Cissus sicyoides (princess vine) in the long-term treatment of streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Leaf decoctions of Cissus sicyoides (princess vine) are taken widely as a popular remedy for diabetes mellitus in Brazil, where its common name is 'vegetal insulin'. However, there have been practically no attempts so far to determine scientifically whether it has antidiabetic effects and we decided to administer leaf decoctions, over extended periods, to normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats, and investigate the effects of this treatment on the physiological and metabolic parameters that are altered in diabetic animals. The experimental model adopted was shown to be appropriate by running a parallel treatment with insulin, which led to expected improvements in several abnormal parameter values. The decoction treatment significantly reduced the intake of both food and fluid and the volume of urine excreted, as well as the levels of blood glucose, urinary glucose and urinary urea, in comparison with controls. Lipid metabolism was not affected by the treatment; nor was the level of hepatic glycogen in diabetic animals, which indicated that the mechanism responsible for the improvement in carbohydrate metabolism, observed in animals treated with the decoction, could not involve inhibition of glycogenolysis and/or stimulation of glycogenesis. The fact that normal animals treated with C. sicyoides exhibited no changes in any of the measured parameters suggests that its mode of action in diabetic animals does not resemble those of sulphonylurea or insulin. It may, however, act in a similar way to biguanide, via inhibition of gluconeogenesis.

Fate of Some New Fungicides (Cyprodinil, Fludioxonil, Pyrimethanil, and Tebuconazole) from Vine to Wine

The fate of four new fungicides (cyprodinil, fludioxonil, pyrimethanil, and tebuconazole) from the treatment on vine to the production of wine was studied. The influence of clarifying agents (bentonite, charcoal, potassium caseinate, gelatin, and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone) on residue concentrations in wine was also studied. The fungicide residues on grapes showed different decay rates after treatment, with first-order kinetics and half-lives ranging from 8 to 57 days. Grape processing into wine caused considerable residue reduction with cyprodinil (ca. 80%), fludioxonil (ca. 70%), and tebuconazole (ca. 50%) and no reduction with pyrimethanil. The two wine-making techniques employed (with and without maceration) had the same influence on the residue concentrations in wine, except for fludioxonil which showed maximum residue reduction with vinification with maceration. Among the clarifying agents tested, only charcoal showed effective action on the elimination of residue content in wine, proving complete elimination, or almost, of fungicide residues.

Cravo-de-defunto como planta atrativa para tripes em cultivo protegido de melão orgânico

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeitos do thidiazuron e do ácido giberélico nas características dos cachos de uva de mesa cultivar Rubi, na região da Nova Alta Paulista

Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos de thidiazuron e de ácido giberélico nas características dos cachos de uvas 'Rubi', foi conduzido um experimento, utilizando-se de thidiazuron a 5 e 10 mg.L-1 e ácido giberélico a 20mg.L-1, combinados ou não. As aplicações dos produtos foram realizadas aos 14; 21 ou 28 dias após o pleno florescimento, por meio de imersão dos cachos. Todos os tratamentos com reguladores de crescimento aumentaram a massa dos cachos. A massa dos bagos e dos engaços foi identicamente influenciada pela aplicação dos produtos, porém menos evidente, quando as aplicações foram realizadas aos 28 dias após o pleno florescimento. As aplicações de thidiazuron a 5mg.L-1, aos 14 ou 21 dias após o florescimento, não diferiram das aplicações de ácido giberélico para as variáveis estudadas. Não houve diferenças significativas para as variáveis teor de sólidos solúveis totais, acidez titulável, porém os tratamentos com thidiazuron retardaram a maturação em até 7 dias.

Modelling the effect of the physical and chemical characteristics of the materials used as casing layers on the production parameters of Agaricus bisporus

The aim of this research was to show the mathematical data obtained through the correlations found between the physical and chemical characteristics of casing layers and the final mushrooms' properties. For this purpose, 8 casing layers were used: soil, soil + peat moss, soil + black peat, soil + composted pine bark, soil + coconut fibre pith, soil + wood fibre, soil + composted vine shoots and, finally, the casing of La Rioja subjected to the ruffling practice. The conclusion that interplays in the fructification process with only the physical and chemical characteristics of casing are complicated was drawn. The mathematical data obtained in earliness could be explained in non-ruffled cultivation. The variability observed for the mushroom weight and the mushroom diameter variables could be explained in both ruffled and non-ruffled cultivations. Finally, the properties of the final quality of mushrooms were established by regression analysis.

Estudos epidemiológicos e controle químico de Phakopsora euvitis

Em janeiro de 2003 foram constatados sintomas típicos de ferrugem em folhas maduras de videira (Vitis vinifera), nas áreas experimentais da Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus de Ilha Solteira, em Selvíria - MS e Ilha Solteira - SP. Este é o primeiro relato desta doença da videira no Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Considerando a intensidade da doença, a importância da cultura da videira na região e a falta de informações sobre a ferrugem, os objetivos deste trabalho foram: reconfirmar a patogenicidade de Phakopsora euvitis; estudar a influência da luz e da temperatura na germinação de urediniósporos; estudar o efeito do tipo de superfície na germinação de urediniósporos; determinar a longevidade in vivo de urediniósporos e avaliar a eficiência agronômica de fungicidas para o controle da ferrugem. Sintomas da ferrugem foram verificados somente em folhas maduras de videira. A temperatura de 25 ºC, no escuro, e a superfície inferior da folha de videira foram as melhores condições para a germinação de urediniósporos de P. euvitis. A germinação dos urediniósporos foi reduzida em 94%, em folhas de videira que foram retiradas das plantas e mantidas durante sete dias na superfície do solo. em dois experimentos realizados em campo constatou-se que os fungicidas tebuconazole, propiconazole e azoxystrobin proporcionaram as menores intensidades da doença. Tebuconazole apresentou-se como o fungicida mais eficiente no controle da ferrugem. No geral, maior intensidade da ferrugem foi observada em videira conduzida no sistema de espaldeira.

Uncaria tomentosa Aqueous-ethanol Extract Triggers an Immunomodulation toward a Th2 Cytokine Profile

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

Limited movement of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in yellow passion flower in Brazil

Symptoms of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) on yellow passion flower (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) are characterized by bright yellow mottling on leaves, starting at random points on the vine and diminishing in intensity towards the tip, which becomes symptomless as it grows. To determine whether symptomless portions of vines are CMV-free or represent latent infection, leaves with and without symptoms were collected from infected vines in the field. Biological, serological (plate-trapped antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, PTA-ELISA), Western blot and dot-blot hybridization assays showed that portions of the vines without symptoms were CMV-free. Vegetatively propagated vines with symptoms showed remission of symptoms on newly developed leaves. One year later, no CMV was detected in the upper leaves of these plants. Mechanically inoculated passion flower seedlings behaved similarly; symptoms were shown by few leaves after inoculation. Afterwards, plants became symptomless and CMV was not detected in the upper leaves or root system, 40 or 85 days after inoculation. The mechanism responsible for remission of symptoms accompanied by CMV disappearance is not known.

Produção antecipada de mudas de videira Rubi (Vitis vinifera) através de enxertia verde

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Enraizamento de estacas herbáceas dos porta-enxertos de videira Campinas (IAC 766) e Jales (IAC) 572 em diferentes substratos

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o enraizamento de estacas herbáceas de dois porta-enxertos de videiras ( Campinas - IAC 766 e Jales - IAC 572) em três tipos de substratos (casca de arroz carbonizada, vermiculita de grânulos finos e vermiculita de grânulos médios). Para tanto, estacas retiradas de plantas matrizes livres de vírus foram preparadas a partir das porções medianas de ramos tenros e verdes. O enraizamento foi realizado em caixas plásticas perfuradas contendo os substratos em câmara de nebulização. O delineamento experimental empregado foi o inteiramento casualizado com 6 tratamentos e 5 repetições, sendo cada parcela composta por 10 estacas. Após quatro semanas da estaquia, o efeito dos fatores (porta-enxertos e substratos) foi avaliado, e se pode concluir que: a) a porcentagem média de enraizamento dos porta-enxertos nos diferentes substratos é alta (90%); b) a casca de arroz carbonizada propicia os melhores resultados de enraizamento para os porta-enxertos estudados; e c) o Campinas é superior em relação ao Jales quanto ao número de raízes emitidas por estaca e à matéria do seu sistema radicular.

Persistence and Metabolism of Folpet in Grapes and Wine

The fate of folpet from the treatment on vine to the production of wine was studied. Sunlight degraded folpet to unknown products. Phthalimide was a minor metabolite formed on grapes from folpet. Folpet degraded in must, giving 80% phthalimide; the results obtained with model solutions showed that in must folpet can also give small amounts of phthalic acid. During wine-making folpet degraded completely, and at the end of fermentation phthalimide was only present in wine. This compound was stable in wine after several months. The presence of folpet in grapes inhibited the alcoholic fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kloeckera apiculata completely. Phthalimide, on the contrary, had no negative effect on the fermentative action of the two yeasts. GC and HPLC methods were developed to determine folpet and its metabolites.

Assessing the above-ground biomass of a complex tropical rainforest using a canopy crane

Current estimates of the total biomass in tropical rainforests vary considerably; this is due in large part to the different approaches that are used to calculate biomass. In this study we have used a canopy crane to measure the tree architectures in a 1 ha plot of complex mesophyll vine forest at Cape Tribulation, Australia. Methods were developed to measure and calculate the crown and stem biomass of six major species of tree and palm (Alstonia scholaris (Apocynaceae), Cleistanthus myrianthus (Euphorbiaceae), Endiandra microneura (Lauraceae), Myristica insipida (Myristicaceae), Acmena graveolens (Myrtaceae), Normanbya normanbyi (Arecaceae)) using the unique access provided by the crane. This has allowed the first non-destructive biomass estimate to be carried out for a forest of this type. Allometric equations which relate tree biomass to the measured variable 'diameter at breast height' were developed for the six species, and a general equation was also developed for trees on the plot. The general equation was similar in form to equations developed for tropical rainforests in Brazil and New Guinea. The species equations were applied at the level of families, the generalized equation was applied to the remaining species which allowed the biomass of a total of 680 trees to be calculated. This has provided a current estimate of 270 t ha-1 above-ground biomass at the Australian Canopy Crane site; a value comparable to lowland rainforests in Panama and French Guiana. Using the same tree database seven alternative allometric equations (literature equations for tropical rainforests) were used to calculate the site biomass, the range was large (252-446 t ha-1) with only three equations providing estimates within 34 t ha-1 (12.5%) of the site value. Our use of multiple species-specific allometric equations has provided a site estimate only slightly larger (1%) than that obtained using allometric equations developed specifically for tropical wet rainforests. We have demonstrated that it is possible to non-destructively measure the biomass in a complex forest using an on-site canopy crane. In conjunction the development of crown maps and a detailed tree architecture database allows changes in forest structure to be followed quantitatively. © 2007 Ecological Society of Australia.

Meio de cultura e tipo de explante no estabelecimento in vitro de espécies de maracujazeiro

Brazil is one of the main centers of genetic variability dispersion of the Passiflora genera. Its self incompatibility as well as disease incidence in its leaves and root system and, deforestation and monocultivation, promote loss of genetic material. Considering the risk of genetic erosion, the conservation of the variability in germplasm banks, which is of great interest in plant breeding, is necessary. Studies regarding the type of expiant and concentration of the culture media are necessary in order to determine protocols of establishment and in vitro conservation of passion-fruit germplasm. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the influence of the salt and nutrient concentration in the MS culture medium and types of expiants in the establishment and growth of the Passion fruit species: Passiflora giberti N. E.Brown, P. edulis Sims and P. laurifolia L. Each Passiflora species presented its own characteristics regarding in vitro development. The complete MS medium and nodal segments the second axilliary bud promoted better development of the genotypes studied.

Compatibility of grafting in the melon cv. bônus No. 2, and effects on production

Twelve rootstocks were evaluated: 1) pumpkin 'Big Power' (Cucurbita ntoschata); 2) pumpkin 'Seca' (Cucurbita moschata); 3) bottle gourd 'Longa' (Lagenaria siceraria); 4) 'Cachi' (Lagenaria siceraria); 5) bottle gourd 'Marimba' (Lagenaria siceraria); 6) 'Mogango' (Cucurbita maxima); 7) pumpkin 'Kirameki' (Cucurbita moschata); 8) pumpkin 'Caravela' (Cucurbita moschata); 9) pumpkin 'Shelper' (Cucurbita moschata); 10) 'Gherkin' (Cucumis anguria); 11) 'Loofah' (Luffa cylindrica); and 12) pumpkin 'Goianinha' (Cucurbita moschata) with respect to compatibility with melon yield, and the production and quality of fruits from cv. Bônus No. 2, non-grafted and grafted with 9 of these rootstocks (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11). The bottle gourd 'Marimba' provided the highest percentage of grafting success between the vine and rootstock. The rootstocks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 did not differ from bottle gourd 'Marimba', therefore also indicating good compatibility with the melon cv. Bônus No. 2. For height of the plants, it was shown in the first evaluation that rootstock 5 produced a greater height of the plant, differing only from rootstocks 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 and non-grafted cv. Bônus No. 2. In the second evaluation, 'Big Power' showed the greatest value for height of the plant, differing only from combinations with 'Cachi', 'Mogango', 'Shelper' and 'Loofah'. With regard to number of leaves, in the first evaluation rootstocks 3, 4 and 6 had the greatest number of leaves, but in the second 4, 9 and 11 had the greatest. For dry weight of the stem, the greatest value was obtained with 'Mogango' in the first evaluation and with 'Big Power' in the second. For leaf area of the plants, a difference was found among the treatments only in the first evaluation, where the combination with bottle gourd 'Longa' showed a greater leaf area, but did not differ from the combinations with rootstocks 1, 4, 5 and 6. Differences were demonstrated among the treatments only for the transverse diameter of the fruit, where the combination with rootstock bottle gourd 'Marimba' showed the greatest value, differing only from the combination with 'Gherkin'. There were no significant differences for the mean longitudinal diameter, pulp thickness and total soluble solids among the treatments studied.

Evaluation of the floral vasculature of the Janusia, Mascagnia and Tetrapterys species as a tool to explain the decrease of floral organs in Malpighiaceae

The family Malpighiaceae is considered monophyletic, but the intra-family classification is conflicting. Analyses of floral vasculature allow the identification of reductions, connations and adnations and can even reveal evolutionary steps prior to current floral morphology. The present work analysed the floral vasculature of Janusia mediterranea, Mascagnia cordifolia and Tetrapterys chamaecerasifolia using material processed by traditional methods for light microscopy. A general pattern was observed of three bundle traces supplying each sepal and one trace per petal and stamen; Mascagnia is an exception, as its eglandular sepal has only a median trace but shares lateral traces with adjacent sepals. No dorsal traces are emitted to the carpels; however, three intercarpellary complexes are emitted that divide into six ventral bundles, supplying the ovule. Mascagnia demonstrates connation between the anterior and adjacent sepal glands; reductions of the anterior sepal glands were registered in Tetrapterys and Janusia. This work reveals two distinct processes for gland loss in non-related groups of the family that resulted in similar present appearances. Our evaluation of the number of calyx glands and the processes of glandular loss in species with less than ten glands improves our understanding of the evolution of calyx glands in Malpighiaceae. © 2013 Elsevier GmbH.