RESUMO A cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.) é uma cultura importante devido à produção de açúcar, etanol e bioenergia. Seu cultivo ocorre em regiões tropicais, sendo muitas vezes exposta a alta salinidade. O objetivo foi identificar cultivares tolerantes à salinidade para permitir o cultivo da cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.) em solos salinos. Para testar a hipótese de que a cana-de-açúcar apresenta variação genotípica natural para tolerância à salinidade, testamos dez cultivares (SP80-3280, RB855453 RB966928, RB855156, SP80-1842, SP80-1816, RB928064, RB867515, RB92579, RB855536) e duas espécies de cana-de-açúcar: IM76-228 (S. robustum) e IN84-82 (S. spontaneum) sob duas concentrações de sódio: controle [concentração encontrada naturalmente no solo utilizado: condutividade elétrica de 0,083 dS m-1] e solo enriquecido com NaCl: CE de 7,2 dS m-1. Características de biometria e fotossíntese foram avaliadas. As plantas foram coletadas, separadas em folha (MSF), caule (MSC), raiz para determinação da matéria seca total da planta e assim estimar o índice de tolerância (IT). Uma análise de cluster foi feita para identificar a dissimilaridade fenotípica. Três grupos distintos em relação à tolerância à salinidade com base na biomassa foram formados. As cultivares RB855156, SP80-1842, SP80-1816 e espécies IM76-228 não apresentaram redução em MSF e MSC. No entanto, as cultivares SP80-3280, RB928064, RB92579 e as espécies IN84-82 foram prejudicadas pela salinidade. O genótipo SP80-1816 apresentou o maior acúmulo de biomassa e o maior IT. Portanto, encontramos uma grande variação genotípica quanto à tolerância à salinidade em cana-de-açúcar, que pode ser explorada pelos produtores para cultivo em solos salinos. Também podem ser utilizadas pelos Programas de Melhoramento da Cana-de-Açúcar para melhorar a tolerância à salinidade.

ABSTRACT Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is an important crop due to sugar, ethanol and bioenergy production. Its cultivation may occur in tropical regions exposed to high salinity. The aim was to identify cultivars tolerant to salinity to allow the cultivation of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) in saline soils. To test the hypothesis that sugarcane show natural genotypic variation to salinity tolerance, we tested ten cultivars (SP80-3280, RB855453 RB966928, RB855156, SP80-1842, SP80-1816, RB928064, RB867515, RB92579, RB855536) and two sugarcane species: IM76-228 (S. robustum) and IN84-82 (S. spontaneum) under two concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl): control (concentration found naturally in the soil used: electrical conductivity of 0.083 dS m-1) and soil enriched with NaCl: EC of 7.2 dS m-1. Biometry and photosynthesis traits were evaluated. The plants were collected and leaf (LDM), stem (SDM), root and total dry matter were used to estimate the tolerance index (TI). A cluster analysis was done to identify phenotypic dissimilarity. Three distinct groups regarding salinity tolerance on biomass-basis were formed. The cultivars RB855156, SP80-1842, SP80-1816 and species IM76-228 showed no reduction in LDM and SDM. Nonetheless, the cultivars SP80-3280, RB928064, RB92579 and species IN84-82 were impaired by salinity. The cultivar SP80-1816 showed the highest biomass accumulation and the highest TI. Therefore, we found a great genotypic variation regarding salinity tolerance in sugarcane, which can be explored by growers to cultivate in saline soils. Also can be used by the Sugarcane Breeding Programs to improve the salinity tolerance.

ABSTRACT Salinity is recognized as one of the main abiotic stresses, causing declines in the productivity of many crops, such as rice. Considering the importance of rice as a staple food crop, the generalized pattern of salinization in soils around the globe and the sensitivity of the crop to saline soils, the aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity / tolerance of upland rice lines. The upland rice lines used in this work were obtained from the Genetic Improvement Program of the Universidade Federal de Lavras. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, with a block design and factorial scheme, with 10 lines and four NaCl treatments (0, 3, 15 and 45 mmol·L-1) on the substrate. Parameters related to the emergence rate, seedling survival rate, growth and architecture, biomass allocation, gas exchange and productivity were evaluated. Salinity levels influenced the emergence and survival rates, especially at the highest levels of NaCl, with lines L1, L4 and L5 showing survival below 60%. These lines were excluded from the experiment, and the other seven lines were carried out until the end of the crop cycle. Grain weight per plant (GWP) was used as an indicator of greater tolerance to salinity, and lines L6, L7 and L8 showed outstanding performance under treatments with increased NaCl. L6 had the highest GWP, while L7 and L8 had less pronounced decreases with increasing NaCl doses. These three lines may be recommended for further studies about the impacts of NaCl on rice production.

RESUMEN La injertación se considera una herramienta eficaz para contrarrestar múltiples factores bióticos y abióticos que limitan la producción del tomate. Esta técnica consiste en utilizar una planta vigorosao resistente (portainjerto) para reemplazar el sistema radical de un genotipo de interés económico (vástago) pero susceptible a uno o más factores de estrés. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar la respuesta fisiológica y productiva de un vástago comercial de tomate injertado en diferentes patrones bajo condiciones de la región altoandina de Colombia. Para este propósito, el cultivar de tomate Libertador fue injertado sobre dos patrones comerciales de tomate ("Olimpo" y "Armada") en un diseño experimental de bloques completos al azar con cuatro repeticiones. Se evaluaron cuatro combinaciones de copa-portainjerto: portainjerto de vigor, portainjerto resistente, auto injertación y plantas no injertadas. La fotosíntesis neta, la tasa de transpiración, la conductancia estomática, el uso eficiente del agua y el uso eficiente de la radiación se evaluaron durante seis etapas fenológicas (701, 704, 706, 708, 710 y 712), según la escala BBCH, mientras que el índice de área foliar y el rendimiento cuántico fueron analizados en cinco etapas fenológicas (excepto 706). Los valores más altos de fotosíntesis neta, conductancia estomática, uso eficiente del agua y uso eficiente de la radiación se registraron en la fase inicial de la etapa de producción (701), con una reducción al final del ciclo de vida del tomate (712). Aunque el tratamiento vigor presentó la menorfotosíntesis neta, este fue superior en términos de índice de área foliar, materia seca de hojas y rendimiento de frutos de tomate. Los valores del rendimiento cuántico del fotosistema II no indicaron lesiones fotoquímicas en ninguna de las combinaciones de injerto y portainjerto. El mayor rendimiento de frutos se alcanzó con el uso de un portainjerto de vigor y se asoció con una acumulación más significativa de materia seca en la hoja y un mayor índice de área foliar.

ABSTRACT Grafting is an effective approach to improve tomato yield and for tolerance to various abiotic and biotic stresses. This technique consists of using a vigorous or resistant plant (rootstock) to replace the root system of a genotype of economic interest (scion) but susceptible to one or more stress factors. The present work aimed to evaluate the physiological and productive response of a commercial tomato scion grafted on different rootstocks in Colombia's high-Andean region. For this purpose, a tomato cv. Libertador was grafted on two commercial ("Olimpo" and "Armada") tomato rootstocks in a randomized complete block experimental design. Four scion×rootstock combinations were evaluated by vigor rootstock, resistant rootstock, self-grafting, and non-grafted plants. Net photosynthesis, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, and radiation use efficiency were evaluated during six phenological stages (701, 704, 706, 708, 710, and 712), according to the BBCH scale; while the leaf area index and quantum yield were analyzed in five phenological stages (except 706). The highest values of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, water and radiation use efficiency were registered in the initial phase of the production stage (701), which tended to decline at the end of the life cycle (712). Transpiration rate was similar throughout the growth cycle. Nevertheless, vigor rootstock presented the lowest photosynthesis rate; it was superior in terms of leaf area index, leaves dry matter, and tomato yield. The quantum yield values of the photosystem II did not indicate photochemical injuries in any of the scion×rootstock combinations. The higher tomato yield was reached in vigor rootstock and was associated with a more significant accumulation of dry matter in the leaf and higher leaf area index.

RESUMO O feijão comum (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) é uma leguminosa importante por ser fonte de proteína, carboidratos e rico em vários minerais. Em situação de alagamento, a disponibilidade de oxigênio pode proporcionar uma condição de anoxia ou hipóxia. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o comportamento da cultivar BRSMG-Uai submetida a hipóxia em diferentes fases fenológicas, analisando as respostas em relação ao crescimento e produção, metabolismo de carboidratos e assimilação de nitrato. Desta maneira, sementes de feijão comum foram semeadas e ao atingirem o estádio de desenvolvimento V1 foram transferidas para recipientes contendo 40L de solução nutritiva e aeração constante. As plantas foram expostas a condição de falta de aeração por 9 dias, em três diferentes fases fenológicas. Foram consideradas as fases fenológicas V3/V4, R6 e R7. Após as coletas foram realizadas análises bioquímicas e de crescimento, com delineamento inteiramente casualizado (n=6). Plantas submetidas a baixa disponibilidade de oxigênio apresentaram redução no número de grãos, sendo em V3/V4 a maior perda em produção conferindo maior sensibilidade a hipóxia nesta fase. Em contrapartida, ocorreu aumento na concentração de açucares nas folhas. Foi possível observar nas folhas e raízes, aumento no conteúdo de peróxido de hidrogênio, redução da atividade da enzima dismutase do superóxido nas fases fenológicas V3/V4, R6 e R7, aumento da atividade da enzima peroxidase do ascorbato nas raízes em R6 e da atividade da enzima redutase do nitrato. Conclui-se que a cultivar BRSMG-Uai apresentou sensibilidade a baixa disponibilidade de oxigênio, e que a fase fenológica V3/V4 é a mais crítica.

ABSTRACT Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important source of protein and carbohydrates, besides being rich in several mineral nutrients. In a flooding situation, the low availability of oxygen may result in hypoxia or anoxia condition. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the responses of the common bean cultivar BRSMG-Uai subjected to hypoxia in different phenological phases, analyzing its responses in terms of growth, productivity, carbon and nitrogen metabolism. Thus, seeds of common beans were germinated and when the seedling reached growth stage V1, they were transferred to plastic boxes containing 40L of nutritive solution with steady aeration. Distinct series of plants were exposed to air-restriction on their roots for nine days, in three different phenological phases V3/V4, R6 and R7. Samples were collected for biochemical and growth analyses in a completely random design (n=6). The plants subjected to low availability of oxygen presented a reduction in bean number, displaying the greatest loss in productivity in V3/V4, conferring the highest sensitivity to hypoxia in this phase. On the other hand, there was an increase in sugar concentration in leaves, and it was also possible to observe an increase in hydrogen peroxide in leaves and roots, concomitant with a decrease in superoxide dismutase activity in all phenological phases. There was also an increase in ascorbate peroxidase activity in roots in R6, as well as in nitrate reductase activity. We conclude that the cultivar BRSMG-Uai presents sensitivity to low oxygen availability, and the phenological phaseV3/V4 is the most critical for it.

RESUMO O herbicida lactofen vem sendo utilizado por produtores nas mais diversas condições, visando aumentar a produtividade da soja. Objetivou-se estudar a influência de lactofen e do fito-hormônio cinetina nos caracteres morfoagronômicos, partição de carboidratos e produtividade, em cultivares de soja. Foram conduzidos três experimentos em campo, além de um experimento em casa-de-vegetação. Utilizou-se delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram: lactofen [144 g ha-1 de ingrediente ativo (i.a.)], lactofen + cinetina (144 g ha-1 de i.a. + 0,5 g ha-1), cinetina (0,5 g ha-1), corte manual das gemas apicais e controle. Na subparcela, foram utilizadas seis cultivares de soja (M 6410 IPRO, M 5917 IPRO, NS 7670 RR, NS 6909 IPRO, BMX Lança IPRO e Produza IPRO). Em campo, foram avaliados o índice de acamamento, altura de plantas, número de nós e ramos, vagens e grãos por planta, massa de 100 grãos e produtividade. Em casa-de-vegetação, foram quantificados o amido, açúcares redutores, sacarose e açúcares totais nas folhas, caules e raízes de três cultivares de soja. A aplicação de lactofen em V6 influenciou nas características morfoagronômicas das cultivares no campo e incrementou a produtividade em 312 kg ha-1 de soja, considerando-se todas as cultivares. O fito-hormônio não influenciou nas características morfoagronômicas e produtividade. Os tratamentos não induziram alteração na partição de carboidratos destinados às raízes.

ABSTRACT The herbicide lactofen has been used by producers in many conditions, in order to increase the soybean yield. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of lactofen and the phytohormone kinetin on the morpho-agronomic traits, carbohydrate partitioning and yield, in soybean cultivars. Three experiments were carried out in the field, in addition to one experiment in a greenhouse. A randomized block design, with four replications, was used. The treatments were: lactofen [144 g ha-1 of active ingredient (a.i.)], lactofen + kinetin (144 g ha-1 of a.i. + 0.5 g ha-1), kinetin (0.5 g ha-1), manual cutting of apical buds and control. In the subplots, six soybean cultivars (M 6410 IPRO, M 5917 IPRO, NS 7670 RR, NS 6909 IPRO, BMX Lança IPRO and Produza IPRO) were used. In the field, the plant lodging index, plant height, number of nodes and branches, pods and grains per plant, mass of 100 grains and grain yield were evaluated. In the greenhouse, the starch, reducing sugars, sucrose and total sugars in the leaves, stems and roots of three soybean cultivars were quantified. The application of lactofen in the V6 stage influenced the morpho-agronomic traits of the cultivars in the field and increased the soybean yield by 312 kg ha-1, considering all the cultivars. The phytohormone did not influence the morpho-agronomic traits neither the grain yield. The treatments did not induce modification in the partitioning of carbohydrates destined to the roots.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Considerando-se que um único tratamento não abrange todos os sintomas apresentados no quadro da síndrome fibromiálgica e que, portanto, a conduta terapêutica indicada é multidisciplinar, o objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a eficácia do método Rolfing de Integração Estrutural, da acupuntura e da combinação das duas técnicas no alívio da dor, nos estados de ansiedade e depressão e na melhora da qualidade de vida dos fibromiálgicos. MÉTODOS: Sessenta pacientes do Centro Multidisciplinar de Dor da Clínica Neurológica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo foram randomizados em três grupos: grupo A: submetidos a 10 sessões de acupuntura, grupo B 10 sessões de Rolfing e grupo C 10 sessões de Rolfing e 10 de acupuntura. Todos mantiveram o tratamento ambulatorial de rotina e foram avaliados de acordo com o Questionário de Impacto da Fibromialgia, a Escala Verbal Numérica de Dor e os Inventários de Ansiedade e de Depressão Beck, aplicados durante a entrevista inicial, após a última sessão e três meses após o término do tratamento. RESULTADOS: Houve melhora estatisticamente significativa nos pacientes dos três grupos em relação a todos os quesitos avaliados. CONCLUSÃO: As duas técnicas foram benéficas tanto individual quanto associadamente, durante os três meses de acompanhamento.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Considering that a single approach does not encompass all symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome and so indicated therapy is multidisciplinary, this study aimed at observing the efficacy of Structural Integration Rolfing method, of acupuncture, and of the combination of both techniques for relieving pain, anxiety and depression and for improving quality of life of fibromyalgia patients. METHODS: Participated in the study sixty patients of the Multidisciplinary Pain Center, Neurological Clinic, Clinicas Hospital, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, who were randomly distributed in three groups: group A – submitted to 10 acupuncture sessions; group B – 10 Rolfing sessions; and group C – 10 Rolfing and 10 acupuncture sessions. All patients have maintained their routine outpatient treatment and were evaluated according to Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Pain Numeric Verbal Scale and Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories, applied during initial interview, after the last session and three months after treatment completion. RESULTS: There has been statistically significant improvement in the three groups with regard to all evaluated items. CONCLUSION: Both techniques, individually or in association, were beneficial during the three months of follow up.

Introdução: estima-se que o número de casos de pacientes com crises não epilépticas psicogênicas (CNEP) seja de 2 a 33 por 100 mil habitantes. O índice de CNEP corresponde ainda a, aproximadamente, 19% dos pacientes tratados como epilépticos. Os pacientes com CNEP são tratados como portadores de epilepsia refratária, chegando ao limite máximo do tratamento medicamentoso e sem a obtenção de resultados satisfatórios. Objetivo: relatar os efeitos do tratamento psicanalítico individual em pacientes com CNEP de forma a avaliar a evolução do quadro clínico de CNEP e verificar sua associação com gênero, tempo de crise, prejuízos sociais, afetivos e profissionais, bem como término do tratamento. Métodos: a casuística foi composta por 37 pacientes com diagnóstico de CNEP feito por meio da monitoração por vídeo-EEG. Foram realizadas sessões de tratamento psicanalítico: atendimento clínico individual com frequência semanal, com duração aproximada de 50 minutos e duração total de 48 sessões em 12 meses. Resultados: este estudo constatou elevado índice de sucesso no tratamento dos pacientes com CNEP: 29,7% (n = 11) de cessação/cura dos sintomas e 51,4% (n = 19) de redução das crises convulsivas. Foi constatada associação entre cessar ou reduzir as crises e gênero (p<0,01), religião (p<0,01) e término do tratamento (p<0,01). Conclusão: este estudo apontou eficácia do tratamento psicanalítico individual realizado com pacientes com CNEP, podendo ser considerada uma forma de assistência essencial para que haja decréscimo ou cessação das crises.

Background: the occurrence of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) is estimated to be between 2 to 33 cases in every 100,000 inhabitants. The number of patients with PNES reaches 19% of those treated as epileptics. Patients with PNES are treated as if they had intractable epilepsy, with unsatisfactory results even after medication treatment is used to its maximum. The aim of this study is to present the effects of individual psychoanalytical treatment in patients with PNES, assessing its impact in the evolution of the clinical picture and its association with sex, time of disease, social, psychological and professional harm, as well as going through with treatment. Methods: The case base was composed of 37 patients with PNES. The diagnosis was reached with video-EEG monitoring. Psychoanalytical treatment was carried out through 12 months of weekly sessions timed for around 50-minutes each, in a total of 48 individual sessions. Results: This study found a high rate of success in the treatment of PNES patients. 29.7% (n=11) of patients had cessation or cure of symptoms and 51.4% (n=19) had a decrease in the number of episodes. There is an association between cessation or decrease in the number of episodes and sex (p<0.01), religion (p<0.01) and concluding treatment (p<0.01). Conclusion: Individual psychoanalytical treatment applied to patients with PNES is considered effective and can be an essential form of assistance for the reduction or cessation of episodes.

Descrevemos um paciente de 24 anos, sexo masculino, que se apresentou com perda súbita da visão do olho esquerdo causado por oclusão da artéria central da retina. Ele foi submetido à investigação clínica detalhada sem encontrar uma causa. Três semanas depois, no entanto, desenvolveu surdez, encefalopatia e múltiplas oclusões de ramo arterial da retina no olho direito. Angiofluoresceinografia confirmou as oclusões de ramo arterial no OD e oclusão da artéria central da retina no OE, sem qualquer sinal de vascutile. O exame neurológico revelou encefalopatia difusa, enquanto que o estudo efetuado por ressonância nuclear magnética mostrou várias áreas de enfarte do cérebro e a audiometria demonstrou perda auditiva neurosensorial bilateral. A síndrome de Susac foi diagnosticada e tratamento com metilprednisolona e ciclofosfamida instituido com melhora discreta, seguida de estabilização clínica. Este caso é importante para chamar a atenção de que nem todos os três critérios diagnósticos (encefalopatia, oclusão de ramo arterial retiniano e surdez) para a síndrome de Susac precisam estar presentes de início, o que pode causar confusão diagnóstica. O diagnóstico deve portanto ser incluído no diferencial de oclusão da artéria central da retina mesmo quando ocorre em homem sem outros sintomas associados.

We report the case of a 24-year-old man presenting with sudden visual loss in the left eye from a central retinal artery occlusion. An extensive clinical investigation revealed no etiology. Three weeks later, however, the patient developed hearing loss followed by encephalopathy and multiple branch retinal artery occlusions in the right eye. Fluorescein angiography confirmed retinal vascular occlusions with no sign of vasculitis. The neurological examination revealed a diffuse encephalopathy while the MRI scan disclosed several small areas of infarcts in the brain. Bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was confirmed on audiometry. The patient was diagnosed with Susac syndrome and treated with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide, resulting in slight improvement and stabilization. This case shows that Susac syndrome may be diagnosed late due to the absence at onset of one or more of the symptoms of the classic triad (encephalopathy, multiple branch retinal artery occlusions and hearing loss). This case also serves to emphasize that Susac syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of central retinal artery occlusion, even in apparently healthy young men.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as respostas fotossintéticas da cana‑de‑açúcar aos efeitos simultâneos e isolados de baixa temperatura noturna (TN) e deficiência hídrica (DH). Após 128 dias do plantio, as plantas da cultivar IACSP94-2094 foram submetidas aos tratamentos: controle, sem DH e com TN de 20°C (TN20); com DH e TN de 20°C (DH/TN20); sem DH e com TN de 12°C (TN12); e com DH e TN de 12°C (DH/TN12) por cinco dias. Após o período de tratamento, as plantas foram irrigadas e submetidas à TN de 20°C por mais quatro dias, para recuperação. Houve decréscimos na assimilação de CO2 em todos os tratamentos. A recuperação total da assimilação de CO2 foi observada apenas nas plantas do tratamento TN12. A ocorrência simultânea da baixa temperatura noturna e da deficiência hídrica causou dano acentuado e persistente na condutância estomática, na capacidade máxima da ribulose‑1,5‑bisfosfato carboxilase, no transporte aparente de elétrons, no fator de eficiência e na eficiência operacional do fotossistema II, o que resultou em limitações difusivas, bioquímicas e fotoquímicas da fotossíntese das plantas de cana‑de‑açúcar.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the photosynthetic responses of sugarcane to the simultaneous and isolated effects of low night temperature (TN) and water deficit (DH). After 128 days of planting, plants of the cultivar IACSP94-2094 were subjected to the following treatments: control, without DH and with TN of 20°C (TN20); with DH and TN of 20°C (DH/TN20); without DH and with TN of 12°C (TN12); and with DH and TN of 12°C (DH/TN12). After the period of treatment, plants were irrigated and subjected to TN of 20°C for four more days, for recovery. There were decreases in CO2 assimilation in all treatments. Total recovery of CO2 assimilation was observed only in plants from the treatment TN12. The simultaneous occurrence of low night temperature and water deficit caused a accentuated and persistent effect on stomatal conductance, on the maximum capacity of ribulose‑1,5‑bisphosphate carboxylase, on the electron transport rate, on the efficiency factor, and on the operational efficiency of photosystem II, which resulted in diffusive, biochemical, and photochemical limitations of photosynthesis of sugarcane plants.

The non-invasive, magnetic leaf patch clamp pressure probe (also termed ZIM-probe) allows for the first time to measure continuously turgor pressure changes of plant leaves over long periods of time with high precision and in real time. The probe has become an important tool in plant physiology, molecular biology and ecology, but also in agriculture because the probe is very robust and user-friendly. Growers receive the information about the water status of their plants by wireless telemetry, mobile network and internet on an as-needed basis and can thus adjust very precisely both the timing of irrigation and the quantity of water to apply. Effects of air and leaf temperature, relative humidity, illumination and wind on turgor pressure can be monitored very sensitively both under indoor and outdoor conditions. Even the effects of blue and red light as well as of oscillations of stomata aperture on turgor pressure can be monitored by the probe with high sensitivity. Similarly, water deficit due to increase of the osmotic pressure in the nutrition solutions resulted in significant changes of the probe signals. Multiple probe readings open up new possibilities to resolve (together with other techniques) the mechanisms of short- and long-distance water transport, particularly how plants can cope with water shortage. The applications of the magnetic probe are numerous and one can expect highly interesting developments in plant water relations in the nearest future.

OBJETIVO: Comparar as medidas da camada de fibras nervosas da retina (CFNR) usando a tomografia de coerência óptica (TCO) em indivíduos normais e pacientes com mielite transversal longitudinalmente extensa (MTLE) sem episódio prévio de neurite óptica. MÉTODO: Vinte e seis olhos de 26 pacientes com MTLE e 26 olhos normais foram submetidos à campimetria computadorizada e TCO para comparação das medidas da CFNR. RESULTADOS: Valores do parâmetro desvio médio da campimetria computadorizada foram significativamente menores nos pacientes com MTLE do que nos controles (p<0,001). Medidas da CFNR no quadrante nasal e no segmento 3 horas foram significativamente menores nos olhos dos pacientes com MTLE do que nos olhos normais (p=0,04 e p=0,006, respectivamente). Não foi encontrada diferença significante nas outras medidas da CFNR avaliadas. CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes com MTLE podem apresentar perda localizada da CFNR, particularmente na região nasal do disco óptico, associada a defeitos discretos de campo visual, mesmo na ausência de episódio prévio de neurite óptica. Estes achados sugerem que pacientes com MTLE podem apresentar acometimento subclínico do nervo óptico.

OBJECTIVE: To compare optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements on the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) of healthy controls and patients with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) without previous optic neuritis. METHOD: Twenty-six eyes from 26 patients with LETM and 26 control eyes were subjected to automated perimetry and OCT for comparison of RNFL measurements. RESULTS: The mean deviation values from perimetry were significantly lower in patients with LETM than in controls (p<0.0001). RNFL measurements in the nasal quadrant and in the 3-o'clock segment were significantly smaller in LETM eyes than in controls. (p=0.04 and p=0.006, respectively). No significantly differences in other RNFL measurements were found. CONCLUSION: Patients with LETM may present localized RNFL loss, particularly on the nasal side of the optic disc, associated with slight visual field defects, even in the absence of previous episodes of optic neuritis. These findings emphasize the fact that patients with LETM may experience attacks of subclinical optic nerve damage.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to characterize the neuroinfection profile in a tertiary neurological ward. INTRODUCTION: Neuroinfection is a worldwide concern and bacterial meningitis, tetanus and cerebral malaria have been reported as the commonest causes in developing countries. METHODS: From 1999 to 2007, all patients admitted to the Neurology Ward of Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo University School of Medicine because of neuroinfection had their medical records reviewed. Age, gender, immunological status, neurological syndrome at presentation, infectious agent and clinical outcome were recorded. RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy four cases of neuroinfectious diseases accounted for 4.2% of ward admissions and the identification of infectious agent was successful in 81% of cases. Mean age was 40.5 + 13.4 years, 63.8% were male, 19.7% were immunocompromised patients and meningoencephalitis was the most common clinical presentation despite infectious agent. Viruses and bacteria were equally responsible for 29.4% of neuroinfectious diseases; parasitic, fungal and prion infections accounted for 28%, 9.6% and 3.5% respectively. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1), Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Treponema pallidum, Taenia solium, Schistosoma mansoni, Cryptococcus neoformans and Histoplasma capsulatum were the more common infectious pathogens in the patients. Infection mortality rate was 14.2%, of which 62.3% occurred in immunocompetent patients. CONCLUSION: Our institution appeared to share some results with developed and developing countries. Comparison with literature may be considered as quality control to health assistance.