Genetic mapping and QTLs detection in a Theobroma grandiflora progeny : S04P01

The genus Theobroma covers 22 native species to the Amazon region. Two species are cultivated in Brazil:Theobroma cacao and T. grandiflorum (cupuaçu). T. grandiflora is economically important to the amazonian states of Brazil where it was developed in food and cosmetics with various products manufactured mainly from the pulp of the seed. Both species are susceptible to Moniliophthora perniciosa (Stahel) Singer, the causal agent of witches' brooms disease. 139 SSRs markers (Single Sequence Repeat) from T. grandiflora and 500 SSRs developed by CIRAD in T. cacao, were used to select polymorphic markers and carry out a genetic mapping of a Th. Grandiflora progeny from "174" x "1074" clones, respectively resistant and susceptible to witches' brooms. 145 plants were obtained by Embrapa-CPATU (Belém) today installed in the field at the CEPLAC (Belém) station. Inoculations with the M. perniciosa (from T. grandiflora) were carried out in the progenies and parents to evaluate the resistance. Other observations as vigor or number of ovules per ovary were observed also. We present the first results obtained with the selection of polymorphic specific markers of Th Grandiflora and Cocoa and the first genotying results from 44 SSRs of T. grandiflora including 14 SSRs from expression sequences. In conclusion this study including different teams is ongoing to have at the end of the project: i) the first genetic map of Theobroma grandiflora, ii) identification of QTLs of resistance to witches' broom, and other QTLs and iii) to compare genetic map and QTLs between both species. (Texte intégral

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In the last years many populations of anurans have declined and extinctions have been recorded. They were related to environmental pollution, changes of land use and emerging diseases. The main objective of this study was to determine copper sensitivity of the anuran of the Amazon Rhinella granulosa and Scinax ruber tadpoles at stage 25 and Scinax ruber eggs exposed for 96 h to copper concentrations ranging from 15 µg Cu L-1 to 94 µg Cu L-1. LC50 at 96 h of Rhinella granulosa Gosner 25, Scinax ruber Gosner 25 and Scinax ruber eggs in black water of the Amazon were 23.48, 36.37 and 50.02 µg Cu L-1, respectively. The Biotic Ligand Model was used to predict the LC50 values for these species and it can be considered a promising tool for these tropical species and water conditions. Copper toxicity depends on water physical-chemical composition and on the larval stage of the tadpoles. The Gosner stage 19-21 (related to the appearance of external gills) is the most vulnerable and the egg stage is the most resistant. In case of contamination by copper, the natural streams must have special attention, since copper is more bioavailable.Nos últimos anos foram registrados muitas extinções e declínios de populações de anuros. Eles estavam relacionados com a poluição do ambiente, a mudanças no uso da terra e ao surgimento de doenças. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a sensibilidade dos anuros amazônicos ao cobre. Os girinos de Scinax ruber e Rhinella granulosa no estadio 25 e os ovos de Scinax ruber foram expostos por 96 horas a concentrações de cobre entre 15 µg Cu L-1 a 94 µg Cu L-1. A CL50 -96 h dos girinos de Rhinella granulosa, dos girinos de Scinax ruber e dos ovos de Scinax ruber em águas pretas da Amazônia foram 23,48; 36,37 e 50,02 µg Cu L-1, respectivamente. O modelo do ligante biótico foi usado para prever os valores de CL50 para essas duas espécies e pode ser considerado uma ferramenta promissora para essas espécies tropicais e para essas condições de água. A Toxicidade de cobre depende da composição físico-química da água e do estagio larval dos girinos. O estadio 19-21 de Gosner (relacionados ao aparecimento das brânquias externas) são os mais vulnerável e o estagio de ovo é o mais resistente. Em caso de contaminação por cobre, os igarapés naturais devem ter uma atenção especial, uma vez que o cobre é mais biodisponível nesse ambiente

Factors influencing depression markers in elderly primary healthcare center patients in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, 2017

Analisar os fatores intervenientes nos indicativos de depressão em idosos das unidades básicas de saúde (UBS) do município de Maringá, Paraná, Brasil, em 2017. Estudo transversal, realizado com idosos usuários das UBS de Maringá; utilizou-se um questionário com questões sociodemográficas, a Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (Geriatric Depression Scale [GDS]) e o Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ]); foram analisadas as associações e comparações do indicativo de depressão com as variáveis sociodemográficas e as condições de saúde. 654 idosos participaram do estudo; apresentaram maior indicativo de depressão aqueles com menor renda mensal, percepção de saúde ruim, histórico de quedas e três ou mais comorbidades, enquanto os fisicamente ativos apresentaram menor indicativo de depressão. Renda mensal e condições de saúde parecem ser fatores intervenientes nos indicativos de depressão; a prática de atividades físicas leves está associada a menor tendência de depressão na terceira idade283To analyze factors influencing depression markers in elderly patients at primary healthcare centers (PHC) in the city of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, in 2017. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional study carried out with elderly individuals at PHCs in Maringá city; we used a questionnaire comprising sociodemographic questions, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ); we analyzed associations and compared depression markers with sociodemographic variables and health conditions. RESULTS: 645 elderly people took part in the study; those with the highest depression markers had lower income, poor health perception, a history of falls and three or more comorbidities; the physically active elderly had lower depression markers. CONCLUSION: monthly income and health conditions are factors that influence depression markers; doing light physical activities is associated with lower tendency of depression in the elderl

The role of boundary conditions on the dynamics of green coffee beans in a rotated dryer

[EN] Coffee drying and roasting are usually performed in rotated dryers; therefore, the study of particle dynamics in this equipment is of great relevance to improve their efficiency and hence the quality of the final product. Thus, this work aimed to investigate experimentally and numerically the dynamics of coffee beans in a rotary dryer. The Euler-Euler model was employed to reproduce the particle velocity profile in the rolling regime under different boundary conditions. The results shown that the lower specularity coefficient (0.01), which characterizes the smooth wall and free slip condition, reproduced the bed behavior that most resembled the experimental one. On the other hand, the other coefficients (0.1 and 1.0) showed an increasing deformation in the bed surface, different from the observed experimental behavior. It was also verified that, as the filling degree increases, the bed surface deformation becomes more pronounced.The authors would like to thank FAPEMIG, CNPq and CAPES for the financial resources assigned to carry out this work.Machado, M.; Resende, I.; Lima, R.; Brandão, R.; Pivello, M.; Nascimento, S.; Duarte, C.... (2018). The role of boundary conditions on the dynamics of green coffee beans in a rotated dryer. En IDS 2018. 21st International Drying Symposium Proceedings. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 331-338. https://doi.org/10.4995/IDS2018.2018.7455OCS33133

Conditionally controlling human TLR2 activity via Trans-Cyclooctene Caged Ligands

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key pathogen sensors of the immune system. Their activation results in the production of cytokines, chemokines, and costimulatory molecules that are crucial for innate and adaptive immune responses. In recent years, specific (sub)-cellular location and timing of TLR activation have emerged as parameters for defining the signaling outcome and magnitude. To study the subtlety of this signaling, we here report a new molecular tool to control the activation of TLR2 via "click-to-release"-chemistry. We conjugated a bioorthogonal trans-cyclooctene (TCO) protecting group via solid support to a critical position within a synthetic TLR2/6 ligand to render the compound unable to initiate signaling. The TCO-group could then be conditionally removed upon addition of a tetrazine, resulting in restored agonist activity and TLR2 activation. This approach was validated on RAW264.7 macrophages and various murine primary immune cells as well as human cell line systems, demonstrating that TCO-caging constitutes a versatile approach for generating chemically controllable TLR2 agonists.Bio-organic Synthesi

Classification of different degrees of adiposity in sedentary rats

In experimental studies, several parameters, such as body weight, body mass index, adiposity index, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, have commonly been used to demonstrate increased adiposity and investigate the mechanisms underlying obesity and sedentary lifestyles. However, these investigations have not classified the degree of adiposity nor defined adiposity categories for rats, such as normal, overweight, and obese. The aim of the study was to characterize the degree of adiposity in rats fed a high-fat diet using cluster analysis and to create adiposity intervals in an experimental model of obesity. Thirty-day-old male Wistar rats were fed a normal (n=41) or a high-fat (n=43) diet for 15 weeks. Obesity was defined based on the adiposity index; and the degree of adiposity was evaluated using cluster analysis. Cluster analysis allowed the rats to be classified into two groups (overweight and obese). The obese group displayed significantly higher total body fat and a higher adiposity index compared with those of the overweight group. No differences in systolic blood pressure or nonesterified fatty acid, glucose, total cholesterol, or triglyceride levels were observed between the obese and overweight groups. The adiposity index of the obese group was positively correlated with final body weight, total body fat, and leptin levels. Despite the classification of sedentary rats into overweight and obese groups, it was not possible to identify differences in the comorbidities between the two groups

Development and evaluation of low-cost flat plate photobioreactors for microalgae and cyanobacteria cultivation with biotechnological potential

Abstract The high performance of biomass and metabolite biosynthesis by photosynthetic microorganisms is directly influenced by the cultivation system employed. Photobioreactors (PBRs) stand out as controlled and fundamental systems for increasing the production of biocompounds. However, the high costs associated with these systems hinder their viability. Thus, a more practical and economical approach is necessary. Accordingly, this study aimed to design and evaluate low-cost flat-panel photobioreactors on a laboratory scale for the cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms, using economical materials and instruments. Additionally, internal optimization of the low-cost system was aimed to maximize growth and biomass production. The PBRs were designed and built with uniform dimensions, employing 4 mm translucent glass and agitation through compressors. The internally optimized system (PBR-OII) was equipped with perforated acrylic plates used as static mixers. To evaluate the performance of the low-cost PBR-OII, a comparison was made with the control photobioreactor (PBR-CI), of the same geometry but without internal optimization, using a culture of Synechocystis sp. CACIAM 05 culture. The results showed that the PBR-OII achieved maximum biomass yield and productivity of 6.82 mg/mL and 250 mg/L/day, respectively, values superior to the PBR-CI (1.87 mg/mL and 62 mg/L/day). Additionally, the chlorophyll concentration in the PBR-OII system was 28.89 ± 3.44 µg/mL, while in the control system, the maximum reached was 23.12 ± 1.85 µg/mL. Therefore, low-cost photobioreactors have demonstrated to be an essential tool for significantly increasing biomass production, supporting research, and reducing costs associated with the process, enabling their implementation on a laboratory scale