Electrical conductivity and pH of the substrate solution in gerbera cultivars under fertigation

The quality and the profitability on floriculture are intimately linked to the adequate plant nutrition. In the present research we aimed to evaluate the electrical conductivity (EC) and pH of the substrate solution on four different gerbera cultivars subjected to fertigation, with two nutritive solutions. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, from May to July 2006, on the Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo state, Brazil. The experiment was carried out under an experimental design of random blocks, in 4×2 factorial arrangement, with four Gerbera cultivars (Cherry, Golden Yellow, Salmon Rose and Orange) and two nutritive solution concentrations: 0.92 and 1.76 dS m-1 EC) during the vegetative stage, and 1.07 and 2.04 dS m-1 during the reproductive stage (S1 and S2, respectively). The nutrients were applied through fertigation, manually performed every day. The EC and pH values of the substrate solution were evaluated weekly, using the 'pourthru' method. Orange and Cherry cultivars had, respectively, the highest and the lowest electrical conductivity of the substrate solution, and Cherry was the most efficient on the nutrient uptake. The solution S2 showed a trend to accumulate salts in the substrate, but without visual symptoms of plant toxicity, leading to the lowest pH values. The 'pourthru' method was efficient when compared to the 1:2 method and can be adopted for substrate solution analysis in gerbera culture.

Ansiedade e baixo nível motivacional associados ao fracasso na cessação do tabagismo

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Sensitive flow-injection spectrophotometric analysis of bromopride

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evaluation of Clinical and Inflammatory Markers of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Postmenopausal Women with Metabolic Syndrome

Background: The aim of this study was to assess clinical and inflammatory markers in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 180 Brazilian women (age >= 45 years and amenorrhea >= 12 months). Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed by the presence of at least three of the following indicators: Waist circumference (WC) > 88 cm, triglycerides (TGs) >= 150 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) < 50 mg/dL; blood pressure >= 130/85 mmHg; and glucose >= 100 mg/dL. NAFLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound. Participants were divided into three groups: Metabolic syndrome alone (n = 53); metabolic syndrome + NAFLD (n = 67); or absence of metabolic syndrome or NAFLD (control, n = 60). Clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical variables were quantified. The inflammatory profile included adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Data were submitted to statistical analysis using a Tukey test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-squared, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression (odds ratio, OR).Results: Women with metabolic syndrome + NAFLD, abdominal obesity, high glucose, and insulin resistance by HOMA-IR were compared to women with metabolic syndrome alone and controls (P < 0.05). High values of IL-6 and TNF-alpha and low values of adiponectin were observed among women with metabolic syndrome alone or metabolic syndrome + NAFLD when compared to controls (P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, the variables considered as risk of NAFLD development were: High systolic blood pressure (SBP) [(OR 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-1.04]; large WC (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.13); insulin resistance (OR 3.81, 95% CI 2.01-7.13); and metabolic syndrome (OR 8.68, 95% CI 3.3-24.1). Adiponectin levels reduced NAFLD risk (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.80-0.96).Conclusion: In postmenopausal women, metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity, and insulin resistance were risk markers for the development of NAFLD, whereas higher adiponectin values indicated a protection marker.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its associated risk factors in Brazilian postmenopausal women

Objective To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in postmenopausal women.Methods A cross-sectional study was carried involving 188 women (age >= 45 years and amenorrhea >= 12 months) attending the outpatient unit in south-eastern Brazil. Exclusion criteria were liver disease (hepatitis B and C, cholestatic disease, liver insufficiency), use of drugs that affect liver metabolism; alcoholics; AIDS or cancer history; and morbid obesity. NAFLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound. Clinical, anthropometric (body mass index, waist circumference) and biochemical variables were measured.Results Of the 188 women, 73 (38.8%) had NAFLD. Blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose were significantly higher in NAFLD patients when compared with women without NAFLD (control group) (p < 0.05). HOMA-IR values indicated insulin resistance only in the NAFLD group (6.1 +/- 4.6 vs. 2.4 +/- 1.4 in control group, p < 0.05). Metabolic syndrome was detected in 93.1% of the women affected by NAFLD, and 46.1% of the control group (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, adjusted for age and weight, the variables considered at risk for the development of NAFLD, were: high waist circumference (odds ratio (OR) 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.13), insulin resistance (OR 3.81, 95% CI 2.01-7.13), and presence of metabolic syndrome (OR 8.68, 95% CI 3.3-24.1).Conclusion NAFLD showed a high prevalence among postmenopausal women. The presence of metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity and IR were indicators of risk for the development of NAFLD.

Efeito de diferentes ofertas de forragem na terminação de bovinos Nelore recebendo alta suplementação recriados com diferentes taxas de ganho

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Avaliação ultrassonográfica da artéria carótida comum em equinos da raça Quarto de Milha

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effects of surface application of calcium-magnesium silicate and gypsum on soil fertility and sugarcane yield

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Talent detection in taekwondo: which factors are associated with the longitudinal competitive success?

Background Several morphological and functional characteristics are associated with the performance of taekwondo (TKD) adult athletes. However, we did not find any longitudinal study associating these features to the future performance of young athletes, and thereby, identifying the best variables to use in a battery of tests to talent detection. Therefore, the aim of this study is answer the question which factors are associated with the longitudinal competitive success of TKD young athletes over five competitive years (2008 to 2012).Material &Methods: Six taekwondo athletes (13.06 +/- 1.07 years, 43.6 +/- 6.6 kg, 157.9 +/- 8.3 cm), who trained three to six hours per week, for more than three years, were assessed on 32 maturational indicators, of body composition, anthropometric and functional, using anthropometric techniques, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, carpal radiography and contact platform. To determine the competitive ranking, the competitive results of athletes from 2008 to 2012 were analysed, and these values were correlated with the other 32 indicators for determining the Longitudinal Predictors of Performance in TKD (LPPT). Moreover, one of the athletes achieved results notably higher than the other, being medalled at Junior World Championships. Therefore, all variables were transformed into z-scores and all those in which this athlete presented superior performance in 1 z-scores were considered as LPPT. Results: The athlete of reference (the first in Longitudinal Competitive Ranking 2008-2012) distinguished, in accordance with the criteria, in nineteen LPPT indicators. The ranking was correlated with 6 LPPT parameters, including one from the maturation group of indicators and five from the functional group.Conclusion: Our results allowed us to identify several factors that are related to longitudinal competitive success in taekwondo young athletes. These factors should be considered by coaches to the proper selection of training programs, as well as for the pre-selection of young talents in competitive taekwondo. However, these results apply only to the Portuguese taekwondo adolescent athletes, being of limited generalizability.

Genotipagem dos isolados de Giardia duodenalis em famílias de pescadores da colônia de Porto Said, Botucatu, São Paulo

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Stability study of darunavir ethanolate tablets applying a new stability-indicating HPLC method

Chemical and physical degradation of drugs may result in altered therapeutic efficacy and even toxic effects. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the stability of darunavir and to develop and validate a liquid chromatography (LC) method to determine darunavir in raw material and tablets in the presence of degradation products. The novel method showed to be linear from 6.0 to 21.0 μg/mL, with high precision (CV < 2%) and accuracy (recuperation of 99.64%). It is simple and reliable, free of placebo interferences. The robustness of the method was evaluated by a factorial design using seven different parameters. Forced degradation study was done under alkaline, acidic, and oxidative stress at ambient temperature and by heating. The LC method was able to quantify and separate darunavir and its degradation products. Darunavir showed to be unstable under alkaline, acid, and oxidative conditions. The novelty of this study is understanding the factors that affect darunavir ethanolate stability in tablets, which is the first step to unravel the path to know the degradation products. The novel stability-indicating method can be used to monitor the drug and the main degradation products in low concentrations in which there is linearity.

Características epidemiológicas da frequência cardíaca de repouso: relação com a prática de atividade física estratificada por sexo e controlada por fatores de confusão

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Curva de lactação de cabras da raça Alpina e de seus mestiços boer, em sistema de produção em pasto, com e sem suplementação concentrada

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Composição química e propriedades de pasta de farinhas de mandioca

This work aimed to analyze the chemical composition and paste properties of cassava flours, from several producers and classifications, marked in different Brazilian cities. Flours were characterized to moisture, ash, fibers, protein, lipids, total sugars and starch. The paste properties were analyzed in RVA. The results showed significant differences to chemical components in cassava flours. The moisture ranged from 4.39 to 10.26, starch (82.19 to 88.90%), ash (0.48 to 1.07%), fiber (3.23 to 6.41%), protein (1.15 to 2.13%), total sugar (0.05 to 0.56%) and lipids (0.40 to 1.24). These differences can be due the variations of raw material and process. The paste properties of flours were different, with viscosity peak ranged from 73.33 to 387.08 RVU, breakdown (2.42 to 248.83RVU, final viscosity (154.92 to 275.5 RVU) and retrogradation tendency (50.75 to 132.5 RVU), showing the influence of kind of processing on flour viscosity.

Prevalence of overweight preschool children in public day care centers: a cross-sectional study

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Brazil is undergoing a period of epidemiological transition associated with demographic and nutritional changes. The prevalence of obesity is also increasing in children and is causing numerous health problems that are becoming public health issues. The aim here was to evaluate the prevalence of overweight among children of two and three years of age. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in municipal day care centers in Taubate, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Weight and height measurements were made on 447 preschool children forming a probabilistic randomized sample. Their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Their nutritional status was classified using the World Health Organization reference cutoff points (2006). Their mean weight, height and BMI were compared according to their age and sex. RESULTS: The mean values for the final sample (n = 447) were as follows: mean age: 38.6 months (+/- 3.5) and Z scores for: weight/height (W/H): 0.50 (+/- 1.22); height/age: -0.03 (+/- 1.07); weight/age (W/A): 0.51 (+/- 1.23); and BMI: 0.51(+/- 1.23). The prevalence of overweight children (BMI > 1 z) was 28.86%, while the prevalence of underweight children (BMI < -2 z) was 0.89%. There were no differences in mean BMI among the two and three-year age groups (P = 0.66). CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of overweight was observed in the sample of two and three-year-old children, with practically no malnutrition, thus showing that a significant nutritional transition may already be occurring, even in medium-sized cities of developing countries.