Roots, leaves and scapes anatomy of species of Paepalanthus subgenus Platycaulon (Eriocaulaceae)

The anatomical features of roots, leaves and scapes of the subgenus Platycaulon, genus Paepalanthus (Eriocaulaceae) that grow in the Brasilian rupestrian fields of Serra do Cipo - MG - Brazil were studied. The following main anatomical features were found: epidermis cells of varied thicknesses, chlorenchyma with compact or spread organization and leaf margin shape in the leaves; the scapes with continuous or discontinuous endodermis, divided or undivided pericycle, vascular bundles absent in the cortex and in the pith. These anatomical characteristics of the leaves and scapes occur in different species and can be used to separate them into Divise or Conferti sections. It was possible to confirm the proposed taxonomy based only on the morphological characteristics. Other anatomical features such as: presence or absence of air in the cortex roots and hypodermis which originate water parenchyma reserves in the mesophyll, can be an adaptative response that plants towards produce the environmental factors in this ecosystem.

Bioavailability of synthetic and biosynthetic deuterated lycopene in humans

Current knowledge of the bioavailability of lycopene in humans is limited due to the inability to distinguish newly administered lycopene from the body reserves of lycopene. A quantitative method to assess the absorption and relative bioavailability of newly absorbed synthetic or natural lycopene was developed using two deuterated lycopene sources, in conjunction with an advanced LC/APCI-MS (liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry) to analyze newly absorbed lycopene in blood samples of study subjects. Two subjects (1 male and 1 female) consumed hydroponically grown tomatoes containing deuterium-enriched lycopene (8084 g wet weight tomato containing 16.3 and 17.4 mu mol lycopene, respectively) and two subjects (1 male, and 1 female) consumed 11 mu mol synthetic H-2(10) lycopene in 6 g of corn oil. Tomatoes were steamed and pureed. The doses were given together with a liquid formulated drink with 25% energy from fat. Our results showed that up to 34 days after taking an oral 2 1110 lycopene dose (synthetic or from tomato) with a liquid formula drink, the area under the curve of the average serum percent enrichment response of synthetic lycopene reached 33.9 (+/- 1.7) nmol-day/mu mol lycopene in the dose, whereas that of lycopene from the tomato dose was 11.8 (+/- 0.3) nmol-day/mu mol lycopene in the dose. Our study provides evidence that the absorption of physiological levels of lycopene in intrinsically labeled tomatoes can be studied in humans. From these preliminary investigations, we find that the bioavailability of synthetic lycopene in oil appears to be about three times higher than that of lycopene from steamed and pureed tomatoes. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Urban areas and isolated remnants of natural habitats: An action proposal for botanical gardens

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) advocates an increase of the number of botanical gardens throughout the world as one of the measures that can help to preserve the world's biodiversity. To implement this strategy, the present work brings forward a suggestion particularly suited to tropical regions: establishing municipal botanical gardens. It refers to the experience of a newly opened municipal botanical garden in Brazil, comparing its attractive power on visitors to that of other botanical gardens included in the Brazilian network of Botanical Gardens. It also presents considerations on in situ conservation in small remnants and on the importance of urban reserves to preserve the regional biodiversity and spread the conservationist philosophy. The present proposal promotes the participation of local communities making the public opinion more aware and active, besides being able to counterbalance proposals that support protecting the world biodiversity through interventionist actions. It assumes that, through actions planned and coordinated by regional and national botanical garden networks, the measure proposed can mitigate the anthropic actions exerted on important natural reserves all over the world.

Germination and anaerobic metabolism of seeds of Tabebuia cassinoides (Lam.) DC subjected to flooding and anoxia

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

Potencialidade energética em diferentes extratores e tempos de extração do óleo de pinhão-manso (jatropha curcas l.) em soxletter

The current rhythm of petroliferous exploration is esteem that the existing reserves will be depleted in next the 45 years. Thus being, it has that to study intensely, what it has come to be fact, the alternative power plants, as well as the technologies economically capable to ultilizar them. The potential demand of biodiesel for 2020 is taken in consideration that, in accordance with the International Agency of Energia (AIE), in only eight countries, will jump of 34,7 million tons in 2010 for 133,8 million in 2020, with an increment next to 300%. The tame nut is a producing oil plant with all the qualities necessary to be transformed into oil diesel. Beyond perennial and of easy culture, it presents good conservation of the harvested seed, being able to become great producer of substance cousin as optional fuel source. For these authors, this is a culture that can be developed in the small properties, with the available familiar man power, being plus a source of income for the country properties of the Northeast Region. The objective of this work is to evidence the capacity of oil production of the nut-bellwether, and the quality of extration with hexano and methanol in 6 distinct times.

Storaged products and presence of acid phosphatase in fat body cells at pre-pupal worker stage of Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

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

Aspectos da reprodução e alimentação de Neoplecostomus microps (Loricariidae, Neoplecostominae) na microbacia do Ribeirão Grande, serra da Mantiqueira oriental (Estado de São Paulo)

Reproduction and feeding aspects of Neoplecostomus microps (Loricariidae, Neoplecostominae) in the Ribeirao Grande system, eastern Serra da Mantiqueira (São Paulo State). The Ribeirao Grande system is located in the slope of the Serra da Mantiqueira and is surrounded by Atlantic forest. Eight sites were surveyed in the Ribeirao Grande system, during the winter (July 2001), spring (October 2001), summer (February 2002) and fall (April 2002). Samples were made with an electrofishing device. Gonad maturation, levels of stomach fullness and fat content were analyzed and their distributions reported in an annual cycle. Neoplecostomus microps has a spawning in the spring through to summer. The size at sexual maturity is about 5.9 cm total length for males and 6.9 cm for females. The high values in October and February by the gonadosomatic index and the relative condition factor coincided with the spawning period. In the diet of N. microps were found Diptera larvae (Simulium, Chironomus), Plecoptera nymphs and Coleoptera aquatic Larvae (Psephenus). The increased feeding from summer to fall provided fat accumulation. During subsequent seasons, fish may utilize visceral fat reserves for maintenance and reproduction. The reproductive pattern and feeding are interpreted as being an adaptation with respect to temporal and spatial variation and food availability.

Morphology and incidence of torus palatinus and mandibularis in Brazilian Indians

The incidence and morphology of torus platinus and mandibularis was verified in 200 Indians, residents of two Brazilian Indian Reserves in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. A low incidence of both types of exostoses was observed, with torus palatinus occurring more frequently than mandibularis. These structures did not occur in individuals less than 10 years of age. Flattened torus palatinus predominated in relation to the other forms.

Paracoccidioidomycosis in the region of Botucatu (state of São Paulo, Brazil). Evaluation of serum thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels and of the response to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH)

T4, T3 and TSH serum levels were measured in 25 patients with paracoccidioidomycosis. Thyroid T3 reserves were measured on the basis of the increase in T3 (ΔT3) 2 h after intravenous injection of 200 μg TRH, and pituitary TSH reserves were measured on the basis of TSH increase (ΔTSH) 20 min after the same injection. Twenty healthy volunteers with no history of thyroid disease were used as controls. When the two groups were compared, the following results were obtained: (a) there was no significant difference in mean T4, T3, ΔTSH between groups; (b) reduced T3 levels were detected more frequently in patients with paracoccidioidomycosis, especially among those with the acute form of the disease or with the severely disseminated chronic form. The results suggest the occurrence of a reduction in peripheral conversion of T4 to T3, but do not indicate the occurrence of hypothyroidism in any of its forms (thyroid, pituitary or hypothalamic). © 1988 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Desempenho das metodologias convencionais de quantificacao de reservas<>9d\estudo de um deposito de niquel

Ten working-groups were formed for estimation of nickel ore reserves, associated to an ultrabasic body, at Ipanema, MG. Each group employed six methods: parallel sections, isolines, triangles, polygons, blocks and statistical method. The triangles method showed more variability, and the smallest dispersion was obtained by the polygons method; the other methods induced fluctuations in relation to the mean. Top and bottom ore irregularities produced difficulties in the performance of the parallel sections method. Different ways of application of isolines method also produced some variations. Excepting for few calculated data, the overall results are very close to 2 200 000 t or ore. -English summary

Abordagem quantitativa na avaliacao do deposito de carvao de cerquilho - SP

This paper deals with an integrated study concerning the evaluation of the coal deposit at Cerquilho (Sao Paulo State) in the upper part of the Tubarao Group. Palaeogeographical studies from other authors describe the genesis of these deposits as a deltaic system overlapped by a marine transgressive sequence. The study applied four methods for ore reserve estimation (isolines, blocks, polygones and triangles), besides statistical and geostatistical methodology. The technological characterization assays suggest the application for the coal in cement and ceramics industries. The applied methodology showed reserves estimated around 1 400 000 ton. The isolines method tend to underestimate the amount of coal, on the other hand, the kriging method shows a tendency to overestimate the results. The data from the polygonal method are closest to mean values. For the thickness estimation the results close to the mean values are those from the isolines. -after English summary

Distribution and abundance of four caiman species (Crocodylia: Alligatoridae) in Jaú National Park, Amazonas, Brazil

Jaú National Park is a large rain forest reserve that contains small populations of four caiman species. We sampled crocodilian populations during 30 surveys over a period of four years in five study areas. We found the mean abundance of caiman species to be very low (1.0 ± 0.5 caiman/km of shoreline), independent of habitat type (river, stream or lake) and season. While abundance was almost equal, the species' composition varied in different waterbody and study areas. We analysed the structure similarity of this assemblage. Lake and river habitats were the most similar habitats, and inhabited by at least two species, mainly Caiman crocodilus and Melanosuchus niger. However, those species can also inhabit streams. Streams were the most dissimilar habitats studied and also had two other species: Paleosuchus trigonalus and P. palpebrosus. The structure of these assemblage does not suggest a pattern of species associated and separated by habitat. Trends in species relationships had a negative correlation with species of similar size, C. crocodilus and P. trigonatus, and an apparent complete exclusion of M. niger and P. trigonatus. Microhabitat analysis suggests a slender habitat partitioning: P. trigonatus was absent from river and lake lgapo (flooded forest), but frequent in stream Igapó. This species was the most terrestrial and found in microhabitats similar to C crocodilus (shallow waters, slow current). Melanosuchus niger inhabits deep, fast moving waters in different study areas Despite inhabiting the same waterbodies in many surveys, M. niger and C. crocodilus did not share the same microhabitats. Paleosuchus palpebrosus was observed only in running waters and never in stagnant lake habitats. Cluster analysis revealed three survey groups: two constitute a mosaic in floodplains. (a) a cluster with both M. niger and C crocodilus, and another (b) with only C. crocodilus. A third cluster (c) included more species, and the presence of Paleosuchus species. There was no significant difference among wariness of caimans between disturbed and undisturbed localities. However, there was a clear trend to increase wariness during the course of consecutive surveys at four localities, suggesting that we, more than local inhabitants, had disturbed caimans. The factors that are limiting caiman populations can be independent of human exploitation. Currently in Amazonia, increased the pressure of hunting, habitat loss and habitat alteration, and there is no evidence of widespread recovery of caiman populations. In large reserves as Jaú without many disturbance, most caiman populations can be low density, suggesting that in blackwater environments their recovery from exploitation should be very slow.

Birds of Santa Teresa, Espírito Santo, Brazil: Do humans add or subtract species?

In uplands and lowlands of Santa Teresa, central Espírito Santo State, Brazil, 405 bird species were confirmed by field, museum, and literature studies. Of these, 16 seem to have disappeared, while 67 other species seem to have been lost from the lowlands (where no large biological reserves exist). Due to a suggestion that human areas add species to beta-diversity, we verified that up to 79 species now present have perhaps invaded with human activity (and 10 others are likely to invade), a total similar to that for lost species. However, lost species are often rare and invading species often widespread, resulting in exchange of Picassos for Coca-Cola bottles. Furthermore, gains exceed losses only when large biological reserves are present, as in the uplands (Nova Lombardia, Santa Lucia Reserves, each with over 250 species). Small or irregular reserves usually lose well over half their species, and these are only partly replaced by the invaders, resulting in net losses of up to half the local avifaunas. If one lists only 31 probable invaders, rather than a possible 79, things are even worse; net losses occur even in the entire township and near reserves, reaching over 200 species around lowland private reserves. Future productive development of human areas can eliminate or maltreat many invading species, too. While approving taxes on improductive use of land, as it leaves other areas free, we suggest that many current local uses, such as for coffee, are luxury production and could, be taxed.

The effect of chilling on the photosynthetic activity in coffee (Coffea arabica L.) seedlings. The protective action of chloroplastid pigments

Coffea arabica is considered to be sensitive to low temperatures, being affected throughout its entire life cycle. Injury caused by chilling (low temperatures above zero degree centigrade) is characterized primarily by inhibition of the photosynthetic process. The objective of this work was to evaluate the role of photosynthetic pigments in the tolerance of coffee (C. arabica L.) seedlings to chilling. The evaluation the photosynthetic activity was made by emission of Chl a fluorescence at room temperature (25°C) in vivo and in situ, using a portable fluorometer. The pigment content was obtained by extraction with 80% acetone, while estimation of membrane lipid peroxidation was determined by measuring the MDA content in leaf tissue extracts. The results indicated a generalized reduction in the quantum yield of PSII when the seedlings were maintained in the dark. The reduction occurred in the seedlings submitted to chilling treatment as well as in the control ones. This demonstrates that not only chilling acts to cause an alteration in PSII. It is possible that the tissue storage reserves had been totally exhausted, with the respiratory rate exceeding the photosynthetic rate; the later was nil, since the seedlings were kept in the dark. The efficiency in the capture, transfer and utilization of light energy in PS11 photochemical reactions requires a sequence of photochemical, biochemical and biophysical events which depend on the structural integrity of the photosynthetic apparatus. However, this efficiency was found to be related to the protective action of chloroplastid pigments, rather than to the concentration of these pigments.

Size of fat body trophocytes and the ovarian development in workers and queens of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides

The correlation between trophocyte size and ovarian development is negative in workers and positive in queens of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides. The nurse workers which have the ovaries in a higher developmental stage, present smaller fat body cells them newly-emerged ones. In newly-emerged and nurse workers the trophocytes seem to be delivering their stored products, among which probably vitellogenin. As in workers the cell size variations do not support the occurrence of proteic synthesis or the increasing in reverses storage after the adult emergence, the products released from the trophocytes must come from cellular reserves remaining from the larval phase. This datum is in agreement with the early and brief vitellogenic phase in the ovaries of this caste. In foragers the trophocyte size seen stabilized. In queens it was verified considerable increasing in the trophocyte size from virgin to physogastric queen, as well as the maintenance of the size during all fertile life of the queen.