Genome-wide association study of electrocardiographic and heart rate variability traits: the Framingham Heart Study

BACKGROUND: Heritable electrocardiographic (ECG) and heart rate variability (HRV) measures, reflecting pacemaking, conduction, repolarization and autonomic function in the heart have been associated with risks for cardiac arrhythmias. Whereas several rare monogenic conditions with extreme phenotypes have been noted, few common genetic factors contributing to interindividual variability in ECG and HRV measures have been identified. We report the results of a community-based genomewide association study of six ECG and HRV intermediate traits. METHODS: Genotyping using Affymetrix 100K GeneChip was conducted on 1345 related Framingham Heart Study Original and Offspring cohort participants. We analyzed 1175 Original and Offspring participants with ECG data (mean age 52 years, 52% women) and 548 Offspring participants with HRV data (mean age 48 years, 51% women), in relation to 70,987 SNPs with minor allele frequency ≥ 0.10, call rate ≥ 80%, Hardy-Weinberg p-value ≥ 0.001. We used generalized estimating equations to test association of SNP alleles with multivariable-adjusted residuals for QT, RR, and PR intervals, the ratio of low frequency to high frequency power (LF/HFP), total power (TP) and the standard deviation of normal RR intervals (SDNN). RESULTS: Associations at p < 10-3 were found for 117 (QT), 105 (RR), 111 (PR), 102 (LF/HF), 121 (TP), and 102 (SDNN) SNPs. Several common variants in NOS1AP (4 SNPs with p-values < 10-3; lowest p-value, rs6683968, p = 1 × 10-4) were associated with adjusted QT residuals, consistent with our previously reported finding for NOS1AP in an unrelated sample of FHS Offspring and other cohorts. All results are publicly available at NCBI's dbGaP at. CONCLUSION: In the community-based Framingham Heart Study none of the ECG and HRV results individually attained genomewide significance. However, the presence of bona fide QT-associated SNPs among the top 117 results for QT duration supports the importance of efforts to validate top results from the reported scans. Finding genetic variants associated with ECG and HRV quantitative traits may identify novel genes and pathways implicated in arrhythmogenesis and allow for improved recognition of individuals at high risk for arrhythmias in the general population.National Institutes of Health (K23 N01-HC25195); Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Clinical Scientist Developement Award; Pfizer; National Institutes of Health National Center for Research Resources Shared Instrumentation grant (1S10RR163736-01A1

Eta model forecasts as input to crop models for the Mid-Southern region of Brazil

Este trabalho tem por objetivo avaliar a precipitação pluvial e as temperaturas máximas e mínimas previstas pelo Modelo Eta para até 120 dias de previsão em 24 localidades distribuídas na região Centro-Sul do Brasil. A avaliação se baseia na comparação de séries históricas de chuva e temperaturas de 1997 a 2002, com as previsões de 30, 60 e 120 dias de antecedência do Modelo Eta para as 24 localidades. Foram utilizados valores de média, mediana e desvio padrão nesta avaliação. Os resultados indicam que estas previsões geralmente subestimam as chuvas e a amplitude térmica nestas localidades. Os menores erros de precipitação pluvial se localizam mais destacadamente em Itumbiara e Rio Verde, enquanto que os maiores, em Porangatu e Manduri. Por outro lado, os menores erros de temperatura máxima se localizam destacadamente em Brasília, Manduri e Piracicaba, enquanto que os maiores ocorrem em Barreiras e Porangatu. Apesar de o modelo apresentar erros sistemáticos nas previsões de temperaturas, estes erros podem ser removidos para que os valores corrigidos possam ser introduzidos nos modelos de culturas.The objective of this study was to evaluate the 120-day precipitation and maximum and minimum temperature forecasts by Eta Model over 24 locations around the Mid-Southern of Brazil. The evaluation was based on comparing observed time series of precipitation and temperatures from 1997 to 2002 to 30, 60 and 120-day forecasts of Eta Model over these 24 locations. Mean, median and standard deviation were used in the evaluation. The results show that these forecasts generally underestimate rain and temperature range. The smallest precipitation errors occurred in Itumbiara and Rio Verde, whereas the largest errors occurred in Porangatu and Manduri. The smallest maximum temperature errors occurred in Brasília, Manduri and Piracicaba whereas the largest errors in Barreiras and Porangatu. Despite the systematic errors exhibited by the precipitation and temperature forecasts, these errors can be removed and the corrected values input into the crop models

Simulação estocástica da radiação fotossinteticamente ativa e da temperatura do ar por diferentes métodos

The purpose of this work was to compare three methods for simulating data of photosynthetically active radiation and air temperature, using daily parameters of 17 stations of São Paulo State, Brazil. The simulation of those elements was carried out for de 1st and the 16th day of each month, through three cases: nonsymmetric triangular distribution; normal distribution truncated at 1.96 standard deviation; and bivaried normal distribution. The simulated data were evaluated through the tests of homogeneity of variance F and Bartlett, t test, agreement index of Willmott, angular coefficient of the straight line, the index of performance of Camargo and tack the normal distribution (uni-varied). The simulation using the bi-varied normal distribution is most appropriate for representing the climate variables.O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar três métodos para simulação de dados de radiação fotossinteticamente ativa e temperatura do ar, com o uso de parâmetros diários de 17 estações do Estado de São Paulo. A simulação foi realizada para o primeiro e o 16o dia de cada mês, conforme: a distribuição normal truncada a mais ou menos 1,96 de desvio-padrão; distribuição triangular assimétrica; e distribuição normal bivariada. As estimativas com os dados simulados foram comparadas com os respectivos parâmetros (obtidos com os dados observados), pelos testes de homogeneidade de variância F e Bartlett, teste t de comparação de médias, coeficiente de correlação de Pearson, índice de concordância de Willmott, índice de desempenho de Camargo, coeficiente angular e o teste de normalidade dos dados. A simulação pela distribuição normal bivariada é a mais adequada para representar as variáveis climáticas

Alternativas do manejo nitrogenado com uso de Azospirillum brasilense em trigo

The objective of this work was to evaluate nitrogen management alternatives using Azospirillum brasilense inoculation in wheat (Triticum aestivum) by seed and foliar applications. Treatments consisted of the inoculation or not of A. brasilense, via seed and leaves, associated with topdressing with 0, 70, and 140 kg h-1 nitrogen. Three wheat cultivars were tested: BRS Parrudo, TBIO Quartzo, and TBIO Sinuelo. The experimental design was a randomized complete block, with three replicates. The following traits were evaluated: number of emerged plants, tillers, spikelets per ear, grains per ear, and grains per spikelet; 1,000-grain mass; hectoliter mass; and grain yield. The foliar management of A. brasilense showed a better association with the TBIO Sinuelo cultivar. The foliar application of A. brasilense, whether alone or combined with seed treatment, increases the grain yield and yield components of the evaluated cultivars.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar alternativas de manejo do nitrogênio em trigo (Triticum aestivum), com uso da inoculação de Azospirillum brasilense nas sementes e nas folhas. Os tratamentos consistiram da inoculação ou não de A. brasiliense, via sementes ou folhas, associada a fertilizações de cobertura com 0, 70 e 140 kg h-1 de nitrogênio. Três cultivares de trigo foram testadas: BRS Parrudo, TBIO Quartzo e TBIO Sinuelo. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso, com três repetições. Avaliaram-se as seguintes características: número de plantas emergidas, de perfilhos, de espiguetas por espigas, de grãos por espiga e de grãos por espigueta; massa de mil grãos; massa de hectolitro; e produtividade de grãos. O manejo foliar de A. brasilense apresentou melhor associação com a cultivar TBIO Sinuelo. A aplicação de A. brasilense via foliar, realizada individualmente ou associada ao tratamento de sementes, aumenta a produtividade de grãos e os componentes de produtividade das cultivares avaliadas

Bacillus anthracis edema factor substrate specificity: evidence for new modes of action

Since the isolation of Bacillus anthracis exotoxins in the 1960s, the detrimental activity of edema factor (EF) was considered as adenylyl cyclase activity only. Yet the catalytic site of EF was recently shown to accomplish cyclization of cytidine 5'-triphosphate, uridine 5'-triphosphate and inosine 5'-triphosphate, in addition to adenosine 5'-triphosphate. This review discusses the broad EF substrate specificity and possible implications of intracellular accumulation of cyclic cytidine 3':5'-monophosphate, cyclic uridine 3':5'-monophosphate and cyclic inosine 3':5'-monophosphate on cellular functions vital for host defense. In particular, cAMP-independent mechanisms of action of EF on host cell signaling via protein kinase A, protein kinase G, phosphodiesterases and CNG channels are discussed

Expolinear model on soybean growth in Argentina and Brazil

Predicting crop growth and yield with precision are one of the main concerns of the agricultural science. For these purpose mechanistic models of crop growth have been developed and tested worldwide. The feasibility of an expolinear model for crop growth was evaluated on predicting growth modification on soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) of determined and undetermined growth cultivars, submitted to water restrictions imposed on different phenological stages. An experiment was carried out in Azul/Argentina and in Viçosa/Brazil during the growing seasons (1997/1998, 1998/1999 and 2002/2003). The expolinear model was adjusted to the dry-matter data obtained from each treatment. The model showed sensibility of Rm (maximum relative growth rate of the culture - g g-1 day-1) to variation in air temperature; of Cm (maximum growth rate of the culture - g m-2 day-1) to solar radiation and of Tb (lost time -day) to water stress. Cm values were higher without water restriction presenting, in both countries, a direct correlation with solar radiation. Without water restrictions, Rm values were lower when the average air temperature during the cycle was lower. It was observed that under water stress the culture had a bias to present higher Rm values. Tb was lower in the irrigated treatments than in those with water deficits. The analysis of the outputs clearly shows the feasibility of the expolinear model to explain the differential growth rates of soybean as a consequence of climatic conditions.Prever o crescimento e a produtividade das culturas com precisão é uma das principais preocupações das ciências agrícolas. Com esse propósito, modelos mecanísticos de crescimento de culturas têm sido desenvolvidos e testados. A adequação do modelo expolinear de crescimento de culturas foi avaliada para prever as modificações de crescimento de cultivares de soja (Glycine max L. Merrill) de crescimento determinado e indeterminado, submetidas a déficit hídrico em diferentes estádios fenológicos. Um experimento foi conduzido em Azul/Argentina e outro em Viçosa/Brasil durante as estações de cultivo (1997/1998, 1998/1999 e 2002/2003). O modelo expolinear foi ajustado aos dados de fitomassa seca obtidos de cada tratamento. O modelo apresentou sensibilidade do parâmetro Rm (taxa máxima de crescimento relativo da cultura - g g-1 day-1) à variação na temperatura do ar; do parâmetro Cm (taxa máxima de crescimento da cultura - g m-2 day-1) à radiação solar; e do parâmetro Tb (perda em tempo - dias) ao estresse hídrico. Os valores de Cm foram maiores sem restrições hídricas, apresentando, em ambos os países, uma correlação direta com a radiação solar. Sem restrições hídricas, os valores de Rm foram menores quando a temperatura média do ar durante o ciclo foi menor. Sob estresse hídrico, a cultura mostrou uma tendência a apresentar valores de Rm maiores. Os valores de Tb foram menores nos tratamentos irrigados e maiores nos tratamentos com deficiência hídrica. A análise dos resultados mostrou claramente a capacidade do modelo expolinear para simular as diferentes taxas de crescimento da cultura da soja como uma consequência das condições climáticas

Agronomic performance of canola hybrids cultivated in a low altitude region in Southern Brazil

The area occupied by crops has expanded in recent years in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil and the search for alternative winter crops to integrate the productive system is relevant given the idleness of the areas at this time and the lower risk of frost losses that occur in most grain-producing regions. In this sense, the objective of this research was to evaluate the agronomic performance of eight canola hybrids (Hyola 61, Hyola 50, Hyola 433, Hyola 571CL, Hyola 575CL, Diamond, ALHT B4, and ALHT M6), cultivated in low altitude areas, in the Central region of Rio Grande do Sul (RS). The experiment was conducted in 2017, in Santa Maria, RS, using a randomized block design with four replicates. Canola hybrids show variability regarding the morphological components and grain production. The environmental condition and low altitude of the region of Santa Maria do not compromise the productive potential of the canola crop, obtaining grain productivity superior to the state and national averages. Therefore, canola crop can be inserted in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul if adequate agronomic management is performed. The cultivars Hyola 50, Hyola 571CL, Hyola 433, Hyola 575CL, Diamond, and Hyola 61 present the highest grain productivity

Maize genetic variability and modifications on the experimental plan

Resultados experimentais seguros exigem um plano experimental apropriado, obtido através da utilização de adequado tamanho e forma de parcelas, número de repetições e de amostras. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de diferentes bases genéticas de milho, híbrido simples (DAS 9560), duplo (AG 6018), triplo (AG 303) e variedade cultivada (Pampa), sobre a estimativa do tamanho de parcela experimental e do número de repetições. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições e amostragem nas parcelas. As parcelas experimentais foram constituídas por oito fileiras com 12 metros de comprimento, formando 96 unidades básicas. O tamanho de parcela e o número de repetições foram estimados por meio dos métodos de Lessman & Atkins e de Hatheway. O tamanho ótimo de parcela variou entre 4,5 m2 (híbrido simples) e 7,2 m2 (híbrido duplo). A heterogeneidade do solo e a variabilidade genética influenciam no tamanho ótimo de parcela e número de repetições necessárias.An adequate experimental plan is necessary to get high quality data. Experimental plan ensures correct plot size and shape as well as adequate number of replications and samples. The objective of this work was to verify if maize genetic variability could interfere in the size of experimental plots and number of replications. Single (DAS 9560), double (AG 6018) and triple (AG 303) crosses and the open pollinated variety (Pampa) were evaluated. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Plot samples comprised experimental plots with eight rows of 12 m with 96 basic units. Lessman & Atkins and Hatheway methods were used to estimate optimum plot size and replication number. The best plot size varied from 4.5 m2 (simple hybrid) to 7.2 m2 (double hybrid). Soil heterogeneity and genetic variability change plot size and number of replications requested

Profile and agriculture bromatological corn silage sw of Parana

Objetivou-se com o presente estudo descrever as silagens de milho, de diferentes genótipos do ciclo centro precoce normal, quanto as suas características bromatológicas e agronômicas. O experimento foi realizado na Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR), Câmpus Dois Vizinhos em dois anos agrícolas (2009/2010 e 2010/2011). Em ambos anos de experimentos, as sementes de milho foram fornecidas pela Embrapa Milho e Sorgo (Sete Lagoas, MG). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de lattice simples com 49 genótipos (2009/10) e alfa látice com 39 genótipos (2010/2011), ambos com duas repetições. Os resultados das características observados foram submetidos à análise de variância e comparadas pelo teste de SNK, em nível de 5% de significância. As características dos genótipos no primeiro ano de experimento não diferenciaram em proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, porcentagem de colmo e folha da planta do milho, com teores de boa qualidade nutricional. Para as características produção de matéria seca, fibra em detergente neutro e ácido, porcentagem de espiga na planta de milho e produção de grãos os genótipos apresentaram diferença significativa. Para o segundo ano experimental, baseados nas características produção de matéria seca, nutrientes digestíveis totais, fibra em detergente neutro e ácido, porcentagem de colmo folhas verdes e espiga todos os genótipos apresentaram características adequadas para produção de silagem. Entre as características de produção de matéria seca, nutrientes digestíveis totais, fibra em detergente neutro e ácido, porcentagem de colmo, folhas verdes e espiga em relação à planta de milho, apresentaram diferença estatística entre os genótipos. Concluindo que para a produção de MS ha-1 o genótipo GNZX 9505 apresentou os maiores rendimentos.The objective of this study characterizes the corn silages of different genotypes cycle center early normal as their chemical characteristics and agronomic. The experiment was conducted at the Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR), Campus Dois Vizinhos in two growing seasons (2009/2010 and 2010/2011). In both years of experiments, maize seeds were supplied by Embrapa Milho e Sorgo (Sete Lagoas, MG). The experimental design was used simple lattice with 49 genotypes (2009/10) and alpha lattice design with 39 genotypes (2010/2011) both with two replications. The results of the observed variables were subjected to analysis of variance and compared by SNK, at the 5% level of significance. The characteristics of the genotypes in the first year of experiment no differences in crude protein, crude fat, percentage of stem and leaf of the maize plant, with levels of good nutritional quality. For the characteristics of dry matter production, neutral detergent fiber and acid concentration ear in maize and grain yield significantly different genotypes. For the second experimental year, based on the characteristics of dry matter production, total digestible nutrients, neutral detergent fiber and acid concentration stem and green leaves all genotypes spike characteristics suitable for silage production. Among the characteristics of dry matter, total digestible nutrients, neutral detergent fiber and acid concentration stem, green leaves and cob in relation to plant corn, present statistical difference between genotypes. Concluding that for the production of MS ha-1 GNZX 9505 genotype had the highest yields.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale