Controle de plantas daninhas na cultura do milho-pipoca com herbicidas aplicados em pós-emergência

Objetivou-se avaliar a eficiência de controle de plantas daninhas, a tolerância e a produção de milho-pipoca UFVM2 aos herbicidas atrazine (1.500 g ha-1), foramsulfuron + iodosulfuron methyl sodium + atrazine (15+1+1.500 e 30+2+1.500 g ha-1), foramsulfuron + iodosulfuron methyl sodium (15+1, 30+2, 45+3 e 60+4 g ha-1), nicosulfuron + atrazine (8+1.500 e 16+1.500 g ha-1) e nicosulfuron (16 g ha-1). A aplicação dos herbicidas foi realizada aos 25 dias após a emergência da cultura. As plantas daninhas predominantes na área foram Brachiaria plantaginea, Brachiaria decumbens e Ipomoea spp. Os herbicidas foramsulfuron + iodosulfuron methyl sodium, em todas as doses testadas, proporcionaram maiores índices de toxidez à cultura, aos 7, 14 e 28 dias após a aplicação dos tratamentos (DAA). Todas as combinações de herbicidas proporcionaram controle acima de 90% para B. plantaginea e B. decumbens, aos 28 DAA. O nicosulfuron aplicado isoladamente proporcionou controle de apenas 80% e o atrazine não controlou essas espécies daninhas. Para Ipomoea spp., nenhum tratamento herbicida proporcionou controle equivalente ao da testemunha capinada. A competição das plantas daninhas resultou em menores teores de clorofila total, N, P e K no tecido foliar das plantas de milho-pipoca e menor rendimento de grãos. Para o cultivar UFVM2, as sulfoniluréias isoladas ou associadas ao atrazine não afetaram o estado nutricional da cultura, o rendimento e a capacidade de expansão dos grãos de milho-pipoca.

Dinâmica populacional de plantas daninhas em cultivo de milho-verde nos sistemas orgânico e tradicional

Objetivou-se neste trabalho estudar a dinâmica populacional de plantas daninhas no cultivo de milho-verde nos sistemas orgânico e tradicional. Esta pesquisa foi realizada no ano agrícola 2003/2004, usando o sistema de semeadura direta na palha. Os tratamentos, em arranjo fatorial 4 x 2, constituíram-se de quatro doses e fontes de nutrientes: SA - sem adubação; AM1 - adubação mineral na dose de 150 kg ha-1 da fórmula 8-28-16 + 50 kg de N ha-1 em cobertura; AM2 - adubação mineral na dose de 300 kg ha-1 da fórmula 8-28-16 + 100 kg de N ha-1 em cobertura; e AO - adubação com composto orgânico na dose de 40 m³ ha-1 aplicado sobre a palha 10 dias após a semeadura, combinados com dois cultivares de milho (UFVM 100 e AG 1051). Para o estudo fitossociológico, as plantas daninhas foram avaliadas no estádio de quatro folhas completas das plantas do milho, antes da aplicação do herbicida em pós-emergência ou do primeiro corte das plantas daninhas com a ceifadora. As espécies Jaegeria hirta, Artemisia verlotorum, Bidens pilosa, Cyperus rotundus e Ipomoea grandifolia apresentaram as maiores freqüências na área. Bidens pilosa apresentou a maior importância relativa, independentemente dos sistemas de produção. As práticas culturais utilizadas no cultivo de milho-verde, sob sistema orgânico, foram eficientes no manejo das plantas daninhas quando da adoção de cobertura do solo com palha de aveia-preta.

Distribuição de glyphosate e acúmulo de nutrientes em biótipos de azevém

Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar o acúmulo de nutrientes e a translocação de glyphosate em biótipos de azevém. Para isso, foram montados dois ensaios: no primeiro aplicou-se 14C-glyphosate, adicionando 10 µL da calda sobre a face adaxial da primeira folha com lígula totalmente visível, quando as plantas de azevém apresentavam três perfilhos. A quantidade de glyphosate absorvido, translocado e exsudado foi avaliada 64 horas após aplicação, por meio da medição da radiação emitida pelo 14C-glyphosate, em espectrômetro de cintilação líquida. O glyphosate foi quantificado em folha de aplicação, perfilhos, raízes e na solução nutritiva onde foram cultivados os biótipos de azevém. No segundo experimento, aplicou-se o glyphosate (480 g ha-1) tanto no biótipo sensível quanto no resistente. Após dez dias da aplicação, a parte área e as raízes das plantas foram coletadas e secas em estufa, sendo determinados os teores de macronutrientes. No primeiro ensaio, verificou-se exsudação radicular em ambos os biótipos, nos quais a quantidade de glyphosate exsudada foi semelhante, não ultrapassando 5% do total que penetrou na planta. No perfilho principal do biótipo sensível, comparado ao resistente, foi observada maior concentração do produto marcado. O biótipo resistente apresentou maior acúmulo de produto marcado na folha de aplicação; no sensível, a maior parte do glyphosate foi encontrada nas raízes. Com relação ao segundo ensaio, na presença de herbicida o biótipo sensível apresentou menor teor de fósforo tanto na parte aérea quanto na planta. Os biótipos resistente e sensível, sem aplicação de herbicida, tenderam a apresentar maiores teores de N total e N inorgânico na parte aérea e na planta como um todo, quando comparados aos tratamentos em que foi realizada a aplicação do produto. Ambos os biótipos mostraram a mesma capacidade de absorção e acúmulo de macronutrientes na ausência do produto.

Tolerância do Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) e da Brachiaria brizantha ao glyphosate

Objetivou-se avaliar a tolerância de Tifton 85 e Brachiaria brizantha ao glyphosate e verificar o controle de B. brizantha em área de pastagem de Tifton 85 já estabelecida. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições, em que se testaram as doses: 0, 720, 1.440, 2.160 e 2.880 g ha-1 de glyphosate. Cada parcela possuía dimensões de 3,5 m de comprimento por 3,0 m de largura, totalizando 10,5 m², com área útil de 7,5 m ². A eficiência do herbicida no controle de B. brizantha e o nível de intoxicação nas plantas de Tifton 85 foram avaliados 15, 30 e 60 dias após aplicação (DAA), mediante escala de 0 a 100, em que 0 é ausência de controle e/ou intoxicação e 100, controle total ou morte das plantas. Para avaliação da produção e do potencial de rebrota das forrageiras, as plantas de ambas as espécies foram colhidas aos 300 DAA e secas em estufa. Observou-se controle acima de 90% das plantas de B. brizantha a partir das doses de 1.473,75 e 1.721,25 g ha-1 de glyphosate, aos 30 e 60 DAA, respectivamente. As porcentagens de intoxicação das plantas de Tifton 85, referente a estas doses de controle de B. brizantha, foram, respectivamente, de 24,90 e 4,13% aos 30 e 60 DAA. Além disso, aos 60 DAA, para a maior dose avaliada (2.880 g ha-1 de glyphosate) foi observada intoxicação das plantas de Tifton 85 de apenas 18,22%. Aos 300 DAA, observou-se ausência de produção de massa seca de B. brizantha a partir da dose de 2.160 g ha-1 do herbicida, devido ao eficiente controle. Os resultados evidenciam maior tolerância das plantas de Tifton 85 ao glyphosate em relação às plantas de B. brizantha, possibilitando o controle desta espécie em pastagem estabelecida de Tifton 85, sem causar danos à forrageira cultivada.

Acúmulo de macro e micronutrientes por soja e Brachiaria brizantha emergida em diferentes épocas

A rotação entre soja e B. brizantha tem sido muito utilizada na integração agricultura-pecuária. Contudo, o banco de sementes formado pela pastagem anterior torna a forrageira uma espécie daninha importante no cultivo da soja. Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar os efeitos de diferentes épocas de emergência de B. brizantha em relação à soja no acúmulo de macro e micronutrientes por ambas as espécies. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação, avaliando-se sete épocas de emergência de B. brizantha em relação à emergência da soja, sendo: -21, -14 e -7 dias, as épocas da emergência da braquiária antes da emergência da soja (DA); 0, a emergência simultânea da soja e da braquiária; e 7, 14 e 21 dias, as épocas de emergência da braquiária depois da soja (DD), além de duas testemunhas (apenas soja ou B. brizantha), no delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado. A avaliação nutricional das plantas foi realizada no estádio de pleno florescimento da soja. Na emergência simultânea das espécies, B. brizantha apresentou maior acúmulo de N, P, K, S, Mg, Cu, Mn e Fe, enquanto a soja acumulou mais Ca, Zn e B. A soja obteve vantagem no acúmulo dos demais nutrientes quando a forrageira emergiu em torno de 7 DD, com máximo acúmulo quando B. brizantha emergiu aos 21 DD.

Green ear yield and grain yield of maize cultivars in competition with weeds

The reduction in herbicide use is one of the greatest interests for modern agriculture and several alternatives are being investigated with this objective, including the adoption of cultivars that suppress weeds. The objective of this study was to verify if maize cultivars develop differently, in competition with weeds, to produce green ears and grain. Randomized complete block design was used, with split-plots and five replications. Cultivars DKB 390, DKB 466, DKB 350, AG 7000, AG 7575 and Master, were evaluated in the plots, without weeding and two weedings (at 22 and 41 days after sowing) in sub plots. Twenty-one species were identified in the experimental area, the most frequent being Gramineae (Poaceae), Euphorbiaceae, Leguminosae (Fabaceae) and Convolvulaceae species. There was no difference in the dry biomass above-ground part of the weeds in the plots of the evaluated cultivars. The cultivars behaved similarly in treatments with or without hoeing, except for plant height and ear height evaluations. Without hoeing, plant height increased in cultivar DKB 390, while plant height and ear height decreased in cultivar AG 7575. In the other cultivars, these traits did not change under weed control. The presence of weeds decreased the values of all traits employed to assess green corn yield, with the exception of the total number of green ears and grain yield.

Sorção e dessorção do ametryn em Latossolos brasileiros

O conhecimento dos processos de retenção de herbicidas em solo é fundamental para se prever o potencial de lixiviação e degradação e a eficiência no controle das plantas daninhas. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar os processos de sorção e dessorção do ametryn em quatro solos brasileiros: Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo (LVA), Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo húmico (LVAh), Latossolo Vermelho (LV) e Latossolo Amarelo (LA), com diferentes valores de pH. Para isso, utilizou-se o método Batch Equilibrium em condições controladas de laboratório e análise por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, com detector UV-Vis a 245 nm. Considerando os valores da constante de Freundlich modificada (K'f), verificou-se, entre os solos estudados, a ordem crescente de sorção do ametryn: LV pH 6,06 < LV pH 5,00 < LA pH 6,30 < LVA pH 6,11 < LVA pH 5,40 < LVAh pH 6,24 < LVAh pH 4,8. Conclui-se que as características teor de matéria orgânica e pH dos solos estudados afetaram a sorção e a dessorção do ametryn. Verificou-se também que solos com maiores teores de matéria orgânica foram os que apresentaram as maiores taxas de sorção, além das menores porcentagens de dessorção, indicando a ocorrência de histerese.

Incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil

To establish the incidence of type 1 diabetes among children (infants to 14 years of age) in the city of Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (population under 15 years = 50,098), during the period of January to December 1996, a retrospective and prospective population-based registry was established, using physician reports of newly diagnosed patients under 15 years of age with type 1 diabetes as the primary source of case identification. Primary and nursery schools and a general call through the media (newspapers, radio and television) was the secondary source. Data were calculated according to the methods recommended by the WHO (1990). Six new cases were identified. Case ascertainment was estimated at 100%. The incidence of type 1 diabetes in the year 1996 was 12/100,000 inhabitants. These data indicate that the incidence of childhood type 1 diabetes in a subtropical region in the Southern part of Brazil was similar to that observed in developed countries throughout the world. The inability to demonstrate the North-South gradient is probably due to the European origin of inhabitants of the city.

Detection of the basement membrane-degrading proteolytic activity of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis after SDS-PAGE using agarose overlays containing Abz-MKALTLQ-EDDnp

We have characterized, in the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis yeast phase, an exocellular SH-dependent serine proteinase activity against Abz-MKRLTL-EDDnp and analogous fluorescent-quenched peptides, and showed that it is also active against constituents of the basement membrane in vitro. In the present study, we separated the components of P. brasiliensis culture filtrates by electrophoresis and demonstrated that the serine-thiol exocellular proteinase has a diffuse and heterogeneous migration by SDS-PAGE, localizing in a region between 69 and 43 kDa. The hydrolytic activity was demonstrable after SDS-PAGE using buffered agarose overlays of Abz-MKALTLQ-EDDnp, following incubation at 37oC, and detection of fluorescent bands with a UV transilluminator. Hydrolysis was more intense when incubation was carried out at basic pH, and was completely inhibited with 2.5 mM PMSF and partially with sodium 7-hydroxymercuribenzoate (2.5 mM p-HMB), suggesting its serine-thiol nature. A proteolytic band with similar characteristics was observed in conventional gelatin zymograms, but could not be correlated with a silver-stained component. Detection of the serine-thiol proteinase in substrate gels after SDS-PAGE provides a useful way of monitoring purification of the basement membrane degrading enzyme.

Renal effects of uroguanylin and guanylin in vivo

Uroguanylin and guanylin are newly discovered endogenous heat-stable peptides that bind to and activate a membrane bound guanylyl cyclase signaling receptor (termed guanylyl cyclase C; GC-C). These peptides are not only found in blood but are secreted into the lumen of the intestine and effect a net secretion of electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3-) and fluid into the intestine via a cyclic guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) mechanism. GC-C is also the receptor for Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (STa) and activation by STa results in a diarrheal illness. Employing mouse renal in vivo models, we have demonstrated that uroguanylin, guanylin, and STa elicit natriuretic, kaliuretic, and diuretic effects. These biological responses are time- and dose-dependent. Maximum natriuretic and kaliuretic effects are observed within 30-40 min following infusion with pharmacological doses of the peptides in a sealed-urethra mouse model. Our mouse renal clearance model confirms these results and shows significant natriuresis following a constant infusion of uroguanylin for 30 min, while the glomerular filtration rate, plasma creatinine, urine osmolality, heart rate, and blood pressure remain constant. These data suggest the peptides act through tubular transport mechanisms. Consistent with a tubular mechanism, messenger RNA-differential display PCR of kidney RNA extracted from vehicle- and uroguanylin-treated mice show the message for the Na+/K+ ATPase g-subunit is down-regulated. Interestingly, GC-C knockout mice (Gucy2c -/-) also exhibit significant uroguanylin-induced natriuresis and kaliuresis in vivo, suggesting the presence of an alternate receptor signaling mechanism in the kidney. Thus, uroguanylin and guanylin seem to serve as intestinal and renal natriuretic peptide-hormones influencing salt and water transport in the kidney through GC-C dependent and independent pathways. Furthermore, our recent clinical probe study has revealed a 70-fold increase in levels of urinary uroguanylin in patients with congestive heart failure. In conclusion, our studies support the concept that uroguanylin and guanylin are endogenous effector peptides involved in regulating body salt and water homeostasis.

Effects of exercise training on autonomic and myocardial dysfunction in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Several investigators have demonstrated that diabetes is associated with autonomic and myocardial dysfunction. Exercise training is an efficient non-pharmacological treatment for cardiac and metabolic diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of exercise training on hemodynamic and autonomic diabetic dysfunction. After 1 week of diabetes induction (streptozotocin, 50 mg/kg, iv), male Wistar rats (222 ± 5 g, N = 18) were submitted to exercise training for 10 weeks on a treadmill. Arterial pressure signals were obtained and processed with a data acquisition system. Autonomic function and intrinsic heart rate were studied by injecting methylatropine and propranolol. Left ventricular function was assessed in hearts perfused in vitro by the Langendorff technique. Diabetes (D) bradycardia and hypotension (D: 279 ± 9 bpm and 91 ± 4 mmHg vs 315 ± 11 bpm and 111 ± 4 mmHg in controls, C) were attenuated by training (TD: 305 ± 7 bpm and 100 ± 4 mmHg). Vagal tonus was decreased in the diabetic groups and sympathetic tonus was similar in all animals. Intrinsic heart rate was lower in D (284 ± 11 bpm) compared to C and TD (390 ± 8 and 342 ± 14 bpm, respectively). Peak systolic pressure developed at different pressures was similar for all groups, but +dP/dt max was decreased and -dP/dt max was increased in D. In conclusion, exercise training reversed hypotension and bradycardia and improved myocardial function in diabetic rats. These changes represent an adaptive response to the demands of training, supporting a positive role of physical activity in the management of diabetes.

Effect of fatty acids on leukocyte function

Fatty acids have various effects on immune and inflammatory responses, acting as intracellular and intercellular mediators. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of the omega-3 family have overall suppressive effects, inhibiting lymphocyte proliferation, antibody and cytokine production, adhesion molecule expression, natural killer cell activity and triggering cell death. The omega-6 PUFAs have both inhibitory and stimulatory effects. The most studied of these is arachidonic acid that can be oxidized to eicosanoids, such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes and thromboxanes, all of which are potent mediators of inflammation. Nevertheless, it has been found that many of the effects of PUFA on immune and inflammatory responses are not dependent on eicosanoid generation. Fatty acids have also been found to modulate phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species production, cytokine production and leukocyte migration, also interfering with antigen presentation by macrophages. The importance of fatty acids in immune function has been corroborated by many clinical trials in which patients show improvement when submitted to fatty acid supplementation. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain fatty acid modulation of immune response, such as changes in membrane fluidity and signal transduction pathways, regulation of gene transcription, protein acylation, and calcium release. In this review, evidence is presented to support the proposition that changes in cell metabolism also play an important role in the effect of fatty acids on leukocyte functioning, as fatty acids regulate glucose and glutamine metabolism and mitochondrial depolarization.

Assessment of fetal risk associated with exposure to cancer chemotherapy during pregnancy: a multicenter study

The objective of the present study was to evaluate and quantify fetal risks involved in the administration of cancer chemotherapy during gestation, as well as to assess the long-term effects on the exposed children. In this retrospective, cohort study, we reviewed the records of women aged 15 to 45 years with a diagnosis of malignancy or benign tumors with malignant behavior at three reference services in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from 1990 to 1997. All patients with a diagnosis of pregnancy at any time during the course of the disease were selected, regardless of whether or not they received specific medication. Fetal outcomes of 14 pregnancies with chemotherapy exposure were compared to that of 15 control pregnancies in which these drugs were not used. Long-term follow-up of the exposed children was carried out. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the groups. Continuous variables were compared by the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. We found an increased rate of prematurity (6/8 vs 2/10; RR: 3.75; CI: 1.02-13.8; P = 0.03) in the exposed group. There was a trend to an increased fetal death rate (4/12 vs 0/10; P = 0.07) in the group exposed to chemotherapy. No malformations were detected in any child, which can be related to our small sample size as well as to the fact that most exposures occurred after the first trimester of pregnancy. Other larger, controlled studies are needed to establish the actual risk related to cancer chemotherapy during pregnancy.

Ultrasonographic determination of goiter prevalence in southern Brazilian schoolchildren

The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of goiter in schoolchildren in a formerly iodine-deficient region in southern Brazil by assessing the relationship between body surface area (m²) and thyroid volume (ml) measured by ultrasonography. A population-based sample of 1,094 randomly selected schoolchildren (6 to 14 years; 556 boys and 538 girls) underwent clinical evaluation. A total of 119 (10.9%) children were diagnosed with goiter upon clinical examination according to WHO criteria (grade Ia: 65, grade Ib: 24, grade II: 29, grade III: 1). Of these, 85 underwent ultrasonography. In order to ascertain the absence of goiter in the 975 schoolchildren with a negative result upon clinical examination, one of ten children was randomly selected for ultrasonography. Sixty-two children agreed to be submitted to the exam. Thus, 147 schoolchildren were evaluated by ultrasonography (7.5-MHz transducer). Goiter was considered to be present when the thyroid volume:body surface area index was >6.2 ml/m². The estimated prevalence of goiter if all schoolchildren had been submitted to thyroid volume measurement by ultrasound was 7.2%; it was higher in the lower socioeconomic class (8.2%) than in the upper (7.8%) and middle classes (6.5%). In conclusion, the prevalence of goiter in schoolchildren of this region was higher than in other iodine-sufficient areas, especially in lower socioeconomic classes. Goiter in this region may be associated with naturally occurring goitrogens that operate more intensively among less privileged individuals.

Immune response to respiratory syncytial virus in young Brazilian children

We have evaluated the cellular and humoral immune response to primary respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in young infants. Serum specimens from 65 patients <=12 months of age (39 males and 26 females, 28 cases <3 months and 37 cases > or = 3 months; median 3 ± 3.9 months) were tested for anti-RSV IgG and IgG subclass antibodies by EIA. Flow cytometry was used to characterize cell surface markers expressed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 29 RSV-infected children. There was a low rate of seroconversion in children <3 months of age, whose acute-phase PBMC were mostly T lymphocytes (63.0 ± 9.0%). In contrast, a higher rate of seroconversion was observed in children >3 months of age, with predominance of B lymphocytes (71.0 ± 17.7%). Stimulation of PBMC with RSV (2 x 10(5) TCID50) for 48 h did not induce a detectable increase in intracellular cytokines and only a few showed a detectable increase in RSV-specific secreted cytokines. These data suggest that age is an important factor affecting the infants' ability to develop an immune response to RSV.