Targeting TOR and SnRK1 Genes in Rice with CRISPR/Cas9.

Genome targeting with CRISPR/Cas9 is a popular method for introducing mutations and creating knock-out effects. However, limited information is currently available on the mutagenesis of essential genes. This study investigated the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 in targeting rice essential genes: the singleton TARGET OF RAPAMYCIN (OsTOR) and the three paralogs of the Sucrose non-fermenting-1 (SNF1)-related kinase 1 (OsSnRK1α), OsSnRK1αA, OsSnRK1αB and OsSnRK1αC.

[Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) in the neighborhood of a feline case: a study about the transmission].

Dirofilaria immitis preferably infects canids and can, in lower frequency, be found in cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758). The parasite may be transmitted by various Culicidae species. Motivated by an autochtone feline heartworm case diagnosed in the region of Engenho Novo - RJ (S 22 degrees 90' e WO 43 degrees 27'), the following issues were surveyed: 1) the local Culicidae fauna and; 2) the ocurrence of microfilaremic dogs.

Serum homocysteine: interplay with other circulating and genetic factors in association to Alzheimer's type dementia.

Objectives: To study the interplay between serum concentrations of homocysteine, steroid hormones and vitamins B and mutations in 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, in association to Alzheimer's type dementia (ATD).

Design And Methods: Case-control study including 19 individuals diagnosed with ATD and 36 healthy controls. Serum concentrations of the analytes were determined and MTHFR 1298A-->C mutation was screened by PCR-RFLP.

Serum homocysteine: relationship with circulating levels of cortisol and ascorbate.

Background/aim: High serum levels of homocysteine and cortisol are independent risk factors for several pathologies and their levels can be regulated by some vitamins. Since the relationship between serum concentrations of homocysteine, cortisol and ascorbate has not been assessed in healthy individuals to date, it was the topic of the present work.

Methods: The study group was composed of 20 men and 40 women aged >50 years.

Follow-up of the health conditions of an urban colony of free-roaming cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Similar to other urban areas where food and shelter are abundant, the zoological garden of Rio de Janeiro has dealt for years with a colony of feral or semi-feral domestic cats. A survey was conducted during 2002-2004 as a follow-up to a previous study in 2001 of the cat colony to identify pathogens circulating among the population and to annually follow the status of the cats to analyze morbidity coefficients and associations among infections and infestations identified in the colony. During the 3 years of the present study, 75 cats were sampled at least once, including 44 that were caught and examined only once, 14 that were examined twice, and 17 that were examined three times.

Use of cyanoacrylate in skin closure for ovariohysterectomy in a population control programme.

N-butyl-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive was evaluated as a skin closure material in a population control programme. Fifty-two female cats underwent ovariohysterectomy: skin closure of 25 of those cats was undertaken with nylon (3-0) and in 27 with the adhesive. Twenty-three cats spent the postoperative period confined in cages and 29 were free within a 50-square-metre fenced area.

Sanitary conditions of a colony of urban feral cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) in a zoological garden of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The colony of urban stray cats living in the Rio de Janeiro zoological garden was studied in order to develop a population and health control program. As many cats as possible were captured during two months (47 animals) and were classified according to gender, age, weight and coat markings. They were submitted to a general health evaluation, examined for the presence of ectoparasites and sent to a surgical neutering program.

[Alcohol drinking-related disorders in 1901 patients treated at Taubaté's Municipal Emergency room in 2000: a contribution to sociocentric education in neurology].

Medical education must focus prevalent themes in communities; alcohol consumption is one of these themes. Our objective was to determine the frequency of the alcohol consumption related disorders and verify if a patient had more than one disease diagnosed, contributing to sociocentric education. It was a transversal retrospective study made by collection of medical records that had any reference to alcohol in a emergency room in 2000 (1901 cases).