Analysis of CcDREB1D promoter region from drought-tolerant and susceptible clones of Coffea canephora by homologous genetic transformation of Coffea arabica

In several plant species, the DREB genes play a key role in responses to abiotic stress. Since the development of molecular markers is one of the major goals for accelerating breeding programs, a study was done to evaluate the sequence variability of the DREBID gene in several Coffee genotypes. The promoter and coding regions of DREBID gene were cloned and sequenced from 16 coffee plants (10 from C. arabica and 4 from C. canephora), most of them characterized by different phenotypes (tolerance vs. susceptibility) regarding to drought. This showed a high conservation of DREB1 D proteins among the homologous sequences due to the low level of diversity and the high number of synonymous mutations and neutral changes which represents the majority of sequence variations. However, several nucleic polymorphisms ("single nucleotide polymorphism" and insertion/deletion [InDels]) were found in the coffee DREBID promoters. A comparison of predicted cis-acting elements for all the promoter sequences signaled the loss of some regulatory DNA elements. The sequence variation and the loss of some regulatory DNA elements could explain the differences of DREBID gene expression previously observed in leaves of drought tolerant (clone 14) and susceptible (clone 22) clones of C. canephora. In fact, both clones 14 and 22, have one same CcDREBID allelic sequence (hp15), and diverge at a second allele. Thus, the CcDREBID allele in the tolerant 14 (hp16) was considered to be the favorable/tolerant allele and the allele in 22 (hp17) was inferior/sensitive. The capacity of CcDREBID promoter to control the expression of the uidA reporter gene is under evaluation in transgenic plants of Coffee arabica cv. caturra stably transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated gene transfer procedure. Caturra transgenic embryos were placed on a clean bench and subjected to dehydration tests. Preliminary results of bioassays checking GUS (/3-glucuronidase) activities indicate that the observed sequence variations have a direct role in the regulation of CcDREBID expression. The proximal promoter of CcDREBID for the three alleles tested (hp15, hp16 and hp17) equally induced the uidA gene expression, however, expression of uidA under control of the complete CcDREBID promoter was significantly induced in the tolerant allele (hp16) in response to the osmotic stress, whereas, it was not significantly upregulated for the common (hp15) and sensitive alleles (hp17). These results also evidence that the sequence variation present at the first -700 by of CcDREBID promoter do not interfere the regulation activity of the promoter, probably due to the non-overlapping of SNPs and cis-regulatory elements. Though, the higher sequence variation and co-occurrence of SNPs and cis-regulatory elements observed between -700 and -1500 by seems to affect the regulation of CcDREBID promoter in response to drought stress.Support: CAPES COFECUB, INCT-Café, CNPq and ConsOrcio Pesquisa Café. (Texte intégral

Evaluation of antioxidant potential of pepper sauce (Capsicum frutescens L.)

Abstract: Functional properties of substances present in in natura foods such as fruits and vegetables are well documented; however, the activity that remains after processing needs more research. The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant potential in fruit processed as sauce and quantify the compounds able to contribute to such activity. Three different treatments were developed varying only the concentration of pepper Capsicum frutescens L., with treatment ratios (fruit: water: vinegar: salt) being: treatment 1 (0.5: 1: 0.5: 0.33), 2 (1: 1: 0.5: 0.33), and 3 (2: 1: 0.5: 0.33). By the DPPH method, the values found for EC 50 (g g DPP

Posicionamento da pelve e lordose lombar em mulheres com incontinência urinária de esforço

The purpose here was to search for associations between lumbar lordosis and pelvis position, on the one hand, and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) on the other, by means of photogrammetry and radiography, also comparing results obtained by the two methods. Twenty women with SUI were compared to 20 continent controls. Lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvis symmetry, and pelvic bascule (PB) were analysed on the photographs taken; on radiographies of the lumbosacral spine, Cobb, lumbosacral and sacral inclination angles were measured. Comparisons between results were statistically analysed and significance level set at 5%. No significant differences were found between groups as to pelvis symmetry or LL, but a difference was found in the PB angle (-3.69 in SUI group, -8.18 in control), pointing to a trend to pelvis anteversion in the latter. As to the other angles, no differences were found between the groups; both women with SUI and controls presented as many pelvic changes, thus suggesting that LL and pelvis position do not interfere in SUI. The comparison between data of the total sample obtained by photogrammetry and radiography showed only a poor correlation between LL as measured by photography and the sacral angle as measured by radiography.O objetivo do estudo foi averiguar possível associação do posicionamento da pelve e da lordose lombar com incontinência urinária por esforço (IUE), por meio de análise fotogramétrica e radiográfica, comparando também os resultados dos dois métodos. Vinte mulheres com IUE foram comparadas a 20 mulheres controles, sem IU; de todas foram tiradas fotografias da região pélvica, onde se analisaram a simetria da pelve anterior e posterior, a lordose lombar (LL) e a báscula de pelve (BP). Na radiografia da coluna lombossacra foram mensurados os ângulos de Cobb, o lombossacro e de inclinação sacral. As comparações dos resultados foram tratadas estatisticamente, com nível de significância de 5%. Não foi encontrada diferença significativa na simetria da pelve ou na lordose lombar comparando-se os dois grupos, à exceção do ângulo BP (-3,69 nas incontinentes e -8,18, nas controles), indicando tendência à anteversão pélvica nessas últimas. Dos demais ângulos não houve diferenças entre os grupos, tendo as mulheres com IUE apresentado tantas alterações na pelve quanto as mulheres continentes, sugerindo que a LL e o posicionamento da pelve não influem na IUE. Na comparação dos dados obtidos por radiografia e fotogrametria, no conjunto da amostra, apenas uma fraca correlação foi encontrada entre a medida da lordose lombar por fotogrametria e a do ângulo sacral por radiografia