Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Food drying is still a crucial step in the food manufacturing process for food preservation, and the foam-mat drying method can be utilized to further enhance food preservation. This study aims to develop an instant L. powder enriched with Moringa oleifera L. extract and to evaluate the effect of foam mat drying conditions on physicochemical and antioxidant properties.The experimental design used a factorial completely randomized block design (FCBD), with triplicates. Based on the results showed that the interaction between the different forms of moringa extract, when added, and drying temperature affected color, water activity, bulk density, hygroscopicity, total acid titration, moisture content, ABTS, antioxidant activity and total flavonoid contents (p<0.05) but did not affect solubility, total soluble solids, flow rate, pH, DPPH antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents (p>0.05). Samples dried at a temperature of 70°C (T3), both liquid (F1) and microencapsulated (F2), exhibited the best physicochemical and antioxidant properties. These findings confirmed the suitability of foam mat drying to produce P. angulata instant powder enriched with M. oleifera extract for functional food ingredients.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract TiO2 nanoparticles have numerous applications, prompting extensive efforts to optimize their synthesis for various technologies. This study synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles via the solvothermal method, using a chemometric approach to vary time, temperature, and concentrations of both the precursor and crystallization agent, aiming to understand these variables’ effects on crystallite size. Post-synthesis, a sample underwent treatment for sulfate adsorption to alter surface properties from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. Characterization techniques included X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated the formation of crystalline anatase phase nanoparticles, with particle sizes ranging from 25 to 38 nm and crystallite sizes from 8 to 10 nm. Sulfation was confirmed via FTIR, and SEM revealed particle agglomeration. Catalytic performance was assessed through esterification reactions, with two analyses: one comparing nanoparticles with and without surface modification, and the other examining the effects of variables like time, catalyst amount, and temperature on product formation. Sulfated samples exhibited excellent catalytic performance, achieving 60% conversion after 2 hours at 50 °C. Pure TiO2 samples also showed good conversion rates when synthesized at higher temperatures and Ti4+ concentrations.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are known for several features which make them one of the nanoparticles with great potential for application in different areas such as biosensors development and carrier molecules. However, there are few reports in the literature describing the coupling analysis of cellulose nanocrystals with biomolecules, and the existing ones are laborious, still needing a large laboratory structure. In this paper, we describe the non-covalent coupling of Bovine Serum Albumin protein (BSA) to CNCs using Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) as a reporter molecule. Analyzes of these tests were performed using the flow cytometry technique. The nanocrystal particles became fully fluorescent when coupled to a concentration of 1 µg GFP. BSA coupling was able to block binding to GFP when at a concentration of 8 µg. Thus, flow cytometry has proven to be a simple and effective methodology for determining BSA coupling percentage to CNCs.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract In the present study, 5-Hydroxy-2-(Oleoyloxymethyl) -4H-pyran-4-one (KMO 3), and their chelated with Cu(II) and Fe(III) ions were synthesized to explore their inhibitory activity against tyrosinase and cytotoxicity. To this end, the structures of the obtained compounds were confirmed by ATR/FT-IR, 13C and 1H-NMR, and UV-vis techniques. The results show that chelating fatty ester presents the bands at 1567m, 1511w cm-1 attributed to the coordinated carbonyl (Cu(II)←[O=C]2), and the bands at 1540m, 1519m cm−1 which were attributed to the coordinated carbonyl (Fe(III)←[O=C]3). The inhibitory effect of chelating Oleic acid 2 (inhibition 68.3% ± 4.5) showed a factor of 19 times higher than free fatty acid (3.6% ± 3.2). IC50 Anti-tyrosinase activity of the Kojic acid 1 and KMO 3 compounds were 62.8 ± 6.6 µM and 77.6 ± 4.3 µM. The IC50 and IC90 values for tyrosinase inhibitory activity for chelating fatty ester and their complexes are values > 400 µM. Finally, the assay with the series showed no hemolytic activity (EC50> 250 μg mL-1), and not cytotoxic to B16F10, ACP-02, and human dermal fibroblast cells at 100 µM and showed no hemolytic potential at the concentration of IC50 250 µM.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Understanding the temporal dynamics of high-fat diets (HFD) effects on behavior and metabolism is crucial for comprehending their negative impact on organisms. This study investigated the short-term effects (15, 25, and 35 days) of HFD in Swiss mice. Our findings revealed distinct behavioral and metabolic changes throughout the treatment. After 15 days of HFD, mice exhibited impaired exploratory habituation and significant increases in visceral adipose mass, fasting glucose levels, and glucose intolerance. Extending the diet to 25 days intensified the metabolic effects, resulting in compromised acquisition of recognition memory, increased body mass gain, and elevated plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. After 35 days of HFD, these effects were further intensified and accompanied by anxiogenic-like responses in the open field test. Additionally, we observed a positive correlation between metabolic changes and behavioral impairments alongside prefrontal cortex mitochondrial dysfunction. In conclusion, our study reveals the temporal dynamics of behavioral and metabolic changes induced by short-term HFD in Swiss mice, highlighting the relationship between metabolic dysfunction and behavioral impairments. These findings pave the way for future research to unravel the underlying mechanisms and develop strategies to counteract the detrimental effects of HFD on behavior and metabolism.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Understanding lectin-carbohydrate interactions at the structural and molecular levels is crucial to the field of lectins, as the diverse roles and biological activities exhibited by these proteins are fundamentally linked to their specific binding to target glycoconjugates. This study aimed to apply molecular dynamics to analyze the structure and binding properties of Parkia lectins. 3D structures of Parkia platycephala and P. biglobosa lectins, both unliganded and in complex with D-mannose, were used as inputs for simulations. The trajectories data enabled the study of stability, carbohydrate-binding interactions, and intermonomeric contacts for both proteins. The results revealed stable binding of D-mannose within the lectin domains and their binding mode at each of the three domains, displaying consistent binding motifs across the sites, with slight variations between the lectins and other Jacalin-related lectins. Despite these variations, the binding energies of the lectins with the ligand, as estimated using MM/GBSA, demonstrated favorable interactions in all cases. The dimeric interfaces of both lectins could be identified, and the main contacts have been mapped. These findings enhance our understanding of lectin-carbohydrate interactions and provide insights into the structural properties of Parkia lectins for potential biological and therapeutic applications.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the chemical composition of Syzygium aromaticum essential oil (SAEO), both as its toxicity and biological activities on Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The essential oil (EO) was obtained by hydrodistillation and verified by GC-MS. The main chemical components were eugenol (48.79%), caryophyllene (44.29%) and α-humulene (4.87%). In vitro tests with human red blood cells, blood compatibility. SAEO showed high toxicity for Artemia salina and the bioassay on Tenebrio molitor larvae revealed an average survival rate of 80.00%. The antioxidant activity of SAEO was moderate (40.60%) using the phosphomolybdenum method. SAEO inhibited the growth of all C. diphtheriae strains tested at minimum inhibitory concentrations of 62.5-1000 µg mL-1 (strong to moderate). The minimum bactericidal concentration of SAEO was observed in two strains. Microorganisms cultivated in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations (subMIC) do not show morphological changes. The subMIC of SAEO inhibited in some strains, but in most cases, increased biofilm formation. In conclusion, the results of this study found that SAEO has an inhibitory effect against C. diphtheriae, representing an alternative antimicrobial therapy, although more in vivo biological studies, alone or in combination with occasional antimicrobials, should be carried out to better evaluate its effects.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This article reports the development of a beer made with Baccharis dracunculifolia and its application in an experimental model of diabetes. Initially, the production of the beverage was standardized in order to incorporate the plant extract properly. Next, the beer was analyzed by the UHPLC-MS to identify the substances present. Among others, caffeic acid (5.85 mg / L), m-coumaric acid (5.16 mg / L), pinocembrin (2.99 mg / L), chrysin (10.86 mg / L), myricetin (1.73 mg / L) and spathulenol (9.30 mg / L) were found. Animal tests indicate improvement in biochemical and histological parameters of STZ-induced Wistar rats that ingested the beer made with the plant. The antidiabetic potential of this beverage was observed in the different tests that evaluated insulin resistance and the decrease of the clinical manifestations of diabetes in animals. The use of the drink as an adjunct in clinical treatments for DM2 may be useful, especially in suppressing the oxidative damage caused by the disease.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Platelet rich plasma and ozone therapy have been suggested in the clinical setting as promising and adjuvant therapies for managing the symptoms related to the facial aging. However, there is a lack of evidence about the effects of combining both therapies on rejuvenation. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate and to compare the safety and efficacy of both therapies in facial aging. A single-center prospective pilot study was conducted. Female participants, aged 40 to 60 years, were randomized into 2 groups: participants received the platelet rich plasma treatment (PRP); participants received the therapy with platelet rich plasma associated with ozone therapy (PRPOT). Interventions were performed using the facial intradermal technique in 42 pre-established points, for 4 sessions with an interval of 15 days between them. After analyses performed using photographic records, assessment of frontal, periorbital, nasolabial and marionette wrinkles (Wrinkle Assessment Scale), self-esteem assessment (Brazilian Version of Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale) and assessment of patient satisfaction (FACE-Q) can be suggested that the platelet rich plasma protocol performed in the present study, as well as its association with volume-controlled ozone therapy, proved to be safe and potentially promising modalities in the treatment of facial aging.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has been the largest pandemic of the past century, and various genetic factors have played a significant role in this context. This study aimed to analyze the frequency and association between specific SNPs rs3806268 (NLRP3), rs4925543 (NLRP3), rs12150220 (NLRP1), rs455060 (NLRC4), rs699 (AGT), rs1137101 (LEPR), and rs1801133 (MTHFR) and severe/critical outcomes in Brazilian patients with COVID-19. A total of 100 patients were included in the study, comprising 66 cases and 34 controls. DNA was extracted, sequenced, and genotyped via next-generation sequencing (NGS). For non-parametric data, the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used. Fisher’s test and multivariate logistic regression, considering AIC and BIC criteria, were employed for risk analysis. Odds Ratios (OR) were calculated, with significance set at p<0.05. Among the seven evaluated SNPs, only rs699-GG (AGT) (OR=8.07; p=0.04) was significantly associated with an increased risk of developing severe/critical COVID-19. Moreover, a borderline protective association was noted between rs1801133-GA (MTHFR) and the disease, although lacking statistical significance. In conclusion, the SNP rs699-GG (AGT) was associated with an increased risk of severe/critical COVID-19.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This study and the literature have shown that the emergence of chaotic behavior has been attributed mostly to predator-prey and competitive dynamics. This is also observed in pandemics, as well as in cancer models, where deterministic chaos or chaotic dynamics can lead to complex oscillations and nonlinear interactions between cell populations. It is important to note that COVID-19 displays the key characteristics of a chaotic system and is one of the deadliest pandemics in recent history.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This research aimed to study how exposing somatic embryos of Araucaria angustifolia to cold temperatures in vitro could enhance somatic embryogenesis. The somatic embryos were induced from immature zygotic embryos, grown for 120 days, and then subjected to 4.5°C for 0, 2, 4, 8, or 16 days. After the cold treatment, the embryogenic cultures were returned to 25±2°C for 20 days and examined using light microscopy and cytochemistry. It was found that the embryogenic cultures at the PEM III stage did not show further development, and the growth of the embryogenic masses was negatively affected in the longer-duration cold treatment. Overcoming these challenges in the somatic embryogenesis protocol for A. angustifolia requires further integrative investigations on epigenetic events driving the zygotic embryo development.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The cystatin superfamily includes proteins crucial for inhibiting cysteine proteases, enzymes involved in many biological processes. In plants, cystatins regulate seed germination, development, and pathogen defense. In humans, inhibiting legumain-type cysteine proteases offers a promising cancer treatment strategy, as this enzyme’s expression often rises during tumor progression. We evaluated a novel rice-derived chimeric legumain inhibitor using in silico and in vitro methods. Computational simulations confirmed the inhibitor’s stability and nanomolar affinity for legumain’s active site. Post-expression and purification assays determined its kinetics and demonstrated its efficacy in reducing HT29 tumor cell migration and viability. Our findings suggest the chimeric Oryzacystatin I mutant with SNSL motifs is a promising candidate for cancer drug development.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The pathogenesis of dog’s bacterial rhinitis is poorly understudied. Bergeyella zoohelcum was isolated from an animal with chronic rhinitis as primary agent. The bacterium identification was performed by both MALDI-TOF and 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The phylogenetic relationship of the strain inside de genera was demonstrated, as well as the antimicrobial susceptibility profile and the ability of biofilm formation. We highlight the virulence profile of the B. zoohelcum in, to the best of our knowledge, the first identification of B. zoohelcum as causal agent of bacterial rhinitis in dogs.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Fungi are the most important entomopathogens in the natural regulation of insect populations. They have a wide distribution and significant advantages as biological control agents. Prospecting for new native strains of entomopathogenic fungi in the Pampas region has not yet been carried out. The main objectives of this study were isolating and identifying strains of different species of entomopathogenic fungi that naturally infect grasshopper species in the Pampas region and determining, through laboratory tests, their virulence and pathogenicity on nymphs of the pest grasshopper Dichroplus maculipennis. Furthermore, whether the phylogenetic relationships between Beauveria bassiana isolates would be associated with virulence and pathogenicity or geographical distribution. Thirty-four isolates of entomopathogenic fungi were obtained from different grasshopper species corresponding to eleven sites in three counties in the center of Buenos Aires province. There were 31 isolates of B. bassiana and 3 of Metarhizium genus. These isolates scored 66.6% (LPSc 1443) and 100% (LPSc 1441, LPSc 1445, and LPSc 1476) of mortality against third-instar nymphs of D. maculipennis, and these last cause death at 4.86 ± 0.20, 4.80 ± 0.17 and 5 ± 0.15 MST days, respectively. An association between phylogenetic relationships and geographical distances in B. bassiana was found.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Musca domestica L. is a cosmopolitan pest usually reaching high population levels, causing substantial economic losses and also acting as a vector for many diseases. The use of entomopathogenic fungi as a replacement of the chemical insecticides is a possibility already studied. In this study, we isolated three strains of Beauveria bassiana from naturally infected M. domestica individuals and tested their potentiality to act as a biological control agent. The finding of naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungal infections indicates that these fungi are well-adapted to the local environment and can survive and thrive under natural conditions, making them promising candidates for biological pest management.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Dark Septate Endophytic (DSE) fungi can benefit plants by optimizing nutrient uptake, biosynthesis of phytohormones-like compounds, and stress relief such as toxic metals. The objective was to characterize in vitro 57 strains of the DSE Periconia macrospinosa isolated from sugarcane roots, indicating the most promising in solubilizing phosphate sources, growing in different metal and vinasse contents, and producing molecules related to indoleacetic acid (IAA). The strains were from the Embrapa Agrobiology Fungi Collection. Over 35% of the strains solubilize calcium phosphate, highlighting A356 and A155. No strain solubilizes aluminum phosphate. Three strains did not grow in the presence of Cd (A333, A334, A163), but A226, A332, and A423 stand out showing high growth with Cd. All strains grew in the presence of Cu, Zn, and Vinasse. A163, A164, and A328 were even stimulated by Cu addition. A331 and A335 showed a marked growth decrease with Zn. All strains are highly adapted to grow in vinasse presence. A257 and A226 produced the highest amount of IAA. The most biotechnological potential strains are indicated by presenting high growth under Cd, Cu, Zn, and vinasse stress, associated with a high tolerance index to these pollutants, further calcium phosphate solubilization, or IAA production.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is the second most produced mushroom globally, but increased production is linked to new diseases. This study reports the first occurrence of Penicillium brevicompactum on P. ostreatus mushrooms. Symptoms, identified in the primordia, include atrophy, malformation, drying, and sporulation, causing up to 100% losses. The pathogen was confirmed with 99% identity via ITS region analysis and phylogenetic comparison. The research highlights P. brevicompactum’s infection of mushroom primordia, emphasizing the need for pathogen identification and preventive measures to mitigate production losses.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The whole plant Saccocalyx satureioides, an endemic medicinal plant in Algeria, was evaluated for its polyphenolic contents, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The polyphenolic contents of the plant methanolic extracts ranged from 170.47 to 285.56 (µg GAEs/mg extract) and from 25.39 to 82.68 (µg QEs/mg extract), respectively. High antioxidant activity was registered: DPPH average IC50 = 14.68 µg/mL, and β-carotene average IC50 = 21.08 µg/mL. The essential oil and methanolic extracts from the aerial parts and roots were tested against bacteria and molds. Different methods, including disk diffusion, well diffusion, and microdilution tests for bacteria, were used. The essential oil (February and June harvest periods) value 1.25 µL/mL was the MIC and the MBC for all bacterial strains, except E. coli, K. pneumonia and Ps. aeruginosa. The average fungal inhibition of the methanol extracts ranged from 5.10 to 71.25%, except for F. oxysporum. The essential oil effect was 6.67-83.53% and 17.01-90.57% by the food poisoned and fumigation methods, respectively. The preliminary phytochemical evaluation demonstrated the high polyphenolic contents and effective antioxidant power of the plant extracts. This may have an essential role in the antimicrobial effectiveness and indicate that the plant contains high-quality bioactive molecules in addition to the essential oil.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The growing demand for honey bee pollination services induces fluctuations in their populations and changes in bee health status. The current study aims to characterize the health condition of managed honey bees in three territories of the Department of Lambayeque, Peru, from a holistic perspective, considering several factors affecting bee health, including management practices, traits of the beekeepers and their apiaries, colony strength, infestation rates by Varroa sp., and the presence of agrochemical residues in bee bread. The results showed changes in land use, with large areas of crops dependent on bee pollination, determining their exposition to agrochemical residues. The 67% of bee bread samples presented pesticide residues, mainly, chlorpyrifos, carbendazim, boscalid, and azoxystrobin. In addition, limited expertise on good management practices by the beekeepers (i.e., inadequate disinfection of beekeeping materials, unsatisfactory varroa mites’ surveillance, lack of protein supplements, presence of sanitary gaps) leads to deficiencies in bee colony strength and a high Varroa sp. prevalence in the territory, altering the bee health condition. To the best of our knowledge, this article illustrates the impact of the strongly anthropized ecosystems found along Peru’s coast’s arid zone on managed populations of honey bees in that territory with a One Health perspective.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Melastomataceae comprises to 5,858 plant species across 173 genera globally. Brazil hosts the highest diversity for this family, including 1,453 species, with a great number of endemics. The Brazilian Caatinga is an important domain for Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests, Shrubs and Woodlands in South America, highlighting exceptional environmental diversity and hosting endemic and rare species. While the representation of Melastomataceae in the Caatinga is limited, the colonization of xeric environments by select species has garnered attention. One of these is Pleroma caatingae, a threatened species previously thought to be endemic to the state of Bahia, and recently collected in the Ceará state. This study provides an updated morphological description and uses a predictive Species Distribution Model (SDM) to predict potential species’ distribution and conservation status. The findings not only enhance knowledge of neotropical species distribution patterns, but also highlight the importance of preserving overlooked arid habitats, such as the inselbergs, which harbor intriguing biodiversity as well.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Designing ecological corridors studies are much more common than studies that evaluate the effectiveness and practicality of implementation. Thus, this study aimed to identify and discuss factors that can influence the implementation of ecological corridors designed from a multicriteria analysis. For this purpose, the ecological corridor implementation efforts of a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in an Atlantic Forest region were evaluated. The following information about the restoration projects was collected from the NGO database: georeferenced restoration polygons, restoration technique, project size, motivation, and land use tenure characteristics of the restoration site. Restoration polygons were spatially referenced to the planned corridor areas and classified according to land use and land cover, slope, distance to roads and occurrence in Permanent Preservation Areas. The NGO implemented 455.0 hectares of restoration, with only 10.7% within proposed corridors. NGO projects were concentrated on ecological restoration, which presents significant differences between ecological corridors. In practice, the implementation of restoration areas was primarily guided by the local characteristics of the landscape, project’s constraints and the will and interest of rural landowners in restoring their properties. This differs from its planning, in which social and economic aspects were not considered and only the environmental variables were taken into.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Melissopalynological techniques are used in the analysis of pollen grains. However, the adoption of methodologies considering cost-effectiveness, shorter preparation time and lesser toxic procedures for researchers is relevant. Thus, this study aimed to analyze different melissopalynological methodologies in polyfloral honey samples. Three melissopalynological protocols were applied to the samples using alcian blue dye, basic fuchsin, and the traditional acetolysis methodology without dye. After preparing the pollen samples, and analyzing them under an optical microscope, six botanical families were recorded, e.g., Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Bignoniaceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, and Myrtaceae. The methodologies investigated proved to be efficient for detecting pollen structures and identifying botanical families thereof. The alcian blue dye-based protocol allowed a greater separation and discrimination of pollen grains as compared to the basic fuchsin and acetolysis ones, where pollen conglomerates were often identified. Even though acetolysis has been the most used method in melissopalynological studies, it has been claimed to offer risks to users due to the manipulation of corrosive and toxic solvents (i.e., H2SO4), also being lesser cost-effective and more time-consuming. Thus, considering the cost-effectiveness, the alcian blue dye and basic fuchsin-based methods seem to be preferred, being as efficient as acetolysis for identifying pollen grains.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The present study aimed to inventory the parasitic fauna of Leporinus piau from the Lima Campos weir, Salgado River basin, municipality of Icó, Ceará, Brazil. A total of 35 host specimens were collected, whereas all were parasitized by at least two metazoan taxa. A total of 2,910 parasite specimens belonging to five taxonomic groups were identified such as: Myxozoa (Henneguya sp. 1 and Henneguya sp. 2), Monogenea (Jainus beccus, Jainus radixelongatus, Tereancistrum flabellum, Tereancistrum paranaensis, Tereancistrum parvus, Urocleidoides digitabulum, Urocleidoides paradoxus, Urocleidoides sp., Dactylogyridae gen. sp. 1, Dactylogyridae gen. sp. 2 and Dactylogyridae gen. sp. 3), Digenea (Diplostomum lunaschiae and Clinostomum sp.), Nematoda (Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus) and Copepoda (Gamispatulus schizodontis). Seventeen parasite taxa were found, with the class Monogenea being the most abundant group. The main site of infestation was the gills, presenting 14 taxa, including myxozoans, monogeneans and digeneans. This study highlights seven new parasitic associations for the host and 16 for the studied locality, as well as new records of diversity indices for the parasitic taxa found. It was observed that the class Monogenea exhibited a broad diversity of species, contributing to the understanding of the distribution patterns of fish parasites in the Brazilian semiarid region.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Commercial fisheries data often lacks the controlled environment of traditional experiments. In this note, we explore the limitations and strengths of observational and quasi-experimental approaches in fisheries science, discussing the challenges of establishing causality, space-time pseudo-replication, and the impact of fishing-induced evolution.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Leaf litter is an important component related to nutrient cycling and conservation of soil biodiversity. In this context, the objective of our study was to investigate the relationship between soil and leaf litter in different forest communities in sub-regions of the Pantanal (Nhecolândia and Abobral/Miranda). To this end, we collected soil and leaf litter samples from 152 sample plots divided in physiognomies regionally called as Cordilheira, Capão, Murundu, Corixo and Cambará/Canjiqueira forest. In the laboratory, analytical determinations were conducted for 22 soil attributes and 11 elements of the chemical composition of the leaf litter. The forest communities showed a great well-defined edaphic gradient encompassing environments with high natural fertility soils (Capão and Cordilheira Abobral/Miranda), acidic soils with a high proportion of soluble Al3+ (Cambará/Canjiqueira, and Corixo), and poorly developed soils with a predominantly sandy texture (Nhecolândia region, Cordilheira and Murundu). Soil attributes are significantly related to the chemical composition of litter, as indicated by correlations between N, P, Ca, Mg, Mn and the C/N ratio with physical, chemical and soil organic matter attributes. This study revealed the interaction of soils with the chemical composition of litter, constituting an ecosystem service, in forest communities in the Brazilian Pantanal.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Aiming to verify whether the diversity of secretory structures with their respective exudates are or not responsible for the attendance of floral visitors in Miconia species, the floral secretory structures of two Amazonian species of Miconia were described and interpreted from the functional perspectives and observations of floral visitors. Flowers and floral visitors were collected in the field for 16 months. The flowers were subjected to standard anatomical analyzes using light and scanning electron microscopy, and the secretory structures were evaluated using histochemical tests. The insects were photographed, collected and identified by a specialist. Floral secretory structures (stigmatic papillae and trichomes at the apex of the ovary) were found in M. alata and M. ciliata. Trichomes were found at the hypanthium of M. alata, and of the sepals and receptacles in M. ciliata. In both species, different hydrophilic compounds were detected in the exudates. Only phenolic compounds were found in the trichomes of the M. ciliata receptacle. This study provides information that confirms the hypothesis that other secretory structures and exudates are related to floral visitors, and adds new informations about the features of the secretory structures in Miconia.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Night-blooming cacti, primarily pollinated by bats and hawkmoths, also attract beetles seeking food and safe shelter for mating and brooding their offspring. The influence of flower density on beetle visitation rates remains unclear, with responses varying by species and environmental factors. In the Caatinga Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest, we studied the flower occupancy distribution of two beetle species, Cyclocephala paraguayensis and Nitops aff. pilosocerei, in Pilosocereus pachycladus cacti. Our findings indicate that both beetle species act as commensals with minimal impact on effective pollination. They forage for nectar and pollen without causing damage to pistils or ovaries. N. aff. pilosocerei was more abundant than C. paraguayensis, and their distributions significantly differed, with N. aff. pilosocerei displaying a more uniform spread. Instances of both species occupying the same flower were more frequent than exclusive occupation. Nitops aff. pilosocerei abundance exhibited spatial autocorrelation. Flower height and beetle species influenced the total number of beetles within flowers. Future studies should explore the impact of cactus flower distribution on beetle abundance with other species, conduct selective pollination experiments to determine their role as pollinators, and investigate how flower-beetle interaction systems are affected by flower and individual distribution in processes like florivory and pollination.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Pantanal fires have a significant impact on the environment. Anthropogenic emissions of residual gases have changed the tropospheric composition in this region due to burning. This study aims to analyze the spatial patterns of atmospheric pollutants (including carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), black carbon (BC), organic carbon (OC) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) and aerosol optical depth, along with fire outbreaks across the Pantanal biome from 2016 to 2021. The data collected is based on remote sensing data. The fire outbreaks peaked pollutant concentrations reached their highest between June to November, particularly during the drier months of August to October. This increase was even greater during the last three years (2019-2021), especially in 2020, when the average CO, NO2, SO2, BC, and OC concentrations increased by 29%, 31%, 50%, 52%, and 50%, respectively. The rainfall values do not justify the increase in the number of fire outbreaks between 2019 and 2021, indicating that the rise is likely due to increased burning. In 2021, the average monthly rainfall was 48% greater than that in 2016-2020 but it had the highest FRP value and the second highest fire outbreak number and pollutant concentration. The 2020 year experienced a record number of fire outbreaks and the highest levels of pollutants in the atmosphere in the region for this period.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Hemipenes are important structures for the systematics of Squamata, and may assist in the diagnosis of closely related taxa. Only one of the species of Glaucomastix (G. venetacauda) had its hemipenial morphology described in literature so far. Here we analyze and describe for the first time the hemipenes of seven specimens of G. abaetensis and 20 specimens of G. littoralis from the reptile collection of Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. In both species the hemipenes are bilobed with a forked sulcus spermaticus in a centripetal orientation and present laminar ornamentations on the hemipenial body and paired awns on the apical region of the lobes. The two species differed from each other only in the modal number of proximal laminae. The main differences in hemipenial morphology between Glaucomastix and its sister genus Ameivula are the presence of laminae in the hemipenial body (absent in Ameivula) and the absence of digitiform papillae on the apical lobular region (present in Ameivula). We expect that our data can be used as an additional tool to diagnose species within the genus Glaucomastix/Ameivula.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of maize replacement by crude biodiesel-derived glycerol on the zootechnical performance, chemical carcass composition and blood parameters of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) juveniles. A total of 600 silver catfish juveniles were distributed in a completely randomized design with six treatments comprised of isoproteic and isoenergetic pelleted diets with six levels of glycerol replacing maize, and five replicates. The glycerol maize substitution significantly influenced (p < 0.05) the final weight, clean trunk production and headless carcass yield, with the highest values for both parameters observed in the 100% substitution treatment, significantly different compared to the 0% replacement treatment. Plasmatic calcium, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, total proteins, oxaloacetic and pyruvic glutamic transaminase concentrations were not influenced (p < 0.05) by the dietary treatments, nor were moisture, crude protein and mineral matter (p < 0.05). Crude glycerol can be included in up to 7.5% in juvenile silver catfish diets. Biodiesel-derived glycerol can, thus, successfully replace maize in juvenile silver catfish diets.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract In 2000, the first draft of PhyloCode was made public, an alternative naming code that does not follow Linnaean rankings and is based on the phylogenetic relationships of taxa in cladograms. In this study, the impact of the PhyloCode on scientific literature was analyzed from its first appearance in the literature to 2021. We investigated the areas that have most assimilated the proposal, the criticisms that have arisen over time, and whether there has been growing adherence to it up to the present day. The analyzed data were obtained from the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science database, where 121 articles that used or discussed the PhyloCode were found. Initially, there was an increase in publications, but in mid-2004, there was a downward trend, which was more noticeable after 2008. Results suggest that despite the criticisms, the proposal has been used in research in several areas, mainly in Zoology and Botany, as an alternative to the Linnaean ranking system. Most articles have been published in Systematics and Taxonomy and discuss the functionality of the proposed code. Despite the proposal’s potential, its acceptance can be considered relatively low and it still generates discussions, just like any scientific novelty.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using ground soybean hulls and white oat grains to finish steers reared exclusively on concentrated feed. We used 33 steers, predominantly of Charolais or Nellore breeds, and randomly assigned the animals to the treatments, blocking them according to genetic predominance. The diets were isonitrogenous, and the treatments consisted of soybean hulls, white oats, and mix these in equal parts, supplemented with calcitic limestone and a protein nucleus. The study measured variables related to the dry matter intake (DMI) and bromatological fractions of diets, as well as performance of steers. No significant differences were observed between treatments in terms of DMI during the experimental period. Although DMI intake was similar across treatments, steers receiving the mixed diet exhibited significantly higher weight gain than those on the soybean hull diet (1.300 vs. 0.972 kg day-1). However, both these treatments showed comparable results to the white oat grain diet (1.203 kg day-1), achieving a similar final weight (387.22 kg). Implementing 100% concentrate diets is technically feasible for steers fed with white oat grain and the mixture of soybean hull and white oat grain, which also demonstrated superior performance compared to the soybean hull treatment.

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Abstract The therapeutic arsenal for veterinary pharmacotherapy includes both medicines for exclusive veterinary use and human medicines prescribed off-label for animals. Unlike medicines for exclusive veterinary use, the package inserts of human medicines detail the qualitative composition of the excipients in these products. Some excipients may cause adverse reactions in specific animal populations, necessitating that healthcare professionals identify and avoid administering medicines containing these excipients to susceptible animals. In this study, we analyzed 120 package inserts for human medicines prescribed for animals and, identified 14 excipients of concern for this population: 10 in liquid products, 6 in semi-solid products, and 5 in solid products. The identified excipients include ethyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, benzalkonium chloride, mannitol, sodium metabisulfite, sodium lauryl sulfate, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate, and ethoxylated castor oil. Although off-label use of human medicines in veterinary practice is permitted, the study suggests that regulatory agencies and professional councils should raise awareness among veterinary prescribers and pharmacists regarding these excipients. This unprecedented study highlights the urgent need to address this issue, aiming to encourage research on excipient safety in animal populations and strengthen veterinary pharmacovigilance services.

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Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of essential oils (EO) of Pilocarpus pennatifolius (PPOL) and Cordia verbenacea (CVOL) as sedatives and/or anesthetics in juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The main constituents of PPOL were 2-undecanone (57.2%) and 2-Tridecanone (28.3%), and of CVOL α-pinene (34.8%), which were determined by gas chromatography. PPOL led juveniles to sedation at concentrations of 2 (703.8s), 10 (407.4s), 20 (225.5s), 50 (190.2s), and 80 (163.5s) mg L-1. CVOL also induced sedation at these concentrations, with times of 504.9, 294.2, 142.8, 113.8, and 135.6 s, respectively. Both EOs at 200 mg L-1 induced deep anesthesia within 507.5 (PPOL) and 1267.7 s (CVOL). Exposure to PPOL at 2, 20, and 80 mg L-1 for 48 h resulted in fish sedation, while CVOL lead fish to sedation at the two lowest concentrations and anesthesia at the highest one. Possible stress responses were evaluated during anesthetic recovery and long exposure, and PPOL did not cause behavioral or glucose levels changes in all evaluations. However, CVOL increased glucose levels at the highest concentrations studied (80 and 200 mg L-1), indicating that this oil may have caused stress in fish.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Understanding shell morphology is central to taxonomic and evolutionary studies of bivalves. When traditional systematic studies find limitations in the recognition and classification of taxa, geometric morphometrics methods become a tool to tackle these uncertainties. Taxonomic difficulties are frequently found in systematics studies of the generally homoplastic Pitarinae (Venereidae). Recent contributions have proposed that Neogene-Recent South American species traditionally assigned to Pitar sensu stricto showed a distinguishable morphology that allowed separating them from that genus, including them in Proteopitar. In this contribution, we perform two morphometric analyses: elliptic Fourier analysis (EFA) and 2D landmark analysis with the aim of evaluating the intra- and interspecific variation of these taxa from the Western Atlantic Ocean included in Pitar s.s. to evaluate its doubtful generic assignments. EFA results show a highly variable outline in Proteopitar patagonicus, superimposed in the morphospace of all other taxa. The three analyzed groups, Pitar, Proteopitar, and extant Western Atlantic Ocean species, are statistically differentiable in hinge morphologies (landmark analysis), as corroborated by the Discriminant Function Analysis. The latter taxa are also distributed in a restricted portion of morphospace in EFA and along with the recognition of additional morphological differences allow us to define the new genus Jasypitar.

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Abstract The research aimed to evaluate the shrimp waste meal (SWM1) in the diet of European quails in the production phase. A metabolism trial was performed with 96 quails of 28 days of age distributed in a completely randomized design with three treatments (reference diet and two test diets in which SWM replaced 20% and 40% of the reference diet) and four replications of eight birds. There was no difference in metabolizable energy values. In the performance trial 200 quails of 28 weeks of age were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments (0, 50 100 and 150 g/kg of inclusion of SWM) and five replications of ten birds. There was reduction in the nitrogen metabolization coefficient with the inclusion of 150 g/kg SWM. The feed intake, production and egg mass worsened with 150 g/kg inclusion. The inclusion of SWM at all levels reduced the values of specific gravity and Hugh units, and the level 150 g/kg promoted reduction in shell percentage and shell thickness. It was concluded that the metabolizable energy of SWM is 2,377 MJ/kg and that the inclusion of SWM in the diet of quails in production can be up to 100 g/kg.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Dinizia Excelsa is an Amazonian tree with a wide range of applications as a raw material in the industry. The objective of this study was to extract, characterize, and evaluate the biological activities of xylan extracted from Dinizia excelsa wood. The xylan was obtained in five stages, including delignification, precipitation, purification, and freeze-drying. The physicochemical analysis of xylan included the determination of monosaccharides, elemental composition, FTIR analysis, 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the determination of molecular weight. Xylan had an extraction yield of 28.44% and an elemental composition of 35.03% carbon, 5.65% hydrogen, and 59.32% oxygen. FTIR analysis revealed similarities between Dinizia excelsa xylan and commercial xylan. 2D NMR analysis confirmed the presence of characteristic xylan groups. Furthermore, xylan has a low molecular weight. In vitro cytotoxicity tests demonstrated low toxicity, indicating its potential for biological applications. Immunomodulatory activity assays revealed that xylan stimulated cell proliferation and the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. The anticoagulant activity of xylan was low compared to heparin. The antioxidant activity of xylan was weaker compared to ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). These results indicate that xylan from Dinizia excelsa has potential for several biomedical applications due to its immunomodulatory and anticoagulant properties.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Predicting biomass of arborescent individuals on sample plots using allometric models is an essential step in the computation of design-based forest biomass estimates. Nonetheless, there are few models for species with different growth forms, such as tree ferns. This study, therefore, sought to construct models to predict {aboveground

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The use of agro-industrial wastes as biosorbents is a promising alternative for sustainable, economical and effective adsorption. However, few studies evaluate the use of Brazilian agro-industrial waste as biosorbents without physicochemical pre-treatment. This study explored the potential of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and rice husk waste (RHW) as low-cost biosorbents for yellow tartrazine dye removal. Characterization of the materials were carried out using ATR-FTIR, SEM, pHPZC and lignocellulosic composition. Cellulose and hemicellulose were the major constituents of both materials. By the Box-Behnken experimental design, the response surfaces indicated maximum removal of 60.1% for SCB and 83.1% for RHW. While the qmax of SCB and RHW for tartrazine were relatively low at 2.45 ± 0.03 mg g-1 and 3.55 ± 0.02 mg g-1, respectively, the potential for achieving higher dye removals by increasing the adsorbent dosage in large-scale applications warrants further investigation. For both biosorbents, the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Brouers-Sotolongo isotherm provided the best fit for the data, and the adsorption processes were spontaneous and exothermic. In conclusion, SCB and RHW demonstrated high tartrazine removal, promoting sustainable agro-industrial waste management.

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Abstract This study investigates valorization of piassava fiber through its incorporation in adobe bricks. The objective was to analyze the properties of adobe bricks reinforced with varying weight fractions of piassava fiber. The fibers were characterized for their chemical and physical characteristics, while the sand and clay were characterized for granulometry, XRD patterns, and EDX. Initial bricks were prepared with a constant piassava fiber weight fraction of 3% and varying sand:clay weight ratios. The mechanical properties of the adobe bricks were evaluated, and subsequent investigations involved variable fiber weight fractions of 0.5%, 1%, and 3%. Characterization included compressive characterization, apparent density, three-point bending, resistance to water erosion, and cracking behavior. The results showed that the physical and chemical characteristics of the fibers were consistent with the existing literature. The adobe bricks exhibited a range of apparent density values and compressive strength, with the S40C60P3 brick demonstrating higher strength and reduced crack visibility. The bricks with 3% fiber content outperformed others in terms of bending strength and displacement before fracture. Erosion tests revealed that higher fiber contents resulted in lower levels of mass loss and erosion depth. These findings highlight the potential of piassava fiber incorporation in adobe bricks for enhancing their properties.

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Abstract The transmission gearbox of military helicopters, such as the H225M, experiences intense dynamic loads, leading to the detachment of ferromagnetic particles, often due to wear or fatigue. This poses safety risks, as excessive particle detachment demands stringent maintenance. To address this, the study applies machine learning algorithms to predict particle detachment using data from the Flight Data Recorder and Health and Usage Monitoring System. The approach aims to mitigate operational challenges faced by the Brazilian H225M fleet while considering aviation safety criteria and the pre-processing needs for an effective machine learning application.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Latency in flux observation has an adverse effect on the performance of observer-based field-oriented speed control for three-phase induction motor (IM). The reduction of the convergent rate of estimation errors could improve the performance of speed-controlled IM based on flux observers. The main contribution is to design a fast convergent flux observer, which provides bounded estimation error immediately after one instant of motor startup. The proposed flux observer fused barrier function adaptive mechanism with integral sliding mode control principle to yield BFISMO. Rigorous stability analysis has been conducted to achieve global flux estimation error ultimate boundedness. Moreover, three controllers have been designed. The first control design is devoted to flux control based on a backstepping controller, while the other two controllers’ design is dedicated to rotor speed control of the motor. The speed controller is developed by combining the backstepping control with disturbance observers to estimate the unmatched load torque named quasi-sliding mode observer (QSMDO), and nonlinear disturbance observer (NLDO). Based on numerical simulations, the performance and efficacy of the proposed BFISMO have been assessed by conducting a comparison study to other observer techniques. The results showed the superiority of the proposed observer over the conventional versions.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Lipases are enzymes that have an important role in the industry for their wide use, giving rise to a great interest in industrial bioprocesses due to their versatility. One of the applications is the enzymatic hydrolysis of waste oils. This work consists of evaluating the production of lipases using several concentrations of residual frying oil (RFO) and different pHs, through ANOVA analysis. The production of free fatty acids was carried out by hydrolysis of RFO using noncommercial lipases produced in the previous step. The production of lipase enzymes was favored at pH 2.0, with an oil concentration of 1.5% (v/v) for a period of 24 hours, resulting in an enzyme activity of 141.90 U. mL-1 . The highest result of enzymatic hydrolysis of RFO was 20.70% in 40 minutes. This conversion was favored by increasing the concentration of the enzymatic extract. In this study, it was possible to obtain free fatty acids (FFAs) using a noncommercial enzyme and waste oil as an environmentally correct and low-cost alternative.