Agronomic performance and fruit sensory and quality analyses of pineapple cultivars

The objective of this study was to assess the agronomic performance and fruit sensory and quality characteristics in traditional and modern pineapple cultivars grown in Tangara da Serra, MT, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with five replications and 20 plants per plot. Planting was carried out in double rows with spacing of 1.2×0.4×0.4 m, in May 2018. The evaluated cultivars were BRS-Ajuba, BRS-Imperial, BRS-Vitoria, Gigante-de-Tarauaca, IAC-Fantastico, Jupi, Perola, and Smooth-Cayenne. Gigante-de-Tarauaca exhibited the highest fruit weight but presented low soluble solids content and soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio (SS/TA); thus, it is not recommended for fresh fruit market. Jupi exhibited fruit weights (>1500 g) suitable for the market and soluble solids above 12 °Brix, but SS/TA below 20. Considering the modern cultivars, BRS-Ajuba presented the highest fruit weight, but BRS-Imperial and IAC-Fantastico were the most attractive to consumers, as well as the traditional cultivar Perola. However, BRS-Imperial and IAC-Fantastico yield small fruits, which reduces their per-unit value in the market, as pineapples are typically valued based on their sizes.The objective of this study was to assess the agronomic performance and fruit sensory and quality characteristics in traditional and modern pineapple cultivars grown in Tangara da Serra, MT, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with five replications and 20 plants per plot. Planting was carried out in double rows with spacing of 1.2×0.4×0.4 m, in May 2018. The evaluated cultivars were BRS-Ajuba, BRS-Imperial, BRS-Vitoria, Gigante-de-Tarauaca, IAC-Fantastico, Jupi, Perola, and Smooth-Cayenne. Gigante-de-Tarauaca exhibited the highest fruit weight but presented low soluble solids content and soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio (SS/TA); thus, it is not recommended for fresh fruit market. Jupi exhibited fruit weights (>1500 g) suitable for the market and soluble solids above 12 °Brix, but SS/TA below 20. Considering the modern cultivars, BRS-Ajuba presented the highest fruit weight, but BRS-Imperial and IAC-Fantastico were the most attractive to consumers, as well as the traditional cultivar Perola. However, BRS-Imperial and IAC-Fantastico yield small fruits, which reduces their per-unit value in the market, as pineapples are typically valued based on their sizes

Caracterização de modelo tridimensional de melanoma e avaliação da atividade antitumoral do sal de isotiurônio (SI-MF08)

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, Florianópolis, 2020.O melanoma é um câncer de pele agressivo e com alta taxa de mortalidade. Atualmente, o tratamento padrão para esta doença é a dacarbazina, entretanto mesmo o tratamento com este agente antineoplásico proporciona a cura a apenas 1 a 2% dos pacientes. Umas das hipóteses para a malignidade de tumores sólidos como o melanoma é a heterogeneidade intra-tumoral ou a presença de células tronco tumorais (CTTs) que tenham capacidade de iniciar tumores, aumentar incidência de metástases, além de incrementar a resistência farmacoterapêutica. O modelo in vitro tridimensional é o mais indicado para estudos de CTTs, pois geralmente é induzido por meio de expansão clonal, apresenta vantagens, pois permite a interação célulacélula, interação célula-matriz extracelular, resposta farmacoterapêutica mais fidedigna, além da possibilidade de mimetizar o microambiente tumoral, quando comparado com modelos em monocamada. Tendo em vista a dificuldade de tratamento para o melanoma, nosso grupo de pesquisa tem estudado novos compostos com possível atividade antitumoral como o sal de isotiurônio MF08 (SI-MF08). Neste trabalho, um modelo de melanoesferas foi aprimorado, em que duas diferentes densidades celulares de B16F10 (célula de melanoma murino), em condições de expansão clonal, foram testadas, 100 e 1000 células por poço. As melanoesferas de 100 células/poço apresentaram viabilidade celular de 92 ± 4% com uma média de 323 ± 120 células/esfera, com morfologia esférica e volume na ordem de 0,003 mm³ no sétimo dia de cultivo. Em análises histológicas, as melanoesferas de menor densidade apresentaram áreas acelulares, característicos de necrose, além de pequena quantidade de matriz extracelular. Com relação a CTT essas melanoesferas mostraram-se enriquecidas de CD44 (92%). Já as melanoesferas de 1000 células/poço também apresentaram alta viabilidade celular de 95 ± 4 % com uma média de 3.726 ± 900 células/esfera, mas com morfologia menos esférica que as esferas de menor densidade e apresentou volume de ~ 0,01 mm³, no sétimo dia de cultivo. Em análise histológica estas melanoesferas também apresentaram área central acelular, no entanto menor quantidade de matriz extracelular que as de 100 células/poço. Entretanto, essas melanoesferas apresentaram-se enriquecidas de CD271 (95%). Com a finalidade de avaliar não somente a densidade celular, mas também a influência do microambiente tumoral na formação de esferoides utilizou-se uma cultura primária de células (CP), a partir de células extraídas de tumor induzido com células da linhagem B16F10. Assim, na condição de 100 células/poço as melanoesferas foram obtidas, a fim de comparar com a cultura da linhagem B16F10. A CP nas condições de cultivo 2D foi capaz de produzir uma maior quantidade de melanina que a B16F10. Na condição 3D, os esferoides apresentaram-se menos arredondados, menor viabilidade celular, menor quantidade de matriz extracelular e menor enriquecimento de CTTs, quando comparados às melanoesferas de B16F10. Por fim, avaliou-se a citotoxicidade do SI-MF08 no modelo 3D de B16F10 (100 célular/poço), além de dois fármacos utilizados na clínica, o paclitaxel e o tamoxifeno. Os compostos SI-MF08, paclitaxel e tamoxifeno causaram a diminuição de CD44, de 92% para 9%, 8%, 11%, respectivamente. Diante do exposto, foi possível demonstrar que diferentes densidades celulares, mesmo que na condição de expansão clonal, e células obtidas de diferentes fontes, são capazes de modificar parâmetros importantes a cerca da estrutura, composição e presença de CTTs nas melanosferas. Adicionalmente, foram formados três diferentes modelos de melanoesferas, capazes de enriquecer os conhecimentos a cerca da atividade antitumoral de compostos sob CTTs.Abstract: Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with a high mortality rate. Currently, the standard treatment for this disease is dacarbazine. However even treatment with dacarbazine provides a cure for only 1 to 2% of patients. One of the hypotheses for the malignancy of solid tumors such as melanoma is the intra-tumor heterogeneity or the presence of tumor stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are capable of initiating tumors, increasing the incidence of metastases as well as pharmacotherapeutic resistance. The three-dimensional (3D) in vitro model is the most suitable for CSCs studies, because it allows cell-cell interaction, cell-extracellular matrix interaction, more reliable pharmacotherapeutic response, providing similar conditions of the tumor microenvironment when compared to bidimensional models (2D). In view of the difficulties in treating melanoma, our research group has been studied new compounds with possible antitumor activity, such as the isotiuronium salt MF08 (SI-MF08). In this work, a model of melanospheres was improved, in which two different cell densities of B16F10 (murine cell line), under conditions of clonal expansion, were tested, 100 and 1000 cells per well. The melanospheres of 100 cells/well showed cell viability of 92 ± 4% with an average of 323 ± 120 cells/sphere, with spherical morphology and volume of 0.003 mm³ on the seventh day of culture. In histological analysis, melanospheres of lower density showed an acellular area, characterizing as necrosis, as well as a small amount of extracellular matrix. Regarding CSCs, these melanospheres were enriched with CD44 (92%). Melanospheres of 1000 cells/well, on the other hand, also showed high cell viability, of 95 ± 4%, with an average of 3,726 ± 900 cells/sphere, but with a less spherical morphology than spheres of lower density and a volume of ~ 0.01 mm³, on the seventh day of cultivation. By the histological analysis an acellular central area was observed, however less extracellular matrix than the melanospheres of 100 cells/well. However, these melanospheres were enriched with CD271 (95%). To evaluate, not only cell density, but also the influence of the tumor microenvironment on spheroid formation, a primary cell culture (PC) was used, from cells extracted from a tumor induced with cells of the B16F10 lineage. Thus, in the condition of 100 cells/well the melanospheres were obtained, to compare with the B16F10 strain culture. Cells of the PC under 2D culture conditions were able to produce a greater amount of melanin than B16F10 cells. In the 3D condition, the spheroids were less rounded, presented less cell viable and less extracellular matrix as well as less CSCs enrichment, when compared to B16F10 melanospheres. Finally, the cytotoxicity of SI-MF08 was evaluated in the 3D model of B16F10 (100 cell/well), in addition to two drugs used in the clinic, paclitaxel and tamoxifen. The compounds SI-MF08, paclitaxel and tamoxifen caused a decrease in CD44, from 92% to 9%, 8%, 11%, respectively. All results together, allowed to demonstrate that different cell density, even in the condition of clonal expansion, and cells obtained from different sources, are capable of modifying important parameters regarding the structure, composition and the presence of CSCs in the melanospheres. In addition, three different models of melanospheroids were formed to enrich the knowledge about the antitumor activity of the compounds targeting CSCs

Trends and Challenges in the Surveillance and Control of Avian Metapneumovirus

Among the respiratory pathogens of birds, the Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV) is one of the most relevant, as it is responsible for causing infections of the upper respiratory tract and may induce respiratory syndromes. aMPV is capable of affecting the reproductive system of birds, directly impacting shell quality and decreasing egg production. Consequently, this infection can cause disorders related to animal welfare and zootechnical losses. The first cases of respiratory syndromes caused by aMPV were described in the 1970s, and today six subtypes (A, B, C, D, and two more new subtypes) have been identified and are widespread in all chicken and turkey-producing countries in the world, causing enormous economic losses for the poultry industry. Conventionally, immunological techniques are used to demonstrate aMPV infection in poultry, however, the identification of aMPV through molecular techniques helped in establishing the traceability of the virus. This review compiles data on the main aMPV subtypes present in different countries; aMPV and bacteria co-infection; vaccination against aMPV and viral selective pressure, highlighting the strategies used to prevent and control respiratory disease; and addresses tools for viral diagnosis and virus genome studies aiming at improving and streamlining pathogen detection and corroborating the development of new vaccines that can effectively protect herds, preventing viral escapes

Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Healthcare Workers: A Critical Sentinel Group for Monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 Variant Shift

SARS-CoV-2 genome surveillance is important for monitoring risk groups and health workers as well as data on new cases and mortality rate due to COVID-19. We characterized the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants from May 2021 to April 2022 in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, and evaluated the similarity between variants present in the population and healthcare workers (HCW). A total of 5291 sequenced genomes demonstrated the circulation of 55 strains and four variants of concern (Alpha, Delta, Gamma and Omicron—sublineages BA.1 and BA.2). The number of cases was relatively low in May 2021, but the number of deaths was higher with the Gamma variant. There was a significant increase in both numbers between December 2021 and February 2022, peaking in mid-January 2022, when the Omicron variant dominated. After May 2021, two distinct variant groups (Delta and Omicron) were observed, equally distributed among the five Santa Catarina mesoregions. Moreover, from November 2021 to February 2022, similar variant profiles between HCW and the general population were observed, and a quicker shift from Delta to Omicron in HCW than in the general population. This demonstrates the importance of HCW as a sentinel group for monitoring disease trends in the general population

Emergence of Two Distinct SARS-CoV-2 Gamma Variants and the Rapid Spread of P.1-like-II SARS-CoV-2 during the Second Wave of COVID-19 in Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil

The western mesoregion of the state of Santa Catarina (SC), Southern Brazil, was heavily affected as a whole by the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2021. This study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreading patterns in the SC state from March 2020 to April 2021 using genomic surveillance. During this period, there were 23 distinct variants, including Beta and Gamma, among which the Gamma and related lineages were predominant in the second pandemic wave within SC. A regionalization of P.1-like-II in the Western SC region was observed, concomitant to the increase in cases, mortality, and the case fatality rate (CFR) index. This is the first evidence of the regionalization of the SARS-CoV-2 transmission in SC and it highlights the importance of tracking the variants, dispersion, and impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the public health systems