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Nile tilapia is the fourth most produced species in the global aquiculture panorama. This species requires water temperatures higher than 16 °C to grow and survive, and so, little is known about the effects of low temperatures on genes related to food intake and inflammatory responses. This study brought insights about the modulation of genes in different tissues of Nile tilapia chronically exposed to low temperatures. Thus, sixty animals were divided in two experimental groups: a control group in which the animals remained at the optimum temperature of 24 °C; and an exposed to cold group, in which a decrease in the water temperature was applied until reaching 15 °C. These conditions were maintained for 28 days. Blood samples were collected for flow cytometry analysis, while brain, spleen, liver, and kidney tissues were collected for total RNA extraction, followed by quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). For genes related to feeding process pathway, it was observed an upregulation in pyy and a downregulation of npy and cart gene expression. Also, pro-inflammatory cytokine genes were modulated in the spleen, kidney and liver with a higher expression of il-1b and tnfα and a reduction in the il-8 and nf-κß gene expressions in the group exposed to 15 °C. The fish exposed to cold presented higher serum cortisol levels than the ones from control group. The blood cell analysis showed a lower level of membrane fluidity and a higher DNA fragmentation and cell disruption in the group exposed to cold. These findings suggest an important effect of a stressful situation in the tilapia organism due to cold exposure. This study brings insights on tilapia wellbeing under low temperature stress. It can be a first step to understanding the appropriate way to cope with cold impacts on aquaculture.

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Potatoes for industrial processing must have high dry matter, low sugar and free from damage or disease. The objective was to determine the ideal temperature and storage period of commercial cultivars for frying. Tubers of Asterix and Cronos cultivars were stored in a cold chamber (Gallant CMC4 Premium) inside plastic boxes at 6 and 8 °C with 85 to 95% humidity for 180 days. Accumulated mass loss (PMA), alcohol insoluble solids (SIA), total soluble sugars (AST), non-reducing sugars (ANR), reducing sugars (AR), polyphenoloxidase activity (PPO) and enzymatic and non-enzymatic browning were analyzed. The PMA of Asterix at 6 and 8 ºC and Cronos at 6 °C was higher. The SIA of both cultivars stored at 6 ºC were lower and AST, AR and ANR higher. Those parameters of Cronos and Asterix did not differ between temperature or storage period. The browning was greater in the fried sticks of Asterix and Cronos stored at 6 ºC (4 to 5) for 60 and 90 days and at 8 °C (2 to 3) for 180 days, respectively. The ideal temperature and storage period for Asterix and Cronos cultivars is 8 ºC for a maximum of 120 days due to non-enzymatic browning.(AU)

As batatas destinadas ao processamento industrial devem ter alto teor de matéria seca, baixo teor de açúcar e estar livre de danos ou doenças. O objetivo foi determinar a temperatura e o período de armazenamento ideais para cultivares comerciais para fritura. Os tubérculos das cultivares Asterix e Cronos foram armazenados em caixas de plástico a 6 e 8 °C com umidade de 85 a 95% por 180 dias. As perdas de massa acumulada (PMA), sólidos insolúveis em álcool (SIA), açúcares solúveis totais (AST), açúcares não redutores (ANR), açúcares redutores (AR), atividade de polifenoloxidase (PPO) e escurecimento enzimático e não enzimático foram analisadas. A PMA de tubérculos da cultivar Asterix a 6 e 8 ºC e a da cultivar Cronos, armazenadas a 6 °C foram maiores. Os teores de SIA foram menores e os de AST, AR e ANR maiores nos tubérculos de ambas as cultivares armazenadas a 6 ºC. A temperatura e o período de armazenamento não afetaram as cultivares Cronos e Asterix. O escurecimento foi maior nos palitos fritos das cultivares Asterix e Cronos armazenados a 6 ºC (4 a 5) por 60 e 90 dias e a 8 °C (2 a 3) por 180 dias, respectivamente. O período ideal de temperatura e armazenamento para as cultivares Asterix e Cronos é de 8 ºC por, no máximo, 120 dias devido ao escurecimento não enzimático.(AU)

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ABSTRACT: Potatoes for industrial processing must have high dry matter, low sugar and free from damage or disease. The objective was to determine the ideal temperature and storage period of commercial cultivars for frying. Tubers of Asterix and Cronos cultivars were stored in a cold chamber (Gallant CMC4 Premium) inside plastic boxes at 6 and 8 °C with 85 to 95% humidity for 180 days. Accumulated mass loss (PMA), alcohol insoluble solids (SIA), total soluble sugars (AST), non-reducing sugars (ANR), reducing sugars (AR), polyphenoloxidase activity (PPO) and enzymatic and non-enzymatic browning were analyzed. The PMA of Asterix at 6 and 8 ºC and Cronos at 6 °C was higher. The SIA of both cultivars stored at 6 ºC were lower and AST, AR and ANR higher. Those parameters of Cronos and Asterix did not differ between temperature or storage period. The browning was greater in the fried sticks of Asterix and Cronos stored at 6 ºC (4 to 5) for 60 and 90 days and at 8 °C (2 to 3) for 180 days, respectively. The ideal temperature and storage period for Asterix and Cronos cultivars is 8 ºC for a maximum of 120 days due to non-enzymatic browning.

RESUMO: As batatas destinadas ao processamento industrial devem ter alto teor de matéria seca, baixo teor de açúcar e estar livre de danos ou doenças. O objetivo foi determinar a temperatura e o período de armazenamento ideais para cultivares comerciais para fritura. Os tubérculos das cultivares Asterix e Cronos foram armazenados em caixas de plástico a 6 e 8 °C com umidade de 85 a 95% por 180 dias. As perdas de massa acumulada (PMA), sólidos insolúveis em álcool (SIA), açúcares solúveis totais (AST), açúcares não redutores (ANR), açúcares redutores (AR), atividade de polifenoloxidase (PPO) e escurecimento enzimático e não enzimático foram analisadas. A PMA de tubérculos da cultivar Asterix a 6 e 8 ºC e a da cultivar Cronos, armazenadas a 6 °C foram maiores. Os teores de SIA foram menores e os de AST, AR e ANR maiores nos tubérculos de ambas as cultivares armazenadas a 6 ºC. A temperatura e o período de armazenamento não afetaram as cultivares Cronos e Asterix. O escurecimento foi maior nos palitos fritos das cultivares Asterix e Cronos armazenados a 6 ºC (4 a 5) por 60 e 90 dias e a 8 °C (2 a 3) por 180 dias, respectivamente. O período ideal de temperatura e armazenamento para as cultivares Asterix e Cronos é de 8 ºC por, no máximo, 120 dias devido ao escurecimento não enzimático.

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The Peruvian Andean Plateau, one of the main production areas of native varieties of Chenopodium quinoa, is exposed to abrupt decreases in environmental temperature, affecting crop production. Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria that tolerate low temperatures could be used as organic biofertilizers in this region. We aimed to bioprospect the native psychrotolerant bacteria of the quinoa rhizosphere in this region that show plant-growth-promoting traits. Fifty-one strains belonging to the quinoa rhizosphere were characterised; 73% of the total could grow at low temperatures (4, 6, and 15 °C), whose genetic diversity based on DNA amplification of interspersed repetitive elements (BOX) showed 12 different profiles. According to the 16S rRNA sequence, bacterial species belonging to the classes Beta- and Gammaproteobacteria were identified. Only three (6%) isolates identified as nonpathogenic bacteria exhibited plant-growth-promoting activities, like IAA production, phosphate solubilization, growth in a nitrogen-free medium, and ACC deaminase production at 6 and 15 °C. ILQ215 (Pseudomonas silesiensis) and JUQ307 (Pseudomonas plecoglossicida) strains showed significantly positive plant growth effects in aerial length (about 50%), radicular length (112% and 79%, respectively), and aerial and radicular mass (above 170% and 210%, respectively) of quinoa plants compared with the control without bacteria. These results indicate the potential of both psychrotolerant strains to be used as potential organic biofertilizers for quinoa in this region.

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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It has been reported that low temperatures (LTs) and the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) induce the expression of CBF/DREB1 transcription factors in vegetative tissues and seedlings of Vitis vinifera and Vitis riparia and that foliar applications of ABA to V. vinifera increase the freezing tolerance or cold-hardiness of dormant buds. However, the combined effect of ABA and LTs on the expression of CBF/DREB1 transcription factors and on the acquisition of freezing tolerance in dormant grapevine buds has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to analyse the combined effect of ABA and LT treatments on the expression of CBF/DREB transcription factors and the acquisition of freezing tolerance. METHODS: In vitro experiments with single-bud cuttings of grapevines were used to analyse the effect of ABA, ABA + LT and LT on the expression of CBF/DREB transcription factors, dehydrin and antioxidant genes, the acquisition of freezing tolerance and the endogenous content of ABA. Gene expression analysis was performed by quantitative real-time PCR and freezing tolerance was determined by measuring the low-temperature exotherm by differential thermal analysis. ABA levels were determined by gas chromatography coupled to an electron capture detector. KEY RESULTS: The LT treatment and exogenous application of ABA to grapevine dormant buds increased the expression of the CBF/DREB1 transcription factors VvCBF2, VvCBF3, VvCBF4 and VvCBF6. The joint application of LT and ABA produced a huge increase in the expression of these transcription factors, which was greater than the sum of the increases produced by them individually, which indicates the existence of a synergistic effect between ABA and LT on the activation of these transcription factors. This synergic effect was also observed on the increase in bud cold-hardiness and on the expression of antioxidant and dehydrin genes. CONCLUSIONS: The synergy between ABA and LT on the expression of CBF/DREB1 transcription factors VvCBF2, VvCBF3, VvCBF4 and VvCBF6 plays a key role in cold acclimatization of grapevine buds. The results highlight the importance of the combination of stimuli in the improvement of genetic and physiological responses and help us to understand the adaption of plants to complex environments.

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The purpose of this research was to identify differences between two contrasting rice cultivars in their response to suboptimal low temperatures stress. A transcriptomic analysis of the seedlings was performed and results were complemented with biochemical and physiological analyses. The microarray analysis showed downregulation of many genes related with PSII and particularly with the oxygen evolving complex in the sensitive cultivar IR50. Complementary studies indicated that the PSII performance, the degree of oxygen evolving complex coupling with the PSII core and net photosynthetic rate diminished in this cultivar in response to the stress. However, the tolerant cultivar Koshihikari was able to maintain its energy equilibrium by sustaining the photosynthetic capacity. The increase of oleic acid in Koshihikari could be related with membrane remodelling of the chloroplasts and hence contribute to tolerance. Overall, these results work as a ground for future analyses that look forward to characterize possible mechanisms to tolerate this stress.

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ABSTRACT Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi make up an important ecological niche in ecosystems, and knowledge of their diversity in extreme environments is still incipient. The objective of this work was to evaluate the density and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the soil of King George Island in the South Shetland Islands archipelago, Antarctica. For that, soil and roots of Deschampsia antarctica were collected at the brazilian research station in Antarctica. The spore density, species diversity and mycorrhizal colonization in the roots were evaluated. There was a low density of spores (27.4 ± 17.7) and root mycorrhizal colonization (6 ± 5.1%), which did not present statistical difference. Four species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were identified, distributed in two genera: three species of the genus Glomus (Glomus sp1, Glomus sp2 and Glomus sp3) and one of the genus Acaulospora, which was identified at species level (Acaulospora mellea). Greater soil diversity was verified with pH 5.9 and phosphorus concentration of 111 mg dm-3, occurring two species of genus Glomus and A. mellea. Based on literature data, this may be the first record of this species of Acaulospora mellea in Antarctic soils, colonizing D. antarctica plants.

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New northwestern records of the striped treefrog Hypsiboas caingua (Carrizo, 1991 “1990”) are presented for Brazil, extending its known geographic distribution approximately 115 km northward (linear distance) of the previous northernmost record of the species. In all new localities, individuals of H. caingua were only found in calling activity under temperatures below 18°C. The species appears to be associated with Atlantic Forest, although it had already been recorded in Cerrado. Although the scientific literature data suggests that H. caingua presents discontinuous geographical distribution, three methods of distribution modelling based on climatic data show that the species' distribution is continuous. The gap in the distribution may be related to the lack of field surveys in the regions that connect these populations, especially in colder periods. Nevertheless, factors other than climate might also be responsible for the current distribution of H. caingua, since the species was absent in well-surveyed sites situated between the areas of modeled distribution. Therefore, further studies on natural history, populations' genetic structure, and geographic distribution models implementing factors other than climate will be important to elucidate some ecological and evolutionary aspects of the distribution of H. caingua in South America.(AU)

Novos registros da perereca Hypsiboas caingua (Carrizo, 1991 “1990”) são apresentados para o noroeste do Brasil, ampliando sua distribuição geográfica em aproximadamente 115 km ao norte (distância linear) em relação ao registro anterior setentrional da espécie. Em todas as novas localidades, indivíduos de H. caingua foram apenas encontrados vocalizando sob temperaturas abaixo de 18 °C. A espécie aparenta estar associada com a Mata Atlântica, embora já tenha sido registrada no Cerrado. Apesar de dados da literatura científica sugerirem que H. caingua apresente distribuição geográfica descontínua, os três métodos de modelagem de distribuição, baseados em dados climáticos demonstram que a distribuição da espécie é contínua. A lacuna na distribuição pode estar relacionada à ausência de levantamentos de campo nas regiões que conectam essas populações, principalmente em períodos frios. Contudo, outros fatores além do climático também podem ser responsáveis pela atual distribuição de H. caingua, visto a ausência da espécie em locais bem amostrados situados entre as áreas de distribuição modeladas. Portanto, mais estudos sobre a história natural, genética de populações e modelos de distribuição geográfica que abordem outros fatores além do clima, serão importantes para elucidar alguns aspectos ecológicos e evolucionários da distribuição de H. caingua na América do Sul.(AU)

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New northwestern records of the striped treefrog Hypsiboas caingua (Carrizo, 1991 “1990”) are presented for Brazil, extending its known geographic distribution approximately 115 km northward (linear distance) of the previous northernmost record of the species. In all new localities, individuals of H. caingua were only found in calling activity under temperatures below 18°C. The species appears to be associated with Atlantic Forest, although it had already been recorded in Cerrado. Although the scientific literature data suggests that H. caingua presents discontinuous geographical distribution, three methods of distribution modelling based on climatic data show that the species' distribution is continuous. The gap in the distribution may be related to the lack of field surveys in the regions that connect these populations, especially in colder periods. Nevertheless, factors other than climate might also be responsible for the current distribution of H. caingua, since the species was absent in well-surveyed sites situated between the areas of modeled distribution. Therefore, further studies on natural history, populations' genetic structure, and geographic distribution models implementing factors other than climate will be important to elucidate some ecological and evolutionary aspects of the distribution of H. caingua in South America.

Novos registros da perereca Hypsiboas caingua (Carrizo, 1991 “1990”) são apresentados para o noroeste do Brasil, ampliando sua distribuição geográfica em aproximadamente 115 km ao norte (distância linear) em relação ao registro anterior setentrional da espécie. Em todas as novas localidades, indivíduos de H. caingua foram apenas encontrados vocalizando sob temperaturas abaixo de 18 °C. A espécie aparenta estar associada com a Mata Atlântica, embora já tenha sido registrada no Cerrado. Apesar de dados da literatura científica sugerirem que H. caingua apresente distribuição geográfica descontínua, os três métodos de modelagem de distribuição, baseados em dados climáticos demonstram que a distribuição da espécie é contínua. A lacuna na distribuição pode estar relacionada à ausência de levantamentos de campo nas regiões que conectam essas populações, principalmente em períodos frios. Contudo, outros fatores além do climático também podem ser responsáveis pela atual distribuição de H. caingua, visto a ausência da espécie em locais bem amostrados situados entre as áreas de distribuição modeladas. Portanto, mais estudos sobre a história natural, genética de populações e modelos de distribuição geográfica que abordem outros fatores além do clima, serão importantes para elucidar alguns aspectos ecológicos e evolucionários da distribuição de H. caingua na América do Sul.

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Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the commonest cause of seizure-related mortality in people with refractory epilepsy. Several risk factors for SUDEP are described; however, the importance of including low temperatures as risk factor for SUDEP was never explored. Based on this, the aim of this study was to evaluate the heart rate of rats with epilepsy during low temperature exposure. Our results showed that low temperature clearly increased the heart rate of rats with epilepsy. Taken together, we concluded that exposure to low temperatures could be considered important risk factors from cardiovascular abnormalities and hence sudden cardiac death in epilepsy.

A morte súbita e inesperada nas epilepsias (SUDEP) é considerada a maior causa de morte em indivíduos com epilepsia refratária. Vários fatores de risco para SUDEP têm sido descritos, no entanto, a inclusão das baixas temperaturas como um possível fator de risco para SUDEP não foi verificada até o momento. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desse estudo foi verificar a freqüência cardíaca de animais com epilepsia expostos as temperaturas baixas. Nossos resultados demonstraram que as baixas temperaturas são capazes de aumentar significativamente a freqüência cardíaca de animais com epilepsia. Dessa forma, concluímos que as baixas temperaturas podem ser consideradas um importante fator de risco de possíveis alterações cardiovasculares e até mesmo morte súbita cardíaca nas epilepsias.

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