Ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsy of thoracic lesions: high diagnostic yield and low complication rate.

AIM: To investigate the use of ultrasound (US)-guided biopsy of thoracic lesions aiming to determine diagnostic success and complication rates and to identify factors that may affect sample adequacy and safety. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of consecutive percutaneous US-guided biopsy over 10-year period, including 147 procedures in 146 patients (66 ± 7 years, 83 men, 63 women) with lesions located in the lung (67/147), chest wall (54/147), mediastinum (14/147) and pleura (12/147). Overall diagnostic success, yield for benign and malignant diagnoses and diagnostic success according to lesion location, biopsy type (fine-need aspiration [FNA] or core-needle biopsy [CNB]) and number of specimens were calculated. Presence of complications and effect of age, lesion location, biopsy type, and number of specimens were measured. RESULTS: The overall diagnostic success rate was 90.5% and was similar for malignant (90.6%) and benign (87.5%) diagnoses. Specimen adequacy was similar for FNA and CNB (91.2% and 88.9%, p=0.66); number of specimens did not affect yield. Diagnostic success was highest for mediastinal and chest wall lesions (92.9% and 94.4%) and lowest for pleural lesions (75%), albeit not statistically significant (p=0.45). Complications occurred in 4/147(2.7%) cases, exclusively in lung lesions, and were not associated with any covariates analysed. CONCLUSIONS: US-guided biopsy is an effective and safe technique for diagnosis of thoracic lesions, with high diagnostic yield and low complication rate. In the presence of an adequate acoustic window, US guidance can be valuable for diagnosis of peripheral lung and mediastinal lesions. Radiologists performing thoracic biopsy should be encouraged to implement or expand the use of US guidance in their practice.

Solitary fibrous tumour of pleura: CT differentiation of benign and malignant types.

AIM: To analyse and compare the computed tomography (CT) features of benign and malignant types of histopathologically proven cases of solitary fibrous tumours of pleura (SFTP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of preoperative CT images of 28 cases of histopathologically proven and classified SFTP from three participating institutions was performed. Patient demographics and lesion characteristics including size, borders, presence of a pedicle, extension into the fissure, attenuation, enhancement, pleural effusion, and calcifications were recorded and correlated with the final histopathological diagnosis. Type and results of preoperative biopsy were also recorded. Follow-up imaging and the clinical charts were reviewed to identify recurrence. RESULTS: Out of 28 cases (15 women and 13 men), 18 were proven to be benign and 10 were malignant. The mean age of patients was 58.1±15.9 and 66.5±11.8 years (p=0.1564) for benign and malignant tumours, respectively. The median (interquartile range) diameter was 6.05 (3.2-10.9) cm for benign and 15.7 (7.1-17.5) cm for malignant type tumours (p=0.0291). Tumours had lobulate borders in 28% (5/18) of benign cases and in 80% (8/10) of malignant cases (p=0.0163). Extension into adjacent fissure was seen in 22% (4/18) of benign lesions and 40% (4/10) of malignant lesions (p=0.40). A pedicle was present in 17% (3/18) of benign and 10% (1/10) of malignant lesions (p=1). Heterogeneous attenuation was present in 61% (11/18) of benign and 90% (9/10) of malignant lesions (p=0.19). Calcification was present in 17% (3/18) of benign tumours and in 70% (7/10) of malignant tumours (p=0.0113). Pleural effusion was present in 6% (1/18) of benign and 40% (4/10) of malignant lesions (p=0.04). Only 1/13 preoperative fine-needle aspirates yielded diagnosis of SFTP. Preoperative diagnosis of SFTP was made in all cases (11/11) with core biopsies. At follow-up (1-10 years, mean 3 years), local recurrence occurred in 3/6 (50%) patients with malignant SFTP and in none of the 10 patients with benign SFTP. CONCLUSION: No definite imaging feature to differentiate benign from malignant SFTP was found. Large size, lobulate borders, presence of calcification, and ipsilateral pleural effusion were the only CT features predictive of malignancy. In suspected cases, core biopsies should be performed rather than fine-needle aspiration.

Validation of a reaction volume reduction protocol for analysis of Y chromosome haplotypes targeting DNA databases.

The use of Y chromosome haplotypes, important for the detection of sexual crimes in forensics, has gained prominence with the use of databases that incorporate these genetic profiles in their system. Here, we optimized and validated an amplification protocol for Y chromosome profile retrieval in reference samples using lesser materials than those in commercial kits. FTA® cards (Flinders Technology Associates) were used to support the oral cells of male individuals, which were amplified directly using the SwabSolution reagent (Promega). First, we optimized and validated the process to define the volume and cycling conditions. Three reference samples and nineteen 1.2 mm-diameter perforated discs were used per sample. Amplification of one or two discs (samples) with the PowerPlex® Y23 kit (Promega) was performed using 25, 26, and 27 thermal cycles. Twenty percent, 32%, and 100% reagent volumes, one disc, and 26 cycles were used for the control per sample. Thereafter, all samples (N = 270) were amplified using 27 cycles, one disc, and 32% reagents (optimized conditions). Data was analyzed using a study of equilibrium values between fluorophore colors. In the samples analyzed with 20% volume, an imbalance was observed in peak heights, both inside and in-between each dye. In samples amplified with 32% reagents, the values obtained for the intra-color and inter-color standard balance calculations for verification of the quality of the analyzed peaks were similar to those of samples amplified with 100% of the recommended volume. The quality of the profiles obtained with 32% reagents was suitable for insertion into databases.

Human autosomal DNA and X chromosome STR profiles obtained from Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larvae used as a biological trace.

The use of insects to answer questions in criminal investigations, as well as a combination of forensic genetic techniques to obtain human DNA from the organisms, especially necrophagous dipterians, have gained ground in recent decades among researchers and professionals in this area. The objective of our study was to evaluate and compare two methods of human DNA extraction, commonly used for forensic samples, to obtain human autosomal DNA and X chromosome short tandem repeat profiles from the digestive tract of Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larvae. Immature specimens were collected from corpses at the Institute of Forensic Medicine of Pernambuco and raised in bovine ground meat to allow stabilization of the colony. Groups of larvae in the third instar were provided with bovine ground meat plus human blood for 48 h, dissected, and then subjected to DNA extraction. DNA was extracted using two methods: a DNA IQ™ kit and a phenol-chloroform method. Genomic DNA was amplified using AmpFℓSTR® Identifiler® Plus PCR and Argus-X-12® kits, and samples were sequenced to determine if the two extraction techniques generated reliable profiles that were compatible with a reference sample. The existence of comparable profiles from both techniques demonstrates the usefulness of dipteran larvae for obtaining human DNA from corpses, which can be further used to correlate genetic profiles in a crime scene when other traces are not available. However, several variables still require revision; thus, the technique should be further investigated for its validity, security, and, in particular, its reproducibility.

Detecting multiple DNA human profile from a mosquito blood meal.

Criminal traces commonly found at crime scenes may present mixtures from two or more individuals. The scene of the crime is important for the collection of various types of traces in order to find the perpetrator of the crime. Thus, we propose that hematophagous mosquitoes found at crime scenes can be used to perform genetic testing of human blood and aid in suspect investigation. The aim of the study was to obtain a single Aedes aegypti mosquito profile from a human DNA mixture containing genetic materials of four individuals. We also determined the effect of blood acquisition time by setting time intervals of 24, 48, and 72 h after the blood meal. STR loci and amelogenin were analyzed, and the results showed that human DNA profiles could be obtained from hematophagous mosquitos at 24 h following the blood meal. It is possible that hematophagous mosquitoes can be used as biological remains at the scene of the crime, and can be used to detect human DNA profiles of up to four individuals.

Post-allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) changes in inorganic salivary components.

Recent studies have considered the qualitative and quantitative assessment of salivary flow, as well the biochemical components of saliva, as possible biomarkers that might contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGHVD) in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively the inorganic salivary status at different periods of allogeneic HSCT. Saliva collection and oral examination were performed prior to the HSCT, ​between days 8 and 10, days 80 and 100, and at the cGVHD onset. Concentrations of calcium (Ca), phosphate (Pi), chloride (Cl), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and sodium (Na) were performed using colorimetric reactions and atomic absorption. Fifty-five consecutive patients undergoing first allogeneic HSCT were included in this study. Between days 8 and 10, the salivary flow rate was significantly higher (p = 0.05), Pi concentration was decreased (p = 0.007), and Na and Cl were increased (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively), compared with the baseline. Salivary flow rate during the same period showed a negative correlation with Pi concentration (p = 0.02) and a positive correlation with Na and Cl concentrations (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001, respectively). The salivary flow rate was decreased between days 80 and 100 (p = 0.02) and Na, Cl, and K concentrations were increased (p = 0.03, p = 0.02, and p = 0.003, respectively). Salivary flow rate showed a negative correlation with Na and Cl (p = 0.01 and p = 0.013, respectively). At cGVHD onset, the salivary flow rate showed no statistical difference compared with the other studied periods. A trend was observed in the higher Na concentration compared with the baseline (p = 0.06) and Pi concentration presented a significant decrease (p = 0.004). Ca and Mg concentrations showed no changes during all evaluation periods. The present study showed changes in inorganic salivary components in post-HSCT periods, mainly during the early period post-HSCT and at the cGVHD onset. We speculate that Na, Cl, and Pi in saliva could be used as a potential biomarker in further studies.

Trace samples of human blood in mosquitoes as a forensic investigation tool.

Investigations of any type of crime invariably starts at the crime scene by collecting evidence. Thus, the purpose of this research was to collect and analyze an entomological trace from an environment that is similar to those of indoor crime scenes. Hematophagous mosquitoes were collected from two residential units; saliva of volunteers that were residents in the units was also collected for genetic analysis as reference samples. We examined the allele frequencies of 15 short tandem repeat loci (D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818, and FGA) and amelogenin. A total of 26 female hematophagous mosquitoes were identified as Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus; we were able to obtain 11 forensically valid genetic profiles, with a minimum of 0.028203 ng/µL of human DNA. Thus, the results of this study showed that it was possible to correlate human genetic information from mosquitoes with the volunteer reference samples, which validates the use of this information as forensic evidence. Furthermore, we observed mixed genetic profiles from one mosquito. Therefore, it is clearly important to collect these insects indoors where crimes were committed, because it may be possible to find intact genetic profiles of suspects in the blood found in the digestive tract of hematophagous mosquitoes for later comparison to identify an offender and/or exclude suspects.

Distribution of forensic marker allelic frequencies in Pernambuco, Northestern Brazil.

Pernambuco is one of the 27 federal units of Brazil, ranking seventh in the number of inhabitants. We examined the allele frequencies of 13 short tandem repeat loci (CFS1PO, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D21S11, FGA, TH01, vWA, and TPOX), the minimum recommended by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and commonly used in forensic genetics laboratories in Brazil, in a sample of 609 unrelated individuals from all geographic regions of Pernambuco. The allele frequencies ranged from 5 to 47.2%. No significant differences for any loci analyzed were observed compared with other publications in other various regions of Brazil. Most of the markers observed were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The occurrence of the allele 47.2 (locus FGA) and alleles 35.1 and 39 (locus D21S11), also described in a single study of the Brazilian population, was observed. The other forensic parameters analyzed (matching probability, power of discrimination, polymorphic information content, paternity exclusion, complement factor I, observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity) indicated that the studied markers are very informative for human forensic identification purposes in the Pernambuco population.

Identification of prognostic factors predicting outcome in Hodgkin's lymphoma patients relapsing after autologous stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard of care for patients with relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). However, there is currently little information on the predictors of outcome for patients whose disease recurs after ASCT. METHODS: Five hundred and eleven adult patients with relapsed HL after ASCT from EBMT-GITMO databases were reviewed. RESULTS: Treatments administered following ASCT failure included conventional chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in 294 (64%) patients, second ASCT in 35 (8%), and alloSCT in 133 (29%). After a median follow-up of 49 months, overall survival (OS) was 32% at 5 years. Independent risk factors for OS were early relapse (<6 months) after ASCT, stage IV, bulky disease, poor performance status (PS), and age ≥50 years at relapse. For patients with no risk factors OS at 5 years was 62% compared with 37% and 12% for those having 1 and ≥2 factors, respectively. This score was also predictive for outcome in each group of rescue treatment after ASCT failure. CONCLUSION(S): Early relapse, stage IV, bulky disease, poor PS, and age ≥50 years at ASCT failure are relevant factors for outcome that may help to understand the results of different therapeutic approaches.

Porcine colonization of the Americas: a 60k SNP story.

The pig, Sus scrofa, is a foreign species to the American continent. Although pigs originally introduced in the Americas should be related to those from the Iberian Peninsula and Canary islands, the phylogeny of current creole pigs that now populate the continent is likely to be very complex. Because of the extreme climates that America harbors, these populations also provide a unique example of a fast evolutionary phenomenon of adaptation. Here, we provide a genome wide study of these issues by genotyping, with a 60k SNP chip, 206 village pigs sampled across 14 countries and 183 pigs from outgroup breeds that are potential founders of the American populations, including wild boar, Iberian, international and Chinese breeds. Results show that American village pigs are primarily of European ancestry, although the observed genetic landscape is that of a complex conglomerate. There was no correlation between genetic and geographical distances, neither continent wide nor when analyzing specific areas. Most populations showed a clear admixed structure where the Iberian pig was not necessarily the main component, illustrating how international breeds, but also Chinese pigs, have contributed to extant genetic composition of American village pigs. We also observe that many genes related to the cardiovascular system show an increased differentiation between altiplano and genetically related pigs living near sea level.

Worldwide genetic relationships of pigs as inferred from X chromosome SNPs.

The phylogeography of the porcine X chromosome has not been studied despite the unique characteristics of this chromosome. Here, we genotyped 59 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 312 pigs from around the world, representing 39 domestic breeds and wild boars in 30 countries. Overall, widespread commercial breeds showed the highest heterozygosity values, followed by African and American populations. Structuring, as inferred from FST and analysis of molecular variance, was consistently larger in the non-pseudoautosomal (NPAR) than in the pseudoautosomal regions (PAR). Our results show that genetic relationships between populations can vary widely between the NPAR and the PAR, underscoring the fact that their genetic trajectories can be quite different. NPAR showed an increased commercial-like genetic component relative to the PAR, probably because human selection processes to obtain individuals with high productive parameters were mediated by introgressing boars rather than sows.

Genetic diversity and assessment of 23 microsatellite markers for parentage testing of Santa Inês hair sheep in Brazil.

Santa Inês is the most common hair sheep breed in Brazil and probably has the highest genetic diversity among sheep breeds in this country. Successful breeding programs for Brazilian sheep breeds are not common for various reasons, including a lack of control of parentage in the flocks. We developed an allele frequency database for 23 STR loci for the Santa Inês breed based on 285 animals sampled from five populations distributed across the central-western and north-eastern regions of Brazil. The marker set included seven microsatellites used in the 2011 International Society for Animal Genetics sheep genotyping comparison tests and all eight microsatellites currently approved by the Brazilian Agricultural Ministry laboratory accreditation guidelines for sheep identification. The microsatellites had an average of 10 alleles and a mean expected heterozygosity of 0.745. Combined paternity exclusion probabilities when no parent or one parent was known were >99.99%. A small proportion (5.8%) of the existing genetic variation was found to be among the Santa Inês populations, possibly derived from genetic drift and selection. We found that the marker panel proposed by the Agricultural Ministry, although generally useful, should be enhanced by including more markers for improved exclusionary power in parentage testing. This database provides a useful tool for parentage testing of this major Brazilian breed, contributing to improved management and breeding of existing herds.

Anurans from the upper basins of the Rio Grande and Rio Preto: eastern portion of the Serra da Mantiqueira Environmental Protection Area, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The Neotropical zone stands out for having the greatest richness of amphibians in the world. About 625 species of anurans are known on Atlantic Forest. The southeastern mountainous regions of Brazil called Serra do Mar and Serra da Mantiqueira, are very important areas for the diversity of anurans in the country because they shelter remaining strata of the Atlantic Forest that have several endemic species. The present study aims to expand the knowledge about the Serra da Mantiqueira anurans, specifically from the Rio Preto and Rio Grande upper basins. The study area comprised 10 sample centers. We realized 38 campaigns, lasting two days each. During this period, we used active search as visual and auditory cues. The passive search was comprised of pitfall traps. Bioacoustic analyses were used to determine the cryptic species. The sufficiency of the sampling effort was estimated through the accumulation curve using Bootstrap and Jackknife-1 as estimators. During the study 55 species were found, 40 of them in the basin of the Rio Preto, and 44 in the basin of the Rio Grande. Twenty-nine species were found in both areas. The Hylidae family was predominant, followed by Leptodactylidae. In addition to species of the Atlantic Forest, the place houses typical components of the Cerrado biome and altitudinal swamps with unexpected sympatries. This inventory expands the area of occurrence of Scinax duartei, a species considered threatened. Although adjacent to the oldest national park in Brazil, the composition of anuran species of this area was unknown until then.

Systemic arterial air embolism after percutaneous lung biopsy.

Systemic arterial air embolism is a rarely encountered but much feared complication of percutaneous lung biopsy. We present a comprehensive review of iatrogenic air embolism post-lung biopsy, a complication that is often suboptimally managed. This review was inspired by our own institutional experience and we use this to demonstrate that excellent outcomes from this complication can be seen with prompt treatment using hyperbaric oxygen chamber therapy, after initial patient stabilization has been achieved. Pathophysiology, clinical features, and risk factors are reviewed and misconceptions regards venous versus arterial air embolism are examined. An algorithm is provided for radiologists to ensure suspected patients are appropriately managed with more favourable outcomes.

Administration of thyroxine affects the morphometric parameters and VEGF expression in the uterus and placenta and the uterine vascularization but does not affect reproductive parameters in gilts during early gestation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of thyroxine administration on morphometric parameters, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascularization in the uterus and placenta and reproductive parameters in gilts at 70 days of gestation. At 150 days of age, i.e., before first heat, 20 gilts were randomly divided into two experimental groups: treated (n=10) and control (n=10). The treated group received a daily dose of 400 µg of L-thyroxine (T(4)) in their diet until slaughter and the control group received only typical meals. Before artificial insemination, blood was collected to determine plasma total T(4). The gilts were inseminated in the second oestrus and slaughtered at 70 days of gestation. The foetal thyroid follicular epithelium height, number, size and weight of foetuses; foetal myogenesis, corpora lutea number, embryonic mortality rate, uterine weight, placental weight and placental fluid volume were measured. Histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analysis of uterus and placenta were determined. The averages of all variables were compared by the Student's t-test. The gilts treated with thyroxine showed significant increase of plasma total T(4). At 70 days of gestation, the heights of the trophoblastic epithelium, endometrial epithelium and endometrial gland epithelium were significantly higher in the group treated with T(4). The expression of cytoplasmatic and nuclear VEGF in trophoblastic cells and the number of blood vessels per field in endometrial stroma were significantly higher in the gilts treated with T(4). No other significant differences between groups were obtained with respect to other parameters (p>0.05). We conclude that oral administration of T(4) up to 70 days of pregnancy in gilts affects the morphometric parameters, the expression of placental VEGF and the uterine vascularization but does not affect reproductive parameters in gilts during early gestation.

Phallus eversion sexing in Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Chelidae): a new non-invasive approach.

The sexing of species is an important tool for population management. In tortoises and turtles, sexing is usually done according to secondary characteristics, such as plastron morphology or phallus eversion techniques. In this paper, we present the phallus eversion method and compare its efficiency to other existing techniques. This new method aims at shortening the management time and reducing the physical aftereffects on the animals, fostering the clinical and reproductive management of Geoffroy's side-necked turtle (Phrynops geoffroanus) and related species. A sample of fifty individuals was taken in the central region of Piauí state, Northeastern Brazil. The proposed method consisted of moving the head from its resting position. The methods achieving a success rate higher than 80% were compared to each other as for the stimulation time required for phallus eversion. The method as here proposed achieved 100% efficiency in the sex determination of specimens with a linear carapace length between 10 and 34 cm. Also, when compared to the second most efficient method, it substantially reduced the time needed for managing the specimens (91%), avoiding possible sequelae in the individuals handled.

Follicular-fluid anti-Müllerian hormone concentration is similar in patients with endometriosis compared with non-endometriotic patients.

This cross-sectional prospective study assessed follicular-fluid anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations in infertile patients with mild/minimal endometriosis during natural IVF. Thirty-two women participated in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: tubal obstruction without endometriosis (control group) and minimal/mild endometriosis (study group). All patients underwent laparoscopy for assessment of infertility; at the same time, any foci of endometriosis found were cauterized. AMH concentration was measured in the follicular fluid of a single follicle when it achieved pre-ovulatory maturation by ultrasensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Likewise, AMH, FSH and inhibin B content in serum was also measured. Age (30 ± 1.3 and 32 ± 0.8 years) and body mass index (22 ± 0.6 and 22 ± 0.5 kg/m(2)), day-3 antral follicle count (11.3 ± 1.7 and 10.7 ± 1.5), serum FSH concentrations (5.4 ± 0.6 and 5.0 ± 0.3 IU/ml) and follicular-fluid AMH concentrations (1.8 ± 0.3 and 1.5 ± 0.1 ng/ml, study and control group, respectively; mean difference 0.33, 95% CI -0.21 to 0.88) were similar in both groups. This study shows that infertile patients with minimal/mild endometriosis have a similar concentration of AMH in the follicular fluid after natural IVF as compared with control subjects.

Integration and decontamination of Bacillus cereus in Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms.

AIMS: The hypothesis that surrogate planktonic pathogens (Bacillus cereus and polystyrene microspheres) could be integrated in biofilms and protected from decontamination was tested. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms were grown on polyvinyl chloride coupons in annular reactors under low nutrient conditions. After biofilm growth, B. cereus spores and polystyrene microspheres (an abiotic control) were introduced separately. Shear stress at the biofilm surface was varied between 0.15 and 1.5 N m(-2). The amount of surrogate pathogens introduced ranged from approximately 10(5) CFU ml(-1) to 10(10 )spheres ml(-1). The quantity of surrogate pathogens integrated in the biofilm was proportional to the amount introduced. In 14 of the 16 cases, 0.4-3.0% of the spores or spheres introduced were measured in the biofilms. The other two cases had 10% and 21% of the spores detected. Data suggested that the spores germinated in the system. The amount of surrogate pathogens detected in the biofilms was higher in the mid-shear range. Chlorine treatment reduced the quantity of both surrogate pathogens and biofilm organisms. In one experiment, the biofilms and B. cereus recovered when the chlorine treatment was terminated. CONCLUSIONS: Planktonic surrogate pathogens can be integrated in biofilms and protected from chlorination decontamination. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This knowledge assists in understanding the impact of biofilms on harbouring potential pathogens in drinking-water systems and protecting the pathogens from decontamination.

Influence of interlayer tunneling on the quantized Hall phases in intentionally disordered multilayer structures.

Stability of the quantized Hall phases is studied in weakly coupled multilayers as a function of the interlayer correlations controlled by the interlayer tunneling and by the random variation of the well thicknesses. A strong enough interlayer disorder destroys the symmetry responsible for the quantization of the Hall conductivity, resulting in the breakdown of the quantum Hall effect. A clear difference between the dimensionalities of the metallic and insulating quantum Hall phases is demonstrated. The sharpness of the quantized Hall steps obtained in the coupled multilayers with different degrees of randomization was found consistent with the calculated interlayer tunneling energies. The observed width of the transition between the quantized Hall states in random multilayers is explained in terms of the local fluctuations of the electron density.

Iberian origin of Brazilian local pig breeds based on Cytochrome b (MT-CYB) sequence.

The aim of this work was to investigate the possible origin of local Brazilian pig breeds through Cytochrome b (MT-CYB) mitochondrial analyses. The results indicated that the main local pig breeds descended from two different European maternal lineages, both Iberian varieties. The haplotype relationship analysis showed that Monteiro, Nilo, Piau and Tatu breeds share haplotypes only with Iberian varieties, while the Moura breed presented a different maternal lineage. The Moura appears to share a high frequency of haplotypes with the Black Hairy Iberian variety and Hungarian Mangalica breed.