Breeding of Acrocomia aculeata using genetic diversity parameters and correlations to select accessions based on vegetative, phenological, and reproductive characteristics.

Macaw palm (Acrocomia aculeata) is a promising species for use in biofuel production, and establishing breeding programs is important for the development of commercial plantations. The aim of the present study was to analyze genetic diversity, verify correlations between traits, estimate genetic parameters, and select different accessions of A. aculeata in the Macaw Palm Germplasm Bank located in Universidade Federal de Viçosa, to develop a breeding program for this species. Accessions were selected based on precocity (PREC), total spathe (TS), diameter at breast height (DBH), height of the first spathe (HFS), and canopy area (CA). The traits were evaluated in 52 accessions during the 2012/2013 season and analyzed by restricted estimation maximum likelihood/best linear unbiased predictor procedures. Genetic diversity resulted in the formation of four groups by Tocher's clustering method. The correlation analysis showed it was possible to have indirect and early selection for the traits PREC and DBH. Estimated genetic parameters strengthened the genetic variability verified by cluster analysis. Narrow-sense heritability was classified as moderate (PREC, TS, and CA) to high (HFS and DBH), resulting in strong genetic control of the traits and success in obtaining genetic gains by selection. Accuracy values were classified as moderate (PREC and CA) to high (TS, HFS, and DBH), reinforcing the success of the selection process. Selection of accessions for PREC, TS, and HFS by the rank-average method permits selection gains of over 100%, emphasizing the successful use of the accessions in breeding programs and obtaining superior genotypes for commercial plantations.

Genotoxic and mutagenic effects of vigabatrin, a γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase inhibitor, in Wistar rats submitted to rotarod task.

Vigabatrin (VGB) is an antiepileptic drug thatincreases brain γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels through irreversible inhibition of GABA transaminase. The aim of this study was to evaluate neurotoxicological effects of VGB measuring motor activity and genotoxic and mutagenic effects after a single and repeated administration. Male Wistar rats received saline, VGB 50, 100, or 250 mg/kg by gavage for acute and subchronic (14 days) treatments and evaluated in the rotarod task. Genotoxicity was evaluated using the alkaline version of the comet assay in samples of blood, liver, hippocampus, and brain cortex after both treatments. Mutagenicity was evaluated using the micronucleus test in bone marrow of the same animals that received subchronic treatment. The groups treated with VGB showed similar performance in rotarod compared with the saline group. Regarding the acute treatment, it was observed that only higher VGB doses induced DNA damage in blood and hippocampus. After the subchronic treatment, VGB did not show genotoxic or mutagenic effects. In brief, VGB did not impair motor activities in rats after acute and subchronic treatments. It showed a repairable genotoxic potential in the central nervous system since genotoxicity was observed in the acute treatment group.

Ácido ascórbico na alimentação de codornas criadas em ambiente tropical sobre consumo de nutrientes, desempenho produtivo e qualidade dos ovos / Effect of dietary ascorbic acid supplementation in japanese quail raised in a tropical environment on nutrient intake, productive performance and egg quality

Objetivou-se avaliar a adição de 0%; 0,01%; 0,02% e 0,03% de ácido ascórbico na alimentação de codornas japonesas em postura na região tropical sobre o consumo, desempenho produtivo e a qualidade de ovos. Foram utilizadas 80 codornas japonesas, distribuídas em quatro níveis de adição de ácido ascórbico. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado e os dados das variáveis estudadas foram submetidos a análise de variância e as diferenças observadas foram analisadas por meio de regressão a 5% de significância. A adição de 0%; 0,01%; 0,02% e 0,03% de ácido ascórbico na alimentação de codornas não influenciou o consumo de matéria seca (CMS), matéria orgânica (CMO) e proteína bruta (CPB), expressos em g/animal/dia; g/kg0,75 e % do peso corporal. Os valores médios do CMS, CMO e CPB foram de 46,53; 44,00 e 11,00 g/animal/dia, respectivamente. Porém, houve efeito quadrático no consumo de fibra em detergente neutro (CFDN) das aves, e o CFDN máximo foi de 9,19 g/animal/dia obtido para o nível de adição de 0,01% de ácido ascórbico na ração de codornas japonesas em postura. A adição do ácido ascórbico na alimentação de codornas em postura não alterou (P>0,05) a produção de ovos e a produtividade, com valores médios observados para a produção de ovos foi de 3,06 ovos/gaiola/dia e 0,77 ovos/animal/dia, e produtividade média foi de 76,50%. A adição de 0%; 0,01%; 0,02% e 0,03% de ácido ascórbico na alimentação de codornas em postura não alterou o peso dos ovos, das gemas e albúmens, e o diâmetro dos ovos e das gemas. Contudo, a adição de ácido ascórbico na alimentação das codornas propiciou efeito quadrático (P<0,05) para a altura dos ovos e peso da casca dos ovos. Os menores valores da altura e peso da casca dos ovos foram de 2,99 mm e 1,25 g, respectivamente, para os níveis de adição de 0,017% e 0,023% de ácido ascórbico nas rações de codornas. Entretanto, para espessura da casca e altura da gema dos ovos..

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding 0, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03% ascorbic acid to the diet of laying Japanese quail raised in the tropics on nutrient intake, productive performance and egg quality. Eighty Japanese quail were divided to receive four inclusion levels of ascorbic acid. A completely randomized design was used and the results were submitted to analysis of variance. The differences observed were analyzed by regression at a 5% level of significance. The addition of 0, 0.01, 0.02% and 0.03% ascorbic acid to the diet of quail did not influence dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter intake (OMI) or crude protein intake (CPI), expressed as g/animal/day, g/kg0.75 and % body weight. Mean DMI, OMI and CPI were 46.53, 44.0 and 11.0 g/animal/day, respectively. However, there was a quadratic effect on neutral detergent fiber intake (NDFI). Maximum NDFI was 9.19 g/animal/day for the inclusion level of 0.01% ascorbic acid in the diet of laying Japanese quail. The addition of ascorbic acid to the diet of laying quail did not alter (P>0.05) egg production or productivity, with a mean egg production of 3.06 eggs/cage/day and 0.77 eggs/animal/day and mean productivity of 76.5%. The addition of 0, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03% ascorbic acid also did not alter egg weight, yolk and albumen weight, or egg and yolk diameter. However, the addition of ascorbic acid to the quail diet exerted a quadratic effect (P<0.05) on egg height and shell weight. The lowest egg height and shell weight were 2.99 mm and 1.25 g, respectively, for inclusion levels of 0.017% and 0.023% ascorbic acid in the quail diets. For shell thickness and yolk height...

Ácido ascórbico na alimentação de codornas criadas em ambiente tropical sobre consumo de nutrientes, desempenho produtivo e qualidade dos ovos / Effect of dietary ascorbic acid supplementation in japanese quail raised in a tropical environment on nutrient intake, productive performance and egg quality

Objetivou-se avaliar a adição de 0%; 0,01%; 0,02% e 0,03% de ácido ascórbico na alimentação de codornas japonesas em postura na região tropical sobre o consumo, desempenho produtivo e a qualidade de ovos. Foram utilizadas 80 codornas japonesas, distribuídas em quatro níveis de adição de ácido ascórbico. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado e os dados das variáveis estudadas foram submetidos a análise de variância e as diferenças observadas foram analisadas por meio de regressão a 5% de significância. A adição de 0%; 0,01%; 0,02% e 0,03% de ácido ascórbico na alimentação de codornas não influenciou o consumo de matéria seca (CMS), matéria orgânica (CMO) e proteína bruta (CPB), expressos em g/animal/dia; g/kg0,75 e % do peso corporal. Os valores médios do CMS, CMO e CPB foram de 46,53; 44,00 e 11,00 g/animal/dia, respectivamente. Porém, houve efeito quadrático no consumo de fibra em detergente neutro (CFDN) das aves, e o CFDN máximo foi de 9,19 g/animal/dia obtido para o nível de adição de 0,01% de ácido ascórbico na ração de codornas japonesas em postura. A adição do ácido ascórbico na alimentação de codornas em postura não alterou (P>0,05) a produção de ovos e a produtividade, com valores médios observados para a produção de ovos foi de 3,06 ovos/gaiola/dia e 0,77 ovos/animal/dia, e produtividade média foi de 76,50%. A adição de 0%; 0,01%; 0,02% e 0,03% de ácido ascórbico na alimentação de codornas em postura não alterou o peso dos ovos, das gemas e albúmens, e o diâmetro dos ovos e das gemas. Contudo, a adição de ácido ascórbico na alimentação das codornas propiciou efeito quadrático (P<0,05) para a altura dos ovos e peso da casca dos ovos. Os menores valores da altura e peso da casca dos ovos foram de 2,99 mm e 1,25 g, respectivamente, para os níveis de adição de 0,017% e 0,023% de ácido ascórbico nas rações de codornas. Entretanto, para espessura da casca e altura da gema dos ovos..(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding 0, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03% ascorbic acid to the diet of laying Japanese quail raised in the tropics on nutrient intake, productive performance and egg quality. Eighty Japanese quail were divided to receive four inclusion levels of ascorbic acid. A completely randomized design was used and the results were submitted to analysis of variance. The differences observed were analyzed by regression at a 5% level of significance. The addition of 0, 0.01, 0.02% and 0.03% ascorbic acid to the diet of quail did not influence dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter intake (OMI) or crude protein intake (CPI), expressed as g/animal/day, g/kg0.75 and % body weight. Mean DMI, OMI and CPI were 46.53, 44.0 and 11.0 g/animal/day, respectively. However, there was a quadratic effect on neutral detergent fiber intake (NDFI). Maximum NDFI was 9.19 g/animal/day for the inclusion level of 0.01% ascorbic acid in the diet of laying Japanese quail. The addition of ascorbic acid to the diet of laying quail did not alter (P>0.05) egg production or productivity, with a mean egg production of 3.06 eggs/cage/day and 0.77 eggs/animal/day and mean productivity of 76.5%. The addition of 0, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03% ascorbic acid also did not alter egg weight, yolk and albumen weight, or egg and yolk diameter. However, the addition of ascorbic acid to the quail diet exerted a quadratic effect (P<0.05) on egg height and shell weight. The lowest egg height and shell weight were 2.99 mm and 1.25 g, respectively, for inclusion levels of 0.017% and 0.023% ascorbic acid in the quail diets. For shell thickness and yolk height...(AU)

Food preferences and Hg distribution in Chelonia mydas assessed by stable isotopes.

Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic pollutant that poses in risk several marine animals, including green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Green turtles are globally endangered sea turtle species that occurs in Brazilian coastal waters as a number of life stage classes (i.e., foraging juveniles and nesting adults). We assessed total Hg concentrations and isotopic signatures ((13)C and (15)N) in muscle, kidney, liver and scute of juvenile green turtles and their food items from two foraging grounds with different urban and industrial development. We found similar food preferences in specimens from both areas but variable Hg levels in tissues reflecting the influence of local Hg backgrounds in food items. Some juvenile green turtles from the highly industrialized foraging ground presented liver Hg levels among the highest ever reported for this species. Our results suggest that juvenile foraging green turtles are exposed to Hg burdens from locally anthropogenic activities in coastal areas.

Helminth Parasites of the Juvenile Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata (Testudines: Cheloniidae) in Brazil.

The helminth fauna of 31 juvenile specimens of Eretmochelys imbricata from the Brazilian coast was examined. Seventeen individuals were infected with helminths (54.8%). The helminths found were: Diaschistorchis pandus, Cricocephalus albus, Metacetabulum invaginatum, Pronocephalus obliquus (Pronocephalidae), Cymatocarpus solearis (Brachycoeliidae), Styphlotrema solitaria (Styphlotrematidae), Carettacola stunkardi, Amphiorchis caborojoensis (Spirorchiidae), Orchidasma amphiorchis (Telorchiidae), and Anisakis nematode larvae. This report is the first analysis of parasite communities in this host.

Fibropapillomatosis in green turtles Chelonia mydas in Brazil: characteristics of tumors and virus.

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a benign neoplasia that affects physiological functions of sea turtles and may lead to death. High prevalence of FP in sea turtle populations has prompted several research groups to study the disease and the associated herpesvirus, chelonid herpesvirus 5 (ChHV5). The present study detected and quantified ChHV5 in 153 fibropapilloma samples collected from green turtles Chelonia mydas on the Brazilian coast between 2009 and 2010 to characterize the relationship between viral load and tumor characteristics. Of the tumor samples collected, 73 and 87% were positive for ChHV5 in conventional PCR and real-time PCR, respectively, and viral loads ranged between 1 and 118.62 copies cell⁻¹. Thirty-three percent of turtles were mildly, 28% were moderately and 39% were severely affected with FP. Skin samples were used as negative control. High viral loads correlated positively with increasing FP severity in turtles sampled on the Brazilian coast and with samples from turtles found dead in the states of São Paulo and Bahia. Six viral variants were detected in tumor samples, 4 of which were similar to the Atlantic phylogenetic group. Two variants were similar to the western Atlantic/eastern Caribbean phylogenetic group. Co-infection in turtles with more than one variant was observed in the states of São Paulo and Bahia.

Infeccao do parceiro sexual pelo papilomavirus humano / Partner infection by human papillomavirus

Foram examinados 60 parceiros sexuais, de mulheres diagnosticadas como portadoras de infeccao genital pelo papilomavirus, sob protocolo de investigacao. O objetivo era identificar colposcopicamente, lesoes acetobrancas na genitalia externa masculina, biopsia-las e estuda-las histopatologicamente. Predominava como sinal patognomonico, a coilocitose celular. A biopsia foi positiva em 77,1 por cento e negativa em 22,9 por cento. Os resultados da pesquisa fecham a hipotese de que o parceiro sexual masculino e, de fato, um elemento de risco, agindo como transmissor de infeccao genital pelo papilomavirus humano.

Operacao cesariana em Recife em 1979: incidencia e mortalidade materna. / Cesarean section in Recife during 1979: incidence and maternal death rate

Em 19 maternidades da cidade do Recife (Pernambuco, Brasil), em 1979, houve um total de 12 156 cesarianas (incidencia de 28,1%) e 30 953 partos vaginais. A mortalidade materna na operacao cesariana, foi de 3,3 por 1 000.Nas pacientes indigentes, foram realizadas 2 327 cesarianas (incidencia de 11,2%) e 18 414 partos vaginais. A mortalidade materna na operacao cesariana foi de 9 por 1 000. Nas pacientes do INAMPS, foram realizadas 5621 cesarianas (incidencia de 35,4%) e 10226 partos vaginais. A mortalidade materna na operacao cesariana foi de 3 por 1000. Nas pacientes previdenciarias estaduais e militares, foram realizadas 444 cesarianas (incidencia de 42,6%) e 596 partos vaginais. A mortalidade materna na operacao cesariana foi de 2,2 por 1 000. Nas pacientes de clinica particular, foram realizadas 3 764 cesarianas (incidencia de 67,7%) e 1 717 partos vaginais A mortalidade materna na operacao cesariana foi de 0,5 por 1 000. As causas mais frequentes de mortalidade materna foram: hemorragia, eclampsia, infeccao e embolia amniotica. No global, a mortalidade materna na operacao cesariana foi 6,13 vezes maior do que no parto vaginal