Abstract Bioavailability of nutrients, the scarcity of synthetic fertilisers, and the rising cost of fuel have all contributed to an increase in production costs, which has in turn reduced crop productivity and led scientists to seek out new methods to ensure high-quality output. In this context, various cytokinins dosages were tested in Peru to see whether they affected the quality of caigua, in an effort to address these issues. To mitigate these problems, a pot experiment was carried out to check the effects of various doses of cytokinin in the quality of caigua in Peru. The experiment consisted of 5 treatments including (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mL of cytokinin) by using (Anthesis Plus per 200 L of water) as a source, each with three replicates and placed following a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Treatment with 100 mL of cytokinins foliar analysis resulted in a caigua length of 18.9 cm, an increase in diameter of 5.65 cm, and an improvement in pulp thickness of 7.60 millimeters. Physiological parameters of caigua plants taken after 45 days of sowing were considerably improved with the same treatment. Similarly, N, K and Zn concentration in leaf was higher in case of 100 mL of cytokinins foliar analysis. Therefore, policymakers must advise using the recommended quantity of cytokinins to bring about regime transition, and formers can gain by injecting 100 mL of cytokinins to boost production and the economy. It was concluded that the adequate dose of cytokinins is in treatment T3, which raised value of potassium concentration in leaves, this influenced optimal development, strengthening against environmental stress and therefore quality. For this reason, research was carried out on the comparative study of cytokinin doses in the quality of caigua in Peru; the objective was to determine the appropriate dose to obtain higher quality fruit. Likewise, it was underlined that the objective was to employ an ecological alternative of plant origin such as the usage of phytohormone that stimulates the growth of the plant and consequently the quality of the fruit. The obtained the results were served as a recommendation for farmers in the area.

Resumo A biodisponibilidade de nutrientes, a escassez de fertilizantes sintéticos e o aumento do custo dos combustíveis contribuíram para um aumento nos custos de produção, o que, por sua vez, reduziu a produtividade das culturas e levou os cientistas a procurar novos métodos para garantir resultados de alta qualidade. Neste contexto, várias dosagens de citocininas foram testadas no Peru para examinar se afetavam a qualidade do caigua, num esforço para resolver estes problemas. Para mitigar esses problemas, foi realizado um experimento em vaso para verificar os efeitos de diversas doses de citocinina na qualidade do caigua no Peru. O experimento consistiu de cinco tratamentos, incluindo 0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 mL de citocinina utilizando Anthesis Plus por 200 L de água como fonte, cada um com três repetições e dispostos seguindo um delineamento em blocos completos casualizados (RCBD). O tratamento com 100 mL de análise foliar de citocininas resultou em comprimento de caigua de 18,9 cm, aumento de diâmetro de 5,65 cm e melhora na espessura da polpa de 7,60 mm. Os parâmetros fisiológicos das plantas de caigua colhidas após 45 dias da semeadura melhoraram consideravelmente com o mesmo tratamento. Da mesma forma, a concentração de N, K e Zn nas folhas foi maior no caso da análise foliar de 100 mL de citocininas. Portanto, os decisores políticos devem aconselhar a utilização da quantidade recomendada de citocininas para provocar a transição de regime, e os primeiros podem ganhar injetando 100 mL de citocininas para impulsionar a produção e a economia. Concluiu-se que a dose adequada de citocininas está no tratamento T3, que elevou o valor da concentração de potássio nas folhas, isso influenciou no desenvolvimento ideal, no fortalecimento contra o estresse ambiental e consequentemente na qualidade. Por esse motivo, foram realizadas pesquisas sobre o estudo comparativo de doses de citocinina na qualidade do caigua no Peru; o objetivo foi determinar a dose adequada para obter frutos de maior qualidade. Da mesma forma, foi sublinhado que o objetivo era empregar uma alternativa ecológica de origem vegetal, como a utilização de fito-hormona que estimulasse o crescimento da planta e, consequentemente, a qualidade do fruto. Os resultados obtidos serviram de recomendação para os agricultores da região.

Cocaine sensitization is a marker for some facets of addiction, is greater in female rats, and may be influenced by their sex hormones. We compared the modulatory effects of endogenous or exogenous estradiol and progesterone on cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization in 106 female rats. Ovariectomized female rats received progesterone (0.5 mg/mL), estradiol (0.05 mg/mL), progesterone plus estradiol, or the oil vehicle. Sham-operated control females received oil. Control and acute subgroups received injections of saline, while the repeated group received cocaine (15 mg/kg, ip) for 8 days. After 10 days, the acute and repeated groups received a challenge dose of cocaine, after which locomotion and stereotypy were monitored. The estrous cycle phase was evaluated and blood was collected to verify hormone levels. Repeated cocaine treatment induced overall behavioral sensitization in female rats, with increased locomotion and stereotypies. In detailed analysis, ovariectomized rats showed no locomotor sensitization; however, the sensitization of stereotypies was maintained. Only females with endogenous estradiol and progesterone demonstrated increased locomotor activity after cocaine challenge. Estradiol replacement enhanced stereotyped behaviors after repeated cocaine administration. Cocaine sensitization of stereotyped behaviors in female rats was reduced after progesterone replacement, either alone or concomitant with estradiol. The behavioral responses (locomotion and stereotypy) to cocaine were affected differently, depending on whether the female hormones were of an endogenous or exogenous origin. Therefore, hormonal cycling appears to be an important factor in the sensitization of females. Although estradiol increases the risk of cocaine sensitization, progesterone warrants further study as a pharmacological treatment in the prevention of psychostimulant abuse.

Abstract We present the characterization of the physical properties of titanium dioxide powders prepared by the Sol-Gel method. We set the gelling pH to values of 3 (TiO2-A), 7 (TiO2-N) and 9 (TiO2-B) to observe its effect on the properties of the material. In the three cases we obtained nanoparticulated materials with particle sizes between 10 nm and 20 nm. The larger surface areas were obtained at pH 3, which is several times larger than the other synthesized materials. Furthermore, with the gelling condition pH 3, it was possible to synthesize pure anatase phase titania. We present some preliminary results on the test of photocatalytic activity of the synthesized materials in the reduction of nitric oxide.

Resumen Presentamos la caracterización de las propiedades físicas de polvos de dióxido de titanio preparados por el método de Sol-Gel. Fijamos el pH de gelación en los valores de 3 (TiO2-A), 7 (TiO2-N) y 9 (TiO2-B) para observar su efecto sobre las propiedades del material. En los tres casos obtuvimos materiales nanoparticulados con tamaños de particula entre 10 y 20 nm. Las áreas superficiales más grandes fueron obtenidas a pH 3, las cuales son varias veces mayores que las de los otros materiales sintetizados. Adicionalmente, con la condición de gelación pH 3, fue posible sintetizar titania con fase anatasa pura. Presentamos algunos resultados preliminares de la prueba de actividad fotocatalítica de los materiales sintetizados en la reducción de óxido nítrico.

Recognition and control of depression symptoms are important to increase patient compliance with treatment and to improve the quality of life of diabetic patients. Clinical studies indicate that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are better antidepressants for diabetic patients than other drugs. However, preclinical trials have demonstrated that not all SSRI reduce plasma glucose levels. In fact, fluoxetine increases and sertraline decreases glycemia in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. In the present study we evaluated plasma insulin levels during fasting and after glucose overload after treatment with sertraline. Adult male Wistar rats were fasted and treated with saline or 30 mg/kg sertraline and submitted or not to glucose overload (N = 10). Blood was collected and plasma insulin was measured. The mean insulin levels were: fasting group: 25.9 ± 3.86, sertraline + fasting group: 31.10 ± 2.48, overload group: 34.1 ± 3.40, and overload + sertraline group: 43.73 ± 5.14 µU/ml. Insulinemia was significantly increased in the overload + sertraline group. There were no differences between the other groups. No difference in glucose/insulin ratios could be detected between groups. The overload + sertraline group was the only one in which a significant number of individuals exceeded the upper confidence limit of insulin levels. This study demonstrates that sertraline increases glucose-stimulated insulin secretion without any change in peripheral insulin sensitivity.

Diabetic patients have a 20% higher risk of depression than the general population. Treatment with antidepressant drugs can directly interfere with blood glucose levels or may interact with hypoglycemic agents. The treatment of depression in diabetic patients must take into account variations of glycemic levels at different times and a comparison of the available antidepressant agents is important. In the present study we evaluated the interference of antidepressants with blood glucose levels of diabetic and non-diabetic rats. In a first experiment, male adult Wistar rats were fasted for 12 h. Imipramine (5 mg/kg), moclobemide (30 mg/kg), clonazepam (0.25 mg/kg), fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) sertraline (30 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered. After 30 min, fasting glycemia was measured. An oral glucose overload of 1 ml of a 50% glucose solution was given to rats and blood glucose was determined after 30, 60 and 90 min. Imipramine and clonazepam did not change fasting or overload glycemia. Fluoxetine and moclobemide increased blood glucose at different times after the glucose overload. Sertraline neutralized the increase of glycemia induced by oral glucose overload. In the second experiment, non-diabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were fasted, and the same procedures were followed for estimation of glucose tolerance 30 min after glucose overload. Again, sertraline neutralized the increase in glycemia after glucose overload both in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. These data raise the question of whether sertraline is the best choice for prolonged use for diabetic individuals, because of its antihyperglycemic effects. Clonazepam would be useful in cases with potential risk of hypoglycemia.