How cutting types and shading levels influence the vegetative propagation of Pereskia aculeata?

Information from Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae) responses regarding the portion of the stem cuttings branch parental plants and the shading level need to be investigated in order to establish techniques for their producing seedlings. We aimed was to evaluate the effect of cutting types and shading levels in the production of P. aculeata seedlings. We studied three cutting types, collected from different portions of the stem cuttings branch: herbaceous, semi-hardwood, and hardwood, which were arranged under two shading levels: 0% (full sun) or 50% (shade). The selected parent plants had an adequate and vigorous phytosanitary aspect. After 90 days after the cuttings, the seedlings were evaluated regarding survival, growth indicators, biomass production and partitioning, and allometric indices. Seedlings from hardwood cuttings and produced under 0% shading showed higher survival. The largest number of sprouts occurred in seedlings of semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings. The highest leaf area values ​​occurred in seedlings of semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings under 0% shading. Seedlings from hardwood cuttings had higher biomass allocation in the roots under 50% shading. Seedlings of herbaceous and semi-hardwood portion allocated values ≥ 70% of the biomass in the aerial part. Seedlings of species are able to adjust to different shading levels as a plasticity mechanism. For the production of P. aculeata seedlings, the hardwood portion of the stem cuttings branch under full sun cultivation is recommended. In addition, semi-hardwood cuttings grown under 50% shading can also be used for seedlings production.

Chemoprevention assessment, genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of flavonoids from Inga laurina leaves (FABACEAE).

This study aimed to identify and evaluate the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, antigenotoxicity and chemoprevention assessment of flavonoids myricetin-3-O-(2″-O-galloyl)-α-rhamnopyranoside and myricetin-3-rhamnoside from Inga laurina leaves extract. The Quinone reductase induction as a biomarker for cancer chemoprevention was evaluated in murine hepatocellular carcinoma, the cytotoxicity was evaluated by sulforhonamide B assay and genotoxicity was evaluated by comet assay using HepG2 cell line. The results demonstrated that the flavonoids didn´t show cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. In the chemoprevention evaluations were not able to promote the induction of Quinone Reductase and also no genotoxic effect was observed by evaluation of the comet assay in none of the concentrations tested. In the antigenotoxicity test, all compounds had a protective effect against damage induced by hydrogen peroxide and were repaired against damage. Although none of the flavonoids were capable of inducing the enzyme Quinone Reductase at the concentrations tested, the antigenotoxicity results showed a powerful chemoprotective action.

Genotoxicity, cytotoxicity and chemical profile from Inga laurina (Fabaceae).

This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity from Inga laurina leaves extracts and fractions and obtain their chemical profile. The chemical profile of the crude extract from I. laurina leaves and its fractions was investigated through 1H NMR, RP-HPLC-PDA by co-injection with authentic standards and HPLC-MS. The quinone reductase induction as a biomarker for cancer chemoprevention was evaluated in murine hepatocellular carcinoma line, whereas the cytotoxicity was evaluated by sulforhodamine B assay (SRB) using HepG2 cell line and genotoxicity was evaluated by comet assay. The phytochemical analysis of the leaves crude extract and its fractions showed the presence of 2-hydroxyethyl-dodecanoate and the phenolic compounds: gallic acid, methyl gallate, p-coumaric acid, cinnamic acid, myricetin-3-O-(2″-O-galoyl)-α-rhamnopyranoside, proanthocyanidin A-2 and myricetrin. All the fractions tested were not considered cytotoxic against the selected human cancer cell lines, they did not cause genotoxic in some concentrations damage and induced the enzyme quinone reductase.

Inga edulis fruits: a new source of bioactive anthocyanins.

The extraction conditions and chromatographic analysis from seeds of Inga edulis were optimized and provided one anthocyanin from aqueous fraction and a mixture of three anthocyanins from methanolic fraction. The pure anthocyanin obtained was subjected to structural modifications and the products obtained were subjected to chemical and pharmacological assays, as well as quantum chemical calculations based on DFT and TD-DFT methods. Hence, the anthocyanin fractions were evaluated for their chemical-pharmacological potential through chemical and biological assays: antioxidant activity by the DPPH, determination of the Solar Protection Factor (SPF) and cytotoxic activity (hepatocellular carcinoma infected with hepatitis C virus). The results indicated that even the anthocyanin and derivatized compounds having high antioxidant potential showed an SPF lower than six, which is lower than the minimum accepted by current Brazilian legislation. In addition, none of compounds presented significant cytotoxic activity against the tumour cell line studied.

Sentimentos despertados nas mulheres frente ao diagnóstico decâncer de mama / Feelings awakened in women against the diagnosis of breast cancer

Objetivo: identificar os sentimentos despertados nas mulheres frente ao diagnóstico de câncer de mama. Método: trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, realizado no ambulatório de oncologia de um hospital universitário, com 11 mulheres diagnosticadas com câncer de mama e idade entre 43 e 58 anos. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, de maio a julho de 2015. Os dados foram analisados e interpretados conforme a análise de conteúdo. Resultados: após a análise emergiram três categorias: o impacto do diagnóstico; a vivência prévia da doença, o autoconhecimento e sua aceitação; esperança embasada na fé em Deus. Considerações Finais: a maioria das mulheres demonstraram-se extremamente sensibilizadas com o diagnóstico de câncer de mama e aflitas diante da incerteza da morte; outras, por já terem vivenciado a doença em um ente próximo, sentiram-se mais fortes e reagiram melhor ao diagnóstico.

Objective: to identify the feelings aroused by women in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Method: thisis a qualitative study, performed at the oncology outpatient clinic of a university hospital, with 11women diagnosed with breast cancer and aged between 43 and 58 years. Data collection wasperformed through a semi-structured interview, from May to July 2015. Data were analyzed andinterpreted according to content analysis. Results: three categories emerged after the analysis: theimpact of the diagnosis; the previous experience of the disease, self-knowledge and its acceptance; hope grounded in faith. Final Considerations: most women were extremely sensitive to the diagnosisof breast cancer and afflicted by the uncertainty of death, others because they had experienced thedisease in a nearby entity felt stronger and reacted better to the diagnosis.

Validation of the Brazilian version in Portuguese of the Thoracic-Lumbar Control Scale for spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to translate, adapting to Brazilian version in Portuguese, validate and measure inter and intra-examinator reliability and internal consistency of the Thoracic-Lumbar Control Scale instrument. SETTING: State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: This instrument was translated to Brazilian Portuguese by a bilingual translator, and it was retranslated to English for conflict correction and cultural adaptation. Two physiotherapists were previously trained to standardize the scale administration. In all, 22 patients were selected and initially assessed through FIM and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) instruments. Furthermore, they were evaluated through the Thoracic-Lumbar Control Scale by two examiners and revaluated 1 week after by only one examinator. RESULTS: The Brazilian Portuguese version of Thoracic-Lumbar Control Scale showed excellent intra and inter-examinator reliability (0.961 and 0.986), high value of internal consistence (0.934) and significant correlation with ASIA sensory score (r=0.83, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian Portuguese version of Thoracic-Lumbar Control Scale is a valid and efficient instrument to assess trunk control of after-spinal cord injury patients, which certifies its replicability by other neurology professionals.