procedure. The proportion of the variance explained by moving windows of 100 consecutive SNPs was used to assess potential genomic regions harboring genes with major effects on each trait. The top 10 non-overlapping SNP-windows explained 8.72%, 11.38%, and 9.31% of the genetic variance for REA, BFT, and HCW, respectively. These windows are located on chromosomes 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 20, and 29 for REA; chromosomes 6, 8, 10, 13, 16, 17, 18, and 24 for BFT; and chromosomes 4, 6, 7, 8, 14, 16, 17, and 21 for HCW. For REA, there were identified genes ( and ) involved in the cell cycle biological process which affects many aspects of animal growth and development. The and genes, both from AA transporter family, was also associated with REA. The AA transporters are essential for cell growth and proliferation, acting as carriers of tissue nutrient supplies. Various genes identified for BFT (, , , , , and ) have been associated with lipid metabolism in different mammal species. One of the most promising genes identified for HCW was the . There is evidence, in the literature, that this gene is located in putative QTL affecting carcass weight in beef cattle. Our results showed several genomic regions containing plausible candidate genes that may be associated with carcass traits in Nellore cattle. Besides contributing to a better understanding of the genetic control of carcass traits, the identified genes can also be helpful for further functional genomic studies.

Genetic association of productive and reproductive traits with stayability in Nellore cattle: analysis using Bayesian models.

We evaluated the genetic association of growth traits [weight adjusted to 205 days of age (W205), 365 days of age (W365), and 550 days of age (W550); weight gain between 205 days of age and 365 days of age (WG1) and between 365 days of age and 550 days of age (WG2)] and reproductive traits [age at first calving (AFC); first calving interval (FCI)] with stayability in the herd (STAY), using Bayesian inference in linear and threshold models. We defined STAY as the probability of a cow calving three or more times before the age of 76 months, given that she had calved at least once. We assigned binary codes (0, failure; 1, success) to each female. We used a sire model for analysis and formed different contemporary groups for the investigated traits. We analyzed the results by applying a two-trait sire model that included STAY (threshold trait) and linear traits (W205, W365, W550, WG1, WG2, AFC, and FCI). We used Gibbs sampling to estimate variance components and heritabilities. In all the analyses, we found that the mean heritability estimates for STAY were of moderate magnitude (0.20-0.25). The mean heritabilities for W205, W365, W550, WG1, WG2, AFC, and FCI were 0.20, 0.23, 0.39, 0.08, 0.14, 0.12, and 0.11, respectively. We observed wide variation in the posterior distributions of genetic correlations; however, with the exception of those obtained for the reproductive traits, the mean estimates were of low magnitude. Selection for WG2 can results in favorable correlated response in STAY.

Study of lipid metabolism-related genes as candidate genes of sexual precocity in Nellore cattle.

The objective of this study was to identify associations between known polymorphisms in genes related to adipose tissue and sexual precocity in Nellore cattle. A total of 1689 precocious and non-precocious heifers belonging to farms participating in Conexão Delta G breeding program were studied. SNPs from the Illumina High-Density Bovine SNP BeadChip were used. This chip contains 777,000 SNPs located within the region of the candidate genes at a distance of up to 5 kb, considering that linkage disequilibrium (LD) exists at this distance. Linear models were used for statistical analysis. The fastPHASE and GenomeStudio programs were used for haplotype reconstruction and LD analysis based on r2 statistics. Fifty-seven candidate genes and 443 SNPs were analyzed: among the latter, 370 SNPs formed 83 haplotypes, while the remaining SNPs were studied separately. Statistical analysis showed that only three haplotypes, one haplotype consisting of two SNPs located in the FABP4 gene and two haplotypes consisting of four and two SNPs located in the PPP3CA gene, had a significant effect on sexual precocity at P < 0.05. It can be concluded that the FABP4 and PPP3CA genes influence sexual precocity and may therefore be used in selection programs designed to improve sexual precocity in Nellore cattle.

Biology of Bemisia tuberculata Bondar (Aleyrodidae) and parasitism by Encarsia porteri (Mercet, 1928) (Hymenoptera, Aphelinidae) on cassava plants.

The whitefly Bemisia tuberculata has caused serious damage to cassava producing areas in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. However, little is known about the biological characteristics of this species. The objective of this study was therefore, to monitor the development of this species bred on cassava plants under controlled greenhouse conditions, and to determine its most vulnerable stages and its reproductive capacity, as well as measuring the length and width each stage of development. To obtain these data, adult individuals were kept in voile traps on cassava leaves of five different plants, totalling ten leaves. After 24 hours the leaves were removed from the traps thus making each egg-laden leaf an experimental unit. The lowest mortality rate was record in the last nymphal stage ('pupae) compared with the other development stages. The highest mortality occurred in the nymphs at the 2nd and 3rd instars. Each female laid an average of 6.3 eggs in 24 hours. Thirteen days after egg laying, every one of the nymphs was fixed on the leaves of cassava plants. From the egg laying stage up until the adult stage, the process took 26 days. The proportion of females was 73.5%. The average size of the B. tuberculata egg was 163.22 µm in length and 72.39 µm in width and the "pupae" is 915.82 µm in length and 628.71 µm in width. The measurements of males were 797.16 µm in length and 200.81 µm in width and the length females 916.12 µm in length and 338.99 µm in width. The parasitoid Encarsia porteri (Mercet, 1928) (Hymenoptera, Aphelinidae) was found in the insect stock culture.

Estimation of genetic parameters for mature weight in Angus cattle.

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for BW of Angus cattle up to 5 yr of age and to discuss options for including mature weight (MW) in their genetic evaluation. Data were obtained from the American Angus Association. Only records from herds with at least 500 animals and with >10% of animals with BW at ≥ 2 yr of age were considered. Traits were weaning weight (WW, n = 81,525), yearling weight (YW, n = 62,721), and BW measured from 2 to 5 yr of age (MW2, n = 15,927; MW3, n = 12,404; MW4, n = 9,805; MW5, n = 7,546). Genetic parameters were estimated using an AIREML algorithm with a multiple-trait animal model. Fixed effects were contemporary group and departure of the actual age from standard age (205, 365, 730, 1,095, 1,460, and 1,825 d of age for WW, YW, MW2, MW3, MW4, and MW5, respectively). Random effects were animal direct additive genetic, maternal additive genetic, maternal permanent environment, and residual. Estimates of direct genetic variances (kg(2)) were 298 ± 71.8, 563 ± 15.1, 925 ± 52.1, 1,221 ± 65.8, 1,406 ± 80.4, and 1,402 ± 66.9; maternal genetic variances were 167 ± 4.8, 153 ± 6.1, 123 ± 9.1, 136 ± 12.25, 167 ± 18.0, and 110 ± 14.0; maternal permanent environment variances were 124 ± 2.9, 120 ± 4.3, 61 ± 7.5, 69 ± 11.9, 103 ± 15.9, and 134 ± 35.2; and residual variances were 258 ± 3.8, 608 ± 8.6, 829 ± 34.2, 1,016 ± 38.8, 1,017 ± 52.1, and 1,202 ± 63.22 for WW, YW, MW2, MW3, MW4, and MW5, respectively. The direct genetic correlation between WW and YW was 0.84 ± 0.14 and between WW and MW ranged from 0.66 ± 0.06 (WW and MW4) to 0.72 ± 0.11 (WW and MW2). Direct genetic correlations ranged from 0.77 ± 0.08 (YW and MW5) to 0.85 ± 0.07 (YW and MW2) between YW and MW, and they were ≥ 0.95 among MW2, MW3, MW4, and MW5. Maternal genetic correlations between WW and YW and MW ranged from 0.52 ± 0.05 (WW and MW4) to 0.95 ± 0.07 (WW and YW), and among MW they ranged from 0.54 ± 0.14 (MW4 and MW5) to 0.94 ± 0.07 (MW2 and MW3). Genetic correlations suggest that a genetic evaluation for MW may be MW2-based and that including BW from older ages could be accomplished by adjusting records to the scale of MW2.

Estimativas de herdabilidade e tendências genéticas para características de crescimento e reprodutivas em bovinos da raça Nelore / Estimates of heritability and genetic trends for growth and reproduction traits in Nelore cattle

Foram estimados os coeficientes de herdabilidade e a mudança genética para peso à desmama (PD), peso ao sobreano (PS), ganho de peso do nascimento à desmama (GND), ganho de peso da desmama ao sobreano (GDS), perímetro escrotal (PE) e idade ao primeiro parto (IPP) em animais da raça Nelore. Foram utilizados dados de 128.148 animais nascidos entre 1984 e 2006. Os componentes de variância foram estimados pelo método da máxima verossimilhança restrita, e os valores genéticos foram preditos por modelos mistos aplicando-se modelo animal bicaracterística, incluindo peso à desmama em todas as análises. As tendências genéticas foram estimadas pela regressão dos valores genéticos sobre o ano de nascimento dos animais. Os coeficientes de herdabilidade do efeito direto estimados foram de 0,23 (0,07) (PD); 0,24 (0,02) (PS); 0,21 (0,01) (GND); 0,23 (0,01) (GDS); 0,46 (0,02) (PE) e 0,15 (0,01) (IPP). As tendências genéticas diretas estimadas foram de 0,171 (0,01); 0,219 (0,02); 0,186 (0,03) e 0,224 (0,02) kg/ano para PD, PS, GND e GDS, respectivamente, o que representa incrementos de 0,10; 0,08; 0,13 e 0,22 por cento nas médias das mesmas características ao ano, respectivamente. Para o PE e a IPP no período de 1984 a 1995, as tendências genéticas foram nulas, com valores de 0,011 (0,03) cm/ano e -0,003 (0,06) dias/ano, respectivamente. No segundo período considerado (1996 a 2006), as tendências genéticas para PE e IPP foram de 0,069 (0,01) cm/ano e -3,024 (0,04) dias/ano, respectivamente, indicando melhorias consideráveis em tais características. Esses valores sugerem que características produtivas e reprodutivas, quando utilizadas como critério de seleção, proporcionam progresso genético no rebanho, sendo indicadas para seleção de animais da raça Nelore.

The heritability coefficients and genetic trends for weaning weight (WW), post-yearling weight (PW), average gains from birth to weaning (GBW), average gains from weaning to post-yearling (GWP), scrotal circumference (SC), and age at first calving (AFC) were estimated in Nelore cattle. Variance components and heritability coefficients were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood and breeding values were predicted fitting bivariate animal models, always including weaning weight. Data from 128,148 animals born from 1984 to 2006 were used. Genetic trends for each trait were estimated by regression of breeding values on the animal birth year. Heritability estimates for direct effect were 0.23 (0.07) for WW; 0.24 (0.02) for PW; 0.21 (0.01) for GBW; 0.23 (0.01) for GWP; 0.46 (0.02) for SC; and 0.15 (0.01) for AFC. The direct genetic trends were 0.171 (0.01); 0.219 (0.02); 0.186 (0.03); and 0.224 (0.02) kg per year, for WW, PW, GBW, and GWP, respectively, corresponding to increases of 0.10, 0.08, 0.13, and 0.22 percent in the means of the same traits per year, respectively. In the first period (1984 to 1995), the SC and AFC genetic trends were null, with values of 0.011 (0.03) cm/year and -0.003 (0.06) days/year, respectively. Moreover, in the other period (1996 to 2006), the genetic trends of SC and AFC were 0.069 (0.01) cm/year and -3.024 (0.04) days/year, respectively. These values suggest that productive and reproductive traits, when used as selection criteria, result in genetic progress of the herd. Thus, they are indicated for selection of Nelore cattle.

Efficacy and cardiac safety of adjuvant trastuzumab-based chemotherapy regimens for HER2-positive early breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Trastuzumab-based adjuvant therapy has become the standard of care for human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive early breast cancer (EBC). Both anthracycline- and non-anthracycline-containing trastuzumab regimens are approved in the United States, but cardiotoxicity is increased with anthracycline-containing regimens. DESIGN: This paper reviews published and reported efficacy and cardiac safety data from the adjuvant trastuzumab trials [National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) B-31/North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) N9831, Breast Cancer International Research Group (BCIRG) 006, Herceptin Adjuvant (HERA), FinHer, and Programme Adjuvant Cancer Sein (PACS) 04]. RESULTS: The addition of trastuzumab to adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved disease-free survival (from 24% to 58%) in five of the six trials. Overall survival was significantly improved (23%-35%) in the large trials. In NSABP B-31/ NCCTG N9831, 5.0%-6.6% of patients who received doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) were unable to receive trastuzumab. Cardiac event rate was highest in the anthracycline-containing trastuzumab arms (1.9%-3.8%) and lowest with the regimen of docetaxel, carboplatin, and trastuzumab (TCH) (0.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of trastuzumab into anthracycline and non-anthracycline adjuvant chemotherapy regimens has substantially improved outcomes in HER2-postive EBC. The TCH regimen has the lowest rates of cardiac dysfunction, but uncertainty exists regarding the relative efficacy of TCH compared with anthracycline-containing trastuzumab regimens. Cardiac risk factor assessment can aid in selection of trastuzumab-based adjuvant therapy regimens.

Intraflagellar transport complex in Leishmania spp. In silico genome-wide screening and annotation of gene function.

Flagella are constructed and maintained through the highly conserved process of intraflagellar transport (IFT), which is a rapid movement of particles along the axonemal microtubules of cilia/flagella. Particles that are transported by IFT are composed of several protein subunits comprising two complexes (A and B), which are conserved among green algae, nematodes, and vertebrates. To determine whether or not homologues to members of the IFT complex proteins are conserved in Leishmania spp, we scanned genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes of Leishmania species in a search for putative IFT factors, which were then identified in silico, compared, cataloged, and characterized. Since a large proportion of newly identified genes in L. major remain unclassified, with many of these being potentially Leishmania- (or kinetoplastid-) specific, there is a need for detailed analyses of homologs/orthologs that could help us understand the functional assignment of these gene products. We used a combination of integrated bioinformatics tools in a pathogenomics approach to contribute to the annotation of Leishmania genomes, particularly regarding flagellar genes and their roles in pathogenesis. This resulted in the formal in silico identification of eight of these homologs in Leishmania (IFT subunits, 20, 27, 46, 52, 57, 88, 140, and 172), along with others (IFTs 71, 74/72, and 81), as well as sequence comparisons and structural predictions. IFT, an important flagellar pathway in Leishmania, begins to be revealed through screening of trypanosomatid genomes; this information could also be used to better understand fundamental processes in Leishmania, such as motility and pathogenesis.

Intraflagellar transport complex in Leishmania spp. In silico genome-wide screening and annotation of gene function

Flagella are constructed and maintained through the highly conserved process of intraflagellar transport (IFT), which is a rapid movement of particles along the axonemal microtubules of cilia/flagella. Particles that are transported by IFT are composed of several protein subunits comprising two complexes (A and B), which are conserved among green algae, nematodes, and vertebrates. To determine whether or not homologues to members of the IFT complex proteins are conserved in Leishmania spp, we scanned genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes of Leishmania species in a search for putative IFT factors, which were then identified in silico, compared, cataloged, and characterized. Since a large proportion of newly identified genes in L. major remain unclassified, with many of these being potentially Leishmania- (or kinetoplastid-) specific, there is a need for detailed analyses of homologs/orthologs that could help us understand the functional assignment of these gene products. We used a combination of integrated bioinformatics tools in a pathogenomics approach to contribute to the annotation of Leishmania genomes, particularly regarding flagellar genes and their roles in pathogenesis. This resulted in the formal in silico identification of eight of these homologs in Leishmania (IFT subunits, 20, 27, 46, 52, 57, 88, 140, and 172), along with others (IFTs 71, 74/72, and 81), as well as sequence comparisons and structural predictions. IFT, an important flagellar pathway in Leishmania, begins to be revealed through screening of trypanosomatid genomes; this information could also be used to better understand fundamental processes in Leishmania, such as motility and pathogenesis.

[Changes in composition and appropriate nutrition of family diet in the metropolitan areas of Brazil (1988-1996)]. / Mudanças na composição e adequação nutricional da dieta familiar nas áreas metropolitanas do Brasil (1988-1996).

OBJECTIVE: A new family budget survey carried out in the mid-nineties in Brazil allows an update of the secular trends (1962-1988) of dietary patterns of Brazilian population living in metropolitan areas. METHODS: Data sources are IBGE Institute of Statistics family budget surveys carried out from March 1987 to February 1988 (13,611 households) and from October 1995 to September 1996 (16,014 households) in all metropolitan areas of Brazil. The daily food availability per capita for each household was calculated dividing the total food acquired in a month by the number of individuals living in a household and the month's number of days. Dietary patterns were characterized according to the amount of selected food groups and nutrients relative to the diet caloric input. Comparisons between the two surveys included the metropolitan area population as a whole and subgroups from less (North and Northeast) and more developed (Mid-west, Southeast and South) regions. RESULTS: It was observed an increase in consumption of meat and dairy products (except for butter) and a reduction in eggs consumption in both less and more developed regions. Beans, roots and tubers consumption showed a steady decline in the whole country while cereals consumption remained the same (higher in developed regions) or had a slight increase (in less developed regions). The proportional consumption of vegetal oils and margarine remained constant in the less developed regions but their consumption was greatly reduced in the more developed ones. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the diet's lipid content in less developed regions and of saturated fat in the country as a whole, associated with a decrease or even no consumption of beans, vegetables, fruits and complex carbohydrates, and a further increase in the excessive sugar consumption are the negative aspects of the trend observed from 1988 to 1996. Changes that may indicate a growing awareness of the population toward a healthier diet, such as a decline in egg intake and a slight reduction in diets with a high total lipid content, were found only in more developed regions.

[Granulomatous form of cerebral cryptococcosis: a case report]. / Forma granulomatosa da criptococose cerebral: relato de caso.

Cryptococcal granuloma or toruloma of the central nervous system is very rare, meningoencefalitis or meningitis being most common. The authors present the case of an immunocompetent male patient of 56 years old with initial clinical symptoms of intracranial hypertension due to an occípito-parietal crytococcal granuloma that was removed surgically. The patients was treated post operatively with anphotericin-B and 5-fluorcytosine. Pathophysiology, neuroimaging, diagnosis and treatment of this rare entity are discussed.