Brotação e produtividade de videiras da cultivar Centennial Seedless (Vitis vinifera L.) tratadas com cianamida hidrogenada na região noroeste do estado de São Paulo

A região Noroeste do Estado de São Paulo apresenta inverno com temperaturas amenas que permite a produção de uvas entre junho e outubro, fora do período de colheita das regiões vitícolas tradicionais. Nestas condições, a brotação da videira é deficiente e desuniforme, o que exige a quebra de dormência com compostos químicos. Neste contexto, um experimento foi conduzido em vinhedo comercial da cultivar Centennial Seedless (Vitis vinifera L.) em que foi estudado o efeito da cianamida hidrogenada em diferentes épocas de aplicação. As videiras foram podadas em 3 datas diferentes (23-03, 05-04 e 20-04-2002), e as seguintes doses de cianamida hidrogenada (H2CN2) foram utilizadas: 0; 0,75; 1,5; 2,25; 3,0 e 3,75%. As variáveis avaliadas foram as seguintes: porcentagem de brotação, porcentagem de ramos após desbrota, número de cachos, massa dos cachos e produção total. Independentemente da dose de cianamida hidrogenada, as videiras podadas mais cedo apresentaram menor porcentagem de brotação. Aplicações de cinamida hidrogenada apresentaram efeito quadrático sobre a porcentagem de brotação e o número de cachos. Além disso, verificou-se efeito quadrádico das aplicações de cianamida hidrogenada para porcentagem de ramos desenvolvidos, massa dos cachos e produção total, na poda realizada em 20 de abril. Para a poda realizada em 05 de abril, observou-se aumento linear para estas variáveis. A dose de cianamida hidrogenada estimada para a maior porcentagem de brotação foi de 2,89%.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis AND Paracoccidioides lutzii, A SECRET LOVE AFFAIR

SUMMARYTo commemorate Prof. Carlos da Silva Lacaz's centennial anniversary, the authors have written a brief account of a few, out of hundreds, biological, ecological, molecular and phylogenetic studies that led to the arrival of Paracoccidioides lutzii, hidden for more than a century within Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Lacaz's permanent interest in this fungus, and particularly his conviction on the benefits that research on paracoccidioidomycosis would bring to patients, were pivotal in the development of the field.

Current millennium biotechniques for biomedical research on parasites and host-parasite interactions

The development of biotechnology in the last three decades has generated the feeling that the newest scientific achievements will deliver high standard quality of life through abundance of food and means for successfully combating diseases. Where the new biotechnologies give access to genetic information, there is a common belief that physiological and pathological processes result from subtle modifications of gene expression. Trustfully, modern genetics has produced genetic maps, physical maps and complete nucleotide sequences from 141 viruses, 51 organelles, two eubacteria, one archeon and one eukaryote (Saccharomices cerevisiae). In addition, during the Centennial Commemoration of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute the nearly complete human genome map was proudly announced, whereas the latest Brazilian key stone contribution to science was the publication of the Shillela fastidiosa genomic sequence highlythed on a Nature cover issue. There exists a belief among the populace that further scientific accomplishments will rapidly lead to new drugs and methodological approaches to cure genetic diseases and other incurable ailments. Yet, much evidence has been accumulated, showing that a large information gap exists between the knowledge of genome sequence and our knowledge of genome function. Now that many genome maps are available, people wish to know what are we going to do with them. Certainly, all these scientific accomplishments will shed light on many more secrets of life. Nevertheless, parsimony in the weekly announcements of promising scientific achievements is necessary. We also need many more creative experimental biologists to discover new, as yet un-envisaged biotechnological approaches, and the basic resource needed for carrying out mile stone research necessary for leading us to that "promised land"often proclaimed by the mass media.

Activated peripheral lymphocytes with increased expression of cell adhesion molecules and cytotoxic markers are associated with dengue fever disease

The immune mechanisms involved in dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic/dengue shock syndrome are not well understood. The ex vivo activation status of immune cells during the dengue disease in patients was examined. CD4and CD8 T cells were reduced during the acute phase. Interestingly, CD8 T cells co-expressing activation marker HLA-DR, Q, P, and cytolytic granule protein-Tia-1 were significantly higher in dengue patients than in controls. Detection of adhesion molecules indicated that in dengue patients the majority of T cells (CD4 and CD8) express the activation/memory phenotype, characterized as CD44HIGH and lack the expression of the naïve cell marker, CD62L LOW. Also, the levels of T cells co-expressing ICAM-1 (CD54), VLA-4, and LFA-1 (CD11a) were significantly increased. CD8 T lymphocytes expressed predominantly low levels of anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-2 in the acute phase, possibly leading to the exhibition of a phenotype of activated/effector cells. Circulating levels of IL-18, TGF-b1 and sICAM-1 were significantly elevated in dengue patients. Early activation events occur during acute dengue infection which might contribute to viral clearance. Differences in expression of adhesion molecules among CD4 and CD8 T cells might underlie the selective extravasation of these subsets from blood circulation into lymphoid organs and/or tissues. In addition, activated CD8 T cells would be more susceptible to apoptosis as shown by the alteration in Bcl-2 expression. Cytokines such as IL-18, TGF-b1, and sICAM-1 may be contributing by either stimulating or suppressing the adaptative immune response, during dengue infection, thereby perhaps establishing a relationship with disease severity.

Non-formal education for schistosomiasis prevention: the experience of the Museu Arqueológico de Central, Bahia, Brazil

The activities described here form part of an extensive programme in place in the Região Arqueológica de Central, state of Bahia, Brazil. After malacological and socio-environmental surveys in the area, a strategy comprising formal and non-formal education with an emphasis on schistosomiasis prevention was developed, introduced, and evaluated. Interviews were conducted of 142 students and 11 teachers, totalling 11 classes at six primary schools. On the basis of those interviews, four display cases and seven panels were prepared. In addition a table was set up where students could participate directly on the subject, drawing and recognising the factors involved in the schistosomiasis cycle. The exhibition was held at the Museu Arqueológico de Central. The endeavours of this paper underline the importance of health education as well as exhibitions to disease prevention activities.

O show da Química: motivando o interesse científico

The aim of this article is to provide the understanding of the chemical world that underlies everything around us by introducing basic chemical concepts and their everyday applications. The specific topics presented were selected according to their relevance and their ability to be presented as an exhibition. This format is based on the visual effects that help the public to see abstract descriptions in a concrete form. In addition, a soundtrack is used to stimulate the affective intelligence and relax the public. According to the results obtained here, we can conclude that chemical demonstrations, combined with music, help the presentation of scientific topics and motivate and facilitate the "chemistry communication".

O centenário da Teoria de Bohr

The year 2013 marks the centennial of that wondrous year in which Niels Bohr proposed a novel theory about the constitution of atoms and small molecules after which the way we regard atoms and their behaviour began to be drastically altered. Bohr drew on several sources for his original description of the atoms, most importantly on spectroscopy and Balmer's equation thereof, the new quantum hypothesis advanced a few years earlier by Planck, and the planetary atom proposed by Rutherford. Although Bohr's ideas were to be eventually overtaken by the advent of quantum mechanics, his theory was the basis of a new thinking about atoms and molecules which constitutes an invaluable asset in the development of science ever since.