Evaluation of electrical conductivity, pH and refractive index as physico-chemical parameters for quality control of Aveloz homeopathic solutions

Euphorbia tirucalli Lineu (Aveloz) belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae and is used in the treatment of cancer and warts. Some studies have reported that phorbol esters are the active principles responsible for the antitumor activity of Aveloz. The production of these molecules occurs in greater quantity in May, during the morning. This study aimed to evaluate whether the physico-chemical parameters of Aveloz homeopathic aqueous solutions such as pH, electrical conductivity and refractive index change due to storage time. Such parameters were measured regularly for 180 days. All solutions were prepared according to the method of grinding with lactose and subsequent dissolution in aqueous medium, as described in the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia, using as starting point the Aveloz latex collected in May. Homeopathic aqueous solutions containing only lactose were also prepared and evaluated as a control group. The potencies that were analyzed for electrical conductivity, pH and refractive index were: 4cH, 7cH, 9cH, 12cH, 14cH, 15cH, 29cH, 30cH. As a result, we found out that there was only statistical difference (p=0.035) in electrical conductivity between the homeopathic solutions containing Aveloz and the homeopathic solutions without Aveloz, when 15cH potency was compared. We also observed that the electrical conductivity increased with the aging of the solutions but is not directly related to the pH or the refractive index of the solutions, indicating that the aging process may alter the electrical conductivity of the homeopathic medicines. The presence of gas inside the glass that stores these solutions may affect the electrical conductivity measurements. Finally, no statistically significant difference was observed (p> 0.05) in the pH and refractive index.

At least two indigenous species of the Bemisia tabaci complex are present in Brazil

Bemisia tabaci is one of the most important global agricultural insect pests, being a vector of emerging plant viruses such as begomoviruses and criniviruses that cause serious problems in many countries. Although knowledge of the genetic diversity of B. tabaci populations is important for controlling this pest and understanding viral epidemics, limited information is available on this pest in Brazil. A survey was conducted in different locations of São Paulo and Mato Grosso states, and the phylogenetic relationships of B. tabaci individuals from 43 populations sampled from different hosts were analysed based on partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 gene (mtCOI) sequences. According to the recently proposed classification of the B. tabaci complex, which employs the 3.5% mtCOI sequence divergence threshold for species demarcation, most of the specimens collected were found to belong to the Middle East-Asia Minor 1 species, which includes the invasive populations of the commonly known B biotype, within the Africa/Middle East/Asia Minor high-level group. Three specimens collected from Solanun gilo and Ipomoea sp. were grouped together and could be classified in the New World species that includes the commonly known A biotype. However, six specimens collected from Euphorbia heterophylla, Xanthium cavanillesii and Glycine maxima could not be classified into any of the 28 previously proposed species, although according to the 11% mtCOI sequence divergence threshold, they belong to the New World high-level group. These specimens were classified into a new recently proposed species named New World 2 that includes populations from Argentina. Middle East-Asia Minor 1, New World and New World 2 were differentiated by RFLP analysis of the mtCOI gene using TaqI enzyme. Taq I analysis in silico also differentiates these from Mediterranean species, thus making this method a convenient tool to determine population dynamics, especially critical for monitoring the presence of this exotic pest in Brazil. © 2012 Blackwell Verlag, GmbH.

Identification of poisonous plants in the heart of public squares of ribeirão Preto SP

Toxic plants, many ornamentals, may be present in gardens, backyards, parks, vases, squares and vacant lots around the cities. Some of these plants are well known and exuberant, with strong color and decorative aspects, but when swallowed or handled, can cause severe intoxication specially in children. The main objective was to identify the poisonous plants found in public squares of Ribeirão Preto downtown, among five squares: XV de Novembro Square, Carlos Gomes Square, Bandeiras Square, Luís de Camões Square and Sete de Setembro Square. In this study, a literature review was performed in order to know the species that have been recorded as toxic plant. For the species in question, the common name and therapeutic indication were recorded. Over all evaluated squares toxic species were found. Sete de Setembro Square was the most frequent species in a total of seven toxical species. The most common species in the surveyed places were: Euphorbia pulcherrima, Buxus semprevirens and Dracaena fragrans, popularly known as Poinsettia, Boxwood and Cornstalk Dracaena, respectively. The importance of doing studies in urban squares is to improve care to ensure the afforestation process of the cities.

Eficiência de herbicidas inibidores da ALS e PROTOX sob condições de déficit hídrico no comportamento bioquímico de plantas daninhas

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Eficácia do herbicida mesotrione aplicado no sistema de cana crua

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeitos de óleos nas características físicas e químicas da calda de aplicação e na ação da atrazina

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Transmissibilidade da leprose das cercas-vivas, quebra-ventos e plantas daninhas para citros através de Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Entomologia Agrícola) - FCAV

Um modelo espaço-temporal aplicado à agricultura de precisão

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeito da época e local de semeadura na interferência das plantas daninhas na cultura do amendoim

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Glyphosate, suas combinações com outros herbicidas e formulações no controle de plantas daninhas importantes na cultura da soja

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Produção Vegetal) - FCAV

Efeito de adjuvantes nas propriedades físico-químicas da água e na redução de deriva em pulverizações sobre diferentes espécies de plantas daninhas

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Eficácia do herbicida amicarbazone em aplicação conjunta com a colheita de cana-de-açúcar no controle das principais plantas daninhas da cultura

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Dinâmica e eficácia no controle de plantas daninhas pelo herbicida metribuzin aplicado sobre palha de cana-de-açúcar

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Associação do herbicida Tebuthiuron com a cobertura de palha no controle de plantas daninhas no sistema de cana-crua

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeito de pontas e volumes de pulverização na deposição de calda na cultura do milho e em plantas daninhas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)