Adaptability and stability of genotypes of sweet sorghum by GGEBiplot and Toler methods.

Sweet sorghum has considerable potential for ethanol and energy production. The crop is adaptable and can be grown under a wide range of cultivation conditions in marginal areas; however, studies of phenotypic stability are lacking under tropical conditions. Various methods can be used to assess the stability of the crop. Some of these methods generate the same basic information, whereas others provide additional information on genotype x environment (G x E) interactions and/or a description of the genotypes and environments. In this study, we evaluated the complementarity of two methods, GGEBiplot and Toler, with the aim of achieving more detailed information on G x E interactions and their implications for selection of sweet sorghum genotypes. We used data from 25 sorghum genotypes grown in different environments and evaluated the following traits: flowering (FLOW), green mass yield (GMY), total soluble solids (TSS), and tons of Brix per hectare (TBH). Significant G x E interactions were found for all traits. The most stable genotypes identified with the GGEBiplot method were CMSXS643 for FLOW, CMSXS644 and CMSXS647 for GMY, CMSXS646 and CMSXS637 for TSS, and BRS511 and CMSXSS647 for TBH. Especially for TBH, the genotype BRS511 was classified as doubly desirable by the Toler method; however, unlike the result of the GGEBiplot method, the genotype CMSXS647 was also found to be doubly undesirable. The two analytical methods were complementary and enabled a more reliable identification of adapted and stable genotypes.

Air gun dart injury in paranasal sinuses left alone.

Patients with paranasal sinus foreign body are not commonly seen in otolaryngological practice and papers dealing with this issue are rare in the English literature. One case of penetrating sinus injury due to air gun dart is presented to illustrate the potentially serious consequences of air gun injuries. The clinical presentation, diagnostic pitfalls and the treatment aspects are discussed.

[Prevalence of systemic arterial hypertension in the population of +Passo Fundo (Brazil) metropolitan area]. / Prevalência da hipertensão arterial sistêmica na população urbana de Passo Fundo (RS).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the present prevalence of hypertension in the Passo Fundo metropolitan area. METHODS: This is an observational, descriptive, crossectional design with populational base, of a representative random sample of the adults of this urban region. The criteria for hypertension were blood pressure > or = 160/95 mmHg or antihypertensive treatment. The average of the last three measurements was used in the analysis. Two hundred and six subjects were selected. The interview was made with standardized questionnaires. Blood pressure was corrected for arm diameter. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was 21.9% (CI = 19.3 to 24.5) of 45 hypertensive subjects, 53.3% were using anti-hypertensive drugs regularly, however only 20% had normal BP levels. Among the study population 4.4% were diabetics, 33.0% were smokers, 31.4% of the women were using contraceptives, 2.9% were heavy alcohol users, 29.6% were obese. The following conditions of interest were significantively associated with hypertension: age, obesity and diabetes; there was no association with sex, color, heavy alcohol use, smoking and contraceptive use. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypertension in the Passo Fundo metropolitan area is within the expected range, however the level of control in this population is not acceptable.

A interferência do telefone celular sobre os marcapassos permanentes / Cellular telephone effects on the permanent pacemaker

Foram observados 106 pacientes portadores de marcapassos de variados modelos e fabricantes para verificar as modificaçöes frente às interferências eletromagnéticas geradas por um telefone celular PT 550 Motorola de circuito analógico. Os pacientes foram examinados sob constante monitorizaçäo eletrocardiográfica e os geradores programados em diferentes modos de comandos e sensibilidades. O telefone celular foi colocado em contato com ambos os ouvidos e sobre a loja do gerador de pulsos. Ocorreram 8 por cento modificaçöes transitórias no funcionamento dos aparelhos, sendo as pausas o fenômeno mais comumente encontrado. Verificou-se que o telefone celular, quando em contato com determinados marcapassos, é capaz de causar mau funcionamento transitório.