Evaluation of the physiological potential of Panicum maximum seeds by multivariate analysis

The aim of this work was to identify efficient vigor tests for differentiating the seed lots, forecasting seedling emergence in the field and assessing the physiological quality of Panicum maximum seeds. 12 seed lots from the cultivar Tanzania and 11 seed lots from the cultivar Massai were evaluated for water content, germination, first count and germination speed index, emergence and first emergence count of seedlings in sand, root length and shoot length, analysis of SVIS® images (seedling length, vigor and uniformity index) and seedling emergence in the field. The work was conducted in a completely randomized design for tests performed in the laboratory and in randomized blocks for tests in the field. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the means compared by Scott Knott's test at 5% probability and statistical multivariate clustering analysis and principal components analysis. The shoot and root length tests are efficient for the evaluation of the physiological potential of P. maximum cv. Massai, while the seedling length, vigor index and growth uniformity index tests using image analysis, seedling emergence in sand and first seedling emergence count in sand are efficient in assessing the physiological potential of seeds of P. maximum cv. Tanzania, and providing information similar to that of seedling emergence in the field.

Evaluation of the quality of different germplasms of Rehmannia glutinosa based on iridoid glycosides / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the quality of different germplasms of Rehmannia glutinosa based on iridoid glycosides. METHODS The contents of total iridoid glycosides ，catalpol，rehmaionoside D ，rehmaionoside A ，and leonuride in 18 batches of R. glutinosa from 6 germplasms（85-5，JinJiu，BX，BJ-1，Shandong，QH-1）were determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography. After normalization of the above content determination results ，the quality of different germplasm of R. glutinosa were evaluated by multiple statistical methods such as cluster analysis ，factor comprehensive analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis （PLS-DA）. RESULTS Among 6 germplasms of R. glutinosa ，the content of total iridoid glycosides in R. glutinosa 85-5 was the highest ，and the content of catalpol in R. glutinosa BX was the highest ；the contents of rehmannioside D and rehmannioside A in R. glutinosa JinJiu were the highest ，and the content of leonuride in R. glutinosa BX was the highest. Cluster analysis showed that R. glutinosa JinJiu were clustered into one category ，R. glutinosa BX clustered into one category ，R. glutinosa Shandong and R. glutinosa BJ-1 were clustered into one category ，and R. glutinosa QH-1 and 85-5 were clustered into one category. Through factor comprehensive analysis ，there were differences in the quality of different germplasms of R. glutinosa . The comprehensive score of R. glutinosa BX，Shandong，85-5，BJ-1，QH-1，JinJiu were 2.283 9，1.689 1，1.664 8， 1.503 3，1.469 0，1.214 6，respectively. PLS-DA showed that variable importance projection value of total iridoid glycosides ， catalpol and leonuride were all higher than 1. CONCLUSIONS The quality difference of R. glutinosa from different germplasms may be caused by total iridoid glycosides ，catalpol and leonuride.

Multivariate relationships among pH, subcutaneous fat thickness, and color in bovine meat using canonical correlation analysis / Relación multivariada entre pH, espesor de grasa subcutánea y color en carne bovina usando el análisis de correlación canónica / Relação multivariada entre pH, espessura de gordura subcutânea e cor em carne bovina usando a análise de correlação canônica

Abstract Background: pH, subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), and color are fundamental variables to define the organoleptic characteristics of meat. However, multivariate relationships of those traits remain unexplored in bovine meat. Objective: To investigate the multivariate relationships among pH, subcutaneous fat thickness, and color parameters in bovine meat using canonical correlation analysis. Methods: A dataset containing 173 individual records of pH, SFT, and color parameters (a*: intensity of red color, b*: intensity of yellow color, and L*: lightness) from five Brazilian beef cut types (Breed: Nellore; cuts: acém, contrafilé, fraldinha, patinho and picanha) was constructed. Multivariate relationships between color variables (a*, b*, and L*) and chemical variables (pH and SFT) were explored using the CANCORR procedure of SAS. Results: Two canonical correlations between U (a*, b*, and L*; color variables) and V (pH and SFT; chemical variables) variates were significant (p<0.01). First and second canonical correlations were 0.463 and 0.282, respectively. Canonical weights for variates were for U1: a* = 0.707, b* = 0.406, and L* = -0.039; U2: a* = 0.364, b* = -0.898, and L* = 1.234; V1: pH = -0.376 and SFT = 0.935; V2: pH = 0.927 and STF = 0.356. Conclusion: Subcutaneous fat thickness significantly affected intensity of red and yellow colors, whereas pH significantly affected lightness. The results of this study may be useful for a better understanding of the role of muscle metabolism and its implications on the organoleptic characteristics of bovine meat.

Resumen Antecedentes: El pH, espesor de la grasa subcutánea (SFT) y color, son variables importantes que definen las características organolépticas de la carne de rumiantes. Sin embargo, su relación multivariada en carne bovina permanece inexplorada hasta ahora. Objetivo: Investigar la relación multivariada entre el pH, SFT y parámetros de color en carne bovina mediante el análisis de correlación canónica. Métodos: Se construyó una base de datos con 173 registros individuales de pH, SFT y parámetros de color (a*: intensidad de color rojo, b*: intensidad de color amarillo y L*: luminosidad) de cinco tipos de cortes de carne bovina brasileña (Raza: Nellore; cortes: acém, contrafilé, fraldinha, patinho y picanha). La relación multivariada entre las variables de color (a*, b* y L*) y las variables químicas (pH y SFT) se exploró usando el procedimiento CANCORR de SAS. Resultados: Dos correlaciones canónicas entre las variables U (compuesta por a*, b* y L*; variables de color) y V (compuesta por pH y SFT; variables químicas) fueron significativas (p<0,01). La primera y la segunda correlación canónica fueron 0,463 y 0,282, respectivamente. Los pesos canónicos para las variables canónicas fueron para U1: a* = 0,707, b* = 0,406 y L* = -0,039; U2: a* = 0,364, b* = -0,898 y L* = 1,234; V1: pH = -0,376 y SFT = 0,935; V2: pH = 0,927 y SFT = 0,356. Conclusión: El espesor de grasa subcutánea afectó significativamente la intensidad de los colores rojo y amarillo, mientras que el pH afectó significativamente la luminosidad. Los resultados de este estudio pueden ser útiles para comprender el papel del metabolismo muscular y sus implicaciones en las características organolépticas de la carne bovina.

Resumo Antecedentes: O pH, a espessura da gordura subcutânea (SFT) e a cor, são variáveis importantes que definem as características organolépticas da carne de ruminantes. No entanto, sua relação multivariada em carne bovina até o momento permanece inexplorada. Objetivo: Investigar a relação multivariada entre o pH, SFT e os parâmetros de cor em carne bovina, utilizando a análise de correlação canônica. Métodos: Foi construído um banco de dados contendo 173 registros individuais de pH, SFT e parâmetros de cor (a*: intensidade de cor vermelha, b*: intensidade de cor amarela y L*: luminosidade) de cinco tipos de cortes de carne bovina brasileira (Raça: Nellore; cortes: acém, contrafilé, fraldinha, patinho e picanha). A relação multivariada entre variáveis de cor (a *, b * e L*) e variáveis químicas (pH e SFT) foi explorada usando o procedimento CANCORR do SAS. Resultados: Duas correlações canônicas entre as variáveis U (composta de a *, b * e L *, variáveis de cor) e V (composta de pH e SFT, variáveis químicas) foram significativas (p<0,01). A primeira e segunda correlação canônica foram 0,463 e 0,282, respectivamente. Os pesos canônicos para as variáveis canônicas foram para U1: a* = 0,707, b* = 0,406 e L* = -0,039; U2: a* = 0,364, b* = -0,898 e L* = 1,234; V1: pH = -0,376 e SFT = 0,935; V2: pH = 0,927 e SFT = 0,356. Conclusão: A espessura de gordura subcutânea afetou significativamente a intensidade das cores vermelha e amarela, enquanto o pH afetou significativamente a luminosidade, em carne bovina. Os resultados deste estudo podem ser úteis para entender melhor o papel do metabolismo muscular e suas implicações nas características organolépticas da carne bovina.

Análisis regional de zonas homogéneas de precipitación en Carabobo, Venezuela / Regional analysis of homogeneous precipitation areas in Carabobo, Venezuela / Análise regional de áreas de precipitação homogênea em Carabobo, Venezuela

Resumen Introducción. La utilidad primordial de los datos sobre el clima para planificar el desarrollo sostenible en áreas agrícolas y hacer frente a todas las consecuencias del cambio climático ya ha quedado firmemente establecida en diferentes programas y políticas a nivel mundial. Objetivo. Analizar la variabilidad espacio temporal de la precipitación e identificar las zonas homogéneas a partir de datos mensuales y anuales (1969-1999) provenientes de las estaciones climatológicas en Carabobo, Venezuela. Materiales y métodos. Para definir subgrupos de estaciones pluviométricas que caractericen zonas homogéneas se aplicaron técnicas multivariadas (análisis de componentes principales y análisis de conglomerados) basadas en la similitud del comportamiento de las series de datos de lluvia anual precipitada. Finalmente se elaboró el mapa de distribución espacial de la precipitación mediante la interpolación kriging. Resultados. Se lograron identificar cuatro grupos de estaciones con comportamiento similar en lo que se refiere a los procesos pluviométricos. Esta investigación permitió conocer el comportamiento espacial y temporal de la precipitación, caracterizada por la marcada estacionalidad producto de la influencia directa de la Zona de Convergencia Intertropical. La tendencia mostró un patrón de distribución espacial con una gradación que va de menor a mayor en sentido noreste a sureste. Conclusiones. Este estudio permitió estimar la regularidad espacial del comportamiento de la lluvia y del grado de heterogeneidad de este elemento climático año tras año, que a su vez representa el inicio de la planificación estratégica a nivel regional.

Abstract Introduction: The primary utility of climate data for planning sustainable development in agricultural areas and addressing all the consequences of climate change has already been firmly established in different programs and policies worldwide. Objective: Analyze the temporal space variability of precipitation and identify homogeneous areas based on monthly and annual data from weather stations in Carabobo, Venezuela, during the period 1969-1999. Materials and methods: To define subgroups of rainfall stations that characterize homogeneous zones, multivariate techniques (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) were applied based on the similarity of the behavior of the data series of precipitated annual rainfall. Finally, the spatial distribution map of the precipitation was prepared by means of kriging interpolation. Results: It was possible to identify four groups of stations with similar behavior in terms of rainfall processes. This investigation allowed to know the spatial and temporal behavior of precipitation, characterized by the marked seasonality resulting from the direct influence of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. The trend showed a pattern of spatial distribution with a gradation that goes from minor to major in the northeast to southeast direction. Conclusion: In addition, this study allowed estimating the spatial regularity of rainfall behavior and the degree of heterogeneity of this climatic element year after year, which in turn represents the beginning of strategic planning at the regional level.

Resumo Introdução. A utilidade primordial dos dados climáticos para planejar o desenvolvimento sustentável em áreas agrícolas e abordar todas as consequências da alteração climática já ficou firmemente estabelecida nos diferentes programas e políticas ao nível mundial. Objetivo. Analisar a variabilidade do espaço temporal da precipitação e identificar as zonas homogêneas a partir de dados mensais e anais (1969-1999) provenientes das estações climatológicas em Carabobo, Venezuela. Materiais e métodos. Para definir subgrupos de estações pluviométricas que posam caracterizar as zonas homogêneas aplicaram-se técnicas multivariadas (análise de componentes principais e análise de conglomerados) baseadas na similitude do comportamento das series de dados de chuva anual precipitada. Finalmente elaborou-se o mapa de distribuição espacial da precipitação mediante a interpolação kriging. Resultados. Conseguiu-se identificar quatro grupos de estações com comportamento similar no que se refere aos processos pluviométricos. Esta pesquisa permitiu conhecer o comportamento espacial e temporal da precipitação, caracterizada pela marcada sazonalidade, produto da influência direta da Zona de Convergência Intertropical. A tendência mostrou um padrão de distribuição espacial com uma gradação que vai de menor à maior no sentido nordeste à sudeste. Conclusões. Este estudo permitiu estimar a regularidade espacial do comportamento da chuva e do grau da heterogeneidade deste elemento climático ano após ano, que ao mesmo tempo representa o início do planejamento estratégico ao nível regional.

Índice de qualidade de efluente tratado em rampas de escoamento superficial / Quality index of wastewater treated in overland flow systems

RESUMO Com o objetivo de avaliar a qualidade do efluente doméstico tratado utilizando a técnica do escoamento superficial em rampas cultivadas com forrageiras, por meio da proposta de um índice de qualidade (IQ) adaptado para fertirrigação, e agrupar os efluentes quanto à similaridade das características químicas utilizando estatística multivariada, foi realizado um experimento montado em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado e no esquema de parcela subdividida 3 × 2 com 5 repetições. As parcelas foram compostas de três espécies de forrageiras: aveia preta, azevém e centeio e as subparcelas formadas por duas taxas de efluente aplicadas no tempo: 50 e 100 kg.ha-1.dia-1 de demanda bioquímica de oxigênio (DBO). O IQ foi desenvolvido utilizando a análise de componentes principais (ACP), que proporcionou a redução das 25 características analisadas nos efluentes em duas componentes que explicaram 90,54% da variância total. O IQ para os efluentes tratados apresentou de alta a baixa restrição ao uso na fertirrigação e o efluente bruto demonstrou restrição severa, já a análise de agrupamento formou três grupos distintos de qualidade, que diferiram quanto à taxa de aplicação de efluente utilizada no sistema de tratamento.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of treated domestic effluent using the surface runoff technique in slopes cultivated with forages. A quality index was adapted for fertigation and to group effluents that were similar in chemical characteristics using multivariate statistics. The experiment consists of a completely randomized design with a 3x2 subdivided plot scheme with 5 replicates. The plots had three forage species: black oat, ryegrass and rye and the subplots had two effluent rates applied in time: 50 and 100 kg ha-1 day-1 of BOD. The quality index was developed using the main components analysis, which provided a reduction of the 25 characteristics analyzed in the effluents in two components that explained 90.54% of the total variance. The quality index for the treated effluents presented high to low restriction in the fertigation and the raw effluent presented severe restriction. The cluster analysis formed three distinct groups of quality, which differed in the effluent application rate used in the treatment system.

Visual exploration of microbiome data

A dramatic increase in large-scale cross-sectional and temporal-level metagenomic experiments has led to an improvedunderstanding of the microbiome and its role in human well-being. Consequently, a plethora of analytical methods has beendeveloped to decipher microbial biomarkers for various diseases, cluster different ecosystems based on microbial content,and infer functional potential of the microbiome as well as analyze its temporal behavior. Development of user-friendlyvisualization methods and frameworks is necessary to analyze this data and infer taxonomic and functional patternscorresponding to a phenotype. Thus, new methods as well as application of pre-existing ones has gained importance inrecent times pertaining to the huge volume of the generated microbiome data. In this review, we present a brief overview ofsome useful visualization techniques that have significantly enriched microbiome data analytics.

Using multivariate factor analysis to characterize the unbranched fatty acid profile in bovine rumen fluid / Uso del análisis multivariado factorial para caracterizar el perfil de ácidos grasos no ramificados en fluido ruminal de bovinos / Uso da análise multivariada fatorial para caracterizar o perfil de ácidos graxos não ramificados em fluido ruminal de bovinos

Abstract Background: Multivariate factor analysis (MFA) could be used for analyzing the complex pattern of correlations among fatty acids (FAs) in the rumen. Objective: To investigate the potential use of MFA to extract information on unbranched FAs metabolism in bovine rumen fluid. Methods: A dataset containing 107 individual records of 26 unbranched FAs from two in vitro ruminal incubation studies was constructed. The MFA was performed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software. Results: The MFA extracted four latent factors, accounting for 86.7% of the total variance. The first factor was positively associated with short (6:0), medium (8:0, 10:0, 12:0, 14:0, and 16:0), and long (17:0, 20:0, and 23:0) saturated FAs (SFAs), as well as with cis and trans monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs) from 14 to 16 carbon atoms (14:1- t5, 14:1-c9, 15:1-t10, 16:1-c9, and 16:1-t9). The second factor was positively correlated with 18:0 and the majority of cis and trans MUFAs of 18 carbon atoms (18:1-t9, 18:1-t11, 18:1-c6, 18:1-c9, and 18:1-c11). The third factor was positively related to 18:3-c9,c12,c15 and 18:2-t11,c15, and negatively to 18:2-c9,t11. The fourth factor was positively correlated with 18:1-t6 and 19:0; however, 19:0 was also negatively associated with the second factor. The 18:2-c9,c12 was negatively correlated with the second and third factors. Conclusion: Multivariate factor analysis (MFA) allowed the reduction of a large number of fatty acids in bovine ruminal fluid to a few latent factors with biological meaning.

Resumen Antecedentes: El análisis multivariado factorial (MFA) podría usarse para evaluar el complejo patrón de correlaciones entre ácidos grasos (FAs) en el rumen. Objetivo: Investigar el uso potencial del AMF para extraer información sobre el metabolismo de FAs no ramificados en fluido ruminal de bovinos. Métodos: Se construyó una base de datos conformada por 107 registros individuales de 26 FAs no ramificados, provenientes de dos estudios de incubación in vitro. El MFA se desarrolló usando el programa SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Resultados: El MFA extrajo cuatro factores latentes, cuantificando el 86.7% de la varianza total. El primer factor se correlacionó positivamente con FAs saturados (SFAs) de cadena corta (6:0), media (8:0, 10:0, 12:0, 14:0 y 16:0) y larga (17:0, 20:0 y 23:0) como también con FAs monoinsaturados (MUFAs) de 14 a 16 átomos de carbono (14:1-t5, 14:1-c9, 15:1-t10, 16:1-c9 y 16:1-t9). El segundo factor se correlacionó positivamente con 18:0 y con la mayoría de MUFAs cis y trans de 18 átomos de carbono (18:1- t9, 18:1-t11, 18:1-c6, 18:1-c9 y 18:1-c11). El tercer factor se correlacionó positivamente con 18:3-c9,c12,c15 y 18:2-t11,c15 y negativamente con 18:2-c9,t11. El cuarto factor se correlacionó positivamente con 18:1-t6 y 19:0; sin embargo, 19:0 también se correlacionó negativamente con el segundo factor. El 18:2-c9,c12 se correlacionó negativamente con los factores segundo y tercero. Conclusión: El análisis multivariado factorial (MFA) permitió reducir el gran número de ácidos grasos del fluido ruminal a unos pocos factores latentes con significado biológico.

Resumo Antecedentes: A análise multivariada fatorial (MFA) poderia ser aplicada na análise do padrão complexo de correlações entre ácidos graxos (FAs) no rúmen. Objetivo: Investigar o potencial de uso do MFA para extrair informação sobre o metabolismo de FAs não ramificados no fluido ruminal de bovinos. Métodos: Construiu-se um banco de dados formado por 107 registros individuais de 26 FAs não ramificados, oriundos de dois estudos de incubação in vitro. A MFA foi desenvolvida usando o programa SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Resultados: A MFA extraiu quatro fatores latentes, quantificando 86.7% da variância total. O primeiro fator correlacionou-se positivamente com FAs saturados (SFAs) de cadeia curta (6:0), meia (8:0, 10:0, 12:0, 14:0 e 16:0) e longa (17:0, 20:0 e 23:0) bem como com os FAs monoinsaturados (MUFAs) de 14 a 16 átomos de carbono (14:1-t5, 14:1-c9, 15:1-t10, 16:1-c9 y 16:1-t9). O segundo fator correlacionou-se positivamente com 18:0 e com a maioria de MUFAs cis y trans de 18 átomos de carbono (18:1-t9, 18:1-t11, 18:1- c6, 18:1-c9 e 18:1-c11). O terceiro fator correlacionou-se positivamente com 18:3-c9,c12,c15 e 18:2-t11,c15 e negativamente com 18:2-c9,t11. O quarto fator correlacionou-se positivamente com 18:1-t6 e 19:0; porém, 19:0 também se correlacionou negativamente com o segundo fator. O 18:2-c9,c12 se correlacionou negativamente com os fatores segundo e terceiro. Conclusão: A análise multivariada fatorial (MFA) permitiu reduzir um número grande de ácidos graxos no fluido ruminal a poucos fatores latentes com significado biológico.

Review on Common Methods and Technologies of Quantitative Composition-activity Relationship Research of TCM / 中国中医药信息杂志

It is one of key scientific problems to identify the effective compounds in the study on new TCM. Because of the integrity of the effects of TCM, the diversity of constituents, the complexity of the targets and the unpredictability of the interaction among the components, the efficiency of the traditional efficacy substance research method is generally not high. Based on the research thought of quantitative composition-activity relationship, there are inevitable quantitative correlation between chemical compositions and its biological activity. The quantitative composition-activity relationship research is an effective method to detect the effective compounds. This article reviewed the common methods and technologies used in the quantitative composition-activity relationship research, with a purpose to provide some references for the study on basic effective components in TCM.

1H NMR-based metabolomics study of intervention effects ofleonurine on acute myocardial ischemia in rats / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate metabolomic profiles of acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) in rat plasma and explore the intervention effects and its mechanism of leonurine using a metabolomics approach based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).Methods The plasma metabolomic characteristics in rats of sham group,AMI model group,and leonurine-treated group were detected by 1H NMR,and the different metabolites between AMI group and sham group or leonurine-treated group were analyzed by pattern recognition and multivariate data analysis.Results Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) demonstrated that six metabolites related to AMI were screened out,including alanine,lysine,glycine,creatine,N-acetyl glycoprotein,and O-acetyl glycoprotein and all their levels were elevated in AMI group compared to sham group.Treatment of leonurine decreased the levels of alanine,lysine,and glycine,and increased the levels of choline,phosphocholine,and scyllo-inositol compared with the model group.Conclusions Leonurine can improve amino acid metabolism disorder under AMI conditions and enhance the function of choline and inositol pathway,which may explain its cardioprotective effect.The developed metabolomics approach in this study is a powerful tool for the investigation of the cardioprotective effect of leonurine and provide a new insight to understand its pharmacological mechanism.

Aplicabilidad de estadística multivariada para estudios nutricionales: bioensayo con el gorgojo de arroz (Sitophilus oryzae L) / Applicability of Multivariate Statistics for nutritional studies: bioassay rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L)

El análisis de componentes principales (PCA), escalamiento multidimensional no-métrico (MDS) y el análisis de similaridad (ANOSIM) son técnicas estadísticas multivariadas, las dos primeras representan gráficamente de manera simultánea las unidades estadísticas y las variables que las caracterizan, evaluando similaridades entre las unidades y correlaciones entre las variables, la última técnica dota de un test estadístico no paramétrico para comparar agrupaciones de las unidades. Este trabajo evaluó la aplicabilidad de estas técnicas para valorar la calidad nutricional de la dieta, utilizando el bioensayo del gorgojo de arroz. Las dietas ensayadas fueron: almidón de maíz; almidón de papa; 5% glucosa; arvejas; ayuno y ayuno con agua. Se estudiaron las variables supervivencia, variación de peso y composición corporal. El PCA y MDS mostraron relaciones positivas de la supervivencia y variación de peso con los parámetros corporales grasa y carbohidratos, siendo mayor para dietas de almidón, similares al control positivo. En el PCA se observaron diferencias en las poblaciones mantenidas con las diferentes dietas; el MDS no distingue claramente entre ellas, aún cuando logra diferenciar la dieta definida por el ayuno de las restantes. Ambos estudios definieron un gradiente del valor nutritivo de las dietas, en el eje de las abscisas. El ANOSIM indicó diferencias significativas (p<0,05) entre grupos de insectos sustentados con estas dietas. Esta prueba refuerza los resultados obtenidos en el PCA y MDS. La aplicación de estas herramientas estadísticas son promisorias para analizar procesos complejos, como la interacción de distintas variables que midan la calidad nutricional de diferentes dietas.

The principal component analysis (PCA), non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) and analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) are multivariate statistical techniques that graphically represent numerical measures of several factors and display multiple relationships that may exist between them. In this study, we evaluated the applicability of these techniques to analyze the nutritional quality of diet, using as model, the bioassay rice weevil. The diets tested were: corn starch, potato starch, 5% glucose, peas, starved and starved with water supply. The variables studied were: survival, weight change and body composition. The PCA and MDS showed positive relationships of survival and weight change with body fat and carbohydrate parameters. Fat and carbohydrates were greater in starches diets, similar to the positive control. The PCA showed differences between populations fed with different diets, whereas the MDS showed similarity between diets. Both studies defined a gradient of the nutritive value of diets in the x-axis. The ANOSIM indicate significant (p<0, 05) differences between groups. This test is necessary to support the results obtained in the PCA and MDS. The application of these statistical tools is promising to analyze complex processes such as interaction of differents variables to measure the nutritional quality of diets.

Characteristics of partial acid hydrolysis in five plant polysaccharides / 中草药

Objective: To study the characteristics of partial acid hydrolysis in five different plant polysaccharides and the composition of their hydrolysic products. Methods: Polysaccharides were partially hydrolyzed with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) at different concentration (0.05, 0.2, and 0.5 mol/L), respectively, and the hydrolytic characteristics were studied by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with multivariate statistricts. Results: The characteristic structural segments of ephedra polysaccharide were the contents of glucuronic acid in trapped fluid hydrolyzed with 0.05 mol/L TFA (X1GlcUA), arabinose in permeation fluid hydrolyzed with 0.05 mol/L TFA (X2Ara), arabinose in trapped fluid hydrolyzed with 0.2 and 0.5 mol/L TFA (Y1Ara and Z1Ara), and galacturonic acid in the permeation fluid hydrolyzed with 0.2 mol/L TFA (Y2GalUA), which could distinguish other plant polysaccharide samples. Conclusion: The proposed method is precise and practical for the analysis on monosaccharide compositon in Chinese materia medica by UPLC coupled with multivariate statistics and partial acid hydrolytic reaction, which further provides the basis for the quality control of the plant polysaccharides.

Armazenamento a baixas temperaturas de diferentes cultivares de bananas: efeito nos atributos de qualidade / Storage at low temperatures of different banana cultivars: effect on quality attributes

A banana é altamente susceptível a injúrias causadas pelo frio, mas o efeito da refrigeração nos atributos que caracterizam a qualidade do fruto maduro é ainda pouco explorado. Neste trabalho, alguns desses atributos foram analisados em duas cultivares de banana escolhidas por sua diferença em relação à susceptibilidade ao frio: Nanicão e Prata. As duas cultivares foram armazenadas a baixas temperaturas (cv. Nanicão a 13 ºC e cv. Prata a 13 ºC e 10 ºC) por 15 dias e o efeito do frio sobre os compostos voláteis responsáveis pelo aroma e sabor, índices de cor da casca, níveis de carotenoides, açúcares e amido foram analisados comparativamente durante a maturação dos frutos e o perfil de proteínas diferentemente abundantes foi analisado na cultivar Nanicão. Com o auxílio das ferramentas da estatística multivariada, verificou-se que a produção dos compostos voláteis é altamente sensível as baixas temperaturas. A cv. Prata apresentou uma maior resistência ao efeito negativo do armazenamento, mesmo armazenada a 10 ºC. Na cv. Nanicão, as amostras maduras do grupo frio (13 ºC) foram caracterizadas pela presença dos carotenoides majoritários devido ao fato de que as vias metabólicas que utilizam carotenoides terem sido afetadas pelo armazenamento em baixas temperaturas. Para a cv. Prata teve um efeito negativo com o armazenamento, com redução dos níveis de carotenoides tanto a 13 ºC quanto a 10 ºC. Em relação à cor da casca dos frutos não foi observado um efeito evidente nas amostras submetidas a baixas temperaturas. Pela análise proteômica, foi possível entender como o frio causou um impacto negativo na síntese de sacarose, uma vez que as proteínas mais afetadas foram associadas ao metabolismo de energia e de carboidratos

Bananas are fruits highly susceptible to injuries caused by cold temperatures, but the effect of refrigeration on the attributes that characterize the quality of ripe fruit is still underexplored. In this work, some of these attributes were analyzed in two banana cultivars chosen for their difference in susceptibility to cold temperatures: Nanicão and Prata. Both cultivars were stored at low temperatures (cv. Nanicão at 13 ºC and cv. Prata at 13 °C and 10 °C) for 15 days and the effect of the cold on the volatile compounds responsible for aroma, skin color index, levels of carotenoids, sugars, and starch were comparatively analyzed during fruit maturation and different abundant protein profiles of the Nanicão cultivar were analyzed. By using multivariate statistic tools, it was found that the production of volatile compounds is highly susceptible to low temperatures. However, cv. Prata showed greater resistance to the negative effects of storage even when stored at 10 °C. For cv. Nanicão, ripe samples from the cold group kept at 13 ºC were characterized by the presence of majority carotenoids due to the fact that the metabolic pathways that use carotenoids were affected by the storage at such a low temperature. Conversely, cv. Prata experienced a negative effect with the storage, with reduced levels of carotenoids in both cold groups kept at 13 ºC and 10 ºC. In relation the skin color of the fruit, no effect on the samples held at low temperatures was observed. For proteomics analysis, it was possible to understand how the cold storage caused a negative impact on the synthesis of sucrose, since most of the affected proteins were associated with energy and carbohydrate metabolism

Ecological patterns of blood-feeding by kissing-bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

Host use by vectors is important in understanding the transmission of zoonotic diseases, which can affect humans, wildlife and domestic animals. Here, a synthesis of host exploitation patterns by kissing-bugs, vectors of Chagas disease, is presented. For this synthesis, an extensive literature review restricted to feeding sources analysed by precipitin tests was conducted. Modern tools from community ecology and multivariate statistics were used to determine patterns of segregation in host use. Rather than innate preferences for host species, host use by kissing-bugs is influenced by the habitats they colonise. One of the major limitations of studies on kissing-bug foraging has been the exclusive focus on the dominant vector species. We propose that expanding foraging studies to consider the community of vectors will substantially increase the understanding of Chagas disease transmission ecology. Our results indicate that host accessibility is a major factor that shapes the blood-foraging patterns of kissing-bugs. Therefore, from an applied perspective, measures that are directed at disrupting the contact between humans and kissing-bugs, such as housing improvement, are among the most desirable strategies for Chagas disease control.

Associação entre atividade antioxidante in vitro e características químicas, sensoriais, cromáticas e comerciais de vinhos tintos Sul-Americanos / Association between in vitro antioxidant activity and chemical, sensory, chromatic and commercial characteristics of South-American red wines

O vinho tinto é rico em compostos fenólicos com atividade antioxidante, capazes de inativar espécies reativas de oxigênio, minimizando danos celulares oriundos do estresse oxidativo, proporcionando uma redução de risco para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. Assim, os objetivos desta pesquisa foram identificar associações entre a atividade antioxidante in vitro e fatores relacionados ao tipo de uva, região de produção, perfil sensorial, safra, valor comercial e concentração de compostos fenólicos de vinhos tintos produzidos no Brasil, Chile e Argentina. Inicialmente, os vinhos brasileiros (n=29) foram avaliados em relação à atividade antioxidante (ORAC e DPPH), cor instrumental e compostos fenólicos majoritários, no intuito de verificar qual classe de fenólicos estaria associada com a atividade antioxidante. Verificou-se que tanto os compostos fenólicos totais como os flavonóides totais, com destaque aos flavonóides não-antociânicos, se associaram significativamente (p<0,05) com a atividade antioxidante. Em um segundo passo, as características sensoriais, a cor, o valor comercial e a atividade antioxidante das 80 amostras de vinhos Sul-Americanos, distribuídas em Merlot (n=9), Pinot Noir (n=17), Malbec (n=11), Syrah (n=12), Cabernet Sauvignon (n=24), e vinhos de uvas americanas (Vitis labrusca) (n=7) foram avaliados usando estatística multivariada, objetivando-se verificar se a qualidade sensorial das amostras estaria associada com o valor comercial, cor, e à atividade antioxidante. De uma forma geral, os vinhos chilenos e argentinos apresentaram maior atividade antioxidante, valor comercial, intensidade de odor, qualidade sensorial, índice de acidez e taninos, ao passo que os vinhos brasileiros obtiveram os menores valores para os atributos sensoriais. Os vinhos de uvas americanas apresentaram menores valores para todas as variáveis. As varietais Syrah, Malbec e Cabernet Sauvignon apresentaram maior capacidade antioxidante e melhores características ...

Red wine is rich in phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity, being able to buffer reactive oxygen species, thus decreasing the risk of non-transmissible chronic diseases. In this regard, the objectives of this research aimed at identifying associations between the in vitro antioxidant activity and factors related to grape varietal, region of production, sensory profile, vintage, color, commercial value, and concentration of phenolic compounds of red wines produced in Brazil, Chile, and Argentina. Initially, the Brazilian red wines (n = 29) were assessed in relation to antioxidant activity, instrumental color, and major phenolic compounds with the objective to verify which phenolic class was associated with the antioxidant activity. Both the total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids, with special attention to non-anthocyanin flavonoids, were significantly associated with the antioxidant activity. In a second step, the sensory characteristics, color, commercial value, and antioxidant activity of the 80 red wine samples, which were distributed in Merlot (n=9), Pinot Noir (n=17), Malbec (n=11), Syrah (n=12), Cabernet Sauvignon (n=24), and table wines (Vitis labrusca) (n=7) were evaluated using multivariate statistical techniques, with the aim to verify how the overall perception of quality of wines was related to commercial value, color and antioxidant activity. In a general way, te Chilean and Argentinean red wines displayed a higher antioxidant activity, commercial value, intensity of odors, sensory perception of quality, acidity level, and tannin level, whereas the Brazilian samples obtained the lowest values for the sensory attributes. The table wines presented the lowest values for all response variables. Syrah, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon varietals presented the highest antioxidant activity and most favorable sensory features, and this result was independent of wine's vintage and origin. As a last step, the wines produced with V. vinifera grapes …

Delimitação de sítios ambientais homogêneos no Estado do Espírito Santo, com base no relevo, solo e clima / Definition of environmental sites in Espírito Santo state based on relief, soil and climate

Este trabalho teve como objetivo definir sítios ambientais homogêneos no Estado do Espírito Santo, a fim de indicar o uso potencial do solo de todo o seu território. Técnicas estatísticas multivariadas foram empregadas sobre informações do relevo, coordenadas geográficas, dados do solo e clima. A disponibilidade hídrica e a evapotranspiração real e potencial foram determinadas a partir do resultado do balanço hídrico climatológico. Inicialmente, foi executada a análise de componentes principais (ACP) sobre os dados climáticos e, em seguida, a de agrupamento nas informações do relevo, solo, nos escores climáticos provenientes da ACP e nas coordenadas geográficas. Os dois primeiros eixos da ACP explicam cerca de 85,3 por cento da variância total acumulada. Após a rotação dos componentes principais, as melhores variáveis correlacionadas ao primeiro eixo foram a amplitude térmica, a temperatura média anual, seguida da evapotranspiração real. Foram definidos seis sítios ambientais para o Estado do Espírito Santo e alguns apresentaram similaridades ao clima. As variáveis topográficas foram os fatores de maior influência na diferenciação dos sítios. A metodologia se mostrou adequada na definição dos sítios.

The objective of this study was to define homogeneous environmental sites in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil which may possibly be used to indicate potential soil use for the entire state. Multivariate statistics techniques were employed using information of the relief and geographical coordinates, as well as soil and climatic data. Water availability and real and potential evapotranspiration were determined from the results of the climatological water balance. Initially a principal component analysis (PCA) for the climatological data was performed. Subsequently, a grouping analysis was executed on the relief, soil and climatic data provided by the PCA and geographical coordinates. The first two axes of the PCA define roughly 85.3 percent of the total accumulated variance. After rotation of the principal components, the variables that best correlated to the first axis were the thermal amplitude, average annual temperature, followed by real evapotranspiration. Six environmental sites were defined for the state of Espirito Santo, some presenting climatic similarities. The topographic variables were the factors of greatest influence on the sites differentiation. The methodology was appropriate in defining the sites.

Application of Multivariate Statistics Analysis in HPLC Fingerprint of Shenmai Injection / 中成药

Objective: To establish an effective fingerprint analysis. Methods: Cluster analysis and mahalanobis distance analysis were adopted to analyze data of HPLC fingerprint of shenmai injection. Results: Precise classification of 18 samples was done by cluster analysis and mahalanobis distance analysis. Conclusion: Authors believe that multivariate statistics analysis applied to fingerprint can be recommanded in the quality control of shenmai injection.