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Pratas MI, Aguiar B, Vieira J, Nunes V, Teixeira V, Fonseca NA, Iezzoni A, van Nocker S, Vieira CP. Inferences on specificity recognition at the Malus×domestica gametophytic self-incompatibility system. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1717. [PMID: 29379047 PMCID: PMC5788982 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19820-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In Malus × domestica (Rosaceae) the product of each SFBB gene (the pollen component of the gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI) system) of a S-haplotype (the combination of pistil and pollen genes that are linked) interacts with a sub-set of non-self S-RNases (the pistil component), but not with the self S-RNase. To understand how the Malus GSI system works, we identified 24 SFBB genes expressed in anthers, and determined their gene sequence in nine M. domestica cultivars. Expression of these SFBBs was not detected in the petal, sepal, filament, receptacle, style, stigma, ovary or young leaf. For all SFBBs (except SFBB15), identical sequences were obtained only in cultivars having the same S-RNase. Linkage with a particular S-RNase was further established using the progeny of three crosses. Such data is needed to understand how other genes not involved in GSI are affected by the S-locus region. To classify SFBBs specificity, the amino acids under positive selection obtained when performing intra-haplotypic analyses were used. Using this information and the previously identified S-RNase positively selected amino acid sites, inferences are made on the S-RNase amino acid properties (hydrophobicity, aromatic, aliphatic, polarity, and size), at these positions, that are critical features for GSI specificity determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria I Pratas
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Bruno Aguiar
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Vieira
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vanessa Nunes
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vanessa Teixeira
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno A Fonseca
- European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI,) Welcome Trust Genome Campus, CB10 1SD, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Iezzoni
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1325, USA
| | | | - Cristina P Vieira
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal. .,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.
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Nuernberg GL, Aguiar B, Bristot G, Fleck MP, Rocha NS. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor increase during treatment in severe mental illness inpatients. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e985. [PMID: 27959329 PMCID: PMC5290335 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Meta-analytical evidence suggests that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is altered in various psychiatric disorders. However, meta-analyses may be hampered by the heterogeneity of BDNF assays, lack of BDNF standard values and heterogeneity among the populations included in the studies. To address these issues, our study aimed to test, in a 'true-to-life' setting, the hypothesis that the serum BDNF level is nonspecifically reduced in acute severe mental illness (SMI) patients and increases during inpatient treatment. Consecutive samples of 236 inpatients with SMI and 100 healthy controls were recruited. SMI includes schizophrenia and severe mood disorders, and is characterized in the sample by the presence of at least 2 years of psychiatric treatment and disability. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze BDNF serum levels at admission and upon discharge controlled by confounding factors. BDNF levels increased significantly between admission and discharge in SMI patients. BDNF levels showed significant reductions compared with controls both at admission and upon discharge. In addition, BDNF levels showed no difference among SMI patient diagnostic subgroups (unipolar depression, bipolar depression, schizophrenia and manic episode). The increase but non-restoration of BDNF levels, even with the general acute improvement of clinical scores, may reflect the progression of the disorder characteristically seen in these patients. BDNF levels could be considered as a marker for the presence of a nonspecific psychiatric disorder and possibly a transdiagnostic and nonspecific marker of disease activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- G L Nuernberg
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences: Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil,Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences: Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenue Ramiro Barcellos, 2350, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 90035-903, Brazil. E-mail:
| | - B Aguiar
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - G Bristot
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - M P Fleck
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences: Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - N S Rocha
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences: Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Santos T, Aguiar B, Santos L, Romaozinho C, Tome R, Macario F, Alves R, Campos M, Mota A. Invasive Fungal Infections After Kidney Transplantation: A Single-center Experience. Transplant Proc 2016; 47:971-5. [PMID: 26036497 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2015.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Invasive fungal infections (IFI) affecting transplant recipients are associated with increased mortality and graft dysfunction. OBJECTIVE Describe the frequency, clinical features, and outcomes of IFI (except pneumocystis infection) in kidney transplant recipients. METHOD Single-center descriptive study including every kidney transplant recipient with a culture-proven or probable IFI between 2003 and 2013, according to the EORTC-MSG criteria. RESULTS We identified 45 IFI. There were 13 cases of invasive candidiasis (C. albicans: 6 and non-C. albicans candidial spp.: 7), 11 cases of pulmonary aspergillosis (A. fumigatus: 9 and A. flavus: 2); 11 cases of subcutaneous mycosis (Alternaria spp.: 9, Paecilomyces spp.: 1, and Pseudallescheria spp.: 1); 7 cases of cryptococcosis; 2 cases of pneumonia by non-Aspergillus molds (Mucor spp.: 1 and Cunninghamella spp.: 1); and 1 case of Geotrichum capitatum pneumonia. All patients were recipients from deceased donors. Six cases occurred in the first 3 months post-transplant, 15 cases between the third and twelfth months, and 21 cases after the twelfth month. Treatment options were fluconazole for Candida infections, voriconazole or caspofungin for aspergillosis, liposomal amphotericin for cryptococcosis, and itraconazole plus excision or cryotherapy for subcutaneous mycosis. Fifteen patients died (33%). Mortality rates were 15% for invasive candidiasis, 45% for aspergillosis, 71% for cryptococcosis, 100% for non-Aspergillus molds and G. capitatum pneumonia, and 0% for subcutaneous mycosis. Six patients who survived (14%) started regular hemodialysis. CONCLUSION IFI still have a high mortality and morbidity in kidney transplant recipients, as verified in this report. We reinforce the need for a high index of suspicion and prompt treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Santos
- Kidney Transplant Unit, Urology and Kidney Transplant Department, Coimbra University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - B Aguiar
- Kidney Transplant Unit, Urology and Kidney Transplant Department, Coimbra University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - L Santos
- Kidney Transplant Unit, Urology and Kidney Transplant Department, Coimbra University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - C Romaozinho
- Kidney Transplant Unit, Urology and Kidney Transplant Department, Coimbra University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - R Tome
- Clinical Pathology Department, Coimbra University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - F Macario
- Kidney Transplant Unit, Urology and Kidney Transplant Department, Coimbra University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - R Alves
- Kidney Transplant Unit, Urology and Kidney Transplant Department, Coimbra University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M Campos
- Nephrology Department, Coimbra University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A Mota
- Kidney Transplant Unit, Urology and Kidney Transplant Department, Coimbra University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal
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Aguiar B, Santos JC, Vieira DN. Mental health and its relationship on avoidable mortality among Portuguese prison inmates, 2004–2013. Eur J Public Health 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckv170.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Vermeulen J, Willard S, Aguiar B, De Witte LP. Validity of a Smartphone-Based Fall Detection Application on Different Phones Worn on a Belt or in a Trouser Pocket. Assist Technol 2015; 27:18-23. [PMID: 26132221 DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2014.949015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a smartphone-based fall detection application when different smartphone models are worn on a belt or in a trouser pocket. Eight healthy adults aged between 18 and 24 years old simulated 10 different types of true falls, 5 different types of falls with recovery, and 11 daily activities, five consecutive times. Participants wore one smartphone in a pocket that was attached to their belt and another one in their trouser pocket. All smartphones were equipped with a built-in accelerometer and the fall detection application. Four participants tested the application on a Samsung S3 and four tested the application on a Samsung S3 mini. Sensitivity scores were .75 (Samsung S3 belt), .88 (Samsung S3 mini trouser pocket), and .90 (Samsung S3 mini belt/Samsung S3 trouser pocket). Specificity scores were .87 (Samsung S3 trouser pocket), .91 (Samsung S3 mini trouser pocket), .97 (Samsung S3 belt), and .99 (Samsung S3 mini belt). These results suggest that an application on a smartphone can generate valid fall alarms when worn on a belt or in a trouser pocket. However, sensitivity should be improved before implementation of the application in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Vermeulen
- a School for Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI) , Maastricht University, Department of Health Services Research , Maastricht , The Netherlands
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Aguiar B, Vieira J, Cunha AE, Vieira CP. No evidence for Fabaceae Gametophytic self-incompatibility being determined by Rosaceae, Solanaceae, and Plantaginaceae S-RNase lineage genes. BMC Plant Biol 2015; 15:129. [PMID: 26032621 PMCID: PMC4451870 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-015-0497-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fabaceae species are important in agronomy and livestock nourishment. They have a long breeding history, and most cultivars have lost self-incompatibility (SI), a genetic barrier to self-fertilization. Nevertheless, to improve legume crop breeding, crosses with wild SI relatives of the cultivated varieties are often performed. Therefore, it is fundamental to characterize Fabaceae SI system(s). We address the hypothesis of Fabaceae gametophytic (G)SI being RNase based, by recruiting the same S-RNase lineage gene of Rosaceae, Solanaceae or Plantaginaceae SI species. RESULTS We first identify SSK1 like genes (described only in species having RNase based GSI), in the Trifolium pratense, Medicago truncatula, Cicer arietinum, Glycine max, and Lupinus angustifolius genomes. Then, we characterize the S-lineage T2-RNase genes in these genomes. In T. pratense, M. truncatula, and C. arietinum we identify S-RNase lineage genes that in phylogenetic analyses cluster with Pyrinae S-RNases. In M. truncatula and C. arietinum genomes, where large scaffolds are available, these sequences are surrounded by F-box genes that in phylogenetic analyses also cluster with S-pollen genes. In T. pratense the S-RNase lineage genes show, however, expression in tissues not involved in GSI. Moreover, levels of diversity are lower than those observed for other S-RNase genes. The M. truncatula and C. arietinum S-RNase and S-pollen like genes phylogenetically related to Pyrinae S-genes, are also expressed in tissues other than those involved in GSI. To address if other T2-RNases could be determining Fabaceae GSI, here we obtained a style with stigma transcriptome of Cytisus striatus, a species that shows significant difference on the percentage of pollen growth in self and cross-pollinations. Expression and polymorphism analyses of the C. striatus S-RNase like genes revealed that none of these genes, is the S-pistil gene. CONCLUSION We find no evidence for Fabaceae GSI being determined by Rosaceae, Solanaceae, and Plantaginaceae S-RNase lineage genes. There is no evidence that T2-RNase lineage genes could be determining GSI in C. striatus. Therefore, to characterize the Fabaceae S-pistil gene(s), expression analyses, levels of diversity, and segregation analyses in controlled crosses are needed for those genes showing high expression levels in the tissues where GSI occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Aguiar
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 245, Porto, Portugal.
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 823, Porto, 4150-180, Portugal.
| | - Jorge Vieira
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 245, Porto, Portugal.
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 823, Porto, 4150-180, Portugal.
| | - Ana E Cunha
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 245, Porto, Portugal.
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 823, Porto, 4150-180, Portugal.
| | - Cristina P Vieira
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 245, Porto, Portugal.
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 823, Porto, 4150-180, Portugal.
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Aguiar B, Vieira J, Cunha AE, Fonseca NA, Iezzoni A, van Nocker S, Vieira CP. Convergent evolution at the gametophytic self-incompatibility system in Malus and Prunus. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126138. [PMID: 25993016 PMCID: PMC4438004 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
S-RNase-based gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI) has evolved once before the split of the Asteridae and Rosidae. This conclusion is based on the phylogenetic history of the S-RNase that determines pistil specificity. In Rosaceae, molecular characterizations of Prunus species, and species from the tribe Pyreae (i.e., Malus, Pyrus, Sorbus) revealed different numbers of genes determining S-pollen specificity. In Prunus only one pistil and pollen gene determine GSI, while in Pyreae there is one pistil but multiple pollen genes, implying different specificity recognition mechanisms. It is thus conceivable that within Rosaceae the genes involved in GSI in the two lineages are not orthologous but possibly paralogous. To address this hypothesis we characterised the S-RNase lineage and S-pollen lineage genes present in the genomes of five Rosaceae species from three genera: M. × domestica (apple, self-incompatible (SI); tribe Pyreae), P. persica (peach, self-compatible (SC); Amygdaleae), P. mume (mei, SI; Amygdaleae), Fragaria vesca (strawberry, SC; Potentilleae), and F. nipponica (mori-ichigo, SI; Potentilleae). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the Malus and Prunus S-RNase and S-pollen genes belong to distinct gene lineages, and that only Prunus S-RNase and SFB-lineage genes are present in Fragaria. Thus, S-RNase based GSI system of Malus evolved independently from the ancestral system of Rosaceae. Using expression patterns based on RNA-seq data, the ancestral S-RNase lineage gene is inferred to be expressed in pistils only, while the ancestral S-pollen lineage gene is inferred to be expressed in tissues other than pollen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Aguiar
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Vieira
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana E. Cunha
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno A. Fonseca
- CRACS-INESC Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 1021/1055, 4169–007, Porto, Portugal
- European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Welcome Trust Genome Campus, CB10 1SD, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Iezzoni
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Steve van Nocker
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Cristina P. Vieira
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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Aguiar B, Santos Amorim T, Romãozinho C, Santos L, Macário F, Alves R, Campos M, Mota A. Malignancy in Kidney Transplantation: A 25-Year Single-center Experience in Portugal. Transplant Proc 2015; 47:976-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2015.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Dias P, Aguiar B, Sousa F, Sousa A. Smartphone serious games for vision and hearing assessment. Stud Health Technol Inform 2015; 211:160-165. [PMID: 25980863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Falls are the second leading cause of accidental injury deaths worldwide. In this paper, it is intended to define methodologies that permit the evaluation of two potential factors which might have an impact on fall risk, these are: visual and hearing loss. The aim of the work developed is not to replace clinic visits, but to offer the user the means to continue the tracking of his vision and hearing at home, during the long time intervals between clinical tests. Tests conducted in a sample of our target users indicate a good ability to measure vision and hearing using an android smartphone and the proposed methodologies. While some tests require further validation, promising results were achieved in the most common tests for vision and hearing, presenting a good correlation between the system's results when compared to the traditional tests (for distance visual acuity) and the data gathered from the users (for hearing tests).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Dias
- Fraunhofer Portugal - AICOS, Porto, Portugal
| | | | | | - Augusto Sousa
- Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Portugal
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Conceição C, Mateus S, Tomé S, Fernandes L, Aguiar B, Brogueira P, Lynce A, Lufinha A, Campos L. Cardiac arrest in the pre-hospital setting – what changed after 2010? Resuscitation 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2014.03.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Conceição C, Mateus S, Fernandes L, Tomé S, Aguiar B, Brogueira P, Lynce A, Lufinha A, Campos L. Cardiac arrest in pre-hospital care setting – 10 years of experience. Resuscitation 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2014.03.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Araújo AR, Reis M, Rocha H, Aguiar B, Morales-Hojas R, Macedo-Ribeiro S, Fonseca NA, Reboiro-Jato D, Reboiro-Jato M, Fdez-Riverola F, Vieira CP, Vieira J. The Drosophila melanogaster methuselah gene: a novel gene with ancient functions. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63747. [PMID: 23696853 PMCID: PMC3655951 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 04/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The Drosophila melanogaster G protein-coupled receptor gene, methuselah (mth), has been described as a novel gene that is less than 10 million years old. Nevertheless, it shows a highly specific expression pattern in embryos, larvae, and adults, and has been implicated in larval development, stress resistance, and in the setting of adult lifespan, among others. Although mth belongs to a gene subfamily with 16 members in D. melanogaster, there is no evidence for functional redundancy in this subfamily. Therefore, it is surprising that a novel gene influences so many traits. Here, we explore the alternative hypothesis that mth is an old gene. Under this hypothesis, in species distantly related to D. melanogaster, there should be a gene with features similar to those of mth. By performing detailed phylogenetic, synteny, protein structure, and gene expression analyses we show that the D. virilis GJ12490 gene is the orthologous of mth in species distantly related to D. melanogaster. We also show that, in D. americana (a species of the virilis group of Drosophila), a common amino acid polymorphism at the GJ12490 orthologous gene is significantly associated with developmental time, size, and lifespan differences. Our results imply that GJ12490 orthologous genes are candidates for developmental time and lifespan differences in Drosophila in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Araújo
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Micael Reis
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Helder Rocha
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Bruno Aguiar
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ramiro Morales-Hojas
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Macedo-Ribeiro
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno A. Fonseca
- Center of Research in Advanced Computing Systems (CRACS-INESC Porto), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Cristina P. Vieira
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Vieira
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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Aguiar B, Vieira J, Cunha AE, Fonseca NA, Reboiro-Jato D, Reboiro-Jato M, Fdez-Riverola F, Raspé O, Vieira CP. Patterns of evolution at the gametophytic self-incompatibility Sorbus aucuparia (Pyrinae) S pollen genes support the non-self recognition by multiple factors model. J Exp Bot 2013; 64:2423-34. [PMID: 23606363 PMCID: PMC3654429 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/ert098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
S-RNase-based gametophytic self-incompatibility evolved once before the split of the Asteridae and Rosidae. In Prunus (tribe Amygdaloideae of Rosaceae), the self-incompatibility S-pollen is a single F-box gene that presents the expected evolutionary signatures. In Malus and Pyrus (subtribe Pyrinae of Rosaceae), however, clusters of F-box genes (called SFBBs) have been described that are expressed in pollen only and are linked to the S-RNase gene. Although polymorphic, SFBB genes present levels of diversity lower than those of the S-RNase gene. They have been suggested as putative S-pollen genes, in a system of non-self recognition by multiple factors. Subsets of allelic products of the different SFBB genes interact with non-self S-RNases, marking them for degradation, and allowing compatible pollinations. This study performed a detailed characterization of SFBB genes in Sorbus aucuparia (Pyrinae) to address three predictions of the non-self recognition by multiple factors model. As predicted, the number of SFBB genes was large to account for the many S-RNase specificities. Secondly, like the S-RNase gene, the SFBB genes were old. Thirdly, amino acids under positive selection-those that could be involved in specificity determination-were identified when intra-haplotype SFBB genes were analysed using codon models. Overall, the findings reported here support the non-self recognition by multiple factors model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Aguiar
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 823, 4150–180 Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Vieira
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 823, 4150–180 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana E. Cunha
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 823, 4150–180 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno A. Fonseca
- CRACS-INESC Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 1021/1055, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - David Reboiro-Jato
- Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Informática, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario As Lagoas s/n, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain
| | - Miguel Reboiro-Jato
- Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Informática, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario As Lagoas s/n, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain
| | - Florentino Fdez-Riverola
- Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Informática, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario As Lagoas s/n, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain
| | - Olivier Raspé
- National Botanic Garden of Belgium, Domein van Bouchout, B-1860 Meise, Belgium
| | - Cristina P. Vieira
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 823, 4150–180 Porto, Portugal
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Reis M, Vieira CP, Morales-Hojas R, Aguiar B, Rocha H, Schlötterer C, Vieira J. A comparative study of the short term cold resistance response in distantly related Drosophila species: the role of regucalcin and frost. PLoS One 2011; 6:e25520. [PMID: 21991316 PMCID: PMC3184994 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2011] [Accepted: 09/05/2011] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular basis of short term cold resistance (indexed as chill-coma recovery time) has been mostly addressed in D. melanogaster, where candidate genes (Dca (also known as smp-30) and Frost (Fst)) have been identified. Nevertheless, in Drosophila, the ability to tolerate short term exposure to low temperatures evolved several times independently. Therefore, it is unclear whether variation in the same candidate genes is also responsible for short term cold resistance in distantly related Drosophila species. It should be noted that Dca is a candidate gene for cold resistance in the Sophophora subgenus only, since there is no orthologous gene copy in the Drosophila subgenus. Here we show that, in D. americana (Drosophila subgenus), there is a north-south gradient for a variant at the 5′ non-coding region of regucalcin (a Dca-like gene; in D. melanogaster the proteins encoded by the two genes share 71.9% amino acid identities) but in our D. americana F2 association experiment there is no association between this polymorphism and chill-coma recovery times. Moreover, we found no convincing evidence that this gene is up-regulated after cold shock in both D. americana and D. melanogaster. Size variation in the Fst PEST domain (putatively involved in rapid protein degradation) is observed when comparing distantly related Drosophila species, and is associated with short term cold resistance differences in D. americana. Nevertheless, this effect is likely through body size variation. Moreover, we show that, even at two hours after cold shock, when up-regulation of this gene is maximal in D. melanogaster (about 48 fold expression change), in D. americana this gene is only moderately up-regulated (about 3 fold expression change). Our work thus shows that there are important differences regarding the molecular basis of cold resistance in distantly related Drosophila species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micael Reis
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina P. Vieira
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ramiro Morales-Hojas
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Bruno Aguiar
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Hélder Rocha
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Jorge Vieira
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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