Seed potato minitubers production in a reused substrate / Produção de minitubérculos de batata-semente em substrato reutilizado

Minituber production is an important step to obtain high-quality seed potatoes. This production is carried out in a greenhouse using a large volume of commercial substrate acquired in specialized trade. An alternative to reduce the volume of substrate purchased for each production of minitubers would be to reuse it, which would be a way to optimize its use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of reused substrates in the minituber production. The experiment was conducted in Tapira-MG with the Atlantic potato cultivar. The experimental design was a randomized block with six treatments and four replications, where each plot was represented by a box (0.15 x 0.4 x 0.5m: height, width, and length, respectively) containing substrates. Treatments consisted of formulation 04-14-08 rates (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 g box-1) added to reused substrate and a control consisting of a new virgin substrate. At 45 days after transplanting, the following characteristics were evaluated: stem size (cm), and quantities of fresh and dry matter of aerial part of plants. Harvesting was performed manually, counting, and calculating the yield of tubers according to class. The reuse substrate with enriched nutrient regardless of the rate, when compared to the use of a new virgin substrate, did not interfere in potato plant development and in the total productivity of minitubers of classes I, II, III, and IV. This can be a feasible alternative for optimizing the use of the virgin substrate. The rate of 25 g box-1 of 4-14-8 is sufficient to provide the needs of potato in nutrients, ensuring high productivity.

A produção de minitubérculos é uma etapa importante para obtenção de batata-semente de alta qualidade. Esta produção é realizada em casa de vegetação e utiliza grande volume de substrato comercial adquirido no comércio especializado. Uma alternativa para diminuir o volume de substrato adquirido a cada produção de minitubérculos seria a reutilização do mesmo, o que seria uma forma de otimizar o seu uso. Neste sentido, objetivou-se avaliar a eficiência de substratos reutilizados na produção de minitubérculos de batata. O experimento foi conduzido no município de Tapira-MG, com a cultivar Atlantic. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados com seis tratamentos e quatro repetições, onde cada parcela foi representada por uma caixa (0,15 x 0,4 x 0,5 m: altura, largura e comprimento, respectivamente) contendo substratos. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por doses do formulado 04-14-08 (0, 25, 50, 75 e 100 g caixa-1) adicionadas ao substrato reutilizado e uma testemunha com substrato virgem. Aos 45 dias após o transplantio foram avaliadas as características: tamanho de haste (cm), matéria fresca e matéria seca da parte aérea. A colheita foi realizada manualmente e procedeu a contagem e a produtividade de tubérculos, em classes. O substrato reutilizado enriquecido com nutrientes, independentemente da dose, quando comparado ao substrato virgem, não interferiu no desenvolvimento da planta de batata e na produtividade total dos minitubérculos das classes I, II, III e IV. Esta pode ser uma alternativa viável para otimizar o uso do substrato virgem. A taxa de 25 g box-1 de 4-14-8 é suficiente para atender às necessidades de batata em nutrientes, garantindo alta produtividade.

Physical and sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence and leukocyte telomere length: A pooled analysis of the study on psychosocial stress, spirituality, and health.

INTRODUCTION: We examined whether abuse in childhood and/or adolescence was associated with shorter telomere length in a pooled analysis of 3,232 participants from five diverse cohorts. We also assessed whether religion or spirituality (R/S) could buffer deleterious effects of abuse. METHODS: Physical and sexual abuse in childhood (age <12) and adolescence (age 12-18) was assessed using the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale and questions from a 1995 Gallup survey. We measured relative leukocyte telomere lengths (RTL) using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. We used generalized estimating equations to assess associations of physical and sexual abuse with log-transformed RTL z-scores. Analyses were conducted in each cohort, overall, and stratified by extent of religiosity or spirituality and religious coping in adulthood. We pooled study-specific estimates using random-effects models and assessed between-study heterogeneity. RESULTS: Compared to no abuse, severe sexual abuse was associated with lower RTL z-scores, in childhood: -15.6%, 95% CI: -25.9, -4.9; p-trend = 0.04; p-heterogeneity = 0.58 and in adolescence: -16.5%, 95% CI: -28.1, -3.0; p-trend = 0.08; p-heterogeneity = 0.68. Sexual abuse experienced in both childhood and adolescence was associated with 11.3% lower RTL z-scores after adjustment for childhood and demographic covariates (95% CI: -20.5%, -2.0%; p-trend = 0.03; p-heterogeneity = 0.62). There was no evidence of effect modification by R/S. Physical abuse was not associated with telomere length. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual abuse in childhood or adolescence was associated with a marker of accelerated biological aging, decreased telomere length. The lack of moderation by R/S may be due to inability to capture the appropriate time period for those beliefs and practices.

Production of lettuce crop under foliar organo-mine ral fertilization and environment / Produção da alface cultivada sob fertilização organomineral via foliar e ambiência

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of the organo-mineral foliar fertilization and the environment in the lettuce crop. The work was carried out in a soil classified as Quartzipsamments, with loam texture and low initial availability of nutrients. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with a factorial arrangement 2 x 2 x 5, corresponding to two cultivars of lettuce (Crisp Vanda and Crisp Lucy Brown), two environments (with and without shading mesh at 35%) and five concentrations of Ferti Garden liquid fertilizer multipurpose via foliar, (0; 5; 10; 15 and 20% of the product in the solution), with 4 repetitions, containing 20 plants. Soil preparation was done manually and fertilized with 30 m3 hectare-1 of bovine manure, dead cover was also used. The foliar fertilizer was applied three times, at intervals of seven days, through a constant pressure sprayer, from 12 days after transplanting the seedlings. At 33 days after the transplant the plants were harvested and evaluated in the variables of head diameter, number of leaves, fresh matter and productivity. The cultivar Crisp Lucy Brown proved to be more demanding in terms of luminosity and mineral nutrition in relation to the cultivar Crisp Vanda. Therefore, the highest development and productivity of the Crisp Lucy Brown cultivar is obtained without shading mesh, with fertilization before sowing of 30 kg ha-1 of fowl bed and fertilization with 9.1% of the foliar fertilizer. While for the cultivar Crisp Vanda the highest productivity is obtained with shading mesh, and only with fertilization before sowing.

Objetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar a influência da adubação foliar organominaral e ambiência no cultivo da alface. O estudo foi realizado em condições de campo, em solo classificado como Neossolo Quartzarênico, com textura média e baixa disponibilidade inicial de nutrientes. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso em fatorial 2 x 2 x 5, correspondente a duas cultivares de alface (solta crespa: Vanda e repolhuda crespa: Lucy Brown), dois ambientes (presença e ausência de sombrite a 35%) e cinco concentrações do fertilizante líquido Ferti Garden Multiuso via foliar (0; 5; 10; 15 e 20% do produto na calda), em 4 repetições, contendo 20 plantas. No preparo do solo foi realizado manualmente e fertilizado com 30 m3 hectare-1 de esterco bovino, sendo também adotado a cobertura morta. O fertilizante foliar foi aplicado três vezes em intervalos de sete dias via pulverizador de pressão constante, a partir do 12 dias após o transplantio das mudas. Aos 33 dias após o transplantio as plantas foram colhidas e avaliadas quanto ao diâmetro da cabeça, número de folha, matéria fresca e produtividade. A cultivar Lucy Brown é mais exigente em luminosidade e nutrição mineral em relação a cultivar Vanda. O maior crescimento e produtividade dacultivar Lucy Brown é obtido na ausência de sombrite, com adubação de fundação com 30 kg ha-1 de cama aviária e adubação com 9,1% do fertilizante foliar. Enquanto para cultivar solta crespa: Vanda é obtido na presença de sombrite, apenas com adubação de fundação.

Traditional use of medicinal plants by elderly / Uso tradicional de plantas medicinais por idosos

Identificar o uso tradicional de plantas medicinais por idosos. Métodos: estudo exploratóriodescritivorealizado em Consórcio Intermunicipal de Saúde. Foram aplicados 351 questionários aos idosos,contendo informações sociodemográficas e questões relacionadas às plantas. Resultados: foi relatado o uso deplantas por 78,4% dos idosos, estas adquiridas em quintais. As mais citadas: hortelã, boldo, erva doce, capimlimão e camomila. Com relação ao motivo de uso, 33,3% afirmaram “não fazer mal à saúde”, 61,8% indicavamo uso para outras pessoas. A maioria dos idosos utiliza-se das plantas de forma segura, estando presentes nocotidiano destas pessoas como uma forma terapêutica. Conclusão: os idosos fazem uso das plantas medicinais,como um importante recurso terapêutico...

Apoptotic effect of eugenol envolves G2/M phase abrogation accompanied by mitochondrial damage and clastogenic effect on cancer cell in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Eugenol (EUG) is a major phenolic compound present in clove whose anti-cancer properties have been demonstrated previously. These anti-cancer properties may involves the modulation of different mechanisms, including α-estrogen receptor (αER) in luminal breast cancer cells, COX-2 inhibition in melanoma cells or p53 and caspase-3 activation in colon cancer cells. HYPOTHESIS: EUG promotes a burst in ROS production causing cell-cycle perturbations, mitochondria toxicity and clastogenesis triggering apoptosis in melanoma breast- and cervix-cancer cells in vitro. METHODS: Morphological changes were evaluated through the light- and electronic- microscopy. Cell-cycle, ROS, PCNA and Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and clastogenicity was evaluated by Comet-assay. RESULTS: The results obtained herein pointed out that EUG promotes, increasing ROS production leading to abrogation of G2/M of phase of cell-cycle, and consecutively, clastogenesis in vitro. In addition, EUG induces Proliferation Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) downregulation and decreasing in mitochondria potential (ΔΨm). Of note, a Bax up-regulation was also observed on cells treated with EUG. All of these findings cooperate in order to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. CONCLUSION: These promising results presented herein shed new light on the mechanisms of action of EUG suggesting a possible applicability of this phenylpropanoid as adjuvant in anti-cancer therapy.

Dietary intake of antioxidant in ELSA-Brasil population: baseline results. / Consumo de antioxidantes em participantes do ELSA-Brasil: resultados da linha de base.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the antioxidant consumption (vitamins A, C and E and minerals selenium and zinc) and to identify factors associated to low consumption of these nutrients. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 14,660 participants (35 to 74 years-old) investigated in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) baseline. Consumption of antioxidants and energy was determined by a Food Frequency Questionnaire and analyzed using the NDSR software. Antioxidant consumption was adjusted to total energy and divided in quintiles. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify socioeconomic factors associated with low intake of these nutrients. RESULTS: Consumption of energy (kcal/day) was higher in men (3,152 ± 1,026 versus 2,613 ± 905; p < 0.001) whereas the consumption of all antioxidants (mainly vitamins A and E and selenium) was higher in females. Low antioxidant consumption was associated to male sex (OR = 3.5; 95%CI 3.11 - 4.0) and to lower education (OR = 3.1; 95%CI 2.42 - 3.87), income (OR = 4.4; 95%CI 3.67 - 5.36) and age (OR = 5.5; 95%CI 4.27 - 7.16), as well as to thinness (OR = 2.7; 95%CI 1.36 - 5.18) and when participants did not reported the use of supplements (OR = 1.95; 95%CI 1.6 - 2.38) or change of eating habits in the last six months (OR = 2.0; 95%CI 1.75 - 2.29). CONCLUSION: The greater intake of fruits and vegetables is likely to be involved in the higher consumption of antioxidants in females. General policies to increase the consumption of such nutrients should be directed to groups of lower income, education and age.

Consumo de antioxidantes em participantes do ELSA-Brasil: resultados da linha de base / Dietary intake of antioxidant in ELSA-Brasil population: baseline results

RESUMO: Objetivo: Avaliar o consumo habitual de antioxidantes (vitaminas A, E e C, selênio e zinco) e identificar fatores associados ao baixo consumo em adultos. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 14.660 participantes (35 a 74 anos) da linha de base do Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil). O consumo de antioxidantes e energia total foi determinado por Questionário de Frequência Alimentar e analisado com auxílio do software NDSR. O consumo dos antioxidantes foi ajustado pela energia total e dividido em quintis. Variáveis socioeconômicas foram analisadas e incluídas no modelo de regressão logística para identificar fatores associados ao baixo consumo. Resultados: O consumo energético (kcal/dia) foi maior em homens (3.152 ± 1.026 versus 2.613 ± 905; p < 0,001) enquanto que o consumo de todos os antioxidantes (principalmente as vitaminas A e C e o selênio) foi maior em mulheres. O baixo consumo de antioxidantes se associou significativamente ao sexo masculino (OR = 3,5; IC95% 3,11 - 4,0), à menor escolaridade (OR = 3,1; IC95% 2,42 - 3,87), à menor renda (OR = 4,4; IC95% 3,67 - 5,36), à menor faixa etária (OR = 5,5; IC95% 4,27 - 7,16), ao estado de magreza (OR = 2,7; IC95% 1,36 - 5,18), ao relato do não uso de suplemento (OR = 1,95; IC95% 1,6 - 2,38) como polivitamínicos e minerais e a não alteração de hábitos alimentares nos últimos seis meses (OR = 2,0; IC95% 1,75 - 2,29). Conclusão: O maior consumo de frutas e legumes está envolvido no maior consumo de antioxidantes em mulheres. As políticas para aumento do consumo desses nutrientes precisam ser dirigidas para os segmentos de menores renda, escolaridade e faixa etária.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To quantify the antioxidant consumption (vitamins A, C and E and minerals selenium and zinc) and to identify factors associated to low consumption of these nutrients. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 14,660 participants (35 to 74 years-old) investigated in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) baseline. Consumption of antioxidants and energy was determined by a Food Frequency Questionnaire and analyzed using the NDSR software. Antioxidant consumption was adjusted to total energy and divided in quintiles. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify socioeconomic factors associated with low intake of these nutrients. Results: Consumption of energy (kcal/day) was higher in men (3,152 ± 1,026 versus 2,613 ± 905; p < 0.001) whereas the consumption of all antioxidants (mainly vitamins A and E and selenium) was higher in females. Low antioxidant consumption was associated to male sex (OR = 3.5; 95%CI 3.11 - 4.0) and to lower education (OR = 3.1; 95%CI 2.42 - 3.87), income (OR = 4.4; 95%CI 3.67 - 5.36) and age (OR = 5.5; 95%CI 4.27 - 7.16), as well as to thinness (OR = 2.7; 95%CI 1.36 - 5.18) and when participants did not reported the use of supplements (OR = 1.95; 95%CI 1.6 - 2.38) or change of eating habits in the last six months (OR = 2.0; 95%CI 1.75 - 2.29). Conclusion: The greater intake of fruits and vegetables is likely to be involved in the higher consumption of antioxidants in females. General policies to increase the consumption of such nutrients should be directed to groups of lower income, education and age.

Phytotoxicity and Cytotoxicity of Essential Oil from Leaves of Plectranthus amboinicus, Carvacrol, and Thymol in Plant Bioassays.

The essential oil of Plectranthus amboinicus and its chemotypes, carvacrol and thymol, were evaluated on the germination and root and aerial growth of Lactuca sativa and Sorghum bicolor and in acting on the cell cycle of meristematic root cells of L. sativa. The main component found in the oil by analysis in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography flame ionization detection was carvacrol (88.61% in area). At a concentration of 0.120% (w v(-1)), the oil and its chemotypes retarded or inhibited the germination and decreased root and aerial growth in monocot and dicot species used in the bioassays. In addition, all substances caused changes in the cell cycle of the meristematic cells of L. sativa, with chromosomal alterations occurring from the 0.015% (w v(-1)) concentration. The essential oil of P. amboinicus, carvacrol, and thymol have potential for use as bioherbicides.

SLCO1B1 haplotypes are not associated with atorvastatin-induced myalgia in Brazilian patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

PURPOSE: Recent studies reported the association of SLCO1B1 haplotypes with the development of musculoskeletal side effects during simvastatin use. The aim was to evaluate the pharmacogenetic association of SLCO1B1 haplotypes with atorvastatin-induced myalgia in a sample of individuals on high-dose atorvastatin regimens. METHODS: One hundred and forty-three patients with familial hypercholesterolemia were followed for at least 12 months while receiving atorvastatin. Genotypes for the rs2306283 (c.A388G) and rs4149056 (c.T521C) polymorphisms were detected by high-resolution melting analysis. These markers form four distinct haplotypes (*1A, *1B, *5 and *15). RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 14 (9.8%) patients developed myalgia and 16 (11.2%) presented CK levels more than 3 times the upper limit of the normal range. No association of the SLCO1B1 rs2306283 and rs4149056 genotypes or haplotypes with the presence of myalgia or creatine kinase (CK) values was found. Presence of rs2306283 AG + GG genotypes was not associated with increased risks of myalgia or abnormal CK values (OR 2.08, 95% CI 0.62-7.00, p = 0.24 and OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.21-1.26, p = 0.15 respectively). The presence of rs4149056 TC + CC genotypes was also not associated with increased risk of myalgia or abnormal CK values (OR 2.24, 95% CI 0.47-10.72, p = 0.31 and OR 1.51, 95% CI 0.57-3.96, p = 0.41 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reaffirm that the SLCO1B1 genetic risk appears to be greater in those patients receiving simvastatin compared with those receiving atorvastatin. This suggests that the importance of SLCO1B1 haplotypes depends on the specific statin that has been used.

Empirical antibiotic therapy in prosthetic joint infections.

When dealing with prosthetic joint infections (PJI) there is often the need to start antibiotic therapy without having identified the underlying pathogen. Under these circumstances there is no consensus regarding which antibiotic to use. We aimed to produce local recommendations for empirical antibiotic treatment of PJI by describing the microbiological spectrum involved and respective antibiotic susceptibility profile. We examined the records of 75 consecutive patients that underwent surgery for prosthetic joint infection from July 2001 to December 2008. There were 49 women and 26 men with an average age of 63 years. Ninety culture results were available from 41 hips and 34 knee replacements. Staphylococcus sp. was present in most infections (72.8%) regardless of surgical site or classification. The prevalence of methicillin-resistance among staphylococci was 64.2% with no relevant difference between sub-groups. Vancomycin is 100% effective against most commonly isolated Gram positives. Gram negative pathogens were present in about 15% of all cases, especially in haematogenous and chronic infections. Carbapenems and aminoglycosides are the most effective antibiotics against these pathogens. Our results suggest that in acute post-operative infections, treatment should start with vancomycin. In chronic and haematogeneous infections, vancomycin in combination with carbapenems appears to be an effective regimen. Treatment should be adjusted as soon as preliminary or definitive microbiology results are available.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) c677t gene variant modulates the homocysteine folate correlation in a mild folate-deficient population.

BACKGROUND: A large body of evidence links plasma concentrations of homocysteine and cardiovascular disease. Several genetic and environmental variables may modulate such relationship. We investigated the influence of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene variants C677T, A1298C, and T1317C on homocysteine, folate, and cobalamin concentrations in a sample of individuals from a mild folate deficiency population to better clarify the complex interactions existing among these variables. METHODS: In the present study, 209 individuals belonging to an admixed urban population characterized by mild folate deficiency were investigated. MTHFR gene variants C677T, A1298C, and T1317C were genotyped and homocysteine-, folate-, and cobalamin-determined for each individual. RESULTS: Univariate analyses showed a significant association between the C677T variant with homocysteine (P<0.001) and cobalamin (P=0.005) as well as a significant relationship between the T allele and serum folate concentrations (P<0.05). The TT genotype of the C677T polymorphism remained significantly associated with log-transformed homocysteine even after adjustment for age, sex, smoking status, ethnicity, folate, and cobalamin concentrations (P<0.01). Both univariate and multivariate analysis have failed to show any effect of the A1298C and T1317C genetic variants in homocysteine concentrations in this population. Finally, a significant interaction between folate and C677T polymorphism in the determination of homocysteine was also disclosed (P<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these results demonstrate a significant interaction between serum folate and MTHFR genotype in predicting homocysteine concentrations. One may consider that a differential response of homocysteine to folic acid supplementation may depend on MTHFR genotype which may have important implications when attempting to lower homocysteine concentrations in populations with mild folate deficiency.