Um coeficiente de correlação cofenética para o método de Tocher

The objective of this work was to propose a way of using the Tocher’s method of clustering to obtain a matrix similar to the cophenetic one obtained for hierarchical methods, which would allow the calculation of a cophenetic correlation. To illustrate the obtention of the proposed cophenetic matrix, we used two dissimilarity matrices – one obtained with the generalized quadratic Mahalanobis distance and the other with the Euclidean distance – between 17 garlic cultivars, based on six morphological characters. Basically, the proposal for obtaining the cophenetic matrix was to use the average distances within and between clusters, after performing the clustering. A function in R language was proposed to compute the cophenetic matrix for Tocher’s method. The empirical distribution of this correlation coefficient was briefly studied. For both dissimilarity measures, the values of cophenetic correlation obtained for the Tocher’s method were higher than those obtained with the hierarchical methods (Ward’s algorithm and average linkage – UPGMA). Comparisons between the clustering made with the agglomerative hierarchical methods and with the Tocher’s method can be performed using a criterion in common: the correlation between matrices of original and cophenetic distances.O objetivo deste trabalho foi propor uma forma de uso do método de Tocher para obtenção de uma matriz análoga à matriz cofenética obtida para métodos hierárquicos, o que permitiria o cálculo de uma correlação cofenética. Para ilustrar a obtenção da matriz cofenética proposta, foram utilizadas duas matrizes de dissimilaridade – uma obtida com a distância quadrada generalizada de Mahalanobis e outra com a distância euclidiana – entre dezessete cultivares de alho, com base em seis caracteres morfológicos. Basicamente, a proposta para obtenção da matriz cofenética foi a de usar, após a realização do agrupamento, as distâncias médias intra e intergrupos. Uma função em linguagem R foi proposta para computar a matriz cofenética para o método de Tocher. A distribuição empírica desse coeficiente de correlação foi estudada de forma sucinta. Para as duas medidas de dissimilaridade, os valores do coeficiente de correlação cofenética obtidos para o método de Tocher foram superiores aos obtidos com os métodos hierárquicos (algoritmo de Ward e ligação média – UPGMA). Comparações entre agrupamentos feitos com os métodos hierárquicos aglomerativos e com o método de Tocher podem ser realizadas com o uso de um critério em comum: o da correlação entre matrizes de distâncias cofenéticas e originais

Does staged closure have a worse prognosis in gastroschisis?

INTRODUCTION: Correction of gastroschisis can be accomplished by primary or staged closure. There is, however, no consensus regarding the best approach or criteria to favor one method over the other has been established. OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of primary and staged closure in newborns with gastroschisis using intravesical pressure (IVP) as the decision criterion. PATIENTS & METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 45 newborns with gastroschisis. An IVP with a threshold of 20 cm H2O was used to indicate primary or staged closure, and the outcomes between the two methods were compared. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Newborns in whom primary closure was feasible were born at a lower gestational age. There was no significant difference in the frequency of complications, time to begin oral feeding, length of parenteral nutrition or length of hospital stay. Compared with previous reports, our data showed higher rates of prenatal diagnosis and cesarean delivery, a lower average birth weight, a higher rate of small gestational age babies and a more frequent association with intestinal atresia. Conversely, our data showed a lower rate of postoperative necrotizing enterocolitis and a lower average length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: No significant difference was observed in the outcome of newborns who underwent primary closure or staged closure of gastroschisis when using an IVP below 20 cm H2O as the criterion for primary closure

The distances covered by basketball referees in a match increase throughout the competition phases, with no change in physiological demand

It is crucial to know the demands on basketball referees, in different match periods (MPs) and phases of competition, for planning referee training and subsequent successful refereeing. To measure and evaluate the distance covered by referees in a match by measuring the number of interruptions, percentage of heart rate (%HR), and blood lactate concentration ([lac]) in different phases of competition and in different MPs. We studied the qualifying (QP), semifinal (SP), and final (FP) phases of a total of 12 matches (four matches in each phase) of the 2009-2010 Brazilian Basketball League. Distance covered, number of match interruptions, and referees' %HR and [lac] were analyzed. We compared the results between competition phases and between MPs (1st MP, 2nd MP, 3rd MP, and 4th MP). Regarding the distances covered, we observed significant differences (P < 0.05) in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd MPs between the FP and the other two phases (SP and QP) throughout the match, between each phase; in the 4th MP, a significant difference was found when comparing the QP and the other two phases. Comparing the periods within each phase, we found that a greater distance was covered in the 4th MP in relation to the 3rd MP during the FP. No significant differences were found among the remaining variables. The distances covered by referees in a basketball match increase throughout competition phases. This information is essential for planning of training and for the subsequent success of a referee.It is crucial to know the demands on basketball referees, in different match periods (MPs) and phases of competition, for planning referee training and subsequent successful refereeing. To measure and evaluate the distance covered by referees in a match by measuring the number of interruptions, percentage of heart rate (%HR), and blood lactate concentration ([lac]) in different phases of competition and in different MPs. We studied the qualifying (QP), semifinal (SP), and final (FP) phases of a total of 12 matches (four matches in each phase) of the 2009-2010 Brazilian Basketball League. Distance covered, number of match interruptions, and referees' %HR and [lac] were analyzed. We compared the results between competition phases and between MPs (1st MP, 2nd MP, 3rd MP, and 4th MP). Regarding the distances covered, we observed significant differences (P < 0.05) in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd MPs between the FP and the other two phases (SP and QP) throughout the match, between each phase; in the 4th MP, a significant difference was found when comparing the QP and the other two phases. Comparing the periods within each phase, we found that a greater distance was covered in the 4th MP in relation to the 3rd MP during the FP. No significant differences were found among the remaining variables. The distances covered by referees in a basketball match increase throughout competition phases. This information is essential for planning of training and for the subsequent success of a referee419319

Protective effect and expression of defense-related ESTs induced by acibenzolar-S-methyl and a phosphorylated mannan oligosaccharide-based product against Moniliophthora perniciosa in Theobroma cacao

Witches’ broom disease (WBD), caused by the fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa, is one of the main diseases in cocoa (Theobroma cacao) and has caused severe economic losses. Integrated disease management has been the focus for its control and therefore, the identification of new inducers of plant resistance is desirable. Thus, the goal of this work was to evaluate two potential inducers of resistance against WBD. A phosphorylated mannan oligosaccharide-based product (PMO) and acibenzolar S-methyl (ASM) were tested on M. perniciosa inoculated seedlings and in field experiments and showed a reduction on the incidence of WBD. The expression of two defense-related expressed sequence tags (ESTs) in cocoa, coding for peroxidase (Pox) and chitinase (Chi), were accessed by qPCR. Both products induced the expression of the Pox defense-related EST. In general, ASM induced the expression of chitinase (Chi) and peroxidase (Pox) in earlier time-points than PMO. However, PMO provided long-lasting and higher levels of expression. Chi expression was triggered in the time-points succeeding the spraying but was very low. On the other hand, peaks of Pox transcripts were detected in later time-points for both inducers. ASM and PMO modes of action might be explained, at least partially, by the overexpression of defense-related ESTs.Keywords: Cocoa, witches’ broom disease, disease control, peroxidase, chitinase, induced resistance, elicitors, quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR)African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(12), pp. 1311-131