Ação de polissacarídeos sulfatados de Fucus Vesiculosus na Hemostasia e no sistema complemento

Fucans are a family of sulfated homo and teropolysaccharides respectively, composed mainly of a- (1®2) and a- (1®3) linked by L-fucose residues. Properties such as the ability to act as an anti-contraceptive, to reduce cholesterol levels, and to act as an anti-tumor agent are much related. We have focused our attention on the anticoagulant properties, platelet aggregation, hemorrhagic activity and complement system in vitro of commercial fucoidan (F) and their purified fractions (F1, F2 and F3) from Fucus vesiculosus obtained from fractionation of the fucoidan with different concentrations of acetone 1, 2 and 3v. These compounds were chemically characterized and the fucoidan (F) was modified by desulfation. The anticoagulant activity of the compounds was assessment by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombine time assay (PT) using citrated normal human plasma. The results of APPT test showed that F, F1 and F2 have high anticoagulants activities 240.0 s (5 µg). The F3 showed 73.7 s in the same concentrations. The results obtained with PT test to F, F1, F2 and F3 were 81.5 s, 120.0 s, 57.1 and 32.5 s respectively with 50 µg. The dessulfated polymer showed a decrease in the anticoagulant activity in these two tests. Platelet aggregation assay was measured turbidimetrically with platelet aggregometer by method of Born. The aggregation platelet with F and fractions F1, F2 and F3 exhibited a two-phase answer in the concentration of 5 mg/mL with maximum aggregation of 76.36 ± 10.3% ; 69.54 ± 9.40%; 75.94 ± 9.01%; 51.13 ± 9.59% respectively. However, was observed a hipoaggregate profile F (15.17 ± 5.2%), F1 (7.40 ± 3.04 %), F2 (19.1 ± 5.41%) and F3 (5.09 ± 3.02%) at 0.1 mg/mL. The hemorrhagic activity assay was carried in Wistar rats and showed that these compounds have low hemorrhagic effect when compared to heparin. The complement system ( alternative pathway was made using non-sensibilized rabbit red blood cells The results of complement system essay showed that F , F2 and F3 have action inhibitory in relation to the group control 0.544, 0.697, 0.622 and 0.958 respectively The results showed that these compounds have action on this system. Interaction of the polisaccharides with proteins C3 and C4 showed that the fraction F1 stimulated the activity assay hemolytic using red blood cells

Simulação do escoamento monofásico em um estágio de uma bomba centrífuga utilizando técnicas de fluidodinâmica computacional

Oil production and exploration techniques have evolved in the last decades in order to increase fluid flows and optimize how the required equipment are used. The base functioning of Electric Submersible Pumping (ESP) lift method is the use of an electric downhole motor to move a centrifugal pump and transport the fluids to the surface. The Electric Submersible Pumping is an option that has been gaining ground among the methods of Artificial Lift due to the ability to handle a large flow of liquid in onshore and offshore environments. The performance of a well equipped with ESP systems is intrinsically related to the centrifugal pump operation. It is the pump that has the function to turn the motor power into Head. In this present work, a computer model to analyze the three-dimensional flow in a centrifugal pump used in Electric Submersible Pumping has been developed. Through the commercial program, ANSYS® CFX®, initially using water as fluid flow, the geometry and simulation parameters have been defined in order to obtain an approximation of what occurs inside the channels of the impeller and diffuser pump in terms of flow. Three different geometry conditions were initially tested to determine which is most suitable to solving the problem. After choosing the most appropriate geometry, three mesh conditions were analyzed and the obtained values were compared to the experimental characteristic curve of Head provided by the manufacturer. The results have approached the experimental curve, the simulation time and the model convergence were satisfactory if it is considered that the studied problem involves numerical analysis. After the tests with water, oil was used in the simulations. The results were compared to a methodology used in the petroleum industry to correct viscosity. In general, for models with water and oil, the results with single-phase fluids were coherent with the experimental curves and, through three-dimensional computer models, they are a preliminary evaluation for the analysis of the two-phase flow inside the channels of centrifugal pump used in ESP systems

Repercussões psico-sociais da síndrome dos ovários policísticos: estudo quali-quantitativo

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrame (PCOS) has been shown to cause a reduction in quality of life. Little is known on the psychosocial aspects associated with PCOS, especially on women s own experiences regarding the syndrome. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the psychosocial impact of PCOS by measuring the health-related quality of life and exploring the women s own experiences of PCOS. METHODS: A two-phase model of combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches was conducted, a crass-sectional survey to pravide quantitative data on the quality of life and a qualitative approach to understand the women s experience in relation to the PC OS sympt?ms. For the first phase, 109 women with PC OS and 104 healthy contrais were evaluated with the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). Additionally, semi-structured interviews (n=30) were conducted to facilitate in-depth exploration of PC OS women s experience. RESUL TS: PCOS patients showed significant reductions in almost ali SF-36 domains of quality of life when compared with healthy contrais (physical function 76.5:!:20.5 and 84.6:!:15.9, respectively; physical rale function 56.4:!:43.3 and 72.6:!:33.3; general health 55.2:!:21.0 and 62.5:!:17.2; vitality 49.6:!:21.3 and 55.3:!:21.3; social function 55.3:!:32.4 and 66.2:!:26.7; emotional rale function 34.2:!:39.7 and 52.9:!:38.2; mental health 50.6:!:22.8 and 59.2:!:20.2). Thematic analysis revealed reports of feeling abnormal , sadness, afraid and anxiety. These feelings were related to four symptoms commonly experienced by women with PCOS: excess hair grawth; irregular or absent menstruation, infertility and obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Polycystic ovary syndrame impacts women both physically and psychosocially. Owing to this, women with PCOS need not only medical treatment for. the reproductive, esthetic and metabolic repercussions, but also the care of a multidisciplinary team, since PCOS is not just a physical condition, but also an important psychosocial problem that affects various aspects of a woman s life

Amylase utilization for the extrusion of dog diets

Effects of amylase addition on extruder parameters, cost of extrusion, kibble quality and digestibility of dog food were measured in two separate experiments. In experiment 1, 120 kilo-novo-alpha-amilase-unit (KNU)/kg of heat stable alpha-amylase produced by Bacillus licheniformis was added in liquid form during a preconditioning period. In experiment 23684 KNU/kg of heat stable alpha-amylase produced by Aspergillus oryzae was mixed with the ingredients before extrusion. The diets were processed in a single screw extruder and submitted to digestibility and on experiment 1 also to palatability tests. Digestibility was tested using 12 dogs, six per diet. Data were submitted to analysis of variance followed by F-test. Amylase addition altered extrusion parameters in both experiments (P<0.05), with higher output (kg of dry matter [DM]/h: 28% and 43% higher in experiments 1 and 2) and less electric energy consumption (kW to produce 100 kg DM: 22% and 29% lower in experiments 1 and 2). Kibble appearance and quality [density (g/L), cutting force (g), and starch gelatinization degree (%)] did not change with enzyme treatment (P>0.05). Likewise, enzyme addition did not change nutrient digestibility, fecal dry matter or food palatability (P<0.05). Taken together our results suggest that amylase promoted the breakdown of amylose chains, thereby reducing the dough viscosity and resistance inside the extruder which allowed for higher product flow and less electricity energy consumption without altering food quality. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Biofertilizer for control of Guignardia citricarpa, the causal agent of citrus black spot

Biofertilizers generated from the anaerobic and aerobic digestion of cattle manure, known as Bio1 and Bio2, respectively, were studied with regard to their microbial composition and effect on the mycelial growth of Phyllosticta citricarpa, the causal agent of citrus black spot (CBS). Two field experiments were conducted to determine the biofertilizer's potential (Bio1) in controlling CBS (2001/2002 and 2002/2003 crops). It was observed that the greatest number of microorganisms was found in the aerobically produced biofertilizer. Bio2 did not inhibit the mycelial growth of P. citricarpa. Mycelial growth of P. citricarpa was inversely proportional to the Bio1 biofertilizer concentration. In the 2001/2002 cropping season, the Biol effect in controlling CBS was directly proportional to its concentration, at the rate of 0 (healthy fruit), with R-2 = 0.88. Biol had a significant effect in controlling CBS, at a concentration of 10%, during the 2001/2002 cropping season, with DI values of 0.246 and 0.229 for the. 10 and 20% doses, respectively, compared to DI of 0.329 for the control. A directly proportional effect of the biofertilizer concentration on the percentage of fruits with a rating of zero was. also observed in the 2002/2003 cropping season, with R-2 = 0.48. However, even at doses higher than in the preceding cropping season, the biofertilizer was less effective, possibly due to a higher occurrence of the disease. Copper oxychloride and combined applications of copper oxychloride and carbendazim plus mancozeb controlled the disease. The possibility of using the biofertilizer as a protective biofungicide to replace copper oxychloride, especially in organic agriculture, should be explored. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Avaliação de resíduo do herbicida imazethapyr e da interferência de plantas daninhas na cultura da alfafa

Foram conduzidos dois experimentos de campo em área experimental do Departamento de Nutrição Animal e Pastagens da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (UNESP), Campus de Jaboticabal, com o objetivo de observar resíduos do herbicida imazethapyr na forragem da alfafa e analisar a interferência de plantas daninhas monocotiledôneas e dicotiledôneas. No primeiro experimento, o herbicida foi aplicado nas doses de 0,5 e 1,0 l do p.c./ha, nos estádios de desenvolvimento: início de brotação das gemas basais, estádio vegetativo, ou seja, antes da cobertura total do solo e início do florescimento da alfafa. Foi observado que o herbicida não deixou resíduo nas plantas da alfafa, podendo estas serem consumidas pelos animais, logo após seu tratamento. No segundo experimento, foi estabelecido com base no manejo de cortes da área experimental e na presença de plantas daninhas, quatro tratamentos: 1)corte no verão de 1996, sem a presença de invasoras, 2)corte no inverno de 1996, sem a presença de invasoras, 3)corte no verão de 1997, com predominância de espécies monocotiledôneas, 4)corte no verão de 1997, com predominância de espécies dicotiledôneas. A presença de plantas daninhas reduziu a produção de matéria seca da alfafa. Quanto aos valores de parede celular, observou menores de Hem (5,7) e Lig (5,1) e maior de PB (26,1%) nas plantas colhidas no inverno, devido à maior proporção de folhas.

Control of Guignardia citricarpa by Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma spp.

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

Compatibilidade entre acaricidas e fertilizantes foliares em função de diferentes águas no controle do ácaro da leprose dos citros Brevipalpus phoenicis

A adição de fertilizantes foliares à calda acaricida é frequentemente empregada na citricultura com o intuito de reduzir os custos das aplicações. Todavia, as implicações desta prática, na maioria dos casos, são desconhecidas. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de caldas acaricidas em mistura com fertilizantes foliares e preparadas com diferentes águas no controle do ácaro B. phoenicis. Foram realizados dois experimentos em laboratório, nos anos de 2009 e 2010, utilizando-se de frutos de laranja para conter ácaros Brevipalpus phoenicis. Um dos experimentos constou de três bioensaios, nos quais se procurou verificar o efeito das misturas entre fertilizantes foliares e os acaricidas cyhexatin, propargite e acrinatrhrin sobre B. phoenicis. No outro experimento, além de verificar o efeito das misturas de fertilizantes com os acaricidas propargite e acrinatrhrin, buscou-se também avaliar o efeito de águas coletadas em diferentes fontes utilizadas no preparo das caldas sobre B. phoenicis. Os resultados evidenciaram que a aplicação dos fertilizantes foliares cloreto de zinco, cloreto de manganês, ureia e a mistura de fosfito de potássio + ureia + cloreto de zinco não afetaram a ação dos acaricidas cyhexatin, propargite e acrinathrin sobre o controle de B. phoenicis. As misturas dos cloretos de zinco e de manganês com o sulfato de magnésio e a adição de fosfito de potássio diminuíram a eficiência dos acaricidas propargite e acrinathrin, não devendo, a princípio, ser adicionadas numa mesma aplicação. Águas provenientes dos municípios paulistas de Itápolis, Pirangi e Pirassununga interferiram na ação dos acaricidas propargite e acrinathin sobre B. phoenicis, sendo que a água coletada em Itápolis apresentou resultados superiores em termos de eficiência. Verificaram-se alterações dos valores de pH e da condutividade elétrica após a adição de alguns dos fertilizantes à calda acaricida.

Exportação de nutrientes pelos frutos de melancia em função de épocas de cultivo, fontes e doses de potássio

Foram conduzidos dois experimentos em propriedades rurais, localizadas próxima a cidade de Borborema (SP), de outubro a dezembro/2001 e de fevereiro a abril/2002, com o objetivo de determinar as quantidades exportadas de nutrientes pelos frutos de melancia, em função de fontes e doses de potássio, em duas épocas de cultivo. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados completos, em esquema fatorial 3x4, com três repetições, sendo avaliados as fontes: cloreto, nitrato e sulfato de potássio e as doses: 50; 100; 200 e 300 kg ha-1 de K2O. Com exceção do Mg, as maiores exportações de nutrientes pelos frutos foram obtidas no cultivo de outubro a dezembro. A massa seca e as exportações de N, P, K, e Ca aumentaram de forma quadrática com as doses de potássio. A aplicação KCl aumentou respectivamente, de forma quadrática e linear, as exportações de S e Cl pelos frutos de melancia.

Produtividade da cultura da melancia em função de fontes e doses de potássio

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

Um sistema para estimação da vazão de gás de poços produzindo por Plunger Lift para vaso separador de teste em plataformas de petróleo

This work intends to analyze the behavior of the gas flow of plunger lift wells producing to well testing separators in offshore production platforms to aim a technical procedure to estimate the gas flow during the slug production period. The motivation for this work appeared from the expectation of some wells equipped with plunger lift method by PETROBRAS in Ubarana sea field located at Rio Grande do Norte State coast where the produced fluids measurement is made in well testing separators at the platform. The oil artificial lift method called plunger lift is used when the available energy of the reservoir is not high enough to overcome all the necessary load losses to lift the oil from the bottom of the well to the surface continuously. This method consists, basically, in one free piston acting as a mechanical interface between the formation gas and the produced liquids, greatly increasing the well s lifting efficiency. A pneumatic control valve is mounted at the flow line to control the cycles. When this valve opens, the plunger starts to move from the bottom to the surface of the well lifting all the oil and gas that are above it until to reach the well test separator where the fluids are measured. The well test separator is used to measure all the volumes produced by the well during a certain period of time called production test. In most cases, the separators are designed to measure stabilized flow, in other words, reasonably constant flow by the use of level and pressure electronic controllers (PLC) and by assumption of a steady pressure inside the separator. With plunger lift wells the liquid and gas flow at the surface are cyclical and unstable what causes the appearance of slugs inside the separator, mainly in the gas phase, because introduce significant errors in the measurement system (e.g.: overrange error). The flow gas analysis proposed in this work is based on two mathematical models used together: i) a plunger lift well model proposed by Baruzzi [1] with later modifications made by Bolonhini [2] to built a plunger lift simulator; ii) a two-phase separator model (gas + liquid) based from a three-phase separator model (gas + oil + water) proposed by Nunes [3]. Based on the models above and with field data collected from the well test separator of PUB-02 platform (Ubarana sea field) it was possible to demonstrate that the output gas flow of the separator can be estimate, with a reasonable precision, from the control signal of the Pressure Control Valve (PCV). Several models of the System Identification Toolbox from MATLAB® were analyzed to evaluate which one better fit to the data collected from the field. For validation of the models, it was used the AIC criterion, as well as a variant of the cross validation criterion. The ARX model performance was the best one to fit to the data and, this way, we decided to evaluate a recursive algorithm (RARX) also with real time data. The results were quite promising that indicating the viability to estimate the output gas flow rate from a plunger lift well producing to a well test separator, with the built-in information of the control signal to the PCV

Co-cultivation of plant cells as a technique for the elicitation of secondary metabolite production

Cells of Mikania glomerata, Cephaelis ipecacuanha and Maytenus aquifolia were co-cultured in a two-phase system using filter paper as a solid support. The species were co-cultured in all possible paired combinations. Interaction between Mikania and Maytenus cells resulted in increased biomass production of Maytenus cells, but the friedelin content was reduced. Co-cultivation of Cephaelis and Mikania cells enhanced coumarin content, but inhibited the growth of Mikania cells. However, yield of emetine as well as Cephaelis biomass accumulation were positively stimulated by the co-cultivation. Results indicate a possible occurrence of allelopathy in such a system.

Mechanism and control of Genipa americana seed germination

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Calagem e aplicação de cobalto e molibdênio na cultura do amendoim

O experimento compreendeu dois cultivos consecutivos de amendoim das águas em um latossolo vermelho-escuro distrófico, textura média, com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da calagem e da aplicação de cobalto e molibdênio nas sementes sobre a produção de amendoim. Empregaram-se quatro doses de calcário dolomítico calcinado: 0, 4, 6 e 8 t/ha; dois cultivares de amendoim: Tatu e Tupã, e quatro tratamentos de sementes: não tratadas, tratadas com cobalto, com molibdênio e com cobalto mais molibdênio. Verificou-se que a calagem elevou a produção de amendoim em função do aumento proporcionado no número e massa de grãos por vagem. A máxima produção de vagens foi obtida para pH (CaCl2 0,01M) 5,0, teor de cálcio trocável de 23,5 mmol c/dm³ e saturação por bases do solo de 50%. A aplicação de cobalto, com ou sem molibdênio, nas sementes, não influenciou a produção de amendoim, independentemente das condições de acidez do solo. A maior produtividade de vagens do cultivar Tupã, em relação ao 'Tatu', quando ocorre, é devida à maior proporção de cascas e não de grãos.

The role of sugar cane straw on soil reaction

Conduziram-se dois experimentos em laboratório avaliar o efeito da palha da cana- de-açúcar na acidez do solo. A palha da cana foi adicionada nas doses de 0, 20, 40, e 76 g kg-1 na superfície de um latossolo roxo distrófico acondicionado em colunas de PVC. O solo foi incubado a capacidade de campo durante 0, 7, 14, 45, e 90 dias. Após cada incubação, o solo das colunas foram subdividido e amostrado nas seguintes frações 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, e 20-25 cm. Com o aumento da dose da palha da cana verificou-se aumento do pH CaCl2 do solo e decréscimo do alumínio trocável até a camada de 15 cm de solo da coluna de PVC. A contribuição de compostos orgânicos para a destoxificação do Al aumentou com o acréscimo das doses da palha da cana. O crescimento da raiz das plantas trigo usadas como planta indicadora aumentou com o acréscimo das doses da palha de cana. O máximo de crescimento da raiz foi até a camada de 15 cm de solo depois de oito dias para a maior dose de palha da cana-de-açúcar.