ABSTRACT Zinc is an essential micronutrient for plant metabolism and has been studied in several crops of economic interest. However, there is no evidence of its use in coconut crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of foliar zinc fertilization with doses of zinc on dwarf green coconut seedlings based on their nutritional status, growth attributes, and gas exchange. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, and the treatments consisted of different zinc doses (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 g per plant) with five replicates. Seedlings were positively influenced by zinc dose, mainly in terms of growth variables and gas exchange. Zinc fertilization reduced iron and manganese content and increased zinc concentrations in the leaf tissue. Zinc fertilization promoted an increase in leaf area, height, shoot dry mass, and total dry mass. Furthermore, zinc fertilization improved photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, instantaneous water use efficiency, and intrinsic water use efficiency. The improvement in these growth indices and gas exchange, in most variables, was up to an estimated dose of approximately 16 g of zinc per plant and decreased with increasing doses.

RESUMO O zinco é um micronutriente de importância essencial para o metabolismo vegetal, é estudado para diversas culturas de interesse econômico, porém sem evidências de estudo para a cultura do coqueiro. Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar a influência da fertilização com doses de zinco via foliar em mudas de coqueiro anão verde, por meio do estado nutricional, atributos de crescimento e trocas gasosas. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, e os tratamentos foram constituídos por doses de zinco (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 e 25 g por planta), com cinco repetições. As mudas foram influenciadas positivamente pelas doses de zinco principalmente nas variáveis de crescimento e nas trocas gasosas. No estado nutricional afetou de maneira decrescente o ferro e o manganês e aumentou o zinco no tecido foliar. O zinco proporcionou incrementos na área foliar, altura de plantas, massa seca da parte aérea e massa seca total. Além disso, melhorou a fotossíntese, transpiração, condutância estomática, concentração interna de CO2, eficiência instantânea do uso da água e eficiência intrínseca do uso da água. A melhora nesses índices de crescimento e trocas gasosas, na maioria das variáveis, foi até a dose estimada de aproximadamente 16 g de zinco por planta e diminuiu com o aumento das doses.

ABSTRACT The primates that inhabit the rainforest surrounding the city of Manaus (Amazonas, Brazil) have long been recognised as potentially important reservoirs of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (ERIDs). PCR amplification of filarial sequences from wild-caught Simulium oyapockense has been used to incriminate potentially important Amazon-region ERID bridge vectors by showing they had previously fed on non-human primates. The broader use of filarial parasite sequences for the incrimination of biting insects as potentially important zoonotic disease vectors is limited by a paucity of primate-derived filarial parasite reference sequences which can be matched to the PCR amplified sequences obtained from insect-vector vectors. Here we have used shotgun sequencing to obtain reference data from an adult Dipetalonema gracile parasite which was found infecting a wild pied tamarin (Saguinus bicolor) in a peripheral region of Manaus. We report the parasite´s complete mitochondrial genome (which is 13,647 base pairs in length), 894,846 base pairs of its Wolbachia genome and 6,426 base pairs of its ribosomal DNA locus (spanning from the start of its 18S subunit to the end of its 28S subunit). Despite being critically endangered, S. bicolor is commonly encountered around the periphery of Manaus and in urban forest fragments. The reported sequences may be a useful reference tool for identifying ERID bridge vectors and potentially provide some insights into the amount and the nature of contact between primate pathogen reservoirs and the residents of Manaus.

RESUMO Os primatas que habitam a floresta tropical ao redor da cidade de Manaus (Amazonas, Brasil) há muito são reconhecidos como reservatórios potencialmente importantes de doenças infecciosas emergentes e reemergentes. Sequências de DNA de parasitas filariais detectadas por PCR em amostras de Simulium oyapockense foram usadas para demonstrar que eles haviam se alimentado anteriormente de primatas não humanos e, dessa maneira, incriminar vetores-ponte da região amazônica. O uso mais amplo de detecção de parasitas filariais para a incriminação de vetores-ponte é limitado por uma escassez de sequências referência de parasitas filarias obtidas de hospedeiros. Aqui nós usamos o sequenciamento tipo shotgun para obter dados de referência de um parasita adulto Dipetalonema gracile encontrado infectando um sauim-de-coleira, Saguinus bicolor no entorno de Manaus. Relatamos o genoma mitocondrial completo do parasita (que tem 13.647 pares de bases de comprimento), 894.846 pares de bases de seu genoma de Wolbachia e 6.426 pares de bases de seu locus de DNA ribossômico (desde o início de sua subunidade 18S até o final de sua subunidade 28S). Apesar de criticamente ameaçado, S. bicolor é comumente encontrado no entorno de Manaus e em fragmentos florestais urbanos. As sequências relatadas podem ser uma ferramenta de referência útil para identificar vetores ponte e potencialmente fornecer algumas informações sobre o contato entre reservatórios de patógenos de primatas e os moradores de Manaus.

ABSTRACT Salinity can have detrimental effects on plant development. To minimize this damage, strategies such as balanced maintenance of plants’ nutritional status have been proposed previously. The objective of this study is to investigate whether the optimization of foliar nitrogen fertilization can promote the growth and photochemical efficiency of purple basil subjected to salt stress. The experiment was performed using a randomized block design with an incomplete 5 × 5 factorial arrangement generated through experimental matrix Central Composite Design with two parameters: salinity of irrigation water at 0.5, 0.81, 2.75, 4.69, and 5.50 dS m-1; and nitrogen doses at 0, 58.58, 200, 341.42, and 400 mg L-1. It was found that an increase in the salinity of irrigation water reduced the growth and photochemical efficiency of purple basil. However, the foliar application of nitrogen at the concentration of 400 mg L-1 attenuated the harmful effects of salinity on both the absolute and relative growth rates of stem diameter, the relative growth of plant height, and chlorophyll A fluorescence. These results showed that foliar nitrogen fertilization is a suitable strategy to help mitigate salt stress in basil plants.

RESUMO A salinidade pode promover efeitos danosos ao desenvolvimento vegetal, sendo o necessário o uso de estratégias para minimizar os danos promovidos, como a manutenção equilibrada do estado nutricional da planta. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da adubação nitrogenada foliar e da salinidade no crescimento e eficiência fotoquímica de manjericão roxo. O experimento foi conduzido com o delineamento de blocos casualizados, em arranjo fatorial incompleto 5 × 5 (salinidades da água de irrigação: 0,5; 0,81; 2,75; 4,69 e 5,50 dS m-1 × doses de nitrogênio: 0; 58,58; 200; 341,42 e 400 mg L-1), gerados através da matriz experimental Composto Central de Box. O aumento da salinidade da água de irrigação reduz o crescimento e a eficiência fotoquímica das plantas de manjericão roxo. Todavia, a aplicação foliar de 400 mg L-1 de N atenuou os efeitos deletérios da salinidade sobre as taxas de crescimento absoluto e relativo para o diâmetro do caule e relativo para a altura de plantas, assim como na fluorescência da clorofila a. Esses resultados mostram que a adubação foliar nitrogenada é uma estratégia para mitigar o estresse salino em plantas de manjericão.

Abstract Banana preserve is produced by mixing the puree of the fruit with sucrose and organic acids. However, concerns about body esthetics or health reasons have encouraged the search for low-calorie products. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of calcium chloride (CaCl2), carrageenan gum, and low methoxyl pectin (LM-pectin) on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of sugar-free banana preserves. By using a central composite rotational design (CCRD) of 2³ + 6 axial points + 4 central points, we obtained 18 formulations that were further tested. Lower CaCl2 concentrations (0.54% to 0.61%) resulted in preserves with lower pH and more vivid color. The increased concentration of LM-pectin (1.40% to 1.64%) resulted in formulations with a yellowish-red hue and with lower moisture, thus, reducing the flavor and purchase intention of the product. Higher concentrations of carrageenan gum (1.04% to 1.15%) decreased the perception of banana preserve aroma. Therefore, concentrations of CaCl2 ranging from 0.54% to 0.61%, carrageenan gum ranging from 0.74% to 0.89% and LM-pectin ranging from 1.40% to 1.64% resulted in sugar-free banana preserves with ideal sweetness and consistency and were, therefore, more acceptable.

ABSTRACT: Porcine enzootic pneumonia (PES), mainly caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, is the main cause of respiratory problems in pigs. Infection by M. hyopneumoniae leads to production losses and the predisposition of affected animals to secondary infections, which may result in the condemnation of carcasses and organs due to lung lesions at the time of slaughter. The objective of the research was to evaluate the infection by M. hyopneumoniae in pigs submitted to slaughter in São Luís Island/MA, using molecular and histopathological diagnostic methods. One hundred fifty lung samples were collected from inspected (n=65) and non-inspected (n=85) slaughter pigs on São Luís Island, Maranhão, from July 2019 to August 2021. Of the 150 DNA samples collected, 121 showed an amplified product for Cyt B in the PCR assay. Thus, 121 samples were submitted to qPCR of M. hyopneumoniae, of which 44 (36.36%) showed positive results. The mean amount of bacterial load ranged from 1.20 × 101 to 7.20 × 104, with a mean of 1.73 × 104 copies. Of the reagent samples, 81.81% (36 samples) were obtained from non-inspected slaughter, while 18.18% (8 samples) were obtained from slaughterhouses. In the histopathological analysis, 44 positive qPCR samples were evaluated, of which 28 (63.63%) presented results compatible with the main inflammatory process associated with the presence of M. hyopneumoniae, that is, bronchial-associated lymphoid tissue hyperplasia (BALT). Three samples that showed the highest bacterial load (qPCR: 5.63 × 10³, 2.19 × 104 and 7.23 × 104) showed more evident lesions in this study. The microscopic findings associated with the quantifications indicated a relationship between the amount of bacterial load and the presence of microscopic lesions; higher bacterial load in lung tissue is associated with increased histopathologic staining for BALT hyperplasia. In conclusion, the results point to the circulation of the etiological agent in the sampled animals and the need for preventive measures on pig farms in Maranhão with the involvement of producers, sanitary defense and inspection agencies.

RESUMO: A pneumonia enzoótica suína (PES), causada principalmente pela bactéria Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, é a principal causa de problemas respiratórios em suínos. A infecção por M. hyopneumoniae leva a perdas produtivas e a predisposição dos animais acometidos a infecções secundárias, o que pode resultar em condenação de carcaças e órgãos por lesões pulmonares no momento do abate. O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar a infecção por M. hyopneumoniae em suínos submetidos ao abate na Ilha de São Luís, por meio de métodos diagnósticos moleculares e histopatológicos. Para isso, foram coletadas 150 amostras de pulmão de suínos de abate inspecionado (n=65) e não inspecionado (n=85) na Ilha de São Luís/Maranhão, no período de julho de 2019 a agosto de 2021. Das 150 amostras de DNA coletadas, 121 apresentaram produto amplificado para Cyt B no ensaio de PCR. Assim, 121 amostras foram submetidas à qPCR de M. hyopneumoniae, das quais 44 (36,36%) apresentaram resultados positivos. A quantidade média de carga bacteriana variou de 1,20 × 101 a 7,20 × 104, com média de 1,73 × 104 cópias. Das amostras reagentes, 81,81% (36 amostras) foram obtidas de abate não inspecionado, enquanto 18,18% (8 amostras) foram obtidas em abatedouro. Na análise histopatológica, foram avaliadas 44 amostras positivas para qPCR, das quais 28 (63,63%) apresentaram resultados compatíveis com o principal processo inflamatório associado à presença de M. hyopneumoniae, ou seja, hiperplasia do tecido linfóide associado ao brônquio (BALT). Três amostras que apresentaram maior carga bacteriana (qPCR: 5,63 × 10³, 2,19 × 104 e 7,23 × 104) foram mais evidentes neste estudo. Os achados microscópicos associados às quantificações indicaram uma relação entre a quantidade de carga bacteriana e a presença de lesão microscópica; a maior carga bacteriana no tecido pulmonar está associada a maior alteração histopatológica para hiperplasia BALT. Em conclusão, os resultados obtidos sinalizam para a circulação do agente etiológico nos animais amostrados e a necessidade de medidas preventivas nas criações de suínos do estado do Maranhão com envolvimento dos produtores, órgãos de defesa sanitária e inspeção.

Abstract The corn cropping system can influence the natural enemy identity and the number of Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith, 1797 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) individuals infesting the cartridge, ear and stem of this plant. The objectives were to identify the S. frugiperda natural enemies and differences in the number of individuals infesting the cartridge, ear and stem of corn plants under conventional and organic cropping systems, in Brazil after an initial collection of adult males through semiochemical traps. We also evaluated key morphometrical parameters of the larva and factors contributing with the viability of S. frugiperda. A total of 16 and 136 adult males was trapped, and 1,124 and 1,112 larvae was recovered from conventional and organic systems with 4.7 and 6.7% of them parasitized by dipteran and hymenopteran, respectively. Most of the parasitoids recovered had occurrence in both cropping systems, except Cremastinae and Ophion flavidus Brullé, 1846 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), which were recorded only in organic and Campoletis sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) only in conventional corns. The number of parasitoids recovered was similar in corn plant samples between both cropping systems. A total of 152 and 31 larvae was recovered from corn ears under conventional and organic systems, respectively. Doru luteipes (Scudder, 1876) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) was recovered from all samples under conventional system. The larva length was overall similar between cropping systems. Parasitism by dipteran and hymenopteran, infection by microorganisms, larva mortality by undetermined causes, and differences in viability of S. frugiperda stages were factors contributing with the supression of this pest. The new associations and parasitoids reported represent possibilities of expanding the biological control strategies to manage S. frugiperda in corn crops.

Background Eucalyptus is the primary cultivated wood species in Brazil, covering 7.5 million hectares. Weed competition in eucalyptus plantations reduces yield and increases operational costs. FuturaGene/Suzano has developed genetically modified (GM) eucalyptus varieties with glyphosate herbicide tolerance (HT) as a modern tool for improving weed management practices in plantations. The first event received regulatory approval for commercial deployment in 2021. However, the introgression of a new GM trait into eucalyptus, a non-isogenic species, cannot be achieved through selfing or backcrossing. To overcome this limitation and expedite the introgression of HT into the breeding population, multiple GM events were generated, in various genetic backgrounds and genomic locations, enabling simultaneous crossing with numerous elite parents. Objective To characterize the newly developed HT GM eucalyptus events and assess their safety for the environment and wood production. Methods HT GM eucalyptus events were subjected to genome sequencing and glyphosate tolerance testing. Biosafety analyses and environmental impact assessments were conducted through field trials in various eucalyptus cultivation regions, comparing the HT GM eucalyptus with conventional clones. Results The new events proved highly tolerant to glyphosate and displayed different genomic insertion sites. No adverse effects on non-target organisms were observed, and there were no significant differences in the soil microbiota or decomposition profile.Conclusions: The HT GM events have been proven to be safe, posing a low risk to the environment, humans, and animals. Consequently, these HT GM eucalyptus varieties can be confidently utilized for wood production.

O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a proporção da população de 133 cidades brasileiras que apresentou algum problema de saúde entre março e agosto de 2020, mas que deixou de procurar atendimento, ou que deixou de buscar um serviço de saúde para consultas ou exames de rotina. Foram realizadas entrevistas domiciliares entre 24 e 27 de agosto de 2020 em 133 áreas urbanas brasileiras. Perguntava-se aos indivíduos se, desde o início da pandemia de COVID-19 em março de 2020, haviam sofrido algum problema de saúde mais não haviam procurado atendimento, ou se haviam deixado de realizar consultas ou exames de rotina. A regressão de Poisson foi utilizada para as análises. Foram entrevistados 33.250 indivíduos, entre os quais 11,8% (IC95%: 11,4-12,1) relataram que desde março de 2020 haviam deixado de procurar atendimento apesar de estarem doentes, 17,3% (IC95%: 16,9-17,7) haviam deixado de comparecer a consultas de rotina ou triagem e 23,9% (IC95%: 23,4-24,4) relataram um ou ambos os desfechos. O fechamento dos serviços de saúde e o medo da infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2 foram os principais motivos para não buscar atendimento. As mulheres e os indivíduos com menor nível socioeconômico mostraram maior probabilidade de não procurarem serviços de saúde em caso de doença, ou de faltar a consultas de rotina previamente agendadas. Por outro lado, indivíduos que se identificavam como brancos eram menos propensos a deixar de procurar os serviços de saúde. A pandemia da COVID-19 está afetando mais duramente os indígenas e as pessoas com menor nível socioeconômico, que também são mais propensos a deixar de procurar atendimento para outras condições de saúde durante a pandemia.

We aimed to assess the proportion of the population in 133 Brazilian municipalities who - from March to August 2020 - had a health problem but failed to seek care or failed to attend to a health service for routine appointment or examination. We conducted a household survey from August 24-27 in 133 Brazilian cities by asking the subjects if, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, they had suffered from a health problem but did not seek care or failed to attend to a routine or screening examination. Poisson regression was used for the analyses. We interviewed 33,250 subjects and 11.8% (95%CI: 11.4-12.1) reported that, since March 2020, they failed to seek care despite being ill, 17.3% (95%CI: 16.9-17.7) failed to attend to a routine or screening examination and 23.9% (95%CI: 23.4-24.4) reported one or both outcomes. Health service closure and fear of the COVID-19 infection were the main reasons for not seeking care. Women and the poorest were more likely to not look for a health service, despite having a health problem or a scheduled routine appointment. On the other hand, those subjects who self-identified as white were less likely to not look for a health service. The COVID-19 pandemic is more critical for the indigenous people and the poorest, and these people are also more likely to not seek care for other health conditions during the pandemic.

Se realizó un estudio con el fin de evaluar la proporción de población en 133 ciudades brasileñas que -de marzo a agosto 2020- tuvieron un problema de salud, pero no consiguieron buscar cuidados, o presentarse en un servicio de salud para consultas de rutina o exámenes. Se llevó a cabo una encuesta domiciliaria entre el 24 y 27 de agosto en 133 áreas urbanas brasileñas. A los encuestados se les preguntó si, desde el principio de la pandemia de COVID-19 en marzo de 2020, habían sufrido algún problema de salud, pero no habían buscado asistencia, o no consiguieron presentarse a exámenes de rutina o de exploración. Se utilizó una regresión de Poisson para los análisis. Se entrevistó a 33.250 individuos, y un 11,8% (IC95%: 11,4-12,1) informaron que desde marzo de 2020 no consiguieron buscar asistencia, a pesar de estar enfermos, un 17,3% (IC95%: 16,9-17,7) no consiguieron presentarse a exámenes de rutina o visitas de exploración, y un 23,9% (IC95%: 23,4-24,4) informaron de uno o ambos resultados. El cierre de los servicios de salud y el miedo a contraer COVID-19 fueron las razones principales para no buscar cuidados. Las mujeres y aquellos que tenían un estatus socioeconómico bajo eran más propensos a no buscar asistencia sanitaria, tanto si tenían un problema médico, como para un chequeo rutinario o se saltaban una cita médica programada. Por otro lado, estas personas que se autoidentificaron como blancas eran menos propensas a no buscar asistencia sanitaria. La pandemia de COVID-19 está golpeando duramente a los indígenas y a quienes tienen un estatus socioeconómico bajo, y estas personas también son más propensas a no conseguir buscar asistencia sanitaria relacionada con otros problemas de salud durante la pandemia.

O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a proporção da população de 133 cidades brasileiras que apresentou algum problema de saúde entre março e agosto de 2020, mas que deixou de procurar atendimento, ou que deixou de buscar um serviço de saúde para consultas ou exames de rotina. Foram realizadas entrevistas domiciliares entre 24 e 27 de agosto de 2020 em 133 áreas urbanas brasileiras. Perguntava-se aos indivíduos se, desde o início da pandemia de COVID-19 em março de 2020, haviam sofrido algum problema de saúde mais não haviam procurado atendimento, ou se haviam deixado de realizar consultas ou exames de rotina. A regressão de Poisson foi utilizada para as análises. Foram entrevistados 33.250 indivíduos, entre os quais 11,8% (IC95%: 11,4-12,1) relataram que desde março de 2020 haviam deixado de procurar atendimento apesar de estarem doentes, 17,3% (IC95%: 16,9-17,7) haviam deixado de comparecer a consultas de rotina ou triagem e 23,9% (IC95%: 23,4-24,4) relataram um ou ambos os desfechos. O fechamento dos serviços de saúde e o medo da infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2 foram os principais motivos para não buscar atendimento. As mulheres e os indivíduos com menor nível socioeconômico mostraram maior probabilidade de não procurarem serviços de saúde em caso de doença, ou de faltar a consultas de rotina previamente agendadas. Por outro lado, indivíduos que se identificavam como brancos eram menos propensos a deixar de procurar os serviços de saúde. A pandemia da COVID-19 está afetando mais duramente os indígenas e as pessoas com menor nível socioeconômico, que também são mais propensos a deixar de procurar atendimento para outras condições de saúde durante a pandemia.

We aimed to assess the proportion of the population in 133 Brazilian municipalities who - from March to August 2020 - had a health problem but failed to seek care or failed to attend to a health service for routine appointment or examination. We conducted a household survey from August 24-27 in 133 Brazilian cities by asking the subjects if, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, they had suffered from a health problem but did not seek care or failed to attend to a routine or screening examination. Poisson regression was used for the analyses. We interviewed 33,250 subjects and 11.8% (95%CI: 11.4-12.1) reported that, since March 2020, they failed to seek care despite being ill, 17.3% (95%CI: 16.9-17.7) failed to attend to a routine or screening examination and 23.9% (95%CI: 23.4-24.4) reported one or both outcomes. Health service closure and fear of the COVID-19 infection were the main reasons for not seeking care. Women and the poorest were more likely to not look for a health service, despite having a health problem or a scheduled routine appointment. On the other hand, those subjects who self-identified as white were less likely to not look for a health service. The COVID-19 pandemic is more critical for the indigenous people and the poorest, and these people are also more likely to not seek care for other health conditions during the pandemic.

Se realizó un estudio con el fin de evaluar la proporción de población en 133 ciudades brasileñas que -de marzo a agosto 2020- tuvieron un problema de salud, pero no consiguieron buscar cuidados, o presentarse en un servicio de salud para consultas de rutina o exámenes. Se llevó a cabo una encuesta domiciliaria entre el 24 y 27 de agosto en 133 áreas urbanas brasileñas. A los encuestados se les preguntó si, desde el principio de la pandemia de COVID-19 en marzo de 2020, habían sufrido algún problema de salud, pero no habían buscado asistencia, o no consiguieron presentarse a exámenes de rutina o de exploración. Se utilizó una regresión de Poisson para los análisis. Se entrevistó a 33.250 individuos, y un 11,8% (IC95%: 11,4-12,1) informaron que desde marzo de 2020 no consiguieron buscar asistencia, a pesar de estar enfermos, un 17,3% (IC95%: 16,9-17,7) no consiguieron presentarse a exámenes de rutina o visitas de exploración, y un 23,9% (IC95%: 23,4-24,4) informaron de uno o ambos resultados. El cierre de los servicios de salud y el miedo a contraer COVID-19 fueron las razones principales para no buscar cuidados. Las mujeres y aquellos que tenían un estatus socioeconómico bajo eran más propensos a no buscar asistencia sanitaria, tanto si tenían un problema médico, como para un chequeo rutinario o se saltaban una cita médica programada. Por otro lado, estas personas que se autoidentificaron como blancas eran menos propensas a no buscar asistencia sanitaria. La pandemia de COVID-19 está golpeando duramente a los indígenas y a quienes tienen un estatus socioeconómico bajo, y estas personas también son más propensas a no conseguir buscar asistencia sanitaria relacionada con otros problemas de salud durante la pandemia.

Ambuic acid (AA) is a highly-modified cyclohexenone and known as a promising inhibitor of quorum sensing in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and is thus a candidate as an antivirulence drug. This molecule is mainly produced by the species of Pestalotiopsis and, since its discovery twenty years ago, only a restricted amount of AA-derivatives have been described. Despite being a promising subject, methods for the analysis of modified AA-analogues via mass spectrometry remain unexplored. In order to adress this question, the marine fungus Pestalotiopsis sp. 4A11 associated with the ascidian Didemnum perlucidum was grown in a solid rice medium and its crude extract was chemically studied. From this extract, AA and 10-hydroxy ambuic acid (10-HAA) were isolated and identified using NMR spectroscopy with the aim of obtaining model compounds for the MS analysis. These served as reference compounds (seeds) to guide the dereplication of other AA-analogues via LC-MS/MS-based molecular networking. Based on the manual interpretation of the fragmentation pathways of the seeds and related compounds observed in the networks, six AA-derivatives were dereplicated in the extract. Furthermore, three analogues with unprecedented chemical formulas were proposed as putative unprecedented AA-derivatives. The fragmentation annotation proposed represents a fast and feasible method for characterizing AA-derivatives.

Abstract The continental margin off the southeastern Brazilian coast is punctuated by a series of geological-geomorphological features, such as subsurface saline diapirs and pockmarks at the seafloor interface, which evidence the abundant presence of oil and gas in the region. In several of these sites, hydrocarbons can be naturally released into the water column, areas are cold seep areas. These are marked by the presence of oil- and gas-dependent ecosystems, where specific organisms are able to fix carbon from hydrocarbon chemosynthesis. In addition, light hydrocarbon fluid flow through the sediment may build up authigenic carbonates that can be further colonized by cold-water corals, generating large carbonate mounds over geological time, normally positioned at the border of these pockmark features. The present work reports on a multidisciplinary oceanographic cruise carried out in the Santos Basin, SW Atlantic, to seek, map, and collect geological, chemical, and biological data from different deep-sea habitats. The cruise occurred in November 2019 on the R/V Alpha Crucis of the Oceanographic Institute of the University of São Paulo (IOUSP). We intended to discover and detail different geomorphological features, characterize free-living and symbiotic microorganisms, determine the chemosynthetic rates in relation to heterotrophic microbial production, and characterize the fauna and study their ecological and evolutionary links within and across ocean basins. All discoveries made during the cruise and their respective results will be presented separately in several papers that comprise this special volume.

A hybrid imprinted polymer (HMIP) was synthetized via sol-gel technique in aqueous solution for caffeine separation from environmental waters samples. The optimal conditions of synthesis were stablished by application of a 23 full factorial experimental design with three factors: ratio of functional monomer and cross-linker reagent, and acid or basic catalyst (HCl or NH4OH). The HMIP obtained with the factorial designs was 22.5 times more selective for caffeine than control polymer, with an adsorption mechanism of pseudo-second order with two sorption sites. The maximum equilibrium adsorption capacity was 1.91 mg g−1 that was maintained until ten cycles of reuse, indicating their excellent stability. The material was 21 times more selective for caffeine than for its analogous molecules (theophylline and theobromine). HMIP was applied in solid phase extraction (SPE) procedure and caffeine extraction of surface water had good recoveries (93.0%). These results demonstrated that the factorial experimental design resulted in an efficient and selective sorbent for caffeine with a reduction of number of synthesis and problems of trial-and-error protocol as well as reagents consumption decrease.

Abstract Piperine and capsaicin are important molecules with biological and pharmacological activities. This study aimed to evaluate the cytogenotoxic and protective effect of piperine and capsaicin on Allium cepa cells. A. cepa roots were exposed to negative (2% Dimethylsulfoxide) and positive (Methylmethanesulfonate, MMS, 10 µg/mL) controls, and four concentrations (25-200 µM) of piperine or capsaicin (alone) or associated before, simultaneously or after with the MMS. Only the lowest concentration of piperine (25 µM) showed a protective effect because it was not genotoxic. Piperine and capsaicin were cytotoxic (50, 100 and 200 µM). Piperine (50 to 200 µM) caused a significant increase in the total average of chromosomal alterations of in A. cepa cells. For capsaicin, the genotoxic effect was dose-dependent with a significant increase for all concentrations, highlighting the significant presence of micronuclei and nuclear buds for the two isolates. In general, bioactive compounds reduced the total average of chromosomal alterations against damage caused by MMS, mainly micronuclei and/or nuclear buds. Therefore, the two molecules were cytotoxic and genotoxic at the highest concentrations, and did not have cytoprotective action, and the lowest concentration of piperine demonstrated important chemopreventive activity.

Objective: To explore the role of personality traits in at-risk drinking and current cannabis use among medical students. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 707 medical students from two universities. Multiple logistic regression models for at-risk drinking and current cannabis use were constructed including sociodemographic, psychiatric, and personality variables. Results: At-risk drinking and current cannabis use were reported by 19.3% and 14.9% of participants, respectively. Models including Big Five measures showed associations of at-risk drinking with higher extraversion (p < 0.00001, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.9) and lower conscientiousness (p = 0.00001, AOR = 0.5); cannabis use was also associated with lower conscientiousness (p = 0.003, AOR = 0.6), besides higher openness to experience (p = 0.002, AOR = 1.9). Models including measures of the Behavioral Inhibition and Activation Systems scales (BIS/BAS) showed associations of at-risk drinking with lower BIS (p = 0.002, AOR = 0.9) and higher BAS fun-seeking (p = 0.0005, AOR = 1.2); cannabis use was also associated with higher BAS fun-seeking (p = 0.008, AOR = 1.2). Personality variables had modest effects on model fit. Conclusion: Specific personality traits were independently associated with at-risk drinking and current cannabis use, albeit with modest effect sizes.

Abstract Objective This in vitro study evaluated the effect of commercial whitening dentifrices on erosive tooth wear (ETW) of bovine enamel samples, in comparison with commercial regular dentifrices. Methodology Sixty bovine crowns were embedded in acrylic resin, polished and then had their baseline profile determined. They were randomly assigned to 5 groups (n=12/group), according to the type of commercial dentifrice to be tested: GI – Crest Anti-cavity Regular; GII – Crest 3D White; GIII – Colgate Total 12 Clean Mint; GIV – Colgate Optic White; GV – Placebo (negative control, fluoride-free dentifrice). The samples were submitted to daily erosive and abrasive challenges for 3 days. The erosive challenges were performed 3 times a day by immersing the specimens in 0.1% citric acid solution (pH 2.5) for 90 s. Each day after the first and last erosive challenges, the specimens were subjected to the abrasive challenge for 15 s, using a toothbrushing machine (Biopdi, São Carlos, SP, Brazil), soft toothbrushes and slurry (1:3 g/ml) of the tested toothpastes (1.5 N). The specimens were kept in artificial saliva between the challenges. The final profile was obtained and the ETW (µm) was calculated. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s tests (p<0.05). Results All dentifrices tested significantly reduced the enamel wear in comparison with the Placebo, except GIII. The median (95% CI) ETW was 1.35 (1.25-1.46)bc for GI, 1.17 (1.01-1.34)cd for GII, 1.36 (1.28-1.45)ab for GIII, 1.08 (1.04-1.14)d for GIV and 2.28 (2.18-2.39)a for GV. Conclusion When dentifrices from the same manufacturer were compared, the whitening dentifrices led to similar or less wear than the regular ones.