RESUMO Estresses abióticos associados causam efeitos e respostas diferentes da exposição a uma única fonte de estresse. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do estresse combinado de temperatura supraótima e déficit hídrico no processo germinativo de lotes de sementes de trigo com diferentes níveis de vigor. Sementes de trigo IPR Catuara de quatro lotes foram submetidas a germinação nos potenciais hídricos 0,000, - 0,075, - 0,223 e - 0,444 MPa, associados às temperaturas 20, 24, 28 e 32 ºC, totalizando 16 combinações de estresse. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, em esquema fatorial: quatro lotes x 16 combinações de estresse, e comparação de médias por Scott-Knott 5%. Avaliaram-se a germinação das plântulas normais aos quatro e oito dias, o conteúdo de proteína total e a atividade da catalase e ascorbato peroxidase (APX) na parte aérea e radicular das plântulas. As análises de componentes principais e de agrupamento hierárquico foram aplicadas à matriz original formada pelas 16 combinações, para a média dos quatro lotes. Sementes de trigo de maior vigor são mais tolerantes a combinação dos estresses hídrico e térmico. Não há prejuízo ao processo germinativo de trigo nas combinações sob temperaturas supraótimas até 28 °C e redução dos potenciais hídricos até -0,223 MPa. Independente da temperatura, o potencial hídrico -0,444 MPa diminui a porcentagem e a velocidade da germinação. A atividade da APX aumenta em condições de estresses hídrico e térmico atuando como defesa ao estresse oxidativo na germinação de trigo.

ABSTRACT Combined abiotic stresses have different effects and responses than exposure to a single source of stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the combined stress of supra-optimal temperatures and water deficit on the germination of wheat seeds with different levels of vigor. Wheat seeds from four different lots of the IPR Catuara cultivar were germinated at water potentials of 0.000, -0.075, -0.223, and -0.444 MPa, associated with temperatures of 20 °C, 24 °C, 28 °C, and 32 °C, totaling 16 stress combinations. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme with four replications (four seed lots × 16 stress combinations), and means were compared using Scott-Knott 5%. We evaluated the germination of normal seedlings at 4 and 8 d, the activity of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and the protein content of the aerial and root parts of wheat seedlings. Principal components analysis and hierarchical clustering were applied to the original matrix formed by the 16 combinations for the average of the four lots. Wheat seeds with higher vigor were more tolerant to combined water and thermal stress. Temperatures up to 28 °C and reduction of water potentials down to -0.223 MPa did not prejudice the germination process of wheat seeds. Regardless of temperature, a water potential of -0.444 MPa decreased the percentage and rate of germination. APX activity increased under water stress and supra-optimal temperatures, acting as a defense mechanism against oxidative stress.

RESUMO Para se obter um cultivo eficiente de sorgo granífero em sistemas de produção que utilizam água salina, torna-se necessário um manejo hídrico adequado para maximizar sua produção. Com isto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da aplicação de frações de lixiviação no manejo da irrigação com água salina na produção de variedades de sorgo granífero e na distribuição de água e sais no perfil do solo, em condições semiáridas. O estudo foi realizado no município de Petrolina, região semiárida do Brasil. Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições, em parcelas subdivididas; sendo as parcelas quatro frações de lixiviação (FL): 0; 5; 10 e 15% com água salina proveniente de poço artesiano, as subparcelas três variedades de sorgo granífero: 1011-IPA, 2502-IPA e Ponta Negra e as subsubparcelas dois ciclos de cultivo (1º e 2º corte). As variáveis avaliadas foram: distribuição de água e sais no perfil do solo, variáveis biométricas, biomassa fresca, biomassa seca e produtividade de grãos. A aplicação de frações de lixiviação na irrigação com água salina promove melhor distribuição de sais no perfil do solo, com incrementos de até 60% no rendimento de grãos das variedades de sorgo avaliadas. A produção das variedades 1011-IPA e Ponta Negra é uma alternativa viável em sistemas irrigados com água salina com condutividade elétrica média de 4,19 dS m-1, em Argissolo Vermelho Amarelo, sob condições semiáridas.

ABSTRACT In order to obtain an efficient cultivation of grain sorghum in production systems that use saline water, an adequate management becomes necessary for maximizing its production. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the application of leaching fractions in the saline water irrigation management on the production of sorghum varieties and on the distribution of water and salts in the soil profile, under semiarid conditions. The study was carried out in the municipality of Petrolina, semiarid region of Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with four replicates, in split-split plots; four leaching fractions (LF): 0, 5, 10, and 15% with saline water from artesian well in the plots, three varieties of grain sorghum: 1011-IPA, 2502-IPA and Ponta Negra in the subplots, and two crop cycles (1st and 2nd cut) in the sub-subplots. The evaluated variables were distribution of water and salts in the soil profile, biometric variables, fresh biomass, dry biomass, and grain yield. Application of leaching fractions of up 15% in saline water irrigation promotes better distribution of salts in the soil profile, with increments of up to 60% in the grain yield of the sorghum varieties evaluated. The production of the varieties 1011-IPA and Ponta Negra is a feasible alternative in systems irrigated with saline water with average electrical conductivity of 4.19 dS m-1, in Ultisol, under semiarid conditions.

Abstract L-Asparaginase (L-ASNase) is a biopharmaceutical used for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treatment, dramatically increasing the patients’ chance of cure. However, its production and distribution in developing countries were disrupted because of its low profitability, which caused great concern among patients. This study evaluates the feasibility of combining fractional precipitation and aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) to purify L-ASNase from a low-grade product, commercially known as Acrylaway® L. The ATPS purification results were not particularly expressive compared to the two-step purification process composed of ethanol precipitation and gel filtration, which was able to recover the target molecule with a purification factor over 5 fold. Thus, we studied a purification process capable of manufacturing pharmaceutical grade L-ASNase from a commercially available low-grade raw material; however, improvements regarding its throughput must be achieved, and high purity is the first step to apply it as a new biopharmaceutical product. The proposed process could pose as a short-time solution to mitigate its shortage while a cost-effective production plant is being developed.

Abstract Candida is becoming more resistant to conventional treatments, and causes persistent and severe infections. This study evaluates the antifungal and virulence activities of the hydroalcoholic extract of Phyllanthus niruri (HE-Pn) on Candida. HE-Pn was prepared by maceration technique. Chemical composition of HE-Pn was determined using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GS-MS). Antifungal screening was done using agar well diffusion. CLSI M27-A3 was used to determine the Minimum Inhibitory (MIC) and Fungicidal Concentrations (MFC). Effects of HE-Pn on adhesion and germ tube of C. albicans (ATCC MYA-2876) were determined using XTT assay and germ tube formation assay, respectively. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was performed to visualize the post-exposure cellular changes. HE-Pn cytotoxicity was determined using human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). Chlorhexidine digluconate (2 mg/mL) was used as the positive control. Linolenic acid ethyl ester was the most abundant chemical component of HE-Pn. All strains tested were sensitive to HE-Pn. MIC were 0.03 - 8 mg/mL and MFC were 0.5 - 64 mg/mL for all test strains. C. albicans (ATCC MYA-2876) showed 50% of adhesion reduction with > 4 mg/mL of HE-Pn and germ-tube formation was inhibited with 0.25 and 2 mg/mL. TEM exhibited cytoplasmic granulation, intracellular vacuoles, detachment of cell wall and plasma membrane and chromatin condensation of Candida. No toxicity of HE-Pn was noted on HaCaT cells. HE-Pn shows an anti-Candida activity and can be used as an inhibitory agent against adhesion and germ tube formation of Candida albicans (ATCC MYA-2876) without causing any toxicity to human cells.

RESUMO Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar a influência da fração de lixiviação nas características biométricas, produtivas e na qualidade tecnológica do caldo de variedades de cana-de-açúcar cultivadas em solo salino no Semiárido brasileiro. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com três repetições, em esquema fatorial 2 × 3 × 3, sendo dois ciclos de cultivo da cana-de-açúcar: cana planta e cana soca; três variedades de cana-de-açúcar: RB72454, SP943206 e VAT90212; e, três frações de lixiviação da água de irrigação: 0; 9,1; e 16,6%. Avaliou-se número de folhas vivas, número de entrenós, área foliar, diâmetro do colmo, altura da planta, número de perfilhos, produtividade, teor de sólidos solúveis totais (°Brix), porcentagem de fibra industrial, pureza do caldo, Pol% do caldo, Pol% da cana e açúcar total recuperável. Ao final dos dois ciclos da cultura foi determinada a eficiência do uso de água. As variedades SP943206 e VAT90212 demonstraram maior produtividade sob fração de lixiviação da água de irrigação de 9,1% nos dois ciclos e maiores eficiência do uso de água foram observadas na variedade VAT90212. A aplicação de frações de lixiviação para reduzir a salinidade do solo não proporciona alterações na qualidade tecnológica das variedades RB72454, SP943206 e VAT90212 de cana-de-açúcar.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of leaching fraction on the biometric and production characteristics and technological quality of the juice of sugarcane varieties grown in saline soil in the Brazilian semiarid region. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with three repetitions, in a 2 × 3 × 3 factorial scheme, corresponding to two sugarcane cultivation cycles: plant cane and ratoon cane; three sugarcane varieties: RB72454, SP943206 and VAT90212; and, three leaching fractions of irrigation water: 0; 9.1; and 16.6%. Number of living leaves, number of internodes, leaf area, stem diameter, plant height, number of tillers, yield, total soluble solids content (°Brix), percentage of industrial fiber, juice purity, juice Pol%, cane Pol% and total recoverable sugar were evaluated. At the end of the two crop cycles, water use efficiency was determined. The varieties SP943206 and VAT90212 showed higher yield under leaching fraction of irrigation water of 9.1% in both cycles, and higher water use efficiency values were observed for the variety VAT90212. Application of leaching fractions to reduce soil salinity does not promote changes in the technological quality of the sugarcane varieties RB72454, SP943206 and VAT90212.

Objectives: To investigate the most common sources of stress faced by medical students and the degree to which different stressors impact their lives. As a secondary objective, a new instrument, Medical Student Stress Factor Scale (MSSF), was developed based on these stressors. Methods: The MSSF was applied to 431 medical students. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale was administered to investigate the relationship between these stressors and the students’ mental health. Results: The five greatest stressors were the extensive content, lack of time to study, sleep deprivation, excessive self-pressure for good grades, and lack of leisure time. The MSSF showed good psychometric characteristics, resulting in a 28-item scale with five subscales. The Relationships and Health subscales were associated with depressive symptoms; Relationships, Health, and Learning Environment/Academic Performance were associated with anxiety symptoms, while Health, and Learning Environment/Academic Performance were associated with stress symptoms. Conclusions: Our study presents important data about the most important stressors that affect medical students’ lives and cause mental health issues. The factors are generally related to academic performance and the learning environment and should be targeted in future interventions.

ABSTRACT Salvia hispanica L. is an alternative crop cultivated by farmers who want to diversify their production. However, this species is sensitive to salinity, which affects its germination negatively. Seed priming with different attenuators is a technique with potential to mitigate the effects of salt stress. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of seed priming with the use of different attenuators on the germination, growth, and organic solute accumulation of S. hispanica seedlings under salt stress. The experimental design was completely randomized, with treatments distributed in a 4 × 5 factorial scheme, corresponding to four seed priming treatments and five osmotic potentials, with four replicates of 50 seeds in each treatment. The seed treatments consisted of presoaking seeds for 4h in salicylic acid, gibberellic acid, and distilled water and the control treatment, which did not involve soaking. These seeds were germinated at osmotic potentials of 0.0, -0.1, -0.2, -0.3, and -0.4 MPa, using NaCl as an osmotic agent to simulate the different salinity levels. Among all the treatments implemented, S. hispanica seed priming with salicylic acid was the most efficient in mitigating the salt stress effects.

RESUMO: Fisális, Physalis peruviana L., é uma cultura em expansão no Brasil, dessa forma a identificação de espécies fitófagas que causam danos nesta cultura é importante para desenvolver controle preventivo e estratégias para o Manejo Integrado de Pragas. Neste estudo, relatamos a ocorrência de Lema bilineata Germar (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) no cultivo de P. peruviana e descrevemos os danos causados por suas larvas e adultos. Observou-se que o número de indivíduos de L. bilineata, tanto larvas como adultos, influenciaram significativamente o consumo total de folhas de P. peruviana. Além disso, relatamos pela primeira vez a presença de três inimigos naturais, incluindo um fungo, uma mosca e uma formiga, associados a esta praga no Brasil que poderiam ser utilizados como agentes de controle biológico.

ABSTRACT: Increased production of the Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) in Brazil has given rise to interest in identifying the phytophagous species that might damage this crop to inform preventive control and integrated pest management strategies. In this study, we report the occurrence and describe the damage that larvae and adults of Lema bilineata Germar (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) cause in P. peruviana. The number of L. bilineata individuals, both larvae and adults, significantly affected the total consumption of P. peruviana leaves. We also report, for the first time, three natural enemies, including a fungus, a fly, and an ant, which are associated with this pest in Brazil and may play a role in biological control strategies.

RESUMO: O uso de anestésicos em procedimentos aquícolas pode garantir melhor bem-estar e sobrevivência dos animais durante o transporte e ciclo de produção. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia anestésica dos óleos essenciais (OEs) de Lippia alba (EOLA) e Ocimum gratissimum (EOOG) para o camarão rosa Farfantepenaeus paulensis, e Origanum majorana (EOO) e Cymbopogon citratus (EOC) para o camarão branco Litopenaeus vannamei. Os camarões foram expostos à: (i) 500, 750 ou 1000 µL L-1 EOLA e (ii) 50, 100, 150 ou 250 µL L-1 de EOOG para F. paulensis, e (iii) 150, 300 ou 500 µL L-1 EOC, e (iv) 400 ou 800 µL L-1 de EOO para L. vannamei. Os tempos de indução foram dependentes da concentração. Houve diminuição do tempo de indução, mas para EOLA esse padrão foi observado apenas na anestesia. Os tempos de indução para sedação e anestesia foram significativamente mais rápidos para os grupos EOC e EOO. A concentração de 250 µL L-1 de EOOG resultou em 30% de mortalidade. O tempo de recuperação foi significativamente maior a 800 µL L-1 de EOO em comparação aos outros OEs. No geral, a ação dos OEs foi significativamente diferente entre as duas espécies de camarões. Em conclusão, ambos os OEs anestesiaram efetivamente o F. paulensis e L. vannamei.

ABSTRACT: The use of anesthetics in aquaculture ensures better animal welfare and survival during transport and the production cycle. The present study evaluated the anesthetic efficacy of essential oils (EOs) of Lippia alba (EOLA) and Ocimum gratissimum (EOOG) for pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus paulensis, and EOs of Origanum majorana (EOO) and Cymbopogon citratus (EOC) for white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. shrimp were exposed to (i) 500, 750 or 1000 µL L-1 of EOLA or (ii) 50, 100, 150 or 250 µL L-1 of EOOG, and L. vannamei were exposed to (iii) 150, 300 or 500 µL L-1 of EOC or (iv) 400 or 800 µL L-1 of EOO. The induction times were concentration dependent, with a decrease in induction time with the increase of the EOs concentration, but for EOLA, this pattern was observed only for anesthesia. Induction times for sedation and anesthesia were significantly shorter for shrimp exposed to EOC and EOO. The highest concentration of EOOG (250 µL L-1) resulted in 30% mortality. The recovery time was significantly longer for shrimp exposed to 800 µL L-1 of EOO compared to the other EOs. Overall, the action of EOs significantly differed between the two shrimp species. In conclusion, the tested EOs effectively anesthetized F. paulensis and L. vannamei.

Abstract In Brazil and in other countries of the world, studies have been conducted to identify Listeria monocytogenes in cattle meat that is preferably consumed undercooked and, when marketed without meeting strict phytosanitary requirements, may cause outbreaks of listeriosis. In the such, foodborne outbreaks, the methods used for the detection of the pathogen and the efficiency associated with them are crucial for the proper assessment. In this study, we used the techniques biochemical and molecular for identification of the L. monocytogenes isolated from 30 samples of the fresh beef, marketed in ten butchers’ shop of the free-fair from a municipality from the Bahia, Brazil. The results obtained from biochemical tests (catalase, motility, β-hemolysis and carbohydrate fermentation), as well as PCR analysis for the hly gene (hemolysin production is an important factor in the pathogenesis of listeriosis) revealed that 50% of butchers shops presented bovine meat contaminated with bacteria of the Listeria sp. and confirmed that 54.16% of the analyzed meat samples were positive for L. monocytogenes. This study highlights the importance of microbiological surveillance in free-fair to minimize the exposure of consumers to this foodborne pathogen.

RESUMO: Os objetivos deste trabalho foram determinar o tamanho ótimo de parcela e o número de repetições para avaliar a massa verde de azevém semeado a lanço. Foram conduzidos 20 ensaios de uniformidade, sendo cada ensaio composto por 16 unidades experimentais básicas (UEB) de 0,5 m2. Aos 117, 118 e 119 dias após semeadura foi determinada a massa verde de azevém nas UEB de 5, 10 e 5 ensaios de uniformidade, respectivamente. Foi determinado o tamanho ótimo de parcela pelo método da curvatura máxima do modelo do coeficiente de variação. A seguir, foi determinado o número de repetições em cenários formados pelas combinações de i tratamentos (i = 3, 4, ..., 50) e d diferença mínima significativa do teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade, expressa em percentagem da média do experimento (d = 10%, 11%, ..., 20%). Conclui-se que o tamanho ótimo de parcela para determinar a massa verde de azevém semeado a lanço é de 2,19m2, com coeficiente de variação de 9,79%. Para identificar como significativas a 5% de probabilidade pelo teste de Tukey, diferenças entre médias de tratamentos de 20%, o número de repetições necessárias é de cinco, seis, sete e oito repetições, respectivamente, para experimentos com até 5, 10, 20 e 50 tratamentos na cultura do azevém.

ABSTRACT: The objective of this research was to determine the optimal plot size and the number of replications to evaluate the fresh matter of ryegrass sown to haul. Twenty uniformity trials were conducted, each trial with 16 basic experimental units (BEU) of 0.5 m2. At 117, 118 and 119 days after sowing, the fresh matter of ryegrass in the BEUs of 5, 10 and 5 uniformity trials, respectively, were determined. The optimal plot size was determined by the maximum curvature method of the variation coefficient model. Next, the replications number was determined in scenarios formed by combinations of i treatments (i = 3, 4, ... 50) and d minimum differences between means of treatments to be detected as significant at 5% of probability by the Tukey test, expressed in experimental mean percentage (d = 10, 11, ... 20%). The optimal plot size to determine the fresh matter of ryegrass seeded at the haul is 2.19 m2, with a variation coefficient of 9.79%. To identify as significant at 5% probability, by the Tukey test, differences between treatment means of 20%, are required five, six, seven and eight replications, respectively, in ryegrass experiments with up to 5, 10, 20 and 50 treatments.

Currently, the pharmaceutical industry devotes great attention to drug degradation products because these compounds can offer risks to patients. A previous degradation study of betahistine (N-α-methyl-2-pyridylethylamine) conducted under different stress conditions detected three main impurities named A, B and C. Degradation products were analyzed by high-resolution mass spectrometry in electrospray source and time of flight analyzer (ESI-TOF) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Impurity mutagenicity was evaluated by Derek Nexus and Sarah Nexus softwares. Liquid chromatography hyphenate with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of the betahistine forced degradation sample indicated the presence of a new impurity, which was named impurity C1. 2D NMR experiments allowed the complete structural characterization of the new entity. The active pharmaceutical ingredient and degradation impurities were classified as inactive in the in silico mutagenic studies. Systematic investigation of a forced degradation sample led to the characterization of a new betahistine impurity. The in silico mutagenicity study of the betahistine degradation impurities may be useful in the risk assessment of the drug products.

ABSTRACT To characterize methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from an intensive care unit of a tertiary-care teaching hospital, between 2005 and 2010. A total of 45 isolates were recovered from patients admitted to the intensive care unit in the study period. Resistance rates higher than 80% were found for clindamycin (100%), erythromycin (100%), levofloxacin (100%), azithromycin (97.7%), rifampin (88.8%), and gentamycin (86.6%). The SCCmec typing revealed that the isolates harbored the types III (66.7%), II (17.8%), IV (4.4%), and I (2.2%). Four (8.9%) isolates carried non-typeable cassettes. Most (66.7%) of the isolates were related to the Brazilian endemic clone from CC8/SCCmec III, which was prevalent (89.3%) between 2005 and 2007, while the USA100/CC5/SCCmec II lineage emerged in 2007 and was more frequent in the last few years. The study showed high rates of antimicrobial resistance among methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates and the replacement of Brazilian clone, a well-established hospital lineage, by the USA100 in the late 2000s, at the intensive care unit under study.

RESUMO: A paca (Cuniculus paca), um dos maiores roedores da fauna brasileira, possui características inerentes à sua espécie que podem contribuir como uma nova opção de animal experimental; assim, considerando-se que há crescente busca por modelos experimentais apropriados para ortopedia e pesquisas cirúrgicas, foram analisados e descritos em detalhes a anatomia microscópica e ultraestrutural do joelho desse roedor. Os ligamentos colaterais são constituídos por feixes de fibras colágenas arranjadas paralelamente e com trajeto ondulado. Os fibroblastos formavam fileiras paralelas às fibras colágenas; quanto aos ligamentos colaterais, estes apresentaram citoplasma imperceptível à avaliação por microscopia de luz, entretanto, em análise ultraestrutural verificou-se vários prolongamentos citoplasmáticos. Microscopicamente, as estruturas presentes no joelho da paca assemelham-se às dos animais domésticos, roedores e lagomorfos.

ABSTRACT: Paca (Cuniculus paca), one of the largest rodent of the Brazilian fauna, has characteristics inherent to the species that can contribute as a new experimental animal; so, considering that there is a growing search for experimental models suitable for orthopedic and surgical research, it was analyzed and described in detail the microscopic and ultrastructural anatomy of the stifle in this rodent. The collateral ligaments are composed of bundles of collagen fibers arranged in parallel and in wavy path. Fibroblasts formed parallel rows to the collagen fibers; concerning the collateral ligaments, they presented imperceptible cytoplasm at light microscopy, but at ultrastructure analysis they presented several cytoplasmic processes. At the microscopic level, the stifle of paca resembles the domestic animals, rodents and lagomorphs.

ABSTRACT This paper reports the first study of the variation of the chemical composition and abundance of the essential oil of Croton heliotropiifolius, in four seasons, and the evaluation of its antibacterial activity. Essential oil obtained from leaves of C. heliotropiifolius were analyzed by GC/MS and evaluated against eight bacteria strains by broth microdilution method. The chemical constituents identified were the same in all samples, but with different proportions. The total percentages identified were 96.58% in summer, 92.08% in autumn, 98.44% in winter and 90.78% in spring. The majors constituents are β-caryophyllene, bicyclogermacrene, germacrene-D, limonene and 1,8-cineole. β-Caryophyllene was the major compound in all samples. The results of the antibacterial evaluations showed weak to moderate activity against the analyzed strains. In all analyzes was observed that essential oil sample collected in summer stands out from the others, displaying stronger activity against Gram-positive as Gram-negative bacteria.