Sugarcane productivity and economic viability in response to planting density.

Planting with higher density in sugarcane is one of the practices used to overcome low productivity. However, this planting material is equivalent to 25% of the total cost of production, being one of the main expenses for cultivation. In this sense, the present work aims to evaluate the productivity and economic viability of sugarcane as a function of planting density. The experiment was carried out at Usina Monte Alegre in the municipality of Mamanguape, Paraíba, Brazil, from March 2021 to January 2022 with the variety RB92579. Seven planting density were studied: T1: 7 gems m-1, T2: 10 gems m-1, T3: 12 gems m-1, T4: 11 gems m-1, T5: 15 gems m-1, T6: 17 gems m-1, T7: 24 gems m-1, in randomized blocks with four replications. Growth, productivity and economic viability were evaluated. The highest productivity of cane and sugar, 77.69 ton ha-1 and 10.390 ton ha-1, respectively, was with planting density of 17 and 24 gems-1. While the minimum productivity of cane (61.313 ton ha-1) and sugar (7.924 ton ha-1) was recorded at sowing density of 7 and 11 gems-1. However, cultivation density with 7 and 10 gems m-1 were the ones that provided the highest profitability around 50%, followed by density of 12, 15 and 17 gems m-1 with an average of 45% profit and 11 and 24 gems m-1 with the lowest proportion of profit on average 38%. The cultivation with 17 gems m-1 of cane provides in cane-plant, variety RB92579, greater productivity with a profit rate of 45%, being the most suitable.

Oxygen consumption and ROS production are increased at the time of fertilization and cell cleavage in bovine zygotes.

BACKGROUND: Oxygen consumption is a key indicator of metabolic activity within embryos. Increased oxidative activity and REDOX changes at the time of fertilization have been suggested to signal Ca(2+) oscillations after sperm penetration. The objective of the present study was to determine the oxygen consumption and the REDOX status of zygotes and early embryos at the time of sperm penetration and cell cleavage and to investigate how metabolism relates to key temporal events and developmental competence. METHODS: Individual oxygen-consumption rates of bovine in vitro matured oocytes and presumptive zygotes (n = 101) were measured using the Nanorespirometer at 0, 7, 12, 17 and 24 h after IVF. Using the Embryoscope, oxygen-consumption profiles of individual oocytes and embryos (n = 75) were recorded repeatedly from 6 h until 30 h after IVF and time-lapse images were acquired, at intervals of ∼36 min. Oocytes and embryos were stained with Hoechst 33342 and visualization of nuclear stage was performed by fluorescence microscopy. To determine the REDOX status, cohorts of oocytes and zygotes (n = 55) were individually stained with REDOX-Sensor Red CC-1 and Hoechst 33342 at 0, 7, 12, 17 and 24 h after IVF and subsequently imaged by confocal microscopy. RESULTS: A peak of oxygen consumption was observed at the time of fertilization and a smaller rise and fall in oxygen consumption could be detected prior to the first cell cleavage. Increased reactive oxygen species production was also observed at 7 h and then at 24 h after IVF, just preceding the first embryonic cleavage. CONCLUSIONS: There are specific events during embryo development that appear to be associated with a change in oxygen consumption and REDOX state, indicating that both have a role in sperm-mediated oocyte activation and cell cleavage in bovine embryos.

Relationship of pre-ovulatory follicle size, estradiol concentrations and season to pregnancy outcome in dairy cows.

This study was carried out to evaluate effects of pre-ovulatory follicle size, plasma concentrations of estradiol and progesterone, and season on pregnancy outcomes in dairy cows. Holstein cows (n = 144) were synchronized and inseminated (Ovsynch/TAI protocol) in two distinct periods (cold versus warm season). Blood samples were collected daily from AI (day 0) to day 8 and on days 15, 22, 29, 36 and 64 to measure progesterone and estradiol. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed at days 29, 43 and 64. The pre-ovulatory follicle size was larger and the plasma estradiol concentrations on the day of AI were greater in animals that became pregnant. Plasma progesterone concentrations diverged and became greater after day 5 post-AI, in cows diagnosed pregnant, as compared to non-pregnant cows. The overall pregnancy rate (33%) or late embryonic/early fetal losses (23%) did not differ between seasons, but plasma estradiol concentrations on the day of AI and plasma concentrations of progesterone in pregnant cows were lower in the warm season. Reduced CL function, measured as plasma progesterone concentrations, from days 22 or 29 post-AI onward for cold and warm season, respectively, was associated with subsequent late embryonic/early fetal mortality. Overall, pregnancy was related to diameter of the pre-ovulatory follicle and plasma E2 on the day of AI, but embryonic/fetal losses were not. Season did not affect these outcomes, even though it influenced luteal function after AI.

Respiration rates correlate with mRNA expression of G6PD and GLUT1 genes in individual bovine in vitro-produced blastocysts.

Quantification of embryo respiration is a promising procedure to assess embryonic metabolism and possibly select viable embryos. At the blastocyst stage, ATP is produced by glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, processes that require uptake of oxygen and glucose, which is regulated by the expression of GLUT1 and G6PD. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between respiration rates and relative abundances of G6PD and GLUT1 transcripts in individual bovine blastocysts produced in vitro. Respiration rates of 104 bovine in vitro-produced blastocysts were measured individually using the nanorespirometer technology. Real-time RT-PCR was employed to determine the relative abundance of G6PD and GLUT1 mRNA in individual embryos. The mean respiration rates were similar for male and female blastocysts of the same developmental stage, but the sex ratio was skewed towards males. GLUT1 expression was down-regulated in female versus male embryos. In contrast, a approximately 1.8-fold increase in the expression of G6PD mRNA was observed in female blastocysts when compared to male blastocysts, indicating that dosage compensation for this gene had not yet occurred. Both GLUT1 and G6PD expression levels were affected by morphological quality and stage of development. Expression of GLUT1 and G6PD mRNAs was correlated with respiration rates, indicating that, in metabolically active blastocysts, uptake of oxygen and glucose are jointly increased. These findings suggest that expression of genes for oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis are both involved in oxygen demanding ATP production.

Isolated tricuspid stenosis: report of a case submitted to valvular commissurotomy.

In this report, a rare case of tricuspid stenosis uncomplicated by other valve lesions is presented, with clinical, hemodynamic, echocardiographic, and angiographic studies. The patient was markedly incapacitated, mostly as a result of a restricted cardiac output. Tricuspid commissurotomy was performed, with a stenotic deformity of a bicuspid atrioventricular valve, probably of congenital origin, found at surgery. Considerable improvement was observed, notwithstanding the persistence of some signs of residual tricuspid obstruction as a result of an incomplete commissurotomy, to avoid increasing the slight degree of preexistent valvular regurgitation.

[Is the apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy seen in one population in Rio de Janeiro city similar to that found in the East?]. / E a cardiomiopatia hipertrófica apical vista em uma amostra na cidade do Rio de Janeiro similar à encontrada no oriente?

PURPOSE: To investigate the differences between clinical aspects and evolution of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHCM) seen in Rio de Janeiro and the Oriental form, which was the first described. METHODS: In 156 patients with AHCM diagnosed in our institution, there were 13 (8.34%) with the apical form of the disease, whose clinical settings, diagnostic procedures and evolution were studied. RESULTS: There were 8 males and 5 females, between 19 and 75 years old, all white. Electrocardiogram (EKG) showed giant T waves in precordial leads in 10 (76.92%), echocardiogram (ECHO) demonstrated apical hypertrophy in all, 10 (76.92%) had only in the left ventricle, 2 in right ventricle and one involving both. Cineangiography corroborated ECHO findings. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 294 months (x = 95.4). Two deaths occurred in patients with RV involvement, due to large atria, atrial fibrillation, tricuspid or mitral insufficiency and thromboembolism. Among the survivors, the patient with RV disease has diastolic restriction and the ones with LV involvement, 9 are asymptomatic using either propranolol (8) or amiodarone (1), and one uses no medication. CONCLUSION: A HCM seen in Rio de Janeiro is similar to that found in the Orient (Japan) regarding presentation, diagnosis and evolution; but in 3 patients we have found RV disease, not described in Japan, characterizing a distinct group with a worse evolution.

[Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with right ventricular involvement]. / Cardiomiopatia hipertrófica apical acometendo o ventrículo direito.

We report right ventricular involvement in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCMP) in two women and one man, aged from 19 to 44 years-old, who presented different signs from those with left ventricular disease (who have good clinical evolution), with signs and symptoms of severe diastolic restriction, showing great atrial enlargement and two with atrial fibrillation and death due to thromboembolism. The right ventricular involvement in apical HCMP leads to a worst prognosis than isolated left ventricular disease, does not have the typical electrocardiographic changes and presents with ventricular restriction and tricuspid regurgitation.

Pharmacognostic and acute toxicological evaluation of Scaptotrigona aff. postica propolis extract in pre-clinical assays.

The propolis of Scaptotrigona aff. postica is popularly used in Maranhão State, Brazil, for treating wounds and respiratory illnesses. Nevertheless, little is known about the chemical composition of this propolis and the adverse effects of its use. Hence, this study is a pharmacognostic characterisation of the propolis hydroalcoholic extract (PHE) from S. aff. postica. The methodology consisted of an evaluation of the sensory and chemical parameters. Chemical analysis of PHE indicated high concentrations of phenolic and triterpens substances, and the absence of steroids. Additionally, we evaluated the acute toxicity of propolis using 48 Swiss male and female mice. The animals received single doses of PHE (1000, 2000 or 4000 mg kg⁻¹) orally and were observed for 14 days. After this period, the mice were sacrificed and the blood was used for biochemical and haematological evaluation. PHE did not induce any death, and the acute treatment significantly reduced serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. The resultant data indicate that PHE from S. aff. postica has low toxicity when used orally, even in high doses.

Critical reappraisal of embryo quality as a predictive parameter for pregnancy outcome: a pilot study.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Pilot study to analyse the efficacy and embryo morphology using a new human embryo culture medium (GM501) versus the conventional used medium (ISM1). METHODS: Over a four-month period, all patients at the Leuven Institute of Fertility and Embryology (LIFE) were -randomly allocated to have their embryos cultured in either the standard sequential culture medium ISM1 (control) or in a new universal medium (GM501) (study group). Primary outcome parameters were clinical pregnancy and live birth rate. The secondary outcome parameter was the correlation of embryo fragmentation rate with pregnancy outcome. RESULTS: We did not observe any differences between the ISM1 control group and GM501 study group with regard to fertilization, pregnancy, implantation rates, ongoing pregnancy, and babies born. The number of embryos with a minimal fragmentation rate (less than 30%) was significantly higher in the GM501 study group. CONCLUSION: Although a significant higher embryo fragmentation rate was seen in In vitro culture of embryos in GM501, pregnancy outcome results were comparable to those of embryos cultured in ISM1. According to our results the value of embryo morphological criteria as a parameter for pregnancy outcome should be examined and discussed again.