Composição de ácidos graxos do queijo e leite de vacas alimentadas com casca de banana / Fatty acid composition of cheese and milk of cows fed with banana peel

Objetivou-se avaliar os níveis de casca de banana seca ao sol na dieta de vacas F1 Holandês x Zebu sobre o perfil de ácidos graxos do leite e do queijo minas frescal. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de 0, 15, 30, 45 e 60% de substituição da silagem de sorgo pela casca de banana. O delineamento experimental foi em dois quadrados latinos 5 x 5 simultâneos. As amostras de leite e queijo foram analisadas quanto ao perfil de ácidos graxos por cromatografia gasosa. Observou-se efeito quadrático para o somatório de ácidos graxos poli-insaturados do leite, com valor máximo no nível de 23,54% de substituição. Houve efeito linear decrescente para os ácidos graxos C15:0 iso e C16:0 iso. Os ácidos graxos heneicosanoico, linoleico, linoleico conjugado e araquidônico apresentaram efeito quadrático. Não houve efeito das dietas sobre os ácidos graxos no queijo. A substituição de até 60% da silagem de sorgo por casca de banana na dieta de vacas em lactação pode ser alternativa para produção e processamento do leite, quando se considera a melhora no valor nutricional da fração lipídica do leite e o aumento dos teores de ácido linoleico conjugado.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the inclusion levels of dry banana peel in the sun in the diet of F1 Holstein x Zebu cows on the profile of fatty acids of milk and Minas fresh cheese. The diets were composed of 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60% replacement of sorghum silage by banana peel. The experimental design was Latin squares, simultaneous, 5 x 5. Samples of milk and cheese were analyzed for fatty acid composition by gas chromatography. Quadratic effect for the sum of milk polyunsaturated fatty acids, with the maximum level of 23,54% replacement. There was a decreasing linear effect for C15:0 iso fatty acids and C16: 0 iso. The heneicosanoic fatty acids, linoleic, conjugated linoleic and arachidonic presented quadratic effect. There was no effect of diets on fatty acids in cheese. Replacement of up to 60% of the sorghum silage of a banana peel in the diet of cows can be an alternative to milk production and processing when considering the improvement in the nutritional value of the milk lipid fraction and increase of the levels of conjugated linoleic acid.(AU)

OntoMama: An Ontology Applied to Breast Cancer.

This article describes the process of building an ontology to assist medical students and professionals specialized in Oncology. The ontology allows the user to obtain knowledge more quickly and thus assist professionals in their decision-making.

Fibropapillomatosis in green turtles Chelonia mydas in Brazil: characteristics of tumors and virus.

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a benign neoplasia that affects physiological functions of sea turtles and may lead to death. High prevalence of FP in sea turtle populations has prompted several research groups to study the disease and the associated herpesvirus, chelonid herpesvirus 5 (ChHV5). The present study detected and quantified ChHV5 in 153 fibropapilloma samples collected from green turtles Chelonia mydas on the Brazilian coast between 2009 and 2010 to characterize the relationship between viral load and tumor characteristics. Of the tumor samples collected, 73 and 87% were positive for ChHV5 in conventional PCR and real-time PCR, respectively, and viral loads ranged between 1 and 118.62 copies cell⁻¹. Thirty-three percent of turtles were mildly, 28% were moderately and 39% were severely affected with FP. Skin samples were used as negative control. High viral loads correlated positively with increasing FP severity in turtles sampled on the Brazilian coast and with samples from turtles found dead in the states of São Paulo and Bahia. Six viral variants were detected in tumor samples, 4 of which were similar to the Atlantic phylogenetic group. Two variants were similar to the western Atlantic/eastern Caribbean phylogenetic group. Co-infection in turtles with more than one variant was observed in the states of São Paulo and Bahia.

Monitoring mercury in green sea turtles using keratinized carapace fragments (scutes).

The green sea turtles are facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild and the impacts of heavy metals contamination contributes with the decline of their populations. It is very important to assess noninvasive and nonlethal methods for monitoring Hg contamination in sea turtles. Thus, Hg concentrations were measured in keratinized fragments (scutes) and internal tissues of green sea turtles from the Ceará coast to test the usefulness of scutes as a monitoring subject for sea turtles. A significantly positive correlation was found between Hg concentrations in muscle and scutes, which demonstrate that scutes can be used as a predictive matrix of Hg concentration in muscle tissue of green sea turtles.

Diphenyl diselenide protects cultured MCF-7 cells against tamoxifen-induced oxidative DNA damage.

Diphenyl diselenide (DPDS) is an electrophilic reagent used in the synthesis of a variety of pharmacologically active organoselenium compounds. Studies have shown its interesting pharmacodinamic properties, as antioxidant, antimutagenic and antitumoral effects. Here we report the antigenotoxic properties of DPDS against tamoxifen (TAM)-induced oxidative DNA damage in MCF-7 cultured cell line. We determined the cytotoxicity by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage assay and evaluated oxidative DNA damage by modified comet assay employing the enzymes formamidopyrimidine DNA-glycosylase (Fpg) and endonuclease III (Endo III). Our results demonstrate that the cellular effects of DPDS appear to be complex and concentration-dependent. The present findings show that DPDS is not genotoxic (at concentrations lower than 2.0µmol/L) in MCF-7 cells, as observed in the modified comet assay. Moreover, DPDS protects against TAM-induced oxidative DNA damage, probably by its antioxidant activity, without interfering with its cytotoxicity. In this manner, the treatment with low concentrations of DPDS, a synthetic organoselenium compound, could be used as a potent antigenotoxic agent to prevent the risk of cancer induction triggered by tamoxifen hormone therapy. Thereby, more studies concerning the toxicity of DPDS and its structural derivatives are still necessary for future safe therapeutic application and development of novel chemopreventive compounds for combined therapy in breast cancer.

Caracterização morfológica e agronômica de acessos de jambu (Spilanthes oleracea L. ) nas condições do Norte de Minas Gerais / Morphological and agronomic characterization of Jambu (Spilanthes oleracea L. ) accessions under the conditions of North Minas Gerais State, Brazil

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi caracterizar os aspectos morfológicos e agronômicos de três acessos de jambu (Spilanthes oleracea L.) nas condições do Norte de Minas Gerais. O estudo foi desenvolvido em casa de vegetação, no período de abril a junho de 2009, no Instituto de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (ICA/UFMG), localizado na cidade de Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brasil. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com três tratamentos e oito repetições. Os tratamentos foram os acessos de jambu (1- Montes Claros/MG; 2- Pará, Norte do Brasil; 3- Cristália/MG). Dois meses após o transplantio, foram avaliados o comprimento da inflorescência (cm), o comprimento e a largura das folhas do terceiro nó de cada planta (cm) e a matéria fresca e seca da parte aérea e das inflorescências (g). Foram também caracterizadas a coloração dos caules e os tipos de inflorescências. A cor dos caules foi distinguida visualmente, variando de roxo intenso, acessos de Cristália e Montes Claros, a verde claro, acesso do estado do Pará. Os subtipos de inflorescência foram caracterizadas como simples ou geminadas e alongadas ou globóides. Observou-se que o acesso de Jambu, proveniente do estado do Pará, apresentou os melhores resultados para a maioria das características avaliadas. Esse acesso apresentou inflorescências dos tipos simples alongada,e, ocasionalmente, geminadas, tanto globóides como alongadas, enquanto os acessos de Cristália e Montes Claros apresentaram inflorescências simples globóides. Pode-se concluir que os três acessos são equivalentes comercialmente. Entretanto, para produção de sementes, recomenda-se o cultivo do acesso de jambu proveniente do estado do Pará.

The aim of this study was to characterize morphological and agronomic aspects of three Jambu (Spilanthes oleracea L.) accessions under the conditions of North Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The study was carried out in a greenhouse from April to June 2009 in the Institute for Agrarian Sciences of Federal University of Minas Gerais (ICA/UFMG), located in the city of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized, with three treatments and eight replicates. Treatments were Jambu accessions (1- from Montes Claros City, Minas Gerais; 2- from Pará State, North of Brazil; 3- from Cristália City, Minas Gerais). Two months after transplanting, the inflorescence length (cm), the length and width of leaves of the third node of each plant (cm) and the fresh and dry matter of shoot and inflorescences (g) were assessed. The color of stems and the type of inflorescences were also characterized. Stem color was visually distinguished, varying from intense purple, Cristália and Montes Claros accessions, to light green, Pará State accession. Inflorescence subtypes were characterized as simple or geminated and elongated or globoid. Jambu accession from Pará State presented the best results for most assessed characteristics. This accession presented elongated simple and, occasionally, both globoid and elongated geminated inflorescences, while Cristália and Montes Claros accessions presented globoid simple inflorescences. It can be concluded that all three accessions are commercially equivalent. However, for seed production, cultivation of Jambu accession from Pará State is recommended.

Fenologia do alecrim-pimenta (Lippia sidoides Cham. ) em área de Cerrado, no norte de Minas Gerais, Brasil / Pepper-rosmarin (Lippia sidoides Cham. ) phenology in a Cerrado area in northern Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Este trabalho teve como objetivo descrever o comportamento fenológico de Lippia sidoides Cham., em área de Cerrado, no norte de Minas Gerais, buscando-se subsidiar o processo de domesticação da espécie, por meio do estudo da ocorrência e duração das fenofases vegetativas e reprodutivas da espécie, bem como avaliar a influência dos fatores climáticos da região em cada fenofase, e ainda verificar a sincronia dessas fenofases entre os indivíduos. Vinte indivíduos foram avaliados mensalmente no período de fevereiro de 2007 a fevereiro de 2009, quanto à intensidade e sincronia das fenofases de brotamento, folhas maduras, senescência foliar, floração, frutificação e queda foliar. Houve acentuada periodicidade na ocorrência dos eventos fenológicos foliares, sendo que essa periodicidade acompanhou a estacionalidade climática da região, evidenciando a forte influência dos fatores abióticos, principalmente da precipitação e umidade relativa do ar. O alecrim-pimenta apresentou comportamento caducifólio, com alta taxa de queda foliar durante grande parte do ano. A floração ocorreu no período de fevereiro a abril, enquanto a frutificação alcançou o pico de intensidade no mês de maio. Todas as fenofases apresentaram altos índices de sincronia, sendo esse um fator facilitador do manejo da espécie.

The aim of this work was to describe the phenological behavior of Lippia sidoides Cham. in a Cerrado area in northern Minas Gerais State, Brazil, in order to contribute to the process of domestication of this species by studying the occurrence and duration of its vegetative and reproductive phenophases, evaluating the influence of local climatic factors on each phenophase and investigating the synchrony of these phenophases among individuals. Twenty specimens were monthly evaluated between February 2007 and February 2009 as to intensity and synchrony of the phenophases sprouting, mature leaves, leaf senescence, flowering, fruiting and leaf abscission. There was great periodicity in the occurrence of leaf phenological events according to the local climatic seasonality, highlighting the strong influence of abiotic factors, especially rainfall and relative air humidity. Pepper-rosmarin showed deciduous behavior, with high leaf abscission rate during a great part of the year. Flowering occurred from February to April, whereas fruiting peaked in May. All phenophases had high levels of synchrony, a facilitating factor for the management of this species.

Produção de fitomassa e teor de óleo essencial de folhas de alecrim-pimenta (Lippia sidoides Cham. ) em diferentes espaçamentos de plantio / Phytomass production and essential oil yield of pepper-rosmarin (Lippia sidoides Cham. ) leaves in different planting spacings

O alecrim-pimenta, espécie nativa do nordeste brasileiro, é uma planta medicinal de porte arbustivo, com folhas aromáticas, que possuem óleo essencial rico em timol e carvacrol. Essas substâncias conferem grande importância à planta, uma vez que apresentam atividades farmacológicas comprovadas cientificamente. Desta forma, o estudo das condições de cultivo da espécie é essencial para obtenção de maiores produtividades. O espaçamento entre plantas destaca-se como um dos fatores mais importantes relativos ao cultivo, de forma que a produtividade e o rendimento da cultura são afetados pela densidade de plantas. Dada a necessidade de otimizar técnicas de cultivo do alecrim-pimenta (Lippia sidoides Cham.), objetivou-se avaliar a produção de fitomassa e óleo essencial em quatro espaçamentos de plantio. O trabalho foi realizado em campo, no Instituto de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (ICA/UFMG), no município de Montes Claros/MG. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições. Os tratamentos foram definidos pelos espaçamentos de plantio: 1,0 x 0,5 m; 1,0 x 1,0 m; 1,5 x 1,0 m; e fileiras duplas (1,0 x 0,8 x 0,5m), sendo 1,0 m entre fileiras duplas, 0,8 m entre fileiras simples e 0,5 m entre plantas na fileira. Após 150 dias do plantio no campo, foram avaliadas as variáveis produção de fitomassa fresca e seca das folhas, a produção e o teor de óleo essencial. Observou-se que o espaçamento de 1,0 x 0,5 m possibilitou uma maior produção de fitomassa e de óleo essencial, sendo, portanto, o mais indicado para o cultivo do alecrim-pimenta (Lippia sidoides Cham.).

Native to Northeastern Brazil, pepper-rosmarin (Lippia sidoides Cham.) is a shrubby medicinal plant with aromatic leaves and essential oil rich in thymol and carvacrol. These components have great importance to the species since they present scientifically proven pharmacological activities. Thus, the study of cultivation conditions for this species is essential to obtain higher productivity. Spacing between plants is one of the most important factors related to cultivation, since crop productivity and yield are affected by plant density. Based on the need of optimizing pepper-rosmarin cultivation techniques, this work aimed to evaluate the phytomass production and the essential oil yield in four planting spacings. The experiment was carried out under field conditions in the Agricultural Sciences Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais (ICA/UFMG), Montes Claros Municipality, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Experimental design was in randomized blocks, with four treatments and five replicates. Treatments consisted of the planting spacings 1.0 x 0.5 m; 1.0 x 1.0 m; 1.5 x 1.0 m; and double rows (1.0 x 0.8 x 0.5 m), with 1.0m between double rows, 0.8m between single rows and 0.5m between plants in the row. After 150 days of planting in the field, leaf fresh and dry phytomass production and essential oil yield were evaluated. The spacing 1.0 x 0.5 m led to higher phytomass production and essential oil yield, being therefore the most recommended for pepper-rosmarin cultivation.

[Focal and total residual insecticide spraying to control Triatoma brasiliensis and Triatoma pseudomaculata in Northeast Brazil]. / Tratamentos focais e totais com inseticidas de ação residual para o controle de Triatoma brasiliensis e Triatoma pseudomaculata no Nordeste brasileiro.

To efficiently control the triatomines Triatoma brasiliensis and Triatoma pseudomaculata, a field trial was performed to compare conventional versus focal spraying of deltamethrin 5% SC at 25 mg a. i./m2 and the slow-release organophosphate malathion 8.3% SR at 2g a. i./m2. The assay took place in the county of Boa Viagem, Ceará State, with 1541 households, randomly separated into 4 groups. Two of them received focal spraying: PT, treated with deltamethrin indoors and in the peridomicile, and PL, which received slow-release malathion in the same circumstances. The other groups received conventional, i.e., total application: PT with deltamethrin in the intra- and peridomicile, and PL, which was treated with deltamethrin indoors and slow-release malathion in the peridomicile. Entomological surveys at 6 and 12 months post-treatment showed better results for mixed treatment, the PL group, probably due to good indoor performance for the pyrethroid and better performance of the slow-release formulation under the hostile peridomiciliary conditions. Domestic animal shelters underwent numerous modifications over the course of the year, fostering reduced insecticide performance in the peridomicile.

[Utilization of the waste of sisal industry in the control of mosquito larvae]. / O aproveitamento do resíduo da indústria do sisal no controle de larvas de mosquitos.

The aim of this research was to utilize the waste residues of sisal fiber separation from Agave sisalana leaves to develop a larvicide for the combat of mosquito transmitting tropical diseases. Larvae of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus were exposed to different concentrations of the Agave extract for 24 hours to determine lethal concentrations. The LC50 for A. aegypti was 322 ppm and the LC50 for C. quinquefasciatus was 183 ppm. To detect the active substances, saponins were investigated. It was found that the various components of the extract were effective in eliminating the larvae. Under field conditions, this formulation can probably be used at 100 ppm, which causes 100% mortality of C. quinquefasciatus larvae after 3-4 days. The product is not recommended for use against A. aegypti due to the necessity for high concentrations and to the fact that the larvae of this species live frequently on drinking water. To avoid fermentation, Agave extract should be used in a dehydrated form which also represent a good formulation for practical use.

Coliforms and Salmonella in seawater near to domestic sewage sources in Fortaleza (Ceará, Brazil).

The bacteriological conditions of the coastal region of Fortaleza (Ceará, Brasil), including the coastal zones of the Ceará and Cocó rivers, were examined. The study was conducted during June, September and December 1993, and March 1994. The region was divided into two areas: (i) Direct Influence Area (DIA), consisting of 20 sampling stations located near to discharge zones of the submarine pipeline system, where collections were carried out at the surface, and (ii) Indirect Influence Area (IIA), located near to the coastal zone, including Barra do Ceará, Kartódromo, Volta de Jurema, Mucuripe, Farol and Caça e Pesca beaches, totalling 26 sampling stations. The most probable number (MPN) of both total and fecal coliforms in DIA was positive only in station number 6, near to the sewage discharge exit. The following bacteria were identified: Citrobacter sp., Enterobacter aerogenes and Escherichia coli. Kartódromo beach was contaminated throughout the sampling period. Results of total fecal MPN was essentially lower than 3.0 x 10(2) coliforms/100 ml at Caça e Pesca beach. In December, at both DIA and IIA, Salmonella was identified in several samples. In DIA, the spatial distribution for Salmonella suggests that there should be a coastal sea current from east to west along the coastline. In IIA, Salmonella was identified at Kartódromo and Farol beaches throughout the sampling period.

Vectors control importance on leishmaniasis transmission.

We reviewed the control of transmission of leishmaniasis regarding chemotherapy, reservoirs elimination, vaccination and insect control through the use of chemical insecticides. We also discussed complementary measures like monitoring traps, impregnated bednets and curtains, repelents, pheromones, biological control, etc. A cost comparison of insecticide interventions through the use of products belonging to the four main chemical groups was also done, comparing together conventional formulations versus a slow-release insecticide developed by the Núcleo de Pesquisas de Produtos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. We finally did recommendations on the situation that would justify an insecticide intervention to control sandflies.