ABSTRACT Applications of tebuthiuron can increase the risks of environmental contamination and hinder the cultivation of sensitive species in succession. The objective of this work was to assess the residual activity and sorption of the herbicide tebuthiuron in soils with different physical and chemical attributes. The experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design with four replicates. The experiment for determining residual activity was conducted in a 2 × 7 factorial arrangement consisted of two herbicide doses (0.6 and 1.2 kg a.i. [active ingredient] ha-1) and seven sowing times (0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, and 360 days after herbicide application) in sandy loam and sandy clay loam soils. The experiment for evaluating sorption was conducted in a sandy loam soil and two clay loam soils with applications of increasing tebuthiuron doses (0.025, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.50, 0.60, 0.70, and 0.80 kg a.i. ha-1). Regarding residual activity, the herbicide’s effect of the decreased over time, with no toxicity detected 360 days after application (DAA), regardless of the soils and doses used. Sandy loam soils had lower sorption, resulting in lower shoot dry weight and plant height and in higher phytotoxicity 21 days after emergence. Residual activity was detected 360 DAA in the studied soils. Tebuthiuron sorption was higher in soils with higher organic carbon and clay contents.

RESUMO A aplicação de tebuthiuron pode aumentar os riscos de contaminação ambiental e impossibilitar o cultivo sucessivo de espécies sensíveis. Neste sentido objetivou-se a atividade residual e sorção do herbicida tebuthiuron em solos com diferentes atributos físico-químicos. Os experimentos foram realizados em Iturama, MG, Brasil, em 2021, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições. O experimento para determinação da atividade residual foi montado em fatorial 2 × 7, com os seguintes fatores: duas doses (0,6 e 1,2 kg i.a. [ingrediente ativo] ha-1) e 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 e 360 dias após a aplicação em solos franco-arenosos e franco-argilosos arenosos. No experimento de avaliação da sorção foram utilizados dois solos franco-arenosos e dois franco-argilosos, que receberam doses crescentes de tebuthiuron (0.025, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.50, 0.60, 0.70 and 0.80 kg a.i. ha-1). Por meio da matéria seca foi possível obter a relação de sorção. Com o passar do tempo, no estudo de atividade residual, foi observada diminuição do efeito do herbicida, não sendo detectada isenção de intoxicação após 360 dias da aplicação tanto nos solos quanto nas doses. Solos franco-arenosos apresentaram menor sorção, obtendo menor massa seca da parte aérea, altura e maior fitotoxicidade, aos 21 dias após a emergência. A atividade residual ainda foi detectada após 360 dias da aplicação nos solos estudados. A sorção de tebuthiuron foi maior em solos com maior teor de carbono orgânico e argila do solo.

ABSTRACT Zinc is an essential micronutrient for plant metabolism and has been studied in several crops of economic interest. However, there is no evidence of its use in coconut crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of foliar zinc fertilization with doses of zinc on dwarf green coconut seedlings based on their nutritional status, growth attributes, and gas exchange. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, and the treatments consisted of different zinc doses (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 g per plant) with five replicates. Seedlings were positively influenced by zinc dose, mainly in terms of growth variables and gas exchange. Zinc fertilization reduced iron and manganese content and increased zinc concentrations in the leaf tissue. Zinc fertilization promoted an increase in leaf area, height, shoot dry mass, and total dry mass. Furthermore, zinc fertilization improved photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, instantaneous water use efficiency, and intrinsic water use efficiency. The improvement in these growth indices and gas exchange, in most variables, was up to an estimated dose of approximately 16 g of zinc per plant and decreased with increasing doses.

RESUMO O zinco é um micronutriente de importância essencial para o metabolismo vegetal, é estudado para diversas culturas de interesse econômico, porém sem evidências de estudo para a cultura do coqueiro. Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar a influência da fertilização com doses de zinco via foliar em mudas de coqueiro anão verde, por meio do estado nutricional, atributos de crescimento e trocas gasosas. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, e os tratamentos foram constituídos por doses de zinco (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 e 25 g por planta), com cinco repetições. As mudas foram influenciadas positivamente pelas doses de zinco principalmente nas variáveis de crescimento e nas trocas gasosas. No estado nutricional afetou de maneira decrescente o ferro e o manganês e aumentou o zinco no tecido foliar. O zinco proporcionou incrementos na área foliar, altura de plantas, massa seca da parte aérea e massa seca total. Além disso, melhorou a fotossíntese, transpiração, condutância estomática, concentração interna de CO2, eficiência instantânea do uso da água e eficiência intrínseca do uso da água. A melhora nesses índices de crescimento e trocas gasosas, na maioria das variáveis, foi até a dose estimada de aproximadamente 16 g de zinco por planta e diminuiu com o aumento das doses.

Research to identify plant bioactive compounds led to the evolution of extraction methods. This study optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) to extract the flavonoids of Croton grewioides Baill. species contributing to characterize the polar extract profile and understand the antioxidant potential of these plant constituents. The use of experimental design and statistical treatments enabled the determination of the ideal conditions for each technique. The extracts of five accessions of C. grewioides were obtained under the optimized extraction conditions and were analyzed using ultra high-resolution mass spectrometry (FT-Orbitrap MS) operating at negative ionization mode for flavonoids detection. The accurate experimental mass obtained to the main compounds was used to attribute the molecular formula. Chemical structures of the main compounds detected were proposed using structure data bases. Chemometric analysis were performed with two FT-Orbitrap MS spectra samples using the identified metabolites and, the antioxidant activity data, showing that for this species the MAE was most effective in extracting the antioxidant compounds. It was possible to propose the structures for forty compounds in the C. grewioides extracts, demonstrating the excellent performance of the FT-Orbitrap MS in providing information on the chemical profile of polar compounds in plant extracts. methods ultrasoundassisted ultrasound assisted UAE (UAE microwaveassisted microwave (MAE Baill constituents technique C highresolution high resolution FTOrbitrap FT Orbitrap detection formula bases

RESUMO O desempenho dos subsoladores pode ser influenciado pelos restos culturais no solo através dos diferentes tipos de cobertura vegetal. Em qualquer um desses sistemas de cobertura, o uso de subsoladores para descompactação altera as propriedades físicas do solo. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os atributos físicos do solo em tipos de manejo sob diferentes velocidades de deslocamento e profundidades na operação de subsolagem. O experimento foi conduzido no IF Goiano, Campus Morrinhos, Goiás, Brasil. O delineamento inteiramente casualizado foi usado em esquema de parcelas subdivididas com 12 tratamentos e cinco repetições, totalizando 60 plarcelas. Os fatores corresponderam a duas áreas de manejo (sequeiro e pastagem), duas velocidades de operação de subsolagem (2,5 e 4,5 km h-1) e três profundidades do solo (0,00-0,015; 0,15-0,30 e 0,30-0,45 m). A parcela principal foi constituída pelas duas áreas de manejo e a subparcela a combinação dos outros dois fatores. Foram avaliados a resistência à penetração, densidade do solo, teor de água, mobilização do solo e expansão volumétrica do solo. Posteriormente, os valores encontrados foram submetidos à análise de variância e teste de Tukey p ≤ 0,05. A resistência à penetração e a densidade aparente foram diferentes antes e após a subsolagem. As velocidades de subsolagem alteraram os valores de resistência à penetração e mobilização do solo. As áreas de pastagem apresentaram maior resistência à penetração das raízes e proporcionaram menor teor de água e favoreceram maior expansão volumétrica do solo.

ABSTRACT Subsoiler performance can be influenced by crop residue in the soil through different types of vegetation cover. In any of these cover systems, the use of subsoilers for decompaction changes soil physical properties. The present study aimed to evaluate soil physical properties in different management systems using several subsoiling speeds and soil depths. The experiment was conducted at IF Goiano, Morrinhos Campus, Goiás state, Brazil. A completely randomized design was used in a split-plot scheme with 12 treatments and five replicates, totaling 60 plots. The factors corresponded to two management areas (rainfed and pasture), two subsoiling speeds (2.5 and 4.5 km h-1) and three soil depths (0.00-0.015; 0.15-0.30 and 0.30-0.45 m). The main plot consisted of the two management areas and the subplot the combination of the other two factors. Penetration resistance, bulk density, water content, soil mobilization and soil volumetric expansion were evaluated. The results were then submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey’s test (p ≤ 0.05). Penetration resistance and bulk density differed before and after subsoiling. The subsoiling speeds altered penetration resistance and soil mobilization. Pasture areas showed greater root penetration resistance, provided lower water content and favored greater soil volumetric expansion.

Abstract Different degrees in the biological activities of Canavalia rosea had been previously reported . In this study, our group assessed the cardioprotective effects of the ethyl acetate fraction (EAcF) of the Canavalia rosea leaves. Firstly, it was confirmed, by in vitro approach, that the EAcF has high antioxidant properties due to the presence of important secondary metabolites, as flavonoids. In order to explore their potential protector against cardiovascular disorders, hearts were previously perfused with EAcF (300 μg.mL-1) and submitted to the global ischemia followed by reperfusion in Langendorff system. The present findings have demonstrated that EAcF restored the left ventricular developed pressure and decreased the arrhythmias severity index. Furthermore, EAcF significantly increased the glutathiones peroxidase activity with decreased malondialdehyde and creatine kinase levels. EAcF was effective upon neither the superoxide dismutase, glutationes reductase nor the catalase activities. In addition, the Western blot analysis revealed that ischemia-reperfusion injury significantly upregulates caspase 3 protein expression, while EAcF abolishes this effect. These results provide evidence that the EAcF reestablishes the cardiac contractility and prevents arrhythmias; it is suggested that EAcF could be used to reduce injury caused by cardiac reperfusion. However more clinical studies should be performed, before applying it in the clinic.

Abstract An ultrasound pretreatment was used to increase anthocyanins content in blackberry juice. Whole fruits were inserted into a glass vessel without contact with any solvent, sonicated in an ultrasonic bath, and then pressed with a manual juicer. The experimental design showed that 7 min at 65% of ultrasound amplitude increased the anthocyanin content in juices from 31 to 56% for BRS Xingu, Guarani, and Xavante cultivars. Two major anthocyanins, cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside were found in higher concentrations for sonicated fruits. Therefore, ultrasonic pretreatment of whole fruits increased the anthocyanins in blackberry juices using a simple, fast, and green approach.

Abstract Uncaria tomentosa is a plant native to the Amazon that has immunomodulatory and antitumor properties due to the alkaloids found in the plant, being able to modify the immune response by potentiating or suspending the action of cytokines secreted by macrophages that induce the immune response, either by the classical route (M1) or through the alternative route (M2). Macrophages activated by M1 convert L-arginine into L-citrulline and nitric oxide (NO), whereas macrophages activated by the M2 pathway use the enzymatic activity of arginase to convert the same substrate into L-ornithine and urea. The aim of this work was to evaluate the immunostimulating activity of the crude hydroalcoholic extract from the bark of the U. tomentosa stem in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Concentrations of 0.2, 0.1 and 0.05 mg/mL of U. tomentosa extract associated with LPS, INF-γ and IL-4 inducers were tested by determining NO production and arginase enzyme activity. Nitric oxide production was enhanced by the extract when associated with LPS and LPS + INF-γ inducers. In the activity of the arginase enzyme, the extract decreased the stimulation of IL-4 on the enzyme, mainly at 0.2 mg/mL concentration. Therefore, it is concluded that the crude hydroalcoholic extract of the stem bark of U. tomentosa in RAW 264.7 cells, at a concentration of 0.2 mg/mL, showed considerable pro-inflammatory activity.

Resumo A Uncaria tomentosa é uma planta nativa da Amazônia que possui propriedades imunomoduladoras e antitumorais devido aos alcaloides encontrados no vegetal, sendo capaz de modificar a resposta imune ao potencializar ou suspender a ação de citocinas secretadas por macrófagos que induzem a resposta imune, seja pela via clássica (M1) ou pela via alternativa (M2). Macrófagos ativados pela M1 converte L-arginina em L-citrulina e óxido nítrico (NO), já os macrófagos ativados pela via M2 utilizam a atividade enzimática da arginase para converter o mesmo substrato em L-ornitina e ureia. O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade imunoestimuladora do extrato hidroalcoólico bruto da casca do caule da U. tomentosa em macrófagos RAW 264.7. Foram testadas as concentrações 0.2, 0.1 e 0.05 mg/mL do extrato de U. tomentosa associadas aos indutores LPS, INF-γ e IL-4, por meio da determinação da produção de NO e atividade da enzima arginase. A produção de óxido nítrico foi potencializada pelo extrato quando associado aos indutores LPS e LPS + INF-γ. Na atividade da enzima arginase, o extrato diminuiu a estimulação da IL-4 sobre a enzima, principalmente na concentração 0.2 mg/mL. Portanto, conclui-se que o extrato hidroalcoólico bruto da casca do caule de U. tomentosa em células RAW 264.7, na concentração 0.2 mg/mL, demostrou atividade pró-inflamatória considerável.

Magnesium silicate cement is produced by mixing reactive magnesium oxide with a source of reactive silicon oxide. This cement is an interesting alternative to Portland cement due to the potential for low energy consumption, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and use of renewable resources. Aluminosilicate-based raw materials can also be utilized to produce this type of cement. Thus, this work aims to study the use of kaolinite clay to produce magnesium aluminosilicate cement. The cement was produced by calcination of magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) and kaolinite clay at a temperature of 800 °C for 45 minutes with MgCO3/kaolin mass ratios of 90/10, 80/20, and 70/30. Mortars and pastes samples were cured at 60 °C for 1, 3, and 7 days. The results showed that the maximum compressive strength (32.7 MPa) was yielded for the 70/30 mortar mix after 3 days of curing. Microstructural studies of pastes indicated the incorporation of aluminum for the formation of magnesium aluminosilicate hydrated products, in addition to the formation of brucite.

Abstract The Baixada Maranhense Environmental Protection Area of the Brazilian state of Maranhão encompasses a biologically rich region that includes the basins of four principal rivers, the Mearim, Pericumã, Pindaré, and Turiaçu, which form a complex of wetlands. The present study provides a comprehensive inventory of the fish fauna of the rivers that drain the Baixada Maranhense based on the identification of voucher specimens that were deposited in a scientific collection. Expeditions were conducted between 2014 and 2020. The inventory identified a total of 100 fish species representing 79 genera, 34 families, and 11 orders, which are found in both freshwater and estuarine environments. Six (Potamotrygon orbignyi, Leporinus piau, Moenkhausia loweae, Serrasalmus spilopleura, Pachypops fourcroi and Peckoltia greedoi) of the 100 taxa identified here are considered to be new records for one or more of the basins surveyed during this study, based on the existing data, while four – Colossoma macropomum, Megaleporinus macrocephalus, Cichla sp. and Cichla kelberi – are not native. The most speciose orders were the Siluriformes and Characiformes, while the most diverse families were the Loricariidae, Characidae, Auchenipteridae, Cichlidae, and Serrasalmidae. These data are consistent with the findings of most of the previous studies of freshwater ecosystems in the Neotropical region, in particular those of the rivers of Maranhão. The results of the present study represent an important advance in the understanding of the diversity of the fish fauna of the Mearim, Pericumã, Pindaré, and Turiaçu rivers, which are still poorly studied, and have likely had their diversity underestimated up to now.

Resumo A Área de Proteção Ambiental da Baixada Maranhense do estado brasileiro do Maranhão abrange uma região biologicamente rica que engloba as bacias de quatro rios principais, Mearim, Pericumã, Pindaré e Turiaçu, formando um complexo de áreas inundáveis. O presente estudo fornece um inventário abrangente da ictiofauna de rios que drenam a Baixada Maranhense a partir da identificação de espécimes com material testemunho depositados em coleção científica. As expedições foram realizadas entre 2014 e 2020. O inventário identificou um total de 100 espécies de peixes representando 79 gêneros, 34 famílias e 11 ordens que são encontradas em ambientes de água doce e estuarinos. Dos 100 táxons identificados, seis (Potamotrygon orbignyi, Leporinus piau, Moenkhausia loweae, Serrasalmus spilopleura, Pachypops fourcroi e Peckoltia greedoi) são considerados novo registros para uma ou mais das drenagens aqui levantadas, em comparação com os dados existentes, enquanto quatro: Colossoma macropomum, Megaleporinus macrocephalus, Cichla sp. e Cichla kelberi não são nativos. As ordens mais especiosas foram Siluriformes e Characiformes, enquanto as famílias mais diversas foram Loricariidae, Characidae, Auchenipteridae, Cichlidae e Serrasalmidae. Esses dados corroboram a maioria dos outros estudos de ecossistemas de água doce da região Neotropical, em particular o dos rios do Maranhão. Os resultados do presente estudo representam um avanço importante no conhecimento da diversidade da fauna de peixes dos rios Mearim, Pericumã, Pindaré e Turiaçu, que ainda são pouco estudados e provavelmente com uma diversidade subestimada.

ABSTRACT Salt stress affects the development of several crops, being one of the limiting factors for irrigated agriculture in the semiarid region, where nitrogen and potassium fertilization can be an alternative for agricultural production. This study aimed to evaluate the viability of using water with different salinities associated with varying amounts of nitrogen and potassium fertilization in the production of seedlings of the guava cultivar Paluma in an experiment conducted in experimental areas of the Federal Rural University of the Semi-arid Region (UFERSA), campus of Caraúbas. The research was carried out from February to June 2021. The study was set up in a randomized block design and analyzed in a 5 × 4 factorial scheme with four replicates, and two plants per plot. Treatments were established by combining different levels of electrical conductivity of the irrigation water (ECw): 0.3, 1.1, 1.9, 2.7, and 3.5 dS m-1, with Combinations (C) of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K2O) levels of recommended fertilization: C1 = 70% N + 50% K2O, C2 = 100% N + 75% K2O, C3 = 130% N + 100% K2O, and C4 = 160% N + 125% K2O. Irrigation with electrical conductivity levels up to 2.1 dS m-1 favored seedling growth for the guava cv. Paluma. Fertilization combinations C1 and C2 promoted the greatest increases in growth and biomass for guava seedlings cv. Paluma 125 days after sowing. Fertilizer combinations did not mitigate the harmful effects of salt stress from irrigation water on the production of young guava cv. Paluma.

RESUMO O estresse salino afeta o desenvolvimento de diversas culturas, sendo um dos fatores limitantes para a agricultura irrigada no semiárido, onde a adubação nitrogenada e potássica pode ser uma alternativa para a produção agrícola da região. Com esse trabalho objetivou-se avaliar a viabilidade do uso de água com diferentes salinidades associada a diferentes adubações nitrogenadas e potássicas na produção de mudas da goiabeira cultivar Paluma. O experimento foi conduzido em áreas experimentais da Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido (UFERSA), Campus Caraúbas. A pesquisa foi realizada no período de fevereiro a junho de 2021. O estudo foi montado em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e duas plantas por parcela. Foi utilizado um esquema fatorial 5 × 4, que combinou cinco níveis de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação (CEa): 0,3, 1,1, 1,9, 2,7 e 3,5 dS m-1, com combinações (C) de nitrogênio (N) e níveis de potássio (K2O) de adubação recomendada: C1 = 70% N + 50% K2O, C2 = 100% N + 75% K2O, C3= 130% N + 100% K2O e C4= 160% N + 125% K2O. Irrigação com níveis de condutividade elétrica até 2,1 dS m-1 favoreceu o crescimento das mudas da goiabeira cv. Paluma. As adubações C1 e C2 promoveram os maiores incrementos de crescimento e fitomassa para a goiabeira cv. Paluma aos 125 dias após a semeadura. As combinações de adubação não mitigaram os efeitos nocivos do estresse salino da água de irrigação sobre a produção de mudas de goiabeira cv. Paluma.

Abstract Background The neuropeptide Y (NPY) is one of the most abundant neurotransmitters in the nervous system. NPY acts as a potent stimulator of angiogenesis, inflammation, and adipogenesis, through the NPY 2 receptor (NPY2R). Changes in the NPY signaling pathway have been linked to Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Objectives The purpose of this study is to determine the association between variants in the NPY and NPY2R genes, as well as the severity of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods Approximately 221 ACS patients and 278 healthy controls were selected for this study. Four variants in NPY and two variants in NPY2R genes were genotyped using Taqman allelic discrimination and sequencing. The Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to verify the genotype frequencies. The logistic regression analyses were used for the evaluation of the studied variables. Haplotype analysis was used to evaluate the linkage disequilibrium (LD) between the variants (p<0.05). Results An association of NPY c.20T>C variant was found with the ACS group when compared to the healthy group. In the analysis between variants and risk factors in the ACS group, NPY c.84G>A was associated with hypertension. The analysis between TIMI risk showed a significance for NPY c.20T>C between the low and intermediate/high TIMI risk groups. In the haplotype analysis, strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) was found between the variants NPY c.150G>A and NPY c.-485T>C. Conclusion The NPY c.20T>C variant appears to contribute to the development of ACS. The NPY2R c.-1116A>G variant may contribute to the early development of ACS and the NPY c.84G>A variant appears to contribute to the development of hypertension. In addition, the NPY c.20T>C is associated with a protective effect in ACS severity.

RESUMO No setor de produção de sementes, é imprescindível o uso de equipamentos rápidos e práticos que auxiliem nos processos de tomada de decisão. Assim, o uso de sensores que podem capturar informações para auxiliar na agricultura tem contribuído significativamente para o cultivo da soja em todo o mundo, sendo utilizado em diversas etapas, seja em pré ou pós-colheita. Objetivou-se desenvolver um protótipo de um etilômetro com sensor MQ-3 e avaliar seu tempo de estabilização quando utilizado em lotes de sementes de soja submetidos à hipóxia. A pesquisa foi realizada com 10 lotes de sementes de soja, oriundas de cinco cultivares (NS 8383 RR, SOY Peso RR, M 8372 IPRO, M8644 IPRO e M8808 IPRO), a qual foi dividida em duas etapas, a primeira correspondendo ao desenvolvimento do equipamento de aferição do etanol com o sensor MQ-3 e a segunda relacionada ao tempo de estabilização do sensor (3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 e 30 s) em sementes de soja submetidas ao processo de anaerobiose. O equipamento, bem como o sensor MQ-3 apresentaram estabilidade de aferição média aos 16 s após seu acionamento, sendo recomendado esse tempo para o uso do etilômetro em sementes de soja. Por meio desse mesmo sensor MQ-3, é possível, com eficiência, a detecção de etanol presente no ar liberado por sementes de soja durante o processo de anaerobiose.

ABSTRACT In the seed production sector, it is essential to use fast and practical equipment to help decision-making processes. Thus, the use of sensors that can capture information to assist in agriculture has contributed significantly to soybean cultivation worldwide, being used in several stages, whether pre-harvest or post-harvest. Thus, this study aimed to develop a prototype of ethylometer with an MQ-3 sensor and to evaluate its stabilization time when used in soybean seed lots submitted to hypoxia. The research was carried out with 10 lots of soybean seeds from five cultivars (NS 8383 RR, SOY Peso RR, M 8372 IPRO, M8644 IPRO and M8808 IPRO) and was divided into two stages. The first one corresponds to the development of the ethanol measuring equipment with an MQ-3 sensor, and the second one to measurement of the sensor’s stabilization time (3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, and 30 s) in soybean seeds submitted to anaerobiosis. The equipment and the MQ-3 sensor showed the stability of average measurement at 16 s after activation. This time is recommended for use of the ethylometer in soybean seeds. Through the MQ-3 sensor, it is possible to efficiently detect ethanol present in the air released by soy seeds during the anaerobic process.

The Ipojuca River is considered the third most polluted river in Brazil due to the intense anthropogenic activities in the surrounding urban areas. The most important effluent is sewage discharge, which is responsible for considerable contamination. Traditional analyses (infrared spectroscopy, organic matter (OM), elemental analysis and granulometry) and advanced analysis of sterols by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were applied to evaluate the levels of urban contamination from sewage in 10 surface sediment samples from the Ipojuca River, in a stretch located in the Caruaru city, Pernambuco, Brazil. The results pointed to sandy sediments, rich in OM from anthropogenic sources (predominant). Eight different sterols were detected with a total concentration in a range between < limit of quantification (LOQ) and 1,634.4 µg g−1. Coprostanol (fecal biomarker) was detected in high concentrations (557.3 µg g−1) in the sediment collected close to an open-air market (considered the largest in the world), making it the most contaminated in the region. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed areas tending towards contamination and that 90% of sediments were contaminated by sewage. These results can be considered useful for preventive and remedial actions toward promoting human health in this region.

RESUMO: A esporotricose é uma infecção fúngica crônica causada por espécies do gênero Sporothrix. A ocorrência de casos refratários ao tratamento de longo prazo, especialmente na região nasal de gatos, alerta para a importância do estudo de sua patogênese. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o processo inflamatório das lesões cutâneas de esporotricose felina refratária ao tratamento, por meio de exames citopatológico e histopalógico, e comparar com aspectos clínicos. Treze gatos com lesões cutâneas refratárias ao tratamento com Itraconazol por mais de um ano foram incluídos no estudo. Amostras de lesões cutâneas foram coletadas para análises citopatológicas, histopatológicas e cultura fúngica. Fragmentos de tecidos foram processados e corados pela hematoxilina-eosina (HE) e Prata Metenamina de Grocott (GMS). Duas apresentações clínicas tiveram maior ocorrência: a forma localizada cutânea em animais com bom estado geral e doença estável (n=9, 69,2%); e a forma disseminada cutânea em gatos com estado geral ruim (n=4, 30,8%). A região nasal (84,6%) foi a localização mais frequente das lesões nos gatos com esporotricose refratária ao tratamento. No estudo citopatológico, felinos com menos de duas lesões, e em bom estado geral, (n=9, 69,2%) revelaram ausência ou leve intensidade de leveduras (até 5 leveduras por campo), menor intensidade de macrófagos e neutrófilos, e maior intensidade de células epitelióides, linfócitos, plasmócitos e eosinófilos. Enquanto, (n=4, 30,8%) dos felinos que apresentavam a forma disseminada da esporotricose associada a um estado geral ruim, revelaram acentuada intensidade de leveduras em sua maioria fagocitadas por acentuado número de macrófagos e neutrófilos. Dos animais com bom estado geral, a maioria (n=6, 66,7%) apresentava maior intensidade de eosinófilos. Na histopatologia, o granuloma supurativo mal formado foi o tipo predominante (n=9, 69,2%) nas lesões de esporotricose felina, e (n=4, 30,8%) foram de granulomas bem formados. Granulomas mal formados apresentaram leve a moderada intensidade fúngica (55,6%) nos animais com bom estado geral e lesões localizadas, e acentuada intensidade fúngica (44,4%) nos gatos com a forma disseminada da doença e estado geral ruim. Granulomas bem formados (n=4, 30,7%) apresentaram leve a moderada intensidade de carga fúngica, sendo 75% dos animais com esse tipo de granuloma com apenas uma lesão e bom estadogeral. O tratamento de longo prazo com itraconazol, nesses gatos com esporotricose refratária, pode manter a infecção controlada e lesões localizadas estáveis de forma temporária, contudo a reativação do fungo pode ocorrer levando a uma resposta imunológica exuberante e ineficiente.

ABSTRACT: Sporotrichosis is a chronic fungal infection caused by Sporothrix species. The occurrence of cases that are resistant to long-term treatment, especially in the nasal planum of cats, emphasizes the importance of studying its pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the inflammatory process of cutaneous lesions of feline refractory sporotrichosis to clinical aspects through cytopathological and histopathological examination. Moreover, the study included 13 cats with cutaneous lesions that had been resistant to itraconazole treatment for more than a year. Cutaneous lesions samples were collected for cytopathological, histopathological, and fungal culture analyses. Tissue fragments were processed and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Grocott methenamine silver (GMS). Further, two clinical presentations had the highest occurrence: the localized cutaneous form in animals with good general condition and stable disease (n=9, 69.2%) and the disseminated cutaneous form in cats with poor general condition (n=4, 30.8%). In cats with refractory sporotrichosis, the nasal planum (84.6%) was the most common location of lesions. In the cytopathological study, cats with fewer than two lesions and in good general condition (n=9, 69.2%) showed absence or mild yeast intensity (up to 5 yeasts per field), lower intensity of macrophages and neutrophils, and higher intensity of epithelioid cells, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and eosinophils. On the other hand, (n=4, 30.8%) of the cats with disseminated sporotrichosis and a poor general condition had a marked intensity of yeasts, which were mostly phagocytosed by an increased number of macrophages and neutrophils. Of those animals with good general condition, the majority (n=6, 66.7%) had higher eosinophil intensity. In histopathology, malformed suppurative granuloma was the predominant type (n=9, 69.2%) in feline sporotrichosis lesions, followed by well-formed granulomas (n=4, 30.8%). Malformed granulomas showed mild to moderate fungal intensity (55.6%) in animals with good general condition and localized lesions while marked fungal intensity (44.4%) in cats with the disseminated form of the disease and poor general condition. Well-formed granulomas (n=4, 30.7%) had mild to moderate intensity of fungal load, and 75% of the animals with this type of granuloma had only one lesion and were in good general condition. Long-term itraconazole treatment in these cats with refractory sporotrichosis can keep the infection under control and localized lesions stable; however, fungus reactivation can occur, resulting in an exuberant and inefficient immune response.