Boron transport in Eucalyptus. 2. Identification in silico of a putative boron transporter for xylem loading in eucalypt

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

Reduction of insulin signalling pathway IRS-1/IRS-2/AKT/mTOR and decrease of epithelial cell proliferation in the prostate of glucocorticoid-treated rats

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

Tempo de circulação extracorpórea como fator risco para insuficiência renal aguda

OBJETIVO: A insuficiência renal aguda (IRA) no pósoperatório (PO) de cirurgia cardíaca é complicação grave. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar o tempo de circulação extracorpórea (CEC) como fator de risco para IRA. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados 116 pacientes de um único centro, submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca com CEC. Foram avaliados os dados demográficos, características clínicas, variáveis intra e pós-operatórias. A creatinina sérica e o clearance de creatinina foram avaliados até o 5ºPO. IRA foi definida como necessidade de diálise. Os pacientes foram estratificados em dois grupos: grupo CEC< 70 min e grupo CEC> 90min. RESULTADOS: O aumento médio da creatinina sérica no PO foi 0,18+0,41 no grupo CEC<70min e 0,42+0,44 no grupo CEC>90min (p=0,005). Diálise foi necessária em 1,3% dos pacientes do grupo CEC<70min, e em 12,5% do grupo CEC> 90min (p=0,018). O risco relativo para diálise foi 1,12 (IC 95%, 1,00-1,20) para CEC>90min. Não houve diferença para mortalidade (5,2 versus 7,5%, p=0,631). CONSLUSÃO: O desenvolvimento de IRA no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca foi observado em pacientes com tempo de CEC superior a 90 minutos, embora o clearance de creatinina não tenha demonstrado alteração entre os grupos.

Comparação de métodos de agrupamento para o estudo da divergência genética em cultivares de feijão

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A new polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism protocol for Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein genotype (VK210, VK247, and P-vivax-like) determination

For the molecular diagnosis of Plasmodium vivax variants (VK210, VK247, and P. vivax-like) using DNA amplification procedures in the laboratory, the choice of rapid and inexpensive identification products of the 3 different genotypes is an important prerequisite. We report here the standardization of a new polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism technique to identify the 3 described P. vivax circumsporozoite protein (CSP) variants using amplification of the central immunodominant region of the CSP gene of this protozoan. The simplicity, specificity, and sensitivity of the system described here is important to determine the prevalence and the distribution of infection with these P. vivax genotypes in endemic and nonendemic malaria areas, enabling a better understanding of their phylogeny. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Labeling index in pituitary adenomas evaluated by means of MIB-1: is there a prognostic role? A critical review

Objective: The present article presents an overview of the literature, and analyses the methods and the primary questions related to assessment of proliferation index using the Ki-67/MIB-1 labeling index in pituitary adenomas. Although atypical adenomas are characterized by their atypical morphological features by an elevated mitotic index, a Ki-67 (MIB-1) labeling index greater than 3% and extensive nuclear staining for p53, use of the proliferation index (LI) of pituitary adenomas in assessing the degree of tumor aggressiveness is a controversial topic in the literature, and there are disparate results involving many studies.Methods: A review of literature was carried out to correlate the role of Ki-67 LI and its correlation with clinical findings, tumor size, invasiveness, recurrence, adenoma subtype, adenoma doubling time, and pituitary carcinomas is addressed. Results: The prognosis cannot be predicted on the basis of the Ki-67 LI alone. Although there is no direct relation between Ki-67 LI and some of these variables and controversial data were found regarding some topics, our review justify the use of Ki-67 in the analysis of pituitary adenomas as an additional information for clinical decision.Conclusion: Although assessment of proliferative may be helpful in predicting subsequent tumor recurrence or invasiveness, there are many other important and as yet unidentified factors pituitary tumors. It is clear that further research is needed to clarify these molecular mechanisms to predict those with a potentially poor clinical outcome.

Effects of Passiflora edulis on the Metabolic Profile of Diabetic Wistar Rat Offspring

Dry extract of the genus Passiflora has been shown to help control glycemia and lipid levels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of passion fruit (P. edulis) on the biochemical profile of offspring from diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin. The diabetes group consisted of 10 rats with glucose levels greater than 200 mg/dL; the nondiabetic (control) group consisted of 10 rats with glucose levels less than 120 mg/dL. After the diagnosis of diabetes, the mating phase was started. By day 21 of pregnancy, the offspring were born; the dams were kept in individual cages with their offspring until the weaning period. The offspring were then divided into 4 groups (n = 15 each): G1 were offspring from control dams, G2 were offspring from treated nondiabetic dams, G3 were offspring from diabetic dams, and G4 were offspring from treated diabetic dams. For 30 consecutive days, G1 and G3 offspring were treated with vehicle (oral gavage) and G2 and G4 offspring were treated with passion fruit juice (oral gavage). After 30-day treatment, the animals were anesthetized and killed, and blood was drawn immediately for analysis of the biochemical profile (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose). The G2 and G4 rats showed significantly reduced total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and an increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. The use of passion fruit juice improved lipid profiles, suggesting that this plant may have beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemias and hyperglycemia.

Growth parameters and nutrient content in four multipurpose tree species with potential characteristics for agroforestry systems in a Cerrado region in Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil

In order to evaluate growth characteristics, adaptability, biomass production, nutrient recycling, nutrient distribution and the ability to regenerate degraded land, a trial using four multipurpose tree species (Leucaena leucocephala, Leucaena diversifolia, Acacia melanoxylon and Mimosa scabrella) was undertaken over two years in a distrophic red yellow latosol (oxisol) following a randomized block experimental design with four replications. At the age of two years, A. melanoxylon and L. diversifolia were the tallest species (5.25 and 4.97 m, respectively) and A. melanoxylon and M. scabrella had the largest diameters at 20 cm from tree base. Mimosa scabrella and A. melanoxylon had the highest dry matter production and quantity of nutrients in the above ground biomass. In all species, the highest nutrient contents were found in the leaves, followed by branches and stems. From all species, the highest Nutrient Utilization Efficiency Indexes were obtained for sulphur, phosphorous, and magnesium; L. diversifolia was the most efficient for nitrogen, potassium, calcium, sulphur, and manganese, while A. melanoxylon was the most efficient for phosphorus, magnesium, boron, iron, and zinc. Litter production levels over a three month period were as follows: M. scabrella > A. melanoxylon > L. diversifolia > L. leucocephala. Litter nutrient content was higher in M. scabrella than in the other species.

A compostagem como processo catalisador para a reutilização dos resídues de fábrica de celulose e papel

Recognizing the great potential of this residue to increase the eucalyptus forests produtivity - when used in its humidified form - the main objective of this project was to decompose the solid residues generated at Luiz Antonio mill, in a fast and artificial way, by means of piles or ridges of composted materials. The materials used in this composting process were: activated sludge, dregs and grits, wood ash and biomass. Applications of both phosphorus and potassium have been used during the planting phase. Nitrogen, in the form of urea, has been applied in two treatments with the main purpose to decrease the C/N ratio and to speed up the decomposition process. The experiment was carried out in 120 days. The best results were obtained in residue piles with a 3:1 ratio, i.e., 75% residues + 25% biomass. This mixture provided an extremely good aeration, thus enabling an appropriate material mixing and homogenization. Under the technological viewpoint, the results obtained from the composting process were quite satisfactory for VCP industrial residues treatment. This composting process enabled a material accelerated stabilization (lower C/N ratio) and homogenization. After this experiment, it became possible to use all residues just as they were generated by Luiz Antônio pulp and paper mill. This project is of the utmost relevance to VCP's forestry department as far as a significant amount of nutrients is getting back to the soil in the form of mineral and organic materials.

Uso de biossólido como substrate para produção de mudas de eucalipto

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the biosolids used as substrate component for seedlings production of Eucalyptus. This way, different proportions of biosolid/carbonized rice (80/20, 70/30, 60/40, 50/05 and 40/60) were tested as substrates in mixture, which were compared to the common substrate used by forest nursery (Multiplant®), as control. The experiment was established with Eucalyptus grandis where growth seedlings-related parameters were assessed: shoot height, collar diameter, accumulation of dry matter on the shoot and root, chemical analysis of the vegetal tissue of aerial part and root, foliar area and chlorophyll content. The results revealed that Eucalypts seedlings developed in substrate with 50% biosolid were similar to the control in relation to the evaluated parameters, concluding that the use of biosolids for seedlings production is quite promising.

Retorno de nutrientes ao solo via deposição de serapilheira de quatro espécies leguminosas arbóreas na região de Botucatu - São Paulo, Brasil

The annual litter fall production and the concentrations of macronutrients of four leguminous tree species were evaluated. The experiment was installed in a distrophic red yellow latosol (Oxisol), derivative of the Bauru sandstone group. The studied species were: Leucaena leucocephala. Acacia melanoxylon, L. diversifolia and Mimosa scabrella. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with four treatments (species) and four replications. The litter fall was collected in boxes measuring 50×50×10 cm, two boxes by treatment in each block. The material was collected monthly and dried, weighed and chemically analyzed. The litter fall deposition occurred in the following order: M. scabrella (7,051 kg ha -1 ano -1), A. melanoxylon (2,789 kg ha -1 ano -1), L. diversifolia (1,576 kg ha -1 ano -1) and L. leucocephala (1,389 kg ha -1 ano -1). The content of nutrients obeyed the following order: N>Ca>K>Mg>P>S, with the exception of L. leucocephala that presented a bigger content of S in relation to the P.

Efeitos da irrigação na sobrevivência, transpiração e no teor relative de água na folha em mudas de Eucalyptus grandis em diferentes substratos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Eucalyptus ESTs corresponding to the protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase enzyme related to the synthesis of heme, chlorophyll, and to the action of herbicides

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

Eucalyptus ESTs corresponding to the enzyme glutamine synthetase and the protein D1, sites of action of herbicides that cause oxidative stress

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

Eucalyptus ESTs associated with resistance to herbicide inhibitors of aromatic and branched-chain amino acid synthesis

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