Aspectos metodológicos para análise de depósitos de pulverizações pela determinação dos depósitos pontuais

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a variabilidade dos depósitos de traçadores, simulando herbicidas aplicados em pós-emergência, em populações de Brachiaria plantaginea e Commelina benghalensis infestantes da cultura da soja. Os depósitos dos traçadores foram também avaliados em plantas da cultura, utilizando-se o pulverizador de barra tratorizado, com pontas de jato plano da série 110-SF-03, aplicando o volume de 250 L ha-1 de calda preparada com 0,18% de corante Azul Brilhante e 0,18% de Amarelo Saturn Yellow. Os alvos naturais utilizados foram: plantas de soja com 150 repetições; B. plantaginea no estádio de duas a oito folhas, coletadas na linha da cultura com 141 repetições; e B. plantaginea e C. benghalensis nas entrelinhas, com 150 e 50 repetições, respectivamente. Os alvos artificiais foram constituídos por lâminas distribuídas a 0, 12,2 e 22,5 cm da linha da cultura. Após a aplicação, os alvos foram coletados individualmente e lavados com 30, 20 e 15 mL de água deionizada, para soja, lâminas e plantas daninhas, respectivamente. Estas originaram as amostras analisadas em espectrofotômetro, estimando-se o depósito de calda em µL por planta e µL cm² de área foliar. Foram ajustadas curvas de regressão entre os depósitos unitários e as freqüências acumuladas, utilizando-se o modelo de Gompertz. As relações entre os depósitos máximos e mínimos foram de 7, 4, 10 e 6 para soja, C. benghalensis e B. plantaginea na linha e na entrelinha, respectivamente. As plantas de B. plantaginea da entrelinha receberam, em média, 34% a mais de depósito do que as plantas da linha.

Efeito da intensidade do vento, da pressão e de pontas de pulverização na deriva de aplicações de herbicidas em pré-emergência

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito de pontas de pulverização, pressão e intensidade do vento na deriva gerada em aplicações simuladas de herbicidas aplicados em pré-emergência. Os modelos de pontas de pulverização e as respectivas pressões testadas foram: SF 11002 (207 e 310 kPa), JA-2 (345 e 655 kPa) e AVI 11002 (207 e 414 kPa). As aplicações foram realizadas em dois períodos, em dias com condições de velocidade de vento distintas, em uma área de 1.200 m², localizada na Fazenda Experimental da FCA/UNESP. Um pulverizador com barra de 12 m, 24 bicos e tanque de 600 L foi utilizado nas aplicações. A calda de aplicação foi composta por água e o corante alimentício FDC-1 foi usado como traçador. A deriva foi amostrada por coletores ativos fixados sobre a barra de pulverização. As velocidades mínimas, médias e máximas de vento registradas no primeiro e segundo períodos das aplicações foram de 7, 14 e 23 km h-1 e 1, 5 e 18 km h-1, respectivamente. Nas duas ocasiões de aplicação, as pontas de pulverização com indução de ar AVI 11002 e de jato cônico vazio JA-2 a 655 kPa resultaram nas menores e maiores quantidades de depósito de líquido detectadas, respectivamente. A maior intensidade do vento incrementou a deriva. A redução na pressão pode ser utilizada para controle de deriva, mas a seleção adequada de uma ponta mostrou ser mais eficiente para esse propósito.

Estimativa da área foliar de Ipomoea hederifolia e Ipomoea nil Roth: usando dimensões lineares do limbo foliar

Com o objetivo de obter uma equação que, por meio de parâmetros lineares dimensionais das folhas, permitisse a estimativa da área foliar de Ipomoea hederifolia e Ipomoea nil, estudaram-se correlações entre a área foliar real (Sf) e os parâmetros dimensionais do limbo foliar, como o comprimento ao longo da nervura principal (C) e a largura máxima (L), perpendicular à nervura principal. Todas as - equações exponenciais, geométricas ou lineares simples - permitiram boas estimativas da área foliar. Do ponto de vista prático, sugere-se optar pela equação linear simples envolvendo o produto C x L, considerando-se o coeficiente linear igual a zero. Desse modo, a estimativa da área foliar de I. hederifolia pode ser feita pela fórmula Sf = 0,7583 x (C x L), ou seja, 75,83% do produto entre o comprimento ao longo da nervura principal e a largura máxima, ao passo que, para I. nil, a estimativa da área foliar pode ser feita pela fórmula Sf = 0,6122 x (C x L), ou seja, 61,22% do produto entre o comprimento ao longo da nervura principal e a largura máxima da folha.

Área foliar de duas trepadeiras infestantes de cana-de-açúcar utilizando dimensões lineares de folhas

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo obter uma equação, por meio de medidas lineares dimensionais das folhas, que permitisse a estimativa da área foliar de Momordica charantia e Pyrostegia venusta. Entre maio e dezembro de 2007, foram estudadas as correlações entre a área folia real (Sf) e as medidas dimensionais do limbo foliar, como o comprimento ao longo da nervura principal (C) e a largura máxima (L) perpendicular à nervura principal. Todas as equações, exponenciais geométricas ou lineares simples, permitiram boas estimativas da área foliar. Do ponto de vista prático, sugere-se optar pela equação linear simples envolvendo o produto C x L, considerando-se o coeficiente linear igual a zero. Desse modo, a estimativa da área foliar de Momordica charantia pode ser feita pela fórmula Sf = 0,4963 x (C x L), e a de Pyrostegia venusta, por Sf = 0,6649 x (C x L).

In vitro radioautographic studies of the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals on blood elements

In the present study we evaluated the binding of the radiopharmaceuticals sodium pertechnetate (Na 99mTcO4), methylenediphosphonic acid (99mTc-MDP) and glucoheptonate acid (99mTc-GHA) to blood elements using centrifugation and radioautographic techniques. Heparinized blood was incubated with the labelled compounds for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 24 h. Plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) were isolated and precipitated with 5% trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and soluble (SF) and insoluble fractions (IF) were separated. Blood samples were prepared (0 and 24 h) and coated with LM-1 radioautographic emulsions and percent radioactivity (%rad) in P and BC was determined. The binding of Na 99mTcO4 (%rad) to P was 61.2% (0 h) and 46.0% (24 h), and radioautography showed 63.7% (0 h) and 43.3% (24 h). The binding to BC was 38.8% (0 h) and 54.0% (24 h), and radioautography showed 36.3% (0 h) and 56.7% (24 h). 99mTc-MDP study presented 91.1% (0 h) to P and 87.2% (24 h), and radioautography showed 67.9% (0 h) and 67.4% (24 h). The binding to BC was 8.9% (0 h) and 12.8% (24 h), and radioautography showed 32.1% (0 h) and 32.6% (24 h). 99mTc-GHA study was 90.1% (0 h) to P and 79.9% (24 h), and radioautography showed 67.2% (0 h) and 60.1% (24 h). The binding to BC was 9.9% (0 h) and 20.1% (24 h), and radioautography showed 32.8% (0 h) and 39.9% (24 h). The comparison of the obtained results suggests that the binding to plasma and blood cells in the two techniques used (radioautography and centrifugation) is qualitatively in accordance

Involvement of the caudal raphe nuclei in the feeding behavior of rats

Involvement of the caudal raphe nuclei (raphe pallidus, RPa; raphe magnus, RMg, and raphe obscurus, ROb) in feeding behavior of adult rats was studied by measuring c-Fos protein expression, in animals submitted to the "meal-feeding" model of food restriction in which the rats were fed ad libitum only from 7:00 to 9:00 h, for 15 days. The experimental groups submitted to chronic fasting, named 'search for food' (SF), 'ingestion of food' (IF) and 'satiety of food' (SaF) were scheduled after a previous study in which the body weight and the general and feeding behaviors were evaluated by daily monitoring. Acute, 48-h fasting (AF) was used as control. In the chronic group, the animals presented a 16% reduction in body weight in the first week, followed by a continuous, slow rise in weight over the subsequent days. Entrainment of the sleep-wake cycle to the schedule of food presentation was also observed. The RPa was the most Fos immunopositive nucleus in the chronic fasting group, followed by the RMg. The ANOVA and Tukey test (P<0.05) confirmed these results. The IF group was significantly different from the other three groups, as also was the number of labeled cells in the RPa in SF and IF groups. Nevertheless, no significant difference was observed between RMg and RPa, or RMg and ROb in the SaF and AF. However, it is interesting to observe that the groups in which the animals were more active, searching for or ingesting food, presented a larger number of labeled cells. These results suggest a different involvement of the caudal raphe nuclei in the somatic and autonomic events of feeding behavior, corroborating the functions reported for them earlier.

Radiosynthesis and use of [18F]F2 derivatives [18F]Selectfluor bis(triflate) and [18F]ClF

Positroniemissiotomografia (PET) on kajoamaton kuvantamismenetelmä, jolla voidaan tutkia biologisia ja farmakologisia prosesseja elävissä ihmisissä ja eläimissä. PET käyttää biologisesti aktiivisia yhdisteitä, joihin on liitetty lyhytikäinen positroni (β+) säteilijä, kuten 18F. Lääketieteellinen fluorikemia perustuu luonnonyhdisteiden tai niiden johdosten fluoraukseen, vaikka luonnonyhdisteissä fluori onkin harvinainen. Fluorin hapetuskyky on korkea, mikä johtaa helposti lämpöä vapauttaviin radikaaliketjureaktioihin ja epätoivottujen sivutuotteiden muodostumiseen. Alkuaine fluorin voimakkaasta reaktiivisuudesta johtuen elektrofiilisessa radiofluorauksessa saavutetaan usein huono paikkaselektiivisyys ja matala saanto. Tästä johtuen elektrofiilisessa radiofluorauksessa on tavoitteena kehittää helpommin käsiteltäviä ja vähemmän reaktiivisia elektrofiilisen fluorin lähteitä, joilla saavutetaan myös parempi paikkaselektiivisyys radiofluorauksessa. [18F]F2:n johdokset, [18F]Selectfluor bis(triflaatti) ([18F]SF) ja [18F]ClF, tehtiin korkealla ominaisaktiivisuudella ja niitä käytettiin malliyhdisteiden elektrofiilisessa synteesissä. Kaksi 6-[18F]FDOPA:n lähtöainetta, tina- ja booriesteriyhdiste, leimattiin käyttäen [18F]SF:a. [18F]NS12137, norepinefriinin kuljettajaproteiini (NET) -selektiivinen PET-merkkiaine, fluorattiin käyttäen kahta elektrofiilista fluorauslähtöainetta, [18F]SF ja [18F]F2, sekä nukleofiilista synteesimenetelmää. [18F]ClF:lle

Protection of plasmid DNA by a Ginkgo biloba extract from the effects of stannous chloride and the action on the labeling of blood elements with technetium-99m

Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) is a phytotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of ischemic and neurological disorders. Because the action of this important extract is not fully known, assays using different biological systems need to be performed. Red blood cells (RBC) are labeled with technetium-99m (Tc-99m) and used in nuclear medicine. The labeling depends on a reducing agent, usually stannous chloride (SnCl2). We assessed the effect of different concentrations of EGb on the labeling of blood constituents with Tc-99m, as sodium pertechnetate (3.7 MBq), and on the mobility of a plasmid DNA treated with SnCl2 (1.2 µg/ml) at room temperature. Blood was incubated with EGb before the addition of SnCl2 and Tc-99m. Plasma (P) and RBC were separated and precipitated with trichloroacetic acid, and soluble (SF-P and SF-RBC) and insoluble (IF-P and IF-RBC) fractions were isolated. The plasmid was incubated with Egb, SnCl2 or EGb plus SnCl2 and agarose gel electrophoresis was performed. The gel was stained with ethidium bromide and the DNA bands were visualized by fluorescence in an ultraviolet transilluminator system. EGb decreased the labeling of RBC, IF-P and IF-RBC. The supercoiled form of the plasmid was modified by treatment with SnCl2 and protected by 40 mg/ml EGb. The effect of EGb on the tested systems may be due to its chelating action with the stannous ions and/or pertechnetate or to the capability to generate reactive oxygen species that could oxidize the stannous ion.

Comparison of two questionnaires which measure the health-related quality of life of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients

The objective of the present study was to determine if there is a health-related quality of life (HRQL) instrument, generic or specific, that better represents functional capacity dysfunction in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients. HRQL was evaluated in 20 IPF patients using generic and specific questionnaires (Medical Outcomes Short Form 36 (SF-36) and Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), respectively). Functional status was evaluated by pulmonary function tests, 6-min walking distance test (6MWDT) and dyspnea indexes (baseline dyspnea index) at rest and after exercise (modified Borg scale). There was a restrictive pattern with impairment of diffusion capacity (total lung capacity, TLC = 71.5 ± 15.6%, forced vital capacity = 70.4 ± 19.4%, and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity = 41.5 ± 16.2% of predicted value), a reduction in exercise capacity (6MWDT = 435.6 ± 95.5 m) and an increase of perceived dyspnea score at rest and during exercise (6 ± 2.5 and 7.1 ± 1.3, respectively). Both questionnaires presented correlation with some functional parameters (TLC, forced expiratory volume in 1 s and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity) and the best correlation was with TLC. Almost all of the SGRQ domains presented a strong correlation with functional status, while in SF-36 only physical function and vitality presented a good correlation with functional status. Dyspnea index at rest and 6MWDT also presented a good correlation with HRQL. Our results suggest that a specific instead of a generic questionnaire is a more appropriate instrument for HRQL evaluation in IPF patients and that TLC is the functional parameter showing best correlation with HRQL.

De prudentia

Invokaatio: D.D.

Relationship between the quality of life and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

The effects of sleep disorders on the quality of life (QOL) have been documented in the literature. Excessive sleepiness and altered circadian rhythms may negatively affect ability to learn, employment, and interpersonal relations, and directly degrade QOL. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome of varying severity on QOL. The study was conducted on 1892 patients aged 18 years or older referred by a physician to the Sleep Institute, São Paulo, with complaints related to apnea (snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, hyperarousal, and fatigue). They were submitted to overnight polysomnography for the diagnosis of sleep disorders from August 2005 through April 2006. The patients completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and QOL SF-36 sleep questionnaires. They were classified as non-physically active and physically active and not-sleepy and sleepy and the results of polysomnography were analyzed on the basis of the apnea hypopnea index (AHI). The apneic subjects showed a reduction in QOL which was proportional to severity. There was a significant decrease in all domains (physical functioning, role physical problems, bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, social functioning, emotional problems, general mental health) for apneics with AHI >30, who generally were sleepy and did not participate in physical activities (P < 0.05). The present study provides evidence that the impact of sleep disorders on QOL in apneics is not limited to excessive daytime sleepiness and that physical activity can contribute to reducing the symptoms. Thus, exercise should be considered as an adjunct interventional strategy in the management of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Characterization of the interdependency between residues that bind the substrate in a β-glycosidase

The manner by which effects of simultaneous mutations combine to change enzymatic activity is not easily predictable because these effects are not always additive in a linear manner. Hence, the characterization of the effects of simultaneous mutations of amino acid residues that bind the substrate can make a significant contribution to the understanding of the substrate specificity of enzymes. In the β-glycosidase from Spodoptera frugiperda (Sfβgly), both residues Q39 and E451 interact with the substrate and this is essential for defining substrate specificity. Double mutants of Sfβgly (A451E39, S451E39 and S451N39) were prepared by site-directed mutagenesis, expressed in bacteria and purified using affinity chromatography. These enzymes were characterized using p-nitrophenyl β-galactoside and p-nitrophenyl β-fucoside as substrates. The k cat/Km ratio for single and double mutants of Sfβgly containing site-directed mutations at positions Q39 and E451 was used to demonstrate that the effect on the free energy of ES‡ (enzyme-transition state complex) of the double mutations (∆∆G‡xy) is not the sum of the effects resulting from the single mutations (∆∆G‡x and ∆∆G‡y). This difference in ∆∆G‡ indicates that the effects of the single mutations partially overlap. Hence, this common effect counts only once in ∆∆G‡xy. Crystallographic data on β-glycosidases reveal the presence of a bidentate hydrogen bond involving residues Q39 and E451 and the same hydroxyl group of the substrate. Therefore, both thermodynamic and crystallographic data suggest that residues Q39 and E451 exert a mutual influence on their respective interactions with the substrate.

Effect of neurotrophic factor, MDP, on rats’ nerve regeneration

Our objective was to determine the immune-modulating effects of the neurotrophic factor N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (MDP) on median nerve regeneration in rats. We used male Wistar rats (120-140 days of age, weighing 250-332 g) and compared the results of three different techniques of nerve repair: 1) epineural neurorrhaphy using sutures alone (group S - 10 rats), 2) epineural neurorrhaphy using sutures plus fibrin tissue adhesive (FTA; group SF - 20 rats), and 3) sutures plus FTA, with MDP added to the FTA (group SFM - 20 rats). Functional assessments using the grasp test were performed weekly for 12 weeks to identify recovery of flexor muscle function in the fingers secondary to median nerve regeneration. Histological analysis was also utilized. The total number and diameter of myelinated fibers were determined in each proximal and distal nerve segment. Two indices, reported as percentage, were calculated from these parameters, namely, the regeneration index and the diameter change index. By the 8th week, superiority of group SFM over group S became apparent in the grasping test (P = 0.005). By the 12th week, rats that had received MDP were superior in the grasping test compared to both group S (P < 0.001) and group SF (P = 0.001). Moreover, group SF was better in the grasping test than group S (P = 0.014). However, no significant differences between groups were identified by histological analysis. In the present study, rats that had received MDP obtained better function, in the absence of any significant histological differences.

Group cognitive behavior therapy for bipolar disorder can improve the quality of life

Bipolar disorder (BD) can have an impact on psychosocial functioning and quality of life (QoL). Several studies have shown that structured psychotherapy in conjunction with pharmacotherapy may modify the course of some disorders; however, few studies have investigated the results of group cognitive behavior therapy (G-CBT) for BD. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of 14 sessions of G-CBT for BD patients, comparing this intervention plus pharmacotherapy to treatment as usual (TAU; only pharmacotherapy). Forty-one patients with BD I and II participated in this study and were randomly allocated to each group (G-CBT: N = 27; TAU: N = 14). Thirty-seven participants completed the treatment (women: N = 66.67%; mean age = 41.5 years). QoL and mood symptoms were assessed in all participants. Scores changed significantly by the end of treatment in favor of the G-CBT group. The G-CBT group presented significantly better QoL in seven of the eight sub-items assessed with the Medical Outcomes Survey SF-36 scale. At the end of treatment, the G-CBT group exhibited lower scores for mania (not statistically significant) and depression (statistically significant) as well as a reduction in the frequency and duration of mood episodes (P < 0.01). The group variable was significant for the reduction of depression scores over time. This clinical change may explain the improvement in six of the eight subscales of QoL (P < 0.05). The G-CBT group showed better QoL in absolute values in all aspects and significant improvements in nearly all subscales. These results were not observed in the TAU control group.

The impact of short daily hemodialysis on anemia and the quality of life in Chinese patients

Anemia is a frequent complication in hemodialysis patients. Compared to conventional hemodialysis (CHD), short daily hemodialysis (sDHD) has been reported to be effective in many countries except China. The aim of the present study was to determine whether sDHD could improve anemia and quality of life (QOL) for Chinese outpatients with end-stage renal disease. Twenty-seven patients (16 males/11 females) were converted from CHD to sDHD. All laboratory values were measured before conversion (baseline), at 3 months after conversion (sDHD1), and at 6 months after conversion (sDHD2). The patient's QOL was evaluated at baseline and 6 months after conversion using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Hemoglobin concentration increased significantly from 107.4±7.9 g/L at baseline to 114.4±6.8 g/L (P<0.05) at sDHD1, and 118.3±8.4 g/L (P<0.001) at sDHD2 (Student paired t-test). However, the dose requirement for erythropoietin decreased from 6847.8±1057.3 U/week at baseline to 5869.6±1094.6 U/week (P<0.05) at sDHD2. Weekly stdKt/V increased significantly from 2.05±0.13 at baseline to 2.73±0.20 (P<0.001) at sDHD1, and 2.84±0.26 (P<0.001) at sDHD2. C-reactive protein decreased from baseline to sDHD1 and sDHD2, but without statistically significant differences. Physical and mental health survey scores increased in the 6 months following conversion to sDHD. sDHD may increase hemoglobin levels, decrease exogenous erythropoietin dose requirements, and improve QOL in Chinese hemodialysis patients compared to CHD. A possible mechanism for improvement of clinical outcomes may be optimized management of uremia associated with the higher efficiency of sDHD.