Resumo O presente trabalho realizou a coleta de amostras de sangue total e carrapatos de 57 capivaras da região, com o intuito de pesquisar bactérias do gênero Rickettsia spp., a partir de métodos de diagnóstico molecular (PCR) e sorológicos (RIFI). Nenhuma amostra de sangue das capivaras foi positiva na PCR. Dentre as 55 amostras de soro testadas por RIFI, 53 (96,3%) apresentaram soro-reação para Rickettsia spp. Dessas 53 amostras, 21 (39,6%) demonstraram o antígeno de R. bellii como provável antígeno envolvido em reação homóloga (PAERH); e duas (3,8%) demonstraram o antígeno de R. parkeri. Foram amostrados 173 carrapatos identificados como Amblyomma sculptum e 410 como Amblyomma dubitatum, além de nove larvas (Amblyomma spp.). Entre os carrapatos, 231 foram submetidos à extração de DNA e PCR para pesquisa de Rickettsia. Foram encontradas evidências moleculares de R. bellii em 25/108 (23,1%) e Rickettsia sp. “strain” Cooperi em 2/108 (1,9%) das amostras de A. dubitatum testadas. Os resultados sugerem uma maior exposição à R. bellii nas populações de capivaras da região, além de uma maior quantidade de carrapatos identificados como A. dubitatum. Isso pode estar relacionado ao que configura a região do Distrito Federal como não endêmica para a febre maculosa brasileira.

Abstract In this study, whole blood samples and ticks were collected from 57 capybaras in recreational areas in the Federal District, Brazil, aiming to investigate the presence of Rickettsia spp. using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and indirect immunofluorescence (IFAT) assays. None of the capybara blood samples yielded rickettsial DNA by PCR. Among 55 capybara serum samples tested by IFAT, 53 (96.3%) reacted to Rickettsia spp. Among these, 21 (39.6%) identified the R. bellii antigen as the probable antigen involved in a homologous reaction (PAIHR), whereas 2 (3.8%) identified the R. parkeri antigen. Ticks collected from capybaras were identified as 173 Amblyomma sculptum and 410 A. dubitatum, in addition to nine Amblyomma spp. larvae. A sample of 231 ticks was subjected to DNA extraction and PCR for Rickettsia species. None of 122 A. sculptum yielded rickettsial DNA. Molecular evidence of R. bellii was found in 25/108 (23.1%) and of Rickettsia sp. strain Cooperi (R. parkeri-like agent) in 2/108 (1.9%) of the A. dubitatum samples. These results suggest a greater exposure to R. bellii in these capybara populations, in addition to a more significant number of A. dubitatum, which might characterize the Federal District region as not endemic for Brazilian spotted fever.

This study describes a single step, high yield and purity, ecofriendly and scalable procedure to prepare a selenium derivative (diethyl selenodiglycolate). Diethyl selenodiglycolate rapidly reduces hypochlorous acid (HOCl, second-order rate constant of 7 × 107 M−1 s−1) to generate its corresponding selenoxide. In activated HL-60 cells, diethyl selenodiglycolate selectively reacted with HOCl (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 23.07 µM) but not with superoxide anion radical or hydrogen peroxide without any cytotoxicity. These results show that this synthetically simple selenide reacts in a very efficient and specific way with the harmful pro-oxidant HOCl being a promising compound to be applied in oxidative inflammatory-related conditions.

RESUMO A produção de mudas de clone de Coffea arabica L. é uma das alternativas de maior demanda para cafeicultores, existindo programas de melhoramento através da técnica de embriogênese somática, no entanto, os clones apresentam dificuldades de pegamento na fase de aclimatação em casa de vegetação elevando custo de produção. Uma alternativa testada com resultados promissores é a inoculação com fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA) durante o processo de aclimatação das mudas. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi promover a melhoria do processo de produção de mudas através de embriogênese somática associada a inoculação com fungos micorrízicos arbusculares. Para a produção dos clones, plântulas foram utilizadas quando apresentaram quatro pares de folhas (clone 1 “Frutificação vermelha Catucaí” e clone 2 “Acauã”) produzidos e desenvolvidos em biorreatores “embriogênese somática” e quando levadas para o viveiro inoculadas com Rhizophagus clarus, Gigaspora margarita e Acaulospora mellea, a mistura de R. clarus e G. margarita e a mistura de R. clarus, G. margarita e A. mellea. Após seis meses foram avaliados os parâmetros agronômicos, teores de nutrientes foliar e a colonização micorrizica nas raízes. Os clones se comportaram diferentemente quando inoculados com o FMAs, sendo que o clone 1, o que apresentou melhor desenvolvimento no viveiro determinadas pelos parâmetros agronômicos, sendo indicada na produção de mudas clonais vigorosas qu, ando associado a inoculação com fungos micorrízicos arbusculares.

ABSTRACT The production of Coffea arabica L. clone seedlings through the somatic embryogenesis technique is one of the alternatives of greatest demand for coffee producers. However, clones can face difficulties related to acclimatization carried out under greenhouse conditions, which can increase the production costs. A tested alternative with promising results is inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) during the seedling acclimatization process. Thus, this study aimed to promote the improvement of the seedling production process through somatic embryogenesis associated with inoculation with AMF. For the production of the clones, seedlings were used in the phase when they presented four pairs of leaves (Clone 1 “Fruiting red Catucaí” and Clone 2 “Acauã”), using “somatic embryogenesis” bioreactors, followed by inoculation with Rhizophagus clarus, Gigaspora margarita and Acaulospora mellea, a mixture of R. clarus and G. margarita and a mixture of R. clarus, G. margarita and A. mellea. After six months, agronomic parameters, leaf nutrient contents and root mycorrhizal colonization were evaluated. The studied clones behaved differently when inoculated with AMFs. Clone 1 showed the best development in the greenhouse, which was determined by the agronomic parameters. Thus, Clone 1 is indicated for the production of vigorous seedlings when associated with inoculation with AMFs.

ABSTRACT A mechanism to convert Fe(III) to Fe(II) by a reduction process could be a solution to the problem of selective separation of metals in extraction processes by using the ion-exchange process. The aim of this research was to reduce Fe(III) to Fe(II) present in leachate from nickel mining waste. Reducing agents used were sodium dithionite and sodium metabisulfite. The potential was decreased in order to quantify the minimum reducing agent that was necessary for conversion. Reaction time, pH, stirring speed and temperature were also studied. Results indicated dithionite was a better reducing agent than metabisulfite and complete conversion was possible by reducing the potential to 590mV at pH 0.5-2 and 240mV at pH 2.5. Stirring speed had no influence on the reduction process at 2 hours; however, conversion decreased after 24 hours, perhaps due to oxygen present in air. The analyses were conducted by ion chromatography and voltammetry.

Piperidine alkaloids are predominant in ant venom glands of S. invicta and S. saevissima. These ants are broadly sympatric in Southeastern Brazil, and potentially diagnostic compounds could assist in ant identification. We determined the absolute configuration of 2,6-dialkyl-piperidines of S. invicta and S. saevissima workers and used these data to group Southeastern Brazil species. The monitoring of venom samples by chiral gas chromatography coupled to a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) revealed that S. saevissima produces the four stereoisomers of 2-methyl-6-undecyl-piperidines, 2-methyl-6-tridecyl-piperidines and 2-methyl-6-tridecenyl-piperidines, while S. invicta venom consisted primarily of a single enantiomer cis and trans from each piperidine alkaloid. Our findings showed that the absolute configuration of piperidine alkaloids of fire ant venom may be a potential chemical tool to distinguish S. invicta and S. saevissima sympatric species in Southeastern Brazil.

This work describes results of chemical profiling by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) of the main components (purity, oxidation level, and cutting agents) in 642 street cocaine samples seized in five different Brazilian States between 2011 and 2014. The analysis revealed the presence of cocaine with mean content of 49.8%. Freebase samples showed cocaine average content of 66.0%, whereas hydrochloride and not determined (n.d.) present cocaine content of 44.5% and 11.8%, respectively. Cocaine base samples show moderately (16%) to not oxidized (81%) levels, whereas cocaine hydrochloride samples exhibit moderate (37%) to high (22%) oxidation degrees. Approximately 34% of all the analyzed samples did not have any adulterant identified. Base cocaine samples are even less adulterated (42% uncut) with phenacetin being present in 53% (average content of 15%). Caffeine and lidocaine were mostly found in hydrochloride samples, while the n.d. samples show a combination of either phenacetin or a caffeine/lidocaine mixture. A mass balance approach is presented and seizures information can be combined to deliver intelligence and statistical analysis that might contribute to the understanding of street cocaine composition scenario. A total of 269 samples were characterized as crack cocaine showing phenacetin as the main adulterant and presenting an average cocaine content of 68.3%.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra and inter-rater reliability of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) dynamometric measurements for maximum and average strengths, as well as endurance. METHOD: A convenience sample of 18 nulliparous women, without any urogynecological complaints, aged between 19 and 31 (mean age of 25.4±3.9) participated in this study. They were evaluated using a pelvic floor dynamometer based on load cell technology. The dynamometric evaluations were repeated in three successive sessions: two on the same day with a rest period of 30 minutes between them, and the third on the following day. All participants were evaluated twice in each session; first by examiner 1 followed by examiner 2. The vaginal dynamometry data were analyzed using three parameters: maximum strength, average strength, and endurance. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was applied to estimate the PFM dynamometric measurement reliability, considering a good level as being above 0.75. RESULTS: The intra and inter-raters' analyses showed good reliability for maximum strength (ICCintra-rater1=0.96, ICCintra-rater2=0.95, and ICCinter-rater=0.96), average strength (ICCintra-rater1=0.96, ICCintra-rater2=0.94, and ICCinter-rater=0.97), and endurance (ICCintra-rater1=0.88, ICCintra-rater2=0.86, and ICCinter-rater=0.92) dynamometric measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The PFM dynamometric measurements showed good intra- and inter-rater reliability for maximum strength, average strength and endurance, which demonstrates that this is a reliable device that can be used in clinical practice.

In this study we investigated the effects of late leaf removal on the berry and wine composition and on wine sensory characteristics of Uva Longanesi, a late maturing red Italian grape variety, which wines are characterized by high levels of alcohol and excessive astringency, the latter apparently intensified by late defoliation practices. During 2008 season, spur-pruned trained vines were submitted to manual defoliation (4 basal leaves) at the onset (DEF I, 210 DOY) or at the end (DEF II, 231 DOY) of veraison and compared with non-defoliated plants (CON). On every DEF II vine, since defoliation until harvest, a cluster was shaded (DEF II + shading). A decrease of the berry soluble solids and skin anthocyanins was found in DEF I vines. Defoliation modified composition and sensory characteristics of wine with DEF II having higher alcohol strength and astringency compared to DEF I, whereas CON wines displayed intermediate values. The practice and timing of partial late defoliation greatly affected the chemical and sensory attributes of wine.

The antifungal activity of essential oils of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Apiaceae), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae), mint (Mentha piperita L., Lamiaceae) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L., Lamiaceae) was evaluated against mycotoxin producers Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. High Resolution Gas Chromatography was applied to analyze chemical constituents of essential oils. The effect of different concentrations of essential oils was determined by solid medium diffusion assay. Mycelial growth and sporulation were determined for each essential oil at the concentrations established by solid medium diffusion assay. At the fifth, seventh and ninth days the mycelial diameter (Ø mm) and spore production were also determined. FUN-1 staining was performed to assess cell viability after broth macrodilution assay. Trans-anethole, zingiberene, menthol and thymol are the major component of essential oils of fennel, ginger, mint and thyme, respectively. The effective concentrations for fennel, ginger, mint and thyme were 50, 80, 50 and 50% (oil/DMSO; v/v), respectively. The four essential oils analysed in this study showed antifungal effect. Additionally, FUN-1 staining showed to be a suitable method to evaluate cell viability of potential mycotoxigenic fungi A. flavus and A. parasiticus after treatment with essential oils.

A degradação térmica a 300 ºC de argamassas de cimento Portland reforçada por fibras de polipropileno foi investigada. Foi proposto um modelo computacional para a avaliação qualitativa da conectividade da estrutura de poros. Os resultados revelaram a degradação das argamassas com a temperatura dos tratamentos térmicos. A conectividade da estrutura de poros aumentou com a temperatura do tratamento térmico para as argamassas com fibra. Os resultados também mostraram um aumento da conectividade da estrutura de poros para as argamassas com fibra não submetidas à alta temperatura.

Thermal degradation at 300 ºC of polypropylene fiber reinforced Portland cement mortars was investigated. A geometric modeling considering pore with cylindrical shape was also used in order to do quantitative evaluation of pore structure's connectivity. The results revealed thermal degradation of the mortars by high temperature. The pore structure connectivity increased with thermal treatment temperature for mortar samples with fiber content. The test results also showed pore structure connectivity increase for non-heat treated fibered mortars.

Citral (CIT), which contains the chiral enantiomers, neral (cis) and geranial (trans), is the majority monoterpene from Lippia alba and Cymbopogon citratus. The present study aimed to evaluate CIT for antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in rodents. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects were studied by measuring nociception through acetic acid and formalin tests, while inflammation was verified by inducing peritonitis and paw edema with carrageenan. All tested doses of CIT had significant protection (p<0.001) against acetic acid (0.8%) induced nociceptive behavior and the effects were also similar to morphine while formalin induced nociception was significantly protected (p<0.05) only at higher dose (200 mg/kg) of CIT in the first phase of the test. CIT significantly reduce (p<0.001) nociceptive behavior emanating from inflammation in second phase at all the doses.The pretreatment with CIT (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced the paw edema induced by carrageenan. Moreover, systemic treatment with CIT (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced (p<0.001) the leukocyte migration in the carrageenan-induced migration to the peritoneal cavity. Our investigation shows that CIT possess significant central and peripheral antinociceptive effects. It was also verified an anti-inflammatory activity. All together these results suggest that CIT might represent important tool for treatment of painful conditions.

Amostras de acrilonitrilo-butadieno-estireno (ABS) foram submetidas a envelhecimento sob condições naturais, durante 4 meses em Lisboa, para avaliar a sua estabilidade à radiação ultravioleta (UV). A degradação que ocorre à superfície das amostras foi analisada por Espectroscopia de Infravermelhos com um Acessório de Reflexão Total Atenuada (FTIR-ATR) e determinou-se o decréscimo do componente butadiénico como indicador do grau de degradação. Correlacionaram-se as alterações químicas na superfície com a perda de propriedades mecânicas. A degradação ao longo da espessura foi estudada por espectroscopia de IR acoplada com microscópio. Verificou-se que para o tempo de exposição em causa, o decréscimo acentuado do butadieno ocorreu apenas à superfície, indicando que o decréscimo da capacidade de alongamento do ABS durante o processo de degradação é também devido à formação e propagação de fissuras para o interior das amostras.

Natural weathering of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) was performed in Lisbon during 4 months in order to evaluate its stability to UV radiation. Surface characterization of photodegraded ABS samples was investigated by infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance accessory (FTIR-ATR) and the decrease of polybutadiene (PB) component was used as an indicator of the degradation degree. A correlation between chemical modifications on surface and mechanical properties loss was made. Infrared spectroscopy coupled to microscope was used to study degradation along sample thickness. It was noticed that for this sample a drastic decrease of PB occurred only at the surface, which indicate that the decrease of elongation capability of ABS during degradation process is also due to the cracks formation and its propagation along the thickness.

A família Boraginaceae é amplamente distribuída no Brasil e na região nordeste algumas espécies são usadas popularmente no tratamento de reumatismo, dores menstruais e dispepsias. Neste trabalho foram estudadas as espécies Cordia superba Cham. and C. rufescens A. DC., nativas da região semi-árida brasileira, objetivando investigar a atividade imunomoduladora. Seis extratos foram preparados a partir de partes aéreas das espécies. A citotoxicidade foi avaliada usando culturas de esplenócitos de camundongos BALB/c. A atividade imunomoduladora foi determinada por ensaios in vitro usando macrófagos e linfócitos murinos ativados. Macrófagos peritoneais obtidos de camundongos BALB/c foram estimulados com IFN-gama and LPS na presença/ausência das amostras. A produção de NO foi medida indiretamente através do método de Griess. Três amostras inibiram a produção de NO em valores próximos a 50% (100 µg/mL). Os efeitos das amostras sobre os linfócitos foram avaliados cultivando esplenócitos de camundongos BALB/c em presença destas amostras e de concanavalina A. A proliferação foi determinada pela análise da incorporação de ³H-tritiada. Amostras de duas espécies apresentaram uma forte atividade inibidora sobre a proliferação de linfócitos e sobre a produção de IL-2. Dois extratos clorofórmicos (partes aéreas de C. rufescens) tiveram os menores valores de IC50 (7,6 and 11,0 µg/mL).

The family Boraginaceae is widely distributed in Brazil and in the Northeastern region some species are popularly used to treat symptoms of rheumatism, painful menstruation and dyspepsia. In this work we studied Cordia superba Cham. and C. rufescens A. DC., native from Brazilian Semi-arid region, in order to investigate their immunomodulatory activity. Six extracts were prepared from aerial parts of C. superba and C. rufescens. The cytotoxicity was evaluated using splenocytes from BALB/c mice. The immunomodulatory activity was determined by in vitro assays using activated mouse macrophages and lymphocytes. Peritoneal macrophages obtained from BALB/c mice were stimulated with IFN-gamma and LPS in the presence/absence of the samples. The NO production was measured indirectly through Griess method. Three samples inhibited the production of nitric oxide in values near 50% at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. To evaluate the effects of the extracts on lymphocytes, splenocytes from BALB/c mice were incubated with the samples and concanavalin A. Proliferation inhibition was determined by analysis of ³H-thymidine uptake. Samples from the two species had a strong inhibitory activity on lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 production. Two chloroform extracts prepared from aerial parts of C. rufescens had the lowest IC50 values (7.6 and 11.0 µg/mL).

A Guy's neurological disability scale (GNDS) é uma escala de incapacidade criada recentemente, orientada para o paciente, multidimensional, e que não privilegia nenhum tipo específico de incapacidade. O objetivo deste estudo é validar a GNDS para a língua portuguesa. A adaptação da escala foi feita através do método de tradução e re-tradução. Sessenta e dois pacientes com esclerose múltipla (EM) clinicamente definida de acordo com os critérios de Poser participaram deste estudo. A GNDS foi aplicada individualmente em cada paciente. O EDSS e o índice ambulatorial (IA) foram determinados por neurologista. A correlação intra-classe e o valor de Cronbach's alfa da versão brasileira da GNDS (0.94 e 0.83, respectivamente) foram comparáveis aos do artigo original (0.98 e 0.79, respectivamente). Como no artigo original, a análise fatorial da versão brasileira da GNDS sugeriu uma solução de quatro fatores que explicaria 68.8% da variação total. A versão brasileira da GNDS mostrou-se clinicamente relevante uma vez que se correlacionou com o EDSS e o IA. Em conclusão, a versão brasileira da GNDS pode ser considerada como um importante instrumento de avaliação incapacidade na EM com significado clínico e relevância psicométrica.

The Guy's neurological disability scale (GNDS) has recently been introduced as a new measure of disability in multiple sclerosis. It is patient-oriented, multidimensional, and not biased towards any particular disability. The purpose of the present study was to validate the Brazilian version of the GNDS. The adaptation of the scale was based on the translation/back-translation methodology. Sixty-two patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) according to Poser's criteria were recruited for this study. GNDS was administered individually to each subject. The EDSS and the ambulation index (AI) scores were assigned by a neurologist. The intraclass correlation coefficient and the Cronbach's alpha values of the Brazilian version of GNDS (0.94 and 0.83, respectively) were comparable to the original one (0.98 and 0.79, respectively). Furthermore, the factor analysis of the Brazilian version of GNDS suggested, as the original article, a four-factor solution which accounted for 68.8% of the total variance. The Brazilian version of GNDS was found to be clinically relevant as it correlated significantly with the EDSS and AI. In conclusion, the Brazilian version of GNDS can be considered an important tool to evaluate the disability in MS patients, with clinical usefulness and psychometrics soundness.