The research was conducted from 2009-2011 in the Business Unit Base of Various Productions Guantanamo (UEB-PROVARI) in order to determine the optimal dose of Pectimorf® for rooting from cuttings of guava Cuban Red Dwarf. The cuttings were subjected to immersion in each of six solutions: 1) 5 mg / L of IAA, 2) distilled water, four doses of Pectimorf®, 3) 10, 4) 20, 5) 30 and 6) 40 mg L-1; after 60 days were evaluated: survival (%), number of roots, fresh and dry root biomass (g), root fraction and radical efficiency index (%). The experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design, with a sample of 10 cuttings per treatment. Data was subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared by Duncan's multi range test (p ≤ 0.05). An F Test was performed to compare the responses on cuttings under AIA and those subjected to water immersion. Responses were compared from cuttings under water and treated only with Pectimorf® doses and for root dry biomass variable was used a simple regression analysis. The results showed that the cuttings to which AIA was applied, had better rooting response than those were Pectimorf® was applied, but the latter in any dose studied was able to induce adventitious root formation in the cuttings and the best response of rooting occurred in cuttings were applied 20 mg L-1 of Pectimorf®.

La investigación se desarrolló de 2009 a 2011 en la Unidad Empresarial de Base de Producciones Varias de Guantánamo (UEB-PROVARI) con el objetivo de determinar la dosis óptima de PectiMorf® para el enraizamiento de esquejes de guayaba Enana Roja Cubana. Los esquejes se sometieron a inmersión en una de seis soluciones: 1) 5 mg/L de AIA, 2) agua destilada; cuatro dosis de PectiMorf®, 3) 10, 4) 20, 5) 30 y 6) 40 mg L-1. Transcurridos 60 días se evaluó: supervivencia (%), número de raíces, biomasa radical fresca y seca (g), fracción radical e índice de eficiencia radical (%). El experimento se realizó según un diseño completamente aleatorizado, teniendo una muestra de 10 esquejes por tratamiento. Los datos se sometieron a análisis de varianza y las medias se compararon mediante la prueba de Rangos Múltiples de Duncan (p ≤ 0.05). Se realizó una prueba de F para comparar las respuestas en estacas sometidas a AIA y las sometidas a inmersión en agua. Se compararon las respuestas de las estacas sometidas a solo agua y las tratadas con las dosis de PectiMorf® y para la variable biomasa seca radical se empleó un análisis de regresión simple. Los resultados mostraron que los esquejes a los que se aplicó AIA tuvieron mejor respuesta de enraizado que aquellos a los que se aplicó PectiMorf®, pero este último en cualquiera de sus dosis estudiadas fue capaz de inducir en los esquejes la formación de raíces adventicias, y la mejor respuesta de enraizamiento ocurrió en los esquejes a los que se aplicó 20 mg L-1de PectiMorf®.

Veracruz comes third in terms of national coffee production. This sector is facing a crisis due to the fall in prices in the international market, which has resulted amongst other things, in increased emigration to the United States of America (USA). The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between migration and the level of technology employed in coffee production in two communities in the central area of Veracruz State: Capulapa and Zapoapan. Information was obtained through observation and by interviewing the members of 46 family production units (FPU). In Zapoapan, the FPUs which presented the highest level of technological management in their coffee plantations were those with greatest access to capital, as they are more extensive, produce other crops than coffee, have more family members in U.S.A. and receive greater remittances, investing 14 % more in agriculture. In the case of the FPUs in Capulapa, no relationship was observed between the number of international emigrants, the amount of remittances received and the level of technological management. This can be attributed to 83 % of the FPUs cultivating solely coffee and depending on the ups and downs of the international market, thus their socio-economic situation is more precarious and 86 % of remittances are directed towards family sustenance, with only 7 % directed towards agricultural investment.

Veracruz ocupa el tercer lugar nacional en producción de café. El sector enfrenta una crisis por la caída de precios en el mercado internacional; esto ha ocasionado, entre otras consecuencias, un aumento de la emigración hacia Estados Unidos de América (EUA). El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la relación de la migración con el nivel de manejo tecnológico del café en dos comunidades del centro de Veracruz: Capulapa y Zapoapan. La información se obtuvo mediante observación y una encuesta a 46 unidades de producción familiar (UPF). En Zapoapan las UPF con mejor manejo tecnológico del cafetal, fueron aquellas que están más capitalizadas, pues poseen mayor superficie y producen otros cultivos, tienen más miembros en EUA, reciben más remesas e invierten 14 % de éstas en la agricultura. En las UPF de Capulapa no se observa relación entre el número de migrantes internacionales, el monto de remesas y el nivel de manejo tecnológico. Lo cual se atribuye a que 83 % de las UPF sólo cultivan café y dependen de los vaivenes del mercado internacional, consecuentemente su situación socioeconómica es más precaria y orientan 86 % de las remesas a gastos de sostenimiento familiar y sólo 7 % a inversión agrícola.

Ageratina glabrata (Kunth) R.M. King & H. Rob., Asteraceae (syn. Eupatorium glabratum Kunth) is widely distributed throughout Mexico and popularly known as "chamizo blanco" and "hierba del golpe" for its traditional use as external analgesic remedy. Though glabrata species has been chemically studied, there are no experimentally asserted reports about possible analgesic effects which can be inferred from its genus Ageratina. To fill the gap, we evaluated A. glabrata extracts in an animal model of nociception exploiting thermal stimuli. NMR and mass analyses identified a new thymol derivative, 10-benzoiloxy-6,8,9-trihydroxy-thymol isobutyrate (1), which was computationally converted into a ring-closed structure to explain interaction with the COX-2 enzyme in a ligand-receptor docking study. The resulting docked pose is in line with reported crystal complexes of COX-2 with chromene ligands. Based on the present results of dichloromethane extracts from its dried leaves, it is safe to utter that the plant possesses analgesic effects in animal tests which are mediated through inhibition of COX-2 enzyme.

A mamona (Ricinus communis) tem hábito de crescimento indeterminado, com expressiva desuniformidade de maturação dos grãos, o que dificulta sobremaneira a colheita mecanizada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência do herbicida glifosato, isolado, ou, em mistura com 2,4-D, e também do paraquat, na dessecação em pré-colheita da mamona. Foram realizados dois experimentos de campo, no delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, em Rancharia-SP, de março a setembro de 2005. No experimento 1, avaliou-se a mistura de doses de 2,4-D e de glifosato, e no experimento 2 a dessecação somente com paraquat. Foi determinado o teor de água da parte aérea de plantas de mamona em diferentes dias após a aplicação (DAA). A dessecação da mamona com a mistura de 2,4-D e glifosato tem efeito somente a partir de 20 DAA. O 2,4-D aplicado isoladamente tem expressiva capacidade de desidratação do dossel vegetal, porém, inferior à da mistura de 2,4-D e glifosato. A melhor dessecação é com 1,34 kg ha-1 de 2,4-D mais 1,42 kg ha-1 de glifosato. A dose de 1,2 kg ha-1 de paraquat reduz expressivamente o teor de água das plantas da mamona, porém, com desempenho inferior ao da mistura de 2,4-D e glifosato.

The castor bean has indeterminate growth habit and non-uniformity of grain maturation at harvest. However, pre-harvest desiccant application can increase the efficiency of mechanized harvesting. The objective of this work was to evaluate effects of the herbicides glyphosate alone or mixed with 2,4-D, and paraquat alone, in pre-harvest desiccation of castor bean. The field experiments were arranged in a completely randomized design, with four replications, in Rancharia, São Paulo State, from March to September 2005. The experiment one evaluated the application of two doses of 2,4-D associated with four doses of glyphosate at 10, 20 and 30 days after application (DAA). The experiment two evaluated four doses of paraquat at 30 DAA. The pre-harvest desiccation of castor bean with 2,4-D + glyphosate showed effect only from 20 DAA. The 2,4-D applied alone provided significant dehydration of the plant, however, the effect was lower than the mixture 2,4-D + glyphosate. The best pre-harvest desiccation in castor bean was obtained with 1.34 kg 2,4-D ha-1 plus 1.42 kg glyphosate ha-1. The dose 1.2 kg paraquat ha-1 significantly reduced moisture in castor bean, however, it was less efficiently than the mixture 2,4-D + glyphosate.

The aim of this work was to develop a glucose biosensor based on electrochemical properties of a graphite-epoxy-platinum- glucose oxidase composite. The food and beverage industry demand fast, precise and reliable analytical methods to evaluate and to assure the quality of its products and to optimize its processes. The development of amperometric enzyme biosensors represents a viable option that satisfies these requirements. The working potential and the characterization of the response of the biosensor were determined by cyclic voltammetry and amperometry, respectively. The biosensor response was máximum at 600 mV, with a response time of 20 seconds within the concentration range of linear response from 0.1 to 5 mM glucose and sensitivity of 1.4 μA/mM. The stability and lifetime of the proposed biosensor depend on the frequency of use, where the biocomposite acts as a reservoir of enzymes and electrochemical mediator.

El objetivo del trabajo consistió en desarrollar un biosensor de glucosa basado en las propiedades electroquímicas de un compósito grafito-epoxi-platino-glucosa oxidasa. La industria de alimentos y bebidas demanda métodos analíticos rápidos, precisos y confiables para evaluar y asegurar la calidad de sus productos y optimizar sus procesos. El desarrollo de biosensores enzimáticos amperométricos representa una opción viable que satisface estos requerimientos. El potencial de trabajo y la caracterización de la respuesta del biosensor desarrollado se determinaron por voltamperometría de barrido lineal y amperometría, respectivamente. La respuesta del biosensor fue máxima a 600 mV, su tiempo de respuesta fue de 20 segundos en un intervalo de concentración de respuesta lineal de 0.1 a 5 mM de glucosa y sensibilidad de 1.4 μA/mM. La estabilidad y vida útil del biosensor desarrollado dependen de la frecuencia de uso y el biocompósito actúa como reservorio de enzimas y de mediador electroquímico.

The flavonoid rutin is recognized as playing an important role in the protection of plants against lepidopterans. Bioassays with this compound are generally carried out using artificial diets. Proteins of high energy value, such as casein, are important ingredients of insect artificial diets as a source of essential amino acids. However, such proteins can generally increase the allelochemical activity. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of rutin on larvae of the velvetbean caterpillar Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner by incorporating this allelochemical into diets with different concentrations of casein. Three casein concentrations (0, 7 g, or 14 g) combined with none, 0.65%, or 1.30% of rutin were added to the rearing diet and offered to the larvae from hatching to pupation. Rutin negatively affected larval development, the amount of food consumed, and pupal weight of A. gemmatalis. These negative effects were clearly seen in insects fed on diets with 7 g of casein to which any concentration of rutin was added. The effects of rutin when added to the diets without casein were stronger than in diets containing a suitable amount of casein (14 g). The greater negative effects of rutin in diets containing suboptimal concentrations of casein indicate that casein can increase the effects of rutin only when the diets are nutritionally unsuitable for insect development.

Se presenta una serie prospectiva de 150 pacientes sometidos a bypass gástrico por laparoscopia debido a obesidad mórbida. En 98 mujeres y 52 hombres con índice de masa corporal promedio de 43,3 kg/m² se realizó un bypass gástrico en "Y" de Roux antecólico, con dos técnicas de anastomosis gastroyeyunal. La morbilidad temprana (< 1 mes) fue de 5,3 % representada principalmente por hemorragia intraabdominal, mientras que la tardía (> 1 mes) fue de 13,8 %, debida en la mayoría de los casos a estenosis de la gastroyeyunoanastomosis. No hubo mortalidad en la serie. Con un seguimiento del 70 %, encontramos pérdidas de exceso de peso del 84 % al año de posoperatorio (valor promedio), con mejoría de comorbilidades de 92,5 % en hipertensión arterial y 59,9 % en diabetes. Se concluye que la técnica de bypass gástrico por laparoscopia, representa una alternativa factible, segura y efectiva para los pacientes con obesidad mórbida.

A prospective series of 150 patients submitted to laparoscopic gastric bypass for morbid obesity is presented. In 92 women and 58 men with a median body mass index of 43.3 kg/m² an antecolic Roux en Y gastric bypass was performed using two techniques of gastrojejunostomy. The early morbidity (< 1 month) was of 5.3 % mainly represented by intraabdominal bleeding, while the late morbidity (> 1 month) was of 13.8 %, and in most cases due to stenosis of the gastrojejunal anastomosis. No mortality occurred in the series. With a 70 % follow up, we found an excess weight loss of 84 % at first postoperative year (mean value), with co-morbidities improvement of 92.5 % on hypertension and 59.9 % on diabetes. We concluded that the technique of laparoscopic gastric bypass is a feasible, safe, and effective alternative for patients with morbid obesity.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: As células tumorais da doença de Hodgkin (HD) são positivas para marcadores de proliferação celular que são analisados por seus genes e respectivas proteínas. A correlação entre a expressão destas proteínas e os parâmetros clínico-laboratoriais são, no momento, de importância para o prognóstico da doença. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo retrospectivo da expressão do antígeno de proliferação celular (PCNA) e da p53 e MDM2 em tecidos obtidos ao diagnóstico, fixados por formol, embebidos em parafina de 51 pacientes com HD. O trabalho foi realizado na Divisão de Hematologia e Transfusão, Hospital São Paulo, Universidade Federal de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: As expressões antigênicas foram analisadas através da proporção de células de Hodgkin e células de Reed Sternberg (HRS) e linfócitos reacionais (L) positivos. A intensidade de expressão de cada proteína foi comparada entre L e HRS através do coeficiente de Spearman. A comparação da PCNA, p53 e MDM2 em L e HRS se fez pelo teste de Fiedman. As correlações entre variáveis clínico-laboratoriais, comprometimento da medula óssea, taxas de sobrevida geral e remissão clínica com as proteínas em HRS se fizeram pelo coeficiente de Pearson. RESULTADOS: Houve superexpressão das três proteínas em células HRS comparadas aos L (p < 0,001). Nas células HRS, a MDM2 foi maior que a p53 e a PCNA (p < 0,003), que foram equivalentes. Nos L, a p53 foi menor que a MDM2 e a PCNA (p < 0,001), que foram equivalentes Não houve relação entre as expressões das proteínas com as variáveis clínico-laboratoriais e sobrevida. CONCLUSÕES: PCNA, p53 e MDM2 são marcadores tumorais na HD, porém não mostraram significado clínico-prognóstico em nossa análise.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Tumor cells in Hodgkin’s disease (HD) express cell proliferation markers that are evaluated according to the oncogenes involved or the expression of their proteins. Correlations between the protein expression grade and clinical data are now important for disease prognosis. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a retrospective analysis on proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), p53 and MDM2 (murine double minute-2) expression using immunohistochemistry, on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from diagnostic biopsies on 51 patients with HD. The study was conducted at the Division of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Hospital São Paulo, Universidade Federal de São Paulo. METHODS: Antigen expression was evaluated as the proportions of positive Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells and reactive lymphocytes (L), which were compared using Spearman correlation coefficients. The Friedman test was used for comparisons between the markers. The Pearson test was used to investigate associations between marker expression and clinical and laboratory parameters, marrow involvement, complete remission (CR) and overall survival (OS) rates. RESULTS: There was overexpression of antigen proteins in HRS, in relation to L (p < 0.001). In HRS, MDM2 was higher than p53 and PCNA (p < 0.003), while the latter two were equivalent. In L, p53 was lower than MDM2 and PCNA (p < 0.001), while the latter two were equivalent. There was no relationship between protein expression and clinical and laboratory variables or outcome. CONCLUSIONS: PCNA, p53 and MDM2 are tumor markers for HD, but showed no clinical or prognostic significance in our analysis.

Three experiments were made aimed at validating the spasmolytic activity of Melissa officinalis L. described by popular medicine. The first in vitro, consisted in the evaluation of the response of Melissa to the contractions induced by different spasmogens in ileum isolated from guinea pig. An in vivo experiment evaluated the intestinal transit in mice, whereas a model of diarrheas in rats was applied in the other. Ethanol was used as menstruum in all models. Papaverine was used as positive control. Melissa officinalis proved to have an antispasmodic action in the 3 studies conducted.

Se realizaron 3 experimentos con el objetivo de validar la propiedad espasmolítica de la Melissa officinalis L., descrita por la medicina popular. El primero, in vitro, consistió en la evaluación de la respuesta de la Melissa en íleon aislado de cobayo, frente a las contracciones inducidas por diferentes espasmógenos. Un experimento in vivo evaluó la actividad del tránsito intestinal en ratones y en el otro se aplicó un modelo de diarreas en ratas. En todos los modelos se utilizó etanol como menstruo. Se empleó papaverina como control positivo. La Melissa officinalis mostró acción antiespasmódica en los 3 estudios realizados.