ABSTRACT: Although the burrower bug (Cyrtomenus mirabilis) is considered a vitalsoil pest in peanut crops, Arachis hypogaea L., in South America, there is little information on its occurrence and damage characterization. This study aimed to evaluate the vertical distribution and fluctuation of the burrower bug in the soil and the damage this species causes in peanuts. Two peanut cultivars (IAC OL3 and IAC 503) were evaluated in three locations in the state of São Paulo: Pindorama, Ribeirão Preto and Votuporanga, in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 harvests. Trenches were dug 0.5 m long, 0.3 m wide and 0.3 m deep, along plant lines at four spots on each sampling date, and stratified in layers 10 cm deep. Plant samples (0.5 m) were collected and evaluated for number of pods and percentage of kernels with symptoms of insect damage. More than 85 % of the C. mirabilis population was found in depths of up to 10 cm, especially after plant fructification, and an increase in nymphs from 100 days after sowing (DAS) was seen when an increased number of maturing pods was observed. The occurrence of nymphs and adults of C. mirabilis and their damage to peanut kernels was similar in both cultivars (IAC OL3 and IAC 503), when these were harvested according to their developmental cycles.

Abstract Several studies have utilized passive microwave imagery for monitoring snowmelt in Antarctica. However, due to the low spatial resolution of these images (25 km), the quantification of snowmelt is not precise. To enhance the accuracy of these estimations, this study proposed a subpixel analysis approach based on a Spectral Linear Mixing Model. This approach was applied to images obtained from channels 18/19 GHz and 37 GHz, both horizontally and vertically polarized, acquired from the Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR), Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I), and Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (SSM/IS) instruments, spanning the period 1978-2018. The spatiotemporal analysis of the estimated snowmelt fraction images indicated that the most persistent and intensive melt was observed on the Antarctic Peninsula, particularly on the Larsen, Wilkins, George VI, and Wordie ice shelves. The melting period in the Antarctic Peninsula began in late October, with a peak in early January, and ended in late March. Other regions with persistent and intensive snowmelt were Mary Bird Land and Wilkes Land, followed by Dronning Maud Land, Amery Ice Shelf, Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf, and Ross Ice Shelf. These snowmelt data are valuable for modeling the impacts of snowmelt on glacial systems, local coastal environments, and sea-level rise.

Abstract The classification of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images by knowledge-based algorithms with elevation and backscatter thresholds were used in several studies to detect the Wet Snow Radar Zone (WSZ) in the Antarctic Peninsula. To identify it more accurately based on its seasonal variations, this study proposed the additional use of a threshold in synthetic images, created by rationing summer and winter sigma linear images. In our algorithm we used the following thresholds to detect the WSZ in Envisat ASAR imageries, using the Radarsat Antarctic Map Digital Elevation Model as ancillary data: i) -25 dB < s0 < -14 dB; ii) slinear summer / slinear winter < 0.4; iii) elevation H < 1,200 m for northern tip and H < 800 m for southern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. The classified images were post-processed by a focal majority 5 x 5 filter and superimposed by an image of rock outcrops derived from the Antarctic Digital Database. The ratio image threshold allowed discriminating the WSZ from the Dry Snow Radar Zone and radar shadows, as well as transitional areas between this glacier zone and the Frozen Percolation Radar Zone, which would be classified incorrectly if we used only elevation and backscatter thresholds.

Resumo Os invertebrados macrobentônicos são sensíveis as alterações naturais e antrópicas nos ecossistemas aquáticos. O padrão de distribuição das espécies macrobentônicas do infralitoral da Baía de Guanabara foram estudados de 2005 até 2007. Amostras foram coletadas em dez estações durante seis campanhas em todo o regime pluviométrico (seco, pré e pós chuvoso). Dez réplicas foram coletadas em cada estação por meio do amostrador Gravity corer ou por mergulho livre. Os dados abióticos foram coletados por meio de garrafa oceanográfica do tipo van Dorn (água de fundo) e por busca fundo do tipo Ekman (granulometria). As estações foram agrupadas em setores (Entrada, Intermediária e Interna) baseada nos dados abióticos e localização. A Análise de Redundância (RDA) e RDA Parcimoniosa para todos os anos e em cada ano evidenciou taxa indicadores como elevada dominância em cada setor. A PERMANOVA indicou sazonalidade regular entre as campanhas para o primeiro ciclo anual (p<0.05), padrão atípico para o segundo ano (p> 0.05), possivelmente por causa da baixa pluviosidade observada durante esse período. O mosaico do substrato não consolidado infere que as variáveis estruturais, e os padrões de distribuição temporal foram basicamente influenciadas por parâmetros que indicam poluição e intrusão de ACAS (Água Central do Atlântico Sul), bem como atributos ecológicos entre espécies, tais como: predação, competição, entre outros. Ervilia concentrica e Cypridinidae podem ser utilizados como indicadores de alterações naturais e antrópicos no setor da Entrada da Baía de Guanabara, enquanto Cyprideis salebrosa e Cyprideis sp. para o setor Intermediário e Heleobia australis para o setor Interno.

Abstract Soft-bottom macrobenthic invertebrates are sensitive to natural or anthropogenic changes in aquatic ecosystems. The distribution patterns of sublittoral macrobenthic species in Guanabara Bay were studied from 2005 to 2007. Samples were collected at ten stations during six surveys throughout the rainfall regime (dry, early and late rainy). Ten replicates were collected at each station by Gravity corer or skin diving. Van Dorn bottles (bottom water) and by Ekman sediment sampler (granulometry) provided material for abiotic data. Stations were grouped into sectors (Entrance, Intermediary and Inner) based on abiotic data and location. The Redundancy Analysis (RDA) and Parsimonious RDA for all years and each annual cycle showed indicator taxa with high dominance in each sector. PERMANOVA indicated a regular seasonality between the surveys for the first annual cycle (p <0.05), and an atypical pattern for the second (p> 0.05), possibly due the low rainfall observed during this period. The mosaic of soft-bottom substrates infers structural variables, and patterns of temporal distribution were basically influenced by parameters those indicating pollution and the SACW (South Atlantic Central Water) intrusion, as well as ecological attributes among species, such as: predation, competition. The Ervilia concentrica and Cypridinidae could be used as indicators for anthropic and natural impacts in the Guanabara Bay for the Entrance sector, while Cyprideis salebrosa and Cyprideis sp. for the Intermediary sector and Heleobia australis for the Inner sector.

Abstract Candida spp. is one of the main pathogens associated with nosocomial infection in Brazil and worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of Candida yeasts in the ICU and their susceptibility to the antifungal agents terbinafine and fluconazole. The samples were collected by swabbing nine surfaces in the ICU of a hospital located in Pelotas, RS. These isolates were genetically characterized by sequencing the internal transcript spacer (ITS) using the primers ITS1 and ITS4. The test against antifungals was performed by Microdilution in Broth (CLSI-M27-A4). 64 yeasts identified as Candida parapsilosis (45.31%; n = 29), Meyerozyma (Pichia) guilliermondii (28.12%; n = 18), Claviceps lusitaneae (25%; n = 16) and Candida tropicalis (1, 56%; n = 1) mostly at the counter used for handling medicines and food distribution (68.75%; n = 44). Susceptibility to antifungals varied between species. These results describe potentially pathogenic Candida species as contaminants in the ICU environment. The study environment is a potential source of exogenous infection for hospitalized patients.

We present an electroanalytical method using square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry on electrochemically-treated screen-printed gold electrodes to the simultaneous determination of lead(II), copper(II) and mercury(II) in struvite (natural fertilizer produced from urine). Electrochemical treatment via cyclic voltammetry of the working electrodes increased surface rugosity that improved the electroanalytical responses for the three metals. Under optimized conditions and using a deposition time of 90 s, the proposed method presented the following limit of detection values: 1.3 µg L-1 for lead(II), 2.0 µg L-1 for copper(II) and 0.9 µg L-1 for mercury(II). Struvite samples were easily dissolved in supporting electrolyte solution (0.05 mol L-1 HCl). Satisfactory recovery values between 91 and 111% were obtained for the analysis of spiked samples. Hence, we can infer that the proposed electroanalytical method is an effective alternative for the determination of trace metals, since it provides precise and accurate direct analyses, with rapid responses without interference from sample matrix and enabling in field analysis.

We reported experimental and theoretical investigation of conformers of 1,2,3-triazole derivatives, substances of exclusively synthetic origin, subject of extensive studies, because of several biological properties, such as antiviral, antimicrobial and antileishmaniasis. We reported molecular/supramolecular X-ray structures of antiophidian compounds I and II. For I and II there are two crystallographic different molecules in the unit cell (A and B). To explore the causes of the similarities in the compound’s crystal structures, intermolecular interactions were explored using the Hirshfeld surface as the fingerprint plots. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out at the ωB97x-D/6-31G(d,p)-PCM-CHCl3 level aiming to contribute to the interpretation of the experimental data and complement the experimental findings. Two structures named 2A and 5B were found in good agreement with the respective X-ray solid state ones (A and B). Theoretical 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra calculated for 5B rotated structure (torsion angles deviation around 40° to 90°) was in fine agreement with experimental results (in CDCl3) indicating that the solution molecular structure is considerably different from optimized equilibrium geometries and solid-state structure. Therefore, care is needed when using X-ray structures or DFT geometries to model interaction of drugs with biological targets since significant conformational changes may take place in solution.

Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI) was used to assess the spatial distribution of some key flavonoids in peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) leaves. The chemical images were generated by applying DESI-MSI on the peppermint leaves imprinting while acquiring the spectra in the negative ion mode. The following key flavonoids were detected and grouped within well-known biosynthetic routes in plants: naringenin route [naringenin, sakuranetin, hesperetin, hesperidin, luteolin, and apigenin]; luteolin route [luteolin, chrysoeriol, luteolin-7-O-D-glucuronide, luteolin-7-O-D-glucoside, luteolin-7-O-neohesperidoside]; apigenin route [apigenin, apigenin-7-O-gentiobioside, apigenin-7-O-neohesperidoside, thymusin/pilosin, pebrellin, acacetin/genkwanin, ladanein, xanthomicrol/pedunculin/nevadensin]. Maps of the spatial distribution of these flavonoids throughout the peppermint leaves within each route were then displayed. The results described herein comprise an important (although still underexplored) subject that certainly will experience a remarkable growth in the next years.

ABSTRACT Estimating stability and adaptability parameters of cultivars is a widely used study to access the genotype × environment interaction, in order to identify the best genotypes for each cultivation area. In this study, the adaptability and stability parameters were estimated in eight high-oleic lines and two peanut cultivars in 11 experiments in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, from 2008 to 2013, based on the data of the plots mean productivity (Kg·ha–1), with the objective of recommending the most productive genotypes in peanut producing regions in the State of São Paulo. The design used for these experiments was the randomized complete blocks, with four replications. Lines L. 599 and L. 551 were the best genotypes regarding overall adaptability and stability in yield, considering the methods of Eberhart and Russell and of Lin and Binns modified by Carneiro. Results produced by both methods were convergent as for the classification of the lines, and the use of one of them would not be detrimental to the recommendation of productive lines associated to production adaptability and stability. The overall adaptability in addition to the stability in the productivity of the lines here evaluated showed outstanding performance in relation to the cultivars IAC Caiapó and Runner IAC 886.

Abstract J. curcas (physic nut) is one of the most promising oilseeds for biofuel production and the knowledge about genetic parameter estimates is important for its breeding. Here, we evaluated 121 families, from 48 to 60 months of age, aiming genetic evaluation and selection. The trial was set up in an 11 x 11 lattice design, with three replications and 4-plant plot. The traits evaluated were fruit yield (FY), grain (GY) and oil yield (OY), fruit husk percentage (FH) and seed oil content (OC). Individual heritabilities were low (0.19 to 0.23), requiring accurate selection and improvement methods. Moderate repeatabilities were observed for FY (0.54), GY (0.52), OC (0.30) and OY (0.51), indicating that the families evaluated maintained relative superiority over the years. With selection of the 20 best individuals, the predicted genotypic gains (66%) were greater than the additive gains (56%), indicating greater possibilities of success from cultivation of clones.

This study investigates the mechanisms of interaction between benzophenone derivatives and cruzain and Llacys1 (the protein expressed by cysteine protease gene isoform 1 of L. amazonensis) by homology modelling, docking and molecular dynamics simulation. The results predict that the same binding site in cruzain and Llacys1 is involved in complexes with benzophenone derivatives that cause non-competitive inhibition of the enzymes. The Gln residue is conserved among the enzymes, and is shown to be a key residue in the allosteric site of these cysteine proteases and in the interaction with benzophenone derivatives. The binding free energies highlight that the main energetic term contributing to the cruzain- and Llacys1-benzophenone compound interactions is the van der Waals term. Experimental results showed that benzophenone derivatives are promising potential inhibitors of cysteine proteases. Moreover, we found that two benzophenone derivatives are the most effective inhibitors of cruzain and L. amazonensis cysteine protease.

Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola is one of the most important pathogenic serovars for the maintenance of urban leptospirosis. Even though it is considered highly adapted to dogs, serovar Canicola infection has already been described in other animals and even a few human cases. Here, we present the genomic characterisation of two Brazilian L. interrogans serovar Canicola strains isolated from slaughtered sows (L0-3 and L0-4) and their comparison with human strain Fiocruz LV133. It was observed that the porcine serovar Canicola strains present the genetic machinery to cause human infection and, therefore, represent a higher risk to public health. Both human and porcine serovar Canicola isolates also presented sequences with high identity to the Chinese serovar Canicola published plasmids pGui1 and pGui2. The plasmids identification in the Brazilian and Chinese serovar Canicola strains suggest that extra-chromosomal elements are one more feature of this serovar that was previously unnoticed.

Amino acids/ureides and carbohydrates are the main nutrients for the plants growth. These metabolites are continuously translocated through the plant organism via well-known transportation mechanisms. The well-established source-to-sink relationship involves the transfer of these nutrients from mature (source) to young (sink) leaves. Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI) is used herein to determine the spatial distribution of amino acids/ureides and carbohydrates in the imprintings of Mentha × piperita L. leaves at three distinct maturation stages: young, expanding, and mature. Hence, chemical images of some typical carbohydrates (glucose, sucrose, sorbitol/mannitol) and free amino acids/ureides (phenylalanine, leucine, histidine, aspartate, asparagine, tyrosine, glutamate, allantoic acid) clearly point to a source-to-sink relationship, as the young leaves are the final destination for some of these key metabolites. These results therefore reveal the high potential of DESI-MSI to investigate biochemical processes in plants, a still underexplored area.

Abstract IAC OL 5 is a new peanut cultivar recommended to growers of peanut regions of the state of São Paulo as another option for planting during the intervals of sugarcane renewal. Its main traits are its runner growing habit, its moderate resistance to virus and foliar diseases, and the high oleic trait.

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of the bioactive extracts of Plenusdermax®Calendula officinalis for pressure ulcer healing. Method: an observational cohort study, including 41 patients with a diagnosis of pressure ulcer that was stable in size for more than three months. Patients were evaluated every two weeks, over 30 weeks, for: reduction of the wound area, infection control, types of tissue and exudate, and ulcer microbiology. Results: the proportions of patients who were completely healed after 15 and 30 weeks of treatment were 63% and 88%, respectively, and the mean healing time was 12.5±7.8 weeks. No adverse events were observed during treatment. Conclusion: the results of the study indicate that bioactive C. officinalis Plenusdermax® is a safe treatment that promotes healing of pressure ulcers.

RESUMEN Objetivo: evaluar los beneficios terapéuticos del extracto bioactivo de Calendula officinalis Plenusdermax® en la cicatrización de úlceras por presión. Método: estudio observacional de cohorte con cuarenta y un pacientes con diagnóstico de úlceras por presión con un tamaño de herida estable durante más de tres meses. Se evaluó a los pacientes durante 30 semanas cada dos semanas, incluyendo reducción del área de lesión, control de infecciones, tipos de tejidos y secreciones y microbiología de las úlceras. Resultados: la proporción de pacientes con cicatrización completa después de 15 y 30 semanas de tratamiento fue de 63% y 88%, respectivamente, y el promedio de todos los tiempos de cicatrización fue de 12.5±7.8 semanas. No se observaron eventos adversos durante el tratamiento. Conclusión: los resultados del estudio indican que Plenusdermax® con bioactivos de C. officinalis es un tratamiento seguro que promueve la cicatrización de úlceras por presión.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os benefícios terapêuticos do extrato de bioativos de Calendula officinalis Plenusdermax® na cicatrização de úlceras de pressão. Métodos: estudo observacional de coorte realizado com quarenta e um pacientes com diagnóstico de úlcera por pressão com tamanho da ferida estável por mais de três meses. Os pacientes foram avaliados quinzenalmente durante 30 semanas, em relação a redução da área da lesão, controle de infecção, tipos de tecido e exsudato e microbiologia das úlceras. Resultados: a proporção de pacientes que cicatrizaram completamente após 15 e 30 semanas de tratamento foi 63% e 88%, respectivamente, sendo que a média de tempo de cicatrização foi de 12,5 ± 7,8 semanas. Não foram observados eventos adversos durante o tratamento. Conclusão: os resultados do estudo indicam que Plenusdermax® de bioativos de C. officinalis é um tratamento seguro que promove a cicatrização de úlceras de pressão.