Greenhouse Energy Consumption for Tomato Production in the Iberian Peninsula Countries

Greenhouse climate models are a powerful tool which allows the simulation of inside environmental conditions as a function of external conditions, construction and environmental control equipments characteristics. They also permit to evaluate the energy consumption necessary to obtain the predefined conditions. A theoretical study of the greenhouse energy requirements for all year round tomato production in Portugal and Spain is presented. A Greenhouse Climate Simulator (GCS) was used to analyse the energetic behaviour in different regions. GCS uses mensal mean weather data of several years of solar radiation, temperature, wind speed and relative humidity. A climate generator computes the mean hourly climatic data of a typical day for each month and location. As inputs GCS requires data related with the greenhouse characteristics, environmental control equipment and the crop. For the energy balance a static complex model is used which is based on the physics of heat and mass transfer. The results show the energy consumption due to the heating system in each of the studied locations, as well the heat dissipated by the cooling system along a characteristic year, for year round production in plastic greenhouses. This is used to estimate energy consumption indicators which allow generating predictive maps. It is an interesting tool which may contribute to the grower’s decision making and to the reduction of energy consumption, helping to lower production costs and environmental impacts

Morphometry And Histology Of Gonads From 13 Children With Dysgenetic Male Pseudohermaphroditism

Background. - Dysgenetic male pseudohermaphroditism (DMP) is a sexual differentiation disorder characterized by bilateral dysgenetic testes, persistent müllerian structures, and cryptorchidism in individuals with a 46,XY karyotype. However, the histologic criteria for the diagnosis of DMP are poorly established. Objective. - To determine gonadal histology in children with DMP. Patients and Methods. - Between 1996 and 1998, 13 patients with DMP were evaluated on our service. The clinical diagnosis of DMP was based on a 46,XY karyotype, sex ambiguity, high levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and low levels Of antimüllerian hormone, a decreased testosterone response to human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation without accumulation of testosterone precursors, and the presence of müllerian structures. Molecular sequencing the HMGbox region of the SRY gene did not reveal any mutations. Biopsies were performed for 22 of 26 gonads (patient age at the time of biopsy, 16 months to 10 years). Conventional microscopy was used to evaluate mean tubular diameter, tubular fertility index, and number of Sertoli cells per tubular profile. Results. - All 26 gonads were located outside of the labioscrotal folds. Their histologic features varied from only a reduction in tubular size to features of a streak gonad. Five of the 22 gonads grossly resembled a streak gonad. The mean tubular diameter was severely reduced (>30% reduction relative to the normal tubular diameter for the patient's age) in 4 gonads, markedly reduced (10%-30%) in 11 gonads, slightly reduced (<10%) in one gonad, and normal in one gonad. The tubular fertililty index, expressed as the percentage of tubular profiles containing germ cells, was severely reduced (<30% of normal values) in 9 gonads, markedly reduced (50%-30%) in 2 gonads, and normal in 6 gonads. The number of Sertoli cells per tubular profile was elevated in 16 gonads and normal in one gonad. Thin tubules surrounded by fibrous tissue were occasionally observed. Conclusion. - The histologic findings confirmed the clinical diagnosis of DMP in every patient in the present series. However, gonadal histology was variable, and careful morphometric evaluation may be necessary to establish the diagnosis.1255652656Robboy, S.J., Miller, T., Donahoe, P.K., Dysgenesis of testicular and streak gonads in the syndrome of mixed gonadal dysgenesis: Perspective derived from clinicopathologic analysis of twenty-one cases (1982) Hum Pathol, 13, pp. 700-716Troche, V., Hernandez, E., Neoplasia arising in dysgenetic gonads (1986) Obstet Gynecol Surv, 41, pp. 74-79Krasna, I.H., Lee, M.L., Smilow, P., Sciorra, L., Eierman, L., Risk of malignancy in bilateral streak gonads: The role of the Y chromosome (1992) J Pediatr Surg, 27, pp. 1376-1380Rohatgi, M., Gupta, D.K., Menon, P.S., Verma, I.C., Mathur, M., Mixed gonadal dysgenesis and dysgenetic male pseudohermaphroditism - A critical analysis (1992) Indian J Pediatr, 59, pp. 487-500Rey, R.A., Belville, C., Nhou-Fékété, C., Evaluation of gonadal function in 107 intersex patients by means of serum antimüllerian hormone measurement (1999) J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 84, pp. 627-631Stuchi-Perez, E.G., Lukas-Croisier, C., Castro, M., Evaluation of the tubular and interstitial functions of the testis in 46,XY patients with ambiguous genitalia (2000) J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab, 13, pp. 605-612Chang, H.J., Clark, R.D., Bachman, H., The phenotype of 45,X/46,XY mosaicism: An analysis of 92 prenatally diagnosed cases (1990) Am J Hum Genet, 46, pp. 156-167Rajfer, J., Walsh, P.C., Mixed gonadal dysgenesis: Dysgenetic male pseudoher-maphroditism (1981) The Intersex Child: Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology, pp. 103-115. , Josso N, ed. Basel, Switzerland: S. KargerBorer, J.G., Nitti, V.W., Glassberg, K.I., Mixed gonadal dysgenesis and dysgenetic male pseudohermaphroditism (1995) J Urol, 153, pp. 1267-1273Donahoe, P.K., Crawford, J.D., Hendren, W.H., Mixed gonadal dysgenesis: Pathogenesis and management (1979) J Pediatr Surg, 14, pp. 287-300Pelletier, J., Bruening, W., Kashtan, C.E., Germline mutations in the Wilms' tumor supressor gene are associated with abnormal urogenital development in Denys-Drash syndrome (1991) Cell, 67, pp. 437-1147Carré-Éusebe, D., Imbeaud, S., Harbison, M., New, M.I., Josso, N., Picard, J.Y., Variants of the anti-Müllerian hormone gene in a compound heterozygote with the persistent Müllerian duct syndrome and his family (1992) Hum Genet, 90, pp. 389-394Nistal, M., Paniagua, R., Non-neoplastic diseases of the testis (1996) Urologic Surgical Pathology, pp. 458-565. , Bostiwick DG, Eble JN, eds. St Louis, Mo: MosbyLennox, B., Ahmad, K.M., Mack, W.S., A method for determining the relative total length of the tubules in the testis (1970) J Pathol, 102, pp. 229-238Jimenez, R., Sanchez, A., Burgos, M., Dias De La Guardia, R.C., Puzzling out the genetics of mammalian sex determination (1996) Trends Genet, 12, pp. 164-166Müller, J., Skakkebaek, N.F., Quantification of germ cells and seminiferous tubules by stereological examination of testicles from 50 boys who suffered from sudden death (1983) Int J Androl, 6, pp. 143-156Cortes, D., Müller, J., Skakkebaek, N.E., Proliferation of Sertoli cells during development of the human testis assessed by stereological methods (1987) Int J Androl, 10, pp. 589-596Nistal, M., Abaurrea, M.A., Paniagua, R., Morphological and histometric study on the human Sertoli cell from birth to the onset of puberty (1982) J Anat, 14, pp. 351-363Van Niekerk, W.A., Retief, A.E., The gonads of human true hermaphrodites (1981) Hum Genet, 58, pp. 117-122Guerra Jr., G., De Mello, M.P., Assumpção, J.G., True hermaphrodites in the southeastern region of Brazil: A different cytogenetic and gonadal profile (1998) J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab, 11, pp. 519-524Quigley, C.A., De Bellis, A., Marschke, K.B., El-Awady, M.K., Wilson, E.M., French, F.S., Androgen receptor defects: Historical, clinical and molecular perspectives (1995) Endocr Rev, 16, pp. 271-32

Crescimento e respostas hematológicas de tambaquis alimentados com diferentes quantidades de mandioca (Manihot esculenta)

Tambaqui,Colossoma macropomum is a fish of primary importance in Brazilian aquaculture and in the Amazon region in particular. The aim of this work is to analyze the combined effects of physical training and levels of dietary cassava (Manihot esculenta) on the hematological parameters, food intake, conversion efficiency, growth ratio and swimming performance of this fish. A diet for tambaqui consisting of 30% cassava caused decreases in weight gain and specific growth rate compared with the control group. Diets containing 15% or 45% cassava did not affect these indices and did not cause hematological changes in tambaqui juveniles, indicating that some amount of cassava can be used as an alternative energy source for this important aquaculture species.Tambaqui Colossoma macropomum, é um peixe de importância fundamental na aquicultura do Brasil e, em particular, na Região Amazônica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar o efeito combinado do treinamento físico com diferentes níveis de macaxeira (Manihot esculenta) na dieta, sobre os parâmetros hematológicos, ingestão alimentar, eficiência de conversão, taxa de crescimento e performance natatória desses peixes. A dieta com 30% de cassava causou diminuição no ganho de peso e na taxa de crescimento específico quando se comparou ao grupo controle. Dietas contendo 15% e 45% de cassava não apresentaram efeito sobre estes índices e não causaram alterações hematológicas significativas em indivíduos juvenis de tambaqui, indicando que estas quantidades de cassava podem ser administradas como alternativa de fonte de energia para essa importante espécie na aquicultura

Spontaneous Puberty In Girls With Early Diagnosis Of Turner Syndrome [puberdade Espontânea Em Meninas Com Diagnóstico Precoce De Síndrome De Turner]

Objective: To verify if the frequency of spontaneous pubertal development among girls with Turner syndrome (TS) diagnosed in infancy and childhood is greater than that of patients diagnosed later. Subjects and methods: Thirty three girls aged 13 years diagnosed at the same service. Results: Sixteen of 32 informative patients had signs of spontaneous puberty, a frequency greater than that of patients diagnosed later. In six patients, there was no progression of puberty; menarche occurred in six, and one became pregnant, but the fetus was a stillborn. Spontaneous puberty was absent in all cases with 45,X karyotype. Conclusions: The greater prevalence of spontaneous puberty in girls whose diagnosis was not based on pubertal delay suggests that, among those diagnosed later, there is a bias towards patients with hypogonadism. © ABE&M todos os direitos reservados.569653657Bondy, C.A., Turner syndrome study group. Care of girls and women with Turner syndrome: A guideline of the Turner Syndrome Study Group (2007) J Clin Endocrinol Metab., 92 (1), pp. 10-25Reynaud, K., Cortvrindt, R., Verlinde, F., de Schepper, J., Bourgain, C., Smitz, J., Number of ovarian follicles in human fetuses with the 45, X karyotype (2004) Fertil Steril., 81 (4), pp. 1112-1119Conte, F.A., Grumbach, M.M., Kaplan, S.L., A diphasic pattern of gonadotropin secretion in patients with the syndrome of gonadal dysgenesis (1975) J Clin Endocrinol Metab., 40 (4), pp. 670-674Ropelato, M.G., Escobar, M.E., Gottlieb, S., Bergada, C., Gonadotropin secretion in prepubertal normal and agonadal children evaluated by ultrasensitive time-resolved immunofluorometric assays (1997) Horm Res., 48 (4), pp. 164-172Chrysis, D., Spiliotis, B.E., Stene, M., Cacciari, E., Davenport, M.L., Gonadotropin secretion in girls with Turner syndrome measured by an ultrasensitive immunochemiluminometric assay (2006) Horm Res., 65 (5), pp. 261-266Turner, H.H., A syndrome of infantilism, congenital webbed neck and cubitus valgus (1938) Endocrinology, 23, pp. 566-574Lippe, B., Westra, S.J., Boechat, M.I., Ovarian function in Turner syndrome: Recognizing the spectrum (1993) Basic and clinical approach to Turner syndrome, pp. 117-122. , In: Hibi I, Takano K, editors, Amsterdam, NL: Elsevier Science PublishersPrice, D.A., Albertsson-Wikland, K., Demography, auxology and response to recombinant human growth hormone treatment in girls with Turner's syndrome in the Kabi Pharmacia International growth study (1993) Acta Paediatr., 82 (s391), pp. 69-74Lippe, B., Turner syndrome (1996) Pediatric Endocrinology, pp. 387-422. , In: Sperling MA, editor, Philadelphia, USA: WB SaundersPasquino, A.M., Passeri, F., Pucarelli, I., Segni, M., Municchi, G., Italian's Study Group for Turner's syndrome. Spontaneous pubertal development in Turner's syndrome (1997) J Clin Endocrinol Metab., 82 (6), pp. 1810-1813Hjerrild, B.E., Mortensen, K.H., Gravholt, C.H., Turner syndrome and clinical treatment (2008) Br Med Bull., 86, pp. 77-93Hadnott, T.N., Gould, H.N., Gharib, A.M., Bondy, C.A., Outcomes of spontaneous and assisted pregnancies in Turner syndrome: The U.S. National Institutes of Health experience (2011) Fertil Steril., 95 (7), pp. 2251-2256Carvalho, A.B., Guerra Jr., G., Baptista, M.T.M., Marques-de-Faria, A.P., Lemos-Marini, S.H., Maciel-Guerra, A.T., Turner syndrome: A pediatric diagnosis frequently made by non-pediatricians (2010) J Pediatr (Rio J), 86 (2), pp. 121-125Sutton, E.J., McInerney-Leo, A., Bondy, C.A., Gollust, S.E., King, D., Biesecker, B., Turner syndrome: Four challenges across the lifespan (2005) Am J Med Genet A., 139 A (2), pp. 57-66Hagen, C.P., Main, K.M., Kjaergaard, S., Juul, A., FSH, LH, inhibin B and estradiol levels in Turner syndrome depend on age and karyotype: Longitudinal study of 70 Turner girls with or without spontaneous puberty (2010) Hum Reprod., 25 (12), pp. 3134-3141Fechner, P.Y., Davenport, M.L., Qualy, R.L., Ross, J.L., Gunther, D.F., Eugster, E.A., Differences in follicle-stimulating hormone secretion between 45, X monosomy Turner syndrome and 45, X/46, XX mosaicism are evident at an early age (2006) J Clin Endocrinol Metab., 91 (12), pp. 4896-4902Hook, E.B., Exclusion of chromosome mosaicism: Tables of 90 percent, 95 percent and 99 percent confidence limits and comments on use (1977) Am J Hum Genet., 29, pp. 94-97Massa, G., Verlinde, F., de Schepper, J., Thomas, M., Bourguignon, J.P., Craen, M., Trends in age at diagnosis of Turner syndrome (2005) Arch Dis Child, 90 (3), pp. 267-268Hagen, C.P., Aksglaede, L., Sørensen, K., Main, K.M., Boas, M., Cleemann, L., Serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone as a marker of ovarian function in 926 healthy females from birth to adulthood and in 172 Turner syndrome patients (2012) J Clin Endocrinol Metab., 95 (11), pp. 5003-501

The complete genome sequence of Chromobacterium violaceum reveals remarkable and exploitable bacterial adaptability

Chromobacterium violaceum is one of millions of species of free-living microorganisms that populate the soil and water in the extant areas of tropical biodiversity around the world. Its complete genome sequence reveals (i) extensive alternative pathways for energy generation, (ii) ≈500 ORFs for transport-related proteins, (iii) complex and extensive systems for stress adaptation and motility, and (iv) wide-spread utilization of quorum sensing for control of inducible systems, all of which underpin the versatility and adaptability of the organism. The genome also contains extensive but incomplete arrays of ORFs coding for proteins associated with mammalian pathogenicity, possibly involved in the occasional but often fatal cases of human C. violaceum infection. There is, in addition, a series of previously unknown but important enzymes and secondary metabolites including paraquat-inducible proteins, drug and heavy-metal-resistance proteins, multiple chitinases, and proteins for the detoxification of xenobiotics that may have biotechnological applications