Amplifiability of mitochondrial, microsatellite and amelogenin DNA loci from fecal samples of red brocket deer Mazama americana (Cetartiodactyla, Cervidae)

We tried to amplify mitochondrial, microsatellite and amelogenin loci in DNA from fecal samples of a wild Mazama americana population. Fifty-two deer fecal samples were collected from a 600-ha seasonal semideciduous forest fragment in a subtropical region of Brazil (21°20′, 47°17′W), with the help of a detection dog; then, stored in ethanol and georeferenced. Among these samples 16 were classified as fresh and 36 as non-fresh. DNA was extracted using the QIAamp® DNA Stool Mini Kit. Mitochondrial loci were amplified in 49 of the 52 samples. Five microsatellite loci were amplified by PCR; success in amplification varied according to locus size and sample age. Successful amplifications were achieved in 10/16 of the fresh and in 13/36 of the non-fresh samples; a negative correlation (R = -0.82) was found between successful amplification and locus size. Amplification of the amelogenin locus was successful in 22 of the 52 samples. The difficulty of amplifying nuclear loci in DNA samples extractedfrom feces collected in the field was evident. Some methodological improvements, including collecting fresh samples, selecting primers for shorter loci and quantifying the extracted DNA by real-time PCR, are suggested to increase amplification success in future studies. © FUNPEC-RP.

Polimorfismo nos genes da leptina e do receptor de melatonina em búfalas (Bubalus bubalis)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Extração de DNA de material de arquivo e fontes escassas para utilização em reação de polimerização em cadeia (PCR)

Pós-graduação em Fisiopatologia em Clínica Médica - FMB

Avaliação de diferentes metodologias para extração de DNA de solo sob cultivo de cana-de-açúcar

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Detecção de DNA de micobactérias dos complexos M. tuberculosis e M. avium em amostras parafinadas de pacientes transplantados renais

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The genus Mycobacteriumhas two different complexes: M. tuberculosis Complex and M. avium Complex. This is a global health epidemic and remains a major global health problem, besides, the clinical severity of TB is significantly higher in transplanted patients. The detection of these mycobacteria complexes in transplanted patients, by molecular methods, is fundamental for quick treatment of patients and can contribute for rapid and accuracy of diagnosis. Objective: To detect mycobacteria DNA of M. tuberculosis and M. avium Complexes in formalin fixed paraffin-embedded samples (FFPE) of two patients groups: non transplanted and transplanted. Materials and Methods: The study includes 40 FFPE biopsies separated in four groups: NTP – presence of epithelioid granuloma and positive ZN, non-transplanted patients – 9 samples; NTN - presence of epithelioid granuloma and negative ZN, non-transplanted patients – 10 samples; TP – positive ZN, transplanted patients – 9 samples; TN – negative ZN, transplanted patients – 7 samples. Sections were cut for DNA extraction. Samples were submitted to PCR for amplification of: a) β-actin, b) IS6110 insertion and c) IS1245 insertion. DNA evaluation was made by spectrophotometry and efficiency and PCR analysis was made by agarose gels under UV light. Results: In all samples processed, 97.1% were positive for human β-actin gene. In22.2% of NTP group were found the IS6110 insertion sequencebut the IS1245 wasn´t. In the NTN group was not found any sequence. In theTP group, 11.1% of the samples were positive for IS6110 and also 11,1% werepositive for IS1245. In the TN group, 14.3% of the samples were positive forIS6110 and for IS1245, 14.3% was also positive. Conclusion: Although factors such as DNA degradation after formalin fixation and paraffin embedding, were possible to detect DNA from the human gene ...

Avaliação da diluição do DNA extraido de material parafinado para amplificação em PCR

Introduction: Several reasons may lead to the failure of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using DNA purified from paraffin-embedded materials: presence of inhibitors and degradation of target DNA. DNA dilution will often reduce the concentration of potential inhibitors and still contain enough DNA to allow PCR amplification. Objective: To evaluate the dilution influence of DNA purified from paraffin-embedded materials on β-globin PCR amplification. Material and Method: Paraffin-embedded blocks from 30 patients with oropharynx squamous cell carcinomas, diagnosed and treated at the Oral Oncology Center were selected. DNA extraction was performed using QIAmp minikit (Quiagen). DNA was quantified and evaluated for purity by spectrophotometer analysis. Two groups were formed with different amounts of DNA: group I had the originally extracted DNA and group II had the same DNA, however diluted with ultrapure water addition. PCR was performed in both groups using oligonucleotides for human β-globin gene. Results: For Group I, amplification of the β-globin gene sequence was successful in 33.33% of the samples and for Group II, in 23.33%. Conclusion: Dilution of the DNA extracted of paraffin-embedded materials did not modify statistically the amount of positive samples β-globin gene amplified in PCR, although the results suggest that this is a way to increase the method for efficacy amplification of PCR.

Comparação de métodos para extração de dna na reação em cadeia da polimerase para detecção de Salmonella enterica sorovar enteritidis em produtos avícolas

The identification of Salmonella spp. in food samples by microbiological diagnosis is time consuming, with approximately five different stages, requiring about 120 hours until the final result. The utilization of the polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR) can reduce this time, but substances present in samples may affect the reaction. The present work aimed to compare DNA extraction by thermic treatment and by the use of cetyltrimethil ammonium bromide (CTAB), in products originated from poultry houses corresponding to raw material (meat meal) and experimentally contaminated drag swabs. Materials obtained from the extractions were submitted to PCR, utilizing a pair of initiator oligonucleotides for amplification of Sdf 1 gene fragments. Comparing the methods of extraction, it was observed that when CTAB was employed, SE was detected in 70% of meat meal and in 80% of drag swabs, while the thermic treatment method yielded positive results in 20% of meat meal and in 40% of drag swabs. SE was detected under both methods utilized for DNA extraction, but the use of CTAB detected a greater number of positive samples, compared with thermal treatment.

RAPD marker use for improving resistance to Helicoverpa zea in corn

Helicoverpa zea is responsible for great losses to the corn, Zen mays L., crops final productivity, and the best way to control it is by improving genetic resistance. In collaboration with corn improvement and increasing resistance to insects through molecular marker assisted selection, this work had as an objective the selection of resistant (RP) and susceptible progenies (SP) to H. zea based on the RAPD technique. Molecular markers were Found, among the resistant progenies and it is suggested that linkage of these within the Zapalote Chico corn race, be used to extract resistance genes from this race as a donor. The progenies were selected from a population of half-sibs exhibiting a broader genetic base (FCAVJ-VF14). After DNA extraction, two sample bulks were formed; one made up of the six most resistant plants, the other of the six least resistant plants. Eighty-six primers were tested for PCR reactions with the resistant and susceptible bulks and analyzed on agarose electrophoresis for the detection of RAPD band polymorphism. The results of the banding patterns and similarity values indicated a nucleotide sequence amplified by the primer OPC-2 as a possible molecular marker for the identification of resistant progenies and a homology region between them and the Zapalote Chico corn race.

Characterization of the genetic variability among Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw. (Fabaceae) plants using RAPD molecular markers

O flamboyanzinho (Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Fabaceae) é muito utilizado como cerca-viva e na arborização de ruas, parques e jardins. de florescimento exuberante, suas flores podem apresentar coloração rosa, laranja ou amarela, conforme a variedade. Como características florais são essenciais para a definição do valor comercial de espécies ornamentais, o objetivo principal do trabalho foi verificar a existência de polimorfismo entre plantas de C. pulcherrima, que produzem flores de diferentes colorações, por marcadores moleculares RAPD. Foram escolhidas aleatoriamente 30 plantas adultas, cultivadas no município de Jaboticabal, Estado de São Paulo, para a retirada de amostras foliares para a extração de DNA. Dentre essas matrizes, 20 possuem flores alaranjadas, oito, flores amarelas, e apenas duas produzem flores de coloração rosa. Dos 140 primers de RAPD avaliados, 94 foram capazes de ampliar fragmentos definidos, gerando 246 bandas, das quais se observou 100% de bandas monomórficas, indicando que nenhum dos primers utilizados detectou polimorfismo entre os tratamentos. Concluiu-se que a técnica para detecção de polimorfismo por marcadores RAPD não foi eficiente, e que existe a necessidade de se testarem marcadores moleculares mais específicos. Além disso, a característica morfológica cor de flor é, possivelmente, controlada por vários genes ou pela combinação deles.

Análise da variabilidade genética de acessos dePsidium spp. (Myrtaceae) avaliados quanto à reação a Meloidogyne enterolobii

This study aimed to characterize molecular of 13 accessions of Psidium spp. (Myrtaceae) that was been identified for the reaction to rootknot guava nematode. The DNA extraction of the samples was carried according to the protocol of Shillito & Saul (1988). The molecular markers type fAFLP, were obtained from fAFLP Regular Plant Genomes Fingerprinting Kit' (Applied Biosystems from Brasil Ltda.) and were tested 24 selectives combinations of primers, of which 18 showed amplification that produced 272 polymorphic markers. To the analysis of the markers were employed the softwares GeneScan (ABI Prism versao 1.0) and Genotyper (ABI Prism version 1.03), and the data collected were transformed into a binary matrix that was analyzed in the software PAUP (Phylogenetic Analysis Using Parcimony - version 3.01). Were calculated genetic distance index intra and interespecific between the genotipes. It was found that the AFLP markers were efficient in the discrimination between accessions, as well as in showing genetic similarity among accessions identified as resistant to the nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii, which could be discussed in the future.

Diversidade genética entre progênies e matrizes de rambutan

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A nested-PCR assay for detection of Xylella fastidiosa in citrus plants and sharpshooter leafhoppers

Aims: Detection of Xylella fastidiosa in citrus plants and insect vectors.Methods and Results: Chelex 100 resin matrix was successfully standardized allowing a fast DNA extraction of X. fastidiosa. An amplicon of 500 bp was observed in samples of citrus leaf and citrus xylem extract, with and without symptoms of citrus variegated chlorosis, using PCR with a specific primer set indicating the presence of X. fastidiosa. The addition of insoluble acid-washed polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPP) prior to DNA extraction of insect samples using Chelex 100 resin together with nested-PCR permitted the detection of X. fastidiosa within sharpshooter heads with great sensitivity. It was possible to detect up to two bacteria per reaction. From 250 sharpshooter samples comprising four species (Dilobopterus costalimai, Oncometopia facialis, Bucephalogonia xanthopis and Acrogonia sp.), 87 individuals showed positive results for X. fastidiosa in a nested-PCR assay.Conclusions: the use of Chelex 100 resin allowed a fast and efficient DNA extraction to be used in the detection of X. fastidiosa in citrus plants and insect vectors by PCR and nested-PCR assays, respectively.Significance and Impact of the study: the employment of efficient and sensitive methods to detect X. fastidiosa in citrus plants and insect vectors will greatly assist epidemiological studies.

Classic and molecular study of Giardia duodenalis in children from a daycare center in the region of Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Evaluation of pathogenic fungi occurrence in traumatogenic structures of freshwater fish

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Accuracy of fetal gender determination in maternal plasma at 5 and 6 weeks of pregnancy

Objective To assess the viability of the early diagnosis of fetal gender in material plasma before 7 weeks of pregnancy by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR), starting at 5 weeks of pregnancy.Method peripheral blood was collected from pregnant women, starting at 5 weeks of gestation. After centrifugation, plasma was separated for fetal DNA extraction. DNA was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR for two genomic regions, one on the Y chromosome (DYS-14) and the other shared by both sexes (beta-globin), by the TaqMan Minor Groove Binder (MGB) probe assay. The results of the examinations were compared to fetal gender determined after delivery.Results A total of 79 examinations of fetal DNA in maternal plasma were performed for 52 pregnant women. Accuracy according to gestational age was 92.6% (25 of 27 cases) at 5 weeks, and 95.6% (22 of 23 cases) at 6 weeks. These results also demonstrate that fetal DNA is present at low concentrations in maternal plasma at 5 weeks (8.5 genome equivalents (GE)/mL) and 6 weeks (34.1 GE/mL) of pregnancy.Conclusion Quantitative real-time PCR and TaqMan MGB probes specific for the detection of fetal gender in maternal plasma starting at 5 weeks of gestation have good sensitivity and excellent specificity. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.