BACKGROUND Zika virus (ZIKV) was recognised as a zoonotic pathogen in Africa and southeastern Asia. Human infections were infrequently reported until 2007, when the first known epidemic occurred in Micronesia. After 2013, the Asian lineage of ZIKV spread along the Pacific Islands and Americas, causing severe outbreaks with millions of human infections. The recent human infections of ZIKV were also associated with severe complications, such as an increase in cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome and the emergence of congenital Zika syndrome. OBJECTIVES To better understand the recent and rapid expansion of ZIKV, as well as the presentation of novel complications, we compared the genetic differences between the African sylvatic lineage and the Asian epidemic lineage that caused the recent massive outbreaks. FINDINGS The epidemic lineages have significant codon adaptation in NS1 gene to translate these proteins in human and Aedes aegypti mosquito cells compared to the African zoonotic lineage. Accordingly, a Brazilian epidemic isolate (ZBR) produced more NS1 protein than the MR766 African lineage (ZAF) did, as indicated by proteomic data from infections of neuron progenitor cells-derived neurospheres. Although ZBR replicated more efficiently in these cells, the differences observed in the stoichiometry of ZIKV proteins were not exclusively explained by the differences in viral replication between the lineages. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that natural, silent translational selection in the second half of 20th century could have improved the fitness of Asian ZIKV lineage in human and mosquito cells.

Abstract: Glufosinate ammonium, an inhibitor of the enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS), is one of the most important herbicides for cotton cultivation and it is utilized for weed management in directed spray applications indicated for conventional cultivars. This study aimed to evaluate the absorption velocity of glufosinate ammonium and its effects on weed and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants. The study was carried out in a greenhouse with the cotton cultivar FiberMax 910 and the weeds Brachiaria decumbens and Ipomoea grandifolia. The experimental design was completely randomized and treatments were: the herbicide glufosinate ammonium (0.4 kg a.i. ha-1); five periods before a simulated rain (times for absorption) (1, 3, 6, 24 and 48 h between herbicide application and simulated rain); a control without herbicide; and four repetitions per treatment. Plants were harvested 2 d after herbicide application to quantify their contents of ammonia, glutamine and glufosinate. Visual injury of plants was quantified at 1, 3, 6, 8 and 10 d after application (DAA) of glufosinate ammonium using a percentage scale for damages. Regression analyses were performed on the results and a standard error (by t test; p≤0.05) was established for the means. Glufosinate ammonium absorption increased up to 24 h in cotton, and 48 h in B. decumbens and I. grandifolia. Despite the increase in glufosinate levels in 48 h without rain periods, the contents of ammonia were increased and glutamine was reduced between 1 and 6 h without rains. In addition, the three species presented severe injuries starting at 3 h without rain.

Resumen: El glufosinato de amonio, un inhibidor de la enzima glutamina sintetasa (GS), es uno de los herbicidas más importantes para el cultivo de algodón y se utiliza para el control de malezas en aplicaciones de rociado dirigido, indicadas para cultivares convencionales. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la velocidad de absorción del glufosinato de amonio y sus efectos sobre las malas hierbas y las plantas de algodón (Gossypium hirsutum L.). El estudio se realizó en un invernadero con el cultivar de algodón FiberMax 910 y las malezas Brachiaria decumbens e Ipomoea grandifolia. El diseño experimental fue completamente al azar y los tratamientos fueron: el herbicida glufosinato de amonio (0.4 kg a.i. ha-1); cinco períodos antes de una lluvia simulada (tiempos de absorción) (1, 3, 6, 24 y 48 h entre la aplicación de herbicidas y la lluvia simulada); un testigo sin herbicida; y cuatro repeticiones por tratamiento. Las plantas se cosecharon 2 d después de la aplicación de herbicidas para cuantificar su contenido de amoniaco, glutamina y glufosinato. La lesión visual de los vegetales se cuantificó a los 1, 3, 6, 8 y 10 d después de la aplicación (DDA) del glufosinato de amonio usando una escala de porcentaje de daños. Los análisis de regresión se realizaron con base en los resultados y se estableció un error estándar (mediante la prueba t, p≤0.05) para los promedios. La absorción de glufosinato de amonio aumentó hasta 24 h en el algodón, y 48 h en B. decumbens e I. grandifolia. A pesar del aumento en los niveles de glufosinato en 48 h sin períodos de lluvia, el contenido de amoníaco se incrementó y la glutamina se redujo entre 1 y 6 h sin lluvias. Además, las tres especies presentan lesiones graves a partir de 3 h sin lluvia.

O consumo crescente de materiais poliméricos em diversas formas de aplicação leva à produção de uma quantidade enorme de resíduos pós-consumo e pós-industriais com potencial poluidor elevado. A reciclagem mecânica é uma das maneiras mais adequadas para contornar os problemas gerados por estes rejeitos, uma vez que permite conciliar interesse econômico com benefícios ambientais. Neste trabalho foi feito um estudo sobre a reciclagem de rejeitos pós-industriais de poli(tereftalato de etileno) (PET) provenientes da fabricação de mantas de tecido não tecido e de resíduos de poliamida (PA) oriundos de pneus usados na forma de blendas, produzidas por meio de extrusão reativa dos dois resíduos em presença de catalisador. Os resultados obtidos a partir de caracterização térmica e química das blendas evidenciaram a ocorrência de trans-reações entre segmentos de cadeia polimérica dos dois polímeros, possibilitando a compatibilização do sistema. A produção de blendas PET/PA se configura como uma forma adequada para a reciclagem dos rejeitos de PET e de PA.

The increasing use of polymeric materials in several applications leads to the production of a high amount of post consume and post industrial wastes with expressive pollutant potential. Mechanical recycling is an important way to decrease the problems caused by these wastes because it allows one to associate economic viability with environmental benefits. In this paper a study was carried out on the recycling of poly(ethylene tereftalate) (PET) wastes from the production of nonwoven fabrics (NWF) and of polyamide (PA) wastes from old tires for production of polymeric blends via reactive extrusion in the presence of trans-reaction catalysts. The results from thermal and chemical characterization indicated trans-reactions between segments of polymeric chains of the two polymers, promoting the system compatibilization. The production of PET/PA blends is an interesting alternative for recycling PET and PA wastes.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar concentrações de estresse oxidativo em camundongos da linhagem Balb-C submetidos a duas condições severas de alterações orgânicas: treinamento exaustivo de natação (overreaching - grupo OVER; n = 10) e inoculação por tumor ascítico de Ehrlich (grupo TAE; n = 10). A proposta foi analisar como as duas situações comprometiam o equilíbrio entre os sistemas oxidantes e antioxidantes. Foram investigados alguns marcadores de estresse oxidativo, tais como as substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) e concentrações da atividade da enzima antioxidante catalase (CAT) no hemolisado. Como marcadores de lesão celular, quantificaram-se concentrações plasmáticas das enzimas creatina quinase (CK) e aspartato transferase (AST); complementado; também se observaram padrões de alterações fisiológicas por meio da quantificação plasmática de creatinina e uréia. Como resultados mais importantes, pôde-se observar que, nas duas situações de limite orgânico, seja por exercício exaustivo (OVER) ou pela inoculação de TAE, houve queda abrupta na concentração da enzima CAT (decréscimos de 30%; p < 0,01 e 72%; p < 0,001, respectivamente, comparando-se com o grupo treinado - T). Quanto à concentração de peroxidação lipídica (TBARS), detectaram-se aumentos significativos para os grupos OVER e TAE em relação ao grupo T (52%, p < 0,01; 90%, p < 0,001, respectivamente). Níveis liberados de CK foram mais proeminentes no grupo OVER, enquanto que a quantidade de AST no plasma foi mais elevada no grupo TAE. Chegou-se à conclusão de que os organismos estudados possuem um mesmo perfil de estresse oxidativo em situações limites que envolvem exercício físico e doença. Tais resultados permitirão profissionais envolvidos com elaboração das cargas de treinamento físico a se preocuparem com os períodos recuperativos, o que impede a instalação do quadro de overreaching, o qual se mostrou tão severo, em termos de estresse oxidativo, quanto o de uma situação patológica.

The aim of this study was to compare oxidative stress levels in mice (Balb-C) submitted to two severe organic conditions: exhaustive swimming training (overreaching - OVER group; n = 10) and inoculation of the Ehrlich's Ascitic Tumor (EAT group; n = 10). Lipid peroxidation, quantified by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and levels of antioxidant enzyme (catalase- CAT) were used as indicators of oxidative stress. Muscle damage levels were measured through plasma creatine kinase (CK), aspartate transaminase (AST) as well as blood creatinine and urea activities samples. As main results, it has been observed that in both situations, whether by exhaustive exercise (OVER) or inoculation of EAT, dramatic decrease in the catalase activity levels was present when compared with the training group (T) (30%; p < 0.01 and 72%; p < 0.001, respectively) with concomitant increase in plasma TBARS concentration (52%; p < 0.01 and 90% p < 0.001, respectively). Plasma CK levels were more prominent in the OVER group, while the amount of AST plasma was higher in the EAT group. We concluded that the same profile of oxidative stress was found in situations involving exhaustive exercise and pathology. These results will allow professionals involved with load training manipulation to be concerned with the rest periods, preventing hence the installation of overreaching, which in terms of oxidative stress, was as severe as a pathological conditions.