ABSTRACT. Selection practices are maximized when plant breeders have the availability of consolidated parameters, which will guide direct and indirect selection methods. This study aimed to apply a biometric alternative to minimize residual variance and maximize selection parameters by parent-progeny regression, interim controls, and mixed linear models intrinsic to breeding. The obtained data were subjected to the assumptions of the statistical model, which identified the normality and homogeneity of the residual variances and model additivity. Subsequently, two analysis scenarios were created. The first preserved all information obtained in the experiment, both from segregating families and pure-line cultivars, and was called original scenario. The other scenario preserved progeny data, but the residual variability of controls was restricted using as criterion observations contained between the interval of the first sample standard deviation. Thereby, an acceptable residue limit could be obtained. Both scenarios were submitted to three consolidated frequentist methods (genitor-progeny regression; sum of squares of augmented block design with interim controls; and mixed linear models, wherein random genetic effects are taken as weighted genetic parameters by the genealogical matrix). Restricting residual variation in parents or controls can maximize genetic parameters and genetic gains in soybean breeding. Significant heritability estimate gains were obtained in the augmented blocks with interim control approach. Mixed linear models with random genetic effects can be considered a great tool to obtain genetic parameters in experiments with a high magnitude of common and regular treatments.

ABSTRACT Water cooling systems usually receive additional chemical treatment and different features to prevent pitting corrosion on stainless steel which is dependent on medium factors such as species concentration. Chloride is an aggressive ion with which sulfate can act as an inhibitor. By applying cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and Mott-Schottky plots, the behavior of 304 stainless steel (304 SS) was evaluated in solutions containing chloride, sulfate and ammonium ions. The polarization curves indicated the inhibiting effect of sulfate ions against pitting corrosion and the increase of the repassivation potential with increasing ammonium concentration. The most pronounced inhibiting effect occurred with a smaller ratio between chloride and sulfate ions (1:2). By EIS, the values obtained for charge transfer resistance of 304 SS sample corroborated the results of the cyclic voltammetry, ranging between 0.4 and 0.7 MΩcm2. The passive film showed semiconductor behavior, in agreement with the model of the chromium oxide inner layer and iron oxide outer layer. The passive films formed were highly doped, with doping density values on the order of 1020-21 cm–1. The difference between the corrosion potential and the flat band potential was found in the solutions where the material was less susceptible to corrosion.

ABSTRACT. Data analysis in goat production, such as those related to body and scrotal measurements, indicate the productive and reproductive animal development. The current study aimed to evaluate the correlations between thoracic perimeter (TP), body length (BL), body compacity (BC), body volume (BV), and scrotal circumference (SC) with body weight (BW) in young male goats of Saanen and Boer breeds. It was used 38 Saanen and 24 Boer male goats, with age average of 7.2 ± 2.0 months. Thoracic perimeter and body length measurements were obtained using a tape measure (cm) and the live weight (kg) a mechanic scale. The variables body compacity (BC) and body volume (BV) were calculated using the equations: BC = BW.BL -1 and BV = TP.BL. Boer breed showed live weight and body compacity higher than Saanen breed (p < 0.05). Regarding correlations between biometric measurements and body weight, we did not find any statistical differences between the breeds (p > 0.05). The scrotal circumference presented the lowest association with body weight (p < 0.05). However, all biometric measurements showed highly significant correlations with live body (p < 0.01). In conclusion, thoracic perimeter was the main measure of body weight predictor, considering efficiency and practical aspects.

Abstract Background: Qualea grandiflora (QG) (Vochysiaceae), also known as "pau-ferro", "pau-terra" or "pau-de-tucano", is a very common deciduous tree in the Brazilian Cerrado used in traditional medicine to treat inflammations, ulcers, diarrhea, and infections. There are reports in the scientific literature that demonstrate the medicinal effects of the bark and leaf of the QG. However, studies involving this plant are rather imited. Aim of the study: To perform the phytochemical analysis of the QG hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) of leaves, and to investigate it effects on fibroblast and preosteoblasts. Methods: Phytochemical analysis was done by HPLC-DAD. Murine NIH/3T3 fibroblasts and MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts cell lines (ATCC) were used for the experiments. Cell viability was assessed by the MTT colorimetric assay and the expression of MMP-14 and HIF-1α by immunofluorescence. Results and conclusion: The following compounds were identified by HPLC-DAD, such as quinic acid, ethyl galate, ellagic acid derivatives as O-methylellagic acid O-galloyl, O-methylellagic acid O-deoxyhexoside, galloyl derivatives, flavonol glycoside as kaempferol-O-deoxyhexoside, quercetin-O-deoxyhexoside, myricetin-O-deoxyhexoside and the pentacyclic triterpene arjunglucoside. Cell viability results demonstrated no cytotoxic effects in the studied concentrations. We found in QG HAE some compounds with therapeutic properties that can increase the expression of MMP-14 and HIF-1α, in fibroblasts and preosteoblasts. These data suggest that QG HAE has an action on these two molecules widely involved in physiological conditions, such as collagen remodeling, bone development and growth and pathological processes as HIF signaling in cancer metastasis.

Abstract: Hymenaea courbaril has been used to treat different diseases, although its properties are yet to be scientifically validated. The objective of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, antigenotoxicity and antioxidant potentials of hydroethanolic extract from H. courbaril seeds. Therefore, for the cytotoxicity test an anti-melanoma assay was performed in B16F10 strain cells. The genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity was evaluated in bone marrow cells (Permit number: 002/2010) of mice, the antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH test and the total flavonoid content was also determined. The hydroethanolic extract showed antigenotoxic effect and antioxidant activity. It was verified that total flavonoid content was 442.25±18.03 mg RE/g dry extract. HPLC-PAD chromatogram revealed presence of flavones as majority compound in evaluated extract. The results allowed us to also infer that the hydroethanolic extract from seeds shows cytotoxic activity against B16F10 melanoma cells line and it has dose-and-time-dependency.

Abstract Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Myracrodruon urundeuva All. and Qualea grandiflora Mart. leaves hydroalcoholic extracts on viability and metabolism of a microcosm biofilm and on enamel demineralization prevention. Methodology: Microcosm biofilm was produced on bovine enamel using inoculum from pooled human saliva mixed with McBain saliva, under 0.2% sucrose exposure, for 14 days. The biofilm was daily-treated with the extracts for 1 min. At the end, it was analyzed with respect to viability by fluorescence, CFU counting and extracellular polysaccharides (phenol-sulphuric acid colorimetric assay) and lactic acid (enzymatic assay) production. The demineralization was measured by TMR. The data were compared using ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis (p<0.05). Results: M. urundeuva All. at 100, 10 and 0.1 μg/mL and Q. grandiflora Mart. at 100 and 0.1 μg/mL reduced biofilm viability similarly to positive control (chlorhexidine) and significantly more than the negative-vehicle control (35% ethanol). M. urundeuva at 1000, 100 and 0.1 μg/mL were able to reduce both lactobacilli and mutans streptococci CFU counting, while Q. grandiflora (1000 and 1.0 μg/mL) significantly reduced mutans streptococci CFU counting. On the other hand, the natural extracts were unable to significantly reduce extracellular polysaccharides and lactic acid productions neither the development of enamel carious lesions. Conclusions: The extracts showed antimicrobial properties on microcosm biofilm, however, they had no effect on biofilm metabolism and caries protection.

A cultura da mamona (Ricinus communis L.) é uma das mais importantes para a região semiárida do Brasil, sendo o cultivo efetuado, principalmente, com variedades crioulas, sem melhoramento genético e com baixa qualidade fisiológica. Face ao exposto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de mamona crioula var. carrapatinho em função da posição do rácemo (cacho). O ensaio foi realizado na Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia. Foi efetuada análise estatística - Delineamento Inteiramente Casualizado em esquema fatorial 2x3, correspondente a 2 situações morfológicas das sementes de mamona (presença e ausência de carúncula) provenientes dos rácemos localizados em 3 ramos distintos da planta (ramo primário, secundário e terciário). Os dados foram colhidos em condições laboratoriais e em estufa. Ao final do ensaio os dados foram submetidos a testes de homogeneidade de variância e teste de normalidade, e as médias obtidas foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey ao nível de 5%. Concluiu-se que a qualidade das sementes crioula da variedade carrapatinho foi afetada pela posição do rácemo na planta, e que a remoção da carúncula afetou positivamente a maioria das características avaliadas nos testes de qualidade fisiológica de sementes, principalmente a condutividade elétrica.

The castor culture (Ricinus communis L.) is one of the most important crops for the semi-arid region of Brazil. Cultivation mainly relies on landraces, without breeding and low physiological quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of Creole castor seeds var. Carrapatinho depending on the position of the raceme. The experiment was conducted at the State University of Southwest Bahia. The statistical analysis included a completely randomized design in a 2x3 factorial, corresponding to 2 morphological situations of castor seeds (presence and absence of wattle) from the racemes located in 3 different branches of the plant (primary branch, secondary and tertiary). Data were collected in laboratory conditions and in a greenhouse. At the end of the experiment the data were submitted to variance homogeneity and normality tests, and the averages were compared by Tukey test at 5%. It was concluded that the quality of Creole seeds variety Carrapatinho was affected by the racemes position in the plant, and that removal of caruncles positively affected most of the characteristics evaluated in the physiological quality tests on seeds, especially the electric conductivity.

ABSTRACT The deciduous plant Copaifera langsdorffii contains important medicinal compounds which may also be allelopathic and inhibitory to plant growth. The species is endemic to the Brazilian Cerrado where there is pronounced climatic seasonality. In this study we demonstrate the allelopathic capacity of extracts from the leaves of C. langsdorffii and pre-purified fractions of the extract. Analysis by HPLC-PAD-ESI-MS confirmed the presence of quercetin-3-O-α-rhamnoside and kaempferol-3-O-α-rhamnoside as major components, as well as phenolic acid derivatives of gallic acid. The extracts from samples collected during the wet season were rich in flavonoids and reduced the seed germination rate, root emergence time, and root growth of Sorghum bicolor seedlings. Leaves of C. langsdorffii collected in both the wet and the dry season did not differ in the overall phytotoxic potential of their extracts, but differences detected in tested subfractions seem to indicate subtle seasonal changes in chemical composition. These results indicate that changes in the seasonal water status of the Cerrado induces differential synthesis of compounds with higher allelopathic activity.