The synthesis, characterization, cytotoxicity and antitumor activity of platinum(II) complexes coordinated to O-glycoside and analogous is reported. Through the acute toxicity tests, it was possible to fit the complexes into categories according to the OECD protocol. The cis-[PtCl2(C6H14S2O2)-κ2S] complex was classified in category 3 and the cis-[PtCl2(C26H38O12S2)-κ2S] complex was classified in category 4. This result demonstrates the lower toxicity achieved by the glycoside in comparison with its analogous system. Evaluations of tumor masses extracted from mice inoculated with Ehrlich carcinoma demonstrated percent inhibition similar to cisplatin and synthesized platinum complexes. Cisplatin showed 59% inhibition, while cis-[PtCl2(C6H14S2O2)-κ2S] and cis-[PtCl2(C26H38O12S2)-κ2S] complexes presented 57% and 59%, respectively. Although the glycosidic compounds exhibit tumor activity, reported in the literature, the presence of platinum ion was shown to be determinant for antitumor action according with the compounds tested, since the glycosidic ligand presented tumor inhibition of only 38%, with a similar antitumor activity in relation to cisplatin.

OBJECTIVES: The outcomes of refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in developing countries are underreported, even though the similar classic regimens are widely used. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective comparison of “MEC” (mitoxantrone, etoposide, and cytarabine) and “FLAG-IDA” (fludarabine, cytarabine, idarubicin, and filgrastim) in adults with first relapse or refractory AML. RESULTS: In total, 60 patients were included, of which 28 patients received MEC and 32 received FLAG-IDA. A complete response (CR) rate of 48.3% was observed. Of the included patients, 16 (27%) died before undergoing bone marrow assessment. No statiscally significant difference in CR rate was found between the two protocols (p=0.447). The median survival in the total cohort was 4 months, with a 3-year overall survival (OS) rate of 9.7%. In a multivariable model including age, fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) status, and stem-cell transplantation (SCT), only the last two indicators remained significant: FLT3-ITD mutation (hazard ratio [HR]=4.6, p<0.001) and SCT (HR=0.43, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: In our analysis, there were no significant differences between the chosen regimens. High rates of early toxicity were found, emphasizing the role of supportive care and judicious selection of patients who are eligible for intensive salvage therapy in this setting. The FLT3-ITD mutation and SCT remained significant factors for survival in our study, in line with the results of previous studies.

Abstract Freshwater shrimp can reach high biomasses, affecting ecosystem processes. It is important to define the most accurate methodology to estimate their densities and biomass. We studied two species of different sizes, Potimirim brasiliana Villalobos F., 1960 and Macrobrachium olfersii (Wiegmann, 1836), in three sites of a coastal stream in Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We evaluated the efficiency of two infrequently used sampling methods: a depletion method using electrofishing, and a substrate method using benthic samplers. The methodologies provided different estimates, especially for M. olfersii, of density (electrofishing 1.27 ± 6.3 ind/m²; substrate sampling 0.1 ± 5.05 ind/m²) and biomass (electrofishing 1.66 ± 8.5 g/m²; substrate sampling 0.11 ± 1.16 g/m²). The median size of M. olfersii was higher for electrofishing, while the median size of P. brasiliana was higher for substrate sampling. Electrofishing is good at collecting bigger individuals that are not possible to catch with the substrate method and it samples a bigger area that includes many different microhabitats. The substrate method is cost-effective, especially for P. brasiliana, but by sampling a small area, its estimates can be highly affected by local heterogeneity. The substrate method is not recommended for M. olfersii, as it underestimated both its density and biomass.

Abstract Effective microorganisms (EM) are inoculants formed by fungi and bacteria isolated from soil. EM are commonly used by farmers on agronomic crops to stimulate plant growth, but their composition and their benefits has been controverted. This study aimed to analyze the diversity of microorganisms growing in three EM inoculants, as well as to evaluate their efficiency in the germination of palisade grass seeds. The total DNA of the three EM inoculants was extracted, the 16S rRNA and ITS genes were amplified by PCR and sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Germination tests were conducted with three type of the EM, in three concentration and two times of the immersion. The bacterial group was the most abundant in EM, followed by fungi. Bacterial operational taxonomic units OTUs were shared by all EMs. Pre-treatments of palisade grass seeds with EMs resulted in a higher germination percentage (% G) and germination speed index (IVG) when EM was used at concentration of 1 or 2% in water. Seed immersion for 5 min was more efficient than immersion for 24 h. We can conclude that EM of different origin can share microbial groups and diversity of microorganisms, besides being an alternative to increase palisade grass seeds germination.

Abstract This work presents a second-order inelastic analysis of steel arches. The analysis of shallow and non-shallow arches with several cross sections and boundary and loads conditions are discussed. The computational platform used is the homemade CS-ASA, which performs advanced nonlinear static and dynamic analysis of structures. The nonlinear geometric effects are considered using a co-rotational finite element formulation; the material inelasticity is simulated by coupling the Refined Plastic Hinge Method (RPHM) with the Strain Compatibility Method (SCM), and the static nonlinear solution is based on an incremental-iterative strategy including continuation techniques. In the simulated nonlinear steel arch models, special attention is given to the equilibrium paths, the influence of rise-to-span ratio, support and loading conditions and full yield curves among other factors. The numerical results obtained show good agreement with those from literature and highlight that the arch rise-to-span ratio has great influence on the structure resistance and that the shallow arches can lose stability through the snap-through phenomenon.

Resumo No âmbito de um inventário atual de liquens dos remanescentes da Mata Atlântica, no Nordeste do Brasil, cinco espécies novas de Graphidaceae foram descobertas em um pequeno fragmento florestal, Mata do Cipó, no estado de Sergipe, o menor estado do Brasil, o qual está entre aqueles com maior taxa de desmatamento no país. Uma nova espécie adicional já havia sido coletada no Panamá, anteriormente, e agora também foi encontrada na Mata do Cipó, e está sendo descrita aqui também. No total, 40 espécies de Graphidaceae são relatadas para este remanescente, incluindo um grande número de táxons indicadores de floresta bem preservada. As novas espécies são: Fissurina atlantica T.A. Pereira, M. Cáceres & Lücking, sp. nov., Graphis subaltamirensis Passos, M. Cáceres & Lücking, sp.nov., Ocellularia cipoensis L.A. Santos, M. Cáceres & Lücking, sp. nov., O. sosma T.A. Pereira, M. Cáceres & Lücking, sp. nov., O. submordenii Lücking, sp. nov. (também conhecido do Panamá), e Pseudochapsa aptrootiana M. Cáceres, T.A. Pereira & Lücking, sp. nov. Os achados são discutidos no contexto da forte fragmentação da Mata Atlântica, com remanescentes aparentemente servindo de refúgio para populações residuais de espécies raras de fungos liquenizados que, provavelmente, tiveram uma distribuição mais amplia no passado, mas que atualmente parecem ocorrer apenas em fragmentos isolados.

Abstract In the frame of an ongoing lichen inventory of Atlantic Rainforest remnants in Northeast Brazil, five new species of Graphidaceae were discovered in a small forest fragment, Mata do Cipó, in Sergipe state, the smallest state of Brazil and among those with the highest deforestation rate in the country. An additional new species had already been collected in Panama before and was now also found in the Mata do Cipó and is described here as well. In total, 40 species of Graphidaceae are reported for this remnant, including a large number of taxa indicative of well-preserved rainforest. The new species are: Fissurina atlantica T.A. Pereira, M. Cáceres & Lücking, sp. nov., Graphis subaltamirensis Passos, M. Cáceres & Lücking, sp. nov., Ocellularia cipoensis L.A. Santos, M. Cáceres & Lücking, sp. nov., O. sosma T.A. Pereira, M. Cáceres & Lücking, sp. nov., O. submordenii Lücking, sp. nov. (also known from Panama), and Pseudochapsa aptrootiana M. Cáceres, T.A. Pereira & Lücking, sp. nov. The findings are discussed in the context of the strong fragmentation of the Atlantic Rainforest, with individual remnants apparently serving as refugia for residual populations of rare species of lichen fungi that were more widely distributed in the past, but currently seem to occur only in isolated fragments.

ABSTRACT A new coccidian species parasitizing white-necked thrushes Turdus albicollis Vieillot, 1818 is described from the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, in Southeastern Brazil. Isospora machadoae sp. nov. has oocysts that are sub-spherical, 22.2 × 21.2 µm, with bilayered wall, ~1.3 μm thick. Outer layer is rough with micropyle and micropyle cap. Oocyst residuum is absent, but one or two polar granules are present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 13.3 × 9.7 µm. The Stieda body is flattened to half-moon-shaped and substieda body rounded. Sporocyst residuum is present, composed of scattered spherules of different sizes. Sporozoites are vermiform with a refractile body and a nucleus. These parasitized thrushes had no apparent clinical signs of coccidiosis or high densities of oocysts in feces. This condition may be associated with a specific low pathogenicity of I. machadoae sp. nov. and/or with the conserved habitat of these birds, which ensures the ecological niches and thus the immunocompetence to wildlife.

Abstract Introduction Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is the most common cause of dizziness in elderly people. Recent studies have shown that the elderly present higher Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo recurrence and that vertiginous symptomatology remission varies according to comorbidities and the therapeutic techniques applied. Objective To assess the short-term effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation in addition to Canalith Repositioning Maneuver on positive to negative Dix-Hallpike test, on recurrence and number of maneuvers to achieve a negative test in elderly patients with chronic Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, 7 older adults (median age: 69 years, range 65-78) underwent Canalith Repositioning Maneuver and Vestibular Rehabilitation for thirteen weeks. Seven older adults (median age: 73 years, range 65-76) in the control group received only Canalith Repositioning Maneuver. The participants were assessed at baseline (T0), one (T1), five (T5), nine (T9), and thirteen weeks (T13). We assessed the differences between the groups by Mann-Whitney and Fisher exact tests, and used the Friedman and Wilcoxon tests to determine the intragroup differences. Results No significant differences were found between groups for the positive to negative Dix-Hallpike test, recurrence, and number of maneuvers to achieve a negative test. The number of maneuvers to achieve negative Dix-Hallpike test was lower in intragroup comparisons in the experimental group. Conclusion The findings suggest that additional Vestibular Rehabilitation did not influence the positive to negative Dix-Hallpike test, recurrence, or number of maneuvers to achieve a negative test in elderly patients with chronic Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

The objective of this work was to study the molluscicidal activity of aqueous extract of Mikania glomerata on the land snail Subulina octona and to assess the changes caused on the snail's fecundity, growth, hatchability and the offspring produced after exposure. Eggs, newly hatched and 30 day old snails were exposed to the sublethal concentration of M. glomerata extract for 24 and 48 h and the observations were made for 120 days. The presence of tannins, flavonoids and saponins were shown by phytochemical tests. The extract reduced significantly the hatchability and the survival of the offspring hatched from the exposed eggs. The eggs exposed for 48 h presented lower hatchability rates. There was a reduction on survival and growth of newly hatched and 30-days old snails exposed to the extract. These results indicated that the aqueous extract of M. glomerata could be applied as an alternative molluscicide for the control of this snail species efficiently.

OBJETIVO: Neste estudo comparamos a sensibilidade de três espécies de cladóceros, Daphnia magna, Ceriodaphnia silvestrii e Macrothrix flabelligera quando expostas ao herbicida Atrazina Atanor 50 SC® (500 g/L), amplamente utilizado em plantações no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Foram realizados testes de toxicidade aguda das concentrações nominais de atrazina nos valores de 2,25; 4,5; 9,0; 18,0; 36 e 72 mg L-1 para C. silvestrii e M. flabelligera e de 2,25; 4,5; 9,0; 18,0; 36; 72 e 144 mg L-1 para D. magna. Estas faixas de concentrações foram estabelecidas em testes preliminares. RESULTADOS: Os testes de toxicidade mostraram que as duas espécies que ocorrem naturalmente nos corpos d'água do Brasil foram mais sensíveis do que Daphnia magna. As concentrações efetivas de Atrazina Atanor 50 SC® (CE50-48 h) para M. flabelligera, C. silvestrii e D.magna, foram 12.37 ± 2.67 mg L-1, 14.30 ±1.55 mg L-1 e 50.41 ± 2.64 mg L-1, respectivamente. Comparando-se os valores de CE50 da atrazina obtidos para M. flabelligera e C. silvestrii com valores de CE50 ou CL50 (mg L-1) disponíveis na literatura para diferentes organismos aquáticos observa-se que os cladóceros testados foram mais sensíveis ao herbicida do que os demais. CONCLUSÕES: Com base nestes resultados e considerando-se a ampla distribuição de C. silvestrii e M. flabelligera em regiões tropicais e subtropicais, conclui-se que estas espécies nativas são importantes organismos-teste a serem utilizados em ensaios ecotoxicológicos para o monitoramento de toxicidade nas águas doces tropicais.

AIM: In this study we compared the sensitivity of three species of Cladocera, Daphnia magna, Ceriodaphnia silvestrii and Macrothrix flabelligera, to the commercial product of the herbicide Atrazine, the Atrazine Atanor 50 SC® (500 g/L), widely used on crops in Brazil. METHODS: Acute toxicity tests were performed at the nominal atrazine concentrations 2.25, 4.5, 9.0, 18.0, 36 and 72 mg L-1, on C. silvestrii and M. flabelligera and at 2.25, 4.5, 9.0, 18.0, 36, 72 and 144 mg L-1 on D. magna. The range of concentrations tested was established in a series of preliminary tests. RESULTS: The toxicity tests showed that the two species naturally occurring in water bodies in Brazil were more susceptible than Daphnia magna. The effective concentrations of Atrazine Atanor 50 SC® (EC50- 48 h) to the species M. flabelligera, C. silvestrii and D. magna were 12.37 ± 2.67 mg L-1, 14.30 ± 1.55 mg L-1 and 50.41 ± 2.64 mg L-1, respectively. Furthermore, when EC50 observed here for M. flabelligera and C. silvestrii were compared with published values of EC50 or LC50 (mg L-1) for various aquatic organisms exposed to atrazine, it was seen that these two cladocerans were the most sensitive to the herbicide. CONCLUSIONS: Considering these results and the broad distribution of C. silvestrii and M. flabelligera in tropical and subtropical regions, it is concluded that these native species would be valuable test organisms in ecotoxicological tests, for the monitoring of toxic substances in tropical freshwaters.

O açaizeiro [Euterpe oleracea] é uma palmeira da Amazônia Oriental encontrada com mais freqüência no estuário do Rio Amazonas. Recentemente, ribeirinhos em diferentes regiões do estado do Amapá observaram uma espécie de coleóptero que ataca as inflorescências de açaízeiros. Com o objetivo de identificar exemplares de Coleoptera em inflorescências de E. oleracea no estado do Amapá, Brasil, foram coletados 13 indivíduos nas localidades de Abacate da Pedreira (dois exemplares), Ariri (seis)(ambas em Macapá) e no município de Mazagão (cinco), entre outubro de 2010 e fevereiro de 2011. Os coleópteros foram coletados diretamente nas inflorescências de açaizeiros com auxílio de rede entomológica, conservados e enviados para identificação. Todos os indivíduos pertencem à espécie Macraspis pseudochrysis Landin, 1956 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae). Este é o primeiro registro de ocorrência de M. pseudochrysis em E. oleracea na região neotropical.

The açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea) is an East Amazon palm found most frequently in the Amazon River estuary. Riverside dwellers in different regions of the state of Amapá have recently been observing a species of coleopteran attacking the inflorescences of açai palms. With a view to identifying a species of coleopteran attacking inflorescences of E. oleracea in the Brazilian state of Amapá, insects were collected in the regions of Abacate da Pedreira (two individuals) and Ariri (six) in the city of Macapá. Five individuals were also collected in Mazagão. The insects were collected from açai palm inflorescences using entomological nets, then preserved and submitted for identification. They were identified as Macraspis pseudochrysis Landin, 1956 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae). This is the first occurrence of M. pseudochrysis in E. oleracea in the Neotropics.

O fracionamento biomonitorado do extrato diclorometânico de Mitracarpus frigidus forneceu a piranonaftoquinona psicorubrina. Essa substância, até então desconhecida no gênero Mitracarpus, teve sua atividade biológica avaliada contra várias bactérias e dois fungos, três linhagens de células tumorais (HL60, Jurkat e MCF-7) e quatro espécies de Leishmania. Sua estrutura foi confirmada por meio de ¹H, 13C, ¹H-COSY, IR e UV-Vis e espectrometria de massas. Psicorubrina exibiu uma atividade antitumoral promissora com CI50 de 4,5, 5,6 e 1,1 µM para HL60, Jurkat e MCF-7, respectivamente. Atividade antimicrobiana, principalmente contra Cryptococcus neoformans (CIM de 87,3 µM), foi observada. Um pronunciado potencial leishmanicida também foi verificado com CI50 variando de 1,7 - 2,7 µM para as diferentes espécies de Leishmania testadas. Este é o primeiro relato da presença de piranonaftoquinonas no gênero Mitracarpus, que poderão ser úteis como marcadores quimiotaxonômicos.

The bioactivity guided fractionation of the dichloromethane extract of Mitracarpus frigidus afforded the pyranonaphthoquinone psychorubrin. This compound, hitherto unknown in the genus Mitracarpus, had its biological activity evaluated against one panel of bacteria and two fungi, three tumor cell lines (HL60, Jurkat and MCF-7) and four Leishmania species. Its identity was confirmed unambiguously by ¹H, 13C, ¹H-COSY, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Psychorubrin displayed a very promising antitumor with IC50 of 4.5, 5.6 and 1.1 µM for HL60, Jurkat and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively. Antimicrobial activity, mainly against Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC of 87.3 µM) was observed. A pronounced antileishmanial potential was also verified with IC50 varying from 1.7 to 2.7 µM for the Leishmania species tested. This is the first report of the presence of pyranonapthoquinones in the Mitracarpus genus, which may serve as a chemotaxonomical marker.

Apesar de ser uma espécie de importância parasitológica, não existem estudos sobre a biologia de Bulimulus tenuissimus (d'Orbigny, 1835). O objetivo desse trabalho foi verificar o padrão de crescimento e aspectos reprodutivos dessa espécie em laboratório. Assim, 70 animais recém-eclodidos foram distribuídos em sete grupos, com 10 moluscos cada, por um período de dois anos. Para estes animais foi verificado o padrão de crescimento. A ocorrência de autofecundação foi observada através do isolamento de 73 animais. Por não ter sido verificado autofecundação em um período de 180 dias, 30 animais que estavam em isolamento foram pareados de modo a confirmar a fertilidade destes. Registrou-se o tempo para início da oviposição, número de ovos e de posturas, intervalo entre posturas e taxa de eclosão. Foi verificado um padrão de crescimento indeterminado para a espécie. Os animais mantidos agrupados iniciaram a oviposição mais cedo, produziram mais ovos e apresentaram maior eclodibilidade do que os demais grupos. A espécie é capaz de realizar autofecundação, porém um menor sucesso reprodutivo é obtido nesse processo. Os indivíduos de B. tenuissimus apresentaram um período reprodutivo bem definido que parece ser característico para a espécie.

Bulimulus tenuissimus (d'Orbigny, 1835) is a land snail of parasitological importance with a poorly understood biology. The goal of this laboratory study was to determine development and reproductive patterns in B. tenuissimus. Recently hatched individuals in seven groups of 10 were maintained in the laboratory for two years. To test for self-fertilization, 73 additional individuals were isolated. After 180 days the isolated snails showed no signs of reproduction. Subsequently, 30 of these snails were paired to test fertility. We noted the date and time of egg-laying, the number of eggs produced, the number of egg-layings per individual, the incubation period and hatch success. This species shows indeterminate growth. Individuals that were maintained with others, as compared to isolated individuals, laid eggs sooner, laid more eggs and had a greater hatching success. This species can self-fertilize, however, with lower reproductive success. Bulimulus tenuissimus has a well-defined reproductive period that is apparently characteristic for this species.

O conteúdo energético e a aglomeração intra-específica são fatores que influenciam diretamente aspectos da biologia de moluscos terrestres. Foi investigada a influência da dieta sobre o crescimento e a sobrevivência de Bulimulus tenuissimus (d'Orbigny, 1835) mantidos agrupados e isolados em terrários plásticos e submetidos a três tipos diferentes de dietas: alface, ração e ração e alface (RA), por um período de 210 dias. Foi verificado que os animais mantidos isolados, independentemente, do tipo de dieta oferecida apresentaram maior crescimento do que aqueles mantidos agrupados, evidenciando a influência da densidade populacional no crescimento. Moluscos alimentados com dieta alface apresentaram o menor crescimento, tanto mantidos agrupados quanto isolados. Não houve diferença significativa entre o crescimento dos animais mantidos agrupados e isolados alimentados com as dietas RA e ração. A taxa de mortalidade foi significativamente maior para os indivíduos alimentados com a dieta alface em ambas as densidades. Tais resultados evidenciam que a dieta oferecida exerceu grande influência na biologia de B. tenuissimus.

Feed influences directly growth and survival in land snails. Here, we investigate the influence of diet and isolation on growth and survival in Bulimulus tenuissimus (d'Orbigny, 1835) in the laboratory. Animals were maintained individually and in groups and three different types of diets: lettuce, ration and both lettuce and ration (mixed diet) for 210 days. Isolated animals, in all diet types, grew more rapidly than grouped animals. Also, snails fed with lettuce grew most slowly in isolated or grouped treatments. Within isolated or grouped treatments, growth rates were similar for the ration and the mixed diet. Mortality rate was higher in animals fed on lettuce only, in both density treatments. Thus, diet and density are important components of the population dynamics of B. tenuissimus.