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O objetivo deste trabalho foi selecionar famílias de milho derivadas do retrocruzamento entre o composto "NAP Corn Stunt" (genitor doador) e linhagens-elite (genitores recorrentes), quanto à produtividade de grãos e à resistência a enfezamentos, e avaliar a eficiência do emprego de marcadores moleculares para avaliação fenotípica na seleção de genótipos com alta produtividade de grãos. Foram avaliados 100 genótipos, em cinco condições ambientais, na safra agrícola 2009/2010. Foram selecionadas famílias RC1F2, que aliam a alta produtividade dos genitores recorrentes à resistência aos enfezamentos, presente no genitor doador. As famílias selecionadas quanto ao desempenho agronômico e à resistência aos enfezamentos foram: L228-3-324-S, L228-3-237-R, L228-3-109-R, que foram indicadas para cruzamentos com linhagens do grupo heterótico duro; e L3-422-R e L3-586-R, que foram indicadas para cruzamentos com linhagens do grupo heterótico dentado. Na seleção de genótipos de alta produtividade de grãos, a seleção assistida por marcadores moleculares não é eficiente para a recuperação do genótipo do pai recorrente, em comparação à avaliação fenotípica.

The “maize common mosaic”, caused by potyvirus, is among the major virus diseases of this crop inBrazil. Although there were evidences indicating Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) as the most common potyvirusspecies in maize (Zea mays L.) in Brazil, information about those species that infect sorghum plants [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench] are few. Leaves showing characteristic mosaic symptoms were collected from maize and sorghum andused in serological and sequencing analysis of the coat protein (CP) gene for potyvirus species identification. Amino acid(aa) analysis of the CP N-terminal sequence of our samples showed a different repeated sequence, a higher content of thedipeptide GT, and a 15 aa longer than the majority of the SCMV sequences used for comparisons. The Brazilian maizeand sorghum potyviruses formed a monophyletic group, suggesting that they can be classified within a new SCMV strain.Studies using potyvirus CP gene sequencing from Brazilian sorghum potyvirus have been reported for the first time.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pH over a period of 168 h and the ionic silver content in various concentrations and post-preparation times of aqueous silver nitrate solutions. Also, the possible effects of these factors on microleakage test in adhesive/resin restorations in primary and permanent teeth were evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A digital pHmeter was used for measuring the pH of the solutions prepared with three types of water (purified, deionized or distilled) and three brands of silver nitrate salt (Merck, Synth or Cennabras) at 0, 1, 2, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 168 h after preparation, and storage in transparent or dark bottles. Ionic silver was assayed according to the post-preparation times (2, 24, 48, 72, 96, 168 h) and concentrations (1, 5, 25, 50%) of solutions by atomic emission spectrometry. For each sample of each condition, three readings were obtained for calculating the mean value. Class V cavities were prepared with enamel margins on primary and permanent teeth and restored with the adhesive systems OptiBond FL or OptiBond SOLO Plus SE and the composite resin Filtek Z-250. After nail polish coverage, the permanent teeth were immersed in 25% or 50% AgNO3 solution and the primary teeth in 5% or 50% AgNO3 solutions for microleakage evaluation. ANOVA and the Tukey's test were used for data analyses (α=5%). RESULTS: The mean pH of the solutions ranged from neutral to alkaline (7.9±2.2 to 11.8±0.9). Mean ionic silver content differed depending on the concentration of the solution (4.75±0.5 to 293±15.3 ppm). In the microleakage test, significant difference was only observed for the adhesive system factor (p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Under the tested experimental conditions and based on the obtained results, it may be concluded that the aqueous AgNO3 solutions: have neutral/alkaline pH and service life of up to 168 h; the level of ionic silver is proportional to the concentration of the solution; even at 5% concentration, the solutions were capable of indicating loss of marginal seal in the composite restorations; the 3-step conventional adhesive system had better performance regarding microleakage in enamel on primary and permanent teeth.

TEMA: artigos relacionados a emissões otoacústicas no diagnóstico diferencial da perda auditiva induzida por ruído (PAIR). OBJETIVOS: evidenciar a importância da utilização das emissões otoacústicas no diagnóstico diferencial da perda auditiva induzida por ruído (PAIR). CONCLUSÃO: confirmou-se que tanto as emissões otoacústicas transientes (EOAT) quanto às emissões otoacústicas por produto de distorção (EOAPD) são úteis no diagnóstico precoce da PAIR sendo que as EOAT se revelam mais sensíveis às mudanças temporárias de limiar que as EOAPD e as EOAPD se destacam mais eficazes no diagnóstico precoce da PAIR em indivíduos com audição aparentemente normal por captar respostas nas frequências mais agudas que são primeiramente atingidas na PAIR. Acredita-se, ainda, que este estudo possa beneficiar a população quanto à prevenção e controle da PAIR e incentivar a criação de políticas públicas que contribuirão com a prevenção das alterações auditivas dentro do âmbito ocupacional.BACKGROUND: articles related of otoacoustic emissions in differential diagnosis of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). PURPOSES: to demonstrate the importance of using otoacoustic emissions in the differential diagnosis of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). CONCLUSION: it was confirmed that both the transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) and distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) are useful in the early diagnosis of and the TEOAE and are more sensitive to temporary alterations in the DPOAE threshold, and DPOAE stand out more effectively in the early diagnosis of NIHL in individuals with apparently normal hearing responses by capturing responses more acute frequencies in that are first affected in NIHL. It is also believed that this study can benefit the population on the NIHL prevention and control and foment the creation of public policies that shall contribute to the prevention of hearing impairment within the occupational field.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a self-limited systemic vasculitis, most often occurring in children 1⁻5 years old. It has a 2% recurrence rate and is associated with coronary aneurysms (CA), which can develop within two weeks of onset. A 25% increased risk is noted in patients who are recalcitrant to treatment. We describe a patient with recurrence of KD three times, approximately four years apart. A 10-year-old female with two previous episodes of KD, at 11 months and five years of age), in which she met five out of five criteria for KD and had no coronary involvement, presented with 15 days of fever, conjunctivitis and mucocutaneous changes. Infectious work-up was negative, and she was diagnosed with incomplete KD meeting three out of five criteria. An echocardiogram (ECHO) on day 12 revealed dilation of the right coronary artery (RCA) and left coronary artery (LCA). Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and high-dose aspirin was started at an outside hospital. After transfer, serial ECHOs showed evolving coronary aneurysms, left anterior descending (LAD) z-score + 8.2 and RCA z-score + 4.0. She received 10 mg/kg infliximab (day 18) and began clopidogrel. A cardiac MRI (day 20) demonstrated progression of the LAD aneurysm, with a z-score + 13, and warfarin was started. To our knowledge, this is the first report of recurrent KD occurring three times at ~5 year intervals.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a eficiência de inseticidas no tratamento de sementes no controle da cigarrinha-do-milho em viveiro telado. Sementes de milho foram tratadas ou não com inseticidas (imidacloprid, thiamethoxan, thiodicarb + zn, thiodicarb, carbofuran, carbofuran + zn e carbosulfan) e semeadas em vasos plásticos. Nas plantas, foram confinadas cigarrinhas sadias e avaliada a eficiência desses inseticidas no controle desse inseto, em diferentes intervalos de tempo e em períodos sucessivos. Os produtos imidacloprid e thiamethoxan foram os mais eficientes no controle da cigarrinha, proporcionando eficiência de controle de adultos de D. maidis igual ou superior a 70%, até o trigésimo dia de avaliação, após 4 a 24h de confinamento das cigarrinhas.This research was aimed at checking the efficiency of insecticide seed treatment on corn leafhopper control, at greenhouse. Maize seeds were treated with insecticides (imidacloprid, thiamethoxan, thiodicarb + zn, thiodicarb, carbofuran, carbofuran + zn and carbosulfan) and sowed on plastic pots. On those plants healthy leafhoppers were confined, and the efficiency of those insecticides on its control was evaluated, at different intervals of time and in successive periods. The insecticides imidacloprid and thiamethoxan were the most efficient to control the corn leafhoppers, and provided control efficiency of D. maidis adults equal or upper 70% until the thirtieth day of evaluation, after 4 to 24h of leafhoppers confining.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a eficiência do tratamento inseticida de sementes de milho no controle de Dalbulus maidis e na redução da incidência de enfezamentos em viveiro telado e em campo. Foram realizados dois experimentos; no experimento 1, em viveiro telado, sementes de milho foram tratadas com imidacloprid e thiamethoxan e, nessas plantas, cigarrinhas sadias, cigarrinhas infectantes com fitoplasma ou com espiroplasma foram confinadas. Avaliaram-se eficiência de controle, incidência de plantas com enfezamentos, altura das plantas e produção de grãos. No experimento 2, em campo, imidacloprid e thiamethoxan foram utilizados em tratamento de sementes e pulverizações aos 10 e 20 dias após a semeadura. A incidência de enfezamentos e a produção de grãos foram avaliadas. Em viveiro telado, os produtos imidacloprid e thiamethoxan proporcionaram controle de adultos de D. maidis acima de 50%, até o trigésimo dia, e reduziram a incidência de doenças e danos no crescimento e produção das plantas infectadas expostas às cigarrinhas infectantes aos dois dias após a emergência. Em campo, não foi constatada redução na incidência de enfezamentos ou ganho em produção, possivelmente devido ao fluxo migratório de cigarrinhas infectantes.The objective of this work was to verify the efficiency of maize seed treatment on Dalbulus maidis control, and its effect on corn stunting diseases incidence, at screenhouse and at field. Two experiments were carried out. In the experiment 1 ( screenhouse), maize seeds were treated with imidacloprid or with thiamethoxan. Healthy leafhoppers, phytoplasma infective leafhoppers, and spiroplasma infective leafhoppers were confined in plants. Efficiency of control, incidence of plants with corn stunting diseases, plant height, and grain production were evaluated. In the experiment 2 (field) imidacloprid and thiamethoxan were used for seed treatment and sprayed at 10 and 20 days after sowing. Corn stunting diseases incidence and grain production were evaluated. At screenhouse, the use of imidacloprid and thiamethoxan controlled the adults of D. maidis up to 50%, until the 30th day, and reduced disease incidence and damage on growth and grain production of the infected plants exposed to the infective leafhoppers, two days after emergency. In field, redution on corn stunting diseases or increasing production due to seed treatments was not observed possibly because of the migratory flux of infective leaf hoppers.

Maize diseases caused by mollicutes (Phytoplasma and Spiroplasma) areimportant for the crop because its high incidence causes losses in grain production. Plants phloem are infected by mollicutes, which may alter sugar synthesis and proteins levels.The objective of this study was to verify the mollicutes effect on total soluble sugar andproteins synthesis in two maize cultivars. The experiment was carried out in pots of 30Kg, with soil previously analyzed and fertilized. After thinning two plants were left perpot. The experimental design was a fully randomized 3 x 2 factorial with 6 replications;being 3 inoculations (phytoplasma, spiroplasma and healthy plants) and 2 cultivars (Dina766 and BR 201). Thirty days after inoculating maize plants, it was analyzed theparameters: leaf temperature, relative humidity, stomatal resistance and transpiration. Atmilky growth stage the maize plants were harvested and cut into 3 parts, in order toanalyze total soluble sugars, nutrients and dry matter accumulation. The internode belowmain ear and the flag leaf were sampled to determine the peroxidase activity and proteincontent, respectively. The other plant was left up to end of the crop cycle in order toevaluate ear number, grain and ear weight and grain dry matter. The analysis of variancefor all characteristics evaluated did not show significance on interactions of genotypes xinoculation. Some parameters resulted in significance for genotypes, inoculation or forboth. Soluble sugars, dry matter, peroxidase activity and protein were similar in bothgenotypes and inoculations. Stomatal resistance was higher in Dina 766 and in maizeplants inoculated by phytoplasma. Ear number was higher in plants inoculated bymollicutes than in healthy plants. Ear and grain weights were higher in healthy plantsand in the ones infected by phytoplasma, when compared to the ones infected byspiroplasma. Nutrient concentration and the amounts taken up were similar , except forP and Zn. The mollicutes interfered neither on soluble sugar synthesis nor on proteincontent. However, the yield data suggested a higher susceptibility to the Spiroplasmarather than to the Phytoplasma.

“Phaeosphaeria leaf spot of maize” is a common and very important disease in Brazil. This disease was first described in India, and it was assumed to be caused by the fungus Phaeosphaeria maydis f. imp. Phyllosticta sp. However, in Brazil, several inoculations of this fungus in maize have not been successful on symptom developing. In addition, characteristic structures of P. maydis or Phyllosticta, perithecia or picnidia, respectively, are hardly seen on lesions of that disease. Eighty samples of “Phaeosphaeria leaf spot of maize” were collected between September 2000 and February 2004 and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy to check fungal structures presence. The lesions were also analyzed under light microscopy, and by transmission electron microscopy. In some cases, diseased leaf fragments were incubated on PDA medium or water-agar to observe growth of the isolated fungi. P. maydis or Phyllosticta sp perithecia or picnidia, respectively, were never found in the analyzed samples. A very thin hyphae (diameter less than 2μm) and small structures identified as sporangia (23,9μm diam.), zoosporos (3,2-3,5μm x 1,7–2,0μm) and oocito (10,4μm – 12,5μm diam.) were present in 100% of the examined lesions. Based on those facts and considering that the fungus did not grow on PDA medium, making the application of Koch’s Postulates difficult, the possibility of such fungus to be considered the ethiologic agent of that disease is quite high. Apparently, this fungus is a new species in Peronosporaceae, possibly genus Sclerophthora. However, confirmation of that hypothesis requires the development of additional studies.

The objective of this work was to characterize the genetic variability of phytoplasma and Spiroplasma kunkelii isolated from maize plants showing symptoms of stunt collected from different Brazilian geographic regions. A DNA fragment of 500 base pairs (bp) was amplified from the spiralin gene in S. kunkelii and one fragment of 1,200 bp was generated from 16S rDNA gene in phytoplasma. The partial sequences of the spiralin gene showed similarity of 98% among the isolates of S. kunkelii analyzed. These sequences were compared with the sequence of the spiralin gene from other Spiroplasma species deposited in the GenBank, resulting in a similarity varying from 76.9% to 88.1%. The 16S rDNA sequence from the phytoplasma were completely similar within the Brazilian isolates and showed up to 98% of the similarity with sequences already found from other phytoplasmas. A very narrow genetic variability was detected by these gene fragments within phytoplasma and Spiroplasma analyzed. However, other genomic regions with higher polymorphic levels shall be identified in order to better evaluate the genetic diversity within these microorganisms population.

The continuous cropping in the major corn growing areas has contributed to the increase in the incidence and severity of diseases, including the diseases caused by potyvirus. It has been predominantly observed that one strain of the maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) is the causal agent of the potyvirus - induced - mosaic in Brazil. The use of resistant cultivars is the most efficient method to protect crops against this virus disease. However, the identification of resistance sources and its genetic control are important requirements to establish successful breeding programs aiming the production of resistant cultivars. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the genetic basis of resistance to maize dwarf mosaic virus using two resistant (L18 and L520) and one susceptible (L19) maize inbred lines. The parents and their respective generations F1, F2, BC1.1 and BC1.2 were artificially inoculated and the symptoms evaluation was done at 15 and 30 days after inoculation. The genetic-statistic results analyzed by the chisquare test showed that the resistance to maize dwarf mosaic virus is conditioned by a single gene with complete dominance in both resistant inbred lines. Besides, the allelism test between L18 and L520 detected a phenotypic proportion of 15 (R): 1 (S) in the F2 generation, suggesting that the resistant inbred lines carry different genes.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar o controle genético da resistência aos enfezamentos do milho (Zea mays L.). Foram realizados dois experimentos em março de 2001 nos municípios de Coimbra e Sete Lagoas, em Minas Gerias. Cada experimento foi constituído por 25 tratamentos, dos quais cinco foram representados pelos híbridos e os demais pelas combinações híbridas e suas recíprocas. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com três repetições. A parcela experimental foi aproveitada integralmente, constituindo-se de duas linhas com 5 m de comprimento e espaçamento de 0,9 m, com 25 plantas por linha, representando uma população de aproximadamente 55.000 plantas por hectare. Na época do enchimento dos grãos realizaram-se as avaliações de incidência e severidade dos enfezamentos. Utilizou-se, ainda, o índice de doença. Nos dois locais, foram avaliadas as produções de grãos de milho em cada parcela. Em virtude de o método baseado na incidência dos sintomas apresentar alta herdabilidade, foi possível confirmar sua eficiência. Os alelos com efeitos predominantemente aditivos controlam a resistência do milho aos enfezamentos; os genitores diferiram quanto à freqüência de alelos aditivos e não-aditivos para resistência aos enfezamentos.The objective of this work was to identify the genetic control of the resistance to corn (Zea mays L.) stunt. Two experiments were set up at March 2001, in Coimbra and Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Each experiment consisted of 25 treatments, five of them were represented by maize hybrids. Other treatments were the hybrid combinations and their reciprocal ones. The randomized blocks design with three replicates was used. The experimental plot was integrally used and consisted of two 5 m rows at a 0.9 m spacing from each other, with 25 plants per row, representing a population around 55,000 plants ha-1. At the time of kernel fulfilling, the evaluations were performed for incidence and severity of the corn stunt. The disease index was also used. In both places, the productivity of the maize kernels were evaluated for each plot. Therefore, since this method presents high heritability it was possible to confirm its efficiency. The genetic control of the resistance to corn stunt is mainly controlled by the alleles with predominant addictive effects; the parents differed in relation to the frequency of the addictive and nonaddictive alleles for resistance to corn stunt.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a incidência de viroses e enfezamentos e estimar as perdas causadas por enfezamentos na cultura do milho safrinha. Os diagnósticos baseados em sintomas foram confirmados por PCR ou RTPCR. Em todas as lavouras, foram identificadas plantas com sintomas de enfezamentos, em incidência de 6,2% a 49,9% (média de 20,7%). Na identificação de insetos vetores desses patógenos, a cigarrinha Dalbulus maidis foi detectada em 20 lavouras das 24 amostradas, constituindo 66,6% do total de espécimens de cigarrinhas coletadas. A perda potencial causada pelos enfezamentos no período foi estimada em cerca de 16,5 milhões de dólares. A ocorrência de plantas com sintomas de "Maize rayado fino virus" e "Maize dwarf mosaic virus" foi baixa e o diagnóstico confirmado por RTPCR. A análise de 441 amostras suspeitas de infecção por "Mal de Río Cuarto virus", por DASELISA, mostrou ausência desse vírus. Resultados de PCR indicaram a presença de um possível fitoplasma distinto de "Maize bushy stunt phytoplasma" em duas plantas apresentando nanismo acentuado, folhas estreitas, enrijecidas, com deformações, e grãos na inflorescência, havendo necessidade de mais estudos para a confirmação da identidade desse possível novo fitoplasma.

The incidence of Corn stunt diseases symptoms and virus infection symptomswas surveyed on 22 cultivars sowed in the “Safrinha” growing season and in the “Summer”growing season at several localities in São Paulo, Goiás and Minas Gerais States. These surveywas made from Safrinha 1999 until Safrinha 2000. Leaves samples from plants with Corn stuntdiseases symptoms were submitted to DNA extraction and to PCR test to determine theincidence index of infection by phytoplasma and by spiroplasma. Leaves samples with virusinfection symptoms were submitted to RT-PCR to confirm the virus identification. In general, the incidence of Corn stunt diseases symptoms was higher in the Safrinha growing season thanin the Summer growing season, except in São Paulo state where the incidence of these diseaseswas similar on both seasons. The mollicute infection was detected in 103 samples, among 390submitted to PCR test. The simultaneous infection by both spiroplasma and phytoplama wasdetected only in 6 samples. Taken into account the total of positive samples to mollicute infection,the incidence of spiroplasma and phytoplasma was similar. However, only in the Safrinha growingseason it was observed that only one of these mollicute predominated. This predominancealternated from spiroplasma in Safrinha 1999, to phytoplasma in Safrinha 2000 and spiroplasmain Safrinha 2001. The Maize Rayado Fino Virus (MRFV) and the Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus(MDMV) were detected in variable levels of incidence, just at some localities and growingseason evaluated, in general with incidence levels lower than the ones of Corn stunt diseases.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the multiplication, leaves symptomsexpression and the effects of mollicutes in maize. In order to accomplish this goal, phytoplasmaand Spiroplasma kunkelli were inoculated isolatedly or simultaneously in five maize cultivars,grown under pot conditions. Healthy plants from all genotypes were used in this experiment asa control. Two plants were grown per pot being one of them used to mollicutes detection, byusing the last leaf completely developed at 30, 60 and 100 days after inoculation. The otherplant was used to mollicute’s detection at 100 days after inoculation by using the leaves locatedat the botton, median and apical parts of the plants. Reduction percentage caused by mollicutesin height and plant grain production was evaluated in both plants in relation to the healthy ones.The expression of leaf symptoms and the positive results obtained by mollicutes detection weremore evident 100 days after inoculation. The grain filling stage was considered to be moreadequate for these pathogens detection. Among the three-leaf positions the detection was observed more frequently at the apical leaf position. The results showed predominance ofspiroplasma infection and greater detrimental effect of this pathogen in the plant growth andproduction when compared to phytoplasma infection. It was not detected significant synergisticeffect of both mollicutes on the plant growth and production. The pathogen effect on growthand cultivar production was determined by the frequency of infected plants.

Phaeosphaeria leaf spot has been causing expressive reduction in the income of corn grains in Brazil, due to its high incidence and severity. The development of resistant cultivars to this disease has been the most effective method for its control. However, the knowledge of the inheritance of the resistance is essential for the selection of the genotypes of interest and for the design of breeding strategies. The objective of this work was to evaluate the nature and magnitude of genetic effects involved in the determination of the resistance of the maize inbred line L31.2.1.2, using generation-means analysis. The experiment was evaluated in the agriculture year 2000/2001, in Sete Lagoas-MG, and the treatments were constituted by the parental lines and generations F1, F2, BC1.1 and BC1.2. The resistance evaluation was graded according to the disease severity. Generations from the cross between the inbred lines L31.2.1.2 and L726, resistant and susceptible ,respectively, demonstrated genetic variability, in which additive genetic effects were the main source for determining the resistance and the additivedominant model proved to be appropriate for the analysis of the results. The high magnitude of the hereditary coefficients evidenced the viability of simple selective techniques ,effective enough to obtain satisfactory earnings.

Peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) activity levels were analyzed in maize seedling inbred lines contrasting with their resistance to maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV). Groups of noninoculated resistant and susceptible inbred lines showed different levels of guaiacol peroxidase activity at the seedling stage, with 78 % of susceptible inbred lines presenting enzyme activity values below 91.46 A470 min–1g FW –1. However, the zymogram patterns of peroxidase did not allow the differentiation of non-inoculated resistant or susceptible inbred lines. The virus complex induced a general enhancement of enzyme activity, without qualitative changes in the isoenzymes, when inoculated into resistant or susceptible inbred lines. However, a quantitative change, with 19% OD average increase in a moderately anionic isoform was observed in some resistant inbred lines in response to virus inoculation. Our results could suggest that peroxidase activity prior to infection, and the increase in activity of an specific anionic isoform in some resistant inbred lines, due to virus inoculation, could be related to a defense mechanism against MDMV.

Biochemical characteristics were evaluated in maize seedlings, as possible markers for selection of resistant genotypes to the corn stunt disease caused by Spiroplasma kunkelii, as well as the effect of this disease over the growth and grain production of maize genotypes. Spiroplasma was inoculated in the seedlings of the parental inbred lines P1, susceptible, and P2, resistant, and of the generations F1, F2 and F3. These inbred lines, also used in the intercrosses to obtain the other generations, were from the breeding program of the Brazilian Maize and Sorghum Corporation. The Plant Height (AP), ear height (AE) and grain production (PG) were affected by the spiroplasma with mean reductions of, respectively, 9.60%, 12.83% and 42.00% in these parameters. High values, above 0,80 were obtained in phenotypic and genotypic correlation between ear grade (NE) x corn stunt disease severity (SEV), between SEV x PG and between NE x PG, showing that these characteristics can be used as criteria for the selection of resistant genotypes to corn stunt. Among the biochemical characteristics evaluated, a tendency of the resistant plants to show higher values for soluble protein content and lower values for peroxidase specific activity (PODesp) was observed. The phenotypic correlation among the ferulic (FA) and 5,5’-di-ferulic (DFA) acids and SEV was not significant and the peroxidase zimograms did not present any isoforms that were associated specifically with resistance or susceptibility to corn stunt.

The occurrence of Tosia parva (Perrier, 1881), Marginaster pectinatus Perrier, 1884 and Ldbidiaster radiosus Liltken, 1871 in the South Atlantic region is registered for the first time. The new varieties, Phrixometra longispina brasiliensis var. n., and Holothuria (Vaneyothuria) lentiginosa brasiliensis var. n., are de scribed. The genus Calliophidiaster Tommasi, 1970 is redescribed and its differences with Linckia Nardo, 1934, are reinforced. Ophiomyxa vivipara Studer, 1886 and Ophiura fallax Cherbonnier, 1959 are de scribed for the first time from Brazil. Amphiura iraciae sp. n. and A. rosae sp. n. are described.