Studies of the putative transforming protein of the type I human T-cell leukemia virus

The putative transforming protein of the type I human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-1) is a 40-kilodalton protein encoded by the X region and is termed p40XI. On the basis of both subcellular fractionation techniques and immunocytochemical analysis, it is now shown that p40XI is a nuclear protein with a relatively short half-life (120 minutes). It is synthesized de novo in considerable quantities in a human T-cell line infected with and transformed by the virus in vitro, and it is not packaged in detectable amounts in the extracellular virus.     

Mineralogy at Gusev Crater from the Mössbauer spectrometer on the Spirit Rover

M?ssbauer spectra measured on Mars by the Spirit rover during the primary mission are characterized by two ferrous iron doublets (olivine and probably pyroxene) and a ferric iron doublet (tentatively associated to nanophase ferric iron oxide). Two sextets resulting from nonstoichiometric magnetite are also present, except for a coating on the rock Mazatzal, where a hematite-like sextet is present. Greater proportions of ferric-bearing phases are associated with undisturbed soils and rock surfaces as compared to fresh rock surfaces exposed by grinding. The ubiquitous presence of olivine in soil suggests that physical rather than chemical weathering processes currently dominate at Gusev crater.     

Oxidative damage linked to neurodegeneration by selective alpha-synuclein nitration in synucleinopathy lesions

Aggregated alpha-synuclein proteins form brain lesions that are hallmarks of neurodegenerative synucleinopathies, and oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of some of these disorders. Using antibodies to specific nitrated tyrosine residues in alpha-synuclein, we demonstrate extensive and widespread accumulations of nitrated alpha-synuclein in the signature inclusions of Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, the Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease, and multiple system atrophy brains. We also show that nitrated alpha-synuclein is present in the major filamentous building blocks of these inclusions, as well as in the insoluble fractions of affected brain regions of synucleinopathies. The selective and specific nitration of alpha-synuclein in these disorders provides evidence to directly link oxidative and nitrative damage to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative synucleinopathies.     

Pyroclastic activity at Home Plate in Gusev Crater, Mars

Home Plate is a layered plateau in Gusev crater on Mars. It is composed of clastic rocks of moderately altered alkali basalt composition, enriched in some highly volatile elements. A coarsegrained lower unit lies under a finer-grained upper unit. Textural observations indicate that the lower strata were emplaced in an explosive event, and geochemical considerations favor an explosive volcanic origin over an impact origin. The lower unit likely represents accumulation of pyroclastic materials, whereas the upper unit may represent eolian reworking of the same pyroclastic materials.     

Characterization of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown with biopesticides and deltamethrin

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physico-chemical characteristics and the post-harvest loss of mass of curly lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cv. Verônica that was grown in a protective environment with applications of biopesticides. The curly lettuce was treated by spraying with neem oil, cassava flour wastewater (manipueira), biofertiliser or the control treatment of deltamethrin. We determined the weight, circumference, dry matter, ash, crude protein, total phenols and minerals profile for the heads of lettuce. After harvesting, the lettuce was packed into opened plastic bags and kept at 5 °C for 5 days to evaluate its weight loss. No differences were observed among the treatments for the physico-chemical parameters. The lettuce that was sprayed with manipueira or biofertiliser had the greatest weight loss during storage. The achievement of similar yields with cheaper products suggests a benefit of using organic bioinsecticides.     

Voltammetric determination of the antioxidant capacity in wine samples using a carbon nanotube modified electrode

A direct determination of gallic acid was achieved at a carbon paste electrode modified with carbon nanotubes under differential pulse voltammetry conditions. The values obtained for gallic acid were used to estimate the antioxidant properties of the wine sample based on gallic acid oxidation. The proposed method is based on the gallic acid oxidation process at a modified carbon paste electrode (MCPE) containing 30% (m/m) of carbon nanotubes monitored at 0.35 V versus Ag/AgCl (KCl 3 mol L(-1)). Using the optimized experimental conditions, the calibration curve for gallic acid was linear in the concentration range from 5.0 × 10(-7) to 1.5 × 10(-5) mol L(-1) with a detection limit of 3.0 × 10(-7) mol L(-1). The MCPE was successfully applied for the determination of the antioxidant capacity for red and white wine samples without interference of glucose and ascorbic acid, and the obtained results were compared with the standard spectrophotometric method.     

Using BCG,MPT-51 and Ag85 as antigens in an indirect ELISA for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis

This study evaluated the Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein antigen MPT-51, the trimeric antigen 85 (Ag85) complex, and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in an indirect ELISA to diagnose bovine tuberculosis (TB) from serum samples. Serum was collected from 208 intra-dermal tuberculin test (ITT)-positive and 54 ITT-negative animals from a region where bovine TB is endemic. Using the Ag85 and BCG antigens, the indirect ELISA was able to discriminate ITT-positive from ITT-negative animals. This level of discrimination was not achieved when using the MPT-51 antigen. The highest sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of the test was found when BCG was used (Se, 82%; Sp, 91%). Further work in different epidemiological settings and with larger numbers of animals will be required to validate these findings.     

Duodenal perforation caused by Rhizomucor species in a cat

CLINICAL SUMMARY: A 7-month-old female Persian cat presented with gastrointestinal (GI) necrosis and perforation caused by Rhizomucor species. Unfortunately, the cat died of bacterial peritonitis and sepsis before a definitive diagnosis, based on histopathology and fungal culture, was achieved. PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: This appears to be the first reported case of GI disease caused by Rhizomucor species in a cat. Mucorales infections typically cause acute and rapidly progressive disease. As illustrated by this case, clinicians should be alert to the potentially fatal consequences of an opportunistic Rhizomucor species infection in their feline patients.     

Iron Sources Effects on Growth,Physiological Parameters and Nutrition of Cacao

Productivity and sustainability of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in tropical soils are affected by levels of iron. Information is lacking on the cacao response to various sources of iron (Fe). A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of five iron sources iron sulfate heptahydrate, ferric ethylenediamine-N,N’-bis(2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid), ferric diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, ferric ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, fiesta herbicide (FeSO₄ · 7H₂O, FeEDDHA, FeDTPA, FeEDTA,) at 10 mg Fe kg^?1 soil on growth, photosynthesis, content of photosynthetic pigments and starch and macro- and micronutrient nutrition of cacao. The various iron sources had significant effects on shoot and root dry biomass accumulation, leaf chlorophyll a and b content, carotenoid levels, SPAD index and P_N. These parameters were significantly correlated with concentration, uptake, influx, and transport and use efficiency of Fe. In cacao net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, internal carbon dioxide (CO₂)_, and transpiration in leaf level responded differently to the sources of Fe. Invariably, macro and micronutrient uptake, influx, transport, and use efficiency showed differential responses to sources of iron but significant effects were only observed for copper (Cu), Fe, manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn). Overall, FeDTPA, FeEDTA and FeHEDTA could be the best sources of Fe in improving, growth, photosynthesis and macro and micro nutrition of cacao.