RESUMO O uso de microrganismos benéficos como os fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA) pode favorecer tanto a fase de crescimento quanto a estabilização das mudas de espécies frutíferas após transplante. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito da inoculação de diferentes espécies de FMA no desenvolvimento de mudas de acerola oriundas de estacas herbáceas e semilenhosas. Estacas herbáceas e semilenhosas, previamente enraizadas, foram coladas em tubetes de 500 ml com substrato Plantmax® e inoculadas com três espécies de fungos micorrízicos (Gigaspora margarita - Gimarg, Claroideoglomus etunicatum - Claetun e Glomus clarum - Glclar) isoladas e combinadas (Gimarg+Claetun, Gimarg+Glclar, Claetun+Glclar e Gimarg+Claetun+Glclar). O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, esquema fatorial 2 x 8 (dois tipos de estacas e oito tipos de inoculação, incluindo o controle sem FMA) com dez repetições. As mudas foram mantidas em casa de vegetação por 100 dias e altura foi mensurada a cada 15 dias para determinação da taxa de crescimento absoluta e relativa (TCA e TCR). Ao final do experimento as mudas foram sacrificadas e determinadas massa fresca e seca da parte aérea e raízes e taxa de colonização micorrízica. Os resultados indicam potencial para a produção de mudas de Malpigia emarginata D.C. por estacas inoculadas com FMA com tendência à redução do tempo para transplantio. A combinação Gimarg+Claetun promoveu maiores taxas de crescimento absoluto e altura de mudas oriundas de estacas herbáceas. A espécie Glomus clarum, isolada ou associada com C. etunicatum promovem maiores taxas de colonização em mudas de origem herbácea e semilenhosas, respectivamente.

ABSTRACT The use of beneficial microorganisms such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may favor both the growth phase and the stabilization of the seedlings after transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of inoculation of different AMF species on the development of Barbados cherry seedlings from herbaceous and semi-hardwood cuttings. Softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings, previously rooted, were planted in 500 ml tubes filled with Plantmax® substrate and inoculated with three species of mycorrhizal fungi (Gigaspora margarita - Gimarg, Claroideoglomus etunicatum - Claetun and Glomus clarum - Glclar) isolated and combined (Gimarg + Claetun, Gimarg + Glclar, Claetun + Glclar and Gimarg + Claetun + Glclar). The statistical design was completely randomized in factorial scheme 2 x 8 (two types of cuttings and eight types of inoculation, including control without AMF inoculation) with ten replications. The seedlings were kept in a greenhouse for 100 days and height was measured every 15 days to determine the absolute and relative growth rate (AGR and RGR). At the end of the experiment the seedlings were sacrificed and determined height, fresh and dry shoot mass and root and mycorrhizal colonization rate. The results indicate potential for production of Malpighia emarginata D.C. seedlings inoculated with AMF with tendency to reduce the time for transplanting. The Gimarg + Claetun combination promoted higher rates of absolute growth and height of seedlings from herbaceous cuttings. The species Glomus clarum, isolated or associated with C. etunicatum, promoted higher colonization rates in herbaceous and semi-hardwood seedlings, respectively.

RESUMO: Objetivou-se avaliar o padrão morfológico de colonização por Fungos Micorrízicos Arbusculares (FMA), bem como a atividade microbiológica do solo sob cultivo da aceroleira em áreas de agricultores familiares. Para as coletas de solos e raízes foram selecionadas quatro áreas com aceroleira no município de Maranguape-CE, essas foram denominadas de acordo com a idade das plantas A1-3, A2-3 e A3-3 (3 anos) e A4-2 (2 anos). Após as coletas foi analisado a colonização micorrízica arbuscular, o padrão morfológico de colonização, a respiração basal do solo (RBS) e a densidade de esporos micorrízicos (DE). O padrão morfológico do tipo Paris foi predominante no sistema radicular da aceroleira, ficado claro a afinidade desse padrão na cultura. O tempo de instalação e o manejo do pomar da aceroleira nas áreas de agricultura familiar promoveu uma redução na RBS. Os teores de P no solo podem ter influenciado negativamente a colonização radicular e a densidade de esporos de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares.

ABSTRACT: Our objective was to evaluate the morphological pattern of colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) as well as to study the microbiological activity of the soil on family farms where Barbados cherry was cultivated. Soil and root samples were selected from four areas in the municipality of Maranguape-CE where Barbados cherry was grown, which were named according to the age of plants in the following manner: A1-3, A2-3, and A3-3 (3 years), and A4-2 (2 years). After sampling, the arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization, morphological colonization pattern, basal soil respiration (SBR), and density of mycorrhizal spores (DS) were analyzed. The Paris-type morphological pattern was predominant in the root system of Barbados cherry; the affinity of this pattern in the culture was clear. Time of installation and management of Barbados cherry orchards in family farming areas promoted reduction in SBR. P levels in the soil may have negatively influenced root colonization and density of mycorrhizal spores.

RESUMO As doenças pulmonares intersticiais constituem um grupo de doenças difusas do parênquima pulmonar, no qual a fibrose pulmonar intersticial está incluída. Histologicamente, esta se caracteriza por hiperplasia de pneumócitos tipo II, hiperplasia ou hipertrofia de músculo liso e fibrose. Embora a patogenia da fibrose pulmonar intersticial não esteja bem elucidada, devido às semelhanças microscópicas encontradas nos pneumócitos tipo II em felinos e na forma familiar da doença em humanos, acredita-se que haja caráter genético para o seu desenvolvimento. Os sinais clínicos frequentemente relatados incluem desconforto respiratório, cianose, letargia e perda de peso. Devido ao caráter progressivo e à ausência de tratamento específico, a doença apresenta prognóstico desfavorável. Foi atendida uma gata de 12 anos de idade, com histórico de dispneia há 20 dias. Ao exame clínico, o animal apresentou dispneia expiratória restritiva, crepitação à ausculta torácica e foi visualizado padrão intersticial ao exame radiográfico do tórax. A paciente foi submetida à punção com agulha fina de tecido pulmonar e veio a óbito algumas horas após o procedimento, apresentando insuficiência respiratória aguda. No exame histológico do tecido pulmonar, foi verificada a ocorrência de fibrose pulmonar idiopática. O objetivo do presente trabalho é relatar um caso de dispneia expiratória restritiva em um felino doméstico devido à fibrose pulmonar idiopática, já que, segundo o conhecimento dos autores, não há nenhum relato da ocorrência da doença no país.

ABSTRACT Interstitial lung diseases are a group of diffuse parenchymal lung diseases in which interstitial lung fibrosis is included. Histologically, it is characterized by type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, hypertrophy or hyperplasia of smooth tissue and fibrosis. Although the pathogenesis of interstitial lung fibrosis has not been elucidated, due to the microscopic similarities found in type II pneumocytes in cats and familial form of the disease in humans, it is believed that there is a genetic trait for development. The frequently reported clinical signs include respiratory distress, cyanosis, lethargy, and weight loss. Due to the progressive nature and the absence of specific treatment, the disease has a poor prognosis. A 12-year-old cat with dyspnea for 20 days was assisted. The animal underwent fine needle aspiration of lung tissue and died few hours after the procedure, with acute respiratory failure. Upon histological examination of lung tissue, the occurrence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was found. The aim of this study is to report a case of restrictive expiratory dyspnea in a domestic feline due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, because, according to our knowledge, there is no report on the occurrence of the disease in our country.

Os efeitos da parede celular de Saccharomyces cerevisiae (PCSc) na dieta para frangos foram avaliados com base nos tratamentos: dieta referência com avilamicina (AV); dieta referência (DR); DR com 0,1% de PCSc (PCSc0,1); DR com 0,2% de PCSc (PCSc0,2); DR com 0,3% de PCSc (PCSc0,3). O delineamento foi o de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e seis repetições de 10 aves, totalizando 300 frangos, machos. No período de nove a 21 dias de idade, o tratamento PCSc0,3 influenciou negativamente no ganho de peso (631g), e no período de 34 a 39 dias, o tratamento PCSc0,1 proporcionou melhor ganho de peso (461g) em relação ao tratamento com o antimicrobiano. O maior peso vivo ao abate, 2571g, foi obtido no tratamento PCSc0,1. Os pesos absolutos de sobrecoxa e coxa+sobrecoxa foram maiores nos tratamentos PCSc0,1 (290g e 560g) e PCSc0,2 (292g e 561g) e menores no tratamento PCSc0,3 (263g e 515g). Não houve influência na metabolizabilidade da ração e na contagem total de coliformes totais no íleo. Dietas com inclusão de até 0,2% de PCSc resultaram em índices produtivos adequados, podendo ser utilizadas como aditivo em dietas livres de antimicrobiano melhorador de desempenho sem o comprometimento do desempenho, características de carcaça, metabolizabilidade da ração e da contagem total de coliformes totais do íleo.

The effects of the yeast cell wall (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (CWSc) in the diet of broiler chickens were evaluated through the following treatments: reference diet with avilamicin (AV); reference diet (RD); RD with 0.1% CWSc (CWSc0,1); RD with 0.2% CWSc (CWSc0,2); RD with 0.3% CWSc (CWSc0,3). The study design was randomized blocks, with five treatments and six replicates of 10 birds, totaling 300 male broilers. In the period from 9 to 21 days treatment CWSc0.3 had a negative influence on weight gain (631g) and from 34 to 39 days CWSc0.1 provided better weight gain (461g) compared to the treatment with the antimicrobial. The highest live weight value at slaughter, 2,571 grams, was obtained in treatment CWSc0.1. The absolute weights of drumstick and thigh+drumstick were higher in treatments CWSc0.1 (290g and 560g) and CWSc0.2 (292g and 561g) and were lower for CWSc0.3 (263g and 515g). There was no influence of the treatments on both the metabolizability and the total count of coliforms in the ileum. Diets until 0.2% of PCSc inclusion resulted in correct productive rates and they can be used as a ration growth promoter additive in antimicrobial free diets without damage on performance, carcass characteristics, organ weight, metabolizability of the diets and total coliform count in the ileum.

Passiflora alata, P. cincinnata e P. setacea são frutíferas de grande importância, no Brasil, representando grande potencial agronômico. Entretanto, apresentam dificuldades de propagação, relacionadas à dormência e armazenamento das sementes. Desta forma, o presente estudo objetivou avaliar os efeitos do período e métodos de armazenamento sobre a emergência de plântulas de Passiflora alata Curtis, P. cincinnata Mast e P. setacea D.C. Para cada espécie, as sementes foram armazenadas à sombra, em refrigerador (10°C) e sob condições de laboratório e estratificação a 10°C. Aos 0, 7, 60 e 120 dias após o armazenamento, para P. alata e P. cincinnata, e 0, 7, 90 e 120 dias, para P. setacea, 50 sementes, para cada tratamento, foram semeadas em substrato comercial, com 4 repetições. Os experimentos foram estabelecidos em D.I.C., em esquema fatorial 4x3 (período x método). Avaliou-se a emergência de plântulas, a cada três dias, até 90 dias após a semeadura. Para P. alata, a estratificação proporcionou aumento nos percentuais de emergência (11%), após 60 dias de armazenamento das sementes, e redução aos 120 dias, não havendo influência positiva dos demais tratamentos. Não houve influência do método de armazenamento em P. cincinnata, observando-se aumento na emergência de plântulas até 60 dias de armazenamento (18,5%) e redução após este período. Em P. setacea, a estratificação resultou em aumento linear na emergência das plântulas, em função do tempo de armazenamento. A conservação de sementes de P. alata e P. setacea tem maior eficiência sob estratificação a frio. Sementes de P. cincinnata, independentemente do método utilizado, não devem ser armazenadas por mais de 60 dias.

Passiflora alata, P. cincinnata, and P. setacea are very important species, in Brazil, with high agronomic potential. However, they present propagation difficulties, related to seed dormancy and storage. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of storage period and methods on the Passiflora alata Curtis, P. cincinnata Mast, and P. setacea D.C. seedlings emergence. For each species, seeds were stored at shadow, in a refrigerator (10ºC) and under laboratory conditions and stratification at 10ºC. At 0, 7, 60, and 120 days after storage, for P. alata and P. cincinnata, and 0, 7, 90, and 120 days, for P. setacea, 50 seeds were sown in a commercial substrate, with 4 replications. The experiments were randomly designed in a 4x3 factorial scheme (period x method). The seedlings emergence was evaluated every three days, up to 90 days after sowing. For P. alata, the stratification provided an increase on emergence percentages (11%), 60 days after seeds storage, and decrease at 120 days, with no positive influence of the other treatments. There was no influence of the storage method for P. cincinnata, but it was noticed an increase in seedlings emergence up to 60 days after storage (18,5%) and a decrease from that period on. For P. setacea, the stratification resulted in a linear increase in seedlings emergence, according to the storage period. The conservation of P. alata and P. setacea seed is more efficient under cold stratification. P. cincinnata seeds, regardless of method, should not be stored for more than 60 days.

O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desenvolvimento da parte aérea e do sistema radicular de mudas de aceroleira (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) propagadas por sementes e por estacas, sob níveis de compactação subsuperficial de solo. Foram montados vasos com 200 mm de diâmetro e 285 mm de altura, divididos em três anéis sobrepostos de 100, 35 e 150 mm. O solo do anel intermediário foi submetido a quatro níveis de densidade (1,0; 1,2 1,4 e 1,6kg dm-3). O experimento foi conduzido com delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, num esquema fatorial de 2 x 4 (duas formas de propagação e quatro densidades de solo), com cinco repetições. O aumento da densidade do solo propicia um maior desenvolvimento da parte aérea e raízes das mudas propagadas por estacas em relação às propagadas por sementes. Independente da forma de propagação utilizada, os níveis de densidade do solo avaliados não impedem a penetração das raízes de aceroleira.

The objective of this research work was to evaluate West Indian Cherry (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) above-ground and root system development, in plants propagated by seeds and cuttings at different soil density levels ( 1,0; 1,2; 1,4 and 1,6kg dm-3). The experiment was carried out in pots with 200 mm diameter and 285 mm height, divided in three rings with 100, 35 and 150 mm height. The experimental design was totally randomized in a factorial arrangement 2 x 4 (two propagation forms and four soil densities) with five replications. The increase in soil density improved a higher above-ground parts and roots development in plants propagated by cuttings. Independent of the propagation method, the studied soil density levels did not prevent the root penetration.

Bryothamnion seaforthii, a red alga common to the Northeastern coast of Brazil, was used to prepare the protein fraction F0/60 by ammonium sulfate precipitation. The chromatography of F0/60 on DEAE-Sephadel column resulted in two lectin fractions, PI and PII, which have antinociceptive properties in rodents. We determined the antinociceptive activity of the PII fraction and of a carbohydrate-containing fraction (CF) in mice. The CF was prepared from the dried algae, after digestion with 100 mM sodium acetate, pH 6.0, containing 5 mM cysteine, EDTA and 0.4% papain, at 60ºC. A 10% cetylpyridinium chloride was added to the filtrate, and the precipitate was dissolved with 2 M NaCl:ethanol (100:15, v/v) followed by the carbohydrate precipitation with ethanol. The final precipitate, in acetone, was dried at 25ºC. The PII fraction markedly inhibited acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing after ip administration (control: 27.1 ± 2.20; PII 0.1 mg/kg: 5.5 ± 1.85; 1 mg/kg: 1.6 ± 0.72 writhes/20 min) and after oral administration (control: 32.0 ± 3.32; PII 0.1 mg/kg: 13.1 ± 2.50; 1 mg/kg: 9.4 ± 3.96 writhes/20 min). PII was also effective against both phases of pain induced by 1% formalin (control, ip: 48.2 ± 2.40 and 27.7 ± 2.56 s; PII: 1 mg/kg, ip: 34.3 ± 5.13 and 5.6 ± 2.14 s; control, po: 44.5 ± 3.52 and 25.6 ± 2.39 s; PII 5 mg/kg, po: 26.5 ± 4.67 and 15.3 ± 3.54 s for the 1st and 2nd phases, respectively) and in the hot-plate test. The CF (ip) also displayed significant antinociceptive properties in all tests but at higher doses (1 and 5 mg/kg, ip and po). Thus, CF at the dose of 5 mg/kg significantly inhibited writhes (ip: 7.1 ± 2.47 and po: 14.5 ± 2.40 writhes/20 min) as well as the 1st (po: 19.6 ± 1.74 s) and 2nd (po: 7.1 ± 2.24 s) phases of the formalin test compared to controls ip and po. The antinociceptive effects of both the PII and CF in the formalin and hot-plate tests were prevented at least partially by pretreatment with the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (2 mg/kg, sc). Moreover, both fractions retained antinociceptive activity in the acetic acid-induced writhing test following heating, a procedure which abolished the hemagglutinating activity of the fraction, presumably due to lectins also present. Finally, both fractions also prolonged the barbiturate-induced sleeping time. These results indicate that carbohydrate molecules present in the PII (26.8% carbohydrate) and CF (21% of the alga dried weight) obtained from B. seaforthii display pronounced antinociceptive activity which is resistant to heat denaturation and is mediated by an opioid mechanism, as indicated by naloxone inhibition.

Although the role of oxidized lipoproteins is well known in atherogenesis, the role of vitamin E supplementation is still controversial. There is also little information about cholesterol metabolism (hepatic concentration and fecal excretion) in the new models of atherosclerosis. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of moderate vitamin E supplementation on cholesterol metabolism and atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E (apo E)-deficient mice. Apo E-deficient mice were fed an atherogenic diet containing 40 or 400 mg/kg of alpha-tocopherol acetate for 6 weeks. Total cholesterol in serum and liver and 3-OH-alpha-sterols in feces, and fecal excretion of bile acids were determined and histological analyses of aortic lesion were performed. A vitamin E-rich diet did not affect body weight, food intake or serum cholesterol. Serum and hepatic concentrations of cholesterol as well as sterol concentration in feces were similar in both groups. However, when compared to controls, the alpha-tocopherol-treated mice showed a reduction of about 60% in the atherosclerotic lesions when both the sum of lesion areas and the average of the largest lesion area were considered. These results demonstrate that supplementation of moderate doses of alpha-tocopherol was able to slow atherogenesis in apo E-deficient mice and to reduce atherogenic lipoproteins without modifying the hepatic pool or fecal excretion of cholesterol and bile acids.

Lysozyme protein net is set on a glass fiber support using the self-assembly technique. Enzymatic film formation is followed by surface imaging via atomic force microscopy (AFM). Change in roughness as a function of deposition time is used as an indirect indicator of film formation. The objective was to form a protein film that would have no effect on the permeability of the medium, aiming at its application as a bioactive membrane or reactor suitable for bacteria and chemical interactions in aqueous media.

Probiotics are formulations containing live microorganisms or microbial stimulants that have some beneficial influence on the maintenance of a balanced intestinal microbiota and on the resistance to infections. The search for probiotics to be used in prevention or treatment of enteric infections, as an alternative to antibiotic therapy, has gained significant impulse in the last few years. Several studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of lactic acid bacteria in controlling infection by intestinal pathogens and in boosting the host's nonspecific immune response. Here, we studied the use of Lactobacillus acidophilus UFV-H2b20, a lactic acid bacterium isolated from a human newborn from Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, as a probiotic. A suspension containing 108 cells of Lactobacillus acidophilus UFV-H2b20 was inoculated into groups of at least five conventional and germfree Swiss mice to determine its capacity to stimulate the host mononuclear phagocytic activity. We demonstrate that this strain can survive the stressing conditions of the intestinal tract in vivo. Moreover, the monoassociation of germfree mice with this strain for seven days improved the host's macrophage phagocytic capacity, as demonstrated by the clearance of a Gram-negative bacterium inoculated intravenously. Monoassociated mice showed an undetectable number of circulating E. coli, while 0.1% of the original inoculum was still present in germfree animals. Mice treated with viable or heat-killed Lactobacillus acidophilus UFV-H2b20 presented similarly improved clearance capacity when compared with germfree controls. In addition, monoassociated mice had twice the amount of Kupffer cells, which are responsible for the clearance of circulating bacteria, compared to germfree controls. These results suggest that the L. acidophilus strain used here stimulates a nonspecific immune response and is a strong candidate to be used as a probiotic.

Estudaram-se aspectos morfológicos de plântulas de Carapa guianensisAubl. e Carapa proceraD. C. desde a germinação até 90 dias de idade. Ambas espécies possuem germinação hipógea e criptocotilar, e, embora não muito frequente, apresentam plântulas albinas. Apesar de que na fase adulta as duas espécies apresentaram folhas compostas, a plântula de C. proceraprimeiramente lança em média seis folhas simples, enquanto a de C. guianenis, desde o início emite folhas compostas. C. procerapossui comumente semente poliembriônicas, não sendo observado este fenômeno em C. guianensis.Portanto, um dos principais descritores morfológicos, para a distinção das plântulas destas espécies, é tipo de folha emitida. A presença ou ausência de poliembrionia, também pode ser um caráter útil para a identificação.

Seedling morphology was studied in Campa guianensisAubl. and Carapa proceraD. C. from germination to 90 days age. In both species germination is hypogeal and cryptocotylar. Both have rare albino seedlings. Though both species have compound leaves when adult, C, proceraputs out an average total of six simple leaves at germination, while leaves of C. guianensisare compound at all stages. This is the best diagnostic character for separation of the two species at the young seedling stage. Not diagnostic, but none the less useful, is the fact, that polyembryonic seeds are often found in C. procera,but not observed in C guianensis.