RESUMO Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a diversidade genética do gene HSP-70.1 e associar os polimorfismos encontrados com a performance de vacas leiteiras das raças Holandesa, Girolando (5/8H-G) e Sindi criadas em região do semiárido brasileiro. Os polimorfismos foram identificados e avaliados pela técnica de PCR-RFLP, usando-se a enzima de restrição EcoRII. Avaliou-se a variabilidade genética por meio do índice de diversidade padrão e da análise de variância molecular (AMOVA). Os polimorfismos identificados foram avaliados sobre as características de produção de leite. Foram identificados sete alelos, os quais demonstraram que houve polimorfismo para a região gênica analisada, e alguns alelos foram compartilhados entre os rebanhos. As raças bovinas Holandesa e Sindi foram similares geneticamente para o gene analisado. A AMOVA demonstrou que há variação genética entre os rebanhos e dentro deles, com a maior parte da variação ocorrendo dentro dos rebanhos para todos os grupos avaliados. Houve efeito dos alelos identificados sobre a produção de leite dos rebanhos das raças Holandesa (P<0,0001) e Girolando (P<0,0117). O gene HSP-70.1 foi polimórfico na população de bovinos leiteiros estudada, sendo, portanto, um marcador molecular promissor para avaliar a produção de leite de raças criadas em região semiárida.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate the genetic diversity of the HSP-70.1 gene and to associate the polymorphisms found with the performance of Holstein, Girolando (5/8H-G) and Sindi dairy cows raised in region of the Brazilian semiarid. Polymorphisms were identified and evaluated using the PCR-RFLP technique using the EcoRII restriction enzyme. Genetic variability was evaluated using the standard diversity index and molecular variance analysis (AMOVA). The identified polymorphisms were evaluated on the characteristics of milk production. They were identified from the seven alleles, demonstrating that there was polymorphism for the analyzed gene region and some alleles were shared among the herds. The Holstein and Sindi bovine breeds were genetically like the analyzed gene. AMOVA demonstrated that there is genetic variation between and within the herds, with most of the variation occurring within the herds for all groups evaluated. There was effect of the alleles identified on the production of milk herds of Holstein and (P<0.0001) Girolando (P<0.0117) breeds. The HSP-70.1 gene was polymorphic in the population of dairy cattle studied, and therefore a promising molecular marker to evaluate milk production of breeds created in semiarid regions.

RESUMO:O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as embalagens de plantas medicinais comercializadas em farmácias e drogarias do município de Ijuí/RS, a partir das legislações vigentes sobre o tema. A coleta de dados foi realizada na primeira quinzena do mês de dezembro de 2011 em 13 estabelecimentos farmacêuticos localizados na região central do município, através de formulário elaborado a partir da legislação. Foram selecionadas para análise, plantas medicinais acondicionadas em diferentes tipos de embalagens e marcas. Foram avaliadas 44 embalagens de plantas medicinais, das quais 71% estavam irregulares no que se refere a indicação terapêutica e ao modo de preparo, considerando o preconizado pela RDC 10/10. Embora nem todas as drogas vegetais analisadas estivessem notificadas nesta Resolução, considerou-se o mesmo critério para todas as amostras analisadas. Além disso, 16% dos produtos analisados não apresentavam segurança quanto ao acondicionamento. A nomenclatura popular estava presente em todas as amostras, enquanto a nomenclatura botânica em apenas 75%. Conclui-se que todas as embalagens analisadas apresentaram alguma irregularidade em relação ao que estabelece a RDC nº10/2010, tendo em vista que nenhuma apresentou todos os requisitos exigidos por ela. Os resultados observados demonstram que a ausência das informações devidas nas embalagens ou nos folhetos informativos para orientar os consumidores, pode comprometer o uso seguro das plantas e prejudicar a saúde dos usuários.

ABSTRACT:This study aimed to analyze the packages of medicinal plants sold in pharmacies and drugstores in the city of Ijuí, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, according to the Brazilian legislation about the subject. Data collection was conducted in December 2011 in 13 selected pharmaceutical establishments located downtown, and data were collected using a form prepared from the aforementioned resolution. The medicinal plants included in the analysis were from different types of packages and brands. We evaluated 44 packages of medicinal plants, of which 71% were irregular in relation to shape, therapeutic indication and method of preparation. Moreover, 16% of the total products tested had no package security. The popular nomenclature was present in all samples, while the botanical nomenclature, in 75%. We concluded that all analyzed packages were irregular according to the Brazilian RDC 10/2010 because none of them had all of the requirements. The results observed, such as lack of information on the packages or leaflets to guide consumers, may compromise the safe use of plants and endanger the health of users.

Morphine is a potent analgesic opioid used extensively for pain treatment. During the last decade, global consumption grew more than 4-fold. However, molecular mechanisms elicited by morphine are not totally understood. Thus, a growing literature indicates that there are additional actions to the analgesic effect. Previous studies about morphine and oxidative stress are controversial and used concentrations outside the range of clinical practice. Therefore, in this study, we hypothesized that a therapeutic concentration of morphine (1 μM) would show a protective effect in a traditional model of oxidative stress. We exposed the C6 glioma cell line to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and/or morphine for 24 h and evaluated cell viability, lipid peroxidation, and levels of sulfhydryl groups (an indicator of the redox state of the cell). Morphine did not prevent the decrease in cell viability provoked by H2O2 but partially prevented lipid peroxidation caused by 0.0025% H2O2 (a concentration allowing more than 90% cell viability). Interestingly, this opioid did not alter the increased levels of sulfhydryl groups produced by exposure to 0.0025% H2O2, opening the possibility that alternative molecular mechanisms (a direct scavenging activity or the inhibition of NAPDH oxidase) may explain the protective effect registered in the lipid peroxidation assay. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that morphine in usual analgesic doses may contribute to minimizing oxidative stress in cells of glial origin. This study supports the importance of employing concentrations similar to those used in clinical practice for a better approximation between experimental models and the clinical setting.

Recent biotechnological advances have permitted the manipulation of genetic sequences to treat several diseases in a process called gene therapy. However, the advance of gene therapy has opened the door to the possibility of using genetic manipulation (GM) to enhance athletic performance. In such ‘gene doping’, exogenous genetic sequences are inserted into a specific tissue, altering cellular gene activity or leading to the expression of a protein product. The exogenous genes most likely to be utilized for gene doping include erythropoietin (EPO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor type 1 (IGF-1), myostatin antagonists, and endorphin. However, many other genes could also be used, such as those involved in glucose metabolic pathways. Because gene doping would be very difficult to detect, it is inherently very attractive for those involved in sports who are prepared to cheat. Moreover, the field of gene therapy is constantly and rapidly progressing, and this is likely to generate many new possibilities for gene doping. Thus, as part of the general fight against all forms of doping, it will be necessary to develop and continually improve means of detecting exogenous gene sequences (or their products) in athletes. Nevertheless, some bioethicists have argued for a liberal approach to gene doping.

Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar o acúmulo de nutrientes e a translocação de glyphosate em biótipos de azevém. Para isso, foram montados dois ensaios: no primeiro aplicou-se 14C-glyphosate, adicionando 10 µL da calda sobre a face adaxial da primeira folha com lígula totalmente visível, quando as plantas de azevém apresentavam três perfilhos. A quantidade de glyphosate absorvido, translocado e exsudado foi avaliada 64 horas após aplicação, por meio da medição da radiação emitida pelo 14C-glyphosate, em espectrômetro de cintilação líquida. O glyphosate foi quantificado em folha de aplicação, perfilhos, raízes e na solução nutritiva onde foram cultivados os biótipos de azevém. No segundo experimento, aplicou-se o glyphosate (480 g ha-1) tanto no biótipo sensível quanto no resistente. Após dez dias da aplicação, a parte área e as raízes das plantas foram coletadas e secas em estufa, sendo determinados os teores de macronutrientes. No primeiro ensaio, verificou-se exsudação radicular em ambos os biótipos, nos quais a quantidade de glyphosate exsudada foi semelhante, não ultrapassando 5% do total que penetrou na planta. No perfilho principal do biótipo sensível, comparado ao resistente, foi observada maior concentração do produto marcado. O biótipo resistente apresentou maior acúmulo de produto marcado na folha de aplicação; no sensível, a maior parte do glyphosate foi encontrada nas raízes. Com relação ao segundo ensaio, na presença de herbicida o biótipo sensível apresentou menor teor de fósforo tanto na parte aérea quanto na planta. Os biótipos resistente e sensível, sem aplicação de herbicida, tenderam a apresentar maiores teores de N total e N inorgânico na parte aérea e na planta como um todo, quando comparados aos tratamentos em que foi realizada a aplicação do produto. Ambos os biótipos mostraram a mesma capacidade de absorção e acúmulo de macronutrientes na ausência do produto.

This work aimed to evaluate nutrient accumulation and glyphosate translocation in ryegrass biotypes. Two trials were conducted: in the first, 10 uL of 14C-glyphosate ware applied on the upper side of the first leaf showing completely visible ligule, with ryegrass plants at the three-tiller stage. The amount of glyphosate absorbed, translocated and exudated was evaluated 64 hours after application, by using a liquid scintillation spectrometer. Glyphosate was quantified in the leaf it had been applied, in the tillers, roots and in the nutritive solution the plants were grown. In the second trial, glyphosate was applied on the resistant and the susceptible biotypes at the rate of 480 g L-1. Ten days after application, the shoot and roots were collected and oven-dried and the levels of macronutrients were determined. In the first trial, root exudation was observed in both biotypes, in which the amount of exudated glyphosate was similar and not greater than 5% of the absorbed glyphosate. In the main tiller of the susceptible biotype, a higher concentration of 14C-glyphosate was observed, compared to the resistant one. The resistant biotype showed more glyphosate accumulation in the leaf it had been applied and in the susceptible biotype; most 14-C glyphosate was found in the root system. In the second trial, the susceptible biotype showed less P accumulation than the resistant one. Both the resistant and susceptible biotypes tended to accumulate more total N and inorganic N in the shoot and in the whole plant in the absence of glyphosate, compared to the applied treatments. Both biotypes presented the same absorption capacity and macronutrients accumulation in the absence of the glyphosate.