Food allergens in oral care products.

Food allergies are a growing concern, especially in Western societies and can dramatically impact the quality of life of affected individuals. In recent years, various food allergens have been introduced into the oral care industry to improve product properties and provide the best possible treatment. Since small doses of food allergens may be sufficient to trigger allergic reactions, the non-discrimination of the sources of certain excipients in the product composition can compromise the patient's health. Therefore, knowledge and awareness of allergies and product composition among health professionals are critical on behalf of patients' and consumers' health. This study aimed to ascertain the presence of dairy products (e.g., cow's milk proteins and lactose), cereals (e.g., gluten, soy, and oats), fruits, nuts, spices, shellfish, and additives as excipients in oral care products for outpatients and products for professional use in the Dental Office. Among the 387 surveyed products, the highest prevalence of food allergens was found in toothpaste, fluoride varnishes, and alginates, mostly in spices and fresh fruits. As food allergies may occur because of erroneous information or a lack of labeling on the allergen list, manufacturers should be more rigorous in declaring allergens on product labeling regarding the safety of consumers.

The Incidence of Dental Caries in Children with Down Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Scientific evidence regarding the incidence of dental caries in Down syndrome (DS) patients is limited and sometimes presents divergent opinions among authors, making it difficult to reach definitive conclusions. We aimed to evaluate the caries incidence in the DS pediatric population and compare it against healthy controls. The search was performed using 4 universal databases: Cochrane, B-on, Biomed, and PubMed. The selected articles were synthesized and subsequently evaluated according to an adaptation of the Quality Assessment Checklist for Prevalence Studies risk of bias tool, and analysis charts were performed by the Risk of Bias visualization tool (ROBVIS). Statistics and graphs were performed by Open Meta Analyst and JASP software. The confounding effect on caries incidence of the following factors was evaluated through meta-regression: age, Male/Female (M/F) ratio, DMFT, dmft, and study geographic location. Overall, the incidence of caries in the DS population was 49.9%, whereas in the control population was 63.4%. The M/F ratio, DMFT, and dmft significantly affected the incidence of DS individuals (p-value < 0.05). The evidence regarding the lower pooled incidence of caries in individuals with DS regarding controls is limited by the few scientific reports available and cross-section designs. Therefore, further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Oral Health Status of Adult Dysphagic Patients That Undergo Endoscopic Gastrostomy for Long Term Enteral Feeding.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) is required to maintain a feeding route when neurological or cancer dysphagia impact oral intake. This study aimed to evaluate the oral health and oral changes of PEG-patients without oral feeding for three months. METHODS: Prospective observational study, with a PEG-patients convenience sample. Data were obtained before PEG (T0) and 3 months after gastrostomy (T1). Initial oral hygiene habits were collected through a questionnaire. Intra-oral evaluation was performed using: Plaque Index (IP), Gingival Index (IG), Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth Index (DMF), Community Periodontal Index (CPI), and Attachment Loss (AL). T0 and T1 were compared to evaluate oral health evolution. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients aged 65.3 ± 17.4 years were included. Initial (T0) oral health was worse than expectable. Between assessments period, oral indexes suffered a general deterioration with statistical relevance to the DMF. The frequency of deep periodontal pockets and attachment loss remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: PEG-patients presented poor oral health and insufficient oral hygiene habits, even before gastrostomy. After three months of PEG feeding, oral health suffered a general deterioration. This outcome was probably associated with the absence of oral feeding activity, which is beneficial to oral homeostasis, and further reduced oral hygiene. Improved oral daily care and dental appointments should become part of the PEG-patients follow-up.

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii CNCM I-1079 on performance, colostrum and milk composition, and litter performance of mixed-parity sows in a tropical humid climate.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii (SB) for sows on their productive performance, colostrum and milk composition, and litter performance, in tropical humid climatic conditions. A total of 105 sows (Topigs Norsvin®) were allotted to a 5 × 3 completely randomized factorial design, with five diets (control diet; SBGL4 and SBGL8: 0.04 and 0.08% SB supplementation from the 90th day of gestation until 24th day of lactation; SBL4 and SBL8: 0.04 and 0.08% SB supplementation during lactation) and three parity order groups (PO: 1st and 2nd; 3rd and 4th; 5th to 7th), considering each sow and their litter as experimental unit. Sows above the 5th PO that fed control diet had a lower daily milk production (DMP), number of weaned piglets (NWP), and daily weight gain of litter (DWGL) than sows from 1st to 4th PO that fed the same diet (P < 0.05). Dietary supply of SBGL4 and SBGL8 to older sows provided a higher DMP, NWP, and DWGL when compared to sows of same PO that fed the control diet (P < 0.05). Dietary supply of SBGL4, SBGL8, SBL4, and SBL8 provided a higher dry matter and protein contents in sows' milk of 1st and 2nd PO when compared to sows from same PO that fed control diet (P < 0.05). Dietary supply of SB enhances milk yield of older sows and their litter performance, as well as the dry matter and protein content of younger sows' milk in tropical humid climatic conditions.

Physiologic and biochemical rationale for treating COVID-19 patients with hyperbaric oxygen.

The SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) pandemic remains a major worldwide public health issue. Initially, improved supportive and anti-inflammatory intervention, often employing known drugs or technologies, provided measurable improvement in management. We have recently seen advances in specific therapeutic interventions and in vaccines. Nevertheless, it will be months before most of the world's population can be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. In the interim, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) treatment offers several potentially beneficial therapeutic effects. Three small published series, one with a propensity-score-matched control group, have demonstrated safety and initial efficacy. Additional anecdotal reports are consistent with these publications. HBO2 delivers oxygen in extreme conditions of hypoxemia and tissue hypoxia, even in the presence of lung pathology. It provides anti-inflammatory and anti-proinflammatory effects likely to ameliorate the overexuberant immune response common to COVID-19. Unlike steroids, it exerts these effects without immune suppression. One study suggests HBO2 may reduce the hypercoagulability seen in COVID patients. Also, hyperbaric oxygen offers a likely successful intervention to address the oxygen debt expected to arise from a prolonged period of hypoxemia and tissue hypoxia. To date, 11 studies designed to investigate the impact of HBO2 on patients infected with SARS-Cov-2 have been posted on clinicaltrials.gov. This paper describes the promising physiologic and biochemical effects of hyperbaric oxygen in COVID-19 and potentially in other disorders with similar pathologic mechanisms.

Recurrence of Neurological Deficits in an F/A-18D Pilot Following Loss of Cabin Pressure at Altitude.

INTRODUCTION: Supersonic, high altitude aviation places its pilots and aircrew in complex environments, which may lead to injury that is not easily diagnosed or simply treated. Decompression illness (either venous or arterial) and environmental conditions (e.g., abnormal gases and pressure) are the most likely adverse effects aircrew often face. Though symptomatic aircrew personnel may occasionally require hyperbaric oxygen treatment, it is rare to require more than one treatment before returning to baseline function. CASE REPORT: This challenging aviation case details the clinical course and discusses the salient physiological factors of an F/A-18D pilot who presented with neurological symptoms following loss of cabin pressure at altitude. DISCUSSION: Most crucial to this discussion was the requirement for multiple hyperbaric oxygen treatments over several days due to recurrence of symptoms. The likelihood of recurrence during and after future flights cannot be estimated with accuracy. This case illustrates a degree of recurrences for neurological symptoms in aviation (hypobaric exposure to hyperbaric baseline environment) that has not previously been described. Robinson T, Evangelista JS III, Latham E, Mukherjee ST, Pilmanis A. Recurrence of neurological deficits in an F/A-18D pilot following loss of cabin pressure at altitude. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(8):740-744.

Clinical insights from metagenomic analysis of sputum samples from patients with cystic fibrosis.

As DNA sequencing becomes faster and cheaper, genomics-based approaches are being explored for their use in personalized diagnoses and treatments. Here, we provide a proof of principle for disease monitoring using personal metagenomic sequencing and traditional clinical microbiology by focusing on three adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). The CF lung is a dynamic environment that hosts a complex ecosystem composed of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can vary in space and time. Not surprisingly, the microbiome data from the induced sputum samples we collected revealed a significant amount of species diversity not seen in routine clinical laboratory cultures. The relative abundances of several species changed as clinical treatment was altered, enabling the identification of the climax and attack communities that were proposed in an earlier work. All patient microbiomes encoded a diversity of mechanisms to resist antibiotics, consistent with the characteristics of multidrug-resistant microbial communities that are commonly observed in CF patients. The metabolic potentials of these communities differed by the health status and recovery route of each patient. Thus, this pilot study provides an example of how metagenomic data might be used with clinical assessments for the development of treatments tailored to individual patients.

Metagenomics and metatranscriptomics: windows on CF-associated viral and microbial communities.

BACKGROUND: Samples collected from CF patient airways often contain large amounts of host-derived nucleic acids that interfere with recovery and purification of microbial and viral nucleic acids. This study describes metagenomic and metatranscriptomic methods that address these issues. METHODS: Microbial and viral metagenomes, and microbial metatranscriptomes, were successfully prepared from sputum samples from five adult CF patients. RESULTS: Contaminating host DNA was dramatically reduced in the metagenomes. Each CF patient presented a unique microbiome; in some Pseudomonas aeruginosa was replaced by other opportunistic bacteria. Even though the taxonomic composition of the microbiomes is very different, the metabolic potentials encoded by the community are very similar. The viral communities were dominated by phages that infect major CF pathogens. The metatranscriptomes reveal differential expression of encoded metabolic potential with changing health status. CONCLUSIONS: Microbial and viral metagenomics combined with microbial transcriptomics characterize the dynamic polymicrobial communities found in CF airways, revealing both the taxa present and their current metabolic activities. These approaches can facilitate the development of individualized treatment plans and novel therapeutic approaches.

Tratamento fungicida e peliculização de sementes de soja submetidas ao armazenamento / Fungicide treatment and film coating of soybean seeds submitted to storage

O tratamento de sementes de soja com fungicidas vem sendo utilizado como importante ferramenta no controle de patógenos. Nesse trabalho, objetivou-se estudar o desempenho de sementes de soja tratadas com fungicidas e peliculizadas, antes e após o armazenamento. Foram utilizados cinco lotes de sementes, cultivar Monsoy 6101, submetidos aos tratamentos: thiabendazole+thiram sem polímero, carbendazin+thiram sem polímero, sem fungicida (testemunha) sem polímero, além desses tratamentos realizados via peliculização (com polímero). A qualidade fisiológica e sanitária das sementes foi avaliada inicialmente e após seis meses de armazenamento em condições ambientais, pelas seguintes determinações: teor de água, teste de germinação, emergência em bandeja, teste de frio e de sanidade. Conclui-se que a peliculização, em associação com fungicidas, não afeta a qualidade fisiológica das sementes de soja e o tratamento de lotes de sementes de soja com os fungicidas thiabendazole+thiram e carbendazin+thiram melhora seu desempenho e qualidade sanitária.

The treatment of soybean seeds by fungicides has been used as an important tool in pathogen control. The objective of this work was to verify the performance of soybean seeds treated with fungicide and film coating, prior and after storage. Five seed lots, cultivar Monsoy 6101, were treated with thiabendazole+thiram without polymer, carbendazin+thiram without polymer, without fungicide (control), without polymer, and treatments by film coating (with polymer). The physiological and sanitary quality of the seeds was evaluated initially and after six months storage, under environmental conditions, according to the following characteristics: water content, test of germination and emergence on tray, blotter test and cold test. The film coating associated with fungicides does not affect the physiological quality of soybean seeds and the soybean seed treatment with the fungicides thiabendazole+thiram and carbendazin+thiram improves performance and sanitary quality.

Qualidade fisiológica e produtividade de sementes de feijão oriundas de sementes tratadas com enraizante e nutrição mineral das plantas / Physiological quality and yield of bean seeds from the seeds treated with rooter and mineral nutrition plants

Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar os efeitos do enraizante, via tratamento de sementes na qualidade fisiológica das sementes e da adubação foliar associada ao tratamento de sementes com o enraizante, sobre caracteres agronômicos da cultura do feijoeiro. Para o ensaio em campo, sementes da cultivar Pérola foram tratadas com o fungicida Tegram® em associação com o enraizante Wiser, na dosagem de 200 mL/100 kg de sementes. A semeadura foi realizada em solo com e sem adubação e após 30 e 60 dias da semeadura foi realizada a aplicação foliar com o produto Fitofos K Plus®. Esse ensaio foi constituído de parcelas subdivididas em sistema fatorial 2x2x2 (Adubação foliar, adubação no solo e enraizante) em DBC. Foi avaliada a população aos 21 dias e a produtividade. Para ensaio em laboratório, foram utilizados 5 lotes de sementes da cultivar Pérola tratadas com o fungicida Tegram® e o enraizante Wiser, na dosagem de 200 mL/100 kg de sementes, sendo esse ensaio constituído de sistema fatorial 5x2 (lotes e enraizante) em DBC. As sementes foram avaliadas pelo teste de germinação, emergência de plântulas em canteiro e em vasos e massa seca da parte aérea. O uso do enraizante reduz a germinação e o vigor de sementes de feijão, já quando associado ao adubo foliar, o enraizante proporcionou um aumento na produtividade na ausência de adubação no solo.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the rooter applied through seed treatment on the physiological quality of seeds and the leaf fertilization associated with the seed treatment with rooter in agronomic traits in the bean culture. For the research in field, seeds of cultivar Perola were treated with the Tegram® fungicide in association with the Wiser rooter in the dosage of 200 mL/100 kg seeds. Seeds were sown in soil with or without fertilization and after 30 and 60 days of the sowing, the leaf fertilization was made with Fitofos K Plus®. This research was constituted of split plot in factorial system 2x2x2 (leaf fertilization, soil fertilization and rooter) in RBD. It was evaluated the population at 21 days and the productivity. For laboratory research, 5 lots of seeds of Perola cultivar treated with the fungicide Tegram and the Wiser rooter in the dosagem of 200 mL/100 kg seeds were used, in a factorial system 5x2 (lots and rooter) in RBD. Seeds were evaluated by germination test, emergency in bed, emergency in vases and shoot dry matter. The use of the rooter reduces germination and vigor of bean seeds and associated with leaf fertilizer, provided an increase in the productivity in the absence of soil fertilization.

Desempenho fisiológico de sementes de feijão colhidas em diferentes períodos do desenvolvimento / Physiological performance of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seeds harvested in different developmental periods

Na cultura do feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a época adequada de colheita para produção de sementes de alta qualidade é de suma importância. No presente trabalho objetivou-se determinar a época ideal de colheita para a obtenção de sementes com maior qualidade e produtividade. Para a instalação do campo experimental foram utilizadas sementes de feijão de duas cultivares (BRS Majestoso e BRS Horizonte). A colheita foi realizada manualmente, aos 70, 80, 90 e 100 dias após a emergência (DAE). Após a colheita foi feita a determinação do teor de água das sementes, e então as plantas foram secas ao sol, debulhadas manualmente e as sementes pesadas para verificação da produtividade. Em seguida, as sementes foram separadas ou não em quatro 4 classes de tamanho, sendo 3 em peneiras (14/64, 17/64 e 18/64). Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial, em faixa, com quatro repetições. A avaliação da qualidade das sementes foi realizada por meio dos testes de germinação, índice de velocidade de emergência (IVE) e condutividade elétrica. Concluiu-se que a colheita aos 90 DAE propicia maior produtividade e qualidade de sementes de feijão das cultivares avaliadas.

In beans crop (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), the ideal time of harvest for high quality seeds yield is very important. The objective of the present work was to determine the ideal time of harvest to abtain seeds with higher quality and productivity. For field experiment, seeds of two cultivars of the Carioca group (BRS Majestoso and BRS Horizonte) were used. The sowing was done manually and each parcel had four 12-meter-long lines, with a space of 0.40 m between them. The harvest was done manually, at 70, 80, 90 and 100 days after the emergency (DAE). After the harvest, seed water content was determined and then, the plants were drought in the sun, threshed and weighed for productivity verification. After that, seeds were separated in 4 classes according to size, 3 in bolters (14/64, 17/64 and 18/64). The experimental design used was randomized blocks, in factorial scheme, in lays, with four replicates. The evaluation of the quality of the seeds was carried out through germination tests, emergency speed index (IVE) and electrical condutivity. As a conclusion, the 90 DAE harvest enables greater productivity and quality of the evaluated cultivar of bean seeds.

Tratamento de sementes com enraizante e adubação foliar e seus efeitos sobre o desempenho da cultura do milho / Seed treatment with rooter and leaf fertilization and its effects on the performance of corn crops

Objetivou-se neste trabalho verificar o efeito do enraizante via tratamento de sementes sobre a qualidade fisiológica das sementes de milho, juntamente com a adubação foliar sobre a produtividade dessa cultura. Para o ensaio em campo, sementes híbridas de milho cultivar Garra foram tratadas com o fungicida Tegram® e associado ou não ao produto enraizante Wiser, na dosagem de 200 mL/100kg de sementes. A semeadura foi realizada em solo com e sem adubação e aos 30 e 60 dias após a semeadura foi feita a adubação foliar com o produto Fitofos K Plus®. Foi avaliada a população aos 21 dias, alturas da espiga e de pendão, número de espigas, estande final e a produtividade. Esse ensaio foi constituído de parcelas subdivididas em sistema fatorial 2x2x2 (adubação foliar, adubação no solo e produto enraizante), em delineamento de blocos casualizados (DBC). Para ensaio em laboratório, foram utilizados cinco lotes de sementes de milho cultivar CMSM027 tratadas com o fungicida Tegram® com ou sem o produto enraizante na dosagem de 200 mL/100kg de sementes, sendo esse ensaio constituído de um sistema fatorial 5x2 (lotes e enraizante) em DBC. Foram avaliados a germinação das sementes, emergência em canteiro, emergência em vasos, matéria seca da parte aérea e matéria seca de raízes. O produto enraizante reduziu o vigor das sementes de milho. Em campo, o enraizante e a adubação foliar promoveram maior número de espigas por planta e maior produtividade na cultura do milho.

The objective in this study was to evaluate the effect of a rooter, applied through treatment of the seeds, on the physiological quality of seeds, as well as the effect of leaf fertilization on the productivity of the corn crop. For field research, hybrid corn seeds were treated with the fungicide Tegram® both with and without the Wiser rooter in the dosage of 200 mL/100kg of seeds. Seeds were sown both with and without fertilization and after 30 and 60 days of the sowing, leaves were fertilized with Fitofos K Plus®. After 21 days, the population, corn ear and pennant height, quantity of ears, final stand, and productivity were evaluated. This research was constituted of portions subdivided in a 2x2x2 factorial system (leaf fertilization, soil fertilization, and rooter) in RBD. For laboratory research, 5 different lots of corn seeds were treated with the fungicide Tegram® both with and without the rooter in the dosage of 200 mL/100kg of seeds, constituting a 5x2 factorial system (lots and rooter) in RBD. Seed germination, bed- and vase sprout, aerial part dry matter and root dry matter were evaluated. The rooter has reduced the vigor of the corn seeds. In the field, the rooter and leaf fertilization have resulted in a larger number of ears per plant and higher corn crop productivity.

Desempenho de sementes de soja peliculizadas em solo com diferentes teores de água / Performance of film coated soybean seeds in soil with different water contents

O uso de polímeros hidrofóbicos, tem sido recomendado para tratamento de sementes de espécies que absorvem água rapidamente, causando danos por embebição, como é o caso da soja. Quando a semeadura é realizada em solos com baixa capacidade de infiltração, pode ocorrer redução significativa do estande caso a semeadura coincida com alto índice pluviométrico. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de sementes de soja peliculizadas em solos com diferentes teores de água. As sementes foram tratadas com o fungicida Tegram (thiabendazole + thiram) na dosagem de 200 mL/100 kg de sementes associadas aos polímeros. Para peliculização das sementes foram utilizados os polímeros L201 e L204, os quais foram aplicados nas dosagens de 0 mL, 200 mL e 400 mL/100 kg de sementes. Após o tratamento as sementes foram semeadas em solos com 50, 70 e 90 por cento da capacidade de campo para avaliações nos testes de emergência em bandeja e teste de frio. Foram feitas ainda avaliações por meio do teste de germinação, submersão, emergência em canteiro. Verificou-se que a peliculização promove um aumento no índice e no percentual de emergência quando em condições ideais, independente do polímero utilizado. Em condições de estresse a peliculização reduz o vigor das sementes.

The use of polymers has been recommended for the treatment of seeds of those species that absorb water quickly, causing seed damage by imbibition, such as the soybean case. When the sowing is accomplished in soils with a low drainage capacity, a significant reduction in the seedling emergence may occur if sowing coincides with the high pluviometric index. The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of film coated soybean seeds in soils with different water contents. Seeds were treated with the fungicide Tegram (thiabendazole + thiram) at a dosage of 200mL/100kg of seeds associated to the polymers. For the film coating of the seeds the polymers L201 and L204 were applied at the dosages of 0mL, 200mL and 400mL/100kg of seeds. After the treatment the seeds were sown in soils with 50, 70 and 90 percent of the field capacity for evaluations in the emergence tests in tray and cold test. Evaluations were also made using the standard germination test, submersion, emergence in flowerbed. According to the results it was observed that the film coating promotes an increase in seedling emergence when under ideal conditions, regardeless the polymer used. Under stress conditions, the film coating reduces the seeds vigor.

Desempenho de sementes de soja tratadas com fungicidas e peliculizadas durante o armazenamento / Performance of soybean seeds treated with fungicides and film coating during storage

O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de sementes de soja [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] tratadas com fungicidas em associação à peliculização, durante o armazenamento. Sementes da cultivar Pintado foram tratadas com thiram+thiabendazole e parte das sementes não receberam esse tratamento. As sementes foram ainda submetidas à peliculização com os polímeros AGL 205 ou AGL 202 e parte das sementes não foram peliculizadas. Posteriormente, as sementes foram acondicionadas em embalagens de papel multifoliado e armazenadas durante nove meses sob condições ambientais, sendo que as qualidades fisiológica e sanitária das sementes foram avaliadas inicialmente e a cada três meses de armazenamento pelas seguintes determinações: teor água das sementes; teste de germinação; teste de frio; emergência em areia/solo em bandeja; teste de envelhecimento acelerado; e sanidade. Conclui-se que as sementes de soja tratadas com thiram+thiabendazole têm um melhor desempenho durante o armazenamento. Os polímeros não afetam a qualidade fisiológica das sementes e promovem melhor aderência dos fungicidas, sem alterar os efeitos dos mesmos.

The objective of this work was to avaluate the performance of soybean seeds treated with fungicides in association with film coating during storage. Seeds of the cultivar Pintado were used, being submitted or not to application of thiram+thiabendazole and / or to film coating with the polimers AGL 205 or AGL 202. Later, the seeds were packed into multilayer paper packages and stored for nine months under non-conditioned warehouse conditions. Physiological and sanitary qualities of the seeds were evaluated initially and at every three months of storage by of the following determinations: seed water content; germination test; cold test; emergence in sand/soil substrate test; accelerated aging test; and sanity test. Soybean seeds treated with thiram+thiabendazole had the best performance during storage. The polymers did not affect the physiological quality of the seeds and promoted better adherence of the fungicides, without affecting their effects.

Germinação de aquênios de arnica (Lychnophora pinaster Mart.) armazenados em diferentes condições / Seed germination of arnica (Lychnophora pinaster Mart.) stored at different conditions

A antecipação da coleta pode contribuir para redução da rápida deterioração das sementes no campo, preservando, assim, sua qualidade fisiológica. No caso da arnica (Lychnophora pinaster Mart.), a formação dos aquênios ocorre de maneira desuniforme na planta, sendo dristibuída ao longo do período de frutificação. Assim, em se tratando de uma espécie medicinal não domesticada, ameaçada de extinção, e tendo seu potencial genético ainda pouco estudado, urge a necessidade de monitoramento do comportamento dos aquênios no armazenamento, visando garantir sua reprodução e conseqüente preservação. Esse trabalho foi conduzido com a finalidade de se verificar o desempenho germinativo de aquênios de arnica coletados em dois estádios de maturação e armazenados em diferentes condições. Os aquênios utilizados foram provenientes do município de Itumirim, MG, tendo a coleta sido realizada em dezembro de 2003, em função das características morfológicas dos capítulos, constituindo, assim, dois estádios de maturação. Após a coleta, os aquênios foram submetidos à secagem, pré-limpeza e separados com auxílio de um soprador vertical. Os aquênios foram acondicionados em dois tipos de embalagens (papel ou plástico) e armazenados em diferentes ambientes (câmara fria a 10°C/50 por centoUR ou ambiente de laboratório), por um período de 6 meses. O teste de germinação foi conduzido em BOD ajustada à temperatura alternada 20-30°C e fotoperíodo de 12 horas. O substrato utilizado foi o papel mata-borrão e os aquênios foram dispostos em caixas plásticas tipo gerbox. Foram utilizadas 4 repetições de 100 aquênios para cada tratamento. A análise sanitária foi efetuada pelo método "Blotter test" com 4 repetições de 50 aquênios por tratamento. As avaliações da umidade, da qualidade fisiológica e sanitária foram realizadas aos 0, 2, 4 e 6 meses. Pelos resultados, verificou-se que não houve diferença entre as quatro condições de armazenamento e, nestas condições, pode-se armazenar...

Early seed collection may contribute to decrease its deterioration rate preserving physiological quality. Seed formation in arnica (Lychnophora pinaster Mart.), takes place throughout the fructification period. As arnica plant is of medicinal importance and is under threaten there is a need of monitoring seed quality during storage to guarantee reproduction and perpetuation of the species. This work was performed with the objective of verifying germination performance of arnica seeds collected at two maturation stages and stored at different conditions. The seeds used in this study were collected in December 2003 at Itumirim, State of Minas Gerais-Brazil at two maturation stage. After collection, the seeds were dried, cleaned and separated with a vertical blower. The seeds were placed in two types of packing (paper and plastic) and stored under different atmospheres (cold chamber 10°C/50 percentRH and room temperature), during 6 months. The germination test was performed in incubator (BOD) at alternate temperature (20-30°C) and photoperiod of 12 hours. The substrate used was paper towel and the seeds were placed in gerbox. Four replication of 100 seeds for each treatment were used. The sanitary quality of the seed was performed by "Blotter test" with 4 replications of 50 seeds for each treatment. Moisture content, sanitary quality and physiological quality were evaluated during 0, 2, 4 and 6 months. There was not significant differences among the four storage conditions and, under these conditions, arnica seeds can be stored by a period of six months. There was an increase in the germination along the storage period.