Dataset Information

Microscopic Characterization of the Brazilian Giant Samba Virus.

ABSTRACT: Prior to the discovery of the mimivirus in 2003, viruses were thought to be physically small and genetically simple. Mimivirus, with its ~750-nm particle size and its ~1.2-Mbp genome, shattered these notions and changed what it meant to be a virus. Since this discovery, the isolation and characterization of giant viruses has exploded. One of the more recently discovered giant viruses, Samba virus, is a Mimivirus that was isolated from the Rio Negro in the Brazilian Amazon. Initial characterization of Samba has revealed some structural information, although the preparation techniques used are prone to the generation of structural artifacts. To generate more native-like structural information for Samba, we analyzed the virus through cryo-electron microscopy, cryo-electron tomography, scanning electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. These microscopy techniques demonstrated that Samba particles have a capsid diameter of ~527 nm and a fiber length of ~155 nm, making Samba the largest Mimivirus yet characterized. We also compared Samba to a fiberless mimivirus variant. Samba particles, unlike those of mimivirus, do not appear to be rigid, and quasi-icosahedral, although the two viruses share many common features, including a multi-layered capsid and an asymmetric nucleocapsid, which may be common amongst the Mimiviruses.

SUBMITTER: Schrad JR

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5332949 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Microscopic Characterization of the Brazilian Giant Samba Virus.

Schrad Jason R JR Young Eric J EJ Abrahão Jônatas S JS Cortines Juliana R JR Parent Kristin N KN

Viruses 20170214 2

Prior to the discovery of the mimivirus in 2003, viruses were thought to be physically small and genetically simple. Mimivirus, with its ~750-nm particle size and its ~1.2-Mbp genome, shattered these notions and changed what it meant to be a virus. Since this discovery, the isolation and characterization of giant viruses has exploded. One of the more recently discovered giant viruses, Samba virus, is a <i>Mimivirus</i> that was isolated from the Rio Negro in the Brazilian Amazon. Initial charact ...[more]

PMID: 28216551

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Project description:BackgroundIn the 10 most populated countries in the world, Parkinson's disease (PD) affects more than 5 million individuals. Despite optimal treatment options already developed for the disease, concomitant involvement of other areas of health care plays an important role in complementing the treatment. From this perspective, dancing can be viewed as a non-drug alternative that can reduce falls by improving some motor skills, such as mobility, balance, gait, and posture, and can also improve the overall quality of life. Brazilian samba promotes improvement in motor and non-motor symptoms in individuals with PD, providing a new treatment option for this population.ObjectiveThe main objective of this quasi-experimental study is to provide a 12-week samba protocol (2x/week) for individuals with PD and to compare its effects with the group without intervention. The hypothesis is that the Brazilian samba protocol will promote improvement in primary (motor) and secondary (non-motor) outcomes in individuals with PD.MethodsThe sample will be selected at random from individuals diagnosed with PD in the city of Florianopolis (SC, Brazil). Sample size calculation was performed with the G*Power 3.1.9.2 software, with 0.447 effect size, at 5% significance level, power of 0.9, and test and sample loss of 20%. This yielded 60 individuals divided between the intervention and control groups. The questionnaires will be filled out before and after the dance intervention. The data collection for the control group will be held simultaneously to the intervention group. The classes will last for 1 hour, twice a week in the evening for 12 weeks, and all classes will be divided into warm-up, main part, and relaxation. Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures and Sidak post-hoc comparison test will be used for a comparative analysis of the final results of the control group with the experimental group and of the within-group changes between pre- and postintervention period.ResultsWe expect to complete follow-up in September 2017.ConclusionsThe major inspiration for this study was to encourage the creation of new rehabilitation programs that do not emphasize doctor involvement. This is a unique protocol for PD and we believe it can be an important tool to alleviate the motor and non-motor symptoms of individuals with PD. Dance is a simple activity depending on little equipment and few financial resources, facilitating its implementation and improving the cost-benefit relationship. In addition, activities that have a cultural aspect for the population in question, and which are pleasant, enable the participants to commit long term. This can enhance patient's compliance with the therapy, which is often a problem for many rehabilitation programs.

Project description:Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer among men and the second among women in Brazil. Despite the high incidence and significance of CRC in Brazil, very little is known about its prevalence among the asymptomatic population. Recently, a CRC screening program was implemented at the Cancer Hospital of Barretos. Characterization of the clinical findings detected in the screening population and the prevalence of basal CRC might contribute to better organization of the program and define the best strategy for a future national screening program. We hypothesize that recruitment and the early outcomes of our screening program based on the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) will differ from the outcomes corresponding to other populations due to sociodemographic differences. Aims: i. To implement a data collection and storage system for follow-up of the screening program participants and to measure early outcomes (adenoma, advanced adenoma and cancer) and associate them with sociodemographic risk factors; ii. to quantify the risk of CRC in the Brazilian population and to develop algorithms for risk stratification of CRC screening; and iii. to compare the risk stratification to other countries with low, medium and high incomes. Methods: Individuals aged 50 to 65 years will be included in the HCB screening program from November 2017 to December 2018. The following data will be collected from all participants: sociodemographic and ethnic (skin color) characteristics; risk factors for CRC, such as smoking and drinking; comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension; and FIT, colonoscopy and histopathology examination results. Data collection will be performed using the REDCap data collection/database system. The risk score will be formulated using the Chi-square test (or Fisher’s exact test) and simple logistic regression, and the regression coefficients will be calculated. Then, the model identified for the training sample will be replicated with a validation sample. The resulting score will be used to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy, area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Kolmogorov D statistic.

Dataset Information

Microscopic Characterization of the Brazilian Giant Samba Virus.

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Microscopic Characterization of the Brazilian Giant Samba Virus.

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