Single dose of a vaccine based on DNA encoding mycobacterial hsp65 protein plus TDM-loaded PLGA microspheres protects mice against a virulent strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The high incidence of tuberculosis around the world and the inability of BCG to protect certain populations clearly indicate that an improved vaccine against tuberculosis is needed. A single antigen, the mycobacterial heat shock protein hsp65, is sufficient to protect BALB/c mice against challenge infection when administered as DNA vaccine in a three-dose-based schedule. In order to simplify the vaccination schedule, we coencapsulated hsp65-DNA and trehalose dimicolate (TDM) into biodegradable poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres. BALB/c mice immunized with a single dose of DNA-hsp65/TDM-1oaded microspheres produced high levels of IgG2a subtype antibody and high amounts of IFN-gamma in the supernatant of spleen cell cultures. DNA-hsp65/TDM-loaded microspheres were also able to induce high IFN-gamma production in bulk lung cells from challenged mice and confer protection as effective as that attained after three doses of naked DNA administration. This new formulation also allowed a ten-fold reduction in the DNA dose when compared to naked DNA. Thus, this combination of DNA vaccine and adjuvants with immunomodulatory and carrier properties holds the potential for an improved vaccine against tuberculosis.

Efeito da aplicação foliar de silício em rúcula cultivada em dois tipos de solos

The rocket is a leafy herbaceous annual, features small size, rapid vegetative growth and short life cycle. Silicon is considered a beneficial element, and despite not having his definition of essential mineral nutrition of plants has been widely used in research. The objective was to assess the effect of foliar fertilization with silicon levels in soils in the cultivation of the rocket. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in the DRN / Soil Science, UNESP / FCA, Botucatu-SP, from April 15 to May 20, 2008. The experimental design was randomized blocks in factorial 2x5 (two solos and five doses of silicon). At the end of the experiment, evaluated at the point of harvest to plant height (cm), leaf area (LA), total fresh mass (TFM), total dry matter (TDM), leaf area ratio (LAR), specific weight Leaf (PEF), amount of water in the shoot (AWS) and content and accumulation of silicon in the leaves. It was concluded that silicon had no influence on the agronomic characteristics of the rocket and changes were only to soil type.

Fluvoxamina no transtorno depressivo maior: um estudo multicêntrico aberto

OBJETIVO: Este trabalho estudou a eficácia e a tolerabilidade da fluvoxamina no tratamento, de forma aberta, sem comparação com placebo ou outros agentes, por 6 semanas, de pacientes com o diagnóstico de transtorno depressivo maior (TDM). Constitui-se em objetivo secundário do estudo avaliar os efeitos da fluvoxamina sobre o sono dos pacientes. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos 104 pacientes, maiores de 18 anos, com o diagnóstico de TDM, de acordo com os critérios do Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais, 4ª edição (DSM-IV), e com escores, na Escala de Hamilton para Depressão, versão de 17 itens (HAM-D 17), de 17 pontos ou mais. Avaliou-se a eficácia da fluvoxamina por meio das Escalas HAM-D 17 e da CGI (Impressão Clínica Global). A análise dos itens 4, 5 e 6 da HAM-D 17 foi utilizada para a avaliação do sono dos pacientes. Avaliaram-se a segurança e a tolerabilidade da fluvoxamina ao longo das 6 semanas, registrando-se quaisquer eventos adversos. A fluvoxamina foi inicialmente ministrada em doses de 50 ou 100 mg/dia, podendo haver aumentos progressivos até 300 mg/dia. RESULTADOS: Dos 104 pacientes incluídos, 81 (78%) concluíram o estudo. Obtiveram resposta favorável (diminuição de 50% ou mais na HAM-D 17) 69% dos pacientes, e a taxa de remissão (HAM-D 17 < 7) foi de 52%. A análise da CGI indicou ter havido melhora significante (p < 0,001) em relação aos escores de base. A análise específica dos itens relativos ao sono, na HAM-D 17, revelou melhora significativa já na segunda visita, mantendo-se ao longo das 6 semanas. Os eventos adversos foram os esperados para inibidores seletivos de recaptação da serotonina, predominando as queixas gastrointestinais, em sua maioria transitórias e de pequena intensidade. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo vem confirmar a eficácia e a tolerabilidade da fluvoxamina no tratamento do transtorno depressivo maior, assim como sua eficácia no tratamento das alterações do sono encontradas nos pacientes deprimidos. O perfil de eventos adversos foi o esperado para os ISRS, ressaltando-se o fato de que poucos pacientes relataram disfunção sexual (2,5% dos pacientes).

High-pressure granulites from Carire, Borborema Province, NE Brazil: Tectonic setting, metamorphic conditions and U-Pb, Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd geochronology

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

U Pb and Sm Nd geochronologic studies of the eastern Borborema Province, Northeastern Brazil: initial conclusions

The Borborema Province of NE Brasil comprises the central part of a wide Pan-African-Brasiliano orogenetic belt that formed as a consequence of late Neoproterozoic convergence and collision of the São Luis-West Africa craton and the São Francisco-Congo-Kasai cratons. New Sm Nd and U Pb results from the eastern part of this province help to define the basic internal architecture and pre-collisional history of this province, with particular emphasis on delineating older cratonic terranes, their fragmentation during the Mesoproterozoic, and their assembly into West Gondwana during the Pan African-Brasiliano orogeny at ca. 600 Ma. The region can be divided into three major geotectonic domains: a) Rio Piranhas-Caldas Brandão massif, with overlying Paleoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic supracrustal rocks, north of the Patos Lineament; b) the Archean to Paleoproterozoic São Francisco craton (SFC) to the south; and c) a complex domain of Paleoproterozoic to Archean basement blocks with several intervening Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic fold belts in the center (south of Patos Lineament and north of SFC). The northern and central domains comprise the Borborema Province. Archean basement gneiss and Transamazonian granulite of northern SFC are exposed in the southern part of the central domain, underlying southern parts of the Sergipano fold belt. Basement in the Rio Piranhas massif appears to consist mostly of Transamazonian (2.1 to 2.2 Ga) gneissic rocks; Nd model ages (TDM) of ca. 2.6 Ga for 2.15 Ga gneisses indicate a substantial Archean component in the protoliths to these gneisses. The Caldas Brandão massif to the east yields both Transamazonian and Archean U Pb zircon and Nd (TDM) ages, indicating a complex architecture. Metasedimentary rocks of the Jucurutu Formation yield detrital zircons with original crystallization ages as young as 1.8 Ga, indicating that these rocks may be late Paleoproterozoic and correlate with other ca. 1.8 Ga cratonic supracrustal rocks in Brazil such as the Roraima Group and Espinhaço Group. Most metavolcanic and pre-Brasiliano granitic units of the Sergipano (SDS), Pajeú-Paraíba (SPP), Riacho Pontal (SRP), and Piancó-Alto Brígida (SPAB) fold belts in the central domain formed ~ 1.0 ± 0.1 Ga, based on U Pb ages of zircons. Nd model ages (TDM) for these same rocks, as well as Brasiliano granites intruded into them and large parts of the Pernambuco-Alagoas massif, are commonly 1.3-1.7 Ga, indicating that rocks of the fold belts were not wholly derived from either older (> 2.1 Ga) or juvenile (ca. 1.0 Ga) crust, but include mixtures of both components. A simple interpretation of Brasiliano granite genesis and the Nd data implies that there is no Transamazonian or Archean basement underlying large parts of these fold belts or of the Pernambuco-Alagoas massif. An exception is a belt of syenitic Brasiliano plutons (Syenitoid Line) and host gneisses between SPAB and SPP that clearly has a Transamazonian (or older) source. In addition, there are several smaller blocks of Archean to Transamazonian gneiss that can be defined within and among these fold belts. These blocks do not appear to constitute a continuous basement complex, but appear to be isolated older crustal fragments. Our data support a model in which ca. 1.0 Ga rifting was an important tectonic and crust-forming event along the northern edge of the São Francisco craton. Our data also show that significant parts of the Borborema Province are not remobilized Transamazonian to Archean crust, but that Mesoproterozoic crust is a major feature of the Province. There are several small remnants of older crust within the area dominated by Mesoproterozoic crust, suggesting that the rifting event created several small continental fragments that were later incorporated into the Brasiliano collisional orogen. We cannot at present determine if the Rio Piranhas-Caldas Brandão massifs and the older crustal blocks of the central domain were originally part of the São Francisco craton or whether some (or all) of them came from more exotic parts of the Proterozoic Earth. Finally, our data have not yet revealed any juvenile terranes of either Transamazonian or Brasiliano age. © 1995.

Sm-Nd system in total rock open versus closed isotopic composition in zones of high deformation

High strain shear zones of Brasiliano age, developed in Paleoproterozoic basement gneiss of the Caicó region, Borborema Province, NE Brazil, were associated with medium- to low-grade metamorphism and deformational processes that transformed porphyritic augen gneiss into muscovite quartzite, modifying their original mineralogy and chemical properties. During the last hydrothermal event mobility of major, minor and trace elements was great, whereas the pattern of Rare Earth Elements was not changed. We carried out a Sm-Nd isotopic study in these rocks in order to understand the behavior of Nd isotopes during mylonite generation. TDM model ages at around 2.6 Ga and εNd (t) values for both protolith and transformed rock suggest that the Nd isotopic system remained closed, recording the original source rock signature, despite undergoing two superposed metamorphic events. These new Sm-Nd results provide important information on the geologic evolution of basement rocks in the central Rio Grande do Norte Terrane of the Borborema Province, NE Brazil.

Proveniência e idade do metamorfismo das rochas da faixa Brasilia, na região de tapira (SW de Minas Gerais)

The Brasilia Fold Thrust Belt at Tapira area (SW of Minas Gerais State, Brazil) has four different litho-tectonic domains imbricated by thrust faults with vergency to the São Francisco Craton. Sm/Nd isotopic studies were undertaken and the results show different model and metamorphic ages for the thrust sheets. Rocks from the lower thrust sheet yield a metamorphic age of 543 Ma while the upper thrust sheet has a metamorphic age of 581 Ma. The TDM model ages are similar for both thrust sheets, between 1.7 and 2.2 Ga. Because of their lithologic characteristics, the thrust sheets are interpreted as having been deposited in a distal continental platform environment, their main source being Paleoproterozoic rocks of the São Francisco Craton. The upper thrust sheet rocks presents a metamorphism age of 612 Ma and a bimodal distribution of TDM model ages between 1.3 and 1.9 - 2.0 Ga, respectively. The lithologic and isotopic characteristics of this thrust sheet the rocks are interpreted as a result of deposition on a continental slope or oceanic floor environment, with mixed contributions from Paleo - and Mesoproterozoic rocks of the São Francisco Craton. In spite of the small number of analyzed samples and the uncertainties inherent to the Sm/Nd method the metamorphisms are not considered to be synchronous in the different thrust sheets. This is to be expected in a thrust belt system, in which the more metamorphosed thrust sheets are juxtaposed to less metamorphosed ones.

Geoquímica de gnaisses do arco magmático de goiás na região sul do estado de goiás

Granitic to trondhjemitic gneisses from the Pontalina region in the southern part of Goiás State, Central Brazil, have calcic to calc-alkaline, metaluminous to peraluminous compositions. They have low concentrations of alkaline elements, and are enriched in Ba, Sr, K, Rb in relation to Nb, Y, Zr and REE, and have negative anomalies of Nb and Ti, features which are similar to those of magmas generated in magmatic arc environments. Those rocks were previously interpreted as part of the basement of the Brasília Belt, attributed to the Archean to Paleoproterozoic, but new Sm - Nd isotopic data indicate a neoproterozoic age (TDM = 0,9 a 1,2 Ga), and the preliminary geochemical data reveal compositions similar to the gneisses of the other regions belonging to the Goiás Magmatic Arc.

Evolução geológica dos batólitos granitóides neoproterozóicos do sudeste do estado de são paulo

The Neoproterozoic granitogenesis related to the Central Mantiqueira Province comprise the calc alkaline to alkaline granitoid complexes of Sorocaba, San Francisco, São Roque, Ibiúna and Piedade. These complexes occur in a ruptil tectonic to tardi (Sn+3) event. The emplacement of the different facies in transtractives structures of the pull-apart type are characterized in the area by the main transcurrent shear zones of Taxaquara-Pirapora, Itu-Jundiuvira, Moreiras, Cangüera and Caucáia of ENE-WSW general direction. The massifs present complex internal architecture characterized by intrusions in restrict initial phase of intermediate equigranular nature. Also present a main phase of porfiroid monzo and sienogranite that fragments the previous phase, followed by lateral accretion of equi to inequigranular material, and in some cases by the accretion of late phases of circular bodies of porfiroid rapakivi granites, and a late to final phase of aplitic to pegmatitic composition. This magmatism grew with the intrusions of successive magmatic pulses, partially controlled by many reactivations of the shear zones. The REE also suggest that the magmatic phases are similar, synchronous and repetitive in four of the complexes in both domains, present in the São Francisco Complex. The crystallization starts from accretion processes, but compositionally quite different from the others. The variation in compositions and ages (TDM) for these granites reflect the derivation from different sources developed under different magmatic conditions, followed by processes of contamination that frequently occur in the crust.

Crustal growth in the 3.4-2.7Ga São José de Campestre Massif, Borborema Province, NE Brazil

The Archean (3.45-2.70Ga) rocks of the São José do Campestre Massif (SJCM) in the Borborema Province (NE Brazil) make up a small area (~6000km2) and are composed of granitoids and metasupracrustal rocks that define a complex magmatic and deformational history. The massif provides the opportunity to study mantle- and crustal-derived magmas generated since the Palaeoarchean. The orthogneisses of the SJCM are composed of: (1) tonalite to granodiorite with diorite enclaves (Bom Jesus gneiss, 3412±8Ma; TDM Nd model ages from 4.1 to 3.5Ga and negative epsilon Nd values); (2) biotite and ferroan-diopside monzogranite (Presidente Juscelino complex, 3356±21Ma and 3251±44Ma; TDM model ages range from 4.1 to 3.4Ga and epsilon Nd values that are slightly positive to negative); (3) hornblende tonalite to granodiorite (Brejinho complex, 3333±77Ma and 3187±8Ma; dominantly positive epsilon Nd values and TDM ages from 3.6 to 3.2Ga); (4) biotite monzogranite (São Pedro do Potengi gneiss, 3120±22Ma; TDM =3.5Ga; negative epsilon Nd value); (5) ferroan-diopside-grossular anorthosite and metagabbro (Senador Elói de Souza complex, 3033±3Ma); and (6) quartz diorite to syenogranite (São José do Campestre complex; 2685±9Ma and 2655±4Ma; negative epsilon Nd values and TDM ages from 3.9 to 3.3Ga). The orthogneisses are subalkaline to faintly alkaline, magnesian to ferroan, M- and I-type granitoids that follow either the K-enrichment or the trondhjemite trends. Each group has a subset with REE characteristics similar to Archean TTG and another that is analogous to Phanerozoic granitoids. They have negative Ta-Nb and Ti anomalies and have trace element contents of granitoids from subduction zones. Geochemical and Nd isotope data suggest that subducted oceanic crust and a depleted and metasomatised mantle wedge both acted as the magma sources. We propose a convergent tectonic model in which hybridisation of the upper mantle occurs through interactions with adakitic or trondhjemitic melts and recycling of earlier crust. The results imply that both the subducted oceanic crust and the mantle wedge played major roles in continent formation throughout successive episodes of arc accretion in Palaeo- and Mesoarchean times. The Archean rocks of the SJCM shares some similarities with the Pilbara, Kaapvaal, West African, and São Francisco cratons. However, the most reliable comparisons with the SJCM are with the neighbouring basement of the Nigeria and Cameroon shields. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

O grupo araxá na região sul-sudoeste do estado de goiás

In the S - SW region of Goiás State, Brazil, the Araxá Group is constituted of a metasedimentary sequence containing schistose and gneissic (garnet-biotite-quartz schists, feldspatic garnet-biotite-quartz schists, garnet-biotite-quartz paragneisses, with muscovite and locally amphibole, epidote, kyanite and staurolite. This sequence presents intercalations of metaul-tramafc rocks (serpentinite, actinolite schist, talc schist, chlorite schist), metamafc ones (amphibolite, amphibole schist containing or not garnet, garnet amphibolite) and associated granitic bodies. Chemically, the Araxá Group metasediments present peraluminous composition, showing enrichment in LILE, when compared with HFSE and REE, and displaying negative anomalies of Nb, Ta, Sr, P and Ti. Their chemical composition is that of greywake and the chemical characteristics of the sediments are generated in magmatic arcs. Isotopic data for Sm/Nd - model ages (TDM) between 1,04 - 1,51 and 1,76 - 2,26 Ga - and U/Pb (predominance of zircon with ages < 900 Ma) suggest that these metasediments have Neoproterozoic rocks as the source rocks. Chemical and isotopic characteristics of the studied metasediments suggest that their source are rocks originated in magmatic arcs and that they were deposited in a fore arc basin developed in the margins of Neoproterozoic island arcs.

Produção e qualidade em gérbera de vaso cultivada com cloreto e silicato de potássio

The Gerbera is an ornamental perennial herb, belonging to the Asteraceae family. Its cultivation, as well as the entire market for flowers and ornamental plants, is now in full expansion phase. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and quality Potted gerbera cultivar Red, according to sources and doses of potassium. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at UNESP/Botucatu. The experimental design was randomized blocks, using a 2x5 factorial arrangement, with two sources (potassium silicate and chloride) and five doses (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg. L-1) 4 replications and 5 plants per plot. Weekly throughout the experimental period, assessments were made of the number of leaves (NL) and the diameter of the plant canopy (DP). at the end of the season and the reproductive cycle, at 42 and 60 days after acclimatization (DAA), respectively, were determined by leaf area (LA), mass (dry leaves (MSF), the dry mass of inflorescence (MSI) and total dry matter (TDM). at the point of marketing is that of open stamens, when the inflorescence had at least two rounds of open, releasing pollen, we determined the number of inflorescences (NI), the diameter of inflorescence (DI), the stem height (AH), the shank diameter (DH) and plant height (PH). Regardless of the doses, potassium silicate promoted greater diameter, leaf area, greater MSF, MST and increased stem height, characteristics that favor the sale of potted gerbera.

Potencial produtivo de cultivares de cana-de-açúcar sob os manejos irrigado e sequeiro

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação agronômica e modo de reprodução de híbridos intraespecíficos de Brachiaria decumbens

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evolução metamórfica (P-T-t) de granulitos e migmatitos do Complexo Guaxupé na região de São João da Boa Vista, SP

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)