Plectritis congesta and P. brachystemon are two very closely related species which grow sympatrlcally, and differ in their: breeding system, some associated morphological (floral) characters, and isozyme phenotypes. Plectritis congesta is approximately 70% outcrossed in nature, while P. brachystemon is less than 3% outcrossed in natural populations. Theory would predict that, all other things being equal, the outcrossed species would be more variable genetically than the selfed species. Since selection acts on genetic variability, the two species could be expected to respond differently to it. Six generations of plants of both species were grown under controlled conditions, and measured for a number of characters. Control and treatment (selection for tall and short height, and for early and late anthesis) populations were maintained. Two sets of P. congesta populations were maintained, one outcrossed (approximately 65%) and one selfed (outcrossed approximately 15%); the P. brachystemon populations were naturally self-pollinating. Selection pressure in the experiment was approximately 90%; 20 of the 200 plants in any population were selected to form the next -generation, on the basis of height or flowering time in the treatment populations, and at random in the control populations. The P. congesta populations responded to divergent selection for height at anthesis, indicating that genetic variability for this character was present in the populations. The outcrossed lines, PCO, diverged 66% or 148 mm from the control line; the selfed lines, PCS, diverged 78% or 175 mm. There were no significant differences between the outcrossed and selfed P. congesta lines over the course of the experiment. Two estimates of narrow sense heritability - realised heritability (b[sub=c]) and parent-offspring: regression (h²) - quantified this genetic variability: in PCO b[sub=c] = 0.53, h² = 0.45: in PCS b[sub=c] = 0.58, h² = 0.44. There was a decline in the phenotypic variance for height at anthesis in the P. corigesta lines selected for this character. In contrast, the P. brachystemon populations did not respond to selection for height at anthesis, and appear to have no detectable genetic variability for this character. Both species appear to have significant genetic variability for flowering time, as both responded to divergent selection for this character. The PCO lines diverged 33.5% or 31.8 days from the control line, the PCS lines diverged 28.7% or 27.3 days, and the P. brachystemon lines, PBS,-diverged 18.5% or 21.5 days. According to the heritability estimates, P. congesta is more variable genetically: in the PCO lines b[sub=c]=0.77, h² = 0.60; in PCS b[sub=c]= 0.75, h² = 0.72; while in PBS b[sub=c]= 0.49, and h²= 0.42. There was a decline in the phenotypic variance for flowering time in all three species groups. Of the other measured but unselected characters - number of days to emergence, number of nodes at anthesis, number of primary branches at anthesis, and fruit production - some responded to the selection pressure with divergence, notably those characters which were correlated with the selected characters (for example, number of nodes at anthesis, correlated with flowering time). With others there was no change which could be attributed to the selection procedure. There was no evidence from two qualitative characters - fruit wing phenotype and fruit pubescence pattern phenotype - for any response to selection; dispersion in both characters was not significantly different from that expected to result from random drift. The relatively high increase in aberrant characters in the P. congesta lines compared to the P. brachystemon lines is probably indicative of inbreeding depression in the normally outcrossed P. congesta. It appears that despite the difference in breeding system, the two Plectritis species are able to maintain variability by similar processes (genetic) in some characters, as in flowering time, and by different processes (genetic in P. congesta, phenotypic in P. brachystemon) in other characters, as in height at anthesis. Thus one quantitative character, height at anthesis, follows the pattern predicted by the breeding system difference, with the outcrossed P. congesta being much more variable genetically than the selfed P. brachystemon. This agrees with the levels of variability observed by Layton (1980) in electrophoretically detectable isozymes, and observed by Ganders and Maze (unpublished) in metrical fruit characters. The other quantitative character, flowering time, shows considerable genetic variance in the populations of the selfed P. brachystemon, though less than in the populations of P. congesta. The maintenance of such relatively high levels of genetic variability in the face of the strong inbreeding pressures which must be present in P. brachystemon populations is certainly adaptive, and probably comes about through occasional outcrossing and multiniche selection for variability among the segregating lines. / Science, Faculty of / Botany, Department of / Graduate

Valeriana glechomifolia é uma espécie vegetal endêmica da região sul do Brasil. Ela acumula valepotriatos em todos os seus órgãos, que são os possíveis componentes sedativos das espécies de Valeriana utilizadas farmaceuticamente. Foi comparado o crescimento in vitro de V. glechomifolia em meios de cultura sólidos Murashige e Skoog completo (MS), com 75% dos nutrientes inorgânicos (MS 75) ou em uma formulação modificada (M ) em culturas mantidas a longo prazo, por até 9 meses sem subcultura. Alterações da biomassa, do desenvolvimento de raízes e partes aéreas, bem como a produção dos valepotriatos acevaltrato, valtrato e diidrovaltrato foram avaliadas mensalmente. O maior aumento de biomassa e desenvolvimento foliar foi detectado em plantas cultivadas em meio MS, e o melhor desenvolvimento radicular foi observado em plantas cultivadas em meio MS modificado (M ) durante o cultivo. A análise por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência mostrou que o máximo de rendimento de valtrato e diidrovaltrato foi após os seis meses de cultivo em plantas em meio M , enquanto a maior concentração de acevaltrato foi encontrada em plântulas cultivadas em meio MS 75, após sete meses de cultivo. Os resultados sugerem uma relação direta entre crescimento e acúmulo de valepotriatos, e um efeito positivo do aumento da quantidade de micronutrientes e de mesoinositol nos rendimentos valepotriatos em plantas mantidas em longo período de cultivo. Também foi analisado o efeito neurocomportamental de um extrato contendo uma mistura de valepotriatos (EV) de V. glechomifolia. Camundongos adultos foram tratados com doses de 1, 3 e 10 mg/kg de EV ou veículo, 30 minutos antes dos testes. Durante a exploração no campo aberto, os camundongos tratados com 10 mg/kg mostraram redução na locomoção e no comportamento exploratório (número de rearings) em comparação aos animais controle, e o EV não induziu alteração na ansiedade. Todos os grupos realizaram normalmente a tarefa de memória de reconhecimento de novo objeto, exceto o grupo que recebeu 3 mg/kg, que apresentou piora na memória de reconhecimento do novo objeto. Os resultados indicaram que os camundongos tratados com valepotriatos não apresentaram déficits de memória aversiva de longa duração, e apenas a dose de 3 mg/kg apresentou um prejuízo na tarefa de memória de reconhecimento de novo objeto, além de uma possível propriedade sedativa na dose de 10 mg/kg. / Valeriana glechomifolia is a plant species endemic to southern Brazil. It accumulates the terpene derivatives valepotriates, the presumed sedative components of the pharmaceutically used species of Valeriana, in all of its organs. In vitro growth of V. glechomifolia on solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) without phytohormones at full, 75% (MS 75) or on a modified formulation (M ) was compared in long term stock cultures kept for up to 9 months without subculture. Changes in biomass accumulation, development of roots and shoots, as well as the production of valepotriates acevaltrate, valtrate and didrovaltrate were monthly evaluated. The best root development was observed in plants grown on modified MS medium (M ∆ ), whereas highest biomass accumulation and leaf development were detected in MS medium grown plants throughout the period. High Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis showed maximal valtrate and didrovaltrate yields on M ∆ grown plants harvested after six months of culture, whereas acevaltrate concentration was highest on MS 75 grown plants after seven months of culture. The overall results suggest a direct relationship between growth and valepotriate accumulation, and a positive effect of increases in micronutrient and myo-inositol amounts on valepotriate yields of long-term stock-cultures. An extract containing a mixture of valepotriates (EV) of V. glechomifolia was evaluated in relation to neurobehavioral parameters. Adult mice were treated with doses of 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg of EV or vehicle, 30 minutes before tests. During exploration of an open field, mice treated with 10 mg/kg showed reduced locomotion and reduced exploratory behavior (number of rearings) compared to control animals, and the EV did not induce alterations in anxiety. All groups performed normally the task of novel object recognition memory, except the group receiving 3 mg/kg dose, which showed decrease in novel object recognition memory. The results indicated that mice treated with valepotriates presented no deficits in long-term memory for aversive training and presented an impairment in novel object recognition memory task only at 3 mg/kg, as well as a possible sedative proprieties at 10 mg/kg.

Valeriana glechomifolia é uma espécie vegetal endêmica da região sul do Brasil. Ela acumula valepotriatos em todos os seus órgãos, que são os possíveis componentes sedativos das espécies de Valeriana utilizadas farmaceuticamente. Foi comparado o crescimento in vitro de V. glechomifolia em meios de cultura sólidos Murashige e Skoog completo (MS), com 75% dos nutrientes inorgânicos (MS 75) ou em uma formulação modificada (M ) em culturas mantidas a longo prazo, por até 9 meses sem subcultura. Alterações da biomassa, do desenvolvimento de raízes e partes aéreas, bem como a produção dos valepotriatos acevaltrato, valtrato e diidrovaltrato foram avaliadas mensalmente. O maior aumento de biomassa e desenvolvimento foliar foi detectado em plantas cultivadas em meio MS, e o melhor desenvolvimento radicular foi observado em plantas cultivadas em meio MS modificado (M ) durante o cultivo. A análise por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência mostrou que o máximo de rendimento de valtrato e diidrovaltrato foi após os seis meses de cultivo em plantas em meio M , enquanto a maior concentração de acevaltrato foi encontrada em plântulas cultivadas em meio MS 75, após sete meses de cultivo. Os resultados sugerem uma relação direta entre crescimento e acúmulo de valepotriatos, e um efeito positivo do aumento da quantidade de micronutrientes e de mesoinositol nos rendimentos valepotriatos em plantas mantidas em longo período de cultivo. Também foi analisado o efeito neurocomportamental de um extrato contendo uma mistura de valepotriatos (EV) de V. glechomifolia. Camundongos adultos foram tratados com doses de 1, 3 e 10 mg/kg de EV ou veículo, 30 minutos antes dos testes. Durante a exploração no campo aberto, os camundongos tratados com 10 mg/kg mostraram redução na locomoção e no comportamento exploratório (número de rearings) em comparação aos animais controle, e o EV não induziu alteração na ansiedade. Todos os grupos realizaram normalmente a tarefa de memória de reconhecimento de novo objeto, exceto o grupo que recebeu 3 mg/kg, que apresentou piora na memória de reconhecimento do novo objeto. Os resultados indicaram que os camundongos tratados com valepotriatos não apresentaram déficits de memória aversiva de longa duração, e apenas a dose de 3 mg/kg apresentou um prejuízo na tarefa de memória de reconhecimento de novo objeto, além de uma possível propriedade sedativa na dose de 10 mg/kg. / Valeriana glechomifolia is a plant species endemic to southern Brazil. It accumulates the terpene derivatives valepotriates, the presumed sedative components of the pharmaceutically used species of Valeriana, in all of its organs. In vitro growth of V. glechomifolia on solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) without phytohormones at full, 75% (MS 75) or on a modified formulation (M ) was compared in long term stock cultures kept for up to 9 months without subculture. Changes in biomass accumulation, development of roots and shoots, as well as the production of valepotriates acevaltrate, valtrate and didrovaltrate were monthly evaluated. The best root development was observed in plants grown on modified MS medium (M ∆ ), whereas highest biomass accumulation and leaf development were detected in MS medium grown plants throughout the period. High Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis showed maximal valtrate and didrovaltrate yields on M ∆ grown plants harvested after six months of culture, whereas acevaltrate concentration was highest on MS 75 grown plants after seven months of culture. The overall results suggest a direct relationship between growth and valepotriate accumulation, and a positive effect of increases in micronutrient and myo-inositol amounts on valepotriate yields of long-term stock-cultures. An extract containing a mixture of valepotriates (EV) of V. glechomifolia was evaluated in relation to neurobehavioral parameters. Adult mice were treated with doses of 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg of EV or vehicle, 30 minutes before tests. During exploration of an open field, mice treated with 10 mg/kg showed reduced locomotion and reduced exploratory behavior (number of rearings) compared to control animals, and the EV did not induce alterations in anxiety. All groups performed normally the task of novel object recognition memory, except the group receiving 3 mg/kg dose, which showed decrease in novel object recognition memory. The results indicated that mice treated with valepotriates presented no deficits in long-term memory for aversive training and presented an impairment in novel object recognition memory task only at 3 mg/kg, as well as a possible sedative proprieties at 10 mg/kg.

Valeriana glechomifolia é uma espécie vegetal endêmica da região sul do Brasil. Ela acumula valepotriatos em todos os seus órgãos, que são os possíveis componentes sedativos das espécies de Valeriana utilizadas farmaceuticamente. Foi comparado o crescimento in vitro de V. glechomifolia em meios de cultura sólidos Murashige e Skoog completo (MS), com 75% dos nutrientes inorgânicos (MS 75) ou em uma formulação modificada (M ) em culturas mantidas a longo prazo, por até 9 meses sem subcultura. Alterações da biomassa, do desenvolvimento de raízes e partes aéreas, bem como a produção dos valepotriatos acevaltrato, valtrato e diidrovaltrato foram avaliadas mensalmente. O maior aumento de biomassa e desenvolvimento foliar foi detectado em plantas cultivadas em meio MS, e o melhor desenvolvimento radicular foi observado em plantas cultivadas em meio MS modificado (M ) durante o cultivo. A análise por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência mostrou que o máximo de rendimento de valtrato e diidrovaltrato foi após os seis meses de cultivo em plantas em meio M , enquanto a maior concentração de acevaltrato foi encontrada em plântulas cultivadas em meio MS 75, após sete meses de cultivo. Os resultados sugerem uma relação direta entre crescimento e acúmulo de valepotriatos, e um efeito positivo do aumento da quantidade de micronutrientes e de mesoinositol nos rendimentos valepotriatos em plantas mantidas em longo período de cultivo. Também foi analisado o efeito neurocomportamental de um extrato contendo uma mistura de valepotriatos (EV) de V. glechomifolia. Camundongos adultos foram tratados com doses de 1, 3 e 10 mg/kg de EV ou veículo, 30 minutos antes dos testes. Durante a exploração no campo aberto, os camundongos tratados com 10 mg/kg mostraram redução na locomoção e no comportamento exploratório (número de rearings) em comparação aos animais controle, e o EV não induziu alteração na ansiedade. Todos os grupos realizaram normalmente a tarefa de memória de reconhecimento de novo objeto, exceto o grupo que recebeu 3 mg/kg, que apresentou piora na memória de reconhecimento do novo objeto. Os resultados indicaram que os camundongos tratados com valepotriatos não apresentaram déficits de memória aversiva de longa duração, e apenas a dose de 3 mg/kg apresentou um prejuízo na tarefa de memória de reconhecimento de novo objeto, além de uma possível propriedade sedativa na dose de 10 mg/kg. / Valeriana glechomifolia is a plant species endemic to southern Brazil. It accumulates the terpene derivatives valepotriates, the presumed sedative components of the pharmaceutically used species of Valeriana, in all of its organs. In vitro growth of V. glechomifolia on solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) without phytohormones at full, 75% (MS 75) or on a modified formulation (M ) was compared in long term stock cultures kept for up to 9 months without subculture. Changes in biomass accumulation, development of roots and shoots, as well as the production of valepotriates acevaltrate, valtrate and didrovaltrate were monthly evaluated. The best root development was observed in plants grown on modified MS medium (M ∆ ), whereas highest biomass accumulation and leaf development were detected in MS medium grown plants throughout the period. High Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis showed maximal valtrate and didrovaltrate yields on M ∆ grown plants harvested after six months of culture, whereas acevaltrate concentration was highest on MS 75 grown plants after seven months of culture. The overall results suggest a direct relationship between growth and valepotriate accumulation, and a positive effect of increases in micronutrient and myo-inositol amounts on valepotriate yields of long-term stock-cultures. An extract containing a mixture of valepotriates (EV) of V. glechomifolia was evaluated in relation to neurobehavioral parameters. Adult mice were treated with doses of 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg of EV or vehicle, 30 minutes before tests. During exploration of an open field, mice treated with 10 mg/kg showed reduced locomotion and reduced exploratory behavior (number of rearings) compared to control animals, and the EV did not induce alterations in anxiety. All groups performed normally the task of novel object recognition memory, except the group receiving 3 mg/kg dose, which showed decrease in novel object recognition memory. The results indicated that mice treated with valepotriates presented no deficits in long-term memory for aversive training and presented an impairment in novel object recognition memory task only at 3 mg/kg, as well as a possible sedative proprieties at 10 mg/kg.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-06-22T11:31:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 maraluciadecampos.pdf: 1264653 bytes, checksum: b2a9f890fc102cc866b811fc0c301aae (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-07-13T15:28:50Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 maraluciadecampos.pdf: 1264653 bytes, checksum: b2a9f890fc102cc866b811fc0c301aae (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-13T15:28:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 maraluciadecampos.pdf: 1264653 bytes, checksum: b2a9f890fc102cc866b811fc0c301aae (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-12-10 / A valeriana é moderadamente sedativa e usada no tratamento da ansiedade e distúrbios do sono. De acordo com a literatura a exposição a psicofármacos que atuam em receptores GABA-A durante a gestação podem provocar alterações comportamentais nos filhotes na vida adulta. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito que a administração do extrato de Valeriana durante a gestação possa ter sobre o desenvolvimento físico, o desenvolvimento reflexológico, a ansiedade e a memória dos filhotes. As ratas prenhes foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em quatro grupos (n=10): controle (1ml de água destilada) e três grupos tratados com valeriana, via intragástrica, T-500 (500mg/Kg/dia), T-1000 (1000mg/Kg/dia) e T-2000 (2000mg/Kg/dia) do 12° ao 19° dia de gestação. Depois do nascimento, o comportamento materno foi registrado e os filhotes fêmeas e machos foram avaliados separadamente quanto a alterações no desenvolvimento físico e reflexológico. Os filhotes machos também foram avaliados na vida adulta, 90 dias, quanto à ansiedade e à memória. Os animais apresentaram algumas alterações nas datas de aparecimento dos sinais indicadores físicos, os quais não permaneceram na vida adulta. A data de aparecimento dos reflexos foi semelhante entre os grupos. Em relação à ansiedade e à memória na vida adulta, não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos nos testes utilizados. Portanto, não houve alteração no desenvolvimento neonatal e neurocomportamental dos ratos, não tendo sido possível verificar se tal fato se deveu aos componentes da Valeriana não passarem pela placenta ou se o extrato ser inócuo para os fetos. / Valerian is moderately sedative and used for anxiety problems and sleep disturbance. Previous studies have shown that the exposure to psychopharmacs acting on GABA-A system during gestation in rats can produce behavioral alterations in their descendants in the adult life. This work was designed to evaluate the effects of the exposure to Valeriana officinalis L. (Valerianaceae) during gestation on the physical and reflexological development of the offspring and on their anxiety state and memory in the adult stage. Pregnant rats were randomly distributed into four groups (n = 10): control (1 ml distilled water) and three valerian-treated groups with the doses T-500 (500 mg/Kg/ day), T-1000 (1000 mg/Kg/day) and T-2000 (2000 mg/Kg/ day), administered by gavage, from the 12th to 19th day of gestation. After birth, maternal behavior was evaluated and the physical and reflexological development of the offspring male and females was assessed separately. The anxiety and memory of offspring male were evaluated at 90 days of age. Maternal behavior was not affected by treatment with valerian. The offspring exhibited some alterations on the day of appearance of physical signs, which did not affect the adult life, whereas similar days of appearance of the reflexes were observed among the groups. No significant difference was detected in the offspring in the anxiety and memory tests. Therefore, no alterations in the neonatal and neurobehavioral development of rats exposed to valerian during intrauterine life were found in the present work.

The peppermint (Mentha piperita), the salvia (Salvia officinalis), the lemon balm (Melissa oficinalis), the camomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and the valerian (Valeriana officinalis) are herbs with healing effects. Their ethanol extracts are used for food fortification or in a cosmetic industry. Substances contained in herbal extracts were analyzed in this thesis. The extracts were prepared by maceration. Next, they were analyzed by using a gas chromatography and a mass spectrometry. The aim of this thesis was an optimalization of the method used for the analysis of sensorially active substances. Then, herbal extracts were analyzed and concentration of sensorially active substances was determined.

This MA thesis will discuss the reception of common, non-scholarly polytheists (pagans) to the persecution of Christians from the early empire until the Great Persecution (303-313, 322-324). Though modern scholars have addressed this issue and asserted that there was a change in attitude, many have not developed this into anything more than a passing statement. When chronologically analyzing the Christian acts, passions, letters, and speeches recounting the deaths of martyrs deemed historically authentic, and accounting for the literary and biblical topoi, we can demonstrate that the position of non-Christians changed. The methodology of this thesis will chronologically assess the martyr acts, passions, speeches, and letters which are historically accurate after literary and biblical topoi are addressed. These sources are available in the appendix. Throughout this analysis, we will see two currents. The primary current will seek to discern the change in pagan reception of anti-Christian persecution, while the second current will draw attention to the Roman concept of religio and superstitio, both important in understanding civic religion which upheld the pax deorum and defined loyalty to the Roman order through material sacrifices and closely connected to one's citizenship. Religio commonly denoted proper ritual practices, while superstitio defined irregular forms of worship which may endanger the state. As we will see, Christians were feared and persecuted because it was believed that their cult would anger the gods and disrupt the cosmological order. The analysis will begin with a discussion centered on the "accusatory" approach to the Christian church during the first two centuries when the Roman state relied on provincial delatores (denounces) to legislate against the cult. During the first two centuries persecution was mostly provincial, sporadic and was not centrally-directed. We will see that provincial mobs were the most violent during the first two centuries. During the third century the actions of the imperial authority changed and began following an "inquisitorial" approach with the accession of Emperors Decius and Valerian, the former enacting an edict of universal sacrifices while the latter undertook the first Empire-wide initiative to crush the Christian community. It is during the third century that the attitude of non-elite pagans may have begun to change. This will be suggested when discussing the martyrdom of Pionius. When discussing the fourth century Great Persecution under the Diocletianic tetrarchy, it will be suggested that the pagan populace may have begun to look upon the small Christian community sympathetically. The thesis will conclude with the victory of Constantine over Licinius and the slow but steady rise of Christianity to prominence, becoming the official religio of the empire with traditional paganism relegated to the status of a superstitio.

Mathematics has got roots in Finland in the last quarter of the 19th century and came to flourish in the first quarter of the next century. In the first quarter of the 20th century, mathematicians were involved in teaching mathematics at schools and writing school textbooks. This involvement decreased and came to an end by the launching of the ‘New Math’ project. Mathematics education for elite was of positive affect to higher education, and this has changed by the spread of education, the decrease of mathematics teaching hours at schools and the changes in school mathematical curricula. The impact of curriculum changes is evident in Finnish students’ performance in the IEA comparative studies, PISA and IMO.

Mathematics has got roots in Finland in the last quarter of the 19th century and came to flourish in the first quarter of the next century. In the first quarter of the 20th century, mathematicians were involved in teaching mathematics at schools and writing school textbooks. This involvement decreased and came to an end by the launching of the ‘New Math’ project. Mathematics education for elite was of positive affect to higher education, and this has changed by the spread of education, the decrease of mathematics teaching hours at schools and the changes in school mathematical curricula. The impact of curriculum changes is evident in Finnish students’ performance in the IEA comparative studies, PISA and IMO.