Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de diferentes concentrações de retardantes de fogo e de um polímero hidrorretentor sobre a germinação de sementes das espécies florestais tropicais Handroanthu simpetiginosus (ipê-rosa), Tabebuia roseoalba (ipê-branco), Enterolobium schomburgkii (faveira) e Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum (paricá). Destaca-se que não foram realizadas comparações entre os produtos, pois estes apresentam diferentes recomendações comerciais e composições químicas. As sementes foram submetidas a soluções de três retardantes de fogo nas seguintes concentrações: i) Phos-Chek WD881® a 0,0; 0,1; 0,3; 0,6; 0,8 e 1,0 mL L-1; ii) Hold Fire® a 0,0; 0,7; 0,9; 1,1; 1,3 e 1,5 mL L-1; e iii) polímero hidrorretentor Nutrigel® a 0,00; 0,10; 0,25; 0,50; 0,75 e 1,0 g L-1. Foram avaliadas quatro repetições de 100, 100, 30 e 25 sementes para as espécies supracitadas, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Os testes de germinação foram conduzidos em câmaras de germinação a 30°C e fotoperíodo de 12 h, por 14 dias. Avaliaram-se: porcentagem de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, tempo médio de germinação e vigor de plântulas. O Phos-Chek WD881 reduziu a velocidade de germinação dos ipês e a primeira contagem de germinação e quantidade de plântulas normais dessas espécies e do paricá. O Hold Fire influenciou na porcentagem de germinação do ipê-rosa (máximo de 97,0% em 1,1 mL L-1) e na velocidade de germinação do ipê-branco, mas não causou variações no vigor das plântulas. O polímero hidrorretentor não influenciou na germinação, mas causou redução de 14,3% de plântulas normais para o paricá. Em geral, Phos-Chek WD881 pode ser fitotóxico para o ipê-branco, ipê-rosa e paricá, quando aplicado em concentrações ≥ 0,6 mL L-1; Hold Fire pode promover a germinação do ipê-branco e do ipê-rosa, sem efeitos para as demais espécies; e o polímero hidrorretentor não exerceu nenhum efeito sobre a germinação de sementes das espécies florestais avaliadas.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of fire retardants and water-retaining polymer on seed germination of tropical forest species Handroanthu simpetiginosus (ipê-rosa), Tabebuia roseoalba (ipê-branco), Enterolobium schomburgkii (faveira) and Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum (paricá). It is noteworthy that no comparisons were made between the products, as they have different commercial recommendations and chemical compositions. The seeds were submitted to solutions of three fire retardants in the following concentrations: i) Phos-Chek WD881® at 0.0; 0.1; 0.3; 0.6; 0.8 and 1.0 mL L-1; ii) Hold Fire® at 0.0; 0.7; 0.9; 1.1; 1.3 and 1.5 mL L-1; and iii) water-retaining polymer Nutrigel® at 0.0; 0.10; 0.25; 0.50; 0.75 and 1.0 g L-1. Four replicates of 100, 100, 30 and 25 seeds were evaluated for the aforementioned species, in a completely randomized design. The germination tests were conducted in germination chambers at 30°C and 12 hours of photoperiod for 14 days. It was evaluated: germination percentage, first germination count, germination speed index, average germination time and seedling vigor were evaluated. Phos-Chek WD881 reduced the germination speed of the ipês and the first germination count and number of normal seedlings of these species and paricá. Hold Fire influenced the germination percentage of ipê-rosa (maximum 97.0% in 1.1 mL L-1) and the germination speed of ipê-branco, but did not cause variations in seedlings vigor. The water-retaining polymer did not influence germination, but caused a 14.3% reduction of normal seedlings to paricá. In general, Phos-Chek WD881 can be phytotoxic to ipê-branco, ipê-rosa and paricá, when applied in concentrations ≥ 0.6 mL L-1; Hold Fire can promote the germination of ipê-branco and ipê-rosa, without effects for the other species; and the water-retainng polymer had no effect on the seed germination of the evaluated forest species.

ABSTRACT This work aims to evaluate the agronomic performance of crambe and juncea canola, sowed in the summer and winter season intervals with and without fungicide application. The cultivars used were FMS Brilhante and Terola 25A85 for crambe and juncea canola, respectively. The experimental design was randomized blocks in split plots, in which the plots were sowing dates 15th May (E1), 1st June (E2) and 15th June 2014 (E3), and the split plots with and without treatment of the aerial part with fungicide (trifloxystrobin 150 g L-1 + prothioconazole 175 g L-1). The evaluated variables were plant height, thousand seed weight, seed yield, oil content and oil yield. The sowing dates had had influence only on plant height for crambe, while juncea canola had a significant effect on plant height, seed yield and oil yield. The fungicide application gave higher seed yield for crambe and for juncea canola, higher thousand seed weight, seed yield and oil yield. With the production technologies adopted for the growth of these two brassicas, it is necessary to obtain higher yields of seeds and oil, to enable the commercial exploration in the interval between the summer and winter off-season in the Northern region of Paraná state, Brazil.

BACKGROUND The severity of chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC), the most frequent clinical outcome of Chagas disease (CD), has been associated with cytokine-enriched heart tissue inflammation, and high serum levels of transforming growth factor (TGFβ), interferon-gamma (IFNγ), and tumour necrosis factor (TNF). Conversely, increased interleukin (IL)-10 serum concentrations have been associated with asymptomatic CD. Cytokines and cytokine-related gene polymorphisms may control cytokine expression and have been proposed to contribute to CCC outcomes. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the association of 13 cytokine-related genes (TGFB: rs8179181, rs8105161, rs1800469; IL10: rs1800890, rs1800871, rs1800896; IFNG: rs2430561; TNF: rs1800629; BAT1: rs3853601; LTA: rs909253, rs2239704; TNFR1: rs767455; TNFR2: rs1061624) with risk and progression of CCC. FINDINGS Four hundred and six seropositive patients from CD endemic areas in the state of Pernambuco, north-eastern Brazil, were classified as non-cardiopathic (A, 110) or cardiopathic (mild, B1, 163; severe, C, 133). We found no evidence of TGFB, IL10, TNF, or TNFR1/2 gene polymorphisms associated with CCC risk or progression. Only BAT1 rs3853601 −22G carriers (B1 vs. C: OR = 0.5; p-value = 0.03) and IFNG rs2430561 +874AT (A vs. C: OR = 0.7; p-value = 0.03; A vs. B1+C: OR = 0.8; p-value = 0.02) showed a significant association with protection from cardiopathy in a logistic regression analysis with adjustment for gender and ethnicity; however, the association disappeared after performing adjustment for multiple testing. A systematic review of TNF rs1800629 −308G>A publications included five studies for meta-analysis (534 CCC and 472 asymptomatic patients) and showed no consensus in pooled odds ratio (OR) estimates for A allele or A carriers (OR = 1.4 and 1.5; p-values = 0.14 and 0.15, respectively). In CD patients, TNF serum levels were increased, but not affected by the TNF rs1800629 −308A allele. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest no significant contribution of the analysed gene variants of cytokine-related molecules to development/severity of Chagas' heart disease, reinforcing the idea that parasite/host interplay is critical to CD outcomes.

OBJETIVOS: Estudos epidemiológicos mostram uma relação entre o uso em longo prazo de inibidores de bomba de prótons e o metabolismo ósseo, porém essa relação ainda não está estabelecida. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as propriedade mecânicas e a densidade mineral óssea (DMO) de ratos submetidos ao uso de omeprazol em longo prazo.MÉTODOS: Cinquenta ratos Wistar, entre 200 e 240 g, foram divididos igualmente em cinco grupos: OMP300 (ingestão de omeprazol na dose de 300 µmoL/Kg/dia), OMP200 (200 µmoL/Kg/dia), OMP40 (40 µmoL/Kg/dia), OMP10 (10 µmoL/Kg/dia) e Cont (grupo controle; ingestão do veículo de diluição). A administração das soluções ocorreu durante 90 dias seguidos. Após a eutanásia, foram analisadas a DMO, as propriedades mecânicas dos fêmures dissecados e a dosagem de Ca++ sérico.RESULTADOS: A DMO do grupo OMP300 foi menor do que a do Cont (p = 0,006). Não houve diferença na comparação entre os grupos OMP200, OMP40 e OMP10 em relação ao Cont. A força máxima e rigidez do fêmur não foram diferentes nos grupos experimentais quando comparados ao Cont. O grupo OMP300 teve concentrações séricas de Ca++ estatisticamente menores do que o grupo Cont (p = 0,049) sem diferença entre os demais grupos em relação ao Cont.CONCLUSÃO: A ingestão diária de 300 µmoL/Kg/dia de omeprazol diminuiu a DMO do fêmur, porém sem alterações na rigidez e na força do fêmur de ratos adultos.

OBJECTIVES: Epidemiological studies have shown a relationship between long-term use of proton pump inhibitors and bone metabolism. However, this relationship has not yet become established. The aim of the present study was to analyze the mechanical properties and bone mineral density (BMD) of rats that were subjected to long-term omeprazole use.METHODS: Fifty Wistar rats weighing between 200 and 240 g were divided equally into five groups: OMP300 (omeprazole intake at a dose of 300 µmoL/kg/day); OMP200 (200 µmoL/kg/day); OMP40 (40 µmoL/kg/day); OMP10 (10 µmoL/kg/day); and Cont (control group; intake of dilution vehicle). The solutions were administered for 90 consecutive days. After the rats had been sacrificed, their BMD, the mechanical properties of the dissected femurs and their serum Ca++ levels were analyzed.RESULTS: The BMD of the OMP300 group was lower than that of the controls (p = 0.006). There was no difference on comparing the OMP200, OMP40 and OMP10 groups with the controls. The maximum strength and rigidity of the femur did not differ in the experimental groups in comparison with the controls. The OMP300 group had a statistically lower serum Ca++ concentration than that of the controls (p = 0.049), but the other groups did not show any difference in relation to the controls.CONCLUSION: Daily intake of 300 µmoL/kg/day of omeprazole decreased the BMD of the femur, but without changes to the rigidity and strength of the femur in adult rats.

AbstractBackground The American trypanosomiasis is a zoonosis caused by the protozoaTrypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). The disease is widely distributed throughout the American continent, affecting a wide range of hosts, including dogs. It is present in the canine population in the State of Yucatan, Mexico. However, no significant studies in owned dogs have been performed in the metropolitan area of Merida. A transversal study was conducted in 370 owned dogs from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.Methods A cross-sectional study including 370 dogs was performed in a major city of Yucatan, Mexico, to detect IgG antibodies against T. cruzi. A commercial ELISA test kit was used and a chi-square test used to evaluate associated risk factors; odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) were also estimated.Results The indirect ELISA and western blot (WB) tests were used to detect specific immunoglobulin G antibodies against T. cruzi in serum samples. A prevalence of 12.2 % was found; age and area of residence were statistically associated with seropositivity in dogs (p<0.05).Conclusions Results from the present study suggests the presence and abundance of the vector in urban conditions where a high number of seropositive cases ofT. cruzi cases were found.

FUNDAMENTO: O exercício físico promove estresse hemodinâmico. OBJETIVO: Testar se programas de treinamento com corridas voluntária e forçada induzem níveis distintos de expressão de Hsp72 no miocárdio de ratas Wistar. MÉTODOS: Ratas Wistar foram alocadas em três grupos (n = 6, cada): treinadas com corrida voluntária (TCV), treinadas com corrida forçada (TCF) e grupo controle (C). Os animais do TCV tiveram livre acesso à roda de corrida voluntária, enquanto os do TCF foram submetidos à corrida forçada em esteira (18 m/min, 0% inclinação, 60 m/min, 5 dias/sem) durante oito semanas. Fragmentos dos ventrículos esquerdo (VE) e direito (VD) foram coletados para análise dos níveis de Hsp72. RESULTADOS: As ratas do grupo TCV correram, em média, 4,87 km, e as do TCF, 4,88 km por semana. Os animais dos grupos TCV e TCF ganharam menos peso (p < 0,05) que os do grupo C (81,67 ± 11,95 g vs 81,17 ± 10,18 g vs 111,50 ± 2,26 g, respectivamente). O peso relativo do coração não foi diferente (p > 0,05) entre os grupos TCV, TCF e C (4,54 ± 0,79 mg/g vs 4,94 ± 0,89 mg/g vs 4,34 ± 0,87 mg/g, respectivamente). Ratas treinadas com corrida forçada apresentaram níveis de Hsp72 maiores (p < 0,05) que as que correram voluntariamente, no VE (287,45 ± 35,86% vs 135,59 ± 5,10%, respectivamente) e no VD (241,31 ± 25,83% vs 137,91 ± 45,20%, respectivamente). CONCLUSÃO: Os programas de treinamento com corrida voluntária e forçada induziram níveis distintos de expressão de Hsp72 no miocárdio de ratas Wistar.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise induces hemodynamic stress. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if voluntary running and forced running induced different levels of stress protein (Hsp72) in the myocardium of female Wistar rats. METHODS: Female rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: forced treadmill running group (FR; n= 6), voluntary running group (VR; n=6) and control group (C; n=6). VR group animals had free access to running wheels, and those from FR group underwent a running program on a treadmill (18 m/min, 60 min/day, 5 days/wk) for 8 weeks. Left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) fragments were collected at sacrifice, and the relative immunoblot contents of stress protein (Hsp72) were determined. RESULTS: VR animals ran on average 4.87 km/wk, and FR rats ran 4.88 km/wk. Animals from VR and FR groups had less body weight gain (p<0.05) than those from C group (81.67 ± 11.95g vs 81.17 ± 10.18g vs 111.50 ± 2.26g, respectively). Heart weight/body weight ratio was not significantly different (p>0.05) among VR, FR and C groups (4.54 ± 0.79 mg/g vs 4.94 ± 0.89 mg/g vs 4.34 ± 0.87 mg/g, respectively). FR group animals had levels of Hsp72 (p<0.05) higher than those from VR, both in LV (287.45 ± 35.86 % vs 135.59 ± 5.10 %, respectively) and RV (241.31 ± 25.83 % vs 137.91 ± 45.20 %, respectively). CONCLUSION: Voluntary running and forced running induced different levels of Hsp72 in the myocardium of female Wistar rats.

FUNDAMENTO: El ejercicio físico promueve estrés hemodinámico. OBJETIVO: Probar si programas de entrenamiento con carreras voluntaria y forzada inducen niveles distintos de expresión de Hsp72 en el miocardio de ratas hembra Wistar. MÉTODOS: Ratas hembra Wistar fueron distribuidas en tres grupos (n = 6, cada uno): entrenadas con carrera voluntaria (ECV), entrenadas con carrera forzada (ECF) y grupo control (C). Los animales del ECV tuvieron libre acceso a la rueda de carrera voluntaria, mientras que los del ECF fueron sometidos a carrera forzada en cinta sin fin (18 m/min, 0% inclinación, 60 m/min, 5 días/sem) durante ocho semanas. Fragmentos de los ventrículos izquierdo (VI) y derecho (VD) se recolectaron para análisis de los niveles de Hsp72. RESULTADOS: Las ratas del grupo ECV corrieron, en promedio 4,87 km, y las del ECF, 4,88 km por semana. Los animales de los grupos ECV y ECF ganaron menos peso (p<0,05) que los del grupo C (81,67 ± 11,95 g vs. 81,17 ± 10,18 g vs. 111,50 ± 2,26 g, respectivamente). El peso relativo del corazón no fue diferente (p>0,05) entre los grupos ECV, ECF y C (4,54 ± 0,79 mg/g vs. 4,94 ± 0,89 mg/g vs. 4,34 ± 0,87 mg/g, respectivamente). Las ratas entrenadas con carrera presentaron niveles de Hsp72 mayores (p<0,05) que las que corrieron voluntariamente, en el VI (287,45 ± 35,86% vs. 135,59 ± 5,10%, respectivamente) y en el VD (241,31 ± 25,83% vs. 137,91 ± 45,20%, respectivamente). CONCLUSIÓN: Los programas de entrenamiento con carreras voluntaria y forzada inducen niveles distintos de expresión de Hsp72 en el miocardio de ratas Wistar.

The sewage sludge (SS) represents a source of organic matter although its increasing accumulation need a suitable environmental treatment. Our study analyzed the effect of the interaction between sewage sludge (doses 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 g per 100 g of soil) and Eucalyptus globulus nursery seedlings inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi as a fertilizers alternative and evaluate its effect on some soil enzyme activities. The seedlings were inoculated with Glomus claroideum, Glomus viscosum, Glomus intraradices and Glomus constrictum, establishing a uninoculated control. The sewage sludge application increased the shoot dry weight and the inoculation with G. viscosum was more effective at 6 g of SS in 100 g soil. The root colonization and succinate dehydrogenase activity was decreased by all doses of SS used. The Fluorescein diacetate activity was increased by the AM inoculation but not by sewage sludge. The (β-glucosidase activity was increased in presence of SS at 6 g 100 g-1. The N and P uptake by the E. globulus plants was higher in presence of sewage sludge and more effective with G. viscosum plant inoculation. In conclusion the application of these amounts of SS promoted the plant growth and can be regarded as a successful biotechnological tool for the greenhouse plant production.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the vasovagal syncope (VVS) and the B1 adrenergic receptor polymorphism at the 389 position. Seventy individuals with VVS were selected. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood by salting out and subjected to the amplification-restriction test. Genotype identification was made by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A higher frequency in genotype and alíele frequencies were found in individuals with positive tilted table test respect individuals with negative test, as well as a marked preference of the GlyGly phenotype in women. Genotype Arg389Gly was the most frequent between individuals with positive response in passive phase with respect to those in the induced phase. When the genotype was analyzed based on the hemodynamic response (VASIS) a gradient is observed in the frequency of Arg389Gly with the highest major frequency in the cardio-inhibitory response followed by the mixed response, and finally the vasodepressor response. These results suggest that the SVV has a genetic component associated with the Arg389Gly polymorphism of the adrenergic receptor. The Gly alíele has a high risk association and it is maintained in the population through heterozygosis.

El propósito del presente estudio fue evaluar la correlación entre el síncope vasovagal (SVV) el polimorfismo del receptor B1 adrenérgico en la posición 389. Se seleccionaron 70 individuos con el SVV. El DNA se aisló a partir de sangre periférica por expulsión salina y se sometió a la prueba de amplificación-digestión. Los genotipos se identificaron por electroforesis. Se encontró una mayor frecuencia genotípica (Arg389Gly) y alélica (Gly389) de individuos con resultado positivo a la prueba de inclinación (Pl) respecto de aquéllos en los que la prueba fue negativa, con una marcada preferencia del genotipo GlyGly en mujeres. El genotipo Arg389Gly fue el más frecuente entre los individuos con respuesta positiva en fase pasiva respecto de la fase inducida. Cuando se analizó el genotipo en función de la respuesta hemodinámica (VASIS) se observó un gradiente en la frecuencia de la forma heterocigota (Arg389Gly) encontrándose la mayor frecuencia en la respuesta cardioinhibitoria seguida por la respuesta mixta y por último la vasodepresora. Estos resultados sugieren que el SVV tiene un componente genético asociado al polimorfismo Arg389Gly del receptor B1 adrenérgico y que el alelo Gly presenta una fuerte asociación con la enfermedad y que se mantiene en la población principalmente por heterocigosis.

El presente trabajo se realizó con el propósito de obtener un concentrado proteico con un bajo contenido de ácidos nucleicos a partir de biomasa microbiana. Para ello se cultivó la levadura Kluyveromyces marxianus var. marxianus en lactosuero desproteinizado y suplementado con fuentes de nitrógeno y vitaminas a pH 4,5; 32 a 35°C y una tasa de aireación de 1,22 volúmenes de aire por volumen de medio por minuto (VVM). Se obtuvo un rendimiento promedio de: biomasa de 0,30 g/g lactosa, un consumo de lactosa del 93, 21% y concentración celular 4,15 g/L al final de la fermentación. A partir de la biomasa obtenida se elaboraron dos concentrados proteicos: uno por extracción alcalina y precipitación isoeléctrica (C1) y otro por extracción alcalina, fosforilación y precipitación isoeléctrica (C2). El análisis de los concentrados mostró diferencias significativas (P < 0,05) en los contenidos de cenizas, grasa, proteína cruda, nitrógeno no proteico, ARN y carbohidratos. Se evidenció una disminución significativa (P < 0,05) del contenido de ARN de 4,59% (C1) a 2,71% (C2) hecho importante para el uso de este concentrado proteico para el consumo humano. La fosforilación de la proteína (C2) incrementó la capacidad de absorción de agua (4,21 a 4,64 g agua/g proteína), la solubilidad (32,43 a 41,74 g proteína solubilizada/g proteína total), y la capacidad emulsionante (903,38 a 971,91 g aceite/g proteína), y disminuyó la capacidad de absorción de grasa (1,79 a 1,65 g grasa/g proteína), características éstas que deben ser consideradas para la incorporación de los concentrados proteicos como ingredientes de productos cárnicos y de panadería.

This work was carried out with the purpose of attain a protein concentrate from microbial biomass with low content of nucleic acids. The yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus var. marxianus was grown on deproteinized and supplemented whey with nitrogen and vitamins sources at pH 4.5; 32 to 35°C and an aeration rate of 1.22 volumes of air fed for volume of broth per minute (VVM). The average biomass yield obtained was 0.30 g/g lactose, a lactose consumption of 93.21% and a cellular concentration of 4.15 g/L at the end of the fermentation. Two protein concentrates were obtained: the first one by alkaline extraction and isoelectric precipitation (C1) and the second one by alkaline extraction, phosphorylation and isoelectric precipitation (C2). Chemical analysis of both concentrates shown significant differences (P < 0.05) in the content of ash, fat, crude protein, non protein nitrogen, RNA and carbohydrates. There was significant (P < 0.05) the decrease in the RNA content from 4.59% (C1) to 2.71% (C2), important fact for the use of this protein concentrates for human consumption. Phosphorylation of the protein (C2) produced an increase in the water holding capacity (4.21 to 4.64 g water/g protein), solubility (32.43 to 41.74 g solubilized protein/g total protein) and emulsifying capacity (903.38 to 971.91 g oil/g protein), as well as a decrease in the oil absorption capacity (1.79 to 1.65 g oil/g protein). These characteristics are important when considering the use of such protein concentrates as ingredients in bakery or meat products.