Yield and quality of net melon cultivated in sand in the greenhouse

The behavior of two hybrids of muskmelon ('Bônus no 2' and 'Don Carlos') in relation to the productivity and quality of its fruits, making use of fertigation in sand substrate in protected environment, was studied. Amianthus cement structures of the Canalete runlet type were used to keep the plants 0.30m from each other and 1.0m between lines. 'Don Carlos' hybrid had fruit mean weight, longitudinal and transversal diameter, pulp mean thickness, and total acidity substantially superior in relation to 'Bônus no 2'. Considering the total soluble solid content, 'Bônus no 2' had better results. However, there was no significant difference in fruits/plant or pulp thickness between the two hybrids.

Propolis: anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity and synergism with antimicrobial drugs

Propolis is a natural resinous substance collected by bees from tree exudates and secretions. Its antimicrobial activity has been investigated and inhibitory action on Staphylococcus aureus growth was evaluated The in vitro synergism between ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) and antimicrobial drugs by two susceptibility tests (Kirby and Bauer and E-Test) on 25 S. aureus strains was evaluated Petri dishes with sub-inhibitory concentrations of EEP were incubated with 13 drugs using Kirby and Bauer method and synergism between EEP and five drugs [choramphenicol (CLO), gentamicin (GEN), netilmicin (NET), tetracycline (TET), and vancomycin (VAN)] was observed. Nine drugs were assayed by the E-test method and five of them exhibited a synergism [CLO, GEN, NET, TET, and clindamycin (CLI)]. The results demonstrated the synergism between EEP and antimicrobial drugs, especially those agents that interfere on bacterial protein synthesis.

Inhibitory activity of glass-ionomer cements on cariogenic bacteria

This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of the glass-ionomer cements Vitrebond (3M ESPE), Ketac Molar (3M ESPE) and Fuji IX (GC America) against S mutans, S sobrinus, L acidophilus and A viscosus, using the agar diffusion test. Inocula were obtained by the seed of indicators cultures in BHI broth incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. Base layers containing 15 mL of BHI agar and 300 μL of each bacteria suspension were prepared in Petri dishes. Six wells measuring 4 mm in diameter were made in each plate and completely filled with one of the testing materials. A 0.2% chlorhexidine solution applied in round filter papers was used as control. Tests were performed 12 times for each material and bacteria strain. After incubation of the plates at 37°C for 24 hours, the zones of bacterial growth inhibition around the wells were measured. Overall, the results showed the following sequence of antibacterial activity: Vitrebond (despite the activation mode) > 0.2% chlorhexidine > Ketac Molar > Fuji IX, according to Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney statistical tests. This study confirmed significant antibacterial activity for two conventional glass-ionomers and one resin-modified glass-ionomer material. The resin-modified glass-ionomer cement Vitrebond, regardless of the activation mode, presented the best antibacterial activity against S mutans and S sobrinus. The antibacterial activity against A viscosus for Vitrebond was similar to 0.2% chlorhexidine, while light activation reduced its antibacterial activity against L acidophilus. ©Operative Dentistry, 2005.

Estados hiperprolactinêmicos - Inter-relações com o psiquismo

Hyperprolactinemia is the most frequent endocrine disorder of the hypothalamus-hypophysis axis observed in women of reproductive age. It is characterized by elevated serum prolactin levels. Prolactin production is regulated by the inhibitory action of a neurotransmitter, dopamine. Clinical manifestations include irregular menstrual cycle, amenorrhea, galactorrhea, infertility and libido decrease, but psychological symptoms, especially anxiety and depression, have also been associated with hyperprolactinemia. Nonetheless, few studies about this condition are available. In the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders, prolactin may have either a direct action on the central nerve system or an indirect effect via gonadal hormones or function as independent factors as a result of dopamine depletion. Thus, since the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with hyperprolactinemia was detected, it was concluded that further studies are necessary to investigate the basis of a potential relationship between both hyperprolactinemic and psychiatric conditions.

The influence of dietary vitamin C and E supplementation on the physiological response of pirarucu, Arapaima gigas, in net culture

This study evaluated the efficacy of dietary vitamin C (ascorbic acid or AA), vitamin E (α-tocopherol or α-T), and C + E supplementation on the blood parameters of Arapaima gigas grown in net cages for 45 days. Four treatments were tested: control (commercial feed); C800; E500 and C + E (800 + 500) with supplementation of 800 mg AA kg- 1, 500 mg α-T kg- 1 and 800 + 500 mg AA + α-T kg- 1, respectively. Hematocrit (Ht), red blood cells (RBC), and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) (oxidative status indicators), thrombocytes and leukocytes (immunological indicators), plasma protein and glucose were evaluated. Fish fed vitamin C and C + E supplemented diets showed greater weight gain and survival. Dietary vitamin C and C + E diet supplementation resulted in increased Ht, Hb, RBC, MCHC, total leukocytes, total proteins, thrombocytes and eosinophils compared to the control and α-T. The α-tocopherol-supplemented diet reduced the number of total thrombocytes, lymphocytes and neutrophils and increased glucose and eosinophils relatively to the control. In general, leukocytes and thrombocytes were good indicators of the efficiency of vitamin on the defense mechanism of the A. gigas reared in cages. Results indicate that high α-T diet supplementation provides no benefit for the maintenance of the oxidative or the immunological status of A. gigas. However, it was demonstrated that high dietary AA improves A. gigas immunological status. Red blood cell indices and immune system indicators showed no synergistic effect between the vitamins after supplementing the A. gigas diet with α-T + AA. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Efeito do raloxifeno sobre a densidade mamográfica em mulheres na pós-menopausa

PURPOSE: to evaluate changes in mammographic breast density in postmenopausal women using raloxifene. METHODS: in this clinical trial, 80 women (mean age=61.1 years) were studied prospectively. Forty patients received 60 mg/day raloxifene, and 40 women comprised the non-treated group (control), paired by age and time of menopause. The treated group was composed of patients with osteoporosis of the lumbar spine. Those with history of breast surgery and users of hormone therapy up to six months prior to the study were excluded. The breast density was assessed qualitatively (subjective) and quantitatively (objective) in two moments, initial and final, after a 6-month follow-up. The 320 mammograms (craniocaudal and oblique) were interpreted qualitatively by the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification and quantitatively by digital scanning and computer-assisted segmentation. For statistical analysis t-test, Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney, Spearman correlation and the kappa index were used. RESULTS: on the initial statistical comparison, the groups were considered homogenous for the variables: analyzed age, time of menopause, parity, breast feeding, previous hormonal therapy and body mass index. Baseline breast density, by qualitative and quantitative methods, correlated negatively with the age in both groups (p<0.05). Concerning the other variables, there was no correlation. After six months, no alteration was observed in the mammographic breast density in 38 women of raloxifene group and 38 of the control group, by qualitative method. However, by quantitative method, no alteration was observed in 30 women of the raloxifene group and 27 controls (p>0.05). It was observed a weak agreement rate (kappa=0.25) between the BI-RADS classification and digital scanning/computer-assisted segmentation. CONCLUSIONS: in post-menopausal women with osteoporosis, submitted to raloxifene treatment for six months, no alterations were observed on the mammographic breast density.

Residual antibacterial activity of chlorhexidine digluconate and camphorated p-monochlorophenol in calcium hydroxide-based root canal dressings

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the residual antibacterial activity of several calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH) 2]-based pastes, placed in root canals of dogs' teeth with induced chronic periapical lesions. Root canals were instrumented with the ProFile rotary system and filled with 4 pastes: G1 (n=16): Ca(OH) 2 paste + anesthetic solution; G2 (n=20): Calen® paste + camphorated pmonochlorophenol (CMCP); G3 (n=18): Calen®; and G4 (n=18): Ca(OH) 2 paste + 2% chlorhexidine digluconate. After 21 days, the pastes were removed with size 60 K-files and placed on Petri plates with agar inoculated with Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341. Pastes that were not placed into root canals served as control. After pre-diffusion, incubation and optimization, the inhibition zones of bacterial growth were measured and analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test at 5% significance level. All pastes showed residual antibacterial activity. The control samples had larger halos (p<0.05). The mean residual antibacterial activity halos in G1, G2, G3 and G4 were 7.6; 10.4; 17.7 and 21.4 mm, respectively. The zones of bacterial growth of G4 were significantly larger than those of G1 and G2 (p<0.05). In conclusion, regardless of the vehicle and antiseptic, all Ca(OH) 2-based pastes showed different degrees of measurable residual antibacterial activity. Furthermore, unlike CMCP, chlorhexidine increased significantly the antibacterial activity of Ca(OH) 2.

Effectiveness of intraoral suction systems and aspirating tips for evacuation of aluminum oxide particles during use of air-abrasion

Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a high-volume evacuation and a conventional intraoral suction system and aspirating tips for capturing aluminum oxide particles during use of an air-abrasion device. Methods: A phantom head was fixed at the dental chair head with secured a metallic device with 5 horizontal shafts, corresponding to operator's clockrelated working positions, and one vertical shaft to simulate the operator's nasal cavity. Petri plates were fixed to the shafts at distances of 20, 40 and 60 cm from the center of the oral cavity of the phantom head to collect the aluminum oxide particles spread over during air abrasion. The dust was aspirated with two types of suction tips used with both suction systems: a conventional saliva ejector and a saliva ejector customized by the adaptation of a 55-mm-diameter funnel. Results: The amount of particles showed that the greatest abrasive particle deposition occurred at a distance of 20 cm from the center of the oral cavity of the phantom head at 9 o'clock operatory position with the conventional saliva ejector attached to high-volume evacuation system. Conclusions: The greatest deposition of aluminum oxide particles occurred at the shortest distance between the operator and the center of the oral cavity, while using the high-volume evacuation system associated to the conventional suction tip.

Utilização de extratos de plantas medicinais e óleo de Eucaliptus no controle in vitro de Microsporum canis

INTRODUCTION: Microsporum canis is the most common cause of canine and feline dermatophytosis and thus has an important zoonotic role. OBJECTIVES: the aim of this study was to determine the antifungal action of medicinal plant extracts and of eucalyptus oil against pathogenic fungus Microsporum canis. METHODS: the extracts were prepared by mixing 300 g of previously washed leaves with 450 mL of distilled water. Then the material was triturated, filtered, sterilized and conserved at 10 + 2 oC. Fifteen milliliters of sterilized medium Sabouraud dextrose (Difco) at a temperature of 55 + 1 oC was added in Petri dishes containing the extracts in one, two, three, four and five mm concentrations. The fungus was inoculated once the medium was solidified. The inoculated dishes were maintained in B.O.D. incubator at 36 ± 0,5 oC until the fungus developed in the controls. RESULTS: the extracts from Punica granatum, Mangifera indica and Eucalyptus spp reduced the growth of fungus, but the extracts from Cymgopogom nardus, Tagetes minuta, Ruta graviolens, Cyperus rotundus, Annona moricata and Calendula spp leaves and flowers boosted the growth of fungus. The other extracts and the eucalyptus oil neither show any fungicidal action nor encourage mycelium growth. CONCLUSIONS: the use of most tested extracts and eucalyptus oil is not suitable for the treatment of Microsporum canis dermatophytosis due to lack of inhibitory effects. The extracts from Cymgopogom nardus, Tagetes minuta, Ruta graviolens, Cyperus rotundus, Annona moricata and from of Calendula spp leaves and flowers help the development of the fungus making clear that phytotherapy should be properly used, otherwise it can worsen the problem. However; extracts from Mangifera indica, Punica granatum and Eucalyptus spp. can be used as fungistatic.

Concentrações de ácido giberélico e períodos de estratificação na emergência do porta-enxerto de marmeleiro 'Japonês' (Chaenomeles sinensis)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação de métodos de escarificação na superação de dormência de chizolobium parahyba (vell.) blake (Fabaceae: caesalpinioideae)

Dormancy caused by the tegument's impermeability to water is a feature of Schizolobium parahyba seeds. So that the best methodology for overcoming the species's dormancy may be determined, the seeds were submitted to mechanical scarification treatments, using sandpaper and scissors, on the opposite side of the hilum. Chemical scarification was also undertaken with sulfuric (H2SO4) and hydrochloric (HCl) acids for 30 minutes. Seeds were distributed in groups of 25 units in four petri plates. The experiment was undertaken in a BOD germination chamber at 25°C and 120 μmol.m^-2.s^-1. Data were used to calculate the germination capacity (G%), the Germination Velocity Index (IVG) and Mean Germination Time (TM). Imbibation curve was also calculated to analyze the dormancy type of the seeds by using the three-phase model where phase FI was completed in 6 hours and FIII was initiated after 12 hours of imbibation. Results show that whereas pre-germinative treatments trigger S. parahyba germination, mechanical scarification is the most effective method to overcome the species's dormancy.

Virtual instrumentation: A practical approach to control and supervision process

This work describes a control and supervision application takes into account the virtual instrumentation advantages to control and supervision industrial manufacturing stations belonging to the modular production system MPS® by Festo. These stations integrate sensors, actuators, conveyor belt and other industrial elements. The focus in this approach was to replace the use of programmable logic controllers by a computer equipped with a software application based on Labview and, together, performs the functions of traditional instruments and PLCs. The manufacturing stations had their processes modeled and simulated in Petri nets. After the models were implemented in Labview environment. Tests and previous similar works in MPS® installed in Automation Laboratory, at UNESP Sorocaba campus, showed the materials and methods used in this work allow the successful use of virtual instrumentation. The results indicate the technology as an advantageous approach for the automation of industrial processes, with gains in flexibility and reduction in project cost. © 2011 IEEE.

Reduction of bacterial adhesion to biocompatible polymer surfaces via plasma processing

Plasma processing of the surfaces of biomaterials is interesting because it enables modification of the characteristics of a surface without affecting bulk properties. In addition, the results are strongly influenced by the conditions of the treatment. Therefore, by adjusting the plasma parameters it is possible to tailor the surface properties to best fulfill the requirements of a given application. In this work, polyurethane substrates have been subjected to sulfur hexafluoride glow discharge plasmas. The influences of different SF 6 plasma exposure times and pressures on the adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the polymer have been investigated. The wettability and surface free energy have been evaluated via contact angle measurements. At low pressure (6.7 Pa) the contact angle decreases with increasing exposure time in the 180 s to 540 s interval, but at higher pressure (13.3 Pa) it increases as a function of the same variable. Bacterial adhesion has been quantified from in vitro experiments by determining the growth of colonies on Petri dishes treated with agar nutrient. It has been observed that the surface properties play an important role in microbe adhesion. For instance, the density of adhered P. aeruginosa decreased as the surface contact angle increased. S. aureus preferred to adhere to hydrophobic surfaces. © 2011 by Begell House, Inc.

Efeito da temperatura no desenvolvimento e sobrevivência da cochonilha pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti, 1867) (hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) em cafeeiro

The longtailed mealybug Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti, 1867) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) has been reported attacking coffee crops causing fruit fall in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The knowledge of the population dynamic of this pest is then necessary to implement control measures. Its development was studied at temperatures of 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C, determining the thermal requirements. The insects were confined inside a Petri dish containing a foliar disc of 4 cm diameter of Coffea arabica L., cultivar 'Acaiá Cerrado'. The temperature affected the P. longispinus development and survival. Few insects survived at temperatures of 15 and 30°C, and 100% of mortality was obtained at 35°C. The duration of the nymphal stage was reduced when the temperature was increased from 20 to 25°C, with a survival rate of 80% at both temperatures. The thermal parameters varied according to the development stage of the mealybug and the base temperature was fixed at 8.0 °C for the nymphal stage of females, a thermal constant of 422.1 day degrees and number of generations increased with rising temperature. The optimal temperature for the insect development was 25°C.