Relationships of the wild peanut species, section Arachis: A resource for botanical classification, crop improvement, and germplasm management.

PREMISE: Wild species are strategic sources of valuable traits to be introduced into crops through hybridization. For peanut, the 33 currently described wild species in the section Arachis are particularly important because of their sexual compatibility with the domesticated species, Arachis hypogaea. Although numerous wild accessions are carefully preserved in seed banks, their morphological similarities pose challenges to routine classification. METHODS: Using a high-density array, we genotyped 272 accessions encompassing all diploid species in section Arachis. Detailed relationships between accessions and species were revealed through phylogenetic analyses and interpreted using the expertise of germplasm collectors and curators. RESULTS: Two main groups were identified: one with A genome species and the other with B, D, F, G, and K genomes. Species groupings generally showed clear boundaries. Structure within groups was informative, for instance, revealing the history of the proto-domesticate A. stenosperma. However, some groupings suggested multiple sibling species. Others were polyphyletic, indicating the need for taxonomic revision. Annual species were better defined than perennial ones, revealing limitations in applying classical and phylogenetic species concepts to the genus. We suggest new species assignments for several accessions. CONCLUSIONS: Curated by germplasm collectors and curators, this analysis of species relationships lays the foundation for future species descriptions, classification of unknown accessions, and germplasm use for peanut improvement. It supports the conservation and curation of current germplasm, both critical tasks considering the threats to the genus posed by habitat loss and the current restrictions on new collections and germplasm transfer.

Memorias de un laboratorio: Wilhelm Wundt y la psicología experimental / Memories of a laboratory: Wilhelm Wundt and Experimental Psychology

RESUMEN El médico, fisiólogo y psicólogo alemán Wilhelm Wundt ha sido y es considerado el creador de la llamada psicología experimental, por su abordaje de conceptos psicológicos hasta entonces intuitivos, mediante métodos propios de la fisiología del siglo xix. Emergió de esta manera una nueva disciplina, la psicología científica, en el contexto físico de un laboratorio de ciencias en la ciudad alemana de Leipzig. Sin embargo, la labor de Wundt no se limitó únicamente al estudio de la psicología desde un punto de vista científico. Por una parte, se ha destacado su gran capacidad de convocatoria, aglutinadora y organizativa de un laboratorio original donde pudieron formarse investigadores de varias partes del mundo; y, por otra, modificó sustancialmente el modo de analizar la psicología, centrando la atención de los investigadores en el estudio pormenorizado de la consciencia mediante la utilización del método introspectivo.

ABSTRACT The physician, physiologist and psychologist Wilhelm Wundt has been and is considered the founder of experimental psychology due to his approach to psychological subjects, until then intuitive, through the XIX century methods. Thus, a new discipline, the Scientific Psychology, emerged in the venue of a laboratory in the town of Leipzig, Germany. Nevertheless, Wundt´s labor was not restricted to the study of psychology from a scientific perspective: on one hand, his great convocational, organizing and group-working capacity attracted lots of investigators from around the world to be trained. In n original laboratory, On the other, he substantially modified the study of psychology centering the researchers' attention in the detailed analysis of consciousness through the use of the method called introspection.

Brazilian Kayabi Indian accessions of peanut, Arachis hypogaea (Fabales, Fabaceae): origin, diversity and evolution.

Peanut is a crop of the Kayabi tribe, inhabiting the Xingu Indigenous Park, Brazil. Morphological analysis of Xingu accessions showed variation exceeding that described for cultivated peanuts. This raised questions as to the origin of the Xingu accessions: are they derived from different species, or is their diversity a result of different evolutionary and selection processes? To answer these questions, cytogenetic and genotyping analyses were conducted. The karyotypes of Xingu accessions analyzed are very similar to each other, to an A. hypogaea subsp. fastigiata accession and to the wild allotetraploid A. monticola. The accessions share the number and general morphology of the chromosomes; DAPI+ bands; 5S and 45S rDNA loci distribution and a high genomic affinity with A. duranensis and A. ipaënsis genomic probes. However, the number of CMA3+ bands differs from those determined for A. hypogaea and A. monticola, which are also different from each other. SNP genotyping grouped all Arachis allotetraploids into four taxonomic groups: Xingu accessions were closer to A. monticola and A. hypogaea subsp. hypogaea. Our data suggests that the morphological diversity within these accessions is not associated with a different origin and can be attributed to morphological plasticity and different selection by the Indian tribes.

Fire cues trigger germination and stimulate seedling growth of grass species from Brazilian savannas.

PREMISE: Although fire cues (high temperatures and smoke) influence seed germination in numerous species from fire-prone environments, their effects on seed germination of species from neotropical savannas are poorly understood. METHODS: We exposed seeds of eight grass species from the Cerrado, the Brazilian savanna to heat-shock (80°C or 110°C for 5 min) and/or smoke water, and then set them to germinate in light or dark, at either summer (28°C/18°C) or winter (27°C/14°C) temperature regimes in an incubator. In addition, we evaluated the effects of smoke water on seedling root and shoot growth for four of the species. RESULTS: Smoke interacted with the dark treatment to increase germination from 28% to 93% in Aristida recurvata and 77% to 95% in Aristida riparia. Smoke had no effect on germination of either of these species in the light. Heat-shock alone also promoted seed germination in A. recurvata. For Digitaria lehmanniana, smoke interacted with heat-shock to improve germination from 5% to 16%. In contrast, the fire treatments did not have any effect on the seed germination of the remaining five species. Smoke water stimulated root growth for A. riparia, A. recurvata, and Ctenium cirrosum but had no effect on their shoot growth. CONCLUSIONS: The strong promotive effect of smoke on Aristida germination suggests that these species are fire-adapted. Aristida species have an active awn system, which facilitates seed burial, and the smoke and dark interaction would ensure buried seeds germinated post-fire. The species that showed no response to fire cues may either have adapted via alternative strategies or require different concentrations of smoke or levels of heat. This study is one of very few examples showing a positive germination and seedling growth response to smoke for species from neotropical savannas.

Genomic characterisation of Arachis porphyrocalyx (Valls & C.E. Simpson, 2005) (Leguminosae): multiple origin of Arachis species with x = 9.

The genus Arachis Linnaeus, 1753 comprises four species with x = 9, three belong to the section Arachis: Arachis praecox (Krapov. W.C. Greg. & Valls, 1994), Arachis palustris (Krapov. W.C. Greg. & Valls, 1994) and Arachis decora (Krapov. W.C. Greg. & Valls, 1994) and only one belongs to the section Erectoides: Arachis porphyrocalyx (Valls & C.E. Simpson, 2005). Recently, the x = 9 species of section Arachis have been assigned to G genome, the latest described so far. The genomic relationship of Arachis porphyrocalyx with these species is controversial. In the present work, we carried out a karyotypic characterisation of Arachis porphyrocalyx to evaluate its genomic structure and analyse the origin of all x = 9 Arachis species. Arachis porphyrocalyx showed a karyotype formula of 14m+4st, one pair of A chromosomes, satellited chromosomes type 8, one pair of 45S rDNA sites in the SAT chromosomes, one pair of 5S rDNA sites and pericentromeric C-DAPI+ bands in all chromosomes. Karyotype structure indicates that Arachis porphyrocalyx does not share the same genome type with the other three x = 9 species and neither with the remaining Erectoides species. Taking into account the geographic distribution, morphological and cytogenetic features, the origin of species with x = 9 of the genus Arachis cannot be unique; instead, they originated at least twice in the evolutionary history of the genus.

Anthropometric parameters and permanent remission of comorbidities 10 years after open gastric bypass in a cohort with high prevalence of super-obesity.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is an effective treatment for weight loss in patients with morbid obesity. However, few studies have assessed its long-term efficacy in super-obese patients. The study objective was to analyse the long-term effectiveness of RYGB and its effect on improvement of comorbidities after 10 years of follow-up, and to compare the results depending on baseline BMI (<50kg/m2 vs ≥50kg/m2). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in 63 patients referred for RYGB with a 10-year or longer follow-up period. Mean BMI before surgery was 55kg/m2. RESULTS: Mean BMI decreased to 38.1kg/m2 at 10 years of follow-up. The success rates according to Reinhold criteria modified by Christou and to Biron's criteria were 30.2% and 54% respectively. The corresponding rates in super-obese patients were 21.4% and 57.1%. Significant, stable improvement was seen in diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and sleep apnea. CONCLUSIONS: Sustained weight loss was achieved after gastric bypass, with a mean excess weight loss of 50.6% after 10 years despite the high prevalence of super-obesity. Comorbidity improvement was maintained.

Cytogenetic evidences on the evolutionary relationships between the tetraploids of the section Rhizomatosae and related diploid species (Arachis, Leguminosae).

Rhizomatosae is a taxonomic section of the South American genus Arachis, whose diagnostic character is the presence of rhizomes in all its species. This section is of particular evolutionary interest because it has three polyploid (A. pseudovillosa, A. nitida and A. glabrata, 2n = 4x = 40) and only one diploid (A. burkartii, 2n = 2x = 20) species. The phylogenetic relationships of these species as well as the polyploidy nature and the origin of the tetraploids are still controversial. The present study provides an exhaustive analysis of the karyotypes of all rhizomatous species and six closely related diploid species of the sections Erectoides and Procumbentes by cytogenetic mapping of DAPI/CMA heterochromatin bands and 5S and 18-26S rDNA loci. Chromosome banding showed variation in the DAPI heterochromatin distribution pattern, which, together with the number and distribution of rDNA loci, allowed the characterization of all species studied here. The bulk of chromosomal markers suggest that the three rhizomatous tetraploid species constitute a natural group and may have at least one common diploid ancestor. The cytogenetic data of the diploid species analyzed evidenced that the only rhizomatous diploid species-A. burkartii-has a karyotype pattern different from those of the rhizomatous tetraploids, showing that it is not likely the genome donor of the tetraploids and the non-monophyletic nature of the section Rhizomatosae. Thus, the tetraploid species should be excluded from the R genome, which should remain exclusively for A. burkartii. Instead, the karyotype features of these tetraploids are compatible with those of different species of the sections Erectoides and Procumbentes (E genome species), suggesting the hypothesis of multiple origins of these tetraploids. In addition, the polyploid nature and the group of diploid species closer to the tetraploids are discussed.

Corrigenda: Genomic characterisation of Arachis porphyrocalyx (Valls & C.E. Simpson, 2005) (Leguminosae): multiple origin of Arachis species with x = 9. Comparative Cytogenetics 11(1): 29-43. doi: 10.3897/CompCytogen.v11i1.10339.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3897/CompCytogen.v11i1.10339.].

Increased thioredoxin levels are related to insulin resistance in familial combined hyperlipidaemia.

BACKGROUND: Thioredoxins (TRX) are major cellular protein disulphide reductases that are critical for redox regulation. Oxidative stress and inflammation play promoting roles in the genesis and progression of atherosclerosis, but until now scarce data are available considering the influence of TRX activity in familial combined hyperlipidaemia (FCH). Since FCH is associated with high risk of cardiovascular disease, the objective of the present study was to assess oxidative stress status in FCH patients, and evaluate the influence of insulin resistance (IR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of 35 control subjects and 35 non-related FCH patients were included, all of them nondiabetic, normotensive and nonsmokers. We measured lipid profile, glucose and insulin levels in plasma, and markers of oxidative stress and inflammation such as oxidized glutathione (GSSG), reduced glutathione (GSH) and TRX. RESULTS: Familial combined hyperlipidaemia subjects showed significantly higher levels of GSSG, GSSG/GSH ratio and TRX than controls. In addition, FCH individuals with IR showed the worst profile of oxidative stress status compared to controls and FCH patients without IR (P < 0·01). TRX levels correlated with higher insulin resistance. CONCLUSION: Familial combined hyperlipidaemia patients showed increased TRX levels. TRX was positively correlated with IR. These data could partially explain the increased risk of cardiovascular events in primary dyslipidemic patients.

Prognostic Factors for Morbimortality in Sleeve Gastrectomy. The Importance of the Learning Curve. A Spanish-Portuguese Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Complications in sleeve gastrectomy (SG) can cast a shadow over the technique's good results and compromise its safety. The aim of this study is to identify risk factors for complications, and especially those that can potentially be modified to improve safety. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter cohort study was carried out, involving the participation of 29 hospitals. Data was collected on demographic variables, associated comorbidities, technical modifications, the surgeon's experience, and postoperative morbimortality. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out on risk factors (RFs) for the complications of leak/fistula, hemoperitoneum, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and death. RESULTS: The following data were collected for 2882 patients: age, 43.85 ± 11.6. 32.9 % male; BMI 47.22 ± 8.79; 46.2 % hypertensive; 29.2 % diabetes2; 18.2 % smokers; bougie calibre ≥40 F 11.1 %; complications 11.7 % (2.8 % leaks, 2.7 % hemoperitoneum, 1.1 % pneumonia, 0.2 % pulmonary embolism); and death 0.6 %. RFs for complications were as follows: surgeon's experience < 20 patients, OR 1.72 (1.32-2.25); experience > 100 patients, OR 0.78 (0.69-0.87); DM2, OR1.48(1.12-1.95); probe > 40 F, OR 0.613 (0.429-0.876). Leak RFs were the following: smoking, OR1.93 (1.1-3.41); surgeon's experience < 20 patients, OR 2.4 (1.46-4.16); experience of 20-50 patients, OR 2.5 (1.3-4.86); experience >100 patients, OR 0.265 (0.11-0.63); distance to pylorus > 4 cm, OR 0.510 (0.29-0.91). RFs for death were as follows: smoking, OR 8.64 (2.63-28.34); DM2, OR 3.25 (1.1-9.99); distance to pylorus < 5 cm, OR 6.62 (1.63-27.02). CONCLUSIONS: The safety of SG may be compromised by nonmodifiable factors such as age >65, patient comorbidities (DM2, hypertension), and prior treatment with anticoagulants, as well as by modifiable factors such as smoking, bougie size <40 F, distance to the pylorus <4 cm, and the surgeon's experience (<50-100 cases).

Successful crosses between fungal-resistant wild species of Arachis (section Arachis) and Arachis hypogaea.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is the fifth most produced oil crop worldwide. Besides lack of water, fungal diseases are the most limiting factors for the crop. Several species of Arachis are resistant to certain pests and diseases. This study aimed to successfully cross the A-genome with B-K-A genome wild species previously selected for fungal disease resistance, but that are still untested. We also aimed to polyplodize the amphihaploid chromosomes; cross the synthetic amphidiploids and A. hypogaea to introgress disease resistance genes into the cultivated peanut; and analyze pollen viability and morphological descriptors for all progenies and their parents. We selected 12 A-genome accessions as male parents and three B-genome species, one K-genome species, and one A-genome species as female parents. Of the 26 distinct cross combinations, 13 different interspecific AB-genome and three AA-genome hybrids were obtained. These sterile hybrids were polyploidized and five combinations produced tetraploid flowers. Next, 16 combinations were crossed between A. hypogaea and the synthetic amphidiploids, resulting in 11 different hybrid combinations. Our results confirm that it is possible to introgress resistance genes from wild species into the peanut using artificial hybridization, and that more species than previously reported can be used, thus enhancing the genetic variability in peanut genetic improvement programs.

Validity of subjective global assessment as a screening method for hospital malnutrition. Prevalence of malnutrition in a tertiary hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Hospital malnutrition is a highly prevalent problem that affects patient morbidity and mortality resulting in longer hospital stays and increased healthcare costs. Although there is no single nutritional screening method, subjective global assessment (SGA) may be a useful, inexpensive, and easily reproducible tool. METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational, randomized study was conducted in 197 patients in a tertiary hospital. SGA, anthropometric data, and biochemical parameters were used to assess the nutritional status of study patients. RESULTS: Fifty percent of subjects were malnourished according to SGA. A higher prevalence of malnutrition was found in medical (53%) as compared to surgical departments (47%). Half the subjects (50%) had malnutrition by SGA, but only 37.8% received nutritional treatment during their hospital stay. Mean hospital stay was longer for patients malnourished (13.5 days) or at risk of malnutrition (12.1 days) as compared to well nourished subjects (6.97 days). SGA significantly correlated (P<.012) with anthropometric and biochemical malnutrition parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of hospital malnutrition is very high in both medical and surgical departments and is inadequately treated. SGA is a useful tool for screening hospital malnutrition because of its high degree of correlation with anthropometric and biochemical parameters.

Cytological and reproductive aspects in the Caespitosa group of Paspalum / Aspectos citológicos e reprodutivos no grupo Caespitosa do gênero Paspalum

Somatic chromosome numbers are reported for thirty four germplasm accessions of Paspalum, Caespitosa group, representing five different species. All five species have shown x=10 as the basic chromosome number. The diploid 2n=20 chromosome number was confirmed for P. chacoense and P. indecorum, as well as sexuality for the latter. This is the first report of the chromosome number and cytological behavior for P. ligulare (2n=20 and 40), P. pleostachyum (2n=20, 30 and 40) and P. redondense (2n=20 and 40). The present results document regular meiosis in diploid accessions, with primarily bivalent pairing at diakinesis and metaphase I. Polyploids of these species had irregular meiosis, with univalent, trivalent, and quadrivalent chromosome associations. Diploid accessions of P. pleostachyum and P. ligulare have shown a single meiotic embryo-sac, indicating sexual reproduction, while the triploid and one of the tetraploid accessions of P. pleostachyum have shown aposporic embryo-sacs of nucelar origin, and a few meiotic sacs, suggesting facultative apomixis. Identification of the new diploid accessions may prove useful for phylogenetic studies of Paspalum, as well as for breeding programs focusing on the forage potential of species of the Caespitosa group.

Números cromossômicos são reportados para trinta e quatro acessos, representando cinco espécies de Paspalum, grupo Caespitosa. Todos são múltiplos do número básico x=10. Confirmou-se o número diploide 2n=20 para P. chacoense e P. indecorum como, também, a sexualidade para P. indecorum. As contagens cromossômicas são inéditas para P. ligulare (2n=20 e 40), P. pleostachyum (2n=20, 30 e 40) e P. redondense (2n=20 e 40). A meiose foi regular nos diploides, com pareamento em bivalentes na diacinese e metáfase I, enquanto irregularidades, tais como univalentes, trivalentes e quadrivalentes, foram comuns nos poliploides. Acessos diploides de P. pleostachyum e P. ligulare mostraram um único saco embrionário meiótico em cada óvulo, indicando reprodução sexual. O acesso triploide e um dos tetraploides de P. pleostachyum evidenciaram sacos apospóricos e alguns sacos meióticos, sugerindo apomixia facultativa. A identificação dos novos acessos diploides poderá se mostrar bastante útil para o estudo filogenético do gênero, assim como para programas de melhoramento genético focados no potencial forrageiro das espécies do grupo Caespitosa.

Characterization of Brazilian accessions of wild Arachis species of section Arachis (Fabaceae) using heterochromatin detection and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

The cytogenetic characterization of Arachis species is useful for assessing the genomes present in this genus, for establishing the relationship among their representatives and for understanding the variability in the available germplasm. In this study, we used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to examine the distribution patterns of heterochromatin and rDNA genes in 12 Brazilian accessions of five species of the taxonomic section Arachis. The heterochromatic pattern varied considerably among the species: complements with centromeric bands in all of the chromosomes (A. hoehnei) and complements completely devoid of heterochromatin (A. gregoryi, A. magna) were observed. The number of 45S rDNA loci ranged from two (A. gregoryi) to eight (A. glandulifera), while the number of 5S rDNA loci was more conserved and varied from two (in most species) to four (A. hoehnei). In some species one pair of 5S rDNA loci was observed adjacent to 45S rDNA loci. The chromosomal markers revealed polymorphism in the three species with more than one accession (A. gregoryi, A. magna and A. valida) that were tested. The previous genome assignment for each of the species studied was confirmed, except for A. hoehnei. The intraspecific variability observed here suggests that an exhaustive cytogenetic and taxonomic analysis is still needed for some Arachis species.

Genetic variation in polyploid forage grass: assessing the molecular genetic variability in the Paspalum genus.

BACKGROUND: Paspalum (Poaceae) is an important genus of the tribe Paniceae, which includes several species of economic importance for foraging, turf and ornamental purposes, and has a complex taxonomical classification. Because of the widespread interest in several species of this genus, many accessions have been conserved in germplasm banks and distributed throughout various countries around the world, mainly for the purposes of cultivar development and cytogenetic studies. Correct identification of germplasms and quantification of their variability are necessary for the proper development of conservation and breeding programs. Evaluation of microsatellite markers in different species of Paspalum conserved in a germplasm bank allowed assessment of the genetic differences among them and assisted in their proper botanical classification. RESULTS: Seventeen new polymorphic microsatellites were developed for Paspalum atratum Swallen and Paspalum notatum Flüggé, twelve of which were transferred to 35 Paspalum species and used to evaluate their variability. Variable degrees of polymorphism were observed within the species. Based on distance-based methods and a Bayesian clustering approach, the accessions were divided into three main species groups, two of which corresponded to the previously described Plicatula and Notata Paspalum groups. In more accurate analyses of P. notatum accessions, the genetic variation that was evaluated used thirty simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci and revealed seven distinct genetic groups and a correspondence of these groups to the three botanical varieties of the species (P. notatum var. notatum, P. notatum var. saurae and P. notatum var. latiflorum). CONCLUSIONS: The molecular genetic approach employed in this study was able to distinguish many of the different taxa examined, except for species that belong to the Plicatula group, which has historically been recognized as a highly complex group. Our molecular genetic approach represents a valuable tool for species identification in the initial assessment of germplasm as well as for characterization, conservation and successful species hybridization.