State University of Santa Cruz

About: State University of Santa Cruz is a education organization based out in Ilhéus, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Species richness. The organization has 3266 authors who have published 4642 publications receiving 51876 citations. The organization is also known as: Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz.

Changes in red blood cell osmotic fragility induced by total plasma and plasma fractions obtained from rats bearing progressive and regressive variants of the Walker 256 tumor.

Abstract: Two variants (A and B) of the widely employed Walker 256 rat tumor cells are known. When inoculated sc, the A variant produces solid, invasive, highly metastasizing tumors that cause severe systemic effects and death. We have obtained a regressive variant (AR) whose sc growth is slower, resulting in 70-80% regression followed by development of immunity against A and AR variants. Simultaneously with the beginning of tumor regression, a temporary anemia developed (approximately 8 days duration), accompanied by marked splenomegaly (approximately 300%) and changes in red blood cell osmotic fragility, with mean corpuscular fragility increasing from 4.1 to 6.5 g/l NaCl. The possibility was raised that plasma factors associated with the immune response induced these changes. In the present study, we identify and compare the osmotic fragility increasing activity of plasma fractions obtained from A and AR tumor bearers at different stages of tumor development. The results showed that by day 4 compounds precipitating in 60% (NH4)2SO4 and able to increase red blood cell osmotic fragility appeared in the plasma of A and AR tumor bearers. Later, these compounds disappeared from the plasma of A tumor bearers but slightly increased in the plasma of AR tumor bearers. Furthermore, by day 10, compounds precipitating between 60 and 80% (NH4)2SO4 and with similar effects appeared only in plasma of AR tumor bearers. The salt solubility, production kinetics and hemolytic activity of these compounds resemble those of the immunoglobulins. This, together with their preferential increase in rats bearing the AR variant, suggest their association with an immune response against this tumor.

Nutritional Clustering of Cookies Developed with Cocoa Shell, Soy, and Green Banana Flours Using Exploratory Methods

Abstract: The aim of this presented study was to develop and cluster cookies made with cocoa shell, a by-product of the chocolate industry, and nutritionally rich raw materials, soy and green banana flours, according to their nutritional characteristics and to evaluate them sensorially, through exploratory methods. The results of proximate composition, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, hardness and color were submitted to Kohonen’s self-organizing maps (KSOMs) and the samples trend to form three groups. All treatments showed functional properties due to their high protein content, dietary fiber, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants. All formulations had good sensory acceptance (grades between 6.71 and 7.11) and the simplex-centroid design used to optimize the acceptance was effective. The Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) analysis indicated sensory differences between the treatments. It is concluded that the KSOMs is effective to nutritionally describe and classify samples and cocoa shell, soy, and green banana flours provided nutritional and sensory characteristics acceptable to consumers, making them viable for inclusion in human nutrition.

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) Causing Proteomic and Enzymatic Changes in Sweet Orange Variety "Westin".

Abstract: Citrus Tristeza disease, caused by CTV (Citrus tristeza virus), committs citrus plantations around the world and specifically attacks phloem tissues of the plant. The virus exists as a mixture of more or less severe variants, which may or may not cause symptoms of Tristeza. The objective of this study was to analyze the changes caused by CTV in the proteome of stems of sweet orange, as well as in the activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes. The CTV-infected sweet orange displayed mild symptoms, which were characterized by the presence of sparse stem pitting throughout their stems. The presence of virus was confirmed by RT-PCR. Proteomic analysis by 2DE-PAGE-MS / MS revealed the identity of 40 proteins differentially expressed between CTV- infected and -non-infected samples. Of these, 33 were up-regulated and 7 were down-regulated in CTV-infected samples. Among the proteins identified stands out a specific from the virus, the coat protein. Other proteins identified are involved with oxidative stress and for this their enzymatic activity was measured. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was higher in CTV-infected samples, as catalase (CAT) showed higher activity in uninfected samples. The activity of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) did not vary significantly between samples. However, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) was more active in the infected samples. The relative expression of the genes encoding CAT, SOD, APX and GPX was analyzed by quantitative real time PCR (RT-qPCR). The CTV-infected samples showed greater accumulation of transcripts, except for the CAT gene. This gene showed higher expression in the uninfected samples. Taken together, it can be concluded that the CTV affects the protein profile and activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in plants infected by this virus.

Genetic diversity and structure of natural populations of Gossypium mustelinum , a wild relative of cotton, in the basin of the De Contas River in Bahia, Brazil

Abstract: Gossypium mustelinum is a wild cotton relative found only in the semiarid region of Bahia state in Brazil, and changes caused by humans in the natural habitat of this species have endangered the existence of several natural populations. Information about the occurrence and genetic composition of these populations is necessary to design effective conservation measures. The aim of this study was to characterize the in situ maintenance mode and assess the genetic diversity of G. mustelinum populations in the basin of the De Contas River. A sample of 205 G. mustelinum specimens was collected from the margins of the Jacare, Riacho Quixaba, Riacho Serra Azul, and Riacho Riachao rivers and genotyped using 13 SSR primer pairs. In general, all G. mustelinum populations exhibit inadequate in situ maintenance, predominantly due to the deforestation of riparian vegetation and herbivory. The observed total genetic diversity of G. mustelinum was significant (HE = 0.489), highly structured (FST = 0.534), and organized in homozygous genotypes (FIS = 0.873). The high observed inbreeding level is consistent with the predominance of self-fertilization and geitonogamy (tm = 0.234). In addition, the pattern of genetic structure tended to form groups that coincided with the collection sites, i.e., first clustering within subpopulations, then within populations, and finally within the closest populations. Thus, the observed genetic diversity is likely to be rapidly lost, and conservation measures should therefore be undertaken.