Resumen Pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) es una fruta exótica de gran importancia económica por su alto potencial de uso. Sin embargo, debido a su variabilidad genética, su explotación se ve dificultada por no presentar producción de frutos homogénea. En este contexto, este estudio tuvo como objetivo seleccionar genotipos de pitanga de acuerdo con las características físicas y fisicoquímicas de los frutos en condiciones semiáridas. Se desarrolló en la Universidad Federal Rural del Semiárido y los genotipos se originaron a partir de la polinización abierta de la variedad pitanga ‘Tropicana’. Se evaluaron 39 genotipos de pitanga con respecto a los siguientes rasgos: masa de fruto (g), longitud y diámetro de fruto (mm), sólidos solubles (SS, °Brix), acidez titulable (AT), ácido ascórbico (AA), pH y Relación SS/AT. Los genotipos de pitanga presentaron alta variabilidad. El agrupamiento permitió separar los genotipos de acuerdo con los rasgos deseables. El genotipo A12 presentó frutos de mayor calibre, y el genotipo A8 presentó los mayores contenidos de SS y AT. Los genotipos A2, A13, A34 y A39 presentaron altos valores de AT. Los genotipos A11, A16, A45, A9, A26 y A44 presentaron los contenidos más significativos de pH y relación SS / AT en los frutos.

Abstract Pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) is an exotic fruit species of significant economic importance. However, due to genetic variability, its exploitation is hampered by the lack of homogeneous fruit production. In this scenario, this study aimed to select pitanga genotypes according to the physical and physicochemical parameters of fruits grown under semi-arid conditions. The study was developed at the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid Region with genotypes resulting from the open pollination of the pitanga variety ‘Tropicana”. Thirty-nine pitanga genotypes were evaluated for fruit mass, fruit length, fruit diameter, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid (AA), pH, and SS/TA ratio. The pitanga genotypes showed high variability. The clustering method separated the genotypes according to desirable traits. Genotype A12 showed the largest fruit sizes, whereas genotype A8 showed the highest SS and TA contents. Genotypes A2, A13, A34, and A39 showed fruits with the highest AT values. On the other hand, genotypes A11, A16, A45, A9, A26, and A44 showed the most significant contents of pH and SS/TA.

ABSTRACT Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most frequent Gram-negative opportunistic pathogens associated with hospital-acquired infection worldwide. We briefly describe A. baumannii isolates that were recovered from surrounding ICU bed surfaces, exhibiting multidrug resistance phenotype and belonging to some widely spread clonal complexes of clinical A. baumannii isolates.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar, quantitativamente, as alterações do parênquima e da vasculatura pulmonar em exames de angiotomografia computadorizada (angio-TC) de pacientes com hipertensão pulmonar (HP), utilizando programa de análise totalmente automática. Materiais e Métodos: Avaliamos, retrospectivamente, prontuários e exames de angio-TC de 45 pacientes com HP (28 mulheres e 17 homens; idade de 53 ± 14,7 anos), em comparação com um grupo controle mais jovem sem comorbidades detectadas (13 mulheres e 7 homens; idade de 35 ± 9,6 anos). Os grupos diferiram estatisticamente quanto à idade (p = 0,0001). Resultados: Análise automática mostrou valores menores do percentil 10 da densidade dos pulmões, maior volume vascular do lobo superior direito e volume vascular relativo entre lobos superiores e inferiores nos pacientes com HP, quando comparados com o grupo controle. Não encontramos diferenças da análise quantitativa por angio-TC entre grupos de pacientes com HP. Inferimos que a diferença nos valores do percentil 10 indique a presença das áreas de oligoemia nos pacientes com HP, enquanto as diferenças nos volumes vasculares indiquem redistribuição da trama e aumento da resistência vascular pulmonar. Conclusão: A análise quantitativa automática da vasculatura pulmonar em imagens de angio-TC identificou alterações e pode representar ferramenta diagnóstica objetiva na avaliação da HP.

Abstract Objective: To perform a quantitative analysis of the lung parenchyma and pulmonary vasculature of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) on computed tomography angiography (CTA) images, using automated software. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the CTA findings and clinical records of 45 patients with PH (17 males and 28 females), in comparison with a control group of 20 healthy individuals (7 males and 13 females); the mean age differed significantly between the two groups (53 ± 14.7 vs. 35 ± 9.6 years; p = 0.0001). Results: The automated analysis showed that, in comparison with the controls, the patients with PH showed lower 10th percentile values for lung density, higher vascular volumes in the right upper lung lobe, and higher vascular volume ratios between the upper and lower lobes. In our quantitative analysis, we found no differences among the various PH subgroups. We inferred that a difference in the 10th percentile values indicates areas of hypovolemia in patients with PH and that a difference in pulmonary vascular volumes indicates redistribution of the pulmonary vasculature and an increase in pulmonary vasculature resistance. Conclusion: Automated analysis of pulmonary vessels on CTA images revealed alterations and could represent an objective diagnostic tool for the evaluation of patients with PH.

Resumo Objetivo: Realizar a análise quantitativa das vias aéreas utilizando programa automático, em imagens de tomografia computadorizada de pacientes com fibrose cística, correlacionando com a espirometria. Materiais e Métodos: Foram estudados 34 pacientes com fibrose cística - 20 masculinos e 14 femininos; idade de 18 ± 9 anos -, divididos em dois grupos segundo a espirometria: grupo I (n = 21) - sem obstrução grave ao fluxo aéreo (volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo [VEF1] > 50% previsto); grupo II (n = 13) - com obstrução grave (VEF1 ≤ 50% previsto). Foram automaticamente obtidos: diâmetro, área, espessura e atenuação da parede da árvore traqueobrônquica. Resultados: Na média, foram estudados 52 brônquios por paciente. O número de brônquios analisados foi maior no grupo II. A correlação com a espirometria foi melhor no grupo I, principalmente entre a espessura relativa da parede da terceira a oitava geração brônquica e o VEF1 previsto. Conclusão: A análise quantitativa das vias aéreas em imagens de tomografia computadorizada pode ser útil na avaliação da gravidade da doença na fibrose cística. Nos pacientes com obstrução grave ao fluxo aéreo, o número de brônquios estudados pelo método é maior, indicando mais bronquiectasias. Nos pacientes sem obstrução grave, a espessura relativa da parede dos brônquios tem boa correlação com o VEF1 previsto.

Abstract Objective: To perform a quantitative analysis of the airways using automated software, in computed tomography images of patients with cystic fibrosis, correlating the results with spirometric findings. Materials and Methods: Thirty-four patients with cystic fibrosis were studied-20 males and 14 females; mean age 18 ± 9 years-divided into two groups according to the spirometry findings: group I (n = 21), without severe airflow obstruction (forced expiratory volume in first second [FEV1] > 50% predicted), and group II (n = 13), with severe obstruction (FEV1 ≤ 50% predicted). The following tracheobronchial tree parameters were obtained automatically: bronchial diameter, area, thickness, and wall attenuation. Results: On average, 52 bronchi per patient were studied. The number of bronchi analyzed was higher in group II. The correlation with spirometry findings, especially between the relative wall thickness of third to eighth bronchial generation and predicted FEV1, was better in group I. Conclusion: Quantitative analysis of the airways by computed tomography can be useful for assessing disease severity in cystic fibrosis patients. In patients with severe airflow obstruction, the number of bronchi studied by the method is higher, indicating more bronchiectasis. In patients without severe obstruction, the relative bronchial wall thickness showed a good correlation with the predicted FEV1.

RESUMO Este trabalho fez uma análise bibliométrica da repercussão internacional do livro "Studies on termites from the Mato Grosso State, Brazil", de AGA Mathews (1977). O número de citações aumentou ao longo dos anos após a primeira citação. O livro de Mathews foi citado em artigos e revisões, teses e dissertações, livros e capítulos, resumos em anais de eventos e notas científicas. A maioria destes trabalhos é empírico e descritivo. Os estudos foram realizados em 35 países das regiões Neotropical, Paleártica, Afrotropical, Neártica, Australásia e Indomalaia. Entretanto, 55% dos trabalhos foram realizados no Brasil. As revistas Sociobiology e Insectes Sociaux, cujo escopo é publicar pesquisas sobre insetos sociais, apresentam o maior número de artigos que citaram Mathews. A maioria dos 71 autores que citaram Mathews mais de duas vezes é brasileiro. Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri) foi a espécie mais estudada em 80% dos trabalhos que abordaram Isoptera. As palavras-chave mais frequentes (termite, Isoptera, taxonomy), são termos generalistas que foram associadas à maioria dos países. A maioria das pesquisas foi executada em laboratórios e em áreas de vegetação nativa. Estudos em agroecossistemas foram realizados predominantemente no Brasil. Este estudo mostra a diversidade de aplicações (citações) do livro Mathews, e que o número de citações tende a aumentar devido à grande quantidade de informações apresentadas pelo autor.

ABSTRACT This paper consists on a bibliometric analysis of the international influences of the book "Studies on termites from the Mato Grosso State, Brazil", by AGA Mathews (1977). The number of citations has increased over the years after the first citation. Mathews book was cited in articles, reviews, theses, dissertations, books, book chapters, abstracts in conference proceedings, comments and scientific notes. Most these studies are empirical and descriptive. The studies were conducted in 35 countries of the Neotropical, Palearctic, Afrotropical, Nearctic, Australasia and Indomalaya regions. 55% of the studies were carried out in Brazil. The journals Sociobiology and Insectes Sociaux, have social insect studies within its scope, and the highest number of articles citing Mathews. Most of the 71 authors that cited Mathews more than twice are Brazilian. Constrictotermes cyphergaster was the most studied in over 80% of the studies addressing Isoptera. The most frequent keywords were termite, Isoptera and taxonomy, generalist terms indexed in most publications carried out in different countries. Most of the research studies were carried out in laboratories and native vegetation areas. Studies in agroecosystems were implemented predominantly in Brazil. This study shows the diversity of application (citations) of Mathews' book, and that the number of citations will continue to increase due to the large amount of information presented by the author.

Cocoa honey is considered as the liquid portion of cocoa pulp that is released from the fruit soon after it is cut open and can be used before fermentation by simple extraction due to its nutritional characteristics. The objective of the present study is to determine the biochemical characteristics of a cocoa by-product, "cocoa honey" (CH), produced in the State of Bahia-Brazil. The biochemical characterization was conducted to determine reducing sugars, total sugars, vitamin C, total dietary fiber, flavonoids, and total antioxidant activity using an EC50. It was observed that cocoa honey can be considered a source of bioactive compounds, can be consumed in natura or processed, and used as an ingredient in the chocolate industry and in other food products. However, it is necessary to use complementary methods, such as HPLC, to quantify the phenolic compounds of this by-product.

Habitat fragmentation is one of the main threats to the biodiversity of the planet. This study was conducted in nine fragments of the Brazilian cerrado (savanna) sensu stricto. We assessed the effects that fragment size and distance between fragments has on the density and fertility of populations of Byrsonima pachyphylla A. Juss. (Malpighiaceae), known in Brazil as "murici". In each of the nine fragments, we evaluated seven individuals. We quantified the B. pachyphylla density within a 20-m radius around each individual. Fertility in each fragment was estimated by determining the ratio between the number of flowers and the number of fruits produced. We carried out linear regression analyses between mean B. pachyphylla density and fragment size, as well as between mean B. pachyphylla fertility and fragment size. The influence of spatial autocorrelation on the fertility of each studied plant was estimated by Moran's I to evaluate the effect of fragment distance on B. pachyphylla fertility. Population densities and the proportions of fertile plants were greater in the larger fragments, which were also more preserved. There was spatial autocorrelation only between plants in the same fragment. Neighboring fragments differed significantly in terms of fertility, which is probably related to the degree of preservation of each fragment. Habitat fragmentation has a marked effect on the fertility of plant species in the cerrado, and larger fragments are needed in order to maintain their populations and those of associated species.

Pseudomonas sp. é um bacilo gram-negativo ubíquo de vida livre e freqüente em ambientes hospitalares. Bactérias produtoras de metalo-betalactamases (MBLs) são em grande parte resistentes aos betalactâmicos de largo espectro, incluindo cefalosporinas e carbapenens. Este trabalho objetivou detectar cepas de Pseudomonas spp. resistentes ao imipenem e à ceftazidima, assim como identificar aquelas produtoras de MBLs. Foram estudadas (entre junho de 2002 e junho de 2003) 311 cepas isoladas de diversas amostras clínicas no Hospital Geral de Fortaleza (HGF), bem como foram realizados testes de identificação e sensibilidade pelo sistema de automação MicroScan®/WalkAway, sendo as cepas multirresistentes confirmadas através do método de difusão em disco. A triagem para detecção de amostras produtoras de MBLs foi realizada pelo método de dupla difusão, utilizando discos com mercaptoacetato de sódio. Entre essas amostras, 24 (7,71%) demonstraram produção de MBLs e padrão de multirresistência entre as cepas estudadas. Os antimicrobianos para os quais as cepas apresentaram maior sensibilidade foram a piperacilina/tazobactam com 255 (82%) de sensibilidade, seguido da piperacilina isoladamente, com 229 (73,63%); imipenem com 195 (62,70%); ticarcilina/ácido clavulânico com 193 (62,05%); e ceftazidima com 138 (44,37%). A detecção dessas amostras configura um problema emergente, com importantes implicações na terapêutica antimicrobiana.

Pseudomonas sp. is a ubiquitous gram-negative bacilli, of free and frequent life in hospital environment. Metallo-betalactamases (MBLs) productive bacteria are largely resistant to betalactamics of wide spectrum, including cephalosporin and carbapenem. The objective of this work was to detect Pseudomonas spp. strains resistant to imipenem and ceftazidime, as well as to identify the MBLs producer ones. It was studied 311 isolated strains from several clinical samples at Fortaleza General Hospital (FGH), from June 2002 to June 2003. Identification and sensibility tests were done by the MicroScan®/WalkAway automation system. The multiresisting strains were confirmed by the diffusion method in disk. The triage to detect MBLs productive samples was accomplished by the double diffusion method, using disks containing sodium mercaptoacetat. Among these samples, 24 (7.71%) indicated production of MBLs and multiresistance standard in the midst of the studied strains. The antimicrobials to which the strains presented larger sensibility were piperacillin/tazobactam, with 255 (82%) of sensibility, followed by isolated piperacillin with 229 (73.63%); imipenem with 195 (62.70%); ticarcillin/clavulanic acid with 193 (62.05%); and ceftazidime with 138 (44.37%). The detection of these samples configures an emerging problem, with important implications in the antimicrobial therapeutic.