Resumo A melhoria da germinação de plantas é fundamental para garantia de mudas de melhor qualidade. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar se o condicionamento de sementes com qualidade de luz (light quality - LIQ) e extrato aquoso de tubérculos de Cyperus rotundus (AEC) modula a germinação e o crescimento inicial de plântulas de Moringa oleifera. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 4x4, sendo quatro condições de LIQ (luz branca, azul, vermelha e vermelho distante) e quatro concentrações de AEC (0, 25, 50 e 100%). O condicionamento de sementes com luz vermelha reduziu o tempo médio de emergência, enquanto que as luzes azul, vermelha e vermelho extremo associadas a 50% de extrato aquoso de C. rotundus aumentaram o comprimento inicial da parte aérea e o acúmulo de pigmentos fotossintéticos. Condicionamento de sementes com luz azul induziu a formação de plântulas com menor comprimento final da parte aérea, no entanto, a aplicação de 100% de extrato aquoso de C. rotundus reverteu o menor crescimento. A luz branca associada às concentrações de 50 e 100% de fitormônios promoveu maior taxa de crescimento relativo da parte aérea de plântulas. Nossa pesquisa mostra que o condicionamento de sementes com radiação espectral de luz e extrato aquoso de tubérculos de Cyperus rotundus modula a germinação e o crescimento inicial de plântulas de Moringa oleifera. Mais trabalhos precisam ser feitos para determinar os compostos do AEC responsáveis que que atuam como fitormônios e são responsáveis pelo crescimento inicial.

Abstract Improving plant germination is essential to guarantee better quality seedlings. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate whether the seed priming with light quality (LIQ) and the aqueous extract of Cyperus rotundus (AEC) tuber could modulate the germination and initial growth of Moringa oleifera L. seedlings. The experimental design was a completely randomized in the 4x4 factorial scheme, composed of four LIQ conditions (white, blue, red, and distant red light) and four AEC concentrations (0, 25, 50 and 100%). Seed priming with red light reduced the average emergence time, while blue, red, and extreme red lights associated with 50% of aqueous extract of C. rotundus increased shoot initial length and photosynthetic pigment accumulation. Seed priming with blue light resulted in seedlings with a shorter final shoot length. However, application of 100% of aqueous extract of C. rotundus reversed this. The white light in combination with concentrations of 50 and 100% of AEC promoted a higher relative shoot growth rate of seedlings. The research revealed that seed priming with light quality and aqueous extracts of C. rotundus tubers modulates the germination and initial growth of M. oleifera seedlings. More work needs to be done to determine the responsible compounds in AEC that is responsible for priming growth as phytohormones.

Resumo As doenças bacterianas são fatores importantes que limitam a produtividade na aquicultura. Para reduzir os impactos econômicos negativos, os piscicultores utilizam antimicrobianos, muitas vezes de forma indiscriminada, e essa ação tem levado à resistência bacteriana aos medicamentos. Os objetivos deste estudo foram isolar e identificar as principais bactérias com potencial putativo para o tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), e estabelecer o perfil de resistência a antimicrobianos pelos métodos de difusão em disco e valores de concentração inibitória mínima (CIM). Duzentos e noventa peixes assintomáticos foram coletados entre março e novembro de 2015, em dez pisciculturas do estado do Amazonas (Brasil). Do total de cepas recuperadas de tambaqui, sete foram identificadas como Aeromonas spp. pelo sequenciamento do gene 16S rRNA. Esses sete isolados apresentaram resistência à ampicilina, 28% à eritromicina e 28% à sulfonamida. Além disso, os sete isolados apresentaram CIM superior à faixa avaliada para amoxicilina, penicilina, novobiocina, tartarato de tilosina e clindamicina, e 85% apresentaram resistência à eritromicina. Os resultados deste estudo indicam a necessidade de aumentar a conscientização dos piscicultores e, principalmente, do poder público, a falta de regulamentação de medicamentos para uso na aquicultura e sobre as boas práticas de manejo, para que o uso profilático e sistêmico de antimicrobianos de forma indiscriminada seja inibido.

Abstract Bacterial diseases are important factors that limit productivity in aquaculture. To reduce negative economic impacts, fish farmers use antimicrobials, often indiscriminately, and this action has led to bacterial resistance to drugs. The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify the main putative pathogenic bacterial species in tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), establish the profile of resistance to antimicrobials by the methods of disc diffusion, and determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. Two hundred and ninety asymptomatic fish were collected between March and November 2015 from ten fish farms in the Amazonas state (Brazil). Of the total strains recovered from tambaqui, seven were identified as Aeromonas spp. by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. These seven isolates showed resistance to ampicillin, 28% to erythromycin, and 28% to sulfonamide. Additionally, the seven isolates showed a MIC higher than the range evaluated for amoxicillin, penicillin, novobiocin, tylosin tartrate, and clindamycin, and 85% showed resistance to erythromycin. The results of this study indicate the need to increase the awareness of fish farmers and, most importantly, the government, about the lack of drug regulations for use in aquaculture, and good management practices, so the indiscriminate prophylactic and systemic use of antimicrobials be inhibited.

Introduction: Around the world, risk factors for fistula failure have been considered in vascular access planning in order to improve results. However, primary fistula failure rates seem to be increasing. Considering this, we conducted a study to identify relevant factors for early fistula failure in a Portuguese cohort with end-stage kidney disease. Subjects and Methods: Retrospective case-control study which included patients from a hospital center who underwent fistula construction between 2012 and 2015. Patients with fistula failure at 6 weeks were matched with consecutive controls in a proportion of 1:1. Clinical and laboratory data were retrieved. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with early complications. Results: Total of 100 predialysis patients with fistula failure at 6 weeks. Mean age of 67.7±11.9 years; most were women (n=54). Factors associated with overall risk of complications were distal location of fistula (OR 2.8; p<0.05) and diabetes mellitus (OR 3.8; p<0.05). Congestive heart failure (OR 7.2; p=0.06) was associated with a tendency for greater risk of inflow complications. Conclusions: In this cohort, despite improvements in vascular access planning, traditional risk factors still have a significant impact on fistula outcomes. The role of “new” factors is still undefined and further studies are needed. An adequate patient education, an organized vascular access program with nurses, nephrologists and surgeons with expertise, with systematic use of Doppler ultrasound, are key factors for better outcomes

O fibroblastoma desmoplásico (FD), também conhecido como fibroma colagenoso, é uma neoplasia fibrosa benigna rara, de crescimento indolente, recentemente descrita. Ocorre predominantemente no tronco e membros superiores, poden- do surgir em qualquer idade. Os autores descrevem um caso de uma doente do sexo feminino de 42 anos de idade com FD, com compromisso neurovascular do membro superior. Foi submetida a exérese em bloco da massa tumoral e artéria braquial, com reconstrução arterial (enxerto de interposição autólogo). A análise anatomopatológica foi consistente com FD e o diagnóstico foi validado por laboratório externo internacional1. Trata-se da primeira descrição na literatura de um FD envolvendo um segmento arterial.

Desmoplastic fibroblastoma (DF), also known as collagenous fibroma, is a rare benign fibrous tumor, recently described. It occurs predominantly in trunk and upper limbs, and can appear at any age. The authors describe a case of a 42-year- old female patient with DF, with upper limb neurovascular compromise. Patient was submitted to block excision of the tumor mass and brachial artery, with arterial reconstruction (autologous interposition graft). The anatomopathological analysis was consistent with DF and the diagnosis was validated by an international external laboratory1. This is the first description in the literature of an DF involving an arterial segment.

The antioxidant effects of Caryocar brasiliense Camb, commonly known as the pequi fruit, have not been evaluated to determine their protective effects against oxidative damage in lung carcinogenesis. In the present study, we evaluated the role of pequi fruit against urethane-induced DNA damage and oxidative stress in forty 8-12 week old male BALB/C mice. An in vivo comet assay was performed to assess DNA damage in lung tissues and changes in lipid peroxidation and redox cycle antioxidants were monitored for oxidative stress. Prior supplementation with pequi oil or its extract (15 µL, 60 days) significantly reduced urethane-induced oxidative stress. A protective effect against DNA damage was associated with the modulation of lipid peroxidation and low protein and gene expression of nitric oxide synthase. These findings suggest that the intake of pequi fruit might protect against in vivo genotoxicity and oxidative stress.

Hyaluronan (HA) shows promise for detecting cancerous change in pleural effusion and urine. However, there is uncertainty about the localization of HA in tumor tissue and its relationship with different histological types and other components of the extracellular matrix, such as angiogenesis. We evaluated the association between HA and degree of malignancy through expression in lung tumor tissue and sputum. Tumoral tissue had significantly increased HA compared to normal tissue. Strong HA staining intensity associated with cancer cells was significant in squamous cell carcinoma compared to adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma. A significant direct association was found between tumors with a high percentage of HA and MVD (microvessel density) in tumoral stroma. Similarly significant was the direct association between N1 tumors and high levels of HA in cancer cells. Cox multivariate analysis showed significant association between better survival and low HA. HA increased in sputum from lung cancer patients compared to cancer-free and healthy volunteers and a significant correlation was found between HA in sputum and HA in cancer tissue. Localization of HA in tumor tissue was related to malignancy and reflected in sputum, making this an emerging factor for an important diagnostic procedure in patients suspected to have lung cancer. Further study in additional patients in a randomized prospective trial is required to finalize these results and to validate our quantitative assessment of HA, as well as to couple it to gold standard sputum cytology.

Limitations on tissue proliferation capacity determined by telomerase/apoptosis balance have been implicated in pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In addition, collagen V shows promise as an inductor of apoptosis. We evaluated the quantitative relationship between the telomerase/apoptosis index, collagen V synthesis, and epithelial/fibroblast replication in mice exposed to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) at high oxygen concentration. Two groups of mice were analyzed: 20 mice received BHT, and 10 control mice received corn oil. Telomerase expression, apoptosis, collagen I, III, and V fibers, and hydroxyproline were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, in situ detection of apoptosis, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and histomorphometry. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of increased alveolar epithelial cells type 1 (AEC1) in apoptosis. Immunostaining showed increased nuclear expression of telomerase in AEC type 2 (AEC2) between normal and chronic scarring areas of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). Control lungs and normal areas from UIP lungs showed weak green birefringence of type I and III collagens in the alveolar wall and type V collagen in the basement membrane of alveolar capillaries. The increase in collagen V was greater than collagens I and III in scarring areas of UIP. A significant direct association was found between collagen V and AEC2 apoptosis. We concluded that telomerase, collagen V fiber density, and apoptosis evaluation in experimental UIP offers the potential to control reepithelization of alveolar septa and fibroblast proliferation. Strategies aimed at preventing high rates of collagen V synthesis, or local responses to high rates of cell apoptosis, may have a significant impact in pulmonary fibrosis.

In the present study, Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Cd concentrations were determined in the sediments of the KSGX 40 core collected from the Galicia muddy patch (NW Iberian continental shelf). The results were integrated together with textural, mineralogical and micropaleontological (foraminifera) data in order to determine the possible climatic influence on the type of sedimentation that took place in the muddy patch. The geochemical data of the KSGX 40 core suggest that sediment composition and texture were significantly influenced, over the last 5.2 kyr, by the Holocene sea transgression and by climatic oscillations consisting of both relatively temperate/cold periods and relatively warm/wet periods.

En el presente estudio se han determinado las concentraciones de Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb y Cd en un sondeo de sedimento recogido en el depósito lodoso de Galicia (NW de la plataforma continental ibérica). Estos resultados se han comparado con datos texturales mineralógicos y micropaleontológicos (foraminíferos) para estudiar la influencia climática en la sedimentación de este depósito lodoso. Los datos geoquímicos del sondeo KSGX 40 sugieren que la composición de los sedimentos y su tamaño de grano han estado influenciados durante los últimos 5.2 ka por la transgresión holocénica del nivel del mar y por oscilaciones climáticas que consisten tanto de periodos relativamente templados/fríos como de periodos cálidos/ lluviosos.

Dados epidemiológicos sugerem uma associação entre meningiomas e hormônios sexuais. Há preponderância da incidência destes tumores em mulheres, sendo diagnosticados mais frequentemente entre 35 e 55 anos. Progressão tumoral pode ocorrer durante a gravidez e a associação entre meningiomas e câncer de mama é estatisticamente significativa. O efeito benéfico positivo dos glicocorticóides no tratamento clínico de tumores intracranianos está bem documentado, embora este efeito seja relacionado com o edema cerebral e não com proliferação tumoral. A presença de receptores intracelulares específicos parece ser condição necessária embora não suficiente para a expressão dos efeitos celulares destes esteróides. O objetivo do nosso trabalho foi a determinação de receptores de estrógeno (ER), progesterona (PR), andrógeno (AR) e glicocorticóide (GR) em 10 meningiomas através da metodologia do carvãodextrana. Neste estudo verificamos que somente 20% dos meningiomas contêm receptores de estrógeno e as concentrações determinadas são baixas. Receptores de progesterona estão presentes em 90% dos tumores, em alta concentração (média±dp = 60±38 fMol/mg prot). Cerca de 70% dos meningiomas contêm níveis intermediários de AR e GR. Testes de competição demonstram que todos os receptores são específicos. Incidência e concentração de todos os receptores são maiores em pacientes do sexo feminino. A ocorrência de receptores de progesterona, andrógeno e glicocorticóide pode indicar a possível utilidade de manipulações endócrinas em meningiomas não operáveis.

Cytosolic estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), androgen (AR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) were evaluated in 10 meningiomas using a dextran charcoal coated method. We consider as positive specific receptor values >10fMol/mg protein. In this study 20% of the meningiomas contained very low titers of specific ER. PR was detectable in 90% of the tumors, at high levels. The mean PR content of PR+ tumors was 60±38fMol/mg prot. GR and AR were present in moderate levels, in 70% of the tumors. Competition studies demonstrated steroid specificity for these hormone-binding proteins. Female patients have a higher receptor incidence and titer. In conclusion, it can be hypothesized that the meningioma are a target tissue for steroids and that endocrine therapy may be relevant to unoperable and/or reccurent tumors.