Abstract We evaluated the genetic diversity, coancestry and heritability of an E. benthamii trial. The 115 individuals were genotyped (13 SSR) and had their height and diameter at breast height (dbh) measured. Heritability was estimated using the RR-BLUP and the pairwise kinship coefficient method. An average of nine alleles per locus was observed. The expected heterozygosity (0.655) was similar to the observed heterozygosity, with the estimated inbreeding (0.02) being low. The group coancestry (0.051) demonstrates that the trees are related to some degree. The trees were clustered in five groups using the Evanno’s method. The average kinship within each group ranges from 0.042 to 0.082. The heritability estimated by RR-BLUP was low. The heritability estimated using the kinship coefficients is moderate, reaching estimated genetic gains of 14% for dbh. After knowing how genetic groups are distributed within the population, strategies for collecting, conserving, and using these germplasm resources can be performed.

Abstract JC virus (JCV) is a member of the Polyomaviridae family and is associated to a severe disease known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, PML, which is gradually increasing in incidence as an opportunistic infection among AIDS patients. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence of JCV among HIV-1 carriers including their types and molecular subtypes and the possible association with disease. Urine samples from 66 HIV-1 infected subjects were investigated for the presence of the virus by amplifying VP1 (215 bp) and IG (610 bp) regions using the polymerase chain reaction. JCV was detected in 32% of the samples. The results confirmed the occurrence of type B (subtype Af2); in addition, another polyomavirus, BKV, was also detected in 1.5% of samples of the HIV-1 infected subjects. Apparently, there was no significant difference between mono- (HIV-1 only) and co-infected (HIV-1/JCV) subjects regarding their TCD4+/TCD8+ lymphocyte counts or HIV-1 plasma viral load. Self admitted seizures, hearing and visual loses were not significantly different between the two groups.

INTRODUCTION: Chlamydia infection is associated with debilitating human diseases including trachoma, pneumonia, coronary heart disease and urogenital diseases. Serotypes of C. trachomatis show a fair correlation with the group of diseases they cause, and their distribution follows a well-described geographic pattern. Serotype A, a trachoma-associated strain, is known for its limited dissemination in the Middle East and Northern Africa. However, knowledge on the spread of bacteria from the genus Chlamydia as well as the distribution of serotypes in Brazil is quite limited. METHODS: Blood samples of 1,710 individuals from ten human population groups in the Amazon region of Brazil were examined for antibodies to Chlamydia using indirect immunofluorescence and microimmunofluorescence assays. RESULTS: The prevalence of antibodies to Chlamydia ranged from 23.9% (Wayana-Apalai) to 90.7% (Awa-Guaja) with a mean prevalence of 50.2%. Seroreactivity was detected to C. pneumoniae and to all serotypes of C. trachomatis tested; furthermore, we report clear evidence of the as-yet-undescribed occurrence of serotype A of C. trachomatis. CONCLUSIONS: Specific seroreactivity not only accounts for the large extent of dissemination of C. trachomatis in the Amazon region of Brazil but also shows an expanded area of occurrence of serotype A outside the epidemiological settings previously described. Furthermore, these data suggest possible routes of Chlamydia introduction into the Amazon region from the massive human migration that occurred during the 1,700s.

INTRODUCTION: The present study investigated the prevalence of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) gene in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). METHODS: Samples collected from HCV (n = 74) and HBV (n = 35) carriers were subjected to quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) to detect the presence of the SNPs rs5743305 and rs3775291 in TLR3 and to measure the following biomarkers: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and prothrombin time (PT). A healthy control group was investigated and consisted of 299 HCV- and HBV-seronegative individuals. RESULTS: No significant differences in allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies were observed between the investigated groups, and no association was observed between the polymorphisms and histopathological results. Nevertheless, genotypes TA/AA (rs5743305) and GG (rs3775291) appear to be associated with higher levels of ALT (p<0.01), AST (p<0.05) and PT (p<0.05). In addition, genotypes TT (rs5743305; p<0.05) and GG (rs3775291; p<0.05) were associated with higher GGT levels. CONCLUSIONS: This genetic analysis revealed the absence of an association between the polymorphisms investigated and susceptibility to HBV and HCV infection; however, these polymorphisms might be associated with a greater degree of biliary damage during the course of HCV infection.

Seeds of a tropical tree species from Brazil, Astronium fraxinifolium, or zebrawood, were germinated, for the first time in microgravity, aboard the International Space Station for nine days. Following three days of subsequent growth under normal terrestrial gravitational conditions, greater root length and numbers of secondary roots was observed in the microgravity-treated seedlings compared to terrestrially germinated controls. Suppression subtractive hybridization of cDNA and EST analysis were used to detect differential gene expression in the microgravity-treated seedlings in comparison to those initially grown in normal gravity (forward subtraction). Despite their return to, and growth in normal gravity, the subtracted library derived from microgravity-treated seedlings was enriched in known microgravity stress-related ESTs, corresponding to large and small heat shock proteins, 14-3-3-like protein, polyubiquitin, and proteins involved in glutathione metabolism. In contrast, the reverse-subtracted library contained a comparatively greater variety of general metabolism-related ESTs, but was also enriched for peroxidase, possibly indicating the suppression of this protein in the microgravity-treated seedlings. Following continued growth for 30 days, higher concentrations of total chlorophyll were detected in the microgravity-exposed seedlings.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a diversidade, a estrutura genética e o tamanho efetivo, retido em um banco de germoplasma, de duas populações de Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All. (aroeira), procedentes de Aramina-SP e Selvíria-MS. As populações foram avaliadas a partir da amostragem de 25 progênies de polinização aberta de cada população. De cada progênie, 17 a 20 indivíduos foram amostrados e genotipados para oito locos microssatélites. Os maiores valores para o número total de alelos (At), número médio de alelos por loco (A), número efetivo de alelos (Ae), heterozigosidade observada (H0) e esperada (He) foram detectados na população Selvíria (At = 105, A = 13,13, Ae = 3,98, H0 = 0,669 e He = 0,749), enquanto Aramina teve At = 94, A = 13,75, Ae = 3,10, H 0 = 0,535 e He = 0,678. A diferenciação nas frequências alélicas das duas populações, com relação ao pólen cruzado (0,159) e do óvulo (0,235), indica que cerca de 84% e 77%, respectivamente, da diversidade genética está dentro das populações. O coeficiente médio de coancestria foi maior (Selvíria Θ = 0,165, Aramina Θ = 0,169) e o tamanho efetivo médio das progênies (Selvíria Ne(v) = 3,04, Aramina Ne(v) = 2,69) foi menor do que o esperado em progênies de populações panmíticas (Θ = 0,125, Ne(v) = 4). O tamanho efetivo total retido no banco ex situ foi estimado em 67,5 na população Selvíria e 71,1 na população Aramina, valores menores do que o requerido (Ne = 150) para a conservação de populações em curto prazo. Entretanto, as duas populações apresentaram alta diversidade genética, o que as qualifica para serem utilizadas em programas de conservação e melhoramento genético da espécie, desde que seja aumentado o tamanho efetivo populacional conservado ex situ.

The objective of this study was to investigate genetic diversity, genetic structure and effective size retained in a germplasm bank formed by two populations of Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All. (aroeira) from Aramina-SP and Selvíria-MS. The populations were evaluated from the sample of 25 open-pollinated progenies of each population. From each progeny, 17 to 20 individuals were sampled and genotyped for eight microsatellite loci. The greatest values for the total number of alleles (At), average number of alleles per locus (Ae), effective number of alleles per locus (A), observed heterozygosity (H0) and expected heterozygosity (He) were detected in Selvíria population (At=105, A=13.13, Ae =3.98, H0) =0.669 and He =0.749) in comparison to Aramina (At =94, A =13.75, Ae =3.10, H0=0.535 and He =0.678). The differentiation in allele frequencies between the two populations for the outcross-pollen (0.159) and ovules (0.235), indicate that about 84% and 77% of genetic diversity was within populations. The average coancestry coefficient was higher (Selvíria Θ =0.165, Aramina Θ =0.169) and the average effective population size within progenies (Selvíria Ne(v) =3.04, Aramina Ne(v) =2.69) was lower than expected in progenies of panmitic populations (Θ=0.125, Ne(v) =4). The total effective population size retained in the ex situ bank was estimated in 67.5 in Selvíria population and 71.1 in Aramina population, which values lower than the required (Ne =150) for short terms population conservation. However, the two populations showed high genetic diversity, which qualifies them for use in conservation and breeding programs of the species, provided the ex situ conserved population effective size is increased.

INTRODUÇÃO: O presente estudo investigou a associação entre o polimorfismo no gene da lectina ligante de manose (MBL) e os níveis séricos da proteína com a infecção pelo HIV-1. MÉTODOS: As amostras de sangue (5mL) foram coletadas de 97 indivíduos infectados pelo HIV-1 residentes em Belém, Estado do Pará, Brasil, que frequentavam a Unidade de Referência Especial para Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias Especiais (URE-DIPE). Os níveis de linfócitos T CD4+ e da carga viral plasmática foram quantificados. Um fragmento de 349pb do exon 1 da MBL foi amplificado via PCR, utilizando DNA genômico extraído das amostras controles e dos indivíduos portadores do HIV-1, seguindo protocolos previamente estabelecidos. O nível plasmático de MBL nos pacientes foi quantificado usando kit de ensaio imunoenzimático. RESULTADOS: Dois alelos foram observados - MBL*O, com uma frequência de 26,3% em indivíduos infectados e o alelo selvagem MBL*A (73,7%). Frequências similares foram observadas no grupo controle (p > 0,05). As frequências genotípicas estavam em equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg em ambos os grupos. A média dos níveis plasmáticos MBL variou por genótipo, com diferenças significativas entre os genótipos AA e AO (p < 0,0001), e AA e OO (p < 0,001), mas não entre AO e OO (p=0,17). Além disso, os linfócitos T CD4+ e os níveis plasmáticos de carga viral não diferiram significativamente de acordo com o genótipo (p>0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados deste estudo não apoiam a hipótese de que o polimorfismo no gene MBL ou baixa concentração plasmática de MBL poderia ter uma influência direta sobre a infecção pelo HIV-1, embora um estudo com número maior de pacientes seja necessário.

INTRODUCTION: The present study investigated the association between mannose-binding lectin (MBL) gene polymorphism and serum levels with infection by HIV-1. METHODS: Blood samples (5mL) were collected from 97 HIV-1-infected individuals resident in Belém, State of Pará, Brazil, who attended the Special Outpatient Unit for Infections and Parasitic Diseases (URE-DIPE). CD4+ T-lymphocyte count and plasma viral load were quantified. A 349bp fragment of exon 1 of the MBL was amplified via PCR, using genomic DNA extracted from controls and HIV-1-infected individuals, following established protocols. MBL plasma levels of the patients were quantified using an enzyme immunoassay kit. RESULTS: Two alleles were observed: MBL*O, with a frequency of 26.3% in HIV-1-infected individuals; and the wild allele MBL*A (73.7%). Similar frequencies were observed in the control group (p > 0.05). Genotype frequencies were distributed according to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both groups. Mean MBL plasma levels varied by genotype, with statistically significant differences between the AA and AO (p < 0.0001), and AA and OO (p < 0.001) genotypes, but not AO and OO (p = 0.17). Additionally, CD4+ T-lymphocytes and plasma viral load levels did not differ significantly by genotype (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that MBL gene polymorphism or low plasma MBL concentrations might have a direct influence on HIV-1 infection, although a broader study involving a large number of patients is needed.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a existência de estruturação genética matrilinear em maçaranduba (Manilkara huberi). Foram avaliados 481 indivíduos adultos de M. huberi, distribuídos em 200 hectares de uma população natural na Floresta Nacional do Tapajós, Belterra, PA, e 88 regenerantes, com base na análise de nove microssatélites de cloroplasto e, de 96 indivíduos adultos, selecionados aleatoriamente na área de 200 ha, foi realizado o seqüenciamento de três regiões não codificadoras de cpDNA. Não foi detectado polimorfismo de seqüência. A análise da variabilidade haplotípica mostrou polimorfismo relativamente limitado, que resultou em 15 haplótipos, com diversidade genética total (hT) de 0,898. Foi detectada a existência de estruturação genética significativa em distâncias de até 250 m, o que indica dispersão de sementes restrita e confirma o padrão de organização espacial da variabilidade genética mostrado pela análise de DNA nuclear, o que evidencia isolamento por distância e a necessidade de manutenção de grandes áreas de floresta primária para garantir a sobrevivência de maior número de subpopulações.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the existence of matrilineal genetic structure in maçaranduba (Manilkara huberi). Evaluations were performed for 481 adult individuals of M. huberi, distributed in 200 hectares of a natural population in the Floresta Nacional do Tapajós, Belterra, PA, Brazil, and 88 plantules, based on nine chloroplast microsatellite loci and, of 96 individuals, selected randomly in the 200 ha area, it was carried out the sequencing of three intergenic regions from the cpDNA. No sequence polymorphism was detected. The analysis of the haplotypic variability showed a relatively low polymorphism, which resulted in 15 haplotypes, with total genetic diversity (hT) of 0.898. Significant genetic structure until 250 m was detected, which indicates that seeds are restrictedly dispersed and confirms the pattern of spatial organization of the genetic variability, showed by the nuclear DNA analysis. This indicates isolation by distance and the need of maintenance of primary forest large areas to allow the surviving of a greater number of subpopulations.

O presente estudo avaliou a ocorrência da infecção pelo HTLV-1 e seus subtipos em amostras de sangue de pacientes com diagnóstico clínico de paraparesia espástica tropical/mielopatia associada ao Htlv-1. A detecção da infecção pelo HTLV realizou-se através de testes sorológico e molecular. Cinco amostras estavam infectadas pelo HTLV-1 do subtipo Cosmopolita, subgrupo Transcontinental. Os resultados obtidos confirmam a ocorrência de infecção pelo HTLV-1 em pacientes com diagnóstico clínico de paraparesia espástica tropical/mielopatia associada ao Htlv-1em Belém, Pará.

The present study evaluated the occurrence of HTLV-1 and its subtypes in blood samples of patients presenting symptoms of tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-1 associated myelopathy. The detection of HTLV infection was performed by serological and molecular assays. Five patients were infected by HTLV-1 of the Cosmopolitan subtype, subgroup Transcontinental. The results confirm the occurrence of HTLV-1 infection among patients with clinical diagnosis of tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-1 associated myelopathy in Belém, Pará.

O HTLV foi descrito inicialmente associado a uma leucemia no Japão e a uma doença neurológica presente no Caribe. Logo foi evidenciado que o HTLV-II era endêmico entre Ameríndios e, particularmente, entre Índios brasileiros. A Amazônia brasileira é a maior área endêmica para o vírus e dessa forma, permitiu que fossem realizados vários estudos relacionados com a sua biologia, a busca de doença, informações epidemiológicas que incluíram uma bem definida distribuição geográfica, a definição dos modos de transmissão e manutenção do vírus em comunidades pequenas, epidemiologicamente fechadas, assim como contribuições para o diagnóstico laboratorial da infecção. Um novo subtipo molecular, denominado HTLV-IIc, foi adicionalmente descrito baseando-se no sequenciamento genético do vírus e na análise filogenética. Esse subtipo está presente em outras áreas do país, indicando que o HTLV também funciona como um marcador precioso das migrações humanas nas Américas no passado e um provável marcador dos costumes das populações atuais. O outro retrovírus humano, o HIV, ainda não é prevalente nas comunidades indígenas, apesar de que elas podem ser facilmente alcançadas em virtude das inúmeras facilidades de transmissão para o vírus.

HTLV was initially described in association with a form of leukemia in Japan and a neurological disease in the Caribbean. It was soon shown that HTLV-II was endemic among Amerindians and particularly among Brazilian Indians. The Amazon Region of Brazil is presently the largest endemic area for this virus and has allowed several studies concerning virus biology, the search for overt disease, epidemiological data including detailed demographic data on infected individuals, clear-cut geographic distribution, definition of modes of transmission and maintenance within small, epidemiologically-closed groups, and advances in laboratory diagnosis of the infection. A new molecular subtype named HTLV-IIc was further described on the basis of genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. This subtype is present in other areas of Brazil, indicating that the virus is additionally both a valuable marker for tracing past human migration routes in the Americas and a probable marker for social habits of the present human population. HIV, the other human retrovirus, is still not prevalent among indigenous communities in the Brazilian Amazon, but these groups are also easy targets for the virus.

O HTLV foi descrito inicialmente associado a uma leucemia no Japão e a uma doença neurológica presente no Caribe. Logo foi evidenciado que o HTLV-II era endêmico entre Ameríndios e, particularmente, entre Índios brasileiros. A Amazônia brasileira é a maior área endêmica para o vírus e dessa forma, permitiu que fossem realizados vários estudos relacionados com a sua biologia, a busca de doença, informações epidemiológicas que incluíram uma bem definida distribuição geográfica, a definição dos modos de transmissão e manutenção do vírus em comunidades pequenas, epidemiologicamente fechadas, assim como contribuições para o diagnóstico laboratorial da infecção. Um novo subtipo molecular, denominado HTLV-IIc, foi adicionalmente descrito baseando-se no sequenciamento genético do vírus e na análise filogenética. Esse subtipo está presente em outras áreas do país, indicando que o HTLV também funciona como um marcador precioso das migrações humanas nas Américas no passado e um provável marcador dos costumes das populações atuais. O outro retrovírus humano, o HIV, ainda não é prevalente nas comunidades indígenas, apesar de que elas podem ser facilmente alcançadas em virtude das inúmeras facilidades de transmissão para o vírus.

HTLV was initially described in association with a form of leukemia in Japan and a neurological disease in the Caribbean. It was soon shown that HTLV-II was endemic among Amerindians and particularly among Brazilian Indians. The Amazon Region of Brazil is presently the largest endemic area for this virus and has allowed several studies concerning virus biology, the search for overt disease, epidemiological data including detailed demographic data on infected individuals, clear-cut geographic distribution, definition of modes of transmission and maintenance within small, epidemiologically-closed groups, and advances in laboratory diagnosis of the infection. A new molecular subtype named HTLV-IIc was further described on the basis of genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. This subtype is present in other areas of Brazil, indicating that the virus is additionally both a valuable marker for tracing past human migration routes in the Americas and a probable marker for social habits of the present human population. HIV, the other human retrovirus, is still not prevalent among indigenous communities in the Brazilian Amazon, but these groups are also easy targets for the virus.

Três pacientes (masculinos, negros, idades 37, 40 e 57) foram atendidos em uma clínica universitária com uma paraparesia progressiva de origem obscura. Um paciente que referiu a duração da doença por mais de 16 anos, mostrou hiporreflexia, sinal de Babinski bilateral, uma sensibilidade vibratória diminuída, disfunção urinária e dor lombar. Os outros dois pacientes (com um e seis anos de duração da doença) queixavam-se de fraqueza em uma das pernas, hiperreflexia e lombalgia. Sinal de Babinski e distúrbio urinário estavam também presentes no paciente com seis anos de doença. Amostras de sangue testadas por ELISA e Western blot foram positivos para HTLV-I. A análise familiar de um dos pacientes, mostrou um possível padrão de transmissão sexual e vertical do vírus. Ao nosso conhecimento, estes são os primeiros casos comprovados de uma provável associação entre o HTLV-I e PET/MAH em Belém, Pará, e enfatiza a necessidade de uma busca ativa de casos de doenças neurológicas associadas ao vírus na região.

Three patients (males, black, ages 37, 40 and 57) attended a university clinic with a progressive paraparesis of obscure origin. One patient who referred disease duration of more than 16 years, showed diminished deep reflexes, bilateral Babinski's sign, diminished sensation of vibration, abnormal bladder function and back pain. The other two patients (with one and six years of disease duration) complained of weakness in one leg, increased deep reflexes and back pain. Babinski's sign and bladder disturbance were also present in the patient with six years of disease. Blood samples tested by an enzyme immune assay and a discriminatory Western blot were positive for HTLV-I. The familial analysis of one patient showed a possible pattern of sexual and vertical transmission of the virus. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first cases of a proven association between HTLV-I and TSP/HAM in Belem, Para, and emphasize the need to actively look for cases of neurological disease associated to the virus.

Amostras de sangue de índios nativos na aldeia Kararao (Kayapó) foram analisadas, usando-se métodos sorológico e molecular, para caracterizar a infecção e analisar a transmissão do HTLV-II. Observou-se reatividade específica em 3/26 indivíduos, dos quais duas amostras eram de uma mãe e de seu filho. A análise pela RFLP de regiões pX e env confirmou a infecção pelo HTLV-II. A seqüência de nucleotídios do segmento 5'LTR e a análise filogenética mostraram alta similaridade (98%) entre as três amostras e o protótipo HTLV-IIa (mot) e confirmaram a ocorrência do subtipo HTLV-IIc. Houve uma alta similaridade genética (99,9%) entre as amostras da mãe e do filho e a única diferença foi uma deleção de dois nucleotídios (TC) na seqüência materna. Estudos epidemiológicos anteriores entre índios nativos do Brasil forneceram prova da transmissão intrafamilial e vertical do HTLV-IIc. O presente estudo fornece evidência molecular da transmissão do HTLV-IIc de mãe para filho, um mecanismo que em grande parte é responsável pela endemicidade do HTLV nessas populações epidemiologicamente fechadas. Embora a verdadeira via de transmissão seja desconhecida, a amamentação materna poderia ser a mais provável.

Blood samples from native Indians in the Kararao village (Kayapo), were analysed using serological and molecular methods to characterize infection and analyse transmission of HTLV-II. Specific reactivity was observed in 3/26 individuals, of which two samples were from a mother and child. RFLP analysis of the pX and env regions confirmed HTLV-II infection. Nucleotide sequence of the 5' LTR segment and phylogenetic analysis showed a high similarity (98%) between the three samples and prototype HTLV-IIa (Mot), and confirmed the occurrence of the HTLV-IIc subtype. There was a high genetic similarity (99.9%) between the mother and child samples and the only difference was a deletion of two nucleotides (TC) in the mother sequence. Previous epidemiological studies among native Indians from Brazil have provided evidence of intrafamilial and vertical transmission of HTLV-IIc. The present study now provides molecular evidence of mother-to-child transmission of HTLV-IIc, a mechanism that is in large part responsible for the endemicity of HTLV in these relatively closed populations. Although the actual route of transmission is unknown, breast feeding would appear to be most likely.