Genetic variability in Jatropha curcas L. from diallel crossing.

Physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) presents high oilseed yield and low production cost. However, technical-scientific knowledge on this crop is still limited. This study aimed to evaluate and estimate the genetic variability of hybrids obtained from dialell crossing. Genetic variability was carried out using ISSR molecular markers. For genetic variability, nine primers were used, and six were selected with 80.7% polymorphism. Genetic similarity was obtained using the NTSYS pc. 2.1 software, and cluster analysis was obtained by the UPGMA method. Mean genetic similarity was 58.4% among hybrids; the most divergent pair was H1 and H10 and the most similar pair was H9 and H10. ISSR PCR markers provided a quick and highly informative system for DNA fingerprinting, and also allowed establishing genetic relationships of Jatropha hybrids.

Evaluation of the potential of squash pumpkin by-products (seeds and shell) as sources of antioxidant and bioactive compounds.

The transformation of byproducts and wastes generated by agro-food companies is of high importance since only a small portion of plant material is utilized directly for human consumption. Squash pumpkin is greatly used in Portugal and as by-products of its processing are generated tons of shell and seeds. In this study we aim to evaluate the potential of these wastes as sources of beneficial and bioactive compounds (antioxidants and antimicrobials), studying the effect of different extraction solvents and drying methods. The samples (fresh and cooked) were freeze-dried and oven-dried followed by extraction with different solvents that revealed the following decreasing order of efficiency: 70 % ethanol, 70 % methanol, 70 % acetone, ultra-pure water and 100 % dichloromethane. The oven-dried samples showed higher values of antioxidant activity and phenolic content, with exception of the values of phenolics for the seeds material. The shell samples presented higher values (1.47 - 70.96 % inhibition) of antioxidant activity and total phenolic content (2.00 - 10.69 mg GAE/g DW). A positive correlation was found between these two parameters on the shell samples, however the squash seeds revealed a negative correlation between the phenolic content and the antioxidant activity. The results show that these industrial agro-food residues are potentially good sources of bioactive compounds with health benefits.

Effects of Mesocriconema xenoplax on Vitis vinifera and Associated Mycorrhizal Fungi.

Previous surveys of vineyards had indicated that Mesocriconema xenoplax was present in 85% of vineyards in western Oregon, but yields were not depressed in established vines. Microplot studies were initiated in 1997 in a Willamette Valley vineyard to determine the impact of M. xenoplax on vine establishment. Plots were infested with 0.03, 0.6, and 3.0 M. xenoplax g(-1) soil and planted with self-rooted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines. In November 2000, four growing seasons after planting, pruning weights, fine root weights, and fruit yield of vines planted in infested soil were reduced by 58%, 75%, and 33%, respectively, relative to control vines (planted in noninfested soil). In 1998 with ca 2000 degree-day base 9 degrees C accumulation, population densities increased 32-fold and 44-fold on 1-year-old Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines, respectively. Nematode population dynamics and pruning data suggested that the carrying capacity of vines in microplots was 5 to 8 M. xenoplax g(-1) soil. In November 2000, more than 80% of the fine root length was colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in all treatments. The frequency of fine roots containing arbuscules (the site of nutrient transfer between plant and fungus), however, was depressed from 5% to 65% in plants infested initially with M. xenoplax as compared to controls. Competition for photosynthate within the root system is proposed as a possible mechanism by which nematodes suppressed arbuscule frequency.

Cardiac abnormalities in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A prospective study with a clinical-pathological correlation in twenty-one adult patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cardiac abnormalities and their evolution during the course of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, as well as to correlate clinical and pathological data. METHODS: Twenty-one patients, admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, were prospectively studied and followed until their death. Age ranged from 19 to 42 years (17 males). ECG and echocardiogram were also obtained every six months. After death, macro- and microscopic examinations were also performed. RESULTS: The most frequent causes of referral to the hospital were: diarrhea or repeated pneumonias, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis or Kaposi sarcoma. The most frequent findings were acute or chronic pericarditis (42%) and dilated cardiomyopathy (19%). Four patients died of cardiac problems: infective endocarditis, pericarditis with pericardial effusion, bacterial myocarditis and infection by Toxoplasma gondii. CONCLUSION: Severe cardiac abnormalities were the cause of death in some patients. In the majority of the patients, a good correlation existed between clinical and anatomical-pathological data. Cardiac evaluation was important to detect early manifestations and treat them accordingly, even in asymptomatic patients.

Study of a population of Biomphalaria tenagophila (Orbigny, 1835) and of schistosomiasis transmission in "Alto da Boa Vista", Rio de Janeiro.

The present study was performed using data from a Biomphalaria tenagophila population located in a watercress garden in the Alto da Boa Vista region representing an isolated focal point of schistosomiasis in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The density and age structure of this B. tenagophila population and its rate of infection by Schistosoma mansoni were studied for a period of 15 months. The snail population showed seasonal variation in density, with a decrease in number of individuals at the beginning of the rainy season. At the end of this season, the population consisted mainly of adults (92.8% in May 1985 and 82.8% in April 1986). The population growth curve was logistic and of sigmoidal configuration. Schistosoma mansoni cercariae were eliminated over a short period of time (March, April and May 1986). The release of cercariae of S. mansoni and of birds seems to depend on environmental temperature, which during certain months would show a daily variation of up to 13 degrees C, with the lower thermal limit approaching the limit value for sporocyte development.

Study of a population of Biomphalaria tenagophila (Orbigny, 1835) and of schistosomiasis transmission in "Alto da Boa Vista", Rio de Janeiro

O presente trabalho foi realizado com dados obtidos de uma populaçäo de Biomphalaria tenagophila em uma horta de agriäo na regiäo do Alto da Boa Vista, foco isolado de esquistossomose na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Foram feitas observaçöes sobre mudanças sazonais na densidade e estrutura etária da populaçäo de B. tenagophila e taxas de infecçäo desses caramujos pelo Schistosoma mansoni durante um periodo de 15 meses. A populaçäo de caramujo mostrou variaçäo sazonal com diminuiçäo do número de animais no ínicio da estaçäo chuvosa, sendo constituída no final desta estaçäo principalmente de adultos (92,8% maio 85 - 82,9% abril 86). A populaçäo apresentou uma curva de crescimento logística de configuraçäo sigmoide. A liberaçäo de cercárias de S. mansoni e de ave parece depender da temperatura ambiental que chegou a uma amplitude diária de até 13-C

Avaliação de atividades biológicas das sementes de Stryphnodendron obovatum Benth. (Leguminosae) / Evaluation of biological activities of the seeds of Stryphnodendron obovatum Benth. (Leguminosae)

Stryphnodendron obovatum Benth., conhecido como "barbatimão", é uma espécie pertencente à família Leguminosae, sub-família Mimosoideae, e é amplamente distribuído em campos e cerrados. Na medicina popular, cascas de S. obovatum são usadas no tratamento de processos inflamatórios, como cicatrizante, para diarréia, frieira. Neste trabalho investigou-se a presença de proteínas e as atividades citotóxica, antibacteriana, antifúngica do extrato salino das sementes de S. obovatum. O extrato salino S. obovatum não apresentou toxidade frente ao ensaio com Artemia salina, nem mostrou atividade antibacteriana contra Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Escherichia coli. Na avaliação da atividade antioxidante, o extrato salino apresentou uma CE50 de 12, 193 µg/mL, enquanto a do padrão positivo BHT foi 2,98 µg/mL. O extrato salino de S. obovatum não apresentou atividade antifúngica, tanto na técnica de bioautografia com o fungo Cladosporium sphaerospermum, quanto no método de difusão em disco, realizado com Candida albicans. Foi realizado teste de atividade enzimática na qual observou-se a hidrólise do substrato H-D-Benzoil-arginina-p-nitroanilida (Bz-Arg-pNan).

Stryphnodendron obovatum Benth., popularly known as "barbatimão", belongs to the Leguminosae fami/y, of the Mimosoideae subfamily, and is present in fields and in "cerrados". S. obovatum bark is used in popular medicine for treating inflammatory processes, for healing wounds, and as cure for diarrhea and chílblain. This research investigates the presence of proteins and the cytotoxic, antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the S. obovatum seed saline extract. The saline extract did not show cytotoxicity against Artemia salina nor any antibacterial activíty against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia colí. The evaluation of the antioxidant activity showed a CEso=12.193 µg/mL, and the BHT positive pattern presented 2.98 µg/mL. The S. obovatum saline extract was tested against Cladosporium sphaerospermum and Candida albicans, using the bioautography technique and the disk diffusion method. Benzoyl­arginine-p-nitroanilide (Bz-Arg-pNan) was hydrolyzed by the saline extract.