Bambus no Brasil: da biologia à tecnologia.

O bambu (ou taboca, taquara, entre outros diferentes nomes existentes no Brasil) é uma gramínea de ampla distribuição geográfica. Existem no mundo em torno de 1.300 espécies de bambu. O Brasil é líder de ocorrência nas Américas, com cerca de 200 espécies, entre nativas e exóticas, sendo a grande maioria endêmica. Há milênios, o bambu é conhecido e utilizado no Oriente para as mais diversas funções do cotidiano: alimento, estruturas de casas, paredes, telhas, portas e janelas, mobiliário, utensílios de cozinha, objetos de decoração, cercas, pontes, irrigação, drenos, embarcações, contenção de encostas, entre outras. Sítios arqueológicos no Equador mostram que o bambu é usado há cerca de 5 mil anos na América do Sul, primeiramente pelos indígenas. Em países como Equador, Colômbia e Costa Rica, onde a pesquisa e a utilização do bambu já estão bastante avançadas, essa planta é empregada na construção de pontes, paradas de ônibus, praças de pedágio e também em programas governamentais de habitações de interesse social adaptadas às mudanças climáticas. Construções coloniais centenárias que utilizam bambu comprovam a sua durabilidade ao longo dos anos. O Brasil dispõe de clima favorável e grande extensão de áreas degradadas inaptas para outros cultivos, mas adequadas ao plantio de diversas variedades de bambu de valor comercial. Uma das maiores florestas nativas de bambu do planeta localiza-se na Amazônia Sul-Ocidental e engloba parte do estado do Amazonas e a maior parte do estado do Acre, além de áreas vizinhas em Pando, na Bolívia, e Madre de Dios, no Peru. Nessa região, ocorrem grandes concentrações de bambus nativos do gênero Guadua. No entanto, a atividade econômica relacionada ao bambu no Brasil é bastante restrita. Esse cenário deve-se à ausência de tradição no emprego do bambu como matéria-prima e, também, às lacunas de conhecimento e tecnologias locais que permitam usar tanto as espécies de clima temperado, adequadas às regiões Sul e Sudeste do país, quanto as espécies tropicais nativas, que têm excelentes propriedades físicas e mecânicas, além de grande potencial comercial. Considerando a importância socioambiental e econômica do bambu e a demanda reprimida existente no setor, o Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovações e Comunicações (MCTIC) e a Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa) vêm promovendo uma série de ações voltadas à produção de conhecimento sobre espécies nativas e exóticas de bambu e suas inúmeras aplicações. Entre essas ações, destaca-se a implementação conjunta do Projeto 04.15.00.008, intitulado ?Execução das atividades previstas no Memorando de Entendimento entre o MCTI e o MOST ? Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia da República Popular da China para cooperação bilateral em ciência e tecnologia na área de desenvolvimento em bambu?, coordenado pela Embrapa Acre. A publicação deste livro, Bambus no Brasil: da biologia à tecnologia, é parte integrante das atividades previstas no referido Projeto e tem como objetivo agregar, em uma única obra, informações de qualidade oriundas de diferentes instituições brasileiras e que possam auxiliar no desenvolvimento e na consolidação da cadeia produtiva do bambu no Brasil.bitstream/item/165714/1/26392.pdfEste livro é parte integrante das atividades previstas no Memorando de Entendimento assinado em 2011 entre o Ministério de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação do Brasil e o Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia da República Popular da China para cooperação bilateral em ciência e tecnologia na área de desenvolvimento em bambu, que tem como instituições executoras a Embrapa e a CAF (Chinese Academy of Forestry), respectivamente

Free energy barrier for melittin reorientation from a membrane-bound state to a transmembrane state

An important step in a phospholipid membrane pore formation by melittin antimicrobial peptide is a reorientation of the peptide from a surface into a transmembrane conformation. In this work we perform umbrella sampling simulations to calculate the potential of mean force (PMF) for the reorientation of melittin from a surface-bound state to a transmembrane state and provide a molecular level insight into understanding peptide and lipid properties that influence the existence of the free energy barrier. The PMFs were calculated for a peptide to lipid (P/L) ratio of 1/128 and 4/128. We observe that the free energy barrier is reduced when the P/L ratio increased. In addition, we study the cooperative effect; specifically we investigate if the barrier is smaller for a second melittin reorientation, given that another neighboring melittin was already in the transmembrane state. We observe that indeed the barrier of the PMF curve is reduced in this case, thus confirming the presence of a cooperative effect

Delayed Appearance of High Altitude Retinal Hemorrhages

When closely examined, a very large amount of climbers exhibit retinal hemorrhages during exposure to high altitudes. The incidence of retinal hemorrhages may be greater than previously appreciated as a definite time lag was observed between highest altitude reached and development of retinal bleeding. Retinal hemorrhages should not be considered warning signs of impending severe altitude illness due to their delayed appearance

Quantification of Optic Disc Edema during Exposure to High Altitude Shows No Correlation to Acute Mountain Sickness

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to quantify changes of the optic nerve head (ONH) during exposure to high altitude and to assess a correlation with acute mountain sickness (AMS). This work is related to the Tuebingen High Altitude Ophthalmology (THAO) study. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (cSLO, Heidelberg Retina Tomograph, HRT3®) was used to quantify changes at the ONH in 18 healthy participants before, during and after rapid ascent to high altitude (4559 m). Slitlamp biomicroscopy was used for clinical optic disc evaluation; AMS was assessed with Lake Louise (LL) and AMS-cerebral (AMS-c) scores; oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and heart rate (HR) were monitored. These parameters were used to correlate with changes at the ONH. After the first night spent at high altitude, incidence of AMS was 55% and presence of clinical optic disc edema (ODE) 79%. Key stereometric parameters of the HRT3® used to describe ODE (mean retinal nerve fiber layer [RNFL] thickness, RNFL cross sectional area, optic disc rim volume and maximum contour elevation) changed significantly at high altitude compared to baseline (p<0.05) and were consistent with clinically described ODE. All changes were reversible in all participants after descent. There was no significant correlation between parameters of ODE and AMS, SpO₂ or HR. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Exposure to high altitude leads to reversible ODE in the majority of healthy subjects. However, these changes did not correlate with AMS or basic physiologic parameters such as SpO₂ and HR. For the first time, a quantitative approach has been used to assess these changes during acute, non-acclimatized high altitude exposure. In conclusion, ODE presents a reaction of the body to high altitude exposure unrelated to AMS

Examining the accuracy and in-game performance effects between pre- and post-performance routines: A mixed methods study

ObjectivesResearchers have identified that pre-performance routines improve performance under pressure, yet have not investigated the effects of post-performance routines. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to examine whether the type of performance routine training could improve tenpin bowling accuracy and in-game performance.DesignA mixed-method design was adopted, whereby the impact of a performance routine intervention on performance accuracy and in-game performance was examined. This was followed by participants completing semi-structured interviews which explored the perceived effect of those routines.MethodThirty-six experienced tenpin bowlers completed 30 accuracy shots pre- and post-intervention training, with league scores obtained for in-game performance comparison. Four groups (i.e., pre-performance routine [PPR], post-performance routine [POST], combined pre-post routine, and a control group) practiced 12 games across four weeks while listening to the group specific routine instruction on an IPod.ResultsIt was noted that accuracy improved (albeit non-significantly) for the PPR and combined pre-post routine group, but not the other groups. Critically, all intervention groups (PPR, POST & COMBO) improved in-game performance. The qualitative data indicated that both the PPR and POST was perceived to influence positively performance, attentional and emotional control, self-awareness, self-confidence, motivation. The PPR was also considered to enhance a state of readiness, and perceived control.ConclusionsResults indicate that the PPR training enhanced accuracy and in-game performance, with the POST training acting as a supportive role for in-game performance as evidenced by the qualitative and quantitative data. Future research should continue to investigate the effects of POSTs

Influence of Apathy and Grit on Exercise Adherence for Persons with Parkinson’s Disease: A Cohort Study

Purpose: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States. A preponderance of evidence supports exercise and physical activity as an effective intervention to slow the progression of motor symptoms in persons with PD. However, less study has been given to the influence of non-motor symptoms of PD, such as apathy and grit, on adherence to therapeutic exercise programs. The primary aim of this study was to characterize levels of apathy and grit in individuals with PD and explore any relationship to adherence in a community exercise program. Due to the importance of caregiver interaction, this study also examined the non-cognitive traits of caregivers of persons with PD. Methods: A descriptive cohort design was used and a convenience sample of individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers attending a Parkinson’s support group was collected. Results: A total of N=14 participants were included in this study. Levels of grit between persons with PD and caregiver demonstrated a weak positive correlation (rpb = 0.34, p = 0.23). No significant relationships were found between apathy and exercise attendance for PD (r = -0.10, p = 0.83), or among grit and exercise attendance (r = 0.24, p = 0.60). Levels of grit in PD was significantly and negatively related to apathy of caregivers (r = - 0.78, p = 0.04). Grit scores between caregivers and levels of apathy in persons with PD was significantly correlated (r = 0.84, p = 0.02). Findings suggest underlying relationships may exist between levels of grit, apathy, and adherence to exercise programs for persons with PD. Conclusion: Further research into the non-motor aspects of PD and their caregivers is warranted. The caregiver relationship plays a critical role in caring for persons with PD and may impact one’s adherence to therapeutic exercise

Characterization of dominant lactic acid bacteria isolated from São Jorge cheese, using biochemical and ribotyping methods

Aims: To identify, using phenotypic and genotypic methods, the dominant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) present in São Jorge cheese – one of the 11 Portuguese cheeses currently bearing an Appéllation d’Origine Protegée status. Methods and Results:  A total of 225 isolates from milk, curd and cheeses throughout ripening were identified to the genus level, 108 to the species level and ten to the strain level. Phenotypic methods indicated that lactobacilli, followed by enterococci, were the dominant bacteria. The most frequently isolated species were Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. Ribotyping differentiated three L. paracasei, two E. faecalis and one Lactobacillus plantarum types. Enterococcus spp. exhibited the highest esterase and β-galactosidase activities among all isolates. Conclusions:  The dominant LAB in São Jorge cheese are L. paracasei, L. rhamnosus, E. faecalis and E. faecium. Enterococcus likely plays a leading role upon acidification and aroma development in said cheese. Significance and Impact of the Study: Our results support that a combination of conventional biochemical methods with genotypic methods allows for a thorough characterization and identification of isolates. Despite the limited number of isolates subject to molecular subtyping, a few specific Enterococcus and Lactobacillus strains were found that are promising ones for development of a starter culture. Hence, L. paracasei and E. faecalis are good candidates for a tentative starter culture, designed for manufacturing of São Jorge cheese at large – which takes advantage of actual isolates, in attempts to eventually standardize the quality of said cheese variety