Produção e tamanho de grãos de café (Coffea arabica L.) cv Catuaí em diferentes arranjos populacionais e disponibilidades de água no solo

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of drip irrigation under different population arrangements on the phytometric features, coffee productivity and bean size classification according to sieve retention. The experiment with Coffea arabica L. cv Catuaí was carried out in Mococa, São Paulo, Brazil. The experimental design was a 6 x 2 factorial scheme in randomized blocks, with four replications. The six densities of plantation were E1 (1.60 x 0.50 m); E2 (1.60 x 0.75 m); E3 (1.60 x 1.00 m); E4 (3.20 x 0.50 m); E5 (3.20 x 0.75 m) and E6 (3.20 x 1.00 m), which were divided according to the availability of water (irrigated - I - or non-irrigated - NI - groups). Data were submitted to analysis of variance and averages compared by Tukey test at 1 and 5% of probability. Descriptive analysis of coffee beans according to sieve classification was performed. Irrigation promoted an increase in plant height, crown diameter and production of processed coffee when compared with the NI group. Interaction between population arrangement and irrigation was observed, with an increase in production and crown diameter as the spacing was decreased. Therefore, irrigation provided significant increase in coffee bean size.O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da irrigação por gotejamento em diferentes arranjos populacionais nas características fitométricas, na produtividade de café beneficiado e na classificação dos grãos por tamanho, de acordo com a retenção em peneiras. O experimento foi conduzido em Mococa-SP, com o cafeeiro Coffea arabica L. cv Catuaí. Adotou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 6 x 2, com quatro repetições, sendo seis densidades de plantio: E1 (1,60 x 0,50 m); E2 (1,60 x 0,75 m); E3 (1,60 x 1,00 m); E4 (3,20 x 0,50 m); E5 (3,20 x 0,75 m), e E6 (3,20 x 1,00 m), divididas em irrigadas (I) e não irrigadas (NI). As variáveis foram submetidas à análise de variância, e as médias, comparadas entre si pelo teste de Tukey, a 1 e 5% de probabilidade. Foi realizada análise descritiva dos grãos nas classes de peneiras. A irrigação promoveu aumento na altura das plantas, maior diâmetro de copa e produção de café beneficiado quando comparado ao sistema não irrigado. Houve interação entre arranjo populacional e irrigação, com aumento na produção e no diâmetro da copa, conforme o espaçamento era reduzido. O uso da irrigação propiciou aumentos significativos na granulometria dos grãos de café.14515

Regulation of limb patterning by extracellular microfibrils

To elucidate the contribution of the extracellular microfibril–elastic fiber network to vertebrate organogenesis, we generated fibrillin 2 (Fbn2)–null mice by gene targeting and identified a limb-patterning defect in the form of bilateral syndactyly. Digit fusion involves both soft and hard tissues, and is associated with reduced apoptosis at affected sites. Two lines of evidence suggest that syndactily is primarily due to defective mesenchyme differentiation, rather than reduced apoptosis of interdigital tissue. First, fusion occurs before appearance of interdigital cell death; second, interdigital tissues having incomplete separation fail to respond to apoptotic clues from implanted BMP-4 beads. Syndactyly is associated with a disorganized matrix, but with normal BMP gene expression. On the other hand, mice double heterozygous for null Fbn2 and Bmp7 alleles display the combined digit phenotype of both nullizygotes. Together, these results imply functional interaction between Fbn2-rich microfibrils and BMP-7 signaling. As such, they uncover an unexpected relationship between the insoluble matrix and soluble factors during limb patterning. We also demonstrate that the Fbn2- null mutation is allelic to the recessive shaker-with-syndactyly (sy) locus on chromosome 18

Irrigação e cobertura do solo em relação à sanidade e produtividade do morangueiro sob estufa

A influência de doenças na produtividade do morangueiro cultivado em estufa, bem como sua associação com o manejo da irrigação é pouco conhecida. Desta forma, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis de água e coberturas do solo na sanidade e produtividade do morangueiro, sob ambiente protegido. O experimento foi realizado em Atibaia, estado de São Paulo, Brasil, de abril a dezembro de 1995. O delineamento utilizado foi o fatorial 2 × 3, em blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições, sendo estudados duas coberturas do solo (plástico transparente e preto) e três níveis de água. A irrigação, por gotejamento, foi aplicada quando o potencial de água no solo alcançava -10, -35 e -70 kPa à profundidade de dez centímetros. A cultivar utilizada foi a Campinas IAC 2712. As plantas cultivadas nos potenciais de água de -10 e -35 kPa ou com o plástico transparente apresentaram as melhores produtividades. A equação estimada foi y = -233,54 + 1,56x (R² = 0,78). A irrigação a -70 kPa e o plástico preto favoreceram a maior incidência de patógenos do sistema radicular no período de outubro a dezembro.The occurrence of diseases and its influence on strawberry yield in a greenhouse as well as its association with water management are still not well known. So, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different water levels and soil mulches on strawberry plant health and yield in a greenhouse. The experiment was carried out at Atibaia, State of São Paulo, Brazil, from April to December 1995. The experimental design was a 2 × 3 factorial, in randomized blocks, with five replications, and consisted of two soil mulches and three water levels. The soil mulches consisted of clear or black plastic. Trickle irrigation was applied whenever the soil water potential reached -10, -35 and -70 kPa at a depth of ten centimeters. Cultivar Campinas IAC 2712 was used. Plants grown at a soil water potential of -10 and -35 kPa, with clear plastic mulch provided the best yields. A linear function fitted well considering total yield data and irrigation depths. The equation was y = -233.54 + 1.56x (R² = 0.78). The irrigation level of -70 kPa and the use of black plastic favored a greater incidence of soil-borne diseases late in the harvest season

Manufacture of Partially Biodegradable Composite Materials Based on PLA-Tires Powder: Process and Characterization

This research work focuses on the processability and mechanical characterization of blends of polylactic acid (PLA) and tire (elastomeric part). Wasted tires used as filler in the PLA matrix were reduced by two different processes (thermal shock and pyrolysis) in order to acquire the solid residuals in powder to be characterized and compared. Elastomeric solids obtained from scraped tires were used as filler in the PLA matrix and mixed in a Brabender 60 cc mixer at different concentrations ranging from 0% to 60% of filler volume fraction. The blend was laminated, and then samples were obtained in order to undertake mechanical properties at tension and Izod impact tests. A fully detailed analysis on the solid powders by Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared analysis (IR), and scanning electron microscopy analysis (SEM) identified them as a rich source of carbon. Blends were characterized thermally and mechanically showing a direct effect due to the tire nature (thermoset rubber) and concentration. Fracture mechanisms were also identified

Sugarcane fertigated with vinasse under subsurface drip irrigation in three cycles of cane-ratoon

The objective of this study was evaluate the effect of irrigation and fertigation with mineral fertilizer and vinasse applied by subsurface drip irrigation, in the number of tiller, stem yield, technological quality of sugarcane and yield of recoverable sugar in first three cycles of ratoon cane. The treatments were: T1NI - cultivation without irrigation with mineral fertilization; T2I - cultivation fertigated with mineral fertilizers; T3Iv - cultivation fertigated with the vinasse supplying K and complementation of NP with mineral fertilizer; T4IV - cultivation fertigated with the vinasse supplying NPK. In the cycle of the first ratoon cane, there was no effect of treatments on the variables, already in the subsequent cycles, the T2I and T3Iv showed higher numbers of tillers, 17.4 and 17.2 tiller m-1, in the second ratoon cane and 16.6 and 16.0 tiller m-1 in the third ratoon cane, respectively. The stem yield was amended with the T4IV obtaining the higher yield, 179.6 Mg ha-1, in the second ratoon cane, and the T2I and T3Iv in the third ratoon cane, 151.5 and 151.0 Mg ha-1, respectively. There was no treatment effect on the technological quality and in the second ratoon cane the T3Iv and T4IV showed higher yield of sugar, 25 and 25.9 Mg ha-1, respectively.Objetivou-se, com esta pesquisa, avaliar o efeito da irrigação, da fertigação mineral e da vinhaça, aplicadas via irrigação por gotejamento subsuperficial, no número de perfilhos, produção de colmos, qualidade tecnológica e rendimento de açúcar recuperável, nos três primeiros ciclos de cana-soca. Os tratamentos foram: T1NI - Cultivo não irrigado com adubação mineral; T2I - Cultivo irrigado e fertirrigado com fertilizantes minerais; T3Iv - Cultivo irrigado e fertirrigado com a vinhaça suprindo o K e complementação do NP via fertilizantes minerais e T4IV - Cultivo irrigado e fertirrigado, com a vinhaça suprindo o NPK. No ciclo da primeira cana-soca não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre as variáveis; já nos ciclos subsequentes o T2I e o T3Iv exibiram maiores números de perfilhos, 17,4 e 17,2 perfilhos m-1 na segunda cana-soca e 16,6 e 16,0 perfilhos m-1 na terceira cana-soca, respectivamente. A produção de colmo foi alterada com o T4Iv obtendo-se a maior produção, 179,6 Mg ha-1, na segunda cana-soca e T2I e T3Iv na terceira cana-soca, 151,5 e 151,0 Mg ha-1, respectivamente. Não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre a qualidade tecnológica e no ciclo da segunda cana-soca os T3Iv e T4IV exibiram elevado rendimento de açúcar, 25 e 25,9 Mg ha-1, respectivamente.588594Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Fibrillin-1 and -2 differentially modulate endogenous TGF-β and BMP bioavailability during bone formation

Extracellular microfibrils composed of fibrillin-1 and -2 regulate bone formation through modulation of TGF-β and BMP signaling

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

The Changing Landscape for Stroke\ua0Prevention in AF: Findings From the GLORIA-AF Registry Phase 2

Background GLORIA-AF (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) is a prospective, global registry program describing antithrombotic treatment patterns in patients with newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation at risk of stroke. Phase 2 began when dabigatran, the first non\u2013vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC), became available. Objectives This study sought to describe phase 2 baseline data and compare these with the pre-NOAC era collected during phase 1. Methods During phase 2, 15,641 consenting patients were enrolled (November 2011 to December 2014); 15,092 were eligible. This pre-specified cross-sectional analysis describes eligible patients\u2019 baseline characteristics. Atrial fibrillation disease characteristics, medical outcomes, and concomitant diseases and medications were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Of the total patients, 45.5% were female; median age was 71 (interquartile range: 64, 78) years. Patients were from Europe (47.1%), North America (22.5%), Asia (20.3%), Latin America (6.0%), and the Middle East/Africa (4.0%). Most had high stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc [Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age  6575 years, Diabetes mellitus, previous Stroke, Vascular disease, Age 65 to 74 years, Sex category] score  652; 86.1%); 13.9% had moderate risk (CHA2DS2-VASc = 1). Overall, 79.9% received oral anticoagulants, of whom 47.6% received NOAC and 32.3% vitamin K antagonists (VKA); 12.1% received antiplatelet agents; 7.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. For comparison, the proportion of phase 1 patients (of N = 1,063 all eligible) prescribed VKA was 32.8%, acetylsalicylic acid 41.7%, and no therapy 20.2%. In Europe in phase 2, treatment with NOAC was more common than VKA (52.3% and 37.8%, respectively); 6.0% of patients received antiplatelet treatment; and 3.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. In North America, 52.1%, 26.2%, and 14.0% of patients received NOAC, VKA, and antiplatelet drugs, respectively; 7.5% received no antithrombotic treatment. NOAC use was less common in Asia (27.7%), where 27.5% of patients received VKA, 25.0% antiplatelet drugs, and 19.8% no antithrombotic treatment. Conclusions The baseline data from GLORIA-AF phase 2 demonstrate that in newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients, NOAC have been highly adopted into practice, becoming more frequently prescribed than VKA in Europe and North America. Worldwide, however, a large proportion of patients remain undertreated, particularly in Asia and North America. (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation [GLORIA-AF]; NCT01468701

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead