Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease, representing 15% of all cases of lung cancer, has high metastatic potential and low prognosis that urgently demands the development of novel therapeutic approaches. One of the proposed approaches has been the down-regulation of BCL2, with poorly clarified and controversial therapeutic value regarding SCLC. The use of anti-BCL2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) in SCLC has never been reported. The aim of the present study was to select and test the in vitro efficacy of anti-BCL2 siRNA sequences against the protein and mRNA levels of SCLC cells, and their effects on cytotoxicity and chemosensitization. Two anti-BCL2 siRNAs and the anti-BCL2 G3139 oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) were evaluated in SCLC cells by the simultaneous determination of Bcl-2 and viability using a flow cytometry method recently developed by us in addition to Western blot, real-time reverse-transcription PCR, and cell growth after single and combined treatment with cisplatin. In contrast to previous reports about the use of ODN, a heterogeneous and up to 80% sequence-specific Bcl-2 protein knockdown was observed in the SW2, H2171 and H69 SCLC cell lines, although without significant sequence-specific reduction of cell viability, cell growth, or sensitization to cisplatin. Our results question previous data generated with antisense ODN and supporting the present concept of the therapeutic interest in BCL2 silencing per se in SCLC, and support the growing notion of the necessity of a multitargeting molecular approach for the treatment of cancer.

Com o propósito de comparar os efeitos de doses crescentes de alumínio sobre a composição química de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio, conduziu-se um experimento usando-se separadamente solução nutritiva de Boole-Jones e soluções de doses de alumínio que se constituíram de 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25ppm de alumínio, em que as plantas passaram vinte e quatro horas na solução nutritiva (sem alumínio) e vinte e quatro horas nas soluções de alumínio. As plantas foram coletadas noventa dias após e separadas em raíz, caule, folha dos verticilos inferiores e folhas do último verticilo. Determinou-se a concentração de N, P e K pelos métodos usuais de laboratório. Os autores concluíram: A seringueira é planta tolerante à presença de concentrações de alumínio no substrato inferior a 15ppm. Níveis superiores provocam distúrbios nutricionais na planta.

Young rubber trees were cultivated in Bolle-Jones nutrient solutions modified for iron supply. A separate solution of aluminum was prepared by dissolving a thin aluminum foil with HCl 1N. From these stock solution the following solutions were prepared: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25ppm of aluminum. The plants remained for 24 hours in nutrient solution and for another 24 hours in the aluminum solutions. The procedure was carried out during 95 days. After 95 days the plants were harvested and divided into top whorls, remaining whorls, stem and roots. The material was analysed for N, P and K by routine methods. The authors concluded that the rubber plant is tolerant to concentration up to 15ppm of aluminum in the substract. Higher levels induce malnutrition of N, P and K in plants.

Com o propósito de comparar os efeitos de doses crescentes de alumínio sobre o desenvolvimento de plantas de seringueira e distinguir o grau de tolerância do grau de toxicidade desse elemento sobre a planta, conduziu-se um experimento usando-se separadamente solução nutritiva de BOLLE-JONES (1957) e soluções de doses de alumínio que se constituíram de 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 e 25ppm de alumínio, em que as plantas passaram vinte e quatro horas na solução nutritiva (sem alumínio) e vinte e quatro horas nas soluções de alumínio correspondentes aos tratamentos acima. As plantas foram coletadas e separadas em raíz, caule, folhas dos verticilos inferiores e folhas do último verticilo. Determinaram-se os acúmulos de alumínio e as concentrações em função das doses de alumínio em cada parte da planta. Os sintomas visuais de toxicidade de alumínio foram identificados e descritos. Concluiu-se que: - o desenvolvimento de plantas de seringueira é afetado a partir de 15ppm de alumínio na solução; - Sinais de excesso de alumínio aparecem primeiro no sistema radicular. Na parte aérea, é difícil identificar efeito tóxico de alumínio dado a sua semelhança com sintomas visuais de deficiência de fósforo; - A seringueira é planta acumuladora e tolerante a presença de concentrações de alumínio no substrato inferior a 15ppm. Níveis superiores de alumínio provocam distúrbios nutricionais na planta.

In Brazil mostly all rubber tree, under natural and cultivated conditions occurs on soil containing high levels of toxic aluminum. A study on the rubber tree behavior in relation to aluminum in necessary and urgent. In order to: - Study the effects of five levels of aluminum in the substract on the growth of young rubber trees; - Describe visual symptoms of the aluminum toxicity on the leaves; - Evaluate the tolerance of rubber plant to aluminum; Young rubber plants were cultivated in BOLLE-JONES (1957) nutrient solution, modified for iron supply. A separate solution of aluminum was prepared by dissolving a thin aluminum foil with HCl 1N. From these stock solution the following solutions were prepared: none, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25ppm of aluminum. The plants remained for 24 hours in nutrient solutions and another 24 hours in the aluminum solutions. These procedure was carried out during 95 days. Both solutions - nutrient and aluminum -were replaced every week. After 95 days, the plants were harvested and divided into top whorl, 2nd and 3rd whorls, stem and roots. The material was dried and analysed for aluminum by routine methods in the laboratory. The authors concluded: - The growth of the rubber plants was affected when the concentration of aluminum was 15ppm or more in the solution. - Clear cut symptoms of the aluminum toxicity was noted in the roots. The root tip and lateral roots became thockened and turned brown. - The rubber plant grows well in presence of less thon 15ppm of aluminum.

São relatadas experiências com o micronutriente boro, seus sintomas de toxicidade, deficiência e correção. Foi observado que a sintomatologia de carência severa de boro assemelha-se à carência de cobre. Foi constatado que o nível de 0,5 ppm de boro disponível é tóxico à seringueira; sendo 0,1 ppm de boro disponível suficiente para promover o desenvolvimento da planta.

It is quite comon in brazilian rubber plantations the occorence of boron deficiency symptoms on the leaves associated with N, P, K, and Mg fertilizer programs. In a greenhouse experiment the daily aplication of five levels of boron (0.5; 1.0; 1.5; 2.0 and 2.5 ppm) to the substract induced toxicity symptoms to the leaves of the young rubber trees. Tips and marginal necrosis of the leaves occured when the boron concentration in the subtract was between 1.0 and 2.5 ppm of boron. Recently in an experiment carried out in order to obtain the macro and Zn, Mn deficiencies on grafted plants with clone RRIM 600, the boron was withdraw from the nutrient solutions in order prevent toxic effects in the plants. After six months symptoms appeared which consisted of a halt on growth; the terminal buds die and an exudation of latex started. After the supply of 0.1 ppm of boron to the nutrient solutions the plants began to growth again and numerous branches started to appear in the plants.

Com freqüência observa-se no Brasil nas áreas de seringueira sintomas visuais de deficiência de boro, quer na fase de formação das mudas em crescimento em viveiro, quer no jardim clonal e mesmo nos primeiros anos de desenvolvimento das plantas definitivas. Foi também constatado que estas deficiências estão associadas com adubação de N, P, K, Mg. Este fato levou os autores a determinar a resposta a plantulas de seringueira a níveis crescentes de boro no substrato (0,5; 1,0; 1,5; 2,0 e 2,5 ppm de B). Plantulas do clone Tjir 1 foram cultivadas em vasos contendo como substrato silica moida, acrescida de solução completa com os níveis de boro acima indicadas. Nove dias após o ensaio dos tratamentos o efeito do boro se fez notar. As plantas cresceram com menor intensidade e apareceram sintomas nas folhas, lembrando a carência de potássio. Houve queda acentuada de folhas. As concentrações de boro eram muito altas nas folhas variando entre 316 e 1300 ppm. No caule e nas raizes as concentrações eram menores de 21 a 85 ppm. Os autores concluem que a seringueira é muito sensível a toxicidade de boro, devendo ser dada uma atenção especial com este micronutriente nas plantações.

It is quite common in brazilian rubber plantations the occurence of boron deficiency symptoms on the leaves associated with N, P, K, Mg fertilizer programs. A simple experiment involving the daily aplication of five levels of boron (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 ppm) to established rubber seedlings was carried out in a greenhouse with washed sand to determine the effects of excess boron associated with toxicity symptoms. The symptoms were observed nine days after commecement of treatments. The concentration of boron in the leaves were from 316 to 1300 ppm. In the stem and roots the concentrations of boron were lower from 21 to 81 ppm of boron on dry matter. Tip and marginal necrosis of the leaf occured when the boron concentration in the substract were 1.0 to 2.5 ppm of boron. The rubber plants exhibet early defoliation. The authors concluded that a very carefull atention should be taken when the application of boron under field condition in rubber plantations .