Resumo A busca por herbicidas mais amigáveis ao meio ambiente, visando o controle de pragas agrícolas, aliado a uma menor nocividade à saúde humana e ao meio ambiente tem crescido. Uma alternativa utilizada pelos pesquisadores é a aplicação de produtos do metabolismo secundário de plantas, que são investigados em virtude do seu potencial bioativo. Assim, espécies pertencentes à família Myrtaceae são potenciais nestes estudos, uma vez que esta família é reconhecida por possuir alta atividade biológica. Uma espécie pertencente a este gênero é Psidium cattleyanum, que possui efeito medicinal e seus frutos são utilizados na alimentação humana. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar e comparar a fitocitogenotoxicidade de extratos foliares aquosos e etanólicos da espécie P. cattleyanum, a partir de bioensaios vegetais, bem como identificar as principais classes de compostos presentes nos extratos. Para isso, os extratos foram preparados e caracterizados e foram realizados testes biológicos avaliando, em sementes e plântulas de alface e sorgo, as variáveis: porcentagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, crescimento radicular e crescimento aéreo; em células meristemáticas de alface foram avaliadas as variáveis: fases mitóticas, índice mitótico, alterações nucleares e alterações cromossômicas. Flavonas, flavononas, flavonóis, flavononóis, flavonóides, alcalóides, resinas, xantonas e glicosídeo de antraquinona foram caracterizados no extrato etanólico. Ambos os extratos avaliados, na maior concentração, inibiram o desenvolvimento inicial da planta. Todos os tratamentos causaram alterações nas fases mitóticas e inibiram o índice mitótico. Além disso, os tratamentos promoveram aumento de alterações nucleares e cromossômicas. O mecanismo de ação apresentado foi aneugênico, clastogênico e epigenético. O extrato etanólico foi mais citotóxico, pois teve efeito mais expressivo em menor concentração. Apesar da citotoxicidade dos extratos em estudo, eles promoveram alterações em níveis inferiores ao controle positivo glifosato.

Abstract The search for more environmental friendly herbicides, aiming at the control of agricultural pests, combinated with less harmfulness to human health and the environment has grown. An alternative used by researchers is the application of products of secondary plant metabolism, which are investigated due to their potential bioactivities. Thus, species belonging to the Myrtaceae family are potential in these studies, since this family is recognized for having high biological activity. A species belonging to this genus is Psidium cattleyanum, which has a medicinal effect and its fruits are used in human food. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate and compare the phyto-cyto-genotoxicity of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of the specie P. cattleyanum, from plant bioassays, as well as to identify the main classes of compounds present in the extracts. For this, the extracts were prepared, characterized and biological tests were carried out by evaluating, in seeds and seedlings of lettuce and sorghum, the variables: percentage of germination, germination speed index, root growth and aerial growth; and in meristematic lettuce cells the variables: mitotic phases, mitotic index, nuclear alterations and chromosomal alterations. Flavones, flavonones, flavonols, flavononols, flavonoids, alkaloids, resins, xanthones and anthraquinone glycoside were characterized in the ethanolic extract. Both evaluated extracts, in the highest concentration, inhibited the initial plant development. All treatments caused alterations in the mitotic phases and inhibited mitotic index. In addition, the treatments promoted an increase in nuclear and chromosomal alterations. The mechanism of action presented was aneugenic, clastogenic and determined in epigenetic alterations. The ethanolic extract was more cytotoxic, since it had a more expressive effect at a lower concentration. Despite the cytotoxicity of the extracts under study, they promoted alterations at lower levels than the glyphosate positive control.

Abstract Objectives Evidence suggests that ketamine’s influence on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) might be involved in its mechanism of rapid antidepressant action. We aimed to evaluate the differential impact of ketamine and esketamine on serum BDNF levels and its association with response patterns in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Methods Participants (n = 53) are from a randomized, double-blind clinical trial comparing the efficacy of single-dose ketamine (0.5mg/kg, n = 27) and esketamine (0.25mg/kg, n = 26) in TRD. Depression severity was assessed before and 24 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days after the intervention, using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Blood samples were collected before infusion, 24 hours, and 7 days afterwards. Results There were no significant changes in BDNF levels at post-infusion evaluation points, and no difference in BDNF levels comparing ketamine and esketamine. Both drugs exhibited similar therapeutic effect. There was no association between BDNF levels and response to treatment or severity of depressive symptoms. Conclusion There was no significant treatment impact on BDNF serum levels – neither with ketamine nor esketamine – despite therapeutic response. These results suggest that ketamine or esketamine intervention for TRD has no impact on BDNF levels measured at 24 hours and 7 days after the infusion. This clinical trial is registered on the Japan Primary Registries Network: UMIN000032355.

Abstract Herbicides are agrochemicals applied in the control of weeds. With the frequent and repetitive use of these substances, serious problems have been reported. Compounds of natural origin and their derivatives are attractive options to obtain new compounds with herbicidal properties. By aiming to develop compounds with potentiated herbicidal activity, phenoxyacetic acids were synthesized from eugenol and guaiacol. The synthesized compounds were characterized and the herbicidal potential of phenoxyacetic acids and precursors was evaluated through bioassays regarding the germination and initial development of Lactuca sativa and Sorghum bicolor seedlings, with the induction of DNA damage. The induction of changes in the mitotic cycle of meristematic cells of roots of L. sativa was also analyzed. At the concentration of 3 mmol L-1, phenols and their respective phenoxyacetic acids presented phytotoxic and cytotoxic activities in L. sativa and S. bicolor. Eugenol and guaiacol also presented genotoxic action in L. sativa. The toxic effect of eugenoxyacetic acid was more pronounced in L. sativa than in S. bicolor, similar to the commercial 2,4-D herbicide. Molecular properties of the phenols and their derivatives phenoxyacetic acids were compared with the ones obtained for the herbicide 2,4-D, where it was found a correlation between their molecular properties and bioactivity.

RESUMO O carcinoma de células escamosas é uma neoplasia maligna que afeta as estruturas e os tecidos da cavidade oral. Interleucinas (IL) sintetizadas a partir de um tumor modulam uma cascata de reações que poderá influenciar o prognóstico da doença. Objetiva-se investigar na literatura se as interleucinas são mediadores que influenciam negativamente ou positivamente o prognóstico de pacientes com carcinoma de células escamosas intraoral. Um estudo de revisão sistemática foi realizado segundo as instruções do Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). As bases de dados PubMed (incluindo MedLine), Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO e Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS) foram utilizadas como fontes de estudo primárias; OpenGrey e OpenThesis, utilizadas para pesquisar a "literatura cinzenta". A busca realizada em sete bases de dados gerais resultou em um conjunto de 858 estudos, enquanto a realizada em duas bases de dados para literatura cinza, em 82 estudos, totalizando 940 pesquisas. Destas, 15 foram selecionadas para a presente revisão sistemática (oito estudos apresentaram baixo risco de viés; quatro, moderado risco de viés; e três, alto risco de viés). Apesar de poderem atuar nas vias de resposta imune antitumoral, as IL avaliadas nesta revisão (IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 e IL-13) tendem a apresentar uma resposta associada à intensificação do processo de carcinogênese e ao prognóstico desfavorável em pacientes portadores do carcinoma de células escamosas intraoral.

ABSTRACT Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm that affects the structures and tissues of the oral cavity. Interleukins (IL) synthesized from a tumor modulate a cascade reaction that may influence the prognosis of the disease. We aim to investigate in the literature whether interleukins are mediators that negatively or positively influence the prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. A systematic review study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) instructions. PubMed (including MedLine), Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS) databases were used as the primary sources for the study; OpenGrey and OpenThesis were used to search for "gray literature". The search conducted in seven general databases resulted in a set of 858 studies, while the search conducted in two databases for gray literature resulted in 82 studies, totaling 940 studies. From these, 15 studies were selected for this systematic review (eight studies presented low bias risk; four studies presented moderate bias risk; and three studies presented high risk of bias). Although they may act on the anti-tumor immune response pathways, the IL evaluated in the present systematic review (IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 and IL-13) tend to present a response associated with the intensification of carcinogenesis and poor prognosis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

RESUMEN El carcinoma de células escamosas es una neoplasia maligna que afecta las estructuras y los tejidos de la cavidad oral. Interleucinas (IL) sintetizadas a partir de un tumor modulan una cascada de reacciones que puede influenciar el pronóstico de la enfermedad. Nuestro objetivo es investigar en la literatura si las IL son mediadoras que influyen negativamente o positivamente en el pronóstico de pacientes con carcinoma oral de células escamosas. Un estudio de revisión sistemática fue realizado bajo las instrucciones del Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Las bases de datos PubMed (incluyendo MedLine), Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO y Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS) fueron usadas como fuentes primarias de estudio; OpenGrey y OpenThesis, para pesquisar la literatura gris. La búsqueda realizada en siete bases de datos generales resultó en un conjunto de 858 estudios, mientras la búsqueda realizada en dos bases de datos para literatura gris resultó en 82 estudios, totalizando 940 investigaciones. Entre ellas, 15 fueron elegidas para la presente revisión sistemática (ocho estudios presentaron bajo riesgo de sesgo; cuatro, riesgo moderado; tres, riesgo alto). A pesar de poder actuar en vías de respuesta inmune antitumoral, las IL evaluadas en esta revisión (IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, y IL-13) suelen presentar una respuesta asociada a la intensificación del proceso de carcinogénesis y al pronóstico desfavorable en pacientes portadores de carcinoma oral de células escamosas.

The phytochemical investigation of the alkaloid-rich fraction obtained from the leaves of Guatteria pogonopus Mart. (Annonaceae) allowed the isolation and identification for the first time in this species of: (+)-nornuciferine (1), a mixture of 1 and (+)-anonaine (2), (+)-isocorydine (3), (+)-nuciferine (4), (+)-roemerine (5), (-)-tetrahydropseudocolumbamine (6), a mixture of 6, liriodenine (9) and lysicamine (10), a mixture of 1,2,9-trimethoxy-10-hydroxyaporphine (7) and bulbocapnine (8), 9, 10, and (+)-N-methyllindicarpine (11). Compounds 6, 7, 8, and 11 have not been previously reported in the family Annonaceae. Furthermore, the formerly synthetic 1,2,9-trimethoxyaporfin-10-ol (7) is described for the first time as a natural aporphine alkaloid herein. The chemical structures were established by 1D and 2D NMR as well as in comparison with data previously reported in the literature. The cytotoxic activity of the alkaloids was evaluated against tumor (B16-F10, HepG2, HL-60, and K562) and non-tumor (PBMC) cell lines. Alkaloid 1 presented significant activity against HepG2 cell lines with IC50 of 9.60 µmol L-1 while the mixture of 6, 9 and 10 displayed strong cytotoxic activity against HL-60 and K562 cell lines with IC50 values of 3.41 an 8.50 µmol L-1, respectively.

Resumo Nas últimas décadas, pesquisas estão sendo desenvolvidas para obtenção de materiais eficientes e economicamente viáveis para aplicação em diversos setores da indústria. Os materiais mesoporosos da família MCM-41 estão entre os candidatos eficazes pela facilidade de síntese e estrutura que favorece uma gama de aplicações. O objetivo desse trabalho foi apresentar uma abordagem rítica das características e propriedades dos materiais mesoporosos do tipo MCM-41, enfocando nos aspectos estruturais. Além isso, foram discutidas as vantagens e desvantagens do uso de sílica comerciais e alternativas. As fontes de sílica comerciais analisadas foram sílica gel e TEOS; já as fontes de sílica alternativas foram cinza da casca de arroz, quartzo e pó de vidro. Os materiais analisados foram sintetizados pelo método hidrotérmico e caracterizados por DRX, FTIR, BET e TG. Os resultados apresentados comprovam a eficiência das fontes de sílica alternativas na síntese do MCM-41, pois os materiais apresentaram propriedades texturais dentro dos padrões exigidos. Dessa forma, eles estão aptos a serem testados na indústria em substituição aos MCM-41 sintetizados com fonte de sílica comercial.

Abstract In recent decades, research has been developed to achieve efficient and economically viable materials for application in various industry sectors. The mesoporous materials of MCM-41 family are among the effective candidates due to the facility of synthesis and structure that favors a range of applications. The aim of this study was to present a critical analysis of the characteristics and properties of mesoporous materials MCM-41 type, focusing on the structural aspects. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of using commercial and alternative silica have been discussed. The commercial silica sources were TEOS and silica gel; the alternative silica sources were rice husk ash, quartz and glass powder. The analyzed materials were synthesized by hydrothermal method and characterized by XRD, FTIR, BET and TG. The results demonstrate the efficiency of alternative sources of silica in the synthesis of MCM-41, since the materials presented textural properties within the required standards. Therefore, they are able to be tested in the industry to replace the MCM-41 synthesized with commercial silica source.

As características físicas e hidráulicas do solo se constituem em condicionantes a planos de manejo agrícola. Objetivou-se avaliar atributos físicos em solos de um vale aluvial e sua variabilidade, no semiárido do Estado de Pernambuco, na bacia hidrográfica do Rio Ipanema. Técnicas estatísticas e geoestatísticas foram utilizadas a fim de se investigar o grau de dependência e a variabilidade espacial dos atributos, em lotes de agricultura familiar. O coeficiente de variação apresentou-se alto para a condutividade hidráulica do solo e médio para a resistência à penetração de raízes e para as frações granulométricas areia, argila e silte. Tal coeficiente foi baixo para a densidade do solo e de partículas e porosidade total. Foram investigadas as estruturas de dependência espacial para as variáveis estudadas, encontrando-se alcances variando de 135 m para a condutividade hidráulica a 465 m para o conteúdo de silte. Mapa de isolinhas foi elaborado por krigagem representando a variabilidade espacial da condutividade hidráulica, com moderado grau de dependência espacial. As frações granulométricas areia total e silte (%) também apresentaram grau de dependência espacial moderado. A resistência à penetração, densidade do solo e de partículas, não apresentaram dependência espacial na escala de investigação adotada. Foi possível identificar regiões de maior aptidão agrícola verificando-se, através do mapeamento, que os solos francos tendem a apresentar elevada resistência à penetração e baixa condutividade hidráulica.

Soil physical and hydraulic characteristics are relevant for agricultural management, particularly at irrigation districts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the spatial variability of physical attributes of soil in an alluvial valley in the semiarid region of Pernambuco State, at the Ipanema River Watershed. Statistical techniques and geostatistics were applied to observe the degree of dependence and the spatial variability of soil physical properties, in plots adopted for communal agriculture. The coefficient of variation for the hydraulic conductivity was high, medium for soil resistance to root penetration and for sand, clay and silt. For bulk density, particle density and porosity, however, such coefficient was low. Spatial dependence structures were investigated, with ranges spanning from 135 m, for soil hydraulic conductivity, to 465 m, for silt content. Contour map was produced by kriging interpolation, representing the spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity, which showed moderate spatial dependence. Resistance to root penetration, soil density and particle distribution presented spatial random behavior, for the adopted spatial scale. It was possible to identify regions with higher agricultural potential. From the produced map, it was highlighted that loam soils usually present higher resistance to root penetration, and low hydraulic conductivity.

Este artigo descreve a síntese e a caracterização de três novos complexos de platina(II) com a oxitetraciclina, doxiciclina e clortetraciclina por análise elementar, espectroscopias IV e RMN de 195Pt. As interações da doxiciclina com íons PtII em função do pH foram estudadas por RMN de ¹H. Todas as tetraciclinas investigadas formam complexos 1:1 com a PtII via oxigênio do grupo hidroxila e oxigênio do grupo amida do anel A. As concentrações mínimas inibitórias (MIC) dos ligantes e de seus complexos de PtII foram determinadas em duas cepas sensíveis (E. coli HB 101 and E. coli ATCC 25922) e em uma resistente (E. coli HB101/pBR322). O complexo de platina da doxiciclina é duas vezes mais potente do que o antibiótico livre na cepa resistente. Os coeficientes de partição dos complexos em octanol e água foram determinados. O aumento da lipofilia causa um aumento da atividade antimicrobiana na cepa resistente.

This paper reports on the synthesis and characterization of three new platinum(II) complexes with oxytetracycline, doxycycline and chlortetracycline by elemental analysis, IR and 195Pt RMN spectroscopies. Doxycycline interactions with PtII ions as a function of the pH were studied by ¹H NMR. All the investigated tetracyclines form 1:1 complexes with PtII via the oxygen of the hydroxyl group and oxygen of the amide group at ring A. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the ligands and those of their PtII compounds were determined in two sensitive strains (E. coli HB 101 and E. coli ATCC 25922) and in a resistant one (E. coli HB101/pBR322). Platinum complex of doxycycline is twice as potent as the free antibiotic in the resistant strain. Octanol/water partition coefficients of the complexes were determined. Increasing lipophilicity enhances antimicrobial activity in the resistant strain.

Alguns compostos de platina (II), como por exemplo, cisplatina, carboplatina e oxaloplatina, têm sido utilizados como agentes quimioterápicos no tratamento de vários tipos de câncer. Contudo, na tentativa de reduzir a toxicidade e ampliar o espectro de atividade da cisplatina e de seus análogos, milhares de complexos têm sido preparados variando a natureza dos ligantes. Este trabalho descreve a síntese e caracterização de novos complexos de platina, tendo iodeto e derivados do furano como ligantes. Os complexos foram caracterizados por RMN, IV e análise elementar.

Platinum (II) compounds, for example, cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaloplatin, have been used as chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of various types of cancer. However, in an attempt to reduce toxicity and widen the spectrum of activity of cisplatin and its analogous, thousands of platinum complexes have been prepared by varying the nature of the leaving groups and the carrier ligands. This work reports the synthesis and characterization of novel structural types of the platinum compounds, having iodide and furan derivatives as ligands. The compounds were characterized using NMR, IR and elemental analysis.

A rotating cylinder reactor was designed for the synthesis of niobium carbide powders at 1173 K. Niobium carbide, NbC, was prepared by carbothermal reduction starting from commercial niobium pentoxide powders. The reactor was heated using a custom-made, two-part, hinged, electric furnace with programmable temperature control. The design and operational details of the reactor are presented. The longitudinal temperature gradient inside the reactor was determined. Total reaction time was monitored by a gas chromatograph equipped with an FID detector for determination of methane concentrations. The results show that time of reaction depended on rotation speed. NbC was also prepared in a static-bed alumina reactor using the same conditions as in the previous case. The niobium carbide powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction and compared with commercially available products. Morphological, particle size distribution and surface area analyses were obtained using SEM, LDPS and BET, respectively. Therefore, the present study offers a significant technological contribution to the synthesis of NbC powders in a rotating cylinder reactor.

Para aproveitamento das águas residuárias da suinocultura na fertirrigação de culturas agrícolas, principalmente no caso do uso de irrigação localizada, torna-se necessária a remoção dos sólidos em suspensão e de parte dos dissolvidos. Como, para esse tipo de água o uso de filtros convencionais de areia não é possível, torna-se necessário o estudo de materiais alternativos para uso como filtros. Como materiais filtrantes foram avaliadas a casca de arroz, a casca de frutos do cafeeiro, o bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, o sabugo de milho triturado, a serragem de madeira e o fino de carvão vegetal. As colunas de filtragem foram constituídas de tubos de PVC de 100 mm de diâmetro e comprimento de 600 mm, sendo preenchidas com o material até a altura de 500 mm e com compressão de 12.490 N m-2. Avaliaram-se as alterações químicas e físicas ocorridas no material após seu uso como filtro no tratamento de 15 L de águas residuárias da suinocultura. Os materiais filtrantes que apresentaram maior capacidade de retenção de poluentes foram o bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e a serragem de madeira.

For the utilization of wastewater from swine confinement in fertigation of agricultural crops, mainly in the case of localized irrigation, it is necessary to remove the suspended solids and some of the dissolved ones. Since the use of conventional sand filters for wastewater is not possible there is a need for a study concerning alternative materials that might be used as wastewater filters. The following filtering materials were evaluated: rice husk, coffee husk, sugarcane bagasse, milled corncob, sawdust and fine charcoal. The filtration columns consisting of PVC tubes with 100 mm diameter and 600 mm length were filled with filtering material up to 500 mm height and compression of 12,490 N m-2. Evaluations were performed for the chemical and physical changes occurring in the material following its use as a filter in treatment with swine wastewater. The filtering materials showing a higher retention capacity for the pollutants were the sugarcane bagasse and sawdust.