Biologia reprodutiva em espécies de Bidens L. (Asteraceae)

Estudos de biologia reprodutiva de espécies invasoras podem ter implicações sobre o estabelecimento de práticas de controle que minimizem o efeito das populações destas espécies em áreas agrícolas. A biologia da polinização de Bidens alba (L.) DC., B. pilosa L. e Bidens subalternans DC. foi estudada em diferentes locais e estações climáticas. Bidens pilosa e B. subalternans são espécies amplamente distribuídas em áreas agrícolas, em habitats perturbados e em margens de estradas. Bidens alba ocorre somente em regiões litorâneas. As três espécies são auto-compatíveis e não são agamospérmicas. A composição da comunidade de polinizadores apresenta diferenças durante o ano e entre locais. Himenópteros e lepidópteros são os visitantes mais freqüentes nas espécies de Bidens. Embora as espécies sejam auto compatíveis, a presença de polinizadores pode afetar os níveis de endocruzamento. A atração de insetos por espécies de Bidens pode beneficiar as culturas agrícolas e apresentar importantes implicações para a biologia da conservação.Studies about reproductive biology of weed species can have implications on the establishment of controlling practices that minimize the effects of these weed populations on agricultural fields. The pollination biology of Bidens alba (L.) DC., B. pilosa L., and Bidens subalternans DC., was studied at different sites and climatic seasons. Bidens pilosa and B. subalternans are widely distributed in agricultural areas, in disturbed habitats, and along road sides. Bidens alba occur only along the coast. The three species are self-compatible and non agamospermous. The composition of the pollinator community changes during the year and between sites. Hymenopterans and lepidopterans are the most frequent visitors to Bidens species in both areas studied. Although the species are self-compatible, the presence of pollinators may affect the levels of inbreeding. The attraction of insects by Bidens species may be benefical to agricultural crop and may also have important implications for conservation biology

Comparison of diode array and electrochemical detection in the C30 reverse phase HPLC analysis of algae carotenoids

Qualitative and quantitative determination of carotenoids pigments can provide valuable information about the organisms in which this important class of compounds is found. In the HPLC analysis of pigments, diode array (DAD), electrochemical (ED) and other kinds of detector may be used. The aim of this work is to develop an HPLC method using a C30 column to identify and quantify sixteen different pigments from algae. A further aim is to compare precision and accuracy obtained by DAD and ED. ED is normally more sensible than DAD. On the other hand, the highest precision and accuracy was obtained with DAD. In conclusion, the method was efficient for quantitative and qualitative analyses of pigments from cyanobacteria and different microalgae classes. Their pigment patterns for several organisms are also discussed.A determinação qualitativa e quantitativa de carotenóides pode fornecer diferentes e importantes informações sobre os organismos que os contêm. Na análise de pigmentos por HPLC diversos detectores podem ser utilizados, como diode array (DAD) e eletroquímico (ED). O presente trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver um método por HPLC utilizando uma coluna C30 para a identificação e quantificação de dezesseis pigmentos em diferentes classes de algas, além de comparar as respostas obtidas nos detectores DAD e ED por meio da análise dos resultados de precisão e exatidão. Apesar do ED ser geralmente um detector mais sensível que o DAD, os resultados de precisão e exatidão foram mais satisfatórios para o DAD. O método desenvolvido foi eficiente para a análise quantitativa dos pigmentos de cianobactérias e diferentes classes de algas, sendo que o padrão cromatográfico encontrado em cada classe foi discutido.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Milênio-Redoxom

THE INFLUENCE OF COLD IN PROPRIOCEPTION OF THE NORMAL KNEE JOINT

The objective of this study was to determine whether the therapeutic use of cold, affects proprioception when applied to the knee joint. Cryotherapy decreases sensory and motor nerve conduction velocities, which are necessary for a normal proprioceptive acuity. Normal proprioceptive acuity is necessary in order to avoid injuries of the musculoskelectal system. Sixty-four healthy volunteers, aged 18-25, moderately active men and women were recruited from a large sample of University students. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the control or the experimental group. The subjects of the experimental group were subjected to 20 min of temperature at constant (5ºC), with an ice application to the knee joint. The results showed that cold does not affect the joint position sense in a normal knee

TRAINING DELAYED ISOKINETICS IN THE SURGICAL RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT: A CASE STUDY

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this work is to study the effect of training isokinetics on the peak torque (PT) of the femoral quadriceps and hamstring muscles three years after surgical reconstruction of the cruciate anterior ligament (LCA). METHODS: The subject, a 23-year-old, male, non-sedentary, was given 2 bilateral concentric isokinetic reciprocate evaluations, one before and the other after training at speeds of 60, 180 and 300º/sec. Only the right lower limb was trained (surgical reconstruction of LCA), 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Each training session consisted of warming-up, followed by isokinetic training in the Isokinetic Dynamometer BIODEX Multi Joint System 2–Medical Systems. The subject was positioned properly in the dynamometer, instructed to perform 3 isokinetics concentric submaximal contractions followed by 12 sets of 5 extensions and flexions of the knee at the angular speed of 60º/sec. (0 to 90º range of motion), with an interval of 10 seconds between sets. The analysis of the data was done using a Student’s t-Test with a level of significance of 5%. RESULTS: The peak torque for the extension at the speeds of 60 and 180º/sec. of the right lower limb had a significant increase. The values of peak torque for the flexion at the speeds of 60, 180 and 300º/sec. had a non-significant increase for both lower limbs. CONCLUSIONS: The isokinetic training was effective for the increase in the strength (peak torque) of the right lower limb knee extensors. There was also an increase in strength (peak torque) at 180º/sec. of the right lower limb extensor that had not been trained. This research was conducted in accordance with the National Council of Health (Resolution 196/96)

The seed bank of a gallery forest in Southeastern Brazil

The soil seed bank was studied in a gallery forest in Southeastern Brazil. Samples were collected from edge to edge along transects perpendicular to the river during the wet (December, 1990) and dry (August, 1991) seasons. The number of seeds found in the seed bank samples was greater in the dry season than in the wet season indicating that there was important variation in the seed stocks in these two periods. The similarity values between the seed bank and the community composition were low. The high density of weed species might be reflecting forest fragmentation and indicating a degree of perturbation.O banco de sementes do solo foi estudado em uma floresta de galeria. As amostras de banco de sementes foram coletadas ao longo de transectos abertos perpendicularmente à área do rio durante as estações chuvosa (dezembro/1990) e seca (agosto/1991). O número de sementes encontrado nas amostras de banco de sementes proveniente da estação seca foi significativamente maior do que o número de sementes encontrado nas amostras provenientes da estação chuvosa. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram uma variação significativa entre o estoque de sementes encontrados nos dois períodos amostrados. A similaridade entre o estoque de sementes no solo e a flora local foi baixa. A alta densidade de espécies invasoras pode refletir a fragmentação e indicar o grau de perturbação da floresta.793797Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Characteristic product ions of acetylene carotenoids by electrospray and nanospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

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PROPRIOCEPTION AND KINESTHESIS IN SUBJECTS WITH AN ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT UNILATERAL LESION

The purpose of this study was to evaluate proprioception and kinesthesis in subjects with an ACL unilateral lesion with standard Biodex isokinetic dynamometer procedures. Ten ACL deficient subjects, who had been conservatively treated, were evaluated, everyone submitted to conservative treatment. The test consisted of three stages for each limb: active and passive positioning and kinesthesis with three repetitions of each stage starting with the uninjured limb. The results showed no significant difference among the values of active positioning, passive positioning and kinesthesis between the injured and uninjured limbs (pl 0.05). Thus, new works that approach this subject are necessary for a better understanding of the alterations occurred in subject with ACL lesion

Medicinal Properties of Bamboos

Bamboos are described as one of the most important renewable, easily obtained, and valuable of all forest resources. These plants belong to the grasses’ family (Poaceae), which covers about a quarter of the world’s plant population, within the subfamily Bambusoideae. The estimated diversity of bamboos in the world is approximately 1400 species, distributed in 116 genera. Bamboo species have been used in Southeast Asia, as a base material to produce paper, furniture, boats, bicycles, textiles, musical instruments, and food, and their leaves have also been used as a wrapping material to prevent food deterioration since ancient times. These species accumulate biologically active components such as polyphenols and other secondary plant metabolites that might explain the use of bamboo leaves in Asian traditional medicine for the treatment of hypertension, arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and certain forms of cancer. Besides the usual secondary metabolites, bamboo extracts may contain biologically active peptides and polysaccharides that still need to be further studied for their activity and their synergistic with other metabolites. Most of the studies found in the literature are from Asian bamboo species, and the potential of the Southern American species is yet to be explored