Somatic embryogenesis and the effect of particle bombardment on banana Maçã regeneration

A plant regeneration method with cell suspension cultures of banana, and the effect of biobalistic on regeneration potential are described in this report. Somatic embryos of banana were obtained from indirect embryogenesis of male inflorescence of banana cultivar Maçã (AAB group). Part of the calluses formed (40%) showed embryogenic characteristics (nonfriable, compact and yellow color). The cell suspension, originated from embryogenic calluses, contained clusters of small tightly packed cells with dense cytoplasms, relatively large nuclei and very dense nucleoli. After four months of culture, somatic embryos started to regenerate. The maximum number of regenerated plants was observed between 45 and 60 days after embryo formation.In the first experiment, 401 plants were regenerated from approximately 10 mL of packed cells. In the second experiment, 399 plants were regenerated from a cell suspension six months older than that of the first experiment. Cell transformation using particle bombardment with three different plasmid constructions, containing the uid-A gene, resulted in a strong GUS expression five days after bombardment; however, plant regeneration from bombarded cells was much lower than nonbombarded ones.

Antibacterial activity of essential oils on Xanthomonas vesicatoria and control of bacterial spot in tomato

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of plant essential oils (EOs) on the growth of Xanthomonas vesicatoria, on bacterial morphology and ultrastructure, and on the severity of tomato bacterial spot. EOs from citronella, clove, cinnamon, lemongrass, eucalyptus, thyme, and tea tree were evaluated in vitro at concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, 10, and 100% in 1.0% powdered milk. The effect of EOs, at 0.1%, on the severity of tomato bacterial spot was evaluated in tomato seedlings under greenhouse conditions. The effects of citronella, lemongrass, clove, and tea tree EOs, at 0.1%, on X. vesicatoria cells were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. All EOs showed direct toxic effect on the bacteria at a 10%-concentration in vitro. Under greenhouse conditions, the EOs of clove, citronella, tea tree, and lemongrass reduced disease severity. EOs of clove and tea tree, and streptomycin sulfate promoted loss of electron-dense material and alterations in the cytoplasm, whereas EO of tea tree promoted cytoplasm vacuolation, and those of citronella, lemongrass, clove, and tea tree caused damage to the bacterial cell wall. The EOs at a concentration of 0.1% reduce the severity of the disease.

Can chest high-resolution computed tomography findings diagnose pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis?

AbstractObjective:The present study was aimed at retrospectively reviewing high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in patients with pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis in order to evaluate the frequency of tomographic findings and their distribution in the lung parenchyma.Materials and Methods:Thirteen patients (9 females and 4 males; age, 9 to 59 years; mean age, 34.5 years) were included in the present study. The HRCT images were independently evaluated by two observers whose decisions were made by consensus. The inclusion criterion was the presence of abnormalities typical of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis at HRCT, which precludes lung biopsy. However, in 6 cases lung biopsy was performed.Results:Ground-glass opacities and small parenchymal nodules were the predominant tomographic findings, present in 100% of cases, followed by small subpleural nodules (92.3%), subpleural cysts (84.6%), subpleural linear calcifications (69.2%), crazy-paving pattern (69.2%), fissure nodularity (53.8%), calcification along interlobular septa (46.2%) and dense consolidation (46.2%).Conclusion:As regards distribution of the lesions, there was preferential involvement of the lower third of the lungs. No predominance of distribution in axial and anteroposterior directions was observed.

Preparação, caracterização e propriedades de filmes poliméricos com potencial aplicação no recobrimento de sementes

Films of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium alginate and their mixture were evaluated in terms of interactions between the polymers, morphology, water absorption and application as seed coatings. FTIR analysis suggested that only hydrophobic interactions occurred between the polymers. The coating of bean seeds was confirmed by microscopy, indicating the formation of dense and homogeneous films with 7 μm thickness. The obtained films did not affect the germination capacity of the seeds. In summary, the characteristics and properties of the films formed and the water absorption capacity, indicate that these systems are viable for use in seed coating processes.

Estudo por espectroscopia micro-Raman dos mecanismos de separação de fase em vidros fosfatos de metais de transição

Glass-ceramics are prepared by controlled separation of crystal phases in glasses, leading to uniform and dense grain structures. On the other hand, chemical leaching of soluble crystal phases yields porous glass-ceramics with important applications. Here, glass/ceramic interfaces of niobo-, vanado- and titano-phosphate glasses were studied by micro-Raman spectroscopy, whose spatial resolution revealed the multiphase structures. Phase-separation mechanisms were also determined by this technique, revealing that interface composition remained unchanged as the crystallization front advanced for niobo- and vanadophosphate glasses (interface-controlled crystallization). For titanophosphate glasses, phase composition changed continuously with time up to the equilibrium composition, indicating a spinodal-type phase separation.

Poluição e a densidade de vegetação: BTEX em algumas áreas públicas de Curitiba - PR, Brasil

The occurrence of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) in some public areas of Curitiba-PR, Brazil, was evaluated. Their concentrations were then related to the vegetation's density in each area. Average benzene concentrations varied from 3.9 to 6.1 μg m-3, with higher values occurring in poorly dense vegetation areas. For toluene, average concentrations ranged from 6.5 to 7.2 μg m-3. The effect of such pollutants was evaluated by means of a bio indicator, Tillandsia stricta. Variation in total chlorophyll content and in stomatic density were detected in some samples and may be related to the BTEX concentrations found in the studied areas.

Compósitos biodegradáveis de amido de mandioca e resíduos da agroindústria

The objectives of this work were to produce biodegradable composites using starch and different agro-industrial wastes (coconut fiber, soy bran and sugarcane bagasse) using a baking process, and to study the effects of these components on the resultant composite properties. The addition of different residues yielded trays with different properties. Samples manufactured with soy bran showed the highest density and water uptake at relative humidities ≥ 60%. The addition of sugarcane bagasse resulted in less dense and resistant samples whereas coconut fiber composites showed the highest breaking stress. The samples fabricated in this study represent an alternative packaging option for foods with low water content.

Membranas de condução mista iônica e eletrônica (miec): composições, preparação e desempenho

This paper presents a review of different chemical compositions that are used in the production of mixed ionic-electronic conducting membranes with the perovskite structure. In these dense membranes, oxygen from the air is permeated through ionic and electronic processes, and high oxygen permeation fluxes are observed at high temperatures (800-900 ºC). Various membranes were compared for their performance and properties after being synthesized by different methods.

Coat protein and RNAs of Cole latent virus are not present within chloroplasts of Chenopodium quinoa-infected cells

Cole latent virus (CoLV), genus Carlavirus, was studied by electron microscopy and biochemical approaches with respect both to the ultrastructure of the Chenopodium quinoa infected cells and to its association with chloroplasts. The CoLV was observed to be present as scattered particles interspersed with membranous vesicles and ribosomes or as dense masses of virus particles. These virus particles reacted by immunolabelling with a polyclonal antibody to CoLV. Morphologically, chloroplasts, mitochondria and nuclei appeared to be unaltered by virus infection and virus particles were not detected in these organelles. However, virus particle aggregates were frequently associated with the outer membrane of chloroplasts and occasionally with peroxisomes. Chloroplasts were purified by Percoll gradient, and the coat protein and virus-associated RNAs were extracted and analyzed by Western and Northern blots respectively. Coat protein and CoLV-associated RNAs were not detected within this organelle. The results presented in this work indicate that the association CoLV/chloroplasts, observed in the ultrastructural studies, might be a casual event in the host cell, and that the virus does not replicate inside the organelle.

Landscape structure in the northern coast of Paraná state, a hotspot for the brazilian Atlantic Forest conservation

The "Serra do Mar" region comprises the largest remnant of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The coast of the Paraná State is part of the core area of the "Serra do Mar" corridor and where actions for biodiversity conservation must be planned. In this study we aimed at characterizing the landscape structure in the APA-Guaraqueçaba, the largest protected area in this region, in order to assist environmental policies of this region. Based on a supervised classification of a mosaic of LANDSAT-5-TM satellite images (from March 2009), we developed a map (1:75,000 scale) with seven classes of land use and land cover and analyzed the relative quantities of forests and modified areas in slopes and lowlands. The APA-Guaraqueçaba is comprised mainly by the Dense Ombrophilous Forest (68.6% of total area) and secondary forests (9.1%), indicating a forested landscape matrix; anthropogenic and bare soil areas (0.8%) and the Pasture/Grasslands class (4.2%) were less representative. Slopes were less fragmented and more preserved (96.3% of Dense Ombrophilous Forest and secondary forest) than lowlands (71.3%), suggesting that restoration initiatives in the lowlands must be stimulated in this region. We concluded that most of the region sustains well-conserved ecosystems, highlighting the importance of Paraná northern coast for the biodiversity maintenance of the Atlantic Forest.

Spatial variability of apparent electrical conductivity and soil properties in a coffee production field

Precision agriculture based on the physical and chemical properties of soil requires dense sampling to determine the spatial variability of these properties. This dense sampling is often expensive and time-consuming. One technique used to reduce sample numbers involves defining management zones based on information collected in the field. Some researchers have demonstrated the importance of soil electrical variables in defining management zones. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the spatial variability of the apparent electrical conductivity and the soil properties in the coffee production of mountain regions. Spatial variability maps were generated using a geostatistical method. Based on the spatial variability results, a correlation analysis, using bivariate Moran's index, was done to evaluate the relationship between the apparent electrical conductivity and soil properties. The maps of potassium (K) and remaining phosphorus (P-rem) were the closest to the spatial variability pattern of the apparent electrical conductivity.

Linfangioma cístico do mesentério: uma rara apresentação de abdômen agudo

Mesenteric cyst is a rare intra abdominal pathology. The incidence ranges from 1/100,000 to 1/250,000 hospital admissions. The authors present a case of a female patient, 20 years old, with abdominal pain for four months which three days had an acute onset of abdominal pain, and ultrasound revealed a cyst of mesentery within a dense fluid. The patient had been submitted to a laparotomy, and resection of the cyst. We emphasized the clinical symptoms, diagnostic evaluation and the therapeutic of this condition.

Produção de interleucina-10 na gestação reduz a taxa de replicação do HIV-1 em culturas de linfócitos maternos

OBJETIVO: avaliar a proliferação de células T e a produção de citocinas em gestantes infectadas pelo HIV-1 e seu impacto na replicação viral in vitro. MÉTODOS: sangue periférico de 12 gestantes infectadas pelo HIV-1 e de seus neonatos, bem como de 10 gestantes HIV-1 negativas, foi colhido e a quantidade de linfócitos TCD4+ e TCD8+ periféricos foi avaliada por citometria de fluxo. Para obter plasma ou células mononucleares periféricas (PBMC), as amostras foram centrifugadas na ausência ou presença de um gradiente de Ficoll-Hypaque, respectivamente. As PBMC foram mantidas em cultura por sete dias na presença de fito-hemaglutinina mais IL-2 recombinante e a resposta linfoproliferativa de células T foi analisada pelo método de exclusão em azul de Trypan. Em alguns experimentos, as culturas foram mantidas na presença adicional de anticorpo anti-IL-10. Os plasmas e sobrenadantes das culturas de PBMC ativadas foram submetidos à análise da produção de citocinas, pelo método ELISA indireto, e a carga viral, detectada pelo RT-PCR. RESULTADOS: independente da carga viral plasmática, a resposta linfoproliferativa em culturas de células obtidas de gestantes infectadas pelo HIV foi inferior às amostras normais [4,2±0,37 vs 2,4±0,56 (x 10(6)) células/mL; p<0.005]. Tanto em gestantes normais quanto em pacientes com cargas virais baixas, os níveis de IL-10 foram mais elevados que os das gestantes com elevada replicação viral (9.790±3.224 vs 1.256±350 pg/mL; p=0.002). Níveis elevados de TNF-alfa no soro (7.200±2.440 vs 510±476 pg/mL) e nas culturas de células (21.350±15.230 vs 1.256±350 pg/mL) correlacionaram-se à carga viral plasmática elevada e a infecção neonatal. O bloqueio da IL-10 endógena com anticorpos anti-IL-10 aumentou a replicação do HIV-1 em cultura de células. CONCLUSÃO: nossos resultados sugerem que a IL-10 exerce influência negativa na replicação viral, o que provavelmente contribui para reduzir o risco de infecção vertical.

Outbreaks of rhinofacial and rhinopharyngeal zygomycosis in sheep in Paraíba, northeastern Brazil

Two outbreaks of zigomycosis with rhinofacial and two other with rhinopharyngeal lesions involving fungi with filamentous coaenocytic hyphae characteristic of entomoph-thoramycetous fungi are reported in the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. One outbreak of rhinofacial zygomycosis occurred during the rainy season affecting 5 sheep. Another outbreak of the clinical form affected one out of 40 sheep during the dry season. Common clinical signs of the rhinofacial infection were bilateral serosanguineous nasal discharge with swelling of nostrils, upper lip, and the skin of the face. At necropsy the nasal mucosa showed dark brownish ulcerated areas which extended from the mucocutaneous region to 10cm inside the nasal vestibule. The mucosa of the hard palate was also ulcerated. The cutting surface of nostrils and palate showed a brownish or red spongeous tissue of friable consistency. One outbreak of rhinopharyngitis took place on an irrigated coconut farm; 7 out of 60 adult sheep were affected. Another outbreak affected a sheep in a flock of 80 during the dry season. Clinical signs as noisy respiration and dyspnoea due to mechanical blockage of the nasal cavities, swelling of the nostrils, and serosanguineous nasal discharge were observed. Six out of 8 sheep in this group showed exophthalmia, keratitis and unilateral corneal ulceration of the eye. The sheep either died of their infection or were euthanized after a clinical course of 7-30 days. At necropsy there was a dense yellow exudate in the nasopharyngeal area affecting the ethmoidal region, turbinate bones, paranasal sinuses, hard and soft palates, orbital cavity, pharynges, regional muscles and lymph nodes. Histopathologically both forms of the disease showed multifocal granulomas with an eosinophilic necrotic reaction (Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon) containing ribbon-type coenocytic hyphae with 7-30mum in diameter similar to hyphae of zygomycetous fungi, possibly Conidiobolus spp. Outbreaks of both forms of mycotic rhinitis are common in northeastern Brazil and in other regions of the country.

Establishment of a protocol for obtention of neuronal stem cells lineages from the dog olfactory epithelium

A morphological and cell culture study from nasal mucosa of dogs was performed in order to establish a protocol to obtain a cell population committed to neuronal lineage, as a proposal for the treatment of traumatic and degenerative lesions in these animals, so that in the future these results could be applied to the human species. Twelve mongrel dogs of 60-day aged pregnancy were collected from urban pound dogs in São Paulo. Tissue from cribriform ethmoidal lamina of the fetuses was collected at necropsy under sterile conditions around 1h to 2h postmortem by uterine sections and sections from the fetal regions described above. Isolated cells of this tissue were added in DMEM/F-12 medium under standard conditions of incubation (5% CO², >37ºC). Cell culture based on isolated cells from biopsies of the olfactory epithelium showed rapid growth when cultured for 24 hours, showing phase-bright sphere cells found floating around the fragments, attached on culture flasks. After 20 days, a specific type of cells, predominantly ellipsoids or fusiform cells was characterized in vitro. The indirect immunofluorescence examination showed cells expressing markers of neuronal precursors (GFAP, neurofilament, oligodendrocyte, and III â-tubulin). The cell proliferation index showed Ki67 immunostaining with a trend to label cell groups throughout the apical region, while PCNA immunostaining label predominantly cell groups lying above the basal lamina. The transmission electron microscopy from the olfactory epithelium of dogs revealed cells with electron-dense cytoplasm and preserving the same distribution as those of positive cell staining for PCNA. Metabolic activity was confirmed by presence of euchromatin in the greatest part of cells. All these aspects give subsidies to support the hypothesis about resident progenitor cells among the basal cells of the olfactory epithelium, committed to renewal of these cell populations, especially neurons.