Cultivation of Mint (Mentha x gracilis) in Intercropping with Fruit Trees in an Agroforestry System: Production and Quality of Essential Oil

Aims: The cultivation of medicinal plants in intercropping with other species of agricultural use has been an alternative to make production sustainable in family farming. The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth, biomass production, and chemical composition of the essential oil of mint (Mentha x gracilis Sole) in intercropping with fruit species in an agroforestry system. Study Design: The experimental design was randomized blocks with four treatments, mint interplanted with citrus (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck), bananas (Musa spp.), blackberries (Morus nigra), or Barbados cherries (Malpighia glabra). Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in the agroforestry located in the sector of Olericultura of the Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR), Brazil, in the period between November 2015 to February 2017. Methodology: We analyzed light intensity, relative chlorophyll index, height, leaf area, biomass accumulation, essential oil content, oil production and chemical composition of mint grown in agroforestry. Results: The highest production of biomass and essential oil were obtained in the intercropping of mint with citrus and Barbados cherries, possibly due to the edaphic climatic conditions, such as greater light intensity, that favored the growth, production, and chemical composition of the mint essential oil. Bananas and blackberries intercropped with mint were not beneficial for the growth and production of essential oils. Conclusion: The intercropping of mint with citrus and Barbados cherries resulted in higher growth, biomass accumulation, and essential oil content and production. The major components of the essential oils were linalool and carvone, with higher percentages in the intercropping of mint with citrus and Barbados cherries. The cultivation of mint by intercropping with fruit species such as citrus and Barbados cherries is an option to diversify the production of medicinal plants, making it sustainable.

Incidência de infecção por citomegalovirus em pacientes portadores de síndrome da imunodeficiência dquirida atendidos em Jundiaí, SP / Incidence of cytomegalovirus infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome atended in Jundiaí, SP

Objetivo ­ Identificar a incidência de Citomegalovírus (CMV) em pacientes HIV (Vírus da Imunodeficiência Adquirida) positivos, através de levantamento de dados arquivados de pacientes que apresentaram produção de Imunoglobulina IgG e IgM para CMV e provável positividade para ambos. Métodos ­ Os resultados foram obtidos através de análise de prontuários de pacientes HIV positivos, atendidos em um laboratório de análises clínicas de Jundiaí, São Paulo, cujo atendimento consiste em pacientes da rede particular e do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Os dados foram levantados num retrospecto de 46 meses, entre janeiro de 2011 e outubro de 2014 e foram analisados três parâmetros principais: a média de solicitações de sorologia para HIV, a incidência para CMVM (IgM para Citomegalovírus) e CMVG (IgG para Citomegalovírus) em pacientes HIV positivos e o percentual destes pacientes infectados tanto na rede particular como na rede pública. Resultados ­ No período analisado, 88 pacientes foram diagnosticados com HIV confirmados através de Western Blotting. Destes confirmou-se que 2,27% apresentaram IgM positiva para CMV. Tais pacientes foram atendidos pela rede particular de saúde. Conclusão ­ Isto posto, apesar da TARV (Terapia antirretroviral), ainda há pacientes que se infectam com o CMV. Foi possível avaliar que independente da rede de atendimento o paciente imunocomprometido pelo HIV necessita de atenção especial e acompanhamento minucioso para sobrevida e bem-estar.

Objective ­ To identify the incidence of cytomegalovirus in patients seropositive for HIV, up examinations of patients with IgG and IgM for CMV positivity and possible for both. Methods ­ Through medical records of HIV-positive patients, the data were performed after prior approval of a clinical laboratory in Jundiai, São Paulo, which is to serve the public private network and public network. The data were collected in a retrospective of 46 months between January 2011 and October 2014 and there were three data analysis: the average requests for HIV testing, the incidence for E CMVG CMVM and the percentage of these infected patients in private institutions and the public network. Results ­ Through the medical records, it was found 88 patients with HIV confirmed by Western blotting, it was confirmed that 2.27% were infected with CMV, is have positive IgM and are treated at private. Conclusion ­ That said, despite the HAART (antiretroviral therapy), there are still patients who became infected with CMV, it is possible to assess whether the service network immunocompromised HIV patients need special attention and careful monitoring for survival and well-being.

Identification of new flagellin-encoding fliC genes in Escherichia coli isolated from domestic animals using RFLP-PCR and sequencing methods / Identificação de novas flagelinas codificadas por fliC em Escherichia coli isoladas de animais domésticos utilizando RFLP-PCR e sequenciamento

Identification of Escherichia coli requires knowledge regarding the prevalent serotypes and virulence factors profiles allows the classification in pathogenic/non-pathogenic. However, some of these bacteria do not express flagellar antigen invitro. In this case the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP-PCR) and sequencing of the fliC may be suitable for the identification of antigens by replacing the traditional serology. We studied 17 samples of E. coli isolated from animals and presenting antigen H nontypeable (HNT). The H antigens were characterized by PCR-RFLP and sequencing of fliC gene. Three new flagellin genes were identified, for which specific antisera were obtained. The PCR-RFLP was shown to be faster than the serotyping H antigen in E. coli, provided information on some characteristics of these antigens and indicated the presence of new genes fliC.

A identificação da Escherichia coli requer conhecimento sobre os sorotipos e fatores de virulência prevalentes permitindo a classificação em patogênico/não patogênico. No entanto, algumas destas bactérias não expressam o antígeno flagelar in vitro. Neste caso, o PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP-PCR) e o sequenciamento do gene fliC podem ser adequados para a identificação desses antígenos, substituindo a sorologia tradicional. Nesta pesquisa foram estudadas 17 amostras de E. coli isoladas de animais e que apresentavam antígeno H não tipável (HNT). Os antígenos H foram caracterizados por PCR-RFLP e sequenciamento do gene fliC. Três novos genes da flagelina foram identificados, para os quais anti-soros específicos foram obtidos. A técnica PCR-RFLP mostrou-se mais rápida que a sorotipagem do antígeno H em E. coli, fornecendo informações sobre algumas características desses antígenos e indicou a presença de novos genes fliC.

Identification of putative new Escherichia coli flagellar antigens from human origin using serology, PCR-RFlP and DNA sequencing methods

Escherichia coli has been isolated frequently, showing flagellar antigens that are not recognized by any of the 53 antisera, provided by the most important reference center of E. coli, The International Escherichia and Klebsiella Center (WHO) of the Statens Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark. The objective of this study was to characterize flagellar antigens of E. coli that express non-typeable H antigens. The methods used were serology, PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing. This characterization was performed by gene amplification of the fliC (flagellin protein) by polymerase chain reaction in all 53 standards E.coli strains for the H antigens and 20 E. coli strains for which the H antigen was untypeable. The amplicons were digested by restriction enzymes, and different restriction enzyme profiles were observed. Anti-sera were produced in rabbits, for the non-typeable strains, and agglutination tests were carried out. In conclusion,the results showed that although non-typeable and typable H antigens strains had similar flagellar antigens, the two types of strains were distinct in terms of nucleotide sequence, and did not phenotypically react with the standard antiserum, as expected. Thirteen strains had been characterized as likely putative new H antigen using PCR-RFLP techniques, DNA sequencing and/or serology.

Efeito da lavagem e cocção em batatas contaminadas por pesticidas organofosforados e carbamatos / Effect of the washing and cooking in potatos contaminated by organophosphate pesticides and carbamates

Os pesticidas organosfosfados e carbamatos são utilizados em cultura de frutas e hortaliças e são substâncias muito tóxicas para o ambiente e o organismos humano e ainda podem causar distúrbios neurológicos. O estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a eficácia da lavagem em água corrente e da cocção por fervura para remover resíduos de pesticidas na casca e na polpa de batatas. Foram escolhidas batatas cultivadas por processo tradicional e orgânico compradas em organizações comerciais na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Foram analisadas doze amostras: oito de supermercados, duas de hortifruti, uma de feira livre e uma de mercearia. Cada amostra representativa analisada pesou 2 kg. O método aplicado foi o método enzimático desenvolvido no Laboratório de Biologia CeluLar – ENZITOX;UERJ. Os resultados mostraram que a amostra de batatas originada da mercearia tinha a maior concentração em resíduo de carbamato e que o cozimento por fervura é um processo muito importante para reduzir a concentração dessas substâncias tóxicas.