RESUMO A soja está sujeita à ocorrência de patógenos transmitidos por sementes, necessitando de tratamento fitossanitário, porém, este pode ser tóxico ao homem e ao ambiente. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito dos óleos essenciais de alecrim (Rosmarinus officinalis) e eucalipto (Corymbia citriodora) no tratamento contra fungos fitopatogênicos em sementes de soja armazenadas. O experimento foi em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 2 × 5, para sementes com e sem inoculação de fungos (Aspergillus flavus e Penicillium rubens) e cinco tratamentos de sementes (três óleos essenciais, controle positivo e controle negativo), com quatro repetições. Os óleos essenciais de alecrim, eucalipto e a combinação destes foram aplicados na dose de 4 mL kg-1 de sementes de soja, na concentração de 700 µL mL-1. Como controle negativo (testemunha) utilizou-se água destilada com Tween® 80 a 2% e como controle positivo o fungicida comercial Vitavax-Thiram® 200SC, conforme dosagem do fabricante. O óleo essencial de R. officinalis foi eficiente no controle de Penicillium sp. nas sementes de soja armazenadas e apresentou efeito semelhante ao controle positivo. O óleo essencial de C. citriodora reduziu a incidência de Aspergillus sp. Portanto, estes óleos essenciais têm potencial para serem utilizados no controle alternativo de patógenos de sementes de soja.

ABSTRACT Soybean is subject to occurrences of pathogens transmitted by seeds, requiring phytosanitary treatment, however, it can be toxic to humans and the environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of essential oils of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and eucalyptus (Corymbia citriodora) on the control of phytopathogenic fungi in stored soybean seeds. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, using a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement consisted of seeds with and without fungal inoculation (Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium rubens) and five seed treatments (three essential oils, positive control, and negative control), with four replicates. Rosemary and eucalyptus essential oils and their combination were applied to soybean seeds at the rate of 4 mL kg-1, at a concentration of 700 µL mL-1. Distilled water with 2% Tween® 80 was used as negative control, and the commercial fungicide Vitavax-Thiram® 200SC was used as positive control, according to the manufacturers’ recommendations. The R. officinalis essential oil was efficient in the control of Penicillium sp. in stored soybean seeds and showed a similar effect to the positive control. The C. citriodora essential oil reduced the incidence of Aspergillus sp. Therefore, these essential oils have potential to be used as an alternative control of soybean seed pathogens.

RESUMO O manejo do nitrogênio analisando indicadores agronômicos e ambientais garante produtividade satisfatória com maior qualidade ambiental. O objetivo neste estudo é propor um manejo mais sustentável de uso do nitrogênio em trigo, considerando o fornecimento em dose cheia e fracionada com estimativa da eficiência técnica, econômica e de expectativa de produtividade. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos, um para quantificar a produtividade de biomassa e outro, para avaliação do rendimento de grãos. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições em fatorial 5 × 3, para doses de N-fertilizante (0, 30, 60, 90 e 120 kg ha-1) e forma de fornecimento do nutriente [condição cheia (100%) no estádio fenológico V3 (terceira folha expandida); fracionada (70/30%) no estádio fenológico V3/V6 (terceira e sexta folha expandida) e; fracionada (70/30%) no estádio fenológico V3/R1 (início da antese)], respectivamente. O manejo mais sustentável do nitrogênio em trigo é obtido com a dose de expectativa de produtividade de 3 t ha-1 pela adubação manual, com o nutriente fornecido em dose cheia no estádio fenológico V3.

ABSTRACT The management of nitrogen by the assessment of agronomic and environmental indicators ensures satisfactory productivity with higher environmental quality. The objective of this study was to propose more sustainable management of nitrogen use in wheat, considering the supply of full and fractioned doses with an estimate of technical, economic efficiency, and expected productivity. Two experiments were conducted, one to quantify biomass productivity and the other to evaluate grain yield. The experimental design consisted of a randomized block with four repetitions in a 5 × 3 factorial, for N-fertilizer doses (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg ha-1) and nutrient supply form [full condition (100%) in the phenological stage V3 (the third leaf expanded); fractionated (70/30%) in the phenological stage V3/V6 (third and sixth leaf expanded) and; fractionated (70/30%) in the phenological stage V3/R1 (beginning of anthesis)], respectively. The most sustainable management of nitrogen in wheat was obtained with the expected yield rate of 3 t ha-1 by manual fertilization, with nitrogen supplied in full dose at the V3 phenological stage.

RESUMO A lógica fuzzy pode simular a produtividade do trigo auxiliando na previsibilidade de safras. Objetivou-se no estudo o uso de lógica fuzzy para simulação da produtividade do trigo nas condições de uso do nitrogênio junto aos efeitos de temperatura do ar e precipitação pluviométrica, nos principais sistemas de sucessão do cereal no sul do Brasil. O estudo foi conduzido nos anos de 2014, 2015 e 2016, em Augusto Pestana, RS, Brasil. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições em fatorial 4 x 3, para doses de N-fertilizante (0, 30, 60, 120 kg ha-1) e formas de fornecimento do nutriente [condição única (100%) no estádio fenológico V3 (terceira folha expandida); fracionada (70%/30%) no estádio fenológico V3/V6 (terceira e sexta folha expandida) e; fracionada (70%/30%) no estádio fenológico V3/E (terceira folha expandida e início do enchimento de grãos)], respectivamente, no sistema soja/trigo e milho/trigo. As funções de pertinências e os valores linguísticos estabelecidos para as variáveis de entrada e de saída se mostram adequados para o uso da lógica fuzzy. A lógica fuzzy simula com eficiência a produtividade de grãos de trigo nas condições de uso do nitrogênio com temperatura do ar e precipitação pluviométrica nos sistemas de cultivo.

ABSTRACT Fuzzy logic can simulate wheat productivity by assisting crop predictability. The objective of the study is the use of fuzzy logic to simulate wheat yield in the conditions of nitrogen use, together with the effects of air temperature and rainfall, in the main cereal succession systems in Southern Brazil. The study was conducted in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016, in Augusto Pestana, RS, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four repetitions in a 4 x 3 factorial scheme for N-fertilizer doses (0, 30, 60, 120 kg ha-1) and nutrient supply forms [100% in phenological stage V3 (third expanded leaf); (70%/30%) in the phenological stage V3/V6 (third and sixth expanded leaf) and; fractionated (70%/30%) at the phenological stage V3/E (third expanded leaf and beginning of grain filling)], respectively, in the soybean/wheat and corn/wheat systems. The pertinence functions and the linguistic values established for the input and output variables are adequate for the use of fuzzy logic. Fuzzy logic simulates wheat grain yield efficiently in the conditions of nitrogen use with air temperature and rainfall in crop systems.

RESUMO: O Labrador Retriever é uma das principais raças caninas com maior predisposição à obesidade. Vários fatores, especialmente as interrelações entre a alimentação, exercício e fatores sociais, influenciam a probabilidade de um cão se tornar obeso. Além disso, fatores genéticos são também responsáveis pela obesidade em cães, e no Labrador Retriever a mutação “frameshift” P187fs no gene pró-opiomelanocortina (POMC) está fortemente associada à obesidade. Não existem estudos prévios de prevalência da deleção P187fs no gene POMC em cães Labrador Retriever no Brasil. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi investigar esta mutação em cães da raça Labrador Retriever no Brasil. Dos 108 Labradores Retrievers avaliados neste estudo, 59 eram de um estudo retrospectivo (composto por animais atendido no hospital veterinário e sem linhagem conhecida) e 49 eram de um estudo prospectivo (composto por 19 cães pet e 30 cães de assistência/resgate). Um questionário de risco de obesidade modificado foi aplicado nos tutores dos animais usados no estudo prospectivo. Fragmentos de DNA, contendo a mutação, foram amplificados por PCR e submetidos ao sequenciamento gênico direto. A frequência alélica da mutação foi de 21,3% e estava fora do equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg (P<0,05). Usando somente os dados dos animais de linhagem conhecida, a presença do alelo mutado foi maior no Grupo de cães de Assistência/resgate que no Grupo de Pets (P<0,01), além disso, as frequências alélicas nos Grupos de Assistência/resgate (31,7%) e no de pets (18,4%) estavam fora e em equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg (P<0,05), respectivamente. Embora a mutação tenha aumentado a motivação pelo alimento em cães Labrador Retriever do Grupo de Assistência/resgate, outras variáveis, especialmente o frequente exercício, favoreceu a manutenção o peso corporal ideal (peso corporal = 5). Em resumo, o desequilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg observado na distribuição do alelo POMC_P187fs observado neste estudo, independentemente do grupo de Labrador Retriever avaliado, sugere a possibilidade de uma seleção positiva para o alelo mutado, o qual poderá levar a manutenção desse alelo deletério nesta população.

ABSTRACT: The Labrador Retriever is among the main breeds with the greatest predisposition to obesity. Several factors, especially the interrelationships between food management, exercise and social factors; influence the likelihood of a dog becoming obese. Furthermore, genetic factors are also responsible for obesity in dogs, and in Labrador Retriever, a frameshift mutation (P187fs) in pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene is strongly associated with obesity. There is no knowledge of studies that have previously evaluated the prevalence of the canine POMC deletion (P187fs) in Brazilian Labrador Retriever. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate this mutation in Labrador Retriever dogs in Brazil. Of the 108 Labrador Retrievers that were assessed in this study, 59 were from a previous study, composed by animals assisted in a veterinary hospital with unknown lineage, and 49 were from a prospective study, composed of 19 pet and 30 assistance/rescue Labrador Retriever dogs. The obesity risk and appetite questionnaire were applied, with some modifications, to tutors of the animals used in the prospective study. Fragments of the DNA, containing the mutation, were amplified by PCR and submitted to direct gene sequencing. The allele frequency of the mutation was 21.3% and was out of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P<0.05). Using only the data of animals with known lineage, the presence of the mutated allele was higher in the Assistance/rescue Group than Pet Group (P<0.01), furthermore, the allele frequencies observed in Assistance Group (31.7%) was out of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P<0.05), while that in the Pet Group (18.4%) was in equilibrium (P>0.05). Although the mutation has increased the food-motivation in the assistance/rescue dogs, other variables, especially frequent exercising, favored that these animals maintained the ideal body weight (body condition score = 5). In summary, the Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium observed in the allele distribution of the deletion POMC_P187fs in this study, independently of the Labrador Retriever group assessed, suggesting the possibility of positive selection of the mutated allele, which may lead to the maintenance of this deleterious allele in the studied population.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are suitable contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging due to their effect on proton relaxation times, and excellent biocompatibility and biodistribution in tissue. In the present study, a ferrofluid formed by dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles was prepared by the coprecipitation method and with subsequent steps of crosslinking and addition of functionalizations on the nanoparticle's surface (amino groups and a fluorophore). The effect of differences in the synthesis route (ratio of dextran to iron salts and temperature of the reaction) on the physico-chemical characteristics of the nanoparticles and their performance as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging was investigated. Overall, the nuclear magnetic relaxation times of water protons in aqueous suspensions of the nanoparticles did not show major differences among different batches, with no significant effect due to the addition of the fluorophore or changes in the dextran fraction of up to 50%. Larger reductions in the ratio of dextran to iron salts resulted in particles with slightly larger sizes, higher saturation magnetization and distinct nuclear magnetic relaxation times.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a distribuição das espécies, perfil de resistência a antibióticos e presença de enterotoxinas (SE) genes em estafilococos isolados do arroio Dilúvio no Sul do Brasil. Oitenta e oito estafilococos foram identificados, 93,18% foram identificados como coagulase negativa (SCN) e 6,82% coagulase-positiva (SCP). Quatorze espécies de Staphylococcus foram detectados e as mais frequentes foram Staphylococcus cohnii (30,48%) e S. haemolyticus (21,95%). Resistência à eritromicina foi verificada em 37,50% das cepas, seguido por 27,27% de penicilina, 12,50% de clindamicina, 6,81% de trimetoprim-sulfametoxazol, 5,68% a cloranfenicol e 2,27% a norfloxacina. Nenhuma das cepas investigadas mostrou resistência a gentamicina e ciprofloxacina. As cepas foram testadas para a presença dos genes sea, seb, sec, sed e see por PCR e somente as cepas SCN (43,18%) apresentaram resultados positivos para um ou mais genes SE. A importância científica dos nossos resultados é devida à falta de dados sobre esses temas em águas poluídas no Brasil. Em conclusão, as águas poluídas do córrego Dilúvio podem constituir um reservatório de disseminação de resistência a antibióticos e enterotoxina na comunidade. Além disso, a detecção de estafilococos em águas poluídas do arroio do Dilúvio indicou uma situação de contaminação do ambiente e condições ruins de saneamento.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the species distribution, antibiotic-resistance profile and presence of enterotoxin (SE) genes in staphylococci isolated from the Dilúvio stream in South Brazil. Eighty-eight staphylococci were identified, 93.18% were identified as coagulase-negative (CNS) and 6.82% coagulase-positive (CPS). Fourteen Staphylococcus species were detected and the most frequently were Staphylococcus cohnii(30.48%) and S. haemolyticus(21.95%). Resistance to erythromycin was verified in 37.50% of the strains, followed by 27.27% to penicillin, 12.50% to clindamycin, 6.81% to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 5.68% to chloramphenicol and 2.27% to norfloxacin. None of the investigated strains showed gentamicin and ciprofloxacin resistance. The strains were tested for the presence of sea, seb, sec, sed and see genes by PCR and only CNS strains (43.18%) showed positive results to one or more SE genes. The scientific importance of our results is due to the lack of data about these topics in polluted waters in Brazil. In conclusion, polluted waters from the Dilúvio stream may constitute a reservoir for disseminating antibiotic-resistance and enterotoxin into the community. In addition, the detection of staphylococci in the polluted waters of the Dilúvio stream indicated a situation of environmental contamination and poor sanitation conditions.

Penicillium brasilianum was previously isolated from tea and identified by molecular biology technique. A Plackett-Burman design, followed by a complete second order design was used for the screening of most important factors and to maximize the pectin liase (PMGL) activity, respectively. The maximum PMGL activity by P. brasilianum achieved was 9.0 U/mL after 48 h of cultivation in a medium containing pectin (33.0 g/L), yeast extract (30.0 g/L) and potassium phosphate (2.0 g/L) at 30ºC, with a stirring rate of 180 rpm, initial pH 5.5 and 5x106spores/mL inoculum size. The kinetic evaluation in terms of substrate consumption demonstrated that the maximum production of PMGL was at 72 h, and 40% of the total organic carbon, 25% of the nitrogen, 88% of the magnesium, 13% of the potassium and 66% of the iron were consumed. The pH remained almost stable during the whole period of production (5.33 to 4.9). The partial characterization of the crude PMGL enzyme extract showed optimal pH and temperature of 5.5 and 37°C, respectively.