O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a presença de fungos e aflatoxinas e ácido ciclopiazônico (ACP) em castanhas-do-brasil a campo e armazenadas, no solo e ar a fim de estabelecer vias de contaminação fúngica. A pesquisa de fungos foi feita pela técnica de semeadura em superfície em meio Ágar batata dextrose e Ágar Aspergillus flavus parasiticus e a determinação de micotoxinas, por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. As amostras a campo foram analisadas em: Dia 0; amostras na árvore, Dias 5, 10 e 15; em contato com solo 5, 10 e 15 dias, respectivamente. As armazenadas foram analisadas mensalmente por 11 meses. A campo, os fungos mais prevalentes foram: A. flavus em ouriços e amêndoas; Fusarium spp. em cascas. No solo foram isolados Penicillium spp. e Aspergillus flavus e no ar, Fusarium spp. e Penicillium spp. No armazenamento, em amêndoas, foi constatado A. flavus, Fusarium spp. e A. nomius; e em cascas, Fusarium spp. e A. flavus. Aflatoxinas e ACP não foram detectados. O aumento do tempo de contato das castanhas-do-brasil com o solo foi acompanhado de maior isolamento de A. flavus; sugerindo contaminação da castanha durante etapa a campo. A. nomius e A. parasiticus foram isolados apenas no armazenamento, indicando contaminação no estoque das amêndoas. / The objective of this present study was analyse, in the field and in the storage, mycobiota and the contamination by (aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid from Brazil nuts, soil and air samples to determine route of fungi contamination. The Brazil nuts mycobiota was determine by diluition plating method in Potate Dextrose Agar and Aspergillus flavus parasiticus agar and, micotoxins was done by high performance liquid chromatography. Field samples were collected in: day 0, samples still on the tree; days 5, 10 and 15, samples in contact with soil for 5, 10 and 15 days, respectively. The most prevalent fungi were Aspergillus flavus in fruit pods and nuts and Fusarium spp. in shells. Penicillium spp. and A. flavus were isolated from soil, and Fusarium spp. and Penicillium spp. from air. The storage samples were analysed montly during 11 months; and showed predominance A. flavus, Fusarium spp. e A. nomius in nuts, and Fusarium spp. and A. flavus in shells. Aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid were not detected. These findings indicate soil as the main source of fungal contamination of Brazil nuts. A. nomius e A. parasiticus were isolated only in storage, suggesting Brazil nuts contamination occurs in this period.

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / O modelo de desenvolvimento adotado pelo Brasil a partir da intensificaÃÃo da industrializaÃÃo, ocorrida na dÃcada de 30 do sÃculo passado, prioriza o crescimento econÃmico com base industrial urbana. Estendido à regiÃo Nordeste via SUDENE e ao estado do CearÃ, este modelo trouxe como conseqÃÃncias: exacerbada concentraÃÃo de renda, Ãxodo rural, aumento das desigualdades sociais e da pobreza, alÃm da exclusÃo do mercado formal da maior parte da populaÃÃo economicamente ativa - PEA do paÃs. Parece Ãbvio que ele nÃo serve ao conjunto da sociedade e precisa ser modificado. A melhor forma de fazÃ-lo à atravÃs da promoÃÃo do desenvolvimento local endÃgeno. Uma das formas de operacionalizar o desenvolvimento local endÃgeno à organizar a atividade econÃmica de pequenos produtores rurais atravÃs de cooperativas de modo a tornÃ-los ativos como agentes econÃmicos. Nesta pesquisa analisa-se uma das principais cadeias de produÃÃo locais â a cadeia da amÃndoa de castanha de caju - ACC, na qual os pequenos produtores rurais respondem pela maior parte da produÃÃo da matÃria prima bÃsica. Contudo, eles nÃo receberem benefÃcios compatÃveis com a sua importÃncia, ficando à margem da inclusÃo econÃmica e social, pois sÃo os atravessadores e os processadores que auferem a maior parte do lucro gerado pela cadeia. Para que esta cadeia contribua de uma maneira notÃria para a melhoria da qualidade de vida destes produtores à necessÃrio haver equilÃbrio entre seus elos internos e integraÃÃo com o seu ambiente externo, alÃm de organizaÃÃo e gerenciamento adequados para que ela se torne competitiva no mercado mundial. Neste contexto, apresenta-se um modelo organizacional operacional, visando contribuir para inserÃÃo competitiva de pequenos produtores de castanha do estado do Cearà no mercado globalizado. Tem-se como base os conceitos de pobreza, desigualdade, agricultura, agronegÃcio, sistemas agroindustriais, cadeias produtivas, suplly chain, suplly chain management, integraÃÃo, cooperaÃÃo e cooperativas. O modelo propÃe estruturar o conjunto e seus trÃs principais segmentos internos da cadeia para que atuem de forma sistÃmica, integrada, organizada e coordenada, estimulando assim, o desenvolvimento da cadeia, e contribuindo para que os pequenos produtores de castanha de caju no Cearà passem tambÃm a processÃ-la, e a receber benefÃcios proporcionais aos riscos e incertezas intrÃnsecos aos seus negÃcios / The development model adopted by Brazil as a result of industrial growth during the decade of 30 of last century, gives priority to the economical growth based on urban industry. Spreading out to the Northeast region via SUDENE and to the state of the CearÃ, as a result this model brought intensified concentration of income, rural exodus, increase of social inequalities and of poverty, besides the exclusion of the formal market and of most of the economically active population (PEA) of the country. It seems obvious that it does not serve society as a whole and needs to be modified. The best form of doing it is by promoting local endogenous development. One of the forms of putting into operation this local endogenous development is by organizing the economic activity of small rural producers through cooperatives as a way of making them active economic agents. This research analyzes one of the principal local chains of production â the chain of the cashew nut (ACC), in which the small rural producers answer for most of the production of the basic raw material. Nevertheless, they did not receive compatible benefits with in relation to its importance, putting them on the border of economic and social inclusion, since the middlemen and the processors derive most of the profit produced by the chain. In order for this chain to contribute in a publicly-known way to improve the quality of life of these producers it is necessary have a balance between their internal links and integration with their external environment, besides adequate organization and management in order to become competitive in the world-wide market. In this context, a well-organized and operational model is introduced, aiming to contribute to competitive insertion of small producers of cashew nuts of the state of the Cearà into the world market. As a base we have the concepts of poverty, inequality, agriculture, agrobusiness, agroindustrial systems, productive chains, supply chains, supply chain management, integration, cooperation and cooperatives. The model proposes to structure three principal internal segments of the chain in order to act in a systematic form, integrated, organized and coordinated, thus stimulating, the development of the chain, and contributing n such a manner that the small producers of cashew nuts in Cearà also begin to process it, and to receive benefits proportional to the risks and intrinsic uncertainties associated with their businesses

Phytophthora cinnamomi is a soil-borne oomycete pathogen causing root rot in susceptible host species. P. cinnamomi is thought to have originated in Southeast Asia, but has since been introduced to many regions around the world, where it causes dramatic declines in many forest tree species. In the eastern US, the primary susceptible tree species of concern are American chestnut (Castanea dentata), white oak (Quercus alba), and shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata). American chestnut, functionally eliminated in the early 1900s by the rapidly acting chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica), has been the subject of decades-long breeding efforts aimed at improving chestnut resistance to chestnut blight. To improve chestnut restoration success, and restoration of other susceptible species, the distribution patterns of P. cinnamomi on a landscape scale must be better understood. This project was initiated to develop an improved method for detecting P. cinnamomi to permit high-throughput screening of forest soils, and to implement the improved detection approach in characterizing the distribution patterns of P. cinnamomi in developing soils on reclaimed surface mines in eastern Kentucky, as well as mature forest soils within an undisturbed watershed in a reference-quality eastern Kentucky forest. We developed an improved detection method using a molecular DNA-amplification approach (PCR), which demonstrated similar sensitivity to traditional culture-based methods, but required less time and space than traditional methods. We used this detection approach to screen soils from a chronosequence of reclaimed surface mines (reclaimed at different points in time) to evaluate whether reclaimed surface mined sites become favorable for P. cinnamomi colonization over time. Our analysis detected P. cinnamomi at the two older sites (reclaimed in 1997 and 2003), but we did not detect P. cinnamomi at the two newer sites sampled (reclaimed in 2005 and 2007). These results suggest that surface mined sites become favorable for P. cinnamomi colonization over time, and should not be considered permanently “Phytophthora-free.” We also collected ~200 samples from a watershed in UK’s Robinson Forest, from plots representing a gradient of topographic position, slope, and aspect. This survey indicated that P. cinnamomi distribution in forests is complex and can be difficult to predict; however, P. cinnamomi was detected in both drier upslope sites and in moister drainage sites.

O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a presença de fungos e aflatoxinas e ácido ciclopiazônico (ACP) em castanhas-do-brasil a campo e armazenadas, no solo e ar a fim de estabelecer vias de contaminação fúngica. A pesquisa de fungos foi feita pela técnica de semeadura em superfície em meio Ágar batata dextrose e Ágar Aspergillus flavus parasiticus e a determinação de micotoxinas, por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. As amostras a campo foram analisadas em: Dia 0; amostras na árvore, Dias 5, 10 e 15; em contato com solo 5, 10 e 15 dias, respectivamente. As armazenadas foram analisadas mensalmente por 11 meses. A campo, os fungos mais prevalentes foram: A. flavus em ouriços e amêndoas; Fusarium spp. em cascas. No solo foram isolados Penicillium spp. e Aspergillus flavus e no ar, Fusarium spp. e Penicillium spp. No armazenamento, em amêndoas, foi constatado A. flavus, Fusarium spp. e A. nomius; e em cascas, Fusarium spp. e A. flavus. Aflatoxinas e ACP não foram detectados. O aumento do tempo de contato das castanhas-do-brasil com o solo foi acompanhado de maior isolamento de A. flavus; sugerindo contaminação da castanha durante etapa a campo. A. nomius e A. parasiticus foram isolados apenas no armazenamento, indicando contaminação no estoque das amêndoas. / The objective of this present study was analyse, in the field and in the storage, mycobiota and the contamination by (aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid from Brazil nuts, soil and air samples to determine route of fungi contamination. The Brazil nuts mycobiota was determine by diluition plating method in Potate Dextrose Agar and Aspergillus flavus parasiticus agar and, micotoxins was done by high performance liquid chromatography. Field samples were collected in: day 0, samples still on the tree; days 5, 10 and 15, samples in contact with soil for 5, 10 and 15 days, respectively. The most prevalent fungi were Aspergillus flavus in fruit pods and nuts and Fusarium spp. in shells. Penicillium spp. and A. flavus were isolated from soil, and Fusarium spp. and Penicillium spp. from air. The storage samples were analysed montly during 11 months; and showed predominance A. flavus, Fusarium spp. e A. nomius in nuts, and Fusarium spp. and A. flavus in shells. Aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid were not detected. These findings indicate soil as the main source of fungal contamination of Brazil nuts. A. nomius e A. parasiticus were isolated only in storage, suggesting Brazil nuts contamination occurs in this period.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / Purpose: The aim of this study was to look at the effectiveness of massage with MYO₂ gel in conjunction with Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) for the treatment of patients with posterior mechanical neck pain, with regards to pain, disability and cervical spine range of motion. The effect of these treatments was evaluated using a questionnaire consisting of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and a Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index Questionnaire, and by measuring cervical spine range of motion using a cervical range of motion (CROM) measuring device. Method: 30 participants with posterior mechanical neck pain were randomly divided into two groups based on the order they start the study in. Group A – control group, received SMT to the cervical spine, followed by massage with ultrasound gel over the upper trapezius muscle and the area of the posterior neck musculature. Group B – experimental group, received SMT of the cervical spine, followed by massage with MYO₂ gel over the upper trapezius muscle and the area of the posterior neck musculature. Participants were treated six times out of a total of seven sessions, over a maximum three week period. Procedure: Subjective data was collected at the beginning of the first and fourth and seventh consultations. This was done by means of a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and a Vernon- Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index Questionnaire in order to assess pain and disability levels. Objective data was collected at the beginning of the first, fourth session, and seventh consultation by means of measuring cervical spine range of motion using a cervical range of motion (CROM) measuring device. Analysis of collected data was performed by a statistician from STATKON; a department of the University of Johannesburg. Results: When comparing the VAS of the initial with the final consultation it showed a statistically significant difference in both groups. This indicated that both interventions were effective in decreasing the perceived level of neck pain (VAS score). When comparing the Neck Pain and Disability Index of the initial with the final consultation it showed a statistically significant difference in both groups. This indicated that both interventions were effective in decreasing neck pain and disability of the cervical spine. When comparing the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) of the initial consultation with the final consultation it showed a statistically significant improvement in both groups in all directions of motion. Both groups resulted in an increase in range of motion over time. Group B had a greater average CROM percentage increase of 28.60% average compared to Group A which had an average percentage increase of 22.25%.

During the last century coal extraction has degraded ecosystems in Appalachia, converting forested land into other cover types that have a diminished capacity to naturally progress to later stages of succession. This projects objective was to examine two options for land-use that can assist in returning the reclaimed surface mines to forested cover types, with increased ecosystem services, and a potential for economic gain. This project examined a biomass plantation and an American chestnut trial. In the biomass trial, greatest heights for American sycamore (12.3 m) and black locust (8.0 m) were found in the fertilizer plots. Mean individual tree biomass for American sycamore and black locust was 6.4 Kg and 5.3 Kg, respectively; no significant differences were found among treatments. In the American chestnut trial, experimental wide survival was 47.2% in 2009, dropping to 24.74% in 2017. No significant differences were found by genotype, stock type, or the interaction in 2017. Use of mined land for woody biomass plantations and locales for chestnut restoration shows potential if proper management techniques are followed. Given the vast amounts of land disrupted by mining activities in Appalachia, approaches such as these deserve further attention and additional research.

Intracellular sterol redistribution is an important step in the lipid homeostasis of organisms, a process directly linked to the organizational arrangement in the plasma membrane (PM) of cells. Previous studies in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have demonstrated that the ARV1 (ACAT-related enzyme-2 required for viability 1) protein is a major regulator of sterol transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane, contributing to the structural organization of the PM, rendering it resistant to anti-fungal compounds as well as maintaining ER integrity. This study assessed the significance of ARV1 in the plant pathogenic fungus Cryphonectria parasitica (Cparv1) and investigated its role in the pathogenesis and virulence of the fungus. C. parasitica is the causative agent of Chestnut blight, which has wreaked havoc on the American chestnut species. Genomic analysis revealed that the Cparv1 gene is very closely linked to another gene that putatively encodes a cyanamide hydratase (Cpcah). An initial gene deletion event resulted in the elimination of both genes and a highly deformed phenotype in C. parasitica that was fully recoverable by complementation. PCR-based expression analysis determined that the lack of Cparv1 was responsible for the debilitated phenotype of the double mutant, with no transcript detectable from Cpcah. Subsequent complementation of the Cparv1 gene was also observed to restore the wildtype phenotype. Mass spectrometry-based (MS) results indicated a decrease in sterol content of the DCparv1 mutant strain compared to wildtype EP155 thus confirming a role for Cparv1 in sterol homeostasis. It has been shown that infection of C. parasitica with virulence-attenuating hypoviruses altered intracellular lipid content and protein secretion. Ultrastructure studies conducted on the Cparv1 strain showed disrupted organelle integrity and the presence of cytoplasmic double membrane stretches. Decreased sterol content in C. parasitica infected with CHV1-EP713 was observed similar to DCparv1 suggesting a connection between the hypovirus-infected phenotype and Cparv1. Furthermore, a non-targeted metabolomic study on all three strains identified 324 metabolites. Through the subsequent pathway analysis, we have investigated the pleiotropic effects in the C. parasitica strains and established a mechanistic linkage between this the activity of the ARV-1 protein and the hypovirus-infected phenotype.

Bare-root Nuttall oak, Shumard oak, and swamp chestnut oak seedlings were planted on former agricultural fields in Mississippi to evaluate growth and survival following treatment by different combinations of mechanical site preparation and pre-emergent Oust XP® applications. Mechanical treatments included: (1) controls, (2) subsoiling treatment, (3) bedding treatment, and (4) combination plowing. Pre-emergent Oust XP® treatments included: (1) one-year Oust XP® applications and (2) two-year Oust XP® applications. Evaluations and measurements were performed over the course of three years. Results within this dissertation should be considered in the context of high quality former agricultural sites with silt loam soils. Seedling height and GLD increased each growing season. Height and GLD of seedlings were greater in bedded and combination plowed areas compared to control and subsoiled areas. Height and GLD were not different by Oust XP® application. However, seedling survival in two-year Oust XP® application areas was reduced compared to one-year Oust XP® application areas. Nuttall oak seedlings planted in bedded and combination plowed areas exhibited greater stem biomass compared to those planted in control or subsoiled areas. Seedlings planted in two-year Oust XP® areas exhibited greater stem and root biomass compared to those planted in areas receiving the one-year treatment. Better growth and biomass production in bedded and combination plowed areas would promote their use for site preparation on similar sites. While survival was lower in two-year Oust XP® treatment areas compared to one-year treatment areas, the difference would not warrant change in management strategy. Additionally, woody biomass was much greater in two-year Oust XP® areas. Thus, if cost is not prohibitive, treatment with two years of Oust XP® is recommended. The objective of the mixed species study was to establish baseline growth and survival data for mixed Nuttall oak and green ash plantations on former agricultural areas. Height and GLD for both species increased each growing season. Third-year survival was excellent at 96.0 percent. In conclusion, the mixture performed satisfactorily. Growth and survival were excellent, which indicates this mixture would be useful in afforesting similar former agriculture sites.

Lėtinis venų nepakankamumas (LVN) apibūdinamas kaip būklė, apimanti galūnių venas, sukeldama veninę hipertenziją, kuri savo ruožtu sąlygoja kitų patologijų – skausmo, tinimo, edemos, odos pokyčių ir opų, atsiradimą. Paprastojo kaštono sėklų ekstrakto saponinai yra viena iš keturių venas veikiančių grupių, kuri buvo įvertinta LVN gydyme, nes lengvina simptomus ir apsaugo venas nuo antrinių komplikacijų vystymosi bei ligos progreso. Šis tyrimas apima: 1) polifenolinių junginių skvarbos in vitro pro pusiau laidžią membraną iš dvidešimties skirtingų gelių su kaštonų sėklų ekstraktu, 1 proc. polimerinio pagrindo (Carbopol Ultrez 10, Carbopol Ultrez 20, Carbopol 980 ir Carbopol 940), propilenglikoliu, izopropilo alkoholiu, trietanolaminu analizę; 2) visų gelių klampos ir jos įtakos polifenolinių junginių skvarbai in vitro vertinimą. Rezultatai: Geliai be eterinio aliejaus buvo naudojami kaip standartiniai pavyzdžiai, vertinant skirtingų karbomerinių pagrindų įtaką skvarbai in vitro. Carbopol Ultrez 20 polimero geliai pasižymėjo mažiausia, o Carbopol 980 – didžiausia dinamine klampa. Didinant eterinio aliejaus koncentraciją, gelių klampa mažėja, o skirtumai tarp 0 proc. ir 1,5 proc. eterinio aliejaus buvo statistiškai patikimi (p<0,05). Polifenolinių junginių kiekis, prasiskverbęs iš gelių, tam tikrais laiko tarpais buvo nustatomas spektrofotometriniu metodu. Nustatyta, kad gelio su Carbopol Ultrez 20 polimeru (0 proc. eterinio aliejaus) srautas per pirmąjį pusvalandį (1,655 mg/cm... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) describes a condition that affects the venous system of the lower extremities with venous hypertension causing various pathologies including pain, swelling, edema, skin changes, and ulcerations. Saponosides from horse chestnut extract are one of four groups of venoactive drugs, that have been evaluated in the treatment of CVI to reduce symptoms and help prevent the development of secondary complications and the progression of disease. This study assessed the following: (1) the permeability in vitro through cellulose membranes of polyphenolic compounds in twenty different horse chestnut seed extract (0,5% w/w) gel formulations (Ultrez 10, Ultrez 20, Carbopol 980 and Carbopol 940 gels (1%) with different peppermint oil concentrations (0; 0,1; 0,5; 1; 1,5%), propylenglycol, isopropyl alcohol, TEA, water); (2) the viscosity of all gels and its influence for in vitro permeation. Results: As the base-gels to investigate the effect of the in vitro penetration from different carbomers was formultions without peppermint oil. Gels with Ultrez 20 had the lowest and with Carbopol 980 the highest viscosity. By increasing concentration of peppermint oil, viscosity decreased and the difference between 0% and 1,5% in all carbomers was statistically significant (p<0,05). The quantity of the released polyphenols in time function was determined by spectrophotometric method. Ultrez 20 gel (0% peppermint oil) showed the highest flux during the first half hour (... [to full text]

Bread waste represents a significant portion of global food waste, necessitating innovative approaches for its valorization. This research project explores the utilization of bread waste through fermentation with Aspergillus oryzae to produce fungal film which could be used for textile applications. While previous studies have examined various applications of food waste, this project specifically targets the textile industry, aiming to mitigate pollution associated with conventional textile manufacturing. The objective of this project was to investigate the feasibility of creating fungal films derived from bread waste. Additionally, to analyze the material's properties through assessments of tensile strength, microscopic analysis, and the identification of an appropriate methodology for this investigation. The biomass suspension was prepared using an ultrafine grinder, and a kitchen blender was subsequently employed to minimize the presence of remaining solids from the grinding process. Additionally, a range of strategies for film casting and wet laying were implemented and evaluated. Wet laying involved combining fungal biomass with tannin to mimic the characteristics of leather. On the other hand, casting utilized pre-treated biomass suspension to assess the formation and quality of the films. As the research progressed and different tannins were used to treat the biomass, a methodology was developed, and glycerol was introduced as a plasticizer. Furthermore, nanocellulose was later incorporated exclusively for the casting of the films to serve as a binder. The films that were produced gave interesting results are observed in casted sheets containing nanocellulose and glycerol-infused biomass (3% BM + 2% Cellulose + 0.13 g Glycerol), exhibiting exceptional tensile strength (35.1 ± 3.42 MPa) and elongation (16.7 ± 5.98%). Wet laid biomass sheets treated with Tara and glycerol display tensile strength (19.9 ± 3.55 MPa) and elongation (6.66 ± 3.02%). These findings signify the potential for developing fungal films from bread waste, necessitating further research to refine methodologies. Overall, this research project paves the way for future advancements in fungal films derived from bread waste. By investigating the use of Aspergillus oryzae and employing wet laying and casting techniques, the project establishes a foundation for sustainable textile production. The successful utilization of bread waste not only addresses the issue of food waste but also contributes to reducing pollution in the textile industry.