Resumo A evasão fiscal é a consequência da prática da sonegação. Apenas no Brasil, estima-se que ela corresponda a 8% do PIB. Com isso, os governos necessitam de sistemas inteligentes para apoiar os auditores fiscais na identificação de sonegadores. Tais sistemas dependem de dados sensíveis dos contribuintes para o reconhecimento dos padrões, que são protegidos por lei. Com isso, o presente trabalho apresenta uma solução inteligente, capaz de identificar os perfis de potenciais sonegadores com o uso apenas de dados abertos, públicos, disponibilizados pela Receita Federal e pelo Conselho Administrativo Tributário do Estado de Goiás, entre outros cadastros públicos. Foram gerados três modelos que utilizaram os recursos Random Forest, Redes Neurais e Grafos. Em validação depois de melhorias finas, foi possível obter acurácia superior a 98% na predição do perfil inadimplente. Por fim, criou-se uma solução de software visual para uso e validação pelos auditores fiscais do estado de Goiás.

Abstract Tax evasion is the practice of the non-payment of taxes. In Brazil alone, it is estimated as 8% of GDP. Thus, governments must use intelligent systems to support tax auditors to identify tax evaders. Such systems seek to recognize patterns and rely on sensitive taxpayer data that is protected by law and difficult to access. This research presents a smart solution, capable of identifying the profile of potential tax evaders, using only open and public data, made available by the Brazilian internal revenue service, the administrative council of tax appeals of the State of Goiás, and other public sources. Three models were generated using Random Forest, Neural Networks, and Graphs. The validation after fine improvements offered an accuracy greater than 98% in predicting tax evading companies. Finally, a web-based solution was created to be used and validated by tax auditors of the State of Goiás.

Resumen La evasión fiscal es la consecuencia de la práctica de la defraudación tributaria. En Brasil, se estima que corresponde al 8% del PIB. Por lo tanto, los gobiernos necesitan y utilizan sistemas inteligentes para ayudar a los agentes de hacienda a identificar a los defraudadores fiscales. Dichos sistemas se basan en datos confidenciales de los contribuyentes para el reconocimiento de patrones, que están protegidos por ley. Este trabajo presenta una solución inteligente, capaz de identificar perfiles de potenciales defraudadores fiscales, utilizando únicamente datos públicos abiertos, puestos a disposición por la Hacienda Federal y por el Consejo Administrativo Tributario del Estado de Goiás, entre otros registros públicos. Se generaron tres modelos utilizando random forest y neural networks. En la validación después de finas mejoras, fue posible obtener una precisión superior al 98% en la predicción del perfil moroso. Finalmente, se creó una solución de software visual para uso y validación por parte de los auditores fiscales del estado de Goiás.

Abstract Background: the biological activity of vitamin D depends on the activity of its receptor or VDR. On the other hand, the activity of this receptor is influenced by its state of methylation. The objective of this study was to verify if the BsmI polymorphism of the VDR gene influences its methylation profile in adolescents. Secondly, it was to verify if the status of some metabolic factors (oxidative stress, inflammation, lipid profile, and glycemia) in the serum, and gender-adjusted vitamin D levels are independent factors with an influence on the VDR methylation profile. Methods and results: the study included 198 adolescents of both sexes, aged 15-19 years, who underwent testing for VDR gene methylation polymorphisms, serum vitamin D levels, and metabolic, oxidative stress, and systemic inflammation markers. It was observed that the BB genotype was less methylated than the other groups (26.1 % versus 30.3 %, and 29.3 % for Bb and bb, respectively), although without statistical differences between them. The odds ratio indicated a protection of 13 % (partially methylated) for vitamin D status, while alpha glycols increased the risk ratio (of being partially methylated) by 3 %. MDA was protective at a 28 % chance of risk that adolescents with higher levels of lipid peroxidation would be hypomethylated. Conclusion: we conclude that the methylation profile of the VDR gene is not influenced by the different BsmI polymorphism genotypes, and that serum vitamin D and serum markers of oxidative stress and inflammation can modulate this profile.

Resumen Antecedentes: la actividad biológica de la vitamina D depende de la actividad de su receptor, el VDR. Por otro lado, la actividad de este receptor está influenciada por su estado de metilación. El objetivo de este estudio es verificar si el polimorfismo BsmI del gen VDR influye en el perfil de metilación del mismo en los adolescentes. En segundo lugar, verificar si los factores metabólicos (estrés oxidativo, inflamación, perfil lipídico y glucemia) del suero y la vitamina D ajustada por sexo actúan independientemente de los polimorfismos sobre el perfil de metilación del VDR. Métodos y resultados: el estudio incluyó a 198 adolescentes de ambos sexos, de 15 a 19 años de edad, que se sometieron a análisis de polimorfismos de metilación del gen VDR, niveles de vitamina D, marcadores metabólicos, estrés oxidativo e inflamación sistémica. Se observó que el genotipo BB estaba menos metilado que los otros grupos (26,1 % contra 30,3 % y 29,3 % para Bb y bb respectivamente), aunque sin diferencias estadísticas entre ellos. El odds ratio indicó una protección del 13 % (parcialmente metilado) para el estado de la vitamina D, mientras que los alfa glicoles aumentaron el índice de riesgo (de estar parcialmente metilado) en un 3 %. La MDA fue protectora con un 28 % de probabilidad de riesgo de que los adolescentes con niveles más altos de peroxidación lipídica fueran hipometilados. Conclusión: concluimos que el perfil de metilación del gen VDR no está influenciado por los diferentes genotipos del polimorfismo BsmI y que la vitamina D y los marcadores de estrés oxidativo e inflamación en el suero pueden modular este perfil.

Abstract Objective: to verify the association of serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and glycemic levels with the genetic variants rs1544410 and rs2228570 of the VDR gene in adolescents from the Northeast region of Brazil. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional epidemiological study with 208 adolescents from public schools in the city of João Pessoa (Paraíba, Brazil) between 15 and 19 years of age. Blood samples were collected for DNA extraction and analysis of polymorphisms rs1544410 and rs2228570, as well as biochemical analyses (25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium and glycemia). Results: the mean age was 17.7 (± 1.14) years. Half of adolescents had sufficient serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and the other half had insufficient/deficient vitamin. The most frequent genotypic distribution was bb and Ff and of lesser frequency BB and ff. There was a significant relationship between the genotypes of rs1544410 and glycemia values (p = 0.049) in the relationships between the genotypes BBxbb (p = 0.012) and Bbxbb (p = 0.037); (p = 0.036, OR = 2.15, 95 % CI = 1.05-4.41), and in the BB+Bb group analysis when compared to the bb (p = 0.025, OR = 1.89, 95 % CI = 1.08-3.29) presented higher risk of glycemia above the median. On the other hand, when Bb+bb was analyzed in relation to BB, adolescents had a greater chance of blood glucose below the median (p = 0.025, OR = 0.66, CI = 0.47-0.95). Conclusion: this study showed a significant relation of glycemia with the distribution of rs1544410 polymorphism genotypes.

Resumen Objetivo: verificar la asociación de las concentraciones séricas de 25-hidroxivitamina D y los niveles de glucemia con las variantes genéticas rs1544410 y rs2228570 del gen VDR en adolescentes de la región noreste de Brasil. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio epidemiológico transversal con 208 adolescentes de escuelas públicas en la ciudad de João Pessoa (Paraíba, Brasil) de entre 15 y 19 años de edad. Se recogieron muestras de sangre para la extracción de ADN y el análisis de los polimorfismos rs1544410 y rs2228570, así como para análisis bioquímicos (25-hidroxivitamina D, hormona paratiroidea, calcio y glucemia). Resultados: la edad media fue de 17,7 (± 1,14) años. La mitad de los adolescentes tenía niveles séricos suficientes de 25-hidroxivitamina D y la otra mitad, vitamina insuficiente/deficiente. La distribución genotípica más frecuente fue bb y Ff y la de menor frecuencia, BB y ff. Hubo una relación significativa entre los genotipos de rs1544410 y los valores de glucemia (p = 0,049) en las relaciones entre los genotipos BBxbb (p = 0,012) y Bbxbb (p = 0,037); (p = 0,036, OR = 2,15, IC 95 % = 1,05-4.41), y el análisis del grupo BB + Bb en comparación con el bb (p = 0,025, OR = 1,89, IC 95 % = 1,08-3,29) mostró un mayor el riesgo de glucemia, por encima de la mediana. Por otro lado, cuando se analizó Bb+bb en relación con la BB, los adolescentes tuvieron una mayor probabilidad de que la glucosa en sangre estuviera por debajo de la mediana (p = 0,025, OR = 0,66, IC = 0,47-0,95). Conclusión: este estudio mostró una relación significativa entre la glucemia y la distribución de genotipos de polimorfismo rs1544410.

ABSTRACT Griseofulvin (GF) and terbinafine (TF) are commonly used drugs to treat dermatophytosis, a fungal infection of the skin. Today there is an increase in drug resistance to these antifungals which highlight the need for alternative synergistic therapies. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of GF and TF were determined against fungi clinical isolates from local hospitals with values ranging 0.03-2.0 µg mL-1 and 0.24-4.0 µg mL-1, respectively. A checkboard test was used to determine the combination of GF:TF which could induce an additive effect against the fungi isolates Multidrug-resistant isolates showed susceptibility after treatment with 16:2 µg mL-1 GF:TF. An MTT assay further verified that GF and TF combinations have greater additive effect against pathological and multidrug-resistant isolates than antifungals alone. Herein we disclose GF:TF combinations that could constitute as a possible new anti-dermatophyte therapy.

RESUMO A volatilização de amônia é uma das principais causas da redução da eficiência no uso de fertilizantes nitrogenados em lavouras cafeeiras. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se quantificar as perdas de nitrogênio por volatilização de fertilizantes nitrogenados aplicados em lavoura cafeeira. O experimento foi realizado em condições de campo, em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, cultivado com café, localizado no Setor de Cafeicultura/Departamento de Agricultura/UFLA, Lavras - MG. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados e os tratamentos foram: ureia; nitrato de amônio; ureia + 0,15% de Cu + 0,4% de B; ureia + polímeros; ureia + enxofre elementar (S0) + polímeros e; ureia + resina plástica; distribuídos em três parcelamentos com doses iguais de 150 kg ha-1. Foram quantificadas as perdas de nitrogênio por volatilização (N-NH3) e as variações no pH em água, da camada de 0-5 cm de solo, antes e depois dos parcelamentos das adubações nitrogenadas. Os fertilizantes nitrogenados reduziram os valores do pH do solo após as três adubações de manutenção. A perda de nitrogênio por volatilização dos fertilizantes nitrogenados (média das três adubações) foi: ureia + polímeros (35,8% do total do N aplicado) > ureia (31,2%) = ureia + S0 + polímeros (31,0%) > ureia + Cu + B (25,6%) > ureia + resina plástica (8,6%) = nitrato de amônio (1,0%).

ABSTRACT Ammonia volatilization (N-NH3) is one of the main pathways of Nitrogen loss reducing nitrogen use efficiency in coffee orchard. This work aimed at quantifying ammonia volatilization (N-NH3) losses from N-sources to be used in coffee plantations fertilization in Brazil. The experiment was conducted in the field on a dystrophic red latosol (Ferralsol in FAO's classification) at the Coffee Research Sector, University of Lavras, MG, Brazil. The experimental design was of complete randomized blocks with three repetitions of the following treatments: conventional urea, ammonium nitrate and urea + 0.15% Cu and 0.4% B, urea + anionic polymers, urea + elementary sulfur (S0) + polymers, and urea + plastic resin. These N sources were split into three doses of 150 kg ha-1 and band applied. The N-NH3 losses by volatilization and variations of pH (H2O) were measured, before and after N application. The N-sources contributed to reduce the soil pH, measured after the third nitrogen fertilization. The N-NH3 losses by volatilization (average from three applications) was as follows: urea + anionic polymers (35.8%) > conventional urea (31.2%) = urea + S0 + polymers (31.0%) > urea + 0.15% Cu + 0.4 % B (25.6%) > urea + plastic resin (8.6%) = ammonium nitrate (1.0%).

Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) is a vine widely distributed throughout the South-American rainforest. Many studies investigating the chemical composition of cat's claw have focused on the pentacyclic (POA) and tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids (TOA), quinovic acid glycosides (QAG), and polyphenols (PPH). Nevertheless, it is still uncertain how environmental factors affect chemical groups. The aim of this work was to better understand the influence of environmental factors (geographic origin, altitude, and season) on cat's claw chemical composition. Stem bark, branches and leaf samples were extracted and analyzed by HPLC-PDA. The data obtained were explored by multivariate analysis (HCA and PCA). Higher amounts of oxindole alkaloids and PPH were found in leaves, followed by stem bark and branches. No clear relationship was verified among geographic origin or altitude and chemical composition, which remained unchanged regardless of season (dry or rainy). However, three oxindole alkaloid chemotypes were clearly recognized: chemotype I (POA with cis D/E ring junction); chemotype II (POA with trans D/E ring junction); and chemotype III (TOA). Thus, environmental factors appear to have only a minor influence on the chemical heterogeneity of the cat's claw wild population. Nevertheless, the occurrence of different chemotypes based on alkaloid profiles seems to be clear.