Biomechanical gait analysis in sheep: kinematic parameters.

Animals have been used as models to help to better understand biological and anatomical systems, and pathologies in both humans and non-human species, and sheep are often used as an in vivo experimental model for orthopedic research. Gait analysis has been shown to be an important tool in biomechanics research with clinical applications. The purpose of this study was to perform a kinematic analysis using a tridimensional (3D) reconstruction of the sheep hindlimb. Seven healthy sheep were evaluated for natural overground walking, and motion capture of the right hindlimb was collected with an optoelectronic system while the animals walked in a track. The analysis addressed gait spatiotemporal variables, hip, knee and ankle angle and intralimb joint angle coordination measures during the entire walking cycle. This study is the first that describes the spatiotemporal parameters from the hip, knee and ankle joints in a tridimensional way: flexion/extension; abduction/adduction and inter/external rotation. The results of this assessment can be used as an outcome indicator to guide treatment and the efficacy of different therapies for orthopedic and neurological conditions involving the locomotor system of the sheep animal model.

Controls on Barite (BaSO4) Precipitation in Unconventional Reservoirs.

Barite (BaSO4) precipitation is one of the most ubiquitous examples of secondary sulfate mineral scaling in shale oil and gas reservoirs. Often, a suite of chemical additives is used during fracturing operations to inhibit the accumulation of mineral scales, though their efficacy is widely varied and poorly understood. This study combines experimental data and multi-component numerical reactive transport modeling to offer a more comprehensive understanding of the geochemical behavior of barite accumulation in shale matrices under conditions typical of fracturing operations. A variety of additives and conditions are individually tested in batch reactor experiments to identify the factors controlling barite precipitation. Our experimental results demonstrate a pH dependence in the rate of barite precipitation, which we use to develop a predictive model including a pH-dependent term that satisfactorily reproduces our observations. This model is then extended to consider the behavior of three major shale samples of highly variable mineralogy (Eagle Ford, Marcellus, and Barnett). This data-validated model offers a reliable tool to predict and ultimately mitigate against secondary mineral accumulation in unconventional shale reservoirs.

Characterization of Differentially Abundant Proteins Among Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis Strains Isolated From Atypical or Typical Lesions.

Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the main etiological agent of cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in Latin America. Non-ulcerated atypical tegumentary leishmaniasis cases caused by L. braziliensis have been reported in several regions of the American continent, including the Xacriabá indigenous reserve in São João das Missões/Minas Gerais, Brazil. Parasites isolated from these atypical clinical lesions are resistant to antimony-based therapeutics. In the present study, proteins displaying differential abundance in two strains of L. braziliensis isolated from patients with atypical lesions compared with four strains isolated from patients with typical lesions were identified using a quantitative proteomics approach based on tandem mass tag labeling (TMT) and mass spectrometry. A total of 532 (P<0.05) differentially abundant proteins were identified (298 upregulated and 234 downregulated) in strains from atypical lesions compared to strains from typical lesions. Prominent positively regulated proteins in atypical strains included those that may confer greater survival inside macrophages, proteins related to antimony resistance, and proteins associated with higher peroxidase activity. Additionally, we identified proteins showing potential as new drug and vaccine targets. Our findings contribute to the characterization of these intriguing L. braziliensis strains and provide a novel perspective on Atypical Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) cases that have been associated with therapeutic failures.

Geochemical Modeling of Celestite (SrSO4) Precipitation and Reactive Transport in Shales.

Celestite (SrSO4) precipitation is a prevalent example of secondary sulfate mineral scaling issues in hydraulic fracturing systems, particularly in basins where large concentrations of naturally occurring strontium are present. Here, we present a validated and flexible geochemical model capable of predicting celestite formation under such unconventional environments. Simulations were built using CrunchFlow and guided by experimental data derived from batch reactors. These data allowed the constraint of key kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for celestite precipitation under relevant synthetic hydraulic fracturing fluid conditions. Effects of ionic strength, saturation index, and the presence of additives were considered in the combined experimental and modeling construction. This geochemical model was then expanded into a more complex system where interactions between hydraulic fracturing fluids and shale rocks were allowed to occur subject to diffusive transport. We find that the carbonate content of a given shale and the presence of persulfate breaker in the system strongly impact the location and extent of celestite formation. The results of this study provide a novel multicomponent reactive transport model that may be used to guide future experimental design in the pursuit of celestite and other sulfate mineral scale mitigation under extreme conditions typical of hydraulic fracturing in shale formations.

Study of the differentially abundant proteins among Leishmania amazonensis, L. braziliensis, and L. infantum.

Leishmaniasis has been considered as emerging and re-emerging disease, and its increasing global incidence has raised concerns. The great clinical diversity of the disease is mainly determined by the species. In several American countries, tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) is associated with both Leishmania amazonensis and L. braziliensis, while visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is associated with L. (L.) infantum. The major molecules that determine the most diverse biological variations are proteins. In the present study, through a DIGE approach, we identified differentially abundant proteins among the species mentioned above. We observed a variety of proteins with differential abundance among the studied species; and the biological networks predicted for each species showed that many of these proteins interacted with each other. The prominent proteins included the heat shock proteins (HSPs) and the protein network involved in oxide reduction process in L. amazonensis, the protein network of ribosomes in L. braziliensis, and the proteins involved in energy metabolism in L. infantum. The important proteins, as revealed by the PPI network results, enrichment categories, and exclusive proteins analysis, were arginase, HSPs, and trypanothione reductase in L. amazonensis; enolase, peroxidoxin, and tryparedoxin1 in L. braziliensis; and succinyl-CoA ligase [GDP -forming] beta-chain and transaldolase in L. infantum.

Photosynthetic capacity of 'Niagara Rosada' grapes grown under transparent plastic covering / Capacidade fotossintética da videira 'Niagara Rosada' cultivada sob cobertura plástica transparente

ABSTRACT: New techniques in tropical regions such as use of transparent plastic covering (TPC), have been employed in grapes to avoid the wetting leaves and fruits, which can reduce the occurrence of fungal diseases, reduce the use of sprays, and reduce damage caused by hail and high winds. TPC may significantly affect the photosynthetic rates of grapevines cultivated in tropical regions, and thus have strong effects on plant productivity and improve fruit quality. However, in the North of Rio de Janeiro region there are lacks of studies related to TPC effects on photosynthetic capacity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the photosynthetic capacity in 'Niagara Rosada' vines grown under TPC and without transparent plastic covering (WTPC). The experiment was conducted between April and June 2013, on Tabuinha farm, located in the 3rd district of São Fidélis, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. A completely randomized block design was used with two treatments (TPC and WTPC) and twelve replications. Evaluations consisted of climatological variables, gas exchange and maximum quantum efficiency of open photosystem II centers-quantum yield (Fv/Fm) It was possible to observe that under TPC maximum temperature increase of 2.3°C, relative humidity reduced 1.5%, vapor pressure deficit increase 0.4kPa, and light intensity reduced 47.7%. These changes did not cause photochemical damage to the leaves. The TPC promoted higher net photosynthetic rate at 800h, which was associated with higher stomatal conductance. Thus, the TPC used in the northern region of Rio de Janeiro State did not impair the photosynthetic capacity of 'Niagara Rosada' vines.

RESUMO: A cobertura plástica tem sido utilizada com a finalidade de evitar os efeitos negativos do molhamento foliar sobre a incidência de doenças em videiras 'Niagara Rosada', reduzir a aplicação de defensivos agrícolas e, dessa maneira, melhorar a qualidade dos frutos. Contudo, na região Norte Fluminense, não se tem estudos relacionados aos efeitos do uso da cobertura plástica na assimilação fotossintética do carbono e na eficiência fotoquímica associada ao fotossistema II (PSII) dessa espécie. O objetivo deste experimento foi avaliar a capacidade fotossintética em videiras 'Niagara Rosada' cultivadas sob cobertura plástica e sem cobertura plástica no Norte Fluminense. O experimento foi realizado entre abril e junho de 2013, no sítio Tabuinha, localizado no 3o distrito do município de São Fidélis, RJ. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado com 2 tratamentos, com cobertura plástica e sem cobertura plástica, e 12 repetições. As avaliações foram relacionadas às variáveis climáticas, às trocas gasosas e ao rendimento quântico máximo do fotossistema II. Nesta pesquisa, sob a cobertura plástica, foi possível observar a elevação no valor da temperatura máxima do ar em 2,3ºC, redução na umidade relativa em 1,5%, incremento no déficit de pressão de vapor do armax em 0,4kPa, e redução na intensidade luminosa em 47,7%. Essas alterações não causaram comprometimento na eficiência fotoquímica das folhas. O sistema com cobertura plástica promoveu maior taxa fotossintética líquida (A) pela manhã (8h), e este aumento em A foi associado à maior condutância estomática nesse horário. Neste trabalho, a cobertura plástica utilizada não causou comprometimentos na capacidade fotossintética da videira 'Niagara Rosada'.

Patterns of expression of odorant receptor genes in a Chagas disease vector.

Rhodnius prolixus is a triatomine bug acting as a relevant vector of Chagas disease for which the genome sequence has been recently made available. Based on this information, a set of olfactory (ORs) and ionotropic receptor (IRs) genes potentially related to olfactory processes was characterized, and the expression patterns along bug development and in different structures potentially involved in promoting chemosensory-mediated behaviors were studied. For this, diverse bioinformatic procedures were used to validate gene models analyzing their structural and functional features and designing specific primers. Evolutionary relationships among R. prolixus olfactory coreceptors (RproOrco, RproIR25a, RproIR8a and RproIR76b) and their orthologues from other insects were shown to have mostly good bootstrap support values in phylogenetic trees. Moreover, antennal expression was confirmed for most genes included in the study. Both ORs and IRs showed antennal expression along the whole development of bugs of this species, with few exceptional receptors showing gradually increasing expression or expression restricted to the antennae of adult bugs. Finally, the expression of most of the selected genes was confirmed in other structures, such as rostri, tarsi, tibial pads and genitalia, which are potentially involved in promoting chemosensory-mediated behaviors. These results are discussed in terms of their relevance to advance in the understanding of the molecular bases of triatomine behavior.

Advanced techniques using the plant as indicator of irrigation management / Técnicas avançadas utilizando a planta como indicadora do manejo de irrigação

The methodologies which are considered the most promising for irrigation management are those based on the analysis of the water status of the plants themselves. This justifies the study and improvement of indicators based on automatic and continuous measures to enable real-time monitoring data, as indices from sap flow, dendrometry and leaf turgor pressure techniques. The aim of this paper is to analyze such methodologies in order to demonstrate their principles, advantages and challenges. In conclusion, the methodologies analyzed still have many technological advances and challenges before being presented to the final user. The future research should work these tools for elaboration of technical indexes that allow their simplification, on the instrumental point of view, and the interpretation of their results.

As metodologias que se apresentam como as mais promissoras para o manejo de irrigação são aquelas baseadas na análise do status hídrico das próprias plantas. Isso justifica este estudo e o aprimoramento de indicadores baseados em medidas automáticas e contínuas que permitam acompanhamento em tempo real dos dados, como os índices provindos das técnicas do fluxo de seiva, dendrometria e da pressão de turgescência foliar. Nesse sentido, esta revisão se propõem a analisar tais metodologias de maneira a demonstrar seus princípios, vantagens e desafios. Como conclusão, tem-se que as metodologias analisadas ainda têm diversos desafios tecnológicos para serem apresentadas de maneira satisfatória ao usuário final. As pesquisas devem trabalhar estas ferramentas para elaboração de índices técnicos que permitam sua simplificação, tanto do ponto de vista instrumental, quanto para a interpretação dos seus resultados.

Advanced techniques using the plant as indicator of irrigation management / Técnicas avançadas utilizando a planta como indicadora do manejo de irrigação

The methodologies which are considered the most promising for irrigation management are those based on the analysis of the water status of the plants themselves. This justifies the study and improvement of indicators based on automatic and continuous measures to enable real-time monitoring data, as indices from sap flow, dendrometry and leaf turgor pressure techniques. The aim of this paper is to analyze such methodologies in order to demonstrate their principles, advantages and challenges. In conclusion, the methodologies analyzed still have many technological advances and challenges before being presented to the final user. The future research should work these tools for elaboration of technical indexes that allow their simplification, on the instrumental point of view, and the interpretation of their results.

As metodologias que se apresentam como as mais promissoras para o manejo de irrigação são aquelas baseadas na análise do status hídrico das próprias plantas. Isso justifica este estudo e o aprimoramento de indicadores baseados em medidas automáticas e contínuas que permitam acompanhamento em tempo real dos dados, como os índices provindos das técnicas do fluxo de seiva, dendrometria e da pressão de turgescência foliar. Nesse sentido, esta revisão se propõem a analisar tais metodologias de maneira a demonstrar seus princípios, vantagens e desafios. Como conclusão, tem-se que as metodologias analisadas ainda têm diversos desafios tecnológicos para serem apresentadas de maneira satisfatória ao usuário final. As pesquisas devem trabalhar estas ferramentas para elaboração de índices técnicos que permitam sua simplificação, tanto do ponto de vista instrumental, quanto para a interpretação dos seus resultados.