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The pearlside Maurolicus stehmanni is one of the most abundant mesopelagic fishes off southeastern Brazil and plays a key role in the regional ecosystem. However, its early life history remains poorly understood. This study examined the M. stehmanni early life stages, from eggs to juveniles, including all developmental changes in external morphology. Larvae are simple in morphology and lack specialised larval structures. Notochord flexion begins at ~ 5.15 mm BL and larvae ≥ 5.95 mm BL are flexed. The relative growth of seven measured larval characters (head length, body depth, snout length, eye diameter, pre-dorsal length, pre-ventral length, and pre-anal length) have transition points (allometric inflexion points), indicating biphasic growth patterns which are likely related to shifts in habitat use, feeding, and behaviour. Larval development is similar to that of other Maurolicus species. The relatively fast development of the fins, photophores, swimbladder, and pigmentation suggests a precocious adoption of a micronektonic lifestyle in the mesopelagic environment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The Amazon is very important regarding the continental extractive fishing as it has the greatest diversity of freshwater fish in the world. Some factors can contribute to identify significant changes in fish production, such as characterization based on common names, and synonyms or classifications only at the genus level. This creates noise in different types of analyzes and mistakes in determining effective productions, as well as levels of exploitation for management. Thus, this study aims to demonstrate the variation in fish production over the years 2001 and 2013, using control data from the fishing colony "Dr. Renato Pereira Gonçalves Z-31" in the municipality of Humaitá, southern Amazonas. These data were analyzed by collaborators from the Laboratory of Ichthyology and Fisheries Management of the Madeira River Valley, at the Federal University of Amazonas. The fish landing monitoring allowed the determination of the species caught in the regional fishery and evaluated the effect of the hydrological level and the pre- and post-installation periods of the Santo Antônio and Jirau HPPs in Rondônia, on the total production. The data set showed the significant decrease in fish production between 2008 and 2013. Among the factors that explain the observed changes are the mistakes in determining the effective production due to the lack of criteria in the grouping of many species, the absence of regulations, such as the "Portaria IBAMA Nº 48" which was created only in 2007, in addition to the installation period of the HPPs on the Madeira River. It was also possible to verify the effect of seasonality through hydrological quotas on fish production, with the highest values observed in July, August and September of the years analyzed.

Pygmaeorchis Brade (1939: 42) is a rare genus endemic to the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. The two known species are exclusively found in the montane areas of the Minas Gerais (MG) and Rio de Janeiro (RJ) states (Withner 1990, van den Berg 2006). The first species to be recognized, Pygmaeorchis brasiliensis Brade (1939: 43), was described on the basis of collections made in the rainforests at Serra dos Órgãos and Itatiaia (RJ). While the second, P. seidelii Toscano de Brito & Moutinho Neto (1981: 194), was found as an epiphyte on Velloziaceae in Ouro Preto (MG) (Fig. 1).

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a vegetable known worldwide, mainly for its characteristic aroma and flavor and for exhibiting several medicinal properties. This culture has significant economic and ...

A avaliacao da plasticidade fenotipica de plantas e uma parte importante do processo de mapeamento da performance e adaptacao de materiais vegetais. E tambem crucial para o entendimento da formacao da vegetacao natural, recomendacao de especies para recuperacao de areas de conservacao e genotipos para programas de melhoramento genetico, bem como para modelagem da resposta de plantas em condicoes climaticas futuras. Os metodos atuais e passados para quantificacao de plasticidade fenotipica em plantas apresentam multiplas limitacoes, principalmente relacionadas a normalizacao de dados, repeticoes, analises de multiplos ambientes e integacao de variaveis diversas. Este estudo propoe um novo metodo de avaliacao de plasticidade fenotipica de plantas, baseado em uma tecnica de estatistica multivariada, a Analise de Componentes Principais (PCA) e no calculo de distâncias euclidianas entre escores do PCA. O indice Multivariado de Plasticidade (MVPi) foi aplicado a dados fisiologicos foliares coletados para dois estudos de casos experimentais composto de: a) quatro especies nativas de Cerrado cultivadas em ambientes com diferentes incidencias luminosas e disponibilidade de agua e b) quatro variedades comerciais de cana-de-acucar cultivadas sob diferentes regimes hidricos. Os resultados sugerem que o metodo foi eficiente em explicar o comportamento das diferentes especies/variaveis em ambientes contrastantes e informar a plasticidade de parâmetros fisiologicos a nivel foliar. O metodo tambem se mostrou capaz de sanar algumas das limitacoes apresentadas por metodos anteriores e permitiu uma analise integrada da plasticidade fenotipica de plantas. Recomenda-se o uso do MVPi como uma ferramenta para analise de plasticidade fenotipica como uma caracteristica emergente de plantas, no contexto de uma avaliacao sistemica e integrada de atributos fisiologicos de plantas.

Background Brazil experienced a disproportionately higher rate of microcephaly cases in November 2015 with evidence of a causal link with Zika virus (ZIKV) infections during pregnancy. Epilepsy is a major neurological feature seen as part of congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZVS). Different seizure types and electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities have been described in association with this syndrome. However, clinical and neurophysiological features of epilepsy seen in children with CZVS are not fully understood. Methods We evaluated children with CZVS showing an EEG pattern of electrical status epilepticus during slow-wave sleep (ESES). Information on gender, age of onset of seizures, head circumference at birth, gross motor function at the time of diagnosis, of clinical and EEG aspects of seizures, EEG features and response to drug treatment was assessed. Results Our case series included four patients. They were diagnosed with epilepsy between one month to 18 months of age and showed an ESES pattern at the age of three. They presented with a wide range of epileptic symptoms, but all experienced tonic seizures. Multiple drug treatment was the management approach for three patients; however, they showed poor response to treatment with conventional drugs used in the treatment of ESES. Conclusions Children with CZVS may develop an EEG pattern of ESES. Clinicians and neurologists should be aware of this neurological presentation to improve the management of these patients.

This study aimed to evaluate the production of lipases by a new strain of Pseudomonas sp. Using fermentation medium containing byproducts of poultry meat or soybean oil industry. The results indicate that chicken fat and soybean gum induced 48.3 U/mL and 93.3 of lipase activity, respectively. However, the higher lipase production was obtained when the crude lecithin gum was used, archiving 272.6 U/ml of activity after 24 hours. The partial biochemical characterization of the enzyme showed that the optimum reaction conditions were pH 9.0 and 35 °C. The enzyme was stable at temperatures between 25 to 75 °C and at pH from 6 to 9. The enzyme also showed good stability in organic solvents, such as acetronitrile, hexane, ethanol and isopropanol. This study indicates that the byproducts tested are promising for the production of lipase and can contribute to the reduction of enzymatic production costs on a large scale, increase the value of these byproducts and reduce potential environmental impacts caused by its accumulation in nature.

Tannin acyl hydrolases catalyzes the hydrolysis of tannins and can be used in different industrial sectors such as in food, beverage, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. The aim of the current ...

The Brazilian Cerrado is a mosaic comprised of different vegetation formations and consequently, different environmental conditions. Tree density modifies the availability of light and affects spec...

This study examined the influence of birth date, salivary testosterone [sT] concentration, sexual maturity status, and general strength on the selection process of an elite Brazilian soccer club during a 12-month period, which was a 2

This study performed the phytochemical screening and bioactivity of Celosia argentea leaves. The phytochemical profile of hexane (Hex), ethyl acetate (AcOEt) and methanolic (MeOH) extracts of C. argentea leaves was observed by Thin Layer Chromatography and spectrophotometric analysis. In the susceptibility test, the disk-diffusion technique was performed. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was assessed by microdilution. Minimum Microbic Concentration (MMC) was determined in the extracts which presented MIC. Antioxidant activities were measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picril-hidrazil (DPPH), determination of reducing power and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The results showed a higher content of phenolic compounds (252.02 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g) in the extract AcOEt, and of tannins (103.72 ± 0.004 mg/EAT/g) in MeOH; this was effective against Micrococcus luteus (inhibition of 24.7 ± 0.6 mm). MIC and CMM of the AcOEt for M. luteus were 0.06 and 0.25 mg/mL, respectively. The MeOH extract eliminated 70.4 ± 0.03% of DPPH radical, whereas AcOEt had greater reducing power (289.23 ± 0.05 mg AA/g) and TAC at a concentration of 250 µg/mL (89.6%). This study revealed that C. argentea has phytochemicals with bactericidal and fungicidal potential, in addition to elevated antioxidant power. Key words: antimicrobial, antioxidant, bioactivity.

Tanases sao enzimas largamente distribuidas na natureza e hidrolisam as ligacoes ester e depsidica do acido tânico, um tanino hidrolisavel, em acido galico e glicose. Elas sao extensamente utilizadas nas industrias de alimentos e bebidas, farmaceutica e quimica, sendo o acido galico o principal produto obtido atraves da reacao. A mais importante fonte de obtencao da tanase e utilizacao de micro-organismos, pois podem produzir enzimas de maneira continua e em altas quantidades, O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar qualitativamente, em meio solido, a producao de tanase por bacterias endofiticas e epifiticas isoladas da azeitona-do-nordeste ( Syzygium cumini Lam.). Os micro-organismos foram isolados em dois meios: TSA. A caracterizacao foi realizada em meio Agar nutriente suplementado com 0,3% de acido tânico. Neste trabalho foram isoladas 9 bacterias: 5 endofiticas e 4 epifiticas. Das 9 bacterias testadas, 3 apresentaram atividade tanasica e podem ser potenciais produtoras de enzimas que passarao por futura otimizacao no processo de producao.

Glyphosate is the most used product for weed control in young coffee planting rows. The application is carried out in a directed way, avoiding the contact of the product with the crop. However, drift and consequent plant injuries frequently occur. An alternative to reduce these injuries is the use of attenuators capable of reducing the negative effects caused by this herbicide. Therefore, the objective of this study is to verify the efficiency of foliar fertilizers (Fertiactyl Pos® and Crop+) as attenuators of the toxic effects caused by the use of glyphosate in the coffee crop. Thus, coffee seedlings were subjected to different doses of the mixture of Fertiactyl Pos® with glyphosate and Crop+ with glyphosate. The treatments were applied on top of the plants. The percentage of coffee intoxication was evaluated at 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 70 days after application. At 90 days after application, height, leaf area and shoot and root dry matter were evaluated. Higher doses of glyphosate (1440 and 2880 g ha-1) without the use of attenuators caused intoxication levels close to 80% at 28 and 90 DAA. The use of Fertiactyl Pos® and Crop+ reduced the injuries caused by the application of glyphosate, regardless of the dose of herbicide and fertilizers, but with different levels of action. All the morphological variables measured suffered a negative action with the isolated use of glyphosate, with a tendency to recover when the attenuators were applied. It is concluded that the two attenuators were efficient in suppressing the deleterious effects of glyphosate on coffee plants affected by this herbicide. However, the attenuator Crop+ showed better recovery results. For 720 g ha-1 of glyphosate, the dose most used in the field, 8 L ha-1 is recommended for Fertiactyl Pos® and 4 L ha-1 for Crop+. Key words: Coffea arabica; Crop+; Fertiactyl Pos®; Injury; Weed control.

A especie vegetal Cyathea atrovirens mais conhecida por pau cardoso e utilizada tanto para a alimentacao sendo consumida como palmito, tanto para a fabricacao de lambedores utilizados nas afeccoes respiratorias. Devido a importância na sua utilizacao, este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a fitoquimica do palmito e avaliar suas atividades antimicrobiana e antioxidante. Nos resultados a especie apresentou as classes de flavonoides, taninos, triterpenos e cumarinas. Destacando-se taninos que sao biossintetizados em elevada concentracao bem como os fenolicos os quais estao relacionados a relevante atividade antioxidante e boa atividade antimicrobiana frente a alguns micro-organismos.

Application of magnetically treated water to seedlings production has shown beneficial results in several crops. The objective of study was to evaluate the effect of magnetically treated water on germination, growth and development of eggplant seedlings. Three experiments were conducted and the water was treated with 1000 G magnetic field during 24 h. In the first experiment, the treatments tested were applications of magnetically treated water and magnetically untreated water in trays filled with soil and commercial substrate. In the second experiment, the same water treatments were applied, but the trays were filled only with commercial substrate. In the third experiment, two factors were tested, the water treatments (magnetically treated water and untreated water) and two water replacement frequencies (daily and every two days), and the plastic cups were filled with only commercial substrate. In the first experiment, the magnetic treatment of the irrigation water contributed with the growth of the seedlings. However, in the second and third experiments that were conducted on substrate, there was growth reduction of eggplant seedlings with application of magnetically treated water. There were more occurrences decreasing than increasing of substrate water evaporation with the magnetically treated water. There were no significant differences for the seedling growth under different irrigation frequencies. Key words: Germination, magnetism, seeds, Solanum melongena L.

The goal of this work was to know the effect of precipitation in four periods (Rising, Flood, Lowing and Dry) on Odonata larvae living near to the macrophyte Salvinia auriculata Aubl., in Been River, Amazonas, Brazil. The biological material was collected in the Been river in the section near the river Madeira, state of Amazonas, Brazil. Sampling was conducted in stands of three macrophytes S. auriculata in four periods: rising (November 2012), flood (February 2013), lowing (May 2013), and dry (August 2013). A total of 286 Odonata larvae were identified in the river studied. Six families and 14 genera were identified. The flood period showed the highest abundance in the studied period. Acanthagrion presented a positive correlation with flood period in axis 1 and Telebasis also positive, but in the dry period. In conclusion, although there are few studies on Odonata larvae associated with floating macrophytes in the Amazon, the results of this work showed the importance of knowing the distribution of larval abundance throughout the year. Flood and dry period showed to be the period with the highest abundance of Odonata genera. In addition, the principal component analysis showed that some species are more sensitive to the periods of the year, Telebasis in the dry period and Acanthagrion in the flood period.

In view of the limitations of bone reconstruction surgeries using autologous grafts as a gold standard, tissue engineering is emerging as an alternative, which permits the fabrication and improvement of scaffolds to stimulate osteogenesis and angiogenesis, processes that are essential for bone repair. Polymers are used to mimic the extracellular bone matrix and support cell growth. In addition, bone neoformation can be induced by external factors such as laser irradiation, which stimulates bone metabolism. The objective of this study was to evaluate the regeneration of bone defects using collagen and elastin membranes derived from intestinal serosa and bovine auricular cartilage combined with low-level laser application. Thirty-six Wistar rats were operated to create a 3-mm defect in the distal metaphysis of the left femur and divided into six groups: G1 (control, no treatment); G2 (laser); G3 (elastin graft), G4 (elastin+laser); G5 (collagen graft); G6 (collagen+laser). The animals were sacrificed 6 weeks after surgery and the femurs were removed for analysis of bone repair. Macroscopic and radiological results showed the absence of an infectious process in the surgical area. This was confirmed by histological analysis, which revealed no inflammatory infiltrate. Histomorphometry showed that the formation of new bone started from the margins of the bone defect and its volume was greater in elastin+laser and collagen+laser. We conclude that newly formed bone in the graft area was higher in the groups that received the biomaterials and laser. The collagen and elastin matrices showed biocompatibility.

O problema com plantas daninhas é um dos mais sérios e que são responsáveis pelos maiores gastos em seu controle, pois a disputa por água, nutrientes e luz pode causar uma diminuição significativa no rendimento da lavoura, depreciação na quantidade e na qualidade dos frutos. Desta forma, objetivou-se realizar o levantamento fitossociológico das plantas daninhas em área cultivada com a cultura do maracujá, na Universidade Federal de Alagoas – UFAL, Campus de Arapiraca. Foram realizadas 6 amostragens com quadrado vazado de 0,50 m2, onde as plantas daninhas foram coletadas ao nível do solo, separadas por espécie, contadas e levadas à estufa, até massa constante, para determinação da massa seca. A partir desses valores, determinaram-se as seguintes características: frequência de plantas daninhas, frequência relativa, densidade, densidade relativa, abundância, abundância relativa, massa seca relativa, índice de importância e índice de importância relativa. Foram identificadas 18 espécies e 10 famílias botânicas, sendo 13 dicotiledôneas e 5 monocotiledôneas, a família Asteraceae foi a mais representativa, seguida pela Poaceae. Entre as dicotiledôneas, a Asteraceae apresentou maior número de espécies infestantes com 6 espécies. Nicandra physaloides Gaertn. Solaneceae apresentou maior índice de importância relativa (IVIr), 94,88 e em seguida por Amaranthus hybridus L. Amaranthaceae com IVIr de 1,68. O menor valor de IVIr foi obtido por Sida spinosa L. Malvaceae.

RESUMO Cercosporiose é uma das principais doenças que comprometem o crescimento de mudas de café por causar desfolha e redução no crescimento. A doença apresenta maior severidade quando o cafeeiro está submetido ao déficit hídrico. O uso de irrigação é uma alternativa para minimizar os danos causados pela doença. Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar o impacto da doença na fisiologia do cafeeiro em função da redução da lâmina de irrigação. As plantas foram submetidas a três lâminas de irrigação (0.1, 0.6 e 1.2 mm.dia-1); inoculadas e não inoculadas com C. coffeicola, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 35 repetições, totalizando 210 unidades experimentais. As mudas de cafeeiro com cercosporiose apresentaram reduções no potencial hídrico mínimo e na fotossíntese em função da lâmina de irrigação, com excessão da lâmina de irrigação com 0,6 mm.dia-1. A atividade do sistema antioxidante foi superior nas mudas doentes apenas na maior irrigação. Os resultados comprovaram que a presença da doença incrementou o estresse hídrico nas mudas de café por reduzir o potencial hídrico e uso eficiente de água.

The pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) is a native species to Brazil and widely used by Brazilian industry, mainly in food, to juice, ice cream, soft drinks, jellies and liqueurs production. The fruit contains a high concentration of anthocyanins, flavonoids and carotenoids, which make it a promising source of antioxidant compounds. The objective of this work was to produce and purify tannase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae CCMB 520, to apply in the integral pitanga juice and to verify its physical and chemical effects. The tannase was produced under submerged fermentation in bench bioreactor. After the fermentation process the enzyme was partially purified. The partially purified tannase was applied in the integral pitanga juice using Doehlert statistical design. The effect of the enzymatic application was analyzed by means of phenolic compounds contents and antioxidant activity. Physical–chemical analyzes were carried out to investigate the Standard Identity and Quality of the juice. The best results for partial purification were obtained by ultrafiltration. After application, the total phenolics content was 4855 mg Eq. AG/L, and for the antioxidant activity was 952 μMTrolox/L (69.41%). It has been found that it is possible by means of enzymatic treatment to improve the functional quality of the integral pitanga juice.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:32:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2022-01-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Naringin, considered as the main bitter component of grapefruit, requires the use of enzymes to reduce the level of this substance during juice processing. For this reason, it has been the focus of many studies. In this study, to increase the production of naringinase by Aspergillus niger cultivated in solid-state fermentation (SSF), a three-component simplex-centric mixing design along with a response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to generate statistical models and analyze the dataset. First, grapefruit peel, rice bran, and wheat bran were used for substrate selection for naringinase production and, finally, selected the best of the three inducers or their mixtures to remove the bitterness of grapefruit juice. Cultivation with 2.3 g of grapefruit peel, 2.5 g of rice bran, and 5.2 g of wheat bran and medium supplementation with a mixture of naringin, rutin, and hesperidin in the concentration of 2, 5, 4.5, and 3.0 g/L, respectively, resulted in a maximum activity of 28 U/mL. The results indicate that the sequencing procedure, which allowed the definition of an optimal mixture of components, is a new way for microorganisms to have a high naringinase yield, in particular by SSF, since our data showed a 96% increase in the production of naringinase. This dataset can help other researchers apply a mixing design to increase enzyme production. Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology State University of Londrina Departamento de Tecnologia Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias E Veterinárias UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Rod. Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane km 5,SP Departamento de Tecnologia Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias E Veterinárias UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Rod. Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane km 5,SP CAPES: #2015

Antibiotic resistance among bacterial pathogens is one of the most worrying problems in health systems today. To solve this problem, bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria, especially nisin, have been proposed as an alternative for controlling multidrug-resistant bacteria. Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides that have activity mainly against Gram-positive strains. Nisin is one of the most studied bacteriocins and is already approved for use in food preservation. Nisin is still not approved for human clinical use, but many

Autologous bone grafts, used mainly in extensive bone loss, are considered the gold standard treatment in regenerative medicine, but still have limitations mainly in relation to the amount of bone available, donor area, morbidity and creation of additional surgical area. This fact encourages tissue engineering in relation to the need to develop new biomaterials, from sources other than the individual himself. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of an elastin and collagen matrix on the bone repair process in critical size defects in rat calvaria. The animals (Wistar rats, n = 30) were submitted to a surgical procedure to create the bone defect and were divided into three groups: Control Group (CG, n = 10), defects filled with blood clot, E24/37 Group (E24/37, n = 10), defects filled with bovine elastin matrix hydrolyzed for 24 h at 37 °C and C24/25 Group (C24/25, n = 10), defects filled with porcine collagen matrix hydrolyzed for 24 h at 25 °C. Macroscopic and radiographic analyses demonstrated the absence of inflammatory signs and infection. Microtomographical 2D and 3D images showed centripetal bone growth and restricted margins of the bone defect. Histologically, the images confirmed the pattern of bone deposition at the margins of the remaining bone and without complete closure by bone tissue. In the morphometric analysis, the groups E24/37 and C24/25 (13.68 ± 1.44, 53.20 ± 4.47, respectively) showed statistically significant differences in relation to the CG (5.86 ± 2.87). It was concluded that the matrices used as scaffolds are biocompatible and increase the formation of new bone in a critical size defect, with greater formation in the polymer derived from the intestinal serous layer of porcine origin (C24/25).

Sweet sorghum is currently an important alternative for ethanol production in sugar cane off-season. In this study was to evaluate the effects of plant arrangements and the application of atrazine and S-metolachlor on growth and productivity of sweet sorghum. An experiment was conducted in randomized block design and, arranged in split plots with four repetitions. Plots consisted of spacing (0.25 m, 0.45 m 0.45-0.45-0.90 m) and sub-plots of weed control methods - atrazine (2000 g ha-1), atrazine + S-metolachlor (2000 + 720 g ha-1), atrazine + S-metolachlor (2000 + 960 g ha-1), atrazine + S-metolachlor (2000 + 1200 g ha-1), atrazine + S-metolachlor (2000 + 1440 g ha-1). Besides that, manual hoeing control was added. The intoxication of sorghum plants and weed control was evaluated at 7, 14 e 28 days after herbicides application (DAA). Plant height, stem diameter, total fresh matter, juice mass and total soluble solids (°Brix) were evaluated at 120 days after crop emergence (DAE). There was no interaction between the factors spacings and control method for variables total matter fresh (TMF), height (H), stem diameter (D), juice mass (JM), and Brix. Application of the mixture (atrazine + S-metolachlor) in the highest doses reduced total fresh matter and °Brix. The spacing of 0.25 m provided the highest productivity of fresh matter, juice mass and increased the °Brix. The application of mixture (atrazine + S-metolachlor) controlled 90% of the weeds at 28 days after application. The increasing in doses of S-metolachlor elevates the intoxication in sorghum plants. The mixture (atrazine + S-metolachlor) has a potential for use in weed control in sweet sorghum, but at doses below 960 g ha-1 of S-metolachlor. metolachlor. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de arranjos de plantas e dos herbicidas atrazine e S-metolachlor sobre o crescimento e a produtividade do sorgo sacarino. O experimento foi realizado no delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em esquema de parcelas subdivididas. Nas parcelas avaliaram-se os espaçamentos entrelinhas (0,25 m, 0,45 m e 0,45-0,45-0,90 m) e nas subparcelas os métodos de controle das plantas daninhas: atrazine (2000 g ha-1), atrazine + S-metolachlor (2000 + 720 g ha-1), atrazine + S-metolachlor (2000 + 960 g ha-1), atrazine + S-metolachlor (2000 + 1200 g ha-1), atrazine + S-metolachlor (2000 + 1440 g ha-1), capina manual e ausência de controle. Aos 7, 14 e 28 dias após a aplicação dos herbicidas foi avaliado a intoxicação das plantas de sorgo e o nível de controle de plantas daninhas na cultura. Aos 120 dias após a emergência da cultura avaliou-se altura de plantas, diâmetro de colmo, massa fresca total, massa de caldo e o teor de sólidos solúveis totais (Brix). Não houve interação entre os fatores espaçamentos e o método de controle para as variáveis massa fresca total (TMF), altura (H), diâmetro do caule (D), peso do suco (JM) e Brix. O controle das plantas daninhas e a intoxicação visual do sorgo aumentaram linearmente com o incremento das doses do S-metolachlor. O crescimento da cultura e os teores de Brix foram reduzidos pela aplicação da associação entre atrazine + S-metolachlor. A escolha do espaçamento de entrelinha influenciou nos componentes de rendimento da cultura. Conclui-se que, o espaçamento de 0,25 m de entrelinhas proporcionou maior produtividade de matéria fresca e de Brix do caldo. A associação entre atrazine e S-metolachlor tem potencial para o uso no controle de plantas daninhas em sorgo sacarino, em doses abaixo de 960 g ha-1 de S-metolachlor.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:45:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 Salicylic acid (SA) is a plant growth regulator and participates in several physiological and biochemical processes. Its use can assist in the growth, development, productivity and quality of several crops. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid in two application stages on wheat crop. The experiment was conducted under field conditions and designed as randomized blocks, with four replications. Treatments 0.5 and 1.0 mM of SA were applied in stages 1 and 10, beginning and end of vegetative growth of wheat plants, besides a control treatment (without SA). Phytointoxication and SPAD index evaluations were performed at 14, 21, 28, and 35 days after application (DAA) of SA and the end of the experiment, 109 DAA the plants were tracked to quantify the mass of a thousand grains, hectoliter weight and grain yield. The application of SA did not cause symptoms of phytointoxication and increased the values of the SPAD index and all components of grain yield compared to the control treatment (without SA). The application of SA promoted a greater increase in the variables analyzed when applied in stage 10 of wheat plants. Universidade Estadual Paulista, SP Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, MG Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, MS Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, RN Universidade Federal de Viçosa, MG Universidade Estadual Paulista, SP

The genus Paratrygon, currently recognized as the sole monotypic genus of the family Potamotrygonidae, has a considerably greater diversity than previously indicated, including molecular studies, which supported P. aiereba (hitherto the only recognized species in the genus) as a possible species complex. Here we describe two new species of the genus that are both endemic to and sympatric in the Orinoco basin. Paratrygon aiereba, type species of the genus, is now restricted to the Amazon basin. Both new species are identified and defined through morphological characters such as coloration, dermal denticle morphology, arrangement of thorns, distribution and morphology of ventral lateral line canals, morphology of skeletal elements, and morphometrics. An extensive comparison of these characters between the new species herein described and P. aiereba is presented. Finally, a taxonomic reappraisal of P. aiereba is provided through a revision of preserved material and its original description, plus new evidence about its type-locatity, collectors, and a reconsideration of the destination of its type-specimen. Resumo O gênero Paratrygon, reconhecido atualmente como o único gênero monotípico da família Potamotrygonidae, possui uma considerável alta diversidade do que previamente indicado, incluindo estudos moleculares, que corroboravam P. aiereba (a única espécie reconhecida para o gênero até então) como um possível complexo de espécies. Aqui descrevemos duas novas espécies do gênero para a bacia do Orinoco, ambas endêmicas e simpátricas para esta bacia. Paratrygon aiereba, espécie tipo do gênero, agora está restrita para a bacia Amazônica. Ambas novas espécies são identificadas e definidas através de caracteres morfológicos tais como coloração, morfologia dos dentículos dérmicos, arranjo dos espinhos pontiagudos, distribuição e morfologia dos canais ventrais da linha lateral, morfologia dos elementos do esqueleto e morfometria. Uma comparação extensiva destes caracteres entre as novas espécies aqui descritas e P. aiereba é apresentada. Finalmente uma reavaliação taxonômica de P. aiereba é fornecida através da revisão de espécimes preservados e de sua descrição original, além de novas evidências sobre sua possível localidade-tipo, coletores, e uma reconsideração do destino de seu espécime-tipo.

Hypothenemus hampei is the main coffee pest in the Amazon and worldwide. Although coffee cultivation exists in the State of Amazonas, there is no information regarding the behavior of this species population in this region of Brazil. Since the Amazon region is a favorable environment for H. hampei, the present study aimed to investigate this insect population in the following cultivation systems implanted in the municipality of Humaitá, Southern Amazonas: i) coffee in native forest (CNF), ii) coffee intercropped with cupuaçu and açaí (native Brazilian fruits) (CCA) and iii) coffee in monoculture (MC). Also, the climatic and phenological parameters of the plant were used in relation with the population dynamics of the insect. For that, ten baited traps were installed in each field for the monthly sampling of the H. hampei population from July/2018 to June/2019. The highest population abundance of the insect was observed during the coffee flowering season, mainly in monoculture crops, when compared to the other intercropped fields. The total mean value of the insect population observed in the three environments evaluated was highest in August/2018, with a recorded value of 1749. The increase in rainfall indexes occurred simultaneously with a decrease in the insect population; this coincides with the end of the flowering season (October/2018, 161.8 mm) and the beginning of grain formation (November/2018, 234.8 mm). The lowest abundance of the insect observed in the coffee fields in native forest, with an abundance of 83 (CNF), indicates that the local biodiversity disfavors the population size of the pest in the environment. These results suggest that phenological phases of conilon coffee and the influence of climatic conditions can result in changes in the population dynamics of the H. hampei. Coffee agroforestry systems are more promising to maintain this population at low levels. RESUMO A broca-do-café, Hypothenemus hampei, é a principal praga do cafeeiro na Amazônia e em todo mundo. Embora haja cultivo de café no estado do Amazonas, não há informações sobre o comportamento da população desta espécie nesta região do Brasil. Como a região amazônica é um ambiente propício para o H. hampei, o presente trabalho objetivou investigar a população do inseto em diferentes sistemas de cultivo implantadas no município de Humaitá, Sul do Amazonas: i) café em floresta nativa (CFN), ii) café consorciada com cupuaçu e açaí (CCA) e iii) café em monocultivo (MC). Também, utilizou-se os parâmetros climáticos e fenológico da planta para relacionar com a dinâmica populacional do inseto. Para isso, instalaram-se 10 armadilhas iscadas em cada lavoura para amostragens mensais da população do H. hampei durante Julho/2018 a Junho/2019. A maior abundância populacional do inseto foi observada durante a floração do café, principalmente na lavoura de monocultivo, em relação às demais lavouras consorciadas. O valor médio total da população do inseto observada nos três ambientes investigados é maior no mês de agosto/2018, registrando-se o valor de 1749. O aumento dos índices pluviométricos ocorreu simultaneamente com a diminuição da população inseto, isso coincide com o final da floração (outubro/2018, 161.8 mm) e início da granação dos frutos (novembro/2018, 234.8 mm). A menor abundância do inseto observada na lavoura sob floresta nativa, abundância de 83 (CFN), indica que a biodiversidade local desfavorece o tamanho populacional da praga no ambiente. As fases fenológicas do café conilon e a influência das condições climáticas podem resultar em mudanças na dinâmica populacional de H. hampei. Os cafeeiros em sistemas agroflorestais são mais promissores para manter essa população em níveis baixos.

Purpose of Review In 2016, the World Health Organization declared the Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern following a cluster of associated neurological disorders and neonatal malformations. Our aim is to review the clinical and neuroimaging findings seen in congenital Zika syndrome. Recent Findings ZIKV injures neural progenitor cells in the hippocampus, a brain region important for learning, memory, cognition, and emotion/stress response. Positron emission tomography has revealed global neuroinflammation in ZIKV infection in animal models. Summary Congenital Zika syndrome is associated with a spectrum of brain abnormalities, including microcephaly, parenchymal calcifications, malformations of cortical development and defective neuronal migration, corpus callosum abnormalities, ventriculomegaly, and brainstem and cerebellar abnormalities.

The present study aimed to investigate the “pacu” species’ commercialized in the “Colônia dos Pescadores Z-31” in the municipality of Humaitá, Amazonas State, from May 2018 to April 2019. For this purpose, we developed a method for raising a diary database in the colony, obtaining variables such as production, effort, catch per unit effort (CPUE), fishing spots, amongst others. We have identified two species of “pacu” - Mylossoma aureum and M. duriventre - with productions of 10.5 and 9.5 tonnes respectively which generated an income of U$ 22,173.00. Captures occurred mostly randomly, due to the region’s fishing characteristics although the CPUE was higher when compared to bigger cities. We could also find evidence over their migratory cycles from a correlation between the catching sites and the period, where: i) during the falling water (May to July), the “pacus” start to leave the streams and concentrate in lakes; ii) during the dry season (August to October), the “pacus” perform a second migratory cycle, leaving streams and lakes and going to rivers; iii) finally, during the rising water, “pacus” once again move to small streams. The generated information can be used in fishing strategies in the region, reducing costs with inputs. Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas, 41649.UNI737.4908.01042019 info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Resumo Os efeitos do uso de agrotóxicos sobre a saúde humana é um problema que tem merecido atenção da comunidade científica em todo o mundo, sobretudo nos países centrais, onde se observa o maior número de mortes decorrentes da exposição humana a esses agentes. Mediante o progresso da agroindustrialização, garantiu-se o aumento da produção e da produtividade, todavia, não se considerou os riscos ao ambiente e a saúde. Ao longo do tempo foram observados diversos casos de contaminação ambiental e de problemas de saúde pública, intoxicações de trabalhadores rurais e resíduos em alimentos. Esses fatores desencadearam o reconhecimento dos riscos decorrentes do uso abusivo dos agrotóxicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar intoxicações por agrotóxicos reportadas a um centro de informação toxicológica de Goiás por meio de análise retrospectiva no período de 2005 a 2015. Os dados foram mapeados e tabulados segundo a finalidade dos agrotóxicos, a circunstância da intoxicação, e evolução do caso. O perfil das intoxicações apontou para ocorrência superior de intoxicações por tentativa de suicídio e ocupacional, com predominância de cura dos intoxicados apesar dos efeitos crônicos não serem registrados, sugerindo um falso diagnóstico de cura. Abstract The effect of pesticide use on human health is a problem that has received attention from the scientific community worldwide, especially in central countries, where the highest number of deaths due to human exposure to these agents is observed. Production and productivity increased through the progress of agro-industrialization, but risks to the environment and health were not taken into account. Over time, several cases of environmental contamination and public health problems, poisoning of rural workers, and food residues were observed. These factors triggered the recognition of risks arising from pesticide abuse. This study aimed to characterize pesticide poisonings reported to a toxicological information center of the state of Goiás through a retrospective analysis from 2005 to 2015. Data were mapped and tabulated by the purpose of pesticides, the circumstance of poisoning, and case development. The poisoning profile pointed to a higher occurrence of work- and suicide-related poisonings, with a predominance of poisoned patients, although chronic effects were not recorded, suggesting a false diagnosis of cure.

Background: Since renal failure is one of the main causes of death in patients with Fabry disease (FD), renal follow-up is an important part of clinical monitoring in these patients. Despite its known limitations, serum creatinine is still the most widely used biomarker. While new renal biomarkers are described, their effectiveness has not yet been fully evaluated in relation to FD. Objectives: This study aimed to compare renal biomarkers commonly and rarely used in the evaluation of FD patients. Method: The usual biomarkers for renal monitoring (microalbuminuria, proteinuria, and creatinine) and some more rarely used (cystatin C, beta 2-microglobulin [β2M], neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin/lipocalin-2) were quantified in the blood and/or urine samples of 40 FD patients, 39 controls without chronic kidney disease (CKD) paired by age and sex and 38 controls with CKD undergoing hemodialysis. Results: Significant statistical differences (p < 0.05) were observed for cystatin C and lipocalin-2 in plasma levels, for β2M and serum creatinine levels and by estimated glomerular filtration rate when compared FD patients and control group with CKD and for proteinuria and microalbuminuria in urine samples and for lipocalin-2 in plasma levels when compared FD patients and control group without CKD. Urine creatinine (UCreat), pH, and urine specific gravity did not present a significant statistical difference between groups. Conclusion: Considering serum creatinine as gold standard, all renal parameters evaluated, including receiver operating characteristic curve, indicated β2M as the best biomarker, followed by cystatin C, proteinuria and microalbuminuria, while the results for lipocalin-2 and UCreat do not indicate good predictors of renal impairment. It suggests that at least 2 altered biomarkers should be considered to characterize a renal alteration, thereby establishing a better therapeutic course for FD patients. If possible, along with serum creatinine, measurement of β2M or cystatin C for renal evaluation of Fabry’s patients should be considered.

A field experiment was performed to determine the effects of tembotrione and atrazine residues in soil on sugar beet eight months after herbicide application. The treatments included sugar beet cultivation with tembotrione-contaminated soil (50.4 g a.i. ha-1), tembotrione (100.8 g a.i. ha-1), tembotrione and atrazine (50.4 g a.i. ha-1 + 2 L a.i. ha-1), tembotrione and atrazine (100.8 g a.i. ha-1 + 2 L a.i. ha-1), atrazine (2 L a.i. ha-1) and soil without herbicide application. In general, in comparison to the control, when sugar beets were grown following any of the herbicide treatments, the crop dry biomass was reduced. However, only treatments sprayed with a high rate of tembotrione significantly reduced sugar beet yield.

A regiao Sul de Goias vem desde o seculo XXI se transformando em uma das areas com maior expansao de area cultivada e producao de cana-de-acucar a partir de uma modificacao estrategica do capital do agronegocio canavieiro com anuencia do Estado. Desta forma, compreender as dinâmicas deste territorio que favorecem a expansao da agroindustria canavieira atraves de programas e politicas publicas, condicoes edafoclimaticas, disponibilidade hidrica, solos ferteis, considerando o mapeamento proposto pelo Zoneamento Agroecologico da cana-de-acucar (MANZATTO et al., 2009) corresponde ao objetivo desta pesquisa. Alem disso, pretende-se demonstrar que esta havendo a diminuicao da producao de alimento principalmente de arroz, mandioca, trigo e da producao leiteira no Sul Goiano concomitantemente com a expansao do agronegocio canavieiro. Esta pesquisa aponta para uma contradicao existe na literatura da area que consideram a expansao da cana-de-acucar no Sul Goiano como resultante da retracao da producao de monocultivos como a soja e o milho e da producao da pecuaria. Neste interim, considera-se que o Estado deve intervir na producao de alimentos assim como intervem na producao de commodities com financiamentos, incentivos fiscais, construcao de infraestrutura e protecionismo, para que exista soberania e seguranca alimentar.

In this study, the energy potential of five types of biomass waste from cultures of banana (Musa spp.), cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.), babassu coconut (Orbignya speciosa), mango (Mangifera ind...

Knowledge about nutrients use efficiency in production of tubers in different potato varieties provides important basis to optimize the use of fertilizers in the crop. Thus, this study aimed to determine the productivity and the coefficient of biological utilization (kg of dry matter produced per kg of accumulated nutrient) of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) of thirteen potato cultivars, and compare the extraction and the exportation of N, P and K of Ágata, Asterix and Atlantic cultivars that present low, medium and high content of dry matter, respectively. The treatments consisted of thirteen potato cultivars: Ágata, Atlantic, FL2215, FL2027, FL1867, FL2221, Asterix, BRSIPR Bel, Cupido, Nicolet, Accumulator, Verdi and Taurus. FL2027 cultivar was more productive. The cultivars differs as the coefficient of biological utilization of N, P and K. The Atlantic cultivar extracted and exported more N, P and K than Ágata and Asterix.

Background Along with sperm, in many taxa ejaculates also contain large numbers of seminal fluid proteins (SFPs). SFPs and sperm are transferred to the mating partner, where they are thought to play key roles in mediating post-mating sexual selection. They modulate the partner’s behavior and physiology in ways that influence the reproductive success of both partners, thus potentially leading to sexual conflict. Despite the presumed general functional and evolutionary significance of SFPs, their identification and characterization has to date focused on just a few animal groups, predominantly insects and mammals. Moreover, until now seminal fluid profiling has mainly focused on species with separate sexes. Here we report a comprehensive screen for putative SFPs in the simultaneously hermaphroditic flatworm Macrostomum lignano. Results Based on existing transcriptomic data, we selected 150 transcripts known to be (a) predominantly expressed in the tail region of the worms, where the seminal fluid-producing prostate gland cells are located, and (b) differentially expressed in social environments differing in sperm competition level, strongly implying that they represent a phenotypically plastic aspect of male reproductive allocation in this species. For these SFP candidates, we then performed whole-mount in situ hybridization (ISH) experiments to characterize tissue-specific expression. In total, we identified 98 transcripts that exhibited prostate-specific expression, 76 of which we found to be expressed exclusively in the prostate gland cells; additional sites of expression for the remaining 22 included the testis or other gland cells. Bioinformatics analyses of the prostate-limited candidates revealed that at least 64 are predicted to be secretory proteins, making these especially strong candidates to be SFPs that are transferred during copulation. Conclusions Our study represents a first comprehensive analysis using a combination of transcriptomic and ISH screen data to identify SFPs based on transcript expression in seminal fluid-producing tissues. We thereby extend the range of taxa for which seminal fluid has been characterized to a flatworm species with a sequenced genome and for which several methods such as antibody staining, transgenesis and RNA interference have been established. Our data provide a basis for testing the functional and evolutionary significance of SFPs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12862-018-1187-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Systems of embryonary classification are essential tools in developmental and comparative biology. They are established in a process called staging, in which the chronology of appearance and development of morphological characters is recorded in a series of embryos, with these ontogenetic events being used to recognize stages. We examined 29 embryos of Artibeus. Then, we analyzed embryonic growth through the following parameters: Crown-rump length, uterine diameter, forearm length, and nose leaf length. We analyze morphological characters along the prenatal development of three species of Artibeus and provide a stage system based on Cretekos et al. (2005). These results are then compared to those available for other bat species staged so far, and we highlight some modifications in the characters and nomenclature adopted here in an attempt to make our staging system more generalizable in respect to the order Chiroptera. The analysis of embryonic staging in different species allowed the identification of stages that share common characteristics among species (e.g., formation of the neural tube and appearance of the pharyngeal arches and limb buds) and stages with characters that may be used to separate groups (e.g., presence or absence of noseleaf and tail). Most of the development in Artibeus corroborated the staging proposed by Cretekos et al. (2005) for Carollia perspicillata. The analysis of parameters studied here and other characteristics can set the foundation for standardization in several bat groups. We also propose adaptations to the staging system based on characteristics common to all groups.

We evaluate the effect of different commercial formulations of glyphosate on the nutritional status of Roundup Ready soybeans (TMG 125). The experiment was conducted under field conditions for two ...

In certain plant species, essential oils have been reported to inhibit seed germination and cause toxicity and have been associated with a loss of photosynthetic activity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of essential oils and their major compound citronellal on the germination and growth of crabgrass ( Digitaria horizontalis ) and burrgrass ( Cenchrus echinatus ). Essential oils from E. citriodora and C. nardus and pure citronellal compound were used at concentrations of 1% and 10% and 20% to test seed germination and phytotoxic effects, respectively, in the plants. The treatments application was done when the plants were at the four-leaf stage. Seed germination was reduced drastically (97–99% reduction relative to untreated controls), with citronellal showing more drastic reductions than essential oils. In addition, evaluated the phytotoxic effects of essential oils on plant height and dry mass of shoots and roots were evaluated. The negative effects of the oils were seen 12 h following the treatment. The application of the oils at a concentration of 20% reduced the accumulation of dry mass of shoots and roots; however, the number of tiller only affected stomatal opening in burrgrass. Finally, the oils reduced chlorophyll and total protein content in the weeds by more than 80% and 90%, respectively. Therefore, these oils may have application as potential bioherbicides to controlling weeds.

1 recurso en línea (páginas 351-358) : ilustraciones color., This study aimed to evaluate the use of different foliar fertilizers, associated or not associated with metribuzin, in terms of carrot yield. The experiments were carried out over two crop years with treatments in a 2×4 factorial scheme. The first factor was the absence or presence of metribuzin (0 and 288 g ha-1 a.i.) and the second factor was the foliar fertilizers: FertiG, FertiB, sucrose and no application. In crop year 1, the commercial yield increased with FertiG with metribuzin, and the forked/total discard ratio decreased when the foliar fertilizers were applied together with metribuzin. The isolated metribuzin decreased the total yield and the commercial/total yield ratio in crop year 1; however, the stress was attenuated when FertiG was applied. In crop year 2, the metribuzin, isolated or associated with FertiG, increased the commercial yield. The FertiB decreased the forked/total discard ratio. The metribuzin, isolated or associated with FertiG, and FertiB obtained similar results for the commercial/total yield ratio in crop year 2. FertiG satisfactorily attenuated the stress caused by metribuzin in the carrot plants, with a positive effect on the commercial yield of the carrot crop., El objetivo del estudio evaluó el uso de diferentes fertilizantes foliares asociados, y no asociados con metribuzina, sobre la productividad de zanahoria. Los experimentos se realizaron en dos ciclos de cultivo con un arreglo factorial 2×4 de los tratamientos. El primer factor fue la ausencia y presencia de la metribuzina (0 y 288 g ha-1 i.a.) y el segundo factor fueron los fertilizantes foliares: FertiG, FertiB, sacarosa y sin aplicación. En el primer ciclo de producción, la productividad comercial aumentó en la asociación de FertiG y metribuzina, la relación bifurcación/descarte total disminuyó cuando se aplica los fertilizantes foliares junto con la metribuzina. La metribuzina sola disminuyó la productividad total y la relación producción comercial/rendimiento total en el primer ciclo, sin embargo el estrés se mitigó cuando se aplicó FertiG. En el segundo ciclo, la metribuzina sola o asociada a FertiG aumentó la productividad comercial. El FertiB disminuyó la relación bifurcación/descarte total. La metribuzina sola o asociada con FertiG y FertiB obtuvieron resultados similares en la relación producción comercial/rendimiento total en el ciclo 2. FertiG atenúa satisfactoriamente el estrés causado por la metribuzina a las plantas de zanahoria con un impacto positivo en la productividad comercial del cultivo de zanahoria., Bibliografía y webgrafía: páginas 357-358.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:12:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-01-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) The aim of this work was to evaluate the thermal and kinetic behavior of white lupin (Lupinus albus) oil obtained from its seeds. White lupin is a seed from the Lupinus albus species, and it presents physicochemical and physiological functional properties and is rich in fiber, protein, and lipids with a great application potential. Oil was extracted from the seeds, and its fatty acid profile indicates predominantly monounsaturated fatty acids (~65%). Thermo-gravimetry, derivative thermo-gravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to characterize the thermal behavior of the oil fraction at high temperatures, showing a good thermal stability between 222 and 230 °C and a large heat delivery at T = 400 °C. Additionally, DSC was performed from 25 to −60 °C, in which the crystallization behavior was verified. The kinetic behavior of the thermal decomposition was evaluated from several β values and mass samples (5 and 20 mg) under nitrogen and oxygen atmospheres to comparisons of the data. Departamento de Nutrição Faculdade de Saúde Pública Universidade de São Paulo (FSP/USP) Centro Universitário do Norte Paulista (UNORP) Departamento de Química Analítica Instituto de Química Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Departamento de Química e Ciências Ambientais Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas Universidade Estadual Paulista (Ibilce/Unesp) Departamento de Química Analítica Instituto de Química Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Departamento de Química e Ciências Ambientais Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas Universidade Estadual Paulista (Ibilce/Unesp) FAPESP: 2010/18914-0

Bite force measurements are relevant to the functional performance and provide insights about ecology and evolution of vertebrates. Bats are a good model system for ecomorphological studies of bite force because communities are species rich and the animals are easy to capture and handle. Investigators are careful with standardization within studies to ensure internal validity, but differences in methods for measuring bite forces in live animals could decrease external validity (generalization) of results. We assembled published and new estimates of in vivo bite forces, where the same species were measured by different investigators using different methods in different locations, to perform a meta-analysis, assess the statistical heterogeneity of results and examine possible causes of among-study differences. We also compared the combined measurements of in vivo bite force to estimated bite forces from skull pictures of museum specimens (dry skull model) to check for biases and validate the estimates. The results showed that in vivo bite force measurements were statistically heterogeneous, particularly for species with four or more published estimates. Body mass measurements were also heterogeneous but size could not explain the experimental differences in bite force within species. Type of sensor used also did not explain the among-study variation. The random differences among studies did not, however, compromise external validity, because at an evolutionary scale, variation within species (including that due to heterogeneity) is less than 10% of variation among species. Therefore, the biological interpretation of results is not affected by experimental heterogeneity. Estimates of bite force using museum specimens were validated as unbiased predictors of in vivo bite forces via regression, and the macroevolutionary pattern of variation among dietary specializations was consistent among estimates, suggesting reasonable external validity for both model and in vivo measurements of bite force at an evolutionary scale.

Introduction Diabetic nephropathy is associated with specific histological changes. Early detection of poor glomerular and tubular function can be achieved with biomarkers of diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of kidney dysfunction biomarkers in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods Patients with T2D were grouped according to their glycated hemoglobin level. Patients’ urine and blood samples were taken to measure cystatin C (CysC), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, beta-trace protein levels, and the first morning void albumin-to-creatinine ratio. Patients in the end stage of renal disease or receiving dialysis were not included. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated, and the areas under the curve were compared with the performance of the biomarkers used to evaluate kidney dysfunction in T2D. Results Ninety patients with T2D were chosen. CysC was positively correlated with creatinine (P < 0.001), estimated glomerular filtration rate (P < 0.001), and urinary beta-trace protein (P = 0.01). The area under the curve was 0.635 for CysC, 0.621 for serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, and 0.660 for the albumin-to-creatinine ratio. A crude logistic regression model showed a positive association between serum CysC (P = 0.01) and serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (P < 0.001). A linear regression model showed a positive association between serum CysC, creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (P < 0.001) but did not show a positive association with glycated hemoglobin (P = 0.892). Discussion Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and serum CysC were positively associated with the presence of renal dysfunction and had better performance on receiver operating characteristic analysis than the other markers evaluated in patients with T2D without kidney dysfunction.

Tissue engineering represents a promising alternative for reconstructive surgical procedures especially for the repair of bone defects that do not regenerate spontaneously. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the elastin matrix (E24/50 and E96/37) incorporated with hydroxyapatite (HA) or morphogenetic protein (BMP) on the bone repair process in the distal metaphysis of rat femur. The groups were: control group (CG), hydrolyzed elastin matrix at 50°C/24h (E24/50), E24/50 + HA (E24/50/HA), E24/50 + BMP (E24/50/BMP), hydrolyzed elastin matrix at 37°C/96h (E96/37), E96/37 + HA (E96/37/HA), E96/37 + BMP (E96/37/BMP). Macroscopic and radiographic analyses showed longitudinal integrity of the femur in all groups without fractures or bone deformities. Microtomographically, all groups demonstrated partial closure by mineralized tissue except for the E96/37/HA group with hyperdense thin bridge formation interconnecting the edges of the ruptured cortical. Histologically, there was no complete cortical recovery in any group, but partial closure with trabecular bone. In defects filled with biomaterials, no chronic inflammatory response or foreign body type was observed. The mean volume of new bone formed was statistically significant higher in the E96/37/HA and E24/50 groups (71.28 ± 4.26 and 66.40 ± 3.69, respectively) than all the others. In the confocal analysis, it was observed that all groups presented new bone markings formed during the experimental period, being less evident in the CG group. Von Kossa staining revealed intense calcium deposits distributed in all groups. Qualitative analysis of collagen fibers under polarized light showed a predominance of red-orange birefringence in the newly regenerated bone with no difference between groups. It was concluded that the E24/50 and E96/37/HA groups promoted, with greater speed, the bone repair process in the distal metaphysis of rat femur.

Environmental conditions of grow can modify leaf structure and metabolite production. Neem plants produce a high amount of medicinal metabolites and contain biopesticide terpenoids with low toxicity. However, the high genetic variation and the low material quality, besides the environmental modifications warn to the need of biotechnological techniques to ensure the production of high quality metabolites. The aim was to investigate leaf structural and histochemical characteristics of Azadirachta indica grown in vitro, in vivo and acclimatized condition. It was found anatomical differences among the environments, with higher leaf thickness associated to in vivo conditions, as well as were more evenly distributed stomata. Those modifications did not qualitatively affect the production of medicinal metabolites and biopesticides. Terpenes and tannins were observed in specialized cells called idioblasts, located in the mesophyll and in the midrib region, respectively. Thus, in a qualitative approach, we can affirm that the different environments do not modify metabolites production. Increased production of these bioactive compounds could be achieved by isolation and in vitro culture of idioblasts as a new source of research in plant biotechnology.

The low-cost production of cellulolytic complexes that present high action at mild conditions is one of the major bottlenecks for the economic viability of the production of cellulosic ethanol. The influence of agro-industrial residues was assessed to enhance endoglucanase production by Aspergillus niger 426 grown in solid state fermentation. The highest percentage of lignin degradation was found on soybean hulls (56%) followed by sugarcane bagasse (36%) and rice straw (8.5%). The cellulose degradation, around 90%, was observed on soybean hulls and sugarcane bagasse, but only 50% on rice straw, and maximum production of endoglucanase (112.34 ± 0.984 U mL-1) was observed for soybean hulls. The best Experimental Mixture Design condition was under cultivation of 2.5 g of sugarcane bagasse, 2.3 g of rice straw and 5.2 g of soybean hulls, leading to a maximum activity of 138.92 ± 0.02 U mL-1. The statistical methodology enabled an increase of over 20% in the production of endoglucanase using agro-industrial waste. These data demonstrate that A. niger 426 is a potential source of cellulases which can be obtained by solid state fermentation using agro-industrial waste.

Background Biological adhesion (bioadhesion), enables organisms to attach to surfaces as well as to a range of other targets. Bioadhesion evolved numerous times independently and is ubiquitous throughout the kingdoms of life. To date, investigations have focussed on various taxa of animals, plants and bacteria, but the fundamental processes underlying bioadhesion and the degree of conservation in different biological systems remain poorly understood. This study had two aims: 1) To characterise tissue-specific gene regulation in the pedal disc of the model cnidarian Exaiptasia pallida, and 2) to elucidate putative genes involved in pedal disc adhesion. Results Five hundred and forty-seven genes were differentially expressed in the pedal disc compared to the rest of the animal. Four hundred and twenty-seven genes were significantly upregulated and 120 genes were significantly downregulated. Forty-one condensed gene ontology terms and 19 protein superfamily classifications were enriched in the pedal disc. Eight condensed gene ontology terms and 11 protein superfamily classifications were depleted. Enriched superfamilies were consistent with classifications identified previously as important for the bioadhesion of unrelated marine invertebrates. A host of genes involved in regulation of extracellular matrix generation and degradation were identified, as well as others related to development and immunity. Ab initio prediction identified 173 upregulated genes that putatively code for extracellularly secreted proteins. Conclusion The analytical workflow facilitated identification of genes putatively involved in adhesion, immunity, defence and development of the E. pallida pedal disc. When defence, immunity and development-related genes were identified, those remaining corresponded most closely to formation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), implicating ECM in the adhesion of anemones to surfaces. This study therefore provides a valuable high-throughput resource for the bioadhesion community and lays a foundation for further targeted research to elucidate bioadhesion in the Cnidaria. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5917-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The heterogeneous light pattern in forest environments leads to specific morphological and physiological responses. However, anthropogenic pressures in areas such as Atlantic Forest and Cerrado are modifying the light availability, and consequently the forest community composition. The aim of this study was to investigate the plasticity of forest species Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus under full sunlight and shade conditions. P. pseudocaryophyllus showed typical shade plant phenotype, with higher net photosynthesis, transpiration, and chlorophyll a and b contents when cultivated under this condition. The decrease in net photosynthesis under full sunlight conditions is probably related to PSII photoinhibition. In addition, under full sunlight, reduced height, number of leaves, and specific leaf area was observed, while plants in shade increased these characteristics. P. pseudocaryophyllus did not show high morphological and physiological plasticity, which may be a maladaptive response. It was concluded that forest disturbances could compromise the occurrence and survival of P. pseudocaryophyllus.

Brazil has the highest number of parrots in the world and the greatest number of threatened species. The Golden Conure is endemic to the Brazilian Amazon forest and it is currently considered as threatened by extinction, although it is fairly common in captivity. Here we report the first reintroduction of this species. The birds were released in an urban park in Belem, capital of Para State, where the species was extinct more than a century ago. Birds were trained to recognize and consume local food and to avoid predators. After the soft-release, with food supplementation and using nest boxes, we recorded breeding activity in the wild. The main challenges before the release were the territorial disputes within the aviary and the predation by boa snakes. During the post-release monitoring the difficulties were the fast dispersion of some individuals and the dangers posed by anthropic elements such as power lines that caused some fatalities. Released birds were very successful at finding and consuming native foods, evading predators, and one pair reproduced successfully. Monitoring continues and further releases are programmed to establish an ecologically viable population.