Abstract Some grasslands in ecotones with forests tend to be encroached by woody species, because of changes in climate and land use. Such structural changes in vegetation can be facilitated when the grassland community presents an autochthonous arboreal component, like Butia palms. We aim to identify the responses of taxonomic and functional diversity on grassland community with the occurrence of arborescent/arboreal species (autochthonous and encroaching) to palm density and grazing intensity. The study was conducted in a Butia odorata palm grove under cattle management, in Southern Brazil. To assess the taxonomic and functional composition we performed ordinations analysis with the vegetational data and using path analysis we assessed the causal relationships between variables of interest. Density of Butia odorata and woody plants were strongly positive related, suggesting a facilitation process in the establishment of arborescent plants on the grassland matrix. The abundance of less palatable plants and grazing pressure were inversely related, indicating a selection process induced by higher grazing intensity. We suggest that the grazing intensity management must be based on the autochthonous tree density, applying higher grazing intensity in areas with higher density of encroaching plants, in addition to maintaining other regions conducive to Butia palm regeneration through fallows. use component palms arborescentarboreal Brazil interest related matrix fallows

This paper proposes the development of a simple experiment with easily accessible and low cost materials, enabling its practice with or without laboratory infrastructure, with feasibility for computational theoretical study. On the other hand, the objective of the work is to develop a chemical experiment that demonstrates that the chromophore curcumin (natural indicator) is responsible for indicating the acidity or basicity of a given solution. The experiment has different applicability, being useful in the approach of different chemical contents, showing potential for multi and interdisciplinary approaches. Subjects such as tautomeric equilibrium, chromophoric compounds, hydrogen potential, UV-Vis electron absorption spectra analysis and molecular modeling are explored.

Content uniformity (CU) is a parameter used to ensure the uniformity of the amount of active substances in pharmaceutical preparations. It is often evaluated in the quality control of pharmaceutical dosage forms, and a novel method was proposed for CU determination using thermal infrared enthalpimetry (TIE). Captopril tablets were dissolved in 24-well microplates and the heat released from the reaction of captopril and I2 was monitored with an infrared camera. Some experimental parameters were adjusted, as captopril/I2 ratio, stirring speed and dispensing rate, and the most suitable conditions were 1.00:1.00 (v/v), 250 rpm and 0.57 mL s-1, respectively. Interferences from tablet adjuvants (e.g., starch, cellulose and lactose) were not observed. The results obtained by TIE did not differ statistically (Student’s t-test, p > 0.05) from those from official method (UV spectrophotometry) described in pharmacopeia. The TIE method required 31 and 12 times less reagent and time, respectively. Therefore, the proposed method was suitable for routine analysis and agrees with the requirements of green analytical chemistry.

Due to its ester bonds, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) undergoes biodegradation in humid environments, attracting market attention. The goal of this work was to observe the biodegradation in garden soil of PLA nanocomposites with neat (PLA/CNW) and surfactant modified cellulose nanowhiskers (PLA/CNW/S). Three types of surfactants were tested: poly(ethylene glycol) monooleate (PEGMONO) and poly(ethylene glycol) with molecular weight of 300 and 1000 Da. The films were obtained by solution casting, cut in strips of (2x2) cm and buried in garden soil, monitoring the temperature and humidity. After 90, 120 and 150 days changes were observed in the films by visual inspection, polarized light microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that the addition of surfactant favored the biodegradation of nanocomposites and that PLA/CNW/PEG1000 showed the fastest biodegradation rate.

As espécies brasileiras de Myrtaceae compreendem diversas plantas arbóreas e arbustivas que podem ser utilizadas na produção de frutos para consumo in natura ou para industrialização. Informações sobre avaliação da qualidade de sementes dessas espécies não estão bem definidas, principalmente as relacionadas à adequação do teste de germinação. Objetivou-se testar substratos e temperaturas para realização do teste de germinação em sementes de Acca sellowiana (O. Berg) Burret. (goiaba-serrana), Campomanesia xanthocarpa O. Berg (guabiroba), Eugenia involucrata DC. (cereja-do-mato) e Eugenia pyriformis Camb. (uvaia). Sementes de diferentes procedências foram submetidas ao teste de germinação em substratos areia e rolo de papel tipo germitest, umedecidos com água destilada, e nas temperaturas 15 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, 35 °C e 20-30 °C, sob luz constante, em germinadores tipo BOD. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições de 25 sementes/tratamento/lote/espécie, e as médias dos tratamentos foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey (P < 0,01). O teste de germinação pode ser conduzido na temperatura de 25 ºC e em substrato rolo de papel para Eugenia involucrata e Eugenia pyriformis. Ambos os substratos podem ser utilizados para o teste de germinação de Acca sellowiana, a 25 ºC. A temperatura de 25 ºC e alternância de 20-30 ºC são indicadas para Campomanesia xanthocarpa, assim como, os substratos areia e rolo de papel.

The Brazilian species of the Myrtaceae comprises several arborescent and shrubby plants that are used to produce fruit for fresh consumption or industrialization. Information about the seed quality evaluations for these species are scarce in the literature, mainly related to the adequacy of the germination tests. This study tests different substrates and temperatures to test the germination of Acca sellowiana (O. Berg) Burret. (goiaba-serrana), Campomanesia xanthocarpa O. Berg (guabiroba), Eugenia involucrata DC. (cereja-do-mato) and Eugenia pyriformis Camb. (uvaia) seeds. Two seed lots were collected at different locations, one for each species, according to the requirements of the selection matrices. Sand and germitest paper towel rolls substrates were used, moistened with distilled water, and submitted to temperatures of 15 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, 35 °C and 20-30 °C under constant light, on P.D.A. germinators. The experimental delineation was entirely randomized with four repetitions of 25 seeds/treatment/lot/specie, and treatment means were compared using the Tukey test (P < 0.01). The germination tests can be conducted at 25 °C using paper roll substrate for Eugenia pyriformis and E. involucrate. Both substrates can be used to Acca sellowiana germination test at 25 °C. The temperature of 25 °C and alternating 20-30 °C are indicated for Campomanesia xanthocarpa, as well as sand and paper roll substrates.

<p>The phytochemical investigation and evaluation of the phytotoxic effect of the extract and fractions obtained from the leaves of <italic>Annona nutans</italic>(R. E. Fr.) R. E. Fr. were performed. Phytotoxic activity was assessed on radicle and hypocotyl of <italic>Allium cepa</italic> and <italic>Lactuca sativa</italic>, where chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions proved active. Phytochemical investigation of the chloroform fraction was allowed identification of polyketides derivatives: triacontanal, 16-hentriacontane, octacosanol and triacontanol, using the ¹H NMR technique associated with data from GC/MS. Using ethyl acetate fraction, with low activity, flavonoids 3-<italic>O</italic>-β-D-galactopyranosyl-isorhamnetin, 3-<italic>O</italic>-β-D-galactopyranosyl-quercetin and 3-<italic>O</italic>-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-galactopyranosyl-quercetin were identified, determined by spectrometric techniques one and two-dimensional NMR, combined with mass spectral data. All substances are being reported for the first time in <italic>Annona nutans</italic>. The phytotoxic activity of chloroform fraction may be related to the presence of triacontanol and similar substances. Triacontanol stimulates growth at very low concentrations, but can have an inhibitory effect at higher concentrations, such as those reported for auxin analogs. The toxicity assay using <italic>Artemia salina</italic> (BST) was also performed, with the chloroform fraction showing a negligible lethal dose, LD₅₀ = 500 mg mL^-1, while the other fractions and extracts showed no activity. Thus, the presence of acetogenins was ruled out.</p>

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate angiotensin receptor blocker add-on therapy in patients with low cardiac output during decompensated heart failure. METHODS: We selected patients with decompensated heart failure, low cardiac output, dobutamine dependence, and an ejection fraction <0.45 who were receiving an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. The patients were randomized to losartan or placebo and underwent invasive hemodynamic and B-type natriuretic peptide measurements at baseline and on the seventh day after intervention. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01857999. RESULTS: We studied 10 patients in the losartan group and 11 patients in the placebo group. The patient characteristics were as follows: age 52.7 years, ejection fraction 21.3%, dobutamine infusion 8.5 mcg/kg.min, indexed systemic vascular resistance 1918.0 dynes.sec/cm5.m2, cardiac index 2.8 L/min.m2, and B-type natriuretic peptide 1,403 pg/mL. After 7 days of intervention, there was a 37.4% reduction in the B-type natriuretic peptide levels in the losartan group compared with an 11.9% increase in the placebo group (mean difference, -49.1%; 95% confidence interval: -88.1 to -9.8%, p = 0.018). No significant difference was observed in the hemodynamic measurements. CONCLUSION: Short-term add-on therapy with losartan reduced B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients hospitalized for decompensated severe heart failure and low cardiac output with inotrope dependence.

A técnica de eletrofiação é conhecida desde a década de 1930, porém, somente com o advento das novas aplicações da nanotecnologia esta importante técnica foi re-descoberta. As potencialidades de nanofibras, de tamanhos da ordem de 50 a 500 nm e com extensão micrométrica, têm sido investigadas para diferentes materiais, com resultados promissores em diferentes aplicações. Nesta primeira parte, este trabalho de revisão propôs-se a detalhar as bases fundamentais do processo de eletrofiação. São descritas as influências das variáveis de processo, como campo aplicado, distância de trabalho, velocidade de rotação do coletor e de injeção da solução. Variáveis associadas ao sistema, como tipo de solvente e polímero de interesse, também são discutidas.

The electrospinning technique has been known since the 1930s, but only with the advent of new nanotechnology applications this technique was re-discovered and became important for production of nanomaterials. The potential for obtaining different nanofibers with sizes ranging from 50 to 500 nm and micrometer length has been investigated for different materials, with promising results in different applications. The first part of this review is aimed at describing the fundamentals of the electrospinning process. We describe the influence of process variables such as applied field, working distance, speed of rotation of the collector and solution injecting flow rate. The variables associated to this system, such as type of solvent and polymer of interest, are also discussed.

Em artigo de revisão anterior[1], o processo de eletrofiação foi discutido, incluindo suas bases teóricas e experimentais, e a obtenção de diferentes nanofibras de materiais poliméricos. Neste segundo artigo de revisão, são abordados os aspectos relacionados à aplicação de materiais eletrofiados em diferentes áreas, como médica, agrícola, sensores, processamento de outros materiais, entre outras. São também discutidas as técnicas de caracterização utilizadas mais frequentemente nestes materiais, e suas potencialidades. Esta segunda revisão é complementar à anterior e segue, em seus aspectos gerais, a mesma terminologia.

In our previous review[1], the process of electrospinning was discussed on the basis of theoretical and experimental aspects toward preparation of different polymeric nanofibers. In this second review, we focus on the aspects related to the application of electrospun materials in various fields such as medicine, agriculture, sensors, and processing of other materials. We discuss the most often characterization techniques used for these materials and their potential. This review complements the previous one and uses the same terminology.

No presente estudo, o papel de diferentes centros metálicos (magnésio, zinco e cobre) sobre o caráter hidrofílico de metaloclorofilas foi avaliado. O solvatocromismo, assim como o processo de agregação para esses compostos, em misturas água/etanol foram avaliados usando medidas de fluorescência e de espalhamento de luz ressonante (ELR), visando caracterizar o comportamento desses compostos. Independente da metaloclorofila estudada, a presença de ao menos 60% de água resulta em incremento considerável na emissão de fluorescência apresentada por esses compostos. Isso, provavelmente, é uma conseqüência direta de uma menor agregação, o que é confirmado pelos resultados de ELR. Adicionalmente, os resultados sugerem que as clorofilas de magnésio e de zinco devem ser promissores agentes fototerapêuticos para emprego em Terapia Fotodinâmica.

In this study the role of different metal centers (magnesium, zinc and copper) on the enhancement of the hydrophilic character of metallochlorophylls, was evaluated. The solvatochromism as well as the aggregation process for these compounds in water/ethanol mixtures at different volume ratios were evaluated using Fluorescence, and Resonant Light Scattering (RLS) measurements, aiming to characterize the behavior of these compounds. Independently on the studied metallochlorophyll, the presence of at least 60% of water results in a considerable increase in the fluorescence emission, probably a direct consequence of a lower aggregation of these compounds, which is confirmed by the results from RLS measurements. Additionally, the results suggest that magnesium and zinc chlorophyll should be promising phototherapeutic agents for Photodynamic Therapy.

Os microorganismos do grupo HACEK (Haemophilus spp, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens e Kingella kingae) são responsáveis por 3% dos casos de endocardites. Eles apresentam propriedades clínicas e microbiológicas semelhantes entre si: são bacilos gram-negativos, isolados mais facilmente em meios aeróbicos, suas culturas necessitam de tempo prolongado de incubação para crescimento (média 3,3 dias) e podem ser considerados como parte da flora normal do trato respiratório superior e da orofaringe1,2. Algumas características foram identificadas nas endocardites por esses agentes, como o quadro clínico insidioso¹, diagnóstico difícil pela natureza fastidiosa e culturas negativas3,4. A endocardite por Eikenella corrodens foi descrita pela primeira vez em 1972(5) e continua sendo um agente etiológico raro. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente com valva nativa que apresentou endocardite infecciosa causada por Eikenella corrodens.

The HACEK microorganisms (Haemophilus spp, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens, and Kingella kingae) account for 3% of the cases of endocarditis. They have the following similar clinical and microbiological properties: are Gram-negative bacilli, more easily isolated in aerobic media; their cultures require prolonged incubation time for growing (mean, 3.3 days); and may be considered part of normal flora of upper respiratory tract and oropharynx1,2. The following characteristics have been identified in endocarditis caused by the HACEK microorganisms: insidious clinical findings¹; difficult diagnosis due to the fastidious nature of the microorganisms; and negative cultures3,4. The Eikenella corrodens endocarditis was first described in 1972(5). That microorganism continues to be a rare etiological agent. We report the case of a female patient with native valve, who had Eikenella corrodens infective endocarditis.

Meningorradiculite refere-se ao envolvimento simultâneo das meninges e das raízes dos nervos. O local mais freqüentemente acometido é a região lombossacra. Patologias inflamatórias, infecciosas e neoplásicas são as causas mais freqüentes. Meningorradiculite é manifestação rara de infecção por Cryptococcus neoformans. Descrevemos um caso de paresia flácida dos membros inferiores, com diagnóstico de meningorradiculite lombossacra baseado nos achados clínicos, de ressonância magnética da coluna lombar e em alterações inflamatórias do líquido cefalorraqueano (LCR). Avaliação microbiológica do LCR revelou a presença de Cryptococcus neoformans e extensa investigação clínica e laboratorial excluiu imunodeficiências primárias e adquiridas.

Meningoradiculitis refers to combined involvement of meninges and nerve roots. The most frequent location is the lumbosacral region. Etiology is diverse, including inflammatory, infectious and neoplastic disorders. Meningoradiculitis is a rare form of involvement in cryptococcal infection. We describe a case of subacute lower limbs flaccid paresis diagnosed as lumbosacral meningoradiculitis in view of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inflammatory changes and typical enhancement on MRI of lumbar spine. Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated from CSF. Extensive screening yielded no immunodeficiencies.