The aim of this work was to study the relationship between carotenoid contents in grapevine berries and plant water status. For this purpose, a black grapevine variety, Vitis vinifera L. cv. Touriga Nacional, was studied. The experiments were carried out in the same Douro vineyards, with plants of the same age, in two different water retention soils. A higher water retention capacity soil, soil A, and a lower water retention capacity soil, soil B, were both in a 1.2 m deep silt-loam schist-derived soil. The training system was the double cordon trained and spur pruned. A first range was nonirrigated (NI) and a second one was irrigated (I), 60% of evapotranspiration (ET(0)). For soil B, a 30% of ET(0) treatment was also applied. The plant water status was estimated by predawn leaf water potential. The effects of plant water status on berry growth were studied by measurement of the berry weight and total soluble solids (degrees Brix). The carotenoid profile was quantitatively determined by high-performance liquid chromatography/diode array. Carotenoids determined were beta-carotene, lutein, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, and luteoxanthin. The comparison between irrigated and nonirrigated grapes was followed from 2 weeks before veraison until the ripe stage. Results showed that at harvest time, berries exposed to the NI had a lower weight than those exposed to the irrigated treatment (60% of ET(0)), 0.89 vs 1.36 g/berry and 0.94 vs 1.34 g/berry, for soils A and B, respectively. The irrigated treatment contributed to a higher sugar concentration in both soils. However, depending on the soil water retention capacity, the carotenoid contents were different in soils A and B. For soil A, the total carotenoid content was similar for both NI and I treatments. However, with regard to soil B, in irrigated treatment, levels of carotenoids were approximately 60% lower than those found for the NI. It seems to be possible to produce higher weight berries (with higher sugar levels) with similar carotenoid contents. On the other hand, soil characteristics had a larger influence than irrigation on the concentration of carotenoids in grapes, resulting in an important viticultural parameter to take into account in aroma precursor formation.

RESUMOInvestigou-se a prevalência de leptospirose em cães da cidade de Campina Grande, PB, e realizou-se um estudo de fatores de risco para a infecção. Foram examinadas 285 amostras de soro sangüíneo de cães colhidas durante a campanha de vacinação anti-rábica animal, conduzida em setembro de 2003. O diagnóstico da leptospirose foi realizado pela técnica de soroaglutinação microscópica, utilizando-se uma coleção de 22 sorovares. Para a caracterização do sorovar mais provável, levou-se em conta a titulação e a freqüência. A prevalência encontrada foi de 21,4% (IC 95% = 16,8%-26,6%), com maior freqüência dos sorovares autumnalis (7,4%), copenhageni (6%) e canicola (2,1%). A análise de regressão logística multivariada mostrou que os fatores de risco para a leptospirose foram: idade superior a um ano (odds ratio = 3,00; P = 0,006), raça não definida (odds ratio = 4,02; P = 0,011) e ocorrência de enchentes (odds ratio = 2,32; P = 0,039).Palavras-chave: cão, prevalência, leptospirose, fator de risco ABSTRACT The prevalence of leptospirosis was investigated in dogs from

The aim of this investigation was to determine the seroprevalence of Brucella ovis in sheep flocks and individual sheep in the Sertão mesorregion, Paraíba state, Northeastern Brazil, as well as to identify risk factors. Blood samples were collected from 1,134 sheep from 103 flocks in 17 counties. For the serological diagnosis of B. ovis infection the agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) was carried out. A flock was considered positive when there was at least one seropositive animal. Of the 103 flocks used, 21 (20.39%) presented at least one seropositive sheep, and of the 1,134 sheep examined 59 (5.20%) seropositive animals were diagnosed. Cleaning of facilities (odds ratio = 7.13; 95% CI=1.56-32.47; p=0.011) and purchase of animals (odds ratio = 6.06; 95% CI=1.39-26.48; p=0.017) were identified as risk factors. Based on the risk factor analysis, it is recommended the diagnosis of B. ovis infection prior to purchase of sheep and the periodic cleaning of the facilities on the farm.INDEXING TERMS: Brucellosis, Brucella ovis, sheep, epidemiology, Semiarid of Brazil.

Objetivando avaliar o efeito do Ca 2+ externo na absorção e transporte de Na + e K + em plântulas de cajueiro anão precoce, expostas a altos níveis de NaCl, sementes do clone de cajueiro, CCP 06, foram germinadas e cultivadas em vermiculita dentro de casa de vegetação. Plântulas com aproximadamente 8 folhas foram transferidas para condições controladas de temperatura a 25±2 °C, U.R 80%, fotoperíodo de 12 h e 240 μmol m-2 s-1 , onde elas foram divididas em dois ensaios. No primeiro as raízes foram destacadas da parte aérea e imersas em soluções de NaCl (0; 100; 200; 300; 400 mM) + CaCl 2 (0,0; 0,3; 5,0 mM). No segundo ensaio plântulas intactas foram imersas em soluções de NaCl (0; 200 mM) + CaCl 2 (0; 3 mM). As plântulas permaneceram nas soluções acima por um período de 48 horas. O NaCl aumentou a absorção e acúmulo de Na + nos diversos órgão das plântulas, além de reduzir o conteúdo de K + nas raízes e caules. A presença de Ca 2+ externo no meio contendo NaCl aumentou ainda mais a absorção e acúmulo de Na + nos diversos órgãos das mudas e também manteve o conteúdo de K + nos órgãos ao nível de tratamentos controles. O efeito do Ca 2+ no aumento da absorção e transporte de Na + permanece desconhecida. No entanto, esse efeito em plântulas de cajueiro submetidas a altas doses de NaCl está bem evidente.