Abstract Objective: Tinnitus can result from auditory system reorganization due to neural activity dysfunctions. Auditory stimulation can cause temporary or persistent tinnitus alleviation by altering the neural generators. The present study investigated the changes in Late-Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials (LLAEPs) after tinnitus suppression using auditory stimulation with short-term Residual Inhibition (RI) and long-term Tinnitus Masker (TM). Methods: The study included 40 participates with equal numbers in the Tinnitus Group (TG), including the chronic tinnitus subjects, and the Control Group (CG), including matched volunteers. The participants had normal hearing in conventional audiometry. All the participants underwent LLAEP recording pre-intervention and after a one-minute auditory stimulation (RI), as well as a pre-intervention Dichotic Digit Test (DDT) as a behavioral assessment of the selective attention. Moreover, TG underwent a 3-month course of TM, a third LLAEP recording post-TM, a second DDT post-TM, and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) before and after the TM. Results: In the baseline LLAEP recording, the TG had significantly later N1, P3a, and P3b latencies, as well as significantly lower P3a and P3b amplitudes. The second LLAEP recording showed a significant intragroup increase in P3a amplitude and a significant decrease in P3a latency in the TG, while no significant intragroup difference was observed in the CG. In the third LLAEP recording performed on TG, the P3a amplitude and latency had significant changes compared to the second recording, while the N1 latency was significantly decreased. Moreover, the DDT and THI scores had significant improvement after the TM in TG. Conclusions: The present study showed the neurophysiological changes after short-term (RI) and long-term (TM) auditory stimulations in tinnitus subjects. The LLAEP changes suggest that these interventions lead to tinnitus suppression through common mechanisms. The electrophysiological observation was also confirmed using behavioral assessments. Level of evidence: This study type is a “comparative study” with the level of evidence “3”.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da aplicação integrada de fertilizante nitrogenado e biofertilizantes sobre o rendimento, o período de enchimento de grãos e a composição de ácidos graxos de cártamo (Carthamus tinctorius). Os experimentos foram conduzidos em parcelas subdividas, durante as safras 2011 e 2012. Os tratamentos consistiram da inoculação de rizobactérias promotoras do crescimento de plantas (Azotobacter chroococcum estirpe 5, Azospirillum lipoferum estirpe F e Pseudomonas putida estirpe 186) nas sementes, nas subparcelas, com um controle sem inoculação; e da aplicação de diferentes níveis de adubação nitrogenada (60, 120 e 180 kg ha-1 de ureia) nas parcelas principais, com um controle sem aplicação de N. O maior rendimento de grãos, o maior período de enchimento de grãos e o período efetivo de enchimento de grãos foram obtidos com a aplicação de 180 kg ha-1 de ureia e com a inoculação de P. putida nas sementes. A aplicação de altas doses de N e a inoculação com P. putida resultaram no aumento de 25,66% da taxa potencial de enchimento de grãos. A inoculação de biofertilizantes nas sementes reduziu o teor de ácidos graxos saturados (ácidos palmítico e esteárico) e incrementou os ácidos graxos insaturados (ácidos linoleico, linolênico e oleico). A aplicação da quantidade adequada de adubação nitrogenada (120 a 180 kg ha-1 de ureia) pode melhorar o crescimento de plantas e a quantidade e a qualidade do óleo das sementes tratadas com P. putida, em plantas de cártamo.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of the integrated application of nitrogen fertilizer and biofertilizers on the yield, grain filling period, and composition of fatty acids of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius). Split-plot experiments were carried out during the 2011 and 2012 crop seasons. The treatments consisted of seed inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (Azotobacter chroococcum strain 5, Azospirillum lipoferum strain F, and Pseudomonas putida strain 186) in the subplots, including a control without seed inoculation; and of the application of N fertilizer at different rates (60, 120, and 180 kg ha-1 urea) in the main plots, including a control without N. The highest grain yield, grain filling period, and effective grain filling period were obtained by the application of 180 kg ha-1 urea and by seed inoculation with P. putida. The application of high N rates and P. putida inoculation resulted in 25.66% increase of the potential rate of grain filling. Biofertilizer inoculation in seed reduced the contents of saturated fatty acids (palmetic and stearic acids) and increased the contents of unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic, and oleic acids). The suitable amount of N fertilizer (between 120 and 180 kg ha-1 urea) can improve plant growth, and the quantity and quality of oil in seeds treated with P. putida in safflower plants.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os efeitos do condicionamento osmótico das sementes e da disponibilidade de enxofre sobre características da membrana celular, emergência de plântulas, conteúdo relativo de clorofila e produtividade de soja (Glycine max) em solo salino. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em arranjo fatorial 4x3, com três repetições, para avaliar quatro tipos de condicionamento osmótico das sementes (água, auxina, giberelina e ausência de condicionamento) e três níveis de disponibilidade de enxofre para as plantas (aplicação ao solo de 0, 70 e 140 kg ha-1 de K2SO4). O solo utilizado apresentava textura média, com condutividade elétrica de aproximadamente 3,61 ds m-1, pH de 8,2 e percentagem de saturação em torno de 46%. O condicionamento osmótico das sementes teve efeito significativo sobre a taxa média de emergência (MER), percentagem de emergência, conteúdo relativo de água das folhas (RWC), conteúdo relativo de clorofila, época de maturação, comprimento da parte aérea e produtividade de grãos. Os maiores valores para essas variáveis, exceto época de maturação, foram observados nos tratamentos com condicionamento osmótico. A aplicação de enxofre teve efeito significativo sobre MER, comprimento da parte aérea, RWC, índice de dano à membrana celular, e produtividade de grãos. O condicionamento osmótico proporciona maiores taxas de emergência e produtividade de grãos e interage significativamente com a aplicação de enxofre.

The objective of this work was to determine the effects of seed priming and sulfur application on cell membrane characteristics, seedling emergence, chlorophyll content and grain yield of soybean (Glycine max) in saline soil. A complete-block design in 4x3 factorial arrangement with three replicates was used to test four types of seed priming (water, auxin, gibberellin and non-priming) and three levels of sulfate availability (0, 70 and 140 kg ha-1 K2SO4). The soil had a silty loam texture with an electrical conductivity of 3.61 ds m-1, a pH of 8.2 and a saturation percentage of about 46%. Seed priming had significant effects on mean emergence rate (MER), emergence percentage, relative water content (RWC) of leaves, relative chlorophyll content, time of maturity, shoot length and grain yield. The highest values for these variables were observed in the priming treatments, except for the time of maturity. Sulfur application had significant effects on MER, shoot length, RWC, membrane injury index and grain yield. Priming treatments provide greater emergence rates and grain yields and interact sinergicaly with sulfur rates.