Crescimento de Mentha piperita L, cultivada em solução nutritiva com diferentes doses de potássio

The research aimed at the evaluation of the influence of different potassium doses on the growth and development of Mentha piperita L. The experiment was conducted with stalks rooted in a commercial substrate and transplanted to a complete nutritive solution varying the treatments as following: (a) 234 mg L-1 of K; (b) 117 mg L-1 of K; and (c) 58.5 mg L-1 of K. Plants were evaluated at 21, 42, 63, 84 and 105 days after transplanting (DAT). In this study there were determined the physiological indexes leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA), net assimilatory rate (NAR) and relative growth rate (RGR) were determined. The results indicated that the decreasing of K concentration to 25% did not affect the LAR, SLA, NAR and RGR physiological indexes.

Superação da dormência em sementes de Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan

The objective of this study was to identify treatments capable of promoting and standardizing the germination of Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan seeds. The seeds of this weed were submitted to the following treatments: mechanical abrasion with 220-grit sandpaper (20, 30 and 40 frictions); immersion in sulfuric acid (90% for 30 and 40 seconds), followed by washing in running water; immersion in sodium hypochlorite (2.5% for 8 and 12 hours) and lye (5 minutes), followed by five washings in distilled water; immersion in KNO 3 (1% for 24 hours); preheating at 40°C in a humid or dry substrate for 2, 3 and 4 weeks. The statistical design was totally randomized, with four repetitions. The number of germinated seeds was counted every other day. The most favorable treatments were preheating at 40°C in humid substrate for 3 weeks, followed by mechanical abrasion after 40 frictions and immersion in sulfuric acid for 40 seconds.

Les politiques de conservation de la nature en Amérique latine: au coeur de l'internationalisation et de la convergence des ordres politiques

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Cytotoxicity of adhesive systems of different hydrophilicities on cultured odontoblast-like cells

This study evaluated the cytotoxicity of experimental adhesive systems (EASs) on odontoblast-like cells. Paper discs (n=132) were impregnated with 10 μL of each EAS-R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 (in an ascending order of hydrophilicity), followed by photoactivation. R1 and R2 are nonsolvated hydrophobic blends, R3 represents a simplified etch-and-rinse adhesive system, and R4 and R5 represent simplified self-etch adhesive systems. Discs were immersed in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium for 24 h to obtain eluates applied on MDPC-23 cell cultures. No material was applied on discs used as control (R0). Cell viability [3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay], total protein (TP) production, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, type of cell death, and degree of monomer conversion Fourier transform infrared (%DC-FTIR) were evaluated. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (α=0.05). Considering R0 (control) as having 100% of cell viability, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 reduced the metabolic activity of cells by 36.4, 3.1, 0.2, 21.5, and 65.7%, respectively, but only R1 and R5 differed from R0. Comparing with R0, lower TP production was observed for R1, R4, and R5, while ALP activity decreased for R1 and R5. Necrotic cell death was predominant for all EASs, but only R1, R4, and R5 differed from R0. Only R5 presented a different apoptotic cell death ratio from R0. R1 presented the lowest %DC (ca. 37%), whereas R4 and R5 presented the highest (ca. 56%). In conclusion, R2 and R3 were not toxic to the MDPC-23 cells, suggesting that the degree of hydrophilicity or %DC of the EASs alone were not responsible for their cytopathic effects. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Níveis de fósforo no desenvolvimento e produção de óleo essencial de Mentha piperita L. cultivada em solução nutritiva

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Preferência alimentar do Metriona elatior Klug (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) em híbridos de berinjela (Solanum melogena L.) e Solanum viarum Dunal

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Desenvolvimento, trocas gasosas, rendimento e composição de óleo essencial de Mentha piperita L. cultivada em solução nutritiva com variação dos níveis de N, P, K e Mg

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Canine visceral leishmaniasis due to Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi in Amazonian Brazil: comparison of the parasite density from the skin, lymph node and visceral tissues between symptomatic and asymptomatic, seropositive dogs

A leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC) é reconhecida pelas características clínicas da doença e é altamente letal. A infecção, entretanto, pode ser totalmente assintomática em alguns cães soropositivos, o que tem levantado questão polêmica sobre a possibilidade desses animais, serem ou não uma fonte importante da infecção para o flebotomíneo, Lutzomyia longipalpis, o principal vetor da leishmaniose visceral americana (LVA). Neste estudo foram examinados 51 cães com LVC aguda, provenientes de área endêmica de LVA no Estado do Pará, Brasil, e a carga parasitária, formas amastigotas de, na pele, linfonodo poplíteo e vísceras (fígado e baço) foi comparada com a de nove cães assintomáticos soropositivos (IFAT-IgG). Fragmentos de biópsia desses tecidos obtidos post-mortem foram processados para análise através de imunohistoquímica, usando um anticorpo policlonal contra Leishmania sp. Os testes do Qui-quadrado (X²) e Mann Whitney foram usados para avaliar as médias da densidade de macrófagos infectados (p < 0,05). Os resultados mostraram que não houve diferença (p > 0,05) na densidade de macrófagos infectados da pele (10,7/mm² x 15,5/mm²) e do linfonodo (6,3/mm² x 8,3/mm²) entre cães assintomáticos e sintomáticos. Entretanto, a densidade de macrófagos infectados da víscera de cães sintomáticos (5,3/mm²) foi maior (p < 0,05) que a de cães assintomáticos (1,4/mm²). Estes resultados sugerem, fortemente, que cães naturalmente infectados por L. (L.) i. chagasi, assintomáticos ou sintomáticos, podem servir como fonte de infecção, principalmente, considerando-se que a densidade de macrófagos infectados da pele (10,7/mm² x 15,5/mm²), local onde o flebotomíneo vetor Lu. longipalpis realiza a hematofagia, foi maior (p < 0,05) que as do linfonodo (6,3/mm² x 8.3/mm²) e vísceras (1,4/mm2x 5,3/mm2).

Physiological indexese macro- and micronutrients in plant tissue and essential oil of Mentha piperita L. grown in nutrient solution with variation in N, P, K and Mg levels

Mentha piperita L. is an aromatic and medicinal species of the family Lamiaceae, known as mint or peppermint, and its leaves and branches produce essential oil rich in menthol. This study aimed to evaluate physiological indexes, macro- and micronutrients inthe shootsand essential oil of Mentha piperita L. grown in nutrient solution number 2 of Hoagland and Arnon (1950) with different N, P, K and Mg levels. Shoot length, dry mass of the different organs, total dry mass, leaf area, essential oil yield and composition, and macronutrient (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, S) and micronutrient (Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn) contents in the shoot were evaluated. Plants treated with 65%N/50%P/25%K/100%Mg had a tendency towards longer shoot, greaterroot and leaf blade dry masses, higher essential oil yield, higher menthol levels and lower menthone levels. The results showed that Mentha can be grown in nutrient solution by reducing 65% N, 50% P, 25% K and 100% Mg. This solution had better development compared to the other tested treatments. Therefore,we recommendMentha piperita L. to be grown with such nutrient levels.

Stabilization of dentin matrix after cross-linking treatments, in vitro

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Transdentinal cytotoxicity of carbodiimide (EDC) and glutaraldehyde on odontoblast-like cells

Objective: To evaluate the transdentinal cytotoxicity of three different concentrations of carbodiimide (EDC) or 5% glutaraldehyde (GA) on MDPC-23 cells. Methods: Seventy 0.4-mm-thick dentin disks obtained from human molars were adapted to artificial pulp chambers. MDPC-23 cells were seeded on the pulpal surface of the disks. After 48 hours, the occlusal dentin was acid-etched and treated for 60 seconds with one of the following solutions (n=10): no treatment (negative control); 0.1 M, 0.3 M, or 0.5 M EDC; 5% GA; Sorensen buffer; or 29% hydrogen peroxide (positive control). Cell viability and morphology were assessed by methyltetrazolium assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The eluates were collected after the treatments and applied on MDPC-23 seeded in a 24-well plate to analyze cell death, total protein (TP), and collagen production. The last two tests were performed 24 hours and seven days after the challenge. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p<0.05). Results: EDC at all test concentrations did not reduce cell viability, while 5% GA did increase cell metabolism. Cell death by necrosis was not elicited by EDC or 5% GA. At the 24-hour period, 0.3 M and 0.5 M EDC reduced TP production by 18% and 36.8%, respectively. At seven days, increased TP production was observed in all groups. Collagen production at the 24-hour period was reduced when 0.5 M EDC was used. After seven days, no difference was observed among the groups. SEM showed no alteration in cell morphology or number, except in the hydrogen peroxide group. Conclusions: Treatment of acid-etched dentin with EDC or GA did not cause transdentinal cytotoxic effects on odontoblast-like cells.

Perfil hematológico de cabras Saanen e mestiças (1/2 Saanen e 1/2 Anglo-nubiana) criadas em clima tropical do Ceará

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of climatic conditions on the hematological profile of Saanen and mixed-breed (1/2 Saanen x 1/2 Anglo-Nubian) goats, as well as to define reference values for these animals bred in Ceara, Brazil. Thirty goats were utilized and blood samples were collected monthly during the rainy (February to May) and dry (August to November) periods to obtain an erythrogram a leukogram. The averange were compared by the t-Student test and Mann Whitney test, with parametric and non-parametric distribution of the data, respectively, where p&lt;0.05 was considered significant. A study was carried out of simple Pearson correlations of the hematological parameters with environmental and physiological variables. The number of red blood cells (RBCs) was higher in the Saanen goats and in the rainy period, while the hematocrit was higher in the dry period (p&lt;0.05). The leukocytes and lymphocytes were higher in the 1/2S1/2 AN goats in the two periods (p&lt;0.05). In the two genotypes, the leukocytes and lymphocytes were higher in the dry season and the segmented neutrophils higher in the rainy season (p&lt;0.05). The other parameters did not differ (p>0.05). The RBCs and segmented neutrophils displayed a negative correlation with air temperature, but positive with relative humidity and rectal temperature (p&lt;0.05). The hematocrit positively correlated with air temperature and respiratory rate (p&lt;0.05). The leukocytes and lymphocytes showed a negative correlation with rectal temperature (p&lt;0.05). It was therefore concluded that Saanen females are more affected by climatic variations and that the rainy season has a greater negative impact on hematological parameters. The values obtained could serve as a reference for these genotypes in Ceara.

Book Review of Cetacean Societies: Field Studies Of Whales And Dolphins Edited by I. Mann, R. C. Connor, P. L. Tyack & H. Whitehead

Studying the sociobiology and behavioral ecology of cetaceans is particularly challenging due in large part to the aquatic environment in which they live. Nevertheless, many of the obstacles traditionally associated with data gathering on tree-ranging whales, dolphins and porpoises are rapidly being overcome, and are now far less formidable. During the past several decades, marine mammal scientists equipped with innovative research methods and new technologies have taken field-based behavioral studies to a new level of sophistication. In some cases, as is true for bottlenose dolphins, killer whales, sperm whales and humpback whales, modern research paradigms in the marine environment are comparable to present-day studies of terrestrial mammal social systems. Cetacean Society stands testament to the relatively recent advances in marine mammal science, and to those scientists, past and present, whose diligence has been instrumental in shaping the discipline.

Mutations in CTC1, encoding conserved telomere maintenance component 1, cause Coats plus

Coats plus is a highly pleiotropic disorder particularly affecting the eye, brain, bone and gastrointestinal tract. Here, we show that Coats plus results from mutations in CTC1, encoding conserved telomere maintenance component 1, a member of the mammalian homolog of the yeast heterotrimeric CST telomeric capping complex. Consistent with the observation of shortened telomeres in an Arabidopsis CTC1 mutant and the phenotypic overlap of Coats plus with the telomeric maintenance disorders comprising dyskeratosis congenita, we observed shortened telomeres in three individuals with Coats plus and an increase in spontaneous gamma H2AX-positive cells in cell lines derived from two affected individuals. CTC1 is also a subunit of the alpha-accessory factor (AAF) complex, stimulating the activity of DNA polymerase-alpha primase, the only enzyme known to initiate DNA replication in eukaryotic cells. Thus, CTC1 may have a function in DNA metabolism that is necessary for but not specific to telomeric integrity.

Exploring symbiont fidelity among lichen symbioses and the common alga Trebouxia decolorans s.l.: differents levels of intrathalline photobiont diversity in Xanthoria parietina and Anaptychia ciliaris

Francesco Dal Grande (Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Senckenberg Gesellschaft fuer Naturforschung, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Goethe Universitat, Frankfurt am Main, Germany). Comunicación ofrecida por David Alors Rodríguez (Universidad Complutense de Madrid)