Soil-liming effects on the development and nutritional status of the carambola tree and its fruit-yielding capacity

Soil acidity is one of the most important factors limiting agricultural production in the tropics. For this reason, the objective of this research work was to evaluate the effects of soil liming on the performance of carambola (Averrhoa carambola) trees. The experiment took place at the Citrus Experimental Station in Bebedouro, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The soil was a Typic Haplustox (V = 26% at the 0- to 20-cm layer) between August 1999 and July 2003. The following doses of limestone were employed: 0, 1.85, 3.71, 5.56, and 7.41 t ha(-1). During 40 months after the experiment was set up, soil chemical attributes were periodically examined. For a period of 2 years, the trees had their leaves analyzed for micro-and macronutrients; their trunk diameter, height, and crown volume measured; and the production of fruits determined. Liming improved in evaluated chemical attributes of the soil: pH, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), BS, V, and hydrogen and aluminium (H + At) from the upper 60 cm of soil when the samples were taken from both the line and between the lines of plants. In the leaves, the levels of Ca and Mg also increased. The highest fruit yields were observed when soil base saturations reached 45% on the lines and 50% between the lines, as well as when foliar levels of 8.0 g of Ca and 4.7 a of Mg per kilogram of leaves were attained.

Ovarian structure and hormonal status of the UChA and UChB adult rats in response to ethanol

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

Methylation status of the SOCS 1 and JUNB genes in chronic myeloid leukemia patients

Alteração no padrão de metilação gênica pode contribuir para a progressão da leucemia mielóide crônica (LMC). Neste estudo, o padrão de metilação no exon 2 do gene SOCS- 1 e região promotora de ambos SOCS- 1 e JUNB foram avaliadas em pacientes com LMC. O padrão de metilação desses genes foi analisado usando a técnicamethylation- specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) em 30 amostras de pacientes com LMC, 30 amostras desses mesmos pacientes após transplante de medula óssea (TMO) e 30 amostras controle de indivíduos saudáveis. As amostras de pacientes com LMC apresentaram o seguinte padrão de metilação: gene JUNB (3.3%), região promotora do gene SOCS- 1 (6.6%) e exon2 do gene SOCS- 1 (46.6%). Amostras dos indivíduos saudáveis apresentaram metilação somente no exon 2 do gene SOCS- 1 (10%, P = 0.002). Após o transplante, os pacientes apresentaram alterações no padrão de metilação da região promotora do gene SOCS- 1 (6.6%), no exon2 do gene SOCS- 1 (46.6%) e na região promotora do gene JUNB (16.6%). Metilação das regiões promotoras dos genes SOCS- 1 e JUNB não é um evento frequente em LMC. em contraste, metilação no exon 2 do gene SOCS- 1 apresenta- se como um evento frequente, suscetível a alterações no padrão de metilação após TMO.

THE POPULATION STATUS OF THE ENDANGERED BRAZILIAN ENDEMIC LEAF-CUTTING ANT ATTA-ROBUSTA (HYMENOPTERA, FORMICIDAE)

The population status of the endemic leaf-cutting ant Atta robusta was assessed using extensive field surveys. In the coastal plain of the state of Rio de Janeiro, we found localized populations of A. robusta, bur no evidence of population recruitment. In disturbed habitats, A. robusta is apparently being displaced by Atta sexdens rubropilosa.

Taxonomic status of the genus Sotalia: Species level ranking for tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) and costero (Sotalia guianensis) dolphins

Dolphins of the genus Sotalia are found along the Caribbean and Atlantic coasts of Central and South America and in the Amazon River and most of its tributaries. At present, the taxonomy of these dolphins remains unresolved. Although five species were described in the late 1800s, only one species is recognized currently (Sotalia fluviatilis) with two ecotypes or subspecies, the coastal subspecies (Sotalia fluviatilis guianensis) and the riverine subspecies (Sotalia fluviatilis fluviatilis). Recent morphometric analyses, as well as mitochondrial DNA analysis, suggested recognition of each subspecies as separate species. Here we review the history of the classification of this genus and present new genetic evidence from ten nuclear and three mitochondrial genes supporting the elevation of each subspecies to the species level under the Genealogical/Lineage Concordance Species Concept and the criterion of irreversible divergence. We also review additional evidence for this taxonomic revision from previously published and unpublished genetic, morphological, and ecological studies. We propose the common name costero for the coastal species, Sotalia guianensis (Van Beneden 1864), and accept the previously proposed tucuxi dolphin, Sotalia fluviatilis (Gervais, 1853), for the riverine species.

Nutritional status of the potted chrysanthemum relative to electrical conductivity and salt leaching

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Nutritional status of the cauliflower cultivar ‘verona’ grown with omission of out added macronutrients

Knowledge of plant nutritional status allows an understanding of the physiological responses of plants to crop fertilization. A hydroponic experiment evaluated the symptoms of macronutrient deficiency in cauliflower 'Verona'and determined: a) the macronutrient contents of foliar tissues when visual symptoms were observed, b) macronutrients content of foliar and inflorescence tissues at harvest. The effect of nutrient deficiency on inflorescence mass was also evaluated. Nitrogen deficiency caused chlorosis followed by purple color in the old leaves, while P deficiency caused only chlorosis in old leaves. Chlorosis at the edge of old leaves progressing to the center of the leaves was observed with the omission of K, and after was observed necrosis in the chlorotic areas. Ca deficiency caused tip burn in new leaves, while Mg deficiency caused internerval chlorosis in old leaves. The omission of eachmacronutrient reduced inflorescence dry matter. This deleterious effect was larger for N, P, and K deficiencies, reducing inflorescence dry matter by 87, 49, and 42%, respectively. When the nutrient solutions without N, P, K, Ca, or Mg were supplied to cauliflower plants, the macronutrient contents at harvest were 8.8, 0.6, 3.5, 13.0, and 0.8 g kg(-1) in the foliar tissues and 27.3, 2.2, 21.6, 1.1, and 0.7 g kg(-1) in the inflorescence tissues, respectively.

Differentiation and species status of the Neotropical yellow-eared bats Vampyressa pusilla and V. thyone (Phyllostomidae) with a molecular phylogeny and review of the genus

A systematic re-evaluation of Vampyressa pusilla warrants the elevation of V. p. thyone from subspecies to species rank based on its distinction from the allopatric V. p. pusilla. Morphological, mensural, chromosomal, and mitochondrial differences define each of these two taxa as divergent lineages. Vampyressa pusilla is endemic to the Atlantic Forest of southeastern South America and V. thyone is found allopatrically in northwestern South America, Central America, and southern Mexico. A molecular phylogenetic analysis of the mtDNA ND3-4 gene region using restriction endonuclease cut sites resulted in a monophyletic, although weakly supported Vampyressa ingroup with Chiroderma, and a clade of Mesophylla and Ectophylla as successive basal outgroup lineages. The phylogeny within Vampyressa, with the exception of V. melissa which is most similar to V. thyone based on karyotypes and morphology, had a topology of ((pusilla + thyone) + ((brocki + nymphaea) + bidens))).

The malarial impact on the nutritional status of Amazonian adult subjects

A avaliação antropométrica (pêso, altura, circunferência branquial, prega cutânea tricipital, prega cutânea subescapular, índice de Quetelet e circunferência muscular do braço) e bioquímica (proteínas e lipides) foi realizado em 120 indivíduos (93 masculinos e 27 do sexo feminino), de 17 a 72 anos de idade, moradores de área endêmica de malária (Humaitá -AM). de acordo com a história da doença (malária) eles foram divididos em 4 grupos: G1 - controle (n = 30), sem história de malária; G2 - controle (n = 40), com história de malária, mas sem manifestação de doença atual; G3 - doentes com Plasmodium vivax (n = 19) e G4 - doentes com Plasmodium faleiparum (n = 31). O diagnóstico de malária foi estabelecido por manifestações clínicas e confirmado laboratorialmente (gota espessa e esfregaço). No global as medidas antropométricas e bioquímicas discriminaram os grupos diferentemente. As medidas antropométricas do pêso, altura, reservas calóricas e estoque proteicos somáticos, apresentaram pouca sensibilidade, discriminado apenas os grupos extremos (Gl > G4). As medidas bioquímicas, no geral diferenciaram dois grandes grupos, os sadios e os doentes (G1+G2) e (G3+G4). Os doentes com Plasmodium falciparum (G4) foram os que se apresentaram em pior estado nutricional para a maioria das variáveis, sem entretanto, nenhuma variável individual que os discriminasse significativamente do G3. Estes dados permitem concluir que a malária resulta em desnutrição do hospedeiro, cuja gravidade está relacionada ao tipo e estágio da doença.

Rapid Assessment of Seed Removal and Frugivore Activity as a Tool for Monitoring the Health Status of Tropical Forests

Ecological processes in tropical forests are being affected at unprecedented rates by human activities. Yet, the continuity of ecological functions like seed dispersal is crucial for forest regeneration. It thus becomes increasingly urgent to be able to rapidly assess the health status of these processes in order to take appropriate management measures. We tested a method to rapidly evaluate seed removal rates on two animal-dispersed tree species, Virola kwatae and V.michelii (Myristicaceae), at three sites in French Guiana with increasing levels of anthropogenic disturbance. We counted fallen fruits, fruit valves, and seeds of each focal fruiting tree in a single 1m2 quadrat, and calculated two indices: the proportion of seeds removed and the proportion of fruits opened by mammals. They both provide an indirect and rapid assessment of frugivore activity. Our results showed a significant decrease in the proportion of removed seeds (16%) and fruits opened (19%) at the most impacted site in comparison with the other two sites (79% for seeds, 60% and 35% for fruits). This testifies to an increased impoverishment of the primate and toucan communities at the disturbed sites. This standardized protocol provides fast information about the health status of the community of seed dispersers and predators and of their seed removal services. It is time- and cost-effective and is not species-specific, allowing comparisons among sites or over time. We suggest using it with the pantropical Myristicaceae and any other capsule-producing family to rapidly assess the health status of seed removal processes across the tropics.

Effects of polyethylene film wrap on cooler shrink and the microbial status of beef carcasses

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Revision of the Neotropical subfamily Eurychoromyiinae (Diptera: Lauxaniidae)

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

Genotyping of AR and PSA polymorphisms in a patient with Klinefelter syndrome, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and adenocarcinoma of the prostate

It has been hypothesized that the AR (androgen receptor) gene binds the two PSA (prostate-specific antigen) alleles with differing affinities and may differentially influence prostate cancer risk. In this article, we report a case of adenocarcinoma of the prostate in a 56-year-old man with Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as the AR and PSA genotype. AR and PSA gene polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-based methods using DNA from peripheral white blood cells and the prostate cancer. We determined the methylation status of the AR gene on the X chromosome. The patient presents with the AG genotype for the ARE-I (androgen response element) region of the PSA gene. We detect the presence of two short AR alleles with 19 and 11CAG repeats each. Unmethylated alleles were demonstrated for both. The shorter allele was inactive in more than 60% of total DNA in both control blood and prostate cancer cells. The presence of short AR alleles and the G allele of the PSA gene may contribute to the development of prostate cancer in a 47,XXY patient. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

DNA methylation in the CTCF-binding site I and the expression pattern of the H19 gene: Does positive expression predict poor prognosis in early stage head and neck carcinomas?

Loss of allele-specific expression by the imprinted genes IGF2 and H19 has been correlated with a differentially methylated region (DMR) upstream to the H19 gene. The H19-DMR contains seven potential CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) binding sites. CTCF is a chromatin insulator and a multifunctional transcription factor whose binding to the H19-DMR is suppressed by DNA methylation. Our study included a group of 41 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) samples. The imprinting status of the H19 gene was analyzed in 11 out of 35 positive cases for H19 gene expression, and only 1 of them showed loss of imprinting. We detected a significant correlation (P=0.041, Fisher's exact test) between H19 expression and tumor recurrence. Among H19 positive cases, six were T2, in which five developed recurrence and/or metastasis. Inversely, in the group of tumors that showed no H19 gene expression, 5 out of 24 were T2 and only I presented regional recurrence. These data support the hypothesis that H19 expression could be used as a prognostic marker to indicate recurrence in early stage tumors. We also examined the methylation of the CTCF binding site 1 in a subgroup of these samples. The H19 gene silencing and loss of imprinting were not correlated with the methylation pattern of the CTCF binding site 1. However, the significant correlation between H19 expression and tumor recurrence suggest that this transcript could be a marker for the progression of HNSCC. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.