Ulcer healing and mechanism(s) of action involved in the gastroprotective activity of fractions obtained from Syngonanthus arthrotrichus and Syngonanthus bisulcatus

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Ethanol production using hemicellulosic hydrolyzate and sugarcane juice with yeasts that converte pentoses and hexoses

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Medicinal plants in pregnancy and lactation: perception of the health risk and practical educational group in Araraquara, São Paulo State, Brazil

The use of medicinal plants among pregnant women and lactating is a common practice in diverse countries. However, many medicinal plants are contraindicated during pregnancy and lactating, due to various adverse effects, such as teratogenic, embryotoxic and abortive effects, exposing these women, their fetus and babies to health unknown risks. Thus, the purpose of this commentary, was to analyze the perception about the use of medicinal plants by pregnant women and lactating registered in the "baby on board" NGO, Araraquara, São Paulo state, Brazil, between 2010 at 2013. The group was constituted by 48 women, between the first and last trimester of pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding. Information was collected during group meetings by oral interview, using a questionnaire, as script. The nature of the study was a qualitative analysis. The results were based on reports about the use of medicinal plants by pregnant women during group meetings: use, indication of use, knowledge about risks. All participants received written and oral information about the study and they gave a written informed consent. The use of medicinal plants is a reality among pregnant and lactating women of the "baby on board" NGO. They reported that they feel that "natural" products are not harmful for their health. The primary information sources for the majority of women about medicinal plants during pregnancy are family, neighbors and herbalists. The plants most cited (in popular name in Brazil) were: senna, chamomile, boldo, lemon balm, lemon grass. They were used mainly for: nausea, heartburn, indigestion, flatulence, intestinal and abdominal pain, anxiety, intestinal constipation and low milk production. The pregnant and lactating women lacked knowledge about the health risks of the use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines in pregnancy and lactation. They also reported difficulties in clarifying some questions about the use of medicinal plants with their doctors. The results of the present study showed that educative actions about the rational use of medicinal plants in pregnancy and breastfeeding could be part of the operating protocols to promote the maternal and child health programs in Araraquara. Thus, our results also suggest the importance of creating institutionalized places, to the implementation of continued education programs about rational use of medicinal plants in pregnancy and lactation. These targeted programs are not only for health professionals, but also for community members, pregnant women and breastfeeding. Our results pointed out the importance of guidance of doctors and healthcare professionals on the scientific studies about medicinal plants and herbal medicines and the risk/benefit of using herbs during pregnancy. Finally, it is noted the importance of the health professionals to inform women of childbearing on risks to their health, as well as on possibilities of utilization of herbs during fertile period, giving special attention to the potential risk of self-medication.

Viabilidade econômica da venda de energia elétrica em cogeração sob condições de risco: um estudo de caso

The availability of the electrical energy, in sufficient quantities and in competitive prices is a crucial factor to the economic development. The trade-in of the excess electrical energy produced in a system of cogeneration can be seen as an alternative to the creation of an additional source of revenues for ethanol power plants sector, besides contributing to the complementation of the Brazilian electrical headquarter with renewable sources. The objective of this study was to evaluate the economic feasibility of the implementation of a cogeneration electrical central using the excess of sugar cane bagasse and selling the excess of electrical energy with prices of the market. An ethanol power plant located in the state of Sao Paulo was used to this study. It was used the case study methodology, evaluating the potential of the investment under the viewpoint of the Net Present Value (NPV), Payback and Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and complementing the results of the Accounting Results (AC). It was created three alternative scenarios to reflect the level of the risk of every studied situation: the most likely, an optimistic and a pessimistic, each one with its assumptions. The Monte Carlo Simulations was used to insert the elements of risk to each scenario. The results showed that the project is feasible in all NPV scenarios. And the Payback and IRR analysis confirmed these evidences. The valuation with the AR showed that the project is most risky at the pessimistic scenario, but is feasibly in the most likely and the optimistic scenarios. It was concluded that the project is economic viable. However, the economic viability shown in the results is based on the maintenance of the future prices on the levels of the historical prices used in the analysis.

Chemistry and pharmacology of some plants mentioned in the letter of Pero Vaz de Caminha

Brazil has a long tradition in the study of medicinal plants. When the Portuguese arrived to the new colony, Pero Vaz de Caminha, the scriber of the fleet, left the first impressions of the local and the inhabitants. He clearly mentions how the Indians use natural dye as tincture to paint their bodies. This article reviews the phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics of these colorants and other medicinal plants recently identified mentioned in this letter.

Cadmium availability and accumulation by lettuce and rice

Among the toxic elements, Cd has received considerable attention in view of its association with a number of human health problems. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the Cd availability and accumulation in soil, transfer rate and toxicity in lettuce and rice plants grown in a Cd-contaminated Typic Hapludox. Two simultaneous greenhouse experiments with lettuce and rice test plants were conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments consisted of four Cd rates (CdCl2), 0.0; 1.3; 3.0 and 6.0 mg kg(-1), based on the guidelines recommended by the Environmental Agency of the State of São Paulo, Brazil (Cetesb). Higher Cd rates increased extractable Cd (using Mehlich-3, Mehlich-1 and DTPA chemical extractants) and decreased lettuce and rice dry matter yields. However, no visual toxicity symptoms were observed in plants. Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 and DTPA extractants were effective in predicting soil Cd availability as well as the Cd concentration and accumulation in plant parts. Cadmium concentration in rice remained below the threshold for human consumption established by Brazilian legislation. on the other hand, lettuce Cd concentration in edible parts exceeded the acceptable limit.

Vertical growth of mini watermelon according to the training height and plant density

A melancia é uma espécie tradicionalmente conduzida em campo no sistema rasteiro. As cultivares de frutos pequenos (1 a 3 kg), que adquirem melhores preços de mercado, vêm sendo cultivadas também em ambiente protegido, onde são conduzidas no sistema vertical, com poda de ramos e raleio de frutos. Essas práticas possibilitam aumentar o adensamento das plantas, a qualidade e a produtividade de frutos em comparação ao sistema rasteiro. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a influência de três alturas de condução (1,7; 2,2 e 2,7 m) e duas densidades de plantas (3,17 e 4,76 plantas m-2) sobre as características produtivas e qualitativas da mini melancia Smile cultivada em ambiente protegido. A poda da haste principal foi realizada aos 43, 55 e 66 dias após o transplante (DAT) para as alturas de condução de 1,7; 2,2 e 2,7 m, respectivamente. A massa seca dos ramos, dos pecíolos, das folhas e total foram afetados pela altura de condução, cujos maiores valores foram obtidos para as plantas conduzidas a 2,2 e 2,7 m de altura. A área foliar, a área foliar específica e o índice de área foliar não foram influenciados pela altura de condução das plantas. A altura de condução de 2,7 m elevou a produtividade total. Entretanto, a produtividade comercial, a massa média dos frutos e todas as características qualitativas não foram significativamente diferentes das obtidos pela altura de poda de 2,2 m. em relação à densidade de plantas, a melhor opção foi a de 4,76 plantas m-2, pois elevou a produtividade comercial em 37,4% sem reduzir a massa média dos frutos.

Within plant distribution of Anthonomus grandis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) feeding and oviposition damages in cotton cultivars

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Influence of Mahanarva fimbriolata (Stål) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) injury on the quality of cane juice

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação de equipamentos de aplicação de herbicidas em operação de repasse em cana-de-açúcar e segurança para o trabalhador

Objetivou-se com este trabalho classificar em seguras ou inseguras as condições de trabalho de aplicação da formulação comercial de paraquat a 0,5% e de abastecimento dos tanques em operação de repasse em cultura de cana-de-açúcar com os pulverizadores costal manual, costal pressurizado e Pulmipur manual; determinar o efeito das variações na operação de repasse em quatro usinas de açúcar e álcool com o pulverizador costal pressurizado sobre as exposições dos trabalhadores ao paraquat; determinar a eficácia de equipamentos de proteção individual nessas condições de trabalho; e avaliar a intensidade da deriva e a eficácia de acessórios protetores de deriva. As exposições dérmicas e respiratórias dos trabalhadores foram avaliadas e utilizadas para calcular a margem de segurança (MS). Os valores de MS foram utilizados para classificar essas condições de trabalho em seguras (MS > 1) ou em inseguras (MS < 1). Para avaliar a deriva das aplicações na cultura e a eficácia dos protetores de deriva, foram estudados os tratamentos: formulação comercial de paraquat a 0,5% na calda, aplicada com o costal manual, sem e com o chapéu de proteção de deriva; com o costal pressurizado, sem e com a planilha de proteção de deriva; formulação comercial de paraquat pura com o Pulmipur; formulação comercial de glyphosate a 1% com o costal pressurizado e com a planilha, e puro com o Pulmipur; e testemunha sem aplicação. As duas atividades com o Pulmipur proporcionam as maiores exposições dérmicas, devido ao manuseio da formulação, e são inseguras sem o uso dos EPIs e seguras com estes. As atividades com o pulverizador costal manual ou pressurizado são seguras com ou sem os EPIs. As grandes diferenças nas EDs dos trabalhadores se devem às diferenças no tempo de trabalho diário e no número de trabalhadores nas equipes entre as usinas de açúcar e álcool. O protetor de deriva tipo chapéu é eficaz no controle da deriva na aplicação do paraquat, e a planilha, não.

Enhanced solubilization of iron and calcium phosphates by Aspergillus niger by the addition of alcohols

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

CABBAGE GROWTH and PRODUCTION IN RELATION TO PLANT DENSITY and NITROGEN

At present, the Brazilian market prefers cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) of smaller size, which can be achieved by increasing population density; yet this management can alter the optimum rate of nitrogen (N), its second most required nutrient. This study was conducted in the Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil, from February to June 2004. The objective was to evaluate the effect of population density: 31 250 (DI) and 46 875 plants ha(-1) (D2) with 0, 100, 200 and 300 kg N ha-1 on the growth and production of cabbage Astrus. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement and three replicates. Statistical analysis were a variance analysis (F test), the Tukey test for population density averages and polynomial regression for the N rates. In D1, an increase was recorded in the number of inner and outer leaves, dry matter of inner and outer leaves, the stem diameter at the insertion of the head, and the stem dry and fresh matter. The maximum size of the plant in D2 was 1.57 kg and was obtained with 300 kg N ha(-1), while in D1 it was 2.1 kg and was obtained with 244 kg N ha(-1). The optimal economic rate in 131 was 227.1 kg N ha(-1). The highest yield (72.7 t ha(-1)) was obtained with the highest N rate in D2. Smaller cabbage heads, commercially preferred, were obtained without the application of N, regardless of plant population.

Soil, water and nutrient losses by interrill erosion from green cane cultivation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Barium uptake by maize plants as affected by sewage sludge in a long-term field study

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação da queima e da adição de milho desintegrado com palha e sabugo na ensilagem de cana-de-açúcar

Neste trabalho, avaliou-se a fermentação da cana-de-açúcar queimada, ensilada com ou sem uso de aditivo seco. Os tratamentos (seis no total) consistiram da silagem de cana crua ou queimada, adicionada de 0, 50 ou 100 g/kg de milho desintegrado com palha e sabugo (MDPS), com base no peso verde da forragem. Foram determinados os teores de MS, PB, nitrogênio insolúvel em detergente ácido (NIDA), FDN, FDA, celulose, hemicelulose e lignina. Na avaliação das características fermentativas, foram determinados os valores de carboidratos solúveis, o poder tamponante, o pH e as concentrações de nitrogênio amoniacal e etanol. Como características microbiológicas, avaliou-se o desenvolvimento de leveduras. A inclusão de MDPS elevou os teores de MS e reduziu discretamente os teores de N-NH3 e etanol das silagens, não ocasionando efeito nos valores de pH e na população de leveduras. A presença do fogo reduziu a concentração de MS das silagens, elevou os teores de etanol e leveduras e diminuiu os teores de N-NH3. A fermentação etanólica durante a ensilagem não foi controlada com a inclusão de aditivo seco ou com o uso do fogo.