RESUMO A qualidade física e o desempenho fisiológico de sementes podem ser influenciados por inúmeros fatores, dentre eles o teor de água na colheita e a temperatura de secagem. Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade física e o desempenho fisiológico de sementes de feijão preto (cultivar BRS Campeiro), em função do teor de água na colheita e da temperatura do ar de secagem. O experimento foi realizado sob delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 x 5 (teor de água na colheita x temperatura do ar de secagem), com quatro repetições. As colheitas foram realizadas quando as sementes atingiram os teores de água de 35,2 %; 25,2 %; e 16,6 %. Após a colheita, as sementes foram submetidas a secagem nas temperaturas de 30 ºC, 35 ºC, 40 ºC, 45 ºC e 50 ºC. A qualidade física das sementes foi avaliada por meio da determinação do peso de mil sementes e do peso hectolitro. Já o desempenho fisiológico foi avaliado pelo índice de velocidade de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, matéria seca, comprimento da parte aérea e raiz das plântulas e condutividade elétrica. A elevação da temperatura de secagem, independentemente do teor de água na colheita, reduz a qualidade física e o desempenho fisiológico das sementes. Quando submetidas a temperaturas de secagem inferiores a 40 ºC, as sementes obtidas das colheitas realizadas antecipadamente apresentam melhor qualidade física e desempenho fisiológico.

ABSTRACT The physical quality and physiological performance of seeds may be influenced by numerous factors, including the moisture content at harvest and drying temperature. This study aimed at evaluating the physical quality and physiological performance of black bean seeds (BRS Campeiro cultivar), depending on the moisture content at harvest and drying air temperature. The experiment was conducted under a completely randomized design, in a 3 x 5 (moisture content at harvest x drying air temperature) factorial arrangement, with four replications. The samples were collected when the seeds reached the moisture contents of 35.2 %, 25.2 % and 16.6 %. After harvesting, the seeds were subjected to drying at temperatures of 30 ºC, 35 ºC, 40 ºC, 45 ºC and 50 ºC. The physical quality of the seeds was evaluated by determining the 1,000-seed weight and hectoliter weight. The physiological performance was evaluated by the germination speed index, germination first count, accelerated aging, dry matter, seedling shoot and root length and electrical conductivity. The increase in the drying temperature, regardless of the moisture content at harvest, reduces the physical quality and physiological performance of the seeds. When subjected to drying temperatures lower than 40 ºC, the seeds obtained from the earliest harvests show a better physical quality and physiological performance.

Resveratrol (RESV) é um composto fenólico encontrado em várias plantas, como a uva e amendoim, e seus produtos derivados, como o vinho tinto. RESV possui uma variedade de bioatividades, incluindo antioxidantes, anti-inflamatória, cardioprotetoras, antidiabetes, anticancerígeno, quimiopreventivo, neuroprotetor, lipotoxicidade renal, e efeitos protetores renais. Numerosos estudos demonstraram que os polifenois promovem a saúde cardiovascular e podem reparar vários tipos de lesões renais em modelos animais, incluindo a nefropatia diabética, hiperuricemia, lesão induzida por droga, lesão induzida pela aldosterona, lesão de isquemia-reperfusão, lesões relacionadas com sepsis, e disfunção endotelial. Além disso, RESV pode prevenir o aumento de vasoconstritores, tais como angiotensina II (AII) e endotelina-1 (ET-1), bem como o cálcio intracelular, em células mesangiais. Em conjunto, estes resultados sugerem um importante papel para o RESV como uma terapia complementar na prevenção de lesões renais.

Resveratrol (RESV) is a polyphenolic compound found in various plants, including grapes, berries and peanuts, and its processed foods as red wine. RESV possesses a variety of bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, anticancer, chemopreventive, neuroprotective, renal lipotoxicity preventative, and renal protective effects. Numerous studies have demonstrated that polyphenols promote cardiovascular health. Furthermore, RESV can ameliorate several types of renal injury in animal models, including diabetic nephropathy, hyperuricemic, drug-induced injury, aldosterone-induced injury, ischemia-reperfusion injury, sepsis-related injury, and endothelial dysfunction. In addition, RESV can prevent the increase in vasoconstrictors, such as angiotensin II (AII) and endothelin-1 (ET-1), as well as intracellular calcium, in mesangial cells. Together, these findings suggest a potential role for RESV as a supplemental therapy for the prevention of renal injury.

Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) was recently recommended by Brazilian legislation and has been implemented at some blood banks in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, in an attempt to reduce blood-born transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus. OBJECTIVE: Manual magnetic particle-based extraction methods for HIV and HCV viral nucleic acids were evaluated in combination with detection by reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) one-step. METHODS: Blood donor samples were collected from January 2010 to September 2010, and minipools of them were submitted to testing. ELISA was used for the analysis of anti-HCV/HIV antibodies. Detection and amplification of viral RNA was performed using real-time PCR. RESULTS: Out of 20.808 samples screened, 53 samples (29 for HCV and 24 for HIV) were confirmed as positive by serological and NAT methods. CONCLUSION: The manual magnetic bead-based extraction in combination with real-time PCR detection can be used to routinely screen blood donation for viremic donors to further increase the safety of blood products.

BACKGROUND: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods play an essential role in providing data related to diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. EIA results are reported as ''reactive'' or ''non reactive'' and EIA S/CO ratio may also be reported as ''high'' or ''low.'' This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a real-time RT-PCR and assess whether there is relationship between S/CO and PCR results. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Sera from blood donors were analyzed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and RT-PCR assay to detect HCV infection. RESULTS: The RT-PCR assay to genotypes 1a/b showed an acceptable linear response in serial dilutions. The samples were divided into two groups based on their serological results: group A - S/CO ratio < 3 (60 samples) and group B - S/CO ratio > 3 (41 samples). Viral loads were confirmed positive in group B samples in 90%, and in group A samples were confirmed positive in only 13% by RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: The methodology used was able to detect the presence of RNA-HCV genotype I in 90% of the samples serologically positive in group B. All negative samples were sent to search for other genotypes of HCV (genotypes 2-6) and were confirmed as negative. These data suggests that these negative samples may have HCV RNA viral load below the detection limit of our test (310 IU/ mL), or a false positive result in serological test, or spontaneous viral clearance occurred.