Formas de fósforo em solos de várzea e biodisponibilidade para o feijoeiro

Realizou-se um experimento em casa de vegetação do Departamento de Ciência do Solo da Universidade Federal de Lavras, com o objetivo de verificar a influência da aplicação de calcário e de P em algumas formas de P em quatro solos de várzea cultivados com feijoeiro. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 4 x 5 x 2, com quatro repetições, a saber: quatro solos [Glei Húmico (GH), Glei Pouco Húmico (GP), Aluvial (A) e Orgânico (O)], cinco doses de P (75, 150, 300, 500 e 800 mg dm-3 de P) e dois níveis de calagem (sem e com). Os solos foram incubados em vasos, por 30 dias, com as respectivas doses de calcário, e por mais 150 dias, com as doses de P. No final desse período, foram coletadas amostras de solo para o fracionamento de P, e o restante foi cultivado com feijoeiro. Cada parcela foi constituída por um vaso com 3 dm³, em que foram cultivadas duas plantas até o final do ciclo. A calagem e a adubação fosfatada influenciaram as formas de P de maneira distinta nos solos de várzea estudados; exceto no solo Glei Pouco Húmico, as formas de P lábil, tanto na ausência quanto na presença de calagem, tiveram pouca participação no P total dos solos. Na presença da calagem, o P lábil foi a forma de P preferencialmente absorvida pelas plantas de feijoeiro.

Efeito da fitase na biodisponibilidade do fósforo do farelo de arroz em frangos de corte

O trabalho objetivou determinar a ação da enzima fitase sobre a biodisponibilidade do fósforo do farelo de arroz em dietas de frangos de corte, pela técnica de diluição isotópica. Os tratamentos consistiram de uma dieta sem farelo de arroz integral e sem suplementação de fósforo inorgânico (0,388% de P total), e quatro dietas com 15% de farelo de arroz integral, sem suplementação de fósforo inorgânico (0,56% de P total) e com quatro níveis de fitase (0, 400, 800 e 1,200 FTU/kg). No quinto dia do experimento, cada ave recebeu, via peritonial, 3,5 MBq de 32P. Nos quatro dias subseqüentes, coletaram-se amostras de sangue e excretas para as análises. As perdas endógenas fecais, a absorção aparente e verdadeira de fósforo e o fósforo no plasma aumentaram de maneira significativa (P<0,01) com a utilização de níveis crescentes de fitase. A biodisponibilidade do fósforo foi de 38,06% na dieta com farelo de arroz e sem enzima, e aumentou para 51,54%, 61,31% e 59,54% com a utilização de 400, 800 e 1.200 FTU/kg, respectivamente. Por meio de regressão quadrática, determinou-se a máxima biodisponibilidade de P, que foi de 60,8% com a utilização de 982 FTU/kg. A biodisponibilidade do fósforo do farelo de arroz, determinada por fracionamento, foi de 28,1% e aumentou de forma linear (P<0,05) para 38,3%, 50,2% e 54,0%, com a utilização de 400, 800 e 1.200 FTU/kg.

Qualidade dos ovos de poedeiras comerciais alimentadas com levedura seca de cana-de-açúcar

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito da adição de levedura seca (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) à dieta de poedeiras na qualidade dos ovos. Foram utilizadas 120 poedeiras comerciais com 33 semanas de idade, distribuídas em um delineamento estatístico de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos (0, 7, 14, 21 e 28% de levedura), quatro repetições e seis aves por unidade experimental. Rações isoprotéicas (18% de proteína bruta), isoenergéticas (2.800 kcal de energia metabolizável/kg), isocálcicas (3,8% Ca) e isofosfóricas (0,38% P disponível) foram formuladas à base de milho e farelo de soja. Os níveis de levedura seca não alteraram o peso do ovo (64,35± 0,85 g), a altura do albúmen (7,95±0,22 mm), a unidade Haugh (87,42±1,31), os sólidos totais da gema (50,86±0,20%), o extrato etéreo da gema (30,74±0,26%), a proteína da gema (16,92±0,16%), a gravidade específica do ovo (1,0912±0,001 g/mL), o peso da casca (6,67±0,08 g) e a espessura da casca (0,4671±0,003 mm). Foi observado efeito quadrático na variável cor da gema no terceiro ciclo de postura. A inclusão de até 28% de levedura seca nas rações intensificou a cor da gema e foi considerada uma prática viável pela análise econômica.

Critical values of nitrogen indices in tomato plants grown in soil and nutrient solution determined by different statistical procedures

The objective of this study was to establish critical values of the N indices, namely soil-plant analysis development (SPAD), petiole sap N-NO3 and organic N in the tomato leaf adjacent to the first cluster (LAC), under soil and nutrient solution conditions, determined by different statistical approaches. Two experiments were conducted in randomized complete block design with four repli-cations. Tomato plants were grown in soil, in 3 L pot, with five N rates (0, 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg kg-1) and in solution at N rates of 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 mmol L-1. Experiments in nutrient solution and soil were finished at thirty seven and forty two days after transplanting, respectively. At those times, SPAD index and petiole sap N-NO3 were evaluated in the LAC. Then, plants were harvested, separated in leaves and stem, dried at 70ºC, ground and weighted. The organic N was determined in LAC dry matter. Three statistical procedures were used to calculate critical N values. There were accentuated discrepancies for critical values of N indices obtained with plants grown in soil and nutrient solution as well as for different statistical procedures. Critical values of nitrogen indices at all situations are presented.

Toxicity of pymetrozine and thiamethoxam to Aphelinus gossypii and Delphastus pusillus

The objective of this work was to study the toxicity of pymetrozine and thiamethoxam to the cotton aphid parasitoid Aphelinus gossypii Timberlake and to the whitefly predator Delphastus pusillus (LeConte). Cotton leaves containing mummies of the parasitoid A. gossypii were collected and treated with seven concentrations of both insecticides. Parasitoid emergence was not affected by pymetrozine and ranged from 59.9% to 75.0%, but decreased with the increase of thiamethoxam concentrations ranging from 30.2% to 69.6%. Cotton leaves infested by whitefly and treated with recommended rates of both insecticides were collected three hours, three days and six days after spraying and colonized with larvae and adults of D. pusillus. Predators released on thiamethoxam-treated leaves experienced mortality from 70% to 100%, while those released on pymetrozine-treated leaves showed mortality from 0% to 20%. Topical toxicity from both insecticides was studied on larvae, pupae and adults of D. pusillus. The survival of predator after six days of exposure to 400, 600 and 800 mg/L of pymetrozine a.i. was higher than 69.6%, and to 25, 100 and 200 mg/L of thiamethoxam a.i. was lower than 8.7%. The toxicity data for A. gossypii and D. pusillus characterize the pymetrozine as harmless for both species, and thiamethoxam of low to moderate toxicity for A. gossypii treated mummies, and high toxicity for D. pusillus.

Faixas críticas de concentrações de nutrientes e avaliação do estado nutricional de cafeeiros em quatro regiões de Minas Gerais

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram definir as faixas críticas de concentração de nutrientes e avaliar o estado nutricional das lavouras cafeeiras de alta, média e baixa produtividade em quatro regiões do Estado de Minas Gerais. Foram coletadas folhas em 312 unidades amostrais de 168 lavouras, tanto no ano de alta produtividade quanto no de baixa produtividade, conforme o ciclo bienal do cafeeiro. Nas folhas foram determinadas as concentrações de macronutrientes e dos micronutrientes Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn e boro. Com os resultados das análises foliares, estabeleceram-se as faixas críticas das concentrações dos nutrientes no ano de baixa e alta produtividade, em cada região estudada, utilizando como referência lavouras de alta produtividade (mais de 1.800 kg/ha de café beneficiado na média do biênio). Realizou-se ainda o diagnóstico do estado nutricional das lavouras nas regiões em estudo determinando-se as freqüências de nutrientes em níveis deficiente, adequado e excessivo. As faixas críticas não diferiram entre os anos amostrados, tampouco entre as regiões em estudo. Nas regiões amostradas predominam problemas com micronutrientes.

Suscetibilidade de linhagens de frangos de corte à síndrome ascítica

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a suscetibilidade à síndrome ascítica de machos e fêmeas em linhagens comerciais de frango de corte. Todas as aves receberam ração ad libitum com 3.050 kcal/ME. Foram comparadas as linhagens comerciais representadas pela Cobb, Hubbard e Ross, machos e fêmeas. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial. As aves foram aleatoriamente alojadas em um galpão experimental de 8x76 m, com 18 boxes de 3x3,5 m cada e 100 aves por divisão, num total de 1.800 aves. Os resultados revelaram que a incidência de ascite independe da linhagem comercial dos frangos de corte, entretanto, os machos foram mais suscetíveis.

Absence of p53 gene mutations in a tumor panel representative of pilocytic astrocytoma diversity using a p53 functional assay.

Although p53-gene mutations occur with significant frequency in diffuse low-grade and high-grade astrocytomas, and are postulated to play an important role in tumorigenesis in these cases, the role of the p53 gene in pilocytic astrocytomas remains unclear. Published data using DNA-based assays for p53-gene analysis in these tumors have shown contradictory results in mutation frequency (0-14%). It is not known whether these heterogeneous results stem from the biological diversity of this tumor group or from technical problems. To re-evaluate p53-gene status in pilocytic tumors, we analyzed 18 tumors chosen to represent the clinical and biological heterogeneity of this tumor type with respect to anatomical location, patient age, gender, ethnic origin (Caucasian or Japanese) and the concomitant occurrence of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). All primary tumors were histologically diagnosed as pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I), except for one anaplastic pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade III) which developed in an NF1 patient and recurred as glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV). p53 mutations were detected using an assay in yeast which tests the transcriptional activity of p53 proteins synthesized from tumor mRNA-derived p53-cDNA templates. None of 18 tumors, including 3 NF1-related tumors, showed p53-gene mutations between and including exons 4 and 11. We conclude that p53-gene mutations are extremely rare findings in pilocytic astrocytomas, and are absent even in those exceptional cases in which malignant progression of such tumors has occurred.

Dairy calcium supplementation in overweight or obese persons: its effect on markers of fat metabolism

BACKGROUND: Dairy calcium supplementation has been proposed to increase fat oxidation and to inhibit lipogenesis. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effects of calcium supplementation on markers of fat metabolism. DESIGN: In a placebo-controlled, crossover experiment, 10 overweight or obese subjects who were low calcium consumers received 800 mg dairy Ca/d for 5 wk. After 4 wk, adipose tissue was taken for biopsy for analysis of gene expression. Respiratory exchange, glycerol turnover, and subcutaneous adipose tissue microdialysis were performed for 7 h after consumption of 400 mg Ca or placebo, and the ingestion of either randomized slow-release caffeine (SRC; 300 mg) or lactose (500 mg). One week later, the test was repeated with the SRC or lactose crossover. RESULTS: Calcium supplementation increased urinary calcium excretion by 16% (P = 0.017) but did not alter plasma parathyroid hormone or osteocalcin concentrations. Resting energy expenditure (59.9 +/- 3.0 or 59.6 +/- 3.3 kcal/h), fat oxidation (58.4 +/- 2.5 or 53.8 +/- 2.2 mg/min), plasma free fatty acid concentrations (0.63 +/- 0.02 or 0.62 +/- 0.03 mmol/L), and glycerol turnover (3.63 +/- 0.41 or 3.70 +/- 0.38 micromol . kg(-1) . min(-1)) were similar with or without calcium, respectively. SRC significantly increased free fatty acid concentrations, resting fat oxidation, and resting energy expenditure. During microdialysis, epinephrine increased dialysate glycerol concentrations by 250% without and 254% with calcium. Expression of 7 key metabolic genes in subcutaneous adipose tissue was not affected by calcium supplementation. CONCLUSION: Dairy calcium supplementation in overweight subjects with habitually low calcium intakes failed to alter fat metabolism and energy expenditure under resting conditions and during acute stimulation by caffeine or epinephrine

2005 Cancer in Iowa Report: Prostate Cancer in Iowa, 2005

Cancer is a reportable disease as stated in the Iowa Administrative Code. Cancer data are collected by the State Health Registry of Iowa, located at The University of Iowa in the College of Public Health’s Department of Epidemiology. The staff includes more than 50 people. Half of them, situated throughout the state, regularly visit hospitals, clinics, and medical laboratories in Iowa and neighboring states to collect cancer data. A follow-up program tracks more than 97 percent of the cancer survivors diagnosed since 1973. This program provides regular updates for follow-up and survival. The Registry maintains the confidentiality of the patients, physicians, and hospitals providing data. In 2005 data will be collected on an estimated 15,800 new cancers among Iowa residents. Beginning with 2005 Cancer in Iowa, in situ cases of bladder cancer are included in the estimates for bladder cancer, to be in agreement with the definition of reportable cases of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute. Since 1973 the Iowa Registry has been funded by the SEER Program of the National Cancer Institute. Iowa represents rural and midwestern populations and provides data included in many NCI publications. Beginning in 1990 about 5-10 percent of the Registry’s annual operating budget has been provided by the state of Iowa. Beginning in 2003, the University of Iowa has also been providing cost-sharing funds. The Registry also receives funding through grants and contracts with university, state, and national researchers investigating cancer-related topics.

Geological structure, recharge processes and underground drainage of a glacierised karst aquifer system, Tsanfleuron-Sanetsch, Swiss Alps

The relationships between stratigraphic and tectonic setting, recharge processes and underground drainage of the glacierised karst aquifer system `Tsanfleuron-Sanetsch' in the Swiss Alps have been studied by means of various methods, particularly tracer tests (19 injections). The area belongs to the Helvetic nappes and consists of Jurassic to Palaeogene sedimentary rocks. Strata are folded and form a regional anticlinorium. Cretaceous Urgonian limestone constitutes the main karst aquifer, overlain by a retreating glacier in its upper part. Polished limestone surfaces are exposed between the glacier front and the end moraine of 1855/1860 (Little Ice Age); typical alpine karrenfields can be observed further below. Results show that (1) large parts of the area are drained by the Glarey spring, which is used as a drinking water source, while marginal parts belong to the catchments of other springs; (2) groundwater flow towards the Glarey spring occurs in the main aquifer, parallel to stratification, while flow towards another spring crosses the entire stratigraphic sequence, consisting of about 800 m of marl and limestone, along deep faults that were probably enlarged by mass movements; (3) the variability of glacial meltwater production influences the shape of the tracer breakthrough curves and, consequently, flow and transport in the aquifer.

Evolution of a polymineralic mantle shear zone and the role of second phases in the localization of deformation

The influence of second phases (e.g., pyroxenes) on olivine grain size was studied by quantitative microfabric analyses of samples of the Hilti massif mantle shear zone (Semail ophiolite, Oman). The microstructures range from porphyroclastic tectonites to ultramylonites, from outside to the center of the shear zone. Starting at conditions of ridge-related flow, they formed under continuous cooling leading to progressive strain localization. The dependence of the average olivine grain size on the second-phase content can be split into a second-phase controlled and a dynamic recrystallization-controlled field. In the former, the olivine grain size is related to the ratio between the second-phase grain size and volume fraction (Zener parameter). In the latter, dynamic recrystallization manifested by a balance between grain growth and grain size reduction processes yields a stable olivine grain size. In both fields the average olivine and second-phase grain size decreases with decreasing temperature. Combining the microstructural information with deformation mechanism maps suggests that the porphyroclastic tectonites (similar to 1100 degrees C) and mylonites (similar to 800 degrees C) formed under the predominance of dislocation creep. Since olivine-rich layers are intercalated with layer parallel, polymineralic bands in the mylonites, nearly equiviscous conditions can be assumed. In the ultramylonites, diffusion creep represents the major deformation mechanism in the polymineralic layers. It is this switch in deformation mechanism from dislocation creep to diffusion creep that forces strain to localize in the fine-grained polymineralic domains at low temperatures (<similar to 700 degrees C), underlining the role of the second phases on strain localization in cooling mantle rocks.

Two days of hypoxic exposure increased ventilation without affecting performance.

The aim of this study was to test the short-term effects of using hypoxic rooms before a simulated running event. Thirteen subjects (29 +/- 4 years) lived in a hypoxic dormitory (1,800 m) for either 2 nights (n = 6) or 2 days + nights (n = 7) before performing a 1,500-m treadmill test. Performance, expired gases, and muscle electrical activity were recorded and compared with a control session performed 1 week before or after the altitude session (random order). Arterial blood samples were collected before and after altitude exposure. Arterial pH and hemoglobin concentration increased (p < 0.05) and PCO2 decreased (p < 0.05) upon exiting the room. However, these parameters returned (p < 0.05) to basal levels within a few hours. During exercise, mean ventilation (VE) was higher (p < 0.05) after 2 nights or days + nights of moderate altitude exposure (113.0 +/- 27.2 L.min) than in the control run (108.6 +/- 27.8 L.min), without any modification in performance (360 +/- 45 vs. 360 +/- 42 seconds, respectively) or muscle electrical activity. This elevated VE during the run after the hypoxic exposure was probably because of the subsistence effects of the hypoxic ventilatory response. However, from a practical point of view, although the use of a normobaric simulating altitude chamber exposure induced some hematological adaptations, these disappeared within a few hours and failed to provide any benefit during the subsequent 1,500-m run.

Quantification of thermotolerant campylobacter in Swiss water treatment plants, by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction

A total of 49 wastewater samples from 23 different wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction for the presence and quantity of thermotolerant campylobacters. Thermotolerant campylobacters were detected in 87.5% (21/24) and 64% (16/25) of untreated and treated wastewater samples, respectively. Their concentration was sufficiently high to be quantified in 20.4% (10/49) of the samples. In these samples, the concentration ranged from 68 000 to 2292 000 cells/L in untreated wastewater and from 10 800 to 28 000 cells/L in treated water. We conclude that thermotolerant campylobacters present a health hazard for workers at WWTPs in Switzerland. [Authors]