Da Silva

Pollination is a key ecological process sustaining biodiversity and food security, yet global patterns of plant–pollinator specialization remain unresolved. Using a global dataset of quantitative plant–pollinator networks (>

Diet shapes the composition of the gut microbiota ; however, the specific effects of distinct food groups on microbiome dynamics are unclear, particularly in circumstances of extreme perturbation.

Background and Aims Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient for agricultural production in tropical soils due to its adsorption onto Fe and Al oxides. Silicon (Si) also exhibits affinity for these compounds and can displace P into the soil solution. Studies evaluating application timing to increase P availability remain scarce. This study evaluated the effect of Si and P application timing on soil P availability and maize growth. Methods The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using a randomized block design with four replicates. Six treatments were evaluated: Control (without P and Si); P applied at sowing (100 mg kg⁻1); Si applied at sowing (480 mg kg⁻1); P applied 30 days before sowing + Si at sowing; Si applied 30 days before sowing + P at sowing; and P + Si applied together at sowing. At 60 days of maize cultivation; physiological parameters, biomass, P and Si concentration and uptake, and soil P fractionation were evaluated. Results The results demonstrated that Si applied 30 days before sowing + P at sowing, or P + Si applied together at sowing, increased available P in soil. The P + Si combination, regardless of the application timing, did not increase P concentration and uptake in maize plants. Conclusion The application of Si before P, or the joint application of P and Si, can be an alternative to increase available P levels in tropical soil, however, no influence of the timing of P and Si application was observed on maize growth.

A machine learning–based record linkage approach was developed within the TRAUMA project to support the integration of Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) information systems.

p53 is, without a doubt, one of the most powerful genes in our genome, as it makes growth vs arrest, repair vs replacement, catabolism vs anabolism, life vs death decisions in the cell. An alteration or malfunction in p53 may lead to cancer, degeneration or premature ageing. So, it is not surprising that p53 is also one of the most complex and tightly regulated genes, encoding for at least 10 RNA variants and 12 widely accepted protein forms. Here we identify one new p53 protein isoform of approximately 18 kDa that we termed Δ246p53. Δ246p53 is translated from an alternative translation initiation site (TIS) at codon 246. TIS-246 is preceded by a strong Kozak sequence and appears conserved in vertebrates, from sea lamprey to humans. Δ246p53’s origin and expression in cells were confirmed by frameshift and start codon mutations; five different antibodies against epitopes spanning its N- to C-terminus, as well as an antibody against the DNA-binding domain region just upstream of its initiator methionine, which served as a negative control; and siRNAs and an antisense oligo targeting TIS-246, which knocked down Δ246p53 with little or no effect on full-length (FL) p53 protein levels. Δ246p53 was induced by DNA damage and triggered senescence and impaired tumour formation/growth in colony formation assays. Mechanistically, Δ246p53 interacted with FLp53, leading to a decrease in the expression of downstream target genes HDM2 and p21. Concurrently, it also interacted with ΔNp63, leading to p53-independent p63-mediated activation of p21, a known senescence activator. Our results unveil a new naturally occurring and tightly controlled factor with specific functions in p21 regulation and senescence. Future studies on Δ246p53 are likely to help us better understand and control the processes of tumour suppression and ageing.

Abstract Background Adherence to chloroquine–primaquine treatment is essential for preventing Plasmodium vivax recurrence, but the

Background Although SARS-CoV-2 infection is primarily associated with respiratory symptoms, neurological complications have been increasingly recognized, even in the absence of pulmonary involvement. Case presentation We report a case of a 67-year-old woman with a history of multiple myeloma and recent exposure to a COVID-19-positive individual who developed rapidly progressive neurological symptoms, including dysarthria, dysphagia, and hypoesthesia, without any respiratory manifestations. Her condition deteriorated to focal and dyscognitive status epilepticus, requiring mechanical ventilation. Brain MRI showed imaging features consistent with rhombencephalitis. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed through positive qRT-PCR results from both nasopharyngeal swab and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Further analysis of the CSF using quantitative shotgun proteomics via mass spectrometry revealed a neuroinflammatory profile indicative of blood–brain barrier disruption and differential expression of several proteins relevant to brain function, including the major prion protein, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1), and other aggregation-prone proteins. Conclusions This case supports the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 can invade the central nervous system and cause severe neurological impairment, even in the absence of typical respiratory symptoms. The findings underscore the importance of considering SARS-CoV-2 in the differential diagnosis of rapidly progressive neurological syndromes and highlight the need for further investigation into the mechanisms of neuroinvasion and the potential neurotropism of emerging viral variants.

Ensuring food production in the face of increasing water scarcity is one of the main challenges for sustainable agriculture worldwide.

Corneal diseases are among the leading causes of blindness, and transplantation may be the only treatment option.

The pulse irrigation presents itself as a strategy capable of contributing to the efficient management of water and nitrogen, resulting in the optimization of agricultural cultivation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the application of nitrogen doses, applied via pulse and continuous fertigation, on gas exchange in sugarcane crops. For this, a field experiment was set up at the Carpina Sugarcane Experimental Station (EECAC) in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks, in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme, with five nitrogen doses (80, 120, 160, 240 and 320 kg ha− 1) and two types of irrigation application (pulse and continuous), with four replicates. At 240 and 300 DAH, gas exchange evaluations were performed. Pulse irrigation combined with an estimated N dose of 189.4 kg ha− 1, determined through regression analysis, promoted higher net photosynthesis in sugarcane. Applying nitrogen doses higher than 168.4 kg ha− 1 reduced carboxylation efficiency and water use, indicating a physiological limit for the nutrient. Pulse irrigation improved net photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, instantaneous water use efficiency, intrinsic water use efficiency and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, highlighting the potential of integrated management of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization in the physiological performance of the crop.