First Report of a Mastrevirus (Geminiviridae) Transmitted by the Corn Leafhopper.

Maize striate mosaic virus (MSMV; genus Mastrevirus) was recently reported in maize plants in Brazil and also detected by metagenomic analyses in the corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott). Although these findings suggested that D. maidis is a potential vector, no transmission studies have been performed. Here, we tested the transmission of MSMV by D. maidis from field-collected infected plants and plants infected with MSMV via leafhopper-mediated transmission in the laboratory; all plants were confirmed positive for MSMV by PCR. In each one of three transmission replicates, aviruliferous D. maidis nymphs and adults were confined together on a source plant during a 4-day acquisition access period (AAP) and subsequently transferred to healthy maize seedlings (10 individuals per test plant) in a series of 4-day inoculation access periods (IAPs). We also tested transmission by the corn aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) and by mechanical inoculation of healthy maize seedlings. Only D. maidis transmitted MSMV, with overall transmission rates of 29.4 and 39.5% on field-collected infected plants and 18.5% on infected plants in laboratory. D. maidis transmitted MSMV until the third (8 to 12 days after the AAP) or fourth successive IAP (12 to 16 days), with gradual loss in transmission efficiency and rate of viruliferous insects over time, suggesting a persistent but nonpropagative mode of transmission. Infected test plants showed mottling symptoms with mild chlorotic streaks and height reduction. This is the first report of transmission of a mastrevirus by D. maidis, facilitating the completion of Koch's postulate for MSMV.

Nitrate detoxification using antioxidants and probiotics in the water for rabbits / Detoxificación de nitrato usando antioxidantes y probióticos en el agua para conejos / Detoxificação de nitrato usando antioxidantes e probióticos na água para coelhos

Abstract Background: Agricultural practices increase groundwater pollution from nitrate. High nitrate intake could negatively affect animal growth. Objective: To determine the effects of different levels of nitrate in drinking water on digestive, liver, and kidney functions, and on water and feed intake, and to determine the ability of vitamin C, vitamin E + selenium (Se) or probiotics to overcome the effects of nitrate in New Zealand White rabbit bucks. Methods: Forty-two male rabbits were randomly distributed into six treatment groups: 1) control group (with no nitrate); 2) 350 ppm nitrate; 3) 700 ppm nitrate; 4) 700 ppm + 200 ppm vitamin C; 5) 700 ppm + 200 ppm vitamin E + Se; and 6) 700 ppm + 1000 ppm probiotic. Productive performance, digestive, liver, and kidney functions, and hepatic and renal histology were evaluated. Results: Water intake was reduced (p<0.05) by the 350 ppm nitrate treatment. Rabbits given 700 ppm nitrate showed lower (p<0.05) dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, and increased (p<0.05) water and nitrate intake, as well as urea concentration, and aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity. Vitamin C, vitamin E + Se and probiotics improved (p<0.05) feed intake and nutrient digestibility, and reduced (p<0.05) water and nitrate intake, urea concentration, and AST and ALT activities. Conclusion: Rabbits may tolerate up to 350 ppm of nitrate, but 700 ppm of nitrate negatively affect digestive, liver, and kidney functions, which are improved by vitamin C, vitamin E + Se and probiotic supplementation.

Resumen Antecedentes: Las prácticas agrícolas aumentan la polución de aguas subterráneas con nitratos. Una alta ingestión de nitratos posiblemente afecta negativamente el crecimiento animal. Objetivo: Determinar los efectos de diferentes niveles de nitrato en el agua de bebida sobre las funciones digestivas, hepáticas y renales, ingestión de agua y alimento, y determinar la habilidad de la vitamina C, vitamina E + Selenio (Se) o probióticos en superar los efectos del nitrato en conejos Nueva Zelanda Blanco. Métodos: Cuarenta y dos conejos machos se distribuyeron al azar entre seis tratamientos: 1) grupo control (sin nitrato), 2) 350 ppm nitrato, 3) 700 ppm nitrato, 4) 700 ppm + 200 ppm vitamina C, 5) 700 ppm + 200 ppm vitamina E + Se, y 6) 700 ppm + 1000 ppm probiótico. Se evaluó el desempeño productivo, las funciones digestivas, hepáticas y renales, y la histología renal y hepática. Resultados: La ingestión de 350 ppm de nitrato disminuyó (p<0,05) la ingestión de agua. Los conejos que consumieron 700 ppm de nitrato presentaron menor (p<0,05) ingestión de materia seca y digestibilidad de nutrientes, y mayor (p<0,05) ingestión de agua y nitrato, concentración de urea, y mayores actividades de aspartato aminotransferasa (AST) y alanina aminotransferasa (ALT). Las vitaminas C, E + Se y el probiótico mejoraron (p<0,05) el consumo de alimento y la digestibilidad de nutrientes, y redujeron (p<0,05) la ingestión de agua y nitrato, la concentración de urea, y las actividades de AST y ALT. Conclusión: Los conejos pueden tolerar hasta 350 ppm de nitrato, pero 700 ppm de nitrato afectan negativamente las funciones digestivas, hepáticas y renales, las cuales mejoran con la suplementación de vitamina C, vitamina E + Se y del probiótico.

Resumo Antecedentes: As práticas agrícolas aumentam a contaminação de águas subterrâneas a partir de nitrato e a alta ingestão desta substância pode afetar negativamente o crescimento animal. Objetivo: Determinar os efeitos de diferentes níveis de nitrato na água de bebida sobre as funções digestivas, hepáticas e renais, ingestão de água e ração e determinar a habilidade da vitamina C, vitamina E + Selênio (Se) ou probiótico em sobrepor os efeitos do nitrato em coelhos Nova Zelândia Branco. Métodos: Quarenta e dois coelhos machos foram distribuídos ao acaso em seis tratamentos: 1) grupo controle (sem nitrato), 2) 350 ppm de nitrato, 3) 700 ppm de nitrato, 4) 700 ppm + 200 ppm de vitamina C, 5) 700 ppm + 200 ppm vitamina E + Se e 6) 700 ppm + 1000 ppm de probiótico. Foram avaliados o desempenho produtivo, as funções digestivas, hepáticas e renais além da histologia hepática e renal. Resultados: A ingestão de 350 ppm de nitrato diminuiu (p<0,05) a ingestão de água. Coelhos que receberam 700 ppm de nitrato apresentaram menor (p<0,05) ingestão de matéria seca, menor digestibilidade de nutrientes, e maior (p<0,05) ingestão de água e de nitrato, maior concentração plasmática de ureia e maiores atividades de aspartato aminotransferase (AST) e alanina aminotransferase (ALT). A adição de vitaminas C ou vitamina E + Se e probiótico melhorou (p<0,05) o consumo de ração, a digestibilidade de nutrientes e reduziram (p<0,05) a ingestão de água e de nitrato, a concentração de ureia e as atividades de AST e ALT. Conclusão: Coelhos podem tolerar até 350 ppm de nitrato, mas 700 ppm de nitrato afeta negativamente as funções digestivas, hepáticas e renais, as quais são melhoradas a partir da suplementação de vitamina C, vitamina E + Se ou ainda probiótico.

Functional oils affect blood and bacteriological parameters in sheep / Los aceites funcionales afectan parámetros sanguíneos y bacteriológicos en ovinos / Óleos funcionais afetam parâmetros sanguíneos e bacteriológicos em ovinos

Abstract Background: Feeding ionophores to sheep is intended for improving feed efficiency. Functional oils (FO) are an alternative to the use of ionophores. Objective: To evaluate the effect of feeding FO to sheep on blood parameters and fecal bacteria. Methods: Five sheep were used in a Latin square design with five treatments: 190, 285, 380, 570, and 675 g/t FO in the diet. White cell count and levels of blood glucose, total protein, urea nitrogen, and fecal bacteria presence in feces were determined. Results: The FO levels did not affect serum parameters. Salmonella spp was found only in feces of sheep fed 190 mg/t FO. Conclusion: Functional oils can be added to sheep diets to reduce the presence of Salmonella spp in the feces.

Resumen Antecedentes: Los ionóforos se suministran a los ovinos para mejorar la eficiencia alimenticia. Una alternativa al uso de ionóforos son los aceites funcionales (FO). Objetivo: Evaluar los efectos del suministro de FO en el alimento sobre los parámetros sanguíneos y bacterias fecales de ovinos. Métodos: Cinco ovejos fueron usados en un diseño de cuadrado latino con cinco tratamientos: 190, 285, 380, 570 y 675 g/t FO en la dieta. Se realizó conteo de leucocitos y niveles de glucosa, proteína total y nitrógeno ureico, y se determinó la presencia de bacterias fecales. Resultados: La inclusión dietaria de FO no afectó los parametros séricos. Se encontró Salmonella spp únicamente en heces de los ovinos que habían consumido 190 mg/t FO. Conclusión: Se puede agregar FO a la dieta de ovinos para reducir la presencia de Salmonella spp en heces.

Resumo Antecedentes: Na produção animal, ionóforos são ingeridos por ovinos para melhorar a eficiência alimentar. Alternativa ao uso de ionóforos são os óleos funcionais (FO). Objetivos: Avaliar os efeitos de FO em ovinos por meio da alimentação sobre os parâmetros sanguíneos e bacteriológicos. Métodos: Cinco ovinos foram usados em Quadrado Latino com cinco tratamentos: 190, 285, 380, 570 e 675 g/t FO nas dietas. Contagem de leucócitos e níveis de glicose, proteína total, nitrogênio ureico e presença de bactérias nas fezes foram determinados. Resultados: Os níveis de FO não afetaram os níveis séricos dos fatores mencionados. Salmonella spp foi encontrada somente em fezes de ovinos que haviam ingerido dietas com 190 mg/t FO. Conclusão: Óleos funcionais podem ser adicionados em dietas para ovinos para reduzir a presença de Salmonella spp nas fezes.

Annonalide and derivatives: Semisynthesis, cytotoxic activities and studies on interaction of annonalide with DNA.

The cytotoxic activity of the pimarane diterpene annonalide (1) and nine of its semisynthetic derivatives (2-10) was investigated against the human tumor cell lines HL-60 (leukemia), PC-3 (prostate adenocarcinoma), HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma), SF-295 (glioblastoma) and HCT-116 (colon cancer), and normal mouse fibroblast (L929) cells. The preparation of 2-10 involved derivatization of the side chain of 1 at C-13. Except for 2, all derivatives are being reported for the first time. Most of the tested compounds presented IC50s below 4.0 µM, being considered potential antitumor agents. The structures of all new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses including 2D NMR and HRMS. Additionally, the interaction of annonalide (1) with ctDNA was evaluated using spectroscopic techniques, and the formation of a supramolecular complex with the macromolecule was confirmed. Competition assays with fluorescent probes (Hoechst and ethidium bromide) and theoretical studies confirmed that 1 interacts preferentially via DNA intercalation with stoichiometric ratio of 1:1 (1:ctDNA). The ΔG value was calculated as -28.24 kJ mol-1, and indicated that the interaction process occurs spontaneously. Docking studies revealed that van der Walls is the most important interaction in 1-DNA and EB-DNA complexes, and that both ligands (1 and EB) interact with the same DNA residues (DA6, DA17 and DT19).

Nesting materials for does: Effect on nest building and performance at first parturition / Materiales de nido para conejas: Efecto sobre la construcción del nido y desempeño al primer parto / Materiais de ninho para coelhas: Efeito sobre a construção do ninho e desempenho na primeira parição

Abstract Background: The material placed into the nest should provide comfort to both does and their kits. Objective: To evaluate the effect of different nesting materials on rabbit doe performance and nest building. Methods: Thirty primiparous rabbit does were randomized allotted in a block design with three treatments and ten replicates each. The treatments consisted of nest bedding with wood shavings (280 g, control), Tifton hay (220 g), and thin strips of newspaper (200 g). The state of the nest was assessed to evaluate mixing of the material with doe's hair and preservation of the original material. Kit body weight, daily weight gain, and survival rate were evaluated from birth to weaning. Results: The nesting material did not affect the mixing level of material and hair, amount of hair in the nest, body weight, daily weight gain, or survival rate of rabbits from birth to 35 d of age (p>0.05). However, preservation of original material in the nest was lower when Tifton hay was used (p<0.05). Correlations between material type and total number of born alive and the amount of hair, mixture level between hair and material, and material preservation in the nest were not significant (p>0.05). No correlation (p>0.05) was observed between material preservation and hair presence or mixture level between both. Positive correlation between hair presence and mixture level (p<0.001) was observed. Conclusion: Tifton hay and cut newspaper can be used as nest bedding for pregnant does in replacement of wood shavings, with no negative effects on nest building behavior or kit performance.

Resumen Antecedentes: El material ubicado en el nido debe proporcionar confort a la coneja y a su camada. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de nidos forrados con diferentes materiales sobre el desempeño de la coneja y sobre la construcción del nido. Métodos: Treinta conejas primíparas fueron usadas en un diseño en bloques al azar con tres tratamientos y 10 repeticiones cada uno. Los tratamientos consistieron en forrar el nido con viruta (280 g), heno de Tifton (220 g) y periódico cortado en tiras (200 g). El estado del nido fue determinado para evaluar la mezcla del material y los vellos de la coneja, la preservación del material original, y el peso corporal, la ganancia de peso diaria y la tasa de supervivencia fueron evaluados desde el nacimiento hasta el destete. Resultados: El tipo de material no afectó el nivel de mezcla entre el material y los vellos, cantidad de vello en el nido, peso corporal, ganancia de peso diaria, o tasa de supervivencia de las crías desde el nacimiento hasta el d 35 de edad (p>0,05); sin embargo, la preservación del material original en el nido fue menor cuando el heno de Tifton fue usado (p<0,05). Las correlaciones del tipo de material y número total de nacidos vivos, y la cantidad de vello, nivel de mezcla entre vello y material, y preservación de material en el nido no fueron significativas (p>0,05). No hubo correlación (p>0,05) entre preservación del material en el nido con presencia de vello o nivel de mezcla en los nidos. Hubo una correlación positive entre la presencia de vello en el nido y el nivel de mezcla (p<0,001). Conclusión: El heno de Tifton y el periódico cortado en tiras puede ser usado como revestimiento de nidos para conejas gestantes, sustituyendo la viruta de madera sin efectos negativos sobre el comportamiento de construcción del nido de la coneja ni sobre el desempeño de las crías desde el nacimiento hasta el destete, considerando el primer parto.

Resumo Antecedentes: O material colocado no ninho deve proporcionar conforto à coelha e sua ninhada. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito de ninhos forrados com diferentes materiais sobre o desempenho da coelha e sobre a construção do ninho. Métodos: Trinta coelhas primíparas foram usadas em delineamento em blocos ao acaso com três tratamentos e dez repetições cada. Foram avaliados três tipos de material para forrar o piso do ninho com maravalha (280 g), feno de Tifton (220 g) e jornal cortado em tiras (200 g). O estado do ninho foi determinado para avaliar a mistura do material com os pelos da coelha, a preservação do material original. Peso corporal, ganho de peso diário e a taxa de sobrevivência foram avaliados desde o nascimento até o desmame. Resultados: Nenhum efeito foi observado do tipo de material sobre o nível de mistura do material e pelos, quantidade de pelos no ninho, peso corporal, ganho de peso diário ou taxa de sobrevivência dos láparos do nascimento até 35 d de idade (p>0,05), entretanto, a preservação do material original no ninho foi menor quando o feno de Tifton foi usado (p<0,05). As correlacões de tipo de material e número total de nascidos vivos com a presença de pelo, nível de mistura entre pelo e material, e preservação de material no ninho não foram significativas (p>0,05). Não houve correlação (p>0,05) entre preservação do material no ninho com presença de pelo ou nível de mistura nos ninhos. Houve correlação positiva entre a presença de pelo no ninho com nível de mistura (p<0,001). Conclusão: Feno de Tifton e jornal cortado em tiras podem ser usados como revestimento de ninhos para coelhas gestantes, substituindo a maravalha sem efeitos negativos sobre o comportamento de construção do ninho da coelha nem sobre o desempenho dos láparos do nascimento até o desmame, considerando-se o primeiro parto.

Use of liquid vinasse as a feed additive for Japanese quails / Uso de vinaza líquida como aditivo alimenticio para la codorniz japonesa / Vinhaça líquida como aditivo alimentar para codornas japonesas

Abstract Background: Liquid vinasse (LV) has probiotic properties and low pH. It is fed to animals as a solution to the disposal problem of this by-product. Objective: To evaluate the effects of increasing dietary levels of LV on growing performance, egg quality and economic viability for Japanese quails. Methods: One hundred sixty Japanese quails were included in a randomized study with five dietary treatments and four replicates per treatment. The treatments consisted of adding 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, or 10% LV to a commercial quail feed for 84 d. Results: The LV inclusion resulted in a linear decrease in daily intake of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), gross energy, calcium, phosphorus, and in the feed conversion ratio. However, it resulted in a linear increase in egg-specific weight, eggshell weight, CP content in the DM, and a quadratic change in the ether extract content of the egg. The price per dozen eggs decreased linearly with the inclusion of LV. Conclusion: The best results were obtained by adding 10% LV, which made egg production more profitable.

Resumen Antecedentes: La vinaza líquida (LV) tiene propiedades probióticas y bajo pH, por lo que se ha utilizado como alimento para animales como una solución para el problema de la eliminación de este sub-producto. Objetivo: Evaluar los efectos del aumento de los niveles de la LV en el desempeño productivo de la codorniz japonesa, la calidad interna y externa del huevo y la viabilidad económica de la utilización de este sub-producto. Métodos: Ciento sesenta codornices japonesas fueron incluidas en un estudio al azar con cinco tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones cada uno. Los tratamientos consistieron en la adición de 0, 2,5, 5, 7,5 o 10% de LV a un alimento comercial para codornices durante 84 d. Resultados: La inclusión de LV resultó en una disminución lineal en la ingestión diaria de materia seca (DM), proteína bruta (CP), energía bruta, calcio, fósforo, y en la tasa de conversión del alimento. Sin embargo, dio lugar a un aumento lineal en el peso específico del huevo, el peso de la cáscara, el contenido de CP en la DM y cuadráticamente alteró el contenido de extracto etéreo de los huevos. El precio de una docena de huevos disminuyó linealmente con la inclusión de LV. Conclusión: Los mejores resultados se obtuvieron con un nivel de LV de 10%, que resultó en la producción de huevos más rentable.

Resumo Antecedentes: A vinhaça líquida (LV) tem propriedades probióticas e pH baixo, e tem sido utilizada como alimentos para animais; uma solução para o problema da eliminação deste co-produto. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos de níveis crescentes de LV sobre o desempenho produtivo de codornas japonesas, qualidade interna e externa do ovo, e a viabilidade econômica da utilização deste coproduto. Métodos: cento e sessenta codornas japonesas foram utilizadas em delineamneto inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições cada um. Os tratamentos consistiram de adição 0, 2,5, 5, 7,5 ou 10% LV à ração comercial para codornas, durante 84 d. Resultados: A inclusão de LV resultou em uma redução linear no consumo diário de matéria seca (DM), proteína bruta (CP), energia bruta, cálcio, fósforo, e da taxa de conversão alimentar. No entanto, resultou em um aumento linear no peso específico do ovo, peso da casca e teor de CP na DM e alterou de forma quadrática o teor de extrato etéreo dos ovos. O preço da dúzia de ovos dimuniu linearmente com a inclusão de LV. Conclusão: Economicamente, os melhores resultados foram obtidos com o nível de 10% de LV, o que tornou a produção de ovos mais rentável.

Magnetized drinking water improves productivity and blood parameters in geese / El agua de bebida magnetizada mejora la productividad y los parámetros sanguíneos en gansos / A água magnetizada melhora a produtividade e os parâmetros sanguíneos em gansos

Abstract Background: Quality of drinking water is an issue that imposes limits on animal farming. Improving water quality can be a solution to animal farming and to the enhancement of animal production in areas with limited water supplies. Objective: To evaluate the effect of water quality and magnetized water on productivity and blood parameters of Egyptian geese. Methods: One hundred and eight (108) Egyptian geese were randomly distributed among four water treatments in a 2×2 factorial design that included two types of water (tap water and well water) and exposure or non-exposure to magnetized tap water and magnetized well water. Results: Well water was of poor quality. Geese consuming this water exhibited lower productive and reproductive performance, lower progesterone and estrogen levels, impaired renal and liver functions and lower total antioxidant capacity. Their eggs had lower weight, lower yolk percentage and reduced shell thicknesses. The magnetic treatment improved the quality of both types of water, with a greater effect on well water. Magnetized water increased water consumption and performance of geese, along with improved renal and liver functions, reproductive hormones, and antioxidant status. Magnetized water improved growth performance, dressing percentage of goslings, and the amount of meat produced. Conclusion: Magnetized tap water improved body weight and feed conversion rate, besides renal and hepatic functions. It also increased production, quality and hatchability of eggs, and levels of reproductive hormones (i.e. progesterone and estrogen), and the antioxidant status in blood.

Resumen Antecedentes: La calidad del agua de bebida es un problema que limita la cría de animales. Mejorar la calidad del agua puede ser una solución para la cría de animales y para aumentar su producción en áreas con limitado suministro de agua Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de la calidad del agua y del agua magnetizada sobre la productividad y los parámetros sanguíneos de gansos egipcios. Métodos: Ciento ocho gansos se distribuyeron al azar en cuatro tratamientos con un diseño factorial 2×2, que incluyó el efecto de dos tipos de agua (agua de grifo o agua de pozo) y el efecto de la magnetización de ambos tipos. Resultados: El agua de pozo presentó baja calidad. Los gansos que consumieron dicha agua exhibieron peor desempeño productivo y reproductivo, menor nivel de progesterona y estrógeno, deficiencia en las funciones renal y hepática y menor capacidad antioxidante total. Sus huevos mostraron menor peso, bajo porcentaje de yema y reducido espesor de cáscara. El tratamiento magnético mejoró la calidad de ambos tipos de agua, con mayor efecto sobre el agua de pozo. El agua magnetizada mejoró el consumo de agua y el desempeño de los gansos, lo cual contribuyó a una mejoría en las funciones renal y hepática, en las hormonas de la reproducción y en los índices antioxidantes. El agua magnetizada indujo una mejora en el crecimiento, rendimiento en canal y cantidad de carne producida. Conclusión: El agua de pozo magnetizada mejoró el peso corporal y la conversión alimenticia de las aves, además de las funciones renal y hepática; aumentó la producción, calidad y eclosión de los huevos, así como los niveles de hormonas reproductivas (i.e. progesterona y estrógeno) y el estatus antioxidante en sangre.

Resumo Antecedentes: A qualidade da agua é um problema que limita a criação de animais. Melhorar a qualidade da água pode ser uma solução para a criação extensiva de animais e para ampliar a produção animal em áreas com limitado fornecimento de água. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da qualidade da água e da água magnetizada sobre a produtividade e os parâmetros sanguíneos de gansos Egípcios. Métodos: Cento e oito gansos Egípcios foram distribuídos ao acaso entre quatro tratamentos de água em arranjo fatorial 2×2 incluindo dois tipos de água - água da torneira × água de poço e a exposição ou não à água de torneira magnetizada × água de poço magnetizada. Resultados: A água de poço apresentou baixa qualidade. Os gansos que receberam esta água exibiram piores desempenhos produtivo e reprodutivo, menores níveis de progesterona e estrógeno, deficiências nas funções renal e hepática, e menor capacidade antioxidante total. Seus ovos mostraram baixo peso, porcentagens menores de gema e espessura de casca reduzida. O tratamento magnético melhorou a qualidade de ambos os tipos de água, com maior efeito na água de poço. A água magnetizada melhorou o consumo de água e o desempenho dos gansos, o qual contribuiu para a melhora nas funções renal e hepática, nos hormônios da reprodução e nos índices antioxidantes. A água magnetizada induziu uma melhora no crescimento, no rendimento de carcaça e na quantidade de carne produzida. Conclusaõ: A água de poço magnetizada melhorou o peso corporal e a conversão alimentar das aves, além das funções renal e hepática, aumentou a produção, qualidade e eclodibilidade dos ovos, também os níveis de hormônios reprodutores (i.e. progesterona e estrógeno) e o status antioxidante no sangue.

Characterization of Soybean Genetically Modified for Drought Tolerance in Field Conditions.

Drought is one of the most stressful environmental factor causing yield and economic losses in many soybean-producing regions. In the last decades, transcription factors (TFs) are being used to develop genetically modified plants more tolerant to abiotic stresses. Dehydration responsive element binding (DREB) and ABA-responsive element-binding (AREB) TFs were introduced in soybean showing improved drought tolerance, under controlled conditions. However, these results may not be representative of the way in which plants behave over the entire season in the real field situation. Thus, the objectives of this study were to analyze agronomical traits and physiological parameters of AtDREB1A (1Ab58), AtDREB2CA (1Bb2193), and AtAREB1 (1Ea2939) GM lines under irrigated (IRR) and non-irrigated (NIRR) conditions in a field experiment, over two crop seasons and quantify transgene and drought-responsive genes expression. Results from season 2013/2014 revealed that line 1Ea2939 showed higher intrinsic water use and leaf area index. Lines 1Ab58 and 1Bb2193 showed a similar behavior to wild-type plants in relation to chlorophyll content. Oil and protein contents were not affected in transgenic lines in NIRR conditions. Lodging, due to plentiful rain, impaired yield from the 1Ea2939 line in IRR conditions. qPCR results confirmed the expression of the inserted TFs and drought-responsive endogenous genes. No differences were identified in the field experiment performed in crop season 2014/2015, probably due to the optimum rainfall volume during the cycle. These field screenings showed promising results for drought tolerance. However, additional studies are needed in further crop seasons and other sites to better characterize how these plants may outperform the WT under field water deficit.

The natural plant stress elicitor cis-jasmone causes cultivar-dependent reduction in growth of the stink bug, Euschistus heros and associated changes in flavonoid concentrations in soybean, Glycine max.

To test the hypothesis that the plant stress related elicitor cis-jasmone (cJ) provides protection in soybean pods against the seed-sucking stink bug pest, Euschistus heros, the growth of E. heros on cJ-treated pods was investigated using three soybean cultivars differing in insect susceptibility, i.e. BRS 134 (susceptible), IAC 100 (resistant) and Dowling (resistant). E. heros showed reduced weight gain when fed cJ-treated Dowling, whereas no effect on weight gain was observed when fed other treated cultivars. Using analysis of variance, a three factor (cultivar x treatment x time) interaction was observed with concentrations of the flavonoid glycosides daidzin and genistin, and their corresponding aglycones, daidzein and genistein. There were increases in genistein and genistin concentrations in cJ-treated Dowling at 144 and 120 h post treatment, respectively. Higher concentrations of malonyldaidzin and malonylgenistin in Dowling, compared to BRS 134 and IAC 100, were observed independently of time, the highest concentrations being observed in cJ-treated seeds. Levels of glycitin and malonylglycitin were higher in BRS 134 and IAC 100 compared to Dowling. Canonical variate analysis indicated daidzein (in the first two canonical variates) and genistein (in the first only) as important discriminatory variables. These results suggest that cJ treatment leads to an increase in the levels of potentially defensive isoflavonoids in immature soybean seeds, but the negative effect upon E. heros performance is cultivar-dependent.

Treatment of poultry litter does not improve performance or carcass lesions in broilers / El tratamiento de la cama no afecta el desempeño ni las lesiones en la canal del pollo de engorde / Desempenho produtivo e lesões na carcaça de frangos de corte não são afetados pelo tratamento da cama de frango

Background: broilers spend most of their lives in contact with litter; litter quality can affect their health and performance. Objective: the effects of litter treatment on performance and carcass lesions were evaluated in five consecutive flocks with 640 male broilers each. Methods: a completely randomized model was used comprising eight treatments and four replicates. The treatments included (1) untreated litter, (2) litter subjected to in-house composting, (3) litter treated (LT) with aluminum sulfate, (4) LT with gypsum, (5) LT with quicklime, (6) LT with dolomitic limestone, (7) LT with zeolite, and (8) LT with charcoal. Chopped elephant-grass hay was used as poultry litter in all flocks. Results: none of the litter treatments were found to influence the performance and carcass lesions of the male broilers in all five flocks. Furthermore, poultry litter treatments were not economically viable. Conclusion: poultry litter treatments did not affect the performance and scores of carcass lesions of male broilers, but increased the cost of poultry production.

Antecedentes: los pollos de engorde pasan la mayoría de su vida en contacto con la cama; la calidad de la cama puede afectar la salud y desempeño del ave. Objetivo: fueron evaluados los efectos de diferentes tratamientos de la cama sobre el desempeño y lesiones en la canal de pollos de engorde durante cinco lotes consecutivos con 640 aves cada uno. Métodos: se empleó un modelo completamente aleatorizado con ocho tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones. Los tratamientos incluyeron (1) cama no tratada, (2) cama sometida a compostaje en el galpón, (3) cama tratada (CT) con sulfato de aluminio, (4) CT con yeso agrícola, (5) CT con cal, (6) CT con calcáreo dolomítico, (7) CT con zeolita y (8) CT con carbón vegetal. Heno de pasto elefante picado fue usado como cama en todos los lotes. Resultado: los tratamientos no influenciaron el desempeño ni las lesiones en la canal de los pollos en ningún lote. Además, ninguno de los tratamientos de las camas fue económicamente viables. Conclusión: el tratamiento de la cama de pollo no solo no afecta el desempeño ni las lesiones en la canal de los pollos sino que eleva los costos de producción de las aves.

Antecedentes: os frangos de corte passam a maioria de suas vidas em contato com a cama e a qualidade desta pode afetar a saúde e o desempenho produtivo da ave. Objetivo: Avaliou-se os efeitos dos tratamentos da cama de frango sobre o desempenho no crescimento e lesões na carcaça de frangos de corte. Métodos: avaliaram-se 640 aves por lote, durante cinco lotes consecutivos, analisaram-se empregando um modelo completamente casualizado com oito tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de (1) cama não tratada, (2) cama submetida a compostagem no galpão, (3) cama tratada (CT) com sulfato de alumínio, (4) CT com gesso agrícola, (5) CT com cal virgem, (6) CT com calcário dolomítico, (7) CT com zeolita e (8) CT com carvão vegetal. Feno de capim elefante picado foi usado como cama em todos os lotes. Resultado: os diferentes tratamentos não influenciaram o desempenho na produção e as lesões na carcaça dos frangos em nenhum lote, entretanto, os tratamentos da cama foram economicamente inviáveis. Conclusão: o tratamento da cama de frango não afeta o desempenho produtivo e os escores de lesões na carcaça dos frangos de corte, além, eleva os custos da produção avícola.

Poultry litter of wood shavings and/or sugarcane bagasse: animal performance and bed quality / Cama de viruta de madera y/o bagazo de caña de azúcar para pollo: desempeño animal y calidad de la cama / Cama composta por maravalha e/ou bagaço de cana de açúcar para frangos: desempenho animal e qualidade da cama

Background: litter provides comfort to animals while improving productive performance and carcass quality. Objective: this study evaluated broiler performance, incidence of contact dermatitis, and quality of poultry litter of wood shavings and/or sugarcane bagasse (SB) after five consecutive flocks. Methods: two thousand birds were raised in five consecutive flocks composed of 400 chicks each. The experiment was set in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four repetitions. The treatments consisted of substituting wood shavings with different levels of SB (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%). Results: litter density, pH, dry matter content, total nitrogen, and phosphorus did not vary between treatments. However, substituting wood shavings with SB increased moisture retention capacity of the litter and ammonia production. Neither carcass lesions nor productive performance, with the exception of weight gain and feed conversion ratio in the fifth flock, differed between treatments. Conclusions: substituting 75% of wood shavings with SB maintained litter quality and improved poultry performance.

Antecedentes: la cama propicia el confort y mejora el desempeño productivo y la calidad de la canal de los pollos de engorde. Objetivo: el objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el desempeño productivo de pollos de engorde, la incidencia de dermatitis de contacto en la canal y la calidad de la cama de pollo compuesta de viruta de madera y/o bagazo de caña de azúcar (SB), usada en cinco lotes consecutivos. Métodos: dos mil aves fueron criadas en cinco lotes consecutivos, cada uno constituido por 400 pollitos, en un diseño completamente aleatorizado con cinco tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones. Los tratamientos consistieron en diferentes niveles de sustitución de viruta de madera con SB (0, 25, 50, 75 y 100%). Resultados: la densidad, pH y contenidos de materia seca, nitrógeno total y fósforo no variaron entre los tratamientos. Sin embargo, sustituir viruta de madera con SB aumentó la capacidad de retención de humedad y la cantidad de amoníaco volatilizado en el galpón. Ni las lesiones en la canal y ni el desempeño productivo, con excepción de la ganancia de peso y conversión alimentaria en el quinto lote, difirieron entre los tratamientos. Conclusiones: sustituir 75% de la viruta de madera con SB mantuvo la calidad de la cama y mejoró el desempeño productivo de las aves.

Antecedentes: cama de frango propicia conforto e melhora o desempenho produtivo e a qualidade da carcaça das aves. Objetivo: este estudo avaliou o desempenho produtivo de frangos de corte, a incidência de dermatite de contato na carcaça e a qualidade da cama de frango composta de maravalha e/ou bagaço de cana (SB), usada em cinco lotes consecutivos. Métodos: duas mil aves foram criadas em cinco lotes consecutivos, compostos de 400 pintinhos cada, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de diferentes níveis de substituição de maravalha com BC (0, 25, 50, 75 e 100%). Resultados: densidade, pH e teores de matéria seca, nitrogênio total e fósforo não variaram entre os tratamentos. Entretanto, substituir maravalha com SB aumentou a capacidade de retenção de umidade e a quantidade de amônia volatilizada no galpão. Nem as lesões na carcaça e nem o desempenho produtivo, com exceção do ganho de peso e conversão alimentar no quinto lote, diferiram entre os tratamentos. Conclusões: substituir 75% da maravalha com SB manteve a qualidade da cama e melhorou o desempenho produtivo das aves.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells isolated from multiple sclerosis patients have distinct gene expression profile and decreased suppressive function compared with healthy counterparts.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, due to an immune reaction against myelin proteins. Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) present immunosuppressive effects and have been used for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In our study, gene expression profile and in vitro immunomodulatory function tests were used to compare bone marrow-derived MSCs obtained from MS patients, at pre- and postautologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) with those from healthy donors. Patient MSCs comparatively exhibited i) senescence in culture; ii) similar osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potential; iii) decreased expression of CD105, CD73, CD44, and HLA-A/B/C molecules; iv) distinct transcription at pre-AHSCT compared with control MSCs, yielding 618 differentially expressed genes, including the downregulation of TGFB1 and HGF genes and modulation of the FGF and HGF signaling pathways; v) reduced antiproliferative effects when pre-AHSCT MSCs were cocultured with allogeneic T-lymphocytes; vi) decreased secretion of IL-10 and TGF-ß in supernatants of both cocultures (pre- and post-AHSCT MSCs); and vii) similar percentages of regulatory cells recovered after MSC cocultures. The transcriptional profile of patient MSCs isolated 6 months posttransplantation was closer to pre-AHSCT samples than from healthy MSCs. Considering that patient MSCs exhibited phenotypic changes, distinct transcriptional profile and functional defects implicated in MSC immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive activity, we suggest that further MS clinical studies should be conducted using allogeneic bone marrow MSCs derived from healthy donors. We also demonstrated that treatment of MS patients with AHSCT does not reverse the transcriptional and functional alterations observed in patient MSCs.

Secondary metabolite production by the basidiomycete, Lentinus strigellus, under different culture conditions.

The basidiomycete Lentinus strigellus was cultivated in three different culture media and the secondary metabolites produced under different culture conditions were isolated and identified. When cultivated in a liquid medium with peptone, L. strigellus afforded the benzopyrans, 2,2-dimethyl-6-methoxychroman-4-one, 4-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-6-methoxychromane and (3R,4S)-3,4-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-6-methoxychromane. The indole alkaloid echinuline and the anthraquinone fiscione, both unprecedented for the genus Lentinus, were isolated from the mycelium of the fungus. When cultured in Czapek medium enriched with potato broth, the fungus afforded the same benzopyrans except (3S,4S)-3,4-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-6-methoxychromane. Panepoxydone and isopanepoxydone were also isolated when the microorganism was grown in Czapek medium.

Using multidimensional projection techniques for reaching a high distinguishing ability in biosensing.

Recent advances in the control of molecular engineering architectures have allowed unprecedented ability of molecular recognition in biosensing, with a promising impact for clinical diagnosis and environment control. The availability of large amounts of data from electrical, optical, or electrochemical measurements requires, however, sophisticated data treatment in order to optimize sensing performance. In this study, we show how an information visualization system based on projections, referred to as Projection Explorer (PEx), can be used to achieve high performance for biosensors made with nanostructured films containing immobilized antigens. As a proof of concept, various visualizations were obtained with impedance spectroscopy data from an array of sensors whose electrical response could be specific toward a given antibody (analyte) owing to molecular recognition processes. In addition to discussing the distinct methods for projection and normalization of the data, we demonstrate that an excellent distinction can be made between real samples tested positive for Chagas disease and Leishmaniasis, which could not be achieved with conventional statistical methods. Such high performance probably arose from the possibility of treating the data in the whole frequency range. Through a systematic analysis, it was inferred that Sammon's mapping with standardization to normalize the data gives the best results, where distinction could be made of blood serum samples containing 10(-7) mg/mL of the antibody. The method inherent in PEx and the procedures for analyzing the impedance data are entirely generic and can be extended to optimize any type of sensor or biosensor.

Do different casein concentrations increase the adverse effect of rutin on the biology of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)?

The flavonoid rutin is recognized as playing an important role in the protection of plants against lepidopterans. Bioassays with this compound are generally carried out using artificial diets. Proteins of high energy value, such as casein, are important ingredients of insect artificial diets as a source of essential amino acids. However, such proteins can generally increase the allelochemical activity. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of rutin on larvae of the velvetbean caterpillar Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner by incorporating this allelochemical into diets with different concentrations of casein. Three casein concentrations (0, 7 g, or 14 g) combined with none, 0.65%, or 1.30% of rutin were added to the rearing diet and offered to the larvae from hatching to pupation. Rutin negatively affected larval development, the amount of food consumed, and pupal weight of A. gemmatalis. These negative effects were clearly seen in insects fed on diets with 7 g of casein to which any concentration of rutin was added. The effects of rutin when added to the diets without casein were stronger than in diets containing a suitable amount of casein (14 g). The greater negative effects of rutin in diets containing suboptimal concentrations of casein indicate that casein can increase the effects of rutin only when the diets are nutritionally unsuitable for insect development.

Biosensors for efficient diagnosis of leishmaniasis: innovations in bioanalytics for a neglected disease.

The need for reliable, fast diagnostics is closely linked to the need for safe, effective treatment of the so-called "neglected" diseases. The list of diseases with no field-adapted diagnostic tools includes leishmaniasis, shigella, typhoid, and bacterial meningitis. Leishmaniasis, in particular, is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania spp. transmitted by infected phlebotomine sandfly, which remains a public health concern in developing countries with ca. 12 million people infected and 350 million at risk of infection. Despite several attempts, methods for diagnosis are still noneffective, especially with regard to specificity due to false positives with Chagas' disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi . Accepted golden standards for detecting leishmaniasis involve isolation of parasites either microscopically, or by culture, and in both methods specimens are obtained by invasive means. Here, we show that efficient distinction between cutaneous leishmaniasis and Chagas' disease can be obtained with a low-cost biosensor system made with nanostructured films containing specific Leishmania amazonensis and T. cruzi antigens and employing impedance spectroscopy as the detection method. This unprecedented selectivity was afforded by antigen-antibody molecular recognition processes inherent in the detection with the immobilized antigens, and by statistically correlating the electrical impedance data, which allowed distinction between real samples that tested positive for Chagas' disease and leishmaniasis. Distinction could be made of blood serum samples containing 10(-5) mg/mL of the antibody solution in a few minutes. The methods used here are generic and can be extended to any type of biosensor, which is important for an effective diagnosis of many other diseases.

IgG1, IgG4, and IgE antibody responses in human strongyloidiasis by ELISA using Strongyloides ratti saline extract as heterologous antigen.

The aim of this study was to evaluate total IgG, IgG1, IgG4, and IgE antibody responses in human strongyloidiasis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using Strongyloides ratti saline extract as heterologous antigen for a possible clinical utility of the assay. A total of 40 serum samples of patients who were shedding Strongyloides stercoralis larvae in feces (group I), 30 sera from patients with other intestinal parasites (group II), and 30 sera from subjects with negative results in three parasitological assays (group III) were analyzed to detect total IgG, IgG1, IgG4, and IgE to Strongyloides spp. by ELISA and expressed in ELISA index. Levels of total IgG anti-Strongyloides spp. were significantly higher in patients of group I than in groups II (p=0.0005) and III (p<0.0001). Levels of specific IgG1, IgG4, and IgE of group I were also significantly higher than in groups II and III, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between specific IgE and IgG4 (r=0.6524; p=0.0084) and IgG1 and IgG4 (r=0.5398; p=0.0171). It can be concluded that the detection of specific IgE, IgG1, and IgG4 subclasses rather than total IgG antibodies to Strongyloides spp. using the S. ratti antigen showed to be an additional tool for improving the serodiagnosis of human strongyloidiasis.