Trichomes and Allelochemicals in Tomato Genotypes Have Antagonistic Effects Upon Behavior and Biology of Tetranychus urticae

Tomato genotypes selected for their high foliar zingiberene (ZGB) contents in a segregating F2 population were assessed to determine their effect on behavior and biology of Tetranychus urticae Koch, the putative resistance mechanisms involved and the role of trichomes on that resistance. Genotypes with contrasting ZGB content (RVTZ-09 = low ZGB, RVTZ-79 = high ZGB, RVTZ-142 = high ZGB, and RVTZ-331 = high ZGB) were selected from an interspecific cross between wild S. habrochaites var. hirsutum accession PI-127826 (high ZGB content and resistant to mites) and S. lycopersicum cv. Redenção (low ZGB content and susceptible to mites). To determine the effect of these genotypes on mite behavior and biology, free- and no-choice tests, as well as biological studies were performed. Types and densities of trichomes on the foliar surface and their correlation with ZGB contents was determined. Genotypes rich in ZGB (RVTZ-79, RVTZ-142, and RVTZ-331) presented a high number of types IV and VI glandular trichomes, and both type IV and VI densities were positively correlated with ZGB content. In the free-choice test, T. urticae showed a high preference toward S. lycopersicum cv. Redenção and the genotype RVTZ-09 (low ZGB content), whereas, genotypes with high ZBG content were less preferred. Moreover, on high ZGB genotypes, increase in the egg incubation period and in total mortality of nymphs, and decrease of fecundity rate were observed, indicating deleterious effects in mite biology. Results indicated that high ZGB/high glandular trichome densities genotypes present both non-preference and antibiosis mechanisms of resistance to the mite

Sugarcane Straw Blanket Management Effects on Plant Growth, Development, and Yield in Southeastern Brazil

In Brazilian sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) production systems, the practice of moving harvesting residue from row to inter-row positions (i.e., raking) has increased in response to producer concerns over the potential negative effects of sugarcane straw on crop establishment and stalk yield. Despite increasing adoption among sugarcane farmers, the impacts of straw raking practices on plant growth and yield remain unclear. A 2-yr experiment that included both dry and wet seasons was conducted at two sites in southeastern Brazil to evaluate straw management strategy effects on plant tillering, phytomass accumulation, plant nutritional status, and stalk yield. The experiments were established at the Bom Retiro mill and the Univalem mill. Experimental treatments included raking straw to inter-rows (raked), total straw removal (bare soil), and no straw removal (straw cover). Raked and bare soil treatments improved plant tillering but did not influence final plant population. Straw management had a slight effect on phytomass accumulation. Reduction of phytomass yield was observed from the first to the second ratoon during both seasons at both sites. At Bom Retiro, phytomass yield decreased 37% for stands established during the dry season and 19% for stands established during the wet season. At Univalem, phytomass yield decreased 20% for stands established during the dry season and 30% for stands established during the wet season. Retaining straw in the field (regardless of treatment) increased leaf tissue P content but not stalk yield. Raking straw from row to interrow positions at these locations in southeastern Brazil had no benefit on sugarcane yield but may result in soil compaction and higher production costs over time

Expression of tyrosine kinase receptor AXL is associated with worse outcome of metastatic renal cell carcinomas treated with sunitinib

Expression of tyrosine kinase receptor AXL is associated with worse outcome of metastatic renal cell carcinomas treated with sunitinibBackground: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents 2%-3% of all cancers of the Western countries. Currently, sunitinib, a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, particularly of PDGF and VEGF receptors, is the first-line therapy for metastatic RCC (mRCC), with significant improvement in clinical outcome. However, there is a lack of predictive biomarkers of sunitinib response. Recently, others and our group suggested that the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL may modify the response to sunitinib. Objective: To study the expression of AXL in a series patients with of mRCC treated with sunitinib and to correlate it with patient's clinic-pathological features and therapeutic response. Material and methods: Sixty-four patients with mRCC (51 clear cell carcinomas (CCCs) and 13 non-CCCs) were evaluated for AXL expression by immunohistochemistry in the primary tumor. Results: AXL positivity was observed in 47% (30/64) of cases, namely in 43% (22/51) of CCCs and 61% (8/13) of non-CCC. Considering only the clear cell subtype, the univariate analysis showed that AXL expression was statistically associated with a poor prognosis, with a median overall survival of 13 months vs. 43 months in patients with negative AXL. In this subtype, along with the AXL positivity, other prognostic factors were absence of nephrectomy, Karnofsky performance status, more than 1 site of metastasis and liver metastasis. Moreover, AXL expression was associated with shorter progression to sunitinib. Overall, the multivariate survival analysis showed that absence of nephrectomy (HR = 4.85, P = 0.001), more than 1 site of metastasis (HR = 2.99, P = 0.002), bone metastasis (HR = 2.95, P = 0.001), together with AXL expression (HR = 2.01, P = 0.048) were independent poor prognostic factor in patients with mRCC. Conclusion: AXL expression was associated with worse clinical outcome and may be an important prognostic biomarker in sunitinibtreated patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.this study was supported by Barretos Cancer Hospital Internal Research Funds (PAIP) of participant authors. Rui Manuel Reis is recipient of a National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq) scholarship.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of sexual maturation on body composition, dermatoglyphics, somatotype and basic physical qualities of adolescents

OBJECTIVES: Describe the characteristics of body composition, somatotype, basic physical qualities, dermatoglyphics and bone age regarding sexual maturation stages of boys. METHODS: A transversal study was carried out in 136 boys, between 10 and 14 years of age. Clinical assessment, physical examination and radiography of wrists and hands to calculate bone age were performed. RESULTS: A tendency of increasing total body mass, stature, body mass index, body bone diameters and muscle circumferences and basic physical qualities was found with the advancing of puberty. No differences were found in dermatoglypics and somatotype between different stages of puberty maturation. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the changes in important parameters of physical training that occur during puberty, it can be concluded that the selection of children and adolescents for sportive training and competitions should be based not only on chronological age but also, and mainly on sexual maturation, for better physical assessment and appropriate training for this population.OBJETIVOS: Descrever como se comportam a composição corporal, o somatótipo, as qualidades físicas básicas, os dermatóglifos e a idade óssea, nos diversos estágios de maturação sexual. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo transversal envolvendo 136 meninos, na faixa etária de 10 a 14 anos, e realizados exame clínico, avaliação física e radiografias de mãos e punhos para avaliação de idade óssea. RESULTADOS: Encontraram-se tendência de aumento de estatura, massa corporal total, índice de massa corporal, idade óssea, diâmetros ósseos, circunferências musculares e qualidades físicas básicas, com o avançar da puberdade. Não se observaram diferenças nos dermatóglifos e no somatótipo, entre os estágios puberais. CONCLUSÕES: Por causa das mudanças em importantes parâmetros para o treinamento físico, durante a puberdade, a seleção de crianças e adolescentes para a atividade desportiva não deve se fundamentar apenas na idade cronológica, mas, sobretudo, na maturação sexual, visando a melhor avaliação física e o treinamento apropriado para essa população

Papain gel containing methylene blue for simultaneous caries removal and antimicrobial photoinactivation against Streptococcus mutans biofilms

This study intended to evaluate the effects of a papain-gel with a red-light absorbing pigment (methylene blue – MB) to mediate photodynamic therapy (PDT) against Streptococcus mutans biofilms. The PapaMBlue was compared with free MB to generate reactive oxygen species using fluorescence probes (SOSG and HPF). PDT (660-nm light) was carried out against S. mutans biofilms grown on either plastic dishes or on collagen membrane and assayed by CFU, live-dead staining using confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and H&E staining for collagen films. Cytotoxicity and subcellular localization was studied in human fibroblasts. Sponges of bioabsorbable type I collagen membrane were exposed to papain based gel, irradiated with laser and analyzed about their integrity by ATR-FTIR. The PapaMBlue produced higher amounts of singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals than free MB, possibly due to better disaggregation of the dye in solution. The PapaMBlue antimicrobial effects on biofilms proved to be capable of reducing the S. mutans. Both MTT and PrestoBlue assays showed higher cell viability and metabolism scores in fibroblasts treated with PapaMBlue and MB, possibly due to stimulation of mitochondrial activity and that collagen triple helix is unaffected. The PapaMBlue is equally effective as MB in destroying S. mutans biofilms growing on plastic or collagen without affecting fibroblasts.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01AI050875