ABSTRACT Species of the Amaranthus genus are very versatile and have potential for the application in the development of commercial products. The near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) is an efficient tool that can help in the quality control of products, quickly and non-destructive to the sample. The goal of this study was to carry out the distinction of seed and oils of different Amaranthus species using the near infrared spectroscopy. Three species were used: A. viridis L., A. hybridus L. e Amaranthus sp. (commercial). The spectra acquired from the sample using the near infrared spectroscopy were submitted to the partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and to the principal component analysis (PCA). Through PCA, it was possible to differentiate the Amaranthus species both for seeds and oils. Through PLS-DA, it was possible to predict the classes of the species with high degree of correct classification, with 96.67% of correct classifications for seeds and 98.89% for oil. Thus, with the use of the near infrared spectroscopy associated with the multivariate statistical analysis, it is possible to classify the different Amaranthus species, especially when using the oil.

Abstract The use of unconventional edible plants in human food has grown more widespread in recent years, driven mainly by gourmet dishes. Evidence of the food properties of these species is still scarce. Aiming to obtain more in-depth knowledge of dahlia plants, this study aimed to evaluate the nutritional, bioactive, and antinutritional properties of the edible parts of purple dahlia (tuberous root and flower) to elucidate their value and safety as foods. The percent composition, caloric value, pH, Total Soluble Solids (TSS), Total Titratable Acidity (TTA), ratio of TSS to TTA, anthocyanins, carotenoids, vitamin C, total phenolics, tannins, nitrates, and minerals of the roots and flowers were analyzed. The inulin content in the root and the color of the flower were also evaluated. The results were reported as mean and standard deviation, and exploratory factor analysis was performed. Both parts of the dahlia had constituents that contribute to a good diet at concentrations like those in conventional vegetables, whereas the antinutritional components were also compatible with those of commonly consumed foods, with acceptable dietary values. Thus, it is evident that purple dahlia flowers and roots have potential for use in human food and can be considered good options to improve and diversify a healthy diet.

Resumo A utilização de plantas alimentícias não convencionais na alimentação humana tem crescido nos últimos anos, impulsionada principalmente pelos pratos gourmet. Entretanto, estudos comprovando as propriedades alimentícias destas espécies ainda são incipientes. Sendo assim, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar as propriedades nutricionais, bioativas e antinutricionais das partes comestíveis da dália roxa (raiz tuberosa e flor), para elucidar seu potencial e a segurança no seu consumo. Foram, dessa forma, analisados: composição centesimal, valor calórico, pH, sólidos solúveis totais, acidez total titulável, ratio, antocianinas, carotenoides, vitamina C, fenólicos totais, taninos, nitratos e minerais para a raiz e a flor, além da avaliação do teor de inulina na raiz. Os resultados foram analisados pelas médias e desvio padrão, e foi realizada a análise fatorial exploratória. Ambas as partes avaliadas possuem constituintes requeridos para uma boa alimentação em concentrações semelhantes às das hortaliças convencionais, enquanto os componentes antinutricionais também são compatíveis aos de alimentos comumente consumidos, com valores aceitáveis na alimentação. Desse modo, é evidenciado que flor e raiz de dália roxa apresentam potencial para uso na alimentação humana, podendo ser consideradas como boas opções para incrementar e diversificar uma dieta saudável.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho é, a partir dos preceitos da decolonialidade (QUIJANO, 2005; WALSH, 2009), analisar as listas de leituras obrigatórias de vestibulares, investigando: os efeitos retroativos dessas listas nas práticas de letramentos literários escolares; a diversidade social, étnica, sexual e de gênero que elas promovem; como movimentam o cânone literário escolar; e como contribuem (ou podem contribuir) para uma maior democratização da/na educação literária. Para isso, selecionamos listas dos últimos vestibulares de sete universidades públicas, buscando contemplar instituições de cada região do Brasil. Tomamos as listas de leituras como importante ferramenta de legitimação de autores e obras literárias para o contexto escolar. A análise proposta é qualitativo-interpretativista (MOITA-LOPES, 1994; 2006) e compreende que todas as práticas de letramentos literários são ideológicas (STREET, 2014), o que pressupõe tanto uma investigação em diálogo com os contextos sociais e com os diversos atores/agentes em torno das práticas de letramentos analisadas, quanto uma interpretação que não isole os dados da pesquisa das relações de poder e disputas discursivas exercidas em torno deles. A partir da constatação de que a inclusão promovida por essas listas de obras literárias se limita apenas a determinadas diversidades, procuramos analisar, especialmente, a ausência de autores e obras LGBTQIA+, a fim de compreender as razões dessa ausência e demonstrar o potencial educativo que obras e autores desses grupos sociais poderiam ter na construção de práticas de letramentos literários escolares de reexistência (SOUZA, 2011; WALSH, 2009) para uma educação transgressora (HOOKS, 2017) e democrática.

ABSTRACT This paper, based on the precepts of decoloniality (QUIJANO, 2005; WALSH, 2009), aims to analyze the required readings lists for college entrance examinations (vestibular) by investigating: the retroactive effects of these lists on school literary literacy practices; the social, ethnic, gender, and sexual diversity they promote; how they move the school literary canon; and how they contribute (or can contribute) to a greater democratization of/in literary education. To this end, we select lists from the latest vestibular examinations of seven public universities, seeking to include institutions from all regions of Brazil. We consider reading lists to be an important tool for legitimizing authors and literary works in the school context. The proposed analysis is qualitative-interpretative (MOITA-LOPES, 1994; 2006) and understands that all literary literacy practices are ideological (STREET, 2014), which presupposes not only an investigation in dialogue with social contexts and with the various actors/agents around the literacy practices analyzed, but also an interpretation that does not isolate the research data from the power relations and discursive disputes exercised around them. From the observation that the inclusion promoted by these lists of literary works is limited only to certain diversities, we seek to analyze, especially, the absence of LGBTQIA+ authors and works, in order to understand the reasons for this absence and to demonstrate the educational potential that works and authors from these social groups could have in the construction of school literary literacies practices of re-existence (SOUZA, 2011; WALSH, 2009) for a transgressive (HOOKS, 2017) and democratic education.

RESUMO Introdução: A epilepsia afeta cerca de 50 milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo e aproximadamente 30% desses pacientes apresentam epilepsia refratária, com possíveis consequências na qualidade de vida, morbidade e mortalidade prematura. Objetivo: O objetivo do tratamento com fármacos antiepilépticos (FAEs) é permitir que os pacientes permaneçam sem crises epilépticas com boa tolerabilidade. O levetiracetam (LEV) é um FAE de amplo espectro, com mecanismo de ação único, diferente dos demais e que demonstra ser eficaz e seguro no tratamento de adultos e crianças. Métodos: Estudo de fase III, multicêntrico, randomizado, duplo-cego e controlado por placebo avalia a eficácia e a segurança do LEV em crianças e adultos (4-65 anos) como tratamento adjuvante para crises de início focal em 114 pacientes já tratados com até três FAEs. A análise de eficácia primária foi baseada na proporção de pacientes que apresentaram redução ≥50% no número médio de crises epilépticas focais semanais, durante 16 semanas. Os pacientes foram randomizados para receber placebo ou LEV, titulado a cada duas semanas de 20 mg/kg/dia ou 1.000 mg/dia até 60 mg/kg/dia ou 3.000 mg/dia. Resultados: LEV foi significativamente superior ao placebo (p=0,0031), com 38,7% dos participantes no grupo LEV e 14,3% no grupo controle que apresentaram redução das crises focais. LEV apresenta bom perfil de segurança com eventos adversos semelhantes ao placebo. Conclusão: Corroborando com os resultados da literatura, o levetiracetam mostra-se eficaz e seguro para crianças e adultos com epilepsia focal refratária.

ABSTRACT Background: Epilepsy affects about 50 million people worldwide and around 30% of these patients have refractory epilepsy, with potential consequences regarding quality of life, morbidity and premature mortality. Objective: The aim of treatment with antiseizure medications (ASMs) is to allow patients to remain without seizures, with good tolerability. Levetiracetam is a broad-spectrum ASM with a unique mechanism of action that differs it from other ASMs. It has been shown to be effective and safe for treating adults and children with epilepsy. Methods: This was a phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam in children and adults (4-65 years) as an adjuvant treatment for focal-onset seizures. It was conducted among 114 patients undergoing treatment with up to three ASMs. The primary efficacy analysis was based on the proportion of patients who achieved a reduction of ≥ 50% in the mean number of focal seizures per week, over a 16-week treatment period. The patients were randomized to receive placebo or levetiracetam, titrated every two weeks from 20 mg/kg/day or 1,000 mg/day up to 60 mg/kg/day or 3,000 mg/day. Results: Levetiracetam was significantly superior to placebo (p = 0.0031); 38.7% of the participants in the levetiracetam group and 14.3% in the control group shows reductions in focal seizures. Levetiracetam was seen to have a favorable safety profile and an adverse event rate similar to that of placebo. Conclusion: Corroborating the results in the literature, levetiracetam was shown to be effective and safe for children and adults with refractory focal-onset epilepsy.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a caracterização morfológica de frutos de morango de diferentes genótipos, assim como verificar sua conservação pós-colheita. Seis cultivares comerciais (Albion, Aromas, Dover, Festival, Pircinque e San Andreas) e nove clones experimentais (MDA01, MDA19, MDA22, MDA23, MCA89, MCA94, MFA443, MOGSC468 e MFA443PR) foram avaliados. Os frutos foram produzidos em bancadas semi-hidropônicas, em cultivo protegido, e classificados quanto a tamanho, formato, coloração, brilho, posição do aquênio, coloração da polpa, coloração do “coração”, cavidade do fruto e posição das sépalas. Para a análise de póscolheita dos frutos, foram determinadas a perda de massa e a aparência dos frutos durante dez dias de armazenamento. Os genótipos avaliados apresentam alta similaridade entre si quanto à caracterização morfológica. MCA89 e 'Pircinque' são os genótipos mais divergentes em relação aos demais. Há uma associação entre as características cavidade grande, formato reniforme e cavidade média, o que contribui para a seleção indireta dos caracteres desejáveis. No décimo dia de armazenamento, os genótipos MDA01, MDA19, MCA89, MFA443 e 'Dover' ainda apresentam condições aceitáveis para comercialização.

Abstract The objective of this work was to carry out the morphological characterization of strawberry fruit of different genotypes, as well as to verify their postharvest conservation. Six commercial cultivars (Albion, Aromas, Dover, Festival, Pircinque, and San Andreas) and nine experimental clones (MDA01, MDA19, MDA22, MDA23, MCA89, MCA94, MFA443, MOGSC468, and MFA443PR) were evaluated. Fruit were produced on semi-hydroponic gutters in protected cultivation and classified according to size, shape, color, brightness, achene position, pulp color, “heart” color, fruit cavity, and sepal position. For the postharvest analysis of fruit, the loss of mass and the appearance of fruit during ten days of storage were determined. The evaluated genotypes show a high similarity to each other regarding morphological characterization. MCA89 and 'Pircinque' are the most divergent genotypes in relation to the others. There is an association between the characteristics large cavity, reniform shape, and medium cavity, which contributes to the indirect selection of desirable characters. On the tenth day of storage, the MDA01, MDA19, MCA89, MFA443, and 'Dover' genotypes still show acceptable conditions for commercialization.

RESUMO As hortaliças folhosas não convencionais podem ser uma boa fonte de nutrientes para a dieta humana, mas há poucas informações sobre adubação para essas espécies. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da adubação orgânica com esterco bovino na produção e composição química de hortaliças folhosas não convencionais. O experimento foi conduzido em casa-de-vegetação, em vasos. Os fatores em estudo foram espécies de hortaliças não convencionais (Rumex acetosa, Stachys byzantina e Lactuca canadensis) e doses de esterco bovino (0; 5; 10; 15; e 20 t ha-1), arranjados em esquema fatorial 3 x 5, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Na colheita, foram avaliados o diâmetro de caule, número total de folhas, número de folhas com padrão comercial, matéria fresca e seca da parte aérea, concentração e quantidades acumuladas de macro e micronutrientes na parte aérea. A adubação com esterco bovino alterou o diâmetro de caule, número de folhas com padrão comercial, matéria fresca e seca da parte aérea, bem como o acúmulo dos nutrientes N, P, K, Ca, Fe, Mn e Zn na parte aérea das três espécies estudadas. Os acréscimos obtidos variaram de 1,1 a 2,1 vezes, em relação ao tratamento sem adubação orgânica, e a dose equivalente a 20 t ha-1 foi a mais adequada. A adubação orgânica com esterco bovino aumenta a produção e o acúmulo de nutrientes nas hortaliças não convencionais avaliadas, sendo que R. acetosa apresenta maior acúmulo de nutrientes do que S. byzantina e L. canadensis.

ABSTRACT Non-conventional leafy vegetables can be a good source of nutrients for the human diet, but there is little information on fertilization for these species. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic fertilization with cattle manure on the production and chemical composition of non-conventional leafy vegetables. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in pots. The factors under study were non-conventional leafy species (Rumex acetosa, Stachys byzantina and Lactuca canadensis) and cattle manure doses (0; 5; 10; 15; and 20 t ha-1), arranged in a 3 x 5 factorial scheme, in a randomized block design, with four replications. At harvest, the following parameters were evaluated: stem diameter; total number of leaves; number of leaves with commercial standard; shoot fresh and dry matter; macro and micronutrients concentration and accumulated amounts in the shoot. The fertilization with cattle manure altered the stem diameter, number of leaves with commercial standard, shoot fresh and dry matter, as well as the accumulation of the nutrients N, P, K, Ca, Fe, Mn and Zn in the shoot of the three species studied. The additions obtained varied from 1.1 to 2.1 times, in relation to the treatment without organic fertilization, and the dose equivalent to 20 t ha-1 was the most adequate one. The organic fertilization with cattle manure increases the production and accumulation of nutrients in the non-conventional vegetables evaluated, with R. acetosa presenting a nutrient accumulation higher than S. byzantina and L. canadensis.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar o amido de Xanthosoma riedelianum, comumente conhecido como mangarito no Brasil, e avaliar suas propriedades para a indústria alimentícia. O amido foi caracterizado quanto à sua morfologia e às suas propriedades térmicas e tecnológicas. A morfologia foi avaliada por meio de análises de distribuição de tamanho dos grânulos, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e difração de raios X. As propriedades térmicas foram examinadas por meio da determinação das temperaturas inicial, de pico e de conclusão de gelatinização, enquanto as propriedades tecnológicas foram obtidas pelas análises de viscosidade, poder de inchamento, solubilidade, claridade da pasta e sinérese. Embora a extração do amido de X. riedelianum tenha apresentando baixo rendimento, a espécie é uma fonte de amido com altas temperaturas de empastamento, resistência à agitação mecânica e tendência à retrogradação, bem como elevada viscosidade final. Portanto, o amido é indicado para produtos que requerem elevada viscosidade, como recheios de tortas, pudins, alimentos infantis e produtos de panificação, e sua pasta, que é opaca e viscosa, também pode ser usada na formulação de caldos.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to characterize the starch of Xanthosoma riedelianum, commonly known as “mangarito” in Brazil, and to evaluate its properties for the food industry. The starch was characterized as to its morphology and its thermal and technological properties. Morphology was evaluated by the analysis of granule size distribution, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The thermal properties were examined by determining the initial, peak, and conclusion gelatinization temperatures, whereas the technological properties were obtained by analyzing viscosity, swelling power, solubility index, paste clarity, and syneresis. Although the extraction of X. riedelianum starch showed a low yield, the species is a source of starch with a high sticking temperature, mechanical stirring resistance, tendency to retrograde, and final viscosity. Therefore, this starch is ideal for products that require high viscosity, such as pie fillings, puddings, children’s foods, and bakery products, and its paste, which is opaque and viscous, can also be used in the formulation of broths.

ABSTRACT Considering that the beneficial effects of silicon on human health and it´s accumulation in plants are little explored, studies of mineral nutrition in non-conventional vegetables are extremely relevant. Thus, the objective of this work was to identify non-conventional vegetables responsive to silica fertilization and evaluate the effect of fertilization on the content and accumulation of Si and macronutrients in these plants. The experiment followed a 4 x 5 factorial design, with four species of non-conventional vegetables (Rumex acetosa L., Amaranthus retroflexus L., Sonchus oleraceus L. and Stachys byzantina) and five doses of Si (0, 25, 50, 100 and 150 mg dm-3). The relative chlorophyll index, the fresh and dry matter masses, the content and accumulation of Si and macronutrients were evaluated. The species A. retroflexus, S. oleraceus. and S. byzantina showed the highest contents and accumulation of Si. The application of doses above 100 mg dm-3 promoted the highest silicon content estimated for the species. The species A. retroflexus, R. acetosa and S. byzantina are non-silicon accumulators, whereas S. oleraceus is intermediate.

ABSTRACT Arrowroot is a plant originated in Latin America that has aroused interest in the food industry due to its high starch content, with differentiated characteristics and high commercial value. However, information on the management of arrowroot are scarce, precluding its commercial competition with other similar species, being necessary further studies with the crop. Thus, the objective of the present study was to characterize extracted starch from arrowroot grown under different agronomic management. Three agronomic factors were studied: planting systems (PS), forms of water management (WM) and planting density (PD). The experimental analyses were performed in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates, being evaluated the extraction yield, percent composition, quantity of starch, pH, titratable acidity, swelling power, solubility and electron microscopy analysis. In general, the analyzed extracted starches deriving from different agronomic treatments have low crude fiber, besides typical characteristics of arrowroot extracted starch such as texture, color, shape and size of granules, without any other apparent particle than the starch itself, indicating extraction efficiency. However, the planting density may have contributed to influence some parameters of the chemical composition of the extracted starch, such as the content of starch, ash, ether extract, protein and carbohydrate fraction.

Resumo: As espécies do gênero Amaranthus possuem grande potencial para alimentação humana, devido às suas propriedades nutricionais e funcionais, entretanto existem poucos estudos fitotécnicos com a cultura inviabilizando o seu cultivo. Visando incentivar a produção dessas espécies objetivou-se com essa pesquisa avaliar e distinguir as características morfológicas, químicas e fisiológicas das sementes de Amaranthus sp. (espécie comercial), A. viridis e A. hybridus. Os ensaios foram realizados em delineamento inteiramente casualizados avaliando as sementes em classes de tamanho (850 µm, 600 µm e 425 µm) e caracterizando-as por análise de imagens utilizando o sistema GroundEye®, espectroscopia de infravermelho próximo (NIR) e análise radiográfica. Para avaliação da qualidade fisiológica das sementes realizou-se o teste de primeira contagem de germinação, germinação e índice de velocidade de germinação com e sem uso de KNO3. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey. Pela análise radiográfica foi possível observar que as sementes das três espécies estudadas se apresentam cheias na classe de tamanho de 600 e 850 µm, e não possuem dormência, no entanto a espécie comercial possui maior velocidade de germinação. Por meio do GroundEye® e do NIR foi possível distinguir as três espécies, de acordo com as características geométricas, e predominância de coloração e componentes químicos.

Abstract: Amaranthus species have great potential for human food due to their nutritional and functional properties, but there are few phytotechnical studies with this crop, making its cultivation unfeasible. Aiming to encourage the production of these species, this study aimed to evaluate and distinguish the morphological, chemical and physiological characteristics of seeds of Amaranthus sp. (commercial species), A. viridis and A. hybridus. The experiments were performed in a completely randomized design, evaluating seeds in size classes (850, 600 and 425 µm) and characterizing them by image analysis using the GroundEye® system, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) and radiographic analysis. The first germination count, germination and germination speed index with and without KNO3 were performed to evaluate the physiological quality of seeds. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and the means compared by the Tukey test. Radiographic analysis showed that the seeds of the three studied species were filled in the size class of 600 and 850 µm, without dormancy, but the commercial species had higher germination speed. GroundEye® and NIR allowed distinguishing the three species according to their geometric characteristics, predominance of color and chemical components.

RESUMO O estresse hídrico no tomate pode causar o aparecimento de podridão apical. Objetivou-se analisar o efeito da aplicação foliar de ácido abscísico no aumento da absorção de cálcio em tomate (cultivar ‘Santa Clara') sob irrigação no campo, como um possível mecanismo de inibição da podridão apical. Os tratamentos consistiram de quatro níveis de rega (25 %, 50 %, 75 % e 100 % das necessidades de água para suprir a evapotranspiração da cultura) e duas doses de ácido abscísico (0 mg L-1 e 500 mg L-1). Os frutos foram colhidos aos 15 e 30 dias após a antese e avaliados para a concentração de cálcio e porcentagem de podridão apical. A aplicação de ácido abscísico aumentou a partição de cálcio para a região distal dos frutos aos 30 dias após o início da floração, bem como reduziu a incidência de podridão apical em 86 %, quando comparada a plantas sem a aplicação de ácido abscísico. Conclui-se que a aplicação foliar de ácido abscísico pode reduzir significativamente a incidência de podridão apical.

ABSTRACT Water stress in tomato plants may cause the incidence of blossom-end rot. This study aimed to analyze the effect of abscisic acid leaf application for increasing the calcium uptake in irrigated tomato (‘Santa Clara' cultivar) in the field, as a possible mechanism of blossom-end rot inhibition. The treatments consisted of four irrigation levels (25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 % of the crop water requirements to fulfil the crop evapotranspiration) and two abscisic acid doses (0 mg L-1 and 500 mg L-1). The fruits were harvested at 15 and 30 days after the anthesis and evaluated for calcium content and percentage of blossom-end rot. The application of abscisic acid increased the calcium partition to the distal region of the fruits at 30 days after the beginning of flowering, as well as reduced the incidence of blossom-end rot by 86 %, when compared with plants not treated with abscisic acid. It is possible to conclude that the foliar application of abscisic acid can significantly reduce the incidence of blossom-end rot.

RESUMO As florestas de areias brancas quartzosas constituem um tipo de ecossistema oligotrófico, cujos caracteres fitofisionômicos são afetados pela sazonalidade climática. Entre tais características está a abertura do dossel, cujas variações influenciam na distribuição espacial da luz solar no ambiente. Este estudo avaliou e comparou a estrutura da vegetação e as alterações sazonais do dossel em habitat de areias brancas do Parque Nacional Serra de Itabaiana, Sergipe. Os dados foram coletados em dois ambientes: vegetação aberta de areias brancas strictu sensu (VA) e mata fechada de vegetação ripária (MR). Para estimar a densidade arbórea utilizou-se o método quadrante, no qual foram amostradas árvores com CAP ≥ 5 cm. Para avaliar a dinâmica do dossel foram estabelecidos, em cada área, dois transectos compostos por cinco pontos equidistantes 20 m, totalizando 10 pontos por ambiente. Em cada ponto foram obtidas fotografias hemisféricas do dossel nos meses de janeiro (seca) e junho (chuva). As imagens foram analisadas pelo software Gap Light Analyzer, sendo avaliadas as variáveis abertura do dossel e índice de área foliar (IAF). A vegetação ripária apresentou densidade arbórea de 498 ind ha-1 e a vegetação aberta 296 ind ha-1. Esta última, não evidenciou variações na abertura do dossel (t = 2,0146; p > 0,05) e no IAF (t = -2,0052; p > 0,05) entre os períodos de chuva (52,24% ± 18,13% e 0,68 ± 0,45) e seca (67,39% ± 15,38% e 0,36 ± 0,23). Na mata ripária, a abertura do dossel (t = 7,1739; p < 0,05) e o IAF (t = -5,1609; p < 0,05) variou entre os períodos de chuva (13,70% ± 2,24% e 2,13 ± 0,23) e seca (21,08% ± 2,36% e 1,63 ± 0,20). As diferenças observadas destacam a heterogeneidade ambiental na Serra de Itabaiana e demonstram que as formações florestais de areias bancas respondem de maneira distinta à sazonalidade hídrica deste ecossistema. Por estar localizada em uma área de ecótono entre floresta perene e Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, a mata ripária tende a perder parte de suas folhas durante o período seco. Além disso, o padrão de distribuição das plantas pode contribuir para as diferenças entre os habitat estudados.

ABSTRACT The forest formations on quartz white-sand are a kind of oligotrophic ecosystem and its phytophysionomical characteristics are affected by the climate seasonality. The canopy is one of these characteristics, its variations may influence the spatial distribution of the energy in the environment. The objective of this research was to evaluate and compare the tree density and the seasonality change on the canopy openness on habitats of white-sand in Serra de Itabaiana National Park. The data were collected in two environments: gaping vegetation of white-sands strictu sensu (VA) and closed vegetation of riparian forest (MR). To estimate tree density, it was utilized the wandering-quarter, where trees with CAP > 5cm were sampled. To evaluate the canopy dynamics, the transects had 5 points equidistant 20m, ten per environment. Hemispherical pictures were taken in January (dry season) and June (wet season), utilizing a digital camera with a fisheye lens. The images were analyzed on the Gap Light Analyzer software. The results showed that riparian forest have higher tree density (498 ind ha-1) than the opened (296 ind ha-1). The letter do not showed variations in the canopy openness (t = -2,0052; p > 0,05) or in Leaf Area Index (t = -2,0052; p > 0.05) between wet (52,24% ± 18,13% e 0,68 ± 0,45) and dry seasons (67,39% ± 15,38% e 0,36 ± 0,23). In riparian forest, the canopy openness (t = 7,1739; p < 0.05) and LAI values (t = -5,1609; p < 0.05) vary between wet (13,70% ± 2,24% e 2,13 ± 0,23) and dry (21,08% ± 2,36% e 1,63 ± 0,20) seasons showing the seasonality. Differences between the two habitats highlights the environmental heterogeneity in Serra de Itabaiana and show that forest formations on white-sand respond by different ways to the water seasonality of this ecosystem. Because it is located in an ecotone area between evergreen forest and forest Semideciduous, the riparian forest tends to lose some of their leaves during the dry season. Moreover, the distribution pattern of the plants can contribute to the differences between the studied habitats.

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify the expression of Ki-67 and MCM3 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) as well as to address the correlation with patient survival and clinical features. Samples were collected from 51 patients with OSCC who presented for follow-up. Immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67 and MCM3 in all groups was performed. The scoring system was previous published by Tsurutani in 2005. We used Kappa index to evaluate observers agreement degree. The associations between protein expression and clinical variables were examined for statistical significance using the chi-squared test. The overall survival rates were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and the relationship between protein expression and survival was compared using the log-rank test (p < 0.05). The overall survival time for a patient with positive immunostaining for Ki-67 is shorter than for a patient with negative immunostaining, (log-rank test, p = 0.00882). Patients with tumor size T3 and T4 showed a statistically significant relationship with Ki-67 immunoexpression (log-rank test, p = 0.0174). The relationship between Ki-67 expression and the relation between age, gender, smoking, tumor site, lymph node metastasis and disease stage was not significant. The examiners agreement degree by Kappa presented p value < 0.05. There was not a significant correlation when we evaluated MCM3 expression regarding clinical characteristics and survival rate. From these results, the present study suggests that positive Ki-67 expression found in OSCC patients may contribute to predict the survival in OSCC samples, as well as the relation between the protein and the tumor size.