Biomass production and essential oil yield from leaves, fine stems and resprouts using pruning the crown of Aniba canelilla (H.B.K.) (Lauraceae) in the Central Amazon

Aniba canelilla (H.B.K.) Mez. is a tree species from Amazon that produces essential oil. The oil extraction from its leaves and stems can be an alternative way to avoid the tree cutting for production of essential oil. The aim of this study was to analyse factors that may influence the essential oil production and the biomass of resprouts after pruning the leaves and stems of A. canelilla trees. The tree crowns were pruned in the wet season and after nine months the leaves and stems of the remaining crown and the resprouts were collected, in the dry season. The results showed that the essential oil yield and chemical composition differed among the stems, leaves and resprouts. The stems' essential oil production differed between the seasons and had a higher production in the resprouting stems than the old stems of the remaining crown. The production of essential oil and leaf biomass of resprouts were differently related to the canopy openness, indicating that light increases the production of the essential oil and decreases the biomass of resprouting leaves. This study revealed that plant organs differ in their essential oil production and that the canopy openness must be taken into account when pruning the A. canelilla tree crown in order to achieve higher oil productivity.

The role of the mammalian DNA end-processing enzyme polynucleotide kinase 3'-phosphatase in spinocerebellar ataxia Type 3 pathogenesis

DNA strand-breaks (SBs) with non-ligatable ends are generated by ionizing radiation, oxidative stress, various chemotherapeutic agents, and also as base excision repair (BER) intermediates. Several neurological diseases have already been identified as being due to a deficiency in DNA end-processing activities. Two common dirty ends, 3'-P and 5'-OH, are processed by mammalian polynucleotide kinase 3'-phosphatase (PNKP), a bifunctional enzyme with 3'-phosphatase and 5'-kinase activities. We have made the unexpected observation that PNKP stably associates with Ataxin-3 (ATXN3), a polyglutamine repeat-containing protein mutated in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), also known as Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD). This disease is one of the most common dominantly inherited ataxias worldwide; the defect in SCA3 is due to CAG repeat expansion (from the normal 14-41 to 55-82 repeats) in the ATXN3 coding region. However, how the expanded form gains its toxic function is still not clearly understood. Here we report that purified wild-type (WT) ATXN3 stimulates, and by contrast the mutant form specifically inhibits, PNKP's 3' phosphatase activity in vitro. ATXN3-deficient cells also show decreased PNKP activity. Furthermore, transgenic mice conditionally expressing the pathological form of human ATXN3 also showed decreased 3'-phosphatase activity of PNKP, mostly in the deep cerebellar nuclei, one of the most affected regions in MJD patients' brain. Finally, long amplicon quantitative PCR analysis of human MJD patients' brain samples showed a significant accumulation of DNA strand breaks. Our results thus indicate that the accumulation of DNA strand breaks due to functional deficiency of PNKP is etiologically linked to the pathogenesis of SCA3/MJD.

24-h urinary free cortisol from mid-pregnancy to 3-months postpartum: gender and parity differences and effects

Background: Pregnancy and postpartum have been associated to several physiological changes;however, empirical evidence was almost exclusively obtained in primiparous women and few studies focus on hormonal changes in men and second-time parents. The main aim of this study is to examine 24-h urinary free cortisol from mid-pregnancy to 3-months postpartum, comparing women/men and first/second-time parents.Methods: Twenty-six women and 22 men (N = 48) were recruited from an antenatal obstetric unit in Porto, Portugal. 24-h urinary free cortisol was measured at the 2nd and 3rd trimester and at 3-months postpartum. Repeated measures analyses of variance were conducted, in order to analyze 24-h urinary free cortisol patterns of change over this period. Gender and parity were included in the analyses as potential modifiers, in order to compare women and men, and first-and second-time parents.Results: An increase from the 2nd to the 3rd trimester (p = .006) and a decrease from the 3rd trimester to 3-months postpartum (p = .005) were reported in all parents’ 24-h urinary free cortisol. The interaction effects for Time * Gender (p = .03) and Time * Parity (p = .02) were found. Women and first-time parents revealed higher levels, while men and second-time parents showed lower 24-h urinary free cortisol levels at the 2nd trimester than at 3-months postpartum.Conclusions: Findings appear to clarify the direction, as well as, the timing, gender and parity extension of 24-h urinary free cortisol changes from mid-pregnancy to 3-months postpartum.The same pattern of change in all parents’ 24-h urinary free cortisol from mid-pregnancy to 3-months postpartum is consistent with the proposed role of hormones in preparation to parenting.

Nordisches Plankton ; zoologischer teil / [hrsg. von K. Brandt und C. Apstein]

3

In vitro und in vivo Untersuchungen zur funktionellen Bedeutung der Cathepsine B, K und L bei der systemischen AA- und AL-Amyloidose

Magdeburg, Univ., Medizin. Fak., Diss., 2007

Efeitos de diferentes níveis de N, P e K sôbre cacaueiros jovens (Theorema cacao L.) em solução nutritiva

Cocoa seedlings were grown in nutrient solution in order to find out the effects of the levels of N, P, K in the substrate on growth, symptoms and chemical composition of the leaves. A 3x3x3 factorial design was used. The following conclusions can be drawn. 5.1. Among the three elements under study, only nitrogen had a positive, significant effect on growth as measured by height and dry weight. 5.2. The level of a given elements in the leaves did increase when its level in the nutrient solution was raised. On the other hand the N content was positively affected by the concentration of P in the substrate. 5.3. A decrease in the N/P and K/P rations in the leaves was observed when the nutrient solutions had, res-respectively, absence of K and N and high level both of K and N. The N/K ratio increased with the level of P in the substrate. 5.4 A highly significant positive correlation was found between N content in the leaves and dry weight. This was not the case however, insofar P and K are considered - no correlation whatsoever was observed.

Efeitos de épocas e de modos de aplicação do sulfato de amônio- 15N e interação nitrogênio - 15N - fósforo - 32P, na quantidade e teores de N, P, K na planta e na folha do milho, na produção, na quantidade de proteína e eficiência do nitrogênio do fertilizante convertido em proteína

O experimento constou de 10 tratamentos, com 6 repetições. Em todos os tratamentos, o fósforo - 32P foi aplicado em faixa, enquanto que variam os modos de aplicação de nitrogênio - 15N, o qual foi incorporado ao solo, ou colocado na mesma faixa que o superfosfato, ou em faixa em separado, na semeadura, ou aplicado lateralmente 35, 63, 73 e 82 dias após a semeadura. A quantidade de nitrogênio foi de 80 kg/ha na forma de sulfato de amônio - N e a de fósforo de 15 kg/ha na forma de superfosfato - 32P. Verificou-se que: 1) maior produção foi obtida quando o nitrogênio e o fósforo foram misturados e aplicados em faixa na semeadura; 2) menor produção e menor quantidade de proteína foram obtidas quando o fósforo foi aplicado em faixa e o nitrogênio aplicado lateralmente 83 dias após a semeadura; 3) a aplicação do fósforo em faixa na semeadura e a aplicação do nitrogênio lateralmente, 63 dias apos a semeadura deu ensejo a maior quantidade de proteína e a maior eficiência do nitrogênio do fertilizante na sua conversão em proteína; 4) em relação a percentagem do fosforo na planta proveniente do fertilizante, a absorção de fósforo foi maior quando o nitrogênio e o fósforo foram misturados e aplicados na mesma faixa, indicando, assim, um efeito do NH* na absorção do fósforo, porem este efeito desapareceu aos 63 dias. Em relação a % NPPF, houve um efeito de curta duração do fósforo na absorção do nitrogênio; 5) o milho continua absorvendo o nitrogênio do fertilizante, mesmo quando aplicado, lateralmente, aos 73 dias e 83 dias após a semeadura, com reflexo positivo no aumento do teor e quantidade de proteína; 6) a folha do milho +2 pode ser escolhida para analises 73 dias após a semeadura como indicador do estado nutricional do milho em nitrogênio e fósforo. No caso do potássio, a folha +2 devera ser analisada 117 dias após a semeadura; 7) o super fosfato na dose utilizada constituiu um fator limitante na produção.

Diagnose foliar na cana-de-açúcar: VI - nota sobre o efeito da quantidade de chuva nos teores foliares de N, P e K na cana-planta

Com os teores foliares de N, P e K (+3) obtidos em amostragens sucessivas e a quantidade de chuvas que caem nos 2 meses anteriores, foram calculadas as equações de regressão correspondentes. Em seguida, foi possível determinar o aumento esperado nos níveis de P e K para 200 mm de chuva, dentro de sessenta dias antes da amostragem.

Diagnose foliar na cana-de-açúcar: VIII - nota sobre o efeito da quantidade de chuva nos teores foliares de N, P e K na cana - soca

Usando-se os teores de N, P e K de folha +3 encontradas em amostragens sucessivas e a quantidade de chuvas que caiu nos 2 meses anteriores, foram calculadas as equações de regressão correspondentes. Em seguida, calculou-se o aumento esperado nos teores de N e P devido a queda de 200 mm de chuva 2 meses antes da amostragem.

Efeitos de doses não equidistantes de N, P, K nas concentrações destes macronutrientes na folha e na produção do milho (Zea mays L.)

Os experimentos foram conduzidos, em um podzólico de Lins e Marília - variação Lins, de textora barrento-arenosa, localizado no Município de Monte Azul Paulista, SP. O híbrido de milho duplo H-6999B foi utilizado. Cada experimento constou de 5 tratamentos e de 4 repetições. Os níveis de nitrogênio foram: 0, 50, 100, 200 e 400 kg/ha, sendo aplicados também90 kg/ha de P²O5 e 50 kg/ha de K2O. Os níveis de fósforo foram: 0,40, 80, I60 e 320 kg/ha de P²O5, sendo aplicados também 100 kg/ha de N e 50 kg/ha de K2O. Os níveis de potássio foram: 0, 25, 50, 100 e 200 kg/ha de K2O, sendo aplicados também 100 kg/ha de N e 90 kg/ha de P²O5. A aplicação tanto das doses de fósforo comodas de nitrogênio fez aumentar a produção de milho, a qual foi da ordem de 3 a 7 vezes superior à média de produção do Estado de São Paulo. A dose econômica e a sua consequente produção, determinadas pelas equações de Mitscherlichr-Pimentel Gomes foram: para o fósforo, de 253 kg/ha de P²O5 correspondente a urna produção de o.877 kg/ha de milho em grão; para o nitrogênio, foi de 228 kg/ha de N correspondente a uma produção de 11.100 kg/ha de milho e para o potássio, foi de 62 kg/ha de K2O correspondente a urna produção de 9-252 kg/ha de milho. Os níveis críticos econômicos, nas folhas, determinados pelas equações de MALAVOLTA & PIMENTEL GOMES (1961) e correspondentes às doses econômicas, foram de: 0,293% de P, de 3,27% de N e de 2,07% de K. A folha escolhida, ou seja, aquela oposta à espiga mais alta, reflete bem o estado nutricional da planta e consequentemente o nível de fertilidade do solo.

Comparative response to N, P and K of grain sorghum and corn: I. Distrophic quartz sand

The comparative response of three sorghum (E-57, TEY 101 and C- 102) and of three corn cultivars (HMD-7974, Centralmex and Piranão) to N, P and K applications was studied in a soil from Anhembi, SP, classifield as Distrophic quartz sand (AQd) was studied. Leaf analyses were made to assess the nutritional status of the two crops. Main conclusions were the following. 1. Sorghum yieldel more than corn; 2. Both sorghum and corn varieties showed different capacities to absorb N, P and K from the soil and to fertilizer application; 3. There was no response to K2O fertilization; 4. Only Piranão increased yield when suplemented with a mixture of micronutrientes; 5. Direct relationships between rates of N and P2O5 and yield and leaf content were found; 6. Direct relationships between rates of N and P2O5 and yield and leaf content were found; 7. The following leaf levels were considered to be adequate, respectively for sorghum and corn: N - 2,00 - 2,25%, 3,25 - 3,50%; P - 0,30 - 0,40, 0,45 - 0,50; K -2,00 - 2,50, 2,20 - 2,40%; Ca - 0,20 - 0,40, 0,44- 0,72% Mg - 0,25 - 0,40, 0,34 - 0,60%; S - 0,50 - 0,70, 0,72 -0,80; Cu - 7 - 10, 11 - 15%; Fe - 84 - 170, 98 - 125%; Mn - 58 - 72, 66 - 85%; Zn - 10 - 14, 18 - 22; critical levels, however, do very depending upon cultivar.

Jordi Sabater Pi

Biografia del Doctor Jordi Sabater Pi, pioner mundial en l’estudi dels primats i dels amfibis africans.

Extent of non-publication in cohorts of studies approved by research ethics committees or included in trial registries

BACKGROUND: The synthesis of published research in systematic reviews is essential when providing evidence to inform clinical and health policy decision-making. However, the validity of systematic reviews is threatened if journal publications represent a biased selection of all studies that have been conducted (dissemination bias). To investigate the extent of dissemination bias we conducted a systematic review that determined the proportion of studies published as peer-reviewed journal articles and investigated factors associated with full publication in cohorts of studies (i) approved by research ethics committees (RECs) or (ii) included in trial registries. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Four bibliographic databases were searched for methodological research projects (MRPs) without limitations for publication year, language or study location. The searches were supplemented by handsearching the references of included MRPs. We estimated the proportion of studies published using prediction intervals (PI) and a random effects meta-analysis. Pooled odds ratios (OR) were used to express associations between study characteristics and journal publication. Seventeen MRPs (23 publications) evaluated cohorts of studies approved by RECs; the proportion of published studies had a PI between 22% and 72% and the weighted pooled proportion when combining estimates would be 46.2% (95% CI 40.2%-52.4%, I2 = 94.4%). Twenty-two MRPs (22 publications) evaluated cohorts of studies included in trial registries; the PI of the proportion published ranged from 13% to 90% and the weighted pooled proportion would be 54.2% (95% CI 42.0%-65.9%, I2 = 98.9%). REC-approved studies with statistically significant results (compared with those without statistically significant results) were more likely to be published (pooled OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.2-3.5). Phase-III trials were also more likely to be published than phase II trials (pooled OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.6-2.5). The probability of publication within two years after study completion ranged from 7% to 30%. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial part of the studies approved by RECs or included in trial registries remains unpublished. Due to the large heterogeneity a prediction of the publication probability for a future study is very uncertain. Non-publication of research is not a random process, e.g., it is associated with the direction of study findings. Our findings suggest that the dissemination of research findings is biased.

Functional effects of Na+,K+-ATPase gene mutations linked to familial hemiplegic migraine.

Familial hemiplegic migraine type 2, an autosomal dominant form of migraine with aura, has been associated with four distinct mutations in the alpha2-subunit of the Na+,K+-ATPase. We have introduced these mutations in the alpha2-subunit of the human Na+,K+-ATPase and the corresponding mutations in the Bufo marinus alpha1-subunit and studied these mutants by expression in Xenopus oocyte. Metabolic labeling studies showed that the mutants were synthesized and associated with the beta-subunit, except for the alpha2HW887R mutant, which was poorly synthesized, and the alpha1BW890R, which was partially retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. [3H]ouabain binding showed the presence of the alpha2HR689Q and alpha2HM731T at the membrane, whereas the alpha2HL764P and alpha2HW887R could not be detected. Functional studies with the mutants of the B. marinus Na+,K+-ATPase showed a reduced or abolished electrogenic activity and a low K+ affinity for the alpha1BW890R mutant. Through different mechanisms, all these mutations result in a strong decrease of the functional expression of the Na+,K+-pump. The decreased activity in alpha2 isoform of the Na+,K+-pump expressed in astrocytes seems an essential component of hemiplegic migraine pathogenesis and may be responsible for the cortical spreading depression, which is one of the first events in migraine attacks.