Resumen La correlación entre los atributos físicos y químicos de las frutas puede servir como indi cador del momento ideal de cosecha y funcionar como criterio de selección para mejorar el manejo y la productividad de los cultivos. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar las correlaciones entre las propiedades físicas y químicas de los frutos de guayaba Cortibel cultivados en el Cerrado brasileño. Los parámetros evaluados incluyeron color de cáscara y pulpa, peso, diámetro, longitud, sólidos solubles totales, acidez titulable y la relación de estas características. Los datos se analizaron mediante la correlación lineal de Pearson con un nivel de significancia de P <0,05. Varias propiedades físicas y químicas de los frutos exhi bieron correlaciones significativas. Los mayores coeficientes de correlación se observaron entre el peso y el diámetro del fruto, así como entre el ángulo de tonalidad de la cáscara y su luminosidad. Las propiedades de los frutos de guayaba Cortibel cultivados en el Cerrado brasileño exhiben correlaciones significativas. Estos hallazgos permiten la utilización de parámetros sencillos en los procesos de selección de guayaba Cortibel para objetivos de mejoramiento.

Abstract The correlation between physical and chemical attributes of fruits can serve as indicators for the ideal harvest time and function as selection criteria to enhance the management and productivity of crops. This study aimed to investigate the correlations among physical and chemical properties of Cortibel guava fruits grown in the Brazilian Cerrado. Parameters assessed included skin and pulp color, weight, diameter, length, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and the ratio of these characteristics. Data were analyzed using Pearson's linear correlation with a significance level of P < 0.05. Several physical and chemical properties of the fruits exhibited significant correlations. The highest correlation coefficients were observed between weight and fruit diameter, as well as between hue angle of the skin and skin lightness. The properties of Cortibel guava fruits cultivated in the Brazilian Cerrado exhibit significant correlations. These findings enable the utilization of straightforward parameters in the selection processes of Cortibel guava for breeding objectives.

Abstract Fruit ripening promoted by the exogenous application of ethylene analogs, such as calcium carbide, has commercial advantages. Thus, the knowledge of the responses of fruits treated with ethylene-inducing agents is essential to optimize the use of these substances. This work aimed to evaluate the influence of exposure to calcium carbide on the anticipation and standardization of postharvest ripening of cajá-manga fruits. Physiologically mature fruits were exposed to calcium carbide for 24 hours at concentrations 0, 20, 40, 80, and 110 g m-3. The fruits were stored at a temperature of 28±2 °C and evaluated at 0, 2, 4, and 6 days for the loss of fresh mass, color of the epidermis and pulp given by the CIELAB color space, titratable acidity, soluble solids content, the ratio between soluble solids content and titratable acidity, and vitamin C content. Cajá-manga fruits treated with different concentrations of calcium carbide had their ripening anticipated without compromising their characteristics. The concentrations of 20, 40, and 80 g m-3 of calcium carbide allowed the anticipation and standardization of fruit ripening within four days during storage, while for the highest concentration (110 g m-3), complete maturation was accelerated, occurring between two and four days of storage.

Resumo O amadurecimento de frutos promovido pela aplicação exógena de análogos de etileno, como o carbureto de cálcio, tem vantagens comerciais. Assim, o conhecimento das respostas de frutos tratados com agentes indutores de etileno é essencial para otimizar o uso dessas substâncias. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influência da exposição ao carbureto de cálcio na antecipação e na padronização do amadurecimento pós-colheita de frutos de cajá-manga. Frutos fisiologicamente maduros foram expostos ao carbureto de cálcio nas concentrações de 0; 20; 40; 80 e 110 g m-3 por 24 horas. Os frutos foram armazenados a uma temperatura de 28±2 °C e avaliados aos 0; 2; 4 e 6 dias quanto à perda de massa fresca, cor da epiderme e polpa dada pelo espaço de cor CIELAB, acidez titulável, teor de sólidos solúveis, relação entre o teor de sólidos solúveis e a acidez titulável, e teor de vitamina C. Frutos de cajá-manga tratados com diferentes concentrações de carbureto de cálcio tiveram seu amadurecimento antecipado sem comprometer suas características. As concentrações de 20; 40 e 80 g m-3 de carbureto de cálcio permitiram a antecipação e a padronização do amadurecimento dos frutos em quatro dias, durante o armazenamento, Enquanto para a maior concentração (110 g m-3), a maturação completa foi acelerada, ocorrendo entre dois e quatro dias de armazenamento.

ABSTRACT During ripening, many transformations occur in passion fruits. The ripening stage affects fruit quality and post-harvest properties. Fruits with 65% yellow epidermis present chemical characteristics that meet industrial standards, facilitating harvest estimations and loss avoidance. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the post-harvest properties of passion fruit species (genotypes of the yellow passion fruit and sweet passion fruit, and yellow passion fruit cultivar FB 200) during ripening. The fruits were evaluated by the color of the epidermis and the chemical characteristics of the pulp (titratable acidity, vitamin C, carotenoids, soluble solids content, and ratio). This experiment was conducted with a completely randomized design and a split-plot arrangement, where the plots were the species and the subplots were the evaluation periods (50, 58, 66, 74 and 82 days after anthesis), with four replications and 10 fruits per plot. The yellow passion fruit genotype and cultivar, harvested at 82 days after anthesis, presented desirable characteristics for the juice industry and for fresh consumption. The sweet passion fruit had a higher soluble solids content and titratable acidity ratio because of its high content of soluble solids and low acidity, which translate to a better fruit flavor.

RESUMEN Durante la maduración del maracuyá, se producen muchas transformaciones. La etapa de maduración afecta a la calidad de la fruta y a las propiedades poscosecha. Se sabe que los frutos con un 65% de epidermis amarilla presentan características químicas dentro del estándar requerido por la industria, lo que permite anticipar la cosecha y evitar pérdidas. Así, este trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar las propiedades postcosecha de especies de fruta de la pasión (amarilla, dulce y el cv. FB 200) durante la maduración. Los frutos fueron evaluados por el color de la epidermis y las características químicas de la pulpa (acidez titulable, vitamina C, carotenoides, sólidos solubles y proporción). El experimento se realizó en un diseño completamente al azar con un arreglo de parcelas subdivididas, donde las parcelas constituyen las especies y las subparcelas constituyen los períodos de evaluación (50, 58, 66, 74 y 82 días después de la antesis), con cuatro repeticiones y 10 frutos por parcela. Los frutos del genotipo de maracuyá amarilla y el cultivar cosechados 82 días después de la antesis presentan características deseables ya sea para la industria del jugo o para consumo fresco. La fruta de la pasión dulce presenta una mayor proporción entre sólidos solubles y acidez titulable, debido a su alto contenido en sólidos solubles y bajo contenido de acidez, lo que implica un gran sabor a fruta.

RESUMO O elevado consumo de produtos industrializados e o seu rápido descarte produzem grandes quantidades de resíduos sólidos, dos quais, os principais constituintes são os materiais poliméricos. Dentre estes, as borrachas de butadieno estireno merecem destaque. Esse material é usado em diversos setores, entre eles, o alimentício, para produção de chicles. A reciclagem desses materiais deve ser sempre pesquisada, buscando, principalmente, novas aplicações. Assim, este trabalho usou a borracha residual (BP) como matriz para cristais de quartzo. Os materiais preparados foram estudados por diversas técnicas, como, por exemplo, a Análise Termogravimétrica (TGA) e a Espectroscopia no Infravermelho por Transformada de Fourier (FTIR). Além disso, os materiais tiveram suas propriedades elétricas medidas. Foram feitas medidas de capacitância, campo elétrico, resistividade e densidade de corrente. Entre os materiais testados, o compósito carregado com 44,4% de quartzo apresentou a resposta mais linear e mais intensa de variação de carga elétrica em função da pressão aplicada. Portanto, os resultados mostraram que foram obtidos materiais com potencial aplicação no campo de sensores capacitivos de pressão.

ABSTRACT The high consumption of industrialized products and their disposal produce large quantities of solid waste, of which the principal constituents are polymeric materials. Among these, the butadiene-styrene rubbers deserve special mention. This material is used in various industries, including food, for the production of chewing gum. Thus, the recycling of these materials must always be researched, mainly seeking new applications. Therefore, this work used residual rubber (BP) as a matrix for quartz crystals. The materials prepared were studied by several techniques, such as Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Besides, the materials also had their electrical properties measured. Capacitance, electric field, resistivity and current density measurements were performed. Among the tested materials, the composite loaded with 44.4% of quartz presented the most linear and intense response of electric charge variation as a function of the applied pressure. Therefore, the obtained results allow proving that were accomplished materials with the potential of application in the field of capacitive pressure sensors.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to isolate and identify Candida species from the oral cavity of denture wearers with denture-related stomatitis who were attended at the University Federal of Pará (Belém City, Pará State, Brazil). A total of 36 denture wearers with denture-related stomatitis were included, and type I (50%), type II (33%) and type III (17%) stomatitis were observed. Candida spp. were isolated from 89% of the cases and included five different Candida species. C. albicans was the most frequently recovered species (78% of the cases), followed by C. famata and C. tropicalis. We observed a significant association between Candida species isolation and unsatisfactory denture condition (p = 0.0017). Our results demonstrated the highly frequency of Candida species isolation in denture wearers with denture-related stomatitis and showed the relationship between these species and poor denture maintenance.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a relação entre fatores funcionais e qualitativos no desenvolvimento da estomatite protética (EP) (de acordo com a classificação de Newton) em usuários de dentadura acrílica residentes no norte do Brasil.MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Um total de 99 pacientes, que usavam dentadura superior de resina acrílica parcial ou total, foi incluído neste estudo. Os participantes preencheram um formulário de dados epidemiológicos, que incluiu gênero, idade, fatores locais (hábitos de higiene, retirar a dentadura ao dormir, uso de colutório, condição atual da dentadura, idade da dentadura) e fatores funcionais (dimensão vertical de repouso, dimensão vertical de oclusão, oclusão, retenção, estabilidade estática e dinâmica). Para detectar leveduras, amostras foram coletadas da superfície interna da dentadura e da mucosa palatal em contato com esta. Posteriormente, as amostras foram cultivadas em ágar Sabouraud dextrose, observando-se características macro e microscópicas.RESULTADO: No presente estudo, não foi encontrada relação significante entre gênero e início da doença. Baseada na classificação de Newton, 36,3% dos pacientes apresentaram EP e 89,0% foram colonizados por leveduras; destes indivíduos, 50% tiveram lesões tipo I, 33,3% tiveram lesões tipo II e 16,6% tiveram lesões tipo III. Todos os fatores locais e qualitativos, exceto o uso de colutório, foram clinicamente relevantes para o desenvolvimento da doença.CONCLUSÃO: Estomatite protética em usuários de dentadura do norte do Brasil foi multifatorial, associando fatores locais, funcionais e microbiológicos.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship among functional and qualitative factors in the development of denture stomatitis (DS) (according to Newton's classification) in acrylic-based denture wearers residents from northern Brazil.MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 99 patients who wore partial or total acrylic resin-based upper dentures were included in this study. The subjects completed an epidemiological data form that includes the patient's gender, age, local factors (hygiene habits, remove denture to sleep, use of mouthwash, present condition of the denture, age of the denture) and functional factors (vertical dimension at rest, vertical dimension of occlusion, occlusion, retention, and static and dynamic stability). To detect yeasts, samples were collected from the inner surface of the dentures and from the palatal mucosa in contact with it. Subsequently, the samples were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar, observing macro and microscopic characteristics.RESULT: In the present study, we did not find any significant relationship between the gender and disease onset. Based on the Newton classification, 36.3% of the patients presented with DS and 89.0% were colonized by yeasts; of these subjects, 50% had type I lesions, 33.3% had type II lesions, and 16.6% had type III lesions. All of the qualitative and local factors, except the use of mouthwash, were clinically relevant to the development of disease.CONCLUSION: Denture stomatitis in denture users in northern Brazil was multifactorial, involving local, functional and microbiological factors.

Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil on germ tube formation by Candida albicans isolated from denture wearers. Methods Ten C. albicans isolates recovered from denture wearers were tested using 10% fetal bovine serum with or without 4% R. officinalis essential oil. Results The essential oil from R. officinalis completely inhibited germ tube formation in the investigated C. albicans isolates. Conclusions The results demonstrate that the essential oil of R. officinalis modulates C. albicans pathogenicity through its primary virulence factor (i.e., germ tube formation was suppressed).

Dermatophytosis is caused by a dermatophyte fungus that affects the stratum corneum and keratinized tissue. Dermatophyte fungus has been reported worldwide as the causative agent of dermatophytosis, but the etio-epidemiological aspects of these mycoses in the state of Pará remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe the etio-epidemiological profile of dermatophytosis diagnosed in patients at the Evandro Chagas Institute from May 2005 to June 2006. A total of 494 patients were admitted, and their samples were collected, submitted for direct microscopic examination using 20% KOH and cultured in Sabouraud and Mycosel medium. The identification was based in macro and microscopic characteristics. Direct examinations were positive in 13% (66/494) of the patients, and agent isolation by cultivation of the biological sample was successful in 4% (20/494), with a high prevalence of T. mentagrophytes (40%; 8/20). Dermatophytosis was more frequent in women (58%; 38/66). Fifty-two percent (21/38) of the cases were children with an average age of 8 years. The most frequent clinical presentation was Tinea corporis (55%, 36/66). For the cases in which the dermatophyte agent was not isolated, we discuss the factors that may be interfering with isolation. Tinea corporis occurred more frequently observed when T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum were the major etiologic agents.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is diagnosed from the direct observation of the causative agent, but serology can facilitate and decrease the time required for diagnosis. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of serum sample inactivation on the performance of the latex agglutination test (LAT) for detecting antibodies against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. The sensitivity of LAT from inactivated or non-inactivated samples was 73% and 83%, respectively and the LAT selectivity was 79% and 90%, respectively. The LAT evaluated here was no more specific than the double-immunodiffusion assay. We suggest the investigation of other methods for improving the LAT, such as the use of deglycosylated antigen.

INTRODUÇÃO: Infecções fúngicas oportunistas em hospedeiros imunocomprometidos são causadas por espécies de Candida, cuja maioria das infecções se deve a Candida albicans. Entretanto, o patógeno emergente Candida dubliniensis demonstra várias características fenotípicas em comum com C. albicans, tais como produção de tubo germinativo e clamidósporos, solicitando atenção por desenvolver resistência in vitro estável ao fluconazol. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a performance da identificação bioquímica na diferenciação entre C. albicans e Candida dubliniensis, analisando fenotipicamente leveduras previamente identificadas como C. albicans. MÉTODOS: Setenta e oito isolados identificados como C. albicans pelo sistema API ID 32C foram cultivados em ágar Sabouraud dextrose a 30°C por 24-48h e em seguida inoculados em caldo hipertônico Sabouraud e agar tabaco. RESULTADOS: Nossos resultados mostraram que 17 (21,5%) isolados tiveram o crescimento inibido no caldo hipertônico Sabouraud, característica fenotípica inconsistente para C. albicans neste meio de cultura. Entretanto, os resultados observados em ágar tabaco mostraram que somente 9 (11,4%) dos isolados inibidos produziram colônias características de C. dubliniensis (colônias rugosas, marrom-amarelada com fragmentos de hifas e abundantes clamidósporos). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados obtidos sugerem que este é um instrumento simples para triagem entre leveduras de C. albicans e não-albicans, bem como confirmação de identificação automatizada.

INTRODUCTION: Opportunistic fungal infections in immunocompromised hosts are caused by Candida species, and the majority of such infections are due to Candida albicans. However, the emerging pathogen Candida dubliniensis demonstrates several phenotypic characteristics in common with C. albicans, such as production of germ tubes and chlamydospores, calling attention to the development of stable resistance to fluconazole in vitro. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of biochemistry identification in the differentiating between C. albicans and C. dubliniensis, by phenotyping of yeast identified as C. albicans. METHODS: Seventy-nine isolates identified as C. albicans by the API system ID 32C were grown on Sabouraud dextrose agar at 30°C for 24-48h and then inoculated on hypertonic Sabouraud broth and tobacco agar. RESULTS: Our results showed that 17 (21.5%) isolates were growth-inhibited on hypertonic Sabouraud broth, a phenotypic trait inconsistent with C. albicans in this medium. However, the results observed on tobacco agar showed that only 9 (11.4%) of the growth-inhibited isolates produced characteristic colonies of C. dubliniensis (rough colonies, yellowish-brown with abundant fragments of hyphae and chlamydospores). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that this method is a simple tool for screening C. albicans and non-albicans yeast and for verification of automated identification.

The first days of radioactivity, the discoveries of X-rays, radioactivity, of alpha- and beta- particles and gamma- radiation, of new radioactive elements, of artificial radioactivity, the neutron and positron and nuclear fission are reviewed as well as several adverse historical marks, such as the Manhattan project and some nuclear and radiological accidents. Nuclear energy generation in Brazil and the world, as an alternative to minimize environmental problems, is discussed, as are the medicinal, industrial and food applications of ionizing radiation. The text leads the reader to reflect on the subject and to consider its various aspects with scientific and technological maturity.