Resumo em Inglês:

Yeasts isolated from sugar cane and maize rhizosphere, leaves and stalks were screened against the phytopathogenic molds Colletotrichum sublineolum and Colletotrichum graminicola, both causal agents of the anthracnose disease in sorghum and maize, respectively. Strains identified as Torulaspora globosa and Candida intermedia were able to inhibit the mold growth, with the first species also exhibiting killer activity. No previous report on the application and potentiality of these yeasts as biocontrol agents were found neither the killer phenotype in Torulaspora globosa.

Resumo em Inglês:

The present study describes the plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis in suspension culture derived from the leaf and stem explants of Phyla nodiflora. The medium type, plant growth regulators, complex extract (coconut milk and malt extract) and anti-oxidant (activated charcoal, ascorbic acid, Polyvinylpyrrolidone and citric acid) markedly influenced the embryo regeneration of P. nodiflora. MS with 2,4-D and activated charcoal (10 mg/L) gave the highest stimulation of embryogenic callus growth. Optimized callus was transfered into suspension culture, which showed the globular, heart shaped embryos in MS with 2,4-D + BA + picloram (0.1 mg/L), coconut milk (10 ml/L), citric acid (100 mg/L) on 6th subcultures. Further development stages such as torpedo and cotyledonary stage embryos and fostered maturation of embryos were observed at 8th and 10th subculture. However, the high frequency embryo germination and plantlet (45 plants/20 mg cotyledonary stages embryos) formation was obtained in half-strength MS medium without growth regulators from cotyledonary embryos. All the plantlets established in the field exhibited morphological characters similar to those of the mother plant.

Resumo em Inglês:

In this work, modelling of Neuraminidase protein of Influenza A virus (A/Himeji/1/2009(H1N1)) neuraminidase (NA) protein was done using Modeller 9V2. Modelled structure was submitted to protein model database and could be downloaded using accession number PM0075830. The modelled protein structure was subjected to In silco analysis using various bioinformatics tools. Two anti-influenza drugs currently being used to treat infected patients are oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), both of which target the neuraminidase enzyme of the virus. Reports of the emergence of drug resistance make the development of new anti-influenza molecules a priority. Hence the modelled structure of H1NI Neuraminidase could be very useful for in silico analysis of potential neuraminidase inhibitors.

Resumo em Inglês:

This work aimed at studying the effects of different sources and cytokinin concentrations, as well as explants orientation and time of their permanence in shoots induction medium to obtain high multiplication rate. Four experiments were carried out to evaluate the sprout percentage mean, shoots number per explant, elongated shoots percentage and shoots length. The treatments with 2iP and zeatin did not promote in vitro plant multiplication. When different BAP concentrations were tested, an increase in sprout percentage was obtained using BAP concentration up to 3.66 mg L-1 (80%), and for shoots number per explant a linear behavior was observed, showing a mean of four shoots per explant with 4.0 mg L-1 BAP. For the 'Flordaguard' rootstocks, the explants orientation did not alter the potential in vitro multiplication and the shoots growth. However, the explants permanence in the shoots induction medium for 40 days provided the best results for shoots growth.

Resumo em Inglês:

A field experiment was conducted for ten years in a sandy soil in the north part of the Paraná State, Brazil. The soil samples were collected at 0-10 cm depth, both under the coffee canopy and in the inter row space between the coffee plants, in the following treatments: Control, Leucaena leucocephala, Crotalaria spectabilis, Crotalaria breviflora, Mucuna pruriens, Mucuna deeringiana, Arachis hypogaea and Vigna unguiculata. The legume crops influenced the microbial activity, both under the coffee canopy and in the inter row space. The cultivation of Leucaena leucocephala increased the microbial biomass C, N and P. Although L. leucocephala and Arachis hypogaea provided higher microbial biomass, the qCO2 decreased by up to 50% under the coffee canopy and by about 25% in the inter row space. The soil microbial biomass was enriched in N and P due to green manure residue addition.

Resumo em Inglês:

The aim of this work was to study the production of the bioinsecticide using the aerobic cultivation. Two-stage cultivation process was used: aerobic vegetative growth and end-phase of sporulation (with aeration and without aeration). The cuts of working volume evaluated were 20, 40, 60 and 80 %. The highest value of spore concentration (2.17x10(9) CFU/mL) and spore productivity (7.2x10(7) CFU/mL.h) were observed using SP60. The lethal concentration (CL50) obtained through the aeration process and non-aeration process were 0.21 and 0.05 mg/L, respectively. The specific potential of the bioinsecticide produced without aeration (0.025 mg/10-12 CFU) was two times higher than that obtained with aeration (0.05 mg/10-12 CFU).

Resumo em Inglês:

We have constructed a short gene with a single step assembly PCR without any additional amplification primers with Taq and Pfu polymerases. Since the Taq polymerase is a common and conventional enzyme for PCR reactions, we have analyzed various effects on its efficiency. Eventually, we have been able to synthesize the gene in less than 40 minutes by Taq polymerase.

Resumo em Inglês:

The dichloromethane extract of Almeidea coerulea stems yielded the (11-hydroxyrutaecarpine alkaloid reported for the first time from this species) and the triterpene (28-hydroxy-28, 29-dihydrolupeol). The dictamine, skimianine, sitosterol and stigmasterol were also isolated from methanol extract. Extracellular forms of Leishmania amazonensis (promastigotes) was tested with dichloromethane extract and 28-hydroxy-28, 29-dihydrolupeol with showed anti-leishmanial activity above 0.1 mg/mL and 75µg/mL (inhibited 50% promastigote growth), respectively.

Resumo em Inglês:

The effect of severe food restriction since birth on regulation of fasting glycemia in male Wistar rats was investigated. The control group (CG) had free supply of chow, while the restriction group (RG) received 50% of the amount ingested by the CG. The experiments were done in adult (60 days) overnight fasted rats in which glycemia, liver free glucose levels and hepatic glycogen concentration were measured. In part of the experiments in situ liver perfusion was done. The results showed that livers from the RG had higher glycogenolysis rates but lower gluconeogenesis rates from L-alanine (10 mM). Since RG showed maintained glycemia during fasting, it could be concluded that livers from RG produced glucose preferentially from glycogenolysis in detriment of gluconeogenesis. These findings demonstrated that in spite of severe caloric restriction, the metabolic adaptations of the liver did exist to assure the maintenance of blood glucose for brain supply during fasting.

Resumo em Inglês:

In this study, BevMab was conjugated with the bifunctional chelating agent [diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)] and the product (BevMab-DTPA) was labeled with 99mTc using stannous chloride reducing method. The quality control studies of radiolabeled compound (99mTc-BevMab-DTPA) were done with Thin Layer Radio Chromatography (TLRC) and High Performance Liquid Radio Chromatography (HPLRC) methods (% 95 <) to confirm the labeling efficiency. High radiochemical yield [98.07 % ± 2.17 (n = 13)] was obtained by TLRC method. Biodistribution studies of 99mTc labeled BevMab-DTPA was run on healthy female and male Albino Wistar rats. The distribution figures demonstrated that the radiolabeled compound was eliminated through the kidneys and accumulated in urinary bladder. The values of the BevMab-DTPA uptakes were similar in heart, blood, liver and spleen in both sexes.

Resumo em Inglês:

The aim of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and obesity among a Brazilian indigenous population. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2008 among Kaingang native Americans from the central region of the state of Paraná, Brazil. Eighty two of the inhabitants aged 15 or older were selected. Height, weight, blood pressure, waistline circumference, and hip circumference were measured. After fasting, the blood was collected for the measurement of glucose, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, total cholesterol, AI and B apolipoprotein, and hemoglobin. The prevalences found were: fasting hyperglycemia (9.8%), hypercholesterolemia (4.9%), reduced HDL cholesterol (13.4%), hypertriglyceridemia (11%), abdominal obesity (37.8%), generalized obesity (26.8%), arterial hypertension (26.8%), and anemia (46.3%). The prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among the Kaingang was 11%, all in females 20 to 49 years of age. The results suggested that the changes in the indigenous lifestyle, especially in eating habits and physical activity, have occurred.

Resumo em Inglês:

Natural diet of Neohelice granulata in two salt marshes of Lagoa dos Patos, RS were studied. Sampling was performed seasonally and crabs were captured by hand by three persons during one hour, fixed in formaldehyde (4%) during 24 h, transferred to alcohol (70%). Each foregut was weighed and repletion level was determined. Differences between sexes in the frequencies of occurrence of items were tested by χ2test. A total of 452 guts were analyzed. Quali-quantitative analyses were calculated following the method of relative frequency occurrence and relative frequency of the points. At both sites, for both sexes and in all seasons, the main food items were sediment, Spartina sp. and plant detritus. The highest values of mean repletion index were estimated for the spring and summer. Analysing both salt marshes, in different seasons significant shifts in the natural diet of Neohelice granulata was not observed throughout the period of study.

Resumo em Inglês:

A chromosome walking method was improved in this work. The new method was named as nonspecific primer anchored PCR (NPA-PCR). Nested gene specific primers were designed based on the known region and long random primer using degeneracy oligonucleotides for nonspecific anchoring. Annealing temperatures were varied to control the priming. Target sequences were obtained by PCR with random primer and gene-specific primer. Nonspecific sequence with long random primers at both ends formed stem loop structure due to inverted terminal repeats. The method was employed to isolate a gene with newly-isolated actinomycin producing strain Streptomyces setonii Z-L-22. A 0.77 kb fragment of actinomycin synthetase gene cluster was isolated from the strain. The fragments of 1474bp and 701bp were obtained, respectively, at the up and down streams of known fragment through the this method. NCBI Blast analysis showed that the walking sequence and the known sequence were located conjointly in the same cluster gene. It demonstrated that the result was correct and this technique could be useful and efficient for chromosome walking or isolating the gene.

Resumo em Inglês:

The aims of this study were the synthesis, characterization and the testing of vinyldiphenylphosphonium salt phytotoxicity. Phytotoxicity of the synthesised salt was tested on Cucumis sativus L. seed germination and early seedling growth, at five different concentrations, using a standardized toxicity test. Endpoints included the determination of some seedling parameters: root and shoot length, root and shoot biomass, root and shoot dry weight ratio and final germination percentage. The vinyldiphenylphosphonium salt showed moderate to strong root length and root biomass inhibition, which increases progressively with the increasd of the concentration level.

Resumo em Inglês:

In this study, twelve fungal lipase producing strains belonging to Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichoderma and Mucor genera were isolated from palm oil mill effluent composts. The Aspergillus spp. were more frequent (42%) and was present in all the samples assayed. Mucor sp. was the least encountered (8.3%).The lipase producing profile showed that Trichoderma (8.07-8.24 u/mL) and Aspergillus (6.25 -7.54 u/mL) spp. were the highest lipase producers while Mucor (5.72 u/mL) was the least.

Resumo em Inglês:

The aim of this work was to perform the histological characterization of the C. sativa leaves of three Portuguese cultivars to establish comparison among the leaves of the different quadrants in accord and with the cardinal points of the tree top and among different cultivars of this species, using light microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Measurements were also carried out for the leaf tissue thickness, stomatal density, leaf area in the four tree top quadrants. The leaves turned to the North had lesser thickness of mesophyll mainly due to lower amount of palisade parenchyma. The stomatal density was significantly lower in these leaves, unlike the leaf area that has the highest expression.

Resumo em Inglês:

In this work, the thermodynamic equilibrium and applying of PEG4000/Phosphate ATPS on the purification of bromelain extracted from pineapple was studied. A rigorous study of the equilibrium curves and tie-line length from PEG4000/phosphate ATPS were done for the pH 6-11 at 25ºC. Results showed that there was augment in the PEG and salt contents with the high pH value from PEG4000/Phosphate ATPS and two-phase formation needed only increasing the PEG content. Two tie-line length at pH 11 from PEG4000/Phosphate ATPS were optimal condition for bromelain purification, one on composition of 14% PEG and 13% salt and other at 12.6% PEG and 12.2% salt, while a 25-62 folds of enzyme was found. SDS-PAGE electrophoreses had one band only, which showed that bromelain was purified. Optimum conditions of bromelain use were found at pH 7 and between 30-40ºC.

Resumo em Inglês:

Fungi collected from Brazilian soil and decomposing plants were screened for pectinase production. R. microsporus var. rhizopodiformis was the best producer and was selected to evaluate the pectic enzyme production under several nutritional and environmental conditions. The pectinase production was studied at 40ºC, under 28 carbon sources-supplemented medium. The inducer effect of several agro-industrial residues such as sugar cane bagasse, wheat flour and corncob on polygalacturonase (PG) activity was 4-, 3- and 2-fold higher than the control (pectin). In glucose-medium, a constitutive pectin lyase (PL) activity was detected. The results demonstrated that R. microsporus produced high levels of PG (57.7 U/mg) and PL (88.6 U/mg) in lemon peel-medium. PG had optimum temperature at 65 ºC and was totally stable at 55 ºC for 90 min. Half-life at 70 ºC was 68 min. These results suggested that the versatility of waste carbon sources utilization by R. microsporus, produce pectic enzymes, which could be useful to reduce production costs and environmental impacts related to the waste disposal.

Resumo em Inglês:

This work was aimed at studying the influence of PFJ and/or sodium disulphite on Yacon pulp colour, and evaluating the sensory attributes of Yacon non-sugar pastes. A colour kinetic evaluation of browning in 11 treatments containing Yacon tubers, yellow passion fruit juice (PFJ) and/or sodium disulphite, over the course of 240 minutes was studied to inactivate the PPOs activity. The evaluation of the colour alterations of Yacon tuber by the addition of variable amounts of PFJ and sodium disulphite enabled identification of efficient treatments for the inhibition of browning: T7 (300 g kg -1 PFJ), T8 (400 g kg -1 PFJ), and T10 (150 g kg -1 PFJ + 0.25 g kg -1 sodium disulphite). These treatments presented high colour intensity (C*) and an insignificant (P <0.05) total colour degradation (ΔE). The products elaborated by the cooking of these ingredients were submitted to the acceptability test and data showed that T7 garnered an acceptance index of 78%.

Resumo em Inglês:

Drying kinetics of quinoa-supplemented feed for laboratory rats during processing at 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90ºC was studied and modeled in this work. Desorption isotherm was obtained at 60ºC giving a monolayer moisture content of 0.04 g water/g d.m. The experimental drying curves showed that drying process took place only in the falling rate period. Several thin-layer drying equations available in the literature were evaluated based on determination coefficient (r²), sum squared errors (SSE) and Chi-square (χ2) statisticals. In comparison to the experimental moisture values, the values estimated with the Logarithmic model gave the best fit quality (r² >0.994, SSE < 0.00015 and χ2 < 0.00018), showing this equation could predict very accurately the drying time of rat feed under the operative conditions applied.

Resumo em Inglês:

In this work, the biological denitrification associated with anoxic oxidation of methane and the microbial diversity involved were studied. Kinetic tests for nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) removal and methane uptake were carried out in 100 mL batch reactors incubated in a shaker (40 rpm) at 30 ºC. Denitrificant/methanotrophic biomass was taken from a laboratory scale reactor fed with synthetic nitrified substrates (40 mgN L-1 of NO3- and subsequently NO2-) and methane as carbon source. Results obtained from nitrate removal followed a first order reaction, presenting a kinetic apparent constant (kNO3)) of 0.0577±0.0057d-1. Two notable points of the denitrification rate (0.12gNO3--N g-1 AVS d-1 and 0.07gNO3--N g-1 AVS d-1) were observed in the beginning and on the seventh day of operation. When nitrite was added as an electron acceptor, denitrification rates were improved, presenting an apparent kinetic constant (kNO2) of 0.0722±0.0044d-1, a maximum denitrification rate of 0.6gNO2--N g-1AVS d-1, and minimum denitrification rate of 0.1gNO2--N g-1AVS d-1 at the beginning and end of the test, respectively. Endogenous material supporting denitrification and methane concentration dissolved in the substrate was discarded from the control experiments in the absence of methane and seed, respectively. Methylomonas sp. was identified in the reactors fed with nitrate and nitrite as well as uncultured bacterium.

Resumo em Inglês:

The aim of this work was to study the effect of tobacco (Nicotiana tobaccum) leaf dust at sublethal concentrations (375.6, 187.8, 93.9 0.0mg/L) on biochemical parameters of Hybrid catfish in a static semi-renewable bioassay system with the aim to ascertain its effect on the test fish after 14 days exposure period. The effects of the plant dust on the test fish was dose-dependent, revealing significant difference in albumin, glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, urea, and uric acid of the serum, liver and kidney; total protein and globulin of serum and kidney and creatinine and calcium of the serum while insignificant difference were observed for calcium and creatinine in liver and kidney and total protein and globulin in liver compared to the control. The effect of the plant dust was most pronounced in the serum, less in the kidney and least in the liver. However, the monitored water quality parameters revealed that the plant dust had effects on primary productivity, thus the biodiversity of organisms.

Resumo em Inglês:

An industrial system for the production of white liquor of a pulp and paper industry, Klabin Paraná Papéis, formed by ten reactors was modeled, simulated, and analyzed. The developed model considered possible water losses by the evaporation and reaction, in addition to variations in the volumetric flow of lime mud across the reactors due to the composition variations. The model predictions agreed well with the process measurements at the plant and the results showed that the slaking reaction was nearly complete at the third causticizing reactor, while causticizing ends by the seventh reactor. Water loss due to slaking reaction and evaporation occurred more pronouncedly in the slaker reactor than in the final causticizing reactors; nevertheless, the lime mud flow remained nearly constant across the reactors.

Resumo em Inglês:

The effects of pH and ionic strength (I) on Ni adsorption in variable charge soils were evaluated by laboratory batch experiments. Experimental results fitted the Langmuir model. Maximum adsorption (Ads max) ranged from 260-2818 mg kg-1 (topsoil) to 532-1541 mg kg-1 (subsoil). Nickel affinity (K L) was higher in the subsoil samples (0.022-0.236 L kg-1) than in topsoil (0.003-0.049 L kg-1). Adsorption envelopes showed sharp increase in Ni adsorption (20-90%) in the 4.0-6.0 pH range. Nickel adsorption was affected by I and specific adsorption predominated in the 3.0-5.0 pH range, while above pH 5.0, it was adsorbed by electrostatic mechanisms. Negative values of free energy variation (ΔG) and the separation factor K R<1 indicated that Ni adsorption reaction was favorable and occurred spontaneously, especially when pH increase. Chemical and mineralogical soil attributes should be considered as criteria for selecting the areas for disposal of residues containing Ni to minimize the impact on the environment.