Self-fertility and polyembryony in South American yellow trumpet trees (Handroanthus chrysotrichus and H. ochraceus, Bignoniaceae): a histological study of postpollination events

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

Viscoelastic and Thermal Properties of Collagen-Xanthan Gum and Collagen-Maltodextrin Suspensions During Heating and Cooling

The purpose of this work was to investigate the viscoelastic properties of aqueous suspensions of crude collagen powder extracted from bovine hides and nonsubmitted to the hydrolysis reaction that leads to gelatin. The studied variables included the collagen concentration and the addition of xanthan gum or maltodextrin at varied concentrations during heating/cooling of the mixtures. Differential scanning calorimetry thermograms showed that the addition of polysaccharides decreased the endothermic peak areas observed at the denaturation temperature of collagen. The rheological properties of the pure collagen suspensions were highly dependent on concentration: 4% and 6% collagen suspensions presented a great increase in the storage modulus after heating/cooling, whereas for concentrations of 8% and 10% G' decreased during heating and did not recover its original value after heating/cooling. The frequency sweeps showed that the thermal treatment was responsible by the strengthening of the interactions that formed the polymer network. Addition of 0.1% xanthan gum to collagen suspensions increased the gel strength, especially after heating/cooling of the system, whereas increasing gum concentration to 0.3% resulted in a weaker gel, which could indicate thermodynamic incompatibility between the biopolymers. Mixtures of collagen and maltodextrin resulted in more fluid structures than those obtained with pure collagen at the same collagen concentration and the range of temperatures in which these mixtures behaved as a gel decreased with increasing concentrations of both collagen and maltodextrin, suggesting incompatibilities between the biopolymers.

The reproductive biology of Cybistax antisyphilitica (Bignoniaceae), a characteristic tree of the South American savannah-like "Cerrado" vegetation

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

Wolbachia in Anastrepha Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae)

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

Genetical rearrangements in Azospirillum brasilense induced by the plasmid PJB4JI

The present work was conducted with the initial purpose of looking for the characterization of Azospirillum brasilense strain ATCC 29.145 mutants induced by insertions of the transposon Tn-5. The strategy used to transfer such mobile element was based on the vector named pJB4JI

Capacidade combinatória para frutificação em cultivares de nogueira macadâmia

A 5 × 5 diallel experiment was conducted at Experimental Station of Tietê, SP, aiming to evaluate the combining ability amongst macadamia nut trees (Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche) cultivars IAC Campinas A, IAC 2-23 A, IAC 4-12 B, IAC 4-20 e IAC 5-10. The initial fruit set was evaluated 14 days after manual pollination and showed that every cultivar presented self incompatibility. There were significant general and specific combining ability amongst cultivars and reciprocal effects. The cultivar IAC Campinas A reduced the initial fruit set at all crossing in which was used as female progenitor. The best results for initial fruit set were showed by crossings between following cultivars: IAC 4-20 × IAC Campinas A, IAC 4-12 B × IAC 2-23 A, IAC 4-20 x× IAC 4-12 B, IAC 5-10 × IAC 2-23 A, IAC 5-10 × IAC 4-20, IAC 4-20 × IAC 2-23 A e IAC 5-10 × IAC 4-12 B.

Naso-orbicular tissue necrosis by Streptococcus parasanguis in a patient with Fanconi anemia: Clinical and laboratory aspects

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by pancytopenia and progressive hypoplasia of the bone marrow. A 23-year-old woman with FA showed severe pancytopenia and developed an abscess on the infraorbicular region on the right side of the face that progressed to phlegmon and caused tissue necrosis of the nostrils, nasal septum, nasal fossa, and posterior orbital region. Laboratory examination showed Streptococcus parasanguis as the etiologic agent of the phlegmon. Supportive treatment was recommended due to donor incompatibility for bone marrow transplant. The intraoral examination showed spontaneous gingival bleeding, edema of the interdental papillae, hematomas on the superior and inferior lips, bacterial and fungal infections, and adequate oral hygiene. The patient was treated with the administration of an antibiotic (imipenem), an antifungal (amphotericin B), and mouth washing with antiseptic solutions. Periodontal prophylaxis and orientation to and control of oral hygiene and diet were also used during the remission period. For functional and esthetic rehabilitation of the alar regions and nasal dorsum, an acrylic resin nasal prosthesis was made, supported by a spectacle frame.

Effect of different dye solutions on the evaluation of the sealing ability of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate.

Alkaline materials have shown incompatibility with methylene blue dye in leakage experiments. The goal of the present study was to analyze the effect of different dyes on the evaluation of the apical sealing ability of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate root-end fillings. Fifty-six extracted human canines were submitted to root canal instrumentation and obturation. After apical resection, retrograde cavities were prepared and teeth were randomly divided into four experimental (n = 13) and two control groups (n = 2). The following root-end filling materials were used: groups 1 and 2--Pro Root MTA (Dentsply), groups 3 and 4--zinc oxide-eugenol cement (ZOE). Teeth in groups 1 and 3 were immersed in 2% methylene blue solution, while teeth in groups 2 and 4 were immersed in 0.2% rhodamine B in a reduced pressure environment for 48 hours. Teeth were then longitudinally sectioned and leakage was evaluated. Results were submitted to statistical analysis (ANOVA and Tukey's test). Group 1 presented the least leakage (p < 0.05). It was concluded that the evaluation of the sealing ability of MTA is influenced by the dye used, since this material presented better sealing ability when evaluated with Methylene Blue, but was similar to ZOE when evaluated with rhodamine B.

Strong selection against hybrids at a hybrid zone in the Ensatina ring species complex and its evolutionary implications

The analysis of interactions between lineages at varying levels of genetic divergence can provide insights into the process of speciation through the accumulation of incompatible mutations. Ring species, and especially the Ensatina eschscholtzii system exemplify this approach. The plethodontid salamanders E. eschscholtzii xanthoptica and E. eschscholtzii platensis hybridize in the central Sierran foothills of California. We compared the genetic structure across two transects (southern and northern Calaveras Co.), one of which was resampled over 20 years, and examined diagnostic molecular markers (eight allozyme loci and mitochondrial DNA) and a diagnostic quantitative trait (color pattern). Key results across all studies were: (1) cline centers for all markers were coincident and the zones were narrow, with width estimates of 730 m to 2000 m; (2) cline centers at the northern Calaveras transect were coincident between 1981 and 2001, demonstrating repeatability over five generations; (3) there were very few if any putative F1s, but a relatively high number of backcrossed individuals in the central portion of transects: and (4) we found substantial linkage disequilibrium in all three studies and strong heterozygote deficit both in northern Calaveras, in 2001, and southern Calaveras. Both linkage disequilibrium and heterozygote deficit showed maximum values near the center of the zones. Using estimates of cline width and dispersal, we infer strong selection against hybrids. This is sufficient to promote accumulation of differences at loci that are neutral or under divergent selection, but would still allow for introgression of adaptive alleles. The evidence for strong but incomplete isolation across this centrally located contact is consistent with theory suggesting a gradual increase in postzygotic incompatibility between allopatric populations subject to divergent selection and reinforces the value of Ensatina as a system for the study of divergence and speciation at multiple stages. © 2005 The Society for the Study of Evolution. All rights reserved.

Meio de cultura e tipo de explante no estabelecimento in vitro de espécies de maracujazeiro

Brazil is one of the main centers of genetic variability dispersion of the Passiflora genera. Its self incompatibility as well as disease incidence in its leaves and root system and, deforestation and monocultivation, promote loss of genetic material. Considering the risk of genetic erosion, the conservation of the variability in germplasm banks, which is of great interest in plant breeding, is necessary. Studies regarding the type of expiant and concentration of the culture media are necessary in order to determine protocols of establishment and in vitro conservation of passion-fruit germplasm. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the influence of the salt and nutrient concentration in the MS culture medium and types of expiants in the establishment and growth of the Passion fruit species: Passiflora giberti N. E.Brown, P. edulis Sims and P. laurifolia L. Each Passiflora species presented its own characteristics regarding in vitro development. The complete MS medium and nodal segments the second axilliary bud promoted better development of the genotypes studied.

Improving the affinity of tomato grafted on Solanum torvum using an intermediate rootstock

Most of the interspecific rootstocks (Lycopersicum esculentum × L. hirsutum) used in grafted Spanish tomato crops are resistant to Meloidogyne nematodes, but the 'Mi' resistance gene does not work well at high soil temperatures. Ralstonia solanacearum is a bacterial disease usual in tropical areas, but recently identified with low incidence in several European countries. This disease could be controlled by grafting tomato on Solanum torvum, which is also resistant to Meloidogyne. However, S. torvum and tomato have low grafting affinity, which could be improved using an intermediate rootstock. Some cultivars of eggplant have a relatively good affinity with tomato and complete affinity with S. torvum. In this study we compared two tomato cultivars (one resistant to Verticillium dalihae, Fusarium oxysporum v. lycopersici race 2 and Meloidogyne spp., and one non-resistant) grafted onto 'Beaufort' (Lycopersicum esculentum × L. hirsutum), 'Torvum Vigor' (Solanum torvum) and also with an intermediate grafting of eggplant ('Cristal') between tomato and S. torvum, with nongrafted plants as controls. This arrangement was carried out in two cropping cycles (winter-spring and summer-autumn). In both cycles, plants grafted onto S. torvum, both single or double grafted, yielded less than those grafted onto 'Beaufort' or nongrafted plants. In the spring cycle, no differences were found between single and double-grafted plants using S. torvum rootstocks, but in the autumn cycle double grafted plants had higher yields than the single grafted plants. The severity of nematode infections, in terms of reducing yields, and/or hypothetical infections of Ralstonia, will determine the utility of this technique in tomato production.

Mume clonal rootstocks for 'Aurora-1' peach in São Paulo State, Brazil

In spite of significant results achieved with scion genetic improvement in stone fruits, the peach culture in Brazil still needs studies and new technologies regarding the use of rootstocks. A wide research project has being developed at the Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil, dealing with the use of mume clones (Prunus mume) as rootstocks for peach trees, which has produced promising results. In this research, two mume genotypes propagated by herbaceous cuttings were tested as rootstocks for peach cultivar Aurora-1. Three different tree spacing were used: 6 x 2 m, 6 x 3 m and 6 x 4 m. The experiment was carried out at Vista Alegre do Alto (21°10'14 S, 48°37'45 W, 700 m of altitude), São Paulo State, Brazil. Growing field conditions included Hapludalfs soil with medium sandy texture and using micro sprinkler irrigation. The region has an average chilling accumulation 17.9 hours per year. The evaluations were taken in 2005 and 2006 (2nd and 3rd year after planting, respectively). The trunk diameter was evaluated every three months, from the 24th to the 41st month after planting, totalizing seven evaluations. Plants on 'Rigitano' had higher trunk diameter on the 33rd, 39th and 41st month after planting (May/06, November/06 and February/07, respectively). No significant differences were observed in the other evaluations. The diameter at 5 cm above to the graft point was larger than below, but no incompatibility symptoms were observed between rootstocks and scion. Spacing tested did not influence trunk diameter, phenology and flower bud production in 'Aurora-1' scion. In conclusion, 'Rigitano' and 'Clone 15' are recommended for high density plantings of peach 'Aurora-1' in Brazil, and the 6 x 2 m spacing can be recommended, with productivity advantages for peach under low air relative humidity and mild winter conditions. © ISHS 2012.

Industrial policy and development

Includes bibliography

Mating in the pseudogamic apomictic Anemopaegma acutifolium DC: Another case of pseudo-self-compatibility in Bignoniaceae?

Self-compatibility in apomictic pseudogamic species is considered fundamental to assure reproduction by seeds in extreme situations, making apomictic species more advantageous than sexual ones in these scenarios. Anemopaegma acutifolium is a polyploidy, apomictic sporophytic species with no endosperm development in ovules of unpollinated pistils, which indicates obligate pseudogamy. Thus, the aim of the present work is to study the breeding system and post-pollination events to test if there is similar pseudogamous development irrespective of pollination treatment. We analysed fruit and seed set obtained in controlled experimental pollinations, as well as embryo number per seed, and the progress of ovule penetration, fertilisation and early endosperm development between self- and cross-pollinated pistils. We found that the species is self-fertile and that spontaneous selfing fruit set is also possible, although emasculated flowers never form fruits. Selfed pistils were as efficient as crossed ones for all parameters analysed, except for a delay in endosperm development observed in the former that may be an effect of the late-acting self-incompatibility. Therefore, the avoidance of selfed pistil abortion seems to be promoted by the presence of adventitious embryos and a normal endosperm. We conclude that A. acutifolium shows apomixis-related pseudo-self-compatibility, as in other self-fertile apomictic species of Bignoniaceae, which confer reproductive assurance and increases fruit-set and persistence ability in fast-changing tropical habitats. © 2012 German Botanical Society and The Royal Botanical Society of the Netherlands.

Estudo da interação entre amido de mandioca e gomas e efeito de sua aplicação em bebida láctea fermentada

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)