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Concerns about possible environmental implications of nano- and micro-plastics are continuously raising. Hence, comprehensive understanding of their behaviour, bioaccumulation and toxicity potential is required. Nevertheless, systematic studies on their fate and possible effects in freshwaters, as well as the influence of particle-specific and environmental factors on their behaviour and impacts are still missing. The aims of the present study are thus two-fold: (i) to examine the role of the surface charge on nanoplastic stability and acute effects to freshwater zooplankton; (ii) to decipher the influence of the refractory natural organic matter (NOM) on the nanoplastic fate and effects. Amidine and carboxyl-stabilized polystyrene (PS) spheres of 200 nm diameter characterized by opposite primary surface charges and neutral buoyancy were selected as model nanoplastics. The results demonstrated that the surface functionalization of the polystyrene nanoplastics controls their aggregation behaviour. Alginate or Suwannee River humic acid (SRHA) modified significantly the surface charge of positively-charged amidine PS nanoplastic and the aggregation state, while had no significant influence on the negatively-charged carboxyl PS nanoplastic. Both amidine and carboxyl PS nanoplastics were ingested by the zooplankton and concentrated mainly in the gut of water flea Daphnia magna and larvae Thamnocephalus platyurus, and the stomach of rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus. Amidine PS nanoplastic was more toxic than carboxyl one. The toxicity decreased in the order D. magna (48 h -immobilization) > B. calyciflorus (24 h - lethality) > T. platyurus (24 h - lethality). Alginate or SRHA reduced significantly the toxicity of both amidine and carboxyl PS nanoplastics to the studied zooplankton representatives. The implications of this laboratory study findings to natural environment were discussed.

Ecto-5′-nucleotidase (CD73) is an enzyme present on the surface of tumor cells whose primary described function is the production of extracellular adenosine. Due to the immunosuppressive properties of adenosine, CD73 is being investigated as a target for new antitumor therapies. We and others have described that CD73 is present at the surface of different CD8+ T cell subsets. Nonetheless, there is limited information as to whether CD73 affects CD8+ T cell proliferation and survival. In this study, we assessed the impact of CD73 deficiency on CD8+ T cells by analyzing their proliferation and survival in antigenic and homeostatic conditions. Results obtained from adoptive transfer experiments demonstrate a paradoxical role of CD73. On one side, it favors the expression of interleukin-7 receptor α chain on CD8+ T cells and their homeostatic survival; on the other side, it reduces the survival of activated CD8+ T cells under antigenic stimulation. Also, upon in vitro antigenic stimulation, CD73 decreases the expression of interleukin-2 receptor α chain and the anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-2, findings that may explain the reduced CD8+ T cell survival observed in this condition. These results indicate that CD73 has a dual effect on CD8+ T cells depending on whether they are subject to an antigenic or homeostatic stimulus, and thus, special attention should be given to these aspects when considering CD73 blockade in the design of novel antitumor therapies.

The P2X7 receptor is a ligand-gated, cation-selective channel whose main physiological ligand is ATP. P2X7 receptor activation may also be triggered by ARTC2.2-dependent ADP ribosylation in the presence of extracellular NAD. Upon activation, this receptor induces several responses, including the influx of calcium and sodium ions, phosphatidylserine externalization, the formation of a non-selective membrane pore, and ultimately cell death. P2X7 receptor activation depends on the availability of extracellular nucleotides, whose concentrations are regulated by the action of extracellular nucleotidases such as CD39 and CD38. The P2X7 receptor has been extensively studied in the context of the immune response, and it has been reported to be involved in inflammasome activation, cytokine production, and the migration of different innate immune cells in response to ATP. In adaptive immune responses, the P2X7 receptor has been linked to T cell activation, differentiation, and apoptosis induction. In this review, we will discuss the evidence of the role of the P2X7 receptor on T cell differentiation and in the control of T cell responses in inflammatory conditions.

Para manutenção da qualidade e aumento no tempo de armazenamento de frutas climatéricas como a pera, uma das estratégias é a utilização do 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP), que reduz os efeitos do etileno, o qual é responsável pelo amadurecimento dos frutos. Objetivou-se a avaliação da influência do 1-MCP na qualidade pós-colheita de peras ‘Abate Fetel’, ‘Packham’s’ e ‘Tenra’ armazenadas em câmara fria. As frutas foram tratadas com 1-MCP no interior de caixas plásticas vedadas, à temperatura de 20 ºC, por 14 horas, sendo em seguida transferidas para câmara fria (0 °C ± 1 °C e 85% ± 5% UR), onde permaneceram por períodos de 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias. As variáveis analisadas foram firmeza de polpa, índice DA, pH do suco, acidez titulável e sólidos solúveis. Observou-se que o 1-MCP é eficiente na manutenção da firmeza de polpa dos frutos das cultivares estudas, armazenadas em câmara fria. Além disso, a degradação de clorofila de peras ‘Abate Fetel’ e ‘Packham’s’, armazenadas em câmara fria, foi reduzida com a utilização do 1-MCP.

Proteins are macromolecules involved in the biological functions. Protein-protein interactions that occur between two or more proteins are called protein complexes. These complexes are of vital importance as they play a key role in most biological processes, such as biosynthesis, cellular regulation and signal translation. For this reason, the researchers try to understand these protein complexes in their three-dimensional structure, through data that are generated from methods such as X-ray crys­tallography or nuclear magnetic resonance. Because the tertiary structure is unique to each protein it is also directly responsible for its biological properties. These data are used for the prediction of protein-protein interactions. The prediction seeks by means of computational tools, to identify and to categorize the type of interaction that occurs in a given protein complex. This through the use of different features of the complex. In this study we try to determine if using only the distance between amino acids belonging to the interaction zone in protein complexes influences whether the interaction is classified as transient or permanent (duration time of interaction). For this we use a set of protein complexes already classified as transient or permanent, in addition to its three-dimensional structure. The distance measures used as a feature, are selected considering the energy produced in the interaction zone and the structure of the amino acids involved and their position. A 75% accuracy was obtained, using distance as a discriminant factor in the classification of protein complexes. This suggests that, there is a relation between the distance as a discriminating factor to classify these complexes as transient or permanent.

Despite the vine adaptation to different soil types, most are found in soils with low nutrient supply, requiring corrections. The organic fertilizer facilitates the absorption of nutrients and improve soil structure. The objective was to evaluate the effect of organic fertilization with bovine and ovine manure on growth and totalchlorophyll content of ‘Merlot’ vines grafted on three different rootstocks. The experiment was conducted by the Nucleus of Study, Research and Extension in Oenology (NEPE2 ) with the variety ‘Merlot’ VCR1 clone. The treatments were applied in the rootstock ‘161.49’ 420-A ‘and’ Paulsen 1103’, and used manure of bovine and ovine origin, totaling 12 treatments. Were evaluated the plant height (cm) and total chlorophyll (Falker clorofiLOG® ). The treatments at the rootstock ‘Paulsen 1103’ showed greater height of ‘Merlot’ clone VCR1, followed by the rootstock ‘161.49’ and ‘420A’. But the treatments with the rootstock ‘Paulsen 1103’ showed less chlorophyll in the leaves of ‘Merlot’ clone VCR1 compared to other treatments. Preliminarily itwas concluded that the use of manurefrom bovine and ovine origin on the vine ‘Merlot’ clone VCR1 on the rootstocks ‘Paulsen 1103’, ‘420A’ and ‘161.49’, present in the leaves higher total chlorophyll content.

Thus this work was to evaluate the use of ethylene application in pre-harvest grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon cultivar. Applying ethylene by spraying with ethylene solution in different periods with the following treatments; (T1) without application of ethylene; (T2) 10 ppm of ethylene in the fruit only on the day of collection; (T3) two applications of 10 ppm ethylene (one day before harvest and once on the day of harvest) and; (T4) three applications of 10 ppm ethylene (two days prior to harvest, one day prior to harvest and the other on the day of harvest). For each treatment were made four replications in the field, with 07 plants each. The physicochemical analyses in must and wine as pH, total soluble solids (TSS), expressed acidity malic acid, expressed as acid into lactic acid, total acid and ethanol were made by infrared spectrometry Fourier transform (FTIR). There were significant differences between treatments in physical and chemical composition of must and wine. These preliminary results suggest that ethylene pre-harvest application modify somehow the malic acid content, modifying the total acidity and pH of the must and wine in Cabernet Sauvignon, promoting a slight modification in the TSS and thus in ethanol.

The experiment examined effects on the total chlorophyll and growth of vine rootstock ‘SO4’ under electrical stimulation. The study was conducted from December 2015 to March 2016 by the Core for Study, Research and Extension in Enology (NEPE2 ), in a greenhouse at the Federal University of “Pampa” (UNIPAMPA) – “Dom Pedrito” Campus. The Rootstocks ‘SO4’ were obtained in property located in the city of “Dom Pedrito” (RS, Brazil).The four treatments were: The first (T1) to control, no electric discharge; the second (T2) with an electric discharge of 0.02 mA for 5 seconds; followed by the third (T3) and fourth (T4) with times of discharge of 9 and 18 seconds respectively. The analyses were made using a chlorophyll meter. To measure chlorophyll content of the rootstock ‘SO4’ when subjected to electrical discharges with a 0.02 mA current during 9 seconds and 18 seconds applied once per week for twelve weeks.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of antioxidants in the cold storage of fresh cut radishes. The shredded roots were submerged in the respective treatments during 3 min (ascorbic acid or citric acid) and stored at 5ºC and 90% RH during 10 days. The radish treated with ascorbic acid showed the higher respiratory rate in the first 4 h after the processing during the storage. The content of total soluble solids (TSS) was significantly higher in the treatment with citric acid. There was an increase in the content of ascorbic acid after two day of storage in the treatments with this antioxidant. The values of lightness (L*) were decreasing along the storage. Citric acid treatments caused strongly red coloration in the minimally processed roots. None of the treatments avoided the browning of the shredded radishes during the cold storage.O presente experimento objetivou testar o uso de antioxidantes na conservação de rabanetes minimamente processados. Os rabanetes minimamente processados foram submersos nos tratamentos por 3 minutos (ácido ascórbico ou ácido cítrico) e armazenados a 5ºC (±1ºC) e 90% (±5%) UR durante 10 dias. O tratamento com ácido ascórbico gerou a maior taxa respiratória nas 4 primeiras horas após o processamento e durante o armazenamento. O teor de sólidos solúveis totais (SST) foi significativamente maior no tratamento com ácido cítrico. Quanto ao teor de ácido ascórbico, para os tratamentos com ácido ascórbico houve um aumento significativo no 2º dia. Os valores de luminosidade (L*) apresentaram redução durante o armazenamento. Os tratamentos com ácido cítrico provocaram uma forte coloração vermelha nas raízes minimamente processadas. Nenhum dos tratamentos evitou o escurecimento das raízes de rabanete minimamente processadas.

Foram aplicados tratamentos térmicos em laranja "Valência", tangor "Murcott" e lima ácida "Tahiti" armazenadas em baixa temperatura e avaliados os efeitos na redução de injúrias pelo frio e sobre outras características bioquímicas. Os seguintes tratamentos foram aplicados: T1: frutas armazenadas a 1°C (Controle); T2: aquecimento rápido das frutas em água quente a 53°C, durante 3 minutos, sendo, em seguida, armazenadas a 1°C; T3: aquecimento lento das frutas em câmara regulada para 37°C, por 2 dias, com posterior armazenamento a 1°C; e T4: aquecimento intermitente em ciclos de 6 dias a 1°C + 1 dia a 25°C. As frutas foram armazenadas durante 90 dias a 1°C e 90-95% de Umidade Relativa (UR), sendo avaliadas a cada 15 dias. Além da incidência dos danos, foram avaliadas também as atividades das enzimas antioxidativas (catalase, glutationa redutase e ascorbato peroxidase). A lima ácida "Tahiti" e o tangor "Murcott" suportaram até 90 dias de armazenamento a 1°C com aquecimento intermitente, não apresentando danos pelo frio. No tratamento controle (armazenamento contínuo a 1°C), os danos pelo frio surgiram aos 30 dias de armazenamento para a lima "Tahiti" e aos 45 dias para o tangor "Murcott". Em laranjas "Valência", as injúrias pelo frio surgiram aos 45 dias de armazenamento, sendo significativamente menores no condicionamento térmico. Os efeitos dos tratamentos térmicos no aumento da resistência das frutas ao frio podem estar relacionados com a atividade das enzimas antioxidativas. Para a laranja "Valência", os tratamentos térmicos, aplicados na forma de condicionamento térmico ou aquecimento intermitente, reduzem as injúrias pelo frio e podem prolongar a conservação das frutas a 1°C e 90-95% UR. Para tangor "Murcott" e lima "Tahiti", o aquecimento intermitente é o tratamento mais eficiente para a redução de injúrias pelo frio e para o aumento na capacidade de armazenamento. In the present study thermal treatments on,'Valência' orange, 'Murcott' tangor and 'Tahiti' (temperature conditioning and intermittent warming) were applied lime. The following treatments were applied: T1: Fruits stored at 1°C (Controls); T2: Fast heating of the fruits in hot water at 53°C for 3 minutes and stored at 1°C; T3: Slow heating of the fruits in camera regulated at 37°C for 2 days, with subsequent storage at 1°C; and T4: Intermittent heating in cycles of 6 days at 1°C + 1 day at 25°C. Fruits were stored under low temperature (1°C) and 90-95% relative humidity (RH) during 90 days. Chilling injury incidence and changes in physical-chemical characteristics were evaluated every 15 days. Activity of catalase, glutathione reductase and ascorbate peroxidase was also determined. Intermittent warming was more efficient than temperature conditioning to reduce chilling injury. 'Tahiti' lime and 'Murcott' tangor supported up to 90 days of intermittent warming stored at 1°C, while control fruits showed chilling injury after 30 days ('Tahiti' lime) and 45 days ('Murcott' tangor). 'Valência' orange was affected by chilling injury after 45 days of cold storage, and temperature conditioning has caused lower incidence of this disorder. The effect of thermal treatments can be related to the activity of antioxidant enzymes. For ´Valência" orange, thermal treatments, applied as thermal conditioning or intermittent heating, reduce injuries caused by cold and can lengthen the conservation of fruits at 1°C and 90-95% RH. The intermittent heating is the most efficient treatment to reduce injuries caused by cold and increase at storage capacity of the 'Murcott' tangor and 'Tahiti' lime.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar as alterações fisiológicas, qualitativas e microbiológicas de abóbora (Cucurbita moschata) cv. Canhão minimamente processada submetida aos cortes em meia-rodela, cubos e retalhos, e armazenadas a 5ºC e 85-90% de UR durante 12 dias. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições (uma bandeja por tratamento). A taxa respiratória dos três tipos de corte apresentaram valores entre 3,2 e 7,5 mL CO2 kg-1 h-1. Os cortes em cubo e retalho apresentaram maiores taxas de produção de etileno, atingindo valores de 4,05 µL C2H4 kg-1 h-1 e 3,82 µL C2H4 kg-1 h-1, respectivamente. Os cortes em retalho apresentou alterações qualitativas indesejáveis, como maior perda de massa (2,66%), maiores reduções nos teores de sólidos solúveis, de ácido ascórbico e de carotenóides, além de propiciar maior crescimento de bactérias psicrotróficas. Os cortes em cubo e meia-rodela apresentaram melhores resultados em relação aos cortes em retalho para a maioria das variáveis físicas, químicas e físico-químicas analisadas e para contagens de bactérias psicrotróficas. Não foram observados coliformes e Salmonella nos três tipos de corte durante o armazenamento. The present work was carried out to check the physiological, qualitative and microbiological alterations of minimally processed squash (Cucurbita moschata) cv. Canhão submitted to different cut types (middle-circle, cube and shred). Minimally processed squash was stored at 5ºC and 85-90% relative humidity during 12 days. A completely randomized experimental design with four replicates of one package was used. Respiratory rate of the three cuts ranged from 3.2 to 7.5 mL CO2 kg-1 h-1. The cut in cube and shred showed higher ethylene production (4.05 and 3.82 µL C2H4 kg-1 h-1, respectively). The shredded squash showed undesired qualitative alterations, as higher weight loss (2.66%), decrease in soluble solids amount, acid ascorbic and carotenoids. Besides, this cut increased growth of psychotropic bacteria. The cube and middle-circle cuts showed best results in relation to the physical, chemical and physicochemical analysis and psychotropic bacteria amount, when compared to the shred cut. No coliforms or Salmonella growth was observed during storage of the cut types.

This project studied the effects of different types of cuts and storage temperatures on the quality of stored, fresh-cut radish. Two types of cuts (sliced and shredded), and three storage temperatures (1, 5 and 10 ◦ C), were studied during 10 d. Whole radish was used as the control. Respiration rate and ethylene production were evaluated daily, while physicochemical parameters (soluble solids, weight loss, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid content, and color) were evaluated every second day. Twelve hours after processing, shredded roots had produced 0.04, 0.11 and 0.17 ng kg −1 s −1 of C2H4 at 1, 5 and 10 ◦ C, respectively. On the 10th day, whole roots stored at 1 ◦ C showed the lowest respiration rate (1.59 gk g −1 s −1 of CO2) while the highest rate was observed in shredded roots stored at 10 ◦ C (7.42 gk g −1 s −1 ). Shredded radishes had lower soluble solids during storage compared to other cut types. Loss of fresh matter increased with storage time and temperature. The content of ascorbic acid decreased in shredded roots stored at 10 ◦ C. The value of lightness (L * ) of shredded roots decreased during storage at the three studied temperatures. Temperatures of 1 and 5 ◦ C are recommended for maintenance of quality in fresh-cut radishes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulators on postharvest fine table grapes “Italy”. The grapes were harvested at a commercial vineyard in the city of Cangucu, RS, Brazil and transported to the UNIPAMPA-Campus Dom Pedrito. The treatments were: distilled water (control); 500 ppb of 1-methylcyclopropene [MCP-1 (12 h at 20 °C)]; 10 μM of salicylic acid and; 100 ppm of ethylene. The design was randomized, where each treatment had three replicates, and each replicate consisted of 3 bunches (about 2 kg). The evaluations were performed on the day of harvest (characterization – day zero) and at 7 and 14 days of storage at 18 °C controlled. It was evaluated: browning of stems, loss of fresh bunch weight, percentage of abscission of berries, rot incidence, total soluble solids – SS (° Brix), percentage of dehydration of the stem, titratable acidity – AT (% tartaric acid), gluconic acid, “ratio” (SS/TA) and density. It was found that the application of 10 mM of salicylic acid in postharvest fine table grapes “Italy” can help a smaller abscission of berries and less dehydration of the stem, which may prolong the shelf life of these grapes.

A synthetic product is used to help overcome dormancy of the buds of vines in tropical and sub-tropical climate, but the product currently available in Brazil has the highest level of toxicity to humans. The objective was to study some alternatives to break the dormancy of the buds of the rootstock vine ‘SO4’. The sprayed treatments were: T1 = water (control); T2 = hydrogen cyanamide (3%); T3 = garlic (33%) and; T4 = Hydrogen Peroxide – H 2 O 2 – (3%). The cuttings were immersed in a indole acetic acid (IAA) of 5 ppm for 15 seconds and placed in plastic bags (19 cm × 5 cm × 8 cm ) with 50% sand + 50% commercial substrate (H. Decker® ) . After 04 months, were evaluated: percentage of live cuttings, aerial part height (cm), length of roots (cm) and dry matter of aerial parts and root (g). Regarding the roots, root dry weight and dry matter of aerial parts, stood out the cuttings treated with H 2 O 2 at a concentration of 3% (T4). In the present work conditions, preliminarily concluded that H 2 O 2 at a concentration of 3% can assist in breaking dormancy of the buds of the roostock vine ‘SO4’.

Objetivou-se determinar as respostas fisiológicas e bioquímicas associadas ao uso de etileno e 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) na conservação pós-colheita de lichias, assim como a influência desses tratamentos isolados ou combinados no escurecimento desses frutos. Após a colheita, foram aplicados os seguintes tratamentos: sem aplicação de 1-MCP ou etileno; etileno (20µL L-1, por 6 horas); 1-MCP (300nL L-1, por 12 horas) e etileno (20µL L-1, por 6 horas) + 1-MCP (300nL L-1, por 6 horas). Após os tratamentos, os frutos foram armazenados a 5°C e 90% UR durante 30 dias, sendo avaliados a cada 10 dias (+3 dias de comercialização simulada a 25°C e 65% UR). Avaliou-se a produção de etileno, taxa respiratória, sólidos solúveis (SS), perda de massa fresca, coloração (luminosidade - L* e a*) e atividade da polifenoloxidase (PPO). A produção de etileno e taxa respiratória não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos e os SS decresceram ao longo do armazenamento, mas também sem diferenças entre os tratamentos. A atividade da enzima PPO foi aumentada, sendo correlacionada com os índices decrescentes de L* e a* presentes nos frutos, ocorrendo, paralelamente, aumento da perda de massa dos frutos. Conclui-se que o escurecimento do pericarpo da lichia está relacionado à perda de massa fresca e aumento da atividade da PPO e que nenhum dos tratamentos utilizados evitou o escurecimento dos frutos. The objective was to determine the physiological and biochemical changes associated with the use of ethylene and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on postharvest conservation of lychees as well as the influence of these treatments alone or in combination on skin browning of fruit. After harvest, it was applied the following treatments: without application of 1-MCP or ethylene, ethylene (20mL L-1 for 6 hours), 1-MCP (300nL L-1 for 12h) and ethylene (20mL L-1 for 6 hours) + 1-MCP (300nL L-1 for 6 hours). After treatments, fruits were stored at 5°C and 90% RH for 30 days and were evaluated every 10 days (+3 days of simulated marketing at 25°C and 65% RH). The ethylene production, respiration rate, soluble solids (SS), weight loss, color (lightness - L * and a*) and polyphenoloxidase activity (PPO) were evaluated. Ethylene production and respiration rate showed no significant differences between treatments, and SS decreased over the storage, but there was also no difference between treatments. The enzyme activity showed an increase in PPO, which was correlated to the decreasing rates of L * and a*, occurring in parallel, increased fruit weight loss. It is concluded that the skin browning of lychee is related to weight loss and increased activity of PPO, and that none of the treatments prevented the sking browning of fruit.

Verificou-se o efeito do etileno e de biorreguladores sobre a atividade respiratória e a síntese de etileno em beterrabas minimamente processadas e inteiras. Para o processamento mínimo, as raízes foram selecionadas quanto à firmeza, cor e tamanho, descascadas, sanificadas, sendo em seguida cortadas em fatias (2 mm de espessura), enxaguadas e centrifugadas. Os tratamentos aplicados foram: etileno (1000 µL L-1), 1-metilciclopropeno (300 nL L-1) e ácido salicílico (500 mg L-1). Após os tratamentos, as beterrabas foram embaladas e armazenadas a 5±1ºC e 85±5% UR durante 10 dias. Observou-se que o ácido salicílico promoveu a diminuição da atividade respiratória do produto minimamente processado durante o armazenamento. Além disso, verificou-se que a resposta fisiológica de beterraba minimamente processada é diferente de beterraba inteira, o que foi comprovada ao se analisar a atividade respiratória e a produção de etileno, que foram significativamente maiores no produto minimamente processado.

O presente experimento visou a determinar a taxa respiratória e a produção de etileno de raízes de rabanete minimamente processadas em comparação ao produto não-processado, durante armazenamento refrigerado. As taxas foram determinadas durante as 4 primeiras horas após o processamento e diariamente, por 10 dias de armazenamento a 5°C (± 1°C) e 90% (± 5%) UR. Raízes de rabanete inteiras apresentaram taxa respiratória de 40,61mL CO2 kg-1 h-1, enquanto que as raízes em retalhos apresentaram até 93,90mL CO2 kg-1 h-1 após 4 horas do processamento. As raízes de rabanete inteiras e as minimamente processadas apresentaram pico respiratório no 2° dia de armazenamento, com 99,27 e 170,32mL CO2 kg-1 h-1, respectivamente. No 10° dia de armazenamento, as raízes de rabanete minimamente processadas apresentaram taxa de respiração 149% superior à verificada nas raízes inteiras. As operações de processamento mínimo, principalmente o corte, elevaram a taxa respiratória das raízes de rabanete. The present experiment was aimed at determining the respiratory rate and ethylene production of fresh cut radish and whole radish during cold storage. The rates were evaluated during the first 4 hours after processing and daily, during 10 days at 5°C (± 1°C) and 90% (± 5%) RH. Radishes not processed presented lower respiratory rate (40.61mL CO2 kg-1 h-1) if compared to shredded radishes (93.90mL CO2 kg-1 h-1) 4 hours after processing. Whole and fresh cut radishes showed the highest respiratory rate in the 2nd day of storage with 99.27 and 170.32mL CO2 kg-1 h-1, respectively. On the 10th day of storage, fresh cut radishes showed respiratory rate 149% higher than whole radishes. The minimal processing operations, mainly the cut, enhanced the respiratory rate.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of garlic extract, H2 O2 and hydrogen cyanamide on dormancy break, budding and maturation of “Cabernet Sauvignon” in the Campaign Region – Brazil. In late winter 2014 and after drought pruning were performed spraying in the bud: T1 – distilled water (control); T2 – 3.0% of hydrogen cyanamide; T3 – 18.0% H2 O2 ; and T4 – 3.0% garlic extract. It was evaluated in the field: the number of sprouted buds per plant, number of bunches per plant and weight of bunches per plant; and laboratory: on ripening, performed weekly from the color change of 360 berries per treatment for analyzes solids soluble – SS (Brix) pH and titratable acidity – TA (% tartaric acid). It was observed that the vines of treatment T4 (3.0% garlic extract), showed higher percentage of buds sprouting (63 shoots plant−1 ). Already at the number of clusters and weight per plant, there were no statistical differences between all treatments. The results obtained in the laboratory to SS, pH and TA did not differ statistically for the four tested treatments.

The present work was carried out with the objective to determine the effect of different storage temperature on thequality of beet root minimally processed. Respiratory activity and mass loss were higher in the storage at 15 o C. Nosignificant differences in color, total soluble solids, betacyanin and betaxanthin were observed among treatments.Based on the results obtained, the storage at 0 o C was recommended to storage beet root minimally processed andthat 10 and 15 o C drastically reduced the quality of minimally processed beet roots during storage.Key words: Beta vulgaris L., fresh-cut, betalains, respiratory rate * Auth or for c respondence INTRODUCTION Beet is a root vegetable of the Chenopodiaceaefamily whose edible part is its tuberous root. Itspurple-red color is due to the presence of betalainpigments. These pigments are similar toanthocyanins and flavonoids, which were wronglytermed in the old literature as anthocyaninscontaining nitrogen. Betalains are water-solublepigments and are found only in ten families of theCentrospermae group and are divided into twoclasses: red betacyanin and yellow betaxanthin,which provide beet roots with their typical color(Fenena, 1995). Besides, these pigments oftenexhibit antioxidant activity and potential healthbenefits of vegetables (Kanner et al., 2001).Minimal processing (fresh-cut) comprisesselection, washing, peeling and cutting proceduresthat are aimed at producing a product that is freshand convenient to prepare and consume (Burns,1995). Minimally processed fruits and vegetablesare more perishable than their whole counterparts,due to undergoing severe physical stressesespecially during peeling and cutting procedures.Cutting, associated with high storage temperatures,leads to an increase in the respiratory rate, with anincrease in the activity of enzymes involved inspecific reactions (Chitarra, 1998).Temperature control is the most common andimportant technology to minimize the effects ofcutting in fruits and vegetables (Brecht, 1995).Whole and sliced carrots kept at 0 and 10

The contributions of each localized orbital of the CN group and of the molecular remainder to the N electric field gradient (EFG) were calculated for nitriles with R=H, F, CH3, OH, NH2, CCH, COH, NO, CN and the E and Z forms of iminoacetonitrile. The changes in the EFG introduced by substituents resulted mainly from the polarization and conjugation of the C-N bonds, with a small contribution from the N lone pair. The total EFG has a large and rather constant contribution from the N lone pair, which is modified by the contributions from the three C-N bonds and the molecular remainder. The resulting EFG is determined by the signs and magnitudes of the C-N bonds' contributions for each substituent and to a lesser degree by the molecular remainders. The asymmetry parameter of the EFG is mainly determined by the inequivalence of the C-N bonds with a very small contribution from the molecular remainder. The molecular remainder and the crystal field in solids contribute more to the largest component of the EFG than to the asymmetry parameter. All these results have allowed us to discuss the validity of the assumptions made in the Townes and Dailey theory when it is applied to nitriles.

We examined the effects of low (0.4%) and high (8.0%) salt diets on basal and stress-induced increments in plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI) in the Dahl lines of salt-sensitive (DS) and salt-resistant (DR) rats. DS rats develop sustained increases in blood pressure when maintained on a high salt diet while DR rats remain normotensive. For this study, blood samples were obtained via a chronic tail artery catheter from DS and DR rats under resting conditions or following exposure to stress. Plasma samples were later assayed for content of NE and EPI by a radioenzymatic assay. Basal plasma levels of both catecholamines were similar in DS and DR rats, irrespective of dietary salt content and mean arterial blood pressure. The mild stress of handling and transfer of rats to a different cage resulted in greater increments in plasma NE but not EPI in DS rats fed a high salt diet compared to DS rats fed a low salt diet. There was a significant effect of line and an interaction of line and diet with respect to the effects of immobilization stress on plasma catecholamines. DS rats had greater immobilization-induced increments in plasma NE and EPI compared to DR rats when both lines were fed a low salt diet. Maintenance on a diet high in salt resulted in lesser immobilization-induced increments in plasma catecholamines for DS rats and greater immobilization-induced increments in plasma catecholamines for DR rats when compared to their respective controls on a low salt diet. There was a significant effect of diet on plasma levels of both catecholamines when blood samples were obtained by decapitation. DS and DR rats that were fed a high salt diet had lower plasma levels of NE and EPI following decapitation compared to rats of the two lines that were fed a low salt diet. These findings demonstrate that dietary salt and genetic factors are important in regulating the activity and responsiveness of the sympathetic-adrenal medullary system to a variety of stressors. Our findings do not provide evidence for a critical role of the sympathetic nervous system in maintaining the diet-induced increase in the arterial blood pressure of DS rats.