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ABSTRACT The high quality of soybean seeds is essential for the success of the crop, as it determines the field performance of seedlings. Seed physiological attributes are associated with genotype stability; thus, the maintenance of genome integrity is crucial to ensure seed quality. To evaluate the quality of soybean seed lots at physiological and molecular levels, a completely randomized design was carried out in four replications, with 12 soybean seed lots (cv. BMX Potência RR). Seeds were evaluated through standard germination and vigor tests. Genomic DNA was extracted from the root meristem of seeds from different lots with the Kasvi Spin 50 ® extraction kit. The analysis was performed through electrophoresis and visualized under ultraviolet (UV) light. The Comet assay was also applied to investigate DNA damage. Soybean seed lots exhibited differences in germination and vigor, as determined by the tests of accelerated aging, field emergence, emergence speed index, shoot length, root length, shoot fresh weight, root fresh mass, and shoot dry mass. In seeds with low germination and vigor, DNA damage and genotoxicity were observed. DNA from samples with high germination and vigor observed by the field emergence and accelerated aging tests was more preserved than DNA extracted from seeds with low physiological quality.

Salmonella spp. are important foodborne pathogens often associated with infectious outbreaks caused by consuming contaminated food. Although these microorganisms are widely distributed in several animal production chains, there are few records of their occurrence in aquaculture. This study aimed to evaluate the presence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella spp. isolated from fish farms. Samples were collected from three fish farms, covering water, fish, and epilithic biofilm. Salmonella isolates were identified by PCR, and serotyping was performed using the slide agglutination method, according to the Kaufman-White system. Susceptibility to antimicrobial agents was assessed using the Kirby and Bauer disk diffusion method. The presence of class 1 and 2 integrons was determined by PCR. Ninety samples were examined, of which 13 (14.44%) were positive for S. enterica, of which 5 strains were isolated from lagoon water, 3 from fish, and 5 from epilithic biofilm. Among the samples, the serotypes S. Minnesota, S. Panamá, and S. Anatum were identified. Antimicrobial resistance rates were highest for sulfonamides (92.30%), trimethoprim (84.61%), tetracycline (46.15%), and streptomycin (46.15%). Multiple antibiotic resistance was confirmed in 84.61% of the isolates, with 100% presenting integron class 1 and 7.69% integron class 2. This study demonstrated a high prevalence of multiresistant bacteria in fish farms, which reinforces public health concerns due to the use of antibiotics and the risk associated with food from farmed freshwater fish. Given these results, the need for new external research into control and prevention strategies for Salmonella spp. is evident. in aquaculture, as well as greater regulation in fish production chains.

Objective: To isolate Candida albicans (C. albicans) from the urine of hospitalized patients and assess the virulence factors and antifungal susceptibility profiles of the isolates. Methods: Yeasts were identified using the chromogenic medium CHROMagar™, the VITEK® 2 system, hypertonic Sabouraud broth, tobacco agar, polymerase chain reaction, and DNA sequencing. The evaluated virulence factors were proteinase production, phospholipase production, and biofilm production on polystyrene. The broth microdilution technique was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. Results: All yeasts isolated from urine were identified as C. albicans using both classical and molecular methods. Although 91.3% of the isolates showed no phospholipase activity, 56.5% showed strong proteinase activity and 91.7% produced biofilm. All microorganisms were sensitive to fluconazole, voriconazole and amphotericin B, but 56.5% of the yeasts showed resistance to itraconazole. Conclusions: C. albicans isolates from urine have a high capacity for virulence and can be associated with infectious processes. Furthermore, the high percentage of isolates resistant to itraconazole is important because this antifungal agent is commonly used to treat fungal infections in the hospital environment.

The azoles are the class of medications most commonly used to fight infections caused by Candida sp. Typically, resistance can be attributed to mutations in ERG11 gene (CYP51) which encodes the cytochrome P450 14α-demethylase, the primary target for the activity of azoles. The objective of this study was to identify mutations in the coding region of theERG11 gene in clinical isolates of Candidaspecies known to be resistant to azoles. We identified three new synonymous mutations in the ERG11 gene in the isolates of Candida glabrata (C108G, C423T and A1581G) and two new nonsynonymous mutations in the isolates of Candida krusei - A497C (Y166S) and G1570A (G524R). The functional consequence of these nonsynonymous mutations was predicted using evolutionary conservation scores. The G524R mutation did not have effect on 14α-demethylase functionality, while the Y166S mutation was found to affect the enzyme. This observation suggests a possible link between the mutation and dose-dependent sensitivity to voriconazole in the clinical isolate of C. krusei. Although the presence of the Y166S in phenotype of reduced azole sensitivity observed in isolate C. kruseidemands investigation, it might contribute to the search of new therapeutic agents against resistant Candida isolates.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a mutagenicidade, genotoxicidade e citotoxicidade de amostras de água provenientes do Córrego Arara no município de Rio Brilhante, MS, Brasil, por meio de testes toxicológicos utilizando biomarcadores. Para avaliar a mutagenicidade utilizou-se o teste de micronúcleo, para a genotoxicidade o ensaio cometa, ambos com Astyanax altiparanae, e para analisar a citotoxicidade utilizou-se o teste de Allium cepa. As coletas foram realizadas nos meses de abril e junho de 2013, em três pontos distintos (pontos 1, 2 e 3) do Córrego Arara e no Tanque de Irrigação da UFGD (ponto 4). Os resultados indicaram aumento significativo na frequência de micronúcleos pisceos na coleta do mês de junho quando comparada com a realizada em abril. No teste de Allium cepa, o efeito citotóxico apresentou-se significativamente maior na coleta de abril, porém a genotoxicidade das águas não apresentou diferença estatística entre os meses de coleta. O maior número de danos no ensaio cometa ocorreu no ponto 4, em ambos períodos de coleta. A análise química da água indicou níveis de cádmio, cromo, cobre, chumbo e níquel, com valores superiores ao permitido pela legislação vigente. A presença de metais acima dos níveis permitidos nas amostras de água analisadas do Córrego Arara indica possíveis potenciais mutagênicos, genotóxicos e citotóxicos aos organismos devido a esses poluentes derivados ou não de ações antrópicas. Assim sendo, este trabalho pode contribuir como ferramenta adicional ao controle da qualidade da água do Córrego Arara, considerando sua utilização e importância para a região.

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the genetic diversity of Pantaneiro sheep, using microsatellite markers, in order to assist maintenance and management plans, enhance mating systems and reduce the inbreeding rate. A total of 127 animals were genotyped at eight microsatellite loci. They belonged to populations from the Experimental Farm of the Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD) (Dourados/MS/Brazil) and Embrapa Pantanal (Corumbá/MS/Brazil). Results: The population of Pantaneiro sheep from the UFGD exhibited a high mean number of alleles (11.13) and allelic richness (10.66). The polymorphic information content was highly informative in the locus studied, resulting in a mean value of 0.71. Observed heterozygosity was lower than expected for all molecular markers assessed. The analysis of molecular variance showed a differentiation rate of 5.2% between populations. Conclusions: The results of the statistical parameters indicated that populations of Pantaneiro sheep require special attention on herd management, and it's further necessary to implement breeder exchange programs in order to preserve the genetic variability of these populations. Furthermore, the maintenance of those populations in their typical habitats is rather required to allow different responses from the herds to the interactions between genotype and environment.

Pig farming is a significant economic activity in the food industry and the meat trade. However, pig slaughterhouses release their waste through effluents, which may spread pathogenic microorganisms and degrade the environment, particularly in bodies of water. The aim of the present study was to assess the efficiency of the Australian wastewater treatment system and the quality of the Effluent Treatment Station (ETS) of a pig slaughterhouse, which flows into the Laranja Azeda stream in the city of Dourados (State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil). Effluentsampling was carried out in the ETS using treatment ponds (Australian system), from the input to the output, over a period of one year. Physicochemical and biological parameters were assessed to measure the effluentquality. The results showed a reduction in organic matter and microorganisms. The concentration of dissolved oxygen, pH, effluent temperature, redox potential, as well as the amount of coliforms, exhibited a significant reduction (p

We used four microsatellite loci (Fca08, Fca45, Fca77 and Fca96) from the domestic cat, Felis catus, to investigate genetic variability in specimens of Herpailurus yagouaroundi (jaguarundi, otter cat, eyra), Puma concolor (cougar, mountain lion, puma) and Panthera onca (jaguar) held in various Brazilian zoos. Samples of DNA from the cats were PCR amplified and then sequenced before being analyzed using the CERVUS program. Our results show a mean polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.83 for H. yagouaroundi, 0.66 for P. concolor and 0.69 for P. onca and a mean of 10.3 alleles for the Fca08 locus, 5.3 for Fca 45, 9 for Fca 77 and 14 for Fca 96. These results indicate a relatively high level of genetic diversity for the specimens studied.

Marcadores moleculares basados en el ADN mitocondrial (ADNmt) tienen herencia materna y se pueden utilizar para evaluar relaciones filogenéticas y taxonómicas. El diagnóstico de similaridad en los seres vivos se puede lograr mediante análisis genómico del ARN ribosomal 16S (16S rARN). El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el potencial de marcador molecular en el16S ARNr como una metodología para la identificación de las diferentes especies de animales y determinar el grado de similitud genética entre estos individuos. Para ello, el ADN se extrajo a partir de 13 animales, 5 ovinos, 4 bovinos y 4 peces, a continuación se amplificaron, se purificaron y se secuenciaron las muestras. Los análisis de las secuencias se realizaron en los programas MEGA 5.10 y BLAST. Las secuencias identificadas en GenBank® mostraron que los animales pertenecían a las espécies Ovis aries (ovino), Bos taurus (bovino), Prochilodus lineatus (curimba) Pseudoplatystoma corruscans (pintado), Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum (cachara) y Leporinus obtusidens (piau). La distancia genética entre los diferentes grupos de animales fue de 0,10 bovinos/ovinos, 0,66 bovinos/peces y 0,65 ovinos/peces. La construcción del árbol filogenético ha determinado dos clases distintas siendo Mammalia, que contiene las subfamilias: Bovinae y Caprinae, y Actinopterygii que contiene las órdenes: Caraciforme (curimba y piau) y Siluriforme (pintado y cachara). La tecnología de los marcadores moleculares del ADNmt demonstró la posibilidad de utilizarla como herramienta en la identificación y diferenciación de las especies asistiendo a la obra de los taxonomistas. Por lo tanto, la secuenciación parcial de la región del gen 16S rARN fue suficiente para la identificación de ovinos, bovinos y diferentes especies de peces sobre la base de la similitud del gen en programa BLAST.

Hybrids of the species Pseudoplatystoma corruscansvs.Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum are extensively traded because they are more docile and precocious compared to their parents. This study aimed to identify the occurrence of hybrid 'Surubim' in rivers of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, applying molecular techniques. Pseudoplatystoma corruscans, Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum and hybrid 'Surubim' were detected using multiplex PCR and PCR-RFLP in RAG2, GLOBIN, EF1α, 18S rRNA nuclear genes, and mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. The results revealed the presence of F1 hybrids in rivers and the occurrence of genetic introgression, evidenced by the Post-F1 hybrids. Furthermore, discrepancies between the morphological and genetic identification were observed, demonstrating the effectiveness of using different molecular markers for the correct identification of these hybrids. The necessity of implementation of management and conservation projects to maintain the genetic integrity of native species populations threatened by hybridization in the rivers of Mato Grosso do Sul State is evident.

Environmental exposure to metals can induce cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in cells and affect the health of the exposed population. To investigate the effects of aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn), we evaluated their cytogenotoxicity using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) exposed to these metals at previously quantified concentrations in groundwater intended for human consumption. The cell viability, membrane integrity, nuclear division index (NDI), oxidative stress, cell death, cell cycle, and DNA damage were analyzed in PBMCs exposed to Al (0.2, 0.6, and 0.8 mg/L) and Mn (0.1, 0.3, 1.0, and 1.5 for 48 h. We found that Al induced late apoptosis; decreased cell viability, NDI, membrane integrity; and increased DNA damage. However, no significant alterations in the early apoptosis, cell cycle, and reactive oxygen species levels were observed. In contrast, exposure to Mn altered all evaluated parameters related to cytogenotoxicity. Our data show that even concentrations allowed by the Brazilian legislation for Al and Mn in groundwater intended for human consumption cause cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in PBMCs. Therefore, in view of the results found, a comprehensive approach through in vivo investigations is needed to give robustness and validity to the results obtained, thus broadening the understanding of the impacts of metals on the health of environmentally exposed people.

Abstract Mist nets are one of the most widely used techniques in the study of birds and bats worldwide. However, a number of risks are involved, including opportunistic predation. Given this potential cost, here we: (1) review the global literature to understand the factors that might contribute to predation risk for birds and bats captured in mist nets; (2) review existing guidelines for best practice use of mist nets; and (3) based on our reviews, recommend new guidelines for the use of mist nets to minimize the risk of opportunistic predation. Based on keyword in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, and using Google Scholar, Scopus, SciElo, and Web of Science, we found 48 articles reporting opportunistic predation. In the included articles, 178 predation events, involving 52 predator and 84 prey species, were reported. In most of the reports, the mist nets were placed at ground level, the bats and birds were preyed on from the shelf closest to the ground, the mist‐net checks occurred at intervals of 1 h or 30 min and the most common predators were arboreal and scansorial species (primates and marsupials). Despite the occurrences of predation in 13 countries, guidelines for best practice mist‐net use were found in only three, despite extensive searches and contact with key people in each country. Based on the existing guidelines and our results, we recommend that mist nets be fixed with the lowest shelf at least 50 cm above ground level and be checked at 15‐min intervals; when predators are observed near mist nets, the nets either be constantly observed, closed, or relocated; suppressed the vegetation around the mist nets; captured animals be removed from the mist nets as soon as possible, and more than one researcher/technician should be in the field at all times.

The conversion of riparian forests into agricultural land results in the loss of water quality and aquatic biota health. The objectives of this study were therefore to determine the proportion of land use with emphasis on the type of vegetation cover; evaluate the limnological parameters and concentration of inorganic elements in the water of the São José stream in the Dourados River Basin, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; correlate land use with the concentrations of inorganic elements in water; and evaluate the risk to preservation aquatic biota and in situ toxic effect on Astyanax lacustris. We collected samples from the São José Stream in 2020 and evaluated land use with high resolution aerial images. The inorganic elements in water samples were quantified using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. In the surroundings of the São José stream, a reduction in riparian forest was observed with a proportion of only 16.32% of the area and the predominance of agricultural areas with 75.06%. The concentrations of dissolved oxygen (1.510 mg L-1) and P (> 0.235 mg L-1) in the water did not comply with the national legislation. In addition, Al and P indicated risks regarding the conservation of aquatic biota (risk quotient >1). The in situ evaluation of A. lacustris also revealed toxicity in the water. The results indicate environmental imbalance in the São José stream, requiring mitigation measures for its restoration and the sustainable use of its resources.

The development of new insecticides for vector control that are toxicologically safe and eco-friendly (such as those obtained from industrial by-products) is an important public health concern. Previous research has shown that the obtained tCNSL (technical cashew nutshell liquid) + NatCNSLS (sodium tCNSL sulfonate mixture) emulsion displayed both surfactant properties and larvicidal activity (LC50-24 h 110.6 mg/L). Thus, the emulsion is considered a promising alternative product for the control of Aedes aegypti. The goal of this study was an ecotoxicological evaluation of the tCNSL + NatCNSLS mixture emulsion and its components. In addition, we compared the toxicity of the tCNSL + NatCNSLS mixture emulsion with toxicity data from larvicide currently recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Ecotoxicological tests were performed to assess acute toxicity, phytotoxicity, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity using Daphnia similis, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Oreochromis niloticus, Allium cepa, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Regarding acute toxicity, D. similis was the most sensitive test organism for the three evaluated products, followed by P. subcapitata and O. niloticus. The highest acute toxicity product was tCNSL. The tCNSL + NatCNSLS mixture emulsion did not show cytotoxic, genotoxic, or mutagenic effects, and showed low acute toxicity to D. similis. In addition, the tCNSL + NatCNSLS mixture emulsion presented a lower or similar toxicological classification to the larvicides recommended by the WHO. Therefore, ecotoxicological tests suggest that the tCNSL + NatCNSLS mixture emulsion can be considered a larvicide environmentally safe way to control Ae. aegypti.

Abstract Schinus terebinthifolia is a species native to different ecoregions in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The plant is listed on the National Relation of Medicinal Plants and recommended as phytomedicine, however while extractive exploitation prevails as the main route of raw material a significant variation of compounds will be detected. To assure the expansion of productive chain it is important to start by studying population diversity and chemical variations. We used SSR markers for studies of genetic structure among populations from dense ombrophilous forest (ES); the deciduous seasonal forest (SM); the savanna (DOU) and the sandbanks (ITA and MSP), and compared the results to their chemical profiles of essential oil. Genetic structure revealed differences among populations and significant fixation rates. Pairwise studies and Bayesian analysis showed similarities between ITA and SM and between DOU and MSP, proving that the patterns of distribution for the species do not follow the isolation by distance or similarity by environmental conditions. The comparison between PCA of genotypes and chemodiversity reinforces the unique profile for each population despite the environmental similarity observed and genetic analysis. The most divergent genotype and chemical group was found at the ombrophilous forest, strong evidence that we should undertake conservation efforts to prevent losses of biodiversity in that area.

This study assessed the concentrations of metals in the Dourados and Brilhante Rivers, investigated the influence of landscape features surrounding these rivers on water quality, and evaluated the risks associated with metal contamination for aquatic biota and human health. Sampling was conducted at eighteen sites distributed along the rivers in June 2016. The concentrations of metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cr, Al and Co) in the water were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. All the samples possessed Fe concentrations above the threshold value for aquatic biota (0.3 mg L-1). Moreover, land use and land cover assessment of the study area revealed extensive agriculture activity, particularly in areas surrounding the Dourados River headwaters. Fe bioavailability for both rivers indicated risks for aquatic biota and human health. Overall, the elevated Fe content in these rivers was attributed to anthropogenic activity in the vicinity of these water bodies and the soil characteristics of the area. Considering the importance of river basins, it is necessary to implement public policies for their conservation, especially those related to the cultivation of forests of native species and sustainable agricultural practices, in addition to improving the effluent treatment infrastructure, which is essential to minimize the adverse effects of contamination by chemical elements in water bodies.

Soybean represents a valuable source of food for humans and animals and the quality of the seeds has great importance for the establishment and high productivity of this crop. Soybean seeds require continuous improvement, which is dependent on a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms that coordinate seed germination. To investigate whether the method of water absorption into soybean seeds could lead to abnormal seedlings, and if this could be associated with cytogenetical consequences, we premoistened the seeds of three cultivars; M 6410 IPRO, M6210 IPRO, and BMX Potência RR by direct immersion (fast method), use of a wet substrate (intermediate method), and by moist atmosphere (slow method) with distilled water at 25ºC for 24 hours. We investigated the normal and abnormal seedlings, electrical conductivity, mitosis, cell death, and the chromosomal abnormalities index. The comet assay was applied to investigate DNA fragmentation. Direct immersion in water induced seedling growth inhibition and caused cytological alterations associated with genotoxicity effects in the studied soybean genotypes. Slow premoistening of the seeds increased seedling performance as a result of higher final germination percentage (above 85%), reduced abnormal seedlings (below 5%, on average), and reduced the electrical conductivity of seeds. All three genotypes of soybean seeds lost their ability to withstand the imbibitional damage induced by direct immersion as abnormal seedlings increased. We concluded that the fast water absorption by seeds poses a threat to genomic integrity owing to its potential for genotoxicity to DNA, manifesting as breaks or loss of whole chromosomes. Slow premoistening of the seeds resulted in a longer time period to deal with damage. Stabilized seedling growth was provided by altering cytogenetic responses during uptake of water by soybean seeds through the maintenance of cell viability.

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The use of non-plant and plant-derived anesthetics in aquaculture activities is a frequent and necessary practice to maintain fish welfare. Currently anesthetics authorized for use in aquaculture activities are limited, and the use of unauthorized products is common. However, to obtain authorization for use in aquaculture and ensure their safety, anesthetics should be evaluated for their genotoxic potential. Our objective was to evaluate the genotoxicity of three not approved anesthetics commonly used in aquaculture using Astyanax lacustris and Oreochromis niloticus. Both fish species were exposed to six treatments: two with commercial anesthetics (benzocaine and eugenol), one with Lippia alba essential oil (EO), and three controls - negative (without treatment), vehicle (ethanol PA), and positive (cyclophosphamide). Fishes were exposed to all treatments in a water bath for 10 min and were transferred to individual aquariums without anesthetics or controls. Venipuncture of the caudal vein was performed 72 h after the exposure to the anesthetics. Nuclear abnormalities and the micronucleus were analyzed in blood smears, and DNA damage was assessed using comet assay. No genotoxicity effects were verified for fishes exposed to L. alba EO. Eugenol presented genotoxicity to both species. The comet assay showed increased DNA damage in both species induced by benzocaine and eugenol. Thus, L. alba EO was proven to be the safest anesthetic resulting in no genotoxicity and, therefore, may be an interesting alternative to commercial anesthetics used in aquaculture. However, a complete toxicological evaluation is necessary to ensure the safety of its use as an anesthetic.

Metals are chemical contaminants that are not normally biodegradable and accumulate in living organisms. In addition, they may present toxic effects to plants and affect human health causing mutations and adn damage of exposed organisms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and mutagenicity of the aluminum, manganese and lead using A.cepa test. Solutions in three concentrations with the metals and controls were prepared for the genetic analyzes. The seeds of A. cepa were exposed to germination, and evaluation of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and mutagenicity. The results showed that the concentrations of the metals did not interfere in the growth of the radicle, but the increase in the concentration of the metals was directly proportional to the increase of the number of seeds germinated. For the mitotic index it was observed that the increase in Al concentration provided the increase of cells in cell division, but for Mn and Pb there was reduction. The metals at the concentrations evaluated did not present genotoxic and mutagenic potential for meristematic cells of A. cepa. The A. cepa test it showed to be effective for performed analyzes, however, further studies are needed using other biological assays. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v10i1.1037

For centuries, indigenous sheep have been bred in extensive low-input systems in Midwestern Brazil. The hypothesis of this study was the assumption that phenotypic evaluation of indigenous livestock may drive the establishment of breed standards and official breed recognition, and, therefore, promote more local business opportunities. On the basis of more integrative and participatory theoretical background to applying any decision based on phenotype, we designed this research to determine the most typical and unusual phenotypes of Pantaneiro sheep. Pantaneiro ewes (281 ewes from five conservation units in five counties) were evaluated, bearing in mind both conservation and development. Descriptive statistics were used to classify ewes into typical, intermediate, and unusual phenotypes. Chi-squared tests for association were performed to test if morphological variation in the different sampling sites occurred randomly (p > 0.05) or not (p < 0.05). Some results suggest some sort of diversifying selection pressure, i.e., distinct preferences among keepers. We observed considerable morphologic variation among ewes, but it was straightforward to determine the predominant phenotypes. The study evokes integrative agrobiodiversity by putting phenotypical characterization of indigenous livestock into perspective. Discussions coming from this study may support innovative governance and participative decision-making, allied with strategies that value the socioeconomic, biocultural, and adaptive aspects of indigenous livestock in tropical regions and developing countries. This is a challenge for government, rare-breed keepers, value-chain actors, and civil society.

The objective of this study was to use the same concentrations of aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn) detected previously in groundwater above those permitted by Brazilian law and assess their cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in hamster ovary cell lines and their mutagenic effects through the Salmonella microsome assay. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and CHO-XRS5 cells were treated with different concentrations of Al and Mn (0.2 to 2.0 mg/L and 0.1 to 3.0 mg/L, respectively). The Ames test was used to analyze the concentrations of Al and Mn ranging from 0.025 to 1.0 mg/L and 0.0125 to 1.5 mg/L, respectively. Both metals showed cytotoxic effects on both cell lines and two bacterial strains (TA98 and TA100). The genotoxic effects of the highest concentrations of Al and Mn in cell lines showed nuclear buds, micronuclei, and DNA damage; however, none of the concentrations showed a positive mutagenic response in the Ames test. This is one of the few studies to demonstrate the cytotoxic effects of Al and Mn through the Ames test. In addition, the metals caused genomic instability in cell lines. Therefore, this study may help hasten the review of established regulatory standards for human consumption of groundwater.

A planta Tradescantia pallida (Rose) D.R. Hunt var. purpurea tem sido utilizada em diversos modelos experimentais para detecção de danos morfofisiológicos e genéticos, por ser uma planta sensível a poluentes atmosféricos. No entanto, dentre os biotestes utilizados para avaliação do potencial mutagênico de contaminantes ambientais, o bioensaio de micronúcleo em Tradescantia (Trad-MCN) é um dos testes mais utilizados em estudos de monitoramento das condições atmosféricas. Diante do exposto, foi realizada uma revisão de literatura, identificando regiões brasileiras que utilizaram o bioensaio de micronúcleo em Tradescantia para monitorar alterações genéticas advindas da contaminação atmosférica. O levantamento de trabalhos indexados foi realizado em bancos de referência, como Portal de Períodicos CAPES, SciELO, ScienceDirect e PubMed, sendo os mesmos investigados quanto às regiões brasileiras biomonitoradas, período, área, exposição, monitoramento ativo ou passivo e planta natural ou clone. Os resultados indicaram que pesquisas baseadas no bioensaio Trad MCN foram realizadas em diversas regiões brasileiras. Verificou-se que a maioria dos trabalhos são oriundos da região sudeste, especialmente do estado de São Paulo. Esse fato pode ser atribuído ao maior número de indústrias e automóveis em circulação existentes neste estado quando comparado aos demais, podendo interferir diretamente na qualidade do ar, despertando assim o interesse no meio científico. Com base nesta investigação, o bioensaio Trad-MCN revelou eficácia, e a planta Tradescantia demonstrou ser importante indicadora biológica de danos genéticos ocasionados pela exposição aos poluentes atmosféricos, e é amplamente utilizada na região sudeste do país.

Premise A novel set of nuclear microsatellite markers was developed and characterized for Campomanesia adamantium (Myrtaceae) and tested for cross‐amplification in the related species C. sessiliflora. Methods and Results Forty‐one primer pairs were designed for simple sequence repeat loci, of which 36 successfully amplified and were polymorphic. The number of alleles ranged from two to 14, with an average of 8.14 alleles per locus. Additionally, cross‐amplification was tested in C. sessiliflora; more than 55.5% of the microsatellite loci amplified, confirming the use of these microsatellite markers in a related species. Conclusions We developed a set of microsatellite markers that will be useful for future studies of genetic diversity and population structure of C. adamantium and a closely related species, which will aid in future conservation efforts.

In the present study, we evaluated the effects of biological factors, lifestyle factors, and environmental conditions on the induction of DNA damage in exfoliated cells of the oral mucosa. Age, sex, medication use, and environmental conditions were analyzed in individuals residing in the cities of Caarapó and Itaporã. The individuals were assessed by a questionnaire, and oral mucosa cells were collected and subjected to mutagenicity analysis. We observed no statistical differences in DNA damage related to sex. However, the mutagenic effect was found to be proportional to age, with higher frequencies of DNA damage observed in individuals between the ages of 46 and 65 years. In addition, higher frequencies of DNA damage were found in individuals who continuously used medication and for prolonged periods, and greater DNA damage was observed in individuals who used antihypertensive drugs than those who took antidepressants. In terms of environmental conditions, Caarapó residents had a significantly higher frequency of DNA damage than that of residents from Itaporã. Based on the analysis of land use and occupation, this result can be attributed to the smaller fraction of forest fragments and the higher proportion of buildings in Caarapó than Itaporã. We concluded that age, continued medication use, and environmental conditions can lead to greater DNA damage.

(1) Background: Campomanesia adamantium is an endemic species of the Cerrado and this biome has been under threat by its constant degradation. The genetic diversity of C. adamantium was characterized using species-specific microsatellites in two different time periods and correlations of these parameters of genetic diversity with the land use and land cover data. (2) Methods: We used 10 microsatellite loci to analyze C. adamantium from five populations, collected in 2011 and 2017. Maps of land use and land cover of the collection sites in both years were generated and subsequently correlated with genetic diversity. (3) Results: No significant loss of genetic diversity was observed in the analyzed period and a positive inbreeding coefficient was observed in all populations. AMOVA and STRUCTURE showed that there is no population structure between years and populations. Significant Pearson correlations were observed in 2017 between parameters of genetic diversity and land use and land cover, with a positive correlation between expected heterozygosity and secondary vegetation, and a negative correlation between inbreeding coefficient and exposed soil. (4) Conclusions: There was no decline in genetic diversity from 2011 to 2017. The high rates of the inbreeding coefficient could lead, for the species, in the long run, to an inbreeding depression as the Cerrado fragmentation might cause a population bottleneck.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate DNA damage in animal and plant cells exposed to water from the Água Boa stream (Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil) by using bioassays, and to identify the chemical compounds in the water to determine the water quality in the area. Through the cytotoxicity bioassay with Allium cepa, using micronucleus test, and comet assay, using Astyanax altiparanae fish, the results indicated that biological samples were genetically altered. Micronuclei were observed in erythrocytes of A. altiparanae after exposure to water from locations close to industrial waste discharge. The highest DNA damage observed with the comet assay in fish occurred with the exposure to water from locations where the presence of metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni) was high, indicating the possibility of genotoxic effects of these compounds. Thus, these results reinforce the importance of conducting genotoxicity tests for developing management plans to improve water quality, and indicate the need for waste management before domestic and industrial effluents are released into the rivers and streams.

Zebu cattle (Bos taurus indicus) are highly adapted to tropical regions. However, females reach puberty after taurine heifers, which affects the economic efficiency of beef cattle breeding in the tropical regions. The aims of this study were to establish associations between the haplotype alleles of the bovine genome and age at first calving (AFC) in the Nelore cattle, and to identify the genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to this phenotype. A total of 2,273 Nelore cattle (995 males and 1,278 females) genotyped using the Illumina BovineHD BeadChip were used in the current study. The association analysis included females with valid first calving records as well as open heifers. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis among the markers was performed using blocks of 5, 10, and 15 markers, which were determined by sliding windows shifting one marker at a time. Then, the haplotype block size to be used in the association study was chosen based on the highest r2 average among the SNPs in the block. The five HapAlleles most strongly associated with the trait (top five) were considered as significant associations. The results of the analysis revealed four genomic regions related to AFC, which overlapped with 20 QTL of the reproductive traits reported previously. Furthermore, there were 19 genes related to reproduction in those regions. In conclusion, the use of haplotypes allowed the detection of chromosomal regions associated with AFC in Nelore cattle, and provided the basis for elucidating the mechanisms underlying this trait.