Lpa1-5525 : a new lpa1 mutant isolated in a mutagenized population by a novel non-disrupting screening method

Phytic acid, or myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate, is the main storage form of phosphorus in plants. It is localized in seeds, deposited as mixed salts of mineral cations in protein storage vacuoles; during germination, it is hydrolyzed by phytases to make available P together with all the other cations needed for seed germination. When seeds are used as food or feed, phytic acid and the bound cations are poorly bioavailable for human and monogastric livestock due to their lack of phytase activity. Therefore, reducing the amount of phytic acid is one strategy in breeding programs aimed to improve the nutritional properties of major crops. In this work, we present data on the isolation of a new maize (Zea mays L.) low phytic acid 1 (lpa1) mutant allele obtained by transposon tagging mutagenesis with the Ac element. We describe the generation of the mutagenized population and the screening to isolate new lpa1 mutants. In particular, we developed a fast, cheap and non-disrupting screening method based on the different density of lpa1 seed compared to the wild type. This assay allowed the isolation of the lpa1-5525 mutant characterized by a new mutation in the lpa1 locus associated with a lower amount of phytic phosphorus in the seeds in comparison with the wild type

living and learning a new identity for student housing in city suburbs

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Accessibility Performance for a Safe, Fair, and Healthy Use of the Elevator

The elevator is a machine, a transport system, a space. It is the solution par excellence addressed to everyone. Its installation and use should be simple, and open to all users. The accessibility (for all), safety, and hygiene aspects of the elevator are constantly evolving: on these topics, this research takes its first steps and deepens each subject connected to \u2018the vertical travel\u2019. The paper introduces the European Standards on elevator\u2019s accessibility, defines the declination of DfA/HCD methodology applied to product design processes, and shows some innovative product solutions inspired by the health emergencies, which are suitable for inclusion and safety above the current circumstances. Finally, the interaction of the studies represents the base for future research collaboration about the safe and fair use of elevators and vertical journeys

Phlobaphenes modify pericarp thickness in maize and accumulation of the fumonisin mycotoxins

Phlobaphenes are insoluble phenolic compounds which are accumulated in a limited number of tissues such as seed pericarp and cob glumes, conferring on them a typical red-brown pigmentation. These secondary metabolites, derived from 3-deoxy flavonoids, are thought to have an important role in plants\u2019 resistance against various pathogens, e.g. by reducing fungal infection, and also to have beneficial effects on human and animal health due to their high antioxidant power. The aim of this work was to determine the role of phlobaphenes in reducing mycotoxin contamination on maize kernels. We analysed the effect of the P1 (pericarp color 1) gene on phlobaphenes accumulation, pericarp thickness and fumonisins accumulation. Analysing fumonisins accumulation in different genetic backgrounds through three seasons, we found a clear decrease of these toxins through the three years (Wilcoxon test, Z = 2.2, p = 0.0277) in coloured lines compared with the isogenic non-coloured ones. The coloured lines, carrying P1 allele showed an increase of phlobaphenes (about 10\u201314 fold) with respect to colourless lines. Furthermore there was a correlation between phlobaphenes accumulation and pericarp thickness (R = 0.9318; p = 0.0067). Taken together, these results suggest that the P1 gene plays a central role in regulating phlobaphenes accumulation in maize kernels, and indirectly, also tackles mycotoxins accumulation. The development and cultivation of corn varieties rich in phlobaphenes could be a powerful tool to reduce the loss of both quality and yield due to mycotoxin contamination, increasing the safety and the quality of the maize product

Sopravvivenza in una unità di terapia intensiva neonatale (periodo 2002-2007). Outcome neurologico e sopravvivenza dei nati di età gestazionale 23-25 settimane [Survival rates in a single neonatal intensive care unit (period 2002-2007). Neuro-developmental outcome and survival for infants born at 23-25 weeks of gestation]

Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate survival rates in a single Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (period 2002-2007), with a special focus on the survival data and outcome at one-year of corrected age for infants born at 23-25 weeks of gestation. Methods. All infants who had evidence of heart activity at birth were actively resuscitated, regardless of birth weight or gestational age. Survival rate was calculated as a function of the following variables: birth weight and gestational category; gender in infants of birth weight ≤1000 g ; appropriate (AGA) or small (SGA) weight for gestational age; inborn or outborn. Twenty-eight newborns (23-25 weeks of gestation) completed follow-up at one-year of corrected age. Results. During the examined period, no infants died in the delivery room; 833 newborns were admitted to the NICU. Overall survival rates were as following: [removed]2500 g (99%); 23-25 weeks of gestation (50%); 26-27 weeks (77%), 28-32 weeks (90%); males ≤1000 g (68%), females ≤1000 g (68%); AGA ≤1000 g (63%), SGA ≤1000 g (79%), AGA ≤28 weeks (63%), SGA ≤28 weeks (67%); inborn (54%), outborn (25%). A fraction of 64% (infants of 23-25 weeks of gestation) did not show handicap at one-year of corrected age, while 25% presented severe, 7% moderate, and 4% mild handicaps. Conclusion. High rate of survival without handicap at one-year of corrected age at extremely low gestational age and the chance of improvements in neonatal care for newborn ≤24 weeks, indicate the appropriateness for our strategy of resuscitating all newborns with evidence of heart activity in the delivery room

Cinza da lenha para aplicação em cerâmica vermelha. parte I: características da cinza Firewood ash for application in red ceramic. part I: characteristics of the ash

A lenha de eucalipto constitui-se no principal combustível utilizado pelas indústrias de cerâmica vermelha do município de Campos dos Goytacazes, Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Em princípio, esta lenha tem características promissoras para adição em cerâmica. Assim, esse trabalho tem por objetivo caracterizar a cinza proveniente da combustão de lenha predominantemente de eucalipto visando a incorporação na massa de cerâmica vermelha processada em indústrias de Campos dos Goytacazes. Foram realizados ensaios de fluorescência de raios X, difração de raios X, distribuição de tamanho de partícula, análise térmica (ATD/TG), porosimetria de mercúrio e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Os resultados mostraram que a cinza da lenha se apresenta como aglomerados de partículas, sendo constituída principalmente por Ca, Si, Mg, K e S.<br>The eucalyptus firewood is one of the main fuels used by the industries of red ceramic in the municipal area of Campos of Goytacazes, State of Rio de Janeiro. In principle this firewood has promising characteristics for addition into ceramics. Thus, the present work has for objective to characterize the ash generated from burning firewood aiming at its incorporation into red ceramic products. The ash was submitted to X-ray diffraction, chemical composition, particle size distribution, thermal analysis (ATD/TG), mercury porosimetry and scanning electron microscopy tests. The results showed that the ash of the firewood comes as agglomerates of particles, being constituted mainly by Ca, Si, Mg, K and S

Survival rates in a single neonatal intensive care unit (period 2002-2007). Neurodevelopmental outcome and survival for infants born at 23-25 weeks of gestation

Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate survival rates in a single Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (period 2002-2007), with a special focus on the survival data and outcome at one-year of corrected age for infants born at 23-25 weeks of gestation. Methods. All infants who had evidence of heart activity at birth were actively resuscitated, regardless of birth weight or gestational age. Survival rate was calculated as a function of the following variables: birth weight and gestational category; gender in infants of birth weight ≤1000 g ; appropriate (AGA) or small (SGA) weight for gestational age; inborn or outborn. Twenty-eight newborns (23-25 weeks of gestation) completed follow-up at one-year of corrected age. Results. During the examined period, no infants died in the delivery room; 833 newborns were admitted to the NICU. Overall survival rates were as following: &lt;500 g (37%), 501-750 g (59%), 751-1000 g (82%), 1001-1250 g (96%), 1251-1500 g (97%), 1501-2000 g (100%), 2001-2500 g (98%), &gt;2500 g (99%); 23-25 weeks of gestation (50%); 26-27 weeks (77%), 28-32 weeks (90%); males ≤1000 g (68%), females ≤1000 g (68%); AGA ≤1000 g (63%), SGA ≤1000 g (79%), AGA ≤28 weeks (63%), SGA ≤28 weeks (67%); inborn (54%), outborn (25%). A fraction of 64% (infants of 23-25 weeks of gestation) did not show handicap at one-year of corrected age, while 25% presented severe, 7% moderate, and 4% mild handicaps. Conclusion. High rate of survival without handicap at one-year of corrected age at extremely low gestational age and the chance of improvements in neonatal care for newborn ≤24 weeks, indicate the appropriateness for our strategy of resuscitating all newborns with evidence of heart activity in the delivery room

A sociedade civil nos CMAS do Espírito Santo: um longo caminho até o pleno exercício do controle social

Apresenta os resultados parciais das pesquisas do Núcleo de Estudos e o de Estudos em Movimentos e Práticas Sociais (NEMPS), sobre vários aspectos da participação da sociedade civil, nos conselhos municipais de Assistência Social (CMAS) do Estado do Espírito Santo. Na primeira etapa da investigação, foram entrevistados representantes da sociedade civil dos conselhos de Cariacica, Guarapari, Serra, Viana, Vila Velha e Vitória. Identifica o perfil dos conselheiros, as práticas e os recursos utilizados por eles, na relação com os demais atores envolvidos no processo de controle social. Os dados obtidos não trazem diferenças significativas no que se refere a outros conselhos, e confirmam a necessidade do aperfeiçoamento e da qualificação dos instrumentos e dos atores atuantes nos conselhos gestores. O desafio é investir nos aspectos pedagógicos para uma cultura de participação onde gestores, técnicos, organizações sociais e toda a sociedade sintam-se, igualmente, responsabilizados e em condições de exercer o controle social. Palavras-chave: Assistência Social. Comunicação Pública. Espírito Santo (Estado). Controle Social