Abstract Niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) has gained prominence as an anti-corrosive pigment. The performance of anti-corrosive coatings based on Nb2O5 was tested in an environment with an acid atmosphere and at high temperatures. For comparison, SAE 1020 carbon steel samples were coated with two anti-corrosive coatings based on Nb2O5: applied by thermal spray and epoxy paint. The samples were partially immersed in the laboratory for 720 h and 1440 h in a 40% (v/v) H2SO4 at 25°C, 60°C, and 80°C. An in-situ evaluation was carried out of chemical industry installations over 4383 h in microclimates with the presence of corrosive agents at temperatures up to 70°C. The results obtained showed that the Nb2O5 coatings applied by thermal spray offer better anti-corrosive performance under immersive conditions. In contrast, under conditions submitted to steam, both the Nb2O5 coatings applied by thermal spraying and epoxy-Nb2O5 paint show excellent anti-corrosive behavior.

ABSTRACT The dispersion of Diceraeus melacanthus (Dallas) from soybean (first crop season) to maize (second crop season) is facilitated by the presence of weeds (e.g. Commelina benghalensis) and soybean grains on the ground. Understanding insect development and behavior on different food sources is important to develop pest management strategies. Thus, three independent experiments were conducted to study D. melacanthus nymph development, and adult preference for feeding and oviposition in different food source scenarios in the field. The first two trials studied development and food preference of D. melacanthus related to different food sources (C. benghalensis branches, moistened soybean grain + soybean seedlings, maize seedlings + C. benghalensis branches, moistened soybean grains + maize seedlings, moistened soybean grains + C. benghalensis branches, maize seedlings, as well as a standard diet). The third trial evaluated D. melacanthus oviposition preferences between the aforementioned plants. Overall, moistened soybean grains resulted in better nutritional quality, thus being crucial for D. melacanthus development, triggering faster nymph development as well as better overall adult fitness. The combination of soybean grains and maize seedlings or C. benghalensis branches showed great potential to benefit D. melacanthus, since these complementary food sources improved stink bug fitness, increasing mainly adult longevity, fecundity and egg viability. Therefore, it can be concluded that in order to reduce D. melacanthus outbreaks in second season maize, it is important to reduce soybean harvest loss (reducing, therefore, moistened soybean grain on the ground) and eliminate stink bug associated plants like C. benghalensis.

ABSTRACT Objective: Feeding restriction in rats alters the oscillators in suprachiasmatic, paraventricular, and arcuate nuclei, hypothalamic areas involved in food intake. In the present study, using the same animals and experimental protocol, we aimed to analyze if food restriction could reset clock genes ( Clock, Bmal1 ) and genes involved in lipid metabolism ( Pgc1a, Pparg, Ucp2 ) through nutrient-sensing pathways ( Sirt1, Ampk, Nampt ) in peripheral tissues. Materials and methods: Rats were grouped according to food access: Control group (CG, food ad libitum ), Restricted night-fed (RF-n, food access during 2 h at night), Restricted day-fed (RF-d, food access during 2 h in the daytime), and Day-fed (DF, food access during 12 h in the daytime). After 21 days, rats were decapitated at ZT3 (0900-1000 h), ZT11 (1700-1800 h), or ZT17 (2300-2400 h). Blood, liver, brown (BAT) and peri-epididymal (PAT) adipose tissues were collected. Plasma corticosterone and gene expression were evaluated by radioimmunoassay and qPCR, respectively. Results: In the liver, the expression pattern of Clock and Bmal1 shifted when food access was dissociated from rat nocturnal activity; this phenomenon was attenuated in adipose tissues. Daytime feeding also inverted the profile of energy-sensing and lipid metabolism-related genes in the liver, whereas calorie restriction induced a pre-feeding increased expression of these genes. In adipose tissues, Sirt1 expression was modified by daytime feeding and calorie restriction, with concomitant expression of Pgc1a , Pparg , and Ucp2 but not Ampk and Nampt . Conclusion: Feeding restriction reset clock genes and genes involved in lipid metabolism through nutrient-sensing-related genes in rat liver, brown, and peri-epididymal adipose tissues.

Abstract Understanding the behavior of Candida spp. when exposed to denture disinfectants is essential to optimize their effectiveness. Changes in the virulence factors may cause increased resistance of Candida spp. to disinfectant agents. Objective To evaluate the microbial load, cellular metabolism, hydrolytic enzyme production, hyphae formation, live cell and biofilm quantification of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata after exposure to disinfectant solutions. Methodology Simple biofilms were grown on heat-polymerized acrylic resin specimens, and divided into groups according to solutions/strains: distilled water (control); 0.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl 0.25% ); 10% Ricinus communis (RC 10%); and 0.5% Chloramine T (CT 0.5%). The virulence factors were evaluated using the CFU count (microbial load), XTT method (cell metabolism), epifluorescence microscopy (biofilm removal and live or dead cells adhered), protease and phospholipase production and hyphae formation. Data were analyzed (α=0.05) by one-way ANOVA/ Tukey post hoc test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Wilcoxon test. Results NaOCl 0.25% was the most effective solution. CT 0.5% reduced the number of CFUs more than RC 10% and the control. RC 10% was effective only against C. glabrata. RC 10% and CT 0.5% decreased the cellular metabolism of C. albicans and C. glabrata. Enzyme production was not affected. Hyphal growth in the RC 10% and CT 0.5% groups was similar to that of the control. CT 0.5% was better than RC 10% against C. albicans and C. tropicalis when measuring the total amount of biofilm and number of living cells. For C. glabrata, CT 0.5% was equal to RC 10% in the maintenance of living cells; RC 10% was superior for biofilm removal. Conclusions The CT 0.5% achieved better results than those of Ricinus communis at 10%, favoring the creation of specific products for dentures. Adjustments in the formulations of RC 10% are necessary due to efficacy against C. glabrata. The NaOCl 0.25% is the most effective and could be suitable for use as a positive control.

Several studies have been carried out to develop new materials for biomedical applications. Material surfaces that present biomimetic morphology like nanotubes or nanofibers that provides nanoscale architectures have been shown to alter cell/biomaterial interactions. The coated surface biomaterial with biocompatible polymers and nanotubes of TiO2 is an alternative to improve osseointegration. The anodization process was performed to obtain nanotubes of TiO2 covering the Ti-30Ta alloy surface and the electrospinning process has been used for producing polymer fibers. Characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM - FEG), X-ray diffraction analysis (X-rays), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and contact angle were used for samples analyses. Adult human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were used to investigate the cellular response and S. aureus antimicrobial activity on these coated surfaces. The results indicated that both surface modification treatment showed a favorable micro-environment for cells growth and proliferation such as adhesion, viability and morphology which is a desire property for an implant. In addition, the antimicrobial activity study presented both materials with similar growth of S. aureus. So, it can conclude nanotubes and nanofibers can be used at biomedical field and both present similar cell evaluation and antimicrobial activity results.

RESUMO O fungo Cylindrocladium spathiphylli causa podridão no colo e nas raízes de espatifilo. Fungos produzem enzimas extracelulares e muitas destas podem estar envolvidas na patogênese. Há poucos estudos procurando comprovar o papel de uma determinada enzima na patogênese, principalmente no patossistema C. spathiphylli e espatifilo. Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi verificar a patogenicidade de diferentes isolados do fungo em espatifilo, em condições de BOD, e depois relacionar a patogênese com a produção in vitro da enzima extracelular lacase. O ensaio da patogenicidade foi inteiramente casualizado, com dois isolados normais e três isolados alterados por fungistase com seis repetições. Após a inoculação, avaliou-se a severidade da doença em mudas de espatifilo em quatro períodos (até 10 dias) com uma escala de notas (1,0 – sadia até 3,0 – morte de plantas). Aos 10 dias de avaliação, a severidade média da doença causada pelo isolado normal MMBF 01/01 e pelos isolados alterados MMBF 01/01 – 9 D e LFEEI016 – 3 D foi semelhante, enquanto que a severidade causada pelo isolado normal LFEEI016 não diferiu da testemunha. O isolado alterado MMBF 01/01 – 3 D apresentou severidade máxima da doença (nota média 3,0) aos sete dias de avaliação, diferindo dos demais. Quanto à enzima lacase, delineou-se ensaio inteiramente casualizado, com os mesmos isolados do fungo, em placa de Petri contendo meio específico para produção da enzima lacase com seis repetições. Mensurou-se a área da coroa circular da enzima formada no meio. A maior área média da enzima foi produzida pelo isolado alterado MMBF 01/01 – 3 D (2256,0 mm2), enquanto que as áreas dos isolados alterados LFEEI016 – 3 D e MMBF 01/01 – 9 D e do isolado normal MMBF 01/01 foram iguais e a menor área de lacase foi produzida pelo isolado normal LFEEI016 (747,2 mm2). Há uma relação quanto à quantidade da enzima lacase produzida in vitro com a severidade da doença causada pelos isolados na planta, o que reforça a necessidade de mais estudos in vivo para provar o papel da lacase na patogênese do fungo C. spathiphylli em espatifilo.

ABSTRACT The fungus Cylindrocladium spathiphylli causes collar and root rot in spathiphyllum. Fungi produce extracellular enzymes, most of which can be involved in pathogenicity. There are few studies that aim to prove the role of a certain enzyme in pathogenicity, especially for the pathosystem C. spathiphylli and spathiphyllum. Thus, the aim of the present study was to verify, under BOD conditions, the pathogenicity of different fungal isolates in spathiphyllum and to relate such pathogenicity to the in vitro production of the extracellular enzyme laccase. The pathogenicity assay was completely randomized with two normal isolates and three isolates altered by fungistasis, in six replicates. After inoculation, disease severity in spathiphyllum seedlings was evaluated at four different periods (until 10 days), using a score scale (1.0=health to 3.0=death of seedling). At 10 days, mean disease severity caused by the normal isolate MMBF 01/01 was similar to that caused by the altered isolates MMBF 01/01 – 9 D and LFEEI016 – 3 D, while the disease severity caused by the normal isolate LFEEI016 did not differ from that of control. The altered isolate MMBF 01/01 – 3 D showed maximum disease severity (average score 3.0) at seven days of evaluation, differing from the remaining isolates. As to the enzyme laccase, a completely randomized assay was designed with the same fungal isolates on Petri plate containing specific medium for laccase production, in six replicates. The area of the circular crown formed in the medium was measured. The largest mean area of the enzyme was produced by the altered isolate MMBF 01/01 – 3 D (2256.0 mm2), while the areas produced by the altered isolates LFEEI016 – 3 D and MMBF 01/01 – 9 D were equal to that produced by the normal isolate MMBF 01/01, and the smallest area of laccase was produced by the normal isolate LFEEI016 (747.2 mm2). In vitro production of the enzyme laccase was related to the disease severity caused by the isolates in the plant, which reinforces the need of further in vitro studies to prove the role of laccase in the pathogenicity of the fungus C. spathiphylli in spathiphyllum.

ABSTRACT We evaluated the influence of host preference, mating, and release density on Telenomus remus (Nixon, 1937) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) parasitizing eggs of Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). First, we tested host preference of T. remus (free choice test) offered a choice between eggs of Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton, 1865) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and S. frugiperda. Parasitism capacity and host preference (S. frugiperda) of T. remus reared on either of the two hosts did not differ. Secondly, we evaluated the influence of mating behavior of T. remus females on its parasitism. Only the offspring sex ratio differed between treatments, indicating that the species reproduces by parthenogenesis of the arrhenotoky type. Finally, we evaluated the influence of release density on T. remus parasitism. This was tested by releasing different numbers of the parasitoid per S. frugiperda egg using T. remus reared for different numbers of generations on C. cephalonica eggs. The regression analysis between percentage of parasitism and density of released T. remus females showed a quadratic effect for all tested parasitoid generations (F35, F40, and F45) with maximum parasitism from 65.07% to 71.69%. Our results allow the conclusion that (a) T. remus prefers S. frugiperda eggs, regardless of the host on which this parasitoid was reared, showing no preimaginal conditioning; (b) Mating does not affect the number of eggs parasitized by T. remus or the development of its offspring; and (c) The optimal T. remus release density when reared on C. cephalonica is between 0.133 and 0.150 females/S. frugiperda.

Dichelops melacanthus foi avaliado em condições con troladas (60 ± 10% UR e fotoperíodo de 14/10 h L/E) em três temperaturas constantes (19, 25, e 31 ± 2 °C). Vagens frescas da soja MON 87701 x MON 89788 e de sua isolinha não-Bt (A5547) foram oferecidas a ninfas e adul tos. A biologia de T. podisi foi estudada nessas mesmas condições controladas de UR, mas apenas na temperatura padrão de 25 ± 2 °C. Em geral, o desenvolvimento de D. mela canthus foi melhor nas temperaturas mais altas, as quais aceleraram o desenvolvimento do percevejo, mas sem afetar os parâmetros biológicos da fase adulta. Não houve influência da soja-Bt na biologia da praga em nenhuma das temperaturas estudadas, o que mostra que D. melacanthus não é afetado pela soja transgênica. O parasitoide de ovos T. podisi também não foi impactado quando parasitou ovos da praga alimentada com soja MON 87701 x MON 89788, com resultados semelhantes àqueles obtidos na soja isogênica não-Bt. Portanto, este estudo comprova que D. melacanthus é favorecido por temperaturas mais altas (31 ± 2 °C), e que soja-Bt MON 87701 x MON 89788 não afeta o desenvolvimento desta praga assim como de seu parasitoide T. podisi.

Dichelops melacanthus was studied under controlled conditions (60 ± 10% RH and 14/10 h L/D photoperiod), and three constant temperatures (19, 25, and 31 ± 2 °C). Fresh pods of MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybeans and its near non-Bt isoline (A5547) were supplied to nymphs and adults. The biology of T. podisi was studied in the same controlled RH conditions, but only at the standard temperature of 25 ± 2 °C. Overall, the development of D. melacanthus was better at higher temperatures, which accelerated the development of the stink bug without affecting adult biological parameters. No influence of Bt-soybeans on the biology of the pest was observed in any temperature studied, which shows that D. melacanthus is not affected by this transgenic soybean. The egg parasitoid T. podisi also was not harmed when it parasitized eggs of the pest fed with MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybeans, with similar results to those obtained in non-Bt isogenic soybeans. Thus, this study demonstrates that D. melacanthus is favored at high temperatures (31 ± 2 °C), and that neither did MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean pods affect the development of the pest nor its parasitoid T. podisi.

ResumoA manufatura aditiva é um processo utilizado para a construção e reparos de peças que possuem geometria complexa ou que necessitem de gradiente de propriedades. Nessa técnica múltiplas camadas são depositadas para a construção da geometria do componente. O sucesso desse procedimento depende de fatores como a técnica de deposição, parâmetros, liga a ser depositada e condições da deposição, como temperatura e atmosfera protetora. Neste estudo, o potencial da técnica de Plasma por arco transferido para manufatura aditiva foi avaliado produzindo “paredes finas”, construídas a partir da sobreposição de cordões. Foram utilizadas duas ligas a base de níquel, uma endurecida por precipitação e outra endurecida por solução sólida. Durante os trabalhos, foram selecionados os parâmetros de processamentos, incluindo a avaliação do efeito do pré-aquecimento a 300°C. Resultados mostraram que a composição química da liga influencia a geometria da parede construída assim como a utilização de pré-aquecimento. Estruturas de solidificação exibindo dendritas refinadas com crescimento epitaxial entre camadas são identificadas. Entretanto, as características da liga determinam o perfil de dureza ao longo da seção transversal, sendo a liga endurecida por precipitação influenciada pelos ciclos térmicos de deposição e a liga endurecida por solução sólida pela diluição com o substrato. Em qualquer dos casos é recomendado a aplicação de tratamento térmico pós-soldagem para uniformização das propriedades.

AbstractAdditive manufacturing (AM) is a process used to build and repair complex shape components or whenever a property gradient is required. In this manufacturing procedure, multiple layers are deposited to fabricate a component. The success of the procedure is strongly dependent on the deposition technique, processing parameters selection and chemical composition of the material being deposited. Also pre-heating and the use of inert atmosphere impact on cracking, wettability and oxidation of the deposited layers. In this study, the potential of plasma transferred arc for additive manufacturing was assessed by the fabrication of “thin walls”. Two Ni superalloys were used, a solid solution hardening and a gamma prime precipitation hardening alloy. The analysis of processing parameters that allowed to process “thin wall”, included pre-heating at 300°C. Results showed that the chemical composition and the using of pre-heating impact on the layers geometry. In both alloys, a fine dendritic solidification structure with epitaxial growth between layers was identified. However, each alloy determined the hardness profile along the cross section. The precipitation hardened alloy is strongly influenced by the deposition thermal cycle of each layer. The solid solution hardened alloy is mainly influenced by dilution of the first layers with the substrate.

Objetivo : Este estudo avalia polimorfismos (SNPs) do NR3C1 na população brasileira, que possui origem étnica heterogênea. Materiais e métodos : SNPs do NR3C1 foram avaliados em brasileiros de ancestralidade caucasiana, africana ou japonesa (n = 380). Em um subgrupo (n = 40), os genótipos foram comparados à sensibilidade aos glicocorticoides (GC), previamente avaliada por cortisol plasmático (PF) e salivar (SF) após supressão com dexametasona (DEX), ensaio de afinidade do receptor ao GC (K d ) e inibição por DEX de 50% da proliferação de mononucleares estimulada por concanavalina-A (IC 50 ). Discriminação alélica de p.N363S (rs6195), p.ER22/23EK (rs6189-6190) e BclI (rs41423247) foi realizada por PCR em tempo real. Éxons 3 a 9 e transições éxon/íntron foram amplificados e sequenciados. Resultados : Frequências genotípicas (%) foram: rs6195 (n = 380; AA:96,6/AG:3,14/GG:0,26), rs6189-6190 (n = 264; GG:99,6/GA:0,4), rs41423247 (n = 264; CC:57,9/CG:34,1/GG:8,0), rs6188 (n = 155; GG:69,6/GT:25,7/TT:4,7), rs258751 (n = 150; CC:88,0/CT:10,7/TT:1,3), rs6196 (n = 176; TT:77,2/TC:20,4/CC:2,4), rs67300719 (n = 137; CC:99,3/CT:0,7), e rs72542757 (n = 137; CC:99,3/CG:0,7). Enquanto rs67300719 e rs72542757 foram exclusivos dos nipodescendentes, p.N363S e p.ER22/23EK estavam ausentes nesses indivíduos. p.ER22/23EK foi exclusivo dos descendentes de caucasianos. Equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg foi observado, exceto nos nipodescendentes para rs6188 e rs258751 e nos afrodescendentes para p.N363S. K d , IC 50 , PF ou SF basal ou após DEX foram semelhantes entre os genótipos. Entretanto, a dose média de DEX que suprimiu PF ou SF diferiu entre os genótipos BclI (P = 0,03), sendo maior nos carreadores GG (0,7 ± 0,2 mg) comparada aos GC (0,47 ± 0,2 mg) e CC (0,47 ± 0,1 mg). Conclusão : As frequências genotípicas dos SNPS de NR3C1 na população brasileira são semelhantes a outras populações. BclI foi associado à alteração da sensibilidade ao GC no eixo hipófise-adrenal.

Objective : The Brazilian population has heterogeneous ethnicity. No previous study evaluated NR3C1 polymorphisms in a Brazilian healthy population. Materials and methods : We assessed NR3C1 polymorphisms in Brazilians of Caucasian, African and Asian ancestry (n = 380). In a subgroup (n = 40), we compared the genotypes to glucocorticoid (GC) sensitivity, which was previously evaluated by plasma (PF) and salivary (SF) cortisol after dexamethasone (DEX) suppression tests, GC receptor binding affinity (K d ), and DEX-50% inhibition (IC 50 ) of concanavalin-A-stimulated mononuclear cell proliferation. p.N363S (rs6195), p.ER22/23EK (rs6189-6190), and BclI (rs41423247) allelic discrimination was performed by Real-Time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). Exons 3 to 9 and exon/intron boundaries were amplified by PCR and sequenced. Results : Genotypic frequencies (%) were: rs6195 (n = 380; AA:96.6/AG:3.14/GG:0.26), rs6189-6190 (n = 264; GG:99.6/GA:0.4), rs41423247 (n = 264; CC:57.9/CG:34.1/GG:8.0), rs6188 (n = 155; GG:69.6/GT:25.7/TT:4.7), rs258751 (n = 150; CC:88.0/CT:10.7/TT:1.3), rs6196 (n = 176; TT:77.2/TC:20.4/CC:2.4), rs67300719 (n = 137; CC:99.3/CT:0.7), and rs72542757 (n = 137; CC:99.3/CG:0.7). The rs67300719 and rs72542757 were found only in Asian descendants, in whom p.N363S and p.ER22/23EK were absent. The p.ER22/23EK was observed exclusively in Caucasian descendants. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed, except in the Asian for rs6188 and rs258751, and in the African for p.N363S. The K d , IC 50 , baseline and after DEX PF or SF did not differ between genotype groups. However, the mean DEX dose that suppressed PF or SF differed among the BclI genotypes (P = 0.03). DEX dose was higher in GG- (0.7 ± 0.2 mg) compared to GC- (0.47 ± 0.2 mg) and CC-carriers (0.47 ± 0.1 mg). Conclusion : The genotypic frequencies of NR3C1 polymorphisms in Brazilians are similar to worldwide populations. Additionally, the BclI polymorphism was associated with altered pituitary-adrenal axis GC sensitivity.

Introducción: La infección por el hongo Aspergillus fumigatus está más comúnmente asociada a la aspergilosis invasiva. La fuerte actividad antimicótica del aceite esencial de L. origanoides contra A. fumigatus ha dado un nuevo valor agregado a este producto natural de Boyacá-Colombia. Objetivo: El aumento de las infecciones por hongos, el desarrollo de la resistencia y la toxicidad de los antifúngicos de amplio espectro han llevado a una constante búsqueda de alternativas terapéuticas. En este estudio fueron evaluados la composición química, la actividad antifúngica y citotóxica de nueve aceites esenciales obtenidos de L. origanoides; y la relación entre la actividad antifúngica de los aceites con respecto a la presencia de sus principales componentes. Métodos y Resultados: La actividad antifúngica se determinó siguiendo los protocolos AFST-EUCAST para Candida krusei y C. parapsilosis; y CLSI M38A para Aspergillus fumigatus y A. flavus. El análisis por GC-MS identificó tres quimiotipos: carvacrol timol y p-cymene/trans-beta-caryophyllene. El aceite esencial del quimiotipo timol fue el más activo en los ensayos antifúngicos con valores de MIC de 157,5, 198,4, 125 y 31 mg ml-1 frente a C. parapsilosis, C. krusei, A. flavus y A. fumigatus, respectivamente. El carvacrol y el timol, los principales componentes, no fueron activos frente a A. fumigatus en concentraciones inferiores a 157,5 g / ml-1. En general, los aceites no fueron citotóxicos. Conclusiones: El aceite esencial de L origanoides, quimiotipo timol, de la región de Boyacá-Colombia presentó la mayor actividad antifúngica frente a A. fumigatus entre todos los aceites evaluados; igualmente, sus principales componentes fueron los más activos en comparación a los otros quimiotipos. Salud UIS 2011; 43 (2): 141-148

Introduction: Aspergillus fumigatus is most commonly associated to invasive aspergillosis. Strong antifungal activity against A. fumigatus of L. origanoides essential oil gives a new added value to this natural product from Boyacá-Colombia. Aims: The increase in fungal infections, the development of resistance and toxicity of wide-spectrum antifungals have led to a constant search for therapeutic alternatives. The chemical composition, antifungal and cytotoxic activity of nine essential oils obtained from L. origanoides were evaluated and the relationship between the antifungal activities of the oil and of its major components were explored. Methods and Results: Antifungal activity was determined following the protocols AFST-EUCAST for Candida krusei and C. parapsilosis, and CLSI-M38A for Aspergillus fumigatus and A. flavus. The GC-MS analysis identified three chemotypes: thymol, carvacrol and p-cymene/trans-beta-caryophyllene. The essential oil of the thymol chemotype was the most active in antifungal assays with MIC values of 157.5, 198.4, 125 and 31 μg ml-1 against C. parapsilosis, C. krusei, A. flavus and A. fumigatus, respectively. The major components carvacrol and thymol were not active against A. fumigatus at concentrations below 157.5 μg ml-1. In general, the oils were not cytotoxic. Conclusions: The essential oil of the thymol chemotype of L. origanoides from the region of Boyacá- Colombia showed the highest antifungal activity against A. fumigatus among all the oils and major components tested. Salud UIS 2011; 43 (2): 141-148

Várias substâncias de origem natural têm sido utilizadas como agentes imunomoduladores, permitindo modificar a função do sistema imune e propiciando o estudo de atividades terapêuticas de extratos de plantas. Este trabalho objetivou identificar a atividade imunomodulatória dos extratos de seis plantas medicinais da flora brasileira, Calophyllum brasiliense, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Matayba elaeagnoides, Maytenus robusta, Rubus imperialis e Vernonia scorpioides, sobre a proliferação de células esplênicas de camundongos. As células esplênicas murinas obtidas por ruptura mecânica do baço (5x14³ células/mL) foram incubadas com os extratos metanólicos das plantas (10, 50, 100, 200 µg/mL) e fito-hemaglutinina (PHA, 5 µg/mL). O controle basal de proliferação foi constituído de células apenas e o controle positivo formado por células e PHA. O cultivo celular foi mantido a 37 ºC, 5% de CO2, 72 horas, com quantificação da proliferação celular pelo ensaio de redução do azul de tetrazólio. Os resultados expressos em percentagem de crescimento foram analisados pelos testes de Kruskal-Wallis e Mann-Whitney. Os extratos de C. brasiliense, I. pes-caprae e M. elaeagnoides mostraram indução dose-dependente da proliferação celular (p<0,03), com percentagem de crescimento de, respectivamente, 88,2%, 73,1% e 52,7%, sugerindo estímulo de linfócitos T. Contrariamente, os extratos de M. robusta, R. imperialis e V. scorpioides apresentaram significância apenas com percentagem de crescimento negativa, indicando inibição da proliferação celular (p<0,04). A continuidade no estudo biomonitorado permitirá a identificação das frações e substâncias isoladas responsáveis pelas atividades imunomoduladoras.

A number of natural compounds have been used as immunomodulatory agents, enabling the function of the immune system to be modified by stimulating or suppressing it. There has been increasing interest in the study of therapeutic action of plant extracts regarding their immunomodulatory activity. The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the action of extracts of the medicinal plants Calophyllum brasiliense, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Matayba elaeagnoides, Maytenus robusta, Rubus imperialis and Vernonia scorpioides on the development of spleen cells from mice, using the in vitro cellular proliferation assay. The cells, obtained by mechanical rupture of mice spleen (5x10(4) cells/mL), were incubated with methanol extracts (10, 50, 100 and 200 µg/mL) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA, 5 µg/mL). The basal control for proliferation consisted of cells alone, while the positive control consisted of cells and PHA. The cell culture was kept at 37 ºC in 5% CO2 for 72 hours, and cell proliferation was revealed by the blue tetrazolium reduction assay (MTT). The results were expressed as percentage of growth and were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. The C. brasiliense, I. pes-caprae and M. elaeagnoides extracts showed dose-dependent induction of cell proliferation, with a significant increase in cell proliferation (p<0.03) and percentage growth of 88.2%, 73.1% and 52.7%, respectively, suggesting T lymphocyte stimulation. By contrast, M. robusta, R. imperialis and V. scorpioides extracts showed significance only with a negative percentage of growth, suggesting inhibition of cell proliferation (p<0.04). Further biomonitoring studies will enable the fractions and isolated substances responsible for the immunomodulatory activities to be identified.

Uma das alternativas para reduzir o uso de agrotóxicos pode ser a utilização de óleos essenciais para o controle de doenças e pragas que afetam a produção agrícola. O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar o efeito fungicida dos óleos essenciais de Schinus molle L. e Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, espécies nativas amplamente distribuídas na região. Os óleos foram extraídos por hidrodestilação e analisados por cromatografia gasosa. Os fungos fitopatógenos Alternaria spp., Botrytis spp., Colletotrichum spp. e Fusarium spp., foram isolados a partir de gérberas e rosas com sintomas de doença e os ensaios de atividade antifúngica foram realizados através da técnica de difusão em disco e os dados analisados pelo teste de Tukey e Duncan a 5%. Em geral o óleo essencial de S. molle foi efetivo para os quatro fungos testados, nas quatro diluições utilizadas e para todos os tempos avaliados e o óleo essencial de S. terebinthifolius apresenta efeito fungicida mais pronunciado contra Botrytis spp., a partir de testes in vitro.

One of the alternatives to reduce the use of pesticides may be the use of essential oils to control diseases and pests that affect agricultural production. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fungicide effect of essential oils of Schinus molle L. and Schinus terebinthifoliusRaddi, native species widely distributed in the region. The oils were extracted by hydro distillation and analyzed by gas chromatography. The phytopathogenic fungi Alternariaspp., Botrytisspp., Colletotrichumspp. and Fusarium spp., were isolated from "gerberas" and roses with symptoms of disease and antifungal activity of the tests were carried out by the technique of spreading disk. The data was analyzed by Tukey and Duncan tests to 5%. In general, the essential oil of S. mollewas effective for the four fungi tested, for the four dilutions used and for all the times evaluated. The essential oil of S. terebinthifolius presents more pronounced fungicide effect against Botrytisspp., from in vitro tests.

O estudo dos extratos dos galhos da planta Spiranthera odoratissima St. Hil. (Rutaceae) levou ao isolamento de alcalóides furoquinolínicos (dictamina, γ-fagarina e esquimianina) e 2-arilquinolin-4-ona (2-fenil-1-metilquinolin-4-ona) e limonóides (ácido limonéxico e limonina). Os compostos 2-fenil-1-metilquinolin-4-ona e ácido limonéxico foram isolados pela primeira vez no gênero Spiranthera. Os alcalóides furoquinolínicos, 2-arilquinolin-4-ona e os limonóides mostraram atividade inseticida e/ou fungicida no ninho da formiga Atta sexdens rubropilosa.

The study of the Spiranthera odoratissima St. Hil (Rutaceae) branches extracts led to the isolation of the furoquinoline (dictamine, γ-fagarine and skimmianine) and 2-arylquinoli-4-one (1-methyl-2-phenylquinolin-4-one) alkaloids and limonoids (limonexic acid and limonin). The compounds 1-methyl-2-phenylquinolin-4-one and limonexic acid were isolated for the first time from the Spiranthera. These furoquinoline and 2-arylquinoli-4-one alkaloids and limonoids showed insecticidal and/or fungicidal activity in the nest of the Atta sexdens rubropilosa.

INTRODUÇÃO: O objetivo deste artigo foi avaliar a qualidade de vida de acadêmicos de graduação em Enfermagem de uma universidade pública do Estado do Paraná, correlacionar com variáveis sociodemográficas, e comparar os acadêmicos do primeiro e quarto anos do curso. MÉTODO: Estudo descritivo, transversal e com abordagem quantitativa. Participaram 34 acadêmicos do primeiro ano (89,5%) e 33 acadêmicos do quarto ano (100%), que responderam ao questionário WHOQOL-bref da Organização Mundial da Saúde, além de informações complementares. RESULTADOS: Os acadêmicos pesquisados eram predominantemente mulheres, jovens, solteiras, com renda per capita média familiar mensal de mais de um salário mínimo, procedentes de outras cidades e residiam com a família ou em república/pensionato. Considerando todos os acadêmicos, o maior escore médio de qualidade de vida foi para o domínio físico (72,7 + 13,1), e o menor para o domínio meio ambiente (60,7 + 12,7). Na correlação com variáveis sociodemográficas, apenas o sexo apresentou correlação com a qualidade de vida, com maiores escores médios para os acadêmicos do sexo masculino nos domínios físico (79,9 + 9,8) e psicológico (77,6 + 6,3). Na análise comparativa entre os acadêmicos do primeiro e quarto anos, apesar das diferenças significativas para idade e renda, com o primeiro ano apresentando alunos mais jovens e com menor renda média familiar mensal em relação ao quarto ano, não houve diferença significativa nos domínios da qualidade de vida. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que os acadêmicos de Enfermagem merecem atenção quanto à qualidade de vida, principalmente as mulheres nos aspectos físico e psicológico.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of undergraduate students from a nursing course in a public university in the State of Paraná, Brazil, correlating with sociodemographic variables, and to compare undergraduate students from first and fourth years. METHOD: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. Thirty-four students (89.5%) from the first year and 33 (100%) from the fourth year participated. They answered the WHOQOL-bref, a questionnaire designed by the World Health Organization, in addition to some additional information. RESULTS: The students were predominantly female, young and single, with per capita family income up to one minimum wage, coming from other cities and living with the family or with housemates. Considering the entire sample, the highest quality of life mean score was for the physical domain (72.7 + 13.1), and the lowest for the environment domain (60.7 + 12.7). Correlation with sociodemographic variables showed that only gender had significant correlation with quality of life. The highest mean scores were for male students in the physical (79.9 + 9.8) and psychological (77.6 + 6.3) domains. There was significant difference between age and income in the comparison between students from first and fourth years, the profile of first-year students being younger and with low income than students from the fourth year. In spite of this, no significant difference in quality of life domains was found. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that nursing students need attention in relation to the quality of life, especially women in the physical and psychological aspects.