Multivariate approach in popcorn genotypes using the Ward-MLM strategy: morpho-agronomic analysis and incidence of Fusarium spp.

The multivariate analyses are useful tools to estimate the genetic variability between accessions. In the breeding programs, the Ward-Modified Location Model (MLM) multivariate method has been a powerful strategy to quantify variability using quantitative and qualitative variables simultaneously. The present study was proposed in view of the dearth of information about popcorn breeding programs under a multivariate approach using the Ward-MLM methodology. The objective of this study was thus to estimate the genetic diversity among 37 genotypes of popcorn aiming to identify divergent groups associated with morpho-agronomic traits and traits related to resistance to Fusarium spp. To this end, 7 qualitative and 17 quantitative variables were analyzed. The experiment was conducted in 2014, at Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, located in Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil. The Ward-MLM strategy allowed the identification of four groups as follows: Group I with 10 genotypes, Group II with 11 genotypes, Group III with 9 genotypes, and Group IV with 7 genotypes. Group IV was distant in relation to the other groups, while groups I, II, and III were near. The crosses between genotypes from the other groups with those of group IV allow an exploitation of heterosis. The Ward-MLM strategy provided an appropriate grouping of genotypes; ear weight, ear diameter, and grain yield were the traits that most contributed to the analysis of genetic diversity.

Proposal of a super trait for the optimum selection of popcorn progenies based on path analysis.

A challenge faced by popcorn breeding programs is the existence of a negative correlation between the two main traits, popping expansion and yield, which hinders simultaneous gains. The objective of this study was to investigate the use of a new variable or super trait, which favors the reliable selection of superior progenies. The super trait 'expanded popcorn volume per hectare' was introduced in the evaluation of 200 full-sib families of the eighth recurrent intrapopulation selection cycle, which were arranged in randomized blocks with three replicates in two environments. Although the inability to obtain simultaneous gains through selection via popping expansion or yield was confirmed, the super trait was positively associated with both yield and popping expansion, allowing simultaneous gains via indirect selection using 'expanded popcorn volume per hectare' as the main trait. This approach is recommended because this super trait can be used in breeding programs to optimize selective gains for the crop.

Glomerulonephritis in children with mixed connective tissue disease.

AIMS: Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) has overlapping clinical features with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Renal biopsy is necessary for all children with SLE to evaluate the prognosis, because they are at a quite high risk of developing renal complications. Furthermore, lupus nephritis and hypocomplementemia usually precede the appearance of clinical manifestations. Immune complex-mediated nephritis is one of the major complications of MCTD. Juvenile MCTD is known to be associated with a higher risk of nephritis than adult MCTD. However, it is uncertain whether all children with MCTD should be subjected to a renal biopsy, and whether most of those with hypocomplementemia present nephropathy, as in patients with SLE. We examined the histopathological characteristics of juvenile MCTD nephritis, the importance of renal biopsy and the implications of hypocomplementemia in our patients and reported cases of MCTD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed renal biopsy in 11 children with MCTD and found 6 patients with glomerulonephritis. In addition, we studied the frequency and the characteristics of glomerulonephritis in 71 cases of juvenile MCTD (our 11 patients and 60 reported cases). We also analyzed the relationship between hypocomplementemia and pathological features in 41 cases of MCTD nephritis (23 adults, 18 children). RESULTS: 6 of our 11 patients had glomerulonephritis, but of them four had no abnormality in urinalysis at the time of biopsy. In 5 patients renal biopsy showed normal findings. Review of 71 cases of juvenile MCTD showed that of them 28% presented latent asymptomatic nephritis at the time of biopsy. Membranous nephropathy (MN) and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPG) were common in MCTD. Interestingly, hypocomplementemia was more frequently observed in patients with MN or mixed form of MN and MPG (MPG/MN) than simple MPG based on our review of 41 cases (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: A more aggressive indication of renal biopsy should be considered in children with MCTD because of the high incidence of non-clinical nephritis. The hypocomplementemia observed in patients with MCTD suggests the high frequency of glomerulonephritis, including membranous lesions.

[Completion pneumonectomy for pulmonary aspergillosis with hyper immunoglobulin-E syndrome].

A 22-year-old man was admitted to the department of pediatrics of our institute in February 2005, because of pulmonary aspergillosis. He had been diagnosed as hyper immunoglobulin-E syndrome in infancy, and repeated pulmonary infectious desease, such as pulmonary aspergillosis. He received art of right upper lobectomy by pulmonary aspergillosis at the age of 17. In February 2005, he had hemosputum and the chest X-ray showed a giant cavity with niveau in the right lung. In spite of medical treatment by antibiotics and antimycotics, the lesion rapidly increased in size. Therefore, right completion pneumonectomy and omentopexy around the bronchial stump was done. His postoperative course was uneventful.

Purification of mouse primordial germ cells by Nycodenz.

Primordial germ cells are important cells for the study of germ cell lineage. It has proved difficult to obtain highly purified primordial germ cells for preparation of a specific antibody. In the present study, a new method for purifying mouse primordial germ cells was developed using a Nycodenz gradient. Furthermore, the polyclonal anti-mouse primordial germ cells IgG derived from mouse primordial germ cells was prepared. As this IgG reacted only with primordial germ cells obtained at day 12.5 after mating, this antibody appeared to recognize the stage-specific antigen of primordial germ cells. One reason that a continuous primordial germ cell marker has not been obtained is because the purity of the primordial germ cells used has been too low to prepare the antibody. This new method represents a significant improvement in the purification of primordial germ cells; it is simpler than previous methods, and produced mouse primordial germ cells with a purity of more than 95%. In addition, the separation reagent Nycodenz is non-toxic and achieved separation of primordial germ cells without attachment of antibodies against the primordial germ cell membrane surface. This new purification method and stage-specific antibody will be useful for the analysis of the mechanisms of primordial germ cell migration.

The feasibility of retrograde catheterization of the right gastric artery via the left gastric artery.

Retrograde catheterization of the right gastric artery was attempted in 22 patients for the purpose of proximal right gastric artery embolization. Retrograde catheterization was successfully performed in 12 of the 14 patients (86%) with smooth anastomoses. Retrograde catheterization was unsuccessful (n = 1) or time-consuming (n = 1) in two patients (14%) with smooth anastomoses. Right gastric artery embolization was successfully performed with microcoils in 13 of the patients. In all eight patients with tortuous anastomoses, catheterization was unsuccessful. Retrograde catheterization should be considered possible when preliminary angiography indicates a smooth anastomosis with the left gastric artery.

Transient neurotoxicity associated with FK506: MR findings.

We report a patient presenting with transient neurotoxicity who developed edema in the cerebral and cerebellar cortex following bone marrow transplant and administration of FK506, a widely used immunosuppresive agent.

A new device to measure the activity size distribution of radon progeny in a low level environment.

In order to easily measure the activity size distribution of radon progeny, a new instrument was developed that can determine their activity median diameter in a low level environment within 90 min. A four stage low-pressure cascade impactor was used. The particle size cut-off points were >2,100, 700, 210 and 70 nm, based on a particle density of 1 g cm(-3). A 300 metal wire screen diffusion collector facing with a silicon semiconductor detector was placed within the first air inlet in order to measure unattached radon progeny concentrations and also to prevent unattached progeny from entering the impactor. Silicon photodiodes, from which the ceramic windows were removed, were installed in each stage of the impactor. Alpha particles could be effectively detected with 46.2% efficiency as radon progeny were directly collected on the detecting surface of the photodiode. The surface of the photodiodes was coated with silicon grease to prevent particle bounce-off. An inline-type filter holder with a silicon semiconductor detector was connected at the exit of the impactor in order to collect the remaining radon progeny and to measure their concentrations. The instrument was used to concurrently measure the size distribution of radon progeny and the aerosol in the natural environment. The results indicated that the activity median diameter fell in between the median diameter of the aerosol derived from number statistics and that derived from surface-area statistics. A negative correlation was found between the unattached fraction (f(p)) and the activity median diameter.

Points to note from indications for heart transplantation to post-heart transplant care: from the care of patients with refractory heart failure and overseas heart transplantation.

To examine important points surrounding the indications for heart transplantation (HTX) to care after HTX, we reviewed 22 patients with refractory heart failure aged less than 60 years who had been observed for the past 6 years. Sixteen patients had dilated cardiomyopathy; 1, dilated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; 3, restrictive cardiomyopathy; and 2, ischemic cardiomyopathy; there were 15 males and 7 females, and 6 of the 22 patients were children. The 22 patients were divided into two groups according to their response to tailored medical therapy. Group 1 (n = 6) consisted of those whose cardiac function improved to New York Heart Association (NYHA) status 2 from NYHA status 3 or 4. Group 2 (n = 16) still exhibited refractory heart failure. Seven of these 16 patients went on to have successful HTX. Survival in groups 1 and 2 combined was significantly lower than actuarial survival post-HTX cited in the registry of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, and group 2 had an even lower survival than the total groups 1 and 2 survival. Survival in children was much lower than that in adults. Seven of the 16 patients in group 2 showed a genetic link, but there was no genetic link in group 1 patients. One patient in group 2 had a panel reactive antibody (PRA) value of 46% and died while awaiting HTX. Post-HTX care in terms of immunosuppressant therapy, was modified for each patient. It is particularly necessary to consider the time a patient will wait on the list for candidates for HTX who are children, have a genetic link, or are positive for PRA. A genetic approach is helpful to determine indications for HTX. Sensitive monitoring of post-HTX immunosuppression is needed.

Calculation procedure of potential alpha energy concentration with continuous air sampling.

A continuous potential alpha energy concentration monitor was developed to estimate the lung dose for inhalation of radon progeny. A silicon semiconductor detector was used as a detector. The build-up method was used and alpha particles emitted from 218Po, 214Po, 212Bi, and 212Po were detected. As 218Po and 212Bi have alpha particles of nearly the same energy, three detecting channels were set up. Counts corresponding to each nuclide were sent to a printer every 30 min. For the purpose of determining the potential alpha energy concentration of radon progeny continuously, a proper calculation procedure was investigated in detail. With this method, 218Po concentration and potential alpha energy concentration of radon progeny could be continuously obtained. The potential alpha energy concentration based on this procedure agreed well with that calculated from individual radon progeny concentration. When the measurement was done at 30-min intervals, the minimum detectable concentrations of 218Po concentration and equilibrium equivalent radon concentration were 0.3 Bq m(-3) and 0.15 Bq m(-3), respectively. The monitor can be used not only to estimate the lung dose but also to analyze environmental behavior of radon progeny.

Inhibition of polypeptide synthesis by tRNA fractions in rat liver cell-free systems.

The mechanism of inhibition of polypeptide synthesis by the addition of a tRNA fraction in a rat liver cell-free system was studied. The inhibition was found to occur at the step of aminoacyl-tRNA binding to ribosomes, in which aminoacyl-tRNA's were mainly responsible for the inhibition. The addition of EF-1 decreased the inhibition by the tRNA fraction. The tRNA fraction inhibited polypeptide synthesis in a polysome-S100 system under conditions in which poly U- and poly A-dependent polypeptide syntheses were not inhibited. The possibility that the aminoacyl-tRNA inhibitory activity functions through improper binding to the ribosomes in the polysome-S100 system is discussed.