Genetic diversity of nuts traits and fatty acids of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) germplasm resources

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is the most economically valuable nut tree growing in many countries of the world. 10 nut quantitative traits and 15 fatty acid components of 112 pecan accessions were determined to analyze the morphometric and fatty acids genetic diversity in this study. The measured nuts traits of single nut mass, nut transverse, longitudinal and lateral diameter, nut aspect ratio, single nuts kernel mass, kernel yield and shell thinness were found highly variable. 15 fatty acids were detected among 36 tested fat acids in the nut kernel of pecan, and 14 fatty acids were found high variation except for the C12:0. Plenty of these traits are significant economic importance and could be used as breeding targets to improve the pecan variety. The positive correlations were observed between each pair of single nut mass, nut transverse diameter, nut longitudinal diameter and nut lateral diameter. Single nuts kernel mass is significantly positively correlated with single nut mass, nut transverse diameter, nut longitudinal diameter and nut lateral diameter. The 2D PCA plot successfully grouped the samples according to their phenotypic resemblance and morphological characteristics. 112 accessions were grouped into 4 and 3 major clusters according to the nut quantitative traits and fatty acids components and contents, respectively. Based on these results, we suggest that multidisciplinary research team should be set for genetic breeding of pecan to promote the conservation of local genetic diversity and improve the nuts production and commercialization in China.

Fruiting character variability in wild individuals of Malania oleifera, a highly valued endemic species

Malania oleifera (Olacaceae), a tree species endemic to Southwest China, has seed oils enriched with nervonic acid and is therefore good source of this chemical. Because of this, there are promising industrial perspective in the artificial cultivation and use of this species. Understanding the variability in the fruit characters among individuals forms the basis or resource prospection. In the current investigation, fifty-three mature fruiting trees were sampled from two locations with divergent climates (Guangnan and Funing). Morphological characterization of fruits (fruit and stone weight, fruit transverse and longitudinal diameter, stone transverse and longitudinal diameter) was conducted, and the concentration of seed oil and its fatty acid composition were also analyzed in all individuals. Differences in all the morphological characters studied were more significant among individual trees than between different geographic localities, even though these had different climates. Eleven fatty acids were identified contributing between 91.39 and 96.34% of the lipids, and the major components were nervonic acid (38.93–47.24%), octadecenoic acid (26.79–32.08%), docosenoic acid (10.94–17.24%). The seed oil content (proportion of oil in seed kernel) and the proportion of nervonic acid were both higher in Funing, which has a higher average climatic temperature than Guangnan. The concentrations of nervonic acid and octadecenoic acid with the low coefficients of variation in the seed oil of M. oleifera were relatively stable in contrast to the other fatty acids. There were significant positive correlations between fruit morphological characters, but the amount of seed oil and the concentrations of its components were not correlated with any morphological character. This study provides an understanding of morphological variation in wild M. oleifera individuals. Wild individuals with excellent fruit traits could be selected and would make promising candidates for commercial cultivation.

Chemical Physical Characterization and Profile of Fruit Volatile Compounds from Different Accesses of Myrciaria floribunda (H. West Ex Wild.) O. Berg through Polyacrylate Fiber

Among the many species of native fruit of Brazil that have been little explored, there is Myrciaria floribunda (also known as rumberry, cambuizeiro, or guavaberry), a species with significant variability, which has fruits of different colors (orange, red, and purple) when ripe. The physical-chemical characteristics evaluated were fruit weight (FW), seed weight (SW), pulp weight (PW), number of seeds (NS), longitudinal diameter (LD), transverse diameter (TD), format (LD/TD), hydrogen potential (pH), soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), and ratio (SS/TA); further, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of nine accesses of rumberry orchards were identified. The averages of the variables FW, SW, PW, NS, LD, TD, shape, and firmness were 0.76 g, 0.22 g, 0.54 g, 1.45, 10.06 mm, 9.90 mm, 1.02, 2.96 N, respectively. LD/TD data showed that the fruits have a slightly rounded shape (LD/TD = 1). The averages for pH, SS, TA, and SS/TA were 3.74, 17.58 Brix, 4.31% citric acid, and 4.31, respectively. The evaluated parameters indicated that the fruits can be consumed both in natura and industrialized, with the red-colored fruits presenting a good balance of SS/TA, standards demanded by the processing industries. Thirty-six VOCs were identified, with emphasis on the sesquiterpenes. Caryophyllene (21.6% to 49.3%) and γ-selinene (11.3% to 16.3%) were the most predominant compounds in rumberry fruits.

Quality variables for technological application of cocoa clones from the Brazilian semiarid region

ABSTRACT Characterization of cocoa clones produced in the semiarid region is necessary to enlarge the database about these implanted clones and thus enhance the quality of their by-products. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate physical, chemical, and physicochemical characteristics of the CCN 51, CEPEC 2004, CEPEC 2005, and PS 1319 clones, produced in the region of Vale do Jaguaribe in the state of Ceará (Brazil), and to suggest food processes or products for them. The clones were evaluated according to their physical traits (total fruit mass, rind, pulp, seeds, and placenta and pulp with seeds), fruit transverse diameter (FTD), fruit longitudinal diameter (FLD), the ratio FTD/FLD; rind external thickness (ERT), rind internal thickness (IRT), the ratio ERT/IRT, number of seeds, seed thickness, seed transverse diameter (STD), seed longitudinal diameter (SLD), and the ratio STD/SLD, yield, pulp color, chemical traits (humidity, lipids, proteins, ashes, crude fiber, and carbohydrates), and physicochemical traits (titratable acidity, pH, soluble solids, and reducing sugars) were evaluated. The CCN 51 and CEPEC 2005 clones are the most suitable for the process of cocoa fermentation. For desserts, jams, pulp, and nibs for fat-restricted diets, the most suitable clones are CCN 51, CEPEC 2005, PS 1319 and CEPEC 2004, respectively.

Size measurements of hepatocellular carcinoma: comparisons between contrast and two-dimensional ultrasound

Background Ultrasound (US) imaging is known to underestimate tumor size in clinical. This study is aimed to compare the size measurements of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in three US imaging modalities, i.e. two-dimensional (2D) imaging, the arterial phase (AP) and the late phase (LP) imaging of contrast-enhanced US (CEUS). Methods Fifty-eight clinically proved HCC patients were included. The 2D and CEUS imaging were performed with Siemens S2000, Philips iu22 and BioSound Twice. 2.5 mL of SonoVue® was injected for every CEUS performance. Two physicians measured the maximal longitudinal and the transverse diameters of the tumors in 2D, the AP and the LP of CEUS from one image section. The three measurements were compared by paired t test. Results The mean longitudinal diameter of HCC appeared to be maximal in the AP (4.73 ± 2.04 cm) of CEUS and minimal in the LP (3.98 ± 1.99 cm) of CEUS. The 2D diameter (4.26 ± 2.07 cm) was in the middle between two CEUS measurements. There were significant differences between any two measurements. Conclusion There is size difference between the three kinds of HCC measurement. It appeared to be maximal in the AP of CEUS and minimal in the LP. The 2D diameter was in the middle.

Production and photosynthetic pigments of bell peppers all big (Capsicum annuum L.) subjected to fertilization with biochar and nitrogen

The Northeastern semi-arid region provides favorable conditions for bell pepper cultivation, but most often the low availability of soil nutrients to plants constitutes a limiting factor to production. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the production and photosynthetic pigments of bell pepper subjected to increasing levels of fertilization with biochar and nitrogen. The experiment was conducted in pots (Citropote®) under greenhouse conditions. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design, in 4 x 4 factorial scheme, relative to four doses of biochar (0; 7; 14 and 21 m3 ha-1) and four doses of nitrogen (0; 40; 80 and 120 kg ha-1), with three replicates. Fertilization with 70 kg ha-1 of nitrogen and 14 m3 ha-1 of biochar promotes highest yield of bell pepper in terms of number of fruits and fruit fresh weight per plant. The highest contents of photosynthetic pigments were obtained in plants fertilized with 70 kg ha-1 of nitrogen associated with 10 m3 ha-1 of biochar. Biochar doses above 15.54 m3 ha-1 negatively affect the longitudinal diameter of bell pepper fruits. The recommendation of 120 kg ha-1 of nitrogen and 20 m3 ha-1 of biochar reduces bell pepper production and photosynthetic pigments.

Inter and intraobserver variability in the echocardiographic measurement of vegetations in infective endocarditis

Introduction and objectives The indication for surgery to prevent embolism in infective endocarditis includes four clinical scenarios and three different echocardiographic measurements of the maximal vegetation diameter. These cut-off points are completely arbitrary and not evidence-based. Our hypothesis is that the vegetation diameter is not an appropriate surgical criterium. The goal of the study is to analyze the inter and intra-observer variability in this measurement and to compare the surgical indications agreement based on these parameters. Methods Two trained echocardiographers have measured the maximal vegetation diameter by transesophageal echocardiogram in 67 consecutive patients with definite infective endocarditis in an off-line workstation. The inter- and intra-observer variability was calculated by the interclass correlation coefficient and with the Bland-Altman analysis. The relationship between the strength of agreement for the cut-off points of 10 and 15 mm was also calculated. Results Intra and inter-observer interclass correlation coefficient in the measurement of the maximal longitudinal diameter of the vegetations were 0.872 (0.805–0.917) and 0.757 (0.642–0.839) respectively. The strength of agreement of the intra and inter-observer analysis for the cut-off point of 10 mm were 0.674 (0.485–0.862) and 0.533 (0.327–0.759). For the cut-off point of 15 mm they were 0.696 (0.530–0.862) and 0.475 (0.270–0.679). Conclusions The variability in the measurements of the maximal longitudinal diameter by transesophageal echocardiogram between two experimented echocardiographers is good. Nonetheless, surgical indications based on the cut-off points recommended in the European guidelines would have changed in an unacceptable high proportion of patients. Therefore, we suggest that these indications should be revised in the light of our results. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Size measurements of hepatocellular carcinoma: comparisons between contrast and two-dimensional ultrasound

Background: Ultrasound (US) imaging is known to underestimate tumor size in clinical. This study is aimed to compare the size measurements of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in three US imaging modalities, i.e. two-dimensional (2D) imaging, the arterial phase (AP) and the late phase (LP) imaging of contrast-enhanced US (CEUS).Methods: Fifty-eight clinically proved HCC patients were included. The 2D and CEUS imaging were performed with Siemens S2000, Philips iu22 and BioSound Twice. 2.5 mL of SonoVue® was injected for every CEUS performance. Two physicians measured the maximal longitudinal and the transverse diameters of the tumors in 2D, the AP and the LP of CEUS from one image section. The three measurements were compared by paired t test.Results: The mean longitudinal diameter of HCC appeared to be maximal in the AP (4.73±2.04 cm) of CEUS and minimal in the LP (3.98±1.99 cm) of CEUS. The 2D diameter (4.26±2.07 cm) was in the middle between two CEUS measurements. There were significant differences between any two measurements.Conclusion: There is size difference between the three kinds of HCC measurement. It appeared to be maximal in the AP of CEUS and minimal in the LP. The 2D diameter was in the middle.