Universidade Federal de Viçosa

About: Universidade Federal de Viçosa is a education organization based out in Viçosa, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Biology. The organization has 16012 authors who have published 26711 publications receiving 353416 citations.

Genetically engineered trees for plantation forests: key considerations for environmental risk assessment

Abstract: Forests are vital to the world's ecological, social, cultural and economic well-being yet sustainable provision of goods and services from forests is increasingly challenged by pressures such as growing demand for wood and other forest products, land conversion and degradation, and climate change. Intensively managed, highly productive forestry incorporating the most advanced methods for tree breeding, including the application of genetic engineering (GE), has tremendous potential for producing more wood on less land. However, the deployment of GE trees in plantation forests is a controversial topic and concerns have been particularly expressed about potential harms to the environment. This paper, prepared by an international group of experts in silviculture, forest tree breeding, forest biotechnology and environmental risk assessment (ERA) that met in April 2012, examines how the ERA paradigm used for GE crop plants may be applied to GE trees for use in plantation forests. It emphasizes the importance of differentiating between ERA for confined field trials of GE trees, and ERA for unconfined or commercial-scale releases. In the case of the latter, particular attention is paid to characteristics of forest trees that distinguish them from shorter-lived plant species, the temporal and spatial scale of forests, and the biodiversity of the plantation forest as a receiving environment.

Candidate gene expression and intramuscular fat content in pigs.

Abstract: Seventy-two pigs of three genetic groups (Brazilian indigenous breed Piau, Commercial line and Crossbred) of both sexes were slaughtered at four live weights (30, 60, 90 and 120 kg). Intramuscular fat (IMF) content in Longissimus dorsi muscle of each animal was extracted and correlated with candidate gene mRNA expression (ATN1, EEF1A2, FABP3, LDLR, MGP, OBSCN, PDHB, TRDN and RYR1). Within slaughter weight of 120 kg, Piau and Crossbred pigs showed higher IMF content (p < 0.05) than commercial animals, with 2.48, 2.08 and 1.00% respectively. Barrows presented higher values of IMF (p < 0.05) than gilts (1.54 and 1.30% respectively). Gene expression of EEF1A2, FABP3, LDLR, OBSCN, PDHB, TRDN and RYR1 were correlated with IMF (p < 0.05) using the whole dataset. For Piau data only, expression of FABP3, LDLR, MGP, OBSCN, PDHB, TRDN and RYR1 showed correlation with IMF (p < 0.05). Genes that have important roles in lipid transportation inside the cell (FABP3) and tissues (LDLR) showed correlation with IMF of, respectively, 0.68 and 0.63 using the whole data set, and 0.90 and 0.91 using data from Piau animals. The highly positive correlation of the LDLR and FAPB3 expression with IMF content may confirm that these genes are important for fat deposition in the porcine L. dorsi muscle.

Severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Abstract: Malaria is one of the world's leading parasitic diseases and affects a considerably large number of people. Considering the epidemiological reach of Plasmodium falciparum, which is almost always responsible for the most severe cases of malaria, a discussion of the clinical features and therapeutic interventions is important. In the cases of patients with severe malaria, admission to an intensive care unit is mandatory to reduce complications. To have an impact on survival rates, treatment with antimalarial drugs and supportive measures should be initiated as quickly as possible. The aim of this article is to discuss the components of severe malaria, with an emphasis on its clinical features and treatment.

Avaliação de formulações de glyphosate sobre soja Roundup Ready

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of three glyphosate formulations (Roundup Ready® and R. Transorb® - both with isopropylamine salt and Zapp Qi®, formulated as potassium salt), on transgenic soybean. CD 219RR variety soybean plants displaying the CP4Epsps gene, tolerant to glyphosate, were cultivated. At 25 days after emergence (DAE), when plants showed the second trifolium completely expanded (stadiums V2-V3 ), formulations were applied at 2,000 g ha-1 . Plants intoxication was evaluated 15 days after application as well as the number and dry matter of leaflets, number of radicular nodules and foliar content of N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn at flowering and grain yield at the end of the cycle. Soil basal respiration rate, microbial biomass carbon and metabolic quotient were evaluated through soil samples collected during soybean flowering. Isopropylamine salt, present in the Roundup Transorb formulation, was more harmful to the soybean plants, also providing a negative effect on the soil microbiota. Roundup Ready formulation, registered as transgenic soybean, should not be applied on this crop at a higher rate, since it could alter the content of some nutrients, such as N, Ca, Mg, Fe and Cu, besides causing intoxication in the plants.