Functional activity of neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the first five days postpartum

PURPOSE: To assess the chemotactic activity and phagocytic response of neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes among women in the first five days postpartum.METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional clinical-laboratory study was conducted. Data of 31 postpartum women during the first five days after vaginal delivery were compared with those of 24 healthy non-pregnant non-postpartum women matched for age. The inclusion criteria were postpartum, clinically and obstetrically healthy women; vaginal delivery, singleton pregnancy carried to term; non-hypertensive, hyperglycemic, allergic, malnourished or with autoimmune or neoplastic diseases; not having received vaccines or blood products in the last three months. The Control Group was chosen according to the same inclusion criteria but involving non-pregnant non-postpartum women. The chemotactic activity of neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes was assessed by determining the distance from directed migration to bacterial lipopolysaccharide, in three Boyden chamber assays. The phagocytic response was identified by assessing the Zymosan particles' ingestion in three assays carried out in Leighton tubes. The Student's t-test was used in the statistical analysis, adopting a 5% level of significance.RESULTS: The chemotactic activity of neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes from postpartum women in the presence of homologous (73.2±6.9) and autologous (78.6±13.9) sera showed a significant increase compared to the values observed in the Control Group (64.1±4.1 and 66.6±5.4). Both chemotactic response and phagocytosis ingestion phase of neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes were significantly increased (p<0.05) in postpartum women compared to healthy non-pregnant and non-postpartum women.CONCLUSION: There was an increase in the chemotactic activity and phagocytic response of neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes during the first five days after vaginal delivery in women.

Clinical evaluation of enalapril maleate and furosemide usage in dogs with degenerative myxomatous mitral valve, CHF functional class Ib

Degenerative myxomatous mitral valve (DMMV) is a heart disease of high incidence in small animal clinical medicine, affecting mainly older dogs and small breeds. Thus, a scientific investigation was performed in order to evaluate the clinical use of the medicines furosemide and enalapril maleate in dogs with this disease in CHF functional class Ib before and after the treatment was established. For this purpose 16 dogs with the given valve disease were used, separated into two groups: the first received furosemide (n=8) and the second received enalapril maleate (n=8) throughout 56 days. The dogs were evaluated in four stages (T0, T14, T28 and T56 day) in relation to clinical signs, hematological, biochemical and serum assessment, which included serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and aldosterone, as well as radiography, electrocardiography, Doppler-echocardiography and blood pressure. The results regarding the clinical, hematological and serum chemistry evaluations revealed no significant changes in both groups, but significant reductions in the values of ACE and aldosterone in the group receiving enalapril maleate were verified. The radiographic examination revealed reductions of VHS values and variable Pms wave of the electrocardiogram in both groups, but no changes in blood pressure values were identified. The echocardiogram showed a significant decrease of the variables LVDd/s in the studied groups and the FS% in animals that received only enalapril. Therefore, analysis of results showed that monotherapy based on enalapril maleate showed better efficiency of symptoms control in patients with CHF functional class Ib.

Character transformations and their functional significance as a key to the evolution of hystricognath Rodentia

Hystricognathi represent a monophyletic taxon within Rodentia. Since phylogenetically analyzed morphological systems are essential for revealing evolutionary processes, this study identifies evolutionary character transformations on the stem lineage of Hystricognathi as derived from the author's own work and the literature. Data so far indicate that evolutionary transformations in the rostral head region, the loss of tactile ability in the outer nasal skin and the mobile arrangement of the associated cartilage, were allied with a switch from omnivorous to herbivorous and fiber-rich nutrition. Additional character transformations in the skull assist in digesting such food. Structures associated with reproduction and placentation show a remarkable pro portion of derived character conditions: the chorioallantoic placenta has a ring-shaped organization and growth structure which optimizes the capacity for passive diffusion, a subplacenta occurred as a specialized region responsible for placental invasion and the inverted yolk sac facilitates substance exchange with the main placenta. Finally, precocial newborns evolved as a derived condition within Rodentia. All things considered, a mode of reproduction is indicated, which does not demand excessive additional energy intake by the mother and is in accordance with her low energetic diet. Hystricognathi possess major character transformations that represent prerequisites for their successful radiation at the time when more open ecosystems and grasslands evolved during Earth history. The analysis resulted in the reconstruction of a life-near picture of the hystricognath stem species pattern with high explanatory power in terms of changes in space and time and their interdependence with biodiversity.

Selectivity of glyphosate in tank mixtures for RR soybean in sequential applications with mixtures only in the first or second application

Tank mixtures among herbicides of different action mechanisms might increase weed control spectrum and may be an important strategy for preventing the development of resistance in RR soybean. However, little is known about the effects of these herbicide combinations on soybean plants. Hence, two experiments were carried out aiming at evaluating the selectivity of glyphosate mixtures with other active ingredients applied in postemergence to RR soybean. The first application was carried out at V1 to V2 soybean stage and the second at V3 to V4 (15 days after the first one). For experiment I, treatments (rates in g ha-1) evaluated were composed by two sequential applications: the first one with glyphosate (720) in tank mixtures with cloransulam (30.24), fomesafen (125), lactofen (72), chlorimuron (12.5), flumiclorac (30), bentazon (480) and imazethapyr (80); the second application consisted of isolated glyphosate (480). In experiment II, treatments also consisted of two sequential applications, but tank mixtures as described above were applied as the second application. The first one in this experiment consisted of isolated glyphosate (720). For both experiments, sequential applications of glyphosate alone at 720/480, 960/480, 1200/480 and 960/720 (Expt. I) or 720/480, 720/720, 720/960 and 720/1200 (Expt. II) were used as control treatments. Applications of glyphosate tank mixtures with other herbicides are more selective to RR soybean when applied at younger stages whereas applications at later stages might cause yield losses, especially when glyphosate is mixed with lactofen and bentazon.

Selectivity of glyphosate tank mixtures for RR soybean

An active ingredients mixture of different action mechanisms is an essential tool to prevent or manage areas with resistant weeds. However, it is important that such a mixture provides adequate selectivity to the crop. The aim of this work was to evaluate glyphosate selectivity to glyphosate-resistant (RR) soybean, and also verify if there is selectivity in mixtures with other active ingredients applied postemergence aimed at new control strategies, which might be used in RR soybean cultivation. The herbicides and respective rates (g ha-1) evaluated were: glyphosate (720, 960, 1,200, and 1,440), and the mixtures of glyphosate (960) with cloransulam-methyl (30.24), fomesafen (125), lactofen (72), chlorimuron-ethyl (12.5), flumiclorac-pentyl (30), bentazon (480), or imazethapyr (80). All treatments were applied in postemergence when the soybean crop was at V2 to V3 stage. Treatments with glyphosate or in mixtures with postemergent herbicides showed visual effects of phytotoxicity when applied to the glyphosate-resistant soybean. Effects such as reduction in plant height, crop closure, number of pods per plant, and hundred grain weight could be observed. However, the effects related to plant development were mostly transient and did not persist during the crop cycle. Among the studied treatments, only the mixture of glyphosate and lactofen was not selective to the crop, promoting negative effects on most characteristics analyzed and consequently reducing grain yield.

Herbicide selectivity in alfalfa crops

This study aimed to determine the selectivity of herbicides applied in pre- and post-emergence for alfalfa crops. Three separate experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions. The first experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications in a 4 x 11 + 1 factorial scheme , with eleven herbicides (bentazon, chlorimuron-ethyl, fomesafen, fluazifop-p-butyl, saflufenacil, imazethapyr, clethodim, nicosulfuron, imazaquin, haloxyfop-methyl and MSMA), four doses of each herbicide (0.5 D, 0.75 D, 1.0 D and 1.25 D, where D = recommended dose), plus an untreated control. The products were applied to alfalfa plants at the stage of 4 to 5 leaf pairs. In the second experiment, the effect of pre-emergent herbicides on early alfalfa development was observed through a completely randomized design with five replications in a 3 x 4 x 2 factorial scheme, with three herbicides (hexazinone, atrazine + simazine, S-metolachlor), four doses (0.5 D, 0.75 D, 1.0 D and 1.25 D), and two types of soil texture (loamy and clay soil), plus an untreated control. The third experiment evaluated the action of atrazine, 2,550 g ha-1; clomazone - 600 g ha-1; diclosulam - 25 g ha-1; diuron+hexazinone - 936 + 264 g ha-1 and diuron+hexazinone +sulfometuron - 1,386 + 391 + 33.35 g ha-1 on alfalfa sown at different times after herbicide application. The effects of the treatments on alfalfa were evaluated according to visual phytotoxicity symptoms, plant height, and biomass of roots and shoots. Among the herbicides applied at post-emergence, imazethapyr, clethodim, haloxyfop-p-methyl and MSMA were selective for alfalfa, while among those applied at pre-emergence, none were selective, regardless of soil texture. The results of the third experiment showed that the herbicides diclosulam, hexazinone + diuron and atrazine caused less toxicity in alfalfa plants.

Selectivity of clomazone and S-metolachlor applied after cassava pruning

The objective of this work was to evaluate the selectivity of clomazone in two formulations and S-metolachlor applied on shoots of different sizes after pruning of 'Baianinha' cassava. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design in a factorial 5 x 2 (5 treatments x 2 sizes of shoots after pruning - 10 and 33 cm) with four replications. The herbicides evaluated were: clomazone (encapsulated suspension - 900 g h-1), clomazone (encapsulated suspension - 1,080 g ha-1), clomazone (emulsifiable concentrate 900 g ha-1), S-metolachlor (1,920 g ha-1) and an untreated control. During the experiment, all plots were kept free of weed interference by hand weeding. It was concluded that both the formulations of clomazone and S-metolachlor were selective when applied on both the shoot sizes evaluated. However, the application of S-metolachlor on 33 cm shoots gave higher selectivity to 'Baianinha' cassava plants.

Effect of selectivity of herbicides and plant growth regulators used in sugarcane crops on immature stages of Trichogramma galloi (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Herbicides and plant growth regulators are often used in sugarcane management. However, the use of non-selective pesticides can cause adverse effects on the efficiency of beneficial insects in integrated pest management. Within this context, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of such products on the immature stages of the parasitoid Trichogramma galloi. Eggs of Diatraea saccharalis containing the parasitoid at the egg-larva stage and at the prepupal and pupal stages were immersed in test solutions of the following pesticides (maximum recommended doses for sugarcane): herbicides clomazone and diuron + hexazinone, and plant growth regulators trinexapac-ethyl and sulfometuron-methyl. The biological properties evaluated were emergence (F1 and F2) and number of eggs parasitized by T. galloi (F1). The products were classified according to percentage of reduction in emergence and parasitism: harmless (<30%), slightly harmful (30-79%), moderately harmful (80-99%) and harmful (>99%). The pesticides evaluated were considered to be harmless or slightly harmful to immature T. galloi and, thus, their use should be preferred for preserving this parasitoid species in sugarcane management programs.

Selectivity of chemical weed control systems in conventional cotton

Cotton is highly susceptible to the interference imposed by weed community, being therefore essential to adopt control measures ensuring the crop yield. Herbicides are the primary method of weed control in large-scale areas of production, and usually more than one herbicide application is necessary due to the extensive crop cycle. This study aimed to evaluate the selectivity of different chemical weed control systems for conventional cotton. The experiment took place in the field in a randomized block design, with twenty nine treatments and four replications in a split plot layout (adjacent double check). Results showed that triple mixtures in pre-emergence increased the chance of observing reductions in the cotton yield. To avoid reductions in crop yield, users should proceed to a maximum mixture of two herbicides in pre-emergence, followed by S-metolachlor over the top, followed by one post-emergence mixture application of pyrithiobac-sodium + trifloxysulfuron-sodium.

Trinexapac-Ethyl and Sulfometuron-Methyl Selectivity to Young Eucalyptus Plants

Trinexapac-ethyl and sulfometuron-methyl are the most widely used ripeners in sugarcane. The application is performed by airborne spraying. Thus, if weather conditions are unfavorable, spray drift to neighboring areas may occur. The objective of this study was to assess the selectivity of the plant growth regulators trinexapac-ethyl and sulfometuron-methyl, used as sugarcane ripeners, to eucalyptus (Eucalyptus urograndis) young plants. The experiment was installed in an eucalyptus commercial yield area, in the municipality of Tambaú, state of São Paulo, Brazil, and arranged in a 2 x 8 factorial design in randomized blocks with four replications. The treatments studied were trinexapac-ethyl and sulfometuron-methyl, sprayed in eight doses, 0; 1.0; 2.5; 5.0; 10; 25; 50 and 100% of the dose used in sugarcane as ripeners (200 g ha-1 of trinexapac-ethyl and 15 g ha-1 of sulfometuron-methyl). Chemical ripeners were applied on eucalyptus plants with 48 cm in height on average; 10.1 branches; 4.5 mm of stem diameter and 44.3 cm of crown diameter, at 46 days after seeding. Trinexapac-ethyl was selective to eucalyptus and stimulated crown diameter growth. At higher doses, sulfometuron-methyl promoted severe noticeable injuries in eucalyptus plants, such as apical bud death. However, during the assessment period the plants recovered and the visual symptoms of phytotoxicity and growth alterations were not observed at 60 days after application. The plant growth regulators trinexapac-ethyl and sulfometuron-methyl were selective to eucalyptus young plants.

Selectivity of Saflufenacil for Sweet Sorghum and Potential use of Na-Bentazon as a Safener

The objective of this study was to assess the selectivity herbicide saflufenacil for two sweet sorghum hybrids, when sprayed in preemergence and postemergence, besides the use of Na-bentazon as a 'safener' for saflufenacil. Three experiments were conducted, in pots, maintained in an ambient condition (second and third experiments) and in a greenhouse (first experiment). In each experiment a completely randomized distribution was used, with four replicates. In the first (2 x 6 factorial) two hybrids of sweet sorghum (CVSW 80007 and CVSW 80147) and six dosages (0; 35; 52.5; 70; 87.5 and 105 g ha-1) of saflufenacil were studied, applied in preemergence of the plants. In the second (2 x 5 factorial) the same hybrids of sweet sorghum sprayed in postemergence with saflufenacil (0; 35; 52.5; 70 and 87.5 g h-1) were assessed. In the third (4 x 5 factorial) the association of Na-bentazon (0; 240; 480 and 720 g ha-1) to saflufenacil (0.35; 52.5; 70 and 87.5 g ha-1) was studied, when sprayed in postemergence on the sweet sorghum plants (CVSW 80007). Hybrid CVSW 80147 was more tolerant to saflufenacil than hybrid CVSW 800007, in preemergence or postemergence applications. The variables that best assessed the sensibility of the sweet sorghum to saflufenacil were number of emerged plants, for preemergence applications, and dry matter of stem for postemergence. Na-bentazon showed promise for use as 'safener' in postemergence applications of saflufenacil in sweet sorghum for dosages up to 70 g ha-1.

SELECTIVITY OF FOMESAFEN TO COTTON

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to evaluate the selectivity of fomesafen alone or in a tank mixture with other preemergent herbicides, with or without S-metolachlor application in early postemergence in cotton plant, cultivar DP 555 BG RR(r). The design utilized was a randomized complete block, organized in a split-plot arrangement, with four replications. For that, 24 herbicides were evaluated with fomesafen (0.45 and 0.625 kg ha-1), prometryn (1.25 kg ha-1), diuron (1.25 kg ha-1), trifluralin (1.8 kg ha-1), and S-metolachlor (0.77 kg ha-1), applied as preemergent, with or without S-metolachlor (0.77 kg ha-1) applied in early postemergence. The variables evaluated were: phytotoxicity, insertion height of the first reproductive branch, plant height, stand, number of reproductive branches per plant, number of bolls per plant, bolls weight, and productivity of cotton seed. Fomesafen alone or in a tank mixture with preemergent prometryn, diuron, trifluralin and S-metolachlor was selective to cotton plant. Preemergent fomesafen isolated application followed by the application of S-metolachlor in early postemergence was also selective. However, on average, preemergent tank mixtures applied in association with preemergent S-metolachlor early application was not selective to cotton crop.

SULFENTRAZONE SELECTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY IN CASSAVA CROPS IN SANDY AND CLAYEY SOILS

ABSTRACT Weeds have the potential to dramatically interfere in cassava cultivation, reducing its productive potential; however, there are few studies on the selective herbicides in this crop. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate in this work the selectivity and efficiency of sulfentrazone in cassava crops grown in sandy and clayey soils. Two experiments were carried out: The first one was carried out in sandy soil conditions in the conventional system; and the second one was carried out in clayey soil conditions in the no-tillage system. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications. The treatments consisted in doses of 250, 500, 750 and 1,000 g ha-1 of sulfentrazone, and weeded and non-weeded controls. Sulfentrazone application in cassava crops has linearly reduced the production of roots in a proportion of 0.0153 and 0.0107 t ha-1 at each increment in grams of the active ingredient, respectively. It was concluded that sulfentrazone was not selective for cassava crops grown both in sandy and in clayey soil; however, it was highly effective in weed control in both soils.

A 37-kb restriction map of the human immunoglobulin lambda variable locus, VB cluster, harboring four functional genes and two non-coding Vl sequences

The human immunoglobulin lambda variable locus (IGLV) is mapped at chromosome 22 band q11.1-q11.2. The 30 functional germline v-lambda genes sequenced untill now have been subgrouped into 10 families (Vl1 to Vl10). The number of Vl genes has been estimated at approximately 70. This locus is formed by three gene clusters (VA, VB and VC) that encompass the variable coding genes (V) responsible for the synthesis of lambda-type Ig light chains, and the Jl-Cl cluster with the joining segments and the constant genes. Recently the entire variable lambda gene locus was mapped by contig methodology and its one- megabase DNA totally sequenced. All the known functional V-lambda genes and pseudogenes were located. We screened a human genomic DNA cosmid library and isolated a clone with an insert of 37 kb (cosmid 8.3) encompassing four functional genes (IGLV7S1, IGLV1S1, IGLV1S2 and IGLV5a), a pseudogene (VlA) and a vestigial sequence (vg1) to study in detail the positions of the restriction sites surrounding the Vl genes. We generated a high resolution restriction map, locating 31 restriction sites in 37 kb of the VB cluster, a region rich in functional Vl genes. This mapping information opens the perspective for further RFLP studies and sequencing

Functional evidence that the central renin-angiotensin system plays a role in the pressor response induced by central injection of carbachol

We investigated the effects of losartan, an AT1-receptor blocker, and ramipril, a converting enzyme inhibitor, on the pressor response induced by angiotensin II (ANG II) and carbachol (a cholinergic receptor agonist). Male Holtzman rats (250-300 g) with a stainless steel cannula implanted into the lateral ventricle (LV) were used. The injection of losartan (50 nmol/1 &micro;l) into the LV blocked the pressor response induced by ANG II (12 ng/1 &micro;l) and carbachol (2 nmol/1 &micro;l). After injection of ANG II and carbachol into the LV, mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased to 31 &plusmn; 1 and 28 &plusmn; 2 mmHg, respectively. Previous injection of losartan abolished the increase in MAP induced by ANG II and carbachol into the LV (2 &plusmn; 1 and 5 &plusmn; 2 mmHg, respectively). The injection of ramipril (12 ng/1 &micro;l) prior to carbachol blocked the pressor effect of carbachol to 7 &plusmn; 3 mmHg. These results suggest an interaction between central cholinergic pathways and the angiotensinergic system in the regulation of arterial blood pressure