Estimation and prediction of parameters and breeding values in soybean using REML/BLUP and Least Squares

The aim of this study was to compare REML/BLUP and Least Square procedures in the prediction and estimation of genetic parameters and breeding values in soybean progenies. F(2:3) and F(4:5) progenies were evaluated in the 2005/06 growing season and the F(2:4) and F(4:6) generations derived thereof were evaluated in 2006/07. These progenies were originated from two semi-early, experimental lines that differ in grain yield. The experiments were conducted in a lattice design and plots consisted of a 2 m row, spaced 0.5 m apart. The trait grain yield per plot was evaluated. It was observed that early selection is more efficient for the discrimination of the best lines from the F(4) generation onwards. No practical differences were observed between the least square and REML/BLUP procedures in the case of the models and simplifications for REML/BLUP used here.

Genome wide scan for quantitative trait loci affecting tick resistance in cattle (Bos taurus x Bos indicus)

Background : In tropical countries, losses caused by bovine tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus infestation have a tremendous economic impact on cattle production systems. Genetic variation between Bos taurus and Bos indicus to tick resistance and molecular biology tools might allow for the identification of molecular markers linked to resistance traits that could be used as an auxiliary tool in selection programs. The objective of this work was to identify QTL associated with tick resistance/susceptibility in a bovine F2 population derived from the Gyr (Bos indicus) x Holstein (Bos taurus) cross. Results: Through a whole genome scan with microsatellite markers, we were able to map six genomic regions associated with bovine tick resistance. For most QTL, we have found that depending on the tick evaluation season (dry and rainy) different sets of genes could be involved in the resistance mechanism. We identified dry season specific QTL on BTA 2 and 10, rainy season specific QTL on BTA 5, 11 and 27. We also found a highly significant genome wide QTL for both dry and rainy seasons in the central region of BTA 23. Conclusions: The experimental F2 population derived from Gyr x Holstein cross successfully allowed the identification of six highly significant QTL associated with tick resistance in cattle. QTL located on BTA 23 might be related with the bovine histocompatibility complex. Further investigation of these QTL will help to isolate candidate genes involved with tick resistance in cattle.

The inducing NO-vasodilation by chemical reduction of coordinated nitrite ion in cis-[Ru(NO(2))L(bpy)(2)](+) complex

The synthesis of [Ru(NO(2)) L(bpy)(2)](+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and L = pyridine (py) and pyrazine (pz)) can be accomplished by addition of [Ru(NO) L(bpy) 2](PF(6))(3) to aqueous solutions of physiological pH. The electrochemical processes of [Ru(NO2) L(bpy) 2]+ in aqueous solution were studied by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The anodic scan shows a peak around 1.00 V vs. Ag/AgCl attributed to the oxidation process centered on the metal ion. However, in the cathodic scan a second peak around-0.60 V vs. Ag/AgCl was observed and attributed to the reduction process centered on the nitrite ligand. The controlled reduction potential electrolysis at-0.80 V vs. Ag/AgCl shows NO release characteristics as judged by NO measurement with a NO-sensor. This assumption was confirmed by ESI/MS(+) and spectroelectrochemical experiment where cis-[Ru(bpy)(2)L(H(2)O)](2+) was obtained as a product of the reduction of cis-[Ru(II)(NO(2)) L(bpy)(2)](+). The vasorelaxation observed in denuded aortic rings pre-contracted with 0.1 mu mol L(-1) phenylephrine responded with relaxation in the presence of cis-[RuII(NO2) L(bpy) 2]+. The potential of rat aorta cells to metabolize cis-[RuII(NO(2)) L(bpy)(2)](+) was also followed by confocal analysis. The obtained results suggest that NO release happens by reduction of cis-[RuII(NO(2)) L(bpy)(2)](+) inside the cell. The maximum vasorelaxation was achieved with 1 x 10(-5) mol L(-1) of cis-[RuII(NO(2)) L(bpy)(2)](+) complex.

Motor Nerve-Conduction Studies in Obstetric Brachial Plexopathy for a Selection of Patients with a Poor Outcome

Background: The criteria and timing for nerve surgery in infants with obstetric brachial plexopathy remain controversial. Our aim was to develop a new method for early prognostic assessment to assist this decision process. Methods: Fifty-four patients with unilateral obstetric brachial plexopathy who were ten to sixty days old underwent bilateral motor-nerve-conduction studies of the axillary, musculocutaneous, proximal radial, distal radial, median, and ulnar nerves. The ratio between the amplitude of the compound muscle action potential of the affected limb and that of the healthy side was called the axonal viability index. The patients were followed and classified in three groups according to the clinical outcome. We analyzed the receiver operating characteristic curve of each index to define the best cutoff point to detect patients with a poor recovery. Results: The best cutoff points on the axonal viability index for each nerve (and its sensitivity and specificity) were <10% (88% and 89%, respectively) for the axillary nerve, 0% (88% and 73%) for the musculocutaneous nerve, <20% (82% and 97%) for the proximal radial nerve, <50% (82% and 97%) for the distal radial nerve, and <50% (59% and 97%) for the ulnar nerve. The indices from the proximal radial, distal radial, and ulnar nerves had better specificities compared with the most frequently used clinical criterion: absence of biceps function at three months of age. Conclusions: The axonal viability index yields an earlier and more specific prognostic estimation of obstetric brachial plexopathy than does the clinical criterion of biceps function, and we believe it may be useful in determining surgical indications in these patients.

Leukotriene B(4)-loaded microspheres: a new therapeutic strategy to modulate cell activation

Background: Leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) is a potent inflammatory mediator that also stimulates the immune response. In addition, it promotes polymorphonuclear leukocyte phagocytosis, chemotaxis, chemokinesis and modulates cytokines release. Regarding chemical instability of the leukotriene molecule, in the present study we assessed the immunomodulatory activities conferred by LTB(4) released from microspheres (MS). A previous oil-in-water emulsion solvent extraction-evaporation method was chosen to prepare LTB(4)-loaded MS. Results: In the mice cremasteric microcirculation, intraescrotal injection of 0.1 ml of LTB(4)-loaded MS provoked significant increases in leukocyte rolling flux, adhesion and emigration besides significant decreases in the leukocyte rolling velocity. LTB(4)-loaded MS also increase peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR alpha) expression by murine peritoneal macrophages and stimulate them to generate nitrite levels. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-I (MCP-I) and nitric oxide (NO) productions were also increased when human umbilical vein and artery endothelial cells (HUVECs and HUAECs, respectively) were stimulated with LTB(4)-loaded MS. Conclusion: LTB(4)-loaded MS preserve the biological activity of the encapsulated mediator indicating their use as a new strategy to modulate cell activation, especially in the innate immune response.

Cell-Free Antigens from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Drive IL-4 Production and Increase the Severity of Paracoccidioidomycosis

The thermally dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) is the causative agent of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), one of the most frequent systemic mycosis that affects the rural population in Latin America. PCM is characterized by a chronic inflammatory granulomatous reaction, which is consequence of a Th1-mediated adaptive immune response. In the present study we investigated the mechanisms involved in the immunoregulation triggered after a prior contact with cell-free antigens (CFA) during a murine model of PCM. The results showed that the inoculation of CFA prior to the infection resulted in disorganized granulomatous lesions and increased fungal replication in the lungs, liver and spleen, that paralleled with the higher levels of IL-4 when compared with the control group. The role of IL-4 in facilitating the fungal growth was demonstrated in IL-4-deficient- and neutralizing anti-IL-4 mAb-treated mice. The injection of CFA did not affect the fungal growth in these mice, which, in fact, exhibited a significant diminished amount of fungus in the tissues and smaller granulomas. Considering that in vivo anti-IL-4-application started one week after the CFA-inoculum, it implicates that IL-4-CFA-induced is responsible by the mediation of the observed unresponsiveness. Further, the characterization of CFA indicated that a proteic fraction is required for triggering the immunosuppressive mechanisms, while glycosylation or glycosphingolipids moieties are not. Taken together, our data suggest that the prior contact with soluble Pb antigens leads to severe PCM in an IL-4 dependent manner.

Disciplinas de Fundamentos de Matemática: uma discussão à luz dos significados da palavra “fundamentos”

Based on a survey of summaries of courses on the Foundations of Mathematics, from Mathematics Teacher Education programs in the southern part of Brazil, and some remarks on the legislation related to the course syllabuses, we discuss the meaning of the word ""Foundations"" in order to reflect on the proposals of these issues in the courses, which will be undergoing reformulation. The opinions of students in one of these courses regarding the meaning of the term ""foundations"", as well as the data obtained from the survey and the remarks regarding legislation, may lead to considerations about the possibilities for a better qualification of the initial education of Mathematics teachers.

ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN BRAZIL: CONTEXT, ICT MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOMES

The State Reform processes combined with the emergence and use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) originated electronic government policies and initiatives in Brazil. This paper dwells on Brazilian e-government by investigating the institutional design it assumed in the state's public sphere, and how it contributed to outcomes related to e-gov possibilities. The analyses were carried out under an interpretativist perspective by making use of Institutional Theory. From the analyses of interviews with relevant actors in the public sphere, such as state secretaries and presidents of public ICT companies, conclusions point towards low institutionalization of e-gov policies. The institutional design of Brazilian e-gov limits the use of ICT to provide integrated public services, to amplify participation and transparency, and to improve public policies management.

Cultivo da microalga marinha Chaetoceros calcitrans (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) utilizando diferentes tipos de água marinha artificial

The use of microalgae as live food to a wide variety of organisms is one of the most important aspects in aquaculture. Several commercial formulations have been available in the marine aquarium market in order to prepare artificial sea water (ASW). The present study accounted microalgae Chaetoceros calcitrans performance cultured using different ASW in comparison to natural seawater(NSW). it was carried out using red Sea, Coralife and oceanic, three different ASW brands and NSW as control. nonaerated cultures were grew in 400 mL with Conwy culture medium with five replicates each under defined conditions. All cultures began with an algal inoculum of 208.000 cells/mL. a 5-mL aliquot was removed daily from each culture for cells counts. data obtained using polynomial regression test demonstrated that all ASW brands reached higher algal density rates than the one with NSW, though the three ASW brands were significantly heterogeneous. C. calcitrans raised with oceanic and red Sea brands showed similar growth rates and both were higher than Coralife brand. the results suggest that all three ASW brands studied can be used in the culture of this microalgae specie.

Minor and Unsystematic Cortical Topographic Changes of Attention Correlates between Modalities

In this study we analyzed the topography of induced cortical oscillations in 20 healthy individuals performing simple attention tasks. We were interested in qualitatively replicating our recent findings on the localization of attention-induced beta bands during a visual task [1], and verifying whether significant topographic changes would follow the change of attention to the auditory modality. We computed corrected latency averaging of each induced frequency bands, and modeled their generators by current density reconstruction with Lp-norm minimization. We quantified topographic similarity between conditions by an analysis of correlations, whereas the inter-modality significant differences in attention correlates were illustrated in each individual case. We replicated the qualitative result of highly idiosyncratic topography of attention-related activity to individuals, manifested both in the beta bands, and previously studied slow potential distributions [2]. Visual inspection of both scalp potentials and distribution of cortical currents showed minor changes in attention-related bands with respect to modality, as compared to the theta and delta bands, known to be major contributors to the sensory-related potentials. Quantitative results agreed with visual inspection, supporting to the conclusion that attention-related activity does not change much between modalities, and whatever individual changes do occur, they are not systematic in cortical localization across subjects. We discuss our results, combined with results from other studies that present individual data, with respect to the function of cortical association areas.

Ergonomic Aspects Related to Surgeon Position in Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

Purpose: The aim is to evaluate the level of inclination of the surgeon's spinal column (ISSC) while performing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) when using one trocar on each side of the patient abdomen (""torero"" position) in two scenarios: With and without a thin head supporter adapted to the table. Materials and Methods: Based on trigonometric principles, we elaborated a formula to calculate the ISSC for a determined surgeon and surgical table while performing LRP in the torero position. The parameters considered were the width of the surgical table (m), the distance between the surgeon's anterior superior iliac spines (q), and the distance from the central point between the surgeon's anterior superior iliac spines to the surgeon's head (h). We used the formula alpha = 90 degree-cos(-1)(b/h) (where b = q/2 + m/2) in an Excel sheet to calculate the angle of inclination of the surgeon's spinal column. We applied the measures of 12 surgeons with different biotypes of our staff to calculate the ISSC with and without the thin head supporter. Results: The use of a thin head supporter reduced the mean ISCC in the torero position from 36.1 +/- 3.73 degrees (range 31.3 to 49.8 degrees) to 22.1 +/- 4.9 degrees (range 18.7 to 32.9 degrees), which corresponds to a reduction of 38.8% in the mean angle of inclination. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The use of a thin head supporter adapted to the surgical table objectively reduces lateral inclination of the surgeon's spinal column in the torero position, making LRP a more comfortable procedure.

Endoscopic Ultrasound Facilitates Histological Diagnosis of Renal Cell Cancer

Over two-thirds of renal masses noted incidentally on abdominal CT scans performed for nonurological indications are most likely renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The prognosis in these instances is often quite favorable, as early diagnosis offers the best hope of a complete cure. We report the identification of a RCC incidentally at endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) while an earlier CT scan of abdomen was negative. The mass was biopsied resulting in a histological confirmation of RCC and successful surgical resection.

Comparison of the effects of carbon dioxide and helium pneumoperitoneum on renal function

Background and Purpose: Carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum is associated with significant hypercarbia and acidosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of carbon dioxide and helium pneumoperitoneum on renal function. Materials and Methods: Thirty adult dogs were put randomly into one of three groups ( n = 10 animals each): group A - pneumoperitoneum not performed; group B - CO2 pneumoperitoneum; and group C - helium pneumoperitoneum. The groups were analyzed with consideration given to body weight, hematologic values, hemodynamic parameters ( heart rate, mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, cardiac output, stroke volume, systemic vascular resistance, pulmonary vascular resistance, left cardiac work index, cardiac index, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure), and renal function ( plasma renin activity, urinary output, creatinine clearance, and sodium excretory fraction). Results: An accentuated decrease in urinary output was observed during pneumoperitoneum in groups B and C compared to the control group. In groups B and C, creatinine clearance declined significantly during pneumoperitoneum in comparison to group A, but after deflation a faster recovery of glomerular filtration was noticed for group C, and a significant increase in sodium excretory fraction was seen for group B. On the other hand, in comparison to the control group, group B had a significant increase in plasma renin activity, with late recovery of glomerular function. Conclusion: Helium ameliorates renal alterations when used for pneumoperitoneum, and it might be used for patients with compromised renal function who have to undergo laparoscopic surgery.

The C242T polymorphism of the p22-phox gene (CYBA) is associated with higher left ventricular mass in Brazilian hypertensive patients

Background: Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in the physiopathogenesis of hypertensive end-organ damage. This study investigated the impact of the C242T polymorphism of the p22-phox gene (CYBA) on left ventricular structure in Brazilian hypertensive subjects. Methods: We cross-sectionally evaluated 561 patients from 2 independent centers [Campinas (n = 441) and Vitoria (n = 120)] by clinical history, physical examination, anthropometry, analysis of metabolic and echocardiography parameters as well as p22-phox C242T polymorphism genotyping. In addition, NADPH-oxidase activity was quantified in peripheral mononuclear cells from a subgroup of Campinas sample. Results: Genotype frequencies in both samples were consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Subjects with the T allele presented higher left ventricular mass/height(2.7) than those carrying the CC genotype in Campinas (76.8 +/- 1.6 vs 70.9 +/- 1.4 g/m(2.7); p = 0.009), and in Vitoria (45.6 +/- 1.9 vs 39.9 +/- 1.4 g/m(2.7); p = 0.023) samples. These results were confirmed by stepwise regression analyses adjusted for age, gender, blood pressure, metabolic variables and use of anti-hypertensive medications. In addition, increased NADPH-oxidase activity was detected in peripheral mononuclear cells from T allele carriers compared with CC genotype carriers (p = 0.03). Conclusions: The T allele of the p22-phox C242T polymorphism is associated with higher left ventricular mass/height(2.7) and increased NADPH-oxidase activity in Brazilian hypertensive patients. These data suggest that genetic variation within NADPH-oxidase components may modulate left ventricular remodeling in subjects with systemic hypertension.

Mucin pattern reflects the origin of the adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus: a retrospective clinical and laboratorial study

Background: Mucin immunoexpression in adenocarcinoma arising in Barrett's esophagus (BE) may indicate the carcinogenesis pathway. The aim of this study was to evaluate resected specimens of adenocarcinoma in BE for the pattern of mucins and to correlate to the histologic classification. Methods: Specimens were retrospectively collected from thirteen patients who underwent esophageal resection due to adenocarcinoma in BE. Sections were scored for the grade of intestinal metaplasia. The tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry for MUC2 and MUC5AC antibodies. Results: Eleven patients were men. The mean age was 61 years old (varied from 40 to 75 years old). The tumor size had a mean of 4.7 +/- 2.3 cm, and the extension of BE had a mean of 7.7 +/- 1.5 cm. Specialized epithelium with intestinal metaplasia was present in all adjacent mucosas. Immunohistochemistry for MUC2 showed immunoreactivity in goblet cells, while MUC5AC was extensively expressed in the columnar gastric cells, localizing to the surface epithelium and extending to a variable degree into the glandular structures in BE. Tumors were classified according to the mucins in gastric type in 7/13 (MUC5AC positive) and intestinal type in 4/13 (MUC2 positive). Two tumors did not express MUC2 or MUC5AC proteins. The pattern of mucin predominantly expressed in the adjacent epithelium was associated to the mucin expression profile in the tumors, p = 0.047. Conclusion: Barrett's esophagus adenocarcinoma shows either gastric or intestinal type pattern of mucin expression. The two types of tumors developed in Barrett's esophagus may reflect the original cell type involved in the malignant transformation.