ABSTRACT Objective: Feeding restriction in rats alters the oscillators in suprachiasmatic, paraventricular, and arcuate nuclei, hypothalamic areas involved in food intake. In the present study, using the same animals and experimental protocol, we aimed to analyze if food restriction could reset clock genes ( Clock, Bmal1 ) and genes involved in lipid metabolism ( Pgc1a, Pparg, Ucp2 ) through nutrient-sensing pathways ( Sirt1, Ampk, Nampt ) in peripheral tissues. Materials and methods: Rats were grouped according to food access: Control group (CG, food ad libitum ), Restricted night-fed (RF-n, food access during 2 h at night), Restricted day-fed (RF-d, food access during 2 h in the daytime), and Day-fed (DF, food access during 12 h in the daytime). After 21 days, rats were decapitated at ZT3 (0900-1000 h), ZT11 (1700-1800 h), or ZT17 (2300-2400 h). Blood, liver, brown (BAT) and peri-epididymal (PAT) adipose tissues were collected. Plasma corticosterone and gene expression were evaluated by radioimmunoassay and qPCR, respectively. Results: In the liver, the expression pattern of Clock and Bmal1 shifted when food access was dissociated from rat nocturnal activity; this phenomenon was attenuated in adipose tissues. Daytime feeding also inverted the profile of energy-sensing and lipid metabolism-related genes in the liver, whereas calorie restriction induced a pre-feeding increased expression of these genes. In adipose tissues, Sirt1 expression was modified by daytime feeding and calorie restriction, with concomitant expression of Pgc1a , Pparg , and Ucp2 but not Ampk and Nampt . Conclusion: Feeding restriction reset clock genes and genes involved in lipid metabolism through nutrient-sensing-related genes in rat liver, brown, and peri-epididymal adipose tissues.

ABSTRACT In March 2016, wilt and shoot blight were observed on five-year-old apple trees (Malus domestica) cultivar Maxi Gala in a commercial orchard in São Joaquim city, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Isolation on culture media, biolog, biochemical, LOPAT tests, and whole genome sequencing were performed. Koch’s postulates were fulfilled on apple stems, leaves and fruits. The taxonomic position of a representative strain was determined by in silicoDNA-DNA hybridization using the Genome-to-Genome Distance Calculator which showed 93.9% similarity with Pseudomonas syringae. Results of biolog and biochemical tests did not match those expected for pv. papulans, morsprunorum or syringae. To our knowledge this is the first report of P. syringae causing bacterial canker in commercial apple orchards in Brazil.

ABSTRACT Considering the importance of silicon (Si) to increase rice resistance to blast, this study investigated the nutritional status of rice plants supplied with this element in response to Pyricularia oryzae infection. Plants were grown in nutrient solutions containing 0 and 2 mmol·L-1 of Si (referred to -Si and +Si plants, respectively). The area under blast progress curve decreased for +Si plants due to a significant increase of 714% on the foliar Si concentration in contrast to -Si plants. For +Si plants, the foliar N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, and B concentrations were significantly lower in comparison to -Si plants. On infected plants, the foliar N, K, and Cu concentrations were significantly lower in comparison to noninfected ones. The foliar Zn, Fe, and Mn concentrations were significantly lower for -Si inoculated plants in comparison to -Si noninoculated ones. The foliar Mn and S concentrations were significantly lower for +Si inoculated plants in comparison to +Si noninoculated ones. The foliar Fe concentration was significantly lower for +Si inoculated plants in comparison to +Si noninoculated ones. Foliar Zn and Mn concentrations were significantly lower for +Si plants in comparison to -Si plants regardless of their inoculation with P. oryzae. Foliar Fe and S concentrations were significantly lower for +Si plants in comparison to -Si plants, respectively, for noninoculated and inoculated plants. Taken together, Si stood for itself in reducing blast symptoms without the need of high foliar concentrations of either macro or micronutrients that could affect plantgrowth.

La administración de proyectos significa mucho más que dividir el trabajo para asignar las partes a diferentes personas. De hecho, con frecuencia, los proyectos que pudieron haber sido exitosos fracasan debido a los enfoques que dan por sentado que la administración de proyectos solo implica dividir el trabajo en tareas de menor complejidad, dejando de lado otros aspectos importantes. Este trabajo presenta ARDe (Asistente de Recomendación de Desarrolladores), un herramienta basada en Razonamiento Basado en Casos para construir una solución que asista en la toma de decisiones acerca de qué miembros del equipo del proyecto seleccionar para realizar las tareas establecidas durante la planificación del proyecto. Como resultado de los diversos experimentos, se comprobó que las estimaciones se asemejan a las métricas reales obtenidas de la ejecución y que además ARDe aprende a ordenar las recomendaciones según las preferencias del líder del proyecto para seleccionar a un desarrollador. Esto último es un factor importante que ayuda a mitigar los cambios que se producen ante la ida de un líder de proyecto.

Project management means much more than dividing the work to assign parts to different people. Often, projects that may have been successful fail because of the assumptions that project management only involves dividing work into less complex tasks, leaving aside other important aspects. This paper presents ARDe (Developer Recommendation Assistant), a tool based on Case-Based Reasoning to build a solution that assists in making decisions about which members of the project team to select to perform the tasks established during project planning. As a result of various experiments, we found that the estimates resemble the actual metrics obtained from the execution and that ARDe also learns to order the recommendations according to the preferences of the team leader to select a developer. The latter is an important factor that helps mitigate the changes that occur before the departure of a team leader.

ABSTRACT Mango wilt, caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fimbriata, is an important disease affecting mango production. In view of the beneficial effects of potassium (K) in other profitable crops and the lack of information about the effect of macronutrients on mango wilt development, the present study aimed to evaluate how mango plants supplied with K respond physiologically when infected by C. fimbriata. Mango plants (» 3 years old) from cultivar Ubá were grown in plastic pots containing 58 mg of K·dm−3 (original K level based on the chemical analysis of the substrate) or in plastic pots with substrate amended with a solution of 0.5 M potassium chloride (KCl) to achieve the rate of 240 mg K·dm−3. Disease symptoms were more pronounced in inoculated plants grown at the lower K level. Substantial declines in stomatal conductance, in line with decreases in the internal-to-ambient CO2 concentration ratio and the absence of detectable changes in the chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, suggest that the decrease in the net carbon assimilation rate is due, at least initially, to stomatal limitations. High concentrations of K and manganese were found in the stem tissues of inoculated plants and supplied with the highest K rate, most likely due to the involvement of these tissues in the local development of defense mechanisms. The results of this study suggest that the supply of K favored the physiological performance of mango plants and their resistance against C. fimbriata infection.

ABSTRACT Mango wilt, caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata, is one of the most important diseases affecting mango yield worldwide. Salt stress can affect host defense responses against pathogens infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of mango wilt in 2 mango cultivars submitted to salt stress. Mango plants from cultivars Tommy Atkins and Ubá, considered to be moderately resistant and resistant to mango wilt, respectively, were grown in plastic pots which contained 20 kg of washed sand and daily irrigated with 3 L of a modified Hoagland solution during 40 days before being submitted to salinization. For this process of salinization, the plants received nutrient solution containing 0, 30, 60, and 90 mmol∙L–1 of sodium chloride (NaCl) during 50 days. At the 50th day, the plants were inoculated with C. fimbriata, and disease development was evaluated at 42 days after inoculation. During this period, the plants were also submitted to salinization. After disease evaluation, the stems of plants from each treatment were collected to determine the concentrations of chlorine (Cl) and sodium (Na). Plants from the 2 cultivars showed reduced mango wilt symptoms as the NaCl doses increased from 0 to 90 mmol∙L–1. Plants submitted to the highest NaCl doses showed greater Cl and Na concentrations on the stem. In conclusion, the resistance of plants against C. fimbriata infection can be potentiated when submitted to salt stress regardless of their basal level of resistance to mango wilt.

ABSTRACT Tropical rust caused by the biotrophic fungus Phakopsora gossypii is an emerging disease in cotton that has caused significant yield losses of crop/cotton cultivated in Brazil. Considering the current importance of tropical rust and the need to obtain additional basic information about its causal agent to better control this disease, the present study aimed to determine the infection process of P. gossypii in cotton leaves using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thirty-day-old plants were inoculated with a suspension of P. gossypii uredospores, and leaf fragments were collected 42 h after inoculation (hai) as well as 20, 25 and 35 days after inoculation (dai) for SEM observations. By 42 hai, the uredospores of P. gossypii had germinated and produced a germ tube and an appressorium that may directly penetrate the leaf cuticle. At 20 dai, closed uredia containing uredospores were observed on the abaxial leaf surface. At 25 dai, the uredia started to open and became fully open by 35 dai and contained many uredospores. By 25 dai, fungal hyphae were growing abundantly in the mesophyll next to the uredia that formed in the leaf fragments with total or partial removal of the epidermis. The results of the present study provide novel information regarding the infection process of P. gossypii in cotton leaves, which might be useful for the development of new and more effective strategies for tropical rust control.

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effects of silicon (Si), acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM), and potassium phosphite (Phi) on the potentiation of rice resistance to infection by Bipolaris oryzae. The treatments included the soil amended with Si (1.25 g of calcium silicate per kg of soil), spraying of plants with ASM (500 mg∙L–1), Phi (5 mL∙L–1), and distilled water (control) 24 h before inoculation with B. oryzae. The treatments Si supply and the spraying of ASM and Phi were effective in reducing the area under brown spot progress curve and the number of lesions per cm2 of leaf. Polyphenoloxidases activity was higher for plants supplied with Si. On plants sprayed with ASM, the activities of polyphenoloxidases, phenylalanine ammonia-lyases, chitinases, and β-1,3-glucanases increased. The spraying of plants with Phi did not increase the activities of the studied defense enzymes. Taken together, the results of this study indicated that brown spot symptoms can be greatly reduced with the use of Si, ASM, and Phi.

ABSTRACT Mango wilt, caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata, is one of the most important diseases affecting mango yields in Brazil. Information regarding the biochemical mechanisms involved in mango resistance against C. fimbriata is absent in the literature. Thus, the present study determined and quantified alkaloids and phenolics in the stem tissue of mango plants from Palmer (susceptible) and Ubá (resistant) cultivars. Furthermore, it was examined the effect of these secondary metabolites against C. fimbriata growth in vitro. The high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that the concentration of two alkaloids (theobromine and 7-methylxanthine) and six phenolic compounds (caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, catechin and epicatechin) in the inoculated plants from cv. Ubá was higher in comparison with inoculated plants from cv. Palmer. The concentration of the secondary metabolites was higher in the non-inoculated plants from cv. Palmer than in the inoculated ones, while the opposite was observed for plants of cv. Ubá. Peaks in the concentrations of secondary metabolites in the inoculated plants from both cultivars occurred at 7 and 14 days after inoculation. The different concentrations (10 to 30 mg∙mL−1) of secondary metabolites added to the Petri dishes greatly inhibited C. fimbriata growth over time. These results suggest that secondary metabolites played an important role in the resistance of mango plants against C. fimbriata infection.

ABSTRACT Blast, caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae, is an important disease affecting rice and wheat yield worldwide. This study investigated the cytological aspects of incompatible (non-host resistance) and compatible (host resistance) rice- (R_Po) and wheat- (W_Po) Pyricularia oryzae isolate interactions. Inoculations of rice and wheat with the R_Po and W_Po isolates of P. oryzae, respectively, were expected to be compatible interactions (host resistance), whereas inoculations of rice and wheat with the W_Po and R_Po isolates of P. oryzae, respectively, were considered to be incompatible interactions (non-host resistance). For the compatible interactions (rice-R_Po and wheat-W_Po), fungal hyphae penetrated and colonized the epidermal cells and also invaded many neighboring cells. By contrast, in the case of the incompatible interactions (rice-W_Po and wheat-R_Po), fungal hyphae were not able to penetrate nor colonize the epidermal cells, but when penetration did occur, the hyphae were restricted to the first-invaded epidermal cell. The frequency of appressorial sites exhibiting infection hyphae within the epidermal cell underlying an appressorium was greater in the case of the compatible interactions. By contrast, unsuccessful penetrations with cytoplasmic granulation occurred with high frequency in the incompatible wheat-R_Po and rice-W_Po interactions and the number of necrotic epidermal cells underlying the appressorium was low for the rice-W_Po interaction as well as for the wheat- R_Po interaction, where no symptoms of necrosis were exhibited. However, the opposite was observed for the compatible interactions. The present study presents cytological features associated with incompatible and compatible rice- and wheat-P. oryzae interactions that may be useful to studies involving variability, coevolution, diagnosis, and regulation of quarantine or even in a rice or wheat breeding program whose aim is to transfer genes involved in non-host resistance to host resistance due to similarities in downstream mechanisms.

ABSTRACT Caused by the vascular fungus Ceratocystis fimbriata, mango wilt is considered to be one of the most serious threats in mango-producing regions worldwide. However, changes in leaf gas exchange level and the mechanisms underlying host responses to this fungal infection remain poorly described. This study aimed to evaluate potential changes in the leaf gas exchange of different mango cultivars (Ubá, Espada, Haden and Tommy Atkins) in response to two Brazilian isolates of C. fimbriata (CEBS15 and MSAK16) to non-invasively assess cultivar variability in relation to the basal level of resistance to mango wilt. Both isolates, regardless of the cultivar, caused reductions in stomatal conductance and, thus, a reduction in CO2 assimilation via diffusive limitations. Taking into account the full length of the internal lesion and the radial colonization of the stem tissues, both isolates showed equivalent aggressiveness when inoculated into the Haden and Tommy Atkins cultivars. Conversely, when compared to the CEBS15 isolate of C. fimbriata, the MSAK16 isolate was more aggressive in cv. Espada and less aggressive in cv. Ubá.

A queima das bainhas, causada pelo fungo Rhizoctonia solani Kühn, é uma das mais importantes e destrutivas doenças que afetam a produção de arroz no mundo. Embora o silício (Si) seja capaz de reduzir a intensidade da queima das bainhas, os mecanismos de resistência mediados por esse elemento permanecem desconhecidos. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar a nível microscópico o efeito do Si na resistência do arroz à infecção por R. solani. Plantas de arroz das cultivares BR-Irga-409 e Labelle foram cultivadas em solução nutritiva contendo 0 ou 2 mM de Si e inoculadas no estádio de máximo perfilhamento utilizando-se pedaços de palito de dente colonizados por R. solani. Ambos cultivares supridas com Si apresentaram intensa e homogênea deposição de Si nos tecidos das bainhas colonizados por R. solani. A maior concentração de Si nas bainhas de plantas de arroz de ambas cultivares contribuiu para reduzir os sintomas da queima das bainhas. Com o auxílio da microscopia de luz e da microscopia eletrônica de varredura, observou-se menor crescimento micelial do fungo sobre as bainhas foliares das plantas de ambas cultivares que foram supridas com Si. Secções das bainhas de plantas de ambos cultivares supridas com Si exibiram intensa autofluorescência nos tecidos próximos a regiões necrosadas devido a colonização por R. solani. Em conclusão, o suprimento de Si às plantas de arroz desempenhou um papel importante na redução dos sintomas da queima das bainhas.

Sheath blight, caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani Kühn, is one of the most important and destructive diseases affecting rice production in the world. Although silicon (Si) is able to reduce the sheath blight intensity, the mechanisms of resistance mediated by this element remain unknown. Thus, this study aimed to investigate at the microscopical level the effect of Si on rice resistance to infection by R. solani. Rice plants from cultivars BR-Irga-409 and Labelle were grown in nutrient solution containing 0 or 2 mM of Si and inoculated at the maximum tillering stage using pieces of toothpick colonized by R. solani. Both cultivars supplied with Si showed intense and homogeneous deposition of Si in the leaf sheaths tissue colonized by R. solani. The highest Si concentration on the leaf sheaths of plants of both cultivars contributed to reduce the sheath blight symptoms. Using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, it was observed reduced fungal growth on the leaf sheaths of plants from both cultivars which were supplied with Si. Sections of the leaf sheaths of plants from both cultivars supplied with Si exhibited intense autofluorescence in tissues near to the necrotic areas due to R. solani colonization. In conclusion, the supply of Si to rice plants played an important role in reducing the sheath blight symptoms.

A antracnose, causada pelo fungo Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, é uma das doenças mais destrutivas que afetam a cultura do feijoeiro. Com o objetivo de encontrar alternativas para o controle dessa doença, o presente trabalho investigou, em nível microscópico, o efeito do silício (Si) na resistência do feijoeiro à infecção por C. lindemuthianum. Plantas de feijoeiro (cv. Pérola) foram cultivadas em solução nutritiva contendo 0 (-Si) ou 2 mM (+Si) de Si e inoculadas no estádio de crescimento V4 com uma suspensão de conídios de C. lindemuthianum. A severidade da antracnose decresceu cerca de 52% nas folhas das plantas supridas com Si (4,4%) em relação às folhas das plantas não supridas (8,5%). Observações de folhas de feijoeiro das plantas não supridas com Si no microscópio eletrônico de varredura revelaram alterações morfológicas nas nervuras em contraste com as folhas de plantas supridas com Si. Utilizando-se a microanálise de raios-X, verificou-se maior concentração dos minerais enxofre, potássio e Si nas folhas das plantas supridas com Si. Em conclusão, o suprimento de Si em plantas de feijoeiro foi importante para reduzir os sintomas da antracnose.

The anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, is one of the most destructive diseases affecting bean crop. With the objective to find alternative to the control this disease, this study investigated, at the microscopic level, the effect of silicon (Si) on bean resistance to infection by C. lindemuthianum. Bean plants (cv. 'Pérola') were grown in nutrient solution containing 0 (-Si) or 2 mM (+ Si) of Si and inoculated in the V4 growth stage with a suspension of conidia of C. lindemuthianum. The disease severity decreased by 52% in the leaves of plants supplied with Si (4.4%) in relation to the leaves of non supplied plants (8.5%). Observations of bean leaves of plants not supplied with Si by scanning electron microscopy revealed morphological changes in the veins in contrast with the leaves of plants supplied with Si. By using the X-ray microanalysis, it was found higher concentrations of the minerals sulfur, potassium and Si in the leaves of plants supplied with Si. In conclusion, the supply of Si in bean plants was important to reduce the symptoms of anthracnose.

Uma espécie nova do gênero Tetragonopterus é descrita a partir de espécimes das porções superior e média da bacia do rio Tocantins. A espécie nova pode ser distinguida de todas as congêneres pela maxila de formato único.

A new species of the genus Tetragonopterus is described from specimens of the upper and middle portions of the rio Tocantins drainage. The new species can be distinguished from all congeners by the possession of a very uniquely shaped maxilla.

Mancha foliar de Glomerella (MFG) é uma doença importante da macieira e o uso do polissacarídeo algal ulvana representa uma nova tecnologia para o seu controle. Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar se os mecanismos de defesa envolvidos na resistência de planta cultivar-específica e induzida por ulvana a MFG estão associados com mudanças na atividade de peroxidase e β-1,3-glucanase. Plântulas foram primeiro pulverizadas com ulvana ou água e então inoculadas com Colletotrichum gloeosporioides 6 dias mais tarde. A severidade da doença foi registrada diariamente em ambas folhas jovens e velhas até 10 dias após a inoculação. Atividade enzimática foi monitorada de 24 a 72h após a inoculação (HAI). Embora, folhas jovens foram mais suscetíveis a MFG, a ulvana reduziu aproximadamente 66% da severidade da doença em ambos grupos etários de folhas. Adicionalmente a resistência cultivar-específica ou induzida por ulvana foi associada com um aumento da atividade de peroxidase às 24 e 72 HAI, respectivamente. Ambas plântulas resistentes e suscetíveis exibiram atividade similar de glucanase.

Glomerella leaf spot (GLS) is an important disease of apple plants, and the use of the algal polysaccharide ulvan represents a new technology for its control. This study aimed to verify whether the defense mechanisms involved in cultivar-specific and ulvan-induced plant resistance to GLS are associated with changes in the activities of peroxidase and β-1,3-glucanase. Seedlings were first sprayed with ulvan or water and then inoculated with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides 6 days later. The disease severity was recorded daily on both young and old leaves up to 10 days after inoculation, and the enzyme activities were monitored from 24 to 72h after inoculation (HAI). Although the young leaves were more susceptible to GLS, ulvan reduced approximately 66% of the disease severity in both of the leaf age groups. Additionally, the cultivar-specific and ulvan-induced resistance was associated with enhanced peroxidase activity at 24 and 72 HAI, respectively. Both the resistant and susceptible seedlings exhibited similar glucanase activities.