ABSTRACT: The objective this study was to determine mean values of masseter muscle thickness in male and female, at rest and contraction, in healthy individuals. At first, 102 questionnaires were distributed between students. Thirty patients were selected, 15 male and 15 female, according to the inclusion criteria, excluding all individuals with symptoms of temporo-mandibular dysfunction or syndromes with craniofacial disorders. Masseter muscle thickness was determined bilaterally, at rest and contraction. As a reference point for the measurement of thickness (axial plane), the posterior prolon gation of the labial commissure was used. Normality values of the masseter muscle in females were 11.75 ± 1,14 mm in contraction and 10.19 ± 1.04 mm in relaxation; and in the male were 13.95 ± 1.62 mm in contraction and 11.64 mm ± 1.68 mm in relaxation. The results obtained are in agreement with those described in the literature. Demonstrating the accuracy and reproductibility of the ultrasound if a protocol is applied, mainly aimed at controlling the pressure applied by the transducer.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar los valores medios del grosor del músculo masetero, en reposo y contracción, en hombres y mujeres sanos. Inicialmente se distribuyeron 102 cuestionarios entre los estudiantes. Se seleccionaron 30 pacientes, 15 hombres y 15 mujeres, según los criterios de inclusión, excluyendo a todos los individuos con síntomas de disfunción temporo-mandibular o síndromes con alteraciones craneofaciales. El grosor del músculo masetero se determinó de forma bilateral, en reposo y contracción. Como punto de referencia para la medición del espesor (plano axial), la prolongación posterior de la comisura labial. Los valores de normalidad del músculo masetero en las mujeres fue de 11,75 ± 1,14 mm en contracción y 10,19 ± 1,04 mm en relajación; y en los varones 13,95 ± 1,62 mm en contracción y 11,64 mm ± 1,68 mm en relajación. Los resultados obtenidos coinciden con los descritos en la literatura, señalando la precisión y reproducibilidad del ultrasonido si se aplica un protocolo, principalmente dirigido a controlar la presión aplicada por el transductor.

▪ ABSTRACT Introduction: Recent studies have suggested the use of biological dressings made of aquatic animals as biomaterials in regenerative medicine since they demonstrate good adherence to the wound bed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Nile tilapia skin (Oreochromis niloticus) as an occlusive biological dressing in the management and treatment of second-degree burns in adults. Methods: This clinical study included 30 patients randomly treated with Nile tilapia skin (n = 15) or Aquacel Ag® silver-based hydrofiber dressing (n = 15). Results: The Nile tilapia skin yielded a similar mean treatment time (9.6 ± 2.4 days) to thatof the comparative material (10.7 ± 4.5 days). There was no statistically significantintergroup difference (p > 0.68) in pain during dressing changes. No disadvantage in pain wasnoted, as 66.7% of patients treated with Nile Tilapia skin reported a decrease in pain events Moreover, 60% of the patients treated with the Nile Tilapia skin did not require dressing replacement at any time during treatment. For the Aquacel AG® dressing, 53.3% of the patients required more than one dressing replacement. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the Nile tilapia skin is as effective as an occlusive biological dressing. The average treatment time (complete wound healing) and pain reports during dressing changes were similar between groups. Furthermore, pain after and number of dressing exchanges (when performed) were not worse.

▪ RESUMO Introdução: Estudos recentes apontam a utilização do curativo biológico com base em animais aquáticos como biomaterial na medicina regenerativa, apresentando boa aderência ao leito das feridas.O objetivo foi avaliar a eficácia da utilização da pele da Tilápia-do-Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) como curativobiológico oclusivo, no manejo/tratamento de queimaduras de 2º grau em adultos. Métodos: Estudo clínico com 30 pacientes aleatoriamente tratados com pele da Tilápia-do-Nilo (n = 15)e hidrofibra com prata Aquacel Ag® (n =1 5). Resultados: Em relação à duração, o tratamento com a pele da Tilápiado- Nilo obteve uma média de dias de tratamento (9,6 ± 2,4) similar ao material comparativo (10,7 ± 4,5). Quanto ao relato de dor durante a troca de curativos, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante (p > 0,68) entre os grupos. Após a troca do curativo, não houve inferioridade no registro do valor na escala analógica de dor, em que 66,7% dos tratados com pele da Tilápia-do-Nilo relataram diminuição dos eventos álgicos. Constatou-se ainda que 60% dos pacientes tratados com a pele da Tilápia-do-Nilo não tiveram seus curativos substituídos em qualquer momento do tratamento. Para o curativo Aquacel AG®, 53,3% dos pacientes tiveram mais de uma substituição de curativos. Conclusão: Com base na pesquisa, pode-se concluir que a pele da Tilápia-do-Nilo é eficaz como curativo biológico oclusivo. Houve similaridade entre os grupos para a média de dias de tratamento (completa cicatrização da ferida) e para o relato de dor durante a realização do curativo. Também, a não inferioridade relacionada a dor após os curativos e suas trocas (quando existentes) e na quantidade de substituições destes.

Much emphasis has been given to the deafness of Ludwig van Beethoven and its potential causes. However, when analyzing several symptoms reported by himself throughout his life in many letters and his final illness, a common etiology emerges. This article reports the medical history of this artist, based on authoritative scientific sources.

RESUMO Objetivo: determinar, em pacientes pediátricos portadores de neoplasias malignas, as características de nódulos pulmonares identificados à tomografia computadorizada, capazes de diferenciar nódulos benignos de metástases. Métodos: estudo retrospectivo de pacientes submetidos a ressecções pulmonares de nódulos diagnosticados como metástases em um período de sete anos. Achados de tomografia e da cirurgia, assim como resultados dos exames anatomopatológicos foram comparados. Resultados: nove pacientes, submetidos a 11 intervenções cirúrgicas, foram estudados. Entre as variáveis estudadas, apenas o tamanho do nódulo, maior do que 12,5mm provou ser estatisticamente significante para predizer malignidade. Conclusão: esse estudo sugere que, entre as características tomográficas de nódulos pulmonares de crianças portadoras de neoplasias malignas, apenas o tamanho da lesão foi preditor de malignidade.

ABSTRACT Objective: to determine, in pediatric patients with malignant neoplasms, the characteristics of pulmonary nodules identified on computed tomography, as well as the possibility of differentiating benign lesions from metastases. Methods: we conducted a retrospective study of patients submitted to pulmonary resections of nodules diagnosed as metastases in a period of seven years. We compared computed tomography and surgery findings, as well as results of anatomopathological examinations. Results: we studied nine patients submitted to 11 surgical interventions. Among the studied variables, only nodule size greater than 12.5mm proved to be statistically significant to predict malignancy. Conclusion: among the tomographic characteristics of pulmonary nodules in children with malignant neoplasms, only the size of the lesion was a predictor of malignancy.

Music is a powerful stimulus to our brain and not only an excellent source of enjoyment, learning or relaxing. During the last 20 years there is new considerable evidence of the extensive neural circuits involved in music processing and the morphologic, neurochemical and electrophysiological changes that music can induce. Our population is aging and there will be an increase in the prevalence for neurodegenerative conditions like dementias that still have no cure. There is consequently an urgent need to develop treatments and activities that may alleviate the symptoms of dementia. Accumulating evidence shows that persons with dementia enjoy music, and their ability to respond to music is potentially preserved even in the late or severe stages of dementia when verbal communication may have ceased. Even though the diverse studies reporting benefits of music therapy in conditions such as Dementia, Parkinson, Epilepsy, Cancer, etc. have important methodologic flaws, Music can have a role as a therapeutic tool in these conditions. Herein, we analyze the current evidence that may support the use of Music in different conditions in Medicine.

Resumen La música no es sólo una fuente de entretención y conocimiento, sino que puede convertirse en una herramienta terapéutica complementaria, ante una serie de condiciones médicas en las cuales hay claras limitaciones en la terapia actual. En las últimas dos décadas hay mayor conocimiento de las redes neurales involucradas en el procesamiento musical y de los cambios humorales, electrofisiológicos e incluso estructurales, que la música puede inducir en nuestro cerebro. Si bien aún existe poca evidencia sobre la eficacia de la música como terapia complementaria en trastornos como: Demencias, Parkinson, epilepsias, cáncer, entre otros, hay información promisoria que revisaremos en este artículo. Implementar Musicoterapia en la atención de Salud surge como una alternativa de bajo costo e inocua, que puede mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes.

Paul Cézanne is an acknowledged pioneer of modern painting. His work was poorly recognized during most of his solitary life. He progressively withdrew from people and society during his life, in part due to his introverted personality and a supreme effort to obtain a unique form of expression of his art, in which nature and its inner secrets played a pivotal role. In this review, we discuss aspects of his life and art, his pathological personal relationships and how they influenced his transcendental work.

R. Petitpas, J.T. Ibarra, M. Miranda, and C. Bonacic. 2016. Spatial patterns in a 24-year period show a case of increase forest cover and decrease fragmentation in Andean temperate landscapes, Chile. Cien. Inv. Agr. 43(3):384-395. Changes in landscape pattern were studied in a temperate landscape of the La Araucanía Region, Chile. Using aerial photographs from 1983 and 2007, we created land use/land cover maps. We then quantified the changes in composition and configuration by using landscape metrics and an adjacency matrix. By 2007, the dominant land cover had changed from agriculture to native vegetation. Residential areas showed the largest relative increase (670%) and had significant adjacency with native vegetation. The native vegetation increased by 375 ha, but the number of patches decreased by 45% and the mean patch area increased by 124%, which indicated that fragmentation decreased. The growth of tourism and the preference for "natural" spaces by new residents are suggested as the main drivers of this native vegetation recovery. Understanding the process of forest recovery may be helpful for reversing the general trend of forest loss in temperate forests of South America. This research is a first approach in exploring specific cases of native vegetation recovery and decreases in fragmentation in this Global Biodiversity Hotspot.

R. Petitpas, J.T. Ibarra, M. Miranda y C. Bonacic. 2016. Patrones espaciales en un período de 24 años muestran un caso de aumento de la vegetación nativa y disminución de la fragmentación en los paisajes templados andinos, Chile. Cien. Inv. Agr. 43(3):384-395. Los cambios en los patrones espaciales fueron estudiados en un paisaje templado de la región de La Araucanía, Chile. Se hicieron mapas de cobertura y uso del suelo a partir de fotografías aéreas de los años 1983 y 2007. Los cambios en composición y configuración del paisaje se obtuvieron a partir de métricas y una matriz de adyacencia. Para el año 2007, la cobertura dominante cambió desde agricultura a vegetación nativa. Las áreas residenciales presentaron el mayor aumento porcentual (670%) y una importante relación de adyacencia con la vegetación nativa. La vegetación nativa aumentó en 375 ha, pero el número de parches de esta disminuyó en un 45% y el área media de los parches aumentó un 124%, lo que indica una disminución en la fragmentación. El incremento del turismo y la preferencia de espacios naturales entre los nuevos residentes del área sería la principal fuerza de cambio detrás de la recuperación de la vegetación nativa. Considerando la pérdida actual de la vegetación nativa en el área, se hace importante que futuros estudios consideren casos específicos de recuperación de esta, para así entender los factores asociados a este proceso. Esta investigación es una primera aproximación para entender la recuperación y disminución de la fragmentación de la vegetación nativa de los ecosistemas templados de América del Sur.

RESUMO Objetivo: Conhecer a percepção do paciente após cirurgia de Ceratocone. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo exploratório descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas áudio-gravadas, com pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de ceratocone e as transcrições foram submetidas à análise de conteúdo, modalidade temática. Resultados: As transcrições permitiram a formação de duas categorias: Vivenciando a doença e Mudança de vida após a cirurgia. A primeira elencou a vivência do paciente com ceratocone, dificuldades enfrentadas, adaptações necessárias, busca por recursos e frustrações e a segunda categoria destaca os anseios relacionados ao processo cirúrgico, seguida da esperança de encontrar a solução, sendo a cirurgia considerada como algo miraculoso, pois permitiu a reinserção na sociedade e trouxe de volta o sentido da existência. Conclusão: Os pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de ceratocone descreveram que a cirurgia promoveu a melhora da autoestima e do amor-próprio, trazendo de volta o sentido da vida que haviam perdido.

ABSTRACT Objective: To know the perception of the patient after surgery keratoconus. Methods: descriptive exploratory study with a qualitative approach. Data were obtained through audio-taped interviews with keratoconus patients undergoing surgery and the transcripts were subjected to content analysis, thematic modality. Results: Transcripts allowed the formation of two categories: Experiencing the disease and change of life after surgery.The first has listed the experience of patients with keratoconus, faced difficulties, mutatis mutandis, search for resources and frustrations and the second category highlights the concerns related to the surgical procedure, then the hope of finding the solution, and surgery considered as something miraculous, because allowed to return to society and brought back the meaning of existence. Conclusion: Patients undergoing keratoconus surgery reported that surgery has promoted the improvement of self-esteem and self-love, bringing back the meaning of life they had lost.

Resumo Objetivo A gastrosquise é uma malformação da parede abdominal que resulta em evisceração congênita e requer tratamento intensivo neonatal, correção cirúrgica precoce e nutrição parenteral. Investigaram-se neste estudo os recém-nascidos com gastrosquise e procurou-se correlacionar as suas características nutricionais com o tempo da internação hospitalar. Métodos Estudo de coorte retrospectivo de 49 recém-nascidos submetidos à correção primária de gastrosquise de janeiro de 1995 a dezembro de 2010. As características dos neonatos foram descritas com ênfase nos aspectos nutricionais e relacionadas com o tempo de internação hospitalar. Resultados As características que influenciaram a duração da internação foram: 1) recém-nascidos pequenos para a idade gestacional (PIG); 2) uso de antibióticos; 3) dia de vida ao iniciar a dieta enteral; 4) dia de vida ao atingir a dieta plena. Recém-nascidos PIG tiveram maior tempo de internação (24,2%) do que demais neonatos. O tempo de internação foi aumentado em 2,1% para cada dia a mais que se demorou a introduzir a dieta enteral. Entretanto, atingir mais lentamente o aporte pleno da dieta enteral agiu como fator protetor, diminuiu 3,6% no tempo de internação. O volume de resíduo drenado pelo cateter gástrico, nas últimas 24 horas antes do início da dieta enteral, não apresentou correlação com o momento da introdução da dieta nem com a duração da hospitalização. Conclusão Iniciar a dieta enteral precocemente, com aumento gradativo em pequenos volumes, pode abreviar a duração da nutrição parenteral. Esse manejo contribui para a diminuição da incidência de infecções e do tempo de hospitalização de recém-nascidos com gastrosquise.

Abstract Objective Gastroschisis is a defect of the abdominal wall, resulting in congenital evisceration and requiring neonatal intensive care, early surgical correction, and parenteral nutrition. This study evaluated newborns with gastroschisis, seeking to associate nutritional characteristics with time of hospital stay. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of 49 newborns undergoing primary repair of gastroschisis between January 1995 and December 2010. The newborns’ characteristics were described with emphasis on nutritional aspects, correlating them with length of hospital stay. Results The characteristics that influenced length of hospital stay were: (1) newborn small for gestational age (SGA); (2) use of antibiotics; (3) day of life when enteral feeding was started; (4) day of life when full diet was reached. SGA infants had longer length of hospital stay (24.2%) than other newborns. The length of hospital stay was increased by 2.1% for each additional day taken to introduce enteral feeding. However, slower onset of full enteral feeding acted as a protective factor, decreasing length of stay by 3.6%. The volume of waste drained by the stomach catheter in the 24 h prior the start of enteral feeding was not associated with the timing of diet introduction or length of hospital stay. Conclusion Early start of enteral feeding and small, gradual increase of volume can shorten the use of parenteral nutrition. This management strategy contributes to reduce the incidence of infection and length of hospital stay of newborns with gastroschisis.

CONTEXTO: O transplante ortotópico de fígado (TOF) é o tratamento de escolha em pacientes com doença hepática terminal. A cirrose por hepatite C é a principal indicação de transplante hepático no mundo. No entanto, pacientes transplantados por hepatopatias virais frequentemente apresentam coinfecções, como hepatite B associada a hepatite D. Atualmente, existem diferentes estratégias de manejo em pacientes pré e pós-transplantados conforme diferentes protocolos de conduta de serviços especializados em transplante. RELATO DE CASO: Apresentamos o raro caso de um homem de 58 anos diagnosticado com as hepatites crônicas B, C e D. O paciente evoluiu com cirrose e carcinoma hepatocelular. O tratamento consistiu de terapia antiviral para os três vírus e de transplante ortotópico de fígado. O desfecho do paciente foi satisfatório. CONCLUSÃO: O transplante ortotópico de fígado, associado à terapia antiviral com entecavir antes e após o procedimento, foi eficaz na depuração sustentada dos vírus B e D. A recidiva do vírus C após o transplante respondeu com sucesso ao tratamento padrão com alfapeginterferon 2A e ribavirina.

CONTEXT: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the treatment of choice for end-stage liver disease. Cirrhosis due to hepatitis C infection is the leading indication for liver transplantation worldwide. However, patients who are given transplants because of viral liver diseases often present clinical coinfections, including hepatitis B together with hepatitis D. Currently, different strategies exist for patient management before and after liver transplantation, and these are based on different protocols developed by the specialized transplantation centers. CASE REPORT: We present a rare case of a 58-year-old man with chronic hepatitis B, C and D coinfection. The patient developed cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. His treatment comprised antiviral therapy for the three viruses and OLT. The patient's outcome was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: OLT, in association with antiviral therapy using entecavir, which was administered before and after transplantation, was effective for sustained clearance of the hepatitis B and D viruses. A recurrence of hepatitis C infection after transplantation responded successfully to standard treatment comprising peginterferon alfa-2A and ribavirin.

La leucemia bifenotípica aguda (LBA) es una enfermedad poco frecuente que comprende alrededor de 2 al 5% del total de casos de todas las leucemias. La LBA se caracteriza por la expresión asociada de 2 o más marcadores de diferentes líneas celulares en la población celular de blastos. Al respecto, la clasificación de neoplasias hematológicas y linfoides realizada por la OMS el 2008, incorporó los criterios de EGIL para el diagnóstico de este tipo de leucemia. La leucemia bifenotípica, que muestra fenotipos B y T es extremadamente rara y de mal pronóstico por lo que existe poca información respecto al manejo clínico de estos pacientes. Actualmente no existe un tratamiento estándar para estos casos, ya que no se pueden realizar estudios clínicos aleatorizados debido a la baja incidencia de la LBA. Sin embargo, el uso del protocolo Hiper CVAD (hiperfraccionamiento de ciclofosfamida, vincristina, adriamicina y dexametasona; y altas dosis de citarabina y metotrexato) ha logrado un 78% de remisión completa y una media de duración de sobrevivencia de 27 meses. Recientemente la incorporación de inhibidores de la tirosina kinasa (imatinib, nilotinib o dasatinib) en combinación con el protocolo hiperCVAD ha mejorado la tasa de remisión completa durante la inducción. En este trabajo reportamos el caso de un paciente diagnosticado con leucemia bifenotípica B/T cuya población clonal presentó positividad para marcadores linfoides, obteniéndose una puntuación de 6,5 para el linaje B y 4,5 para el linaje T según los criterios de EGIL.

Biphenotypic acute leukemia (BAL) is an uncommon disease comprising approximately from 2 to 5% of all leukemia cases. BAL is characterized by the associated expression of two or more markers of different cell lines in a single blasts population. In this regard, 2008 WHO Classification of Tumors of Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues included EGIL score system for diagnosing this type of leukemia. The biphenotypic leukemia that expresses B and T phenotypes is extremely unusual and it has poor prognosis. Due to low incidence of BAL, it is not possible to conduct randomized trials and consequently little is known about the clinical management of this kind of patients. Currently, there is no a standard treatment for these cases. However, the use of Hyper-CVAD regimen (hyperfractionated of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, adriamycin, and dexamethasone; and high dose of methotrexate and cytarabine) has achieved a 78% of complete remission with an average survival of 27 months; and the incorporation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (imatinib, nilotinib or dasatinib) has improved the remission rate during induction. We report the case of a patient whose clones gave positive for B and T lymphoid markers and according to EGIL score system, it was obtained 6.5 for B lineage and 4.5 for Tlineage

Frédéric Chopin - a great Polish composer and pianist-suffered from a chronic disease. Both during his life and after his death, physicians disagreed on Chopin's diagnosis. His contemporaries accepted the diagnosis of tuberculosis, a common disease in the 18th century. Description of new clinical entities provoked new dilemmas in the 21th century. Although other alternative diagnoses to tuberculosis have emerged, such as cystic fibrosis or alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, we still sustain that the first diagnosis is the most probable. In this paper we report F. Chopin's case history and discuss cons and pros for different diseases as the cause of F. Chopin's suffering and death.

CONTEXTO: O aneurisma de artéria renal (AAR) é incomum e, em geral, assintomático, mas podem ocorrer complicações como rotura ou embolia de trombos do aneurisma com consequente infarto renal. A maioria dos achados clínicos é encontrada acidentalmente por exames de imagem na investigação de outras doenças. O autotransplante renal (ATR) constitui-se em alternativa de tratamento de AAR com resultados satisfatórios descritos na literatura.RELATO DE CASO: Paciente masculino, 48 anos, com histórico de hipertensão arterial sistêmica, plaquetopenia e esquistossomose hepatoesplênica avançada. Referia dor lombar direita que após exames de imagem (tomografia computadorizada e angiotomografia) revelou AAR direita com 2,5 cm de diâmetro não tratável por via endovascular após avaliação da equipe de cirurgia vascular. O tratamento realizado foi uma nefrectomia aberta direita com preservação renal em solução, seguida de aneurismectomia, sutura da artéria lesada e reimplante do rim na fossa ilíaca direita com anastomoses dos vasos ilíacos e do ureter. O tempo cirúrgico e de isquemia renal foram de 385 e 140 minutos, respectivamente. Recebeu alta hospitalar no vigésimo dia do pós-operatório, com concentrações de creatinina de 1,4 mg/dL, ureia de 41 mg/dL, volume urinário de 1400 mL/24 h e ascite tratada com diuréticos.CONCLUSÃO: O ATR está indicado basicamente em três casos: reconstrução extracorpórea de aneurismas complexos do pedículo renal, lesão ureteral extensa e cirurgia conservadora de câncer renal em pacientes com único rim. Este estudo apresenta caso de paciente com doença hepática avançada e AAR intratável por método endovascular e tratado com sucesso por ATR.

CONTEXT: Renal artery aneurysm (RAA) is uncommon and usually asymptomatic, but complications like rupture or thromboembolism of the aneurysm can occur, with consequent renal infarction. Most of the clinical findings are found incidentally through imaging examinations, in investigating other diseases. Renal autotransplantation (RAT) is an alternative treatment for complex RAA, with satisfactory results described in the literature.CASE REPORT: The patient was a 48-year-old man with a history of systemic arterial hypertension, thrombocytopenia and advanced hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. He complained of right lumbar pain, which was investigated through imaging examinations (computed tomography and angiotomography). These revealed right RAA of 2.5 cm in diameter. Evaluation by the vascular surgery team found that this was untreatable using endovascular methods. The treatment performed was open right nephrectomy with kidney preservation in solution, followed by aneurysmectomy, suturing of the injured artery and kidney reimplantation in the right iliac fossa with anastomosis of the iliac vessels and ureter. The durations of the surgery and kidney ischemia were 385 and 140 minutes, respectively. The patient was discharged on the 20th postoperative day, with creatinine concentration of 1.4 mg/dL, urea 41 mg/dL, urine volume 1400 mL/24 h and ascites treated with diuretics.CONCLUSION: RAT is indicated basically in three situations: extracorporeal reconstruction of complex aneurysms of the renal pedicle, extensive ureteral injury, and conservative kidney cancer surgery in patients with a single kidney. This study presents a case of a patient with advanced liver disease and RAA that was untreatable using endovascular methods and was successfully treated using RAT.

A salinidade constitui-se um sério fator limitante à agricultura, pois a maioria das culturas agrícolas é sensível à salinidade, sendo muito afetadas pelos efeitos nocivos dos sais. As espécies halófitas do gênero Atriplex caracterizam-se pela elevada tolerância a seca e salinidade do solo, sendo uma alternativa viável para reduzir impactos negativos da salinidade, associada à biomassa microbiana. Portanto, o objetivou-se com este trabalho analisar a atividade microbiana em um solo salino sódico do Agreste de Pernambuco, na presença e ausência de plantas de Atriplex nummularia. Para isso, realizaram-se amostragens de solo a 20 cm de profundidade em diferentes situações: 1 e 2) nas proximidades das raízes (20 cm do colo da planta) nos tratamentos com poda e sem poda; 3 e 4) no ponto intermediário do espaçamento entre plantas (125 cm) nos tratamentos com poda e sem poda; 5) e na área sem cultivo das plantas (tratamento testemunha); em período chuvoso. Nessas amostras foram feitas análises de C e N da biomassa microbiana, respiração basal, e C e N total dos solos. Observou-se que o tratamento testemunha teve resultados diferenciados em relação aos outros tratamentos, indicando que sem as plantas de atriplex a microbiota do solo é bastante afetada pela alta concentração de sais. Verificou-se, ainda, uma tendência de aumento da atividade microbiana com a proximidade das raízes de plantas podadas de Atriplex, mostrando que, além de ser uma planta viável para a fitorremediação de solos salinizados, ainda promove uma melhoria da microbiota do solo.

The salinity constitutes a serious limiting factor for agriculture, because most crops are sensitive to salinity, being much affected by the harmful effects of salts./ Halophyte species of the genus Atriplex are characterized by high tolerance to drought and soil salinity, a viable alternative to reduce negative impacts of salinity, associated with the microbial biomass./ Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the microbial activity in saline sodic soil of the Agreste of Pernambuco, in the presence and absence of plants of Atriplex nummularia./ For that, there were samples of soil to 20 cm depth in different situations: 1 and 2) in the proximity of roots (20 cm from the stem of each plant) in treatments with and without pruning, 3 and 4) at the midpoint of plant spacing (125 cm) in treatments with and without pruning, 5) bare soil (control treatment), in the rainy season./ These samples were analyzed for C and N microbial biomass, basal respiration and C and N content of soils./ It was observed that the control treatment had different results compared with other treatments, indicating that without plants of atriplex the soil microbiota is highly affected by the high salt concentrations. There was also a tendency for increased microbial activity with proximity of pruned plant roots of atriplex, showing that, besides being a viable plant for phytoremediation of salinized soils, still promotes an improvement of soil microbes.