Changes in root morphology and dry matter production in Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng. ) Pedersen accessions in response to excessive zinc / Alterações na morfologia radicular e produção de matéria seca em acessos de Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng. ) Pedersen em resposta ao excesso de zinco

ABSTRACT Zinc (Zn) participates of numerous metabolic processes in plants. However, it can become toxic to plants in excessive concentrations in the soil. Pfaffia glomerata is a Brazilian medicinal species that has stood out because of its numerous chemical and functional properties, mainly by the triterpene saponins and ecdysteroids accumulated in its roots. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of zinc excess on many root morphological parameters of Pfaffia glomerata. A 4 x 3 factorial design was employed in a completely randomized scheme with 3 replicates. The treatments consisted of four concentrations of Zn (2, 100, 200, and 300 µM) and three accessions of P. glomerata (BRA, GD, and JB) grown in a hydroponic system for 7 and 14 days. Differences in root morphology and dry mass production were observed among the three accessions in response to excessive Zn. Some growth parameters of GD accession increased with the addition of Zn, ranging from 36 to 79 µM. However, the GD and JB accessions presented reduction in dry mass production, root area, length, and volume with increasing Zn levels. The BRA accession, which had the lowest growth among accessions, presented chlorotic leaves. The shoot/root dry mass ratio and root diameter increased linearly for BRA and GD accessions at 7 days. Based on the evaluated parameters, we observed the following order of Zn excess tolerance in P. glomerata accessions: GD> JB> BRA.

RESUMO O zinco (Zn) participa de numerosos processos metabólicos nas plantas. No entanto, em concentrações excessivas no solo pode tornar-se tóxico para os vegetais. Pfaffia glomerata é uma espécie medicinal brasileira que tem se destacado devido as suas inúmeras propriedades químicas e funcionais, devido principalmente às saponinas triterpênicas e ecdisteróides acumuladas em suas raízes. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos do excesso de Zn sobre vários parâmetros morfológicos radiculares de Pfaffia glomerata. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com três repetições, dispostos em um arranjo fatorial (4 x 3). Os tratamentos consistiram em quatro níveis de Zn (2, 100, 200 e 300µM) e três acessos (BRA, GD e JB) de P. glomerata cultivados em sistema hidropônico em casa de vegetação por 7 e 14 dias. Diferenças na morfologia radicular e na produção de material seca foram observadas entre os três acessos em resposta ao excesso de Zn. Alguns parâmetros de crescimento do acesso GD aumentaram sob a adição de Zn variando entre 36 e 79 µM. No entanto, os acessos GD e JB apresentaram redução na matéria seca, bem como na área de superfície, comprimento e volume radicular com o aumento dos níveis de Zn. O acesso BRA, que teve o menor crescimento entre os acessos, apresentou folhas cloróticas. A razão entre matéria seca da parte aérea e raízes e o diâmetro radicular aumentou linearmente para os acessos BRA e GD aos 7 dias de cultivo. Baseando-se nos parâmetros avaliados foi observada a seguinte ordem de tolerância ao excesso de Zn: GD> JB> BRA.

Atividade fungitóxica in vitro dos óleos essenciais de Lippia sidoides Cham., Cymbopogon citratus(D. C. ) Stapf. e de seus constituintes majoritários no controle de Rhizoctonia solani e Sclerotium rolfsii / Fungitoxicity in vitro of essential oils from Lippia sidoides Cham., Cymbopogon citratus (D. C. ) Stapf. and their major constituents in the control of Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o potencial fungitóxicos dos óleos essenciais de Cymbopogon citratus, Lippia sidoides, e de seus constituintes majoritários, sobre o crescimento micelial dos fitopatógenos Rhizoctonia solani e Sclerotium rolfsii. A caracterização química do óleo de L. sidoides demonstrou a presença do carvacrol (33,27%) e o 1,8-cineol (24,41%) como seus componentes majoritários. Enquanto que o citral (77,6%) foi o constituinte majoritário do óleo essencial de C. citratus. A avaliação do potencial fungitóxico dos óleos essenciais e de seus constituintes majoritários foi realizada por meio de ensaios in vitro, avaliando a inibição do crescimento micelial dos microrganismos. Ambos os óleos essenciais inibiram totalmente o crescimento micelial de R. solani na concentração de 400 µg mL-1. O crescimento micelial de S. rolfsii foi inibido pelo óleo essencial de C. citratus na concentração de 300 µg mL-1 e pelo óleo essencial de L. sidoides na concentração de 400 µg mL-1. Em relação aos constituintes majoritários, o 1,8-cineol não apresentou efeito fungitóxico nas concentrações avaliadas. No entanto, o carvacrol e o citral foram mais efetivos que os óleos essenciais havendo ausência de crescimento micelial de R. solani e de S. rolfsii nas concentrações de 200 µg mL-1 e 225 µg mL-1, respectivamente.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the fungitoxic potentials of the essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus, Lippia sidoides, and of its major constituents, on the mycelial growth of phytopathogens Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii. The chemical characterization of L. sidoides oil showed the presence of carvacrol (33.27%) and of 1,8-cineole (24.41%) as its major components, whereas citral (77.6%) was the major constituent of C. citratus essential oil. The evaluation of the fungitoxic potential of the essential oils and of its major constituents was performed through in vitro assays, the microorganisms mycelial growth inhibition. Both essential oils totally inhibited the mycelial growth of R. solani at 400 µg mL-1. Regarding the major constituents, the 1,8-cineole did not show fungitoxic effect at the concentrations evaluated. However, the carvacrol and the citral were more effective than the essential oils and there was no mycelial growth of R. solani and of S. rolfsii at the concentrations of 200 µg mL-1 and 225 µg mL-1, respectively.

Níveis de inclusão do farelo de arroz parboilizado em rações para leitões na fase de creche / Inclusion levels of parboiled rice bran in piglet diets in the nursery phase

Foram conduzidos dois ensaios para avaliar a utilização do farelo do farelo integral de arroz parboilizado (FIAP) em rações para leitões na fase de creche. No primeiro, foram utilizados 14 suínos machos castrados para a avaliação nutricional do ingrediente em ensaio de digestibilidade. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente ao acaso, com dois tratamentos e sete repetições por tratamento. O FIAP apresenta 17,15% de PB, elevado teor em fibras (33,75% de FDN e 15,91% de FDA) e teor reduzido de energia metabolizável, próximo a 2320kcal/kg. No segundo experimento, foram utilizados 60 leitões machos castrados, com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho zootécnico, a ocorrência de diarreia e a viabilidade econômica do farelo de arroz parboilizado. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos (0, 4, 8, 12 e 16% de inclusão) e seis repetições. Não houve diferença significativa entre o tratamento controle e os tratamentos teste (P>0,05), assim como para a análise de regressão, em que os crescentes níveis de inclusão do ingrediente não resultaram em piora no desempenho (P>0,05). O FIAP pode ser incluído até o nível de 16% em rações para leitões na fase de creche...

Two assays were conducted to evaluate the parboiled rice bran in piglet's diets in the nursery phase. In the first, 14 male castrated piglets were allotted to determine the nutritional value of parboiled rice bran in a digestibility assay. A completely randomized design, with 2 treatments and 7 replicates per treatment were used. The parboiled rice bran presents 17.15% of CP and high fiber content (33.75% of NDF and 15.91% of ADF) and low metabolizable energy (2320kcal/kg). In the second assay, 60 male castrated piglets were used to evaluate the effect of inclusion on productive performance, diarrhea incidence and economic viability of parboiled rice bran. A randomized block design was used, with 5 treatments (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16%) and 6 replicates. There was no difference between treatments and control treatment as well as in regression analysis, and the increasing levels of parboiled rice bran did not reduce the performance of animals. In conclusion, parboiled rice bran can be included up to 16% in diets for piglets in the nursery phase...

Levantamento preliminar sobre plantas medicinais utilizadas no bairro Salobrinho no município de Ilhéus, Bahia / Preliminary survey on medicinal plants used in the district of Salobrinho in the city of Ilhéus, Bahia

Este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar o levantamento etnobotânico das principais espécies utilizadas para fins medicinais pela comunidade Salobrinho, no município de Ilhéus (BA). Foi realizada entrevista com aplicação de questionário semi-estruturado juntamente com a coleta de material vegetal para identificação das espécies citadas. Apesar do elevado número de citações de plantas nas residências dos entrevistados apenas 51 espécies são cultivadas, as quais estão distribuídas em 32 famílias e 42 gêneros, sendo a família Lamiaceae a mais representativa, seguida por Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae, Verbenaceae e Poaceae. A maioria destas espécies é de porte herbáceo ou arbustivo e são plantas introduzidas. A parte mais utilizada para o preparo de remédios foi a folha (86%), sendo o chá a forma de preparo mais comum (70%). Dentre 86 diferentes indicações de uso terapêutico, as mais citadas foram relacionadas à problemas gastrointestinais com 308 citações, seguida por 171 citações referente a afecções respiratórias. A espécie com maior índice de concordância de uso corrigido foi a Lippia alba, indicada para o tratamento de dor de barriga e como calmante. Conclui-se que a localização afastada do bairro em relação aos espaços construídos da cidade, a origem rural dos seus moradores, e sua condição sócio-econômica, possivelmente contribuíram para o acúmulo de conhecimento sobre o tratamento de diversas enfermidades utilizando preparados feitos à base de plantas medicinais.

This study aimed to conduct an ethnobotanical survey of the main speciesused for medicinal purposes by the Salobrinho community in Ilhéus (BA). Several interviews were conducted wit theh application of a semi-structured questionnaire and the collection of plant material for identification. Despite the high number of cited plants, only 51 cultivated species were found in the households of the respondents which are distributed into 32 families and 42 genera, with Lamiaceae as the most representative family, followed by Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae and Verbenaceae. Most of them were herbaceous or shrub introduced plants. The leaves were the most used portion of the plant to prepare medications (86%) and the tea was the main use (70%). There were 86 different indications and the most cited ones were related to gastrointestinal problems, with 308 citations, followed by 171 indications relating to respiratory diseases. The species with the highest corrected concordance use index was Lippia alba, indicated for the treatment of stomachache and as a tranquilizer. It was concluded that the remote location of the district in relation to the built areas of the city, the rural origins of its inhabitants, and their socioeconomic status possibly contributed to the accumulation of knowledge about the treatment of various diseases using medicinal plants.

Agonistic-like responses from the torus semicircularis dorsalis elicited by GABA A blockade in the weakly electric fish Gymnotus carapo

Findings by our group have shown that the dorsolateral telencephalon of Gymnotus carapo sends efferents to the mesencephalic torus semicircularis dorsalis (TSd) and that presumably this connection is involved in the changes in electric organ discharge (EOD) and in skeletomotor responses observed following microinjections of GABA A antagonist bicuculline into this telencephalic region. Other studies have implicated the TSd or its mammalian homologue, the inferior colliculus, in defensive responses. In the present study, we explore the possible involvement of the TSd and of the GABA-ergic system in the modulation of the electric and skeletomotor displays. For this purpose, different doses of bicuculline (0.98, 0.49, 0.245, and 0.015 mM) and muscimol (15.35 mM) were microinjected (0.1 æL) in the TSd of the awake G. carapo. Microinjection of bicuculline induced dose-dependent interruptions of EOD and increased skeletomotor activity resembling defense displays. The effects of the two highest doses showed maximum values at 5 min (4.3 ± 2.7 and 3.8 ± 2.0 Hz, P < 0.05) and persisted until 10 min (11 ± 5.7 and 8.7 ± 5.2 Hz, P < 0.05). Microinjections of muscimol were ineffective. During the interruptions of EOD, the novelty response (increased frequency in response to sensory novelties) induced by an electric stimulus delivered by a pair of electrodes placed in the water of the experimental cuvette was reduced or abolished. These data suggest that the GABA-ergic mechanisms of the TSd inhibit the neural substrate of the defense reaction at this midbrain level.

The use of frozen inoculum and 0,2 por cento formaldehyde for inactivation of Pertussis vaccine production

The use of frozen seeds and the effect of the concentration of formaldehyde, and the removal of 2/3 of the supernatant were investigated in order to facilitate the production of pertussis cellular vaccine. Results indicated that is possible to replace fresh seeds by frozen ones, and the formaldehyde concentration can be increased to 0,2 por cento after the remotion of 2/3 of supernatant, resulting in a good vaccine preparation in a shorter time

Inter-relation of sylvatic and domestic transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in areas with and without domestic vectorial transmission in Minas Gerais, Brazil

During the period 1980-1986, we captured triatomine bugs and mammalian reservoir hosts from sylvatic and domestic situations in different municipalities of the State of Minas Gerais. Trypanosoma cruzi was isolated from captured bugs, mammals and patients. After cultivation in LIT medium, the electrophoretic enzyme profiles were determined. We obtained atotal of 32 parasite isolates from regions with active domestic transmission, and 24 isolates form areas under control. For the first areas the results suggest introduction of T. cruzi from sylvatic habitats, through incursion of infected opossums and/or sylvatic T. sordida, which appears to have given rise to at least one acute human infection. Of particular interest is the finding of sylvatic opossums and a T. sordida nymph infected with ZB, that could indicate return of parasites from chronic human infections to sylvatic transmission cycles. For the areas under control we also interpret the results as interaction between sylvatic and domestic cycles of transmission, here through the invasion of houses by bugs carrying the Z1 zymodeme from the sylvatic environment. The Multivariate Correspondence Analysis gives a spatial description between the different parasite isolates and confirms the existence of a bridge in the opposite direction in the region with active vectorial transmission including the exporting of Z2 through the peridomestic environment into the sylvatic cycle. For the others areas this bridge corresponds especially to Panstrongylus megistus, importing Z1 into the domestic environment.

Origin of the telencephalic spindles of the toad Bufo paracnemis

Spindles (8-11 Hz and up to 100 uV in amplitude) recorded on the surface of the surface of the telencephalic hemispheres and olfaactory bulbs of the conscious toad disappear after transection between these two structures, indicating that their presence depends onm the integrity of their interconnections. Spindles continue to be present, although in reduced numbers, after transection between the hemispheres and the diencephalon, indicating that caudal regions are not essential for generating spindles but modulate the neurons responsible for spindle genesis. In contrast, the olfactoryy nerves, in addition to their known phasis activity on the spindles, exert a tonic action since after their section there is a change in the duration and amplitude of component waves