Cervical spondylodiscitis in an infant

An Esp Pediatr. 2000 Apr;52(4):398-400. [Cervical spondylodiscitis in an infant] [Article in Spanish] Oliveira T, Barbosa C, Neves E, Guimarães A, Sexto C, Cruz R. Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Maria Pia, Porto, Portugal. Abstract Spondylitis in childhood is rare, presenting a great variety of symptoms that are related to the child s age and to the site of the inflammatory process. We present the case of a nine-month-old infant, who presented to the emergency department with a torticollis of six weeks evolution. The diagnosis of spondylitis (C6-C7) was confirmed by MRI. Intravenous antibiotic therapy was administered. The patient showed complete regression of symptoms and imaging tests were normal. The rarity of this disease in patients in this age group, as well as the site and form of presentation are emphasised as is the importance of diagnosing this disease to prevent permanent neurological injuries or bone deformities. PMID: 11003937 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

Controle genético da resistência ao mosaico comum em linhagens de milho tropical.

A contínua diversificação das épocas de cultivo do milho, na maioria das regiões produtoras, tem contribuído para o aumento na incidência e na severidade de doenças, incluindo a virose mosaico comum causada por potyvírus. Tem sido verificado que, de forma predominante, uma estirpe do maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) é o agente causal dessa virose no Brasil. O uso de cultivares resistentes é o método mais eficiente e econômico para o controle dessa virose. Entretanto, a identificação de fontes de resistência e o estudo da sua herança são requerimentos primordiais para o sucesso de programas de melhoramento visando a produção de cultivares resistentes. Assim, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo o estudo do controle genético da resistência ao mosaico comum do milho usando-se duas linhagens resistentes (L18 e L520) e uma susceptível (L19). Os genitores e as gerações F1, F2, RC 1.1 e RC 1.2 foram submetidos à inoculação artificial, quando as plântulas apresentavam-se no estádio de cinco folhas e a fenotipagem, realizada aos 15 e aos 30 dias após a inoculação. Os resultados das análises genético-estatísticas pelo teste de X2 mostraram que a resistência ao vírus do mosaico comum é condicionada por um gene com dominância completa em ambas as linhagens resistentes. O teste de alelismo entre L18 e L520 detectou a proporção fenotípica de 15 (R): 1 (S) na geração F2, indicando que as linhagens resistentes portam genes distintos

One step forward: contrasting the effects of Toe clipping and PIT tagging on frog survival and recapture probability

Amphibians have been declining worldwide and the comprehension of the threats that they face could be improved by using mark-recapture models to estimate vital rates of natural populations. Recently, the consequences of marking amphibians have been under discussion and the effects of toe clipping on survival are debatable, although it is still the most common technique for individually identifying amphibians. The passive integrated transponder (PIT tag) is an alternative technique, but comparisons among marking techniques in free-ranging populations are still lacking. We compared these two marking techniques using mark-recapture models to estimate apparent survival and recapture probability of a neotropical population of the blacksmith tree frog, Hypsiboas faber. We tested the effects of marking technique and number of toe pads removed while controlling for sex. Survival was similar among groups, although slightly decreased from individuals with one toe pad removed, to individuals with two and three toe pads removed, and finally to PIT-tagged individuals. No sex differences were detected. Recapture probability slightly increased with the number of toe pads removed and was the lowest for PIT-tagged individuals. Sex was an important predictor for recapture probability, with males being nearly five times more likely to be recaptured. Potential negative effects of both techniques may include reduced locomotion and high stress levels. We recommend the use of covariates in models to better understand the effects of marking techniques on frogs. Accounting for the effect of the technique on the results should be considered, because most techniques may reduce survival. Based on our results, but also on logistical and cost issues associated with PIT tagging, we suggest the use of toe clipping with anurans like the blacksmith tree frog4814801490CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP140684/2009-3; 309229/2009-0229611-02008/54472-2FADA-UNIFESP; INCTTOX; UNICAM

Pré-melhoramento para a tolerância ao alumínio em sorgo.

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Mapping QTL contributing to SCMV resistance in tropical maize.

Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) has been increasing in importance as a maize disease in Brazil. In this study, we mapped and characterized quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with resistance to SCMV in a maize population consisting of 150 F2:3 families from the cross between two tropical maize inbred lines, L520 (resistant) and L19 (susceptible). F2 individuals were genotyped with microsatellite (SSR) markers, and the derived F2:3 families were evaluated for their response to artificial inoculation with SCMV under field conditions at Sete Lagoas, MG, Brazil, in 2001 and 2005. Multiple interval mapping was used for QTL detection with a linkage map based on 19 SSR markers. Three QTLs for SCMV resistance were identified with two QTLs (Scm2a and Scm2b) clustered on chromosome 3, bin 3.04, and one QTL (Scm1) on chromosome 6, bin 6.01, explaining 13.34, 41.85 and 7.66% of the phenotypic variation for SCMV resistance, respectively

Genetic variability of Brazilian phytoplasma and spiroplasma isolated from maize plants.

ABSTRACT - The objective of this work was to characterize the genetic variability of phytoplasma and Spiroplasma kunkelii isolated from maize plants showing symptoms of stunt collected from different Brazilian geographic regions. A DNA fragment of 500 base pairs (bp) was amplified from the spiralin gene in S. kunkelii and one fragment of 1,200 bp was generated from 16S rDNA gene in phytoplasma. The partial sequences of the spiralin gene showed similarity of 98% among the isolates of S. kunkelii analyzed. These sequences were compared with the sequence of the spiralin gene from other Spiroplasma species deposited in the GenBank, resulting in a similarity varying from 76.9% to 88.1%. The 16S rDNA sequence from the phytoplasma were completely similar within the Brazilian isolates and showed up to 98% of the similarity with sequences already found from other phytoplasmas. A very narrow genetic variability was detected by these gene fragments within phytoplasma and Spiroplasma analyzed. However, other genomic regions with higher polymorphic levels shall be identified in order to better evaluate the genetic diversity within these microorganisms population. RESUMO - O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar a variabilidade genética de isolados de fitoplasma e de Spiroplasma kunkelii obtidos de plantas de milho, apresentando sintomas de enfezamento, coletados em diferentes regiões do Brasil. Um fragmento de 500 pares de bases (pb) do gene que codifica a espiralina de S. kunkelii foi amplificado e um produto de amplificação de 1.200 pb foi gerado a partir do gene l6S rDNA de fitoplasma. As seqüências parciais do gene da espiralina mostraram similaridade de 98% entre os isolados de S. kunkelii analisados. Essas seqüências foram comparadas com a seqüência do gene da espiralina de outras espécies de Spiroplasma depositadas no GenBank, resultando em similaridade variável entre 76,9% e 88,1 %. As seqüências do gene l6S rDNA dos isolados de fitoplasma foram completamente similares entre todos os isolados brasileiros e apresentaram até 98% de similaridade com seqüências do mesmo gene de outros fitoplasmas já publicadas. Uma variabilidade genética muito estreita foi detectada para esses genes entre os isolados de fitoplasma e Spiroplasma analisados. No entanto, outras regiões genômicas, que apresentem um maior polimorfismo precisam ser identificadas para melhor avaliar a diversidade genética dentro da população desses microrganismos