Performance of cucumber hybrids cultivated in coconut fiber and soil

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of three Japanese group cucumber hybrids, which were cultivated in two cultivation systems. The experiment was designed in a split-plot randomized block design with two cultivation systems (coconut fiber and soil) for commercial Japanese cucumber hybrids ('Tsuyataro', 'Yoshinari' and 'Nankyoku'). After harvesting the cucumbers, we evaluated the number of marketable fruits per plant, the average fruit length, the mean fruit diameter, the bottom fruit diameter, the marketable production of fruits per plant and the marketable yield per hectare. There were significant interactions between the cultivation system and the hybrid, as indicated by the number of marketable fruits. The Nankyoku hybrid had the highest average (14.54 fruits pl(-1)), although it did not differ from the Yoshinari hybrid when grown in coconut fiber. In soil culture, the Yoshinari hybrid had the highest average number of fruits per plant (10.12 fruits pl(-1)) and did not differ from the Tsuyataro hybrid. Cultivation in coconut fiber provided better results for production traits and plant productivity. 'Yoshinari' and 'Nankyoku' were the most productive hybrids. Based on the cucumber cultivation results from a protected environment, the cultivation of hybrid Japanese cucumbers and Yoshinari and Nankyoku hybrids in coconut fiber is recommended.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de três hí- bridos de pepineiro, do grupo japonês, cultivados em dois sistemas de cultivo. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos casualizados, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo considerados como parcela principal, dois sistemas de cultivo (fibra da casca de coco e solo) e nas subparcelas, três híbridos comerciais de pepineiro japonês (‘Tsuyataro’, ‘Yoshinari’ e ‘Nankyoku’). Após a colheita foram avaliados: número de frutos comerciais por planta; comprimento médio do fruto; diâmetro superior do fruto; diâmetro médio do fruto; diâmetro inferior do fruto; produção comercial de frutos por planta; e produtividade comercial por hectare. Houve interação significativa entre sistemas de cultivo e híbridos apenas para a característica de número de frutos comerciais. O híbrido Nankyoku apresentou a maior média (14,54 frutos pl-1), embora não tenha diferido do híbrido Yoshinari, quando cultivados em fibra da casca de coco. No cultivo em solo, o hibrido Yoshinari apresentou a maior média de frutos por planta (10,12 frutos pl-1), não diferindo do híbrido Tsuyataro. O cultivo em fibra de coco proporcionou melhores resultados para as características de produção por planta e produtividade. Entre os híbridos avaliados, ‘Yoshinari’ e ‘Nankyoku’ foram os mais produtivos. Com base nos resultados obtidos, para o cultivo de pepino sob ambiente protegido, recomenda-se o cultivo dos híbridos de pepino japonês Yoshinari e Nankyoku em fibra da casca de coco.Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Departamento de Produção Vegetal, Jaboticabal BR-14884900, SP, BrasilInstituto Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (IFTM), Uberaba BR-38064790, MG, BrasilUniversidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Departamento de Produção Vegetal, Jaboticabal BR-14884900, SP, Brasi

Protective effect of antioxidants on blood oxidative stress caused by arginine

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)In this study, we investigated in vivo and in vitro effect of arginine on parameters of oxidative stress namely thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS) and total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP) in plasma and on the antioxidant enzymes activities catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in erythrocytes of rats. Results showed that acute administration reduced TRAP and CAT activity and increased TBA-RS. Furthermore, in vitro studies did not alter oxidative parameters studied. The influence of N?-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) and antioxidants (a-tocopherol plus ascorbic acid) on the effects elicited by arginine was also studied. In addition, simultaneous injection of l-NAME or treatment with antioxidants prevented the alteration on TRAP, TBA-RS, and CAT activity caused by arginine. Data indicate that oxidative stress induction is probably mediated by the generation of NO and/or ONOO- and other free radicals, because l-NAME and these antioxidants prevented these effects caused by arginine.262250258Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Condições de financiamento em saúde nos grandes municípios do Brasil Health financing conditions in large cities in Brazil

O artigo analisa as condições de financiamento do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) nos municípios brasileiros com mais de 100 mil habitantes, procurando aferir os resultados das regras que definem os recursos vinculados à saúde nos orçamentos municipais. Para alcance dos objetivos, foi constituída uma base de dados a partir das receitas declaradas por meio do Sistema de Informações de Orçamentos Públicos em Saúde (SIOPS) em 2005. Os valores informados foram comparados e correlacionados por localização geográfica dos municípios. Aplicou-se, ainda, a técnica de análise de agrupamentos (cluster analysis) para a conformação de grupos homogêneos segundo condições de financiamento em saúde. Verificaram-se perfis variados de receitas municipais nas diversas regiões e estados do Brasil e distintos graus de dependência orçamentária dos municípios às principais fontes de recursos vinculados. Embora a diversidade de fontes indique múltiplos caminhos para obtenção de recursos, o estudo sugere alguns entraves para o financiamento da saúde nos municípios de grande porte no país.<br>We evaluated the funding of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) in municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. The main goal was to evaluate the impact of policies for health resource allocation within the municipal budget. A database was organized with information from revenues reported by municipalities in the Information System on Government Health Budgets (SIOPS) for the year 2005. Reported budgets were compared and correlated to the municipalities' geographic location. We conducted a cluster analysis to create more homogeneous groups according to health-related budget. The study showed a major variability among different regions and States, with varying degrees of municipal dependence on external funds. Although the large variability in sources may indicate multiple strategies for ensuring the necessary budget funds, the study suggests some barriers to public health funding in larger municipalities

Clonal chromosomal alterations in fibroadenomas of the breast

A cytogenetic study on short-term cell cultures from 10 fibroadenomas of the breast is reported, Clonal chromosomal alterations were observed in all cases analyzed, involving preferentially chromosomes X, 12, 14, 20, and 22. Normal karyotypes were found in 34.9% of the cells. The present findings are discussed together with the reports on fibroadenomas and other benign lesions of the breast described in the literature. Although no specific chromosome abnormality to date can be attributed to a particular type of benign breast pathology, some recurrent alterations are starting to emerge and may characterize these benign breast lesions, differentiating them from their malignant counterparts. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPF), Dept Genet, BR-81531970 Curitiba, Parana, BrazilUniv Estadual Paulista Julio Mesquita Filho, IB, Dept Genet, Botucatu, SP, BrazilHosp Nossa Senhora Gracas, Dept Oncol, Curitiba, Parana, BrazilUniv Estadual Paulista Julio Mesquita Filho, IB, Dept Genet, Botucatu, SP, Brazi

Annexin A11 gene polymorphism (R230C variant) and sarcoidosis in a Portuguese population

Helena Alves - investigadora do Departamento de Promoção da Saúde e Prevenção de Doenças Não Transmissíveis do INSA (Porto)A recent genome-wide association study detected a protective effect for the annexin A11 rs1049550*T allele (R230Cvariant) in susceptibility to sarcoidosis. We evaluated the association between rs1049550 C/T and sarcoidosis susceptibility, distinct disease phenotypes and evolution in a Portuguese population. We performed a case-control study of 208 patients and 197 healthy controls. Samples were genotyped for rs1049550 C/T using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The frequency of the annexin A11 rs1049550*T allele was significantly lower in patients than in controls (33.2 vs 44.9%, P < 0.001). Odds ratio of 0.52 and 0.44 were obtained, respectively for carriers of one (CT) and two (TT) copies normalized to the CC wild-type genotype (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in patients with and without Löfgren syndrome. A significant increase in the frequency of the T allele was observed in patients with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid neutrophilia (P = 0.04). No significant associations were seen for lung function pattern, radiological stages or different forms of disease evolution. Our study confirms that rs1049550*T allele exerts a significant protective effect on sarcoidosis susceptibility. Given the role of annexin A11 in cell division, apoptosis and neutrophil function, this polymorphism may affect key elements of granulomatous and interstitial inflammation in sarcoidosis