Extensor carpi ulnaris accessory tendinous slips (ECUATS): MRI features at 3.0T and correlation with tendinosis : 49

Purpose: To assess the visibility and the features of ECUATS on 3.0-T MRI studies, and evaluate their correlation with tendinosis. Methods and materials: Our retrospective study was approved by IRB, with waiver of informed consent. Fifty wrist MRI and 48 MR arthrographies from 98 patients (55 males, 43 females, mean age 42.3 years) performed between January and November 2009 on 3.0-T units were reviewed. Images (transverse T1, T2, FS Gd T1 and VIBE) were independently analyzed by two radiologists, and a consensus reached with a third reader in case of disagreement. The visibility of ECUATS was assessed on each available transverse sequence. When present, ECUATS' origins, diameters and insertions were noted. ECU tendinosis was also evaluated. Inter-rater agreement was assessed using Cohen's Kappa coefficient. Results: ECUATS observed prevalence was 23.5% (23/98). ECUATS were more frequently noted on the VIBE sequence, with a good inter-rater agreement (Kappa = 0.72). Origins were noted in 95.7% of cases: 3 were at the level of, and 20 distal to ECU subsheath. Insertions were seen in 43.5%: 2 were on 5th metacarpal bone, 8 on extensor apparatus of 5th finger. ECUATS mean shortest and longest diameters were 0.54 and 0.85 mm respectively. ECU tendinosis was statistically more frequently noted in patients with ECUATS (p <0.05). Conclusion: ECUATS are readily visible on 3.0-T MRI studies, especially on transverse GRE VIBE images. ECU tendinosis is more frequently noted in patients bearing ECUATS.

Watermelon transformation with Zucchini yellow mosaic virus coat protein gene and comparison with parental cultivar

The objective of this work was to transfer Zucchini yellow mosaic virus coat protein (ZYMV-CP) and neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPT II) genes to the watermelon 'Crimson Sweet'(CS) genome, and to compare the transgenic progenies T1 and T2 with the nontransformed parental cultivar for morphological, pomological, growth and yield characteristics. The ZYMV-CP gene was transferred by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The presence of the gene in transgenic T0, T1 and T2 plants was determined by polymerase chain reaction, and the results were confirmed by Southern blot. Two experiments were performed, one in the winter-spring and the other in the summer-autumn. In both experiments, the hypocotyl length of transgenic seedlings was significantly higher than that of nontransgenic parental ones. In the second experiment, the differences between transgenic and nontransgenic individuals were significant concerning fruit rind thickness, flesh firmness, fruit peduncle length, size of pistil scar, and a* values for fruit stripe or flesh color. Transferring ZYMV-CP gene to CS genome affected only a few characteristics from the 80 evaluated ones. The changes in rind thickness, flesh firmness and flesh color a* values are favorable, while the increase in the size of pistil scar is undesirable. The transgenic watermelon line having ZYMV-CP gene and the parental cultivar CS are very similar.

Quantitative multi-parameter mapping of R1, PD(*), MT, and R2(*) at 3T: a multi-center validation.

Multi-center studies using magnetic resonance imaging facilitate studying small effect sizes, global population variance and rare diseases. The reliability and sensitivity of these multi-center studies crucially depend on the comparability of the data generated at different sites and time points. The level of inter-site comparability is still controversial for conventional anatomical T1-weighted MRI data. Quantitative multi-parameter mapping (MPM) was designed to provide MR parameter measures that are comparable across sites and time points, i.e., 1 mm high-resolution maps of the longitudinal relaxation rate (R1 = 1/T1), effective proton density (PD(*)), magnetization transfer saturation (MT) and effective transverse relaxation rate (R2(*) = 1/T2(*)). MPM was validated at 3T for use in multi-center studies by scanning five volunteers at three different sites. We determined the inter-site bias, inter-site and intra-site coefficient of variation (CoV) for typical morphometric measures [i.e., gray matter (GM) probability maps used in voxel-based morphometry] and the four quantitative parameters. The inter-site bias and CoV were smaller than 3.1 and 8%, respectively, except for the inter-site CoV of R2(*) (<20%). The GM probability maps based on the MT parameter maps had a 14% higher inter-site reproducibility than maps based on conventional T1-weighted images. The low inter-site bias and variance in the parameters and derived GM probability maps confirm the high comparability of the quantitative maps across sites and time points. The reliability, short acquisition time, high resolution and the detailed insights into the brain microstructure provided by MPM makes it an efficient tool for multi-center imaging studies.

T cell recognition of hapten. Anatomy of T cell receptor binding of a H-2kd-associated photoreactive peptide derivative.

To elucidate the structural basis of T cell recognition of hapten-modified antigenic peptides, we studied the interaction of the T1 T cell antigen receptor (TCR) with its ligand, the H-2Kd-bound Plasmodium berghei circumsporozoite peptide 252-260 (SYIPSAEKI) containing photoreactive 4-azidobenzoic acid (ABA) on P. berghei circumsporozoite Lys259. The photoaffinity-labeled TCR residue(s) were mapped as Tyr48 and/or Tyr50 of complementary determining region 2beta (CDR2beta). Other TCR-ligand contacts were identified by mutational analysis. Molecular modeling, based on crystallographic coordinates of closely related TCR and major histocompatibility complex I molecules, indicated that ABA binds strongly and specifically in a cavity between CDR3alpha and CDR2beta. We conclude that TCR expressing selective Vbeta and CDR3alpha sequences form a binding domain between CDR3alpha and CDR2beta that can accommodate nonpeptidic moieties conjugated at the C-terminal portion of peptides binding to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) encoded proteins.

Transgenic tomato plants expressing the antigen gene PfCP-2.9 of Plasmodium falciparum

The objective of this work was to obtain transgenic tomato plants expressing the PfCP-2.9 protein (a chimera of the antigens MSP1 and AMA1 of Plasmodium falciparum). Cotyledons of seven-day-old tomatoes, cultivar Summers, were transformed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Transgenic expression in the T0 plants was verified in the DNA extracted from fruits. PCR analysis was used to test the presence of the gene of interest in the T1 generation. Reverse transcriptase PCR provided evidence of gene expression at the RNA level, and Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of the protein of interest in the T1 plants. This is the first report of successful transformation with the expression of a malaria antigen (PfCP-2.9) in transgenic tomato plants from the T0 and T1 generations.

Par��metros zoot��cnicos de juvenis de pacu alimentados a diferentes frequ��ncias de arra��oamento em tanques-rede

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho zoot��cnico e as caracter��sticas bromatol��gicas e hematol��gicas de pacus alimentados a diferentes frequ��ncias de arra��oamento. Tr��s mil e duzentos peixes, com peso inicial m��dio de 65,9��2,36 g, foram distribu��dos em 16 tanques-rede de 5 m�� de volume ��til. Durante 65 dias, foram avaliadas quatro frequ��ncias de arra��oamento (tratamentos): T1, ��s 12:00 h; T2, ��s 8:00 e ��s 17:00 h; T3, ��s 8:00, 12:00 e 17:00 h; e T4, ��s 8:00, 11:00, 14:00 e 17:00 h. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repeti����es. Analisaram-se par��metros de desempenho produtivo, ��ndices de gordura visceral e hepatossom��tico, composi����o centesimal da carca��a e par��metros hematol��gicos e bioqu��micos. Quanto ao ganho de peso, as frequ��ncias T3 e T4 proporcionaram melhores resultados do que T1 e T2. Embora a prote��na, o colesterol e os eritr��citos tenham apresentado diferen��as entre os tratamentos, permaneceram dentro dos valores de refer��ncia para pacus cultivados em tanques-rede. A frequ��ncia de tr��s arra��oamentos di��rios resultou em maior ganho de peso, em compara����o aos demais tratamentos, sem interferir na sa��de e na composi����o centesimal das carca��as dos animais.

Plasma levels of luteinizing hormone and gonadal maturation of lambari females under different photoperiods

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of photoperiod on luteinizing hormone (LH) plasma levels and gonadal maturation of lambari females. One hundred and twenty adult lambaris, distributed into 12 aquaria of 20 L each, were randomly subjected to three different treatments, in a completely randomized design, and four replicates. Treatments were photoperiods in hours of light (L) and darkness (D): T1, 0 L:24 D; T2, 12 L:12 D; T3, 24 L:0 D. After 40 days, fish were subjected to fasting for 24 hours and, then, anesthetized. Immediately after slaughter, fish were weighed, and their gonads and livers were removed and weighed. Ovaries were weighed and immersed in Bouin's fixative solution for 24 hours and, then, kept in 70% alcohol until processing the material. Subsequently, the oocyte developmental stage was determined. No significant differences were observed between treatments for final weight, ovary weight, gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI) and LH levels. In all treatments, lambari females showed maturing ovaries with prevalence of vitellogenic oocytes. Photoperiod does not affect the LH levels and ovarian maturation in lambari females.

Protective effect and economic impact of insecticide application methods on barley

The objective of this work was to evaluate the protective effect of different forms of insecticide application on the transmission of yellow dwarf disease in barley cultivars, as well as to determine the production costs and the net profit of these managements. The experiments were carried out during 2011 and 2012 growing seasons, using the following managements at main plots: T1, seed treatment with insecticide (ST) + insecticide on shoots at 15-day interval; T2, just ST; T3, insecticide applied on shoots, when aphid control level (CL) was reached; T4, without insecticide; and T5, ST + insecticide on shoots when CL was reached. Different barley cultivars - BRS Cau��, BRS Brau and MN 6021 - were arranged in the subplots. Insecticides lambda cyhalothrin (pyrethroid) and thiamethoxam (neonicotinoid) were used. There were differences on yellow dwarf disease index in both seasons for the different treatments, while damage to grain yield was influenced by year and aphid population. Production costs and net profit were different among treatments. Seed treatment with insecticide is sufficient to reduce the transmission of yellow dwarf disease in years with low aphid population pressure, while in years with larger populations, the application of insecticide on shoots is also required.

Reguladores de crescimento na frutifica����o efetiva e qualidade de frutos partenoc��rpicos de atemoia 'Gefner'

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de reguladores de crescimento vegetal sobre a frutificação efetiva e a qualidade de frutos partenocárpicos de atemoia 'Gefner'. O experimento foi realizado em pomar de atemoia 'Gefner', em Homestead, Flórida, EUA. Utilizou-se um delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos, cinco repetições e seis flores por parcela. Os tratamentos foram compostos por: T1, ácido naftaleno acético a 450 mg L-1 e ácido giberélico a 1.000 mg L-1; T2, promalina a 100 mg L-1 e ácido giberélico a 1.000 mg L-1; T3, ácido giberélico a 1.000 mg L-1; e T4, polinização artificial (testemunha). Foram avaliados a frutificação efetiva, o crescimento e a qualidade dos frutos. A aplicação dos ácidos naftaleno acético e giberélico a flores de atemoia 'Gefner' proporcionou elevada frutificação efetiva, semelhante à da polinização artificial. A aplicação do ácido giberélico, associado ou não ao ácido naftaleno ou à promalina, resulta na produção de frutos de atemoia 'Gefner' mais tardios e menores do que os oriundos da polinização artificial, mas com boa proporção de polpa, excelente teor de sólidos solúveis e, principalmente, frutos sem sementes (partenocárpicos).

Conserva����o e desengorduramento de gr��os de p��len de bacurizeiro

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de m��todos de extra����o da oleosidade de gr��os de p��len de bacurizeiro (Platonia insignis), sobre sua viabilidade. Avaliaram-se sete tratamentos para a extra����o de lip��dios do p��len, cinco deles por imers��o em ��ter de petr��leo por 30 s (T1), 60 s (T2), 300 s (T3), 600 s (T4), e 900 s (T5), e dois por imers��o em 25% de ��lcool e 75% de ��ter petr��leo por 60 s (T6) e 900 s (T7); e um tratamento-controle, sem a adi����o de solventes. Posteriormente, os gr��os de p��len desengordurados foram submetidos a um teste de germina����o in vitro. Os gr��os de p��len submetidos a T2, T3, T4 e T5 apresentaram teores de lip��dios menores do que o do tratamento-controle. O tratamento T2 promoveu a maior germina����o dos p��lens.

FLORESCIMENTO E FRUTIFICA����O DE MANGUEIRA COM USO DE PACLOBUTRAZOL, ETHEPHON E NITRATO DE C��LCIO

Este trabalho objetivou testar diferentes doses de Paclobutrazol (PBZ), ethephon e nitrato de c��lcio na indu����o do florescimento e na produ����o da mangueira (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Tommy Atkins, localizada no pomar did��tico da ESAM em Mossor��-RN, no ano de 1999/2000. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, no esquema fatorial 2x2x3, assim distribu��dos: T1 1000 mg.L-1 de PBZ+ 2% de nitrato de c��lcio; T2 1000 mg.L-1 de PBZ + 2% de nitrato de c��lcio + 1,0 mL.L-1 de ethephon; T3 1000 mg.L-1 de PBZ + 2% de nitrato de c��lcio + 3,0 mL.L-1 de ethephon; T4 1000 mg. L-1 de PBZ + 3% de nitrato de c��lcio; T5 1000 mg.L-1 de PBZ + 3% de nitrato de c��lcio + 1,0 mL.L-1 de ethephon; T6 1000 mg.L-1 de PBZ + 3% de nitrato de c��lcio + 3,0 mL.L-1 de ethephon ; T7 1500 mg.L-1 de PBZ + 2% de nitrato de c��lcio; T8 1500 mg.L-1 de PBZ + 2% de nitrato de c��lcio + 1,0 mL.L-1 de ethephon; T9 1500 mg.L-1 de PBZ + 2% de nitrato de c��lcio + 3,0 mL.L-1 de ethephon; T10 1500 mg.L-1 de PBZ+ 3% de nitrato de c��lcio; T11 1500 mg.L-1 de PBZ + 3% de nitrato de c��lcio + 1,0 mL.L-1 de ethephon.L; T12 1500 mg.L-1 de PBZ + 3% de nitrato de c��lcio + 3,0 mL.L-1 de ethephon, com 4 repeti����es. A mangueira teve um maior florescimento (81,75%) com 2% de nitrato de c��lcio e 1500 mg. L-1 de PBZ, o n��mero de frutos por planta teve seu maior valor (86 frutos) com 3% de nitrato de c��lcio e 1500 mg L-1 de PBZ e o peso do fruto foi maior (425,5g) na dosagem de 3mL.L-1 de ethephon. Os produtos aplicados n��o diferenciaram entre si em rela����o �� produ����o.

INDU����O DO AMADURECIMENTO DE FRUTOS C��TRICOS EM P��S-COLHEITA COM A APLICA����O DE ETHEPHON

O presente experimento foi conduzido no Departamento de Bot��nica -- IB/Unesp, Botucatu-SP, com o objetivo de estudar o efeito da aplica����o p��s-colheita de Ethephon no desverdecimento de laranjas-doces (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) cultivar 'Hamlin' e 'Baianinha', consideradas cultivares precoces. Os frutos foram imersos por diferentes tempos em solu����o aquosa de Ethephon mais 0,05% do adjuvante Extravon (25% de Alquilfenol - poliglicol��ter). Os frutos foram colocados em caixas de madeira, sobre bancada, em temperatura ambiente, onde permaneceram por 72 horas. Os tratamentos utilizados foram os seguintes: T1- testemunha (��gua); T2 -- Ethephon -- 1000 mg.L-1 / 5 minutos de imers��o; T3 - Ethephon -- 2000 mg.L-1 / 5 minutos de imers��o; T4 -- Ethephon -- 3000 mg.L-1 / 5 minutos de imers��o; T5 -- Ethephon -- 4000 mg.L-1 / 5 minutos de imers��o; T6 -- Ethephon -- 1000 mg.L-1 / 10 minutos de imers��o; T7 - Ethephon -- 2000 mg.L-1 / 10 minutos de imers��o; T8 -- Ethephon -- 3000 mg.L-1 / 10 minutos de imers��o; T9 -- Ethephon -- 4000 mg.L-1 / 10 minutos de imers��o. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com 9 tratamentos e 4 repeti����es. Ap��s 72 horas, o experimento foi avaliado atrav��s das seguintes vari��veis: teor de clorofila da casca, teor de s��lidos sol��veis (0Brix) e textura dos frutos, al��m da an��lise visual com a utiliza����o de fotografias. Com isso, verificou-se que houve influ��ncia do Ethephon no processo de mudan��a da cor da casca de frutos c��tricos em todos os tratamentos, diferenciado-se estatisticamente da testemunha, por��m, na concentra����o de 4000 mg.L-1, houve in��cio de necrose em alguns pontos da casca dos frutos. Assim, pode-se concluir que a melhor concentra����o foi a de 1000 mg.L-1 de Ethephon, para acelerar o processo de desverdecimento ou mudan��a da colora����o da casca de frutos de laranjas precoces cultivares 'Hamlin' e 'Baianinha'.

MORFOLOGIA FLORAL DA GOIABEIRA SERRANA (Feijoa sellowiana) E SUAS IMPLICA����ES NA POLINIZA����O

Esse estudo teve por objetivo caracterizar varia����es na arquitetura floral da Feijoa sellowiana e determinar sua influ��ncia sobre a poliniza����o. Foram avaliados o comprimento do pistilo, a dist��ncia entre estigma e estames, o di��metro de abertura e a distribui����o dos estames na flor, com base em 7 flores de 15 acessos do Banco de Germoplasma da esp��cie. Distinguiram-se 3 classes de dist��ncias m��dias entre estigma e estames: 0,2 (C1), 0,7 (C2) e 1,2 cm (C3), e duas classes de distribui����o de estames na flor (radial e aleat��ria). Sorteou-se uma planta por classe de dist��ncia entre estigma e estames, a qual teve 50 flores marcadas para cada um dos seguintes tratamentos: T1-poliniza����o aberta; T2-tela contra p��ssaros e T3-tela contra p��ssaros e insetos. A frutifica����o foi de 47% em T1 para C2 e de 22% para C3, diferen��a que pode ser devida ao gen��tipo e/ou altern��ncia de produ����o. No T2, a frutifica����o foi 31% em C2, 15,4% em C1 e 3% em C3. A superioridade de T1 sobre T2 pode ser devida �� poliniza����o por p��ssaros. Essa superioridade foi mais expressiva em C3 do que em C2, o que sugere que C3 �� mais dependente de p��ssaros. A frutifica����o em T2 pode ainda evidenciar a poliniza����o por insetos e foi menor para C3, o que pode estar sendo causado pelo maior afastamento do estigma. A frutifica����o em T3 para C1 (7%) e C2 (15%) sugere que o vento ou a autopoliniza����o tamb��m possam efetuar a poliniza����o.

Patterns of neurovascular compression in patients with classic trigeminal neuralgia: A high-resolution MRI-based study.

PURPOSE: To describe the anatomical characteristics and patterns of neurovascular compression in patients suffering classic trigeminal neuralgia (CTN), using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analysis of the anatomy of the trigeminal nerve, brain stem and the vascular structures related to this nerve was made in 100 consecutive patients treated with a Gamma Knife radiosurgery for CTN between December 1999 and September 2004. MRI studies (T1, T1 enhanced and T2-SPIR) with axial, coronal and sagital simultaneous visualization were dynamically assessed using the software GammaPlan?. Three-dimensional reconstructions were also developed in some representative cases. RESULTS: In 93 patients (93%), there were one or several vascular structures in contact, either, with the trigeminal nerve, or close to its origin in the pons. The superior cerebellar artery was involved in 71 cases (76%). Other vessels identified were the antero-inferior cerebellar artery, the basilar artery, the vertebral artery, and some venous structures. Vascular compression was found anywhere along the trigeminal nerve. The mean distance between the nerve compression and the origin of the nerve in the brainstem was 3.76��2.9mm (range 0-9.8mm). In 39 patients (42%), the vascular compression was located proximally and in 42 (45%) the compression was located distally. Nerve dislocation or distortion by the vessel was observed in 30 cases (32%). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study are similar to those reported in surgical and autopsy series. This non-invasive MRI-based approach could be useful for diagnostic and therapeutic decisions in CTN, and it could help to understand its pathogenesis.