Pathogenesis-related protein 10 in resistance to biotic stress: progress in elucidating functions, regulation and modes of action.

Introduction: The Family of pathogenesis-related proteins 10 (PR-10) is widely distributed in the plant kingdom. PR-10 are multifunctional proteins, constitutively expressed in all plant tissues, playing a role in growth and development or being induced in stress situations. Several studies have investigated the preponderant role of PR-10 in plant defense against biotic stresses; however, little is known about the mechanisms of action of these proteins. This is the first systematic review conducted to gather information on the subject and to reveal the possible mechanisms of action that PR-10 perform. Methods: Therefore, three databases were used for the article search: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. To avoid bias, a protocol with inclusion and exclusion criteria was prepared. In total, 216 articles related to the proposed objective of this study were selected. Results: The participation of PR-10 was revealed in the plant's defense against several stressor agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, nematodes and insects, and studies involving fungi and bacteria were predominant in the selected articles. Studies with combined techniques showed a compilation of relevant information about PR-10 in biotic stress that collaborate with the understanding of the mechanisms of action of these molecules. The up-regulation of PR-10 was predominant under different conditions of biotic stress, in addition to being more expressive in resistant varieties both at the transcriptional and translational level. Discussion: Biological models that have been proposed reveal an intrinsic network of molecular interactions involving the modes of action of PR-10. These include hormonal pathways, transcription factors, physical interactions with effector proteins or pattern recognition receptors and other molecules involved with the plant's defense system. Conclusion: The molecular networks involving PR-10 reveal how the plant's defense response is mediated, either to trigger susceptibility or, based on data systematized in this review, more frequently, to have plant resistance to the disease.

Heavy metals and metalloids accumulation in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): A review.

Heavy metals (HMs) and metalloids (Ms) such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) represent serious environmental threats due to their wide abundance and high toxicity. Contamination of water and soils by HMs and Ms from natural or anthropogenic sources is of great concern in agricultural production due to their toxic effects on plants, adversely affecting food safety and plant growth. The uptake of HMs and Ms by Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants depends on several factors including soil properties such as pH, phosphate, and organic matter. High concentrations of HMs and Ms could be toxic to plants due to the increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as (O2•-), (•OH), (H2O2), and (1O2), and oxidative stress due to an imbalance between ROS generation and antioxidant enzyme activity. To minimize the effects of ROS, plants have developed a complex defense mechanism based on the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, GPX, and phytohormones, especially salicylic acid (SA) that can reduce the toxicity of HMs and Ms. This review focuses on evaluating the accumulation and translocation of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb in Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants and on their possible effects on the growth of Phaseolus vulgaris L. in soil contaminated with these elements. The factors that affect the uptake of HMs and Ms by bean plants, and the defense mechanisms under oxidative stress caused by the presence of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb are also discussed. Furthermore, future research on mitigating HMs and Ms toxicity in Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants is highlighted.

Variation of the Antioxidative Defense in Elaeis guineensis Jacq. Facing Bud Rot Disease in the Coastal Area of Ecuador.

Elaeis guineensis Jacq. has gained a reputation in the food industry as an incredible crop capable of supplying the world's largest edible oil production. In Ecuador, an important oil palm-producing country, this crop is affected in a high percentage by the bud rot disease, which is responsible for palm death. The main objective of the investigation was dedicated to understanding the palm defense mechanism facing bud rot disease, translated in the induction of reactive oxygen species, activation of defensive machinery comprising enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidative components, secondary metabolites, carotenoids accumulation in the palm during all stages of disease infection. For this, a survey was conducted in different oil palm plantations in the Esmeraldas province, one of the most representative for its highest incidence of bud rot disease. The survey completed DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and other spectrophotometric analyses to underline the biochemical, biological, and physiological palm response front of bud rot incidence. The palm defense strategy in each disease stage could be represented by the phenolic compound's involvement, an increment of antioxidant activity, and the high enzymatic activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). The results of the investigation made understandable the palm defense strategy front of this disease, respectively, the antioxidative defense and the palm secondary compounds involved.

The AbcCl1 transporter of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum acts as a virulence factor involved in fungal detoxification during common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) infection.

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, is a disease affecting the common bean plant, Phaseolus vulgaris. To establish infection, the phytopathogen must survive the toxic compounds (phytoanticipins and phytoalexins) that are produced by the plant as a defense mechanism. To study the detoxification and efflux mechanisms in C. lindemuthianum, the abcCl1 gene, which encodes an ABC transporter, was analyzed. The abcCl1 gene (4558 pb) was predicted to encode a 1450-amino acid protein. Structural analysis of 11 genome sequences from Colletotrichum spp. showed that the number of ABC transporters varied from 34 to 64. AbcCl1 was classified in the ABC-G family of transporters, and it appears to be orthologs to ABC1 from Magnaporthe grisea and FcABC1 from Fusarium culmorum, which are involved in pleiotropic drug resistance. A abcT3 (ΔabcCl1) strain showed reduction on aggressivity when inoculated on bean leaves that presented diminishing anthracnose symptoms, which suggests the important role of AbcCl1 as a virulence factor and in fungal resistance to host compounds. The expression of abcCl1 increased in response to different toxic compounds, such as eugenol, hygromycin, and pisatin phytoalexin. Together, these results suggest that AbcCl1 is involved in fungal resistance to the toxic compounds produced by plants or antagonistic microorganisms.

Deleterious effects of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi seed flour on cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), larval development.

Schinus terebinthifolius, Raddi, has been extensively studied due to its anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. S. terebinthifolius was also toxic to some insects, however little has been explored about the nature of its insecticide compounds or the toxicity of this plant to insect species. In this work, we investigate the toxicity of S. terebinthifolius seed flour against the insect C. maculatus. S. terebinthifolius seed flour interfered with the post hatch development of the C. maculatus larvae, decreasing larval survival, mass and length. Using DEAE-cellulose chromatography, five protein fractions were isolated, a non-retained fraction (NRF) and four retained fractions, eluted with 0.25, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 M NaCl. Proteins with varying molecular masses were observed in all fractions. The majority protein bands were identified by mass spectrometry analysis and among the main identified proteins are 11S globulins (such glycinin), lipoxygenase, chitinases, 7S globulins (vicilins, canavalin and ß conglycinin), annexin, catalase and sucrose binding protein. All DEAE-protein fractions were toxic to the insect, interfering with the post hatch larval development and survival. Decreases greater than 90% were observed in the larval mass and length at 20 days after oviposition (DAO) for larvae raised on diet containing 0.5% of some fractions. Alterations in the level of proteins, glucose and in the activity of the enzymes lipases and cysteine proteases were also detected in these larvae. Our results show that seeds of S. terebinthifolius have an arsenal of toxic proteins with potential for the control of the insect C. maculatus.

Salmonella Typhimurium Triggers Extracellular Traps Release in Murine Macrophages.

Salmonella comprises two species and more than 2500 serovars with marked differences in host specificity, and is responsible for a wide spectrum of diseases, ranging from localized gastroenteritis to severe life-threatening invasive disease. The initiation of the host inflammatory response, triggered by many Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) that Salmonella possesses, recruits innate immune cells in order to restrain the infection at the local site. Neutrophils are known for killing bacteria through oxidative burst, amid other mechanisms. Amongst those mechanisms for controlling bacteria, the release of Extracellular Traps (ETs) represents a newly described pathway of programmed cell death known as ETosis. Particularly, Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) were first described in 2004 and since then, a number of reports have demonstrated their role as a novel defense mechanism against different pathogens. This released net-like material is composed of cellular DNA decorated with histones and cellular proteins. These structures have shown ability to trap, neutralize and kill different kinds of microorganisms, ranging from viruses and bacteria to fungi and parasites. Salmonella was one of the first microorganisms that were reported to be killed by NETs and several studies have confirmed the observation and deepened into its variants. Nevertheless, much less is known about their counterparts in other immune cells, e.g. Macrophage Extracellular Traps (METs) and Salmonella-induced MET release has never been reported so far. In this work, we observed the production of METs induced by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and recorded their effect on bacteria, showing for the first time that macrophages can also release extracellular DNA traps upon encounter with Salmonella Typhimurium. Additionally we show that METs effectively immobilize and reduce Salmonella survival in a few minutes, suggesting METs as a novel immune-mediated defense mechanism against Salmonella infection. Of note, this phenomenon was confirmed in primary macrophages, since MET release was also observed in bone marrow-derived macrophages infected with Salmonella. The evidence of this peculiar mechanism provides new incipient insights into macrophages´ role against Salmonella infection and can help to design new strategies for the clinical control of this transcendental pathogen.

Identification, characterization, and expression analysis of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) miRNAs in response to cowpea severe mosaic virus (CPSMV) challenge.

KEY MESSAGE: Cowpea miRNAs and Argonaute genes showed differential expression patterns in response to CPSMV challenge Several biotic stresses affect cowpea production and yield. CPSMV stands out for causing severe negative impacts on cowpea. Plants have two main induced immune systems. In the basal system (PTI, PAMP-triggered immunity), plants recognize and respond to conserved molecular patterns associated with pathogens (PAMPs). The second type (ETI, Effector-triggered immunity) is induced after plant recognition of specific factors from pathogens. RNA silencing is another important defense mechanism in plants. Our research group has been using biochemical and proteomic approaches to learn which proteins and pathways are involved and could explain why some cowpea genotypes are resistant whereas others are susceptible to CPSMV. This current study was conducted to determine the role of cowpea miRNA in the interaction between a resistant cowpea genotype (BRS-Marataoã) and CPSMV. Previously identified and deposited plant microRNA sequences were used to find out all possible microRNAs in the cowpea genome. This search detected 617 mature microRNAs, which were distributed in 89 microRNA families. Next, 4 out of these 617 miRNAs and their possible target genes that encode the proteins Kat-p80, DEAD-Box, GST, and SPB9, all involved in the defense response of cowpea to CPSMV, had their expression compared between cowpea leaves uninoculated and inoculated with CPSMV. Additionally, the differential expression of genes that encode the Argonaute (AGO) proteins 1, 2, 4, 6, and 10 is reported. In summary, the studied miRNAs and AGO 2 and AGO4 associated genes showed differential expression patterns in response to CPSMV challenge, which indicate their role in cowpea defense.

Chemical Modifications of Vicilins Interfere with Chitin-Binding Affinity and Toxicity to Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Insect: A Combined In Vitro and In Silico Analysis.

Vicilins are related to cowpea seed resistance toward Callosobruchus maculatus due to their ability to bind to chitinous structures lining larval midgut. However, this binding mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we identified chitin binding sites and investigated how in vitro and in silico chemical modifications interfere with vicilin chitin binding and insect toxicity. In vitro assays showed that unmodified vicilin strongly binds to chitin matrices, mainly with acetylated chitin. Chemical modifications of specific amino acids (tryptophan, lysine, tyrosine), as well as glutaraldehyde cross-linking, decreased the evaluated parameters. In silico analyses identified at least one chitin binding site in vicilin monomer, the region between Arg208 and Lys216, which bears the sequence REGIRELMK and forms an α helix, exposed in the 3D structure. In silico modifications of Lys223 (acetylated at its terminal nitrogen) and Trp316 (iodinated to 7-iodine-L-tryptophan or oxidized to ß-oxy-indolylalanine) decreased vicilin chitin binding affinity. Glucose, sucrose, and N-acetylglucosamine also interfered with vicilin chitin binding affinity.

Pathogenesis of uterine diseases in dairy cattle and implications for fertility.

Uterine diseases in cattle occur at all stages of the reproduction cycle but the majority of cases is found in the postpartum period. The inflammation of the uterus is generally defined as metritis or endometritis, with several graduations, e.g. puerperal metritis, clinical metritis, clinical or subclinical endometritis. Whether uterine diseases have a negligible, moderate or detrimental effect on fertility is still under discussion and depends on definitions and classification. In the past, it was assumed that the pregnant uterus is free of pathogens, but recent studies found several species including pathogens in the uterus and endometrium of pregnant cows. After parturition, a broad diversity of bacteria with >200 different species has been found in the early postpartum period. Not all of these bacteria, however, are considered as pathogens. Furthermore, bacteriological findings provide only evidence for infection but not for inflammation. For some bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes pathogenic mechanism resulting in metritis and endometritis have been elucidated in detail. The role of bacteria that can be regarded as opportunistic or potential pathogens, e.g. Bacillus pumilus, is still under investigation. The understanding of the uterine microbiota and its interactions is increasing with the use of modern high-resolution techniques such as Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy. Endometrial cytology provides additional information about alterations in the endometrium. Knowledge of innate uterine defense mechanism in cattle has increased a lot in the recent past. It can be speculated that improving or modulating uterine defense mechanism will be part of future prevention and treatment approaches beyond the use of antimicrobials. In this context, cellular and molecular defense mechanisms have been in the focus of interest, e.g. the role of interleukins or mucins. This review gives a short overview on some aspects of recent research on uterine diseases in cattle.

Pathogenesis of uterine diseases in dairy cattle and implications for fertility

Uterine diseases in cattle occur at all stages of the reproduction cycle but the majority of cases is found in the postpartum period. The inflammation of the uterus is generally defined as metritis or endometritis, with several graduations, e.g. puerperal metritis, clinical metritis, clinical or subclinical endometritis. Whether uterine diseases have a negligible, moderate or detrimental effect on fertility is still under discussion and depends on definitions and classification. In the past, it was assumed that the pregnant uterus is free of pathogens, but recent studies found several species including pathogens in the uterus and endometrium of pregnant cows. After parturition, a broad diversity of bacteria with >200 different species has been found in the early postpartum period. Not all of these bacteria, however, are considered as pathogens. Furthermore, bacteriological findings provide only evidence for infection but not for inflammation. For some bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes pathogenic mechanism resulting in metritis and endometritis have been elucidated in detail. The role of bacteria that can be regarded as opportunistic or potential pathogens, e.g. Bacillus pumilus, is still under investigation. The understanding of the uterine microbiota and its interactions is increasing with the use of modern high-resolution techniques such as Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy. Endometrial cytology provides additional information about alterations in the endometrium. Knowledge of innate uterine defense mechanism in cattle has increased a lot in the recent past. It can be speculated that improving or modulating uterine defense mechanism will be part of future prevention and treatment approaches beyond the use of antimicrobials. In this context, cellular and molecular defense mechanisms have been in the focus of interest, e.g. the role of interleukins or mucins. This review gives a short overview on some aspects of recent research on uterine diseases in cattle.

Pathogenesis of uterine diseases in dairy cattle and implications for fertility

Uterine diseases in cattle occur at all stages of the reproduction cycle but the majority of cases is found in the postpartum period. The inflammation of the uterus is generally defined as metritis or endometritis, with several graduations, e.g. puerperal metritis, clinical metritis, clinical or subclinical endometritis. Whether uterine diseases have a negligible, moderate or detrimental effect on fertility is still under discussion and depends on definitions and classification. In the past, it was assumed that the pregnant uterus is free of pathogens, but recent studies found several species including pathogens in the uterus and endometrium of pregnant cows. After parturition, a broad diversity of bacteria with >200 different species has been found in the early postpartum period. Not all of these bacteria, however, are considered as pathogens. Furthermore, bacteriological findings provide only evidence for infection but not for inflammation. For some bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes pathogenic mechanism resulting in metritis and endometritis have been elucidated in detail. The role of bacteria that can be regarded as opportunistic or potential pathogens, e.g. Bacillus pumilus, is still under investigation. The understanding of the uterine microbiota and its interactions is increasing with the use of modern high-resolution techniques such as Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy. Endometrial cytology provides additional information about alterations in the endometrium. Knowledge of innate uterine defense mechanism in cattle has increased a lot in the recent past. It can be speculated that improving or modulating uterine defense mechanism will be part of future prevention and treatment approaches beyond the use of antimicrobials. In this context, cellular and molecular defense mechanisms have been in the focus of interest, e.g. the role of interleukins or mucins. This review gives a short overview on some aspects of recent research on uterine diseases in cattle.(AU)

Inga laurina trypsin inhibitor (ILTI) obstructs Spodoptera frugiperda trypsins expressed during adaptive mechanisms against plant protease inhibitors.

Plant protease inhibitors (PIs) are elements of a common plant defense mechanism induced in response to herbivores. The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, a highly polyphagous lepidopteran pest, responds to various PIs in its diet by expressing genes encoding trypsins. This raises the question of whether the PI-induced trypsins are also inhibited by other PIs, which we posed as the hypothesis that Inga laurina trypsin inhibitor (ILTI) inhibits PI-induced trypsins in S. frugiperda. In the process of testing our hypothesis, we compared its properties with those of selected PIs, soybean Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (SKTI), Inga vera trypsin inhibitor (IVTI), Adenanthera pavonina trypsin inhibitor (ApTI), and Entada acaciifolia trypsin inhibitor (EATI). We report that ILTI is more effective in inhibiting the induced S. frugiperda trypsins than SKTI and the other PIs, which supports our hypothesis. ILTI may be more appropriate than SKTI for studies regarding adaptive mechanisms to dietary PIs.

Do "Embelezamento dos Fatos" à "Cicatriz": Uma Investigação sobre a Fantasia em Freud / From "Embellishment of the Facts" to a "Scar": A Study about Fantasy According to Freud

RESUMO Reconhecer a função da fantasia na vida dos sujeitos possibilitou a Freud inventar a psicanálise. Desde suas pesquisas, consideram-se as fantasias como um modo de proteção à realidade insatisfatória, por permitirem embelezar fatos, tornando-os menos traumáticos. Há uma intensa variedade de fantasias no imaginário dos seres humanos, como evidenciam os relatos clínicos. Além desse imaginário, a fantasia se expressa como uma marca, "cicatriz", que determina o modo de os sujeitos estarem no mundo. Essa dimensão vai além do que se consegue dizer e, por isso, faz-se necessário um trabalho de "construção". Por considerar a relevância clínica e conceitual da noção de fantasia, este trabalho procura cernir uma lógica da fantasia em Freud, através da revisão de sua utilização do conceito.

ABSTRACT In order to recognize the function of fantasy in people's life Freud invented psychoanalysis. Since his studies, fantasies are considered as a kind of protection for unsatisfactory reality, since they made facts more beautiful and less traumatic. There is an intense variety of fantasies in the imagination of human beings, as evidenced by clinical accounts. In addition to this imagination, fantasy expresses itself also as a "scar", which determines the way people interpret the world. This dimension goes beyond what can be expressed through words, and therefore, a work of "construction" is necessary. Considering the clinical and conceptual relevance of the notion of fantasy, this work seeks to delimitate a logic of fantasy according to Freud by reviewing the way the concept is being used.

Parla Moïse! De como Freud criou o conceito de desmentido / Parla Moïse! How Freud created the concept of denial (Verleugnung) / Parla Moïse! Freud et le création du concept de déni / ¡Parla Moïse! De cómo Freud creó el concepto de denegación / Parla Moïse! Wie Freud den Begriff der Verleugnung entwickelte

O objetivo deste artigo é mostrar de que modo Freud começou a inventar o conceito de desmentido (Verleugnung) no texto “O Moisés de Michelangelo”, no qual emprega o termo segundo a trivialidade da língua alemã, para demonstrar, levando em conta as mutações que sofreu na teoria, o giro que esse mecanismo de defesa terminou operando no dispositivo de interpretação psicanalítica.

The purpose of this article is to show how Freud began to create the concept of denial (Verleugnung) in the text “Moses of Michelangelo”; in it, he uses the word according to its common sense in the German language. The article shows how this defense mechanism, due to the changes in the theory, operated a turn in the psychoanalytic interpretation mechanism.

Le but de cet article est d’illustrer la façon dont Freud commence à développer le concept de déni (Verleugnung) dans son traité « Le Moïse de Michel-Ange ¼, dans lequel il emploie le terme dans le sens trivial de la langue allemande pour montrer — tenant compte des changements que le terme va subir dans la théorie — de quelle façon ce mécanisme de défense influence le système d’interprétation psychanalytique.

El propósito de este artículo es mostrar cómo Freud empezó a inventar el concepto de denegación (Verleugnung), en el texto “El Moisés de Miguel Ángel”, en el cual se emplea este término, de acuerdo con la trivialidad de la lengua alemana, para demostrar, teniendo en cuenta las mutaciones que sufrió la teoría, el giro que ese mecanismo de defensa terminó accionando en el dispositivo de la interpretación psicoanalítica.

Ziel dieses Artikels ist es, aufzuzeigen wie Freud das Konzept der Verleugnung in seiner Abhandlung „Der Moses des Michelangelo“ zu entwickeln begann. Er verwendete dabei den Begriff im trivialen Sinn der deutschen Sprache – unter Berücksichtigung der Veränderungen die dieser Begriff in der Theorie erlitt –, um die Veränderungen darzulegen, die dieser Abwehrmechanismus auf die Struktur der psychoanalytischen Interpretation verursachte.

O mau cheiro como estratégia de sobrevivência / Stench as a survival strategy / La puanteur comme une stratégie de survie / El hedor como estrategia de supervivencia / Der Gestank als Überlebensstrategie

O presente trabalho tem como base a narrativa de um atendimento clínico, no qual a paciente procura análise, pois todos os seus relacionamentos amorosos fracassavam causando-lhe intenso sofrimento. Ao longo dos atendimentos ela diz saber o porquê desses fracassos: ela fede. Formulamos a hipótese clínica de que o mau cheiro se insere na economia psíquica da paciente como um mecanismo de defesa e, tomando o conceito de narcisismo como norteador, discutimos o papel da alucinação olfativa na sustentação psíquica da paciente.

The present paper is based on a clinical situation in which the patient seeks an analysis because all her love relationships failed causing intense suffering. Along the treatment she says that she knows why her relationships come to an end: She stinks. We formulate the clinical hypothesis that stench is inserted into the patient’s psychic economy as a defense mechanism and, taking the concept of narcissism as a guide, we discuss the role of the olfactory hallucination as a psychic support for the patient.

Ce travail est basé sur le récit d’une situation clinique dans lequel le patient cherche l’analyse a cause des echècs dans toutes ses relations amoureuses lui causant des souffrances intenses. Au cours des sessions, elle dit connaître la raison de cette condition: Elle pue. Nous formulons l’hypothèse clinique que l’odeur est insérée dans l’économie psychique du patient comme un mécanisme de défense et, en prenant le concept de narcissisme comme un guide, nous avons discuté du rôle de l’hallucination olfactive dans le soutien psychologique du patient.

El presente trabajo tiene como base la narrativa de un atendimiento clínico en lo qual la paciente busca a un análisis porque todos sus relacionamientos amorosos fallaban, generandole un gran sofrimiento. Al largo de los atendimientos ella dice saber la razón destos fracasos: ella huele mal. Hemos formulado la hipótesis clínica de que el holor malo está insertado en la economía psíquica de la paciente como un mecanismo de defensa, y tomando el concepto de narcisismo como rector, discutimos el rol de la alucinación olfativa en el sostén psíquico de la paciente.

Die vorliegende Arbeit hat als Grundlage den Bericht ueber eine klinischen Behandlung in der eine Patientie eine Analyse sucht weil alle ihre Liebesbeziehungen zerbrachen was ihr intensives Leid zufuegte. Im Zuge der Behandlung sagte sie sie wisse die Ursache dieser Fehlschlaege: sie stinkt.. Wir stellten die klinische Hypothese auf dass sich der schlechte Geruch in der “psychischen Oekonomie” der Patientin als Mechanismus der Verteidigung eingliedert und indem wir das Konzept des Narzismus als Ausrichtung nahmen, diskutierten wir die Rolle der Geruchshalluzination in der psychischen Haltung der Patientin.

Caspase-8 activity is part of the BeWo trophoblast cell defense mechanisms against Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

Congenital Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi that must cross the placental barrier during transmission. The trophoblast constitutes the first tissue in contact with the maternal-blood circulating parasite. Importantly, the congenital transmission rates are low, suggesting the presence of local placental defense mechanisms. Cellular proliferation and differentiation as well as apoptotic cell death are induced by the parasite and constitute part of the epithelial turnover of the trophoblast, which has been suggested to be part of those placental defenses. On the other hand, caspase-8 is an essential molecule in the modulation of trophoblast turnover by apoptosis and by epithelial differentiation. As an approach to study whether T. cruzi induced trophoblast turnover and infection is mediated by caspase-8, we infected BeWo cells (a trophoblastic cell line) with the parasite and determined in the infected cells the expression and enzymatic activity of caspase-8, DNA synthesis (as proliferation marker), ß-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) (as differentiation marker) and activity of Caspase-3 (as apoptotic death marker). Parasite load in BeWo cells was measured by DNA quantification using qPCR and cell counting. Our results show that T. cruzi induces caspase-8 activity and that its inhibition increases trophoblast cells infection while decreases parasite induced cellular differentiation and apoptotic cell death, but not cellular proliferation. Thus, caspase-8 activity is part of the BeWo trophoblast cell defense mechanisms against T. cruzi infection. Together with our previous results, we suggest that the trophoblast turnover is part of local placental anti-parasite mechanisms.

Albizia lebbeck Seed Coat Proteins Bind to Chitin and Act as a Defense against Cowpea Weevil Callosobruchus maculatus.

The seed coat is an external tissue that participates in defense against insects. In some nonhost seeds, including Albizia lebbeck, the insect Callosobruchus maculatus dies during seed coat penetration. We investigated the toxicity of A. lebbeck seed coat proteins to C. maculatus. A chitin-binding protein fraction was isolated from seed coat, and mass spectrometry showed similarity to a C1 cysteine protease. By ELM program an N-glycosylation interaction motif was identified in this protein, and by molecular docking the potential to interact with N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) was shown. The chitin-binding protein fraction was toxic to C. maculatus and was present in larval midgut and feces but not able to hydrolyze larval gut proteins. It did not interfere, though, with the intestinal cell permeability. These results indicate that the toxicity mechanism of this seed coat fraction may be related to its binding to chitin, present in the larvae gut, disturbing nutrient absorption.

Análise dos Dificultadores da Tenepessografiaatravés da Autoconsciencioterapia / Analysis of Pentagraphy Hindering through Self-Conscientiotherapy / Análisis de los Dificultadores de la Tenepesografía a través de laAutoconciencioterapia

Este artigo objetiva apresentar elementos para investigar, diagnosticar e compreenderas dificuldades e mecanismos de defesa do ego (MDE) existentes em rela-ção aos registros da tenepes e criar um diário individual para utilizá-lo durante o prazode 12 meses. A metodologia utilizada foi o levantamento bibliográfico depublicações correlatas ao assunto; a análise de dados provenientes das investigaçõespessoais durante o Curso de Desenvolvimento Interassistencial (CDI) e a utilizaçãode técnicas da Autoconsciencioterapia. Primeiramente, é feito levantamento dosprincipais benefícios da tenepessografia, em seguida é feita análise dos Mecanismosde Defesa do Ego que estão ativos e que contribuem para a estagnação dos apontamentosgráficos. A seguir são apresentadas as técnicas de Autoconsciencioterapiautilizadas para ampliação da pesquisa e chega-se à proposta da estrutura do diáriopessoal da tenepes. Conclui-se que os registros ajudam sobremaneira no desenvolvimentopessoal, intraconsciencial, interassistencial e parapsíquico e contribuem parao avanço da especialidade conscienciológica Tenepessografologia(AU)

This article aims to present elements to investigate, diagnose and understand thedifficulties and ego defense mechanisms (EMD) related to penta records and createan individual diary to be used within 12 months. The methodology is made of bibliographicalsurvey of the literature about the subject matter; analysis of the data collectedin personal investigations during a course called CDI (Course on the Developmentof Interassistance); and the use of Self-conscientiotherapy techniques. Firstly,a survey was carried out on the main benefits of pentagraphy. Secondly, there was ananalysis of the active Ego Defense Mechanisms that contribute to the stagnation ofgraphic notes. Thirdly, it presents techniques of Self-conscientiotherapy used to amplifyresearches towards a structure proposed for personal penta diary. Finally, itshows that the records greatly help with the personal, intraconsciential, interassistanceand parapsychism development and contribute for the improvement of the conscientiologysubdiscipline called Pentagraphology(AU)

El artículo objetiva presentar elementos para investigar, diagnosticar y comprenderlas dificultades y los mecanismos de defensa del ego (MDE) existentes en relaci-ón a los registros de la tenepes, e implementar el diario individual para ser utilizadodurante el plazo de 12 meses. La metodología utilizada fue el levantamiento bibliográfico de publicaciones correlacionadas al asunto; el análisis de datos provenientesde investigaciones personales durante el Curso de Desarrollo Interasistencial (CDI)y la utilización de técnicas de Autoconciencioterapia. Primero se hizo levantamientode los principales beneficios de la tenepesografía. Luego, fue realizado el análisis delos Mecanismos de Defensa del Ego que están activos y contribuyen para la estancaciónde los registros gráficos. Seguidamente, fueron presentadas técnicas de Autoconciencioterapia,utilizadas para la ampliación de la investigación. Y finalmente, sellega a la propuesta de la estructura del diario personal de la tenepes, concluyéndoseque los registros ayudan sobremanera en el desarrollo personal, intraconciencial, interasistencialy parapsíquico, contribuyendo para el avance de la especia-lidad concienciológicaTenepesografología(AU)

Estudio comparativo de las defensas localizadas en el discurso de una adolescente con adicción grave / Comparative study of the defenses found in the discourse of an adolescent presenting severe addiction pathology

El actual escrito forma parte del trabajo de investigación de tesis doctoral, donde se analizan de manera sistemática, mediante la metodología ADL, las pulsiones y las defensas y su estado, detectadas en el discurso. La muestra es un caso clínico de una adolescente institucionalizada adicta a sustancias. En esta oportunidad se utiliza el nivel de análisis de las secuencias narrativas detectando las defensas que fueron encontradas en los temas que aluden a la relación materna y la relación paterna. Se hace un análisis comparativo de las defensas de ambos temas, donde se observa que la defensa predominante es la desmentida, tanto en el discurso sobre el padre como en el de la madre. En cuanto al estado de la defensa hay diferencias significativas, ya que se presentan como exitosas en relación con la madre y fracasadas en relación con el padre.(AU)

The present article is part of the on-going research of a PhD thesis, which analyses systematically wishes, defenses and their state in discourse, using the DLA methodology. The sample consists of a clinical case of an institutionalized adolescent addicted to drugs. On this occasion, the level of analysis of the narrative sequences is used in order to detect defenses regarding themes of relationship with both parents. A comparative analysis of defenses concerning each parent leads to observe that the dominant defense is denial, in discourses concerning the father as well as in discourses concerning the mother. As regards the state of the defense, there are significant differences, since the ones concerning the mother are successful and those concerning the father failed.(AU)

Cyanobacterial defense mechanisms against foreign DNA transfer and their impact on genetic engineering

Cyanobacteria display a large diversity of cellular forms ranging from unicellular to complex multicellular filaments or aggregates. Species in the group present a wide range of metabolic characteristics including the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, resistance to extreme environments, production of hydrogen, secondary metabolites and exopolysaccharides. These characteristics led to the growing interest in cyanobacteria across the fields of ecology, evolution, cell biology and biotechnology. The number of available cyanobacterial genome sequences has increased considerably in recent years, with more than 140 fully sequenced genomes to date. Genetic engineering of cyanobacteria is widely applied to the model unicellular strains Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942. However the establishment of transformation protocols in many other cyanobacterial strains is challenging. One obstacle to the development of these novel model organisms is that many species have doubling times of 48 h or more, much longer than the bacterial models E. coli or B. subtilis. Furthermore, cyanobacterial defense mechanisms against foreign DNA pose a physical and biochemical barrier to DNA insertion in most strains. Here we review the various barriers to DNA uptake in the context of lateral gene transfer among microbes and the various mechanisms for DNA acquisition within the prokaryotic domain. Understanding the cyanobacterial defense mechanisms is expected to assist in the development and establishment of novel transformation protocols that are specifically suitable for this group.