Selection and Use Recommendation in Hybrids of Ornamental Banana

The ornamental market is dynamic and demands constant novelties. The use of fruit crops as ornamental plants can be an interesting alternative with very differentiated and original products. The banana germplasm bank at Embrapa Cassava and Fruits has been primarily used in the breeding program for generating new cultivars as food. To diversify and expand the use of this collection, accessions with ornamental potential have been selected to obtain new hybrids. This work was aimed at characterizing the progeny of ornamental Musa L. spp. by grouping the hybrids according to the following uses: landscape plants, potted plants, cut flower, or minifruits. Forty-two hybrids were evaluated with 14 quantitative and 12 qualitative descriptors in three production cycles. In addition, assays for resistance to black and yellow Sigatoka and to Fusarium wilt were performed. Variability was observed for all the characteristics evaluated within progenies, especially with regard to leaf color, fruit, peduncle, rachis, and heart. All evaluated hybrids were resistant to yellow Sigatoka and to Fusarium wilt and were resistant or showed reduced symptoms of susceptibility to black Sigatoka. Most hybrids (82%) presented reduced plant height. After clustering by use category, the hybrids RM 09, RM 38, RM 37, and RM 33 were selected and recommended to be used as cut flowers, minifruits, or landscaping plants.

Nutrient reference concentrations and trophic state boundaries in subtropical reservoirs

Nutrient criteria as reference concentrations and trophic state boundaries are necessary for water management worldwide because anthropogenic eutrophication is a threat to the water uses. We compiled data on total phosphorus (TP), nitrogen (TN) and chlorophyll a (Chl a) from 17 subtropical reservoirs monitored from 2005-2009 in the Sao Paulo State (Brazil) to calculate reference concentrations through the trisection method (United States Environmental Protection Agency). By dividing our dataset into thirds we presented trophic state boundaries and frequency curves for the nutrient levels in water bodies with different enrichment conditions. TP and TN baseline concentrations (0.010 mg/L and 0.350 mg/L, respectively) were bracketed by ranges for temperate reservoirs available in the literature. We propose trophic state boundaries (upper limits for the oligotrophic category: 0.010 mg TP/L, 0.460 mg TN/L and 1.7 mu g Chl a/L; for the mesotrophic: 0.030 mg TP/L, 0.820 mg TN/L and 9.0 mu g Chl a/L). Through an example with a different dataset (from the Itupararanga Reservoir, Brazil), we encouraged the use of frequency curves to compare data from individual monitoring efforts with the expected concentrations in oligotrophic, mesotrophic and eutrophic regional systems. Such analysis might help designing recovery programs to reach targeted concentrations and mitigate the undesirable eutrophication symptoms in subtropical freshwaters.

Conformation analysis of a surface loop that controls active site access in the GH11 xylanase A from Bacillus subtilis

Xylanases (EC 3.2.1.8 endo-1,4-glycosyl hydrolase) catalyze the hydrolysis of xylan, an abundant hemicellulose of plant cell walls. Access to the catalytic site of GH11 xylanases is regulated by movement of a short beta-hairpin, the so-called thumb region, which can adopt open or closed conformations. A crystallographic study has shown that the D11F/R122D mutant of the GH11 xylanase A from Bacillus subtilis (BsXA) displays a stable "open" conformation, and here we report a molecular dynamics simulation study comparing this mutant with the native enzyme over a range of temperatures. The mutant open conformation was stable at 300 and 328 K, however it showed a transition to the closed state at 338 K. Analysis of dihedral angles identified thumb region residues Y113 and T123 as key hinge points which determine the open-closed transition at 338 K. Although the D11F/R122D mutations result in a reduction in local inter-intramolecular hydrogen bonding, the global energies of the open and closed conformations in the native enzyme are equivalent, suggesting that the two conformations are equally accessible. These results indicate that the thumb region shows a broader degree of energetically permissible conformations which regulate the access to the active site region. The R122D mutation contributes to the stability of the open conformation, but is not essential for thumb dynamics, i.e., the wild type enzyme can also adapt to the open conformation.

Inflammatory milieu as an early marker of kidney injury in offspring rats from diabetic mothers

The present study investigated the early presence of inflammatory response in renal tissue of young offspring from diabetic mothers. The effect of L-arginine (L-arg) supplementation was also investigated. The offspring was divided into four groups: group CO (controls); group DO (diabetic offspring); group CA (CO receiving 2% L-arg solution) and group DA (DO receiving the 2% L-arg solution). Glycemia, arterial pressure and renal function were evaluated; gene and protein expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines were also measured. Blood pressure levels were significantly increased in 2 and 6 month-old DO rats, whereas L-arg administration caused a significant decrease in the DA group, at both ages. DO rats showed a significantly blunted glycemic response to exogenous insulin. In 2 month-old DO animals, renal protein expression of pro-inflammatory molecules was significantly increased. At six months of age, we also observed an increase in gene expression of pro-inflammatory molecules, whereas L-arg supplementation prevented this increase at both ages. Our data suggest that activation of inflammatory pathways is present early in the kidney of DO rats, and that L-arg can attenuate the expression of these markers of tissue inflammation. Our results also reinforce the concept that intrauterine environmental factors are a fundamental determinant in the development of metabolic and vascular diseases later in life. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Candida albicans Isolation from Buccal Mucosa of Patients with HIV Wearing Removable Dental Prostheses

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of complete or partial removable dental prostheses (RDPs) on the frequency of Candida albicans isolated from the mouth and the presence of oral candidiasis in human immunodeficiency virus positive (HIV+) patients correlated with CD4 levels. Materials and Methods: One hundred ninety-three HIV+ patients were evaluated; 68 had RDPs and 125 did not. CD4 cell count was obtained after blood sampling and performed on the day of clinical examination. The material was collected from the buccal mucosa for isolation of yeasts with a sterile swab and seeded onto Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol. C albicans strains were identified by testing germ tubes and chlamydospore formation and biochemical (zymogram, auxanogram) characteristics. The results were subjected to the Fischer exact test and chi-square tests. Results: C albicans were isolated from 45(66.17%) patients who had RDPs and 48 (38.4%) who did not (P = .0003). The presence of oral candidiasis was observed in 14 patients (7.25%), and 10 of the 14 (71.43%) were RDP users. The absence of candidiasis occurred in 121 (67.59%) nonusers and 58 (32.40%) users of RDPs (P = .0065). The mean CD4 cell count was lower in patients with oral candidiasis regardless of the use of RDPs. Conclusion: The use of RDPs was an important factor in the isolation of C albicans among HIV+ patients, and CD4 level seems to play a role in the presence of oral candidiasis. Int J Prosthodont 2012;25:127-131.

Anatrophic Nephrotomy as Nephron-Sparing Approach for Complete Removal of Intraparenchymal Renal Tumors

Objective: Partial nephrectomy for small kidney tumors has increased in the last decades, and the approach to non-palpable endophytic tumors became a challenge, with larger chances of positive margins or complications. The aim of this study is to describe an alternative nephron-sparing approach for small endophytic kidney tumors through anatrophic nephrotomy. Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing partial nephrectomy at our institution was performed and the subjects with endophytic tumors treated with anatrophic nephrotomy were identified. Patient demographics, perioperative outcomes and oncological results were evaluated. Results: Among the partial nephrectomies performed for intraparenchymal tumors between 06/2006 and 06/2010, ten patients were submitted to anatrophic nephrotomy. The mean patient age was 42 yrs, and the mean tumor size was 2.3 cm. Mean warm ischemia time was 22.4 min and the histopathological analysis showed 80% of clear cell carcinomas. At a mean follow-up of 36 months, no significant creatinine changes or local or systemic recurrences were observed. Conclusion: The operative technique described is a safe and effective nephron-sparing option for complete removal of endophytic renal tumors.

Non-functionant urinary bladder paraganglioma

Introduction: Paragangliomas are rare tumors origined on chromaffin-cells of neural crest and can be located from skull base to pelvis, on sympathetic or parasympathetic paraganglia. They account on less than 0,06% of all urinary bladder tumors, with only few hundreds of cases reported in literature since the first record by Zimmermmann in 1953. Case Report: A 63 year-old woman referring irritative urinary symptoms was submitted to an ultrassonography that disclosed an irregular-shaped nodulation on her bladder. CT confirmed the existence of a nodulation on bladder's anterior wall. Patient had normal levels of urinary catecholamins and Vanilmandelic acid. Tumor was excised and posterior immunohistochemical study revealed it was a paraganglioma. Nowadays, ten months after surgery, patient stills healthy and disease-free. Discussion: Paragangliomas can be classified as functionant or non-functionant, according to its production of cathecolamins, which can cause the same symptom complex of pheocromocytomas. About 10-15% of bladder paragangliomas are malignant, and potential metastasis are more common to lymph nodes, lungs and bones. 131-MIBG iodine cyntilography is the most sensitive method for diagnosis and surgery (transurethral resection or cystectomy) is the best choice for treatment.

Contribution of the retrotrapezoid nucleus/parafacial respiratory region to the expiratory-sympathetic coupling in response to peripheral chemoreflex in rats

Moraes DJ, Dias MB, Cavalcanti-Kwiatkoski R, Machado BH, Zoccal DB. Contribution of retrotrapezoid nucleus/parafacial respiratory region to the expiratory-sympathetic coupling in response to peripheral chemoreflex in rats. J Neurophysiol 108: 882-890, 2012. First published May 16, 2012; doi:10.1152/jn.00193.2012.-Central mechanisms of coupling between respiratory and sympathetic systems are essential for the entrainment between the enhanced respiratory drive and sympathoexcitation in response to hypoxia. However, the brainstem nuclei and neuronal network involved in these respiratory-sympathetic interactions remain unclear. Here, we evaluated whether the increase in expiratory activity and expiratory-modulated sympathoexcitation produced by the peripheral chemoreflex activation involves the retrotrapezoid nucleus/parafacial respiratory region (RTN/pFRG). Using decerebrated arterially perfused in situ rat preparations (60-80 g), we recorded the activities of thoracic sympathetic (tSN), phrenic (PN), and abdominal nerves (AbN) as well as the extracellular activity of RTN/pFRG expiratory neurons, and reflex responses to chemoreflex activation were evaluated before and after inactivation of the RTN/pFRG region with muscimol (1 mM). In the RTN/pFRG, we identified late-expiratory (late-E) neurons (n = 5) that were silent at resting but fired coincidently with the emergence of late-E bursts in AbN after peripheral chemoreceptor activation. Bilateral muscimol microinjections into the RTN/pFRG region (n = 6) significantly reduced basal PN frequency, mean AbN activity, and the amplitude of respiratory modulation of tSN (P < 0.05). With respect to peripheral chemoreflex responses, muscimol microinjections in the RTN/pFRG enhanced the PN inspiratory response, abolished the evoked late-E activity of AbN, but did not alter either the magnitude or pattern of the tSN reflex response. These findings indicate that the RTN/pFRG region is critically involved in the processing of the active expiratory response but not of the expiratory-modulated sympathetic response to peripheral chemoreflex activation of rat in situ preparations.

Sympathoexcitation during chemoreflex active expiration is mediated by L-glutamate in the RVLM/Botzinger complex of rats

Moraes DJ, Zoccal DB, Machado BH. Sympathoexcitation during chemoreflex active expiration is mediated by L-glutamate in the RVLM/Botzinger complex of rats. J Neurophysiol 108: 610-623, 2012. First published April 25, 2012; doi:10.1152/jn.00057.2012.-The involvement of glutamatergic neurotransmission in the rostral ventrolateral medulla/Botzinger/pre-Botzinger complexes (RVLM/BotC/pre-BotC) on the respiratory modulation of sympathoexcitatory response to peripheral chemoreflex activation (chemoreflex) was evaluated in the working heart-brain stem preparation of juvenile rats. We identified different types of baro- and chemosensitive presympathetic and respiratory neurons intermingled within the RVLM/BotC/pre-BotC. Bilateral microinjections of kynurenic acid (KYN) into the rostral aspect of RVLM (RVLM/BotC) produced an additional increase in frequency of the phrenic nerve (PN: 0.38 +/- 0.02 vs. 1 +/- 0.08 Hz; P < 0.05; n = 18) and hypoglossal (HN) inspiratory response (41 +/- 2 vs. 82 +/- 2%; P < 0.05; n = 8), but decreased postinspiratory (35 +/- 3 vs. 12 +/- 2%; P < 0.05) and late-expiratory (24 +/- 4 vs. 2 +/- 1%; P < 0.05; n = 5) abdominal (AbN) responses to chemoreflex. Likewise, expiratory vagal (cVN; 67 +/- 6 vs. 40 +/- 2%; P < 0.05; n = 5) and expiratory component of sympathoexcitatory (77 +/- 8 vs. 26 +/- 5%; P < 0.05; n = 18) responses to chemoreflex were reduced after KYN microinjections into RVLM/BotC. KYN microinjected into the caudal aspect of the RVLM (RVLM/pre-BotC; n = 16) abolished inspiratory responses [PN (n = 16) and HN (n = 6)], and no changes in magnitude of sympathoexcitatory (n = 16) and expiratory (AbN and cVN; n = 10) responses to chemoreflex, producing similar and phase-locked vagal, abdominal, and sympathetic responses. We conclude that in relation to chemoreflex activation 1) ionotropic glutamate receptors in RVLM/BotC and RVLM/pre-BtC are pivotal to expiratory and inspiratory responses, respectively; and 2) activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors in RVLM/BotC is essential to the coupling of active expiration and sympathoexcitatory response.

Characterization of suramin binding sites on the human group IIA secreted phospholipase A(2) by site-directed mutagenesis and molecular dynamics simulation

Suramin is a polysulphonated naphthylurea with inhibitory activity against the human secreted group IIA phospholipase A(2) (hsPLA2GIIA), and we have investigated suramin binding to recombinant hsPLA2GIIA using site-directed mutagenesis and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The changes in suramin binding affinity of 13 cationic residue mutants of the hsPLA2GIIA was strongly correlated with alterations in the inhibition of membrane damaging activity of the protein. Suramin binding to hsPLA2GIIA was also studied by MD simulations, which demonstrated that altered intermolecular potential energy of the suramin/mutant complexes was a reliable indicator of affinity change. Although residues in the C-terminal region play a major role in the stabilization of the hsPLA2GIIA/suramin complex, attractive and repulsive hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions with residues throughout the protein together with the adoption of a bent suramin conformation, all contribute to the stability of the complex. Analysis of the h5PLA2GIIA/suramin interactions allows the prediction of the properties of suramin analogues with improved binding and higher affinities which may be candidates for novel phospholipase A(2) inhibitors. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Determinantes da separação entre propriedade e gestão nas cooperativas agropecuárias brasileiras

As cooperativas agropecuárias brasileiras geralmente são organizações complexas e de propriedade difusa. Entretanto, 48% dessas organizações não promovem a desvinculação dos proprietários das decisões de gestão, contrariando o que é estabelecido pelo preceito teórico dominante para empresas - cooperativas e não cooperativas - similares. Diante desse desalinhamento, neste artigo investigaram-se os possíveis determinantes da separação entre propriedade e gestão nessas organizações. Na medida em que o processo de separação compreende diferentes relações de agência, foram utilizados respectivamente os modelos logit e tobit para estudar o que determina a delegação do direito de controle formal pelos proprietários ao conselho de administração e a divisão do processo decisório entre os membros do conselho e o executivo responsável pela gestão. Dentre os resultados encontrados, destaca-se o fato de complexidade e propriedade difusa não terem se mostrado relevantes para explicar a separação entre propriedade e gestão, diferentemente do que ocorre em sociedades anônimas. Em contrapartida, características do conselho de administração (tamanho, alocação de autoridade formal, limites à reeleição, reputação e esforço) têm importante papel na determinação da ocorrência de separação. Por tratar-se do primeiro trabalho a abordar o problema do controle em cooperativas agropecuárias, novas pesquisas empíricas são desejáveis.

Separação entre propriedade e decisão de gestão nas cooperativas agropecuárias brasileiras

A visão predominante na teoria econômica é que organizações de propriedade difusa e complexas apresentam melhor desempenho se forem separados os direitos ao lucro residual das decisões de gestão. Nos países de economia desenvolvida, os modelos de governança corporativa das cooperativas agropecuárias de propriedade difusa e complexas, tal como já informado pela literatura econômica, promovem a desvinculação dos cooperados da gestão da empresa. Em contraposição, no Brasil, embora não haja estudos sistemáticos sobre o tema, evidências pontuais indicam que essas organizações concentram a propriedade e decisões de gestão. A possível divergência entre os modelos de governança utilizados nos diferentes países revela a necessidade de mensuração do grau de separação entre propriedade e decisão de gestão em cooperativas agropecuárias brasileiras, tarefa a que se dedica este artigo. A partir de dados coletados junto a 77 cooperativas agropecuárias, identificou-se que diferentes modelos de governança coexistem no Brasil. Embora grande parcela de cooperativas tenha governança concentrada, há um grupo que já adota modelos de governança que promovem a separação parcial de jure ou de facto entre propriedade e decisão de gestão. Esses resultados revelam a necessidade de pesquisas futuras voltadas a identificar os determinantes da variabilidade de modelos de governança nas cooperativas brasileiras.

Seasonal distribution of airborne trace elements and water-soluble ions in São Paulo Megacity, Brazil

This study deals with the seasonal distribution of Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Pb and Zn and water soluble ions (Cl-, PO4(3-), NO3-, SO4(2-), HCOO-, CH3COO-, oxalate, succinate, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+) found in PM10 samples (particulate matter less than 10 mm in diameter) São Paulo City, Brazil, (April 2003-May 2004). Higher atmospheric levels were found for SO4(2-), NO3-, Cl- and PO4(3-) while the main organic anions were oxalate and formate. Atmospheric levels for elements were: Fe > Al > Ca > K > Na > Mg > Zn > Cu > Pb. Some sources were predominant for some species: (i) fuel burning and/or biomass burning (NO3-, HCOO-, C2O4(2-), K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Fe, Pb, Zn, Al, Ca, K and Mg), (ii) gas-to-particle conversion (SO4(2-) and NH4+) and (iii) sea salt spray (Cl-, Na+ and Na).

Abrasiveness of conventional and specific denture-cleansing dentifrices

This study analyzed the weight loss and surface roughness caused in Plexiglass specimens by conventional dentifrices (Sorriso, Colgate and Close Up) and specific dentifrices used for cleaning of dentures (Corega and Dentu Creme). Plexiglass specimens were divided into 6 groups (n=6) including: a control (distilled water - DW) and experimental groups. Brushing was performed in a toothbrushing machine with a soft brush and a dentifrice suspension and DW according to different brushing times (50, 100, 200 and 250 min -18,000, 36,000, 72,000 and 90,000 cycles, respectively, calculated to correspond to 1, 2, 4 and 5 years of regular brushing). The results of weight loss and surface roughness were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey’s test at 5% significance level. In all tested times, the effect of DW was insignificant. Dentifrices differed significantly from DW in the initial period. Corega dentifrice caused greater mass loss in all studied times, followed by Close Up. Dentifrices resulted in a surface roughness similar to the DW at 50 min. In the other times, Sorriso, Colgate and Corega caused more surface roughness than DW. In conclusion, specific dentifrices caused larger mass loss and lower surface roughness as conventional dentifrice.