ABSTRACT. Soybean represents a valuable source of food for humans and animals and the quality of the seeds has great importance for the establishment and high productivity of this crop. Soybean seeds require continuous improvement, which is dependent on a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms that coordinate seed germination. To investigate whether the method of water absorption into soybean seeds could lead to abnormal seedlings, and if this could be associated with cytogenetical consequences, we premoistened the seeds of three cultivars; M 6410 IPRO, M6210 IPRO, and BMX Potência RR by direct immersion (fast method), use of a wet substrate (intermediate method), and by moist atmosphere (slow method) with distilled water at 25ºC for 24 hours. We investigated the normal and abnormal seedlings, electrical conductivity, mitosis, cell death, and the chromosomal abnormalities index. The comet assay was applied to investigate DNA fragmentation. Direct immersion in water induced seedling growth inhibition and caused cytological alterations associated with genotoxicity effects in the studied soybean genotypes. Slow premoistening of the seeds increased seedling performance as a result of higher final germination percentage (above 85%), reduced abnormal seedlings (below 5%, on average), and reduced the electrical conductivity of seeds. All three genotypes of soybean seeds lost their ability to withstand the imbibitional damage induced by direct immersion as abnormal seedlings increased. We concluded that the fast water absorption by seeds poses a threat to genomic integrity owing to its potential for genotoxicity to DNA, manifesting as breaks or loss of whole chromosomes. Slow premoistening of the seeds resulted in a longer time period to deal with damage. Stabilized seedling growth was provided by altering cytogenetic responses during uptake of water by soybean seeds through the maintenance of cell viability.

Resumo A conversão de floresta ripária em áreas agrícolas resulta na perda da qualidade da água e da saúde da biota aquática. Assim, os objetivos deste estudo foram determinar a proporção de uso do solo com ênfase no tipo de cobertura vegetal; avaliar os parâmetros limnológicos e a concentração de elementos inorgânicos na água do córrego São José na Bacia do Rio Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil; correlacionar o uso do solo com as concentrações de elementos inorgânicos na água; e avaliar o risco para preservação da biota aquática e efeito tóxico in situ em Astyanax lacustris. Amostras de água do córrego São José foram coletadas em 2020 e avaliado o uso do solo com imagens aéreas de alta resolução. Os elementos inorgânicos nas amostras de água foram quantificados por espectrofotometria de emissão óptica de plasma indutivamente acoplado. No entorno do córrego São José, observou-se a redução da floresta ripária com proporção de 16,32% da área e a predominância de áreas agrícolas com 75,06%. As concentrações de oxigênio dissolvido (1,500 mg L-1) e P (> 0,235 mg L-1) apresentaram valores em desacordo com a legislação nacional. Além disso, Al e P indicaram riscos quanto à conservação da biota aquática (quociente de risco >1). A avaliação in situ de A. lacustris também revelou toxicidade na água. Os resultados indicaram desequilíbrio ambiental no córrego São José e, portanto, requerem medidas mitigadoras para sua recuperação e o uso sustentável de seus recursos.

Abstract The conversion of riparian forests into agricultural land results in the loss of water quality and aquatic biota health. The objectives of this study were therefore to determine the proportion of land use with emphasis on the type of vegetation cover; evaluate the limnological parameters and concentration of inorganic elements in the water of the São José stream in the Dourados River Basin, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; correlate land use with the concentrations of inorganic elements in water; and evaluate the risk to preservation aquatic biota and in situ toxic effect on Astyanax lacustris. We collected samples from the São José Stream in 2020 and evaluated land use with high resolution aerial images. The inorganic elements in water samples were quantified using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. In the surroundings of the São José stream, a reduction in riparian forest was observed with a proportion of only 16.32% of the area and the predominance of agricultural areas with 75.06%. The concentrations of dissolved oxygen (1.510 mg L-1) and P (> 0.235 mg L-1) in the water did not comply with the national legislation. In addition, Al and P indicated risks regarding the conservation of aquatic biota (risk quotient >1). The in situ evaluation of A. lacustris also revealed toxicity in the water. The results indicate environmental imbalance in the São José stream, requiring mitigation measures for its restoration and the sustainable use of its resources.

Resumo O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as concentrações de metais nas águas nos Rios Dourados e Brilhante, investigar a influência das características da paisagem no entorno destes rios sobre a qualidade da água e avaliar os riscos associados a contaminação dos metais para a biota aquática e saúde humana. As amostragens foram realizadas em dezoitos pontos distribuídos ao longo dos rios em junho de 2016. As concentrações de metais (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cr, Al e Co) na água foram analisadas utilizando espectroscopia de emissão óptica com plasma indutivamente acoplada. Todas as amostras possuíam concentrações de Fe acima do valor limite para a biota aquática (0,3 mg L− 1). Além disso, a avaliação do uso e cobertura do solo nas áreas de estudo revelou extensa atividade agrícola, particularmente nas áreas de nascentes do Rio Dourados. A biodisponibilidade de Fe para ambos os rios indicou riscos para a biota aquática e humana. No geral, o elevado teor de Fe nesses rios foi atribuído à atividade antropogênicas nas proximidades desses corpos de água e as características do solo da área. Considerando a importância das bacias hidrográficas, é necessário a implementação das políticas públicas para sua conservação, principalmente as relacionadas ao cultivo de florestas de espécies nativas e práticas agrícolas sustentáveis, além da melhoria da infraestrutura de tratamento de efluentes, que é indispensável para minimização dos efeitos adversos da contaminação por elementos químicos nos corpos hídricos.

Abstract This study assessed the concentrations of metals in the Dourados and Brilhante Rivers, investigated the influence of landscape features surrounding these rivers on water quality, and evaluated the risks associated with metal contamination for aquatic biota and human health. Sampling was conducted at eighteen sites distributed along the rivers in June 2016. The concentrations of metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cr, Al and Co) in the water were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. All the samples possessed Fe concentrations above the threshold value for aquatic biota (0.3 mg L-1). Moreover, land use and land cover assessment of the study area revealed extensive agriculture activity, particularly in areas surrounding the Dourados River headwaters. Fe bioavailability for both rivers indicated risks for aquatic biota and human health. Overall, the elevated Fe content in these rivers was attributed to anthropogenic activity in the vicinity of these water bodies and the soil characteristics of the area. Considering the importance of river basins, it is necessary to implement public policies for their conservation, especially those related to the cultivation of forests of native species and sustainable agricultural practices, in addition to improving the effluent treatment infrastructure, which is essential to minimize the adverse effects of contamination by chemical elements in water bodies.

Abstract The fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritoidea), are the dipteran with greater economic importance, including pest species of various fruit crops such as guava. For the management of these pests, it is essential to know what species are present in the culture, as well as in the surrounding native vegetation, which may serve as a reservoir for these species. The objective of this research was to characterize and compare through faunistic analysis (frequency, abundance, constancy, equitativity, richness and diversity) populations of Anastrepha Schiner and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and a commercial guava orchard in a fragment of adjacent native semideciduous forest in Central-West Region of Brazil. The fruit flies were collected from January 2008 to March 2009, through McPhail traps containing 5% solution of corn syrup. A total of 4,180 fruit fly specimens were collected in the forest fragment, and 20,108 in the guava orchard. Besides C. capitata, nine species of Anastrepha were found in the forest, with A. undosa Stone occurring exclusively in this ecosystem. In the orchard, C. capitata and eleven Anastrepha species were collected, three of them exclusively found in this ecosystem: A. amita Zucchi, A. zenildae Zucchi, and A. distincta Greene. The species A. sororcula Zucchi and A. fraterculus (Wiedemann) were classified as superabundant, constant, superdominant and superfrequent in both ecosystems. The species richness and abundance were higher in the guava orchard than in the forest fragment.

Resumen Las moscas de la fruta (Diptera: Tephritoidea), son los dípteros con mayor importancia económica, siendo consideradas especies plagas de diversos cultivos frutales como la guayaba. Para el manejo de estas plagas, es esencial saber qué especies están presentes en el cultivo, así como en la vegetación nativa circundante, que puede servir como reservorio de estas especies. El objetivo de esta investigación fue caracterizar y comparar a través de un análisis faunísticos (frecuencia, abundancia, constancia, equitatividad, riqueza y diversidad) poblaciones de Anastrepha Schiner y Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) en un huerto de guayaba comercial en un fragmento de bosque semideciduo nativo adyacente en Región Centro-Oeste de Brasil. Las moscas de la fruta se recolectaron desde enero de 2008 hasta marzo de 2009, a través de trampas McPhail que contenían una solución al 5% de jarabe de maíz. Se recolecto un total de 4.180 ejemplares de moscas de la fruta en el fragmento de bosque y 20.108 en el huerto de guayaba. Además de C. capitata, se encontraron nueve especies de Anastrepha en el bosque, con A. undosa Stone exclusivamente en este ecosistema. En el huerto, se recolectaron C. capitata y once especies de Anastrepha, tres de ellas encontradas exclusivamente en este ecosistema: A. amita Zucchi, A. zenildae Zucchi y A. distincta Greene. Las especies A. sororcula Zucchi y A. fraterculus (Wiedemann) se clasificaron como superabundantes, constantes, superdominantes y superfrecuentes en ambos ecosistemas. La riqueza y abundancia de especies fue mayor en el huerto de guayabo que en el fragmento de bosque.

Abstract Recent molecular tools and technologies have marked the discovery of the origin and domestication processes of a wide variety of species, using either genomic or mitochondrial molecular markers to provide input for selection programs, as well as the management and conservation of animal breeds. This study aimed to analyze genes of mitochondrial DNA of the following sheep (Ovis aries) breeds: Pantaneira, Bergamácia, Dorper, White Dorper, Ile de France and Hampshire Down, to obtain their population genetic parameters and investigate the origin of these sheep populations reared in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. The analysis of mitochondrial DNA allowed to infer their phylogenetic relationships and revealed significant differences among them when compared with each other and with sequences obtained from GenBank. Through the formation of haplotypes, it was noted that the Pantaneira breed served as the maternal basis for the formation of the other breeds reared in the region, and it was possible to suggest a European origin for the sheep populations studied.

RESUMO: O extrato aquoso de folhas de Aristolochia triangularis mostrou atividade sobre larvas de Artemia salina, com um DL50 de 370,6 µg/mL. Em experimentos com sementes de Allium cepa, o extrato provocou uma redução de 51,26% no índice de germinação, inibiu o crescimento radicular médio e foi citotóxico nas concentrações de 668 e 2.000 µg/mL. Sua atividade antioxidante foi adicionalmente avaliada nesta pesquisa e o valor de poder redutor de íons férrico foi de 391,2 µM/g. Tal propriedade benéfica para a saúde pode ser parcialmente atribuída ao conteúdo de compostos fenólicos totais, espectrofotometricamente determinada como 52,67 mg/g. A ocorrência de citotoxicidade sugeriu cautela ao consumir chás de folhas de A. triangularis para propósitos medicinais, e igualmente revela a necessidade por estudos adicionais para investigar os efeitos adversos deles.

ABSTRACT: The aqueous extract of Aristolochia triangularis leaves showed activity against Artemia salina larvae, with an LD50 of 370.6 µg/mL. In experiments with Allium cepa seeds, the extract caused a 51.26% reduction in the germination index, inhibited mean root growth, and was cytotoxic at concentrations of 668 and 2,000 µg/mL. Its antioxidant activity was additionally assessed in this research and the ferric reducing antioxidant power value was found to be 391.2 µM/g. Such health-beneficial property can be attributed partly to the total phenolic content, spectrophotometrically determined as 52.67 mg/g. The occurrence of cytotoxicity suggested caution when consuming teas from A. triangularis leaves for medicinal purposes, and equally reveals the need for further studies to investigate their adverse effects.

In this study, the culture analysis of urine samples from patients hospitalized in the Central-West region of Brazil was performed, and the isolated microorganisms were phylogenetically identified as Trichosporon asahii. Maximum parsimony analysis of the IGS1 sequences revealed three novel genotypes that have not been described. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the nine isolates identified were in the range of 0.06-1 μg/ml for amphotericin B, 0.25-4 μg/ml for fluconazole, and 0.03-0.06 μg/ml for itraconazole. Approximately 6/9 of the T. asahii isolates could form biofilms on the surface of polystyrene microplates. This study reports that the microorganisms isolated here as T. asahii are agents of nosocomial urinary tract infections. Furthermore, the IGS1 region can be considered a new epidemiological tool for genotyping T. asahii isolates. The least common genotypes reported in this study can be related to local epidemiological trends.

En este estudio fueron analizadas mediante el cultivo muestras de orina de pacientes hospitalizados en la región centro-oeste de Brasil; los microorganismos aislados fueron identificados filogenéticamente como Trichosporon asahii. A través del análisis de máxima parsimonia de las secuencias de IGS1, fueron encontrados 3 genotipos que no habían sido descritos anteriormente. Las concentraciones inhibitorias mínimas frente a los 9 aislados identificados presentaron un rango de 0,06-1 μg/ml en el caso de la anfotericina B, de 0,25-4 μg/ml en el del fluconazol, y de 0,03-0,06 μg/ml en el del itraconazol. Aproximadamente 6/9 de los aislados de T. asahii formaron biopelículas en la superficie de microplacas de poliestireno. Este trabajo documenta el aislamiento de T. asahii como agente causal de infeciones urinarias nosocomiales. Además, demuestra que la región IGS1 puede ser considerada una nueva herramienta epidemiológica para la genotipificación de los aislados de T. asahii. Los genotipos menos comunes encontrados en este estudio pueden estar relacionados con las características epidemiológicas locales.

Estudos básicos sobre técnicas de extração de DNA são de extrema importância para o sucesso de trabalhos científicos no campo da biologia molecular. A extração e a purificação de ácidos nucleicos constituem etapas fundamentais para o estabelecimento de posteriores análises genéticas. Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar a eficácia de diferentes protocolos de extração de DNA por meio da determinação de quantidade, qualidade e a possibilidade de amplificação por meio de PCR do material genético extraído. Utilizou-se amostras de sangue de dez animais, que foram submetidas à extração de DNA e, logo após à reação em cadeia pela polimerase (PCR). Os resultados das análises obtidas por nanofotometria indicaram que a quantidade e a qualidade do DNA genômico foram consideradas satisfatórias, em todos os protocolos, para a realização da PCR, mas houve diferença estatística significativa entre os parâmetros analisados, tanto na quantidade quanto na qualidade (p < 0.05) do DNA obtido. O protocolo de extração utilizando sangue total foi mais eficiente quanto ao tempo e a qualidade do DNA extraído, entretanto em todos os processos de extração houve ausência de degradação. Também foi demonstrado a possibilidade de amplificação da região do exon 2 do gene da leptina de bovinos no DNA extraído.

Basic studies on DNA extraction techniques are very important for the success of scientific papers in the field of molecular biology. The extraction and purification of nucleic acids are critical steps for establishing further genetic analysis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of different protocols for DNA extraction by determining the quantity and quality of extracted genetic material and the possibility of amplification by PCR. We did DNA extraction and PCR of ten bovine blood samples. The test results obtained by spectrophotometry indicated that the quantity and quality of genomic DNA were considered satisfactory in all protocols for PCR. However, there was a statistically significant difference between the parameters measured, both in quantity and in quality (p <0.01). The extraction protocol using whole blood was more efficient in terms of time and quality; there was no degradation in all processes of extraction. It was also demonstrated that the possibility of amplification of the region of exon 2 of the leptin gene in extracted DNA exists.

Background The aim of the present study was to assess the genetic diversity of Pantaneiro sheep, using microsatellite markers, in order to assist maintenance and management plans, enhance mating systems and reduce the inbreeding rate. A total of 127 animals were genotyped at eight microsatellite loci. They belonged to populations from the Experimental Farm of the Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD) (Dourados/MS/Brazil) and Embrapa Pantanal (Corumbá/MS/Brazil). Results The population of Pantaneiro sheep from the UFGD exhibited a high mean number of alleles (11.13) and allelic richness (10.66). The polymorphic information content was highly informative in the locus studied, resulting in a mean value of 0.71. Observed heterozygosity was lower than expected for all molecular markers assessed. The analysis of molecular variance showed a differentiation rate of 5.2% between populations. Conclusions The results of the statistical parameters indicated that populations of Pantaneiro sheep require special attention on herd management, and it's further necessary to implement breeder exchange programs in order to preserve the genetic variability of these populations. Furthermore, the maintenance of those populations in their typical habitats is rather required to allow different responses from the herds to the interactions between genotype and environment.

O sequenciamento de Sanger, ou identificação das bases moleculares do DNA por terminação da cadeia, é um dos métodos amplamente utilizados para estudos moleculares. O uso da região citocromo b do DNA mitocondrial como marcador molecular se justifica pela presença de regiões conservadas e variáveis que podem ser sequenciadas e utilizadas em análises filogenéticas em diferentes níveis taxonômicos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a variação do DNA mitocondrial por meio de sequenciamento de Sanger. Para tanto, amostras de tecido sanguíneo de ovinos do grupamento genético Pantaneiro (n=14), Bergamácia (n=4), Dorper (n=5) e Ile de France (n=5) foram utilizadas para extração de DNA. Logo em seguida as amostras foram submetidas a procedimentos de amplificação, purificação e sequenciamento. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas nos programas BioEdit 7.3.1.0 e MEGA 5.10. A utilização de primers internos e externos possibilitou o sequenciamento de 86% da região do citocromo b, o que indicou menor perda de nucleotídeos que acontece na reação de sequenciamento com apenas um par de primers. Os cálculos de diversidade média da região sequenciada permitiram observar baixa variação genética na população, evidenciando a natureza conservada do DNA herdado maternalmente. O sequenciamento parcial da região do citocromo b foi capaz de mostrar a variação do DNA mitocondrial em ovinos de 4 raças diferentes e proporcionou gerar dados para a realização de estudos futuros de origem e evolução dos animais.

This review article is aimed to focus on biotechnology applications in food and its benefits to human health. The use of biotechnology to develop plant varieties promotes immeasurable benefits, which are being related to greater food production, with higher quality and nutritional value, it affects in future economic performance of countries and the nutritional status of their populations. Currently, the application of biotechnology in plants has been directed to evaluate and improve the nutritional quality of food. Many of them are in the category of "functional foods". Some of the foods that were developed and others that have being optimized will be exemplified. Thus, scientific information to society ensures that biotechnology applied to food can safely contribute to human health.

Este artículo de actualización tuvo por objetivo enfocar las aplicaciones biotecnológicas en los alimentos y sus beneficios para la salud humana. El uso de la biotecnología para el desarrollo de variedades vegetales promueve beneficios inmensos, los cuales se relacionan con una mayor producción de alimentos, con una mayor calidad y valor nutricional de ellos, lo que influye en el futuro, en el desempeño económico de los países y en la condición nutricional de sus poblaciones. Actualmente, la aplicación de la biotecnología en los vegetales ha sido dirigida a valorar y mejorar la calidad nutricional de los alimentos; muchos de ellos se encuentran en la categoría de "alimentos funcionales". Algunos de los alimentos que se desarrollaron y otros que están siendo optimizados se ejemplifican. La información científica garantiza a la sociedad que la biotecnología aplicada a los alimentos puede, de manera segura, contribuir con la salud humana.