Estudos morfoanatômicos da semente e da plântula de espécies de Anileiras (Indigofera L., Leguminosae)

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

Lateral hypothalamus lesions influences water and salt intake, and sodium and urine excretion, and arterial blood pressure induced by L-NAME and FK 409 injections into median preoptic nucleus in conscious rats

Male Holtzman rats weighting 200-250 g were anesthetized with zoletil 50 mg/Kg (tiletamine chloridrate 125,0 mg and zolazepan chloridrate 125,0 mg) into quadriceps muscle and submitted an electrolytic lesion of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and a stainless steel cannula was implanted into their median preoptic nucleus (MnPO). We investigated the effects of the injection into the (MnPO) of FK 409 (20 mug/0.5 mul), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, and N-W-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 40 mug/0.5 mul, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (NOSI), on the water and sodium appetite and the natriuretic, diuretic and cardiovascular effects induced by injection of L-NAME and FK 409 injected into MnPO in rats with LH lesions. Controls were injected with a similar volume of 0.15 M NaCl. L-NAME injected into MnPO produced an increase in water and sodium intake and in sodium and urine excretion and increase de mean arterial pressure (MAP). FK 409 injected into MnPO did not produce any change in the hydro electrolytic and cardiovascular parameters in LH-sham and lesioned rats. FK 409 injected before L-NAME attenuated its effects. These data show that electrolytic lesion of the LH reduces fluid and sodium intake as well as sodium and urine excretion, and the pressor effect induced by L-NAME. LH involvement with NO of the MnPO excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms related to water and sodium intake, sodium excretion and cardiovascular control is suggested. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Efeito do tipo de alimento no desempenho produtivo de juvenis de acará-bandeira (Pterophyllum scalare)

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of food type on growth performance and water quality of angelfish juvenile. A total of 168 angelfish Pterophyllum scalare var. marble (w(i) = 151.3 +/- 37.9 mg e l(i) = 2.2 +/- 0.07 cm) were distributed in 12 aquaria 14 L (1.0 fish L(-1)). The experiment was conducted in a complete randomized design with three treatments and four replicates. Foods evaluated were: Artemia nauplii, commercial flakes diet and commercial powder diet. Fish weight and length were recorded in the beginning and the end of 60 experimental days. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and total ammonia were monitored during experiment. Best averages of final weight, final length, weight gain and condition factor were observed on fish fed powder diet. Specific growth rate, weight uniformity and survival were not influenced (p > 0.05) by food type. Just on length uniformity fish fed Artemia showed better averages than fish fed flakes diet and powder diet. Foods evaluated did not influenced (p > 0.05) on water quality parameters. In conclusion, for juvenile angelfish, the food type influences growth performance without affect water quality parameters. Powder diet resulted in better growth performance.

Large-scale transcriptome analyses reveal new genetic marker candidates of head, neck, and thyroid cancer

A detailed genome mapping analysis of 213,636 expressed sequence tags (EST) derived from nontumor and tumor tissues of the oral cavity, larynx, pharynx, and thyroid was done. Transcripts matching known human genes were identified; potential new splice variants were flagged and subjected to manual curation, pointing to 788 putatively new alternative splicing isoforms, the majority (75%) being insertion events. A subset of 34 new splicing isoforms (5% of 788 events) was selected and 23 (68%) were confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR and DNA sequencing. Putative new genes were revealed, including six transcripts mapped to well-studied chromosomes such as 22, as well as transcripts that mapped to 253 intergenic regions. In addition, 2,251 noncoding intronic RNAs, eventually involved in transcriptional regulation, were found. A set of 250 candidate markers for loss of heterozygosis or gene amplification was selected by identifying transcripts that mapped to genomic regions previously known to be frequently amplified or deleted in head, neck, and thyroid tumors. Three of these markers were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR in an independent set of individual samples. Along with detailed clinical data about tumor origin, the information reported here is now publicly available on a dedicated Web site as a resource for further biological investigation. This first in silico reconstruction of the head, neck, and thyroid transcriptomes points to a wealth of new candidate markers that can be used for future studies on the molecular basis of these tumors. Similar analysis is warranted for a number of other tumors for which large EST data sets are available.

Presence of autoantibodies against HeLa small nuclear ribonucleoproteins in chagasic and non-chagasic cardiac patients

We detected anti-human small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) autoantibodies in chagasic patients by different immunological methods using HeLa snRNPs. ELISA with Trypanosoma cruzi total lysate antigen or HeLa human U small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (UsnRNPs) followed by incubation with sera from chronic chagasic and non-chagasic cardiac patients was used to screen and compare serum reactivity. Western blot analysis using a T. cruzi total cell extract was also performed in order to select some sera for Western blot and immunoprecipitation assays with HeLa nuclear extract. ELISA showed that 73 and 95% of chronic chagasic sera reacted with HeLa UsnRNPs and T. cruzi antigens, respectively. The Western blot assay demonstrated that non-chagasic cardiac sera reacted with high molecular weight proteins present in T. cruzi total extract, probably explaining the 31% reactivity found by ELISA. However, these sera reacted weakly with HeLa UsnRNPs, in contrast to the chagasic sera, which showed autoantibodies with human Sm (from Stefanie Smith, the first patient in whom this activity was identified) proteins (B/B', D1, D2, D3, E, F, and G UsnRNP). Immunoprecipitation reactions using HeLa nuclear extracts confirmed the reactivity of chagasic sera and human UsnRNA/RNPs, while the other sera reacted weakly only with U1snRNP. These findings agree with previously reported data, thus supporting the idea of the presence of autoimmune antibodies in chagasic patients. Interestingly, non-chagasic cardiac sera also showed reactivity with T. cruzi antigen and HeLa UsnRNPs, which suggests that individuals with heart disease of unknown etiology may develop autoimmune antibodies at any time. The detection of UsnRNP autoantibodies in chagasic patients might contribute to our understanding of how they develop upon initial T. cruzi infection.

Nitric oxide of the supraoptic nucleus influences the salivary secretion, sodium renal excretion, urinary volume and arterial blood pressure induced by pilocarpine

Male Holtzman rats weighting 200-250 g were anesthetized with zoletil 50 mg/Kg (tiletamine chloridrate 125.0 mg and zolazepan chloridrate 125.0 mg) into quadriceps muscle and stainless steel cannulas were implanted into their supraoptic nucleus (SON). We investigated the effects of the injection into the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of FK 409, a nitric oxide donor, and N(W-)nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (NOS), on the salivary secretion, arterial blood pressure, sodium excretion and urinary volume induced by pilocarpine, which was injected into SON. The drugs were injected in 0.5 mul volume over 30-60 s. Controls was injected with a similar volume of 0.15 M NaCl. FK 409 and L-NAME were injected at doses of 20 mug/0.5 mul and 40 mug/0.5 mul. respectively. The amount of saliva secretion was studied over a five-minute period after injection of pilocarpine into SON. Injection of pilocarpine (10, 20, 40, 80, 160 mug/mul) into SON produced a dose-dependent increase in salivary secretion. L-NAME was injected into SON prior to the injection of pilocarpine into SON, producing an increase in salivary secretion due to the effect of pilocarpine. FK 409 injected into SON attenuating the increase in salivary secretion induced by pilocarpine. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) increase after injections of pilocarpine into the SON. L-NAME injected into the SON prior to injection of pilocarpine into SON increased the MAP. FK 409 injected into the SON prior to pilocarpine attenuated the effect of pilocarpine on MAP. Pilocarpine (0.5 mumol/0.5 mul) injected into the SON induced an increase in sodium and urinary excretion. L-NAME injected prior to pilocarpine into the SON increased the urinary sodium excretion and urinary volume induced by pilocarpine. FK 409 injected prior to pilocarpine into the SON decreased the sodium excretion and urinary volume induced by pilocarpine. All these roles of pilocarpine depend on the release of nitric oxide into the SON. In summary the present results show: a) SON is involved in pilocarpine-induced salivation; b) that mechanism involves increase in MAP, sodium excretion and urinary volume. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Inhibition of central angiotensin II-induced pressor responses by hydrogen peroxide

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

Influence of arginine vasopressin receptors and angiotensin receptor subtypes on the water intake and arterial blood pressure induced by vasopressin injected into the lateral septal area of the rat

In this study we investigated the influence of d(CH2)(5)-Tyr(Me)-[Arg(8)]vasopressin (AAVP) and [adamanteanacetyl(1),0-ET-DTyr(2), Val(4), aminobutyryl(6), Arg(8,9)]-[Arg(8)]vasopressin (ATAVP), which are antagonists of vasopressin V-1 and V-2 receptors, and the effects of losartan, a selective angiotensin AT(1) receptor antagonist, and CGP42112A, a selective AT(2) receptor antagonist, injected into the lateral septal area (LSA) on thirst and hypertension induced by [Arg(8)]vasopressin (AVP). AAVP and ATAVP injected into the LSA reduced the drinking responses elicited by injecting AVP into the LSA. Both the AT(1) and AT(2) ligands administered into the LSA elicited a concentration-dependent decrease in the water intake induced by AVP injected into the LSA, but losartan was more effective than CGP42112A. The increase in MAP, due to injection of AVP into the LSA, was reduced by prior injection of AAVP from 18 +/- 1 to 6 +/- 1 mm Hg. Losartan injected into the LSA prior to AVP reduced the increase in MAP to 7 +/- 0.8 mm Hg. ATAVP and CGP42112A produced no changes in the pressor effect of AVP. These results suggest that the dipsogenic effects induced by injecting AVP into the LSA were mediated primarily by AT(1) receptors. However, doses of losartan were more effective when combined with CGP42112A than when given alone, suggesting that the thirst induced by AVP injections into LSA may involve activation of multiple AVP and angiotensin II receptor subtypes. The pressor response of AVP was reduced by losartan and by AAVP. CGP42112A and ATAVP did not change the AVP pressor response. These results suggest that facilitator effects of AVP on water intake are mediated through the activation of V-1 receptors and that the inhibitory effect requires V-2 receptors. The involvement of AT(1) and AT(2) receptors can be postulated. Based on the present findings, we suggest that the AVP in the LSA may play a role in the control of water and arterial blood pressure balance. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Critical temperature for first-order phase transitions in confined systems

We consider the Euclidean D-dimensional -lambda vertical bar phi vertical bar(4)+eta vertical bar rho vertical bar(6) (lambda,eta > 0) model with d (d <= D) compactified dimensions. Introducing temperature by means of the Ginzburg-Landau prescription in the mass term of the Hamiltonian, this model can be interpreted as describing a first-order phase transition for a system in a region of the D-dimensional space, limited by d pairs of parallel planes, orthogonal to the coordinates axis x(1), x(2),..., x(d). The planes in each pair are separated by distances L-1, L-2, ... , L-d. We obtain an expression for the transition temperature as a function of the size of the system, T-c({L-i}), i = 1, 2, ..., d. For D = 3 we particularize this formula, taking L-1 = L-2 = ... = L-d = L for the physically interesting cases d = 1 (a film), d = 2 (an infinitely long wire having a square cross-section), and for d = 3 (a cube). For completeness, the corresponding formulas for second-order transitions are also presented. Comparison with experimental data for superconducting films and wires shows qualitative agreement with our theoretical expressions.

Structural study of thin films prepared from tungstate glass matrix by Raman and X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Thin films were prepared using glass precursors obtained in the ternary system NaPO(3)-BaF(2)-WO(3) and the binary system NaPO(3)-WO(3) with high concentrations of WO(3) (above 40% molar). Vitreous samples have been used as a target to prepare thin films. Such films were deposited using the electron beam evaporation method onto soda-lime glass substrates. Several structural characterizations were performed by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (XANES) at the tungsten L(I) and L(III) absorption edges. XANES investigations showed that tungsten atoms are only sixfold coordinated (octahedral WO(6)) and that these films are free of tungstate tetrahedral units (WO(4)). In addition, Raman spectroscopy allowed identifying a break in the linear phosphate chains as the amount of WO(3) increases and the formation of P-O-W bonds in the films network indicating the intermediary behavior of WO(6) octahedra in the film network. Based on XANES data, we suggested a new attribution of several Raman absorption bands which allowed identifying the presence of W-O and W=O terminal bonds and a progressive apparition of W-O-W bridging bonds for the most WO(3) concentrated samples (above 40% molar) attributed to the formation of WO(6) clusters. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mineralogia de uma topossequência de solos desenvolvidos de material holocênico da região de Jequitaí, Estado de Minas Gerais

A região da Serra da Onça é localizada no nordeste do Estado de Minas Gerais, no vale formado pelos trabalhos dos rios São Francisco e seus afluentes Jequitaí e Rio das Velhas. Esta região é caracterizada por diversos ciclos erosivos. Uma topossequência representativa da área foi escolhida para este estudo, sendo constituida por 5 perfis de solos desenvolvidos de sedimentos Quaternários. 0 Perfil 1, um Typic Hapleustox, está localizado na superfície mais antiga. Os outros solos estão localizados no sedimento Holocênico, área aluvial do São Francisco. Estes solos são menos intemperizados e classificados como Plíntic Haplustult (Perfil 2), Oxic Plintaquult (Perfil 3); Fluventic Plinthustult (Perfil 4) e Fluventic Argiustol (Perfil 5). Análises mineralógicas foram efetuadas em todas as fraçõs do solo. O Perfil 1 apresenta, em sua fração areia, somente minerais resistentes ao intemperismo, enquanto que nos demais solos, menos intemperizados, ocorrem micas e plagioclásios. Tais minerais aumentam de acordo com a profundidade do solo e também do Perfil 1 ao Perfil 5 menos intemperizado. A caulinita é o mineral de argila dominante na fração argila de todos os solos estudados, com maior concentração no Perfil 1, mais intemperizado. Este mineral tende a decrescer em profundidade e na direção do Perfil 1. Micas, vermiculita e montmorilonita também ocorrem do Perfil 2 ao Perfil 5.

Relação entre fisiografia e solos desenvolvidos de material cenozoico da região do rio Jequitai, MG

É estudado o relacionamento entre a fisiografia e os solos evoluídos a partir de sedimentos cenozóicos, de textura e composição variáveis, depositados sob a ação do rio São Francisco e tributários. A região (vale do rio Jequitai, MG) é caracterizada por um clima sub-úmido, onde o regime de umidade do solo é ústico e o de temperatura isotérmico. Foram coletados 5 pedons dispostos numa topossequência. Na posição mais antiga (pleistocênica), o solo apresenta-se em um estágio de intensa alteração (Typic Haplustox). Os demais solos encontram-se sobre sedimentos holocênicos, compondo a planície aluvial do rio São Francisco e são, mineralogicamente, mais jovens, com horizonte argílico, representado por ultissol e molissol, ocorrência esta pouco comum em situações de planície aluvial recente. No pedon 1 (Typic Haplustox), os minerais primários intemperizáveis inexistem na fração grosseira. O pedon 2 (Plinthic Haplustult) apresenta na fração areia um acréscimo em profundidade de minerais de fácil alteração. Na fração silte, os feldspatos já estão em fase de alteração. Os pedons 3 (Oxic Plintaquult), 4 (Fluventic Plinthustult) e 5 (Fluventic Argiustol) mostram elevadas proporções de minerais primários de fácil alteração (placioclásios calco-sódicos, hornblenda), principalmente nas frações areia e silte. A ocorrência destes minerais associa-se a um processo deposicional recente, aliado às condições de clima e drenagem locais.

Numerical study about natural escape and capture routes by the Moon via Lagrangian points L1 and L2

The lunar sphere of influence, whose radius is some 66,300 km, has regions of stable orbits around the Moon and also regions that contain trajectories which, after spending some time around the Moon, escape and are later recaptured by lunar gravity. Both the escape and the capture occur along the Lagrangian equilibrium points L1 and L2. In this study, we mapped out the region of lunar influence considering the restricted three-body Earth-Moon-particle problem and the four-body Sun-Earth-Moon-particle (probe) problem. We identified the stable trajectories, and the escape and capture trajectories through the L I and L2 in plots of the eccentricity versus the semi-major axis as a function of the time that the energy of the osculating lunar trajectory in the two-body Moon-particle problem remains negative. We also investigated the properties of these routes, giving special attention to the fact that they supply a natural mechanism for performing low-energy transfers between the Earth and the Moon, and can thus be useful on a great number of future missions. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of COSPAR.

Structure of redispersible SnO2 nanoparticles

Suspensions of undoped SnO2 nanoparticles and containing Eu3+ ions were prepared by a sol-gel procedure. Using the classical synthesis method ( precipitation), the particles tend to grow by a coarsening process in order to minimize the surface free energy. This effect can strongly be reduced by the addition of an amide and surfactant during the synthesis, which decreases the surface free energy of the colloidal particles. These additives promote the formation of powders composed of very small primary particles formed by a crystallite of 10 Angstrom, and exhibit good redispersion properties. The local and long order structures of the redispersible powder were studied by X-rays absorption spectroscopy at Sn L-I edge and X-rays diffraction, respectively. The structure of the colloidal aggregates in suspension was investigated by small angle X-rays scattering (SAXS). SAXS results indicate the sol are composed by a polidisperse system of hard spheres resulting of agglomeration of the primary particles and their size increasing by agglomeration for progressively higher Eu3+ content.