Mariana Mota

Molecular typing of Pyrus based on RAPD markers

Molecular characterisation and phenetic similarities between several cultivars of P. communis and P. pyrifolia, and genotypes of P. cordata, P. bourgaeana and P. pyraster were investigated through RAPD markers. Sixty decamer primers were screened, generating polymorphic patterns of Occidental and Oriental pear genotypes. Twenty-two selected primers originated clear and reproducible patterns, produced a total of 358 bands, 327 of them polymorphic. For 10 of the 12 genotypes analysed it was possible to find genotype-specific RAPDs and fragment patterns which could be used for cultivar identification. The patterns distinguished between genotypes and their analysis established a first approach to phenetic classification within the Pyrus genus based on DNA markers, clustering the genotypes according to their geographic origin. RAPD analysis of in vitro and in vivo material of seven cultivars was also performed, resulting in identical patterns for each genotype.

PREFERENTIAL AMMONIUM UPTAKE DURING GROWTH CYCLE AND IDENTIFICATION OF AMMONIUM TRANSPORTER GENES IN YOUNG PEAR TREES

Five sequences showing homology with gene coding for ammonium (NH+ 4 ) transporters of the subfamily AMT1 (AMT1 genes) involved in the nitrogen (N) uptake process were identified in 2-year-old ‘Rocha’ pear/BA29 through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Multiple AMT1 genes were expressed in each phase of the growth cycle and results suggest that ammonium uptake is conducted by several transporters expressed simultaneously. Trees grown in pots received 2 g N tree−1, at dates corresponding to active shoot vegetative growth, shoot growth cessation and beginning of leaf fall, in the form of either ammonium nitrate (NH 15 4 NO3) or 15NH4NO3. N was preferentially absorbed as NH+ 4 at all sampling dates, ranging from 62% to 66% of the total labelled N recovered in the trees. The fertilizer N use efficiency was also higher for ammonium treatment than for nitrate treatment at all sampling dates. N uptake rate and preferential NH+ 4-N absorption were not altered in response to root pruning and gibberellic acid (GA3) treatments.

Chikungunya Infection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne disease that causes acute febrile polyarthralgia and arthritis. CHIKV has spread rapidly to the Americas and, in Brazil, autochthonous cases are increasingly been reported. Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients who travel to or live in CHIKV endemic areas are under high risk of acquiring the disease. Few data exist regarding the clinical characteristics of CHIKV infections in this population. We report the first case series of CHIKV infection in SOT recipients. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 13 cases of CHIKV infection in SOT recipients between January 2016 and December 2016 confirmed by laboratory tests and transplanted in the Renal and Liver Transplant Units of Walter Cantídio University Hospital from Federal University of Ceará. RESULTS Positive CHIKV serology (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay immunoglobulin M) was found in all patients (9 kidney and 4 liver transplant recipients). All of these patients had been living in endemic areas for dengue and CHIKV in the past months before the illness. The mean time between transplantation and CHIKV infection was of 7.2 years. Fever presented in 11 (84.6%) patients and 5 (38.5%) presented with a maculopapular rash. All cases had joint symptoms: 11 (84.6%) with symmetrical and peripheral polyarthralgia/polyarthritis and 2 (15.3%) with monoarthralgia/monoarthritis. Six (46%) patients had a joint complaint that lasted 3 months. Two patients had concomitant positive dengue serology (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay immunoglobulin M). There were no cases of complications or deaths. CONCLUSION SOT with CHIKV infection seems to have a clinical presentation and evolution similar to those seen in the general population, with no apparent damage to the graft.

Patterns of sweetness preference in red wine according to consumer characterisation

The preference for sweet taste in red wine was examined according to consumer categories of age, gender, drinking experience and personality type (Big-5 personality-test). A total of 114 subjects revealed their preferences for sweetness after tasting dry red wine spiked with equal concentrations of glucose and fructose at 2g/L, 4g/L, 8g/L, 16g/L and 32g/L, following an ascending forced choice paired comparison method (2-AFC). The overall preference for sweetness was shown within the range of 4.8 to 21.9g/L, with maximal liking at 8g/L. Three patterns of response to sweetness were observed (sweet dislikers, sweet likers and indifferent to sweet) according to the different categories of consumers. Differences (p>0.05) were not found in sweetness preference among the categories up to 16g/L sugar except for the trait extraversion at 8g/L, where low extraverts showed a higher proportion of responses preferring the sweeter sample. Most significant differences were found only under the highest tasted concentration (32g/L). Females and novices preferred sweeter samples (p<0.05) when compared with the response of males and experienced consumers, respectively.