Modelagem de cana de açúcar para previsão de produtividade de canaviais no Brasil e na Austrália

A model of sugarcane was constructed to predict the potential yield (without nutrition and water restrictions) to analyze the sustainability of new expanded cultivation areas to the ethanol production. The potential yield in terms of dry matter of sugarcane was adjusted to estimate the carbon dioxide absorption (CO2), AS C4 plant, in relation with air temperature and solar radiation to calculate a monthly production of dry mass (DM), during the crop cycle. The DM take in account a gross photosynthetic rate subtracting loses by maintenance respiration, senescence of leafs and tillers during the cycle. The BRCANE model is composed by equations which describe the physiological behaviour due to environment conditions averaging the thermal variables, which constants was obtained through adjusts of literature results with experimental data. The estimated DM by the model was contrasted with data which obtained during the cycle from experimental irrigated field (varieties RB72 454, NA 56-79, CB 41-76, CB 47-355, CP 51-22, Q138 and Q141), in the São Paulo State (Brazil) and in Bundaberg SES, Queensland (Australia). The results of total DM were modified in stalk tons per hectare through linear equation for each variety, with regression coefficients higher than 0,88. The model showed consistent simulations with DM during the CROP cycle, as well as in the prediction of yield

Modelagem de cana de açúcar para previsão de produtividade de canaviais no Brasil e na Austrália

Un modelo de previsión del rendimiento potencial de la productividad, sin restricciones de la nutrición y el agua, para la cultura de caña de azúcar ha sido construido para analizar la sostenibilidad de la nueva ampliación de zonas de cultivo, con el foco en la producción de etanol. Fueran ajustados los valores del rendimiento potencial en términos de masa seca (MS) de la caña de azúcar para estimar la absorción del dióxido de carbono (CO2), en relación con la temperatura del aire y la radiación solar. Son estimados mensualmente la producción de MS, durante el ciclo de cultivo. La MS debe considerar una tasa fotosintética con pierdas por la manutención de la respiración, la senescencia de hojas y sierpes que restarán en el campo durante el ciclo. El modelo BRCANE es compuesto por las ecuaciones que describen el comportamiento fisiológico debido a las condiciones del ambiente térmico promedio de las variables, constantes, que se obtuvo a través de la literatura y ajusta los resultados de acuerdo con los datos experimentales. El MS estimado por el modelo se contrasta con los datos obtenidos en el ciclo de experimentación sobre el terreno de regadío (variedades RB72 454, NA 56-79, CB 41-76, CB 47-355, CP 51-22, Q138 y Q141), en El Estado de São Paulo (Brasil) y en Bundaberg SES, de Queensland (Australia). Los resultados del total de MS se modificaron en el tallo de toneladas por hectárea a través de ecuación linear para cada variedad, con coeficientes de regresión superiores a 0,88. El modelo se presentó coherente con las simulaciones MS durante el ciclo, así como en la predicción del rendimiento.A model of sugarcane was constructed to predict the potential yield (without nutrition and water restrictions) to analyze the sustainability of new expanded cultivation areas to the ethanol production. The potential yield in terms of dry matter of sugarcane was adjusted to estimate the carbon dioxide absorption (CO2), AS C4 plant, in relation with air temperature and solar radiation to calculate a monthly production of dry mass (DM), during the crop cycle. The DM take in account a gross photosynthetic rate subtracting loses by maintenance respiration, senescence of leafs and tillers during the cycle. The BRCANE model is composed by equations which describe the physiological behaviour due to environment conditions averaging the thermal variables, which constants was obtained through adjusts of literature results with experimental data. The estimated DM by the model was contrasted with data which obtained during the cycle from experimental irrigated field (varieties RB72 454, NA 56-79, CB 41- 76, CB 47-355, CP 51-22, Q138 and Q141), in the São Paulo State (Brazil) and in Bundaberg SES, Queensland (Australia). The results of total DM were modified in stalk tons per hectare through linear equation for each variety, with regression coefficients higher than 0,88. The model showed consistent simulations with DM during the CROP cycle, as well as in the prediction of yield.Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativ

Ductal lavage: a way of carefully tracing the breast-secreting duct

Background: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed neoplasia in women after nonmelanoma skin tumors. Unfortunately, present-day diagnostic methods are unable to identify the presence of a cancer until it has been developing for several years. Currently, ductal lavage seems to represent a new method of reaching an early diagnosis of breast cancer. Materials & methods: This study analyzed 30 patients with ages ranging from 40 to 55 years; and in 26 of these patients, we were able to obtain a sufficient quantity of material for cytological and biomolecular analysis. Results & conclusion: We propose an easy, reproducible method that makes it possible to obtain a detailed map of the nipple, in order to re-identify the duct orifice and take a series of repeated samples from it over a period of time. This procedure is a promising screening and translational research tool since it provides the quantity and quality of ductal fluid required for subsequent cytological and biomolecular analyse

TP53 and p16INK4A, but not H-KI-Ras, are involved in tumorigenesis and progression of pleomorphic adenomas.

The putative role of TP53 and p16INK4A tumor suppressor genes and Ras oncogenes in the development and progression of salivary gland neoplasias was studied in 28 cases of pleomorphic adenomas (PA), 4 cases of cystic adenocarcinomas, and 1 case of carcinoma ex-PA. Genetic and epigenetic alterations in the above genes were analyzed by Polymerase Chain Reaction/Single Strand Conformational Polymorphism (PCR/SSCP) and sequencing and by Methylation Specific-PCR (MS-PCR). Mutations in TP53 were found in 14% (4/28) of PAs and in 60% (3/5) of carcinomas. Mutations in H-Ras and K-Ras were identified in4%(1/28) and7% (2/28) of PAs, respectively. Only 20% (1/5) of carcinomas screened displayed mutations in K-Ras. p16INK4A promoter hypermethylation was found in 14% (4/28) of PAs and 100% (5/5) carcinomas. All genetic and epigenetic alterations were detected exclusively in the epithelial and transitional tumor components, and were absent in the mesenchymal parts. Our analysis suggests that TP53 mutations and p16INK4A promoter methylation, but not alterations in the H-Ras and K-Ras genes, might be involved in the malignant progression of PA into carcinoma. J. Cell. Physiol. 207: 654–659, 2006. 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc

TP53 mutations and S-Phase fraction are independent prognostic indicators in locally advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Larynx tumor is a rare neoplasia that represent only the 2% of all human tumor. In particular, the 90% of tumor that occur in this organ correspond to the laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). From the biomolecular point of view, it was shown that the TP53 gene mutations are the most common events observed in the early phases of LSCC carcinogenesis. However, them prognostic significance remains controversial. Besides, the prognostic significance of DNA ploidy has been well established for other solid tumors, but its role in LSCC is still controversial. The aim of this study was, therefore, to prospectively evaluate the prognostic significance of TP53 mutations, DNA-ploidy and S-phase fraction (SPF) in LSCC patients. Prospective analysis of 81 patients who underwent resective surgery for primary operable locally advanced LSCC patients (stages III and IV) was performed. Tumor DNA was screened for TP53 mutations by PCR/SSCP and sequencing; DNA flow cytometry was performed on mechanically disaggregated sample of frozen tumor tissue. The median follow-up time in our study group was 71 months (range 11-137 months). Fourthy-four percent of patients (36/81) have, at least, a mutation in the TP53 gene. Of them, 22% (8/36) have double mutations and 6% (2/36) have triple mutations. In total, 47 TP53 mutations were observed. The majority (42%) of these occur in exon 5 (20/47), while the mutations in exons 6, 7 and 8 are represented in 14, 7 and 6 patients respectively (30%, 15% and 13%). The flow cytometry analysis showed that sixty-three percent of the cases (51/81) were DNA aneuploidy and 14% of these (7/51) were multiclonal. LSCC patients were divided into two groups using median SPF level as cut-off point: low SPF 15.1 % and high SPF >15.1 %, Even though it seems that TP53 mutations promotes the LSCC carcinogenesis in young people (p< 0.05), there was not any association between this variable and the clinicopathological or the other biomolecular variables. At univariate analysis, the Kaplan and Meier text show that DNA aneuploidy, high SPF, any TP53 mutations and, in particular, the mutations that occur in exons 5 and 8 proved to be significantly related to quicker disease relapse and short OS. At multivariate analysis, the Cox proportional hazards model show that the major significant predictors for both disease relapse and death were high SPF and any TP53 mutations. In conclusion, any TP53 mutations, more than specific mutations in exon 5 and 8, are important biological indicators to predict the outcome of patients indicating these mutations have biological relevance in terms of LSCC disease course. Our study has also identify high SPF as independent prognostic factors in locally advanced LSCC patients

Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults

Background Underweight and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes throughout the life course. We estimated the individual and combined prevalence of underweight or thinness and obesity, and their changes, from 1990 to 2022 for adults and school-aged children and adolescents in 200 countries and territories. Methods We used data from 3663 population-based studies with 222 million participants that measured height and weight in representative samples of the general population. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in the prevalence of different BMI categories, separately for adults (age ≥20 years) and school-aged children and adolescents (age 5–19 years), from 1990 to 2022 for 200 countries and territories. For adults, we report the individual and combined prevalence of underweight (BMI &lt;18·5 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). For school&#x2;aged children and adolescents, we report thinness (BMI &lt;2 SD below the median of the WHO growth reference) and obesity (BMI &gt;2 SD above the median). Findings From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity in adults decreased in 11 countries (6%) for women and 17 (9%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 that the observed changes were true decreases. The combined prevalence increased in 162 countries (81%) for women and 140 countries (70%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. In 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity was highest in island nations in the Caribbean and Polynesia and Micronesia, and countries in the Middle East and north Africa. Obesity prevalence was higher than underweight with posterior probability of at least 0·80 in 177 countries (89%) for women and 145 (73%) for men in 2022, whereas the converse was true in 16 countries (8%) for women, and 39 (20%) for men. From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of thinness and obesity decreased among girls in five countries (3%) and among boys in 15 countries (8%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80, and increased among girls in 140 countries (70%) and boys in 137 countries (69%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. The countries with highest combined prevalence of thinness and obesity in school-aged children and adolescents in 2022 were in Polynesia and Micronesia and the Caribbean for both sexes, and Chile and Qatar for boys. Combined prevalence was also high in some countries in south Asia, such as India and Pakistan, where thinness remained prevalent despite having declined. In 2022, obesity in school-aged children and adolescents was more prevalent than thinness with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 among girls in 133 countries (67%) and boys in 125 countries (63%), whereas the converse was true in 35 countries (18%) and 42 countries (21%), respectively. In almost all countries for both adults and school-aged children and adolescents, the increases in double burden were driven by increases in obesity, and decreases in double burden by declining underweight or thinness. Interpretation The combined burden of underweight and obesity has increased in most countries, driven by an increase in obesity, while underweight and thinness remain prevalent in south Asia and parts of Africa. A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious foods is needed to address the remaining burden of underweight while curbing and reversing the increase in obesit

Economic Assessment of the Impact of the Sugarcane Industry: An Empirical Approach with Two Focuses for San Luis Potosí, México

The sugarcane industry has a high environmental impact. In countries such as Mexico, cultivation and harvesting practices consume and pollute many ecological resources. However, quantifying these impacts is difficult due to their diverse nature and different units of measurement. In this study, an approach with two focuses was taken to assess the environmental costs of the sugarcane industry in San Luis Potosí, México. The first focus is human health costs related to air pollution (black carbon) and the second one is a lifecycle assessment applied to the production phase. In the first case, four scenarios, with different concentrations and populations, were projected. Costs of 516.8 thousand USD were estimated for a scenario in which black carbon concentrations exceeded the WHO reference by one unit for the total population. In the second case, costs of 642 million USD were estimated for the impairment of seven ecosystem-based services. These estimates may vary due to the source and specificity of the information provided, but nevertheless are considered an appropriate approximation of the cost of environmental damage. It is recommended that first-hand information be collected and systematized to improve the certainty of the estimates and that changes to sugarcane agrifood systems be considered to reduce environmental costs