Optimizing Genomic-Enabled Prediction in Small-Scale Maize Hybrid Breeding Programs: A Roadmap Review

The usefulness of genomic prediction (GP) for many animal and plant breeding programs has been highlighted for many studies in the last 20 years. In maize breeding programs, mostly dedicated to delivering more highly adapted and productive hybrids, this approach has been proved successful for both large- and small-scale breeding programs worldwide. Here, we present some of the strategies developed to improve the accuracy of GP in tropical maize, focusing on its use under low budget and small-scale conditions achieved for most of the hybrid breeding programs in developing countries. We highlight the most important outcomes obtained by the University of São Paulo (USP, Brazil) and how they can improve the accuracy of prediction in tropical maize hybrids. Our roadmap starts with the efforts for germplasm characterization, moving on to the practices for mating design, and the selection of the genotypes that are used to compose the training population in field phenotyping trials. Factors including population structure and the importance of non-additive effects (dominance and epistasis) controlling the desired trait are also outlined. Finally, we explain how the source of the molecular markers, environmental, and the modeling of genotype–environment interaction can affect the accuracy of GP. Results of 7 years of research in a public maize hybrid breeding program under tropical conditions are discussed, and with the great advances that have been made, we find that what is yet to come is exciting. The use of open-source software for the quality control of molecular markers, implementing GP, and envirotyping pipelines may reduce costs in an efficient computational manner. We conclude that exploring new models/tools using high-throughput phenotyping data along with large-scale envirotyping may bring more resolution and realism when predicting genotype performances. Despite the initial costs, mostly for genotyping, the GP platforms in combination with these other data sources can be a cost-effective approach for predicting the performance of maize hybrids for a large set of growing conditions

Uso de telas pela população pediátrica e seus impactos oftalmológicos a curto e a longo prazo: uma revisão sistemática : Use of screens by the pediatric population and its short and long-term ophthalmological impacts: a systematic review

Ao se discorrer sobre a formação e formatação da nossa sociedade, pode-se notar que cada vez mais esta está permeada pela tecnologia e pelos sistemas integrativos, processo esse benéfico para comunicação, gestão e tomada de decisões para além de ser uma ferramenta de trabalho e entretenimento, porém, com a progressiva quantidade de horas que ficamos expostos a este tipo de tecnologia também podem acarretar prejuízos a acuidade visual dos usuários. Juntamente a isso, nota-se que as crianças estão tendo cada vez mais precocemente acesso os equipamentos eletrônicos e deixando de lado as brincadeiras, desta forma a partir de uma pesquisa qualitativa, feita a partir de um levantamento bibliográfico, pode-se dispor que esta busca compreender quais são os sintomas e efeitos do uso excessivo deste tipo de ferramenta e algumas formas de tratamento e profilaxia que podem ser dispostas sobre o tema, com enfoque na população pediátrica

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Repercussão da terapia de suplementação de proteína em detrimento das alterações na composição muscular de idosos: uma revisão: Repercussion of protein supplementation therapy to the detriment of changes in muscle composition in the elderly: a review

INTRODUÇÃO: O ato de envelhecer traz consigo inúmeras mudanças fisiológicas, dentre elas, destaca-se a sarcopenia, que por vezes pode levar a perda da capacidade funcional, podendo prejudicar a mobilidade e por fim acarretar em acidentes graves ou mortes. A atual concentração diária recomendada de proteína por quilograma não foi projetada para uma população em fase de envelhecimento, o que pode levar a uma concentração de proteína insuficiente. A suplementação proteica surgiu como forma alternativa de preservar a manutenção muscular. OBJETIVO: Analisar os efeitos da suplementação proteica na manutenção da capacidade funcional muscular na população idosa. METODOLOGIA: Para tanto, foi realizada uma revisão integrativa da literatura de aspecto qualitativo, no qual, a partir de uma pesquisa em bases de dados selecionadas, baseou-se em estudos que apresentaram efeitos da suplementação proteica na manutenção da capacidade funcional muscular de idosos. Ao final foram selecionados seis estudos que contemplavam o tema em questão. RESULTADOS E DISCUSSÃO: A melhora do estado nutricional está relacionada ao desempenho muscular, com base nisso, foram analisados nos estudos os seguintes aspectos: ganho de massa muscular, exercício físico em jejum, membros inferiores, velocidade da marcha e outros parâmetros funcionais e 25-hidroxivitamina D, todos colocando-se em comparação com a suplementação proteica como forma intervencionista e de manutenção da capacidade funcional muscular. Ainda, foi realizada uma análise da suplementação dietética com aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada (BCAAs) em relação a desnutrição. CONCLUSÃO: A análise dos dados supracitados revelou a relevância da busca pela melhoria na qualidade de vida e bem-estar da população senil, de maneira que o consumo diário recomendado de proteína seja preconizado como principal medida para manutenção da massa muscular nesta parcela populacional. Deve-se estimular o consumo diário de alimentos ricos em proteínas, tais como carnes, ovos, leite e derivados e suplementos alimentares, quando sua prescrição se faz necessária. Diante da corroboração da sarcopenia no aumento da incidência de quedas em idosos, se faz necessário orientar e estimular a população senil para a prática regular de exercício físico resistido, além do acompanhamento de equipe multidisciplinar

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure <= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt

Respostas radiculares de genótipos contrastantes de tomateiro sob estresse induzido por cádmio

This thesis presents a more in-depth understanding of global root responses of contrasting tomato genotypes to cadmium-induced stress. Tomato genotypes growing in media containing 35 μM CdCl2 over seven days showed metal accumulation in roots and shoots of both genotypes, but with increased Cd allocation over time mainly in roots. PR (tolerant) accumulated lower levels of Cd in the shoots, exhibiting higher growth rate and higher levels of MDA in roots compared to CR (sensitive). Therefore, the PR genotype appears to have a more efficient mechanism to cope with Cd-induced stress. Enzymatic analysis revealed that the presence of Cd altered GSH content in roots of both genotypes, whilst increased the activities of APX, GR and GST, which in turn, together may be the main players against oxidative stress in the tolerant genotype. Following the characterization of tomato roots systems against Cd challenge the second chapter brings the root morphology parameters analysis. Cd exposure decreased the root length, the surface area and the volume in both genotypes, being more severe in the CR genotype. Tomato roots exposed to Cd showed NUE for many macro and micronutrients in the CR genotype lower than verified for the PR. These findings reinforce the explanation that the tolerant phenotype observed in PR plants could be related to a better nutrient management and minor damages in root morphology under Cd stress. Finally, the last chapter brings a large scale quantitative proteomic approach employed to determine alterations in the protein profile of tomato roots exposed to Cd. Tomato genotypes were grown in hydroponics and exposed to Cd over four days. The spectral counting revealed a total of 380 differentially accumulated proteins (DAP), which 62 were shared between both genotypes and showed similar alterations after metal exposure. In general, CR genotype presented higher number of DAP compared to PR. DAP showed alterations in diverse pathways, including proteins involved in cell wall, stress response, and redox activities. The results obtained in this study contributed to increase the understanding of Cd-tolerance in tomato plants.Esta tese apresenta um aprofundamento do conhecimento global sobre as respostas radiculares de genótipos contrastantes de tomateiro ao estresse induzido por cádmio (Cd). Os genótipos cultivados em hidroponia em meio contendo 35 μM de CdCl2 durante sete dias exibiram acúmulo de metal tanto em raízes como em parte aérea em ambos genótipos, mas com um aumento da alocação de Cd principalmente nas raízes. PR (tolerante) acumulou menores níveis de Cd na parte aérea, exibindo maiores taxas de crescimento e acúmulo maior de MDA comparado ao CR (sensível). No entanto, o genótipo PR parece ter um sistema mais eficiente para lidar com o estresse induzido pelo Cd. Os ensaios enzimáticos revelaram que a presença de Cd alterou o conteúdo de GSH nas raízes de ambos os genótipos, com aumentos nas atividades de APX, GR e GST, que em conjunto podem ser os principais elementos responsivos na defesa contra o estresse oxidativo no genótipo tolerante. Seguindo a caracterização dos sistemas radiculares dos genótipos de tomateiro, o segundo capítulo contém as análises morfológicas. A exposição ao Cd provocou decréscimos nos parâmetros avaliados como comprimento radicular, área superficial e volume, sendo mais severos no genótipo CR. As raízes de tomate expostas ao Cd mostraram alterações na eficiência do uso de nutrientes para vários macro e micronutrientes, sendo menor no CR em comparação com PR. Esses resultados reforçam a explicação de que o fenótipo tolerante observado no genótipo PR pode estar relacionado a um melhor gerenciamento nutricional aliado aos menores danos na morfologia da raiz sob estresse. Finalmente o último capítulo contém dados de proteômica quantitativa, uma abordagem que foi empregada para determinar as alterações provocadas pelo Cd no perfil proteico das raízes de tomateiro. As plantas cresceram em hidroponia e foram expostas ao metal por quatro dias. A contagem espectral revelou um total de 380 proteinas diferencialmente acumuladas (DAP), das quais 62 foram compartilhadas entre os genótipos e apresentaram alterações similares após exposição ao metal. Em geral, CR apresentou maior número de DAP comparado ao PR. DAP foram alteradas em diversas vias, incluindo proteínas envolvidas em parede celular, resposta a estresse e atividades redox. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo contribuíram para aumentar o entendimento da tolerância ao Cd em tomateiro

Quantitative proteomic analysis of tomato genotypes with differential cadmium tolerance

This is a report on comprehensive characterization of cadmium (Cd)-exposed root proteomes in tomato using label-free quantitative proteomic approach. Two genotypes differing in Cd tolerance, Pusa Ruby (Cd-tolerant) and Calabash Rouge (Cd-sensitive), were exposed during 4 days to assess the Cd-induced effects on root proteome. The overall changes in both genotypes in terms of differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) were mainly associated to cell wall, redox, and stress responses. The proteome of the sensitive genotype was more responsive to Cd excess, once it presented higher number of DAPs. Contrasting protein accumulation in cellular component was observed: Cd-sensitive enhanced intracellular components, while the Cd-tolerant increased proteins of extracellular and envelope regions. Protective and regulatory mechanisms were different between genotypes, once the tolerant showed alterations of various protein groups that lead to a more efficient system to cope with Cd challenge. These findings could shed some light on the molecular basis underlying the Cd stress response in tomato, providing fundamental insights for the development of Cd-safe cultivars26252603926051CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal e Nível SuperiorCNPQ - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoFAPESP – Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa Do Estado De São Paulonão tem303749/2016-42009/54676-0; 2016/14349-