Abstract Background Normal-weight obesity (NWO) is characterized by normal body mass index (BMI) but high body fat percentage (%BF) that increases the risks of cardiometabolic comorbidities. Accurate assessment and interpretation of body composition data are necessary to reduce these risks. Objectives To compare the cardiometabolic profile of individuals with NWO and normal %BF and evaluate the associated risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 222 Brazilian adults from a university community, of whom 157 had NWO and 65 had normal BMI and %BF (non-NWO). All participants reported being asymptomatic and without underlying health conditions. Socioeconomic, lifestyle, food intake, anthropometry, body composition measures (using dual-energy radiological absorptiometry), and lipid and glycemic profiles were evaluated. A p < 0.05 was established as significant. Results The median age of the participants was 23 years (interquartile range: 21 to 25), and most were female (67.1%). No significant differences were found in blood pressure, age, or physical activity levels between the NWO and non-NWO groups. However, the frequency of lipid profile disturbances was higher in the NWO group (54%) compared to the non-NWO group (34%) (p < 0.006). Neck circumference, %BF, and lipid profile disturbances were positively associated with NWO. Conclusion Individuals with NWO have a worse cardiometabolic profile than those without NWO, and this condition is associated with important biomarkers. Addressing these outcomes is important for preventing long-term cardiometabolic complications. Accurate assessment and interpretation of body composition data, regardless of BMI, are crucial in this scenario.

Resumo Fundamento A obesidade eutrófica (OE) é caracterizada por índice de massa corporal (IMC) normal, mas com alto percentual de gordura corporal (%GC), o que aumenta os riscos de comorbidades cardiometabólicas. A avaliação e interpretação precisas dos dados de composição corporal são necessárias para reduzir esses riscos. Objetivos Comparar o perfil cardiometabólico de indivíduos com OE e %GC normal e avaliar os fatores de risco associados. Métodos Foi realizado estudo transversal com 222 adultos brasileiros de uma comunidade universitária, dos quais 157 tinham OE e 65 tinham IMC e %GC normais (grupo sem OE). Todos os participantes relataram ser assintomáticos e sem problemas de saúde subjacentes. Foram avaliadas características socioeconômicas, estilo de vida, consumo alimentar, antropometria, medidas de composição corporal (por meio de absorciometria radiológica de dupla energia) e perfis lipídico e glicêmico. Valor de p < 0,05 foi estabelecido como significativo. Resultados A mediana de idade dos participantes foi de 23 anos (intervalo interquartil: 21 a 25), sendo a maioria do sexo feminino (67,1%). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas na pressão arterial, idade ou nível de atividade física entre os grupos com e sem OE. No entanto, a frequência de distúrbios do perfil lipídico foi maior no grupo com OE (54%) em comparação com o grupo sem OE (34%) (p < 0,006). Circunferência do pescoço, %GC e distúrbios do perfil lipídico foram positivamente associados com a OE. Conclusão Indivíduos com OE apresentam pior perfil cardiometabólico do que aqueles sem OE, e essa condição está associada a importantes biomarcadores. Torna-se importante abordar esses resultados para prevenir complicações cardiometabólicas de longo prazo. A avaliação e a interpretação precisas dos dados da composição corporal, independentemente do IMC, são cruciais nesse cenário.

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological, phenotypic, and gene expression parameters in genetically modified (GM) rice plants that overexpress the Oryza sativa Vacuolar H+-Pyrophosphatase 1 (OVP1) gene, compared with non-genetically modified (NGM) rice. GM and NGM plants of the BRSMG Curinga cultivar were evaluated in two experiments, in a laboratory and greenhouse, in a randomized complete block design, with four replicates. Agronomic traits of interest were estimated, and transcriptome analysis and gene expression quantification were carried out. GM plants showed a 31 and 21% higher number of spikelets per panicle and total number of grains per panicle, respectively, in comparison with NGM plants. Physiological changes occurred during the grain-filling stage, in which GM plants presented a photosynthetic rate and carboxylation efficiency 61 and 89% higher than those of NGM plants, respectively. The overexpression of the OVP1 gene favors the upregulation of some photosynthesis genes and the increase in the number of spikelets and in the photosynthetic rate, but does not favor the increase in grain yield.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os parâmetros fisiológicos, fenotípicos e de expressão gênica em plantas de arroz geneticamente modificadas (GM) que superexpressam o gene Oryza sativa Vacuolar H+-Pyrophosphatase 1 (OVP1), em comparação ao arroz não geneticamente modificado (NGM). Plantas GM e NGM da cultivar BRSMG Curinga foram avaliadas em dois experimentos, em laboratório e casa de vegetação, no delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Foram estimados caracteres agronômicos de interesse, e realizadas análise de transcritoma e quantificação da expressão gênica. Plantas GM apresentaram número de espiguetas por panícula e número total de grãos por panícula 31 e 21% maiores, respectivamente, em comparação às plantas NGM. Ocorreram alterações fisiológicas durante a fase de enchimento de grãos, em que as plantas GM apresentaram taxa fotossintética e eficiência de carboxilação 61 e 89% mais altas do que as das plantas NGM, respectivamente. A superexpressão do gene OVP1 favorece a indução de alguns genes da fotossíntese e o aumento do número de espiguetas e da taxa fotossintética, mas não favorece o aumento da produtividade de grãos.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar e validar marcadores de polimorfismo de nucleotídeo único (SNP) relacionados à produtividade de grãos em coleção nuclear de arroz (Oryza sativa). A metodologia de estudos de associação genômica ampla (GWAS) foi aplicada à genotipagem de 541 genótipos por 167.470 SNPs. A produtividade de grãos desses acessos foi estimada por meio da análise conjunta de nove experimentos de campo, realizados em seis estados brasileiros. Quinze SNPs foram significativamente associados à produtividade de grãos e, dos dez SNPs que foram convertidos em ensaios TaqMan, quatro discriminaram os acessos com maior produtividade. Esses marcadores foram utilizados para identificar aceessos de arroz com os alelos favoráveis. Em seguida, os acessos selecionados foram avaliados em experimentos de campo, em ambientes-alvo, para identificar os mais produtivos. Essa triagem reduz o número de acessos avaliados experimentalmente, pois torna possível priorizar aqueles com maior potencial produtivo, o que permite aumentar o número de repetições e, consequentemente, a precisão experimental.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to identify and validate single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers related to grain yield in rice (Oryza sativa) core collection. The genome-wide association studies (GWAS) methodology was applied for genotyping of 541 rice accessions by 167,470 SNPs. The grain yield of these accessions was estimated through the joint analysis of nine field experiments carried out in six Brazilian states. Fifteen SNPs were significantly associated with grain yield, and out of the ten SNPs converted to TaqMan assays, four discriminated the most productive accessions. These markers were used for the screening of rice accessions with favorable alleles. The selected accessions were, then, evaluated in field experiments in target environments, in order to select the most productive ones. This screening reduces the number of accessions evaluated experimentally, making it possible to prioritize those with higher productive potential, which allows of the increase of the number of replicates and, consequently, of the experimental accuracy.

Abstract Eucalyptus plantations in Brazil are expanding toward the northern and mid-western regions of the country. The objective of the present study was to select clones adapted to the local conditions, with a focus on the Cerrado region. Three clonal experiments were conducted in the municipalities of Catalão, Corumbá-de-Goiás, and Luziânia, in Goiás State, with 109 genotypes of eucalypts. The experimental design consisted of a randomized complete block design with single-tree plots and 29 blocks. Diameter at breast height and total height of all trees were measured four years after planting, for use in the estimation of wood volume for each genotype. The genotype × environmental interaction was significant and predominantly (74%) complex. The genotypic correlation among environments was moderate (< 0.47), indicating that clones should be selected for specific sites. However, some clones performed relatively well across all environments, such as clones CCL21, CCL30, AEC144, CCL07, and CCL35.

Abstract Given its high-valued wood, the African mahogany (Khaya grandifoliola) has been envisaged as a renewable source of tropical hardwoods in Brazil. However, there are concerns about the hypothesized low diversity among the few K. grandifoliola germplasm sources introduced in the country. Using eight microsatellite markers, we evaluated the genetic diversity and divergence among 53 superior trees selected from three provenances of K. grandifoliola located in the state of Para. These populations are among the oldest plantations (>15 years) in Brazil and, therefore, the country's main seed sources. The average number of alleles per locus was 5.9, expected heterozygosity was moderate (^=0.56) and lower than the high observed heterozygosity (HO=0.74). Therefore, the intrapopulation fixation index was negative (f=-0.31) indicating the possibility that selection of superior trees might have favored heterozygous plants with heterosis. No genetic structure was observed between provenances. The genetic diversity observed within selected trees, with an effective population size (Ne) of 30.4, is comparable to that of natural populations of African and Brazilian mahoganies. Therefore, our results contradict the idea that the genetic diversity of K. grandifoliola introduced in Brazil is low and show that our germplasm can be exploited for breeding purposes.

Abstract Genes related to the response to drought stress in leaf and root tissue of drought-susceptible (DS) and tolerant (DT) genotypes were characterized by RNA-Seq. In total, 54,750 transcripts, representative of 28,590 genes, were identified; of these, 1,648 were of high-fidelity (merge of 12 libraries) and described for the first time in the Andean germplasm. From the 1,239 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 458 were identified in DT, with a predominance of genes in categories of oxidative stress, response to stimulus and kinase activity. Most genes related to oxidation-reduction terms in roots were early triggered in DT (T75) compared to DS (T150) suggestive of a mechanism of tolerance by reducing the damage from ROS. Among the KEGG enriched by DEGs up-regulated in DT leaves, two related to the formation of Sulfur-containing compounds, which are known for their involvement in tolerance to abiotic stresses, were common to all treatments. Through qPCR, 88.64% of the DEGs were validated. A total of 151,283 variants were identified and functional effects estimated for 85,780. The raw data files were submitted to the NCBI database. A transcriptome map revealed new genes and isoforms under drought. These results supports a better understanding of the drought tolerance mechanisms in beans.

A Mata Atlântica é o bioma brasileiro mais severamente afetado pela fragmentação ambiental. A análise da estruturação da diversidade genética, assim como de características demográficas e quantitativas, permite inferir parâmetros populacionais importantes para os programas de conservação de espécies ameaçadas. Cabralea canjerana ssp. canjerana (Meliaceae) é uma espécie arbórea dioica considerada modelo para estudos de conservação da Mata Atlântica. Cento e oitenta e três indivíduos de oito subpopulações de C. canjerana foram coletados em fragmentos florestais na Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) Fernão Dias, no Sul do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Utilizando marcadores microssatélites, a diversidade genética foi estimada e contrastada com medidas quantitativas e medidas geográficas dessas oito subpopulações. Elevados níveis de diversidade genética foram encontrados. Uma porção pequena, porém significativa, da variância genética total está estruturada entre as populações (θ = 0,053), que foram estruturadas em dois grupos distintos. As estimativas dos níveis de diversidade genética nas populações localizadas acima de 1.800 m de altitude foram maiores, corroborando a importância dessas populações na manutenção da diversidade genética. A densidade populacional observada também foi maior nos fragmentos de maior altitude (r = 0,849; p-valor = 0,007). Não houve correlação significativa entre as variáveis fenotípicas (altura dos indivíduos e diâmetro a 1,50 m acima do solo) e as medidas de diversidade genética. Esforços conservacionistas para que aumentem o fluxo gênico entre esses fragmentos florestais devem ser estimulados, principalmente entre os fragmentos de baixa altitude e os fragmentos de elevada altitude. É comprovado que populações situadas em elevadas altitudes possuem maior número de indivíduos por hectare e, portanto, maiores índices de diversidade genética. Essas áreas podem ser tratadas como repositório de diversidade genética, e sua manutenção é de extrema importância. O Código Florestal brasileiro determina que essas áreas acima de 1.800 m de altitudes sejam consideradas Áreas de Proteção Permanente (APP).

The Atlantic Forest is the biome that is most severely affected by environmental fragmentation. The analysis of genetic diversity structure and demographic and quantitative characteristics allow us to estimate important population parameters to use in conservation programs of endangered species. Cabralea canjerana ssp. canjerana (Meliaceae) is a dioecious tree species that can be considered as a model for Atlantic Forest conservation studies. One hundred and eighty three individuals of eight C. canjeranasubpopulations were randomly sampled in forests fragments of the Environmental Protection Area (EPA) Fernão Dias, in Southern Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Using microsatellite markers, the genetic diversity was estimated and contrasted with quantitative and geographic traits of these eight subpopulations. High levels of genetic diversity were found. A small, but significant, portion of the total genetic variance is structured among the subpopulations (θ = 0.053), structured in two different groups. The estimates of the levels of genetic diversity were higher in populations above 1,800 meters of altitude, corroborating with the importance of these populations in the maintenance of genetic diversity. The population density observed was also higher in high altitude fragments (r = 0.849; p-value = 0.007). There was no significative correlation between phenotypic variables (height of individuals and stem diameter) and genetic diversity measures. Conservationist efforts that improve gene flow between these forest fragments must be stimulated, mainly between fragments of higher altitude and fragments of lower altitude. It is shown that populations located at high altitudes have a greater number of individuals per hectare and, therefore, higher levels of genetic diversity. These areas may be treated as repository of genetic diversity and its maintenance is extremely important. The Brazilian Forest Code determines that these areas above 1,800 meters altitude are considered as Permanent Protection Areas (PPA).

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o potencial produtivo e a interação entre genótipos e ambientes em 550 acessos da Coleção Nuclear de Arroz da Embrapa. O desempenho, a adaptação e a estabilidade produtiva de cada genótipo foram avaliados por meio da metodologia de análise dos efeitos principais aditivos e interações multiplicativas (AMMI), em nove experimentos de campo, realizados em seis Estados, em condição de sequeiro e irrigada, durante três anos agrícolas. Foi realizada a análise por meio de modelos lineares mistos, e as estimativas de componentes de variância foram obtidas pelo método de máxima verossimilhança residual (REML), com aplicação do procedimento de melhor predição linear não viesada (BLUP) para a predição dos valores genéticos dos efeitos aleatórios (EBLUP) associados a cada um dos acessos. O grupo de acessos com melhor desempenho foi o de linhagens e cultivares brasileiras (LCB), conforme o esperado. No entanto, foram identificadas variedades tradicionais (VT) entre os genótipos mais produtivos, o que mostra o potencial deste grupo de germoplasma em contribuir com novas fontes de variabilidade genética para programas de melhoramento. Foram identificados acessos superiores quanto à estabilidade, adaptabilidade e produtividade de grãos, entre os quais destacam-se CA880078, CA840182 e CNA00091.

The objective of this work was to determine the productive potential and the genotype by environment interaction of 550 accessions of the Embrapa's Rice Core Collection. The performance, and yield adaptability and stability of each genotype was evaluated using the additive main effects and multiplicative interactions (AMMI) approach, in nine field experiments, carried out in six Brazilian states, under dry and irrigated conditions, during three years. The linear mixed model analysis was performed, and the estimates of the variance components were obtained by the residual maximum likelihood (REML), using the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) procedure for the prediction of the genotypic values of random effects (EBLUP) associated with each accession. The group of accessions with better performance was the one of lines and cultivars from Brazil (LCB), as expected. However, traditional varieties (VT) were identified among the best yielding genotypes, which shows the potential of this germplasm group to contribute as a new source of genetic variability to breeding programs. Superior accessions were identified for their stability, adaptability and grain yield, among which CA880078, CA840182 and CNA00091 stand out.

Association analysis was applied to a panel of accessions of Embrapa Rice Core Collection (ERiCC) with 86 SSR and field data from two experiments. A clear subdivision between lowland and upland accessions was apparent, thereby indicating the presence of population structure. Thirty-two accessions with admixed ancestry were identified through structure analysis, these being discarded from association analysis, thus leaving 210 accessions subdivided into two panels. The association of yield and grain-quality traits with SSR was undertaken with a mixed linear model, with markers and subpopulation as fixed factors, and kinship matrix as a random factor. Eight markers from the two appraised panels showed significant association with four different traits, although only one (RM190) maintained the marker-trait association across years and cultivation. The significant association detected between amylose content and RM190 was in agreement with previous QTL analyses in the literature. Herein, the feasibility of undertaking association analysis in conjunction with germplasm characterization was demonstrated, even when considering low marker density. The high linkage disequilibrium expected in rice lines and cultivars facilitates the detection of marker-trait associations for implementing marker assisted selection, and the mining of alleles related to important traits in germplasm.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is a public health problem worldwide and the virus has been classified into six genotypes. In Brazil, the only genotype that has been found is genotype I, predominately from subgenotype IA. Here, the HAV genotypes were analyzed of 18 isolates circulating between 1996-2001 in Goiânia, state of Goiás, Brazil. Viral RNA was extracted from 18 serum samples and amplified (RT-PCR/nested-PCR), followed by the genomic sequencing of the VP1/2A junction region of the HAV genome. Sequences of 168 nucleotides were compared and analyzed using the BLAST N, Clustal X and PAUP v. 4.10b programs. All samples were classified as genotype I, with 10 belonging to subgenotype IA and eight to subgenotype IB. The subgenotype IA isolates showed greater diversity than the subgenotype IB isolates at the nucleotide level. Elevated identity values were found between isolates obtained in this study and those from other regions of the world, including Brazil, highlighting the high conservation among different isolates of this virus. However, changes in the HAV subgenotype circulation could also be observed during the evaluated period.

Molecular linkage maps representing the rice genome have been an important tool for breeding programs because they allow the elucidation of polygenic traits and are an efficient tool for monitoring wild introgressions in interspecific crosses. Common markers among rice genetic maps are important in defining the homology of chromosomes and the synteny between genomic target regions. We used 148 markers (expressed sequence tags, microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms) to construct a molecular linkage map based on co-dominant markers for an interspecific backcross population using a wild rice (Oryza glumaepatula) from Brazil and performed a comparative analysis with other interspecific maps. The comparative analysis revealed a Spearman correlation index of 0.86 for marker order conservation to a previous map constructed for an interspecific cross using the same wild parent. Approximately 90% of markers common to other interspecific maps kept the same order. These results indicate that it will be possible to generate a unique genetic map using the wild donor and that it may be a helpful tool for breeding programs because plants derived from different interspecific populations can be rapidly scanned using markers associated with useful wild traits.

We presented an alternative way to verify the relative contribution to the total variance, of the sources of variation due to populations (P), individuals within populations (I), the (P*I) interaction, and the standard error of the following parameter estimates: total (F) and intrapopulation (f) fixation indices, and divergence among populations (q). The knowledge of this relative contribution is important to establish sampling strategies of natural populations. To attain these objectives, the bootstrap method was used to resample simultaneously populations and individuals, considering different combinations of P and I. This procedure was repeated five times for a given combination of each analyzed data set. For each data set, five estimates of these variances were obtained for each combination of P and I, and a given parameter estimate. These variance estimates were submitted to an analysis of variance, considering a factorial structure. The sources of variation considered in this analysis were P, I and P*I. The coefficient of determination (R²) was calculated for each source of variation. Sources of variation with greater R² are responsible for bigger errors of the estimates. The method applied was efficient for answering the questions initially proposed, and the results indicated that there are no ideal sample sizes for a species, but rather for a specific data set, because each data set has its own particularities. However, for investigations on the genetic structure of natural populations using population parameters, the number of populations to be sampled is a critical factor. Thus, more efforts should be made to increase the number of sampled populations, rather than the number of individuals within populations. A sampling strategy is given as a guide for investigations of this kind, when there is no previous knowledge about the genetic structure and the mating system of the populations.

Este trabalho teve por objetivo o estudo da variabilidade genética em 10 populações de cagaiteiras (Eugenia dysenterica), da região Sudeste do Estado de Goiás. Foram identificados 54 locos marcadores RAPD, para a caracterização da variabilidade genética, avaliada por meio da análise da variância molecular (AMOVA). Foi verificado que 27,03% da variabilidade genética está entre populações, e 72,97% dentro de populações, índices obtidos a partir do valor de fiST igual a 0,2703. Foi estimado o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson (r) entre a matriz de distâncias genéticas (1 - índice de similaridade de Jaccard) e de distâncias geográficas, tendo sido encontrada forte correlação positiva. Os resultados sugerem que essas populações estão se diferenciando por um processo estocástico havendo fluxo restrito dependente da distribuição geográfica.

This study was carried out to assess the genetic variability of ten "cagaita" tree (Eugenia dysenterica) populations in Southeastern Goiás. Fifty-four randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) loci were used to characterize the population genetic variability, using the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). A phiST value of 0.2703 was obtained, showing that 27.03% and 72.97% of the genetic variability is present among and within populations, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) among the genetic distances matrix (1 - Jaccard similarity index) and the geographic distances were estimated, and a strong positive correlation was detected. Results suggest that these populations are differentiating through a stochastic process, with restricted and geographic distribution dependent gene flow.

ABSTRACT in this study spatial autocorrelation of the allelic frequencies and the correlation between matrices of genetic and geographic distances were evaluated by the analyses of the spatial autocorrelation divergence. Genetic and spatial structure of these populations were analyzed using seven microsatellite markers containing 73 alleles. Genetic diversity and the pattern of allelic variability of Eugenia dysenterica populations were evaluated in order to provide essential information for the conservation of the species. Analysis of spatial autocorrelation was made by estimating Moran I index in four classes of geographic distances. The correlation between geographic and genetic-distance matrices (r=0.872) indicated that the geographic distances have variable spatial pattern. The correlation graph showed that the genetic divergence is ordered in space in a clinal pattern of variation. Restricted gene flow and genetic drift inside the populations suggest that the model of isolation-by-distance can be applied.

RESUMO Neste trabalho se avaliou o padrão espacial de divergência, em populações de Eugenia dysenterica, com a finalidade de conservar esta espécie nativa. Verificou-se através da autocorrelação espacial das freqüências alélicas, com sete marcadores microssatélites, contendo 73 alelos, a divergência genética e o padrão da variabilidade alélica espacial das populações. Utilizou-se os índices I de Moran estimados em quatro classes de distâncias geográficas. A correlação entre matriz de distâncias geográficas e genéticas (r=0,872), indica que as distâncias geográficas possuem um padrão espacial de variabilidade. O correlograma mostrou que a divergência genética está estruturada no espaço em um padrão clinal de variação. Observou-se um fluxo a curtas distâncias e deriva genética dentro das populações locais, sugerindo desta forma o modelo de isolamento-por-distância.

The ''cagaita tree'' (Eugenia dysenterica) is a plant found widespread in the Brazilian Cerrado. Its fruit is used for popular consumption and for industrial purposes. This study opens a new perspective for the generation of population genetic data and parameters estimates for devising sound collection and conservation procedures for Eugenia dysenterica. A battery of 356 primer pairs developed for Eucalyptus spp. was tested on the ''cagaita tree''. Only 10 primer pairs were found to be transferable between the two species. Using a polyacrilamide gel, an average of 10.4 alleles per locus was detected, in a sample of 116 individuals from 10 natural ''cagaita tree'' populations. Seven polymorphic loci allowed estimation of genetic parameters, including expected average heterozygosity He = 0,442, among population diversity, R ST = 0,268 and gene flow Nm = 0,680. Results indicated a potential of SSR locus transferability developed for Eucalyptus to other species of different genera, such as in the case of the ''cagaita tree''. The high genetic diversity among populations detected with SSR markers indicated that these markers are highly sensitive to detect population structure. Estimated Nm values and the existence of private alleles indicated reduced gene flow and consequently possible damage to the metapopulation structure.