Rapid diagnostics is pivotal to curb SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and saliva has emerged as a practical alternative to naso/oropharyngeal (NOP) specimens. We aimed to develop a direct RT-LAMP (reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification) workflow for viral detection in saliva, and to provide more information regarding its potential in curbing COVID-19 transmission. Clinical and contrived specimens were used to optimize formulations and sample processing protocols.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), motor neurons die selectively. Therefore, initial symptoms that include fasciculation, spasticity, muscle atrophy, and weakness emerge following axons retraction and consequent muscles' denervation. Patients lose the ability to talk and swallow and rely on parenteral nutrition and assisted ventilation to survive.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEthylene is a phytohormone involved in the regulation of several aspects of plant development and in responses to biotic and abiotic stress. The effects of exogenous application of ethylene to sugarcane plants are well characterized as growth inhibition of immature internodes and stimulation of sucrose accumulation. However, the molecular network underlying the control of ethylene biosynthesis in sugarcane remains largely unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is one of the most common adult-onset motor neuron disease causing a progressive, rapid and irreversible degeneration of motor neurons in the cortex, brain stem and spinal cord. No effective treatment is available and cell therapy clinical trials are currently being tested in ALS affected patients. It is well known that in ALS patients, approximately 50% of pericytes from the spinal cord barrier are lost.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLimb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMD) are a heterogeneous group of genetically determined muscle disorders with a primary or predominant involvement of the pelvic or shoulder girdle musculature. More than 20 genes with autosomal recessive (LGMD2A to LGMD2Q) and autosomal dominant inheritance (LGMD1A to LGMD1H) have been mapped/identified to date. Mutations are known for six among the eight mapped autosomal dominant forms: LGMD1A (myotilin), LGMD1B (lamin A/C), LGMD1C (caveolin-3), LGMD1D (desmin), LGMD1E (DNAJB6), and more recently for LGMD1F (transportin-3).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The etiology of idiopathic scoliosis remains unknown and different factors have been suggested as causal. Hereditary factors can also determine the etiology of the disease; however, the pattern of inheritance remains unknown. Autosomal dominant, X-linked and multifactorial patterns of inheritances have been reported.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSPOAN is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder which was recently characterized by our group in a large inbred Brazilian family with 25 affected individuals. This condition is clinically defined by: 1. congenital optic atrophy; 2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground Information: Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a disease characterized by progressive and irreversible muscle degeneration for which there is no therapy. HUCB (human umbilical cord blood) has been considered as an important source of haematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells, each having been shown to differentiate into distinct cell types. However, it remains unclear if these cells are able to differentiate into muscle cells.
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