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Limnoperna fortunei, the golden mussel, is a bivalve mollusk considered an invader in South America. This species is responsible for ecological and economic damages due to its voluminous fouling capability. Chemical biocides such as MXD-100™ and sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) are often used to control L. fortunei infestations in hydraulic systems. Thus, we proposed to investigate the effects of different periods (24, 48 and 72 h) of exposure to MXD-100™ (0.56 mg L−1) and NaDCC (1.5 mg L−1) on the gills of L. fortunei through morphological and molecular analyses. NaDCC promoted progressive morphological changes during the analyzed periods and only an upregulation of SOD and HSP70 expression during the first 24 h of exposure. MXD-100™ led to severe morphological changes from the first period of exposure, in addition to an upregulation of SOD, CAT, HSP70 and CYP expression during the first 24 h. In contrast, MXD-100™ led to a downregulation of CAT transcription between 24 and 48 h. In static conditions, NaDCC causes lethal damage after 72 h of exposure, and that exposure needs to be continuous to achieve the control of the species. Meanwhile, the MXD-100™ treatment presented several effects during the first 24 h, showing acute toxicity in a shorter period of time.

Os impactos antrópicos em ambientes aquáticos são os principais responsáveis pelas mudanças nas estruturas das comunidades aquáticas. Estes impactos podem ser causados, principalmente, pela instalação de barragens, degradação da mata ciliar e/ou despejo de resíduos domésticos e industriais, que alteram a dinâmica física, química e biológica dos ambientes naturais. Neste sentido, traçamos as hipóteses de que há diferenças nos parâmetros ecológicos entre comunidades de macroinvertebrados em ambientes com distintas proximidades da represa e em ambientes pré e pós-barragem. Desta maneira, objetivamos analisar os parâmetros ecológicos das comunidades de macroinvertebrados distribuídos em diferentes pontos no rio Uberaba (bacia do baixo rio Grande). Para isso, realizamos quatro coletas, em diferentes períodos sazonais, em quatro pontos com diferentes características hidrodinâmicas. Foram realizadas análises comparativas entre os pontos com base em dados de diferentes parâmetros ecológicos: abundância total, riqueza de espécies, diversidade de Shannon e Simpson, equitabilidade de Shannon e dominância de Simpson. Com base nos resultados, apenas na análise entre as regiões pré e pós-barragem foram encontradas diferenças significativas nos parâmetros dominância, diversidade de Shannon, diversidade de Simpson e equitabilidade. Essas diferenças não foram creditadas aos impactos endógenos da barragem e sim aos impactos antrópicos exógenos, como ausência de mata ciliar, atividades de pastoreio e despejo de resíduos domésticos.

Os impactos antrópicos em ambientes aquáticos sao os principais responsáveis pelas mudanças nas estruturas das comunidades aquáticas. Estes impactos podem ser causados, principalmente, pela instalaçao de barragens, degradaçao da mata ciliar e/ou despejo de residuos domésticos e industriais, que alteram a dinámica física, química e biológica dos ambientes naturais. Neste sentido, traçamos as hipóteses de que há diferenças nos parámetros ecológicos entre comunidades de macroinvertebrados em ambientes com distintas proximidades da represa e em ambientes pré e pós-barragem. Desta maneira, objetivamos analisar os parámetros ecológicos das comunidades de macroinvertebrados distribuídos em diferentes pontos no rio Uberaba (bacia do baixo rio Grande). Para isso, realizamos quatro coletas, em diferentes períodos sazonais, em quatro pontos com diferentes características hidrodinámicas. Foram realizadas análises comparativas entre os pontos com base em dados de diferentes parámetros ecológicos: abundáncia total, riqueza de espécies, diversidade de Shannon e Simpson, equitabilidade de Shannon e domináncia de Simpson. Com base nos resultados, apenas na análise entre as regióes pré e pós-barragem foram encontradas diferenças significativas nos parámetros domináncia, diversidade de Shannon, diversidade de Simpson e equitabilidade. Essas diferenças nao foram creditadas aos impactos endógenos da barragem e sim aos impactos antrópicos exógenos, como ausencia de mata ciliar, atividades de pastoreio e despejo de resíduos domésticos.

Limnoperna fortunei, known as the golden mussel, is an invasive bivalve in South America responsible for economic damages in hydroelectric plants due to its ability to attach and grow on the walls of water pipes and tubes. Chemical compounds are often used to control golden mussel infestations in water systems. Here, we investigated the effects of two biocides—MXD-100 ™ and sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC)—through the assessment of morphological and gene-expression alterations in the gills. Both biocides were able to modulate the expression of defensive genes and morphological changes. Yet, it seems that NaDCC needs continuous exposure to control golden mussel infestation, whereas MXD-100™ can inflict severe damage to the mussels in as little as 24 h. Our results can be used to enhance control strategies for managing mussel growth in water systems, simultaneously reducing the environmental impact associated with costly and harmful chemical releases. Limnoperna fortunei, the golden mussel, is a bivalve mollusk considered an invader in South America. This species is responsible for ecological and economic damages due to its voluminous fouling capability. Chemical biocides such as MXD-100™ and sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) are often used to control L. fortunei infestations in hydraulic systems. Thus, we proposed to investigate the effects of different periods (24, 48 and 72 h) of exposure to MXD-100™ (0.56 mg L[sup.−1]) and NaDCC (1.5 mg L[sup.−1]) on the gills of L. fortunei through morphological and molecular analyses. NaDCC promoted progressive morphological changes during the analyzed periods and only an upregulation of SOD and HSP70 expression during the first 24 h of exposure. MXD-100™ led to severe morphological changes from the first period of exposure, in addition to an upregulation of SOD, CAT, HSP70 and CYP expression during the first 24 h. In contrast, MXD-100™ led to a downregulation of CAT transcription between 24 and 48 h. In static conditions, NaDCC causes lethal damage after 72 h of exposure, and that exposure needs to be continuous to achieve the control of the species. Meanwhile, the MXD-100™ treatment presented several effects during the first 24 h, showing acute toxicity in a shorter period of time.

Bladder carcinoma (BC) is the tenth most frequent malignancy worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality rates. Despite recent treatment advances, high-grade BC and muscle-invasive BC present with significant progression and recurrence rates, urging the need for alternative treatments. The microRNA-21 (miR-21) has superexpression in many malignancies and is associated with cellular invasion and progression. One of its mechanisms of action is the regulation of RECK, a tumor suppressor gene responsible for inhibiting metalloproteinases, including MMP9. In a high-grade urothelial cancer cell line, we aimed to assess if miR-21 downregulation would promote RECK expression and decrease MMP9 expression. We also evaluated cellular migration and proliferation potential by inhibition of this pathway. In a T24 cell line, we inhibited miR-21 expression by transfection of a specific microRNA inhibitor (anti-miR-21). There were also control and scramble groups, the last with a negative microRNA transfected. After the procedure, we performed a genetic expression analysis of miR-21, RECK, and MMP9 through qPCR. Migration, proliferation, and protein expression were evaluated via wound healing assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence.After anti-miR-21 transfection, miR-21 expression decreased with RECK upregulation and MMP9 downregulation. The immunofluorescence assay showed a significant increase in RECK protein expression ( p  < 0.0001) and a decrease in MMP9 protein expression ( p  = 0.0101). The anti-miR-21 transfection significantly reduced cellular migration in the wound healing assay ( p  < 0.0001). Furthermore, in the colony formation assay, the anti-miR-21 group demonstrated reduced cellular proliferation ( p  = 0.0008), also revealed in the cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry ( p  = 0.0038). Our results corroborate the hypothesis that miR-21 is associated with BC cellular migration and proliferation, revealing its potential as a new effective treatment for this pathology.

Parasite communities correspond to the definition of metacommunity, as species interact and disperse within hosts. The present study evaluated parasite metacommunities in a tropical floodplain. The study was conducted in the Western Amazon around the municipalities of Cruzeiro do Sul, state of Acre, and Guajará, state of Amazonas, Brazil. Six sampling sites were selected and grouped into conserved and degraded environments. Fish were caught between periods of drought and flood, using passive and active sampling methods; in the laboratory, they were measured weighed, and necropsied. Parasites found were fixed, evaluated, and identified. Physical and chemical variables and environmental conservation characteristics were measured in all sites. Diversity index, ANOVA, Tukey, local contribution to beta diversity (LCBD), species contribution to beta diversity by individual species (SCBD), and variance partitioning were summarized. The α species diversity increased in conserved environments and varied between seasonal periods, mainly in detritivorous and omnivorous hosts. Local contributions to beta diversity showed significantly higher values in conserved environments for the endoparasite fauna of piscivorous and omnivorous hosts, indicating that these environments presented unique parasite infracommunities and revealing the conservation status of these environments. Variations in infracommunities were explained mainly by niche-based processes, including environmental conditions, degree of conservation, and host characteristics. Thus, these data will serve as a tool to understand the way parasite communities are structured, which is important information for the management and conservation of aquatic environments.

The existence of chlorophylls in seeds indicates the presence of the photosynthetic apparatus, which is frequently associated with photosynthesis. However, this paper gathered evidences suggesting the functioning of the photorespiratory metabolism in seed tissues. For instance, the presence of transcripts, occurrence of proteins and detection of activity of enzymes related to photorespiration, as well as an increased production of compounds that are classical photorespiratory biomarkers (such as glycolate, glycine and serine), were detected. In seeds, photorespiration may act as a tool for the modulation of micro-environment (by changing [CO2], [O2] and pH), regulation of the synthesis of signaling compounds [for example, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ethylene (C2H4)] and adjustment of nutrition (for instance, by affecting nitrogen to carbon balance), especially in response to developmental and environmental clues. This paper sheds light on the metabolism of seeds, which have agronomic, social and ecological relevancies.

Background Bladder cancer is the leading transitional cell carcinoma affecting men and women with high morbidity and mortality rates, justifying the need to develop new molecular target therapies using microRNAs. This study aimed to evaluate the behavior of the T24 cell line after transfection with miR-Let-7c precursor mimic through invasion, migration, apoptosis, and cell cycle assays. Methods and results T24 cell was transfected with the Let-7c mimic and its respective control and evaluated after 24 h. The expression levels of miR-Let-7c were analyzed by qPCR. We performed wound healing, Matrigel and flow cytometry, apoptosis, and cell cycle assays to determine its effect on cellular processes. Cells transfected with miR-Let-7c showed increased apoptosis rates (p = 0.019), decreased migration 24 h (p = 0.031) and 48 h (p = 0.0006), invasion potential (p = 0.0007), and cell proliferation (p = 0.002). Conclusions Our results demonstrate that miR-Let-7c can act in different pathways of the carcinogenic cellular processes of muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma cells, inhibiting cell proliferation and increasing apoptosis levels, consequently limiting their invasion potential. However, further studies should be carried out better to elucidate this microRNA’s role in high-grade urothelial carcinomas and unveil which targets this microRNA may present, which are intrinsically related to the cancer survival pathways.

The Brazilian Policy of Comprehensive Care for People with Rare Diseases (BPCCPRD) was established by the Ministry of Health to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life of people with rare diseases (RD). Several laboratory tests, most using molecular genetic technologies, have been incorporated by the Brazilian Public Health System, and 18 specialised centres have so far been established at university hospitals (UH) in the capitals of the Southern, Southeastern and Northeastern regions. However, whether the available human and technological resources in these services are appropriate and sufficient to achieve the goals of care established by the BPCCPRD is unknown. Despite great advances in diagnosis, especially due to new technologies and the recent structuring of clinical assessment of RD in Brazil, epidemiological data are lacking and when available, restricted to specific disorders. This position paper summarises the performance of a nationally representative survey on epidemiology, clinical status, and diagnostic and therapeutic resources employed for individuals with genetic and non-genetic RD in Brazil. The Brazilian Rare Disease Network (BRDN) is under development, comprising 40 institutions, including 18 UH, 17 Rare Diseases Reference Services and five Newborn Screening Reference Services. A retrospective study will be initially conducted, followed by a prospective study. The data collection instrument will use a standard protocol with sociodemographic data and clinical and diagnostic aspects according to international ontology. This great collaborative network is the first initiative of a large epidemiological data collection of RD in Latin America, and the results will increase the knowledge of RD in Brazil and help health managers to improve national public policy on RD in Brazil.

Whereas genome sequencing defines the genetic potential of an organism, transcript sequencing defines the utilization of this potential and links the genome with most areas of biology. To exploit the information within the human genome in the fight against cancer, we have deposited some two million expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from human tumors and their corresponding normal tissues in the public databases. The data currently define ≈23,500 genes, of which only ≈1,250 are still represented only by ESTs. Examination of the EST coverage of known cancer-related (CR) genes reveals that <1% do not have corresponding ESTs, indicating that the representation of genes associated with commonly studied tumors is high. The careful recording of the origin of all ESTs we have produced has enabled detailed definition of where the genes they represent are expressed in the human body. More than 100,000 ESTs are available for seven tissues, indicating a surprising variability of gene usage that has led to the discovery of a significant number of genes with restricted expression, and that may thus be therapeutically useful. The ESTs also reveal novel nonsynonymous germline variants (although the one-pass nature of the data necessitates careful validation) and many alternatively spliced transcripts. Although widely exploited by the scientific community, vindicating our totally open source policy, the EST data generated still provide extensive information that remains to be systematically explored, and that may further facilitate progress toward both the understanding and treatment of human cancers.