Hybrids of the species Pseudoplatystoma corruscans vs. 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 F 1 hybrids in rivers and the occurrence of genetic introgression, evidenced by the Post-F 1 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.Híbridos envolvendo as espécies Pseudoplatystoma corruscans vs. Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum são amplamente comercializados por apresentarem maior docilidade e precocidade quando comparados aos parentais. Neste trabalho objetivou-se identificar, por meio de técnicas moleculares, a existência de surubins híbridos em rios do estado do Mato Grosso do Sul. Pseudoplatystoma corruscans, Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum e 'Surubim' híbrido foram identificados utilizando as técnicas de PCR multiplex e PCR-RFLP dos genes nucleares RAG2, GLOBINA, EF1α, 18S rRNA e mitocondrial 16S rRNA. Os resultados demonstraram a presença de híbridos F 1 em rios e a ocorrência da introgressão genética, evidenciada pelos híbridos Pós-F 1 . Além disso, foram observadas discrepâncias entre a identificação morfológica e genética, demonstrando a eficácia da utilização de diversos marcadores moleculares para identificação correta destes híbridos. Torna-se evidente a necessidade da implantação de projetos de manejo e conservação, a fim de manter a integridade genética de populações de espécies nativas em rios do estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, que encontram-se ameaçadas pela hibridação.

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Nuclear abnormalities (micronuclei and meta-nuclear changes) have been used as biomarkers to identify cell damages. As children are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of pollution when compared to adults, assessing genetic damage caused by environmental influences is of great interest. As such, the objective was to determine metanuclear (karyolysis, pycnosis, karyorrhexis, binucleated cells, chromosome bridges and micronuclei) in cells from the oral mucosa of children associated with the school environment, gender, exposure to cigarette smoke and vehicular traffic. Analyses of nuclear abnormalities were performed in exfoliated buccal cells of children from two public schools located in Dourados - MS. The data were analyzed through Kruskal-Wallis test considering a significance level of 5% (p < .05). The results showed that children exposed to cigarette smoke presented higher levels of nuclear abnormalities than children who were not usually exposed to this type of mutagenic and genotoxic agent, suggesting that such contaminants are related to clastogenic and aneugenic effects on DNA. Moreover, female children had higher amounts of nuclear abnormalities when compared to male children. With regards to the school environment, the study results indicated statistical differences in of term chromosomal abnormalities for schools A and B. Thus, it was possible to determine that children exposed to cigarette smoke are susceptible to further genetic damage than unexposed children, and female children may be more susceptible to genotoxic and mutagenic agents. This study contributes to the current knowledge on the mutagenic characteristics of human cells, supporting the adoption of preventive Public Health measures.

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.

In the present study, genotoxicity and mutagenicity were investigated in Tradescantia pallida exposed to vehicular traffic at different sites in a high-altitude tropical climate. During March, May, July, September, and November 2014, a comet assay and micronucleus bioassays were conducted on young inflorescences and leaves of T. pallida collected from twelve towns in the southern region of Mato Grosso do Sul with different amounts of vehicular traffic. Weather parameters (temperature, relative humidity and rainfall) were measured and vehicles were counted to determine traffic levels in each town. A higher frequency of genotoxic and mutagenic damage was observed in the municipality of Dourados. The highest frequency of genetic damage was observed in September and November according to both assays. Relative humidity and rainfall were inversely proportional to the frequency of genetic damage in T. pallida during the collection period. Based on these results, we conclude that the bioassays are efficient for assessing the effects of vehicular traffic in these towns with respect to weather conditions over time. These bioassays can be applied to identify risk areas, which are determined by climatic conditions and air pollutants released.

Plants growing in localities with more intense vehicular traffic had greater quantities of micronuclei as well as higher frequencies and average numbers of stomata than localities with less traffic, indicating the presence of atmospheric contaminants that damaged their DNA.

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.

Campomanesia adamantium is an endemic plant of Cerrado biome that has potential for cultivation because its fruits have culinary and medicinal uses. However, genetic diversity studies using molecular markers with Cerrado species are scarce, and the inadequate extractive exploitation of fruits and the expansion of agricultural frontiers may also affect genetic variability. Therefore, studies in this field are of interest as they can provide sources for conservation and breeding programs. In this context, we investigated the genetic diversity of native populations of C. adamantium from different sites and the relationship between genetic variability and the land use and land cover of each site. A total of 207 plants were sampled in seven sites and characterized with seven polymorphic microsatellite markers. The use and coverage of land were mapped based on aerial images, and the land was classified into different categories. The genetic diversity was high in all populations, with low levels of differentiation due to allele sharing, mainly in Mato Grosso do Sul and Paraguay populations. The geographically closest populations were more genetically similar. The use and coverage of land indicated that intense agriculture promotes a significant decrease in genetic variability.