ABSTRACT Leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis are zoonoses of occupational character that are spread worldwide, mainly in tropical and socioeconomically vulnerable areas. Both diseases have vertebrate hosts, which spread the infectious agent to the environment and are potentially infectious to humans and can progress to fatal cases. The present study reinforces the importance of One Health for the control and prophylaxis of leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis using sentinel animals in areas of socioeconomic vulnerability based on a serological study. A total of 336 blood samples were obtained from the canine population of the urban district, which has high rates of poverty and sanitation. The results were analyzed based on seroreactivity animals and georeferencing by kernel spatial mapping. A total of 43.3% (52/120) of the animals were seroreagents for anti-Leptospira spp., with a predominance of Canicola (35/52 = 67.3%) and Pyrogenes (5/52 = 9.6%), while 52.97% (178/336) of the dogs were seroreactive for anti-Toxoplasma gondii. The presence of seroreagent dogs for both zoonosis alert to the inadequate hygienic-sanitary conditions of the studied region, and highlight the importance of a survey of the social, economic and environmental structure to identify factors related to the links in the epidemiological chain of pathogen transmission and necessary corrective actions.

RESUMO Leptospirose e toxoplasmose são zoonoses de caráter ocupacional disseminadas mundialmente, principalmente em áreas tropicais e socioeconomicamente vulneráveis. Ambas as doenças têm hospedeiros vertebrados, que espalham o agente infeccioso para o meio ambiente e são potencialmente infecciosos para o homem, as quais podem evoluir para casos fatais. O presente estudo reforça a importância da saúde única para o controle e a profilaxia da leptospirose e da toxoplasmose, mediante a utilização de animais sentinela em áreas de vulnerabilidade socioeconômica, com base em estudo sorológico. Um total de 336 amostras de sangue foi obtido da população canina de um distrito urbano que apresenta altos índices de pobreza e ausência de saneamento básico. Os resultados foram analisados com base em animais sororreagentes e georreferenciados por mapeamento espacial de Kernel. Um total de 43,3% (52/120) dos animais foi sororreagente para anti-Leptospira spp., com predominância de Canicola (35/52 = 67,3%) e Pirogenes (5/52 = 9,6%), enquanto 52,97% (178/336) dos cães foram sororreagentes para anti-Toxoplasma gondii. A presença de cães sororreagentes para ambas as doenças alerta para as condições higiênico-sanitárias inadequadas da região estudada e evidencia a importância de um levantamento da estrutura social, econômica e ambiental para identificar fatores relacionados aos elos da cadeia epidemiológica de transmissão do patógeno e ações corretivas necessárias.

Resumo O bicudo-do-algodoeiro, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), é uma praga-chave da cultura do algodão no Brasil. Fatores climáticos adversos, como altas temperaturas e baixa umidade do solo, desidratam os botões florais de algodão ovipositados caídos ao solo e causam alta mortalidade de seus descendentes dentro dessas estruturas vegetais.O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a mortalidade do bicudo-do-algodoeiro em lavouras de algodão irrigadas por gotejamento e aspersão. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com dois tratamentos: cultivo de algodão irrigado por gotejamento (T1) e aspersão (T2, testemunha) com dezesseis repetições. Cada parcela possuía uma gaiola de emergência, instalada entre duas fileiras de algodão por sistema de irrigação, com 37 botões florais de algodão com orifícios de oviposição, brácteas abertas e amarelecidas, para captura do bicudo adulto. O número médio de bicudos que emergiu dos botões florais de algodão e as causas de mortalidade, em diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento, foram determinados por tratamento. As tabelas de vida de terceira geração do bicudo-do-algodoeiro foram preparadas usando os dados de mortalidade natural em tratamentos de irrigação por gotejamento e aspersão e as taxas de mortalidade reais, aparentes e indispensáveis e a letalidade de cada causa de mortalidade. Concluímos que a aplicação de água diretamente na zona radicular das plantas de forma direcionada, utilizando o sistema de irrigação por gotejamento, pode causar altas mortalidade dos estágios imaturos do bicudo-do-algodoeiro nos botões florais de algodão caídos no solo. Isso ocorre porque os botões florais de algodão caídos no solo mais seco e mais quente entre as fileiras do algodão irrigado por gotejamento desidratam, causando a morte dos bicudos. Isso é importante por poder reduzir a densidade populacional desse inseto e, consequentemente, o número de aplicações de inseticidas químicos para seu controle. Assim, contribuindo para aumentar a viabilidade da produção de algodão, principalmente em áreas do semiárido brasileiro em sistema orgânico.

Abstract The cotton boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a key cotton crop pest in Brazil. Adverse climatic factors, such as high temperatures and low soil moisture, dehydrate oviposited cotton squares (bud flowers) on the ground and cause high mortality of its offspring within these plant structures. The objective of this research was to evaluate the mortality of the cotton boll weevil in drip and sprinkler irrigated cotton crops. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with two treatments: drip (T1) and sprinkler (T2, control) irrigated cotton crops with sixteen replications. Each parcel had one emergence cage, installed between two cotton rows per irrigation system, with 37 cotton squares with opened oviposition punctures and yellowish bracts, to capture adult cotton boll weevils. The average number of boll weevils that emerged from the cotton squares and the causes of mortality at different development stages were determined per treatment. Third-generation life tables of the boll weevil were prepared using the natural mortality data in drip and sprinkler irrigation treatments and plus actual, apparent and indispensable mortality rates and the lethality of each mortality cause. We conclude that the application of water directly to the root zone of the plants in a targeted manner, using the drip irrigation system, can cause high mortality of the cotton boll weevil immature stages inside cotton squares fallen on the ground. This is because the cotton squares fallen on the drier and hotter soil between the rows of drip-irrigated cotton dehydrates causing the boll weevils to die. This is important because it can reduce its population density of the pest and, consequently, the number of applications of chemical insecticides for its control. Thus, contributing to increase the viability of cotton production, mainly in areas of the Brazilian semiarid region where the cotton is cultivated in organic system.

The cardioprotective effect of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been demonstrated in several studies. Similarly, physical exercise has yielded positive results. However, the effects of their combination remain inconclusive. This review describes the combined effects of physical exercise and hormone therapy on cardiovascular and metabolic health in postmenopausal women. We searched the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase databases and included randomized controlled trials published up to December 2021 on the combined effects of physical exercise and hormone therapy on cardiovascular and metabolic health in postmenopausal women. We identified 148 articles, of which only seven met the inclusion criteria (386 participants; 91 [23%] HRT + exercise; 104 [27%] HRT; 103 [27%] exercise; 88 [23%] placebo). The combined treatment further decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) compared to the isolated effect of aerobic training (AT) (mean difference [MD]=-1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]=-2.65 to -0.72, n=73). Nevertheless, it attenuated the decrease in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (MD=0.78; 95%CI: 0.22-1.35, n=73), and the increase in peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) promoted by exercise (AT + HRT=2.8±1.4 vs AT + placebo=5.8±3.4, P=0.02). The combination of AT and oral HRT improved SBP. However, AT alone seemed to have a better effect on physical fitness and DBP in postmenopausal women.

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is associated with various metabolic disorders, and adipokines, secreted by adipose tissue, are involved in their pathogenesis. This study investigated associations between VAT/subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) ratio, inflammatory markers, and cardiovascular (CV) risk-score in adults. Plasma levels of adipokines, plasma lipid profile, blood pressure, and body composition (using dual-emission x-ray absorptiometry) were determined. CV risk-score based on the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) score was calculated in a sample of 309 Brazilian civil servants aged <60 years. Participants' VAT/SAT ratio were categorized into quartiles. Among males, plasma leptin (2.8 ng/mL) and C reactive protein (CRP) (0.2 mg/dL) (P<0.05) levels were higher at P75 and P50 than P5, and the highest calculated CV risk-score was observed at P75 (7.1%). Among females, higher plasma adiponectin levels were observed at P25 (54.3 ng/mL) compared with P75 (36 ng/mL) (P<0.05). Higher plasma CRP levels were observed at P75 (0.4 mg/dL) compared with P5 (0.1 mg/dL) (P<0.05). Higher CV risk-score was observed at P75 (2.0%) compared with P5 (0.7%). In both sexes, VAT and VAT/SAT ratio were directly associated with plasma leptin, CRP, and CV risk-score, and inversely associated with adiponectin; SAT was directly associated with plasma leptin and CRP (P<0.01); interleukin (IL)-10 and CRP were directly associated with adiponectin and leptin, respectively (P<0.05). Among men only, IL-10 (inversely) and CRP (directly) were associated with CV risk-score (P=0.02). Our results strengthened the relevance of the VAT/SAT ratio in cardiovascular risk.

RESUMO: O presente trabalho teve por objetivo estudar a influência da temperatura e da luz sobre a germinação das sementes de Stigmaphyllon blanchetii, conhecida popularmente como rabo-de-rato. Na primeira etapa da pesquisa, foi avaliado o efeito de três temperaturas constantes (20 oC, 25 oC e 30 oC) e uma alternada de 20-30 oC. Na segunda etapa, para simulação da luz sob diferentes qualidades espectrais, foram utilizadas quatro condições de luminosidade (luz branca, luz vermelha, vermelho distante e ausência de luz). As temperaturas que proporcionaram melhor germinação e desenvolvimento para S. blanchetii foram a constante de 30 oC e alternada de 20-30 oC. As sementes germinaram tanto na presença como na ausência de luz, porém houve maior germinação e desenvolvimento das plântulas na ausência de luz, podendo ser classificadas em fotoblásticas negativas preferenciais.

ABSTRACT: The objective of the present work was to study the influence of temperature and light on germination of seeds of Stigmaphyllon blanchetii, popularly known as rat tail. The first stage of the research evaluated the effect of three constant temperatures (20 oC, 25 oC and 30 oC) and an alternating temperature (20-30 oC). In the second stage, for simulation of different types of light, four conditions of luminosity (white, red, far red and absence of light) were used. The temperatures that provided the best germination and development for S. blanchetii are the constant (30 oC) and the alternating (20-30 oC) ones. The seeds germinated both in the presence and absence of light, but there was greater germination and seedling development in the absence of light; thus they were classified as preferential negative photoblastic seeds.

Abstract Here we provide descriptions of gynandromorphs of two species oil-collecting bees: Lophopedia nigrispinis and Epicharis iheringii, both with partial bilateral phenotypic asymmetry. The bees have a female phenotype predominantly on mesosoma and metasoma. The specimen of L. nigrispinis has distinct characteristics on legs, suggesting a mosaic pattern of gynandromorphism. The pollen and oil loads on legs suggest that the bee was foraging normally. The gynander specimen of E. iheringii has mostly a female phenotype, except for head, with right half female type and left half male type. The specimen of L. nigrispinis was collected foraging on flowers of Bidens sp. at Parque Nacional Iguazú, Argentina with loads of pollen on legs suggesting it was reproductive and was provisioning a nest. The specimen of Epicharis iheriingi has no evidence of any oil or pollen collection, despite its mostly female phenotype.

RESUMO: Os objetivos deste estudo foram estabelecer o cultivo massal de W. brasiliensis em condição de laboratório, determinar a sensibilidade para as substâncias-referência (dicromato de potássio, cloreto de sódio e cloreto de potássio) e a estimar a toxicidade aguda (CL50;7d) para os herbicidas glyphosate, diquat, paraquat, imazapyr, 2,4-D, saflufenacil, imazamox, penoxsulam, metsulfuron-methyl e atrazine. Para estabelecimento do cultivo, foram testados três meios: Hoagland’s; 5,0 g L-1 de fertilizante NPK (20;5;20) e o da mistura Latossolo Vermelho + substrato orgânico de planta aquática em decomposição (2:1; v v-1). Após o estabelecimento do cultivo, foram realizados os ensaios de sensibilidade com as substâncias-referência e os ensaios de toxicidade aguda para os herbicidas. A W. brasiliensis apresentou excelente resposta de sensibilidade às substâncias-referência com CL50;7d média de 15,61±2,13 g L-1 para o cloreto de sódio, de 17,02±0,50 g L-1 para o cloreto de potássio e de 52,54±4,27 mg L-1 para o dicromato de potássio. A resposta de toxicidade aguda de W. brasiliensis para o diquat (CL50;7d = 0,07 mg L-1) e paraquat (< 0,05 mg L-1) indica que a planta pode ser considerada extremamente sensível; para o imazapyr, sensível (CL50;7d = 21,10 mg L-1), e para os demais herbicidas testados, pouco sensível. A capacidade de resposta relativa a diferentes grupos de herbicidas somada à resposta padronizada às substâncias-referência e facilidade de cultivo em laboratório indicam potencial para o uso desta planta aquática na avaliação de risco de herbicidas em ambientes aquáticos.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to establish the mass cultivation of Wolffia brasiliensis under laboratory conditions, determine the sensitivity of reference substances (potassium dichromate, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride), and estimate the acute toxicity (LC50;7d) for the herbicide glyphosate, diquat, paraquat, imazapyr, 2,4-D, saflufenacil, imazamox, penoxsulam, metsulfuron-methyl, and atrazine. Three media were tested for culture establishment: Hoagland’s medium, 5.0 g L-1 NPK fertilizer (20-5-20), a mixture of Oxisol + organic substrate of decaying aquatic plant (2:1; v v-1). Sensitivity tests with reference substances and acute toxicity for herbicides were carried out after establishing the cultivation. The species W. brasiliensis presented an excellent sensitivity response to reference substances, with means of LC50;7d of 15.61±2.13 g L-1, 17.02±0.50 g L-1, and 52.54±4.27 mg L-1 for sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and potassium dichromate, respectively. The acute toxicity response indicated that W. brasiliensis was extremely sensitive to diquat (LC50;7d = 0.07 mg L-1) and paraquat (LC50;7d < 0.05 mg L-1), sensitive to imazapyr (LC50;7d = 21.10 mg L-1), and little sensitive to the other herbicides. The response capacity for the different groups of herbicides, the standardized response to reference substances, and ease of cultivation in the laboratory indicate the potential for using this aquatic plant in the assessment of herbicide risk in aquatic environments.

RESUMO: Alelopatia é definida como a capacidade que determinadas plantas e microrganismos têm de interferir no metabolismo de outras espécies, por meio de substâncias liberadas no ambiente, podendo ser uma alternativa de combate às plantas daninhas e doenças. Nesse contexto, este estudo teve por objetivos avaliar o potencial alelopático e identificar os grupos de metabólitos secundários de Paspalum maritimum Trind. As espécies Lactuca sativa, Digitaria insularis, Emilia coccinea e Portulaca oleracea foram utilizadas como plantas receptoras. Para avaliar o potencial alelopático, foram obtidos o extrato etanólico da parte aérea e radicular da espécie doadora. Os efeitos potencialmente alelopáticos foram avaliados por meio de testes de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação e crescimento inicial de plântulas. Foi realizada também a análise fitoquímica do extrato, para identificar os metabólitos secundários. O extrato etanólico, de ambas as partes da planta, causaram efeito alelopático nas espécies receptoras. Foi detectada, na fração mais ativa da parte aérea de P. maritimum, a presença de taninos condensados, chalconas e auronas, flavononas, esteroides e saponinas.

ABSTRACT: Allelopathy is defined as the ability of certain plants and microorganisms to interfere with the metabolism of other species through substances released into the environment, being an alternative to control weeds and diseases. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the allelopathic potential and identify groups of secondary metabolites of Paspalum maritimum Trind. The species Lactuca sativa, Digitaria insularis, Emilia coccinea, and Portulaca oleracea were used as recipient plants. The ethanolic extract was obtained from shoot and root of donor species to evaluate the allelopathic potential. Potentially allelopathic effects were evaluated by means of germination tests, germination speed index, and initial seedling growth. A phytochemical analysis of the extract was also performed to identify the secondary metabolites. The ethanolic extract from both plant parts had an allelopathic effect on recipient species. The presence of condensed tannins, chalcones and aurones, flavonones, steroids, and saponins were detected in the most active fraction of the shoot of P. maritimum.

Abstract In this study, phenotypic methods presented >80% agreement with the molecular identification of 59 Candida parapsilosis complex. Growth at 15% NaCl or pH 7.0 significantly reduced cfu-counts of Candida orthopsilosis, suggesting these conditions may support the development of phenotypic methods for the differentiation of the cryptic species of C. parapsilosis complex.

RESUMO Identificaram-se quais indicadores de desempenho determinam a variação na lucratividade de 159 fazendas da região Triângulo Mineiro-Alto Paranaíba de Minas Gerais. A lucratividade foi mensurada pela renda líquida anual (RL), RL sobre o valor dos bens e RL sobre a renda bruta. Cento e dezenove fazendas com lucratividade positiva produziram mais leite por mão de obra e por vaca, tinham maior proporção de vacas em lactação e maior proporção de custo com concentrados, custo com mão de obra com menor proporção do custo de produção e menor relação entre o custo com mão de obra e o custo com concentrados do que as 40 fazendas com lucratividade negativa (P<0,01). A análise de componentes principais mostrou que os principais determinantes da variação na lucratividade entre fazendas foram: relação entre o custo com mão de obra e o com concentrados, custo de mão de obra por litro de leite, produção de leite por mão de obra, produção de leite por vaca e proporção de vacas lactantes no rebanho. Maior lucratividade foi associada ao uso mais eficiente da mão de obra, ao maior investimento em concentrados e ao ganho na produção por vaca.

ABSTRACT We identified which performance indicators determined the variation in profitability of 159 farms of the Triângulo Mineiro-Alto Paranaíba region of Minas Gerais. Profitability was measured by annual net income (RL), RL over assets value, and RL over gross income. The 119 farms with positive profitability produced more milk per labor and per cow, had a greater proportion of lactating cows in the herd, had concentrates cost as a greater proportion and labor cost as a smaller proportion of the production cost, and had smaller ratio of labor cost to concentrates cost than the 40 farms with negative profitability (P<0.01). Principal component analysis showed that the key determinants of profitability variation among farms were: The ratio of labor cost to concentrates cost, labor cost per liter of milk, milk yield per labor, milk yield per cow, and the proportion of lactating cows in the herd. Increased profitability was associated with more efficient labor usage, the result of larger investment in concentrates and greater yield per cow.

RESUMO Foram avaliados indicadores de desempenho de 159 fazendas de leite da região Triângulo Mineiro-Alto Paranaíba no estado de Minas Gerais, em 2007 e 2008. Os dados foram obtidos mensalmente por 18 consultores privados. A produção de leite foi de 770(697 L/d, oriunda de 81(54 vacas em lactação, exploradas em 109(75 ha. A produção anual de leite por hectare foi de 3333(2.720 L, oriunda de 0,70(0,44 vacas em lactação/ha, por vaca adulta foi de 3383(1.269 L, e 26(8% do rebanho adulto era não lactante. A produção de leite por mão-de-obra contratada foi 103342(44616 L. Concentrados constituíram 30% e mão-de-obra 10% do custo de produção. A renda líquida foi em média positiva, mas o resíduo foi negativo em 15 e 25% das fazendas, quando a estimativa de custo computou ou não os juros sobre o valor dos bens, respectivamente. Os indicadores de lucratividade foram: renda líquida anual R$32841,00; renda líquida anual sobre o valor dos bens 4,7%; e renda líquida sobre a renda bruta 8,7%. Mesmo com desempenho acima das médias brasileira e mineira, os indicadores de desempenho foram modestos, sugerindo existir oportunidade para ganho em eficiências produtiva e financeira.

ABSTRACT Performance indicators of 159 dairy farms in the Triângulo Mineiro-Alto Paranaíba region of the Minas Gerais state, in 2007 and 2008, were evaluated. Data was obtained monthly by 18 private consultants. Milk yield was 770(697 L/d, from 81(54 lactating cows, and 109(75 ha were explored. Yearly milk yield per hectare was 3,333(2,720 L, from 0.70(0.44 lactating cows/ha, per adult cow was 3,383(1,269 L, and 26(8% of the adult herd was non-lactating. Milk yield per hired labor was 103,342(44,616 L. Concentrates cost was 30% and labor 10% of the production cost. The mean net income was positive, but 15 and 25% of the farms had negative residue, when cost was estimated computing or not the interest on assets value, respectively. Profitability indicators were: annual net income R$32,841.00; annual net income over assets value 4.7%; and net income over gross income 8.7%. Even though performance was above Brazilian and Minas Gerais means, performance indicators were modest, suggesting that there is opportunity for gain in productive and financial efficiencies.

RESUMO Avaliou-se a suplementação de prebiótico (mananoligossacarídeo - 2g/kg), probiótico (Bacillus subtilis, Cohn, 1872, Bacillales, Bacillaceae - 2g/kg) e simbiótico (mananoligossacarídeo - 2g/kg + B. subtilis - 2g/kg), em rações para larvas de Trichogaster leeri (Bleeker, 1852, Perciformes, Osphronemidae), durante a transição alimentar, sobre o crescimento, a sobrevivência, a morfometria intestinal e a resistência ao estresse por exposição aérea. Para isso, 420 larvas (0,45±0,05mg) foram distribuídas em 20 aquários (3,5L), em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições, durante 28 dias, a saber: 12 dias de alimento vivo (AV) + oito dias de coalimentação (AV + ração controle) + oito dias de ração controle; 12 dias de AV + oito dias de coalimentação (AV + ração prebiótico) + oito dias de ração prebiótico; 12 dias de AV + oito dias de coalimentação (AV + ração probiótico) + oito dias de ração probiótico; 12 dias de AV + oito dias de coalimentação (AV + ração simbiótico) + oito dias de ração simbiótico; 28 dias de AV. Larvas que receberam apenas AV apresentaram resultados de desempenho zootécnico significativamente superiores às larvas dos demais tratamentos, exceto para taxa de crescimento específico em comprimento e sobrevivência, que foram semelhantes aos resultados obtidos por larvas que receberam rações suplementadas com simbiótico. Larvas que receberam a ração controle apresentaram resultados significativamente inferiores para altura das vilosidades intestinais e taxa de resistência ao estresse comparando-se aos demais tratamentos. Os resultados deste estudo indicam que a suplementação com prebiótico, probiótico e simbiótico exerce efeito positivo sobre a sobrevivência, a morfometria intestinal e a resistência ao estresse em larvas de T. leeri, no entanto somente a suplementação com simbiótico resulta em melhora no crescimento.

ABSTRACT The prebiotic (mannan oligosaccharide - 2g/kg), probiotic (Bacillus subtilis Cohn, 1872, Bacillales, Bacillaceae - 2g/kg) and symbiotic (mannan oligosaccharide - 2g/kg + Bacillus subtilis - 2g/kg) supplementation in diets during food transition in Trichogaster leeri (Bleeker, 1852, Perciformes, Osphronemidae) larvae on growth, survival, intestinal morphology and stress resistance to air exposure was evaluated. For this, 420 larvae (0.45±0.05mg) were distributed in 20 aquaria (3.5L) in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications for 28 days, namely: 12 days of live food (LF) + eight days of co-feeding (LF + control diet) + eight days of control diet; 12 days of LF + eight days of co-feeding (LF + prebiotic feed) + eight days of prebiotic feed; 12 days of LF + eight days of co-feeding (LF + probiotic feed) + eight days of probiotic feed; 12 days of LF + eight days of co-feeding (LF + symbiotic feed) + eight days symbiotic feed; 28 days of LF. Larvae fed only LF showed growth performance significantly higher than the larvae of other treatments, except for specific growth rate in length and survival that were similar to the results obtained by larvae fed diets symbiotically supplemented. Larvae fed the control diet showed significantly lower results for height of intestinal villi and stress resistance rate comparing to other treatments. The results of this study indicate that prebiotic, probiotic and symbiotic supplementation has a positive effect on survival, intestinal morphology and resistance to stress in larvae of T. leeri, however, only symbiotic supplementation results in improved growth.

Abstract Since, there is no study reporting the mechanism of azole resistance among yeasts isolated from aquatic environments; the present study aims to investigate the occurrence of antifungal resistance among yeasts isolated from an aquatic environment, and assess the efflux-pump activity of the azole-resistant strains to better understand the mechanism of resistance for this group of drugs. For this purpose, monthly water and sediment samples were collected from Catú Lake, Ceará, Brazil, from March 2011 to February 2012. The obtained yeasts were identified based on morphological and biochemical characteristics. Of the 46 isolates, 37 were Candida spp., 4 were Trichosporon asahii, 3 were Cryptococcus laurentii, 1 Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, and 1 was Kodamaea ohmeri. These isolates were subjected to broth microdilution assay with amphotericin B, itraconazole, and fluconazole, according to the methodology standardized by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of amphotericin B, itraconazole, and fluconazole were 0.03125–2 µg/mL, 0.0625 to ≥16 µg/mL, and 0.5 to ≥64 µg/mL, respectively, and 13 resistant azole-resistant Candida isolates were detected. A reduction in the azole MICs leading to the phenotypical reversal of the azole resistance was observed upon addition of efflux-pump inhibitors. These findings suggest that the azole resistance among environmental Candida spp. is most likely associated with the overexpression of efflux-pumps.

We used biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) to anterogradely label individual axons projecting from primary somatosensory cortex (S1) to four different cortical areas in rats. A major goal was to determine whether axon terminals in these target areas shared morphometric similarities based on the shape of individual terminal arbors and the density of two bouton types: en passant (Bp) and terminaux (Bt). Evidence from tridimensional reconstructions of isolated axon terminal fragments (n=111) did support a degree of morphological heterogeneity establishing two broad groups of axon terminals. Morphological parameters associated with the complexity of terminal arbors and the proportion of beaded Bp vs stalked Bt were found to differ significantly in these two groups following a discriminant function statistical analysis across axon fragments. Interestingly, both groups occurred in all four target areas, possibly consistent with a commonality of presynaptic processing of tactile information. These findings lay the ground for additional work aiming to investigate synaptic function at the single bouton level and see how this might be associated with emerging properties in postsynaptic targets.

Exercise is known to cause a vasodilatory response; however, the correlation between the vasorelaxant response and different training intensities has not been investigated. Therefore, this study evaluated the vascular reactivity and lipid peroxidation after different intensities of swimming exercise in rats. Male Wistar rats (aged 8 weeks; 250-300 g) underwent forced swimming for 1 h whilst tied to loads of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8% of their body weight, respectively (groups G3, G4, G5, G6 and G8, respectively; n=5 each). Immediately after the test, the aorta was removed and suspended in an organ bath. Cumulative relaxation in response to acetylcholine (10−12-10−4 M) and contraction in response to phenylephrine (10−12-10−5 M) were measured. Oxidative stress was estimated by determining malondialdehyde concentration. The percentages of aorta relaxation were significantly higher in G3 (7.9±0.20), G4 (7.8±0.29), and G5 (7.9±0.21), compared to the control group (7.2±0.04), while relaxation in the G6 (7.4±0.25) and G8 (7.0±0.06) groups was similar to the control group. In contrast, the percentage of contraction was significantly higher in G6 (8.8 ±0.1) and G8 (9.7±0.29) compared to the control (7.1±0.1), G3 (7.3±0.2), G4 (7.2±0.1) and G5 (7.2±0.2%) groups. Lipid peroxidation levels in the aorta were similar to control levels in G3, G4 and G5, but higher in G6 and G8, and significantly higher in G8 (one-way ANOVA). These results indicate a reduction in vasorelaxing activity and an increase in contractile activity in rat aortas after high-intensity exercise, followed by an increase in lipid peroxidation.