RESUMO: O estresse causado por temperaturas extremas configura-se como um dos principais elementos que limitam a distribuição geográfica e o crescimento sazonal de diversas plantas, provocando severo atraso no seu desenvolvimento, reduzindo a taxa fotossintética e sinalizando a síntese de compostos de defesa. Diante das mudanças ambientais em curso e dos danos que essas mudanças podem causar na fisiologia e no crescimento das plantas, o objetivo deste trabalho foi compreender as interações entre temperatura, fisiologia e crescimento, bem como caracterizar o impacto que a alteração da temperatura exerce sobre o desenvolvimento inicial de Vernonia ferruginea Less. Para determinação de parâmetros fisiológicos e de crescimento, plântulas dessa espécie foram acondicionadas em câmaras de germinação com as temperaturas constantes dos tratamentos previamente ajustadas (10, 20, 25, 30 e 35 oC) por 60 dias. A faixa ótima de temperatura para crescimento inicial de V. ferruginea está entre 25 e 30 oC. O estresse causado pelas temperaturas subótimas e supraótimas afetou a homeostase celular e provocou atraso no crescimento e desenvolvimento das plântulas. Em situações estressantes, observou-se a inibição do crescimento e a ativação de mecanismos de resposta para a adaptação e manutenção da homeostase celular mediante o acúmulo do osmoprotetor prolina, e carboidratos solúveis. Adicionalmente, as plantas apresentaram desenvolvimento normal dentro de uma ampla faixa de temperatura, apesar do atraso no desenvolvimento, da alteração nas trocas gasosas e na síntese de substâncias relacionadas ao sistema de defesa.

ABSTRACT: Stress caused by extreme temperatures is one of the main elements that limit the geographical distribution and the seasonal growth of several plants, causing a severe delay in their development, reducing the photosynthetic rate and signaling the synthesis of defense compounds. Considering the current environmental changes and the damages that these changes can cause in plant physiology and growth, the objective of this work was to understand the interactions between temperature, physiology and growth, and to characterize the impact of temperature changes on the initial development of Vernonia ferruginea Less. Seedlings of this species were conditioned in germination chambers at previously adjusted constant temperatures (10, 20, 25, 30, and 35 oC) for sixty days, in order to evaluate physiological and growth parameters. The optimum temperature range for the initial growth of V. ferruginea is between 25 and 30 oC. The stress caused by sub-optimal and over-optimal temperatures affected cell homeostasis and caused a delay in the growth and development of seedlings. In stressful situations, growth inhibition and the activation of response mechanisms were observed for the adaptation and maintenance of cellular homeostasis through the accumulation of the proline osmoprotectant and soluble carbohydrates. Additionally, plants presented a normal development within a wide temperature range, despite the development delay, the change in gas exchanges and the synthesis of substances related to the defense system.

RESUMO A espécie Digitaria insularis tem sido selecionada por aplicações frequentes de glyphosate, tanto em áreas de plantio direto como em pomares de frutíferas. Assim, objetivou-se neste trabalho o controle de diferentes populações de D. insularis pelo herbicida glyphosate, isolado e em mistura com quizalofop-p-tefuryl, além de classificar as populações quanto à sensibilidade (suscetível, medianamente suscetível ou tolerante) ao glyphosate e analisar características morfoanatômicas das folhas das populações. Para o experimento de controle químico, o delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições, em esquema fatorial 12 x 4. Doze populações de D. insularis foram pulverizadas com glyphosate isolado (1,44 e 2,16 kg e.a. ha-1) e em mistura (2,16 kg e.a. ha-1) com quizalofop-p-tefuryl (0,12 kg i.a. ha-1). Ademais, uma testemunha sem aplicação foi mantida para cada população. Em laboratório, foram realizadas análises morfoanatômicas e de quantificação de cerosidade das folhas. As populações 3, 5, 6 e 8 foram consideradas suscetíveis ao glyphosate; 9, 10 e 12, medianamente suscetíveis; e 1, 2, 4, 7 e 11, tolerantes. Todas as populações apresentaram as mesmas características morfológicas, mas diferiram nas anatômicas e na quantidade de cera. Contudo, as populações dentro de cada grupo (suscetíveis, medianamente suscetíveis ou tolerantes) não tiveram características semelhantes que justificassem a resposta diferencial ao herbicida glyphosate. Diferenças relacionadas com a translocação dos herbicidas e/ou fisiologia das plantas poderiam explicar os resultados do controle químico dessas populações.

ABSTRACT Digitaria insularis has been selected by frequent glyphosate applications both in no-till areas and in fruit orchards. The objective of this paper was to evaluate control efficacy of D. insularis populations by glyphosate, alone and mixed with quizalofop-p-tefuryl, as well as classify them for herbicide sensitivity as susceptible, moderately susceptible and tolerant. This study also aimed to evaluate the relations between herbicide sensitivity and morphoanatomic features of leaf tissues. For chemical control, the experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with a 12 x 4 factorial arrangement with four replications. Twelve populations of D. insularis were treated with glyphosate alone at two concentrations (1.44 and 2.16 kg a.e. ha-1) and with the mixture of glyphosate (2.16 kg a.e. ha-1) and quizalofop-p-tefuryl (0.12 kg a.i. ha-1). One treatment without herbicide application was maintained for each plant population. Evaluations about the morphoanatomic features and wax content of leaves from the twelve plant populations were made under laboratory conditions. Populations 3, 5, 6 and 8 were considered to be susceptible; 9, 10 and 12 were considered as moderately susceptible; 1, 2, 4, 7 and 11 were considered tolerant to glyphosate. However, populations within each group (susceptible, moderately susceptible and tolerant) did not have similar characteristics that justify their response to glyphosate. Differences relative to herbicide translocation and/or plant physiology could account for the chemical control results for these populations.

Background. There is a high prevalence of nutritional disorders in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). This study was designed to assess the relationships between liver function, IFG-I/IGFBP-3, nutritional status, leptin, ghrelin and glucagon in 21 patients waiting for liver transplantation (LT). Methods. We studied 21 men aged 56±2.1 years who were on the LT list. They were classified according to Child-Pugh (CP) score from low to high liver dysfunction in CPA (n=4), CPB (n=11) and CPC (n=6). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and body fat (%) was measured by air-displacement plethysmography. Resting energy expenditure (REE) and its variation over Harris-Benedict values (GER%) were assessed by indirect calorimetry. Fasting serum samples were taken to measure albumin, glucose, insulin, HbA1c, leptin, total ghrelin, glucagon, IGF-I and IGFBP3. Results. There were no differences in fat % and leptin values in the three groups according to CP classification. The CPC group showed higher ghrelin values than CPA and CPB (p<0.05). All groups displayed high glucagon levels and GER% values superior to 100%. Positive correlations were found between glucagon and GER% (r=0.56; p<0.01) and between glucagon and ghrelin values (r=0.66; p<0.01). IGF-I and IGFBP3 were low in all groups and showed a positive correlation with plasma albumin (r=0.52; p<0.05 and r=0.45; p<0.05 respectively). Conclusions. These results show an increase in ghrelin plasma values in patients with severe liver dysfunction. Hyperglucagonemia was correlated with GER%, supporting a role of glucagon in the hypermetabolic state associated to LC, raising the possibility of becoming a therapeutic target. The measurement of IGF-I/IGFBP3 represents a good marker of liver function in patients with LC.

Fundamento. Las alteraciones del estado nutricional son frecuentes en la cirrosis hepática. El presente estudio se ha llevado a cabo para establecer las relaciones existentes entre la función hepática, los niveles de IGF I/IGFBP-3, el estado nutricional y las concentraciones de leptina, ghrelina y glucagón en 21 pacientes en lista de espera de trasplante hepático (TH). Material y métodos. Se han estudiado 21 varones de 56±2,1 años de edad en lista de TH clasificados por estadio Child-Pugh (CP) de menor a mayor disfunción hepática en CPA (n=4), CPB (n=11) y CPC (n=6). Se determinó el índice de masa corporal (IMC), porcentaje de grasa corporal (%) mediante pletismografía de desplazamiento de aire, gasto energético mediante calorimetría indirecta, calculando su desviación respecto al valor calculado por Harris-Benedict (GER%), y determinaciones analíticas en ayunas de albúmina, glucosa, insulina, HbA1c, leptina, ghrelina total, glucagón, IGF-I e IGFBP3. Resultados. No hubo diferencias significativas entre % grasa corporal y leptinemia en los tres grupos clasificados por CP. El grupo CPC mostró valores de ghrelina superiores a los CPA y CPB (p<0,05). Los tres grupos mostraron un valor de GER% superior al 100% e hiperglucagonemia, sin mostrar diferencias entre ellos. La concentración de glucagón se correlacionó positivamente con el valor de GER% (r=0,56; p<0,01), y con la concentración de ghrelina (r=0,66; p<0,01). El valor de albúmina se correlacionó positivamente con IGF-I (r=0,52; p<0,05) e IGFBP3 (r=0,45; p<0,05), encontrándose ambos disminuidos por igual en los tres grupos. Conclusiones. Estos resultados muestran un aumento de ghrelina en pacientes con mayor afectación funcional hepática, así como un patrón hipermetabólico asociado a hiperglucagonemia, lo que sugiere a este factor como desequilibrador del balance energético y potencial diana terapéutica. El sistema IGF-1/IGFBP3 constituye un marcador de función hepática en la cirrosis.

RESUMO A evolução das linhagens sintéticas de suínos propiciou a obtenção de animais com potencial máximo de deposição proteica em pesos superiores; entretanto o peso ótimo de abate dessas linhagens não é conhecido. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o desempenho, características de carcaça e avaliação econômica de 417 suínos da linhagem Agroceres PIC abatidos com 100, 115, 130 e 145kg de peso vivo. Os suínos foram criados em baias com 10-11 machos ou fêmeas, com fornecimento programado de 2,8kg de ração por animal, por dia, a partir de 80kg até os pesos de abate (PA) de 99.65±0.82kg, 118.53±0.98kg, 133.97±1.17kg, e 143.90±1.24. Não houve interação entre sexo e PA (P>0,05). A espessura de toucinho, área de gordura e área de olho de lombo aumentaram linearmente com o PA (P<0,001; R² entre 70,12 e 77,44%), e o rendimento de carcaça aumentou de forma quadrática (P<0,001; R²=24,66%). A porcentagem de carne magra não foi afetada (P>0.05) e a conversão alimentar (R²=43,29%) apresentou discreta piora linear com o PA (P<0,001), mas o efeito sobre o custo de produção (R$/Kg) foi quadrático, com ponto de mínima aos 134,85kg. Conclui-se que, com o manejo utilizado, a elevação do PA resulta em aumento na quantidade de carne produzida sem alteração no seu rendimento e apresenta pouco efeito sobre o desempenho.

Recent genetic improvement has developed pigs with maximum potential for protein deposit at higher weights; however, their optimal slaughter weight still needs to be determined. The objective of the study was to evaluate live performance, carcass traits, and economic viability of 417 Agroceres PIC pigs slaughtered with 100, 115, 130, and 145kg live weight. Pigs were reared in pens with 10-11 barrows and gilts each, offered a feed allowance of 2.8kg/pig/day until the following slaughter weights (SW): 99.65±0.82kg, 118.53±0.98kg, 133.97±1.17kg, and 143.90±1.24. There was no interaction between sex and SW (P>0.05). Backfat thickness, fat area, and loin eye area linearly increased with SW (P<0.001; R2: 70.12-77.44%), and carcass yield increased in a quadratic manner (P<0.001; R²=24.66%). Lean yield was not affected (P>0.05), and feed conversion ratio (R²=43.29%) linearly worsened with SW (P<0.001), but the effect of SW on live production cost (R$/kg) was quadratic, with the minimum point at 134.8kg. It was concluded that, under the applied management, increasing SW results in larger amount of lean tissue with no change in its yield and little effect on growth performance.

Early diagnosis plays a vital role in controlling tuberculosis. The conventional methodology is slow, with results taking several weeks, in addition to having low sensitivity, especially in clinical paucibacillary samples. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on solid medium culture for a rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis, mainly in cases of negative sputum smears. Forty sputum samples were collected from inpatients with tuberculosis treated for less than 2 days. Bacilloscopy, PCR for sputum, culture on Löwestein-Jensen (LJ) solid medium, and daily PCR from culture were performed on each sample. DNA extracted from the BCG vaccine, which contains attenuated bacillus Calmette-Guérin, was used as the positive control. Smear microscopy showed 68.6% sensitivity, 80% specificity, 96% positive predictive value, and 26.7% negative predictive value, with culture on LJ medium as the gold standard. Culture at day 28 showed 74.3% sensitivity and 100% specificity. PCR of DNA extracted from sputum amplified a 1027-bp fragment of the 16s RNA gene, showing 22.9% sensitivity and 60% specificity. PCR performed with DNA extracted from daily culture showed that, from the 17th to the 40th day, the sensitivity (85.7%) and specificity (60%) were constant. We conclude that a 17-day culture is a good choice for rapid diagnosis and to interfere with the transmission chain of tuberculosis.

Hypothesis: The increase in the awareness of computers in the general population and the spread of Internet as a tool for communication and knowledge, allows patients to have greater understanding of their conditions. Objective: To evaluate the use of Internet by the population from a health area and the knowledge extracted about their urological conditions. Material and Methods: This prospective study included all patients of age who attended a hospital urology clinic between 1st September and 31st December 2006, in a health area of 200,000 inhabitants. All patients were given a self-administered questionnaire to complete; medical staff did not intervene in filling it out in any case. The study variables were age (under 30, between 30 and 60 and over 60), sex, patient’s pathology (only those with at least 5 cases were assessed), educational level (none, primary school qualification, intermediate studies and university studies), presence of a computer at home (yes/no), knowledge of the existence of internet (yes/no), searches performed on urological conditions and influence of these consultations in their relationship with their doctor. The relationship between the use of internet and the different variables was evaluated using the Kruskall-Wallis test. A probability of the null hypothesis less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 1,111 questionnaires were received, of which 1,062 were useful for processing. The mean age was 60.98 with a standard error of 15.08. 18.4 % were women. The population distribution by level of studies was: 22.2 % uneducated, 43.5 % with primary education qualification, 27.5 % with intermediate educational level and 6.8 % university graduates. 58.4 % of patients denied having a computer at home, 37.7 % do not know what internet is, 76.7 % do not have an e-mail address and just 6.7 % visit medical pages, although only 1.5 % admit having asked their doctor about information received on internet. According to classification by age, patients under 30 have significantly greater knowledge of computers and internet (p<0.001). However, there were no significant differences shown between the age and the fact of asking about information received through internet (p=0.1). The most visited web pages were, in order of the most to least visited: tuotromedico.com, varicocele.com, aecc.es, wikipedia.com, prostatitis.org, ondasalud.com and mapfrecajasalud.com. The most searched for conditions were: chronic prostatitis (25 % of patients affected), testicular cancer (20 % of patients), varicocele (18.7 %), Peyronie’s disease or congenital penile curvature (18.1 %) and stenosis of the pyeloureteral junction (16.6 %). Conclusions: - The exploitation of the internet as an information tool on the part of patients is very low, due to the characteristics inherent to our population, such as the low level of studies. - Urological web pages should dedicate an extensive part to the most common conditions in the younger population groups, such as varicocele or prostatitis. However, it is logical to expect that these epidemiological patterns will modify with time. - The use of internet and computers in general should be promoted among the different population groups in the health area under study.

Hipótesis: El aumento en los conocimientos de informática de la población general y la difusión de Internet como herramienta de comunicación y conocimiento, permite a los pacientes tener un mayor entendimiento de sus patologías. Objetivo: Evaluar el uso de Internet por parte de la población de un área sanitaria y el conocimiento extraído sobre sus patologías de carácter urológico. Material y Métodos: En este estudio prospectivo se incluyeron todos los paciente mayores de edad que acudieron a consulta hospitalaria de urología entre el 1 de Septiembre y el 31 de Diciembre de 2006, en un área sanitaria de 200,000 habitantes. A todos los pacientes se les entregó un cuestionario autoadministrado para su cumplimentación, no interviniendo el facultativo en su desarrollo en ningún caso. Las variables a estudio fueron la edad (menores de 30 años, entre 30 y 60 años y mayores de 60 años), el sexo, patología del paciente (únicamente se valorarán aquellas con al menos 5 casos), el nivel educativo (ninguno, graduado escolar, estudios medios y estudios universitarios), presencia de ordenador en su casa (si/no), conocimiento de la existencia de internet (si/no), búsquedas realizadas sobre patologías urológicas e influencia de dichas consultas en su relación con el médico. Se evaluará la relación entre el uso de internet y las distintas variables mediante el test de Kruskall-Wallis. Se considerará significativa una verosimilitud de la hipótesis nula inferior a 0,05. Resultados: En total se recibieron 1.111 cuestionarios de los cuales fueron útiles para su procesamiento 1062. La edad media fue de 60,98, con un error estándar de 15,08. El 18,4 % fueron mujeres. La distribución poblacional por nivel de estudios fue: 22,2 % sin estudios, 43,5 % con graduado escolar, 27,5 con un nivel educativo medio y un 6,8 % de universitarios. El 58,4 % de los pacientes niega tener ordenador en casa, el 37,7 % desconoce lo que es internet, el 76,7 % carece de dirección de correo electrónico y únicamente el 6,7 % visitan páginas médicas pero sólo el 1,5 % reconocen haber preguntado a su médico sobre la información recibida en internet. Según la categorización por edades, los pacientes con edades inferiores a 30 años tienen significativamente unos mayores conocimientos en informática e internet (p<0,001). No obstante no se han evidenciado diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre la edad y el hecho de preguntar sobre la información recibida a través de internet (p=0,1). Las páginas web más visitadas fueron por orden de más a menos visitadas: tuotromedico.com, varicocele.com, aecc.es, wikipedia.com, prostatitis.org, ondasalud.com y mapfrecajasalud.com. Las patologías más buscadas fueron: prostatitis crónica (25 % de los pacientes afectos), cáncer de testículo (20 % de los pacientes), varicocele (18,7 %), enfermedad de Peyronie o incurvación congénita peneana (18,1 %) y estenosis de la unión pielo-uretereral (16,6 %). Conclusiones: - La explotación de internet como herramienta de información por parte de los pacientes es muy baja, debido a las características inherentes de la población, como son el bajo nivel de estudios. - Las páginas web urológicas deberían dedicar una parte amplia para la patología más frecuente en los grupos de población más jóvenes, como el varicocele o la prostatitis. No obstante, es lógico esperar que estos patrones epidemiológios se modifiquen con el paso del tiempo. - Se debería fomentar el uso de internet y de la informática en general entre los distintos grupos poblacionales en el área sanitaria a estudio.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficiência de espécies vegetais na remediação do herbicida trifloxysulfuron-sodium em solos, utilizando o feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris) como planta indicadora. Os tratamentos foram compostos pela combinação entre as espécies Calopogonium mucunoides, Crotalaria juncea, Crotalaria spectabilis, Vicia sativa, Cajanus cajan, Canavalia ensiformis, Medicago sativa, Dolichus lab lab, Penisetum glaucum, Stylosantes guianensis, Mucuna deeringiana, Mucuna cinereum, Mucuna aterrima, Raphanus sativus e Lupinus albus. Todas as espécies foram semeadas em vasos no dia seguinte à aplicação do trifloxysulfuron-sodium em três doses (0,00; 3,75; e 15,00 g ha-1). Após 80 dias da semeadura, as espécies vegetais foram cortadas na altura do coleto e a parte aérea destas descartada. A seguir, foi realizada a semeadura do feijão (cultivar Pérola). Aos 45 dias após a emergência das plantas de feijão avaliaram-se a altura e a massa seca da parte aérea das plantas. Melhor eficiência na descontaminação do trifloxysulfuron-sodium em solo foi obtida pelas espécies M. aterrima e C. ensiformis.

This work aimed to evaluate the efficiency of vegetable species in the remediation of the herbicide trifloxysulfuron-sodium in soils using the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) as a bio indicator. The treatments were composed by the combination of the species Calopogonium mucunoides,Crotalaria juncea, Crotalaria spectabilis, Vicia sativa, Cajanus cajan, Canavalia ensiformis, Medicago sativa, Dolichus lab lab, Penisetum glaucum, Stylosantes guianensis, Mucuna deeringiana, Mucuna cinereum, Mucuna aterrima, Raphanus sativus and Lupinus albus, sown in vases the day following application of the herbicide at three doses (0.00; 3.75; and 15.00 g ha-1.) Eighty days after sowing, the plants were cut and the shoot discarded, followed by bean ("Perola" cultivar) sowing. At 45 days post emergence, bean height and shoot dry matter were evaluated. Greater efficiency in trifloxysulfuron-sodium decontamination in soil was obtained with the species M. aterrima and C. ensiformis.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar plantas tolerantes ao trifloxysulfuron sodium, visando utilizá-las em programas de fitorremediação. Foram avaliadas dez espécies: Medicago sativa, Avena strigosa, Crotalaria juncea, Canavalia ensiformis, Helianthus annus, Dolichus lablab, Stylosantes guianensis, Mucuna deeringiana, Raphanus sativus e Eleusine indica. O delineamento experimental empregado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com parcelas subdivididas, sendo utilizadas três repetições. O fator aplicado na parcela principal foram as doses de trifloxysulfuron sodium (0,00; 3,75; 7,50; e 15,00 g ha-1) e, na subparcela, as épocas de avaliação [15, 30, 45 e 60 dias após a semeadura (DAS)]. Foram avaliados a altura de plantas, os sintomas de toxicidade e, aos 60 DAS, também a biomassa seca da parte aérea, das raízes e total das plantas. Verificou-se que todas as espécies sobreviveram à presença do trifloxysulfuron sodium no solo, mesmo quando aplicado em dose duas vezes maior que a recomendada (15,00 g ha-1), porém M. deeringiana, D. lablab, C. juncea e S. guianenesis foram as espécies que apresentaram maior tolerância ao herbicida, indicando potencial para uso em programas de fitorremediação de trifloxysulfuron sodium em solos.

This study aimed to identify trifloxysulfuron sodium-selective plants to be used in phytoremediation programs for this herbicide in soil. Ten plants were evaluated: Medicago sativa, Avena strigosa, Crotalaria juncea, Canavalia ensiformis, Helianthus annus, Dolichus lablab, Stylosantes guianensis, Mucuna deeringiana, Raphanus sativus and Eleusine indica. A randomized block design with split-plots and three replications was used, with the plots being the doses of trifloxysulfuron sodium (0.00; 3.75; 7.50; and 15.00 g ha-1) and the splitplots the evaluation times [15, 30, 45, and 60 days after sowing (DAS)]. Plant height and phytotoxicity visual symptoms were evaluated, and, at 60 DAS, dry biomass yield was recorded. It was verified that all species survived the presence of trifloxysulfuron sodium in soil, even when the herbicide was applied at 2x the recommended dose (15.00 g ha-1); however, the species M. deeringiana, D. lablab, C. juncea and S. guianenesis were the most tolerant to the herbicide, indicating potential for use in trifloxysulfuron sodium phytoremediation programs in soils.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficiência de espécies vegetais na fitorremediação do herbicida trifloxysulfuron sodium em solos, utilizando o milho como planta indicadora. Os tratamentos foram compostos pela combinação de espécies (Calopogonium muconoides, Crotalaria juncea, Crotalaria spectabilis, Vicia sativa, Cajanus cajan, Canavalia ensiformis, Helianthus annus, Dolichus lablab, Pennisetum glaucum, Stylosantes guianensis, Mucuna deeringiana, Mucuna cinereum, Mucuna aterrima, Raphanus sativus e Lupinus albus), semeadas anteriormente à cultura do milho, mais um tratamento controle (sem cultivo prévio) e três doses do herbicida trifloxysulfuron sodium (0,00; 3,75; e 15,00 g ha-1). O delineamento experimental usado foi o de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial, sendo utilizadas três repetições. A semeadura das espécies vegetais nos vasos foi feita no dia seguinte à aplicação do trifloxysulfuron sodium. Após 80 dias da semeadura, as espécies vegetais foram cortadas na altura do coleto, descartando-se a sua parte aérea. A seguir, foi realizada a semeadura do milho (cultivar AG-122). Aos 45 dias após a emergência das plantas de milho foram avaliadas a altura de plantas e a sua biomassa seca da parte aérea. Verificou-se que as espécies M. aterrima e C. ensiformis foram eficientes na descontaminação do herbicida trifloxysulfuron sodium em solo.

This work aimed to evaluate the efficiency of plant species in the phytoremediation of the herbicide trifloxysulfuron sodium in soils, by using corn crop as a bioindicator. The treatments were composed by the combination of the species (Calopogonium muconoides, Crotalaria juncea, Crotalaria spectabilis, Vicia sativa, Cajanus cajan, Canavalia ensiformis, Helianthus annus, Dolichus lablab, Pennisetum glaucum, Stylosantes guianensis, Mucuna deeringiana, Mucuna cinereum, Mucuna aterrima, Raphanus sativus and Lupinus albus) sowed before the corn, without previous cultivation (control), and three rates of trifloxysulfuron sodium (0.00,3.75 and 15.00 g ha-1). The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design, in a factorial scheme, with three replicates. Eighty days after sowing, the plants were cut and the shoots discarded. After that, corn (cultivar AG-122) was sowed. Forty five days after emergence, corn height and shoot dry biomass were recorded. M. aterrima and C. ensiformis were considered efficient regarding decontamination of the herbicide residues in soil.

Aluminum (Al3+) overload is frequently associated with lipid peroxidation and neurological disorders. Aluminum accumulation is also reported to be related to renal impairment, anemia and other clinical complications in hemodialysis patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the degree of lipid peroxidation, platelet aggregation and serum aluminum in patients receiving regular hemodialytic treatment. The level of plasma lipid peroxidation was evaluated on the basis of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Mean platelet peroxidation in patients undergoing hemodialysis was significantly higher than in normal controls (2.7 ± 0.03 vs 1.8 ± 0.06 nmol/l, P<0.05). Platelet aggregation and serum aluminum levels were determined by a turbidimetric method and atomic absorption spectrophotometry, respectively. Serum aluminum was significantly higher in patients than in normal controls (44.5 ± 29 vs 10.8 ± 2.5 µg/l, P<0.05). Human blood platelets were stimulated with collagen (2.2 µg/ml), adenosine diphosphate (6 µM) and epinephrine (6 µM) and showed reduced function with the three agonists utilized. No correlation between aluminum levels and platelet aggregation or between aluminum and peroxidation was observed in hemodialyzed patients.