DNA sequence and local chromatin landscape act jointly to determine transcription factor (TF) binding intensity profiles. To disentangle these influences, we developed an experimental approach, called protein/DNA binding followed by high-throughput sequencing (PB–seq), that allows the binding energy landscape to be characterized genome-wide in the absence of chromatin. We applied our methods to the Drosophila Heat Shock Factor (HSF), which inducibly binds a target DNA sequence element (HSE) following heat shock stress. PB–seq involves incubating sheared naked genomic DNA with recombinant HSF, partitioning the HSF–bound and HSF–free DNA, and then detecting HSF–bound DNA by high-throughput sequencing. We compared PB–seq binding profiles with ones observed in vivo by ChIP–seq and developed statistical models to predict the observed departures from idealized binding patterns based on covariates describing the local chromatin environment. We found that DNase I hypersensitivity and tetra-acetylation of H4 were the most influential covariates in predicting changes in HSF binding affinity. We also investigated the extent to which DNA accessibility, as measured by digital DNase I footprinting data, could be predicted from MNase–seq data and the ChIP–chip profiles for many histone modifications and TFs, and found GAGA element associated factor (GAF), tetra-acetylation of H4, and H4K16 acetylation to be the most predictive covariates. Lastly, we generated an unbiased model of HSF binding sequences, which revealed distinct biophysical properties of the HSF/HSE interaction and a previously unrecognized substructure within the HSE. These findings provide new insights into the interplay between the genomic sequence and the chromatin landscape in determining transcription factor binding intensity. Transcription factors (TFs) bind DNA to modulate levels of gene expression. TF binding sites change throughout development, in response to environmental stimuli, and different tissues have distinct TF binding profiles. The mechanism by which TFs discriminate between binding sites in a context dependent manner is an area of active research, but it is clear that the chromatin environment in which potential binding sites reside strongly influences binding. This study used the Heat Shock TF (HSF) to study the effect chromatin has upon induced HSF binding. We implemented an experimental technique to quantify all potential HSF binding sites in the genome. These data were incorporated into a modeling framework along with chromatin landscape information prior to HSF binding to accurately predict the intensities of inducible HSF binding sites. DNase I hypersensitivity and tetra-acetylation of H4 were the most influential covariates in the model. The binding data enabled the development of a more complete HSF/DNA interaction model, providing insight into the biophysical interaction of HSF trimer subunits and target DNA pentamers.

O objetivo deste artigo é descrever a concordância entre imagem corporal (IC) e estado nutricional (EN) e verificar a associação de IC e de EN com comportamentos relacionados ao peso corporal (CRPC) entre adolescentes brasileiros. Estudou-se, em 2009, amostra representativa de alunos do 9º ano do ensino fundamental de escolas públicas e privadas das 26 capitais brasileiras e do Distrito Federal. Utilizou-se questionário autoaplicável sobre IC, CRPC e dados sociodemográficos e foram aferidos peso e altura. Utilizou-se o teste Kappa ponderado (KP) para exame da concordância entre EN e IC. Análises de regressão logística foram realizadas para exame da associação entre as variáveis. Do total de adolescentes, 24% apresentavam excesso de peso (EP), quase 2/3 deles tinham alguma atitude para controlar o peso e 7% realizavam práticas extremas para redução do peso (PECP). Foi baixa a concordância entre EN e IC (KP=0,33). Quase metade dos alunos com EP considerava-se com peso adequado e 27%, magros. Maior proporção de adolescentes com EP fazia uso de PECP, quando comparados àqueles de peso adequado e baixo peso. O mesmo foi observado em relação à IC. Conclusão: foi baixa a concordância entre EN e IC. Atitudes de controle de peso e PECP foram frequentes mesmo entre indivíduos com EN adequado.

Redescription and biology of Gonatopus amazonicus Olmi (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae) from Southern Brazil

The first record of the genus Deinodryinus Perkins and the description of a new species Deinodryinus noronhensis sp. nov. from oceanic archipelago of Fernando de Noronha (Brazil) are performed. Additionally, an illustration of the new species and a modified key are presented together with a discussion on the Deinodryinus records for the northeastern region of Brazil.

The genus Pareucamptonyx Olmi, 1991 is endemic to the New World and comprises three described species, two from the Neotropical region and one from the Nearctic. Here is presented the first revision of species of Pareucamptonyx from the Neotropical region, including four new species described from Brazil: P. albopictus Martins sp. nov., P. kumagaiae Martins sp. nov., P. niger Martins sp. nov. and P. paranaensis Martins sp. nov. Detailed illustrations, distribution map, and key to females are provided, as well as a revised diagnosis of the genus and notes about the method of collection. Additionally, new distribution records for P. townesi (Olmi, 1984) are reported.

Interactions between dryinids and their hosts are poorly known in the Neotropical region, especially for the Brazilian fauna. This study aims to expand this incipient knowledge by describing a new species of Anteon Jurine and four new species of Gonatopus Ljungh reared from parasitized leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) collected in the state of Paraná, Southern Brazil. The new species, A. elianeae sp. nov., G. josei sp. nov., G. meloi sp. nov., G. pinhalensis sp. nov. and G. taquarensis sp. nov., are associated with leafhopper species of the subfamilies Iassinae (tribe Gyponini) and Deltocephalinae (tribes Deltocephalini and Pendarini). Both sexes of G. josei sp. nov. and G. taquarensis sp. nov. were associated and males are described, representing the first sexual association based on reared specimens from Brazil. We record for the first time species of Dryinidae parasitizing the leafhoppers species: Curtara concava, Gypona lita and Reticana lineatta (Gyponini), Graminella striatella (Deltocephalini) and Copidinomus vittulatus (Pendarini). All known records in the Neotropic of both Anteon and Gonatupus species associated with host are compiled, all known records of parasitoids of gyponines are reviewed, and the interactions with dryinids are discussed. Each new species is diagnosed and described, and illustrations of both dryinids and parasitized hosts are provided.