RESUMO Talvez, o homem seja o único dos entes a ter e a estabelecer relações com certos ‘objetos’ que ultrapassam a sua realidade material transcendendo-a para designar outra realidade para além da física. Dentre eles, poderíamos caracterizar como sendo ‘Objetos Transcendentes’ (e. g. Deus, por excelência, assim como o Demônio e outras entidades deste universo, quer passíveis de aceitação, aversão ou rejeição) aqueles que constituem a base para o desenvolvimento de sentimentos e de ideias religiosas e podem, também, ser entendidos (na sua origem, sentido e função) sob perspectiva da psicanálise. Nesse sentido, delimitando nossa proposta de análise, este artigo se propõe a analisar estes objetos a partir do ponto de vista de Sigmund Freud almejando e, com isto, analisar sua origem nos processos de sublimação da sexualidade e nos processos projetivos e identificatórios que caracterizam o desenvolvimento emocional do ser humano. Tal compreensão pode auxiliar na compreensão e intervenção clínica com aqueles que se relacionam com esses objetos ocupam um lugar central em seus modos de ser e estar no mundo, bem como com área da psicologia da religião em suas investigações.

ABSTRACT Perhaps, man is the unique entity to have and establish relationships with certain ‘objects’ that go beyond their material reality, transcending it to designate another reality beyond the physical. Among them, we could characterize as ‘Transcendent Objects’ (e.g. God, par excellence, such as the Devil and other entities belonging to this universe, whether subject to acceptance, aversion or rejection) those responsible for constituting the basis for developing feelings and religious ideas, and they can also be understood (in their origin, sense and function) from the perspective of psychoanalysis. Therefore, delimiting our proposal of analysis, this article aimed to analyze such objects from the point of view of Sigmund Freud, thus, analyzing their origin in the processes of sublimation of sexuality and in the projective and identification processes that characterize the emotional development of the human being. Such understanding can assist in clinical intervention of cases where there is a personal relationship or a centrality of these objects in personal experiences, as well as with the area of psychology of religion in its investigations.

RESUMEN Quizás, el Hombre es la única de las entidades que tiene y establece relaciones con ciertos ‘objetos’ que van más allá de su realidad material, trascendiéndola para designar otra realidad además de la física. Entre ellos, podríamos caracterizar como ‘Objetos Trascendentes’ (ej. Dios, por excelencia, así como el Demonio y otras entidades de este universo, ya sean sujetos a aceptación, aversión o rechazo) a aquellos que constituyen la base para el desarrollo de los sentimientos y ideas religiosas y también pueden ser entendidas (en su origen, significado y función) por el psicoanálisis. En este sentido, delimitando nuestra propuesta de análisis, este artículo propone analizar estos objetos desde el punto de vista de Sigmund Freud apuntando y, con ello, analizar su origen en los procesos de sublimación de la sexualidad y en los procesos proyectivos e identificativos que caracterizan el desarrollo emocional de los seres humanos. Tal comprensión puede ayudar en la comprensión e intervención clínica con quienes se relacionan con estos objetos que ocupan un lugar central en sus formas de ser y estar en el mundo, así como con el área de Psicología de la Religión en sus investigaciones.

Resumo Fundamento No tratamento da fibrilação atrial (FA), a arritmia sustentada mais frequente, com ablação por cateter (ABL) ou cardioversão elétrica (CVE), o período periprocedimento é uma das fases mais críticas. Atualmente, o uso de novos anticoagulantes orais de ação direta (DOAC) é cada vez mais frequente, no entanto, no mundo real, ainda existem poucos dados de estudos sobre a incidência de trombo no átrio esquerdo (TrAE) ou contraste espontâneo denso (CE) no ecocardiograma transesofágico (ETE). Objetivo Analisar a prevalência de TrAE, por ETE, em pacientes em uso de DOAC submetidos à CVE/ABL. Secundariamente: avaliar a associação de comorbidades com a presença de trombos e CE. Métodos Estudo de coorte retrospectivo, unicêntrico, com pacientes do Ambulatório de Arritmia (InCor-HCFMUSP). Foram selecionados e analisados dados clínicos e ecocardiográficos no prontuário da instituição de pacientes com indicação de procedimentos e em uso de DOACs. Considerado um nível de significância de 5%. Resultados Foram incluídos 354 pacientes, no total de 400 procedimentos, de março de 2012-março de 2018. TrAE foi encontrado em 11 pacientes (2,8%), associado com idade avançada (p=0,007) e CHA2DS2-VASc maior (p<0,001). Foi encontrado CE no AE no procedimento antes da ETE em 29 pacientes (7,3%), com menor FEVE (p <0,038) e maior dimensão do AE (p <0,0001). Conclusão A incidência de TrAE e CE em pacientes em uso de DOAC no contexto de CVE/ABL de FA, embora pequena, não é desprezível. Pacientes com escore CHA2DS2-VASc maior, principalmente mais idosos e com diâmetro do AE maior, são mais propensos a esses achados ecocardiográficos.

Abstract Background In the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most frequently sustained arrhythmia, with catheter ablation (CA) or electrical cardioversion (ECV), the periprocedural period is one of the most critical phases. Currently, the use of new direct action oral anticoagulants (DOAC) is increasingly frequent; however, in the real world, there are still few data on studies on the thrombus incidence in the left atrium (TrLA) or dense spontaneous contrast (DSC) on transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). Objective To evaluate the prevalence of events and association with risk factors in patients using DOACs. Primary objective: to analyze the prevalence of thrombus in the LA by TEE in patients using DOAC undergoing ECV/CA. Second, evaluate the association of comorbidities with the presence of thrombi and DSC. Methods Retrospective cohort, single-center study with patients followed at the Arrhythmia Outpatient Unit (InCor-HCFMUSP). Patients indicated for procedures and using DOACs were selected, and their clinical/echocardiographic data were analyzed. A significance level of 5% was considered. Results 354 patients were included, a total of 400 procedures, from March 2012-March 2018. Thrombus in the LA was found in 11 patients (2.8%), associated with advanced age (p=0.007) and higher CHA2DS2-VASc (p<0.001) score. DSC in the LA before TEE was found in 29 patients (7.3%), with lower LVEF (p<0.038) and greater LA dimension (p<0.0001). Conclusion The incidence of LA thrombus and DSC in patients using DOC in the context of AF ECV/CA, although small, is not negligible. Patients with higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores, especially older and with larger LA diameter, are more prone to these echocardiographic findings.

Resumo Fundamento: Fibrose cardíaca difusa é fator importante na avaliação prognóstica dos pacientes com disfunção ventricular. Mapeamento T1 nativo pela ressonância magnética cardíaca (RMC) apresenta elevada sensibilidade e é considerado preditor independente de mortalidade por todas as causas e desenvolvimento de insuficiência cardíaca (IC) nos pacientes com cardiomiopatia. Objetivos: Avaliar aplicabilidade da avaliação com mapa T1 nativo em pacientes com IC em um hospital de referência de cardiologia e sua associação com parâmetros estruturais e perfil funcional. Métodos: Estudo transversal com pacientes adultos com IC classes funcionais NYHA I e II, isquêmicos e não isquêmicos, acompanhados em hospital de referência, que realizaram RMC. Os valores de T1 nativo foram analisados em relação a parâmetros estruturais, comorbidades, etiologia e categorização da IC pela fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE). Análises foram realizadas com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Analisados 134 pacientes. Valores de T1 nativo elevados foram encontrados em pacientes com maior dilatação (1004,9 vs 1042,7ms, p=0,001), volume (1021,3 vs 1050,3ms, p<0,01) e disfunção ventricular (1010,1 vs 1053,4ms, p<0,001), mesmo quando analisados isoladamente os não isquêmicos. Pacientes classificados com IC com fração de ejeção reduzida apresentaram maiores valores T1 em relação aos com IC e fração de ejeção preservada (ICFEP) (992,7 vs 1054,1ms, p<0,001). Dos com ICFEP, 55,2% apresentavam T1 elevado. Conclusões: Mapeamento T1 por RMC é factível para avaliação da IC clínica. Houve associação direta entre maior valor nativo de T1 e menor fração de ejeção, maiores diâmetros e volumes do VE, independentemente da etiologia da IC.

Abstract Background: Diffuse cardiac fibrosis is an important factor in the prognostic assessment of patients with ventricular dysfunction. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) native T1 mapping is highly sensitive and considered an independent predictor of all-cause mortality and heart failure (HF) development in patients with cardiomyopathy. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of native T1 mapping assessment in patients with HF in a cardiology referral hospital and its association with structural parameters and functional profile. Methods: Cross-sectional study with adult patients with HF NYHA functional classes I and II, ischemic and non-ischemic, followed in a referral hospital, who underwent CMR. Native T1 values were analyzed for structural parameters, comorbidities, etiology, and categorization of HF by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Analyses were performed with a significance level of 5%. Results: Enrollment of 134 patients. Elevated native T1 values were found in patients with greater dilation (1004.9 vs 1042.7ms, p = 0.001), ventricular volumes (1021.3 vs 1050.3ms, p <0.01) and ventricular dysfunction (1010.1 vs 1053.4ms, p <0.001), also present when the non-ischemic group was analyzed separately. Patients classified as HF with reduced ejection fraction had higher T1 values than those with HF and preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) (992.7 vs 1054.1ms, p <0.001). Of those with HFPEF, 55.2% had higher T1. Conclusions: CMR T1 mapping is feasible for clinical HF evaluation. There was a direct association between higher native T1 values and lower ejection fraction, and with larger LV diameters and volumes, regardless of the etiology of HF.

Abstract This study assessed the effect of hydraulic retention time (HRT) on biohydrogen production by dark fermentation using an anaerobic fluidized bed reactor fed with cheese whey synthetic wastewater. The reactor of 1.2 L was operated with an approximate carbohydrate concentration of 2800 mg L-1, and HRTs of 6, 4, 2, 1 and 0.5 h. Acetic and butyric acids were the main metabolites produced in the reactor. The hydrogen production increased from 0.039 to 1.43 L-H2 h-1 L-1-reactor as the HRT decreased from 6 to 0.5 h. The best hydrogen yield (HY) (2.73 mol-H2 mol-carbohydrate-1) and carbohydrate consumption (81.02%) were achieved at a HRT of 6 h (12.34 kg-COD m-3 d-1) followed by the HY of 2.43 mol-H2 mol-carbohydrate-1 at a HRT of 0.5h (163.02 kg-COD m-3.d-1). An increase in the influent pH in the operational phase 05 (HRT of 0.5 h) favored hydrogen production despite the reduced carbohydrate conversion compared to phase 01 (HRT of 6 h). In both conditions, the reactor presented the highest amount of acetic acid, indicating that the acetate route favored the hydrogen yield production. The HRT reduction led to an increase in microbial diversity, as evidenced by the Shannon-Wiener coefficient of 2.586, which corresponds to the operational phase with a HRT of 2 h.

RESUMO Objetivos: Avaliar a taxa de ressecção abdominoperineal em portadores de adenocarcinoma de reto inferior no Hospital Barão de Lucena – SES/PE. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo baseado na análise de prontuários de pacientes com adenocarcinoma de reto inferior submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico no serviço de Coloproctologia do Hospital Barão de Lucena entre 2013 e 2016. Resultados: Observou-se que 77,5% dos pacientes foram submetidos à ressecção abdominoperineal e 22,5% à cirurgia com preservação esfincteriana. A maioria dos pacientes era do sexo masculino (62,5%), tinha menos que 70 anos (72,5%), apresentava IMC menor que 30 kg/m2 (87,5%), apresentava ASA I e II (82,5%), classificação de Rullier de I a III (95%) e TNM diferente de T1-T3 (95%). Em 92,5% dos prontuários, não havia registro sobre a continência fecal antes da cirurgia. O período mais frequente entre o término da radioterapia e a realização da cirurgia foi superior a 11 semanas (57,5%); a distância, mais comum, do tumor à margem anal estava entre 3,1–4,0 cm (35% dos pacientes). Conclusão: Houve uma alta taxa de cirurgias não poupadoras de esfíncter anal. O único fator preditivo para a realização da ressecção abdominoperineal foi a presença de tumores classificados como Rulier tipo III e IV.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the rates of abdominoperineal resection in patients with low rectal adenocarcinoma at the Hospital Barão de Lucena – SES/PE. Methodology: This is a study based on the analysis of medical records of patients with low rectal adenocarcinoma submitted to surgical treatment at the Hospital Barão de Lucena Coloproctology Service between 2013 and 2016. Results: It was observed that 77.5% of patients underwent abdominoperineal resection and 22.5% underwent anal sparing surgery. Most of the patients were male (62.5%), were under 70 years old (72.5%), presented a BMI less than 30 kg/m2 (87.5%), presented American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score I and III (82.5%), Rullier classification from I to III (95%) and TNM different from T1–T3 (95%). In 92.5% of medical records, there was no record of fecal continence before surgery. The most frequent period between the end of the radiotherapy and the surgery was over 11 weeks (57.5%); the most common distance from the tumor to the anal margin was between 3.1 and 4.0 cm (35% of patients). Conclusion: There was a high rate of non-sparing anal sphincter surgeries. The only predictive factor for abdominoperineal resection was the presence of tumors classified as Rullier type III and IV.

ABSTRACT Ecological niche is the multidimensional space comprising the resources used by an organism. Intraspecific variation in resource exploitation is common in reptile populations to maximize coexistence of individuals. The use of stable isotope analysis is an effective tool when there are variations in resource exploitation, since it can provide quantitative information about food consumption and habitat use. Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei (Bour, 1973) is a medium-sized turtle with a limited distribution in south central Brazil and Paraguay. In spite of that, little is known about its ecology. In this study we used stable isotope analysis to understand the intraspecific trophic niche variation in M. vanderhaegei at Serra das Araras Ecological Station, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The isotopic ratios of δ15N and δ13C were determined in claw samples collected from 14 males and 14 females. Isotopic niche width values were not statistically different between the sexes, there was a high degree of overlap between sexual niches and there were no relationships between isotopic compositions and body size. These results suggest that individuals of both sexes and throughout their ontogenetic development exploit food resources with the same isotopic baseline.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar o desenvolvimento in vitro de bananeira 'Ouro' após poliploidização com antimitóticos. Explantes foram submetidos aos seguintes tratamentos, por 24 e 48 horas: amiprofos-metil (APM), a 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 e 60 μmol L-1; cafeína, a 3, 6, 9 e 12 g L-1; e colchicina, a 2,5 mmol L-1. Avaliaram-se sobrevivência, número de brotos, altura do broto principal e número de raízes. As concentrações intermediárias foram as mais promissoras nos dois tempos de exposição, para APM, e no de 24 horas para cafeína. As maiores concentrações de APM e cafeína afetam negativamente o desenvolvimento in vitro dos explantes.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to characterize the in vitro development of 'Ouro' banana after polyploidization with antimitotics. Shoot apexes were subjected to the following treatments for 24 and 48 hours: amiprophos-methyl (APM), at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 60 μmol L-1; caffeine, at 3, 6, 9, and 12 g L-1; and colchicine, at 2.5 mmol L-1. Survival, number of shoots, main shoot height, and number of roots were evaluated. The intermediary concentrations were the most promising at both exposure times for APM and at 24 hours for caffeine. The highest concentrations of APM and caffeine negatively affect the in vitro development of the shoot apexes.

RESUMONo Brasil, a estrutura de governança corporativa é marcada pela forte concentração do direito de propriedade e controle em um acionista ou um bloco de controle. A teoria retrata os potenciais impactos da concentração acionária sobre o desempenho corporativo por meio das definições de efeito incentivo e efeito entrincheiramento. Inicialmente, a existência de um controlador tende a reduzir os custos de agência incorridos pela empresa e, portanto, representa benefícios a ela. No entanto, níveis elevados de concentração acionária podem implicar expropriação dos minoritários. Além de verificar empiricamente a eficácia de um mecanismo de governança corporativa para o desempenho, este estudo buscou avaliar em que medida a estrutura de propriedade afeta o risco e o valor das empresas. Nesse sentido, o objetivo principal da pesquisa foi investigar a relação entre a estrutura de propriedade e controle e valor, desempenho e risco das empresas brasileiras não financeiras listadas na BM&FBovespa entre os anos de 2004 e 2012. A pesquisa se classifica como descritivo-quantitativa e utilizou dados secundários, coletados do banco de dados Economática®, do site da Comissão de Valores Mobiliários (CVM) e da BM&FBovespa. Os procedimentos econométricos envolveram o uso do modelo de regressão com dados em painel. Os resultados demonstraram a relação negativa e estatisticamente significativa entre concentração do direito de voto e valor de mercado (medido pelo Q de Tobin), corroborando o estudo de Claessens, Djankov, Fran e Lang (2002), e o efeito entrincheiramento. As variáveis de desempenho (ROA e Ebitda) e risco (volatilidade do retorno das ações) não foram afetadas de forma estatisticamente significativa pela concentração acionária. Em relação às dummies de crise e considerando em especial a crise de 2008, a significância e o sinal negativo na especificação de valor indicam que, na ocorrência de choques de retorno, as estruturas mais concentradas penalizam o valor da firma. Por sua vez, nos modelos cuja variável resposta foi o risco, as dummies alternaram de sinal conforme o período, ou seja, no auge do choque as empresas mais concentradas apresentaram maior volatilidade, mas, após o período agudo de crise, essa mesma estrutura de propriedade e controle reduziu a volatilidade.

ABSTRACTThe structure of corporate governance in Brazil is highlighted by the strong concentration of share ownership rights and control by a shareholder or by a controlling group. The theory reveals the potential impacts of share ownership concentration on corporate performance through incentive-effect and entrenchment-effect. Initially, the existence of a controller tends to reduce agency costs incurred by the company and, therefore, it is beneficial. However, high levels of share ownership concentration may result in expropriation of minority shareholders. In addition to empirically verifying the effectiveness of a corporate governance mechanism for performance, this study sought to evaluate the extent to which ownership structure affects the risk and value of companies. Thus, the main purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship among the ownership and control structure, value, performance and risk of non-financial Brazilian companies listed on the BM&FBovespa between the years 2004 to 2012. This research is classified as descriptive and quantitative. It used secondary data collected from Economática® database, data from the Brazilian Securities Commission (Comissão de Valores Mobiliários – CVM), and data from BM& FBovespa website. Econometric procedures involved the use of the regression model with panel data. The results revealed a negative and statistically significant relationship between concentration of voting rights and market value (measured by Tobin’s Q), corroborating Claessens, Djankov, Fan and Lang (2002) and the entrenchment-effect. The performance variables (ROA and EBITDA) and risk (volatility of stock return) were notsignificantly affected, statistically, by share ownership concentration. Concerning the crisis dummies, especially the 2008’s financial crisis, the significance and negative sign in the specification value indicate that, in the occurrence of return crisis, the most concentrated structures penalize the firm value. About the models whose dependent variable was the risk, dummies alternated signal as the period, in other words, at the height of the crisis, the more concentrated companies presented higher volatility, but, after the critical crisis period, this same ownership and control structure reduced volatility.

RESUMENLa estructura de gobernanza corporativa en Brasil está marcada por la fuerte concentración del derecho de la propiedad y el control de un accionista o un bloque de control. La teoría representa los impactos potenciales de concentración de la propiedad en el desempeño corporativo a través del efecto de los ajustes que están relacionados con el efecto incentivo y el efecto atrincheramiento. Primero, la existencia de un controlador tiende a reducir los costes de agencia incurridos por la empresa y por lo tanto representa beneficios. Sin embargo, los altos niveles de concentración de la propiedad pueden resultar en la expropiación de los accionistas minoritarios. Además de verificar empíricamente la eficacia del mecanismo de gobierno corporativo para el rendimiento y en qué medida el riesgo afecta la estructura de propiedad y el valor de las empresas. Entonces, el objetivo principal de la investigación fue analizar la relación entre la estructura de propiedad y control y valor, el rendimiento y el riesgo de las empresas brasileñas no financieras listadas en el mercado BM&FBovespa entre los años 2004 a 2012. Este trabajo está clasificado como descriptivo, cuantitativo y utiliza datos secundarios obtenidos de las bases de datos Economática®, de la Comisión de Valores Mobiliarios (CVM) y del sitio de la Comisión de Valores Mobiliarios (CVM) y de la BM&FBovespa. Procedimientos econométricos incluyeron el uso del modelo de regresión con datos en panel. Los resultados mostraron una relación negativa y estadísticamente significativa entre la concentración de los derechos de voto y el valor de mercado (medido por la Q de Tobin), corroborando Claessens, Djankov, Fan y Lang (2002) y el efecto atrincheramiento. Las variables de rendimiento (ROA y Ebitda) y riesgo (volatilidad de los rendimientos de las acciones) no fueron significativamente afectadas por la concentración de las acciones. Acerca de las dummies de crisis, y considerando en especial la de 2008, en la especificación del valor, el signo negativo para el valor indica que en tiempos de crisis, las estructuras más concentradas penalizan la valía de la empresa. A su vez, en los modelos cuja variable respuesta fue el riesgo, las dummiesalternaron de señal conforme el período, o sea, en el auge del choque las empresas más concentradas mostraron una mayor volatilidad, pero, después del periodo agudo de la crisis, esa misma estructura de propiedad y control redujo la volatilidad.

Introdução: Bellis perennis L. (Asteraceae) é conhecida popularmente como margarida, margarita, margarida-vulgar, margarida-menor ou margarida-comum. É uma herbácea perene, amplamente distribuída em toda a Europa e Norte da África. Objetivo: realizar um levantamento bibliográfico sobre aspectos agronômicos, genéticos, morfoanatômicos, químicos, toxicológicos e farmacológicos desta espécie. Métodos: realizada uma revisão dos artigos completos originais e de revisão disponíveis na literatura, por meio de busca de artigos nos idiomas português, inglês ou espanhol, compreendidos entre os anos de 1962 e 2011 nas seguintes bases de dados: Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Science Direct, Scielo e Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval Sistem on-line. Foram utilizados, para busca dos artigos, os seguintes descritores: Bellis perennis, B. perennis, Asteraceae, estudos botânicos, estudos químicos, estudos toxicológicos e atividades farmacológicas. Além disso, foram incluídos os resultados experimentais dos estudos de toxicidade aguda em camundongos tratados com extrato etanólico das flores de B. perennis. Resultados: sua ampla utilização como planta medicinal e devido à ausência de informações sistematizadas sobre sua toxicidade e ações farmacológicas justificam a importância dessa revisão, uma vez que já foram isolados vários constituintes químicos. Em virtude dessas propriedades terapêuticas ainda não serem bem compreendidas, e devido à sua importância na fitoterapia, novos estudos fitoquímicos e farmacológicos devem ser conduzidos. Conclusão: apesar do seu amplo uso, a literatura não fornece detalhes sobre as suas propriedades toxicológicas e farmacológicas, demonstrando a uma necessidade de novas pesquisas científicas.

Introduction: Bellis perennis L. (Asteraceae), commonly known as daisy, is a perennial herb of wide distribution throughout Europe and the north of Africa. Objectives: conduct a bibliographic review about the agronomic, genetic, morphological and anatomic, chemical, toxicological and pharmacological characteristics of this species. Methods: a review was carried out of full-text original papers, as well as materials published in Portuguese, English and Spanish between 1962 and 2011 in the following databases: LILACS, Science Direct, Scielo and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System on-line. The search terms used were Bellis perennis, B. perennis, Asteraceae, botanical studies, chemical studies, toxicological studies and pharmacological activities. We also included the results of experimental studies on acute toxicity in mice treated with ethanolic extract of flowers of Bellis perennis. Results: its wide use as a medicinal plant and the scarcity of systematic information about its toxicity and pharmacological actions, justify the relevance of this review, since several chemical components have already been isolated. Given the fact that these therapeutic properties are still not well understood, and in view of their importance for phytotherapy, it is recommended that further phytochemical and pharmacological studies be carried out. Conclusion: despite the widespread use of this plant, the bibliography on the topic does not offer details about its toxicological and pharmacological properties. Hence the need for further scientific research.

Introducción: Bellis perennis L. (Asteraceae) es popularmente conocida como margarita. Es una hierba perenne, de amplia distribución en toda Europa y el norte de África. Objetivos: realizar una revisión de la literatura sobre los aspectos agronómicos, genéticos, morfológicos y anatómicos, químicos, toxicológicos y farmacológicos de esta especie. Métodos: se llevó a cabo una revisión de los artículos completos originales, así como de la literatura disponible en portugués, inglés o español, entre 1962 y 2011, en las bases de datos siguientes: LILACS, Science Direct, Scielo y Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval Sistem on-line. Se utilizó para buscar artículos, los descriptores siguientes: Bellis perennis, Bellis perennis, Asteraceae, estudios botánicos, químicos, estudios toxicológicos y actividades farmacológicas. Adicionalmente, se incluyeron los resultados de los estudios experimentales de toxicidad aguda en ratones, tratados con el extracto de etanol de flores de Bellis perennis. Resultados: su amplio uso como planta medicinal y por causa de la falta de información sistemática sobre su toxicidad y acciones farmacológicas, se justifica la importancia de esta opinión, porque ya se han aislado varios componentes químicos. Como estas propiedades terapéuticas aún no se comprenden bien, y por su importancia en fitoterapia, nuevos estudios fitoquímicos y farmacológicos deben realizarse. Conclusión: a pesar de su uso generalizado, la literatura no proporciona detalles acerca de sus propiedades toxicológicas y farmacológicas, lo que demuestra la necesidad de la investigación científica.

This study describes the isolation and identification of apigenin-7-O-ghicopyranoside, a flavonoid isolated from the flowers of Bellis perennis L., Asteraceae, an species with a broad spectrum of biological activities. The in vitro antioxidant activity and the inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase were evaluated. The flavonoid showed strong in vitro antioxidant potential, because of the capacity of removal of hydroxyl radicals and nitric oxide, and also prevented the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. These parameters were inhibited at the highest concentration of ApG at rates of 77.7%, 72% and 73.4%, respectively, in addition to inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, suggesting potential use in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

This work describes the isolation of an active flavonoid fraction and identification of isorhamnetin 3-O-β-D-(6''-acetyl)-galactopyranoside from flowers of B. perennis, and also the evaluation of anticholinesterase (AChE) activity of ethanolic extract from flowers (EEF) and the active fraction. The chemical structure of the flavonoid was defined on the basis of spectroscopic ¹H NMR, IR and UV data. EEF or flavonoid reduces AChE activity in vivo, while flavonoid also reduces AChE activity in vitro, showing a value of 1.49 mM for 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50), suggesting potential use as an insecticide or in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Acute toxicity, antioxidant activity in vitro and general pharmacological effects of the flower crude ethanolic extract of Bellis perennis L., Asteraceae, a popular medicine used in South America, were investigated in mice. The oral route LD50 value was found 2.31 g/kg. Oral administration at doses 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg of the extract neither caused significant changes in general behavior nor led to toxic symptoms. Anxiolytic-like properties were studied in the open field test and the possible antidepressant-like actions were evaluated in the forced swimming test (FST). There is a significant decrease in the number of crossings at all dosages mentioned above, but no sedative effects at any dosages when compared to controls. In the FST, the extract dosage of 150 mg/kg was effective in reducing immobility, along with a significant increase in swimming time. The ethanolic extract showed strong antioxidant potential in vitro, through the removal capacity against hydroxyl radicals and nitric oxide as well as prevented the formation of reactive substances to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS). Together, these results indicate that the ethanolic extract has effect on central nervous system, which might due to its antioxidant property, as demonstrated in vitro methods used. These results suggest that some of the components in ethanolic extract of B. perennis, such as alkaloids, phenolic compounds and flavonoids may have antioxidant, anxiolytic and antidepressant-like properties. Additional investigations are in progress.

The pantropical genus Bauhinia, Fabaceae, known popularly as cow's foot, is widely used in folk medicine as antidiabetic. Behavioral effects of the ethanolic extract and ethereal, aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions from B. platypetala Benth. ex Hemsl. leaves were studied in male Swiss mice. The ethanolic extract and fractions were administered intraperitoneally and its effects on spontaneous motor activity (total motility, locomotion, rearing and grooming behavior) were monitored. Anxiolytic-like properties were studied in the elevated plus-maze test and the possible antidepressant-like actions were evaluated in the forced swimming test. The results revealed that only the highest dose of the ethereal fraction (50 mg/kg, i.p.) caused a significant decrease in total motility, locomotion and rearing. Sole dose injected (50 mg/kg) of ethanolic extract and ethereal fractions increased the exploration of the elevated plus-maze open arms in a similar way to that of diazepam (2 mg/kg, i.p.). In the forced swimming test, the ethanolic extract and their fractions (12.5, 25 or 50 mg/kg) was not as effective as paroxetine (10 or 20 mg/kg, i.p.) and imipramine (25 or 50 mg/kg, i.p.) in reducing immobility. These results suggest that some of the components of the ethanolic extract and of the ethereal fraction from B. platypetala, such as p-cymene, phytol, D-lactic acid, hexadecanoic acid, among others, may have anxiolytic-like properties, which deserve further investigation. Furthermore, the results obtained indicate that ethanolic extract from B. platypetala and their fractions do not present antidepressive properties. However, these properties cannot be related to the chemical constituents identified in this specie.

The isotopic composition ( δ13C and δ 15N) of muscle, carapace and claw was determined from six wild individuals of Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812) in order to verify the variation between those tissues. The mean values of δ13C e δ 15N were, respectively, -19.48 ± 0.81‰ (-20.8 - -18.64‰) and 7.23 ± 0.67‰ (6.49 - 8.3‰) for muscle, -16.52 ± 0.98‰ (-17.88 - -15.43‰) and 7.29 ± 0.54‰ (6.74 - 7.97‰) for carapace and -18.57 ± 0.97‰ (-19.97 - -17.26‰) and 4.36 ± 0.33‰ (3.93 - 4.79‰) for claw. We found a significant difference for the tissues evaluated for both δ13C and δ15N. Muscle and claw were statistically similar and more depleted in 13C than the carapace. Nonetheless, claw was more depleted in 15N than muscle and carapace tissues. These results are likely related to differences in metabolic processes involved on each tissue formation. The description of the isotopic signatures variation in P. geoffroanus tissues provides a baseline for future investigations on the diet reconstruction of this species when more than one tissue is involved.

The innate immune activity of the freshwater turtle Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812) was investigated, using a sheep-red-blood cell hemolysis assay. The time- and concentration-dependent hemolytic activity of the turtle plasma was low compared to that reported for other reptiles. However the plasma of P. geoffroanus exhibited higher activity at elevated temperatures, resulting in temperature-dependent hemolysis. The sensitivity of turtle plasma to temperature could be interpreted as a mechanism by which freshwater turtles use basking behavior to elevate body temperature, thus enhancing the innate immune response. However, we cannot discard the possibility that environmental contaminants could be affecting the turtle's immune response, since the animals in this investigation were captured in a polluted watercourse.