Abstract The effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the diluent for cryopreservation of goat semen on seminal quality and the optimal levels to be used were evaluated. After collection, semen was pooled and physically evaluated, then divided into four aliquots with different DHA levels in the diluent: 0, 10, 20, and 30 ng mL-1. The semen was cryopreserved in a TK 3000® freezing machine and then thawed for assessment at 37 °C. Sperm motility and vigor, membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity, mitochondrial activity, and sperm chromatin compaction were evaluated after thawing. A completely randomized design was used. For normally distributed variables, ANOVA and regression analysis were used to test for differences between treatments, and for non-parametric data, the Kruskal Wallis test was used at the 5% significance level. There were no differences among groups in terms of membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity, or chromatin compaction. There was a decrease in class I mitochondrial activity with increasing DHA level (P<0.05), but no differences in classes II, III, and IV (P>0.05). The inclusion of 10 to 30 ng mL-1 of DHA in the diluent did not result in improvements in seminal quality parameters after thawing, with some impairment observed in the mitochondrial activity of the sperm cells.

Abstract Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, with cognitive as well as behavioral manifestations. Also related to this pathology, is the decreased production and activation of some neurotransmitters, such as Serotonin, which is derived from the Tryptophan. Different methods to improve the effect and performance of some drugs have been studied including the Nanoparticles. The objective was to analyze the efficacy of L-tryptophan and L-tryptophan Nanoparticles in the acute response of motor and cognitive behavior in an Alzheimer's experimental model. Methods: 15 Wistar rats, divided into 3 groups (n = 5): GC (Alzheimer's control group), GLt (L-tryptophan), and GN (Nanoparticles). They were treated for six consecutive days. Anxiety tests, spatial memory tests, aversive memory tests, and motor behavior tests were all performed during this study. In the analysis of anxiety, improvement was observed in both treatments, being that GN presented improvement in two variables: freezing (79±18.8; 74.6±14.2) and TBF (287.8±1.08; 268±40.8). GLt only presented improvement in freezing (103.8±44.4). In the spatial memory analysis, there were no significant differences in aversive memory and motor behavior during the treatments. During the Size Effect analysis treatments, it is possible to observe some differences both in anxiety and motor behavior, precisely where NG presented better results than GLt. Even in a short period of time, the nanoparticles demonstrated great benefits as a treatment method. Conclusion: the use of nanoparticles is an effective treatment against changes in motor and cognitive behavior caused by Alzheimer´s, as it lowers anxiety and improves motor behavior.

Resumo Fundamento A hipertensão arterial crônica (HAC) e o aumento da rigidez arterial (RA) elevam o risco de complicações na gestação, como pré-eclâmpsia sobreposta e baixo crescimento fetal. Objetivo Avaliar o impacto da hidroterapia, uma modalidade de tratamento não farmacológico, sobre a RA de gestantes com HAC. Métodos Estudo transversal para avaliação do efeito de uma sessão padronizada de hidroterapia sobre a RA de gestantes com HAC e controles. Utilizamos o equipamento Mobil-O-Graph® NG para medidas de pressão arterial (PA), frequência cardíaca (FC) e RA, antes e depois de uma sessão de hidroterapia, envolvendo alongamento, aquecimento, fortalecimento e relaxamento. O nível de significância adotado nas análises estatísticas foi de 5%. Resultados Avaliamos 36 gestantes: 12 hipertensas (GH) e 24 controles (GC), 30,4 ± 4,8 anos, 29,2 ± 3,3 semanas de gestação. A hidroterapia promoveu, em ambos os grupos, significativa redução da RA avaliada pelo Augmentation Index ajustado para 75 bpm (AIx@75) (GH: 28,8 ± 7,3%, antes; 22,4 ± 6,9%, depois; p = 0,024; e GC: 29,1 ± 7,4,%, antes; 22,9 ± 6,6%, depois; p = 0,001), assim como redução da FC (GH: 93,4 ± 11,8 bpm, antes; 82,4 ± 10,0 bpm, depois; p < 0,001; e GC: 91,4 ± 13,4 bpm, antes; 81,5 ± 12,6 bpm, depois; p < 0,001), sem, contudo, reduzir significativamente a PA. Conclusão Demonstramos que uma sessão de hidroterapia reduz agudamente a RA avaliada pelo AIx@75, podendo representar potencial estratégia não farmacológica acessória na prevenção de complicações materno-fetais de gestantes com HAC. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Abstract Background Chronic hypertension (CH) and high arterial stiffness (AS) increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, such as superimposed preeclampsia and low fetal growth. Objective To evaluate the impact of hydrotherapy, a non-pharmacological treatment strategy, on AS in pregnant women with CH. Methods Cross-sectional study evaluating the effect of a standardized hydrotherapy session on AS in pregnant women with CH and controls. We used the device Mobil-O-Graph® NG to measure blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and AS before and after a hydrotherapy session involving stretching, warming up, strengthening, and relaxation. The level of significance adopted in the statistical analyses was 5%. Results We evaluated 36 pregnant women, including 12 with hypertension (HG) and 24 controls (CG), aged 30.4 ± 4.8 years and at 29.2 ± 3.3 gestational weeks. Hydrotherapy promoted in both groups a significant reduction in AS assessed by the augmentation index at a HR of 75 bpm (AIx@75) (HG: 28.8 ± 7.3%, before; 22.4 ± 6.9%, after; p = 0.024; and CG: 29.1 ± 7.4%, before; 22.9 ± 6.6%, after; p = 0.001), as well as a reduction in HR (HG: 93.4 ± 11.8 bpm, before; 82.4 ± 10.0 bpm, after; p < 0.001; and CG: 91.4 ± 13.4 bpm, before; 81.5 ± 12.6 bpm, after; p < 0.001), but a nonsignificant reduction in BP. Conclusion We demonstrated that a hydrotherapy session acutely reduces AS assessed by AIx@75, and may represent a potential non-pharmacological strategy to prevent maternal and fetal complications in pregnant women with CH. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the performance and surface alteration of two single-file systems according to the number of uses. Ten WaveOne Primary files (25/.08) and ten One Shape NG files (25/.06) were used for instrumentation of mesial root canals of mandibular molars. Each instrument was cleaned and sterilized after the preparation of two root canals and then reused. The time spent for instrumentation of each root canal was recorded and analyzed by using t-test. Microphotographs of the surface of the instruments were taken with a scanning electron microscope at different magnifications (i.e. 18x, 160x, 500x and 1000x) and at a distance of 4 mm from the instrument’s tip before being analyzed by four observers. Presence of disruption of cutting edge, crack, craters and unwinding was assessed and submitted to Fisher’s exact test. Both systems showed manufacturing defects and cracks. The presence of disruption of cutting edges was major in WaveOne files from the sixth use, whereas One Shape NG files showed more unwinding. Only preparation time using WaveOne files was influenced by the number of uses. One can conclude that WaveOne files had more disruption of cutting edges and took longer time for root canal preparation from the sixth use onwards, whereas the One Shape NG files showed more unwinding at the tenth use.

The present work evaluated the effect on charge transfer in functionalized TiO2 nanostructured systems using different binders. We highlight the conditions required to form self-assembled systems by varying the number of layers, as well as by substituting them for an organic binder, cysteine. Additionally, we study the pH effect of the precursor solution (HAuCl4) on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) formation. The morphological characterization allowed us to determine the percentage of Au atoms on the surface of the synthesized nanoparticles. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis determined the amount of gold deposited on the TiO2 surface, which ranged from 4.56 to 253.00 ng mm-2 depending on the system used. Based on Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman analysis, it was possible to propose a photolysis mechanism for AuNP formation in accordance with the change in the binders. The different systems were subjected to hydrogen photogeneration by a water splitting process, resulting in 2.02 µmol cm-2 of hydrogen production for cysteine binder [Cys+HAuCl4-2.7]. There proved to be an excellent synergy between the morphological aspects, crystallinity, and stability of this arrangement.

A method for determining low levels of As and Cd by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was proposed. The following parameters that affect extraction efficiency were investigated: type and volume of extraction solvent (1000 µL acetone), type and volume of dispersive solvent (75 µL carbon tetrachloride), amount of ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate and sodium diethyldithiocarbamate as chelating agents, sample mass (0.5 g in 10 mL ultrapure water), pH of sample solution (2.0) and number of washing steps (one). Accuracy was evaluated by analytes determination in sugar samples by ICP-MS after digestion by microwave-induced combustion (MIC). No significant difference was observed between results of the proposed DLLME method and MIC in the case of both analytes. Instrument calibration was performed by the standard addition method and good linearity was achieved. Limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.7 and 0.2 ng g-1 for As and Cd, respectively. The main advantages of this method are relatively high sample mass, low dilution, suitable preconcentration factors and significantly low LOQs (ng g-1 range). When the proposed method was used for determining As and Cd in four sugar samples, their concentrations ranged from 1.13 to 2.95 ng g-1 and from 0.31 to 0.43 ng g-1, respectively.

The efficiency of U.S.EPA TO-15 Method was evaluated under typical conditions of an urban environment with natural and anthropic emission sources. The performance criteria which should be met for a system to qualify, were fulfilled: a detection limit of ≤0.2 ng for all target compounds, replicate precision for a calibration standard and ambient samples within 20%. The stability of the target compounds during storage of sampled air in canisters was also evaluated at atmospheric pressure and relative humidity of 50%. Results show that, in the sampling conditions, compounds are not stable for more than a week. For validation experiments, samples were collected at the entrance of Tijuca National Park, located at the city of Rio de Janeiro. Isoprene was selected as a marker of biogenic emissions, and aromatic compounds were selected as markers of anthropogenic emissions, primarily vehicular emissions. Then, samples were collected in Saens Peña Square, a central area in the Tijuca District, in the northern part of the city, approximately 10 km from the entrance of Tijuca National Park. Volatile organic compounds were determined and the results were compared with previous data obtained in the same local using other methods.

In the present work, an inductively coupled plasma-tandem mass spectrometer (ICP-MS/MS) operating in single quadrupole and mass shift modes were evaluated for As determination in mineral fertilizers and agricultural gypsum with high contents of rare earth elements. For MS/MS mode, oxygen was the gas introduced into the octopole reaction system (ORS3). Samples were prepared by microwave-assisted digestion with diluted nitric acid solution. The accuracy was checked by analysis of a fertilizer certified reference material (NIST SRM 695) and by addition and recovery experiments. When operating in single quadrupole mode, recoveries ranged from 59 to 151%; while values obtained by MS/MS mode varied from 81 to 105% when 0.30 mL min-1 O2 was introduced into the ORS3. Limits of detection for As+ in single quadrupole and AsO+ in MS/MS mass shift mode were 6 and 9 ng L-1, respectively.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A interleucina-6 (IL-6) é preditora de intensidade no trauma. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da lidocaína por via venosa sobre a intensidade da dor e IL-6 após histerectomia. MÉTODO: O estudo foi prospectivo, randomizado, comparativo e duplo-encoberto em 40 pacientes, entre 18 e 60 anos. Foi administrada lidocaína (2 mg.kg-1.h-1) no G1 ou solução salina a 0,9% no G2 durante a operação. A anestesia foi com O2/isoflurano. Foi avaliada a intensidade da dor (T0: despertar e seis, 12, 18 e 24 horas), a primeira solicitação de analgésico, a dose de morfina nas 24 horas. A IL-6 foi medida antes do início da operação (T0), após cinco horas do início (T5) e 24 horas após o término (T24). RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença na intensidade da dor entre os grupos. Ocorreu diminuição da intensidade da dor entre T0 e os outros momentos avaliados no G1. O tempo para primeira complementação foi maior no G2 (76,0 ± 104,4 min) do que no G1 (26,7 ± 23,3 min). Não houve diferença na dose de morfina complementar entre G1 (23,5 ± 12,6 mg) e G2 (18,7 ± 11,3 mg). Houve aumento das concentrações de IL-6 em ambos os grupos de T0 para T5 e T24. Não houve diferença na dosagem de IL-6 entre os grupos. A concentração de lidocaína foi 856,5 ± 364,1 ng.mL-1 em T5 e 30,1 ± 14,2 ng.mL-1 em T24. CONCLUSÃO: A lidocaína (2 mg.kg-1.h-1) por via venosa não promoveu redução da intensidade da dor e dos níveis plasmáticos de IL-6 em pacientes submetidas a histerectomia abdominal.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Interleukin-6 is a predictor of trauma severity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intravenous lidocaine on pain severity and plasma interleukin-6 after hysterectomy. METHOD: A prospective, randomized, comparative, double-blind study with 40 patients, aged 18-60 years. G1 received lidocaine (2 mg kg-1 h-1) or G2 received 0.9% saline solution during the operation. Anesthesia was induced with O2/isoflurane. Pain severity (T0: awake and 6, 12, 18 and 24 h), first analgesic request, and dose of morphine in 24 h were evaluated. Interleukin-6 was measured before starting surgery (T0), 5 h after the start (T5), and 24 h after the end of surgery (T24). RESULTS: There was no difference in pain severity between groups. There was a decrease in pain severity between T0 and other measurement times in G1. Time to first supplementation was greater in G2 (76.0 ± 104.4 min) than in G1 (26.7 ± 23.3 min). There was no difference in supplemental dose of morphine between G1 (23.5 ± 12.6 mg) and G2 (18.7 ± 11.3 mg). There were increased concentrations of IL-6 in both groups from T0 to T5 and T24. There was no difference in IL-6 dosage between groups. Lidocaine concentration was 856.5 ± 364.1 ng mL-1 in T5 and 30.1 ± 14.2 ng mL-1 in T24. CONCLUSION: Intravenous lidocaine (2 mg kg-1 h-1) did not reduce pain severity and plasma levels of IL-6 in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy.

JUSTIFICACIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: La interleucina-6 (IL-6) es predictora de intensidad en el trauma. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la lidocaína por vía venosa sobre la intensidad del dolor e IL-6 después de la histerectomía. MÉTODO: El estudio fue prospectivo, aleatorizado, comparativo y doble ciego en 40 pacientes, entre 18 y 60 años. Fue administrada lidocaína (2 mg/kg-1.h-1) en el G1 o solución salina al 0,9% en el G2 durante la operación. La anestesia fue con O2/isoflurano. Se calculó la intensidad del dolor (T0: despertar y 6, 12, 18 y 24 h), la primera solicitud de analgésico, y la dosis de morfina en las primeras 24 h. La IL-6 se midió antes del inicio de la operación (T0), después de 5 h del inicio (T5) y 24 h después de finalizada (T24). RESULTADOS: No hubo diferencia en la intensidad del dolor entre los grupos. Hubo disminución de la intensidad del dolor entre T0 y los otros momentos evaluados en el G1. El tiempo para la primera complementación fue mayor en el G2 (76 ± 104,4 min) que en el G1 (26,7 ± 23,3 min). No hubo diferencia en las dosis de morfina complementaria entre G1 (23,5 ± 12,6 mg) y G2 (18,7 ± 11,3 mg). Hubo aumento en las concentraciones de IL-6 en los 2 grupos de T0 para T5 y T24. No hubo diferencia en la dosificación de IL-6 entre los grupos. La concentración de lidocaína fue 856,5 ± 364,1 ng/ml-1 en T5 y 30,1 ± 14,2 ng/ml-1 en T24. CONCLUSIÓN: La lidocaína (2 mg/kg-1 /h-1) por vía venosa no generó reducción de la intensidad del dolor y de los niveles plasmáticos de IL-6 en pacientes sometidas a histerectomía abdominal.

Lipophorin (Lp) is the main haemolymphatic lipoprotein in insects and transports lipids between different organs. In adult females, lipophorin delivers lipids to growing oocytes. In this study, the interaction of this lipoprotein with the ovaries of Rhodnius prolixus was characterised using an oocyte membrane preparation and purified radiolabelled Lp (125I-Lp). Lp-specific binding to the oocyte membrane reached equilibrium after 40-60 min and when 125I-Lp was incubated with increasing amounts of membrane protein, corresponding increases in Lp binding were observed. The specific binding of Lp to the membrane preparation was a saturable process, with a Kdof 7.1 ± 0.9 x 10-8M and a maximal binding capacity of 430 ± 40 ng 125I-Lp/µg of membrane protein. The binding was calcium independent and pH sensitive, reaching its maximum at pH 5.2-5.7. Suramin inhibited the binding interaction between Lp and the oocyte membranes, which was completely abolished at 0.5 mM suramin. The oocyte membrane preparation from R. prolixus also showed binding to Lp from Manduca sexta. When Lp was fluorescently labelled and injected into vitellogenic females, the level of Lp-oocyte binding was much higher in females that were fed whole blood than in those fed blood plasma.

Nos últimos 30 anos, o cerrado tem sofrido severos impactos antrópicos que provocam alterações na composição de espécies, na estrutura e no funcionamento de habitats aquáticos. Dessa forma, estudos sobre impactos negativos são úteis para prevenir futuras degradações e restaurar a qualidade ambiental. Os objetivos do nosso estudo foram: i) adaptar um índice de integridade biótica para os riachos da bacia do rio Cuiabá e ii) analisar se o índice de integridade biótica (IIB) é correlacionado com a qualidade ambiental medida pelo índice de qualidade ambiental (IQA) e com a estrutura do meso-habitat. Amostramos 26 riachos da sub-bacia do rio Cuiabá; em cada um deles, delimitados um segmento de 50 m, utilizando a pesca elétrica como método de coleta. Para obter a medida de qualidade ambiental nas unidades amostradas, caracterizamos os riachos e sua microbacia. Para as análises nós usamos a correlação de Sperman, o teste Kruskal-Wallis e a análise de componentes principais. Coletamos 697 indivíduos distribuídos em 6 ordens, 15 famílias e 49 espécies. O IIB seguiu mudanças na qualidade ambiental medida pelo IQA quando nós removemos da análise os riachos que apresentavam barreiras ambientais (r² = 0.4; r²S= 0.58). Tipos de usos da terra não afetaram a integridade biótica (n = 26; df = 4; H = 4,860; p = 0.302), de modo oposto existiu uma associação negativa entre a presença de barreira e o IIB (n = 26; df = 4; H = 11,027; p = 0.026). O IIB não foi sensível às variações na estrutura do meso-habitat (F2,23 = 0.373; r² = 0.031; Axe 1 p = 0.620; Axe 2 p = 0.490). O IIB mostrou-se como um razoável instrumento para avaliar as mudanças do ambiente, mas não podemos ignorar que com várias combinações das métricas podemos obter um mesmo resultado, o que dificulta sua análise e interpretação.

Over the last 30 years, the Cerrado has been experiencing various antropic impacts that have brought about alterations to species composition, structure and functioning of aquatic habitats. Therefore, studies on negative impacts are useful to prevent future damage and restore environmental quality. The objectives of our study were: i) to adapt an index of biotic integrity of streams in the Rio Cuiabá Basin and ii) to analyze if the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) correlated with the environmental quality measured by the Index of Environmental Quality (IEQ) and with the mesohabitat structure. We sampled 26 streams in sub-basins of the Cuiabá River. In each stream, we closed a stretch of 50 m with blockage nets and used electrofishing to capture fish. To obtain a measure of environmental quality in sampled units, we characterized the stream and its micro basin. For the analyses, we used the Spearman Correlation, Kruskal-Wallis test and Analysis of Multiple Regression. We collected 697 individuals distributed into 6 orders, 15 families and 49 species. The IBI followed changes on environmental quality measured by IEQ when we removed streams that present natural barriers from the analysis (r² = 0.4; r² = 0.58). Types of land use did not affect the biotic integrity (n = 26; df = 4; H = 4,860; p = 0.302), but natural and artificial barriers affected it (n = 26; df = 4; H = 11,027; p = 0.026). The IBI was not sensitive to variations in mesohabitat structure (F2,23 = 0.373; r² = 0.031; Axe 1 p = 0.620; Axe 2 p = 0.490). The IBI is certainly a reasonable instrument for evaluating changes in the environment, but we cannot ignore the fact that we were able to obtain the same result with any combinations of metrics. This makes its analysis and interpretation difficult.

Amostras de material particulado total e MP10 foram coletadas entre agosto de 2006 e fevereiro de 2007 na estação rodoviária Prefeito José Carlos Lacerda. Foram analisados os 16 HPAs considerados prioritários, emitidos pelos veículos pesados em condições típicas de operação, usando CG/EM. α ΣHPA correspondeu a 0,0018% da massa de MPT e 0,0012% da massa de MP10. O conteúdo total de HPAs foi de 3,57 ng m-3 e 2,59 ng m-3 para o MPT e o MP10, respectivamente. A contribuição dos compostos carcinogênicos, conforme a USEPA, (B[a]An, B[b]F, B[k]F, B[a]Py, IPy e DB[ah]A) foi 1,86 ng m-3 (52% do total de HPAs) e 1,40 ng m-3 (54% do total de HPAs), para as amostras de MPT e MP10, respectivamente. As relações características e a análise estatística multivariada deram, em geral, resultados similares aos obtidos para poeira de solos, exceto para a relação Flt/(Flt+Py), 0,34, compatível com emissões de diesel. Os fluxos de deposição seca estão no intervalo 0,022-0,603 e 0,016-0,436 μg m-2 dia-1 para os compostos contidos no MPT e MP10, respectivamente.

Total particulate matter and PM10 samples were collected from August 2006 to February 2007 in Mayor José Carlos Lacerda bus station. 16 priority PAHs compounds emitted by heavy-duty vehicles on typical conditions of operation were analyzed by using GC/MS. ΣPAH accounted for 0.0018% of the TSP mass and 0.0012% of the PM10 mass. Total PAH contents on the particle phase were 3.57 ng m-3 and 2.59 ng m-3 for TSP and PM10, respectively. Contributions of carcinogenic USEPA priority PAHs (B[a]An, B[b]F, B[k]F, B[a]Py, IPy and DB[ah]A) were 1.86 ng m-3 (52% of total PAHs) and 1.40 ng m-3 (54% of total PAHs), for TSP and PM10 samples, respectively. Diagnostic ratios and multivariate statistical analysis were, in general, similar to those reported for soil dust except for the Flt/Flt+Py) ratio, 0.34, compatible with diesel emissions. Dry deposition fluxes were in the range of 0.022-0.603 and 0.016-0.436 μg m-2 day-1 for compounds in TSP and PM10, respectively.

A ferrugem da soja é uma doença que ocorre nas folhas da soja e é considerada muito agressiva, pois reduz a qualidade do grão final. A identificação precoce do fungo na plantação previne várias perdas para o agricultor bem como para as culturas vizinhas. Neste trabalho, um imunossensor foi desenvolvido sem a utilização de marcadores usando medidas de impedância para detectar a ferrugem asiática nos extratos das folhas contaminadas nos estágios iniciais da doença, antes do aparecimento dos sintomas. O anticorpo anti-micélio do fungo Phakopsora pachyrhizi (agente causador da doença) foi imobilizado em substrato de ouro via formação de monocamadas auto-organizadas de tióis e ligações covalentes com a biomolécula. O imunossensor apresentou um limite de detecção de 385 ng mL-1. A otimização das condições experimentais e o bloqueio da superfície para minimizar ligações não-específicas foram realizados. Este estudo proporcionou uma nova perspectiva da utilização do método para o diagnóstico precoce da doença.

Soybean rust is a disease that occurs on soybean leaves and is considered very aggressive, reducing product quality. Early identification of fungus in the plants prevents severe farming losses as well as spreading to neighboring cultures. In this paper, a label-free immunosensor was developed based on impedance measurements to detect Asian rust on soybean leaf extract at the early stages of the disease. The antibody anti-mycelium of Phakopsora pachyrhizi fungus (disease agent) was immobilized on a gold substrate via a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of thiols using covalent cysteamine coupling. This immunosensor presents a limit of detection of 385 ng mL-1. The optimization of experimental conditions and surface blocking to minimize non-specific adsorption on the immunosensor response were evaluated. These studies, based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), provide new perspectives on using this method for early diagnosis of soybean rust.

Amostras de partículas totais em suspensão (PTS) e MP10 foram coletadas no Campus da FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro (Brasil), entre abril de 2006 e março 2007, uma região suburbana com atividades industriais e comerciais intensas. Foram determinadas as concentrações de 16 compostos policíclicos aromáticos (HPAs) usando cromatografia gasosa acoplada com espectrometria de massas. As concentrações individuais se encontraram entre o limite de detecção (acenaftileno, acenafteno, antraceno e fluoreno) e 6,16 ng m-3 para o benzo[b]fluoranteno. Os cinco HPAs mais importantes, no PTS, foram B[b]F, Ipy, Py, Chry e DB[ah]An e a soma das concentrações médias dos 16 HPAs foi 15,53 ng m-3. Os mesmos compostos mais abundantes foram encontrados em MP10, onde foi determinada uma massa total de 8,99 ng m-3. Foram calculadas as relações características e as emissões veiculares foram identificadas como as fontes potenciais de HPAs no material particulado. A contribuição dos veículos leves e pesados é significativa, mas a análise de conglomerados e a análise fatorial não permitiram a classificação em emissões do diesel e da gasolina.

From April 206 to March 2007, total suspended particles (TSP) and PM10 samples were collected at the Campus of FIOCRUZ, situated in a suburban region with intense industrial and commercial activities in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). The concentrations of 16 selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined by gas chromatography with mass selective detection. Individual concentrations were between the detection limit (acenaphtylene, acenaphthene, anthracene and fluorene) and 6.16 ng m-3 for benzo[b]fluoranthene. The five most abundant PAHs, in TSP, samples were B[b]F, Ipy, Py, Chry and DB[ah]An, and the mean sum of 16 PAHs was 15.53 ng m-3. The same most abundant compounds were obtained in PM10 samples and a total mean mass of 8.99 ng m-3 was determined. Diagnostic ratios were calculated and vehicular emissions were determined as the potential sources for PAHs in particulate matter. The contribution of both light duty and diesel engines is significant, but the cluster and factorial analysis failed to classify clearly in gasoline or diesel emissions.

A acumulação de Hg foi investigada em testemunhos sedimentares da Baía de Guanabara, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, amostrados ao longo de um gradiente de eutrofização, que se refletiu na qualidade física dos sedimentos e na distribuição de carbono orgânico total (COT). Sedimentos da área oeste da baía foram fortemente afetados por aportes de efluentes domésticos e industriais, apresentando concentrações de Hg de até 7500 ng g-1 e inventários de Hg de até 786 mg m-2, em contraste com valores próximos aos de background encontrados na área nordeste (< 65 ng g-1 e 10,6 mg m-2). Uma mudança de uma relação negativa para uma positiva entre Hg e COT ocorreu no estuário mais eutrofizado, no qual um aumento nos níveis de Hg no sentido do topo foi observado. Este aumento pode ser atribuído a (i) um crescente aporte fluvial de Hg e (ii) um impacto da eutrofização sobre a qualidade dos sedimentos, que pode aumentar a sua capacidade de acumular Hg associado à matéria orgânica.

The accumulation of Hg was investigated in sediment cores from Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, sampled along an eutrophication gradient, which was reflected in the sediment physical quality and total organic carbon (TOC) distribution. Sediments from the western bay area are strongly affected by inputs of urban and industrial effluents, showing Hg concentrations up to 7500 ng g-1 and Hg inventories up to 786 mg m-2, in contrast with near-background values found in the northwestern bay area (< 65 ng g-1 and 10.6 mg m-2). A shift from a negative to a positive relationship between Hg and TOC occurred in the most eutrophicated estuary, in which an upward increase in the recorded Hg levels was observed. This increase may be attributed to (i) an increasing riverine Hg input and (ii) an impact of eutrophication on the sediment quality, which may enhance the sediment capacity to accumulate organic matter-bound Hg.