Abstract Human activity has prompted a rapid decline in the forested areas of the Amazon, resulting in an increase in the number of isolated forest fragments. Belém is the smallest and most deforested area of endemism in the biome. Its high level of degradation translates into great biodiversity vulnerability and the need for urgent measures to address these changes. The aim of this research was to analyze connectivity among the Belém’s remaining forest fragments and to classify them according to their importance for population dispersal. We used morphological spatial pattern analysis to characterize landscape structure and the integral index of connectivity to defi ne the importance of forest fragments. From a structural perspective, 55.28% of the forested area was classifi ed as core, 16.88% as edge. From a functional perspective, few fragments were classifi ed as highly important. In general, larger fragments were more important for connectivity. The protected areas seem to not have considered the forest connectivity in their planning, although the designation of priority areas has valued this variable. This study provides an important theoretical outline for considering connectivity in the planning phase and represents a contribution to more detailed research on how to maintain biodiversity in the Belém Area of Endemism.

Foram conduzidos dois ensaios para avaliar a utilização do farelo do farelo integral de arroz parboilizado (FIAP) em rações para leitões na fase de creche. No primeiro, foram utilizados 14 suínos machos castrados para a avaliação nutricional do ingrediente em ensaio de digestibilidade. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente ao acaso, com dois tratamentos e sete repetições por tratamento. O FIAP apresenta 17,15% de PB, elevado teor em fibras (33,75% de FDN e 15,91% de FDA) e teor reduzido de energia metabolizável, próximo a 2320kcal/kg. No segundo experimento, foram utilizados 60 leitões machos castrados, com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho zootécnico, a ocorrência de diarreia e a viabilidade econômica do farelo de arroz parboilizado. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos (0, 4, 8, 12 e 16% de inclusão) e seis repetições. Não houve diferença significativa entre o tratamento controle e os tratamentos teste (P>0,05), assim como para a análise de regressão, em que os crescentes níveis de inclusão do ingrediente não resultaram em piora no desempenho (P>0,05). O FIAP pode ser incluído até o nível de 16% em rações para leitões na fase de creche.

Two assays were conducted to evaluate the parboiled rice bran in piglet's diets in the nursery phase. In the first, 14 male castrated piglets were allotted to determine the nutritional value of parboiled rice bran in a digestibility assay. A completely randomized design, with 2 treatments and 7 replicates per treatment were used. The parboiled rice bran presents 17.15% of CP and high fiber content (33.75% of NDF and 15.91% of ADF) and low metabolizable energy (2320kcal/kg). In the second assay, 60 male castrated piglets were used to evaluate the effect of inclusion on productive performance, diarrhea incidence and economic viability of parboiled rice bran. A randomized block design was used, with 5 treatments (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16%) and 6 replicates. There was no difference between treatments and control treatment as well as in regression analysis, and the increasing levels of parboiled rice bran did not reduce the performance of animals. In conclusion, parboiled rice bran can be included up to 16% in diets for piglets in the nursery phase.

Cocaine sensitization is a marker for some facets of addiction, is greater in female rats, and may be influenced by their sex hormones. We compared the modulatory effects of endogenous or exogenous estradiol and progesterone on cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization in 106 female rats. Ovariectomized female rats received progesterone (0.5 mg/mL), estradiol (0.05 mg/mL), progesterone plus estradiol, or the oil vehicle. Sham-operated control females received oil. Control and acute subgroups received injections of saline, while the repeated group received cocaine (15 mg/kg, ip) for 8 days. After 10 days, the acute and repeated groups received a challenge dose of cocaine, after which locomotion and stereotypy were monitored. The estrous cycle phase was evaluated and blood was collected to verify hormone levels. Repeated cocaine treatment induced overall behavioral sensitization in female rats, with increased locomotion and stereotypies. In detailed analysis, ovariectomized rats showed no locomotor sensitization; however, the sensitization of stereotypies was maintained. Only females with endogenous estradiol and progesterone demonstrated increased locomotor activity after cocaine challenge. Estradiol replacement enhanced stereotyped behaviors after repeated cocaine administration. Cocaine sensitization of stereotyped behaviors in female rats was reduced after progesterone replacement, either alone or concomitant with estradiol. The behavioral responses (locomotion and stereotypy) to cocaine were affected differently, depending on whether the female hormones were of an endogenous or exogenous origin. Therefore, hormonal cycling appears to be an important factor in the sensitization of females. Although estradiol increases the risk of cocaine sensitization, progesterone warrants further study as a pharmacological treatment in the prevention of psychostimulant abuse.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e comparar a eficácia de dois protocolos de tratamento de ceratoconjuntivite seca (CCS) experimentalmente induzida em coelhos: uma formulação oftálmica tópica composta por álcool polivinílico 1,4%, adicionado com acetilcisteína 10% e pilocarpina 1% (AAP), e outro protocolo com o uso do óleo de semente de linhaça (OL) tópico em forma de colírio, durante 12 semanas. Foram utilizados 15 coelhos machos, adultos, da raça Nova Zelândia, alocados aleatoriamente em três grupos: grupo C (controle), grupo AAP (formulação oftálmica) e grupo L (OL tópica). Os animais foram avaliados semanalmente pelo teste lacrimal de Schirmer, teste de fluoresceína e teste de Rosa Bengala; uma vez por mês, pelo exame de citologia esfoliativa ocular; ao final do experimento, pela análise histopatológica da córnea e conjuntiva. Os resultados demonstraram que houve um aumento maior na produção lacrimal quando utilizada a formulação oftálmica, e uma resolução mais rápida das úlceras de córnea, bem como diminuição no número de células desvitalizadas quando utilizado o óleo de semente de linhaça, além de aumento no número de células caliciformes em ambos os grupos de tratamento. A associação desses dois protocolos pode ser no futuro uma alternativa no tratamento da CCS.

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two treatment protocol of experimentally induced keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in rabbits, a topical ophthalmic formulation composed by 1.4% povinilic alcohol added with 10% acetylcysteine and 1% pilocarpine (AAP) and another protocol with the topical use of the linseed seed oil (LO) in eye drop form f or 12 weeks. Fifteen male New Zealand white rabbits were aleatory allocated in 3 groups: Group C (Control), Group AAP (ophthalmic formulation) and Group L (LO topical). The animals were evaluated weekly using the Schirmer's tear test, fluorescein test and Rose Bengal test monthly for ocular cytology, and at the end of the experiment for histopathological analysis of cornea and conjunctive. The results demonstrated that there was a larger increase in the tear production when the ophthalmic formulation was us ed and a faster rapid resolution of corneal ulcers and decrease in the number of devitalized cells when linseed seed oil was used, besides an increase in the number of caliciform cells in both treatment groups. The association of those two protocols can be a future alternative in the treatment of KCS.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi identificar a comunidade daninha presente em áreas de pastagens. O levantamento fitossociológico foi realizado nos meses de novembro e dezembro de 2009 em três regiões: duas localizadas no município de Tangará da Serra-MT (região A = áreas próximas à cidade; e região B = áreas presentes no Assentamento Antonio Conselheiro) e uma no município de Barra do Bugres-MT (região C). Em cada região foram analisadas cinco propriedades, tendo cada uma 10 parcelas de 25 m². Nas parcelas, foram realizadas a contagem e identificação das espécies daninhas. Os dados foram analisados por meio de cálculos de densidade, frequência, abundância, densidade relativa, frequência relativa, abundância relativa, índice de valor de importância (IVI) e índice de similaridade. Foram identificadas 38 espécies daninhas, distribuídas em 18 famílias, sendo Asteraceae (7), Fabaceae (6), Arecaceae (3), Euforbiaceae (3) e Poaceae (3) as mais representativas em número de espécies. As espécies que mais ocorreram na área foram: região A - Sida spp. (IVI 127,93) e Eragrostis plana (IVI: 42,18); região B - Eragrostis plana (IVI: 54,78), Mimosa wedelliana (IVI:52,39) e Sida spp. (IVI: 50,30); e região C - Sida spp. (IVI: 73,92) e Mimosa wedelliana (IVI: 26,55). Houve similaridade expressiva entre as regiões A e B (52,63%) e entre as regiões B e C (50,98%).

Objective of this study was to identify the weed community in areas of pasture. The phyto-sociological survey was conducted during November and December, 2009 in three regions: two located in Tangará da Serra-MT (region A = areas surrounding the town; and region B = areas in the Antonio Conselheiro Settlement and one area in Barra of the Bugres-MT (region C). Five properties were analyzed in each region, each containing 10 plots of 25 m2. The weed species were counted and identified in the plots. Data were analyzed by calculating density, frequency, abundance, relative density, relative frequency, relative abundance, importance value index (IVI), and similarity index. Thirty-eight weed species were identified, distributed among 18 families, with Asteraceae (7), Fabaceae (6), Arecaceae (3), Euforbiaceae (3) and Poaceae (3) being the most representative in number of species. The species most frequently found were: region A - Sida spp. (IVI: 127.93) and Eragrostis plana (IVI: 42.18); region B - Eragrostis plana (IVI: 54.78), Mimosa wedelliana (IVI: 52.39), and Sida spp. (IVI: 50.30); and region C - Sida spp. (IVI: 73.92), and Mimosa wedelliana (IVI: 26.55). A significant similarity was found between regions A and B (52.63%) and between regions B and C (50.98%).

A alelopatia pode oferecer novas substâncias químicas com propriedades herbicidas menos prejudiciais ao ambiente e ao homem do que os sintéticos em uso na atual agricultura. Nesse contexto, foi avaliado o efeito de extratos de Annona crassiflora sobre a germinação e o desenvolvimento de Brachiaria brizantha, Euphorbia heterophylla e Ipomoea grandifolia, bem como o efeito do extrato mais promissor sobre a soja (Glycine max). Para isso, foram preparados extratos hidroalcoólicos de sementes, folhas e caules de A. crassiflora, a fim de serem avaliados em testes de germinação e desenvolvimento das plantas daninhas. O extrato da parte mais promissora da planta foi fracionado, utilizando-se solventes em ordem crescente de polaridade. Em relação às partes da planta de A. crassiflora avaliadas, o extrato hidroalcoólico preparado a partir das sementes proporcionou maior interferência nas plantas daninhas; a germinação das sementes de Brachiaria brizantha e Euphorbia heterophylla foi totalmente inibida por esse extrato. De modo geral, as espécies receptoras foram mais sensíveis à fração acetato de etila, mas esta não influenciou o desenvolvimento da soja. Portanto, A. crassiflora apresenta potencial para o manejo de B. brizantha, E. heterophylla e I. grandifolia, em pós-emergência na cultura da soja.

Allelopathy can offer new substances with herbicidal properties less harmful to the environment and humans than the synthetic compounds traditionally used in agriculture. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of extracts of Annona crassiflora on germination and growth of Brachiaria brizantha, Euphorbia heterophylla and Ipomoea grandifolia, as well as to determine the effect of the most promising extract fraction on soybean (Glycine max). Thus, hydroalcoholic extracts from seeds, leaves and stems of A. crassiflora were prepared and evaluated in germination tests as well as root and hypocotyl development of the weeds. The extract of the most promising part of the plant was fractioned using solvents with increasing polarity order. The hydroalcoholic extract, prepared from A. crassiflora seeds was found to have the greatest effect on the weeds. Also, the germination of B. brizantha and E. heterophylla was completely inhibited by the extract. In general, the species were more sensitive to the ethyl acetate fraction, although this extract did not interfere in the soybean development. The results obtained allowed to conclude that A. crassiflora presents a good potential for the management of B. brizantha, E. heterophylla and I. grandifolia, in soybean post-emergence.