Characterizing fruit ripening in plantain and Cavendish bananas: A proteomics approach

The fruit physiology of banana cultivars other than Cavendish is poorly understood. To study the ripening process, samples were taken daily from plantain and Cavendish bananas and the ripening stages were determined. We present data from the green to the fully mature stage. By analyzing the protein abundances during ripening we provide some new insights into the ripening process and how plantains fruits are different. Multivariate analysis of the proteins was performed correlated to the starch dynamics. A drop in sucrose synthase and a rise of acid invertase during ripening indicated a change in the balance of the sucrose fate. During ripening, sugars may no longer be available for respiration since they are stored in the vacuoles, making citrate the preferred respiratory substrate. We found significant cultivar specific differences in granule-bound starch synthase, alpha- and beta amylases and cell wall invertase when comparing the protein content at the same ripening stage. This corroborates the difference in starch content/structure between both banana types. Differences in small heat shock proteins and in the cell wall-modifying enzyme xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase support respectively the presumed higher carotenoid content and the firmer fruit structure of plantains

Effects of Liposomes Contained in Thermosensitive Hydrogels as Biomaterials Useful in Neural Tissue Engineering

Indexación: Scopus.Advances in the generation of suitable thermosensitive hydrogels for the delivery of cells in neural tissue engineering demonstrate a delicate relationship between physical properties and capabilities to promote cell proliferation and differentiation. To improve the properties of these materials, it is possible to add liposomes for the controlled release of bioactive elements, which in turn can affect the physical and biological properties of the hydrogels. In the present investigation, different hydrogels based on Pluronic F127 have been formulated with the incorporation of chitosan and two types of liposomes of two different sizes. The rheological and thermal properties and their relation with the neurite proliferation and growth of the PC12 cell line were evaluated. Our results show that the incorporation of liposomes modifies the properties of the hydrogels dependent on the concentration of chitosan and the lipid type in the liposomes, which directly affect the capabilities of the hydrogels to promote the viability and differentiation of PC12 cells. © 2017 by the authors.http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/10/112

Patogenicidade de Gracilacus latescens a mudas de freijó (Cordia goeldiana).

Publicado também em: Fitopatologia Brasileira, v. 11, n. 3, p. 471-478, out. 1986

Sistema de Controle da Pesca de Mato Grosso do Sul SCPESCA/MS-5-1998.

Neste estudo encontram-se as informacoes sobre a pesca profissional e esportiva coletadas e analisadas pelo Sistema de Controle da Pesca de Mato Grosso do Sul (SCPESCA/MS), para o ano de 1998. Essas informacoes foram obtidas para todo o pescado capturado na Bacia do Alto Paraguai (BAP), oficialmente vistoriado pela Policia Militar Ambiental/MS e desembarcado no Estado. Foi registrado um total de 1.539 t de pescado, do qual 19,6% correspondem a pesca profissional e 80,4% a esportiva. As especies mais capturadas foram: pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (363 t, 25,4%), pintado Pseudoplatystoma corruscans (230 t, 16,1%), piavucu Leporinus macrocephalus (162 t, 11,4%), dourado Salminus maxillosus (160 t, 11,2%), barbado Pinirampus pirinampu (101 t, 7,1%) e cachara Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum (79 t, 5,5%). Os rios que mais contribuiram foram: Paraguai (718 t, 50,2%) e Miranda (411 t, 28,9%). Um total de 56.713 pescadores esportivos visitaram o Estado, com maior concentracao nos meses de julho a outubro, provenientes principalmente de Sao Paulo (67,8%), Parana (13,5%) e Minas Gerais (8,8%). Em mediana, mensalmente, os pescadores profissionais realizaram viagens de pesca com duracao de cinco a nove dias, capturando entre 55,53 kg/pescador/viagem e 102,3 kg/pescador/viagem e entre 6,35 kg/pescador/dia e 22,5 kg/pescador/dia; os pescadores esportivos realizaram viagens de pesca com duracao de cinco dias, capturando entre 19,9 kg/pescador/viagem e 23,3 kg/pescador/viagem e entre 4,1 e 4,8 kg/pescador/dia. Comparando-se os dados dos anos de 1994 a 1998, obteve-se um perfil da pesca, identificando-se algumas tendencias. Por meio do modelo sintetico de Schaefer, efetuou-se a avaliacao do nivel de exploracao dos estoques pesqueiros para as treze especies mais importantes, indicando sobreexploracao somente para os estoques do pacu e, talvez, inicio para o jau. Ajustou-se a seguinte equacao para o pacu: Y = 6 . f - 2,059 . 10 -5 - f2 (n = 5, r = 0,86, P = 0,060), onde Y = captura anual em quilogramas e f = numero de pescadores x numero de dias de pescaria. Sua captura maxima sustentavel (Ymsy) foi estimada em 437 toneladas/ano, sujeita a um esforco de pesca (fMSY) de 146.000 pescadores x dias de pesca, valores ultrapassados em 1998 em que foram capturadas 231 toneladas de pecu mediante um esforco de pesca de 308.000 pescadores x dias de pescaria. Em funcao desses resultados, foram feitos aconselhamentos para aumentar o tamanho minimo de captura de jau e pacu, a fim de diminuir o esforco de pesca, que foram discutidos e acatados pelo recem-criado Conselho Estadual de Pesca de MS, modificando-se a legislacao

Sistema de Controle da Pesca de Mato Grosso do Sul SCPESCA/MS - 6 - 1999.

Neste estudo encontram-se informações sobre a pesca profissional e esportiva, oficialmente vistoriadas pela Polícia Militar Ambiental/MS na Bacia do Alto Paraguai, coletadas e analisadas pelo Sistema de Controle da Pesca de Mato Grosso do Sul (SCPESCA/MS), no ano de 1999. Foram capturados 1.537 t de pescado sendo 20,8% pela pesca profissional e 79,2% pela esportiva. As espécies mais capturadas foram: pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (361 t, 25,6%) e pintado Pseudoplatystoma corruscans (206 t, 14,9%), sobretudo nos rios Paraguai e Miranda. Um total de 58.966 pescadores esportivos visitaram o Estado, oriundos principalmente de São Paulo (66,1%). Em mediana, os pescadores profissionais capturaram entre 54 e 90 kg/pescador.viagem e os pescadores esportivos entre 19 e 24 kg/pescador.viagem. Efetuou-se a avaliação do nível de exploração dos estoques para as treze espécies mais importantes, indicando sobrexploração somente para os estoques do pacu e, talvez, início para o jaú. Para o pacu, a captura máxima sustentável (YMSY) foi estimada em 405 toneladas/ano, sujeita a um esforço de pesca (fMSY) de 156.700 pescadores x dias de pesca.bitstream/item/37417/1/BP35.pd

Cell death induced by the application of alternating magnetic fields to nanoparticle-loaded dendritic cells

In this work, the capability of primary, monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) to uptake iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is assessed and a strategy to induce selective cell death in these MNP-loaded DCs using external alternating magnetic fields (AMFs) is reported. No significant decrease in the cell viability of MNP-loaded DCs, compared to the control samples, was observed after five days of culture. The amount of MNPs incorporated into the cytoplasm was measured by magnetometry, which confirmed that 1 to 5 pg of the particles were uploaded per cell. The intracellular distribution of these MNPs, assessed by transmission electron microscopy, was found to be primarily inside the endosomic structures. These cells were then subjected to an AMF for 30 min, and the viability of the blank DCs (i.e., without MNPs), which were used as control samples, remained essentially unaffected. However, a remarkable decrease of viability from approximately 90% to 2-5% of DCs previously loaded with MNPs was observed after the same 30 min exposure to an AMF. The same results were obtained using MNPs having either positive (NH2+) or negative (COOH-) surface functional groups. In spite of the massive cell death induced by application of AMF to MNP-loaded DCs, the amount of incorporated magnetic particles did not raise the temperature of the cell culture. Clear morphological changes at the cell structure after magnetic field application were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Therefore, local damage produced by the MNPs could be the main mechanism for the selective cell death of MNP-loaded DCs under an AMF. Based on the ability of these cells to evade the reticuloendothelial system, these complexes combined with an AMF should be considered as a potentially powerful tool for tumour therapy.Comment: In Press. 33 pages, 11 figure

HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission in Brazil (1994\u20132016): a time series modeling

HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission (HIV-1 MTCT), is an important cause of children mortality worldwide. Brazil has been traditionally praised by its HIV/Aids program, which provides free-of-charge care for people living with HIV-1. Using public epidemiology and demographic databases, we aimed at modeling HIV-1 MTCT prevalence in Brazil through the years (1994\u20132016) and elaborate a statistical model for forecasting, contributing to HIV-1 epidemiologic surveillance and healthcare decision-making. We downloaded sets of live births and mothers\u2019 data alongside HIV-1 cases notification in children one year old or less. Through time series modeling, we estimated prevalence along the years in Brazil, and observed a remarkable decrease of HIV-1 MTCT between 1994 (10 cases per 100,000 live births) and 2016 (five cases per 100,000 live births), a reduction of 50%. Using our model, we elaborated a prognosis for each Brazilian state to help HIV-1 surveillance decision making, indicating which states are in theory in risk of experiencing a rise in HIV-1 MTCT prevalence. Ten states had good (37%), nine had mild (33%), and eight had poor prognostics (30%). Stratifying the prognostics by Brazilian region, we observed that the Northeast region had more states with poor prognosis, followed by North and Midwest, Southeast and South with one state of poor prognosis each. Brazil undoubtedly advanced in the fight against HIV-1 MTCT in the past two decades. We hope our model will help indicating where HIV-1 MTCT prevalence may rise in the future and support government decision makers regarding HIV-1 surveillance and prevention

Influence of Photoperiod on Biomass Production and Removal of Nutrients from Tannery Effluents with Microalgae Consortium

Content: Wastewater from tanneries besides having toxic compounds also contain nutrients such as carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen, which facilitate the rapid multiplication of microalgae. Currently, many types of researches search microalgae capable of growing in industrial effluents, exploiting the advantages of removing the nutrients present in these waters and producing biomass with high value- added. The liquid effluents produced in tanneries for finished leather have essential nutrients for the growth of microalgae, but also some compounds that may restrict or hinder the growth of microalgae in this medium. Therefore, the present work has the objective to evaluate the growth of a microalgae consortium (collected in a wastewater treatment plant of a beamhouse tannery) for the removal of phosphorus and ammonia from wastewater streams of a tannery (processing wet-blue to finished leather) with different photoperiods. Microalgae consortium was cultivated at two different compositions of mixtures of raw wastewater (R) and wastewater after secondary biological treatment (B): 50% of R + 50% of B, (50R50B) and 75% of R + 25% of B, (75R25B), in photoperiod of 24 hours and 12 hours of light, temperature of 25 °C and constant aeration. The growth of microalgae in the effluent and the removal of phosphorus and ammonia were monitored throughout the cultivation. The microalgae consortium presented maximum biomass concentrations in the 75R25B effluent (1.40 g L-1) and phosphorus removal (97.64% for the 50R50B and 95.54% for the 75R25B) effluent and ammonia removal (100%) for both effluent with 24-hour photoperiod light. Take-Away: In this study, it was found that the microalgae consortium can survive in wastewater from tanneries (processing wet-blue to finished leather) and exhibit removals of phosphorus and ammonia from the medium. The 24-hour light photoperiod presented better microalgae growth and nutrient removal results

Atributos químicos de um Latossolo Amarelo sob diferentes sistemas de manejo.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os atributos químicos de um Latossolo Amarelo sob diferentes sistemas de manejo do solo, no cerrado piauiense. Foram avaliados quatro sistemas de manejo: plantio convencional por três anos; plantio direto por três anos (PD3) e cinco anos (PD5), com uso de milheto como cultivo de cobertura; e plantio direto por nove anos (PD9), dos quais sete com uso de milheto e dois com forrageira. Utilizou-se área de cerrado nativo como referência. As amostras do solo foram coletadas em períodos chuvosos e secos, nas camadas 0,00?0,05, 0,05?0,10, 0,10?0,20 e 0,20?0,40 m, para determinação de pH, Al3+, H+Al, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, P disponível, carbono orgânico total (COT), soma de bases (SB), capacidade de troca de cátions efetiva (t) e potencial (T), e saturação por bases (V) e por alumínio (m%). O sistema PD9 apresentou maiores valores de pH e menores de Al3+, H+Al e m%. Observaram-se maiores valores de Ca2+, K+, SB, t, T, V e P sob PD5 e PD9, até 0,20 m. Os maiores valores de COT foram verificados sob PD5 e PD9, exceto na camada de 0,00?0,05 m. O acúmulo de material orgânico associado ao uso de forrageira em PD favorece o aumento dos teores de COT nas camadas mais profundas do solo, no período seco

Phenotypic analysis of heat stress in Holsteins using test-day production records and NASA POWER meteorological data.

Weather station data and test-day production records can be combined to quantify the effects of heat stress on production traits in dairy cattle. However, meteorological data sets that are retrieved from ground-based weather stations can be limited by spatial and temporal data gaps. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (NASA POWER) database provides meteorological data over regions where surface measurements are sparse or nonexistent. The first aim of this study was to determine whether NASA POWER data are a viable alternative resource of weather data for studying heat stress in Canadian Holsteins. The results showed that average, minima, and maxima ambient temperature and dewpoint temperature as well as 4 different types of temperature-humidity index (THI) values from NASA POWER were highly correlated to the corresponding values from weather stations (regression R2 > 0.80). However, the NASA POWER values for the daily average, minima, and maxima wind speed and relative humidity were poorly correlated to the corresponding weather station values (regression R2 = 0.10 to 0.49). The second aim of this study was to quantify the influence of heat stress on Canadian dairy cattle. This was achieved by determining the THI values at which milk, protein, and fat yield started to decline due to heat stress as well as the rates of decline in these traits after the respective thresholds, using segmented polynomial regression models. This was completed for both primiparous and multiparous cows from 5 regions in Canada (Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, the Prairies, and the Atlantic Maritime). The results showed that all production traits were negatively affected by heat stress and that the patterns of responses for milk, fat, and protein yields to increasing THI differed from each other. We found 3 THI thresholds for milk yield, 1 for fat yield, and 2 for protein yield. All thresholds marked a change in rate of decrease in production yield per unit THI, except for the first milk yield threshold, which marked a greater rate of increase. The first thresholds for milk yield ranged between 47 and 50, the second thresholds ranged between 61 and 69, and the third thresholds ranged between 72 and 76 THI units. The single THI threshold for fat yield ranged between 48 and 55 THI units. Finally, the first and second thresholds ranged between 58 and 62 THI units and 72 and 73 THI units for protein yield, respectively