Determination of soil mineral content and analysis of collards leaves grown in Brasília

A couve de folhas é um alimento com alto teor de vitaminas e minerais, que são fundamentais para a dieta humana. Contudo, informações sobre a influência dos fatores extrínsecos e intrínsecos, durante o seu cultivo, em sua composição são escassas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar os seguintes minerais em folhas de couves produzidas no Distrito Federal (DF): cálcio, magnésio, potássio, fósforo, zinco, manganês, sódio e ferro, correlacionando os teores verificados com os teores presentes no solo. As amostras de folhas e solo foram coletadas em 16 diferentes propriedades rurais no DF, quando também foram aplicados questionários aos produtores sobre as práticas culturais adotadas durante a produção. Os resultados obtidos de teores médios foliares (base em folhas frescas) por 100 g de alimento foram: cálcio, 222,8 mg; ferro, 1,3 mg; magnésio, 37,6 mg, e zinco, 0,6 mg. Esta composição atende a 28% das necessidades diárias de cálcio em crianças de 4 a 8 anos, sendo também supridos 13% de ferro, 29% de magnésio e 13% de zinco, com base no consumo de 100 g de folhas frescas de couve. Foi verificada correlação negativa para teores de magnésio no solo e na folha, com R = -0,69. Para os outros minerais analisados não se verificou correlação significativa. O conteúdo de fósforo e de potássio nos solos foi considerado alto, enquanto que, contrariamente, foram determinadas concentrações baixas de teores de magnésio. O teor de micronutrientes na couve foi considerado baixo e aventa para um manejo inadequado da adubação, fator corroborado pelas respostas dos questionários sobre práticas culturais. Práticas de manejo que levam ao equilíbrio de nutrientes no solo refletem diretamente na interação solo-planta. Recomendações regionais atualizadas de adubação e correção dos solos poderiam auxiliar agricultores e técnicos, refletindo diretamente na obtenção de teores mais equilibrados de micro e macronutrientes em alimentos de origem vegetal.Collard is a food with a high content of vitamins and minerals, fundamental for the human diet. However, information on the influence of extrinsic and intrinsic factors in its composition during cultivation is still scarce. The objective of this work was to quantify the minerals in collard leaves produced in the Federal District (DF), Brazil: calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, sodium and iron, correlating with the present soil contents. Leaf and soil samples were collected in 16 different rural properties in the Federal District, in which questionnaires were also applied on the cultural practices adopted during plant growing. The average foliar contents per 100 g of fresh leaves were: calcium, 222.8 mg; iron, 1.3 mg; magnesium, 37.6 mg; and zinc, 0.6 mg. This composition meets 28% of daily calcium requirements in children aged from 4 to 8 years: 13% iron, 29% magnesium and 13% zinc, based on the consumption of 100 g of fresh collard leaves. Negative correlation was verified for magnesium contents in soil and leaf, with R = -0.69. A significant correlation was not verified for the other analyzed minerals. Phosphorus and potassium contents in soils were considered high while, contradictorily, low concentrations of magnesium were found. The foliar micronutrients contents were considered low and suggests for an inadequate management of the fertilization, factor corroborated by the answers of the cultural practices questionnaires. Management practices that lead to nutrient balance in soil reflect directly on soil-plant interaction. Up-to-date regional recommendations on soil fertilization and correction could assist farmers and technicians, directly reflecting the achievement of more balanced levels of micro and macro nutrients in vegetables

Utilización de hidrogel nanocompuesto con n-urea en sustrato para producción de plántulas de pimentón

Sweet pepper is one of the vegetables of greater economic importance worldwide, and also in Brazil. In its cultivation, the production of quality seedlings is essential for the obtainment of vigorous and productive plants. The technique of adding hydrogels as water-conditioners and nutrient carriers has been used for this purpose with promising results. The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of a nanocomposite hydrogel with controlled release properties of N-urea in the production of pepper seedlings. The trial was established in experimental design of randomized blocks with five treatments and four replicates. The treatments consisted of the use of 6 g∙L-1 of the polymer, with pure hydrogel (HP) and proportions of nanocomposite hydrogel incorporated with N-urea (HU), which were added to the substrate in concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 40 %. The highest concentrations presented beneficial effects on the quality of the seedlings, in variables such as plant height, leaf area, stem diameter and Dickson quality index, with prominence for the doses of 40 % HU.El pimentón es una de las hortalizas de mayor importancia económica en el mundo, al igual que en Brasil. En su cultivo, la formación de plántulas de calidad es esencial para la obtención de plantas vigorosas y productivas. La técnica de adición de hidrogeles como acondicionadores hídricos y proveedores de nutrientes viene siendo utilizada con ese propósito, presentando resultados prometedores. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la utilización de un hidrogel nanocompuesto con propiedades de liberación controlada de N-urea en la producción de plántulas de pimentón. Se estableció un experimento con un diseño experimental de bloques al azar con cinco tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones. Los tratamientos consistieron en el uso de 6 g∙L-1 del polímero, con hidrogel puro (HP) y proporciones de hidrogel nanocompuesto con N-urea incorporada (HU) que se añadieron al sustrato en concentraciones de 0, 5, 10, 15 y 40 %. Las mayores concentraciones mostraron efectos benéficos para la calidad de las plántulas en cuanto a la altura, área foliar, diámetro del tallo e índice de calidad de Dickson, destacándose la dosis de 40 % de HU

Enhanced Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Suppresses Atrial Fibrillation Associated With Metabolic Syndrome

International audienceBackground: Patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) have an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). Impaired Ca2+ homeostasis and mitochondrial dysfunction have emerged as an arrhythmogenic substrate in both patients and animal models of MetS. Whether impaired mitochondrial Ca2+ handling underlies AF associated with MetS remains poorly explored.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the initial mechanisms related to AF susceptibility and mitochondrial dysfunction encountered in metabolic cardiomyopathy.Methods: A total of 161 mice and 34 patients were studied. Mitochondrial Ca2+ and mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter complex (MCUC) were investigated in right atrial tissue of patients with (n = 18) or without (n = 16) MetS and of C57Bl/6J mice fed with a high-fat sucrose diet (HFS) for 2 (n = 42) or 12 (n = 39) weeks. Susceptibility to AF was evaluated in isolated sinoatrial tissue and in vivo in mice.Results: Increased expression of the MICUs subunits of the MCUC (1.00 ± 0.33 AU vs 1.29 ± 0.23 AU; P = 0.034) was associated with impaired mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in patients (168.7 ± 31.3 nmol/min/mg vs 127.3 ± 18.4 nmol/min/mg; P = 0.026) and HFS mice (0.10 ± 0.04 ΔF/F0 × ms-1 vs 0.06 ± 0.03 ΔF/F0 × ms-1; P = 0.0086, and 0.15 ± 0.07 ΔF/F0 × ms-1 vs 0.046 ± 0.03 ΔF/F0 × ms-1; P = 0.0076 in 2- and 12-week HFS mice, respectively). HFS mice elicited a 70% increased susceptibility to AF. The MCUC agonist kaempferol restored MCUC activity in vitro and abolished the occurrence of AF in HFS mice.Conclusions: Impaired MCUC activity and mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis from the early stage of metabolic cardiomyopathy in mice lead to AF. Given that similar defects in cardiac mitochondrial Ca2+ handling are present in MetS patients, the modulation of the MCUC activity represents an attractive antiarrhythmic strategy

Heat-based transdermal delivery of a ramipril loaded cream for treating hypertension

International audienceAngiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors play an important role in the development of anti-hypertension approaches, with ramipril being one of the most widely used ACE inhibitor prodrugs orally administered once or twice a day. Due to its low bioavailability, large amounts have to be administered to obtain a therapeutic effect. In this work, we propose a ramipril loaded pharmaceutical formulation in contact with an electrothermal actuator based on a gold nanohole array as an efficient approach to increase the transdermal ramipril flux. Using rats as an in vivo model, the effect on the systolic and diastolic blood pressure is evaluated, showing that under optimized conditions the blood pressure could be regulated. Heat activation resulted in total drug delivery out of a bandage loaded with 1 mg ramipril, revealing a flux of 50.9 +/- 2.8 mu g cm(-2) h(-1). Importantly, heat-based transdermal dispensing allowed efficient and rapid delivery of ramipril in spontaneously hypertensive rats, with its active form (ramiprilat) detected in blood as early as 5 minutes after delivery onset, accompanied by significant decrease in blood pressure