A unha de gato (Uncaria tomentosa Willd.) é uma das muitas espécies de plantas com propriedades medicinais utilizadas pelas comunidades nativas da Amazônia para o tratamento de diversas doenças. Suas inúmeras propriedades medicinais têm provocado nos últimos anos o aumento da demanda por essa planta, a qual vem sendo explorada de forma indiscriminada e predatória. O conhecimento agronômico disponível atualmente sobre essa espécie é escasso; dessa forma, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis de sombreamento no crescimento inicial da Unha de gato. O experimento foi realizado no viveiro da área experimental da Embrapa Acre, no município de Rio Branco, AC, no período de maio de 2009 a junho de 2010. Foram avaliados quatro tratamentos, constituídos por diferentes níveis de sombreamento (30%, 50% e 70%) e pleno Sol, obtidos com tela sombrite preta, com as referidas capacidades de retenção da radiação solar. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com oito repetições, contendo duas plantas por parcela. As variáveis analisadas foram: altura da parte aérea, diâmetro do colo, biomassa do sistema radicular, biomassa aérea, biomassa total e partição de biomassa. O crescimento da Unha de gato foi modificado pela intensidade de sombreamento. A altura das plantas e a massa seca das raízes aumentaram linearmente com a intensidade de sombreamento. Sombreamentos entre 55 a 60% proporcionaram melhores crescimentos para as variáveis: diâmetro do coleto, massa seca da parte aérea e massa seca total. Não houve variação na distribuição de massa seca entre a parte aérea e o sistema radicular das plantas em função do sombreamento. Verificou-se que o sombreamento na faixa de 55 a 60% é o mais indicado para o seu crescimento inicial.

Is one among many plant species with medicinal properties, used by the native communities of the Amazon to treat several diseases. Its numerous medicinal properties have caused in recent years an increase in demand and the plant has been exploited in an indiscriminate and predatory way. The agronomic knowledge available on this species is scarce, so the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of shading on early growth of Uncaria tomentosa. The experiment was established in the nursery of Embrapa Acre, in the city of Rio Branco, state of Acre, Brazil, from May 2009 to June 2010. We tested four levels of shading (30%, 50% and 70%) and full sunlight, obtained with black shade screens. The experimental design was a randomized block, with eight replications and two plants per plot. The variables analyzed were: height of shoots, stem diameter, root dry matter, aerial dry matter, total dry matter and dry matter partitioning. The growth of Uncaria tomentosa was modified by the intensity of shading. Plant height and dry weight of the roots increased linearly with the intensity of shading. Shading around 55 to 60% provided better growth for the stem diameter, shoot dry matter and total dry matter. There was no change in the distribution of the dry matter between the shoot and root systems of the plants. For the species Uncaria tomentosa, we found that shading in the range of 55 to 60% is the most indicated for its early growth.

Devido à carência de informações sobre adubação orgânica para alface e uma avaliação quanto à sua influência nos atributos biológicos do ambiente, este trabalho objetivou estudar o efeito de diferentes sistemas de manejo da mucuna preta e o uso de adubação orgânica sólida sobre a diversidade e biomassa microbiana do solo. Os tratamentos consistiram do manejo da mucuna preta, incorporada ou não ao solo, e aplicação de esterco bovino, composto, adubo orgânico comercial e testemunha sem adubação. Os atributos foram avaliados nas seguintes épocas: momento do manejo da mucuna e aos 15, 55 e 105 dias após esse manejo. O manejo e os tratamentos com adubo orgânico sólido não influenciaram de forma significativa na biomassa microbiana e na população bacteriana do solo. Houve aumento na população de fungo coma incorporação da mucuna preta. A incorporação da mucuna preta e o tratamento com composto foram favoráveis para o incremento de fungos micorrízicos. O tratamento com composto, seguido da incorporação da mucuna preta, e o tratamento testemunha proporcionaram população superior de nematoides saprófitas, enquanto a incorporação da mucuna ao solo aumentou as populações de fitonematoides.

Due to the lack of information on the application of commercial organic fertilizers versus manure or composting in the growing of lettuce and their influence on biological attributes of the environment, the present study was carried out to verify the effect of different management systems of velvet beans and the use of manure and solid organic composting on the diversity and microbial biomass of soil. The treatments consisted of the management of velvet beans, incorporated or not into the soil, and the application of bovine manure, composting, commercial organic fertilizer and a control treatment without fertilization. The soil attributes were evaluated at the following times: at the time of the velvet bean management, and at 15, 55 and 105 days after this process. The management and solid organic fertilizer treatments had no significant effect on the microbial biomass and bacterial population. For fungi, the incorporation of velvet bean was more efficient, allied to the use of commercial organic fertilizer. The incorporation of velvet bean and the treatment with composting were favorable for the grown of mycorrhizal fungi. Treatment with composting, followed by the incorporation of velvet beans, and the control treatment provided the higher population of saprophytic nematodes, while the incorporation of velvet bean into the soil increased the population of plant parasitic nematodes.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar levantamento das espécies vegetais de uso medicinal cultivadas em quintais urbanos da cidade de Rio Branco. Foram realizadas entrevistas presenciais com aplicação de questionário especifico registrando as espécies vegetais de uso medicinal e dados sócio-econômicos dos moradores em 132 quintais urbanos de Rio Branco entre 2009 e 2010. Os bairros selecionados para o estudo foram: Aeroporto Velho, Placas, e Novo Horizonte, todos situados na periferia do município. Foram detectadas 83 espécies vegetais de uso medicinal pertencente a 50 famílias botânicas com destaque para Lamiaceae (12,0%) e Asteraceae (6,0%), sendo 66,2% exóticas, e 28,9% e 16,8%, associadas ao uso alimentar e ornamental, respectivamente. A decocção das folhas visando à obtenção do chá foi o principal modo de preparo das plantas. A análise de regressão logística entre a riqueza de espécies e diversos fatores socioeconômicos dos entrevistados mostrou que a probabilidade de ocorrência de espécies é três vezes maior em quintais manejados por moradores com idade superior a 50 anos de idade. A análise de correlação não paramétrica de fatores quantitativos mostrou que a variável tempo de moradia está mais correlacionada com a riqueza de plantas medicinais do que a variável idade. O cultivo das plantas medicinais em quintais urbanos de Rio Branco auxilia no combate a doenças e promove a conservação ex situ da agrobiodiversidade agroflorestal, bem estar aos moradores pela melhoria da paisagem, ambiência microclimática e espaço de lazer.

This study aimed to survey the medicinal plant species grown in urban backyards in the city of Rio Branco. Personal interviews were conducted by applying a specific questionnaire recording the plant species of medicinal use and the socioeconomic data of residents in 132 urban backyards in Rio Branco between 2009 and 2010. The districts selected for the study were "Aeroporto Velho", "Placas" and "Novo Horizonte", all situated on the outskirts of the city. We detected 83 medicinal plant species belonging to 50 botanical families, especially Lamiaceae (12.0%) and Asteraceae (6.0%), of which 66.2% are exotic, and 28.9% and 16.8% are associated with food and ornamental use, respectively. Decoction of the leaves in order to obtain tea was the main mode of preparation of these plants. Logistic regression analysis between species richness and various socioeconomic factors of the interviewees showed that the probability of occurrence of species is threefold higher in backyards managed by residents older than 50 years. Nonparametric correlation analysis of quantitative factors showed that the variable time of residence is more correlated to the richness of medicinal plants than to the variable age. Cultivation of medicinal plants in urban backyards in Rio Branco helps prevent diseases and promote ex situ conservation of agroforest agrobiodiversity, welfare to the residents by improving the landscape, microclimate ambiance and entertainment space.

Brazilian systems for raising bullfrogs (concrete enclosure, concrete enclosure with feed dispenser and shelter, flooded enclosure) do not use enough water to keep temperature stable, and the low rate of water renewal hinders water quality. In this article we propose raising frogs in cages placed in fish ponds having high thermal stability. The experiment consisted in evaluating the productive performance of bullfrogs housed in 1 m³ cages at the densities of 28, 56 or 84 animals/ cage, fed a ration delivered by an automatic dispenser. Each pond was 72 m² large. Two fish densities were used (200 or 300 tilapias/pond). The experimental period lasted 105 days for tilapias (May-August) and 60 days for frogs (July-August). No significant differences among densities were observed for frog performance. Using 200 tilapias/ pond improved fish weight gain and dissolved oxygen concentration, as compared to 300 tilapias/ pond. This new rearing system provided an adequate environment for frogs, as there was weight gain and zero mortality during winter.

No Brasil, os sistemas de criação de rãs (confinamento, anfigranja, inundado) utilizam um volume de água insuficiente para a manutenção da estabilidade térmica, e a baixa renovação prejudica a qualidade da água. Neste trabalho foi proposto a criação de rãs em tanques-rede distribuídos em viveiros com grande estabilidade térmica. O experimento consistiu em avaliar o desempenho produtivo de rãs-touro alojadas em tanques-rede de 1 m³, nas densidades de: 28, 56 e 84 animais por tanque-rede, alimentadas com ração fornecida por dispensador automático. Nos viveiros de 72 m² utilizaram-se duas densidades de tilápias (200 e 300 peixes por viveiro). O período experimental foi de 105 dias para as tilápias (maio a agosto) e de 60 dias para as rãs (julho e agosto). Não foram observadas diferenças significativas no desem-penho das rãs para as diferentes densidades. A utilização de 200 tilápias por viveiro melhorou o ganho de peso dos peixes e a concentração de oxigênio dissolvido da água, comparado com a densidade de 300 peixes por viveiro. Este novo sistema de criação proporcionou um ambiente adequado para as rãs com ganho de peso e ausência de mortalidade durante o inverno.

Comparou-se o perfil de isolamento microbiano de amostras coletadas de cães com otite média (OM) e externa (OE) associadas. Sessenta e quatro cães com otite média e externa foram avaliados durante 10 meses. Amostras dos condutos auditivos externos foram coletadas com auxílio de swabs estéreis e aquelas do ouvido médio pela técnica cirúrgica da osteotomia da bula timpânica. Os microrganismos foram cultivados e identificados de acordo com os métodos previamente descritos, e a susceptibilidade a antimicrobianos avaliada pelo método de difusão em ágar estabelecido pelo National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. Bactérias anaeróbias estritas não foram isoladas em qualquer amostra. Todas as amostras de OE mostraram crescimento bacteriano e/ou fúngico. Na OM, a positividade nas culturas foi de 48%. Os microrganismos mais isolados na OE foram: Bacillus sp. (26,9%), M. pachydermatis (22,2%) e S. intermedius (21,7%); na OM foram: S. intermedius (32,5%), S. aureus subsp. aureus (22,5%) e bacilos Gram-negativos não fermentadores (10,0%). Observou-se alguma diferença no perfil de isolamento entre os quadros de OM e OE em 96,7% dos animais. Verificou-se elevada resistência de cepas de S. intermedius à penicilina G, ampicilina, eritromicina, tetraciclina e clindamicina.

The isolation pattern of samples collected from dogs with both media (OM) and extern otitis (OE) was compared. Sixty-four dogs suffering from those conditions were studied over a 10-month period. Samples from the external ear were collected with sterile swabs while those from the middle ear were collected by osteotomy of the tympanic bulla. The microorganisms were cultured and identified according to methods previously described and to the susceptibility of antimicrobials according to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards agar diffusion test. Anaerobic bacteria were not isolated in any sample. All samples from OE showed bacterial and/or fungal growth. Concerning media otitis, this percentage was 48%. The most common microorganisms isolated from OE were Bacillus sp. (26.9%), M. pachydermatis (22.2%) and S. intermedius (21.7%) and those from OM were S. intermedius (32.5%), S. aureus subsp. aureus (22.5%) and non-fermentative Gram-negative rods (10.0%). Some difference was observed in the isolation pattern between media and extern otitis in 96.7% of the animals. High resistance rates of S. intermedius strains to penicillin G, ampicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline and clindamycin were found.

The occurrence of canine externa otitis in Fortaleza-Ceará is reported. About 91.5% of the animals with clinical signs were positive to bacterial culture. Among all infections, 49.5% were mixed infections and the most common pathogens were Staphylococcus spp coagulase negative or positive and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The most effective antimicrobials for Staphylococcus coagulase negative were: the quinolones, the aminoglicoside netilmycin and the beta-lactams, excepted ampicillin, penicillin and oxacilin; for Staphylococcus coagulase positive were: cefotoxin, amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, imipenem, netilmycin and cephatoxin; for Pseudomonas aeruginosa were: ciprofloxacin, tobramycin and imipenem.

The hematological and serum proteins electrophoretic profiles of 13 dogs with distemper (Lentz inclusion body in leukocytes) were studied. The most frequent hematological findings were: normocitic normocromic anemia (61%), leukopenia (46%), left shount (54%), trombocytopenia (69%) and lymphopenia (85%). Electrophoretic analysis of serum proteins showed hypoproteinemia (54%), with reduced albumin and increased alfa-2 globulin. These findings can be used to support the clinical diagnosis of canine distemper.

Previous studies have shown that exogenously generated nitric oxide (NO) inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation. In the present study, we stimulated rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells (RVSMC) with E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a known inducer of NO synthase transcription, and established a connection between endogenous NO, phosphorylation/dephosphorylation-mediated signaling pathways, and DNA synthesis. Non-confluent RVSMC were cultured with 0, 5, 10, or 100 ng/ml of the endotoxin. NO release was increased by 86.6% (maximum effect) in low-density cell cultures stimulated with 10 ng/ml LPS as compared to non-stimulated controls. Conversely, LPS (5 to 100 ng/ml) did not lead to enhanced NO production in multilayered (high density) RVSMC. DNA synthesis measured by thymidine incorporation showed that LPS was mitogenic only to non-confluent RVSMC; furthermore, the effect was prevented statistically by aminoguanidine (AG), a potent inhibitor of the inducible NO synthase, and oxyhemoglobin, an NO scavenger. Finally, there was a cell density-dependent LPS effect on protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) and ERK1/ERK2 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activities. Short-term transient stimulation of ERK1/ERK2 MAP kinases was maximal at 12 min in non-confluent RVSMC and was prevented by preincubation with AG, whereas PTP activities were inhibited in these cells after 24-h LPS stimulation. Conversely, no significant LPS-mediated changes in kinase or phosphatase activities were observed in high-density cells. LPS-induced NO generation by RVSMC may switch on a cell density-dependent proliferative signaling cascade, which involves the participation of PTP and the ERK1/ERK2 MAP kinases.

A pilot study has ascribed an important role in gallbladder motility and emptying to the perimenopausal period. To assess the effect of this period on gallbladder emptying and cholelithogenesis, 25 women in the perimenopausal period without gallbladder disease were submitted to cholangiography and two ultrasound exams. The time for gallbladder emptying and the presence of cholelithiasis were assessed. All patients presented a delay in gallbladder emptying with no relationship to the pre- or postmenopausal period. This finding was not related to lithogenesis. Gallbladder emptying time is longer during the perimenopausal period.