Osmir José Lavoranti

Analysis of the in vitro adherence of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans

The objective of the present study was to investigate the in vitro adherence capacity of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. Adherence assays were conducted on dental surfaces and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Extracted human teeth were inoculated with Streptococcus mutans or Candida albicans and with both species simultaneously, and incubated at 37oC for 21 days. Bacterial inocula had been obtained from saliva samples of children that had been colonized by both organisms. ATCC reference strains were used as controls. SEM analyses showed that the biofilm that covered the entire analyzed dental surface was more homogeneous inoculated with the two microorganisms simultaneously than with each species separately. In a second experiment, carried out with isolates that had shown the highest adherence the isolates were tested for adherence to high-density polyethylene substrates. The potentialization of the adherence capacity of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans when in association was confirmed.

Flora epifítica vascular em três unidades vegetacionais do Rio Tibagi, Paraná, Brasil

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a composicao floristica dos epifitos vasculares ao longo do rio Tibagi, Parana, em 23 areas distribuidas em distintas altitudes, tipos climaticos e unidades vegetacionais. Foram analisadas as caracteristicas ecologicas e a distribuicao das especies ao longo do gradiente estabelecido de montante para jusante do rio. Os epifitos vasculares foram representados por 188 especies, pertencentes principalmente as familias Orchidaceae, Polypodiaceae e Bromeliaceae e ao grupo dos holoepifitos caracteristicos. As comunidades epifiticas do rio Tibagi foram enquadradas, de montante para jusante do rio, em duas unidades vegetacionais, floresta ombrofila mista e floresta estacional semidecidual, e na transicao entre ambas, o ecotono. Estas apresentam distintas riquezas e composicoes floristicas, o que ressalta sua importância na conservacao e manutencao da diversidade de epifitos no estado do Parana. A vegetacao do ecotono, situada na porcao intermediaria do rio, apresentou maior riqueza epifitica, o que se deve, provavelmente, ao contato entre as unidades vegetacionais, ao bom estado de conservacao das florestas e a presenca de corredeiras e cachoeiras.

Soil and Plant Reference Norms for Evaluating Horn Plantain Nutritional Status

Abstract The objective of this work was to calibrate, classify, and establish soil and plant reference norms for evaluating the nutritional status of the Horn plantain crop (Musa AAB, subgroup plantain cv. Horn). The sampling unit consisted of the “mother” plant and its corresponding soil at the fertilization band. Soil samples at depths of 0–20 cm and 21–40 cm were analyzed. A total of 221 sampling units were studied, hence, 442 soil and 221 leaf samples were used to develop the reference norms. A regression model with linear combinations of the soil and leaf variables for yield estimation was established by using the stepwise method. The model showed a high significant adjustment of 52% (R2) with normality of the standard residues. Four yield subclasses in kg cluster−1 as 10.9–13.9 (60 units), 14.0–17.9 (92 units), 18.0–19.9 (47 units), and 20 or more (17 units) were defined. With the means of the soil and leaf data linearly related with yield, the reference norms for each subclass were developed. The method thereby established permits to develop reference norms that can be used for the simultaneous interpretation of soil and leaf analysis data and for yield estimation of the Horn plantain crop.

Armazenamento refrigerado de Physalis

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o armazenamento refrigerado de Physalis angulata L. e Physalis peruviana L. com e sem calice. Os frutos foram colhidos com coloracao externa da casca alaranjada e armazenados por ate 90 dias, com e sem a presenca de calice, nas temperaturas de 2±1 oC e UR 90±5% ou 10±1 oC e UR 90±5%. Posteriormente, eles foram mantidos em condicao de prateleira a 22±2 oC e UR 70± 5 %, durante tres dias, e avaliados quanto a coloracao externa da casca, relacao SST/ATT, perda de peso e firmeza de polpa. Melhores resultados foram obtidos armazenando ambas as especies de Physalis a 2±1 oC e UR 90±5% com calice por ate 90 dias e sem calice por ate 58 dias.

Seleção de matrizes e tipo de propágulo na enxertia de substituição de copa em Ilex paraguariensis

The objective of this research was to evaluate the technique of topgrafting in Ilex paraguariensis. For that reason, the influence of the position of the graft in the stock plant, the age and the stock plant, as well as, the definition of the best time for grafting evaluation and vigor of the grafts were evaluated. 13 years old trees located in Colombo - PR were submitted to the cut at 10 cm above the soil for sprouts induction, on which the grafting was accomplished by top cleft grafting. The grafts were collected from 10 year-old mother trees and from seven trees older than 80 years. From the selected trees grafts were taken from the top, medium and basal position inside the mother tree. The experiment was installed with three replications and 42 treatments, in a hierarchical factorial design 2 x 7 x 3 (two ages, seven mother trees for each age and three collection positions). The variables of interest were percentage of survival and number and length of sprouts. A differentiated performance of the mother trees when in different collection positions was observed. The individual heritability of the genotipic effects, estimated for the survival of the grafts, was superior to 74%, for all the evaluation periods, which is considered very high. The coefficient of genetic variation was 34%, for the observed periods same or superior to 90 days, indicating good genetic gain perspectives for the improvement of the genetic material. The coefficients of experimental variation, obtained for that same periods were between 78% and 94%. It can be observed that there were no differences among the genetic parameters indicating the possibility of evaluation of the survival of the grafts after 90 days. Based on those results it can be concluded that the Ilex paraguariensis topgrafting directly in the field is technically viable; better survival of grafting are obtained for young trees and with apical sprouts; mother trees have shown differentiated responses in respect to survival of grafting.

TÉCNICAS DE AGRUPAMENTO APLICADAS NO MAPEAMENTO DA DIVERGÊNCIA GENÉTICA DE SUBPOPULAÇÕES DE ARAUCARIA ANGUSTIFOLIA (BERT.) O. KTZE EM IRATI, PR E CAÇADOR, SC POR MARCADORES ISOENZIMÁTICOS

This work has as objective to determine the genetic divergencebetween local populations of Araucaria angustifolia by isozyme markers.For this, trees in Irati, PR and Cacador, SC were sampled, for each tree sixlocus were evaluated and observed the alleles of endosperm and embryos(homozygous and heterozygous). The results were explored by multivariatetechniques as Analysis of Group where the similarities between the experimentalunits were obtained by the measures Euclidian and Manhattan. Thelinkage methods used to perform the groups were: Ward, NextNeighborhood and Average Linkage. It was observed the smallest geneticdivergence between local population samples of Pristine Forest and LoggedForest in Irati, even as Capao 3 and Capao 4 in Cacador. The Planted Forestin Irati and the local populations of Capao 1 and Capao 2 in Cacador werethe most critical regions observed for conservation.