A influência da época de seleção do rebento sobre o desenvolvimento das plantas matrizes em bananeira Musa cavendish II Lamb. Cv Nanicão

As mudas utilizadas no experimento foram plantadas em setembro de 1971, sendo cinco os tratamentos: planta matriz sem rebento, planta matriz com seleção dos rebentos, de janeiro, março e maio de 1972 e planta matriz com todos os rebentos. Os resultados obtidos revelam influência da época da seleção dos rebentos sobre: diâmetro do pseudo-caule e lançamento de folhas no mês de abril, durante a fase de desenvolvimento vegetativo; número de dias decorridos do plantio ao florescimento, número de plantas florescidas no mês de julho, número de folhas, altura e diâmetro do pseudo-caule, número de pencas por cacho e altura do rebento na fase do florescimento.

Nutrição mineral de leguminosas tropicais II. Carências nutricionais em Leucaena leucocephala (Lamb.) de Wit

Plantas de Leucanena leuoocephala (lamb.) De Wit foram submetidas a tratamentos em soluções nutritivas carentes em N, P. K, Ca, Mg, S e B com o objetivo de se obter o quadro sintomatológivo das carências, assim como teores dos elementos na raiz, caule e folhas. Os sintomas apareceram após 200 dias de cultivo e foram de difícil caracterização. Os teores encontrados nas folhas de plantas com sintomas enormais foram respectivamente: N%-2,77-3,51; P% - 0,11-0,14; K% - 1,33 - 2,75 ; Ca% - 0,41-1,11; Mg% - 0,18-0,42; S% -0,11-0,22; B ppm - 25-127.

Is Drosophila nasuta Lamb (Diptera, Drosophilidae) currently reaching the status of a cosmopolitan species?

ABSTRACT In early March 2015, three males and two females of one unknown species of Drosophila were collected from a compost pile and some garbage cans in the west region of the city of São Paulo, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Morphologically it is easily identified by the presence of the following conspicuous features: a brownish dorsal stripe along pleura, an entirely iridescent silvery-whitish frons when seen directly from the front, and a row of cuneiform setae on anteroventral side of femur of foreleg; the former two traits being more evident in males. The species was easily reared in a modified banana-agar medium and two isofemale lines were established allowing to obtain mitotic cells showing a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 8. Based both on morphological and chromosomal features, in addition to the geographical distribution, we concluded that the unknown flies belong to Drosophila nasuta Lamb, 1914, a tropical species of the nasuta subgroup of the Drosophila immigrans species group. Photomicrographs of male imagines, terminalia, mitotic and meiotic metaphase plates, as well as of female mitotic metaphase, are included.

Processamento térmico de purê de banana (Musa cavendishii, Lamb.) em embalagens flexíveis esterilizáveis

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer as condições de processo térmico de purê de banana, variedade "nanica", em bolsas esterilizáveis porção individual (130 x 170mm). Os frutos foram selecionados, aquecidos a 98°C/5min. para inativação enzimática, separadas as sementes e fibras num despolpador com malha de 0,08cm de diâmetro e depois o purê foi embalado nas bolsas sob um vácuo de 25mmHg, resultando em média 2,7ml de ar residual por bolsa. Em seguida as bolsas foram processadas sem agitação e em posição horizontal numa autoclave horizontal, a 115°C/158KPa, com imersão total de água quente. O tempo de manutenção do processo foi de 7,5min. Inicialmente foi utilizado o Clostridium butyricum como microrganismo alvo do processo, entretanto, observou-se que esta bactéria apresentara uma resistência térmica em purê de banana (pH 4,6) um pouco menor que o valor estimado para o Clostridium botulinum, D115=0,183min. e D115=0,236min respectivamente, sendo assim, o C. botulinum foi escolhido como microrganismo alvo da esterilização do produto. O valor de F121,1°C aplicado foi de 0,64min. para causar 12 reduções decimais, calculado segundo PFLUG (1985) para um pH de 4,6, e verificado pelo método geral. Este valor somente foi considerado para a fase de aquecimento, deixando a letalidade do resfriamento (0,34min.), que foi realizada com água à temperatura ambiente, como segurança de processo. Nos testes de penetração de calor foram encontrados os valores médio de fh=6,8min; jh=0,48; fc=17,4min. e jc=1,3 demonstrando assim, que o produto é altamente condutivo. Nenhuma alteração no produto nem nas embalagens foi notada após a aplicação do ensaio de esterilidade comercial em 36 bolsas processadas contendo purê de banana, confirmando assim, a eficácia do tratamento térmico aplicado.

Lipidic characterization of Santa Inês lamb shoulder

The edible portion of the shoulder of 12 castrated and 12 non-castrated Santa Inês lambs slaughtered at different ages (84, 168, 210, 252 days) were used. The shoulders were chemically analyzed to determine the quantity of total lipids, cholesterol, and fatty acids composition. Castrated and non-castrated lambs gained body weight (p = 0.0393, p = 0.0017) and half carcass weight (p = 0.0240, p = 0.0017), respectively. The shoulder weight was increased in the carcasses of non-castrated lambs (p = 0.0110). The edible portion of the shoulder of castrated lambs presented higher total lipids (16.09 g.100 g-1). The cholesterol content was influenced by castration (p = 0.0001) reducing with age. Castrated animals presented higher content of C18:1 T11, CLA, and C18:0. The shoulder weight is only increased with increasing age in the carcasses of non-castrated lambs. Castration influences the cholesterol content of the shoulder; however, both castrated and non-castrated lambs had their cholesterol contents reduced with increasing age. Castration and age interfered in the estearic acid concentration of the edible portion of lamb shoulder.

Salted lamb meat blanket of Petrolina-Pernambuco, Brazil: process and quality

Salted lamb meat blanket, originated from boning, salting, and drying of whole lamb carcass, was studied aiming at obtaining information that support the search for guarantees of origin for this typical regional product from the city of Petrolina-Pernambuco-Brazil. Data from three processing units were obtained, where it was observed the use of a traditional local technology that uses salting, an ancient preservation method; however, with a peculiar boning technique, resulting in a meat product with great potential for exploitation in the form of meat blanket. Based on the values of pH (6.22 ± 0.22), water activity (0.97 ± 0.02), and moisture (69.86 ± 2.26) lamb meat blanket is considered a perishable product, and consequently it requires the use of other preservation methods combined with salt, which along with the results of the microbiological analyses (absence of Salmonella sp, score <10 MPN/g of halophilic bacteria, total coliforms between 6.7 × 10³ and 5.2 × 10(6) FUC/g, and Staphylococcus from 8.1 × 10³ CFU/g at uncountable) reinforce the need of hygienic practices to ensure product safety. These results, together with the product notoriety and the organization of the sector are important factors in achieving Geographical Indication of the Salted lamb Meat blanket of Petrolina.

Heart hypoplasia in an animal model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

PURPOSE: In previous papers, we described a new experimental model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in rabbits, and we also reported noninvasive therapeutic strategies for prevention of the functional and structural immaturity of the lungs associated with this defect. In addition to lung hypoplasia, pulmonary hypertension, biochemical, and structural immaturity of the lungs, the hemodynamics of infants and animals with congenital diaphragmatic hernia are markedly altered. Hence, cardiac hypoplasia has been implicated as a possible cause of death in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and it is hypothesized to be a probable consequence of fetal mediastinal compression by the herniated viscera. Cardiac hypoplasia has also been reported in lamb and rat models of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The purpose of the present experiment was to verify the occurrence of heart hypoplasia in our new model of surgically produced congenital diaphragmatic hernia in fetal rabbits. METHODS: Twelve pregnant New Zealand rabbits underwent surgery on gestational day 24 or 25 (normal full gestational time - 31 to 32 days) to create left-sided diaphragmatic hernias in 1 or 2 fetuses per each doe. On gestational day 30, all does again underwent surgery, and the delivered fetuses were weighed and divided into 2 groups: control (non-surgically treated fetuses) (n = 12) and congenital diaphragmatic hernia (n = 9). The hearts were collected, weighed, and submitted for histologic and histomorphometric studies. RESULTS: During necropsy, it was noted that in all congenital diaphragmatic hernia fetuses, the left lobe of the liver herniated throughout the surgically created defect and occupied the left side of the thorax, with the deviation of the heart to the right side, compressing the left lung; consequently, this lung was smaller than the right one. The body weights of the animals were not altered by congenital diaphragmatic hernia, but heart weights were decreased in comparison to control fetuses. The histomorphometric analysis demonstrated that congenital diaphragmatic hernia promoted a significant decrease in the ventricular wall thickness and an increase in the interventricular septum thickness. CONCLUSION: Heart hypoplasia occurs in a rabbit experimental model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. This model may be utilized for investigations in therapeutic strategies that aim towards the prevention or the treatment of heart hypoplasia caused by congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Utilização de madeiras de espécies nativas e exóticas da Amazônia visando a produção de celulose Kraft

Foram estudadas as características tecnológica das madeiras e das polpas kraft de cinco espécies da damília Moraceae, nativas da Amazônia, Brasimum parinarioidesDukhe (amapá), Pourouma longipendula Dukhe (embaubarana), Clarisia racemosa R.&P. (guariúba), Helycostylis tomentosa Rubby (inharé), Brasimum rubescens Taub. (muirapiranga) e das espécies exóticas Anthocephalus chinenses (Lamb). Rich, Eucalyptus degluptaBlume e Gmelina arborea Roxb. Foram determinadas as características dendrométricas, químicas e as densidades básicas das madeiras. Estudos de deslignificação demonstraram que as espécies inharé e muirapiranga foram mais difíceis de serem deslignificadas. As polpas foram branqueadas pelas sequências CEDED, CEHDED e C/DEDED. Os maiores consumos de reagentes químicos nos branqueamentos foram verificados para as polpas com teores de lignina residual mais elevados. Os melhores valores para comprimento de auto-ruptura, alongamenteo e arrebentamento foram obtidos pelas polpas não branqueadas oriundas das espécies exóticas. As polpas das espécies amapá, guariúba, e inharé acrescentaram valores mais elevados para resistência ao rasgo.

Efeitos alelopáticos de algumas leguminosas e gramíneas sobre a flora invasora

Foram estudados os efeitos alelopáticos produzidos por cinco espécies vegetais: as gramíneas Avena sativa L., e Lolium multiflorum Lamb.; e as leguminosas Vicia sp., Mediaago sativa L. e Trifolium repens L. Canteiros isolados foram preparados, adubados e semeados de acordo com as recomendações técnicas usuais. Nos resultados obtidos observou-se alta incidência de invasoras nos canteiros de Trifolium repens L. e Medicago sativa L., contrastando com os canteiros de Avena sativa L. e Lolium multiflorum Lamb., onde poucas foram as espécies encontradas; enquanto o canteiro de Vicia sp. manteve posição intermediária. Com base nos dados obtidos, pode-se recomendar as duas gramíneas como cultura de cobertura com propriedades alelopáticas, assim como a Vicia sp. quando desejar-se além da redução das plantas invasoras, matéria orgânica para incorporação.

Biological aspects of the DM28C clone of Trypanosoma cruzi after metacylogenesis in chemically defined media

The biological characterization of the Trypanosoma cruzi clone Dm 28c in terms of its growth in LIT medium, cell-cycle, infectivity to mice and interaction with professional and non-professional phagocytic cells shows that it behaves as a bona fide T. cruzi representant. The biological properties of this myotropic clone do not change according to the origin of the trypomastigote forms (i. e., from triatomines, infected mice, cell-culture or from the chemically defined TAUP and TAU3AAG media). In addition Dm 28c metacyclic trypomastigotes from TAU3AAG medium display a high infectivity level to fibroblasts and muscle cells. Experiments on binding of cationized ferritin to trypomastigotes surface show the existence of cap-like structures of ferritin in regions near the kinetoplast. However the nature and role of these anionic sites remain to be determined. The results indicate that metacyclic trypomastigotes from Dm 28c clone obtained under chemically defined conditions reproduce the biological behaviour of T. cruzi, rendering this system very suitable for the study of cell-parasite interactions and for the isolation of trypanosome relevant macromolecules.

The yellow fever 17D vaccine virus as a vector for the expression of foreign proteins: development of new live flavivirus vaccines

The Flaviviridae is a family of about 70 mostly arthropod-borne viruses many of which are major public health problems with members being present in most continents. Among the most important are yellow fever (YF), dengue with its four serotypes and Japanese encephalitis virus. A live attenuated virus is used as a cost effective, safe and efficacious vaccine against YF but no other live flavivirus vaccines have been licensed. The rise of recombinant DNA technology and its application to study flavivirus genome structure and expression has opened new possibilities for flavivirus vaccine development. One new approach is the use of cDNAs encopassing the whole viral genome to generate infectious RNA after in vitro transcription. This methodology allows the genetic mapping of specific viral functions and the design of viral mutants with considerable potential as new live attenuated viruses. The use of infectious cDNA as a carrier for heterologous antigens is gaining importance as chimeric viruses are shown to be viable, immunogenic and less virulent as compared to the parental viruses. The use of DNA to overcome mutation rates intrinsic of RNA virus populations in conjunction with vaccine production in cell culture should improve the reliability and lower the cost for production of live attenuated vaccines. The YF virus despite a long period ignored by researchers probably due to the effectiveness of the vaccine has made a come back, both in nature as human populations grow and reach endemic areas as well as in the laboratory being a suitable model to understand the biology of flaviviruses in general and providing new alternatives for vaccine development through the use of the 17D vaccine strain.

Retention of a recombinant GFP protein expressed by the yellow fever 17D virus in the E/NS1 intergenic region in the endoplasmic reticulum

The flaviviral envelope proteins, E protein and precursor membrane protein, are mainly associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) through two transmembrane (TM) domains that are exposed to the luminal face of this compartment. Their retention is associated with the viral assembly process. ER-retrieval motifs were mapped at the carboxy terminus of these envelope proteins. A recombinant yellow fever (YF) 17D virus expressing the reporter green fluorescent protein (GFP) with the stem-anchor (SA) region of E protein fused to its carboxy terminus was subjected to distinct genetic mutations in the SA sequence to investigate their effect on ER retention. Initially, we introduced progressive deletions of the stem elements (H1, CS and H2). In a second set of mutants, the effect of a length increase for the first TM anchor region was evaluated either by replacing it with the longer TM of human LAMP-1 or by the insertion of the VALLLVA sequence into its carboxy terminus. We did not detect any effect on the GFP localisation in the cell, which remained associated with the ER. Further studies should be undertaken to elucidate the causes of the ER retention of recombinant proteins expressed at the intergenic E/NS1 region of the YF 17D virus polyprotein.