A myosin XI adaptor, TAPE, is essential for pollen tube elongation in rice.

Pollen tube (PT) elongation is important for double fertilization in angiosperms and affects the seed-setting rate and, therefore, crop productivity. Compared to Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana L.), information on PT elongation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is limited by the difficulty in obtaining homozygous mutants. In a screen of T-DNA insertional mutants, we identified a mutant in the Tethering protein of actomyosin transport in pollen tube elongation (TAPE) gene with an unusual segregation ratio by genotyping analysis. A CRISPR/Cas9 knockout mutant of TAPE that produced a short PT was sterile, and TAPE was expressed specifically in pollen grains. TAPE is a homolog of a myosin XI adaptor in Arabidopsis with three tetratricopeptide repeat and Phox and Bem1 protein domains. TAPE showed latrunculin B-sensitive, actin-dependent localization to the endoplasmic reticulum. Yeast two-hybrid screening and transcriptome analysis revealed that TAPE interacted with pollen-specific LIM protein 2b and elongation factor 1-alpha. Loss of TAPE affected transcription of 1,259 genes, especially genes related to cell organization, which were downregulated. In summary, TAPE encodes a myosin XI adaptor essential for rice PT elongation.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of pollen and anther wall reveals novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying anther wall development and its dehiscence in rice.

To further understand the regulatory mechanism for anther dehiscence in rice, we carried out transcriptome analysis for the following two tissues: the anther wall and pollen at the anthesis stage. With the anatomical meta-expression data, in addition to these tissues, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two tissues were further refined to identify 1,717 pollen-preferred genes and 534 anther wall-preferred genes. A GUS transgenic line and RT-qPCR analysis for anther wall-preferred genes supported the fidelity of our gene candidates for further analysis. The refined DEGs were functionally classified through Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and MapMan analyses. Through the analysis of cis-acting elements and alternative splicing variants, we also suggest the feature of regulatory sequences in promoter regions for anther wall-preferred expression and provide information of the unique splicing variants in anther wall. Subsequently, it was found that hormone signaling and the resulting transcriptional regulation pathways may play an important role in anther dehiscence and anther wall development. Our results could provide useful insights into future research to broaden the molecular mechanism of anther dehiscence or anther wall development in rice.

Overexpression of the PanaxginsengCYP703 Alters Cutin Composition of Reproductive Tissues in Arabidopsis.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) catalyzes a wide variety of monooxygenation reactions in plant primary and secondary metabolisms. Land plants contain CYP703, belonging to the CYP71 clan, which catalyzes the biochemical pathway of fatty acid hydroxylation, especially in male reproductive tissues. Korean/Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) has been regarded as one of important medicinal plant for a long time, however the molecular mechanism is less known on its development. In this study, we identified and characterized a CYP703A gene in P. ginseng (PgCYP703A4), regarding reproductive development. PgCYP703A4 shared a high-sequence identity (81-83%) with predicted amino acid as CYP703 in Dancus carota, Pistacia vera, and Camellia sinensis as well as 76% of amino acid sequence identity with reported CYP703 in Arabidopsis thaliana and 75% with Oryza sativa. Amino acid alignment and phylogenetic comparison of P. ginseng with higher plants and known A. thaliana members clearly distinguish the CYP703 members, each containing the AATDTS oxygen binding motif and PERH as a clade signature. The expression of PgCYP704B1 was only detected in P. ginseng flower buds, particularly in meiotic cells and the tapetum layer of developing anther, indicating the conserved role on male reproduction with At- and Os- CYP703. To acquire the clue of function, we transformed the PgCYP703A4 in A. thaliana. Independent overexpressing lines (PgCYP703A4ox) increased silique size and seed number, and altered the contents of fatty acids composition of cutin monomer in the siliques. Our results indicate that PgCYP703A4 is involved in fatty acid hydroxylation which affects cutin production and fruit size.

In vitro hematotoxicity of Vernonanthura polyanthes leaf aqueous extract and its fractions.

Vernonanthura polyanthes, popularly known as 'assa-peixe', is widely used in Brazil for therapeutic purpose mainly to treat respiratory tract problems. However, few studies investigated its chemical safety. In this way, we first obtained the V. polyanthes leaf aqueous extract (VpLAE) and three fractions (aqueous; n-butanol, n-BF; and ethyl acetate), and we chemically characterized this material. Then, the cytogenotoxic potential of the VpLAE and its fractions was investigated against human erythrocytes and lymphocytes using Trypan blue exclusion test of cell viability and CometChip. The phytochemical screening of V. polyanthes leaf revealed the presence of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, terpenic compounds, and cardioactive heterosides. n-BF presented the highest total phenolic, flavonoids, and tannins contents and, consequently, the highest antioxidant activity, according to the DPPH free radical scavenging method. Although the VpLAE and its fractions did not cause death of erythrocytes, the cells acquired an echinocytic form. Regarding lymphocytes, VpLAE and its fractions presented cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. When VpLAE or its fractions were co-treated with doxorubicin (DXR), a recognized cytotoxic drug, we observed an enhancement of DXR cytotoxicity against lymphocytes, but the DXR genotoxicity decreased around 15%. Since the VpLAE and its fractions increased the DXR cytotoxicity and decreased its genotoxicity, further studies should be conducted for the development of an adjuvant drug from this extract to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. Moreover, the indiscriminate use of 'assa-peixe' by local people should be discouraged.

Global Identification of ANTH Genes Involved in Rice Pollen Germination and Functional Characterization of a Key Member, OsANTH3.

Pollen in angiosperms plays a critical role in double fertilization by germinating and elongating pollen tubes rapidly in one direction to deliver sperm. In this process, the secretory vesicles deliver cell wall and plasma membrane materials, and excessive materials are sequestered via endocytosis. However, endocytosis in plants is poorly understood. AP180 N-terminal homology (ANTH) domain-containing proteins function as adaptive regulators for clathrin-mediated endocytosis in eukaryotic systems. Here, we identified 17 ANTH domain-containing proteins from rice based on a genome-wide investigation. Motif and phylogenomic analyses revealed seven asparagine-proline-phenylalanine (NPF)-rich and 10 NPF-less subgroups of these proteins, as well as various clathrin-mediated endocytosis-related motifs in their C-terminals. To investigate their roles in pollen germination, we performed meta-expression analysis of all genes encoding ANTH domain-containing proteins in Oryza sativa (OsANTH genes) in anatomical samples, including pollen, and identified five mature pollen-preferred OsANTH genes. The subcellular localization of four OsANTH proteins that were preferentially expressed in mature pollen can be consistent with their role in endocytosis in the plasma membrane. Of them, OsANTH3 represented the highest expression in mature pollen. Functional characterization of OsANTH3 using T-DNA insertional knockout and gene-edited mutants revealed that a mutation in OsANTH3 decreased seed fertility by reducing the pollen germination percentage in rice. Thus, our study suggests OsANTH3-mediated endocytosis is important for rice pollen germination.

GORI, encoding the WD40 domain protein, is required for pollen tube germination and elongation in rice.

Successful delivery of sperm cells to the embryo sac in higher plants is mediated by pollen tube growth. The molecular mechanisms underlying pollen germination and tube growth in crop plants remain rather unclear, although these mechanisms are crucial to plant reproduction and seed formation. By screening pollen-specific gene mutants in rice (Oryza sativa), we identified a T-DNA insertional mutant of Germinating modulator of rice pollen (GORI) that showed a one-to-one segregation ratio for wild type (WT) to heterozygous. GORI encodes a seven-WD40-motif protein that is homologous to JINGUBANG/REN4 in Arabidopsis. GORI is specifically expressed in rice pollen, and its protein is localized in the nucleus, cytosol and plasma membrane. Furthermore, a homozygous mutant, gori-2, created through CRISPR-Cas9 clearly exhibited male sterility with disruption of pollen tube germination and elongation. The germinated pollen tube of gori-2 exhibited decreased actin filaments and altered pectin distribution. Transcriptome analysis revealed that 852 pollen-specific genes were downregulated in gori-2 compared with the WT, and Gene Ontology enrichment analysis indicated that these genes are strongly associated with cell wall modification and clathrin coat assembly. Based on the molecular features of GORI, phenotypical observation of the gori mutant and its interaction with endocytic proteins and Rac GTPase, we propose that GORI plays key roles in forming endo-/exocytosis complexes that could mediate pollen tube growth in rice.

Confluência entre a teoria das relações interpessoais e pesquisa convergente assistencial: facilitador de melhorias para a prática do cuidado / Confluencia entre la teoría de las relaciones interpersonales y la investigación asistencial convergente: facilitador de mejoras para la práctica del cuidado / Confluence between theory of interpersonal relationships and convergent care research: facilitator of improvements for the practice of care

RESUMO Trata-se de estudo reflexivo sobre a confluência entre a teoria das relações interpessoais, de Peplau, e o método de pesquisa convergente assistencial (PCA). Objetivo: refletir sobre a confluência entre a teoria das relações interpessoais e o método PCA e como essa paridade facilita o desenvolvimento de melhorias para a prática do cuidado. Resultados: ambos se preocupam com o fazer em Enfermagem e sugerem processos de atuação em Enfermagem e investigação, nos quais destacam a comunicação e a interação para a resolução de um problema da prática. Tais processos apresentam como pontos em comum: prática assistencial, interação entre enfermeiro/paciente e pesquisador/participante, coparticipação dos agentes envolvidos, quatro fases de desenvolvimento e alternância de papéis do enfermeiro/pesquisador. Conclusão: a partir da paridade entre a teoria de Peplau e o método PCA foi visto que a teoria é aplicável em todo o processo investigativo, favorecendo a interação pesquisador-participante e direcionando o pesquisador em todas as fases do método, no qual o uso dos instrumentos de comunicação relatados por Peplau em consonância com o método da PCA facilita ao enfermeiro/pesquisador construir, junto com as contribuições do paciente/participante, melhorias para a prática do cuidado.

RESUMEN Se trata de un estudio reflexivo sobre la confluencia entre la teoría de las relaciones interpersonales de Peplau y el método de investigación del cuidado convergente (ICC). Objetivo: reflexionar sobre la confluencia entre la teoría de las relaciones interpersonales y el método ICC y cómo esta paridad facilita el desarrollo de mejoras para la práctica del cuidado. Resultados: ambos se preocupan con la práctica en enfermería y sugieren procesos de acción en enfermería e investigación, en los que se destacan la comunicación y la interacción para resolver un problema en la práctica. Dichos procesos tienen como puntos en común: práctica asistencial, interacción enfermero / paciente e investigador / participante, coparticipación de los agentes involucrados, cuatro etapas de desarrollo y roles alternos del enfermero / investigador. Conclusión: a partir de la paridad entre la teoría de Peplau y el método ICC, se vio que la teoría es aplicable en todo el proceso investigativo, favoreciendo la interacción investigador-participante y dirigiendo al investigador en todas las fases del método, en las que el uso de instrumentos en la comunicación reportados por Peplau en línea con el método ICC facilita al enfermero / investigador construir, junto con los aportes del paciente / participante, mejoras para la práctica asistencial.

ABSTRACT This is a reflective study on the confluence between Peplau's theory of interpersonal relationships and the convergent care research method (CCR). Objective: to reflect on the confluence between the theory of interpersonal relationships and the CCR method and how this parity facilitates the development of improvements for the practice of care. Results: both are concerned with doing in Nursing and suggest processes of action in Nursing and research, in which communication and interaction are highlighted to solve a practice problem. Such processes have as common points: care practice, interaction between nurse/patient and researcher/participant, co-participation of the agents involved, four phases of development and alternating roles of the nurse/researcher. Conclusion: based on the parity between Peplau's theory and the CCR method, it was seen that the theory is applicable throughout the investigative process, favoring the researcher-participant interaction and guiding the researcher in all phases of the method, in which the use of communication instruments reported by Peplau in line with the CCR method facilitates the nurse/researcher to build, together with the patient/participant's contributions, improvements for the practice of care.

Physiological Importance of Pectin Modifying Genes During Rice Pollen Development.

Although cell wall dynamics, particularly modification of homogalacturonan (HGA, a major component of pectin) during pollen tube growth, have been extensively studied in dicot plants, little is known about how modification of the pollen tube cell wall regulates growth in monocot plants. In this study, we assessed the role of HGA modification during elongation of the rice pollen tube by adding a pectin methylesterase (PME) enzyme or a PME-inhibiting catechin extract (Polyphenon 60) to in vitro germination medium. Both treatments led to a severe decrease in the pollen germination rate and elongation. Furthermore, using monoclonal antibodies toward methyl-esterified and de-esterified HGA epitopes, it was found that exogenous treatment of PME and Polyphenon 60 resulted in the disruption of the distribution patterns of low- and high-methylesterified pectins upon pollen germination and during pollen tube elongation. Eleven PMEs and 13 PME inhibitors (PMEIs) were identified by publicly available transcriptome datasets and their specific expression was validated by qRT-PCR. Enzyme activity assays and subcellular localization using a heterologous expression system in tobacco leaves demonstrated that some of the pollen-specific PMEs and PMEIs possessed distinct enzymatic activities and targeted either the cell wall or other compartments. Taken together, our findings are the first line of evidence showing the essentiality of HGA methyl-esterification status during the germination and elongation of pollen tubes in rice, which is primarily governed by the fine-tuning of PME and PMEI activities.

Overexpression of a novel cytochrome P450 monooxygenase gene, CYP704B1, from Panax ginseng increase biomass of reproductive tissues in transgenic Arabidopsis.

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase 704B (CYP704B), a member of the CYP86 clan, was found to be needed in Arabidopsis and rice to biosynthesize precursors of sporopollenin through oxidizing fatty acids. In the present study, we cloned and characterized a CYP704B gene in Panax ginseng, named PgCYP704B1. It shared high sequence identity (98-99%) with CYP704 of Arabidopsis, Theobroma cacao, and Morus notabilis. The phylogenetic comparison of ginseng and higher plants between the members of CYP86 clan revealed that ginseng CYP704 was categorized as a group of CYP704B with dicot plants. The expression of PgCYP704B1 is low in the stem, leaf, and fruit, and high in flower buds, particularly detected in the young gametic cell and tapetum layer of the developing anther. Arabidopsis plants overexpressing PgCYP704B1 improved plant biomass such as plant height, siliques and seed number and size. A cytological observation by transverse and longitudinal semi-thin sections of the siliques cuticles revealed that the cell length increased. Furthermore a chemical analysis showed that PgCYP704B1ox lines increased their cutin monomers contents in the siliques. Our results suggest that PgCYP704B1 has a conserved role during male reproduction for fatty acid biosynthesis and its overexpression increases cutin monomers in siliques that eventually could be used for seed production.

Genome-wide analysis of RopGEF gene family to identify genes contributing to pollen tube growth in rice (Oryza sativa).

BACKGROUND: In plants, the key roles played by RopGEF-mediated ROP signaling in diverse processes, including polar tip growth, have been identified. Despite their important roles in reproduction, a comprehensive analysis of RopGEF members has not yet been performed in rice (Oryza sativa). To determine whether RopGEF regulators are involved in rice pollen tube growth, we performed genome-wide analysis of this family in rice. RESULTS: Phylogenomic and meta-expression analysis of eleven RopGEFs in rice showed that four genes were preferentially expressed in mature pollen. These four genes contain the plant-specific Rop nucleotide exchanger (PRONE) domain and possible phosphorylated residues, suggesting a conserved role in polar tip growth with Arabidopsis thaliana. In subcellular localization analysis of the four RopGEFs through tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) infiltration, four proteins were predominantly identified in plasma membrane. Moreover, double mutants of RopGEF2/8 exhibited reduced pollen germination, causing partial male sterility. These genes possess unique cis-acting elements in their promoters compared with the other RopGEF genes. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, four RopGEF genes were identified as pollen-specific gene in eleven members of rice, and the expression pattern, promoter analysis, and evolutionary relationship of the RopGEF family were studied compared with Arabidopsis. Our study indicated that four RopGEF genes might function during pollen germination in distinct subcellular localization. Our study could provide valuable information on the functional study of RopGEF in rice.

Transição para os cuidados paliativos: ações facilitadoras para uma comunicação centrada no cliente oncológico / Transición al cuidado paliativo: acciones facilitadoras para impulsar la comunicación centrada en el cliente oncológico / Transition to palliative care: facilitating actions for cancer client-centered communication

RESUMO Introdução: a relação interpessoal profissional-cliente se torna primordial na transição para os cuidados paliativos para que juntos possam melhorar a comunicação nesse momento e alinhar o cuidado aos desejos do cliente. Objetivo: analisar como o cliente oncológico avalia a comunicação na transição para os cuidados paliativos; identificar suas necessidades e preferências acerca dessa comunicação relacionadas ao seu prognóstico, tomada de decisão e participação familiar; e apresentar proposta de ações facilitadoras para comunicação na transição para os cuidados paliativos, a partir das necessidades e preferências mencionadas pelo cliente. Método: pesquisa convergente assistencial realizada em um hospital federal do Rio de Janeiro, com 15 clientes oncológicos. Utilizou-se a entrevista semiestruturada seguida de discussão dialogada com cada participante. Aplicada análise temática. Resultados: na avaliação dos participantes, o acolhimento, a forma atenciosa, a informação da verdade e a linguagem simples e acessível foram elementos essenciais para construir uma relação de confiança e comunicação esclarecedora sobre o momento vivido. Ainda assim, os clientes ansiavam por mais informações sobre seu tratamento e prognóstico. Apesar de a maioria referir a preferência pela verdade, participação familiar e participação ativa no tratamento, outros demonstraram a preferência pelo não saber para não sofrer, a não participação familiar e a passividade na participação do tratamento. Conclusão: será a partir da priorização das ações de escuta ativa, do acolhimento, respeito à autonomia e utilização de linguagem clara e acessível que o profissional criará vínculo necessário e obterá mais êxito em realizar uma comunicação centrada nas necessidades e preferências do cliente oncológico.

RESUMEN Introducción: la relación interpersonal profesional-cliente se vuelve primordial en la transición a los cuidados paliativos para que juntos puedan mejorar la comunicación y alinear la atención con los deseos del cliente. Objetivo: analizar cómo el cliente oncológico evalúa la comunicación en la transición a cuidados paliativos; identificar sus necesidades y preferencias con respecto a la comunicación relacionada con su pronóstico, toma de decisiones y participación familiar; y presentar una propuesta de acciones facilitadoras de comunicación en la transición a cuidados paliativos en base a las necesidades y preferencias mencionadas por el cliente. Método: investigación convergente asistencial realizada en un hospital federal de Río de Janeiro con 15 clientes oncológicos. Se utilizó la entrevista semiestructurada, seguida del diálogo con cada participante. Aplicación de análisis temático. Resultados: en la evaluación de los participantes, la acogida, la forma atenta, la información de la verdad y el lenguaje sencillo y accesible fueron elementos esenciales para construir una relación de confianza y comunicación esclarecedora sobre el momento vivido. Aún así, los clientes esperaban más información sobre su tratamiento y pronóstico. Si bien la mayoría mencionó la preferencia por la verdad, la participación familiar y la participación activa en el tratamiento, otros manifestaron preferencia por el no saber para no sufrir, la no participación familiar y la pasividad en la participación en el tratamiento. Conclusión: será a partir de la priorización de las acciones de escucha activa, acogida, respeto a la autonomía y el uso de un lenguaje claro y accesible que el profesional creará el vínculo necesario y tendrá más éxito en llevar a cabo la comunicación centrada en las necesidades y preferencias del cliente oncológico.

ABSTRACT Introduction: the professional-client interpersonal relationship becomes fundamental in the transition to palliative care so that together they can improve communication at that time and align care to the client's wishes. Objective: to analyze how the cancer client evaluates communication in the transition to palliative care; identify your needs and preferences regarding this communication related to your prognosis, decision making and family participation; and present a proposal for facilitating actions for communication in the transition to palliative care, based on the needs and preferences mentioned by the client. Method: convergent care research conducted at a federal hospital in Rio de Janeiro, with 15 cancer patients. A semi-structured interview was used, followed by a dialogue with each participant. Thematic analysis applied. Results: in the evaluation of the participants, the welcoming, the attentive way, the truth information and the simple and accessible language were essential elements to build a relationship of trust and enlightening communication about the moment lived. Still, clients were looking forward to more information about their treatment and prognosis. Although the majority mentioned the preference for the truth, family participation and active participation in the treatment, others demonstrated the preference for not knowing in order not to suffer, non-family participation and passivity in the participation in the treatment. Conclusion: it will be from the prioritization of active listening actions, welcoming, respect for autonomy and the use of clear and accessible language that the professional will create the necessary bond and be more successful in carrying out a communication centered on the needs and preferences of the cancer client.

Avaliação da atenção integral à saúde do idoso na percepção de profissionais / Evaluation of comprehensive health care for older people based on professionals' perceptions

Objetivo: Avaliar a atenção integral à saúde do idoso segundo a percepção de profissionais em Unidades de Saúde da Família (USF). Métodos: Estudo de abordagem qualitativa, do tipo descritivo-exploratório, realizado no segundo semestre de 2016 em dez Unidades de Saúde da Família (USF) de um município localizado no sudoeste do estado de Mato Grosso, do qual participaram as equipes multiprofissionais das USF. Coletaram-se dados através da técnica de grupo focal. Para análise e interpretação, construíram-se narrativas e submeteu-se à análise de conteúdo do tipo temática. Resultados: O estudo evidenciou que a atenção integral à saúde do idoso na Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), no município estudado, ocorre de maneira fragmentada e reforça a cultura biomédica. A integralidade, tida como um dos princípios doutrinários do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), se encontra fragilizada e pouco valorizada pelos profissionais desse nível de atenção à saúde. Conclusão: Concluiu-se que, no contexto deste estudo, a atenção integral à população idosa ocorre de forma fragmentada e desarticulada. Os profissionais de saúde investigados consideram que o cuidado realizado é puramente clínico e focado em ações curativas ou preventivas. (AU)

Perfil sociodemográfico e condições de saúde dos idosos que sofreram quedas / Socio-demographic profile and health conditions of elderly people who have suffered falls

Objetivo: Identificar o perfil sociodemográfico e as condições de saúde dos idosos que sofreram quedas. Método: Estudo descritivo e transversal, com amostra de 220 idosos que caíram no último ano. As variáveis são características sociodemográficas, condições de saúde, avaliação do medo de cair e capacidade funcional. Foi realizada análise descritiva dos dados. Resultados: A maioria dos idosos que caíram possui idade entre 70 e 79 anos, é do sexo feminino, viúvo, com baixa escolaridade, aposentado com renda de até 1 salário mínimo, autoavalia sua saúde como regular/ruim, autorreferiu problemas cardiovasculares, osteomusculares, problemas de visão, e utiliza medicamentos regularmente. Foram também classificados como independentes funcionalmente e com medo de cair. Conclusão: O perfil sociodemográfico e as condições de saúde encontradas nos idosos deste estudo são importantes para nortear a ação dos profissionais de saúde na prevenção das quedas

Objective: To identify the sociodemographic profile and health conditions of the elderly who suffered falls. Method: Descriptive and transversal study, with a sample of 220 elderly people who fell in the last year. The variables are sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, fear of falling evaluation and functional capacity. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed. Results: The majority of the elderly who fell are aged 70-79 years, are female, widowed, with low schooling, retired with income of up to a minimum wage, self-rated their health as regular/poor, self-reported cardiovascular problems, Musculoskeletal, vision problems, and uses medications regularly. They were also classified as functionally independent and afraid to fall. Conclusion: The sociodemographic profile and the health conditions found in the elderly in this study are important to guide the action of health professionals in the prevention of falls

Meta: Identificar las condiciones sociodemográficas y de salud de las personas mayores que han sufrido caídas. Método: Estudio descriptivo y transversal, con una muestra de 220 personas de edad avanzada que han caído en el último año. Las variables son características sociodemográficas, las condiciones de salud, la evaluación de miedo a caer y la capacidad funcional. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo. Resultados: La mayoría de las personas mayores que han caído ha envejecido 70-79 años, son de sexo femenino, viuda, con bajo nivel de educación, se retiró con un ingreso de hasta un salario mínimo, autoavalia su salud como problemas, justo/ pobres autorreferiu cardiovasculares, musculoesquelético, problemas de visión, y las drogas usa con regularidad. También se clasificaron como funcionalmente independiente y el miedo a caer. Conclusión: Las condiciones socio-demográficas del perfil y de salud que se encuentran en los ancianos de este estudio son importantes para guiar las acciones de los profesionales de la salud en la prevención de caídas

Cytological analysis of ginseng carpel development.

Panax ginseng Meyer, commonly known as ginseng, is considered one of the most important herbs with pharmaceutical values due to the presence of ginsenosides and is cultivated for its highly valued root for medicinal purposes. Recently, it has been recognized that ginseng fruit contains high contents of triterpene such as ginsenoside Re as pharmaceutical compounds. However, it is unclear how carpel, the female reproductive tissue of flowers, is formed during the three-year-old growth before fruit is formed in ginseng plants. Here, we report P. ginseng carpel development at the cytological level, starting from the initial stage of ovule development to seed development. The carpel of P. ginseng is composed of two free stigmas, two free styles, and one epigynous bilocular ovary containing one ovule in each locule. Based on our cytological study, we propose that the female reproductive development in P. ginseng can be classified into seven stages: early phase of ovule development, megasporogenesis, megagametogenesis, pre-fertilization, fertilization, post-fertilization, and seed development. We also describe the correlation of the female and male gametophyte development and compare morphological differences in carpel development between ginseng and other higher plants. One unique feature for ginseng seed development is that it takes 40 days for the embryo to develop to the early torpedo stage and that the embryo is small relative to the seed size, which could be a feature of taxonomic importance. This study will provide an integral tool for the study of the reproductive development and breeding of P. ginseng.

Multiple resistance to acaricides in field populations of Rhipicephalus microplus from Rio Grande do Sul state, Southern Brazil.

Acaricide resistance is a major obstacle to the control of Rhipicephalus microplus. Historically, the indiscriminate use of chemical compounds has contributed to the selection of populations resistant to different classes of acaricides. Therefore, multiple acaricide resistance is an important threat to the chemical control of the cattle tick. To investigate the occurrence and extent of multiple resistance to acaricides in Southern Brazil we performed larval tests with cypermethrin, chlorpyriphos, amitraz, fipronil and ivermectin on 104 cattle tick field samples from different ranches in Rio Grande do Sul, between the years 2013 and 2015. Adult immersion tests with a commercial formulation mixture of chlorpyriphos and cypermethrin were performed on 75 samples. Four levels of resistance were established according to the mortality of larvae: Level I: mortality between 82% and 95%; Level II: mortality between 57% and 82%; Level III: mortality between 25% and 57%; and Level IV: mortality lower than 25%. Resistance to cypermethrin was detected in 98.08% of the samples evaluated, mostly at resistance level IV. The frequency of samples resistant to amitraz, chlorpyriphos, ivermectin and fipronil was 76.92%, 60.58%, 60.58% and 53.85% respectively. Multiple resistance to three or more compounds was found in 78.85% of the samples. The results obtained in this study are alarming and reveal a new scenario for the challenge of tick control using chemicals. This is an issue of high importance to cattle production systems where this tick is responsible for a high economic impact.

Development of interspecies hybrids to increase ginseng biomass and ginsenoside yield.

KEY MESSAGE: Interspecific hybrids between Panax ginseng and P. quinquefolius results in hybrid vigor and higher ginsenoside contents. Ginseng is one of the most important herbs with valued pharmaceutical effects contributing mainly by the presence of bioactive ginsenosides in the roots. However, ginseng industry is impeded largely by its biological properties, because ginseng plants are slow-growing perennial herbs with lower yield. To increase the ginseng yield and amounts of ginsenosides, we developed an effective ginseng production system using the F(1) progenies obtained from the interspecific reciprocal cross between two Panax species: P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius. Although hybrid plants show reduced male fertility, F(1) hybrids with the maternal origin either from P. ginseng or P. quinquefolius displayed heterosis; they had larger roots and higher contents of ginsenosides as compared with non-hybrid parental lines. Remarkably, the F(1) hybrids with the maternal origin of P. quinquefolius had much higher ginsenoside contents, especially ginsenoside Re and Rb1, than those with the maternal origin of P. ginseng. Additionally, non-targeted metabolomic profiling revealed a clear increase of a large number of primary and secondary metabolites including fatty acids, amino acids and ginsenosides in hybrid plants. To effectively identify the F(1) hybrids for the large-scale cultivation, we successfully developed a molecular marker detection system for discriminating F(1) reciprocal hybrids. In summary, this work provided a practical system for reciprocal hybrid ginseng production, which would facilitate the ginseng production in the future.

Cytological characterization of anther development in Panax ginseng Meyer.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng), a valued medicinal herb, is a slow-growing plant that flowers after 3 years of growth with the formation of a solitary terminal umbel inflorescence. However, little is known about cytological events during ginseng reproduction, such as the development of the male organ, the stamen. To better understand the mechanism controlling ginseng male reproductive development, here, we investigated the inflorescence and flower structure of ginseng. Moreover, we performed cytological analysis of anther morphogenesis and showed the common and specialized cytological events including the formation of four concentric cell layers surrounding male reproductive cells followed by subsequent cell differentiation and degeneration of tapetal cells, as well as the formation of mature pollen grains via meiosis and mitosis during ginseng anther development. Particularly, our transverse section and microscopic observations showed that the ginseng tapetal layer exhibits obvious nonsynchronous cell division evidenced by the observation of one or two tapetal layers frequently observed in one anther lobe, suggesting the unique control of cell division. To facilitate the future study on ginseng male reproduction, we grouped the anther development into 10 developmental stages according to the characterized cytological events.

Quem irá empurrar minha cadeira de rodas? A escolha do cuidador familiar do idoso / Who will push my wheelchair? Choosing a family eldercare provider

As relações afetivas e pessoais ao longo da vida podem determinar as relações familiares no processo do envelhecer humano. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a funcionalidade familiar de idosos pertencentes a um movimento de alfabetização de adultos e identificar quem escolheriam para cuidar deles na velhice. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo e transversal, baseado nos pressupostos do método quantitativo e qualitativo de investigação. Para a avaliação da funcionalidade familiar utilizou-se o Apgar de Família proposto por SMILKSTEIN (1978) e os dados foram analisados estatisticamente segundo medidas de freqüência. Foram avaliados 93 idosos. Para a compreensão da escolha do cuidador foram realizadas entrevistas em profundidade com 9 idosos, sendo três de cada categoria do Apgar. As entrevistas foram analisadas, segundo o Modelo de Análise de Conteúdo, categoria Análise Temática proposta por BARDIN (1977).Todos os cuidados éticos que regem pesquisas com seres humanos foram respeitados. Os resultados do Apgar de família mostram que 81 idosos apresentaram boa funcionalidade familiar, 8 moderada disfunção e 4 elevada disfunção familiar. Os resultados das entrevistas mostram que, nas três categorias do Apgar, a escolha do cuidador foi a mesma no que diz respeito ao gênero (mulher), ao grau de parentesco (filha), à composição familiar (multigeracional), à história de vida e ao relacionamento. “Quem irá empurrar minha cadeira de rodas” é uma escolha determinada por valores sociais e culturais e pela história de vida de cada um. É multideterminada, multivariada e se processa ao longo da vida.