Increased Multiplication Rates of Vriesea hieroglyphica (Carriere) E. Morren Through a Temporary Immersion System.

The main difficulty for the cultivation and conservation of bromeliad species is the reduced number of propagules and slow growth of many of the species, resulting in a low propagation efficiency. Bromeliad plants are hardy and relatively easy to cultivate, with a high ornamental and ecological importance. Aiming at efficient micropropagation rates of V. hieroglyphica, a highly valued bromeliad, with very low propagation efficiency, a temporary immersion system was used and compared to semisolid and liquid static medium. Cultures obtained from in vitro germinated seeds were used as explants, maintaining their genetic diversity. Micropropagation with this simple temporary immersion system, composed of two autoclavable flasks, each with one opening for the attachment of 22 µm syringe filters, connected by a rubber stopper and an inner glass tube. In the bottom flask, an air valve is attached to the filter, which is subsequently connected to an aquarium pump and a timer and plugged to an outlet. This simple temporary immersion system showed improved micropropagation efficiency and is a method that can also be evaluated for other species.

Alstroemeria Micropropagation in a RITA® Temporary Immersion System.

The use of temporary immersion systems (TIS) for plant micropropagation is an efficient technique for plant production, and we have applied it for the production of alstroemerias. This method involves the cultivation of explants such as rhizomes and axillary buds in a nutrient medium to stimulate shoot growth. TIS offer advantages such as accelerated multiplication processes, uniform production, and cost reduction. This process has shown promise in meeting the growing demand for alstroemeria plants in the market. This chapter describes a specific protocol for temporary immersion bioreactor micropropagation of the "Albatroz" cultivar, with the potential for large-scale automation.

Citrus Protoplast Isolation and Plant Regeneration Through Somatic Embryogenesis.

Protoplasts are an attractive explant source for biotechnological tools widely used on citrus genetic improvement, such as somatic hybridization and direct genetic transformation. These delicate and responsive materials are subjected to cell proliferation induction and differentiation of somatic embryos which further regenerate into entire plants. The isolation of viable protoplasts followed by regeneration of plants through somatic embryogenesis is an important methodology for breeding applications. The methods presented here can also be used as a reference for protoplast work in other species, followed by protocol optimization for different species/genotypes.

Somatic Embryogenesis in Citrus (Citrus spp.), var. Valencia.

Somatic embryogenesis has been obtained in many citrus cultivars; however, the efficiency of the system is genotype dependent and culture synchronization is important to reach more efficient systems. In this chapter we present a detailed protocol of somatic embryogenesis induction from nucellar tissue and the use of an alternative method of callus sieving for culture synchronization and embryo production. This is a simple method which can also be evaluated for other species aiming at better culture efficiency and somatic embryo production.

Hydrothermal control of the lithium-rich Li2MnO3 phase in lithium manganese oxide nanocomposites and their application as precursors for lithium adsorbents.

Lithium manganese oxides (LMOs) are key materials due to their role in Li-ion batteries and lithium recovery from aqueous lithium resources. In the present work, we investigated the effect of the crystallization temperature on the formation by hydrothermal synthesis of LMO nanocomposites with high Li/Mn ratios. It is demonstrated that LMOs with a high Li/Mn ratio can be formed by systematically favoring the lithium-rich layered monoclinic phase (Li2MnO3) in a mixture of monoclinic and spinel crystalline phases. LMO nanocomposites have been characterized in terms of morphology, size, crystallinity, chemical composition and surface properties. Moreover, lithium adsorption experiments were conducted using acid-treated LMOs (HMOs) to evaluate the functionality of the nanocomposites as lithium adsorbent materials in a LiCl buffer solution. This study spotlights the structural, compositional, and functional properties of different LMO nanocomposites obtained by the hydrothermal method using the same Li and Mn precursor compounds at slightly different crystallization temperatures. According to our knowledge, this is the first report of the successful application of the lithium-rich Li2MnO3 phase in lithium manganese oxide nanocomposites as lithium adsorbent materials. Therefore, specific LMO nanocomposites with controlled amounts of the layered phase can be engineered to optimize lithium recovery from aqueous lithium resources.

Influence of chemical and electronic inhomogeneities of graphene/copper on the growth of oxide thin films: the ZnO/graphene/copper case.

The interaction of graphene with metal oxides is essential for understanding and controlling new devices' fabrication based on these materials. The growth of metal oxides on graphene/substrate systems constitutes a challenging task due to the graphene surface's hydrophobic nature. In general, different pre-treatments should be performed before deposition to ensure a homogenous growth depending on the deposition technique, the metal oxide, and the surface's specific nature. Among these factors, the initial state and interaction of graphene with its substrate is the most important. Therefore, it is imperative to study the initial local state of graphene and relate it to the early stages of metal oxides' growth characteristics. Taking as initial samples graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition on polycrystalline Cu sheets and then exposed to ambient conditions, this article presents a local study of the inhomogeneities of this air-exposed graphene and how they influence on the subsequent ZnO growth. Firstly, by spatially correlating Raman and x-ray photoemission spectroscopies at the micro and nanoscales, it is shown how chemical species present in air intercalate inhomogeneously between Graphene and Cu. The reason for this is precisely the polycrystalline nature of the Cu support. Moreover, these local inhomogeneities also affect the oxidation level of the uppermost layer of Cu and, consequently, the electronic coupling between graphene and the metallic substrate. In second place, through the same characterization techniques, it is shown how the initial state of graphene/Cu sheets influences the local inhomogeneities of the ZnO deposit during the early stages of growth in terms of both, stoichiometry and morphology. Finally, as a proof of concept, it is shown how altering the initial chemical state and interaction of Graphene with Cu can be used to control the properties of the ZnO deposits.

Pulmonary Vascular Volume Estimated by Automated Software is a Mortality Predictor after Acute Pulmonary Embolism. / Volume Vascular Pulmonar Estimado por Software Automatizado é um Preditor de Mortalidade após Embolia Pulmonar Aguda.

BACKGROUND: Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) has a variable clinical outcome. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is the gold standard for this diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if the pulmonary vascular volume (PVV) quantified by automated software is a mortality predictor after APE. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study where the CTPA imaging of 61 patients with APE was reanalyzed. Pulmonary vascular volume (PVV) and pulmonary volume (PV) were automatically estimated using the Yacta software. We calculated the adjusted PVV by the ratio: PVV(cm3)/PV(liters). Classical prognostic CTPA parameters (clot load index, right ventricle/left ventricle diameter ratio, pulmonary artery/aorta diameter ratio, ventricular septal bowing, pulmonary infarction and reflux of contrast into the hepatic vein) were assessed. The outcome assessed was one-month mortality. We considered a p-value <0.05 as statistically significant. RESULTS: Seven deaths (11%) occurred at one month among these 61 patients. PVV<23cm3/L was an independent predictor of one-month mortality in the univariate [odds ratio (OR): 26; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3-244; p=0.004] and multivariate analyses [adjusted OR: 19; 95%CI: 1.3-270; p=0.03]. The classical CTPA parameters were not associated with one-month mortality in this sample. The PVV<23cm3/L showed a sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 82%, a negative predictive value of 94% and a positive predictive value of 64% to identify the patients who died. CONCLUSION: PVV<23cm3/L was an independent predictor of one-month mortality after APE. This parameter showed better prognostic performance than other classical CTPA findings. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(5):809-818).

FUNDAMENTO: A embolia pulmonar aguda (EPA) tem desfecho clínico variável. A angiotomografia computadorizada (angio-CT) é considerada o padrão-ouro para o diagnóstico. OBJETIVO: Avaliar se o volume vascular pulmonar (VVP) quantificado por software automatizado é um preditor de mortalidade após EPA. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo no qual a imagem da angio-CT de 61 pacientes com EPA foi reanalisada. O VVP e o volume pulmonar (VP) foram estimados automaticamente pelo software Yacta. Calculamos o VVP ajustado pela razão: VVP(cm3)/VP(litros). Parâmetros prognósticos clássicos da angio-CT (carga embólica; razão do diâmetro do ventrículo direito/ventrículo esquerdo; razão do diâmetro da artéria pulmonar/aorta; desvio do septo interventricular; infarto pulmonar e refluxo de contraste na veia hepática) foram avaliados. A mortalidade em 1 mês foi o desfecho analisado. Consideramos um valor de p <0,05 como estatisticamente significativo. RESULTADOS: Sete mortes (11%) ocorreram entre os 61 pacientes durante 1 mês de seguimento. O VVP ajustado <23cm3/L foi um preditor independente de mortalidade na análise univariada (odds ratio [OR]: 26; intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC95%]: 3-244; p=0,004) e na análise multivariada (OR ajustado: 19 [IC95%: 1,3-270]; p=0,03). Os parâmetros clássicos da angio-CT não foram associados à mortalidade em 1 mês nesta amostra. O VVP ajustado <23cm3/L apresentou sensibilidade de 86%, especificidade de 82%, valor preditivo negativo de 94% e valor preditivo positivo de 64% para identificação dos pacientes que morreram. CONCLUSÃO: VVP ajustado <23cm3/L foi um preditor independente de mortalidade após EPA. Esse parâmetro mostrou melhor desempenho prognóstico do que os outros achados clássicos da angio-CT. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(5):809-818).

Volume Vascular Pulmonar Estimado por Software Automatizado é um Preditor de Mortalidade após Embolia Pulmonar Aguda / Pulmonary Vascular Volume Estimated by Automated Software is a Mortality Predictor after Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Resumo Fundamento: A embolia pulmonar aguda (EPA) tem desfecho clínico variável. A angiotomografia computadorizada (angio-CT) é considerada o padrão-ouro para o diagnóstico. Objetivo: Avaliar se o volume vascular pulmonar (VVP) quantificado por software automatizado é um preditor de mortalidade após EPA. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo no qual a imagem da angio-CT de 61 pacientes com EPA foi reanalisada. O VVP e o volume pulmonar (VP) foram estimados automaticamente pelo software Yacta. Calculamos o VVP ajustado pela razão: VVP(cm3)/VP(litros). Parâmetros prognósticos clássicos da angio-CT (carga embólica; razão do diâmetro do ventrículo direito/ventrículo esquerdo; razão do diâmetro da artéria pulmonar/aorta; desvio do septo interventricular; infarto pulmonar e refluxo de contraste na veia hepática) foram avaliados. A mortalidade em 1 mês foi o desfecho analisado. Consideramos um valor de p <0,05 como estatisticamente significativo. Resultados: Sete mortes (11%) ocorreram entre os 61 pacientes durante 1 mês de seguimento. O VVP ajustado <23cm3/L foi um preditor independente de mortalidade na análise univariada (odds ratio [OR]: 26; intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC95%]: 3-244; p=0,004) e na análise multivariada (OR ajustado: 19 [IC95%: 1,3-270]; p=0,03). Os parâmetros clássicos da angio-CT não foram associados à mortalidade em 1 mês nesta amostra. O VVP ajustado <23cm3/L apresentou sensibilidade de 86%, especificidade de 82%, valor preditivo negativo de 94% e valor preditivo positivo de 64% para identificação dos pacientes que morreram. Conclusão: VVP ajustado <23cm3/L foi um preditor independente de mortalidade após EPA. Esse parâmetro mostrou melhor desempenho prognóstico do que os outros achados clássicos da angio-CT. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(5):809-818)

Abstract Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) has a variable clinical outcome. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is the gold standard for this diagnosis. Objective: To evaluate if the pulmonary vascular volume (PVV) quantified by automated software is a mortality predictor after APE. Methods: Retrospective cohort study where the CTPA imaging of 61 patients with APE was reanalyzed. Pulmonary vascular volume (PVV) and pulmonary volume (PV) were automatically estimated using the Yacta software. We calculated the adjusted PVV by the ratio: PVV(cm3)/PV(liters). Classical prognostic CTPA parameters (clot load index, right ventricle/left ventricle diameter ratio, pulmonary artery/aorta diameter ratio, ventricular septal bowing, pulmonary infarction and reflux of contrast into the hepatic vein) were assessed. The outcome assessed was one-month mortality. We considered a p-value <0.05 as statistically significant. Results: Seven deaths (11%) occurred at one month among these 61 patients. PVV<23cm3/L was an independent predictor of one-month mortality in the univariate [odds ratio (OR): 26; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3-244; p=0.004] and multivariate analyses [adjusted OR: 19; 95%CI: 1.3-270; p=0.03]. The classical CTPA parameters were not associated with one-month mortality in this sample. The PVV<23cm3/L showed a sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 82%, a negative predictive value of 94% and a positive predictive value of 64% to identify the patients who died. Conclusion: PVV<23cm3/L was an independent predictor of one-month mortality after APE. This parameter showed better prognostic performance than other classical CTPA findings. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(5):809-818)

Ultrathin Free-Standing Oxide Membranes for Electron and Photon Spectroscopy Studies of Solid-Gas and Solid-Liquid Interfaces.

Free-standing ultrathin (∼2 nm) films of several oxides (Al2O3,TiO2, and others) have been developed, which are mechanically robust and transparent to electrons with Ekin ≥ 200 eV and to photons. We demonstrate their applicability in environmental X-ray photoelectron and infrared spectroscopy for molecular level studies of solid-gas (≥1 bar) and solid-liquid interfaces. These films act as membranes closing a reaction cell and as substrates and electrodes for electrochemical reactions. The remarkable properties of such ultrathin oxides membranes enable atomic/molecular level studies of interfacial phenomena, such as corrosion, catalysis, electrochemical reactions, energy storage, geochemistry, and biology, in a broad range of environmental conditions.

Validation of the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index for risk stratification after acute pulmonary embolism in a cohort of patients in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI), which was developed for risk stratification after acute pulmonary embolism (PE), for use in Brazil. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study involving patients admitted to the emergency department with acute PE. The original and simplified versions of the PESI were calculated using hospital admission data from medical records. The outcome measure was the overall 30-day mortality rate. RESULTS: We included 123 patients. The mean age was 57 ± 17 years, and there was a predominance of females, who accounted for 60% of the cohort. There were 28 deaths, translating to an overall 30-day mortality rate of 23%. In the cluster analysis by risk class, overall 30-day mortality was 2.40% for classes I-II, compared with 20.00% for classes III-IV-V (relative risk [RR] = 5.9; 95% CI: 1.88-18.51; p = 0.0002). When we calculated overall 30-day mortality using the simplified version (0 points vs. ≥ 1 point), we found it to be 3.25% for 0 points and 19.51% for ≥ 1 point (RR = 2.38; 95% CI: 0.89-6.38; p = 0.06). Using the original version, a survival analysis showed that risk classes I and II presented similar Kaplan-Meier curves (p = 0.59), as did risk classes III, IV, and V (p = 0.25). However, the curve of the clusters based on the original version, showed significantly higher mortality in the III-IV-V classes than in the I-II classes (RR = 7.63; 95% CI: 2.29-25.21; p = 0.0001). The cluster analysis based on the original version showed a greater area under the ROC curve than did the analysis based on the simplified version (0.70; 95% CI: 0.62-0.77 vs. 0.60; 95% CI: 0.51-0.67; p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The PESI adequately predicted the prognosis after acute PE in this sample of the population of Brazil. The cluster analysis based on the original version is the most appropriate analysis in this setting.

Validation of the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index for risk stratification after acute pulmonary embolism in a cohort of patients in Brazil / Validação do Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index para a estratificação de risco após tromboembolia pulmonar aguda em uma coorte no Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To validate the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI), which was developed for risk stratification after acute pulmonary embolism (PE), for use in Brazil. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective study involving patients admitted to the emergency department with acute PE. The original and simplified versions of the PESI were calculated using hospital admission data from medical records. The outcome measure was the overall 30-day mortality rate. Results: We included 123 patients. The mean age was 57 ± 17 years, and there was a predominance of females, who accounted for 60% of the cohort. There were 28 deaths, translating to an overall 30-day mortality rate of 23%. In the cluster analysis by risk class, overall 30-day mortality was 2.40% for classes I-II, compared with 20.00% for classes III-IV-V (relative risk [RR] = 5.9; 95% CI: 1.88-18.51; p = 0.0002). When we calculated overall 30-day mortality using the simplified version (0 points vs. ≥ 1 point), we found it to be 3.25% for 0 points and 19.51% for ≥ 1 point (RR = 2.38; 95% CI: 0.89-6.38; p = 0.06). Using the original version, a survival analysis showed that risk classes I and II presented similar Kaplan-Meier curves (p = 0.59), as did risk classes III, IV, and V (p = 0.25). However, the curve of the clusters based on the original version, showed significantly higher mortality in the III-IV-V classes than in the I-II classes (RR = 7.63; 95% CI: 2.29-25.21; p = 0.0001). The cluster analysis based on the original version showed a greater area under the ROC curve than did the analysis based on the simplified version (0.70; 95% CI: 0.62-0.77 vs. 0.60; 95% CI: 0.51-0.67; p = 0.05). Conclusions: The PESI adequately predicted the prognosis after acute PE in this sample of the population of Brazil. The cluster analysis based on the original version is the most appropriate analysis in this setting.

RESUMO Objetivo: Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) foi desenvolvido para a estratificação de risco após tromboembolia pulmonar (TEP) aguda. Nosso objetivo foi validá-lo para uso no Brasil. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo unicêntrico incluindo pacientes com TEP admitidos numa unidade de emergência. O PESI (versão original e simplificada) foi calculado utilizando-se dados dos prontuários na admissão hospitalar. O desfecho analisado foi mortalidade geral em 30 dias (MG30). Resultados: Foram incluídos 123 pacientes, com média de idade de 57 ± 17 anos, predomínio do sexo feminino (60%) e MG30 de 28 óbitos (23%). Na análise agrupada, a MG30 (classes I-II vs. III-IV-V) foi de 2,40% vs. 20,00% (risco relativo [RR] = 5,9; IC95%: 1,88-18,51; p = 0,0002). A MG30 na versão simplificada (0 vs. ≥ 1 ponto) foi de 3,25% vs. 19,51% (RR = 2,38; IC95%: 0,89-6,38; p = 0,06). A análise da sobrevida mostrou que as curvas de Kaplan-Meier foram semelhantes nas classes I e II (p = 0,59) e entre as classes III, IV e V (p = 0,25). A curva da versão original agrupada mostrou que a MG30 foi significativamente maior no grupo III-IV-V que no grupo I-II (RR = 7,63; IC95%: 2,29-25,21; p = 0,0001). A análise agrupada da versão original mostrou área sob a curva ROC maior que a da versão simplificada (0,70; IC95%: 0,62-0,77 vs. 0,60; IC95%: 0,51-0,67; p = 0,05). Conclusões: O PESI mensurou adequadamente o prognóstico de MG30 após TEP aguda nesta amostra da população brasileira. A utilização da versão original agrupada foi a mais adequada nesse cenário.

Embryo-specific expression of a visual reporter gene as a selection system for citrus transformation.

The embryo-specific Dc3 gene promoter driving the VvMybA1 anthocyanin regulatory gene was used to develop a visual selection system for the genetic transformation of citrus. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of cell suspension cultures resulted in the production of purple transgenic somatic embryos that could be easily separated from the green non-transgenic embryos. The somatic embryos produced phenotypically normal plants devoid of any visual purple coloration. These results were also confirmed using protoplast transformation. There was minimal gene expression in unstressed one-year-old transgenic lines. Cold and drought stress did not have any effect on gene expression, while exogenous ABA and NaCl application resulted in a minor change in gene expression in several transgenic lines. When gas exchange was measured in intact leaves, the transgenic lines were similar to controls under the same environment. Our results provide conclusive evidence for the utilization of a plant-derived, embryo-specific visual reporter system for the genetic transformation of citrus. Such a system could aid in the development of an all-plant, consumer-friendly GM citrus tree.

Temporal and spatial control of gene expression in horticultural crops.

Biotechnology provides plant breeders an additional tool to improve various traits desired by growers and consumers of horticultural crops. It also provides genetic solutions to major problems affecting horticultural crops and can be a means for rapid improvement of a cultivar. With the availability of a number of horticultural genome sequences, it has become relatively easier to utilize these resources to identify DNA sequences for both basic and applied research. Promoters play a key role in plant gene expression and the regulation of gene expression. In recent years, rapid progress has been made on the isolation and evaluation of plant-derived promoters and their use in horticultural crops, as more and more species become amenable to genetic transformation. Our understanding of the tools and techniques of horticultural plant biotechnology has now evolved from a discovery phase to an implementation phase. The availability of a large number of promoters derived from horticultural plants opens up the field for utilization of native sequences and improving crops using precision breeding. In this review, we look at the temporal and spatial control of gene expression in horticultural crops and the usage of a variety of promoters either isolated from horticultural crops or used in horticultural crop improvement.

X-ray absorption study of the local structure at the NiO/oxide interfaces.

This work reports an X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy study at the Ni K-edge in the early stages of growth of NiO on non-ordered SiO2, Al2O3 and MgO thin films substrates. Two different coverages of NiO on the substrates have been studied. The analysis of the XANES region shows that for high coverages (80 Eq-ML) the spectra are similar to that of bulk NiO, being identical for all substrates. In contrast, for low coverages (1 Eq-ML) the spectra differ from that of large coverages indicating that the local order around Ni is limited to the first two coordination shells. In addition, the results also suggest the formation of cross-linking bonds Ni-O-M (M = Si, Al, Mg) at the interface.