Comportamento e variação de procedências de Corymbia citriodora em diferentes tipos de solos

The aim of this study was the selection of Corymbia citriodora provenances for three different kinds of soils occurring in Luiz Antônio Experimental Station, São Paulo, Brazil (Latossolo Vermelho, Areia Quartzosa and Latossolo Roxo). The provenance test was established in 1983, with ten Corymbia citriodora provenances and one Eucalyptus grandis as control, original from a seed production area. The trials were established in a random block design with 11 treatments, three repetition and square plots with 25 trees. In 2008, there were evaluations of height, diameter at breast height (DBH, 1.3 m), stem form and survival. Significant differences among soils and provenances were detected for the growth traits, stem form and survival in all those studied soils. Significant provenance and soil interactions were not detected. All provenances showed higher growth in height and DBH in Purple Latosol. The control had a higher growth rate in relation to highness, DBH and stem form than Corymbia citriodora provenances in all the studied soils, but it presented, generally, a lower survival rate than Corymbia citriodora provenances. Pederneiras (11) Corymbia citriodora provenance presented a higher performance in relation to highness and DBH in all kinds of soils, and Gilgandra (4) provenance, original from Australia, had the worst development. Therefore, Pederneiras (11) provenance is, therefore, the best choose for reforestations in all those studied soils.

Estimativas de parâmetros genéticos para caracteres quantitativos em progênies de polinização aberta de Eucalyptus urophylla

Eucalyptus urophylla S. T. Blake is outstanding for valuable wood production potential, adaptation plasticity for different environmental conditions, and for tolerance to canker. However, genetic improvement of this specie in Brazil depends on the existence of genetic variability in the introduced populations. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic variation and gains in quantitative traits in a population established in 1992 in Selvíria - MS. The progeny trial was established in a partially balanced, 8 x 8 lattice design, with 64 families, collected at Anhembi Experimental Station (IPEF/ESALQ/USP). Each plot was made up of eight trees planted in a 3 × 3 m spacing. Significant among families genetic variations were observed in diameter at breast height (DBH), bark type, stem form, and survival. Estimates of average family heritability were high for all traits, ranging from 0.50 to 0.85. The simulated selection by using multi-effect index showed that under a varying number of plants per family. This method is the most indicated to maximize genetic gains (7.24%) and the effective population size (69.3). These results are a useful support for the transformation of this test into a seedling seed orchard and to become a source of vegetative material to build a clonal seed orchard.

Variação e parâmetros genéticos em teste de progênies de polinização livre de Peltophorum dubium (Sprengel) taubert em Luiz Antonio -SP

Intensive deforestation and forest fragmentation of the Brazilian forest biomes has contributed to increase the number of trees species under the risk of extinction. Peltophorum dubium (Sprengel) Taubert is one of these species. Some of its populations are being conserved ex situ by the Instituto Florestal de São Paulo through provenance and progeny tests. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic variation and to estimate genetic parameters at age 24 years in a progeny test of P. dubium established in Luiz Antônio, São Paulo State, Brazil. The trial was established in a random block design, with six replications, five plants per plot and 18 open-pollinated progenies. Measured were: diameter at breast height (DBH), height and stem form. The genetic parameters heritability, genetic variation and effective population size were estimated. Significant genetic differences were observed only for DBH. This trait also presented a high coefficient of genetic variation (CV g=4.8%) and heritability, especially among progeny means (h m 2=0.6607). This indicates that DBH is the most indicated trait for selection in the population. The effective population size conserved ex situ in the test was estimated to be 38.9. Concerning genetic conservation, although the effective population size in the test is small, the values of the genetic variation and of the heritability indicate that the ex situ population has sufficient genetic variation and potential to respond to changes promoted by natural and artificial selection.

Variação, herdabilidade e ganhos genéticos em progênies de eucalyptus tereticornis aos 25 anos de idade em Batatais – SP

Pós-graduação em Agronomia - FEIS

Variações genéticas para caracteres silviculturais em progênies e procedências de Dipteryx alata Vogel

Pós-graduação em Ciência Florestal - FCA

Variação genética para caracteres silviculturais em progênies de polinização aberta de Astronium graveolens Jacq. (Anacardiaceae)

This study has investigated the genetic variation for silvicultural traits in an open-pollinated progeny test of Astronium graveolens Jacq., established at Luiz Antônio Experimental Station (State of São Paulo, Brazil). The trial was planted in a random block experimental design, containing 23 families, six replications and five plants per plot. The traits measured were diameter at breast height (DBH), total height and stem form. The assessments were taken at the age of 19 years. Significant differences were not detected by the analysis of variance, suggesting that the genetic variation was low, as well as the probability to raising genetic gains through selection among progenies. The coefficient of genetic variation was moderate for the traits height (8.2%) and DBH (21.2%) and low to stem form (4.0%). However, the average coefficient of heritability among progenies was low for all studied traits (ranging from 0.02 to 0.15), confirming the low probability of genetic improvement of this population by selection among progenies.

Variação, herdabilidade e ganhos genéticos em progênies de Eucalyptus tereticornis aos 25 anos de idade em Batatais-SP

The wood of Eucalyptus tereticornis is intensively used for timber, structures, buildings, poles, posts and coal. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters and genetic and phenotypic correlations in growth and stem form traits of 52 open-pollinated progenies of E. tereticornis sampled from three Australian populations (20 progenies from Helenvale, 19 from Ravenshoe and 13 from Mt. Garnet). The progenies were compared with three commercial control also from Australian. The experimental design used was the compact family block, with the effect of provenance allocated in the plots and progenies within provenances in the subplots. Ten repetitions of the 52 treatments, sub-plots with six plants and the spacing of 3 x 2 m was used. At 25 years of age it was measured the diameter at breast height (DBH), total height, true volume and the stem form. We found genetic variation amon and within the three provenances and the possibility of obtaining high gains from mass selection and individual among and within progenies. The provenance Helenvale showed the best development for DBH, height and volume. The traits DBH, height and volume showed high genetic correlations (> 0.9), indicating the possibility to use the indirect selection. The coefficient of heritability on a progeny mean for the traits DBH and height was median, being 0.31 and 0.30, respectively. The expected genetic gain with the selection were estimated at 12.4% for DBH and 8.5 % for plant height. These results will subsidize the transformation of the provenance and progeny test in a seedling seed orchard and a clonal seed orchard.

Caracterización y aprovechamiento de los varillales amazónicos : contribución a la economía de las comunidades locales

La Gestión Forestal Sustentable es la principal herramienta para garantizar la compatibilidad entre producción y conservación en todos los bosques, y mas especialmente en los que exhiben niveles máximos de diversidad, como los tropicales humedos. En ellos existe un gran desconocimiento sobre la gestión de los recursos maderables de pequeña dimensión y los no maderables (PFNM) con mercado local. La madera redonda de pequeño diámetro es un recurso forestal de bajo valor económico extraído tradicionalmente por los pobladores locales de las zonas tropicales húmedas para construir sus viviendas. Los fustes de mejor calidad se obtienen del bosque de varillal, o bosques sobre arena blanca, altamente oligotroficos, sin potencial agrícola, escasos, dispersos, de pequeña superficie, gran fragilidad y alto porcentaje de endemismos. En el entorno de los centros urbanos de la Amazonia peruana, esta madera supone uno de los principales ingresos económicos para la población local, al ser extraida para su comercialización en dichos centros urbanos. Esto supone un riesgo de sobre-explotacion cuyos efectos se desconocen hasta el momento. Para acercarnos la situacion ambiental, social y económica asociada al varillal, se han realizado inventarios botanicos y de estructura forestal, se ha descrito el sistema de aprovechamiento tradicional y cuantificado sus efectos y, finalmente, se han realizado encuestas orientadas a analizar la situación social y economica de las comunidades locales que extraen y comercializan sus productos. El aprovechamiento tradicional del varillal es una actividad de bajo impacto que no emplea maquinaria y se centra en la extracción de fustes con diámetro normal entre 5 y 15 cm y características especificas de longitud, forma de fuste y calidad de la especie. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto la relevancia de la distancia existente entre el punto de extracción y el punto de venta, asi como la gran influencia que tiene la situación social y económica en la gestión sustentable del varillal. Todo ello pone en evidencia que si existe un cierto efecto negativo de la extracción intensa y continuada que han sufrido los varíllales mas próximos al centro urbano. Para favorecer una Gestión Forestal Sustentable que reduzca este efecto negativo es esencial llevar a cabo una adecuada planificación comunal que permita establecer una secuencia ordenada de zonas de corta y un cronograma para su gestión y aprovechamiento que evite la extracción repetida en un mismo varillal. ABSTRACT Sustainable forest management is the main tool to ensure compatibility between production and conservation in all forests, and especially in those exhibiting the maximum levels of diversity, such as tropical rain. Within them there is a great ignorance about the management of small sized timber and non-timber resources (PFMN) in the local market. The small-diameter round timber is a forest resource of low economic value extracted traditionally by local people of the humid tropics to build their homes. The better quality shafts are obtained from varillal forest or forests on white sand, highly oligotrophic, no agricultural potential, few, scattered, small size, fragility and high percentage of endemic species. In the environment of the urban centres of the Peruvian Amazon, this wood is one of the main incomes for the local population, since it is extracted for marketing in these urban centres. This poses a risk of overexploitation whose effects are unknown so far. To approach the environmental, social and economic situation associated to the varillal, botanical and forest structure inventories have been conducted, traditional harvesting systems described and their effects quantified and targeted surveys have eventually been conducted to analyse the social and local economic situation of the communities that extract and sell the products. The traditional use of varillal is a low-impact activity that does not use machinery and focuses on the extraction of shafts with a normal diameter of between 5 and 15 cm and specific characteristics in length, stem form and quality of the species. The results highlight the importance of the distance from the extraction point and the sale point, and the great influence of the social and economic situation in the sustainable management of varillal. This demonstrates that there is indeed a negative effect caused by the intense and continuous extraction that varillales closest to the city centre have suffered. To encourage a Sustainable Forest Management to reduce this negative effect is essential to conduct proper community planning in order to establish an ordered sequence of areas and a chronogram for their management and use, to avoid a repeat extraction in the same varillal.

Human neural stem cell-derived cultures in three- dimensional substrates form spontaneously functional neuronal networks

Differentiated human neural stem cells were cultured in an inert three-dimensional (3D) scaffold and, unlike two-dimensional (2D) but otherwise comparable monolayer cultures, formed spontaneously active, functional neuronal networks that responded reproducibly and predictably to conventional pharmacological treatments to reveal functional, glutamatergic synapses. Immunocytochemical and electron microscopy analysis revealed a neuronal and glial population, where markers of neuronal maturity were observed in the former. Oligonucleotide microarray analysis revealed substantial differences in gene expression conferred by culturing in a 3D vs a 2D environment. Notable and numerous differences were seen in genes coding for neuronal function, the extracellular matrix and cytoskeleton. In addition to producing functional networks, differentiated human neural stem cells grown in inert scaffolds offer several significant advantages over conventional 2D monolayers. These advantages include cost savings and improved physiological relevance, which make them better suited for use in the pharmacological and toxicological assays required for development of stem cell-based treatments and the reduction of animal use in medical research.

Origin of successive cambia on stem in three species of Menispermaceae

The lianas observed in this study, Abuta convexa (Vell.) Diels, Abuta imene (Mart.) Eichler, and Chondrodendron platiphyllum (A. St.-Hil.) Miers, all have successive cambia in their stems. The terminology applied to stem histology in species with successive cambia is as diverse as the interpretations of the origins of this cambial variant. Therefore, this study specifically investigates the origin of successive cambia through a developmental analysis of the above-mentioned species, including an analysis of the terminology used to describe this cambial variation. For the first time, we have identified several developmental stages giving rise to the origins of successive cambia in this family. First, the pericycle originates in 1-3 layers of conjunctive tissue. After the differentiation of the first ring, the conjunctive tissue undergoes new divisions, developing approximately 10 rows of parenchyma cells. In the middle portion, a layer of sclereids is formed, again subdividing the conjunctive tissue into two parts: internal and external. New cambia originate in the internal part, from which new secondary vascular strands will originate, giving rise to the second successive vascular ring of the stem. The external part remains parenchymatous during the installation of the second ring and will undergo new periclinal division, repeating the entire process. New cambia will originate from the neoformed strands, which will form only rays. In the literature, successive cambia are formed by a meristem called "diffuse lateral meristem."However, based on the species of Menispermaceae studied in this report, it is demonstrated that the diffuse lateral meristem is the pericycle itself.

Primary and secondary thickening in the stem of Cordyline fruticosa (Agavaceae)

The growth in thickness of monocotyledon stems can be either primary, or primary and secondary. Most of the authors consider this thickening as a result of the PTM (Primary Thickening Meristem) and the STM (Secondary Thickening Meristem) activity. There are differences in the interpretation of which meristem would be responsible for primary thickening. In Cordyline fruticosa the procambium forms two types of vascular bundles: collateral leaf traces (with proto and metaxylem and proto and metaphloem), and concentric cauline bundles (with metaxylem and metaphloem). The procambium also forms the pericycle, the outermost layer of the vascular cylinder consisting of smaller and less intensely colored cells that are divided irregularly to form new vascular bundles. The pericycle continues the procambial activity, but only produces concentric cauline bundles. It was possible to conclude that the pericycle is responsible for the primary thickening of this species. Further away from the apex, the pericyclic cells undergo periclinal divisions and produce a meristematic layer: the secondary thickening meristem. The analysis of serial sections shows that the pericycle and STM are continuous in this species, and it is clear that the STM originates in the pericycle.The endodermis is acknowledged only as the innermost layer of the cortex.

Dysregulated hematopoiesis and a progressive neurological disorder induced by expression of an activated form of the human common beta chain in transgenic mice

Previously we described activating mutations of h beta(c), the common signaling subunit of the receptors for the hematopoietic and inflammatory cytokines, GM-CSF, IL-3, and IL-5. The activated mutant, h beta(c)FI Delta, is able to confer growth factor-independent proliferation on the murine myeloid cell line FDC-P1, and on primary committed myeloid progenitors. We have used this activating mutation to study the effects of chronic cytokine receptor stimulation. Transgenic mice were produced carrying the h beta(c)FI Delta cDNA linked to the constitutive promoter derived from the phosphoglycerate kinase gene, PGK-1. Transgene expression was demonstrated in several tissues and functional activity of the mutant receptor was confirmed in hematopoietic tissues by the presence of granulocyte macrophage and macrophage colony-forming cells (CFU-GM and CFU-M) in the absence of added cytokines. All transgenic mice display a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by splenomegaly, erythrocytosis, and granulocytic and megakaryocytic hyperplasia. This disorder resembles the human disease polycythemia vera, suggesting that activating mutations in h beta(c) may play a role in the pathogenesis of this myeloproliferative disorder. In addition, these transgenic mice develop a sporadic, progressive neurological disease and display bilateral, symmetrical foci of necrosis in the white matter of brain stem associated with an accumulation of macrophages. Thus, chronic h beta(c) activation has the potential to contribute to pathological events in the central nervous system.

Intra-bone marrow injection of mesenchymal stem cells improves the femur bone mass of osteoporotic female rats

The effect of intra-bone injection of differentiated rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) into the femur of osteoporotic female rats was studied. Osteoporosis was induced in Wistar female rats by bilateral ovariectomy. Then, 0.75 million BMMSCs isolated from healthy rats were injected into the femurs of osteoporotic rats. Histomorphometric analysis and histology clearly revealed improvements in the treated group as compared to untreated group. In 2 months, the femurs of treated rats, unlike untreated rats, showed trabecular bone percentage almost similar to the femurs from control healthy rats. To confirm the origin of newly formed bone, the experiment was repeated with BMMSCs isolated from green fluorescent protein transgenic rats. Confocal microscopy demonstrated green fluorescent protein-positive cells at the surface of trabecular bone of the treated rats. We investigated in vitro osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs isolated from osteoporotic rats by studying alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen synthesis, and the ability to form mineralized nodules. Osteoporotic BMMSCs showed less differentiation capabilities as compared to those isolated from healthy rats. The results clearly demonstrated the importance of BMMSCs in osteoporosis and that the disease can be treated by injection of BMMSCs.

Stem cell transplants for patients with relapsed/refractory leukaemia

Purpose of review Today the indication for allogeneic stem cell transplantation for a high-risk leukaemia in first remission is well defined by most centres. In patients with primary refractory leukaemia the indication is controversially discussed. Similarly patients with relapse and advanced disease have a poor prognosis with chemotherapy, but also with transplantation. Finally more elderly patients with comorbidities seek help from transplantation, most of them in advanced and otherwise refractory disease. The results are reviewed. Recent findings The role of alloimmunity in the control of leukaemia has been defined and pretransplant conditioning treatment could be reduced to less intensive protocols. Graft-versus-leukaemia reactions have been demonstrated with the transfusion of donor lymphocytes. Using nonmyeloablative regimens allogeneic stem cell transplantation could be offered to elderly patients, the majority of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. The use of antibodies and radio-immunotherapy has improved the treatment of lymphoid malignancies. Cord blood transplants have shown improved results with double transplants. The superiority of maternal donors indicates a role of the donor`s immune repertoire. Summary Taking advantage of alloimmune reactions and reduced intensity conditioning allogeneic stem cell transplantation has become successful even in elderly and fragile patients. The combination of molecular monitoring, targeted therapy and transplantation as a form of immunotherapy may improve the results of leukaemia treatment further.

Autologous non-myeloablative haemopoietic stem cell transplantation in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a phase I/II study

Background Autologous non-myeloablative haemopoietic stem cell transplantation is a method to deliver intense immune suppression. We evaluated the safety and clinical outcome of autologous non-myeloablative haemopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with retapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) who had not responded to treatment with interferon beta. Methods Eligible patients had relapsing-remitting MS, attended Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and despite treatment with interferon beta had had two corticosteroid-treated relapses within the previous 12 months, or one relapse and gadolinium-enhancing lesions seen on MRI and separate from the relapse. Peripheral blood haemopoietic stem cells were mobilised with 2 g per m(2) cyclophosphamide and 10 mu g per kg per day filgrastim. The conditioning regimen for the haemopoietic stem cells was 200 mg per kg cyclophosphamide and either 20 mg alemtuzumab or 6 mg per kg rabbit antithymocyte globulin. Primary outcomes were progression-free survival and reversal of neurological disability at 3 years post-transplantation. We also sought to investigate the safety and tolerability of autologous non-myeloablative haemopoietic stem cell transplantation. Findings Between January 2003, and February, 2005, 21 patients were treated. Engraftment of white blood cells and platelets was on median day 9 (range day 8-11) and patients were discharged from hospital on mean day 11 (range day 8-13). One patient had diarrhoea due to Clostridium difficile and two patients had dermatomal zoster. Two of the 17 patients receiving alemtuzumab developed late immune thrombocytopenic purpura that remitted with standard therapy. 17 of 21 patients (81%) improved by at least 1 point on the Kurtzke expanded disability status scale (EDSS), and five patients (24%) relapsed but achieved remission after further immunosuppression. After a mean of 37 months (range 24-48 months), all patients were free from progression (no deterioration in EDSS score), and 16 were free of relapses. Significant improvements were noted in neurological disability, as determined by EDSS score (p<0.0001), neurological rating scale score (p=0.0001), paced auditory serial addition test (p=0.014), 25-foot walk (p<0.0001), and quality of life, as measured with the short form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire (p<0.0001). Interpretation Non-myeloablative autologous haemopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with relapsing-remitting MS reverses neurological deficits, but these results need to be confirmed in a randomised trial.