Comportamento do maracuajazeiro amarelo, variedade Afruvec, ante uma população de Fusarium solani, agente causal da podridão do colo

The objective of the present work was to verify the behavior of yellow passion fruit, Afruvec variety, in relation to a population of Fusarium solani, obtained from this crop. The experimental delineation was random blocks, containing 10 treatments [9 isolates and 1 control treatment], with 4 repetitions, each plot being represented by a vase containing a plant. A disk of culture medium colonized by each isolate of the fungus was inoculated in the wounded collar region of the plants of the Afruvec variety two months after sowing. The appraised parameters were: the pathogenicity, the incidence (number of dead plants) and the severity of the disease (length of the lesion in the collar region), until 60 days after inoculation. The Afruvec variety was susceptible to the fungus and also presented variability as to the severity of the disease and incidence in relation to the different isolates. The population of the fungus showed variability in regard to aggressiveness. In light of the evidence of genetic diversity in the F. solani population, it is also suggested, in the tests of selection of materials to the pathogen, that these materials should be evaluated in different places with a history of the disease or inoculation with a pool of isolates of the fungus, in order to know the wide resistance of the genotype to the pathogen.

Substratos orgânicos para a produção de mudas de Tabebuia heptaphylla irrigadas com água potável e residuária

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Ciência do Solo) - FCAV

Substratos orgânicos para a produção de mudas de Tabebuia heptaphylla irrigadas com água potável e residuária

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Ciência do Solo) - FCAV

Shape isomerism and shape coexistence effects on the Coulomb energy differences in the N = Z nucleus As-66 and neighboring T=1 multiplets

Excited states of the N = Z = 33 nucleus As-66 have been populated in a fusion-evaporation reaction and studied using gamma-ray spectroscopic techniques. Special emphasis was put into the search for candidates for the T = 1 states. A new 3(+) isomer has been observed with a lifetime of 1.1(3) ns. This is believed to be the predicted oblate shape isomer. The excited levels are discussed in terms of the shell model and of the complex excited Vampir approaches. Coulomb energy differences are determined from the comparison of the T = 1 states with their analog partners. The unusual behavior of the Coulomb energy differences in the A = 70 mass region is explained through different shape components (oblate and prolate) within the members of the same isospin multiplets. This breaking of the isospin symmetry is attributed to the correlations induced by the Coulomb interaction.

The impact of the medical speciality in primary health-care problem solving in Belo Horizonte, Brazil: homeopaths versus family doctors: a preliminary quantitative study

Introduction: This research project examined influence of the doctors' speciality on primary health care (PHC) problem solving in Belo Horizonte (BH) Brazil, comparing homeopathic with family health doctors (FH), from the management's and the patients' viewpoint. In BH, both FH and homeopathic doctors work in PHC. The index of resolvability (IR) is used to compare resolution of problems by doctors. Methods: The present research compared IR, using official data from the Secretariat of Health and test requests made by the doctors and 482 structured interviews with patients. A total of 217,963 consultations by 14 homeopaths and 67 FH doctors between 1 July 2006 and 30 June 2007 were analysed. Results: The results show significant differences greater problem resolution by homeopaths compared to FH doctors. Conclusion: In BH, the medical speciality, homeopathy or FH, has an impact on problem solving, both from the managers' and the patients' point of view. Homeopaths request fewer tests and have better IR compared with FH doctors. Specialisation in homeopathy is an independent positive factor in problem solving at PHC level in BH, Brazil. Homeopathy (2012) 101, 44-50.

Involvement of nitric oxide on the pathogenesis of irinotecan-induced intestinal mucositis: role of cytokines on inducible nitric oxide synthase activation

Purpose Intestinal mucositis and the closely associated diarrhea are common costly side effects of irinotecan. Cytokine modulators, such as thalidomide and pentoxifylline, are found capable of attenuating intestinal mucositis progression. Nitric oxide (NO) seems to be a key mediator of the antineoplastic drug toxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of NO on the pathogenesis of intestinal mucositis, as well as the participation of cytokines upon inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in irinotecan-induced intestinal mucositis. Methods iNOS-knockout (iNOS(-/-)) and C57BL/6 (WT, wild type) animals (n = 5-6) were given either saline or irinotecan (60 mg/kg i.p for 4 days), with or without pretreatment with aminoguanidine (50 mg/kg s.c.), thalidomide (60 mg/kg s.c), infliximab (5 mg/kg i.v.), or pentoxifylline (1.7 mg/kg s.c). On day 5, diarrhea was assessed, and following euthanasia, proximal intestinal samples were obtained for myeloperoxidase (MPO) and iNOS activity, morphometric analysis, western blot and immunohistochemistry to iNOS, cytokine dosage, and for in vitro evaluation of gut contractility. Results Irinotecan induced severe diarrhea and intestinal smooth muscle over-contractility, accompanied with histopathological changes. Additionally, increased MPO and iNOS activity and iNOS immunoexpression were found in WT animals treated with irinotecan. The rise in MPO, smooth muscle over-contractility, and diarrhea were abrogated in aminoguanidine-treated and iNOS(-/-) mice. Moreover, through western blot, we verified that infliximab and pentoxifylline significantly inhibited irinotecan-induced iNOS expression. In addition, cytokine concentration was found only partially decreased in irinotecan-treated iNOS(-/-) mice when compared with wild-type animals that were given irinotecan. Conclusions This study suggests a role of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of irinotecan-induced intestinal mucositis and also provides evidence for the participation of cytokines on iNOS induction.

Effects of active and passive lacebacks on antero-posterior position of maxillary first molars and central incisors

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of active and passive lacebacks on antero-posterior position of maxillary first molars and central incisors during leveling phase. Twenty-three subjects with Class I and Class II malocclusion were treated with first premolars extraction using preadjusted appliances (MBT 0.022-inch brackets). The leveling phase was performed with stainless steel archwires only. The sample was divided into 2 groups: 14 subjects received active lacebacks (Group 1) and 9 subjects received passive lacebacks (Group 2). Lacebacks were made from 0.008-inch ligature wire. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken pre- and post-leveling phase. Student's t-test was applied to determine the differences between pre- and post-leveling mean values and to determine the mean differences between groups. In Group I, the first molars showed a significant mesial movement, whereas no change was observed in Group 2. In both groups, maxillary central incisor crowns moved to lingual side. In conclusion, active laceback produced anchorage loss of maxillary first molars whereas passive laceback did not affect the position of these teeth. Active and passive lacebacks were effective in preventing central incisor proclination.

Fluxes of CO2 above a sugarcane plantation in Brazil

Fluxes of CO2 were measured above a sugarcane plantation using the eddy-covariance method covering two growth cycles, representing the second and third re-growth (ratoons) harvested with stubble burning. The total net ecosystem exchange (NEE) in the first cycle (second ratoon, 393 days long) was −1964 ± 44 g C m−2; the gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) was 3612 ± 46 g C m−2 and the ecosystem respiration (RE) was 1648 ± 14 g C m−2. The NEE and GEP totals in the second cycle (third ratoon, 374 days long) decreased 51% and 25%, respectively and RE increased 7%. Accounting for the carbon emitted during biomass burning and the removal of stalks at harvest, net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) totals were 102 ± 130 g C m−2 and 403 ± 84 g C m−2 in each cycle respectively. Thus the sugarcane agrosystem was approximately carbon neutral in the second ratoon. Yield in stalks fresh weight (SFW) attained the regional average (8.3 kg SFW m−2). Although it was a carbon source to the atmosphere, observed productivity (6.2 kg SFW m−2) of the third ratoon was 19% lower than the regional average due to the lower water availability observed during the initial 120 days of re-growth. However, the overall water use efficiency (WUE) achieved in the first cycle (4.3 g C kg−1 H2O) decreased only 5% in the second cycle. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Kristallisation von Zinkoxid in Gegenwart funktionalisierter Oberflächen

In dieser Arbeit wurde Kristallisation von Zinkoxid auf funktionalisierten Oberflächen unter drei Gesichtspunkten untersucht. Es wurden feste Substrate in einer Kombination aus lithographischen Verfahren und der Selbstorganisation von Molekülen chemisch bemustert, d.h. mit einem Muster aus verschiedenen funktionellen Gruppen versehen. Untersucht wurden zum einen Goldoberflächen, die mit Mustern aus COOH? und CF3-terminierten Alkanthiolen beschichtet worden waren.Keimbildung und Kristallwachstum erfolgen selektiv auf den hydrophoben (CF3-)-Flächen. Nach 90 Minuten Reaktionszeit sind einzelne Kristalle (hexagonale Prismen) von ca. 2 µm Länge und einem Durchmesser von 50-100 nm mit ihrer c-Achse senkrecht zum Substrat aufgewachsen. Ein ähnliches Bild zeigt sich bei den silanisierten Si-Wafern. Auch hier wachsen die Kristalle ausschließlich auf den hydrophoberen Flächen mit ihrer c-Achse senkrecht zum Substrat. Ihre durchschnittliche Höhe beträgt 4 µm, ihr Durchmesser ca. 500 nm. Auf Goldelektrodenoberflächen wurde die Abscheidung von Zinkoxid aus Zinknitratlösung in Gegenwart von verschiedenen Polymeren zeitaufgelöst untersucht. Besonderes Interesse galt dabei sehr kurzen Reaktionszeiten, die bei der Fällung aus Lösung nicht zugänglich sind. Nach 30 Sekunden haben sich in allen Fällen geschlossene polykristalline ZnO-Filme gebildet, in denen mit der Röntgenbeugung kein weiterer Stoff nachweisbar ist. Dabei ist die Strom-Zeit-Charakteristik zunächst von der Diffusion der Nitrationen zur Elektrode dominiert, mit Überschreiten der kritischen Konzentration an Hydroxylionen, die bei der Reduktion des Nitrats entstehen, setzt die Kristallisation ein und beschleunigt die Elektrodenreaktion. Bereits nach kurzer Zeit stellt sich dann die Stromdichte auf einen nahezu konstanten Wert ein und das System befindet sich in einem quasi-stationären Zustand, d.h. das Wachstum erfolgt linear. Polymere üben einen drastischen Einfluß auf die Morphologie der Filme aus, indem sie die Wachstumsart der Kristallite verändern, was man nach Abzug des Diffusionsanteils der Stromdichte, aus der verbleibenden Kurve abliest, wenn man sie durch eine Avrami-Kinetik anpaßt. So ermittelt man, daß die Kristallite in Gegenwart der Polymere mit Methacrylsäuregruppen kugelartiges Wachstum zeigen, während -sind Sulfonsäuregruppen zugegen- plättchenartige Kristallite wachsen. Ohne Polymerzusatz wachsen Säulen entlang einer Richtung. Diese Ergebnisse, vor allem im Fall der sulfonsäuregruppenhaltigen Polymere und der Abscheidungen ohne Polymer decken sich sehr gut mit Beobachtungen, die man bei der morphologischen Analyse mittels REM macht.Zinkoxid wurde aus wäßriger Lösung in Gegenwart von oberflächenmodifizierten Latices gefällt, in denen Magnetit verkapselt war und die per Miniemulsionspolymerisation hergestellt wurden.Sie beeinflussen mit steigendem Magnetitgehalt das Kristallwachstum in zunehmendem Maße. Die Seitenflächen der Kristalle können nicht mehr wie üblich glatt ausgebildet werden, sondern sind stark zerklüftet, während die Basalflächen unbeeinflußt bleiben. Die Latices werden in den Zinkoxidkristall eingebaut und können somit als carrier für das Magnetit genutzt werden. Nach der thermischen Behandlung der Pulver ordnen sich die Kristalle in Ketten an, was als eindeutiger Beweis für das erfolgreiche Einbringen des Magnetits gewertet werden kann.

Killing of bacteria by copper surfaces involves dissolved copper

Bacteria are rapidly killed on copper surfaces. However, the mechanism of this process remains unclear. Using Enterococcus hirae, the effect of inactivation of copper homeostatic genes and of medium compositions on survival and copper dissolution was tested. The results support a role for dissolved copper ions in killing.

Incidence and outcome of chronic graft-versus-host disease using National Institutes of Health consensus criteria

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), a common complication after stem cell transplant (SCT), has an impact on morbidity and survival. Previous classification of cGVHD has not been reproducible or prognostic for nonrelapse mortality (NRM). Recently the National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus criteria were proposed, but the ability of this classification to predict outcome of various subtypes of cGVHD is unknown. Patients (N = 110) undergoing an SCT for a hematologic malignancy and surviving until day 100 posttransplant from 2001 to 2003 were studied. The overall survival (OS) using a landmark analysis at day 100 was 44% versus 66% (no GVHD vs. GVHD, P = .026). The OS of patients with various types of GVHD as proposed by the NIH criteria were significantly different (P < .0001). In a univariate analyses, this was more apparent when patients with any acute features of GVHD were compared to classic cGVHD (3-year OS 46% vs. 68%, P = .033). The 3-year NRM for the entire cohort was 21%, and was not affected by presence or absence of GVHD or subtypes of GVHD. In a multivariable analysis, extensive cGVHD (hazard ratio [HR] 0.35, P = .015) and having any acute feature of GVHD after day 100 (HR 3.36, P = .0144) were significant independent predictors of survival. The OS with different NIH subtypes of GVHD after day 100 from SCT varies, and is superior for patients with classic cGVHD.

CD4+ T cell count recovery in HIV type 1-infected patients is independent of class of antiretroviral therapy

BACKGROUND: In recent years, treatment options for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection have changed from nonboosted protease inhibitors (PIs) to nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) and boosted PI-based antiretroviral drug regimens, but the impact on immunological recovery remains uncertain. METHODS: During January 1996 through December 2004 [corrected] all patients in the Swiss HIV Cohort were included if they received the first combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and had known baseline CD4(+) T cell counts and HIV-1 RNA values (n = 3293). For follow-up, we used the Swiss HIV Cohort Study database update of May 2007 [corrected] The mean (+/-SD) duration of follow-up was 26.8 +/- 20.5 months. The follow-up time was limited to the duration of the first cART. CD4(+) T cell recovery was analyzed in 3 different treatment groups: nonboosted PI, NNRTI, or boosted PI. The end point was the absolute increase of CD4(+) T cell count in the 3 treatment groups after the initiation of cART. RESULTS: Two thousand five hundred ninety individuals (78.7%) initiated a nonboosted-PI regimen, 452 (13.7%) initiated an NNRTI regimen, and 251 (7.6%) initiated a boosted-PI regimen. Absolute CD4(+) T cell count increases at 48 months were as follows: in the nonboosted-PI group, from 210 to 520 cells/muL; in the NNRTI group, from 220 to 475 cells/muL; and in the boosted-PI group, from 168 to 511 cells/muL. In a multivariate analysis, the treatment group did not affect the response of CD4(+) T cells; however, increased age, pretreatment with nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors, serological tests positive for hepatitis C virus, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stage C infection, lower baseline CD4(+) T cell count, and lower baseline HIV-1 RNA level were risk factors for smaller increases in CD4(+) T cell count. CONCLUSION: CD4(+) T cell recovery was similar in patients receiving nonboosted PI-, NNRTI-, and boosted PI-based cART.