Supplementation of sulfate polysaccharides in the seminal cooling medium of common curimata (Prochilodus brevis).

BACKGROUND: The use of sulfated polysaccharides (PS) in seminal cooling is known to improve seminal quality. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of different concentrations of PS, extracted from the macroalgae Gracilaria domigensis as a supplement to the seminal cooling medium of the reophilic fish Prochilodus brevis (common curimatã). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five semen pools were diluted in ACP-104 (treatment T1), in BTS® (T2) and in BTS® with different concentrations of PS (0.5 [T3]; 1.0 [T4] and 1.5 [T5]). The samples were cooled for different times (0, 6, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h) and after each hour they were analyzed for: morphology, membrane integrity, DNA integrity and sperm kinetics. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the treatments containing different concentrations of sulfated polysaccharides. Regarding the different cooling times, it was possible to observe that after hour 96, there was a reduction in the parameters of sperm kinetics. For DNA integrity there was no significant difference in relation to the treatments nor in relation to the hours. For membrane integrity, a reduction was noted as of hour 96, but there was no influence of polysaccharides. For the sperm morphology, there was no statistical difference between the hours, however the BTS was better than the ACP-104. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the use of polysaccharides in seminal cooling has no negative effect on sperm parameters and proves that seminal cooling keeps the material viable for up to 72 hours. Doi: 10.54680/fr23410110512.

Sulfated polysaccharides from seaweed as a supplement to Prochilodus brevis sperm freezing medium.

BACKGROUND: Using sulfated polysaccharides (SP) in fish sperm freezing medium promotes cell maintenance. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of different SP concentrations, extracted from two seaweeds (Gracilaria domingensis and Ulva fasciata), as a supplement to the sperm freezing medium of Prochilodus brevis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five semen pools were diluted in a solution composed of 5% glucose, 10 % dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and different SP concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 or 3.0 mg/mL). The samples were cryopreserved and, after 7 days, rewarmed and analyzed for morphology, plasma membrane integrity, DNA integrity, mitochondrial activity and sperm kinetics [total motility, progressive motility, curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), linearity (LIN), and wobble (WOB)]. RESULTS: There was no interaction between seaweed and SP concentrations. Similar effects were observed with SP extracted from the two seaweeds, regardless of concentration. When comparing the SP concentrations, regardless of the seaweed, 1.0 mg/mL SP showed better results for VCL and VSL. For VAP and WOB, 1.0 mg/mL SP showed better results, but differed from 3.0 mg/mL. LIN followed the same pattern, but differed from SP at 2.5 and 3.0 mg/mL. For progressive motility, 1.0 mg/mL G. domingensis showed superior results compared to the control. For mitochondrial activity, G. domingensis was superior to U. fasciata, regardless of concentration. The lowest concentrations (0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL) showed the best results, regardless of the seaweed. However, the control was superior to all treatments tested. CONCLUSION: G. domingensis SP at the lowest concentrations might be a potential supplement to the P. brevis freezing medium. doi.org/10.54680/fr22210110412.

The effect of glycosaminoglycans, extracted from the skin of tilapia, in the sperm freezing medium of Colossoma macropomum.

BACKGROUND: Sulfated polysaccharides from the skin of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), added to the tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) semen diluting medium, can be potential antioxidants and promote the maintenance of sperm quality. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of different concentrations of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) from the skin of Nile tilapia as a supplement in two cryogenic media for tambaqui semen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tambaqui males received a single dose of pituitary carp extract. The semen was collected for pool analysis and, later, cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. The pools were diluted and frozen in a solution containing fish-specific powdered coconut water (ACP-104) and 10% DMSO or 5% Glucose and 10% DMSO and supplemented with different concentrations of GAGs. The controls had no GAGs addition. After 45 days, the samples were thawed by immersion in a water bath and evaluated for membrane and DNA integrity, morphology and sperm kinetics. RESULTS: The parameters of linearity (LIN), straightness (STR) and DNA integrity of sperm frozen in 5% Glucose showed better results than ACP-104. For membrane integrity, concentrations of 0 and 1.0 mg/mL were better than 5 mg/mL. Semen motility in 5% Glucose showed superior results at concentrations lower than 5 mg/mL of GAGs. For VCL and VAP, in ACP-104, 3.0 mg/mL exceeded the other treatments. In 5% Glucose, for VCL, 4.0 mg/mL showed the lowest results compared to concentrations of <3.5 mg/mL and, for VAP, it also differed from 4.5 mg/mL CONCLUSION: Therefore, the skin of Nile tilapia has GAGs, in low concentrations, capable of improving the post-thawed sperm quality of tambaqui, especially in 5% Glucose medium.

Comparison of antimicrobial resistance in thermophilic Campylobacter strains isolated from conventional production and backyard poultry flocks.

1. The aim of this study was to compare the resistance pattern of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. isolated from conventional production (n = 34) and backyard poultry flocks (n = 36) from Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The disc diffusion method and statistical tests were used for investigation and analysis of the resistance pattern of Campylobacter spp. isolated from different rearing systems.2. Antimicrobial resistance percentages to amoxycillin with clavulanic acid (AMC), ampicillin (AMP), ceftiofur (CTF), ciprofloxacin (CIP), enrofloxacin (ENO), erythromycin (ERI), gentamicin (GEN) and tetracycline (TET) were 32.4%, 44.1%, 67.6%, 97.1%, 82.4%, 26.5%, 5.9% and 38.2% in conventional production flocks respectively, while the backyard flock's resistance levels were 0.0%, 13.9%, 69.4%, 100.0%, 91.7%, 5.6%, 0.0% and 16.7%, respectively.3. Campylobacter spp. from conventional poultry production was more resistant to AMC, AMO, ERI and TET (P > 0.05) when compared to strains from backyard poultry. A higher frequency of resistance to fluoroquinolones (FLQ), CIP and ENO, was observed in strains from both systems, demonstrating the spread of resistant strains among poultry production environments.

Volume and effectiveness assessment of articain 4% versus mepivacaine 2% used in third molar surgery: randomized, double-blind, split-mouth controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The different indications for extraction of the lower third molars, require resources to manage pain and discomfort, such as, for example, adequate anesthetic techniques, and the type of anesthetic used can influence the management of pain in tooth extractions. Few studies in the literature compare the anesthetics 4% articaine hydrochloride and 2% mepivacaine hydrochloride showing evidence that both allow for successful pain management. This study sought to compare the volume, efficacy and safety of these two anesthetic drugs, both associated with epinephrine at a ratio of 1:100,000, used in the extraction of lower third molars. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A controlled, clinical, split-mouth compared these both local anesthetics in a sample of 20 patients requiring bilateral extraction of teeth. Pain was the main parameter to be assessed by means of the visual analogue scale (VAS) applied during and immediately after the surgery. Hemodynamic parameters, adverse events, presence of paresthesia and satisfaction of patients and surgeon were also analysed. RESULTS: Pain management was more effective with mepivacaine up to two hours after surgery (p=0.014), whereas the surgeon was more satisfied with the use of articaine during divulsion and suture (p<0.05). However no statistically significant differences were found between both anesthetics regarding pain perception. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that both anesthetics are efficient and safe in the management of pain for extraction of third molars, in which less amount of mepivacaine is needed. The satisfaction of patients and surgeon was the same for both anesthetics, with articaine being highlighted during divulsion and suture.

Multiresidue analysis and evaluation of the matrix effect on 20 pesticides in Brazilian maize (Zea mays L.) flour.

Maize consists of a cereal widely used in the preparation of different food products. Brazil is one of the world's largest maize producers. Several types of pesticides have been applied in maize crop, which can lead to the contamination of the derived products. The present work aims at the validation of multiresidue method to analyze the matrix effect and level of pesticides in maize flour. Twenty residues were investigated in samples commercialized in the state of Ceará, Brazil. The method was satisfactorily validated, according to parameters recommended by European Union. About 55% of the pesticides had an intense negative matrix effect. Multiresidue analyzes showed the presence of traces of fenitrotion in 20% of maize flour samples. Detected levels were below maximum residue limits recommended for maize. The results indicate that maize products need continuous monitoring to ensure food security.

Mutual Neutralization of O

We have measured total absolute cross sections for the mutual neutralization (MN) of O^{-} with O^{+} and N^{+}. A fine resolution (of about 50 meV) in the kinetic energy spectra of the product neutral atoms allows unique identification of the atomic states participating in the mutual neutralization process. Cross sections and branching ratios have also been calculated down to 1 meV center-of-mass collision energy for these two systems, with a multichannel Landau-Zener model and an asymptotic method for the ionic-covalent coupling matrix elements. The importance of two-electron processes in one-electron transfer is demonstrated by the dominant contribution of a core-excited configuration of the nitrogen atom in N^{+}+O^{-} collisions. This effect is partially accounted for by introducing configuration mixing in the evaluation of coupling matrix elements.

Storing keV negative ions for an hour: the lifetime of the metastable

We use a novel electrostatic ion storage ring to measure the radiative lifetime of the upper level in the 3p^{5} ^{2}P_{1/2}^{o}→3p^{5} ^{2}P_{3/2}^{o} spontaneous radiative decay in ^{32}S^{-} to be 503±54 sec. This is by orders of magnitude the longest lifetime ever measured in a negatively charged ion. Cryogenic cooling of the storage ring gives a residual-gas pressure of a few times 10^{-14} mbar at 13 K and storage of 10 keV sulfur anions for more than an hour. Our experimental results differ by 1.3σ from the only available theoretical prediction [P. Andersson et al., Phys. Rev. A 73, 032705 (2006)].

Genetic analysis of five sedentary fish species in middle Laranjinha River (upper Paraná River basin): A case study.

Most studies of diversity and genetic structure in neotropical fish have focused on commercial species from large rivers or their reservoirs. However, smaller tributaries have been identified as an important alternative migratory route, with independent pools of genetic diversity. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate genetic diversity and structure in five neotropical fish species from a region of Laranjinha River in the upper Paraná River basin. PCR-RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) markers were used to characterize around 40 individuals of each species distributed upstream and downstream of Corredeira Dam that interrupts the river. The descriptive index of genetic diversity (P = 30.5-82%; HE 0.122-0.312) showed that the populations have acceptable levels of genetic diversity. The values for Nei's genetic distance (DN min 0.0110 and max 0.0306) as well as the genetic structure index and the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA, ϕST min 0.0132 and max 0.0385) demonstrated low, but significant levels of genetic structure. Bayesian analysis of assignment found two k clusters, including several individuals with mixed ancestry for all populations from the five species analyzed. These findings along with historical data on rainfall and the low dimensions of the dam studied here support the hypothesis that periodic floods enable the transit of individuals between different localities mitigating the differentiation process between populations.

A putative OTU domain-containing protein 1 deubiquitinating enzyme is differentially expressed in thyroid cancer and identifies less-aggressive tumours.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify novel biomarkers for thyroid carcinoma diagnosis and prognosis. METHODS: We have constructed a human single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody library that was selected against tumour thyroid cells using the BRASIL method (biopanning and rapid analysis of selective interactive ligands) and phage display technology. RESULTS: One highly reactive clone, scFv-C1, with specific binding to papillary thyroid tumour proteins was confirmed by ELISA, which was further tested against a tissue microarray that comprised of 229 thyroid tissues, including: 110 carcinomas (38 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs), 42 follicular carcinomas, 30 follicular variants of PTC), 18 normal thyroid tissues, 49 nodular goitres (NG) and 52 follicular adenomas. The scFv-C1 was able to distinguish carcinomas from benign lesions (P=0.0001) and reacted preferentially against T1 and T2 tumour stages (P=0.0108). We have further identified an OTU domain-containing protein 1, DUBA-7 deubiquitinating enzyme as the scFv-binding antigen using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. CONCLUSIONS: The strategy of screening and identifying a cell-surface-binding antibody against thyroid tissues was highly effective and resulted in a useful biomarker that recognises malignancy among thyroid nodules and may help identify lower-risk cases that can benefit from less-aggressive management.

Resolution of three cryptic agricultural pests (Ceratitis fasciventris, C. anonae, C. rosa, Diptera: Tephritidae) using cuticular hydrocarbon profiling.

Discrimination of particular species within the species complexes of tephritid fruit flies is a very challenging task. In this fruit-fly family, several complexes of cryptic species have been reported, including the African cryptic species complex (FAR complex). Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) appear to be an excellent tool for chemotaxonomical discrimination of these cryptic species. In the present study, CHC profiles have been used to discriminate among three important agricultural pests from the FAR complex, Ceratitis fasciventris, Ceratitis anonae and Ceratitis rosa. Hexane body surface extracts of mature males and females were analyzed by two-dimensional gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection and differences in CHC profiles between species and sexes tested through multivariate statistics and compared with species identification by means of microsatellite markers. Quantitative as well as qualitative CHC profile differences between sexes and species are reported. The CHC profiles consisted of a mixture of linear, internally methyl-branched and mono-, di- and tri-unsaturated alkanes. Twelve compounds were pinpointed as potential chemotaxonomical markers. The present study shows that presence or absence of particular CHCs might be used in the chemical diagnosis of the FAR complex. Moreover, our results represent an important first step in the development of a useful chemotaxonomic tool for cryptic species identification of these important agricultural pests.

Antiviral action of aqueous extracts of propolis from Scaptotrigona aff. postica (Hymenoptera; Apidae) against Zica, Chikungunya, and Mayaro virus.

The limited availability of antivirals for new highly pathogenic strains of virus has become a serious public health. Therefore, news products against these pathogens has become an urgent necessity. Among the multiple sources for news antibiotics and antivirals, insect exudates or their products has become an increasingly frequent option. Insects emerged 350 million years ago and have showed a high adaptability and resistance to the most varied biomes. Their survival for so long, in such different environments, is an indication that they have a very efficient protection against environmental infections, despite not having a developed immune system like mammals. Since the ancient civilizations, the products obtained from the bee have been of great pharmacological importance, being used as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and several other functions. Investigations of biological activity of propolis have been carried out, mainly in the species Apis mellifera, and its product have showed activity against some important viruses. However, for the Meliponini species, known as stingless bees, there are few studies, either on their chemical composition or on their biological activities. The importance of studying these bees is because they come from regions with native forests, and therefore with many species of plants not yet studied, in addition to which they are regions still free of pesticides, which guarantees a greater fidelity of the obtained data. Previous studies by our group with crude hydroalcoholic extract of propolis demonstrated an intense antiviral activity against Herpes, influenza, and rubella viruses. In this work, we chose to use aqueous extracts, which eliminates the presence of other compounds besides those originally present in propolis, in addition to extracting substances different from those obtained in alcoholic extracts. Therefore, this study aimed to identify, isolate and characterize compounds with antiviral effects from aqueous propolis extracts from Scaptotrigona aff postica, in emerging viruses such as zicavirus, chikungunya, and mayaro virus. The evaluation of the antiviral activity of the crude and purified material was performed by reducing infectious foci in VERO cell cultures. The results obtained with crude propolis, indicate a high reduction of zica virus (64×) and mayaro (128×) when was used 10% v/v of propolis. The reduction of chikungunya virus was of 256 fold, even when was used 5% v/v of propolis. The chemical characterization of the compounds present in the extracts was performed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Through the purification of propolis by HPLC and mass spectrometry, it was possible to identify and isolate a peak with antiviral activity. This substance showed activity against all viruses tested. When purified fraction was used, the reduction observed was of 16 fold for zicavirus, 32 fold for mayaro virus and 512 fold for chikungunya virus. Likewise, it was observed that the antiviral response was concentration dependent, being more intense when propolis was added 2 h after the viral infection. Now we are carrying out the chemical characterization of the purified compounds that showed antiviral action.

Morphometry, topography and arterial supply of the thyroid gland in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta Zimmermann, 1780).

The purpose of this research was to investigate the measures, topography, and vascularization of the thyroid gland in Macaca mulatta, a non-human primate. The study involved the dissection of ten male adult cadavers of Macaca mulatta. The length, width, and thickness of the right lobe of the thyroid were 2.552 ± 0.341, 1.019 ± 0.137, and 0.729 ± 0.137 cm. These measures in the left thyroid lobe were 2.406 ± 0.299, 1.013. ± 0.087, and 0.769 ± 0.083 cm. The study found no significant differences in the measures of the left and right lobes of the thyroid gland in rhesus monkeys. Regarding topography, the thyroid gland was located ventrolateral to the trachea, similar to its position in other mammal species. The cranial pole of the gland was closely related to the cricoid or thyroid cartilage, while the caudal pole showed variable positioning to the tracheal rings. The isthmus, a thin band of tissue connecting the lobes, was present in all specimens. The cranial thyroid artery was found to originate from the external carotid artery in most specimens. It supplied the thyroid gland and sent branches to muscles in the neck region. The caudal thyroid artery, originating from the common carotid artery, provides additional blood supply to the gland and sends a branch to the esophagus. This research contributes to knowledge about the thyroid gland in non-human primates, specifically Macaca mulatta. The findings provide critical information for comparative studies and understanding the thyroid gland's role in health and disease.

Experimental evidence of twin fast metastable H(2(2)S) atoms from dissociation of cold H2 induced by electrons.

We report the direct detection of two metastable H(2^{2}S) atoms coming from the dissociation of a single cold H(2) molecule, in coincidence measurements. The molecular dissociation was induced by electron impact in order to avoid limitations by the selection rules governing radiative transitions. Two detectors, placed close to the collision center, measure the neutral metastable H(2(2)S) through a localized quenching process, which mixes the H(2^{2}S) state with the H(2^{2}P), leading to a Lyman-α detection. Our data show the accomplishment of a coincidence measurement which proves for the first time the existence of the H(2(2)S)-H(2(2)S) dissociation channel.

First Report of Papaya Fruit Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum brevisporum in Brazil.

Papaya fruits (Carica papaya L.) (cv. Golden) showing post-harvest anthracnose symptoms were observed during surveys of papaya disease in northeastern Brazil from 2008 to 2012. Fruits affected by anthracnose showed sunken, prominent, dark brown to black lesions. Small pieces (4 to 5 mm) of necrotic tissue were surface sterilized for 1 min in 1.5% NaOCl, washed twice with sterile distilled water, and plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 0.5 g liter-1 streptomycin sulfate. Macroscopic colony characters and microscopic morphology characteristics of four isolates were observed after growth on PDA (2) for 7 days at 25°C under a 12-hr light/dark cycle. Colonies varied between colorless and pale brown in reverse, with orange conidial mass. Conidia were hyaline, aseptate, cylindrical with round ends, slightly flattened, smooth-walled, guttulate, and 13.5 (10.5 to 17.1) µm × 3.8 (2.1 to 4.8) µm (l/w ratio = 3.5, n = 50), typical of Colletotrichum spp. DNA sequencing of partial sequences of actin (ACT) gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rRNA) were conducted to accurately identify the species. Sequences of the papaya isolates were 99% similar to those of Colletotrichum brevisporum (GenBank Accession Nos. JN050216, JN050217, JN050238, and JN050239). A phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian inference and including published ACT and ITS data for C. brevisporum and other Colletotrichum species was carried out (1). Based on morphological and molecular data, the papaya isolates were identified as C. brevisporum. Conidia of the papaya isolates were narrower than those described for C. brevisporum (2.9 to 4.8 µm and 5 to 6 µm, respectively) (1), which may be due to differences in incubation temperature or a typical variation in conidial size in Colletotrichum species (3). Sequences of the isolates obtained in this study are deposited in GenBank (ACT Accession Nos. KC702903, KC702904, KC702905, and KC702906; ITS Accession Nos. HM163181, HM015851, HM015854, and HM015859). Cultures are deposited in the Culture Collection of Phytopathogenic Fungi of the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil (CMM 1672, CMM 1702, CMM 1822, and CMM 2005). Pathogenicity testing was conducted with all four strains of C. brevisporum on papaya fruits (cv. Golden). Fruits were wounded at the medium region by pushing the tip of four sterile pins through the surface of the skin to a depth of 3 mm. Mycelial plugs taken from the margin of actively growing colonies (PDA) of each isolate were placed in shallow wounds. PDA discs without fungal growth were used as control. Inoculated fruits were maintained in a humid chamber for 2 days at 25°C in the dark. After 6 days, anthracnose symptoms developed that were typical of diseased fruit in the field. C. brevisporum was successfully reisolated from symptomatic fruits to fulfill Koch's postulates. C. brevisporum was described from Neoregalia sp. and Pandanus pygmaeus in Thailand (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. brevisporum in Brazil and the first report of this species causing papaya fruit anthracnose. References: (1) P. Noireung et al. Cryptogamie Mycol., 33:347, 2012. (2) B. C. Sutton. The Genus Glomerella and its anamorph Colletotrichum. CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 1992. (3) B. S. Weir et al. Stud. Mycol. 73:115, 2012.

Photosynthetic pigments and quantum yield of West Indian cherry under salt stress and NPK combinations.

West Indian cherry cultivation has proved to be an important economic activity in northeastern Brazil. However, irrigation with brackish waters limits cultivation, requiring new strategies to minimize the effect of salt stress. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) combinations on the photosynthetic pigments and quantum yield of West Indian cherry cultivated under salt stress, in the second year of production. The assay was conducted in a protected environment by adopting an experimental design in randomized blocks, with treatments distributed in a 2×10 factorial arrangement referring to two electrical conductivity levels of irrigation water - ECw (0.6 and 4.0 dS m-1) and 10 NPK fertilization combinations - FC (80-100-100; 100-100-100; 120-100-100; 140-100-100; 100-80-100; 100-120-100; 100-140-100; 100-100-80; 100-100-120, and 100-100-140% of the recommendation, in the second year of production), with three replications, each consisting of one plant. Irrigation with the electrical conductivity of 4.0 dS m-1 negatively affected the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments and the photochemical efficiency of the West Indian cherry cv. Flor Branca. The NPK combinations did not attenuate the effects of salt stress on the analyzed variables. However, the combinations referring to 120-100-100%, 140-100-100%, and 100-120-100% of NPK recommendation improved the quantum yield of photosystem II by reducing the initial fluorescence and increasing the maximum fluorescence of the West Indian cherry cv. Flor Branca.

The lumbosacral plexus in two Didelphis species (Didelphidae, Didelphimorphia): origin and nerve distribution.

Morphological studies provide knowledge that allow us to understand how animals interact with the natural environment or the captivity. The goal of this study was to describe the origin and antimeric distribution of lumbosacral plexus nerves in Didelphis aurita and D. albiventris. Fourteen adult cadavers of D. aurita, seven males and seven females, and 13 adult cadavers of D. albiventris, nine males and four females were used. The specimens were sexed, identified, fixed and dissected until the origins of the lumbosacral plexus nerves were exposed. Data were represented as absolute frequency and simple percentage. The lumbosacral plexuses derived a trunk for the femoral and obturator nerves from the ventral branches of L3-L4 (75%) in D. aurita, and in D. albiventris the femoral nerve of L3-L4 (73.1%) and the obturator nerve of L3-L4 (61.5%). In both species, formation of a lumbosacral trunk derived from L5-L6-S1 occurred in 78.6% of D. aurita and 61.5% of D. albiventris. The origin and distribution of lumbosacral plexus nerves of the studied species present similarities with domestic and wild eutherian mammals.

Agronomic parameters of sugarcane under planting densities in different cultivation cycles.

Low density sugarcane plantation (LDSP) has been implemented by some sugarcane producers in Brazil, aiming to save seeds and operational costs. The study was carried out in the municipality of Areia, Paraíba, Brazil. Five planting densities were used, varying from 5 to 25 m-2 of buds arranged in randomized blocks, with four replications. Data were measured annually over three cultivation cycles (2017 to 2020), during which the field was fertilized with NPK and the harvests were carried out manually without prior burning. The lower planting density presents higher productivity only in the cane plant (101.03 t ha-1) due to the higher plant height (2.37 m) and the higher number of stalks (11 stalks m-2), suggesting that these variables are due to the greater availability of light, water and photosynthate. However, there is a drastic reduction in sugarcane yield for this lower population in the 2nd ratoon by up to 65.62%, which is correlated with number of stalks per meter. We demonstrate the agronomic viability of LDSP in the population of 10 buds m-2 in relation to conventional planting of sugarcane until the 2nd ratoon. Data are important for future studies to present additional considerations for other production factors, such as the effects of mechanized harvesting and the management of nutrients and water, assessing the sustainability of this large-scale planting system.

Antibodies Against Sporothrix schenckii Enhance TNF-α Production and Killing by Macrophages.

Sporotrichosis is a chronic granulomatous mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii. The immunological mechanisms involved in the prevention and control of sporotrichosis suggest that cell-mediated immunity plays an important role in protecting the host against S. schenckii. Nonetheless, recent data strongly support the existence of protective Abs against this pathogenic fungus. In a previous study, we showed that passive Ab therapy led to a significant reduction in the number of colony forming unit in the organs of mice when the MAb was injected before and during S. schenckii infection. The ability of opsonization to enhance macrophage damage to S. schenckii and subsequent cytokine production was investigated in this work. Here we show that the fungicidal characteristics of macrophages are increased when the fungus is phagocytosed in the presence of inactivated serum from mice infected with S. schenckii or mAb anti-gp70. Additionally, we show an increase in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1ß. This study provides additional support for the importance of antibodies in protecting against S. schenckii and concludes that opsonization is an important process to increase TNF-α production and fungus killing by macrophages in experimental sporotrichosis.

MHV-68 Open Reading Frame 20 is a nonessential gene delaying lung viral clearance.

Recently, it has been demonstrated that the MHV-68 ORF20-encoded gene product induces cell-cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, followed by apoptosis. To study the role of this conserved gene in vivo, two independent ORF20-deficient MHV-68 viruses and their revertants were constructed. As the replication in vitro of both mutants followed similar kinetics to that of the wild-type and revertant viruses, ORF20 is therefore a nonessential virus gene. No cell cycle arrest could be observed upon infection of cells with wild type MHV-68 or mutant viruses. In addition, no major differences were detected between mock- and virus-infected cells when protein and inactivation levels of the mitotic promoter factor cdc2/cyclinB were analyzed. Following intranasal infection, the recovery of mutant, revertant and wild-type viruses in the lungs was similar. With the ORF20-deficient viruses, however, there was a significant delay of four days in clearance of virus from the lungs. Surprisingly, the magnitude and cell population distribution in the exudates of the lung was essentially similar to mice infected with wild-type, revertant or ORF20-deleted viruses. Subsequent establishment of latency was normal for both mutants, demonstrating that ORF20 does not play a critical role in establishment of a persistent infection. These results indicate that while expression of ORF20 may impact on the pathogenicity of the infection, the observed induction of G2/M arrest in ORF20-expressing cells may not be the primary function of ORF20 in the context of viral infection.