ABSTRACT The world collection of sugarcane (Saccharum hybrids. and related grasses (WCSRG) is an important source of genes for sugarcane and energycane breeding. The core collection or diversity panel of the WCSRG was created in Canal Point with 300 accession and 10 checks to evaluate its diversity. The fiber components of the species and accessions within the WCSRG are unknown, so a shredded and dried fiber sample was taken from each accession and sent for fiber analysis. The acetyl groups, acid insoluble lignin, acid soluble lignin, arabinan, glucan, holocellulose, total lignin, structural ash, and xylan were quantified on a % fiber basis and nonstructural ash on a % total basis. There were significant, but not large differences between species for holocellulose, lignin, acetyl, acid soluble lignin, nonstructural ash, and glucan. For each trait, Saccharum spontaneum had significantly more holocellulose, glucan, lignin, and nonstructural ash and less acetyl and acid soluble lignin than other species. In all populations, glucan and holocellulose were positively correlated and glucan and lignin were negatively correlated. In hybrids, internode length correlated positively with holocellulose and nonstructural ash and negatively with lignin. Principal component analysis indicated that a large amount of diversity exists within each of the species. The results suggest that strategic use of the WCSRG could provide both positive and negative selection for fiber-related traits could be made within all species of the collection.

A elevação da quantidade de mudas de alta qualidade associada ao descarte das de baixa qualidade pode aprimorar os programas de seleção e melhoramento genético da cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.). Este trabalho avaliou a capacidade do método Dynamic Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (DTOPSIS) de identificar famílias da cana-de-açúcar com elevada qualidade. As características avaliadas foram: Brix, aptidão para moagem, diâmetro do caule, altura e porcentagem de tecido parenquimatoso. Os dados foram coletados em dois experimentos com 17 famílias e duas cultivares incluindo cana soca e brota. O DTOPSIS estima o índice Ci que expressa a proximidade de uma solução particular à ideal. O Ci foi utilizado para avaliar a distância de cada família à família ideal. As demais mudas foram utilizadas em um programa tradicional de seleção. Os valores de Ci de cada família foram comparados às taxas de seleção de famílias obtidas pelo programa tradicional de seleção por meio da estimação das taxas de seleção nos estágios 1 a 4. Os resultados indicaram que os valores de Ci calculados a partir dos experimentos foram significativamente correlacionados (p<0,01) às taxas de seleção do estágio 2 (r=0,8059), estágio 3 (r=0,7967) e estágio 4 (r=0,8202). Os resultados também indicaram que clones com promissor uso apresentam elevados valores de Ci. Conclui-se, portanto, que o método DTOPSIS é apropriado para selecionar e descartar mudas de alta e baixa qualidade, respectivamente, podendo elevar a eficiência dos programas de seleção.

Enlarging the quantity of seedlings of elite families and discarding inferior sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) families could improve sugarcane breeding and selection efficiency. The feasibility of using the method Dynamic Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (DTOPSIS) method was explored to identify superior sugarcane families. Data on 5 traits: Brix, millable stalks per stool (MS), stalk diameter (SD), plant height (PH), and percent pith were collected from two family trials having 17 families and two check cultivars at two sites including plant-cane and first-ratoon crops. The rest of the seedlings were planted into field for routine selection in the regular program. The DTOPSIS method calculates a comprehensive index (Ci) which expresses the closeness of a solution to the ideal solution and was used in this study to test the distance of each family to the ideal family. The Ci of the families was compared to the family selection rate in the regular program by determining the selection rate at Stage 1 to Stage 4 for each family in the regular program. The result indicated that the Ci values calculated from family trials were significantly (p<0.01) correlated to the selection rate at Stage 2 (r=0.8059), Stage3 (r=0.7967), and Stage 4 (r=0.8202), and indicating that promising clones were selected from families with higher Ci values in the family trial. Thus, it could be feasible to use DTOPSIS to determine elite sugarcane families and to eliminate inferior families and thereby, increasing the variety selection efficiency.

Uma menina de 4 anos com retinoblastoma (RB) bilateral, não-familiar foi encaminhada após enucleação OE e tumor ativo OD refratário a múltiplas terapias (quimioterapia endovenosa, laser/crioterapia e braquiterapia com I-125). Semeadura vitrea OD, inicialmente controlada por inúmeras sessões de Quimioterapia Intra-Arterial Oftálmica (QIAO) e quimioterapia periocular, recorreu em seguida. Paciente recebeu injeções intravítreas de Melphalan obtendo controle tumoral apesar do desenvolvimento concomitante de ceratopatia, sinéquias pupilares, catarata, necrose do fórnice inferior e gordura periorbitária adjacente, todos secundários aos tratamentos usados. Implantes repetidos de membrana amniótica e tarsorrafias foram realizadas para melhora sintomatológica. Apesar de estar livre de tumor por 6 meses, a baixa visibilidade do fundo e complicações terapêuticas nos levaram a considerar enucleação que foi descartada pelos pais. Após recente ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN) negativa, a catarata foi removida. Foi então detectada recorrência tumoral. O olho foi enucleado há 12 meses e ela se recuperou bem da cirurgia. Enquanto a oncologia ocular embarca em tratamentos para preservar em retinoblastoma, é importante considerar os efeitos cumulativos e impacto associado desses tratamentos, e a possibilidade de fracasso.

A 4 year-old girl with bilateral, non-familial retinoblastoma (RB) was referred to our care after primary enucleation OS and active tumor OD refractory to multiple therapies (intravenous chemotherapy, laser/cryotherapy, and I-125 plaque radiotherapy). Vitreous seeding OD, initially controlled by several sessions of Ophthalmic Artery Infusion Chemotherapy (OAIC) and periocular chemotherapy, recurred shortly thereafter. The patient underwent intravitreal (IVit) Melphalan injections achieving tumor control despite the concurrent development of keratopathy, pupillary synechiae, cataract, and necrosis of the inferior fornix and the adjacent orbital fat, all secondary to the treatments administered. Repeated amniotic membrane implants and tarsorrhaphy were performed to alleviate the symptoms. Despite being tumor free for 6 months, a poor fundus view and treatment-related complications prompted us to consider enucleation, but parents declined. Following recent negative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), her cataract was removed. She was then found to have tumor recurrence. Her eye was enucleated 12 months ago and she recovered well from the surgery. As ocular oncology embarks in eye-preserving treatments for retinoblastoma, it is important to address the cumulative effects and associated impact of such treatments and the possibility of failure.

INTRODUCTION: Combining the hemodynamic and immune benefits of hypertonic saline with the anti-inflammatory effects of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor pentoxifylline (HSPTX) as a hemorrhagic shock resuscitation strategy reduces lung injury when compared with the effects of Ringer's lactate (RL). We hypothesized that HSPTX exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by interfering with nuclear factor kappa B/cAMP response element-binding protein (NF-κB-CREB) competition for the coactivator CREB-binding protein (CBP) in lung tissue, thus affecting pro-inflammatory mediator production. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 60 minutes of hemorrhagic shock to reach a mean arterial blood pressure of 35 mmHg followed by resuscitation with either RL or HSPTX (7.5% HS + 25 mg/kg PTX). After four hours, lung samples were collected. NF-κB activation was assessed by measuring the levels of phosphorylated cytoplasmic inhibitor of kappa B (I-κB) and nuclear NF-κB p65 by western blot. NF-κB and CREB DNA-binding activity were measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Competition between NF-κB and CREB for the coactivator CBP was determined by immunoprecipitation. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels in the lung were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: RL resuscitation produced significantly higher levels of lung IL-8 levels, I-κB phosphorylation, p65 phosphorylation, and NF-κB DNA binding compared with HSPTX. NF-κB-CBP-binding activity was similar in both groups, whereas CREB-CBP-binding activity was significantly increased with HSPTX. CREB-DNA binding-activity increased to a greater level with HSPTX compared with RL. DISCUSSION: HSPTX decreases lung inflammation following hemorrhagic shock compared with conventional resuscitation using RL through attenuation of NF-κB signaling and increased CREB-DNA binding activity. HSPTX may have therapeutic potential in the attenuation of ischemia-reperfusion injury observed after severe hemorrhagic shock.

Abstract The understanding of infection and colonization rates of soilborne pathogens on perennial crops is critical for determining proper timing of appropriate control measures. Studies were conducted to evaluate symptoms and colonization of roots of containerized apple trees by Phymatotrichopsis omnivora (Duggar) Hennebert during 1997 and 1998 at College Station, TX (USA). Three-year-old trees growing in 114 L containers were inoculated with sclerotia. Symptoms were detected after nine weeks, and 100% of the inoculated trees showed symptoms after 15 weeks. In another set of trees inoculated the second study year, there were only 80% showing symptoms of infection after 12 weeks. A separate experiment was developed to evaluate pathogen movement along live roots, dead roots, and through bare soil from an infected tree to adjacent healthy trees. Although fungal strands were visible within 10 days after inoculation and the viability of sclerotia was still around 83%, the experiment failed to produce extensive colonization and spread of the fungus on roots of apple trees or through the soil.

Resumen El conocimiento de las tasas de de infección y colonización de patógenos de suelo en cultivos perennes es importante debido a que contribuye a determinar medidas de control de manera oportuna. Se llevaron a cabo estudios para evaluar los síntomas y colonización de raíces de manzano por Phymatotrichopsis omnivora (Duggar) Hennebert en contenedor durante 1997 y 1998 en College Station, Texas (EE.UU.). Árboles de tres años de edad en contenedores de 114 L fueron inoculados usando esclerocios. Los síntomas se detectaron después de nueve semanas y 100% de los árboles inoculados presentaron síntomas después de 15 semanas; en otros árboles inoculados al año siguiente sólo hubo 80% con síntomas de infección que se presentaron después de 12 semanas. En otro experimento se evaluó el movimiento del patógeno de raíces infectadas a raíces saludables de árboles adyacentes a través de raíces vivas, raíces muertas, y del suelo. A pesar de que se detectaron cordones miceliales 10 d después de la inoculación y que la viabilidad de esclerocios permaneció en 83% al final del experimento, no ocurrió una transmisión considerable ni la dispersión del hongo a través de las raíces de manzano o del suelo.

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for poor birth outcome and their population attributable fractions. METHODS: 1688 women who attended for antenatal care were recruited into a prospective study of the effectiveness of syphilis screening and treatment. All women were screened and treated for syphilis and other reproductive tract infections (RTIs) during pregnancy and followed to delivery to measure the incidence of stillbirth, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), low birth weight (LBW) and preterm live birth. FINDINGS: At delivery, 2.7% of 1536 women experienced a stillbirth, 12% of live births were preterm and 8% were LBW. Stillbirth was independently associated with a past history of stillbirth, short maternal stature and anaemia. LBW was associated with short maternal stature, ethnicity, occupation, gravidity and maternal malaria whereas preterm birth was associated with occupation, age of sexual debut, untreated bacterial vaginosis and maternal malaria. IUGR was associated with gravidity, maternal malaria, short stature, and delivering a female infant. In the women who had been screened and treated for syphilis, in between 20 and 34% of women with each outcome was estimated to be attributable to malaria, and 63% of stillbirths were estimated as being attributable to maternal anaemia. Screening and treatment of RTIs was effective and no association was seen between treated RTIs and adverse pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSION: Maternal malaria and anaemia continue to be significant causes of adverse pregnancy outcome in sub-Saharan Africa. Providing reproductive health services that include treatment of RTIs and prevention of malaria and maternal anaemia to reduce adverse birth outcomes remains a priority.

OBJETIVO: Identificar los factores de riesgo de desenlace adverso del parto y sus fracciones poblacionales atribuibles. MÉTODOS: En un estudio prospectivo sobre la eficacia de la detección y tratamiento de la sífilis se incluyeron 1688 mujeres que esperaban recibir atención prenatal. Todas ellas fueron sometidas a pruebas de detección y tratamiento de la sífilis y de otras infecciones del aparato reproductor durante el embarazo, y fueron observadas hasta el parto para determinar la incidencia de muerte fetal, retraso del crecimiento intrauterino, bajo peso al nacer y parto antes del término. RESULTADOS: Entre las 1536 mujeres observadas hasta el parto hubo un 2,7% de muertes fetales, un 12% de nacidos vivos antes del término y un 8% de recién nacidos con bajo peso al nacer. La muerte fetal se asoció de forma independiente a los antecedentes de muerte fetal y a la anemia y la baja estatura de la madre. El bajo peso al nacer se asoció a la baja estatura de la madre, su etnia y ocupación, el número de embarazos anteriores y los antecedentes de paludismo, mientras que el parto antes del término se asoció con la ocupación, la edad de inicio de las relaciones sexuales, la vaginosis bacteriana no tratada y los antecedentes de paludismo. El retraso del crecimiento intrauterino se asoció con el número de embarazos anteriores, el paludismo, la baja estatura de la madre y el sexo femenino del recién nacido. En estas mujeres sometidas a pruebas de detección y tratamiento de la sífilis, entre un 20 y un 34% de cada uno de los desenlaces adversos fueron atribuibles al paludismo, mientras que el 63% de las muertes fetales fueron atribuibles a la anemia materna. La detección y tratamiento de las infecciones del aparato reproductor fue eficaz y no se observó ninguna asociación entre las infecciones tratadas y los desenlaces adversos del embarazo. CONCLUSIÓN: El paludismo y la anemia materna siguen siendo causas importantes de desenlace adverso del embarazo en el África subsahariana. La prestación de servicios de salud reproductiva que incluyan el tratamiento de las infecciones del aparato reproductor y la prevención de la malaria y la anemia materna siguen siendo prioritarias para reducir los desenlaces adversos del embarazo.

OBJECTIF: Déterminer les facteurs de risque pour diverses issues défavorables de l'accouchement et les fractions attribuables en population de ces issues. MÉTHODES: 1688 femmes bénéficiant de soins anténataux ont été incluses dans une étude prospective visant à évaluer l'efficacité du dépistage de la syphilis et de son traitement. Pendant leur grossesse, ces femmes ont toutes été soumises à un dépistage de la syphilis et ont éventuellement été traitées contre cette maladie ou d'autres infections de l'appareil reproducteur. Elles ont également fait l'objet d'un suivi jusqu'à l'accouchement, en vue de mesurer l'incidence des mortinaissances, des retards de développement intra-utérins, des faibles poids à la naissance et des naissances avant terme. RÉSULTATS: Parmi les 1536 accouchements, 2,7 % ont donné un enfant mort-né, 12 % un enfant prématuré vivant et 8 % un enfant de faible poids à la naissance. La mortinaissance était associée de manière indépendante aux facteurs suivants : antécédents d'accouchement d'un enfant mort-né, et faible stature ou anémie maternelles. Le faible poids à la naissance pouvait être associé à une petite stature de la mère, à son origine ethnique, à sa profession, au nombre de grossesses et à la présence du paludisme chez la mère, tandis que la naissance avant terme pouvait être mise en relation avec la profession, l'âge au début de l'activité sexuelle et la présence d'une vaginite bactérienne non traitée ou d'un paludisme chez la mère. Le retard de croissance intra-utérin pouvait être corrélé avec le nombre de grossesses, la présence d'un paludisme chez la mère, une faible stature maternelle et la mise au monde d'une fille. Parmi les femmes chez lesquelles on avait détecté et traité une syphilis, 20 à 24 % des issues défavorables de l'accouchement ont été considérées comme imputables au paludisme et 63 % des mortinaissances à une anémie maternelle. Le dépistage et le traitement des infections de l'appareil reproducteur se sont révélés efficaces et aucune association n'a été relevée entre ces infections et des issues défavorables de la grossesse. CONCLUSION: Le paludisme et l'anémie maternels restent des causes importantes d'issues défavorables de la grossesse en Afrique subsaharienne. L'apport de services de santé génésique comprenant le traitement des infections de l'appareil reproducteur et la prévention du paludisme et de l'anémie chez la mère demeure une priorité pour réduire les issues défavorables de l'accouchement.

Abstract Intraplate-type volcanism (late Oligocene-Quaternary) occurs in Mexico in regions that belong to the North American and Pacific plates. Magmas erupted through oceanic crust formed voluminous shield volcanoes (Socorro: ~2400 km3) located on or near fossil spreading ridges. Rocks in the subaerial part of the volcanoes form continuous and coherent rock series (Guadalupe) or bimodal sets (Socorro). Crystall fractionation of alkali basalt in shallow magma chambers and assimilation of hydrothermally altered rocks determined the elemental and isotopic composition of the mafic and intermediate rocks of Socorro. Trachytes from Socorro were originated by 5-10% partial melting of alkali basalt. Crystal fractionation of a parental trachytic magma originated the rhyolites. Felsic rocks also show the evidence of assimilation of hydrothermally altered rocks. Continental mafic intraplate-type volcanism (late Oligocene - Quaternary) is scattered throughout the region located north of the Mexican Volcanic Belt. This phenomenon is independent of older volcanic provinces, boundaries between today s geologic/tectonic provinces, and limits among tectonostratigraphic terranes. Most intraplate-type volcanic rocks are alkalic [i. e. theyplot above the FeOt/MgO=(0.156 x SiO2) - 6.69 line in the SiO2 vs. FeOt/MgO diagram of Miyashiro (1974) andhave high TiO2, Nb, and Ta] andhostperidotite xenoliths from the upper mantle, and/or megacrysts, and/or feldspathic granulite xenoliths from deepportions of the crust. Most volcanicfields with mantle xenolith are in the southern part of the Basin and Range Province, but there are localities in regions where normal faulting is minor or absent in the geology exposed at the surface. Some of the most extensive and voluminous intraplate-type volcanic fields in northern México were contemporaneous with normal faulting. In some areas volcanoes are aligned along regional normal faults and/or their products are interlayered with graben-fill gravel deposits. However, in most areas the tie between extension and volcanism is not evident. The locations of some volcanic fields suggest that magma ascent was influenced by regional faults. These basement structures have complex evolutions and they separate large tectonic domains. Dominant petrogenetic processes in magmas associated to the first pulses of extension (early Oligocene - Miocene), those immediately after the change from ENE compression to ENE extension, are different from those manifested in Plio-Quaternary magmas. Volcanic fields associated with the earlier extension may contain primitive rocks, similar to those erupted by Plio-Quaternary volcanoes. However, older rocks are commonly more evolved and show clear geochemical evidence for assimilation of crustal material, whereas contamination is subtle or absent inyounger intraplate-type suites. This is attributed to a gradual change in tectonic and thermal conditions in the crust in the region. During the early stages of extension (≤33-30 Ma) the crust was hot as a consequence of the subduction-related mid-Tertiary ignimbrite flare up. This thermal condition raised the brittle-ductile transition and brittle structures (i. e., normal faults) were not able to propagate to deeper parts of the crust, preventing the formation of conduits for rapid magma ascent. The result-ing slow magma ascent favored AFC processes and gravitational settling of dense xenoliths. As the crust cooled down, brittle structures caused by ENE to NE extension were able to propagate deeper and xenolith-bearing magmas reached the surface. Nephelinites exposed in the southern part of San Luis Potosí are the most silica-undersaturated intraplate-type rocks in Mexico. Assuming a similar garnet-lherzolite mantle source, the difference between the nephelinites and hawaiites found a short distance north has been attributed to a larger degree of partial melting in the hawaiites. The most evolved samples in the studied area are pantellerites and comendites from Sonora, as well as trachytes from isolated occurrencees in Sonora, Chihuahua and Tamaulipas. Unfortunately, little is known about them. It is worth mentioning that highly evolved rocks are relatively common in the Eastern/Alkalic region. Compared to central and northwestern México, evidence of synvolcanic extension in this region is scarce or absent. The chemical composition of some of the primitive rocks from San Quintín, B. C., suggests progressive fusion at rela-tively low pressures in the mantle (i. e., from spinelperidotite). Compared with samples from central México, the xenoliths from San Quintín yield significantly lower temperatures and pressures. Hypersthene-bearing, unaltered mafic rocks occur in many intraplate type volcanic fields and apparently were coeval with mafic alkalic volcanic products. This phenomenon has not been analyzed and only for hyperstene-normative mafic rocks of Durango, it has been argued that they inherited some components from the mid Tertiary, subduction-related activity. This mantle component may be occasionally melted and contribute to the intraplate type-magmas. The temporal change in mantle sources, from shallow lithospheric mantle to deeper asthenospheric mantle, proposed for the United States portion of the Basin and Range has not been demonstrated in central México. It seems that the AFC processes in the early magmas of México mask some of the geochemical characteristics inherited from the mantle sources.

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Objective. Blood lead levels have declined among every age group in the United States, but urban minority residents remain at disproportionate risk for elevated lead levels. Our objective was to measure lead burden in young women of childbearing age in New York City. We also describe successful means of recruiting this population into a cohort study. Material and methods. Healthy women aged 18-25 attending a New York City health care center in 1995-1998 were eligible for participation. Participants were recruited by health care providers, the study coordinator and the participants themselves. Venous blood samples were obtained for whole blood lead, ferritin and hematocrit measurements, and detailed questionnaires were administered. Results. 239 women have been recruited to date. The population is predominately minority: 62% African-American, 33% Hispanic and 5% Caucasian/Asian. The average age of participants is 19.3 years. Recruitment of participants into the study is predominantly (55%) through "word of mouth" from previously enrolled participants. Few participants learned of the study through their health care providers. The mean blood lead level among study participants is 2.1 ± 1.7 µg/dl, which is consistent with the most recent United States national survey. Conclusions. Blood lead levels are low in young, urban minority women of childbearing age in New York City. In this population, recruitment efforts were substantially enhanced with the help of enrolled participants and the health care community.

Objetivo. En Estados Unidos, los niveles de plomo en sangre han declinado en todos los grupos de edad; no obstante, los grupos minoritarios que residen en áreas urbanas tienen un riesgo muy alto de poseer niveles elevados de dicho metal. Nuestro objetivo fue medir el nivel de plomo en mujeres jóvenes, en edad reproductiva, en la ciudad de Nueva York. También se describe el éxito en el reclutamiento de esa población para participar en un estudio de cohorte. Material y métodos. Las mujeres elegibles fueron aquellas que acudieron al centro de salud de la ciudad de Nueva York durante 1995-1998, tenían entre 18 y 25 años de edad y estaban sanas. El reclutamiento se llevó a cabo por los proveedores de salud, el coordinador del estudio y las mismas mujeres. Se administraron cuestionarios detallados y se obtuvieron muestras sanguíneas en donde se determinaron los niveles de plomo en sangre total, ferritina y hematocrito. Resultados. A la fecha se han reclutado 239 mujeres. La población es predominantemente de grupos minoritarios: 62% africanas-americanas, 33% hispánicas y 5% caucásicas-asiáticas. El promedio de edad es de 19.3 años. El reclutamiento de las participantes se hace invitando a las mujeres que previamente han aceptado participar en el estudio (55%). Algunas se enteraron del estudio por los proveedores de salud. El nivel medio de plomo fue de 2.1±1.7 µg/dl, el cual es consistente con las encuestas nacionales más recientes de Estados Unidos. Conclusiones. Los niveles de plomo en sangre son bajos en mujeres de grupos minoritarios, jóvenes, en edad reproductiva, que residen en zonas urbanas de la ciudad de Nueva York. En esta población el reclutamiento se incrementó sustancialmente con la ayuda de las participantes y la comunidad de proveedores de salud.