Abstract Decision making and environmental policies are mainly based on propensity level to impact in the area. The propensity level can be determined through artificial intelligence techniques included in geotechnological universe. Thus, this study aimed to determine the areas of greatest vulnerability to human activities, in Amazon biome, through MODIS images of Land use and land cover (LULC) from the 2001 and 2013. Remote sensing, Euclidean distance, Fuzzy logic, AHP method and analysis of net variations were applied to specialize the classes of vulnerability in the states belonging to the Amazon Biome. From the results, it can be seen that the class that most evolved in a positive net gain during the evaluated period was “very high” and the one that most reduced was “high”, showing that there was a transition from “high” to “very high” risk areas. The states with the largest areas under “very high” risk class were Mato Grosso (101,100.10 km2) and Pará (81,010.30 km2). It is concluded that the application of remote sensing techniques allows the determination and assessment of the environmental vulnerability evolution. Mitigation measures urgently need to be implemented in the Amazon biome. The methodology can be extended to any other area of the planet.

Abstract Spore forming bacteria can play an important role in food quality and safety as spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms due to resistance to heat-treatment. However, there are limited number of studies focused on evaluate the microbiological quality and the occurrence of these bacteria in UHT goat milk, soymilk and dairy beverage of goat milk and soy protein. In this context, 75 samples of these beverages were evaluated regarding heterotrophic mesophilic microorganisms by conventional plate count and selective methods to detect microorganisms from Bacillus cereus group and Clostridium perfringens. Population counts greater than 104 CFU.ml-1 of heterotrophic mesophilic microorganisms were observed in 80% of the lots of goat milk and 100% of the lots of soymilk and dairy beverage of goat milk and soy protein. The presence of bacteria belonging to B. cereus group was observed in 16%, 52% and 44% of goat milk, soymilk and dairy beverage of goat milk and soy protein, respectively. C. perfringens was isolated from 8% samples of UHT soymilk. The frequency of genes hblA, hblB, hblC, nheA, nheB, nheC in 29 isolates obtained from these products was 62%, 48.2%, 96.5%, 79.3%, 68.9% and 79.3%, respectively. The microbiological quality of the evaluated products was unsatisfactory.

ABSTRACT The intercropping is an important cultural practice commonly used in pest management. It is based on the principle that increased plant diversity in the agro-ecosystem can lead to reductions of pest populations in the crop. The current study aimed to assess the impact the colored fiber cotton-cowpea intercropped systems on Aphis gossypii and Aphis craccivora and on their predator Cycloneda sanguinea and the losses and the dispersion behavior of these aphids and their predator in these cropping systems. The experiment had a randomized block experimental design with two bioassays and four treatments. The number of apterous and alate aphids (A. gossypii) per cotton plant was 1.46 and 1.73 or 1.97 and 2.19 times highest in the solid cotton system than that found in the cotton-cowpea intercropped systems (S1) and (S2), respectively. On the other hand, the cotton-cowpea intercropped systems (S1 and S2) reduced, respectively, in 43% and 31% the number of apterousA. gossypiiper cotton plant compared to the control. Implementing cotton-cowpea intercropped system in the S1 scheme reduced A. gossypii infestation, favored the multiplication of C. sanguinea, and allowed obtaining heavier open bolls.

ABSTRACT The host acceptance behavior and environmental factors as temperature affect the feeding behavior of Lepidoptera pests. Thus, they must be considered in studies about the risk potential of resistance evolution. The current study sets the differences in the feeding behavior of neonate Alabama argillacea (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae exposed to Bt and non-Bt cotton plants, under different temperatures and time gap after hatching. Two cotton cultivars were used: the Bt (DP 404 BG - bollgard) and the non-transformed isoline, DP 4049. We found that the feeding behavior of neonate A. argillacea is significantly different between Bt and non-Bt cotton. Based on the number of larvae with vegetal tissue in their gut found on the plant and in the organza as well as on the amount of vegetal tissue ingested by the larvae. A. argillacea shows feeding preference for non-Bt cotton plants, in comparison to that on the Bt. However, factors such as temperature and exposure time may affect detection capacity and plant abandonment by the larvae and it results in lower ingestion of vegetal tissue. Such results are relevant to handle the resistance of Bt cotton cultivars to A. argillacea and they also enable determining how the cotton seeds mix will be a feasible handling option to hold back resistance evolution in A. argillacea populations on Bt cotton, when it is compared to other refuge strategies. The results can also be useful to determine which refuge distribution of plants is more effective for handling Bt cotton resistance to A. argillacea.

A biphasic catalytic system based in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate was employed for tandem hydroformylation-amine condensation reactions of soybean FAME using HRhCO(PPh3)3 as the catalyst precursor and n-butylamine. Using a tenfold excess of the ligand PPh3, the presence of the ionic liquid increased the selectivity for imine if compared to the reaction carried out under similar conditions, but in homogeneous media.The yield for imine reached 75% after 24 h. On the other hand, in the absence of a PPh3 excess, the effect of using the ionic liquid was opposite and the selectivity for imine decreased. This supposedly occurred due to the generation ofN-heterocyclics carbenes, which would coordinate to Rh to form species active for parallel and/or consecutive reactions. When an excess PPh3 is used, it suppress the carbenes coordination, maintaining the Rh complex in a form active for hydroformylation.The obtained imine products presented remarkable antimicrobial activity towards a set of fungi and bacteria commonly present in fuel storage tanks.

Ácidos galoilquínicos, substâncias que têm apresentado atividade leishmanicida, foram isolados do extrato de acetato de etila da planta Byrsonima coccolobifolia. Estes compostos fenólicos juntamente com o ácido gálico demonstraram ser uma nova classe de inibidores não-competitivos potentes em arginase (ARG) de Leishmania amazonensis (Ki variando de 0,10 a 0,68 µmol L-1). O ácido quínico não apresentou atividade inibitória significativa em ARG demonstrando que a unidade galoila tem características importantes que permitem a interação enzima-inibidor. A atividade inibitória significativa do ácido gálico frente à ARG pode ser uma indicação para o entendimento da resposta imune previamente observada em Leishmania donovani, uma vez que a atividade enzimática da arginase está associada à diminuição dos níveis de NO no processo de infecção por Leishmania.

Leishmanicidal galloylquinic acids were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Byrsonima coccolobifolia. These phenols and gallic acid showed to be a new class of potent noncompetitive inhibitors of arginase ARG (Ki ranging from 0.10 to 0.68 µmol L-1) from Leishmania amazonensis. Quinic acid did not exhibit significant inhibition of ARG, indicating that galloyl moiety has important features that allows the enzyme-inhibitor interactions. The significant inhibitory activity of gallic acid on ARG can be a clue to understand the immune response previously observed on L. donovani, since ARG activity is associated with the decrease of the levels of NO in Leishmania infection.

Nós descrevemos a distribuição vertical e horizontal do pulgão do algodoeiro Aphis gossypii Glover dentro da planta de algodão (Gossypium hirsutum Linnaeus), em dois cultivares com fibras coloridas (BRS Safira and BRS Rubí) ao longo do seu desenvolvimento. Medidas de dinâmicas de populações e distribuição de A. gossypii nas plantas de algodão foram registradas em intervalos de sete dias. O número de afídeos ápteros ou alados e suas localizações específicas foram registrados, usando-se como ponto de referência a localização do nó no caule principal da planta e também aqueles presentes nas folhas de ramos e estruturas frutíferas. O número de afídeos ápteros encontrados na cultivar BRS Safira (56.515 afídeos) foi maior do que o encontrado na BRS Rubí (50.537 afídeos). Não houve diferença significativa entre o número de afídeos alados encontrados na BRS Safira (365 afídeos/planta) e na BRS Rubí (477 afídeos/planta). Ocorreram interações entre cultivar de algodão e idade da planta, entre região da planta e idade da planta e entre cultivar e região da planta para pulgões ápteros. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo são de grande importância na melhoria das estratégias de controle de A. gossypii nas cultivares de algodão com fibras coloridas BRS Safira e BRS Rubí.

We describe the vertical and horizontal distribution of the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover within a cotton plant in two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum Linnaeus) cultivars (BRS Safira and BRS Rubí) with colored fiber over the time. Measurements of aphid population dynamics and distribution in the cotton plants were recorded in intervals of seven days. The number of apterous or alate aphids and their specific locations were recorded, using as a reference point the location of nodes on the mainstem of the plant and also those on the leaves present on branches and fruit structures. The number of apterous aphids found on the cultivar BRS Safira (56,515 aphids) was greater than that found on BRS Rubí (50,537 aphids). There was no significant difference between the number of alate aphids found on the cultivars BRS Safira (365 aphids/plant) and BRS Rubí (477 aphids/plant). There were interactions between cotton cultivar and plant age, between plant region and plant age, and between cultivar and plant region for apterous aphids. The results of this study are of great importance in improving control strategies for A. gossypii in the naturally-colored cotton cultivars BRS Safira and BRS Rubí.

This work presents the observed changes in Wistar rats under long treatment (thirteen weeks) with different oral doses of the ethanolic extract (EE) from Jatropha gossypiifolia L., Euphorbiaceae. The most significant toxic signs indicated a reduction of the activity in the central nervous system and digestive disturbances. The histopathological analysis shows hepatotoxity and pulmonary damages. The lethality was 46.6% among males under the higher experimental dose (405 mg/kg) and 13.3% both in females under the higher dose and among the animals treated with 135 mg/kg of the product. These data show the significant oral chronic toxicity of EE of J. gossypiifolia in rats.

Estudamos os efeitos da temperatura na reprodução de Bracon vulgaris Ashmead, ectoparasitóide do bicudo-do-algodoeiro, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, em câmaras climatizadas, em temperaturas constantes de 20, 25 and 30ºC, umidade relativa do ar de 70 ± 10% e fotofase de 14 h. As fêmeas do parasitóide produziram mais ovos a 25ºC (124,65 ovos) do que aquelas expostas a 20 (43,40 ovos) e a 30ºC (49,60 ovos). O número médio de larvas parasitadas por fêmea de B. vulgaris a 25ºC(71,75 larvas) foi maior do que a 20ºC (31,40 larvas) e 30ºC (25,15 larvas). As taxas diárias de aumento (r m) foram -0,007 a 20ºC, 0,07 a 25ºC e 0,03 a 30ºC, indicando que a temperatura de 25ºC produziu aumento de 1100 e 133% no valor de r m em relação às temperaturas de 20 e 30ºC, respectivamente. Nos programas de controle biológico do bicudo-do-algodoeiro, usando liberações inoculativas deve-se utilizar fêmeas adultasde B. vulgaris com aproximadamente 5 dias (a 25 ou 30ºC) ou 20 dias de idade (a 20ºC); quando usando liberações inundativas, utilizar fêmeas adultas de B. vulgaris , com idade entre 11 e 31 dias (a 20ºC); 9 e 29 dias (a 25ºC) ou 3 e 14 dias (a 30ºC).

This research studied the effect of temperature on the reproduction of Bracon vulgaris Ashmead, an ectoparasitoid of cotton boll weevil ( Anthonomus grandis Boheman) at constant temperatures of 20, 25 and 30ºC, 70 ± 10% RH and a photophase of 14 h. Females of the parasitoid produced a greater number of eggs when exposed to 25ºC (124.65 eggs) in relation to those exposed to 20 (43.40 eggs) and 30ºC (49.60 eggs). The number of parasitized larvae per female of B. vulgaris at 25ºC (71.75) was greater than at 20ºC (31.40) and 30ºC (25.15). The daily intrinsic rates of increase (r m) were - 0.007 at 20ºC, 0.07 at 25ºC and 0.03 at 30ºC, revealing that the temperature of 25ºC produced increases of 1,100 and 133% in the value r m in relation to temperatures of 20 and 30ºC, respectively. In programs of biological control of the boll weevil using innoculative releases, adult females of B. vulgaris with approximately five (at 25 or 30ºC) or 20 day old (at 20ºC) should be used; when using innundative releases, adult females of B. vulgaris , with ages between 11 and 31; 9 and 29 or 3 and 14 days, respectively, at 20, 25 or 30ºC should be used.

Introduction: Micronutrient deficiency is an unquestionable public health problem, specially anemia and vitamin A deficiency (VAD). This is due to the collective dimension of these carencies, which reflects on morbimortality rates in the maternal and infant group. Objective: to evaluate the impact of a proposal for prenatal nutritional assistance, comparing the prevalence of anemia and VAD, in pre-intervention (GI) and intervention (GII) groups. Methods: this is a prospective intervention study in a cohort of pregnant women. The GI group was made up of 225 the GII group of 208 pregnant adults and their respective newborns, attended a Public Maternity Ward in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Concentration of hemoglobin was used to diagnose anemia and a standardized interview to diagnose night blindness (XN). Results and conclusion: after adjusting for confounding variables, through logistic regression, the protective effect of intervention at the onset of anemia (OR = 0.420; IC 95% = 0.251-0.702), with a significant reduction in prevalence, of 28.4% in the GI to 16.8% in the GII, also observed at the onset of XN (OR = 0.377; IC95% = 0.187- 0.759), with a reduction in prevalence of 18.7 % in the GI to 6.2% in the GII. Nutritional intervention has a beneficial effect on maternal health, reducing nutritional deficiencies most prevalent during pregnancy and the impact of these on the obstetric ailment.

Introducción: La deficiencia de micronutrientes es un problema de indudable de salud pública, especialmente la anemia y deficiencia de vitamina A (DVA). Esto es debido a la dimensión colectiva de estos carencies, que se refleja en las tasas de morbi-mortalidad en el grupo materno-infantil. Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de un proyecto de atención nutricional prenatal, comparando la prevalencia de anemia y DVA, en la pre-intervención (GI) y la intervención (GII). Métodos: se trata de una intervención prospectiva de un grupo de mujeres embarazadas. El GI consistió de 225 mujeres en el posparto y GII en 208 mujeres embarazadas y sus recién nacidos inscritos en una maternidad pública de Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Se utilizó la concentración de hemoglobina en el diagnóstico de la anemia durante el embarazo y la entrevista estandarizada para diagnosticar la ceguera nocturna (XN). Resultados y conclusión: Tras ajustar por variables de confusión, por la regresión logística, se verificó el efecto protector de la intervención sobre la anemia (OR = 0,420, 95% CI = 0.251-0.702), con reducción significativa en la prevalencia, 28,4 en el GI y 16,8% en el GII, que también se observó en los resultados XN (OR = 0,377, IC del 95% desde 0,187 hasta 0,759), con una reducción en la prevalencia, el 18,7% al 6,2% en el GI y GII. La intervención dietética tiene efectos beneficiosos sobre la salud materna, reducir las deficiencias nutricionales más prevalentes durante el embarazo y el impacto de estos sobre el resultado del embarazo.

The antibacterial activity of plant extracts obtained from Bixa orellana L., Chamomilla recutita L., Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil., Malva sylvestris L., Plantago major L. and Rheum rhaponticum L. has been evaluated against two reference strains and eleven clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori. All the plant species chosen are used in popular Brazilian cuisine and folk medicine in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Initial screening was made by the disk diffusion test and then minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by the agar dilution method. The results presented in this work demonstrated that among the plant preparations analyzed, B. orellana L., C. recutita L., I. paraguariensis A. St.-Hil. and M. sylvestris L. were capable of inhibiting the in vitro growth of H. pylori.

As doenças causadas por protozoários afetam hoje em dia uma grande parcela da população mundial, provocando muitas mortes e exercendo grande influência na qualidade de vida e no desenvolvimento de muitos países. Essas doenças afetam principalmente países pobres e por isso, a pesquisa e o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos são negligenciados. De fato, a maioria das drogas usadas no tratamento dessas doenças data de décadas passadas e apresentam muitas limitações, incluindo o aparecimento da resistência às drogas. Este artigo tem como foco os mais recentes desenvolvimentos publicados no campo de patentes, entre 2001-2008, com especial atenção a promissores compostos atuando contra tripanossomíase, leishmaniose, malária, toxoplasmose, amebíase, giardíase, balantidíase e pneumocistose.

Protozoan infections are parasitic diseases that affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, but have been largely neglected for drug development because they affect poor people in poor regions of the world. Most of the current drugs used to treat these diseases are decades old and have many limitations, including the emergence of drug resistance. This review will focus on the most recent developments, from 2001 to 2008, published in the field of patents and publications, paying particular attention to promising compounds acting against trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, malaria, toxoplasmosis, amebiasis, giardiasis, balantidiasis and pneumocystosis, their chemistry and biological evaluation, and to new chemical and pharmaceutical processes.

Euselasia eucerus (Hewitson, 1872) (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) é uma espécie brasileira nativa, comumente encontrada em plantios de Eucalyptus. Um estudo da mortalidade por fatores bióticos desse desfolhador foi feito em um plantio de Eucalyptus urophylla no Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil, com o objetivo de identificar os inimigos naturais e seu impacto sobre esse lepidóptero. Euselasia eucerus possui fatores bióticos de mortalidade durante todas as suas fases de desenvolvimento. Os mais importantes foram Trichogramma maxacalii Voegelé e Pointel, 1980 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) durante a fase de ovo (48,9%), um Diptera: Tachinidae durante a fase de larva (10%) e Itoplectis sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) durante a fase pupal (52,2%). A taxa de parasitismo foi mais elevada na parte basal de plantas de eucalipto (37,8%).

Euselasia eucerus (Hewitson, 1872) (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) is a Brazilian native species commonly found in Eucalyptus plantations. Biotic mortality factors of this defoliator were studied in a Eucalyptus urophylla plantation in Minas Gerais State, Brazil aiming to identify natural enemies and their impact on this insect. Euselasia eucerus had biotic mortality factors during all development stages. The most important were Trichogramma maxacalii Voegelé and Pointel, 1980 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) during egg stage (48.9%), a tachinid fly (Diptera: Tachinidae) during larval stages (10%) and Itoplectis sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) during pupal stage (52.2%). The parasitism rate was higher in the basal part of the plant canopy (37.8%).

Kava é um fitoterápico ansiolítico usado no tratamento da insônia e da ansiedade. Alguns casos de hepatotoxicidade induzida pela kava foram relatados na literatura, levando à proibição do seu uso em muitos países. Clinicamente, o espectro dessas alterações variou de elevações transitórias das enzimas hepáticas, até à falência hepática fulminante e morte. Em alguns casos, realizou-se transplante hepático. Este artigo revisa a literatura atual sobre a hepatite tóxica provavelmente relacionada à kava, discute os possíveis mecanismos responsáveis pela hepatotoxicidade potencialmente grave e descreve alguns aspectos que devem ser considerados quando eventos adversos hepáticos pareçam ser relacionados à administração dessa substância. Conclui-se que a possível toxicidade hepática pela kava ainda deve ser investigada e que algumas medidas antes e durante o seu uso são importantes, dada a possibilidade de disfunção hepática grave.

Kava is an anxiolytic herbal medicine used in the treatment of sleep and anxiety disorders. Some cases of kava-induced hepatotoxicity have been reported in the literature leading to its banishment in most countries worldwide. Clinically, the spectrum ranged from transient elevations of liver enzyme levels to fulminant liver failure and death. Liver transplantation was performed in a few cases. This paper provides a review of the currently available literature on kava-related toxic hepatitis which may result from its use, discusses the possible mechanisms for the potentially severe hepatotoxicity and describes some features which must be considered when adverse liver effects seem to be associated to kava administration. In conclusion, the incidence of kava toxicity on the liver remains to be investigated; however, some concerns before or during kava use are important, due to the possibility of severe liver dysfunction.

Catolaccus grandis (Burks) e Bracon vulgaris Ashmead são os principais parasitóides do bicudo-do-algodoeiro Anthonomus grandis Boheman no Nordeste do Brasil. É importante que se determinem as interações entre esses parasitóides e o seu efeito em programas de controle biológico dessa praga com os mesmos. A competição entre os parasitóides C. grandis e B. vulgaris foi estudada, utilizando-se larvas de Euscepes postfasciatus Fairmaire como hospedeiro alternativo. A fecundidade de C. grandis e B. vulgaris baseada na produção de ovos, não foi afetada pela competição, mas o parasitismo e a produção de adultos desses parasitóides foram afetados pela competição, exceto quando o hospedeiro se encontrava na base da caixa de criação. Independentemente da competição e da localização do hospedeiro, C. grandis apresentou melhor desempenho que B. vulgaris, mas não excluiu as populações da outra espécie de parasitóide.

The competition between populations of the parasitoids C. grandis and B. vulgaris was studied using larvae of Euscepes postfasciatus (Fairmaire) as an alternative host. A series of biological parameters was observed and related to the competitive abilities of both parasitoid species. They were capable of colonizing and maintaining their populations regardless of host location. The population growth of C. grandis and B. vulgaris, based on fecundity was not affected by the competition. The parasitism and survivorship to the adult stage were affected by competition, except when the host was located at the bottom of the rearing cage. C. grandis performed better than B. vulgaris independently of the competition and host location, but it did not exclude the other species.