Seedling morphology and development in the epiphytic cactus Epiphyllum phyllanthus (L.) Haw. (Cactaceae: Hylocereeae)

Seedling morphology is relevant in classification, taxonomy, and vegetation studies to understand plant life cycles, germination succession and requirements, and developmental progression. However, most morphological studies of seedlings lack analysis of organ anatomy, impeding the comprehension of series of development and establishment in a particular environment. Here, we have taken a traditional anatomical approach to examine the stages of seedling development in Epiphyllum phyllanthus, a holo-epiphytic cactus of tribe Hylocereeae. The goals were 1) to offer a comprehensive description of growth series in E. phyllanthus seedlings based on morphological and anatomical analysis and 2) to examine the initial growth phases in the life cycle of this species to identify organ development and understand their adaptive significance in relation to seedling establishment. Our results include descriptions of seed morphology, embryonic features, and seedling vascularization pattern in the root, hypocotyl, cotyledons, and epicotyl. The morphological and developmental patterns in E. phyllanthus seedlings have potential phylogenetic and ontogenetic implications in the Cactaceae. Characters such as the presence of mucilage on the seed coat, the lack of seed operculum, and large cotyledons in E. phyllanthus are comparable to basal cacti, but the root anatomy is more similar to columnar relatives. At the familial level, there is an apparent trend in decreasing number of phloem and xylem poles in the stele of primary root, correlated with degree of specialization and advanced phylogenetic position: tetrarch to septarch-octarch in basal lineages, tetrarch Cereus-type in columnar species, to the diarch vascular system in Rhipsalideae and some species with cylindric/globose stem. © Torrey Botanical Club.

The pernicious cycle of vlus in brazil: Epidemiology, pathogeny and auxiliary healing methods

Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) represent the most advanced stage of chronic venous insufficiency. Despite the large body of knowledge available regarding the risk factors and aetiopathogeny of the condition, patients referred to public health care systems in developing countries often do not receive adequate diagnosis or early treatment, leading to clinical evolution and disease recurrence. This review collates updated information about the epidemiology, risk factors, aetiopathogeny, diagnosis, ulcer healing methods and determinant factors of the pernicious cycle of VLUs in developing countries, with a focus on the Brazilian setting.

Motor Recovery and Synaptic Preservation after Ventral Root Avulsion and Repair with a Fibrin Sealant Derived from Snake Venom

Background:Ventral root avulsion is an experimental model of proximal axonal injury at the central/peripheral nervous system interface that results in paralysis and poor clinical outcome after restorative surgery. Root reimplantation may decrease neuronal degeneration in such cases. We describe the use of a snake venom-derived fibrin sealant during surgical reconnection of avulsed roots at the spinal cord surface. The present work investigates the effects of this fibrin sealant on functional recovery, neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and glial reaction in the spinal motoneuron microenvironment after ventral root reimplantation.Methodology/Principal Findings:Female Lewis rats (7 weeks old) were subjected to VRA and root replantation. The animals were divided into two groups: 1) avulsion only and 2) replanted roots with fibrin sealant derived from snake venom. Post-surgical motor performance was evaluated using the CatWalk system twice a week for 12 weeks. The rats were sacrificed 12 weeks after surgery, and their lumbar intumescences were processed for motoneuron counting and immunohistochemistry (GFAP, Iba-1 and synaptophysin antisera). Array based qRT-PCR was used to evaluate gene regulation of several neurotrophic factors and receptors as well as inflammatory related molecules. The results indicated that the root reimplantation with fibrin sealant enhanced motor recovery, preserved the synaptic covering of the motoneurons and improved neuronal survival. The replanted group did not show significant changes in microglial response compared to VRA-only. However, the astroglial reaction was significantly reduced in this group.Conclusions/Significance:In conclusion, the present data suggest that the repair of avulsed roots with snake venom fibrin glue at the exact point of detachment results in neuroprotection and preservation of the synaptic network at the microenvironment of the lesioned motoneurons. Also such procedure reduced the astroglial reaction and increased mRNA levels to neurotrophins and anti-inflammatory cytokines that may in turn, contribute to improving recovery of motor function. © 2013 Barbizan et al.

Tissue-engineered blood vessel substitute by reconstruction of endothelium using mesenchymal stem cells induced by platelet growth factors

Background: Cardiovascular diseases remain leaders as the major causes of mortality in Western society. Restoration of the circulation through construction of bypass surgical treatment is regarded as the gold standard treatment of peripheral vascular diseases, and grafts are necessary for this purpose. The great saphenous vein is often not available and synthetic grafts have their limitations. Therefore, new techniques to produce alternative grafts have been developed and, in this sense, tissue engineering is a promising alternative to provide biocompatible grafts. This study objective was to reconstruct the endothelium layer of decellularized vein scaffolds, using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and growth factors obtained from platelets. Methods: Fifteen nonpregnant female adult rabbits were used for all experiments. Adipose tissue and vena cava were obtained and subjected to MSCs isolation and tissue decellularization, respectively. MSCs were subjected to differentiation using endothelial inductor growth factor (EIGF) obtained from human platelet lysates. Immunofluorescence, histological and immunohistochemical analyses were employed for the final characterization of the obtained blood vessel substitute. Results: The scaffolds were successfully decellularized with sodium dodecyl sulfate. MSCs actively adhered at the scaffolds, and through stimulation with EIGF were differentiated into functional endothelial cells, secreting significantly higher quantities of von Willebrand factor (0.85 μg/mL; P < .05) than cells cultivated under the same conditions, without EIGF (0.085 μg/mL). Cells with evident morphologic characteristics of endothelium were seen at the lumen of the scaffolds. These cells also stained positive for fascin protein, which is highly expressed by differentiated endothelial cells. Conclusions: Taken together, the use of decellularized bioscaffold and subcutaneous MSCs seems to be a potential approach to obtain bioengineered blood vessels, in the presence of EIGF supplementation. © 2013 Society for Vascular Surgery.

Parâmetros da marcha, pressões plantares e equilíbrio corporal de diabéticos neuropatas e vasculopatas, com o uso de palmilhas

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

Aneurisma da aorta abdominal infra-renal: avaliação ultra-sonográfica em homens acima de 50 anos

Pós-graduação em Bases Gerais da Cirurgia - FMB

Ecologia de hemiepífitas estranguladoras no Parque Estadual da Ilha do Cardoso

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Anatomia e aspectos ultra-estruturais de pulvinos de leguminosas de cerrado

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Botânica) - IBB

Efeito da catuama e do bilobalide na regeneração nervosa perifírica de ratos submetidos à secção do nervo isquático

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

Avaliação da função cardíaca em cães com anemia normovolência aguda experimental

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Atividade coagulante e da toxidade da giroxina nativa e irradiada com Cobalto-60 isolada do veneno de Crotalus durissus terrificus

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Irradiação UV em Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris visando a produção da goma xantana

Pós-graduação em Microbiologia - IBILCE

Biofortificação com zinco, selênio e ferro, e biodisponibilidade de ferro em cultivares de feijoeiro-comum

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a staple food in nutritional diet of Brazilians and populations in developing countries, is a nutritionally rich legume with potential for biofortification. Approximately one third of the world population suffers from nutritional deficiencies, being necessary to increase the nutrient content in vegetables, especially iron (Fe), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn), which are important micronutrients for plants and human health. In this context, three studies were carried out aiming to evaluate the potential of common bean cultivars to biofortification with Fe, Se and Zn, and verify the interaction between these minerals and iron bioavailability, in order to contribute to increased nutritional quality of grains, reducing the micronutrients deficiency and improving human health. In the first study, experiments were conducted in a greenhouse, with ten common bean cultivars in nutrient solution under different treatments with Fe, Se and Zn. The plant growth and the mineral content of the beans were evaluated in addition to verify the influence of polyphenol and phytate levels on Fe bioavailability in grains fortified with Zn and Se. The evaluated beans cultivars have proved promising for simultaneous biofortification with these nutrients without greatly affecting Fe bioavailability. In the second study, the aim was evaluate the interaction between Fe, Se and Zn in cultivars consumed in Brazil or in USA. Gene expression and root microscopy analysis were performed in order to understand the positive effect of Zn supply on the Fe uptake by roots. The expression of genes related to the transport and uptake of Fe and Zn did not clearly explain the influence of Zn in Fe nutrition. The roots microscopy and the evaluation of nutrient solutions used showed that, in the presence of Zn, there was Fe accumulation in epidermis of the roots and not in the vascular system, prone to be precipitated when it goes through the root membrane. In the latest study, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Zn fertilization via soil and foliar, in the content and accumulation of Fe and Zn in grains and in the yield of common bean cultivars, in addition to verify the amount of these micronutrients supplied by biofortified beans. The fertilization with Zn did not affect the yield, but provided high levels of this nutrient in grains of the cultivars analyzed, representing 27% of the recommended daily intake of Zn. The higher Fe content in beans, obtained when there was no application of foliar Zn, supplies 56% of the daily requirement of Fe.

Flebografia epidurla lombossacral em gatos por meio da veia safena lateral

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FMVZ