Response of early-cycle common bean cultivars with carioca, black and speckled grains to top-dressing nitrogen fertilization

The aim was to evaluate the agronomic and qualitative attributes of early-cycle common bean cultivars with different grains types grains in response to top-dressing nitrogen (N) doses. The experiment was carried out using a randomized block design, in a split-plot scheme, with 4 replicates. The plots consisted of the cultivars IAC Nuance, IAC 1849 Polaco and IAC Veloz, with speckled, Carioca and black grains, respectively. The subplots were formed by N doses applied as top-dressing: 0 kg ha-1, 60 kg ha-1 (applied in the stage of third trifoliate leaf), 120 kg ha-1 (1/2 applied at third trifoliate leaf stage + 1/2 applied at the floral bud stage) and 180 kg ha-1 (1/3 applied at the first trifoliate leaf stage + 1/3 applied at the third trifoliate leaf stage + 1/3 applied at the floral bud stage). IAC Veloz stood out for grain yield, showing the highest grain yield in the lowest N doses, being classified as efficient to the use of N. The cultivars IAC Nuance and IAC 1849 Polaco reached maximum yields with 155 and 163 kg ha-1 of N. The IAC Nuance was the most responsive, increasing grain yield by up to 25.3% due to nitrogen fertilization. Increasing N doses applied as top-dressing increased the sieve yield and crude protein content of the common bean cultivars, with IAC Nuance standing out. The cultivars showed good grain quality, and IAC 1849 Polaco and IAC Veloz had the shortest cooking time and IAC Veloz also had the fastest hydration.

Tableta masticable de lecitina de soya: de subproducto a producto farmacéutico / Chewable pill of soy phosphatidylcholine: from by-product to pharmaceutical product

En el Laboratorio Farmacéutico Oriente de Santiago de Cuba se acometió el desarrollo de una tableta masticable de lecitina de soya con fines de registro y ulterior producción, lo cual se realizó durante el bienio 2011-2013. Se utilizaron excipientes de calidad farmacéutica, los métodos analíticos de la Farmacopea de los Estados Unidos, edición 35/Formulario Nacional, edición 30 del 2012, así como la tecnología de granulación húmeda y compresión directa. La lecitina fue caracterizada como materia prima farmacéutica y la tableta desarrollada cumplió con los atributos de calidad establecidos, por lo cual se registró con estabilidad comprobada de 2 años. Se suministró valor agregado a esta sustancia, con riesgo potencial de acumulación para el medio ambiente, como producto farmacéutico nuevo en Cuba

The development of a chewable pill of soy phosphatidylcholilne was undertaken in Oriente Pharmaceutical Laboratory from Santiago de Cuba with registration ends and subsequent production, that was carried out during the biennium 2011-2013. Excipients of pharmaceutical quality, the analytic methods of the United States Pharmacopoeia, edition 35/National Form, 2012 30th edition, as well as the technology of humid granulation and direct compression were used. Phosphatidylcholine was characterized as pharmaceutical raw material and the developed pill fulfilled the established quality attributes, reason why it was registered with 2 years proven stability. Added value was given to this substance, with potential risk of accumulation for the environment, as new pharmaceutical product in Cuba

Aspectos farmacológicos de la lecitina de soya y sus posibles aplicaciones médicas / Pharmacological aspects of soy phosphatidylcholine and its possible medical uses

La lecitina de soya, producto natural empleado como suplemento nutricional, presenta múltiples acciones biológicas demostradas, por lo cual resulta muy beneficiosa para tratar a pacientes con distintas afecciones. Teniendo en cuenta lo anterior se realizó la presente investigación donde se exponen algunos aspectos de interés, con vistas a difundir aún más lo relacionado con esta temática

The soy phosphatidylcholine, natural product used as nutritional supplement, presents multiple demonstrated biological actions, reason why it is very beneficial to treat patients with different disorders. Taking into account the above-mentioned the present investigation was carried out where some aspects of interest are exposed, aimed at diffusing even more everything related to this thematic

Estudio de la capacidad antioxidante in vitro de Phaseolus vulgaris L. (frijol) mediante extracción asistida por microondas / Study of in vitro antioxidant capacity of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (frijol) by microwave assisted extraction

Introducción: Phaseolus vulgaris L. (frijol) es una fuente nutricional importante en Colombia, que aporta un gran contenido de sustancias bioactivas con potencial benéfico para la salud, tales como polifenoles, entre otras, que contribuyen de manera sinérgica con sus propiedades terapéuticas, y que pueden tener un efecto positivo contra algunas patologías. Objetivos: evaluar el método de extracción asistido por microondas como método alternativo para estudiar la capacidad antioxidante in vitro en ocho variedades de P. vulgaris L. cultivadas en Colombia. Métodos: semillas sin piel de P. vulgaris, deshidratadas y maceradas se sometieron a extracción asistida por microondas y extracción sólido-líquido; el contenido de fenoles se evaluó por el método de Folin-Ciocalteu y el potencial antioxidante in vitro se evaluó con base en los métodos del radical estable catión radical difenil-picrilhidrazilo y el radical catión 2,2´-azino-bis(ácido 3-etilbenzotiazolin-6-sulfunico). Resultados: el método de extracción asistido por microondas realizada en horno microondas convencional fue más eficiente respecto a la convencional ya que disminuyó la cantidad de solvente, de muestra empleada y los tiempos de extracción. Los extractos obtenidos por extracción asistida por microondas en horno microndas convencional presentaron un contenido de fenoles entre 29,36 y 60,61 g EAG/L, mientras que el método extracción sólido-líquido, estuvo entre 32,75 y 113,27 g EAG/L. El efecto anti-radicalario fue similar entre los extractos evaluados. Conclusiones: todos los extractos presentaron buena capacidad protectora contra radicales libres, y la técnica de extracción asistida por microondas en horno microndas convencional puede ser usada como método alterno para una valoración rápida, eficiente y eficaz del contenido de sustancias bioactivas en diferentes matrices, se presentó mínimas diferencias entre los resultados obtenidos, comparados con las metodologías de extracción asistida por microondas establecidas antes(AU)

Introduction: Phaseolus vulgaris L. is a representative crop of nutrient and economic importance in Colombia. Additionally, P. vulgaris is considered as a natural source of bioactives compounds, such as polyphenols, which have been associated with valuable effects on health. Objetives: to evaluate the microwave extraction assisted technique as an alternative methodology to study the antioxidant capacity of eight varieties of P. vulgaris cultivated in Colombia. Methods: dehydrated and powered seeds of P. vulgaris was subjected to microwave assisted extraction and solid-liquid extraction and. Total phenolis content was determined by Folin-Cicoulteau method and the potential antioxidant was evaluated using diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl radical stable and 2,2-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical cation assays. Results: microwave assisted extraction-Household microwave oven technique was more efficient and versatile than SLE method. The extracts obtained microwave assisted extraction-Household microwave oven methodology showed polyphenol content ranged between entre 29,36 and 60,61 g EGA/L, but SLE was over 32,75 and 113,27 g EAG/L. Conclusions: all extracts showed a considerable antioxidant potential against free radical, and microwave assisted extraction-Household microwave oven method could be used as an alternative method for fast, efficient and effective evaluation of the content of polyphenol in various matrices, with minimal differences comparing to established microwave assisted extraction techniques(AU)

Isolation and partial characterization of bean phytohemagglutinins

Los extractos de semillas de 21 variedades de caraota fueron ensayados para determinar la especificidad hemaglutinante y la actividad mitogénica. Entre las diferentes variedades de caraotas se pueden distinguir cuatro tipos, dos de los cuales son mitógenos. Se aislaron dos fracciones de lectinas (α y b) de cada uno de los cuatro tipos de caraotas. Sus PM fueron estimados por cromatografía de exclusión y los azúcares presentes por cromatografía en papel. La actividad hemaglutinante, la inhibición de la acción hemaglutinante por derivados de azúcares y glucopéptidos, así como la acción mitogénica, se determinaron para las ocho lectinas purificadas y las cuatro preparaciones control. Las fracciones α y b aisladas a partir de dos de los tipos de caraotas mostraron solamente acción mitogénica mínima, mientras que las de los otros dos tipos de caraotas y todas las preparaciones control fueron mitógenos potentes. Todas las preparaciones mitogénicas aglutinaron en altas diluciones tanto a los glóbulos rojos de vaca activados con tripsina como a los de hámster activados con pronasa; sin embargo, algunas preparaciones resultaron inactivas cuando se probaron con los glóbulos rojos humanos o de conejo(AU)

Extracts of seeds of 21 bean cultlvars were screened for hemagglutinating specifity and for mitogenic activity. Four types could be distinguished in different beans, two of which are mitogens. Two lectin fractions (a and β) were isolated from each of the four bean types. Their MW were estimated by exclusion chromatography and component sugars by paper chromatography. Hemagglutinating activity, inhibition of hemagglutinating action by sugar-derivatives and glyco-peptides as well as mitogenic action were determined for the eight purified lectins and four control preparations. The a and β-fractions isolated from two bean types had only minimal mitogenic action, while those from the other two bean types and all of the control preparations were potent mitogens. All the mitogenic preparations agglutinated trypsin-activated cow red blood cells and pronase-activated hamster red blood cells in high dilutions but some were inactlve when tested with human or rabbit red blood cells(AU)

Decreased memory T-cell response and function in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with tegumentary leishmaniasis

The effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on the immune response in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis have not yet been fully delineated. This study quantified and evaluated the function of memory T-cell subsets in response to soluble Leishmania antigens (SLA) from patients coinfected with HIV and Leishmania with tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL). Eight TL/HIV coinfected subjects and 10 HIV seronegative subjects with TL were evaluated. The proliferative response of CD4+and CD8+T-cells and naïve, central memory (CM) and effector memory (EM) CD4+T-cells in response to SLA were quantified using flow cytometry. The median cell division indices for CD4+and CD8+T-cells of coinfected patients in response to SLA were significantly lower than those in patients with Leishmania monoinfection (p < 0.05). The proportions of CM and EM CD4+T-cells in response to SLA were similar between the coinfected patients and patients with Leishmania monoinfection. However, the median CM and EM CD4+T-cell counts from coinfected patients were significantly lower (p < 0.05). The reduction in the lymphoproliferative response to Leishmania antigens coincides with the decrease in the absolute numbers of both EM and CM CD4+T-cells in response to Leishmania antigens in patients coinfected with HIV/Leishmania.

Hydrotime model can describe the response of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) seeds to temperature and reduced water potential / O modelo 'hydrotime' pode descrever a resposta de sementes de feijão comum (Phaseolus vulgaris L) à temperatura e potenciais de água reduzidos

Germination parameters of the response to temperature and water potential from four common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) lines based on thermal-time and hydrotime concepts were estimated to verify to what extent they can predict germination under different thermal and water conditions. The cultivars IPR Uirapuru and IAPAR 81 (drought-tolerant), and Grauna and Carioca (not tolerant) were used. The isothermal assays were performed in a temperature gradient block, and the assays with different osmotic potentials (PEG 6000) were performed in germination chambers. Seeds from drought-tolerant cultivars spent less time to germinate at supra-optimum temperatures than non-tolerant ones, and the cultivar Uirapuru (drought-tolerant) germinated faster in response to reduced Ψ and low temperatures. The parameter Ψb(50) did not discriminate between drought-tolerant and non-tolerant lines at the infra-optimum temperature range, but it can be used to identify drought-tolerant lines at high temperatures. In general, the hydrotime model reproduced the actual germination data relatively well, chiefly at higher temperatures. This study evidenced that the hydrotime model can be used to describe the germination of common bean seeds under reduced water potentials, and as a screening tool for drought-tolerant bean genotypes.

Neste trabalho foram determinados alguns parâmetros térmicos e hídricos da germinação de quatro cultivares de feijão comum (Phaseolus vulgaris), com base nos modelos graus.dia (thermal-time) e psi.dia (hydrotime), testando-se sua adequação em descrever a germinação em diferentes condições de temperatura e água. Foram analisadas as cultivares IPR Uirapuru e IAPAR 81 (tolerantes à seca), e Grauna e Carioca (não-tolerantes). Os ensaios isotérmicos foram realizados em bloco termogradiente, enquanto que os experimentos com diferentes potenciais osmóticos (PEG 6000) foram realizados em câmaras de germinação. Sementes das cultivares tolerantes à seca germinaram mais rapidamente do que as não-tolerantes em temperaturas supraótimas, sendo que a cultivar Uirapuru (tolerante à seca) germinou mais rápido do que as demais em resposta ao Ψ reduzido e temperaturas baixas. O parâmetro Ψb(50) não discriminou entre cultivares tolerantes e não-tolerantes à seca na faixa térmica infraótima, embora ele possa ser usado para identificar cultivares tolerantes em temperaturas supraótimas. Em geral, o modelo hydrotime descreveu bem o comportamento germinativo, principalmente em temperaturas altas. Este trabalho mostra que o modelo pode ser usado para descrever a germinação de feijão comum em potenciais de água reduzidos, e como ferramenta para identificar genótipos de feijoeiro tolerantes à seca.

Phytohemagglutinin improves the development and ultrastructure of in vitro-cultured goat (Capra hircus) preantral follicles

The objective this study was to determine the effect of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) on survival, growth and gene expression in caprine secondary follicles cultured in vitro. Secondary follicles (∼0.2 mm) were isolated from the cortex of caprine ovaries and cultured individually for 6 days in α-MEM+ supplemented with PHA (0, 1, 10, 50, 100, or 200 µg/mL). After 6 days of culture, follicle diameter and survival, antrum formation, ultrastructure and expression of mRNA for FSH receptors (FSH-R), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and neuronal nitric oxide synthase were determined. All treatments maintained follicular survival [α-MEM+ (94.59%); 1 µg/mL PHA (96.43%); 10 µg/mL PHA (84.85%); 50 µg/mL PHA (85.29%); 100 µg/mL PHA (88.57%), and 200 µg/mL PHA (87.50)], but the presence of 10 µg/mL PHA in the culture medium increased the antrum formation rate (21.21%) when compared with control (5.41%, P < 0.05) and ensured the maintenance of oocyte and granulosa cell ultrastructures after 6 days of culture. The expression of mRNA for FSH-R (2.7 ± 0.1) and PCNA (4.4 ± 0.2) was also significantly increased in follicles cultured with 10 µg/mL PHA in relation to those cultured in α-MEM+ (1.0 ± 0.1). In conclusion, supplementation of culture medium with 10 µg/mL PHA maintains the follicular viability and ultrastructure, and promotes the formation of antral cavity after 6 days of culture in vitro.

Fontes e doses de nitrogênio em cobertura no feijoeiro de inverno irrigado no sistema plantio direto / Sources and doses of sidedressing nitrogen on irrigated common bean cropped in winter in no tillage system

O feijoeiro é uma leguminosa de grande importância na economia brasileira, e o nitrogênio é o nutriente absorvido em maior quantidade. O manejo da adubação nitrogenada é de extrema importância no sentido de oferecer maior viabilidade econômica, além de aumentar a eficiência da planta na utilização dos recursos disponíveis. O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar o efeito de fontes e doses de nitrogênio em cobertura no desenvolvimento e produtividade do feijoeiro de inverno no sistema plantio direto, correlacionado com uma análise econômica simples. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 3x3, constituídos pela combinação de três fontes de nitrogênio (sulfato de amônio, uréia e mistura - sulfato de amônio ½ do N + uréia ½ do N) e diferentes doses de nitrogênio em cobertura (zero, 40 e 80 kg ha-1, aplicado na fase V4-3), com quatro repetições. O projeto foi conduzido no município de Selvíria (MS), no período de outono-inverno de 2004. O solo do local é um LATOSSOLO VERMELHO Distrófico argiloso. Conclui-se que independente da fonte de N, o aumento da adubação nitrogenada proporciona incremento na produtividade do feijoeiro de inverno até a dose de 80 kg ha-1, sendo que esta proporciona em média, aumento de 25 % na produtividade comparado com a testemunha (sem N em cobertura). A uréia é a fonte de nitrogênio de maior eficiência econômica.

The common bean is a leguminous of great importance in the Brazilian economy and nitrogen is the taken up nutrient in larger amount. Nitrogen fertilization management is of extreme importance to offer larger economical viability, besides increasing the efficiency of plant in the use of the available resources. The objective this study was to evaluate the effect of sources and doses of sidedressing nitrogen in the development and yield of winter common bean in no tillage system, as well as evaluate its economical viability. A randomized blocks design was used, in a factorial scheme 3x3 with 9 treatments constituted by three sources of nitrogen (ammonium sulphate, urea and ammonium sulphate ½ of N + urea ½ of N, applied at V4-3 stadium) and different doses of sidedressing nitrogen (0, 40, 80 kg ha-1) in four replications. The study was conducted in Selvíria county, MS State in 2004 in no season crop period, in a dystrophic Haplustox soil. The conclusion: independent of nitrogen source, nitrogen fertilization increasing provides increment in yield of winter common bean up to dose 80 kg/ha, and this provides, on average, an increase of 20% in yield compared with control (without sidedressing nitrogen). The urea is the nitrogen source of larger economical efficiency

Respuestas fisiológicas rendimiento y calidad de semilla en frijol sometido a estrés hídrico / Physiological responses, yield and seed quality of dry bean submitted to drought stress

Se evaluó la fotosíntesis global, respiración, rendimiento y calidad física y fisiológica de semillas de frijol de la variedad “Frijol negro precoz”, originario de la Mixteca Alta de Oaxaca, México. Las plantas fueron sometidas a estrés hídrico durante las etapas de formación de vainas (EFV) y llenado de semillas (ELLS). Durante ELLS la fotosíntesis global en la hoja superior disminuyó de 21,5 a -4,5µmol·m-2·s-1 de CO2 a los 5 días de iniciado el estrés hídrico y en la inferior se detectó inhibición total a los 3 días. Las vainas de plantas sometidas a estrés hídrico redujeron su fotosíntesis global en 39 y 72 por ciento en el estrato superior e inferior, respectivamente. El estrés hídrico causó pérdidas en el rendimiento de semilla de 23 y 18 por ciento en EFV y ELLS, respectivamente. En EFV la reducción se debió a la disminución de 30; 15,5 y 15,4 por ciento en el número de semillas, vainas por planta y semillas por vaina, respectivamente. En ELLS la pérdida del rendimiento fue causado por reducciones de 23 y 13 por ciento en tamaño de semilla y número de semillas por planta. La germinación, peso seco de plántulas y peso volumétrico de semilla no fueron afectados por el nivel del estrés hídrico aplicado en ambas etapas fenológicas; sin embargo, el vigor de las semillas se redujo ante un incremento de 46 por ciento en la conductividad eléctrica en la semilla de plantas con sequía en la ELLS

Digestibilidad in vitro del almidón en preparaciones cocidas y molidas de frijol / In vitro digestibility of starch in cooked-milled common beans

Aunque las leguminosas son fuente importante de carbohidratos en las dietas latinoamericanas, las propiedades nutricionales de los glúcidos de estas semillas son poco conocidas. En este trabajo se estudió la digestibilidad in vitro del almidón presente en frijoles negros cocidos y molidos como se consumen en México y Centroamérica, comparando una preparación comercial y otra experimental obtenida por cocción a presión, molienda y deshidratación en rodillos. El tenor de almidón disponible varió entre 29 y 35 por ciento (b.s.), mientras que el almidón resistente debido a retroradación osciló entre 2,7 y 3,7 por ciento (b.s.), observándose los valores más elevados en la muestra experimental. Ambas preparaciones fueron digeridas lentamente por la ?-amilasa, particularmente la muestra de origen comercial, lo cual sugiere la capacidad de estos productos para generar respuestas glucémicas bajas

Determinación de los coeficientes genéticos del modelo cropgro para siete cultivares de caraota en Venezuela / Determination of the genetic coeficients of the cropgro model for seven bean cultivars in Venezuela

El uso del modelo CROPGRO-Bean en Venezuela está limitado por la carencia de coeficientes genéticos para los cultivares locales. Se presentan los valores de 15 coeficientes genéticos requeridos por dicho modelo del programa DSSAT Versión 3.5 y se describe y valora el procedimiento utilizado para su determinación y registro de 7 cultivares nuevos en la base de datos. Se determinaron los coeficientes comparando con 6 juegos de datos de campo y valoraron los resultados mediante estadísticos descriptivos, basados en diferencias y en regresión. Se demuestra que el uso de coeficientes genéticos genéricos y del factor SLPF no ajustado es inadecuado, habiendo provocado para las variedades y suelos estudiados sobrestimación sistemática de los rendimientos del orden de 61 por ciento. En la validación de rendimientos simulados usando coeficientes ajustados, las medias y desviaciones típicas fueron similares a las observadas. El cuadrado medio del error de predicción (CMEP= 0,05Mgúha-1), error medio absoluto (MAE= 0,16Mgúha-1) y error relativo (E= -1,65 por ciento) fueron bajos y el coeficiente de concordancia (d= 0,85), coeficiente de eficiencia (EF= 0,62) y coeficiente de correlación (r= 0,84) altos, por lo que se concluye que mediante el procedimiento y los datos experimentales empleados se demostró el adecuado comportamiento del modelo en 7 de 10 cultivares ensayados. Se requieren datos adicionales para calibrar Magdaleno, MEM-02-00-16 y MGM-03-99-06. Empleando estadísticos se demostró la conveniencia de realizar calibraciones del modelo a fin de mejorar su habilidad para simular con precisión los rendimientos de cultivares nuevos

Efecto inmunomodulador de la fitohemaglutinina de phaseolus vulgaris / Immunomodulator effect of fitohemaglutinin of phaseolus vulgaris

e desarrolló un modelo experimental in vivo para evaluar la potencialidad de la fitohemaglutinina de 2 variedades de Phaseolus vulgaris de modular el sistema inmunológico. Ratas Wistar macho recibieron 10 y 20 mg/kg de peso de fitohemaglutinina obtenida de las variedades de frijol “Cueto” y “Judía roja Santo Domingo”. Ambos extractos fueron inocuos, incrementaron la masa corporal de los animales y no modificaron el hematócrito ni los conteos celulares de polimorfonucleares neutrófilos, eosinófilos y monocitos. La fitohemaglutinina BETERA obtenida del Phaseolus vulgaris de la variedad “Cueto” fue más efectiva para producir incrementos en el número total de leucocitos y linfocitos circulantes y estimular a los linfocitos B para la producción de anticuerpos

Cytogenetics of genetic counseling patients in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

From 1986 to 2002, we examined the chromosomal composition of 916 patients attended by two genetic counseling services in the city of Pelotas, in the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul, to determine the genetic causes of their disturbances. Patterns of G-banding using trypsin and Giemsa (GTG) and C-banding using barium and Giemsa (CBG) were studied using phytohemagglutinin M-stimulated lymphocytes cultured from peripheral blood. Among the patients, 110 had Down's syndrome, 7 had Edward's syndrome, 4 had Patau's syndrome, 29 had Turner's syndrome, 5 had Klinefelter's syndrome, and 3 had [quot ]cri-du-chat[quot ] syndrome. Abnormal chromosomes were observed in 29.3% of the patients. Most of these (56.3%) were numerical abnormalities, with the remaining being structural variants.

Permeabilidad de las membranas radicales de plántulas de frijol (phaseolus vulgaris L) silvestre y domesticado bajo déficit de humedad / Permeability of the radical membranes of bean plántulas (phaseolus vulgaris L) wild and domesticated low deficit of humidity

Se evaluó la permeabilidad de las membranas radicales de frijol silvestre y domesticado en respuesta al déficit de humedad. Se utilizó frijol silvestre originario de Chihuahua (SCH) y de Durango (SD) y el cultivar Bayomex. Plántulas de 72h, con raíz de 3-4cm de longitud se mantuvieron 24h en vermiculita con potenciales de agua (?A) de -0,03; -0,65; -1,48 y -2,35MPa. Las raíces recolectadas se mantuvieron en agua desionizada durante 3h. Se cuantificó el contenido relativo de agua (CRA) de la raíz y la concentración de K+ y Na+ en el medio de resuspensión. Cada 30min se evaluó conductividad eléctrica y pH del medio. En el cultivar y en SD el CRA disminuyó 46% con el déficit de humedad, mientras en SCH sólo disminuyó 15%. La salida de electrolitos mostró dos fases en todos los tratamientos. En los primeros 30min pasó de 0,8 a 3,2S·cm-1·g-1 de tejido seco para el cultivar; de 1,4 a 3,1 para SCH; y de 2,2 a 6,4 para SD. Al final de la segunda fase (2,5h después) los incrementos no fueron significativos. La interacción significativa mostró que SCH no tuvo daño con ninguno de los ?A probados (0,84%) y que tanto SD como el cultivar sufrieron daño (>50%) con -2,35MPa. En contraste con la conductividad eléctrica, el pH del medio continuó incrementándose en las primeras 3h. Los ?A bajos promovieron incrementos significativos del pH del medio de las raíces del cultivar (4,59 a 4,91) y SD (4,86 a 5,16). Las raíces de las tres variantes mantenidas en el?A más alto liberaron cantidades semejantes (P£0,75) de K+ (5,9mg·g-1 en promedio), pero el déficit de humedad promovió mayor liberación (hasta 2,5 veces); no se detectó Na+ en el medio. Con base en CRA, conductividad eléctrica, índice de daño y recuperación del crecimiento posterior al estrés, se concluyó que las membranas de la raíz de SCH son menos afectadas por el déficit de humedad que las de SD y el domesticado...

Wild and domesticated common bean root membrane permeability was evaluated in its response to water deficit. Wild common bean from Chihuahua (SCH) and Durango (SD) and the cv. Bayomex were used; 72h old seedlings of 3-4cm root length were maintained for 24h in vermiculite with water potentials (?W) of -0.03, -0.65, -1.48 and -2.35MPa. Roots collected were maintained in deionized water for 3h and then relative water content (CRA), and K+ and Na+ concentrations in the media were quantified; electrical conductivity and pH of the medium were measured every 30min. CRA sharply decreased (46%) in the cultivar and SD with water deficit, but diminished slightly in SCH (15%). Electrolyte leakage showed two phases in all treatments, in the initial 30min it went from 0.8 to 3.2S·cm-1·g-1 of dry tissue in the cultivar, from 1.4 to 3.1 in SCH and from 2.2 to 6.4 in SD; but, after the next 2.5h the increments were not significant. The significant interaction showed that although SCH was not damaged (0.84%) with any ?W tested, SD and the cultivar were drastically damaged (>50%) with -2.35MPa. In contrast with electrical conductivity, media pH continued increasing during the first 3h. The lower ?W promoted a significant pH increase for the domesticated common bean root (from 4.59 to 4.91) and SD (from 4.86 to 5.16). High YW produced significantly similar (P£0.75) K+ leakage (5.9mg·g-1 in average) in all three variants, but the water deficit caused increase of K+ leakage (up to 2.5 times), while Na+ leakage was not detected. Based on CRA, electrical conductivity, damage index and stress recovery data, it seems that low ?W affected root membranes of SCH less than those of SD and the domesticated common bean...

Immunologic aspects of West syndrome and evidence of plasma inhibitory effects on T cell function

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the extent of immune dysfunction in a well-defined group of epileptic patients: children with diagnosis of West syndrome (WS) or with transitions to another age-related EEG patterns, the multifocal independent spikes (MIS), and the slow spike-wave complexes (Lennox-Gastaut syndrome - LGS). Thus, WS was studied at different points of the natural evolutive history of the disease. METHOD: A group of 50 patients (33 with WS, 10 with LGS and 7 with MIS) and 20 age-matched healthy controls were submitted to enumeration of T lymphocyte subsets: CD1, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio and lymphocyte proliferation assay to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), in the presence of autologous and AB, homologous plasma. Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) skin test sensitization was performed only in patients. Determinations of IgG, IgA, and IgM serum levels were compared to standard values for Brazilian population in different age ranges. RESULTS: Sensitization to DNCB showed absent or low skin reactions in 76 percent of the patients. High levels of IgG (45.7 percent) and IgM (61.4 percent), and lower levels of IgA (23.9 percent) were detected in the serum of the patients. Enumeration of lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood showed: low CD3+ (p<0.05), low CD4+ (p<0.05), high CD8+ (p<0.01) and low CD4+ / CD8+ ratio (p<0.001). The proportion of CD1+ cells in the control group was less than 3 percent, while ranged between 6 and 11 percent in 18 percent of the patients. The in vitro PHA-induced T cell proliferation showed significantly low blastogenic indices only when patients, cells were cultured in presence of their own plasma. No differences in blastogenic indices were observed when the cells of patients and controls were cultured with human AB plasma. CONCLUSION: The immunodeficiency in WS was mainly characterized by anergy, impaired cell-mediated immunity, altered levels of immunoglobulins, presence of immature thymocytes in peripheral blood and functional impairment of T lymphocytes induced by plasma inhibitory factors

Effect of an aqueous extract of Phaseolus vulgaris on the properties of tail tendon collagen of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Changes in the structural and functional properties of collagen caused by advanced glycation might be of importance for the etiology of late complications in diabetes. The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of oral administration of aqueous pod extract (200 mg/kg body weight) of Phaseolus vulgaris, an indigenous plant used in Ayurvedic Medicine in India, on collagen content and characteristics in the tail tendon of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. In diabetic rats, collagen content (117.01 ± 6.84 mg/100 mg tissue) as well as its degree of cross-linking was increased, as shown by increased extent of glycation (21.70 ± 0.90 æg glucose/mg collagen), collagen-linked fluorescence (52.8 ± 3.0 AU/æmol hydroxyproline), shrinkage temperature (71.50 ± 2.50ºC) and decreased acid (1.878 ± 0.062 mg hydroxyproline/100 mg tissue) and pepsin solubility (1.77 ± 0.080 mg hydroxyproline/100 mg tissue). The alpha/ß ratio of acid- (1.69) and pepsin-soluble (2.00) collagen was significantly decreased in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Administration of P. vulgaris for 45 days to streptozotocin-diabetic rats significantly reduced the accumulation and cross-linking of collagen. The effect of P. vulgaris was compared with that of glibenclamide, a reference drug administered to streptozotocin-diabetic rats at the dose of 600 æg/kg body weight for 45 days by gavage. The effects of P. vulgaris (collagen content, 64.18 ± 1.97; extent of glycation, 12.00 ± 0.53; collagen-linked fluorescence, 33.6 ± 1.9; shrinkage temperature, 57.0 ± 1.0; extent of cross-linking - acid-soluble collagen, 2.572 ± 0.080, and pepsin-soluble collagen, 2.28 ± 0.112) were comparable with those of glibenclamide (collagen content, 71.5 ± 2.04; extent of glycation, 13.00 ± 0.60; collagen-linked fluorescence, 38.9 ± 2.0; shrinkage temperature, 59.0 ± 1.5; extent of cross-linking - acid-soluble collagen, 2.463 ± 0.078, and pepsin-soluble collagen, 2.17 ± 0.104). In conclusion, administration of P. vulgaris pods had a positive influence on the content of collagen and its properties in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Screening and fractionation of plant extracts with antiproliferative activity on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Three hundred and thirteen extracts from 136 Brazilian plant species belonging to 36 families were tested for their suppressive activity on phytohemaglutinin (PHA) stimulated proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The proliferation was evaluated by the amount of [ H]-thymidine incorporated by the cells. Twenty extracts inhibited or strongly reduced the proliferation in a dose-dependent manner at doses between 10 and 100 æg/ml. Three of these extracts appeared to be non-toxic to lymphocytes, according to the trypan blue permeability assay and visual inspection using optical microscopy. Bioassay-guided fractionation of Alomia myriadenia extract showed that myriadenolide, a labdane diterpene known to occur in this species, could account for the observed activity of the crude extract. Using a similar protocol, an active fraction of the extract from Gaylussacia brasiliensis was obtained. Analysis of the H and13C NMR spectra of this fraction indicates the presence of an acetylated triterpene whose characterization is underway. The extract of Himatanthus obovatus is currently under investigation

Efeito inflamatório local induzido pelas lectinas PHA, WGA e jacalina / Local inflammatory effects of PHA, WGA and jacalin lectins

Muitas das atividades inflamatórias atribuídas às lectinas são decorrentes da atividade quimiotáxica, da secreção de citocinas pelos leucócitos ativados e da estimulação policlonal de linfócitos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito inflamatório local induzido pelas lectinas PHA, WGA e jacalina. Para tanto, injeções intradérmicas das lectinas nas concentrações de 25 µg/mL, para PHA e jacalina, e 100 µg/mL, para WGA, foram realizadas no dorso de ratos e avaliações macroscópicas e histológicas foram realizadas. Nas avaliações macroscópicas, os diâmetros das pápulas formadas nos locais das injeções foram medidos diariamente. As análises histológicas foram realizadas em cortes corados com hematoxilina-eosina, nos períodos de 24, 48, 72 horas e no 5º e 7º dias. O padrão macroscópico de reação foi semelhante para PHA e jacalina e menor para WGA. A análise histológica evidenciou reação inflamatória bem localizada e forte nas primeiras 24 horas, com predomínio de células mononucleares na inflamação provocada por PHA e jacalina. Após este período foi evidente a diminuição da inflamação provocada por WGA, porém, para PHA e jacalina a reação inflamatória nas próximas 48 horas foi maior e, a partir daí, diminuiu com o tempo, embora, em todos os períodos analisados, foi ligeiramente maior para PHA

Producción de fitohemaglutinina a partir de dos variedades de poroto rojo (phasealus vulgaris) y control de su actividad mitogénica y genotóxica / Production of fitohemaglutinina as of two varieties of red beans and control of its acativity nitrogenica and genotoxica

A partir de 10 g de poroto se obtuvo un rendimiento de 320 ml de PHA, suficiente para ser utilizado en 1600 cultivos linfocitarios a un costo de 10 veces menor al producto comercial importado. La actividad mitogénica, fue significativamente diferente en relación a la variedad utilizada. La dosis óptima PHA fue de 0.2 ml, obteniéndose un índice mitótico mayor estadísticamente muy significativo de la PHA de la variedad Carioca Mairana en relación a la DHA de la variedad carioca y la PHA control. El índice de proliferación celular (PRI) de ambas variedades y el control son similares no existiendo diferencia estadística significativa entre las tres. Así mismo, la actividad mutagénica de las tres PHAs fueron similares y directamente proporcional a la dosis de las mismas en los cultivos linfocitarios. Los resultados similares obtenidos de la atividad mitogénica, la estabilidad, el rendimiento y características genotóxicas de las Fitohemaglutininas obtenidas en forma local, garantizan la calidad del producto y por lo tanto, puede ser utilizada en nuestro medio aprovechando su bajo costo en relación a la comercial, con diferentes fines de diagnóstico e investigación citogenético e inmunológico