Genetic Analyses for TSV-Susceptible and TSV-Resistant Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei using M1 Microsatellite

Allelic frequency differences at the highly polymorphic MI microsatellite of B20 locus were examined in Taura Syndrome Virus (TSV)-susceptible (Kona) and TSV-resistant (Select) lines of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei . DNA was screened from 1,009 cultured L. vannamei , 166 from the Kona line and 843 (97 broodstock and 746 offspring) from the Select line. A total of 34 different MI alleles were found, 41.2% of which were shared by the two lines, and 58.2% were unique to either line. Only seven (20.6%) of the 34 alleles had similar frequencies in the two lines. The most frequent (22.4%) allele in the Select line (218 bp) was absent from the Kona line. The most frequent (9.6%) allele in the Kona line (236 bp) was not observed in the Select line. Significant genetic differentiation between the two lines was shown using contingency table analysis (X²= 891.20, df = 33, P < 0.0001), the exact test ( P < 0.00001), and F_st, analysis (0.06). Comparison of MI allele frequencies between the TSVresistant Select and TSV-susceptible Kona lines and between the top 12.5% (Top Select) and the bottom 12.5% (Bottom Select) surviving families to TSV challenge in the Select line suggested associations of MI alleles with TSV resistance. These observations suggest testable hypotheses in future experiments aimed at finding genetic markers associated with resistance to TSV and markers that could be used for marker-assisted selection of broodstock.     

Comparison of 2 serologic tests for the diagnosis of porcine proliferative enteropathy

The purpose of this study was to compare results from 2 serological assays at the individual- and herd-level for porcine proliferative enteropathy diagnosis. Cohen’s kappa coefficient (k) was used to measure agreement. The tests tend to show better agreement when used at the herd level.     

Prescribed burning of Pinus oocarpa in Honduras I. Effects on surface runoff and sediment loss

The effects of low-intensity prescribed burning on surface runoff and sediment loss were studied in a stand of oocarpa pine (Pinus oocarpa Schiede) in central Honduras. The effects of burning in two seasons were compared on small paired plots on 10°, 25° and 40° slopes. Over a period of almost 2 years, mean percent runoff was 1.73% on the control plots and 5.03% on the burned plots. Mean sediment loss during the same period was 80 kg ha^?1 on the control plots and 1732 kg ha^?1 on the burned plots. The relationship between slope and surface runoff and sediment loss was negative; the effect of slope being masked by variation of other site factors. Recovery from burning was rapid and is attributed to the rapid rate of recovery of the ground vegetation of grasses and forbs which are adapted to frequent burning. Surface runoff and sediment loss on control plots were very low and the increases caused by burning are considered an acceptable alternative to the exposure of the overstory and site to the high risk of wildfires in accumulated fuels. Greater runoff and sediment loss were recorded on the plots burned in February than on those burned in June. As the period November to mid-February offers the greatest number of days with weather conditions suitable for low-intensity prescribed burning, it is concluded that burning for hazard reduction should be conducted as early as possible in this period, in November and December, to permit greater recovery of the ground vegetation before the heavy rains of May and early June.     

Exploratory analysis of differences in sperm morphology in Nelore and Gir (Bos indicus) bulls

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of breed and season on semen quality parameters of zebu bulls. Data (1,632 registers) of semen production from Gir (n?=?4) and Nelore (n?=?15) bulls were collected between October 2005 and November 2009. The ejaculates were collected twice a week during various seasons (summer, fall, winter, and spring) and evaluated for the following semen parameters: ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, forward progressive motility (FPM), and sperm morphology. Factor analysis was used to determine the relationship among variables. The effect of breed (Gir and Nelore) and season and their cross effect on each parameter and extracted factor were tested using ANOVA. A negative correlation (P?<?0.05) was observed between FPM and proximal droplet, as well as with abnormal loose head, abnormal small head, pouch formation, abnormal mid-peace, and strongly folded tail. Gir bull sperm showed more major defects, detached acrosome, and minor FPM (P?<?0.01), whereas Nelore bulls showed a higher number of sperm with normally loose head.     

Inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme activity by flavanol-rich foods

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity was evaluated in the presence of flavanol-rich foods, i.e., wines, chocolates, and teas, and of purified flavonoids. All foods assayed inhibited ACE activity, red wines being more effective than white wine, and green tea more effective than black tea. The inhibition of ACE activity was associated with both phenolic and flavanol content in the foods. When isolated polyphenols were assayed, procyanidins (dimer and hexamer) and epigallocatechin significantly inhibited enzyme activity; similar concentrations of (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, kaempferol, and resveratrol were ineffective. When ACE activity was assayed in rat kidney membranes in the presence of chocolate extracts or purified procyanidins, it was observed that the inhibition depended on the chocolate content of flavanols and the number of flavanol units constituting the procyanidin. These experiments demonstrate that flavanols either isolated or present in foods could inhibit ACE activity. The occurrence of such inhibition in vivo needs to be determined, although is supported by the association between the consumption of flavanol-rich foods and reductions in blood pressure observed in several experimental models.     

Nutritional value of potato tubers from field grown plants treated with deltamethrin

Summary Tubers showed changes in their nutritional value caused by the treatment of the plants with the insecticide deltamethrin. The level of starch was increased in comparison with control tubers; but the amylose percentage was not affected. In contrast, the total protein content decreased in tubers from treated plants, whereas free amino acids level and ascorbic acid content increased. The results showed that the changes in the tubers caused by the treatment of potato plants with deltamethrin did not adversely affect the nutritional value of the progeny tubers.     

Quantification of the contribution of biological nitrogen fixation to Cratylia mollis using the N natural abundance technique in the semi-arid Caatinga region of Brazil

This study was performed to investigate the capacity of the woody perennial Cratylia mollis, a legume endemic to the semi-arid region of the North-East of Brazil, to nodulate, and obtain N from BNF using the ¹⁵N natural abundance technique. To estimate the ¹⁵N abundance of the N-derived from soil, the leaves of several (4-6) non-legume and non-nodulating legume species growing in close proximity to the Cratylia were analysed for δ¹⁵N. The δ¹⁵N values of these reference plants were high (from +9 to +16‰) and showed relatively small differences between species at each site/sampling time. At the irrigated site at both samplings, and at the non-irrigated site sampled in the rainy season, the ¹⁵N abundance of the Cratylia mollis leaves was far lower (+1 to +5‰) strongly suggesting that the legume obtained large proportional contributions from BNF. As was to be expected, no nodules were found on the Cratylia plants at the non-irrigated site in the dry season, and the ¹⁵N abundance of the Cratylia mollis plants were very similar to that of the reference plants, consistent and nodulation and BNF being limited by water deficit at this time.     

Tbio-Model of a Start-up with Focus in Biotechnological Solutions for Coffee Chain

Tbio is a start-up created to give support to commercialize the products of the biofactory installed in the Federal University of Lavras, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, part of the Innovation Program developed by this University. Its specialty is to innovate, through biological solutions with the vision of the future, once there is a strong demand of food and beverages free of chemical residues and with lower employing of these substances along the production chain by several consumers. The innovative products are generated from microorganisms tested regarding its capacity to promote yield protection, pests and disease control, acceleration of the desmucilage waste water treatment, and improvement of process of faster solubilization, that depends on natural phosphate fertilizers. The goal of this article is to approach the activities that have been developed in this start-up and the knowledge about biocontrol and natural antimicrobials produced by fungi resulting in innovative products to attend the world claim for products free of chemical residues of any kind and harmless to the consumers, environment and workers.