Plant Extract in the Control of Poultry Omphalitis.

Bacteria continue to disrupt poultry production and can cause resistant and persistent yolk sac infections to prevention efforts, known as omphalitis, resulting in poultry death. This literature review aims to demonstrate how plant extracts can help combat omphalitis in poultry. The Google Scholar database served as a resource for retrieving pertinent literature covering a wide range of search terms relevant to the scope of the research. The search strategy involved a combination of terms such as antimicrobials, chick embryo, omphalitis, plant extracts, poultry nutrition, and sanitization. The potential of plant extracts in preventing or treating infections in poultry, especially omphalitis, is mainly due to their antibacterial and safety properties. Sanitization and direct delivery of plant extracts to the internal contents of eggs, feed, or water are cutting-edge interventions to reduce the bacterial load in eggs and poultry, minimizing infection rates. For example, these interventions may include advanced treatment technologies or precise delivery systems focused on disease prevention in poultry.

A Mini-Review of the Main Effects of Essential Oils from Citrus aurantifolia, Ocimum basilicum, and Allium sativum as Safe Antimicrobial Activity in Poultry.

Poultry production is accompanied by the use of antimicrobial agents because no production step is free of microorganisms. In the absence of antimicrobial treatments with synthetic drugs, essential oils are among the most cited natural alternatives used to prevent and treat microbial contamination in poultry. Although there are several studies on the antimicrobial properties of essential oils, there is still no review that simultaneously compiles information on the leading antimicrobial role of essential oils from Citrus aurantifolia (CAEO), Ocimum basilicum (OBEO), and Allium sativum (ASEO) in poultry. Awareness of the antimicrobial role of these substances opens the door to encouraging their use in natural antimicrobial protocols and discouraging harmful synthetics in poultry. This review aimed to compile information on applying CAEO, OBEO, and ASEO as antimicrobials in poultry farming. The available literature suggests that these essential oils can proportionately align with the poultry industry's demands for microbiologically safe food products.

Exploring the versatility of sesquiterpene biosynthesis in guava plants: a comparative genome-wide analysis of two cultivars.

Psidium guajava L., a fruit crop belonging to the Myrtaceae family, is highly valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties. The family exhibits a diverse chemical profile of essential oils and serves as a valuable resource due to its ecological interactions, adaptability, and dispersal capacity. The Myrtaceae family has been extensively studied for its terpenoids. Genetic studies have focused on foliar terpene yield in species from the Eucalypteae and Melaleucaceae tribes. To understand the evolutionary trends in guava breeding, this study predicted terpene synthase genes (TPS) from different cultivars. Through this analysis, 43 full-length TPS genes were identified, and approximately 77% of them exhibited relative expression in at least one of the five investigated plant tissues (root, leaf, bud, flower, and fruit) of two guava cultivars. We identified intra-species variation in the terpene profile and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in twelve TPS genes, resulting in the clustering of 62 genotypes according to their essential oil chemotypes. The high concentration of sesquiterpenes is supported by the higher number of TPS-a genes and their expression. The expansion for TPS sub-families in P. guajava occurred after the expansion of other rosids species. Providing insight into the origin of structural diversification and expansion in each clade of the TPS gene family within Myrtaceae. This study can provide insights into the diversity of genes for specialized metabolites such as terpenes, and their regulation, which can lead to a diverse chemotype of essential oil in different tissues and genotypes. This suggests a mode of enzymatic evolution that could lead to high sesquiterpene production, act as a chemical defense and contribute to the adaptive capacity of this species to different habitats.

Rastreamento da retinopatia diabética pelo médico generalista na Atenção Primária de Saúde do Brasil / Screening of diabetic retinopathy by the physician of Primary Health Care in Brazil

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a acurácia de médicos generalistas em reconhecer a retinopatia diabética por meio da retinografia colorida, com um curso de capacitação com duração de 2 horas, comparando a capacidade de rastrear e classificar a retinopatia diabética em relação ao exame presencial com oftalmologista. Métodos: No primeiro braço do estudo, de 142 pacientes diabéticos incluídos, avaliaram-se 274 olhos, em que esses pacientes foram examinados com oftalmoscópio binocular indireto e classificados quanto ao grau da retinopatia diabética. No segundo braço do estudo, 14 médicos não especialistas em oftalmologia receberam um treinamento de 2 horas para o diagnóstico de retinopatia diabética com a retinografia colorida e se aferiu a acurácia desses profissionais em rastrear a retinopatia diabética antes e depois do curso de capacitação, utilizando as retinografias obtidas na primeira frente do estudo. Resultados: Verificou-se aumento significativo da sensibilidade (82% para 99%) e da especificidade (44% para 83%) na detecção da retinopatia diabética pelos médicos generalistas, com o curso de capacitação. Conclusão: O médico generalista capacitado pode avaliar a retinopatia diabética por meio da retinografia colorida, sendo o programa de rastreamento dessa complicação do diabetes uma proposta viável e benéfica ao país.

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the accuracy of general practitioners in recognizing diabetic retinopathy through color retinal retinography, with a two-hour training course, by comparing the capacity of screening and classifying diabetic retinopathy. Methods: In the first arm of the study, of 142 diabetic patients included, 274 eyes were evaluated, and these patients were examined with an indirect binocular ophthalmoscope and classified according to the degree of diabetic retinopathy. In the second arm of the study, 14 physicians who are not specialists in ophthalmology received two-hour training to diagnose diabetic retinopathy with color retinography, and the accuracy of these professionals in screening for diabetic retinopathy before and after the training course was measured using the photographic images obtained on the first front of the study. Results: There was a significant increase in sensitivity (82% to 99%) and specificity (44% to 83%) in detecting diabetic retinopathy by general practitioners, after attending the training. Conclusion: Qualified general practitioners can assess diabetic retinopathy through color retinography, and the screening program for this diabetes complication is a viable and beneficial proposal for the country.

Effect of Photobiomodulation With Different Wavelengths on Radiodermatitis Treatment.

Approximately 80% of patients submitted to radiotherapy develop radiodermatitis. Photobiomodulation based on light-emitted diode (LED) is one of the therapeutic strategies for treating inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the photobiomodulation with two wavelengths, in an acute radiodermatitis animal model. Methods: Twenty rats were submitted to one radiotherapy session. After 15 days, the rats that developed radiodermatitis were divided into control groups, LED-630 nm, LED-850 nm, and LED-630 + 850 nm. The treatment regimen was one session lasting 10 minutes on alternate days for 21 days. We analyzed macroscopy aspects (RTOG scale), vascular density, dermal appendages, VEGF-a, TNF-alpha, MMP-9, and MMP-9 genic expression level. Results: All LED groups revealed a two-point reduction on the radiodermatitis severity grade compared with the baseline classification. Dermal appendage and vascular analysis showed a higher counting in all LED groups compared to control. This study showed dermal appendages twice in the 630/850 nm group compared with the control group. The 630/850 nm group showed six times more arterioles than the control group. Regarding genic expression, this study showed a 10-fold decrease between LED-630 nm versus LED-630 + 850 nm (P = 0.02) interleukin-10 expression and a 12-fold decrease between control versus LED-630 nm (P = 0.006) and LED-850 nm (P = 0.002) in TNF-alpha. Conclusion: LED (630 nm, 850 nm, and 630 nm + 850 nm) showed benefit in the treatment of radiodermatitis, and the association of the 630 nm + 850 nm and 630 nm parameters demonstrated the best macroscopic and microscopic results.

The Challenges of Implementing a Text Message Intervention to Promote Behavioral Change in Primary Care Patients With Hypertension and Diabetes

Abstract Background Controlling blood pressure and glycemic levels is a challenge that requires innovative solutions. Objective To assess the feasibility of implementing a text message intervention among low-income primary care patients, as well as to assess self-reported behavioral change. Methods A set of 200 text messages was developed on healthy eating, physical activity, adherence, and motivation. Participants from Vale do Mucuri, MG, Brazil diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension or undergoing screening for those diseases, received 5 to 8 messages per week for 6 months. They answered a questionnaire to report their satisfaction and behavioral changes. Results Of the 136 patients, 117 (86.0%) answered the questionnaire. Most reported that the messages were very useful (86.3%), easy to understand (90.6%), and were very helpful for behavioral change (65.0%); 84.6% reported that they had started eating healthier. The most frequent reported lifestyle changes were: improved diet quality (85.5%), reduced portions (65.8%), and weight loss (56.4%). The majority of patients shared the messages (60.7%) with family or other acquaintances, considered the number of messages to be adequate (89.7%) and would recommend the program to others (95.7%). Conclusion An intervention based on text messages to promote behavioral change in patients with hypertension or diabetes in primary care is feasible in low-resource settings. Future studies are needed to assess the program's long-term effects on clinical outcomes.

Additive and Non-Additive Effects on the Control of Key Agronomic Traits in Popcorn Lines under Contrasting Phosphorus Conditions.

Phosphorus is a non-renewable natural resource that will run out of reserves in the upcoming decades, making it essential to understanding the inheritance of nutrient use efficiency for selecting superior genotypes. This study investigated the additive and non-additive effects of commercially relevant traits for the popcorn crop (grain yield-GY, popping expansion-PE, and expanded popcorn volume per hectare-PV) in different conditions of phosphorus (P) availability in two locations in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Six S7 lines previously selected for P use-L59, L70, and P7, efficient and responsive; and L54, L75, and L80, inefficient and non-responsive-were used as testers in crosses with 15 progenies from the fifth cycle of intrapopulation recurrent selection of UENF-14, with adaptation to the North and Northwest regions of Rio de Janeiro State. Using the Griffing diallel analysis, P use efficiency was predominantly additive in the expression of PE, and non-additive effects were prominent for GY and PV. For obtaining genotypes that are efficient for phosphorus use, it is recommended that heterosis with parents that provide additive gene accumulation for PE be explored.

Treinamento muscular inspiratório na qualidade de vida e capacidade funcional na cardiotoxicidade: relato de caso / Entrenamiento muscular inspiratorio en la calidad de vida y capacidad funcional en la cardiotoxicidad: reporte de un caso / Inspiratory muscle training in quality of life and functional capacity in cardiotoxicity: case report

RESUMO Pacientes oncológicos desenvolvem problemas cardíacos frequentes devido à toxidade dos quimioterápicos, com consequente impacto na capacidade funcional (CF) e na qualidade de vida (QV). O treinamento muscular inspiratório (TMI) pode ser um recurso terapêutico viável, já que estudos de causa-efeito demonstraram melhora da CF e da QV em outras populações. Contudo, seu efeito ainda não foi avaliado em pacientes cardio-oncológicos. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o efeito de um programa de TMI sobre a CF e a QV de uma paciente com cardiotoxicidade: LDM, com 41 anos, mulher e sedentária, que desenvolveu insuficiência cardíaca após tratamento quimioterápico. A QV foi avaliada pelo teste de Minnesota. Foram avaliados também a força muscular inspiratória dinâmica (S-Index) e o limiar glicêmico (LG) dos músculos inspiratórios. O LG foi determinado pela glicemia capilar por meio do glicosímetro digital (Accu-Chek - Roche) no menor valor da glicemia da carga correspondente ao teste muscular inspiratório incremental (TMII). A progressão da carga foi realizada a cada duas semanas. Ao final de dois meses, todos os testes foram reaplicados. No teste de Minnesota, os valores relacionados à CF, antes e após o TMI, foram de 36 vs. 8 (melhora de 78%); aos aspectos clínicos e psicológicos foram de 32 vs. 7 (melhora de 78%), a S-Index foram de 41 vs. 51cmH2O (melhora de 24%). O TMI melhorou a CF e a QV de uma paciente cardio-oncológica, configurando-se como um recurso terapêutico viável para essa população.

RESUMEN Los pacientes con cáncer desarrollan problemas cardíacos frecuentes debido a la cardiotoxicidad de la quimioterapia, con el consiguiente impacto en la capacidad funcional (FC) y la calidad de vida (CV). El entrenamiento muscular inspiratorio (IMT) puede ser un recurso terapéutico viable, ya que los estudios de causa-efecto han demostrado una mejora en la FC y la CV en otras poblaciones. Sin embargo, su efecto aún no se ha evaluado en pacientes cardio-oncológicos. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue describir el efecto de un programa de IMT sobre la FC y la CV de un paciente con cardiotoxicidad: LDM, 41 años, mujer y sedentaria, que desarrolló insuficiencia cardíaca después del tratamiento de quimioterapia. La CV se evaluó mediante la prueba de Minnesota. También se evaluaron la fuerza muscular inspiratoria dinámica (índice S) y el umbral glucémico (LG) de los músculos inspiratorios. El LG se determinó por glucemia capilar mediante el glucómetro digital (Accu-Chek - Roche) al valor más bajo de la carga glucélica correspondiente a la prueba muscular inspiratoria incremental (IMI). La progresión de la carga se realizó cada dos semanas. Después de dos meses, todas las pruebas se volvieron a aplicar. En la prueba de Minnesota, los valores relacionados con la FC, antes y después de THE, fueron 36 vs. 8 (78% de mejora); los aspectos clínicos y psicológicos fueron 32 vs. 7 (mejora del 78%), el índice S fue de 41 vs. 51cmH2O (mejora del 24%). El IMT mejoró la FC y la CV de un paciente cardio-oncológico, constituyendo un recurso terapéutico viable para esta población.

ABSTRACT Cancer patients develop frequent cardiac problems due to chemotherapy toxicity, which impacts functional capacity (FC) and quality of life (QoL). Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) may be a viable therapeutic resource since cause-effect studies have shown improvement in FC and QoL in other populations. However, its effect was not evaluated in cardio-oncology patients. The study aimed to describe the effect of an IMT program on the FC and QoL of a patient with cardiotoxicity, LDM, aged 41 years, female and, sedentary that developed heart failure after chemotherapy. The QoL was evaluated by the Minnesota test. Dynamic Inspiratory Muscle Strength (S-Index) and Glycemic Threshold (GT) of the inspiratory muscles were also evaluated. The GT was determined by capillary glycemia with a digital glucometer (Accu-Chek - Roche), at the lowest value of glycemia of the load corresponding to the Incremental Inspiratory Muscle Test (IIMT). The load progression was performed every two weeks. After two months, all tests were reapplied. In the Minnesota test, the values related to FC, pre and post IMT, were 36 v. 8 (78% improvement); the clinical and psychological aspects 32 v. 7 (78% improvement); S-Index was 41 v. 51cmH2O (24% improvement). IMT improved the FC and QoL of a cardio-oncology patient, configuring itself as a possible and viable therapeutic resource for this population.

Barriers and interventions for postpartum reclassification of glycemic status in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Our aim was to summarize, analyze and disseminate the current state of knowledge about the barriers and facilitators in postpartum reclassification that women who have had gestational diabetes face. METHODS: Data collection was carried out from January to March 2021 in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), Embase and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases. RESULTS: Of the 361 studies initially retrieved in the search, 32 articles published between 2010 and 2020 were selected because they were within our objective. CONCLUSION: Multiple barriers and interventions were found regarding the reclassification of the glycemic status of women who had Gestational Diabetes during pregnancy. Therefore, further studies are needed to achieve a better intervention for this condition.

Non-conventional techniques for the extraction of antioxidant compounds and lycopene from industrial tomato pomace (Solanum lycopersicum L.) using spouted bed drying as a pre-treatment.

This study aimed to use the non-conventional microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) techniques for recovering bioactive compounds from tomato pomace, a valuable agro-industrial waste. The raw material was previously dried using a spouted bed dryer and then submitted to extraction with green solvents. A response surface methodology (RSM) performed the optimization of MAE and PLE. Next, the yield and the antioxidant activity results were maximized, and the lycopene content of the optimum MAE and PLE extracts was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Additionally, a fraction of raw material was oven dried as a comparison. The PLE extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, whereas the MAE extract showed the highest lycopene content (59.66 µg lycopene/g extract), which represents a 66.93% lycopene recovery compared to a standard technique with acetone. The remarkable results show that the non-conventional drying and extraction techniques were effective in valorizing this neglected material.

Molecular dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic in Espirito Santo (Brazil) and border States.

This study represents the first overview of the epidemiological dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Espirito Santo (ES) State, Brazil, filling in knowledge on this topic, observing data collected in the State, and aiming at understanding the epidemiological dynamics of the virus in ES, as well as its possible routes of transmission and dissemination. . Our results highlight that, so far, nine lineages have been identified with ES State. The B.1.1.33 lineage was the first with the highest occurrence in ES, remaining predominant until September 2020. The second predominant lineage was Gamma, representing 45% of the samples. The Delta lineage appears on the State scene, proving to be the next dominant lineage. This research allowed us to understand how the lineages advanced and were distributed in the State, which is important for future work, also making it possible to guide sanitary control measures. Data analyses were made through the GISAID database for ES State showed that the pandemic in the State has been evolving dynamically with lineage replacements over the months since the first notification.

Application of a constrained mixture design for lipase production by Penicillium roqueforti ATCC 10110 under solid-state fermentation and using agro-industrial wastes as substrate.

Solid state fermentation (SSF) simulates the natural conditions fungal growth, where the amount of water in the reaction medium must be restricted, thus limiting the use of liquid substrate. An analytical strategy to deal with this limitation is the design of blending with constraints. Thus, the objective of the work was to optimize two constrained waste mixtures for the production of lipase by Penicillium roqueforti ATCC 10110 under SSF, using different substrates that combine solid and liquid waste. For this, the best fermentation time was determined through a fermentative profile, afterwards a restricted-mix design with lower and upper limits of the components of mixture I (cocoa residue, solid palm oil residue and liquid palm oil residue) and II (cocoa residue, mango residue and palm oil residue liquid palm) was applied. By means of Pareto and contour graphs, the maximum production points of lipase in mixtures I (6.67 ± 0.34 U g-1) and II (6.87 ± 0.35 U g-1) were obtained. The restricted mixture design proved to be a promising tool in the production of lipase by P. roqueforti ATCC 10110 under SSF since the use of restrictions is useful when intending to combine solid and liquid residues in fermentation processes.

Application crude multienzyme extract from Aspergillus niger as a pretreatment for the extraction of essential oil from Croton argyrophyllus leaves.

Leaves of Croton argyrophyllus contain essential oil with promising active components for the development of drugs and botanical insecticides. In this study, we evaluated the enzymatic pretreatment process to increase the extraction of essential oil from fresh and dried leaves of C. argyrophyllus. Pretreatment was carried out using a crude multienzymatic extract obtained via solid-state fermentation of forage palm by Aspergillus niger, and the extraction was performed by hydrodistillation. A Doehlert matrix was used to optimize the enzymatic pretreatment variables temperature and enzymatic extract. The effect of pretreatment time was also investigated. At optimum experimental conditions, 41.34°C, 140 min, and 130.73 mL of enzyme in 369.27 mL of water, the essential oil yield from fresh leaves subjected to enzymatic pretreatment increased by 9.35% and that from dry leaves by 6.77%. Based on chromatographic analysis (GC-MS), no compound was degraded in the extraction process. Micromorphological analysis confirmed the rupture of the glandular trichomes, favoring essential oil release. Therefore, enzymatic pretreatment associated with hydrodistillation increased the essential oil yield and is a promising application to obtain essential oil for therapeutic purposes without altering its composition.

Molecular dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic in Espirito Santo (Brazil) and border States

ABSTRACT This study represents the first overview of the epidemiological dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Espirito Santo (ES) State, Brazil, filling in knowledge on this topic, observing data collected in the State, and aiming at understanding the epidemiological dynamics of the virus in ES, as well as its possible routes of transmission and dissemination. . Our results highlight that, so far, nine lineages have been identified with ES State. The B.1.1.33 lineage was the first with the highest occurrence in ES, remaining predominant until September 2020. The second predominant lineage was Gamma, representing 45% of the samples. The Delta lineage appears on the State scene, proving to be the next dominant lineage. This research allowed us to understand how the lineages advanced and were distributed in the State, which is important for future work, also making it possible to guide sanitary control measures. Data analyses were made through the GISAID database for ES State showed that the pandemic in the State has been evolving dynamically with lineage replacements over the months since the first notification.

Preliminary prospection of phytotherapic compounds from the essential oils from barks and leaves of Umburana (Commiphora Leptophloeos)

Abstract The potential of the biome caatinga (exclusive from northeastern Brazil) has been evaluated in recent research for application in the pharmaceutical industry. Among the species of medicinal plants from caatinga, one can highlight the Commiphora leptophloeos (umburana), which has been used as infusions and syrups by the regional population for inflammatory and infectious diseases. Essential oils from umburana leaves and barks were obtained in a Clevenger apparatus and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and total phenolic and flavonoids were determined by spectrophotometric analysis. It was observed that a large part of the major compounds present in the essential oil is described as having antitumor activity, enabling research in investigational oncology with umburana (C. leptophloeos). In addition, some little explored components have been identified, such as cadinene, alpha-selinene, and elemenone. Despite being easily found in several plants, there are no clinical trials involving their biological activity in a well-defined isolated form, which could make exploring new studies possible. Furthermore, the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids allows future studies about the potential antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.

Mutualistic interaction of native Serratia marcescens UENF-22GI with Trichoderma longibrachiatum UENF-F476 boosting seedling growth of tomato and papaya.

A plethora of bacteria-fungal interactions occur on the extended fungal hyphae network in soil. The mycosphere of saprophytic fungi can serve as a bacterial niche boosting their survival, dispersion, and activity. Such ecological concepts can be converted to bioproducts for sustainable agriculture. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that the well-characterised beneficial bacterium Serratia marcescens UENF-22GI can enhance plant growth-promoting properties when combined with Trichoderma longibrachiatum UENF-F476. The cultural and cell interactions demonstrated S. marcescens and T. longibrachiatum mutual compatibility. Bacteria cells were able to attach, forming aggregates to biofilms and migrating through the fungal hyphae network. Long-distance bacterial migration through growing hyphae was confirmed using a two-compartment Petri dishes assay. Fungal inoculation increased the bacteria survival rates into the vermicompost substrate over the experimental time. Also, in vitro indolic compound, phosphorus, and zinc solubilisation bacteria activities increased in the presence of the fungus. In line with the ecophysiological bacteria fitness, the bacterium-fungal combination boosted tomato and papaya plantlet growth when applied into the plant substrate under nursery conditions. Mutualistic interaction between mycosphere-colonizing bacterium S. marcescens UENF-22GI and the saprotrophic fungi T. longibrachiatum UENF-F467 increased the ecological fitness of the bacteria alongside with beneficial potential for plant growth. A proper combination and delivery of mutual compatible beneficial bacteria-fungal represent an open avenue for microbial-based products for the biological enrichment of plant substrates in agricultural systems.

Driving Sustainable Popcorn Breeding for Drought Tolerance in Brazil.

Drought currently affects several regions worldwide and tends to be more frequent due to climate change. It might compromise food security and the economic structure related to agribusiness. Popcorn has a crucial role in the Brazilian economy, but the cultivars that adapt to water stress, the most prejudicial abiotic stress for crop productivity, are unknown to date. This deficit of popcorn varieties adapted to heat and drought stresses will become more limiting with climate change. Given this scenario, knowing the genetic basis of agronomic traits under stress conditions is essential in promoting crop productivity and plant adaptation to abiotic stresses. Under two contrasting water conditions (WC) and different crop seasons (CS), we aimed to generate information about the combining ability of 10 popcorn progenitors and 15 hybrids through a partial diallel-mating design. The water stress was initiated at the male pre-anthesis stage. Significant genotype*crop seasons (G*CS), genotype*water condition (G*WC), and genotype*crop seasons*water condition (G*CS*WC) interactions were present. Regardless of CS and WC, non-additive effects controlled grain yield (GY), grain number per row (GN), ear length and diameter (ED), and 100-grain weight, while additive effects were present for popping expansion (PE). For each CS, regardless of WC, the cause-effect of GN (2018) and ED (2020) on GY seems to be an opportunity for indirect selection. Utilizing genetically broad-based hybrids is also a good opportunity for obtaining superior genotypes for GY and PE as it is possible to select inbred lines for both of these traits. We recommend the L76 × L61 hybrid for the Brazilian agribusiness context due to its greater productivity and dominance deviations.

Regional Heritability Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling Traits Related to Growth and Productivity in Popcorn (Zea mays L.).

The method of regional heritability mapping (RHM) has become an important tool in the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling traits of interest in plants. Here, RHM was first applied in a breeding population of popcorn, to identify the QTLs and candidate genes involved in grain yield, plant height, kernel popping expansion, and first ear height, as well as determining the heritability of each significant genomic region. The study population consisted of 98 S1 families derived from the 9th recurrent selection cycle (C-9) of the open-pollinated variety UENF-14, which were genetically evaluated in two environments (ENV1 and ENV2). Seventeen and five genomic regions were mapped by the RHM method in ENV1 and ENV2, respectively. Subsequent genome-wide analysis based on the reference genome B73 revealed associations with forty-six candidate genes within these genomic regions, some of them are considered to be biologically important due to the proteins that they encode. The results obtained by the RHM method have the potential to contribute to knowledge on the genetic architecture of the growth and yield traits of popcorn, which might be used for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs.