Abstract The ground beetle, Neoaulacoryssus speciosus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) is of high relevance to field because it has been recorded as a pest of seeds and young plants of vegetables and other crops and a predator in agricultural crops, forest and weeds in Brazil. However, natural habitat changes are increasing agriculture and forest insect outbreaks in urban areas. A N. speciosus population outbreak occurred in October and November 2018 simultaneously in 12 neighboring municipalities at the beginning of the rainy season in the northern region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The objectives of this study were to report a sudden and simultaneous population outbreak of N. speciosus and to describe the factors of habitat change that could have contributed to this invasion in 12 municipalities in the northern region of Minas Gerais State in the Caatinga biome of Brazil. In addition, female and male genitals were described and illustrated, the scientific classification revised and common names of N. speciosus listed. Thousands of males and females of N. speciosus agglomerated in shady, humid places during the day and night for about 15 days. Neoaulacoryssus speciosus has been identified and illustrated, its scientific classification revised and four common names listed for this species.

The synthesis, characterization, acute toxicity, antitumor activity, and histopathological analysis of a novel dinuclear platinum(2+) complex - [Pt(DACH-κ2N)µ-(C4H2O6-κ4O)Pt(DACH-κ2N)] - is reported. Through acute toxicity tests, it was possible to place the platinum complexes into categories according to the OECD protocol. The dinuclear complex was classified in category 2 (cisplatin - category 1; and oxaliplatin - category 2). Analyzing the interaction between dsDNA and dinuclear complex was observed an Tm increase, suggesting that the dinuclear complex-dsDNA interact probably through of the interstrand form. Evaluations of tumor masses extracted from mice inoculated with Ehrlich carcinoma demonstrated a percent of tumor inhibition similar for cisplatin and oxaliplatin, but statistically different and superior for the case of the dinuclear complex. Cisplatin and oxaliplatin showed 41.4 and 40.8% inhibition, respectively, while the dinuclear complex presented 66.3%. The histopathological analysis demonstrated that the group treated with cisplatin showed more significant tissue damage, moderate hepatic steatosis, and nephritis. The livers, spleens, and kidneys of the animals treated with the dinuclear complex were within the normality range with no tissue lesions, and absence of metastasis.

Abstract This work is a floristic study of Selaginella in Maranhão. The species survey is based on collections from fieldwork conducted between April 2006 and February 2023 and specimens from Maranhão deposited at the CCAA, HBRA, MG, and SLUI herbaria. Ten species were identified: Selaginella conduplicata, S. convoluta, S. erythropus, S. flagellata, S. gynostachya S. marginata, S. minima, S. radiata, S. simplex, and S. sulcata. We report the first record of S. gynostachya for Maranhão and the Cerrado domain in Brazil. Until now, this species was only known from areas of Amazonia. We provide a map with records, an identification key, and comments about the identification and geographic distribution of Selaginella species in Maranhão state. For the new record, we also provide photos.

Resumo O presente trabalho trata do estudo florístico de Selaginella no Maranhão. O levantamento de espécies foi realizado com base em coletas de campo realizadas entre abril de 2006 e fevereiro de 2023 e em análise de espécimes coletados no Maranhão e depositadas nos herbários CCAA, HBRA, MG e SLUI. Foram identificadas 10 espécies: Selaginella conduplicata, S. convoluta, S. erythropus, S. flagellata, S. gynostachya S. marginata, S. minima, S. radiata, S. simplex e S. sulcata. Relatamos a primeira ocorrência de S. gynostachya para o Maranhão e também para o domínio do Cerrado Brasileiro. Até então essa espécie era registrada somente em áreas amazônicas. Neste artigo apresentamos um mapa com pontos de coleta, uma chave de identificação e comentários sobre a identificação, ecologia e distribuição geográfica para as espécies de Selaginella do Maranhão. Para o novo registro apresentamos também fotos.

Crotalaria ochroleuca (Fabaceae) is rich in bioactive compounds used for nematode control. Transformed root culture allows the production of a large amount of hairy root biomass, conditioned by auxin biosynthesis-related genes integrated via the process of Agrobacterium rhizogenes infection, which is known to cause a hairy root phenotype. We transformed A. rhizogenes to increase the biomass of hairy roots and optimized the process of production of bioactive compounds. The transformed nature of hairy roots was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, which confers kanamycin resistance. The transformed roots were cultured in full-strength in liquid media to realize the growth of hairy roots and the production of bioactive compounds. The transformed roots were grown in a culture medium supplemented with elicitors to produce total phenols, and flavonoids. Chromatographic analysis of transformed roots revealed the presence of flavonoids apigenin-6,8-C-diglucoside and luteolin-6-C-glucoside. The results were obtained by conducting physiological and biochemical studies with the Flavonoids and studying the pathways that led to the production of large amounts of bioactive compounds from the hairy roots of C. ochroleuca. It was observed that the extraction of the compounds significantly affected nematodes and insect larvae, resulting in significantly high levels of economic damage to crops.

In this article the synthesis, characterization, acute toxicity, and antitumor activity of the novel Ru3+ complex are described. Through the acute toxicity tests, it was possible to fit the complexes into categories according to the OECD protocol guideline 423. The cisplatin complex was classified in category 1 and the sodium diaquodimalonateruthenate(3+) - Na[Ru(H2O)2(Mal-κ2O)2] - was classified in category 4. This result demonstrates the lower toxicity achieved by the ruthenium complex in comparison with metallopharmaceuticals compound. Evaluations of tumor masses extracted from mice inoculated with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma demonstrated percent inhibition lowest to cisplatin. Cisplatin showed 58% inhibition (1 mg/kg), while Na[Ru(H2O)2(Mal-κ2O)2] complex (5 mg/kg) presented 77%.

The synthesis, characterization, cytotoxicity and antitumor activity of platinum(II) complexes coordinated to O-glycoside and analogous is reported. Through the acute toxicity tests, it was possible to fit the complexes into categories according to the OECD protocol. The cis-[PtCl2(C6H14S2O2)-κ2S] complex was classified in category 3 and the cis-[PtCl2(C26H38O12S2)-κ2S] complex was classified in category 4. This result demonstrates the lower toxicity achieved by the glycoside in comparison with its analogous system. Evaluations of tumor masses extracted from mice inoculated with Ehrlich carcinoma demonstrated percent inhibition similar to cisplatin and synthesized platinum complexes. Cisplatin showed 59% inhibition, while cis-[PtCl2(C6H14S2O2)-κ2S] and cis-[PtCl2(C26H38O12S2)-κ2S] complexes presented 57% and 59%, respectively. Although the glycosidic compounds exhibit tumor activity, reported in the literature, the presence of platinum ion was shown to be determinant for antitumor action according with the compounds tested, since the glycosidic ligand presented tumor inhibition of only 38%, with a similar antitumor activity in relation to cisplatin.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a acurácia diagnóstica da ultrassonografia e da eletroneuromiografia para o diagnóstico da fasciculação e comparar suas taxas de detecção. Foram realizadas buscas nas bases de dados eletrônicas Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase e Lilacs, para estudos que avaliam a acurácia diagnóstica e as taxas de detecção da ultrassonografia e eletroneuromiografia. As ferramentas Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies, versão 2, e RTI item bank foram utilizadas para avaliação da qualidade do método. A ultrassonografia, tanto de 10 s quanto de 30 s, apresentou taxa de detecção superior à eletroneuromiografia em todos os músculos avaliados. A avaliação da taxa de detecção por pacientes não apresentou diferença significativa entre a ultrassonografia de 10 s e 30 s. A acurácia da ultrassonografia de 10 s nos músculos foi de 70%, enquanto nos pacientes foi de 85%. Já na ultrassonografia de 30 s, a acurácia nos pacientes foi de 82%. A ultrassonografia apresentou taxas de detecção superiores à eletroneuromiografia, independentemente do tempo de sua avaliação e dos músculos avaliados.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound and electromyography for the detection of fasciculation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and to compare detection rates between the two methods. By searching the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Excerpta Medica, and Latin-American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature databases, we identified studies evaluating the diagnostic accuracy and fasciculation detection rates of ultrasound and electromyography. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies, version 2, and RTI item bank tools were used for the evaluation of methodological quality. Ultrasound, for 10 s or 30 s, had a higher detection rate than did electromyography in all muscles evaluated. The overall detection rate (in patients) did not differ significantly between ultrasound for 10 s and ultrasound for 30 s. The accuracy of ultrasound for 10 s was 70% in muscles and 85% in patients. The accuracy of ultrasound for 30 s was 82% in patients. Ultrasound provided detection rates superior to those achieved with electromyography, independent of the examination time and muscles evaluated.

Abstract Intraspecies or interspecies crossings transfer relevant alleles between plants. However, some interspecies crossings involving Passiflora species impede ovule fertilization and the viable development of seeds. Thus, the purpose of this study was to verify the viability of interspecific crossings and monitor pollen tube development. The experiment had six species of Passiflora in the reciprocal crossings. Histochemical tests aimed to evaluate the percentage of intraspecies or interspecies crossings that resulted in fruit development and pollen tube development. Ovule fertilization and fruit development occurred in determined directions of crossings when controlling the female or male genitor, but only one case of reciprocal crossing had success. In crossings with no fruit development, histological analysis showed that some callus developed in the stigma and style, confirming unilateral and interspecies incompatibility in the genus Passiflora to some species and some directions of crossings.

RESUMEN El uso de aceites esenciales de plantas há sido adoptado como menos peligroso para el medio ambiente y la salud humana que los insecticidas sintéticos utilizados para el control de insectos portadores de enfermedades. A pesar de ejercer actividades insecticidas contra varios insectos vectores de enfermedades, los impactos potenciales en los organismos no objetivo ejercidos por los aceites esenciales extraídos de Lippia sidoides (Cham.) no han recibido la atención adecuada. Evaluamos la susceptibilidad y los posibles cambios en las tasas de consumo de las abejas melíferas, Apis mellifera (L.), cuando se exponen a aceites esenciales extraídos de L. sidoides. Se expuso a las abejas recolectoras a jarabe de miel (50% v / v) que contenía aceite esencial de L. sidoides durante 5 h. Después de este período de exposición, las abejas recibieron jarabe de miel regular durante otro período de 19 h. Se utilizaron seis concentraciones de aceite essencial: 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 y 3.5 µL de aceite esencial / mL de jarabe, y se evaluó el consumo de jarabe y la mortalidad de las abejas en ambos períodos (5 y 24 h). Los resultados revelan que, independientemente de la concentración de aceite esencial, las abejas recolectoras se alimentaron significativamente menos de jarabe de miel que contenía aceite esencial de L. sidoides. Sin embargo, la alimentación con jarabe de miel que contiene aceites esenciales de L. sidoides no causó una mortalidad significativa en comparación con las abejas que no estuvieron expuestas a los aceites esenciales. Por lo tanto, los resultados demuestran que los aceites esenciales de L. sidoides exhibieron una selectividad adecuada contra las abejas melíferas.

ABSTRACT The use of plant essential oils has been adopted as less hazardous to the environment and human health than synthetic insecticides used for the control of insects that transmit diseases. Despite of exerting insecticidal activities against several insect disease vectors, the potential impacts on non-target organisms exerted by essential oils extracted from Lippia sidoides (Cham.) have not received adequate attention. Here, we evaluated the susceptibility and potential changes in consumption rates of honey bees, Apis mellifera (L.), when exposed to essential oils extracted from L. sidoides. Was exposed forager bees to honey syrup (50% v/v) containing L. sidoides essential oil for 5 h. After this exposure period, the bees received regular honey syrup for another 19 h period. Six essential oil concentrations was used, namely 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 µL of essential oil/mL of syrup, and evaluated the syrup consumption and bees mortality in both periods (at the 5th and 24th h). The results reveal that independent of the essential oil concentration, the forager bees fed significantly less on L. sidoides essential oil-containing honey syrup. However, feeding on L. sidoides essential oil-containing honey syrup did not cause significant mortality when compared with bees that were not exposed to the essential oils. Thus, the results demonstrate that L. sidoides essential oils exhibited adequate selectivity against honey bees.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected pathology with a high incidence worldwide, and is a governmental health issue due to the increased morbidity and mortality associated with the disease and a scarce therapeutic arsenal. Cysteine proteases have been investigated as targets for new drugs because they are essential in the infectivity of the parasite during its interaction with the host and in its nutrition. This study aimed to identify compounds with leishmanicidal activity, by synthesis of compounds, in vitro evaluation of their biological activity and using molecular modeling and bioinformatics tools. The study of biological activity demonstrated that one compound showed inhibitory activity against the enzyme rCPB 2.8 at a concentration of 100 µmol L-1. Activation of the enzyme rCPB 2.8 by other 4 compounds was also verified, which may be related to the interaction of these compounds with an allosteric site on the enzyme.

In this work, synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties of trivalent rare earth complexes with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug [the indomethacinate (indo), presenting formulas RE(indo)3(H2O)x (x = 3, for Eu3+ and Gd+3, and x = 4 for Tb+3), RE(indo)3(bipy) and RE(indo)3(phen) (bipy: 2,2'-bipyridine, and phen: 1,10-phenanthroline)] were investigated. Based on photoluminescent results, the intramolecular energy transfer process from T1 triplet states of indo, phen and bipy ligands to the 5D0 emitting level of the Eu3+ ion in the coordination compounds is discussed. Accordingly, it is proposed two possible intramolecular energy transfer mechanisms between indomethacinate ligand and rare earth ions, which involve the participation of excited electronic states of the heterocyclic ligands as intermediate ones.

OBJETIVOS: Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a influência da variação hidrológica, da ontogenia e da variação interespecífica na atividade alimentar e composição da dieta de P. nattereri e S. marginatus na planície de inundação do Rio Negro, Pantanal Sul. MÉTODOS: As amostragens foram realizadas com o uso de redes de espera e tarrafas com diversas malhagens no período de outubro/2005 e agosto/2008. RESULTADOS: Foram coletados um total de 748 indivíduos, 442 de P. nattereri e 306 indivíduos de S. marginatus. Identificamos 31 itens alimentares no período da seca e 14 na cheia para P. nattereri e 29 itens alimentares no período da seca e oito na cheia para S. marginatus. Para ambas as espécies, peixes foi o item predominante em ambas as estações. Os resultados da PERMANOVA mostraram que a dieta variou significativamente entre as espécies (p<0,001), durante o desenvolvimento ontogenético (p<0,001) e sazonalmente (p=0,024). Os resultados da ANCOVA sugerem que a intensidade da tomada de alimento foi maior na estação seca (p<0,001), para ambas as espécies. A amplitude de nicho variou entre as espécies estudadas, S. marginatus apresentou uma amplitude de nicho maior do que P. nattereri. CONCLUSÃO: As piranhas se alimentam mais durante a seca, provavelmente porque neste período o alimento é mais variado e abundante, devido a concentração de peixes no canal principal do rio. Houve mudanças ontogenéticas na dieta, sem sobreposição alimentar entre as duas espécies, devido, provavelmente, as diferenças nas preferências e no comportamento de caça durante os ataques.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate influence of hydrological variation, ontogeny and interspecific variation in the feeding activity and diet composition for P. nattereri and S. marginatus in floodplain of Negro River, South Pantanal. METHODS: The samples were taken with the use of gillnets and cast nets of different sizes, from October/2005 to August/2008. RESULTS: We sampled 748 specimens, 442 of P. nattereri and 306 of S. marginatus. We identified 31 items in the dry and 14 in the flood season for P. nattereri, and 29 items in the dry and eight in the flood season for S. marginatus. For both species, fish was the predominant food item in both seasons. The PERMANOVA results showed that the diet varied significantly between the two species (p<0.001), during ontogenetic development (p<0.001) and seasonally (p=0.024). The ancova results suggests that the intensity of food intake was higher in the dry season (p<0.001) for both species. The niche breadth varied only between studied species with S. marginatus presenting higher niche breadth than P. nattereri. CONCLUSION: Piranhas feed more during dry season, probably because in this period food is more varied and abundant, due to the concentration of fish in the main river channel. There were ontogenetic changes in the diet, with no feeding overlap between the two species, probably because of differences in preference for some items and differences in feeding behavior displayed during hunting attacks.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the number of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans colonies in patients with Haas and Hyrax appliances before and after insertion. METHODS: The sample consisted of 84 patients requiring orthodontic treatment. For all patients a midpalatal suture expansion was indicated. Patients were randomly divided into Group HA, who used the Haas appliance (n = 42) and Group HY, who used the Hyrax appliance (n = 42). Initially and thirty days after appliance insertion all patients were submitted to saliva collections. The saliva was diluted followed by seeding in Mitis Salivarius and CHROMagar media, for growth of S. mutans and C. albicans respectively. RESULTS: Results showed statistically significant difference between groups HA and HY for Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans (p <0.05). Haas appliance promoted greater S. mutans and C. albicans proliferation when compared to Hyrax appliance. CONCLUSION: The Haas appliance favored greater proliferation of S. mutans and C. albicans when compared with the Hyrax appliance. Insertion of the appliances resulted in greater buildup of microorganisms.

In this work, theoretical and experimental infrared spectra of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) contained in soybean biodiesel were analyzed seeking the assignments of the relevant vibrational modes to characterize crude soybean oil and soybean biodiesel. The results showed the usefulness of infrared spectra for monitoring saturated and unsaturated compounds as well as impurities (mainly glycerol) in raw samples. This is the first step toward proposing an efficient molecular spectroscopy routine to certify biodiesel fuel.

The chemical composition of Spathelia excelsa (Krause) R. S. Cowan & Brizicky was investigated and the limonoids harrisonin (1) and deacetylspathelin (2), alkaloids folinin and casimiroin mixture (3a, b), plus a further casimiroin (3b) were identified in methanol extract from root. The CH2Cl2 extract from the rachis yielded protolimonoid 3β-angeloyl-21,24-epoxy-7α,21α,23α,25-tetrahydroxy-4α,4β,8β,10β-tetramethyl-25-dimethyl-14,18-cyclo-5α,13α,14α,17α-cholestane (4), and methanol extract, the limonoids limonin diosphenol (5) and perforatin (6), as well as the chromone biflorin (7). Harrisonin and biflorin were isolated for the first time in this genus. On the antifungal assay against witches' broom (Moniliophthoraperniciosa) compound 3b was found to be active.