Números cromosómicos en algunos taxones del género Serratula L. (Asteraceae)

Se estudian 44 poblaciones de 7 táxones ibéricos del género Serratula L. Se obtienen como resultado los números cromosomáticos siguientes: S. tinctoria L., 2n=22; S. nudicaulis (L.) DC., 2n= 30 + (0-4) B; S. flavescens (L.) Poiret subsp. flavescens, 2n=30; S. flavescens subsp. leucantha (Cav.) Cantó & Costa stat. nov., 2n=30; S. flavescens subsp. mucronata (Desf.) Cantó stat. nov., 2n=60; S. pinnatifida (Cav.) Poiret, 2n=60, 90; S. legionensis Lacaita, 2n=30.

Antioxidant activities of eight Algerian plant extracts and two essential oils

Total phenol, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, flavone/flavonol and flavanones/dihydroflavonol contents of hydro-alcoholic extracts, obtained by sonication, from the aerial parts of Artemisia campestris L., Anthemis arvensis L., Haloxylon scoparium Pomel, Juniperus phoenicea L., Arbutus unedo L., Cytisus monspessulanus L., Thymus algeriensis Boiss et Reut, Zizyphus lotus L (Desf.) collected in Djebel Amour (Sahara Atlas, Algeria) were quantified by spectrophotometric methods. The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from Artemisia campestris L. and Juniperus phoenicea I aerial parts were also evaluated by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity of the extracts and essential oils was assessed measuring the capacity for preventing lipid peroxidation using two lipidic substrates (egg yolk and liposomes), the capacity for scavenging DPPH, ABTS, superoxide anion radicals, hydroxyl radicals and peroxyl radicals. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by measuring the capacity for inhibiting lipoxygenase. Reducing power and chelating capacity were also assayed. The results showed different amounts of total phenols depending on the method used: A. campestris extract had the highest levels of total phenols when the measurement was made at lambda = 280 nm, whereas H. scoparium and A. unedo extracts showed the highest levels of total phenols with Folin-Ciocalteau. C. monspessulanus had the highest levels of flavones/flavonols and flavanones/dihydroflavonols. The essential oils of A. campestris and J. phoenicea were mainly constituted by alpha-pinene, beta-pinene and sabinene; and a-pinene, respectively. The methods used for assaying the capacity for preventing lipid peroxidation revealed to be inadequate for extracts due to the great interferences detected. The essential oils were more active than the generality of extracts for scavenging peroxyl radicals and for inhibiting lipoxygenase, whereas A. unedo extract was the most active for scavenging ABTS, DPPH, superoxide anion radicals and it also had the best reducing capacity. In a general way, the great majority of the antioxidant activities correlated well with the phenol content although such correlation was not so clear with the flavonoid content. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Relative effect of litter quality, forest type and their interaction on leaf decomposition in south-east Brazilian forests

Decomposition was studied in a reciprocal litter transplant experiment to examine the effects of forest type, litter quality and their interaction on leaf decomposition in four tropical forests in south-east Brazil. Litterbags were used to measure decomposition of leaves of one tree species from each forest type: Calophyllum brasiliense from restinga forest; Guapira opposita from Atlantic forest; Esenbeckia leiocarpa from semi-deciduous forest; and Copaifera langsdorffii from cerradao. Decomposition rates in rain forests (Atlantic and restinga) were twice as fast as those in seasonal forests (semi-deciduous and cerradao), suggesting that intensity and distribution of precipitation are important predictors of decomposition rates at regional scales. Decomposition rates varied by species, in the following order: E. leiocarpa > C. langsdorffii > G. opposita > C. brasiliense. However, there was no correlation between decomposition rates and chemical litter quality parameters: C:N, C:P, lignin concentration and lignin:N. The interaction between forest type and litter quality was positive mainly because C. langsdorffii decomposed faster than expected in its native forest. This is a potential indication of a decomposer`s adaptation to specific substrates in a tropical forest. These findings suggest that besides climate, interactions between decomposers and plants might play an essential role in decomposition processes and it must be better understood.

Thin films of xyloglucans for BSA adsorption

In this work. XG extracted from Tamarindus indica (XGT) and Copaifera langsdorffii (XGC) seeds were deposited onto Si wafers as thin films. The characteristics of XGT and XGC adsorbed layers were compared with a commercial XG sample (TKP, Tamarind kernel powder) by ellipsometry, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Moreover, the adsorption of oxidized derivative of XGT (To60) onto amino-terminated Si wafers and the immobilization of bovine serum albumin (BSA) onto polysaccharides covered wafers, as a function of pH, were also investigated. The XG samples presented molar ratios Glc:Xyl:Gal of 2.4:2.1:1 (XGC) 2.8: 23: 1 (XGT) and 1.91.91 (TKP). The structure of XGT and XGC was determined by O-methy alditol acetate derivatization and showed similar features, but XGC confirmed the presence of more alpha-D-Xyl branches due to more beta-D-Gal ends. XGT deposited onto Si adsorbed as fibers and small entities uniformly distributed, as evidenced by AFM, while TPK and XGC formed larger aggregates. The thickness of To60 onto amino-terminated surface was similar to that determined for XGT onto Si wafers. A maximum in the adsorbed amount of BSA occurred close to its isoelectric point (5.5). These findings indicate that XGT and To60 are potential materials for the development of biomaterials and biotechnological devices. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Underlag för utökad besiktning av bio- och solvärmesystem : Formulär med analyshjälp

Det är svårt att på ett genomarbetat sätt, kontrollera en solvärmeanläggning som är i drift och det blir svårare när solvärmesystemet skall samverka med en biobränsleanläggning, som har sina speciella egenheter. Det enklaste och, som det kan tyckas, bästa sättet att kontrollera om en solvärmeanläggning fungerar, är att beräkna utifrån en värmemängdsmätare, som förhoppningsvis finns i anläggningen, hur mycket energi per m2 aktiv area som solfångaren har producerat per år. Om produktionen ligger mellan 300 – 350 kWh/m2 så är det bra. Det är dock så att en solvärmeanläggning borde kunna producera betydligt mer värme om den bara ges lite bättre förutsättning eller att den faktiskt kan ge mindre, men ändå uppfylla de krav som ställdes. Det behöver inte nödvändigtvis vara antalet producerade solfångar-kWh värme som är högt utan det viktigaste kanske är att antalet inbesparade kWh biobränsle är många. För att kunna få ett grepp om hur en solvärmeanläggning fungerar i sitt sammanhang så bör det totala systemet redovisas framför allt med avseende på: -Värmedistributionssystemets uppbyggnad. Var och när finns kallt vatten som ska värmas samt hur mycket.-Energi- och effektnivåer för olika delar av systemet och fram för allt under sommaren-Vilka pannor och bränslen som används, framför allt med betoning på reglerbarhetSolvärmekretsen, som inte är speciellt annorlunda utformad än i andra lite större solvärmeanläggningar ges i den här rapporten relativt stort utrymme, eftersom den samlade kompetensen bland de som gör besiktningar och kontroller inte är så hög. De delar som berörs mest är:-Trycket i solvärmeanläggningen med avseende på expansionskärlets förtryck, systemets uppfyllnadstryck och driftsfunktioner-Flödet i anläggningen som inriktar sig på luftmedryckning, flödesfördelning och vanliga flödeshastigheter-Solfångarnas energi- och värmeeffektproduktionHuvuddelen av underlagsmaterialet bör ha samlats in före besöket, genom att försöka få tag på:-Förstudier för solvärme- och pannanläggning-Förfrågningsunderlag för i första hand solvärmeanläggningen-Driftstatistik-Data på hur det totala systemet ser ut.Dessa data bör bearbetas innan besöket på plats vilket skall inkludera en genomgång av driftsansvarig vilket kompletteras med en guidad tur genom anläggningen. Besöket bör också vara förberett hos driftsansvariga så att stegar för att komma åt solfångarna finns framtagna och de säkerhetsselar som skall finnas vid okulär inspektion finns tillgängliga. Efter avslutad på platsen kontroll ska en besiktningsrapport skrivas. Mycket underlagsberäkningar ska skickas med som bilaga samt en lista med punkter som syftar till att få en effektivare sol- och biobränsleanläggning.

Underlag för utökad besiktning av sol- och biovärmesystem

Det är svårt att på ett genomarbetat sätt, kontrollera en solvärmeanläggning som är i drift och det blir svårare när solvärmesystemet ska samverka med en biobränsleanläggning, som har sina speciella egenheter.Det enklaste och, som det kan tyckas, bästa sättet att kontrollera om en solvärmeanläggning fungerar, är att beräkna utifrån en värmemängdsmätare, som förhoppningsvis finns i anläggningen, hur mycket energi per m2 aktiv area som solfångaren har producerat per år.Om produktionen ligger mellan 300 – 350 kWh/m2 är det bra. Det är dock så att en solvärmeanläggning borde kunna producera betydligt mer värme om den bara ges lite bättre förutsättning eller att den faktiskt kan ge mindre, men ändå uppfylla de krav som ställdes. Det behöver inte nödvändigtvis vara antalet producerade solfångarkWh värme som är högt utan det viktigaste kanske är att antalet inbesparade kWh biobränsle är många.För att kunna få ett grepp om hur en solvärmeanläggning fungerar i sitt sammanhang bör det totala systemet redovisas framför allt med avseende på:• Värmedistributionssystemets uppbyggnad. Var, när och hur mycket kallt vatten ska värmas?• Energi- och effektnivåer för olika delar av systemet, framför allt under sommaren?• Vilka pannor och bränslen används, framför allt med betoning på reglerbarhet?Solvärmekretsen, som inte är speciellt annorlunda utformad än i andra lite större solvärmeanläggningar, ges i den här rapporten relativt stort utrymme, eftersom den samlade kompetensen bland de som gör besiktningar och kontroller inte är så hög. Mest berörda delar är:• Trycket i solvärmeanläggningen med avseende på expansionskärlets förtryck, systemets uppfyllnadstryck och driftsfunktioner• Flödet i anläggningen som inriktar sig på luftmedryckning, flödesfördelning och vanliga flödeshastigheter• Solfångarnas energi- och värmeeffektproduktionHuvuddelen av underlagsmaterialet bör ha samlats in före besöket, genom att försöka få tag på:• Förstudier för solvärme- och pannanläggning• Förfrågningsunderlag för i första hand solvärmeanläggningen• Driftstatistik• Data på hur det totala systemet ser utDessa data bör bearbetas innan besöket på plats, vilket ska inkludera en genomgång av driftsansvarig kompletterat med en guidad tur genom anläggningen. Besöket bör också vara förberett hos driftsansvariga så att stegar för att komma åt solfångarna finns framtagna och de säkerhetsselar, som ska användas vid okulär inspektion, finns tillgängliga.Efter avslutad på-platsen-kontroll ska en besiktningsrapport skrivas. Mycket underlagsberäkningar ska skickas med som bilaga samt en lista med punkter som syftar till att få en effektivare sol- och biobränsleanläggning.

Os gêneros Nicotiana L., Bouchetia Dunal e Nierembergia Ruiz & Pav.(Solanaceae) no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Os gêneros Nicotiana L., Bouchetia Dunal e Nierembergia Ruiz & Pav. da tribo Nicotianeae G.Don (Solanaceae), presentes no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, apresentam diversas características em comum, como o hábito predominantemente herbáceo, fruto seco, capsular, com numerosas sementes. Estes gêneros distinguem-se basicamente por Nicotiana apresentar prefloração geralmente contorcido-conduplicada ou conduplicada, corola infundibuliforme, tubular ou hipocrateriforme, anteras dorsifixas e um disco nectarífero presente, enquanto que Bouchetia e Nierembergia apresentam prefloração imbricadoconduplicada ou imbricada e anteras ventrifixas. Em Bouchetia a corola é campanulado-infundibuliforme e um disco nectarífero está presente, enquanto que em Nierembergia a corola é hipocrateriforme e o disco nectarífero está ausente. O gênero Nicotiana, da subtribo Nicotianineae, está representado no Estado por seis espécies nativas: N. alata Link & Otto, N. bonariensis Lehm., N. forgetiana Hemsl., N. langsdorffii Weinm., N. longiflora Cav. e N. mutabilis Stehmann & Semir. Duas outras espécies, provavelmente originárias da Argentina, são também encontradas no Estado: N. glauca Graham, que ocorre de forma ruderal ou cultivada e N. tabacum L., também cultivada, de importância econômica por ser fonte de matéria prima para a indústria do fumo. A única espécie do gênero Bouchetia, presente no Estado, é Bouchetia anomala (Miers) Britton & Rusby, endêmica da região sul do Brasil, Uruguai, Paraguai e nordeste da Argentina. Pertence à subtribo Nierembergiinae Hunz., junto com Nierembergia, com quem apresenta maior afinidade. Nierembergia está representado no Rio Grande do Sul por cinco espécies nativas: N. linariifolia Graham, N. micrantha Cabrera, N. pinifolia Miers, N. riograndensis Hunz. & A.A.Cocucci e N. scoparia Sendtn. Chaves analíticas para identificação dos gêneros da tribo Nicotianeae G.Don e para os da subtribo Nierembergiinae, assim como para as espécies de Nicotiana, Bouchetia e Nierembergia, são apresentadas. Descrições para os três gêneros e suas espécies, ilustrações, mapas de distribuição geográfica no Estado, considerações quanto ao hábitat, observações sobre a fenologia, variabilidade morfológica e outros comentários também são referidos.

Avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana de sistemas emulsionados contendo óleos naturais para o tratamento de infecções cutâneas

Natural oils have shown a scientific importance due to its pharmacological activity and renewable character. The copaiba (Copaifera langsdorffii) and Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana Shaw) oils are used in folk medicine particularly because the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Emulsion could be eligible systems to improve the palatability and fragrance, enhance the pharmacological activities and reduce the toxicological effects of these oils. The aim of this work was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of emulsions based on copaiba (resin-oil and essential-oil) and bullfrog oils against fungi and bacteria which cause skin diseases. Firstly, the essential oil was extracted from copaiba oil-resin and the oils were characterized by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Secondly, emulsion systems were produced. A microbiological screening test with all products was performed followed (the minimum inhibitory concentration, the bioautography method and the antibiofilm determination). Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. krusei and C. tropicalis American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and clinical samples were used. The emulsions based on copaiba oil-resin and essential oil improved the antimicrobial activity of the pure oils, especially against Staphylococcus e Candida resistant to azoles. The bullfrog oil emulsion and the pure bullfrog oil showed a lower effect on the microorganisms when compared to the copaiba samples. All the emulsions showed a significant antibiofilm activity by inhibiting the cell adhesion. Thus, it may be concluded that emulsions based on copaiba and bullfrog oils are promising candidates to treatment of fungal and bacterial skin infections

Flora Polínica da Reserva do Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (São Paulo, Brasil): Família: 136-Solanaceae

Foram estudados os grãos de pólen de 12 gêneros e 41 espécies de Solanaceae ocorrentes na Reserva do Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga: Acnistus arborescens (L.) Schlecht., Athenaea picta (Mart.) Sendtn., Brunfelsia latifolia Benth., Brunfelsia pauciflora (Cham. & Schlecht.) Benth., Capsicum flexuosum (L.) Sendtn., Capsicum villosum (L.) Sendtn., Cestrum amictum (L.) Schlecht., Cestrum corymbosum (L.) Schlecht., Cestrum lanceolatum (L.) Miers, Cestrum schlechtendalii (L.) G. Don, Cestrum sendtnerianum (L.) Mart. ex Sendtn., Cyphomandra diploconos Sendtn., Cyphomandra velutina Sendtn., Dyssochroma viridiflora (Sims) Ducke, Nicotiana langsdorffii (Weinm.) Roem. & Schult., Physalis peruviana L., Physalis viscosa L., Sessea brasiliensis Tol., Solandra grandiflora Sw, Solanum americanum Mill., Solanum atropurpureum Schrank., Solanum bullatum Vell., Solanum capsicoides Allion., Solanum cernuum Vell., Solanum concinnum Schott ex Sendtn., Solanum didynum Dun., Solanum diflorum Vell., Solanum excelsum St. Hil. ex Dun., Solanum granuloso-leprosum Dun., Solanum hoehnei Morton, Solanum inaequale Vell., Solanum inodornum Vell., Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. ex Dun., Solanum mauritianum Scop., Solanum paniculatum L., Solanum rufescens Sendtn., Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam., Solanum swartzianum Roem. & Schult., Solanum vaillantii Dun., Solanum variabile Mart., Solanum viarum Dun. São apresentadas descrições para todas as espécies estudadas, ilustrações, observações e seis chaves polínicas.

Dispersion of Seeds of Tree Species by the Leaf-Cutting Ant Acromyrmex subterraneus molestans (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Vicosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Neoangiogênese de retalhos cutâneos em ratos tratados com óleo de copaíba

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar morfometricamente a neoangiogênese de retalhos cutâneos subdérmicos em ratos tratados com óleo de copaíba (Copaifera langsdorffii) em pomada a 10%. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, composto por três recursos farmacológicos. Foram utilizadas dez repetições para cada recurso, e cada animal foi considerado uma unidade experimental. Trinta ratos Wistar foram submetidos à elevação do retalho cutâneo dorsal subdérmico e distribuídos em três grupos: grupo controle absoluto, no qual os animais não receberam nenhum tratamento; grupo controle, no qual os animais receberam tratamento tópico diário com pomada com apenas veículo (glicerina e vaselina); e grupo tratado, no qual os animais foram tratados diariamente com óleo de copaíba em pomada a 10%. Os ratos foram tratados e observados por oito dias após o ato operatório. No oitavo dia de pós-operatório, realizou-se a análise macroscópica do retalho e foram coletados fragmentos das porções cranial, média e caudal do retalho cutâneo para análise histopatológica. A análise morfométrica mostrou diferença significativa para o número de novos vasos sanguíneos nas partes média e caudal do retalho cutâneo no grupo tratado. O óleo de copaíba mostra-se eficiente no aumento da neoangiogênese em retalhos cutâneos subdérmicos de ratos.

The pulvinus endodermal cells and their relation to leaf movement in legumes of the Brazilian cerrado

Legume pulvini have a clearly delimited endodermis, whose variable content has been associated with the velocity and type of leaf movement: pulvini in leaves with fast nastic movement contain starch grains; pulvini in leaves with slow nastic movements have calcium oxalate crystals as well as starch grains in the endodermis. However, the studies carried out to date have involved few legume species. This study therefore purported to examine the consistency of this hypothesis in other legumes. Thus, the structure and content of the pulvinus endodermal cells of nine legumes of the Brazilian cerrado, with different types and velocities of leaf movement, were investigated: slow nyctinastic and heliotropic movements (Bauhinia rufa, Copaifera langsdorffii, Senna rugosa - Caesalpinioideae; Andira humilis and Dalbergia miscolobium - Faboideae; Stryphnodendron polyphyllum - Mimosoideae), slow heliotropic movement (Zornia diphylla - Faboideae), and fast seismonastic and slow nyctinastic and heliotropic movements (Mimosa rixosa and Mimosa flexuosa - Mimosoideae). Samples were prepared following standard plant anatomy and ultrastructure techniques. The endodermis of all the species contains starch grains. In the species displaying only slow movements, calcium oxalate prismatic crystals were observed in addition to starch grains, except in Zornia diphylla. in conclusion, oxalate crystals occur only in endodermal cells of pulvini that display slow movements, while starch grains are always present in pulvinus endodermal cells of plants with any kind of movement.

Pulvinus functional traits in relation to leaf movements: A light and transmission electron microscopy study of the vascular system

Previous studies on legume pulvini suggest that the vascular system plays an important role in the redistribution of ions and transmission of stimuli during leaf's movements. However, the number of anatomical and ultrastructural studies is limited to few species. The aim of this paper is to investigate the structure and cellular features of the pulvinus vascular system of nine legume species from Brazilian cerrado, looking for structural traits pointing to its participation in the leaf's movements. Samples were excised from the medial region of opened pulvinus of Bauhinia rufa, Copaifera langsdorffii, Senna rugosa (Caesalpinioideae), Andira humilis, Dalbergia miscolobium, Zornia dilphylla (Faboideae), Mimosa rixosa, Mimosa flexuosa and Stryphnodendron polyphyllum (Mimosoideae), and were prepared following light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and histochemical standard techniques. The vascular system occupies a central position, comprises phloem and xylem and is delimited by a living sheath of septate fibers in all the species studied. This living cells sheath connects the cortex to the vascular tissues via numerous plasmodesmata. The absence of fibers and sclereids, the presence of phenolic idioblasts and the abundance and diversity of protein inclusions in the sieve tube members are remarkable features of the phloem. Pitted vessel elements, parenchyma cells with abundant cytoplasm and living fibriform elements characterize the xylem. The lack of lignified tissues and extensive symplastic continuity by plasmodesmata are remarkable features of the vascular system of pulvini of the all studied species. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparative cytogenetic analysis on four tree frog species (Anura, Hylidae, Hylinae) from Brazil

A comparative cytogenetic analysis was carried out on four Hylinae tree frogs from Brazil (Aparasphenodon brunoi, Corthomantis greeningi, Osteocephalus langsdorffi and Scinax fuscovarius) using Giemsa staining, BrdU replication banding, Ag-NOR staining, C-banding, DAPI and CMA(3) fluorochrome staining, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with an rDNA probe. All the species share closely similar 2n = 24 karyotypes, almost indistinguishable by standard staining. The technique of BrdU incorporation allowed the identification of each pair of homologs and the establishment of extensive homeology for the great majority of the chromosomes, mainly of A. brunoi, C greeningi, and O. langsdorffii. Despite highly conserved replication banding patterns, the use of the other banding techniques disclosed some minor differsences, which reinforces the importance of extensive cytogenctic analyses for the karyotypic characterization of Anuran species. The present cytogenctic data confirm the closer proximity of A. brunoi, C greeningi, and O. langsdorfjii, whereas S. fuscovarius is phylogenetically more distant. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

Antioxidant Properties of Plant Extracts: an EPR and DFT Comparative Study of the Reaction with DPPH, TEMPOL and Spin Trap DMPO

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