Mast cells and transforming growth factor-beta expression: a possible relationship in the development of porphyria cutanea tarda skin lesions

Background Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a metabolic disease characterized by vesicles and blisters in sun-exposed areas and scleroderma-like lesions in sun-exposed and non-sun-exposed areas. Mast cells participate in the pathogenesis of bullous diseases and diseases that show sclerosis, including PCT. Moreover, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is the main cytokine in the development of tissue sclerosis. The correlation of mast cells and TGF-beta with the lesions of PCT has not been examined, however. The possible role of mast cells and TGF-beta (and the relationship between them) in the development of PCT lesions is discussed. Methods To quantify mast cells and cells expressing TGF-beta in skin samples from patients with PCT and controls, immunohistochemical studies were performed in tissue sections allied to morphometric analyses. Results The numbers of mast cells and cells expressing TGF-beta per square millimiter were increased in the PCT group relative to controls, and there was a direct and significant correlation between the mast cell number and cells expressing TGF-beta in PCT. Conclusions The results suggest that the increased number of mast cells and of cells expressing TGF-beta, as well as their direct correlation, may contribute to the pathogenesis of the skin lesions in PCT.

Fitorremediação de solo contaminado com picloram por capim-pé-de-galinha-gigante (Eleusine coracana)

O longo efeito residual do herbicida picloram no solo aumenta o risco de lixiviação e de fitotoxicidade em culturas sucedâneas; sua presença no solo pode ser abreviada com o uso da fitorremediação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da densidade populacional de capim-pé-de-galinha-gigante (Eleusine coracana) sobre a fitorremediação de solo contaminado com o herbicida picloram. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação localizada no município de Rio Verde-GO, no período de setembro de 2006 a fevereiro de 2007. Os tratamentos foram compostos pela combinação entre quatro densidades populacionais da espécie vegetal Eleusine coracana (capim-pé-de-galinha-gigante) (0, 7, 14 e 21 plantas por vaso, correspondendo a 0, 172, 344 e 516 plantas m-2, respectivamente) e três doses do picloram (0, 80 e 160 g ha-1 - aplicadas diretamente nos vasos, simulando níveis de contaminação do solo). Após o cultivo da espécie vegetal fitorremediadora no substrato por 100 dias, efetuou-se, no próprio vaso, a semeadura da soja (Glycine max L.), espécie utilizada como bioindicadora da presença do picloram. A espécie Eleusine coracana mostrou ter capacidade de remediar solos contaminados com o herbicida picloram. A partir de 172 plantas m-2, aumentos na densidade populacional da espécie fitorremediadora não proporcionaram redução de carryover do herbicida picloram sobre a cultura da soja semeada em sucessão.

Crescimento, teores e acúmulo de nutrientes em plantas de milho fertirrigadas com água residuária do beneficiamento de frutos de café

A cultura do cafeeiro sempre ocupou lugar de destaque na economia do país, dada sua importância na área econômica e social, buscando cada vez mais, um mercado diferenciado, com novas tecnologias para a melhoria da qualidade da bebida. A atividade de lavagem e despolpa de frutos do cafeeiro, necessária para a redução do custo de secagem e a melhoria da qualidade de bebida, é geradora de grandes volumes de resíduos sólidos e líquidos, ricos em material orgânico e inorgânico. A água residuária da atividade de beneficiamento do café (ARC) é gerada anualmente em grande volume no Espírito Santo, e aliado aos nutrientes existentes nesse efluente indica a sua viabilidade de reaproveitamento na fertirrigação de culturas agrícolas. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes doses de água residuária de café no crescimento, na absorção e interação entre nutrientes e no estado nutricional do milho. Para tanto, foi conduzido um experimento em casa de vegetação utilizando-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, onde foram aplicadas 7 doses de ARC, com 3 repetições, em unidades experimentais constituídas por vasos com 2 dm³ de solo. As doses foram equivalentes a 0,00, 15,17, 30,35, 45,52, 60,70, 75,87 e 91,05 litros de ARC por m² de solo. Realizou-se a semeadura de cinco sementes de milho híbrido BR 206 por vaso e cinco dias após a germinação das plantas foi feito o desbaste, mantendo-se três plantas por vaso. Aos trinta dias após a germinação determinou-se o diâmetro do caule (DC), área foliar (AF), matéria seca da parte aérea (MSPA), matéria seca do sistema radicular (MSR), relação parte aérea/raiz (MSPA/MSR), razão massa radicular (matéria seca raiz/matéria seca total) e razão área foliar (área foliar/matéria seca total). Na parte aérea das plantas foi determinado os teores dos macronutrientes (N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S). Os dados foram submetidos a análise de variância e as variáveis em função das doses de ARC submetidas a análise de regressão. Para as variáveis dependentes foi calculado o coeficiente de correlação linear de Pearson. A ARC serviu como fonte de nutrientes para as plantas de milho, aumentou o rendimento da maioria das variáveis de crescimento e os teores de N, K e S. Porém diminuiu o teor de Ca, Mg e P da parte aérea das plantas além de indicar que altas doses promovem desbalanceamento na relação entre nutrientes.

Potássio : fontes alternativas, tratamentos térmicos e disponibilidade para plantas de milho (Zea Mays L.)

Nosso país é um dos principais produtores agrícolas do mundo e altamente dependente da importação de fertilizantes, principalmente o potássio. Visando reduzir essa dependência, materiais provenientes de rochas para fornecimento desse elemento estão sendo testados. Este estudo foi divido em dois experimentos: um experimento em laboratório e um em casa de vegetação. O experimento em laboratório teve por objetivo avaliar os diferentes tipos de tratamentos térmicos e extratores, associados a fontes alternativas de potássio, no aumento da disponibilidade de K. O ensaio foi realizado num delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado num esquema fatorial 4 x 5 x 3, com quatro repetições. Os fatores estudados foram: quatro fontes alternativas de potássio (verdete, fonolito, gnaisse e granito); cinco tratamentos térmicos (radiação em forno micro-ondas; autoclavagem; aquecimento em forno mufla com resfriamento rápido; aquecimento em forno mufla com resfriamento lento; e o material in natura); e três extratores: água, ácido cítrico 2 % e solução Mehlich-1. As extrações foram realizadas utilizando 4 g das fontes alternativas, adicionando-se 40 mL de cada extrator, as amostras foram agitadas, centrifugadas, filtradas e avolumadas. Foram realizadas seis extrações sucessivas e determinada a concentração de potássio nos extratos. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância, sendo seus efeitos desdobrados em contrastes ortogonais. O experimento em casa de vegetação teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito da utilização de fontes alternativas de potássio, submetidas a tratamentos térmicos, no fornecimento de potássio para plantas de milho (Zea mays L.). O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos casualizados, em um esquema fatorial (3 x 5) + 1, sendo três fontes alternativas de K (verdete, fonolito e granito), submetidas à cinco diferentes tratamentos (aquecimento em forno mufla com resfriamento lento, aquecimento em forno mufla com resfriamento rápido, radiação em forno micro-ondas, autoclavagem, e o material in natura). As fontes alternativas foram comparadas com o cloreto KCl. Amostras de solo contendo 2 dm³ de TFSA, foram incubadas durante 20 dias. Após a adubação, em cada vaso foram aplicadas as fontes alternativas de potássio. Realizou-se o plantio com cinco sementes de milho e posterior desbaste, deixando três plantas por vaso. Decorridos 40 dias da semeadura, foi realizado o corte da parte aérea das plantas, a coleta de amostras de solo para análise dos teores de potássio e separação das raízes. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância e desdobrados em contrastes ortogonais. Observando os resultados obtidos nos experimentos de laboratório e casa de vegetação, podemos concluir que a fonte alternativa e proporcionou melhores resultados e que possui potencial agronômico para ser utilizada como fonte alternativa de potássio foi o fonolito. Utilizando o fonolito como fonte alternativa de nutrientes, o tratamento térmico que proporcionou melhores resultados foi o com aquecimento em forno mufla, principalmente quando o resfriamento foi realizado lentamente.

Broccoli yield in response to top-dressing fertilization with green manure and biofertilizer

The objective of this work was to evaluate the productive performance of broccoli under different top-dressing organic fertilizations. The experiment was conducted under protected cultivation, in a completely randomized design with four replications, with two plants per experimental unit. Broccoli seedlings were produced in a commercial substrate in styrofoam trays. The seedlings were transplanted to plastic pots containing 10.0 L of substrate made up of subsoil and organic compost at the ratio of 3:1 (v/v), respectively, which is equivalent to about 20.0 t ha-1 of organic compost at planting. After seedling establishment, the top-dressing fertilization treatments were applied: gliricidia biomass associated or not with liquid biofertilizer of cattle manure to the soil and bokashi. Two control treatments were established: one with mineral fertilization recommended for the crop and the other without top-dressing fertilization. The broccoli production was evaluated (commercial standard). Plants that received mineral fertilizer were more productive, however, they were not significantly different (p>0.05), by Dunnet test, from the plants fertilized with 2.5 t ha-1 gliricidiabiomass (dry mass) associated with liquid biofertilizer (2.0 L m-2) applied to soil. Top-dressing fertilizations with only gliricidia, at 2.5 and 5.0 t ha-1 of biomass (dry mass), resulted in no significant increase in production of broccoli inflorescence. The use of bokashi in addition to gliricidia biomass and liquid biofertilizer reduced the efficiency of the fertilization compared with plants that received only gliricidia and liquid biofertilizer.

Growth and yield of Coffea arabica L. in Northwest Fluminense: 2nd harvest

In recent years, several new coffee cultivars recommended for different regions have been released. However, the performance of these varieties in many traditionally producing regions is unknown. Difference of climate and soil may jeopardize the productivity of the new cultivars and cause losses to farmers. The objective of this study is to evaluate the vegetative growth and productive genotypes of C. arabica in the conditions of the Northwestern Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The experiment was settled in 2007, in Panorama 1 Farm, located in the municipality of Varre Sai, RJ. Twenty-five genotypes of C. arabica were planted in a spacing of 2.5 × 0.8 m, using a completely randomized design with five replications and eight plants per plot. There were eight measurements of vegetative growth represented by plant height, stem diameter and number of plagiotropic branches. Assessments of productivity were also performed in years 2009 and 2010. There was a positive phenotypic correlation among vegetative characteristics and between vegetative characteristics and yield in the first harvest, while in the second harvest only the number of plagiotropic branches was positively correlated with yield. Up to date, the genotypes Catucaí amarelo 2 SL, Catiguá MG 02, Acauã, Palma II, Sabiá 398, IPR 103/ Iapar, IPR 100/Iapar, H 419-10-6-2-12-1, Catucaí amarelo 24 / 137, Iapar 59, Catucaí amarelo 20/15, H 419-10-6-2-5-10-1 and H 419-10-6-2-5-1 had the highest average yield after two harvests.

Genetic divergence of tomato subsamples

Understanding the genetic variability of a species is crucial for the progress of a genetic breeding program and requires characterization and evaluation of germplasm. This study aimed to characterize and evaluate 101 tomato subsamples of the Salad group (fresh market) and two commercial controls, one of the Salad group (cv. Fanny) and another of the Santa Cruz group (cv. Santa Clara). Four experiments were conducted in a randomized block design with three replications and five plants per plot. The joint analysis of variance was performed and characteristics with significant complex interaction between control and experiment were excluded. Subsequently, the multicollinearity diagnostic test was carried out and characteristics that contributed to severe multicollinearity were excluded. The relative importance of each characteristics for genetic divergence was calculated by the Singh's method (Singh, 1981), and the less important ones were excluded according to Garcia (1998). Results showed large genetic divergence among the subsamples for morphological, agronomic and organoleptic characteristics, indicating potential for genetic improvement. The characteristics total soluble solids, mean number of good fruits per plant, endocarp thickness, mean mass of marketable fruit per plant, total acidity, mean number of unmarketable fruit per plant, internode diameter, internode length, main stem thickness and leaf width contributed little to the genetic divergence between the subsamples and may be excluded in future studies.

Evaluating the efficiency of a vegetal coagulant in the treatment of industrial effluents

The present work aims at evaluating the efficiency of an organic polymer from vegetal source used as coagulant for treating different types of industrial effluents. This coagulant (Flox-QT) is obtained from the Black Acacia (Acacia mearnsii). The effluents studied were produced in petrochemical, leather, cork stoppers, metalworking, olive oil, glue, paint (printing), textile and paper industries. The parameters analyzed in the effluents before and after treatment were selected according to the type of wastewater and included pH, conductivity, apparent colour, turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and some metals. The coagulant proved to be efficient for almost all effluents tested. The best results were obtained for the paper industry wastewater, with 91% removal of chemical oxygen demand and 95% of total suspended solids removal. The estimated cost of this treatment would be only 0.24 Euro per cubic meter of treated effluent, only regarding the price of the coagulant and the required dosage. The use of this coagulant is also adequate for the valorisation of the sludge obtained, which in this case could be recycled for paper production.

A lei de Mitscherlich aplicada a experimentos de adubação com vinhaça

The author studies, with the aid of Mitscherlich's law, two experiments of sugar cane fertilization with vinasse. The first one, carried out in Piracicaba, State of S. Paulo, by ARRUDA, gave the following yields. No vinasse 47.0 tons/ha. 76.0 tons/ha. 250 c.m./ha. of vinasse 75.0 do. 112.0 do. 500 do. 90.0 do. 112.0 do. 1000 do. 98.0 do. 107.0 do. Data without NPK were appropriate for the fitting of the law, the equation of which was found to be: y = 100.8 [1 - 10 -0.00132 (x + 206) ], where y is measured in metric tons/hectare, and x in cubic meters/hectare. The optimum amount of vinasse to be used is given by the formula x* = 117.2 + 1 log w u , ______ ____ 0.00132 250 t being u the response to the standard dressing of 250 cubic meters/hectare of vinasse, w the price per ton of sugar cane, and t the price per cubic meter for the transportation of vinasse. In Pernambuco, a 3(4) NPK vinasse experiment gave the following mean yields: No vinasse 41.0 tons/hectare 250 cm./ha. of vinasse 108.3 do. 500 do. 134.3 do. The equation obtained was now y = 150.7 [1 - 10 -000165 (x + 84)], being the most profitable level of vinasse x* = 115.2 + 1 log w u , _______ ____ 0.00165 250 t One should notice the close agreement of the coefficients c (0.00132 in S. Paulo and 0.00165 in Pernambuco). Given the prices of Cr$ 20.00 per cubic meter for the transportation of vinasse (in trucks) and Cr$ 250.00 per ton of sugar cane (uncut, in the fields) the most profitable dressings are: 236 c.m./ha. of vinasse in S. Paulo, and 434 c.m./ha. in Pernambuco.

Effects of population density on cauliflower crop (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis)

An experiment was carried out to study the effects of the following population densities cauliflowers (plants per ha): 20,833 (0.60 m x 0.80 m), 25,641 (0.60 m x 0.65 m), ....37.037 (0.60 m x 0.45 m) , 55.555 (.0.60 m x 0.30 m), and 111,111 (0,60 m x 0,15 m) ; variety Snow ball. It was concluded that the effects of plant population density are greater on curd quality (weight and size) than on production per ha. The best plant population density to produce cauliflowers curd for Brazil market is from 20,000 to 25,000 plants/ha while for mini-curd is above 55,000 plants/ha.

Effects of planting density on flower production in carnation crop

The influence of density of planting on flower production of carnation plants grown in vinil houses, was studied. Planting densities of 233,333; 175,000 and 116,667 plants per hectare were obtained by using planting spacings of 0.20 m between rows and 0.15 m, 0,20 m and 0.30 m between plants. Data were taken on total number of flowers per plant and per hectare. As far as planting densities are concerned, there was an increase of total flower production per hectare and a decrease of slower production per plant.

Eficiência de alfacipermetrina e cipermetrina no controle de triatomíneos em Camalaú, no sul da Paraíba (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

We sprayed, in three groups of Domiciliary Units, 10 and 15 g of alphacypermethrin and 31.3 g of cypermethrin per pump of 10 liters, equivaling, if applied on 250 [squared meters), respectiveliy, to 60 and 40 mg of a alphacypermethrin [per squared meter] and 125,2 mg of cypermethrin [per squared meter]. The invasion, colonization and cumulative indices in the houses and the positivity index in shelters near houses were very low and similar in the three groups, in the 15 months of evaluation, indicating that alphacypermethrin can replace cypermethrin. Triatoma infestans predominated in the Domiciliary Units before treatment and T. brasiliensis and T. pseudomaculata predominated after it.

Skinfold thickness and adiposity index in premature infants.

In order to assess the validity of the weight per square of length ratio as an index of adiposity during the neonatal period, 37 premature infants (gestational age, mean +/- SD, = 31.5 +/- 1.1 weeks, birthweight, mean +/- SD, = 1.448 +/- 147 g) were studied for weight, length and skinfold thickness at 5 sites (biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and quadriceps) during their stay in the Neonatal Unit of the University Hospital in Lausanne. The results show a significant correlation between the adiposity index and the sum of 5 skinfold thickness sites in premature infants. The adiposity index gives a fair estimate of the body fat mass during the postnatal growth in premature infants.

Oxygen uptake of isolated toad skin epithelium: micromeasurement and effect of ionic acclimation.

Oxidative metabolism of isolated toad skin epithelium (Bufo viridis) was investigated in vitro under open-circuit conditions using the spectrophotometric oxyhemoglobin micromethod. This highly sensitive technique has been adapted for studying several epithelia in parallel and for detecting possible regional variations of oxygen uptake in individual epithelium. Changes in the proportion of mitochondria-rich cells (MRC) by ionic acclimation affected oxidative metabolism under nontransporting condition. After acclimation of animals to either NaNO3 or NaCl solutions (100 mmol/l, for greater than 2 wk), the number of MRC per square millimeter in epithelia from nonacclimated and NaNO3- and NaCl-acclimated animals was 350 +/- 113, 460 +/- 196, and 107 +/- 52, respectively. O2 uptake of nonacclimated and NaNO3-acclimated epithelia was significantly higher than that of NaCl-acclimated epithelia (i.e., 0.89 and 0.90 vs. 0.57 nmol O2.h-1.mm-2, respectively). The correlation established between O2 uptake and number of MRC allowed evaluation of the respiration rate of one single MRC, i.e., approximately 1 pmol O2/h. The lowest mitochondrial oxidative activity was found in the epithelia from NaCl-acclimated toads where the uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol (50 mumols/l) had the highest relative stimulatory effect (+114%). Acetazolamide (50 mumols/l), a potent inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase mainly present in the MRC, reduced selectively by 31% O2 uptake of the MRC-rich epithelia (NaNO3 acclimated). O2 uptake increased significantly by approximately 80% when basolateral pH increased from 5.8 to 7.8, but did not depend on apical pH. These findings indicate that under nontransporting (open-circuit) conditions, aerobic metabolism of the isolated toad skin epithelium is related to the density and/or characteristics of the MRC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Quantitative distribution of parvalbumin, calretinin, and calbindin D-28k immunoreactive neurons in the visual cortex of normal and Alzheimer cases.

The distribution of parvalbumin (PV), calretinin (CR), and calbindin (CB) immunoreactive neurons was studied with the help of an image analysis system (Vidas/Zeiss) in the primary visual area 17 and associative area 18 (Brodmann) of Alzheimer and control brains. In neither of these areas was there a significant difference between Alzheimer and control groups in the mean number of PV, CR, or CB immunoreactive neuronal profiles, counted in a cortical column going from pia to white matter. Significant differences in the mean densities (numbers per square millimeter of cortex) of PV, CR, and CB immunoreactive neuronal profiles were not observed either between groups or areas, but only between superficial, middle, and deep layers within areas 17 and 18. The optical density of the immunoreactive neuropil was also similar in Alzheimer and controls, correlating with the numerical density of immunoreactive profiles in superficial, middle, and deep layers. The frequency distribution of neuronal areas indicated significant differences between PV, CR, and CB immunoreactive neuronal profiles in both areas 17 and 18, with more large PV than CR and CB positive profiles. There were also significantly more small and less large PV and CR immunoreactive neuronal profiles in Alzheimer than in controls. Our data show that, although the brain pathology is moderate to severe, there is no prominent decrease of PV, CR and CB positive neurons in the visual cortex of Alzheimer brains, but only selective changes in neuronal perikarya.