Abstract The objective of this work was to verify the correlations between carbon isotopic composition and traits of superior rice genotypes. Twenty genotypes were analyzed for morphology, micromorphology, anatomy, physiological performance, and carbon fingerprint. The plots consisted of 500 L plastic boxes sowed with rice, to allow of a plant density of 300 plants per square meter. Plant anatomy and physiological performance were evaluated using a microscope and an infrared gas analyzer, respectively. There is a correlation between rice water use efficiency (r = 0.45) and carboxylation efficiency (r = 0.39).

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar as correlações entre a composição isotópica de carbono e as características de genótipos superiores de arroz. Vinte genótipos foram analisados quanto à morfologia, à micromorfologia, à anatomia, ao desempenho fisiológico e à composição isotópica de carbono. As parcelas consistiram em caixas de plástico de 500 L com arroz semeado, para permitir a densidade de 300 plantas por metro quadrado. A anatomia e o desempenho fisiológico das plantas foram avaliados em microscópio e com analisador de gases por infravermelho, respectivamente. Há correlação entre a eficiência do uso da água do arroz (r = 0,45) e a eficiência da carboxilação (r= 0,39).

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Helico bacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is decreasing worldwide, but is still high in developing countries. We previously observed an H. pylori infection rate of 52% among children and adolescents with chronic non-ulcer dyspepsia. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of H. pylori infection among asymptomatic children living in a single region and to evaluate the risk factors for this infection. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in which 161 children aged 5-13 years (mean age 7.8 years), at a public school in Botucatu, state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, were assessed. METHOD: The children's H. pylori infection status was determined through the urea breath test and the risk factors for acquisition of the infection were determined based on a sociodemographic questionnaire. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 20.5%: 18.7% among females and 22.2% among males. The results from the sociodemographic survey did not differ between children with and without H. pylori infection. 30.9% of the children had previous records of upper gastrointestinal symptoms, which consisted of H. pylori infection in only 26.5% of these cases. Family histories of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease were found in relation to 50% and 32.3% of the children with H. pylori infection respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of H. pylori infection among asymptomatic children in southeastern Brazil is lower than that recorded among symptomatic children in the same region and similar to the prevalence of H. pylori infection observed in developed countries.

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to verify whether the inclusion of other ingredients in the diet of laying hens could interfere with the traceability of bovine meat and bone meal (BMBM) in eggs through stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis. Two hundred and fifty-six white laying hens were used and randomly distributed into eight treatments composed of: CONTROL: control diet; GLUTEN: control diet + corn gluten; YEAST: control diet + yeast; GLUTEN + YEAST: control diet + corn gluten + yeast; BMBM: control diet + 4.5 % BMBM; BMBM + GLUTEN: control diet + corn gluten + 4.5 % BMBM; BMBM + YEAST: control diet + yeast + 4.5 % BMBM; BMBM + GLUTEN + YEAST: control diet + corn gluten + yeast + 4.5 % BMBM. The isotopic results were subjected to multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and LDA multivariate linear discriminant analysis. At 28 days, the eggs of the birds given diets without the addition of BMBM differed from the CONTROL group. The yolks showed that all treatments were significantly different from the CONTROL, and at 56 days, all eggs and egg yolks were different from the CONTROL. At 28 days, albumen was significantly different for all CONTROL experimental treatments; however, at 56 days, the YEAST treatment showed no difference from the control. Thus, it was concluded that even with the addition of other ingredients, the isotope technique is still able to detect the BMBM in eggs.

Abstract Aeglids are endemic crustaceans from the Neotropical region of South America, with great importance in the freshwater food chain. We investigated the trophic relationships in different streams containing Aegla castro Schmitt, 1942 through the use of stable isotopes, testing the hypothesis that these animals occupy a lower position and that the environments are different and will modulate the isotopic ratios of carbon and nitrogen. Aegla castro showed a low trophic level in all locations, being an important link between producers and other trophic levels. They present differences in their isotopic signature for the sampling areas, indicating that environment can be a factor that modulates the trophic webs. We did not find intraspecific differences in isotopic signatures, probably due to the similar food items consumed by both juveniles and adults foraging in the same locations. Studies like this are becoming increasingly important due to the rapid degradation of freshwater environments and the lack of trophic knowledge about these endemic animals. It is increasingly important to understand how environmental changes (such as through anthropogenic action) is interfering in freshwater trophic relationships, and how this can affect the permanence of aeglids.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi detectar a inclusão de farinha de origem animal em dietas de codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix japonica), ao analisar os ovos e suas frações (albúmen e gema) por meio da técnica de isótopos estáveis de carbono (13C/ 12C) e nitrogênio (15N/14N). Quatrocentas e trinta e duas codornas japonesas, fêmeas com 45 dias de idade, foram distribuídas em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em oito tratamentos: T1, dieta estritamente vegetal, com farinha de milho (Zea mays) e soja (Glycine max) (VEG); T2, farinha de carne e ossos bovinos (BM); T3, farinha de vísceras de aves (OM); T4, farinha de penas (FM); T5, BM+OM; T6, BM+FM; T7, OM+FM; e T8, BM+OM+FM. Foram colhidos aleatoriamente 16 ovos de cada tratamento - oito para análise de ovo inteiro e oito para análise separada de gema e albúmen. Para determinar a taxa de “turnover”, utilizou-se o modelo exponencial de diluição isotópica. A aplicação de isótopos estáveis de C e N permite identificar o uso de farinha de origem animal em dietas codificadas, por meio da análise dos ovos inteiros e de suas frações, o que sugere que esta técnica é uma ferramenta promissora para a rastreabilidade e a certificação de produtos de origem animal.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to detect the inclusion of animal meal in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) diets, by analyzing eggs and their fractions (albumen and yolk) through the technique of carbon (13C/12C) and nitrogen (15N/14N) stable isotopes. Four hundred and thirty-two Japanese quails, 45-day-old females, were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, in eight treatments: T1, strictly vegetable diet (VEG), with corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) meal; T2, bovine meat and bone meal (BM); T3, poultry viscera meal (OM); T4, feather meal (FM); T5, BM+OM; T6, BM+FM; T7, OM+FM; and T8, BM+OM+FM. Sixteen eggs were randomly collected from each treatment - eight for whole egg analysis and eight for separate yolk and albumen analyses. To determine the turnover rate, the exponential isotope dilution model was used. The application of C and N stable isotopes allows identifying the use of animal meal in coded diets through the analysis of whole eggs and their fractions, which suggests that this technique is a promising tool for the traceability and certification of products of animal origin.

ABSTRACT Water deficit is most frequent in forest physiognomies subjected to climate change. As a consequence, several tree species alter tissue water potential, gas exchange and production of carbon compounds to overcome damage caused by water deficiency. The working hypothesis, that a reduction in gas exchange by plants experiencing water deficit will affect the composition of carbon compounds in soluble sugars, lipids and vegetative structures, was tested on Copaifera langsdorffii. Stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, and CO2 assimilation rate declined after a period of water deficit. After rehydration, leaf water potential and leaf gas exchange did not recover completely. Water deficit resulted in 13C enrichment in leaves, soluble sugars and root lipids. Furthermore, the amount of soluble sugars and root lipids decreased after water deficit. In rehydration, the carbon isotopic composition and amount of root lipids returned to levels similar to the control. Under water deficit, 13C-enriched in root lipids assists in the adjustment of cellular membrane turgidity and avoids damage to the process of water absorption by roots. These physiological adjustments permit a better understanding of the responses of Copaifera langsdorffi to water deficit.

Abstract The objective this study was a comparative evaluation of wood density and productivity of five treatments of hybrids of Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis x P. tecunumannii with a seminal of P. caribaea var. hondurensis planted in the same settlement in the town of Agudos-SP. It was determined the basic density of each disc by the immersion method. The productivity was determined by the average annual increments volume and mass. Results showed that the hybrids treatments had productivity in volume of up to 23% higher what the seminal treatment, however had a decrease of approximately 10% in density.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma avaliação comparativa da densidade e produtividade da madeira de cinco tratamentos de híbridos de Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis x P. tecunumannii com um seminal de P. caribaea var. hondurensis plantados no mesmo povoamento no município de Agudos-SP. Determinou-se a densidade básica de cada disco pelo método de imersão. A produtividade foi determinada por meio dos incrementos médios anuais de volume e de massa. Os resultados evidenciaram que os tratamentos híbridos tiveram produtividade em volume de até 23 % maior que o tratamento seminal, entretanto houve diminuição de aproximadamente 10 % na densidade.