Cocoa breeders and growers continue to face the problem of high heterogeneity between individuals derived from one progeny. Vegetative propagation by somatic embryogenesis could be a way to increase genetic gains in the field. Somatic embryogenesis in cocoa is difficult and this species is considered as recalcitrant. This study was conducted to investigate the phenolic composition of cocoa flowers (the explants used to achieve somatic embryogenesis) and how it changes during the process, by means of histochemistry and conventional chemical techniques. In flowers, all parts contained polyphenolics but their locations were specific to the organ considered. After placing floral explants in vitro, the polyphenolic content was qualitatively modified and maintained in the calli throughout the culture process. Among the new polyphenolics, the three most abundant were isolated and characterized by 1H- and 13C-NMR. They were hydroxycinnamic acid amides: N-trans-caffeoyl-l-DOPA or clovamide, N-trans-p-coumaroyl-l-tyrosine or deoxiclovamide, and N-trans-caffeoyl-l-tyrosine. The same compounds were found also in fresh, unfermented cocoa beans. The synthesis kinetics for these compounds in calli, under different somatic embryogenesis conditions, revealed a higher concentration under non-embryogenic conditions. Given the antioxidant nature of these compounds, they could reflect the stress status of the tissues.

OBJECTIVEIt has been argued that metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) does not increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study examines the association of MHO with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), a proxy of CVD risk, in children and adolescents. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSData were available for 3,497 children and adolescents aged 6-17 years from five population-based cross-sectional studies in Brazil, China, Greece, Italy, and Spain. Weight status categories (normal, overweight, and obese) were defined using BMI cutoffs from the International Obesity Task Force. Metabolic status (defined as "healthy" [no risk factors] or "unhealthy" [one or more risk factors]) was based on four CVD risk factors: elevated blood pressure, elevated triglyceride levels, reduced HDL cholesterol, and elevated fasting glucose. High cIMT was defined as cIMT ‡90th percentile for sex, age, and study population. Logistic regression model was used to examine the association of weight and metabolic status with high cIMT, with adjustment for sex, age, race/ethnicity, and study center. RESULTSIn comparison with metabolically healthy normal weight, odds ratios (ORs) for high cIMT were 2.29 (95% CI 1.58-3.32) for metabolically healthy overweight and 3.91 (2.46-6.21) for MHO. ORs for high cIMT were 1.44 (1.03-2.02) for unhealthy normal weight, 3.49 (2.51-4.85) for unhealthy overweight, and 6.96 (5.05-9.61) for unhealthy obesity. CONCLUSIONSAmong children and adolescents, cIMT was higher for both MHO and metabolically healthy overweight compared with metabolically healthy normal weight. Our findings reinforce the need for weight control in children and adolescents irrespective of their metabolic status.

Objective: The clinical utility of screening for pediatric metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children and adolescents is still controversial. We examined the performance of pediatric MetS vs. clustering of cardiovascular risk factors (which are the components of MetS) for predicting high carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) in children and adolescents. Methods: Participants included 2427 children and adolescents aged 6–17 years from population-based studies in three countries (Brazil, China and Italy). Pediatric MetS was defined using either the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria or the modified International Diabetes Federation criteria. Clustering of cardiovascular risk factors was calculated as the sum of five components of MetS (i.e. central obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, reduced HDL-cholesterol and elevated fasting blood glucose). High cIMT was defined as cIMT at least 95th percentile values for sex and age developed from European children. Results: Presence of one, two or at least three cardiovascular risk factors (using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria), as compared with none, was associated with gradually increasing odds of high cIMT [odds ratios (95% confidence intervals): 1.60 (1.29–1.99), 2.89 (2.21–3.78) and 4.24 (2.81–6.39), respectively]. High cIMT was also associated with presence (vs. absence) of MetS (odds ratio = 2.88, 95% confidence interval = 1.95–4.26). However, clustering of cardiovascular risk factors predicted high cIMT markedly better than MetS (area under the curve of 0.66 vs. 0.54, respectively). Findings were similar using the International Diabetes Federation criteria for pediatric MetS. Conclusion: In children and adolescents, a graded score based on five cardiovascular risk factors (used to define MetS) predicted high cIMT markedly better than MetS. These findings do not support the clinical utility of MetS for screening youth at increased cardiovascular risk, as expressed in this study by high cIMT.

RESUMOO estudo avaliou a composição e riqueza florística do banco de semente em área de caatinga. Foram arranjadas sistematicamente 35 parcelas 10 x 10 m e coletadas, aleatoriamente, amostras de solo com. Cada amostra foi homogeneizada e colocada para germinar em dois ambientes: pleno sol e sombra a 50%. Foram encontrados 237 indivíduos, pertencentes a 13 famílias botânicas, 22 gêneros e 26 espécies. A densidade total do banco de sementes foi de 43 sementes/m 2 . O tratamento sombra apresentou densidade de 33,2 sem/m 2 , com maior diversidade de indivíduos. Já o tratamento a pleno sol, obteve densidade de 9,28 sem/m 2 . O ambiente sob sombrite proporcionou maior germinação e sobrevivência inicial de plântulas. PALAVRAS-CHAVE:Regeneração, riqueza florística, recuperação ambiental. ABSTRACTThe study evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively the seed bank of an area of caatinga. 35 plots were systematically arranged 10 x 10 m, samples were randomly collected. Each sample was individually homogenized and placed to germinate in two environments: full sun and shade to 50%. Was recorded 237 individuals belonging to 13 families and 26 species were identified. The total density of the seed bank was approximately 43 seeds/m2. The treatment with shade showed a density of 33.2 seed/m2. The treatment in full sun got density of 9.28 seed/m2. The environment under shade got more seed germination and initial survival of seedlings.