Agroecological dairy production systems are gaining attention worldwide. However, few studies have compared the quality of bovine milk produced in these systems with that produced in conventional dairy production systems. In view of the different farming practices, it was expected that milk quality would differ between systems. This study aimed to compare the quality of milk produced by cows raised in the two systems. Twelve conventional farms and 10 agroecological farms were evaluated. Milk samples were analysed for chemical composition, somatic cell count, nitrate and nitrite levels, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), which was assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Mean somatic cell counts (SSC) were high for both agroecological systems (2.31 SCC/mL (log10)) and conventional systems (2.42 SCC/mL (log10)). Nitrate levels of milk in agroecological and conventional systems were 0.15 ± 0.03 and 0.17 ± 0.02 mg/L, and nitrite levels were 0.05 ± 0.03 and 0.07 ± 0.02 mg/L. The DPPH radical scavenging activity levels were 6.31 ± 0.55% and 6.64 ± 0.44% for agroecological and conventional systems. According to the ABTS method, TAC values were 6.63 ± 0.28% and 6.48 ± 0.20% for agroecological systems and conventional systems. Thus, although these systems adopted different farming practices, no significant differences were observed in milk composition, SCC, nitrate, nitrite, and TAC.

RESUMO Objetivou-se neste estudo analisar biomarcadores histológicos e bioquímicos em brânquias de U. cordatus indicativos de impactos na Baía de São Marcos. Caranguejos foram coletados em quatro áreas na Baía de São Marcos: A1= Ilha dos Caranguejos (com baixo impacto); A2= Coqueiro, A3= Porto Grande, A4= Cajueiro (áreas potencialmente impactadas). Mediram-se os dados biométricos de cada exemplar de caranguejo. Amostras de brânquias foram submetidas à técnica histológica padrão e homogeneizadas em tampão fosfato, e o sobrenadante foi utilizado para análise das enzimas glutationa-S-transferase (GST) e catalase (CAT). A biometria indicou que os caranguejos de A1 são significativamente (P<0,05) maiores e mais pesados do que os caranguejos das áreas A2, A3 e A4. As alterações branquiais (rompimento das células pilastras, deformação do canal marginal, deslocamento da cutícula e necrose) foram significativamente (P˂0,05) mais frequentes em caranguejos de A2, A3 e A4 do que nos caranguejos de A1. As atividades enzimáticas da GST e CAT nos caranguejos apresentaram diferença significativa (P<0,05) entre as áreas de coletas, com padrão similar ao observado para as alterações branquiais. Os biomarcadores analisados mostraram que os caranguejos estão sob diferentes níveis de impactos (A4>A3>A2>A1) ao longo da Baía de São Marcos.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to analyze histological and biochemical biomarkers in U. cordatus gills indicative of impacts in São Marcos Bay. Crabs were collected from four areas in São Marcos Bay: A1=Ilha dos Caranguejos (with low impact); A2=Coqueiro, A3=Porto Grande, A4=Cajueiro (potentially impacted areas). The biometric data of each specimen was measured. Gill samples were submitted to standard histological technique and homogenized in phosphate buffer, and the supernatant was used for analysis of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activity. Biometric data indicated that crabs found in A1 are significantly (P<0.05) larger and heavier than crabs found in A2, A3 and A4 areas. Gill alterations (rupture of pilaster cells, Dilation of the marginal channel, Cuticle Rupture and necrosis) were significantly (P˂0.05) more frequent in the crabs in A2, A3 and A4 than crabs in A1. The enzymatic activities of GST and CAT showed significant difference (P<0.05) between the sampling areas, similar to that observed for gill alterations. The biomarkers analyzed showed that the crabs are under different impact levels (A4> A3> A2> A1) along the São Marcos Bay.

RESUMO Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar o controle de Rottboelia spp. com a mistura formulada diuron + hexazinone + sulfometuron-methyl e a emergência dessa planta daninha nos meses de abril, maio, junho, julho, agosto, setembro, outubro e novembro de 2012 na cultura da cana-de-açúcar, variedade RB867515. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados, com os tratamentos dispostos em esquema fatorial 4 x 4, com quatro repetições para os meses de abril a novembro. Nos ensaios de emergência utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos casualizados, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas 8 x 5, com quatro repetições. Os fatores analisados foram as doses da mistura formulada (diuron + hexazinone + sulfometuron-methyl), que consistiram em: 1.809,00 + 510,00 + 43,50 g ha-1 (T2); 1.507,50 + 425,00 + 36,25 g ha-1 (T3) e 1.386,90 + 391,00 + 33,35 g ha-1 (T4), além da testemunha (T1) sem aplicação. Controles superiores a 80,00% foram verificados para a aplicação realizada no mês de novembro nas avaliações aos 30 e 60 DAA, independentemente da dose utilizada. Todos os tratamentos foram seletivos para a variedade RB867515 de cana-de-açúcar. Os ensaios instalados nos meses de agosto, setembro, outubro e novembro registraram a maior densidade populacional.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the control of Rottboelia spp. with the formulated mixture diuron + hexazinone + sulfometuron-methyl and the emergence of this weed in the months of April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November 2012 in sugarcane cultivation, cultivar RB867515. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, with treatments in a 4 x 4 factorial arrangement with four replicates for the months of April to November. The emergence tests used a randomized block design, in a 8 x 5 split plot arrangement with four replicates. The analyzed factors were the rates of the formulated mixture (diuron + hexazinone + sulfometuron-methyl), which consisted of: 1,809.00 + 510.00 + 43.50 g ha-1 (T2); 1,507.50 + 425.00 + 36.25 g ha-1 (T3) and 1,386.90 + 391.00 + 33.35 g ha-1 (T4), in addition to the control (T1) without application. Controls over 80.00% were found for the application performed in the month of November in evaluations at 30 and 60 DAA, regardless of the rate in use. All treatments were selective for the sugarcane cultivar RB867515. The tests conducted in the months of August, September, October and November showed the highest population density.

Os pombos possuem uma rica diversidade de microrganismo, entre eles fungos sapróbios, como do gênero Cryptococcus, que podem atuar como agentes patogênicos para o homem e animais. Objetivou-se o isolamento, a caracterização bioquímica e a molecular de amostras de Cryptococcus spp. de excretas ambientas de pombos. Foram colhidas 100 amostras ambientais de pontos equidistantes e representativos da área da cidade de Araçatuba, São Paulo. As amostras foram rasteladas do solo de vias públicas, armazenadas em frasco coletor e encaminhadas para o Laboratório de Bacteriologia e Micologia da FMVA, onde foram processadas e cultivadas em duplicata, em placas de Petri contendo ágar Sabouraud dextrose a 4% e Niger. Em seguida, foram incubadas à temperatura ambiente e a 30ºC, respectivamente, por um período não inferior a 15 dias. Após a observação diária, as colônias sugestivas para levedura foram reisoladas em ágar Niger e submetidas a testes bioquímicos para posterior caracterização molecular pela técnica da PCR. Como resultado, a caracterização bioquímica e a molecular isolaram 32 colônias leveduriformes, sendo 8% dos cultivos positivos para Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans, 17% para Rhodotorula rubidae e 7% Candida albicans. Pelo exposto, concluiu-se que excretas ambientais de pombos constituem um microfoco para Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans e outras leveduras com potencial patogênico, representando um risco à saúde pública, sendo necessárias medidas preventivas, como a higienização com a correta remoção das excretas, a fim de minimizar os riscos de exposição ambiental.

ABSTRACT Pigeons have a rich diversity of microrganisms, including fungi saprobes such as the genus Cryptococcus that can act as a pathogen for humans and animals. The aim of this was their isolation, biochemical and molecular characterization of samples of Cryptococcus from ambientas avian excreta. One hundred environmental samples,representative of the area equidistant from Araçatuba, São Paulo points were collected. The samples were removed and stored in collection bottles, sent to the Laboratory of Bacteriology and Mycology of FMVA, where they were processed and cultivated in duplicate on Petri dishes containing Sabouraud dextrose 4% and Niger and incubated at room temperature 30° C, respectively, for a period of no less than 15 days. Colonies after daily observation which were suggestive for yeast growth were re-isolated in Niger agar and subjected to biochemical analisis for further molecular characterization by PCR tests. As results, the biochemical and molecular characterization of 32 yeast colonies revealed 8% of cultures positive for Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans, 17% Rhodotorula rubidae and 7% Candida albicans. It was concluded that environmental avian excreta are active sites for replication of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans and other yeasts with pathogenic potential. These constitute a public health risk, and preventive measures are necessary, such as cleaning and complete removal of excreta in order to minimize the risk of environmental exposure.