The aromatic scents of four plants in learning and memory of Drosophila melanogaster

Introduction@#Folkloric claims have surrounded essential oils, including their enhancement of learning and memory through inhalational exposure. Few studies in humans have shown a benefit in cognition, albeit incremental. However, this benefit may not be entirely attributable to the essential oil aroma but may be confounded by psychological associations. We investigated rosemary, peppermint, lemon, and coffee aromas in a learning and memory model of Drosophila melanogaster to eliminate this confounder.@*Methods@#We screened for concentrations of the four treatments that are non-stimulatory for altered locomotory behavior in the flies. At these concentrations, we determined if they were chemoneutral (i.e., neither chemoattractant nor chemorepellent) to the flies. Learning and memory of the flies exposed to these aromas were determined using an Aversive Phototaxis Suppression (APS) assay.@*Results@#The aromas of rosemary, peppermint, and lemon that did not elicit altered mobility in the flies were from dilute essential oil solutions that ranged from 0.2 to 0.5% v/v; whereas for the aroma in coffee, it was at a higher concentration of 7.5% m/v. At these concentrations, the aromas used were found to be chemoneutral towards the flies. We observed no improvement in both learning and memory in the four aromas tested. While a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in learning was observed when flies were treated with the aromas of rosemary, peppermint, and coffee, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in memory was only observed in the peppermint aroma treatment.@*Conclusion@#This study demonstrated that in the absence of psychological association, the four aromas do not enhance learning and memory

SNP double peak methods through chloroplast genome profiling for identifying Gentiana crassicaulis and two closely related species / 药学学报

italic>Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk. is one of the plant sources of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (QinJiao). Gentiana tibetica King ex Hook. f. and Gentiana robusta King ex Hook. f. are relative species of G. crassicaulis. Due to the large intraspecific morphological variation, G. crassicaulis showed high morphological similarity with G. tibetica and G. robusta. And the distribution area of the three species overlaps to some extent, which makes it difficult to identify them. On the basis of morphological identification, the method of molecular identification of the three species was constructed in this study based on chloroplast genomes. The chloroplast genome of Gentiana tibetica is 148 765bp long, with LSC, SSC and IR 81 163 bp, 17 070 bp and 25 266 bp, respectively. The structure of the three is consistent. The chloroplast genome sequences of G. tibetica and G. crassicaulis are highly similar, and the number of variable sites is 9 (149 267 bp in total). Diagnostic SNP that could effectively identify the three species was screened and verified, and a dual-peak SNP detection method was established for the effective identification of each species and mixed samples. Our study provides basic data for the molecular identification of G. crassicaulis and its related species, and the arrangement of related Tibetan medicine.

Isolation, identification, and pathogenicity research of brown rot pathogens from Gastrodia elata / 中国中药杂志

Brown rot is a common disease in the cultivation and production of Gastrodia elata, but its pathogens have not been fully revealed. In this study, the pathogenic fungi were isolated and purified from tubers of 77 G. elata samples with brown rot. Pathogens were identified by the pathogenicity test and morphological and molecular identification. The pathogenicity of each pathogen and its inhibitory effects on Armillaria gallica were compared. The results showed that 119 strains of fungi were isolated from tubers of G. elata infected with brown rot. Among them, the frequency of separation of Ilyonectria fungi was as high as 42.01%. The pathogenicity test showed that the pathogenicity characteristics of six strains of fungi were consistent with the natural symptoms of brown rot in G. elata. The morphological and molecular identification results showed that the six strains belonged to I. cyclaminicola and I. robusta in the Nectriaceae family of Sordariomycetes class, respectively. Both types of fungi could produce pigments, conidia, and chlamycospore, and the growth rate of I. cyclaminicola was significantly higher than that of I. robusta. The comparison of pathogenicity showed that the spots formed by I. cyclaminicola inoculation were significantly larger than those of I. robusta inoculation, suggesting I. cyclaminicola was superior to I. robusta in pathogenicity. The results of confrontation culture showed that I. cyclaminicola and I. robusta could signi-ficantly inhibit the germination and cordage growth of A. gallica. A. gallica also inhibited the growth of pathogens, and I. cyclaminicola was less inhibited as compared with I. robusta. The results of this study revealed for the first time that I. cyclaminicola and I. robusta were the pathogens responsible for G. elata brown rot.

Coffea canephora breeding: estimated and achieved gains from selection in the Western Amazon, Brazil / Melhoramento do Coffea canephora: ganhos de seleção estimados e realizados na Amazônia Ocidental

ABSTRACT: Gain from selection is an important criterion in quantifying the efficiency of breeding programs. This study quantified the selection gain estimated under experimental conditions and realized gain achieved in the field, seeking to interpret the efficiency of the Coffea canephora selection. For that purpose, we considered experiments that began in 2004 with directed hybridizations to obtain new hybrid progenies. From a breeding population composed of 288 hybrid individuals, 12 genotypes were selected in experimental conditions from 2005 to 2012, with amplitude in the estimated gains from 127.70 to−19.19%. Those genotypes were evaluated from 2012 to 2018 in clonal tests in four environments of the Western Amazon. The environment that exhibited the greatest correlation between the predicted genetic values and the realized genetic gain observed in the field was the environment of Ouro Preto do Oeste, RO (0.67), the location in which the plants were selected, followed by the environments of Alta FlorestaD´Oeste, RO (0.44), Rio Branco, AC (0.43), and Porto Velho, RO (0.37).Experimental conditions showed that the effect due to dominance deviations was approximately three times greater than the additive effect. Nine clones exhibited higher genetic gains in the experimental conditions and at field, and two clones exhibited lower estimated gains and lower field performance.The clone G17-P7 exhibited high genetic gain under experimental conditions and low field performance. The selection in experimental conditions was positively correlated with plant performance in the field (r=0.55), which allows reduction of the original breeding population to a set of more promising clones to be grown in multiple environments, optimizing time and resources.

RESUMO: O ganho com a seleção é um dos critérios mais importantes para avaliar a eficiência de programas de melhoramento de plantas. O objetivo desse trabalho é quantificar a associação entre o ganho de seleção estimado em condições experimentais e o ganho de seleção realizado em campo, buscando quantificar a eficiência do melhoramento do Coffea canephora. Para isso, foram considerados experimentos iniciados com a hibridação direcionada para obtenção de progênies no ano de 2004, a avaliação de testes de progênies em condições experimentais no período de 2005 a 2012, e avaliações em diferentes ambientes da Amazônia Ocidental no período de 2012 a 2018. De uma população composta por 288 indivíduos estruturados em nove progênies de irmãos completos foram selecionados 12 genótipos com amplitude de 127,70 a -19,19% em suas estimativas de ganho com a seleção, para serem avaliados em quatro ambientes da Amazônia Ocidental. O ambiente que apresentou maior correlação entre os valores genéticos preditos e o ganho realizado foi Ouro Preto do Oeste - RO (0,67), local em que as plantas foram selecionadas, seguido pelos ambientes de Alta Floresta D´Oeste - RO (0,44), Rio Branco - AC (0,43) e Porto Velho - RO (0,37). Avaliações em condições experimentais mostraram que os efeitos devido aos desvios de dominância foram aproximadamente três vezes maiores do que os efeitos aditivos. Nove clones apresentaram maiores estimativas de ganho em condições experimentais e nos ensaios de campo, e dois clones apresentaram menores estimativas em ambas condições. O clone G17-P7 apresentou altas estimativas de ganho em condições experimentais e baixo desempenho em campo. A seleção em único ambiente esteve positivamente correlacionada com o desempenho dos cafeeiros em campo (r=0,55), permitindo reduzir a população de melhoramento original em um conjunto de clones de maior potencial agronômico.

Analysis of transcriptomes to explore genes contributing to iridoid biosynthesis in Gentiana waltonii and Gentiana robusta (Gentianaceae) / 药学学报

The roots and flowers of Gentiana waltonii and Gentiana robusta are used as Tibetan herb Jie-Ji in traditional Tibetan medicine, with iridoids as the main active ingredient and index components. To study the pathway of iridoid biosynthesis, roots, stems, leaves and flowers of G. waltonii and G. robusta were subjected to a high-throughput transcriptomic sequencing analysis by Illumina HiseqXTen. After removing insignificant reads and de novo splicing, 79 455 and 78 466 unigenes were obtained from G. waltonii and G. robusta respectively, with average length as 834 bp and 862 bp. The unigene GO functions could be divided into three categories of 65 branches. The unigenes were aligned in KOG database and were classified into 25 classes according to function. In KEGG database, 315 and 340 unigenes of G. waltonii and G. robusta were implicated in 20 standard secondary metabolic pathways, respectively. Furthermore, 80 and 57 unigenes of the two species were analyzed to encode 24 key enzymes in the pathway related to iridoid biosynthesis. There were differences in gene expression among different organs. Based on sequence data, significant amounts of SSRs, SNPs and InDels were detected in each dataset. This study provides a platform for further development of molecular markers, excavation of functional genes, and research into metabolic pathways and their regulatory mechanism within G. waltonii and G. robusta.

Bioactive A-ring rearranged limonoids from the root barks of

Screening active natural products, rapid identification, and accurate isolation are of great important for modern natural lead compounds discovery. We hereby reported the isolation of seven new neotecleanin-type limonoids (-), seven new limonoids with 5-oxatricyclo[5.4.0.11., 4.]hendecane ring system (-), and two new precursors (-) together with four known limonoids (-) from the root barks of . Their structures, including their absolute configurations, were elucidated based on analyses of HR-ESI-MS, 1D/2D NMR, ECD spectrum calculations and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Compounds , , , , , , showed significant anti-inflammatory activities in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell line, BV2 microglial cells, and -stimulated THP-1 human monocytic cells. Walrobsin M () exhibited anti-inflammatory activity with IC value of 7.96±0.36 μmol/L, and down-regulated phosphorylation levels of ERK and p38 in a dose-dependent manner.

Evaluación de la capacidad antioxidante, características fisicoquímicas y perfil sensorial de Opuntia robusta y O. ficus-indica / Evaluation of antioxidant capacity, physicochemical characteristics and sensory profile of Opuntia robusta and O. ficus-indica

Las Opuntia spp. son un recurso fitogenético Mexicano de gran valor nutritivo y alto contenido de betalaínas, compuestos conocidos por sus propiedades antioxidantes. Este estudio evaluó las características fisicoquímicas, el contenido de betalaínas y su capacidad antioxidante (CA), así como el perfil sensorial de frutos de O. robusta y O. ficusindica. Esta última presentó mayor acidez y contenido de sólidos solubles (F= 769,2; P= 0,0001), (F= 360,4; P ≤0,0001), que O. robusta. En humedad y contenido de cenizas no hubo diferencias significativas entre ambas especies. La concentración de betalaínas fue superior en Opuntia robusta (F=529,1; P= ≤0,0001) betacianinas (0,114 mg/mL pulpa) y betaxantinas (0,073 mg/ mL de pulpa), en O. ficus-indica (0,023 mg/ mL de pulpa y 0,0198 mg/ mL de pulpa). Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la CA (F=545,9; P ≤0,0001), en O. ficus-indica hasta 195,38 µmol equivalente Trolox/ mL por el método Ácido2, 2´-azino-bis-(3-etilbenzotiazolina)6-sulfónico (ABTS) y 22% de inhibición de radicales libres por el método 2,2 difenil-1-pricrilhidrazilo (DPPH), para O. robusta 165,6 µmol equivalente Trolox/ mL y más del 36% de inhibición de radicales libres. Los resultados mostraron que la CA está directamente relacionada con la concentración de betacianinas y betaxantinas. Ambas variedades de Opuntia exhiben una tendencia a lo dulce y ácido, con aromas, sabores y resabios con notas frutales y vegetales. Estos resultados sugieren que estas especies pueden ser empleadas para la extracción de betalaínas debido a su gran potencial para utilizarse en la industria como fuente de pigmentos naturales con propiedades antioxidantes y agradables características sensoriales(AU)

Opuntia spp. are a Mexican phytogenetic resource with great nutritive value and high betalains (compounds known for their antioxidant properties) content. Our main goal was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics, betalains concentration and antioxidant capacity (AC), as well as sensory profiles of Opuntia robusta and O. ficus-indica, where the later one showed higher acidity and soluble solids content (F= 769.2; P= 0.0001 and F= 360.4; P ≤0.0001 respectively) than O. robusta. There was no significant difference between the species in terms of humidity and ash content. Betalains concentrations were higher in Opuntia robusta (F=529.1; P= ≤0.0001), while betacyanins (0.114 mg/ mL pulp) and betaxantins (0.073 mg/ mL de pulp) were higher in O. ficus-indica (0.023 mg/ mL pulp and 0.0198 mg/ mL de pulp). Significant differences for AC were found (F=545.9, P ≤0.0001), with O. ficus-indica showing up to 195.38 µmol Trolox equivalent / mL by the method 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 22% of free radicals inhibition by the method 2, 2 diphenyl-1-pricrylhydrazyl (DPPH), while 165.6 µmol Trolox equivalent / mL and more than 36% free radicals inhibition were found for O. robusta. Results showed that the antioxidant capacity is directly related with betacyanins and betaxantines concentration. Both Opuntia varieties exhibit a tendency to sweetness and acidity, with aromas, flavors and scents within fruity and vegetable notes. These results suggest that both species could be used in the extraction of betalains due to their great industrial potential as a source of natural pigments with antioxidant properties and pleasant sensorial characteristics(AU)

Variação sazonal e temporal da qualidade das águas em um ponto do Córrego Gameleiras usando técnicas quimiométricas robustas / Seasonal and temporal variation in water quality from one point at Gameleiras' stream using robust chemometric techniques

RESUMO O córrego Gameleiras é afluente do reservatório de Volta Grande e tem sido afetado pela eutrofização e "bloom" de algas, devido ao aumento das taxas de fósforo e outros contaminadores, recebidos via seus tributários. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a variação sazonal e temporal da qualidade das águas em um ponto de coleta do córrego, próximo ao reservatório, no período de 1998 a 2014. Foram utilizadas técnicas estatísticas robustas, como análise de agrupamento e séries temporais.

ABSTRACT Gameleiras' stream is a tributary of the Volta Grande reservoir and has been affected by eutrophication and "bloom" of algae due to increased phosphorus rates and other contaminants received via its tributaries. This research aimed at evaluating the seasonal and temporal variation of water quality at a spot at the stream, near the reservoir, from 1998 to 2014. Robust statistical techniques, such as cluster analysis and time series, were employed.

Design of a robotic device actuated by cables for human lower limb rehabilitation using self-adaptive differential evolution and robust optimization / Dispositivo robótico atuado por cabos para reabilitação do membro inferior humano utilizando evolução diferencial auto-adaptável e otimização robusta

In engineering designed systems it is commonly considered that mathematical models, variables, and parameters are sufficiently reliable, i.e., there are no errors in modeling and estimation. However, the systems to be optimized can be sensitive to small changes in the designed variables causing significant changes in the objective function. Robust optimization is an approach for modeling optimization problems under uncertainty in which the modeler aims to find decisions that are optimal for the worst-case realization of the uncertainties within a given set of values. In this contribution, a self-adaptive heuristic optimization method, namely the Self-Adaptive Differential Evolution (SADE), is evaluated. Differently from the canonical Differential Evolution algorithm (DE), the SADE strategy is able to update the required parameters such as population size, crossover parameter, and perturbation rate, dynamically. This is done by considering a defined convergence rate on the evolution process of the algorithm in order to reduce the number of evaluations of the objective function. For illustration purposes, the SADE strategy is associated with the Mean Effective Concept (MEC) for insertion robustness, is applied to minimize forces applied in cables used for the rehabilitation of the human lower limbs by determining the positioning of motors. The results show that the methodology that was proposed (SADE+MEC) appears as an interesting strategy for the treatment of robust optimization problems.

No projeto de sistemas de engenharia é comum considerar que os modelos, as variáveis e os parâmetros são confiáveis, isto é, não apresentam erros de modelagem e de estimação. Entretanto, os sistemas a serem otimizados podem ser sensíveis a pequenas alterações nas variáveis de projeto causando significativas modificações no vetor de objetivos. Otimização robusta é uma abordagem para modelagem de problemas de otimização sob incerteza em que o modelador tem como objetivo encontrar decisões que são ideais para o pior caso de realização das incertezas dentro de um determinado conjunto de valores. Neste trabalho, um método de otimização heurística auto-adaptável, nomeada Self-Adaptive Differential Evolution (SADE), é avaliada. Diferentemente do algoritmo de Evolução Diferencial, a estratégia SADE é capaz de atualizar os parâmetros necessários, tais como o tamanho da população, o parâmetro de passagem e taxa de perturbação, de forma dinâmica. Isto é feito considerando uma taxa de convergência definido no processo de evolução do algoritmo, a fim de reduzir o número de avaliações da função objetivo. Para fins de ilustração, a estratégia SADE associado ao conceito de média efetiva, para inserção da robustez, é aplicada para minimizar as forças aplicadas nos cabos da estrutura robótica utilizada para a reabilitação dos membros inferiores humanos, determinando o posicionamento dos atuadores. Os resultados mostram que o método proposto neste trabalho configura-se como uma estratégia interessante para o tratamento de problemas de otimização robustos.

Identification of two Bithynia species from Heng County,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,China by using morphological and DNA barcoding methods / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To distinguish two Bithynia species,Bithynia fuchsiana and Bithynia robusta collected from Heng County,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,by using morphological and DNA barcoding methods. Methods The adult B. fuchsiana and B. robusta were collected from the biotope such as rivers,ditches and ponds in Heng County of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,China. The two species specimens were identified by measuring shell morphological parameters,compar?ing the characters of the male reproductive system,and using the COI gene barcoding technique and building phylogenetic tree. Results B. fuchsiana and B. robusta were similar morphologically in the shell appearance;they had the similar snail height, snail width,shape and male reproductive structure. The DNA sequence analysis showed that the COI gene of the two Bithynia species had low sequence divergence with 11 variation sites among 22 sequences. The length of the COI gene segment was 517 bp and no insertion sites and deletion loci after sequence edited. All individuals of the two species gathered to one clade in the phylogenetic tree based on COI gene. Conclusion According to the evidence of morphology and COI gene coding sequence,B. fuchsiana and B. robusta from Heng County,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,are likely to be the same species.

Presencia de Munidopsis robusta en el Caribe colombiano (A. Milne Edwards, 1880) (Crustacea: Anomura: Munidopsidae / Presence of Munidopsis robusta in the Colombian Caribbean (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880) (Crustacea: Anomura: Munidopsidae) / Presença de Munidopsis robusta no Caribe Colombiano (A. Milne Edwards, 1880) (Crustacea: Anomura: Munidopsidae)

Se presenta el primer registro para Colombia de Munidopsis robusta. Los ejemplares fueron recolectados frente a los departamentos de La Guajira y Bolívar a 500 m de profundidad mediante arrastre con una red tipo semi-balón. En cubierta fueron enjuagados con agua de mar y preservados en etanol al 95 %. Las características de la columna de agua fueron evaluadas con una sonda multiparámetros CTDO. Los sedimentos fueron recolectados por medio de un nucleador de caja y se realizó el análisis granulométrico de los mismos. Se incluye la diagnosis de la especie y comentarios sobre distribución y ámbito batimétrico y geográfico. Con este nuevo registro se aumenta a 23 el número de especies de Munidopsis para Colombia. Además, se amplía la distribución de esta especie en el Caribe.

The first record of M. robusta in Colombia is presented. The specimens were collected by demersal trawling at 500 m depth in front of the departments of La Guajira and Bolívar using a semi-ballon net. Collected specimens were washed onboard with seawater and preserved in 95 % ethanol. The characteristics of the water column were measured with a multi-parameter CTDO instrument. Sediments were collected using a Box-corer and a granulometric analysis was performed. A species diagnosis is presented together with comments regarding its distribution and bathymetric and geographic ranges. With this new record, the number of Colombian species of Munidopsis increases to 23. Moreover, the distribution of this species for the Caribbean is extended.

É apresentado o primeiro registro de Munidopsis robusta na Colômbia. Os espécimes foram coletados em frente dos departamentos de La Guajira e Bolívar por arrasto a 500 m de profundidade com uma rede semi-balão. Foram lavados com água do mar a bordo e preservados em álcool a 95 %. As características da coluna de água foram medidas com um instrumento multi-parâmetro CTDO. Os sedimentos foram coletados por meio de um Box-corer e foi realizada uma análise granulométrica. Um diagnóstico da espécie é apresentado juntamente com comentários sobre sua distribuição, batimétrica e áreas geográficas. Com este novo registro, o número de espécies colombianas de Munidopsis aumenta para 23. Além disso, a distribuição desta espécie para o Caribe é aumentada.

Experimental evaluation of analgesic property of bark skin of Saraca indica (Ashoka) and Shorea robusta (Shal).

The aqueous and alcoholic extracts of bark skin of Saraca indica (Ashoka) and Shorea robusta (Shal) were evaluated for their analgesic activity in Swiss albino rats by making use of different pain models such as, tail immersion test, tail clip method and writhing induced by 4% NaCl solution. The aqueous and alcoholic extract of Saraca indica and Shorea robusta showed significant analgesic activity at 300 mg/ Kg body weight in Swiss albino rats as compared with control rats from physical, thermal and chemical stimulus of evaluation techniques. The analgesic activity might have been attributed to the presence of alkaloids, steroids in these plants as revealed from phytochemical analysis. On the basis of these observations it was concluded that Ashoka and Shal has got analgesic property, however further experimental as well as clinical evaluations are necessary.

Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the ethanolic extract of Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. resin.

Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. (Sal) is one of the most important traditional Indian medicinal plants. The resin of the plant has been used in the treatment of inflammation in folklore medicine. In the present study, ethanolic extract (70%) of S. robusta resin (SRE) was investigated for its anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities. Acute inflammation was produced by carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and sub-acute by cotton pellet-induced granuloma in male Wistar rats. The antipyretic activity of SRE was studied using Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. The rats were divided into five groups with five animals in each group. Group I was treated with vehicle i.e. 1% v/v Tween-80 and served as control. Groups II to IV were treated with three different doses of SRE (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg orally). Group V was treated with standard drug etoricoxib (10 mg/kg orally). The anti-inflammatory activity of SRE was assessed by per cent reduction in edema volume of carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and by per cent decrease in granuloma formation in cotton pellet-induced granuloma test. SRE (100 and 300 mg/kg) produced a significant reduction in edema volume and decrease in granulation tissue formation in rats. Significant reduction in pyrexia was observed at all the dose levels of SRE i.e. 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg. The results of the present study demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of S. robusta resin and supported its traditional therapeutic use in painful inflammatory conditions and fever.

Wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. resin.

The ethanolic extract of S. robusta resin (10 and 30 % w/w applied locally in excised and incised wounds) produced a dose-dependent acceleration in wound contraction and increased hydroxyproline content and tensile strength of wounds in rats. The results demonstrate wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of S. robusta resin.

Obtención de suspensiones celulares y embriones somáticos de cafeto (Coffea canephora P) con el empleo de metabolitos bacterianos / Obtaining of cell suspensions and somatic embryos of coffee (Coffea canephora P) using of bacterial metabolites

La embriogénesis somática es importante como sistema modelo para estudiar el desarrollo de eventos fisiológicos, citológicos y moleculares que sustentan la embriogénesis en plantas, por ser un sistema adecuado para la propagación masiva de especies vegetales y servir de herramienta para el mejoramiento genético, la conservación de germoplasma y la validación de nuevos productos biológicos, y facilitar la producción a gran escala a través del cultivo en medio líquido y su aplicación en biorreactores, proporcionando alta frecuencia de multiplicación, rápido crecimiento del embrión, facilidad de absorción de nutrientes y reducción de la labor de subcultivo. En este trabajo se empleó la embriogénesis somática como vía de multiplicación para evaluar el efecto de metabolitos bacterianos en la inducción de suspensiones celulares y embriones somáticos en tres genotipos de cafeto pertenecientes a Coffea canephora P. variedad Robusta. Para ello se estudiaron densidades de inóculo entre 0,2, 0,5, 1,0 y 3,0 gMF/L-1, y se evaluó el efecto de diferentes medios de cultivo en el desarrollo del proceso. Los resultados mostraron un comportamiento diferenciado en el genotipo M-28, en medios de cultivo suplementados con reguladores de crecimiento convencionales y en los alternativos. Se evidenció una fuerte relación entre la viabilidad celular y el número de células, ante las diferentes condiciones de cultivo y según la densidad de inóculo, se observó un amplio rango de tamaño y forma en las poblaciones de embriones somáticos. Los porcentajes de conversión de ES con el medio MDE-2 evidenciaron mejoras de este indicador para el cultivo del cafeto.

The somatic embryogenesis is important as model system to study the development of physiologic and molecular events that sustain the embryogenesis in plants, is an appropriate system for the massive propagation of vegetable species and as tool for the genetic improvement, the germplasm conservation and the validation of new biological products and to facilitate the multiplication to great scale through the culture in liquid medium, as well as application in bioreactores, providing high multiplication frequency, quick growth of the embryo, easiness of absorption of nutritious and reduction of the subculturing. In this paper the somatic embryogenesis was used to evaluate the effect of bacterial compounds in the induction of cellular suspensions and somatic embryos in three coffee genotypes of Coffea canephora P. var. Robusta. Were studied inoculo densities among 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 and 3.0 gMF/L-1 and the effect of different culture medium in the development of the process. The results showed a behavior differed in the genotype M-28, in medium culture with conventional regulators of growth and the alternatives. Strong relationship was evidenced between the cellular viability and the number of cells, in the different cultivation conditions and according to the inoculo density, a wide range of size and forms as observed in the populations of somatic embryos. The conversion percentages with the medium MDE-2, evidenced improvements of this indicator for the coffee.

Evaluation of the proliferative activity of methanol extracts from six medicinal plants in murine spleen cells

A number of natural compounds have been used as immunomodulatory agents, enabling the function of the immune system to be modified by stimulating or suppressing it. There has been increasing interest in the study of therapeutic action of plant extracts regarding their immunomodulatory activity. The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the action of extracts of the medicinal plants Calophyllum brasiliense, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Matayba elaeagnoides, Maytenus robusta, Rubus imperialis and Vernonia scorpioides on the development of spleen cells from mice, using the in vitro cellular proliferation assay. The cells, obtained by mechanical rupture of mice spleen (5x10(4) cells/mL), were incubated with methanol extracts (10, 50, 100 and 200 µg/mL) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA, 5 µg/mL). The basal control for proliferation consisted of cells alone, while the positive control consisted of cells and PHA. The cell culture was kept at 37 ºC in 5 percent CO2 for 72 hours, and cell proliferation was revealed by the blue tetrazolium reduction assay (MTT). The results were expressed as percentage of growth and were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. The C. brasiliense, I. pes-caprae and M. elaeagnoides extracts showed dose-dependent induction of cell proliferation, with a significant increase in cell proliferation (p<0.03) and percentage growth of 88.2 percent, 73.1 percent and 52.7 percent, respectively, suggesting T lymphocyte stimulation. By contrast, M. robusta, R. imperialis and V. scorpioides extracts showed significance only with a negative percentage of growth, suggesting inhibition of cell proliferation (p<0.04). Further biomonitoring studies will enable the fractions and isolated substances responsible for the immunomodulatory activities to be identified.

Várias substâncias de origem natural têm sido utilizadas como agentes imunomoduladores, permitindo modificar a função do sistema imune e propiciando o estudo de atividades terapêuticas de extratos de plantas. Este trabalho objetivou identificar a atividade imunomodulatória dos extratos de seis plantas medicinais da flora brasileira, Calophyllum brasiliense, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Matayba elaeagnoides, Maytenus robusta, Rubus imperialis e Vernonia scorpioides, sobre a proliferação de células esplênicas de camundongos. As células esplênicas murinas obtidas por ruptura mecânica do baço (5x14³ células/mL) foram incubadas com os extratos metanólicos das plantas (10, 50, 100, 200 µg/mL) e fito-hemaglutinina (PHA, 5 µg/mL). O controle basal de proliferação foi constituído de células apenas e o controle positivo formado por células e PHA. O cultivo celular foi mantido a 37 ºC, 5 por cento de CO2, 72 horas, com quantificação da proliferação celular pelo ensaio de redução do azul de tetrazólio. Os resultados expressos em percentagem de crescimento foram analisados pelos testes de Kruskal-Wallis e Mann-Whitney. Os extratos de C. brasiliense, I. pes-caprae e M. elaeagnoides mostraram indução dose-dependente da proliferação celular (p<0,03), com percentagem de crescimento de, respectivamente, 88,2 por cento, 73,1 por cento e 52,7 por cento, sugerindo estímulo de linfócitos T. Contrariamente, os extratos de M. robusta, R. imperialis e V. scorpioides apresentaram significância apenas com percentagem de crescimento negativa, indicando inibição da proliferação celular (p<0,04). A continuidade no estudo biomonitorado permitirá a identificação das frações e substâncias isoladas responsáveis pelas atividades imunomoduladoras.

Análisis intra: sesión de la extinción del condicionamiento pavloviano de miedo usando regresión robusta / . Within-session analysis of the extinction of pavlovian fear-conditioning using robust regression

El análisis de datos de extinción en experimentos de miedo condicionado ha involucrado, tradicionalmente, el uso de modelos lineales estándar, primordialmente ANOVA de diferencias entre grupos de sujetos sometidos a diferentes protocolos de extinción, manipulaciones farmacológicas o algún otro tratamiento. Aún cuando algunos estudios reportan diferencias individuales en indicadores como tasas de supresión o porcentajes de congelamiento, esas diferencias no son incluidas en el análisis estadístico. Los patrones de respuesta intra-sujeto son entonces promediados usando ventanas temporales de baja resolución, las cuales pueden ignorar esta dinámica del desempeño individual. Este trabajo ilustra un procedimiento analítico alternativo que consta de 2 pasos: estimación de la tendencia para los datos intra-sesión y el análisis de las diferencias entre-grupo usando la tendencia como variable de respuesta. Este procedimiento se pone a prueba usando datos reales de extinción de miedo condicionado, comparando estimaciones de tendencia robusta vía Mínimos Cuadrados Medianos con Mínimos Cuadrados Ordinarios, y comparando las diferencias de grupo usando la pendiente robusta versus la mediana del porcentaje de congelamiento como variable dependiente.

Traditionally , the analysis of extinction data in fear conditioning experimentshas involved the use of standard linear models, mostly ANOVA of between-group differences of subjects that have undergone different extinction protocols, pharmacological manipulations or some other treatment. Although some studies reportindividual differences in quantities such as suppression rates or freezing percentages, these differences are not included in the statistical modeling. Withinsubject response patterns are then averaged using coarse-grain time windows which can overlook these individual performance dynamics. Here we illustrate an alternative analytical procedure consisting of 2 steps: the estimation of a trend for within-session data and analysis of group differences in trend as main outcome. This procedure is tested on real fear-conditioning extinction data, comparing trend estimates via Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and robust Least Median of Squares (LMS) regression estimates, as well as comparing between-group differences and analyzing mean freezing percentage versus LMS slopes as outcomes.