The effect of the presence of organic amendment on the activity of two selected strains of Pochonia chlamydosporia var. catenulata (Kamyschko ex Barron and Onions) Zare & Gams on Meloidogyne enterolobii Yang & Eisenback was evaluated. The fungal strains studied were IMID SD 187 from Cuba and CG1006 from Brazil. The experiment was carried out in Embrapa-Cenargen, Brasilia-DF (Brazil), under greenhouse conditions during February-April, 2011. An agricultural soil (sterilized and not sterilized) was used and combined with the presence-absence of organic amendment (Bioplant) (1:1 v/v). Four treatments were prepared inoculating polyethylene bags with 4kg of substrate with 5000 chlamydopores.g-1 of substrate of each of the strains, leaving non-inoculated bags as controls. Then, a chicory plant was transplanted into each bag, and 5000 juveniles/eggs of M. enterolobii were added. Colonization of both strains of P. chlamydosporia var. catenulata was in the order of 10³-10(4) UFC,g-1 in the soil and roots. The percentages of egg mass colonization and egg parasitism of the strain CG1006 were higher, between 77-92% and 71-78%, than those of IMI SD 187, which were 58-89% and 37-74%, respectively. Although the galling index of M. enterolobii was not reduced by the effect of none of the fungi, the number of healthy egg was reduced compared with the control. The results indicated that the presence of organic amendment did not influence the activity of the native strain significantly, but it did influence that of the foreign strain (IMI SD 187), fundamentally in natural soil. Therefore, the pertinence of studies in non- sterilized soils was ratified for offering more reliable information for the selection of promising strains as biological control agents of nematodes and their use within nematode management strategies.

Se evaluó el efecto de la presencia de abono orgánico sobre la actividad de dos cepas seleccionadas de Pochonia chlamydosporia var. catenulata (Kamyschko ex Barron y Onions) Zare y Gams (IMI SD 187 y CG1006) de Cuba y Brasil, respectivamente, frente a Meloidogyne enterolobii Yang y Eisenback. El experimento se realizó en Embrapa-Cenargen, Brasilia-DF (Brasil) y se mantuvo en casa de vegetación durante los meses de febrero-abril de 2011. Se utilizó un suelo agrícola y se combinó la presencia-ausencia de abono orgánico (Bioplant) (1:1 v/v) con suelo natural (no esterilizado y esterilizado). Se prepararon cuatro tratamientos con cada cepa donde se inocularon 5000 clamidosporas.g-1 de sustrato y cuatro grupos controles (sin Pochonia), en bolsas de polietileno con 4kg de sustrato, donde se trasplantó una postura de achicoria y se añadieron 5000 juveniles/huevos de M. enterolobii. Se comprobó que el desarrollo saprofítico de ambas cepas de P. chlamydosporia var. catenulata estuvo en el orden de 10³-10(4) UFC.g-1 en el suelo y las raíces. El porcentaje de colonización de masas de huevos y el parasitismo de huevos de la cepa CG1006 fue superior, con valores entre 77-92% y 71-83%, comparado a la IMI SD 187 que logró 58-89 y 37-74%, respectivamente. Aun cuando ambos hongos no redujeron el índice de agallas de M. enterolobii, disminuyó el número de huevos sanos, respecto al control. Los resultados indicaron que la presencia de abono orgánico no influyó significativamente en la actividad de la cepa nativa, pero sí de la cepa foránea (IMI SD 187) fundamentalmente en el suelo natural. Se ratifica la pertinencia de estudios en suelos no esterilizados, al ofrecer información más confiable en la selección de cepas promisorias como agentes de control biológico de nematodos y su empleo dentro de estrategias de manejo.

CDKN2A encodes proteins such as p16 (INK4a), which negatively regulate the cell-cycle. Molecular genetic studies have revealed that deletions in CDKN2A occur frequently in cancer. Although p16 (INK4a) may be involved in tumor progression, the clinical impact and prognostic implications in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of the immunohistochemical expression of p16 (INK4a) in 40 oropharynx and 35 larynx from HNSCC patients treated in a single institution and followed-up at least for 10 years in order to explore potential associations with clinicopathological outcomes and prognostic implications. Forty cases (53.3%) were positive for p16 (INK4a) and this expression was more intense in non-smoking patients (P = 0.050), whose tumors showed negative vascular embolization (P = 0.018), negative lymphatic permeation (P = 0.002), and clear surgical margins (P = 0.050). Importantly, on the basis of negative p16 (INK4a) expression, it was possible to predict a probability of lower survival (P = 0.055) as well as tumors presenting lymph node metastasis (P = 0.050) and capsular rupture (P = 0.0010). Furthermore, increased risk of recurrence was observed in tumors presenting capsular rupture (P = 0.0083). Taken together, the alteration in p16 (INK4a) appears to be a common event in patients with oropharynx and larynx squamous cell carcinoma and the negative expression of this protein correlated with poor prognosis.

Recently, Pochonia chlamydosporia (Goddard) Zare y Gams was isolated from parasitized eggs of Meloidogyne enterolobii Yang y Eisenback (syn. jun. Meloidogyne mayaguensis Rammah y Hirschmann) in guava (Psidium guajava L.) plantations, at the northeast of Brazil. Due to the potential danger of this pest for a large group of crops, including vegetable crops, a greenhouse experiment was conducted with two repetitions in time. The aim was to evaluate the saprophytic and parasitic activities of three brazilian strains (CG1003, CG1006 and CG1041) and the cuban strain (IMI SD 187) of P. chlamydosporia against M. enterolobii in a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)- lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) crop sequence. At the end of the cultivation, 6 month after the application, colonization of P. chlamydosporia was in the order of 10(4) CFU.g-1 of soil and 10³ CFU.g-1 of root, with exception of the strain CG1041 (10² CFU.g-1 of root). Egg mass percentage was higher than 60% in all treatments, while parasitized egg percentage was between 45-55%. These results validated the cuban strain against a nematode target under different conditions from those it originally came from; the brazilian strain potential as biocontroler of M. enterolobii was also demonstred. Future investigation perspectives with those fungi are opened for their use as biological control agents for nematode pest management strategies.

Recientemente se informaron aislamientos de Pochonia chlamydosporia (Goddard) Zare y Gams parasitando huevos de Meloidogyne enterolobii Yang y Eisenback (syn. jun. Meloidogyne mayaguensis Rammah y Hirschmann) en plantaciones de guayaba (Psidium guajava L.), al nordeste de Brasil. Teniendo en cuenta el peligro potencial de esta plaga para numerosos cultivos incluyendo las hortalizas, se realizó un experimento en casa de vegetación con dos repeticiones en el tiempo. El objetivo fue evaluar las actividades saprofítica y patogénica de tres cepas brasileñas (CG1003, CG1006 y CG1041) y una cubana (IMI SD 187) de P. chlamydosporia frente a M. enterolobii, en una sucesión de cultivos tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.)- lechuga (Lactuca sativa L.). Al finalizar el ciclo de los cultivos, 6 meses después de la aplicación, se comprobó que la colonización de P. chlamydosporia se mantuvo en el orden de 10(4) UFC.g-1 de suelo y mayor de 10³ UFC.g-1 en las raíces, excepto para la cepa CG1041 (10² UFC.g-1 de raíz). El porcentaje de colonización de estos hongos sobre las masas de huevos fue superior al 60% en todos los tratamientos, mientras que los porcentajes de parasitismo de huevos estuvieron entre 45 y 55%. Estos resultados validaron la cepa cubana frente a una diana y en condiciones diferentes a las que es originaria y se demostró que las cepas brasileñas son potenciales biocontroladores de M. enterolobii, abriéndose así futuras perspectivas de investigación como agentes de control biológico integrados para el manejo de este nematodo.

RESUMO A análise da fertilidade dos grãos de pólen de Ricinus communis (mamona) é de grande importância para programas de melhoramento, permitindo o manejo e uso adequado das coleções existentes e a criação de cultivares interessantes na produção de biodiesel. Neste trabalho, optou-se por um processo preditivo baseado no método citológico de coloração dos grãos de pólen e no método de germinação in vitro dos grãos, após tratamentos de conservação a baixas temperaturas, para a verificação da viabilidade, importante na formação das sementes, alvo dos programas de melhoramento. Utilizou-se a técnica de coloração com carmim acético 2% na análise da viabilidade dos grãos de pólen nas cultivares IAC-80, Cafelista, AL-Preta e AL-Guarany 2002, enquanto que o método de germinação in vitro após tratamento de -196° C, -80° C e -18° C, por 15 e 30 dias, foi aplicado somente na cultivar IAC-80. A viabilidade polínica foi acima de 95% em IAC-80 e Cafelista de 88,48% em AL-Preta e de 86,46% em e AL-Guarany 2002. Estas cultivares apresentaram também alto percentual de viabilidade polínica na antese, sendo possível a utilização de todas as cultivares analisadas na indução de fertilização em programas de melhoramento. Os resultados obtidos com a germinação in vitro dos grãos de IAC-80, após a criopreservação, indicaram que o percentual médio da viabilidade polínica in vivo não foi influenciado pelo período de armazenamento. Observaram-se diferenças entre os tratamentos a baixas temperaturas, porém o percentual de viabilidade dos mesmos foi baixo, sugerindo necessidade de adequação na técnica de avaliação.

ABSTRACT The analysis of the pollen grain fertility of Riccinus communis (castor-oil plant) is of great importance for breeding programs, allowing for suitable handling and use of collections and the creation of cultivars of interest for biodiesel production. In this work, a predictive process was chosen based on the cytological method of pollen-grain staining and in-vitro pollen germination after low-temperature treatments for preservation to verify the pollen viability, which is important in seed fertilization and formation. The conventional cytological staining technique with 2% acetic carmine was used for pollen grain viability analysis for the cultivars IAC-80, Cafelista, AL-Preta and AL-Guarany 2002, while the method of in-vitro germination after treatment at -196° C, -80° C and -18° C, from 15 to 30 days, was used for the cultivar IAC-80. The IAC-80 and Cafelista cultivars showed pollen viability values above 95%, while AL-Preta and AL-Guarany 2002 showed 88.48 and 86.46%, respectively. The pollen grains of castor-oil cultivars also presented a high percentage of pollen viability at anthesis. Therefore, it is possible to use the pollen grains of all the analyzed cultivars for fertilization induction in breeding programs. The results indicate that the average percentage of the pollen-grain viability in-vivo was not influenced by the storage period. It was also observed that there were differences among the low-temperature treatments, although the percentage of viability was low, suggesting the need for the application of a suitable evaluation technique.