Effect of soil composition and dissolved organic matter on pesticide sorption

The effect of the solid and dissolved organic matter fractions, mineral composition and ionic strength of the soil solution on the sorption behaviour of pesticides were studied. A number of soils, chosen so as to have different clay mineral and organic carbon content, were used to study the sorption of the pesticides atrazine (6-chloro-N-2-ethyl-N-4-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine), 2,4-D ((2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid), isoproturon (3-(4-isopropylphenyl)1,1-dimethylurea) and paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium) in the presence of low and high levels of dissolved organic carbon and different background electrolytes. The sorption behaviour of atrazine, isoproturon and paraquat was dominated by the solid state soil components and the presence of dissolved organic matter had little effect. The sorption of 2,4-D was slightly affected by the soluble organic matter in the soil. However, this effect may be due to competition for adsorption sites between the pesticide and the soluble organic matter rather than due to a positive interaction between the pesticide and the soluble fraction of soil organic matter. It is concluded that the major factor governing the sorption of these pesticides is the solid state organic fraction with the clay mineral content also making a significant contribution. The dissolved organic carbon fraction of the total organic carbon in the soil and the ionic strength of the soil solution appear to have little or no effect on the sorption/transport characteristics of these pesticides over the range of concentrations studied. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Crohn's disease with oral presenting signs masquerading as chronic osteomyelitis

Background: A case of Crohn's disease (CD) was diagnosed following recognition of oral and systemic signs and symptoms in a 19-year-old male patient. Methods: Clinical investigation utilized included blood tests (full blood count, electrolytes, urea, creatinine, liver function tests), computed tomogrphy scans, magnetic resonance imaging scans, oral biopsies, colonoscopy and biopsies of the terminal ileum and colon. Results: A diagnosis of CD was made which then allowed appropriate medical treatment to be initiated. Conclusion: The importance of a thorough medical history and full physical examination with appropriate investigations as dictated by clinical findings is demonstrated.

A foliar rating system for comparing the resistance of banana cultivars grown as tissue-cultured plantlets in the laboratory to Fusarium wilt

A foliar rating system was developed to assess the progress of Fusarium wilt ( Panama disease) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense in seven banana cultivars differing in their resistance to race 1 of the pathogen. Plantlets were transplanted into unamended soil naturally infested with the pathogen, soil amended with urea and soil amended with aged chicken manure. A corm invasion score was also developed to assess the accuracy of the foliar symptom score as an indicator of cultivar resistance. On the basis of foliar symptom scores alone, the response of five of the seven cultivars in the chicken manure treatment corresponded to their known field response. However, the response of the other two cultivars, both susceptible to the pathogen in the field, fell into two categories. One had a high foliar symptom score and a correspondingly high corm invasion score, whereas the other had a low foliar symptom score and a high corm invasion score. Breeders need to be aware of the two categories of susceptible response, if inferior breeding material is to be rejected early on in a breeding program.

Molecular basis of sulfonylurea herbicide inhibition of acetohydroxyacid synthase

Acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) (acetolactate synthase, EC 4.1.3.18) catalyzes the first step in branchedchain amino acid biosynthesis and is the target for sulfonylurea and imidazolinone herbicides. These compounds are potent and selective inhibitors, but their binding site on AHAS has not been elucidated. Here we report the 2.8 Angstrom resolution crystal structure of yeast AHAS in complex with a sulfonylurea herbicide, chlorimuron ethyl. The inhibitor, which has a K-i of 3.3 nM blocks access to the active site and contacts multiple residues where mutation results in herbicide resistance. The structure provides a starting point for the rational design of further herbicidal compounds.

Systematic characterization of mutations in yeast acetohydroxyacid synthase: Interpretation of herbicide-resistance data

Acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS, EC 4.1.3.18) catalyses the first step in branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis and is the target for sulfonylurea and imidazolinone herbicides, which act as potent and specific inhibitors. Mutants of the enzyme have been identified that are resistant to particular herbicides. However, the selectivity of these mutants towards various sulfonylureas and imidazolinones has not been determined systematically. Now that the structure of the yeast enzyme is known, both in the absence and presence of a bound herbicide, a detailed understanding of the molecular interactions between the enzyme and its inhibitors becomes possible. Here we construct 10 active mutants of yeast AHAS, purify the enzymes and determine their sensitivity to six sulfonylureas and three imidazolinones. An additional three active mutants were constructed with a view to increasing imidazolinone sensitivity. These three variants were purified and tested for their sensitivity to the imidazolinones only. Substantial differences are observed in the sensitivity of the 13 mutants to the various inhibitors and these differences are interpreted in terms of the structure of the herbicide-binding site on the enzyme.

Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in adults with intellectual disability

Helicobacter pylori infection is common among adults with intellectual disability. The acceptabilities and accuracies of different diagnostic tests in this population are unknown. We aimed to determine (i) patient acceptability and (ii) performance characteristics of serology, fecal-antigen, and urea breath tests among adults with intellectual disability. One hundred sixty-eight such adults underwent H. pylori testing with serology and fecal-antigen tests, and a portion underwent treatment. One year later, the participants were retested with fecal-antigen, serology, and urea breath tests. The numbers of specimens obtained and difficulties in collection reported by caregivers were noted. Test performance characteristics were assessed among participants and 65 of their caregivers, using serology as the reference. All participants provided at least one specimen, despite reported collection difficulties for 23% of fecal and 27% of blood specimens. Only 25% of the participants provided breath specimens; failure to perform this test was associated with lower intellectual ability and higher maladaptive behavior. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the fecal test (baseline and 12 months versus caregivers) were 70 and 63 versus 81, 93 and 95 versus 98, 96 and 92 versus 93, and 53 and 74 versus 93%, respectively; those of the urea breath test (12 months versus caregivers) were 86 versus 100, 88 versus 95, 75 versus 89, and 94 versus 100%, respectively. With assistance, fecal or blood specimens for H. pylori assessment can be provided by most patients with intellectual disability regardless of their level of function or behavior. Only those with greater ability can perform the urea breath test. Using serology as the reference test, the limitations of performance characteristics of the fecal-antigen and urea breath tests are similar to those among a control group of caregivers.

Adubação foliar com macro e micronutrientes no crescimento de mudas micropropagadas do abacaxizeiro cv. Gold [Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill] em diferentes recipientes

Parte da Dissertação do primeiro autor, apresentada ao Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo/PPGPV, Alegre-ES, como parte das exigências para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Produção Vegetal/Fitotecnia.

Remoção do herbicida 2,4-D por meio do tratamento convencional da água e adsorção em carvão ativado granular em instalação piloto

O crescimento populacional empurra a produção agrícola em direção ao uso intensivo dos agrotóxicos que aumentam a produtividade. Porém, seu uso incorreto pode resultar em grave problema para as estações de tratamento da água e impactar negativamente na saúde pública. Segundo estudos em escala laboratorial, o tratamento convencional, um dos mais utilizados no Brasil, apresenta remoção insignificante do 2,4-D. A adsorção em carvão ativado tem se demonstrado como tecnologia eficiente na remoção de diversos contaminantes, dentre eles os agrotóxicos. Assim, foi avaliada a remoção dos herbicidas 2,4-D e 2,4,5-T e metabólito 2,4-DCP, utilizando o tratamento convencional e a adsorção em coluna de carvão ativado granular em instalação piloto. O carvão ativado granular empregado foi o derivado da casca de coco. A concentração dos herbicidas foi analisada por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência com detector por arranjo de diodos e extração em fase sólida. A associação do tratamento convencional com a adsorção em carvão ativado granular apresentou elevada remoção do 2,4-D (99%) atingindo concentrações finais abaixo do limite da Portaria MS n° 2914/2011. O tratamento convencional, no entanto, também apresentou remoção do 2,4-D (35 a 59%), sendo o maior percentual obtido na decantação (30 a 52%), indicando que houve interação entre a matéria orgânica natural e o 2,4-D, contribuindo para sua remoção nessa etapa. O 2,4-DCP e 2,4,5-T apresentaram concentrações abaixo do limite de detecção.

A recepção da obra de Paulo Coelho pela crítica literária e pelo leitor

Propõe-se um estudo acerca da recepção da obra de Paulo Coelho pela crítica literária e pelo leitor, envolvendo a indústria cultural, sob a perspectiva da Sociologia da Literatura. A pesquisa justifica-se pela grande proporção de leitores que a obra atinge: traduzida para 81 idiomas e lida em 168 países, tendo boa aceitação por diferentes perfis de leitores e por muitos críticos literários de outros países. No Brasil, a produção do escritor é recebida com uma certa reserva pela crítica literária. As intervenções da indústria cultural são discutidas por meio de um diálogo estabelecido entre Theodor W. Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Pierre Bourdieu, Umberto Eco, Luiz Costa Lima e Muniz Sodré. Em seguida, estabelece-se uma discussão sobre valor estético em relação à literatura contemporânea. Posteriormente, são mostradosos elementos temáticos recorrentes e a proximidade da narrativa coelhana com a oralidade, a partir da influência das canções compostas em parceria com Raul Seixas e da operação dos gêneros parábola e fábula.A recepção da crítica é analisada, baseando-se em estudos de Mário Maestri, Eloésio Paulo, teses e dissertações, artigos, entre outros. A recepção do leitor tem como aporte teórico Antonio Candido e Roger Chartier, dentre outros, apoiando-se na Estética da Recepção, especificamente nos estudos de Hans Robert Jauss e Regina Zilberman. É analisada a recepção da obra de Paulo Coelho pelos leitores da rede social Skoob, a fim de verificar o gênero, a idade,o nível de escolaridade, a condição socioeconômica e cultural e as impressões de leitura destes. Compreendendo esses sujeitos-leitores, historicamente, e valendo-se de outros aspectos (em vez dos estéticos) apontados pela Sociologia da Literatura, é possível estabelecer diálogos entre as preferências desses leitores com obras já legitimadas pela teoria e crítica literárias, ampliando o repertório destes e contribuindo para a mediação e a promoção da leitura, no Brasil.

Efeito de dezesseis semanas de treinamento de resistência aeróbia na função vascular de jovens sedentários

Introdução: Muito embora os estudos apontem para um efeito positivo do exercício físico, em especial o treinamento com exercício aeróbio, sobre a pressão arterial e a distensibilidade arterial, pouco se sabe sobre os efeitos do treinamento com exercício de resistência aeróbia sobre a complacência vascular de indivíduos jovens saudáveis. Objetivos: Avaliar o efeito de 16 semanas de treinamento de resistência aeróbia sobre a função vascular e a pressão arterial de indivíduos jovens sedentários. Métodos: Foram avaliados 56 voluntários (de ambos os sexos, na faixa etária de 18 à 29 anos) antes e após 16 semanas de treinamento com corrida 3 vezes por semana. As medidas de pressão arterial foram realizadas de acordo com a VI Diretrizes Brasileiras de Hipertensão e a velocidade de onda de pulso (VOP) foi realizada com a utilização de um gravador automático computadorizado e os resultados foram analisados pelo programa Complior®. Resultados: Dos 56 indivíduos que participaram do presente estudo, 44 eram do sexo masculino (78,5%) e 12 do sexo feminino (21,5 %). Eles apresentaram idade de 22 ± 3 anos, estatura de 1,75 ± 0,07 metros, circunferência de cintura de 79,6 ± 7,8 cm e PAM de 79 ± 6,4 mmHg. O treinamento promoveu redução da FC repouso (69 ± 7,0 vs. 61 ± 7,1; p<0,05) e aumento do VO2pico (43,3 ± 7,3 vs. 50,1 ± 7,2; p<0,05). Entretanto, pressão arterial sistólica (107 ± 9,4 vs. 110 ± 10), pressão arterial diastólica (63 ± 5,7 vs. 62 ± 5,5), pressão de pulso (44 ± 7,0 vs. 48 ± 7,0) e VOP (6,5 ± 1,1 vs. 6,5 ± 1,1) não apresentaram alteração após o treinamento físico (p>0,05). Conclusões: Podemos concluir que 16 semanas de treinamento de resistência aeróbia foram capazes de aumentar a aptidão cardiorrespiratória, porém não provocaram alterações sobre a velocidade de onda de pulso e pressão arterial em voluntários saudáveis e sedentários. Sugere-se que a ausência de adaptações vasculares após o treinamento seja devido às características da amostra – indivíduos jovens e saudáveis.

Avaliação da adsorção do herbicida 2,4-D em carvão ativado em pó utilizando água com diferentes qualidades

O 2,4-diclorofenoxiacético (2,4-D) é um dos herbicidas mais consumidos no Brasil e é preferencialmente usado devido a sua boa seletividade e baixo custo. Possui alta toxidade e baixa biodegradabilidade, oferecendo risco à saúde humana e ao meio ambiente, podendo ser encontrado em solos, águas superficiais e subterrâneas. Estudos mostram que o tratamento convencional da água possui baixa eficácia na remoção de microcontaminantes, com isso várias técnicas têm sido utilizadas na remoção de compostos em água, como a adsorção por carvão ativado. Apresenta-se a adsorção em carvão ativado tem se demonstrado como tecnologia eficiente na remoção de diversos contaminantes, dentre eles os agrotóxicos. Assim, o presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a adsorção do 2,4-D por três carvões ativados em pó (CAP) em água ultrapura e em água bruta do Rio Santa Maria da Vitória. A quantificação do herbicida foi analisada por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, após concentração da amostra pelo método de extração em fase sólida. Os ensaios de adsorção foram realizados com carvões ativados derivados da casca de coco (CAP-01), pinus (CAP-02) e palha de café (CAP-03), que foram caracterizados e avaliados na sua capacidade de remoção do 2,4-D nas duas matrizes de água. Dois modelos de isoterma de adsorção, Langmuir e Freundlich, foram aplicados para descrever os dados de adsorção, que indicaram o CAP-02 como o carvão que apresentou a melhor capacidade de adsorção do 2,4-D entre os carvões estudados, tanto em água ultrapura quanto em água bruta. Nos ensaios realizados em água bruta, houve redução da adsorção do 2,4-D para as três amostras de CAP, quando comparado com os ensaios realizados em água ultrapura, indicando interferência de compostos, como a matéria orgânica, no processo de adsorção.

Influence of nitrogen fertilization and green manure on the economic feasibility of no-tilled wheat in the Cerrado

The search for higher profitability in wheat crop with cost reduction technologies that may promote sustainability is an important matter in Brazilian agriculture. This study evaluated the profitability of no-tilled wheat, reducing nitrogen topdressing doses with the cultivation of green manure before the wheat crop. The experiment was carried out in Selvíria (MS), Brazil, in 2009/10. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with 36 treatments in splitplots and four replicates. The plots were formed by six types of green manure: Cajanus cajan L. BRS Mandarin, Crotalaria juncea L., Pennisetum americanum L. BRS 1501, fallow area and mixed cropping of Pennisetum americanum L. + Cajanus cajan L. and Pennisetum americanum L. + crotalaria which provided straw for no-tilled wheat in the winter, following the rice crop in the summer. The subplots were formed by six levels of topdressing nitrogen (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 kg N ha-1) using urea as a nitrogen source. The wheat grown after green manure in the previous winter crop, with no nitrogen topdressing and a rate of 25 kg ha-1 N, had more frequently production costs above the gross income. Wheat production cost after the mixed cropping Pennisetum americanum L. + Cajanus cajan L. and Pennisetum americanum L. + Crotalaria juncea L. from the previous winter crop, combined with nitrogen rates of 50 and 75 kg N ha-1, provided better profitability compared with the other green manures evaluated.

Nitrogen fertilizer (15N) leaching in a central pivot fertigated coffee crop

Nitrogen has a complex dynamics in the soil-plant-atmosphere system. N fertilizers are subject to chemical and microbial transformations in soils that can result in significant losses. Considering the cost of fertilizers, the adoption of good management practices like fertigation could improve the N use efficiency by crops. Water balances (WB) were applied to evaluate fertilizer N leaching using 15N labeled urea in west Bahia, Brazil. Three scenarios (2008/2009) were established: i) rainfall + irrigation the full year, ii) rainfall only; and iii) rainfall + irrigation only in the dry season. The water excess was considered equal to the deep drainage for the very flat area (runoff = 0) with a water table located several meters below soil surface (capillary rise = 0). The control volume for water balance calculations was the 0 - 1 m soil layer, considering that it involves the active root system. The water drained below 1 m was used to estimate fertilizer N leaching losses. WB calculations used the mathematic model of Penman-Monteith for evapotranspiration, considering the crop coefficient equal to unity. The high N application rate associated to the high rainfall plus irrigation was found to be the main cause for leaching, which values were 14.7 and 104.5 kg ha-1 for the rates 400 and 800 kg ha-1 of N, corresponding to 3.7 and 13.1 % of the applied fertilizer, respectively.

Action of auxin inhibitors on growth and grain yield of soybean

Soybean genotypes grown in sub-tropical climate may exhibit lodging. The plant lodging is influenced by soil type and fertility level, sowing date, latitude and altitude of the location, plant population and conditions of crop development. Plant regulators and herbicides are able to avoid or reduce plant lodging. This study aimed to verify the effects of the growth regulators TIBA and daminozide on vegetative growth and yield of soybean cultivar CD 214 RR. The experiment was carried out at a field in randomized block design with four replications in a factorial scheme. The A factor was represented by the combination of regulators TIBA and daminozide and its concentrations, and the Factor B was seven times of evaluation of injury and plant height or eight times of evaluation of lodging. In the range of doses used, the application of daminozide resulted in greater injury to soybean plants than TIBA. The smaller plant height was achieved by the application of 6 g ha-1 of TIBA and 1200 g ha-¹ of daminozide. Treatments with daminozide (100 g ha-¹) and TIBA (10 g ha-1) stood out due to the reduced lodging of soybean plants. Grain weight increased linearly when the levels of TIBA increased. There was a negative correlation between lodging and grain yield and a positive correlation between plant height and lodging. There was also a negative correlation between injury caused by the application of plant regulators and lodging.

Nitrate leaching through climatologic water balance in a fertigated coffee plantation

Nitrate losses from soil profiles by leaching should preferentially be monitored during high rainfall events and during irrigation when fertilizer nitrogen applications are elevated. Using a climatologic water balance, based on the models of Thornthwaite and Penman Monteith for potential evapotranspiration, drainage soil water fluxes below the root zone were estimated in a fertigated coffee crop. Soil solution extraction at the depth of 1 m allowed the calculation of nitrate leaching. The average nitrate concentration in soil solution for plots that received nitrogen by fertigation at a rate of 400 kg ha-1, was 5.42 mg L-1, surpassing the limit of the Brazilian legislation of 10.0 mg L-1, only during one month. For plots receiving 800 kg ha-1 of nitrogen, the average was 25.01 mg L-1, 2.5 times higher than the above-mentioned limit. This information indicates that nitrogen rates higher than 400 kg ha-1 are potentially polluting the ground water. Yearly nitrate amounts of leaching were 24.2 and 153.0 kg ha-1 for the nitrogen rates of 400 and 800 kg ha-1, respectively. The six times higher loss indicates a cost/benefit problem for coffee fertigations above 400 kg ha-1.