Seed germination and vigor of passion fruit hybrids

Most commercial plantations of passion fruit is propagate plants by seed, but germination is irregular, which hinders the growth of seedlings and uniformity, and is connected with the plant genotype. The objective of this study was to evaluate the germination and early growth of passion fruit hybrid seedlings, obtained from different genetic combinations. The hybrids were obtained from the cross between progenies from the breeding program of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa with hybrids of the Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária and of the Viveiros Flora Brasil. The experimental design was completely randomized with six hybrids, five replicates and fifty seeds per experimental unit. Germination was assessed daily until the 28 days, and at the end of the period it was obtained the mean time germination, emergence speed index, seedling height, the length of shoots and roots, and the individual seedling dry matter (root + shoot)was assessed. Among the passion fruit hybrids evaluated, hybrid HB2 (UFVM0212 × BRS Sol do Cerrado) showed the highest germination and seedling biometric values and might be a genotype with potential for breeding programs for seed quality. The specific combining ability of parents can influence the quality of seeds and the vigor of passion fruit seedlings. A factor must be considered is the correct choice of maternal and paternal parents, since they influence the quality of seeds. Most commercial plantations of passion fruit is propagate plants by seed, but germination is irregular, which hinders the growth of seedlings and uniformity, and is connected with the plant genotype. The objective of this study was to evaluate the germination and early growth of passion fruit hybrid seedlings, obtained from different genetic combinations. The hybrids were obtained from the cross between progenies from the breeding program of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa with hybrids of the Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária and of the Viveiros Flora Brasil. The experimental design was completely randomized with six hybrids, five replicates and fifty seeds per experimental unit. Germination was assessed daily until the 28 days, and at the end of the period it was obtained the mean time germination, emergence speed index, seedling height, the length of shoots and roots, and the individual seedling dry matter (root + shoot)was assessed. Among the passion fruit hybrids evaluated, hybrid HB2 (UFVM0212 × BRS Sol do Cerrado) showed the highest germination and seedling biometric values and might be a genotype with potential for breeding programs for seed quality. The specific combining ability of parents can influence the quality of seeds and the vigor of passion fruit seedlings. A factor must be considered is the correct choice of maternal and paternal parents, since they influence the quality of seeds

Outcome of 42 thousands cases of SARS-CoV-2 in a municipality: Role of symptoms in outcome.

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major public health problem worldwide with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Elderly patients or patients with comorbidities are more likely to develop more severe conditions and consequently have a high rate of hospital lethality. The presence of some symptoms in SARS-CoV-2 infection can be associated with lower rates of mortality and admission to the ICU in patients. The aim of this study was to determine the associations between the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and clinical outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with COVID-19 in 2020–2021 in a municipality in the Midwest region of Brazil. The variables analyzed were age, sex, clinical characteristics, clinical results and presence of comorbidities in patients. Associations between the clinical or epidemiological characteristics were analyzed using appropriate tests for categorical variables and continuous normal or parametric distributions. An alpha value of 5% was used as the maximum error limit allowed to reject the null hypothesis in all analysis. RESULTS: In total, 42,469 patients were analyzed, with lethality rates of 4.4% and 2.9% in 2020 and 2021, respectively. There was a higher prevalence among women (53.8%) and a higher mortality in men (p = 0.000), the elderly (p = 0.000), patients with dyspnea (p = 0.000), and patients with comorbidities (p = 0.000). The presence of headache, sore throat, anosmia, dysgeusia or diarrhea were related with a lower mortality (p = 0.000). MAIN CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated higher lethality, revealing a higher mortality rate in patients who were male, aged over 65 years, with dyspnea, and with comorbidities. However, headache, sore throat, anosmia, dysgeusia, and diarrhea were associated with an improved prognosis. Further studies to elucidate these findings are warranted.INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major public health problem worldwide with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Elderly patients or patients with comorbidities are more likely to develop more severe conditions and consequently have a high rate of hospital lethality. The presence of some symptoms in SARS-CoV-2 infection can be associated with lower rates of mortality and admission to the ICU in patients. The aim of this study was to determine the associations between the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and clinical outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with COVID-19 in 2020–2021 in a municipality in the Midwest region of Brazil. The variables analyzed were age, sex, clinical characteristics, clinical results and presence of comorbidities in patients. Associations between the clinical or epidemiological characteristics were analyzed using appropriate tests for categorical variables and continuous normal or parametric distributions. An alpha value of 5% was used as the maximum error limit allowed to reject the null hypothesis in all analysis. RESULTS: In total, 42,469 patients were analyzed, with lethality rates of 4.4% and 2.9% in 2020 and 2021, respectively. There was a higher prevalence among women (53.8%) and a higher mortality in men (p = 0.000), the elderly (p = 0.000), patients with dyspnea (p = 0.000), and patients with comorbidities (p = 0.000). The presence of headache, sore throat, anosmia, dysgeusia or diarrhea were related with a lower mortality (p = 0.000). MAIN CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated higher lethality, revealing a higher mortality rate in patients who were male, aged over 65 years, with dyspnea, and with comorbidities. However, headache, sore throat, anosmia, dysgeusia, and diarrhea were associated with an improved prognosis. Further studies to elucidate these findings are warranted

Avaliação do uso de produtos dietéticos e conhecimento dos rótulos nutricionais dos adultos diabéticos / Assessment of dietary product use and knowledge of nutrition labels among diabetic adults

A alimentação adequada e equilibrada em calorias e nutrientes destaca-se como um dos princípios fundamentais para se obter um bom controle metabólico do paciente diabético, sendo essencial para a prevenção de complicações provenientes da doença. Visando isso, os alimentos diet’s e light’s foram desenvolvidos para fins específicos, que se caracterizam, respectivamente, pela retirada ou redução de algum nutriente na sua formulação, com o intuito de aprimorar a qualidade e proporcionar possibilidades para consumo de alguns alimentos adequados à indivíduos que possuem alguma restrição. Além disso, os rótulos dos alimentos contêm informações nutricionais que podem influenciar nas escolhas alimentares. Com isso, o estudo buscou avaliar o nível de informação entre indivíduos adultos que possuem diabetes acerca de sua condição patológica, uso de produtos dietéticos e conhecimento nutricional sobre dados contidos nos rótulos de alimentos. Avaliaram-se dados socioeconômicos, patológicos, dietéticos, orientação profissional, meios de informação e uso de alimentos dietéticos. Os dados foram analisados foram expressos em média, desvio padrão e frequência absoluta e porcentagem. Foram avaliados 71 adultos diabéticos, e, após a análise dos dados constatou que, em sua maioria (53,52%), possuem hábito de leitura dos rótulos alimentares, bem como grande parte dos entrevistados (69,01%) faz uso de adoçante e consumo de alimentos diet e light (54,93%). Além disso, a maioria dos diabéticos entrevistados reconhecem a importância dos alimentos diet no tratamento da diabetes mellitus (50,70%)

Methodological validation of a vertical ladder with low intensity shock stimulus for resistance training in C57BL/6 mice: Effects on muscle mass and strength, body composition, and lactate plasma levels

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a vertical ladder device for resistance exercises with or without electrical shock stimulus on muscle strength, body composition, limb volume, muscle fibres and plasma lactate and glycemia of female mice. This device is represented by a vertical ladder with electrostimulation. It was analysed in groups of C57BL/6 mice practicing spontaneous physical activity in enriched environment, practicing resisted climbing exercises, practicing resistance exercises with the utility model in question and controls. The acute effects of blood lactate and dark light-box behaviour, and the short-term chronic effects of muscle strength, limb volume, body composition, muscle fibre area, and central and light-dark quantification were verified. According to the findings, the vertical electrostimulation ladder model presented acute effects on lactate levels, similar to other experimental models of resistance exercise and physical activity. The behaviour in the light-dark box test showed no difference between the groups. Regarding the short-term chronic response, the best results were obtained in the impact-stimulated resistive exercise in the limb traction muscle variables, greater brown adipose tissue weight, greater quadriceps femoral muscle structure, limb and greater weight number of nuclei in the skeletal striated muscle fibres. The use of the prototype showed similarities in the acute and chronic adaptations expected in resistance training. However, new study proposals should be encouraged, as the data presented here are the first notes on the use of this utility model.We would like to thank the Foundation for Research Support of the Minas Gerais State (FAPEMIG; grant numbers: PPM-00029-17 and DEG-00010-16); National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq, grant number: 150038/2017-8 and 430759/2016-9); and the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) for the support to carry out this study. AMB De-Paula is research productivity fellow of the CNPq

Exostoses múltiplas hereditárias com transformação maligna: Exostoses malignos hereditários com transformação

Introdução: Exostose múltipla hereditária (EMH) corresponde ao distúrbio hereditário musculoesquelético do crescimento ósseo intracondral. Caracteriza-se pela presença de saliências ósseas recobertas por cartilagem hialina em duas ou mais regiões metafisárias, formando, dessa forma, os osteocondromas. Estes ocorrem devido ao ativo crescimento e multiplicação celular no local. A EMH representa 40% dos tumores ósseos benignos e 10% de todos os tumores ósseos. Apresentação do caso: FAP, sexo masculino, 60 anos, com queixa de tumoração em joelho esquerdo, lateralmente à patela, há cerca de 10 anos. Relatou crescimento lento e indolor. Ao exame físico notou-se abaulamento de 8 cm longitudinal x 6 cm transversal x 3 cm anteroposterior, aderido ao plano ósseo patelar, endurecido, sem sinais flogísticos e que à movimentação acompanhava a patela em flexo-extensão do joelho esquerdo, ou seja, sem limitação de amplitude de movimento do membro em questão. Paciente apresentava-se estável e sem outras queixas. Realizou exames de imagem que evidenciaram tumoração óssea localizada no polo inferior da patela do joelho esquerdo, de caráter osteocartilaginoso, sugestivo de artrose nesta região. Foi orientada ressecção por abordagem cirúrgica, que sucedeu sem intercorrências, e o anatomopatológico confirmou diagnóstico de osteocondroma patelar sem sinais de malignidade. Discussão: As exostoses ou osteocondromas, nas proximidades das placas de crescimento ósseo, ocorrem mais comumente nas porções justa-epifisárias dos ossos longos, principalmente no fêmur distal, tíbia proximal, fíbula e úmero. A sintomatologia inclui dor persistente, causada pela pressão nos tecidos vizinhos, por distúrbios da circulação sanguínea ou raramente por compressão da medula espinhal. O diagnóstico é feito através do exame físico e exames de imagem. A EMH pode causar complicações, sendo que a mais grave é a malignização em condrossarcoma, que pode ocorrer em até 3,9% dos pacientes. Quanto ao tratamento, na presença de características clínicas ou radiológicas suspeitas, deve ser realizada a ressecção cirúrgica em bloco e a correlação histopatológica. Conclusão: Na EMH, a maioria das lesões são benignas, entretanto podem cursar com malignização e suscitar repercussões consideráveis na qualidade de vida dos indivíduos afetados. O diagnóstico é elementar, aprimorado no exame físico e radiológico, geralmente detectado na primeira década de vida e deve ser realizado precocemente a fim de evitar maiores complicações

Síndrome de Pickardt: Pickardt syndrome

Introdução: A síndrome de Pickardt-Fahlbusch, muito rara, encontra-se no grupo das síndromes endócrinas de interrupção da haste hipofisária, resultando no hipotireoidismo terciário. A fisiopatologia não está totalmente elucidada, sugerindo alterações de ordens cromossômicas. Apresentação do caso:  Paciente com 13 anos, sexo feminino, natural do Gama - DF, deu entrada no pronto socorro do Hospital Regional de Santa Maria (HRSM) com rebaixamento do nível de consciência associado a hipoglicemia grave, apresentando melhora após reversão da hipoglicemia. Discussão:  Observa-se uma maior prevalência da síndrome de Pickardt-Fahlbusch no sexo masculino, com sintomas de hipotireoidismo grave bem presentes, necessitando realizar exames complementares: laboratoriais e de imagens. Afastadas outras causas e realizado diagnóstico, deve iniciar precocemente as medidas terapêuticas, reduzindo os efeitos e complicações da ausência dos hormônios tireoidianos principalmente na faixa etária pediátrica. Outras características também podem vir acompanhadas, mascarando o diagnóstico, já que alteração ocorre a nível de haste hipofisária, o que induz outras sintomatologias. Conclusão: É imprescindível, diante das várias características apresentadas, entender e estudar mais sobre a síndrome de Pickardt. &nbsp

Cell-Free Antigens from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Drive IL-4 Production and Increase the Severity of Paracoccidioidomycosis

The thermally dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) is the causative agent of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), one of the most frequent systemic mycosis that affects the rural population in Latin America. PCM is characterized by a chronic inflammatory granulomatous reaction, which is consequence of a Th1-mediated adaptive immune response. In the present study we investigated the mechanisms involved in the immunoregulation triggered after a prior contact with cell-free antigens (CFA) during a murine model of PCM. The results showed that the inoculation of CFA prior to the infection resulted in disorganized granulomatous lesions and increased fungal replication in the lungs, liver and spleen, that paralleled with the higher levels of IL-4 when compared with the control group. The role of IL-4 in facilitating the fungal growth was demonstrated in IL-4-deficient- and neutralizing anti-IL-4 mAb-treated mice. The injection of CFA did not affect the fungal growth in these mice, which, in fact, exhibited a significant diminished amount of fungus in the tissues and smaller granulomas. Considering that in vivo anti-IL-4-application started one week after the CFA-inoculum, it implicates that IL-4-CFA-induced is responsible by the mediation of the observed unresponsiveness. Further, the characterization of CFA indicated that a proteic fraction is required for triggering the immunosuppressive mechanisms, while glycosylation or glycosphingolipids moieties are not. Taken together, our data suggest that the prior contact with soluble Pb antigens leads to severe PCM in an IL-4 dependent manner

Immunological Basis for the Gender Differences in Murine Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Infection

This study aimed to investigate the immunological mechanisms involved in the gender distinct incidence of paracoccidioidomycosis (pcm), an endemic systemic mycosis in Latin America, which is at least 10 times more frequent in men than in women. Then, we compared the immune response of male and female mice to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection, as well as the influence in the gender differences exerted by paracoccin, a P. brasiliensis component with carbohydrate recognition property. High production of Th1 cytokines and T-bet expression have been detected in the paracoccin stimulated cultures of spleen cells from infected female mice. In contrast, in similar experimental conditions, cells from infected males produced higher levels of the Th2 cytokines and expressed GATA-3. Macrophages from male and female mice when stimulated with paracoccin displayed similar phagocytic capability, while fungicidal activity was two times more efficiently performed by macrophages from female mice, a fact that was associated with 50% higher levels of nitric oxide production. In order to evaluate the role of sexual hormones in the observed gender distinction, we have utilized mice that have been submitted to gonadectomy followed by inverse hormonal reconstitution. Spleen cells derived from castrated males reconstituted with estradiol have produced higher levels of IFN-γ (1291±15 pg/mL) and lower levels of IL-10 (494±38 pg/mL), than normal male in response to paracoccin stimulus. In contrast, spleen cells from castrated female mice that had been treated with testosterone produced more IL-10 (1284±36 pg/mL) and less IFN-γ (587±14 pg/mL) than cells from normal female. In conclusion, our results reveal that the sexual hormones had a profound effect on the biology of immune cells, and estradiol favours protective responses to P. brasiliensis infection. In addition, fungal components, such as paracoccin, may provide additional support to the gender dimorphic immunity that marks P. brasiliensis infection