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This study presents a new approach for identifying myeloperoxidase (MPO) inhibitors with strong in vivo efficacy. By combining inhibitor-like rules and structure-based virtual screening, the pipeline achieved a 70% success rate in discovering diverse, nanomolar-potency reversible inhibitors and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) scavengers. Mechanistic analysis identified RL6 as a genuine MPO inhibitor and RL7 as a potent HOCl scavenger. Both compounds effectively suppressed HOCl production in cells and neutrophils, with RL6 showing a superior inhibition of neutrophil extracellular trap release (NETosis). In a gout arthritis mouse model, intraperitoneal RL6 administration reduced edema, peroxidase activity, and IL-1ß levels. RL6 also exhibited oral bioavailability, significantly reducing paw edema when administered orally. This study highlights the efficacy of integrating diverse screening methods to enhance virtual screening success, validating the anti-inflammatory potential of potent inhibitors, and advancing the MPO inhibitor research.
Assuntos
Artrite Gotosa , Peroxidase , Animais , Peroxidase/antagonistas & inibidores , Peroxidase/metabolismo , Artrite Gotosa/tratamento farmacológico , Camundongos , Humanos , Inibidores Enzimáticos/farmacologia , Inibidores Enzimáticos/química , Inibidores Enzimáticos/uso terapêutico , Masculino , Ácido Hipocloroso , Neutrófilos/efeitos dos fármacos , Neutrófilos/metabolismo , Relação Estrutura-Atividade , Avaliação Pré-Clínica de MedicamentosRESUMO
The spleen plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of visceral leishmaniasis. In severe forms of the disease, the spleen undergoes changes that can compromise its function in surveilling blood-circulating pathogens. In this study, we present an integrated analysis of the structural and gene expression alterations in the spleens of three patients with relapsing visceral leishmaniasis, two of whom were coinfected with HIV. Our findings reveal that the IL6 signaling pathway plays a significant role in the disorganization of the white pulp, while BCL10 and ICOSLG are associated with spleen organization. Patients coinfected with HIV and visceral leishmaniasis exhibited lower splenic CD4+ cell density and reduced expression of genes such as IL15. These effects may contribute to a compromised immune response against L. infantum in coinfected individuals, further impacting the structural organization of the spleen.
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Coinfecção , Infecções por HIV , Leishmaniose Visceral , Baço , Humanos , Leishmaniose Visceral/parasitologia , Leishmaniose Visceral/genética , Baço/patologia , Infecções por HIV/complicações , Coinfecção/virologia , Masculino , Adulto , Feminino , Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos/imunologia , Leishmania infantum/genética , Expressão GênicaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), or kala-azar, is a common comorbidity in patients with AIDS in endemic areas. Many patients continue to experiences relapses of VL despite virological control, but with immunological failure. These patients remain chronically symptomatic with hypersplenism, for example with anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia, and are at risk of severe co-infection due to low CD4+ count. Therefore, in this study, splenectomized patients with VL and HIV infection were investigated to understand why the CD4+ count fails to recover in these patients, evaluating the importance of spleen mass for hypersplenism and immunological failure. METHODS: From a retrospective open cohort of 13 patients who had previously undergone splenectomy as salvage therapy for relapsing VL, 11 patients with HIV infection were investigated. This study compared the patients' complete blood cell count (CBC) and CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts before and after splenectomy with respect to spleen weight. RESULTS: CBC was substantially improved after splenectomy, indicating hypersplenism. However, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that spleen mass is strongly and negatively correlated with CD4+ cell count (ρ = -0.71, P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: This finding was unexpected, as the spleen is the most extensive lymphoid tissue and T-lymphocyte source. After reviewing the literature and reasoning, we hypothesized that the immunological failure was secondary to CD4+ loss initially by apoptosis in the spleen induced by productive HIV infection and, subsequently, by pyroptosis sustained by parasitic infection in spleen macrophages.
Assuntos
Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida , Infecções por HIV , Hiperesplenismo , Leishmaniose Visceral , Humanos , Leishmaniose Visceral/epidemiologia , Infecções por HIV/complicações , Hiperesplenismo/complicações , Estudos Retrospectivos , Cemitérios , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/complicações , Recidiva Local de Neoplasia/complicações , Linfócitos T CD4-PositivosRESUMO
Individuals can experience accentuated disputes for resources when living with many conspecifics, even in situations in which cooperative behaviors assure benefits associated with an increase in the frequency of food acquisition and in diet breadth. Thus, intraspecific competition may exert a significant selective pressure on social animals. Theoretical models suggest that females of social species could improve their fitness by producing relatively large offspring, since body size can provide competitive advantages during foraging activities. As female reserves are limited, the production of large offspring would occur at the expense of their number. Using five Anelosimus (Araneae, Theridiidae) species, we assessed whether the social ones produce fewer and larger eggs than the subsocials. In addition, we tested the effect of female size on the adoption of each particular reproductive strategy. Small females could hypothetically invest in producing large offspring since they cannot produce as many offspring as large females. Our results suggested that, indeed, sociality influences reproductive strategies. Females of social species produced fewer and larger offspring than females of subsocial species. Subsociality, in turn, would benefit the production of many small spiderlings, possibly because a large number of siblings is important to maintain and expand new webs and to subdue prey during their initial instars. Our results also indicated that large females produce more eggs without necessarily reduce their sizes. We discussed how the costs and benefits of group living may influence reproductive strategies.
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Reprodução , Aranhas , Humanos , Animais , Feminino , Comportamento Social , Tamanho CorporalRESUMO
This study outlines the development of an effective pilot-scale simultaneous denitrification and nitrification (SDN) system using intermittent aeration for the removal of carbon and nitrogen from real domestic sewage. Given the limited research in this area, the main objective was to evaluate the overall performance of the SBRIA system on a pilot scale and show its benefits in domestic wastewater treatment. The structured bed reactor with intermittent aeration (SBRIA) notably achieved 57% efficiency in removing total nitrogen without requiring external carbon sources. It also demonstrated impressive removal rates of 56% for total chemical oxygen demand (CODT) and 82% for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), indicating its effectiveness in degrading organic matter. In addition, the SBRIA showed high pH control and managed the consumption of alkalinity without the need for an alkalizer, maintaining consistent mean values of 7.7 ± 0.8 for pH and 166.8 ± 79.8 mg·L-1 for alkalinity. The system also proved resilient against toxic shocks caused by significant variations in influent characteristics. This study offers valuable insights and compelling results into a cost-effective and efficient treatment approach using an innovative technology not previously applied at the pilot scale. Its potential to remediate polluted water is substantial.
Assuntos
Desnitrificação , Esgotos , Nitrogênio/análise , Carbono , Reatores Biológicos , Nitrificação , Eliminação de Resíduos Líquidos/métodosRESUMO
The structured-bed reactor with intermittent aeration (SBRIA) is a promising technology for simultaneous carbon and nitrogen removal from wastewater. An in depth understanding of the microbiological in the reactor is crucial for its optimization. In this research, biofilm samples from the aerobic and anoxic zones of an SBRIA were analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing to evaluate the bacterial community shift with variations in the airflow and aeration time. The control of the airflow and aeration time were essential to guarantee reactor performances to nitrogen removal close to 80%, as it interfered in nitrifying and denitrifying communities. The aeration time of 1.75 h led to establishment of different nitrogen removal pathways by syntrophic relationships between nitrifier, denitrifier and anammox species. Additionally, the predominance of these different species in the internal and external parts of the biofilm varied according to the airflow.
Assuntos
Desnitrificação , Nitrogênio , Nitrogênio/metabolismo , Nitrificação , Carbono , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genética , Reatores Biológicos/microbiologia , Biofilmes , EsgotosRESUMO
RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar e caracterizar a qualidade da assistência oftalmológica ofertada em uma unidade de serviços ambulatoriais da Atenção Secundária do Sistema Único de Saúde na percepção dos usuários e/ou dos responsáveis por esses usuários. Métodos Foi realizado estudo seccional de prevalência analítica entre usuários assistidos no período de setembro de 2019 a março de 2020 em um dos seis serviços de assistência oftalmológica ofertado pelo Sistema Único de Saúde, no município de Vitória da Conquista (BA). Foram avaliadas as condições demográficas e socioeconômicas e a autopercepção da saúde. Também foram avaliadas as características e os níveis de qualidade da assistência à saúde oftalmológica. A coleta das informações ocorreu por meio de entrevista telefônica. Resultados Participaram do estudo 389 usuários e/ou responsáveis. Observaram-se elevados níveis de satisfação, considerando as perguntas que compõem o constructo do instrumento. Identificaram-se níveis de qualidade comprometidos em relação à liberdade de escolher seu prestador de cuidado ocular (154; 39,7%). Menores níveis de satisfação associaram-se com as variáveis sexo masculino (razão de chance de 1,66; IC95% 1,04-2,65; p=0,033) e raça autodeclada branca (razão de chance de 6,89; IC95% 4,00-11,86; p=0,000). Conclusão Os usuários relataram bons níveis de satisfação da assistência à saúde oftalmológica. Observaram-se maiores chances de menores níveis de satisfação entre homens e aqueles com raça autodeclarada branca.
ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate and characterize the quality of ophthalmic care offered in an outpatient service unit of the SUS secondary care according to the perception of users and/or those responsible for these users. Methods A cross-sectional study of analytical prevalence was carried out among users assisted from September 2019 to March 2020, in one of the six ophthalmic care services offered by the SUS, in the municipality of Vitória da Conquista (BA), Brazil. Demographic and socioeconomic conditions, as well as self-perception of health, were evaluated. The characteristics and quality levels of ophthalmic health care were also evaluated. Data collection took place through a telephone interview. Results A total of 389 users and/or guardians participated in the study. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction, considering the questions that make up the instrument's construct. Compromised quality levels were observed in relation to the freedom to choose their eye care provider (n=154; 39.7%). Lower levels of satisfaction were associated with the variables male gender (OR=1.66; 95%CI=1.04-2.65; p=0.033) and self-reported white race (OR=6.89; 95%CI=4, 00-11.86; p=0.000). Conclusion Users reported good levels of satisfaction with eye health care. There were greater chances of lower levels of satisfaction among men and among those with a self-reported white race.
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Some patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL), or kala-azar, suffer relapses and low quality of life despite adequate drug therapy, especially those co-infected with HIV. Occasionally, physicians indicate splenectomy, but the benefit of the procedure needs to be analyzed systematically. Therefore, a retrospective open cohort study was conducted in Teresina, Brazil. Inpatients from a reference hospital with relapsing VL who had a rescue splenectomy between 2012 and 2019 after the nationally recommended drug therapy failed were studied. The procedure's risks and benefits were assessed in a limited-resource setting. The primary outcomes were surgical complications, complete blood count, CD4+ cell count, hospitalizations, survival time, and medical complications preceding death. Thirteen adult patients received medical and surgical indications of splenectomy (12 men and one woman). Eleven had HIV infection. Two had early and two had late complications. Four died, all of whom were infected with HIV. An additional HIV-coinfected patient, apart from the cohort, died just before surgery. The death rate after surgery was 13.3 overall and 22.1 per 100 person-years among HIV-infected patients (31% overall and 36%, respectively). The impressive rise of complete blood counts and reduction of blood transfusions and hospitalizations were observed among all patients. Also, a meaningful increase in CD4+ cells in HIV-infected patients was noted. Splenectomy may benefit patients with relapsing VL. However, before performing splenectomy, available combined drug therapy for VL should be tried.
Assuntos
Infecções por HIV , Leishmaniose Visceral , Adulto , Masculino , Feminino , Humanos , Leishmaniose Visceral/complicações , Leishmaniose Visceral/tratamento farmacológico , Leishmaniose Visceral/cirurgia , Infecções por HIV/complicações , Infecções por HIV/tratamento farmacológico , Estudos Retrospectivos , Estudos de Coortes , Esplenectomia , Qualidade de Vida , RecidivaRESUMO
HIV exceptionalism refers to the fact that the illness is so different from other diseases that testing needs a special approach to informed consent. HIV infected people often visit health clinics, especially emergency departments, years before receiving a diagnosis without being tested for HIV. There is considerable public interest in increasing HIV testing in emergency departments. However, because these departments are sensitive environments that primarily provide urgent and emergency care, a number of ethical questions have been raised about the appropriateness of these settings for the implementation of universal screening programs. Human rights in patient care therefore constitutes an essential theoretical framework for analyzing ethical and legal dilemmas that arise in clinical encounters, thus strengthening the application of human rights principles to the context of patient care.
O "excepcionalismo" da infecção pelo HIV diz respeito ao fato de essa doença ser considerada tão diferente das demais e de que sua testagem necessita de uma abordagem especial em relação ao consentimento informado. Frequentemente, pessoas infectadas pelo HIV visitam unidades de assistência à saúde, sobretudo prontossocorros, anos antes de receberem um diagnóstico, sem terem sido testadas nessas oportunidades. Existe considerável interesse público em ampliar a testagem para o HIV em prontos-socorros. Por se tratar de ambiente sensível, cuja missão principal é o cuidado de urgências e emergências, há questionamentos quanto a esse ser um local apropriado para um programa de rastreamento universal, notadamente por questões éticas. Assim, os "direitos humanos dos pacientes" (DHP) constituem referencial teórico essencial para a análise de conflitos éticos que surgem no encontro clínico, fortalecendo a efetiva aplicação dos direitos humanos ao cuidado em saúde.
Assuntos
Infecções por HIV , Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido , Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência , Infecções por HIV/diagnóstico , Infecções por HIV/prevenção & controle , Teste de HIV , Humanos , Assistência ao PacienteRESUMO
ABSTRACT Oil and gas, mining, among others, are examples of facilities where naturally occurring radioactive materials can be found. This study aims to evaluate the presence of natural radioactive series, especially those of 238U and 232Th, in the water treatment plants of Poços de Caldas City, Minas Gerais. The presence of these series was investigated in samples of raw water, treated water, sludge from decanters, and scale from Parshall gutters. The sludge, input, and scale samples were submitted to the gamma spectrometry technique to determine the 226Ra, 228Ra, and 210Pb radionuclides. For U and Th, ultraviolet visible spectrophotometry was performed, and for the alpha and beta total values, radiochemical separation and subsequent alpha and beta total counts were performed. The results indicate that water samples are within the Ministry of Health Ordinance n° 5 (2017). Due to the different concentrations of radionuclide activity in the sludge, it was not possible to affirm the same order of magnitude with the sediment from the catchments. However, the values are in accordance with those established by the European Union Council for Naturally-Occurring Radioactive Materials. In the scale, the contents of 1192, 1704, and 301 Bq kg−1 were identified for 226Ra, 228Ra, and 210Pb, respectively. In the inputs of aluminum sulfate and calcium hydroxide, no relevant activities were identified. The results obtained in the study can serve as an indicative regarding the need for a more detailed evaluation of the radiological issue in question concerning public water supplies.
RESUMO Petróleo e gás, mineração, estações de tratamento de água, entre outros, são exemplos de instalações que podem apresentar Materiais Radioativos de Ocorrência Natural. Neste estudo, objetivou-se avaliar a presença de séries radioativas naturais, especialmente as de 238U e 232Th nas estações de tratamento de água da cidade de Poços de Caldas/MG. Foram investigadas as presenças dessas séries em amostras de água bruta, de água tratada, no lodo dos decantadores e nas incrustações das calhas Parshall, além dos principais insumos utilizados. As amostras de lodo, insumos e incrustações foram submetidas à técnica de espectrometria gama para a determinação dos radionuclídeos 226Ra, 228Ra e 210Pb. Para U e Th, realizou-se espectrofotometria ultravioleta-visível, e para os valores de Alfa e Beta totais foram realizadas separação radioquímica e posterior contagem Alfa e Beta total. Os resultados indicaram que as amostras de águas estão em conformidade com a Portaria de Consolidação n° 5 de 2017 do Ministério da Saúde. Dadas as diferentes concentrações de atividade dos radionuclídeos no lodo, não foi possível afirmar a mesma ordem de magnitude com o sedimento das captações. Entretanto, os valores estão consonantes com o estabelecido pelo conselho da União Europeia para Materiais Radioativos de Ocorrência Natural. Nas incrustações foram identificados teores de 1.192 Bq.kg-1, 1.704 Bq.kg-1 e 301 Bq.kg-1 para 226Ra, 228Ra e 210Pb, respetivamente. Já para os insumos Sulfato de Alumínio (Al4(SO4)3) e Hidróxido de Cálcio Ca(OH)2 não foram identificadas atividades relevantes. Os resultados obtidos no estudo podem servir como indicativos da necessidade de uma avaliação mais detalhada sobre a questão radiológica em foco, em relação ao abastecimento público de águas.
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The Structured Bed Reactor with Recirculation and Intermittent Aeration (SBRRIA) is a reactor configuration that presents high efficiency of organic matter and nitrogen removal, besides low sludge production. However, operational parameters, as the recirculation rate, aeration time, and airflow, are not fully established. A bench-scale structured bed reactor with intermittent aeration was fed with synthetic effluent simulating the characteristics of sanitary sewage. The reactor was operated for 280 days with an operational hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 10â h. The reactor was operated without effluent recirculation for the first time since this approach was not yet reported, and was named Structured Bed Reactor with Intermittent Aeration (SBRIA). The COD removal was higher than 81% for all operational conditions, and the total nitrogen removal ranged from 10 to 80%. The highest efficiencies were obtained with an aeration time of 1â h 45â min (total cycle of 3â h) and an airflow rate of 4.5â L.min-1. Different nitrification and denitrification behaviours were observed, resulting in nitrification efficiencies over 90% when the reactor was submitted to higher aeration times and denitrification efficiencies above 90% when the reactor was submitted to low aeration times. The airflow ranges tested in this study affected the nitrification and the total nitrogen efficiencies. Even without effluent recirculation, the temporal profile showed that there were no peaks in the concentration of the nitrogen forms in the reactor effluent, saving electrical energy up to 75% due to pumping.
Assuntos
Carbono , Nitrogênio , Reatores Biológicos , Desnitrificação , Nitrificação , Esgotos , Eliminação de Resíduos Líquidos/métodosRESUMO
Resumo O "excepcionalismo" da infecção pelo HIV diz respeito ao fato de essa doença ser considerada tão diferente das demais e de que sua testagem necessita de uma abordagem especial em relação ao consentimento informado. Frequentemente, pessoas infectadas pelo HIV visitam unidades de assistência à saúde, sobretudo prontossocorros, anos antes de receberem um diagnóstico, sem terem sido testadas nessas oportunidades. Existe considerável interesse público em ampliar a testagem para o HIV em prontos-socorros. Por se tratar de ambiente sensível, cuja missão principal é o cuidado de urgências e emergências, há questionamentos quanto a esse ser um local apropriado para um programa de rastreamento universal, notadamente por questões éticas. Assim, os "direitos humanos dos pacientes" (DHP) constituem referencial teórico essencial para a análise de conflitos éticos que surgem no encontro clínico, fortalecendo a efetiva aplicação dos direitos humanos ao cuidado em saúde.
Abstract HIV exceptionalism refers to the fact that the illness is so different from other diseases that testing needs a special approach to informed consent. HIV infected people often visit health clinics, especially emergency departments, years before receiving a diagnosis without being tested for HIV. There is considerable public interest in increasing HIV testing in emergency departments. However, because these departments are sensitive environments that primarily provide urgent and emergency care, a number of ethical questions have been raised about the appropriateness of these settings for the implementation of universal screening programs. Human rights in patient care therefore constitutes an essential theoretical framework for analyzing ethical and legal dilemmas that arise in clinical encounters, thus strengthening the application of human rights principles to the context of patient care.
RESUMO
Occult breast cancer (OBC) is characterized by metastatic presentation of undetectable breast tumor on imaging exams. OBC is a rare disease (accounting for 0.3% to 1.0% of all breast cancers) that represents a major diagnostic challenge. The aim of this study was to report a case of OBC with primary presentation of multiple cutaneous metastases with subsequent emergence of bone metastasis. A 70-year female patient had multiple cutaneous metastatic lesions in the left cervical region, left breast, left axillary region, left subscapular region, in three chirodactylus of the right hand and three chirodactylus of the left hand. Imaging tests (mammogram, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging of the breast) did not show alterations. Biopsy, histology sections and immunohistochemistry of the left cervical cutaneous lesion were compatible with OBC. After two years of anastrozole treatment (1mg/day), there was regression of all cutaneous lesions and stabilization of bone metastasis. OBC has a better prognosis. It may exhibit spontaneous regression or respond to less aggressive treatment strategies, as described in this case.
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Anastrozol/administração & dosagem , Neoplasias da Mama/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Cutâneas/diagnóstico , Idoso , Antineoplásicos Hormonais/administração & dosagem , Biópsia , Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Feminino , Humanos , Prognóstico , Neoplasias Cutâneas/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Cutâneas/secundário , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Carbohydrates and glycoconjugates are involved in numerous natural and pathological metabolic processes, and the precise elucidation of their biochemical functions has been supported by smart technologies assembled with lectins, i.e., ubiquitous proteins of nonimmune origin with carbohydrate-specific domains. When lectins are anchored on suitable electrochemical transducers, sensitive and innovative bioanalytical tools (lectin-based biosensors) are produced, with the ability to screen target sugars at molecular levels. In addition to the remarkable electroanalytical sensitivity, these devices associate specificity, precision, stability, besides the possibility of miniaturization and portability, which are special features required for real-time and point-of-care measurements. The mentioned attributes can be improved by combining lectins with biocompatible 0-3D semiconductors derived from carbon, metal nanoparticles, polymers and their nanocomposites, or employing labeled biomolecules. This systematic review aims to substantiate and update information on the progress made with lectin-based biosensors designed for electroanalysis of clinically relevant carbohydrates and glycoconjugates (glycoproteins, pathogens and cancer biomarkers), highlighting their main detection principles and performance in highly complex biological milieus. Moreover, particular emphasis is given to the main advantages and limitations of the reported devices, as well as the new trends for the current demands. We believe that this review will support and encourage more cutting-edge research involving lectin-based electrochemical biosensors.
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Técnicas Biossensoriais , Lectinas , Carboidratos , Glicoconjugados , GlicoproteínasRESUMO
The Zygothrica genus group of Drosophilidae encompasses more than 437 species and five genera. Although knowledge regarding its diversity has increased, uncertainties about its monophyly and position within Drosophilidae remain. Genomic approaches have been widely used to address different phylogenetic questions and analyses involving the mitogenome have revealed a cost-efficient tool to these studies. Thus, this work aims to characterize mitogenomes of three species of the Zygothrica genus group (from the Hirtodrosophila, Paraliodrosophila and Zygothrica genera), while comparing them with orthologous sequences from other 23 Drosophilidae species and addressing their phylogenetic position. General content concerning gene order and overlap, nucleotide composition, start and stop codon, codon usage and tRNA structures were compared, and phylogenetic trees were constructed under different datasets. The complete mitogenomes characterized for H. subflavohalterata affinis H002 and P. antennta present the PanCrustacea gene order with 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 13 protein coding genes and an A+T rich region with two T-stretched elements. Some peculiarities such as the almost complete overlap of genes tRNAH/ND4, tRNAF/ND5 and tRNAS2/ND1 are reported for different Drosophilidae species. Non-canonical secondary structures were encountered for tRNAS1 and tRNAY, revealing patterns that apply at different phylogenetic scales. According to the best depiction of the mitogenomes evolutionary history, the three Neotropical species of the Zygothrica genus group encompass a monophyletic lineage sister to Zaprionus, composing with this genus a clade that is sister to the Drosophila subgenus.
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Drosophilidae/classificação , Drosophilidae/genética , Evolução Molecular , Genoma Mitocondrial/genética , Genômica , Animais , Uso do Códon , Drosophilidae/citologia , Ordem dos Genes , FilogeniaRESUMO
Knowledge of living crinoids from Brazil is chiefly restricted to the contributions of Dr Luis Roberto Tommasi between the decades of 1950 and 1970. Herein we present an updated catalogue of the crinoids occurring along the Brazilian coast, including data on synonyms, type localities, type material, geographical distribution, bathymetric ranges, and occurrences of species along the coast. The data is based on an extensive revision of the literature and on a survey of several databases. A total of 20 species were catalogued, of which two are endemic (Phrixometra longipinna var. brasiliensis and Thaumatometra minutissima). According to information from the literature, P. longipinna var. brasiliensis represents an undescribed taxon. Although Brazil supports the greatest number of crinoid species in the Southwestern Atlantic, its crinoid fauna remains understudied and likely underestimated. Research on crinoids remains a subject of great potential, not only for taxonomy but also for other areas of knowledge.
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Equinodermos/classificação , Animais , Oceano Atlântico , BrasilRESUMO
Kleptoparasitism is assumed to be the main foraging strategy in some animal groups, such as the spiders of the subfamily Argyrodinae (Theridiidae). However, some species may also feed on silk threads, egg sacs, or even their hosts. The conditions determining these alternative foraging tactics remain unknown for most species. We performed field observations, stable isotope analysis and laboratory experiments to investigate kleptoparasitism and araneophagy of Argyrodes elevatus and Faiditus caudatus in webs of Manogea porracea (Araneidae). We evaluated the following hypotheses: (1) both species exhibit higher trophic positions than their hosts and closest to an araneophagic sympatric species; (2) host web selection is influenced by the presence of alternative resources (adult male and female, and egg sacs); and (3) they preferentially consume egg sacs instead of stored prey items. Both argyrodines showed higher trophic positions than their female hosts and closest to an araneophagic spider species. The invaders were found mainly on host webs with one adult and egg sacs and with egg sacs only. Finally, A. elevatus preferred to feed on prey captured by the host spider instead of egg sacs. We discussed the factors that can potentially determine the choices between foraging exclusively as kleptoparasites and consuming the hosts.
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Aranhas , Animais , Feminino , Masculino , Comportamento PredatórioRESUMO
Alpha thalassemia and beta-globin haplotype are considered classical genetic disease modifiers in sickle cell anemia (SCA) causing clinical heterogeneity. Nevertheless, their functional impact on SCA disease emergence and progression remains elusive. To better understand the role of alpha thalassemia and beta-globin haplotype in SCA, we performed a retrospective study evaluating the clinical manifestations of 614 patients. The univariate analysis showed that the presence of alpha-thalassemia -3.7-kb mutation (αα/-α and -α/-α) decreased the risk of stroke development (p = 0.046), priapism (p = 0.033), and cholelithiasis (p = 0.021). Furthermore, the cumulative incidence of stroke (p = 0.023) and cholelithiasis (p = 0.006) was also significantly lower for patients carrying the alpha thalassemia -3.7-kb mutation. No clinical effects were associated with the beta-globin haplotype analysis, which could be explained by the relatively homogeneous haplotype composition in our cohort. Our results reinforce that alpha thalassemia can provide protective functions against hemolysis-related symptoms in SCA. Although, several genetic modifiers can impact the inflammatory state of SCA patients, the alpha thalassemia mutation remains one of the most recurrent genetic aberration and should therefore always be considered first.