Ganhos de seleção para produção de cachos em híbridos interespecíficos entre caiaué e dendê

The objective of this work was to estimate selection gains for bunch production in hybrids obtained from “caiaué” (Elaeis oleifera) parents from the Manicoré population and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) parents from the La Mé population, from the third to the eighth year after planting. Thirty-nine full-sibling progenies were evaluated in experiments conducted in a randomized complete block design, with four replicates and 12 plants per plot. The genetic gain estimates were 27.6% for the ten best selected F1 individuals, 13.7% for the four best selected progenies from parents of both sexes, 6.4% for the selected progenies of the five best male parents, 6.0% for the selected progenies of the two best families from male parents, and 4.0% for the selected progenies of the best descendants from male parents. Genetic gains for bunch production can be achieved, in the short term, through selection restricted to male parents, and, in the medium term, through selection of both male and female parents and cloning of F1 individuals.O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar ganhos de seleção para produção de cachos em híbridos obtidos de genitores caiaué (Elaeis oleifera) da população Manicoré e dendê (Elaeis guineensis) da população La Mé, do terceiro ao oitavo ano após o plantio. Avaliaram-se 39 progênies de irmãos completos em experimentos conduzidos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e 12 plantas por parcela. As estimativas de ganho genético foram de 27,6% para a seleção dos dez melhores indivíduos F1, 13,7% para a seleção das quatro melhores progênies de genitores de ambos os sexos, 6,4% para a seleção das progênies dos cinco melhores genitores masculinos, 6,0% para a seleção das progênies das duas melhores famílias de genitores masculinos, e 4,0% para a seleção das progênies da melhor descendência de genitores masculinos. É possível obter ganhos genéticos para produção de cachos, em curto prazo, com a seleção restrita a genitores masculinos, e, em médio prazo, com a seleção de genitores masculinos e femininos e com a clonagem de indivíduos F1

SISTEMA DE PRODUÇÃO DE MUDAS EM HÍBRIDOS INTERESPECÍFICOS ENTRE CAIAUÉ E DENDÊ

The objective of this study was to evaluate three systems of seedling production of interspecific hybrids of American oil palm and African oil palm (HIE), difference between 12 sib progenies of BRS Manicoré cultivar and the interaction between these two factors. The production systems were evaluated: (i) two-stage nursery with the initial shading (conventional system), (ii) two-stage nursery without shading and (iii) one-stage nursery without shading. The variables evaluated were plant height, number of leaves and stem diameter at 106, 191 and 393 days after sowing. In all variables and periods analyzed, the genotype and environmental factors were significant to F test, but the interaction genotype x environment was not significant. The best development of seedlings in the nursery production system occurred in one-step nursery without shading. The two stages nursery with shading in pre-nursery, which is currently the most widely adopted, resulted in lower seedling development.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar três sistemas de produção de mudas de híbridos interespecíficos (HIE) entre caiaué e dendê, diferença entre 12 progênies de irmãos germanos do cultivar BRS Manicoré e a interação entre esses dois fatores. Os sistemas de produção avaliados foram: (i) viveiro de dois estágios com sombreamento inicial (sistema convencional); (ii) viveiro de dois estágios sem sombreamento inicial e (iii) viveiro de um estágio sem sombreamento inicial. Foram avaliadas as variáveis altura da planta, número de folhas e diâmetro do coleto aos 106, 191 e 393 dias após a semeadura. Em todas as variáveis e épocas analisadas, os fatores genótipo e ambiente foram significativos e o fator inteiração genótipo x ambiente não foi significativo pelo teste F. O melhor desenvolvimento das mudas no viveiro ocorreu no sistema de produção de uma fase sem sombreamento inicial. O viveiro de duas fases com sombreamento inicial, que é atualmente o mais adotado, resultou em menor desenvolvimento das mudas

Height and body-mass index trajectories of school-aged children and adolescents from 1985 to 2019 in 200 countries and territories: a pooled analysis of 2181 population-based studies with 65 million participants

Summary Background Comparable global data on health and nutrition of school-aged children and adolescents are scarce. We aimed to estimate age trajectories and time trends in mean height and mean body-mass index (BMI), which measures weight gain beyond what is expected from height gain, for school-aged children and adolescents. Methods For this pooled analysis, we used a database of cardiometabolic risk factors collated by the Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Collaboration. We applied a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends from 1985 to 2019 in mean height and mean BMI in 1-year age groups for ages 5–19 years. The model allowed for non-linear changes over time in mean height and mean BMI and for non-linear changes with age of children and adolescents, including periods of rapid growth during adolescence. Findings We pooled data from 2181 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight in 65 million participants in 200 countries and territories. In 2019, we estimated a difference of 20 cm or higher in mean height of 19-year-old adolescents between countries with the tallest populations (the Netherlands, Montenegro, Estonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for boys; and the Netherlands, Montenegro, Denmark, and Iceland for girls) and those with the shortest populations (Timor-Leste, Laos, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea for boys; and Guatemala, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Timor-Leste for girls). In the same year, the difference between the highest mean BMI (in Pacific island countries, Kuwait, Bahrain, The Bahamas, Chile, the USA, and New Zealand for both boys and girls and in South Africa for girls) and lowest mean BMI (in India, Bangladesh, Timor-Leste, Ethiopia, and Chad for boys and girls; and in Japan and Romania for girls) was approximately 9–10 kg/m2. In some countries, children aged 5 years started with healthier height or BMI than the global median and, in some cases, as healthy as the best performing countries, but they became progressively less healthy compared with their comparators as they grew older by not growing as tall (eg, boys in Austria and Barbados, and girls in Belgium and Puerto Rico) or gaining too much weight for their height (eg, girls and boys in Kuwait, Bahrain, Fiji, Jamaica, and Mexico; and girls in South Africa and New Zealand). In other countries, growing children overtook the height of their comparators (eg, Latvia, Czech Republic, Morocco, and Iran) or curbed their weight gain (eg, Italy, France, and Croatia) in late childhood and adolescence. When changes in both height and BMI were considered, girls in South Korea, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and some central Asian countries (eg, Armenia and Azerbaijan), and boys in central and western Europe (eg, Portugal, Denmark, Poland, and Montenegro) had the healthiest changes in anthropometric status over the past 3·5 decades because, compared with children and adolescents in other countries, they had a much larger gain in height than they did in BMI. The unhealthiest changes—gaining too little height, too much weight for their height compared with children in other countries, or both—occurred in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, New Zealand, and the USA for boys and girls; in Malaysia and some Pacific island nations for boys; and in Mexico for girls. Interpretation The height and BMI trajectories over age and time of school-aged children and adolescents are highly variable across countries, which indicates heterogeneous nutritional quality and lifelong health advantages and risks

Worldwide trends in hypertension prevalence and progress in treatment and control from 1990 to 2019: a pooled analysis of 1201 population-representative studies with 104 million participants.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension can be detected at the primary health-care level and low-cost treatments can effectively control hypertension. We aimed to measure the prevalence of hypertension and progress in its detection, treatment, and control from 1990 to 2019 for 200 countries and territories. METHODS: We used data from 1990 to 2019 on people aged 30-79 years from population-representative studies with measurement of blood pressure and data on blood pressure treatment. We defined hypertension as having systolic blood pressure 140 mm Hg or greater, diastolic blood pressure 90 mm Hg or greater, or taking medication for hypertension. We applied a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and the proportion of people with hypertension who had a previous diagnosis (detection), who were taking medication for hypertension (treatment), and whose hypertension was controlled to below 140/90 mm Hg (control). The model allowed for trends over time to be non-linear and to vary by age. FINDINGS: The number of people aged 30-79 years with hypertension doubled from 1990 to 2019, from 331 (95% credible interval 306-359) million women and 317 (292-344) million men in 1990 to 626 (584-668) million women and 652 (604-698) million men in 2019, despite stable global age-standardised prevalence. In 2019, age-standardised hypertension prevalence was lowest in Canada and Peru for both men and women; in Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and some countries in western Europe including Switzerland, Spain, and the UK for women; and in several low-income and middle-income countries such as Eritrea, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Solomon Islands for men. Hypertension prevalence surpassed 50% for women in two countries and men in nine countries, in central and eastern Europe, central Asia, Oceania, and Latin America. Globally, 59% (55-62) of women and 49% (46-52) of men with hypertension reported a previous diagnosis of hypertension in 2019, and 47% (43-51) of women and 38% (35-41) of men were treated. Control rates among people with hypertension in 2019 were 23% (20-27) for women and 18% (16-21) for men. In 2019, treatment and control rates were highest in South Korea, Canada, and Iceland (treatment >70%; control >50%), followed by the USA, Costa Rica, Germany, Portugal, and Taiwan. Treatment rates were less than 25% for women and less than 20% for men in Nepal, Indonesia, and some countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania. Control rates were below 10% for women and men in these countries and for men in some countries in north Africa, central and south Asia, and eastern Europe. Treatment and control rates have improved in most countries since 1990, but we found little change in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania. Improvements were largest in high-income countries, central Europe, and some upper-middle-income and recently high-income countries including Costa Rica, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Brazil, Chile, Turkey, and Iran. INTERPRETATION: Improvements in the detection, treatment, and control of hypertension have varied substantially across countries, with some middle-income countries now outperforming most high-income nations. The dual approach of reducing hypertension prevalence through primary prevention and enhancing its treatment and control is achievable not only in high-income countries but also in low-income and middle-income settings. FUNDING: WHO

Worldwide trends in hypertension prevalence and progress in treatment and control from 1990 to 2019: a pooled analysis of 1201 population-representative studies with 104 million participants

Background Hypertension can be detected at the primary health-care level and low-cost treatments can effectively control hypertension. We aimed to measure the prevalence of hypertension and progress in its detection, treatment, and control from 1990 to 2019 for 200 countries and territories. Methods We used data from 1990 to 2019 on people aged 30-79 years from population-representative studies with measurement of blood pressure and data on blood pressure treatment. We defined hypertension as having systolic blood pressure 140 mm Hg or greater, diastolic blood pressure 90 mm Hg or greater, or taking medication for hypertension. We applied a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and the proportion of people with hypertension who had a previous diagnosis (detection), who were taking medication for hypertension (treatment), and whose hypertension was controlled to below 140/90 mm Hg (control). The model allowed for trends over time to be non-linear and to vary by age. Findings The number of people aged 30-79 years with hypertension doubled from 1990 to 2019, from 331 (95% credible interval 306-359) million women and 317 (292-344) million men in 1990 to 626 (584-668) million women and 652 (604-698) million men in 2019, despite stable global age-standardised prevalence. In 2019, age-standardised hypertension prevalence was lowest in Canada and Peru for both men and women; in Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and some countries in western Europe including Switzerland, Spain, and the UK for women; and in several low-income and middle-income countries such as Eritrea, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Solomon Islands for men. Hypertension prevalence surpassed 50% for women in two countries and men in nine countries, in central and eastern Europe, central Asia, Oceania, and Latin America. Globally, 59% (55-62) of women and 49% (46-52) of men with hypertension reported a previous diagnosis of hypertension in 2019, and 47% (43-51) of women and 38% (35-41) of men were treated. Control rates among people with hypertension in 2019 were 23% (20-27) for women and 18% (16-21) for men. In 2019, treatment and control rates were highest in South Korea, Canada, and Iceland (treatment >70%; control >50%), followed by the USA, Costa Rica, Germany, Portugal, and Taiwan. Treatment rates were less than 25% for women and less than 20% for men in Nepal, Indonesia, and some countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania. Control rates were below 10% for women and men in these countries and for men in some countries in north Africa, central and south Asia, and eastern Europe. Treatment and control rates have improved in most countries since 1990, but we found little change in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania. Improvements were largest in high-income countries, central Europe, and some upper-middle-income and recently high-income countries including Costa Rica, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Brazil, Chile, Turkey, and Iran. Interpretation Improvements in the detection, treatment, and control of hypertension have varied substantially across countries, with some middle-income countries now outperforming most high-income nations. The dual approach of reducing hypertension prevalence through primary prevention and enhancing its treatment and control is achievable not only in high-income countries but also in low-income and middle-income settings. Copyright (C) 2021 World Health Organization; licensee Elsevier

Worldwide trends in hypertension prevalence and progress in treatment and control from 1990 to 2019: a pooled analysis of 1201 population-representative studies with 104 million participants

Background Hypertension can be detected at the primary health-care level and low-cost treatments can effectively control hypertension. We aimed to measure the prevalence of hypertension and progress in its detection, treatment, and control from 1990 to 2019 for 200 countries and territories. Methods We used data from 1990 to 2019 on people aged 30–79 years from population-representative studies with measurement of blood pressure and data on blood pressure treatment. We defined hypertension as having systolic blood pressure 140 mm Hg or greater, diastolic blood pressure 90 mm Hg or greater, or taking medication for hypertension. We applied a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and the proportion of people with hypertension who had a previous diagnosis (detection), who were taking medication for hypertension (treatment), and whose hypertension was controlled to below 140/90 mm Hg (control). The model allowed for trends over time to be non-linear and to vary by age. Findings The number of people aged 30–79 years with hypertension doubled from 1990 to 2019, from 331 (95% credible interval 306–359) million women and 317 (292–344) million men in 1990 to 626 (584–668) million women and 652 (604–698) million men in 2019, despite stable global age-standardised prevalence. In 2019, age-standardised hypertension prevalence was lowest in Canada and Peru for both men and women; in Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and some countries in western Europe including Switzerland, Spain, and the UK for women; and in several low-income and middle-income countries such as Eritrea, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Solomon Islands for men. Hypertension prevalence surpassed 50% for women in two countries and men in nine countries, in central and eastern Europe, central Asia, Oceania, and Latin America. Globally, 59% (55–62) of women and 49% (46–52) of men with hypertension reported a previous diagnosis of hypertension in 2019, and 47% (43–51) of women and 38% (35–41) of men were treated. Control rates among people with hypertension in 2019 were 23% (20–27) for women and 18% (16–21) for men. In 2019, treatment and control rates were highest in South Korea, Canada, and Iceland (treatment >70%; control >50%), followed by the USA, Costa Rica, Germany, Portugal, and Taiwan. Treatment rates were less than 25% for women and less than 20% for men in Nepal, Indonesia, and some countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania. Control rates were below 10% for women and men in these countries and for men in some countries in north Africa, central and south Asia, and eastern Europe. Treatment and control rates have improved in most countries since 1990, but we found little change in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania. Improvements were largest in high-income countries, central Europe, and some upper-middle-income and recently high-income countries including Costa Rica, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Brazil, Chile, Turkey, and Iran. Interpretation Improvements in the detection, treatment, and control of hypertension have varied substantially across countries, with some middle-income countries now outperforming most high-income nations. The dual approach of reducing hypertension prevalence through primary prevention and enhancing its treatment and control is achievable not only in high-income countries but also in low-income and middle-income settings

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Genetic transformation of tobaco (Nicotiana tabacum) via Agrobacterium tumefaciens, with tbe pea Lhcbl *2 gene

O sistema coletor de energia luminosa (LHCII) funciona como um sistema antena associado a um centro de reação do PSII. O sistema antena é formado por moléculas de clorofila complexadas às proteínas CAB ("Chlorophill a/b binding proteins"). As moléculas de clorofila são excitadas pela energia luminosa, e quando voltam para o estado de repouso dessa transição, tem-se a liberação de elétrons que são transportados do PSII para PSI, gerando NADPH e ATP. A proteína Lhcb1*2 é a principal proteína CAB, e está associada à cerca de 50% das moléculas de clorofila do PSII. O emprego de técnicas de biotecnologia, como a transformação genética de plantas, representa uma ferramenta adicional para melhorar o potencial produtivo das espécies cultivadas. Por exemplo, o aumento de biomassa é uma característica de ser conseguida em diversas culturas e está relacionada, em grande parte, à capacidade fotossintética das plantas. As plantas superiores, são capazes de ajustar o tamanho do sistema antena (LHCII), localizados nas membranas dos tilacóides dos cloroplastos, como observado em estudos anteriores, em nosso laboratório, sobre a regulação do processo fotossintético, em plantas transgênicas de tabaco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Petit Havana SR1) que superexpressaram o gene quimérico Lhcb1*2 de ervilha. A expressão deste gene foi facilitada pelo promotor constitutivo 35S do vírus do mosaico da couve-flor (CaMV). Neste caso foram obtidas duas linhagens que têm alta expressão desse transgene e os resultados mostraram que a expressão ectópica do gene Lhcb1*2 resultou em um aumento da capacidade fotossintética das plantas transgênicas em condições limitantes de luz, e também em uma série de efeitos pleiotrópicos no desenvolvimento e anatomia foliar. Assim, o objetivo dessa dissertação foi o de obter-se um maior número de linhagens transgênicas de tabaco, para o estudo posterior de diferentes níveis de expressão do transgene, de forma a entender a relação entre o nível de expressão do transgene e os efeitos sobre o desenvolvimento, anatomia foliar e fisiologia das plantas transgênicas. O sistema de transformação de plantas utilizado foi o de Agrobacterium tumefaciens. A identificação dos transformantes feita por PCR. As plantas PCR positivas foram então autofecundadas, e suas progênies, avaliadas em meio seletivo. As plantas que apresentaram o padrão de seleção, de três plantas resistentes para uma suscetível à canamicina, foram selecionadas. Nove plantas de cada progênie resistente foram novamente autofecundadas, para a identificação de plantas homozigotas para o transgene. Dezessete linhagens, independentes e homozigotas para o transgene, foram obtidas de dezenove plantas com segregação mendeliana (3:1). A análise de Southern blot de 12 plantas PCR positivas e homozigotas para o transgene, apenas uma planta revelou-se negativa, e várias, apesar da segregação mendeliana, apresentaram mais de uma cópia do transgene integrado ao seu genoma.The LHCII light harvesting complex acts as an antenna system, associated to the (PSII) core complex. The LHCII is formed by chlorophyll molecules associated to the CAB proteins ("chlorophyll a/b binding proteins"). The chlorophyll molecules are excited by the light energy, before returning to the steady state. From this transition, electrons are liberated and transferred form PSII to PSI, producing NADPH and ATP. The Lhcb 1*2 is the major CAB protein and binds around 50% of total PSII Chlorophyll molecules. The use of biotechnology techniques, such as plant genetic transformation, represent an additional tool to improve the productive potential of cultivated species. For example, the increase in biomass is a (desired) feature to be achieved in several cultures and is largely related, to the photosynthetic capacity of higher plants. The higher plants are able to adjust the size of the LHCII antenna system, located in the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplasts, as observed in previous work in our laboratory, consuming the regulation of the photosynthetic apparatus in transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing the chimeric pea Lhcb1*2 gene. The expression of this gene was facilitated by the constitutive cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promotes (CaMV). ln this case, two lines, showing high expression of the transgene were obtained and the results showed that the ectopic expression of the Lhcb 1*2 lead to an enhanced photosynthetic capacity of these transgenic lines in limiting light conditions and also to a series of pleitropic effects upon development and leaf anatomy. So, the aim of this work was to obtain a larger number of transgenic tabacco lines for a future study of the different levels of the transgene expression , o be able to understand the relation between the transgene expression level and its effects upon development , leaf anatomy and fisiology of these transgenic plants. Toe plant transformation system used was the Agrobacterium tumefaciens one. The identification of the transformants was made by PCR. The PCR positive plants where then selfcrossed, and their progeny, evaluated in selective medium. The plants which showed a selective pattern of three resistant plants to one susceptible to kanamycin, were selected. Nine plants of each resistant progeny were selfcrossed a second time, for the identification of the homozygous transgenic lines. Seventeen independent homozygous transgenic lines were obtained, out of nineteen plants which showed Mendelian Segregation (3: 1 ). From the Southern blot analysis of thirteen PCR positive plants, homozygous plants, only one was not a genuine transformant and others, showed more than one copy of the transgene integrated into their genome, although the pattern of the segregation was Mendelian

Antioxidant response of coffee (Coffea arabica) cells to cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) stress

Foi investigada a resposta antioxidante de culturas em suspensão celular de café (Coffea arabica L.) ao cádmio (Cd) e níquel (Ni). As células de café foram tratadas por doze dias com zero (controle), 0,05 e 0,5 mM de NiCl2 ou CdCl2. O Cd e o Ni acumularam rapidamente nas células e este acúmulo foi diretamente correlacionado com o aumento na concentração de metal no meio externo. Em 0,05 mM CdCl2 e 0,05 mM NiCl2, o crescimento foi estimulado, mas em 0,5 mM CdCl2 e 0,5 mM NiCl2 a taxa de crescimento foi reduzida. As alterações no metabolismo do oxigênio ativo foram detectadas pela análise visual, assim como pelo aumento na peroxidação lipídica, nos tratamentos com 0,5 mM CdCl2 e 0,5 mM NiCl2. As atividades das enzimas catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6), glutationa redutase (GR; EC 1.6.4.2) e superóxido dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) aumentaram após exposição ao Cd, particularmente na maior concentração de CdCl2. A atividade da ascorbato peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11) foi elevada por 0,05 mM CdCl2, mas não pode ser detectada em células cultivadas na maior concentração de CdCl2 após 24 h de cultivo, enquanto que a guaiacol peroxidase (GOPX; EC 1.11.1.7) não demonstrou um padrão claro de resposta ao tratamento com Cd. As atividades das enzimas CAT, GR, APX, GOPX e SOD foram aumentadas, particularmente nos períodos iniciais de exposição ao NiCl2 e as atividades foram maiores na dosagem 0,5 mM NiCl2, na maioria dos tempos de exposição testados. A análise em PAGE não desnaturante seguido pela revelação da atividade enzimática, apresentou uma isoenzima da CAT, nove isoenzimas da SOD e quatro isoenzimas da GR. As isoenzimas da SOD foram diferencialmente afetadas pelo tratamento com CdCl2 e NiCl2 e uma isoenzima da GR mostrou responder especificamente ao CdCl2 e ao NiCl2. Os resultados sugerem que 0,5 mM CdCl2 e 0,5 mM NiCl2 podem levar ao estresse oxidativo. O CdCl2 e o NiCl2 a 0,05 mM não induziram peroxidação lipídica e a principal resposta aparenta ser via indução das atividades das enzimas SOD, CAT e APX nas células tratadas com Cd e das enzimas SOD, CAT, GOPX e APX nas células tratadas com Ni, para a remoção das espécies ativas de oxigênio (EAOs), e pela indução da GR para garantir a disponibilidade de glutationa reduzida. A síntese de peptídeos de ligação ao Cd, deve também estar relacionada com a inibição da atividade da APX, provavelmente devido ao esgotamento da glutationa e ascorbato na maior concentração de CdCl2.The antioxidant responses of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) cell suspension cultures to cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) were investigated. Coffee cells were treated for twelve days with 0 (control), 0.05 and 0.5 mM NiCl2 or CdCl2. Cd and Ni accumulated very rapidly in the cells and this accumulation was directly correlated with an increase in applied metal concentration in the external medium. At 0.05 mM CdCl2 and 0.05 mM NiCl2, growth was stimulated, but at 0.5 mM CdCl2 and 0.5 mM NiCl2 the growth rate was reduced. An alteration in activated oxygen metabolism was detected by visual analysis as well as by an increase in lipid peroxidation at 0.5 mM CdCl2 and 0.5 mM NiCl2. Catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6), glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.6.4.2) and superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) activity increased after Cd exposure, particularly at the higher concentration of CdCl2. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11) activity was higher at the lower CdCl2 concentration used, but could not be detected in cells growing in the higher CdCl2 concentration after 24 h of growth, whilst guaiacol peroxidase (GOPX; EC 1.11.1.7) did not show a clear response to Cd treatment. CAT, GR, APX, GOPX and SOD activities were increased due to Ni treatment, particularly at earlier NiCl2 exposure times and the activities were higher at 0.5 mM NiCl2 for most of exposure times tested. An analysis by non-denaturing PAGE followed by staining for enzyme activity, revealed one CAT isoenzyme, nine SOD isoenzymes and four GR isoenzymes. The SOD isoenzymes were differently affected by CdCl2 and NiCl2 treatment and one GR isoenzyme was shown to specifically respond to CdCl2 and NiCl2. The results suggest that the higher concentrations of CdCl2 and NiCl2 may lead to oxidative stress. CdCl2 and NiCl2 at 0.05 mM did not induce lipid peroxidation and the main response appeared to be via the induction of SOD, CAT and APX activities in Cd treated cells and SOD, CAT, GOPX and APX activities in Ni treated cells, for the removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and by the induction of GR to ensure the availability of reduced glutathione. The synthesis of Cd-binding proteins may also be related to the inhibition of APX activity probably due to glutathione and ascorbate depletion at higher CdCl2 concentration

Genetic transformation of tobaco (Nicotiana tabacum) via Agrobacterium tumefaciens, with tbe pea Lhcbl *2 gene

O sistema coletor de energia luminosa (LHCII) funciona como um sistema antena associado a um centro de reação do PSII. O sistema antena é formado por moléculas de clorofila complexadas às proteínas CAB ("Chlorophill a/b binding proteins"). As moléculas de clorofila são excitadas pela energia luminosa, e quando voltam para o estado de repouso dessa transição, tem-se a liberação de elétrons que são transportados do PSII para PSI, gerando NADPH e ATP. A proteína Lhcb1*2 é a principal proteína CAB, e está associada à cerca de 50% das moléculas de clorofila do PSII. O emprego de técnicas de biotecnologia, como a transformação genética de plantas, representa uma ferramenta adicional para melhorar o potencial produtivo das espécies cultivadas. Por exemplo, o aumento de biomassa é uma característica de ser conseguida em diversas culturas e está relacionada, em grande parte, à capacidade fotossintética das plantas. As plantas superiores, são capazes de ajustar o tamanho do sistema antena (LHCII), localizados nas membranas dos tilacóides dos cloroplastos, como observado em estudos anteriores, em nosso laboratório, sobre a regulação do processo fotossintético, em plantas transgênicas de tabaco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Petit Havana SR1) que superexpressaram o gene quimérico Lhcb1*2 de ervilha. A expressão deste gene foi facilitada pelo promotor constitutivo 35S do vírus do mosaico da couve-flor (CaMV). Neste caso foram obtidas duas linhagens que têm alta expressão desse transgene e os resultados mostraram que a expressão ectópica do gene Lhcb1*2 resultou em um aumento da capacidade fotossintética das plantas transgênicas em condições limitantes de luz, e também em uma série de efeitos pleiotrópicos no desenvolvimento e anatomia foliar. Assim, o objetivo dessa dissertação foi o de obter-se um maior número de linhagens transgênicas de tabaco, para o estudo posterior de diferentes níveis de expressão do transgene, de forma a entender a relação entre o nível de expressão do transgene e os efeitos sobre o desenvolvimento, anatomia foliar e fisiologia das plantas transgênicas. O sistema de transformação de plantas utilizado foi o de Agrobacterium tumefaciens. A identificação dos transformantes feita por PCR. As plantas PCR positivas foram então autofecundadas, e suas progênies, avaliadas em meio seletivo. As plantas que apresentaram o padrão de seleção, de três plantas resistentes para uma suscetível à canamicina, foram selecionadas. Nove plantas de cada progênie resistente foram novamente autofecundadas, para a identificação de plantas homozigotas para o transgene. Dezessete linhagens, independentes e homozigotas para o transgene, foram obtidas de dezenove plantas com segregação mendeliana (3:1). A análise de Southern blot de 12 plantas PCR positivas e homozigotas para o transgene, apenas uma planta revelou-se negativa, e várias, apesar da segregação mendeliana, apresentaram mais de uma cópia do transgene integrado ao seu genoma.The LHCII light harvesting complex acts as an antenna system, associated to the (PSII) core complex. The LHCII is formed by chlorophyll molecules associated to the CAB proteins ("chlorophyll a/b binding proteins"). The chlorophyll molecules are excited by the light energy, before returning to the steady state. From this transition, electrons are liberated and transferred form PSII to PSI, producing NADPH and ATP. The Lhcb 1*2 is the major CAB protein and binds around 50% of total PSII Chlorophyll molecules. The use of biotechnology techniques, such as plant genetic transformation, represent an additional tool to improve the productive potential of cultivated species. For example, the increase in biomass is a (desired) feature to be achieved in several cultures and is largely related, to the photosynthetic capacity of higher plants. The higher plants are able to adjust the size of the LHCII antenna system, located in the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplasts, as observed in previous work in our laboratory, consuming the regulation of the photosynthetic apparatus in transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing the chimeric pea Lhcb1*2 gene. The expression of this gene was facilitated by the constitutive cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promotes (CaMV). ln this case, two lines, showing high expression of the transgene were obtained and the results showed that the ectopic expression of the Lhcb 1*2 lead to an enhanced photosynthetic capacity of these transgenic lines in limiting light conditions and also to a series of pleitropic effects upon development and leaf anatomy. So, the aim of this work was to obtain a larger number of transgenic tabacco lines for a future study of the different levels of the transgene expression , o be able to understand the relation between the transgene expression level and its effects upon development , leaf anatomy and fisiology of these transgenic plants. Toe plant transformation system used was the Agrobacterium tumefaciens one. The identification of the transformants was made by PCR. The PCR positive plants where then selfcrossed, and their progeny, evaluated in selective medium. The plants which showed a selective pattern of three resistant plants to one susceptible to kanamycin, were selected. Nine plants of each resistant progeny were selfcrossed a second time, for the identification of the homozygous transgenic lines. Seventeen independent homozygous transgenic lines were obtained, out of nineteen plants which showed Mendelian Segregation (3: 1 ). From the Southern blot analysis of thirteen PCR positive plants, homozygous plants, only one was not a genuine transformant and others, showed more than one copy of the transgene integrated into their genome, although the pattern of the segregation was Mendelian