Visible light communication using InGaN optical sources with AlInGaP nanomembrane down-converters.

We report free space visible light communication using InGaN sources, namely micro-LEDs and a laser diode, down-converted by a red-emitting AlInGaP multi-quantum-well nanomembrane. In the case of micro-LEDs, the AlInGaP nanomembrane is capillary-bonded between the sapphire window of a micro-LED array and a hemispherical sapphire lens to provide an integrated optical source. The sapphire lens improves the extraction efficiency of the color-converted light. For the case of the down-converted laser diode, one side of the nanomembrane is bonded to a sapphire lens and the other side optionally onto a dielectric mirror; this nanomembrane-lens structure is remotely excited by the laser diode. Data transmission up to 870 Mb/s using pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) with fractionally spaced decision feedback equalizer is demonstrated for the micro-LED-integrated nanomembrane. A data rate of 1.2 Gb/s is achieved using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (ODFM) with the laser diode pumped sample.

Post-transcriptional silencing of the SGE1 gene induced by a dsRNA hairpin in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense, the causal agent of Panama disease.

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense (Foc), the causal agent of Panama disease, is responsible for economic losses in banana crops worldwide. The identification of genes that effectively act on pathogenicity and/or virulence may contribute to the development of different strategies for disease control and the production of resistant plants. The objective of the current study was to analyze the importance of SGE1 gene expression in Foc virulence through post-transcriptional silencing using a double-stranded RNA hairpin. Thirteen transformants were selected based on different morphological characteristics, and sporulation in these transformants was significantly reduced by approximately 95% (P < 0.05) compared to that of the wild-type strain. The relative SGE1 expression levels in the transformant strains were reduced by 27 to 47% compared to those in the wild-type strain. A pathogenicity analysis revealed that the transformants were able to reach the rhizomes and pseudostems of the inoculated banana plants. However, the transformants induced initial disease symptoms in the banana plants approximately 10 days later than that by the wild-type Foc, and initial disease symptoms persisted even at 45 days after inoculation. These results indicate that the SGE1 gene is directly involved in the virulence of Foc. Therefore, SGE1 may be a potential candidate for host-induced gene silencing in banana plants.

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic DNA microsatellite loci for Anopheles triannulatus sensu lato (Diptera: Culicidae) and cross-amplification in congeneric species.

Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) triannulatus is a complex of 3 species. Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in 20 to 25 individuals from Manaus (AM, Brazil). The number of alleles per locus varied from 3 to 10 (mean = 6.0). The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.250 to 0.875 (mean = 0.680) and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.376 to 0.844 (mean = 0.698). Two loci exhibited null alleles and all loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No linkage disequilibrium between loci was observed. These loci were used in 4 congeneric species and provide a useful tool for studying population genetics and other aspects of the biology of this and other Anopheles species.

Isolation and characterization of 25 microsatellite DNA loci for Anopheles albitarsis sensu lato and inter-specific amplification in 5 congeneric species.

The Anopheles albitasis complex includes 6 species, and 3 are considered as malaria vectors in Brazil. Twenty-five polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci were isolated and characterized in 24-36 individuals from the neighborhood of Puraquequara, Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil. The number of estimated alleles ranged from 2 to 10, the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.182 to 0.897, and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.260 to 0.854. Eleven loci showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Eleven loci were cross-amplified successfully in 5 Anopheles species. These microsatellite loci will be useful in studies investigating population structure and evolutionary genetics in A. albitarsis sensu lato and other A. albitarsis complex species.

Differentiation and genetic variability in natural populations of Anopheles (N.) triannulatus (Neiva & Pinto, 1922) of Brazilian Amazonia.

Populations of Anopheles triannulatus from Macapá (AP), Aripuanã (MT), Ji-Paraná (RO), and Manaus-Janauari Lake (AM) were studied using 16 enzymatic loci. The results of the isozyme analysis showed that the population of Macapá presented higher polymorphism (56.3%). The lowest variability was observed in the population of Manaus (p = 25.0; Ho = 0.077 +/- 0.046). The results of Wright's F statistics showed unbalance due to excess of homozygotes (F(is) > F(st)), denoting a certain intrapopulational differentiation. Although the populations are genetically very close (D = 0.003-0.052), the dendrogram separates the populations in two groups: Macapá separated from that of Manaus, Ji-Paraná, and Aripuanã. This result may suggest a reduction in the genic flow, which possibly had some influence in the substructuration of the populations.

Differentiation and genetic variability in natural populations of Anopheles (N. ) triannulatus (Neiva& Pinto, 1922) of Brazilian Amazonia

Populaçäes de Anopheles triannulatus procedentes de Macapá (AP), Aripuanã (MT), Ji-Paraná (RO) e Manaus-Lago Janauari (AM) foram estudadas utilizando-se 16 locos enzimáticos. Os resultados mostraram maior polimorfismo (56,3%) na população de Macapá. A menor variabilidade foi verificada na população de Manaus (p = 25,0; Ho = 0,077 ñ 0,046). Os resultados das estatísticas F de Wright mostraram desequilíbrio decorrente de excesso de homozigotos (Fis > Fst), denotando certa diferenciação intrapopulacional. Embora as populaçäes sejam geneticamente muito próximas (D = 0,003 - 0,052), o dendrograma separa as populaçäes em dois grupos: Macapá separado de Manaus, Ji-Paraná e Aripuanã. Isto pode ser indicativo de redução no fluxo gênico, que possivelmente influenciou a subestruturação das populaçäes.

Ontogenetic patterns and genetic variations in Anopheles (Anopheles) intermedius Chagas, 1908 and Anopheles (Anopheles) mattogrossensis Lutz & Neiva, 1911 (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Brazilian amazon

Changes in the expression of genes were observed during development in populations of Anopheles (Anopheles) intermedius and Anopheles (Anopheles) mattogrossensis. Esterase showed seven zones of activity: EST1 was present in all developmental stages of both species; EST2 was observed only in larvae of A. intermedius and larvae and pupae of A. mattogrossensis, with greater activity in pupae; EST3 and EST5 were present in all development stages, with greater intensity in larvae; EST4 and EST6 showed weak activity in larvae of A. mattogrossensis and was not found in A. intermedius. Leucine aminopeptidase showed four zones of activity, of which LAP1 and LAP2 were found in all stages of A. intermedius, with highest activity in larvae, and in only of A. mattogrossensis. LAP3 was detected in all stages of A. mattogrossensis and in larvae only of A. intermedius. LAP4 was detected only in larvae and pupae of A. mattogrossensis, with greater intensity in pupae. Alpha-Glycerophosphate dehydrogenase showed a single zone of activity, detected in older fourth-instar larvae and becoming more intense from the pupal stage onwards.

Uso profilático da metoclopramida no controle de náuseas e vômitos durante anestesia peridural para cesariana / Prophylactic use of metoclopramide for control of nausea and vomiting during epidural anesthesia for cesarean section

Um estudo comparativo foi realizado com a metoclopramida no sentido de avaliar seu efeito antiemético em pacientes submetidos à cesariana sob anestesia peridural. Oitenta pacientes foram divididas ao acaso em dois grupos de 40 pacientes: grupo 1 recebeu metoclopramida 20 mg e o grupo 2 soluçäo salina como placebo. As substâncias foram administradas por via venosa antes da realizaçäo do bloqueio. Näo há diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os dois grupos em relaçäo à idade, peso, nível sensitivo da anestesia, hipotensäo arterial e escore de Apgar dos recém-natos. A incidência de náusea e vômito foi bem menor no grupo tratado com a metoclopramida (5%) em comparaçäo com o grupo placebo (25%), estatisticamente significativo (p < 0,05). A metoclopramida é eficaz no controle profilático de náusea e vômito em cesarianas submetidas à anestesia peridural, mas o seu emprego rotineiro fica dependente de estudos do equilíbrio ácido-básico e comportamento neurológico dos recém-natos