ABSTRACT Listening to what the plants say in order to talk to them is the proposal that mobilizes the writing of this article. It starts with a problematization about the utilitarian perspective that commonly characterizes the relationship between humans and plants. This relationship is also reproduced in the teaching of botany, when it is often thought from a technical and hierarchical point of view towards plants and other non-humans. Thus, based mainly on repertoires and notions coming from the arts, philosophy and literature, what is sought is to build possibilities for other encounters with plants. Less hierarchical encounters in which it is possible to hear the almost inaudible voice of the plants and talk to them. article botany nonhumans. nonhumans non humans. non-humans Thus arts literature

RESUMO Ouvir o que dizem as plantas para com elas conversar é a proposta que mobiliza a escrita deste artigo. Parte-se de uma problematização sobre a perspectiva utilitarista que comumente caracteriza a relação entre humanos e plantas. Relação que se reproduz, também, no ensino de botânica, quando frequentemente pensado a partir de um olhar formativo tecnicista e hierárquico para as plantas e outros não humanos. Assim, baseando-se principalmente em repertórios e noções provenientes das artes, da filosofia e da literatura, o que se busca é construir possibilidades de outros encontros com as plantas. Encontros menos hierárquicos nos quais seja possível escutar a voz quase inaudível das plantas e com elas conversar. artigo Partese Parte reproduz também botânica Assim baseandose baseando artes literatura

BACKGROUND It has been demonstrated that proteins expressed by liver-stage Plasmodium parasites can inhibit the translocation of transcription factors to the nucleus of different cells. This process would hinder the expression of immune genes, such as the CCL20 chemokine. OBJECTIVE Since CCR6 is the only cognate receptor for CCL20, we investigated the importance of this chemokine-receptor axis against rodent malaria. METHODS CCR6-deficient (KO) and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice were challenged with Plasmodium berghei (Pb) NK65 sporozoites or infected red blood cells (iRBCs). Liver parasitic cDNA, parasitemia and serum cytokine concentrations were respectively evaluated through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), staining thin-blood smears with Giemsa solution, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). FINDINGS Although the sporozoite challenges yielded similar liver parasitic cDNA and parasitemia, KO mice presented a prolonged survival than WT mice. After iRBC challenges, KO mice kept displaying higher survival rates as well as a decreased IL-12 p70 concentration in the serum than WT mice. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that malaria triggered by PbNK65 liver- or blood-stage forms elicit a pro-inflammatory environment that culminates with a decreased survival of infected C57BL/6 mice.

Abstract Two years ago, we held an exciting event entitled the São Paulo School of Advanced Sciences on Vaccines (SPSASV). Sixty-eight Ph.D. students, postdoctoral fellows and independent researchers from 37 different countries met at the Mendes Plaza Hotel located in the city of Santos, SP - Brazil to discuss the challenges and the new frontiers of vaccinology. The SPSASV provided a critical and comprehensive view of vaccine research from basics to the current state-of-the-art techniques performed worldwide. For 10 days, we discussed all the aspects of vaccine development in 36 lectures, 53 oral presentations and 2 poster sessions. At the end of the course, participants were further encouraged to present a model of a grant proposal related to vaccine development against individual pathogens. Among the targeted pathogens were viruses (Chikungunya, HIV, RSV, and Influenza), bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Streptococcus pyogenes), parasites (Plasmodium falciparum or Plasmodium vivax), and the worm Strongyloides stercoralis. This report highlights some of the knowledge shared at the SPSASV.

Objective. It was analyzed the performance of the institutional websites of the national libraries of Mercosur by means of webometrics indicators: size of website, luminosity, visibility and the web impact factor with natural logarithm. Method. It was about a descriptive research with a quantitative approach. Results. The results show that of the 12 countries belonging to his trade bloc, nine have their own websites. As the results webometric the national libraries that main highlights were the Brazil and Chile, being the Brazil is among the top 3 positions in four indicators analyzed and the Chile in three indicators. Still on the results, both countries are the ones with impact factor on the web, classified as high. It was noted that the website of Peru's national library presented low performance into all indicators, being positioned between the last three placed. Conclusion. The use of webometric indicators showed that the websites of these institutions can serve as a source of information, to study their influence, and their impact on the web, which are associated with the information and content offered on the network.

Objetivo. Analisou-se o desempenho dos websites institucionais das Bibliotecas Nacionais no MERCOSUL por meio dos indicadores webométricos: tamanho de website, luminosidade, visibilidade e fator de impacto na web com logaritmo natural. Método. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva com abordagem quantitativa. Resultados. Os resultados mostram que das 12 bibliotecas nacionais dos países pertencentes a este bloco econômico, nove possuem websites próprios. Quanto aos resultados webométricos, as bibliotecas nacionais que mais se destacaram foram a do Brasil e do Chile, sendo que o Brasil figura entre as três primeiras posições nos quatro indicadores analisados e o Chile em três indicadores. Ainda sobre os resultados, ambos os países são os únicos com fator de impacto na web classificado como alto. Observou-se que o website da biblioteca nacional do Peru apresentou baixo desempenho em todos os indicadores, ficando posicionado entre os últimos três colocados. Conclusão. A utilização dos indicadores webométricos mostrou que os websites destas instituições podem servir como fonte de informação, para investigar sua atratividade, e o seu impacto na web, que estão associados às informações e ao conteúdo disponibilizados na rede.

ABSTRACT Many essential oils (EOs) of different plant species possess interesting antimicrobial effects on buccal bacteria and antioxidant properties. Eugenia klotzschiana Berg (pêra-do-cerrado, in Portuguese) is a species of Myrtaceae with restricted distribution in the Cerrado. The essential oils were extracted through the hydrodistillation technique using a modified Clevenger apparatus (2 hours) and chemically characterized by GC-MS. The major compounds were α-copaene (10.6 %) found in oil from leaves in natura, β-bisabolene (17.4 %) in the essential oil from dry leaves and α-(E)-bergamotene (29.9 %) in oil from flowers. The antioxidant activity of essential oils showed similarities in both methods under analysis (DPPH and ABTS˙+) and the results suggested moderate to high antioxidant activity. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by determining minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), using the microdilution method. MIC values below 400 µg/mL were obtained against Streptococcus salivarius (200 µg/mL), S. mutans (50 µg/mL), S. mitis (200 µg/mL) and Prevotella nigrescens (50 µg/mL). This is the first report of the chemical composition and antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the essential oils of E. klotzschiana. These results suggest that E. klotzschiana, a Brazilian plant, provide initial evidence of a new and alternative source of substances with medicinal interest.

Abstract A practical procedure to reduce the back lobe level of linear microstrip antenna arrays is presented in this paper. The novel concept consists in the design of the radiators asymmetrically positioned with respect to the ground plane. In order to validate this technique, a four-element linearly-polarized array is designed in the HFSS software and a prototype is manufactured. Furthermore, the design of beamforming circuit to achieve broadside radiation and -20 dB side lobe level is detailed. Very good agreement between simulated and experimental results is obtained. Although the technique is presented for linearly polarized arrays, it is general and can also be applied in the circularly polarized ones.

RESUMO: Óleos vegetais são indicados na alimentação humana como parte de uma alimentação saudável. Parte dos frutos nativos do cerrado, como a amêndoa de baru, são fontes naturais desses óleos. Objetivou-se, com este estudo, informar a respeito da qualidade do óleo de baru, tendo como base de comparação o óleo de soja e o azeite de oliva, usualmente consumidos na alimentação humana. Foram realizadas análises de índice de acidez, peróxido e iodo segundo normas oficiais para todos os óleos e, para o óleo de baru, foi realizada ainda a composição em ácidos graxos, também segundo metodologia oficial. O óleo de baru tem potencial para fazer parte da alimentação humana em dietas saudáveis de forma similar ao óleo de soja e ao azeite de oliva.

ABSTRACT: Vegetable oils are suitable for human consumption as part of a healthy diet and native fruits of the cerrado, such as almond baru, which are natural sources of these oils. This study informed about the quality of baru oil having as a basis for comparison, soybean oil and olive oil, usually consumed in human diet. Analyzes of acid value, peroxide and iodine for the three oils and fatty acid composition for the baru oil were performed according to official standard methodology. Baru oil has the potential to be part of the human consumption, in healthy diets similarly to soybean oil and olive oil.

Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar o efeito de diferentes embalagens, ambientes e do tempo de armazenamento na qualidade de sementes de crambe. O crambe, com teor de água de 4,63% (b.u.), foi embalado em garrafas de polietileno de alta densidade (PEAD), em garrafas reutilizadas de polietileno tereftalato (PET) e em embalagens laminadas as quais foram armazenadas nos ambientes: refrigerado a 10 ± 1,19 °C e 34,84 ± 4,09% de umidade relativa (UR) e natural a 24,81 ± 1,82 °C e 54,93 ± 12,77% de umidade relativa (AN). Avaliaram-se, durante nove meses, o teor de óleo e de proteína bruta, os índices de acidez, peróxido e iodo, pH e acidez em álcool solúvel. As sementes acondicionadas em embalagem laminada no AN apresentaram maior teor de proteína bruta no 3° mês e as em AR, maiores índices de peróxido, nos 3° e 6° meses. Em AR, as sementes em embalagens de PEAD apresentaram menor acidez em álcool solúvel. Os teores de proteína bruta e de óleo diminuíram durante o armazenamento, o índice de peróxido e o pH aumentaram e o índice de iodo apresentou variação nos valores. No final do armazenamento os valores de acidez em álcool solúvel eram semelhantes aos do início. O índice de acidez não sofreu interferência das variáveis estudadas.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different packaging, environment and storage time on the chemical quality of crambe seeds. Crambe seeds, with a water content of 4.63% (dry basis), were packed into high density polyethylene (HDPE), reused polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and laminated packages, which were stored in two different environments: refrigerated air (RA) at 10 ± 1.19 °C and 34.84 ± 4.09% relative humidity (RH) and natural air (AN) at 24.81 ± 1.82 °C and 54.93 ± 12.77 % RH. For nine months, the oil and crude protein content, acidity index, peroxide and iodine level, pH, and alcohol-soluble acidity were evaluated. Seeds in laminated packages stored in AN showed higher crude protein content after 3rd month, and in AR, there were higher levels of peroxide after 3rd and 6th months. In AR, the seeds in HDPE packaging showed lower alcohol-soluble acidity. Crude protein and oil content decreased during storage, peroxide level and pH increased and iodine level varied. At the end of storage, the alcohol-soluble acidity returned to base line values. The acidity level was not affected by the changes in the variables studied.

Os níveis séricos de cortisol, resposta glicêmica e secreção de insulina foram avaliados em equinos não exercitados submetidos a sessões de hipóxia normobárica. Cavalos adultos sadios (n=8) foram selecionados após exame físico e submetidos ao teste de tolerância à glicose intravenosa (0,5g kg-1) (TTGIV). Amostras de sangue (n=11) foram coletadas entre 0 e 180 minutos após a administração de glicose para avaliar a resposta glicêmica e a secreção de insulina. Os animais foram então expostos a sessões de uma hora de hipóxia duas vezes ao dia, totalizando 43 sessões, com concentração decrescente de O2 de 17 a 12%. A frequência cardíaca e as amostras sanguíneas para a determinação do cortisol sérico foram coletadas antes e a cada 15 minutos durante as sessões 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 22 e 43. A TTGIV foi repetida ao final do estudo. Os níveis de cortisol sérico foram maiores na sessão 1 (S1) (17% O2) quando comparados aos níveis da S10 (13% O2) e da S43 (12% O2)(P<0,05). A curva glicêmica de equinos clinicamente sadios não submetidos a exercício não é alterada pela exposição a 43 sessões de hipóxia normobárica. O aumento na secreção de insulina, acompanhada de diminuição da frequência cardíaca e cortisol sérico sugerem uma adaptação dos cavalos ao modelo de hipóxia utilizado.

The cortisol levels, glycemic response and insulin secretion were evaluated in non-exercised horses submitted to sessions of normobaric hypoxia. Healthy adult horses (n=8) were selected after physical examination and underwent an intravenous glucose tolerance test (0.5g kg-1) (IVGTT). Blood samples (n=11) were collected between 0 and 180 minutes after glucose administration to evaluate glycemic response and insulin secretion. Then, they were exposed to 1-hour hypoxia sessions twice a day, reaching a total of 43 hypoxia sessions, with [O2] decreasing from 17 to 12%. Heart rate and serum samples to measure cortisol were collected before and every 15 minutes during the sessions 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 22 and 43. The IVGTT was repeated at the end of the study. The serum cortisol levels were higher in session 1 (S1) (17% O2) when compared to the levels of S10 (13% O2) and S43 (12% O2) (P<0.05). The glycemic curve in resting healthy horses is not altered by exposure to 43 normobaric hypoxia sessions. The increase in insulin secretion, followed by decreased heart rate and serum cortisol suggest an adaptation of the horses to the hypoxia model used.

A educação ambiental tem a tarefa de buscar novas formas de relacionamento entre ser humano e natureza, pautadas em um posicionamento ético, mas carrega as dificuldades impostas por um modelo de educação engessado, pautado na lógica da racionalidade técnico-científica que permeia toda a sociedade. Na tentativa de superar essa condição, propomos a educação estética ambiental como forma de o ser humano relacionar-se com o mundo que habita, tendo o desafio de provocar o reencontro do humano com as dimensões sensível, afetiva e poética que o compõem. Tendo este campo como fundamento, buscamos, teoricamente, refletir sobre a inserção de uma proposta artística como meio de se chegar aos objetivos necessários à educação ambiental. No campo da arte, voltamo-nos ao teatro do oprimido, que tem como principal objetivo a democratização do teatro, considerada atividade orgânica do ser humano. Identificamos nele aproximações com os princípios e objetivos buscados pela educação estética ambiental.

The environmental education is aimed at seeking new forms of relationship between human beings and nature. Although based on an ethical position, it carries the difficulties imposed by a plaster model of education, based on the logic of technical-scientific rationality that permeates society. In an attempt to overcome such condition we propose the aesthetic environmental education as a way of human beings to relate with the world they inhabit while posing the challenge to lead the reunion with their sensitive, emotional and poetic dimensions. Having this field as a basis, we, theoretically, reflect on the inclusion of an artistic proposal as a means of achieving the necessary goals for the environmental education. In the field of art, we turn to the theater of the oppressed, which has the goal of theater democratization, as an organic activity of human beings. We have identified in it approximations to the principles and objectives sought by the aesthetic environmental education.

Vaccines have had an unquestionable impact on public health during the last century. The most likely reason for the success of vaccines is the robust protective properties of specific antibodies. However, antibodies exert a strong selective pressure and many microorganisms, such as the obligatory intracellular parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, have been selected to survive in their presence. Although the host develops a strong immune response to T. cruzi, they do not clear the infection and instead progress to the chronic phase of the disease. Parasite persistence during the chronic phase of infection is now considered the main factor contributing to the chronic symptoms of the disease. Based on this finding, containment of parasite growth and survival may be one method to avoid the immunopathology of the chronic phase. In this context, vaccinologists have looked over the past 20 years for other immune effector mechanisms that could eliminate these antibody-resistant pathogens. We and others have tested the hypothesis that non-antibody-mediated cellular immune responses (CD4+ Th1 and CD8+ Tc1 cells) to specific parasite antigens/genes expressed by T. cruzi could indeed be used for the purpose of vaccination. This hypothesis was confirmed in different mouse models, indicating a possible path for vaccine development.

INTRODUÇÃO: O dinamômetro isocinético tem sido largamente utilizado na avaliação da performance muscular. Devido a seu alto custo, a sua utilização torna-se inviável na prática clínica. O hop test é um teste para avaliação da força e da confiança nos membros inferiores (MMII) que pode ser utilizado na clínica com pequeno gasto de tempo e mínima demanda financeira. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se existe associação entre o hop test e dados da função muscular fornecidos pela avaliação do joelho no dinamômetro isocinético em atletas profissionais. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Trinta atletas de voleibol (oito mulheres e 22 homens) foram avaliados no dinamômetro isocinético nas velocidades de 60º/s e 300º/s e no hop test a distância. RESULTADOS: Foi observada somente uma correlação baixa entre déficit de pico de torque (r = 0,441) e de trabalho (r = 0,610) a 60º/s com o déficit da distância saltada entre MMII. Foi observada baixa associação entre a performance muscular e a distância saltada no hop test exceto no membro inferior direito de mulheres. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo mostrou que o hop test não pode ser usado para substituir a dinamometria isocinética na avaliação da função muscular.

The isokinetic dynamometer has been widely used to assess the muscle performance. Due to its high cost, the use of such device in clinical practice becomes unfeasible. The one-leg hop is a test to evaluate the strength and reliance on lower limbs that may be used in routine clinical trials at low cost, being no time-consuming. The present study aimed to assess whether there is any association between the hop test and the muscular function data provided by the knee evaluations at the isokinetic dynamometer in professional athletes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty volleyball players (8 women and 22 men) were evaluated by means of isokinetic dynamometer at speeds of 60º/s and 300º/s, and through the hop test at distance. RESULTS: It was observed a low correlation between the deficit of the peak torque (r = 0,441) and the work (r = 0,610) at 60º/s, with a deficit for hopped distance between lower limbs. Moreover, it was found a low correlation between the muscle performance and the distance reached during the hop test, except for women in the right lower limb. CONCLUSION: The current study has shown that the hop test cannot be used to replace isokinetic dynamometric tests for functional tests.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El dinamómetro isocinético ha sido largamente utilizado en la evaluación de la performance muscular. Debido a su alto costo, su utilización es inviable en la práctica clínica. El hop test es un test para la evaluación de la fuerza y de la confianza de los miembros inferiores (MMII) que puede ser utilizado en la clínica con pequeño gasto de tiempo y mínima demanda financeira. El objetivo de este estudio fué verificar se existe asociación entre el hop test y los datos de la función muscular obtenidos por la evaluación de la rodilla en dinamómetro isocinético en atletas profesionales. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Treinta atletas de voleibol (8 mujeres y 22 hombres) fueron evaluados en dinamómetro isocinético en las velocidades de 60º/s y 300º/s y en el hop test a distancia. RESULTADOS: Fué observada solamente una correlación baja entre el déficit de pico de cambio (r = 0,441) y de trabajo (r = 0,610) a 60º/s con el déficit de la distancia saltada entre MMII. Fué observada una baja associação entre la performance muscular y la distancia saltada en el hop test excepto en el miembro inferior directo de mujeres. CONCLUSIÓN: Este estudio mostró que el hop test no puede ser usado para substituir la dinamometría isocinética en la evaluación de la función muscular.

As alterações que envolvem as globinas devem-se a modificações em genes responsáveis pela seqüência e estrutura das cadeias polipeptídicas, bem como aos genes reguladores da síntese destas cadeias. Hemoglobinas variantes apresentam estrutura química diferente da hemoglobina normal correspondente, resultante de mutações em uma ou mais bases nitrogenadas, ocasionando a troca de aminoácidos nas globinas alfa, beta, delta ou gama. A hemoglobina N-Baltimore é uma variante de globina beta, com substituição da lisina, na posição 95, por ácido glutâmico, apresentando mobilidade eletroforética mais rápida que a hemoglobina A em pH alcalino. Nas análises eletroforéticas em pH alcalino realizadas em doadores de sangue do Hemocentro de São José do Rio Preto (SP) identificamos a presença de portador de hemoglobina rápida em heterozigose, posteriormente confirmada por focalização isoelétrica e cromatografia líquida de alta pressão (HPLC). Os estudos de hemoglobinas anormais em doadores de sangue permitem a identificação de variantes raras e possibilitam o aconselhamento genético adequado a cada caso com estudo familial.

The alterations that involve globin chains are due to modifications in genes responsible for the sequence and structures of each polypeptide chain, as well as to regulator genes of the synthesis. Variant hemoglobin presents different chemical structure from the corresponding normal hemoglobin, resultant of mutations in one or more bases, causing change of amino acids in the alpha, beta, delta or gamma chain. The hemoglobin N is a beta globin variant, with substitution of lisina, in the position 95, for a glutamic acid, promoting electrophoretic mobility faster than the hemoglobin A in alkaline pH. In electrophoretical analysis of blood donor from São José do Rio Preto, SP, a carrier of hemoglobin N was identified in heterozygous, confirmed by isoelectric focusing and HPLC. The hemoglobin studies in blood donors permit the identification of rare variants and facilitate the genetic counseling and familial study.