ABSTRACT Apparent calcium (Ca) retention and digestibility coefficients are affected by limestone particle size in the diet of laying hens. This study aimed to determine the apparent retention and digestibility coefficients of Ca in limestone of different particle sizes in laying hens. The study comprised 288 Lohmann Brown laying hens (50 weeks of age; 1,964 ± 98 g) distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement [three Ca concentrations (10, 20, and 30 g kg–1) × two limestone particle sizes (480 and 1,978 µm)] with eight repetitions per treatment and six birds per experimental unit. The experiment included five days for adaptation and five days for total excreta collection. All birds were slaughtered at the end of the ten days to collect the ileal contents. The total or ileal Ca content was plotted against the Ca of diets concentration using linear regression analysis. The regression line slope represented the apparent retention (CaR) and digestibility coefficients of Ca (CaD) in limestone. There was interaction between Ca concentration in the diet and limestone granulometry on CaD (p = 0.001) and CaR (p < 0.001). The CaD and CaR of fine- and coarse-grained limestone increased linearly with increasing Ca concentrations in the diet. The apparent digestibility coefficients estimated for laying hens fed with fine-grained and coarse-grained limestone were 0.72 and 0.35, respectively. The apparent retention coefficients estimated for laying hens fed fine-grained and coarse-grained limestone were 0.96 and 0.47, respectively.

ABSTRACT Melon cultivation under saline conditions is a challenge, as the plants can suffer a reduction in fruit production and quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production and quality of noble melon fruit fertigated with different saline solutions and K/Ca ratios. The experimental design was of randomised blocks, with treatments arranged in a 3 x 6 factorial scheme, using three melon cultivars (Bazuca, McLaren, County) fertigated with six nutrient solutions [S1 - standard nutrient solution (SNS); S2 - SNS + NaCl (5.0 dS m-1); S3 - S2 enriched with K (50%); S4 - S2 enriched with K (100%); S5 - S2 enriched with Ca (50%); S6 - S2 enriched with Ca (100%)]. At the end of each cultivar cycle, the fruit was harvested and assessed for the following parameters: fresh fruit weight, fruit diameter, internal cavity, pulp thickness, pulp firmness, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio, and vitamin C. Salt stress impaired the physical characteristics of the fruit of the three noble melon cultivars. The nutrient solution enriched with 50% K (S3) did not reduce the effect of salt stress on fresh weight or fruit size in the melon, but afforded an increase in fruit quality.

ABSTRACT. In Brazil, although there is a growing demand for physalis in the food industries, information on the nutritional management of the crop is still incipient. This study aimed to evaluate the biomass production and accumulation of nutrients in the shoots and fruit of physalis in two cultivation sites. Two field experiments were conducted, one where the soil was Typic Quartzipsamment in the municipality of Diamantina and the other where the soil was Rhodic Hapludox in the municipality of São João Evangelista, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The experiments were conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The treatments were the evaluation period. Samples were collected every 15 days the day of planting of the seedlings in the field for a period of 240 days. Dry matter and nutrient accumulation in shoot and fruit were evaluated. The biomass production and nutrient accumulation were higher in the edaphoclimatic conditions at São João Evangelista compared to the conditions at Diamantina. Macronutrient accumulation was in the following order: N > K > Ca > S > Mg > P in shoot and N > K > P > S > Ca > Mg in fruit. Micronutrient accumulation in shoot and fruit was in the following order: Fe > Mn > Zn > B > Cu.

Resumo O presente estudo investigou a relação entre cinco polimorfismos genéticos e o desenvolvimento de mucosite oral em pacientes pediátricos recebendo quimioterapia com metrotexato. O estudo longitudinal foi conduzido com 64 pacientes e a mucosite oral avaliada pelo Oral Assessment Guide modificado, que tem como objetivo diagnosticar e classificar a mucosite oral. Células epiteliais bucais foram obtidas por bochecho e o DNA foi extraído. Os polimorfismos MTHFR (rs1801133), DNMT3B (rs2424913), ABCC2 (rs717620), ABCG2 (rs2231137) e ABCG2 (rs2231142), foram analisados pela técnica de PCR-RFLP. Dados demográficos, hematológicos e bioquímicos foram coletados a partir de registros médicos. Análise estatística foi realizada utilizando o software SPSS adotando um valor de p=0,05. Observou-se que, o sexo masculino foi predominante (56,2%), e a idade média foi de 10,8 anos (± 4.9). A mucosite oral acometeu 65,6% dos pacientes, dos quais, 61,9% desenvolveram a forma grave da doença. Para o gene ABCG2 (rs2231142), o alelo raro A e o genótipo CA foram mais frequentes em indivíduos com mucosite (p= 0.02; RR = 0.60; CI = 0.387 - 0.813). A gravidade da doença foi observada principalmente em pacientes mais jovens (mediana = 9 anos; p=0.02). Além disso, os pacientes com mucosite oral grave apresentaram menor contagem de leucócitos (mediana = 2150 mm3) em comparação aos pacientes com a forma leve/moderada (mediana = 4200 mm3; p=0.03). Pacientes do sexo feminino e aumento a cada 10.000 plaquetas foram fatores de proteção contra o aparecimento de mucosite oral (p=0.02). Concluiu-se que a presença do polimorfismo rs2231142 aumenta o risco de o paciente desenvolver a mucosite oral, bem como pacientes mais jovens e menor contagem de leucócitos contribui com a severidade.

Abstract The study investigated the relationship between genetic polymorphisms and the development of oral mucositis in pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy involving methotrexate. A longitudinal study was conducted with 64 patients, and oral mucositis was evaluated by the modified Oral Assessment Guide, which aims to diagnose and classify oral mucositis. Epithelial cells were obtained by mouthwash and DNA was extracted. The polymorphisms MTHFR (rs1801133), DNMT3B (rs2424913), ABCC2 (rs717620), ABCG2 (rs2231137) and ABCG2 (rs2231142) were analyzed by PCR-RFLP method. Demographic, hematological and biochemical data were collected from medical records. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software adopting a p-value of 0.05. Male sex predominated (56.2%), and the mean age was 10.8 years (± 4.9). Oral mucositis affected 65.6% of the patients, of which 61.9% developed the severe form of the disease. For the ABCG2 gene (rs2231142), the rare A allele and CA genotype were more frequent in individuals with mucositis (p= 0.02; RR = 0.60; CI = 0.387 - 0.813). The severity of the disease was mainly observed in younger patients (median = 9 years; p=0.02). Patients with severe oral mucositis presented lower leukocytes count (median = 2.150 mm3) compared to patients with the mild/moderate form (median = 4.200 mm3; p=0.03). Female patients and each 10,000-platelet increase were protective factors against the onset of oral mucositis (p=0.02). It is concluded that rs2231142 polymorphism increases the likelihood of oral mucositis and younger patients and patients with low leukocytes counts are more likely to develop severe form.

Abstract Studies evaluating the influence of nutrients on plant anatomy are very important because nutritional deficiencies can alter the thickness and shape of certain tissues, compromising their functionality what can explain the reduction of productivity. The aim of this study was to characterize the anatomical changes in cherry tomato plants subjected to calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) deficiencies. The experiment was conducted in nutrient solution and the plants subjected to three treatments: complete solution (Control), Ca restriction (1 mmol L-1 of Ca) and Mg omission (without Mg). The experimental design was completely randomized, with three repetitions. Sixty days after seedling transplanting leaves and stem were collected and submitted to anatomical evaluations. Ca or Mg deficiency promotes most evident anatomical changes in chlorophyllous and vascular tissues of the leaves, rather than in the stems. Leaves of ‘Sindy’ tomato plants with a concentration of 1.7 g kg-1 of Mg and visual symptoms of Mg deficiency present hyperplasia of both tissues, phloem and xylem. This deficiency also promotes increases in the thickness of mesophyll, spongy parenchyma and palisade parenchyma, and consequently of leaf thickness. The midrib of the leaves with a concentration of 10 g kg-1 of Ca, without visual symptoms of deficiency presented phloem hypertrophy and hyperplasia.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi o desenvolvimento de um recobrimento de vidro bioativo sobre a zircônia (Zr) para modular o fenótipo de fibroblastos gengivais. Para este propósito, partículas de Biosilicato® (6 mg/mL) em um veículo a base de água/álcool isopropílico (1:1) foram aplicadas sobre discos de zircônia seguido por tratamento térmico a 1100 °C por 20 min. A topografia de superfície (MEV), composição química (EDX), rugosidade de supefície (Ra; microscopia confocal), energia livre de superfície (goniômetro) e alteração de cor (Espectrofotometria UV-vis) foram avaliadas (n=6). A seguir, fibroblastos L929 foram semeados sobre discos de Zr e BS+Zr e a proliferação (Alamar Blue; n=6), morfologia (MEV; n=2), migração celular (wound healing; n=4) e a síntese de colágeno (Sirius Red; n=6) foram avaliados até 7 dias. Os dados foram analisados pelos testes ANOVA/Tukey (a=5%). Um recobrimento homogêneo consistindo de Si, Na, O e Ca foi detectado na superfície da Zr após o tratamento térmico com BS, o qual promoveu um aumento significante na rugosidade e energia livre de superfície (p<0,05). Nenhuma mudança nos parâmetros de cor foi observada (p>0,05). Células semeadas na superfície de Zr+BS apresentaram maior proliferação, expressão de colágeno e capacidade de migração em comparação com aquelas cultivadas sobre a superfície de Zr (p<0,05). Imagens de MEV revelaram que o espalhamento celular ocorreu mais rápido na presença de BS. Assim, conclui-se que o tratamento térmico da superfície da Zr com BS levou a deposição de um recobrimento bioativo, o qual induziu in vitro o espalhamento, proliferação e migração de fibroblastos gengivais e expressão de colágeno.

Abstract The objective of this study was the development of a bioactive glass coating on zirconia (Zr) to modulate the gingival fibroblast phenotype. For this purpose, Biosilicate® (BS) particles in a water/isopropyl alcohol (1:1) vehicle (6 mg/mL) were applied to zirconia discs followed by thermal treatment at 1100 °C for 20 min. The surface topography (SEM), chemical composition (EDX), surface roughness (Ra; confocal microscopy), surface free energy (goniometry), and color alteration (UV-vis spectrophotometry) were assessed (n=6). Thereafter, L929 fibroblasts were seeded onto Zr and Zr+BS discs, and cell proliferation (Alamar Blue; n=6), morphology (SEM; n=2), migration (wound healing; n=4), and collagen synthesis (Sirius Red; n=6) were evaluated up to 7 days. Data were analyzed by ANOVA/Tukey tests (a=5%). A homogeneous coating consisting of Si, Na, O, and Ca was detected on the Zr surface after thermal treatment with BS, which led to a significant increase in surface roughness and free energy (p<0.05). No change in color parameters was observed (p>0.05). Cells seeded on the Zr+BS surface featured increased proliferation, collagen expression, and migration capability in comparison with those cultured on plain Zr (p<0.05). SEM images revealed that cell spreading occurred faster in the presence of BS. Therefore, it was concluded that thermal treatment of the Zr surface with BS led to the deposition of a bioactive coating, which induced gingival fibroblast spread, proliferation, migration, and collagen expression in vitro.

Campomanesia adamantium é uma frutífera nativa do Cerrado que apresenta propriedades medicinais e alimentícias. Porém, os tratos culturais para a espécie ainda não estão bem definidos, tal como a prática da calagem em diferentes composições de substrato. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito das doses de calcário em diferentes texturas de substrato no crescimento inicial e no teor de nutrientes de plantas de C. adamantium. Foram estudadas cinco doses de calcário (0; 1; 2; 3 e 5 t ha-1) em substrato a base de Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico (LVd) e LVd+areia (1:1, v/v), arranjados em esquema fatorial 5x2, no delineamento de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. No substrato LVd, o maior desenvolvimento em altura (9,83 cm por planta); diâmetro do caule (2,13 mm por planta); índice SPAD (38,37) e teores de nutrientes N (23,57 g kg-1); K (11,81 g kg-1), na parte aérea e N (22,26 g kg-1); P (6,66 g kg-1); K (7,91 g kg-1); Ca (6,56 g kg-1); e Mg (1,82 g kg-1) na raiz, foram sob uso de 5 t ha-1 de calcário. No entanto, o maior desenvolvimento e teor de nutrientes utilizando o substrato LVd+areia ocorreu sob ausência de calcário. Esse comportamento evidencia que a planta responde a diferentes formas ao uso de calagem em diferentes substratos.

Campomanesia adamantium is a native fruit of Cerrado that presents medicinal and nutritional properties. However, cultural practices for the species are not defined, such as the use of liming and substrate compositions. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the effect of liming levels on different substrate textures on the initial growth and nutrient content of C. adamantium plants. Five liming levels (0, 1, 2, 3 and 5 t ha-1) were studied in a substrate based on dystrophoric Red Latosol (LVd) and LVd+sand (1:1, v/v), arranged in outline factorial 5x2, in the delineation of randomized blocks, with four repetitions. In LVd substrate, the highest development in height (9.83 cm per plant); the diameter of the stem (2.13 mm per plant); SPAD index (38.37) and nutrient levels N (23.57 g kg-1); K (11.81 g kg-1), in the aerial part and N (22.26 g kg-1); P (6.66 g kg-1); K (7.91 g kg-1); Ca (6.56 g kg-1); and Mg (1.82 g kg-1) at the root, were under use of 5 t ha-1 of liming. However, the greater development and nutrient content using the LVd+sand substrate occurred under the absence of liming. This behavior shows that the plant responds to different ways when using draft on different substrates.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Leishmaniasis is endemic to the Northern, Northeastern, Central-Western, and Southeastern regions of Brazil. We aimed to assess the epidemiological situation of leishmaniasis in humans and dogs in indigenous villages located in the States of Mato Grosso and Tocantins using a serological survey conducted in May 2011. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 470 humans and 327 dogs living in villages of the Urubu Branco and Tapirapé Karajá indigenous reserves. The samples were analyzed for the presence of Leishmania spp. antibodies using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a crude antigen (CA) and soluble antigen (SA), and Dual Path Platform (DPP®) immunoassay for canine visceral leishmaniasis. RESULTS: Of 470 human samples tested, two (0.4%) were positive using IFAT. Among 327 dog samples tested, 28 (8.6%) were positive using ELISA CA, five (1.5%) using ELISA SA, two (0.6%) using IFAT, and none using DPP® immunoassay with Leishmania infantum chagasi antigen. When Leishmania amazonensis antigen was used, 20 (6.1%) samples were positive using ELISA CA and four (1.2%) using IFAT. CONCLUSIONS: There was a low prevalence of infection in the region, and significant differences among the main serological methods used for the diagnosis of leishmaniasis. These findings indicated that the detection of Leishmania spp. requires further study and improvement.

RESUMO: O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito do enriquecimento ambiental no tempo despendido na expressão de comportamentos anormais, autolimpeza e inatividade por coelhas mantidas em gaiolas convencionais. O estudo foi realizado no setor de cunicultura da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV-UNESP), campus Jaboticabal-SP. Dezessete fêmeas multíparas da raça Nova Zelândia foram observadas antes e após o oferecimento do enriquecimento. Três espécies de forrageiras foram utilizadas como enriquecimento ambiental: cana de açúcar ( Saccharum officinarum sp.), amora ( Morus alba ) e rami ( Boehmeria nivea ). As observações foram realizadas de forma direta com registro instantâneo (com intervalos amostrais de 2 minutos) e amostragem por animal focal, sendo conduzidas em duas etapas (antes e depois da introdução do enriquecimento), com quatro períodos de observação para cada etapa, dois pela manhã (06h00min às 09h30min) e dois pela tarde (15h00min às 18h00min). As seguintes categorias comportamentais foram observadas: inatividade (I), autolimpeza (AL), comportamentos anormais (CA), consumo de ração (CR), consumo de forragem (CF) e outras atividades (OA), sendo registrado o tempo médio despendido pelos animais em cada uma dessas categorias, antes e após a oferta do enriquecimento ambiental. O teste de Wilcoxon foi usado para realizar as comparações do tempo médio antes e após o enriquecimento. Os animais utilizaram o enriquecimento ambiental em ambos os períodos do dia, sendo que a oferta de forragem reduziu significativamente (P<0,05) o tempo médio despendido de CA e AL no período da manhã e de I (P<0,05) no período da tarde. Concluiu-se que o oferecimento de forragem como enriquecimento ambiental melhora o bem-estar decoelhos mantidos em gaiolas, como caracterizado pela redução do tempo despendido na expressão de comportamentos anormais, de autolimpeza e em inatividade.

ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of environmental enrichment with forage (as extra food) on the time spent in inactivity and expressing self-cleaning and abnormal behaviors by rabbits kept in cages. The study was conducted in 17 New Zealand multiparous females at the rabbit facilities in Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV-UNESP). Three species of forages were offered simultaneously as environmental enrichment, sugar cane ( Saccharum officinarum sp.), mulberry ( Morus alba ) and ramie ( Boehmeria nivea ). Behavioral observations were carried out before and after enriching the environment; this was done in four observational periods for each condition, two in the morning (from 06h00min to 09h30min) and two in the afternoon (from 15h00min to 18h00min). Rabbits' behaviors where recorded by direct observation with instantaneous records (with 2min sampling interval) and using animal focal sampling. The time spent in six behavioral categories (I = inactivity, SC = self-cleaning, AB = abnormal behaviors, CI = concentrate and FI = forage ingestion, and OA = other activities) were recorded before and after adding the environmental enrichment. Data were compared using Wilcoxon test. Animals used the environmental enrichment in both periods of the day, and it reduced significantly (P<0.05) the time spent in AB and SC in the morning and I in the afternoon. We concluded that offering forage as environmental enrichment improves the welfare of rabbits kept in cages, as shown by the reduction in the time spent by them showing self-cleaning, abnormal and inactive behaviors.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a composição mineral de diferentes tipos de cascas de ovo, bem como a segurança microbiológica de amostras submetidas a diferentes métodos de higienização. Para a obtenção do pó de casca de ovo, as cascas foram lavadas, higienizadas, secas em estufa e trituradas em moinho. Cascas de ovo de granja (criação confinada), de coloração branca e vermelha, e cascas de ovo coloniais (caipira), provenientes da região central do Rio Grande do Sul, foram comparadas quanto a sua composição mineral. O Ca, mineral predominante na casca de ovo, se manteve em concentrações semelhantes nas diferentes amostras (cerca de 365mg g-1). As cascas de ovo de granja apresentaram maior concentração de Mg e menor concentração de Sr que as cascas de ovo coloniais. Não foram encontradas quantidades significativas de Fe, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Al, Cd e Pb nas amostras analisadas. Adicionalmente, tanto amostras higienizadas com imersão em hipoclorito e posterior fervura em água, quanto amostras nas quais a imersão em hipoclorito foi suprimida, não apresentaram contaminação por coliformes, estafilococos ou salmonela. Os resultados indicam que a casca de ovo pode ser utilizada na nutrição humana, já que é rica em Ca, não apresenta contaminação por metais tóxicos e, se processada de forma adequada, apresenta boa qualidade higiênico-sanitária

This study aimed to evaluate the mineral composition of different kinds of eggshell, as well as the microbiological safety of samples submitted to different sanitization procedures. To obtain the eggshell powder, the shells were washed, sanitized, oven dried and grinded in a mill. White- and brown-colored eggshells from confined laying hens and eggshells from free-ranged laying hens from the central region of Rio Grande do Sul were compared for their mineral composition. Ca, the predominant mineral in eggshells, remained at similar concentrations in the different samples (approximately 365mg g-1). Eggshells from confined laying hens had higher Mg concentration and lower Sr concentration than the shells from free-ranged laying hens. No significant amounts of Fe, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Al, Cd or Pb were found in the samples. Additionally, both samples that were sanitized by immersion in hypochlorite and subsequently boiled in water as well as samples in which hypochlorite immersion was suppressed did not show coliform, staphylococcus or salmonella contamination. The results indicate that eggshell can be used in human nutrition since it is rich Ca source, shows no contamination by toxic metals and has good sanitary quality when properly processed

The loss of soybean yield to Brazilian producers because of a water deficit in the 2011-2012 season was 12.9%. To reduce such losses, molecular biology techniques, including plant transformation, can be used to insert genes of interest into conventional soybean cultivars to produce lines that are more tolerant to drought. The abscisic acid (ABA)-independent Dehydration Responsive Element Binding (DREB) gene family has been used to obtain plants with increased tolerance to abiotic stresses. In the present study, the rd29A:AtDREB2A CA gene from Arabidopsis thaliana was inserted into soybean using biolistics. Seventy-eight genetically modified (GM) soybean lines containing 2-17 copies of the AtDREB2A CA gene were produced. Two GM soybean lines (P1397 and P2193) were analyzed to assess the differential expression of the AtDREB2A CA transgene in leaves and roots submitted to various dehydration treatments. Both GM lines exhibited high expression of the transgene, with the roots of P2193 showing the highest expression levels during water deficit. Physiological parameters examined during water deficit confirmed the induction of stress. This analysis of AtDREB2A CA expression in GM soybean indicated that line P2193 had the greatest stability and highest expression in roots during water deficit-induced stress.

Vários sítios arqueológicos de Terra Preta Arqueológica (TPA) encontrados na floresta Amazônica Colombiana também contêm alto conteúdo de fragmentos cerâmicos semelhantes aqueles da Amazônia Brasileira, como mostra o sítio Quebrada Tacana. Seus fragmentos cerâmicos são amarelo a cinza, exibem matriz argilosa calcinada envolvendo fragmentos de cariapé, carvão e partículas de cinza, grãos de quartzo e micas. A matriz é composta de metacaulinita a material amorfo, quartzo, folhas de micas, clorita e sepiolita. Cariapé e cauixi são constituídos de cristobalita, da mesma forma o carvão e as cinzas. Embora não detectados pela difração de raios x, os fosfatos devem estar presentes, pois foram detectados teores de P2O5 de até 2,90 %, possivelmente como fosfatos de alumínio, já que o conteúdo de Ca está abaixo 0,1 %, o que elimina a possibilidade da presença de apatita. Estas características mineralógicas e químicas permitem relacionar estes fragmentos cerâmicos com aqueles encontrados nos sítios de TPA no Brasil e reforça o fósforo como um importante componente químico, originado pelo contato dos vasos cerâmicos com os alimentos do cotidiano dos povos amazônicos pré-históricos.

Several Archaeological Dark Earth (ADE) sites have been already found in the Colombian Amazon forest showing high content of archaeological ceramic fragments similarly to those in the Brazilian Amazon represented by Quebrada Tacana site. Their fragments are yellow to grey colour, display a burned clayey matrix which involves fragments of cariapé and coal and ash particles, besides grains of quartz and micas. The clay matrix is made of metakaolinite, quartz, and some mica flakes, chlorite and sepiolite. Cariapé and cauixi spicules are constituted of cristobalite, which is also the main mineral component of the coal and ashes. Although not detected by X-ray diffraction, the phosphate minerals should be present, since the contents of phosphor reach up to 2.90 Wt.% P2O5. Possibly it occurs as aluminium-phosphate, since Ca contents fall below 0.1 Wt.%. These mineralogical and chemical characteristics allow to correlate these ceramic fragments with those found in the ADE in Brazil and reinforce phosphor as an important chemical component, which indicates human activity by the daily use of pottery all over the Amazon region.

Este trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar o estoque de serapilheira acumulada e quantificar os teores de N, P, K, Ca e Mg em sistemas agroflorestais com seis (SAF6) e dez (SAF10) anos de adoção, sistema com base ecológica de três anos (SE3), agricultura de corte e queima (ACQ) e floresta nativa (FN) no Município de Esperantina, norte do Piauí. As coletas foram realizadas nos períodos chuvoso e seco do ano 2007, sendo a serapilheira separada nas frações folhas e galhos para a estimativa dos estoques acumulados sobre o solo. Os maiores estoques da fração folhas foram observados na FN (3,8 Mg(t) ha-1), período seco; e da fração galhos no SAF10 (2,2 Mg(t) ha-1), no período chuvoso. Os SAFs apresentaram os maiores teores de nutrientes nas frações da serapilheira e entre os nutrientes, e a concentração de N foi superior à dos demais nutrientes, em ambos os períodos. A estimativa de transferência dos nutrientes pela serapilheira obedeceu à sequência N>Ca>K>P>Mg. Os valores de estoques da serapilheira, teores e aportes de nutrientes nos SAFs evidenciam a contribuição do manejo agroflorestal para a qualidade do solo e a sustentabilidade econômica do sistema.

This work aimed to evaluate litter deposition and quantify contents of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in agroforest systems six (AFS6) and ten (AFS10) years after implantation, in three-year old ecological based systems (ES3), slash-and-burn agriculture (SBA) and native forest (NF), all located in Esperantina, northern region of Piauí, Brazil. Collections were carried out in the wet and dry seasons of 2007. The litter was separated into leaves and branches and weighted to estimate the deposition on the soil. The highest leaf depositions were found in NF (3.8 Mg ha-1), in the dry season, whereas for branches, in the AFS10 (2.2 Mg ha-1), in the wet season. AFS showed the highest nutrient contents in the litter fractions, and, among them the N concentration was higher than the others, in both seasons. The estimate transfer of nutrients by the litter followed the sequence N>Ca>K>P>Mg. The values for litter deposition and contents and input of nutrients in the AFS systems show the contribution of the agroforest management to soil quality and the economic sustainability of the system.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os aspectos clínicos e vascularização corneal (VC) induzida pelo enxerto interlamelar das membranas de colágeno nativo (MCN) e de colágeno aniônico (MCA) em córneas de coelhos. MÉTODOS: Um fragmento com 0,25 x 0,25 cm de MCN (grupo 1) e MCA (grupo 2) foi realizado no olho direito (olho tratado) por enxertia interlamelar. No olho esquerdo (olho controle) foi realizado apenas um túnel estromal. No olho direito (olho controle) foi realizado apenas um túnel estromal. Dezesseis coelhos foram utilizados e foram divididos em dois grupos experimentais composto por oito animais cada. A avaliação clínica foi realizada aos 1, 3, 7, 15 e 30 dias de pós-operatório. A análise da vascularização corneal foi realizada após 30 dias pelo Sistema de analisador de imagens Leica Qwin-550®. RESULTADOS: Após 7 dias, a vascularização corneal do limbo em direção central da córnea observada foi de 2,25 ± 0,71 mm (MCN) e 1,0 ± 1,69 mm (ACM), respectivamente. Após 15 dias a vascularização corneal aumentou em ambos os grupos (5,25 ± 1,03 mm - MCN; 2,0 ± 2,39 mm - MCA), diminuindo até o 30º dia (2,25 ± 2,10 mm - MCN; 0,75 ± 2,12 mm - MCA). A análise estatística indicou que as médias das distâncias dos vasos do limbo em direção ao enxerto observadas após 7 e 15 dias não diferiram estatisticamente (p=0,17), e 15 e 30 dias de pós-operatório houve tendência a diferir estatisticamente (p=0,09). Os olhos controles não apresentaram nenhuma alteração. CONCLUSÃO: As membranas de colágeno nativo e de colágeno aniônico induzem a vascularização corneal quando aplicadas na córnea de coelhos por meio de enxertia interlamelar, mas membrana de colágeno ativo induz a pequena vascularização corneal quando comparada à membrana de colágeno aniônico. Embora estudos adicionais sejam necessários, os resultados encontrados no presente estudo demonstraram que as membranas de CN e CA possam ser úteis em ceratoplastias. Estas membranas consistem em mais uma opção de enxerto para o tratamento cirúrgico de reparo da córnea em coelhos e outros animais, quando não há resolução com outras formas de tratamento médico e cirúrgico.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the corneal vascularization (CV) and the clinical aspects induced by interlamellar graft with native (NCM) and anionic (ACM) collagen membranes in rabbits corneas. METHODS: An interlamellar graft with a 0.25 x 0.25 cm NCM (group 1) or ACM (group 2) fragment was performed in the right eye (treated eye). In the left eye, an estromal tunnel was done (control eye). Sixteen rabbits were used, and they were subdivided into two experimental groups of eight animals each. The clinical evaluation was performed at the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 15th and 30th postoperative days. Corneal vascularization analysis was performed after 30 days by the Images Analizator System Leica Qwin-550®. RESULTS: After 7 days, corneal vascularization was observed at about 2.25 ± 0.71 mm (NCM) and at about 1.0 ± 1.69 mm (ACM), respectively, from the limbus in direction to the central cornea. After 15 days, CV increased in both groups (5.25 ± 1.03 mm - NCM; 2.0 ± 2.39 mm - ACM) and then progressively decreased until day 30 (2.25 ± 2.10 mm - NCM; 0.75 ± 2.12 mm - ACM). The statistical analysis indicated that the averages of the distances from the limb vessels to the grafts observed after 7 and 15 days had not differed statistically (p=0.17), and after 15 and 30 postoperative days had a tendency to differ statistically (p=0.09). The control eyes did not present any changes. CONCLUSION: The interlamellar graft with native and anionic collagen membranes induced corneal vascularization when applied to rabbit corneas, but anionic collagen membrane induced a smaller corneal vascularization when compared to native collagen membrane. Although further studies are required, the results found in this study demonstrated the usefulness of interlamellar graft with native and anionic collagen membranes in keratoplasties. These membranes consists in one more graft option for the surgical treatment of corneal repair in rabbits and others animals, when other forms of medical and surgical treatment are not effective.

There is evidence that the auditory evoked potential (AEP) is altered by malnutrition both in laboratory animals and in humans. The objective of the present study was to determine whether changes in the AEP caused by malnutrition could be reversed by nutritional rehabilitation and sensorymotor and environmental stimulation during hospitalization. Six children aged 5-33 months with severe malnutrition (kwashiorkor, marasmus and marasmic-kwashiorkor) were admitted to the Pediatric Ward of a University Hospital. Normal age and sex-matched children from the hospital day-care center were enrolled as a control group. The AEP was tested in an electrically and acoustically isolated room using a Nicolet CA 2000 microcomputer. Clicks of 90; 80; 70 and 60 dBn HL were presented through earphones. The results suggest that malnutrition leads to an increase in wave I latencies in patients with marasmus, and in waves I, III and V in those with kwashiorkor or marasmic-kwashiorkor type at 90 dB HL. At discharge, all but one patient with kwashiorkor showed reduced latencies of waves I, III and V compared to the values on admission. Despite the small sample, these preliminary results pointed out that the process of sensory stimulation used in our study in a properly directed, systematic and individualized manner showed encouraging results in terms of AEP recovery in these children.