Morphogenesis of stockpiled Marandu, Piatã, Xaraés and Paiaguás brachiaria grass cultivars / [Morfogênese de cultivares de capins marandu piatã, xaraés e paiaguás diferidos]

The objective this study was to identify differences in the morphogenic patterns of four Urochloa brizantha cultivars (marandu, piatã, xaraés and paiaguás grasses) during the stockpiling period. A completely randomized design was used, with three replications, in experimental plots of 9m². The evaluations took place over 2 years. The grasses were stockpiled for 92 (Year 1) and 95 (Year 2) days. The leaf appearance rate of paiaguás grass was higher, compared to other grasses. In Year 1, the stem elongation rate of xaraés grass was higher than other grasses. At the end of stockpiling period of Year 1, the tiller population density (TPD) was higher in the paiaguás grass, intermediate in the xaraés and marandu grasses and lower in the piatã grass. At the end of the stockpiling period in Year 2, TPD was higher in the paiaguás grass canopy, intermediate in the marandu and piatã grasses canopies, and lower in the xaraés grass canopy. Paiaguás grass has greater leaf growth during the stockpiling period and is therefore suitable for use under stockpiled grazing. Xaraés grass has high stem elongation during the stockpiling period, which is why its use under stockpiled grazing must be accompanied by adjustments in pasture management.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar diferenças nos padrões morfogênicos de quatro cultivares de Urochloa brizantha (marandu, piatã, xaraés e paiaguás) durante o período de diferimento. Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com três repetições, em parcelas experimentais de 9m². As avaliações ocorreram por dois anos. Os capins foram diferidos por 92 (Ano 1) e 95 (Ano 2) dias. A taxa de aparecimento foliar do capim-paiaguás foi maior, em comparação aos demais capins. No Ano 1, a taxa de alongamento do colmo do capim-xaraés foi superior aos demais capins. No final do diferimento do Ano 1, a densidade populacional de perfilho (DPP) foi maior no capim-paiaguás, intermediária nos capins xaraés e marandu e inferior no capim-piatã. No fim do período de diferimento do Ano 2, a DPP foi superior no dossel de capim-paiaguás, intermediária nos dosséis dos capins marandu e piatã, e menor no dossel de capim-xaraés. O capim-paiaguás tem maior crescimento foliar durante o período de diferimento, sendo, portanto, apropriado para uso sob pastejo diferido. O capim-xaraés apresenta elevado alongamento de colmo durante o período de diferimento, razão pela qual seu uso sob pastejo diferido deve vir acompanhado de ajustes no manejo da pastagem.(AU)

Does the lowering strategy before the stockpiling period modify the marandu palisade grass production and structure? / [A estratégia de desfolhação prévia ao período de diferimento modifica a produção e a estrutura do capim-marandu?]

The objective was to identify lowering strategies for Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu in the beginning of the stockpiling period that increase forage production and improve the structure of stockpiled canopies. Three lowering strategies were evaluated: maintenance of marandu palisade grass with 15cm four months before the stockpiling period; maintenance of palisade grass with 30cm for four months, and lowering to 15cm before the stockpiling period; and maintaining of palisade grass at 45cm for four months, and lowering to 15cm before the stockpiling period. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications. At the end of stockpiling, the number of reproductive tillers and forage mass were higher in the canopy under 15/15cm than in the others; the percentage of live leaf was higher in the canopy under 45/15cm than under 15/15cm. Forage production during the stockpiling period was higher in the canopy under 15/15cm and lower in the under 45/15cm. Maintaining 15cm marandu palisadegrass for four months before the stockpiling period increases forage production during this period. The lowering of the marandu palisadegrass from 45 to 15cm at the beginning of the stockpiling period improves the structure of the stockpiled canopy.(AU)

Objetivou-se identificar estratégias de rebaixamento da Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu no início do diferimento, as quais resultem em aumento da produção e em melhoria da estrutura do dossel diferido. Foram avaliadas três estratégias de rebaixamento no início do diferimento: manutenção do capim-marandu com 15cm por quatro meses antes do início do diferimento; manutenção do capim-marandu com 30cm por quatro mese, e rebaixamento para 15cm no início do diferimento; e manutenção do capim com 45cm por quatro meses e rebaixamento para 15cm no início do diferimento. O delineamento foi inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro repetições. No fim do diferimento, o número de perfilho reprodutivo e a massa de forragem foram superiores no dossel sob 15/15cm do que nos demais; a percentagem de folha viva foi maior no dossel sob 45/15cm do que sob 15/15cm. A produção de forragem durante o diferimento foi superior no dossel sob 15/15cm e inferior no sob 45/15cm. A manutenção do capim-marandu com 15cm por quatro meses antes do período de diferimento aumenta a produção de forragem neste período. O rebaixamento do capim-marandu de 45 para 15cm no início do diferimento melhora a estrutura do dossel diferido.(AU)

Adrenal glands of Spix's yellow-toothed cavy (Galea spixii, Wagler, 1831): morphological and morphometric aspects / Glândulas adrenais de preás (Galea spixii, Wagler, 1831): aspectos morfológicos e morfométricos

Abstract Considering the physiological importance and need of greater morphophysiological knowledge of adrenal glands, the aims of present study were compare the morphometric data between left and right adrenal of male and female; perform a histological, scanning and transmission electron microscopy study showing tissue constitution of glands; finally, in order to define the presence and correct site of the cytochrome P450c17 expression in adrenal glands, immunohistochemical study of this enzyme was performed in 18 adrenal glands (right n=9 and left n=9) of nine adult Galea spixii (four males and five females). Right adrenal was more cranially positioned than left adrenal; dimensions (weight, length and width) of right adrenal was larger than left adrenal; no differences between male and female body and adrenal measurements were found; the morphology of cells and different amounts of lipid droplets may be related to the different demands of steroid hormones production, related to each zone of the adrenal cortex; and, the cytochrome P450c17 immunolocalization in fasciculate and reticular zone may be related with synthesis of 17-hydroxy-pregnenolone, 17-hydroxy-progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone or androstenedione.

Resumo Considerando a importância fisiológica e a necessidade de melhor conhecimento morfofisiológico das glândulas adrenais, os objetivos do presente estudo foram comparar dados morfométricos entre adrenais direitas e esquerdas de machos e fêmeas; realizar estudos histológicos e microscopia eletrônica de varredura e transmissão revelando a constituição tecidual das glândulas; finalmente, foi realizado estudo imunohistoquímico com objetivo de definir a presença e correto sítio de expressão da citocromo P450c17 nas glândulas adrenais em 18 glândulas adrenais (direita n=9 e esquerda n=9) de nove Galea spixii adultos (quatro machos e cinco fêmeas). A glândula adrenal direita estava posicionada mais cranialmente que a adrenal esquerda; as dimensões (peso, comprimento e largura) da glândula adrenal direita foram maiores que as da esquerda; não houve diferença entre as medidas corpóreas e das adrenais entre machos e fêmeas; a morfologia das células e diferentes quantidades de gotículas lipídicas podem estar relacionadas a diferentes demandas na produção de hormônios esteroides relacionados a cada zona do córtex adrenal; e, a imunolocalização da citocromo P450 na zona fasciculada e reticular pode estar relacionado com a síntese de 17-hidroxi-pregnenolona, 17-hidroxi-progesterona, dehidroepiandrosterona ou androstenediona.

O uso de plantas medicinais por moradores de Quixadá­Ceará / The use of medicinal plants to habitants from Quixada-Ceara

RESUMO O presente trabalho teve por objetivo observar o uso de plantas medicinais por moradores de Quixadá-Ceará. A amostragem adotada foi 5% da população urbana adulta na sede do município, o que resultou em 263 domicílios visitados, onde foi aplicado um questionário semi-estruturado. De acordo com os resultados ainda temos um número expressivo de pessoas que fazem uso de plantas medicinais na cidade de Quixadá-Ceará (57,41%), e que a maioria dos entrevistados (97%) considera que o uso indiscriminado de plantas medicinais não causa nenhum problema à saúde. A maioria dos entrevistados foram mulheres (63,57%) e o maior número de informações e conhecimentos sobre plantas medicinais concentrou-se na faixa de 51-60 anos (24,71%). Com relação ao nível de escolaridade, 34,22% dos entrevistados afirmou ter ensino médio completo. A família botânica mais representativa foi a Lamiaceae (21,05%) e a espécie mais citada foi a erva-cidreira. Dos entrevistados 93,37% consideraram utilizar o chá como medicamento e 6,63% alegaram fazer a utilização do mesmo como alimento. Quanto à frequência do uso de plantas medicinais de forma contínua, 27% alegaram fazer o uso diariamente.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to observe the use of medicinal plants by residents from Quixada-Ceara. The sample used was 5% of the adult urban population in the county seat, which resulted in 263 households visited, where we applied a semi-structured questionnaire. According to the results, there is still a significant number of people who uses medicinal plants in the city of Quixada-Ceara (57.41%), and the majority of participants (97%) consider that the indiscriminate employment of medicinal plants do not cause any health problem. Most respondents were female (63.57%) and the highest number of information and knowledge about medicinal plants were concentrated among 51-60 years old individuals (24.71%). In regard of the educational level, 34.22% of the participants claimed to have completed high school. The botanical family Lamiaceae was the most representative (21.05%) and the most cited specie was the lemongrass. 93.37% of the respondents pledged to use tea as medicine and 6.63% claimed to use it as food. Regarding the employment frequency of the medicinal plants, 27% claimed to take them daily.

Morphologic features frommdxmice spleens, used for duchenne muscular dystrophy studies

The mdx mice model is widely used for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) studies, which is present in a high percentage from newborns human males. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate possible morphological changes from spleens in these mice and to compare with normal mice (Mus musculus) in contribution to DMD understanding and its consequences on immune system by affected individuals. The study was performed by light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques beyond immunohistochemistry. Was found microscopically an increased number of lymph nodes and decreased in red pulp region by mdx, beyond a larger VEGF-C (vascular endothelial growth factor C) expression stimulates lymphangiogenesis in red pulp region from spleen. These findings suggest a spleen adaptation in order to supply immunological demand due upper respiratory infection, which are common in individuals affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Comparative study of the kidneys from dystrophic mice

The Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a recessive genetic disease linked to chromosome X. Thisdisease is characterized by an absence or dysfunction in the expression of dystrophin. Experimental modelsmdxare widely used for the development of research addressing the DMD. The objective of this research is tocontribute to a detailed study of possible renal morphological changes resulting from DMD. We used five pairsof kidneys frommdxmice and five from normal mice, which were subjected to measurement, light microscopy,and scanning electron microscopy. The morphological findings of kidneys frommdxmice are within thepatterns described in animal studies with severe dehydration, which exhibit signs of diffuse hemorrhage inthe cortical and medullary area, while the glomeruli in the cortical region showed a decrease in urinary space,located between the Bowman’s capsule and the inner cell mass of the glomeruli. However, future experimentswith animals in different ages can assist in the proving of the morphological changes found here.

Characterization of alpha thalassemic genotypes by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification in the Brazilian population

Alpha-thalassemia is the most common inherited disorder of hemoglobin synthesis. Genomic deletions involving the alpha-globin gene cluster on chromosome 16p13.3 are the most frequent molecular causes of the disease. Although common deletions can be detected by a single multiplex gap-PCR, the rare and novel deletions depend on more laborious techniques for their identification. The multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) technique has recently been used for this purpose and was successfully used in the present study to detect the molecular alterations responsible for the alpha-thalassemic phenotypes in 8 unrelated individuals (3 males and 5 females; age, 4 months to 30 years) in whom the molecular basis of the disease could not be determined by conventional methods. A total of 44 probe pairs were used for MLPA, covering approximately 800 kb from the telomere to the MSLN gene in the 16p13.3 region. Eight deletions were detected. Four of these varied in size from 240 to 720 kb and affected a large region including the entire alpha-globin gene cluster and its upstream regulatory element (alpha-MRE), while the other four varied in size from 0.4 to 100 kb and were limited to a region containing this element. This study is the first in Brazil to use the MLPA method to determine the molecular basis of alpha-thalassemia. The variety of rearrangements identified highlights the need to investigate all cases presenting microcytosis and hypochromia, but without iron deficiency or elevated hemoglobin A2 levels and suggests that these rearrangements may be more frequent in our population than previously estimated.

Ensaio de dissolução de cápsulas de fluconazol: problemas encontrados na determinação por espectrofotometria na região do UV / Fluconazole capsule dissolution test: problems encountered in UV spectrophotometry determination

Entre as classes terapêuticas analisadas no Programa Nacional de Verificação da Qualidade de Medicamentos (PROVEME), o antifúngico fluconazol constava na apresentação de cápsulas de diferentes procedências. Na realização dos ensaios de dissolução conforme as técnicas dos fabricantes, constatou-se que os valores obtidos por espectrofotometria-UV foram superiores aos obtidos nos ensaios de teor e uniformidade de conteúdo, cuja determinação foi por CLAE-UV. Considerando este fato, foi objetivo deste trabalho realizar o ensaio de dissolução destas amostras pelos respectivos métodos dos fabricantes e o quantitativo do ensaio por espectrofotometria no UV e por CLAE-UV, a fim de avaliar as possíveis interferências dos excipientes nestas determinações. Os valores obtidos por espectrofotometria foram superiores aos obtidos por CLAE, confirmando a interferência dos excipientes. Concluiu-se que a metodologia a ser empregada na análise de fármacos deve ser criteriosamente selecionada, a fim de evitar resultados não condizentes com a real formulação do produto.

Among the therapeutic classes analyzed in the Programa Nacional de Verificação da Qualidade de Medicamentos (PROVEME) consisted the antifungal fluconazole in the dosage form of capsules from different origins. In dissolution tests, according to manufacturers techniques, it was found that the values obtained by UV-spectrophotometry were higher than those obtained from tests of content and content uniformity, whose determination was by HPLC-UV. Considering this fact, the objective of this study was to perform the dissolution test of these samples by the respective manufacturers methods and the quantitative assay by UV-spectrophotometry and HPLC-UV, to evaluate possible interferences of excipients in these determinations. The values obtained by spectrophotometry were higher than those obtained by HPLC, confirming the excipients interference. It was concluded that the methodology to be employed in drug analysis should be carefully selected in order to avoid results not commensurate with the real product formulation.

Muscle strength but not functional capacity is associated with plasma interleukin-6 levels of community-dwelling elderly women

The association of plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, muscle strength and functional capacity was investigated in a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling elderly women from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Elderly people who present controlled chronic diseases with no negative impact on physical, psychosocial and mental functionality are considered to be community-dwelling. Psychological and social stress due to unsuccessfully aging can represent a risk for immune system disfunctions. IL-6 levels, isokinetic muscle strength of knee flexion/extension, and functional tests to determine time required to rise from a chair and gait velocity were measured in 57 participants (71.21 ± 7.38 years). Serum levels of IL-6 were measured in duplicate and were performed within one single assay (mouse monoclonal antibody against IL-6; High-Sensitivity, Quantikine®, R & D Systems, USA; intra-assay coefficient of variance = 6.9-7.4 percent; interassay coefficient of variance = 9.6-6.5 percent; sensitivity = 0.016-0.110 pg/mL; mean = 0.039 pg/mL). Muscle strength was assessed with the isokinetic dynamometer Biodex System 3 Pro®. After the Shapiro-Wilk normality test was applied, correlations were investigated using Spearman and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Post hoc analysis was performed using the Dunn test. A significant negative correlation was observed between plasma IL-6 levels (1.95 ± 1.77 pg/mL) and muscle strength for knee flexion (70.70 ± 21.14 percent; r = -0.265; P = 0.047) and extension (271.84 ± 67.85 percent; r = -0.315; P = 0.017). No significant correlation was observed between IL-6 levels and the functional tests (time to rise from a chair = 14.65 ± 2.82 s and gait velocity = 0.95 ± 0.14 m/s). These results suggest that IL-6 is associated with reduced muscle strength.

Intraflagellar transport complex in Leishmania spp. In silico genome-wide screening and annotation of gene function

Flagella are constructed and maintained through the highly conserved process of intraflagellar transport (IFT), which is a rapid movement of particles along the axonemal microtubules of cilia/flagella. Particles that are transported by IFT are composed of several protein subunits comprising two complexes (A and B), which are conserved among green algae, nematodes, and vertebrates. To determine whether or not homologues to members of the IFT complex proteins are conserved in Leishmania spp, we scanned genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes of Leishmania species in a search for putative IFT factors, which were then identified in silico, compared, cataloged, and characterized. Since a large proportion of newly identified genes in L. major remain unclassified, with many of these being potentially Leishmania- (or kinetoplastid-) specific, there is a need for detailed analyses of homologs/orthologs that could help us understand the functional assignment of these gene products. We used a combination of integrated bioinformatics tools in a pathogenomics approach to contribute to the annotation of Leishmania genomes, particularly regarding flagellar genes and their roles in pathogenesis. This resulted in the formal in silico identification of eight of these homologs in Leishmania (IFT subunits, 20, 27, 46, 52, 57, 88, 140, and 172), along with others (IFTs 71, 74/72, and 81), as well as sequence comparisons and structural predictions. IFT, an important flagellar pathway in Leishmania, begins to be revealed through screening of trypanosomatid genomes; this information could also be used to better understand fundamental processes in Leishmania, such as motility and pathogenesis.

Anatomy and ontogeny of Pterodon emarginatus (Fabaceae: Faboideae) seed

O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de descrever a estrutura da semente de Pterodon emarginatus, nas várias fases do desenvolvimento, utilizando técnicas usuais. Verificou-se que os óvulos são campilótropos, crassinucelados e bitegumentados. Durante o desenvolvimento tegumentar ocorrem os seguintes processos: divisões anticlinais e acúmulo de compostos fenólicos na exotesta, cujas células tornam-se paliçádicas; divisões predominantemente periclinais e alongamento na mesotesta, onde se diferencia o feixe rafeal; diferenciação, adjacente à paliçada, da camada de células em ampulheta; coalescimento do tégmen junto à testa, culminando no concrescimento dos dois tegumentos, que se mantêm individualizados apenas na região micropilar; intensa impregnação de compostos pécticos nas paredes espessadas da mesotesta, com lignificação restrita ao xilema. Na região hilar, desenvolve-se a estrutura característica das sementes de Faboideae, com dupla camada paliçádica, parênquima subhilar e barra de traqueídes. O nucelo é consumido durante a formação da semente, observando-se, na estrutura jovem, células de paredes pécticas espessadas. O endosperma é nuclear e, após a celularização, exibe perifericamente células de conteúdo denso; é encontrado na semente madura, embora se apresente reduzido, acumulando substâncias lipídicas. O embrião é axial, com cotilédones crassos, que acumulam reservas de natureza lipídica e protéica, sendo raros os grãos de amido. Embora a estrutura observada seja típica das Fabaceae, não há reabsorção do tegumento interno, mas concrescimento ao externo.

Antigenic stimulation is more efficient than LPS in inducing nitric oxide production by human mononuclear cells on the in vitro granuloma reaction in schistosomiasis

Nitric oxide (NO) is an extremely important and versatile messenger in biological systems. It has been identified as a cytotoxic factor in the immune system, presenting anti- or pro-inflammatory properties under different circumstances. In murine monocytes and macrophages, stimuli by cytokines or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are necessary for inducing the immunologic isoform of the enzyme responsible for the high-output production of NO, nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). With respect to human cells, however, LPS seems not to stimulate NO production in the same way. Addressing this issue, we demonstrate here that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from schistosomiasis-infected patients and cultivated with parasite antigens in the in vitro granuloma (IVG) reaction produced more nitrite in the absence of LPS. Thus, LPS-induced nitrite levels are easily detectable, although lower than those detected only with antigenic stimulation. Concomitant addition of LPS and L-N-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) restored the ability to produce detectable levels of nitrite, which had been lost with L-NAME treatment. In addition, LPS caused a mild decrease of the IVG reaction and its association with L-NAME was responsible for reversal of the L-NAME-exacerbating effect on the IVG reaction. These results show that LPS alone is not as good an NO inducer in human cells as it is in rodent cells or cell lines. Moreover, they provide evidence for interactions between LPS and NO inhibitors that require further investigation.